Continue! More after the chapter!
Chapter Twenty Nine
Umbarra Heights: Part Two
"Impossible…" Orkra muttered as royal guards from the king and queen informed her of the latest report.
She turned as they left, Yushez walked over to her "I knew it…what do we do now?"
Orkra stood silent, Yushez shook his head "This isn't a situation where we can think…I meant it's completely obvious, we must clean up our mistake or we'll both be punished before the crown."
Orkra sighed as Yushez walked to her face and placed his hand on her cheek "Come, Orkra…you know I'm right…"
She swatted his hand away "Don't touch me." Walking away he grinned and called over one of the other Wyvern Riders "Get Gorm…we've got to prepare the welcoming…"
As the group tended to each other, they took care of the more serious first. Leena's burned arm, Wyre's shrapnel covered back and Orgoth and Mikel's wounds. The group hit by the Shock Bomb was doing better though they had their fair share of burns as well. All in all, Soren was amazed they took so much damage from one man, however he then realized they were not efficient due to the exhaustion from the avalanche and harassment from the other Altar assassins. He had to admit he was relieved no one was killed.
The group moved to the opposite cave mouth, Rhogam and Tyazaer pointed out that they were very close to their destination from here and would most likely make it tomorrow.
The whole group required rest from the most recent conflict and above all else, the avalanche.
"They…they still live!?" Norad Jyuugo smiled upon hearing his subordinates' surprise. He turned to them and sighed, signaling Midnight 9 and Midnight 8 to step forward.
"You two need to learn that indirect means will not cut it…burying them in an avalanche would've been a good idea if these people weren't the same ones who defeated countless of our soldiers and generals at every turn and now they add the assassin Quo'Eltis to their kill list…watch the Midnights and how they deal with it, then join them and bring me their heads."
The Midnights walked away followed by the two men bowing. Jyuugo continued to watch the image before him and smiled "Regalshin is my domain…though I will allow you all to have graves in it…"
Up in the cavern home, the individual fell on a bed, face first and sighed in relief "They weren't killed…whoever they are, if they are heading here…I can't wait!"
Early morning, Soren realized the troop was in the same position as Rhogam and Tyazaer when they first came to the Negative Wastes, no supplies, all of it and the horses were lost in the avalanche.
Soren cursed, all that was left was what Lune and Fistivus could carry and it honestly wasn't much. Tyazaer allowed the merchants to follow the troop on her mount Alsyia as the Questers resumed leading the group to their destination.
The mountain man passed the sight of the avalanche during the night and continued walking. "Hmm…no one here…"
Turning he saw dark clouds forming and releasing black lightning, "I've never seen that happen before…"
His face became gravely serious and he took off as fast as he could towards the dark clouds as they vanished.
Alone in the cavern room, the person took off their hood and stood in front of mirror. Revealing a young female face but also one filled with worry, she splashed water on her face and sighed heavily.
As she brushed her long light purple hair she thought of her teacher who left for Pozem to investigate something odd with one of his comrades and left her to watch the chest.
Turning she faced the chest and sighed again as it began to move. She hoped that he was on his way back but her magic didn't allow her to see that far. She was glad that her friend was on his way, attracted by the avalanche he abandoned his plan to scale Umbra Peak, part of her was happy but also felt sorry for him.
"Master…I need you here…" she closed her eyes trying to ignore the chest beginning to move itself across the floor and slam into objects.
The troop, exhausted and cold finally made it to the plateau marked on the map in the home back in the Negative Wastes. It was mostly empty and led to a cave, no doubt where they had to go.
Leena stretched "I can't believe it…finally…"
"That damned avalanche made it feel like it took much longer than it probably did…I'm dead tired…" Mikel groaned.
Tyazaer smiled and turned to the troop "Well, when we meet whoever is in there, hopefully they are as hospitable as the Apothecary you told me about and we can rest and relax."
Soren shook his head "They may be involved with the dead people coming back to life…they may be part of The Midnight…for all we know, we could be walking into a fight."
The relaxing and happy sighs and comments vanished as the group wearily brought out their weapons and headed towards the cave.
"Actually…the fight is coming to you!"
Tyazaer and Rhogam leapt back as a Midnight crashed into the ground in front of them.
Standing slowly the being muttered "Midnight 9, active."
Another one landed near by "Midnight 8, active."
Soren quickly looked over the rest of the troop, with how much energy it takes to kill one of these, they were in no shape to handle two.
"That's not all!" A voice said, two men landed behind the Midnights "We want to make sure you all die here."
