OoO( 28 )OoO
5 years later...
The dark haired woman stood staring at the monster in front of her. He was huge, his body muscular with his facial features hidden, and a pointed sword in his hand. He walked foward as she stood, her eyes wide as he approached with his weapon pointed at her. "It's time." he said smiling from behind the wolf hood he had on.
She put her hands on her hips and glared. "Then do it." she said.
He tilted his head. "You...what?" he asked.
Crossing her arms she walked closer to him. "Anything is better than having to stay in this stupid cave with you." she growled.
He looked around at his surroundings. "You don't like the cave?" he asked.
"It's hideous! What kind of evil lair is this supposed to be? And it's hot! I'm sweating like mad in this place! And you have nothing to eat! What kind of kidnapper are you? Bringing me here with nothing but scraps..." she asked accusingly.
He backed up defensively. "You're hungry?"
"And look at this floor! What kind of animal makes a lady sleep on a bed of straw?" she asked outraged as she took another step towards him, making him back up more. "And, I haven't had a bath in a week! And you call yourself a man..." she remarked, snorting in her frustration.
He scratched his head and looked at the ground. "Uh...sorry." he said.
"Sorry? SORRY! Is sorry going to make up for the money you've cost my shop by kidnapping me?" she shouted. "I've probably lost thousands of gold in trade because my shop isn't running without me there! And you're sorry?" she asked as she backed him against the wall.
"I...I don't..." he said nervously as he crouched down, trying to put as much distance between her and him as possible.
"You don't what!" she shouted. "Let me guess, you didn't think about that did you? Of course not. I'm just going to go off into a town and kidnap a shopkeeper with no family to hold them for ransom! Who cares if I'm a bumbling idiot who didn't think about the consequences of doing that? I sure don't, because I live in a cave sleeping on a bed for animals!" she shouted directly into his cowering hidden face.
"Alright!" he shouted throwing the sword on the ground and covering his head. "Alright! I'm sorry! Please just stop! Take the sword, take my clothes, take my damn horse, just please leave me alone!" he shouted curling up in the corner.
The woman picked up the sword and pointed it at the man with a smile. "Just joking." she said.
The audience burst into laughter as they watched the play. The dark haired woman and the man stood and bowed to the onlookers. The man took his mask off, revealing his long white hair and the three claw marks across his left cheek. The rest of the troupe came in and moved the props off stage, then took a bow themselves.
The blonde hero smiled from the audience at the man. She clapped loudly, as well as the two white haired girls next to her, nearly identicle to each other. "Yay! Get him Kiko!" shouted one of the girls.
Lyle jumped out of the theater area and grabbed the girl, lifting her off the ground and looking at her with a stern expression. "Hey now, who's side are you on?" he asked.
She hugged his face, blinding him as she giggled. "Just joking daddy!" she said, knowing what was coming next. She began to shriek with laughter as her father began tickling her mercilessly.
"Well, now we know the mighty heroes weakness." said the dark haired mage as he walked up to the warrior.
Lyle smirked and set his daughter down as Van chuckled. "Luckily for me, you don't have a womans power." he said as he slugged the mage in his arm. The dark haired woman walked over, her almond shaped eyes lit up as she looked at the girls.
"Hello there you two." she said as the twin girls ran to her.
"Kiko!" shouted one of them as they dove into her arms. "You were great!"
"Why thank you Rheleena." said the woman as she hugged the girls.
Van elbowed Lyle. "So, how's the peaceful life suiting you?" he asked with a smile.
The warrior smiled at his two girls and his wife. "I couldn't be happier." he said, then was suddenly tackled by one of his daughters. She wrapped her arms around his neck from behind and squeezed.
"Got ya now!" she shouted triumphantly as she put him in a headlock.
He flailed around yelling, "Help! I've got a monster on my back!" as he ran through the crowd, getting more laughter.
Van chuckled again as he watched the scene. "Alma is growing up to be just like him." Kiko said to the two, making Alex giggle and Van cringe.
"May Avo help Albion if she does." he said sarcastically.
OoOoO
Back in the guild, Lyle sat with Scarlett, Van and Theresa in their quarters. "So, you're leaving then?" asked Scarlett, her grey hair pinned up in a bun as she lounged in a cushy chair next to the fire.
