Well, I present to you Chapter 5, it may have taken some time but I will
update as soon as I can. But since my exams are looming, I can't much. I
will now address the questions you presented me for some time. Sorry, if I
missed anyone's question; rushing things can do things to you. No pun
intended :P.
Question & Answer list:
D14852001: Your theory is correct. And with Gendo as a mage, is for plot purposes. Besides, he is the %*&#@&! who knows everything ,right? :)
Shinji Ikari: Don't worry, his training will last longer. :P
Priest: Nope , it's the one and only Asuka, no clones.
OMGILOVEYOU: Well ,hopefully I won't spoil this story with any bad chapters I post.
Paths & Choices: An Interlude of Calm
Misato was getting really impatient as she got on her 14th escalated walkway in 30 minutes to the area which seemed to be where her office was located.
Mental note to self: 'Kill the one who designed these confounded things. Get a beer while you are at it.'
It wasn't that she didn't have to walk that made her irritated. It was the fact that it seemed to her that NERV wanted to make life like hell for their employees to get to their work stations by adding numerous amounts of escalated walkways with no apparent direction.
Misato Katsugari was currently standing on one of the said long escalated walkways towards her office where tons upon tons of paperwork awaited her. The past few weeks had been hell for her as Commander Ikari ordered constant checks and upgrades for the base.
Usually, she would dose the unbearable reality of her job with loads of beer. But recent actions the Commander taken, made her think twice about it as one of those stressful working periods. Proof she had gathered made sure that this wasn't just another attempt to please the UN.
From what she had read, NERV had placed at least two satellite transmitters on every continent and had bought a new recon orbital satellite. It wasn't everyday that you see equipment worth millions brought in for no apparent reason.
The 'reason' the Commander gave couldn't be counted as a reason. She still remembered his words as he addressed the tactical staff.
It was upgrading, funded by the UN.
'Yeah right, U.N funding, my ass.' She snorted.
From what she remembered, the UN didn't care about NERV unless it had some matters directly concerning it. They wouldn't just give top grade military spy ware to them for free. And it meant one thing.
The Commander was hiding something. Something elusive and dark.
She shook it off. This wasn't the time for her to get all absorbed in her thoughts when she still had a full day of work ahead of her.
But she knew something big was going to happen. She could feel it in her blood.
~~~~~~
Hell wasn't like what others had envisioned it.
He had laughed when he read books stating that it was located in a subterranean world in a totally different realm of existence.
He couldn't believe that mortals were that dumb; he had higher expectations for them. Both in the plane of mortals and dreams.
But it was because that there were stupid people to allow his plan to succeed, if not Hell will be locked away for a long, long time.
If they did not make the first move, nothing will be achieved.
So here they are, the legions of Hell awaiting the final order to march towards victory or defeat.
It was a year since , his angelic counterpart, the angel of Free Will was killed. He was overjoyed when he heard the news. One less annoying obstacle removed.
" Lord Tabris, the army is assembled. What are your orders?"
The being known as Tabris turned to face the voice. It was one of his generals; a man who has seen many battles and fought as many wars as he had scars.
" Send one thousand two hundred through the gate. Order the first messenger to begin at his own discretion, general."
The general bowed , anticipation glowing through his yellow eyes. "Yes, Milord."
With the echoing footsteps getting faint, he turned towards the balcony once again, watching a small mass of troops leaving towards one of the dimensional gates. The gate was huge, great amounts of energy poured into the round portal, ancient runes swirling slowly as it prepares to send its master's troops to the Plane of Dreams.
He felt a slight breeze in the air. He knew he wasn't alone.
" Areilas, how many times must I tell you not to sneak on me?"
Tabris turned to face him, his eyes regarding his acolyte, but is blocked by the shadows.
Areilas merely smirked at his comment. " Until our job is done." He stepped out of the shadow, his clothes absorbing the light , a loosely hung sapphire gem was the only accessory on him which shone brightly. A sheathed sword was attached to him back by a black leather strap which hung diagonally across his body.
" Is it time yet, my friend?" Areilas asked as he played with his dagger. A dagger which had claimed many lives for its wielder. Though it gleamed too brightly for Tabris's liking, he ignored it.
" Yes, Death's time is up. His fledgling's skills are feeble and weak. But if given sufficient time to develop, he will prove to be a difficult adversary. We will have to strike when the time is right."
