Chapter2: The Shadows of Ragnarock
And there the amassed armies of Garlan stood, weapons drawn and prepared for battle. The four knights stood at the frontlines, still mounted on their Chocobos and with their swords drawn at their sides. However, all was quite strange in the Valley of Titans, for all was dead silent. The archers bows made no noise. The wind did not blow. The sounds of war were nowhere to be found among the valley trenches.
Vance jumped from his chocobo and sheethed his sword. "Something's up....its all too quiet." His eyes shifted to all sides of the valley. He scanned the mountains that rested to the sides, and to the massive mountain, Odin's Throne, that lie before him. "I'm not so sure of this. I still feel it was unwise for Lord Garlan to dispatch his best forces to this battle."
"Do not be so foolish, Vance" Kajata said dismounting, "King Garlan still has his best at the castle. What has been sent are the his greatest warriors and mages, along with us. He still has his Imperial Warriors and Arch Mages guarding the castle and city."
Vance turned his gaze to Kajata. "Then why are we here? We're the best of the soldiers! Shouldnt we be protecting the King?!"
"Calm yourself!" Kajata demanded, "You're tongue betrays you again, Vance. You have much to learn in the realm of war. The King knows what he is doing. Had he not sent us, then the other soldiers would be in much of tougher battle. Mind you, Knightship is not about serving your own desires. Its about servanthood..service to the kingdom. This is especially true to those chosen as the Knights of Alexander."
Byron looked on and grinned. Those two were constantly at odds with each other. Because of Vance's youth, he was still full of ambition and at times lost sight of the true importance of matters. He was quite skilled and had the right intentions, but his lack of experiance tended to cloud his judgement at times. These moments would inevitably lead to a lecture by Kajata.
As the two continued to argue a monsterous roar came from the mountain before them. So powerful in fact that it nearly shook the archers off the side mountains. This immediately stunted the arguement between the two knights and focused their attention to Odin's Throne. T
They watched for a few moments but nothing happened. Again an eerie quiet befell the valley. Except this time there was something in the air. The sent of lightning, of a storm. The skies above the Garlan army began to rumble and darken. All the soldiers began to look around to find the cause of the disturbance, but nothing was obvious or out of place.
A large number of black mage did, however, sense what was being conjured up. The shouted at the top of their lungs for all the white mages to cast reflect as soon as possible. The white mages, frightened by the sudden shout, did just that.
All the white mages lifted their hands and over the entire army formed a massive magical shield. As soon as the shield spread to the furthermost points of the army, a giant volley of lightning bolts crashed into the field and just as quickly dispersed and slammed into the various mountain edges. Bolt3 had just been cast over the entire army.
Vance drew his sword and lifted it into the air. "All Knights! To the foot of the mountain! Black Mages, follow in between each Knight! White Mages cast reraise on all members! Summoners, stand by for further orders!" Vance dropped his sword to his side and then lifted it to his side. "STORM ODIN'S THRONE!"
The soldiers dashed forward in unison and in formation, storming their way forward to the gargantuan mountain that lie before them. However they were not aware just what they were doing. Vance had managed to make another foolish, and this time costly mistake. Such a hasty move in an uncertain situation could cause an untimely end.
Kajata remounted his chocobo and cut a glance over to Krauser and Byron, who were drawing their swords and preparing for battle. All three had their eyes fixed at the side of the mountain, and as the all suspected, a horde of beasts, lead by a number of Hell Knights charged torwards their squardon. Kajata then cut a glass upward to the archers, who let their arrows sail into the approaching enemy. He then motion forward and they followed behind the other soldiers.
Arrows sailed left and right, picking off enemy by enemy. Bolts of lightning and flashes of fire abounded as the mages went head on with each other. It almost seemed like a suicide battle as life was exchanged for life. The Knights, however, were fairing well in the forefront of the battle. Each blow found its mark on the enemy and with their swords being infused with holy energy, the enemies fell quickly. The Dragoon's lances pierced many enemies straight through their dark hearts, and some shattered the helms of the evil plague. Nevertheless, the melee combat was going very well, minus a few casualties on the Garlan armies side.
