Theallis the Realm Beyond Sea, Sky, and Land

I took a moment to read some of this, which was nice, because I haven't read anything but my own work in a while =.=.

Other than spelling and some confusion on point of view, I think you have a fine imagination at work there. Keep it up, if this is something you enjoy, perhaps one day you'll journey down the road to being a writer. Never let someone tell you that you can't do it, because you can.

-Mistra
 
Thanks Mistra. I'll admit that I haven't proof read this as much as other stuff I've written, so I have places where someone saw a look on their own face, or saw stuff their back was turned to, stuff like that. But it's always good to get advice from other writers, it happens so rarely, thanks :)
 
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Ok, sorry for the delay, I had real life stuff come up.

Chapter XVIII – The Siege of Jeuno

Nocturnus ran quickly through the dark, putrid, tainted water of Pashhow Marshlands followed by Sanborn and Dantin, but the steps of Rangers and Ninjas were so soft that they did not disturb the Marsh Funguar and Thread Leeches, as they passed through the narrow back passages. Nocturnus slung his bow unto his back and climbed the slick, muddy wall of the passage until he could see out over the marsh onto the northern part of the marshlands.
“Can you see them?” Dantin asked.
“No, they move swiftly, and with purpose over this wet land,” Nocturnus replied shaking his head, as he leapt from the wall.
“There is smoke to the north, I fear for the safety of those at our northern outpost,” Nocturnus said, as they began to move quickly north through the passage.
“The Quadavs amassed their army quickly, and now they move with the intent of destroying Jeuno,” Sanborn said, as they ran quickly drawing nearer to the end of the path, and more open lands. There was a plume of black smoke rising high into the air over the horizon of the marsh, and soon the sight of the burning outpost came into view.
“We are too late, the enemy has overrun the outpost, and moved into Rolanberry fields,” Nocturnus said, as they drew near the smoldering wood of the outpost. Nocturnus moved slowly, and ordered the other to be silent as he saw three large quadav looking about the areas just outside the flames. One looked to be a Darksteel Quadav and the others looked to be Platinum Quadavs, all named for the shards of precious ore grown into their shells from their creation within the mineral, ore and jewel filled passages of Beadeaux.
“There are still humes about, I can smell them,” one of the Platinum Quadavs said, as it looked about and stomped its foot into the shallow waters of the marsh just to the south of the outpost.
“Ah, here we are,” it said reaching its hand into the water, which became violent, as arms and legs began to thrash about it.
“Come here scum,” the Platinum Quadav said pulling from the water a form clad in the colors of Bastok. There was blood on the right side of his Aketon from an apparent wound suffered in the siege of the outpost.
“Kill him, so that we can join the others,” the Darksteel Quadav said.
“Yes I look forward to exacting revenge upon those in the three nations for all beastmen of these lands,” the other Platinum Quadav said.
“You will never defeat the three nations, for you do not have the numbers even if you empty every corner of your fell stronghold,” the hume said, as the quadav reached down with his hand and squeezed the wound of the man, who grimaced in pain, before he screamed loudly.
“Pain,” the Platinum Quadav said, as he continued to squeeze the wound.
“But it is not near the pain that you have caused our nation over your years upon this land,” it added, as it threw the man onto the ground, and drew its sword.
“And now you and those others of this outpost will be the first to pay for the crimes of your nations,” it said raising the sword. But before it could deliver the blow, a barrage of arrows struck it in the head, shoulder and chest. It fell to its knee as the Elite showed themselves and approached the quadavs. Dantin ran quickly over the wet marsh, and slashed the injured quadav through the neck before he called four images around him, and approached the two remaining quadavs along with Sanborn and Nocturnus, who sent arrows to precede their advance. Nocturnus’ bow came to light as he unleashed the skill of Sidewinder, which pierced the chest of the Darksteel Quadav, followed by the same skill from the bow of Sanborn. Waves of water swirled around the quadav and slammed together upon it, before the quadav fell to the ground, leaving only one.
“This outpost belongs to the Nation of Bastok, and not you wretched creatures,” Nocturnus said, as he sent an arrow flying into the body of the quadav, which fell to its knees.
“You cannot stop the inevitable,” the Platinum Quadav said coughing up blood.
“Your cities will come to ruin, and it will start in Jeuno,” it added as it reached into is shell and pulled out chunk of unstable ore, its core burning red after being removed from the stabilizing effects of the quadav’s shell.
“I do not think so,” Nocturnus said firing an arrow, which drove through the fiend’s forearm and pinned it to its chest, causing it to drop the ore in front of it. It tried to gather the ore with its other hand, but the unstable matter of the ore exploded, shredding the quadav’s flesh and shattering its shell.
“Thank goodness you came along,” the man said, as Dantin helped him to his feet. He greatly favored his right side, as he leaned heavily on Dantin’s shoulder.
“I am Seodin, one of the men assigned to this outpost,” the man said.
“What happened?” Sanborn asked.
“We had no warning, they came out of nowhere, and when we exited the outpost to see what was happening, it was being overrun by an endless wave of fiends,” Seodin said grimacing and holding his side.
“The knights fought bravely, but they were outnumbered greatly, and had no chance,” he added sadly.
“How is it that you escaped?” Sanborn asked.
“I used the diversion created by the blasts of their ore attacks to seek haven in the waters of the march until they had all gone away,” Seodin said.
“You abandoned your fellow knights,” Nocturnus said angrily as he glared at Seodin.
“I am no knight, I am a mage, I teleport knights to Bastok when new garrisons arrive to spell them,” Seodin said. “Or adventurers as yourselves, but I know no skill of weapon and the teleportation spell takes too long to cast to risk trying before the enemy had moved on or I would have returned to Bastok to warn them,” he added.
“There is no longer a threat, so you must teleport us back to Bastok, so that we can alert them of the enemies movements and then make our way to Jeuno by airship and warn them that the enemy will be at the gates of Lower Jeuno soon,” Nocturnus said, as Seodin nodded his head and began to grimace as he cast the spell of teleportation and in moments the four disappeared.

Nocturnus took a deep breath as he appeared in the within the dim light of Metalworks, safe within the city of Bastok. He looked to his right and made his way quickly to the lift, as it descended to the ground.
“Go and replenish your supplies in the guild, and then head immediately to the Port so that we may leave for Jeuno, and hopefully arrive in the city before the Quadav army reaches the gates of Lower Jeuno,” Nocturnus said.
“Where are you going?” Sanborn asked.
“To tell the Iron Musketeers of what has transpired,” Nocturnus replied.
“I will fill you quiver then,” Sanborn said, as Nocturnus removed his quiver and handed it to Sanborn.
“I thank you my friend,” Nocturnus said nodding his head.
“We will meet you at the pier,” Dantin said, as Nocturnus bolted onto the lift and looked out slowly over the lower floor of Metalworks as lift made its way to the upper level. He ran quickly out into the open air, making his way past the embassies of the other nations until he reached the stairs of the president’s office. He sprang up the stairs to the doors of the building where Iron Eater stood.
“You move with great Haste Nocturnus, what has caused you so much distress?” Iron Eater asked.
“You must put this city on alert and muster the Iron Musketeers,” Nocturnus said through heavy breaths.
“What has happened?”
“The stronghold of Beadeaux has emptied and the Quadav army has reached the Fields or Rolanberry,” Nocturnus said.
“What, how could this have happened, those in the Pashhow outpost…”
“Are dead, all but one,” Nocturnus said, as despair began to write itself onto the face of Iron Eater.
“What?”
“We found the outpost in flames, with only one survivor, Seodin who teleported us back to Bastok,” he said.
“What would you ask of the Iron Musketeers?”
“To be on your guard, for this enemy is clever and knows much in the way of diversion,” Nocturnus said. “Bastok must be prepared if fiends seek its walls,” Nocturnus said, as Iron Eater nodded his head.
“I will alert Ayame and President Naji,” Iron Eater said.
“I go to join the rest of my guild in Jeuno,” Nocturnus said, as he turned to descend the stairs.
“With luck, we shall reach the city before the Quadav army crosses Rolanberry Fields.”
“Good luck my friend,” Iron Eater said nodding his head to Nocturnus, who turned and bounded down the stairs.
 