Lyle nodded at her. "Yes."
"Why?" asked Van curiously.
"Remember when we were children, Alex would always be followed around by a tall blonde man?" asked the warrior, making Van nod. "Well, she recently explained to me that it was her brother. He was here, helping to tutor her."
"She needed tutoring?" asked Van oddly. "She seemed to learn pretty fast to me..." he said.
"Not that kind of tutor. He was here teaching her to be a ruler. Her parents sent her here to train as a hero, so that some day she could return to her kingdom as a powerful ruler."
"So, Alex is royalty then?" asked his mother, and Lyle nodded. Smiling, Scarlett sat back. "Always knew you had a good eye for girls." she said.
Lyle chuckled as Van scratched his chin. "So, by marriage, that would make you royalty as well?" he mused.
The warrior nodded as he scratched his head. "Actually yes. They don't really have a marriage class system in Ambervale, so whoever the current leader decides to marry makes them royalty as well."
Van smiled sincerely and slapped a hand on his friends shoulder. "Congratulations Lyle. I'm sure you'll make a lovely queen." he said, then ducked as the warrior took a swing at him.
Lyle smirked at Van, noting in his mind to make him pay for that one. "Anyway, the Hook Coast incident kind of shook the kingdom. Aside from her and her brother, they never had any other children, so after her rumored death at Hook Coast, and her brothers body too weak and sick to rule, they were left with no heir."
Theresa nodded knowingly. "They still believe she is dead then?" she asked.
Lyle nodded. "She really hasn't had a chance to go back with everything that has happened."
"How long are you going to be there?" asked Scarlett.
He scratched his head. "I don't know. I really don't understand how things work there yet, or whether her parents are even still alive. If not, then she may have to stay..."
"And you plan to stay with her." said the mage. Lyle looked at him, and he leaned back in his chair. "It would be the right thing to do. After all, what kind of husband would let his wife go off on her own with such responsibility?" he asked rhetorically.
"Not to mention the two girls. The seperation would tear them apart." said the seer.
Lyle nodded as his mother stared at him. Standing up, she hugged him tightly. "You know that no matter what happens, you will always be my son. And if you decide to stay there, then know that you will always have friends, family, and a home here in Albion if you ever need it." she said trying to hide her tears.
The hero hugged her back tightly, sighing as he heard her choked promise. "The same goes for you all. If you ever decide to come over there, you know you will be taken care of." he said as he let her go and sat back down.
"So, when are you leaving?" asked Van.
"In about a week. We still need to find a ship and supplies to get us that far." said Lyle.
Van smirked. "I think I might know a captain and crew who could help you."
OoOoO
Ark walked through the guild grounds breathing the rain cleansed air into his lungs. After the battle on Snowspire Isle, he had moved here to be with Cara, and never regretted the decisions since. He walked towards the melee circle of the guild, seeing the warrior in the middle of it. Walking up to the wooden fence surrounding it, he also noticed Thunder inside the ring with him, lacking his usual silver colored armor and weapons.
The giant dark man held his arms up in a defensive position as Lyle circled him, his own hands up ready to strike. Lyle sprung forward and took a swing at the knight, but was surprised at the mans quickness. Thunder leaned his head to the side and grabbed the warriors arm, wrenching it behind his head and using the momentum to slam him to the ground.
Ark flinched at the thud of the hero hitting the soil. "Ouch...you alright there?" he asked, getting the pairs attention.
Lyle stood up and rubbed his arm sorely. "Just fine. Just getting my limbs ripped off by this maniac." he said, getting a laugh from Thunder.
"You may have bested me in will power farmboy, but I taught Whisper everything she knew about hand to hand combat. You've still got a ways to go before you can take me on." said the dark knight.
Lyle smirked, then attacked again. This time he threw a punch, which was easily avoided by the larger man. But he shifted his weight into the swinging foot aimed for Thunders head. The large man barely ducked under the attack before it struck. "Oh yeah?" asked Lyle challengingly as he stood straight again. He kicked high again, getting blocked by Thunder, then swung around and jumped, spinning in the air and kicking the man three times in the chest before landing.
