Friends…

Prontera, Rune Midgard

A flurry of footsteps…then silence…

Alice peeped over the roof, making sure no one was there. The coast was clear…

Ever since it was known that Alice was the one the Owl Baron wanted, she had been drawing a lot of attention to herself. She hated it when somebody stares at her like a monster; she hated it when people tugged at her arms, as if checking to see if she was human. But she hated them most for calling her a demon…

Trying not to brood too much about it, she leapt to the next roof, landing with a small thud. She was light, but not weightless. Anybody could have heard her…

Silence…

Heaving a small sigh of relief, Alice sat on the rooftop's slope. This must be one of the tallest buildings in Prontera…she could see almost everything below her. The only thing rivalling the house's height was the Castle itself.

From her vantage point, she could see the merchants and people shouting on the tops of their voices, getting the best offers possible. A few knights were sparing each other, competing for a very precious spear a blacksmith had…

"…alright, alright, I'll open the window," The roof's window swung open, revealing a young lady with long, purple hair…

Alice panicked, not knowing what to do…should she try to talk to her? Or should she just run? But if she ran, the lady would be able to see her…

"Oh! Who…who are you?" The purple haired woman asked, "Are you a thief? I know…wait a second; you're Alice!"

Shoot…she knew who she was…Alice was about to leap off from the roof when she heard the lady speak again, "…you're the one who was with Auril when he brought me that cat of his!"

Alice's heart stopped for a beat. The lady's words hit her way too fast. The shock was more then Alice could bear…

She had Little Tails?

"What are you doing on my roof anyway? Uh…come on in then. And don't bother using the front door," The lady swung open the window, giving Alice enough space to squeeze in.

She was going to see Little Tails…she was going to run away again…but this time with a friend…

She crept into the house, making the floor creak slightly as she landed. It was the attic of the house, and the place was converted into a room; apparently the purple haired lady's own. Alice walked apprehensively around, eager to see Little Tails, yet there was no sign of him…was he somewhere else?

"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself when you were with Auril; my name is Diana, full time Kafra Receptionist of Southern Prontera. This is my home; or at least, a rented room…" Diana paused for a moment, then asked, "So, what's your name? And what were you doing on the roof?"

Alice turned to look at her. Should she mention her real name? She didn't want to be known that she was here…

No, this lady, Diana, helped her take care of Little Tails…it was small courteous to at least say the truth…it was easier that way too…

"I'm Alice…" Alice said softly, head lowered, "I…I'm sorry for being on your roof…I was…running…from people…"

Diana raised an eyebrow, unbelievingly, "Then how in blazes did you get up to the roof in the first place? Did you jump up?" she joked.

"Yes…" Alice replied flatly.

Diana raised her eyebrow again. It was obvious she still did not believe Alice. But she waved a hand at her, turning around, "Ah, I'll just assume you're not going to tell me the truth, so we'll just drop it." She glared at her for a second, "I hope you weren't intent on stealing anything from me."

"No…no ma'am…" Alice said, frightened slightly. What should she do…Diana didn't seem to trust her…

"So, how is Auril doing? I haven't seen him for a few days," Diana said, sitting on the bed. She patted the bed, motioning Alice to sit.

Alice crept over, gingerly sitting down. It was so awkward to be close to a stranger like this…what was this feeling? Fear? Nervousness? Hate?

"Auril…I don't know ma'am…I…I ran from him…" Alice stuttered, "I…I came back here…to get Little Tails…"

Diana heaved a sigh, shaking her head. "Ah, that idiot. Running into a meaningless battle with the brawns but not the brains. This was the King's plan to get rid of some of the impudent ones looking for glory…I feel sorry for those that were chosen as sacrifices; they were sent to their deaths; luckily, the King granted their souls safe return…"

It was Alice's turn to be incredulous. All of Auril's plans were just so that the King could get rid of him and the others? No…it can't be…her friends…they were all going to die? This can't be…they were all so nice…they don't deserve this…

No. Alice promised herself she wouldn't turn back…she would get Little Tails and run…run far away, where nobody would recognise her…

"Miss Diana…Auril…he gave you my kitten, Little Tails, to you…um…can I have him back…please?" Alice asked, so softly, it was barely louder then the wind.

Diana looked at Alice, her face contorted uneasily. "Oh…I'm so sorry dear…I don't know what to say…" She paused a moment, head lowered, "That kitten was yours? I'm very sorry…but…"

Alice looked at her. What happened? Why was she so apologetic suddenly? Little Tails was with her, wasn't he? What was there to be sorry about?

