Shout Outs...
Maxmagnus20019: Work let up this week. But I'm glad I can do a half decent fight. Cause I'm going to get more practice.
Dragon Chyld: Hey, who knows. Maybe I'll have James powerbomb Shelby. Uhh, on second though, forget that. James might break his back doing that.
With any luck Fayt and Cliff would be going through the old mines to get over here today, so all I had to do was wait. I shared breakfast with Clair and a couple of her officers who kept on giving me odd glances. I guess from 'beating' Albel. Whatever. Afterwards I had a look around town, or what was left of it. It was in a pretty bad state, that's for sure. For the most part though everyone was nice enough to me, a big change from when Fayt and me first got to Whipple.
Of course then things went wrong.
James stretched out slightly, as he walked back to the mansion as the town bell began to ring. Sensing something was up James jogged along, seeing Clair dart out of the makeshift base and chaging up to the top of the walls of Arias. James quickly followed her up. "What's goin' on?"
"That!" Was his reply, Clair's finger pointing out. James turned to look at what she saw.
He bit his lip slightly as a force of armoured soldiers marched towards the gates of Arias. In the lead of this army was a man who obviously had to be Albel. The armoured troops carried pikes and swords with shield as they marched onwards. "Well that didn't take long..." James muttered to himself.
I knew Albel and me would have another go at it, but not so damned soon! And of course word had spread over my win, which means everyone would be expecting me to challenge Albel. Clair looked a bit nervous, probably because she knew the actual outcome of the fight. But...
All my nervousness seemed to vanish as I looked at the apporching force. Even though I knew either Albel or me wasn't walking away from this fight without help.
"Albel's mine." James simply said, crossing his arms. Clair turned to look at him, worry in her eyes.
"Are you sure?" James nodded once and leaned in slightly, speaking softly.
"Call me crazy... But I think I beat him this time."
Clair bit her lip a bit and nodded once.
Clair gathered all the men and woman she could spare, runeologists and archers on the walls, staff-men and swordsmen outside the walls. Clair and me stood in front and off to the side of our melee warriors, waiting for the enemy forces to arrive. We weren't outnumbered two-to-one but it still had to be at least three-to-two. Not good odds.
Soon the marching of the Black Brigade ended. Soon after that Albel drew his sword pointing it directly at James. "This time, you will be coming with me!"
James drew his own sword cupping his mouth with his free hand. "How 'bout you just kiss my ass!" A few snickers were heard behind him as Albel growled in anger. He gave the signal to attack; charging forwards himself, right towards James. Not one to be put on the defensive James bunched his legs under him before sprinting off, Clair and the entire Aquarian guard charging after him. Soon staff, sword and pike clashed as arrows and fireballs flew overhead.
Ignoring the combat around them James and Albel fought, swords clashing, somehow ending up to the side of the two warring forces. Albel swung his sword twice, both blocked, but with James giving ground to do so. As Albel raised his sword for an overhead swing James leapt forward with a front kick to his opponent's chest, staggering Albel long enough to take a fast trio of slashes that Albel blocked, only giving ground to the last one. Albel shot his sword out with a stab that James blocked, returning with a horizontal slash of his sword that Albel ducked under, responding with an uppercut with an open claw that James avoided by leaping to the side.
Slowly circling each other they studied the other man, ready to attack or counter. It was James who moved first, coming in with an overhead that was dodged. Albel charged forth with three wild, yet accurate, slashes of his sword that James dodged narrowly, the last dodge causing his to trip over a loose stone. James fell backwards but rolled to his feet in time to block Albel's next attack. Each man pushed his blades together, trying to overpower the other...
This really wasn't going well for me. I had to end this soon or risk being on the losing end of things again. But I did have one ace up my sleeve, and it would be all I needed to win.
Freeing his left hand James threw a quick jab into Albel's face. Startling his opponent he followed up with a front kick that knocked the Captain off his feet, allowing James to jump back. Once he landed he pointed his sword behind him and focused his energies. In response the power flooded him, calling the wind itself to do as his will commanded. Soon the air about his began to swirl counterclockwise as Albel stood up.
Albel looked over his opponent and paused for a brief moment, examining the ever increasing winds as a small hurricane formed around his opponent. He shifted into a defensive stance nervously looking at this weapon of wind James had called into existance.
"TORNADO!" James shouted out, spinning on his foot three times, each bringing him and the hurricane close to Albel before swinging his sword upwards, sending the wall of wind careening towards Albel who had brought his arms up in an attempt to block the winds.
"What in the...? THE HELL IS THIS?" Albel screamed out as the attack swept him up like a leaf in a storm. Soldier backed away from soldier to look at this miniature hurricane that had sucked up the Captain of the Black Brigade.
