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Malakite
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Karma: 2 |  | Story Part 2
« Thread Started on Jun 1, 2007, 10:53pm » | |
A horizon clad in the purples and blues of shadows from the fading night. Suddenly the ruby blaze of a morning sun shatters the night and illuminates the darkened hills. As the light flows like a river over the plains the armies come into view, the divisions and ranks already forming. Today will be a day of blood, a day of tragedy for innocents who will lose loved ones, and a day that may very well shape the fate of the world.
On one side of the battle stood Soul and his forces numbering in the hundreds of thousands, all of them hungry for battle. Soul knew this day would be the end of one foe and the beginning of his ascension to power over all things in this world. There will be but one task after I crush Emerald and his forty thousand soldiers, how pathetic and feeble a force. Were Emerald not present at this fight I would crush them with ease but since he is here I have no choice but to enter the fray and slaughter him. Then only Seph will remain a threat to me.
Soul and his forces were of such an insurmountable amount that barely one quarter of his men could enter the battle field. This did not matter though he still could bring in ninety thousand strong. More than enough to win this day; Soul still had a more than a two to one advantage and Emerald himself was still far too weak to stand against him in one on one combat. Yes a sad and grim day was upon Emerald and his forces. Their families for the short time they would have left were be filled with sorrow and suffering. Soul kills everything when he has conquered them, none survive. Not even children are spared his horror.
Emerald looked on; he knew there would be no hope no chance of victory without aid from Seph. Seph is not here though his forces have not even marched from his kingdom. Why would he desert me? I am undone without his help. This must be my fate to die alone. Maybe Seph does what he must, I cannot know but I must still pray that I am delivered from this evil and victory is achieved. Ha, if Seph could read my thoughts I know what he would say; Seph would mutter something like “Pray gets you nothing, only action will ever change what needs to be changed.” Yes that is probably what he would say. Seph never seemed to have any use for prayer or even a use for the divine. I am not a strong man and I need my faith, Seph why aren’t you here?
Emerald sat in his tent and enjoyed a small glass of tea, a glass that may very well be and yes probably will be the last one he will ever enjoy. How does a man contemplate his demise? How do you prepare for such things? Seems trivial now to consider such things when it is too late to change them; so now I must focus on the battle at hand and what I can do to allow my men to die with honor. I could not fault those that desired to leave and be with their families, no, I will not fault any of my men for the actions they must take on this day. Emerald spent the remainder of sunrise planning out his strategies.
Across the field Soul looks on. The battle will soon be here and the troops are in position. Nina calls to Samus, she calls to her love, but only Soul can hear. Samus is gone. Soul remains in his stead and now commands his troops into battle with Deficit leading the charge.
That day when the sun blazed the surface of the hills and lit the valley the first screams were heard. Emerald and his forces were fighting for all that they had, they had no retreat on this day, no this was a day that death came for you and you came for death. Emerald was unleashing his powers and slicing through the ranks of Soul’s army. Soul did not worry though and headed towards Emerald. Deficit can hold him till I get there and then that fool will perish and this battle will be mine. Smoke fills the air from the fires and hails of meteors from the casters. Mages are such great things in battle. Thousands lay dead thousands more lay dieing and so many more than that are upon the burnt earth injured. Blazes rip across the grass torturing friend and foe alike. This battle seems only to destroy that which would oppose a tyrant and villain.
Deficit moved through the battle stabbing and slashing anyone in his way. At time he even cut other comrades just so there remained wet blood upon his steel. One, two three…..thirteen, fourteen….twenty seven, twenty eight, twenty nine victims so far; Deficit had to keep score, maybe it was a character flaw or maybe just how twisted he was. Eighty eight, eighty nine, ninety…….one hundred and forty, one hundred and forty one…… The splatter of the victims has left a taste of iron in his mouth and the red-brown color of dried blood upon his cloak and armor. He hands dripped in blood and the smell filled his nostrils. The stench should have been robbing strength but seemed to feed this monster and make him stronger.
Seph watched on at the carnage taking place, the sunlight reflecting off the golden hilt of his sword and his silver armor. A strong gust of wind moves up the grassy hill in one large and wide wave; it crashes into Seph and his platinum hair floats upward and dances as it falls toward the mid of his back and coming to rest. He looks on and notices something disturbing, hail of fire and earth are falling out of the sky. He knew who it was that was casting such powerful incantations, there would be no hope of anyone counter-spelling this mans magic. No it seems Xevran was here but for whose side was he on if any? Seph spoke to himself “Xevran if you stand here today on the side of Soul I may have no choice but to kill you too. Please Xevran be here fighting against him, I could not bear to kill both of my brothers. Not in the same day.”
Xevran stood clad all in black, his armor not even reflecting the suns rays. His hands move independent of each other and when each palm stand perpendicular to the ground a ball of fire, a spike of ice, or a bolt of lightning are shot forth and the victim is sent to the boatman waiting his turn to cross the river. Xevrans lips move and with them an incantation is spoken in ancient tongues “Per flamma vox ego transporto vos ut vestri nex: METEO!” The sky darkened, clouds opened. The sun became obscured by the mass. The meteor thundered down swallowed by flames and thrust itself into the earth, the shockwave obliterated hundreds of soldiers and the wall of earth that followed killed hundreds more. This slaughter was invigorating, it was fun. Xevran not having killed twenty thousand soldiers from Soul’s army felt the rage of blood and thirst for more fill his being from toe to tooth. Blood lust has claimed one who would now not recognize friend or foe. All now were lambs to the slaughter that was Xevran.
Seph moved through the battle as if by dance, graceful, no energy wasted. A move left, then right, a lunge, twenty people still standing suddenly become statues of ash. Now thirty more, only Soul’s forces are affected though. Seph still having yet to unsheathe his sword a sword known by all as the Hellfire Blade, a sword that glowed as orange as lava and could drip fire as easily as it could blood. His sword lay sheathed upon his back just above his spine, two and a half feet to his left was the butt of the sheath and a foot to the right was the handle and hilt. The sheath itself was made of tempered steel and could act a shield if ever it need be. No this sword was not needed yet, and so must remain silent for when it is released from its prison it must taste blood. “Only two hundred more feet to Xevran and then what will fate force me to do?” There was no time to think though Seph was still in a battle and was under attack by the forces of Soul. Walking more brisk now the heat waves begin to emanate in stronger magnitudes and more and more soldiers fall to his power though now they turn completely to ash and crumble as even bones lose their strength. The wind created from Emerald’s power and from Xevran’s spells carries the remains off to unknown places.
Seph calls out “Xevran are you there? Who do you fight for in this battle?”
