Chapter 3
(Jailbreak)
Sniper awoke to a quiet voice and a soft nudging of his arm. He slowly opened his eyes and tilted his head to find Meru, grinning and gesturing for him to keep silent. The sun shone in the distance and shadows draped themselves on the floor in their self-pity. Meru pointed at the doorway where Haschel stood with a look of mischief in his eyes gesturing him to rise and follow them.
As the three stalked the halls of the fort, sentries could be heard talking outside at the gate, though it was muffled. Meru creaked open the entrance door to another sleeping room where Ice lay snoring. They crept in and gathered around. Haschel cupped his hands around his mouth and drew in a deep breath as if to yell Ice awake. Sniper stuck out his hand to stop him and removed the swallow that sat next to the bed. He walked out and stopped as he heard the wake up call. He turned and entered the room again. where Meru lay against the far wall, out of breath, and Haschel lay on the ground holding his head. Ice knelt along the bed, boomerang poised to strike a second time.
"Morons." Ice mumbled as he lowered his weapon.
"You just had to whack me with that thing, huh? I'll have a headache for an hour." Haschel growled as he stood, still shaky.
"Owww!" Meru whined. "I didn't wake you, he did!"
"You're lucky I took the swallow or you would've received more than a kick across the room." Sniper countered, still standing in the doorway.
"We weren't born yesterday. We've had to fight off thieves many times in our day. They think we're easy pray…until they get too close." Ice added.
"Just don't get too cocky. I've had more training and conditioning than you'll ever live to see." Haschel snickered.
"Yeah, but you should've worked on your social skills. You couldn't get a date if you studied for four lifetimes." Ice added with a laugh.
Sniper silently left the three to argue and walked the walls of the rebuilt fort. He nodded in greeting to passing guards and mentally pointed out security flaws.
"Mr. Sniper, sir!" A guard called as he came to a stop above the side gate. He kept his stoic look on his youthful, yet battle weathered face and acknowledged the guard.
"Sir! His Majesty Albert wishes to see you in his private chambers. You should head down there immed...YOW!" The guard yelped as Sniper leapt from the gate and landed beside him.
He patted the guard on the shoulder and nodded in dismissal. He ran his fingers through his short, faded blonde hair and sighed.
-
The smell of the delicious breakfast Shana prepared for him made Dart aware of the world again. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stretched his aching back. He cursed himself for falling asleep on the hard stone wall on watch the night before, but rethought his thinking when the fact that Shana was there with him popped into the equation.
"Thanks Shan, it looks great!"
"Don't try to butter me up anymore, or else I might have to marry you again!" She stated, blushing somewhat.
"I'd be right there at the alter, waiting."
"I know you would…but I would say that Haschel wouldn't be the best man again."
"Yeah. Keep him as far away from the bar as possible! I hear that the Item seller's brother is still holding a grudge against him."
"Yeah. That makes perfect sense…even though he started it. Never start a pointless fight with a martial arts master…especially when he's had a few drinks in him!"
The young couple laughed for what seemed like forever, then began to eat. What they didn't notice was that Kongal was watching them from the shadows.
"…Friends…deep friends."
-
Albert sat behind a desk viewing the plans for a new defensive wall on the north side of the fort. As he read the details on the draw-out, biting his lower lip, he felt a strange feeling in his ears. He stood, silently slid to the door and quickly threw it open, only to find no one there. He cocked his head to one side in confusion and turned to find Sniper leaning against his desk.
"Have you no manners?" He asked, a slight playful tone in the words.
"Weren't you expecting me?"
"Yes, but how did you get in the room?"
"A simple security flaw, you left the window open. I scuffed behind the door to get you out of the view of the window, then climbed through from the roof. Not that hard."
Albert scratched the back of his head and laughed in his gentleman manner.
"What is it?"
"Oh, yes. I wished to discuss something that is important if you and Ice are to travel with us. Are you familiar with the Dragon Campaign and the Return of the wingly lord Melbu Frahma? As well as the campaign led by Dart a few years back? "
"I am."
"Where did you receive this information?"
"Shana always comes in to cook at the inn in Seles. Ice and I always listen to her stories while she cooks."
"I see…" Albert replied, staring at the floor and rubbing his chin in thought.
"Who is Rose, if I may ask."
"Certainly. Rose was a Dragoon who fought beside Dart and the rest of us. She had the right to the Darkness Dragon, and it reflected in her mood and aura…sort of like yours."
Sniper's eyes shot up to Albert's, then lowered he and shifted his position.
"She lost her life in the final battle…though her goal was met."
"I know, I saw it."
"Saw it? What do you mean?"
"I see glimpses of a woman in black…fighting…explosion…dying. She haunts my dreams…telling me things."
"Why do you believe that is?"
"Well…" Sniper slipped his dragon spirit out from behind his shirt collar. "She was of the dark…like this."
The gem began to glow in a tainted radiance, a hint of blue swirling in the mix.
"What is the blue?" Albert asked, pointing to the glow.
"Black ice…the frozen part of its existence…ask Dart later. He'll explain."
"I'll do that. Your soul is in the right place, and I believe your path will be laid before your feet. Rose may just be looking out for the new ruler of her dragon, so you might as well listen to her."
"I have been, and will continue as I feel."
"Ha! Your tongue is as sharp as hers was too! This link may be worth some investigation."
Sniper stood, slowly walked to the window, shot his hookshot to a neighboring hut, and flew out the window as silently as he came in.
Albert stared at the light coming in through the window, wondering what trouble the boy has gotten himself into in his earlier days. He wasn't as cocky as most. He knew what he could do. He knew his limitations, as did Rose. Ice was a little easier to read, being the normal hot headed personality you would find in a 17 year old boy. But it didn't matter, because Ice had what it took to back up his mouth.
He cracked his neck with a bit of strain, then returned to his desk to view the documents that were sent from Helena. As he read he nearly jumped to his feet.
"Mysterious disappearances of wardens…Nelfes' men. I know it." He slowly mumbled to himself, quickly processing a plan.
-
Haschel and Sniper sat on the ledge of a building watching Ice and Meru spar in the training yard, pointing out effective combinations and bad moves. In Seles, Sniper helped Haschel grade the skill of his apprentices, as well as demonstrate with him how to use your hands and feet to stop the blow from an oncoming weapon.
Meru struggled with all her strength to lift the heavy training hammer as Ice danced around the intended blows, spinning his swallow behind his back and grinning to keep her enraged. In anger Meru flew up in the air and began to spin the hammer in a circle as she descended on Ice. He quickly shot an upward slash, cutting the hammers handle in two.
"Hey, ya bastard! My hammer!" She cursed as the hammer dropped to the earth, leaving the handle in her hands.
"Simple defense: Immobilize attacker's weapon." He replied, flexing his arm muscles to stretch them out.
