Chapter 1

The Battle at Faroen Valley

A young teenage girl with a mop of red hair warily looked up between her leader and the assembly of Guilds gathered. Her hand clenched the sword she carried, she took a quick glance at her partner to see her nervously gulp down saliva. Glad to know I'm not the only one nervous here. She took a semblance of comfort from the others as they stood by, ready for battle, without a hint of fear in them. She would say the same save not for the weather which held dark clouds and rain. Below the cliff's edge is the Flakwater river, a river that has been growing higher and higher as the rain grew heavier. This alliance choose a horrible time to attack them, heavy rain and a rising river which threatens the Faroen Valley with a flash flood. She brought her cowl to better cover her head from the rain and wind. In the world of magic, anything is possible. The cloak she was given is made of sheep's wool knitted together and dyed in black. A simple cloak made of basic materials, but this world keeps surprising her still. One of her companions named Rakhor enchanted the cloak to be stronger so it does not tear easily. She can proudly say it really does not for she had this cloak for over six years. And now it protects her from the rain for it slides right off when impacted. She took another glance towards the other side of the cliff, trying to make out the figures through the rain.

"BLACKSTEEL DRAKE!" A deep voice boomed from the other side of the cliff. The amount of power she felt from it made her dizzy. "WE HAVE YOU CORNERED, THERE IS NO ESCAPE THIS TIME! LAY DOWN YOUR ARMS AND ANSWER FOR YOUR CRIMES!" The voice could have been heard throughout the valley, she thought. If she focused her eyes hard enough she could faintly see the outline of a large round man with a comically large beard, the one she believed to be the source of the voice. On both sides she can faintly see others but could not make out most of their features. But she could sense that each and every one of them are powerful, as powerful as Drake, her leader. She scooted herself closer towards her partner who is the same age as her.

"Bethany, how many flags do you see?" She asked. Bethany focused her blue eyes as she looked towards the other side of the cliff's edge. "Ten? Twelve? I believe twelve Edala, hard to say with this damn weather." She moved her wet black hair away from her eyes as she steadied her sword.

"But fuck, the amount magic power they ha-" She was cut short with a hand placed on her shoulder.

"Now, now. A young lady should not speak like that." A smooth elegant voice spoke. Edala craned her neck to see Mawelaa. A powerful witch Edala and Kagura ran into after Rosemary was put to the torch. She walked with a grace and step nobles hold and each movement she made was thought out. "I believe I taught you better love, you have been spending too much time with Zeron." A hand ran through her wet blond hair as she eyed her enemies, her emerald eyes glowed faintly with magic. Of all the women Edala ever faced in her life, this and the last, Mawelaa had to be the most refined woman she has ever had the chance to meet. Her mannerism really stemmed from a higher class life and style, even in the way she dressed.

"And your wrong dear, it is not twelve, but fifthteen. Fifthteen of the strongest legal Guilds in Fiore with their strongest members along with the Four Gods of Ishgar." Edala saw Bethany tense up, and fear clouded her eyes. Behind Mawelaa a small squeak was heard. Edala turned her body to see young Kagura holding a Tachi close to her. Kagura is a girl that is two years younger than her and Bethany and has mild control of her gravity magic. Her brown eyes held fear in them, but as everyone else here they held determination. Her purple hair was tied in a ponytail courtesy of Mawelaa. Mawelaa turned and gently patted Kagura's head and spoke with a gentle voice.

"Do not worry my dear, I'll keep you safe." Kagura leaned in more towards Mawelaa as the older woman giggled softly. In Edala's eyes Mawelaa has always been a strange woman to her. A very strange woman. Mostly because she reminds me of my mother in another life. Edala thought. From what she knew the poor woman suffered a miscarrige, a very bloody miscarrige and learned she will never have children. If Edala put some thought into it, it explains why she was so close and doting on all three of them. But there are times when you have to let the bird fly, my old mother did that when I left for America. Edala turned her gaze towards Bethany to see her fear grow.

"T-those are our enemies?" Bethany breathed. Edala saw her mouth the words again, shifting her eyes to Drake and the alliance. Mawelaa moved to comfort Bethany and Drake spoke.

"CRAWFORD! EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT CRIMES I'M BEING ACCUSED OF, AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I HAVE COMMITED NONE!" Thunder ripped through the sky as tensions began to rise between the two groups. Edala took a step back on instinct as she raised her sword up. To the side of her vision she saw Bethany do the same and heard a Kagura give a small cry as she hugged Mawelaa's leg. All seventeen members of their group began to build up their magic power getting ready for the coming battle. A billowing laugh was heard from across the cliff.

