"Crimson Scourge Part I"
Many years ago, during the age of pain and suffering, King Anthony hired up a group of men to do his bidding. Within this group were three friends; Kaon, the Dark Knight, Lucent, the Master Assassin, and Drake, the Holy Lancer. Kaon and Lucent, being masters of wielding twin blades at once, while Drake being the master of the spear and lance. The three of them vowed to be friends for as long as they lived. But war can do things to people, and you can never expect what will happen in the end.
* * *
The evening sky was dull and low, earthy colors filtering slowly across the landscape, a lone figure stood atop a plateau of the one of the many mountain ranges, crimson oculars glowing lightly within the slowly fading color of the evening. The sun bristled across the horizon, sending the last few rays of pure heat across the rolling hills of the countryside. Another man came to stand beside the lone one, both of their trench coats being tugged at by the cool breeze flooding over the mountains, whipping their coats about them. A small fire smoldered a few levels below them, on another plateau, a group of man encircling the blazing fire, laughing and chatting, the succulent smell of cooked meat and fried vegetables drifting through the air.
"Smells good.." The crimson-eyed man spoke softly, staring over the hills below.
"Mm.." The second man, with eyes of darkness, replied.
"Want to go get some of it, Lucent?" Crimson asked, turning to look at his companion.
"If you wish, Kaon.." Came the muttered response from Lucent, his arms wrapped across his chest.
Kaon gave a small smirk to his long-time friend, patting his shoulder as he turned and stepped past him, walking back to the small camp. He didn't bother to look down as he dropped from ledge to ledge, down to where the group was located. Lucent closed his eyes from a moment, then turned and followed, the last few rays of light fleeing away beneath the horizon, darkness slowly enveloping the land.
* * *
'Nothing matters to you, does it?!'
'Why do you even care?!'
'Why don't you just leave us alone, you savage?!'
'Why the hell are you here?!'
'You kill people for the fun of it, don't you?!'
'Killer! Why don't you go die?!'
Lucent jerked awake, sweat trickling down his temples, his jet black hair tossed about around his head, his bangs curled around his forehead, stuck against his skin, dripping with sweat. He slumped back against the tree he was sleeping against, sighing heavily. His deep eyes flicked open at the sound of two men talking, one was Kaon, he knew that. He reached his hand up and pushed his fingers through his hair, pulling his bandana from his pocket and tying his hair up with it. He tugged his trench coat free from the branch directly above him, pulling it over his shoulders. He moved his way through the sleeping bodies of the mercenary camp, dropping down next to the dying fire, grabbing a stick and poking it back to life. Kaon and the other man sat on the opposite side of the now burning fire, talking still, noticing Lucent's presence, but not acknowledging his presence, nor holding back any information back from him either.
"Drake, we need to get this job done as quickly as possible," Kaon said, staring into the now blazing flame.
"I know, Kaon, but we can't let anyone else die! We aren't heartless, careless serial killers," The man called Drake said, his blonde hair laying flat over his head, soft azure eyes reflecting lightly in the fire's blaze.
"I never said we were.."
"I thought this entire company was for a good purpose, which is why I joined up with it. But now I realize, we're just a team of skilled men hired to massacre innocent people for no reason! We're scourging the innocence from the land!"
"Drake, shut up! You're going to wake everyone in the camp, let them sleep. So, drop it down a little."
"Kaon.. What are we doing this for? If I have to go through one more town where everyone runs inside of their homes, leaving money and food outside of their door, just so we won't kill them.. I'm going to quit and go back home. People fear us, we're not helping them as we were told."
"I know, Drake. But we weren't hired to care, we were hired to do what King Anthony wanted, and do it without emotion. Leave them behind, they won't help you where we're going."
"Kaon.. We're going to kill more innocent people tomorrow, aren't we?"
"Yes, Drake.."
Drake turned away from the fire, tears welling up within his eyes, his body shaking slightly from all of the mixed emotions. Lucent pushed himself to his feet and stepped over the fire, the flames licking at the tail of his trench coat. He dropped down next to Kaon, looking at the two of them.
"We could end this entire ordeal right now.. Dispose of the company," Lucent spoke lowly, his voice barely audible.
"Killing people when they sleep is cowardice.. And killing them for our own ideals is even worse," Drake said, scowling at Lucent's blank visage.
