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Creative Arts and Media => Creative Writing => Topic started by: Shinzuu Katame: Her Tolfy on December 05, 2009, 03:45:32 PM
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WARNING: This story contains violence as well as the use of alcohol. This book is rated "18+" but this post is rated "14+". The language on this version has been edited some, but is still rated as such for its content. This is book 1 of a four part series. Casting has taken place and is still taking place. For information, please refer to the thread, "Casting Call". Now, unlike most story posts, I will NOT be posting character information, as this thread will be treated as a real book. Each post I make will be a whole chapter. For those of you who frequent the Fantasy Fiction section of your local bookstore/library, the writing format of this book takes after Terry Goodkind's style, almost.
And now, without further ado, The Kin Chronicles: The Black Kat.
Starring:
Gabag as the Human Guardian, Iridian
Philly as the Sly Sorceror, Philly
White Wolf Guardian as the Blizzard Sorceror, White
Bahamut (now Kisu) as the Holy Knnight, Bahamut
Chrono Blackwyng as the Black High Mage, Chronin Lazarus
Kitt as the Swordsman of Veritas, Kistrev Szarda
Jelly Muffins as the Thief Guild Leader, Jay Kaelin
Yugo Uchiha (now soryu sianne) as the Wolf Guardian, Koara Uzima
VeeSmith as Bounty Hunter, Vee Uzima
Golge as the Chameleon-Kin Guardian, Golge
Also starring from Furaffinity.net:
Hadesa as Magi Sister #1 the earth sorceress, Nimali Anil
Catilda Lily as Magi Sister #2 the wind sorceress, Aviana
Whiskers Kitty as Magi Sister #3 the water sorceress, Shasta
Barak as Holy Knight, Barak
Teh Panda as Levardian Governor, Anthony Thymund
Blackfuredfox as Levardian Emperor, Zhukov
Zhael as Karasian Emperor, Zhael Fall
Sixam as the Fox-Kin Guardian, Sixam Canoscan
JarlArild as Duke of Tynbrooke (a noble), Jarl Arild
Kyzen as the Rabbit Guardian later in the story.
Dio Is Awesome as Lodisian Governor, Baron von Vladimir XI
Gight as the Bat-Kin Guardian, Gight Nightwing
from FurryToFurry:
Evey as the Voronese Empress, Evey
...and my friends:
Phu as Holy Knight, Alister Zigfried Nor (yes, initials were on purpose)
Brian as Lodisian Prince, Red
Solomon as Lodisian Emperor, Kratos.
Jack as Blade Master, Jack Rabbit
Ricky as Explosive Sorceror, Epoch Mihael Oseon (yes, i purposely made his initials EMO)
NOTE: NOT ALL THE CAST IS CURRENTLY LISTED DUE TO TECHNICAL/COMMUNICATION DIFFICULTIES. IF YOU APPLIED AND ARE NOT ON HERE, EITHER YOU JUST POSTED AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ON YET, OR YOU DIDN'T GIVE SUFFICIENT INFORMATION.
THE CAST WILL CONTINUALLY BE UPDATED AS MORE SLOTS FILL.
Post Merge: December 08, 2009, 06:59:06 PM
PROLOGUE: History
Since as far back as all history goes, man has always been the dominant species in all of Gaia. For many a millenia, humans had lived in peace with the elves, orcs, and dwarves. together, they have set out on journies and voyages, mapping out the land and the rest of Gaia. Prosperity grew with the discovery of two other continents: The Island Continent Erioch and the Half-Continent Celestia. However, with the increase in land and resources, greed and conflict was born. Eventually, conflict split the lands, making peace naught but a child's dream, and thus began what became to be known as The Crimson War.
At the rise of the war, there rose to power, two of the most powerful mages of all time.
The first, who took arms against humans and peace, was the Lightning Orc Mage, Kronos, better known as The Shadow Emperor. He haad rallied the orcs and dwarves together, claiming the humans were hording a majority of resources of the land and that their existence was a pollution that was killing Gaia.
The second, rallied up the humans and elves in the name of peace and prosperity. He was the Human Earth Mage, Garoth the Grey. He vowed the utter destruction of evil and corruption, promising a return to the times of old. However, his words weren't well taken at first. When war first broke out, only a handful of elves had heeded the call to battle, and it resulted in the massacre of nearly one-fourth of humans and elves alike. After 7 years of constant war between the two factions, humans and elves were heading towards the brink of extinction. As a last resort, they sought and begged for help from the society rejected by all, known as The Kin........
The Kin are a peculiar people. They are animal-like humans, evolved apart from their wild counter-parts. When they came to be, they were rejected by humans, elves, orcs and dwarves alike. There was apparently no place in society for them, so they created their own. They made their homes in forests deeper than those of elves, mountains where not even dwarves dare venture, in plains too vast for human habitation, and in swamps too dark even for orcs. For many months, Garoth and his most elite of soldiers sought out the Kin-folk for aide. He offered them penance for the way Kin have always been treated. He offered citizenry and the end of the discrimination. After much determination and pleading, however, the Kin refused to give aide and cast out Garoth and his men.
In the following year, all seemed lost as the humans and elves waged their last stand at Fort Ardendrell. Kronos' men laid siege on them for 7 days. In the early, misty morning of the 8th day, a miracle happened. During the early days of the siege, the Kin had organized out of site and laid in wait for a misty cover. When they got their chance, they rained down onto their unsuspecting enemies from the rear while they were sleeping, causing mass panic and confusion. Seeing the sudden dishevel in the enemy ranks, the humans and elves laid a full assault from their end. By day's end, there was not a single orc or dwarf in that area left alive. From that day forward, the Kin, humans and elves formed an unexpected alliance. Through numerous campaigns, they regained all that had been lost in the war.
In eight short months, Kronos and his men were driven out of Terra and Celestia, forced to be holed up in Erioch. However, Erioch was where Kronos' castle resided and where his magick was at it's strongest. Even with the help of the Kin, the alliance was unable to invade the island fortress. As the stalemate continued, Garoth began to search for a solution by delving deeper into his studies in magic. After 2 months of tireless work, he managed to create a set of magical sigils. The sigils gave its bearer exceptionally long life, as well as enhance their abilities. Garoth sent word out to each clan of Kin, the humans and elves, each one to send out their strongest and bravest warrior to receive a sigil.
After they all gathered and received their sigils, the brave warriors set out to invade Erioch with Garoth as their leader. After much bloodshed, the heroes had slew Kronos and his order within days, bringing forth the extinction of orcs/dwarves as well as newfound peace. Prosperity had once again been brought back to the land, but at a great cost and sacrifice. Having exhausted all of his magic creating all the sigils and then assaulting the island, Garoth breathed his last and died shortly after the campaign. Many grieved his death and the people built a memorial for him where Kronos' castle once stood. Afterward, a great celebration spread throughout the land. The heroes who bore the sigils became known as "Guardians", who protected their provinces of land and represented each of their races/species.
Unfortunately, more bad news arose during the festivities. The elves, fearing of being dragged into another war, drew out a treaty with the humans and Kin to seal off Celestia as the elves' continent, and to no longer involve them in any other Terra and Erioch affairs. Though it was uncalled for, all three parties agreed that it would be in everyone's interest to allow the elves to have their way. And so, the remaining residents of Celestia were moved to Terra, and all the elves moved in, forming blockades around the continent, isolating it from the rest of Gaia.
For over a millenia, peace continued throughout Terra. Though it wasn't a perfect peace, with bandits and criminals showing up on occasions, Terra's prosperity had never flourished as much as it did until after post-war times. Thanks to the Kin's advanced knowledge, even the most war-torn, desolate lands became farms and mines. The continent divided into four countries, and each country split into provinces. Each country was ruled by an Emperor or Empress elected by the Guardians, whom in turn assigned governors to watch watch over each of their provinces.
Because of the sigils, the Guardians almost never aged much over hundreds of years. So by their sigils, the Guardians continually fulfilled their oaths to protect the people. Even though they were all looked on in the same manner, there were four Guardians that were rumored to be the strongest and most feared, even by the other Guardians. They were the Human Guardian Iridian, the Wolf Guardian Kagato Katame, the Rabbit Guardian Carina Gallant, and the Tiger Guardian Ling Pai.
Iridian, even before bearing the sigil, was the strongest human in all of Gaia. He had mastered a large variety of weaponry and donned the heaviest of armor without being affected by its weight. He carried two claymores, two spears, two halberds and a bow with a string five times stronger than that of a crossbow's. Kagato, though blind, had unparalleled speed and precision. His mastery of the katana was unmatched and second to none. Because he was blind his ability to hear and sense were something to be feared. He could sense anything, animate or inanimate, within a league.
Ling's prowess and size were only outdone by her mastery of hand-to-hand combat. She was very muscular and the tallest of the Tiger-Kin, standing at almost 3 meters tall. She was also a master of eastern straight blades and the guan do (mix between a glaive and a naginata). And possibly most feared, was Carina. Though she always looked small and fragile, her abilities as a mage were said to be second only to Garoth and Kronos. As a fire mage, her flames were known to burst as big and quickly as her temper, but burn as majestically as her beauty.
Because no one knew the strength of the sigils' magic, many humans and Kin alike train hard to join their Guardians' armies, in hopes of possibly inheriting a sigil, to be the next Guardian of their species. For the millenium since the war, not one Guardian had been replaced. That is, until the year 1108 AW(After War), when Kagato Katame and Ling Pai broke the unspoken universal law among both Kin and humans alike, interracial marriage. Because of this, they were forced to leave their positions and sigils, no longer allowed to return to the Counsel of Guardians. News spread throughout all of Terra about the couple and led to discrimination against the two. Unable to enter moderate to major population areas, the couple settled into the small, fishing village of Linkshire on the west coast of Terra, on the edge of Lodis. Though they were the 15th generation since the war, they remembered the heroics and contributions of the Guardians, and warmly accepted he new couple. In a short time, they gave birth to their only son, Shinzuu.
For 17 years, Shinzuu grew up almost like a normal child; he went to school, grew up with friends......... and was forced to learn martial arts and master various weapons for many hours a day. Times spent with his friends were his favorite. Occasionally, they would play pranks around town, earning themselves the title "The Fearsome Four." They were the best of friends and always looked for each other. His friends were his only siblings, as his parents aged progressively since leaving behind their sigils, being at an equivalent of 50 years old by his 10th birthday.
His friends were Jack, Epoch and Red. Jack Rabbit was a rabbit-kin, and an insignificant middle child of 30 who grew up learning many different mthods of business as well as even more numerous weapons. Epoch Mihael Oseon was a particularly large bear-kin who, despite his size, was fairly weak in strength, but grew up with a talent in magic. He was one of the youngest sorcerors in the western half of Terra. His specialty in magic was turning small objects he holds in his hands into bombs as he saw fit.
The last of his "brothers" was and eagle-kin by the name of Redmond Sky. Red was born a prince of Kratos Sky, the Emperor of Lodis, but always snuck out of the castle to play in Linkshire. Like any other noble/royalty, he grew up learning fencing, but he failed miserably. Instead, with the, help of his friends, he found he had a talent for throwing knifes and other sharp object. His father didn't approve at first, but caved in during following years. However, Red continued to carry his sword as a front, while hiding knives and other objects between his feathers.
In 1126 AW, Shinzuu, Jack and Epoch joined the local military, under Red's father. After mere weeks, the trio had earned names for themselves, and began quickly rising through the ranks. By the end of the year, they were part of the elites in the army. But all those good times came to an end on the second year, during an attack on a bandit fortress in the Karnal Mountains. It was reported that the three commanders, Shinzuu, Jack and Epoch, had slaughtered their own men along with the bandits and disappeared without a trace.
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Well so far this sounds AWESOME. It's really the only book since Harry Potter that I'm excited for. ^_^
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Chapter 1: An Unusual Mission (Part 1)
A small, hooded figure trod quickly and silently behind houses and trees on the moonless night. The figure drew his hood tighter and lowered his head as he entered the tavern in the middle of town. He surveyed the room and spotted an empty chair on the far right of the room behind an elderly tiger-Kin and wolf-kin. He seated himself in the chair as the keeper asked him for his order. He ordered a beer, and received a mug within a minute. After the keeper left, a voice came from behind him, it was the wolf. "You take a grave risk coming here time and again, Red." Red smiled under the shadow of his hood. "Yes, it's great to see you too, Sir Katame." The old wolf frowned, not liking old memories of the Council. The tiger chuckled, "So how is our son? We were expecting him." Red produced a wooden scroll case and handed it to Ling without turning around.
"He says he couldn't make it this month because of his current job. He's been scouting for days, and won't finish for another couple days. His last one paid pretty well, so you'll find a Zera more than last time in the case." The Kagato cackled at the thought of his son, but stopped short as he grabbed Red's sleeve, "Leave the other letters and get out of here, now Red. There's a small platoon heading straight for the village about half a league away. I suggest you head west and double back to the castle through the Kirin Forest. It'll be trouble is you..." Red cut him short as he stood up and put 30 Shims and two scroll cases onto the table. "I understand. Until next time." Ling eyed him,"Hopefully, there won't be a next time."
Red smiled as he briskly made his way out of the tavern. After he exited the tavern, he broke into full sprint towards the docks. He threw his cloak into the water as he took flight just over the bay and turned to the north, staying low.
"Is he gone?" Ling looked at her husband. Kagato nodded, "Yes. He's already headed north to the forest, and it seems no one's noticed." He stood up, stretched and patted his back. "Whew. I really must be getting old. I was concentrating with all I had, and I barely sensed them within a league, let alone everything else. Now, shall we greet our new guests?" The keeper rang his bell earlier than usual as he saw Ling and Kagato leave. "Last call!"
As the couple reached the edge of the village, Kagato muttered over to Ling, "Do you have my katana?" She nodded, patting the side of her gown. The soldiers came into view, and Kagato walked up to them with a warm smile. "Good evening! What brings out to our little fishing village of Linkshire?" The soldiers, all fox-Kin, ignored him and continued walking. Kagato raised an arm, signaling them to stop, and they did so while drawing and pointing their spears at his throat. His smile quickly turned into a frown, "You would attack a blind man?" The soldier in the center spoke up in a low growl. "It has nothing to do with you, old one. Go back to your home or we will not hesitate to kill you." He lifted a finger. "Well, I AM the village elder. So any business you have here, has EVERYTHING to do with me." The foxes snarled and drew back their spears to attack.
As they drew back, Ling lifted the side of her gown and tore the katana from the strap and threw it to Kagato's outstretched hand. When he caught it, Kagato rushed in and drew his blade. In an instant, he cut all the spears in half in mid-attack. The foxes reached for their short swords, but weren't as fast as the old wolf. With blinding speed, Kagato cut all the links in their armor, and it all clanked to the ground. Still clutching their swords and naked, the foxes looked in disbelief and shock at the back of the old wolf. Kagato turned to them and released his killing aura. In a snarl of anger, "Come back when you learn some manners towards your elders." Filled with great fear, the soldiers picked up all their gear and ran away.
Kagato headed back to the edge of the village and sighed as he sheathed his sword, "Youngsters..." and took Ling's hand. She chuckled, "You're right, honey. You are getting old."
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The morning air was crisp and cool. The rising shown over the thick fog, making it impossible to see even a meter in front of oneself. However, it didn't bother Shinzuu, it meant that he wouldn't be seen or, because of the crisp air, smelled. Though not as acute as his father, Shinzuu also has the ability to sense everything around him, but only within half a league. This last year as a bounty hunter has slowed down his training, but it was money to support the village. His bounty this time was a couple of thieves who've been attacking large merchant caravans in the last month. They were all reported to have been attacked around 20 kilometers outside of Polgram, the capital of Levardia.
His client told him that another caravan would be passing by in the morning at sun-up, but there isn't anyone but bugs and critters within half a league. He closed his eyes and concentrated harder. Another few minutes passed when he finally sensed the caravan approach. It had a sizable military escort of 25, mostly fox- and rabbit-Kin wielding spears. Three bear-Kin and two humans lead the caravan on horses, each wielding a halberd, while the rest covered the sides and rear. There was a total of 5 carriages, each driven by two humans.
Shinzuu tightened his scarf and buckled up his cloak to hide his scent, just in case. He lowered himself onto the ground as he heard the clapping of hooves and the squeaking of carriage wheels got closer. Suddenly, Shinzuu heard rustling behind hind him and sensed eight fast-moving Kin heading straight for the caravan. He cursed under his breath, wanting to know how he didn't sense them sooner. The soldiers readied their weapons and formed a wall between the wagons and the oncoming attackers. Suddenly, two of the fox-Kin found themselves lifting off the ground as well as talons around their arms, and screamed out, "Hawks!!"
The hawk-Kin brought the two foxes up to 10 meters above the ground and dropped them to their demise. In the midst of the surprise, another hawk-Kin flew down and picked up another two soldiers, ending them the same way. At the same time, eight komodo-Kin jumped out of the grass. They drew their daggers and short-swords and slew one soldier each, shaving the ranks down to eight rabbit-Kin. As quickly as they could, the commanders in the front dismounted, drew their halberds and ran towards the mess. The fastest one, a bear-Kin, ran up and cut the closest komodo bandit in half from behind. The others hissed at him and charged towards the front, leaving the remaining soldiers to the hawks.
Shinzuu had remained in the grass, watching the fight and cursing himself again for not thinking they'd have flying Kin with them. When he saw the komodo-Kin begin to charge, he emerged from his hiding spot on the roadside a meter ahead of the caravan, startling both soldiers and bandits alike. The closest one to him, a burly human, swung his halberd down, thinking him to be another bandit. Shinzuu merely dodged by feinting to the left, stepped on the halberd handle and jumped up on top of the front carriage. He drew his katana as he sprinted for the remaining rabbit-Kin who were fending off the hawk bandits with their spears. Shinzuu jumped off the third carriage and, with lightning speed, beheaded the first hawk-Kin and cut off the wing of the other. After landing back on the h, he turned around to face the fallen hawk, only to see the smallest of the rabbit-Kin jump in front of him and run a spear through the charging bandit.
