Minimus
January 28th, 2005, 02:48 PM
Last thread, this is as of now how much i've written and how far the story has progressed, hoped you enjoyed reading!
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As night fell, Verge and Digr made they’re way towards Arkoma’s fortress. Verge glanced over to Digr, who seemed to be quite nervous. For being such a large bear, you would think he would not be afraid of anything. But Arkoma was much worse that just “anything”.
“Look, up ahead!” Digr pointed his paw forward. Verge followed his paw to just be able to make out one of the large spires of Arkoma’s castle through the thick canopy.
“Almost there.” Verge spoke under his breath. The two moved forward more. Making sure to be so careful as to not make any noise. For the slightest snap of a branch or twig, could alert their enemies to their presence. Pushing through some large bushes. Verge glanced up, and his jaw dropped. It was as if the forest just suddenly ended, and all you could see is the large looming castle of Arkoma right in the middle. The drawbridge was up, and at the top of the steep walls fires where lit. Verge noticed to the murky water surrounding the caslte. He made a point not to go for a swim this evening. As the two advanced more, they could see that the castle seemed as if it had been under attack several times. Large cracks spanned the wall all the way to the top, as did large welts in the foundation. No doubt an army had tried to level the castle to the ground. A guard caught Verges eye.
“Quick!” With lighting speed Verge pulled Digr out from the forest, and against one of the deep welts in the ground. The guard walked by, and did not notice the large bears fuzzy tail sticking up from the ground. As soon as the guard turned his back, Verge attacked him, mauling him to the ground, and pulled him into the deep pit with Digr.
“One down.” An evil smile crossed Verge’s face.
“Your sick.” Digr smiled. The two rose from the pit.
“I will have to jump the moat. Can you make it?” Verge asked Digr.
“Not a chance, I will have to wait here until you can get the bridge down.” Digr shook his fur. “I’m just too big.”
“Fine, but stay out of sight!” With that, Verge leapt from the crevice in the ground, and ran full speed at the castle. He jumped and landed on the other side of the moat with ease. Now for the hard part. His claws extended slightly from his paws, and he jumped onto the wall, the hard nails digging into the cement. He scaled the wall up, and hopped over the other side, staying low as not to alert anyone. Another guard! Verge looked up to see a guard turn his head in his direction. No time to think! Verge assaulted the guard, jumping into the air, he tackled the man to the ground and clenched his teeth into the mans throat. As he gasped and wiggled for air, Verge scanned for others. The guard was dead now. He picked him up, and tossed him over the wall. “Back to work.” He said to himself. Quickly moving with the walls shadow he made his way to the first entrance in sight. A small staircase that lead to a wooden door. Perking his ears up, he could hear others behind the door. He crept down the stairs slowly and put his head against the door. Mumbled voices, two, no…wait..three men on the other side. He unsheathed his two silver blades and rushed the door. As it flew open, the guards on the other side fell out of their seats, and didn’t even have time to grab their weapons. Verge was upon them in less than a second. A quick slice with his right sword, a stab with the left, and another slice with the right. The guards all fell, lifeless. Moving on, Verge followed a very narrow hallway to a large lit room. In the middle, a chandelier hung from the ceiling, filled with candles. The room was well lit. Stepping into the room, he could see that there was no other entrance or exit for that matter. He turned to leave. Walking toward the door he had just opened, he reached to open it…Locked! He heard someone run up the stairs, calling out. Spinning around he bared his fangs. Someone was in the room with him. Glancing from side to side, he could make out no one. The room was so well lit; nothing could be hiding from him. Wait…He looked up. BAM! Arkoma drove his foot squarely into Verge’s temple, flooring him.
“Yes, I also admire the chandelier!” Arkoma laughed and grabbed the wolf by the scruff. “Silly animal, YOU LEAVE MY MEN ALONE!” His voice thundered as he threw Verge into the wall. Verge dropped to the ground, and caught his breath.
“Dark and sinister man!” Verge growled, pulling his blade to his side. “I will enjoy watching you die!” Verge rushed Arkoma and swept his blade down at him. Arkoma pulled a long black blade from his side and blocked Verge’s weapon.