Kajata lifted his sword and commanded all the soldiers to pull back behind him. In typical fashion, all the soldiers obeyed with the exception of Vance, who was still fighting a horde of imps and trolls. Kajata shouted for him to pull back, but all it did was destract him. Vance looked over to Kajata, however turning his attention from the battle proved to his undoing, or so it seemed. As he began to turn his attention to the enemy again, a blade peirced right through his stomach. The ogre smiled as Vance lay on the end of his sword.
"VANCE! YOU FOOL!!" Kajata shouted jumping off his chocobo and running into the center of the battle. As he neared the area, he saw someone drop from the sky and shatter the helm and skull of the ogre. He watched as the Ogre turned to see his slayer, and then collapsed on his face. The ogre fell to the blade of Vance. Kajata looked at Vance as he continued to fight. "A time mage tactic...teleport I believe" he thought, "interesting how a Knight utilizes such techniques."
Vance impaled another enemy and then decapitated its brethren. Now Vance stood face to face with the general of that battalion, the Iron Man, a heavilly armored Dark Knight. Vance wailed away at the soldier but nothing dented its powerful armor. As Vance prepared to strike the helm of Golem, he was batted backwards to the ground. His army watched as he duled this great beast, catching their breath and waiting to see what else would happen.
Vance stood up and locked his sword with the massive broad sword of the Iron Man. He staggered backwards but didnt loosen his grip on the sword, yet the Iron Man managed to resist with only one hand on his sword. Vance caught this fact just too late, as the Iron Man brought his fist back and punched him in the chest, winding him and throwing him backwards another ten feet, his sword being left laying at the foot of the massive soldier.
"Shouldnt we intervene?" a Knight standing next to Kajata asked. Kajata shook his head and put his hand out. He knew Vance must have had some trick up his sleeve, or else he wouldnt be doing something so painfully insane.
Vance stood up and glared the monster in his one revealed eye. "Time to show Kajata what I know..." He ran torwards the Iron Man full speed, but as soon as he reached it, he rolled under him and picked his sword up. Vance was now facing Garlan's army, giving them full view of his upcoming attack. "Now for the show..."
Vance rushed the giant and ducked the swing of its broad sword. As soon as he was near him, he swung his sword upwards with all his might, dragging the sword across the ground first to stir up a cloud of dust. The blade crossed the chest of the Iron Man and lifted his feat of the ground. While he was off the ground, Vance swung the sword in a cross formation into the chest of it, creating a scar in the center of the armor. From there he ran and kicked off the beasts chest and catapulted himself into the air, sword raised to the sky. "JUDGEMENT OF THE HEAVEN'S! STRIKE DOWN THE SOUL OF THE ENEMY! HEAVEN'S CLOUD!!!" A bolt of lightning struck into his sword and followed it all the way into the chest of the Iron Man. The sword plunged right through his chest and out his back. Vance stood on his chest still, hold the sword in place, and road the monster all the way to the ground.
It slammed to the ground with a thud and created a shockwave. Vance pulled his sword from the giant and walked back to where Kajata was standing, waiting for his approval. "So..what do you think about that? I call its Heaven's Cloud. Pretty nice, huh?"
Kajata's eyes narrowed on Vance, and then he spoke with great fury. "Vance Thahlen....regardless of the superiority of your technique, it was completely insane, and utterly STUPID of you to take on that horde of enemies alone, much less disobey my orders to withdraw to this very point! You dare to come over here and act as if you are some grand hero deserving of some honor?!"
Vance smiled, removed his helmet, and brushed his golden blonde hair backwards. "So you thought it was a superior attack? Hehehe, I knew it was good." Vance sheethed his sword and dropped his helm to the ground. "So what now,Kajata?"
His eye's flickered with rage at the blatant lack of discipline and concern for his authority. He threw his sword into the ground and got right up in Vance's face, eyes still burning. "You, Vance, shall be dispelled from the Knights of Alexander at the next meeting. You are clearly not what is needed in a soldier, especially that of this caliber..."
