Minimus
January 28th, 2005, 02:46 PM
Woo Second Thread!! ENJOY!
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Damion’s eyes sprung open. Daytime already? He looked about, the dim sunlight coming in from the cracks in the surrounding walls of the small bunker he sat in. Dust was settling and being mustered about by a slight breeze sweeping through the cracks. A damp musty smell entered his nostrils. The place smelled of stale animal droppings and dust. Damion slowly rose from his spot against the wall, noting but a couple cuts on his knees, he brushed himself off to look about at the dozen or so people surrounding him. Tired and dazed from the day before, he walked to door that was still bolted shut, and threw the deadbolt to the side, and opened the door a crack. To his surprise the forest was brilliantly lit from all of the gleaming shards running through the dead trees and canopy of vines. He stepped out a moment, the smell of a fire wisped over him. He could barely make out smoke coming from the direction that they had come. Arkoma must have burned their keep to the ground by now. He wondered if anyone else had made it out of the fortress before it had been totally overrun. Shaking his head, he turned from the light of the dead forest, and made his way back inside of the small bunker, eager to see just who would be his companions for the next days to come.
Arkoma stood, the mighty warrior looked down from the fortress’s front wall, looking over the destruction and mayhem that him and his men had forced upon the small fortress. As his narrow eyes swept the ground below him, they fell and rested on Apex, the warrior he had slain the other day, still lying face down in the now dry mud. He wondered just who that boy was that had shoved him to the side after he had finished Apex off, and why had the effects of the boy on him not worn off yet? His shoulder still ached from the impact of the boy running into him. No matter, he was not worried about the boy at the moment, all he cared about is the fact that this was the last fortress, and hopefully the last battle he would have to rage on these pathetic humans. Looking up he saw Venex approaching him from below the inner sanctum of the fortress. A smirk crossed Arkoma’s face.
“Sir, we have cleared the entire fortress, there is no one left alive that resists, and little left in our custody, what to do with them?”
“Do away with them, we have no use for whining females, or their kin”
“As you wish sir.” With that Venex turned and made his way back into the underbody of the once mighty fortress. Arkoma jumped from the ledge from which he stood, landing softly on the ground below, he looked about the place, his men waiting for their next orders. He new the next step, they would search the forest, executing every last one of the humans, until there were none left to resist them, and then and only then, would Arkoma be able to rise in power. Shaking his head Arkoma stood in front of his men, “Men, let today end the mark of the revolution, and began the age of our victory! Leave this fortress burning, and set out to the forest, find the rest of them, bring them to the castle, make haste, and find every last one of them!” With that Arkoma turned and walked to his horse, while his men began their march into the forest. As he mounted his black steed, he wondered, would this finally be the end of his long war, or was this still only the beginning?
Damion stood up from the man he had been speaking to. He sighed as he turned from the poor man; he had lost his family back at the fortress. Damion made his way over to another corner and sat down. He tried to think, of something, some way that they could possibly muster up some form of defense against the pursuing Arkoma and his men. Suddenly his head snapped up. “I got it”, he thought! He would simply look for what was left of the forests guardians. But would there be any left? Surely after the year or so Arkoma had been here, and with his men lurking about the forest all the time, there may not be any left. But he had to try! Pushing off the wall, he spoke to the people encamped in the small bunker “Listen people, I’ve got an idea. I will need a couple people to come with me, but listen! If we go out in search of the forest guardians, surely we will be able to find some! If we are able to contact them, and get them to help us we could at least have a chance in all this. I don’t know about you people but I’m not going to just sit here and wait for Arkoma’s men to find us! Now, who will come with me?” A man stood at the other end of the bunker,
“I will assist you sir! The names Gorup.” The man nodded and approached Damion. “I’ve served on our small militia most of my life, I’d hate to abandon it now sir.”
“I will also assist you Damion.” A girl rose to the occasion. Her hair was blonde like Damions, long and wavy, her soft blue eyes looked radiant. She was clothed in a tight leather fitted corset, with long tan leather pants, her shins were guarded with small silver plates. To Damions surprise what seemed to be a crossbow was strapped to her back, a small dagger at her side, her bolts strapped on her right thigh. “My name is Mystel, I would be glad to assist in any way I can.” Damion snapped his head up. Mystel, Apex’s wife to be, still alive? She was second in command of the weapon masters. She would surely be of some help.
“Alright then, the rest of you would stay here and keep the doors locked and bolted, do not open them for anyone except us, there is trickery here in the forest.” With those words the three brave left the bunker, in search of the forest guardians for help. Pushing through the leaves, the branches, almost anything you could think, Damion and his two companions made their way carefully through the forest. Damion’s mind constantly wondering, would they ever find these guardians? He was sure of one thing though, if it was a fight they wanted, it was a fight that he was sure to give them!
“WAIT!” Damion looked about, a noise. He had heard a noise for sure. Mystel searched the area behind them, while Gorup stood in the middle of them, his large axe at the ready. Damion nodded to Gorup, who tapped Mystel on the shoulder. They all moved forward. WHOOSH! An arrow bolt landed into Gorups shoulder. He shuddered and fell over.
“Crap..Ambush!”
“Get ready!” Damion looked about. There! A man ran through the think foliage, a sword pointed at Damion. THUCK, an arrow landed at his temple, slamming the man to the ground. Damion looked back to see Mystel reloading her crossbow. “Thanks.” Said Damion. He turned from her to look at Gorup. “Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yea I’m fine.” Gorup pulled the bolt from his shoulder, and ripped a piece of leather from his vest, and rapped it.
