Disclaimer: I own nothing beyond Xapferey Manaweaver.

Chapter 5: Grey, Black and Gold

6 hours after the battle of Fort Myce

The first thing Xapferey noticed was hushed voices as he awoke, his first thought was that he passed out in his home before his brain caught up to him with the force of a supernova.

Lodoss. Michael… no… Nethalus and Pirotess… Deedlit, the two falling in love, runecrafting… magic… battle of Fort Myce.

"Is he alright?" Deedlit asked in a worried tone, she had nearly had a heart attack seeing him collapse like that; she thought Xapferey had been seriously injured.

"I'm certain he will be," Slayn said quietly "his spell drained all his energy and only through sheer willpower did he find the energy to fight like that in the battle. Despite the gruesome and effective results of his weapon, why would he not use it more?"

"Because it requires ammunition to use, much like any bow or crossbow," Nethalus replied "and it also takes time to reload, the idiot was right… a shotgun is only reliably accurate up to 15 feet," Nethalus interjected. Xapferey rolled his eyes behind his eyelids; he knew he was probably going to be read the riot act.

"Is he awake?" Deedlit asked the others.

"I am now," Xapferey replied as he opened his eyes only to get glomped by a worried High Elf "Ooof."

"Never do that again you idiot, I was so worried when you collapsed like that, I thought you were about to die."

"I'm sorry for worrying you."

"You ever do that again…" A whip cracking noise interrupted the two and they turned to see Nethalus holding something, which Xap recognized as his iPhone 5S.

"Sorry I just had to do that," Xapferey slowly got out of bed and raised himself to his full height.

"Nethalus scram, trying to have a touching moment here," Xapferey said his voice tinged with menace "And give me my phone back too."

Nethalus nodded putting the electronic device nearby along with a Xapferey's school backpack and left rather hastily, making Xapferey roll his eyes playfully at his old friend. Deedlit was still giving him a hard stare, her eyes chips of jade as her body language conveyed worry and love.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you and I shouldn't be so reckless."

"Nethalus told me several times you've worked yourself to the point of collapse so I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. Just promise me you'll try to avoid a similar situation in the future… please Xapferey."

"I'll try my love, that I do promise you," Xapferey got out of the cot and stretched, wincing as his back popped in a couple places a moment later a knock on the door caught their attention. "Come in," Xapferey called and Jebra entered. "What's the situation captain?"

"To be blunt the fortress is breached in several areas. It can be repaired but it would take years to fix properly so I wanted to hear your advice on what we should do."

"Why me? You're the one in charge of these men."

"True, but you led the defense of the fortress, you're the one who led us to victory."

"Fair enough, I would say go to Roid in Valis, head northwest to the temple of Pharis… Nethalus and Etoh are only two men and cannot give your troops the healing they need."

"And if my superiors ask for my reasoning for such a move?"

"You are the border guard, isn't obvious you would be the first sent to aid your allies in the event of an attack from Marmo?"

"That's a good answer, it has holes as would be expected in a soldier's answer," Jebra stopped for a moment and stared at Xapferey thoughtfully "You're not coming with us though correct?"

"No, don't ask me why, but our group aside from Etoh and Nethalus need to cross the Forest of no Return, with Deedlit with us we should make it through fine."

"Very well," Jebra said with a sigh, thinking that Xapferey's presence would have been very good for the morale of his troops.

"Can you send Nethalus here, he has something of mine."

"Certainly," Jebra left to relay instructions and orders for the move and Nethalus came back.

"You wanted something Xap?"

"My G11 please, you can have your shotgun back."

"Here, so what do you want me to do?"

"Go with Jebra, he'll need your help, he'll explain your side of the plan."

"Splitting up again are we?"

"It's all part of the plan," Xapferey replied and Nethalus pulled Xapferey into a manly hug and left and Xapferey turned back to Deedlit who had been quiet the whole time.

"The Forest of no Return?"

"Yes, we need to get to Roid quickly and the forest is the fastest way … I trust you can lead us through safely," Deedlit gave Xapferey a mock glare but it failed a moment later as she stepped into his arms. The next day the group broke apart an went south leaving Pirotess, Nethalus and Etoh with Jebra's group as they traveled through the mostly uninhabited southern parts of Allania.