"It saves us from having to deal with the dangers of their blades.. And we'd be out of here quicker," Kaon interjected.
"We can't kill them, Lucent, Kaon!" Drake clenched his fists together, slamming them into the dirt before the two of them.
"If you won't.. We will. We'll end them all, right now," Kaon's crimson oculars flicked dangerously.
"Why can't we just leave them.."
"They'd track us down, we did hire those trackers for a reason.."
"..."
"Lucent.. Kaon.. Why must you two lust for blood?"
"It's not my fault I'm a homicidal maniac," Lucent muttered, a dark smirk shaping his lips.
".. I can't believe you two.." Drake pushed himself to his feet, slouching as he walked away into the darkness.
Kaon glanced over at Lucent, smirking a little. Lucent took Kaon's hand into his, squeezing it lightly, both of their oculars reflecting the fire within, flickering dangerously within their orbs. Kaon nodded a little, Lucent releasing his hand. They both lifted themselves to their feet at the same time, drawing forth their metallic adzes from the leather sheathes at their sides. They began their silent slaughter of the entire company of the followers of King Anthony.
* * *
'Are they all gone?'
'Did you get rid of all of them?'
'Is it safe to come out?'
'What did you do to them?'
'Why are you covered in blood?'
"Did you do it?"
Kaon nodded lightly, looking back at the plateau that held the entire company. Lucent was leaned against a nearby tree, his eyes closed against the soft morning rays of light. He yawned softly, twisting the tip of the blade into the ground, the blood still dribbling down the blade's length. Kaon pulled a rag across the blade's metallic sheen, cleaning the sepial essence from the iron adze.
"It's all finished."
Drake turned away from the two of them, rubbing his hands against his eyes sockets, moaning as if feeling the pain delivered to each and every person he knew in the group. He dropped to his knees, setting his tear-streaked hands against the ashen soil, his body shaking from the sobs.
"All dead.."
"Their deaths are not upon your head, Drake," Came Lucent's cold voice.
"I didn't try and stop you.. I could have.."
"First you don't want to kill the innocent, and now that the killers are gone, you pity them! It was the killers, or the innocent, one of the two groups had to go. We chose the killers. We thought it would help you cope with the loss of everyone we already killed, "Kaon said calmly, sheathing his iron sword.
Drake pushed himself to his feet, grabbing his lance from a nearby tree. He looked at the two of them, his pale azure eyes glinting lightly within the morning rays of soft heat, turning away. Kaon set his hand on Drake's shoulder and walked ahead of them, Drake slowly following. Lucent pushed his mandible away from the tree and followed the two of them away from the mountainside, his blade dragging through the soil. The breeze wafted through their trench coats, speckles of crimson fluids tracing along the ashen soil.
* * *
'I trusted you with my life..'
'You betrayed all of them..'
'The lives of many are on your shoulders..'
'The deaths of many show within your eyes..'
'The lives of so many..'
'Bloodlust is a craving you can't satisfy..'
'You can't avenge them all..'
Kaon closed his eyes, his thoughts swimming throughout his mind. He set his hands on the cylindrical anatomy of his blades, rubbing his fingers over the ridges across the handle. He opened his eyes a little, the crimson oculars gazing through the forest landscape before the three of them.
"The nearest town is about five minutes from here," Drake said lightly, using his lance as a walking stick.
"Stopping?" Lucent asked, his voice muffled from a yawn.
"It's not my decision.."
"We'll stop," Drake spoke up nervously.
Lucent nodded, looking away into the woods on the right side of the little entourage. Kaon turned and looked in the same direction, the sounds of footsteps echoing from within the forestry. He stopped, his hands gripping on to the two blades as his sides, Lucent's fingers coiling about the silveric cylinder jutting out from his waist, ready to draw at any moment. Drake watched the two of them, his spear lodged into the ground still. Two men stepped from the tree-line, one with ravenous red hair and the other with long blonde hair. The ravenous one stepped forward out in front of the blonde, his right hand gripping a shield of a hero, the sword hilt sticking from the top of it.
"Master Raymond.."
"Be quite, Lucius."
"Who are you?" Drake asked, politely.
The one named Raymond, the red haired hero, set the shield down next to his foot, perking an eyebrow upward. The smaller of the two, obviously a magic user from the Light Tome in his right hand, stepped out from behind Raymond, tucking the tome tighter underneath his arm, smiling rather happily.
