VANADIEL TRAGEDY
Chapter Eight: Brothers

The night was at a perfect still. Ghelsba's rocky exterior was only bothered by a few chilling gusts of wind. Such breeze gently shook the door of an Orcish hut. A large house with red decorations, drapes and banners, showing it was apart of the empire. In that hut, on its dirt floor, Auricant laid unconscious. His face was stained with his own blood. An oversized copper ring wrapped loosely around his leg. His sword's blade laid in pieces, scattered on the ground. The starry night was calm in this part of Ronfaure… but not in another.

"Challistalle! The Orcs! They are comi-" a young Temple Knight's frantic voice was cut off by a long blade killing him. "Challistalle?" the red haired man cried before his body hit the ground. Challistalle put the sword back in his holster. A pool of blood spilled from dead Elvaan's wound, reaching the dead grass underneath the stone tiles. Challistalle marched his way across the now unguarded East Gate in South San d'Oria. His face was unemotional, and then no one else could be seen or heard. He grasped a bronze wheel with rope tired around it. He began to spin it, faster and faster until it stopped with a click. The iron-gate door was lifted, resting at the top of the arch. Anyone could enter now.

Challistalle lifted up a creamy white pearl near the dead Elvaan's body and held it close to his face. "Temple Knights! I have scouted ahead… they will only be attacking from the west! We need to focus our entire defense those gates… I think there is over eight thousand. By Altana's grace, we will not let them enter!" Challistalle believably cheered into the white linkshell pearl. There was silence for a few seconds, then a cheer and another. He put the pearl his pocket and walked out of San d'Oria's opened gate.

He pulled out a red pearl, once he reached the eastern woods, "Okay. East Gate is totally unguarded, let us attack soon". An Orcish grunt accepted the news with an affirmative grunt.

Maxamillious punched the wall violently. "Bastards! The Orcs… eight thousand?!" he roared with his message mixed up. His pupils watched nervously as their teacher abused the San d'Orian stonewall. He turned to his students. "Squires… you protect East Gate, I don't believe Challistalle knows what he is talking about. Orcs never stop at the chance to attack from behind. Go ahead and protect there" he nodded.

Balasiel positioned his chair to look down at West Gate. With chin in right palm, he watched. If any of the fighting broke to the streets it would be seen first by him. By his side was a crossbow and a sword wrapped in a teal wool bag.

"Are you serious-werious?! These Orcs won'taru leave me the hell alone for one day!" an angry Tarutaru fumed. It was an older male wearing a cloak with blue patterns and stripes. By his side were three tall Royal Knights. Standing in front of the Tarutaru, the Elvaan Temple Knight told him the news.

"I am afraid so Sedal-Godja" the Elvaan frowned as he confirmed.

"You want me to create a barrier around San d'Oria?" Sedal asked agitatedly.

"Is that even possible?" the knight looked surprise, as if anyone could cover an entire city in a seal.

"I am sorry but not with the time-mine we have. It takes over three hours to finalize-cinalize a barrier… and it would take days to draw one around an entire city" Sedal-Godja explained shaking his head. "But I got a better idea…" he grinned.

"What's that?" One of Sedal's Royal Knight companions asked the Tarutaru, watching his friend's face.

"We blow those Orcs to bits-dits" he laughed.

At Ranperre's Gate, not far for the Chateau and church, a band of Temple Knights faced the wide and tall gate door. It was the court of the gate where they all stood. It was small grassy area with three planted trees. A gatehouse door stayed open, with Temple Knights within arming them selves with shields and swords that lay on iron racks. A boulder hit the wall, shaking the entire ground. The Temple Knights jumped at the ranged attack, but remained confidently resilient.

"Grand Temple Knight Curilla!" Baramore called loudly as he noticed her walking by.

"Baramore, as much as I would love to have an conversation, we have no time. The Orcs could launch a melee campaign any moment now" she started to say with a serious look on her face as another boulder hit the city wall, "I want you to control defenses at Ranperre's Gate, while I control the West Gate". The orange hair that covered her right eye fluttered wildly as a wave of air from that last assault brushed through their ranks.

Baramore was breathless for a moment. "It would be my honor" he bowed.

"Okay good, there is no time. Prepare your defenses" she nodded and walked away.

A female Hume's hand rested on Baramore's shoulder. Her white skinned hand was frail and without muscle. "Khristin?! You got to get out of here" Baramore spun around fast, ordering.

"I said I would stay!" she flinched, not expected for Baramore to be so loud. Her hood tugged back slightly, revealing more of her golden locks.

"This is not a jok-" he tried to explain.

"I am not joking" the nun's blue eyes stared deep into Baramore's.

"You will cure our fighters then?" Baramore asked after releasing a big breath. Khristin was not going anywhere. He looked down to her white Altana church emblem on the skirt of her cloak, a pair of wings and an angles head, then back to her face while waiting for an answer

"Of course" she smiled.

In Ronfaure a large mass of Orcs of around three hundred, all armed with weapons and armor. The pupil-less white eyed and green skinned Beastmen marched in an unorganized group. The dusty trail they walked upon was full of large footsteps. The birds and rabbits that lived in the forest scattered away as the Beastmen approached. They stopped their advance near three catapults. All three were active, being run by three Orcs each. A large Orc in leather armor and hat stood at the front. "Soldiers of empire! Today we attack! With Vile-Bloods and Red-Claw working together we crush the Elvaan scum in front of us!" his voice boomed over the horde. The Orcish roars could be heard from the pack. Two Orcs had different motives though.

