Chapter 13-Over the Hill
At Doctor's hospital, things weren't looking well. The place was under constant attack from agents of the New Evil, and only him, Kilov and Babus were there to stop it. The rest of the members had been killed by the constant attacking or, like in the case of Tim, were doing other business, and they had no way to tell them what was happening. To make things worse, Kilov was mortally injured, and Doctor couldn't heal him, due to the kind of damage he had been dealt.
The followers of the New and Exciting Evil dipped all their weapons in a special poison, called Miasma. They get it by capturing Zombies and drawing it out of them. It has the special property of nulling all spells cast its way. Babus and Doctor were desperately trying to find a counter to it. Unfortunately, they also had to contend with the endless stream of Tainted Ones, as the Fold called them.
It was looking grim. And things were about to get worse.
- - -
Wasabi had taken a wrong turn, and, instead of arriving at Ambervale, arrived at Cadoan. "Dammit," he thought, before heading to the pub. He needed a drink.
As he walked in, he saw quite a few people chattering excitedly about the same thing. He went up to the Landlord, and asked, "What's going on?"
The Landlord grinned, then shouted, "EVERYONE!!! Someone doesn't know!"
Wasabi looked irritated. "Doesn't know what?"
"I'll explain," said a voice, which stepped out of the crowd to turn out to be a Viera in a blue dress. Upon seeing him, she stumbled slightly.
"Oh no..." Wasabi groaned.
Agatha fumed. "YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!" she yelled, before grabbing him and pulling him over to the bar stool.
"Eep!" Wasabi squeaked.
"NOT ONE MAIL!!! NOT ONE!!! YOU COULD AT LEAST HAVE PASSED A MESSAGE ON TO THE LANDLORD!!!"
"But...I...adventure...Ninja..."
"DON'T MAKE EXCUSES!!!"
Wasabi groaned. He was in for a rough day. He had one card to play though.
"I know," he said, with a sudden calmness about his voice. "How about I travel with you then, to make up for it? Whaddya say?"
Agatha slowly grinned. "Yeah, ok...I'm headed for Ambervale, so you can keep me company. And you can take me out for dinner one day too. That ok?"
Wasabi nodded. "Ok, first though, can you explain what everyone is talking about?"
"Well, you know Marche? Well, him and his clan faced Clan Ritz, and won thanks to Clan Destiny...again!"
Wasabi paused. "Wait...that's it?"
"Well, no. Also, the attacks on the Hospital."
"Quick question, Agatha. Were you at the Clan Battle?"
"Yeah, watching. I think this is what happened..."
- - -
Agatha was half way to Cadoan when she remembered what she had left behind. "Dammit! I forgot Foobar! Ah well, he's probably trying to enter another comedy club." She grinned. Foobar tried to enter one at least once a week, but he always got booed off stage.
"Bah..." she whispered, then, out of pure compulsiveness, started singing completely out of tune. "La la la la la la la, lalalala! La la la la la la, la la la Largo...what the?"
That last word had been blurted out without rational thought. "Didn't think that, didn't say that, just because he's a big hunk of Viera Manness...why am I still speaking? AHHHHHHHH!!!"
And with that, she ran up the road, only to trip on a Couerl Shell. "Ow...wish they'd pick up their dead bodies...bah. Where am I again?"
She looked around her. "Must be in...Siera Gorge! Not far now!" She turned and saw Clan Ritz, Shara at the head of it. She was giving orders to Ritz and the rest of the clan. Agatha had a sudden yearning not to be there, and so hid behind the massive rock just behind the cliff. She manoeuvred into a position where she could see and slightly hear what was happening. She heard this:
"Now Ritz, you must do this. If you don't, then...I really screwed up with that spell."
"Do not worry. I will kill him."
"Nice to know. Now go, now!"
Agatha started, but didn't do anything about it for two reasons. One, she'd be killed instantly. And two, she was too scared. With good reason.
- - -
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Quin and David were talking to Schneider.
"So, you were CHIEF Bishop? Cool!!!" David exclaimed.
"Is there any danger that the New Evil will try to bring Rothus back?" Quin asked.
Schneider was about to shake his head, when he remembered how powerful that weapon of his had been. Maybe the New Evil could do it. But they had the Saphre Aude still. Well, Thenardi has it.
