Fan Fiction ❯ A War of Three Nations ❯ Chapter Seven: Stirring Emotions ( Chapter 7 )

Disclaimer: Oh for the love of… just go look back at the first chapter will yah!!!

 

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A War of Three Nations

 

Chapter Seven: Stirring Emotions

 

Hearing the commotion outside the hut, Saleh rushed outside quickly, unsheathing his sword with a semi-silent motion. Before he even needed to ask what was going on, his eyes were averted to the sky. Looking upon the giant dragon which seemed to be causing the fire in the surroundings, his eyes lit up with the fiery blaze. No sooner than he had spotted the dragon causing the fire, his eyes shifted sideways in amazement as he looked upon the bronzephire dragon Zephyr summoned from his own sword. Soon after that, Aceline had summoned her own too.

Somewhat still in awe, Saleh wasn't sure what he could possibly do to help Zephyr and Aceline. Instead, he stood still, staring at the dragon overhead. Snapping out of his daze, he hustled back into the hut and began herding everyone out of the hut and away from the dragon. `I'll just have to protect everyone, mainly Preia, but everyone none the less...' Saleh thought to himself. Turning back to face Zephyr and Aceline, he yelled to them, "You take care of him; I'll take care of the others!!!"

 

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Rye was so troubled by the responsibilities that weighed heavily down on the stone-keepers' shoulders, that he didn't realize he hadn't exchanged introductions with the new comers.

He felt intimidated by the two commanders, namely General Zephyr of Fayrie.

`No one must learn of my tainted blood. Why do I feel as though I will one day be on the receiving end of Zephyr's sword?'

Rye turned to look at Saleh, as if silently pleading the elf to keep his secret. But before he knew it, the hut was under fire attack.

"Exosivian! Preia, madam gypsy, everyone - get out of there!"

"You take care of him, I'll take care of the others!!!"

Rye quirked an eyebrow at Saleh before he drew his blade from its sheath.

"Let's go," he said quietly to himself.

 

Saleh exchanged looks momentarily with Rye, picking up the vibe of silence to keep secret who he really was. Hesitating a little longer, he shook his head in a silent agreement. Again, noticing a quirked eyebrow from Rye, he spoke, "We'll take care of the others," he corrected himself, smiling at his ally.

 

Turning back to Preia, he spoke in urgency, "Preia, we must take leave now and do as General Zephyr commands us to do, it's the safest thing to do at the moment." With that, he motioned forwards for everyone to continue forwards and away from the fire and dragons. He would be bringing up the rear.

 

"B-but..." shocked by the sudden appearance of the large dragon, Preia stumbled when Saleh gave her a little shove. She wanted to help! She was a stone holder too, why should she be forced to hide?!

"Be careful!" she shouted to her uncle and General Aceline, her eyes seeking Rye to see where he had gone. He was following the generals towards the dragon.

 

"Rye!" she paused, waiting till he looked at her to give him a serious look, "You be extra careful! You have a stone so it's after you too!"

Hiding behind a tree that was a bit off, Preia watched Saleh rush back into the battle.

'This isn't fair... I feel so useless!' Clenching her fist, Preia looked up when she heard the whinnying of a horse, spotting a black speck rushing towards her.

"Night Runner!" she exclaimed quietly, burying her face into the horses nose when the stallion reached her. Night Runner neighed softly, pacing impatiently in place. Preia looked up into his emerald like eyes, lips twitching.

"You want to help to, don't you boy?" The stallion snorted in reply, turning so she could mount him. Doing just that, Preia watched from her place upon the stallion's back as the others rushed to fight the dragon, fingering her light stone and her sword at the same time. "We'll have to wait and see what we can do; I doubt my sword will even leave a mark on that thing."

 

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Ishikawa opened his eyes with a shout.

"I've found them! They're in Avalon," he growled.

"So we'll go in and get the stones as fast as possible," Ka-Rosu suggested.

"If you want the job done fast, then we'll send only one person in. And before you guys can protest, I'm going," Nakamura said. And before either demon could protest, Nakamura was gone.

