Chapter 8-The Dragon's Pass
I awoke in the morning with sore limbs and a splitting headache…I also felt my body react sluggishly to the commands my mind gave it even though my mind was still reacting at normal speeds…I knew that this was due to the poison that Shapur had used on me and I knew that I would be like this for a couple of days at least…it all depended on the poison Shapur used and if I could come up with an antidote or inhibitor to block the effects. I hate my damn life…how many times does this mean I've been poisoned…52 times I think…it's hard to keep track nowadays. I looked around to see my allies already up and preparing to advance forward.
"How do you feel?" Eldore questioned helping me to my feet.
"Terrible," I commented stretching, "I feel like I have the flu."
"Is it really that bad?" Ginger asked looking concerned.
"No it's a barrel full of freaking laughs," I stated sarcastically coughing into my armored hand.
"You don't have to be so rude," Yulie hissed at me.
"Unlike most people I won't deny my nature," I stated coldly crossing my arms in front of me, "I will never lie and say that I'm a good, kind, or even likable person…but I will say that I'm an ally and wholeheartedly devoted to this mission…so whether you like me or not you're stuck with me."
I knew they would have trouble reading me emotionally due to the fact that I still wore my mask…fact is I wouldn't take it off until we arrived back in civilization. I turned and began to walk down the path with Norvain walking next to me gazing off to our left…his eyes were strangely unfocused…but I continued walking as I heard more footsteps behind us and I glanced back to see Kara walking hurriedly to catch up with us.
"So what is your reason for traveling with them?" Kara inquired of me.
"I've been paid for a mission," I answered simply never breaking my brisk pace.
"So you're nothing more than a mercenary," Kara stated in shock, "but you seem to have more military skill than that of some common merc."
"I'm more than some common mercenary," I snarled insulted, "I've brought down entire armies without a single casualty."
"I've never heard of you," she stated walking off as I stood there in stunned silence…the rest of the group passed ahead of us…completely unafraid of what I knew lie ahead.
"Wait," Norvain yelled running after them, "You shouldn't get that far ahead of us."
"Why?" Ginger inquired…did this kid never study his surroundings.
"This area is crawling with some of the most dangerous creatures in the known world," I stated covering my mouth as I fell into another coughing fit.
"Like what?" Ginger inquired curious.
"Ice Giants, boars, dragons, and other large lizards," I commented dryly, "and who knows what else lurks in these mountains…most of the tunnels and caves are uncharted."
Ginger shook his head and sighed as we set off again…how could stuff like this be happening again…I hate being the bearer of bad news…but they have to know what they'll be facing…I stumbled slightly as a dizzy spell hit me.
"Are you all right?" Norvain asked grabbing me by my shoulder.
"I'm fine," I lied…the effects were getting worse.
Norvain said nothing…he just walked onwards with a nod but the look of concern on his face was still evident. I walked after them trying to keep the world in front of me in focus as it swam before my eyes…but then it passed as if nothing had happened…What the hell is going on with me…what is this poison…I have to find a healer when we reach Greede…I walked after them as they cleared a path through the monsters we encountered so far…namely boars and ice lizards…but I did my best to help by lashing out with my fire magic from a distance and when needed I would use my sabre to cut through the enemies. We were about midway through the Trail standing at a fork in the road when I realized something…there were no dragons or Ice Giants to be seen.
"Wait!" I croaked out my throat dry.
"What is it?" Kara hissed impatiently.
"Something isn't right," I stated, "Where are the giants and –cough- the dragons –cough- we should have –cough- encountered some –cough- -cough- by –cough- now."
I couldn't get another word out as I broke out into another fit of coughing.
"He's right," Eldore agreed, "We should have run into them by now…it is making me uneasy how simple the journey through the pass has been."
"Why do you two always have to be so negative?" Yulie sighed, "Maybe we're just having a lucky day."
"I don't believe in luck," I coughed out, "It's we that make our own fates not some non-present being."
"Not really," Norvain stated smiling slightly, "It's actually the auth-,"
"You say anything about an author and I'll kick your ass," I threatened, "I don't even know where you get half of this crap from."