"I am a Bishop of St. Elimine. My name is Lucius. This is my bodyguard and traveling companion Ray-"
"The name is Raven."
"-ven."
Kaon looked back and forth between the two of them, his right brow perked up inquisitively. Lucent shrugged, pulling his trench coat tighter about him, continuing to walk forward. Drake held his arm out in front of Lucent, stopping his movements to continue forward. Raven glanced at Lucius and then sighed, releasing his hold on the shield, letting it lean against his knee and shin.
"We're looking for someone.. Lots of someones.." Raven said darkly, his crimson eyes staring into Kaon's own.
"Who?" Kaon asked lightly, locking gaze with Raven.
"The company hired by King Anthony," Responded Lucius, watching Drake stop Lucent.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"You know something about them.."
"Why are you looking for them?"
"We're going to end their lives."
"Raven! We were going to try and step them from attacking the next town," Lucius swatted Raven's arm with his tome.
"They're already dead, you're too late," Lucent said, turning his head to stare at the two, his voice low and calm.
"Who killed them.."
"I did."
"..."
"Raven, I guess that means we can return the money to the mayor."
"No.. There are three men from the company that are still alive.."
"Who? Oh.."
Kaon closed his eyes, his hands dropping away from the twin hilts at his sides. Drake looked away, clenching his fists tightly. Lucent squeezed the hilt jutting out from beneath the blanket of darkness within his trench coat. Lucius stepped away from Raven, who picked his shield up, drawing the sword out.
"Go ahead.."
* * *
'I told you, you couldn't avenge them all, Kaon..'
'Why did you have to kill them all, Lucent?!'
'Is it safe to come out now, Drake?'
Raven's blade sparkled in the rays of the noon-time sun, the rays of light creating a glittery effect, sending rainbows of multicolored spectrums of light off in random directions. Lucius glided his fingers over the front of his tome, held within his hands tightly.
"Why didn't you let me.."
"They stopped their own men.."
"They were still guilty of killing innocent people.."
"When did you become such a savior for the innocent?"
"..."
"So I thought.. Now hush, before you wake them."
Lucius smiled a little, setting his hand on Raven's shoulder and squeezed it lightly. Raven looked to the ground before him, digging his foot into the ground. Lucius stepped over to the three sleeping men, two of which had readied themselves to die, while the third had protected them well into exhaustion.
/I Lucent was awakened from his sleep, his face covered with crimson essence. He blinked the blood free from his eyes and looked about. The ground was littered with countless numbers of unmoving lumps of flesh. He stepped over a few of them, glancing down at what used to be their faces, grimacing slightly from the sight. He stopped in front of one of the heaps of blood, bone, and flesh, pushing it on to what used to be its back with his foot. His throat clogged as he choked back a gasp; Kaon. He dropped to his knees, blood dripping from his fingertips as he felt for any possible signs of life from his companion. As his hands touched Kaon's chest, flames erupted from within his body, enveloping Lucent within their fiery rage. Kaon's form stood before him.\par
"Dead I am to you, Lucent.. And by your hand I was killed, as was everyone you ever knew.. Yet you claim to still be my friend.. How many others have you chosen as your friend.. Just to release their blood upon the soil later.."
Lucent stared at the image of Kaon, watching it twist and convulse within the fire surrounding him. He dropped to his knees once more, his eyes closing. A scream ripping through his body as he felt the flames searing at his form, a massive spear piercing through his chest. He howled in pain, grasping the spear's blade, trying to push it out, but../i0
"Lucent! Wake up!"
Lucent jerked awake, his hands grasping at the spear blade still, his eyes sparkling with tears of pain and loss. He dropped his eyes to his chest, seeing nothing, his hands dropped away from chest, down to his sides. He looked up into Kaon's concerned face. He sighed softly and dropped back against the ground, his head laying in a small pile of leaves, grass, and hay.
"Have an enjoying nightmare, Lucent?" Drake asked from a few feet away.
"..."
"Gonna tell us about it?" Came a soft voice from the other way, Lucius.
"..."
Kaon smirked a little, dropping back against the ground. He glanced over at Lucius, who smiled at him softly. Raven turned away from the four of them, looking keenly down the hillside to the left. Lucius got to his feet and stepped immediately joined him, following his gaze.