All around them appeared several soldiers of The Midnight, including Trueblades, Reavers, Marksmen and a few Druids.
Mia looked at the two men "Who are you?"
One stepped forward and took out his blade, spinning it and embedding it into the ground "I go by…Zijo Oit."
Mia's eyes widened "What?"
The other brought out a tome but Soren noticed a lance across his back "I go by…Tyse Erent."
Mikel tapped Soren's shoulder" I thought Tyse Erent was a vampire and Zijo Oit was dead."
"They are…these two are liars…who are you and where did you hear those names?"
Zijo Oit shrugged "We don't know…and even if we did…this is your grave."
The Midnights formed their weapons, one armed with two blades and the other with an axe they charged at the troop.
"Mind if I…" A man in a cloak came to a skidding halt in front of Soren and Mia and cut through the two Midnights forcing them to leap away.
"…cut in?"
The man sheathed his blade as the Midnights stared. Tyse Erent spat "Who the hell are you."
One hand shot to the sky, one finger pointing "I am the blade that never freezes in the cold…the icy wind of Regalshin…"
Soren took a step forward "That voice…"
Throwing off his cloak the man drew his two blades out "My name is Zihark!"
With a cry he lunged past the Midnights and Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit and cut through a Reaver, as the man sailed through the air, Zihark leapt over his flying body and cut through it several more times. Landing on the mountain floor as the body fell dead to the ground.
"Zihark!" Soren called out, the Trueblade from Daein turned to them and smiled "We can catch up later…right now we all need to focus!"
Orgoth stepped forward "Right! Everyone, watch the archers and mages!"
Lyle spun his blades "Break! Take them all down!"
Soren nodded as the troop exploded, each member shooting out into the mass of the Midnight horde just as Zijo Oit called out "Kill them all!"
Watching this from inside the cavern, the woman smiled as the strangers joined Zihark in cutting down the foes around them, she noticed that as determined as they were, they were still exhausted. Most of the weapons skidding across the floor belonged to Zihark's allies.
Picking up a tome she exited the cave "I have to help them!"
As two marksmen shot towards Kay'Shera, Tyazaer ran up to one, hook catching his arm she flipped over him again, twisting him around and slamming him into the ground. With a cry, Rhogam leapt over and stuck his broad axe into the man's back.
As the other marksman jumped away, Mikel's arrows cut into him, distracting him enough for Kay'Shera to dive down and cut him down.
Lyle and Mia fought alongside each other against several Trueblades, the former was tired but did not want Mia to know and put way to much force into his attacks causing him to bounce back several steps.
Wyre aided from afar with his magic while Wayu and Leena covered him from a Reaver and Druid attack, the latter of which was killed by To'Eltz before Orgoth ran past the trickster and engaged another Druid.
Soren leapt away from a Trueblade as Mikel was struck by dark magic, the warrior landed on his back near Soren and stood slowly. Before Soren could call out a strategy he heard a female voice "Verrine!" Black smoke surrounded the trueblade before black gashes tore through him. As he fell dead, Soren turned to see a woman emerge from the cave they were heading towards and join the fray.
"Is that…the True Elder Magic practitioner?"
Mikel tilted his head "Not what I had in mind."
As a Reaver headed towards her, Zihark slid by again and cut the man down, delivering ten strikes before the body fell to the floor.
"Janie! Are you alright?"
"Of course Z, look who you're talking to! Watch yourself!" He leapt over her, allowing her to shoot a black ball into an approaching Reaver's chest. The ball exploded and threw him several feet away.
As the battle continued the Midnights, Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit stood to the side, the latter were shaking their heads.
As a few more Midnight soldiers fell dead to the ground, the bulk of the enemy horde moved away towards their commanders.
Midnight 9 surveyed the troop "While it wasn't intentional that you would kill most of the attack group…you are far too tired now to continue…"
Midnight 8 nodded as his axe formed again in his hand "Excellent. The time is now…"
Soren gritted his teeth as he got next to Mia and the rest of the troop stood behind him. Zihark and Janie joined to their side and prepared to attack the Midnights until another man warped in.
He had long silver hair and some kind of device over his right eye as well as being covered in dark armor. This man was big, not as big as Murawk obviously but large, clearly powerful with a vile axe and sword crossed on his back and holding a tome in his hand.
"Master! We were about to-"
The new enemy held his hand up "No…not yet…"
To'Eltz called out from the back "Who the hell are you? Are you going to fight or just try to intimidate us?"