The komodo-Kin, still disoriented by the surprise of a third party, barely turned quick enough to watch their comrades get slain. Taking advantage of the confusion, the commanders charged full speed and knocked over the distracted bandits and subtly relieved them of their heads.
Shinzuu looked at the little one in front of him. The soldier's hands shook violently, still holding the spear that's through the dead hawk-Kin. Shinzuu laid a hand on his, trying to loosen his grip and calmly told the soldier, "You can let go now, soldier, it's over." The frightened rabbit-Kin let go, his hands still shaking, and looked up at Shinzuu with fear and confusion. Shinzuu wiped the blood off his sword and sheathed it. "What is your name, son?" The little soldier stammered, "K-Kaelin. Jay Kaelin." Shinzuu merely pawed head like he were a child and walked off, "The first kill's usually the toughest. Don't let it get to you, or it'll eat you up from inside."
Shinzuu walked over towards the front of the caravan and stood over the decapitated bodies of the komodo bandits. The human who struck at him earlier lowered his halberd and walked over to Shinzuu, arm extended. "Thank you for your assistance, bounty hunter. I am Commandant Ulric Kalmetta." Shinzuu ignored his gesture and knelt down next to the first carriage. "They were merely my bounty, nothing more. These merchants' boss is my client." He reached under the carriage and pulled out a short, lanky man with a bald spot on the top of his head that shined brighter than his scruffy snow-white hair. The man yelped as he was dragged from his hiding spot to his feet.
Shinzuu thrusted a quill and a rolled up piece of parchment into the terrified man's hands. The old man composed himself and nervously unrolled the parchment. The old man shook his head as he read it, and handed it back with the quill. "M-my c-caravan doesn't carry that much money. T-take this to the b-boss instead, he'll know it's from m-me and pay you ac-ccordingly." He reached into his tunic and produced a small, teal stone shaped like a swan. Shinzuu took the stone and tucked into the inside of his cloak with the parchment and quill
He turned to leave when Ulric placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are heading for Polgram, correct? Why don't you accompany us? We could use some assistance, as our forces have been greatly reduced. I assure you, you will be compensated for your services." Shinzuu turned to face him, "Sorry, I prefer to travel alone. Besides, it's not in my contract to escort the caravan." Ulric sighed and untied a small bag on the back of his belt and fished around in it before pulling out a golden coin and tossed it to Shinzuu. He caught the coin and looked back at the commandant. "Even if you are a commandant, I know that this is your life's savings." He tossed the coin back to Ulric, who stammered, "B-but..." Shinzuu raised a hand and silenced him, and smiled. "How about we just call tonight's drinks on you." Ulric sighed in relief and shouted orders to the remaining men. Together, they all made the march to Polgram without any further incident.
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The caravan arrived in Polgram in the late afternoon, that day. Shinzuu turned to the commandant, "We'll meet at Heaven's Riches Tavern and Inn at sundown." Ulric saluted Shinzuu as they parted ways. Shinzuu weaved and darted through the crowd and made his way into the first major alleyway. He stopped behind the God's Fountain Tavern and ran his hand along the wall until he found a loose brick. He pushed it in and heard a metal latch unhook itself as the door opened. When he stepped inside, he was greeted by three swords pointed at him. He undid his scarf and lifted his hood, "It's me, you idiots. I'm here to collect my pay." They withdrew their swords and stepped aside, revealing a small room, inaccessable and unable to be seen from the other side of the tavern. He walked in.
The room was lavishly furnished with a red, eastern-styled rug. Torches hung in each corner above a different suit of armor. A fireplace burned brightly behind the large, mahogany desk that took up almost half of the small room. At the desk, sat a large mass of a human male. His chin was a lump of mass under his face, his rings almost disappearing in the flab of his fingers. He was bald, and his face was as greasy as his smile. Shinzuu did his best not to let out his disgust for the man's grotesque appearance. The man jumped out of his chair and extended hand. "Ah! My fine hunter. What brings you here?" Shinzuu just looked at the pudgy hand and tossed the teal stone into it. "Your caravan didn't have the money, I'm here to collect."
The man took out a magnifying lens from his desk and examined it carefully. He scoffed and put the stone and lens on the desk before opening a drawer. From there, he pulled out a large sack that clanged noisily onto the desktop, and looked up at Shinzuu. "Alright then, a zera was our deal, right? I have only Shims and Guilders on me, do you mind?" Shinzuu looked intently at the man, "Guilders, Manchester. The less I have to carry, the better." Manchester nodded, starting to sweat nervously. "Y-yes, of course," and began to count 1000 silver coins from the sack into a smaller one, and handed it over. Shinzuu tied the bag to his belt and started for the door.
"You know, for a big, cheap merchant as yourself, you really don't have much on you. It makes one wonder where your money is actually going into. Don't you ever post another bounty again, unless you want to piss off another Hunter. Most won't let you live for not paying upon completion. Keep that in mind," and he slammed the door shut behind him as he left. When he opened the door, he was slightly surprised to find another hooded figure in front of him. He immediately lifted his leg for a kick. The stranger backed up to dodge and drew two sai out in defense. Shinzuu jumped out, following them. The stranger threw one sai at him. He drew his sword and deflected. As he did, he noticed just in time, the other sai flying at him right behind the other.
He quickly raised his other hand and caught it just short of his throat, and threw it aside as he came down on the stranger with 3 simultaneous slashes. The stranger ducked and rolled under Shinzuu, picking up the deflected sai and got up in time to catch Shinzuu's sword in the sai, before it decapitated them. The two stared each other down, in battled fury. The stranger's hood and scarf, not having escaped the sword before, slowly split and fell from their cloak. From the falling cloth, revealed long, white hair that glistened blue hues from the light, and deep, blue eyes of a female wolf-Kin.
A shout came from the end of the alleyway, "Stop this at once!" There stood a tall man almost two meters tall in golden armor, with two claymore strapped to his back. He had a loose, purple cape chained around his shoulders, held together by a chain hooked up to an unmistakable crest in the middle of his breastplate, a sigil. It was Iridian, the Human Guardian. He walked up to the two as they lowered their weapons. Iridian looked at Shinzuu, "Fights between bounty hunters are forbidden in the city. You, in particular, are very lucky that Lord Zhukov declared sanctity around Polgram, or else, I'd personally take your head right now for your treachery three years ago."
Shinzuu sheathed his katana and sneered at the Guardian, "Well, sorry to disappoint your ignorance, but I have no intention of ever giving you that satisfaction. I know very well, you are the one who's been posting those bounties on my head in all the surrounding cities and countries. Why don't you just open your eyes for once, and stop living in your own self-righteous world, you old coot. I'm leaving." He turned to leave and stopped in mid-stride, and turned to the female, "You. What's your name?" She brushed her hair aside with an attitude, "The name's Vee Uzima, the Blue-Streak. And let me guess, you're Shinzuu Katame, the Black Kat." He nodded, "I've heard of you, the renegade daughter of Wolf Guardian, Koara Uzima. Aren't you a little young to be playing 'bounty hunter?'" She growled at him, "Well from what I heard, you betrayed your kingdom and massacred three battalions of your own men. I'll claim that ten Zera on your head, you treacherous swine." He shrugged as he turned and continues walking away. "Good luck with that. Next time we meet, don't expect me to hold back." and disappeared into the crowd.
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(To be continued)
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Although I guess a high mage can't be as strong as a guardian, I am getting antsy about when Chronin is going to appear :P
very fuild progression in story, can't wait to see more :D
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Shinzuu says that high mages are a very rare occurrence (unlike sorcerers, which are common, and normal mages, of which there are only a handful per generation), like once every 1,000 years or so.
It looks very, very good so far, babe. I can't wait to read more and I can't wait for my character to be introduced. :3
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Me too, I like how you put my character as the blizzard sorcerer, I love ice magic. I can't wait for Chapter 1 :D
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hey everyone~! well, there seems to be some confusion about the magic classes, so i thought i would clarify.
People who can use basic magic are called Sorcerors/sorceresses.
The next class is a Mage, which are very rare and signify one's mastery of magic as well as ability to use it. Usually, only one mage emerges in 2 generations, so a ballpark of about 70 years, most became mages within a couple years of dying of old age
High Mage is an extremely honored title. High Mages are extremely rare, only having one show up every thousand years or so. High mages are mages whom have ascended their magic to a higher plain, not restricted to just one element or specialty. It is rumored that High Mages have magic powerful enough to affect the foundations of life itself.
Well, I hope that was informative for everyone, and that, at least in this field, things will be clear with less confusion.
Post Merge: December 08, 2009, 07:39:12 PM
As the money system is introduced in Chapter 1, I thought I'd post about it before I finish typing it up. The monetary system in this story is based on 3 types of coins: copper, silver and gold.
Copper Coin: known as a Shim, has the lowest value. The average peasant earns around 50-75 Shims.
Silver Coin: known as a Guilder, is normally spent on large purchases. Worth is 100 Shims.
Gold Coin: known as a Zera, is very rare to see in quantity. Worth 1,000 Guilders, and most people don't see a Zera in their lifetime.
So there's the basic money system. I'll be posting an extension onto this post with the Celestia monetary system when we get to the reintroduction of elves.
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High mages are mages whom have ascended their magic to a higher plain, not restricted to just one element or specialty. It is rumored that High Mages have magic powerful enough to affect the foundations of life itself.
*starts drooling* ooooh, can I control the laws of physics?! :D
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High mages are mages whom have ascended their magic to a higher plain, not restricted to just one element or specialty. It is rumored that High Mages have magic powerful enough to affect the foundations of life itself.
*starts drooling* ooooh, can I control the laws of physics?! :D
sorry, but you're going to have to wait and find out.
Post Merge: December 09, 2009, 07:51:51 PM
Chapter 1: An Unusual Mission (Part 2)
Half-way across town, in a more popular tavern called Heaven's Riches, another heavily cloaked figure walked towards a table in the back where the desirables of society were drinking. A waitress walked over, a human, and asked him what he wanted. The figure kept his head low and, before he could speak, a large, cheerful voice came from behind him. "Just give him a pint, Sheri, and I'll take the usual." The waitress nodded and smiled as she headed towards the kitchen. The voice's owner was a very tall bear-Kin, and he was so wide, he sat on two chairs beside the lone figure. In a low voice, and figure nodded over to the bear. "Thank you, Epoch. I was worried that my having to speak would have risked me to being reported. Don't worry, no one is out looking for me this time. I finished my errands earlier, everyone thinks I'm sleeping in my suite across town."
Epoch's smile widened and he laughed. "That's what old friends are for, Red. That royalty accent of yours is so strong, you'd be dead in a second if your head ever got a bounty on it. Anyways, how's the orphanage at home? Are they doing alright?" Red simply nodded, "For the most part. I could not get any specifics since my father sent the patrol in the area to look for me. Just then, they noticed another figure that silently sat across from them, a sickly-looking rabbit-Kin whose face was paler than his fur, and rings under his eyes darker than the night. Epoch and Red jumped from their seats at the sudden appearance, but calmed as they composed themselves when they realized who it was. Epoch cursed him, "For Pete's sake, Jack, don't just appear like that." Jack smirked a little, "It's not my fault you are always such a child, being scared by everything." Epoch puffed his cheeks and folded his arms. "Well it's not my fault you always look the walking dead!" Jack shook his head and turned his attention to Red. "Again, childish. Anyways, how is my family, Red?"
The waitress came back and slid a mug in front of Red, and a wine bottle and glass in front of Jack. She turned around and made a loud whistle towards the kitchen and two men, both dog-Kin, struggled over to the table with a large, open-top barrel of beer, and set it on the table in front of Epoch before they collapsed onto the floor and panted their way back to the kitchen. Sheri smiled and put a finger to the corner of her mouth, "So, your handsome friend gonna be joinin' us t'night?" They all nodded in unison, and she squealed excitedly as she went to serve other customers.
Red shook his head. "Dear lord she has problems. By and by. Your family is slowly declining, as usual. You're last brother was killed by his own horse recently. Apparently, he got drunk and spooked it while mounting. His foot got caught in the stirrup and he got dragged about five kilometers through the rock fields before the others caught up. Your parents and sisters will be holding the funeral at my father's palace. If you wish, we can sneak you into my quarters, it overlooks the burial, and you can contact your family after at Linkshire."
"That's too risky, we can't head home for a while. Patrols have been frequenting Linkshire more than usual."
Everyone at the table turned to the voice and there sat, also having not been noticed, Shinzuu. This time, only Epoch jumped with surprise. Shinzuu took off his scarf, but kept his hood on and his back to the rest of the tavern. "Relax, Epoch. It's just me." Jack looked over at him with curiosity. "Something wrong with today's job? I thought the reward would make you happy." Shinzuu snapped a look at him "That disgusting tub of lard didn't pay on completion as promised, and he took his sweet little time counting guilders." He threw the sack onto the table in front of Jack. "Next time, book me a competent client." Jack sighed and shook his head as he took the sack. "Well, bounties have been scarces as of late, and it's very hard to find one that pays more than mere Shims, let alone Guilders."
Shinzuu sighed in frustration, "Yea, but my time is worth more than mere Shims..." Out of nowhere, the waitress was back with a small clay bottle of sake and winked at Shinzuu as she gently placed it in front of him. "You got that right, cutey. I'd give all my guilders for a night with you." Red choked on his beer as she said this and Epoch patted his back for him. Shinzuu simply smiled politely, "A compliment I don't deserve, but I don't think that'll ever be possible." She winked at him again and sauntered slowly away, eying him intently. Shinzuu sighed as he took a sip. "She's never going to give up, is she?" Everyone shook their heads and burst out laughing.
During their enjoyment, a small platoon of soldiers walked into the tavern. Red excused himself and snuck out the back. Shinzuu stood up and walked towards the Commandant, taking his hand. "I'd like to thank you for the drinks tonight Sir Kalmetta. I hope you don't mind, I've already had a sip of my import. By the way, where is young Kaelin? I'd like to congratulate him on his first kill." Ulric smiled as they shook, "Unfortunately, the boy has retired to his quarters early tonight. He is still quite shaken by the occasion. Especially since his brother was one of the first to be killed. But tonight, let us enjoy this victory and be merry." All the men cheered and they all drank the night away.
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Shinzuu yawned wide as he awoke, and looked out past the window as the sun rose slowly over the horizon. It has been a week since his last job and even though he has more than enough money to last him a lifetime, he was bored. After all, at 22, your life has just begun. He sighed and got out of bed. He walked over to the end of the bed and put on his white tunic, then his black gi, and fastened them down with a gray sash. There was a quiet knock at the door, and he cautiously held his katana, staring at the door when a quiet, ghost-like voice came from behind it. "Put that thing away, it's just me. I swear you are as high-strung as a cat in the mornings. We have a new job."
And like a child to a sweet, he dropped his sword and quickly opened the door. There, staring up with his many dark rings under his eyes, was Jack. The rabbit walked in, Shinzuu closing the door behind him, and looked around. The room was barely three meters wide and across, and had only a bed and a stool. Jack grimaced at the sight. "You know, you can afford the extra guilder or two for a suite or at least something decent." Shinzuu, not amused, simply beamed at him. "I don't spend unnecessarily, thank you. Anyways, what's the job?"
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"NO FREAKING WAY!!! I will not have any part of this! I don't care how much they're offering! No, means no, means NO!!" screamed Epoch, backing away from his friends at Heaven's Riches. "I am NOT going after a dragon!" Jack scolded him, "Would you stop being a child for once!? This is a three Zera job. Three! We've never had a job this big before. We need a sorceror or else we can't match it. Dragons can only be slain through sword AND magic. We have five days before messengers reach the Council. By then, the bounty will be void!" Epoch shook his head furiously. "No! I won't do it!" Sinzuu sighed as Epoch turned to leave and called after him, "It'll get you popular with the ladies." Epoch stopped in mid-stride. Hook, line and sinker.
"Really?"
"I guarantee it! Help us slay the dragon and your name will ring within the ladies' ears for years to come. I'm sure Bertha would cast a favorable eyes in your direction." With a wide grin, Epoch turned around and sat back down at the table. "So when do we start?" Jack unrolled a piece of parchment and laid it on the table. "Our job is from Emperor Zhukov himself. A dragon has been killing people left and right, eating up livestock and scorching surrounding fields since yesterday. Some of the survivors and travelers say they saw it heading to the central peak of the Karral Mountains. It is possible it has set up a cave up there. It'll be a two day trek to get all the way to the top. We must hurry, though. The Emperor has also hired the Magi Sisters, so we have some competition."
At that, Maury, a two and a half meter tall ox-Kin that serves as the tavern's butcher and head chef, dropped four large bags onto the table with a loud thud and looked at Shinzuu, "A week's worth o' provisions fer the three o' yeh, and a bag o' kindlin' an' whetstones. Tha'll be ten Guilders." Jack shuffled through his robe and produced the ten silver coins and placed them into the butcher's hand. Shinzuu grabbed the two smallest bags and got up. "Well, let's go. We hike till high moon."
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He he Tis cute so far =X One mention of moi so far I am flattered <3
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*smirks* I absolutely LOVE my attitude! B)
I can't wait until you get to chapter three and I can be thoroughly introduced! ^_^
Bring it on tough guy! >:3
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Holy Crap
So Iridian and you have some bad blood I like it, but he aint an old coot, you DID massacre 3 battalions of your own troops,
nice way of making Iridian known by breaking up a fight and getting ready to behead
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yea, i was thinking that to be a good way to introduce that guardian. because with the sigils, they don't age.
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Can't wait to see how you portray Koara =X
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Can't wait to see how you portray Koara =X
you're going to love it when i get there.
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im loving all of it already :3
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*chases tails, yipping excitedly* I love the story so far! I feel so lucky to be a part of this!
