-Eight years ago-

"Duck!" shouted Myrkr as he went for a low sweep kick, Oliver lifting the targeted leg before slamming it down into a heel strike, only for it to bounce off of the armor as Myrkr lifted himself up and grabbed the leg, soon swinging Oliver into the outer part of a ring of darkness where he slammed his back onto the ground. Myrkr looked down on Oliver as he picked himself up, practically feeling the glare of a teacher on a student as he stood up in front of the figure. "You still don't use your full potential, and only go halfway even though I can easily take the full force of your attacks. You even do this in battle when you worry for your enemy."

"It's one habit that never left me." Oliver spoke as he walked back into the ring, Myrkr raising his hand as a medium sized round table formed from his shadow, two chairs taking up it's space as he motioned them to sit.

"You should know that if you don't hold back with your physical abilities that you could easily bring down any squad that tries to take you." Myrkr spoke as the two walked to the table, Oliver taking one end while Myrkr took the opposite. "And that's not including your own way of tactics. You can't blame yourself for what happened during the last mission. We all make mistakes."

"They were under my command, and nearly died because I hadn't thought of every possibility." Oliver spoke, his gaze at the desk. "Because of that, we lost the one who was the equivalent of our blade."

"Lief knew what needed to be done, and what the price would be to save you, because he knew you were worth more than even him." Myrkr spoke as he held his hand up, a black sphere forming from his armor. "Lief was a warrior and a servant, his world was to do as was ordered and ensure his master's plans would come to fruition. He had never been outside of that viewpoint of life, not until his death when he went to save you and your squad, deciding his own actions at that final moment of his life. He saw more in you than what you saw in yourself."

"And I'm glad for that, and I'll still mourn for his loss." Oliver spoke, his gaze looking up to the sphere. "Still, his loss will cause several back steps to the plan, and we'll more than likely have to use Plan B when it comes time."

"Myrkr, Oliver." came a voice before Reginhard appeared at the edge of the ring, causing the two to turn to him. "The war council is waiting for you two."

"Very well then." Myrkr spoke, both standing up as the ring began to vanish, showing the inside of an abandoned and rusting warehouse as specks of light started coming in from the roof and strike around them, causing other parts of the shadowed ring to vanish faster. "Let's get going, General."

-present time-

Oliver sighed as he was walking through the central plaza to the guard barracks, the sun setting and his arms sore from the work he had been put to for the day. His meal helped his energy just fine, and he learned that dragon stew tasted pretty good, but the amount of trays he had to bring and clean up were astounding. 'How do people do this so easily for festivals?' Oliver thought as he arrived at the front of the barracks, seeing a man leave with a short sword that had a rusted pommel. He turned into the barracks to find the same guard that had taken his dagger handing a spear to a man whose attire looked similar to a fisherman.

"Heya, I'm here for my dagger." Oliver spoke as he walked up to her, who only nodded when she saw him and walked over to a weapon rack, soon seeing his cloth wrapped dagger at the far end before he turned and looked around the barracks. 'It's still a wide space, and probably wider if I tried to look in further.' Oliver thought as he saw three hallways and two sets of stairs, one leading up to the next floor, and one leading under the building. 'judging from the size this place looks up front, there's more than likely a higher number of guards than just the five I've seen around the place, or that it has the capacity to have more troops garrisoned around the town, or more guard houses for that matter...'

"Here's your dagger, Oliver." the girl spoke as she walked back up to the desk, soon setting the dagger down as Oliver turned around. She then saw his gaze trailing off before she coughed, making him turn to her confused. "You okay there, foreigner?"

"Yeah, just having some old habits that are troublesome to stop." Oliver spoke, taking his dagger and removing the cloth before placing it back on it's slot. Oliver then turned to walk back out as he remembered his meet up with Reginhard. "Thanks for keeping it here and not giving it to anyone else that walked in."