"Hmph…my name is Norad Jyuugo. I am the man who wants you dead and am doing everything in my power to kill you now."
Zihark laughed "Doesn't look like it…stopping your men from attacking? That's stupid."
Mia and Janie hit Zihark in the back of the head as Jyuugo laughed.
"In my vision, the Midnight succeeds in their ultimate mission with or without you prowling around the continent…"
Soren raised an eyebrow "Your vision?"
Jyuugo shrugged "Regardless…we'll fight soon enough…I command the Midnight's operations in Regalshin and with my allies in Numengate and Pozem…this continent is wrapped up and ready for the main event…I see no reason to lose my men to you all right now."
Zijo Oit stepped forward "But you ordered us to kill them!"
Soren's eyes widened as Jyuugo laughed "I know I did…but I don't see this as fair…for one, I'm not doing the killing…for two, in their current state…far too easy. And also, there are a few more people I'd like to see them face one more time before they die."
Tyse Erent stood back as Jyuugo signaled the Midnights who warped away.
"They serve you…where did you hear the names Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit?" Soren called out.
Before Jyuugo warped he shrugged "Someone you know very well told me a lot about you two…your pasts…your allies and friends from other continents as well as your most dreaded enemies. Someone had to have the idea to bring back Kanahana…right?"
The Archsage and Trueblade glanced at each other quickly; someone they've met on Ymarkteg that they've grown close to over the years betrayed them. Neither could believe this, Norad Jyuugo smiled before speaking one last time "I am one of the highest ranking commanders of the Midnight. Believe it or not, thanks to you lot I have acquired something that requires my immediate attention so I will be going…as a minor gratuity I will leave you with this…the Midnights started as people…but we took away everything that made them a person…now we wield the ultimate weapons…"
Jyuugo waved to the troop before warping away with Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit following close behind.
The troop fell to the floor exhausted as Zihark turned "Soren. Mia." Soren looked up at him and smiled, followed by Mia.
Zihark shook his head as a tear formed "You don't know how long I've wished to see you both…"
Mia stood slowly "Then why didn't you?"
Zihark sighed "I felt that I needed to improve to your level…even now, seeing you two fight despite being dead tired shows that I have a long way to go."
Lyle laughed "Nonsense…I've never seen faster reaction time than what you pulled off on that first Reaver…"
Zihark smiled "Thanks…that…wait…Wyre? Wyre Reh is that you?"
The trueblade pointed at the Thunder Sage as he stood, Zihark ran over to him and poked him a few times "Gods, it is you."
Orgoth tapped Zihark's shoulder "There is much to tell you…"
Janie sighed them "I feel like the odd one out here Z…"
Zihark moved to her side and turned to the unfamiliar faces of the Troop "Not just you…trust me."
Janie nodded before waving to the troop "Either way, come to my home…it isn't much but it is warm. We can talk there."
Following Janie the troop continued into the cave.
Back at Jyuugo's hideout he smiled as Tyse Erent and Zijo Oit approached "Sir…it still doesn't make sense…why did you spare them?"
Jyuugo turned to them and showed them an object "I felt amazingly generous after finding this…to complete The Midnight's ultimate goal, we need this…it really doesn't matter what that ragtag group does now that we hold this."
The cavern home was much more comfortable than outside, Janie went to make some tea in another room while the troop and merchants sat on the floor, which was covered with rugs.
Zihark joined them, still wearing a huge smile as he looked at his old friends Soren, Mia and Wyre.
"I suppose introductions are in order…my name is Zihark, I'm from Tellius like Soren and Mia, Daein to be specific."
The trueblade bowed to the Troop as Mikel stood.
"I'm Mikel, carpenter from Corelis, close friend of Soren and Mia's. I have to say that was some impressive swordplay."
Zihark grinned "I appreciate the compliment."
"Lyle, also from Corelis…"
"My name is Wayu, I'm from Corelis Bay."
"A fisherwoman primarily I'm guessing?" Zihark commented to which Wayu nodded.
"Orgoth, I was a guard at the Euto Research Center."
"Leena, just a mercenary from Euto, friend of Orgoth's he convinced me to come along."
"To'Eltz…I joined this group to help myself."
"Kay'Shera, I served with the Sarharan Royal Army."
Zihark whistled "Damn, Soren, Mia, where are you finding all these people and how are you convincing them to come along?"
Mia shrugged "It just happens, we do appreciate all the help and wouldn't turn anyone down anyway."
Zihark nodded as he faced Rhogam and Tyazaer "You two must be The Questers right?"