Before Vance could speak Byron finally spoke up, and surprisingly enough in the defense of Vance. "Master Kajata, if I recall you were no different than he is now when you had been elected as one of the Four Knights of Alexander. I see no need for such extreme measures as expellment to be taken. Yes, he should be punished, but his actions do not warrant that which you are about to hand out. Even more, his skills are on par with Krauser's ability, which is rare for someone so young, whats more is that its rare for anyone who isnt or wasnt at one time a dark knight. Leave him be, Kajata...."
Kajata pulled his sword from the ground and sheethed it. "I apologize, Vance, for my blatant show of anger and disgust to your pathetic attitude. But I may warn you, do not pull such a foolish stunt again, next time you may not be so fortunate. Is that understood?"
Vance nodded his head and grinned again. "So you do care about me," he said picking his helm up off the ground. "I would advise you also to have more faith in my ability. There's more to me than it seems."
Before Kajata could respond, the masses of warriors behind him began to part side to side as a man on an armored black Behemoth road through them. His sword blazed with holy fire, and his eyes were filled with justice as he made his way to the front like where the four knights had taken position. All that looked upon him bowed their heads in honor, for it was King Garlan.
The four knights bowed to one knee and lifted their swords to him, as a gesture of honor and loyalty. He bid them to stand their feet quickly, for time was urgent and very pressing. As he had spoken, they stood up, but only to be greeted with grave news. The King extended his hand torwards the Throne of Odin and frowned grimly.
"My warriors, It is now time for me to meet my destiny at the foot of Odin's Throne. This is my fate and my destiny. We all have a part to play, so be prepared to fill your roll. The final curtain is about to be raised, and the sun may yet set on Alexander's Kingdom if we should fail." The King lowered his sword and proceeded forward to the foot of the mountain, while his servants and soldiers looked on.
"Quick, take up your weapons. I feel the darkness approaching. It bears immense power, greater than anything I've felt before. It..it comes in multitudes, let by a powerful..powerful creature. All Mages and Summoners remaining, go back to the castle so your wills are not bent to his evil. White Mages may remain. All sword and spear weilders, come to the front line. Let the mages take you chocobos back to the kingdom. That last bout was a trial run...NOW WE DEFEND ALEXANDRIA WILL ALL WE HAVE!! MAY THE ETERNAL FLAME FOREVER BURN!!" Kajata lifted his sword, dismounted, and charged forward into the battlefield.
"I guess now we see what I'm really made of.." Vance thought to himself. "This may be the moment that defines or ends my life...BUT I WONT DIE IN VAIN!! FOR ALEXANDER!! FOR GARLAN!!!" Vance locked his helm on and clutched his sword as he rushed to meet the multitudes of Hell Knights that had arisen from the grounds.
"Hmm, my former kindred. I will show you the true path that all who serve darkness follow...I will send you the oblivion destined for your wretches souls. MAY THE FLAMES OF HADES CONSUME YOUR FOUL SOULS!! MAY THE RIGHTEOUS LIGHT OF GOD TEAR YOUR EVIL SPIRITS USUNDER!!" Krauser drew the Masamune and ran forward, raising it gradually as he approached the nearest Hell Knight.
Byron lept from his Chocobo and drew his sword slowly. War and Battle was nothing foreign to him. This was his destiny, to defend that which he held dear, even if all he had was his kingdom. "This may indeed be Ragnarock, the battle spoken of by the ancient seers. Nevertheless, we shall fight to the end. Few things are certain, and the destiny of our lives is not one of those things. Today we will make our history, today we will change fate." He lifted his head and walked onto the chaotic battlefield.
And so all the warriors and knights of Alexander and of Garlan headed into the mouth of battle, in the Valley of Titan's where the fate of the great kingdom would be decided. Fate's tides turn, and the winds of change never cease to blow, but if nothing else, all that was ever held dear by these warriors would be put on the line in this battle. They would live and die for the sake of their land, for their God, and for their kingdom. They would not let darkness prevail, less they themselves would become as their enemy. Yes, now was the time for destiny to be decided by the swords of the righteous warriors of light. And so it began....the shadow of Ragnarock......