The group crossed the town that Xapferey recognized as the one he had passed through on his way north to Allan. The group spent the night at the village and collected provisions; news of Marmo's advance had not reached the little village yet so the group was able to move on quickly without questions, especially making sure Abathur skirted the village to join them across the river.

An hour after the river, the group stopped to take a breather when they noticed a patch of burnt ground, the ground was healing slowly but there was a magical signature Deedlit and Slayn knew well: Xapferey's, they quickly realized this was where Xapferey had arrived on Lodoss, although Deedlit had been told Xapferey's story and that he had come from another world against his will, Slayn had not and the mage was staring at Xapferey quizzically.

Xapferey sighed and leaned down to examine the ground, his eyes enchanted with a Detect Magic spell as he examined the magical signatures to see if there was a way to get home. Slayn sat down next to Xapferey and watched as Xapferey tried a few spells before he spoke in a low voice.

"Care to explain this Xapferey?"

"I am not from or native to Lodoss Slayn, much less this world, I suppose you could call me a plainswalker, it's not something I like admitting."

"Deedlit knows then?"

"Yes, she's known for some time, I was trying to see if I could find a way back."

"So you could return to your old life?"

"No, so I could pick up a few things and make peace with it… Slayn look at me, I'm a sorcerer, and magic back home is not as prevalent as it is here, besides I have a life here, one that home could not match," Slayn nodded with a small smile though he was quite curious about what Xapferey's homeland was like.

After a couple hours break the group continued down the path and Slayn asked about their chosen route.

"Are you sure about that path? You are heading straight into the Forest of No Return," Ghim grunted but said nothing further.

"Hey, hey, hey, wait just a minute… we're not going in there are we?" Wood whined "Forget it, I'm not going into that forest, have you heard of anyone coming out?"

"Yes I have, she's about 5'5, long blond hair, delicate features characteristic of the Elf race, wears full leather armor, armed with a rapier and throwing knives. Does this person sound familiar to you Deedlit?" Xapferey asked with a playful smile, which caused Deedlit to giggle, Slayn had a slight smile, while Parn chuckled, Ghim grunted in mild amusement before they continued to the entry point of the forest.

Before the group entered Deedlit warned them to leave emotion behind metaphorically, but it was a serious warning, Xapferey was nearly blinded when he used Detect magic. Overwhelming auras of most of the magical schools resonated from the forest's magical defenses enough to make Xapferey whistle in admiration and gulp at the fact he was passing through those wards. Xapferey knew what was coming and grabbed the protesting Woodchuck and heaved him bodily into the portal.

"Keep calm and stay together, remember the wood reacts to strong emotions, stay calm and focused, there's so much illusion magic around here you need to be wary of… keep moving," Xapferey growled quietly at the thief before the group moved on, there was a moment of shock as the group felt more energy available to them. Deedlit explained that without the emotions normally correlated with adrenaline rushes such as anger didn't exist in that realm, the High Elf also warned them that they needed to be quick and Slayn agreed because time moved much more quickly in the forest they would all age rapidly and could die within the forest.

Parn stopped and stared off into the distance, but Xapferey gently pushed him on "It's an illusion, nothing more keep moving," Xapferey turned slightly and saw his parents waving to him and calling to him asking him to join them again. Xapferey shivered for a moment as he watched the illusion but managed to suppress his anguish and anger barely, having had finally come to terms with their deaths only recently.

Sadly though Xapferey's moment of weakness was enough and the forest lashed out in response, Ghim spun and broke the roots coming for Xapferey but more came and seized Ghim and dragged him away, Ghim soon began shouting at an illusion of his own but Xapferey telekinetically grabbed the group and with considerable mental and magical effort he pushed them all out of the forest.

Not long after the group took stock of the situation and breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Ugh, I'm surprised we got through there alive," Wood said.

"Mm, do you know what Ghim was yelling about Slayn?" Xapferey asked.

"I'm not entirely sure, but it seems his quest may be more difficult then I originally thought."

After caring for the semi-comatose Dwarf the group crowded around him and Parn asked what he though Ghim had seen.

"Mmph… It was Leylia."

"Who? No, it's ok, if you don't want to tell us… if you rather not we won't press," Xapferey said kindly.

