Chapter 22: Cleyra: Invasion

Seeing that the sandstorm was gone, I ran down the stairs and outside the inn to see what was going on. As soon as I exited the inn I noticed some Cleyrians staring down the tree in confusion. I already knew what the loss of the sandstorm meant so I decided to go find the others. Luckily for me, I noticed one of my companions walking up the stairs towards the inn. It was Vivi.

Vivi walked up to me. "Michael, what's going on?"

I shook my head. "I don't know Vivi, but it looks like the sandstorm disappeared. By the way did you find Puck?"

Vivi shook his head. "No, I didn't find him. Maybe he went down the trunk." I nodded in agreement. Vivi looked worried "W-what do we do?"

I looked down at him. "We need to find the others and do what we can. No doubt our enemies are close by and ready to attack." Vivi nodded in agreement.

"You guys don't have to look far for us" said a voice behind me.

I turned around and saw Zidane and Quina approaching us.

I waved at them. "Perfect timing guys. Where's Freya?" I asked, noticing that Freya wasn't there.

Zidane pointed behind himself. "She's back there. She'll meet us at the entrance. We better get going."

I shook my head. "You guys get going and stop them from coming up the trunk. I'll stay here if they, somehow, manage to get by you."

Zidane nodded his head. "Alright…Vivi let's go" he motioned to Vivi, and walked down the stairs towards the entrance.

Quina looked at us. "This city have very yummy sand! This city delicious" she said.

I just smiled weakly 'I so don't want to test that' I thought. Quina walked past us and down the stairs after Zidane.

Vivi looked up at me. "A-are you gonna be alright?"

I smiled and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Vivi. I'll be alright. You better go meet Zidane and the others."

He nodded. "Alright…please be careful, Michael "

I continued to smile. "I'll be careful, Vivi, and good luck in fighting any Alexandrians you come across."

Vivi nodded. "Okay, thanks…bye, Michael." He turned around to walk down the stairs.

I stood there and watched him leave. That's when I heard someone approach me. I spun around and saw Freya behind me.

She stopped and looked at me. "Michael, where are the others?"

I pointed down the stairs. "They're waiting at the entrance. I already told Zidane that I'd be staying behind just incase the enemy makes it to the city."

Freya nodded. "A good idea. Good luck, Michael."

I nodded and smiled. "Same to you." She nodded and ran down the stairs that lead to the entrance.

I turned around and looked up at the cathedral in the distance, and sighed. 'This won't be an easy battle, and many people will lose their lives today. However, as long as there's still breath in me I will not give up.' I thought.

Fifteen minutes passed and that was when I heard the first scream. I was still outside the inn and still looking at the cathedral. I turned around and saw some Cleyrians running down the bridge to my right. They were being pursued by two Black Mages.

These Black Mages looked different from the mages that the others and I had fought in Burmecia. They still wore the same steeple hats, but they were taller and slimmer. They were wearing big black and red overcoats. I unsheathed my reverse blade sword and prepared to fight.

I charged at the mages. They were too focused on the pursuing the Cleyrians that they didn't notice my charge. I ran up to the first one and executed a "Ryu Kan Sen" striking him in the neck. The mage fell to the ground unconscious.

I turned to look at his partner. He didn't even notice my attack and was continuing to pursue his targets. I ran up behind him and attacked him with a "Ryu Kan Sen" as well. He, too, fell to the ground, unconscious.

I saw the Cleyrians run down the stairs and head towards the entrance. I sensed movement behind me and turned to face the new threat. I saw that four Burmecian soldiers were approaching my position. I relaxed, seeing as though they were allies. The Burmecians approached me.

"Everything's fine over here, for now. What's the situation in the other areas?"

One of the Burmecians spoke. "The Black Mages are flying in on some sort of weird orbs, and Alexandrian soldiers are with them. If this keeps up the city will fall soon."

My eyes grew hard "don't talk like that, soldier. The situation may look hopeless, but we will still fight. Or do you intend to roll over and die without a fight?"

He looked offended. "Of course not. I will fight to the bitter end!"

I smiled at his response "good answer. Now you two-" I addressed the two Burmecians on my right "-I want you to go up the stairs to my right and defend that area from attack." The two Burmecians nodded and ran up the stairs.

I turned my attention to the Burmecian I had spoken to and his companion. "And I want you two to run across the bridge on my left and defend that position" I said, indicating the bridge. The Burmecians nodded and ran off across the bridge, but the one I had spoken to stopped.