"What?" She replied in confusion.
"Meru." Sniper called from the rooftop. "You really shouldn't train with such a heavy hammer, you can't control your blows."
"Yes, dealing damage is a key factor, but you must hit the target." Haschel added, followed with a slight burst of laughter at Meru's reaction.
Dart and Shana strolled onto the scene, talking with Kongal about the current situation with foreign royalties.
"Hey, Shana!" Ice called. "Can you still use that bow of yours?"
Hearing the challenge, she had one of the guards fetch her bow. Ice grinned in anticipation of a victory, scratching his head with his boomerang.
"I'm not always what I seem." Shana stated as she strung her bow.
She felt the familiar feathering that she used on her arrows and drew back the string. Her original target was a basket of apples on the far wall. In a flash she spun and let the arrow fly at intense speed. Ice nearly cried out as the arrowhead wove itself between his fingers and impaled the tip into his boomerang, nearly knocking it out of his hand.
Sniper silently laughed to himself at Ice's embarrassment. He should've known better, she was a Dragoon. Such a title merits war skills. Haschel, on the other hand couldn't control himself and almost fell off the roof, gasping for air.
"I'm glad she likes me so much, she's a nasty enemy when she's mad." Dart said, kicking at a stone in the yard.
Shana gave him a sly look and notched another arrow in her bow. "Watch out now, my targets are random."
Dart straitened his posture and slowly slinked his way toward Kongal. Ice didn't notice that Meru was taking advantage at this moment and sprouted her wings to fly above her unsuspecting prey. With a yell she fell on Ice and scratched her knuckles into his skull.
"Hey! Get off ya bug!" Ice yelled as she did a handstand on his shoulder, balancing her weight with bursts of her wings.
"Serve's you right! But, I can handle that hammer. Look at Kongal, he carries around an enormous axe! What's the difference?"
She stood with her hands in the air to prove her point as the others stared at her, wondering if she actually listened to her own words. She dropped her arms and noticed Ice staring.
"What?"
"Meru. Have you noticed that Kongal's axe is as big as you? There is a size difference between Kongal and you. Right?" Ice asked, peering into her eyes to get a rouse out of her.
She stared back, cold and as mean as a card player with a bad hand. Quickly she punched him in the stomach, which was tensed. Ice was waiting for the blow. She glared at him with fire and kicked him in the shin before she turned to walk away.
"Meru! Be nice to him. He did have a point." Shana scolded from the sidelines.
After Ice was finished hobbling about in pain he sat against an inner wall of the courtyard, the cold stone soothing his tired muscles. Sniper dropped down beside him.
"You're laughing on the inside. I know you too well." Ice accused with a slight tone of remorse.
Sniper only looked around as if he didn't hear the accusation.
"You two fight like siblings." He said in his usual, lifeless tone.
"Siblings? We never fight. We've never fought."
"That's because we always had something else to fight."
"True. I guess we grew up fast."
"Did we have a choice?"
"No, no. The only choice we had at the time was to live or die."
Sniper, for the first time that day, let a grin come to his lips. "You like her, don't you?"
"W-what?" Ice said in retaliation.
Sniper searched his side leg pocket for an adjustment tool, and began working on his hookshot.
"So?" Ice eventually let out.
"It's natural. No big deal."
Sniper stood and stretched his arms, then lent his hand to help Ice up.
"Everyone, I have a little task for us to accomplish." Albert stated as he walked toward the group.
"Winglys? Monsters? Very large bugs? Shana's cooking? The usual?" Haschel asked.
"Shana still has that arrow ready, Haschel." He warned. "I have been given reports of mysterious disappearances of my wardens at Helena."
Shana covered her face to hide her dismay. Dart held her close to comfort her.
"Hey, we've made it out of there before. It's under control of Basil, what could happen?"
"It is under my wing, but not everyone is as sympathetic to my rule." Albert said.
"Rebel groups?" Shana asked.
"Indeed. Basil too, was once referred to as a rebel faction by the Sandora. I will hear their causes, but will not tolerate violence among the people."
"Shall we investigate?" Ice asked, ready for a fight.
"If we move now, and tread lightly, we can be there by sundown." Albert suggested digging his spear into the soft training soil.
-
Albert was right. The sun was beginning to slip under the horizon on the mountains. As the group rounded the bend to the Helena gate road, Dart noticed that there were no Basil guards at the gate.
'Where are the guards?" He asked, mostly to himself.
'We shall find out." Albert said, a hint of worry in his voice.
Sniper searched the towers of the prison to find something glinting on the roof. He looked again for confirmation, but saw nothing. He looked to the right of the tower to see the glow of fire.
"Fire." He said as he pointed out the area.
"No watch hearths are in that location. A bridge that connects the center and left tower is there…" Albert thought out loud.
"The bridge is burning…keep your guard and split up." Sniper said and began to slip into the shadows.
"Hold it!" Meru whispered as she grabbed his arm. "Yes, we should split up, but who is going with you?"
Sniper looked to Albert with questioning eyes.
"Dart, Shana, and Haschel. Search the right tower. Ice and Meru. You go to the center tower and get to the top for a view of the situation. Meru's wings will be put to use."
"I have the left tower." Sniper volunteered.
"Fine. Take Kongal with you." Albert suggested.
"Keep him with you. I'll need my stealth, and that's not Kongal's strength point. Besides, Someone's got to cover your back."
"I do not need the concern to a King, warrior."
"I did not give it. I gave the concern of a friend, and it's perfectly reasonable."
"I see. Get all the information that you can. Help out the wardens and find out just what the hell is going on."
"If the shit hits the fan, get back to the gate road." Ice added.
"Uh, yes. Something like that." Albert replied, stunned by the remark.
He turned and opened his mouth to speak, but stopped, as Sniper was no longer in the area.
-
Dart and his group slipped down the corridors toward the right prison tower. As the sounds of battle were heard, they sprang into action.
Am attacker raised his club to strike the fighting warden, but never dropped the blow as Shana planted an arrow into the back of his head. Dart and Haschel leapt into battle backs to one another. Dart remained perfectly calm as his sword strokes hit their target. Haschel on the other hand was having a ball as he beat the attackers to the floor.
Shana checked the corridors for reinforcements and trotted back to Dart and Haschel, who were checking the bodies for people they could still get information out of.
The warden stood in the corner, pondering if the newcomers were friends of foe, when Shana dropped down beside him.
"Need some help, do ya?" She asked in a happy tone.
The warden blinked a few times, not quite sure what to say.
"Ok, then. What's your name?"
"M-my name?" He stuttered.
Dart walked over and sheathed his sword, grinning.
"Don't stand there in awe of her beauty, answer the lady." He said.
Shana's cheeks turned crimson as she ruffled Dart's hair in affection.
"I-I'm James…Warden James Taber in His Majesties' Helena Guard." He finally sputtered out.