Thunder stumbled back from the attack, but still stood. He smiled, his white teeth accenting his dark skin. "Yeah." he said as he rushed forward. Lyle swung another kick, but this time Thunder caught it. Pulling the warrior forward, he grabbed the hero by the neck and lifted him onto his shoulders, before spinning once and slamming him onto his back with breathtaking force.
Ark laughed loudly as the warrior rolled on the ground, groaning in pain and gasping for air. The warrior glared up at him from the ground. "Did you want something? Or did you just come here to watch me get broken in half?" he asked.
Ark chuckled again. "As appealing as that would be, I came to let you know that we found a ship for you. And a crew." he said smiling at the bruised hero.
Lyle stood again, this time smiling. "That's good news. How'd you find them?" he asked.
"You'll see. I've come to introduce you to them." he said as he opened the training ring, allowing both men to exit. "So, what will Albion do without its greatest hero?" he asked jokingly.
Lyle shoved Ark as they walked towards the guild. "We both know that I'm not its greatest hero. I could never have done what I did without all of you there." he said.
"Oh come on. You and I both know that you would have messed it up somehow without me there. I've gotta stick around to make you look good." he said, getting a laugh from both Thunder and Lyle.
They travelled through the guild building and into the picnic area to the north, where a large group of people were gathered. As the warrior walked into the area, he was greeted by a man he instantly recognized.
"Well well well, if it isn't Lyle the Saber...good lord boy. You look like you got trampled by a pack of balverines! What happened?" asked the man, his mane like beard and hair making him look like I lion.
Lyle glared at Thunder, getting a knowing smile in return, then turned back to the captain. "Good to see you again Captain Nemo. I'm guessing you will be piloting the ship?" he asked.
Captain Nemo pounded his chest proudly. "You couldn't find a better'n than me." he said gruffly.
Lyle smiled. "I agree. Now, who's the crew?" he asked curiously, looking at the others.
The captain turned and waved his arm at the others. They walked forward with a smile and greeted the hero. "A few of the folks here wanted to meet you. Said you might know them from somewhere."
The hero looked at the faces. None of them looked particularly familiar. Then one man with dark hair stepped forward with a smirk. "Forgotten me already Lyle? I must be doing something right." he said as Lyle stared at his face.
Suddenly, it hit him. "Raven?" he asked, astonished to see the man out of his regular black attire.
"The one and only." he said. "And these here are my family and clan." he said, stepping aside and allowing Lyle to see the others. "In fact there are two here that would very much like to meet you." he said as two of them stepped forward. One was a shorter man with a grey mustache and short grey hair. His eyes were dark and fierce. The other was a tall woman with long black hair, whos equally dark eyes scanned him.
"Uhhh...it's good to meet you." said the warrior.
"You too." said the man in a dangerous tone as he held his hand out for the hero to shake. Lyle sensed the poison in his voice, and grabbed his hand to shake it. Immediately he felt the mans will energy shift, similar to his during his fight with Jack in the guild. He reached up and grabbed the mans hand as it thrust for his throat, a blade now protruding from a slot on his wristband. The tip of the weapon was a hairs breadth away from his throat.
Lyle glared at the man, as he glared back. The silence was deafening as the two stared each other down. Finally, the tension was broken as the older man dropped his weapon hand and smiled. "I see she taught you well." he said, his tone changing instantly.
Lyle stared at him for a moment, when finally the pairs features became recognizable. The dark, slanted eyes, the womans flowing dark hair, even the bird emblems on their shoulders seemed to slap him in the face. "You're..." he said, but couldn't finish.
"Yes, we are Talon's parents." said the woman, who was also smiling. "And you are Lyle, the hero she spoke so much about before she left us again."
The warrior looked at the ground. "She...saved my life. If it wasn't for her, Albion, and probably the world would be nothing but ashes now." he said closing his eyes tightly.
"We know." said the mother as she walked forward and placed her hand on the warriors shoulder. "And we know that you still feel some guilt for her death." she said, making him look up at her. "She visited me in a dream when she passed and told me everything. She loved you Lyle, and I want you to know that we don't blame you for her death, and neither does she. She knew what she was doing when she attacked the demon, and she did it anyway. I can't think of a better reason to die than to save the one you love." she said, her voice soft and caring.
Lyle nodded and smiled at them. "Thank you." he said.