He turned to me "what about you?" he asked.

"I'll stay here and defend this position. They won't get by me."

He looked shocked. "By yourself…you'll never make it. I'll help you." he said, moving to join me.

I stopped him with a gesture of my hand. "No, go help your partner. I can handle this on my own. Don't worry." The Burmecian looked skeptical but nodded and ran back down the bridge to join his partner.

I watched him leave and turned my attention back to the battle at hand. This was not a time to drop my guard. The invasion had only just begun.

I heard the sound of someone heading up the stairs in front of me. I also heard the sound of armor clanking together. 'Alexandrian soldiers' I thought, readying my reverse blade sword. I lifted my sword up into the air and readied a "Do Ryu Sen." As soon as the first soldier made it to the top of the stairs; I swung my sword down to the ground. The wind picked up sand and gravel from the walkway and flung it towards the Alexandrian.

She had no time to react and was knocked back down the stairs. I heard the sound of metal colliding with metal, and knew that she had landed into one of her companions. I smiled 'That should slow them down for a bit, but they're not finished with me yet' I thought, readying my sword for their counter attack.

That's when I saw two orbs descend over to my right. As soon as they hit the ground a Black Mage emerged from each one. One of them was one of those new mages I saw, and the other was like the mages I ran into at Burmecia and the grotto.

This wasn't good; I had Alexandrian soldiers to my front and now Black Mages to my right. I quickly assessed the situation. 'Okay, those Alexandrians haven't recovered from my attack, yet. So the real threat right now are those two mages. I better take them out…and fast' I thought. I rushed over to fight the mages.

The mages saw me coming and both of them were preparing a fire spell. I ran at the chubby mage and executed a "Ryu Sho Sen." He was unconscious before he even hit the ground.

I turned to look at the taller mage, and saw a fireball heading right towards me. I didn't have time to dodge, so I brought up my sword and tried to block it. The spell hit my sword and exploded on contact. I was knocked off my feet by the explosion and landed on the ground. I slowly got up and noticed that my shirt was singed by the explosion. I looked, balefully, at the mage. "You are soooo going to pay for that."

The Mage looked at me with glowing, oval, amber eyes. "KILL" he yelled. I shook my head in pity. They were just like the Black Waltzes; created only to kill. I placed my pity aside and charged at the mage. I uppercut him with my sword and he fell to the ground, unconscious. The threat from the mages was over.

I turned my attention back to the stairway and saw four Alexandrian soldiers climb up the stairs. One of them, a brunette, looked at me. "Hey you! You're gonna pay for what you did to me!" she yelled.

I smiled. 'So she's the one I knocked down the stairs' I thought.

She turned to her troops. "Troops…GET HIM!" she yelled, and motioned towards me. The soldiers charged and I readied myself for the fight.

The first soldier slashed at me with her sword and aimed for my chest. I backed up and slashed her across the face with my sword. She was temporarily stunned, so I pushed her into one of her companions and the two of them fell to the ground in a tangled heap.

I turned to face my other attacker and she was nearly on top of me. She thrust her sword at my gut and I just managed to dodge the blade. She sailed past me and I executed a "Ryu Kan Sen Kogarashi." She fell to the ground, unconscious.

I turned my attention back to the other three Alexandrians. The brunette soldier was just standing there watching, and the two that were on the ground were now back up on their feet and charging at me. The first one tried to stab me in the face, but I dodged it and punched her in the face, hard. She was stunned, but I had to defend myself from her partner as she tried to slash my gut. I jumped back and kicked her under her chin. She stumbled backwards a few steps and I quickly elbowed her in the gut. She doubled over and then I uppercut her. She fell to the ground and hit her head on a rock; she was unconscious.

The soldier I had punched in the face had recovered and was moving to strike me, again. She tried to strike me with a vertical slash, but I jumped into the air. From the air, I executed a "Ryu Tsui Sen" and brought my sword down on her shoulder. She cried out in pain and fell to the ground, unconscious. I turned my attention to the remaining soldier. She didn't look happy.

"You may have bested my comrades, but you can't beat me!"

I held my sword at the ready. "Don't get cocky, women. I'm sure back in Alexandria you're pretty tough, but you've never faced anyone like me before."

She grew angry. "SILENCE, DOG! I am more than a match for you."