Rhogam nodded "You know about us?"
"Yeah, I read a lot of your reports; they help me survive up here for as long as I do, I practically live with Janie here."
The young woman returned with drinks and gave them to the rest of the troop. Tyazaer smiled "That's amazing….both are trips up here have been…bad to say the least but this one has been wrought with chaos…though I guess this time it's mainly our enemies to blame."
Fistivus glanced around the home "Not much here…how exactly do you live here?"
Zihark pointed to the older individuals "You two back there are merchants…I'm sure you know all about survivability."
Lune nodded "Of course, comes with the job."
"I do a lot of hunting, with how big some creatures are up here, we aren't low on food and drinking supplies usually comes from the Negative Wastes and our old home down there."
Leena: That place looked much better than this place…no offense.
Zihark: You've been there?
Soren: We stumbled upon it during our trip through the Negative Wastes…there was a personal tunnel there; I'm guessing it leads up here.
Janie: Yes, the exit is a short walk from here.
Lyle: Speaking of…your friend here hasn't introduced herself.
Zihark: Janie? Nothing to worry about with this one, she's harmless.
The girl stuck her tongue out at Zihark and disappeared into a back room as the man chuckled.
"Enough with the friendly conversation…those guys we fought outside, the avalanche and your…conditions…what is going on?"
Elsewhere, a tall man walked through the snow up to a woman and bowed "Mistress…"
"Peltzm'Jakq. I trust you know I am not happy with Quo'Eltis' death."
The Altar leader nodded "I know but I have some good news to tell you."
"Your tracker found him?"
Peltzm'Jakq nodded as an evil grin crept onto his face "She sent word back earlier today and we are preparing to move over there. How will you follow us without attracting attention?"
The woman brought her hand to her chin and looked up at the sky "There is someone I have the sudden urge to see…"
Peltzm'Jakq smiled "Perfect."
The Altar leader bowed allowing the woman to pass by and followed her.
Zihark remained sitting after hearing Soren and Mia's story; he wasn't sure what to react to first. Though Janie holding onto him gave him the push he needed "She isn't the one you're looking for." He proceeded to place an arm around her "Trust me when I say she is harmless."
"Clearly not helpless from how she killed those men earlier." Orgoth commented.
Janie shook her head "I'm not capable of anything relatively close to what you've dealt with…honest."
"You don't get much honesty with this one, I'd believe her now." Zihark said with a smile trying to lighten her mood.
Soren sighed "The moment I saw her…I knew it couldn't be her, it is depressing considering we came from Anondye looking for this person."
"Hey." Janie turned to face Zihark "Do you know anything about the apothecary they met in Anondye."
Janie turned to the rest of the group "My teacher can use True Elder Magic, he has been teaching me in his old age to continue our task…I don't know if I should tell them more."
Zihark smiled "I trust these people with my life."
Janie nodded and looked back to the rest of the group.
"There are a handful of Elder Sages remaining; my teacher Freen is one of them. He and his comrades oversee the Fell Weapons from the Dark Days of War. The man in Anondye was likely protecting the Blood Cyclone, Helswath…here in Regalshin-"
Mia shook her head "What?"
Janie swallowed "What…what?"
"Helswath…we saw it several times on our quest, Murawk the revived leader of the Korgan Clan wielded it against us until we killed him in Pyrnaz." Wyre stated.
Janie looked at the sage in disbelief "But that would mean that the Elder Sage in Anondye was killed…that is the only way they could've claimed Helswath from the black chest that it sleeps in."
Soren: Einseek seemed very much alive…are you certain there is no other way to open the chest?
Janie: The Elder Sages can open them at will but it requires at least two of them...we've only attempted it before once though we no longer see the need to open the chests…
Leena: You said you have one here?
Janie: Yes. Freen is the protector of Regalshin's Gungnir the Piercing Star. I've been watching the chest since he left and it has been actively trying to break out for some reason…
Mikel: The weapon was trying to break out?
Janie: Yes…that has never happened before. Something evil must have been stirring it up…I'll go fetch the chest to show you.
Janie stood and departed once again as Zihark sighed "She tells me a lot of the Fell Weapons. Helswath, Gungnir, Yewfelle, Goetia and Balmung…as well as the lords who wielded them, Gashuuka, Meltraitis, Telray, Drake and Seino…hideously bloody stories of wars fought by these men, weapons and their fanatical armies are known of throughout the continent."
