*Lord Halifax rode along the road from New-Moncton to Tyrsis. Despite the increase in bandits these days, he still didn't have any guards as he was confident in his combat abilities and had good reason to be so. Along the trip he sensed something just off the road.

Against his better judgement he got off of his trusty chocobo and walked into the brush, his hand near his sword. He wandered the woods for a little while until he came across what looked like a stone altar in the middle of the forest. Curious, he walked up to it.

It was simply a slab of stone jutting from the ground with various arcane markings on it. However, he recognised these markings as those of the famed Dark Sword Levantine. He looked at the blade itself. It inspired a fear and loathing in himself, but he stood ready as he knew of this famed sword from its legends. Cautiously he grabbed the sword and tucked it into his belt. Then he went back to the road and back on his way.*

------------------------------------------------

*In Tyrsis Lord Halifax found the scene to be one of confusion. The same news which had caused the Lord Regent to send out summons for the Council of Lords had also sent the higher ups into a state of barely concealed anxiousness. This pleased him as this atmosphere suggested a future crisis. And crises always offered opportunities for promotion. With this in mind he went into the council. There everybody was waiting for their newly appointed Regent, Lord Balinore to tell them what the problem was. However, Lord Halifax simply took a seat befitting his high ranking position and listened to the others worry until the lord came and spoke.*

Lord #1: Did you hear, apparently a hoard of monsters is decending on Salonia.

Lord #2: Nay, 'tis a Trabian Army ready to advance from the north.

Lord #3: You're both wrong. A great wizard is planning to overthrow us and rule himself.

Lord #1: Hush! Lord Balinore approaches!

*Lord Balinore stood at the head of the room and cleared his throat.*

Lord Balinore: Good day fellow nobles. It is a matter of grave importance that I call you here today. Our magicians have noticed of late a shift in the ambiant magical energies of this world. This change is important in that it signals that a great evil is about to appear on this land. One which we believe we are currently unable to withstand.

Lord #4: Do we know when this evil is likely to arrive?

Lord Balinore: No. All we know is that the longer it takes for him to show, then the stronger this evil will be.

Lord #2: If we cannot do anything, then why have you called us here?

Lord Balinore: I called you here so that we could all together try and figure out how to save our nation from this evil.

Lord Halifax: A worthy and just reason. Let me make the first suggestion. Let us conscript more knights and nationalise the industries necessary to increase our airship fleet. Not to mention increase the incentives to join schools of magery.

Lord Balinore: Surely those measures you propose are a mite extreme.

Lord Halifax: They are indeed desperate measures, but are we not headed for desperate times?

Lord #2: How do we even know that these premonitions are correct? These events might never happen. Why should we take such liberties on our belief of what will happen.

Lord Halifax: Because an aspect of the Juno Blade revealed itself to me. (holds out the Levantine) Tell me, if we were not heading for a dire emergency would this sword have shown itself to me?

Lord Balinore: It would seem not. Well then, our course is clear. Lord Halifax, as the weilder of the Juno Blade, you shall be in charge of our war preparations.

Lord Halifax: Excellent, m'lord.

Excal, read the explaination before replying

Ok, the point of this thread is basically a simple introduction of a few characters for something which will come later.

Why is it a seperate thread you ask?

Simple, because this introduction is very grand in scope containing an entire revolution. Besides, it also serves to flesh out the Canadian nation and Excal's character.

Now, to explain just what this thread is. First off, the evil mentioned has ALREADY appeared and has been defeated. This thread takes place about five - ten years before the Moogle Wars and the evil mentioned is Epsilon X.

Now, this in mind, I have a few things I'd like everybody to keep in mind.

A) The fate of the world ought to never be included here as this is just an overture to the Eidolon Saga.

B) The Canadian Kingdom has to be left standing. This is not to interfere with your RPing, but rather to avoid messing up the timeline any further. Remember, we've already wiped out the entire original Bardic War with needless alterations to the past.

C) I'd prefer if time travel was kept out of this. We've got enough constraints on our actions without further mucking about in the time streme. I have one use planned right at the end. But that's the segway for the introduction.

So, with all of that done I'd like to welcome everybody to join in this thread and do whatever you like. Fight for or against the government or just watch.

Excal, hoping people do read this

Daren conversed with Mother Nature after hearing from distant lands the decree of conscription and the sudden change of the face of the Canadian Government to War-time conditions.

: They realized it sooner than we thought.

: In due time, we shall see the results of this war.

: Soon, I'll have to go hide the 3 parts to the Armageddon's Blade.

: And our adopted son would have to face his destiny.

: Let us hope fate doesn't go against us.

-SRGPI

*In the streets of Tyrsis the news of conscription is taken with resentment. The news of the impending doom has been kept quiet and thus the people see little reason for the sudden imposition of these despotic measures. Most people could accept this by itself. However, people started to openly protest when the airship industries were nationalised and their owners saw no compensation. However, at this Lord Halifax led the charge that order must be maintained at all costs and he led in knights to crush the protests.

Word spread and a few of the protestors that managed to escape went off into the countryside. There they formed resistance groups claiming that the government had overstepped its bounds and had turned tyranical.

Most of the people stayed neutral as the government had always been a good one before. And some actively supported it as always happens in these conflicts. But some, whether guided by the fist the government had used recently or by the fact that the power seemed in the hands of the weilder of the dark blade Levantine joined these groups.*

Excal, still one character left to intro, but aside from that, everything is set. Have fun.

: A swarm of refugees have already arrived from the Canadian Kingdom, mostly seeking Political Asylum.

: Little do they know what will happen to the rest of the world one the evil one will arrive...

: And we will be separated, darling.

: Fate forces us not to ever bound together because of what we are, but I'm not happy either.

: I must make swift now darling, I've got to go hide the pieces to the Armageddon's Blade.

Daren then entered the house, and flew off from the roof with 2 objects shining.

-SRGPI

tell me if i should change anything or am doing something wrong and notice my e mail send it there ok
on with the story

jordan had just finished beating the crap out of a large group of monsters

jordan "the monsters are becoming more common oh well its a great way to improve my abilitys."

after saying this jordan created a dome of fire which didn't burn the ground and took a nap

OOC (Out of Character): Welcome aboard, Jordan. Just a quick tip. Detail never hurts. Aside from that, I can't see anything too glaring.

IC (In Character) :

*A small group of rebels walk along the trail hoping not to come across any patrols.*

Keith: So, where're we headed?

Amber: Smithers. I hear that's where the new HQ is being set up.

Keith: Damnit! Everytime we run to a new place, they just find it and destroy it again!

Amber: And would you rather just give up?

Keith: It does seem appealing at times.