"Hmm.. Seems like we have some company. Kaon, are you able to fight?"
"Of course, Raven."
"And them two?"
"Drake isn't, but Lucent probably is."
"Of course.."
"Then get ready."
Kaon pushed himself to his feet, as did Lucent and Drake, all three walking over to Raven and Lucius, staring out over the jade landscape of the rolling hills. Spears and pikes flashing within the distance, the flags of King Anthony flashing over the hills as a group of soldiers and knights marched over the weaving hills, crushing the jade grass beneath their soles. Kaon looked over to Drake, tilting his head a little.
"Yes. Kaon. I will fight them."
"Good."
Lucent drew his swords and was gone before anyone could say anything to stop him. Kaon shook his head and quickly followed after Lucent's sprinting form, their movements both quick and stealthily, even on open fields. Drake watched the pair, never actually noticing how quick and efficient the two of them worked as a team. Raven drew out his massive sword, tossing his shield back toward the minute camp, running after them. Lucius stood next to Drake, watching the three of them.
"If you don't hurry, Drake, you won't get any of the action."
"Aren't you going to come, too?"
"Nope. Raven will make sure to kill some for me."
"Not if Kaon and Lucent get rid of them all first. Look at them go."
"Mm.."
Lucent's blades ran in and out of three soldiers, his body already twisting around to compensate for the spear coming at him from the side, and still maneuvering his body and inch the blades the man's neck and side. Kaon leaped over a solider, kicking his helmet off his head, landing upon the soldier's of a knight, both blades slamming down under the armor of his neck, cutting in deep. Twin fountains of sepial essence opened from the two wounds, coating the front of the knight's armor. Kaon, having already removed himself from the downed knight, cut down the solider who lost his helmet. Raven leaped into the air, pulling his body into a tight spin, his blade coming down along with his body, the sword slamming into the direct center of a knight's helmet, a mighty ringing of metal clashing against metal reverberating away from the meeting, the armor then shattering vertically along the knight's form, who collapsed, crimson spilling from a massive head wound.
* * *
The five of them traveled on for many days. Many groups were dispatched after the missing men from the company, each group dispatched once more by the blades of Kaon, Lucent, and Raven. Drake and Lucius grew to be close friends, Drake having to protect Lucius on multiple occasions where soldiers came from the front and the back. Raven, Lucent, and Kaon became brothers of combat, each one efficient with the blade. The three unbeatable on anyway battlefield. Raven taught Kaon and Lucent how to wield a blade powerful, whereas the two of them taught Raven how to wield a blade swift fully, yet just as deadly. But the day finally came were the groups had to part company.
"Thank you for your company, Lucius, Raven, "Drake said, smiling lightly.
"Thank you as well, Drake. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Drake. You saved my life many times," Lucius said with a smiling, setting his hand on Drake's shoulder.
Kaon took one of Raven's hands, with Lucent taking the other. They all nodded to each other, not a sound coming from any of them. Lucius and Drake watched the little performance. As they released hands, Kaon and Lucent looked at their palms, small emblems glistening brightly.
"Use them when the time comes.."
Kaon nodded up at Raven, putting the emblem into the pocket of his trench coat. Lucent clutched on to the emblem, gliding his other hand over the emblem's face. He looked up at Raven's visage, nodding softly, dropping the emblem into his pocket.
"I'll use it when the time is right.."
Raven set his hands on their shoulders, one hand on one shoulder, opposite to the other. He squeezed their shoulders lightly, and then walked between them. Lucius followed after him slowly, smiling back at the three of them. Lucent and Kaon didn't watch them leave, as Drake did. Kaon looked to Lucent and then to Drake, closing his eyes. He walked off in the direction of the Lycian capital, not saying anything as he passed by both of them. Drake watched Lucius and Raven leave, and then turned and saw Kaon walking away. He closed his eyes, understanding the situation and then he too turned away, walking in the direction of the Sacaen places, leaving Lucent behind. Lucent stood there, his gaze upon the ground in front of him. He pulled the emblem back from his pocket, staring at its golden face.
"I understand perfectly.."
He moved his hand back to his pocket, dropping the emblem back into the same pocket he pulled it from. He looked up at the sun above, closing his eyes of darkness, realizing all that fate had in store for him. From this moment on, to the end of his life. He opened his eyes and turned upon his heel, walking off in the direction of the capital of the kingdom of Bern.
