Here we are again!
And again there are ALOT of Points of View so...don't get lost!
Chapter Thirty Four
Foundation City, Helm
"Ushnae…" Lyle stood up slowly, blinking multiple times trying to clear his vision. Bringing his hands to his face he stared at them covered in blood, a large cut was across his face.
Stumbling he turned to see countless dead bodies all around him and standing off to one side was a heavily scarred, one armed Ushnae. The Froghul's face showed no emotion as he stared at the bodies before him.
"Ushnae…what did you do?"
"All this…" he turned to face Lyle "All of this is for the truth…"
Lyle looked down at the people before him, one was barely breathing while another opened his eyes and began to call for help.
Lyle turned in time to see Ushnae walk over to the man and sink a blade in his skull. "That one needs to go too…"
The young myrmidon looked down at the woman breathing below him and then back up at Ushnae "You survived for a reason Lyle."
"I survived?" the green haired man touched the blood on his face and then held the sides of his head. He remembered the start of Ushnae's attack; he ran up behind him and ordered him to stop.
In response, Ushnae turned and nearly killed him.
Ushnae walked towards the woman slowly as Lyle stood and got in front of her.
"Lyle?" the swordmaster turned to face Versha before recalling he was sitting in a room surrounded by the troop, Versha and Pesh. He shook his head as she kept a hand on his shoulder, she whispered into his ear and he wiped a tear from his cheek.
The troop reached Helm and after breaking away from the surviving travelers, they took Versha and Pesh to an inn and the two rented the largest room for the discussion they were having.
"I'm sorry…I haven't talked about this in…well…ever…"
Soren nodded before speaking "So you met Ushnae when you were much younger in Regalshin? You told us during your traveling days that-"
Lyle shook his head "Ushnae is a Froghul but I met him in Pozem. He was a traveler much like me…only he had no memories of his home which is why he travels. We got to know each other so I brought him to my home town…"
The swordmaster narrowed his eyes and one hand came to the side of his head "I…can't recall the name of the…town…"
Pesh coughed "When they returned to Anondye, we were introduced to Ushnae. He eventually began his…conspiracy theories."
"About the underground network running the peace on Ymarkteg?" Versha turned to Orgoth and nodded "Yes…among some others that were just as ridiculous…it began changing him…to this day we have no idea why he started investigating these…stories."
To'Eltz closed his eyes "So he killed everyone there to attract the attention of this underground network?"
Lyle nodded "Almost everyone I knew was dead before me…I almost fell victim to it as well…"
"The woman…" Mia glanced over at Versha who smiled and nodded "Ushnae nearly killed me…Lyle saved my life."
Mikel whistled "This guy sounds crazy…but what happened next? I imagine you killed Ushnae?"
Soren scratched his head "Didn't you tell me you spoke to him in Regalshin?"
Lyle sighed "I don't know…I couldn't draw my sword on him…Pesh tackled Ushnae in front of me…the…rest…"
The Archsage put his chin on his fist "You told me you met him in Yinshire after believing he was dead for the longest time…"
The swordmaster gripped the sides of his head again as Pesh walked in front of him. "I don't think we should continue calling back these bad memories."
"There is one more thing I need to tell you Soren…the reason I wasn't too surprised to meet Ushnae in Yinshire was because…I saw him very briefly back in Treige."
The room became very silent, Soren stood up "Treige? Why-"
"I didn't think it was important."
Soren took a step towards Lyle as Pesh came up very close to Soren. "You know Lyle that we have been fighting dead men roused from their sleep…didn't you think that Ushnae would be in with them?"
Lyle shook his head "I didn't even know Ushnae was dead…I can't remember the rest of that night."
Orgoth muttered in the back "That is also where Versha and Pesh were when we met with them…what are the odds…"
Mia stood and put a hand on Soren's shoulder, he moved away from Pesh as she spoke "Where are you going to learn more about Ushnae?"
Versha turned to Pesh then to the troop "It seems so obvious now…we have to go to where Lyle and Ushnae first met…here in Pozem in a small cave system to the west of Fort Pozem near the border. Seeing as how Ushnae had no memories or a home he lived far removed from the populace of Pozem."