“Heh, ANIMAL!” Arkoma threw his fist into Verge’s stomach, sending him flying into the wall again. He hit with such force a cracked etched the wall to the ceiling. Getting up again, Verge growled and jumped at Arkoma. Arkoma raised his blade to counter, but Verge over jumped, and landed on the wall. As he did so, He leapt with full force from the wall, and caught Arkoma backwards. Tackling him to the ground, Verge scratched and clawed at his face. Arkoma shielded his eyes from the nails, and then caught Verge’s right arm, then the left! Smiling, Arkoma moved his right foot onto Verge’s stomach, and with force, flipped him into the wall yet again. Verge coughed, blood staining his teeth. He scrambled to get up, but it was too late. Arkoma was upon him. He kicked Verge into mid air with his foot, and spin-kicked him through the air, sending Verge spinning through the wall, and into the courtyard. Looking down at the wolf, Arkoma dusted himself off. “Animal.” He turned from the window, yelling to the guards to lock up the beast. As the guards moved in, Verge stood once again, looking at his enemies draw closer to him. He bared his fangs, but to no avail. The men jumped on him, beating him down into the dirt with their staffs. A lone howl was all Verge could muster from his broken body. ROOAARR! Digr burst through the wall next to the front gate. In a blind rage, he threw himself into the nearest guard, smashing him into the ground. Verge’s ears perked up as he heard the bear rumble around the courtyard trying to ward off Arkoma’s men. Another guard thrown aside. Digr pounced on the last of the guards trying to retreat into the castle. Smashing the mans face into the ground, Digr pulled his head back until it snapped. Turning to Verge, he ran to him.
“Are you ok?” He asked.
“I..I am fine.” Verge spoke.
“What! Is this it? Can not a single one of you incompetent moronic fools handle an animal?!?” Arkoma’s voice boomed over the castle. As Verge and Digr looked up to the tower to see Arkoma, his eyes ablaze looking down at them. “I grow tired of you animals!” Arkoma jumped from the spire, coming down hard on top of Digr and Verge. “Ha! Now you fall!” Arkoma backhanded Digr a good five feet backwards. Grabbing Verge by the scruff he spun in a three sixty degree motion and released Verge into the courtyard wall. Turning back to the bear he flung himself at him, landing his foot squarely on the bear’s stomach. Digr lurched forward and fell back from the blow. Looking up Digr could see the fire in Arkoma’s eyes as he pummeled him into the ground unmercifully. Verge could not bare to watch Digr be beaten. Mustering up what strength he had he ran at Arkoma and knocked him off of Digr. Arkoma flipped and landed on his feet, crouched and launched himself at Verge. Catching Verge in mid air, he drove him into the ground. A large crater resulted from the harsh blow. Verge was unconscious. “Ha! Now, take them away!” Once more Arkoma’s men moved in and took custody of the animals. They were taken deep into Arkoma’s castle.
Damion shook his head. “I must have fallen asleep.” He looked down to see Mystel's head still resting on his shoulder. To his left Gorup sat on the ground, against the muddy wall, drooling as he slept. Damion thought for a moment, why had he just woken up? Oh yes! He had heard a noise, but where did it come from? Glancing around he couldn’t make much out in the shadows. Mystel was awake now.
“What is it Damion?” She looked up at him.
“I heard something.” Damion began to look around nervously. “Like an animal clamoring about.” Damion stood, his hand on his sword. Mystel also stood, her crossbow bolted and ready.
“Gorup!” Mystel shouted. “Wake up!”
“Huh? Wha? Oh, what do you want?” Gorup yawned and stretched. “You had better not woken me for…” Gorup was cut off by a loud screech. They all looked up to see three shadows, hovering above them. The enchanted light hid their features.
“Damion, Damion, Damion.” The three chanted together. “Come, with us, come with us.”
“Wha, what are you?” Damion shouted, pulling his sword from his side.
“We are the three, we have come for thee, do not try to run, we will just have more fun.” They danced in the air and then descended around the three. “Not you two, just the boy, come with us, come with us!” The three beings circled Damion and Mystel, Gorup still sat against the wall. “Come!” The wraiths rushed at Damion and Mystel.
“Yahhh!” Damion swung his blade frantically at the wraiths, keeping them at bay. Mystel let a bolt fly at one of the wraiths, it pierced it, but to no avail.