"YOU STAND ACCUSED OF REGICIDE OF KING VURKA OF BOSCO, ARSON, MASSIVE MASS MURDER, ATTEMPTED ASSASINATION, AND TERRORISM!" Drake laughed at the accusations, a hearty laugh as if he heard the best joke in the world. Mawelaa lightly pushed Kagura off her and moved in front of Bethany and Edala protectively. Her white robe billowed in the wind.

"It seems Drake has made his decision." Edala heard her mutter softly. She looked back at all three of them with a hard steel gaze. "The three of you stand behind me and stay within my reach." The three young girls got ready for battle, with the youngest among them trembling slightly. Edala felt bad for the girl, her parents were killed, her older brother was taken in as a slave and she and Edala were the only ones to live to tell the tale. Seeing the people you love being killed or burned alive will traumatize any child you fool, you damned fool. Edala scolded herself. Mawelaa herself brought out her staff with a bright green stone on the end and began to whisper incantations. The end of her staff with the green crystal began to glow faintly.

"IF YOU CONISDER FREEING SLAVES A CRIME CRAWFORD, THAN BY ALL MEANS ARREST ME!" Drake stared down the man named Crawford as he drew out his sword. "UNLESS, YOU ARE LOOKING FOR 'THAT', IF SO, I WILL NEVER HAND IT OVER!" More thunder ripped through the sky and was followed by silence. Edala tensed her body, built up her magic power, and steadied her sword. Shit shit shit. Many of us are gonna die, it'll be a fucking bloodbath. Edala did not notice the man walking up behind her until he placed a hand on her shoulder. She flinched and looked up to see him. Lightning danced through the sky, giving a faint illumination on the man's face but she remembered it. A rugged hard face with a handlebar mustache that grew outwards past his face but has dropped down due to the rain. His eyes shone gold with his dark brown hair reaching past his ears. But below the small patch of hair on his chin is a large scar, given to him after a battle many years ago right on his throat. Edala dropped her head down in shame and began to apologize.

"S-sorry Kaladin, I-I didn't mean t-" Kaladin waved his hand in a shooing gesture. But that kind smile still remained.

"Don't worry too much about it Edala, this is after all your first major battle against big names such as God Serena, Makarov, Goldmine, Bellamere and others among their rank and file." His voice is rough and uncomfortable against her ears. A payoff after taking an explosion at point blank range. "So there is no shame in being nervous little Edala or in being 'fraid against impossible odds." Edala chewed her tongue and mulled over his words.

Yes that is true and we have Drake to blame in putting us against impossible odds. She relaxed herself and turned to Bethany and Kagura who also heard what Kaladin said. If she squinted hard enough through the rain then she could see the fires in their eyes blazing brightly. Ahhh. The fires of youth, it can be quite scary at times. A thin smile formed on her lips and she looked at her sword. It was no longsword as Edala has seen others use or a Nodachi like Kagura's Archenemy or even a zweihander that Bethany favors. It was a rapier which reminded her of the old Spanish conquistador sword of her last life. The blade itself is forty-two inches in length with a gray color guard and a thinner hand guard going from the hilt to the butt. The blade itself is double edged with a curve near the tip of it. The hand guard is large enough to fit two hands if the user sees a use for it to do so. It was once Drake's signature sword that he carried everywhere he went, whether it be an adventure or storming castles and dungeons. But after some time she joined, he decided it was time to pass it on to its newer owner. And now it became her weapon to use. Her thoughts were cut short when she heard Mawelaa mutter.

"We should have just left them waiting back at the village, far away from this battle. I swear the nerve of Drake in letting my children fight. He has hell to pay if we get back from this." Edala gave a slight giggle at hearing her words.

She truly was torn at losing her husband and her child, and when it came to knowing she will never be able to have children. . . It must've broken her heart. Pity was all Edala felt for the poor woman. But she has more pressing matters to see too.

"BLACKSTEEL DRAKE! DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE I'M HERE FOR 'THAT'?! DO YOU THINK OF ME SO LOW THAT I WILL NOT BE HERE TO DELIVER JUSTICE?!" Crawford shouted with a voice of indignation. Drake, in response, laughed loudly as if to mock him.

