OoO( 31 )OoO

When they emerged from the flames, they did not expect what they saw. It looked like a calm dark sky with the occasional lightning bolt lighting up the clouds. In the background was a giant range of grey mountains, isolating a strait path of grass that led to darkness. They both looked around for any sign of life, but there was nothing. It was just a large grassy road that led between two mountain ranges.

"I guess this is the path he spoke of. I hope nothing goes wrong with the gate while we are in here…" said the warrior as he scanned the area. There seemed to be no undead around though, strange. "Well, lets get going before we lose the silence." He said, making the dark knight nod. They traveled forward along the plain for a good while before something finally happened. The lightning suddenly began to get more and more violent.

"I don't like the looks of this." Said Thunder as they continued to march at a quick pace. Suddenly, the ground in front of them exploded from the impact of a lightning bolt. They both flew backwards, but quickly rolled to their feet. They went to move again when suddenly the earth shook from under them as thousands of hands and arms pulled themselves free of the ground. Grabbing the earth, they tore themselves from the graves until they were standing at full height in front of the two warriors, who were both awestruck at the sight of the undead army in front of them. Lyle grabbed his sword handle and pulled the weapon clean of its scabbard on his back and grabbed the blade with his hand, striking it and making it burst into flames again.

"This is a lot more serious than I would have thought!" said Thunder who drew his sword as well. They both charged forward and cleaved their way through the massive crowd of undead. But these creatures, unlike the ones in the mortal realm, revived almost instantly after they fell. Thunder raised his sword high and shouted, "Farmboy! Jump!" Lyle barely heard the call in time and leapt into the air. Thunder struck the ground with his blade, causing a large wave of electricity to skate in a line in front of them. All of the creatures in the path were vaporized by the heated attack, clearing a large path for them through the army. "Now run!"

Lyle hit the ground and instantly made a dash down the path that was carved. They made it to the other side just as the path flooded with undead again. Lyle ran a ways forward before something grabbed his leg, making him trip to the ground. He rolled over and saw the upper torso of one of the creatures climbing up his leg. He reacted quickly and lit a fireball with one hand, then blasted the creature to pieces with it. He rose again and lit both hands on fire, then shot the ground around the army, setting the landscape on fire. The creatures walked through the fire, as if unfazed. But soon after they crumbled to the ground as the inferno ate them rapidly.

Lyle grabbed his sword from the ground, then they both ran for their lives.

It seemed like it had been days inside the gate. They both had slept, while the other guarded. Thus far they had run into more undead than there were alive in all of Albion. Both of them had been worn to the bone when they finally discovered the exit to the gateway. The end of their path was a temple, like a large tower surrounded by a forest. They had cleared the forest without much trouble. But they found out soon that it wasn't the forest they needed to be wary of. As they approached the temple, two huge undead soldiers stood on either side of the door next to two giant statues of Skorm. One was wielding a giant axe, while the other had a large sword. Both creatures stood at least two heads taller the either Lyle or Thunder.

Neither of them moved an inch as the two approached the temple. Only when they tried to pass the two did the creatures react. They both crossed their weapons, preventing the two from crossing. Suddenly, they took a step forward. "Never fails…" said Lyle irritated. Thunder stepped back from the beasts and prepared to fight, as did Lyle. The beasts raised their weapons and struck. Lyle and Thunder both barely dodged the attack, then countered. Lyle aimed the tip of his sword at the creatures head, then thrust forward. But the weapon merely pinged off the undead monsters helmet.

Caught off guard, he was grabbed by the creature and hurled backwards off the temple stairs, landing with a loud thud on the grass below. The creature jumped after him as Thunder battled with the other one. The knight cleaved his sword at the beast, missing only by inches. As big as they were, the undead were very swift. Swinging its sword and clashing with the knights weapon, it thrust forward and sent Thunder rolling down the stairs. The other swung its axe at Lyle viciously. Lyle was barely able to dodge the creatures assault.

The warrior looked up and saw one of the statues that stood in front of the temple like sentinels. Quickly, but wearily he dodged another attack and ran up the stairs to the monument. Using all his might, he kicked one of the legs of the statue, shattering it into pieces. The other leg started to groan as all the weight was focused on it. Lyle turned and saw the creature coming up after him. He jumped up next to the statue and threw a fireball at the creature. It merely swatted the attack away and raised its axe high. Swinging downwards, the blade met stone as it hit the base of the statue. Lyle rolled along the top of the stone steps then threw another fireball, demolishing the other leg of the statue.