"Warden Taber, nice to meet you. I'm Dart. My wife, Shana and Master Haschel." Dart said in introduction.
"Master Haschel? I've heard that name…"
Haschel straitened his posture and took the Rouge fighting stance.
"Ha! Master Haschel, the martial arts Master! I remember now." Taber said in embarrassment.
"Having trouble are you?" Haschel asked.
"Y-yes. We've been attacked by outsiders who claim to want the release of an inmate."
"Who would that be?" Haschel asked.
"I overheard them say something about a Nelfes? Make any sense to you guys?"
"Yes, Albert said that someone named Nelfes was thought to be behind the warden disappearances." Haschel replied.
"Albert? His Majesty Albert?" Taber asked in excitement.
"Yeah, that's him."
"His Majesty is here?"
"Yup. S'posed to be with Kongal investigating the main hold."
"And Ambassador Kongal? We are truly in luck!"
"We? You're the only one still alive." Dart said.
"Not really. My unit was only a fraction that is fighting here. But we can't spare a rider to get the Knighthood from Bale."
"So there are others?"
"Yes, four other units. But, I haven't heard from them since the invasion."
"We have people covering all corners of Helena. If they're alive, we've probably found them by now."
"I'll do my best to assist you!" Taber offered as he picked up his dropped spear.
-
Sniper silently cursed himself as he stalked his own shadow of the dimly lit hallway that led up the tower. Climbing half way up the tower from the outside had left him sweaty and off balance. He moved quietly, as to not alert the inmates in their cells.
He reached a light in the hall and slowly drew his broadsword, as the light blew stealth out of the equation. He ran his fingers through his wet hair, only to shake off the moisture.
As he continued he ran face to face with a young girl who appeared to be the age of around 16 in the light. All Sniper could see was the girls' hazel eyes getting wider and her brown hair fall behind her as she looked up at him. Before Sniper could say anything, the girl leapt back and threw a cloud of powder before running back down the hall.
Sniper cursed again, only this time openly as he ran through the cloud, holding his eyes shut. He could smell the sourness of the blinding powder as he ran. After many steps he caught her in his view. In reaction he aimed his hookshot and launched to a beam ahead of the girl, to knock her off her feet. He held his sword to her throat as he tried to catch his breath.
"…Now…I'm not going to…hurt anyone…I just…wanna know what…" Sniper began to say, chest heaving as he took in air, when a hawk beat against his head as it swooped down from an upper window.
Sniper reached to check to see if his head was bleeding, but his arms were being held as the girl knelt on him, knees cutting off his airflow. Ice had always told him that he would be stuck between a woman's legs some time or another, but this wasn't what he'd expected.
"Now you listen to me! You aren't going to get the chance to hurt anyone!" The girl screamed in his face.
Sniper began to black out at the lack of air, but could make out the hawk swooping down for another round at his head. He quickly raised his arms, pushing the girl in front of him. He slid out from under her, still holding her arms and pulling her back. The hawk didn't have a chance to abort it's attack and it's talons tore the girls shirt from one end to the other.
"Kana! You stupid bird! You're not supposed to attack me!" The girl spurted out in pure anger at the bird.
"Call it off and you'll live!" Sniper ordered, tightening his grip on the girl's wrists and twisting her arms.
"Ok! Kana, nyan ya tatta! Now let me go!" She yelled.
Sniper, after watching the bird perch itself, released the girls' arms and retrieved his sword. He quickly held it to her throat once again, so she wouldn't get away.
"Hold still." He ordered as he searched her for weapons.
He drew a heavy rapier from a sheath and tossed it in the corner. Sniper dropped his sword to ease and noticed the girl was covering up. The hawk hadn't tore the black muscle shirt up too badly, it just was ripped in the right spot. He tossed off his armor, took off his vest and tossed it to her.
"Sorry. It was your shirt or my head." Sniper said as he threw his armor back on.
After tying the vest closed, the girl glared at the bird again.
"It's a little big." She said.
"Hey, I don't have anything else that you can wear."
"It's ok, I guess. You guys already have my money, now leave me alone!" She said with fire in her eyes.
"Took your money? What the hell are you talking about?" Sniper asked as he picked up his sword.
"You're not with those bums? You sure as hell don't look like a warden."
"That's cuz I'm not. What do you mean, bums?"
"A ton of guys are storming this prison and taking out the wardens. How could you not have known that? Who the hell are you anyway?"
"Sniper. I haven't seen anyone except you. Where are these guys you're talking about?"
"Sniper, huh? Never heard that name before. Oh, the bums, right. I guess they cleared this tower and moved on. They killed an entire unit of wardens right before my eyes. Then they took my bale money and threw me out the window!"
"Threw you out the window? Were you on the roof?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I saw something as we came in."
"WE?! There are more of you?"
"Yeah. Who was the bale money for?"
"What do you care?"
"Just tell me."
"All right, ya nosy bastard. He's my teacher. He was thrown in here by false accusations and I was gonna get him outta here."
We've got to get back to the others. Get your sword."
"You trust me?"
"I can't leave you here without your sword, can I?"
"No, that's all right. I never told you my name, did I?" She asked as she sheathed her rapier.
"I never asked." Sniper said as he peered out the window.
"Well, too bad. I'm Ryo, Falconess."
"I've noticed." Sniper replied, pointing to the hawk.
"Kana, Uteb ber stoif!" Ryo commanded and the hawk flew around her head, then landed on her perch glove.
"Wanna take the short way, or the long way out?" Sniper asked.
"Well, the short way sounds best."
Kana launched off of her arm and flew out the window.
"I wish I could just do that." The said in a sorrowful tone.
"First time for everything." Sniper said as he grabbed her to the window. "Hold on to my belt, and don't let go unless you want flying lessons."
"What are you gonna do?" She asked, obediently holding on to his belt.
Sniper launched the arrowhead of his hookshot to a nearby lift and pressed the retract button. As they were drawn through the air, Kana squawked in alert. After fully retracting the hookshot, Ryo obediently dropped down to the lift. Sniper unwedged the arrowhead from the frame and dropped, to hang from his legs over the side.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing! Get in here!" Ryo yelled in worry.
Sniper observed from the viewpoint Kongal and Albert battling with a few remaining wardens below. In a swift movement he was back in the lift. He moved the lever and they began to descend to the upper-center tower.
"Don't do that to me!" Ryo scolded.
"You talk as if I was important to you?" Sniper responded, folding his arms and leaning against the frame.
"You are. You're the one who's going to get me outta this mess!"
"Me? What can I do?"
"Well, you've got friends here, so I can escape unscathed. Hard to believe you've got friends, though. Hey look at that!" Ryo said, pointing up.
Sniper followed her gaze to find Ice being flown up the tower by Meru. He slightly grinned for a moment.