Amber: It does. But we cannot let this injustice continue.

Kenji: Uh, guys. Hate to break it to you. But there's soe sort of fire in the distance.

Keith: Not here!

Amber: No, it doesn't look like the style the government uses. It looks more like some stray mage.

Kenji: So what do we do?

Edgar: Well, we need to rest as well. And the light will spare our tinder and fuel. Especially since there is so little wood here on the plains.

Keith: But what if he wakes and is opposed to the rebellion?

Edgar: That's what our guard is for. The spell will be weakest right after he wakes. When he does, break through and incapacitate him. We can find out who he is after that.

Amber: Yes, sir.

Excal, easing the new guy in.

OOC a little background info. I am not a mage. (but it is an easy mistake) I am a matial arts master. (my own version of martial arts of course) my speciality is fire skills. (i have a good sized vocabulary but I just cant spell worth a spoon) on my fifth brithday my village was attacked and destroyed. all surviors were taken as slaves... everyone but me. I was saved by master Higashi. who trained me for 5 years until... if you didnt by now guess he was killed. I ran and decided to train myself through meditaion and practice. for 9 years i did this. (that means im 19) (but my real age you know the person thats writeing this is 15) until i decided to venture out to perfect my art. IC

jordan wakes up and the fire dome is still there. he does his meditation and exercises. he waves the dome away and begins walking

OOC p.s. if you want more details on my or my character e.x. list of techniques just ask

He flew over the band of refugees and Jordan as he flew towards his destination to bury a shield he had on his back.

: (Hopefully people don't notice me, I don't want to attract thieves to the burial sites of the artifacts...)

-SRGPI

OOC: Jordan, you don't need to tell me anything. This is because a) It's fun to learn this stuff as you choose to reveal it. And b) The character's there have no reason to know this stuff so they won't. Aside from that, just try to remember that what other people write will affect what happens to your character. ie. Your character isn't alone right now. So, it isn't really likely for him to be able to just walk away. Although the fire dome being impregnable is possible. Just try and acknowledge what other people are doing, especially in relation to your character when you post.

IC:

Keith: Tell me again why we're doing this?

Amber: Because you fell asleep while you were on guard duty.

Kenji: You're just lucky that he didn't notice us.

Edgar: Enough of this bickering. He didn't notice us so we're going to do what we failed to before. Kenji, do you have your bola ready?

Kenji: Yes, sir.

*Kenji pulls out a set of bolas and throws it at the retreating figure. It flies perfectly and wraps around, entrapping him. The small group runs up to him.*

Edgar: First, let's get this clear. We're all seasoned soldiers here. And you're tied by fire-proof ropes so you can't use any tricks to get away. Now, answer this. Who are you and why are you here?

Excal, who's wondering what SRGPI is up to.

He then flew towards Volcanic Island Bucca, which was south of the City of the Ancients. Along the way, he saw what he thought was a band of brigands trapping a poor traveller.

: Ah what the heck, time to have some fun.

Daren then quietly blew a blizzard at the ground, in which the ropes suddenly froze and shattered. The 3 were blown over by the freezing winds.

: Welp, fun's over. Time to Bury this before somebody follows me.

Daren then flew over the 3 and Jordan.

-SRGPI

Amber: What the? A winged man attacking us?

*Amber, who hadn't been knocked down as only three members of the four person party had been thus incapacitated, raised her bow and fired an arrow at the retreating Winged Man. Luckily he hadn't been expecting retaliation and her shot hit him in a critical part of his wing. Needless to say the wing folded of its own accord and he plummeted to the ground. The impact knocked him out cold. As for their other prisoner, Edgar quickly used his mastery of air elemental magic and erected a cell made of air around him.*

Keith: Damnit! We're under attack.

Edgar: No, it looks like he was acting alone. But we should move a bit in case somebody saw the exchange.

Amber: Not to worry. I'll use a Psychic Prison spell on him.

*And so, she coveres the winged man with the spell rendering him unable to cast magic or move his armsr legs.*

Excal, SRGPI, I am controlling a large army and quite a few powerful characters in this thread. If you wish to continue just being an annoyance without joining in then I will use them on you. Consider this a warning.

: (Hmm...Tyreal told me about these kind of bonds, although I'd never expect a Brigand to be wielding these magics. No, I will not use Azurewrath right now, they may not be Brigands.)

____________________

The camera faded in as Mother Nature sat at the top of a hill.

: I sense a disturbance in the Magic World....

-SRGPI, Seeing that Excal's ticked at me, I'll just do my job and leave.

Jordan was enraged by this

jordan:BURNING FURY!!!

as his hands and feet became engulfed in flame. He began pummeling the mage. (amber) after the quick beating the flames disappeared he stood ready for any attack

Keith: Alright buddy. Nobody beats on one of us and lives!

*Keith pulls out his sword and charges the resisting fighter. The fighter proves to be better than Keith expected though, and manages to use Keith's rage against him. However, while fighting Keith, Kenji throws another bola at him when he wasn't expecting it. Unsuspecting of the attack the bola succeeds in trapping the lone fighter again.*

????: Let me go!

Edgar: No. You've proven yourself to be a threat. Now, don't try and break out. Those ropes are immune to flame. And if you get out, this will only happen again as we are just as strong as you are.

*Edgar heads over to the winged man.*

Edgar: As for you, what is your purpose?

Daren: I am simply hiding some of my valuable family heirlooms. In such times, can you not blame me for wanting to keep them safe?

Edgar: I suppose not. Very well, you may go about your way.

Keith: Huh, sir! How can you let him go after what he's done?

Edgar: Well, there's just the four of us. How do you propose we deal effectively with just one prisoner let alone the two we currently have?

Keith: Well, uh...

Edgar: He's not with the government and so not a high enough threat to us to warrent his death. We let him go.

Daren: Thank you very much.

Edgar: Amber, are you ok?

Amber: I'm just fine, sir. I just want to wash this wound a bit before I heal it. I can just use the river over there.

Keith: You shouldn't go alone!

Edgar: Very well then. You may go with her Keith.

Amber: Thank you, sir.

Edgar: Now, (turns to face the mysterious fighter) who are you and why are you here?

Excal, Jordan, you picked both the worst, and the best, one of them to attack.

Jordan: Me? I'm here training. I am with no government. and what are you doing attacking innocent travelers? Oh well and who said I need tricks to escape

Jordan concentrated for abit and then begane to stretch the ropes which finally gave way

Jordan: We Can talk about this like civilized people or we can fight and there are only 2 of you. so what's it going to be?

: ....Tell me something. Is it true that the Canadian Kingdom has turned into wartime conditions and started conscription again?