"We die for Hundredscar Hajwaj! Red-Scars leader!" they cheered, even the Vile-Bloods did.

Hawkeyed Dnatbat, a temporary member of the Vile-Bloods, just listened as they all cheered. He remembered the exact orders from Overlord Bakgodek, emperor of the Orcs: "Look for the sword of light at Ranperre's tomb and Chateau d'Oraguille. If you need support, use the forces in Ghelsba". 'This will be my only chance to get into the chateau…' the archer thought calmly. At his side were a sharp knife and a short bow. He sported a black leather vest and a band tied around a red haired ponytail sprouting from his ugly, bald skull of green skin.

Vileblooded Vatgit, or called Warchief Vatgit by the Elvaans, led the infamous Vile-Bloods. He also watched the Orcish army in silence. He reached in his tiger leather trousers and pulled out a white piece of paper. He heard a voice when he touched the strange mark on it: the emblem of the Shadow Lord who died twenty years ago in a dark, red hue. It glowed a faint red radiance for only a second, as the voice was summoned to the Orc's mind. "You will fight with them. Then we can start our plans" the voice spoke. He shoved the paper back into his pocket.

Auricant's eyes slowly opened, staring at the roof of whatever building he was in. He could instantly tell it was barbaric and cruddy. The small room was lit by two touches opposite from each other in the spiky house. In a daze, his hands reached for his aching face. For a short moment, he had no idea why his nose was killing him or where he was. Suddenly, it all came back to him: Challistalle's betrayal and the fight with him. He was still in his full armor, minus his visor, which he left in town hours ago. He checked the blue leather-covered plate above his heart out of reflex. He quickly searched for his sword normally at his side. Looking to the ground, right from him, he saw it in pieces. The gift that his teacher Balasiel gave to him a couple years ago was now destroyed. He quickly escaped his right foot from the rusty bangle and chain. 'This is Ghelsba… it's very quiet though' he rubbed his temples as they throbbed.

"You are awake…" a voiced called from the doorway, a cold breeze followed him in. It was Challistalle, still in his Temple Knight armor. The red hazy light from the wild fire burned brightness to both of their Elvaan's faces. Challistalle's sword was now stained with more dry blood, but Auricant was too distracted with anger to notice.

"You… you… you monster!" Auricant roared, ready to pounce on the traitor as he jumped to his feet. He stopped after being handed a dark wooden bowl of water.

"Use this to wash your face… I don't suggest drinking it" Challistalle ordered unemotionally as he turned around to leave. Auricant pushed back his silver hair and quickly did so, washing away the dry blood.

"What is going on?" Auricant asked, calmer now, stopping Challistalle at the door with his words.

"San d'Oria is being attacked by Orcs, around three hundred. San d'Oria thinks the horde is eight thousand strong and will only be attacking from the West. About a hundred of those Orcs will lead an all out assault on East Gate. East Gate is currently open thanks to me. The stage is set for one hell of a show" he explained to Auricant, his back still facing Auricant. His tone was a mix of anger and cockiness now, not the cold, dead voice he had before.

"But… why? Why are you doing this to your own people" Auricant asked one more query. Challistalle was quiet for almost a minute. "It is because Travis died on the raid?" Auricant added on to the question, sick of the silence.

"Travis…" Challistalle he said sadly. Memories rushed to his mind

A little Elvaan boy cried while he lay on the stone tile ground. His carroty mane wildly covered his face. It was a quiet day.

"Wah wah! Look at him cry" a slightly older boy mocked and laughed at the child's cries.

"Wow, what a weakling. Haha, and you dreamed of being a knight? It'll never happen! You are too weak" another bully punched him.

In the streets of San d'Oria two loud cracks were heard. It was either the sound of a twig breaking or a boy's skull cracking. A boy with shorter orange hair held a long, wooden stick. With all his might he knocked down the two boys. They got up and gave an evil look at the two and ran off covering their heads. "Ow!" they cried.

"T-Travis" Challistalle said, still with tears making it hard to speak.

"Little brother, don't let those kids get to you. You will be fine Temple Knight. You and me will defend San d'Oria from any evil" he smiled. Travis dropped the stick and gave Challistalle his hand, pulling him up.

"Thank you Travis" Challistalle wiped his own tears away with his left hand.

Challistalle came back to the present. "Challistalle?" Auricant looked at his orange hair. Challistalle was filled with grief.

"He shouldn't have died. It was pointless; it was those damn Royal Knight's fault. They didn't need to risk his life… they did it for joy!" Challistalle looked down. He turned to Auricant with angry eyes. "I'll tell you what happened. The Orcs, they owned a big part of West Ronfaure, near Ghelsba. The entire kingdom sensed this danger and all agreed to raid three camps hoping to force them back into the mountains. The Royal Knights were being spread out all over northern Vana'diel, so they asked for the help of the Temple Knights. It almost went well until…" Challistalle sighed.

"Until?" Auricant stared into his eyes.

"A knight made a messy mistake. The Orcs of the second camp knew we were coming. It was a tough battle; none died, but many were injured. The third camp was ready for us. No way we could take it down… but the four raid leaders had an idea…" Challistalle explained slowly. The memories of the event came back to him in a powerful flashback as he told Auricant what happened.

"What? That is a crazy idea!" Challistalle, less depressed, argued with a fully armored man: a Royal Knight of high ranking. Three others nodded their heads. The Temple Knight and four other Royal Knights discussed the plan in a grove-like area of Ronfaure. It was dusk and the sunset was behind a large tent, away from sight. On the tall, tan colored tent about twenty by twenty feet, was the Royal Knight emblem mounted just above the flap entrance.