He made his way quickly to the lift, and returned to the first floor of Metalworks. He ran out into the streets of the market area, and made his way quickly down the winding stairs until he came to the bridge that lead into Bastok Port. He used the eyes of the Ranger to look to the pier where he saw Dantin and Sanborn standing along with Sorrowfulturnip. He made his way quickly around the port to the Air Travel Agency, where he paid for his ticket, and made his way out to the pier.
“Good timing, the ship will arrive soon,” Sanborn said, as he handed Nocturnus his quiver, which was stocked full of arrows bearing black feathers from the chocobo being raised in the stables.
“Thank you my friend,” Nocturnus said nodding his head to Sanborn.
“If there are no delays, we have a chance reach the Port of Jeuno before the Quadav army,” Dantin said, as Nocturnus turned his head to the sound of the bridge raising over the water. He watched as the shadow of the airship fell through the sun, which had started its downward descent. He watched as it circled the waters of the port, and pulled up to the pier.
“Come, we leave for Jeuno, and war that this land has not seen in many long years,” Nocturnus said, as the three walked onto the airship, and made their way onto the top deck. Nocturnus looked out over the water, and his thoughts feel back and forth between what has come of the others in their battles in the new lands of Theallis, and what is to come in the battles that he now faces in the world that he will soon fight to save.
“Are you even still alive,” he said as he continued to look out over the water.
“If you are, will you be able to accomplish it in time to save the world you left,” he added.
“What did you say Noc?” Sanborn asked walking up behind him.
“Nothing, just thinking about the others,” Nocturnus replied.
“We have to focus on the coming battle Noc, or the others may save Theallis and come home to find the world they left in ruin,” Sanborn said, as the propellers on the ship began to spin, and the ship pulled slowly away from the dock before it circled the port, and passed between the rising bridge, as it ascended into the air on its way to Jeuno and war.

Nocturnus stood in the center of the upper deck of the ship looking out to the northwest where the Crag of Holla stood in LaTheine Plateau. Even the eyes of a Ranger could not see such distance, but he knew the exact line that ended in the Crag’s location. He was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of his name being called by Sowworfulturnip, who stood by the rail of the ship.
“What is it Sorrow,” Noturnus said agitated.
“Look at that Noc, that is an awfully big bird,” Sorrowfulturnip said, as he pointed to a shadow framed in the distant sun setting on the horizon to the west. Nocturnus walked over to the rail and peered out into the distance before he eyes grew large.
“That is no bird, GET DOWN,” Nocturnus yelled, as he pulled Sorrowfulturnip down behind the rail, as flame passed over them, and set the deck of the ship on fire scorching some of the passengers. They watched as the form of a wyvern circled in this distance and came around for another pass.
“Here comes another,” Sanborn said as he pointed over the back bow of the ship. He drew and arrow, and fired it at the form, but the wyvern burned it with its breath before it slammed onto the bow of the ship, with a form saddled upon it holding tightly to the reins, before it looked to Nocturnus.
“Who are you?” Nocturnus demanded as the form drew back the hood of its cloak and revealed a face blank of life or being at all.
“A fomor, upon a wyvern, how can this be?” Nocturnus asked, as he looked to his left where the other wyvern glided under its master’s control just beside the ship.
“I am more ancient than any fomor,” the voice bellowed over the deck of the ship.
“You are from Theallis,” Nocturnus said.
“I was from Theallis long ago, but like many who served in the army of the Dark Lord during the ancient war, we fled down to these lands, cut off from the light, knowing nothing but a life of emptiness and sorrow,” it said angrily as its wyvern glared at Nocturnus.
“Trapped without face, dying but not dead like those who inhabit the places which were our prisons for so long,” the form said angrily, as its red eyes slanted and glared at Nocturnus.
“Prisons,” Nocturnus said confused, as the fire crackled around him.
“Eldieme Necropolis, Sacrarium, Fei’yin, and any other place that we could blend in with the undead of this world until the time came when the way to Theallis was opened once again,” the form said grinning at Nocturnus.
“But we could not open the way, we needed another to do it for us, and she has done just that,” it added.
“Aaleel,” Nocturnus said.
“The Child of the Prophecy, the chosen one, the redeemer of the Dark Realm, but she was one thing and one thing only to us, the KEY,” the form said.
“That is what Zentris meant that night,” Nocturnus said shaking his head.
“Ironic is it not, for the Dark Lord did not have the numbers to challenge Elindil, but now that the way to Theallis has been opened again, those who had taken refuge in these lands may now return to join his forces and overrun Elindil,” it said.
“But we could march in numbers without giving knowledge of our plans to the priests upon this land or its people, but with the aid of the beastmen of this land that you have abused so egregiously, they will cleanse you from it while we join Lord Galroth in the great war,” it added laughing as Nocturnus continued to shake his head.
“No, but what if she had died in the Dark Realm?”
“For many years we sought to find her so that we could turn or kill her, and then we realized one thing,” it said.
“And what is that dark one?”
“The Oracle has never been wrong in many millennia or existence, so if she was the one to settle the fortunes of Theallis once and for all, how could she die,” it replied.
“So it was then that the Dark Lord sought to use the prophecy to his advantage, and sent those with the power to bridge the two worlds into your world to ascertain the number of our forces remaining here,” it added.
“But Galroth sought to kill Aaleel in her temple,” Nocturnus said.
“The redeeming of the dark realm had occurred, and the portal had been opened; but fate is seemed was still on her side and she was truly intended to come to Theallis,” it replied.
“Now she shall decide the fate of all,” it said.
“But will she decide it by defeating the Dark Lord, or by allowing his warriors into the Lands of Light to defeat it?”
“There they are,” Sanborn yelled excitedly, as he pointed over the front bow of the airship. Nocturnus, looked to his right, over the rail of the ship ahead to the ground below, where there was a mass of forms growing larger in the light of the setting sun.
“What do you see?” Sorrowfulturnip asked, for his eyes were not as keen as those of the Rangers, and we defeated by the distance and the time of the day.
“The quadav army has almost reached Jeuno,” Sanborn replied.
“They are not moving, what are they waiting for?” Nocturnus asked, as he looked out at the mass resting about two hundred yards from the gates of stone leading into the narrow valley leading into Lower Jeuno.
“Perhaps they are waiting for the other beastmen nations to converge on Jeuno from the port and the upper levels,” Dantin said, as Sorrowfulturnip walked over to the left side of the ship before the painted sky at approaching shadows.
“Your feeble minds could not comprehend the complexity of the threat facing your city,” it said, as its wyvern roared at Nocturnus.
“That is why your city shall come to ruin,” it said.
“We shall see,” Nocturnus said.
“Yes we shall,” the form said grinning as it reared back on the wyvern
 