“Okay, stay focused, move forward!” Damion and the two continued forward. Another noise! This time a man ran from the right, and another from the left! Gorup spun and slammed his axe into the man on the right, burying the sharp blade into his chest, the man flung backwards and was entangled in a bush. Damion rose to the occasion and spin-kicked the man to the left. His heel landed squarely at the mans chest, knocking him back. Unsheathing his sword, Damion slammed it into the mans chest, finishing the job. Two more men approached from the front, and two from behind. Damion, Mystel, and Gorup huddled together. “Yahhh!” Damion attacked, as did Gorup and Mystel. Turning Damion slammed his sword into the first mans stomach, leaving it in him, he turned and buried his fist into the next mans face. The man fell to the ground, shaking his head. Damion reached back without looking, grabbed the sword from the mans stomach, and lurching forward he slammed the hilt into the mans nose, shattering it. Both men ceased to move. Damion looked back to see Mystel, unsheathing her dagger, and Gorup running full speed at the last two men. Jumping through the air, with intense speed, Gorup slammed his axe into the mans shoulder, and cut through his arm, severing it from his shoulder. Gorup landed, and looked up. The man screamed in agony and fell to his knees. Gorup stood, looked down at the man, and pulled his axe in a vertical motion, slicing through the mans chin, then to his nose, and through his cranium. The corpse fell to the ground. Meanwhile Mystel had just sliced through the last mans throat. Leaving him to gurgle on the ground. She turned to Damion, smiled, and wiped her dagger across her thigh. Gorup had joined Damion at the front.
“Any more?”
“No I don’t think so.” Said Damion
“No more? Awww, I was just starting to have fun.” Mystel smiled as she said this.
“Okay, Mystel, well I’m sure there will be more for you. But for now we need to keep moving, we have to find those guardians. Something tells me that the lake, that used to be, would be the best place to look.” Said Damion.
“Agreed.” She smiled
“Sounds good.” Gorup said.
“Okay, then lets go!” Damion, Mystel, and Gorup proceeded through the forest, in hopes of finding help.
“Where are they!?” Arkoma spun around looking at Venex. “Where? Can’t you impetent fools find a couple of little humans in our own forest?! Are you stupid? Perhaps you need be replaced? Fools!” Yelling at the top of his lungs, Arkoma paused, and then turned to a huge central window, overlooking the forest, “Yes! I know, send out the riders, all three of them, they will cut these last humans to shreds!” Arkoma turned from Venex, “Now go”.Venex walked down the circle stairway. “How dare he say such things” he thought, “I am the most loyal of any soldier. I should be the one giving orders and overlooking them, not doing the dirty work myself.” Venex came to a small chamber. Grabbing the large handle he shoved the metal door open. With a loud crack it slammed into the brick wall behind it. A musty smell entered his empty skull. “The master calls upon another favor. Go into the woods, and find them.” The shadows rustled, and three cloaked figures entered the dim light, three voices were heard at once, in a low husky voice “As the master commands.” With that they backed into the shadows. Venex turned from the room and walked away. The door shutting behind him. He had decided to accompany the wraiths into the forest. Making his way to the stables, he loaded his horse, and sheathed his cutlass at its side. His crossbow strapped at his back. He road into the woods, eager to find the survivors.
Damion gazed ahead. The once great lake now nothing but a deep pit, dried to the dirt. Nothing moved, nothing alive. Damion searched the surroundings. Absolutely nothing. Perhaps it was true, perhaps all the guardians were dead, or gone for that matter. Turning to Mystel and Gorup he spoke, “What do we do now? They obviously aren’t here.”
“Maybe we need to look harder?” said Gorup.
“Well I don’t know about you two boys, but I’m not going to just sit here and wait for some of Arkoma’s men to just pick up off.” Mystel smiled.
“Well what do we do then? There’s obviously nothing here!” Damion scanned the surrounding area again. Nothing, absolutely nothing alive. The trees, dead and withered to the ground. The lake totally drained of water and life. Nothing, just nothing. Damion began to walk forward down into the pit that was once the lake, the other two followed him. Glancing about Damion began to notice something, footprints. Not human footprints either, but animal footprints. Large ones to be exact. Damion continued down the incline followed the prints of what looked to be several animals. Stopping at the middle, he looked about, as did Gorup and Mystel. All puzzled as to where the tracks went, they just suddenly ended at the middle of the great lake.
“WOAH!” Mystel and Gorup turned to Damions voice. Where did he go? He simply vanished. Gorup looked the other way for a moment…
“AHH!” Gorup swung around to look for Mystel. She too, was gone now. Pulling his axe from his side he held it over his chest. The ground under him started to move, then suddenly, it split dropping Gorup into the dirt.
“Yaaa!” he screamed. Landing on the ground below, he found Damion and Mystel, sitting there.
“We were waiting for you to drop in.” Mystel smiled
“I guess this is where they must have gone.” Said Damion. As he looked up there was a bright light coming from the ground above, as if enchanted, it moved and shimmered. Gorup stood and also looked at the light. Then his eyes fell onto his surroundings. It would seem as if the whole underbelly of the lake was like some kind of city. Small huts and holes surrounded the walls, small ladders and stairs connecting them all in some kind of maze. Mystel too noticed the peculiar city. Her eyes then fell on Damion, who was blindly staring into the shadows.