Many years ago, during the age of pain and suffering, King Anthony hired up a group of men to do his bidding. Within this group were three friends; Kaon, the Dark Knight, Lucent, the Master Assassin, and Drake, the Holy Lancer. Kaon and Lucent, being masters of wielding twin blades at once, while Drake being the master of the spear and lance. The three of them vowed to be friends for as long as they lived. But war can do things to people, and you can never expect what will happen in the end.
* * *
The evening sky was dull and low, earthy colors filtering slowly across the landscape, a lone figure stood atop a plateau of the one of the many mountain ranges, crimson oculars glowing lightly within the slowly fading color of the evening. The sun bristled across the horizon, sending the last few rays of pure heat across the rolling hills of the countryside. Another man came to stand beside the lone one, both of their trench coats being tugged at by the cool breeze flooding over the mountains, whipping their coats about them. A small fire smoldered a few levels below them, on another plateau, a group of man encircling the blazing fire, laughing and chatting, the succulent smell of cooked meat and fried vegetables drifting through the air.
"Smells good.." The crimson-eyed man spoke softly, staring over the hills below.
"Mm.." The second man, with eyes of darkness, replied.
"Want to go get some of it, Lucent?" Crimson asked, turning to look at his companion.
"If you wish, Kaon.." Came the muttered response from Lucent, his arms wrapped across his chest.
Kaon gave a small smirk to his long-time friend, patting his shoulder as he turned and stepped past him, walking back to the small camp. He didn't bother to look down as he dropped from ledge to ledge, down to where the group was located. Lucent closed his eyes from a moment, then turned and followed, the last few rays of light fleeing away beneath the horizon, darkness slowly enveloping the land.
* * *
'Nothing matters to you, does it?!'
'Why do you even care?!'
'Why don't you just leave us alone, you savage?!'
'Why the hell are you here?!'
'You kill people for the fun of it, don't you?!'
'Killer! Why don't you go die?!'
Lucent jerked awake, sweat trickling down his temples, his jet black hair tossed about around his head, his bangs curled around his forehead, stuck against his skin, dripping with sweat. He slumped back against the tree he was sleeping against, sighing heavily. His deep eyes flicked open at the sound of two men talking, one was Kaon, he knew that. He reached his hand up and pushed his fingers through his hair, pulling his bandana from his pocket and tying his hair up with it. He tugged his trench coat free from the branch directly above him, pulling it over his shoulders. He moved his way through the sleeping bodies of the mercenary camp, dropping down next to the dying fire, grabbing a stick and poking it back to life. Kaon and the other man sat on the opposite side of the now burning fire, talking still, noticing Lucent's presence, but not acknowledging his presence, nor holding back any information back from him either.
"Drake, we need to get this job done as quickly as possible," Kaon said, staring into the now blazing flame.
"I know, Kaon, but we can't let anyone else die! We aren't heartless, careless serial killers," The man called Drake said, his blonde hair laying flat over his head, soft azure eyes reflecting lightly in the fire's blaze.
"I never said we were.."
"I thought this entire company was for a good purpose, which is why I joined up with it. But now I realize, we're just a team of skilled men hired to massacre innocent people for no reason! We're scourging the innocence from the land!"
"Drake, shut up! You're going to wake everyone in the camp, let them sleep. So, drop it down a little."
"Kaon.. What are we doing this for? If I have to go through one more town where everyone runs inside of their homes, leaving money and food outside of their door, just so we won't kill them.. I'm going to quit and go back home. People fear us, we're not helping them as we were told."
"I know, Drake. But we weren't hired to care, we were hired to do what King Anthony wanted, and do it without emotion. Leave them behind, they won't help you where we're going."
"Kaon.. We're going to kill more innocent people tomorrow, aren't we?"
"Yes, Drake.."
Drake turned away from the fire, tears welling up within his eyes, his body shaking slightly from all of the mixed emotions. Lucent pushed himself to his feet and stepped over the fire, the flames licking at the tail of his trench coat. He dropped down next to Kaon, looking at the two of them.
"We could end this entire ordeal right now.. Dispose of the company," Lucent spoke lowly, his voice barely audible.
"Killing people when they sleep is cowardice.. And killing them for our own ideals is even worse," Drake said, scowling at Lucent's blank visage.