And as Amber rubbed the healing salve on Daren's Wing, it abruptly turned from stained red to clear white.



:And you are a very talented healer, I must say..

-SRGPI

Aide: M'lord, the reasons why we have taken such harsh measures have been made known to the people. But, it seems that most of those who have rebelled have taken the opinion that we are the evil.

Balinore: I see... Very well then. Byron.

Lord Halifax: Yes, my lord regent.

Balinore: I must be off to Salonia in order to assure King Allus that the disturbances we are suffering here are only short lived. I am leaving you in charge here while I am gone.

Lord Halifax: May I ask what authority I shall have while you are not here?

Balinore: Absolute. This rebellion must be stopped as quickly as possible. Take wht means are necessary to crush it now lest we destroy ourselves before this evil ever has a chance to appear.

Lord Halifax: As you wish my lord regent.

-------------------------------------------

Edgar: You are correct, there is only two of us. But I think you'll find that each one of us is as powerful as you. But, if you are not with the army, then there is little point to further animosity.

????: So why did you abduct me then?

Edgar: Because we have to be careful about who we meet or else our lives will come to a quick end.

Kenji: Life on the run ain't fun. For us, or the people who meet us.

Edgar: But, let us end this hostility. I am Edgar, and this is Kenji. My other two subordinates are Amber, and Keith. You have not yet told us your name, perhaps you could now?

-----------------------------------------------

Keith: Wartime measures! That's what you call the injustice perpetrated by that corrupt bastards! If they're preparing for war, then it's only a war against the people.

Amber: Now, now. Word is out that they said that forces dictate that some great evil is coming.

Keith: Yeah, them!

Amber: But a Juno Blade has appeared. Even if it is the one of darkness. Now that I know why they are acting this way, I believe they may be holding our best interests at heart.

Keith: I don't believe this. You too?

Daren: You should listen to them. A great evil is coming.

Keith: Great! I'm stuck with a bunch of fools.

Daren: Huh, what's that?

*The three of them look a little down the river's path. There is a stone which looks strangely shaped. Stuck in the top of the stone is a sword. They head over to it.*

Keith: I don't believe this... It's another one of the Juno Blades...

Amber: Yes. The markings here show it to be the blade of light, Excalibur.

Keith: Well then, let us secure this prize. (Tries to pull out the sword, but fails.) It's stuck!

Daren: Maybe only the one destined to weild it can pull it out? That's often the way legendary swords work.

Keith: Why not? Amber, you give it a try.

Amber: Alright... (She effortlessly pulls the sword out of the stone.) So, I'm to be the weilder of the Excalibur?

Keith: We should probably get back to the group and let everyone else know about this.

------------------------------------------------

General: Well, what have you to say for yourself.

Messanger: Lord Halifax in Tyrsis has given you the order to go and crush this rebel group setting up in Smithers. And then to destroy the town as a symbol of what will happen to any others who dare to support rebels.

General: I see... Very well then. It shall be done.

Excal, finally getting on speaking terms with all involved.

a b c d e f A B C D E Jordan: hey cut that out
g h i j k l
m n o p q r
s t u v w x
y z end back

Jordan: my name Jordan. You are the first human contact i have had in a long time. I have little gold and... WHAT'S THAT!? (I know little about the monsters in this so you guys get to pick, but it should be big. Oh can someone explain the "juno blades". thx)

Excal can explain this better than I can, but he just got offline so I'll explain. Basically Excal's best weapon is the Jnuo Blade. It's made up of 4 different swords with their own aspects. Excalibur, good. Levantine, evil. Ragnarok, neutral. Blood Sword, vengeance.

Krono
"Sanity is relative."

: (These necklaces were only to be used by people with legendary weapons, blue symbolizing for holy and red symbolizing blood. I shall sooner or later be having the red necklace, so I must pass on the blue one to another, which seems the perfect time to do so..)

Daren then handed a necklace with pearl beads and a blue crystal at the center.



: Take it, It will protect you from the coming evil that will befall us all. I must go now to bury this. Farewell.

Daren then pulled out of his pack a black armor and he flew southward, leaving Kenji and Amber.

-SRGPI

OOC: Alright, basic knowledge here. The Juno Blade is the ultimate weapon of Neo-Canada which is the land where the Canuck Knights dwell. Don't ask where it came from as nobody really knows. However, the blade was originally one, but has been split among its four aspects.

Light: Excalibur
Dark: Levantine
Neutral: Ragnarock
Vengeance: Blood Sword.

The terms used are fairly important as in certain cases the dark sword can fight for good, and the light sword for evil (very rare, but is possible). Basically, the four aspects divide up into pairs which face off against each other. Light and Dark being the two basic forces which make up everything. Those blades constantly seek to gain more power for light and dark. And then there's vengeance and neutrality. Their purpose is to maintain the balance between light and dark. Through modifications to my original theories caused by far too many bardic wars these two aspects have come in my mind to be linked with the forces of Harmony of Dischord. Neutrality basically being harmonies way of keeping them in balance as it seeks to bring everything to balance. Vengeance though is dischord oriented because its power is that of anger. Basically, it keeps the balance because you don't get power without pissing people off, and the person who has cause for grievance will generally go after the one with more power. Hence, a very chaotic way of keeping balance.

The current users of each of these is something you don't need to know. But I'll state it here anyways.

Ragnarok: Gerad.
Levantine: Lord Halifax
Excalibur: Amber
Blood Swrod: Excal (although since he's my main character, I usually refer to this sword as the Juno Blade proper. A habit I'll have to break soon...)

But, it's all being reformulated as I go along so nothing is truly fixed just yet... Though I do hope to eventually get that far along that most of it is set.

As it stands, this thread is probably going to help me set a little bit more, and most of the resolution ought to come in Reako's chapter 6 when I hope to use all four of the aspects together.

As for whatever we're facing. If you can't think of something unique, then just use a Final Fantasy monster since most of the stuff we have here is a rip off/spoof of consol RPG's anyways.

IC:

*The party has encountered 2 X Ogres.*

Excal, hoping all of this text hasn't confused anyone.

Jordan: Ogres are new to me. Oh well, lets get busy

Excal: You take the one on the left. (then quietly to Kenji) Make sure he doesn't try anything funny.

*Then the warriors charge the monsters. Jordan jumps right above one of the ogres.*

Jordan: FIRE BEAM!

*A small column of shot for his hand and scorched the monster. As this was happening he watched Excal and Kenji, and found they are very strong. they were easily beating their ogre. Jordans fire beam didn't seam to do much damage, but he had another plan*

Jordan: ICE KNUCKLE DRIVER!

