I completely forgot today was Wednesday till just now! Wow I'm way out of it for some reason...pretty sure it has nothing to do with my 8th playthrough of Awakening...
Paralogue Two
Ymtar Range
As the group proceeded into the Ymtar Snowfield, Soren turned to Leah "There is something I've been meaning to ask…"
"Go ahead." Soren turned back to the Froghul Village they drifted farther from before facing Leah again "Any specific reasons the Froghuls seem to have blue skin?"
Leah smiled "I don't know the science behind it…if there is any, that is still your field of expertise and understanding…but they've been like that for generations going as far back as the late warring ages…I never thought to ask but that is how you can tell a Froghul apart from the…normal citizens of Regalshin."
Nodding to this, Soren decided it would be something interesting to read about, as they continued they heard someone calling after them.
"Leah! Leah!" Coming to a stop the group turned to see a man running after them.
The trueblade walked over to him "Vice Chief Herzoltz, I'm taking off for Yinshire right now."
The Froghul came to a stop breathing hard "Our chief! Master Ghul! He's gone!"
Hearing this Soren walked up to Leah with Mia close behind "What's going on?"
"Gone!? How?" Herzoltz, having caught his breath looked up at Leah "It seems he was taken by allies of the rouges you dispatched last week…they left a note that states they want you to come to Ymtar Range."
Leah shook his head "You just gave me a prophecy of his a few hours ago about Soren and Mia's group! Where could…while I was out fighting…"
Herzoltz nodded quickly "Yes, that must be when it happened! I should've stayed at his side but he told me he'd be fine in his room and I should watch the village until you returned! I am deeply sorry."
"No need to apologize…" Leah sighed and slowly turned to the group, as he opened his mouth to speak Mikel walked up to him and smacked him in the back "No need to worry, we'll go along right? You're already helping us out a lot, it's the least we can do…right guys?"
The rest of the group glanced at each other and nodded, with Mia walking past Leah "You've been to the Ymtar Range several times right? This should be quick and easy, especially with all of us together."
Leah nodded "If you're all certain, alright then. Herzoltz, take Fistivus and Lune into the village, we'll be back by nightfall or early tomorrow with your chief."
Before leaving the vice chief stated one last thing "They also want the Froghul Crystal…we'd never hand it over to anyone who is not a Froghul…but we trust you, not only to hold it, but also to bring it back here."
Leah nodded "I have no intention of letting those dastards keep it."
Leaving Herzoltz, Fistivus and Lune the group fell into step behind Leah and headed towards the Ymtar Range.
On a high, stony and snow covered peak, the Froghul Chief was thrown to the ground as a brigand walked past him with several allies standing around.
"Not only will the Crystal make us rich…but we'll be able to kill that nuisance you hired."
The chief looked up at them "We didn't hire him! He helps us out of the goodness of his heart! Something you'll never understand!"
The Brigand Chief turned and kicked the old man in the head, silencing him before turning to the other soldiers around him.
"Keep watch on all sides, you make sure our present is in position for when that Leah character gets here."
"Yes Sir Ervill…but…what if he brings help?"
The Brigand Chief laughed and turned away "That is exactly what the present is for!"
Climbing the range, Leah turned to the group "The Ymtar Range is known for quite a lot of things…key being the wildlife that provides the Froghul with food, clothing and all that."
"Hmm…that reminds me of the Grand Grove and the small village that operates in the same way." Lyle commented.
Leah nodded "Indeed, only these people don't use a lot of modern devices like the weapon models most military forces carry around, instead using old wooden and stone weapons…facing mostly docile animals they have no need for it."
"Mostly docile? I hope I'm not reading too much into that." Mikel stated with a nervous laugh.
Leah turned to him "There are bigger creatures here, one is the Polar Herion, a large four legged horned animal with white fur and blue stripes, and it is very sought after for the horn and coats but it is powerful, durable and violent. There are some smaller creatures that attack but nowhere near as threatening. The more violent creatures live off in the Umbarra Heights or beneath the Negative Wastes…obviously not something to worry about now."