“We near your port, and your death,” it added as the wyvern released its radiant breath, which Nocturnus barely avoided as he dove out of the way.
“That will not save you,” it said as the wyvern wrapped its mighty jaws around the stand supporting one of the propellers and tore it away before it rose from the ship and burned another with its breath.
“We are going to crash,” Sanborn said as the ship dove quickly and uncontrollably towards the Port of Jeuno. Suddenly the fire about the stairway formed into blocks of ice, which shattered into shards upon the deck, as the avatar Shiva floated from the stairway followed by Mishaela.
“I was down below when I saw the fire in the stairwell, and then the ship began to dive,” Mishaela said as she recalled Shiva.
“What has happened?” She asked.
“We were attacked by those seeking to lay siege to Jeuno,” Nocturnus replied.
“I was heading to Jeuno to join Rawr is defense of the Port,” she said, as she ran to the bow of the ship.
“We will be there sooner than we would like,” Nocturnus said, as she looked over the rail at the approaching water.
“Not if I can help it,” Mishaela said as her body began to crackle with strands of light, and a large seal of the Summoner appeared on the water, and from it sprang the form of Leviathan. She clinched her fists, and the avatar roared loudly before a large tidal wave rose from the water, and slowed the descent of the airship, which coasted down the its face towards the water.
“Brace yourselves,” Mishaela said as the bow of the ship smashed into the water throwing all who were not holding onto something forward, as the bow shattered and sent pieces flying about the port.
“Swim for it,” Nocturnus said, as he leapt over the rail of the ship which was quickly taking on water. Nocturnus looked about the water for the other Elite, which were to his left, as they swam for the pier, but before they could make it, one of the other passengers dropped quickly below the surface of the water, followed by another.
“What is going on?” He asked as he continued to swim, but before he could make it to the pier, he felt a great pressure on his leg, and before he knew it he saw the blurred light of the setting sun from below the water’s surface. He felt the pressure on his leg grow tighter before he was pulled upwards from the water, and he inhaled deeply once he hit the open air. He looked upwards as there he saw the form of a great Sea Monk, being ridden by another of the faceless forms.
“Crush him,” the form said, as the Sea Monk wrapped another of its tentacles around him, but before it could lock in its grip, the whiz of arrows was heard, and the creature cried out in pain, as the arrows struck its tentacles and forced it to drop the Ranger back into the water. Nocturnus exploded from the water and made his way to the pier where he say Veresko standing along with Scwall, and Cheyne, fellow Rangers from the guild of Rawr.
“Thank you my friends,” Nocturnus said, as Veresko helped him from the water.
“We saw the airship aflame as it plummeted towards the port, and we feared for the safety of the passengers so we came to the pier fearing that the attack had begun,” Veresko said.
“The quadavs have gathered before the gates of Lower Jeuno,” Nocturnus said, as he saw Sanborn, Dantin, Sorrowfulturnip and Mishaela pulling themselves from the water as well.
“The Yagudo nation is approaching the gates of the Port as well,” Scwall said, as he fired another arrow at the Sea Monk.
“You guard the gates of this city, but you do not guard against all parts vulnerable to attack,” the form atop the Sea Monk said, as the water became violent, and many forms rose from the water.
“Sahagin,” Nocturnus yelled, as he drew his bow, and fired an arrow into the chest of one of the Sahagin.
“Look out,” Scwall said, as he drew an arrow, and fired it at one of the sahagin, which was climbing over the rail of the pier.
“Retreat into the port,” Nocturnus yelled, as Mishaela clinched her fist and Leviathan leapt from the water and swirled down upon many of the Sahagin, hastening their escape. They ran into the welcoming office and ordered all to leave, as they slammed shut the doors leading into the office behind them.
“Go warn the others, we shall slow them,” Nocturnus yelled to Mishaela, as the rangers lined up and turned their attention to the striking of weapons upon the door, which soon gave way under their assault.
“NOW!!” Noctunrus yelled as the rangers sent barrages of arrows, and Dantin threw his shadows at the mob of Sahagin, which were bottlenecked in the doorway, and had their dead bodies serve as a temporary cork, as the rangers made their way out of the office and barricaded as best they could the doorway leading to the stairway to the Port.
“That will not hold them long, come we must alert the entire city of the attack before it is too late,” Nocturnus said, as they emerged into the streets of the Port.
“It is already too late,” they heard, as they looked around but could see no one. Soon a form dropped the cloak of invisibility, and showed itself to them. It was clad in armor they had never before seen, but looked to be that of a ninja. It held two jewel encrusted katana, and its red eyes shown from behind the black hatsuburi, which covered its pale, dead face.
“Your city will soon fall, for the flow of enemies into your walls has already begun,” it said, as many forms dropped their cloak of invisibility as well, and took the form of Yagudo Assassins. Nocturnus looked about to the Yagudo, and he heard the sounds of the Sahagin breaking through into the Port.
“This city is already lost, surrender and join the cause of the Dark Lord Galroth, or you all will die,” the form said.
“We will never join you dark one, nor will we give you this city without a fight,” Nocturnus said, as he held an arrow upon the string of his bow.
“So be it,” the form, said as all the Yagudo began to cast spells, and suddenly the area was filled with many more forms of the Assassins.
“You will all die.”
 
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I've just started reading this and whoa, it may take a while. I'm going to copy and print it to make things easier. The beginning looks good, I like how Byakko is portrayed. Keep up the good work.

128 pages with a size 12 font. I'll be reading it on the computer :D
 
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I haven't had time to read it much myself but I heard only good things about your story, I plan on starting soon. I like the few passages I red so far :)
 
wow aaleel n.n i like it, ive only read the first 3 chapters though, ima reading more when i have spare time (i usually read it during lunch at school cause i have no friends T.T j/k, i do read it during lunch though.) i look forward to reading more n.n
 
only one thing, i think i talked to you about this, but youre charaters in as far as ive read have no personality to them like most of your things are this person said or that person said, said said said, you use said to much, use more exciting words lol but i like your environmental discription.. so yea, im printing it off and reading it in class alot, cant wait for more.
 
