AN: Ahem... Okay... I believe this is chapter 12... I don't keep track... Errr... Disclaimer: I do not own MapleStory, and names, etc, that are found within MapleStory and are copyrighted. I do not get money for making this. I wish I did. But I don't. How sad... Umm... There's only so much you can say in an Author's Note...

Sentrovasi: Hmmm... That was probably a mistake... Woah... I've never gotten a review so formal, thanks! Yeah, I notice the cliche parts... But did you know there's a list of fantasy cliches? It supposedly tells what you should never put into a fantasy book. I bet I could count like 15 things on that list that are in this story... Ah, here's the URL: (I don't own this website, nor am I getting any money for telling anyone this) It's interesting how many books these guys had to have read to put it all on a list... Anyway... To the story! Oh, and I looked back at that list, and I didn't really think any of the stuff there is in here... Oh, well...

Cookie Tamodachi (2 reviews (one from ch 10)): That's a tongue twister! 'Tis the same character (kinda), just changed the name for later on... Cookies! Yay! (engulfs the cookies, chokes) Bleh... I'm (cough) okay, (cough) just read the (cough) story!


Akuji stalked through the forest, eyes burning with anger. The trail that led to Ellinia was strangely devoid of any other people. This didn't matter to him, in his unholy rage it was fortunate for his isolation, though not for his sake. He stomped on, bow clenched tightly in his fist, an arrow held to the stretched bowstring. Kane, the demon imprisoned inside of him, pounded against the mental barrier that divided him and his quarry: Akuji's mind. The wall is softening. With each moment he's becoming more susceptible to my will... Kane thought triumphantly. Soon, his master would be able to take this human's body as his vessel. Then, the human's world would become the next hell...

Akuji snapped to attention. His shoulders tensed, teeth grinding against each other. He stared forward, his brows furrowed into a frown. "What the hell are you doing here?"

XxX

Caden waited as Alexei caught up to him. "C'mon, Alex! You've gotta be recovered enough. I mean, us warriors have amazing recovery abilities!" He turned away from his companion.

Alexei leaned heavily upon his axe, panting like a wounded dog. "I'm... fine! Let's go! You said Akuji's in Henesys right?"

Caden grinned. "Yup. In fact, he should be comin to Ellinia, so if we're lucky, we'll meet him on the way," He responded.

"Good. I've been waiting for this moment for a long time..."

Caden set off again. Alexei submerged himself in the past, barely aware of where his feet were taking him. His brother... Finally, he would be able to show Akuji who the real-- He abruptly slammed into Caden, who had stopped. "What the hell are you doing here?" A voice asked savagely.

"Ah, it's good see you too... Akuji!" Caden laughed.

Alex shoved Caden to the side. "Y-you!" He stuttered.

Akuji blinked in surprise. "Alex? Is that you? But, how?"

"That's damn right how! You left me to die Akuji!"

"What could I do? I couldn't..."

"It was your fault! I was at Death's feet that day Akuji! And what did you do? You ran! You, the boy prodigy who took so much after our father!"

"Dammit! Don't mention Dad!"

"You! The one who all the greatest predicted would be the best one day. You ran away! And that... That hurt more than all the other crimes you've done against me!" Alexei charged forward with insane anger in his eyes. Akuji leaped away, narrowly avoiding being cleaved in two by the axe.

"What other crimes?" Akuji asked.

"I feel no need to explain myself!"

Caden stood to the side, a smug grin enveloping his face. Unbeknownst to all but Caden, Kronos watched, his triumphant smirk twisting his face. This... is perfect. Caden thinks by doing this he can rebel against me, by letting Alexei kill Akuji! But that is exactly what I want... I want Alexei to force Akuji in a life-or-death situation... that will give the demon more power!

"Alexei! We don't have to fight!" Akuji called as he dodged another attack.

"Yes we do! I have to prove myself! I have to show them... I have to show Dad..."

"Dad is dead! You don't have to live in his shadow!"

"You're wrong! It's not Dad's shadow I've been living in... It's yours!"

Akuji stopped dead, allowing Alex to hit him with the broadside of his axe.

"What?"

Alexei loomed over Akuji, axe raised. "Good-bye... Baby brother..."

XxX

Ryker leisurely sifted through his pack of weapons, carefully inspecting each one before placing it aside. Aradia paced behind him, her own pack slung across her shoulders. "Ryker! Will you hurry up! Akuji could be in trouble!"

Ryker continued in his inspection, apparently oblivious to Aradia's frantic state. "Relax Aradia! Emo-Hero can handle himself for a while..."

Aradia threw her arms up in frustration. "Ryker! How can you be so laid back? Akuji's almost under the control of a demon, and you're looking for spots on your weapons!"

"Well, if it gets messy out there, a good weapon is always handy...," Ryker responded.

"Whatever! If you don't hurry up, I'm leaving you!"

Athena walked into the room, her hair flowing gracefully behind her. Aradia calmed long enough to greet her, then returned to her frantic pacing. "Here..." Athena mumbled. "Take this... And give it to Akuji... It may be the one thing that can bring him back from the clutches of that demon, Kane..." She handed Aradia a simple necklace, with a small emblem attached. It depicted a phoenix with an arrow clutched in its beak. The bird's wings were spread, almost in a position of defiance.

Aradia stared at it. "What is it?"

Athena shook her head. "It's not my place to tell. If Akuji wishes, he may tell you."

Aradia sighed and stowed it in her Oriental Fury Coat. "Ryker, you read--"

"C'mon Aradia! I've been waiting for ages!" Ryker called as he stood anxiously at the front door.

Aradia flushed. "You... Dammit! Let's just go!"

Athena watched as they hurried down the path, through the huge graveyard in the park and out of sight. She hoped Grendel and the others would supply better advice to the heroes than a simple necklace.


AN: Alright! Awesome! Next chapter will be... In the past! Woooooeeeehoooo! It delves a bit further into Akuji and Alexei's (or Alex as I will sometimes refer to him as) past. Anyway, please review!