Taking his hat off James held it out as it glowed with bright blue sparkles of energy, flinging it like a Frisbee into the spinning winds. As soon as the hat entered the Tornado filled with snow, hail and ice, enough to send snow cascading down around the armies as the storm raged on. James' hat exited the Tornado, back towards him to be caught in his hand. As James replaced the hat on his head as the snow stopped falling and the winds slowed to a halt.
A moment later a block of ice fell to the ground, shattering apart to reveal Albel, two shades bluer, shivering and clearly unconscious. The Airyglyph soldiers looked to Albel and then his opponent.
"Retreat!" One of them shouted, causing the armoured masses to flee from the battle, two soldier staying behind long enough to first retrieve their Captain. Then they too fled as a cry rose from the Aquarian soldiers.
A cry of victory.
James sheathed his sword, before leaning forward, panting slightly as Clair walked up to him. "I got 'em." He said simply.
"Yes, that you did..." She replied as the Aquarian soldiers charged over to him.
I had never in my life been patted on the back so many damn times within an hour. Once we got back into Arias I was given a hero's response. Then again I just beat Albel The Wicked, actually won not survived, so I was feeling on top of the world myself. I decided to forgo a round of drinks, although I had no shortage of guys wanting to buy me one or three.
Once things had calmed down I went over near the gate leading towards the Bequerel Mountain Path... and simply waited.
"We've made it-- Arias... Aquaria Territory." Nel said as she Cliff and Fayt walked though the gates of town.
Fayt looked about for a moment. "Some of the houses have been destroyed..."
"Yes..." Nel replied sadly. "That happened during the Airyglyph attack."
"Wow, they did a lot of damage." Cliff added.
"The large mansion in the middle of town is our base of operations here." Nel began. "We'll check in there first."
Slowly the three began to walk towards the mansion in question. Nel sighed, looking at the cost of the war. Despite that the people she could see were... in unusually high spirits. What had happened here since last she...
"Hey, nice threads Fayt." All three paused. Nel quickly racked her brain; the names of the two engineers weren't spread yet. Who would know Fayt's name? She and her companions turned to see the speaker walk up slowly to them, his green hat tilted down to cover his face. "But still, you never write... you never call... guy could feel left out, ya know?" The hat tilted up as the owner's head did, chocolate brown eyes revealed along with a playful grin.
"James!" Fayt cried out as he ran to his friend, both lifting their hands and slapping them together above their heads. "You're okay!"
"What?" James said, crossing his arms. "Ya doubted me or somethin'?"
"What? Never!" Fayt said smiling back. Cliff walked up to them, grinning a tad.
"Hey kid, good to see you again. Hope you didn't beat up too many people on the way over." James chuckled as he took his hat off, rubbing the back of his head.
"Eh, no one too important."
"Excuse me." Nel said, irritably crossing her arms. "Isn't someone going to introduce us?"
"Oh right." Fayt said shaking his head. "Nel, this is my friend, James Jennings. James, this is Nel Zelpher, she helped us escape." Smiling a bit James put his hat back on and took a couple steps closer to Nel.
"Pleased to meet'cha." He said.
And I have to say, Nel really is a 'hot chick', even hotter in person.
"Likewise." Nel said, uncrossing her arms and putting her hands on her hips. "So, he's another engineer from Greeton?"
"That's right." Cliff said walking up and slapping James' shoulder in a friendly manner. "We sent him off to scout ahead, ya know, just in case something happened to us."
"A wise move." Nel said, looking over the hat-wearing man. "Is he as capable in a fight as you two?"
"I can hold my own, no worries." James said, stretching out a bit.
"Good. Anyway, we need to get going to the mansion."
"Ah, I got ya. Mind if I tag along?"
"Not at all."
It didn't take us too long after that to arrive at the mansion. The four of us quickly went off to the back room...
"We've already received the redeployment request for the runological weapons." A male runologist said.
"They will arrive in three days." His companion, a female runologist added.
A female solider turned to look at Clair. "Will that be sufficent Ma'am?"
"That will be fine. Carry on." Clair said nodding.
"Yes Ma'am." The solider said, saluting.
"Nice work all." Clair began. "You are relieved."
"Yes Ma'am." Both runologist said in unision.
"Hey Clair!" A voice called out. Clair turned to see James enter the room. "Look who I found!" He said stepping aside as his companions entered the room.
"It's you!" Clair exclaimed. "When did you return?"
"Just now, Clair." Nel said, smiling. Both women smiled as they walked over to each other. Clair was the first to speak.
"Welcome home... Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. I see you still worry too much."
"It's only because you're too reckless. If you don't want me to worry about you, try being a little more careful."
"That's the line of work I'm in. It's can't be helped."
"That may be so, but still... Are these the ones?" Clair asked turning to Fayt and Cliff.