The structure fell and the undead creature looked up at it just in time to see it crash down upon it, crushing its bone and weapon beneath its weight. Lyle let out a deep sigh, then looked over at Thunder, who was doing quite well with his own problem. Thunder was taking massive swings at the creature from higher on the stairs. The undead soldier was slowly backing down the stairs, unnerved by the strength of the man before it. Thunders sword shined with lightning as he took one last swing. The creature blocked the attack, but its sword went sailing off into the temple grounds. It looked at its weapon, then back at Thunder. The dark knight reached out and grabbed the beasts head and exerted all his strength into an iron grip. The creature reached up and grabbed his arm, shrieking loudly as its skull started to crack. Finally, the bone exploded from the immense pressure applied. The limp form fell to the ground in a heap, where it was soon hit by a fireball and burst into flames.

Thunder looked over at Lyle who was standing where the statue used to be with a triumphant smirk on his face. Thunder smirked back. "Had to butt in didn't you farmboy?"

Lyle laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "It's in my nature." He said before turning and looking into the entrance of the temple. "We need to rest at least one more time before we go in there. There is no telling what we will find when we enter." He said.

Thunder nodded knowingly. "It has been a while since we had a break." He said as he pulled the pack from his side. Opening the sack, he pulled out food and drink for both of them. They sat quietly and rested before laying out to relax. "This place…I wonder what would happen if the gate broke…" said Thunder.

Lyle shook his head from his reclined position. "I don't want to know. From what the old man told me, this place ceases to exist if one of the gates breaks. Apparently there used to be another path to that cave we had our duel in. But something broke it. Now there is only one pathway left in all of Albion, and we are walking it right now." He said.

"I wonder how the gateway broke." Said Thunder. "It must have been very powerful to destroy something like a hellgate."

"Well, who really knows. But I have my theories. For example, you remember the story of the Demon that escaped from Hell?" he asked, and Thunder nodded. "Well, Agrias the Paladin was said to have gone to fight the demon off. It had unlimited power, yet she still braved it." He said.

"And she fought the beast into a canyon…" said Thunder as he recalled the story. "then both of them disappeared. No bodies found. She was thought to have slain the demon, but died of her own wounds." He said pondering for a moment. Then his eyes widened and he looked at Lyle again. "You believe they went into the Hellgate don't you?" he asked.

Lyle nodded. "And knowing Lady Agrias, I wouldn't doubt that she was the one that closed that gate for good. After all, how else would you kill a demon that has unlimited power?" he asked. As for Lady Agrias, I suppose she knew what she was getting into when she went to fight the demon. So perhaps she knew that would be her last battle." He said. Thunder thought for a moment before speaking again.

"I hope you do not intend to share the same fate as her." He said. Lyle shook his head again. "That's good. Albion's greatest hero wouldn't do much good floating off into oblivion like that." Said the knight.

After a while, Lyle stood to his feet and began to stretch his limbs. "Well, let's get inside and see what else this place has to offer." He said. Thunder got to his feet as well and did the same as Lyle. After they got prepared, they both looked up at the face of the temple once more before walking into the darkness of the door.

Once inside the door, they both looked around and saw nothing. They continued forward, slightly unnerved by the silence. Even their own heavy footsteps made no noise in this hellish place. Keen eyes peered down upon the two travelers. But not those of any living mortal, these were soulless hollow eyes. They followed the two all the way up until they found the stone gateway. Suddenly, it flew forward and attacked. Lyle only barely saw a shadowy form before it smashed into him and threw him backwards into the darkness.

Lyle rose again and drew his sword, looking around frantically for his attacker. But, all he could see was darkness. Not even his companion was visible anymore. "Thunder! Where are you?" he shouted. But he heard no response, only the echo of his own voice. Then, he heard something from behind him.

"He is no longer here." Said the voice. Lyle instantly spun around and swung his sword, but stopped it just as quickly as he saw who was behind him. The man stood just shorter than Lyle, with the common clothes of an Albion lower classman. His brown hair was slightly ruffled and his body was rather strong in build. Lyles face was a mask of surprise.

"F-Father…?" asked the warrior.

"Yes Lyle. I am Brom, your father." Said the apparition. "I remember you quite well. I remember that when we were attacked in the village, how you ran for your life."

Lyle fell to his knees and stared at the ghostly form in front of him. "No…father. I didn't run!" he said.

"Lies! Your mother, your sister, the townsfolk. We were all burned alive and tortured because they were looking for you! And where were you? You had fled the village! You are a coward for leaving your family behind!" it shouted in its echoing tone. "You could not save us Lyle. You could not come to our aid." Lyle was holding his head in disbelief.

"You are right…I wasn't able to save you father. I'm….I'm sorry." He said as tears began to stream down his face. "Please forgive me father, I've failed you."

