OoO( 26 )OoO
Snow fell from the sky as usual and the sea lapped lazily onto the shore of Hook Coast. The sun was blocked behind the heavy clouds, making a dim light cast over the town. People went about their buisiness as the day floated by seemingly sluggish.
Snow crunched as a heavy boot hit the ground. Then another as the person took a second step. The warrior walked forward, passing people who aimed smiles and greetings toward him. He smiled, and greeted them back, then went about his way. Three children, two boys and a girl holding a doll were out in the snow playing snow fort, a common game among the young. The girl ducked behind her fort as a snowball flew at her. She grabbed one of the freezing projectiles and jumped up to throw it at them, when another snowball flew and nailed the doll, sending it flying a few feet across the ground. The girl yelled in horror, then ran after the toy.
As it landed in front of him, the warrior bent down and picked up the doll, smiling as he saw it. White hair, large sword, white armor, even the button eyes were blue. A very detailed doll of Alboin's greatest hero. The little girl ran up to the stranger and stopped in front of him.
Bowing politely, she said, "Excuse me sir, could I have my doll?" She looked up at him and her eyes went wide. Her doll was being held by the real thing. "I-Its you..." she said.
"Hey, what's taking you so long?" yelled one of the boys as they both ran over to her. They too went wide eyed when they saw who was in front of them. "It's him! It's really him!" shouted one.
"Lyle the Sabre!" shouted the other.
Lyle smiled and handed the girl her doll back, then pulled loose a white cloth band wrapped around his arm. Taking it, he reached over and tied it around the girls head. "Take good care of that for me, would you?" he asked.
The girl still stared at him, but nodded dumbly. "I will..."
Smiling brighter, Lyle stood up and looked at them. "Good, now behave yourselves if you want to become a hero like me one day." he said, then walked away.
The three stared at him as he left, then at each other. One of the boys ran up to her. "Can I see it please?" he begged.
The girl smiled. "No way! He told me to take care of it, so I'm never taking it off!" she said, then ran off towards her house. Both boys chased her, still begging.
Lyle walked over to a cozy house, then stopped and stared up at it. Reaching in his white balverine cloak, he pulled out a small silver key. Placing it in the lock, he turned it and heard a satisfying click! from the door. Slowly, the door creaked open and he walked inside, looking around at the interior. It was unfurnished downstairs, something he would have to take care of later. In the wall, there was a fireplace and hanging above it was a portrait of himself with his fists blazing, fighting the snow troll that had attacked the coastal town. He smiled as he saw it.
"Hmmm...must have belonged to the last owner when he died." he said as he ran his hand over the fine tapestry. "Don't worry old man, I will keep this house in honor of you, as you kept the painting in honor of me." he said, then turned around. Walking up the stairs, he saw a bed in the corner and two wooden doors that led onto a balcony. Walking over, he opened the doors and stepped into the light of the outside. He looked out and saw the lighthouse on the small penninsula to the west of the house. The view of the town, the sea, and even the people walking around was breathtaking. He watched the scene for a while before going back inside and closing the doors. Disarming himself, he layed in his bed and went to sleep in the first house he ever owned.
OoOoO
He dreamt again. He stood staring out at the ocean on the coast, watching the same sunset he had seen in his dream with Alex. The wind came up and ruffled his hair as it crossed the ocean from the far east. Suddenly, his entire body went cold. Chills ran up and down his spine as the wind stopped and silence surrounded him.
Feeling a presence behind him, he turned around and saw a shadowy figure walking up to him. He grabbed his sword, but as soon as his hand touched the leather hilt, he froze. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move. The figure stopped, still covered in darkness. Then, it grabbed something off its back. Although, the body couldn't be seen, the shadows eyes glowed a bright white as it lifted the item. Pulling something else off its back, it attached it to the first item.
Lyle suddenly realized what it was. The shadow was holding a large bow, and had put an arrow onto the string. Sure enough, the figure pulled back the arrow and spoke. "The Angel of Death is waiting for you Sabre..." said the spectre, then it fired the arrow.
