Chapter 25: Goodbye Elis
Paje had proven himself as a great advisor at Elis' side. He had taken her through some thickets even in the past days, in which villagers had been at her heels, worried about the passing rumors of devils in Arc Valley, now swarming the area. Attacks at the castle gates were a daily remainder that something was not right with the world, as it had been in the past. Yeel had been evacuated days earlier, its inhabitants fled to Granseal, and some made camps nearby, but not many survived. As far as anyone knew, the High Priestess Sarah was nowhere to be found. Her house had been found, ransacked and demolished, with no sign of her anywhere. Granseal was the only remaining power in all of southern Grans Island, and without Bowie in its lead, and many of its soldiers gone, it was hardly fit to defend itself.
Elis hadn't soon forgotten her son nor her husband. In fact, she sat upon the throne each day with both of them fresh in her mind, and with Paje to remind her still of how much her people needed her now. And, with the recent passing of the elderly Minister of Granseal Castle, Elis was without anyone who she could really call family. For night upon night, she'd remember what had happened the day the kingdom was attacked, and Bowie vanished. How could she let Orin go? It wasn't his responsibility…he was still so young. How was he fairing? He could be…dead, for all she knew, and she felt she only had herself to blame. The parents of Ikara and Keith didn't have her to blame, at least. They were proud to have their children out, fighting for their king, their homes. Without them, maybe Bowie wouldn't come back, but with them, there was a chance.
Elis sat in the throne room, as she did every day. The kingdom was void of soldiers, all of which stood guard in the village, where the most danger was. Paje stood firmly at her side, his face stern.
"Do you think they're doing well?" Elis asked.
Paje stared ahead, and for a moment said nothing. Then he spoke.
"I can't say how they are doing, but I can tell you your son will not die even in these horrid days." said Paje.
Elis looked at him.
"He is indeed his fathers son, who fought a devil of unmatched power, and weakened him to the point of his resealing." said Paje. "Your son has the same power, he has the same determination…"
Paje looked at Elis, his face still stern.
"…But he has his own mind, and he is his own person. If his power can't get him out of a situation, he will figure a way out otherwise. He'll find Bowie." said Paje.
Elis said nothing, but she could never question what he had said. If she did, she'd most likely lose hope for her son and husband's safe return to Granseal…
The moon had risen slightly in the sky by the time the group reached the outer wall that surrounded Nazca. Troops stood at attention in the guard towers as Orin approached, seemingly aware of who he was already. The gates opened post haste, without his having to even introduce himself, which made them somewhat suspicious of what was going on.
"How do they know who we are?" said Keith. "Did they already know Orin was coming? That seems very strange…"
Ikara nodded, and Tess looked about strangely as they walked through the open gates.
"It is possible rumors of your movements have covered Grans. Word spreads faster than you may expect." said Sye.
"I did find myself in the Nazca Sentinel camp. There were others there besides Jaha, Chester, and Randolf. Maybe they delivered news of my location…" said Orin.
"It still seems strange." said Vahn.
They had fully entered the city by this point, and as they scoped the area, they realized Nazca was just as beautiful up close as it had been from afar.
"A pleasure to see you safely within our walls…" a voice echoed through the streets as a figure approached from within the darkness ahead.
Orin jumped slightly, as did some of the others in the group. Orin took a step toward the figure to try and determine who it was.
"Who's there?" Orin called into the dark.
"I'm Haden, king of Nazca," said the man who appeared from the shadows.
He was dressed like a soldier, except for a long heavy cloak that hung to his heels. A blade even dangled from his waist. He was an older man, maybe in his 50s, but he looked even younger. His expression was that of interest, excitement even. He was glad to see that they had made it as far as the had in one piece.
Orin mouthed the name of the man before him, remembering instantly the words of his father about the great King Nazca. A man who was, oddly enough, a farmer in years past. He'd lived in the forest near what was now the city they stood within, with his wife. He had left home one day to get food, leaving his pregnant wife behind, when he noticed something strange. An enormous cloud like figure came forward in the sky, moving quickly. It was almost like a semi-transparent mist, shaped like an enormous bird. He was unable to truly understand what was happening until the figure flew in suddenly, crashing several miles from where Haden stood. Haden returned to his home, fearing his wife's safety, and he took her to a nearby cavern to hide her for the time being.