“Silly girl, silly girl.” The wraith rushed in quick and grabbed Mystel. Pulling her up into the air, the wraith spun and threw her towards the ground. Gorup dove and caught her.
“Got ya!” Gorup smiled and rose, his axe at the ready. “Come here ya ugly bug!” Gorup yelled and leapt into the air swinging his mighty battle axe at the wraith. He caught the fiend dead in the center throwing it into the light above. To his surprise it burst into flames and fell to the ground in ashes. “Haha, No one touches Gorup!” He held his axe in the air. The second and third wraith wailed as they hauled Damion into the air. “No! Damion!” Gorup tried to jump to grab him but they were too high.
“Quickly Gorup!” Mystel ran to Gorup and he vaulted her high into the air, as she went higher and higher she unsheathed a small dagger and threw it into the underside of the wraith holding Damion. It screeched and dropped him. Below Gorup lined up to catch both Damion and Mystel, but he was tackled by the third wraith.
“Ya! Bug!” Gorup threw a huge fist into the monster hood, but hit nothing. The wraith raised him up by the neck, and lunged full force towards the wall. Gorup could feel the air streaming past him as the wraith sped them both towards the wall, faster and faster. “Ahhh!!” Gorup and the wraith slammed deep into the wall, cracking the entire wall itself, a deep hole was left from where they hit. The wraith emerged unscathed, Gorup was no where to be seen. Above all this the second wraith hauled Damion and Mystel higher still, and through the dirt canopy into the night.
“Do something!” Damion cried, he could barely make out the treetops and he flew up higher and higher, the wraiths grip on his tunic too tight to pry off. Mystel looked up at Damion,
“What do you want me to do?” She looked at him, as the wraith held her upside down by the leg.
“Something!” Damion remembered the dagger on his belt, he grabbed it, and raked at the wraiths hand. The wraith wailed and screeched and dropped him.
“Damion!” Mystel cried as he disappeared into the clouds.
“Oh no, oh no, not good, not good!” Damion spun in the air, his eyes tearing from the sheer speed of his fall. The tree tops were growing very quick now. What could he do? He could make out the branches now, the canopy becoming bigger and bigger every second. “I am dead, this is it.” Damion closed his eyes. Wait, he wasn’t falling anymore, but being carried upwards. Damion looked up to see, no one? He was floating in the air, but how? Lifting his hands to his eyes he could see a blue aura surrounding them, and the same for the rest of his body. What is this? What? Am I, flying? Damion looked up and rose slowly into the air. “I’m flying! HAH!” Damion laughed and rocketed into the air. His fun was soon ended as the wraith tore through the above clouds straight for him. “Hehe, come here you ugly sheet!” Damion floated at the ready, his hands up, his dagger resting in his right hand. The wraith flew by him, and cut into his arm with its sharp nails. “Ow!” Damion spun in the air but corrected himself, he grabbed his left arm. Blood, not good. The wraith turned in the distance and rocketed at him, the wail of its screech growing closer and closer as it came for him. “Oh no, what do I do?” Damion cowered as the demon outstrched its long black arms for him as it drew nearer. Damion looked at his hands again. “Wait a second, I can feel something in my arms, tingling, what, what is this?” Damion looked up to see the wraith was upon him, it grabbed onto Damion as it flew into his chest, taking him up into the air. The hood of the demon right in Damion’s face, it flung them both high into the air. “Yahh!” Damion threw a punch as the monsters gut, as he did so a blue aura appeared where he had his the demon, and it burst into flames. “Oh shit!” Damion was falling again, the wraith above spinning and screaming as it melted into dust. “Ahhh!” Damion was falling fast again, the tree’s growing bigger and bigger. “Wait, I know this.” Damion concentrated and slowly he began to stop falling, until he stopped and was floating again. “I understand now, this is what Apex meant, I am gifted, I can..Fly, who knows what else!” Damion landed on the ground below, his hands and body no longer glowing. “Wait a sec!? Where did all that power go?” He shrugged. “Mystel!” He looked around frantically, where could she be? He had totally forgotten her during the battle with the wraith. “Gorup!” Also missing. What was he to do now? He ran in the direction of the lake, in hopes to find Gorup, perhaps together they could find Mystel.