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Nakamura rose out of the ground and hid behind a tree. He could hear the sounds of battle coming from the clearing, but his attention was focused on what he saw at the moment.

The elf girl who possessed one of the stones stood across from him atop a black stallion.

"This'll be easier than I thought," Nakamura whispered, aiming his sword at the girl and concentrating on his attack that would knock the girl off the horse.

"Time to die girl," Nakamura released the attack in a form of a large black ball of energy that flew directly at Preia's back. The attack was somehow thrown back, possibly by an invisible barrier.

 

"You lucked out the first time. But this time that stone is mine!" Nakamura yelled, lunging at Preia with his sword at his side ready to cut her and her horse in half.

 

Ears flickering at the war cry, Night Runner neighed angrily and jumped out of the demons way, Preia clinging to his back in shock. Whirling and staring at the demon, the horse pawed at the ground several times and whinnied, a shimmery barrier rising up around the stallion and the elf.

You won't get my mistress, demon. The voice echoed through both Preia's and the demons ears, causing the girl to look down at the horse in surprise.

'Night Runner can speak?'

 

Nakamura glared angrily at the stallion before raising his sword.

"I don't like being interrupted, and I don't like wasting time. Hand over the stone wielder, stallion, I won't say it again," Nakamura stared into the eyes of the horse and could see the fire of devotion from their large black pools.

"I see. You'd rather die than submit. That's quite admirable." Nakamura grabbed the horse by its face and leaned in close to its ear. "I will bleed the girl before your very eyes, than drown you in her life's essence," Nakamura whispered so only the horse could hear.

Nakamura released the stallion and turned his back on them, seeing Rye and focusing on his new target.

"I'll be back for you girl," Nakamura said, sinking into his shadow and disappearing.

Nakamura rose out of Rye's shadow and wrapped his arm around the man's neck.

"GIVE ME THE STONE!!!" Nakamura yelled, grabbing the stone in his free hand and attempting to rip it from Rye's neck.

 

"Rye! Night Runner, we have to help!"

How can we help, mistress, when your own weapon cannot reach the demon from a distance?

Biting her lip, Preia grasped her stone in her hand, gasping and dropping it when it became warm once more. Her sword rattling in its sheath, she pulled it out and set it on her lap, watching as the stone detached itself from its chain and fell against the swords hilt, molding with it. A flash of light, and the sword had changed itself into a bow and set of arrows, all glimmering as though made of pure light.

Preia, I will guide you

"Who are you?"

The spirit of your stone, Fayria. Now trust me if you wish to save Rye.

"I... trust you..." Preia's eyes glazed over, and her arms lifted the bow and notched an arrow, aiming straight for the back of the demons head. With a shimmery air around her, Preia released, the arrow of light shooting straight for its mark.

 

Nakamura dropped Rye to the ground and doubled over. A loud sickening gurgling noise could be heard coming from him, as he straightened and revealed the arrow had pierced through his neck.

Nakamura grabbed the arrow and tried to wrench it free, but upon touching it the light arrow burned his hands.

Nakamura fell to the ground and gave one last glare at Preia and her horse.

"Da...mn y...ou," he choked out, opening his mouth wide and aiming at Preia. A blast of dark energy large enough to destroy a kingdom shot out from Nakamura's mouth and blazed a path for Preia. He dropped his head to the ground, and his body quickly began to deteriorate.

Morthoseth pulsed with dark energy before floating into the air and taking off at amazing speed.

The attack charged straight for Preia and Night Runner, destroying everything in its path.


Jarner


Ishikawa dropped to his knees and growled low.

"They killed Nakamura," Ishikawa whispered to Ka-Rosu, who hung his head low.

A loud whistling noise caught Ishikawa's attention, causing him to look to the sky. In a flash of dark fire, Morthoseth pierced the ground before Ishikawa and beckoned for him to take possession.

 

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Having finally caught attention of the demon from before in the alleyway, Saleh had already began to run into the path of the huge orb that emerged from the dying demon's mouth. Moments before impact with Preia, Saleh appeared in front of her with his sword low to the ground, encircled in wind. Slicing upwards and at an angle, the air between Saleh's blade and the huge orb became heavily distorted with the uproar of wind Saleh had caused.