By the time he'd reached the crash site, nothing remained but the outline of the craft that had collided with the land just along the coast of Grans Island. Upon investigation, he found very little, and returned to his wife. A few days afterward, the day of his child's birth, he ventured out to the site again. He realized what he stood upon was the work of a civilization long past, made by the hands of men who knew far more than anyone would learn in his lifetime, and so he began to build. He called upon the monks of the monastery just north of his home, and even to men in Roft who ventured out to help him. Soon, Moun learned of construction, and caught word of how brilliant the sight was. The sight of a grounded craft of the Ancients. They sent ships of men, prepared to build a city upon the newly discovered relic.
Haden gave the men his reasoning, of course. He said "Why should we let waste a ship this mighty, built by the hands of those we will never see, with minds we will never understand. A great power like that is here no longer, and this may have been the last of their knowledge, no longer within our grasp. Such a thing as great as that, it would be an honor for me to create something with which to remember them." His words drew people from as far as Tristan, Pacalon, and, yes, even Granseal. Bowie himself ventured to see what had become of the area he'd been when he and his troops climbed from the wreckage of the felled Nazca Ship.
"And I told him what he had done was a great thing." Bowie had told Orin. "I said 'You've taken the Nazca Ship, it wreckage, and made it's surroundings as beautiful as it had been before it was destroyed.'"
That was how it's name came about. Nazca, to honor the Ancients and their fallen work of art.
Haden now stood before them, king of the city he had started building alone 25 years ago.
"It's an honor to meet you…" Orin said, as he knelt.
Even though he'd been gone from home for so many days, he would never forget how to show respect for a man of power and honor such as a king.
"No need for that. You and I are no different." said Haden.
Orin stood.
"Of heard a lot about you…from my father, especially." said Orin.
"Ah, Bowie…I've already gotten word of how he fairs." Haden said, as he expression fell from glad to ill. "I'd never wished to meet the son of such a great man in such dire straits as these."
"Dire straits are often the only times great men meet." Sye said as he came to Orin's side.
"Well met…" said Haden. "I see you've brought quite a band with you, Orin."
"They're all good people." said Orin, unsure if Haden didn't find the group to his liking.
"I never implied any different." said Haden with a smile. "You'll all sleep like lords tonight. Come with me."
Orin smiled in return, and followed Haden toward the enormous castle in the center of the city.
"So, they're not dead…?" said Niro, his eyes tightening.
"I want to discuss this a little better." said Trevor. "You can't just lie to us and expect us to follow your orders. We don't kill humans."
Simon nodded.
"Are you kidding me?" Niro spat. "I want the girl dead! Get the hell out there an kill her!"
"I'm not your slave. We don't kill human's unless they interfere." explained Trevor. "I can see that you're just making us go after the girl because you know the other will protect her. I'm not stupid."
"If you're so wise, you and your friend will go kill them NOW!" Niro yelled, as he stood from his seat and leaned over the table at Trevor.
"To hell with you. We don't take orders from you." said Trevor, as he stood and turned to leave.
"I'll kill you just like I'll kill them then, you stupid bastards…" Niro said under his breath as Trevor and Simon exited the tent. "Dogs…the lot of them. They won't die. Like a pack of wolves they protect each other, and they follow the scent of the hunt to where it leads them. But maybe…maybe I can break these wolves apart."
Hagan had taken them into three separate chambers, each with 3 beds within them. His castle was enormous, as big as Granseal Castle, if not bigger. And within it, there were rooms upon rooms marked with the symbol of Nazca, the birdlike craft that their kingdom stood upon.
Orin, Duran, and Keith took a room together, Vahn and Sye in another, and Ikara, Tess, and Jo in the last. Despite the fact that Keith and Duran decided to sleep in the same room together, they seemed very tame tonight. It was as if they were somewhat afraid of Orin. For what, he didn't really know.
"So we're finally here…" said Orin quietly to the both of them.
Keith stood near a large bookshelf that sat against the wall of the room, his eyes creeping over each title. Though he was more a fighter than a scholar, he did often read when he was at home, and since they'd left Granseal, he had yet to set eyes on a book. Duran on the other hand sat on one of the beds, getting ready to go to bed. He pulled off the pack he was wearing, within it their provisions and the cot that was tied to it.
"Yeah. Finally we can get to the mainland." said Keith. "Do…do you think there will be a lot of devils there?"
He seemed reluctant to speak, but it was a good question. With what they'd seen on Grans, there were bound to be a lot more devils in Parmecia. Despite Zeon's sealing, there had always been devils around, but not many powerful ones on Grans. In Parmecia, though, devils were more powerful and in higher number. They did not follow Zeon, unless he happened to be unsealed again.