Leena sighed "No…just something to worry about for the next few weeks until we get there and face them!"
Leah scratched the back of his head and apologized as Leena spoke up again "We've heard lots from Soren and Mia obviously, but I'd like to know what you were like before meeting them."
Leah laughed "I wasn't very interesting."
"Sounds like me…aside from diving and fishing, I never did see any combat or want to…I suppose through Fistivus, Mia and Soren figured out that I was a worthy ally." Wayu stated from Leah's other side.
Soren nodded "I wasn't too sure about it after Fistivus told me you had no real combat experience…still baffles me as to why he suggested you in the first place…no offense of course." Wayu shook her head as Leah smiled "Most of the greatest warriors come from humble beginnings…I lived alone after vampires of the Order of Rein took my family from me…I swore revenge on them but I was weak and a coward. I could only speak to others how much I hated them and what I sorely wanted to do…but when it came down to it…I ran away."
Mia placed a hand on his shoulder "He was very timid when we first met…something caused Soren, Zihark and I to take him in and train his sword…brilliant choice if our recent scuffle was any indication."
Wyre: It's great to see you this way…if you were to return to Hitenticul with these skills, no doubt King Heitnaro would welcome you into the highest courts and positions.
Leah: Thanks…that means a lot…
To'Eltz: What have you been doing aside from traveling and helping the downtrodden of this country?
Leah: Mostly living by the Greil Mercenaries example…I never really wanted to settle down…most of the people I look up to like, well obviously Soren and Mia but also my good friend Zihark and even Shinon and Gatrie went on long expeditions by themselves or in pairs all over Tellius, those experiences helped them grow.
Mikel: I can imagine with what you may come across…maybe when this is all over-
Leena: After this ends, the last thing I'd consider is going on another adventure even if it is a peaceful one.
Kay'Shera: With where we are heading and the incident in Myillheim behind us, I wouldn't mind just relaxing for quite a while when we wrap.
Leah: Strange, I heard from most of the group you are a very energetic mercenary, Leena.
Leena: But I'm also a woman who treasures her down time and occasional beauty sleep.
Orgoth: Now that I didn't know.
Lyle: I don't think any of us did.
As the group shared an easy laugh, they neared the destination. Getting serious, Leah glanced over to Soren; the two men exchanged nods and continued to climb.
As the day came closer to an end it slowly began to grow darker and up on the Ymtar Range, it became colder.
Sir Ervill sat next to his frosty steed with a few members of his gang setting fires, several more hidden away.
Tied up on the ground Master Ghul was hoping that Leah would rescue him but also worried about the ambush he could be walking into.
Standing Ervill spat on the ground and stamped out his fire with his boot "What is taking him so long!? I know for a fact he has been up this range several times, this climb even in the cold of the fading day should not take this long!"
Grabbing his lance, Ervill walked over to Master Ghul "Looks like I'll just have to kill you and invade your precious village instead!"
"Wait!" The bandits gathered in front of Ervill facing Leah as he approached the group, cold breeze blowing aside his half cape, Ervill took notice of the two sheathed blades and held his weapon closer to Master Ghul.
"I know from seeing the corpses of my men that you are a very skilled warrior so stay over there and toss the Froghul Crystal to one of my men here, or else."
Leah took out the item so Ervill could see it; the Bandit leader smiled as Leah reared his arm back and tossed it. One of Ervill's men stepped forth, a powerful gust pushed him off the side of the cliff.
Shocked the rest of the group turned to the cliffs above them where Soren stood. "Kill them!" Ervill screamed as he turned to Master Ghul and reared back his lance.
Sliding on her knee guards, Wayu stopped below Ervill's lance, deflecting its advance with hers, forcing it into the ground. Leena flipped over and kicked Ervill away as Wayu helped Master Ghul to his feet.
Ervill pointed at the woman "Stop them!" As his men turned away, one being thrown aside by Soren and another being killed by Leah, Kay'Shera dived down, lance sinking into a man's throat as To'Eltz leapt off Michalis, landing in between a pair and slashing their throats.
