Destroyers Of Time
Chapter Six: Praetorian
By: Efra
Three days had passed since the sad and cruel destruction of the Mining Town Of Krisla. Albel wandered the blackened streets. Soldiers of Airyglyph and Aquios were searching the charred ruins for any survivors and giving the dead proper burials. Albel watched as the soldiers pulled various skeletons from where they lay. "I don't understand it… Why didn't they all get out of their houses if they were on fire?" Nel said examining one of the black skeletons as it lie on a brown cloth. It strangely looked as if it was still screaming in pain to Albel. Memories began to emerge from their hiding spots. Burning fires breathing down on him. The burning sensation in his arm…and the sight of his dead father Glou Nox. Albel looked away from Nel. "What do you make of it?" She asked.
"The most likely reason is that the fire burned fast and strong. It must have wiped out everything in its path within seconds you fool." Albel muttered. Nel looked dumbfounded. "But who could possess such a power?" She asked standing up and walking next to him. "My guess would be…" He continued then suddenly turned towards a small sound that met his ears. "Do you think Greeton did this? Albel… where are you going?" Nel called after him. But Albel was already making his way towards the front gate. He stopped listening closely then made his way towards the entrance to the Maze Of Tribulations. (Sorry don't remember the way to get there from the gate or I would have wrote it in) He stared into the dark entrance way. Soft sobbing sounds came from inside. Albel then entered. There on the ground was a little girl. Her clothing was burned and torn.
Her skin was black in random places. She then looked over her shoulder finally aware of his presents. Albel kneeled next to her. "Mommy and Daddy are gone… that evil man went into here after burning the town…I tried to go after him…but…" Then she began crying even more. Albel looked towards the dark rocky maze that lead to the transporter to the Maze Of Tribulations. Then the gently pick up the little girl. She wrapped her arms around him crying on his shoulder. This was an unusual feeling for him but he merely held her close and exited. Once back in the ruins he called to Nel who was up higher then he was. "Hey you fool we have a survivor!" He yelled. Nel stopped and looked down at him. She looked completely surprised.
The soldiers rushed towards him. He let them take the child from him slightly reluctantly. Then the soldiers ran her off for medical treatment. The search continued all through the day with no luck with anymore survivors. They ended the search late in the night when every body was discovered and all ruins were searched thoroughly. Albel resisted the urge to rush into the Maze Of Tribulations sword slashing everywhere until he found the monster that torched the town and disposed of him. But instead he found himself sitting against the cold iron bars of a cell in Aquios' dungeon. Elvy was against the bars as well right on the other side from where Albel sat. Chains held her arms tightly together. "So there was only one survivor?" She asked in the form of a whisper. "Yes." Albel replied. They he stood wrenching the cell door open and walking towards her. "Here." He said. Kneeling down next to her. He held a glass of water to her lips. She took a small drink. "Why do you bother?" She asked. Albel didn't answer.
"I half to keep you healthy so I can beat you fair and square." He finally said. Elvy laughed softly. "Have you forgotten…you did already." She said. Albel gave her another drink then turned towards the door again. "I'm going to demand your release." He said shutting the door again. "Don't bother. I can get out of here if I wanted." She said watching the floor. "I deserve to be in here." She added. "No you don't. Not for that small a crime. I know what it's like to be locked up for days on end… No innocent deserves that kind of torture." With that he left the dungeon.
"So you wish to request her release?" Queen Romeria asked. Albel nodded. Romeria watched him closely. "I shall think on this matter. I will inform you shortly of my decision. Then someone came scurrying into the Audience Chamber. "Help! Help! Help!" They screamed and collided into Albel. They quickly jumped up. "Roger?" The Queen asked. Roger panted. "Get off of me you pest!" Albel screamed. "Huh?" Roger then looked down to find he was standing on Albel's back. Albel pulled himself up causing Roger to fall. Then he grabbed Roger up by his tail. "Ow! Hey watch the tail!" He screamed. "What are you doing here?" Albel hissed. Roger looked at him fear captured in his cute features. Albel stared back at him. "It's Suferio… It's been attacked!" Roger screamed. Romeria stood up. Albel dropped Roger then ran from the Audience Chamber. He nearly collided with Nel who was walking along the hall.
