Was planning to release it on February 14th, but then I can't be online on that day, so I'm posting it a day earlier. Good for you guys, I guess.
WARNING: This chapter was written on SNSD overdose. GEEGEEGEEGEEGEE!
Ickhart rested in the shadows of the tree overlooking the Erev Station, eyes open only a crack. He hid within the cloak of darkness, Dark Sight, blending into his surroundings perfectly. Even if Irina was around, she probably wouldn't be able to see him.
The Commander of Darkness yawned. As he closed his eyes to sleep, his ears picked up a faint noise – it sounded like chrome metal boots on a gravel road. I thought Mihail left already? thought Ickhart irritably, opening his eyes and turning to the source of the sound. A lone White Knight wielding a golden mace was walking towards the centre of the island. He had dark brown hair that poked out of his visored helmet and fell onto his shoulders, and his hazel eyes were serious and set, as if he had a task to accomplish. He wore gleaming white armour, yet… something about him reeked of darkness, something that disgusted even Ickhart.
That man seems dangerous, murmured a voice within Ickhart. Don't you think it would be best if we stop him?
No, Umbra, responded Ickhart, placing his palm on the crystal that was strapped to his chest. It looked like any ordinary crystal, but within the purple ore resided a powerful guardian sprite, given to them when they first became the knights of Cygnus. Ickhart's own sprite was named Umbra, after the shadows that it controlled. The Commander of Darkness frowned (although no one could see him) and folded his arms in thought. Although, I think we should follow him in case he attempts anything stupid. The island is deserted, Umbra.
The guardian sprite chuckled. Very well, Ickhart.
Ickhart nodded and leapt from his perch. Not a single leaf rustled as he descended, and when he did hit the ground, there was only a soft thud. Ickhart decloaked, exiting his shroud of invisibility. "Haste," he muttered. The air around his feet swirled around his being, and he instantly felt more power being channeled to his legs. He silently re-entered Dark Sight and slowly approached the White Knight from behind.
Although his footsteps were barely audible, the White Knight appeared to be able to sense his presence. "Who's there?" he barked, whirling around. Ickhart immediately ceased breathing, staying as still as possible to avoid detection. If the White Knight managed to get word out that the Commander of Darkness was stalking him, half of the Maple World would be jeering at him. It would be hilarious.
Not that he laughed a lot, anyway.
Ickhart finally breathed out as the White Knight walked away and out of earshot. That's a relief, Umbra rumbled. You nearly failed the mission.
WHAT mission? retorted Ickhart. The Sprite of Darkness had a habit of nostalgic flashbacks and turning everything into a 'mission'. You're becoming worse and worse every day, Umbra.
Ickhart could feel the crystal thrumming lightly. Hmph. Suit yourself, Iscariot.
I am no longer Iscariot of Kerning City, Umbra. I have abandoned that name. I am now only Ickhart, a lawless, lowly, honourless rogue.
Umbra was now vibrating violently. Snap out of your reverie, moron. If you're done thinking about how awesome an emo you are, I suggest we catch up with the White Knight.
The Commander of Darkness would have blushed, if it wasn't for the fact that he was completely invisible. He apologized to the sprite mentally, and went after the knight, leaving no trace of him ever being there.
Meanwhile, in Amoria…
"Ow, sweet!" cried Hawkeye in delight as he practically leapt on the buffet table. "This place is amazing! Noodles, unagi, red bean soup, ice creams, soda pops, rare candies… wait, rare candies?"
Oz sighed and folded her arms in annoyance. Mihail and Irina were already at the ball, and she was stuck here with Hawkeye. "We're here for the dance, Hawk – and why did you ask me to follow you?" she asked. She had no plans on letting the Commander of Light and Wind dance together. After five minutes of watching Hawkeye stuff his face, she finally lost her patience and grabbed the Commander of Lightning by the cape, dragging him off to the ballroom despite his protests.
In the ballroom, Mihail and Irina were waiting for the musicians to begin playing their instruments. Mihail twiddled his thumbs idly, while Irina played with her green hair.