I cracked a half smile. "Then show me…show me what you can do." With a battle cry she charged at me. I smiled. 'This one's so easy to anger' I thought.

I decided to have some fun with this one. She struck at me with a horizontal slash, but I stepped backwards from it. She grew angrier and thrust her sword towards my chest, but I easily sidestepped the attack. As her head went by me, I karate chopped her in the back of her head with my right hand. She stumbled and fell to the ground. She turned over and looked at me. There was a look of pure contempt in her eyes.

I smiled down at her. "Is that the best you got…try harder."

Completely furious now; she got back up to her feet and tried to slash me again. I dodged the attack and dodged her follow-up swing as well.

That's when I accidentally stepped on a lose rock and lost my balance. I stumbled and she took advantage of it by thrusting her sword at my gut. I saw the attack and tried to dodge. Unfortunately, I didn't completely dodge the attack. Her sword ended up cutting into my left side.

I grunted in pain and clutched my left side. It wasn't a serious wound, but it could prove to be a hindrance.

The woman looked at me with an evil smile on her face. "Ha! Where's your smart mouth now, huh" she taunted.

I gave her a dangerous look. "Is this what you're satisfied with; a mere cut" I said, indicating my injury; it was bleeding freely, and staining my leather shirt. "I've had far worse injuries than this. It'll take more than a simple cut to stop me, besides…I'M THROUGH PLAYING!"

Before she could react I ran up to her and punched her in the face. She stumbled back a few steps, and I kicked her in the gut. She doubled over and I grabbed her head with both my hands, lifted it up slightly, and kneed her in the face. She fell down and lost her helmet. Before she could get up I kicked her in the side of her head; effectively knocking her out. I looked down at her unconscious body. "Guess you weren't that tough after all, huh."

I sighed, and looked out across the battlefield. I quickly took count; four unconscious mages and four unconscious soldiers. I sheathed my sword and walked into the inn and saw the innkeeper behind the desk.

He looked frightened. "I-is it over?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm sure they'll send in reinforcements soon…do you have any rope around here?"

The innkeeper looked surprised at my question. "Yes, why?" he asked.

"I need some and soon."

He rushed off and came back with a huge coil of rope. "Will this do?"

I nodded. "Yeah, this will do…thanks."

He nodded. "No problem." I turned around and walked out of the inn.

I walked over to the two unconscious mages to my left and dragged them over to the other two unconscious mages. After doing that I measured out some rope and tied them up. With the remaining rope I tied up the four soldiers as well.

I didn't have any rope left after tying the soldiers up. 'That should hold them' I thought. After that I looked at my wound. It wasn't serious and my shirt stopped most of the bleeding. 'Great, another shirt ruined' I thought. I decided not to drink a potion. I only had a few left and I wanted to save them for emergencies.

That was when I noticed the Burmecian that I had spoken to earlier cross the bridge. He walked up to me and saluted. "Sir, the enemy has been pushed back, but we lost Gal."

I sighed and looked at him. "Go up to the others and take as many survivors as you can. Get them to the cathedral. It's probably the only safe place that's defendable."

He nodded and saluted. "Yes, sir" he said, and ran up the stairs to my right.

'Good luck, soldier' I thought. I turned back to look at the inn.

I went back into the inn and noticed the innkeeper. "It's dangerous here. You better get to the cathedral. It's the only safe place left."

The innkeeper looked frightened but also determined. "No, I won't leave my inn. It's all I have."

I sighed, heavily. "I commend your courage, but you're being foolish. You should evacuate immediately."

He shook his head. "No, I'm staying."

I sighed again, "Fine, you can stay here…just be careful"

He nodded. "Don't worry."

That's when I heard the door to the inn open. I turned around and saw one of those tall Black Mages standing in the door frame. His hands were already held up and he cast a fire spell.

I saw the attack coming and quickly ducked to avoid it. The fireball sailed over my head and singed a few hairs, but I avoided it. What I heard next, though, caused my entire body to freeze with shock.

I heard someone screaming behind me. I turned around and saw that the fireball had hit the innkeeper and he was on fire. Thinking quickly, I grabbed a flower pot from the desk and threw the water inside it onto the innkeeper; who was dancing around trying to put the flames out. I successfully put the fire out, but the innkeeper collapsed to the ground. I didn't have time to check on him as I had a mage to deal with.