"It saves us from having to deal with the dangers of their blades.. And we'd be out of here quicker," Kaon interjected.
"We can't kill them, Lucent, Kaon!" Drake clenched his fists together, slamming them into the dirt before the two of them.
"If you won't.. We will. We'll end them all, right now," Kaon's crimson oculars flicked dangerously.
"Why can't we just leave them.."
"They'd track us down, we did hire those trackers for a reason.."
"..."
"Lucent.. Kaon.. Why must you two lust for blood?"
"It's not my fault I'm a homicidal maniac," Lucent muttered, a dark smirk shaping his lips.
".. I can't believe you two.." Drake pushed himself to his feet, slouching as he walked away into the darkness.
Kaon glanced over at Lucent, smirking a little. Lucent took Kaon's hand into his, squeezing it lightly, both of their oculars reflecting the fire within, flickering dangerously within their orbs. Kaon nodded a little, Lucent releasing his hand. They both lifted themselves to their feet at the same time, drawing forth their metallic adzes from the leather sheathes at their sides. They began their silent slaughter of the entire company of the followers of King Anthony.
* * *
'Are they all gone?'
'Did you get rid of all of them?'
'Is it safe to come out?'
'What did you do to them?'
'Why are you covered in blood?'
"Did you do it?"
Kaon nodded lightly, looking back at the plateau that held the entire company. Lucent was leaned against a nearby tree, his eyes closed against the soft morning rays of light. He yawned softly, twisting the tip of the blade into the ground, the blood still dribbling down the blade's length. Kaon pulled a rag across the blade's metallic sheen, cleaning the sepial essence from the iron adze.
"It's all finished."
Drake turned away from the two of them, rubbing his hands against his eyes sockets, moaning as if feeling the pain delivered to each and every person he knew in the group. He dropped to his knees, setting his tear-streaked hands against the ashen soil, his body shaking from the sobs.
"All dead.."
"Their deaths are not upon your head, Drake," Came Lucent's cold voice.
"I didn't try and stop you.. I could have.."
"First you don't want to kill the innocent, and now that the killers are gone, you pity them! It was the killers, or the innocent, one of the two groups had to go. We chose the killers. We thought it would help you cope with the loss of everyone we already killed, "Kaon said calmly, sheathing his iron sword.
Drake pushed himself to his feet, grabbing his lance from a nearby tree. He looked at the two of them, his pale azure eyes glinting lightly within the morning rays of soft heat, turning away. Kaon set his hand on Drake's shoulder and walked ahead of them, Drake slowly following. Lucent pushed his mandible away from the tree and followed the two of them away from the mountainside, his blade dragging through the soil. The breeze wafted through their trench coats, speckles of crimson fluids tracing along the ashen soil.
* * *
'I trusted you with my life..'
'You betrayed all of them..'
'The lives of many are on your shoulders..'
'The deaths of many show within your eyes..'
'The lives of so many..'
'Bloodlust is a craving you can't satisfy..'
'You can't avenge them all..'
Kaon closed his eyes, his thoughts swimming throughout his mind. He set his hands on the cylindrical anatomy of his blades, rubbing his fingers over the ridges across the handle. He opened his eyes a little, the crimson oculars gazing through the forest landscape before the three of them.
"The nearest town is about five minutes from here," Drake said lightly, using his lance as a walking stick.
"Stopping?" Lucent asked, his voice muffled from a yawn.
"It's not my decision.."
"We'll stop," Drake spoke up nervously.
Lucent nodded, looking away into the woods on the right side of the little entourage. Kaon turned and looked in the same direction, the sounds of footsteps echoing from within the forestry. He stopped, his hands gripping on to the two blades as his sides, Lucent's fingers coiling about the silveric cylinder jutting out from his waist, ready to draw at any moment. Drake watched the two of them, his spear lodged into the ground still. Two men stepped from the tree-line, one with ravenous red hair and the other with long blonde hair. The ravenous one stepped forward out in front of the blonde, his right hand gripping a shield of a hero, the sword hilt sticking from the top of it.
"Master Raymond.."
"Be quite, Lucius."
"Who are you?" Drake asked, politely.
The one named Raymond, the red haired hero, set the shield down next to his foot, perking an eyebrow upward. The smaller of the two, obviously a magic user from the Light Tome in his right hand, stepped out from behind Raymond, tucking the tome tighter underneath his arm, smiling rather happily.