Janie walked over to Soren and Mia "What about Freen and Ilan? We can't just forget about them."
The Archsage turned to Mia who recognized that look in his face "Splitting up…" she muttered.
Lyle stood "No…if this Ushnae thing is a real problem, I'll go with Versha and Pesh. We've grown a lot since he killed my friends and family…if he intends to harm us in any way…"
Orgoth grinned; he stood and walked over to Lyle, smacking him in the back "I'm going with you. Someone has to make sure you don't get yourself killed seeking revenge."
Turning form Lyle's stunned face, the knight looked at Soren and Mia "It's my self-imposed job to watch Lyle…and I've met Versha and Pesh before…he gives them his vote of confidence and after what we've heard I'm certain we'll be fine."
Soren nodded "It makes sense…and it still leaves us with enough people should things with Freen and Ilan get dicey…"
"I want to go too." Soren and Mia turned to see Rhogam approach "As a Froghul I feel I should be there to confront this man as well…I'm not going to pretend I can talk him down…I'm almost certain I can't…but…"
The troop looked at Lyle, Versha, Pesh, Orgoth and Rhogam with Mikel scratching the back of his head "We're heading into the unknown…but knowing what we know about Ushnae has me really worried for you guys."
Leena shook her head "You aren't supposed to be worried, Mikel. You're the loudmouth!"
Wyre chuckled "She has a point…but seriously…you all need to take care of yourselves."
Lyle nodded "I could say the same about you all."
Soren looked at Wyre "As much as I hate to lose you…they need a healer…just in case."
Wyre acknowledged this but To'Eltz strolled right past them "I'll handle it Soren…if you don't mind."
Before Soren could speak, To'Eltz added "If you meet the Altar while we're split up…kill as many as you can for me."
As the group remained silent, Lyle stood "I have to clean up my mistake…I'm sorry for the problems it's caused you Soren…Mia…"
The pair nodded to him "We'll split up tomorrow since it's gotten late. Janie, where are we going?"
The Elder Mage coughed and then stood up "We'll be heading east towards the plateau north of the Ilkim Caves."
As the troop began to break apart to rest and relax for the night Versha called their attention "Are you sure you want to head that way?"
Before Soren could speak, Janie got in front of him "Of course we are! My teacher is over there!"
"So are the people that attacked Treige…the Dune Guard."
"Even with those cuts…you look beautiful…why do you continue to reject me?" Orkra kept her eyes forward as Yushez paced around her "Why? Because you are insane…and a stalker…and worst of all, you aren't even worthy of being called a man."
Yushez approached her and barely held back slapping her, grinning he turned away "If I don't like the way you talk to me…one word and you're friends in their cages will be killed."
Orkra clenched her teeth as Yushez faced her "I hope you can see how honest I am about this at least…do anything I don't like and I will not hesitate to order one…two…or all of them killed…I'll even tell the guards to bring their heads here…still don't believe me? I dare you to fucking try me."
Orkra looked away as Yushez chuckled and grabbed her right arm "Follow me…" as he led her away he signaled for two large guards to follow him while the others returned to the prison cells.
"Shinon!" the marksman was thrown to the ground by several guards for yelling for Zihark again "We gave you a warning!"
"You don't scare me, I've seen much worse than some muscle bound prison guards…trust me."
"We'll see how you act after we've killed this woman and the other man." They pointed at Uhnie and Leah in turn before exiting the chamber and slamming the door shut.
Shinon cursed as Leah stood "Forcing our way out while the door is open will not help…we have to think of something else…"
As Uhnie helped Shinon up, Leah struggled to come up with something; he sincerely wished he had Soren's intellect right now.
Zihark paced frantically around his cell, increasingly worried about Orkra, he did not like the look on Yushez' face when he took her away. "What is he going to do to her? As if I didn't already know…I have to do something to save her!"
Finally stopping he turned to Joltam "What do you think I can do? Joltam? Joltam!" he looked at the old Marshall lying against the wall, not moving.
Zihark kneeled next to him "Joltam!" sighing heavily; Zihark closed his eyes and looked to the floor.
