Disclaimer: Don't make me say it! I don't wanna say it! Fine. A WM CH.
A/N: Ummmm…. Chin+ Peace sign + Thrown at a bunch of 15 year old Japanese school girls Very wrong indeed.
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Act I Scene VI
(Setting: Aqueduct tunnels underneath the New Order Main Hall)
War Monger slowly regained consciousness. As his blurred vision became clearer, he saw Ni laying, motionless, on the ground beside him.
"Damn freefall," was the thought that came to mind.
Standing up, he now noticed DarkFire fulfilling his bloodlust on a helpless enemy. Arm torn off, ankle broken, a look of unbelievable pain on his face. All that War Monger could do was smile. He was one of the few people in the world who understood and even shared DarkFire's relentless lack of mercy, though DarkFire was a truly twisted being, with unfathomable cruelty. His own thirst for battle now shot through his mind as he approached DarkFire, making his way through the crushed bone and sinew that was strewn across the ground.
"As much as you love taking your time with an enemy, DarkFire, there are more pressing matters at hand."
Loke Xero and DarkFire turned their attention to War Monger, seemingly unharmed by the fall. The difference in their faces brought a slight smile to War Monger's face. DarkFire was a bit relieved to see his comrade in good health, and Loke Xero was in absolute panic to see another New Order soldier standing next to him.
"We have to get going. Darkslash is more important at this point."
DarkFire turned to question the decision, but realized that War Monger was indeed right. The death of Darkslash would be infinitely more fulfilling than killing this weasel a hundred times over. DarkFire spoke to Loke.
"Well, it appears that your life is about to have the same outcome as your attempt at assassination. Care to guess what that is?"
DarkFire then gripped Loke Xero around the head. Holding him in the air with one hand, he proceeded to crush the feeble skull under his powerful grasp. Ignoring the blood and brain matter, DarkFire added:
"Well, then. Let us be on our way."
War Monger was the only other person in the New Order who would have enjoyed that show as much as DarkFire. As Ni was now fully awake, the three made their way down the damp aqueduct tunnel. It wasn't very far toward the western exit, according to DarkFire, and this would take them straight to the wall. From there they would search the area around the explosion, and then head west toward the Warjilis and Toroian territories to confront, and destroy, Darkslash. If this search led them to Tonepoet and the Warjilis Army, so be it.
The thought of an impending battle was the only thing that could make War Monger abandon his usual stoic manner. It often puzzled people when otherwise emotionless warrior was walking toward his destination with a smile on his face. This smile, however, was one of the most comforting things that a New Order soldier could ever see on the field of battle. It meant that the Shadow Guard was there to help defeat the enemy. Seeing War Monger was enough to make an opposing warrior turn and flee, in confusion if nothing else. He wore no armor and had no shield. Only three discernable features made War Monger recognizable in a time of war. The crest of the New Order burned into his chest is one of them. He always made sure this clearly visible at all times so that no one could ever question his allegiance. The next thing an enemy would see would be his weapon, the Sword of Shadows. A curved, ancient blade of unknown origins, it seemed to live on its own. When it felt blood on its length, the sword became energized, giving the wielder unimaginable power, and pulsing with a dark glow. And as the opponent looked over War Monger right before battle, he would observe the most distinguishable characteristic: A green blaze in his eyes. This is not the fire of hell, as DarkFire possesses, or the fire of hatred, as Ryujin demonstrated just as he was slain. It is a fire of reassurance. The fire isn't to express his inner emotions, but to let his allies and enemies know that as long as he still breathes, the New Order is safe. It offers hope to his comrades that even when overwhelmed in battle, there is still someone fighting alongside you with the same passion for protecting the Order. Bastion and Ni are the two who understand this completely, and that is part of the reason that they always seem so strong when the Shadow Guardsman is near.
As the three warriors progressed through the elaborate system of aqueducts, not a word was said. They understood that if their fellow New Order brethren had not arrived at the wall when they had, they could not wait. They had to catch Darkslash before he could escape to Toroia or Warjilis, or risk encountering the entire army themselves. After several minutes of running, DarkFire spotted a light at the end of the underground river.
"It's about time we got out of here. Now let's get going before Darkslash gets too far away."
As the three escaped the Keep, they knew immediately where they were: Just outside of the Western Wall. The damage from the explosion was total. There was not a remnant of the 300 foot section that stood the day before. Now looking at the vast, snow-covered plain ahead, they noticed 4 people standing in the middle facing the wall. The New Order troop knew immediately who was there. The conniving weasel himself, Darkslash. The legendary warrior Someguy. The broad, commanding outline of Sirhiss. And standing in the middle was the deceptively strong and incredibly intelligent Tonepoet. Had this been anyone other than Ni, DarkFire, and War Monger, fear might be running through their bodies. But DarkFire's and War Monger's eyes burned like never before, and a partial smile came to Ni's lips for the first time. Only three words were spoken when they saw the Warjilis Army's elite standing before them. War Monger spoke, hand on his sword, with the utmost clarity and strength:
"I want Tonepoet."