"I am a Bishop of St. Elimine. My name is Lucius. This is my bodyguard and traveling companion Ray-"
"The name is Raven."
"-ven."
Kaon looked back and forth between the two of them, his right brow perked up inquisitively. Lucent shrugged, pulling his trench coat tighter about him, continuing to walk forward. Drake held his arm out in front of Lucent, stopping his movements to continue forward. Raven glanced at Lucius and then sighed, releasing his hold on the shield, letting it lean against his knee and shin.
"We're looking for someone.. Lots of someones.." Raven said darkly, his crimson eyes staring into Kaon's own.
"Who?" Kaon asked lightly, locking gaze with Raven.
"The company hired by King Anthony," Responded Lucius, watching Drake stop Lucent.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"You know something about them.."
"Why are you looking for them?"
"We're going to end their lives."
"Raven! We were going to try and step them from attacking the next town," Lucius swatted Raven's arm with his tome.
"They're already dead, you're too late," Lucent said, turning his head to stare at the two, his voice low and calm.
"Who killed them.."
"I did."
"..."
"Raven, I guess that means we can return the money to the mayor."
"No.. There are three men from the company that are still alive.."
"Who? Oh.."
Kaon closed his eyes, his hands dropping away from the twin hilts at his sides. Drake looked away, clenching his fists tightly. Lucent squeezed the hilt jutting out from beneath the blanket of darkness within his trench coat. Lucius stepped away from Raven, who picked his shield up, drawing the sword out.
"Go ahead.."
* * *
'I told you, you couldn't avenge them all, Kaon..'
'Why did you have to kill them all, Lucent?!'
'Is it safe to come out now, Drake?'
Raven's blade sparkled in the rays of the noon-time sun, the rays of light creating a glittery effect, sending rainbows of multicolored spectrums of light off in random directions. Lucius glided his fingers over the front of his tome, held within his hands tightly.
"Why didn't you let me.."
"They stopped their own men.."
"They were still guilty of killing innocent people.."
"When did you become such a savior for the innocent?"
"..."
"So I thought.. Now hush, before you wake them."
Lucius smiled a little, setting his hand on Raven's shoulder and squeezed it lightly. Raven looked to the ground before him, digging his foot into the ground. Lucius stepped over to the three sleeping men, two of which had readied themselves to die, while the third had protected them well into exhaustion.
/I Lucent was awakened from his sleep, his face covered with crimson essence. He blinked the blood free from his eyes and looked about. The ground was littered with countless numbers of unmoving lumps of flesh. He stepped over a few of them, glancing down at what used to be their faces, grimacing slightly from the sight. He stopped in front of one of the heaps of blood, bone, and flesh, pushing it on to what used to be its back with his foot. His throat clogged as he choked back a gasp; Kaon. He dropped to his knees, blood dripping from his fingertips as he felt for any possible signs of life from his companion. As his hands touched Kaon's chest, flames erupted from within his body, enveloping Lucent within their fiery rage. Kaon's form stood before him.\par
"Dead I am to you, Lucent.. And by your hand I was killed, as was everyone you ever knew.. Yet you claim to still be my friend.. How many others have you chosen as your friend.. Just to release their blood upon the soil later.."
Lucent stared at the image of Kaon, watching it twist and convulse within the fire surrounding him. He dropped to his knees once more, his eyes closing. A scream ripping through his body as he felt the flames searing at his form, a massive spear piercing through his chest. He howled in pain, grasping the spear's blade, trying to push it out, but../i0
"Lucent! Wake up!"
Lucent jerked awake, his hands grasping at the spear blade still, his eyes sparkling with tears of pain and loss. He dropped his eyes to his chest, seeing nothing, his hands dropped away from chest, down to his sides. He looked up into Kaon's concerned face. He sighed softly and dropped back against the ground, his head laying in a small pile of leaves, grass, and hay.
"Have an enjoying nightmare, Lucent?" Drake asked from a few feet away.
"..."
"Gonna tell us about it?" Came a soft voice from the other way, Lucius.
"..."
Kaon smirked a little, dropping back against the ground. He glanced over at Lucius, who smiled at him softly. Raven turned away from the four of them, looking keenly down the hillside to the left. Lucius got to his feet and stepped immediately joined him, following his gaze.
"Hmm.. Seems like we have some company. Kaon, are you able to fight?"