"BUHAHAHAHAHAHA! I DO THINK SO LOWLY OF YOU CRAWFORD, YOUR POCKETS ARE FILLED WITH JEWELS OF PEOPLE WHO PAID YOU! AND BESIDES!" Drakes smile turned more sinister his magic power growing more and more. "YOU WORK FOR HIM DON'T YA!?"

The whole area grew so cold that Edala shivered. Everyone near her grew more tense, their magic powers grew to higher heights. She felt Bethany's and Kaguras magic power escalate to match everyone elses and so Edala did the same. Her crimson aura built up around her as she sensed the other side do the same with faint colors of light shining through the thick rain. Mawelaa's own magic flared and changed her stance to be more defensive. Kaladin walked right next to Drake and drew his halberd from his back. Lightning shined through the sky with the thunder shaking the ground, the faint illumination made Edala see the flags belonging to each Guild. The symbol of Fairy Tail, Lamia Scale, Blue Pegasus, Quatro Cerberus, and Mermaid Heel. There were other flags among them but she was not able to see them.

"Boooooooss. Are weeeeee gonna fiiiiight them?" The deep basso voice made her body vibrate for how low his voice is. She quickly glanced to see Boris, a giant man standing at twelve feet close to thirteen feet with a bald head. His nose is flat with puckered lips pressed thinly together, his bronze skin looked more like leather for how rough it felt. His upper body hold muscle with his lower body holding some muscle but it is no six pack. Edala believed it to be a good balance for fighter such as Boris. At least he will not get so tired so quickly.

"Of course we fucking will Boris!" A boisterous voice called out. Boris turned his head with a dumb 'huh?' till he saw Zeron. A large smile appeared on his face.

"Zeron! Friend!" He spread his arms wide as if to go for a hug, but Zeron walked around him to avoid the spine crushing hug.

"Whoa there Bory! You'll fucking kill me if ya hug me, I ain't as strong as Kaladin or Drake you damn oaf." Zeron said with a playful nature as she patted the giant's leg. Boris in turn looked sad.

"No hug?" His voice held dejection in it.

"Nope." Zeron said, popping the p, "But, I can promise you a whole feast of food if you take down Makarov and two other guilds down." Boris' eyes lit up, his face showed happiness. He stood up, more determined than ever to fight and win.

"Will be beef stew with carrot?" His voice rumbled with anticipation. Zeron craned her neck up to look at Boris in the eye and gave him a thumbs with a wink.

"You can bet your sweet ass Bory, just do that and you'll get all the beef stew you want. All you can fucking eat my guy." Boris gave a wide toothy smile. His magic power flared even higher as he stared across the cliff's edge.

"Beef stew. All eat. Boris must win." So he marched towards the edge, each step sounded heavy and hard as he walked forward. Edala turned to Zeron and gave her raised brow.

"You could have said the enemies are strong and give a good fight, that's enough to get Boris going." Edala said. Zeron smiled and sauntered up to her, swaying her hips and licking her lips. She moved her wet raven black hair from her eyes. Her crimson eyes bore holes into Edala's. A glow of mischief was present in Zeron's eyes.

"Ooooooohh? Than what should've I said?" Zeron stopped a few paces away from Edala. She crossed her arms under her breasts to pronounce them as she leaned forward. Edala's eyes would have wondered down to look if it was not for the heavy rain making it hard to see. She kept her composure and looked right into Zeron's eyes.

"Bitch, are you dumb and only think of the next cock that will go inside you? I said, ``You could've said the enemies are strong and will give a good fight." Edala stressed the words out. She leaned in closer towards Zeron's face. "That is enough to get Boris going." They held that stare against one another with Kagura timidly trying to speak. Another beat later Zeron snorted, pulling away from Edala's face and looking her up and down.

"Says the girl who is dressed up like me. A whore by Mawelaa's standard, normal by yours now." Zeron gave a light chuckle as Edala stared at her darkly.

Who's fault do you think that was Zeron? You kept dressing me up in these clothes just to spite Mawelaa. Zeron indeed did. She never liked the posh accent and mannerism of Mawelaa and saw her take on Edala, Kagura, and Bethany as her own. So she began to entice the three kids with 'vulgar mannerisms' as Mawelaa put it and was somewhat successful with Edala, Bethany even less so, and Kagura the very least. Yet Edala could tell she managed to worm her way into Zeron's heart.