"Remember that 'Hold my belt' thing?"
"Again?" Ryo half whispered.
He nodded and they were flying to the nearby tower, ahead of Ice and Meru. Ryo dropped off to the roof, and Sniper back flipped behind her.
"You're late!" Sniper yelled out to Ice and Meru as they reached the roof.
"…Hey…fuck you, man…" Ice replied as he caught his breath.
"What, tired?"
"No…still haven't gotten used to flying…" Ice responded.
"How about you, Meru."
"Well flying people around isn't hard. It's just that this tower's so frickin tall!" Meru complained, flashing her wings on and off to make her point.
"Well, what's up down there?" Sniper asked, looking over the edge at the battle below.
"From what we got out of one of the combatants down there, these guys want Nelfes, like Albert said."
"Great." Sniper said in a droll tone.
"But the fun part isn't over yet. The guy we got to talk said that there is a weapon that was made up here that could destroy entire cities. He said it was created by the Winglys long ago and their target was Bale!"
"And these guys have this weapon in their control?"
"According to the guy who talked, yeah."
Sniper punched the ground as he knelt, thinking.
"Ok, you guys get down there and evacuate as many prisoners as possible. Take her too." Sniper ordered, pointing to Ryo.
"Who's she?" Meru asked, seeing the girl for the first time.
"Don't ask, just go!"
"What about you?" Ice asked, eyebrow raised.
"I'll stop this damn weapon before Bale gets turned to dust!"
Without another word Sniper ran along the roof, looking for this so called "Weapon". As he reached the peak of the roof, he found a machine that spanned the entire peak. In the center of the machine sat a man in tattered clothing.
"Nelfes!" Sniper shouted to see if it was actually the prisoner.
The man turned his head and grinned, shaking the platinum hair off his face. He was a Wingly, something Albert never told him. Sniper drew his sword and charged the machine, only to be knocked back from an invisible force.
Nelfes merely laughed at this sight and continued making preparations to the machine. Sniper stood and wondered how he'd gotten out of his cell. The battle outside must have given him time to escape and charge the machine.
Dammit! Sniper thought as he watched the machine power up.
-
Albert looked over his shoulder as he led the prisoners to the mountain road.
"Kongal, keep an eye on them!" He shouted.
Kongal nodded and peered over all the men, axe poised to strike at any moment. He grinned at this, as none of them would dare challenge a Gigantos.
"Let's hope Sniper can do this!" Albert said to the others.
"He hasn't transformed into a Dragoon yet as far as I know…" Shana said.
"He has Rose to guide him…" Dart added as he watched the flashes on the roof.
"There it goes!" Ryo shrieked, pointing to the beam above them.
-
Sniper stood, still wondering what h could do to penetrate the magical force.
Damn the Winglys! He heard in his head. He looked around for the source, then realized the voice…the voice of that woman in his dreams.
Hey! Your sword isn't going to do you any good!
Sniper blinked a bit, then sheathed his sword on his back. He looked up as soon as he heard Nelfes' laugh. He hated how cocky people acted, especially when they laughed. He jumped as the beam was let loose toward the mountains.
It is time. Awaken, Darkness Dragon! Release the shadow within!
The laughter echoed in Snipers mind, driving him mad. He watched the beam, then noticed that he was moving toward it at high speed. He turned his head to find wings on his back and his amulet crested in his transformed armor.
He could feel the power of darkness as he sped in front of the beams' trajectory. He faced the oncoming beam and held out his palms, ready to block, or try to deviate the blasts' course. The beam came rapidly and the power pulsated in Sniper's arms as the shock hit him. An echoing yell was heard as he separated his palms to create a dimensional portal. The blast ended and the portal narrowed, changing it's form. From the portal the blast emerged again, headed toward the machine.
The blast hit the rooftop and all went white from the energy being released.
Sniper no longer heard the voice in his head. His work was done for the day.
-
Albert winced as debris of the destroyed prison bounced off of the barrier he created to protect them all.
"Not a bad idea…using Rose Storm." Dart complimented, holding Shana tight. "It sure saved us more than once."
After the dust had cleared from the mountain road, Albert returned to his normal state.
"Is everyone all right?" He asked.
"Yeah. I think we have most of the prisoners here…though some didn't make it out." Meru said
"Yes, Nelfes being one of them."
Ryo sighed deeply, trying to take in all that had occurred in the past few hours. Kana landed on her arm and she stroked the bird with affection. She rubbed her sore shoulders, feeling the rough material the vest vas made out of. She'd forgotten about Sniper until she felt the fabric.
She searched the sky, looking for the flying savior. She gasped as she saw the body fall from in the horizon.
"Sniper!" The cried, pointing to the falling body.
Dart immediately transformed into a Dragoon and launched into the air. At top speed, he caught the boy, transformed back into his normal state. After landing back at the safety site, Dart laid Sniper down on a large boulder.
"Is he ok?!" Shana asked, running over.
"He seems to be. He just needs rest." Dart replied.
Dart was glad the glow of the horizon was still visible, or the girl might not have seen him. He transformed and sat down next to the limp body.
Ryo trotted over and gasped at the sight of Sniper.
"Is…he?" She asked, quivering.
"No. Just has no energy left. The first time does that to you." Dart replied.
"What do you mean 'first time'?"
"Well. You saw our wings, right?"
"Yeah. I've heard stories about you guys. Never thought I'd meet one though."
"Albert. We need to get him someplace safe." Dart said.
"The closest place is Hoax. I need to get word to Bale about this incident, so that would be the best choice."
"How are we going to get them there?" Dart asked, flinging his thumb in the prisoners' direction.
"Have the remaining wardens watch them."
"And Sniper?"
"I don't know. Kongal, feel like taking on a little extra weight on a hike?" Albert asked, grinning.
"Not much. Maybe 200 pounds. Me can take no problem." Kongal answered.
Albert nodded in acknowledgment, and looked to all of the prisoners.
"Former inmates of Helena, hear this warning. If you run, we will not chase. There are far more dangerous monsters in these hills than you're worth to us." Albert announced.
Shana sputtered a slight laugh and leaned on Dart for support.
"They told me marriage was an adventure…but they didn't say it was so draining."
Dart rubbed her shoulder and helped her as they moved out toward Hoax in the moonlight.
EN: Well? You can stop writing the hate mail for me as you read this chapter, it's over. Some of it was kinda forced, though I guess I made it work. Yeah, I'll write more when I can feel my fingers again.
Rights of "Ryo": Shike77
Shike: Yeah, she's back. Don't worry, she'll see some action soon.
God: Make a note for meteor fall on Boyne City High School sometime next month.
Mulletman17: Hey, Meru's gotta get to you sometime, right?
Wingly haters: I'll personally make sure Melbu Frahma dies this time, promise! ^_^
Everyone Else: Don't look at me like that.