Chapter XIX – Gifts From the Far East

Nocturnus could see the crimson light of the fire in the port behind him shining in the fading light of the late day, but the fire itself reflected into the eyes of the many Yagudo Assassins, which had infiltrated the Port of Jeuno under the cloak of invisibility. Ashes and soot blew through air, as pillars of smoke rose into the air making his breaths heavy; but his focus was upon nothing other than the mysterious intruder standing upon the ledge, even as the footsteps of the Sahagin grew nearer in his head.
“Your situation is hopeless, you are outnumbered, and I will soon claim this city for my Lord Galroth,” the form said through an evil grin, his red eyes never once turning from those of Nocturnus.
“Well you can tell your Lord Galroth that people of this land will not fall to darkness and easily as he may anticipate, for the will of its people will not allow it,” they heard a voice say upon the air, and before any could ascertain the origin of it, the air became filled with the sound to breaking bone and torn flesh, as the bodies of the Yagudo Assassins on the lower level of the Port exploded into drops of dark blood, and torn feathers, as Katanas exploded from them.
“What is happening?” The form atop the wall yelled angrily looking about the floor below, as many forms dropped their cloaks on invisibility and revealed themselves, as Ninja of the Lands of the Far East. Nocturnus recognized some of them as friends, for they were members of the Bastokan Elite and Rawr, who had traveled to the lands of the Far East to train.
“Unphazed,” Nocturnus yelled happily, as Unphazed pulled his katana from one of the Yagudo before he threw the still body of his enemy to the ground, and looked to the stairs leading from the Port Office where the Sahagin were emerging into the streets of the port, but the first of them were meet with shuriken, and sange images thrown at them by more of the ninja of the Far East led by Kaede and Caaeia, who was one of the Guild Rawr’s leaders, but had been been away for sometime studying in the Far East.
“You received my message,” Nocturnus said joyfully, as he watched the emerging Sahagin swing their weapons harmlessly at the images of the many Ninja within the Port.
“Yes, and once we knew that the final battle would take place here we massed forces from many of the temples and came to Jeuno as soon as possible,” Unphazed said.
“So you have brought the force of the Far East?” Nocturnus asked anxiously.
“Yes, and they are ready to stand in defense of this city,” Unphazed replied raising his hand and dropping it quickly, and instantly the whizzing of many arrows was heard upon the air, followed by the howls and screams of Sahagin who were pierced in many places by the arrows from the bows of many Samurai who had appeared in the Port, led by familiar faces from the Guild of Rawr Gregedor and Apu.
“Show these fiends the true power of the people of this land,” Unphazed yelled as the Samurai slung their bows, and drew their Great Katanas to engage the enemy in close combat. Suddeny the blades of their Tachi began to come to light like many stars in the darkness that had gathered in the port, and then all exploded into many small moons circled by rings of blue and green. Their bodies became blurred images, as the bodies of the Sahagin fell to the ground, and the Samurai prepared themselves for the next wave of enemies.
“What?” The form atop the wall bellowed in anger, as it looked upon the battle starting below.
“The lands of the Far East have no ties to this city,” it added slanting its red eyes, and glaring at the warriors standing in defense of the city.
“But it’s people do,” Caaeia said, as one of the Sahagin swung through one of his images, and he appeared behind the creature and plunged his katana into its back. Limi stood beside Caaeia, and with the first strikes of his katana, the Sahagin that had invaded the port became aware of why Limi was seen as one of the best Ninja ever to have studied in the schools of the Far East. There was another ninja Aalea Skyfall, a female hume wearing chainmail and tekko obtained in the past days of the Dark Realm, along with haidate forged from the powers of the Sky God Byakko. She swung her katana and sliced through one yagudo and one sahagin with an elegance and grace of her art before she turned and looked up at the form atop the wall.
“All people in these lands are linked, what affects one affects all,” Aalea said, as she plunged one of her katana into another sahagin and let its body fell at her feet.
“Your sight was focused upon things moving upon the air, and blind to those traveling upon the waters of the Sea, and hidden within its soft mist,” Unphazed said glaring up at the form, who just grinned and returned Unphazed’s stare.
“You should have stayed in the Far East Ninja, now you and all those you brought to this city will die,” the form said evily, as he looked down upon them, his red eyes burning as flames in the darkness.
“Your Lord brought us to this city when he attacked our temple and killed our Master, and even as those dear to us will avenge his death when they face your Lord, we weill exact revenge upon all who serve him that would seek to trepass against others the way your Lord did upon our temple,” Unphazed reponded angrily, as he held his katanas before him.
“We sent you Lord from our temple injured and unsuccessful in his task, and we will do the same to you,” Kaede yelled, as she slashed through the chest of one of the Sahagin, and came to the side of Unphazed and Nocturnus.
“You are allies of the child of the Prophecy,” the form demanded, as Unphazed and Kaede nodded their heads nobly.
“Then it will please me to exact some sort of retribution for my Lord, and kill those who stood against him,” the form shouted.
“And what shall we call you, so that the bards may know what name to use in the songs written of your defeat, and the salvation Jeuno,” Unphazed asked grinning, causing the eyes of the form to burn with anger.
 