"Most likely. From what I've seen in the past week or so, many of the devils around here…they're not even in Astral's notes. I don't know what to think of it." Orin replied.
"Orin…are you okay?" asked Duran suddenly.
"What?" Orin asked in return.
At that moment, he noticed he was sweating profusely, even within the cool walls of the castle. He had a slight headache as well.
"Before…when you got angry. I've never seen you like that before. Even when you fought Niro, you never looked like that…" Duran said quickly.
He seemed afraid of Orin's response.
"I'm…just stressed. This has taken a lot out of all of you, too, I bet. I guess I just built up a lot of steam…" Orin replied, his eyes to the floor. "It's nothing to worry about, really. You won't see any of that again."
Duran nodded but said nothing, and Keith's attention had been called from the book now in his hand, his expression somewhat somber.
"So…" started Vahn quietly. "How…exactly, did you come to this?"
Sye looked at him. His eyes were just as hypnotizing in the candlelight as they were under a silver moon.
"Come to what?" he said, his face stern.
"To be what you are. Who you are. It intrigues me…" said Vahn. "I'm sorry to pry."
"It's fine. My life is indeed interesting, if not pitiful, if I may say so." Sye said, as he stood and pulled his scabbard from his belt and tossed it next to the bed. "Was my explanation earlier too hard to understand…?"
His words were almost insulting, but Vahn took no offense.
"You speak cryptically. As much as I'd love to understand where you stand and what you've done, you seem set on making people think hard about what you say." Vahn explained.
"If you're blind, you have to make due with making others think hard about you. I'm not feeble, not inept, despite my inability to see, and you can gain that from my words, if not from my swordsmanship…" Sye explained in return.
"And your curse?" asked Vahn.
"And what of it?" Sye returned.
"How did it fall upon you?" Vahn asked.
"I requested it."
"For what in return?"
"Very little."
"Then why have it."
"Because I'm a fool."
Vahn's eyes were almost wide at the conversation. He was unbelievably quick to answer, almost as if he'd studied the questions swarming in Vahn's mind beforehand.
"I'm a fool for asking for so little, and a fool for giving so much, but death comes not without consequences, and what I chose was no better." explained Sye.
"Explain it to me. What happened to you?" asked Vahn.
"I already did." Sye returned.
"Be specific." Vahn said instantly.
"Does it interest you so that you'd continue to wonder if I didn't tell you?" asked Sye.
"Well…of course. Why wouldn't it?" Vahn asked, somewhat puzzled.
"In good time you'll know. Questioning my past is the best part of my personality." Sye replied, as he drew off his cloak and threw it atop his scabbard.
He laid down in his bed and seemed to fall asleep instantly, leaving Vahn sitting in awe on the bedside.
The girls room was less than booming with conversation. The three of them spoke only when necessary to one another as it were, and in this case, being in the same room together for the rest of the night left them all silent. Someone did speak after a while, though.
"So, I noticed the two of you are…" started Jo, as she spoke to both Ikara and Tess at once, but stopped herself.
"What?" asked Ikara.
"You both seem fond of Orin." said Jo honestly.
Ikara's eyes widened, and Tess spoke in her place.
"What are you talking about?" Tess said, seemingly offended.
Jo felt it best to stop there. She couldn't blame either of them. Orin was fairly attractive, she had to admit, even if he was just a human.
Tess and Ikara both looked at Jo, eagerly awaiting what she would say next.
"I guess you've all been traveling for quite a while before I came along." said Jo. "All from Granseal?"
"No…" said Ikara, her head turned toward Tess. "I'm from Granseal. Orin, myself, Keith, and Duran."
"I'm from Galam…well, I used to live in a camp of the Exiles." Tess explained.
"What about the other one…?" Jo asked.
"Vahn…he lives north of Yeel…" said Ikara.
"A strange group you are…" said Jo. "What's drawn you together like this? It can't be just your friend's father you're after…"
"I'm searching for my king, Orin's father. He's a great man, well worth the search." Ikara explained.
"And what about you?" Jo asked.
"I…" Tess started. "I had nowhere else to go and the cause seems well worth anyone's attention."
"I suppose. Doesn't matter to me, though. I just came for the ride." said Jo. "I love to fight."
Ikara and Tess said nothing.