With that he left and moved quickly to another alleyway as the sun finally set, leaving a faint glow as he went into the same alley he met Reginhard in. "Took you long enough to get here." came a voice as Oliver made it to the center off the alleyway again, soon turning to find Reginhard sitting down in the street, his gaze holding a dark orange glow.

"And you seem to have recovered well enough to converse for longer." Oliver spoke as he walked to the opposite side of the alley and sat down as well, leaning forward as his gaze analyzed Reginhard. "You're still not in your physical body, so that means you either can't because of your past exertion-"

"Or that you're too far away from the current location your castle is moving from." Reginhard finished as he kept his gaze on the ground, the shadows under him moving and forming a smaller version of the town, from some similarities that Oliver had seen in it. "The latter is the case in this matter, and you don't look a day older than when you left, though most of the versions of you weren't any different from the time you started moving the castle from it's original location."

"Speaking of, I have no idea how I look." Oliver spoke as he smiled at Reginhard, who just sighed and waved his hand, the shadows soon rising and forming a mirror for Oliver to see himself as. His face may have been dusty from whatever caused him to land in the forest, and still held the look that he was nothing but a person who reads all day, but he could still see the same determination that hid behind his eyes mixed in with the calming emotions that had filled him throughout the day. His hair looked a bit matted, but he could still see the dark brown that could shine in light from faint lights that were appearing above them in the houses. He then sighed before remembering what the man had said. "What did you mean by other versions of me and different ages."

"While you had left at a blinding pace, we've been stuck in the castle all this time." Reginhard spoke as the mirror vanished, showing a large area of darkness that two dots were at and starting at one point, both moving at the same time but with one speeding off at twice the speed. "You, being the pinpointer of the location, were sent off to the targeted location in a speed faster than us, and your spirit, though it could handle your course, split apart into multiple fragments, 67 in total. This caused most of these fragments to lose much of their strength, and even their memories and knowledge before all this, but they ended up in various other realms and realities. However, some were unable to latch onto hosts or a new body and vanished immediately on arrival, cutting the number to 56."

"I knew that this would be a problem when I made this jump, but how much of my former strength do I have?" Oliver spoke as his shoulders tensed, keeping his gaze on Reginhard, his mind shaking from the fact that he may not have any of his abilities.

"Unlike the rest of them, you hold the core of your soul which, though it had small fragments come off, reformed itself and your spirit completely, so you bear all of your strength." Reginhard spoke, Oliver's shoulders releasing their tension as Reginhard held his gaze on him. "The amount of time you took to get here, however, is what you need to know: it's been seven years for us to what looks to have been only days or weeks for you."

Oliver's eyes widened as he looked at the man in shock. "How the hell could it be seven years if I still look the way I did in the final battle, and feel as nimble as I did before." Oliver spoke, his gaze on Reginhard as the man only sighed.

"You bear Myrkr's knowledge on Darkness Embodiment as well, so you already know the answer." Reginhard spoke, Oliver mind soon racking through his own memories before he held his head, a large headache starting to hit him as knowledge began opening up into his head, rasping as his mind began to view knowledge spanning back farther than he could even comprehend. "Looks as if you held it back because of how soon that final battle was to you."

"Seems to be the case." Oliver spoke as his eyes suddenly turned stern, his mind tensing itself as it forced the memories and knowledge to come in at a trickle. "However, if I've been out of it for seven years, then I've had more than enough rest to handle this stress."

-Seventeen years ago-

A thirteen year old Oliver was limping down along the base of the mountain, his leg wounded and his gaze trying to see where his father could be above him, and hoping he didn't end up the same way or worse. They had decided on hiking halfway up Mount Elbert for his father's birthday, and took a flight straight to Leadwood to get to there. They had arrived in the area the day before his father's birthday, and went to get things ready that day before they ended up on the mountain early in the morning. It was supposed to be a simple hike along the mountain trail, but somewhere along the line he had wandered away from his father and ended up falling along the edge of the mountain, his left leg ending up what he felt was broken and a good deal of bruises and scrapes all around.

