Welcome back to another Chapter of Dark Crown! In this Chapter our heroes leave Varheinfell
Go to Zelikarnell Hold in search of Dzarkor who left Varheinfell to probably torment more people.

Enjoy!

Zoey's POV:

I woke up confused as this isn't usually where i sleep, until i remembered all the things that happened yesterday. I smiled as i got up, and i went straight for the bathroom to dress and to shower. Whilst showering i was thinking about my new friends. I can't believe they are going up against Dzarkor! Well it is probably possible because of Shade but... I've got a bad feeling about this... I got out of the shower and put on my favorite sleeveless shirt with a vest on top. I also put on my gloves aswell as my black jeans. After finishing up i left my room to meet up with the others in the hallway.

I asked Shade and Sam: "Where are we going now?"

Sam replied excitedly: "We are going to the city's blacksmith to upgrade all of our weapons with some Aetherian Crystals! I dunno what they are called though..."

I reply with my Cheery voice: "They are called Zanite crystals dummy."

Sam shrugs and we go off to the blacksmith who gladly upgraded our weapons.
All of our weapons except for Shade's have Zanite edges and Gravitite in the Center.

After we left the Blacksmith's we had Dinner and set off for Zelikarnell Hold, With the whole city saying their goodbyes to us.

Shade's POV:

After a little while of walking we had conversations like "Who was the Toughest enemy for you to beat?" and "What's your favorite food?"

It was all fun and games until we heard some screaming up ahead. All of us started Sprinting until we saw that A Villaged was being Razed by an Army of Soldiers wearing a Dark grey Set of armor with Spikes on the Helmet, Shoulderpads, and Chestplate.

We stood in awe until Adria exclaimed: "Its the Ebonytears! What are they doing in the Snowswords territory? I thought they were on the Opposite side of the Continent..."

So these are the Ebonytears that i was told about by Wolf a while ago. They along with the Fireflags i think broke out into war on the North side of the continent where there were tall mountains and Icy peaks.

There are Seven Factions that all rule their own Continent: The Ebonytears who rule Dirillius, The Fireflags who rule Aezelexia, The Stormhoods who rule Uamus, The Snowswords who rule Aestenon, The Purefalls who rule Exelleria, The Stonescars who rule Xaebolesh and finally the Roseshields who rule half of Evoxia.

I say half because all of the other factions are greedy and want control of Evoxia. Because he who controls Evoxia, Becomes the High King.

The first High King's Name was Galewindius The IV. He took control around 125 of the First Era which was about 653 years ago. He used his great tactics to sneak behind enemy lines and also to surround them.

We charged right into the Village, Killing any Ebonytear Soldier that we saw.

One was aiming for my head with his Battleaxe, Trying to cut it clean off but he moved too slowly, giving me enough time to get out of the way and to do the Underbender on him. I slid under him, grabbed him by the legs, spun him around hitting all the nearby soldiers, and finally smashed him face first on the ground.
I could see his dark Crimson Blood pool under me as i straightened myself out. I then sidestepped to the left to avoid getting my skull bashed in by a Soldier with a Warhammer, and i stabbed him straight through the back whilst cutting another Soldier's head clean off with my free hand. I pulled out my Shrieksong from the Soldiers back and ducked to avoid getting shot by an Arrow. I turned to face the Archer when his arm suddenly came off, It was Adria who rushed right past him with her Daggers Petra and Sanguine. I smiled and turned to face a Spearman, who was getting ready to poke my Leg. I Jumped up and landed on his Spear, Snapping it in two as i Held my Sword backwards and spun 360 degrees, decapitating the Spearman. I was about to lose my head when suddenly the Soldier who was going to kill me, got stabbed through the heart by a white and purple blade. it was Joseph who pierced his chest. i nodded in thank you and, i did a roundhouse kick knocking a Soldier unconscious before i struck him with my Darkfury in the face. The Soldiers were starting to retreat or break off into the Woods.

We searched through the Burnt houses that had lots of Charred corpses. Finding nothing we were about to go on Journeying until we heard a soft Whimpering in a house that seemed to be the most intact out of all of them. We searched through it, only to find a little Girl, who looked Young and had Black hair and Dark Brown Eyes, and also she had lightly Tanned Skin. She was wearing a Blue hoodie with a Blue shirt underneath that had a Diamond on it. She was also wearing Blue Jeans and White Converses and a Pair of Blue and Green Headphones on her Head.

She was pointing a Bow at us saying: "D-Don't come any closer! Or I'll S-Shoot you!"

We all sheathed our weapons and Zoey went up to her, Held her hand out and said: "Don't worry, we wont hurt you. Infact we actually killed all of the Raiders that burned down your Village."

The little Girl lowered her Bow and started to Burst out into tears. Zoey embraced her and was brushing her hands through her hair and said: "There there, Don't cry now, Your safe now and nobody is going to hurt you."

The girl slowly stopped crying and finally after composing herself she said: "I'm all alone now... I lost my parents because of those Soldiers. I have nobody left to call family..."

We then went up to her and Sam raised her face to meet his, He then said: "We can be your family now if you want."

