Chapter 14: The heat of Battle
A/N
Raven: starting this chapter he is about 18 and is a weapon taker.
The Next Day
Morning
Lizardmen Village
Elsword's PoV
I woke up around before dawn and to the lake to do some training. Its been awhile since i actually trained which was back in Elder. After what happened yesterday, i felt strangely rejuvenated.
I did my push ups, pull ups some jogging and still felt as good as new. The soreness was there of course, but i still felt i could go on. Did that thing Chakabuk put on me did this?
'Hmm maybe i should try that skill' i thought and crouched with my legs apart and right arm behind me. I began to focus my energy into my right hand and focused only on that. For some reason the skill wasn't starting. Usually red particles would form then the blade, but now nothing.
I stand back up straight and looked at my hand. 'What happened to me'. I then heard shuffling near some bushes. Some scorpions came out and scuttled to my feet. The circle around me, i guess they want me to pet them or something?
I crouched down and rub one of their shells. It closed its eyes and stood still like its enjoying it. They have shells but can still feel things on it...weird.
"Ah i see they opened up to you in your short stay here" I looked up to see Beraku standing with his cane. "Morning" I stood up and he nods. "Do you feel any negative effects from yesterday's experience" He asks while getting water from the lake.
"Just the opposite really, i feel so refreshed right now" I say grabbing my sword to do some swing practices. "I see. Well later your friends will be arriving here to come see you. I believe in the noon"
Oh! finally i can see them again, but one thing still puzzled me "Why couldn't you send me to them?" Beraku tuned to me after he was done gathering water. "You were injured and we were unsure of their presence there. Also" He then walks to me and places his hand on my shoulder. "We shall train you later as well. After you have met with your friends of course"
Ah so that whole experience was for something then. It had to be since i still vaguely remember the pain i felt. The burning feeling still fresh in my body. But right now i do feel abit lighter than before.
What did they do to me?
We are now walking back with the sun rising behind us. I can feel the coolness of the night slowly leaving and heat of the sun approaching. It was a nice balance of cold to hot. While walking Beraku was asking me what 'human culture' was like. I told him all sorts of things i could think off the top of my head.
He was very much fascinated and interested. He went to go and put the water away inside his house and continued my answers to his questions. In turn he also told me of Lizardmen history and culture as well.
The Liazardmen actually came from another continent that was quite distant from here. It was located in the south part of the world and they came here to spread their culture and beliefs with others, even though they keep to themselves.
They also said that back in their homeland, they had a hierarchy that consisted of warrior and Sharman. There could only be one head Sharman of a tribe and he could also be the leader.
He told me they held a special power of the ancients that almost every species had. "That is what the train for today will be about" He told me and we stopped at a large cave. "I now have some business that i must attend to, i bid farewells for now" He bowed and went into the caves.
It was now abit into the morning now and i was walking around the village taking in the scenery. How long since i been here now? oh well.
I decided to goto that place where the lizardmen were training before. Low and behold there they're are training their swordsman ship.
I have nothing better to do so i might as well do something. Might pick up a few things as well.
Black Crows Airship
Last Night
Raven's PoV
"Dam these things" I say out loud while getting back on my feet. These Nasods are no joke, they cover each others back like brothers.
I rolled out the way of another ice blast the blue nasod fired at my. I then stood up and hel my nasod arm up. "Here take it!" I shouted and fired a large fire ball from my arm cannon. The attack instead hit the red nasod, who came to protect the blue one.
The red one began to charge toward me with flames dancing in its hands. 'Tch dont underestimate me' i charged at it as well and we clashed. "The rest of you! keep the other one busy! ill take this one" My soldiers didn't question and did as i say.
They were shooting their guns at and the swordsmen can to engage it to keep it off the gunners. Meanwhile this thing was overpowering me!
I pushed it off me and went for a horizontal slash on its chest. It blocked it with its arm and went for a forward punch. I ducked under it and went for a vertical slash. It was a hit but not effective. My sword only managed a scape on its body.