No…it can't be…

"Alice, dear…please forgive me…but in a robbery, your Little Tails was caught in a fight…he's-he's…dead."

The last word struck Alice like a mace. Little Tails…dead? No…it can't be true…after enduring so much, has another friend died? No…it can't be true…

"No…please…" Alice tugged at Diana's sleeve, "Please…tell me you were lying…please…it was a joke…right? You should be laughing…we should all be laughing…it's not very funny, but…" Diana refused to look at her, "No…please…tell me he isn't dead…tell me…I can't…no…he's not…"

"Dear…I'm sorry, but I can't say that…because it's the truth…"

"No…no…not him…not Little Tails…" Alice backed away from Diana, as if suddenly realising, "It's you…it's your fault…isn't it? You…you didn't protect him…you…you let my friend die…didn't you?"

Diana said nothing, still looking away from her.

"No…no…Little Tails…no…" Tears streamed down Alice's eyes, dripping onto the wooden dusty floor, "You…how could you…he was my friend, my only true friend…and now…he…he's….dead…?"

"Alice, please don't-"

"I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU, I HATE YOU!"

Alice ran for the window; bursting it apart with a surge of mana. She leapt out, running away from the murderer…

No…all her friends…ever since the Dark Lord took her…all her friends…they're all gone…why…why was her life like this…she just wanted a nice peaceful life…she didn't want to live this life of misery…why didn't she die…why wasn't she killed with everyone a thousand years ago…? Why…?

Alice didn't have anything left…she was alone…all alone again…Little Tails…Diana…Jovich…Auril…

Auril…?

No…she had friends left…Auril…Grace…Lulaba…everyone…

They were going to die too…

No! She couldn't let them die…

Alice held back her tears. Little Tails…he didn't deserve this kind of life…he should have grown to a strong cat and have his own family…but no…he was dead…

And Alice wasn't about to let that happen to the last shards of meaning to her life…she had to save them…

Glast Heim Churchyard, Glast Heim

: Auril! Get out of there! The Dark Lord is coming! :

Auril blinked once. Who was that? It sounded like…Zephyrus? That silent Eclipse of the Moon-born wizard…

A slight earthquake rumbled the floor. It wasn't very noticeable, so Auril ignored it.

: Relax, Zephyrus, I've got everything under control. : Auril replied coolly. He wasn't about to turn tail and run; not that he can anyway.

: You don't understand! The Dark Lord! He- :

: Save your words for later. I'm not about to give up the glory so easily! You want it all to yourself don't you? Well, sorry! You trick isn't going to work on me! :

: Auril! You- :

Auril cut the link. That should keep him quiet.

Auril, Lulaba and Grace huddled closer together, waiting for something to happen…nothing.

"Humph, so that jerk is lying…" Auril muttered to himself. He slung his spear back onto his back, whistling to his peco peco.

"Okay, now that the zombies are gone, we've got to find a way to remove whatever it was that was blocking the way to where we are now. The other's can come over as soon as we figure out that problem."

Lulaba and Grace nodded, turning to follow Auril…

"That won't be necessary, Abyss Legion Knight. I've already taken care of them."

Auril froze. The voice was so deep and foreign, yet so familiar…who was it…?

Not him…not now…

Auril turned around, glaring into the eyes of the fifteen foot tall giant.

The Dark Lord has come.

Damn it…that bastard was really going to get it…

Zephyrus sped into the Abbey blindly, desperately finding the place Auril was. Kaylah mentioned that one of her friends in Abyss Legion went down to the south east of the Abbey…

But where was the entrance to the Churchyard? Damn, damn, damn, damn! If Auril would only listen to him…

"Argh…help…me…"

Zephyrus turned around. A monk was lying on the wall, bleeding profusely into the ground. His right arm was missing from the elbow down, and his clothes were soaked into a putrid red pulp. His ear was ripped off forcefully from his head, leaving a hole oozing with blood all around it. His eye was dangerously dangling outside of its socket, flopping around uselessly. It was a grim sight.

"Hey, are you okay…ah…I can se you're not…" Zephyrus said cautiously. The monk looked at him with his good eye, making his other eye swing on its remaining bit of muscle.

"Help…me…the…Dark…Lord…his…Dark…Illusions…nothing… we…can…do…" he managed to choke out. His throat was slit, letting blood gush out like a fountain. He must be one hard-cored son of an arse to be still alive.

"Shoot…the Dark Lord has already risen? Then we're too late…" Zephyrus said, getting out his healing clip, "Hang on, you can't die now…the Dark Lord found a way to block the Metempsychosis Spell…if you die, you stay that way forever…"

But the monk didn't move. He didn't puff desperately nor twitch in his position. He was dead.