" But can we turn him , like we did to his teacher's master?" Areilas voice held contempt, but glee was hidden, already knowing the answer.
" No, I already searched his soul. It was sickening pure, from what I last saw. His mind is strong, hardened by his teacher's training. It would be very difficult for us to use him even if he had turned."
Tabris sighed, resignation clearly heard in his voice. " No, it would not be possible. Even if his powers are limited."
Areilas now had a full blown grin , bordering insanity. " Then , I suppose we use the usual method of doing things?"
Tabris remembered long ago that Areilas didn't have much interest in bloodshed, only doing it for duty. But now, he had always wondered how Areilas had gotten so restless, but he figured that two thousand years without a decent opponent could do that to you.
" Yes, Areilas, you will have to dispose of him quickly." Tabris paused. " But , it is not the time to strike yet. We must bide our time for Death still watches over him."
Immediately, Areilas grin dropped into a grimace. " But why ,Tabris?"
" If he loses his student, he will find the cause. And once he does, he will have a reason to hand over various rare and powerful spell books to the angelic forces. And that , my friend ,would cause a significant tip of the scale to their favor."
Areilas contemplated the delicacy of the situation, already disliking anything complicated such as negative chain reactions to their plans.
Time to deliver the finishing blow, Tabris thought.
" But, look on the bright side, you complained that there were not any worthy tasks for you to do. So by the time Death entrusts him, his apprentice would probably be skilled enough to fight effectively."
At this, Areilas's grin was back to full power.
" But be wary, we don't know how well he fights now. So there may be a slight possibility that you will fail and be killed." Tabris warned. "Are you ready to take this challenge?"
Areilas simply gave a confident smirk. " For two thousand years, have I waited for this chance. Too long have I fought against pitiful weaklings. Finally, I will meet someone interesting."
Tabris merely smiled." I assume that was a yes?"
" Of course, I won't give up this choice for anything." Areilas replied, smiling. " What are my orders, Milord?"
" Depart immediately with the Expedition force. From there , head towards any city with strong flow of black energies. You will commence your mission at your discretion."
" Yes , Milord." Areilas disappeared as dark shadows swallowed him.
Now, alone in the hall, Tabris continued surveying the countless legions that was his to command.
The pieces were in place. All that he had to do now was to wait.
~~~~~~
Great, I am now in the middle of a squabbling court. Just what I wanted, Asuka thought as she watched the lords and barons of the five kingdoms arguing about something she forgotten long before it was discussed.
She had resolved the matter with the Shinji look-alike with the simple conclusion that it was just a coincidence. But it had still stabbed daggers into her heart though as she saw someone who was supposed to have died.
She thought that at least this was better that the old sensei's lecture about the Second Impact. Heck, she would rather listen to the old man drone than them shouting using high pitch octaves.
" Lady Asuka, what is your opinion on the matter?" All of them in the court directed their eyes at Asuka, who was fidgeting slightly while trying to remember what they were talking about.
She managed remember that they were talking about a small number of demonic portals detected far south, near the abandoned mining mountains. She figured that sending an army to dispose of them was the best choice of action.
" Gentlemen, I would suggest to send a force of three thousand to crush these defilers of the light." She said. " A campaign to root them out and of striking them down."
At her statement, the generals of Lorthain and Ghiran hid the grins which were threatening to appear on their stoic faces while the Archmages of Thalahos were fuming and frowning openly.
" You can't just send three thousand men to their doom?!"
The outburst created yet another shouting match. Asuka felt another headache emerging. Both wizard and warlord alike hurdled insults towards each other at record speed. It wasn't until a loud piercing command was heard , that the mages and generals stopped making themselves look like fools.
" SILIENCE! I will not have this uncivil behavior in my court!" King Ierous shouted , silence slowly creeping back to the hall. " While I appreciate the advice you all have given me, I feel that the generals and Lady Asuka are right. A expedition will be sent to hunt down the heathens."
Seeing that the battle was lost, one of the seven magi stepped out to address the king.
" We understand , your majesty." He said calmly, the anger in his tone concealed so perfectly. " But then, I suppose we cannot change your mind then?"
" My decision is final." The king said. " Without any evidence to your claim, I cannot object to plans my generals and those of Ghiran proposed to counter this new threat."
The mage let out a slight sigh, realizing that his words fell on deaf ears. " Very well, our presence is no longer required. Goodbye, good king of Lorthain. We will meet again when the sands of time demands of it."