It do much since it kicked me away. I recovered for the attack instantly and went back for him. He attempted another forward punch but this time i dodged it and struck its arm with my nasod arm.
i could tell it felt that one since it reared back but i didn't let up. I fired grenades from my hand at its face. It was not normal grenades but ash and oil filled grenades instead.
When it recovered it went to grabbed my face but i jumped back in time. It turned its hand into a cannon and began firing fire balls at me. I dodged by jumping back or sidestepping. It gave up trying long ranged and charged at me instead.
'Heh that's right' i thought with a smirk. The ash and oil were still on it and i looked to not have noticed it. I charged my nasod arm for a technique that will surely get the job done.
It went for a hook but i ducked under it and used the butt of my sword to smash its glass monitor on its face. It stumbled back and i used my nasod arm to punch it right in its stomach area, crushing some parts of it.
It fell to the ground and i jumped onto a higher platform. My nasod arm began burning with flames now coming out of it. It hurts but this technique will hurt more!
I aimed my arm at the nasod who was struggling to get back up. "Should have stayed in the factory, Harpoon spear!"
A large spear like flame shot out from my arm. It bright yellow at the tip and left a burning red trail. When it hit, it caused a explosion, but that wasn't it. I closed my nasod hand and a chain of small explosions burst from the trail left by harpoon spear and traveled to the explosion.
This made the explosion even bigger for more damage to that thing. When the smoke cleared. it was nothing but bits. The blue one saw that its other partner had fallen and quickly went to the wreckage. It took some small chip and went over board before we could stop it.
Present day
Morning
I woke up sore due to the over use of my nasod arm. I dont regret the over usage of it since i had to finish that thing. I dont think im moving yet though. I look to my side and saw that it was now morning. "Ugh" i groaned and took some special pills that made for soreness.
I stole these after i escaped Altera's nasod factory. They seem to have been experimenting with humans and other creatures.
I get up from the bed and went to put on my normal clothes. "Sir" A soldier knocked on my door "Come" He came in and bowed. "The repairs to the top floor have finished but we must land in order to repair core damage." Hmm core damage? seems they wanted us down.
"Permission granted" I buckled my belt and strapped my sword and walked out to the main deck. It was just as good it was before we were attacked. I peered over the balcony to get the view of Altera.
"Arg!" I fell to the floor holding my head. 'No not now!' Its happening again. The memories...
Broken memories
5 years ago?
"Faster Raven! you wont over come me with such fragile swings!"
"No Raven! you can't just allow that to happen!"
"If you give up...Then there is no reason to live"
End
When the memory stopped i got back up. And walked back to my room. Those fragments have start to come back more and more each passing day. Before it was only nightmares, now there as frequent as day dreams.
These fragments are split up all over inside my head. I can only remember my old friends Alex and Seris but not my master or even my parents. Ever since i awoke in that capsule things have been nothing short of hell.
No... i can't be pestered by such things. I went yo the bathroom and splash water on my face. I have things to be done.
Aisha's PoV
Noon
Bethma Trail
This morning was nothing but a huge rush. After we got word that the lizardmen do in fact have Elsword and say we can goto him, me and Rena hurried to the opportunity. But Stella wanted us to do a quick patrol i. case of more Nasods so we had to that first...
After we were done we immediately went with the lizardmen escorts and we are on the trial to their village. Only thing that is now the the problem is this El forsaken heat.
"Is it me or does it gey hotter and hotter and by the hour" I say fanning my self with the flat side of my staff. " Ah that's because it get hotter as you travel through desert" One of the lizardmen day with broken language.
After 15 minutes of hell, we made it to a settlement with other lizardmen. "This must be they're village! look! look!" Rena practically screams in my ear. " I see i see jeez" i won't lie though i am happy too but i won't show it.
They lead us to a inside a cave where it instantly got cooler. We got deeper and we start to hear the sound of a battle. "Not good enough!" I heard on say and an explosion followed.
Me and Rena looked at each other with a unsure look. "Uhh" Rena was just as speechless as i was.
We made it to a large clearing with small platforms all over a large hill. At the top stood a large burgundy lizardman with a long dragon shape staff and too much hair? on his face?