The trajectory of the orb had now changed and flew overhead into the tall trees' of the forest behind them. The attack itself continued on for a few hundred yards, completely erasing and obliterating the forest in its path, causing a violent up whirl in the surrounding winds. The force of the orb, however, ripped violently at Saleh's decorative armor, and would've completely shredded Saleh to bits if he hadn't been wearing it.

Taking the brunt of the hit in front of Preia, Saleh was still thrown at an angle away from her and her stallion backwards into of the remaining trees some thirty feet away. Hitting the tree hard back first, he recoiled off the tree a little and slumped to the ground, losing grip of his sword in his hand.

 

Snapped out of her trance like state by the redirecting of the attack, the bow in Preia's hand once more became her sword, the shining yellow jewel embedded in the hilt. Looking for Saleh, her eyes widened.

"Saleh!" Wanting to get to him, Preia wobbled, suddenly feeling immensely sleepy. Eyes drifting closed; she slumped and slid off of Night Runners back.

 

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Rye had summoned a protective barrier around the two Generals as they fought the dragon. As he focused his energy he was unaware of the danger only meters away.

Suddenly he was pulled into a hold causing his protective barrier to vanish in an instant. He choked against the arm around his neck.

"GIVE ME THE STONE!!!"

Before Rye had time to struggle, something hit the demon, causing him to gurgle blood all over Rye's face. As the demon sunk to the floor, Rye turned to see Preia, her eyes glazed over, a glowing bow in hand.

"Da..mn y...ou," the demon choked out, followed by a destructive orb in Preia's direction.

Everything was happening so fast, Rye became frenzied. "NO!" he called out as he ran towards the elven girl, as if in slow motion. Luckily, Saleh had taken the brunt of the attack, leaving Preia unharmed.

Rye reached her just in time to catch her as she slid off the horse. "Preia," he said, but the girl was unconscious. He eased her onto the ground and placed a hand over her forward. She's burning up. He then turned to find Saleh unconscious also, his armor burnt away.

 

`What should I do? Preia's got a fever, Saleh's down… but I have to help the generals… I'll go; they should be fine for now."

Rye stood up, picked up his sword and ran towards the Generals and the dragon.

 

With blood trailing from the corner of his mouth, Saleh eyes remained closed, but his chest heaved up and down heavily. With each unconscious breath, a look of pain retorted over Saleh's face. Small lines of blood also ran from his ears, for the force of the orb and the distorted wind between it and his sword had caused massive vibrations in the air around him, particularly his ears. Slowly opening his eyes, Saleh looked around, trying to blink away the fuzziness of his vision.

As he tried to sit up entirely, he groaned in pain from the bruises covering his body. Seeing Preia lying unconscious nearby, he tried to sit up again. `I'm... I'm fine...' With that, he stopped trying to sit up and slumped back down, gritting his teeth.

 

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Aceline watched as everything happened in front of her in slow motion. Preia went down, so did Saleh, and the others were scattered as a demon appeared. Exosivian roared with strength as anger surged through her master. The ground shook, earthquakes ripping the ground, terrorizing the beautiful grounds of the Forest of Avalon. The trees and everything surrounding fell into the black pit. Young Mistress! Exosivian then warned the woman. Will you allow me to destroy the whole forest?

The earth stopped shaking, and the darkened sky with flashes of lightning became clear. I appreciate it, Sivian. She and the dragon watched as the demon died, and she rushed towards Preia's side, ignoring those who sped to help the other general, while Zephyr busied himself with the dragon that had earlier appeared. She calmed Night Runner, Preia's frantic horse, as she gently lifted the girl on to Exosivian's back. She channeled energy into the dragon, commanded Sivian to stay, and then drew out Ulfah Ula. She gathered three of Zale, and aimed straight for the rampaging dragon's eyes...

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Svinsahdra was shaking with rage. Zephyr felt an extreme surge of energy come from his dragon, and he left his horse as he rode on Svin's back. He's still alive... How is he still alive...?

Zephyr murmured, "Well, the general of Malo is known for..."

