Important Note: I've decided to change one segment of the "Euto Research Center" chapter

It's nothing that requires you to go back and re-read the entire chapter, just want to let you know: Soren had his meeting with Orgoth, gave him the blood sample, did NOT tell Mia about it or get a sample from here

That's all...and hi :D

Chapter Twelve

Grand Grove: Part Two

Sheathing their weapons, Mia's group continued up a slope, leaving behind the bodies of two men who they came across a short while ago.

Upon entering another room of rubble, carts and old metal the four head a cry echo through the entire mine.

Leena took a few steps forward glancing down both paths "It sounds like it came from the opposite side of the mine…probably someone that Soren's group encountered."

Wayu turned to Mia nervously "You think we should find our way to them and help?"

Wyre glanced at Mia "I'm pretty sure they can handle it…"

Mia nodded "Maybe…but…I don't know, I just have a bad feeling."

Leena started moving "Then let's go!"

Wyre thought to say something but seeing the women take off he decided it was best to go with them.

Murawk's massive axe crashed into the cave floor as the four warriors he desired to kill dove in all directions.

Pulling the axe out he turned quickly as Mikel landed, bow and arrow at the ready he fired several shots. The giant bandit evaded several before winding up his axe and throwing it towards the warrior.

Mikel dove aside as the weapon crossed over him, he started to stand but Soren yelled to stay down as the axe doubled back into Murawk's hands.

Orgoth took that chance to move towards Murawk and launch the end of his spear.

Quickly, Murawk turned and knocked it aside before leaping into the air to be met by Lyle.

"Remember me!?"

"All too well!"

Soren noticed as Lyle's two blades met with Murawk's axe, a third was out of it's sheathe and held on the inside of one of Lyle's legs.

With a quick turn, Lyle swung his leg around and the blade along Murawk's axe handle. As the two broke apart, Soren took a step and shot an Arcwind into Murawk.

The man flew across the air and into a cave wall, as he hit the floor, Lyle re-engaged him, doing a front flip and spinning in midair he impaled his third blade into Murawk's shoulder and used his other leg to kick off the bandit.

As Murawk pursued him, Lyle flipped over in the air again; landing on one knee with both blades crossed above his head he stopped another of Murawk's deadly swings.

Mikel took that chance to fire more arrows, this time they hit Murawk in the lower back.

The man ignored them as he grabbed the blade Lyle hit him with and tore it out of his shoulder.

As Orgoth ran in, Murawk spun around quickly and knocked Orgoth's lance out of his hands with a powerful swing. As Lyle sprung up, Murawk came back, knocking Orgoth upside the head with the axe handle and then catching Lyle in the arm and tearing through his skin, breaking a bone.

Lyle flew across the cave and crashed into a wall, clutching his arm and gritting his teeth.

"Finally, one of you feels the bite of my mighty weapon…this beast has inherited part of my lust for combat…this fallen axe goes by the name, Helswath…an arm crafted by a fallen lord…fitting…through all the battles I've been in…it becomes stronger."

As Soren slowly rounded the cave, heading to heal Lyle, he grinned "Really? I figured with all those missing pieces it has seen better days."

"Allow me to embed its magnificent edge into your body to prove a point!" with a roar Murawk charged at Soren, the sage dove aside as Helswath cut through the air, leaving a red trail in its wake.

As Murawk turned he swung it again, Soren noticed that the axe bled into the air. Though he was more surprised that the blood in the air shot towards him, the sage avoided the attack as it burned into the cave floor behind him, cursing Soren noticed Mikel back up behind Murawk.

The warrior shot more arrows towards Murawk but the Berserker easily cut through them and continued approaching Soren.

Spinning the Archsage shot a tornado into the large man, pushing him into the cave wall. As the force held him there Mikel and Orgoth arrived, upon cutting off the attack, Orgoth spun his lance and embedded it into Murawk's stomach followed by several bolts from Mikel's bow into his chest.

Soren ran over to Lyle and took out a Recover Staff; he held it over Lyle's grave wound.

Noting that the tears in Helswath give it a ripping and tearing capability in addition to cleaving and mauling AND being able to fire off blood waves, he made another mental note to himself not to get hit by the vile weapon.

"You alright Lyle?"

The swordmaster chuckled as the staff mended his arm right down to the bone "Don't let him hit you."

In spite of the situation, Soren grinned and shook his head as the pair stood and faced Murawk.