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“Very well, I am known to the people of my land as Katuri, but you may call me death,” it exclaimed, as it pulled the the blades of its katana together, and leapt from the wall, with speed greater than any seen in the Lands of Vana’diel, but having faced the Dark Lord in their temple, his speed did not surprise the two Ninja, who both caught one of his Katana upon their blades. Katuri pushed the blades of the Ninja away, but he was forced to retreat in the face of an arrow from the string of Nocturnus’ bow, which Katuri deflected with the blade of one of his katana.
“You will not accomplish your task dark one, though your attack may be two-fold against Theallis and Vana’diel, you will not accomplish what you seek here,” Unphazed spoke angrily, as he rushed at Katuri along with Kaede, but the dark ninja only parried their strikes and leapt into the air, his body splitting into four images, all casting shadows beneath the street lights of the port, which began to come to light.
“You lack of knowledge of you current circumstance is only overshadowed by you inablitiy to stop it,” the images said in unison, as they all glared at Unphazed.
“We have already accomplished our task in this land,” they added.
“What does he mean?” Kaede asked turning to Nocturnus.
“The attack on this is but a diversion, so that those banished to this land after the first attempt to take control of the lands of Theallis failed may seek Theallis again” Nocturnus replied somberly.
“For when the forces of this land have drawn into their cities for the cause of their defense, those banished to these lands, may walk in the open, and return to Theallis through the newly opened portal to aid the Dark Lord in his siege of the lands,” Nocturnus added.
“How do you know this?” Kaede blurted anxiously.
“I was told as much from one of the dark ones of Theallis upon the airship before it was set a flame and forced from the air,” Nocturnus replied.
“Do you believe him,” Unphazed asked calmly, keeping his eye on Katuri.
“Yes,” Nocturnus replied strongly.
“This battle is only the beginning, the doom of both your lands is at hand,” the images of Katuri said, as his true form appeared behind them.
“Your precious Child of the Prophecy was our key to accomplishing what we could not before,” he uttered with an evil grin.
“Let your fallen comrades return to the place of their defeat, for as long as Aaleel is upon the task your Lord will meet the same end as before,” Kaede said.
“And we will ensure that his minions meet the same fate here in these lands,” Unphazed added, causing the grin to fall from Katuri’s face.
“Very well than, you may try to stem the tide of darkness with your feeble powers, but it will not change the truth of what is to come in all your deaths,” Katuri said, as he raised his hand, and his images came to the ready, before they sprang into the air and sped towards the Ninja; but before they could reach them the seal of the summoner appeared on the ground, and from it rose the avatar Diablos. Diablos roared loudly before the avatar curled its wings over the two ninja and coated them with a dark shroud, which caused the images of Katuri to shatter helplessly upon it.
“I returned with the others as soon a possible,” Mishaela said, as she came through the gates leading from the bridge followed by Celvantes, Jussy, Spalko and Draciot.
“Two Yagudo Assassins sought to bar her path to us, but they could not stand against us, once we were made aware of their presence in the Port,” Celvantes said, as he looked about the port.
“It would seem that they were not alone in their breeching of the walls of the city under the cloak of invisibility,” he added.
“So it would seem,” Draciot said, as he sent a sphere of Chi energy into one of the Sahagin, slid his hands into the knuckles hanging upon his waist, and pulled them to the ready before he leapt into the fray and used the power of Asuran to unleash a powerful barrage of strikes upon another of the enemy.
“Our brothers and sisters from the east have answered the call,” Spalko said happily, as he drew his Tachi, but his face turned to anger, as his eyes slanted as they fell upon the form standing to his right beneath the light.
“But you, you are not one of our brethren from the Far East, which means you have disrespected the principles of our lands,” the Samurai said, as readied his blade and charged the dark Ninja.
“No Spalko, wait, you do not know…” But Nocturnus could not even finish his warning before the Katuri had dogdged the strike of the Samurai and parried the blow of his Tachi with one of his katana, while smashing the wooden shoulder plate upon his Togi, and piercing the shoulder of his swordhand.
“Brash and impulsive, it is you who have forgotten the ways of your art, and you shall pay for such failures with your life,” Katuri said, as he sought to strike the fallen Samurai again, but the was a bright flash of light, which consumed Katuri face, and caused his eyes to change from their evil red hue to blank pupils of white, and though injured Spalko was able to avoid his wild strike, and scoot away towards the others. Katuri backed away as his eyes returned to their normal hue, as veins of anger rose from the top of his head just above his hatsuburi.
“Jussy seal the port so that no more Sahagin may enter,” Nocturnus said as Jussy nodded her head, and drew a golden staff from her back, which was crowned in gold and encased the Jewel of the Mages, which glowed with many colors dependent upon the force flowing through the body of the mage holding the staff. Jussy’s body began to crackle, and shine with strands of bright energy, and the Jewel of the Mages began to shine with a bright purple light, as the darkness of the sky began to rumble with the sounds of an impending storm. With a flash of bright light bolts of thunder fell from the sky and spiraled down towards the port intertwining until they became one, and struck the tunnel leading from the Port of Bastok, which exploded into flames, as the cries of Sahagin rose from the flames, as bodies and briken stone sealed the way from the Port.
“You are outnumbered evil one, you cannot hope to defeat us all,” Celvantes said drawing his sword, as Unphazed and Kaede called forth images of themselves.
“So be it, you all seem bound and determined this day, and I am more than willing to oblige you,” Katuri said as he gripped down tightly upon the hilts of his katana.
“Huton: Shi,” the dark Ninja yelled as a wave of powerful wind swept towards Nocturnus and the others shattering the images of the Ninja, and knocking them to the ground, and Katuri sought to leap upon them before they could regain their bearings, but Celvantes leapt to his feet, and stood before the others.
“Power of the light protect us,” he yelled as a golden shield emerged from his body and split into many others that created a ring around himself and the others deflecting the strikes of Katuri, who flipped backwards away from the pristine light, but no sooner than his feet settled upon the ground multiple images of Unphazed and Kaede leapt from behind the golden shields and fell upon Katuri, who threw shuriken, and swung his katana shattering four of the images, whose pieces fell to the street of the port, and melted into the cracks between the bricks. Katuri raised his arm to deflect one of the stikes with his kote, but another slashed him across the arm, as Unphazed landed before him and Kaede behind him. He started towards Unphazed, but an arrow from the string of Nocturnus’ bow gave him pause, and he was forced to raise his katana in defense, before he turned and parried a strike by Kaede, and rolled away from another by Unphazed. He rose to his feet and glared at the two ninja who now stood side by side. Blood dripped from the wound on his arm and rolled slowly over the brick road beside Katuri’s foot.
“Yield dark one, as we have said, you cannot defeat us all,” Unphazed said pointing his katana at Katuri, who remained silent, and moved his eyes across the faces of his enemies.
“And now there will be no more reinforcements coming from the waters of the Port, you surprise attack has failed evil one,” Nocturnus said, as Katuri gripped the hilt of one of his Katana tightly and looked to the dark skies above where there was a shriek from a wyvern, whose shadow swept through the dark sky. There was another loud shriek, which was followed by the bellowing sound of a horn unknown to them, which blew three times. Katuri lowered his head, and the evil grin had returned, as he sheathed his katana.
“You have only delayed your deaths’, for now the entirety of every nation of beastmen you have abused and mistreated for so many years moves on your city with the goal of its ultimate destruction,” Katuri yelled over the sounds of battle, as the wyvern turned and swooped down upon Nocturnus and the others releasing a stream of radiant breath, but a wall of water rose before them and absorbed the streams of breath as the avatar Leviathan emergred and roared loudly.
“This is not over,” Katuri yelled, as the wyvern slammed down upon the streets of the port, and shrieked loudly sending a chill through all of its ememies as Katuri leapt upon its back along with the dark form that had confronted Nocturnus and the others upon the airship. Nocturnus drew an arrow from his quiver fired it at the wyvern, but a gust of wind created by the flapping of the wyvern’s great wings swept away the arrow, as the wyvern rose from the ground and sent gusts of wind towards them, as it ascended into the darkness and disappeared.
“Who was that?” Celvantes asked.
“He is from Theallis, like the dark one we faced in our temple,” Kaede said angrily.
“Is that the power that Aaleel and the others now possess?” Spalko asked.
“No, I feel that he is ancient and well trained for many years in those lands, and Aaleel and the others are new to such powers,” Unphazed replied.
“Then how can they hope to defeat an enemy more powerful than the one we just faced and were unable to defeat?” Celvantes asked.
“Aaleel blade holds some power, and I have seen it during our battles within the Dark Realm,” Nocturnus said.
“Yes, and her blade was able to injure the Dark Lord and drive him into retreat in our temple,” Unphazed said nodding his head.
“And if she can learn to wield it within lands without limits, she may yet be able to defeat the Dark Lord,” he added.
“But that is not our concern now, for we must stop this city from falling to darkness,” Jussy said looking behind her as the last of the Sahagin fell to the forces of the Far East.
“Jussy is right, we must prepare ourselves to repel the Yagudo army, which must now be advancing on the gates,” Nocturnus said, as Unphazed called for Gregedor and Apu.
“Barricade the other entrance from the ports, the Sahagin did not expect the encounter such a force, but they will regroup and try once again, especially with the impending attack of the Yagudo army upon the main gates,” Unphazed explained.
“If the Sahagin attack again we will be ready,” Gregedor said sheathing his Tachi.
“Sound the horn if you require aid,” Nocturnus said.
“If we feel we are going to be overrun, we will fall back to the streets of the Port to make our stand,” he added, as Gregedor and Apu walked back toward the other warriors of the Far East.
 