The girl hugged Sam and buried her Face into his Shoulder, Starting to burst out in tears again, Only this time in joy.

Adria then broke the moment and said: "Uh Guys i hate to break the moment but we should get moving, and fast!"

She pointed towards a hill that was covered in a mass of Soldiers, Marching towards the Village with Horses.

When Sam noticed the Army, He picked up the little girl and began Sprinting towards the Forest with us Close behind.

When we knew we were safe I asked the little girl who was still being carried: "Hey little girl, What's your name anyway? We didn't get the chance to ask you that back in the village."

The little girl Smiled at me whilst saying: "My name is Arch, Its nice to meet you, Uhhh..."

I reply quickly: "Its Shade, and its nice to meet you too."

We were walking for some time now, and after a long time we finally made it to Zelikarnell Hold.

It was a City that had walls made out of Solid Iron, It was being Patrolled by a large Group of Iron Golems.

We were let into the City with the Guards throwing suspicious glances at us, that vanished when he saw that we were carrying Arch around.

One of them even approached us and asked us if he could take us to the nearest Doctor, to which we gladly accepted.

When we arrived into the Doctors office, I readied my bag of Emeralds to pay the Doctor, to which he Declined saying that helping a patient in need is something he would never charge someone for.

The Doctor Said: "Okay little girl, please take off your hoodie so that i may inspect the wounds."

Arch being the kind of person who doesn't talk much unless its important, nodded and started to take off the hoodie without saying a word.

The Doctor took a good look at the wounds, and said: "They aren't deep, looks more like a lot of Splinter wounds rather than real cuts. She will be fine but i will put some bandages on her to make sure the wound doesn't get infected."

He then started to wrap some bandages on the wounds, which cause Arch to wince slightly in pain.

When he finished he led us out and waved us goodbye.

After a while of walking to the center of the City i whispered: "Hey guys, where do you think Dzarkor is holding up?"

Adria put her finger on her Chin, until she thought of something. She then said: "He is probably underground to avoid the citizens from freaking out. I believe we should look there."

We all nodded in agreement and set off to find an entrance to the underground.

After a while of walking we found a stream in the middle of the City that had a bridge over it, but the interesting thing was it was leading to a caged off tunnel.
We all nodded and i pulled out my blade and slashed at the bars, making an Entrance to the tunnel.

We were walking for a while, occasionally coming across a Rat or a Goblin, Which made Arch squeak in fear and jump on top of the nearest person. The unlucky sap who got jumped on happened to be Joseph. We all got a good laugh and continued on, Arch on top of Joseph's Shoulders.
After a bit of walking i heard some Chanting to our left. I told the others to prepare their weapons. Arch jumped off Joseph's Shoulders and nodded, Pulling out her bow that was made out of some strange wood that she says is called Skyroot. and it also had a Diamond Bow length. The string was made out of Firestring, Giving her arrows a Burning effect. I peeked around the corner to see some strange Ogrelike man chanting to an Altar with a Ball of Energy floating above it.

He turned around to face us and said: "So you have finally decided to show up, Child of Darkness."

I looked at him dead in the eye and said with a stern voice: "Who are you?"

He laughed and said: "Your worst enemy, Dzarkor."

I grit my teeth and was about to charge in before i was stopped by Adria. She then said: "Don't just rush in, it makes you predictable. Think of a way to fight him without just rushing in."

I then looked around our team and had an Idea. I said to Arch: "Shoot an Arrow at the Energy Ball, It will probably explode in his face."

She nodded and pulled out an Arrow, which seemed to have a Gravitite tip, She placed it in position, Pulled back as far as she could and let go. The arrow made a loud Zipping noise as it pierced through the air. Dzarkor attempted to grab the Arrow but he was too slow, thus it hit the Ball of Energy, and it exploded. Blinding Dzarkor and Destroying the room partially.

Dzarkor then Snapped angrily: "How dare you interrupt my Revival Spell!? Now you shall face my Wrath! Nexarus! Awaken from your Eternal Slumber!"

Dzarkor then Disappeared into a cloud of Black Smoke. The ground suddenly began Shaking as we Heard a Terrifying Roar coming from under us.

Sam Gulped and Joseph Clenched his Sword Harder, Ready to fight whatever Abomination has been Summoned.

Suddenly the wall burst in front of us, Revealing a hideous creature made out of some strange Black Tissue and a Billion Eyes. It had a lot of Black tentacles, Threatening to grab hold of someone and absorb them through the Monster's Maw.