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As night fell, Verge and Digr made they’re way towards Arkoma’s fortress. Verge glanced over to Digr, who seemed to be quite nervous. For being such a large bear, you would think he would not be afraid of anything. But Arkoma was much worse that just “anything”.
“Look, up ahead!” Digr pointed his paw forward. Verge followed his paw to just be able to make out one of the large spires of Arkoma’s castle through the thick canopy.
“Almost there.” Verge spoke under his breath. The two moved forward more. Making sure to be so careful as to not make any noise. For the slightest snap of a branch or twig, could alert their enemies to their presence. Pushing through some large bushes. Verge glanced up, and his jaw dropped. It was as if the forest just suddenly ended, and all you could see is the large looming castle of Arkoma right in the middle. The drawbridge was up, and at the top of the steep walls fires where lit. Verge noticed to the murky water surrounding the caslte. He made a point not to go for a swim this evening. As the two advanced more, they could see that the castle seemed as if it had been under attack several times. Large cracks spanned the wall all the way to the top, as did large welts in the foundation. No doubt an army had tried to level the castle to the ground. A guard caught Verges eye.
“Quick!” With lighting speed Verge pulled Digr out from the forest, and against one of the deep welts in the ground. The guard walked by, and did not notice the large bears fuzzy tail sticking up from the ground. As soon as the guard turned his back, Verge attacked him, mauling him to the ground, and pulled him into the deep pit with Digr.
“One down.” An evil smile crossed Verge’s face.
“Your sick.” Digr smiled. The two rose from the pit.
“I will have to jump the moat. Can you make it?” Verge asked Digr.
“Not a chance, I will have to wait here until you can get the bridge down.” Digr shook his fur. “I’m just too big.”
“Fine, but stay out of sight!” With that, Verge leapt from the crevice in the ground, and ran full speed at the castle. He jumped and landed on the other side of the moat with ease. Now for the hard part. His claws extended slightly from his paws, and he jumped onto the wall, the hard nails digging into the cement. He scaled the wall up, and hopped over the other side, staying low as not to alert anyone. Another guard! Verge looked up to see a guard turn his head in his direction. No time to think! Verge assaulted the guard, jumping into the air, he tackled the man to the ground and clenched his teeth into the mans throat. As he gasped and wiggled for air, Verge scanned for others. The guard was dead now. He picked him up, and tossed him over the wall. “Back to work.” He said to himself. Quickly moving with the walls shadow he made his way to the first entrance in sight. A small staircase that lead to a wooden door. Perking his ears up, he could hear others behind the door. He crept down the stairs slowly and put his head against the door. Mumbled voices, two, no…wait..three men on the other side. He unsheathed his two silver blades and rushed the door. As it flew open, the guards on the other side fell out of their seats, and didn’t even have time to grab their weapons. Verge was upon them in less than a second. A quick slice with his right sword, a stab with the left, and another slice with the right. The guards all fell, lifeless. Moving on, Verge followed a very narrow hallway to a large lit room. In the middle, a chandelier hung from the ceiling, filled with candles. The room was well lit. Stepping into the room, he could see that there was no other entrance or exit for that matter. He turned to leave. Walking toward the door he had just opened, he reached to open it…Locked! He heard someone run up the stairs, calling out. Spinning around he bared his fangs. Someone was in the room with him. Glancing from side to side, he could make out no one. The room was so well lit; nothing could be hiding from him. Wait…He looked up. BAM! Arkoma drove his foot squarely into Verge’s temple, flooring him.
“Yes, I also admire the chandelier!” Arkoma laughed and grabbed the wolf by the scruff. “Silly animal, YOU LEAVE MY MEN ALONE!” His voice thundered as he threw Verge into the wall. Verge dropped to the ground, and caught his breath.
“Dark and sinister man!” Verge growled, pulling his blade to his side. “I will enjoy watching you die!” Verge rushed Arkoma and swept his blade down at him. Arkoma pulled a long black blade from his side and blocked Verge’s weapon.