'That'll teach me for going off the path and all alone.' Oliver thought as he remembered hearing his dad shout down at him, apparently having followed him just in case but not close enough to make it to him before he fell. Fortunately they hadn't gone too high up, and only went up around fifty to sixty feet when Oliver wandered off, but the slope he fell from was still to high for his father to reach him. They decided to go back to the start of the trail, and that led to the predicament Oliver was in now, his father probably already at the path and moving along the base of the mountain to find him

"Well then, guess you could say I have a bone to pick with this mountain." Oliver grunted as he felt the bone in his leg bend worse as he layed back to rest for a bit. As he did so, he heard the sound of wings as a black raven landed in front of him, Oliver staring at it as he started to get up. 'Resting can wait until I'm safe from this event.' Oliver thought as he looked around to find a medium sized stick, soon picking it up before he used it to pull himself up, soon turning to walk along the base of the mountain again before he

"Don't worry, little thing, I won't bite." the raven spoke, Oliver soon turning in shock as the bird flew back up and landed right in front of him. Oliver looked more at the ravens features, soon seeing that it's eyes were glowing red as his body tensed up, his leg hurting in response to as he gripped the stick tighter. "I've rarely seen humans in this part of the mountain, normally with some having died or wounded like yourself. However, most of them are more focused on screaming from their wounds rather than moving and pushing past them."

"As much as I'd like to explain why, I'd rather keep away from the talking black bird with glowing red eyes." Oliver spoke as he limped past the raven, this time moving faster before the area around the two was soon surrounded by a black wall, save for the sky as Oliver turned back to the bird.

"I'm only curious as to why you're pushing yourself so hard to make it to your intended destination." The bird spoke as Oliver looked at it nervously. "The human you came up the mountain with already knows your location, and is following the same path. Why not wait for him like some others would have done?"

"I'm not one for sitting around the place, I'm more for ensuring the possibility rather than have more obstacles to it's success." Oliver spoke, the birds eyes seeming to pierce into his own as he kept his in a deadlock with them.

"And if I were to stop you here, and attempt to kill you with my own abilities?" the raven asked, the walls soon forming spikes that started to grow and turn towards Oliver, his own gaze changing from it's nervousness to a stern one, picking up the stick he had and raising it like a sword.

"Then I would face it no matter what, regardless if my actions are considered foolhardy, because my determination is already set on a desire to accomplish my ambition." Oliver spoke as he kept his gaze locked on the bird, his own mind set while also accepting if he would die this day. What he didn't expect, however, was a laugh coming from the bird as the spikes vanished.

"And what exactly is this ambition that makes you face death in the eye with little fear?" the raven spoke, it's gaze on Oliver as he opened his mouth several times, trying to find the words to explain it. The raven then sighed as the shadowed walls went into the ground soon coming together and linking the two with a large array of shadows as Oliver's body felt as if it was being kept in place, soon seeing the shadows had entered his wounds.

"To find a way to change my country to the way that my ancestor wished to it to be, even if no one will stand by my side during it all." Oliver spoke, his eyes still on the string of shadows linking him and the raven as it kept it's glare on him.

"So then, what is this grand scheme to change your country that you live in?" The raven continued, Oliver about to open his mouth before he looked to the weapon, confused as he closed it and tried to think of what would be the proper response to the raven's question. As he pondered the spikes had stopped, spinning around him slowly as he tried to think, the raven holding a small laugh as it watched him think.

"If you have no means to, then how about a deal that can aid you in this path?" The raven spoke, it's gaze on the wounds and cuts Oliver had from his fall. "I'll let you leave here with a small portion of my power, and it will be your task to learn how to unlock it within five years. I'll find you within five years and if you don't, then your life will belong to me to choose how it will become. If you manage to hold it, then I will grant you more power and knowledge over it. The choice is entirely up to you, but know that it is a one time offer."