Xevran replies “I fight for balance and to even the odds. To even those odds though all must perish; AHAHAHA” Xevran not realizing who his opponent is throws the largest fire ball he could muster. “Incendia of divinus verto meus hostilis ut ornus”. The ball of fire sparks from Xevran’s hands and flies at Seph. Seph does not fear fire though and now knows what has happened to Xevran, Seph knows Xevran has become consumed by the thrill of battle, by a bloodlust that cannot be sated. Seph thinks to himself “I must act quickly, but how can I stop him without hurting him?”
Xevran cries out like a warrior who had achieved victory “HA TURN TO ASH AND PERISH!!!!” As the smoke clears though Xevran stands in awe of the spectacle before him; there stood Seph and for fifty feet all around him nothing lived nor showed signs of ever living. The earth scorched to a blackness only seen in onyx. “How; how can you live through that?”
Seph spoke to his brother “Xeran you cannot hurt with that power, you should know I command fire and therefore could not be harmed by it. Do you not recognize me?”
Xevran answered “yes, I recognize you. You are my next victim”
Seph ducked and moved into a roll to his left side as Xevran began to cast numerous spells from all the elemental schools. Xevran made one mistake though and that was to become over confident at his opponent who was on the run. He began to throw wildly and in any direction he could think to. This gave Seph the opportunity to move closer to Xevran. Ice flew by Seph’s left shoulder, lightning by his right flank. Spells were slow but still not something he could defend against if they were anything but fire. Xevran was indeed powerful, the ice should have melted when it came near Seph’s aura but didn’t even seem to crack from expansion. No Seph must dodge everything or risk dieing before his mission is kept.
Finally Seph was in range and threw a punch hard into Xevran’s jaw, had Xevran been a weaker man his head may have been removed or at the very least his jaw been broken. Xevran was not any man though and smirked at Seph and punched back, Seph tried to dodge enough to counter but seemed to have misjudged Xevran’s reach and was hit hard in the right shoulder. The pain echoed in Seph’s shoulder and in Xevran’s jaw. Seph thought to himself “Xevran why did you have to wear black? Makes reading your reach near impossible.” A reverse moon kick from Xevran nearly caught Seph in the head, luckily though Seph caught Xevrans leg and countered with a hard punch in the stomach of Xevran that sent him bouncing backward across the ground. Xevran felt the gasping of air and the tightness of his stomach. He clutched his abdomen and doubled over. Seph moving closer to Xevran now gets within four and a half feet or so. Xevran was only playing though it seemed as he drew his sword and made a thrust for Seph’s throat. Seph moved just in time for the blade to miss his neck; the blade sang beneath the edge of his helmt and past into Seph’s hair cutting a few strands loose. Seph laughed to himself “this would be easier if I wanted to kill him.”
Having no choice now Seph struck clean into Xevran’s face with a hard right hook; blood now trickling from Xevran’s nose and upper lip, a few teeth also seem to be missing, he was staggered and off balance. Seph does not waste time and unleashes a blow that echoed across the plains. Seph looks down to notice one of Xevran’s incisors in imbedded in his hand next to the knuckle of his right index finger. Xevran falls unconscious and unaware of what if happening around him. Seph takes a water skin from Xevran’s belt and cuts it open with his dagger to spill the water over Xevran. Xevran snaps awake, “what, what is happening?”
Seph allows himself to laugh and replies “well you were consumed with a blood lust, sorry bout your injuries. You did almost remove my head though in your fury. Had you been a better warrior in hand to hand combat you may have won that fight.”
Xevran cracks his nose and jaw back into place and speaks “you know I had a wonderful face hope you didn’t mess it up.”
“I didn’t don’t worry if anything I helped.”
“Very funny Seph; so why are you here? Oh and why did you have to knock out some of my teeth?”
“Don’t worry about the teeth either Xevran I am sure Nina will heal you as good as new; well I guess even she has her limits.”
Xevran still rubbing his jaw glares over at Seph and notices the weight of the heavens and all the world is upon him.
“I am here to stop Soul, I should have stopped him months ago but thought Nina might be able to save him. Although I must say I was surprised to find you here.”
“Well you know me; I want balance in this world nothing more. Well maybe anarchy.”
“Xevran leave this task to me. I swear I will do what I can to stop him.”
“Be careful Seph, he is powerful. I know you are the strongest in combat but he has rage and hatred to fuel his strength, those are powerful things and can make anyone powerful”
“Thank you Xevran, I know he has become strong. I am fortunate though that he does not have genuine strength.” With those words Seph stood up and walked back towards the battle. “This must end. Forgive me Nina.” Xevran waited to gain some of his strength back before he too took his leave; his crystal had almost cost him his life and maybe even his friend’s life. Xevran knew since he was the only one fused with his crystal that the crystal could gain total control, no he had to leave and gain full control again otherwise who knows what poor fool would feel his wrath.
Deficit having at last reached Emerald smiled and launched an assault upon him. Deficit had never fought a foe that was touched by a crystal before and if they are as powerful as they seem then this battle will be fun. A smile forced its way upon his face as the first attack was launched; Emerald was as good as he had thought he would be. They swung their swords at blinding speed the blades seemed to leave nothing but streaks of light in their wake. Deficit swings left to right, Emerald parries and counters with lunging thrust at Deficit’s stomach. The slashes become more and more violent, they move at greater speeds. This fight had become ferocious and unyielding, neither man giving an inch. Then Emerald spoke out “Are you by chance Deficit the commander of Soul’s armies? Are you the made of the house of Soth? Expelled from the military school of Giranis?”
Deficit replies in a confident and egotistical manner, “Why yes I am, so nice that you have heard of me and know who sends you to the next world.”
Emerald smiled and spoke “I see then butcher, shame upon a noble name, and masters dog you have fought well I give you that. You are no match for me though and now I end you for all those whose lives you cut short and those you made suffer.” Emerald comes down with a high two handed swing and Deficit narrowly dodges the attack, still Deficit feels a sharp pain in his left leg and he reaches for it to find it feeling warm and wet. He looks down to see a deep wound bleeding heavily.
“HOW?! How did he cut me? I know I dodged his sword” and then he realized just how much danger he was in. Deficit looked at the sword as it was lifted high into the air again fro what would be the final strike and noticed the blade had wind circling it sporadically. With each gale that moved up the blade it seemed to form another blade. Emerald knew that this soldier who indeed was a cut above the rest was now easy pray. With Deficit feeling the world close in as Emerald began the strike to end the life of Deficit he closed his eyes. Then the sound of steel striking steel made his eyes open to see that Soul had blocked the attack and saved his life.
Master I am sorry I failed you. Soul spoke loud enough for Deficit to hear, you did not fail me you held him long enough for me to get here. Did you think you could have beaten him? I am sorry but you are not that powerful yet.
