Archers in the Mist
The cold air of Winter blew throughout the vast valley. There amongst the snowy storm, walked three figures, two of which were very short and the third one who was taller than the other two.
They were Asuron, Len, and Artem.
"Alright, I'll say it: We are lost." said Asuron
The three demons had been walking for days hoping to find a village or a town or at least some trouble to solve.
"So, we are finally admitting that?" asked Artem
"Yes. You know a map would be very useful at times like these." said Asuron
"Sorry Boss, but those maps of the entire world are from rare to none existent. We could try and find some sort of dungeon and try to find some stuff to sell, we do need the money Boss, or a magical map." suggested Len
Suddenly the three demons heard something coming from far away straight at them with high speed. Coming at the three demons were a five member pack of what Asuron could describe where Ocras riding giant round sheep with blue skin.
"What the hell?" asked Len
The pack of Ocras almost run the demons over had them not jumped over the pack. One of the Ocras turned around and saw the three demons and yelled something.
"Run! Avalanche!" screamed the Ocra
The three demons heard what the Ocra had said.
"Avalanche?" said the three demons turning slowly.
And just as one would expect there was a massive Avalanche coming straight at them. With that said and done Asuron, and his companions began running as fast as they could quickly catching up with the Ocras and their sheep. The group kept running until the one of the round sheep tripped and began to roll into a giant snowball. The giant snowball began growing so quickly that the other Ocras, Asuron, Artem and Len were caught in it.
They all rolled until they came to the bottom of the mountain, and crashed into a misty forest. From the remaining of the snow the three demons, the Ocras, and the sheep came out with nothing but a few scratches.
"Well at least we were able to cover more ground in less time than expected." said Asuron pulling himself out of the snow.
The three demons got up and began getting the Ocras and the sheep out of the snow, hoping to get some answers. After they had all the Ocras out of the snow they began to ask them questions.
"Alright, first of all; Who are you people? Secondly, what were you doing all the way up there? And finally, why shouldn't we beat the crap out of you for trying to drown us in snow?" asked Asuron with his eyes glowing like fire.
The five Ocras were frightened at the mere look of Asuron. One of the Ocras in particular found himself pointing his wrist crossbow at Asuron. The Ocra's shaking arm almost made the crossbow go off.
And it did.
Though most people in the World of the Twelve were used to seeing or doing some impressive feats, Asuron's actions made the Ocra's pull back in fear.
Asuron had forehead flicked the energy arrow away at point blank.
"Now that was just uncalled for. Please don't waste my patience any longer and answer my question." said Asuron
"I am Anton! We are team Arc! We were ordered by the high Ocra queen to go to the Ocra training grounds Arrow Head to help protect it against the recent monster activity! PLEASE SIR DO NOT HURT US!" said the now named Anton
Asuron seemed to be satisfied with Anton's answer.
"Now don't you feel better?" asked Asuron with a smile
"Yes." said Anton as quietly as he could.
"Excuse me young man, but you said training grounds Arrow Head?" asked Artem
"Um yes." said Anton
"Boss, I think this could be a good job for us to do." said Artem looking at Asuron
"Mmm...Yeah, what the Hell." said Asuron after thinking it briefly
With that said the team Arc and the three demons began their way through the forest until they found themselves at the entrance of the training grounds. The training grounds were surrounded by a big wooden fence. It looked like a big camp. There were around some 8 tents, one of which was the infirmary, another one was the Mess Hall, and finally the rest were for all the Ocras in training. There was a long row of bullseyes meant for practice no doubt.
Overall Asuron and Len were not worried with what kind of problem they might run into. Arte on the other hand was looking around the camp almost as if he hadn't been here in ages.
"The trainer in charge is in the practice field. We should go greet him to get his permission for your assistance." said Anton to the demons.
They all went to the bullseyes where an Ocra around thirty was shooting some arrows. He was slightly taller than Asuron, had a long blond pony tail, and a mustache, a small scare that went through his left cheek. He wore a long brown sleeved robe with elbow protectors, black pants and matching boots. The bow was blue and golden assets.
"Master Damian. I am Anton, and we are Team Arc. We have come here to aid you against these monsters." said Anton
"I am very thankful that you have come to aid us. However, I believe that you have brought outside help. Who would you brave warriors might be." asked Damian
"I am Asuron, and these are my allies Len and Artem." said Asuron pointing to his commanders.
