RAGNARÖK ONLINE FANFIC
TRANSGRESSIONS OF FATE
By: RAGNAR (that really is my name)
Chapter 10: Interjections
Sodos watched Marus as he left the dark alleyway.
Even though the man pulled up his hood, Sodos already recognized him. He smiled as the man he once knew as Shadow Eyes, his childhood hero, walk out of a battle practically unscathed.
Shadow Eyes, Servant of the Fates, Hero of the Ages. Sodos' smile grew as fond memories came to him. When he was a warrior boy of twelve, no other hero was easier to idolize as the one he was following.
"Sodos, are you sure that is him? We might just be following a –," Sodos stopped Degedos before he could finish his sentence.
A lookalike...
"I am sure, Degedos. I can recognize that man, anywhere. The scars, the walk, the knives, everything about him tells me that he is Shadow Eyes," Sodos' grin started to look as if he was ten again.
Degedos was still skeptical, it seemed, "But how? Even before we became Fateless, Shadow Eyes was already at least twenty! That would make him more than a thousand years old! Aren't we the one's who are supposed to be immortal? Are you even sure that those knives are the real Hope and Pain?"
"We aren't immortal, Degedos. He is; and I'm sure he will remember his old partner."
Marus turned around another alley.
"Let's follow him, Degedos. We mustn't let him get away," Sodos' pace became quicker.
-------------------------------------------
Marus waited for his two stalkers to turn up around the alley. The shadows that surround the alley merged with his body to make him invisible against the walls with Arul waiting by his side.
That was when he saw them. Judging by their clothes, one was an Assassin, the other was a Knight. Of whose authority there were here for, he didn't care.
Waiting until their back was to him, he rushed over and kicked the Knight, sending the man to the far side of the alley. He then rounded over and pushed the Assassin against the wall, with Hope at the man's throat and Pain pressed hard against his forehead.
The look at the Assassin's eyes was strange. Marus can sense that the man knew him in some way. It was as if that he was confident that Marus wouldn't kill him.
That didn't matter now. His one good eye glared at the Assassin, "Who are you and why are you following me?!"
Then, the way the Assassin looked at him became different. His face became that of shock while one side began to twitch. The man's lips seemed to mouth the word... no.
Then, to his shock, he was pinned to the opposite wall; Hope and Pain escaped his grip then fell to the floor. That was an impossible move! He made sure that the twin daggers were positioned so that the man will kill himself if he made any big movements... but how?
The man's face was pale, the look in his eyes were as if his world crumbled on him. "WHY CAN'T YOU REMEMBER ME?! SHADOW EYES, IT'S ME! SODOS OF TENTH REGIMENT! I WAS YOUR PARTNER FOR EIGHT YEARS! YOU SAID THAT I WAS THE BEST YOU HAD!"
Marus found himself flying through the air for the second time today before he landed on the cobblestones.
Sodos raised his voice. He screamed skywards, "HOW COULD YOU?!"
Incredible, the man can't be human. He's too strong!
Struggling to get up, Marus tried to reason with Sodos, "I don't know who you are, Sodos. But if I am supposed to, I am sorry, but amnesia has its toll on everyone."
It seemed that Sodos was not willing to listen. Screaming at the top of his voice, he ran towards Marus, daggers in hand.
Marus had to act fast, dodging the first slice, he grabbed an arm, twisted it around to the breaking point, and then sent him flying to his Knight friend.
Picking up the Twins from the floor, he faced his two enemies. He thought that he had seen enough violence for the day. Apparently, he was wrong.
The Knight stopped Sodos from going further. He then spoke a few words to Sodos, which were too low for Marus to hear.
Sodos nodded as if in agreement and handed over a gem to the Knight. Now, why would he need that?
Just as soon as Sodos turned around, the Knight charged.
It would seem that Marus would have to kill again.
The Knight's blade was caught in Pain's barbs, keeping it from moving any further. This fight is over.
Hope's blade went through the man's throat all the way to the bone of his spine.
Blood started gushing out from the stump that was his neck when he threw the body to the ground.
He sheathed his knives. This was an absolute waste of his time.