(Jailbreak)
Sniper awoke to a quiet voice and a soft nudging of his arm. He slowly opened his eyes and tilted his head to find Meru, grinning and gesturing for him to keep silent. The sun shone in the distance and shadows draped themselves on the floor in their self-pity. Meru pointed at the doorway where Haschel stood with a look of mischief in his eyes gesturing him to rise and follow them.
As the three stalked the halls of the fort, sentries could be heard talking outside at the gate, though it was muffled. Meru creaked open the entrance door to another sleeping room where Ice lay snoring. They crept in and gathered around. Haschel cupped his hands around his mouth and drew in a deep breath as if to yell Ice awake. Sniper stuck out his hand to stop him and removed the swallow that sat next to the bed. He walked out and stopped as he heard the wake up call. He turned and entered the room again. where Meru lay against the far wall, out of breath, and Haschel lay on the ground holding his head. Ice knelt along the bed, boomerang poised to strike a second time.
"Morons." Ice mumbled as he lowered his weapon.
"You just had to whack me with that thing, huh? I'll have a headache for an hour." Haschel growled as he stood, still shaky.
"Owww!" Meru whined. "I didn't wake you, he did!"
"You're lucky I took the swallow or you would've received more than a kick across the room." Sniper countered, still standing in the doorway.
"We weren't born yesterday. We've had to fight off thieves many times in our day. They think we're easy pray…until they get too close." Ice added.
"Just don't get too cocky. I've had more training and conditioning than you'll ever live to see." Haschel snickered.
"Yeah, but you should've worked on your social skills. You couldn't get a date if you studied for four lifetimes." Ice added with a laugh.
Sniper silently left the three to argue and walked the walls of the rebuilt fort. He nodded in greeting to passing guards and mentally pointed out security flaws.
"Mr. Sniper, sir!" A guard called as he came to a stop above the side gate. He kept his stoic look on his youthful, yet battle weathered face and acknowledged the guard.
"Sir! His Majesty Albert wishes to see you in his private chambers. You should head down there immed...YOW!" The guard yelped as Sniper leapt from the gate and landed beside him.
He patted the guard on the shoulder and nodded in dismissal. He ran his fingers through his short, faded blonde hair and sighed.
-
The smell of the delicious breakfast Shana prepared for him made Dart aware of the world again. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and stretched his aching back. He cursed himself for falling asleep on the hard stone wall on watch the night before, but rethought his thinking when the fact that Shana was there with him popped into the equation.
"Thanks Shan, it looks great!"
"Don't try to butter me up anymore, or else I might have to marry you again!" She stated, blushing somewhat.
"I'd be right there at the alter, waiting."
"I know you would…but I would say that Haschel wouldn't be the best man again."
"Yeah. Keep him as far away from the bar as possible! I hear that the Item seller's brother is still holding a grudge against him."
"Yeah. That makes perfect sense…even though he started it. Never start a pointless fight with a martial arts master…especially when he's had a few drinks in him!"
The young couple laughed for what seemed like forever, then began to eat. What they didn't notice was that Kongal was watching them from the shadows.
"…Friends…deep friends."
-
Albert sat behind a desk viewing the plans for a new defensive wall on the north side of the fort. As he read the details on the draw-out, biting his lower lip, he felt a strange feeling in his ears. He stood, silently slid to the door and quickly threw it open, only to find no one there. He cocked his head to one side in confusion and turned to find Sniper leaning against his desk.
"Have you no manners?" He asked, a slight playful tone in the words.
"Weren't you expecting me?"
"Yes, but how did you get in the room?"
"A simple security flaw, you left the window open. I scuffed behind the door to get you out of the view of the window, then climbed through from the roof. Not that hard."
Albert scratched the back of his head and laughed in his gentleman manner.
"What is it?"
"Oh, yes. I wished to discuss something that is important if you and Ice are to travel with us. Are you familiar with the Dragon Campaign and the Return of the wingly lord Melbu Frahma? As well as the campaign led by Dart a few years back? "
"I am."
"Where did you receive this information?"
"Shana always comes in to cook at the inn in Seles. Ice and I always listen to her stories while she cooks."
"I see…" Albert replied, staring at the floor and rubbing his chin in thought.
"Who is Rose, if I may ask."
"Certainly. Rose was a Dragoon who fought beside Dart and the rest of us. She had the right to the Darkness Dragon, and it reflected in her mood and aura…sort of like yours."
Sniper's eyes shot up to Albert's, then lowered he and shifted his position.
"She lost her life in the final battle…though her goal was met."
"I know, I saw it."
"Saw it? What do you mean?"
"I see glimpses of a woman in black…fighting…explosion…dying. She haunts my dreams…telling me things."
"Why do you believe that is?"
"Well…" Sniper slipped his dragon spirit out from behind his shirt collar. "She was of the dark…like this."
The gem began to glow in a tainted radiance, a hint of blue swirling in the mix.
"What is the blue?" Albert asked, pointing to the glow.
"Black ice…the frozen part of its existence…ask Dart later. He'll explain."
"I'll do that. Your soul is in the right place, and I believe your path will be laid before your feet. Rose may just be looking out for the new ruler of her dragon, so you might as well listen to her."
"I have been, and will continue as I feel."
"Ha! Your tongue is as sharp as hers was too! This link may be worth some investigation."
Sniper stood, slowly walked to the window, shot his hookshot to a neighboring hut, and flew out the window as silently as he came in.
Albert stared at the light coming in through the window, wondering what trouble the boy has gotten himself into in his earlier days. He wasn't as cocky as most. He knew what he could do. He knew his limitations, as did Rose. Ice was a little easier to read, being the normal hot headed personality you would find in a 17 year old boy. But it didn't matter, because Ice had what it took to back up his mouth.
He cracked his neck with a bit of strain, then returned to his desk to view the documents that were sent from Helena. As he read he nearly jumped to his feet.
"Mysterious disappearances of wardens…Nelfes' men. I know it." He slowly mumbled to himself, quickly processing a plan.
-
Haschel and Sniper sat on the ledge of a building watching Ice and Meru spar in the training yard, pointing out effective combinations and bad moves. In Seles, Sniper helped Haschel grade the skill of his apprentices, as well as demonstrate with him how to use your hands and feet to stop the blow from an oncoming weapon.
Meru struggled with all her strength to lift the heavy training hammer as Ice danced around the intended blows, spinning his swallow behind his back and grinning to keep her enraged. In anger Meru flew up in the air and began to spin the hammer in a circle as she descended on Ice. He quickly shot an upward slash, cutting the hammers handle in two.
"Hey, ya bastard! My hammer!" She cursed as the hammer dropped to the earth, leaving the handle in her hands.
"Simple defense: Immobilize attacker's weapon." He replied, flexing his arm muscles to stretch them out.