The Korgan Leader tore the lance out of his stomach and tossed it aside before leaping at Orgoth and kicking the man in the chest. Orgoth temporarily lost his breathing as the large man's boot cracked his armor and he slid across the floor.

Mikel leapt and brought his axe into Murawk's shoulder, the Korgan responded by grabbing Mikel by the neck, pulling one of the arrows out of his chest and ramming it into Mikel.

He hurled the warrior across the room and into a stone pillar before turning to Soren as the Archsage prepared a spell while standing next to Lyle who spun his two blades.

Mia's group continued upward, Leena having listened for the combat directing them along the way. As they rushed they heard more boots hitting the ground and weapons hitting various objects. Three Korgans approached from behind and they skid to halt facing three of the Dune Guard.

Mia and Leena in front and Wayu and Wyre in back, the group fought against the threat hard, intent on reaching their allies.

Blizzard tome in hand, Soren swung his hands around as several shards of ice formed. Lyle jumped against the cave walls, into the air and spun "Tempest Strike!" the two blades with enhanced strength crashed against Helswath.

Murawk barely took a knee as he broke away from Lyle and jumped aside as a giant shard of ice crashed into the ground between them.

With a massive spin Murawk threw his axe, cutting through the second incoming shard, Lyle hit the floor as Soren dove aside.

Shooting up Lyle dashed for Murawk, with no weapons the swordmaster slashed feverishly at the berserker who avoided the attacks repeatedly.

As Lyle landed Murawk took a step towards him and punched the man in the chest and forced him into the ground, shattering the earth.

With his free hand Murawk grabbed Helswath as it came back to him, before he could cleave Lyle in two, several ice shards crashed into him.

Reaching down, Lyle pulled out his knife, spun it and stuck it into the back of Murawk's hand. Still not releasing him, Lyle continued to tear it out and stab it into the hand that held him on the ground.

Picking up the swordmaster like a ragdoll, Murawk threw him at Soren, using an Arcwind; Soren caught Lyle and allowed him to land smoothly.

With a roar, Mikel dropped from above and brought his axe onto Murawk's helmet. The head of the axe snapped off and hit the floor, staring at the bare pole in his hands, Mikel was thrown off, and Murawk spun quickly and cleaved a diagonal cut across Mikel's body.

Orgoth's weapon shot out on its chain again and embedded itself into the Korgan leader's lower side. The knight was shocked that Murawk barely reacted to the attack, as Lyle approached Orgoth.

The man from Euto turned "Are any of the attacks we are landing on him doing…anything!?" he asked to which Lyle shook his head.

"I'm sure you know the stories…apparently Murawk has an impossibly high threshold of pain…I'm sure his body acknowledges it but he himself can't feel this…I don't even think he knew he was dying when Joltam's forces wiped him and his clan out."

Murawk laughed as he grabbed the chain of Orgoth's weapon "Oh…right…Joltam…you see, Soren, you and your girl are so much fun to try and kill I continue to forget about the revenge I intend to take on Joltam…maybe that is why I refused to go all the way…the last thing I want to do is die again without having killed Joltam first!"

Pulling the chain, he brought the knight to him, spinning his axe before bringing it into Orgoth and sending him away. Removing the lance, Murawk threw it to the ground.

Soren grinned "So…you think we can kill you."

Murawk shrugged and then placed his hands on both sides of his helmet "I don't even remember what it felt like to die on that day you all so fondly remember…Joltam did not play fair, that is for sure…regardless…"

Dropping his helmet, Murawk revealed his face was as scarred as his body. One eye shone a bright red, standing out among his grey skin and dull red-brown hair.

"You see…my body carries scars from every weapon and every type of magic in use here on Ymarkteg. Even Elder Magic…and not the sad reproductions…nothing can surprise me anymore! So if any of you believe you can escape alive…try harder."

Soren snapped his fingers, lighting a small black flame "I know that I have something that will…"

Murawk spun Helswath again and in a flash was on Lyle who clenched his teeth as they tried to react.

"Show me!"

His axe cut across Lyle knocking the man away and splattering blood over the floor.

Helswath began dripping in the liquid as Murawk dashed at Soren.

The sage held one hand out and released a huge wave of Branded Fire. The black flames engulfed Murawk and he closed his eyes as they seared his skin, with a mighty roar his elbow found its way into Soren's gut.

The sage's eyes widened as he coughed blood and flew through the air before crashing into a cave wall.