It sent its Tentacles flying towards Adria, Who jumped back and threw a Throwing Knife at the Monster. The Monster just Absorbed it like it was nothing and threw its Tentacles at Adria once again, Only this time he Hit her, Sending her Flying to the wall at a Very High Velocity. Zoey rushed to Adria's Side, checking to see if she is okay meanwhile the Monster is getting ready to attack her too. With quick thinking i jump in its way and held my Darkfury out, Ready to slice its Tentacle in half.
It sent its Tentacle with full force, Unaware of how strong my Blades are. With a Quick Motion, its Tentacle was bleeding out a Dark Purple Goo as it Screeched in Pain. Arch took this opportunity to ready up a Fire Arrow. She pulled back the Arrow as far as she could and, When she let go, the Arrow came out as a Flash of a Bright White Light, Blinding the Monster as soon as it Recovered and Pierced one of its many Eyes. The Monster let out a screech of Pure Agony. Joseph then charged it and Ripped its Black Flesh with his Iron Will. The Monster Screeched in Pain as it went into Rage mode and Smacked Joseph hard, Sending him flying Straight to a wall. Wolf got Enraged too, as he went Charging in with his Iron warhammer with a Zanite Spike on the Head, And Smashed one of its Tentacles, Crushing it with a Disgusting Crunching noise combined with a Squishy Noise. The Monster Smacked Wolf but he was Prepared. He blocked and hit another Tentacle, also Crushing it. The Monster used all of its Tentacles to grab Wolf and That left him open, I rushed at the Monster, Prepared to Finish it but suddenly, It grew a new Tentacle and Smacked me with it, Sending me Flying to a Wall. Unlike the Others, I recovered quickly and was ready to spring back into action. The Tentacle that hit me was about to go for another strike but was Set on fire by Arch's Flaming Arrows and was sliced off by Sam's Extra powerful Scythe, that he finally named Soulstealer. The Monster in its agony, Released Wolf from its Death Grip and he instantly Smashed another Tentacle, Creating the Same Vomit inducing sound. Zoey in a fit of Rage Sliced 4 Tentacles off with her Heartstriker. Causing it to Shoot out the Dark Purple Goo which is its blood. I charged in with a Final Attack, leaping for its Central Eye. I pointed both of my blades, Darkfury and Shrieksong, at the Central Eye and shouted with Rage in my Voice: "This is the End!". I Pierced its Central Eye, Causing it to Screech in Pain and Agony, As i twisted and turned my two blades in its Eye. I finally removed my blades from its Eye and Shouted: "Exploding Fist!".
I de-materialized my Blades, My Tattoos on my right Arm started to Glow an Ominous Purple as i Punched it with my fists rapidly, Causing an explosion each time i hit. The Monster Wailed in Pain one last time before it Died. Leaving behind a Strange Dark Pendant with an Eye on it in its place.

Sam, who was carrying the Unconscious Joseph asked: "What is it?"

I reply whilst picking it up from the floor: "Its... a Pendant?"

Zoey, who was carrying Adria asked: "Do you think we should keep it?"

Arch asked: "Can i see it please?"

I show it to Arch, Who said: "Its... a Summoning Pendant. This might come in handy if it does what i think it does. We should keep it."

We nod and sit down to have some rest. Arch then says: "Hey guys, If you let me i can check their wounds, I was once Training to be a Doctor but then the War happened."

We put the Unconscious guys back down on the ground and Arch inspects their wounds. She finally says: "They suffered a lot of damage on the head, so they probably will be unconscious for a while due to a Concussion, otherwise theres nothing a good Healing potion wont fix!"

She then Puts down this Little Station that i suspected was a brewing stand, and she started to work on making a couple of potions.

She first placed some Water Bottles on the Holders, then she pulled out a couple of Nether Warts from her backpack and crushed them up into a Powder with her Mortar and Pestle, Then she used a Bowl with a hole in the bottom as a Funnel and poured the Powder in. The Powder was distributed by the Stand's Piping System to the Three different bottles. The bottles started to bubble and turned from Clear water into a Deep Blue Colour. After Arch knew it was Ready she Broke a few pieces off a Slightly Golden Watermelon, and threw them in to the funnel. They were distributed and the Potions started to glow, turning into a Red hue this time. After it was finished she finally took out a Pouch and poured its contents into the funnel. The Pouch was full of a Glowing Yellow Powder that i recognized as Glowstone Dust.
After a little bit more of the Sizzling the Red Potion became a Clear Red Potion.

She then Instructed us: "Okay so now Slowly pour this into their Mouths. It should heal them in a Matter of seconds."

We did as told and, surely enough their wounds started to close up. We then picked them all Back up and left the Tunnel.
When we reached the Surface we were Surrounded by a mob of People who were Curious to know what Happened down there.
We pushed through the Crowd until a couple of Guards asked us to follow them.

We followed them to the Guards Barracks where the General of the Guard asked: "What were you all doing in that Tunnel? And more importantly, how did you manage to get in? We sealed that area away so that there wouldn't be any secret organizations forming in there."

Wolf replied in a tone that signified that he was Drowsy: "We cut through the bars to get in. We heard some breathing in there and we wanted to check it out. The thing that was breathing was some sort of Monster that was pretty much made out of Eyes and had lots of tentacles."

The General of the Guard nodded and let us go. We left the whole city and were heading back home to tell everyone about what happened.

AND CUT! There you go, that the whole Chapter. Sorry it took so long, i was thinking of ways i could implement TheDiamondArcher's Character into the Story (Thank you by the way.).

I really don't have much to say in these don't i? Anyways Bai Bai :3