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Yeah great job so far Shinzuu, it's truly book quality ;)
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Chapter 2: Friends and Teamwork
The musty morning air irritated Epoch's nose and he rubbed it furiously. He hated being outside during late-summer mornings, another reason he never liked going out on jobs with his friends. He preferred the comforts of life in the city, even if it meant going into hiding. He enjoyed the lavish hotels, the fancy feasts and meals with classy women. Though they left after eating, it gave him a small sense of security. Now look at him, sleeping in the dirt, eating nothing but salted ham and bread. These last two days have been taxing on his legs. Nothing but steep hikes and rocky grounds from sunrise to high moon, he had blisters growing on his blister.
Suddenly, four hands started shaking him violently. Disgruntled with the disturbance before sunrise, he flung the hands off angrily. "What th-..." Before he could finish, those four hands clamped his muzzle shut and heard his friends shushing him. He gave them a look that said, "What's the deal?" Shinzuu released his muzzle and pointed towards the top of the mountain. There, no less than 100 meters away, a large, green-scaled dragon lay snoring. Epoch's eyes widened and his friends jumped in to clamp his muzzle shut again before he could scream.
Jack quietly whispered into his ear, "It landed about an hour ago. We have already drawn up a plan, but this is going to require you to keep your mouth shut. Can you do that?" Epoch nodded and they let go. "Good, now listen carefully..."
The dragon slumbered peacefully on a ledge just in front of a small cave at the top of the Aral Mountain peak, unaware of the three assassins closing in on it. Epoch snuck up under the beast, stopping under where the ledge protrudes from the mountainside, just two meters below. Jack snuck around and stood next to the dragon's neck and slowly pulled a katar out of his cloak, careful not to wake the dragon up. On the opposite side along the edge, Shinzuu knelt between its tail and belly, readying his katana for a thrust. Epoch placed his hands onto the ledge and concentrated. The ledge began to glow red. Just then, Shinzuu sensed an incoming knife aimed for him at a high speed.
Shinzuu quickly swiveled around and deflected it, the knife exploding into a plume of water upon contact. The dragon snapped its head up and roared angrily at the noise and discovering its uninvited guests. "Scatter!" The three ran headlong down the mountainside, dodging tail whips and sprays of acid from the dragon. They ran into a heavily forested area of the mountainside and hid among the trees. The dragon roared furiously and took flight, searching for its prey.
Out of breath, Epoch grabbed Shinzuu by the hem of his cloak, knocking the hood off his head. "What the heck was that!? We were supposed to eliminate that thing by taking out the ledge as a bomb and blowing all the scales of its belly away so you guys can cut it up. What on Gaia compelled you to wake it up!?" Shinzuu brushed off his hands. "Let go before you turn my cloak into a freaking bomb. I was attacked by a magic-infused knife. It's the Magi Sisters. They're here."
"You're darn right we are!" From within a nearby thicket, a wall of dirt shot out of the ground and opened up like doors, pushing aside the bramble. From its shadows, three colorfully cloaked figures emerged, blue, yellow and green, each with a color-matching sorcerer's cap. The one dressed in green stepped up to them. She was a red fox, her eyes were deep hazel and her face showed a look of confidence and dominance. She scrutinized them with her eyes. "A fat and clumsy bear who can turn objects into bombs, you must be that so-called magic prodigy, Epoch. Please, don't make me laugh. And you, rabbit. Tall and lanky with pale skin, pitch . black sleeper rings and looks like a zombie, you're blade-master Jack Rabbit. Telling by your party, I don't even need to guess who you are. Two meters tall, a wolf with silver tiger stripes, three on your muzzle shaped like claw marks, and a patch on your right eye. You're the famous Black Kat, Shinzuu Katame. You three are the most wanted bounties in all of Terra."
Shinzuu snarled and stepped up, glaring down at her with his prowess. "Sleezy, underhanded Magi Sisters. Three little amateur sorceresses who only scored one B-rank bounty on their because only because it had a heart attack when you surprised it. You scored six more B-rank bounties by killing other bounty hunters right before or after they made their kills and stole them. You demean others to make yourselves feel better because you live under daddy's shadow. You pretend to be high and mighty, your eyes as deep a hazel-green as your cloak and an all-around hussy, you're Nimali Anil. Blue-cloaked arctic fox, light blue eyes and always standing in the back, eying people, your Shasta. And you, an adopted yellow, striped cat, always timid and never looks anyone in the eyes, you're Aviana. Go back home to mommy, little kiddies. A-class bounties are far beyond your abilities."
Nimali puffed her cheeks and stomped her foot onto the ground, creating a small wave of the ground towards him. Epoch flung one of the rocks in his hand at the wave and exploded on contact, destroying the wave. Jack slapped Epoch upside the head, "You idiot!" Epoch clutched the back of his head, "What was that for!? I just backed him up, and..." From overhead, the dragon roared, having found its prey. Jack look at him angrily, "What's why. You gave the dragon our position. Move!" Nimali smiled and looked up towards the incoming dragon. "Okay, girls. Let's show them what we got." Aviana and Shasta walked up beside her.
Aviana closed her eyes and raised her hands above her head in a large, circular motion and created a wind barrier around them. The men watched from a few meters away. Jack shouted over the wind, "You can't defeat it with just magic! Not even most mages have the ability to pull that off!" Nimali and Shasta gave them a smirk. Shasta pulled out sixteen infused throwing knives, each with glowing, blue runes across the blades. The dragon, now almost on top of the, regurgitated another spray of acid. Nimali stomped the ground and brought up her arms in front of her, raising a wall of ground, which disintegrated almost as quickly as it was raised. The dragon flew in headlong, jowls gaping to consumer the Sisters. Aviana spread her arms and expanded the barrier.
With a huge bang, the dragon's head rebounded off the barrier. In a fit of rage, the dragon landed on its hind legs and started to pound hard on the barrier with its forward claws and head. Nimali stomped the ground again and moved her arms, hands and fingers like an orchestral conductor. Pillars rose from the ground and wrapped around the dragon's legs, torso and neck, exposing its belly to them. Aviana lowered the barrier and drew in her hands, creating a ball of highly compressed wind the size of her head. She then shot the ball towards the dragon's exposed underside and shattered some of the scales off. Shasta then threw all sixteen of the knives at the portions of its exposed flesh. The knives exploded into water as before after entering the dragon's body. The dragon screeched and fell limp onto the ground in front of them.
The girls cheered, "Yeah! We did it! Take that, you bumbling idi..." The dragon awoke and lunged at the Sisters, Jowls surrounding them. Before closing its jaws, an explosion hit the side of its face, knocking it over. Shinzuu and his friends ran in, each picking up one girl, and ran back for cover in the forest. Nimali, her head bobbing as she was being carried by Shinzuu, yelled out, "Why is that thing still alive!? I was sure we killed it! Those knives went straight into its chest and exploded, damaging its organs!" Jack, directly behind and almost face to face with her, replied calmly but scoldingly. "It's true that was through magic and blade. However, your blades were too shallow, even with your additional magic infusions. Plus, attacks to the chest and torso only temporarily disable it, never kills it, you need to sever the heart. Contrary to popular belief, the dragon has two hearts. Also, they're not located where human hearts are found."
Shinzuu, disgruntled with their ignorance and carrying her, yelled over his shoulder, "We would have taken care of it if certain idiots didn't wake the dragon up, trying to kill us. Now that it's awake, it's going to be near impossible get a clear aim and cut on it, not to mention we need to blow more scales off that thing." Jack interjected, "Well, not entirely, but we need the help of the Sisters. Listen up, Nimali. You help us out and you get a 33% cut, no more. If you don't like it, we'll leave you here for the dragon's lunch and wait for it to sleep again." Unwillingly, Nimali nodded in agreement, puffing up her cheeks again. Over the loud roar of the pursuing dragon behind them, Jack yelled out the plan to everyone.
Aviana stood alone on a large ledge at the end of the forest, trembling fiercely as the dragon rampaged out of the trees into the clearing, heading for her. She brought up the wind barrier again and, same as before, the dragon ravaged at it. However, this time, the dragon decided to jump on top of the barrier to break it. As its feet touched the ground, though, the dragon began to sink into it, cushioning the impact on the barrier. Aviana called forth a large gust to dry a path out from under the dragon and ran out. As its belly started sinking, Aviana signaled for Nimali and Shasta to stop the sludge under the dragon and sent a more powerful gust and dried the whole area, encasing almost half the dragon into the ground.
Epoch touched both hands on the bottom of the ledge and concentrated harder than before as the ledge was bigger. The portion of the ledge where the dragon laid lit up slowly to a bright red. Shinzuu and Jack jumped up on top of the dragon's back before the entire section blew up, sending them and the dragon into the air. The dragon roared in pain as its scales on it's entire underside were completely blown off, along with some of its flesh. With his legs clamped on the front-left leg, Shinzuu swung himself to its underside, drew his katana and drove it into the base of the leg he clung to. The dragon arched its neck and head back as its first heart was punctured. At that time, Jack hopped up and hooked his right arm around the arched neck while drawing his katar with his left. He drove it into the base of the dragon's neck as he swung over. The dragon screeched in agony as it breathed its last and died before it hit the ground. A large plume of dust raised upon impact, the surrounding party coughing from the cloud's thickness.
The four magic-users crowded around as the dust settled. Shinzuu and Jack emerged from under the dragon's wings, blood dripping from their blades and arms. Shasta clapped her hands together and sent a shock wave of water towards them, cleaning off the blood. Nimali waved them over. "Come on, let's get the bounty." They all walked together, laughing triumphantly. "By the way, Jack, that was a cool idea on trapping that dragon. I never thought of using my magic with Shasta's to turn the ground into sludge. That was..." Jack hushed her with a hand, a shocked look of realization on his face. He muttered, trying to keep his composure.
"Ground.. ground... the crops... fire. It was reported that numerous crops were burned." Epoch interrupted, "Yea, and they said the dragon was found to..." Jack hushed him as well, "I-I know, so look at this one. It has dark green scales, and the scales grow up the body, not down. This isn't a fire dragon, it's a female earth dragon. It spits only acid, not fire, meaning she's not our bounty. She's the fire dragon's mate, which... means.. it..." Jack's voice trailed off as he stared towards the sky. Everyone else looked up in the same direction and paled. In the distance, a large, red mass with wings came into view. It was almost twice the size of the earth dragon, its scales were pointed and razor sharp, and was had four long horns on its crown. As it came closer, it began to spit fire in anger as it saw its dead mate lying next to the six small intruders.
Epoch screamed like a little girl and began to frantically run away. The dragon dove down and flew straight for him. Shinzuu signaled the Sisters to raise a shield. As they ran for Epoch, Nimali jumped and stomped hard onto the ground. A slab of earth raised up from the ground in front of Epoch, and he ran face first into it, falling over after impact. Jack turned to the sisters, "What the heck was that!?" Nimali smiled, "Eliminating the competition, of course," and she stuck out her toungue. Epoch screamed as the dragon opened its jaws to devour him.
Suddenly, there was a large river of flame that shot through the air and sent the dragon tumbling over in midair. Everyone looked over to the direction where the fire came from. There stood a small figure dressed in a gleaming, red, gold and white robe. Though a rabbit-Kin, she had a beauty about her that attracted men of all species. At the hem of her robe, there was a medallion with the unmistakable symbol on it, a sigil. It was Carina Gallant, the rabbit-Kin Guardian, the most feared Guardian of all. The dragon roared as it recovered its balance and glared at her. Without so much as blinking, she raised a pillar of fire from below the dragon, engulfing it. It roared in anger and forced its head out of the pillar and shot a continuous stream of fire straight at Carina.
She raised her right hand and the fire stopped its progression just short of her hand. She glared back at it. "Thou dareth to challenge me, the master of fire? I have been controlling fire since before thine parents had hatched." With a simple push from her hand, the flames pushed back from the center of the stream and all of it forced itself down the dragon's throat. She then raise her other hand, increasing the pillar's intensity. Unable to fight the pillar's power, the dragon's head was forced back into the pillar and roared in dire pain. Carina closed both of her hands into tight fists and the dragon burst open from the inside, it's innards and flesh incinerating to dust within the intense pillar of flame.
The Sisters marveled at the sight of the flames and the men's eyes glowed at the majesty of it all. After all was reduced to dust, Carina relaxed and the pillar disappeared. She walked slowly over to the onlookers. The Sisters stared in awe at her, Shinzuu and Jack covered the still down Epoch and drew their blades. Carina stopped short and eyed them. "Don't worry, I honor this kingdom's sovereignty, though I wish not to. Thou children are lucky that I was invited for tea by the princess, or else thou all wouldn'st have been so lucky. Personally, if the Magi Sisters weren't here, I would've let the fire dragon kill thee. Still, what happened, happened. By and by, I'm more interested in finding out how thou convinced Emperor Zhukov to extend his sovereignty to thee. As long as thou remaineth in the capitol, not even we Guardians can touch thee. However, be warned. If I ever findeth thee out beyond these mountains, I will slay thee in the name of the two hundred and seventy loyal men thou slaughtered three years ago." She turned silently and disappeared down the mountain.
Jack and Shinzuu helped Epoch up and began to walk him down the mountain. Before even taking two steps, however, they were surrounded by four walls that shot up from the ground. Nimali's voice came from over the wall, "Just because Carina let you go, doesn't mean we will. We'll kill you and then collect the bounties on both the dragon AND you guys!" She laughed triumphantly, but stopped in mid-laugh as the walls blew up. She sneered at the three, "So the bear still has a little bit of majicka left in him to blow the walls. But you guys don't stand a chance against us. Your sorcerer's almost out of majicka and cast anymore magic, and we are three sorceresses with more than enough majicka left." Shinzuu smirked and stood up. Jack grabbed his wrist, shaking his head, but Shinzuu wiggled out with a reassuring look. "Don't worry, I won't kill them. I'll show them what REAL professionals can do." He threw off his cloak and drew his sword. "Let's do this."
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That was great.
And the next chapter will be even better...I'm in it. xD
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*pop's out of Vee's hair covered in christmas lights* I agree with the top line, but will agree with the bottom line if i'm in the next line :P
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Now you're just trying to be confusing, Chrono. :P lol.
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Now you're just trying to be confusing, Chrono. :P lol.
Nuh-uh, I wouldve typed it backwards if I wanted to be like that :P
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Heh, once again I agree great job. And you stick to the actual logistics of fantasy even better job and come now Vee it will be great with you in it yes but it is still great so far is it not?
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I said it was great! :P
I just said I would improve it a little more. ^_^
Heh. He knows I love him and his story. :3
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Acourse, as I love the both of you as well =D
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great work... reading real smooth and stays true to the genre of writing... cant wait to see my character... and if you keep writing this good im gonna have to give you a cookie :3
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i don't really like the Chapter title
One minute the Magi sisters and Shin's party are poised ready to gut each other open with reckless abonden painting the mountain a new color,
the next they are best friends?
I mean if they had to work together, they would be very begrudging about it and since you said the Magi Sisters like to murder other bounty hunters when the time is right, well they'll do just that
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My response: And at the end, they're about to fight and tear each other apart. They didn't become "best friends", they just decided to work together fighting the (wrong) dragon, and then after the Guardian killed the (right) dragon and left, the Sisters turn on them to kill them and collect the bounty on their heads and the dragon's head. It makes sense to me. *shrugs* Maybe I'm just easily pleased.
Shinzuu's response: He appreciates the criticism, it's helpful. Unfortunately, he was too lazy to add in a tiny detail that he left out.
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also I have another issue
You have Carina speaking like she was a noble crusader, speaking with all the thous and thees of that time period
but Iridian seems to lack that.
Is it cause they are different people, because I thought Guardians were to sound haughty.
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He says it's all personality differences. He gave all the different Guardians different speech patterns according to their personalities. Even all of the individual characters speak in different ways (like the Head Cook near the end of Chapter One who talks like a redneck, lol).
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I know I'm really late in reviewing this, but this chapter was even better than the first one. Keep up the good work Shinzuu :)
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Chapter 3: Difference in Strength
Nimali smirked, "You've got some gajones, Black Kat. Out of respect, I'll make sure we carry your head in an ivory box on a silver platter." Aviana tugged at her cloak. "But Nimali, he saved us, do we have to fight him?" Shasta scolded her, "Avi, he's still an enemy, he's no different from the other hunters. Actually, he's worse, he's the most wanted criminal in the whole nation. Plus, if we kill him, we'll get the bounty on the dragon and the thirty Zera on their heads. We's be the richest women under royalty!" Aviana shook her head. Nimali whispered into her ear, "We'll finally be able to get you that wind-topaz staff you've always wanted." Aviana's eyes lit up at the thought and nodded. "Okay, I can do that. I'm sorry Shinzuu, but it's for my advancement in magic. I'm grateful for you saving me, but you ARE a criminal and our competition." With a quick wave of her arm, Aviana sent a shock wave at Shinzuu. He jumped up to dodge and was met with four throwing knives. Shinzuu cut down on them with his sword and rolled as he landed, dodging a spike that shot up from the ground.
Aviana raised a wind barrier and knocked Shinzuu back. He caught his balance mid-slide and landed on his feet, sliding backwards. Nimali stomped the ground and threw a punch into the air. Nine barricade spikes longer than lances shot out of the ground behind Shinzuu. He pushed forward hard against the ground back towards the sisters. With a powerful, concentrated cut, he cut the barrier in half and tackled Aviana to the floor, knocking her out cold. Shinzuu quickly jumped up to dodged more knives. The knives struck the ground at Nimali's feet and exploded into plumes of water. She screamed, "Watch it!" She stomped the ground, but her foot sank fast into the ground, forcing her to trip face first into the rest of the mud made by the infused knives. Before she could react, Shasta froze in fear as she found Shinzuu's sword leveled at her neck. Jack yelled out to him, "Alright, that's enough!"
Shinzuu slowly withdrew his sword and let Shasta go. "Now do you see the difference between us? If you can't even handle A-class bounties, don't even think for a second that you can handle S-class bounties like me." Just then, a voice yelled over to them. "Halt! Bounty hunters, stay where you are!" Three heavily armored knights carrying thick tower shields rushed towards them, swords drawn. Their armor shimmered in the sun, and their chest plates were emblazoned with a golden cross and a green star, the Holy Knights of Gaia. They circled around Shinzuu and the Sisters. "All of you are coming with us to the palace, by order of Emperor Zhukov!"