And there the amassed armies of Garlan stood, weapons drawn and prepared for battle. The four knights stood at the frontlines, still mounted on their Chocobos and with their swords drawn at their sides. However, all was quite strange in the Valley of Titans, for all was dead silent. The archers bows made no noise. The wind did not blow. The sounds of war were nowhere to be found among the valley trenches.
Vance jumped from his chocobo and sheethed his sword. "Something's up....its all too quiet." His eyes shifted to all sides of the valley. He scanned the mountains that rested to the sides, and to the massive mountain, Odin's Throne, that lie before him. "I'm not so sure of this. I still feel it was unwise for Lord Garlan to dispatch his best forces to this battle."
"Do not be so foolish, Vance" Kajata said dismounting, "King Garlan still has his best at the castle. What has been sent are the his greatest warriors and mages, along with us. He still has his Imperial Warriors and Arch Mages guarding the castle and city."
Vance turned his gaze to Kajata. "Then why are we here? We're the best of the soldiers! Shouldnt we be protecting the King?!"
"Calm yourself!" Kajata demanded, "You're tongue betrays you again, Vance. You have much to learn in the realm of war. The King knows what he is doing. Had he not sent us, then the other soldiers would be in much of tougher battle. Mind you, Knightship is not about serving your own desires. Its about servanthood..service to the kingdom. This is especially true to those chosen as the Knights of Alexander."
Byron looked on and grinned. Those two were constantly at odds with each other. Because of Vance's youth, he was still full of ambition and at times lost sight of the true importance of matters. He was quite skilled and had the right intentions, but his lack of experiance tended to cloud his judgement at times. These moments would inevitably lead to a lecture by Kajata.
As the two continued to argue a monsterous roar came from the mountain before them. So powerful in fact that it nearly shook the archers off the side mountains. This immediately stunted the arguement between the two knights and focused their attention to Odin's Throne. T
They watched for a few moments but nothing happened. Again an eerie quiet befell the valley. Except this time there was something in the air. The sent of lightning, of a storm. The skies above the Garlan army began to rumble and darken. All the soldiers began to look around to find the cause of the disturbance, but nothing was obvious or out of place.
A large number of black mage did, however, sense what was being conjured up. The shouted at the top of their lungs for all the white mages to cast reflect as soon as possible. The white mages, frightened by the sudden shout, did just that.
All the white mages lifted their hands and over the entire army formed a massive magical shield. As soon as the shield spread to the furthermost points of the army, a giant volley of lightning bolts crashed into the field and just as quickly dispersed and slammed into the various mountain edges. Bolt3 had just been cast over the entire army.
Vance drew his sword and lifted it into the air. "All Knights! To the foot of the mountain! Black Mages, follow in between each Knight! White Mages cast reraise on all members! Summoners, stand by for further orders!" Vance dropped his sword to his side and then lifted it to his side. "STORM ODIN'S THRONE!"
The soldiers dashed forward in unison and in formation, storming their way forward to the gargantuan mountain that lie before them. However they were not aware just what they were doing. Vance had managed to make another foolish, and this time costly mistake. Such a hasty move in an uncertain situation could cause an untimely end.
Kajata remounted his chocobo and cut a glance over to Krauser and Byron, who were drawing their swords and preparing for battle. All three had their eyes fixed at the side of the mountain, and as the all suspected, a horde of beasts, lead by a number of Hell Knights charged torwards their squardon. Kajata then cut a glass upward to the archers, who let their arrows sail into the approaching enemy. He then motion forward and they followed behind the other soldiers.
Arrows sailed left and right, picking off enemy by enemy. Bolts of lightning and flashes of fire abounded as the mages went head on with each other. It almost seemed like a suicide battle as life was exchanged for life. The Knights, however, were fairing well in the forefront of the battle. Each blow found its mark on the enemy and with their swords being infused with holy energy, the enemies fell quickly. The Dragoon's lances pierced many enemies straight through their dark hearts, and some shattered the helms of the evil plague. Nevertheless, the melee combat was going very well, minus a few casualties on the Garlan armies side.
