Lots of plot unfolding happens here in such a short space. These last few rounds before the Top Ten were chock full of information and conflict, so I decided to split them up even further. The hooded man is finally revealed and a new foe takes shape on the battlefield between good and evil. It's not someone who you would expect, though (mainly because the writers made him up). Read, review, and enjoy.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round 31 - Norris (S), Pip (K)
"Alright, the next SAL activity is a deer hunt," Norris said, looking sternly towards the group as he carried a high-impact rifle. The group looked anxious, since they had been eating the same things day after day, and the prospect of fresh venison was very appealing. But still, more people hadn't shown up. Besides the normal Lynx and Steena absences, Serge, Pip, Guile, and Harle were absent.
"Now, be careful with what you shoot. Make sure you're not hitting a human or demi-human," Norris commanded as the group passed weapons around to each other. Everyone was going alone. More people would just mean more feet to step on dry twigs and less cover to divide up.
He trekked towards the water hole, where most animals should be at this time of day. However, there were currently none present. 'Half of the hunt is in the anticipation,' he mused, as he kneeled down, his rifle ready, just waiting for that prize to show up.
"I shouldn't 'ave put it off for zo long," Harle resolved. Serge was now attacking his those he loved, and the normally quiet boy was nearly shouting. There was something wrong, and now she had to find the source. She trekked towards the dormant volcano that was at the northern part of the island.
"I knew zat I would find vous 'ere," Harle said to the rustling of the bushes behind her.
"I knew that you would be coming. You're not too hard to read," said the voice, revealing itself to be the silver-haired Guile.
"Why?" Harle asked.
"I do not need to reveal myself to you," he returned.
Norris heard something. Actually, he heard two things. Anxiously, he got his rifle ready and focused it, ready and hungering for the kill. The first rustle brought out Miki, who still had not changed out of that red costume that anyone could see from a mile away. But the second rustling did not dart away. It stayed.
This was something that considered Miki a target, which probably meant it was a tiger or something. He turned the gun towards the sound, licking his lips in anticipation. From out of the bushes charged a strange creature that Norris had never seen before. He would have captured it for Luccia if she was still alive, but now she was not, and this was a meal. Norris fired a clean shot, catching the monster in the neck. It stretched out and lunged forward, but was stiff as a post. The gunshot had frightened off Miki, so Norris went alone to claim his trophy. It had purple skin, horns, and it looked a lot like Pip.
It took Norris a few second to realize it was Pip.
"Well, he was going to attack Miki, so shooting him was justice," he resolved, as he slung the rifle and the carcass over his shoulders.
"I won't let vous get away wit zis! You leave Serge alone!" Harle demanded.
"Is that all you want to say? I won't stop now, not after I'm so close to my goal," Guile smirked, and drew something out from his robes. Although Harle couldn't make out anything about it, she suspected that it was the cause of Serge's problems.
"I will stop vous! BlackHole!" Harle casted her element, the black ball falling to the ground and starting to suck Guile in. However, Guile rubbed the shiny object he was holding and the spell vaporized into purple dust.
"You think you can hurt me? You and I are one and the same, you know. You can't use your power on me." He laughed, and then faded in a blackening wave.
Now Harle was worried. She had declared herself Guile's enemy and he would surely come after her.
"Zo, I must fight 'im for Serge's zake, but 'e can stop me from attacking. I t'ink I need some 'elp, but who could moi enlist?" Pondering her current state of affairs, she then teleported herself back to camp in order to search for aid.
By: Matt620
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round 32 – Harle (S), Riddel (S), Guile (K)
'I cannot believe I am going through with this,' thought Riddel to herself, as she followed the path toward the base of the island's dormant volcano. 'But if it is the only way to heal Serge from his coma, then I owe him that much. He saved my life once. Now it is time to return the favor.'
Just a few short hours ago, Riddel had been rudely awakened from a restless sleep by Harle. The jester told her that she had finally discovered a way to help Serge, but Riddel must hurry to the forest just outside of the volcano. There everything would be explained. She also looked saddened when she told Riddel to come prepared with her most powerful elements, weapon, and gear. She was not to hold anything back. Then, the harlequin vanished without another word.