Soul so quickly dispatched Emerald that Deficit had not even gotten to his feet yet. “How did Soul move with such speed? I never even his sword move; no wait I didn’t even see his body move.” Deficit thought. Emerald’s body collapsed into the torn black earth and when his knees had touched his body broke in half where he was cut clean through.
“Leave Deficit; get off the battle field and do not stop till you are at camp then see a healer”.
“Soul let me stay……. Soul who is that man?” Deficit points over to a man clad is silver armor slicing Soul’s men as they attack and not even seeming to make an effort or movement other than when the sword appears to flinch from side to side.
Soul looks over and for the first time in awhile feels the cold chill of fear. That is Seph, Lord Malakite and our greatest threat.
Soul he doesn’t have his army here what hope does he have? Deficit you do not understand how powerful he is or I am and let us leave it at that. Get out of here you fool before you to turn become ash in his wake. Deficit looks upon Soul puzzled and then sees what he meant when he said ash. The wind was blowing Seph’s crimson cape and with that you could see the ripples in the air from heat, the bodies combusting and turning to ash were scattered by the wind. Deficit left the battle gripped with fear and returned to the base camp. He noticed on his way back though that Nina was heading for what could only be Soul; but he was in no condition to stop her so he had to let her go.
“Soul I have come for you. The time is now for this to end. I have allowed enough damage and suffering at your hands. I am sorry brother I do not wish to fight you but Nina it seems failed to bring you back to the side of light. I cannot let you hurt anymore people I should have acted sooner but hoped Nina might succeed.” Then with a stirring in the floating ash and smoke, Azulue attacks as any coward does without warning. It seems though Azulue is to slow. Seph was walking slowly cape fluttering in the wind the ash circling him trapped in the hold of his aura and bodies still turning to cinders and ash he makes one swipe of the sword and before Azulue’s head and body could even touch the ground they too were turned asunder and cast to the winds of fate. “That coward died a coward’s death will you do the same Samus? I am sorry I forgot Samus is dead only Soul remains, a lost Soul” spoke Seph uninterrupted by Azulue. The fool died in the pause of a breath between sentences it seems now Soul should have killed Azulue at the battle of Forol with his twenty thousand troops.
Soul moved to attack Seph but was to slow and Seph had already blocked the attack and pushed Soul back. Seph lunged and Soul parried, Soul countered with a low to high diagonal slice that seemed to pass through Seph. Soul laughed at what he thought was victory and then he felt the sting of Seph’s sword cut his back but not deep and Soul knew Seph was going to make this fast but still slow enough to be painful unless he could find a way to defeat Seph first. Soul staggering after that wound felt his vision blur and a stinging feeling in both his legs and he crumbled to the ground. Soul knew this was the end but where did Seph get such power? How did he gain control of it and not be consumed? I will destroy you Seph oin this life or the next, Soul shouted.
“Soul you were a brother and a friend. I loved you, and Nina loved you more than anyone though and what have you done to her? Have you made her endure your actions and feel the pain you can’t? Do you love Nina? That is as simple a question as any.”
Soul answered “I love her but she cannot love me anymore, I am a monster and she must see that but I will have revenge upon you the one who stopped me from being a king of all things in the world.”
“Soul, can you not see what you have done? There is hardly a world anymore thanks to your actions? Do you wish her be queen to a grave yard? You fool you have had a harsh life I know you have told me of your parents but to be controlled by power is to be consumed by it. You do not know what true power is and therefore you have fallen from light unto darkness and were swallowed.”
“Like you know what poverty was like and what it meant to have nothing.”
“Soul; no Samus I was adopted and before that I lived a poor life and my parents went hungry so that I might eat and that Nina might eat. Do not dare assume anything in this world is as it seems or is at it should be.”
“I am not Samus I am Soul, do not call me that name, that name of a weak fool.”
“I choose to remember my friend and brother rather than this sad tyrant before me. You had a great power and yet never understood it because you chose only to use it for yourself. The crystals feed on our desires and I have found that turning from their power and not relying on it has made me far stronger than I would have been otherwise.”
“Seph like you are that strong. I can still beat you and then Nina and I will take over your kingdom and rule the world with it.”
“Samus you do not realize what I lose when you die. I lose a brother, a friend, and then I lose Nina because how can she love the one who destroyed her world and took everything from her that was held so dear.”
“Then let me live. You will not be sorry Seph.”
“Samus I would want nothing more than to believe you but you have not changed and you still have crimes you must answer for. Now you will see something none other has seen. You will not even feel yourself enter the void of death. I AM SORRY BROTHER!!! Seph yells as he wept for his lost friend.”
Samus lay there disarmed and wounded, unable to move and looking his death in the face. Seph now unleashing his most powerful attack he screamed its name “UNBRIDLED CHAOS!!!” the attack was a thrust with his five foot katana; the Hellfire Blade. For the attack the red hot blade is enveloped by the power of fire; the flames look like white light and blackest night. The black flame is actually fire heated beyond a critical temperature at which point it turns the color of death, and the light is fire right below that critical point and as bright as a star. When these two are combined they cause a reaction as strong as a supernova just on a smaller scale. This attack was just recently developed and had never been used in combat before; the attack put a huge strain on his body but what choice did he have? Seph had to use this attack though; it was the only way to be sure to destroy Samus. Tears’ welling up within his eyes as he now attacks a friend and brother. Forgive me NINA!!
Nina could not hold back the urge to find Soul and try to end this conflict and save him from himself. She threw open the canvas door of the cape and marched past the guards. When they tried to stop her she repelled them with a burst of light. The guards slammed backwards and into the ground unconscious. How could she delay anymore and let more suffer for her failure to save the man she adored and loved.
All around her we the cries of wounded, bleeding, broken, and suffering. The sight twisted her stomach and weakened her being, how could anything good come from such carnage? She thought to herself as she walked before her nature to help those in pain took control of her. She found a poor soul arm cleaved in half hemorrhaging blood, he cries for help and speaks in a delirious manner barely understandable. A tear forms and falls down her cheek as she begins to heal the man, she speaks quietly a spell of healing Curatio lux lucis ego postulo vos iam, tracto illa vulnus quod resarcio suus somes; CURAGA!” Light covered the man and he gasped for air as his body mended. He was no longer in danger; Nina had even managed to regenerate his lost limb. She had become such a powerful healer, and rightly so since she has saved and touched so many lives. Her name was known throughout the land; she was the greatest healer and possibly even the greatest woman of her time.