“Heh, ANIMAL!” Arkoma threw his fist into Verge’s stomach, sending him flying into the wall again. He hit with such force a cracked etched the wall to the ceiling. Getting up again, Verge growled and jumped at Arkoma. Arkoma raised his blade to counter, but Verge over jumped, and landed on the wall. As he did so, He leapt with full force from the wall, and caught Arkoma backwards. Tackling him to the ground, Verge scratched and clawed at his face. Arkoma shielded his eyes from the nails, and then caught Verge’s right arm, then the left! Smiling, Arkoma moved his right foot onto Verge’s stomach, and with force, flipped him into the wall yet again. Verge coughed, blood staining his teeth. He scrambled to get up, but it was too late. Arkoma was upon him. He kicked Verge into mid air with his foot, and spin-kicked him through the air, sending Verge spinning through the wall, and into the courtyard. Looking down at the wolf, Arkoma dusted himself off. “Animal.” He turned from the window, yelling to the guards to lock up the beast. As the guards moved in, Verge stood once again, looking at his enemies draw closer to him. He bared his fangs, but to no avail. The men jumped on him, beating him down into the dirt with their staffs. A lone howl was all Verge could muster from his broken body. ROOAARR! Digr burst through the wall next to the front gate. In a blind rage, he threw himself into the nearest guard, smashing him into the ground. Verge’s ears perked up as he heard the bear rumble around the courtyard trying to ward off Arkoma’s men. Another guard thrown aside. Digr pounced on the last of the guards trying to retreat into the castle. Smashing the mans face into the ground, Digr pulled his head back until it snapped. Turning to Verge, he ran to him.
“Are you ok?” He asked.
“I..I am fine.” Verge spoke.
“What! Is this it? Can not a single one of you incompetent moronic fools handle an animal?!?” Arkoma’s voice boomed over the castle. As Verge and Digr looked up to the tower to see Arkoma, his eyes ablaze looking down at them. “I grow tired of you animals!” Arkoma jumped from the spire, coming down hard on top of Digr and Verge. “Ha! Now you fall!” Arkoma backhanded Digr a good five feet backwards. Grabbing Verge by the scruff he spun in a three sixty degree motion and released Verge into the courtyard wall. Turning back to the bear he flung himself at him, landing his foot squarely on the bear’s stomach. Digr lurched forward and fell back from the blow. Looking up Digr could see the fire in Arkoma’s eyes as he pummeled him into the ground unmercifully. Verge could not bare to watch Digr be beaten. Mustering up what strength he had he ran at Arkoma and knocked him off of Digr. Arkoma flipped and landed on his feet, crouched and launched himself at Verge. Catching Verge in mid air, he drove him into the ground. A large crater resulted from the harsh blow. Verge was unconscious. “Ha! Now, take them away!” Once more Arkoma’s men moved in and took custody of the animals. They were taken deep into Arkoma’s castle.
Damion shook his head. “I must have fallen asleep.” He looked down to see Mystel's head still resting on his shoulder. To his left Gorup sat on the ground, against the muddy wall, drooling as he slept. Damion thought for a moment, why had he just woken up? Oh yes! He had heard a noise, but where did it come from? Glancing around he couldn’t make much out in the shadows. Mystel was awake now.
“What is it Damion?” She looked up at him.
“I heard something.” Damion began to look around nervously. “Like an animal clamoring about.” Damion stood, his hand on his sword. Mystel also stood, her crossbow bolted and ready.
“Gorup!” Mystel shouted. “Wake up!”
“Huh? Wha? Oh, what do you want?” Gorup yawned and stretched. “You had better not woken me for…” Gorup was cut off by a loud screech. They all looked up to see three shadows, hovering above them. The enchanted light hid their features.
“Damion, Damion, Damion.” The three chanted together. “Come, with us, come with us.”
“Wha, what are you?” Damion shouted, pulling his sword from his side.
“We are the three, we have come for thee, do not try to run, we will just have more fun.” They danced in the air and then descended around the three. “Not you two, just the boy, come with us, come with us!” The three beings circled Damion and Mystel, Gorup still sat against the wall. “Come!” The wraiths rushed at Damion and Mystel.
“Yahhh!” Damion swung his blade frantically at the wraiths, keeping them at bay. Mystel let a bolt fly at one of the wraiths, it pierced it, but to no avail.