"Artem? Now that is a name I have not heard for a long time. I am sorry if this question is too personal but have you heard the legend of 'Artem the Wind Slayer'?" asked Damian
"'Wind Slayer', now that is a good name. But sadly no." said Asuron
"Around twenty years ago, bit more a bit less, in Ocra city our Queen had obtained a gift from the Ocra God. A legendary golden arrow with encrusted green stones which as legend tells could control the wind itself. One night a thief broke into the royal vault and stole it. The entire city looked for the thief, until the royal guards found him. His name was Artem. One of the best warriors to ever come through this very training ground. He had a great thirst for becoming the best Archer in history. In his final moments he used the golden arrow unleashing an unnerving amount of power. This not only consumed Artem, killing him, but it also flattened an entire field. The arrow was later on discovered broken. And now it is placed in the vault of Ocra city to remind people of the dangers of power." explained Damian
"Very interesting. Now if you don't mind we will take a look around." said Asuron taking his commanders with him
Once they were outside the Ocra's ear range Asuron and Len turned to Artem for some answers.
"So, Wind Slayer, what happened back then?" asked Asuron
"Well it was as the story goes. I wanted to be the best and the golden arrow was the best way. What Damian did not mentioned was that we were at war and if I had not done something Ocra city would have been destroyed by Ogres' destruction. So, now people were saved but my name is stained for ever." said Artem with grief and anger in his voice.
Asuron then placed his hand on Artem's shoulder.
"Then it is a good thing that we are here. We defeat these monsters, and then when we conquer this world I will personally make everyone learn of all the good you did." said Asuron
"Thank You Boss!" said Artem
It had been four hours and nothing had come out of the forest. Almost everyone was bored and hoping that the monsters would appear already. Suddenly a bunch of rocks began to move along with some sort of furry monsters.
"INCOMING!" screamed one of the Ocra watchers
"Archers, prepare to fire!" called out Damian
With the order given, all the Ocras prepared themselves to fire at the incoming monsters. Meanwhile, Asuron and his were standing at the front lines with their weapons ready to fight against the monsters.
Asuron and Len went straight at the rock monsters crushing them with their fists, and Len's nunchuck. Artem along with the rest of the Ocra archers began firing at the furry beasts. Sadly they didn't have that much effect.
"The arrows don't have any effect on that beast." said Anton
"That is because you are not aiming at the weak spots. These are Queenkongs, and their weak points are between the eyes." said Artem
This surprised almost everyone.
"Only a few Ocras know about these creatures and their weak spots." said Damian
With Artem's instructions the monster's began to fall back and the rock monsters were being reduced to rubble by Asuron and Artem. Suddenly, a giant roar was heard coming closer and closer to the Training Ground. Just then a massive Queenkong with a massive third eye in the forehead. It had massive tusks, black fur, huge razor sharp claws, and a long tail.
"It is a Shushu it possessed Queenkong!" said Anton
"A Shu-what?" asked Asuron
"Destructive demon like creatures that are very powerful, and their favorite pastime is possessing other beings and bring about chaos. It must have possessed the Alpha." explained Len to Asuron.
"So there are creatures that think that they can call themselves demons? Time to teach it a lesson." said Asuron setting both of his fists a blaze
Asuron jumped straight at the possessed Queenkong, and punched it back.
"Ember Punch!" yelled Asuron
The fiery punch became a massive fireball that sent the Queenkong back to the forest separating the shushu from the Alpha.
"Alright! Well done Boss!" yelled both Artem and Len
Sadly that didn't scare off the rest of the Queenkong pack. They all went straight at Asuron but then Asuron jumped out of the way and landed next to Artem who was glowing with a green aura. Just like Len back with the Jade Guardian, Len's shadow began to change and morph into that of an Ocra archer with wooden protector knees, and shoulder.
Besides Asuron, Damian also saw this and stared wide eyed.
"Giga Wind!" screamed Artem as he fired his arrow and struck the pack.
The arrow exploded and created a cyclone sphere that absorbed all the remaining Queenkongs, and then it blasted them into the sky.
After that clear display of power all the beasts ran away from the training grounds. Everyone cheered for the victory over the beasts.
Soon enough Len joined up with Asuron and Artem holding a small wristband with an eyeball that somehow was screaming at them.
"So this is a shushu. Not what I expected." said Asuron giving the wristband a look.
Shortly came Damian with a serious look.
"First of all, I want to say; thank you. If it hadn't been for you three we might have been overrun." said Damian
"Well, it was our duty as good samaritans. Would you mind keeping this thing?" asked Asuron giving Damian the wristband to Damian
"I will. So you are alive after all. Artem." said Damian
"Not exactly. I did die and went to the Netherworld and I became a Prini. Look I know that I made some very big mistakes, and that you must be really pissed. You have every right. However, I will say this that I was sent to the Netherworld to make up for all my sins. Also I would like to remind you that if I hadn't used the arrow the city would have been destroyed by Ogrest's destruction." said Artem to Damian
"For the record I never held you any grudges Artem. What will you do now that you know of your story?" asked Damian
"I guess I will help the Boss fulfill his punishment and then go back to the Netherworld. Take care little Bro." said Artem
"You too big Bro." said Damian
After saying that the three demons continued on their way as the sun began to rise.