Following the statement by Versha and Pesh, the troop moved out into the town for the night. As Wyre left the inn and heard voices, following them he saw Wayu and Kay'Shera outside near Michalis talking amongst themselves.
"Hearing Lyle's past made me think of my own…" Kay'Shera commented as Wayu brushed her Roc for her.
"Before you became a royal knight in service to Hashten'Kor?"
Kay'Shera nodded "My family disowned me because…" she kept her eyes on Wayu whose brushing slowed to a stop "Because…"
"I have no romantic interest in men…only women…"
Wayu nodded slowly, making sounds of comprehension "I see…"
Before Kay'Shera continued she nervously scratched the back of her head "Do you…"
"I've never met someone like that…I've heard of them but…you're the first…it must've been so terrible that your own family turned on you."
Kay'Shera nodded "It was…but I had her to depend on…she convinced me to try out for the knights and joined alongside me."
Wayu tilted her head "Her? I thought you were single."
The roc screeched and Wayu giggled "I wasn't discounting your contributions Michalis…"
"When I joined the troop I was…she left the knighthood and the service to the Sarharan Royalty long before I met you guys…she never told me why…at least, that is what I thought. After saving my life Hashten'Kor saw it fit to tell me the truth, that she was lost in a secret operation that no one was allowed to know of, with Hashten'Kor, Lo'Tem and the archbishop dead no one knows about the mission. No one was told that she was killed because the mission could not be discussed…to this day I have no idea what she was doing or how she lost her life…"
"Do you have anything to remember her by?"
At that, Wyre looked away from Wayu and Kay'Shera and took off one of his gloves; staring at the ring on his finger he slowly closed his eyes.
Re'Zin sat in a ditch, the scorching sun had set and night came to the desert, it was growing colder but he remained on the ground. To his left, his steed was on the ground, he tended to an injury while it was down and ordered it remain in place.
"Fast route…no people…who are they?"
He peeked over the sand hill, the darkness hid his enemies but he felt they could see him perfectly. The arrow bolt he pulled out of his side was a testament to that. Holding his own bow and arrow at his side he breathed slowly "Damn it…the Border Fort is so close…"
The only other thing close by is the- "Hey! You! Give yourself in and you'll live!" a man called out.
Re'Zin closed his eyes before calling back "Fuck you!"
Shooting into the darkness, he ran as hard and as fast as he could as arrows shot towards him. He felt several dig into him but kept moving until he skidded to a halt, looking down through the Border Crevasse, a sheer, sharp, jagged fall countless miles deep.
He turned as several heavily cloaked assassins approached him "For peace!" they called out, as they released the arrows they had at the ready, Re'Zin jumped back and fell into the crevasse.
As Orgoth stood off to one side he closed his eyes, thinking again about Euto and everything that has happened. He then turned to see Lyle talking with Rhogam and To'Eltz to one side, the pair wanted to know about Ushnae's fighting capability and if he could possibly have any allies, preparing for the worst.
"You look absolutely depressing…don't let others see you like that." Orgoth turned to see Versha approach with a smile.
Orgoth: Depressing?
Versha: To an extent…once people get lost in their own thoughts they usually move towards recalling happier moments…thus making them sad and anxious for it…
Orgoth: I knew what I was getting into when I signed on…I am anxious for the day I return to Euto, but more concerned with what we do until I get there.
Versha: It's always business with you.
Orgoth: No…in a way…this is personal.
Versha brought a hand to her chin and examined Orgoth closely "Oh…you left someone behind."
The knight remained silent as she sighed "Here I thought there was something to be had…well, for what it's worth, I wish you the best."
Separated from the rest of the group planning to locate Ushnae or whoever told them he was here, Pesh watched the others interact. He thought back to when he saw them fight and nodded slowly "Impressed?"
The man turned to acknowledge Soren before looking away again "You've all grown close…I'll give you that much…"
"Are you two brother and sister or…"
Pesh stood "No…but we've had a common goal for years…so we tend not to separate from each other…how do you intend to deal with the Korgan and Dune Guard threat where you are going?"
"The Korgans are done…Murawk is dead."
Pesh turned to face Soren "Really? I was wrong then…you've solidified yourselves as a true team."
