Cless woke up to a familiar sight. He was in a prison cell. But this wasn't like the other cells he was in. This one had metal bars on all sides like a cage. And it was far smaller than an ordinary cell. "Ughh." He struggled to his feet. His balance was uneasy and he stumbled many times. When he got his barrings the enviroment around him came clear. He looked down and all around. As he turned a figure caught his eye from a cage right next to him. Ofcourse it was getting dark so he couldn't make out what he was seeing. "Uhh. Hello? Anyone there?" He heard a female voice grunting. He cleared his throat before speaking again. "Miss? Are you alright?"
The figure now identified as a woman looked to where the voice was calling. "C-Cless?" She could hardly speak. "Mint? Mint! Its me!" Cless was still calling but she didn't respond this time. Shuffling feet was heard. The sounds were coming their way louder and louder. The entire camp or barracks as it looked wasn't entirely made up of solid stone. The very grounds they walked on was grass. One soldier appeared infront of the boy. He unlocked the cage. "The General wants to see you. Come on!" Mint struggled to sit up. "Cless!" She called out. Her voice stronger this time. The gaurd unlocked her cage. He came in and pulled her to her feet. He got behind them and urged them forward. "Move!" The two walked passed afew corners because the way the tents were set up it was like a maze. "Cless." Mint said getting ready to cry. "Whats happening?" Cless was as confused as she was. "Im not sure. But I got a feeling were going to find out."
They came accross a small concrete building. "Wait here." The gaurd then walked in. He came back and beckoned them to come in. The two came into a small room. Inside there were book cases. Candles were all around lighting the room. In the middle stood a square table and several chairs. A big bulky man in armor stood facing a painting. "Welcome guests." He said calmly. "Please take a seat." Cless and Mint did as they were told and took a chair. "Now you've heard rumors of a war between us and a neighboring kingdom am I not correct?" The general turned around. "Well am I?" The two nodded. "I see." He continued. "Those rumors aren't a hundred percent true." He took a seat himself facing the two young blondes.
"What I seek here Is alot more valuable then land." He said looking at them both. "We're looking for a tree. But not just any tree. This one is special. Its called the Mana Tree. Both Cless and Mints eyes widened but none said a thing. "If you know of its location then please. By all means tell us. Our king says its important for the future of his kingdom. But I, have other plans for it. And if your lieing, face diar concequences." Moments passed and still not peep.
"You there. Boy." He looked at Cless. "Do you know where the Mana Tree is?" He took a deep breath before speaking. "No sir. I don't." General Black was not convinced. "Look me in the eyes boy. Now tell where it is." Cless saw those eyes again and looked away. "I don't know where it is." Still he was not buying it. "Now see here! I can tell by your expression that you know something. Now spill it!" Mint flinched at his heightend voice. Boldy the Cless stood up. "I told you! I don't know where the tree is!" The General was very short tempered. Quickly he grabbed the boys arm and slammed it against the table. Cless cried in pain. Black took out a knife and pressed it against one of his fingers. "You know where the tree is, tell me!"
Cless wouldn't budge. Slowly he began to saw through his finger. Cless screamed his lungs out as the knife cut into the bone and before he knew it he was one fingure short. "Gahh!" He began to cry from the severe pain. Blood began to drip onto the table. Still he wouldn't tell. Another fingure was gone. Both his pinky and the fingure beside it were no more put his head on the table was filled with tears. Mint looked terrified. Black looked at her. "Do you know where the Mana Tree is?" She shivered now wanting more than ever to make a run for it but those would get her before she could take two steps. He walked behind her and put the blood stained knife up against her neck. "Tell me. Or your friend here will loose more then his fingures." He whispered to her ear.
"Alright I'll tell you." She said trying to stay calm. "Mint NO!" Cless yelled. She swallowed then said, "Its in a forest near the desert." General Black paused for a moment. "How would we know which one it is?" Mint blinked afew times. "Its the largest tree there." He pulled the knife away. Hopfuly he bought it. "General!" A gaurd ran made his way to his quarters. "The expedition you sent out has discovered the tree you were looking for." No! Mint's hopes had faded. "Where is the tree?" The gaurd responded, "Its in a forest south of a village called "Totus".
Black looked down at the cleric mad as ever. "You lieing bitch!" He knocked her accross the face sending her to the floor. At that instant an explosion was heard outside the camp. From the watch tower everyone heard the following announcement. "General! It looks like Alvanista's army is just over the hill. Their firing at us. Orders sir?" The General was with events that have taken place. "Ready the troops! Prepare for battle!"
Chester and Arche had led the Arian expedition to their destonation. There it was the Mana Tree and all its glory. "Here it is." The half-elf said. The captain stepped forward to touch the tree. As he did a force field appeared. "What is this!" He turned to Arche. "Why is there a barrier here?" "It was to protect the tree." She responded. "Well then destroy it!" She didn't know what to say exept, "I can't!" The was captain was getting angry. "You have three trys. Fail these attemps and say good-bye." Here goes nothing Arche chanted. "Ice-Needle!" Large chunks of ice sharpened at the point formed and pounded the barrier but to now avail.
"Strike one." The captain said. "Comeone Arche!" Chester didn't want this to happen but she needed his support and given enough time they could get out of this alive. She chanted again. "Fire Ball!" Huge balls of flame bombarded the barrier still it held. "Strike two." Arche started to loose faith in herself and usually she is never like this. Guess I could try it. She chanted one last time. A minute or so passed and finaly she casted. "Indignation!" Huge bolts of lighting fiercly struck the barrier. It finaly dissappeared. The spell was not over yet. One of the bolts struck some of the soldiers killing them on impact.
The captain smiled. "Well done. You've lived out you purpose now." Arche turned around. He pulled out his handheld weapon and aimed it at her. "You've been expended." Tears formed from her eyes. "But you said-" She was struck in the chest. "Arche!" Chester ran to her aid. He too was hit by the captain's bullet. He was hit in the head. Both had died instantly. "I know what I said. Alright boys, we got what we needed. Now all we have to do is figure out how extract the mana from the tree and-" He turned around only to find his entire squad dead. Arrows filled the bodies of his men. "But-" An arrow had hit the captain between the eyes. He fell to ground dead. The remaining elves took refudge with young one and had gotten revenge on their assailants.
((Its sad I know. Arche and Chester are dead. We near the end of this tragic tale. sobs))