"Well, I think it will work…" Travis said from behind. A tall man, even for an Elvaan, walked to the five of them. His Temple Knight armor was just like Challistalle's. Other than the hairstyle and height, they looked a lot alike. "We lure all the Orcs out of the camp to one area and we ambush them. Not that original though. Bastok used a similar strategy on us back when we were in that war" Travis had a smug grin under his helm and orange hair.

"Okay, then, we just need a runn-" one of the Royal Knights began to talk but was quickly interrupted.

"I'll do it. I am a fast runner. Won't be a problem as long you guys don't screw up" Travis nodded his head. The Royal Knights didn't like the light disrespectful comments.

"Travis you mustn't. You could be killed!" Challistalle stood in front of him in protest, raising his hands in the air.

"Come on brother, I'll be fine" he smiled.

"Travis…" Challistalle said in a low tone. He looked at his brother eyes. His warm and loving eyes that protected Challistalle's sanity for so long.

"It will be fine" he hugged his brother for a moment. He released and walked past him to observe the map within the camp. The ambush point was set minutes later: a set of ruined towers just north of Knightwell lake. Challistalle looked at Travis' face one last time. Their eyes met for no longer than thirty seconds and he was off.

Twenty minutes past as Challistalle rested himself against a great tree's stiff trunk. It was spring and the new buds began giving birth. He waited and waited. 'Where are the orders of the ambushed?' he thought to himself. He gave an impatient groan and pulled himself up. He paced himself to the tent. "Uh, what are we waiting on?" he asked calmly to the four Royal Knights sitting at a wooden table, sipping on tea.

"Excuse me?" one of the knights looked confused. It was a fake expression.

"The raid is done with. You may go home" another smiled.

"What…what about Travis?!" Challistalle's throat hurt with those words and he started to shake.

"He died honorably for his country. We were able to burn the camp to the ground" the third one noted.

Challistalle couldn't breath. He couldn't understand. He couldn't even think. "But…". He felt a dire coldness fill his body. His fingers and feet became numb, then his heart and face. "We were supposed to save him! The ambush point! You crafted the plan! What in hell are you talking about!?" Challistalle blew up. Revulsion and anger overtook him violently. He screamed so loudly he felt the blood rushing to aching brain.

"Challistalle please! Keep your silence!" the knights ordered. Challistalle body kept on shaking. His breath became heavy.

"How could you… how could you!?" Challistalle screamed and was starting to become very incensed. They used him. Worst of all, they used Travis. His brother was dead. He could imagine the Elvaan being torn to pieces by hundreds of Orcs, expecting to be saved. His brother, both orphans, left alone in the world. They murdered him like he was nothing. Now Challistalle was truly alone. The disappointment and sadness. The hatred and rage. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he smacked away the Royal Knights' tea placed on mahogany table dressed in a red tablecloth. The Royal Knights quickly held him down for an instant then threw him out of the tent fearing for their own safety. Challistalle body became so heavy. He could not pull himself up. He felt as if a giant boulder pinned him down while he laid a few feet away from the entrance.

"Please understand. If Travis had not sacrificed himself, many soldiers would have fallen. It was the right thing to do…" the often quiet Royal Knight raid leader explained apologetically. He was the nicest one of the four, regretting what he did. It didn't matter though. Challistalle lost all sense of place and time. It was just one long blur of events from then on.

When he finally snapped out of his hazy, confused state, he was in the woods. His eyes hurt so much from crying. They were a dark red. His belly ached for food, letting out a grotesque sound. How long had it been from the day of the raid was unsure to him. A week seemed most likely. His armor was covered in dirt that he rested in. Grass brushed against his face. It was either dusk or dawn, the sun was raising or setting but what direction, the traumatized Challistalle didn't remember.

"Ugh…" he slowly lifted his body up. When he got to his feet, probably the first time in one week, he noticed all the knights were gone. He didn't care much. Travis was dead, murdered. There was so much pain within him. Holding himself against a dark wood tree he released a long breath. In the moment of silence, an Orcish grunt killed the mood.

Challistalle turned around quickly to see an Orc, with shield and axe, charging at him. Challistalle lost control of his hands. He wasn't sure what happened, but his sword was drawn and the Orc stabbed in the chest critically. The Orc's eyes were inches from his face. Challistalle watched it slowly as it gave its last breath, still very close to his body. It slid off his blade, hitting the ground, scaring a few birds away. The kill had no feeling. Challistalle had no remorse. Another Orc appeared from out of the bushes and trees seconds later.

"Please. I know you want to kill me, but I have an idea that would lead to the fall of San d'Oria" Challistalle explained to the just arriving Orc.

"You fool if you think speaking to me save life!" the Orc roared and pulled out the axe attached to his cheaply made holster.

"Here are the keys to all the gates of San d'Oria" Challistalle tossed a ring with keys hanging on it. The keys clanged as they hit the ground in front of the Orc. Stunned for a second by the shiny object, the Orc looked back to Challistalle.

"Okay, I take you to Vileblooded Vatgit! Death most likely, I warn you!" the Orc picked up the set of keys, eyes still cautiously gazing at the Elvaan as it crouched.

"As if life is worth anything to me now…" Challistalle said to himself as he slowly followed the ugly green skinned Orc.