"You two are strange," Kara sighed bluntly, "Do they always argue like this."
"Who knows," Yulie sighed, "We met Norvain when you did."
"Well I'll have you know…wait did any of you hear that?" I inquired slightly uneasy…I could have sworn that I heard a bestial shout in the distance.
"Now that you mention it I think I did hear something," Ginger commented turning towards the right path, "I think it came from over there."
Eldore barely pulled him back as a hammer came smashing down where he had been seconds ago…I looked up to see an Ice giant leaping down from the top of the pass and pick up the hammer it had hurled but that was all it could do as Norvain launched his Chakrams and surgically cut the giants head from its shoulders but I knew something was wrong as I once again heard roaring from down the right path and the thunder of several sets of heavy feet.
"We've found the Ice Giants," I snarled moving down the right path, "The rest of you continue down the left path…I'll take care of them."
"Don't," Norvain hissed grabbing my arm only to pull back as if he had been burned, "Don't do this…please."
"You had a vision earlier…didn't you?" I asked as the others hurried down the left path leaving Norvain and me on our own, "What did you see?"
"I saw you…broken and bloody…you die…," Norvain stated looking at me the fear in his eyes, "You're my best friend…and if you go down this path then you are going to perish."
I did something then that shocked him…I began laughing.
"Hahahahahaha…Norvain you've known me for years…and as such you should know by now that I don't back down," I stated beginning to walk down the path before I stopped, "I will face whatever fate awaits me…but never will I bow to it…I will fight…I will never lay down and just die…but I guess it doesn't matter anyway…I've too much to do to just die now."
"Eddoe!" Norvain shouted making to chase after me but the magic I'd been channeling into the overhang of rock above us detonated causing a rockslide to separate us.
"I'm sorry Norvain but this is my fight," I whispered to myself as I ran down the path.
I reached the area where the Ice Giants were and I counted five normal Ice Giants and a Chieftain…I drew both my Katanas and gazed skyward…Watch over me Father…I charged the Ice giants which because of my sudden attack allowed me to leap up the firsts body and with a single blow remove its head from its shoulders but by now the others had recovered and one swung at me…normally I'd be able to dodge the attack but the poison coursing through my body prevented me from gathering the magic to launch myself out of the way so I took a direct attack and was launched into the side of the wall…as I hit I felt blood gush from my mouth as I bit the tip off of my tongue...I was imbedded into the wall by about a foot…I was astounded that I was still alive…an Ice Giant closed as if to rectify this and smashed his fist into me…again and again…I was on the edge consciousness…the giant brought its hammer back to finish me…and swung…a piercing unnatural shriek echoed across the battlefield…and I knew no more…
-Strange world-
I stood on a platform surrounded by floating ruins…it was like the world from my previous dreams except that this one was covered in fire…great pillars of flame would erupt from the areas below…I looked around confused…but then I realized something was strange…I wasn't wearing my armor but some sort of strange attire…covering my right side was a cloak made of red feathers tipped with gold, a wide brimmed hat, leather boots with the toe pointing upwards, a metal pauldron covering my left shoulder, and a strange over crimson overcoat. The visible arm of the overcoat was shaped like a funnel at the top and remained narrow until it reached the midpoint of the forearm where it once again widened into a bell like shape and I was wearing dress gloves that held the same color as bleached bones. The main body of the overcoat was made of a sturdy yet comfortable cloth material and extended like a trench coat down the left side while on the right side it stopped at the hip…to whole over coat was crimson red. I was also wearing crimson pants of the same material that were tucked into the boots. I reached up to my face to feel it covered in a metal helmet but I could not tell what it was made from…that's when I heard the thunderous footfalls and turned to see five black knaves and an elite knave…I searched for my weapon but couldn't find it and the enemies were closing in on me…I raised my left hand and words of a foreign language spilled unbidden from my lips…and a beam of super-heated magma erupted from my hand and burned a hole through one of the charging knaves which fell to the ground with a gaping hole in its chest…I evaded a wild slash from the elite by leaping into