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“Unphazed,” Aalea yelled as she ran to the presence of the others and sheathed her katana.
“Where is Aaleel?”
“Why do you ask?” Nocturnus asked.
“I am Aalea Skyfall, and Aaleel is like a sister to me, for we trained together in the Far East as children,” she replied.
“Training and time has separated us in recent years, but I know that when there is a battle to be fought and the Bastokan High Elite are present then Aaleel will be at their side in battle.”
“Yes, Aaleel has spoken of you before, it is a great pleasure to meet you” Nocturnus said bowing his head.
“Aalea, I am glad to see that you answered the call of our temple, and boarded one of the boats to the mainlands, for it has been some time since you left the temple to begin your training as a Monk,” Unphazed said.
“It is good to see you again,” Aalea said bowing her head.
“But if you seek Aaleel, she is not here, she is seeing to task of far more importance,” Unphazed said.
“But I do not understand, what could be of more importance than the armies of the beastman nations laying siege to this city?”
“It will take too long to explain, but there is a dark force behind all that has transpired, and Aaleel has traveled to lands beyond the reach of most of those in this land to stop it,” Unphazed replied.
“Why did those of her guild not travel with her?”
“Some have, but I feel that in the end only Aaleel may be able to defeat the darkness,” Unphazed said, as he turned his head to in the direction of the bridge.
“The yagudo army draws near,” Unphazed said.
“Come we will go to meet the Yagudo Army at the gates along with the others,” Nocturnus said as he and the others bolted through the gates of the city and sprinted across the bridge onto the hard earth amd blowing dirt of Sauromugue Champaign, where garrisons of knights from Jeuno stood along with members of various guilds who were trapped inside the walls during the attack, and had come to the defense of the gates.
Nocturnus pushed and muscled his way through the warriors as he made his way to the stairs of the battlement, which he climbed along with the members of Rawr. Mdkuser, another of Rawr’s black mages stood atop the wall peering through the pupils of mithra eyes onto the sea of darkness approaching the gates of the city under the light or fires created upon the staves of the yagudo mages and the glow of their elementals.
“They have unleashed their entire castle and lands with the purpose of our destruction,” Mercator, an elvaan red mage of Rawr said from under the hood or his cloak. Nocturnus looked down next to him, where Gideon stood a taru black mage, who stood on his tip toes and still struggled to peer through one of the arrow slits seeking to ascertain the number of the enemy.
“These walls were not made for taru,” Galiant another taru black mage of Rawr said, as he shook his head.
“I feel that when this battle is over, you will no longer have to worry about the design of these walls,” Aalea said looking down at Galiant, who just nodded his head. They all turned to the sound of a horn blaring upon the air in the darkness, which gave pause to the advance of the yagudo army just before the wall, standing within the lights of the torches upon the battlement.
“Make your arrows count, only fire at what you can hit in that sea of darkness,” Nocturnus said as the Rangers of Rawr drew arrows and readied themselves beside the archers of Jeuno. They could hear the flapping of the wyvern’s wings above them in the still silence of looming battle, and soon they heard the sound of the evil horn blare upon the air once again, echoing off the walls of the pass and the battlement.
“So it begins,” Nocturnus said holding his hand steady upon the arrow, as the hordes of Yagudo began their assault upon the battlement, and the bodies of the black mages began to crackle and glow with the colors of every element known to their art. The skies above came to light as if a giant brush was painting the clouds, changing them from dark and dreary despair to colors or power and hope, and soon streams of fire, lightning, and water spiraled down, as they weaved through the large fragments of ice and stone, which fell upon the swarms or advancing enemies, which howled in pain, as their bodies were burned, and broken by the combined power of the mages.
“Be ready,” Nocturnus said as he released his arrow into the chest of one of the approaching Yagudo, who stetched their arms from their bodies, and though they could not fly, Yagudo could glide short distances, and many began to spring from the ground and glide towards the top of the battlement, swinging their sharp claws as the passed the over the wall, and landed upon the top of the battlement and the floor of the rocky pass behind it.
“Do not let them enter the city,” Aalea said calling forth images of herself just in time for the first of them to receive the strike of one of the Yagudo. She tore into it as it landed upon the battlement, and then turned to smite another. Nocturnus along with some of the rangers slung their bows upon their backs and drew knives and axes to engage in close combat with the walking birds.
“Look out Merc,” Scwall yelled to Mercator who found himself surrounded by many of the yagudo, as others glided towards him.
“Chain of spells,” he yelled as his eyes came to light and soon the elements of fire, ice, water, lightning, stone, and wind crashed down upon his enemies smiting them with their power before they had a chance to move in upon them. He extended his hand and a dark shroud enveloped his body, before he drew his sword, and covered the blade in flames. He leapt into the fray beside Aalea and Unphazed and began to take on the many beastmen landing upon the battlement.
“Yagudo in the Port, Quadav attacking the Lower levels, and Orcs the Upper; I do not know where Aaleel is, or what her task may be, but if she does not return soon, there may not be anything left of her homelands,” Aalea said as she plunged one of her katana into the stomach and twisted it. She removed her hand from the hilt and reached into her togi, to draw shuriken, which she hurled into the head of another enemy coming upon Nocturnus from behind. She grabbed the hilt of her katana and pulled it from the body of the yagudo just in time to fell the next enemy that approached her.
“In that you may be right, but all we can do here is to hold out and give Aaleel and the others as much time as possible to complete their task,” Unphazed said as he clove the head off on of the yagudo and looked to the sky.
“Hurry Aaleel?”
 
Yay you started up again! Very fun story, can't wait to see what happens. next.^^
 
Wow I just happened to read this and it is so good! I love writing short stories myself, mostly about fantasy and magic genres. :)
 
Chapter XX - Journey into the Dark Lands

Strands and threads of thoughts swirled and flowed until the began to intertwine into images seen through unknown eyes, which rand down a black and gray carpet, stretched across a black marble floor, finally running under a large set of black crystal doors. There was a loud sound of release before the doors swung open and two forms one mithra, and one elvaan entered the room walking quickly over the carpet into the presence of the unknown eyes.
“All is proceeding as scheduled my Lord.”
“That is well Zentris, soon the final pieces shall move into place, and we will finally have our revenge upon those who seek to keep us under their boot.”
“Yes Lord Galroth, they did not see this coming until it was too late to save themselves.” Zentris said grinning sinisterly.
“Our forces are drawing near to Toris-Under to meet the forces of Elindil,” the Elvaan said.
“Quiet Nagril, you know that such things cannot be discussed in the presence of our Lord,” Zentris lectured angrily, as she glared over at Nagril.
“It is well Zentris, for nothing will stop the forces of Elindil from seeking this stronghold, and the path through Toris-Under is the quickest, albeit most obvious way to accomplish their purpose,” Galroth mused.
“They will forever seek to keep the power of the Fountain of Light from any but a chosen few, when all should be able use its power; a power that every being in all lands should bow before and serve,” Zentris proclaimed.
“It shall soon come to pass, for the time of the Child of Prophecy’s coming to this place will soon be at hand, and then all will be decided once and for all.” Galroth said.
“This would have been all the more simple had she joined our cause, but the last slim chance of that passed after the Oracle told her of the true circumstances of her parents death, and your role in it Zentris,” he added before he raised his hand before his eyes, which still bore small wounds upon the palm.
“But all is well, for now I shall have the opportunity to pay the Child back for this,” he said clinching his hand into a fist.
“And soon I will have my opportunity, for as I have known of her every move even before she entered these lands, I know that even as we speak she travels here along side of the princess herself,” he added.
“Do you think that she has figured out the source of her betrayal?” Zentris asked.
“She knows that the source is someone close to her, but still she has no idea just how close, so in turn she truly trusts no one” Galroth replied.
“And soon her home lands will not be alone in their fall to ruin” he said as he held out his hand and the air between the three came to light, and painted itself into a picture of Jeuno in flames.
“Ah, how sweet the taste of revenge must be for the beastmen nations, soon we shall taste such things for ourselves,” Galroth said, as they all began to laugh, and the vision closed as a pair of eyes, and the threads began to unravel in nothingness.

“NO!!” Aaleel screamed as she sat up upon her elbows, and looked about the darkness around her before a small flame or white light came to light to her right side, and she saw the glowing silhouette of the princess sitting up from the ground as well, as she turned to Aaleel with a look of empathy, and sadness. There was movement about before the light of candles and a torch came to light as well, and she saw the faces of Zodiaque and Kerowynn.
“What is wrong Aaleel?” Kerowynn asked as she tossed her blanket to the side and leapt from the ground to run over to Aaleel, who looked about the tent to make sure that she had truly awakened from her dark thoughts.
“Another nightmare Aal?” Zodiaque asked caringly.
“I no longer feel that they are nightmares, but visions, for they seem too real, as if I myself were standing there.”
“What did you see Aaleel,” Yuriel asked.
“I saw the Dark Lord Galroth, Zentris, and the one we fought in the forest when we first arrived in Theallis,” she replied.
“They know of my visit to the Oracle as well as our coming to Toris-Under, and the Dark Lord’s armies will be there to meet us,” she added.
“Who can be betraying us?” Zodiaque asked, as she shook her head.
“He said that the source of my betrayal is very close to me, very close” she said.
“I thought you had an idea of who the betrayer is princess,” Kerowynn asked.
“I do, and my plan to expose them has made the culprit very clear,” Yuriel replied.
“Who is it?” Aaleel asked.
“I cannot say, for it may jeopardize all that we have done to this point,” she replied.
“Do you not trust us to keep your words secure,” Kerowynn questioned angrily.
“It is more complicated than that, and soon all shall be revealed, but until then you must trust that I do what is right for all,” she replied.
“There are also more important things, for I also saw that the siege of Jeuno has begun, and the outer parts of the city are already in flames,” Aaleel said sadly.
“No,” Kerowynn said sadly as she dropped her head and turned away.
“Then we must hurry to face the Dark Lord so that we may save our lands,” Zodiaque said.
“Can the two of you awake and prepare the rest of your company, for I would like to speak with Aaleel?”
“You do not trust us,” Kerowynn blurted.
“I did not say that Kerowynn,” Yuriel replied.
“You have implied as much.”
“It is alright Kero, please go with Zod and do what Yuriel has asked,” Aaleel said, and Kerowynn hesitantly nodded head and left the room with Zodiaque. Yuriel watched the two until the curtain of the tent swung closed, and then she turned her sight to Aaleel, her face bearing the same look from when she awoke.
 