Once to Suferio Albel unsheathed the Crimson Scourge. Half of Suferio was destroyed just as Krisla had been. Black flames burned anything it touched to ash in seconds. But the only thing different was there were defiantly more survivors. Most of the occupants of the Lost City were running by him towards Perterny. Roger's mother, father, friends, and enemies amongst them. Albel ran though the city searching for the culprit. There was a man standing on one of the roof tops watching the black fires eat away at the earth. He spotted Albel down below. The moon rose up behind him as he stared. Albel stared in shock at the man's face was lit up. He smirked then descended from his perch. His three parted wings extending out. His wings picked up the soft breeze and gave him a smooth rid down. He landed feet from Albel.
"Who are you!" Albel demanded. The man stood up to his full height. "Well if it isn't one of the nasty little Trojan horses…" He said coldly. Albel glared his anger rising to its peak. "You're one of those idiots from Greeton aren't you!" Albel screamed. The man tilted his head to the side. "Greeton… Oh yes that city. Not a bad place. But with all the technology is was destroyed easily. Everything was connected to another so I didn't half to use much power." He said. Albel's eye widened. "What are you…" He said taking a step back. The man smiled then stepped towards him. "My race is called Destroyers Of Time. But the name my father… The Creator gave me is Praetorian." He said stepping ever closer to Albel. "What!" Albel screamed.
"Yes Luther is my father. You and your pesky friends foiled his plans to destroy you all one year ago. Isn't today the anniversary of his so called death?" Praetorian asked in a mocking tone. Albel gritted his teeth the leapt at Praetorian. He didn't move from where he stood. "You fool!" Albel yelled then slashed at him. To Albel's surprise the blade of the Crimson Scourge hit a barrier. The impact sent Albel flying into the burning ruins. The black flames licked at his arm. His skin immediately burned away with ever strike from the fire. Albel jumped up holding his nearly black arm. "Damn it all!" He yelled out of frustration. Then he noticed the blade of the Crimson Scourge was cracked. Albel stared at it in surprise. Then the rafters began to fall. Albel quickly jumped out of the ruins seconds before getting hit.
He landed roughly on one of the still standing wooden walkways, which then crumbled away beneath him. Albel caught himself before he landed into the water. Praetorian was towering over him. "That's strange. The fire should have taken your arm off after one brush…" He said. Then he grabbed Albel by the throat and pulled him to his feet. "This is such a fun night isn't it?" He asked gripping Albel's throat tighter. Albel felt his consciousness slipping away. "Pal…Palm…of…of…des… Destruction!" He screamed. The green flame like energy hit Prea smack in the chest and also took of one of his wings. Prea dropped Albel jumping backwards. His detected wing faded into shinning dust that was blown away in the wind. Blood ran down his back and dripped onto the wood. Albel coughed standing back up gripping his throat. "You bleed…that means you can be killed." Albel said. A smirk crept onto his (very handsome) face. Prea glared at him.
"Flying Torpedo!" Roger yelled. Prea quickly looked over his shoulder then jumped out of the attacks way. (Sorry don't remember what it looked like…Roger hasn't been in my party for a while.) He landed on one of the burning rooftops. "I'll be back." He called to both of them then there was a digital spurt and he was gone. "What were you thinking? You idiot!" Someone said behind him. Albel glared over his shoulder. Elvy stood. Nel was running up behind her. Albel growled. Roger came up behind Albel. His eyes lit up when he saw Elvy. "What are you complaining about? You weren't the one fighting!" Albel said turning towards her. "No I wasn't. But that wasn't a very smart thing to do." She said slapping Nel's hand off of her shoulder. "She's right Albel." Nel said placing her hands on her hips. "Yeah you would have died if I hadn't so nobly saved you!" Roger said.
"You got to give him some credit. At least he took of one of his wings and probably busted a couple ribs." Someone said. The all looked towards the voice. There was a man leaning against the nonburned wood. "Valkin…" Elvy whispered. "You know him?" Nel asked. Elvy nodded. "He's my twin…" She said. "Albel you ok?" She asked walking closer to him. "I'm fine." He snapped. Then he remembered what Prea had said. "Nel…" He whispered. "Yes?" She asked looking at him and placing her hands on her hips. "We need to get Fayt and the others back here immediately." He said. "Why?" Nel asked. "Luther…he's still alive…he's sent that monster here to destroy us…."
Yup here it is. Nice huh? Dose everyone still hate me? I hope not…because I love you all! I mean it too. But yeah I kinda got tired of writing Prea's full name so like Elvy I'm going to just use his nickname. Unless Albel and company says his name then I'll half to do the full thing but yeah. Thank you all for my lovely eight reviews! (So far) Buya! I love my fans so much! Ok I'm done scaring you all away. C'mon back now. Leave me more reviews please and I'll update real soon. Dances around.