The specter reached out to touch Lyle, "You are forgiven Lyle. Now come with me. Your sister and mother await us." Said the ghost solemnly. Lyle's eyes shot wide open and he yelled a loud battle cry, then aimed a massive fireball at the phantom. It pulled its hand back and blocked its face, but the physical form of the creature couldn't stand up to the attack. Its body discentigrated as it yelled loudly. "NOOOOOOOOOO! HOW!"

Lyle stood to his feet and glared at the creature as it fell apart. "My mother and sister are alive. But an undead using the old memories of a spirit wouldn't know that would he?" he asked as he turned his back on the blazing undead. He began to walk away, when again he heard something from behind him.

"Lyle…" said another voice behind him. Lyle spun and set his hands on fire again.

"Back again?" he asked, looking back and forth for the source of the voice. Then, he noticed a small glowing orb floating above the flames. "Huh?"

"You have made me proud my son." Replied the spirit. Lyle's eyes widened again.

"You can't fool me twice." Said Lyle as he glared at the apparition. It floated over and stopped in front of Lyle. Suddenly, the orb shifted forms. It began to grow and morph until what appeared was a white glowing wolf.

"You have grown so much, and become so strong. You are truly my son. You have brought great honor to our family." Lyle stared at the creature for a moment, then got down to one knee. The wolf walked over to him and sat in front of him, staring up at the warrior. He looked back down into the creatures eyes, deeply examining it. Finally, he spoke.

"You really are my father, aren't you?" he asked. The wolf nodded and Lyle wrapped his arms around the creatures neck. "Though evil he was, he was right. I did fail you father. If I had been there…"

"Then you would not be here today, trying to rescue your mother. Lyle, you were a boy. There was nothing you could have done. And because you lived, you were able to rescue your sister, and save hundreds of lives in all the battles you have fought. If I had known my son was to be a hero as great as this someday, I would have had your mother train you in combat like she wanted."

"Mother wanted to train me? Why?" asked Lyle as he stared at the creature.

"Your mother was a Hero like you Lyle. She fought many monsters across Albion, and saved many lives, just as you have."

"Mother was a hero?"

"Yes, a rather famous one at that. She was a well known balverine slayer. She had only killed a white balverine when I found her. She had battled with it for many hours, and she was very injured and drained. It was a miracle that she survived the ordeal. When she recovered, she decided to quit being a hero and went into hiding with me. But, she had always wanted to train you, in case one day something was to happen and you had to fend for yourself."

"I don't understand…how come I've never heard about her until now?" he asked confused.

"Lyle, your mother went into hiding for a reason. But you might have heard of her, just by a different name. You know your mother as Scarlet, but her name as a hero is Scarlet Robe. She was one of the few champions of the Arena that had completed all of the given tasks. She would be proud to know that you had done the same." Said the creature.

"I see. Father, I promise to bring her back." He said gazing into the eyes of the creature again.

The creature nodded. "I know you will Lyle. You have a very strong spirit, just like your mother. And with that, you can conquer worlds." Said Brom.

"I have just one more question father…why are you in the form of a wolf?" he asked curiously.

"All humans are given another chance to live Lyle. But, instead of being reborn as humans, we are born as animals. We still keep our memories from the previous life, so watch around you Lyle. Your friends, your family, any animal around you could be a human reborn. As am I. And now that you have freed my soul, I will be watching over you Lyle." Said the beast as it turned around and began to walk away. "Always remember what I said Lyle. With a strong spirit, you can conquer anything." Said the mystic creature. Then, it faded into the darkness.

Lyle turned back and started to walk forward into the darkness.

OoOoO

Thunder hadn't expected to be attacked so suddenly in the temple. When he saw Lyle fly backwards from an unseen assault, he immediately turned to go after him. But, he only found darkness. All he could see anywhere was pitch black. Drawing his weapon, he walked forward, looking back and forth nervously.

Then, he heard heavy breathing behind him. Turning around quickly, he dropped his weapon out of surprise. "N…No…It can't be…" he said with his eyes wide open.

"Yes brother." said the specter. "It's really me."

"But how? You…you passed away in the Arena when Jack…" he said, then stopped at the painful memory.

"Why didn't you save me from him brother?" she asked.

"There was nothing I could do! He was too fast for anyone to have seen!" he shouted to her. She glared at him and walked closer.

"But are you not the almighty Thunder? The Arena Champion? The greatest hero to come to the land since Agrias the Paladin? My entire life brother, I have been known as nothing but 'The Great Thunder's Sister'. Yet, you could not even stop me from dying. How pathetic."

