Chapter 2:"The master" The mystery continues... "Boring," Rob thought to himself, as he walked down the seemingly endless passage. He had been walking for an hour straight, thinking about things that had happened, if his family missed him, if they even existed, that sort of thing. Rob heard a voice signing in the distance and he rubbed the gem on his ring and turned into a raven. Flying towards the noise, he said to himself, "More likely not to hurt a bird then a person...I hope....", He flew to the end of the passage; it was a big enough to be some kind of room, and candles lit made the whole place seem brighter. In the centre of it all, a nu mou man was meditating. Rob in his raven form, landed in front of the man and reluctantly changed back to human form. "Do not be alarmed Robert, Sit down, please." The nu mou said, eyes still closed. "What are you doing here?" Rob asked sitting down, curious to why someone would be meditating in a bandits hideout. "I always come here to do my meditations, they leave me alone because they fear me." The nu mou said, still in a meditative position. "Why would they fear you? You seem harmless enough." Rob said. Suddenly he went flying up into the air hitting the top of the cave, then falling back down to the ground again. "Point well taken," Rob gasped winded from the fall, realising that perhaps this man was not as harmless as he seemed. "How does it feel?" The nu mou asked. "Well, it hurts in the stomach," Rob replied, rather sore. "No not that, to know your friends are walking blindly to their deaths, knowing you can't do anything to stop them." The nu mou man said. "Must be really frustrating. Here you are talking to me, as they walk ever closer to their dooms, Ironic isn't it?" he added as an evil smile crossed his face. "WHAT?!" Rob exclaimed, standing up, and turning towards the exit. He stopped in his tracks when he discovered the way he came in had disappeared, and had been replaced by a cave wall. "There is nothing you can do to stop it now, their death is inevitable." The man said casually. "But think, what if you went down the other path, you would have saved Augusto's or Alex's life. What must be going on in your mind right about now?" he paused for a moment, still smiling mildly. "I can help of course, for a price...." The nu mou said standing up. "Let me show you their fate" he added, as the pair transported to a cavern. Rob and the nu mou stood in a huge cavern, Filled with creates of food, and gold, and other stuff presumably stolen. There was one entrance, obviously the other two passages converged whilst the one rob travelled on went on a completely opposite direction. 3 men sat in poorly constructed wooden chairs looking at an amulet on a wooden table. They stood up as Augusto and Alex entered the cavern, "What are you doing here?" The leader said, as the two others drew, scimitars ready to attack. "Kupo we've come looking for that amulet, Kupo" Augusto said proudly, glancing at the amulet on the table, not really understanding that he was in danger. Rob unsheathed his sword to help, but the nu mou spoke to him. "Put it away, they cant hear or see you, you cant do anything to help." He said. "And this is the present, happening as we speak." He added, tension rising. Rob sighed with frustration and sheathed his sword. The leader nodded, as two other bandits came from behind Alex and Augusto, all of them unaware that Rob and the nu mou looked on. The two other bandits grabbed Augusto and Alex, holding blades to their throats. "Well, I guess you've failed then" The leader said, nodding again. "You shall find no amulet," The two men slit Alex's and Augusto's throats and their bodies fell to the floor dead, blood gushing. "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!" Rob shouted, knowing full well that no one could hear him. He was racked with despair, a tear in his eye. "Why show me it?!" Rob demanded, speaking to the nu mou, who still wore a mild expression of amusement. "I would have given you what you wanted, anything to help them," Rob said, as they were transported back to the nu mou's room. "Give me the crystal of the spirit that Alex killed," replied the man. "And I will turn time back to when you reached the fork in the passageway, there you can change it all. You will know what will happen, whatever you do from there is your business." The nu mou said to Rob, holding out its hand for the crystal. "Done," Rob said, pulling the crystal out of his pocket and putting it in the nu mou's hand in an instant. "The master will be pleased indeed," The nu mou muttered. Then there was a blur and Rob was back at the fork. "Kupo, but If we run into the bandits, One against many wont stand much a chance, Kupo" Augusto said as Rob just stood there still and thinking. "Maybe you're right, I say we go down the left passage." Rob replied. "If it's not the right one, we go down the others, may take longer, but it sure is safer." Rob said, happy to see both of his friends alive. "Let's go