"He might, but we'll be ready for him. Don't worry. Plusss, he'd need a host body to transfer his soul into," Schneider answered.
"Ah...that's good," David said. "By the way, did anyone see Foobar leave the palace with Agatha?"
"No, he probably got lost," Quin replied, before pausing. "...either that, or..."
"The Tainted One has the host shell," Schneider pronounced dramatically.
There was a few moments silence.
Eventually, David came out with, "Who's The Tainted One?"
- - -
Largo was currently investigating the Angel Ring, with the help of Tim and Viola, who said that she was wondering what it was also. They were away from the battlefield all together because, as Thenardi noted, "We don't want any other Holy Angel Massacres."
They were currently at Cadoan Inn, where the Landlord had graciously offered his help in researching this matter, and gave them a cheery grin when they said "No thanks."
"Wait, which book are we looking at right now?" Largo asked.
"Err...hold on." Viola flicked the book to its front cover. "Err...it's called 'How to turn Swill into Gil.'"
Tim sighed. "Well, unless your Angel is a farmer, I don't think this book will help what-so-ever."
Viola grinned. "What about this one? It's called 'Accessories, Pendants, Rings and Shoes for your Knowledge.'"
"Yeah, that might be it. Tim! Look up the index!"
Tim groaned. "WHY ME!!!?"
"Because all you've been doing since we started is make jokes about the book titles," Largo snapped.
Tim grinned. "Oh please...you give me too little credit."
"Now..."
"Ok, ok. I'm doing the stupid research." Tim started searching the index. Largo and Viola waited with baited breath. Eventually, Tim laughed. "Half a page of Angel Ring content!"
"Woo! Maybe it'll give some background info."
This is what it said:
- - -
Angel Ring
Known among Scholars around the world as the Ring of Life, there exist only three in the known world. One of the three is inhabited by the Demonangel Archtaeus, who has the power to temporarily control the mind and body of the Ring's bearer.
Only two has definitive locations. One is in the household of Thesous, and the other is presented to the head of the Church of Ambervale (Chief Bishop as of Writing: Schneider Zacchier). The Possessed Ring has yet to be found.
In the End of Days prophecy, it speaks of Archtaeus breaking free and wreaking havoc on the land.
See also: Demonangel, Archtaeus, Church of Ambervale, Schneider Zacchier, Thesous
- - -
As everyone finished reading, there was a silence.
Then all three spoke out at once.
"Oh...oh no!"
"Woah, Schneider's in an encyclopaedia? Cool!!!"
"Err...anyone want to hold on to my ring for a second?
- - -
Marche was trying to negotiate with Ritz.
"Come on! This is a dream world, and you know it! Please! Let me through!"
Ritz shook her head. Shara turned to her and said, "Listen, I'll go with your decision. What do you want to do?"
Ritz turned to her and said, "I want to stop him. Attack!"
"Eep!" Marche squeaked, before running back to the rest of his clan.
"Bad news everyone. We're gonna have to fight. Ok everyone?" There were some murmers of agreement. "Now, Grisanbela? Usual tactic. Same with you Ezel. Kilov? Ah, there you are. Run and try to attack the rest of the Clan, ok. Ultima Charge them from a distance. Got your Calling Gun equipped? Good. Benton? There you are. How fast can you cast your Phantasm? As soon as you can if possible, ta. Everyone ready? Move out then!"
As Marche started the long hard walk to Clan Ritz, he saw out of the corner of his eye, a pointy straw hat, with a Black Mage wearing it. He was talking with a man who...oh, poor guy! He had no eyes. He was also talking with a Sage and a Bishop.
"Please let it be the Mage Clan...helping us," Marche whispered before charging to fight the first Viera in his path.
- - -
"Ok, David, can you fight?"
Thenardi was getting everyone ready for a big assault on Shara, hopefully taking her out of this for good. He was currently talking with David. He wasn't sure if he would be able to hold any sort of weapon.
"Don't worry. I can still fire a bow. Better be wearing Arrow Proof Robes though, or you're dead!" David grinned, before equipping his trusty Oathbow. "C'mon, Angel Ring. Don't let me down now," he thought, before going into battle.