Then, when Marus turned around to leave the area, a hand caught his collar and threw him back deeper into the alley.
There, standing before him, was the Knight – unscathed.
What in Hell's truth is going on here? He knew he cut of the man's head. He was certain of it!
His shoulders started to throb from all that flying, "Who are you?"
The Knight sneered, "You really can't remember us, Shadow Eyes?"
"Am I supposed to?"
The Knight looked disappointed, "I was hoping to finally get that rematch, Shadow, but it would seem that I'm not facing the man I faced Ages ago."
Marus couldn't help but say it, "If you actually know me, then could you please enlighten me at the facts of who I am?" after a pause, "if you don't mind."
"That will have to wait, Shadow Eyes, but I am afraid that your presence has diverted Sodos' attention to what is supposed to be done here. He does things for his own reasons and I do them for mine. I will not allow you to hinder what is to be done, Shadow Eyes, for that, I will not regret killing you even if you're not at your best," the man actually started to smile, "My name is Degedos."
Degedos right hand brought up his katana, its long blade shining dully even in the darkness of the alleyway.
The smile turned into a grin, "Remember it, Marus. It will be the last name you hear."
All right, now that was a threat. Readying the Twins at his hand he started at a ready battle stance.
Degedos charged forward, curved sword whistling in the air, while his grin grew wider with each step.
Marus caught the blade by crossing his knives above him. As soon as the sword was slowed down, he tossed it aside while bringing Hope around to slice the man at the side.
The buckler that Degedos has lain hidden under his cloak blocked the white blade, only to have Pain going forward for a stab to the side. The move was swept aside when the Knight moved the buckler upwards. Marus then sent Hope stabbing upward to Degedos' neck only to miss it when the Knight slid back a few feet.
When the Knight's feet landed on the ground, he charged again, shield in front, concealing the katana behind it. Marus took no chances and sidestepped to the right, the Twins ready to block his sword.
Degedos swept his katana to the right only to be locked by Pain's barbs, while Hope went for his eyes. Degedos brought his head back to dodge the white blade only to have Marus stab his back with his boot knife.
With the small blade locked at the Knight's back, Marus rounded over for another kick with the other foot, the boot knife ripping off some of Degedos' flesh in the process. The move sent the Knight staggering forward, but it didn't seem to faze him, it only made his grin widen.
Before Marus' eyes, the wound disappeared from the man's back. He didn't have time to wonder, however, when he had to duck to avoid the katana whistling inches over his head.
He brought Pain forward to make as if he were going to stab the Knight's shoulder. Degedos brought his shield up to block the blow.
Big mistake.
Now that both the Knight's arms are occupied with Pain, he sent Hope stabbing the man's left shoulder. Degedos avoided him, however, by sliding to the right, the katana turning around for another blow.
Marus stopped the attack by pushing Degedos' elbow, neutralizing his momentum. When the Knight started to turn around, Marus jumped over his head.
Just as soon he landed, before Degedos could complete his turn, with one fluid motion, he sent Hope to slash the Knight's right arm. Blood started to spray out from the man's missing limb as he backed away from him.
Marus knew that this wasn't over.
In the blink of an eye, Degedos' arm was again attached to his body.
Marus was beginning to tire of this, "You do know that this will take forever. I'm just too good for you."
The grin disappeared replaced by a look of disappointment, "Do you really think that Shadow Eyes? You really have forgotten about me." The grin went back up, "Very well, if your wish is to die today, I'll grant it!"
Degedos, brought up his sword again. Dropping his shield, he gripped the long hilt with both hands.
Marus went back to his stance. He was going to make sure that Degedos would stay down... permanently.
This time, it was Marus who made the first move. Pain and Hope crossed in front of him, he aimed the blades for the Knight's throat. The katana blocked both knives, only to have Pain take it aside with its barbs while Hope stabbed forward.
Degedos ducked to avoid the white blade all the while dislodging his blade from Pain, bringing up the katana to cut off Marus' head.
Marus stepped back to avoid the blow and countered by sweeping his foot under Degedos. The Knight jumped, making Marus miss his move. Before he could finish his turn, Marus sent Hope upward to stab Degedos while turning Pain around to gut him.