On the ground was a battered up person with dirt all over him. Wait is that! "Elsword!!" Rena runs to him before i can. Elsword looks in our direction and drops his sword and runs to us with both his arms arms out.
We all clashed with each into one big group hug. "Heya guys" Elsword said with his eyes closed and a huge smile showing his teeth. "Dont 'hey' us! why didn't you come to look for us!" I yelled at him and reared back in shock.
"I was uh injured?" He says but i known Els for a good time now. "I know you flew into the sky and all but injuries like that you could have make up in a day or two" Rena says with her hands on her hips. She was just as mad and happy as i was.
"Hmph" We looked up the lizardmen wh seemed to want our attention "Elsword now that you have found your friends i will give you time to converse now, we shall resume later this evening" The lizardmen then disappeared in a lighting cloud.
1 hour later
Bethma lake
After me and Rena took a bath to get rid of that sweat smell we began to have our long awaited chat with Els.
Seems like he's been busy here in the few days he been here. He is now practicing a new way fighting that involves the use of elemental properties. He was nursed back to health by them and has been just relaxing since.
We told him that Wally may also be here as well since we found Nasods around the town we came from. We may have a clue on his location though
We were laying on the edge of a bed and out our feet out with Els in the middle. "Well that's pretty much it." Elsword sighs " Well then we gotta go after Wally soon then. If he makes it to where ever he plans on going then we're screwed"
Elsword gets up and looks at us. "You guys should take the little test i took yesterday" He says taking his sword "What test?" Rena asks getting up to. "Its like a test to unlock more potential in your body" He says with a nervous smile.
Wait one moment.
"Whats the catch" I narrow my eyes. This sounds too good to be true. "Pain? hehehe" a nervous laugh only means its bad. "Will it work?" I ask now more curious than skeptical. "Well after it you feel amazing but it they told me it varies between people"
We then heard the door open and in came that same lizardmen from earlier. "Yes it does its similar to the elvish nature force but also quite different" Woah he knows about elves?
After that he began to explain to us what this whole thing will give. "It is mostly meant for unlocking potential inside your body by using nature as the catalysis" So its like using trees to power up or something?
He then took us outside by the lake to show us what he means. Elsword says he have not seen it yet so he also looks ready to see. "We lizardmen of the south specialize in the fire affinity." He then faces the lake and clasps his hands together.
"Burn out, Dragons flame bomb!" He shouts and breathes out a large burst of fire that exploded on the surface of the later. We were all speechless, he didn't use any type of magic but a simple short incantation.
"Was this some sort of lizardmen spell?" I couldn't help but ask him and he turned to me with a smirk. "This is not magic but Sage energy" He says and stabs his stick into the ground.
"Sage energy is the mist natural form energies that flow in this world" He draws a outline of a human in the dirt and drew squiggly lines around it pointing to the body. "The creature gathers energy from nature and mixes it with their own energy
and create their own techniques."
He then drew one line that came from the squiggly lines that began to spiral with the lined inside the human drawing. "The process involves mixing your energy, not mana or else it won't form also"
He looked up to us with a stern look " Each affinity requires a certain amount to be met in order to summon it. But that is enough talk for now let us go and move on with the test" He led us back to the village to get started on it.
A new lizardmen shown himself and was named Chakabuk said that he will be administering the test.
I hope nothing goes wrong.
Bethma Cave
Evening
Wally's PPoV
Where is that back up that was supppst to be sent today. I have not heard from Raven since and when i attempt contact, it never gets answered. He must have got trouble on his side.
It was now evening and i have been searching for alternatives. My nasods have been drilling but have yet to find any oil to supply the ship.
'Soon we will be able to work in peace'I thought to myself as i working on a new creation. The new nasod will be the guard so we can drill as we please and speed things up. It will be done by tonight and hopefully won't malfunction.
My presence is almost known and i can't afford that to happen or else those brats will come for me. They are the only thing in my way right now which is shameful to say.
If they find me out, then the discovery of me having a hand in the fall of the El and the fall of the Elvish village will be out. Also The destruction and desertion of Elder. 'Too many mortal problems' i hopped off the top of the nasod to get a full view of it.