"She chose a good man when she chose you Lyle." said the father with a proud smile. "And I'm proud to serve the man that she chose til the end of my days."
Lyle looked at him oddly. "What do you mean?" he asked.
Raven walked forward again. "It's the history of our people. We were originally formed in order to serve Archon, the ruler of the Old Kingdom. We left and followed our own path when he found the sword of destruction. But we believe in fate, and believe that Maria running into you was no accident. You are the descendent of the Great King Archon, and you are a true hero. So we think it's time we moved from our village and fulfilled our true purpose." he said with a smile.
Lyle smiled and bowed his head to the group of people. "It's an honor to have you at my side." he said. Ark smiled at the scene.
After a few moments, the dark hero stepped forward. "Alright! It's time we started getting the ship prepared!" he shouted as the group cheered. "We have five days to get her sea worthy!"
OoOoO
The sun slowly began to rise over the horizon on Barrow Fields, sending the darkness retreating as the warm glow of dawn spread. Alex sat on a hill, her head laying on the warriors shoulder as she watched the sunrise. Lyle had his arm around her, his own head leaning on hers. "Tomorrow is the day..." she said.
"Yeah." he said holding her close.
She sighed sadly and looked at the ground. "I know you are giving up a lot to come with me Lyle. Thank you."
He smiled and kissed her head gently. "I'm not the only one. You have friends and family here too." he said. She looked up at him curiously. "The entire guild is our family." he said, remembering the Guildmaster, now known as Marcus since his retirement. "All of them are our brothers and sisters, there to help us and look out for us." he said, remembering everything that happened since he came to the guild. Them meeting as new guild acolytes. Van's tormenting, and eventual friendship. Elizabeths tutoring, and teaching. Whispers encouragement, Williams helpfulness, and Cara's kindness. "I can truly say that I am the luckiest man in the world to have met the people I have."
Alex smiled. "Me too." she said as she closed her eyes and laid her head on his shoulder again.
OoOoO
The days had flown like the wind, passing quickly by the citizens of Albion until finally, the day of the voyage came. Van had supplied the ship, giving up his previous investment from the corrupt politician in order for Alex and Lyle to make their journey. The supplies were given by the people of Albion. Shopkeepers and farmers from all over gave up their own food and equipment so that the heroes might survive the ship, all of them greatful for the deeds of the two.
The sun rose in the early morning as the port of Oakvale flooded with people from the town, the guild, the arena, and everywhere else one could think of. They were all gathered on the beach, some in tears, some with bright smiles on their faces as they watched the heroes approaching from Oakvale.
Lyle and Alex walked down the road to the beach, Lyle with Alma's hand and Alex with Rheleena's. They looked up and saw everyone standing on the beach waiting for them. The twin girls waved at everyone and the two heroes smiled.
"Quite the send off huh?" asked Van, the new Guildmaster of the Heroes Guild. He stood at the head of the crowd, his dark hair russling in the wind.
Lyle smirked and looked at all the faces in the crowd as he walked down the center, them parting for his passage. They all had different looks on their faces, some smiled happily, some were in tears, some nodded in recognition. Despite the different expressions, he felt only one thing from them all. Love.
Alex and Lyle walked past them and helped their daughters onto the ship before turning to the group behind them.
"I know why you are all here..." said Lyle as he looked over them all. "And I have one thing to say. You shouldn't be." he said smiling. The crowd looked at him oddly. "All I am is some farmboy from a small town. All I did was do what any one of you would do if you were in the same situation. I'm not important enough for all this." he said.
A man from the village stepped forward with a very proud demeanor. His hair and mustache were both grey, and his swollen stomach filled his clothes entirely. But nonetheless he strode forward and jabbed Lyle in the chest with his finger. "You probably don't remember who I am do you?" he asked. Lyle stared at him dumbly. "Years ago when I was a younger man, you took me by the throat and told me that a mans accomplishments wasn't a pardon for his sins. You told me right over there." he said pointing to the statue on the cliff that overhung the sea.
"Oh...sorry." said Lyle sheepishly.