OoOoO
Knock! Knock! Knock! came from the door. Lyle awoke and jumped out of his bed. Looking around, he saw only his room. Closing his eyes, he put his hand to his forehead and sighed. "Man, why do I have these dreams?" he asked. Then, his attention was grabbed as he heard another knock. Opening the doors to the balcony, he walked out and saw a familiar guild hero standing at the door. Smiling, he yelled. "Hey! It's been a while!"
The man looked up and smiled at him. "So it has Lyle! Come down here, I need to talk to you!" he said. Lyle nodded, then disappeared from view. Then, the man almost jumped out of his skin as Lyle landed behind him. Turning around with a hand over his heart, the black armored hero glared at him. "What do you think you're doing?" he yelled.
Lyle smiled. "It was easier than taking the stairs." he said.
The man calmed down, then smirked. "You were always one to show off." he said amusedly.
Lyle shrugged. "You know me. So, what is it that you wanted William?" he asked.
William pulled out a small piece of parchment, then handed it to him. "Your sister asked me to give this to you. Said it was very important." he said. Lyle took the parchment. "And one other thing. I wanted to warn you about something." he said.
"What is it?" asked Lyle curiously.
"I would be careful around these parts if I was you, there has been word around that assassins were sent to kill you. And I'm not talking about the petty killers that were in the Arena. I mean the assassins from the Dark Hand. They mean buisiness there." he said as he brushed aside his long brown hair and pulled his black fur cloak around him.
Lyle looked quizzical. "Why would they be after me?" he asked.
"Well, for any number of reasons. For one, there are a lot of people who want revenge for what you did to the bandits in the Arena. They are supposed to be the strongest horde in Albion. Even Twinblade couldn't hold a candle to these guys. Then, there is Thunder, who probably still thinks you are the cause for his sisters death. So he might have hired them..." said the hero, but was cut off.
"Thunder wouldn't do that. If he wanted me dead, then he would come after me himself. He isn't a coward." said the warrior. William nodded his acknowledgement.
"Aye, but what about Twinblade? He might have something to do with it."
Lyle nodded. "That wouldn't surprise me." he said.
"Anyway, I just wanted to warn you. After all, you were my greatest rival in the guild. But it turns out that being older doesn't always get you ahead faster. You had more determination than I did, and rightly so." he said with his hand forward.
Lyle grabbed the mans hand and shook it. "Thanks. And you were also a big help to developing my skills. If you ever need anybody to watch your back, I'll be there." he said. "Oh, one more thing. Can you tell Van to meet me at the Oakvale inn later?" he asked.
William nodded. "No problem. See you later Lyle." he said.
They parted ways and Lyle went back inside the house. Unfolding the parchment that was given to him, he stared at the letter and instantly recognized the hand writing as his sisters.
Lyle, please meet me at the Grey Manor outside
Barrow Fields in two days. It has to do with mother.
-Theresa
He nodded to nobody in particular, then folded the paper again.
OoOoO
Jack smiled under his mask as he walked down the barren maze of corridors of his dungeon. Taking a left, he quietly began to talk to himself. "I finally found the key. It was so easy! Right in front of my face!" he said. Suddenly, a man in a black uniform walked up to the tyrant.
"Sir, we have been informed that the girl has discovered her mothers location. And soon, she will be telling the hero." he said.
Jack looked at the guard, then laughed. "And what is your point?" he asked.
"Well, we figured that if the hero knew where his mother was, he would try and break her out." said the guard uneasily.
"Fool! You think my prison is that easy to break into?" asked Jack roughly.
"Well, no sir but..." he said, but suddenly stopped talking as an invisible force lifted him from the ground by his throat. He struggled with the unseen enemy strangled him.
"Don't ever ridicule me by saying that some hero is good enough to break into my facility!" he shouted, then his eyes widened. The guard fell to the ground, sobbing and gasping for air. "Of course! We don't fetch him, we let him come to us!" he said. "Where is that wizard when we need him?"