He first sensed a great Magic power going towards him, probably a Summoner, so he took aim with his bow, and fired once, twice, three times in the direction. They all missed the Summoner, but hit the Elementalist behind, and she slumped to the floor. "La la la la, shooting people with ma bow!" David sang, before sensing the Summoner again and letting loose with some more arrows. They all hit, and the Summoner fell on her knees, wounded, but not dead. However, Largo ran up and finished the job for him.
David sighed. "La la la la, Angel boy stealing my kills, while I'm shooting people with ma bow!"
- - -
Thenardi watched with Madeline and Eldana, fascinated, as David let loose arrows at Clan Ritz, hitting many times. Then they noticed an Assassin headed for them and ran to deal with her.
This particular Assassin was called Anne, and had no idea about Clan Ritz's deadly evil power. She had just joined because of the fact it was all Viera, and her friend said it was a great life. So far she had really hated it and was going to quit after this battle.
So she didn't deserve being roasted and electrocuted by Thenardi and Eldana.
As they surveyed what a mess they made, Madeline summed it up. "Woops."
- - -
Meanwhile, Schneider, Quin, Tim, Viola, Kenneth, David and Largo were marching with Clan Nutsy to fight Ritz and Shara. They agreed that Clan Nutsy would take Ritz on, and Clan Destiny would take on Shara. As they reached the top of the hill, Shara was waiting, a huge grin on her face.
At that point, Agatha ran, afraid for her life. She swore to find help.
- - -
"Wow..." Wasabi grinned. "What happened next?"
"Dunno." Agatha smiled. "I only left two minutes ago, the fight's still on!"
"Really? Well, come on! Let's go help!!!"
So Wasabi and Agatha set out to save Clan Destiny.
- - -
The entire Clan Destiny were up the hill now, staring at Shara.
Shara smiled. "Show time..."
- - -
At this point, Doctor's hospital was over-run.
Doctor died teleporting Babus to safety.
Kilov died setting off an explosive device, destroying the Hospital and all in it. Including the New Evil's followers.
The New and Exciting Evil was not happy about this. But he could be happy about the fact he could start the spell.
"My secret weapon...my Tainted One shall return to this dimension! Return...Rothus."
At Doctor's hospital, things weren't looking well. The place was under constant attack from agents of the New Evil, and only him, Kilov and Babus were there to stop it. The rest of the members had been killed by the constant attacking or, like in the case of Tim, were doing other business, and they had no way to tell them what was happening. To make things worse, Kilov was mortally injured, and Doctor couldn't heal him, due to the kind of damage he had been dealt.
The followers of the New and Exciting Evil dipped all their weapons in a special poison, called Miasma. They get it by capturing Zombies and drawing it out of them. It has the special property of nulling all spells cast its way. Babus and Doctor were desperately trying to find a counter to it. Unfortunately, they also had to contend with the endless stream of Tainted Ones, as the Fold called them.
It was looking grim. And things were about to get worse.
- - -
Wasabi had taken a wrong turn, and, instead of arriving at Ambervale, arrived at Cadoan. "Dammit," he thought, before heading to the pub. He needed a drink.
As he walked in, he saw quite a few people chattering excitedly about the same thing. He went up to the Landlord, and asked, "What's going on?"
The Landlord grinned, then shouted, "EVERYONE!!! Someone doesn't know!"
Wasabi looked irritated. "Doesn't know what?"
"I'll explain," said a voice, which stepped out of the crowd to turn out to be a Viera in a blue dress. Upon seeing him, she stumbled slightly.
"Oh no..." Wasabi groaned.
Agatha fumed. "YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPLAINING TO DO!!!" she yelled, before grabbing him and pulling him over to the bar stool.
"Eep!" Wasabi squeaked.
"NOT ONE MAIL!!! NOT ONE!!! YOU COULD AT LEAST HAVE PASSED A MESSAGE ON TO THE LANDLORD!!!"
"But...I...adventure...Ninja..."
"DON'T MAKE EXCUSES!!!"
Wasabi groaned. He was in for a rough day. He had one card to play though.
"I know," he said, with a sudden calmness about his voice. "How about I travel with you then, to make up for it? Whaddya say?"
Agatha slowly grinned. "Yeah, ok...I'm headed for Ambervale, so you can keep me company. And you can take me out for dinner one day too. That ok?"
