FOREVER DESTINY : Ancient Era Arc 1
Before the Beginning
Episode 6:
"Choices and Consequences"
Story Focus: Lord Saberstryke and Rafakoh
By Nekochan
Author's Note
Now, what do we remember about Lord Saberstryke from the series? (poke poke) Swords
Arigatou Minasan! (Thanks everyone!)
Nekochan
(-)(-)(-)
12:30 PM Friday- M'mtlang, G'gonstrm May 6th- 981 D.A.
The port town the Kahroh docked in was not as big as Kahkoh in Sahngell, but Kahkoh was a large town in its own right.
As they were getting the Kahroh docked, Hariel wondered, "What town is this?"
"M'mtlang, the nearest port town to K'kom G'gonstrm. Originally, it was called M'to-m'lang, meaning 'River Portal' in Gizmutadin. Then, all the tourists started calling it a slang name, M'mtlang, and the name was changed, especially after the Gizmutan left," Rafakoh answered. She pulled her cloak up over her shoulders and slanted her hat down.
"What's wrong?" Lord Saberstryke questioned.
"Didn't any of you wonder why the sailors call me 'Rafakoh', but I'm obviously not Sahngellian? My real name is R'rafko P'pto, which is easily recognizable as a G'gonn name. It's the only way for me to be able to make a living in Sahngell . . . I may be well known, but, here, that's not a good thing," Rafakoh responded.
"I see. So we'd better be careful, right?" Shedosh asked.
" 'Careful' isn't quite the word I would use, if you've never been here," Rafakoh insisted.
"What would you use?" Tamer laughed.
" 'Paranoid.' " Rafakoh answered, " 'Scared to death' would work well too." She was dead serious and slitting her eyes.
"Oh, that's pleasant," Kokuen-oh smirked. "What was the clue for Saberstryke's Artifact, again?" He dug through his backpack that they had assembled on the Kahroh. "Uhm . . . Dang, I can't read this . . . Here, Shedosh, you read it!" he grumbled.
Shedosh hid a smile as best he could. "Let's see . . ." He ran his finger down the prophecy until he came to the part mentioning Third's Artifact, "It's either 'Third; though power of the body can get you so far, endurance of the heart will be your lucky star' or 'discover the Third Warrior, for Evil must halt; churning within a pillar of salt.' " Then Shedosh just gaped at The Map, realizing how vague it was. "WHAT could that mean?"
"Lots of folks around here will know the geography of G'gonstrm. Maybe if we ask them about it, they might have an idea of where the next Artifact is located," Rafakoh suggested.
"Wait a second!" Kokuen-oh realized, "Saberstryke's Artifact isn't even going to be in this town! Or even in the general area!" He pointed to the map, noting where the Golden-orange star was, "It'll be in K'kom G'gonstrm. So we don't even need to bother with the locals!"
The rest of the group looked as if Kokuen-oh had just discovered one of the best things in the world, and that they had overlooked it like idiots.
Upon realizing this, Kokuen-oh beamed.
"Oh, knock it off, Kokuen-oh! I hate that smug look o' yours!" Tamer insisted.
"But we still need a way of getting there," the Lord pointed out, "Otherwise we're no better off than if we didn't know it was in K'kom G'gonstrm."
Kokuen-oh's smile fell. He had a rather embarrassed look on his face, "Yeah, I guess so . . . Good point, Saberstryke."
Now it was Saberstryke that was beaming.
The Conduits and Captain went into the Kahroh to gather up their articles they'd need while in M'mtlang.
"Let's hit the taverns, see if we can hire someone." Rafakoh, now having become their guide, suggested and recommended they go to a pub of sorts, called 'Z'zmaj'.
Saberstryke, Kokuen-oh, and Tamer all began to laugh. Hariel and Shedosh stared at their companions, then each other, to Rafakoh, and back to each other, all the while having a confused expression on their faces.
"What is so funny?" Hariel demanded.
"Z'zmaj is the slang term for alcoholic beverages. I haven't seen or heard that word in a long time!" Kokuen-oh continued laughing.
"We used it all the time in my House!" Saberstryke chuckled as the two began to laugh even harder.
"The last time I rememba' 'eerin' Z'zmaj was . . . hmm . . . at m' last celebration wit' m' parents . . . m' dad was the one 'oo brought out some very good wine that 'ee'd kept from G'gonstrm. An' 'ee read the label t' us, notin' 'ow it wasn't that strong. I was ratha' disappointed," Tamer reminisced.