Mia sighed as she took a sip of her tea "This makes even less sense…the apothecary was alive and didn't seem to be in a panic over loosing Helswath…why would he and another comrade unleash the weapon? How did Murawk get it? Too many questions…"
Before anyone could comment, Janie ran back in "It's gone! The black chest is gone!"
"Jyuugo…" The man kneeled before a black figure at the top of a staircase and standing before a cauldron.
"What do you bring me?"
Without a word Norad Jyuugo produced a black chest and placed it on the ground.
The man at the top of the steps seemed to radiate darkness and evil as he turned slowly.
"Where did you find this?"
"In the Umbarra Heights, the Elder Sage was hidden there and while my forces distracted those meddlesome individuals, I retrieved it."
The dark man signaled another individual who stepped out from the shadows. Both of them extended their hands towards the chest which became covered in a dark aura before it started to crack. Finally the black chest exploded revealing the twisted spear, Gungnir.
"This one stays with us…"
Jyuugo nodded "Of course…"
"Pozem…"
"Dalton and Asai are hard at work, there has been an intrusion by the Dune Guard but we can't find them with all our attention on Goetia."
Returning to face his cauldron the figure remained silent as Jyuugo stood and departed. Gungnir levitated and flew over to the man second who placed it on a wall next to four more insets for weapons.
"How could this have happened? Freen is going to be so angry! I have to get out of here!"
Zihark grabbed Janie by the collar and pulled her back "You aren't going anywhere…Freen will understand, it was stolen by those guys, most likely after you exited the cave to fight them."
"Z!" Janie yelled, frustrated as he released her.
Soren stood "Freen is the Elder Sage of Regalshin?"
Janie nodded and started pacing "Yes…but he isn't responsible for this! He would never!"
"How about Einseek?"
Janie stopped pacing and turned to them "You keep saying that name…is that the Apothecary you met in Anondye who knew about Elder Sages?"
Soren nodded "Yeah…of course…"
"Last I checked…the Elder Sage of Anondye was Shaelin…he and Freen met regularly."
Lyle stood, followed by the rest of the troop "Shaelin? He said that he doesn't have a name, he just gave us Einseek to make it easier to speak with him."
Janie scratched her head furiously "This is so confusing!"
Zihark shook his head "No…like Freen is passing on his role to you, maybe Shaelin passed his role to this Einseek…it has been a while since Freen and Shaelin's last meeting."
Janie turned to Zihark "Shaelin is nowhere near as old as Ilan or Opstun who are still active. He is lazy but he'd never-"
To'Eltz kicked a pebble "Regardless, this was a dead end…we need to find out where to go next."
Janie regained her train of thought and jumped in place while raising her hand "I know! Freen went to Pozem to meet with Ilan the Elder Sage there…he felt something was going wrong over there."
Soren looked to the rest of the troop "Looks like we have a new destination."
Zihark whistled for the troop to follow him "We'll take you back to Pyrnaz. The tunnel that leads to the Negative Wastes is over here and Janie and I know how to reach Pyrnaz from there."
Wyre grinned "You are coming with us Zihark?"
The trueblade nodded "Of course, I wouldn't miss this for anything! Enough chit chat, if the situation is as dire as I've been told then Freen and Ilan may be in danger! Let's go!"
Scrambling, the troop followed Janie to the tunnel, except Soren who pulled Orgoth back.
Zihark gave the pair a strange look as Soren approached him "Zihark…"
The trueblade smiled "Whatever you need Soren, you got it."
"Yushez! What are you doing?"
Orkra ran up to the Wyvern Knight as several more troops began arming themselves. "I gave no order to mobilize the Regalshin Royal Army!"
The knight turned to face Orkra and put a hand on her cheek that she slapped away quickly "Gorm and I are following the orders from the king and queen…we are protecting Regalshin, you should be doing the same."
Orkra shook her head in disbelief "Gorm? No, this is wrong, something happened, this can't be true!"
"Why are you so eager to believe them? Why? You are above Gorm and I, someone in your position ignoring orders is dreadful for morale. Remember Orkra, you are a soldier, ally yourself with your country, or die as an enemy of the crown!"
Orkra slammed Yushez into a wall, gripping his throat, the other soldiers around stopped marching as she began tightening her grip causing the man to claw at her hand.
"Was that a threat?"
"Orkra."
Turning, she saw Gorm, the Wyvern Lord and leader of the aerial units serving the crown. She released Yushez and faced the other man "Gorm, this isn't right…the evidence was in the streets of our city…"
Gorm nodded slowly "The evidence was inconclusive…there was no Helswath…there was no corpse…nothing…Orkra, the King and Queen have dictated that you are to lead the advance forces. Go."