"Perfect, much earlier than planned. Now to input the codes" I open the back hatch and began type the codes in.
While typing, i was interrupted by a driller. "Sir we have found oil deeper within the caverns, but we will have to construct a way to transport directly to the ship"
Finally some good news. "Begin making a transport elevator" I look at my new nasod creation "We won't be disturbed"
Lizardmen's Village
Night fall
Rena's PoV
"Ooooooh" I groan out loud holding onto Aisha. I managed to stay awake during it but i dont i can for any longer.
The test went somewhat well for me, but not so well Aisha who turns out have a affinity that is in a whole other league than me and Els. She has the lighting affinity which is not even uncommon, its almost ultra rare or something.
Lighting was once considered into the mix but since it was hard to find one it slowly was forgoten before the others did. I looked at Aisha who was sleeping. Poor girl, since she has lighting nature she was basically being shocked from the inside.
My nature was wind due to my elf heritage. They say i can almost already use sage energy since nature force is almost the same. Speaking of nature.
I close my eyes and began to focus on any living things around me. I could only feel me and Aisha's force along with the lizardmen's. 'I guess its only really useful in the forest' i thought and then remembered that Els has been gone for a while.
I got up and went to go check up on him by the lake where he said he would be. I looked around until i saw a flash of energy shot out from somewhere. I went to the source and found Elsword with his hands clasped together looking very focused.
A ring of flaring energy began circling at his feet. The more the energy began to increase the more Elsword would sweat and his muscles would flex out. I didn't want to break his focus so i stood behind a a large rock.
"Grraaaaaaaaaaa!!!!" he yelled and made a motion of breathing out. A giant burst of fire came fourth from his mouth but it was not very far and was too short.
I decided it was now time to show myself. "Always working eh?" He turned to me and smiled "i can't help it hehe" he scratches the back of head with a smile.
We sat down on a large rock together after he finished showering. Tonight was a full moon which created a beautiful light source that illuminated the whole area.
"Its been a while huh?" Elsword began looking out to the distance. I looked at him confused "What do you mean?"
He turned to me "Since we been alone to enjoy ourselves. Rememeber we met under a moonlit night just like this with Aisha" He says smiling
Ah i rememeber that night. I met him the same way, while he was training in the night. That was a a brief but fun little night. "Yea it has and your still training too" I lean on his shoulder. He leans his head on my head and i begin to feel a bit weird.
My hear was beating fast and felt hot when it was cold out. 'I mean we always done this before and we even slept together in the same bed so this is no different!' i try and reassure myself.
"I..uh...um lets uh head back now...since ya know...because we need...uh...sleep and stuff" I was stuttering and mixing up words like crazy! stupid growing up experiences.
Well atleast im not like Aisha who when she starts feeling embarrassed od nervous start speaking with her hometown accent. Its pretty funny really.
Elsword nods and we head back to the hut we were staying in. "Ah i forgot, we have to go back to town to Stella since she needs our help with the whole nasod problem" I told Els while we were walking. "Ok, but i hear the path is long. I know we should help but this heat won't let up" We can think of something.
The minute my head hit the bed i drifted to sleep"
Rena's Dream
"Good job Rena, you have talent!" Master Andus praised me after i was finished with the nature gathering technique.
"Thanks master" Ah these dreams brings back good memories.
Even if you are not het master. I won't forget you.
I continue to watch the youngerme train until i see a red wisp float to me. As it got closer things around me got darker to the point where it was just us two in.
"Awaken child! you are being attacked!"
Dream end
I woke up and saw it was still night and heard strange sounds around outside. it sounded like fighting. When i began to listen closer, something busted through the wall!
Me and Elsword sprang up and grabbed Aisha and ran outside. We looked around and saw the village was being attacked "Nasods?" Aisha asked now awake but then we saw something different.
It was lizardmen? but these ones were different. They were charcoal black with red and white markings on their heads and arms. They had similar clothing to the lizardmen we see here but in different colors.
One of them saw me and sprang in the air going for an aerial slash. I dodge out the way and summoned my bow, but i need more energy gathered to fire some nature arrows. It began to rush to me but was tackled by Elsword.