In town Janie walked along side Mia with an ever present smile on her face as she waved to the people she passed by. Mia couldn't help but smile as well "You certainly are peppy…though you aren't much younger than I am…"
Janie nodded "Working as an Elder Mage took up most of my younger years…I was a stifling bore until I started meeting with Zihark. Freen didn't like Zihark at first but he realized I needed to be a person…a human…though it cost us the Gungnir…"
Mia put a hand on her shoulder "It wasn't your fault…you wanted to help us and we appreciate it."
Janie looked at Mia "You are just as kind and understanding as Zihark said…but I can't help but feel bad…"
Mia smiled "Come on Janie…show me that smile again!" As the trueblade tickled the Elder Mage the other troop members and the merchants went to eat before returning to the inn.
Tyazaer sat with Mikel and Leena, acknowledging them "You two, if I may be honest your professionalism astounds me."
Leena couldn't help but laugh before pointing to Mikel "Him? I don't think you know who you are talking about."
Mikel laughed as Tyazaer rolled her eyes "Despite your relationship you have no problem working efficiently on the battlefield…it's impressive."
Mikel: I'll take that for all its worth, can't imagine how distracting it might have been if we didn't tell everyone.
Tyazaer: Once again, honesty here, you two disappeared for a long time together…it's like you were never really trying to hide.
Leena: All in the past.
Mikel: Since then no one has brought it out to us in a negative light, I think it's fair to say we're still trusted.
Tyazaer: Indeed…and I don't think Soren would bother with micromanaging everything about us…especially since he is in a relationship too.
As the troop began to return to the inn, Soren pulled Lyle aside "Lyle, regardless of what happens with your group…we're going to need you back…understand?"
"You mean if Ushnae isn't there but he left a trail…leave it to Pesh and Versha and come back here?"
Soren nodded slowly, Lyle shrugged "It makes sense…this vendetta is nowhere near as important as what could happen to Ymarkteg if the Midnight keep operating…trust me when I say, I'll be back."
Soren extended his hand which Lyle took and the two men shook before nodding to each other.
"Asai! Dalton!" Kanahana called as he landed in their hideout, Midnight 7 greeted him "Where are your masters?"
It turned and led him further into the hideout, "You two better be-"
"Calm down Kanahana." Dalton stated as he approached the vampire. "What do you want?"
"I understand you've begun creating Midnight 3? Midnight 4 isn't even complete yet! That is-"
"Our concern..." Kanahana turned to see Asai approaching as well and shook his head "You don't even have all the materials out here. Should Norad Jyuugo find out you are doing this-"
Dalton laughed "We spoke to him earlier…the host is immensely strong…he'll survive the process and we'll have the strongest Midnight thus far."
Kanahana turned away from Dalton and Asai and walked off "You two better watch your place beneath my boot."
Dalton looked at Asai who smirked "You don't scare us in the least…"
"Regardless…I'd love for you two to stop playing in the dark and go back into Pozem, find out why the Altar and the Dune Guard are here!"
Dalton nodded "Already on it." With that, Dalton and Asai departed with Midnight 7 following them, before they left the former Archduke turned "Don't even think about checking on Midnight 3…good night to you, Kanahana."
Tossing another knife in the air, Zey'Yu sighed as the rest of the Altar moved around her, cleaning up the camp and preparing to enter the Dune Guard's cave system.
"Zey'Yu…" she looked up, her eyes widened and she quickly got down on one knee "Peltzm'Jakq…"
The Trueblade grinned as she stood again "You look absolutely ravishing today, Zey'Yu…I trust you know the mistress is on her way."
Zey'Yu nodded "Yes, sir…I didn't expect to see you here so early though…"
"I'm entrusting this division to you…I hope you have no complaints with the man I assigned as your second?"
She shook her head "Fre'Han will do fine."
The Altar leader continued "I must meet with the mistress and her partner when they arrive."
Zey'Yu bowed as Peltzm'Jakq approached her and placed a hand on her cheek "Come back to me in one piece…I still have some…uses for you…"
As the Trueblade left, the other Altar members bowed and moved out of his way quickly.
"Hey! Anyone out there! Hey!" Zihark yelled, one guard walked over "Keep screaming and we'll go in there and shut you up!"