R'rafko placed a comforting hand on Tamer's shoulder, smiling, "I'm sure they'll having something in there for you. Are you sure they'll let you drink it, though? You still look like a nine-year-old."
"Sure! All I got t' tell the Bartender is that I'm a Demidon, an 'eel know I'm older than I look!" Tamer smirked.
"But, Lady, won't they notice you're a Half-Breed? And perhaps capture you?" Lord Saberstryke asked.
T'myra's face actually became pale, as she held her ears down and shut her eyes, about ready to cry, "NO! I hadn't thought about that! Oh no! What am I gonna' do? They'll take me away an'- an'-" T'myra babbled.
"Tamer!" Hariel shouted, gripping her by the shoulders.
Tamer gazed into his eyes. Suddenly, she felt a lot calmer, or at least much safer; Hariel had a determined look in his eyes.
"They won't take you. I won't let them!" Hariel insisted.
"Neither will we," Kokuen-oh spoke for the rest of the group.
T'myra smiled and hugged him. "Thanks, 'Ariel . . ."
"You can call me Cotton if you want to," Hariel told her, chuckling slightly.
T'myra just smiled and hugged him closer for a bit, then turned to Rafakoh. "Any ideas?"
"I think we should get you a disguise, T'myra," Rafakoh insisted. She took a ring from her pouch and gave it to T'myra, "I normally use this when I come to G'gonstrm, but you are in greater danger than I."
"But, what will it do?" T'myra questioned.
"If you tell it a form, it will change you to it. All you need to say is 'Normal' and the magic will drop and return you to your regular form," Rafakoh instructed. "You can't use whatever powers come with that form, at least none that I've ever tried. I wouldn't recommend trying to use the powers, in any case."
"All right . . . Monster . . ." Tamer told the ring.
There was a burst of aqua light and, when it dimmed, a slightly altered T'myra stood, facing the group. Her hair stayed the same, the style anyway, for it was a darker, bluer aqua color. Her skin was now nearly navy colored and her eyes were a forest green. Her ears were not pointed any longer and her clothing had not changed. However . . .
"It worked!" Tamer smiled and began to turn around. As she did so, she screamed, in disgust and horror. For, as the other Conduits and Rafakoh had already seen, Tamer had a shimmering, almost navy-colored, long . . . "A tail? I 'AVE A TAIL?"
"Oh great . . ." Lord Saberstryke gasped, turning to the group, "T'myra's speech didn't change! How can we mask that?"
"You're right! Okay," Tamer concentrated, breathed in and out, then tried again. " 'Ello," she said pleasantly. When she realized it came out the same, she groaned, "DAMN! I can't stop it!" T'myra dropped to her knees and began to cry, her tail wrapping around her.
"It's okay, T'myra. Maybe you won't need to talk-" Hariel tried to comfort her.
"Tamer? Be quiet? That's a laugh," Kokuen-oh chuckled.
T'myra glared at him, "You're not exactly encouragin' me, Kokuen-oh!"
"Our best bet would be for you to try and be as quiet as possible, T'myra," Rafakoh sighed. "I know it will be difficult for you - it would be for anyone - but, for your own sake, you'll have to stay out of the way," she instructed Tamer.
T'myra nodded, slinking into Hariel's arms. For only the second time in her eighteen years, T'myra feared for her life.
(-)
12:35 PM Friday- M'mtlang, G'gonstrm May 6th- 981 D.A.
The tavern of Z'zmaj was not the most welcoming place the Conduits had ever entered, and it was most certainly not the most diverse place either. Everyone inside looked like they were mean, backstabbing thieves. Perhaps the newly arrived groups' coin purses would disappear the next instant and daggers be at their throats. Perhaps they'd accidentally start a bar-fight. All the windows were boarded up so that it might as well have been night already, and the group was afraid of what night looked like inside the Z'zmaj
"I don't like this place, 'Ariel . . ." Tamer whispered.
"Tell me about it . . . it's like a den of evil . . ." Hariel muttered back.
Rafakoh instructed the Conduits to sit at a table; she would be at the bar directly behind them. Saberstryke sat with her, and she did not try to stop him.
"+Hey, bartender+"
"+Well, well, if it isn't the infamous R'rafko P'ptoh. What brings you here, R'rafko? You know how dangerous it is to your health+" he remarked.
"+I can handle anything anyone wants to throw against me, M'mtej.+" R'rafko winked at Saberstryke.
"+Whatever you say, R'rafko; it's your life. What's up+" M'mtej responded, drying some glasses.