I turned to the mage, fury in my eyes, and charged at him. Before he could cast another spell, I punched him in the face with all my strength. He went flying through the door and landed 10 feet away from me. He was completely unconscious.

I was breathing hard from my adrenaline rush and anger, but I quickly shoved it aside and went to check on the innkeeper. The sight that greeted me was not a pretty one. His body and clothes were badly burned, especially around his chest area were the fireball had hit him. I walked over to him and checked his pulse. He had no pulse and he wasn't breathing…he was dead.

I felt so terrible. 'If only I hadn't ducked.' I thought. I looked up at the front desk and noticed a cloth. I got up, retrieved the cloth, and placed it over the Cleyrians face.

I bowed my head. "I failed to protect you…I'm sorry" I said. I knelt down and said a silent prayer for him. I got up and looked at him one last time. "Rest in peace…brave innkeeper." I turned around and silently left the inn.

The sight that greeted me wasn't a good one. There were ten black mages, some tall, some chubby, and they had the inn surrounded. I unsheathed my reverse blade sword and looked around at the mages. They all raised their hands, shouted "KILL," and gathered fire in their hands.

That's when I saw something stick out through one of the mages chest. The mage looked down at what had impaled him, and he was flung aside and off the tree. This had effectively broken the other mages concentration as they turned to look at a red clad Burmecian Dragon Knight.

"Freya!" I yelled.

She smiled, jumped into the air, and landed beside me. "Hey, Michael…looks like you could use some help." she said, indicating the mages in front of us.

I smiled. "I could have handled them myself."

Freya rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right."

I shook my head in amusement "where are the others?" I asked, since I didn't see them.

"They'll be here soon."

By this time the mages had overcome their confusion and resumed there casting.

That's when four of them, all of a sudden, spontaneously combusted. They danced around and two of them fell off the tree. One of the others was stabbed through the head by a sword-like object and another was stabbed through the chest by a 3-pointed object. The two burning and stabbed mages fell to the ground, dead. That's when I saw them.

"Vivi, Zidane, Quina!" I yelled. They ran up to join us.

Zidane spoke. "Let's finish this, guys" we all nodded in agreement.

I jumped into the air and executed a "Ryu Tsui Sen" and hit the Black Mage in the shoulder. The mage crumpled to the ground, unconscious. I turned and saw that Freya had thrown her lance into her mages head. I also saw that Zidane had stabbed his Ogre weapon into his mages chest and threw him over the side of the tree. Quina used her 'Frog Drop' magic and crushed her mage flat. Vivi cast a Thundara Spell and his mage fell over, smoking, twitching, and dead. We had won.

I sheathed my reverse blade sword, and walked over to join the others. I smiled. "Thanks for helping me out guys" I said.

Zidane spoke. "It was nothing…you were right to stay behind and protect the village."

I nodded. "It seems that way, but I was doing a pretty good job at holding them off here."

Zidane looked around at the tied up and unconscious bodies. "I can see that…but why are they still-" I cut him off.

"I don't kill humans, remember?"

Zidane snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah, that's right."

Freya looked puzzled. "What? …What do you mean you don't kill humans? " she asked.

I sighed; I didn't want to have to explain this again. I turned to look at Freya. "Zidane will tell you the details…you guys better go and save as many survivors as you can. Don't worry, I'll protect the rear."

Zidane shook his head. "No, Michael. You're coming with us."

I gave him a serious look. "Someone has to stay here and protect the rear while the rest of us go and look for survivors, and I'm that someone." Zidane wanted to argue, but before he could say anything Vivi spoke.

"I-I'll stay with Michael. If that's alright?" he said. Zidane looked at Vivi and sighed in defeat.

"Fine, you guys stay here and guard the rear. The rest of us will try and save as many people as we can."

I turned to him. "Take them to the cathedral. It's the only safe place around here."

Zidane nodded. "Okay, let's go." Vivi and I watched as Zidane, Freya, and Quina ran up the stairs to our left. We were alone on the battlefield.

Vivi looked over at the four mages I had tied up and the two unconscious and untied mages. He looked up at me. "Why didn't you kill the mages, Michael?" I gave him an uneasy look.

He decided to speak again. "You don't kill humans, but the mages aren't human. So why didn't you kill them." I looked down at Vivi and gave him a serious look.

"I was afraid that if I killed them that you'd think differently about what I told you in Evil Forest. You remember what I told you, don't you?" he nodded his head.

I smiled at him. "Good, I'm glad you remember."