“What are you looking at? Damion? Hello?! I’m talking to you…”
“Shut up! I see something in the shadows.” Damion was frozen stiff, his hand resting on his sword, Gorup and Mystel moved up beside him. As they did, a leg entered the light, as did a head, and matching body, but not of a man, but an animal. The furry creature stood tall over the three companions. Damion quickly identified it as a wolf, and a big one at that. The wolf moved closer, his long white hair, streaked with black. It wore a leather chest plate, with a black cape swung over its left shoulder. The wolfs blue eyes stared into Damion, then Mystel, then Gorup. The three backed away from the huge wolf. The wolf started forward again, its thick body more into the light, its long arms ending in razor sharp nails at its fingertips. Two curving swords were strapped at its back, they gleamed of shimmering silver.
“Hello” The wolf snarled in a low cool voice, “I am Verge, you three must be the ones we saw coming.” He smiled baring his white canine teeth.
“Yes, we have come to seek out the forest guardians, you see our last castle has fallen into the hands of Arkoma, and we need your help, all of you. To finally put a stop to this madman.” Damion’s eyes full of sorrow as he spoke.
“Yes, we know, come with me, there is someone who wants to meet you.” Verge motioned for the three to follow him, as he led them into a small corridor towards a bright light. Damion wondered who would be expecting them and how could they know that they were coming? It dawned on Damion that the guardians obviously had been keeping tabs on their fortress. But if they were, why would they let Arkoma destroy it so?! Damion and the other two followed Verge down the narrow hallway. It soon ended into a circular room, filled with seats scaling up the walls. Around the room, hundreds, maybe thousands of animals filled the seats. In the middle sat five larger animals, with weapons like Verge. As they neared the five seated at the middle, Damion could make out a raccoon, a bear, another wolf, and two foxes.
“Welcome, welcome all to the underground city of Spire.” The raccoon stood greeting them. “We are aware of your problem, and know that you seek assistance. Unfortunately for us, many of the guardians have been lost to the hordes of merciless hunters in the forest. We six are the last remaining. I know that you were expecting more, and I am sorry that would could not fulfill your quest.”
“We do not know what to do, you see.” Verge spoke “Arkoma has many forces scattered throughout the forest. His stronghold alone houses hundreds of men, not to mention beasts from their world. An attack would ultimately end in a slaughter of the remaining people here.”
“We have a solution though.” The two foxes spoke together, “We have seen Arkoma, and his plans. He plans to wipe out the rest of the resisting animals and humans alike, and then finish converting this world to suite his own need.
“And what need is that?” Damion asked, persistent to learn more.
“Total power. He wishes to be the most powerful being in the world. By defeating the guardians, he would be unstoppable. There would be no one left to resist, and thus everyone, everything as we know it, would be in his hands.
“How have you come to know all of this?” Damion confronted the two seated foxes.
“He has been destroying everything that stands in his way. Before he came here, he fought a war to the north, over the mountains. He has been moving from plain to plain, over mountains, and past seas, killing and controlling our world. We believe that we are the last things in his way from achieving total power over everything.
“Anyway long story short, we must attack and defeat Arkoma, and stop him from taking over the Forest of Spire. If we don’t succeed, our world will fall into his hands.” Verge finished talking, and took at seat with the other five animals. Damion, Mystel, and Gorup did not know what to do or think. “We will attack, but not with force, but with silence. Arkoma may be powerful, but together, we can stop him.” Verge’s eyes flickered at Damion.
“What do you mean we?” Asked Damion.
“This land is yours too, is it not? Do you not wish to fight for your land? Would you let your people be utterly enslaved? Would you cower in the shadows as others bled in battle?” Verge snarled.
“No…No I wouldn’t. I would want to be right there, helping. That’s what Apex would have wanted me to do. I couldn’t let myself stand by and do nothing.” Damion’s head dropped, then raised up, “I will accompany you, great wolf, and elders of the forest.”
“As will I.” Mystel stepped forward.
“Eh, mine as well.” Gorup also stepped forward.
“Then it’s settled. At nightfall, we move to Arkoma’s castle.” Verge finished speaking, stood from the table and walked to the tunnel leading in. Patting Damion on the shoulder as he did.
Venex glanced about the great lake. The footprints of three of the humans had lead them to the vast dried up lake of the forest. The wraiths stood in wait, under the shadow of the forest canopy. Nightfall would come soon, and the wraiths would be able to scour the forest untouched by the light, for the light burned they’re fragile being without mercy. “Wait here.” Venex jumped off his horse, and followed the path of the footsteps. They seemed to disappear suddenly in the lake. He took another step forward, and paused. It seemed as if the ground below him was slowing sinking. But where? Venex pushed one of his hands through the shallow dirt, and felt his hand break through into what seemed to be an underground cavern. Lifting his hand, he stood. As he turned to walk back up the lake, he noticed his feet were deeply embedded in the ground now. “What?” He was now waist deep, deeper, and deeper he slowly sank into the ground, he did not thrash about or fight it. He was much to curious, and obviously had no fear of suffocating under the dirt. As his legs, and rest of his body broke through the dirt, he landed below. “Just as I thought!” Venex looked around the underground cavern. Animals obviously has just been here. But where had they gone? He walked forward and looked about the place. The ceiling seemed to shimmer, enchanted obviously. The surrounding walls built into what seemed burrows for homes. Venex’s eyes slowly fell in front of him, where to his surprise four figures stood. What seemed to be the three humans they were tracking, and a large wolf stood in the middle, two gleaming swords strapped to his back. “I’ll be taking those humans now wolf! Stay out of this!” Venex began to walk toward the three.
“Stop.” Verge spoke “You have no business here. Leave at once, for I can not grant your safe passing in our home.”
“Safe passing? HA! I shan’t need any safety from you. Now..the humans! Hand them to be me.” Again Venex approached the three humans.