“Silly girl, silly girl.” The wraith rushed in quick and grabbed Mystel. Pulling her up into the air, the wraith spun and threw her towards the ground. Gorup dove and caught her.
“Got ya!” Gorup smiled and rose, his axe at the ready. “Come here ya ugly bug!” Gorup yelled and leapt into the air swinging his mighty battle axe at the wraith. He caught the fiend dead in the center throwing it into the light above. To his surprise it burst into flames and fell to the ground in ashes. “Haha, No one touches Gorup!” He held his axe in the air. The second and third wraith wailed as they hauled Damion into the air. “No! Damion!” Gorup tried to jump to grab him but they were too high.
“Quickly Gorup!” Mystel ran to Gorup and he vaulted her high into the air, as she went higher and higher she unsheathed a small dagger and threw it into the underside of the wraith holding Damion. It screeched and dropped him. Below Gorup lined up to catch both Damion and Mystel, but he was tackled by the third wraith.
“Ya! Bug!” Gorup threw a huge fist into the monster hood, but hit nothing. The wraith raised him up by the neck, and lunged full force towards the wall. Gorup could feel the air streaming past him as the wraith sped them both towards the wall, faster and faster. “Ahhh!!” Gorup and the wraith slammed deep into the wall, cracking the entire wall itself, a deep hole was left from where they hit. The wraith emerged unscathed, Gorup was no where to be seen. Above all this the second wraith hauled Damion and Mystel higher still, and through the dirt canopy into the night.
“Do something!” Damion cried, he could barely make out the treetops and he flew up higher and higher, the wraiths grip on his tunic too tight to pry off. Mystel looked up at Damion,
“What do you want me to do?” She looked at him, as the wraith held her upside down by the leg.
“Something!” Damion remembered the dagger on his belt, he grabbed it, and raked at the wraiths hand. The wraith wailed and screeched and dropped him.
“Damion!” Mystel cried as he disappeared into the clouds.
“Oh no, oh no, not good, not good!” Damion spun in the air, his eyes tearing from the sheer speed of his fall. The tree tops were growing very quick now. What could he do? He could make out the branches now, the canopy becoming bigger and bigger every second. “I am dead, this is it.” Damion closed his eyes. Wait, he wasn’t falling anymore, but being carried upwards. Damion looked up to see, no one? He was floating in the air, but how? Lifting his hands to his eyes he could see a blue aura surrounding them, and the same for the rest of his body. What is this? What? Am I, flying? Damion looked up and rose slowly into the air. “I’m flying! HAH!” Damion laughed and rocketed into the air. His fun was soon ended as the wraith tore through the above clouds straight for him. “Hehe, come here you ugly sheet!” Damion floated at the ready, his hands up, his dagger resting in his right hand. The wraith flew by him, and cut into his arm with its sharp nails. “Ow!” Damion spun in the air but corrected himself, he grabbed his left arm. Blood, not good. The wraith turned in the distance and rocketed at him, the wail of its screech growing closer and closer as it came for him. “Oh no, what do I do?” Damion cowered as the demon outstrched its long black arms for him as it drew nearer. Damion looked at his hands again. “Wait a second, I can feel something in my arms, tingling, what, what is this?” Damion looked up to see the wraith was upon him, it grabbed onto Damion as it flew into his chest, taking him up into the air. The hood of the demon right in Damion’s face, it flung them both high into the air. “Yahh!” Damion threw a punch as the monsters gut, as he did so a blue aura appeared where he had his the demon, and it burst into flames. “Oh shit!” Damion was falling again, the wraith above spinning and screaming as it melted into dust. “Ahhh!” Damion was falling fast again, the tree’s growing bigger and bigger. “Wait, I know this.” Damion concentrated and slowly he began to stop falling, until he stopped and was floating again. “I understand now, this is what Apex meant, I am gifted, I can..Fly, who knows what else!” Damion landed on the ground below, his hands and body no longer glowing. “Wait a sec!? Where did all that power go?” He shrugged. “Mystel!” He looked around frantically, where could she be? He had totally forgotten her during the battle with the wraith. “Gorup!” Also missing. What was he to do now? He ran in the direction of the lake, in hopes to find Gorup, perhaps together they could find Mystel.