then," Alex said, leading them down the left passageway. After an hour of walking, they reached the convergence, and another larger entrance was right around the corner. "Ok, you guys enter and Augusto you give your brave little speech about the amulet on the table." Rob explained, able to hear the conversation of the bandits around the corner. "I'll cover us from behind." Rob added, remembering what had happened. "How do you know the amulet is on the table?" Alex asked, "How is it possible to know that we will need coverage from behind?" "Long story," Rob replied as Augusto entered the cavern, Alex following, nodding over his shoulder at Rob to show that he understood. "What are you doing here?" Rob heard the leader of the bandits ask. "Kupo we have come here for the amulet, Kupo" Augusto said bravely again. Rob heard the two men coming from the passageway to the right, as he crept over and got ready to attack. Hate flowed through Rob's veins as he unsheathed his long sword. As he held the sword, sparks and jolts started coming from it, as an aura of electricity surrounded the sword. Rob felt its energy increase, as he thought more and more of what the bandits did to Alex and Augusto the first time. The aura grew bigger and brighter, with Robs anger. All of a sudden, the two bandits came around the corner and Rob darted out, slashing horizontally quickly, a lightning trail following the strike. As both men fell to the ground, burn marks and a slice across each man's chest were clearly visible. "Whoa," Rob thought to himself. Then walked around the corner to the entrance to the cavern to see how Augusto and Alex were doing. Rob walked into the cavern to see two of the men lying on ground, Burn marks on them, Augusto holding his gun to the leader's head, and Alex holding out his hand receiving the amulet. "You are a strong hearted group of people," the leader said to Alex. "Fighting for what is right. I respect that, I will not forget you people," he added as he handed Alex the amulet and backed off, in both fear and respect. "Well today was sure a weird day," Rob remarked as they walked out of the cave. "Or should I say night," he added, looking up at the dark night sky. The group walked for a while, getting further and further from the cave, and closer to Abral. But after that skirmish, they were all also getting tireder. "Kupo, we should set up camp here for the night, Kupo, and then in the morning continue to Abral when we're more rested," Augusto suggested. "I agree," Alex replied, nodding in agreement. "I am very tired after that fight" he said as he yawned. "Ok its settled then, we sleep here tonight." Rob said as he found a rock and placed it on the ground. He lay down and used it as a pillow. Alex took of his robes placed them on the ground, and used them as a pillow before he too fell asleep. Augusto, like Rob, also found a rock and did the same as his friend. As the sun rose over the desert plains, heating the sand up quickly, Rob and the others awoke from their deep slumber. Rob was the first to get up and he brushed the sand off himself. Augusto did the same, as did Alex before put his robe on. The trio then started off in their destination, at a run. Later in the afternoon, grey clouds covered the sky, indicating it was going to rain later that day. The three friends arrived in Abral, and started walking down the empty main street, sounds of people packing things very franticly everywhere. A company of 30 heavily armed spear-carrying soldiers marched down the street, heading to the north of Abral, and another soldier ran from home to home, telling the members of each household something. He started running up to the trio, "You must leave Abral," he said to Rob, Alex and Augusto. The three were quite surprised, and wanted to know why, but were cut off as the soldier spoke again, obviously in a hurry. "Head east to Gormandoc, there you'll be much safe, with better protection. You haven't much time, they will be here by nightfall." he said to Rob, Alex and Augusto. "Who will be here?" Rob asked curiously, "The taragonians, They've broken the non-aggression pact and are marching against Abral as we speak." Replied the soldier "Our defence force here is staying behind to fight them, and give enough time for the civilians to get far enough away, so that they can get to Gormandoc safely. There isn't much hope for us though," he said, casting his eyes to the ground. "It's 500 Adamanta guard against 2000 Taragonian warriors", the soldier explained. Rob looked around, and watched as a child ran out of a home, with his mother carrying only enough provisions to last a day or so. "Can we help in any way?" Rob wanted to know. "Can we join the defenders?" he asked not caring what Augusto and Alex wanted to do. The soldier nodded, glad of any assistance that the defenders would have, even if it was only one fighter. "Yes come with me, to the commander." He said, "Even one more person could change the outcome of the battle." The soldier said