"+Do you know if anyone would be willing to give us a ride to K'kom G'gonstrm+" R'rufu asked.
"+I don't think so . . . but, why K'kom? That's almost suicide for you, R'rafko+" M'mtej warned.
"+We need to get there, anyway possible-+" R'rafko began, but stopped when a cold wind blew through the tavern. Please, K'kmaj, please . . . not them . . . Praying for the best, R'rafko pulled her hat down and peeked out of the corner of her eye towards the door.
Standing there were three Monsters. One had elongated hands and claws, another had horns, and the final had a menacing tail with spikes at the end. The one with the tail and spikes seemed to be the leader, and he motioned to where R'rafko was sitting. She stayed perfectly natural as they approached.
"+Lookee here, boys! It's our good friend, Captain P'pto+" The one with horns laughed in G'gonn.
R'rafko did her best to ignore the people all around her whispering, "+It's them+" "+The S'srut Brothers+" "+What do they want+"
"+What do you want, K'knkir+" R'rafko scoffed.
"+Don't be so rude to your old friends, Captain; it could get you in trouble . . .+" the leader, the one with the spiked tail, warned.
"+You'll more likely than not bring the trouble to me, F'frvir.+" Rafakoh mocked.
"+Why you-+" the one with claws reached out to pull her around when the Lord stepped out in front.
"+F'frvir, I believe your name is?" Saberstryke addressed the leader, "I highly suggest that you leave this establishment.+" His eyes slitted.
"+Oh ho! Somebody thinks they're so big and bad! Show him your claws, S'swrtir+" F'frvir instructed.
"+With pleasure, bro+" S'swrtir drew his arm back and was about to slash him across the chest when Saberstryke grabbed it and began to twist, his own claws digging into S'swrtir through his gloves. "+What the+" S'swrtir gasped.
Saberstryke brought his tail out from hiding amidst his cloak and tripped S'swrtir, "+Don't even try it, Monster. As an honorable man in my own right, as well as a Lord Demidon, I shall punish you for harassing this woman+" he held a sword at the fallen Monster's throat.
"+A Demidon+" K'knkir looked at F'frvir, "+I thought we were lookin' for a Half-Breed+"
T'myra began to hide behind Hariel as Rafakoh got up and the other people in the tavern began to back away.
"+So, what would make you three come after me like this+" R'rafko sarcastically wondered aloud, "+This isn't your style, F'frvir . . .+"
"+We ain't tellin' you nothin', R'rafko . . .+" F'frvir mocked, noticing T'myra's attempt to hide and drawing a short sword.
"+Oh I think you will+" R'rufu looked smug as she brought out a rapier.
"+You have quite a shy friend, R'rafko+" F'frvir chuckled.
"+She's just never been around sleaze like you+" R'rafko moved to protect the masquerading Half-Breed.
"+That's a joke+" F'frvir laughed as he forcefully slashed his short sword against R'rafko rapier.
K'knkir quickly shot his leg out to trip Rafakoh as she stumbled, and then fell to the floor. He then proceeded to bind her arms. Distracted by this event, the Lord Saberstryke was dealt an uppercut by S'swrtir and knocked unconscious when he fell against the bar.
F'frvir looked to the remaining Conduits, Shedosh and Kokuen-oh in front.
Shedosh held his hands together above his head and a beam of shining blue aura shot out at the Monster. He dodged the beam, which ended up hitting a chair and destroying three of its four legs.
F'frvir breezed past the two men with the speed of an assassin and easily knocked Hariel away, taking the squirming T'myra under his arm with his short sword under her chin. "+Don't move, or I'll make sure you're little group leaves one short+"
"Hold it or he'll kill T'myra!" Rafakoh translated.
"You bastard!" Hariel yelled, but froze nonetheless.
"+You just pissed off the guy who likes her, F'frvir+" R'rafko laughed as F'frvir began to get a little edgy.
"+Knock that kid and the Mystic out+" F'frvir ordered S'swrtir, who gladly did so.
Rafakoh wasn't scared, yet, but she was concerned.
"+Think of it this way, R'rafko+" F'frvir said a few inches from her face, "+We're giving you a free ride to the Capital+"
R'rafko would have paled if she could have gotten any paler at all, but now she was worried . . . really worried. An exiled, mutant Monster and an accomplice to a Half-Breed going to the heart of the evil empire - K'kom G'gonstrm? This is not good . . . She looked at the unconscious Saberstryke, What is it with you and being out when we need you the most? Come on Saberstryke . . . wake up! Your friends need you! I need you . . .