Limbs, heads, blood soaked land. Hundreds maybe even a thousand soldiers lay dead. Such pain she could in her heart for these men and there was no more. If nothing else she would undo the work of Soul. Her hands move and she spoke in an ancient toungue “Nex exsisto laxo, vicis exsisto laxo, patientia exsisto laxo, iniuria exsisto laxo, poena exsisto laxo,fatum abeo quod vita reverto, LIFE 2!” A ball of energy was expelled from her hands; Nina hovered into the air a foot off the ground, hair flowing upwards, arms now outstretched; she glowed in brilliant white light. The light grew and grew till it covered the thousands near that lay dead. A moment maybe two later the light faded and Nina fell back to the ground, drained of energy. She did not fail though as those who once lay dead rose, took breathe, and spoke out. Never had anyone been resurrected before, let alone thousands. Nina had mastered the power of light with it the ability to change destiny. Sharp pain filled her body, joints on fire, limbs heavy. “This must be the price for using so much energy; I cannot stop and recover though I must find Samus, and expel Soul from within him.” Those thoughts were upper most in her mind.
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Malakite
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Karma: 2 | | Re: Story Part 2
« Reply #1 on Jun 1, 2007, 10:54pm » | |
Nina continued to wander through the dead and the dieing healing those she could and easing the suffering of those she couldn’t. Then through smoke she saw brilliant light and knew what was happening. NOOOOOO!!! She screamed as she passed through the smoke. There knelt Samus and fifteen feet away stood Seph already beginning to unleash a move she had never seen perfected. Using all the strength she had remaining, she lunged in front of Samus and watched the horror crawl upon her brother’s face, he was crying and he had even been crying before she got there. Seph did not wish to hurt Samus but was doing what had to be done. I understand brother I am sorry but I must save you both for I love you both. The flames engulfing the sword faded and the hot steel of the blade pierced her body with searing pain. Nina grabbed at the blade to slow it and try and stop it from hitting Samus but she couldn’t stop her brother he was the strongest warrior of them all. The blade past into Samus’ chest half an inch to the right of his heart, had she not intervened the attack would have been fatal; it seems Nina moved the sword enough though to still save Samus.
“Nina heal yourself I know you are capable of such an act.” Seph spoke as he embraced his dieing sister.
Nina didn’t speak only thought to herself; “I could brother had I not used all my strength already.”
The pain began to fade as she lay limp upon her brothers arms. Tears flowing from both their eyes; then Nina using the last of her energy spoke “spare him brother, I love him. Would you not die for one you loved? Do not blame yourself though, it does not matter that I die now as long as Samus and you live. You two are all that matters to me and as such I die protecting the ones I love just as you tried to do; and you would have succeeded in protecting me and the world had I not interfered. You still saved the world brother and as you always say *cough* *cough* the needs of the masses out weigh even a kings desires and needs. Nina’s eyes shut and her body lifeless Seph laid her down upon the earth and took up his sword.
Samus lay there writhing in pain from the wounds. Seph stood sword in hand and stood ready to remove his foes head. He felt compelled to finish Soul but those words continued to echo in his mind; “spare him brother, I love him. Would you not die for one you loved? Do not blame yourself though, it does not matter that I die now as long as Samus and you live. You two are all that matters to me and as such I die protecting the ones I love just as you tried to do.” Then Seph spoke “Soul can you hear me? If you can then heed my words should you try again to conquer the world NOTHING will stop me for I have nothing remaining in this world.” Seph sheathed his sword and turned around shaken and distraught at the sight of blood on his hands, Nina’s blood. Then Seph walked into the blowing smoke and has not been seen since. Many people think he walks with the dead or found peace but no one knows for certain.
Still with life in her she hears the words that let her know she saved the ones she loved, she hears Samus speak “Nina I am sorry, forgive me for I will atone for those sins I have committed. I will make up for it, I love you and I am sorry that I had to lose you to find myself again. You saved me my love. You saved me and us all. This world will be safe as long as I can fight for its protection, I swear I will.
Xevran stood almost a mile from the battle field near the ruins of a castle when a brilliant white light, like a sun almost seemed to be exuding from the battle field. It made the hairs on the back of his neck stand straight up, obviously an incredibly intense concentration of energy, and coming from the place Seph had headed earlier! Without another moments hesitation Xevran created a globe of magical energy, in that ball of energy the picture formed of Seph standing over a battered and beaten Soul. Seph had his sword drawn and seemed to be covered in fire. “Amazing, he's learned to control his power to that level...” Xevran looked deeper into the image and watched intently. Seph began his lunge at Soul, this would end it all.
Then Xevran called out “NO NINA, What are you doing?” She could not hear him though and Xevran knew his words would do nothing. It was too late now the sword pierced her chest and then into Soul’s. Xevran wished he knew what was said in those next few tragic moments that he still watched. Images of her death etched into his mind, their faces and Seph’s tears. Xevran had never seen him cry before; what could he do though? Xevran spoke quietly to the image he held in his hands, “Little brothers... I wish I'd taken the time to tell you the tragedies brought about by ambition to rule... but it seems you, and I have all learned our lessons far too late.” He turned, a single tear running down his face as he walked off, past the ruined castle, leaving the remnants of this era to it's own devices.
Samus, wounds still stinging with pain; crawls over to Nina her body turning cold and lifeless. He gives his lost love a gentle kiss on her lips, three tears fall from his eyes and land upon her brow. A heart full of agony and empty of hate now; every beat thunders in his chest and throbs in his ears. “I will make you proud Nina, I am sorry I failed you but never again. All will know what you did for us and will remember the sacrifice that you made so that even a villain is spared. I love you Nina.” Tears burst forth unable to be restrained; Samus kisses her forehead and then stands. He calls out for a soldier, the side doesn’t matter. Moments later a member of the Mercinaries of the Black Cross came upon Samus, and called out to him “Sir, what is wrong what do you need? Your injured we need to tend your wounds.” Samus replied “No, I can wait. First I want you to go under a flag of truce to their commander and surrender.” The soldier stunned and replied “sur..sur….surrender? Sir, are you sure you injuries aren’t too severe?” Soul angered by the soldier and his insubordination scolded him “Do as I say, we have been defeated. This battle has cost too much already and I will not allow it to cost anymore. I want out troops to stand down.” The soldier fearing what may happen should he fail to carry out the orders ran off to find the enemy commander. Samus moved back to Nina, rain began to fall. Strange he thought there are no clouds in the sky. One could not deny though it seemed even heaven was filled with sorrow for the sacrifice Nina made. Samus removed his cape, what remained of it at least and covered the face and body of his beloved.
Twenty minutes have passed; the fighting now stopped Samus is watching two of his men place Nina on a stretcher. They carried her off, Samus wanted to follow but his strength had finally ran out. A healer was there though and began treating Samus’ wounds. The war was over and Nina had won it.
