Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok Online. This story, however, is completely mine and may not be redistributed or used without my approval.

Chapter 31

They untied my feet so I could move easily towards the tent of this, 'Dalmar'.

As we walked, my eyes rested on a fallen figure that Valkyrie's Requiem huddled around. Raisu was laying limp on the ground and the others glared at any soldier who dares to approach the girl.

"Raisu..." My heart ached and sped up. "RAISU!" With a burst of energy, I ran towards the group. A soldier grabbed me from behind, but with a swing of my leg, blood came from his nose and mouth and he fell to the ground. My kick knocked the soldier out, but it gave them time to restrain me once more.

"Stay in place, mortal!" A tall figure with a more elaborate armor walked through the crowd and stood in front of me. "We here are under the protection of Leahcim himself...and I have no orders to keep the elf girl alive." I gave him a glare as his men took me away.

We slowly approached another tent. This tent was completely black and was much bigger than the other ones in the campsite. They shoved me into the tent and stood outside. I attempted to run out, but a barrier of magic prevented me.

"Take a seat, Hikaru Yui." A voice sounded in the lightless room. "I have much to discuss with you...and I apologize for the lack of lighting...it does not suit me." The voice was light yet it struck a special fear to me. This was not an ordinary person.

"You ambushed us." I sat down cautiously. "And you expect to discuss with me?" I felt the ropes around my hands loosen and soon I was free. "I'm not even the leader...just a common Crusader."

"The Spirit of Anger." The man said, ignoring my question. "How did you, a Crusader get it?"

"I was betrayed."

"Ahhh betrayal..." I felt the man stand up and walk beside my kneeling form. I attempted to grab him, but I was restrained. The man was a Wizard. "Too bad not everyone experiences such." My eyes were then forced to shut.

"What are you doing to me?" I said while in the darkness. I felt a sudden chill...then I couldn't feel anything. The darkness soon broke and I was in a stone room. My mind felt like it was being opened up to Dalmar. I could not move at all. "Where am I?"

"Tisk..." The Wizard was now fully visible to me. His robes were completely black and his face pale, yet resembled power. "Too many questions..." He then ignored my question again. "Tobie was a failure...too weak...but you." He turned around and looked me in the eye. "You should've died by now."

"I have my own miracles..." I muttered.

"A Godsend indeed." Dalmar smiled sinisterly. "Leahcim is too kind." He reached for my face and turned my head left to right, examining me. "And those mindless cowards scarred my prize..." He ran his finger down my scar.

"I'm no prize."

"Oh but you are." Dalmar pulled away and laughed. "Hikaru, work for me under the guidance of Leahcim..." I was now out of the stoned room and back in the tent. "I will give you power like you never imagined. I will make you a iking/i."

"I have no desire to serve you, Dalmar." I spat at him. "Nothing would make me serve you."

"Not even the death of your friends?" Dalmar snapped his fingers as I froze with realization that my friends were in danger. The soldiers came into the tent and Dalmar sat down. "Take him back to his tent..." The soldiers bowed and tied me once more. "Hikaru...I will wait three days." With that, I was dragged out of the tent and taken back to where I woke up in this nightmare.