"Now! Now! Kill them!" Ervill screamed again as he leapt on his horse and pursued an evasive Leena.
"Sir! Our ambush…ers…are dead!" Hearing this, Ervill turned as Mikel, Orgoth and Lyle emerged from their hiding places throwing out the dead bodies of Ervill's men.
Angry, the vile paladin charged towards them only to be cut off by Wyre's attacks as Mia shot out from behind him; Ervill caught her attack and deflected it. Flipping over and landing near Leena the two trained their blades on Ervill as the other members of the troop attacked his remaining brigands.
"It's over Ervill." Mia stated as the paladin smiled.
"That is Sir Ervill to you wench!" Charging her position, Leena kicked off of Mia's shoulder and landed on Ervill's steed. Weapons collided as Mia dove out of the way of the oncoming animal.
Disengaging from Mikel a brigand turned towards Ervill "Should we-" easily silenced by Lyle as Ervill knocked Leena away "Release it!"
Hearing a low rumble, Soren turned as a monster emerged from a cave "Polar Herion!?"
Upon emerging it reared up and ran away from the battle much to Soren's confusion. Another louder rumble shook the area as a larger monster stormed out of the cave and into the carnage.
Soren shot Arcwind at the ground, catapulting himself into the air above the creature "What is that Leah!?"
The trueblade cut through one of Ervill's last men before turning to the creature, eyes wide "That is an Umbarran Goreion! Larger, uglier and angrier than its Herion cousin! What the hell is it doing here!?"
As Leah backed away, the monster's tail swung out, knocking Leah, Lyle, Mikel and To'Eltz into the cliff wall. Turning, it knocked aside Mia, Leena, Orgoth and Wyre with its horn before setting its sights on Wayu and Master Ghul.
Roaring it dashed towards them, a spear sunk into its back causing it to turn, skidding across the earth and turning to face the sky above as Michalis screeched and Kay'Shera pulled out another spear.
Flipping about it swung its tail into the air like a whip, making a loud snapping sound as it struck air near Kay'Shera.
Landing Soren took a step towards the creature only to be cut across the side by Ervill's lance as he and his mount dashed past the Archsage.
"I'm amazed you lot manage to plan this out! When did you get the time?"
"Leah knew where you would be so as we neared we concocted it in about eight minutes…though I must say; I didn't have that creature in any of my calculations."
Ervill tapped the side of his head "That is because I am much more clever than you are."
"Not even in your dreams!" Ervill turned as Mia leapt and kicked him in the head, snapping his head back and causing him to drop his weapon.
The steed reared up and charged away, Soren dodging it and facing Mia again, with a smile. Upon noticing the Goreion behind her he caused a wide arc of air to knock Mia aside as the monster slammed one of its tusks into Soren, throwing the sage against another cliff wall.
With war cries, Leena landed on the beast's back, impaling it, followed by Orgoth sinking his weapon into its rear left leg and Wyre bringing Brave Bolt down on the creature.
Roaring it swung about, Leena keeping a tight grip on her hilt was swung around as well, screaming "I need some help here!"
As the beast turned to her allies, Lyle landed on its back as well, followed by Leah. Arming themselves with two blades each they nodded at each other and stabbed the beast in the back followed by arrows into the side of its head from Mikel and To'Eltz leaping onto one of its tusks.
Roaring the beast began tilting over, surprising the group. From above Kay'Shera could hardly believe the creature fell to its side and rolled over, the warriors on its back leapt off with their weapons but where quickly smacked away by its tail.
"Help!" Kay'Shera noticed Leena fly off the edge of the mountain and begin to fall to the distant ground. Diving as quickly as she could she reached Leena and grabbed her arm, swinging around she brought the mercenary onto her mount and smiled "You alright?"
"Mikel was thrown off too!" Kay'Shera's eyes widened to Leena's statement and she turned to look down, unable to see anything. "Oh no!" Searching further down the cliff wall, Leena joined her in frantically searching as the Goreion above roared again.
Kay'Shera turned to Leena to say something but couldn't to her ally's stricken face until they both heard a scream.