Pain was blocked by the katana and Hope was dodged when Degedos tilted his head sideways.
Stepping backwards, Marus flipped the Twins so that the hilt would be forward and blades to the back. He charged forward, the Twins going upwards in a slashing motion.
Both blades were locked together when they were blocked by Degedos' katana. Marus didn't stop there, he pushed forward, pushing the Knight back all the way to the wall.
Degedos' grin never faltered, "Really now? Do you think that you've beaten me?"
"Pretty much."
He kept Pain locked to the katana while bringing back Hope, its white blade shining in the penetrating sunlight.
Just before Marus could send Hope down to stab. Degedos delivered a powerful head-butt to Marus' good eye.
Crying out, Marus staggered back a few steps, clutching the right of his face.
Marus could hear the whistling of the katana's blade just before he could bring up Pain in time to catch it. After throwing the katana aside with the black blade, he then jumped back so he could recover his eyesight.
This little brawl is going nowhere.
Marus replaced the Twins in their sheath.
"Giving up already?" Degedos taunted him even with a surprised look on his face, the grin never left though.
Marus brought up his hands in front of him in another stance, palms open.
The Knight was on the verge of laughing, "Bare hands, Shadow Eyes?" the man's shoulders began to shake, "you couldn't even stop me with your little knives!"
Degedos charged forward, katana raised above him. Marus braced himself.
As soon as the sword was being brought down, Marus surged forward, right hand blocking the Knight's arms, stopping the blow, while his left hand grabbed the katana's hilt. Keeping his grip on the sword, he rounded over for a kick, sending Degedos reeling back and letting go of the blade.
Before the Knight could recover, Marus gripped the sword with both hand and lunged towards Degedos.
He could feel the curved steel going through flesh as he ran the Knight through with the sword. Marus kept running forward, Degedos being pushed by him. He then drove the katana to the nearest wall. The move ended with Degedos being stuck with a sword though his belly.
The Knight looked up to him, "You really are Shadow Eyes." This time, the smile was real.
Marus just turned around, "Whatever, you just wasted my time."
Degedos let out a half-snort, half-laugh, "If I didn't know better, I could have sworn you were Fateless."
At the mention of the word Fateless, Marus quickly turned around only to find that Degedos was gone, just the katana lodged to a wall.
He heard the local soldiers again running towards the scene of fight. Someone must have reported this incident. No doubt that whoever was leading this little squad was smart enough to patch the events at the building and the one on this alley together.
Wrapping his cloak around him, he jumped from one wall to another so he could reach Geffen's rooftops, Arul following him from the shadows below.
---------------------------------------------------
"Well?" Sodos' voice can be heard from the mist in Geffen's western bridge. The sun didn't have much time to touch this part of the city yet.
Degedos emerged from a portal next to the bridge wall. "It is him. You were right, it is Shadow Eyes."
Sodos just looked at the river "I was just wondering why he has forgotten me."
Degedos stood beside him, throwing a pebble to the waters below the bridge, "People tend forget things after a thousand years. Whether those memories were fond or terrible, we just don't have the ability to remember everything."
Sodos' voice became hard, "Do you know that aside from Mae, Shadow Eyes was the only other person in my life that mattered?" he looked up into the brightening sky, the sunlight starting to fill Geffen's western areas.
"The two of us fought together against the enemies that threatened our country, sometimes the world," Sodos' smile was bitter, "we went against demons and monsters and he never asked for anything in return. To tell the truth, he was my hero," he faced Degedos, "he still is, even if he has no memory of our adventures."
Degedos leaned on the railing "Does this change anything?"
Sodos looked towards Geffen's gates, "No, we still go as planned. If all goes well, we will find the Guardians and their Council and finish what we came here to do. You will have freedom for your family, and I will have avenged Mae."
The Knight let out a loud breath "Well, do you have it?"
"Yes," from his pockets, Sodos brought out a small leather bound book. Its pages were cracked and yellow from age, but were still readable.
Degedos placed the book in his saddlebags "Let's hope it was worth our time."
Sodos opened the portal to the Rift "Time, Degedos? We have an eternity to waste."
The portal closed behind them, as they were both enveloped by the cold darkness of oblivion.