"That's right. They're engineers from Greeton. They're still reluctant to help us."
"I see..." She said looking over the three men. "Well Nel, I suppose you've already met James." Seeing her nod she stepped forward, looking over Fayt and Cliff. "I'm Commander Clair Lasbard of the Aquarian Runological Unit. I'm honored to meet you."
"The name's Cliff Fittir."
"I'm Fayt Leingod. Nice to meet you."
"I must apologize for forcing our problems on you." Clair began as Nel stepped next to her. "However... you must understand our situation."
"I think we understand..." Cliff said.
"But I'm not sure--" Fayt began before Clair cut him off.
"I would like to hear what you have to say, and I will provide a thorough explaination of our situation as well. But, you must be exhausted. Why don't you continue this tommorow? You need your rest."
"That's right..." Nel began. "He may seem fine now, but Fayt is still under the weather."
"I'm fine." Fayt said simply as James chuckled.
"Was he trying to take the world on by himself or something?"
"Nothing so... drastic." Nel said shaking her head.
"Hey... never pass up a chance to take it easy, kid." Cliff began. "It was a real trek crossing those mountians."
"Okay, Okay." Fayt replied, nodding.
"There's a guest room upstairs on the second floor." Clair said, smiling softly. "Please, feel free to use it. Nel, stay behind. We have much to discuss."
"Right." Nel said turning to Clair. Clair nodded once before turning to James.
"While I am sure you want to catch up with your friends, would you stay behind for a bit longer as well?"
James turned to look at Fayt and Cliff before turning to look at Clair. "I don't mind."
"We'll see you later then James." Fayt said as both he and Cliff left the room. After that James moved over to the table and leaned agianst it.
"So, what's what here?"
"And why did you ask him to stay behind?" Nel asked, looking over to the lone male in the room.
"I'll get to that. Although I suppose you've heard of Tynave and Farleen." Clair said, pulling a letter out of her clothing.
"Who and who?" James said.
I kinda had to feign ignorance here, since I haven't met them yet. Man, if I get home after this I should look into acting...
"They are my subordanents." Nel said. "They drew the attenion of the Dragon Brigade from us."
"Yes. And they've been captured. They want to exchange them for Fayt and Cliff." Clair added.
"Right... I say one in a hundred chance of them actally holding to that, the other ninty-nine being them taking both Fayt and Cliff after killing the two."
"We believe that too." Clair said as Nel stared at the wall intesly. "What will you do Nel?"
"...The only thing I can do... I'll go rescue them."
"Chances are... you won't make it..."
"Maybe... But I have to do it... I can't leave them behind." She turned to Clair and James, looking a tad grim. "Don't tell them about it." 'Them' being Fayt and Cliff. "They'll only try to follow me. I can't put them in danger."
Clair sighed and shook her head. "I'm not going to talk you out of this, am I?" Nel shook her head in response. "I see, very well then. James, I have a favor to ask." She said, turning to the man in question. "Please... Go with her."
"What?" Nel spat out, looking towards the man. "You can't risk it! If Airyglyph gets him they'll--"
"Try and talk me out of it." James said, pushing off the table. "I'm in!"
"But you surely can't... Clair, why?" Clair smiled softly apporching her friend.
"Because he can tip the odds in your favor, I know it. After all, you'll have to fight your way to them, who better to stand next to you than a man who can claim to have defeated Albel Nox."
Nel's response was to stare at the man, her jaw hanging open. After a pause James spoke up. "You're gonna get a bug in there if you leave that open."
Nel turned to her Commander questioningly. Clair nodded once. "Are you serious? As in Albel The Wicked?" Nel asked.
"Let me put it to you this way..." James began. "I walked away. He had to be carried. I don't know 'bout you, but I'd call that a win."
"...All right... But we tell no one else." Nel said, looking over at the man before turning on her heel walking to the door. "Meet me by the south gate at midnight." Then she left the room.
"Friendly lil' thing, ain't she?" james quiped.
"Yes, I know. But she is very loyal, and if you earn her trust and friendship there will be nothing she won't do for you." Clair said, turning to the man. "I know what I ask is a great deal, but..."
"Hey, no worries. I can take it." James said giving a thumbs up. "Sides, someone's gotta watch her back, right? She looks like the kind that'll do somethin' crazy if I don't."
"Yes, I know. ...Thank you."
After that I met up with Fayt and Cliff so we could trade notes. As I had told Nel I 'forgot' to mention what I'd being doing that night. I did some quick shopping before returning to my private room, since Fayt and Cliff were sharing another. I double-checked my supplies before going to bed early.
Cause I had a helluva day coming. And night for that matter.
I hope that battle turned out as well as the last one. Next up, Nel and James vs. The Kirlsa Training Facility.
R&R is always welcomed.