"There'll be none of that." he said cutting the hero off. "You taught me a valuable lesson that day. Now I'm hear to teach you one. Ones duty doesn't come before honor. All those things you did, all the evil you've killed, all the good you've brought us, maybe it doesn't erase the bad stuff you've done. But you didn't have to do those things, and it's your choice to do those things that people like me and my wife, like the villagers and farmers, like masons and woodworkers, like the citizens of Albion that makes you important to us." he said, stunning Lyle into silence. "Despite knowing it was near impossible, that you were probably going to die, you chose to do them anyway, for us. So the people who couldn't do it can live happily. That is why you are important enough for this." he shouted proudly.
The crowd began clapping loudly at the speech. Lyle and Alex smiled and looked at them all. "Thank you all. I love all of you, and want to thank you for everything you've done for us." said Alex.
The mayor of Knothole walked forward with both his sons at his side. Michael stood tall and muscular, his voice now deeper than even Lyle's. He now looked like a true hero, his armor silver with a large spear across his back. He now had a scar under his eye from a close run in with a balverine. Lucas stood on the other side of their father, his short brown hair ruffled from the constant wind on the coast and a look like he had better things to do.
Michael walked forward and took the heroes hand, clasping it with his own. "You were my mentor, my teacher, and my inspiration. I'll never forget you Lyle." said the dark skinned man. Lyle smiled and pulled the new hero into a hug.
"Better not forget what I've taught you either. Could cost you your head someday." he said with a smile as they pulled apart. Michael chuckled at his teacher.
"Don't have to worry about that." he said. Next to step up was Ark and Cara. Cara immediately hugged Alex, then hugged Lyle.
"You two be careful and promise to come back and see us sometime." she said, her eyes betraying hidden tears.
Alex smiled. "Don't worry. I would never leave here and think about staying away. I couldn't bear the thought of not seeing you all again." she said brightly.
Ark stepped forward and shook Lyle's hand. "You come back in one piece. We still haven't settled our duel on the beach that day." he said smugly.
Lyle chuckled. "Good thing too. We all know I'd have destroyed you if it weren't for Scythe stepping in."
Van and Elizabeth came forward, Van still wearing a smirk on his face. "Be sure when I come to visit that you have girls throwing rose petals on the ground in front of me." he said as he shook Lyle's hand. Lyle glared at him, but still smiled.
"Whatever you say your highness." said the warrior sarcastically as he sent a jolt through Van's arm, making him cringe. The mage laughed and shook the pain from his arm.
"It'll be your highness if you try that again." he said as he stepped back. The rest of the crowd came forward thanking and wishing the two well. Maryn from Oakvale, Marcus the former Guildmaster, Graden, William, Toran, Lyle's family, townsfolk, shopkeepers, merchants, city guards, heroes, and all kinds from all over.
The last to step up was Thunder and Lady Grey. She looked at Lyle sheepishly as the two approached the heroes. Thunder immediately went to pounding proudly on Lyle's back. "Well farmboy, it's been good knowing ya. If you ever need some more hand to hand lessons, come back and visit me. I'll fix you up real good." said the dark knight as Lyle chuckled.
"Yeah, I'll be sure to come back if I ever get the desire to eat dirt again." he said, making Thunder laugh loudly. When they finished, Lady Grey walked up timidly and bowed to Lyle.
"Thank you hero." she said. Lyle hadn't seen her since the day he shook the paintings in her manor with his voice. Now, he really didn't know how to approach an actual conversation with her.
"Ummm...your welcome..." he said uncomfortably.
"My entire life, I saw everything as an opportunity for more power. Thanks to you, and the love of Thunder, I've seen what a monster I was. I have much to thank you for, but I wanted to thank you the most for making me truly happy." she said smiling up at him brightly.
Lyle smiled back. "I'm glad you're happy." he said.
"Stay safe both of you." she said as Thunder said his last piece to Lyle.
"Stay safe farmboy. If you let anything kill you after I failed, I'll find you and kill you again." said Thunder with a large grin. Lyle chuckled. "And don't forget where your roots lie. Albion will always be here for you if you ever want to come back." he said in a more serious tone.
"Don't worry Thunder. I know who I am, and I know that I will never forget any of you." he said as the pair went back to the crowd. Lyle and Alex climbed up on the ship and immediately turned to the crowd again as Raven and his crew began to set the ship into motion. The wind picked up again and his long white hair flew like a cloak as he waved goodbye to his friends and family for the last time.