The rain still falls on the field. Steam now rises where once smoke had been, the fires die out, and all that reaming is scorched earth across the entire land. The dead are collected, prayers are spoken. The commanders account for the lost and record their names. Deficit goes to Samus and speaks to him “Soul why did you surrender? You are alive so surely you defeat Seph.” Samus with a strained voice spoke to Deficit “I am not Soul, my name is Samus, and Soul is dead. I did not win. He defeated me outright; he was about to strike the final blow when Nina stood in his path. She gave her life that I might live. That bright light u saw was actually Seph and his final attack. She stood in his path. His sword still tore into my flesh.” Deficit could not believe what he was hearing. How could Soul have lost? “Sir I am healed and wait your orders.” They talked for a few more minutes before Samus had to rest.
Three months to the day since the battle occurred, three months since Nina passed, and three months since the world began to rebuild itself. Samus sat in his new throne, a throne that once belonged to Seph. He did not want Seph’s throne this way, he did not even want it anymore. Samus owed it to Nina though and the world to rebuild and rule with justice. In her honor the city was renamed Rose Town, roses always made her smile. The castle still stood tall in a place where clouds could even touch the walls. Samus could not help but think to himself “Seph this has always been one of the most beautiful places I have seen. I almost destroyed it.” The most noted change made though was the large black cross that sat behind the monument to Nina, the cross was made of obsidian and stood twenty feet tall. Nina’s grave though was guarded by a statue of a man in armor with a face covered. No one knew who this man was. He was just called the protector. In the gravestone though there rested something no one could imagine to be there. The sword of Soul rested in the grip of the stone. An inscription is written on a golden plate. “Here lies the Rose of Peace. Her name is Nina Bellemont. Nina guards this sword let none touch it; she is the hero of our world and the conqueror of Soul. A greater queen could never be.” Though she never held the throne she was always considered a queen by the people. Citizens come from across the rebuilding world to pay homage to her. Samus does not stop them. No one does they all have the right to thank her.
Deficit now commanded the Defenders of the Black Cross. A position of high worth and on the side of the just. This was a time of peace though and little needed be done for war. He has been becoming bored with this job. Why did Soul change? Why does he insist on being called Samus? Deficit always seemed to be infuriated with Soul and often took troops on maneuvers just to avoid him. Soul disgusted Deficit these days.
A year and three months, that is how long Deficit had been in command of the troops, and now he was not wealthy like before the end of the battle. No Deficit missed being a bandit and conqueror. Those were two things that sated his greed and lust for gold. All he receives now is a mere two hundred gold each month; he used to make that in one day. Deficit could not take it though. He needed more.
Thirty men were chosen, the best of the defenders that still missed the old ways. They all missed the ways of murder and mayhem; the ways of plundering and pillaging. With these men at his command he forged papers for a trip to a distant land in the name of peace so that an alliance might be formed. Samus sought peace and quickly agreed to the mission and signed the papers. Deficit planned this well and now had a royal seal that he could use to acquire a ship from the fleet.
The sky was bright, the clouds floating like down from a pillow. A strong breeze blows out onto the salty blue-green of the ocean. A greater day for sail could not be asked for or bought. The ship they boarded was called the Latis. She carried two masts and was one of the fastest ships in the fleet; she weighed almost two thousand and eighty tons. From bow to stern she was a hundred and seventy feet long and thirty nine feet wide. She lacked the agility of smaller and lighter vessels but could hold more swag. This ship would do nicely for what he had planned.
They sailed for almost two weeks with good wind and calm seas. They had reached the distant land; dropped anchor in a cove that should do nicely should storms arise. Deficit took his thirty soldiers and made a base camp a hundred feet from the beach so tides couldn’t affect them. The camp was simple and had sixteen tents, fifteen for the men and one for Deficit, as commander he was allowed the luxury of a private tent. Two men were sent to collect wood for fires, the rest were assigned to the unloading of the remaining supplies of food and gear. Tomorrow he would send out scouts to locate nearby towns and settlements, they should return in a week if all goes well. Deficit looked at the maps that he already had for the area and listed where the towns once were but since Soul and he had already conquered this land a few years ago he was not sure what had been rebuilt or where it had been relocated to.
Nine days have passed, the last scout has finally returned to camp. From the information they gathered it appeared there are five settlements and one fair sized town all within a few days march of camp. Now the question was which should be hit first and what are the chances of the other settlements finding out and going on alert or requesting military support. The town was the furthest from camp; it would also have the highest amount of wealth. If he could sack that town and then take the settlements; problem is that two of the settlements are fifty miles south of the town and if there is a lot of gold, jewels, and whatever other valuables might be in the settlements could weight the men down and cost much needed time to get back to the ship and then load everything. The camp could be burnt as could any sign of where they may have come from. With luck the local government might think this a bandit raid and not associated with another kingdom. What if he took the town and the three settlements on the way back to camp, load the contraband and then sack the other two settlements, his force was small and maneuverable gave him the ability to hide if need be. The town will come first and the three settlements. Should time permit and lack of enemy support, the remaining to two settlements will sacked.
Four days of steady marching they can see the town on a small hill. Terrain was in favor of the town’s defense and they appeared to have enough men to form a small fifty to seventy man militia. They aren’t soldiers but could prove enough of a nuisance. Deficit determined that night would be the best time for the attack, he and two others will pose as travelers and enter the local pub; on his signal the remaining troops would flank the village; seven from the west and seven from the east. With this strategy we can pincer the local guards and any militia members that pose a threat. The remaining soldier will be an archer and target the alarm, should anyone go for it they will be killed. A dieing man can still ring that bell though so Deficit explained to the men to expect the alarm to sound. The men knew their jobs and all that they needed now was to wait for the signal, which was for Deficit to exit the pub alone.
Night falls, the time draws near. Deficit and his two companions enter the town and locate the pub. The citizens that still roamed the dirt streets of the town were helpful and welcoming to strangers. Deficit thought to himself “this would be all too easy”. They entered the pub and sat at a table near the entrance. The pub was a fair sized building; it was two stories tall and doubled as an inn. There were fourteen tables, two gambling tables, a long bar that could sit twenty people. In all though the pub only had seven other patrons. One was armed and seemed to be a constable or some other form of law enforcement. The bar keep was a short bald man with a heavy beard. The other patrons were or looked like regular farmers who were her to wet their whistles after a day in the fields. Deficit looked carefully and watched the patrons for about ten minutes, outside the pub it was calm and fairly quiet, it was almost time to signal his forces but before that he had decided to kill the members of the taverns.