Wasabi nodded. "Ok, first though, can you explain what everyone is talking about?"
"Well, you know Marche? Well, him and his clan faced Clan Ritz, and won thanks to Clan Destiny...again!"
Wasabi paused. "Wait...that's it?"
"Well, no. Also, the attacks on the Hospital."
"Quick question, Agatha. Were you at the Clan Battle?"
"Yeah, watching. I think this is what happened..."
- - -
Agatha was half way to Cadoan when she remembered what she had left behind. "Dammit! I forgot Foobar! Ah well, he's probably trying to enter another comedy club." She grinned. Foobar tried to enter one at least once a week, but he always got booed off stage.
"Bah..." she whispered, then, out of pure compulsiveness, started singing completely out of tune. "La la la la la la la, lalalala! La la la la la la, la la la Largo...what the?"
That last word had been blurted out without rational thought. "Didn't think that, didn't say that, just because he's a big hunk of Viera Manness...why am I still speaking? AHHHHHHHH!!!"
And with that, she ran up the road, only to trip on a Couerl Shell. "Ow...wish they'd pick up their dead bodies...bah. Where am I again?"
She looked around her. "Must be in...Siera Gorge! Not far now!" She turned and saw Clan Ritz, Shara at the head of it. She was giving orders to Ritz and the rest of the clan. Agatha had a sudden yearning not to be there, and so hid behind the massive rock just behind the cliff. She manoeuvred into a position where she could see and slightly hear what was happening. She heard this:
"Now Ritz, you must do this. If you don't, then...I really screwed up with that spell."
"Do not worry. I will kill him."
"Nice to know. Now go, now!"
Agatha started, but didn't do anything about it for two reasons. One, she'd be killed instantly. And two, she was too scared. With good reason.
- - -
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Quin and David were talking to Schneider.
"So, you were CHIEF Bishop? Cool!!!" David exclaimed.
"Is there any danger that the New Evil will try to bring Rothus back?" Quin asked.
Schneider was about to shake his head, when he remembered how powerful that weapon of his had been. Maybe the New Evil could do it. But they had the Saphre Aude still. Well, Thenardi has it.
"He might, but we'll be ready for him. Don't worry. Plusss, he'd need a host body to transfer his soul into," Schneider answered.
"Ah...that's good," David said. "By the way, did anyone see Foobar leave the palace with Agatha?"
"No, he probably got lost," Quin replied, before pausing. "...either that, or..."
"The Tainted One has the host shell," Schneider pronounced dramatically.
There was a few moments silence.
Eventually, David came out with, "Who's The Tainted One?"
- - -
Largo was currently investigating the Angel Ring, with the help of Tim and Viola, who said that she was wondering what it was also. They were away from the battlefield all together because, as Thenardi noted, "We don't want any other Holy Angel Massacres."
They were currently at Cadoan Inn, where the Landlord had graciously offered his help in researching this matter, and gave them a cheery grin when they said "No thanks."
"Wait, which book are we looking at right now?" Largo asked.
"Err...hold on." Viola flicked the book to its front cover. "Err...it's called 'How to turn Swill into Gil.'"
Tim sighed. "Well, unless your Angel is a farmer, I don't think this book will help what-so-ever."
Viola grinned. "What about this one? It's called 'Accessories, Pendants, Rings and Shoes for your Knowledge.'"
"Yeah, that might be it. Tim! Look up the index!"
Tim groaned. "WHY ME!!!?"
"Because all you've been doing since we started is make jokes about the book titles," Largo snapped.
Tim grinned. "Oh please...you give me too little credit."
"Now..."
"Ok, ok. I'm doing the stupid research." Tim started searching the index. Largo and Viola waited with baited breath. Eventually, Tim laughed. "Half a page of Angel Ring content!"
"Woo! Maybe it'll give some background info."
This is what it said:
- - -
Angel Ring
Known among Scholars around the world as the Ring of Life, there exist only three in the known world. One of the three is inhabited by the Demonangel Archtaeus, who has the power to temporarily control the mind and body of the Ring's bearer.
Only two has definitive locations. One is in the household of Thesous, and the other is presented to the head of the Church of Ambervale (Chief Bishop as of Writing: Schneider Zacchier). The Possessed Ring has yet to be found.