Just pop the question already! urged a voice in Mihail's mind. The pendant he was wearing, and always wore, surged with golden, untamed energy. Mihail absentmindedly fingered the yellow crystal, feeling its power being infused throughout his being. The guardian sprite Sol resided in this crystal.
Alright, I will, Sol! Mihail replied impatiently. Before he could think of anything else, however, Irina turned to him, smiling shyly. "Anything… you wanted to ask me?" she said, hands behind her back.
"Uh, yeah…" Mihail scratched the back of his head. "I was going to–"
"Hey, Irina!"
Both of them turned to the source of the voice. A woman dressed in elvish royal attire, with golden hair that fell over pointy ears, held in place with a circlet…
Irina nearly gasped, but caught herself in time. "A-Athena! Mistress Athena!"
Athena Pierce, leader of the Henesys archers, beamed at the both of them. "Oh. I see you two are dating!" She laughed heartily. "Wait till your father hears this, Irina! He'll flip with joy!"
The Commander of Wind blushed in embarrassment. "No, it's not that way," she muttered, red-faced. Mihail decided to save her the trouble of finding a polite subject and said "Thanks for the letter, Athena."
Athena raised an eyebrow. "What letter?"
Warning bells immediately began ringing in both of the commander's heads. "Didn't you and Master Dances, Kyrin and Grendel send us a letter to let us off from Erev?"
Athena shook her head. "We never did that," she said worriedly. "Is something wrong?"
Mihail didn't give her a straight answer. "Listen, Mistress Athena," he said seriously. "There's no time to explain. Can you keep Lady Cygnus and the Strategist safe? Erev is in danger, and we need to return- "
At that very moment, a very flustered Oz and a slightly agitated Hawkeye arrived on the scene. "Sorry, Mihail- Hawkeye was- He was eating, so I-" She noticed Athena Pierce staring at her curiously. "Oh, hi, Athena…"
Irina turned to Oz, emerald eyes filled with worry. "Oz, it was a trick – the instructors never sent us any letter. We need to get back to Erev."
Oz glared at her, a gaze that said Why should I listen to you?
Hawkeye spluttered. "What? This ain't right, dudes!"
Athena immediately assumed the role of tactician. "I'll stay here and guard the guests. You guys hurry to Ellinia Station and board the ship!"
All four commanders nodded in reply. Oz muttered a spell under her breath and summoned a Mystic Door. "No need for a ship," she smirked.
Meanwhile, in Erev, Ickhart was following the mysterious knight. The stranger had already sensed his presence, and was much more wary of his surroundings. Ickhart took care not to expose himself to sunlight, as the rays of the sun would reveal him. Why is Erev so darned sunny? he thought, narrowly stepping past a beam of light.
It appears the knight is headed for the Divine Bird, Ickhart. Umbra was getting irritated by Ickhart's lack of action, and thrummed impatiently.
The Commander of Darkness finally decided to take action. He uncloaked from Dark Sight, and struck.
"SHADOW WEB!"
The White Knight whirled around and swung his mace in a wide arc. The Shadow Web Ickhart casted was deflected in another direction. Ickhart's eyes were wide open and incredulous – he even took off his mask to confirm that he wasn't seeing things. No warrior he had ever seen had the ability to deflect a surprise attack from him – he doubted even Mihail had the reflexes to pull off such a feat.
By the Goddess… what is he?
"You finally reveal yourself, scourge of Victoria Island!" cried the White Knight! "I am Hyrien, White Knight of Nightfall, and I shall erase Victoria Island of your tyranny!"
What is this man talking about? thought Ickhart incredulously.
Umbra chuckled. Someone is terribly misinformed.
Hyrien raised his mace, now crackling with golden energy. The sheer force of the power harnessed by him was astonishing – the pavement was beginning to disintegrate under the extreme pressure caused by the energy.
His eyes glowed golden as he smashed the mace down.
"HEAVEN'S HAMMER!"
Sorry for Caps Lock abuse. I was gonna type the whole thing up, but my parents want me to stop. Well, gotta go.