Damion looked at the monstrosity coming towards him. It seemed to be a lifeless skeleton, clothed in pirate’s armor, with a long cutlass at his side. “You draw too near demon. Leave us alone.”
“You must be the young boy Arkoma has been searching for,” Venex sneered “He shall have great pleasure in knowing I, Venex, Have found the last survivors of the fortress!”
“Venex eh? Yes I remember you.” Gorup lifted his axe onto his shoulder. “Your Arkoma’s little errand boy.”
“Enough talk, Either come with me, or I shall drag you three to Arkoma” Venex unsheathed his cutlass.
“Hmmf. You have been warned, but now I am afraid we must banish you demon.” Verge moved his claws to his back, unsheathing his two silver blades. “Lest your afterlife be great!” Verge rushed Venex and struck him down with his foot. Venex flew backwards and fell. Getting up, he held his cutlass at the ready. “Demon, I shall releash you unto your final death!” Verge ran at Venex, his tail whipping from side to side. Venex countered, sidestepped to the left, and drove the hilt of his cutlass into the back of the great wolf. Verge stopped his fall and spun around. “Demon!” He lashed out with his right blade, and cut into Venex’s leg. The bone shattered, but stayed in tact. Venex swung around his cutlass, but it was stopped as Verge countered with his left blade. Snarling and grinning his teeth, Verge pulled his right blade from Venex’s leg, and spun sending his foot squarely at Venex’s ribcage. Upon impact Venex flew backwards with force, and slammed into the cavern wall. Faltering, Venex looked up to see the wolf slam both blades through his ribcage, pinning him to the wall. “Cursed demon, you’ve met your end!” Unsheathing a smaller silver blade from his belt, Verge lifted it in the air…
“Wait!” Damion ran forward. “Just wait.” Damion approached Venex, but stayed well out of reach. “What did you mean, Arkoma wanted me?”
“Bah. Fool” Venex cursed at Damion, his raspy voice cutting into him. He obviously had some sort of pain from the large blades piecing his ribs.
“Speak demon! Or meet your maker!” Verge lifted the silver blade once again.
“OK! Arkoma, he wants the boy because…he suspects he may possess some sort of power. He wishes to kill the boy himself, so that he may absorb it.” Venex sneered, and slowly moved a hand toward a small blade at his belt.
“But…How could this be?” Damion looked at Verge.
“Don’t listen to this abomination. Arkoma will never get his hands on you, or you fellow mates.” Verge smiled.
“YAAA!” Venex thrusted the blade at Damion. SHHCK! A crossbow bolt embedded Venex’s hand to the caverns wall, the dagger fell to the ground. Damion turned in shock to see Mystel lowering her crossbow. She winked. Gorup approached Venex, and held his axe at his side. Verge looked at Gorup, nodded, and stepped back.
“Fools…FOOLS!” Venex realized they intended to behead him, sending him spiraling into the pit that would be his hell. “Foo..”
Gorup thrust the axe in a horizontal motion, decapitating Venex. As the skeletons head hit the ground, it burst into dust. The rest of his body following suit. His pirate armor disintegrated into sand, and his cutlass buried itself into the earth. Venex was gone, his soul finally was at rest. Verge pulled his two blades from the wall, and sheathed them at his back.
“What do we do now?” Damion asked.
“What do you mean?” Verge looked at him.
“Do we still move on Arkoma’s castle tonight?”
“We shall, you won’t.” Verge spoke. “You must stay here, and stay safe. Arkoma must not get ahold of you until we understand what power you possess.”
Damion nodded. “Ok.”
“Here, Nimv shall take care of you.”
A small coon approached Damion, and grabbed his hand leading him away.
“You two shall stay here, and protect him.” Verge looked at Mystel and Gorup. “Tonight, we move on Arkoma!”
Damion shook his head. What is going on here? He didn’t understand what power he possessed. Or why someone would want to kill him. This was all coming at him too fast. Demons, Sorcerers? Was this the life that he was meant to live? Constantly running away, and overseeing nearby battles? Damion shook his head, as he sat down. The small coon walking away, then came back with a bowl filled with a grayish liquid.
“Eat!” The little coon smiled, her high pitched voice pleasant.
“Thank you.” Damion moved the bowl to his lips, and drank from it. He looked up to see Gorup and Mystel approach him.
“We are both going to stay behind and take care of you.” Mystel smiled.
“Yep, We won’t let anyone take you away! Got it?” Gorup chuckled, and set his heavy axe down against the wall. Mystel sat next to Damion.
“Are you scared?” She asked.
“Yea, are you?” Damion looked at her, his eyes full and blue.
“Yes. But I shall not let my senses be numbed by it. I will protect you as I promised.” She smiled. Her smile quite comforting to Damion. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I know everything will turn out fine.”
“You think so?”
“I know so!” She looked up at him, and put her head back at rest on his shoulder.
Arkoma turned from his mantel. Where had Venex gone? Perhaps the fool had finally gotten himself lost in the forest. He approached a small desk, filled with knives and sorts. Reaching into the glass that covered them, he picked up a lightly weighted blade. Etched in the hilt it read “Seno Agath De Moruth’tm” meaning “Life Is But Death”. He had taken it from an enemy soldier. He turned the blade over in his hand. A long silver blade, expertly crafted. He set it down. Where could Venex be? He called for one of his guards, and sent them out to look for Venex and the wraiths that had accompanied him. He sent three men, all on horses. Arkoma could sense something. Something that bothered him. Turning from the large door, he again came to look at his mantel. What is happening?