"Please tell us dear friend," Slayn encouraged gently.

"You think so? After all he was the one who put us in danger there."

"Ghim didn't trigger the forest Deedlit… I did, he was protecting me" Xapferey admitted which caused Deedlit to break from her haughty look and stare at him in shock, Xapferey sighed and sat by the water, his shoulders shaking, not from laughter, but from sorrow and anger. Deedlit softened and sat rested her head on her love's shoulder, trying to offer him comfort.

"Xapferey," Deedlit whispered quietly wanting to understand what would make Xapferey so troubled. She hugged him and heard a quiet sob come from him… that scared her slightly but she was also cautious of asking him.

"I saw my parents Deed, I had finally buried them after so long , and you helped fill the hole in my heart my love, but it really hurt seeing them like that and knowing it was an illusion," off to the side the two could hear Ghim explaining his quest to the others but Deedlit focused on Xapferey again.

"How did they die?"

"I've shown you magical pictures of my world, you know was a car is."

"A horseless carriage that travels at speeds much greater than a horse, yes."

"Well they were coming home from a trip and well we have rules and machines that govern our roadways and types of licenses are required to be legally able to drive, well this man had a serious issue with alcohol as you can imagine what being impaired while driving in one of those could do," Deedlit's wince was answer enough for him, she could imagine gruesome results "This man had already been caught driving while heavily intoxicated with a suspended license once already, but he didn't learn until our legal system dealt with him."

"That… Grrmph if I ever see that fool I would…" Deedlit turned incoherent in her anger "what was his punishment?" She demanded

"A very long prison term, very long."

"Well that would have to do I suppose," A loud explosion in the distance caused Xapferey to look up and realized that Karla was nearby again and this time she was going after princess Fianna, the daughter of king Fahn of Valis.

The group rushed out of the woods and found a dying knight reaching out desperately after a carriage, "The prince..ss… save… Princess Fianna," The knight died at that moment and Parn jumped on the horse, then Slayn jumped on after and they chased after the carriage.

"Ugh can they never stay out of trouble?" Xapferey groaned "Si relgr ihk vi verth di arcaniss," a horse appeared at the sorcerer's command and Xapferey charged after them with Abathur keeping pace with Xapferey's horse easily. But Xapferey was smart and dispelled the horse and blinked behind the carriage and he heard Karla talking after she appeared in a powerful burst of lightning.

Xapferey could not see Parn but judging by the noises Parn had battled through Karla's holding spell and was moving towards her.

"Only a fool attacks without knowing who his enemy really is."

"I haven't," Xapferey sneered as he shoved her telekinetically sending her in an uncontrolled fall. Karla turned in surprise and stared at Xapferey.

"Impressive, it is not often someone so young surprises me, because I respect your courage, I reward you and your friends," Karla sent Fianna at Parn as Ghim ran up and began shouting at Karla, calling out for Leylia. Karla disappeared a few moments later, but Ghim was obviously upset and confused and Xapferey saw a opportunity to 'know' something about Karla without realizing he knew aspects of the future.

"Ghim, you claim that was Lelia… obviously something is wrong here, would you say that was in character for her?"

"No, that was Lelia, but she was different, she didn't even recognize me."

"I thought so, that circlet on her forehead was radiating powerful enchantment magics, I think that circlet is controlling her somehow."

"You can see magic?" Slayn asked in surprise, such a power had not been revealed to him in their earlier discussions "How would you go about such?"

"Try modifying a spell, granted it's easy for me but it can't hurt."

"It cannot hurt to attempt indeed, hmm… Almighty mana cast off your false garments and reveal your true form," Slayn smiled as his spell was successful and he became aware of the magical auras around him, he had to turn from the forest to avoid being blinded though. As magical auras became more apparent Slayn noticed that Xapferey was staring off and most of the blood had drained from his face.

Slayn ended the spell and turned to see a considerable amount of Marmo troops headed by Ashram marching towards them. Already the group was taking up defensive positions to guard the still sleeping princess from the Marmo.

"Get her out of here, none of you are a match for Ashram."

"And I suppose you are?" Deedlit snapped back at him.

"Don't get snippy with me love, but I have a few tricks I've not shown yet, now go."