*As Jordan landed Excal and Kenji defeated there ogre and turned to watch Jordan. Jordan's hands "grew" six inch spikes of ice,(three on each hand) and starting pummeling the ogre. After the pummeling (i like that word pummel)Jordan shot the spikes at the head of the ogre. Only two hit it one in the eye the other in the neck. The ogres were dead*

Jordan: You guys want a safe place to sleep/rest/talk?

Kenji: Heh, get this guy. A safe place to talk.

Edgar: Kid, I hope you don't mean that fire dome you used before. I'm surprised it didn't catch the army's attention yet. And trust me, it won't do a bit of good if they find you.

Kenji: Don't worry. If need be, we have a few tents we can use.

*As they talk, Keith and Amber get back.*

Keith: Guys, guys... wait until you hear what we just found!

Amber: I'm not sure we should say anything in front him...

Edgar: Kenji, can you?

Kenji: Yessir.

Jordan: Huh, what's going on?

Kenji: Well, they're gonna go talk, and you're gonna stand right here with me.

*The three go a safe distance away.*

Edgar: Well, what is it you two?

Amber: I found this. (shows him the Excalibur)

Edgar: What the... Is this the fabled Juno Blade of light?

Keith: Yep! And it seems that our Amber here is the one destined to weild it.

Edgar: Well then. This is indeed something important. We better get to Smithers fast.

Amber: What about him?

Edgar: We'll offer him a chance to join us. If not, then we should knock him out and leave him here while we head off. We have to make quite sure that nobody can know about this until we're ready to fight back. Because the army will crack down on you if they know you have that. Amber, I think you've just become the symbolic leader of the rebellion if you so choose.

Amber: I... I don't know if I want to do that... But we should get there as fast as we can.

Edgar: Then it's settled.

*The three join the rest of the group.*

Edgar: Kenji, we're going to Smithers doubletime now. As for you, Jordan. Do you wish to come with us and join the rebellion? We will let you leave if you choose not to.

Excal, sorry, but Excal is NOT part of this group. But is infact probably just a Canuck Squire around age 10 and thus quite useless in battle and not a holder of any unique or remotely dangerous weapon.

: (Now my duty is done. I'll go check on what those rebels are doing.)

Daren then started flying back towards the mainland.

___________________

Elsewhere....

An Ogre Shaman had just risen among the ranks, and not known to the common populace, a new breed of Ogres have spawned, to lead the Ogres on rampaging destruction rather than killing merely wandering travellers.

-SRGPI, Maybe I'll stay, and just adding a premonition to the dim future.

Jordan: I'll come with you. Not like I have anything better to do. Besides i'm good at attacking large groups

Excal: Ok but don't try anything funny. We are alot stronger now.

Jordan: (What how can they be alot stronger? They didn't do anything.)

OOC: Okay, here's something you may want to know. Although Excal is my character, he is NOT showing up except for two spots. And in no case is he going to be controlled by anyone else. This is because the first time he shows up, there will be no point in controlling him as he is a Canuck Squire. He is the lowest of the low. He has no skills, no abilities, and is basically just a ten year old with a single semi-useful skill and a wooden sword. His only purpose in that situation is to provide some character history. ie. why he got the Blood Sword. His second appearance is going to be right at the very end and is going to be a segueway to Reako's chapter 6. Basically, he pops up when Amber and Lord Halifax don't really have any choice but to accept. And that is going to be a scene you're going to want to crash if you wanna make it. But don't worry, I'll give you a bit of warning before that.

If you want a name you can use, here are the other people in the party. There's Edgar, he's the leader. He's the one most likely to be issueing commands. There's Amber, she's the holder of the blade of light. Infer from that what you will. There's Keith, requisite hothead. Then there's Kenji. He's a subordinate, but he's also cool-headed under pressure and proffessional. For some reason, I also like to thinkof him as the team wit. But my humour writing ain't that good so I'm not gonna even try that. So please, stop using Excal because he is a character in this world, but he's with the army and if he were here, then those four would likely kill him and very large changes in the timeline of this world shall occur.

IC:
---------------------------------------------------

*The army swept into Smithers with their chocobo cavalry before the rebels could prepare a serious defence. Their early defences were easily crushed. More solid defences were set up inside their headquarters which was made of stone to prevent fire, and was protected by mages to counter army mages. However, they hadn't prepared for the fact that the government wouldn't care about the city. The army mages called upon the power of Bahamut. The building was completely and utterly destroyed as well as several of the surrounding blocks. The army quickly picked off the few people who managed to survive and get out from the wreckage. Then, they took torches and set fire to the remainder of the town.

As night fell, the area around Smithers was bathed in the red light of flame.*

Excal, mising person.

: (No! She can't be killed this early in the game...)

Daren then flew faster towards the smoke he saw in the distance.

_______________________

At a border outpost of the Canadians Guarded by only 10 Canadian MPs....

The MPs were chatting, smoking, or drinking early morning coffee. They then heard rumbles, in the ground, and in the distance, they saw a mass of Ogres coming toward them.

: Kill them!

: ROOOOOAR!

The Ogres then charged, the MPs scared out of their minds of the numbers of the Ogres which they started running for their lives on chocobo steeds.

-SRGPI, The premonition to make the Dark Blade react.

A shadowy figure watched and followed the party.

???: First the Juno Blade of Light, then the Juno Blade of Dark. The world is gathering the great artifacts, something will happen soon. Who is coming? What is going to happen that the artifacts that can change destiny are calling owners?

???: We can only follow and see.

???: Perhaps you'll find the power you seek now.

???: I still think that power is a rather petty dream to have. Still, you should follow them in case they need your help, master.

???: What do you think I've been doing?

???: Wondering if you could steal the Excalibur.

???: Rather foolish thought.

???: Besides, it's chosen it's owner, you won't get it away from her.

???: I know, I know stupid thought. Anyway's I'll keep following them. Not to see if they need my help though. If the world is gathering itself for something, don't you think you should be there Masamune?



Krono
"Sanity is relative."

Edgar: I don't like this. First Bahamut shows up over by Smithers, and then all of this smoke. This can't be a good sign.

Amber: Look, there's Kenji. And he's running back here...

Kenji: Sir, sir...

Edgar: Slow down and breath, Kenji. Now, what is it.

Kenji: It's Smithers, sir. They've burned it to the ground and it looks like there's still quite a few soldiers around here.

Amber: What the... the whole city... is... gone?

Keith: NO! Those bastards! They did this just so to send a message didn't they!

Edgar: If they did. Then it's quite likely that we'll be allowed to leave. They'll want a few surviving rebels and villagers to spread the word of Smithers fate.

Keith: What the! They just burned down a whole town and you're saying that we should just leave!