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Damion’s eyes sprung open. Daytime already? He looked about, the dim sunlight coming in from the cracks in the surrounding walls of the small bunker he sat in. Dust was settling and being mustered about by a slight breeze sweeping through the cracks. A damp musty smell entered his nostrils. The place smelled of stale animal droppings and dust. Damion slowly rose from his spot against the wall, noting but a couple cuts on his knees, he brushed himself off to look about at the dozen or so people surrounding him. Tired and dazed from the day before, he walked to door that was still bolted shut, and threw the deadbolt to the side, and opened the door a crack. To his surprise the forest was brilliantly lit from all of the gleaming shards running through the dead trees and canopy of vines. He stepped out a moment, the smell of a fire wisped over him. He could barely make out smoke coming from the direction that they had come. Arkoma must have burned their keep to the ground by now. He wondered if anyone else had made it out of the fortress before it had been totally overrun. Shaking his head, he turned from the light of the dead forest, and made his way back inside of the small bunker, eager to see just who would be his companions for the next days to come.
Arkoma stood, the mighty warrior looked down from the fortress’s front wall, looking over the destruction and mayhem that him and his men had forced upon the small fortress. As his narrow eyes swept the ground below him, they fell and rested on Apex, the warrior he had slain the other day, still lying face down in the now dry mud. He wondered just who that boy was that had shoved him to the side after he had finished Apex off, and why had the effects of the boy on him not worn off yet? His shoulder still ached from the impact of the boy running into him. No matter, he was not worried about the boy at the moment, all he cared about is the fact that this was the last fortress, and hopefully the last battle he would have to rage on these pathetic humans. Looking up he saw Venex approaching him from below the inner sanctum of the fortress. A smirk crossed Arkoma’s face.
“Sir, we have cleared the entire fortress, there is no one left alive that resists, and little left in our custody, what to do with them?”
“Do away with them, we have no use for whining females, or their kin”
“As you wish sir.” With that Venex turned and made his way back into the underbody of the once mighty fortress. Arkoma jumped from the ledge from which he stood, landing softly on the ground below, he looked about the place, his men waiting for their next orders. He new the next step, they would search the forest, executing every last one of the humans, until there were none left to resist them, and then and only then, would Arkoma be able to rise in power. Shaking his head Arkoma stood in front of his men, “Men, let today end the mark of the revolution, and began the age of our victory! Leave this fortress burning, and set out to the forest, find the rest of them, bring them to the castle, make haste, and find every last one of them!” With that Arkoma turned and walked to his horse, while his men began their march into the forest. As he mounted his black steed, he wondered, would this finally be the end of his long war, or was this still only the beginning?
Damion stood up from the man he had been speaking to. He sighed as he turned from the poor man; he had lost his family back at the fortress. Damion made his way over to another corner and sat down. He tried to think, of something, some way that they could possibly muster up some form of defense against the pursuing Arkoma and his men. Suddenly his head snapped up. “I got it”, he thought! He would simply look for what was left of the forests guardians. But would there be any left? Surely after the year or so Arkoma had been here, and with his men lurking about the forest all the time, there may not be any left. But he had to try! Pushing off the wall, he spoke to the people encamped in the small bunker “Listen people, I’ve got an idea. I will need a couple people to come with me, but listen! If we go out in search of the forest guardians, surely we will be able to find some! If we are able to contact them, and get them to help us we could at least have a chance in all this. I don’t know about you people but I’m not going to just sit here and wait for Arkoma’s men to find us! Now, who will come with me?” A man stood at the other end of the bunker,
“I will assist you sir! The names Gorup.” The man nodded and approached Damion. “I’ve served on our small militia most of my life, I’d hate to abandon it now sir.”
“I will also assist you Damion.” A girl rose to the occasion. Her hair was blonde like Damions, long and wavy, her soft blue eyes looked radiant. She was clothed in a tight leather fitted corset, with long tan leather pants, her shins were guarded with small silver plates. To Damions surprise what seemed to be a crossbow was strapped to her back, a small dagger at her side, her bolts strapped on her right thigh. “My name is Mystel, I would be glad to assist in any way I can.” Damion snapped his head up. Mystel, Apex’s wife to be, still alive? She was second in command of the weapon masters. She would surely be of some help.
“Alright then, the rest of you would stay here and keep the doors locked and bolted, do not open them for anyone except us, there is trickery here in the forest.” With those words the three brave left the bunker, in search of the forest guardians for help. Pushing through the leaves, the branches, almost anything you could think, Damion and his two companions made their way carefully through the forest. Damion’s mind constantly wondering, would they ever find these guardians? He was sure of one thing though, if it was a fight they wanted, it was a fight that he was sure to give them!
“WAIT!” Damion looked about, a noise. He had heard a noise for sure. Mystel searched the area behind them, while Gorup stood in the middle of them, his large axe at the ready. Damion nodded to Gorup, who tapped Mystel on the shoulder. They all moved forward. WHOOSH! An arrow bolt landed into Gorups shoulder. He shuddered and fell over.
“Crap..Ambush!”
“Get ready!” Damion looked about. There! A man ran through the think foliage, a sword pointed at Damion. THUCK, an arrow landed at his temple, slamming the man to the ground. Damion looked back to see Mystel reloading her crossbow. “Thanks.” Said Damion. He turned from her to look at Gorup. “Are you okay?” He asked.
“Yea I’m fine.” Gorup pulled the bolt from his shoulder, and ripped a piece of leather from his vest, and rapped it.