All the Archmages at the hall began to glow a soft blue ethereal light, slowly fading out of sight.
~~~~~~
Shinji was in a bad mood. To put it simply he had just gotten out of a bad haggle. He had planned to buy an arcane spell book to relieve himself from boredom. He hadn't expected that the shopkeeper was a stubborn person and refused anything except cold hard coins. He had never used up his considerable reserve of patience before, not even to Asuka.
He cringed at the thought. Just what he needed; A reminder to a unsolved problem. After the incident, he felt fearful of meeting her again. It was generally not recommended to let people who think that you are dead to see you.
This rule also applies itself to Shinji, much to his displeasure.
But , it was also due to the fact that he couldn't face her. He didn't know how he would react in before and he didn't now. He would need to get out of this city for a short time.
Now, here he was. Wandering towards the city's port, he wondered why his teacher asked him to meet him there.
He took no notice of his surroundings until he reached his destination. Walking through the busy port area where men were constantly carrying crates from the many ship docked there to the large warehouses which provided space for the overwhelming amount of cargo, Shinji soon found his teacher on board a ship.
It looked the same as the other cargo ships which he had seen when he entered the port.
Already noticing Shinji, Sargaus shouted to him. " Hey Shinji, come on up!"
Shinji just walked up the ship, wondering what was happening.
Immediately, Sargaus motioned towards the captain of the ship, a big man who was directing his hands everywhere to maintain the order on the ship.
He caught the signal and shouted. " All right , men, get this ship sailing now!"
As he watched the events unfold, Shinji turned to Sargaus, confused as ever.
" Where are we going , Sargaus?" He had virtually no idea where his teacher would take him nexr.
At that, Sarguas simply grinned. " Why , Shinji my boy, we are going 'treasure hunting'." He used his fingers for double emphasis.
Shinji simply let out a groan.
TBC
Author's notes: Remember this Tabris is not from Seldon's Eternities War(which is a great fic btw), though the traits are similar. So don't flame me for that. And what is the term treasure hunting, hmm? :P Well , I have some good and bad news for you all, the good news is that the next chapter will be much longer than the previous ones and I will be putting up my fanfiction website soon with a sketches of some characters. But the bad news is that I would be updating any time soon due to my end of the year exams and thus is the reason for extension of said next chapter. Keep reviewing, people!!
Question & Answer list:
D14852001: Your theory is correct. And with Gendo as a mage, is for plot purposes. Besides, he is the %*&#@&! who knows everything ,right? :)
Shinji Ikari: Don't worry, his training will last longer. :P
Priest: Nope , it's the one and only Asuka, no clones.
OMGILOVEYOU: Well ,hopefully I won't spoil this story with any bad chapters I post.
Paths & Choices: An Interlude of Calm
Misato was getting really impatient as she got on her 14th escalated walkway in 30 minutes to the area which seemed to be where her office was located.
Mental note to self: 'Kill the one who designed these confounded things. Get a beer while you are at it.'
It wasn't that she didn't have to walk that made her irritated. It was the fact that it seemed to her that NERV wanted to make life like hell for their employees to get to their work stations by adding numerous amounts of escalated walkways with no apparent direction.
Misato Katsugari was currently standing on one of the said long escalated walkways towards her office where tons upon tons of paperwork awaited her. The past few weeks had been hell for her as Commander Ikari ordered constant checks and upgrades for the base.
Usually, she would dose the unbearable reality of her job with loads of beer. But recent actions the Commander taken, made her think twice about it as one of those stressful working periods. Proof she had gathered made sure that this wasn't just another attempt to please the UN.
From what she had read, NERV had placed at least two satellite transmitters on every continent and had bought a new recon orbital satellite. It wasn't everyday that you see equipment worth millions brought in for no apparent reason.
The 'reason' the Commander gave couldn't be counted as a reason. She still remembered his words as he addressed the tactical staff.
It was upgrading, funded by the UN.
'Yeah right, U.N funding, my ass.' She snorted.
From what she remembered, the UN didn't care about NERV unless it had some matters directly concerning it. They wouldn't just give top grade military spy ware to them for free. And it meant one thing.
The Commander was hiding something. Something elusive and dark.
She shook it off. This wasn't the time for her to get all absorbed in her thoughts when she still had a full day of work ahead of her.
But she knew something big was going to happen. She could feel it in her blood.
~~~~~~
Hell wasn't like what others had envisioned it.