Deficit made two hand signs and then pointed. He signaled for one of his men to move to the door and kill the bar maid that was sipping coffee. The other soldier was directed to move upstairs. A quick move to his feet and Deficit moved at who appeared as a member of the local law enforcement. Deficit drew his sword and in one blow removed his targets head. As the head fell backward off what was once the mans neck a few spurts of blood pulsed out of the jugular vein, the body began to fall limp and the head bounced of the wooden floor. Deficit moved a hand from his sword and grabbed one of the daggers from his belt and threw it into the bar keep. The first soldier thrust his sword into the woman in an upward angle from just below her ribs and the sword exited from the back of her neck just below her skull. The sword was quickly withdrawn and the soldier killed the young man that tried to flee the tavern. The second soldier quietly opened the doors up stairs one by one. In the last door he found a man and woman in the middle of a joining; the soldier moved in great stealth and readied his sword for the kill. A swift slash killed the man having his way with the young woman, she began to screen but the soldier was to fast he covered her mouth and threatened her with his sword. Down below Deficit and the other soldier had finished the remaining patrons with hardly any noise. The second soldier who took the upstairs was tempted to take the woman but instead he had his orders and now was not the time for a desire of flesh; so the soldier slit the woman’s throat and watched her choke on her own blood and suffocate; he could not hold his hand though and groped the full supple breast of the woman. With that the soldiers regrouped with Deficit.
Now was the time for the true attack, Deficit gave new orders to the soldiers; they were ordered to wait here for one minute and then come outside and be ready for the assault. Deficit sheathed his sword and reacquired his dagger and returned it to its proper place at his side. The door to the pub opened and Deficit walked out, no one was in the immediate area and now the signal had been giving and in about ten minutes the battle will begin.
At the estimated time the soldiers rejoin Deficit and they moved to the building that belonged to the constable, it had to be his since it contain cells for a jail. Deficit went to the door and opened it and rushed in; three well armed men who must have been deputies were playing a game of cards. He spoke to them in a broken and out of breath manner “help…the…the tavern, dead all dead. I have never seen anything like it blo…blood everywhere.” The deputies rushed by Deficit, just as he had thought they would. He turned unsheathed his sword and cut two of the men in half with one swing. The third turned to attack Deficit when one of the soldiers stabbed that deputy in the lungs preventing him from speaking. Then a scream was heard; a man by the sound of it, somewhere to the east of their current location. Another was from the west; the assault on this town was in full swing. Deficit and the soldiers moved to the town center and saw a man running for the alarm; he had almost reached it when an arrow pierced his skull and deep into his brain. That guard fell in an awkward tumble over the railing, he never felt the landing though. Deficit was thrilled this night, a night of blood, and a night profit.
The assault did not take much more time maybe twenty to thirty minutes before almost everyone in the town save some women, the soldiers and Deficit were murdered. Then the looting began, this town contained a fair amount of wealth for its size. Two thousand gold coins, forty eight hundred silver, ninety seven rings, and a various assortment of jewels. Though that be all that was of monetary value the men took their spoils from other things first, the women suffered as they were raped for the remainder of the night, in the morning though it was time to move on and therefore time to kill woman who had begged to die many times the night before.
Over the next three nights three settlements were burned to the ground no survivors, all perished save the soldiers. Deficit lost no men in any of the attacks, seems he chose his men well. The total gain from the settlements and town there was , thirty eight thousand gold, nine thousand silver, and a great deal of jewelry. Unfortunate for the women of the settlements though they suffered the same fat as those of the towns; wealthier men now and sated of lust the men return to the ship to load the contra ban.
[REMAINDER OF THE CAMPAIGN]
More time passes almost another year. The world seems to have all but forgotten Soul. Though none forget Nina; and everyday on the thirteenth of May Samus closes Nina’s grave. This was his day to mourn her and all who truly knew her. Few that those were save for Xevran who has been missing since the battle and Seph who is thought to be off in distant lands with his sword buried. The night is clear and stars can be seen in countless numbers. Samus stands in his room and looks out at the grave. He sees a man clad in silver armor and a crimson cape. He thinks for a moment about that image and wonders to himself if that could have been Seph? Samus rushes down to the grave to see if he is haunted or if his friend might live. When he arrives though he finds nothing but twelve roses all of deep crimson; Samus troubled by this asks for some tea and then returns to his chambers.
The next day Soul returns to the grave to place his own flowers, he kneels and speaks to her who is his love. “Nina my love, I miss you dearly.” The rest of the words are inaudible. Samus stands and speaks once more to the grave “I love you my dear Nina.” Samus turns to walk away and notices a small woman with brown hair standing there. He speaks to her “Do you come to pay your respects to our queen?” The young girl captured by the gaze of Samus’ eyes slowly begins to speak “I..uh..yeah I do. I…I’m sorry I interrupted you.”
Oh child do not worry, we all have the right to speak to her.
Tha… tha.. thank you sir.
Don’t thank me. Say your words and she will hear them.
The young girl still nervous and off-guard spoke again “Um excuse me bu…but are you Sa..Sa…Samus Bellemont? I mean King Samus”
Yes that is my name. Why do you ask?
Here stood the man who was supposed to be Nina’s husband. Words seemed to be filling her head and forming question. The thoughts were overwhelming and caused her to pause or stutter as she spoke. “Well I, you see, I don’t know how to say it.”
Just speak the words you have nothing to fear.
“My name is Kristina Ichigo; I am from a small village known as Arios it, it is north of your kingdom. I just, I am sorry give me a second. Well you see; I…I… believe that Nina was my sister.” The words tasted strange in her mouth and felt awkward to speak aloud.
WHAT! What did you just say? Nina had but one sibling and HIS name was Malakite. Dare you impose on this throne, on my beloved’s legacy?
Sam…King… umm your majesty; I am sor..sorry. It is just that I received a letter it contained this confession that I had a brother and a sister. It also included this signet ring with what is supposed to be their family crest on it. I do not even know if this is true or just a cruel practical joke at my expense.
Do you have this letter and may I see the ring?
“Yes, yes, of..of course you can.” The girl hands the items to Samus.
The letter reads as follows:
Dear Kristina,
I am sure you know little or nothing of you beginnings. I can tell you your original parents were good people, they helped those who suffered and fed the hungry. They were named Baine and Katrina. They loved all their children very much. Yes I did say children; you have a brother and a sister. Your brother was named Malakite and your sister was named Nina Bellemont after her name changed when she married a man named Samus Bellemont. Your brother was a king and your sister a princess. Your brother was also a tactical genius who helped stop Soul from conquering all things, but he was not the one who really stopped him no your sister Nina was the one who stopped him and gave her life doing it. She was killed by your brother, no murdered by your brother.
Your brother and sister were also both avatars of the crystals. So was Samus Bellemont who may be the only family you have left. He was a good man at one point, maybe he still is. He can give you some answers should you seek them out. Be warned though those answers may lead to many more questions.
Sorry I have gotten ahead of myself. I know this is all a great shock to you and may not even seem believable. Your last name is really is something you should have but I cannot tell you yet for it may bear hardship were it to become known. I have sent you one hundred gold coins and a signet ring with the crest of the Malakite family upon it. Use the ring and money in your journey to find answers for who your sister was and how great she was. Do not seek your brother for you spend eternity searching and never see his face or hear his voice. He wanders down in darkness always in darkness. Do not seek him out lest you be consumed by his evil. I should not even have told you this child but a person deserves to know they are not alone no matter the circumstances.