OoOoO
Van was back in the Will circle with the same girl he had been training before. She had short hair that lay flat to her head in front and spiked in back. Standing across from him, she wore a tight black skirt and a matching long sleeved shirt. She stared at her teacher as Elizabeth watched from the sidelines.
"Are you ready?" asked Van. The girl nodded, and he smiled. "Good, then begin."
She shot her hand forth and black energy flew from her palm, hitting Van in the chest and sending him flying backwards. He stood quickly and countered with a fireball. She barely dodged the attack, but was hit with his second strike. The dark mage thrust his arm forward again and lightning struck her, making her fall backwards. She took a second before rising again, then summoned a monster to her aid. A dark hobbe ran forward with a large axe above its head. But Van immediately destroyed the monster with a fireball. The teacher then punched the ground, and the earth all around the girl exploded and rose into giant spikes. The apprentice was trapped in the middle of the earth spires and couldn't figure out what to do next.
Van jumped into the air and swiftly flew over the trap. Both palms aimed at her, blue magic started to swirl around him. Suddenly, all the spikes and the top of the trap froze into an icy cage. The girl panicked and started to beat against the icy structure, but to no avail.
She stopped and started taking deep breaths. "Okay, just remember what Elizabeth taught you. Concentrate on where you are and where you want to be." she said. Closing her eyes, she slowed her breathing and remained completely silent. Black magic started to rise from the ground and crawl up her body. Soon, she was completely covered in the spell. Then, she sank into the ground and left no trace of her.
Van looked at the block of ice in front of him, then shrugged. "Well, no point in keeping her in there." he said. Lighting a fireball, and threw it at the ice and the cage melted. When he didn't see her, his eyes widened. He looked around, but saw nothing. Suddenly, he looked up and saw her falling towards him. He went to move, but dark energy rose from around him, trapping him in a dark shield. The girl landed, then did one final attack. She slammed her palms together, causing the shield to implode. The dark magic caved in, then exploded, sending Van flying through the air. He landed with a heavy thud, then after a minute, he rose to his feet. "Nice move." he said.
Elizabeth had started clapping from the sidelines. "Very well done Cara! You did it!" she shouted.
The girl smiled and stared at Van. "Maybe next time, you won't take it so easy on me." she said.
Van smirked. "Maybe."
William had approached behind them, then whistled. They all looked at him, and he waved to the dark mage. Van turned back to Cara. "You did good today. Keep practicing the phazing spell and you'll have it down in no time." he said. She nodded and walked away happily. Van turned and approached the hero. "So, what's new?" he asked.
"Lyle asked me to tell you to meet him at the Oakvale inn." he said.
"Heh, hope its good news. So, what's he up to, I haven't seen him in a while." asked Van.
William leaned against the wooden edge of the bridge. "He just got a note from his sister. She asked me to deliver it to him.
Van nodded. "Lets hope this doesn't lead to another life threatening battle. I think he needs a vacation for a while." he said jokingly.
William laughed, then said, "No kidding there. First, Twinblade, then the white balverine, then the Arena, then Thunder. I think he has had enough action for a while." Van smiled.
"That he has."
OoOoO
Lyle sat in the tavern of his home town drinking a large flagon of ale. He stared across the dwelling and noted the different types of people sitting and drinking. At the bar sat a woman, about middle aged and depressed by the look of her, downing tankard after tankard of the strongest ale there was.
Sitting two tables to his right, sat a man enjoying his time off work. Standing in the corner of the inn was a mercenary waiting for his next job to present itself. Grabbing his drink, he took another sip before he saw a familiar figure walk inside. Van walked over and sat down at the table.
"So, hows it been?" asked the mage.
Lyle smiled. "The usual. Getting praised one way and threatened the other."
"Sounds like you. So, what did you call me here for? Or did you just miss my beautiful face?" he asked sarcastically.
Lyle had gone to take a drink when Van made his remark. As soon as the warrior heard the comment, he sprayed ale all over the table and Van. Lyle started laughing out loud, then glared at the mage. "Now look what you made me do." he said referring to the wasted ale.