Jordan: C'mon. Let's go in and bust some heads! That's what we're here for isn't it?

Amber: They may be trying to prepare for whatever evil is coming. But this is going too far even if it is to stop whatever this thing is! What point is there in getting the strength to stop this thing if we become it in the process!

Edgar: I understand your point Amber. But what can we do?

Amber: I have the Excalibur. Surely they can't stand up to us.

Edgar: No. Now isn't the time to use it. Amber, right now you'd only be throwing everything away if you went and attacked them. We're too few in number to stand up to a corp of trained Canuck Knights. Especially if they have any Holy Knights with them.

Kenji: Besides. Your strength lay in representing all that is good in the human soul. A strong belief in humankind. But right now, your main feeling is that of vengeance. A strong force, true. But it is not yours, and it is not you.

Amber: Yes... You're both right, but where can we go?

Edgar: I don't know. I suppose that we can head to New Moncton and see what's going on there. And if nothing is, then we can find something for our small group to do solo. And Amber.

Amber: Yes?

Edgar: I hope you don't mind. But I'm going to start training you to lead.

Amber: Why? You don't expect you're going to die, are you?

Edgar: Not if I can help it. But, the Juno Blade you hold destines you to be a leader in time. Because it will be a symbol that those who share our cause will follow.

Keith: And that his lord reagent will be quite eagre to get for himself I'm sure.

Edgar: Yes. That too. But, enough talk. Let's get going now if we're going to make New Moncton before dark.

--------------------------------------------------

*Meanwhile, at the southern border, a joint force of Salonian and Canadian troops started to work to stamp out the ogres heading north. The two armies with the participation of Lord Halifax and the Levantine, and the Salonian airship Invincible staffed with the four light warriorsheld off the ogres with little casualties. However, they stayed there uncertain of whether there would be more. And whether stationing troops there would prove to be fatal against the rebels within.*

OOC: Just a few quick notes, SRGPI. First off, please don't just kill off this fleet in a paragraph or two since this thing is the most powerful massed army in the world at this point as it has four light warriors, somebody who's about as strong as Excal, and the airship Invincible which cannot be destroyed for another ten years when it'll fall to the blue goo. Unless you wanna mess up the time line in which case various time enforcers can come to wipe out your little army. But, sneaking past is a perfectly reasonable alternative, or decoy groups, be creative. Second, I'm appreciative for your providing an evil for me, but I actually had an evil in mind when I mentioned it before. Namely, it's Epsilon X, who has already risen to power and has already been defeated. The whole theory here is that his gaining power is disrupting the flow of magic throughout the world. Something which will become noticable. And obviously, this isn't something that'll happen suddenly. My theory is that ten years before he reaches the stage he's at at the Eidolon Saga where he must be stopped is about when this difference first appears. So, while I don't mind your ogres, and I'm interested now to see what it'll do to my little rebellion scenario. But, it ain't going to threaten the world (something which I'm starting to get a little sick and tired of, but more on that after Eternion's defeated in Reako's thing.), and it ain't the evil I mentioned earlier.

Well, that's all I wanted to get off my chest.

Excal, who finds he's been doing far more OOC comments in this thread than is normal.

The fleet was still patrolling the borders if more Ogres were to come, but none came. News quickly spread about a horde of Ogres actually attacking settlements, which had been stopped by the Canadian Fleet, but now it brings uncertainty to the Country. Had the Dark Blade spoke the truth? Or has the evil already been sprouted on this world?

__________________________

Back at the City of Ancients....

Daren had finally come home after a long flight.

: What happened along the way that took you so long?

: Other things held me.....and The Decrees of Conscription are true, and the Canadians took such desperate measures just as sacking a whole city!

: Could they do such a thing without the whole populace revolting?

: It seems so.....

-SRGPI, I have a different way of fighting for the next encounter.

*The five travellers finally arrived in New Moncton. The city was large enough that it still managed to thrive despite the fact that there was a war going on. The five of them went and rented some rooms at a nearby inn.*

Keith: Well, we're here. Now what?

Edgar: Simple, we all go out and see what we can find. Then tonight we pool our knowledge and decide on our course of action.

Kenji: Right.

Excal, wondering where Jordan went.

OOC Besides playing Chrono Trigger for the last 10 hours.

IC *Jordan went to the bar. (ahhh... err... Its a great place for information)

Bartender: What do you want.

Jordan haveing never been to a bar before had no idea what to order

Jordan: What will you have?

Bartender: ale, scotch, beer...

guy1: Hey, give me a beer.

Jordan: I'll have one too.

Bartender: ok, 2 beers!

Jordan takes a sip

Jordan: (yuck, ths stuff is nasty.)

*Jordan chokes down the beer, and decides to talk. He is rudely cut off in mid-sentence*

Jordan: So, you what they're really...

Guy2: You look funny.

Jordan: Excuse me?

Guy2: You look funny.

Jordan: What ever.

*clearly noticeing he's drunk. Then the guy punches Jordan! Which to say the least wasn't very hard. Jordan hit the guy in the gut knocking the wind out of him.*

Jordan: you were saying?

OOC Is it me, or is anyone else haveing problems with the new forum? Like, not being able to see the messages.

???: The rebels are spliting up. They intend to check the city for infomation before making a decision.

???: That one that they picked up seems more interested in hitting a bar than talking to people.

???: People talk in bars, ever hear a drunk person gossip?

???: Doesn't matter, anyways the winds are swirling strongest around the sword wielder. If you want to keep close to where things are mostly likely to happen you should follow her.

???: Agreed.

The shadowy figure set off, trailing Amber through the city.

Townsperson #1: Did you hear what happened to Smithers?

Townsperson #2: No, what happened?

Townsperson #1: I heard that it was destroyed by the army during the fighting with the rebels

Townsperson #3: I heard it was destroyed by the rebels because there was a secret army base there.

Townsperson #4: That's nothing. I heard that there's an army of ogres storming the country from the south...

Amber: Sigh, sounds like just the usual amount of gossip. But, that bit of news about the ogres is new though. It would explain why it looks like there's less guards here than there would normally be.

Townsperson #5: Hey, guys! Guys! Fight down at the Rosey Mug! Some guy is picking a fight with everyone in the place and winning. And the guard is going there to pick him up now!

Amber: I wonder. It's probably either Keith or that new guy. Should I go down there? No, that'd be pointless. Unless the guard is prepared those two ought to be able to handle them. And I'll bet the one that isn't there will go as soon as they hear. But, if we're lucky, then there'll be less guards at the armoury. We could probably use some better weapons and armour. And there's probably some information to be learned there.

