Warning, the following story will likely make no logical sense and there are likely to be lazy parts.

Chapter 1.

It had been two years since Will had died, all those who knew him personally had come to accept the loss. However, just because they accepted the loss doesn't mean their going to do nothing about it. Will had died while being tortured for information by the Temujai. This was about four years after the original attack, and the Temujai had decided to strike again. Halt and Erak had been forced to watch as the Temujai sliced Will open, burned him with fire, and even tried harming Tug. Will had not broken though, he would never allow himself to break. When the Temujai left Will for dead, Halt had finally managed to break through the bonds holding him back. His apprentice had died in his arms, a smile on his face. As Halt's eyes swam with tears, he saw the glimmer of love in Will's eyes, slowly glossing over. A scream tore from his throat, shocking Erak. It has seemed Halt had no emotions, but now he was screaming as though his heart had broken into a billion pieces.

When they had tried to bring the body back to Skandia they had found Will missing.

Present

Cassandra was pulling her long, luscious hair through the neck of her gown. The white floral fabric flowing freely around her. It was the happiest day of her life, her wedding. She had decided to get married in Scandia, a place where she could be sure Will would be able to watch over her. As Cassandra tugged at one of her long gloves, her emerald eyes fell upon bronze oakleaf pendent she'd had made to resemble Will. She grasped it now, clipping it behind her neck. 'Yes,' she thought 'today is going to be perfect.'

Her father, King Duncan, walked Cassandra down the isle. The sides of their mouths twisted up in large smiles. There was only one person in the crowd who wasn't smiling, Halt. He still felt the loss of Will and being this close to the place he disappeared reinforced his feelings of guiltkkokoookokoooo.

Creak. 'This wind is extremely irritating' Halt thought. Snap! 'Couldn't the animals pipe down for once?' Fwosh! 'That's strange,' Halt thought, 'that sounds like..'

Halt swung around bow at the ready, eyes seeking into the darkness. There was someone there, someone sinister. For a few seconds there was silence apart from the vows. Then... just before Horace and Cassandra could kiss, the door burst open. Temujai warriors stood silhouetted against the dark sky, bows, swords, and daggers drawn. Halt knew that they would be wiped out, there weren't enough guards, and they were in the worst tactical position. He would fight to the death; he would avenge his apprentice. For a moment the two apposing sides locked eyes with each other. Then… a manic screech rang through the night, primaeval and deadly. Three figures seemingly fell out of the sky. Two mountainous giants clad in shining armour, and one shorter person, clad in a green and grey cloak. Spiked helmets sat blazing atop two heads, the rest rather plain apart from the black symbols adorning it.

Abruptly a monstrous clang struck the small cathedral. One of the Temujai had fired at the cloaked figure. Fortunately the cloaked man had seen it coming and, with lightning-fast movements, shot an arrow to deflect it. The silence pressed hard on the onlookers ears, a suffocating mass. Another animal-like growl came from the cloaked figure, softer this time. The middle figure stepped forwards, armour gleaming in the moonlight.

"Drop your weapons," he murmured, low and commanding, "you won't be taking anyone else's life tonight."

For a moment all was still, no one daring to even breath. Then…

"You won't take us down as easily as Tarnish's group Atri."

The man named Atri (pronounced a-tree) stepped back and called to his armoured companion. "Ami-hem (pronounced am-e-hem), its Isa's turn."

Ami-hem nodded, sheathing his sword, and looked expectantly at the cloaked figure. Isa reached up to his hood, gripping it firmly, and slipped it gently off his head. Isa didn't wear the spiked helmet of his fellows, instead he wore a headband made from dull metal, that sat firmly around his head. His hair was a gentil brown, stretching down to his collar. From what Halt could see, Isa looked little more than a boy, perhaps a young adult. Isa seemed to be choosing his weapon as he welded an axe and bow. Isa chose the axe, holding it in a firm grip. He advanced slowly, silently like a leaf in the ocean. He seemed carefree, and (Halt saw, his stomach sinking) ill-adept with the axe. This air of unfamiliarity with the axe seemed to encourage the Temujai, and they raced forwards, firing their arrows and swinging their swords. To everyone's great surprise, Isa leaped over the initial attack, landing lightly behind the men. The axe came up and back in a wide sweep, cutting down the unsuspecting Temujai with ease. Atri and Ami-hem dispatched and would-be escapee's with ease. After only three minutes all the Temujai were dead, though there was no blood covering the walls. Or indeed any bodies. The strange trio seemed to have carried the bodies off while still fighting, leaving the hall blood-free. All three turned back to the front now, bowing low.

"Please forgive the interruption, sires," Atri said his voice low and respectful, "and continue with the ceremony."

"We will be patrolling outside as we wish to speak to the one's named Halto-san and Kurokuma," Ami-ham added. The three men straightened and disappeared into the shadows.

As the ceremony recommenced, Halt couldn't help thinking what Arti and the others wanted with him. They seemed to be God-like warriors and he couldn't help thinking they thought rangers used black magic. It didn't take too long for the festivities to end, none of the guests wanted to stay out long, and people started to drift away. Halt joined Horace as they headed towards the exit, both curious about what was about to happen. Halt tried to approach unseen, but the cloaked Isa called out, "s-een! Hal-lt"

Halt let vent to a small grunt of annoyance, but the strange way the man spoke intrigued him. There was a small snap behind them, and Atri's calm voice said, "welcome friends, we ask you here to help us."