'Damn!' Zephyrus thought to himself. He could have saved him if he came sooner…

But this wasn't the time to brood about it. He had to get his own men out.

: Zeus Legion! We're bailing out of Glast Heim! Auril can die for all I care, He's done too much damage to stop now. Saddle up and get out, now! :

He did the dead monk a small favour, healing his wounds, then burnt his corpse ceremoniously with mage fire. He could feel the monk's soul dancing about, lost and hopeless, but with a hint of gratitude in Zephyrus's actions.

With a final look at Glast Heim Abbey, he ran back out for the last time.

This was the moment Auril has been waiting for. The Dark Lord, he and his comrades fighting to the death. He'll be city hero if he made it, beaten or victorious. He'll rise above kings for that feat…

"Lulaba, Grace, get ready…"

But when he looked at them, it wasn't the determined faces and ready-for-action stance he saw. They were tainted with fear and their faces were as white as Alice's. Even Lulaba looked like she was ready to drop her weapons and run.

'Great; now it's one on one…' Auril thought to himself.

The Dark Lord waved his hand once, summoning a huge pile of dead bodies; everybody from the Abyss Legion.

No…they were all there…Meth, Chan, Turamii…even Lulaba's Falcon…

The Dark Lord sneered, seeing the shocked looks in the three pitiful mortals standing at his feet. Their comrades were all far too easy; they were no match against the Dark Illusions. If he still had his Titans however…

Auril stood tall, still not refusing to give in. "Dark Lord! I came here to fight you, and a fight I will get!" Auril took out his spear, "Bring it on!"

The Dark Lord grinned, the sockets in his skulls flaring. "Impudent human, you dare to duel the Dark Lord? Nobody has ever shown such stupidity to me," the Dark Lord sneered again, "ever since the last Auril."

Auril gritted his teeth, eyes narrowing. He knew his name…and his family history…the Dark Lord knew all along?

"But I accept your challenge. Let none stop us then," He pointed his palms toward Grace and Lulaba, charging up the largest amount of mana Auril felt in his life.

Grace and Lulaba watched in horror. Their lives flashed past them in an instant. Grace ran toward Auril, holding out her hand…"Auril!" she cried, but it was too late. The Dark Lord shot a surge of lightning so bright that Auril had to turn away. A huge impact threw him and his armour ten feet away from his original position.

Auril peered at where the Dark Lord struck his friends. Did they make it?

No…it was much worse…

Grace's body was completely burnt into a black, smoking corpse. She was severed on her waist, steaming out a red vapour that suspiciously smelt of blood…Her eyes were melted out of their sockets and her skin looked as if it was flowing off her body…

Auril couldn't bear to look at Lulaba, not after Grace…Tears in his eye; he screamed one last taunt at the Dark Lord, "You'll Pay for this! You and you other scum of Glast Heim!"

He lifted his spear, bringing its point toward the Dark Lord. He rammed it into the soft part of the Dark Lord, impaling him deeply.

The Dark Lord grinned, as if Auril's attack was meaningless to him. He slapped away Auril with a gigantic hand, sending him and his now broken spear to the floor.

"If that's all you have," the Dark Lord said solemnly, "then you don't deserve to fight me."

Furious, Auril charged at the Dark Lord again. He wasn't going to let this bastard beat him. He wasn't going to let anyone die for nothing.

Auril unsheathed his claymore, invoking it with a brilliant white aura. He was going to show the Dark Lord what a true Lord Knight could do.

Auril leapt as high as he can, landing right above the Dark Lord. The Lord reached out with his colossal hand, only to get it sliced off by only one of Auril's attacks. But Auril wasn't done yet, he placed his claymore in a piercing stance, aiming for the Dark Lord's skull…

A sudden wash of pain appeared all around Auril's body as the Dark Lord's fire wall engulfed him in flame. Auril screamed in pain, landing head first onto the ground. He was almost knocked out from the blow.

The Dark Lord summoned a circle around him, chanting so quickly it all seemed like one word. Oh shoot…

A hail of meteors rammed into the Churchyard, sending bricks and pieces of debris up into the sky. Auril got up just in time to dodge one meteor coming straight at him. The Dark Lord Laughed as he watched the pathetic human scramble back and forth, dodging the flaming boulders coming from the sky. At the same time, Auril glimpsed his hand growing back…

Another meteor impacted just behind Auril. It sent him flying forward…straight into the path of another meteor.

'Shoot…I didn't want to use this so quickly, but…'

Auril screamed a battle cry, sending his whole body into a frenzied red. He could see the world around him slow down as his reflexes increased. His claymore felt much lighter than before. His vision was enveloped by an angry red fog. And he was angry.