Turning they saw Mikel with his axe deep in the mountain and him holding an arrow in his other hand also stuck into the rock wall "A little help here!"
Back on top, Lyle and Leah dove aside again, sliding to a stop near Wayu and Master Ghul as the Goreion began turning to face them. From higher up the mountain, Soren and Wyre shot more furious magic attacks at it, trying to keep its attention on them.
Mia looked up to the pair and was about to call out when she heard hooves. Turning she ducked under a savage lance, taking some of her hairs with it as Ervill ran past her.
"I'm not done with you until I get the Froghul Crystal!"
"Why does someone like you exist in this era of peace…what could you possibly gain from killing and stealing?"
Ervill spun his lance as his steed kicked at the ground "There will always be people like me…peace or not…that is humanity…that is life…"
Gritting her teeth Mia spun her blade as Ervill charged at her, dashing as well the pair began yelling as they crossed each other, both weapons taking blood.
As the Goreion slammed its front feet into the cliff wall it tried to gore Soren and Wyre with its tusks and throw off To'Eltz who refused to let go and continued stabbing it in the face. Soren took a step back and tossed a tome to Wyre.
"Wind? I've studied up but-"
"I'm counting on your attack to be as imperfect as possible."
Wyre nodded "Thanks…I think…"
Mirroring the same poses a small gust of air appeared over both of them, joining into a bigger spiral as the pair flipped over "Tornado!" Holding their tomes out, Soren's perfect whirlwind combined with a powerful and chaotic twister from Wyre. Smashing into the Goreion and pushing it off the mountain, roaring loudly as it plunged to its death.
Kay'Shera landed, dropping off Mikel and Leena, as Wyre rushed to the rest of the group, Soren noticed Mia on her knees and quickly charged over, followed closely by Leah.
He noticed a deep gash in her side "Mia! Are you alright!?"
She nodded slowly and motioned behind her to a fallen Ervill whose steed stood at his side, neighing one last time before taking off.
Leah approached the fallen man and knelt close to him, speaking so no one could hear.
"You were a commander in Regalshin's Royal Forces…one of the most decorated…Sir Ervill…that is why you earned that title…"
The fallen commander chuckled, blood from his lips pooled on the floor next to his head and around his torso from the large wound.
"It's all a lie…Anondye crafted those who bring life…Sarhara, those who maintain its secrecies…Pozem, those who work to continue it…Numengate was once the center of death…now stands as those who may understand life more than others…Regalshin…"
As the man grew weaker, Leah nodded "Regalshin crafts people…who take lives…"
"I was merely…continuing…my…" Leah continued to stare at the still man before closing the former commander's eyes and standing.
He turned to see the rest of the group up on their feet and walked over to the freed Master Ghul "Are you alright sir?"
Nodding, the Froghul Chief smiled "We truly have no way to repay you Master Leah…are you certain…"
The trueblade shook his head "I ask for nothing…but night draws near, we must get you back to the village and I must take my old friends to Yinshire."
Master Ghul turned to the rest of the group and bowed "I thank you all for aiding in my rescue…you have the gratitude of all Froghuls."
In return the troop bowed to him and began their descent towards the Froghul Village.
Soren noticed Leah turn and stop, approaching his friend, Soren followed the man's gaze.
"We…" Leah hesitated, and Soren sighed "It isn't weakness, Leah…I…heard what you said two said before he died…"
"Impressive hearing as always…" Leah nodded as Soren called the rest of the group to go on ahead and helped Leah with burying Ervill.
On my deviantart (eienias20) I've added Tag Team 2 which is a picture of Wyre Reh and Wayu along with a short bio and their full stats if anyone is interested!
Again I have a video on my youtube (CondorK) about Soren and Mia's Troop leaving Corelis, going to be adding more in the future, it's time consuming but fun!
Amazingly happy with where I am in Ymarkteg and I have a lot of details to work out before I finish the story. With any luck it'll be complete next month and I'll speed up updates till it's all here.
Wishful thinking but not impossible! See ya Saturday!