Oliver looked at the raven confused, then looked back down at the shadows before his mind went into overtime. This deal was like a deal with the devil, as his grandfather would've put it, just a way to trade your own soul for something. But it didn't even seem to be that case, it held a different way to it, and it wasn't exactly a trade your soul away deal, and unlike some of the other decisions he had, he felt he would regret it if he decided to not go through. 'So live forever wondering how it could've gone with the deal, or try my luck and attempt to push through it.' Oliver thought as he tried to move his arm to put on his head, finding that he could still manage that despite his lower body seeming to not respond.

"If I was a logical individual, I'd probably decline and try to run for my life from this." Oliver spoke as he looked back up at the raven, the bird noticing a glint of excitement in his eyes. "However, the real logical ones tend to do crazy things in their lives, so I'll take this gamble."

"Good, then let's settle the arrangements of this deal, and leave the end of it to debate if you win." the raven spoke, the darkness soon stretching up and over Oliver as he felt it seem to seep into his skin and body, feeling his leg bending back into place as well as he gritted his teeth to it's pain, when he could see again, the raven had vanished, and his body seeming to have lost all it's wounds and pain. He also felt his arm a bit lighter, making him look down to find that the stick had vanished as well.

'Was that a part of it's power as well?' Oliver thought as he tested his leg, it along with his body feeling better than it had been for awhile. Oliver then sighed as he turned and began sprinting along the base of the mountain again, his gaze catching a glimpse of his father. 'I really hope I didn't just forfeit my life to this thing.'

-present time-

Reginhard kept his gaze on Oliver as he kept seated, the moon of this world now high in the air from the amount of time that had passed since Oliver had begun taking the knowledge in. Oliver's eyes had been glazed over this entire time, and Reginhard had made an illusion with the darkness around them that made it seem as if no one was in the alleyway. 'He may not have survived after the fight if he had been trying to settle these memories out before.' Reginhard thought before Oliver's eyes cleared, his face stern as he went through what he had learned.

"The reason I still look like I did before was because of the darkness teleportation." Oliver spoke, raising his hand as he tried to concentrate on his power. "Through it my body kept a constant nourishment from my affinity with the darkness, also practically freezing my body and mind throughout the duration in the process. Judging from my current feel, I've still lost a great deal of my power from the travel, and can't return to the source of my power to refuel until my castle arrives in the closest location to this reality."

"Exactly." Reginhard spoke, making Oliver look up at him with an annoyed glare. "However, the loss of your powers is more complicated than that."

"You could've just told me this instead of having me sit here for four hours working on my mind, but that's not why I made you..." Oliver spoke, Reginhard smiling at his remark before he leaned back and sighed. "So what do you mean that the loss of my abilities isn't just the travel."

"Though it's true that you used up most of your power when you traveled here, you still have more than enough to last you for four months of constant battle." Reginhard spoke as he held up his finger. "As you remember, my powers come from me being born of darkness, and of your desires, where as yours come from the trait that is your strongest; ambition."

"So since I fulfilled my ambition and don't really seek anything else yet, I'm back to the way I started." Oliver sighed, his sitting position switching to criss cross as he placed both his hands on his knees. "With ambition being something I desire to achieve at all costs, I'll have spare occasions where I'll actually be able to use it at a strength like I used to, making me a sitting duck if I try to fight an army with no clear objective to aim for anymore..."

"A good thing your control over darkness required you to have both a strong mind and body in order to achieve." Reginhard spoke as his eyes changed from their orange glow to a red glow, his own voice now stern. "Back to the matter I came here with, we're still traveling through the darkness to this world, and won't be able to join you for three years. You can still talk to your creations through your mind, and have them send in the items you personally made. However, you wont be able to return those items and you can't recieve physical support, such as your monsters or minions. Not even Ksalso can come to your aid if you call him for another year, despite his flight towards your direction being so far ahead of us."