'I hope Harle knows what she is doing,' Riddel worried to herself. 'We all have a desire to help our friend through this, although her tactics seem a bit extreme.'
"I zee you 'ave come," said a musical voice from up high. Riddel craned her head toward the bright moon, only to see Harle floating in front of it. "T'ank you."
"I am glad to help," replied Riddel. "I just want to know what this is all about."
"It iz all about our friend, monsieur Serge," said Harle, sadly. "Serge iz not 'imself now. Even now 'e iz trapped in ze darkest reaches of 'iz own mind."
"I still do not understand why you require my assistance, though," mused the princess. "Could you not just handle this task on your own?"
"Non," answered Harle. "I 'ave tried, oui. But 'e iz too powerful. Ze man neutr'lizes my power. Zis iz where you come in, mademoiselle Riddel."
"Who is doing this, Harle? And to what end?" asked Riddel.
"Ze person iz non ot'er zan Guile!" revealed Harle, to an obviously shocked Riddel. "I know not'ing of 'iz motives, though."
"Can you not just talk to him?" proposed Riddel.
"Non, 'e iz beyond reason," said Harle, as she quickly shook her head.
"Well, I would like to avoid violence at all costs, but I am ready to fight if need be," reasoned Riddel. "I would like some answers as well. Where is our masked friend?"
"Just past zees trees," pointed Harle.
"Then let us make haste," argued Riddel. "The sooner this madness can stop, the sooner we will have the old Serge back. Shall we be off?"
"Non, mademoiselle Riddel," said Harle, apologetically. "Like I zaid before. Moi am powerless against 'im. You go alone."
"That is unfortunate," Riddel sighed. "But I shall do what I must. Despite my appearance I am a lot stronger than others give me credit for."
"I know zis," winked Harle. "Why do you t'ink moi recruited you? I will be close if t'ings get out of 'and. Call for moi. Alt'ough I do not t'ink I will be of much 'elp. Oh, and mademoiselle..."
"Yes, Harle?"
"Pleeze be careful." Harle then stepped back and faded into the night sky.
Riddel secured her rod and continued her trek toward the looming mountain. She had to be careful with the dense undergrowth in some areas, but soon she was almost at her destination. Finally, with a small push she reached the master magician.
Guile was deep in concentration when Riddel saw him in the distance. He was holding a small, shiny object out in front of him and chanting something. As he was doing this waves of orange energy were rhythmically pulsing down his arms and into the item. Riddel couldn't make out exactly what he held in front of him, but it did not appear that his intentions were pure.
"Guile," Riddel said, calmly. "We need to talk."
With a final burst of orange energy flowing into the object, Guile slumped to the ground, tired. Forcing his droopy eyelids open, he stared at the lady of Viper Manor. Using his staff as support, he struggled to his feet.
"I am glad you were able to witness that final burst," Guile said, as he secreted the object into a fold within his robe. "Everything is now in place. This final infusion has been completed. All we do now is wait."
"Why are you doing this, Guile?" Riddel asked.
"The same reason the moon goes around the Earth," the magician replied, cryptically. "The same reason all of our planets circle the sun. The same reason the universe goes on surviving as it does. It is simply something that must be done."
"But you are hurting others in the process," Riddel pleaded. "You must stop what you are doing. For the sake of everyone here."
"Did you not hear me, woman?!" Guile shot at her. He was already begin to stand on his feet a little steadier and with less labored breathing. Apparently he was beginning to regain whatever strength he had lost during from the ritual. "The process has completed. I can do nothing more on my side of things! What little chance anyone has to reverse this quickly fades with each passing second."
"I will ask you one more time," said Riddel, beginning to get annoyed with the cryptic magician. "Will you tell me what is going on and help me to aid Serge?"
"No," said Guile, standing even straighter. He had almost gained his full strength back and brought out his wand around in a defensive posture. "If you want answers you must go through me. And I assure you princess, this time you will have no one there to protect you."
"I have managed just fine by myself in my lifetime," Riddel countered. "And I do not fear the dark powers of pathetic swine such as yourself. I shall take you on without hesitation."