He had laughed when he read books stating that it was located in a subterranean world in a totally different realm of existence.
He couldn't believe that mortals were that dumb; he had higher expectations for them. Both in the plane of mortals and dreams.
But it was because that there were stupid people to allow his plan to succeed, if not Hell will be locked away for a long, long time.
If they did not make the first move, nothing will be achieved.
So here they are, the legions of Hell awaiting the final order to march towards victory or defeat.
It was a year since , his angelic counterpart, the angel of Free Will was killed. He was overjoyed when he heard the news. One less annoying obstacle removed.
" Lord Tabris, the army is assembled. What are your orders?"
The being known as Tabris turned to face the voice. It was one of his generals; a man who has seen many battles and fought as many wars as he had scars.
" Send one thousand two hundred through the gate. Order the first messenger to begin at his own discretion, general."
The general bowed , anticipation glowing through his yellow eyes. "Yes, Milord."
With the echoing footsteps getting faint, he turned towards the balcony once again, watching a small mass of troops leaving towards one of the dimensional gates. The gate was huge, great amounts of energy poured into the round portal, ancient runes swirling slowly as it prepares to send its master's troops to the Plane of Dreams.
He felt a slight breeze in the air. He knew he wasn't alone.
" Areilas, how many times must I tell you not to sneak on me?"
Tabris turned to face him, his eyes regarding his acolyte, but is blocked by the shadows.
Areilas merely smirked at his comment. " Until our job is done." He stepped out of the shadow, his clothes absorbing the light , a loosely hung sapphire gem was the only accessory on him which shone brightly. A sheathed sword was attached to him back by a black leather strap which hung diagonally across his body.
" Is it time yet, my friend?" Areilas asked as he played with his dagger. A dagger which had claimed many lives for its wielder. Though it gleamed too brightly for Tabris's liking, he ignored it.
" Yes, Death's time is up. His fledgling's skills are feeble and weak. But if given sufficient time to develop, he will prove to be a difficult adversary. We will have to strike when the time is right."
" But can we turn him , like we did to his teacher's master?" Areilas voice held contempt, but glee was hidden, already knowing the answer.
" No, I already searched his soul. It was sickening pure, from what I last saw. His mind is strong, hardened by his teacher's training. It would be very difficult for us to use him even if he had turned."
Tabris sighed, resignation clearly heard in his voice. " No, it would not be possible. Even if his powers are limited."
Areilas now had a full blown grin , bordering insanity. " Then , I suppose we use the usual method of doing things?"
Tabris remembered long ago that Areilas didn't have much interest in bloodshed, only doing it for duty. But now, he had always wondered how Areilas had gotten so restless, but he figured that two thousand years without a decent opponent could do that to you.
" Yes, Areilas, you will have to dispose of him quickly." Tabris paused. " But , it is not the time to strike yet. We must bide our time for Death still watches over him."
Immediately, Areilas grin dropped into a grimace. " But why ,Tabris?"
" If he loses his student, he will find the cause. And once he does, he will have a reason to hand over various rare and powerful spell books to the angelic forces. And that , my friend ,would cause a significant tip of the scale to their favor."
Areilas contemplated the delicacy of the situation, already disliking anything complicated such as negative chain reactions to their plans.
Time to deliver the finishing blow, Tabris thought.
" But, look on the bright side, you complained that there were not any worthy tasks for you to do. So by the time Death entrusts him, his apprentice would probably be skilled enough to fight effectively."
At this, Areilas's grin was back to full power.
" But be wary, we don't know how well he fights now. So there may be a slight possibility that you will fail and be killed." Tabris warned. "Are you ready to take this challenge?"
Areilas simply gave a confident smirk. " For two thousand years, have I waited for this chance. Too long have I fought against pitiful weaklings. Finally, I will meet someone interesting."
Tabris merely smiled." I assume that was a yes?"
" Of course, I won't give up this choice for anything." Areilas replied, smiling. " What are my orders, Milord?"
" Depart immediately with the Expedition force. From there , head towards any city with strong flow of black energies. You will commence your mission at your discretion."
" Yes , Milord." Areilas disappeared as dark shadows swallowed him.
Now, alone in the hall, Tabris continued surveying the countless legions that was his to command.
The pieces were in place. All that he had to do now was to wait.