“Okay, stay focused, move forward!” Damion and the two continued forward. Another noise! This time a man ran from the right, and another from the left! Gorup spun and slammed his axe into the man on the right, burying the sharp blade into his chest, the man flung backwards and was entangled in a bush. Damion rose to the occasion and spin-kicked the man to the left. His heel landed squarely at the mans chest, knocking him back. Unsheathing his sword, Damion slammed it into the mans chest, finishing the job. Two more men approached from the front, and two from behind. Damion, Mystel, and Gorup huddled together. “Yahhh!” Damion attacked, as did Gorup and Mystel. Turning Damion slammed his sword into the first mans stomach, leaving it in him, he turned and buried his fist into the next mans face. The man fell to the ground, shaking his head. Damion reached back without looking, grabbed the sword from the mans stomach, and lurching forward he slammed the hilt into the mans nose, shattering it. Both men ceased to move. Damion looked back to see Mystel, unsheathing her dagger, and Gorup running full speed at the last two men. Jumping through the air, with intense speed, Gorup slammed his axe into the mans shoulder, and cut through his arm, severing it from his shoulder. Gorup landed, and looked up. The man screamed in agony and fell to his knees. Gorup stood, looked down at the man, and pulled his axe in a vertical motion, slicing through the mans chin, then to his nose, and through his cranium. The corpse fell to the ground. Meanwhile Mystel had just sliced through the last mans throat. Leaving him to gurgle on the ground. She turned to Damion, smiled, and wiped her dagger across her thigh. Gorup had joined Damion at the front.
“Any more?”
“No I don’t think so.” Said Damion
“No more? Awww, I was just starting to have fun.” Mystel smiled as she said this.
“Okay, Mystel, well I’m sure there will be more for you. But for now we need to keep moving, we have to find those guardians. Something tells me that the lake, that used to be, would be the best place to look.” Said Damion.
“Agreed.” She smiled
“Sounds good.” Gorup said.
“Okay, then lets go!” Damion, Mystel, and Gorup proceeded through the forest, in hopes of finding help.
“Where are they!?” Arkoma spun around looking at Venex. “Where? Can’t you impetent fools find a couple of little humans in our own forest?! Are you stupid? Perhaps you need be replaced? Fools!” Yelling at the top of his lungs, Arkoma paused, and then turned to a huge central window, overlooking the forest, “Yes! I know, send out the riders, all three of them, they will cut these last humans to shreds!” Arkoma turned from Venex, “Now go”.Venex walked down the circle stairway. “How dare he say such things” he thought, “I am the most loyal of any soldier. I should be the one giving orders and overlooking them, not doing the dirty work myself.” Venex came to a small chamber. Grabbing the large handle he shoved the metal door open. With a loud crack it slammed into the brick wall behind it. A musty smell entered his empty skull. “The master calls upon another favor. Go into the woods, and find them.” The shadows rustled, and three cloaked figures entered the dim light, three voices were heard at once, in a low husky voice “As the master commands.” With that they backed into the shadows. Venex turned from the room and walked away. The door shutting behind him. He had decided to accompany the wraiths into the forest. Making his way to the stables, he loaded his horse, and sheathed his cutlass at its side. His crossbow strapped at his back. He road into the woods, eager to find the survivors.
Damion gazed ahead. The once great lake now nothing but a deep pit, dried to the dirt. Nothing moved, nothing alive. Damion searched the surroundings. Absolutely nothing. Perhaps it was true, perhaps all the guardians were dead, or gone for that matter. Turning to Mystel and Gorup he spoke, “What do we do now? They obviously aren’t here.”
“Maybe we need to look harder?” said Gorup.
“Well I don’t know about you two boys, but I’m not going to just sit here and wait for some of Arkoma’s men to just pick up off.” Mystel smiled.
“Well what do we do then? There’s obviously nothing here!” Damion scanned the surrounding area again. Nothing, absolutely nothing alive. The trees, dead and withered to the ground. The lake totally drained of water and life. Nothing, just nothing. Damion began to walk forward down into the pit that was once the lake, the other two followed him. Glancing about Damion began to notice something, footprints. Not human footprints either, but animal footprints. Large ones to be exact. Damion continued down the incline followed the prints of what looked to be several animals. Stopping at the middle, he looked about, as did Gorup and Mystel. All puzzled as to where the tracks went, they just suddenly ended at the middle of the great lake.
“WOAH!” Mystel and Gorup turned to Damions voice. Where did he go? He simply vanished. Gorup looked the other way for a moment…
“AHH!” Gorup swung around to look for Mystel. She too, was gone now. Pulling his axe from his side he held it over his chest. The ground under him started to move, then suddenly, it split dropping Gorup into the dirt.
“Yaaa!” he screamed. Landing on the ground below, he found Damion and Mystel, sitting there.
“We were waiting for you to drop in.” Mystel smiled
“I guess this is where they must have gone.” Said Damion. As he looked up there was a bright light coming from the ground above, as if enchanted, it moved and shimmered. Gorup stood and also looked at the light. Then his eyes fell onto his surroundings. It would seem as if the whole underbelly of the lake was like some kind of city. Small huts and holes surrounded the walls, small ladders and stairs connecting them all in some kind of maze. Mystel too noticed the peculiar city. Her eyes then fell on Damion, who was blindly staring into the shadows.