Svinsahdra ignored Zephyr as she speedily charged Vikirnoff, loyal dragon of Malonian generals. Zephyr had to clasp tightly on her scaly neck to make sure he didn't fall off. He gathered Ice and Wind into his command as Alexavier accompanied him and his dragon proudly. The Wind Heart stone was shining, Vikirnoff basking in its splendor. Svinsahdra was baring her teeth at the other dragon. "Vikirnoff Von Shrieder," Svinsahdra said coolly.

Vikirnoff snapped her name in reply. "Svinsahdra Dastrazano."

Zephyr knew his previous and current master; he'd battled both of them before, and they'd both used the same dragon. Alequintaine Tarwynnd and Allarayne Iradeus weren't very different went it came to battling styles, and neither were their uses for their dragons. He drew Cadmus and Morwenna, the two exact same daggers he'd used to defeat general and dragon, and then drew his third, Thaddeus. The wind carried his three daggers as his Ice powers held a strong grip on Alexavier. The Wind Heart stone activated as soon as the tip of the ice covered it. Hurricanes sped through Avalon's burned forests, striking the Von Shrieder dragon over and over again. Thaddeus, Morwenna, and Cadmus followed not long after, Alexavier majestically leading them. His sharp, elven ears twitched, however, as he heard arrows fly past him. He watched them disintegrate into the hurricane that had just hit the Ruby Dragon. He knew just who shot it.

"Aceline! Gather the others, and head for the Lake of Carnanthea!" he commanded. "Svinsahdra and I will take care of this..."

 

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Ishikawa looked at Morthoseth with nervous eyes. He didn't understand fully why the sword would find its way back to Jarner from Avalon.

"Don't think about it too hard. I'm up next; take your time with the sword. This is about more than the stones now. This is about vengeance," Ka-Rosu said to Ishikawa, before melding into the stone under his feet. Before Ishikawa could protest, Ka-Rosu was already half way to Avalon.


Forest of Avalon


Ka-Rosu rose out of the ground in the middle of the battle field.

"Aceline! Gather the others, and head for the Lake of Carnanthea! Svinsahdra and I will take care of this..."

Ka-Rosu looked at this unknown man with a sneer.

"No one's going anywhere!!!" Ka-Rosu yelled, stomping on the ground with Anatharos in his hand. The earth for one-hundred meters surrounding Ka-Rosu separated, creating a vast gorge all around.

 

"Who did it!? Who's the one that killed my brother!? Why don't you try your hand with me!?"

 

Squinting his eyes' at the appearance of another demon, Saleh struggled to sit up, somewhat startled that the might of the demon had gorged the whole area around them. On his lower left hip sat another sword, but less decorative, and not as well forged as the one he had dropped. He spoke through troubled breaths, "I need to help fight..." Rising to a full stand, he drew his sword and walked out into the fray of the battle, where the newer demon had appeared.

"I did, demon. It was my hand that slew your brother, and it is I who shall be your opponent..." Saleh said falsely, not letting the newly arrived demon know of who really killed his brother.

 

`I'll protect you Preia...' Saleh thought to himself as he leveled his blade even with his foe. A swirl of wind rushed in across the area, lifting bits of dust and debris as it did. Passing the demon, the swirl of wind passed Saleh, but did not continue past him. Instead, the gust of wind burst into a swirl around Saleh's body and the length of his sword. "I may look injured, but don't count me out yet, I'm a Knight of Fayrie after all."

 

"And I am a prodigy of Lord Takematsu, former general of the Malo army. And with Anathar at my side, you shall soon find that I am a more formidable opponent than my late brother Nakamura," Ka-Rosu declared, drawing his sword higher.

"You have defeated Nightshade, the shadow of death! Now taste the wrath of Slate, the mighty golem of destruction!" Ka-Rosu yelled, bringing his sword down and slicing the ground creating a fissure headed straight for Saleh.

 

The wind surrounding Saleh swirled downwards, focusing in on his feet. Pressing off the ground, Saleh leapt up into the air, over the fissure. The wind circling lowly around him burst upwards, trailing from the ground. Saleh, using the extra boost from the wind, landed behind Ka Rosu and charged at his backside with his sword raised. Bringing his sword down, he slashed diagonally towards Ka Rosu's back.