He barely managed to open his eyes as Murawk was on him, his fist in the sage's stomach again. The berserker released Soren and turned away as blood seeped from the sage's lips to his chin he fell face first on the floor.

Murawk opened his eyes and blinked several times examining his seared skin and wincing as he touched it. Then grinning and finally laughing "I did feel…pain…very impressive…"

He looked over at the four fallen men "This was an outstanding bout…"

He walked over to Soren "…as much as I'd love to fight you again, I have orders from the top to take you out…don't worry, I'll give your girl the same treatment!"

"Then do it now!" someone yelled as a sword covered in purple flames emerged from Murawk's chest.

Clenching his teeth the berserker turned quickly but struck air as Mia flipped away. Large streams of lightning flew from Wyre's hands and into Murawk as the man tore the blade out which promptly melted into the ground.

Wayu's spear joined the lightning but was knocked aside along with many deflected attacks by a quick swing of Helswath which continued to leave behind trails of blood.

Hearing a loud yell, Murawk turned as Leena spun into the air and rammed her blade into Murawk's shoulder all the way to the hilt.

Before she could tear it out Murawk grabbed her and threw her into the ground. Crashing so hard she lost her voice and ability to breathe, before lying there in pain trying to recollect herself.

"Leena!" Wayu yelled as she retrieved her spear.

Mia formed a ball of purple fire in one hand and chucked it at the Korgan.

As Murawk prepared to smash it, the ball exploded, lighting the room in a purple flare momentarily distracted several smaller purple bolts dug and burned into Murawk's skin.

During the bright flash, Wyre made his way over to Leena and turned her on her side to heal her back "Shh…it'll be alright."

The mercenary barely managed to speak "This…fucking…hurts! Wyre!" he nodded as she continued "Get me standing…I need to show him…what for…"

"I don't-" the sage turned seeing Murawk roaring again.

The berserker charged Mia and Wayu, the latter pushed Mia aside and dove away in the opposite direction.

Murawk barreled past them and into a wall, as he crashed into it the chamber shook and several loose rocks in the ceiling collapsed.

As Murawk tore out of the wall he turned to see Wyre, holding his hands out the man cried "Rexbolt!" his tome floated before him and released a massive electrical bolt.

The attack shoved Murawk into the wall again and kept him there, Mia took that time to grab Soren and jump away.

She placed a hand on his cheek and turned his face to her "Soren! Soren! Please!"

The sage groggily opened on eye before sitting up quickly and throwing up more blood all over the floor.

"Mia…we…need-"

"We're all here! We can-"

"No…he is far too strong…even for our Branded Fire…we need to get out of here."

Mia shook her head "We don't give up, Soren!"

He stood up "We aren't the Greil Mercenaries anymore! If Ike and the rest were here, maybe! But-"

Orgoth limped past Soren "We aren't a bunch of stupid kids…we are all warriors…maybe not as traveled as your mercenaries but we can and will continue to fight!"

Soren turned to Orgoth, back to Mia then back to the knight "I'm…I didn't mean-"

"I understand…I really do…from the stories you tell, you've done amazing things…but we don't need to full might of your mercenaries here…this man is just a man…albeit an insane one."

Wyre's tome burned to nothing and the sage fell to the ground, drained. As he breathed heavily, Murawk tore out of the wall causing the entire chamber to rumble once.

Wayu ran to Wyre's aid and helped him up, the sage's eyes widened and he pushed the Halberd away as the axe flew by, cutting deep into his side, Wyre fell over on the ground.

Wayu screamed and turned to face Murawk, tightening her grip on her lance as another voice called out. Leena leapt over her, now wielding one of Lyle's misplaced blades she cut into Murawk again, followed by Wayu impaling him.

Orgoth and now standing again, Mikel and Lyle jumped at Murawk from behind; despite the women before him the Berserker turned quickly and backhanded all of them back into the ground as he grabbed his axe.

Soren and Mia stood together and held hands, the Branded Fire flaring between them.

Swinging his axe, he caught Leena and Wayu and threw them aside. The former hit a column, damaging her back and spine again as she gave Wyre no chance to fully heals her. Wayu saw Murawk walking towards them and stood up in front of Leena.

The berserker laughed but before he swung his axe he noticed Soren and Mia giving off an intense flared and turned to them. "One more parlor trick before I murder you?"