The morning sun was almost excited to pour it's light though every window in the castle, waking many at daybreak. All but Duran where up as soon as they could muster the will to roll out of bed. Though they should have been used to waking rather early, the beds in comparison to cots were so much more comfortable. Even in comparison to the worn old beds of Roft's inn, these beds meant for royal guests were the height of comfortable.
"I suspect Haden would be awake at this time in the morning. If he's anything like my father he's been up for a while already." said Orin as he shook Duran out of a deep sleep.
"What will we do?" asked Keith.
"Ask him for a boat, obviously. We need to get off of Grans and to the mainland." Orin replied.
"What if he hasn't any…?" asked Sye, who, as much of the group had begun to realize, often seemed to be pessimistic.
Orin didn't respond to Sye though. It was a 'what if' he didn't want to think of.
"Get up, will you…?" Keith said, as he smacked Duran.
"Ungh…" Duran sputtered and rolled of the bed, hitting the hardwood floor with a heavy thud.
"Everyone else is ready and you're slowing us down, lumpy." Keith said as he left the room and went into the hall, where much of the group was.
Duran lifted himself up and dressed rather quickly, seeing as he was moving groggily and with half closed eyes.
The group moved through the castle hastily, in search of the main hall. Upon their entrance to the castle late the night before, they'd been unable to see much of their surroundings with naught but the dim light from the candles throughout the castle. If anything, they were basically lost at this point. After they had run into a soldier who'd told them the way to the throne room, they were relieved to find Haden upon his throne, seemingly awaiting their arrival.
"Milord…" said Orin, as he bent his knee.
"No need for that. Not even a villager bows before this old fool…" said Haden with a smile.
"Oh…but aren't you meant to bow before a king?" said Orin.
"I'm no king, really." said Haden. "No one bows to your father, do they?"
"Oh, but they do." Orin said.
"But does he asked it of them?" Haden asked.
Orin said nothing.
"I didn't think so. They bow to a great man for what he is, not for his status in the kingdom." Haden said, still smiling.
He reminded Orin somewhat of his father. His values would never be based on your status, no matter the case.
"I'd like you all to meet someone." said Haden.
"Lord Haden…?" said Orin, somewhat confused.
He was in a bit of a hurry, but after speaking he realized it'd be rude to interrupt an introduction.
"Please, my last name is so formal." said Haden. "Benjamin is fine. Ben, even better."
Ben? Orin was a bit surprised. It was best to address a king by his last name, not his first, never mind a nickname…
"Anyway, this is my son." said Ben, as he turned a hand to a young man whom Orin had not noticed. "This is Iris."
"And what a pleasure it is to meet Orin of Granseal." said Iris, his hand outstretched in Orin's direction.
What a strange young man. At first sight, he looked like more of a sage or a young advisor than someone of lordly position, like a prince. Then again, Orin was positive he looked horrible with his hard leather and steel, more of a warrior than royalty himself.
"Wonderful to meet you." Orin returned.
"I'll be the one to lead you through the city." said Iris. "I'm sure you're eager to take leave, especially since your goal is such a desperate and important one."
Orin simply nodded.
"Then, lets go." said Iris, as he moved past Orin and his group.
"I hope to see you again post this ordeal, Orin." said Ben. "It would be a tragedy for you to not visit in the future."
Orin smiled at Ben and waved as he and the group turned and followed closely behind Iris.
Iris' hair stood on end, almost as if it was spiked intentionally, but it was rare to see someone wear their hair that way. And the color was positively strange. A pale shade of blue…almost purple. In the back, a short ponytail was braided over his shoulder.
"You know, I'm saddened to have to meet you under such circumstances, Orin." said Iris.
"You're father spoke the same." Orin replied.
"And he's right. I wish we'd have more time to…" Iris was stopped by the sound of an eerie droning sound.
In the distance, a man called out something indecipherable, almost like a scream. Then, a second voice came from the battlements of Nazca's surrounding walls.
"RAID! IT'S A RAID!" called a distant voice.
"WE'RE UNDER SIEGE!" called another.
A loud crack spread throughout the city as something slammed into the outer wall, sending debris flying into the streets.
"What in hell?" Iris yelled, as the cracking sound came again.
"Milord!" a soldier had appeared from behind a building. "The walls! The city is under attack!"
"From whom?" Iris yelled, as he ran past the soldier.
"I…I…" the soldier took off after Iris, who ran in the direction of the booming and cracking sounds.