The flashback was finished and so was Challistalle's speech. "They fed me some disgusting food. Later that day I met with Vatgit and Hajwaj. We crafted our own little plan and I returned to my post as a Temple Knight to set it off. First I murdered the people personally responsible, to make sure there was no chance of Travis being left not avenged. And that is how it is" Challistalle tried his best to hold back any emotion.

Auricant was quiet, leaning against a hut wall. The bowl of water was placed on the ground next to his feet.

"You committed this crime even though you know Travis would totally be against it?" Auricant looked disgusted at Challistalle.

"Travis isn't here to be against it! That's the point! They caused my brother to die!" Challistalle yelled angrily.

"So the lost of a brother caused all this. You know, you are not the only brother in San d'Oria. Imagine the pain they will feel when an Orc comes sweeps a little boy from his family and cut him to pieces. The pain would be unending, just like yours…" Auricant words were deep as he spoke.

"Shut up" Challistalle refused to accept the idea, looking sharply at Auricant.

"There were two boys arguing about who had the most candy yesterday. I saw them just before I headed to the training site in Ordelle's" Auricant recalled the memory. Another gust of autumn's chilling wind filled the room, but it was already cold.

"I said shut up!" Challistalle marched to Auricant, hovering his face over his. He hastily pulled out his weapon.

"Two brothers that live in the Port district are currently having a rivalry to see who can catch the most fish" Auricant looked into his eyes, not even a little bit frightened. Challistalle's head began to fill with regret as Auricant went on. "Three boys all plan on being Royal Knights don't live far from my humble home in the residential district… a brother and a sister that like to run around North San d'Oria causing mischief having a blast while doing it!"

"Gah!" Challistalle roared, pulling away. His sword dropped to the dirt floor. He clutched his head and fell to his knees. "No! No! No! Only they were supposed to be hurt! Not the children!" he cried, "What have I done?!" There was silence after the outburst of hated arguing.

"You betrayed your nation…" Auricant looked down at the broken Elvaan. He picked up Challistalle's sword. Challistalle's eyes stayed shut. Auricant's feet, unhurriedly tapping on the soil towards Challistalle, could be heard. He awaited a coup-de-grace from Auricant, but it never came.

"You don't want to kill me?" Challistalle eyes slowly opened and he looked up at the towering Auricant. The traitor's knees were deep into the dirt.

"What's the point?" Auricant questioned, not wanting an answer. He placed the sword in Challistalle's hands and headed out for the door. Auricant walked down three stairs and through some grass and mud.

"I am going to fix this, somehow" Challistalle got up and called, following Auricant out. His tone was bleeding with guilt.

"Okay, do it" Auricant said turning back and shrugged. He waited for Challistalle to say something, but after a few seconds began to walk further.

"Wait! Take this!" Challistalle called loudly just before he tossed a sword in a nice sheath. Auricant caught it and gazed down at the nice design. Black leather and red threads down the center. He pulled it out to see a masterpiece of a sword: steel blade with golden edges and red leather-wrapped hilt. He put it back in the sheath quickly.

"This is…?" Auricant looked up to the somewhat distant Challistalle.

"Travis's blade. I never used it to kill anybody. I simply couldn't" Challistalle explained. His eyes were slightly watery.

"Thank you. I'll treasure it" Auricant said honestly and lowered his eyes back down to the sheath.

"I don't want forgiveness for what I have done. I am a sinner and I deserve to die. I just want to fix what I have done wrong" Challistalle told Auricant with his eyes weak. Auricant was quiet and then walked away till he was out of sight.

Challistalle quickly pulled out a scroll. It was a warp scroll and he wasted no time using it. With a flash and purple swirl of magic, Challistalle was in front of the Chateau.

Maxamillious' pupils looked at the East Gate nervously. "They are not going to come, right?" a student in armor asked in a feeble tune. A girl and another boy, also wearing armor, simply shrugged.

"Oh my goddess!" a female student cried as she found the dead body of a Temple Knight. This brought the pupils to a panic.

"Someone tell Sir Maxamillious!" the nervous student from before screamed.

Hundredscar Hajwaj stared at the East Gate from a distance. Only a few trees and a pebble were in his way. "The other side has begun battle! We charge in single minute!" Hajwaj roared. In his mind he began a countdown.

"Temple Knights…. I have betrayed you. Yes it was I, Challistalle that betrayed San d'Oria. I am the murderer as well. I have a lot to explain, but so little time to do so. Please understand I was a man driven by rage and revenge. There are only three hundred Orcs attacking us. One hundred of them are coming from East Gate, planning to destroy South San d'Oria with a sneak attack. I will stall them! Please send troops to protect the gate! They will be attacking Ranperre's Gate, but not West Gate! You must not let them enter through the gates!" Challistalle spilled his words to the pearl next to his mouth. He was running to East Gate as fast as he could.

"Challistalle…" it was an Elvaan female's voice: Curilla.

"I am so sorry" Challistalle tried his best to apologize as he began to sob. He quickly tossed to the pearl aside as he sprinted, before listening to any response, as he sprinted. He reached East Gate, ignoring the students as if they were never there, and ran out to East Ronfaure.

The battle was about to begin at Ranperre's Gate. Orcs charged in waves at the small tunnel leading into San d'Oria, swords, spears, and axes in the air. In the back of the horde was Vileblooded Vatgit. Next to him were a few Orcish spell casters. "When Hajwaj falls, we retreat quick" he said quietly to himself as he watched Red-Scar and Vile-Blood clans attack San d'Oria. The first contact was just made, as Baramore reflected the blow of an Orc's axe. A set of archers, twelve with bows and twenty with crossbows fired into the horde from a distance, sniping out a few Orcs and wounding others.