the air with inhuman speed and strength and landed on another knaves head and placed my hand on its head and melted it with unnatural heat…I turned to see the last two knaves hesitate until the chieftain motioned them forward and they both attacked me at once…I threw back the feathered cloak to reveal a hand with thinner fingers that were more like claws than fingers…a wheel of fire began to circle my normal hand as I charged the two knaves…I launched the fire spell which completely incinerated the first knave and stumbled the second and by the time it recovered I had already pierced its chest with the claws…as I pulled them out the knave fell back leaving only the elite to deal with…I turned towards it but before I could do anything a great bird flew up from underneath the platform and ripped the knave to pieces in its talons…I gazed in awe at the creature before me…it had crimson feathers tipped in gold…like my cloak…and its eyes were a stormy grey in color but otherwise it was the very creature my people revered as a symbol of hope and rebirth…the Phoenix…I gazed in awe as the phoenix opened its mouth and the unnatural shriek once again rang through the area but unlike the other one this had a beautiful musical quality to it…my world faded black once more…
-Flanders Trail-
I regained consciousness and strangely found myself standing surrounded by the corpses of the fallen Ice Giants…I was confused…how was I still alive…and what had killed them…had it really been a legendary phoenix I had heard before I passed out…that's when I remembered my armor…as I checked myself over I realized that I was no longer wearing the strange attire but I was back in my original armor with all of my weapons sheathed…I sighed feeling relief wash through me…but then a blood curdling roar ripped through the trails from further in…I leapt up the ridge leading into a cave not noticing the wounds on the giants where similar to the ones I inflicted on the knaves and hoping that whatever roared was not attacking my allies…
-Norvain's perspective (just after leaving Eddoe behind)-
I couldn't believe that he had just done that…that he had just collapsed the path to prevent him from following…you fool…my visions have never been wrong…once again the scene flashed through my mind's eye…Eddoe lying among the stones on the path…he was staring up at his attackers…blood dripped down his armor…his right arm extended at a strange angle that clearly revealed that it was broken and his mask was lying nearby smashed to bits…but the look on his face was what terrified me the most…the fire gleaming in his eyes…the utter defiance…then as the giant swung fire obscured my vision…and that was the end of it…and then something strange happened when I tried to stop him…when I grabbed him I felt an energy course through my body that burned like fire…what was that power?
"Norvain…are you alright?" Yulie inquired.
"I'm fine," I lied.
"If you're sure," she sighed as we continued onwards.
We continued down the path with me feeling highly guilty about leaving my lord and friend behind…hell guilt didn't even cover half of what I was feeling…we reached another fork and I saw something that shocked me…running along a ledge above us were two magi soldiers but before we could react they had already gone.
"What the hell are they doing here?" Yulie hissed.
"The Flanders are a top breeding ground for dragons," I stated before asking a question, "They're after the Incorrupti aren't they?"
"Yes," Leonard stated, "but what does that have to do with anything?"
"I remember Eddoe telling me that there was an Incorruptus being guarded by an ancient dragon," I told them, "and as the Flanders have a huge dragon population…it would make sense that they'd be checking here…it might even explain why they're heading in this direction."
"We don't have time to go hunting after another knight," Leonard shouted.
"I see why Eddoe dislikes you so much," I sighed, "You don't think at all."
"What's that supposed to mean!?" Leonard shouted.
"The magi are holding your precious princess…and are looking for the dragon's arc," I stated calmly, "So if we find the arc we'll find your princess or some Magi who can tell us where she is."
I felt exasperated as Leonard continued to complain and grouse about the logic of my statement.
"Is he always such an idiot?" I whispered to Eldore who merely shrugged.
We continued down the right path which eventually led us into an area overlooking a circular basin…Yulie and Leonard gazed out over it in awe.
"Where's Greede?" Leonard questioned.
"It's down there," I yawned…I'd been to Greede several times and it special property had quickly lost its fascination and had now become a major annoyance.
"What's that!?" Yulie shouted as the city came into view through the clouds.