In the End of Days prophecy, it speaks of Archtaeus breaking free and wreaking havoc on the land.
See also: Demonangel, Archtaeus, Church of Ambervale, Schneider Zacchier, Thesous
- - -
As everyone finished reading, there was a silence.
Then all three spoke out at once.
"Oh...oh no!"
"Woah, Schneider's in an encyclopaedia? Cool!!!"
"Err...anyone want to hold on to my ring for a second?
- - -
Marche was trying to negotiate with Ritz.
"Come on! This is a dream world, and you know it! Please! Let me through!"
Ritz shook her head. Shara turned to her and said, "Listen, I'll go with your decision. What do you want to do?"
Ritz turned to her and said, "I want to stop him. Attack!"
"Eep!" Marche squeaked, before running back to the rest of his clan.
"Bad news everyone. We're gonna have to fight. Ok everyone?" There were some murmers of agreement. "Now, Grisanbela? Usual tactic. Same with you Ezel. Kilov? Ah, there you are. Run and try to attack the rest of the Clan, ok. Ultima Charge them from a distance. Got your Calling Gun equipped? Good. Benton? There you are. How fast can you cast your Phantasm? As soon as you can if possible, ta. Everyone ready? Move out then!"
As Marche started the long hard walk to Clan Ritz, he saw out of the corner of his eye, a pointy straw hat, with a Black Mage wearing it. He was talking with a man who...oh, poor guy! He had no eyes. He was also talking with a Sage and a Bishop.
"Please let it be the Mage Clan...helping us," Marche whispered before charging to fight the first Viera in his path.
- - -
"Ok, David, can you fight?"
Thenardi was getting everyone ready for a big assault on Shara, hopefully taking her out of this for good. He was currently talking with David. He wasn't sure if he would be able to hold any sort of weapon.
"Don't worry. I can still fire a bow. Better be wearing Arrow Proof Robes though, or you're dead!" David grinned, before equipping his trusty Oathbow. "C'mon, Angel Ring. Don't let me down now," he thought, before going into battle.
He first sensed a great Magic power going towards him, probably a Summoner, so he took aim with his bow, and fired once, twice, three times in the direction. They all missed the Summoner, but hit the Elementalist behind, and she slumped to the floor. "La la la la, shooting people with ma bow!" David sang, before sensing the Summoner again and letting loose with some more arrows. They all hit, and the Summoner fell on her knees, wounded, but not dead. However, Largo ran up and finished the job for him.
David sighed. "La la la la, Angel boy stealing my kills, while I'm shooting people with ma bow!"
- - -
Thenardi watched with Madeline and Eldana, fascinated, as David let loose arrows at Clan Ritz, hitting many times. Then they noticed an Assassin headed for them and ran to deal with her.
This particular Assassin was called Anne, and had no idea about Clan Ritz's deadly evil power. She had just joined because of the fact it was all Viera, and her friend said it was a great life. So far she had really hated it and was going to quit after this battle.
So she didn't deserve being roasted and electrocuted by Thenardi and Eldana.
As they surveyed what a mess they made, Madeline summed it up. "Woops."
- - -
Meanwhile, Schneider, Quin, Tim, Viola, Kenneth, David and Largo were marching with Clan Nutsy to fight Ritz and Shara. They agreed that Clan Nutsy would take Ritz on, and Clan Destiny would take on Shara. As they reached the top of the hill, Shara was waiting, a huge grin on her face.
At that point, Agatha ran, afraid for her life. She swore to find help.
- - -
"Wow..." Wasabi grinned. "What happened next?"
"Dunno." Agatha smiled. "I only left two minutes ago, the fight's still on!"
"Really? Well, come on! Let's go help!!!"
So Wasabi and Agatha set out to save Clan Destiny.
- - -
The entire Clan Destiny were up the hill now, staring at Shara.
Shara smiled. "Show time..."
- - -
At this point, Doctor's hospital was over-run.
Doctor died teleporting Babus to safety.
Kilov died setting off an explosive device, destroying the Hospital and all in it. Including the New Evil's followers.
The New and Exciting Evil was not happy about this. But he could be happy about the fact he could start the spell.
"My secret weapon...my Tainted One shall return to this dimension! Return...Rothus."