*Amber makes her way to the armoury as fast as she can. There she spots Edgar, who had also come.*

Amber: Edgar, here you are.

Edgar: Hello Amber, glad to see you had the same idea I did.

Amber: Any idea where Kenji is?

Edgar: I bumped into him just before I came here. He's the one who told me about the fight. He's gone to make a distrction to allow our friends to escape when the time's right.

Amber: And we're to break into the armoury and see what we can find?

Edgar: Precisely. Just wait until they send out some soldiers to deal with the fight.

Amber: Right.

Excal, enjoying where this is going.

The country had now been split on the Ogres being an omen that the Dark Blade Levantine was right. Now the government had propoganda to use against the rebels.

A pro-government newspaperman had released his current paper, and it read,

"OGRES FROM THE SOUTH STRIKE! REBELS ARE TO BLAME!"

______________________________

The molebears in the highlands near another city had always been pacifists, but soon some people saw them more aggresive than before. And then....

: Squee!

The Molebears suddenly drilled holes under the city, and soon the city was sinking into the ground. Molebears appeared from holes and attacked the citizens.

-SRGPI, Just got the MTG card Propaganda

*After the first guy went down, some of his friends attacked Jordan.*

Jordan: (Man this day just keeps getting better and better)

*After defeating 5 others, the whole bar broke out in fights. Then the guards came, and everyone quieted down. Not Jordan, who was busy pummeling a guy who hit him with a stool.*

Guard 1: Alright stop that!

*Jordan stoped in mid-swing*

Guard 2: Who started all this?

Everyone pointed at Jordan

Jordan: (Oh man.)

Guard 1: You're comeing with us.

*Just then he saw Kieth running toward the armory. Jordan smiled, and attacked the guards. Jordan quickly took out one of the guards, and started on the second. Just then a third called for help. About 15 more came. (includeing the ones from the armory which wasn't very far)

Jordan: (Darn too many. I have to distract them a little longer.)

Guard 3: Give up!

Jordan: FIRE BEAM!

*The beams quickly took out 2 guards. Then 5 of them charged Jordan, and Jordan charged back. He dived one of the guards, and hit him a couple of times before the others realized what happened.*

Jordan: (That should be enough time) STEAM SCREEN!

*A fire and water ball shot out, and smashed into each other. Creating a steam fog. Which allowed Jordan to jump over the guards, and run down the street away from the armory.*

For all the typos, grammer errors, and mispells in that last post, and all the other posts I will do or have done. Thank you.

???: Sounds like that friend of their's doesn't know the meaning of "low profile."

???: Sounds like they intend to take advantage of his little disturbance though.

???: "Take advantage" nothing. They intend to break into the armory and steal anything of value that they think they can get away with.

???: Don't sound so disapproving, it shows that they have guts.

???: Or that they are very stupid, either way we're following, maybe there's something there I could use.

???: You have us, that gun of yours, and a command of magic the average mage would be jealous of, what more do you think you can get?

???: This nation isn't native to this world, I don't think it's even native to this plane. Who knows what they might have stored away forgotten.

???: If your going to keep following them you should get going instead of standing here chating with us.

???: If your brother would think things through a little, I wouldn't have to waste time answering his questions. And yes I'm going.


Krono, surprised the group has yet to notice that someone is following them.

*In the city, Jordan was running away from the guards. Then before his path five more jumped out. As he was getting ready to deal with them, one of them pulled out a gun and yelled, "Leg Aim!" A second later he felt a pain in his leg and was unable to move either of his legs. As he preparing to deal with all the guards that were closing in on him, he saw a figure jump into their midst.*

Jordan: What're you doing here?

Keith: I heard there was a brawl going on. And I never miss out on a good brawl.

Jordan: Think you could help me out then?

Keith: Sure thing. Besides, Edgar's probably already planned some way to help us out of this if anything goes wrong. So just hang loose and enjoy the fight!

-------------------------------------------------

Amber: Those guards were easier than I expected.

Edgar: Well, if those rumours of ogres from the south is true, then it may be that most of the troops that are usually here are stationed elsewhere.

Amber: True, but it doesn't make sense. I mean, they're still in the middle of a rebellion.

Edgar: Well, it's a good thought to keep in the back of our heads. But right now, we're probably better off focusing on navigating this place.

Amber: Good point.

*The two of them wander further into the armoury.*

Excal, trying to figureout how to respond to SRGPI.

The government now had even MORE propoganda to use against the Rebels. Refugees had appeared to tell their stories to the government.

The same Newspaperman printed his next articles in his newspaper, which were titled,

"REBELS ON THE DARK SIDE! MOLEBEARS SACK NEW HAMPTON!"

____________________________

Elsewhere....

A patrol of Canuck Knights, 10 to be exact, on their routine patrol had just arrived to the remains of New Hampton.

: What Happened...?

: We've got to report this to the king now!

After the 2 knights finished talking, suddenly holes appeared under 6 of the knights, and screams of pain and death were heard.

: Retreat!!!

The other 4 knights had retreated, leaving their 6 comrades as decapitated corpses to the Molebears.

-SRGPI, if the decapitated part sickens you, I'd like to see the results after you watching "The Patriot"...

Lord Halifax: My lord, since the monster attacks have begun several of the rebel groups have decided to join with us to contain them.

Lord Balinore: Excellent. We shall welcome them to our cause to make it an incentive for others to join us. As for theses recent attacks. It is no longer worthwhile to try and protect the borders. Our leading sages say that the monsters are acting more agressive because of the change in the magical energies around the world. So, we must also protect against monsters already within our borders.

Lord Halifax: So then we should move our army into the cities and protect those. Perhaps also set up convoys between the major cities.

Lord Balinore: Yes. We shall also have our airships do patrols around the countryside to act as our eyes and ears and to deliver essential supplies from city to city. It is also imperative that we stop the remaining rebels. How goes your plan.

Lord Halifax: Quite excellently. In fact, preparations for it have been going perfectly from what we have learned from those rebel groups that have joined us. I do believe that we shall be able to completely crush the rebellion in this one action.

Lord Balinore: Given the price we're paying for this, I should hope that we would indeed be able to.

-----------------------------------------------------

Amber: I've got a strange feeling.

Edgar: Like you're being followed?

Amber: Yeah. I've had it for a while, but it just got a lot stronger.

Edgar: You're a lot more sensitive that I am. I just picked it up.

Amber: So what're we going to do?

Edgar: Watch and learn.

*Edgar quickly sets up a little trap that blends in perfectly with the floor of the armoury.*

Edgar: Now, let's go on a bit.

Amber: Wait, what's that room?

Edgar: It looks like the head office.

Amber: Great, what should we do?