Van glared right back. "Oh, I apologize." he said, then wiped his face on his red cloak. "So, that obviously isn't the reason you called me here, so what is?" he asked.
Lyle straitened in his seat. "Well, you remember back when you, me, and Elizabeth all searched Hook Coast for Alex, then found out about the Angel of Death?" he asked.
"Of course, that was the first time Elizabeth...uh, what about it?" he asked.
Lyle stared at him for a moment before getting back on track. "Well, I recently had a dream about this...Angel of Death..." he said.
Van stared at Lyle for a while before saying anything. "What was it about?" he asked.
"She pulled a bow off her back, then said 'The Angel of Death is waiting for you Sabre.' Any idea what it could mean?" he asked.
Van thought for a second before responding. "Maybe it means that this Angel of Death is coming after you."
Lyle shook his head. "I don't think so...if that was the case, she would have said the Angel of Death is coming for you, not waiting. Maybe it could mean that they are waiting for me to show up." he said.
"Or, it could just be a dream affected by what has happened to you so far." said Van. "Think about it. Ever since you got out of the guild, you've done nothing but make a name for yourself. You've defeated a snow troll, something that an army of Bowerstone guards couldn't accomplish. You've conquered Twinblade, you've killed his son, you've fought a white balverine, not to mention being bitten by it. You've challenged and won the Arena, two of your best friends were killed, and to top it off you had to fight what was once the greatest warrior in all of Albion. Now, tell me that you don't think that would inspire some dream of ill omen towards you." he said.
Lyle sat and thought for a while. "Maybe you're right, maybe I just need a break from the hero buisiness." he said.
"Hehe, me and William were talking about sending you on vacation." he said.
"Nah, I just need some more sleep and some alone time." he said.
"Yeah, by the way, did you know about Talon?" asked Van curiously.
"What about her?" asked Lyle.
"She left Albion." he said.
At hearing this, Lyle jumped to his feet. "What!" he shouted wide eyed.
"Yeah, she packed her things and said she was leaving Albion for a while."
Lyle stood stunned for a moment, then did something that sent a shockwave of fear through everybody in the inn. Raising his fist, he slammed it through the table and punched straight through the floor. "Where did she go?" he asked.
"She wouldn't say. She just said she needed to get away for a while." said Van, also startled by Lyle's aggressiveness.
Lyle grabbed his head and began pacing the room. "Not now! This can't be happening now!" he yelled.
Van stood and grabbed Lyle by the shoulders. "Lyle! Calm down!" he shouted. "Just go home and get some rest. We will go after her later."
The warrior stared at his friend for a moment, then nodded. "I'm sorry. I do need more sleep." he said. "I'll talk to you later." Turning around, he left the tavern with everybody watching him.
OoOoO
Lyle lay in his bed half asleep and irritated. He rolled over and felt the cold steel of his katana that he always kept next to his bed. He let out a sigh because he could barely get to sleep, then rolled towards the wall. Suddenly, he heard something from downstairs. The floorboards on the stairs were creaky, and anybody who walked up them was bound to make them cry. Lyle lay completely still as he heard his door open behind him.
Placing his hand slowly on the handle of his katana, he waited. Whoever this person was, they weren't that skilled at sneaking around. The figure looked at the warrior lying on the bed, then grabbed the bow off her back. Taking an arrow, she placed it on the string, then pulled back until she couldn't anymore. Aiming at the warrior, she let go and the arrow flew like the wind towards the target. But, her eyes widened when the warrior spun around and knocked the arrow out of the air using the flat of his katana. The figure turned to run, but the sound of whirling metal stopped her. The door then became permanently closed as the warriors weapon sank deep inside the wood.
Lyle stood and walked over as the girl backed into a corner. Lighting a fireball, he got a good look at her. White skirt and top, both armored, blond hair and brown eyes. He stared at her for a moment. She cowered in the corner awaiting death. Kneeling down, he asked, "Are you...the Angel of Death?"