TRANSGRESSIONS OF FATE
By: RAGNAR (that really is my name)
Chapter 10: Interjections
Sodos watched Marus as he left the dark alleyway.
Even though the man pulled up his hood, Sodos already recognized him. He smiled as the man he once knew as Shadow Eyes, his childhood hero, walk out of a battle practically unscathed.
Shadow Eyes, Servant of the Fates, Hero of the Ages. Sodos' smile grew as fond memories came to him. When he was a warrior boy of twelve, no other hero was easier to idolize as the one he was following.
"Sodos, are you sure that is him? We might just be following a –," Sodos stopped Degedos before he could finish his sentence.
A lookalike...
"I am sure, Degedos. I can recognize that man, anywhere. The scars, the walk, the knives, everything about him tells me that he is Shadow Eyes," Sodos' grin started to look as if he was ten again.
Degedos was still skeptical, it seemed, "But how? Even before we became Fateless, Shadow Eyes was already at least twenty! That would make him more than a thousand years old! Aren't we the one's who are supposed to be immortal? Are you even sure that those knives are the real Hope and Pain?"
"We aren't immortal, Degedos. He is; and I'm sure he will remember his old partner."
Marus turned around another alley.
"Let's follow him, Degedos. We mustn't let him get away," Sodos' pace became quicker.
-------------------------------------------
Marus waited for his two stalkers to turn up around the alley. The shadows that surround the alley merged with his body to make him invisible against the walls with Arul waiting by his side.
That was when he saw them. Judging by their clothes, one was an Assassin, the other was a Knight. Of whose authority there were here for, he didn't care.
Waiting until their back was to him, he rushed over and kicked the Knight, sending the man to the far side of the alley. He then rounded over and pushed the Assassin against the wall, with Hope at the man's throat and Pain pressed hard against his forehead.
The look at the Assassin's eyes was strange. Marus can sense that the man knew him in some way. It was as if that he was confident that Marus wouldn't kill him.
That didn't matter now. His one good eye glared at the Assassin, "Who are you and why are you following me?!"
Then, the way the Assassin looked at him became different. His face became that of shock while one side began to twitch. The man's lips seemed to mouth the word... no.
Then, to his shock, he was pinned to the opposite wall; Hope and Pain escaped his grip then fell to the floor. That was an impossible move! He made sure that the twin daggers were positioned so that the man will kill himself if he made any big movements... but how?
The man's face was pale, the look in his eyes were as if his world crumbled on him. "WHY CAN'T YOU REMEMBER ME?! SHADOW EYES, IT'S ME! SODOS OF TENTH REGIMENT! I WAS YOUR PARTNER FOR EIGHT YEARS! YOU SAID THAT I WAS THE BEST YOU HAD!"
Marus found himself flying through the air for the second time today before he landed on the cobblestones.
Sodos raised his voice. He screamed skywards, "HOW COULD YOU?!"
Incredible, the man can't be human. He's too strong!
Struggling to get up, Marus tried to reason with Sodos, "I don't know who you are, Sodos. But if I am supposed to, I am sorry, but amnesia has its toll on everyone."
It seemed that Sodos was not willing to listen. Screaming at the top of his voice, he ran towards Marus, daggers in hand.
Marus had to act fast, dodging the first slice, he grabbed an arm, twisted it around to the breaking point, and then sent him flying to his Knight friend.
Picking up the Twins from the floor, he faced his two enemies. He thought that he had seen enough violence for the day. Apparently, he was wrong.
The Knight stopped Sodos from going further. He then spoke a few words to Sodos, which were too low for Marus to hear.
Sodos nodded as if in agreement and handed over a gem to the Knight. Now, why would he need that?
Just as soon as Sodos turned around, the Knight charged.
It would seem that Marus would have to kill again.
The Knight's blade was caught in Pain's barbs, keeping it from moving any further. This fight is over.
Hope's blade went through the man's throat all the way to the bone of his spine.
Blood started gushing out from the stump that was his neck when he threw the body to the ground.
He sheathed his knives. This was an absolute waste of his time.
Then, when Marus turned around to leave the area, a hand caught his collar and threw him back deeper into the alley.