"Listen to me! The Marshall is dead!" The guard glanced at the other before opening the door and shoving Zihark away, as one guard held his weapon up to Zihark; the other two examined the unmoving Joltam.
Another guard appeared at the door as the three began talking "We'll move the body out of here and speak to Gorm and Yushez about it."
"Yushez is busy…we'll just find Gorm." Two grabbed Joltam as the other led them out.
As the last guard began backing out of the cell, Joltam screamed and began grappling with the two that held them, as the last guard turned to look at the commotion, Zihark understood.
He kicked the man onto the floor and wrestled the spear from his grip, spinning it around him before bringing it into the fallen guard's neck, killing him then leaping out of the cell.
"Go Zihark! Find your friends!"
"But Joltam-" before the Trueblade could finish, Joltam tossed the two men holding him to the floor and grabbed the third's weapon. Four more rounded the corner and headed towards him "Go!" Joltam screamed, unable to do anything else, Zihark ran in the opposite direction "Joltam! I'm sorry!"
As Joltam tore a lance from one of the men he struck against the oncoming reinforcements "You're supposed to say thank you…"
"Stand down old man! Return to your cell!" Joltam ignored the command and rammed his spear into another guard before avoiding a wild swing and moving away.
"What is a long life…without a meaningful death…?"
"I'm trying to sleep here."
"I don't care, you knew sooner or later-"
"I thought your lot would die...whatever...just come get me..."
Leah stood as the guards at their cell door took off, Uhnie turned to Shinon who began was in the middle of meditating though he had his signature scowl on his face "Looks like something is going down…did Zihark make a break for it and how?"
Shinon opened his eyes "I found Gore Eye and probably our other weapons, we've got to get ready to go if it is Zihark causing this mess."
Uhnie nodded "Which way is Gore Eye?"
Shinon turned "East."
As the assassin began to speak a spear tore through their cell door's lock, the door was then kicked in by a wounded Zihark, he tossed the weapon to the floor and nodded to them. The four took off over a few fallen bodies, Uhnie and Shinon directing them through the halls.
As Yushez ran his fingers across Orkra's skin he smiled "You don't talk as much or as big when the situation is so against you…do you?"
"I'll not give you the satisfaction." She muttered to which Yushez laughed before grabbing her and tossing her on the floor, his room was guarded by several men at both entrances and there were no weapons in close vicinity except for Yushez' spear which he could reach in a split second.
"Don't fight me Orkra…or else…" she swallowed as he descended on her.
Outside one of the men chuckled, his comrade raised an eyebrow "What has you so giddy?"
"I'm just excited…I'm sure we've always noticed Orkra…maybe Yushez will give us a turn."
The other guard nodded slowly "I see what you mean…unless he decides to kill her…"
"Why would he do that? Her friends are imprisoned and-"
Another man ran into the chamber "Prison break! The four of them are most likely on their way here! We're going to need everyone available to stop them!"
The two at the door nodded and followed the other man down to the prison cells.
In the dark of the night, Telm and Dent stopped out in a field by the main road, setting up a tent and calling Eminse to join them. The three sat silently, trying not to think of Euto or their allies but finding it impossible.
"This has been a long night…" Eminse muttered.
"We've made great progress…we'll reach Fort Pozem in a few days but we first need to scout ahead…whoever ordered the attack on the Euto Research Center is most like powerful enough to forgo the border and continue pursuit."
Eminse looked at Dent as he closed his eyes before turning to Telm "As always…be safe…"
"We won't allow ourselves to die." Telm stated with Dent following him up "Not until you have reunited with Orgoth…we'll do everything in our power to get you there."
As the night dragged on, Eminse smiled at the two, lying to sleep as Dent took first watch and Telm began scouting the road ahead.
Five guards surrounded a broken in door and gave each other the signal to move in. As one turned into the open doorway, an arrow struck his armor, he looked at it as it flashed and was about to scream before it exploded ripping him in two and knocking the other four aside. Zihark, Uhnie and Leah leapt out the door.
Leah and Uhnie quickly slashed across the throats of two of the fallen guards while Zihark, armed with both his blades, took out the remaining two.
