The elf and wolf blinked once, blinked twice and then gave up on their
sanity. Everywhere they looked were beavers, most dressed up in armor and
carrying little swords. Celtic shook his head.
"Well, this is different." Silver looked at him.
"I guess we know what took your boots, but where's our imp?" They both scanned the area as Kuriboh shook off all the excess water, fluffing himself up more, if that was even possible. The spotted their green friend fairly quickly. He was sitting in the middle of a bunch of the little warriors, growling at one and Celtic knew why immediately.
The beaver had his boots. Sighing he walked over to the tense little gathering and while the Beaver was distracted, yanked the boots from his hands and put them on, scowling at the squelch they made.
"Great, I hate wet boots." Everyone looked over at him and noticed Silver and Kuriboh as well. Immediately they were on they're guard, swords drawn and with one look at Silver Fang, Celtic honestly didn't blame them. "He won't eat you, I promise. We just came down here to retrieve my boots and my friend." The relaxed a touch, but continued to watch the wolf and Imp warily.
The beaver, which had taken his boots, came forward and bowed slightly.
"I'm sorry, master. Please forgive us for taking your boots, but we needed to be sure you came down here."
"Master?" The blond was now completely confused. He was no one's master. "Why did you call me that, and why do you want me down here?" Another beaver came forward.
"Everyone of us knows the power of the elves and their love for the creatures of the forest. It's a sign of respect, dear elf. Please do not be offended. We meant no harm."
Okay, this Celtic could understand and deal with. This happened even when he was young. Elves had always been called upon by the people of the forest to help and protect them. And being an Elf, he couldn't refuse. His shoulders slumped in defeat. It looked like his quest was going to take a little detour.
"What do you need me for?" They seemed to silently cheer, eyes lighting up and standing up taller.
"Some of the Pyro monsters have come near the forest and have been burning the trees for fun. If that wasn't bad enough, the Green Phantom King has chosen this time to visit and is caught within the flames they have created, not daring to try and escape for they have made a sport of trying to hunt him."
The elf shook with rage. He knew the King, had often played with him as a child. The elf that seemed to forever stay a child, and he was being hurt?
"I'll help you."
The beavers cheered as Silver and Feral looked at him curiously.
***
Dark scanned the trees down below, while holding tight to Gaia's waist. He was still surprised that the Dragon had consented to act as a mount for them.
Or rather, for Gaia.
He shook his heads and concentrated his thoughts on his elf. He had to find him in time! Even the Pharaoh had been worried. He closed his eyes for a minute and concentrated hard on the bond between them, the permanent connection the two of them had formed.
And he felt anger. Anger coming form Celtic that seemed to form deeper than anything Dark, as a Spellcaster, could ever understand. He opened his eyes and noticed they were nearing the forest and his eyes also saw, smoke? The forest was burning in some spots! No wonder his elf had been upset.
"Gaia!"
"I see! Curse, we head towards the fire!" The dragon cried out in agreement and changed directions to head for the smoke.
***
He moved quietly through the wounded trees, Silver and Feral followed closely behind him, with Kuriboh on Silver's back. But Celtic paid them no attention. All his thoughts were on finding his friend, the other elf trapped within a sea of flames just ahead of them. He had always known of the hatred between elves and the Pyro creatures, but even this was a little too cruel for them. This was more along the lines of the fiends.
Just the thought of them still made him shudder as he remembered the Beast.
'But that is over now and I have to help the King.'
The smell of smoke was growing stronger and his eyes could make out the fog it created growing thicker as they moved further in. The trees, sensing an elf, spoke in their own quiet voices, pleading for help that Celtic would do his best to give. But if it were enough, they would find out later.
The four of them stayed quiet as the sound of the flames was finally heard and soon the glow was insight. It was a good thing the Pyro creatures could concentrate the fire in one spot or else the whole forest would have been ashes by now.
'But this doesn't seem right for them. Something is wrong!' It felt like something was watching them, that eyes were focused on them, causing him to draw his sword and double his guard. Something else was out there, something more powerful than the Pyro monsters.
And it seemed familiar.
Step by step they moved closer to the burning trees, when Silver let out a low growl and all of them froze. A creature stepped out of the fire close to them and shook off the ashes on his armor. Celtic recognized it as Charubin the Fire Knight and knew that he was stronger than the creature, but he didn't attack yet.
Once all the ash had been brushed off the Knight stretched and then slumped against an un-burning tree, paying no heed to the fire that played with one arm of his armor. He seemed to be waiting for something and again that was unusual for the almost flighty natural behavior of this race.