"Whisper…please! I-I could do nothing…" he said, then it slapped him in the face. Lyle had even said it. The greatest hero in Albion was helpless to save his own sister. He could do nothing when the most important thing in his world was taken from him. He fell to his hands and knees.

"I see you are starting to get the picture." She said coldly. "My entire life I've looked up to you, thinking you were the greatest. But it turns out that you couldn't even accomplish a task as small as defending the one closest to you. Even that fool Lyle saved me before. But not you, you disgrace me brother." Said the creature as it reached out to touch the man.

Thunder stared at her blankly, then jumped to his feet with his sword flourished. "What did you just say?" he asked her with anger seeping from his tone.

The ghost was astonished. "I…I…"

Thunder took a step forward and glared at her. "My sister would never call Lyle a fool. She loved him as if he was her brother. And she wanted nothing more than to help Lyle with his goal in finding that girl." The ghost took a step back as Thunder took another step forward. "You are not my sister…you are nothing but a parasite, feeding off innocent souls so you can rejoin the living. But, that ends here." He said, then he raised his weapon and lightning lit the room. Slashing the specter from shoulder to waist, it shrieked loudly before exploding from the power. Thunder sheathed his weapon again.

"Very good brother." Said a cheerful voice from the darkness. Thunder looked around, but found no source. Suddenly, the dark knight was taken off guard when a spectral squirrel landed on his shoulder. He fell over in surprise.

"What in the name of…!" he shouted as he stared at the creature.

The rodent laughed, then jumped off his shoulder and landed on his knee. "What's the matter brother? Surprised to see your sister in such an adorable form?" she asked humouredly.

"W..Well…that's a start." He said. "Is that really you?" he asked as he stared at the beast oddly. The squirrel did a bow, then looked at the knight again.

"Indeed brother. I am Whisper, the Arena Champion…well…I suppose I share that title with Lyle technically." She said.

"But…how…?"

"It's a long story...but the fact is that you almost had yourself a big problem. If that poltergeist had touched you, you would be in the same state I was in only moments ago. These creatures, they capture souls and use their memories to weaken those closest to them. Then when they are vulnerable, they remove the soul from your body and take your place."

Thunder touched his chin, where moments before, the undead creature had been about to touch him. "I guess it's a good thing I became friends with that farmboy then huh? Or else I wouldn't have reacted the way I did."

"And for that, I am proud brother. You and Lyle have been rivals since day one in the guild. It seems silly to have a rival that young, but its true. You two hated each other from the start. It does my soul good to see you two as friends."

Thunder lowered his head. "Lyle is a good warrior. If only I hadn't been so blinded by my anger before, I would have seen how much he meant to you. I'm sorry I gave you so much trouble about him." He said, his face a mask of guilt. Suddenly, the squirrel launched itself from his knee and smashed into his face like a ballista. He jerked backwards and shook his head. "What the hell was that for?" he asked bewildered.

"Cheer up you old goat. I'm the dead one remember?" she said, making him laugh. "What happened is over brother. You need only think about the future now. And that future lies on the other side of this gate. I want you to be very careful when dealing with Jack of Blades brother. I was a very skilled martial artist, trained to hear people sneaking up from all sides so as not to be ambushed. But, his speed, his accuracy with a blade is unmatched. He is no fool to be trifled with."

Thunder nodded. "I promise you that I will be careful Whisper. For yours and Lyle's sake." He said.

"Thank you. Now, I am going to rest. I haven't had sleep since the day I entered this place. So, farewell brother. And good luck on your journey. Knowing who you are dealing with, you will need it." She said, then jumped to the ground. "Oh…and one more thing. Tell Lyle I said thanks for everything. He was a great friend." She said, then darted off like an arrow into the darkness. Thunder stood to his feet again and turned towards the direction they had been heading. Walking forward, the darkness faded and the hellgate appeared again,

"Thunder!" shouted Lyle from behind him. Spinning around, the knight looked at him astounded. His hand had automatically gone to his weapon.

"Farmboy? Is that really you?" he asked.

Lyle nodded. "I'm as real as you are bloodthirsty." He said with a smile.

Thunder laughed, then let go of the weapon. "Good enough for me. Where have you been?" he asked.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Said Lyle scratching his head. Thunder laughed. "Well, lets get out of here before something else decides to visit us." He said and headed for the flaming exit.

Thunder nodded, then walked towards it with the warrior. "By the way." Said the knight as they approached the gate. "Whisper told me to tell you 'Thanks for everything.'" He said. Lyle looked at him astonished. Thunder laughed loudly and jumped through the portal, leaving a stunned Lyle staring after him.