The meteor was only one metre away from him, but Auril stood still. He raised his claymore and batted the Meteor straight at the Dark Lord. Even before the meteor could hit its mark, Auril sprung into action. He let his claymore dig into the ground, the resistance making him even angrier.

The meteor hit the Dark Lord, making him flinch for one crucial second. Auril sprung straight at his chest, letting his Claymore flying deep into his already dented chest. The Dark Lord flinched again, backing away in surprise.

But Auril wasn't done yet. He continued to slash at the Dark Lord for as long as he could remain airborne. He ended his brutal assault with a straight vertical cut, splitting the Dark Lord's armour into half.

No. He still wasn't finished. Auril watched as the Dark Lord fell to the ground, as if in slow motion. He wasn't about to let him die so peacefully yet. Auril charged at him, sword raised. He held it with both his hands, swinging with all his might. He hit the back of the Dark Lord's skull, making a deep crack in it. The Dark Lord flew back up from the force of the impact. It looks like the end for him now…

"AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHH!" Auril cried out. Sudden surges of electricity shot through Auril, causing pain so great, it numbed him. He lay helplessly on the floor, only the twitching of his body showed proof that he was alive.

"Stupid mortal," the Dark Lord said emotionlessly, "Your cockiness is so great you underestimate me. Arrogant fool."

A swarm of Dark Illusions appeared around Auril's line of vision. He watched helplessly as the Dark Lord tormented him further.

"The Dark lord is not stupid. He never fights a losing battle; unlike you. Your pitiful attempts to find the Emperium has been wasted…the Emperium," the Dark Lord said, "Is within me."

Auril tried to widen his eyes, but couldn't even move his eyeballs. The Emperium…so it was in him all along...no wonder why he couldn't find it…it wasn't fair…the Dark Lord knew…

"And now, Auril, your life is mine. I shall have the pleasure of enslaving you to eternal damnation, just like the old Auril."

With that, the Dark Illusions picked Auril up, escorting him out of the Churchyard. Enslave him? Like Alice? No…he didn't give up, he didn't come all the way just for this…he wanted glory…he wanted fame…he wanted revenge…

"Ah, Dark Lord, you must be forgetting what happened to your Titans the last time."

A voice stopped the Dark Illusions. The Dark Lord turned his head in the direction of the speaker, "That voice…no, it's not…"

A brilliant white flash lighted up the Churchyard, searing Auril's eyes. He couldn't close his eyes; he was too numb to do that. His eyes watered instead, making his vision even more blurred.

"Balmung…" the Dark Lord muttered.

"My ancestor defeated your titans with this sword the last time. The Oppression Spell imbued upon it makes it unstoppable," Lord Balmung appeared before the Dark Lord and Illusions.

"Wretched fool, that thing couldn't slay me the last time…"

"Oh, but it can destroy the Emperium within you. Thanks for leaking out the info, your lordship."

"Damn you, ILLUSIONS! KILL HIM!" the Dark Lord barked.

The Dark Illusions surrounded Balmung, casting their lightning spells at him. Balmung ignored them, charging at the Dark Lord valiantly, making the pain flowing through him his motivation.

The Dark Lord cast fire walls all around him, but it was no use. Balmung ran through the fire wall, searing his flesh and armour till they almost melted. He thrust his sword into the Dark Lord, pulling it out to reveal…

The shard of the Emperium…

: SHEILD TEAM! LET DOWN BARRIER! NOW! :

A sudden surge of energy shot through Auril. He felt the Barrier Spell flaring throughout Glast Heim. His body tingled and his hair rose; his numbness was forgotten for a second as the feeling washed over him.

In the next second, the Dark Lord yelled in anger, sending the largest spell circle Auril has ever seen.

"I'LL SEND ALL OF YOU TO HELL FOR THIS! YOU SHALL PAY! YOU WILL DIE THE MOST MISERABLE DEATH!"

Meteors the size of houses rained down on Glast Heim, destroying almost all the buildings. The one-thousand year old tragedy was relived.

But Balmung laughed, even as a meteor burst into the Churchyard. He continued laughing, until they were all struck by the meteor…

"Wahahahaha! Your plan failed Lord of Darkness! The barrier is set up, and the Metempsychosis spell can work again! We win…"

The meteor crushed him and the Dark Illusions into pulp, leaving the largest impact crater Auril has ever seen in his life. Pieces of debris flew into his face, piercing him. Blood flooded his vision, forcing him to shut his eyes…

This battle was won…but the glory wasn't his…