There, standing before him, was the Knight – unscathed.
What in Hell's truth is going on here? He knew he cut of the man's head. He was certain of it!
His shoulders started to throb from all that flying, "Who are you?"
The Knight sneered, "You really can't remember us, Shadow Eyes?"
"Am I supposed to?"
The Knight looked disappointed, "I was hoping to finally get that rematch, Shadow, but it would seem that I'm not facing the man I faced Ages ago."
Marus couldn't help but say it, "If you actually know me, then could you please enlighten me at the facts of who I am?" after a pause, "if you don't mind."
"That will have to wait, Shadow Eyes, but I am afraid that your presence has diverted Sodos' attention to what is supposed to be done here. He does things for his own reasons and I do them for mine. I will not allow you to hinder what is to be done, Shadow Eyes, for that, I will not regret killing you even if you're not at your best," the man actually started to smile, "My name is Degedos."
Degedos right hand brought up his katana, its long blade shining dully even in the darkness of the alleyway.
The smile turned into a grin, "Remember it, Marus. It will be the last name you hear."
All right, now that was a threat. Readying the Twins at his hand he started at a ready battle stance.
Degedos charged forward, curved sword whistling in the air, while his grin grew wider with each step.
Marus caught the blade by crossing his knives above him. As soon as the sword was slowed down, he tossed it aside while bringing Hope around to slice the man at the side.
The buckler that Degedos has lain hidden under his cloak blocked the white blade, only to have Pain going forward for a stab to the side. The move was swept aside when the Knight moved the buckler upwards. Marus then sent Hope stabbing upward to Degedos' neck only to miss it when the Knight slid back a few feet.
When the Knight's feet landed on the ground, he charged again, shield in front, concealing the katana behind it. Marus took no chances and sidestepped to the right, the Twins ready to block his sword.
Degedos swept his katana to the right only to be locked by Pain's barbs, while Hope went for his eyes. Degedos brought his head back to dodge the white blade only to have Marus stab his back with his boot knife.
With the small blade locked at the Knight's back, Marus rounded over for another kick with the other foot, the boot knife ripping off some of Degedos' flesh in the process. The move sent the Knight staggering forward, but it didn't seem to faze him, it only made his grin widen.
Before Marus' eyes, the wound disappeared from the man's back. He didn't have time to wonder, however, when he had to duck to avoid the katana whistling inches over his head.
He brought Pain forward to make as if he were going to stab the Knight's shoulder. Degedos brought his shield up to block the blow.
Big mistake.
Now that both the Knight's arms are occupied with Pain, he sent Hope stabbing the man's left shoulder. Degedos avoided him, however, by sliding to the right, the katana turning around for another blow.
Marus stopped the attack by pushing Degedos' elbow, neutralizing his momentum. When the Knight started to turn around, Marus jumped over his head.
Just as soon he landed, before Degedos could complete his turn, with one fluid motion, he sent Hope to slash the Knight's right arm. Blood started to spray out from the man's missing limb as he backed away from him.
Marus knew that this wasn't over.
In the blink of an eye, Degedos' arm was again attached to his body.
Marus was beginning to tire of this, "You do know that this will take forever. I'm just too good for you."
The grin disappeared replaced by a look of disappointment, "Do you really think that Shadow Eyes? You really have forgotten about me." The grin went back up, "Very well, if your wish is to die today, I'll grant it!"
Degedos, brought up his sword again. Dropping his shield, he gripped the long hilt with both hands.
Marus went back to his stance. He was going to make sure that Degedos would stay down... permanently.
This time, it was Marus who made the first move. Pain and Hope crossed in front of him, he aimed the blades for the Knight's throat. The katana blocked both knives, only to have Pain take it aside with its barbs while Hope stabbed forward.
Degedos ducked to avoid the white blade all the while dislodging his blade from Pain, bringing up the katana to cut off Marus' head.
Marus stepped back to avoid the blow and countered by sweeping his foot under Degedos. The Knight jumped, making Marus miss his move. Before he could finish his turn, Marus sent Hope upward to stab Degedos while turning Pain around to gut him.