"I applaud you for your conviction," Guile smirked. "And also for allowing me to regain my strength. You will regret that later on." Guile then fired a bolt of concentrated gravity energy at Riddel.
Riddel spun to the side and fired a beam of white light at the magician. He brought up his hand to absorb it with the shiny object, but to no effect. It struck him square in the shoulder, as he winced in pain. "How could you...?"
"I am not some second-rate magic user," Riddel spoke with confidence. "Whatever you did to Harle will not work on me. You underestimate me and that will be your downfall." She then fired a howling green wind tunnel at her opponent.
Guile teleported out of harm's way to the right. He was also floating a good two feet off the ground. He responded to her assault in kind, summoning a large plant that attempted to devour Riddel. Just before its jaws closed over her, she teleported out of its reach. No victim in range, it shriveled back into the nothingness from which it came. Riddel was also hovering in the air, a bewitching smile on her face.
"You have learned much in the short time we have been apart," Guile spoke. "But I wield the dark arts." He then compressed his wand between his hands. Riddel looked around frantically for any attack, but couldn't see anything. Suddenly, she felt a ripping pain in her right shoulder, as the magician's wand materialized there. It then tore itself free as Riddel cried out, leaving a hole where a massive amount of blood was quickly spilling onto the ground.
"Play with fire and you're going to get burned, girl," Guile sneered.
Riddel then surrounded herself with a blue energy. Her wound sealed itself up and her face regained some of the color it had lost with the injury. She then faced the mage with fire in her eyes. Her wand glowed a fierce blue again and Guile found himself with an ice wall around his position. He heard a rushing of water and looked to the side just in time to see a river slam into him with crushing force. Guile then pushed himself off the ground, not feeling entirely too healthy, but with a grim determination just the same.
"It appears your constitution is waning," said the princess. "Just halt with your insane actions and we can end this."
"No, it appears you are the one stricken with sickness," spoke the mage as his body circled itself with dark energy. The magic then struck Riddel, as her head felt stuffy and her nose began to run, making it difficult to concentrate. "And the air is not a welcome place for one with your standing."
Guile unleashed some yellow energy from his wand as the ground beneath Riddel shook. Three stone pillars rose from the earth. One knocked her out of the air, the second smashed into her side, and the third crushed her legs. She limped over to Guile, obviously in pain, but not beaten yet. Concentrating, she wrapped herself in white light, feeling invigorated as her strength returned and her head cleared. She also was free of her limp. She walked a few steps toward the magician and glowed white once more before she halted ten yards away.
"I see we could do this all evening if need be," Guile reasoned. "Both our magic is up to the task. But I fear I must end this now!" He then hurled his wand up into the air and it positioned itself right over Riddel. The sky turned black and some lighting arced out of the air. Before Riddel knew what was happening, it was too late, as the lightning struck the wand and washed over her. As soon as the attack was over, Guile recalled his wand to again float by his side. "Had enough?"
"Hardly," she replied, as she parted the dark lightning and stared Guile right in the face. She was seemingly unaffected by the onslaught and raised her wand in defiance, dispelling the thundercloud. "I have only just begun."
Riddel charged at Guile, her rod ready for attack. Guile glided to the side and moved his wand around to block the blow. With a flurry of movement, he was able to deflect all but one, which caught him on the side of the head. As he was falling, he fired a black orb from his wand at the princess, catching her squarely in the chest. Both fell to the ground, exhausted from both the foreign physical exertion and the damage they had sustained.
Guile surrounded himself with green energy and stood up. Riddel did the same with a blue effect, also rising to her feet.
"You cannot win, you know," Guile huffed. "You have exhausted your bag of tricks already. Your power is reaching its limit. But I still have strong magic at my disposal." He then fell into a deep meditation for his next spell.
Riddel quickly brought her rod in front of her and prayed for a miracle. 'Dario, my love,' she thought, 'may your faith keep me strong.' A pair of white snake eyes then made its way into the back of her mind and she could almost feel her magical power invigorating her again. With not a moment to lose, she prepared her defenses and again covered herself in a white glow. All she could do now was brace herself for the coming attack.