“What are you looking at? Damion? Hello?! I’m talking to you…”
“Shut up! I see something in the shadows.” Damion was frozen stiff, his hand resting on his sword, Gorup and Mystel moved up beside him. As they did, a leg entered the light, as did a head, and matching body, but not of a man, but an animal. The furry creature stood tall over the three companions. Damion quickly identified it as a wolf, and a big one at that. The wolf moved closer, his long white hair, streaked with black. It wore a leather chest plate, with a black cape swung over its left shoulder. The wolfs blue eyes stared into Damion, then Mystel, then Gorup. The three backed away from the huge wolf. The wolf started forward again, its thick body more into the light, its long arms ending in razor sharp nails at its fingertips. Two curving swords were strapped at its back, they gleamed of shimmering silver.
“Hello” The wolf snarled in a low cool voice, “I am Verge, you three must be the ones we saw coming.” He smiled baring his white canine teeth.
“Yes, we have come to seek out the forest guardians, you see our last castle has fallen into the hands of Arkoma, and we need your help, all of you. To finally put a stop to this madman.” Damion’s eyes full of sorrow as he spoke.
“Yes, we know, come with me, there is someone who wants to meet you.” Verge motioned for the three to follow him, as he led them into a small corridor towards a bright light. Damion wondered who would be expecting them and how could they know that they were coming? It dawned on Damion that the guardians obviously had been keeping tabs on their fortress. But if they were, why would they let Arkoma destroy it so?! Damion and the other two followed Verge down the narrow hallway. It soon ended into a circular room, filled with seats scaling up the walls. Around the room, hundreds, maybe thousands of animals filled the seats. In the middle sat five larger animals, with weapons like Verge. As they neared the five seated at the middle, Damion could make out a raccoon, a bear, another wolf, and two foxes.
“Welcome, welcome all to the underground city of Spire.” The raccoon stood greeting them. “We are aware of your problem, and know that you seek assistance. Unfortunately for us, many of the guardians have been lost to the hordes of merciless hunters in the forest. We six are the last remaining. I know that you were expecting more, and I am sorry that would could not fulfill your quest.”
“We do not know what to do, you see.” Verge spoke “Arkoma has many forces scattered throughout the forest. His stronghold alone houses hundreds of men, not to mention beasts from their world. An attack would ultimately end in a slaughter of the remaining people here.”
“We have a solution though.” The two foxes spoke together, “We have seen Arkoma, and his plans. He plans to wipe out the rest of the resisting animals and humans alike, and then finish converting this world to suite his own need.
“And what need is that?” Damion asked, persistent to learn more.
“Total power. He wishes to be the most powerful being in the world. By defeating the guardians, he would be unstoppable. There would be no one left to resist, and thus everyone, everything as we know it, would be in his hands.
“How have you come to know all of this?” Damion confronted the two seated foxes.
“He has been destroying everything that stands in his way. Before he came here, he fought a war to the north, over the mountains. He has been moving from plain to plain, over mountains, and past seas, killing and controlling our world. We believe that we are the last things in his way from achieving total power over everything.
“Anyway long story short, we must attack and defeat Arkoma, and stop him from taking over the Forest of Spire. If we don’t succeed, our world will fall into his hands.” Verge finished talking, and took at seat with the other five animals. Damion, Mystel, and Gorup did not know what to do or think. “We will attack, but not with force, but with silence. Arkoma may be powerful, but together, we can stop him.” Verge’s eyes flickered at Damion.
“What do you mean we?” Asked Damion.
“This land is yours too, is it not? Do you not wish to fight for your land? Would you let your people be utterly enslaved? Would you cower in the shadows as others bled in battle?” Verge snarled.
“No…No I wouldn’t. I would want to be right there, helping. That’s what Apex would have wanted me to do. I couldn’t let myself stand by and do nothing.” Damion’s head dropped, then raised up, “I will accompany you, great wolf, and elders of the forest.”
“As will I.” Mystel stepped forward.
“Eh, mine as well.” Gorup also stepped forward.
“Then it’s settled. At nightfall, we move to Arkoma’s castle.” Verge finished speaking, stood from the table and walked to the tunnel leading in. Patting Damion on the shoulder as he did.
Venex glanced about the great lake. The footprints of three of the humans had lead them to the vast dried up lake of the forest. The wraiths stood in wait, under the shadow of the forest canopy. Nightfall would come soon, and the wraiths would be able to scour the forest untouched by the light, for the light burned they’re fragile being without mercy. “Wait here.” Venex jumped off his horse, and followed the path of the footsteps. They seemed to disappear suddenly in the lake. He took another step forward, and paused. It seemed as if the ground below him was slowing sinking. But where? Venex pushed one of his hands through the shallow dirt, and felt his hand break through into what seemed to be an underground cavern. Lifting his hand, he stood. As he turned to walk back up the lake, he noticed his feet were deeply embedded in the ground now. “What?” He was now waist deep, deeper, and deeper he slowly sank into the ground, he did not thrash about or fight it. He was much to curious, and obviously had no fear of suffocating under the dirt. As his legs, and rest of his body broke through the dirt, he landed below. “Just as I thought!” Venex looked around the underground cavern. Animals obviously has just been here. But where had they gone? He walked forward and looked about the place. The ceiling seemed to shimmer, enchanted obviously. The surrounding walls built into what seemed burrows for homes. Venex’s eyes slowly fell in front of him, where to his surprise four figures stood. What seemed to be the three humans they were tracking, and a large wolf stood in the middle, two gleaming swords strapped to his back. “I’ll be taking those humans now wolf! Stay out of this!” Venex began to walk toward the three.
“Stop.” Verge spoke “You have no business here. Leave at once, for I can not grant your safe passing in our home.”
“Safe passing? HA! I shan’t need any safety from you. Now..the humans! Hand them to be me.” Again Venex approached the three humans.