Pain was blocked by the katana and Hope was dodged when Degedos tilted his head sideways.
Stepping backwards, Marus flipped the Twins so that the hilt would be forward and blades to the back. He charged forward, the Twins going upwards in a slashing motion.
Both blades were locked together when they were blocked by Degedos' katana. Marus didn't stop there, he pushed forward, pushing the Knight back all the way to the wall.
Degedos' grin never faltered, "Really now? Do you think that you've beaten me?"
"Pretty much."
He kept Pain locked to the katana while bringing back Hope, its white blade shining in the penetrating sunlight.
Just before Marus could send Hope down to stab. Degedos delivered a powerful head-butt to Marus' good eye.
Crying out, Marus staggered back a few steps, clutching the right of his face.
Marus could hear the whistling of the katana's blade just before he could bring up Pain in time to catch it. After throwing the katana aside with the black blade, he then jumped back so he could recover his eyesight.
This little brawl is going nowhere.
Marus replaced the Twins in their sheath.
"Giving up already?" Degedos taunted him even with a surprised look on his face, the grin never left though.
Marus brought up his hands in front of him in another stance, palms open.
The Knight was on the verge of laughing, "Bare hands, Shadow Eyes?" the man's shoulders began to shake, "you couldn't even stop me with your little knives!"
Degedos charged forward, katana raised above him. Marus braced himself.
As soon as the sword was being brought down, Marus surged forward, right hand blocking the Knight's arms, stopping the blow, while his left hand grabbed the katana's hilt. Keeping his grip on the sword, he rounded over for a kick, sending Degedos reeling back and letting go of the blade.
Before the Knight could recover, Marus gripped the sword with both hand and lunged towards Degedos.
He could feel the curved steel going through flesh as he ran the Knight through with the sword. Marus kept running forward, Degedos being pushed by him. He then drove the katana to the nearest wall. The move ended with Degedos being stuck with a sword though his belly.
The Knight looked up to him, "You really are Shadow Eyes." This time, the smile was real.
Marus just turned around, "Whatever, you just wasted my time."
Degedos let out a half-snort, half-laugh, "If I didn't know better, I could have sworn you were Fateless."
At the mention of the word Fateless, Marus quickly turned around only to find that Degedos was gone, just the katana lodged to a wall.
He heard the local soldiers again running towards the scene of fight. Someone must have reported this incident. No doubt that whoever was leading this little squad was smart enough to patch the events at the building and the one on this alley together.
Wrapping his cloak around him, he jumped from one wall to another so he could reach Geffen's rooftops, Arul following him from the shadows below.
---------------------------------------------------
"Well?" Sodos' voice can be heard from the mist in Geffen's western bridge. The sun didn't have much time to touch this part of the city yet.
Degedos emerged from a portal next to the bridge wall. "It is him. You were right, it is Shadow Eyes."
Sodos just looked at the river "I was just wondering why he has forgotten me."
Degedos stood beside him, throwing a pebble to the waters below the bridge, "People tend forget things after a thousand years. Whether those memories were fond or terrible, we just don't have the ability to remember everything."
Sodos' voice became hard, "Do you know that aside from Mae, Shadow Eyes was the only other person in my life that mattered?" he looked up into the brightening sky, the sunlight starting to fill Geffen's western areas.
"The two of us fought together against the enemies that threatened our country, sometimes the world," Sodos' smile was bitter, "we went against demons and monsters and he never asked for anything in return. To tell the truth, he was my hero," he faced Degedos, "he still is, even if he has no memory of our adventures."
Degedos leaned on the railing "Does this change anything?"
Sodos looked towards Geffen's gates, "No, we still go as planned. If all goes well, we will find the Guardians and their Council and finish what we came here to do. You will have freedom for your family, and I will have avenged Mae."
The Knight let out a loud breath "Well, do you have it?"
"Yes," from his pockets, Sodos brought out a small leather bound book. Its pages were cracked and yellow from age, but were still readable.
Degedos placed the book in his saddlebags "Let's hope it was worth our time."
Sodos opened the portal to the Rift "Time, Degedos? We have an eternity to waste."
The portal closed behind them, as they were both enveloped by the cold darkness of oblivion.