It was a huge city that had gain technological superiority over all of the other nations due to lucrative trade deals it had with Valeria though its power was nowhere near that of Valeria…the most surprising trait of this city was that it was mounted on the back of a beast known as the Demithor…and this trait was what made the city nearly impossible to attack let alone capture.
"Wow," Leonard stated in awe, "It's sitting on the back of a monster."
"Perceptive," I sighed.
"That is the free city of Greede," Eldore stated gruffly, "It has never been conquered by another kingdom…not even Valeria."
"That's because we never tried," I stated defensively, "We thought that they would make a better trading partner rather than a conquered kingdom."
Before the conversation could continue an inhuman screech ripped through the pass causing all of us to look around in a panic…That sounded avian…
"We should get going," I stated ushering the others further down the path.
"What was that?" Kara stated as we took off running down the path.
"Nothing I've ever heard," I shouted to her, "and I've been down these trails a dozen times before."
We were emerging from a cave when I heard something that made my blood turn cold…the flapping of large leathery wings…I looked up to see a great black dragon barreling down us…we barely evaded it but it once again rose into the sky and began to turn around.
"Something's wrong," Eldore stated unsure of himself, "Dragon's don't attack unless provoked."
"Why don't you tell him that," I shouted hiding behind a rock with Yulie as the dragon let loose a jet of purplish flame, "Leonard what the hell are you waiting for…activate your damned Incorruptus."
He nodded as he leapt from behind another set of rocks that he and Eldore had taken shelter behind and began reciting his incantation but that's when it hit me…Kara was nowhere in sight. Leonard now in his white knight form charged the dragon shredding its left wing with a well-aimed thrust grounding the dragon but in response it shot another jet of flame which Leonard caught on his shield but the properties of this magically enhance flame caused it to act similarly to water when it connected with the shield and spray around it…lighting Leonard's cape on fire and forcing us to once again take cover.
"Shit," Leonard shouted in a panic as he tried to put out his cape but all this distraction allowed was the dragon to slam its heavy tail into him and push him backwards.
"He doesn't stand a chance at this rate," I stated as red projectiles rained down from the sky, "What the hell was that!?"
I looked up to see Ebon-Wings floating in the air for a second before landing behind the dragon and attacking it…and saving Leonard from being barbecued.
"Wait, I don't remember him ever being our ally," I shouted.
"I don't understand why is he helping us!?" Leonard shouted lunging at the dragon once again.
"Who knows," I shouted back feeling my mind pulled on slightly by my powers, "Must be a system glitch."
"A what?" Eldore shouted back confused.
"Just never mind," I stated rummaging through my satchel for something, "Ah here it is."
I pulled out a glass flask with an aquamarine colored liquid in it which I then threw at the dragon…as the glass shattered a huge explosion ripped through the area and when I once again looked there was Leonard frozen in place.
"What the hell as that!" Yulie shouted smacking me in the back of the head.
"I must have messed up the formula," I stated rummaging through my pack and pulled out a neon orange colored one, "Alchemy was never my strong suit."
I whipped this one as another blinding light flashed over the battlefield and when it cleared Leonard was standing there unfrozen. The dragon was still in a daze from the blasts which gave Leonard ample time to overpower the beast but before he could finish it Yulie ran towards him.
"Leonard don't," She yelled, "it's beaten…I-I don't think it will bother us again."
"Ok Yulie," He answered but as he was backing away a bright red light surrounded the dragon incinerating, "What the…you bastard."
Before Leonard could attack the Black knight had already examined the corpse and muttered something about it not being here either and took off into the air. Leonard was unable to begin his pursuit so he deactivated his Incorruptus.
"I guess you're right," He admitted turning towards me with a grim look, "They are after the Dragon's Ark…but our priority is still the princess."
With that we set off with Kara quickly catching put to us saying she had been knocked down the path by the dragon's attack...I thought there was something strange about her story but I did not press her for details…I was too worried about my friend. We arrived at the docks that would allow us to board the transports to Greede but I refused to leave.