Damion looked at the monstrosity coming towards him. It seemed to be a lifeless skeleton, clothed in pirate’s armor, with a long cutlass at his side. “You draw too near demon. Leave us alone.”
“You must be the young boy Arkoma has been searching for,” Venex sneered “He shall have great pleasure in knowing I, Venex, Have found the last survivors of the fortress!”
“Venex eh? Yes I remember you.” Gorup lifted his axe onto his shoulder. “Your Arkoma’s little errand boy.”
“Enough talk, Either come with me, or I shall drag you three to Arkoma” Venex unsheathed his cutlass.
“Hmmf. You have been warned, but now I am afraid we must banish you demon.” Verge moved his claws to his back, unsheathing his two silver blades. “Lest your afterlife be great!” Verge rushed Venex and struck him down with his foot. Venex flew backwards and fell. Getting up, he held his cutlass at the ready. “Demon, I shall releash you unto your final death!” Verge ran at Venex, his tail whipping from side to side. Venex countered, sidestepped to the left, and drove the hilt of his cutlass into the back of the great wolf. Verge stopped his fall and spun around. “Demon!” He lashed out with his right blade, and cut into Venex’s leg. The bone shattered, but stayed in tact. Venex swung around his cutlass, but it was stopped as Verge countered with his left blade. Snarling and grinning his teeth, Verge pulled his right blade from Venex’s leg, and spun sending his foot squarely at Venex’s ribcage. Upon impact Venex flew backwards with force, and slammed into the cavern wall. Faltering, Venex looked up to see the wolf slam both blades through his ribcage, pinning him to the wall. “Cursed demon, you’ve met your end!” Unsheathing a smaller silver blade from his belt, Verge lifted it in the air…
“Wait!” Damion ran forward. “Just wait.” Damion approached Venex, but stayed well out of reach. “What did you mean, Arkoma wanted me?”
“Bah. Fool” Venex cursed at Damion, his raspy voice cutting into him. He obviously had some sort of pain from the large blades piecing his ribs.
“Speak demon! Or meet your maker!” Verge lifted the silver blade once again.
“OK! Arkoma, he wants the boy because…he suspects he may possess some sort of power. He wishes to kill the boy himself, so that he may absorb it.” Venex sneered, and slowly moved a hand toward a small blade at his belt.
“But…How could this be?” Damion looked at Verge.
“Don’t listen to this abomination. Arkoma will never get his hands on you, or you fellow mates.” Verge smiled.
“YAAA!” Venex thrusted the blade at Damion. SHHCK! A crossbow bolt embedded Venex’s hand to the caverns wall, the dagger fell to the ground. Damion turned in shock to see Mystel lowering her crossbow. She winked. Gorup approached Venex, and held his axe at his side. Verge looked at Gorup, nodded, and stepped back.
“Fools…FOOLS!” Venex realized they intended to behead him, sending him spiraling into the pit that would be his hell. “Foo..”
Gorup thrust the axe in a horizontal motion, decapitating Venex. As the skeletons head hit the ground, it burst into dust. The rest of his body following suit. His pirate armor disintegrated into sand, and his cutlass buried itself into the earth. Venex was gone, his soul finally was at rest. Verge pulled his two blades from the wall, and sheathed them at his back.
“What do we do now?” Damion asked.
“What do you mean?” Verge looked at him.
“Do we still move on Arkoma’s castle tonight?”
“We shall, you won’t.” Verge spoke. “You must stay here, and stay safe. Arkoma must not get ahold of you until we understand what power you possess.”
Damion nodded. “Ok.”
“Here, Nimv shall take care of you.”
A small coon approached Damion, and grabbed his hand leading him away.
“You two shall stay here, and protect him.” Verge looked at Mystel and Gorup. “Tonight, we move on Arkoma!”
Damion shook his head. What is going on here? He didn’t understand what power he possessed. Or why someone would want to kill him. This was all coming at him too fast. Demons, Sorcerers? Was this the life that he was meant to live? Constantly running away, and overseeing nearby battles? Damion shook his head, as he sat down. The small coon walking away, then came back with a bowl filled with a grayish liquid.
“Eat!” The little coon smiled, her high pitched voice pleasant.
“Thank you.” Damion moved the bowl to his lips, and drank from it. He looked up to see Gorup and Mystel approach him.
“We are both going to stay behind and take care of you.” Mystel smiled.
“Yep, We won’t let anyone take you away! Got it?” Gorup chuckled, and set his heavy axe down against the wall. Mystel sat next to Damion.
“Are you scared?” She asked.
“Yea, are you?” Damion looked at her, his eyes full and blue.
“Yes. But I shall not let my senses be numbed by it. I will protect you as I promised.” She smiled. Her smile quite comforting to Damion. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I know everything will turn out fine.”
“You think so?”
“I know so!” She looked up at him, and put her head back at rest on his shoulder.
Arkoma turned from his mantel. Where had Venex gone? Perhaps the fool had finally gotten himself lost in the forest. He approached a small desk, filled with knives and sorts. Reaching into the glass that covered them, he picked up a lightly weighted blade. Etched in the hilt it read “Seno Agath De Moruth’tm” meaning “Life Is But Death”. He had taken it from an enemy soldier. He turned the blade over in his hand. A long silver blade, expertly crafted. He set it down. Where could Venex be? He called for one of his guards, and sent them out to look for Venex and the wraiths that had accompanied him. He sent three men, all on horses. Arkoma could sense something. Something that bothered him. Turning from the large door, he again came to look at his mantel. What is happening?