"Orin!" said Vahn. "We have to see what's happening!"
Orin didn't answer. He simply took after Iris, cutting in and out between houses and small buildings in the direction of the booming sounds. He reached the wall in no time, only Sye and Jo at his side, as they had kept with him the best. The center of the west wall was cracked and obviously unstable from some force coming through from the outside. A heinous boom echoed through the streets, and the wall stood together as it was pushed inward slightly, throwing bits of brick and dirt in all directions. By now, the entire of the group stood at Orin's side.
"Orin! Up here!" called Iris from a set of stairs that ran around and through one of the primary battlements in the huge wall.
Orin clamored up the stairs, the rest of his group behind him, and Jo taking a shortcut to the top via her handy wings.
"I have no idea who these soldier's are, but they mean business." said Iris. "They're ramming the walls."
"Exiles…" Orin growled.
"And those Slayers most likely amongst them…" said Sye.
When they'd reached the top, a slain soldier lay slumped to the side, and arrow in his chest, and another in his skull. Over the edge of the battlement, Orin could see at least 800 soldiers clamoring across the field, the black armor symbolizing their position in the Exile army. Amongst them were ragged, bulky men with axes, the more barbaric of the groups. Along this particular end of the wall stood three well built rams. They were capped with heavy steel spikes that helped push through the still crumbling walls.
"We have to stop this!" said Iris. "Our walls have yet to be breached, and our soldier's are few in number. We can't defend ourselves!"
"We can't do much to help you. With that many men, we can't defeat them all." said Orin. "Surely you have some manpower at least?"
Another boom echoed through the city as one of the rams collided with the stone wall.
"…if we can keep them out, you'll be fine. Ikara! Keith!" Orin said, as he turned around.
They looked at him sternly, though they were surprised he would turn to them specifically.
"Fire on the rams! Burn them, kill and scare away those that control them!" Orin commanded. "If they can't throw down the walls, they'll be much easier to drive away."
Keith had already started firing arrows in the direction of the rams. Though the tops were covered with wood to protect those manning it, the arrows still hit legs and unprotected arms protruding from under the wooden barrier. Ikara shot a ball of fire in the direction of the rams, hitting the ground at the feet of the soldiers. Some were caught by the flames and sent to the ground ablaze. The Exiles were quick to return fire, sending several arrows in the direction of the battlements. Luckily, the walls were high enough to duck and allow them to pass or hit the stone wall without either of them getting injured.
"The rest of us have to make sure no one gets through if the walls are breached!" Orin yelled over the roaring of the approaching soldiers.
At the foot of the battlement, Iris turned to Orin.
"I have to get my father from the castle in case we cannot hold them. I'll return with soldiers!" Iris said, as he turned and sprinted in the direction of the castle.
There was an eerie, mysterious aura that was held around Iris. Like a thin glowing lace that made Orin feel as if he was very familiar. He was sure he'd never met him, but he reminded him of a man Orin had only heard stories about…he couldn't quite put his finger on it though. Who was it that he mirrored so well?
Another rumbling crash met Orin's ears as the rams pushed the wall in just a bit more. Orin turned to face the wall, which was badly cracked and crumbling with each slam from the steel capped rams.
"I doubt these forces are here just to attack Nazca for no reason." Sye said, suddenly.
"They're definitely after us…" said Vahn.
"Either way, we can't hold them all alone…" said Orin, who was unsure of what else he could possibly do.
"I have an idea." said Jo, as she came from behind the rest of the group, something in her hands.
"What's that…?" Orin said, another booming slam echoing around him.
Jo opened her hand to reveal the ruby she'd carried since they had met her. The one Tess had stolen.
"What…how will that help us?" Orin asked.
The entire group looked at the swirling ruby, the inner flame spinning furiously.
"I can take them out with this. It's the only way we'll keep them out of Nazca." Jo explained.
"But, what is it?" Tess asked, confused.
"It's been around longer than we've ever been, but it's better if it was destroyed anyway. It should have been years ago." Jo said.
At this point, the crackling of flames on the outside of the walls met Orin's ears. Ikara must have set at least one of the rams ablaze.
"Let me use it, if that's what you think should be done." said Orin.
"But you don't know how!" Jo said, as she pulled it toward her.
Orin said nothing.
"I'll do it. Don't worry about me." said Jo, as she shot up toward the top of the wall.