(-)
3:45 PM Friday- K'kom G'gonstrm May 6th- 981 D.A.
"+I got those Conduit kids you were talkin' about, now how about my payment+" F'frvir demanded.
"+Right here. You will want to watch us finish the Captain+" Badamon asked.
"+If it would at all be possible, yes+" F'frvir responded glumly.
"+Ah! You wish to do it yourself! You have much scorn for her, don't you, F'frvir? That good-willed R'rafko; you hate her+" Badamon acknowledged.
"+Oh, she's only dealt my business in so that I can barely make a living anymore. I don't just hate her; I want to see her dead by my own hand+" F'frvir admitted.
"+Come with me, and we shall see our hostages. We shall also see, in time, if her life may be taken by you, F'frvir+" Badamon motioned for F'frvir to follow him towards their captives.
(-)
5:15 PM Friday- K'kom G'gonstrm May 6th- 981 D.A.
The Lord Saberstryke awoke to find Shedosh, Hariel, and Kokuen-oh in a cell across from his own. He found Tamer to be in his own cell, but couldn't see Rafakoh anywhere. Saberstryke looked down the dark hallway with his piercing vision, his shackled hands gripping the bars and his face pressed against them; he still couldn't find R'rafko.
Where is she; she's the guide of our group! A guide . . . that is what R'rafko has become for all of us. We are lost without you . . . We need you back here with us, R'rafko - I need you with ME K'kedki realized as he looked out of the bars of the cell . . . Reveal yourself to us again . . .
"Lord- Saberstryke . . ." the voice of Shedosh came from the cold floor across the way.
"Hey, Shedosh," the Lord called to him, "Were you conscious when they separated us into our cells?"
Shedosh fumbled for a moment in the darkness as he tried to sit up, only to find that he had manacles on both hands that kept them close together, unlike Saberstryke's. Curse them . . . "Only for a moment . . . I saw them toss T'myra into your cell, and then you after her . . . I saw them throw Kokuen-oh and Hariel into this cage, but the one, F'frvir, still had hold of Rafakoh . . . then I was sealed in this cage too," Shedosh sighed, "I couldn't understand what they were saying, and I didn't see where they could have taken her, except for down the hall . . . I'm sorry, Saberstryke . . ." Shedosh whispered the last sentence. He, too, knew of the Lord's newfound affections for the Captain. "Now I can hardly see a thing!"
"No . . . it's all right, Shedosh." The Lord slid down the bars, then slammed his helmet on them. "What do they want from her?" he demanded, "What did she ever do to them?" He punched the bars, "What do they want her for?"
Shedosh moved to the bars of his own cell, saying, "Keep it down! We don't want to alert them! Anyway, I don't know . . . but I'm sure she needs our help . . . hmm . . ." Shedosh began to think of any spells he knew to get them out of there - something, anything.
"What are you doing?" Saberstryke asked.
"Trying to think of a spell that would get us out of this mess," Shedosh responded. "The problem is that, which my hands together like this, I may not be able to cast anything. Most spells have semantic components - I have to make gestures with my hands for them to work," he clarified.
K'kedki turned around, once again seeing the unconscious Tamer. I wonder if T'myra would have the same problem? The Lord held her upright and began to shake her, "Lady T'myra? Tamer! Lady, wake up!"
T'myra groaned, her hand finding her head as she held it, for it was throbbing painfully, also realizing her hands were shackled. "Where'd those dammed Monsters go?" She mumbled, "I owe 'em a few punches."
Saberstryke had to chuckle; she still had her attitude, which meant she'd be fine. Finally being close to her, Saberstryke noticed that she was back to her Half-Breed form. The loss of the ring on her finger confirmed this. "T'myra, where is your ring? The disguising one?"
Tamer moaned, "I think . . . Did they take it from me?" She felt her forehead, "Yes, t' confirm I was a 'Alf-Breed . . . they took the ring off an' I changed back . . . R'rafko! Where is she?"
"We aren't sure . . ." Saberstryke responded, hanging his head, "All we know is that she was taken down the hallway, that way," he motioned to the left, "So Shedosh tells us."
"Hmmm . . ." T'myra closed her eyes as she thought out loud, "Assuming they didn't strip me o' 'Ariel's lock-pickin' tools, 'ee an' I may be able t' get these shackles off, but that doesn't 'elp us get past 'ooeva' may be guardin' us."