 

Ka-Rosu laughed at the attempt and backhanded Saleh away.

"What didn't you understand? The part of my being the mightiest? Or the part about being a golem?" Ka-Rosu asked, grabbing Saleh by his cloak and tossing him to the ground.

Holding Saleh down with his foot, Ka-Rosu commanded the ground to create cuff-like structures around his wrists and ankles.

"Here's where it gets fun," Ka-Rosu said, walking a good distance from Saleh.

Ka-Rosu lifted a large boulder and hurled it in Saleh's direction, missing by a few feet. He hurled another boulder, which narrowly missed Saleh's head.

Rye turned and cut the bindings around Saleh's wrists and ankles with the tip of his sword.

"Don't push yourself, you're injured," he said as he helped Saleh to his feet.

He then stepped next forwards and removed his cloak, throwing it towards Saleh.

"Demon, you want my stone, yes? Then your fight is with me!" he said, slicing the air in front of him with his sword.

 

Saleh thanked Rye for cutting the bindings, catching his cloak as his ally tossed it to him. Moving his hand to his one of his bruised ribs, undoubtedly cracked, Saleh gritted his teeth slightly. "I'll leave you to fight him..." he said. With that, he walked in a slow limp over to where Preia lay and stabbed his sword down into the ground in front of her. Kneeling down, he kept grip of the sword in his right hand and placed his left hand onto his knee.

 

"You obviously have no idea who you're messing with do you? And you're wrong. It's not the stones I seek at the time being, though I will collect yours soon enough. It's revenge for the death of my brother I seek. And even though I know this weak excuse for a mortal couldn't have killed my brother, I'll kill him for protecting the one who did. Would you like to share his fate? Then die!"

Ka-Rosu ran forward and slammed his shoulder into Rye, then circled to attack again.

 

A surprisingly painful surprise came from his left in the form of three small explosive arrows.

Ka-Rosu toppled over and fell to the ground, where he uttered a pain filled growl. When the smoke from the explosion cleared, Ka-Rosu lay with three large scorch marks on the side of his body.

Ka-Rosu stood up and rubbed his side, wearing a grimace the whole time.

"You lousy son-of-a-bitch! I'll make you eat your own children for that!" Ka-Rosu screamed, erecting a large stone pillar from the ground. "STONE SHOOTER!!!" Ka-Rosu punched the pillar with all his strength. The pillar shattered and thousands of small stones shot out in all directions, pelting at all of the fighters on the field.

 

Taking quick notice of the attack, Saleh rose from his kneel and yanked his sword from the ground. Watching carefully for the pieces of stone that flew towards him and more importantly, Preia, he started swinging his sword in frantic and almost unnoticeable movements, deflecting each of the shards to the ground and some of the shrubs behind him. As he did this, a few of the stray shards began trailing crimson red marks across his chest and thighs, leaving visible traces of the attack finding its mark.

 

Rye's eyes widened as the stones hurtled towards him. In an instant, as if reacting to his surprise, the lightning heart stone, dangling from the end of his sword, glowed brightly. At that moment, everything moved in slow motion...

Rye Netherdrake, keeper of the lightning stone, allow my guidance.

What? Who are you?

I am Zealous, spirit of the stone you possess.

I want to protect them!

You have my assistance.

With the stone still glowing, bronze armor materialized over Rye's arms, shins and chest, as time sped up to normal again. With a spontaneous movement, Rye raised his left arm to protect his face. The stones pounded against the armor leaving him unharmed. Once the stone shower had ceased, Rye examined his new armor.

"What the hell?" he said aloud, to no one in particular.

 

"I'll crush you," Ka-Rosu growled, and lifted his foot in the air while rising with the ground a few more feet. Ka-Rosu then began to drop down at an incredible speed, his foot mere inches from Rye's head. But the impact never came. Instead, Ka-Rosu just stared down at Rye, before looking at his own body where a thin line appeared down his middle.