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“Do not look at me in such a way princess, for I already feel I may not see the end of this quest or my homelands again, and by the way you look at me given your power of foresight, I feel that my sense may be correct,” Aaleel said dropping her head.
“Why do you say that Aaleel?”
“I have seen many things since these powers have come upon me, but I do not see myself within the cities I have once walked,” she replied.
“What about the others?”
“It is strange for I see them rebuilding the cities of their births in a time after all of this is said and done.”
“But you do not see yourself,” Yuriel asked, and Aaleel could only shake her head in response.
“Then I have but one question, how can the others have a future if you are not successful in your purpose?”
“I do not know,” Aaleel replied with a sigh.
“But you fear the days ahead nonetheless,” Yuriel asked, but Aaleel gave no response, she only reached to the side of her bed and pulled her katana from its sheath. She held it before her, and the blade began to shine with a brilliant white light.
“It seems that the more my powers and the power of this blade increases the stronger and the more frequent my visions become.”
“You speak as if the two are separate Aaleel, when the truth is that you and the blade are not growing stronger separately, but you are becoming more and more as one with the blade, and in that you are gaining power,” Yuriel said.
“But if the power of the blade is limitless,” Aaleel said looking upon the blade.
“If you can become totally one with the blade the power you can wield will be great enough to defeat the Dark Lord, for in creating his sword he placed a piece of his darkness and power into the blade,” Yuriel said rising from the bed.
“But in doing so his blade may never be more powerful than the power used to create, and though great, it will never match the power that you may one day wield if you can find the way to become totally one with your blade,” she added.
“Then I hold in myself the power of all worlds’ salvation?”
“Yes, but be warned that such power does not come without a price, and such power once obtained can never be laid down,” Yuriel warned.
“I am willing to do whatever it takes to see a future for all lands.”
“Then let us prepare ourselves for our final journey to Blackhorn castle, and our final fight with the Dark Lord,” Yuriel said, and Aaleel nodded her head, and rose from bed to prepare her things.

Aaleel and Yuriel walked though what was once their camp, as they made their way towards the chocoboo, where Galdin-Wan awaited them.
“We are ready to depart, and we should reach the Dark Lands by mid-day,” he said as he handed Yuriel the reins of Wysel.
“We will need your blade in the coming siege of the Dark Lord’s stronghold,” Yuriel said as Galdin-Wan bowed his head, and placed his hand on the hilt of his Tachi.
“You know that I and my sword are with you until the end princess, no matter what it may be,” Galdin-Wan said nobly.
“I know my friend,” Yuriel replied, as they mounted their chocoboo, and the company resumed its journey to the Dark Lord’s stronghold, with Galdin-Wan riding to the front to set the pace.
“You and Galdin-Wan are close?” Aaleel asked, as Yuriel smiled.
“Yes, but not in the way that you think, for he has been my most loyal friend from the early days of this land, and though he never became a priest, he has always saw to the security of these lands.”
“He has studied the ways of the Samurai his entire existence and he along with my brother and Master Cairis are the only ones who have mastered the final skill of their blade, Tachi: Wankan, Crown of the King in your tongue,” Yuriel said.
“Crown of the King,” Aaleel said.
“The only skill that can complete the final chain of skills for Tachi and produce power seen by very few,” Yuriel said.
“You have mastered Blade: Sochin, preserving peace, and Blade: Empi, the flying swallow during your time in the temple, but if you can become one with your blade you can use the final skill of that blade as well with power more than worthy of it’s name, Blade: Unsu, Hands of a cloud, for you will rise to a plane above any else,” she added.
“How do you accomplish such a thing?”
“Only you know Aaleel, no one can teach you such things,” Yuriel said before she snapped the reins of Wysel, and rode to the front to speak with Galdin-Wan.
“Aaleel,” Kerowynn yelled as she rode up beside Aaleel.
“Are you ok?”
“I am fine Kero, I am just focused on what must be done.”
“I fear that what must be done will put an end for what may be in the future for some of those dear to us,” Kerowynn said.
“Do not fear Kero, for in my many visions I have sent he faces of the elite in times beyond the coming days, back home in Vana’diel,” Aaleel said smiling.
“I see you and Tenkax, and I have even seen faint visions of children around Zod and Nocturnus,” she added as Kerowynn smiled.
“But whatever may come of our battle with the Dark Lord, I feel that my days of fighting will be at an end.”
“Why do you mean Aal?”
“Why do we fight Kero, we all live for the next battle, the next test, but what do we really receive but another battle,” Aaleel replied.
“To become stronger, to have more power, but all more power brings is more battles, and such cycles and thirsts have already cost me my parents, my teacher,” she added, as she looked over at Kerowynn and sighed.
“What else will I loose, what else could I endure loosing?”
“You more than all of us will bear the wounds of this task,” Kerowynn said.
“But it must be done nonetheless,” Aaleel said, as she continued to ride along with the forces of Elindil.
 