"Ugh!" a Temple Knight hit the ground hard after an Orc threw him down. The Beastman's fist punched the pinned Elvaan's face viscously. His blood spat across the stone floor. Baramore charged the Orc, his black hair becoming wild as he ran. His body pushed him away with his Temple Knight shield and punctured the Orc's heart with swift blade thrust. A white, holy wave of warmth embraced the fallen Elvaan. His wounds became less grave, the blue and black bruises slowly turned to his original skin color. The now cured knight picked himself up, and ran to the back of the pack of Temple Knights to recover.

Orcs spilled into the gate's courtyard where a chaotic melee broke out. Rocks hit the San d'Orian city wall, missing all of the Archers, but one, who was knocked to the ground below, breaking his leg in the fall. Grunts and cries roared through the skirmish. Khristin raced to cast healing spells on the injured knights. She was just one person so even with her best, knights died. Baramore led it all, slashing and shielding himself. He must have downed ten Orcs before he noticed that San d'Oria was winning. The Orcs were being pushed back. More boulders hit the city wall, causing the ground to shake. Finally the Orcs were all dead.

"Here comes another wave!" a lanky archer shouted to below. Baramore sadly heard the news. It was not over yet. 'Who is going to protect East Gate while I am fighting this battle?'

Khristin felt herself getting tired. She was hit with a lightheaded sensation and her arms hurt. She jogged from the courtyard, up two sets of stairs, and sat down against a wall. She felt her eyes get a little heavy and energy back to her body. "Altana please, have mercy on us foolish mortals. Let the sins of the young and the sins of the old be forgiven" she prayed as she rested.

Baramore looked around fanatically. "Where is Khristin!?" he asked loudly.

"She is resting-westing up near the watchtower. She burnt out all her mana, but will be fine a few minutes" the voice came from a Tarutaru.

"Sedal-Godja! You can't be here!" Baramore looked surprised.

"Psh… I think I am a lotaru stronger than you. I think you shouldn't be here" he grimaced bitterly, poking the Elvaan's high belly.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean it like that. You are too important to be lost" Baramore explained himself. Yet another wave of rocks hit the wall.

"I will be okay. You justaru focus on the Orcs" Sedal stretched his arms.

"The wave is closing in! Prepare for battle!" the archer yelled down. All the archers lifted their range weapons and took aim. The sounds of arrows and bolts piecing the air rang loud in Baramore's ears.

"Hajwaj! The Elvaan in front! He wants to speak to you! We kill him?" an Orc scout ran up to the clan leader and informed. Hajwaj thought for a moment as he heard the news.

"Challistalle? What he wants?" Hajwaj asked to himself, as he moved to the front line, "No kill".

Challistalle was in front of an army of untamed, armed Beastmen. They wanted to kill him, becoming impatient as they looked at the East Gate, just behind him. Challistalle had appeared seconds before Hajwaj called for the attack. 'How am I going to do this? I can't stop this group of Orcs. I'll have to take out Hajwaj and as many Orcs with him' Challistalle thought as he looked away from the Orcs' faces.

"Elvaan! What you here for?!" Hajwaj yelled, still behind four lines of Orcs, a lot farther than Challistalle had hoped. Behind Hajwaj were six more lines of soldiers. All in all, about two waves.

"I have changed my mind. You and your disgusting Orc warriors will not be laying a hand on San d'Oria tonight. Never, if I could enforce it" Challistalle said bravely. Only Hajwaj kept his calm with the statement. Orcs roared and howled threats at the Elvaan. He was a dead man.

"You betray me?" the largest Orc of the pack looked bitterly at the lone Temple Knight.

"Yes. You horrible scum, you die tonight!" Challistalle roared. With those words, Challistalle drew his sword and readied his shield.

"Kill him" Hajwaj sourly said with in his controlled tone. He turned to walk away as the wave of Orcs came crashing down to Challistalle. Archers aimed for him.

An arrow pieced Challistalle's armor and sliced his inner-arm. Challistalle almost buckled at the painful sting. Two more arrows missed, landing close to his feet. Challistalle with his left hand pulled out the arrow and cried in pain. He bit his lip and charged at the Orcs, all one hundred and thirty of them. Their forceful war cries became louder and louder at the distance shortened. Challistalle gave a mighty slash with all his brutal might. It pulled him forward as it came down on two Orcs, creating large gashes across their chests. Challistalle slashed and blocked, again and again. With every slash he moved forward. The Orcs were falling left and right, but with one direct slash from an axe across his chest, Challistalle fell to the ground with a cry. His blood sprayed into the air. He was floored as the Orcs surrounded him like wolves ready to feast.

'This is how its going to end. I am going to die like Travis…' Challistalle thought as his laying body was about to be slashed and stabbed to oblivion. As his heart pumped and the adrenaline pumped from his gland into his chest, he felt a feeling. He never felt the sensation before. It gave him strength. As if Altana herself breathed life into Challistalle. He felt his muscles tightened and his legs jumped him back up.

The Orcs leaped forward, weapons in hand. Challistalle ran through all the Orcs in front of him, feeling their attacks scarring his back. Their armor and faces became blurs as he raced forward adamantly. A spear was shoved into his chest and a sword through his ribs, but that didn't pause him. He only killed a few Orcs stampeding through them. For that short moment in time he was invincible and nothing could stop him. His back was full of stabs and slashes. His body was beset with piecing weapons and arrows. Blood rained down from over fifty of his wounds. From a bird's view, a giant mass of green Orcs being divided by one small line. Not an ounce of pain could be felt as he raced to his target: a slow-paced clan leader.