"What?" She replied in confusion.
"Meru." Sniper called from the rooftop. "You really shouldn't train with such a heavy hammer, you can't control your blows."
"Yes, dealing damage is a key factor, but you must hit the target." Haschel added, followed with a slight burst of laughter at Meru's reaction.
Dart and Shana strolled onto the scene, talking with Kongal about the current situation with foreign royalties.
"Hey, Shana!" Ice called. "Can you still use that bow of yours?"
Hearing the challenge, she had one of the guards fetch her bow. Ice grinned in anticipation of a victory, scratching his head with his boomerang.
"I'm not always what I seem." Shana stated as she strung her bow.
She felt the familiar feathering that she used on her arrows and drew back the string. Her original target was a basket of apples on the far wall. In a flash she spun and let the arrow fly at intense speed. Ice nearly cried out as the arrowhead wove itself between his fingers and impaled the tip into his boomerang, nearly knocking it out of his hand.
Sniper silently laughed to himself at Ice's embarrassment. He should've known better, she was a Dragoon. Such a title merits war skills. Haschel, on the other hand couldn't control himself and almost fell off the roof, gasping for air.
"I'm glad she likes me so much, she's a nasty enemy when she's mad." Dart said, kicking at a stone in the yard.
Shana gave him a sly look and notched another arrow in her bow. "Watch out now, my targets are random."
Dart straitened his posture and slowly slinked his way toward Kongal. Ice didn't notice that Meru was taking advantage at this moment and sprouted her wings to fly above her unsuspecting prey. With a yell she fell on Ice and scratched her knuckles into his skull.
"Hey! Get off ya bug!" Ice yelled as she did a handstand on his shoulder, balancing her weight with bursts of her wings.
"Serve's you right! But, I can handle that hammer. Look at Kongal, he carries around an enormous axe! What's the difference?"
She stood with her hands in the air to prove her point as the others stared at her, wondering if she actually listened to her own words. She dropped her arms and noticed Ice staring.
"What?"
"Meru. Have you noticed that Kongal's axe is as big as you? There is a size difference between Kongal and you. Right?" Ice asked, peering into her eyes to get a rouse out of her.
She stared back, cold and as mean as a card player with a bad hand. Quickly she punched him in the stomach, which was tensed. Ice was waiting for the blow. She glared at him with fire and kicked him in the shin before she turned to walk away.
"Meru! Be nice to him. He did have a point." Shana scolded from the sidelines.
After Ice was finished hobbling about in pain he sat against an inner wall of the courtyard, the cold stone soothing his tired muscles. Sniper dropped down beside him.
"You're laughing on the inside. I know you too well." Ice accused with a slight tone of remorse.
Sniper only looked around as if he didn't hear the accusation.
"You two fight like siblings." He said in his usual, lifeless tone.
"Siblings? We never fight. We've never fought."
"That's because we always had something else to fight."
"True. I guess we grew up fast."
"Did we have a choice?"
"No, no. The only choice we had at the time was to live or die."
Sniper, for the first time that day, let a grin come to his lips. "You like her, don't you?"
"W-what?" Ice said in retaliation.
Sniper searched his side leg pocket for an adjustment tool, and began working on his hookshot.
"So?" Ice eventually let out.
"It's natural. No big deal."
Sniper stood and stretched his arms, then lent his hand to help Ice up.
"Everyone, I have a little task for us to accomplish." Albert stated as he walked toward the group.
"Winglys? Monsters? Very large bugs? Shana's cooking? The usual?" Haschel asked.
"Shana still has that arrow ready, Haschel." He warned. "I have been given reports of mysterious disappearances of my wardens at Helena."
Shana covered her face to hide her dismay. Dart held her close to comfort her.
"Hey, we've made it out of there before. It's under control of Basil, what could happen?"
"It is under my wing, but not everyone is as sympathetic to my rule." Albert said.
"Rebel groups?" Shana asked.
"Indeed. Basil too, was once referred to as a rebel faction by the Sandora. I will hear their causes, but will not tolerate violence among the people."
"Shall we investigate?" Ice asked, ready for a fight.
"If we move now, and tread lightly, we can be there by sundown." Albert suggested digging his spear into the soft training soil.
-
Albert was right. The sun was beginning to slip under the horizon on the mountains. As the group rounded the bend to the Helena gate road, Dart noticed that there were no Basil guards at the gate.
'Where are the guards?" He asked, mostly to himself.
'We shall find out." Albert said, a hint of worry in his voice.
Sniper searched the towers of the prison to find something glinting on the roof. He looked again for confirmation, but saw nothing. He looked to the right of the tower to see the glow of fire.
"Fire." He said as he pointed out the area.
"No watch hearths are in that location. A bridge that connects the center and left tower is there…" Albert thought out loud.
"The bridge is burning…keep your guard and split up." Sniper said and began to slip into the shadows.
"Hold it!" Meru whispered as she grabbed his arm. "Yes, we should split up, but who is going with you?"
Sniper looked to Albert with questioning eyes.
"Dart, Shana, and Haschel. Search the right tower. Ice and Meru. You go to the center tower and get to the top for a view of the situation. Meru's wings will be put to use."
"I have the left tower." Sniper volunteered.
"Fine. Take Kongal with you." Albert suggested.
"Keep him with you. I'll need my stealth, and that's not Kongal's strength point. Besides, Someone's got to cover your back."
"I do not need the concern to a King, warrior."
"I did not give it. I gave the concern of a friend, and it's perfectly reasonable."
"I see. Get all the information that you can. Help out the wardens and find out just what the hell is going on."
"If the shit hits the fan, get back to the gate road." Ice added.
"Uh, yes. Something like that." Albert replied, stunned by the remark.
He turned and opened his mouth to speak, but stopped, as Sniper was no longer in the area.
-
Dart and his group slipped down the corridors toward the right prison tower. As the sounds of battle were heard, they sprang into action.
Am attacker raised his club to strike the fighting warden, but never dropped the blow as Shana planted an arrow into the back of his head. Dart and Haschel leapt into battle backs to one another. Dart remained perfectly calm as his sword strokes hit their target. Haschel on the other hand was having a ball as he beat the attackers to the floor.
Shana checked the corridors for reinforcements and trotted back to Dart and Haschel, who were checking the bodies for people they could still get information out of.
The warden stood in the corner, pondering if the newcomers were friends of foe, when Shana dropped down beside him.
"Need some help, do ya?" She asked in a happy tone.
The warden blinked a few times, not quite sure what to say.
"Ok, then. What's your name?"
"M-my name?" He stuttered.
Dart walked over and sheathed his sword, grinning.
"Don't stand there in awe of her beauty, answer the lady." He said.
Shana's cheeks turned crimson as she ruffled Dart's hair in affection.
"I-I'm James…Warden James Taber in His Majesties' Helena Guard." He finally sputtered out.