The only damn problem is she is such a bitch about saying she cares about you. Edala's stare turned more soft as an image of a much younger girl flashed through her mind, a young girl with a fiery temper and rebellious streak who did not learn to keep her mouth shut. No, she is not her. She will never be her. Edala shook her head and focused her attention towards their enemies.

"We can argue about that later, Zeron." She adjusted her armor to provide herself better cover around her breasts. "But first we must face our enemies before they kill us themselves." Zeron gave a wide smirk and stood straight. Her hands reached behind her arched back and drew two daggers with ruby hilts which glistened whenever the lightning danced across the sky. Edala saw her tongue extend past her chin and near her navel. Her eyes glowed a sickly yellow with a slitted pupil, her bones cracked as her jaw grew bigger making it open and close at lengths humans should never do. Teeth grew longer and sharper as well to accommodate the gap her mouth is leaving when she opens it. With a slurred accent she spoke.

"Yort rith gurl, leth kill us thome ages." She moved more closer to the cliff's edge when the man named Crawford spoke again with his basso voice.

"I DO NOT WORK FOR ANYONE BESIDES THE PEOPLE OF ISHGAR! THEY ARE MY DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY FROM ANY AND ALL THREATS. INCLUDING YOU BLACKSTEEL!"

After Crawford made his statement, all stood silent. No one dared make the first move against anyone. Edala glanced at Drake to see what move he would make.

He has two options at this point. Surrender or die. Edala steadied her breathing and focused forward. But I have been with Drake for a couple of years, I know what he will choose. She thought to herself. She glanced at Bethany and tried to speak to her but was cut off by the sound of steel being drawn. Edala looked towards Drake and saw him draw his longsword and pointed it towards their enemies.

He has made his choice, she thought. We shall make this valley bleed red with blood.

"BLACK COMPANY!" His voice bellowed and all stood at attention. "CUT THEM DOWN!" And chaos fell across the land. The first thing Edala saw happen is a bright flash of light from a wizard to the far right followed by several shadows and other bright lights from the other wizards. As quickly as it came it was stopped by a quick stroke of a blade. From the corner of Edala's eye she saw Kagura charging forward, sword drawn. So she charged too. A bright yellow light darted forward towards Drake and Edala moved to intercept the figure. She thrusted her sword and impaled the figure through his shoulder and rammed him into the other side of the cliff. Yellow lighting danced around her enemy. She saw blonde hair with orange eyes looking at her with wide eyes.

"Er-" His voice was cut off when Edala jumped off him as water from below rose up to strike her. As she moved back she used her magic to block many stray shots of magic. Battlecrys echoed throughout the valley, the sound of wood splintered, steel against steel clashed. Another figure dashed towards her and powerful surges of magic swelled around her, it was almost choking to feel the oppressing surges of magic down around her. She felt her chest and shoulder tightening, tightening enough to choke her of air. But she kept pressing on, ready to endure the battle. Make yourself as strong as steel, she thought. Endure and survive. Edala saw Boris punch the man named Makarov in his giant form and the cliffs began to collapse under the pressure of all the magic.

Endure and survive.

The Battle of Faroen Valley was a pyrrhic victory for the Black Company and a humiliating defeat for the Council. God Serena, Crawford, Goldmine, Acruea, Oswell "The Falcon", and many others perished in the battle. But due to the amount of powerful members this strike force had it caused a flood in the Valley killing over 30,000 (the numbers are hotly disputed even today with some suggesting over 100,000 died due to Lady Acureas water magic which quickly flooded the valley) and with Dundains Earth magic it created earthquakes. Along with the battle Boris "The Breaker" had with God Serena and Makarov helped create the chasm which will be commonly known as "The Savage Divide" stretching from the southern border of Stella through the Kingdom of Joya to the Border of Minstrel. (This however is proven to be false with the true culprit being Marcelius "The Hammer of Dwarf Gear" who used his hammer and broke the ground beneath him, you can find his confession in the "Mahara Affairs" written by a close colleague.)

The battle lasted for ten days and nine nights. The Black Company emerged victorious over the alliance. Oddly enough during the same year "Blacksteel" Drake disbanded his mercenary company. The following year he was captured by the surviving Saint members and was sentenced to die in his hometown in Minstrel in a public execution. That same year the Alvarez Empire invaded.

-Excerpt from "The Black Company: Truths and Myths"

By Master Luwkin Burvour of the Aurkon Citadel