Edgar: You go and look around in there. I'll stand guard here.

*Amber walks into the office and looks around. She's drawn to a document on the desk.*

Amber: What's this... Oh no! I can't believe they plan to do this!

Excal, who still wants to try and nail down a few details of this trap...

Edgar and Amber heard footsteps in the armory.

???: Hey, where's the last shift of guards?

???: I heard there was a street fight out near the pub.

???: Ah screw them, they can go home late while we take our shifts.

One of the voices then yelped because he stepped into Edgar's trap.

???: Aiee! What's this trap doing here!

???: Get the other guards!

???: Yes, sir!

One of the voices then started running away from Edgar and Amber.

-SRGPI, the next shift of guards.

OOC: Sorry SRGPI, Excal and I had this planned for a meeting of characters. Your segement is getting ignored.

As Amber looked over the papers, Edgar waited for the trap to be sprung. He wasn't waiting long. After just a few minutes a crash sounded, as if something had fallen over. Edgar jumped around the corner, bow ready and arrow drawn.

Edgar: Move and you die.

???: Shoot and you have a body to dispose of if you want your prescence unknown.

Edgar: Who are you and why are you following us?

???: And why should I tell you who I am? I gives away an advantage of mine, doesn't it Edgar?

Edgar: I see you've been following long enough to pick up our names. Are you a government spy?

???: Yes I have been following you, since you found that hothead Jordan. I'm surprised it took you this long to notice. And no, I'm not a spy of your government.

Edgar: Any spy would deny being one, I might be inclined to believe you a bit more if you told me your name.

???: You'll get my name when I feel like telling you. As for both why I'm following you, and proof I'm not a spy. I followed you because your friend Amber has the Excalibur, and a government spy would have run to tell this to Halifax before someone else could.

Krono, who is keeping the identity of this char hidden for a while longer.

Edgar: I see your point.

*Edgar loosened his bowstring and lowered his bow. Though he kept the arrow in place.*

Edgar: Very well then. What are you going to do now that we know you are following us.

???: I shall continue following you. What difference does it make that you know I am here?

Edgar: Very well then. If you insist on following us. Then would you care on joining our little crew? It would doubtless be easier than following us covertly.

*However, before the mysterious person could reply, Amber came running up.*

Amber: Edgar, we've got to get going.

Edgar: Huh, have the guards discovered us?

Amber: No, but look at this.

*Edgar looks at the document.*

Edgar: I don't believe this... So that information was a trap afterall... But I wasn't expecting them to do something this barbaric.

Amber: Yes. And this is supposed to happen in a few days. We'll be hard pressed to get there before it's too late.

Edgar: It seems we have no choice but to head for Bofsk. Oh yes, this here is the person who was following us. He knows about the Excalibur.

Amber: He knows? How long has he been following us?

Edgar: He says that long. So, my offer still stands. Do you wish to come with us? If so, then follow us because we've got to collect the rest of our people and start going.

Excal, Let him join? Yes. No.

???: If you take their offer you'll be essentially choosing their side.

???: He's right though, it would be easier than following them like you have been.

???: And you could help them if they got into trouble.

???: Thats one of the reasons he hasn't tried to join them yet he doesn't want to get too caught up with them.

???: I can go with them without too much risk and it would be easier than following them.

???: You sure about that? Do you really wish to join them?

???: Yes, my path took me to the Excalibur, not the Levantine. I might as well stay to the path in front of me.

???: If you say so master.

???: We'll support you no matter what you decide.

???: Agreed.

----------------------------------------------------

???: For now I'll go with you.

Edgar: Ok, mind telling us your name now?

???: When we rejoin the others, I'll consider it.

Amber: Fine, let's just get going. We don't have much time to stop this.

Krono, he'll get a name soon I promise.

*They rush to the exit of the armoury.*

Edgar: Alright. You two go to our rooms and collect all of our stuff. We're not gonna have another chance to go there. Meet me at the eastern road out of town in half an hour.

Amber: Right. Oh yes, I forgot about this. I found this as well when I was searching.

*Hands Edgar a Save the Queen.*

Edgar: Thank you. Take care.

Amber: You too.

*Edgar runs off towards the part of town where the fight had started. There he quickly spots Kenji keeping an eye on the two fighters.*

Edgar: Kenji, give Keith the signal.

Kenji: Right.

*Kenji raises his hand and fires a few red sparks in the air.*

Edgar: Right, let's go.

*Meanwhile, Keith had noticed the sparks.*

Keith: Hey, Jordan. Let's get moving.

Jordan: Huh, why?

Keith: It's time for us to get moving. We gotta head for the east road outta town.

Jordan: Alright then.

Keith: Just get close to me and let me handle this.

*The two get close to each other and Keith uses a spell and the two are warped a few blocks away in a back alley.*

Jordan: How'd you get us in this alley?

Keith: I always scout the area around each tavern as soon as I enter a town. It's makes for easier exits after the pub brawls I always get in.

*And with that, the two of them leave.*

*As the guards closed in on Keith and Jordan. Jordan thought up a plan.*

Jordan: Keith, I'm going to set the guards off balance. Then you beat the crap out of them.

Keith: Right!

Jordan Thundering Quaker!

*As Jordan slamed his fist in the ground. The Street began quakeing, and the guards lost their balance. The guard with the gun fell over. Keith drew his sword and started chopping up the guards.*

Jordan: alright! My legs are working again, and I think we should use ours. (legs that is)

OOC: That attack did NOT harm the the city. Oh, Excal I have an idea I need to run by you, so I need a way to contact you.

It seems we posted about the same time Excal. Lets just say mine happened first. Its more logical that way.

Sure, your post happened first. That's happened enough times before.

As for my contact info.

Email: tylorh@hotmail.com
ICQ: Excal, 9590193

Or, I'm on the Adv forum right now.

*The six of them met at the eastern road.*

Keith: So, why're we buggin out so fast? That fight was just getting interesting.

Edgar: Because, we have more pressing buisness. Remember the information we heard about the Warship being built in Bofsk?

Keith: So, we're gonna go and help bust the thing up?

Amber: No, because the army is going to do it for us. It's a trap.

???: Pretty nice setup there. Make an irrisitable target for rebels to strike, and then pounce on them when they come to the bait. But, what does this trap do, and what's to keep the rebels from infiltrating the crew building it?

Edgar: You're pretty fast. But, basically, this ship is just one giant fire bomb. And all of the army troops there will be issued with fire rings. As for why the crew won't tell. It's because they're all Canuck Knights with the skills necessary to build such a ship. They're led by some guy called Irius Burned. And the thing with these guys is, quite a few of them brought their families along as well if they have one. So it all looks perfectly legit.