walking off. "Augusto, Alex," Rob began. "You can go to Gormandoc, but I'm staying here." He said resolutely. "I don't care if this war is on for the wrong reasons, I don't care what they look like, I'm just here to save the innocents." He said, head hung low, starting off after the soldier. "Friends till the end, Robert, friends till the end." Alex said putting his arm on Rob's shoulder, following him. "Kupo, I have the same views about the war as you Robert, but I'll never run away from a fight either Kupo" Augusto said also following. Rob smiled, glad that his friends were with him. "Commander, 3 more to help our battle" The soldier said bowing as he entered a big building to the east of the town. "Excellent, that gives us around 800 men now, more chances for our success" The commander said, looking back down again at the maps of the area "Sit down please," The commander said to Rob, Augusto and Alex. They sat down with the commander at his wooden table. "I always take the time to get to know my warriors," The commander explained, looking up at the three. "You must be Robert, my wife told me about you, You've made quite a name for yourself." He remarked with a grin. "All from that fight." He turned to Alex. "And you must be Alex," Alex nodded in response. "You must be Augusto. What an honour to be fighting alongside people such as yourselves." The commander said, bobbing his head in a respectful way. "Alex and Augusto, you're with bowmen, archers, behind the spearmen and swordsmen, aim your weapons carefully, and concentrate your magic well." He advised. "It's going to take a lot of effort and teamwork, if we are to hold these bloody Taragonians off." The commander said, looking back down at his maps. "And Robert, you'll be beside me and the other spearmen and swordsmen." Robert nodded in reply. "Fight hard, fight to save the lives of the people of this town." The commander said to the trio. He nodded to the soldier that had brought the three friends to him. He turned back to Rob. "Go with him to get suited up," he said, pointing at the soldier who had lead them here. Rob stood up and bowed to the commander, and followed the soldier out of the room to get suited up. Rob followed the soldier to the armoury and was handed some heavy armour and a spear. He put on the armour, and looked up at the sky watching as the sky grew dark. He looked around at his fellow soldiers that would join him in the fight, and perhaps death this night. As he looked around, he saw depressed faces everywhere. He walked out of the armoury, the commander and the other swordsmen and spearmen waiting outside, then slowly all the others came out of the armoury and they marched to the eastern line. The darkness of night had covered everything and rain started pouring down. They positioned themselves in a line formation, Rob standing right next to the commander. Archers were on the buildings right behind, Augusto and Alex with them. The Taragonian army appeared right over the horizon, and stopped marching as a 7 ft tall one came out of the ranks. It raised its arm, singling his men to get ready. He brought his hand down, like an executioner bringing down his axe about to decapitate the victim, and the Taragonians roared and charged down. "May the light shine on us all," The commander whispered to his troops. "MEN! SPEARS FORWARD!" he shouted; as he and all the others put their spears forward ready to skewer the first wave of attackers. "ARCHERS FIRE AT WILL!" The commander also shouted, as a flood of arrows rained down on the Taragonians, killing many, as did a lightning strike and the sound of a gun firing. Rob gulped to himself as he killed the first Taragonian that collided with his spear, then threw his spear into the chest of another. He drew his sword and thrust it into the side of another foe. Rob looked around at his comrades, and was grieved to see that many were already dead. Many taragonians were also dead, the defence forces holding them off for now. Rob looked over to the commander, who was fighting the 7ft tall Taragonian, who appeared to be the enemy commander. The commander of Rob's company was knocked to the ground, and the 7ft tall Taragonian was moving in for the final blow. Rob looked around quickly, picked up a spear and threw it at the Taragonian, the spear landing square in its chest. The commander gave a small nod of thanks, as his attacker fell dead. The commander then pointed in a direction and Rob, to see a group of Taragonian mages, who were killing many of the archers atop of the buildings, and resurrecting fallen taragonians. Rob fought his way up to the Taragonian mages, many human dead bodies laid around them. Rob's sword glowed with the aura of electricity yet again, as he did a whirlwind attack slicing many of the Taragonian mages, killings all but three. All three turned their attention to Rob, one doing a lightning attack at him. But Rob managed to jump out of the way, before he charged at his enemy, slicing him in two. The other