"Hajwaj!" Challistalle cried to the clan leader, quickly grabbing his attention. The truly hundred scarred knight had rushed himself through at least a hundred Orcs. Hajwaj instantly turned around. He was stunned to see the Elvaan only ten feet away from him. Challistalle dropped his shield down to the ground and shot into the air. He held his long sword as if it was a dagger, ready to kill. Landing on the Orc's body, holding himself up high with his feet kicking into the beast's belly and left arm grasping tightly around its neck. Hajwaj eyes saw everything thing slowly: a quick second Challistalle spent shifting his hand around the hilt for a perfect strike, and with strength he thrusts the sword between its eyes. Challistalle's blade impaled Hajwaj's skull. The sound of iron breaking through skull and brain echoed in the ears of all the Orcs. A spray of blood came out from the back of Hajwaj's head along with the edge of the blade. Slowly the chief's back landed on Ronfaure's grass, he was already dead with a sword protruding from his head. Challistalle hovered over the fallen Orc's body while he pulled out the spear and sword stuck into his body without expression. The horde was confounded for a long moment.

An Orcish, ugly beast like the rest, archer dressed in leather armor less than five yards behind Challistalle raised his bow and fired. The arrow pieced Challistalle's heart as it hit its mark. With a moment of sudden pain summoned to his whole body, Challistalle tumbled back as well. His body became numb as his view shifted violently while he hit the ground. That feeling of incredible strength was now gone. His eyes looked straight up at Vana'diel's starry night, but he only saw one thing as his eyes closed for the last time: Travis's warm smile.

In the nearly empty Chateau, a door opened unhurriedly by itself. Footsteps were heard, but nobody to be seen in or near the room. "Grrr…" an Orc growled. 'Its nowhere here… it be in Ranperre's tomb then' Hawkeyed Dnatbat thought to himself. The magical powder on his body started to lose its arcane strength. His body, like pieces of a puzzle coming together, slowly appeared. He looked around one last time, and then reached for bag of powder. Grabbed the powder and threw it out on himself. Bit-by-bit, he disappeared.

Sedal eyed the three catapults intensely. "We gotaru take those big things out!" he called down to Baramore. The Tarutaru was with the archers now, as they constantly aimed and fired into the horde, on top of the bridge like gate. Strong fencing lay in front of them, giving them protection.

"I think you are the best capable to do that" one of the archers said, just before Sedal got tired of waiting for Baramore to respond. Baramore was totally distracted pushing back and hacking away at Orcs.

"Okay-dokay!" Sedal covered his eyes as another boulder pounded at San d'Oria's wall. The wave of pebbles pushed back his flashy cloak's hood back an inch. One of the small, sharp debris tore his cloak's left sleeve. "Grr, they are going to pay-way for that!" he frowned. He put his mitts together nearly in unison and started to chant. A black energy was felt and elemental light poured from the floor he stood on. His half-closed eyes suddenly opened. The spell was finished. 'Aeroga' he named the spell in his head. A gust of wind, at first light, gathered at the center catapult. Suddenly the wind became razor-sharp and strong. The Orcs and the machines were lifted in the air while being cut up and thrown in all directions. The pieces of the machine and the dead Orcs hit the trees and the ground hard.

"Wow…" the archers looked in awe. The Tarutaru couldn't help but giggle.

From the other side of the battlefield Vatgit looked at the destruction disgustingly. He looked over to an Orcish sniper, dressed much like Dnatbat, grabbing his attention. In an angry tone he ordered something to the archer in an undefined Orcish language: "Get the Tarutaru! Now!". The sniper nodded and ran off into the woods. Running from tree to tree, he saw Sedal-Godja laughing with the archers, while left unseen. He raised his bow, arrow on the string, and directed towards the small cranium.

"Sedal-Godja!" one of his Royal Knight bodyguards yelled to the Tarutaru, from the ground floor. "Sniper aiming for you!" he followed up when Sedal-Godja returned with a confused expression. The arrow was fired aiming for the Black Mage. He turned to see the arrow a second from killing him. His eyes flew back, as his body, but dodging was not possible. Just before the projectile was to hit, a small swirl of flame wrapped around the wooden arrow tipped with an iron arrowhead. It quickly consumed it, throwing the metal off course and only inflicting a slight cut to Sedal's forehead. His body hit the floor from his pointless evasion.

'Thank you Fire Spikes' he thought to himself as he covered his wildly beating heart. He looked up to see an Elvaan archer killing the sniper: a headshot.

On the bottom floor, at least fifty Orcs and ten Elvaan had died. Baramore was covered in the blood of dead foes and injured allies. He quickly gave himself another cure spell, burning out the last of his mana as chaos kept on around him. He continued his fight, taking down an Orc with a furious array of swipes. Another Orc swung down its axe, but it was caught in Baramore's shield. The Orc shoved his elbow into Baramore cheek just as quickly, causing him to fall back. They held each other at a stalemate, as Baramore was forced down into a sitting position. With a sudden shift of the Orc's position thanks to a rushing ally, Baramore saw the opposing Beastman's front and drove his sword for a killing blow into the Orc's abdomen.