The group turned to watch as she came to the top of the wall and disappeared over it as she shot out over the fields. Orin wasted no time heading back up the battlement, leaving everyone else at the bottom.
"Don't follow me! I want someone there if that wall gives!" Orin yelled to them, as Sye began climbing the stairs behind him. "Stay there!"
At the top, Ikara sat with her back against the wall of the battlement, an arrow deep in her left arm. Her sleeve was slowly reddening with blood. Keith stood still, he himself had been grazed by an arrow on the right side of his face, which was wet with crimson. He was firing out into the fields, and trying to keep an eye on Ikara at the same time.
"Keith, get her out of here!" Orin commanded as he leaned down next to Ikara. "Are you okay?"
"It's fine. I just need a break…" she said, panting.
Keith threw his bow over he shoulder and lifted Ikara from the stone.
"You'll be okay?" Keith asked.
"Worry about her over me." Orin said, as he turned to look out over the fields.
Keith nodded and grinned as he turned and ran down the stairs to meet with the rest of the group.
Jo was nothing but a tiny figure in the distance, hovering over the mass of soldiers, many of which fired arrows wildly in the air at her. She seemed to avoid them very easily, and from the distance Orin was at, he could hardly see what she was doing. Until, suddenly, she lifted her arms into the air, and the light came. A glorious burst of yellow and white filled the air around her, and lit the morning sky brilliantly, like a second sun.
Orin's eyes widened as the light grew larger, and finally, slammed the ground below like a vicious tidal wave, and then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, the light was gone. The many soldiers that had stood under Jo had seemingly disappeared, and the sky was just as empty as the plains. About an eighth of the soldiers that had come at first remained, roughly 100. Some fled in fear of the brilliant and yet violent attack that had just taken most of their army in an instant, and without blood.
Orin's eyes scanned the sky wildly for some sign of Jo, but there was none. She'd gone with the soldiers…wherever they had disappeared to. He leaned over the battlement wall to get a better look, and then he turned his eyes to the ground, where a lone figure stood walking as soldiers ran in the opposite direction frantically. Jo stood wearily amongst the many fleeing soldiers, her gaze turned in Orin's direction, and then she took for the skies again.
Orin took a deep breath. An amazing display on her part, and at the cost of her jewel, she'd cleared a field of soldiers and turned the remaining majority in the direction of their homes. Still, soldiers stood below, the only remaining ram still drilling itself into Nazca's wall. At last, the final boom came, and the base of the wall crumbled.
Orin took no time taking back to the stairs and bolting down them to reach his comrades. When he got their, 10 soldiers had already made their way through, but none else were able. Iris had returned and sent all of his own troops through, which were enough to hold the remaining forces outside. To top that, the final ram was set aflame by someone or the other, and it blocked the hole in the wall, letting no one else in or out. Jo appeared suddenly at Orin's side, and without a word, she ran past him and engaged one of the heavily clad Exiles. Orin followed just behind her.
His blade clashed with the heavy axe of an armor wearing soldier, the jet of sparks flying from the impact. Orin dodged a swipe from the blade of another soldier, and took to the ground, rolling backwards. From nowhere, or so it seemed, Duran cut through one of Orin's attackers, drawing a huge crack in the enemies armor, and sending him flying backward into the wall. The sword wielder pursued Orin, throwing his blade to and fro as Orin leapt here and there to avoid the blows. Finally, the soldier faltered, and Orin drew his blade through the only weak spot these armor clad soldiers had; the neck. A violent wave of blood splattered onto the ground, as well as Orin's sword and hand as he drew the blade from the soldier's limp body.
Sye had engaged the soldiers also, two at once as a matter of fact, and made easy work of the first by removing his head. The second threw his axe at Sye wildly, but Sye made little effort to avoid such clumsy attack. He stood with his sword at an angle, his feet and arms in an odd position as the soldier slammed his weapon into the ground. His head fell forward with the strength of his blow, and when he looked up, Sye plunged his curved blade through the soldier's face and out the back of his skull.
Keith had pierced one soldier easily from afar, firing arrows accurately in the open joint where the soldier's leg bracer met his boot, right in the ankle. As the soldier fell, Keith drew back one more arrow, and let it fly into the enemies throat.
Iris stood immobile. He seemed to have little or no experience when it came to sword fighting. He held a rapier, yes, but he did not fight. He stood in a defensive stance behind three of his soldiers, who fought a lone Exile soldier who seemed to be bearing down on them.