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Shinzuu and Jack entered the audience chamber in shackles alongside with the Sisters. There on the throne, sat an exceptionally tall fox-Kin. He was dressed in long red and golden robes, his purple cape hanging from his neckline and was edged with golden bristles. There was missing fur around the black ring around his yellow right eye. A patch covered his left eye, and a scar ran from it down his body. The warrior hero of Crienal and Emperor of Levardia, Zhukov. On his right, stood Carina Gallant, who called in a commanding voice. "All shalt kneeleth before the Emperor!" The Knights kneeled first, followed by their captives. Zhukove waved a hand, his face stern but gentle. "Arise, Knights and bounty hunters. Please, remove those chains from the men, they are trustworthy. Welcome back, my hunters. I have heard what happened from Carina... er, ahem.. excuse me, Guardian Gallant. Magi Sisters, for having broken the Hunter's Code of Honor, you should be imprisoned for 2 years. However, for breaching my sovereignty to young Shinzuu and his party within this capitol, you shall, instead, be sentenced to be executed by guillotine."
The Sisters huddled together sadly and sobbed with each other. Shinzuu stepped up and bowed. "Your Majesty, if I may." Zhukov nodded, "You may speak." He bowed again, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I do not believe these girls deserve execution. They were no threat, and they are merely amateurs. As an alternative, I propose sending them to the Academy, under direct supervision of Guardian Carina Gallant." The girls looked bug-eyed at him and gulped, Carina raised an eyebrow and beamed at him. "Please Your Majesty. If not for my request, then as a favor for the late High Mage Anil's memory and achievements that saved this kingdom. I don't wish to stain the name of one of the Great High Mages of history, bless his soul for dying at such a young age." Zhukov stroked his chin, considering Shinzuu's words.
Zhukov sighed, "I am sorry, young Shinzuu, even with those words, I cannot revoke my own decree, even for such a great a man who saved us all from the Plague. My laws and sovereignty are absolute in this kingdom." The Sisters fell to the ground crying. Jack stepped up and bowed, "Your Majesty." Zhukov nodded, "You may speak as well." Jack bowed again and folded his hands. "Thank you, Your Majesty. How about if we commit to a week of combat training for your army with the Knights of Gaia?" Zhukov smirked under his hand. "Hmm... my men to be trained by Gaia's greatest knights, a blade master and the child of two of the Four. This sounds very intriguing. Very well! You have a deal, Master Jack. Bahamut! Show these women to the Seal Dungeons, they will reside in there until the end of Guardian Gallant's visit. Miss Gallant, if you wouldn't mind, please take these three to the Academy with you and oversee their... re-education. Barak and Alister, please take Master Rabbit and Mr. Katame over to the training grounds."
* * * * * *
The training grounds were on the south end of the castles. Almost a hundred soldiers train there at a time, usually trainees. Grunts and the clanging of swords were heard throughout the southern halls of the castle from dawn to dusk. However, all those sounds completely disappeared in an instant as the Kinghts, Jack and Shinzuu stepped out of the castle entrance onto the grounds. As they walked towards the middle of the grounds, the soldiers watched them quietly, clearing a path for them. Shinzuu muttered to Jack, "When this is all over, I'm going to kill you for this. You know I hate teaching anything to anyone." Jack smirked, "It's called business, brother. You just got to know what the other person wants most. Live with it." Barak stepped up on top of the rest table at the middle of the grounds and removed his helmet.
Barak was a snow wolf with a scar down his left eye. His face showed much power and authority, and spoke with just as much. "Okay, listen up, men! For this next week, these two men will be supervising your training alongside with us, The Holy Knights of Gaia. Now, carry on!" The men continued their training as ordered and Barak stepped down, walking back over to Alister, Shinzuu and Jack. He extended a hand to Shinzuu. "I apologize for our actions earlier. My name is Barak of Veritas, I'm the weapons keeper of the Knights. My weapon of choice is my Claymore. My colleague right next to you is Alister Zigfried Nor, our mission logistics officer. Unfortunately, he cannot speak because his toungue was cut off during training when he was younger." Jack looked at Barak with a curious look. "What kind of weapon does he use?" Barak smiled proudly, "A whip sword. Alister, show them."
Alister removed his helmet and bowed a greeting to Jack and Shinzuu He was an eastern Voronese human, he had four scars on his face of varying sizes. He drew his sword and pointed at the table where Barak had been standing, which was about four meters away. He raised his sword, the sun glimmering off its purple blade. In one swift slash, the blade separated into several smaller ones, struck the table and retracted back to its original form. The table still stood, and Jack and Shinzuu walked over to inspect the table. They circled around the table and inspected it. Shinzuu picked up a pebble from the ground and dropped it onto table. The table fell to the ground in two peaces.
Jack whistled, "Very clean cut, I'm impressed. Not even I have been able to master the whip sword at this level." "That's just Alister fooling around. In combat, he's a real animal with that sword." Everyone turned and there, emerging from the castle, came Bahamut, helmet in one arm and a lance in the other. He was a black cat-Kin with bright, blue eyes. Following him was a young, gray and striped wildcat-Kin dragging a large sword. Bahamut extended a hand to Shinzuu. "Hey, the name's Bahamut, the new captain of the Knights. I'm the head of our order, and I also take care of finding new members for the ones that fall in battle or retire. I, obviously use a lance aside from my broadsword. I'm sorry I'm late for getting back here, I had to drag the new kid to and from the armory."
The young wildcat hung the sword over on shoulder, the blade hitting the ground as he saluted the group. He stood just above a meter and a half, and the blade was two meters long. "Knight-in-Training Kistrev Szarda of Veritas at your service, sirs!" Jack and Shinzuu gave Bahamut a look. He shrugged, "What? He has potential and works really hard. Besides, he makes me laugh." Shinzuu walked up to Kistrev and surveyed him. "Do you even know how to use that grand sword, son? Actually, can you even lift it?" A voice came from the castle entrance. "That idiot can can lift it, but he can't use it worth horse droppings. He can barely swing it, let alone making a cut." Shinzuu looked over and were surprised to see who had spoke up. The unmistakable arctic wolf-Kin in cloak came walking over, Vee Uzima. She slapped Kistrev in the back of the head as she walked up to him. "I see you still haven't practiced holding that thing properly at all. Bahamut, what are these Strays doing here? These are royal training grounds, not an animal impound."
Bahamut cleared his throat, "Well, Miss Uzima, they are going to be supervising and sissting in training these soldiers with us for the next week. Emperor's orders." Vee scoffed. "Fine, whatever. Just don't expect anything from some half-bit who only uses eastern swords and a pretend know-it-all. By the way, where's the fat guy?" Irritated, Shinzuu grit his teeth hard at her insults. "His name is Epoch, and he's in the royal infirmary. He nearly expended all his majicka. And for your information, basic form is universal for all swords, weapons and martial arts, eastern or western. Only styles vary." Vee snatched the handle from Kistrev's hand and, with one hand, picked up the grand sword.
Curious, onlooking trainees whistled at the spectacle. Even Bahamut raised an eyebrow. "Well, put up or shut up. Show Kistrev proper technique. If you're competent enough to beat me with a grand sword, then these idiots are all yours." Vee tossed the grand sword over to Shinzuu. He tossed off his cloak and caught the handle with his left hand, swung the sword around his body once, and switched it to his right in mid-swing before bringing it up and resting it across his shoulders. She unclipped her cloak and tossed it at Kistrev. "Hold that, kid." She wore a red, short-sleeved tunic and short, studded-leather trousers. Her breast plate was custom-made slim to conform to her figure and remain flexible. Separate shoulder plates were strapped onto the top of the breastplate.
All the soldiers ceased their training and gathered around the commotion. Vee grabbed a broadsword from the closest soldier and launched herself full sprint. Shinzuu lowered himself and rotated left, swinging the broadside of the sword at Vee. She jumped to dodge and came down for a thrust. He rotated the sword so it was slant and stepped up, accelerating his rotation with the sword and counter-thrusted straight up at her. The grand sword struck the broadsword tip to tip and ran through it, shattering the blade. Vee released the sword and arched her head back just before the sword could skewer her hands and head. Vee drew her sais, holding them in reverse and held them up as she landed, blocking the downward strike. She grunted as the impact cracked the floor she was kneeling on. Shinzuu lifted the sword up for another strike. Seeing the opportunity, Vee rushed in for a strike, but stopped as she found the sword pointed at her neck. The wind up was a feint, he had angled the sword back down during the wind up. "I told you I wasn't going to go easy on you the next time we met."
Vee snarled at him, fire burning in her eyes. "Fine. I won't intrude, you can have them." Her figure then dissolved into smoke and she appeared behind him, sai aimed for his head. Everyone gasped as the sai pierced his head, but she just tripped right through him and face planted into the ground. Shinzuu stood over her and drove the sword into the ground next to her face. "Afterimages, they're more useful in close quarters combat than kemuri bunshin. Now you see the gap between us?" Bahamut cleared his throat, "Well, I guess we have a decisive winner. Though I don't think any of our soldiers can use Ki like you guys. Alright, men! Nothing to look at here!" The rest of the week went along without any further incident. Alongside the Knights, Jack and Shinzuu trained Emperor Zhukov's personal army everyday from dawn 'til dusk. On the night of the seventh day, they left with their bounty and one very disgruntled Shinzuu.
Post Merge: December 23, 2009, 07:16:54 AM
Story notes
The continent is separated into 4 kingdoms. From west to east, Lodis, Levardia, Karasia, and Vorona. Voronese people are kind of like Asians in our world. Karasians, the middle-east. Levardians like Europians, and Lodis like Americans. Well, their location and inhabitants are more like them. and of course, this is medeival, so... yea. You can think of Lodisians as Native Americans.
All magic-users alike use staffs, wands, gems, etc. to further their magic abilities and expand their majicka. The gems each magic-user uses usually corresponds with their affinity. Explosives like Epoch used mineral gems. Aviana wants to use topaz, which is for wind/lightning users. You get the idea.
Ki is kind of like majicka, but for martial artists. Like majicka enables magic-users to use magic, Ki allows martial artists, ninjas, and the-like, to use their special abilities. They're not as strong as magic, but it enhances their combat. Ninjas use Chakra, not Ki. Pretty much same thing, but their application is quite different.
"Kemuri Bunshin" - Japanese for Smoke Doppleganger.
The Academy: Even though this might be a spoiler, the Academy is The Magic Academy of Gaia. Most magic-users go this school to be properly trained in using their talents. It's not like Hogwarts, so don't ask. Some choose not to go, which they end up going renegade or were referred to as a prodigy, like Epoch. Others, like the Magi Sisters, were born into a family where they had a parent who was very well known in the magic world, were very pig-headed and didn't attend. The Academy is also where all magic-users take a test to gain their titles, even the title of sorcerer/soreceress. Carina runs the Academy.
The Levardian capitol's border is 30 kilometers in radius, the Palace and city in the middle. The mountain peaks are pretty much the border, and surrounds the city like fortress walls. the only real way into the capitol is through 1 of 3 valleys in the mountain. The side of the mountains that faces out are almost straight up.
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*glomps her character*
So amazing! xD
I told you all that this chapter would be great! ^_^
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Jesh it is o-o just seeing Miss Uzima confuses me ><" I love you daugther dear =D
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Wow Vee Uzima is fantastic! I love the sai usage that was included and the after image power, kind of a mixture of medieval european and asian culture there :P. I hope those magi sisters get their just reward in that Academy and I hope to hear more of Carina, she sounds like an interesting character. Another great chapter overall, keep em comin' :)
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*jaw drops at Shinzuu* Mom, dad just showed you up....awesome!!! :D
*feels sais around his neck* Uh...help?
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great chapter... roll on the next one! :3
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*jaw drops at Shinzuu* Mom, dad just showed you up....awesome!!! :D
*feels sais around his neck* Uh...help?
*holds the twin sai at his neck* Hmm...and did you not notice that in an amazing feat for a female, I could pick up that grand sword...WITH ONE HAND? Don't worry...your dad will get his. *smirks and moves the twin sai away from his neck*
And Kitt, looks like I was training you how to use that sword, my young padawan. (Yes, I know that that isn't medieval talk. :P)
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*grabs vee's wrists, making her drop the twin sai, and wrenches them down to immobilize her* get my what, dear? and what are you doing t o our son?
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And Kitt, looks like I was training you how to use that sword, my young padawan. (Yes, I know that that isn't medieval talk. )
no amount of training is gonna help if the sword is longer than i am tall xD
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And Kitt, looks like I was training you how to use that sword, my young padawan. (Yes, I know that that isn't medieval talk. )
no amount of training is gonna help if the sword is longer than i am tall xD
It's the same for her, though she's taller than you.
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Grabs both her children by the scruffs of their necks "I do believe this is a story topic not a roleplay topic" she smirked "What are you doing to my daughter and what is she doing to my grandson then?" she asked firey look upon her eyes. Kicks them both in the rear towards rp realm "Get over there and settle this!"
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More story notes.
Seals are used to nullify the use of magic in an area, usually using Runes. Places like Zhukov's Seal Dungeons are for prisoners who can use magic. Seals are normally grotesquely expensive, costing anywhere between 20 to 50 Guilders. Of course, those are only Runes, as building anything with a Seal is only allowed for nobles and royalty.
Runes are small slips of parchment which contain some of the most powerful types of magic. Only a handful of people in the world can use that magic, known as Cosmic Magic. Because of the enormous rarity of such magic, anyone who uses Cosmic Magic retire at a young age and just sell Runes for a living. Runes are one-time use items that unleash the magic embedded in them. The only reusable Runes are Seals, thus they are the cheapest ones. Attack and Defense Runes cost almost half a Zera each.
(For monetary references, refer to page 1 of the thread in the first Story Notes.)
Cosmic Magic users are a separate class to themselves, and never fight. Though they possess such strong magic, they cannot fight because to cast 1 spell exhausts almost all their majicka. Even the most powerful of Cosmic users in history only managed 2 spells in one day. As a general rule of thumb for all magic users, to enchant anything with your magic, it requires the same amount of majicka as if you were actually casting it. All Cosmic Magic users are only businessmen/businesswomen. They are the ultimate gods of war. Due to the immense power of certain Runes, some usage has been made illegal. The two most forbidden Runes to use are Meteor Runes and Inferno Runes.
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Ooh sounds like the Magi sisters are in for a rough challenge. I can't wait to see how they fare in school :D
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Chapter 4: Fear and the Birth of Chaos.
The Magic Academy of Gaia stood high and firm above a single peak at the edge of the northern ocean. It was located on the northern edge of Terra, the border of Levardia and Karasia running down the middle. The institution was comprised of a large building, with the top populated with a cluster of towers, with the main center tower reaching two kilometers above the ground. It was surrounded by a small courtyard with walls over 500 meters tall, as well as a large wind barrier encasing the Academy. The only entrance was a gate on the southern portion of the wall which was heavily guarded by private soldiers of rabbit-Kin Guardian Carina Gallant, led by her son, Kyzen Gallant.
All the soldiers placed their hands on their weapons cautiously as Carina's carriage rolled towards the barrier. Kyzen inspected the emblem on the side of the carriage and clapped his hands and made an opening in the barrier for the carriage to pass through, closing it behind them. As the carriage drew closer, they all cautiously circled it, seeing it covered with Seal Runes. Kyzen removed the Rune on the door and opened it carefully, and found her mother slowly emerging from inside and embraced him. Kyzen returned the embrace but remained as stern faced as his mother. "Welcome back, mother. Might I inquire about the Seals on your carriage?" Carina scoffed, "Ye needn't mention this, child. We have new students now, from Emperor Zhukov's Seal Dungeons. The Magi Sisters shall be under mine supervision. If thou shalt excuse me, I shall terry to mine office."
Kyzen nodded and signaled the driver, "Bring them around to Professor Lazarus in the back steeple, he will be expecting them." As the carriage moved onto the courtyard, Kyzen mumbled to himself. "He should be delighted to have new students." The carriage proceeded to roll through the courtyard towards the rear steeple behind the towers. Passing students snickered and whispered amongst each other as they pointed at the Seals on the carriage. Some of the younger students giggled, "I wonder who pissed off Directer Gallant, to be Sealed into her carriage." Others laughed to each other, "Looks like Prof. Lazarus is finally getting some students who have to guts to go through his whole class. I heard if you manage to pass his class, you are guaranteed to multiply your magic ability by over ten fold, but I also heard that some students have died in that class."
The Sisters shuddered as the carriage finally stopped. They heard the driver get off and leave the steeple. The doors creaked eerily as they slowly closed and a pad lock was heard closing around it. Fear struck them as the door opened on its own accord. It was dark with only very few streams of light showing through dirty windows. A large voice beckoned them out, "Step forth young ones." A small stream of light that resembled lightning flashed into the carriage and shatter their shackles and all the Seals on the carriage. "Please, come forth." The Sisters cautiously stepped out and there, standing in front of them, was a tall, shadowy figure. He was dressed in a large, black cloak, though it didn't really hide his cut physique. A black wolf's muzzle was barely visible in the in the small bits of light. His bangs showed a bright red, almost as bright as his shimmering, red eyes.
he removed his hood, revealing his full face and his long hair, and a single, slightly elongated fang on his right. He smiled gently and bowed, making the Sisters jump back in fright as he did. He calmly greeted them "I am Professor Chronin Lazarus of The Magic Academy of Gaia. I am the top professor of this institue, and I will be sure to teach you to the best of my ability. It is my pleasure to meet you, Magi Sisters. I have prepared a... special lesson plan for you" Nimali shook violently at hearing this and began to scream, "NO!" She stomped the ground and spikes shot up from all around Chronin, aiming for him. Before they touched him, the spikes shattered into powder and left a small, circular mound of dust around him. Panicking, Shasta slammed her palms to the ground and created a mud pool at Chronin's feet as Aviana thrashed both her arms, creating waves of sonic booms. The sonic booms burst before contact and flung all the mud away.