two mages caught Rob off guard and hit him with a double lightning attack. Rob gave a cry of pain before he fell to the ground, dead. But he didn't feel dead, and heard a soft, melodic, yet malicious voice speaking to him. "You cant escape by death, its not your time to die now." It said. "Your time to die will come when you, and the other 5 chosen, fight me. Only then can you escape." Rob felt his body grow numb before he felt warmth within him. He saw a white light surrounded him, and felt his life returning. As his surroundings came into focus, he saw 10 human warriors gathered around him. "Thanks Alex," Rob whispered under his breath, knowing that Alex had something to do with Rob being given a second chance. He rose to his feet and snuck up behind the mages. He thrust his sword through ones back, catching it off guard and decapitated the other Taragonian mage. "That's for killing me," Rob commented sourly, spitting his blood on the ground, "CHARGE!" He shouted, as he and the 10 others ran back into the fray, with renewed strength. After many hours of fighting, the taragonians finally retreated. But the battle had taken its toll; only around 100 human soldiers still remained. Rob finished killing off a Taragonian, who he had fought with for quite some time when Augusto, Alex and the commander walked up to him. The remaining soldiers gathered around. "We fought hard today, we won and the odds were against us." The commander said. "It was an honour to fight beside you all. And for all that lived this battle you fought the hardest." He flashed a small smile. "But it's a cruel fate, that I may live, and another one of my men dies. More will arrive by dawn, but we have accomplished what we stayed here for." He said. "Now we go to Gormandoc. We can't wait here and expect reinforcements to arrive, we may have won the battle, but this town is lost." He smiled slightly. "But victory was ours, VICTORY!" The commander shouted leading everyone off. He turned around to Rob, Alex and Augusto, "I will not forget you, and your help," The commander said, and then continued leading everyone off. At dawn, the commander, Rob, Augusto, Alex and the remaining troops marched into Gormandoc. Over the mountain ranges of Dori, And in the jungles of Skaibog, the marsh city of Gormandoc existed. Huge stone walls surrounded the great city, with all sorts of vines and moss growing in the cracks of the stone in the wall. It was a sure change from the desert city of Abral. At the entrance to the great city, stood tall a stone archway. They marched through the giant archway and into the main street of Gormandoc, people on both side of the streets, cheering, shouting and throwing rose pedals down upon the soldiers. Some of the people were from Abral, those that had escaped before the great battle, many others from Gormandoc. Rob and the others were wounded, and exhausted, but still managed to raise their fists in triumph to the crowd. At the stop of the street was the commander of the Gormandoc's defence forces. He stood proud but bowed to the Abral commander as he came closer. The whole Gormandoc defence force stood behind the commander, standing proud and respectful, honouring the soldiers who just came from Abral. The commander from Abral stood forward, also bowing to the Gormandoc commander. They spoke to each other for a while, about what had happened. The commander of Abral's forces, told the warrior from Gormandoc about Rob, Alex and Augusto and how they helped. He also spoke about the battle and the conversation ended in a nod, as the Abral commander walked off, leading the soldiers to the Gormandoc barracks. Rob, Augusto and Alex didn't follow however. The Gormandoc commander ordered his troops off back to the barracks, but stayed behind himself and walked over to Rob, Augusto and Alex. "You are welcome to stay at the barracks for as long as you need," he said to the three friends. "You are all welcomed here as a friends, as well as a great warriors. What you did was noble, and I admire that." He pulled out a sword in a sheath and handed it to Rob. "I wish to give you this sword, Robert, Forged long ago. It is light, strong and quick to move. It has helped me in many battles, and I wish you to have it, for I am sure it will help you also." The Gormandoc commander said, unsheathing a beautiful sword and handing it to Rob. He then bowed to the trio and walked off. Rob swung the sword around in awe, getting used to its feel. It sure was lighter than his long sword, but just as long and sharp. He sheathed it its sheath and belted it to his waist, alongside his existing blade. "So what do we do now?" Rob asked his two friends. "Just like you," commented a voice from behind, "to do something stupid but prevail," Rob heard the speaker laugh. "Tsk tsk," Their voice was very familiar and they laid a hand on Rob's shoulder. Rob turned to face the stranger, "It cant be." he muttered to himself seeing exactly who the newcomer was.

Note from Lauren: sorry it took so long..