He picked himself up and watched as even more Orc poured through the tunnel, only a few yards away from him. A slight warmness rubbed against the injured side of his face. It was a cure spell. He turned to see Khristin at the very back casting once again. "Khristin" he smiled warmly, with blood and bruises on his face. A soldier not too far from him was healed quickly enough. The Elvaan turned back to the wave of Orcs. The portion that had already entered was hit with a flood of flame released from Sedal's hands. Some foes were dead, some were barely burnt, and a lot in between.

"This is the last wave! It is huge!" one of the archers called below. Baramore received the news, picked up both his shield and weapon higher, releasing his fatigue, and charged at them once again.

Challistalle's dead body was a very short distance from Hajwaj's. One of the caster Orcs looked at both. "Tell Vileblooded Vatgit" he ordered in Orcish to an Orc in scout's clothing. To the rest of the Orcs, all in either black leather armor or sleeveless vest of the same material, the priest roared "Charge!". With that, all of the Orcs gave a deafening howl. They ran with all their might to East Gate, weapons in hands.

"D-did you hear that?!" one of the pupils with short white hair cried.

"Didn't Challistalle said they were going to attack East Gate?" the girl who discovered the dead body shivered.

"Didn't Challistalle just run past us?" another female said, she had long black hair.

"We are all going to di-!" one of the pupils lost his cool and ran away, but was stopped.

Curilla walked through the secondary gate arches with some forty Temple Knights, and even some Royal Knights, following her. The young students slowly backed away as they covered the entrance. Archers ran into the gatehouse and soon reappeared on top of the wall. The Orcs were in shooting distance within the second.

"Don't let them enter! Crush every single one!" Curilla cheered to the crowd. All of the knights raised there weapons in the air and shouted as well. The archers stop their optimism and began shooting the Orcs. Stopping only a few of them, they still charged the gate. With one shove, at least ten Orcs smashed through the gate, and all of them followed. Curilla was quick to cast a spell of white magic. An aura of light and warmth surrounded her and she swung her hand at the target: the first Orc she saw. A blinding flash burned into its eyes, causing it to scream, stealing its sight away. Curilla rushed forward and slaughtered it with two slashes. The knights engaged the Beastmen and the fight began. The Orcs didn't have the surprise attack but still held strong with numbers.

An Orc was able to pass most of the knights, and was ready to kill one of the students. The skinny, long-eared Elvaan girl was shoved down and the Orc raised its axe in the air to end her life. One of the students charged the Orc ready to bash it with his shield but was smacked away brutally with the Orc's left hand. The girl cried, but the Orc had stopped. A bolt entered its from the right side of its neck and remained lodged in the Orc's neck. The Beastman stood there for a moment choking, then fell on its back. All of the students looked to see who delivered the crossbow shot: Maxamillious mounted on a chocobo wearing a helmet designed for the bird. With a grin, he rode forward. He was in his Temple Knight armor and helm as always with a crossbow in his hand. In his holster was a sword and strapped to his back a wooden staff with a dark brown orb at the end of it, laced with gold. The elemental power of earth glowed around the orb.

"You guys did pretty damn well, especially you Exuinent, trying to save Mervina's life. You can all go now" he smiled and saluted. The students did the same and raced out. Maxamillious turned his stead to the crowd of warring Elvaan and Orcs. The main gate had been busted open, but a back up was raised above. 'If someone could lower that gate, it would stop the Orc's assault for a long enough time for the knights to finish this half-assed mob of idiots' he thought to himself. The switch was behind at least twenty Orcs. Maxamillious shifted his tall neck until he heard a crack and stretched his long arms and fingers. With that, he grabbed on to the chocobo hard and commanded it to charge at the Orcs.

He reached for his sword and swung it out gracefully. An Orc watched helplessly as the traveling Elvaan beheaded it. He did the same for many more Orcs. For the last Orc he grabbed its neck and dragged it with him. He rushed his blade into its throat and dropped it. He jumped off the chocobo and padded on its back. "Good girl, now go back to the stables" he ordered and the bird was off, passing through the battle unhurt. Maxamillious had just past the pack of Orcs, but they noticed him and charged. Archers picked some off, but most of them persisted. Maxamillious dropped his sword and ripped out his staff from its straps. With one swing he shattered the closest Orc's head.

Deflecting multiple shots, he slowly focused for the right moment to attack. As they encircled him, he raised he staff in the air and slammed its long handle to the ground. As it hit the earth, the orb on the end of the weapon exploded with a tan radiance, and a large rune appeared under his feet. The ground below him and the Orcs shook. Suddenly a small earthquake happened below him, only affecting the Orcs close to him. The earth surrounding him split into sections and shifted up violently. The swift upheaval crushed their feet and ankles, causing them to lose their balance. Maxamillious attacked fast, crushing all their skulls with a furious cluster of staff swings. With almost all of them down, it bought him enough time to lower the back-up gate. He ran to the secondary wheel and began to turn it clockwise. The gate hit the ground, severing an Orc's arm off as it did. The outside forces were cut off. The crippled Orc army fell fast. Maxamillious swinging his staff, Curilla with her sword, the archers with their bows and crossbows, the Temple Knights with their swords, and Royal Knights with their spears and great swords. The Orcs fell one by one.

The outside force began to ram the stronger gate. It slowly started to break. The archers turned their attention to threat, and began to unleash an array of bolts and arrows at the raging mob. Projectiles ripping flesh and hitting the ground filled the air. All the Orcs inside were dead. Maxamillious opened the back-up gate and the knights charged the small horde head on. East Gate had been saved.