"Warden Taber, nice to meet you. I'm Dart. My wife, Shana and Master Haschel." Dart said in introduction.
"Master Haschel? I've heard that name…"
Haschel straitened his posture and took the Rouge fighting stance.
"Ha! Master Haschel, the martial arts Master! I remember now." Taber said in embarrassment.
"Having trouble are you?" Haschel asked.
"Y-yes. We've been attacked by outsiders who claim to want the release of an inmate."
"Who would that be?" Haschel asked.
"I overheard them say something about a Nelfes? Make any sense to you guys?"
"Yes, Albert said that someone named Nelfes was thought to be behind the warden disappearances." Haschel replied.
"Albert? His Majesty Albert?" Taber asked in excitement.
"Yeah, that's him."
"His Majesty is here?"
"Yup. S'posed to be with Kongal investigating the main hold."
"And Ambassador Kongal? We are truly in luck!"
"We? You're the only one still alive." Dart said.
"Not really. My unit was only a fraction that is fighting here. But we can't spare a rider to get the Knighthood from Bale."
"So there are others?"
"Yes, four other units. But, I haven't heard from them since the invasion."
"We have people covering all corners of Helena. If they're alive, we've probably found them by now."
"I'll do my best to assist you!" Taber offered as he picked up his dropped spear.
-
Sniper silently cursed himself as he stalked his own shadow of the dimly lit hallway that led up the tower. Climbing half way up the tower from the outside had left him sweaty and off balance. He moved quietly, as to not alert the inmates in their cells.
He reached a light in the hall and slowly drew his broadsword, as the light blew stealth out of the equation. He ran his fingers through his wet hair, only to shake off the moisture.
As he continued he ran face to face with a young girl who appeared to be the age of around 16 in the light. All Sniper could see was the girls' hazel eyes getting wider and her brown hair fall behind her as she looked up at him. Before Sniper could say anything, the girl leapt back and threw a cloud of powder before running back down the hall.
Sniper cursed again, only this time openly as he ran through the cloud, holding his eyes shut. He could smell the sourness of the blinding powder as he ran. After many steps he caught her in his view. In reaction he aimed his hookshot and launched to a beam ahead of the girl, to knock her off her feet. He held his sword to her throat as he tried to catch his breath.
"…Now…I'm not going to…hurt anyone…I just…wanna know what…" Sniper began to say, chest heaving as he took in air, when a hawk beat against his head as it swooped down from an upper window.
Sniper reached to check to see if his head was bleeding, but his arms were being held as the girl knelt on him, knees cutting off his airflow. Ice had always told him that he would be stuck between a woman's legs some time or another, but this wasn't what he'd expected.
"Now you listen to me! You aren't going to get the chance to hurt anyone!" The girl screamed in his face.
Sniper began to black out at the lack of air, but could make out the hawk swooping down for another round at his head. He quickly raised his arms, pushing the girl in front of him. He slid out from under her, still holding her arms and pulling her back. The hawk didn't have a chance to abort it's attack and it's talons tore the girls shirt from one end to the other.
"Kana! You stupid bird! You're not supposed to attack me!" The girl spurted out in pure anger at the bird.
"Call it off and you'll live!" Sniper ordered, tightening his grip on the girl's wrists and twisting her arms.
"Ok! Kana, nyan ya tatta! Now let me go!" She yelled.
Sniper, after watching the bird perch itself, released the girls' arms and retrieved his sword. He quickly held it to her throat once again, so she wouldn't get away.
"Hold still." He ordered as he searched her for weapons.
He drew a heavy rapier from a sheath and tossed it in the corner. Sniper dropped his sword to ease and noticed the girl was covering up. The hawk hadn't tore the black muscle shirt up too badly, it just was ripped in the right spot. He tossed off his armor, took off his vest and tossed it to her.
"Sorry. It was your shirt or my head." Sniper said as he threw his armor back on.
After tying the vest closed, the girl glared at the bird again.
"It's a little big." She said.
"Hey, I don't have anything else that you can wear."
"It's ok, I guess. You guys already have my money, now leave me alone!" She said with fire in her eyes.
"Took your money? What the hell are you talking about?" Sniper asked as he picked up his sword.
"You're not with those bums? You sure as hell don't look like a warden."
"That's cuz I'm not. What do you mean, bums?"
"A ton of guys are storming this prison and taking out the wardens. How could you not have known that? Who the hell are you anyway?"
"Sniper. I haven't seen anyone except you. Where are these guys you're talking about?"
"Sniper, huh? Never heard that name before. Oh, the bums, right. I guess they cleared this tower and moved on. They killed an entire unit of wardens right before my eyes. Then they took my bale money and threw me out the window!"
"Threw you out the window? Were you on the roof?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I saw something as we came in."
"WE?! There are more of you?"
"Yeah. Who was the bale money for?"
"What do you care?"
"Just tell me."
"All right, ya nosy bastard. He's my teacher. He was thrown in here by false accusations and I was gonna get him outta here."
We've got to get back to the others. Get your sword."
"You trust me?"
"I can't leave you here without your sword, can I?"
"No, that's all right. I never told you my name, did I?" She asked as she sheathed her rapier.
"I never asked." Sniper said as he peered out the window.
"Well, too bad. I'm Ryo, Falconess."
"I've noticed." Sniper replied, pointing to the hawk.
"Kana, Uteb ber stoif!" Ryo commanded and the hawk flew around her head, then landed on her perch glove.
"Wanna take the short way, or the long way out?" Sniper asked.
"Well, the short way sounds best."
Kana launched off of her arm and flew out the window.
"I wish I could just do that." The said in a sorrowful tone.
"First time for everything." Sniper said as he grabbed her to the window. "Hold on to my belt, and don't let go unless you want flying lessons."
"What are you gonna do?" She asked, obediently holding on to his belt.
Sniper launched the arrowhead of his hookshot to a nearby lift and pressed the retract button. As they were drawn through the air, Kana squawked in alert. After fully retracting the hookshot, Ryo obediently dropped down to the lift. Sniper unwedged the arrowhead from the frame and dropped, to hang from his legs over the side.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing! Get in here!" Ryo yelled in worry.
Sniper observed from the viewpoint Kongal and Albert battling with a few remaining wardens below. In a swift movement he was back in the lift. He moved the lever and they began to descend to the upper-center tower.
"Don't do that to me!" Ryo scolded.
"You talk as if I was important to you?" Sniper responded, folding his arms and leaning against the frame.
"You are. You're the one who's going to get me outta this mess!"
"Me? What can I do?"
"Well, you've got friends here, so I can escape unscathed. Hard to believe you've got friends, though. Hey look at that!" Ryo said, pointing up.
Sniper followed her gaze to find Ice being flown up the tower by Meru. He slightly grinned for a moment.