~~~~~~
Great, I am now in the middle of a squabbling court. Just what I wanted, Asuka thought as she watched the lords and barons of the five kingdoms arguing about something she forgotten long before it was discussed.
She had resolved the matter with the Shinji look-alike with the simple conclusion that it was just a coincidence. But it had still stabbed daggers into her heart though as she saw someone who was supposed to have died.
She thought that at least this was better that the old sensei's lecture about the Second Impact. Heck, she would rather listen to the old man drone than them shouting using high pitch octaves.
" Lady Asuka, what is your opinion on the matter?" All of them in the court directed their eyes at Asuka, who was fidgeting slightly while trying to remember what they were talking about.
She managed remember that they were talking about a small number of demonic portals detected far south, near the abandoned mining mountains. She figured that sending an army to dispose of them was the best choice of action.
" Gentlemen, I would suggest to send a force of three thousand to crush these defilers of the light." She said. " A campaign to root them out and of striking them down."
At her statement, the generals of Lorthain and Ghiran hid the grins which were threatening to appear on their stoic faces while the Archmages of Thalahos were fuming and frowning openly.
" You can't just send three thousand men to their doom?!"
The outburst created yet another shouting match. Asuka felt another headache emerging. Both wizard and warlord alike hurdled insults towards each other at record speed. It wasn't until a loud piercing command was heard , that the mages and generals stopped making themselves look like fools.
" SILIENCE! I will not have this uncivil behavior in my court!" King Ierous shouted , silence slowly creeping back to the hall. " While I appreciate the advice you all have given me, I feel that the generals and Lady Asuka are right. A expedition will be sent to hunt down the heathens."
Seeing that the battle was lost, one of the seven magi stepped out to address the king.
" We understand , your majesty." He said calmly, the anger in his tone concealed so perfectly. " But then, I suppose we cannot change your mind then?"
" My decision is final." The king said. " Without any evidence to your claim, I cannot object to plans my generals and those of Ghiran proposed to counter this new threat."
The mage let out a slight sigh, realizing that his words fell on deaf ears. " Very well, our presence is no longer required. Goodbye, good king of Lorthain. We will meet again when the sands of time demands of it."
All the Archmages at the hall began to glow a soft blue ethereal light, slowly fading out of sight.
~~~~~~
Shinji was in a bad mood. To put it simply he had just gotten out of a bad haggle. He had planned to buy an arcane spell book to relieve himself from boredom. He hadn't expected that the shopkeeper was a stubborn person and refused anything except cold hard coins. He had never used up his considerable reserve of patience before, not even to Asuka.
He cringed at the thought. Just what he needed; A reminder to a unsolved problem. After the incident, he felt fearful of meeting her again. It was generally not recommended to let people who think that you are dead to see you.
This rule also applies itself to Shinji, much to his displeasure.
But , it was also due to the fact that he couldn't face her. He didn't know how he would react in before and he didn't now. He would need to get out of this city for a short time.
Now, here he was. Wandering towards the city's port, he wondered why his teacher asked him to meet him there.
He took no notice of his surroundings until he reached his destination. Walking through the busy port area where men were constantly carrying crates from the many ship docked there to the large warehouses which provided space for the overwhelming amount of cargo, Shinji soon found his teacher on board a ship.
It looked the same as the other cargo ships which he had seen when he entered the port.
Already noticing Shinji, Sargaus shouted to him. " Hey Shinji, come on up!"
Shinji just walked up the ship, wondering what was happening.
Immediately, Sargaus motioned towards the captain of the ship, a big man who was directing his hands everywhere to maintain the order on the ship.
He caught the signal and shouted. " All right , men, get this ship sailing now!"
As he watched the events unfold, Shinji turned to Sargaus, confused as ever.
" Where are we going , Sargaus?" He had virtually no idea where his teacher would take him nexr.
At that, Sarguas simply grinned. " Why , Shinji my boy, we are going 'treasure hunting'." He used his fingers for double emphasis.
Shinji simply let out a groan.
TBC
Author's notes: Remember this Tabris is not from Seldon's Eternities War(which is a great fic btw), though the traits are similar. So don't flame me for that. And what is the term treasure hunting, hmm? :P Well , I have some good and bad news for you all, the good news is that the next chapter will be much longer than the previous ones and I will be putting up my fanfiction website soon with a sketches of some characters. But the bad news is that I would be updating any time soon due to my end of the year exams and thus is the reason for extension of said next chapter. Keep reviewing, people!!