Shedosh called out softly to the darkness, "T'myra! Are you saying you can get my manacles off?"
"Well, it would 'ave t' be 'Ariel, since 'ee's in yo' same cell- Is 'ee all right? I 'aven't 'eard 'im speak yet!" T'myra scrambled to the bars as she spoke to Shedosh.
"I think he's still unconscious from those guys' attacks. Let me see if I can find him . . ." Shedosh mumbled as he clumsily moved about the cell.
T'myra tried to help him with verbal directions as the Lord came up beside her. "No - not that corner, the other one! A little towards the bars, now!"
"Shedosh, he's right at your feet," Saberstryke said shortly afterwards, restraining a hint of laughter. He almost tripped over Kokuen-oh!
"I found him," Shedosh told them, forgetting that they probably could see that already. "Wake up, Hariel. Come on, get up," he said as he shook Hariel's shoulders as best he could.
"Uhh . . ." Hariel moaned, sitting up as he did so. "What's going on?"
"I need you to get these manacles off me, then we can set a trap for our guards and go rescue Rafakoh," Shedosh explained.
"I can barely see a thing- T'myra, are you there? Do you have my tools?" Hariel asked.
"Indeed. I think I can 'elp wit' the light problem, too . . ." T'myra took some picks out of a side pocket and held them in her hands. After a moment, they began to glow brightly. "Try them now!" she said and slid them along the ground to the edge of the other cell.
"Thanks, Tamer!" Hariel smiled at her as he grasped the tools in his shackled hands. He set to work on Shedosh's manacles first. "Now, mind telling us what your plan is?"
(-)
5:25 PM Friday- K'kom G'gonstrm May 6th- 981 D.A.
The other two Monsters were supposed to be guarding whom Badamon had called the Conduits, but they had resolved to play some card games.
"+We did hit 'em pretty hard; they'll be out for a while+" S'swrtir assured K'knkir.
"+Ah, you're right . . . you're go+" K'knkir mumbled as they continued their game.
Suddenly, they heard yelling.
"+STOP IT, T'MYRA! That won't accomplish anything! GUARDS! She's trying to get out+"
Both guards immediately ran for the cells. When they reached the cell with Tamer and the Lord, they stopped.
T'myra was in a corner, not moving, and Saberstryke was standing by her. "+Don't worry, I took care of her+" he assured the guards as they fumbled with their keys to open the lock.
Behind them, Shedosh was in the farthest corner with his, now awake, companions. He muttered the words for his Silence spell,
"(Cloud the ears and choke the mouth,
No words enter nor spout
From either of these parts of everyone here.
Deafen the senses that we hold dear.)"
As S'swrtir was unlocking the cell, a red, orange, and yellow aura started to form on the lock in the shape of an orb. He tried to say, "+What in Hell+" K'knkir, however, could hear nothing, nor did S'swrtir hear himself say it. They looked at each other and back to the lock as the orb grew larger.
With the speed of the wind, the orb suddenly burst around the whole area and fire almost reached the Conduits. They could see S'swrtir and K'knkir scream in agony and fly against the cell that held Shedosh, Kokuen-oh, and Hariel, but could hear nothing.
Shedosh nodded to Hariel who reached out for the keys, wrenching them from the charred hands of the guard. He opened his own lock, then proceeded to the one that held T'myra and the Lord.
Shedosh proceeded to make intricate movements, and then spoke, able to be heard, "T'myra, that was a good excuse to use excessive force."
"I love Mage Lock!" T'myra chuckled as she smiled.
"Now, let's go!" Saberstryke insisted as they began to run. "We have to find R'rufu!"
Hariel looked to T'myra, "R'rufu?"
"It's must be the Lord's nickname for Rafakoh, just like mine's Cotton for you." Tamer winked at him.
Hariel could only blush furiously as they ran down the corridor.
(-)
5:30 PM Friday- K'kom G'gonstrm May 6th- 981 D.A.
Sapphire-blue eyes strained to look out through the blurred, tangle of auburn.
"+Ah! The Captain awakens! Did you have a good trip in the Sea of Dreams+"
F'frvir . . . It's gotta' be him . . . Damn you to Hell you evil Monster . . .. "+Now what do you want, you bastard+" R'rafko groaned, despite having been bound to a wooden cross.
"+Oh, I just wanted to share with you your fate+" F'frvir laughed. "+You are to die by my hands within the hour, you meddling rose! A rose who's thorns are tipped with poison+" Not to mention Badamon says you're part of The Prophecy too.