Ka-Rosu turned around and gasped in shock.

"Y...You? How… could you? Bro..." Ka-Rosu fell to the ground dead, and behind him stood a very shocked Ishikawa.

"I...I did it. I did it. I can't believe it."

 

At the appearance of a third demon, Saleh's eyes widened in surprise, slightly recognizing him from the alleyway back in the city. Even more surprise came yet when the third demon slayed Ka-Rosu. Studying the looks on the demon's face, Saleh judged he was surprised he had killed Ka-Rosu. Taking advantage of this moment, the wind swirling around him leapt to his blade and shot out in a deadly gash of wind with a stroke of his sword some twenty yards away.

 

Reflexively, Ishikawa brought Luciendar up and diverted the attack at a safe angle towards the sky.

'What's the matter with me? I killed Ka-Rosu, and now I'm not fighting.'

Ishikawa observed the sword in his right hand before looking at Morthoseth in his left.

"I'm just here for the sword. Keep the stones; I could care less about them. I've lost two brothers because of those dammed rocks, and I want nothing more to do with them. All I ask is to be allowed to see the fall of Malo."

 

"You've chosen wisely demon," the voice came from the translucent lady standing beside Preia's unconscious form, elven by the point of her ears and garbed in whites and yellows. "Now that the stones are bound to their masters, even if you took them they would become useless and dead." Turning to the others that now stood gawking at her, Saint Fayria frowned.

"Have you all forgotten?" Turning to Aceline, she continued, "Zephyr told you to head to the lake, correct? I would do so, if I were you." Turning, she waved a hand and Preia's prone form floated onto Night Runner's back, leaning against the black stallion's neck. Placing a translucent hand on the girl's forehead, then drawing it back, she looked to Rye at this point.

"I have healed her fever. Now I suggest you get moving. A large weight has been placed on your shoulders, Rye Netherdrake, and I believe that you were born as you are for an important reason. You are now tied to Preia through your stones, and if you do not learn to trust each other, you will not succeed." With this comment she vanished.

Night Runner pawed at the ground, snorting anxiously. Milord Rye, we must go. Should Zephyr fail,the dragon will be after us within a second. You may ride on my back with Preia, if you wish, as your own bonded has not appeared. It would be best for Preia, as well. The stallion stared at Rye, waiting for him to move.

 

"That may be a bit difficult," Ishikawa said, pointing at their surroundings. The ground was still separated and it seemed as if it were too far even for the horse to jump.

"Do any of you know any earthen magic or have the stone of earth? Because it'll be impossible for any one to control anathar unless they can or do, and I don't want to see my brother's sword in another demon's hands," Ishikawa looked down at the sword and shook his head. 'Why did I do it?'

`Because you are not like any other demon, like Nakamura you are a rare breed.'

"Who's that!?" Ishikawa called out, turning around and swinging both his swords with his body.

`How shameful of you, not to recognize your own master's voice.'

"Master Takematsu?"

`Indeed.' And as if summoned, Touchi Takematsu appeared before Ishikawa.

"My son."

Ishikawa dropped to his knees and buried his face in his hands on the ground.

"Forgive me master. I've betrayed your teachings and my brethren. I beg for a swift merciful death."

"No, Ishikawa. You shall not die today, for your brothers are still alive as I was and am."

"I don't understand."

"Your brothers, like you, were not ordinary demons. This is why I chose you three as my disciples. We can all die, and live on in the afterlife until we wish to return. Your brothers knew this for they have died many times in the past. You were just too careful to ever allow yourself to die."

"Wait. You mean we're immortal?"

"By all means, no." Touchi laughed, patting Ishikawa on his shoulder. "Only a servant of Shafira can kill us. This is why I made us all leave."

"But the markings on our arms..."

"Foretell the coming of Shafira. I thought you three would learn, but it seems you were fortunate to never find out. Shafira looks down on our kind, because we helped to destroy her in the past. Our ancestors were benevolent beings. Even though they were demons, they knew the consequences of Shafira's actions. This is why they sided with Lady Etaine."

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Rye watched as the elven lady in white helped Preia's unconscious form before vanishing into thin air.