* * * * *
Carina sat quietly at her desk in the highest room of the central tower. The room was nothing special. I t was circular and only contained a coat rack, Carina's desk and mountains of papers. She watched a fist-sized crystal ball on her desk, which showed the Sisters fighting Chronin. She smirked devilishly and murmured, "Ye children are very unwise to challenge Chronin. He is the only one in Gaia who is mine equal in magic. Shadow/Light Mage Chronin Lazarus is my best teacher. Of all his 2,000 students, not one has ever passed his course."
* * * * *
Zhukov sweat profusely out in the training grounds. It was close to high moon, and there had been an unending number of assassins for the last several minutes. Blood dripped from the tip of his swords as he stood back-to-back with Alister. Zhukov threw the broadsword in his left hand, and ran for the closest assailant. The sword he threw ran straight through one assassin's face almost at the same time he cut his claymore through another. He grabbed the broadsword before the body fell and swung around in time to block a war hammer with his claymore and stab his broadsword into their heart. Before Zhukov could react, an assassin came down on him with a scimitar. As the assassin was about to land a blow, a series of blades wrapped around his neck and threw him sideways onto the ground. Alister stood over the assassin, and with one tug, retracted the blade and removed the assassin's head. With two thrusts he extended the sword into two others' hearts.
Loud screams came from the east tower. Zhukov and Alister looked at each other and ran towards it. At the bottom corridor of that tower, Barak and Bahamut were struggling with even more assassins. With a powerful swing, Alister managed to wrap the end of the elongated blade around the farthest enemy's head and ran to the right, swinging the sword to wrap around more enemies' necks and removed their heads with one pull. Zhukov tackled and sliced his way through the left flank. Those who didn't get cut in half had their heads crushed under Zhukov's feet after being tackled over. Barak rushed the confused enemies near Alister and cut them all clean through the waist. Bahamut skewered the rest around Zhukov with his lance like a kabob. He dropped the lance anddrew his broadsword. "They're after the princess! More than sixty assassins passed upstairs!"
Zhukov and the Knights rushed up the stairs passing dead bodies of servants and fallen guards. Zhukov's voice grew with concern, "We must hurry!" By the time they reached the top corridor, they found themselves staring in shock. Before them, was sixty-eight dead bodies in a pool of blood. At the end of the corridor, a single enemy walked slowly out of the princess's room. He looked over at the emperor and the Knights and vomited blood into the existing pool and fell with a splash, two sai stuck in his back. A foot stuck out of the door and stepped onto the dead body. Vee Uzima came out and plucked the sai from her victim's lungs. She turned to them with an almost blanks stare. Her face was void of emotion, her eyes cold as ice. Blotches of blood were all over her breastplate and some on her face. It seemed like she enjoyed the kill, reveled in it. It sent a dark chill down Zhukov and the Knights' backs. Zhukov tied to say something, but she spoke before he could. "The princess is safe, Your Majesty." She bowed and sauntered slowly to the stairs across the top of the bodies and left the castle.
* * * * *
Red opened his eyes wearily, his head spinning and pounding. He heard faint voices which were, at first, barely audible. As the voices got louder and his vision cleared up. He finally remembered where he was, the dungeon in his own father's castle. Two nights ago, he had made another round to Linkshire for that month. However, when he got back, his father, Emperor Kratos Sky, was waiting for him in Red's room. Shortly after, he was sent to the dungeon, disarmed, stripped and chained to the dungeon wall for treason. He had been torutred for a whole day, until he passed out Now, he was waking up and regaining consciousness. He felt blood between almost all his feathers and his wings were sore from being clamped tight behind his back for so long.
He ould hear the frantic voice of a messenger, "... mission had failed! All three hundred of our assassins are dead! Levardia's going to know it was us and..." Kratos drew his saber and stabbed the messenger and looked over to the dungeon master. "Clean this up." Kratos had been acting very odd, as of late. He increased patrols all around Lodis, suspecting an invasion from Levardia and even thought his own son was planning a coup d'état against him. Kratos looked over at Red and noticed him awake. He grabbed a knife and walked over, with murder in his eyes.
* * * * *
Two hundred soldiers laid in pain on the outskirts of Linkshire. Ling and Kagato stood at the village's gate, weapons in hand and surveyed the area for any soldiers that still needed to be disabled. Kagato and Ling walked over to the two battalion captains, seeing no others wanted to fight, and Ling picked the both of them up by their necks. Kagato cleared his throat and talked calmly. "So, do you still wish to fight us?" Gasping for air and writhing in pain, the captains shook their heads furiously. "Good. Honey, let the men go." Ling dropped them and they screamed as they hit the ground and coughed for air. Kagato kneeled beside the captains and smiled at them, cracking his knuckles. "Now, I wish to have a little discussion with you gentlemen..."
* * * * *
Ulric Kalmetta and his men slowly closed in on a single bandit. On their way back to protect the castle, Ulric's battalion had been ambushed by bandits and nearly lost twenty men. They slowly turned the battle around and managed to kill a few before the rest ran away. Now, there was a hawk-Kin left, but there was a problem, she had a hostage. Jay Kaelin begged for his life as he was being dragged away with a dagger at his neck. The hawk yelled at the closing soldiers. "If you don't this one to die, let me go. And I promise his release. If you don't, I'll gut him as my last feast! Now lower your weapons!" Jay just continued to cry, begging the men to do what she said so he could live. Finally giving in, Ulric and his soldiers sheathed their weapons, lowered their bows and spears. The bandit took flight and grabbed Jay as she lifted off, and Jay screamed more. Ulric yelled after them. "You said you would release him!" The hawk looked back as she flew on. "Insurance!" and disappeared into the dark night.
When they were out of sight, Jay stopped crying, wiped his face and patted the hawk's legs. "Good job, Iris. That should have fooled them. I'm sure the attack has bought enough time for our men to raid the Royal Treasury and get out without being seen." The hawk looked down to him. "We've waited long for your return, my liege. The guild has been plagued with unrest and worry for your well-being. You are truly the King of Thieves to have planned such a heist." Jay smirked and held up a hand. "I merely fulfilled my duty as the leader of our Thief Guild. As for the raid, we have to thank Kratos' men for their attack on the palace and our brave men who stalled Ulric's men from getting back. And let's not forget our inside man. Without him, such an operation would not have been possible. Soon, thieves shall once again rise from the shadows." He laughed maniacally as they flew back to their hideout.
* * * * *
Zhukov sat beside his daughter, who was crying uncontrollably, when there was a knock on the door. Zhukov motioned for Bahamut to check the door. Bahamut bowed and opened the door cautiously, his hand on his sword. He turned to the emperor and bowed. "It is Lord Thymund, Your Majesty." Zhukov nodded and Bahamut opened the door all the way. "The emperor welcomes you in, Lord Thymund." Governor Anthony Thymund walked slowly into the room and bowed to Zhukov. He was a large panda-Kin who stood just over two meters tall. He wore a red and black robe, his large belly noticeable despite how loose his robes were. Were he female, one would have mistaken him to be pregnant. He was known for having a robe for every occasion and wearing at least two at a time to keep warm. He worked as the governor of Polgram, at Zhukov's right hand, and was also his closest friend. He was most know for his partying, drinking and lust for women. However, his ability to lead his city and protect it was equally known.
Zhukov smiled a little and welcomed him. "Ah, Anthony, my old friend. It brings peace to my heart to know that you are still alive." Anthony walked up and knelt before Zhukov. "Your Majesty, I bring grave news. Bandits have raided most of the treasury, we fear there is a spy among our ranks. And... and..." Color left Zhukov's face and was replaced with anger and impatience. "And what, Anthony!? And WHAT!?" The large governor swallowed hard and sweat as he continued. "W-we' found out where the assassins came from. One of t-them bore the Lodisian ins-signia. They're Emperor Kratos' personal men."
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:o
Dang, you made it sound like I'm gonna execute them....cool :D
um, I'm wondering, I don't see them in the roster, so I have no idea who Ling and Kagato are....
beyond that, I like how red is going to get ganked, the coup d'état , and eventual spiral of chaos going on around the characters (bandit ambush ftw) :P
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*Is still entranced by Vee Uzima* :o... Best character ever >D
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Chrono, the Prologue said that Ling and Kagato were the Tiger and Wolf Kin-Guardians (respectfully), and part of the original Four, Shinzuu is their son (hence him being the only hybrid).
White...
You know it. B)
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May I just say... Jay = epic win?
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I have barely even started unraveling the tip of the web.
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No one knows bout Koara yet =X
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Chapter 5: Enter The Emperors and The Council
Zhukov sat grim-faced at his seat as Zhael and Evey entered the small room. Zhael Fall was the Karasian Emperor, he was a tall but well built black wolf. Aside from his left eye being green and his right eye blue, he's known for being slack and carefree, but not stupid. Out of the four emperors, his personal army is the strongest and the biggest, numbering over 200 men. He's strict on rules and peace, but sovereignty is something he has never extended to anyone. In his eyes, a crime is a crime, and death to those who commit them. He always believes in smiling and speaking softly while carrying a 250 kilo war hammer that glistened gold, with a large spike on each of its four sides and top. Zhael unstrapped his large weapon from his back and leaned it gently against the wall. Then he jumped into his seat, causing it to lean back, turned it on one of its legs, and propped his feet onto the table crossed as he folded his arms. "So what's up?"
Every, on the other hand, walked to her seat more gracefully. She was the Empress of Vorona. She was a white minx with long, golden hair. Her beauty was the only other, besides Carina's to be sought by men of all kinds. However, like Carina, her beauty is only outclassed by her ability to fight. Evey's strength was something to be reckoned with alongside her ability to use the Voronese straight-blade. She unchained her sword from her sash and leaned it against the table as she sat down. "Why have you summoned us to your kingdom?"
Zhukov waved a hand and Carina and Iridian emerged from the shadows. "Let me first, thank you for answering my call on such short notice. Four days ago, my palace was attacked by Kratos' personal army and they had attempted to attack my daughter and myself. Many servants and guards have lost their lives in the exchange and more than half of my treasury had been raided. According to Commandant Kalmetta, it's possible that Kratos has been working alongside bandits because he and his men were ambushed on their way back by bandits,the timing was too perfect. I have invited the Guardian Council to join us as per procedure to declare war against Kratos."
Evey looked around the room, then back at Zhukov. "To my knowledge, there are five Guardians in the Council. I only see two." Zhael laughed, "You really don't pay attention or listen to announcements, do you? When the Council reformed after Sir Katame and Sir Pai were replaced, they decided to have five instead of four in the Council based on combat abilities. The five were Carina the rabbit, Iridian the human, Golge the chameleon, Gight the bat and Koara Uzima, Sir Katame's successor. They are all here. Golge's behind Kratos' usual seat, Koara's standing behind me and Gight's right above the chandelier."
A sigh came from behind the empty seat, "Not too bad, Your Majesty, Zhael. You are indeed a veteraned soldier. It's no wonder Koara decided to have you as the father of her only child." A kunai flew from behind Zhael and hit the wall behind the chair. A small line of blood became visible in mid-air and then disappeared as Golge wiped it off. A chuckle came from above, "Alright, chaps, we can bicker later, let us stay on the issue at hand." Iridian walked up to the table and placed a small bag onto the table. It opened as he let go and armor badges spilled out, and Evey looked in disbelief at them. "These belong to the Lodisian Army, and from the crescent on them, Kratos' personal elites."
Zhael scoffed, "Thank you, Empress Obvious. Looks like it's unanimous there, Zhukov. What's next?" Carina stepped up and placed three wooden talismans onto the table. "One of mine spies is infiltrating Kratos' kingdom right now. If the eagle talisman burneth, it is Kratos himself who hath lost himself. If the lion talisman burneth, it be his palace, army himself that hath been corrupted. If the bear, the whole country itself needeth purging. Should the bear talisman burneth, your war shalt be approved. If not, a coup d'état shalt be arranged and a possible small invasion if the lion burneth. But for the meantime, we wait. My spy's time limit is almost up."
The eight of them waited in the room, keeping an eye on the talismans.
* * * *
Shinzuu yawned as he relaxed for the first time in a week after they crossed the mountain pass into Polgrams' border. The carriage stopped just outside the city gate and the driver hopped out and unstrapped the trunk from the back. The top cover flung open and Shinzuu and Jack Stepped out. Jack tossed a silver coin to the driver. "Keep the change." The driver thanked them happily before jumping back on the carriage and entered the city. The two of them walked through the market, Jack checking for fresh vegetables to eat. Shinzuu's mouth watered as his nose caut the scent of a freshly slaughtered calf. He followed the scent to a small meat stand. The man inside was a lion-Kin, he stood fairly short and his mane was tied back and wrapped in a bandanna. Shinzuu dropped two Guilders onto the table and looked the butcher in the eyes. The old lion smirked, "You gotta good nose ther', young'n. Give me a minute."
Jack sighed and shook his head as Shinzuu emerged from the market with a large duffel sack on his shoulders. "I guess we're going to Heaven's Riches, then?" They continued down the road until they got to the large, familiar and popular tavern/inn. As soon as they entered, Epoch near tackled them over. "Guys! Where have you been!? The castle was attacked four days ago! Sir Bahamut came by this morning and dropped this off." Epoch handed Shinzuu an envelope and he turned it over, Emperor Zhukov's wax seal. Jack and Epoch walked over to their usual table as Shinzuu dropped off his meat and Jack's vegetables to Maury and sat at the table. No sooner did he sit down, two arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
Sheri cried a waterfall onto his head as she crushed his head against her bosom. "Wah! Shinny! I've been lonely!" Shinzuu choked out, "Sh-Sheri! I was only gone a week. I've been on missions longer than a month and you weren't like this. What is it?" She collapsed onto her knees, hugged his leg and dug her face into his thigh. "It's my brother and dad! They're dead! They died protecting the princess!" Shinzuu heart dropped and placed a hand on top of her head, feeling bad about his ignorance.
After they calmed Sheri down and she receded back into the kitchen, their food came out and they looked at the envelope as they ate their lunches. Shinzuu had barely started when he picked up the envelope and removed the seal. He pulled out and unfolded the parchment inside as he took a large bite out of his first giant steak, some juice and blood running out of it. After he finished reading, he stopped chewing and swallowed the rest loudly. Epoch and Jack looked up from their food. Almost in unison, "What is it?" Shinzuu lowered the parchment and put his steak on top of the others and, his face pale, stared at them grimly. In a barely audible voice, "W-we've been assigned to carry out a coup d'état for Emperor Zhukov... on Red's old man. We're to join them in the Emperor Chamber Room. If we refuse, he'll revoke his sovereignty over us." They all became somber and ate in silence.
* * * * *
The eight people in the Chamber Room sighed in relief as the talismans began to shake, finally a result after two hours, the eagle burned. Carina picked up the other two talismans and nodded. "Very well. Thine declarations hath been declined. We shalt send Golge and Ko..." Zhukov lifted a hand to stop her. "With all due respect, honored Guardians, I think Kratos should be handled with more than a mere coup d'état. I have something else in store for him. I have enlisted the help of Young Shinzuu Katame and his party and..." Carina slammed her fists hard on the table as Zhael stood up and did the same. "No! I shan't be having that cretin running around freely!" Zhael added, "I agree! That arrogant little brat of a criminal shouldn't be trusted with such an important task! He'll try to take the throne for himself, or even form an alliance with Kratos and come back for our heads! It'd be impossible for him to kill ME, but it'll just create more complications and possibly give Kratos an edge! Evey, back me up here!"
Evey sighed, "I will trust Zhukov's decision in this matter. His history has proven this. And besides, I have some plans of my own for the one who would dare try to hurt my cute little goddaughter." Zhael protested, "But... !" Zhukov stopped him with a wave of his hand. "It's a majority vote. You no longer have a say, now." Iridian, his face completely strewn in disgust at the mention of Shinzuu's name, placed a hand onto Zhael's shoulder to calm him down. "Unfortunately, His Majesty Zhukov is right. Not even we Guardians can have a say in this. Trust me, I don't like this anymore than you do, none of us Guardians do." A voice came out from behind Zhukov, "Well, I'm so glad that none of you have changed over these last few years." Everyone but Zhukov searched the room in surprise of the new voice. Shinzuu appeared at Zhukov's right hand. In an instant, Shinzuu found blades of every kind pointed at him. Iridian, his claymores crossed around Shinzuu's neck, and his eyes flared with rage, yelled, "How long have you been here!?"
Zhukov slammed the table, "That's enough! You will all withdraw your weapons now! This is MY kingdom still, and he is still under MY sovereignty! And for everyone's information, he has been here since before the rest of you with me." Gight sighed, "Which is why he can't be trusted. He has reached a level where not even us, The Council, can sense him. I'm a bat, I see this room as if it were broad daylight and I couldn't see or sense him. But as the Guardian Heads, we shall abide by your sovereignty. Chaps, let's put them away, spot spot." Koara sighed as she sheathed her wakizashi, "But one has to wonder. Why would you, the Hero Emperor and the strictest upholder of the law, would extend your sovereignty over the three most wanted men in all of Gaia."
Zhukov smirked, "Let's just say there's more to the story and rumors than what you've been told. Sure, those men that were killed were innocent, however, it all depends on what you mean by innocent. Besides, he saved my daughter from a bandit attack a couple years ago. They boldly escorted my daughter back to the city despite their bounty and stood before me. The poor boy and his friends were homeless and hunted left and right, though their lives really weren't in danger. But after measuring them, I thought that these boys deserved to at least live a normal life within my capitol, if nowhere else. That's all I'm going to say."