Uhnie smiled "I remember the exact route we were taken when we came down here, let's go!"
"Well…the rest was delightful while it lasted."
Rolling his eyes, Shinon smacked one end of Gore Eye against the ground as the group took off.
Now fully armed, the four proceeded to rip through the Regalshin prison wardens and head upwards to find Yushez and Orkra. Though Zihark said nothing of Joltam, the others understood what that meant.
The old Marshall pulled a spear out of his body and threw it to the ground, a dozen men lay dead around him as a dozen more surrounded him. They pulled away as Gorm approached "Son…you are a knight to your king and queen…but you are on the wrong side of this…"
Gorm closed his eyes "The side of Regalshin is never the wrong side to a soldier…"
Joltam was about to speak when he noticed Gorm vanished, turning he saw the Wyvern Lord standing behind him with his back to the Marshall.
Joltam looked down and saw blood shoot out from a massive wound across his chest. Falling to his knees he saw the prison guards turn and salute Gorm as he walked away "Goodbye, knight."
Joltam smirked as he fell to the ground and closed his eyes.
Yushez stood and turned upon hearing screams "It can't be…" grabbing his spear he called the guards at the opposite door in and sent them to the other side of the room, as they opened the door they saw Uhnie flash by, one gripped his neck before falling back dead, the other yelled and raised his lance as Leah's blades tore it in two before a shot from Shinon entered his skull.
As more guards were called, Zihark walked into the room and faced Yushez, the Trueblade saw Orkra on the floor and gripped his blades tighter "No jokes…no quips…no banter…I'm here to kill you."
As Yushez laughed, Zihark charged him and brought his knee into the man's chest. As Yushez struggled to catch his breath and stumbled back, Zihark swung around and cut his hand off, dropping the weapon Yushez continued to stumble back, all his bravado and hideous nature replaced by utter fear as Zihark swung his weapons again, one cutting out Yushez' left eye and the other striking his leg to keep him from moving away.
The Trueblade grabbed one of Yushez' arms and raised his fist high before bringing it down and his knee up, breaking Yushez' elbow and causing him to scream and back into a wall.
"Don't…do…this…"
"Words I'm sure many have said to you…" Spinning his blade he thrust it through Yushez body, ripping out of the opposite side of the wall.
Zihark screamed as he ripped the blade higher up Yushez' body, making a long vertical tear from his lower stomach to right below his chest, he ripped the sword out along with a lot of Yushez' insides falling to the floor.
The man couldn't even scream as his body slid down the wall and fell face first on the ground.
Zihark turned away and moved to Orkra's side, helping her up "Are you…stupid question…everything will be alright now…"
She looked at him, her eyes both filled with relief before smiling "I knew you'd come…"
As the sun began to rise Soren stood outside of Helm with Fistivus, Lune and Mia as the rest of the troop prepared and loaded up with the exception of Lyle's group that stood off to the side.
Mia turned to Lyle "Be careful, we still need you."
The swordmaster smiled and bowed before turning to Orgoth, To'Eltz, Rhogam, Versha and Pesh. Acknowledging Lyle they began to walk off, "Good luck to you all as well…and be careful with the Dune Guard."
At this Soren glanced over to To'Eltz, once Versha and Pesh revealed the Guard was here and most likely Meloi was among them, Soren thought To'Eltz would join them for revenge against the Dune Guard Leader.
The trickster merely stated that he trusted Soren and Mia, which still didn't answer why the man wanted to go along with Lyle. Soren knew To'Eltz was never willing to place trust in Lyle. "Maybe he's trying to prove to himself that he can trust Lyle..."
As Lyle waved and his group vanished into Helm, Soren turned and nodded to Janie before telling the troop to move forward.
Tales of the Abyss, Path of Radiance AND 24 references in this chapter, I think my job here is firmly done.
BTW As a huge Burn Notice fan I am stoked that the SERIES FINALE is next Thursday, really hope the ending is good. (Same goes for Breaking Bad which ends in 3 or 4-ish weeks)
I'm still stuck in Chapter 49 where I'm writing...it just got really hard out of nowhere but I'm trying my best! BELIEVE IN ME!