Channeling into the unison from several years back during their bout against Yakaan, the pair opened their eyes and held out their hands releasing a massive dragon made of purple and black flames with one red eye and one green eye.

The monster flew around Murawk who tried to cut through it with Helswath, but the flames replaced themselves, it flew above the berserker before sinking it's flaming teeth into him and tearing through the floor into the second level, then into the third before exploding, shooting a column of flames back up.

The rumbling became increasingly violent as Soren and Mia fell to their knees, exhausted.

Wayu was the only one of the group still in traveling shape; she ran over to Leena who was barely moving and helped her up despite her protests and cries of pain. She breathed slowly "Leena…are you-"

The mercenary grinned despite everything "I know I never said this to you…but I had you all wrong…nervous as you may seem…you really come through in a pinch…thanks…"

Wayu blushed as she looked over to Soren and Mia, she needed to bring Soren over here to heal Leena. "Gods, this is…pain like I've…never felt before…" the mercenary closed her eyes as Soren stood, breathing heavily.

Soren walked slowly behind Wayu as she led him to Leena while Mia aided Wyre, with the thunder sage up and staff in hand he went around healing the rest of the group.

As a large portion of the ground crumbled and beams from the ceiling fell into the stony cave. Silently the group glanced at each other and nodded, with everyone in shape to at least move the troop quickly left the chamber, no time to discuss anything as it began collapsing on itself.

Continuing on the pace the eight made it out of the Grove Mine. The more able bodied units managed to build a rather disorderly camp with one tent for the still injured.

Leena, despite being healed was still experiencing back pains but fought with them every time they told her to lie down.

Eventually Soren convinced her and she went into the tent with Mikel and Lyle.

At the fire, Wyre and Orgoth prepared food with Mia, Soren and Wayu sitting off to the side.

"That was a much harder trip for all the wrong reasons." Wyre commented as he began handing out meat.

Wayu nodded as she took a bite, Soren glanced over to the tent and sighed.

Mia placed a hand on his shoulder "It's alright Soren…we all made it out alive…"

Orgoth nodded "I thank your magnificent leadership for that…no sarcasm intended at all…we did well despite everything."

"I do want to apologize for that comment I made…heat of the moment and maybe even a little desperation." Soren stated.

Orgoth waved it off and reminded Soren that he understands.

Wayu turned to Soren and Mia "I've been meaning to ask about this…"

Soren and Mia glanced at the Halberd as she seemed to struggle to begin, Mia smiled "Go on…"

"Despite everything you've told us…you never explained how you both can conjure fire from nowhere…Mia doesn't know magic and you don't carry any kinds of advanced Fire tomes on you…right Soren?"

The Archsage shook his head "I don't…it's a long story but I do trust all of you…we aren't in good shape right now…but as soon as all eight of us are on the road again…I'll…or rather, we'll tell you all."

Mia smiled and kissed Soren on the cheek; he put an arm around her and looked off into the distance to the Grove Mine.

Later that night inside one of the tents, Lyle was on the floor staring at the top "Hey."

The swordmaster turned to see Soren entered, he couldn't help but be surprised "Soren…what is it?"

"Just wanted to…thank you, I guess, I know we're all fighting to survive but you continue to prove your skill to me and even exceed my expectations at times…"

Lyle shrugged "Thanks…I guess…I just don't feel I've earned it after getting tossed around like a ragdoll…"

After a few parting words, Soren exited and came across Orgoth "If you want to continue what you're doing…I still have no problem with it."

"But you have more faith."

Soren nodded and walked away as Orgoth recalled the stranger Lyle met back in the Grove Rest. Deciding against bringing it up until something more substantial came up he returned to his tent.

While no one directly referenced it, they were glad to be rid of Murawk and rested easily that night. Though, Soren realized, Meloi would most likely present just as big a problem when it comes to a final showdown with the Earth Archsage.

In the morning, the troop decided to continue, Leena refused to hold them up. A short walk from their camp they arrived at a graveyard filled with lonely headstones and dead trees.

Mikel looked around and whistled "Is this…"

Wayu nodded "The Forgotten Grave…"

Wyre turned to her "What?"

Soren stopped at a headstone only to discover there was no name on it, or any of them for that matter.

Leena kicked a rock and turned to Soren "The Forgotten Grave is where the memories of soldiers are buried…most of the soldiers are complete unknowns…for example, maybe they were crushed in the collapse of a fort…taken prisoner and executed but their body was never found…it was set up to remember those who can't be remembered…though it seems that this site in itself is now truly forgotten."