"+I don't care about your poetry, F'frvir! Where are my friends+" R'rafko demanded.
"+As hard as my brothers hit them, they're probably still in their cells, unconscious+" F'frvir mocked at a flabbergasted R'rafko.
"+Guess again, F'frvir+"
Saberstryke? R'rufu's hope rose as she turned to the source of the voice, "SABERSTRYKE!" R'rufu cried joyously.
"Release our friend!" Hariel insisted.
"+He says release me+" R'rafko translated.
"+How about 'No,'+" F'frvir laughed sarcastically. "+You! Demidon+"
"+My name is Lord K'kedki Saberstryke+" he shouted. "+And you, Monster, what do you want of me+"
"+I challenge you to an honorable duel, since you are the only one who is a Purebred of G'gonstrm, here+" F'frvir invited. "+Besides, you seem to have some interest in the Captain's well-being.+"
"+Damned right, I do+" Saberstryke scoffed.
R'rafko flushed, and was even more concerned about K'kedki now.
"What're they saying?" Hariel asked Tamer.
"F'frvir won't release Rafakoh an' 'ee's challenged the Lord Saberstryke t' an 'ona'able duel . . . since 'ee's the only Purebred o' G'gonstrm . . . an' since 'ee cares fo' Rafakoh . . ." T'myra explained.
Saberstryke drew a long sword, but F'frvir drew two swords that were slightly thinner and gleamed on both edges. They shone with a pale orange light.
Shedosh noticed this and looked around him. The corridor had led them into a large cave, and apparently an old one. It wasn't so much that the cave was wide as it was high. The ceiling was barely visible in the low light . . .
Could it be . . . with all the salt around here . . . Are those swords Saberstryke's Artifact Shedosh wondered to himself.
Saberstryke charged and the three swords met in the middle of the room.
"+Did I fail to mention one other level of difficulty+" F'frvir laughed as the ground around the combatants started to shake in a 10 ft. radius. "+This floor will start to rise. So the winner must also reach the bottom, alive+"
"+That's just fine+" Saberstryke chuckled as he pushed F'frvir away.
F'frvir nearly fell off of the earthen platform that was now 3 ft. from the ground, and was slowly becoming a rocky pillar as it rose.
"He can't do that! That's cheating!" Hariel protested as he saw the ground rising.
"No rules were ever set in place, Hariel," Kokuen-oh mentioned. "It may be an honorable combat," he sighed as he watched the pillar grow, "but Kohmah knows what F'frvir deems 'honorable'."
R'rafko felt so helpless . . . Please, K'kedki, don't be a fool on my account . . . Be careful around F'frvir; he's wild and angry with me right now. He wants me dead! He'll kill anyone else just to get me! Please, K'kedki . . . don't let him get me . . .
Shedosh, Kokuen-oh, Hariel, and T'myra made their way over to Rafakoh and tried to release her, but met a barrier around her.
"Don't worry about me! Just watch Saberstryke in case he needs help!" Rafakoh pleaded, and she returned her gaze to the top of the pillar.
The Conduits nodded in agreement and did their best to keep the Lord in their sights.
The rocky pillar grew, to 6 ft., to 9 ft., to 12 feet and nearing the ceiling . . . If they kept battling, both would be squashed by the stalactites. Saberstryke threw F'frvir to the floor and was about to slice him down the middle when he rolled up and out of the way, but not completely. Blood had stained the Lord's sword . . . blood from F'frvir's tail.
"+Ah! You traitor Demidon, a false Lord! I shall kill two evils today+" F'frvir laughed maniacally.
"+You're the evil, you bastard+" Saberstryke cursed.
F'frvir's eyes slitted and he charged, knocking Saberstryke down and the long sword from his hand. "+Now what will you do, traitor+" F'frvir mocked with a blade at his opponent's throat.
I can't see anymore . . . R'rafko strained to look up.
Her eyes caught the glint of Saberstryke's sword, falling from the pillar and now stuck in the ground.
Oh, K'kmaj . . . please help him . . . help, R'rafko's eyes watered and her voice was barely audible,"+My Lord . . .+"
14 feet, 6 inches to the ceiling.
Saberstryke stared up the blade at F'frvir's crazed face.
"+I am the one in control! I will live my life again, once you and that little bitch are gone+"
The Lord lost it. "+You cursed . . . damned Monster+" He swung a gauntlet against the blade and, with the other hand, caught it. He stood up, dodged a stalactite, but fell to his knees in pain.