"Remember that 'Hold my belt' thing?"
"Again?" Ryo half whispered.
He nodded and they were flying to the nearby tower, ahead of Ice and Meru. Ryo dropped off to the roof, and Sniper back flipped behind her.
"You're late!" Sniper yelled out to Ice and Meru as they reached the roof.
"…Hey…fuck you, man…" Ice replied as he caught his breath.
"What, tired?"
"No…still haven't gotten used to flying…" Ice responded.
"How about you, Meru."
"Well flying people around isn't hard. It's just that this tower's so frickin tall!" Meru complained, flashing her wings on and off to make her point.
"Well, what's up down there?" Sniper asked, looking over the edge at the battle below.
"From what we got out of one of the combatants down there, these guys want Nelfes, like Albert said."
"Great." Sniper said in a droll tone.
"But the fun part isn't over yet. The guy we got to talk said that there is a weapon that was made up here that could destroy entire cities. He said it was created by the Winglys long ago and their target was Bale!"
"And these guys have this weapon in their control?"
"According to the guy who talked, yeah."
Sniper punched the ground as he knelt, thinking.
"Ok, you guys get down there and evacuate as many prisoners as possible. Take her too." Sniper ordered, pointing to Ryo.
"Who's she?" Meru asked, seeing the girl for the first time.
"Don't ask, just go!"
"What about you?" Ice asked, eyebrow raised.
"I'll stop this damn weapon before Bale gets turned to dust!"
Without another word Sniper ran along the roof, looking for this so called "Weapon". As he reached the peak of the roof, he found a machine that spanned the entire peak. In the center of the machine sat a man in tattered clothing.
"Nelfes!" Sniper shouted to see if it was actually the prisoner.
The man turned his head and grinned, shaking the platinum hair off his face. He was a Wingly, something Albert never told him. Sniper drew his sword and charged the machine, only to be knocked back from an invisible force.
Nelfes merely laughed at this sight and continued making preparations to the machine. Sniper stood and wondered how he'd gotten out of his cell. The battle outside must have given him time to escape and charge the machine.
Dammit! Sniper thought as he watched the machine power up.
-
Albert looked over his shoulder as he led the prisoners to the mountain road.
"Kongal, keep an eye on them!" He shouted.
Kongal nodded and peered over all the men, axe poised to strike at any moment. He grinned at this, as none of them would dare challenge a Gigantos.
"Let's hope Sniper can do this!" Albert said to the others.
"He hasn't transformed into a Dragoon yet as far as I know…" Shana said.
"He has Rose to guide him…" Dart added as he watched the flashes on the roof.
"There it goes!" Ryo shrieked, pointing to the beam above them.
-
Sniper stood, still wondering what h could do to penetrate the magical force.
Damn the Winglys! He heard in his head. He looked around for the source, then realized the voice…the voice of that woman in his dreams.
Hey! Your sword isn't going to do you any good!
Sniper blinked a bit, then sheathed his sword on his back. He looked up as soon as he heard Nelfes' laugh. He hated how cocky people acted, especially when they laughed. He jumped as the beam was let loose toward the mountains.
It is time. Awaken, Darkness Dragon! Release the shadow within!
The laughter echoed in Snipers mind, driving him mad. He watched the beam, then noticed that he was moving toward it at high speed. He turned his head to find wings on his back and his amulet crested in his transformed armor.
He could feel the power of darkness as he sped in front of the beams' trajectory. He faced the oncoming beam and held out his palms, ready to block, or try to deviate the blasts' course. The beam came rapidly and the power pulsated in Sniper's arms as the shock hit him. An echoing yell was heard as he separated his palms to create a dimensional portal. The blast ended and the portal narrowed, changing it's form. From the portal the blast emerged again, headed toward the machine.
The blast hit the rooftop and all went white from the energy being released.
Sniper no longer heard the voice in his head. His work was done for the day.
-
Albert winced as debris of the destroyed prison bounced off of the barrier he created to protect them all.
"Not a bad idea…using Rose Storm." Dart complimented, holding Shana tight. "It sure saved us more than once."
After the dust had cleared from the mountain road, Albert returned to his normal state.
"Is everyone all right?" He asked.
"Yeah. I think we have most of the prisoners here…though some didn't make it out." Meru said
"Yes, Nelfes being one of them."
Ryo sighed deeply, trying to take in all that had occurred in the past few hours. Kana landed on her arm and she stroked the bird with affection. She rubbed her sore shoulders, feeling the rough material the vest vas made out of. She'd forgotten about Sniper until she felt the fabric.
She searched the sky, looking for the flying savior. She gasped as she saw the body fall from in the horizon.
"Sniper!" The cried, pointing to the falling body.
Dart immediately transformed into a Dragoon and launched into the air. At top speed, he caught the boy, transformed back into his normal state. After landing back at the safety site, Dart laid Sniper down on a large boulder.
"Is he ok?!" Shana asked, running over.
"He seems to be. He just needs rest." Dart replied.
Dart was glad the glow of the horizon was still visible, or the girl might not have seen him. He transformed and sat down next to the limp body.
Ryo trotted over and gasped at the sight of Sniper.
"Is…he?" She asked, quivering.
"No. Just has no energy left. The first time does that to you." Dart replied.
"What do you mean 'first time'?"
"Well. You saw our wings, right?"
"Yeah. I've heard stories about you guys. Never thought I'd meet one though."
"Albert. We need to get him someplace safe." Dart said.
"The closest place is Hoax. I need to get word to Bale about this incident, so that would be the best choice."
"How are we going to get them there?" Dart asked, flinging his thumb in the prisoners' direction.
"Have the remaining wardens watch them."
"And Sniper?"
"I don't know. Kongal, feel like taking on a little extra weight on a hike?" Albert asked, grinning.
"Not much. Maybe 200 pounds. Me can take no problem." Kongal answered.
Albert nodded in acknowledgment, and looked to all of the prisoners.
"Former inmates of Helena, hear this warning. If you run, we will not chase. There are far more dangerous monsters in these hills than you're worth to us." Albert announced.
Shana sputtered a slight laugh and leaned on Dart for support.
"They told me marriage was an adventure…but they didn't say it was so draining."
Dart rubbed her shoulder and helped her as they moved out toward Hoax in the moonlight.
EN: Well? You can stop writing the hate mail for me as you read this chapter, it's over. Some of it was kinda forced, though I guess I made it work. Yeah, I'll write more when I can feel my fingers again.
Rights of "Ryo": Shike77
Shike: Yeah, she's back. Don't worry, she'll see some action soon.
God: Make a note for meteor fall on Boyne City High School sometime next month.
Mulletman17: Hey, Meru's gotta get to you sometime, right?
Wingly haters: I'll personally make sure Melbu Frahma dies this time, promise! ^_^
Everyone Else: Don't look at me like that.