The elf looked back at his friends and motioned them to wait and all four crouched down and watched the Knight, who seemed to be searching the trees for something, or someone. His wait was soon over.
The ground shook slightly with the wait of a large beast and the heat in the area grew more intense, if that was possible. Out from between the trees to the groups left came a feared beast, Flame Cerebrus. Celtic could feel Silver Fang shake slightly behind him and didn't blame him. The beast wasn't known as the Burning Executioner for nothing. The Cerebrus approached the Knight who straightened up and bowed slightly before the stronger monster. The creature seemed to expect this and nodded his heads slightly in response.
"Any trouble my Lord?" Cerebrus shook his head.
"Not much. The Champion is back and trying to cause problems but we sent him scampering back." Celtic could see the Knight shake his head in annoyance at the name.
"How did that guy ever become a Pyro creature anyways? I mean, the Darkfire Soldiers I can understand but that guy," He sighed. "I'll never figure out." One head on the Cerebrus turned towards the flames and spoke.
"He is no longer our concern now. We must finish this task and then leave." The Knight and the other two heads nodded and they both re-entered the flames, leaving the four hidden in the bushes alone again.
Celtic sank to the ground and turned back to his companions.
"What did you guys make of that?" Feral shrugged, but Silver looked thoughtful for a minute before speaking.
"I know this Champion, or rather I've seen him once before." He looked away as if remembering something and the others stayed quiet out of respect. "He was the one who brought me to the Pharaoh after my family was killed. The only Pyro monster that has ever shown compassion." Silver looked back at them. "If he's hurt, I need to help! I owe him my life!" Celtic nodded although now he felt torn.
On one hand, he had to save the Green Phantom king, but on the other, Silver should be allowed to follow his heart. Celtic knew he would need Silver to help him save the elf and also knew that this Champion would probably be a big help as well. He didn't have to think of it anymore.
"You can help your savior Silver and we'll help you." He saw the relief on the wolf's face when he said this. "We're going to need all the help we can get to put out these flames."
Silver nodded his head and Celtic could see his smile.
"We'll, shall we go find this Champion?" Feral looked at all of them and they nodded. They set off in the direction the Cerebrus had come from and started their hunt.
A/N: yeah I know, it's taken me forever to update and that it's short, but my computer had crashed and it held all the stories I was working on, so I had to start over. Please forgive me and know the next part will be out soon, k?
"Well, this is different." Silver looked at him.
"I guess we know what took your boots, but where's our imp?" They both scanned the area as Kuriboh shook off all the excess water, fluffing himself up more, if that was even possible. The spotted their green friend fairly quickly. He was sitting in the middle of a bunch of the little warriors, growling at one and Celtic knew why immediately.
The beaver had his boots. Sighing he walked over to the tense little gathering and while the Beaver was distracted, yanked the boots from his hands and put them on, scowling at the squelch they made.
"Great, I hate wet boots." Everyone looked over at him and noticed Silver and Kuriboh as well. Immediately they were on they're guard, swords drawn and with one look at Silver Fang, Celtic honestly didn't blame them. "He won't eat you, I promise. We just came down here to retrieve my boots and my friend." The relaxed a touch, but continued to watch the wolf and Imp warily.
The beaver, which had taken his boots, came forward and bowed slightly.
"I'm sorry, master. Please forgive us for taking your boots, but we needed to be sure you came down here."
"Master?" The blond was now completely confused. He was no one's master. "Why did you call me that, and why do you want me down here?" Another beaver came forward.
"Everyone of us knows the power of the elves and their love for the creatures of the forest. It's a sign of respect, dear elf. Please do not be offended. We meant no harm."
Okay, this Celtic could understand and deal with. This happened even when he was young. Elves had always been called upon by the people of the forest to help and protect them. And being an Elf, he couldn't refuse. His shoulders slumped in defeat. It looked like his quest was going to take a little detour.
"What do you need me for?" They seemed to silently cheer, eyes lighting up and standing up taller.
"Some of the Pyro monsters have come near the forest and have been burning the trees for fun. If that wasn't bad enough, the Green Phantom King has chosen this time to visit and is caught within the flames they have created, not daring to try and escape for they have made a sport of trying to hunt him."
The elf shook with rage. He knew the King, had often played with him as a child. The elf that seemed to forever stay a child, and he was being hurt?
"I'll help you."
The beavers cheered as Silver and Feral looked at him curiously.
***
Dark scanned the trees down below, while holding tight to Gaia's waist. He was still surprised that the Dragon had consented to act as a mount for them.
Or rather, for Gaia.