Milord Rye, we must go.Should Zephyr fail, the dragon will be after us within a second. You may ride on my back with Preia if you wish, as your own bonded has not appeared. It would be best for Preia,as well.

`You must be the spirit of Preia's stone I presume? The spirit of the lighting stone spoke to me and gave me this armor. But I feel so tired now...'

Night Runner is not the spirit of the stone Lady Preia possesses, but her animal guardian. Yours will appear soon enough, in your time of need. You may feel tired now, but it is something you will get used to every time you accept my power.

With that, Rye's armor disappeared. He fell to one knee, feeling as though he had just run a marathon. He then stood, still panting hard, graciously taking back the cloak he had thrown at Saleh.

"Thank you my friend....we will....go ahead....be sure to....to meet us at.....at the Lake of Carnanthea. As soon as you can travel again. We will be waiting for you and the others!" He shook the knight's hand before walking to Night Runner. Looking down at his sword, he looked at Ishikawa's blades. Feeling a little disgusted that he was related to demons, he sheathed his sword before getting onto Night Runner's back, behind Preia. He placed his cloak over her before raising her back, so that she could lean on him.

Before they moved off Rye looked at the demon again. "Why did you help us demon? Have you gone mad?"

 

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Zephyr watched the one who thrashed on the ground with keen, insensitive eyes. He was an impatient man, and he did not have time for petty distractions like Ka-Rosu, or his apparent 'brother' that had just killed him; he turned his attention to his situation at hand: Vikirnoff Von Shrieder, loyal dragon of the Malonian generals. The ruby dragon roared as it deflected Zephyr's four weapons. Svinsahdra, surrounded by icicles and strong, high-speed winds, fired her energy-balls repeatedly toward the dragon, to no avail. More likely than not, the dragon had definitely grown stronger. Zephyr growled instinctively, and then guided the ice to gather around Cadmus, 'Dragon's Tooth'. `Let's watch him try to escape the damage of this one...'

Go on, Zephyr! edged the spirit of his Wind Heart stone, Eoru. We do not have time to waste...

--~~--~~--

"Zephyr told you to head to the lake, correct? I would do so, if I were you."

Aceline's head quickly snapped to the voice that appeared vaguely from nowhere. She cast a grave look at Zephyr as he and his dragon battled it out. She bit out her own response, glancing at Exosivian, "Go, Sivian."

Turning to the others, she said, "Exosivian will go with you to the Lake of Carnanthea. I will stay and fight with Zephyr..."

 

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"Why did you help us demon? Have you gone mad?"

Ishikawa looked up at Rye and then back to where Touchi stood, though he was no longer standing there. Ishikawa grinned and came to the conclusion that his master had some more business to attend to.

Ishikawa stood and turned to Rye, before sheathing Luciendar, and hoisting Morthoseth up onto his shoulder. He walked past Rye and said, "You're welcome," before stopping.

"So, does anyone have any idea how to get across with Anathar? We're open to suggestion right now. I can't shadow shift everyone across."

 

You worry about trivial things to much, demon. Snorting and backing away from the cavernous gorge in front of him, Night Runner paused and bent his back legs in preparation. Please keep Preia secured, milord Rye. The stallion took off suddenly, galloping at full speed towards the cavern. Just as he reached the edge, he pushed himself off from the ground and soared over the gap, landing smoothly on the other side and turning around to look at the demon with an almost arrogant air.

You doubt the powers of a bonded to much, Ishikawa. You said yourself, you can shadow shift across, and Saleh may, if lady Exosivian allows it, ride on the dragon's back across.

Prancing impatiently and glancing back over his shoulder to make sure that Rye and Preia were safe, Night Runner looked back to the others. Well? Are you coming or not?

 

"You're a bit too full of yourself, you know?" Ishikawa asked from beside Night Runner.

"So where it is exactly everyone is headed and is it alright for a demon like me to tag along?"

 

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Go on, Zephyr! urged Eoru again. We do not have much time to waste... Nor do we have time to waste lives. The female general is behind you.

Eoru's notice made Zephyr cock his head around. She was rising to Svinsahdra's height, riding a platform of wood that quickly rose off of the ground.