"Look we don't have time for this," Leonard snarled at me, "Eddoe has become nothing but a liability ever since the Lagnish…we should just leave him behind."
"Leonard!" Yulie yelled, "That was uncalled for!"
"You're right…he has become a liability," I stated truthfully but when I began my second part malice dripped from my voice, "but do you know what you are all the time boy…a god damned danger to everyone…you don't think at all you just attack, attack, and attack…You're so wrapped up in your own damned fears that you ignore those who have chosen to help you."
He was stunned by my switch in personality…I was normally a happy go lucky young man but I'd had enough of this child.
"None of us have to be here Leonard," I snarled at him turning my back towards him, "but we've all chosen to be here and even though there all for different reasons we've chosen to fight the odds with you and struggle onwards…and besides where would you have been if not for Eddoe…more than likely lying dead in the Lagnish somewhere."
"We could make it through without him," Leonard snarled back, "I could destroy anyone with the power of my knight…we don't need him."
"Is that so?" a voice stated coldly behind him, "Why don't you prove it here and now Ginger."
I turned to see a ghost…it was Eddoe and he had the tip of his sabre resting against the back of Leonard's neck.
-Perspective switch Eddoe-
I had made my way to the docks a couple minutes ahead of the others after I witnessed them battling the dragon and sat there waiting in the shadows…so I had heard the entire argument.
"Well Ginger," I taunted removing my sword from his neck, "What's it going to be?"
He turned the panic evident in his eyes…but also a glimmer of defiance as he drew his sword.
"So be it," I snarled batting aside his blade and punching him in the gut as Yulie screamed but Eldore grabbed her and held her back, "This has been an event a long time in the making."
He swung at me but I simply sidestepped and smashed my fist into his face busting his lip and I followed this up with a kick to the stomach. He quickly regained his composure and charged me but I rose my sabre to stop him and we locked blades but it did not last long as I slammed my knee into his crotch causing him to cry out as I elbowed him in the temple laying him out on the ground.
"You cheated," He groaned through tears.
"Cry me a river," I stated the coldness in my eyes could only be matched by the bitterest of winters, "Do you really expect your enemies not to use every advantage or tactic given to them."
"But you're not my enemy," He stated trying to get up only for me to knock him down.
"By raising your blade against me you've declared yourself my enemy," I stated kicking his sword out of his grasp, "What you decide now will determine whether I remain that way or if I once again take up the mantle of your ally…don't expect an apology to suffice."
"I won't abandon her," Ginger stated getting to his knees, "I'll never stop fighting to rescue her."
"Your will, dreams, and goals will never be enough to grant you victory," I stated as he once again collapsed, "What will allow you to achieve victory are allies…and the willingness to take their advice into account."
As I said this I sheathed my blade and extended my hand towards him to help him to his feet.
"Why?" Leonard stated taking my hand as I helped him to his feet and began leading him towards the docks.
"Because I believe in giving second chances," I whispered calmly, "and if you're willing to listen to those following you then I'm willing to follow wherever you lead…Leonard."
"Wow…I'm shocked," Leonard chuckled understanding the magnitude of my statement…if he acted like a real leader rather than a child I would gladly follow him, "Where did that come from."
"If you tell anyone I'll through you off a cliff," I threatened completely serious.
I brought him to the healer who was stationed at the docks and who had healed the majority of my wounds…he was patched up as we waited at the docks for the transport and it was during this time that Norvain approached me with a smile on his face.
"How long have you planned something like this?" He inquired of me.
"Since Albana when he let Kara live," I sighed, "That Naivety will get him killed…but it is also one of his greatest strengths."
"So instead of making him as cold and heartless as you, you decided to attempt to open his eyes to the fact that he's not alone."
"Yes…and I saw how he panicked against that dragon."
"I'm not even going to bother and ask why you didn't help…but I knew that if you survived you would be watching the battle."
We continued to chat like the old friends that we were when the transport arrived…a great serpent like beast with six wings…I always wondered what this creature is…is it a lizard or an insect…I boarded the wooden carriage that the creature carried and all sat down…with me sitting on the floor in the very middle of the carriage.