Hellfire,
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Malakite
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Karma: 2 | | Re: Story Part 2
« Reply #2 on Jun 4, 2007, 11:50pm » | |
Indeed this is the crest of her family, and the letter is as you said it was. How did you come by such objects and do you know who this Hellfire is?
No I do not your majesty. I found the letter shortly after my parents passed away, my adopted parents. Other than that I do not know. I am searching for my brother as well. Do you know who or where he is?
Your brother; if what you say is true; his name shall remain anonyms. He was originally a king of a great and powerful kingdom though. I am sorry but I have not seen him though since we fought in the last battle of the war against Soul.
“So you know him? Why did you fight him? Did he really kill his own sister?” She spoke so fast Samus hardly had a chance to utter a syllable much less answer her.
“Yes I know him, he was once a friend and man I called brother. I fought him because he stood for different goals than what I did at the time. Yes he did kill your sister though. I was wounded in that fight, he had me beaten and at his mercy. I still have one of the scars where his sword entered my body.” Samus opened his robes and lifted his shirt showing her a scar just right of his heart; the scar was almost half an inch wide and two inches high. “This is a reminder of that day and what was given back to me.”
Tha..thank you. I umm… please tell me who he was”
No child I will not tell you. Those are reasons better left in the past. Your sister did not know of you know so I am still unsure of what to believe as of yet. We have been here long enough though the sun will soon set and it is late. I invite you to stay in the palace should you desire to do so you are welcome tonight.
“Thank you your highness.” The first words she had spoken without pause or stutter.
They split ways after the exchange of words, Samus needed to think and so he went to his chambers. Kristina felt the urge of hunger in her belly and thought it could not hurt to eat a good meal and rest tonight. “Tomorrow I can begin searching for Seph”.
Samus sat in his room when suddenly Deficit burst through the door. “Soul, sir there was an uprising in a village. We sacked the village in retaliation. Now more towns are in an uproar.”
What was the uprising about?
They claimed they were over taxed by my men.
I do not collect taxes though Deficit. What are you doing?
Deficit paused, thought quickly and replied “Soul we need money for the soldiers, we need money for food. When they refused to pay I made an example of them. “
You did what? Deficit we receive enough resources to cover any expense that is why we do not collect taxes. You sacked a village because they refused to line your pockets? Get out of here now.
Deficit bowed and left. Samus now infuriated with a good friend, a man he fought with and bled with. He needed more time to think, so he thought now was a time he needed to talk to Nina the most.
At the grave he stood his robes moving in the breeze. “Nina what am I to do? A friend is still a snake in the grass, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He has not changed.”
Samus swallowed hard as the hair on his neck rose. A sword was at his throat, a sword he knew all to well. “Seph I see you are still alive. Did you come to finish what you started? You know I am unarmed Seph so what do you want?
I want Deficit. He has been sacking towns and pillaging under you banner; I know you have not ordered these actions but you do protect him.
No Seph I do not, I cannot anymore. He cannot walk the path that is required of him. He cannot understand why I have changed and why now we stand for peace.
You know I will take his head do you not?
Yes I know Seph, but instead let me save his life and expel him from this kingdom. I owe him Seph.
“If he is here at sunset tomorrow I will kill him and any that are in the way Samus. Though I seem absent, I am still here and always will be. I know you have changed Samus, and that forgiveness is given on both sides but I cannot forgive myself for my crimes.” Seph lowers his sword and sheaths it. He looks over at Nina’s grave. “I appreciate the grave for her Samus she deserved such a monument.”
There is no need for thanks. I did what I felt she deserved, though I wish I could have done more for her. Do not blame yourself anymore Seph it is time to leave the past on the past. By the way Seph was that you I saw last night placing the flowers on her grave?
“Yes I was here; I am surprised that I was even noticed. Anyway I cannot, will not forgive myself.” Seph looked into the grave, his gaze piercing into the stone.
You know I met Kristina today.
Kristina? Did she have a letter and a ring in her possession?
So you sent it. Why did you sign it Hellfire then? Why hide your identity?
Simple Samus, Hellfire is my true last name and hers as well. She is my sister and your sister-in-law. She was born after Nina and I were adopted though. I knew about her because I could remember my birth parents still, Nina was too young and never knew she had a sister. Nor would I have had I not sent them money and visited them once. Kristina was still very young then barely two. I kept it a secret incase you wanted to completely cut my family line. I could not risk it.
I see. Seph she is looking for you, she wants answers. What should I tell her?
Tell her nothing or everything. Samus I can feel her presence. Nina’s I mean. I miss her, though maybe not as much as you do and definitely not in the same way. She was your wife but only my sister. Still I loved her, and guilt still grips itself to my mind and heart.
Kristina sat in a soft chair enjoying some roasted pheasant. The bird was delicious, juicy, and tender. Not in a long while had she enjoyed such delicacy. Then voices were heard through her window. She hurried and peered out and saw Nina’s grave. There stood Samus and a man she didn’t know with a sword drawn and at his throat. What should she do? Should she go and see Samus and try to help or stay here? Kristina did not think it through entirely; she ran out of her room and found two guards. She told them of what she had witnessed and that Samus needed help. Kristina and the guards ran to the grave of Nina.
By the time they had reached Samus and his thought to be attacker he was sheathing his sword. Without cause now the guards still moved in on Seph, Samus started to motion the guards to stand down but it was too late. A pole axe was already swinging down on Seph. The other guard was coming in fast with his long sword and aiming for the left side of Seph. Seph with his back turned to the attackers, he almost looked off guard. Samus knew better though than to think his friend would ever drop that guard of his. In a rapid motion Seph spun and parried the sword thrust with his left gauntlet and caught the blade of the pole axe I between the fingers of his right hand. Seph tore the pole axe from the guard’s hands and threw it into the forest. The other guard swings again with the long sword Seph ducks and lunges his fist plants a firm hit into the guard’s abdomen rendering the man unconscious. The guard who wielded the pole axe tried to call for more guards but before the first word sounded out the man was already falling to the ground, Seph had done something to the guard. Something Kristina could not see.
The guard fell and all Kristina could see was the fist and out stretched arm of Seph as the guard crumpled to his knees and toppled over. Heat waves rose from the ground and began distorting the image that was Seph and then the air went still and Seph was gone.
Samus spoke to the girl, “You should not be here.”
Sire I saw him, he had a sword at your throat. What was I to do?
You should have stayed out of it.
Why? Who was that man?
Child, forget what you saw here tonight, you do not know the circumstances for that man’s actions.
He could have killed you for no reason and you defend him? Who was he, why won’t you tell me?