Zephyr's first instinctive reaction was to worry- "Aceline! What are you doing here?! Didn't I tell you to head to Carnanthea?"

The female general shrugged; "I was worried about you."

Madam, you have nothing to worry about, said Svinsahdra a little bit too harshly. Zephyr and I are capable of handling things on our own.

"Maybe," continued Aceline, "but if that were true, this dragon would have been gone ages ago. Perhaps you do need my assistance."

Zephyr had to admit that she was right. Staring at Vikirnoff, then glancing at Aceline, he sighed, defeated, "Alright, do what you wish."

The ice-covered Cadmus dagger followed Aceline's lightning-powered arrows as they charged at Vikirnoff Von Shrieder. The ruby dragon gave a quiet roar as it cringed. Unnoticeable to Aceline, the dragon gave Zephyr a small grin. The next time we meet, young general, it will be her I will be after...

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Exosivian's long neck stretched downwards as she heard Night Runner's suggestion. While I only tend to limit myself to carrying my mistress, Salehmay ride my neck.

 

Rye watched as the warrior of Fayrie climbed onto Exosivian's back. Thank you Exosivian. You are very kind.

"Let's go," he said to Night Runner, his left hand on Preia's right shoulder, securing her close to him, his right hand clutching Night Runner's reins.

"Is it a long ride?"

 

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`You will not go after her, or any other of my party, Vikirnoff, growled Zephyr. You have been warned.' He helped Aceline onto Svinsahdra's elegant back, exterminated her wood platform, and flew away from the Von Shrieder dragon with the arrogance and cool attitude of a general. Vikirnoff flew back to Malo, his wings flying in a steady beat, a large, devilish grin on his face.

"Was that wise to do, Zephyr?" Aceline asked as they caught up to the others. "To dismiss a dragon such as he with such ease?"

"It was not with ease, Aceline," Zephyr replied. "Do not confuse something so trivial such as ease with something more bold, like confidence. I was merely telling him the truth; I was warning him to stay away from you, Preia, and everyone else. Preia, first and foremost, is my responsibility, and therefore, I must ensure her safety."

"Stay away... from me? It isn't as if I haven't handled dragons before, Zephyr; I'm sure I can handle a situation in which he is involved."

"He is not like other dragons, Aceline. He is the fiercest of the fierce. He only lives for the bloodshed that often occurs when wars happen and include Malo. He only lives for the blood fed to him by his master!"

Aceline suddenly had the grotesque image of Vikirnoff Von Shrieder, feared dragon of the Malonian general, biting off the head of a low-class demon that managed to stand in his way. She shuddered, and without realizing it, leaned more into Zephyr for support. "That is absolutely... disgusting."

Zephyr grinned emotionlessly. "I've seen worse."

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It is no trouble, Rye; Saleh, replied Exosivian. You're actually light, compared to the weight of Aceline and her different paraphernalia. That woman carries so many heavy things with her it isn't even funny.

As soon as the emerald dragon saw her mistress, and the other general with his dragon approach, she sent to Aceline, Will you carry Saleh on your back, Young Mistress? Or shall I? Instead of Aceline replying telepathically, Zephyr sent Exosivian a faint nod.

You shall carry him on your neck, fine Exosivian;then head on ahead to Carnanthea; it shan't take you that long. Head to the heart of the forest- and make sure you tell Night Runner, though I'm sure he already knows, the fine stallion.

Understood, Lord Zephyr.

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Vikirnoff landed roughly behind the castle where Allarayne was waiting for him. "And so? What is it you found out from that blasted general?"

Vikirnoff lengthened his head, raised it up, and told his mistress, His blades and abilities are not quite like before. I do believe they're quite rusty now.

Allarayne knew there was something more. "Anything else?"

I may just think he's become overprotective of that Gaian general.

 

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And yet another chapter done! Looks as though Zephyr is growing fond of Aceline and Rye of Preia… X3

 

Amariahellcat

 

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I have to admit, this was one of my favorite parts. XD

 

(I really need to come up with a new tagline),

 

Snowy