He shook his heads and concentrated his thoughts on his elf. He had to find him in time! Even the Pharaoh had been worried. He closed his eyes for a minute and concentrated hard on the bond between them, the permanent connection the two of them had formed.
And he felt anger. Anger coming form Celtic that seemed to form deeper than anything Dark, as a Spellcaster, could ever understand. He opened his eyes and noticed they were nearing the forest and his eyes also saw, smoke? The forest was burning in some spots! No wonder his elf had been upset.
"Gaia!"
"I see! Curse, we head towards the fire!" The dragon cried out in agreement and changed directions to head for the smoke.
***
He moved quietly through the wounded trees, Silver and Feral followed closely behind him, with Kuriboh on Silver's back. But Celtic paid them no attention. All his thoughts were on finding his friend, the other elf trapped within a sea of flames just ahead of them. He had always known of the hatred between elves and the Pyro creatures, but even this was a little too cruel for them. This was more along the lines of the fiends.
Just the thought of them still made him shudder as he remembered the Beast.
'But that is over now and I have to help the King.'
The smell of smoke was growing stronger and his eyes could make out the fog it created growing thicker as they moved further in. The trees, sensing an elf, spoke in their own quiet voices, pleading for help that Celtic would do his best to give. But if it were enough, they would find out later.
The four of them stayed quiet as the sound of the flames was finally heard and soon the glow was insight. It was a good thing the Pyro creatures could concentrate the fire in one spot or else the whole forest would have been ashes by now.
'But this doesn't seem right for them. Something is wrong!' It felt like something was watching them, that eyes were focused on them, causing him to draw his sword and double his guard. Something else was out there, something more powerful than the Pyro monsters.
And it seemed familiar.
Step by step they moved closer to the burning trees, when Silver let out a low growl and all of them froze. A creature stepped out of the fire close to them and shook off the ashes on his armor. Celtic recognized it as Charubin the Fire Knight and knew that he was stronger than the creature, but he didn't attack yet.
Once all the ash had been brushed off the Knight stretched and then slumped against an un-burning tree, paying no heed to the fire that played with one arm of his armor. He seemed to be waiting for something and again that was unusual for the almost flighty natural behavior of this race.
The elf looked back at his friends and motioned them to wait and all four crouched down and watched the Knight, who seemed to be searching the trees for something, or someone. His wait was soon over.
The ground shook slightly with the wait of a large beast and the heat in the area grew more intense, if that was possible. Out from between the trees to the groups left came a feared beast, Flame Cerebrus. Celtic could feel Silver Fang shake slightly behind him and didn't blame him. The beast wasn't known as the Burning Executioner for nothing. The Cerebrus approached the Knight who straightened up and bowed slightly before the stronger monster. The creature seemed to expect this and nodded his heads slightly in response.
"Any trouble my Lord?" Cerebrus shook his head.
"Not much. The Champion is back and trying to cause problems but we sent him scampering back." Celtic could see the Knight shake his head in annoyance at the name.
"How did that guy ever become a Pyro creature anyways? I mean, the Darkfire Soldiers I can understand but that guy," He sighed. "I'll never figure out." One head on the Cerebrus turned towards the flames and spoke.
"He is no longer our concern now. We must finish this task and then leave." The Knight and the other two heads nodded and they both re-entered the flames, leaving the four hidden in the bushes alone again.
Celtic sank to the ground and turned back to his companions.
"What did you guys make of that?" Feral shrugged, but Silver looked thoughtful for a minute before speaking.
"I know this Champion, or rather I've seen him once before." He looked away as if remembering something and the others stayed quiet out of respect. "He was the one who brought me to the Pharaoh after my family was killed. The only Pyro monster that has ever shown compassion." Silver looked back at them. "If he's hurt, I need to help! I owe him my life!" Celtic nodded although now he felt torn.
On one hand, he had to save the Green Phantom king, but on the other, Silver should be allowed to follow his heart. Celtic knew he would need Silver to help him save the elf and also knew that this Champion would probably be a big help as well. He didn't have to think of it anymore.
"You can help your savior Silver and we'll help you." He saw the relief on the wolf's face when he said this. "We're going to need all the help we can get to put out these flames."
Silver nodded his head and Celtic could see his smile.
"We'll, shall we go find this Champion?" Feral looked at all of them and they nodded. They set off in the direction the Cerebrus had come from and started their hunt.
A/N: yeah I know, it's taken me forever to update and that it's short, but my computer had crashed and it held all the stories I was working on, so I had to start over. Please forgive me and know the next part will be out soon, k?