Vivi put his hand on my leg. "Michael…thanks."

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "You're welcome."

After a few minutes we heard the clank of armor coming up the stairs. I decided that enough was enough. I walked over to the stairs and looked down at the approaching Alexandrians. There were five of them. They looked up and saw me.

The lead woman spoke. "Surrender warrior and your life will be spared." I looked at the odds and knew that Vivi and I could easily take them, but I decided that enough blood had been shed.

'How to get rid of them without fighting them' I pondered. Suddenly, an idea sprang to my mind. It was time to put on a little act. I looked over at Vivi and signaled to him. He moved closer to me and I told him my plan. Vivi nodded his head and moved into position.

The soldier spoke again. "Well, do you surrender?"

I looked down at her and gave her an evil smile. "Surrender, hah! Why should I surrender to weaklings like you? I've already taken on and defeated 15 of your Black Mages and rendered 4 of your soldiers unconscious. They are at my mercy."

The soldier was surprised by my news. I decided not to let her recover. "I could easily crush you weaklings just as easily as I crushed them. They thought they could win. I warned them, but they were too foolish, and it could have cost them their lives. Their lives are in my hands now, but I'm not an unreasonable person. If you pull your troops back and leave the village alone I'll release the prisoners."

The soldier regained her composure. "We will not make any deals with you!" she yelled.

I just shrugged. "Have it your way." I reached over and grabbed one of the unconscious soldiers.

I lifted her to her feet and placed her body in front of me. The soldiers gasped, I smiled evilly again. I placed my right hand under her chin, and placed my left hand behind her head. "If you don't want me to break her neck, you better reconsider your decision." I could see that she was thinking. I glanced over at Vivi and saw that he was preparing a spell just in case my plan failed.

The leader eventually spoke. "Alright, we'll pull back, but you must let the prisoners go."

I wasn't convinced. "Swear you will leave on your honor as a soldier or no deal." The soldier hesitated but she nodded her head.

"Very well, I swear it on my honor as a soldier."

I smiled. "Excellent." I let go of the unconscious soldier and placed her back on the ground. "I'll be leaving. You can come and get them after I've left…but be warned, go back on your promise…and nothing will save you from my wrath." She nodded and stood back.

I glanced over at Vivi and nodded. He ran up the staircase that led to the cathedral. I glanced back at the soldiers before I turned and followed Vivi up the stairs.

I reached Vivi in a matter of seconds. He looked up at me when I stopped "you were pretty convincing."

I smiled at the praise. "Thanks I'm a bit of an actor. I'm usually pretty good at pulling off a bluff, but it always helps to have a backup plan."

Vivi nodded. "Yeah…I'm glad I didn't have to hurt anyone."

I nodded. "So am I, Vivi…let's go to the others."

Vivi looked uneasy. "Are you sure we can trust that woman?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, we can…after all; I don't think she's willing to cross someone who appears to be insane and sadistic."

Vivi nodded his head. "I guess you're right. Let's go" I nodded and we started heading towards the cathedral.

As soon as we entered the main room of the cathedral Puck ran right into Vivi again knocking him down. I rolled my eyes at Pucks rudeness and helped Vivi back up to his feet.

He looked at me. "Thanks, Michael" I nodded at him. We looked over at the group. Freya was on one of her knees. No one looked happy.

Vivi spoke. "So what happened?" he asked and walked over to Freya. He squatted down next to Freya.

His eyes showed concern. "Freya, what's the matter? Are you crying?"

I looked at Freya sadly, already knowing exactly what was wrong. 'She's right…to be forgotten is worse than death' I thought, sadly.

Suddenly, Freya started to laugh, but there was no humor in her laugh. "What irony. To find the man about whom I have dreamt endlessly...only to discover that he cannot even remember who I am!"

she got up, regained her composure, and looked at Zidane. "Come, Zidane! The enemy's hand has not been stilled! We must regroup!"

She couldn't fool me. I knew that her bravado was just to mask the pain that was tearing her up inside.

That's when we heard someone scream in the room. We turned and saw that the high priest was being held at sword point by none other than General Beatrix. She looked down at the high priest with disgust.

"Hmph! Pathetic rodents! You fail to grasp the true power of this jewel!" she swung her sword at the jewel and cut it from the harp. She skillfully caught it in her hand as it came down without even looking. I had to admit, she was good.