Duran fought off a single soldier himself, that is, until Orin intervened. Orin pierced the soldier's armor, drawing a small hole in the cuirass. Duran took the opportunity to finish the soldier with a swipe of his axe into the enemies stomach.
Jo, had defeated one soldier by simply catching him off guard and slicing his jugular open. She had moved onto another, who seemed a little more agile. She drew in and took a swipe, but missed, allowing the soldier to come back with his sword, narrowly missing her right wing. She came in again and disarmed him, latterly, with nothing but her claws, and then ripped through his windpipe just a moment later.
Vahn stood behind the battle, tending to Ikara and making sure no one got too close. He stood only one as a lone soldier broke past and moved toward him. Vahn took the range to his advantage, and lifted his arms. From him shot a wave of air, twirling unmercifully in the Exile's direction. His armor was torn and shredded, as was his body, once the spell had subsided. Scraps of bloodied steel lay under the soldiers bleeding body as Vahn knelt down to Ikara once again.
Only two remained. One, who was still throwing swings at Iris and his soldiers, and another, who had, unfortunately for him, engaged Sye. Sye took no time in dismembering the soldier. He took the left arm first, and then the right as the soldier fell to his knees in agony. And then, graciously, Sye took his head. The other soldier, though, had chopped his way through two of Iris' bodyguards, and was prepared to cut down the last. Tess was ready for a bit of action though. From behind, she leapt onto the soldier's back and slit her foes throat, sending him to the ground with a thud in just a few moments. And so, the city was safe for now. If any more soldiers were to make their way through, they would just take them one at a time until none remained.
More did come through though, but it wasn't what Orin expected. The now charred ram had been pushed out of the way, and another 8 soldiers poured in.
"Not a problem. More blood to draw." Sye said, his face emotionless.
That wasn't the part the made Orin's hair stand on end. The two Slayers came through next. Trevor, his long sword in his hand, but propped on his shoulder, and Simon, a spear gripped tightly with both of his hands.
"We're not here to fight you." said Trevor. "We're here because we need to get the hell away from these soldiers. They're just as much our enemy as yours."
Orin looked at Trevor, wide-eyed.
"Your enemy. Really?" came a familiar voice from the hole in the wall.
In stepped the root of it all. Niro walked through the hole and into Nazca clad in the same armor his soldiers wore, and a mantle fluttering behind him. His blade hung across his back, and, as always, he wore a strange dragon mask.
"So, you really don't trust me. Swayed by the words of these louts?" Niro asked.
It was obvious Trevor didn't expect him to show up, bur Orin was sure Niro wouldn't be quick enough to see that.
"Came after us then?" Trevor asked.
"If you were worth my time, maybe. This little cluster of rogues is what I came here for." said Niro. "…killing Haden wouldn't hurt my reputation either. If I killed someone like him, I'd get more respect than you little shits offer me now."
"I doubt you've got the clout to stand at my blade and say the same." Sye said.
"To hell with you. I don't know why they bothered with you're crippled ass anyway." Niro laughed.
Sye's expression didn't change, but he took a step forward.
"If I have to kill you myself, you'll never touch my father!" Iris yelled. "Come at my, why don't you?"
"No, no. I'd kill you after him. I doubt your 'godly sword fighting abilities' could hold my off bare handed." Niro said with a large manic grin. "So who, on this beautiful day, want my to KILL them FIRST?"
Niro drew his mask away within the shadows so that no one could see, and replaced it with a large black dragon helm that matched his armor. And, front his back, drew a broadsword.
Trevor and Simon fell back with Orin.
"I'll fight him with you. It'll be much easier." said Trevor.
Simon nodded.
"Then common!" Orin yelled, signaling for everyone else to attack as well.
Everyone engaged a soldier, including Orin, as Niro stood behind laughing. Iris could do nothing really. He attempted to help Duran, but didn't do much for him.
Orin made quick work of his foe, stabbing him in the left knee and then in the throat, and he moved past his dieing enemy to Niro, who seemed unprepared for the sudden attack.
"You…damnit!" Orin yelled as Niro narrowly dodged Orin's blade.
"Come now! Don't be pissed at me because you've killed so many people!" Niro laughed as he dodged and blocked every attack Orin through at him. "Being Bowie's son doesn't make you a swordsman! Just DIE NOW! You'll save everyone from wasting the rest of their lives on dieing for YOU!"