“That man was not here for me this time and his name is not important either. Kristina you could have gotten men killed today, you should think before you act sometimes.” With those words Samus seem to just vanish into thin air leaving Kristina all alone at the grave of her sister.
Kristina dropped to her knees, she felt alone. Her hands covered her young face and she cried. “Who was that man? He wore silver armor, a crimson cape, and a helmet that obscured his face; I couldn’t even see the color of his hair. Why mom, what did I do that was so wrong? I was just trying to help him and now the only tie I had to my sister may be broken. Mother I need you”. The young girl stayed there kneeling and thinking of her past and how she came to this point and place within the folds of time. She thought back as far as she could remember. Thoughts of the past, of her mother and father, the only ones she ever knew.
“Momma, momma, are these what you wanted?” A little girl with shoulder length brown hair speaks as she outstretches a hand holding some tall grass. A woman replied “no child that is regular grass. I need a flower; it is purple and has dark green leaves.” The little dropped the grass and then jogged off to look for the flowers her mother wanted. The woman was Kiona Ichigo, a local healer. She was five foot three, long auburn hair that reached the mid of her back. Kiona always kept it in a pony tail though. Quite stunning and many men desired her but she was taken by a man name Duo. A lucky man by many accords except no children of his own; no Duo and Kiona had to adopt a child. Kiona still wept that she was unable to carry her own child but she still loved the beautiful young girl that they adopted.
This little girl only the age of six now lost her real parents to a fire when she was three. She remembers nothing of them or of that life. They lived in the same village though, hence why Kiona and Duo were able to adopt her. She was already named Kristina and that was a strong name, so they could not object to it. The little girl though was beautiful, she had brown hair as soft as silk, eyes like an ocean, and a smile that never left her face. Kristina was the completion of their family, a family that was full of happiness.
“Hey mommy, I found what you wanted I think.” Kristina holds up the purple flowers. “Yes, good job Kristina. You are so helpful, I am proud of you.” Kiona replied. That was the last of what she needed for today so that she could make her salves. Kiona was a medicine woman, very skilled one at that. She was already teaching her daughter the ways of healing.
That evening after the salves had been prepared Kiona took Kristina with her to the house of healing. There she bandaged a few men, and a young boy. “Momma, can I put the salve on this boy. He needs it momma he has a bad cut on his arm.” Kristina spoke with a child’s enthusiasm. Kiona could only smile and say “Kristina you are such a helpful little one.” Kristina a little sad from her mom denying her the permission to aid the boy said in a soft voice, “I want to help them all mommy. I want to help everyone.” Kiona felt a great pride in her child and tears started to fill her eyes. Kiona spoke to her; “You’re such a kind child. I bet that one day you could help the whole world. You’ll stop the wars, you’ll heal the injured, and you will save everyone.” Kiona places her hand on Kristina’s head and the child looks up; a large smile on her face, eyes closed, and head slightly tilted to the side. Kristina was so happy on that day.
This was the daily life of Kristina till she was ten and everything crashed down around her. Kiona became ill, no doctors could help. She would soon die from this disease, whatever it was. Kristina had to look on as her mother faded, became frail, and weak. Till one day with a sky gray and weeping for a young girl and father now alone in the world. Duo was destroyed that day. He lost his world. Kristina tried to talk to her father and cheer him up. It was all to no avail though. Her father too was now sick and dieing. A man that once appeared as the strongest in the world now could not even hold his daughter. Duo was once a soldier in the army. He held the rank of sergeant. He was very well respected and when he stepped away from the military a great void formed. Duo had mingled with kings and lords. He knew though that a soldier is not what his wife needed, she needed a husband and a man to help raise their newly adopted daughter Kristina. The circumstances for how she came to be in his charge reaming still to this day fresh in his mind. The hellfire’s house was burning, Baine cried out for help. He had rushed to the aid of his friend. When he arrived though Baine handed Duo something more precious to him then his home or wealth; he handed Duo a small girl wrapped in a blanket blackened with soot. The little girl coughed, and grabbed at the man holding her as Baine ran back into the house to save his beloved. It did not matter though, the house collapsed in on it self and the bodies of the Hellfire’s became consumed and were later found in each others embrace. At least they died together is what Duo and Kiona had always said. Kristina though much to the delight of Kiona and Duo never remembered the fire or pain of loss from that day.
Soon Duo passed on; he could not live with that broken heart. Kristina was alone now and felt like nothing could help her. She grew ever more distant as time passed and soon several months had gone by. The villagers would help take care her by brining her food and trying to encourage her to come out of that house. It did not help though. On a shelf above the mantle sat a box. Kristina could not reach it and always wondered what it contained. She was now tall enough though that on a chair she could reach it, and she did just that. In that box she found some parchment, a few quills, and some bottles of ink. She also found a piece of parchment rolled up and held shut by a ring with a strangely written M on it. Then she was about to open that rolled up piece of parchment when she noticed a book. It was dusty and full, book always fascinated the young child. When Kristina opened it though her world changed; the book was actually a journal her mother had kept. She never knew it had existed till now. Kristina began flipping through the pages till she noticed a trend; every page had her name on it. She returned to the first entry of the journal and began reading.
The entry read “It warms my heart to see how strong our little daughter is becoming. She may not be strong of might, but her heart is stronger than even her own father’s. Watching her at the monastery is so uplifting and fulfilling. She does so much more than I’ve thought her capable of. I dare say she’s done more in the last year, than I’ve done since I’ve helped at the monastery. Yesterday she came up to me after seeing a man die. She worked so hard to try and help him. ‘Why couldn’t I help him mama....?’ I didn’t know what to say to her. She was so crushed from his death, and she didn’t even know the man’s name. Such compassion in anyone, let alone a child her age, it is such a rare thing in these days. ‘Why did he die mama?’ ‘Everyone dies at some point little one.’ ‘But he died from a wound mama. Doesn’t that mean someone took his life?’ ‘It seems so little one. Yes I know, it’s very sad, but that’s the world we live in.’ ‘I want to stop that mama. No one has any right to kill someone else... I want to help people like him mama. I want to keep people from dieing like that.’ Such compassion and resolve in someone so young. I can only pray that someday, she can do all the things she dreams of doing. I pray she never loses herself. The world is such a terrible place now, it needs her. If only there was some way I could make her into what she wants to be...”
Kristina bawled as she read. All of the entries were about her. From when she was very young to just a few days before she died; Kristina knew now that her mother never wished for anything but the best for her daughter. This made Kristina resolve to change and set out on a journey, to live on. As she set the journal down she remembered the letter. Kristina was going to read the letter when the thought that it was time to move on and become what your mother wished you to be. Kristina packed some of her clothes, the box that held the letter and the journal. She later found some gold coins that her mother had saved, it was a meager amount of twenty seven gold but that would be enough for her journey.
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