A blue light flashed ominously from Carina's cloak. She reached into her cloak and pulled out a paper rune with the most complex design he had ever seen. Carina wore worried look on her face. "My spy's been discovered. This is an emergency warp rune." She bit into her thumb and drew blood. She drew a cross onto the rune after she set it on the floor and backed up. The rune flashed two more times before turning bright red and then white. With a large bang, the light disappeared and two new figures appeared in the room. Carina yelled, "Philly, you better have a darn good reason for getting caught and using that rune! Those cost two Zera a piece and the Academy goes into the red for a month every time we have to buy another!" Philly talked through his heavy breaths, "I was getting out through the dungeons and I discovered this guy. They heard me unchaining him and surrounded the exit." Carina exploded, fire building up around her hands. "How many criminals are we going to..." Carina stopped as Philly took his robe off the other figure. There, covered in blood and stinking of a lingering, rotting smell of and unkept cell, was Redmond Sky.
Shinzuu ran to his friend, "Red! Red, are you alright!?" Red looked up weakly and his voice rasped as he spoke. "Shi... zuu? Am I dreaming?" Shinzuu took off his cloak and wrapped it around his friend. "You're not dreaming, Red. A spy found you while they were leaving and got you out." Zhukov stood up and faced them, a look of horror on his face. "Dear Gaia, what have they done to you, my godchild?" He turned to the others. "We'll continue this in the infirmary, I'm going to wake the cooks."
* * * * *
They carried Red into the infirmary, where a cleric cleaned him up and began to slowly heal him. Zhukov came into the infirmary with food and water. After Red finished, he told everyone about what happened. About him getting caught going out, his torcher and everything he overheard from the attack on Linkshire to the assassination attempt of Zhukov and his daughter. Shinzuu, a worried look on his face. "Where are my parents? A hundred soldiers are nothing for them, so where have they run to?" Red shook his head, "No. They did not run, nor did they kill anyone. They had stayed in Linkshire to protect it, and took on more invasions. So far, they have severely injured over five hundred men, but none fatal. My father is planning on gathering up the rest of his men to take down Linkshire. My estimate is that he'll keep a hundred of his remaining best and send the last fourteen hundred."
Zhukov grunted as he though hard. He finally raised his head and spoke, "Very well. Shinzuu and his party shall continue as planned with the coup, and I shall take the Knights and my elites with me to help protect Linkshire. Those two could probably still handle that number without effort, if they kill them, but they're not going to. And what's worse, they haven't been Guardians for a few decades. Their bodies are catching up with them, and they have aged greatly."
Zhael stood up with a smirk. "Save your men for another day, I'll take their places." Evey stood as well, drawing her sword and saluting Zhukov. "As will I. Since those two will not be killing, their aging will be a great handicap. Shinzuu, if your performance satisfies me, I'll extend my sovereignty to you and your friends as well. Exceed that, and I might push a vote for your full pardon. However, if you fail, I'll kill you myself." Carin began to protest but stopped herself, seeing Zhukov's glare. She had to remember that her duties as a Guardian that she's honored this last millenia had to come before her personal feelings. Red grabbed onto Zhukov's robe. "I'm coming, too." Zhukov turned to Red, "No, you need rest. Your wounds may have healed, but I cannot allow you to go back. You're next in line and the only heir to Kratos' throne." Red looked at Shinzuu. Shinzuu sighed, "I'll take him. Jack, Epoch and I grew up with him and helped treain him. He can be in my party. Don't worry, Your Majesty, he's in good hands." Zhukov gave him an unsure look, but sighed. "Fine. But when you get to Kratos' castle, beware of his right-hand governor, Baron von Vladimir XI. Not many people know it, but he's one of the few blademasters in Gaia. Take him to the armory and meet us out front. We move tonight."
Post Merge: January 12, 2010, 08:13:31 AM
More story notes:
Clerics - Like Cosmic Magic-users, Clerics are also a class of their own. Their magic "element" is that of light. The element pretty much fall under the following categories: Wind, Water, Fire, Earth, Light, and Dark. Their magic is only capable of healing, curing and the like. They have no attack magic.
Magic Wheel - Each magic user falls under one of the six spectrums of the wheel, and in each spectrum, one dimension. For instance, Aviana, lightning and thunder magic-users all fall under the Wind spectrum. However, the dimensions of their magic capabilities are completely different, as they represent different dimensions of that spectrum. White, as you know, is an Ice Magic-User, but he falls under the Water element. get it? However, even though they fall under that Affinity, they are limited to only that sub category. White can only cast ice spells. Can't cast water.
Carina's issue with Shinzuu and his friends - Normally, Guardians have pledged their duty over their own personal feelings. You'd think that after more than 1,000 years as a Guardian, Carina wouldn't lose herself like she does in this chapter. The reason is that, like all the other Guardians, Carina looked down and loathed Kagatou and Ling for having broken the sacred law of mating, especially since she looked up to them since they became Guardians. Now, that is only part of it, the other part is that Shinzuu's party's so-called "treachery" that they're most known for was the first since the Crimson War, and therefore she views Shinzuu the same as Kronos.
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I liked this new chapter
more drama involved and more politics
however my one complaint.
I feel like you make some characters a lot more powerful then they should
like the two at linkshire, I mean they are ex guardians, but they can't hold off hundreds of soldiers just by themselves
also how can Shinn sneak up on Guardians, the supposed all powerful keepers of peace, and even your Bat brings that up
just how can a random bounty hunter sneak up on all powerful warriors and mages
not saying it kills the story or saying the story is bad or anything, but i kind've want to know why all the protagonists are somehow more skilled then the all powerful
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Great episode Shinzuu! Red is gonna get payback I bet :D
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well, everyone has pros and cons. and as for the powerful, i'm running off the concept of new generations inheriting skills of those who raise them. Koara is strong enough to be Kagatou's successor, and Zhael can sense all the hiding Guardians. He's not stronger, but his senses are powerful. Evey can't sense anything, but she's a powerful fighter, nonetheless. Shinzuu has the blood of the two strongest guardians in history, however, that's not to say that he is indeed stronger, because he's not, he's just good at hiding. And if you can remember, Gight just said, "He's reached a level..." not, "He's beyond our level.". He talks to Guardians that way because he is, indeed arrogant. Zhukov, however, has seen the side of Shinzuu that no one reading this story has seen yet, so it'll be confusing at first, especially why he favors Shinzuu. As for the fight in Linkshire, Ling is supposed to be a H2H fighter, but she's already using weapon to compensate her aging, and I have not mentioned their conditions still. They can indeed fight up to three hundred men at a time, however, they are not killing, so they became more a more worn per fight, without much time between each day, Red was hinting that they are outmatched, and getting worn.
Again, emphasizing the New Gen theory, if you read the casting again, you'll notice that Kyzen will eventually succeed Carina, though I will not divulge how. A lot of this story is based on the New Gen concept. However, if you think the protagonists are strong, wait till chapter 10 when you finally "see" the Guardians fight. It's more like read, but I see everything through my eyes as I reread all this, Vee's told me the same, so I can only assume you readers have the same experience while reading.
As a final note, much of this story will be incomplete and confusing as you go along. But the closer you get to the end, and read back, you're going to realize exactly how complex I've written the plot and sub-plot webs. It took me over a year to write the rough draft, and let me tell you. Most of that time was spent on weaving those webs. When you finish reading the whole thing, you're going to be shaking your head, and thinking to yourself. "OMG! So that's why this happened! That's why it was written like that! I get it now!" Or at least, hopefully something to that effect.
(oh, forgot, Shinzuu didn't sneak up on them. If you read carefully, he was actually in the room with Zhukov before anyone else was in there, so it just proves that he's good at hiding, nothing more.)
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Simply amazing so far. I enjoyed it so much that I joined the forums. I'm somewhat of a writer myself, but this, I just love it. Great job man, I can't wait to see more.
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Thank you, that's very flattering to hear that.
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Chapter 6 Teaser:
... Red swooped down, showering the soldiers below with knives and kunai. He thought to himself, "This is bad, we need to barricade that door, now." He came down with two of the long resting chairs and knocked over the incoming drove and then signaled for Captain Kiral to bar the door. Kiral and his men rushed the doors and pinned themselves to it, while other men tried to find heavy items to keep it shut. Kiral called out to Red, "Go, Your Majesty! Go help the others! We gladly lay down our lives for you! Go!"...
... Zhael laughed maniacally as he swung his warhammer left and right, knocking three to four men at a time into the air, the most forward having a gaping hole where he was struck. He backed up against Evey as more soldiers poured in. "So! Are you having fun yet!? Brings back memories!" Evey smirked, "Yes! You were a loose cannon back then, too! You do remember that we're supposed to MINIMIZE casualties, right!?" Zhael laughed, "I don't think that's an option anymore! Those two can do whatever they want, but I kill whomever tries to kill me!" Evey smiled uneasily, "I'm afraid you might be right." as she thrusted her blade into a soldier's face and kicked him off in time to catch another through the chest behind her as he bent backwards after the kick...
Does this tickle your fancy? Wait till tomorrow to read the whole thing.
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Oh snap, can't wait. This sounds juicy. :3
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It does sound awesome....
Yay for loose cannon combat :D
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You had me at the mention of the words knives and kunai *Drools* I await this chapter eagerly >.<
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yes, finalizing the battle sequences have been tough. by sunday night or monday morning, you shall have one of my most challenging chapters to write, yet. However, the fight up ahead are nothing compared to the final battle of this book.
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You're such a tease, Shinzuu. :3
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I do my best. XD
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Chapter 6: The Inevitable
The moon seemed to glow red tonight. The four friends stood by the wall just outside of Kratos' palace. They had staked out and gone over plans for a day. Luckily, Zhukov and the others left for Linkshire three hours ahead of schedule. They should have been there a few hours ago, far ahead of the army. To slow down potential problems, Epoch laid explosive rocks onto the road just a few minutes earlier. It's not enough to stop everything, but it should slow reinforcements down enough to give them time to get away. Now, they stood in front of the palace gate. Two guards walked up to the, "Sorry, gentlemen. The palace is off limits, we're in a state of emergency." Red slowly took off his and looked at them in the eyes. "Please let us through. I have things I need to discuss with my father." The guards drew their swords in alert. "It's the prince! Call for..." Before they were able to say anymore, they found kunai sticking out of their throats. Red sighed as he lowered his hand, "If only you had chosen to let us in. Your lives would not have been lost for naught." He removed his gloves and cloak. "Let us be done with this."
Shinzuu took the lead and examined the gate and its lock. Well, no way to do this unheard. He turned to Epoch as he drew his katana. Jack drew his dirk, knowing what Shinzuu was about to say. "Alright, not even having the key is going to keep this quiet. Thosee hinges are more rusted than Iridian's armour. Soooo... Epoch, if you please." Epoch picked up a pebble and flipped it at the lock. There was a little pop and the gates creaked open loudly. As expected, soldiers ran for them and archers on the walls turned their attention on the intruders. Red took flight, taking the archers' attention and dodging between their arrows. He flew high and fast, swooping down now and then to take out an archer or two with his knives, or knocking one off with his feet. On the ground, Jack, Shinzuu and Epoch kept close to each other. Epoch tossed stone bombs into clusters of enemies, while Jack and Shinzuu would cut down whomever got close. Slowly, they made their way towards the door, an endless wall of soldiers blocking their way.
In a panic, an archer on the wall ran to one of the guard towers. Red saw this and swooped for that guard. Other archers jumped in front to protect the man and he jumped right through the door. The archer flung open the chest and pulled out a bright red arrow. He fired it into the air and away from the castle. As the arrow reached its maximum height, it exploded and burst into flames that formed a giant phoenix. It's a distress signal. No sooner did the guard watch it flare up, did he discover a sharp pain in his back. He reached back, there's a throwing knife stuck there. The man fell forward and his limp body flipped down the side of the wall. Red cursed himself, I can't believe I let him get away with that. Things are going to heat up at this point. Already, explosions can be heard from the roads, apparently, they were more prepared than anticipated.
Red closed his wings and spiraled down from his vantage point to the door. He opened his wings at the last second, landed softly onto the front step, turned around and released a small shower of kunai, clearing the wall of soldiers blocking his friends. However, before he could react, the door behind Red burst open and soldiers in golden armour came out from the castle, their leader, already on the downswing, ready to kill Red. Shinzuu quickly rushed to the door just in time to push Red aside and blocked the strike. The attacker was strong, an iguana-Kin with piercing, silver eyes. Shinzuu kicked the man back and quickly helped Red up. Red drew a knife from his feathers and threw it at the man. The iguana caught it and drapped it, but stood still, a look of shock on his face. "Master Redmond, is that you?" He quickly stopped his men and knelt down. "Captain Kiral, what is the meaning of this?" Jack yelled back to them as he continued to fight off the ensuing crowd of soldiers. "This is very much not the time to talk! Isn't it obvious that he's here to stop and kill us!?" Shinzuu ran to Jack's aid.
Kiral stammered, "N-no! We would never betray our Master Redmond! Our service had been for and only for him!" Kiral got up and assisted Jack and Shinzuu with keeping the enemy soldiers back. His men followed suit. Kiral pushed Jack and Shinzuu into the building with Epoch and Red. The soldiers outside were taken aback with surprise, seeing the royal guard fighting against them. However, despite the help, the party was still being pushed back. Red took flight and swooped down, showering the soldiers below ithe knives and kunai. He thought to himself, "This is bad, we need to barricade that door, now." He came down with two of the long resting chairs and knocked over the incoming drove and then signaled for Captain Kiral to bar the door. Kiral and his men rushed the doors and pinned themselves to it, while other men tried to find heavy items to keep it shut. Kiral called out to Red, "Go, Your Majesty! Go with your friends! The emperor is in the WarRoom! We gladly lay down our lives for you! Go!"
Red reluctantly turned and landed next to his friends. "Let us make haste, then. Follow me."
* * * * *
At the outskirts of Linkshire, Zhukov, Zhael, Evey, Kitt and the Knights of Gaia stood beside Kagatou and Ling, watching the torches of the approaching army. Kitt smiled widely, readying his buster-class sword, "Oh yea! Finally, a chance to prove myself! This is gonna be great!" Kagatou laid a hand on his shoulder, "Calm down, young one. Get too exited, you use up your energy too quickly and you will be the first to die. This is a battlefield, not a game. Remember everyone! They are just pawns of Kratos, don't kill them, if you can avoid it. We want to minimize casualties." He moved to the front of the group and raised his sword in salute. Everyone followed his lead and raised their weapons in salute as well. The oncoming army drew their weapons and readied their bows. In a loud roar, the front line charged towards the group as the archers released a volley of arrows.
Alister stepped up and swung and twirled his whip-sword, knocking down the incoming arrows. The few arrows that made it through either landed harmlessly into the ground or was swatted away by whomever was under it. The first twenty soldiers reached them soon after, but were simply cut down in a flash by Kagatou and Ling's blades, and they lay in pain and incapacitated. The second wave saw this and halted until the third group caught up. Zhael and Evey stepped up with Zhukov. Zhael let out a loud roar and drove his warhammer into the ground and wound it up, a large piece of earth covering the spike on that side of his hammer. He charged in and slammed his shoulder into the first soldier, knocking them back a couple meters. In the same motion, Zhael used the momentum to swing the warhammer and knocked over another six, the sound of bones crunching on contact and soil flying everywhere. Evey ran up and jumped off of Zhaels shoulders and ran her sword through a charging soldier's shoulder.
Zhukov charged in and ran his claymore through another charging soldier's shield and side of their stomach. He swung his broadsword and caved in the chest plate of another, knocking them back. The soldiers began to close in even faster. Zhael laughed maniacally as he swung his warhammer left and right, knocking three to four men at a time into the air, the most forward having a gaping hole where he was struck. He backed up against Evey as more soldiers poured in. "So! Are you having fun yet!? Brings back memories!" Evey smirked, "Yes! You were a loose cannon back then, too! You do remember that we're supposed to MINIMIZE casualties, right!?" Zhael laughed, "I don't think that's an option anymore! Those two can do whatever they want, but I kill whomever tries to kill me!" He jumped forward and brought down his hammer, crushing three soldiers on impact. Evey smiled uneasily, "I'm afraid you might be right." as she thrust her blade into a soldier's face and kicked him off in time to catch another through the chest behind her as she bent backwards after the kick.
Zhukov broadsided two other soldiers with his claymore and stabbed another with his broadsword. "As much as I agree, this is not a cafe. Keep the idle chat down." Evey ran towards Zhukov and flipped over him, shoulder to shoulder and swung her sword to back a few soldiers up. In that same motion, she lowered her head and allowed the sword to keep going and took another step, running it through the middle soldier through the heart. The dying soldier gripped the blade and the others grabbed for her arm and the sword. Evey quickly released the sword and jumped back as they grabbed her sword. To the soldiers' surprise, all five of them fell to the ground, being pulled down by the sword. Zhukov, with a swing of his claymore, relieved them of their heads. He chuckled as Evey picked up her sword from the dead corpse.
"I guess not everyone knows that your sword weighs 250 kilos." Zhael crushed the last soldier in close proximity. "Hey, hey, hey. I thought this wasn't a cafe and that we should keep the idle chat down." Zhukov laughed aloud and stood up to face the army. He raised his claymore and pointed it at them. "Spare no quarter!" The army ran all in together. Bahamut, Alister, Barak and Kitt ran up beside their emperors and readied their swords. Kagatou and Ling watched the oncoming army. Ling sighed, "They are right, honey. It seems we will have to dirt our hands once more." Kagatou sighed and saw a bright fire phoenix in the distance over the castle. "Very well. For the sake of the village and seeing our son again."
* * * * *
Back at the castle, Shinzuu and the others ran up stairs and through corridors. Red pointed to a tower across a bridge walkway on the fifth floor. "There. That tower is only accessible through this walkway. The WarRoom is in the middle of the tower." As they made their way to the walkway, two dark figures stood in their way. One was dressed in royal robes and the other in a green tunic and trousers. The tall, royal figure stepped up and bowed. He was a human, very well built and emitted a strong aura. "Welcome to the Lodisian Royal Palace. Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to pass. I am Baron von Vladimir XI, and this is my business partner, Jay Kaelin, leader of the Thieve's Guild." Jay walked into the light with a smirk. Shinzuu shook his head, "Wait. Big chicken newbie is the leader of the Thieve's Guild? You have got to be kidding me." Jay gave off an evil laugh, though didn't sound as evil because of high pitched voice. "That was just a cover. My acting must be pretty good to fool even the great Black Kat, or is it that he's not as the rumors say?"