"Ha!" Guile shouted, as the black ball extricated itself from the tip of his wand. It stopped just in front of the princess and then began to collapse in on itself. The black hole began to draw her in as well, but not before she waved her wand in front of her, as the protective spell took effect. "But you have already used that tactic! How...?"
"I am deeply sorry, Guile," Riddel apologized. "But it ends here." She then raised up her rod and concentrated all her energy into this next attack. In desperation, Guile hit her with a dark mental blast, causing her concentration to falter somewhat. Her resolve was too strong though, as her spell was freed and began to take shape.
Startled, Guile felt himself rising high into the air, powerless to stop what was happening. A pulsing white light accompanied him, as he could only watch it in fear. It throbbed once, then a second time, and then finally a third, as it burst open and enveloped him in its energy. It felt like a thousand exploding stars were assaulting the mage as he howled into the white-hot light. The attack was over just as soon as it started, dropping Guile to the ground like a fallen angel. To his testament, he was still breathing when he hit the ground.
Riddel bent over to the magician and took off his mask, peering directly into his violet eyes.
"You...must...mind...clouded," he pleaded to her.
The princess called out to Harle, as she placed a healing kiss on the mage's forehead, slowly bringing his eyes back into focus.
"Once more...my powers of reasoning...so close to their return," Guile spoke, his voice cracking on every other word.
Riddel again placed her lips on his forehead, infusing his troubled head with the final dose of healing magic. With that his eyes fluttered open and he snapped to attention. Harle then materialized next to the two and stared at the unmasked face of the master magician.
"I do not have much time," Guile said. "So please hear me out. The actions that I have performed lately were not my own, but that of another."
"Who?" asked Harle.
"I think you both know the answer to that question," snapped the mage. "Here is the instrument of Serge's undoing. But if you act quick enough, there is a still a chance that it can be the one to redeem him!" He then reached deep into his pocket and pulled out the shiny object from earlier. As both Harle and Riddel bent over to get a better look at it, realization hit them as to what this was.
"Zat iz ze Dragon Emblem!" shouted a shocked Harle.
"Yes," confirmed Guile. He then gritted his teeth together as an invisible pain wracked his body. "Take it and give it to Steena. She is under a spell now, but you can break it by showing this to her. Then she will be able to attempt to stop the growing evil in Serge. It is already starting to take shape and there is little time. If it should come to life its power will be beyond anyone's control." He put his hand to his chest and cried out.
"What hurts?" Riddel asked, concerned. "Can we help?"
"There is nothing you can do now...just go..." gritted Guile. "The only thing you can do...is to remember...how this...all started..."
His entire body then convulsed in shock as a ghost-like image of the mage crept out from his eyes and mouth. It looked the same as he had, but was entirely transparent. The image of his soul began to dissipate into the cool night air.
"Wait!" exclaimed Riddel. "We still need your help!"
"Just...remember...the beginning..." said the wispy soul as it vanished. All that was left of Guile was his lifeless husk, eyes staring vacantly into space. Riddel then put her hand over his face and closed his eyelids, to better welcome the mage into his eternal sleep.
"Come," said Harle. "We 'ave done enough 'ere. We must get zis to Steena." She then helped the sorceress to her feet. Stealing a look back to the body of Guile, she sighed and teleported both of them back to the camp.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Where am I?" asked a confused Serge, as he looked around. This area was completely dark except for a few patches of light that pulsed sporadically in the distance. He stood on a clear blue floor, seemingly made from sturdy glass. He walked around his surroundings, but could only see nothingness everywhere he turned.
"Glad you could finally join the party," laughed a deep voice, off to the side. "I was beginning to think you had chickened out."
"Who are you?!" shouted Serge.
"You don't know?" responded the voice, feigning hurt. "I guess I'll have to show you then." The figure then stepped out from the shadows. It held its own swallow in the ready stance and seemed to emanate hatred and evil. The person wore a blue bandana underneath a mop of crimson-orange hair. Its eyes glowed a burning red. The rest of the figure looked exactly like Serge.
"I am you," he said, coldly. "Or more accurately, what you could have been. My name is Atikon. I am doom incarnate. And I want control of this body."
By: Daredevil3181