"Hundredscar Hajwaj has fallen you say?" Vileblooded Vatgit asked, coolly.

"Yes" an Orcish scout told him again. In front of the two were the Orcs fighting their way into Ranperre's Gate.

"I understand" the war chief nodded and pulled out a specially designed horn. It was a buffalo's horn with red paint on it. With a deep breath Vatgit blew into it. A loud noise, almost depressing, was heard. Half the Orcs knew what it meant: Vile-Blood's sign of retreat. All the members of his clan ran away from the gate.

"It was nice working with the Red-Scars" Vatgit said and began to walk away. The scout raced up behind and pulled on Vatgit's arm.

"Retreat not the answer!" the Orc, a member of the Red-Scars, shouted at him, pulling on the fellow Orc's arm. Vatgit stared sickly at the Orc's hand. Within a second, Vatgit ripped out his axe and killed the scout. The Orc's body and head fell to two different places and wave of blood raced into the sky.

Left in chaos, the Red-Scars noticed their friends retreating but kept on fighting. The Orcs stood no chance now. The knights protecting Ranperre's Gate rushed to the weak pack of Orcs ready to finish the battle once and for all.

"Maxamillious, you did great" Curilla said and smiled.

"Thank you" he bowed.

"Could you go inform Baramore of our victory?" she asked.

"No problem. I will be back in a moment" he nodded and ran past the secondary gates. He past a large archway and found himself in the Parade Grounds. He was about to set off to Ranperre's Gate until he heard a footstep, then a few more. He paused for his moment and keened his eyes. "Who's there?!"

"I been figured out" an Orc laughed. With that Dnatbat reappeared. He raised his bow and shot a quick arrow at Maxamillious. The Elvaan barely dodged, causing it to only nick his skin.

"Grrr, bastard!" he frowned and picked himself up from his dodge attempt. He raced to the Orc, but Dnatbat was too quick. Like no Orc he had ever seen before. Maxamillious was suddenly parried with a sharp knife that the Orc had concealed. He fell to the ground and rebounded just as fast. The Orc was gone. He moved a bit further until he noticed a tense pain in his chest.

"P-poison?!" he cried before he fell to the ground. He released his last breath while unconscious.

Khristin heard the cry, at the top of some stairs leading to Ranperre's Gate's battle. She raced to the Parade Grounds to spot a body. She kneeled down and felt his neck. "He is dead," she said to herself as she checked his inexistent pulse. She got up and closed her eyes. She felt warmth and in the darkness and a beam of light rose up. 'This one can still be saved' she began casting a white magic spell when she opened her eyes. After the spell was finished, an aura of light covered his body.

Baramore laid a final blow on yet another Orc. The archers finished the last of the horde. Most of the melee knights were covered in blood, very tired. East Gate was clear and Ranperre's Gate was clear. San d'Oria had been saved.

Balasiel watched calmly from his balcony-like entrance to his house. His eyes blinked slowly. "Well, I guess its over" he muttered, rubbing his chin.

"Balasiel!" a young, male, blond haired Elvaan called, out of breath from just running up a lot of steps. The old Elvaan man jumped at the shout.

"Bah! You startled me! What is it?" he shouted, slightly angry, back to his student.

"The Orcs have been defeated" the student said with a lower tone, a little taken back from the scold.

"Hmm, that's just as I thought" Balasiel said and smiled. He turned back to the streets of South San d'Oria. "You've done good San d'Oria".

A soft hum rang in his ears and got louder and louder. It stopped, and his felt his body again. He slowly opened his eyes to see Khristin arched above him. "Nun Khristin…" he said weakly as he watched the stars above the Hume.

"Fantastic! My Raise spell worked perfectly" she smiled, "This man needs bed rest and fast!".

"So that's how dying feels like" Maxamillious said to himself as two Knights picked him up and carried him the Chateau.

Auricant approached Ranperre's Gate. He saw all the dead Orc bodies around him. "They did it" he released a sign of relief. In front of him, over San d'Oria, the sun began to rise. The dawn had never looked better to the adventurer.

An uneventful day came and past. Maxamillious and Baramore were both awarded medals for their actions. Prayers were given to the fallen knights. Baramore sent his cousin a letter as soon as he could. Auricant explained the whole story to the Temple Knights, Curilla, and Prince Trion. A project to repair the two gates was planned. Maxamillious slept most of the time right after the battle, due to his weakness from being raised.

Out of the whole night twenty-one knights died and no civilians. The Red-Scars were disbanded and the few living members either joined smaller, weaker tribes or joined forces with the even stronger Vile-Bloods.

It was a soft morning in South San d'Oria, just like the day the Orcish threat all began. The kids were back in the streets. The adventurers and merchants were huddling around the Auction house, bidding and selling rapidly. The artisans and crafters were back to work. Everything was back to normal.

"Auricant, you played a big role in this crisis you know. If you had not changed Challistalle's views, I don't know what would have happened to East Gate. He would have never risked his life" Baramore told Auricant. Auricant, Baramore, and a few other Temple Knights were standing around Victory Square. The city was under extra security, but everyone knew the threat was gone.

"I guess…" Auricant said, partly denying the praise.

"Bah! Challistalle is a fool. He betrayed us" one of the Temple Knights criticized.

"True. He did betray us" Baramore said, then silent.

"The way I look at it… we betrayed him" Auricant said and walked away from the knights. At his side, in sheath, was Travis's sword.

The sun lighted his path to the residential area. On the gold-trimmed sword, a blessing was made. The blade would bring Auricant untold strength.