"Enough of this!" Red took flight for attack, but, in a flash, Jay tackled him right through some double doors. Shinzuu turned, "Red!" Vladimir lept into the air, drew a short sword and a dagger from his robe, and came down on Shinzuu. Jack umped in, drawing his katar and dirk, and blocked the attack. Jack grunted at the force of Vladimir's strike. Epoch quickly threw two rocks at Vladimir to back up Jack. Vladimir quickly dodged by jumping back, the rocks exploding against the wall. Shinzuu turned back to charge, but Jack stopped him. "No, Epoch and I will take care of him. He's a blade-master, like me. You need to go for Kratos. Red can take care of himself. Just get going and finish the job. Vladimir laughed, "I doubt..." Before he could finish, Jack sharged him and he blocked. The ground below glowed red. Jack and Vladimir both jumped away as a small portion of the ground blew up. Shinzuu took advantage of the smoke and rushed through it at full speed, running down the walkway.
"No you don't!" Vladimir threw his dagger towards the running Shinzuu. Jack quickly threw his dirk and knocked the dagger away in midair. "Your fight is with us... master." Vladimir reached into his robe and drew a wakizashi to replace the dagger. "This might be interesting. So you think you've exceeded me, eh, Young Rabbit? You forget who you are speaking to. I MADE YOU!" Jack reached into his cloak and drew out a stiletto and Epoch held onto his rocks, getting ready to throw.
* * * * *
Before Shinzuu reached the tower, he stopped at a slowly approaching figure. It was Kratos. "So, you have come for me. However, you and your friends shall be dying here. Nothing can stop me from my domination!" He threw off his robe and drew his saber. His feathers glistened a bright gold in the moonlight. His saber gleamed green, it has a wind enchantment, but what kind, Shinzuu didn't know. Shinzuu bowed and threw off his cloak and readied his katana. "You're going to pay for what you did to Red, to my parents, my town and my Sheri."
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Amazing as usual, Shinzuu. This was quite an action packed chapter. Though I'm sure the next will be containing more, considering our heroes' current predicaments...Anyway, might want to re-read it. Few left out letters and punctuation errors.
Also...What element would you stick the ability to have your art come to life under? If any...Because I think that is an awesome power...
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ummm..... elaborate. I totally didn't understand anything you wrote after the writing errors.
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I have a slight understanding of what cuddles said... but thats a moot point.
Shinzuu vs. Kratos the most epic duel so far... or will more join later?
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You'll have to wait and see. You make another appearance soon.
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Hmm...You know your element tree I assume. Tell me what this would fall under: The ability to have art you draw, become real. Lets say you draw a sword, you then have the power to reach into the picture and pull it out and then fight with it. Or the ability to draw an apple and take it out and eat it, though being ink probably not wise. Or even drawing a monster or person and having them come out of the picture to fight for you. Get it now? What would you classify that as, in your story, under your elemental chart?
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idk wtf an element tree is, and that explanation didn't explain anything to me.
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Bleh, screw it. I can't make it any simpler...Element wheel maybe? You called it something lol...Maybe it was in your RP...But oh well :|
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My "style" of writing is based on description and mental picturing based on those descriptions. Based on Terry Goodkind's. As for my art, I guess via Time and Motion.
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That was awesome, I can't wait till the Kratos fight :3 *Keeps imagining Tales of Symphonia*
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Great chapter, babe. Very good fight scenes. :)
Can't wait for the next one for two reasons: 1) The Shinzuu vs. Kratos fight and 2) I know I'm in it. :D
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*Eyes bulge out of head* Uzima return...must...have!
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great stuff Shinzuu... cant wait to read more ^_^
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Amazing as usual, Shinzuu. This was quite an action packed chapter. Though I'm sure the next will be containing more, considering our heroes' current predicaments...Anyway, might want to re-read it. Few left out letters and punctuation errors.
Also...What element would you stick the ability to have your art come to life under? If any...Because I think that is an awesome power...
wanted to say something before, but never got around to saying. this is being written in English english. there are certain grammar and spelling most north americans are not used to. And you are not one to talk, cuddles. Your RPing proves it.
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woah, calm down.
Someone's taking criticism too seriously
About you mentioning Buster Class swords
just say buster swords, because we all can imagine what a Buster Sword is, blame Final Fantasy
also I still have a problem with how the characters can easily deal with the foot soldiers
I mean they are foot soldiers, but they shouldn't be breezing through them Dynasty Warriors style.
I mean before the battle REALLY started Kagatou and Ling easily steamrolled twenty soldiers.
Why would the Royal Guard suddenly turn on their king when they were so loyal to him seconds before. It's not like the Prince takes immediate priority over the King.
you also really like to arm your main characters (not just this in pretty much everything) with the mythical armament of the Japanease super man stereotype, basically combining the best of both the Ninja and Samurai
Kunai,
Katanas
interpret this as you see fit Shinzuu, but I'm not trying to make fun of you or put you down in any way shape or form.
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Ouch, that hurt coming from you, Shinzuu, more than you know clearly. Also I don't think me misreading things in your RP has anything to do with my grammar.
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Ouch, that hurt coming from you, Shinzuu, more than you know clearly. Also I don't think me misreading things in your RP has anything to do with my grammar.
it's your spelling, something that i'm very anal about.
Someone's taking criticism too seriously
About you mentioning Buster Class swords
just say buster swords, because we all can imagine what a Buster Sword is, blame Final Fantasy
also I still have a problem with how the characters can easily deal with the foot soldiers
I mean they are foot soldiers, but they shouldn't be breezing through them Dynasty Warriors style.
I mean before the battle REALLY started Kagatou and Ling easily steamrolled twenty soldiers.
Why would the Royal Guard suddenly turn on their king when they were so loyal to him seconds before. It's not like the Prince takes immediate priority over the King.
you also really like to arm your main characters (not just this in pretty much everything) with the mythical armament of the Japanease super man stereotype, basically combining the best of both the Ninja and Samurai
Kunai,
Katanas
1) I'm very well aware of the fact, since I've been playing FF since '89. I do specify buster class because none of the big weapons in my story are hearken large tanto blades with no hilts
2) Ling and Kagatou were Guardians for a time. Read the story more carefully.
3) Loyalty of the Royal Guard. They were Red's guards. Were hired for that purpose. Tyranny against the people is not something that's uncommon among bad rulers. Battles are what define one's loyalties.
4) I never use or do anything pertaining to ninjas, and I've never used kunai. My charat may be a strong samurai-type, but he's not super-human (er, super-furry?). Like me, my charat just performed as one who has studied and fought since early childhood.
5) I only have a cow with criticism when it doesn't really apply, particularly on a subject that I, myself am very very anal about. :/
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Chapter 6: The Inevitable Before they were able to say anymore, they found kunai sticking out of their throats. Red sighed as he lowered his hand
Shinzuu took the lead and examined the gate and its lock. Well, no way to do this unheard. He turned to Epoch as he drew his katana.
Red closed his wings and spiraled down from his vantage point to the door. He opened his wings at the last second, landed softly onto the front step, turned around and released a small shower of kunai, clearing the wall of soldiers blocking his friends.
However, despite the help, the party was still being pushed back. Red took flight and swooped down, showering the soldiers below ithe knives and kunai.
Red reluctantly turned and landed next to his friends. "Let us make haste, then. Follow me."
I basically found all the excerpts with both Katanas ans Kunai, I thought this was a story around a Medieval Europe typish setting (for the equipment anyways)
and i know Shinzuu doesnt use the kunai, but I never said only he, I was just saying anyone
and even your non guardian characters breeze through the foot soldiers, just the sheer amount of them pushes them backwards (understandably)
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It is medieval-themed. As I had stated prior, the four provinces are kind of like a smaller representation of our societal distribution. Western-Most, Lodis, more like americans. Next, Karasia, a lot like England. Then, laid-back but totalitarian Lavardia, similar to the Middle-East. Then, Vorona, most similar to asia.
The Knights of Gaia are supposed to be kind of like the smaller version of Guardians, though, by far, not as strong with centuries less experience. Emperors are usually war heroes in medieval stories, that is until they become old and decrepit. And if you read, the zergling rush tactic wasn't used. They've only attacked in small groups.
The purpose of Red using both kunai and throwing knives is to emphasize the fact that the usage of weapons, for some characters, are not bound by where they are from, but to optimize by using weapons of multiple origins.
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I can't wait for Chapter 7 to come out 8D
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ok, everyone, I'm sorry for the long wait. As you all might or might not know, I had taken a break to catch up on my late commissions as well as for Valentine's. Now, I have continued and finished chapter 7. Unfortunately, I won't be able to post today, as it is fairly late to start. So, in the meantime, I will post this teaser and post the whole chapter first thing tomorrow morning. I love you all, and thanks for your continued support.
Chapter 7 (Teaser)
See what happens!
...Kratos took a step forward and slashed down diagonally. In an instant, a cloaked figure jumped from the top of the tower, landed between Kratos and Shinzuu, and twirled around, deflecting the strike with enough force to cause Kratos to recoil and step back. Kratos's anger grew with this new annoyance. "And who the hell are you?"...
...Zhael stood firm with his half-broken war hammer and Zhukov panted, legs shaking a little with his chipped swords in his hands...
...Bahamut stood in front, doing his best to cover Alister and Barak, broken broadswords in hand. He took a deep breath, "Gentlemen, it has been an honor serving with you all these years."...
New friends!
...blow off the figure's hood. It was a snow white wolf with ocean blue eyes, he had no hair, but rather, just fur... "My name is White....
..."Your fight is with me, Philly the Sly Sorcerer!"...
Twist of fate!
...four figures emerged, it was Carina, Iridian, Golge and Koara...
...Blood smeared her face and armour, her face void of emotion, and eyes staring with a thirst for blood at the one below her feet...
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OMG! My character has arrived, I'm completely stoked for this one >_>... why must I work tomorrow... WHY?! *Head desks*
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White, stop being so hard on yourself.
(http://i780.photobucket.com/albums/yy88/duomillenia/Slam.gif)
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I bet I know "who the hell" it is! xD
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Lol thanks Shinzuu, that made me laugh out loud.
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Chapter 7: The Calvary
Kratos started the fight after their long stand-off by closing the distance in a jump and thrusting downwards. Shinzuu dodged quickly, but heard the ground break and his trousers tear a bit. He quickly made some more distance as Kratos landed onto the ground. shinzuu checked his trousers, a very clean cut, matching the cut on his leg he received from that same attack. "You have quite the weapon there, Kratos. To think that High Mage Anil enchanted your saber." Kratos smirked and slid forward, slashing horizontally. Shinzuu watched carefully and ducked under it, rolling towards Kratos and recovered with an upward slash. Kratos stepped back and stopped the katana with his saber's hilt and punched Shinzuu with a left hook.Shinzuu's face nearly missed the floor as he rotated his body to regain his balance and rolled away from Kratos. Kratos gave chase, throwing slashes and thrusts. Shinzuu continued to dodge, getting a bit cut up here and there. He quickly got backed into the door of the tower. He watched the saber carefully. Okay, so the blade's extended reach is about four meters.
Kratos chuckled as he slowly walked up. "I am surprised you are not in pieces, boy. Though I will say that those cuts complement your stripes. The others really belittle me, sending the filthy hybrid traitor against me. You were indeed one of my best, boy. However, you became disposable the day you three betrayed me and kill three of my best battalions." Shinzuu growled. "That mission. They weren't thieves, not even pickpockets. They were all nobles, most of them from your own counsel and advisory board whom you couldn't convince to go along with your stupid plans of taking over Terra, and their families! You ordered us to kill innocent people! Your men raped and tortured them all. Your men had spilled innocent blood! And now, we're going to spill yours. All your corruption will be paid in blood!" Kratos laughed aloud, "Then why don't you save a seat for me? In Hell!" Kratos took a step forward and slashed down diagonally. Shinzuu tried to dodge, but the blood loss from all the cuts made him slightly off balance and he staggered. In an instant, a cloaked figure jumped down from the top of the tower, landed between Kratos and Shinzuu, and twirled around, deflecting the strike with enough force to cause Kratos to recoil and step back. Kratos's anger grew with this new annoyance. "And who the hell are you?"
* * * * *
Red sweat profusely, staring Jay kaelin down in the guest room that he got tackled into. His usual tactics, thus far, have been proven counter-productive. Jay's ability to dodge is amazingly good. What scared Red the most, was the fact that Jay's ability to return the projectiles were as good as his. Red recessed his remaining knives back in between his feathers. He drew his saber and took a fencing stance. Jay drew golden twin knives from his belt and readied himself, holding them in reverse, crossing his arms in front and crouching slightly forward. Red took a deep breath, doing his best to remember all his lessons that he failed as a child and all the ones he got from Jack over the years. Well, I guess it's time to play my trump. He started the sortie with a powerful thrust...
* * * * *
Explosions resounded throughout the castle, as Vladimir fought with jack and Epoch. Vladimir's attacks have been strong, severely damaging Jack's blades. He's running out of weapons, but Vladimir's no different. Constant strong attacks and contact with Epoch's explosives have destroyed many of Vladimir's weapons, as well. Jack stood before Vladimir, a katana in one hand and a chipped broadsword in the other, his knees shaking and bruised up from all the bracing. Vladimir, also feeling fatigue, stood more firm, wielding a claymore. Epoch weazed as he caught up with them, his head swimming and staggering with each step. "Hah... I'm... hah... here. I... am dieting... hah... after this." Epoch held his side, still catching his breath. jack maintained eye contact on Vladimir and waved Epoch off. "You've done enough, old friend. Find a place to hide, I'll take care of the rest. If you end up dying here, Shinzuu will drag you back from Hell just to send you back himself. Don't worry. I can still do this." After much attempts to argue, Epoch finally gave in and ran down the next corridor. Vladimir chuckled, "You know that I'll kill him after you, don't you?" Jack readied his weapons, "You won't be killing anyone anymore. Goodbye, master."
* * * * *
Kitt breathed heavily in the battlefield. The enemy had finally given up on formal battle and are all rushing in with full force. more coming in. Kitt wound up for another swing, but a sharp, searing pain flew through his body. He dropped the buster-class broadsword and fell to his knees. Dang it! I shoulda listened during sword training lessons! The soldiers came baring down on Kitt, but were knocked away in mid-air by Ling and Kagatou. "You really need to practice good form and proper sword handling if you wish to be a part of the Knights of Gaia, child. Ling, darling, help the poor boy." Kagatou fought off more as Ling picked Kitt up off the ground and pulled on his limbs to loosen his muscles up. Kitt yelped, "I... OW!.. have been... Ah!... told that... Eek!... quite often recently. Yeowch! I think you pulled my groin with that one!"
A few meters away, Zhael, Zhukov and Evey stood back-to-back-to-back from the large mass circled around them. Zhael stood firsm with his now half-broken war hammer and Zhukove panted, legs shaking a little with his chipped swords in his hands. Zhael looked over at Ever, then her straight blade. "How come your sword's not even close to chipped?" Evey smiled as she kept her eyes on the crowd of soldiers around them. "My sword is one of the three treasures of Vorona. Not poorly made like the weapons of you westerners. My sword's been tempered by the best Voronese smiths. The blade itself has been folded over 200,000 times, and made using 250 Kilos of iron. Its construction, alone, took an entire year and it never wears down. It is the true pride of Voronese Weaponry alongside with Kagatou and Koara's katanas." Zhukov chuckled, "Well, let's see if you're as proud when you're dead with the rest of us."
Not much further away, Bahamut, Barak and Alister were cornered against a boulder face on the side of the hill just outside of the village gate. Alister held his broken whip-sword in his right hand and hooked his left arm over Barak's shoulders, a couple arrows protruding from his left leg, where his greaves were destroyed. Bahamut stood in front, doing his best to cover Alister and Barak, broken broadswords in hand. He took a deep breath as he assessed the crowd around him. "Gentlemen, it has been an honor serving with you all of these years."
Just then, the sky lit up with another fire phoenix like at the castle, but this one was right over the battlefield. Everyone looked up, surprised at its appearance. Before anyone knew what was going on, the phoenix descended upon and slammed into the middle of the crowd of soldiers. Men began screaming in agony as they were lit on fire. Some soldiers began to panic, seeing a good number of their men burned to a crisp. Another fire phoenix came flying in and hit the same spot, but this time dispersed into a ring of fire. From within fire, four figures emerged, it was Carina, Iridian, Golge and Koara. Zhukov laughed aloud, "I thought you all didn't want any part of this." Carina stepped forward and raised her arms, flames bursting from her eyes and hads. "Twould be quite troublesome to replace all four Emperors in place of just one." She slammed her palms to the ground and raised fire pillars to protect the three parties. Golge vanished as he drew his dirk, and Koara drew her katana while creating bunshin. Iridian ran past Carina, drawing his two halberds and plowed through the crowd of soldiers.
* * * * *
Epoch sat in a corridor, exhausted. his head swam as he'd nearly used up every drop of majicka, setting pieces of rubble around him into trap bombs. The faint sound of clashing blades surrounded him. Jack staggered as he blocked another strike from Vladimir. his katana shattered from the impact, while the top third of Vladimir's claymore chipped off. Jack tumbled back and hit the floor, unable to get back up. Vladimir readied his claymore, "It seems you have finally reached your limit. You were my best student Jack, but it ends here." He jumped into the air and aimed to plunge the blade into Jack. Before he landed, a barrier of ice raised over Jack and absorbed all the impact from Vladimir's attack. The blade still pushed through the barrier, but stopped a hair's width from Jack's nose. A white-cloaked figure rushed in and pulled Jack away. Vladimir pulled his sword out and charged, swiging with all his might. The figure raised his free arm to block and raised a shield of ice. The impact rebounded the force back at Vladimir and he was pushed back. Jack watched as the winds from the force blew off the figure's hood. It was a snow white wolf with ocean blue eyes, he had not hair, but rather, just fur. "Who... are you?" The wolf looked down at Jack, "My name is White. Head Master Carina had sent us to back you up." Jack gave a puzzling look, "Us?"