"+What you took from me, I take from thee.+" F'frvir had used his remaining blade to detach Saberstryke's own tail, "+We are now even.+"
"+Damn you and your blasted poetry. Cut it out and fight+" Saberstryke swung and hit him against a stalactite that was presently crushed against the pillar of rock.
F'frvir fell to the platform and Saberstryke took his other sword. Now that he held both, they glowed the faint, orange glow again. Now, how to get down . . . Saberstryke stared down 17 feet of rock, and gaining.
Then he was knocked to the middle of the pillar again, a ringing sound was now echoing through his helmet. He stood up as F'frvir, face bloody, stared at him with that crazed look again.
"+You may be able to win the battle, to saved that wretched and poisonous rose, but if I can survive the leap, then I win+" He kicked the Lord down again, choking him, "+Now the evils will die: you, the traitorous Demidon, and the rose, that mutant bitch of a Captain, R'rafko+"
The Lord's eyes filled with an orange light and he punched F'frvir to the ground. He quickly stood up and charged the crazed Monster, screaming and Raging at the same time. His entire body was enveloped in a bright orange light as his features and armor inverted in color. His skin was now pale blue as was his eyes. His aura flared all around him as power increased. "+This is for R'rufu+" He swung both blades high and plunged them into straight down into F'frvir's heart.
"+The- rose . . . is still a- a wretched . . . bitch, you- traitor+" F'frvir spat at the Lord's helmet.
K'kedki sunk the glowing swords deeper; they seemed to almost go through the Monster. Saberstryke's eyes poured an orange aura as the swords kept going - through the platform and into the pillar itself. Saberstryke yelled, "+Stop it! SHUT UP! R'RAFKO!+" R'rufu . . .
"Oh!" the Conduits screamed as a bright, Golden Orange light illuminated the whole cave.
"It's Saberstryke!" Kokuen-oh insisted.
"+Oh no! K'kedki+" R'rafko cried, tears streaming down her face. Then she was engulfed in a warm light, a darker shade of the Golden Orange, and she could feel the ropes holding her to the cross begin to break.
Once the light subsided, the Conduits opened their eyes cautiously.
They gasped at what they found; Saberstryke was in the middle of the room, where the pillar had been, and badly wounded. R'rafko was wrapped in his embrace, while he held two blades. They had golden hilts with small red beads on either side of the blade and the handles were wrapped in a red cloth.
"+He said so many awful things about you, R'rufu, I just had to make him stop . . . I'm sorry I lost my temper . . .+" Saberstryke apologized, tears falling inside his helmet.
"F'frvir said rude things about Rafakoh an' Saberstryke 'ad t' stop 'im; 'ee's sorry 'ee lost 'is temper . . ." Tamer spoke to Hariel, leaning on his shoulder. She smiled and cried a little at the valiant Lord's actions. Just like 'Ariel . . .
"I think this belongs to you, R'rufu." Saberstryke held up the ring T'myra had been using to cloak herself between his gloved thumb and index finger. "It just appeared in my hand after F'frvir was destroyed."
She didn't speak, but took the ring from him and absentmindedly tossed it to T'myra, who caught it with a slightly confused expression on her face. R'rufu took off his helmet and ran her fingers through his black hair. "I could care less about that silly thing," she said softly, then pulled him into a kiss. Afterwards, she whispered, "+I love you, K'kedki.+"
"+And I love you, R'rufu.+"
"They love each other," Kokuen-oh translated.
"That's no secret!" Hariel laughed as he took one of T'myra's hands in his own.
"Saberstryke that was incredible! And completely according to the Prophecy! 'Churning within a pillar of salt!' That pillar was from the rock of this cave, which seems to have a high salinity level!" Shedosh called to the Lord.
"Soul Swords," he said in a distracted tone, looking at the blades he now held, "The Soul Swords of Fervor."
"Isn't that the guy's name? F'frvir?" Hariel asked.
"Yes. I think that he crafted these swords with his soul. He was crazy when I was fighting him, like he was brain-dead or something," the Lord sighed. "But they were altered to be my Artifact when I destroyed him, so I can live with keeping them. Perhaps the power of a Monster's soul in them will increase their power."
"If not, I'm sure you can keep it in check, My Lord," R'rufu spoke as she clung to him.
"I hope I can," Saberstryke kissed her forehead and held her close for a moment. And that I won't ever have to defend you so earnestly ever again.
(-)
6:00 PM Friday- K'kom G'gonstrm May 6th- 981 D.A.