Kajata lifted his sword and commanded all the soldiers to pull back behind him. In typical fashion, all the soldiers obeyed with the exception of Vance, who was still fighting a horde of imps and trolls. Kajata shouted for him to pull back, but all it did was destract him. Vance looked over to Kajata, however turning his attention from the battle proved to his undoing, or so it seemed. As he began to turn his attention to the enemy again, a blade peirced right through his stomach. The ogre smiled as Vance lay on the end of his sword.
"VANCE! YOU FOOL!!" Kajata shouted jumping off his chocobo and running into the center of the battle. As he neared the area, he saw someone drop from the sky and shatter the helm and skull of the ogre. He watched as the Ogre turned to see his slayer, and then collapsed on his face. The ogre fell to the blade of Vance. Kajata looked at Vance as he continued to fight. "A time mage tactic...teleport I believe" he thought, "interesting how a Knight utilizes such techniques."
Vance impaled another enemy and then decapitated its brethren. Now Vance stood face to face with the general of that battalion, the Iron Man, a heavilly armored Dark Knight. Vance wailed away at the soldier but nothing dented its powerful armor. As Vance prepared to strike the helm of Golem, he was batted backwards to the ground. His army watched as he duled this great beast, catching their breath and waiting to see what else would happen.
Vance stood up and locked his sword with the massive broad sword of the Iron Man. He staggered backwards but didnt loosen his grip on the sword, yet the Iron Man managed to resist with only one hand on his sword. Vance caught this fact just too late, as the Iron Man brought his fist back and punched him in the chest, winding him and throwing him backwards another ten feet, his sword being left laying at the foot of the massive soldier.
"Shouldnt we intervene?" a Knight standing next to Kajata asked. Kajata shook his head and put his hand out. He knew Vance must have had some trick up his sleeve, or else he wouldnt be doing something so painfully insane.
Vance stood up and glared the monster in his one revealed eye. "Time to show Kajata what I know..." He ran torwards the Iron Man full speed, but as soon as he reached it, he rolled under him and picked his sword up. Vance was now facing Garlan's army, giving them full view of his upcoming attack. "Now for the show..."
Vance rushed the giant and ducked the swing of its broad sword. As soon as he was near him, he swung his sword upwards with all his might, dragging the sword across the ground first to stir up a cloud of dust. The blade crossed the chest of the Iron Man and lifted his feat of the ground. While he was off the ground, Vance swung the sword in a cross formation into the chest of it, creating a scar in the center of the armor. From there he ran and kicked off the beasts chest and catapulted himself into the air, sword raised to the sky. "JUDGEMENT OF THE HEAVEN'S! STRIKE DOWN THE SOUL OF THE ENEMY! HEAVEN'S CLOUD!!!" A bolt of lightning struck into his sword and followed it all the way into the chest of the Iron Man. The sword plunged right through his chest and out his back. Vance stood on his chest still, hold the sword in place, and road the monster all the way to the ground.
It slammed to the ground with a thud and created a shockwave. Vance pulled his sword from the giant and walked back to where Kajata was standing, waiting for his approval. "So..what do you think about that? I call its Heaven's Cloud. Pretty nice, huh?"
Kajata's eyes narrowed on Vance, and then he spoke with great fury. "Vance Thahlen....regardless of the superiority of your technique, it was completely insane, and utterly STUPID of you to take on that horde of enemies alone, much less disobey my orders to withdraw to this very point! You dare to come over here and act as if you are some grand hero deserving of some honor?!"
Vance smiled, removed his helmet, and brushed his golden blonde hair backwards. "So you thought it was a superior attack? Hehehe, I knew it was good." Vance sheethed his sword and dropped his helm to the ground. "So what now,Kajata?"
His eye's flickered with rage at the blatant lack of discipline and concern for his authority. He threw his sword into the ground and got right up in Vance's face, eyes still burning. "You, Vance, shall be dispelled from the Knights of Alexander at the next meeting. You are clearly not what is needed in a soldier, especially that of this caliber..."