Niro became aggressive, throwing his broadsword at Orin with speed and power. His blade slammed into the stone, throwing rocks everywhere, and as Orin moved aside, Niro's blade was coming at him within an instant.
"Dance, mutt!" Niro laughed.
"To hell with you!" Orin yelled as he held up his sword to shield himself from Niro's attack. Their swords met, with Niro bearing down on Orin as he tried hold his position.
"Come now. You can't keep my sword from tasting your blood forever." said Niro.
Orin's eyes focused, and he pushed into Niro's blade with all he had, throwing him off. Niro took no time in recovering, as his blade came right back down again, just missing Orin's leg. Another blow, then another, and another came down at Orin as he tried with all his strength and concentration to keep himself away from the enemy's blade. Finally, though, he was under Niro's sword once again. He held up with all he had, one hand on the hilt, and one hand on the smooth of his sword, trying to keep Niro off of him.
"I see your knees buckling, piglet!" cackled Niro. "Now, now! You don't want me to cut you in half, do you? Push me off! Are you going to be a bitch like your mother? PUSH ME OFF!"
Orin's eyes felt like they were burning. Like he was suddenly sick, his brain had clouded and his sight had blurred. He'd felt like he had the day before, something inside him had suddenly changed, and his body tensed.
"For Kasha; for Shale; for Elis." Orin muttered.
"A prayer before death?" Niro laughed.
"You'll wish I'd been that merciful." said Orin with a grin.
Orin pushed Niro off, and met his blade again in an instant. Niro's eyes widened as he threw a blow at Orin. Orin came back to meet Niro's blade with all his strength, and the swords slammed hard against one another, jarring Niro. Orin drew back and came in with another blow, knocking Niro backward from the force against his sword. Orin leapt forward, meeting Niro, and threw another blow, and another, until Niro helf his blade with both hands, panting.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Niro growled.
Orin said nothing. He threw another blow, and another. Niro tried his best to meet each hit, but finally, Niro fell under Orin's sword and he was forced into the position Orin had just been in.
"Get him! Someone, kill him! Damnit, you dumb asses!" Niro yelled, his eyes wide. "Someone! KILL HIM!"
Orin pushed Niro's blade out of the way, and kicked the sword from his hands. He spun around and kicked Niro in the chest, sending him to the ground.
"You…no…NO!" Niro pushed himself back against the wall as Orin drew his sword back, and impaled his shuttering enemy.
He took back his bloody sword from the sputtering Niro's chest, and tore off his helmet. Niro choked on his own breath with wide eyes that peered up at Orin. His insane look was gone and replaced with this imminent fear of fast approaching death. Niro's black hair hung to his shoulders, his face young and dirty with blood and sweat.
Orin looked at Niro sternly as he drew back his sword one last time, and drove it into his chest a final time.
"LOOK!" Orin cried as he turned to the few remaining soldiers and his comrades. "Your leader! DEAD! He died the most honorable way possible, and it's not something he deserved!"
The soldiers nor the Force moved.
"Now, Exiles. Get the hell out of here." Orin said, as he sheathed his sword and walked passed them all.
The Exiles withdrew slowly, and then disappeared through the hole, leaving their dead general against the crumbling wall of Nazca.
Orin sat comfortably in Nazca castle, a scroll of parchment in front of him and a quill between his fingers as he wrote to the dearest person in his life before he departed from the mainland. Nazca had recovered within the previous day, the day of the attack, and the current one, and he would take his leave of Grans immediately after he'd sent this letter on it's way. Trevor and Simon said they'd come with him to Parmecia, though they'd depart from his company once their ship had reached the shore. Iris had explained why Grans didn't need a prince who couldn't even protect his own country, and asked if he could accompany Orin to Moun, at least, and see if he would be better of on the mainland. Though his father had objected, his mind was made up, and Orin wouldn't turn him down. But…there was still the matter of this letter Orin was writing. When it was done, it was handed to a messenger of Nazca. The messenger would deliver it to the address within a week and a half or so. It would read:
Dear Mother,
As it has come to pass, my travels have led me all over Grans Island, and yet, there is nothing here I need in order to find father. Nothing to lead me but Sarah's words, Paje's advice. I'm setting out for the mainland, for North Parmecia, and by the time you receive this, I don't know where I'll be. Coming home to see you, I hope. I will search the end of existence until I find him, or until I die trying. I trust you know I'll miss you just as much as you'll miss me. I will bring him back. If not for the kingdom, if not for me, for you.
I'll see you soon,
Orin