"Of course, Raven."
"And them two?"
"Drake isn't, but Lucent probably is."
"Of course.."
"Then get ready."
Kaon pushed himself to his feet, as did Lucent and Drake, all three walking over to Raven and Lucius, staring out over the jade landscape of the rolling hills. Spears and pikes flashing within the distance, the flags of King Anthony flashing over the hills as a group of soldiers and knights marched over the weaving hills, crushing the jade grass beneath their soles. Kaon looked over to Drake, tilting his head a little.
"Yes. Kaon. I will fight them."
"Good."
Lucent drew his swords and was gone before anyone could say anything to stop him. Kaon shook his head and quickly followed after Lucent's sprinting form, their movements both quick and stealthily, even on open fields. Drake watched the pair, never actually noticing how quick and efficient the two of them worked as a team. Raven drew out his massive sword, tossing his shield back toward the minute camp, running after them. Lucius stood next to Drake, watching the three of them.
"If you don't hurry, Drake, you won't get any of the action."
"Aren't you going to come, too?"
"Nope. Raven will make sure to kill some for me."
"Not if Kaon and Lucent get rid of them all first. Look at them go."
"Mm.."
Lucent's blades ran in and out of three soldiers, his body already twisting around to compensate for the spear coming at him from the side, and still maneuvering his body and inch the blades the man's neck and side. Kaon leaped over a solider, kicking his helmet off his head, landing upon the soldier's of a knight, both blades slamming down under the armor of his neck, cutting in deep. Twin fountains of sepial essence opened from the two wounds, coating the front of the knight's armor. Kaon, having already removed himself from the downed knight, cut down the solider who lost his helmet. Raven leaped into the air, pulling his body into a tight spin, his blade coming down along with his body, the sword slamming into the direct center of a knight's helmet, a mighty ringing of metal clashing against metal reverberating away from the meeting, the armor then shattering vertically along the knight's form, who collapsed, crimson spilling from a massive head wound.
* * *
The five of them traveled on for many days. Many groups were dispatched after the missing men from the company, each group dispatched once more by the blades of Kaon, Lucent, and Raven. Drake and Lucius grew to be close friends, Drake having to protect Lucius on multiple occasions where soldiers came from the front and the back. Raven, Lucent, and Kaon became brothers of combat, each one efficient with the blade. The three unbeatable on anyway battlefield. Raven taught Kaon and Lucent how to wield a blade powerful, whereas the two of them taught Raven how to wield a blade swift fully, yet just as deadly. But the day finally came were the groups had to part company.
"Thank you for your company, Lucius, Raven, "Drake said, smiling lightly.
"Thank you as well, Drake. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Drake. You saved my life many times," Lucius said with a smiling, setting his hand on Drake's shoulder.
Kaon took one of Raven's hands, with Lucent taking the other. They all nodded to each other, not a sound coming from any of them. Lucius and Drake watched the little performance. As they released hands, Kaon and Lucent looked at their palms, small emblems glistening brightly.
"Use them when the time comes.."
Kaon nodded up at Raven, putting the emblem into the pocket of his trench coat. Lucent clutched on to the emblem, gliding his other hand over the emblem's face. He looked up at Raven's visage, nodding softly, dropping the emblem into his pocket.
"I'll use it when the time is right.."
Raven set his hands on their shoulders, one hand on one shoulder, opposite to the other. He squeezed their shoulders lightly, and then walked between them. Lucius followed after him slowly, smiling back at the three of them. Lucent and Kaon didn't watch them leave, as Drake did. Kaon looked to Lucent and then to Drake, closing his eyes. He walked off in the direction of the Lycian capital, not saying anything as he passed by both of them. Drake watched Lucius and Raven leave, and then turned and saw Kaon walking away. He closed his eyes, understanding the situation and then he too turned away, walking in the direction of the Sacaen places, leaving Lucent behind. Lucent stood there, his gaze upon the ground in front of him. He pulled the emblem back from his pocket, staring at its golden face.
"I understand perfectly.."
He moved his hand back to his pocket, dropping the emblem back into the same pocket he pulled it from. He looked up at the sun above, closing his eyes of darkness, realizing all that fate had in store for him. From this moment on, to the end of his life. He opened his eyes and turned upon his heel, walking off in the direction of the capital of the kingdom of Bern.