The high priest was shocked by her action. "Our magic stone!"

Beatrix flicked her hair behind her head. "Now that I have this jewel, I'm through with your city!" She jumped into the air, landed behind us, and ran out the door.

We ran after her but that was when I heard a second scream inside the cathedral. I turned and saw that the king and the high priest were being attacked by five Black Mages. Cursing this bad timing I ran back into the throne room and unsheathed my reverse blade sword. I saw that the king and the priest didn't have a weapon, so I was fighting alone.

I charged at the first mage and executed a "Ryu Sou Sen." After receiving multiple hits from my blade the mage fell to the ground, unconscious. I turned from him and saw that two of the mages were casting a fire spell. I jumped into the air, executed a "Ryu Tsui Sen," and slammed my sword down on one of the mages shoulders. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious. As soon as I touched the ground I rolled forward and managed to get right in front of the second mage. I executed a "Ryu Sho Sen" and hit him in the face. He landed on the ground, unconscious.

I turned around and saw two fireballs streaming towards me. I dodged the first one, but the second one managed to graze my right side. My robe caught fire and I immediately put it out and glared at the two mages responsible for this. I ran at the one that was closest to me and kneed him in the gut. He doubled over and I hit him in the back of the head with the hilt of my sword. He fell to the ground, unconscious.

I turned to the last mage and saw that his fist was flying right at my face. I ducked the punch in time and counterattacked by performing an uppercut with my sword. The mage fell to the ground, unconscious as well. I had won.

I sheathed my sword and turned to leave.

"Wait." I turned around and saw that it was the king who spoke to me. "Thank you for rescuing us."

I smiled and nodded to him. "You're welcome, your highness." I bowed, turned around, ran out of the room, and ran out of the cathedral.

When I emerged, I noticed that everyone was on the ground, again. "Don't tell me she beat you guys, again."

Zidane looked at me "where were you this time?"

My face fell a bit at his question. "I'm sorry. The king and high priest were being attacked by five Black Mages. I had to go back and help them."

I tilted my head toward the ground. "I'm sorry I let you down, again."

Zidane got up and looked at me. "Hey, it's okay. I was kidding. Don't get so down."

I smiled. "Thanks." The others got up and we all looked at each other.

"Well what do we do now?" Freya asked. That's when I saw a Black Mage approach us.

"Guys, look out!" I yelled.

They all turned and saw the mage, but the mage just jumped into the air and disappeared into a floating ball of energy. We watched as the mage disappeared inside the orb.

Zidane spoke. "Beatrix escaped in one of those things…I'm going in." Zidane jumped into the glowing orb and disappeared. The orb flew away.

Vivi spoke. "Zidane! ...he's gone."

Another mage approached us and jumped into another glowing orb. Freya looked at the orb. "I highly doubt I will ever return to this place..." She turned to Vivi. "Besides, this may be your last chance to find the truth about who you are... Come, Vivi. Show us your courage!" she jumped into the orb. The orb flew away.

Vivi looked startled. "Oh no... Freya's gone, too!" He looked up at me "you're not going to leave me behind, are you, Michael?" he asked. That's when another mage approached us and jumped into another glowing orb.

I wrapped my arms around Vivi's waste and picked him up. "Don't worry, Vivi. I won't leave you behind. You're coming with me."

Vivi sighed in relief. "T-thanks" I smiled at him. I jumped up into the orb with Vivi in my arms.

While in the orb I knocked out the mage that was in there with us. After he was taken care of, I looked outside the sphere. I could see everything around me. That's when I saw the sky grow dark. I looked up and saw a shaft of blue light strike the sky in the middle. The sky opened up and a figure on a six-legged horse emerged from the sky and descended towards Cleyra.

My eyes widened as I saw who it was; Odin, Warrior of Darkness. His horse was white with glowing red eyes and battle armor. Odin himself was dressed in white and gold armor with a black cape that was ripped in places at the end, and a spiked helmet. His eyes glowed an ominous red as well.

Vivi grabbed my left leg and started to shake at the sight of the horrific warrior. I placed my left hand on his back, hoping it would comfort him. I never took my eyes away from the sight.

That's when I saw Odin raise his lance. He drew his hand back and threw his lance down at Cleyra. As soon as the lance struck Cleyra the tree exploded from the inside out. I turned my eyes away from the sight as the light was blinding me. When I looked back…there was nothing left of Cleyra but a smoking crater.