They had ridden through the Forest of Las’meral for a few hours covered safely from flying eyes by the thick ceiling of boughs, and thick foliage closer to the ground. Aaleel had felt at peace for one of few times upon the quest in the presence of nature in such beauty, but soon her body turned cold, and a sharp pain struck her, as the boughs of the trees began to become leafless, brittle and broken. It was no longer the place of serenity she had enjoyed, but now is stood lifeless, in everything from bough to rock, and dry river bed. Aaleel began to breathe quickly and heavily as she clutched the reins of Nyfel.
“Aaleel are you alright?” Kerowynn asked, but Aaleel did not respond.
“Yuriel!” Kerowynn yelled, as Aaleel stopped her chocoboo, and fell to the ground.
“Aaleel!” Yuriel yelled as she turned her chocoboo, and rode quickly back to Aaleel.
“This land is dead, but the voices of nature that once flourished here screams in pain from its exile from this place,” Aaleel yelled as she dug her fingers into the hard earth.
“These lands were once green and full of life, but such things were stolen by darkness.”
“Aaleel you must clear your mind,” Yuriel said, as she leapt from Wysel, and run to Aaleel.
“You bond with the light has grown, causing you to feel the pain of this land, but you must focus for mind and your feelings,” Yuriel said, as tears rolled down Aaleel’s cheeks and crept slowly over her shoulder, before they fell to the ground, and soaked into the hard earth, causing single blades of grass to rise from each spot, which quickly became brittle and cracked into the many tiny pieces which jumped upon the breeze.
“Do not cry for this place Aaleel,” Yuriel said as she helped Aaleel to her feet.
“I have tried, and it will only increase you pain,” she added.
“What is this place?” Zodiaque asked.
“We have crossed into the Dark Lands,” Galdin-Wan replied with disgust.
“These are the Lands of the Dark Lord?” Zodiaque asked.
“These are the lands of the people if Theallis, which the Dark Lord stole from them, and tainted with his evil, causing them to die, and never again be green and life filled as long as his power exists,” Galdin-Wan said angrily as he turned and looked ahead into the open and dead land, resting beneath the gray sky, whose sun was pale and lifeless behind the clouds.
“His power has grown, for the Forest of Las’meral was once safe beyond the borders of his power, but it seems that in these days where his power is amassing itself once again, that things once full of life may now die,” Galdin-Wan spoke continuing to look into the distance.
“If the Dark Lord is defeated, will these lands return to their former beauty, will they ever be again be evergreen and full of life as the other lands of Theallis?” Kahlann asked, as she rode up beside Duncanrun.
“Not all did after the first defeat of the Dark Lord many years ago, for those hat surrounded Blackhorn, the Dark Lord’s stronghold never again returned to their former beauty and life,” Yuriel replied.
“The Lands of Theallis will never again be totally pure, from the moment the Fallen Two severed their ties with Elindil the lands because forever tainted with darkness, and shall forever be,” Yuriel added.
“Galroth must pay for the crimes he’s committed upon the people of this land, as well and atrocities he’s committed upon the land itself,” Aaleel blurted angrily.
“Perhaps we should reconsider this and find another way Princess,” Galdin-Wan said as he looked at Aaleel.
“Perhaps she is not ready to handle such a strong bond with the light,” he added.
“I will be fine, I will do what must be done,” Aaleel said with great conviction.
“Let us move on so that we may join the rest of the army and finally finish this once and for all,” she said climbing back onto Nyfel
“You are a determined one,” Galdin-Wan said smiling as he shook his head.
“That she is,” Yuriel smiled and said, before she climbed upon Wysel.
“Come let us move on,” Galdin-Wan beckoned as he returned to the lead of the column and the company made their way deeper into the Dark Lands.

Aaleel was amazed at the coldness she felt the farther she traveled into the Dark Lands, almost feeling as if the lands had never held the essence of the light at all. If not for the screams of the light that had been banished from the lands, she would not have thought the lands had ever lived at all. But her thoughts of the land were broken by a darkness and a fear forming in her mind. She snapped Nyfel’s reins with one of her hands and drew Syuji with the other, before she bolted towards the head of the column.
“Aaleel, what’s wrong,” Zodiaque questioned, as she sprang forward behind Aaleel.
“Yuriel, something is amiss,” Aaleel yelled as the Princess turned to her and tried to grab the reins of Nyfel as Aaleel passed her, but she could not.
“Aaleel wait,” Yuriel demanded as Aaleel rode up to the crown of the hill, where the trail was flanked by two large mounds, which began to move and crack.
“Nyfel FLY!!” Yuriel yelled as Nyfel heeded the princess’ order and sprang straight into the air just as the mounds exploded into large wings of and the bodies of two wyrms were revealed, one which leapt towards the company and the other which flew up towards Aaleel releasing a spiral of intertwining flames. Aaleel pulled upon Nyfel’s reins and dove straight towards the flames, before she stood upon the saddle and created a shield of light with Syuji to block the flames. She clutched tightly upon the hilt before she leapt from the saddle and swung her blade sending crescents of light towards the Wyrm piercing it in many places before the Blade of Syuji came to light.
“Blade: Empi,” she yelled as her body became surrounded with a radiant golden swallow, which drove through the wyrm, and exploded from its back where Nyfel was waiting to catch her. She landed upon the saddle and looked below her as the body of the wyrm fell towards the ground where the second wyrm stood blocking the trail from the rest of the company. Yuriel at first reached for her sword, but instead drew her bow, and her arm became a blur of movement as she fired a barrage of arrows into the chest of the wyrm, which released a bellowing howl as it backed away.
“Stay back princess I will handle this fiend,” Galdin-Wan yelled as he drew his Tachi, and fine grains of light trailed from the blade as he swung it into guard position. His wyvern bounded side to side as the wyrm tried to target the nimble creature, until it finally released a stream of radiant breath, which the chocoboo leapt over, allowing Galdin-Wan to leap from the saddle and with three graceful strokes the small wyrm slammed to the ground, and struggled to regain its feet.
“Tachi: Hangetsu,” he yelled as the silhouette of a half moon appeared upon the air, ringed in white streams of light, which slammed shut upon the wyrm knocking it to the ground beside the other.
“Come, it is safe,” Galdin-Wan said, as his chocoboo landed beside him, and he mounted it.
“Aaleel,” Yuriel beckoned as she rode upon Aaleel with a look of extreme displeasure and disappointment upon her face.
“You must conserve as much of your power as possible for your meeting with the Dark Lord, and you cannot take risks with your life, when there is only one battle that you truly must fight,” Yuriel said sternly.
“I am sorry I did not expect to see such enemies this far from the Dark Lord’s stronghold, I only sought to see what troubled me so.”
“You must follow and not lead in lands so foreign to you,” Galdin-Wan said.
“Why are the wyrms in this land evil, why do they serve the Dark Lord?” Aaleel asked.
“They are not evil, they are part of this land and their valley fell within the lands tainted by the Dark Lord’s power and therefore they became tainted as well, and he uses them as centries and transporation,” Galdin-Wan replied, as he waved his hand for the others to follow him. The company rode on through the Dark Lands for another hour, as Aaleel rode near the middle of the line with the rest of the Elite anxious to end things once and for all. She had wondered how their rendezvous with the others could be so far into the Dark Lands where agents of the Dark Lord roamed, and finally her questions would not allow her to remain silent any longer.
“How much longer until we meet with the others at Toris-Under?” She asked as she rode towards the front of the column, as they came upon the precipice of the hill, and she could see the land rising upon the dar horizon.
“We are not meeting the others at Toris-Under,” Yuriel said.
“Why not?” Aaleel questioned.
“Because we are here,” Galdin-Wan said, as Aaleel drew nigh to the precipice of the hill where the other had stopped. She watched as Black Towers rose from the horizon, as well as high black battlements, and behind it all upon a hill ringed with a trail leading up was a hall guarded by the statues of tw black wyrms.
“Is this Blackhorn?”
“Yes Aaleel, that is Blackhorn in the distance, the place of our final battle with the Dark Lord,” Yuriel replied.
“But our number is few, we cannot lay siege to his stronghold,” Aaleel said.
“Yes our number is small, but so is his, for the might of his army marches towards Toris-Under to meet the forces gathering there,” Yuriel said glaring down upon the stronghold.
“I do not understand,” Aaleel said confused.
“Why did you not tell us that we were not going to meet the forces on Toris-Under, and instead we were going to travel deep into the Dark Lords lands in secrecy?” Aaleel asked.
“It was essential in my plan to expose and use the betrayer for our own purpose to trick the Dark Lord into leaving himself vulnerable in his stronghold,” Yuriel replied.
“But why did you not tell me, the one whose fate and very meaning is tied to this task, why have you not said who the betrayer was when they have betrayed me so agregiously?” Aaleel demanded angrily.
“Who is it, why have you not told me,” she demanded again as Galdin-Wan sighed loudly and Yuriel turned to look upon Aaleel with a look of reluctancy in her eyes.
“I have not told you Aaleel, because the betrayer is you.”
 
Ooo the plot thickens!! It's getting really good Aal; I want to know what happens next!! Keep writing, please.^^
 
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