* * * * *
Red screamed as he fell backwards, two knives sticking out of his theighs. he breathed hard as his vision began to blur from the blood loss. Red loosened all his feathers and, with his remaining strength, sent a full barrage of all his remaining knives and kunai at Jay. however, the throw was too sloppy and most of them didn't go for the target, and the few that did fly at Jay, were caught. Jay smiled devilishly, "End of the line, buddy boy! Now, die!" Jay clenched the knives and threw them back at Red. Before they hit, Red's shadow grew and swallowed him, the knives hitting the ground. The shadow went across the floor and stretched from the floor in the corner, two figures rising from it. A racoon-Kin laid Red against the wall. Jay picked up another throwing knife and aimed at Red. The racoon vanished into the floor and reappeared behind Jay, grabbing his hand, preventing him from throwing the knife. "Your fight is with me, Philly the Sly Sorcerer!"
* * * * *
The figure tossed their aside, Vee Uzima. her twin sai reflected the moon's light, revealing black glyphs up and down its blades. Kratos eyed the sai, "I was wondering who would be strong enough to block my enchanted blade. Magic-nulling. I'm guessing Mr. Lazarus had enchanted those for you? It doesn't matter, though. i will kill you alongside that traitor." Kratos rushed Vee, swinging winging while keeping his distance. Vee blocked and she ran in to close the gap. Shinzuu followed close behind her as best he can, knowing what she was thinking. Kratos backed up, maintaining his swinging to keep distance, but they were closing in. Kratos swung more vigorously, but Vee's swiftness with her twin sai kept pace.
For a split second, Kratos hesitated a step and Vee leaped over him, cinching the saber with the sai and bringing it behind his back from over head. at the same time, Shinzuu rushed in and thrusted his sword into Kratos's chest. The eagle screamed and broke from Vee's lock. He swung down at Shinzuu, but screamed again as the twin sai were plunged into his back. Shinzuu quickly removed his sword and cut off kratos's sword arm. Kratos buckled down to his knees, clutch at his missing limb. Vee jumped onto his back, gripped his beak and snapped Kratos's neck. Vee breathed heavily as she plucked her sai from his back and stood on him. Blood smeared her face and armour, her face void of emotion, and eyes staring with a thirst for blood at the one below her feet. She muttered to herself softly as she continued to stare at the body.
Shinzuu sighed in relief and looked at her in curiousity as to why she helped him. "Thank you for your help. I guess you are better than I gave you credit for." Vee continued to stare at the body and mutter to herself, ignoring him. Fumed at being ignored, Shinzuu grabbed her shoulder, "Hey!" Vee knocked his hand off and quickly turned, striking with the sai in a reverse grip. Shinzuu quickly raised his sword with his other hand and blocked, the sai stopping just short of his face. He looked up at her face. Her expression was still void of emotion, but her eyes had become more intense, seeking more. Vee continued to mutter, but a little louder, "Not... enough... not... enough... more... blood... more..."
(Sorry, but I will be taking a short break for 2 weeks after this chapter because I will be starting a new job, and my notebook's out of pages. I'll post again after I buy a new notebook and settle down with my job. But again, thank you all for your continued support!)
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:o The bloodlust...
Hooray for me! :3
Great chapter, babe. :D
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Omg that was the best chapter so far, Vee Uzima power and White icy-ness *drools then stares at the clock hoping for 2 weeks to pass*
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Epic. I thought Jack was done for; then BAM! White saves the day! Come back soon, can't wait for more. ^_^
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brilliant chapter Shinzuu, good luck with your new job buddy :3
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Chapter 8: Bloodshed
Jay Kaelin was annoyed by the sorcerer and quickly turned to meet Philly. "What the hell kind of name is that? Been listening to too many Minstrels' songs at the bar lately?" He used his turn to swing the dagger in his other hand, but Philly merely faded back into the shadows on the ground. Philly then began to pop in and out at various spots all around the walls, throwing pebbles, rocks and random items that were in the storage room, including some of the knives that were thrown all over the place from the battle. Kaelin caught or dodged every single item and threw back knives in order to hit Philly. "Stay still you slippery little bastard!" He watched Philly and tried to predict his movements. Jay quickly turned around and threw three knives towards one of the pillars behind him as Philly emerged. "Gotcha!" Philly wore a look of surprise on his face as he watched the knives fly at him as he emerged.
The blades then stopped a mere couple centimeters from Philly's body. "You're biting off more than you can chew. I may be just a sorcerer, but I'm a Mage's Apprentice. I study directly under Professor Chronin Lazarus. I'm quite a cut above others of my kind, considering I am one of the handful in history who can use two elements. Before he was able to come up with a new strategy, Jay soon found himself completely surround by all the knives that had loitered the whole room, all pointed at him. Philly smirked, "Only chance. Surrender." "Hell no! The leader of the Thieves Guild never surrenders!" With that, Philly's smirk disappeared and he outstretched his hands, opening his palms, and all the blades closed in from all directions. Jay sweat a little as he drew the other dagger back into his second hand, and recited an old incantation that no one else in the room was able to understand. The daggers then seemed to glow and he then ran, moving at a blinding speed. Jay deflected every single blade as they came at him while he ran. He then disappeared right out the door and out of sight. Philly disappeared into the wall, emerging all around the immediate area around the room, but unable to find any trace of Jay. Dammit
* * * * *
White nodded at Jack's question, while keeping his eyes on Vladimir, "Yes, us. Headmaster Carina sent myself, Philly, and Lady Uzima's daughter here to help you all with your mission. She said, 'Those damned idiots are strong, but not at the level to fight an emperor yet. Keep those assholes alive so I can make them suffer later.' You three are quite lucky to take in the headmaster's favor." Jack swallowed hard at the thought of Carina when she's angry, "Says you. From what I remember, her fires are worse than the flames of hell." Vladimir, angered at being ignored, growled as he then rushed the two, "Don't talk like I'm not here. I've killed plenty of sorcerers in my life, you'll be no exception!" Spikes then emerged from White's ice shield and seemed to serpentine all over Vladimir's blade, catching it, and pierced into his wrists. "Maybe you have, but I'm the top of my class in the Water division of the Academy. I'm a Mage's Apprentice, so don't think I'm the least bit like the ones you've killed in the past." Vladimir scoffed, not even letting himself be fazed by the injury, and let go of the blade, pulling hard and breaking the spikes in his wrists. He then dove, mouth open, and caught his broken claymore with his mouth. "Not even close to finished yet, kid."
White shot more tentacle-like spikes out of his ice shield as Vladimir began to rush him. With surprising accuracy, Vladimir was able to slice through them. "You novice! The same tactic NEVER works twice on someone of a high caliber! I can see right through your fighting!" When Vladimir closed in, White fortified his shield to block, but Vladimir's swing into it was weak and shallow. Using the contact point as a pivot, Vladimir rotated himself around White's shield and got the claymore around it, slicing White in half. But to everyone's surprise, the body became ice and shattered on contact with the ground. "What the-!?" White's voice came from above, "I told you I was above the average sorcerer!" White's figure came from the balcony above and his arm was covered in an ice sword, twice the length of his arm, aiming at Vladimir's heart with a thrust. Vladimir turned to meet White's attack with his own and laughed maniacally, "Fool! My technique and power are greater than yours!" However, his smug smile and laugh disappeared as he was unable to swing. The fake White that he had killed earlier was grabbing the broken claymore while the leg on the other half of the fake White kicked Vladimir's knees out from behind him. White's thrust landed itself right in the middle of Vladimir's chest, blood pouring out of the wound as he had hit the heart directly. "You are strong, Vladimir, but your weakness is your ego. You underestimated me."
White pulled his arm out of the ice blade, which glowed a brilliant red at this point, and let Vladimir's body fall. He then let out a sigh of relief as he fell back and sat against the closest wall, "Phew! That was a close call! If you hadn't weakened him and broken his weapons, he probably would have killed me!"
* * * * *
Outside of Linkinshire, many soldiers' screams could be heard resounding in the air as the Guardians made short work of what was left of the attacking army. Not too far away, the army could see what was going on, and quickly laid down their weapons, waving a large, white flag while the others quickly threw away their weapons and screamed out their surrender in hopes that they would be spared. Kagatou and Ling stood at the little fishing town's gates and watched as the four Guardians who had come to their aide, walked over to them. Kagatou held his sword at the ready, not wanting to use it if he didn't have to. Carina raised a hand, but put it down, remembering who she was talking to. "Stay your hand, old one, I am not going to attack you." Kagatou laughed, "'Old one'? If I remember correctly, Carina, you were born two years before I was. If anyone should be called 'Old One' it should be you. All jests aside, what do you want? We left the Order, you had us banned from every major city and larger towns, what can you possibly want from us?" Carina scoffed, "Nothing, merely to pass tidings to thee. I have decided to become lenient and removed thine heads from the Bingo Book. However, forewarning you now, I will have thy son's head on a platter. Thou both have broken the sacred rule of the Kin, and tis a crime that will have no forgiveness." She sighed as she chose her words carefully, "However, if not for thou and thy wife, the Order would never have maintained its cohesiveness during that fateful battle. Therefore, thou both be pardoned for thine crimes. But thine son be an abomination, and therefore shan't receive any such pardon. I shall be doubling his bounty tomorrow. Say your final farewells tonight because they will be your last with him."
* * * * *
Shinzuu quickly backed up from where the two of them were standing, readied his sword, "What the hell is wrong with you!? Why did you attack me?" Still emotionless, Vee didn't say a word and turned, moving at a blurred speed snaking her path around debris. Shinzuu swung down, but Vee jumped right up into the air with a flip, coming down with both sai in reverse grip. Shinzuu quickly brought up the katana and blocked the twin sai from plunging into his shoulders. Grunting, he pushed her up, but she used the momentum to flip over Shinzuu and land behind him. The two of them quickly turned and clashed blades. Both swung with exceptional speed and power, sparks flying all over the place. "Alright, if you really wish to kill me, I guess I have no choice." Shinzuu's right eye then seemed to open a little wider as he concentrated for a split second and clashed his katana against Vee's sai, locking the twin weapons in place on her chest. Shinzuu's arms then seemed to split into multiple shadow replicas, which each held their own sword, and all slashed at Vee. Vee quickly let go of the sai and jumped back, the sai pulling back with her, as they were connected to her suit by a long, thin, metal string. She then began to swing the sai as she regained her footing, walking back toards Shinzuu. Shinzuu blocked as each sai came in for a swing, making sure he hits the blade exactly so Vee wouldn't have the chance to wrap her weapons around his katana and remove it from his grip.
Despite the deflections, Vee maintained her swings without missing a beat. A mere seconds after the barrage of swinging sai began, Vee crossed her hands and twirled the two sai together, she kept the momentum from their rotation and turned it into a corkscrew thrust aimed right at Shinzuu's head. Shinzuu then thrust his sword directly at the attack, but its rotation was too strong and cracked the top several centimeters off the blade, sending it flipping straight up into the air and out of his hand. He then quickly rotated on his left foot, barely staying on the edge of the walkway, and wrapped himself on the string to get a grip on it. The corkscrew twin sai, however, had cut through a good portion of his gi before then, and left multiple vertical, shallow cuts on his side. Shinzuu then pulled Vee in, pulling a kodachi from within his gi with his left, and stepped forward with his left foot, and brought the kodachi towards her neck. However, just as the blade touched the fur, the blade stopped. Shinzuu found himself under the grip of someone behind him, while Vee's limbs and neck were held at bay by ice shackles. "I'm sorry, but we can't let you kill Miss Uzima. Koara would be most unpleased if you were to do that." Shinzuu then found himself sinking into the ground and then reappeared at the end of the walk, back inside the castle. Shinzuu furiously swung the kodachi at the raccoon that pulled him away from the fight, but he merely vanished into the floor, emerging outside the corridor on the walkway. Philly gave a stern look and waved him off like a pest that needed to go away, "I brought your friends over to the front door, they will be fine for the moment, but I suggest you get to them. I'm sorry about Miss Vee attacking you, but when she's exposed to too much blood, she loses herself and becomes quite the killing machine. She can't even tell friend or foe when she's like that. Unlike her mother, she can't control herself at full strength. Before you take another step, I should warn you that in you can't face White and I in your current condition." Just as he said that, White walked over with Vee unconscious on his shoulder, "I've sedated her, she won't be doing anything else tonight. Shinzuu, I have a message from the Headmaster. She says that you should head home to Linkinshire immediately with your friends. She forgives your parents for their marriage, but your reward doubles tomorrow. She's hellbent on killing you. Anyone associated with you until tonight will be pardoned, but anyone who does, starting tomorrow, will be hunted just as severely." White had to try really hard to hide the disgust in his own face while he said all that, trying to remain professional, but the fact was that the sight of a mixed breed Kin made his stomach churn like almost every other person in Terra. Without another word, ice rose up from the ground and raised Philly and White up a few centimeters as it expanded into a slope that took the three of them down past the outer walls of the castle. Shinzuu watched as they left, and turned face, finding his way down to the front doors of the castle. There, he found Jack, Red and Epoch all resting against the entrance's broken hinges. Red was the first to get up to meet Shinzuu and gave him a big hug. "I'm glad you're okay, my friend. I wish you the best of luck." Shinzuu gave Red a confused look,"What do you mean?" Jack spoke up right away, "We all know, Shinzuu. But Red can't be with us anymore. He will be inheriting Kratos' throne in a couple days, and the people will need his leadership to make it through this kind of turmoil." Red gave a small smile, though,"But I'll still be with you guys tonight, since the decree doesn't take effect until tomorrow. Besides, someone's going to have to help you two carry Epoch's fat ass out of here." Shinzuu stared at Red in wonder, at first, almost as if he wasn't going to be able to handle parting with his best friend. Then, he chuckled, Jack and Red joining in. The three then began to laugh merrily as they enjoyed Red's joke. Epoch was still laying against the wall weezing from exhaustion,"Oh, haha, guys. Very funny. But don't get used to it, because I'm going on a diet starting tomorrow. You'll see." However, it just made the three of them laugh harder.
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Back in Linkinshire, soldiers from the surviving members of the army cleaned up the bodies laid all over the battlefield and burned them in piles in a large grave, crying as they did. When Shinzuu arrived with the others, carrying Epoch, a couple families came out to meet their children, and helped Epoch into town. Shinzuu, after hugging his friends, walked up to his mother and father, whom led him into the village and into their home. Shinzuu hugged both his parents with each arm tightly, emotions running between the three. Ling was the first one to say anything, her more feminine side taking over, "Oh, my baby boy. Oh, how you've grown. You look so handsome! Just like your father when we were still in the Order." Shinzuu took a deep breath and let out his breath, tears welling up in his eyes, "Oh, mommy. I've missed you two so much. How much longer do you two have? You've both gotten so old in these last few years." Kagatou laughed with an old man's cackled, "Yet we still manage to fight stronger than emperors. And it seems that YOU have gotten quite strong. Your ki is deep and your sword seems quite sharper, though not quite there yet." Shinzuu stepped back and took in the sight of his family. Ling's prowess then seemed to take over and suckerpunched her son, "What is with the waterfalls, boy? You're a man! Act like one! Don't cry like a little ninny!" Shinzuu chuckled as he got up from the hit, "Good to see your personality hasn't changed, ma. Just promise me you'll never get senile, or else this town's as good as dead." The three of the laughed happily together and then fell into silence. "I'm really going to miss you all." The somber looks on Ling and Kagatou reflected their own remorse for the leaving of their son. Kagatou reached atop the shelf above the fireplace and pulled down an envelope. Walking over, he handed it to Shinzuu,"I pulled a few strings with one of the cargo shippers and got you a ferry over to Celestia. At least out there, you won't be hunted. Give this letter to Aviasa when you get there. I'm sure she will extend her nation's sovereignty over you." Shinzuu looked at the letter, and then at his father in disbelief.
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Epoch and Jack were facing similar situations, just with their own families. Jack was near tears as he was bombarded by hugs from all 50 some-odd siblings he had. However, what hurt him the most, was that he would be missing out on his brother's funeral, if he chose to stick with his best friends.
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The three friends came out of their homes and met at the local tavern, being the only ones there aside from the barkeep. Before Epoch or Jack were able to say anything, Shinzuu spoke up, "You two are not coming with me. Disassociate yourselves from me for now. I'm sure that we'll be together again down the road, but I think it's best we part ways for a while. I don't like it as much as you two, but it's my decision and mine alone." Epoch was at a loss of words and looked to Jack for help, who merely took a swig of his ale and sighed as he slammed the mug onto the table. He reached into his cloak, and produced a large satchel of coins. "Here's one-third of our account, 1.6 Zera. If I remember correctly, Celestia uses the same monetary system as we do. Take care of yourself." Epoch exploded at Jack, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!? YOU'RE JUST GOING TO SIT BACK AND LET THEM DEPORT SHINZUU INTO EXILE!?" Jack began to protest, but Shinzuu got up to hold his shoulder down. "He merely understands, Epoch. Just live your life to the fullest. We'll partner again, soon. I promise." With that, Shinzuu left the bar and headed off to the pier.
Sorry for the delay guys, but I'm sure a lot of you are going to enjoy this. (PS. I do have permission from Vee.)
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How I've missed this story so much and for a long time thought it was dead. Bravo for the heroic return <3, I enjoyed that ice battle and the Uzima magics :P
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I. Am. EPIC!
It's amazing how I make my character a billion times better than I am. lol.
White being able to get in and sedate me without getting torn to shreds is pretty astonishing.
I shall not go willingly! *stealthily puts White in a sleeper hold while hanging over his shoulder* Haha.
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*Begs for mercy* Also it's too bad Jellymuffins isn't around anymore to read this.
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indeed. I would've expected Philly to be on, though. He IS still around, after all.