Mia glanced around and sighed "It's really depressing…"

Orgoth nodded at that and told the group to turn. They all followed where he was pointing to see a large tower in the distance, on the edge of the continent overlooking the ocean.

Nodding to each other they began to approach the Apothecary's Keep.

As they walked Soren regarded the rest of the group "I'm sure several of you have wondered how we can use this fire magic without tomes…"

Lyle nodded "I did think it was strange…but seeing as how you are both from a different continent…wouldn't that just explain it?"

Mia smiled "Yeah…we just feel we should tell you a little more."

"To make it quick and easy…you know the population of our home, Tellius is made of Beorc and Laguz right?"

Soren turned and everyone else in the group nodded "Another race spawned from those two…the child of a Beorc and Laguz is known as a Branded or a Parentless…"

Mikel raised an eyebrow "Laguz…the animal people and people people can…have children? Hm…the thought never crossed my mind."

Leena rolled her eyes "I cannot tell if you are being serious or not…"

"Well…" Mia continued. "The Branded look mostly like Beorc except they have a mark somewhere on them representative of the Laguz blood inside…in Soren's case it's on his forehead."

Wyre nodded "Never really thought too much into that…"

"One of the things I'm most grateful for these new continents is that they could care less…Thyremog had giants and orcs, Hitenticul was crawling with vampires…what do they care about Branded from another continent?" Soren asked.

The Archsage cleared his throat "While on Zatuo I met another like me who had left Tellius long ago…see, in the old days, Branded were despised by Laguz and Beorc…we were named a gross atrocity that should never happen very early in Tellius' life and for all the wrong reasons…apparently…there was never anything wrong with it and we were hated so much for so long…for no reason."

Orgoth shook his head "That's horrible…why did that happen?"

"It's a long story about our continent's origin…but in all fairness…it screwed up our lives…which is why Ty left long ago…very long ago…"

Mia put a hand on Soren's shoulder and turned to the rest of the troop "Like Laguz, Branded have a much longer period of life that normal Beorc or other people…"

Lyle looked closely at Soren after that "So how old are you?"

Soren shook his head "I've never told anyone that and have no intention of doing so…"

"Except to me!" Mia stated with a smile.

"Anyway, Ty taught me that the Laguz abilities from our Laguz parent still reside in us…in my case it manifests as the black flames I can fire at will."

Soren snapped and shot off a small spark through the air.

Lyle turned to Mia "So…you are Branded too? And will live for…"

She shook her head "I don't entirely know…I have advanced senses…I can do the Branded Fire as well…but I don't have a brand myself…"

Mikel whistled "So you don't know if you'll live as long as Soren or not? I got to say…that is majorly depressing and I am super serious about that." Ending as he glared at Leena who rolled her eyes at him again.

"It sounds like a…very hopeless situation…" Wayu said lowly.

Soren sighed "I know…I'm hoping we can find something…I don't know what but…as of right now…nothing…however, this country is huge…maybe, unknowingly there is some knowledge here about it…I am fairly certain in the countless years since Tellians began traveling the sea there have to have been many who departed on grand adventures and even a few who landed here at Ymarkteg as well."

Wyre put his hands on Soren and Mia's shoulders "I see you two and I know you'll figure it out…you are perfect together and will be for…what? Hundreds of year, I certainly do wish you both the best of luck in that pursuit."

Soren and Mia smiled and thanked Wyre as the rest of the group offered to help in any way, except Lyle who remained silent in the back.

The group came to a stop outside the open gate surrounding the tall keep that housed the apothecary.

Soren and Mia moved in first followed by Wyre, Mikel, Wayu, Leena, Orgoth and Lyle slowly bringing up the rear.

Unknown to them, at the top window a figure had his eyes on them.

Re-reading and re-writing this chapter, it felt MUCH longer, like 7000 words like the Euto Research Center chapter, surprised it didn't come out as long...

Anyway, that was a throw down, hopefully some later ones are as good, I like them but I think that carries some bias...just some.

Cross-Promotion: For anyone interested in Toku, my youtube channel CondorK now has me reacting/reviewing the lastest episodes of Kamen Rider Wizard and ZyuDen Sentai Kyouryuuger that I watch, just if your interested (also GARO: Yami wo Terasu Mono will be on there soon)

Well! Till next week! :D