"Are you sure? It would be highly dangerous to leave you here alone," Slayn offered cautiously.

"I'll be fine, trust me, I know what I'm doing," Slayn nodded in reluctant acquiescence as the group began pulling away as Xapferey walked to confront Ashram and the Marmo. Xapferey sighed quietly and walked towards Ashram who rode out to confront Xapferey and dismounted.

"Brave to face us alone, but also foolish" Ashram commented.

"We shall see," Xapferey said as Ashram drew his blade and Xapferey swept into his opening stance with his drawn sword. Xapferey stood in a strange stance, the sword in a high guard, the blade held horizontally with his offhand swept to the side and down with his body half twisted away from Ashram. The Black Knight cocked an eyebrow but advanced, the moment he got into sword range, Xapferey attacked.

Ashram parried aside a rapid and straight thrust to the heart; only just now did he realize his opponent had attacked and had defended on instinct. Xapferey sidestepped as Ashram forced his blade aside and riposted in a flat bladed blow to the head.

Having sidestepped the attempted stunning blow to his head, Xapferey spun over another attempt at his chest and began a vicious attack sequence and Ashram had to work to parry them, a shot to the face Ashram knocked aside, the returning blow was a sweeping backhand that Ashram ducked under and was forced to step back to regain his balance. Xapferey followed, forcing Ashram to defend further again as Xapferey aimed a snap-kick at his knee that Ashram managed to step aside from.

Ashram knew he had to knock this man out of the aggressor role and fast, he hoped that the man's defense was worse than his furious assault style. An opening presented itself, a very slight one but it was enough to knock Xapferey back and force him onto the defense.

Xapferey stepped back and smoothly parried aside all of Ashram's thrusts, turning them away with quick and tight motions, not wasting any unnecessary energy. Xapferey parried aside an overhead thrust and shifted, putting all his effort into showing Ashram's sword aside and taking advantage of the momentary opening to drive his sword into Ashram's shoulder.

Ashram stared slightly, if he had not dropped his shoulder a moment before, the blade would have been in a very painful position. As it was Ashram could feel the blade just resting above his shoulder having missed it by a hair. Ashram then stepped back before charging in and catching Xapferey in a sword lock and the two began straining against the other, trying to overpower their opponent.

Ashram leaned back quickly and backhanded Xapferey causing him to stagger away, off balance. Xapferey flicked his hand at Ashram; the wild telekinetic burst staggered the black knight as Xapferey realized he had bought enough time and it was now time to go.

Xapferey reached into a small pouch and drew out a smoke grenade that Nethalus had given him after they parted and triggered it, relying on the cover granted by the smoke cloud to withdraw. His minor goal had been to test himself against Ashram, but his major goal was to buy enough time for the others to get away and having completed that, Xapferey withdrew from a fight that was unwinnable. Xapferey knew even if he did beat Ashram, his forces would overwhelm him.

Xapferey retreated and ran as fast as he could away, but a Goblin jumped him from the side and the two struggled for a moment when the Goblin's flailing hand caught and tugged off a pin to a grenade sending the spoon catapulting off to the side.

"Oh… shit," Xapferey groaned as he somersaulted away and flung the grenade away as he bolted away. The chase lasted well over two hours and up to a series of mountainous foothills, as Xapferey rolled into a small cave, a Goblin rolled a boulder down to trap him. This caused a whole series of boulders to come crashing down and plugging the small cave with Xapferey inside it.

"Great, just great," Xapferey groaned as he glared at the rocks, a few spells later made him worry, as tired as he was, he did not have the energy to blow his way out. Xapferey then forced himself into a meditative state to think, which would help preserve the amount of air available in the cave, finally a thought came to Xapferey, a spell that would be highly risky and if he cast it wrong or was not strong enough it would kill him.

'Damned if I do, damned if I don't," Xapferey groused mentally as he began casting the spell, as he chanted the last line of the spell he felt overwhelming pain yelled before blackness took him.

A/N Well that took a little while, if anyone can guess Xapferey's fighting style as in what is was based off of they get a free electronic cake of their choice: I'll give you all one hint, it's based off some of the seven forms of Lightsaber combat, but which ones?

Give me your answer and if right you'll get your cake.