Before Vance could speak Byron finally spoke up, and surprisingly enough in the defense of Vance. "Master Kajata, if I recall you were no different than he is now when you had been elected as one of the Four Knights of Alexander. I see no need for such extreme measures as expellment to be taken. Yes, he should be punished, but his actions do not warrant that which you are about to hand out. Even more, his skills are on par with Krauser's ability, which is rare for someone so young, whats more is that its rare for anyone who isnt or wasnt at one time a dark knight. Leave him be, Kajata...."
Kajata pulled his sword from the ground and sheethed it. "I apologize, Vance, for my blatant show of anger and disgust to your pathetic attitude. But I may warn you, do not pull such a foolish stunt again, next time you may not be so fortunate. Is that understood?"
Vance nodded his head and grinned again. "So you do care about me," he said picking his helm up off the ground. "I would advise you also to have more faith in my ability. There's more to me than it seems."
Before Kajata could respond, the masses of warriors behind him began to part side to side as a man on an armored black Behemoth road through them. His sword blazed with holy fire, and his eyes were filled with justice as he made his way to the front like where the four knights had taken position. All that looked upon him bowed their heads in honor, for it was King Garlan.
The four knights bowed to one knee and lifted their swords to him, as a gesture of honor and loyalty. He bid them to stand their feet quickly, for time was urgent and very pressing. As he had spoken, they stood up, but only to be greeted with grave news. The King extended his hand torwards the Throne of Odin and frowned grimly.
"My warriors, It is now time for me to meet my destiny at the foot of Odin's Throne. This is my fate and my destiny. We all have a part to play, so be prepared to fill your roll. The final curtain is about to be raised, and the sun may yet set on Alexander's Kingdom if we should fail." The King lowered his sword and proceeded forward to the foot of the mountain, while his servants and soldiers looked on.
"Quick, take up your weapons. I feel the darkness approaching. It bears immense power, greater than anything I've felt before. It..it comes in multitudes, let by a powerful..powerful creature. All Mages and Summoners remaining, go back to the castle so your wills are not bent to his evil. White Mages may remain. All sword and spear weilders, come to the front line. Let the mages take you chocobos back to the kingdom. That last bout was a trial run...NOW WE DEFEND ALEXANDRIA WILL ALL WE HAVE!! MAY THE ETERNAL FLAME FOREVER BURN!!" Kajata lifted his sword, dismounted, and charged forward into the battlefield.
"I guess now we see what I'm really made of.." Vance thought to himself. "This may be the moment that defines or ends my life...BUT I WONT DIE IN VAIN!! FOR ALEXANDER!! FOR GARLAN!!!" Vance locked his helm on and clutched his sword as he rushed to meet the multitudes of Hell Knights that had arisen from the grounds.
"Hmm, my former kindred. I will show you the true path that all who serve darkness follow...I will send you the oblivion destined for your wretches souls. MAY THE FLAMES OF HADES CONSUME YOUR FOUL SOULS!! MAY THE RIGHTEOUS LIGHT OF GOD TEAR YOUR EVIL SPIRITS USUNDER!!" Krauser drew the Masamune and ran forward, raising it gradually as he approached the nearest Hell Knight.
Byron lept from his Chocobo and drew his sword slowly. War and Battle was nothing foreign to him. This was his destiny, to defend that which he held dear, even if all he had was his kingdom. "This may indeed be Ragnarock, the battle spoken of by the ancient seers. Nevertheless, we shall fight to the end. Few things are certain, and the destiny of our lives is not one of those things. Today we will make our history, today we will change fate." He lifted his head and walked onto the chaotic battlefield.
And so all the warriors and knights of Alexander and of Garlan headed into the mouth of battle, in the Valley of Titan's where the fate of the great kingdom would be decided. Fate's tides turn, and the winds of change never cease to blow, but if nothing else, all that was ever held dear by these warriors would be put on the line in this battle. They would live and die for the sake of their land, for their God, and for their kingdom. They would not let darkness prevail, less they themselves would become as their enemy. Yes, now was the time for destiny to be decided by the swords of the righteous warriors of light. And so it began....the shadow of Ragnarock......