"I always hate this part," I sighed.
"Why?" Yulie began as the transport began to shudder, "What's wrong with iiiittttt!"
This last part was caused by the transport taking off and plummeting a hundred feet in a few seconds before rising up to a stable height…and I changed nearly every shade of green imaginable.
"There's no feeling in the world like flying," Norvain cheered, "Don't you agree?"
"If man was meant to fly he'd have been born with wings," I groaned covering my mouth causing everyone to laugh.
In the distance the city of Greed continued to rise in the distance as we swiftly approached it hoping to find some trace of the magi and the princess.
So here ends chapter 8…It feels good to know how well received this story is after the last story I've started has been attacked again and again…I thank you for all the people who've reviewed and are following this story...also what happened to Eddoe when he was attacked by the Giants will be explained in the later chapters. Now story wise they are entering Greede where my tournament chapter will start so I'm putting a deadline on the OC's now…I've one last spot open so the first person to get their character in will get it (If I get two at about the same time I shall use the more detailed character)…The dead line is the 15th of June…if no more are in by that time then that position is forfeit…below is the way I would like the information I'm sent for OCs to be ordered.
Name-
Gender-
Race-
Age-
Physical Description-
In Game Level-
Weapons-
Armor-
Unique Skills-
Personality-
Distinguishing Traits- Example: Blind, Deaf, Mute, and ect
Bio/History
Also a new character had joined the ranks of the tournament is a young man named Aden who was created by and is owned by the author Luckenhaft and to warn people I will not accept OCs who state their homeland is Valeria or are using Chakrams, War Fans, Staff Blades, or Chain Scythes…all other origins are fair game…you could even have your character be a member of the Magi.
Now to answer the question of Spartan016…Yes there will be romantic entanglements for Eddoe and some of my other OCs but they will not involve any of the Canon Romances (Love triangle between Leonard, Cisna, and Yulie)…now I've a favor to ask anyone reading this if you've any question I request that you send them to me via Private Messaging as I will be able to respond quicker and in more detail…I can understand if you're not a member of this site and don't have access to the Private Messaging system but if you do please follow my request…I thank you for taking time out of your day to read this story and am proud to say that this is the story I'm most proud of so far and its people like all of you who rekindle my love of writing after its been torn apart by others…it is for all of you I write…I will leave you with a saying I heard somewhere that I say to myself when I'm feeling down…I can't remember where I heard it…It might have been on this site or I may have thought of it myself…I'm not sure.
Victory is not finale…
Defeat is not death…
The struggle is eternal…
I prefer to think of it as whether you win or lose you must continually fight for your dreams and beliefs for if you fight long and hard enough then eventually others will come to stand with you and fight alongside you…
I thank you for taking your time to read this message and story...
-Shogun of Ransei
And for those of you who've read this far…this little bonus is for you…
-Strange World-
A man in crimson red armor with feathers on the back of his helmet stood on a small floating platform only about two yards wide and three yards long…he seemed to be waiting for someone…but who could that be…he leapt from his platform as it crashed into a floating pillar and shattered…he landed on a much larger platform where another man was standing there in the center of the platform…he had pure silver slicked back hair and ornate black robes…he smiled as the man in red approached him.
"It has begun, my lord," the red knight stated kneeling, "His powers are awakening."
"Good," the man in black stated smiling warmly, "His abilities will be what lead the world towards the future."
"But what about his eye?" the knight inquired, "will he be able to withstand the strain that it will inflict on his body."
"He will survive…as his mother did before him," the man stated calmly, "and when his eye awakens what my father fears will come to pass…and she will have a warrior who is capable of destroying my father and drive his vile ambitions into the ground."
These two men gazed out into the darkness and saw a glimmer of light in the distance…that light was the people they had brought together through fate and design…the people who had the greatest chance of destroying the greatest evil the world had ever known.
"So it begins."
"Yes my friend…all of the actors have assembled…the final act of this 10,000 year-old play is about to begin…"