Orkra closed her eye and nodded slowly, marching past Gorm.
"The government stopped him and his troop…" Krayvon stated, Eminse swallowed and shook her head "You mean…"
"He and his troop traveled from Regalshin to speak with our government…I'm not sure what about…but after leaving the palace and heading here they were attacked, all of them except this man were killed…"
Eminse blinked several times "You mean to tell me…the Euto government is involved in a…a cover up?"
Krayvon cursed and stood followed by Eminse "They helped the center get back on its feet! The whole city knows about the Korgan attack, there is no way that they could've covered it up!"
Krayvon shook his head "Maybe we know about it…but what of the other countries? What if someone is stopping them from learning of the Korgan conflicts here in Anondye?
Eminse remained silent as Krayvon continued "I don't know to what end someone would need an ignorant populace but if what this man said is true…"
Krayvon closed his eyes, "We need to prepare…for an attack."
Eminse shook her head furiously and grabbed Krayvon's arms "No! They would not send troops to attack the Research Center! What would the populace think? Listen to yourself Krayvon! We-"
The general shook his head "We need to prepare! If they went so far as to kill Regalshin men to keep something hidden…they'll figure out one escaped, they'll figure out he came here and whether or not they know he told us anything, they'll kill us to keep the secret under wraps!"
Eminse stumbled into a wall in shock, as she slid down she shook her head "This is all on assumptions! On ifs! I don't want to believe it…I can't believe it because if what you're saying is true…our Research Center guards…even all of them…"
"Would not be able to stand to the full Euto Military…I know."
The guard and medic who were listening to this began asking Krayvon questions, he yelled at them to remain silent and kneeled before Eminse.
"Our goal isn't to survive and kill them…it can't be or we'll be exactly what they want us to be…our goal is to get you out of here…"
Eminse looked at Krayvon who smiled in spite of everything "…rather…to get both of you out of here…"
Several days have passed and a messenger from Euto arrived to ask Krayvon several questions. Eminse noticed that several large troops from Treige have arrived in Euto, led by the War Monk Ottenz.
It seemed like Krayvon was right, the entire Euto Research Center Guard was brought in and told to begin living in the Center for a few days. The men trusted Krayvon and remained where they were with very few questions.
Eminse looked to a photo of her and her teacher Kolkem "Please. Tell me what to do…"
"You are certain no stranger approached the Center in the last few weeks?"
Krayvon shook his head "The strangest thing this week was a messenger from the governor coming to the Research Center…is something going on?"
The messenger shrugged "I don't ask questions…" With that, the man left and Krayvon reentered the building. He too saw Ottenz and his regiments arrive in Euto, it was very likely the end of his life was near.
Krayvon closed his eyes. "Orgoth…I'll protect them both…you'll be reunited…I swear it on my life…"
"Governor Jikahn…Ottenz of Treige at your service…" the war monk stated, bowing to the Governor of Euto who nodded and thanked him for coming and bringing the requested soldiers.
"I trust Iltar'Elm didn't object to you leaving him at the border on his own?"
"Never, that man understands how things go, I trust him to do our job just as well, as if both of us were there."
Jikahn's smiled faded "Ottenz…this is a serious task I am entrusting you and Euto's commander Wilt to pull off…"
Ottenz nodded "I gathered as much…what is the task exactly?"
Jikahn's smile returned, though Ottenz felt strange looking at it, for some reason the man all of a sudden appeared extremely insincere and untrustworthy. Regardless, Ottenz had no desire to cross a superior and listened intently as Jikahn spoke.
I never realized how much I set up in this chapter, some of the things were only recently completely resolved where I have been writing.
FUN FACT: In the previous chapter, when Mia landed encased in purple flames before she started fighting Quo'Eltis, the pose she was in was the Metal Gear "Kept you waiting, huh?" pose, you know what it is!
FUNNER FACT: I tried re-writing the first conversation with Janie to drop Shaelin's name earlier and express even more confusion at who Shaelin and Einseek were but it became too confusing so I left it alone.
Zihark has finally made his triumphant return! Welcome back old friend!
With that my deviantArt has a new OC Sheet that includes the fake Zijo Oit and Tyse Erent. Zihark's good friend, the young Elder Sage, Janie. Regalshin's Wyvern Commander, Gorm and the leader of the Midnight's Regalshin Division: Norad Jyuugo the Dread Fighter.
Jyuugo has one of my favorite designs so I hope you look this OC Sheet up!