Disclaimer: I give due credit to my pals, War Monger, Sirhiss, Tonepoet and any other writer that collaborated on this.

A/N: This is a fan fiction based off of a game called HTE2 (astralle. join bitches!) It's a good game and is based off of Final Fantasy, the characters names in here are their logins on the game. If you don't understand some of the things in here I suggest you go to HTE and sign up to understand, or just ask questions and I'll answer them in my A/Ns as best I can. And…. Read, enjoy, review bitches!

Act I Scene I

(Setting: the Halls of the New Orders Palace at sundown (approx. 6 pm))

The white marble halls echoed with the rhythmic steps of a warrior's boots as he made his way to the end of the hall. The fading light threw a blazing aura about him, starkly contrasting his dark and rather ominous presence. The only part of the warriors body visible from behind his armor were his eyes, uncaring orbs of black ice filled with hatred and loathing for the unworthy. He was DarkFire, protector of Toroia, last of the SeeD, and Bastion's Captain of the Black Guard. His cape billowed out behind him, a dark cloud absorbing the light, stained with the blood of his fallen enemies, but not marred by a single scar. His swords, the fearsome Muramasa and Zangetsu, seemed to cast an aura of their own as though they were alive and ravenous for the blood of more victims. The intricate and detailed runes carved into his armor danced in the last blazing glory of the sun. He reached the end of the corridor and placed one hand upon the carved rose wood and iron wood handle, admiring the skill the crafter had to have used to make such a beautiful ornament. Pulling open the doors he stepped swiftly into the room closing it behind him. Going to one knee he bowed not to the assembled might of the realms before him, but to one man, Bastion, his Emperor, and the only one he owed allegiance to in the room. He rose unbidden and moved forward to stand before his Emperor, ready to accept any and all punishments from the man he had vowed allegiance to. His brash and unapologetic movement, as well as his rude behavior of ignoring the Assembly, caused whispered and angry mutterings to stir in the crowd, yet none dared to attack his behavior knowing full well who he was.

Bastion's deep voice echoed out, as he sat upon his marble and gold throne, radiating power and lordship, and instantly the Assembly fell to a hush.

"Rise DarkFire." He said, never removing his eyes from the warrior on one knee in front of him, his head bowed in obedience.

The warrior rose immediately, his towering persona causing fear to strike into all but the bravest hearts and quelling the last few murmurs of the crowd. Ni and Warmonger stood off to Bastion's left with the Shadow Guard, while Berit stood to his right, as did the Black Guard.

Bastion spoke again, his voice resonating with heartfelt sorrow "You stand accused of treason against the Order and murder of a fellow member of the Order. How do you plead?"

For what seemed an eternity the warrior stared deep into his master's eyes, then with a voice that sounded more like the whisper of a damned soul than a human he answered "I plead guilty to murdering a member of the Order."

The crowd stirred again at such a blatant side stepping of the main issue, but one harsh gaze from Berit quelled their angry murmurs.

Once more Bastion spoke, his face unreadable, but to those who knew him well they noticed the flash of hope in his eyes "And to the count of treason against the Order?"

Raising himself to his full height the warrior spoke again, but this time his voice was deep and powerful, filled with boundless honor and unstoppable conviction "Not guilty."

A/N: Yes we're big on the dramatic endings. So questions comments, go right ahead. Review. We'll get on with the killing and the blood soon enough. Oh, and the people we kill in here? With the exception of a group that you will come to know as the Stupid Six and a guy named Zodiac Brave, they're all pretty cool and we love 'em here at HTE. We're like one big family. 'Cept the 7 I just told you about, those guys are dueches.