"That'll be fine, I wanted you guys to live lives without having to hear my orders after I came here." Oliver spoke as he got up. He then looked over at one of the torches as a guard walked past the alleyway, causing the shadows around them to creep closer to the illusion. "I planned on having a peaceful life wherever I ended up, it was my intention to do so from the start. That depends, however, on how events may turn out."

"Are you so sure you can manage that?" Reginhard spoke, causing Oliver to look at him confused. "I've yet to find out what exactly this world is, but from what I've seen, it doesn't seem like you can live a peaceful life here for long..."

"That will depend on fate itself, not on what is seen. We have enough evidence to show that to be the case from our own battles." Oliver spoke, soon looking up to the sky as his face went from it's analyzing outlook to a care free gaze. "I've seen men fall in mine and Myrkr's name, seen betrayal between brothers in arms over what is morally right, and I've caused the deaths of millions, even if I had managed to save a far larger portion than I had to kill. I don't expect any God or Pantheon letting me into a paradise after what I've done, so I might as well have some peace here."

"However." Oliver spoke as he looked back at Reginhard, his gaze now stern. "If I end up finding a reason to fight after that time of peace, I will gladly fight in order to achieve it even if you've yet to arrive, which is why I had brought this dagger."

With that he pulled the dagger out of it's sheath, showing a black blade that seemed to meld with the darkness, seven marks showing on the flat of it's blade that made Reginhard smile. "So you even prepare for instances like this." Reginhard spoke before he began to fade. "Very well then, we'll await your orders for when you find it time, as always. If you find a quiet life, we'll simply aid you when you call."

"Very well then." Oliver spoke as he sheathed his blade, the old man soon vanishing as he turned and left the alleyway, his hands in his pockets before he heard a whistle. He then turned around to find the barkeep walking over to him, his beard seeming to glow in the light of the torches. "Ah, Oric, what is it?"

"You don't really have a place to stay here since you don't have any money, do you?" the barkeep asked, Oliver only nodding before the man smiled. "Very well then, you can come stay at the bar for the remainder of the festival, since you'll be working there for the start of tomorrow. We have an extra bed there, and you can also consider the work throughout tomorrow payment for any food you need while staying here, as well."

Oliver just looked at him dumbfounded before he smiled. "I'd actually gladly accept it, if you're offering." Oliver spoke before he followed the man, his own gaze back up at the moon. 'What did dad always say? "Cherish moments of peace, for they are small instances," right?' Oliver thought as he looked back at the barkeep, who had started talking about the other two workers who were staying at the bar. 'let's hope this moment of peace isn't as small as our world's had them...'

"You're lucky I found you out here, anyway," Oric spoke as Oliver followed behind him. "With the increase in monster stampedes near the area thanks to Tyrant's movements, there's more chances for the walls to be breached around the city."

"Tyrant," Oliver asked as he looked over at Oric, confused on the matter yet reminiscent of the name.

"A massive Danger beast which prowls the areas of the central plains," Oric spoke as he looked to Oliver, whose gaze widened as the man looked back ahead, having Oliver follow him. "It bears several red eyes which glow, the pupils seeming like a cross-"

"And silver scales, with the ability to adapt to any situation it may have to deal with," Oliver finished abruptly, making the old man look at him surprised. 'Danger Beast by the name of Tyrant, huh,' Oliver thought in his mind as he looked over to Oric. 'But it can't be the same thing...'

"Allegedly it adapts, though the color of the scales is accurate," Oric spoke as he looked at Oliver confused. "How did you know that?"

"...I thought I saw something similar to that description when I came to the city, standing in the distance far away," Oliver lied, the two making it into the bar as Oric looked over at him worried. "It moved away from the city shortly afterwards though."

"Regardless, it's not something we want to see around here," Oric spoke with a sigh, soon shaking his head before motioning his hand for Oliver to follow as the two went into the backroom, where a stairway was. "In the meantime, however, let's get you to a bed."