The Conduits had found their way out of the caverns and to the carriages that the S'srut brothers had used to bring them to K'kom G'gonstrm. They decided to take the carriages back to M'mtlang and the Kahroh so that they could continue their journey.
Kokuen-oh guided one carriage with Hariel and T'myra inside; Shedosh commanded the other, which held the Lord and Captain inside. Even before they left K'kom G'gonstrm, R'rufu was asleep within her Lord's embrace and wings. The sight was enough to make K'kedki grin like a lovesick idiot; R'rufu looked as young as T'myra, curled up in his lap like that.
T'myra and Hariel, on the other hand, were busy having an unintentional staring contest. Neither knew quite what to do; they were alone in a carriage and would be for approximately four hours.
Kokuen-oh broke the silence. "So, you kids talking about anything interesting?"
"We're not kids, Kokuen-oh, an' ya' know it!" T'myra retorted.
Hariel was attempting to remain quiet, as he anticipated a heated argument that he should avoid being involved in.
"Sorry, T'myra," Kokuen-oh chuckled, "But you two sure are acting like it."
"What d' ya' mean by that?" Tamer demanded.
"Well, it's pretty obvious what's going on, and yet neither of you are doing anything about it. To me, you're acting like spoiled brats; you've been given something really great, but you aren't taking advantage of it," Kokuen-oh explained.
Okay, so I'm going to have to intervene after all; I know where this is going. "Come off of it, Kokuen-oh! You're only aggravating her!" Hariel pleaded. Plus you're torturing me.
"D' you know what 'ee's talkin' about, 'Ariel?" T'myra inquired sharply, an eyebrow raised.
She called me Hariel, he moaned internally. "No- no, Tamer, I was just-" Hariel stammered.
"Ya' know what, 'Ariel? I was 'opin' that all o' this would 'ave at least given ya' a thought or two, but now I can see you're just that dense!" Tamer yelled at him.
"All- all of this?" Hariel repeated, playing dumb.
"Yes, 'Ariel! All o' this! Lord Saberstryke an' Captain Rafakoh! Yet, NO, you can't seem t' figure it out-" T'myra fumed, tearing a little.
"Tamer, if you would just talk to me a little more calmly-" Hariel interrupted, but T'myra didn't seem to care. Kohmah, I made her cry . . . Shit . . .
"Ya' know what, 'Ariel? Don't call me that an'- just- just forget it!" T'myra turned away from him, crying openly. I can't believe 'ee doesn't get it! I guess . . . I guess 'ee's not the one either . . . Damn, an' I was so sure! Now- now I have t' get over 'Ariel, too! DAMN
"Tamer, I-" Hariel tried again. I can't believe this!
"No! Just- just don't talk t' me, 'Ariel!" T'myra insisted. Cuamyjy . . . an' everythin' was going so well! T'myra remembered the times he held her and made her feel safe. 'Ariel comforted me! Why would 'ee do that if 'ee didn't care about me? MEN! They just love t' play wit' my emotions! Cuamyjy, DAMNIT what are ya' DOIN' t' me?
Hariel turned his head to look out the window, trying to comprehend what happened. None of that made any sense . . . That argument came out of nowhere! How did that happen?
Out of the corner of her eye, T'myra thought she saw something, but dismissed it. Her eyes were wet; there was no way she could trust her eyesight at the moment. Damn, now I'm seein' things! So, she wiped her eyes and looked again. Tamer saw exactly what she thought she had seen. 'Ariel . . . 'Ariel is . . . cryin'?
(-)(-)(-)
Continued in: Seer No Evil
2/5/2001
Anyway, like the Soul Swords? It's not like he could've gotten them any other way; no, he had to take them from a crazed Monster and plunge them into the guy's soul! (shudders) Eerie! You'll find out quickly that the Conduits always have to do things the hard way, much as they hate it. I think the Lord Saberstryke is so sweet defending R'rafko like that! (Cooing face) This is kinda' my way of saying where that word 'Fervor' came from, that guy was insane with rage! Well, I'll see you guys in the next episode! Ja ne!
2/1/2005, 2/10/2005, and 3/31/2005
I think this makes T'myra and Hariel's relationship a little more dynamic than I had it originally. "They love each other. Done." Some wordsmithing occurred and a bit of an extension for the prison scene: T'myra and Hariel have thieving skills! Yeah, kinda' forgot about that didn't I? That's really the only major thing that got changed in the breakup of "Double Trouble" into Episodes 5 and 6. Later!
Nekochan