3rd PoV
Aisha was backing up Rena as she gathered her nature power to fight. Elsword, who was unarmed was fighting with the black lizardmen hand to hand. One the other side of the village Beraku is using his sage techniques to keep the dark liazardmen at bay and Chakabuk using protective spells to assist those who can't fight.
With Beraku and Chakabuk
"burn to the bone, searing fang!" Beraku made a claw like figure with his hand and a flame shaped dragon came from behind him. The dragon swallowed all clearing a path for children and women. "Brother this way!" Beraku motioned for the path he created.
Chakabuk led all of the others to one place where they can be sure will be safe, Dragon' nest but will take time for them to make it to the canyon let alone the cavern inside.
But at this moment they had no choice. They need to get there before anymore dark lizardmen make here. "let us head for Dragon's nest!" Chakabuk shouted and all the villagers ran in the direction. They all knew of place since hatching.
With Elsword, Rena, and Aisha
While fighting the dark lizardmen who seem to have been coming out of nowhere, Aisha saw all the villagers rushing to another area. "Hey guys lets follow them!" Aisha pointed and began running in the lizardmen's direction.
Elsword was still fighting the dark lizardmen as they seem to have surround him. "ELSWORD!" Rena screamed at him. Elsword turned and saw they were trying to escape but couldn't find a way out.
'No! not again!' Elsword thought. the dark lizardmen began laughing and getting closer to him. 'I have no choice, its not complete but' Elsword clasped his hands together. come on! think! somehting that help me, something powerful!' Then surge of red energy burst at his feet. That's it!'
"Burn out! burning flame bomb!" Elsword used the same technique as Beraku used but much bigger and more vicious. When it came into contact with the first dark lizardman it caused a huge explosion of fire to erupt.
Elsword ran out the fire with a few burns and scrapes but was still ok. He grabbed Rena and Aisha and ran to where the other villagers where going to.
Day Break
Elsword's PoV
We have been walking forever and right now the sun will soon rise. When that happens i dont think us humans make it any longer. Me and Aisha were walking ahead along with Beraku, Rena was with the crowd with Chakabuk to help assure assistance to the villagers.
I was still amazed at my self that i managed to use the skill that Beraku used and when i told him that i did he responded with "Two different cannot perform the same technique regardless of connections to each other" So was that some sort stroke of luck?
We decided to talk further once we are done with business. "Hey so uh who were those lizardmen" Aisha been wanting to ask that for a while now but doesn't really know how to talk to Beraku.
Beraku told us that it was their distant cousins that followed them after they moved from their old home. It seems that they only live in dark places making them nocturnal.
He said that after they moved here he didn't know where they settled so their reason of attacking is completely unknown.
We're headed for a place called Dragon's Nest that could also be used as our training grounds while they try and figure out why the other tribe attacked us.
there always seem to be some kinda of trouble everywhere we go.
Unknown Location
Add's PoV
'Gah damn that nasod' I had somehow made it out in time because of my particle prism i used just in time. It took some of the damage but i still got serious hits.
Right now im in some kind of remote area. There is a waterfall here as well so i have water but no food. I had to retreat far from it since it had tracking projectiles that were locked onto me.
I also lost three dynamos leaving me with just four and those are already damaged. I need new ones now.
"Heheh that's of no problem after all i am on Altera, home to nasods. Making new dynamos will be nothing" i laugh to myself.
"Oh is that so?" I heard a strange chilling voice and tried to move but due to my internal injuries i couldn't. I looked around for the voice but couldn't find anything.
Then a stange blue hole sliced in front of me opened and out came a someone.
It was a man with pure white hair and black coat on with long chains at his neck dancing around his body. he wore a mask with one blacked out and the other a yellow eye.
"Who are you" I was finally able to stand up but just barely. The masked man simply chuckled and opened his hand in front if him.
"Lets make a deal shall we? i am ever so bored"
A/N
Sorry for the late chapter, i was a having a bit trouble in how to go about this chapter. I didn't want to be redundant with it so i opted for this instead.
Well next chapter might take a bit but i hope this will be long enough for yall to enjoy.
Peace.