Kenji: So what gonna happen is that our buddies go in. The ship goes boom taking most of our buds and the town with it. And then the army boys take out whatever remains.

Amber: And the plans say they're not to spare anyone who isn't with the army. They don't want word of this one getting out. Just so that after they murder a whole town they can lie about who did it. And who'll oppose their view? After all, anyone who was there would be dead.

Edgar: So, as you can all see. Our course is set. We're to go to Bofsk as fast as we can, and see what we can do to stop this from happening.

Keith: Waitaminute! That's suicide!

Amber: It doesn't matter. We cannot ignore the killings of innocents on this scale.

Kenji: I say we go too. Even if they do hold off this evil that's coming. I say that doing it with stuff like this behind 'em makes them just as bad as whatever it is they're trying to stop.

Keith: I still say this is a bad move.

Edgar: Keith, you're outvoted. However, I won't force you to go. This mission is strictly volunteer. The same goes for you two. Jordan, and whoever you are. Which reminds me, what is your name?

Excal, hopefully getting the ball rolling again.

A majority of the Canadian Army was on standby in the manufacturing town of airships, but abruptly, an onslaught occured back at Tyrsis.

________________________

A sage appeared before Halifax, he had a pale face and was agitated.

Sage: My lord, the weather around the castle is suddenly turning for the worst, it's starting to flood!

A Tsunami appeared in a nearby lake, and it had risen to 10,000 km high, just as high as the Tyrsis Castle's lookout tower. It dimished quickly before it appeared before the city, but soon the slums of Tyrsis were swept away in a rushing tide of water.

Appearing from nowhere in the distance, A flock of purple dragons with fairy like wings laughed, and started conjuring up more spells.

__________________

After the flood, another sage rushed into the throne room as agitated as the previous.

Sage: My lord! The Magical Energies around the world are colliding on one spot, within this country! I think we should take a turn for the worst, my lord.

______________________

: Oh no...something is wrecking nature apart prematurely...

: You don't think it could be....

: Yes it is, the Faerie Dragons have returned....

-SRGPI, Taking another cameo from Heroes III

Change Halifax to Balinore. Messed up there.

???: However, I will go with you. As for my name...

Edgar: Yes?

???: For now you can call me Kyuumu.

Amber: For now? You mean that isn't your real name?

Kyuumu: Names have power. Only my friends know my real name. You are allies, so I'm willing to tell you a name.

Keith: You mean we could have simply called you a name at random and you would have been willing to answer to it?

Kyuumu: No this is the name I have always given to allies. Now weren't we in a rush?





Krono

Jordan: Sure I'll go. Hey, not like I have much to do.

Kenji: alright, that makes 4. What about you, Keith?

Keith: I...

*Just then!*

Jordan: Hey, how strong are purple dragons with fairy wings?

Edgar: Alright, we've got five. Let's get going.

Keith: Hey, hold up for me.

Jordan: I thought you didn't want to come?

Keith: Hah! Me chicken out and leave you guys going on your own? Never!

Edgar: Well then stop holding us up and lets get going.

Jordan: Uh, what about those giant dragons with the purple wings?

Amber: Uh, you feeling ok? I've never heard of anything like that before.

Jordan: You sure?

Kenji: Yup. Besides, what out there can make a dragon attack things wantonly?

Edgar: Alright people, enough gabbing. Let's MOVE!

Excal, sorry SRGPI, but those things are a bit too reminiscent of ye olde generic save the world threads.

Bofsk is one of the largest cities in the Canadian nation. It is also one of the most industrial. Various industries exsist here, including the only steelworks in the world outside of Salonia's own. These industries were necessary to build the massive airships which the Canadian government used as transports, scouts, and warships. However, the ship sitting in the construction dock was far larger than any ship ever seen here before except maybe Salonia's Invincible.

The great ship was nowhere near complete, however, it's hull was. As for the city itself, aside from the army stockade and the ironworks, most of the housing was made from the customary wood. The army stockade housed more soldiers than any barracks except for the ones in Tyrsis itself. Therefore, this city was well guarded. And their current head was the Minister of War himself, Byron of Halifax. The crew working on the ship were housed wherever they could find lodging. However, despite their cover, they were every bit as good as elite soldiers. And they were led by their captain, Irius C Burned.

Throughout and without the city the remaining rebel groups carried out their plans for a coordinated strike on the warship. Several passing as mere travellers packed the inns and marveled at their fortune at not having been stopped entering the city.

It was in this environment that the group of Amber and her cohorts reached the city with only a few hours left before the rebel strike.

Excal, hoping this'll allow Krono or Jordan to post

Amber: We're finally here.

Edgar: In time to stop things as well.

Kyuume: Can you stop things though? The guards at the gate didn't stop us. I don't think they are stopping any possbile rebel groups, they want to wipe out as many in one swoop as they can. Even if the guard won't throw us in prison, how can you contact all the groups?

Keith: You seem to know quite a bit about this for having asked so few questions.

Kyuume: Long story.

Keith: Care to it to us?

Kyuume: No time, and I wouldn't tell it to you anyways.

Amber: Stop arguing, we have to stop the massacare they have planned!

Edgar: Amber's right. Kenji, Keith, Jordan, the three of you go and find as many of the rebels as you can, warn them of the danger. If need be, help them break out of the city. Me, Amber, and Kyuume will do the same.

Kenji: Understood, we're on our way.

-------------------------------------------------

???: What do you intend to do?

???: There has to be some way you can help them stop this, you couldn't possibly let so many innocents die!

???: I have in the past, though not for so many. And I probably could do so again, under the right conditions. These aren't those conditions.

???: The black wind is howling, no matter what you do, some will die.

???: Since when could that be helped?

???: Understood master.

???: So what do you intend to do?

???: Use the currents to my advantage. Let's see how their crack soliders do, when brought face to face with their darkest nightmares...

-------------------------------------------------

Across the city, the shadows stirred. Vague shapes formed. As the darkness gathered itself, the rats and animals inhabiting the back alleys fled in fear. The shapes remained hidden however, waiting until night fall to venture forth and cause chaos to those that had provided their forms...

Krono
"Sanity is relative."

Amber: Edgar, I'm glad you broke us into groups the way you did.

Edgar: Why?

Amber: Because. Certainly you've noticed that we cannot possibly contact all of the groups in time. There are far too many rebels just inside the town let alone outside. Besides which, what reason do they have to believe us?

Edgar: No, I suppose not. But if we don't do this. Then what do you suggest we do?

Amber: Simple. I have the Excalibur and good magic skills to begin with. I'll go and diffuse the bomb.

Kyuume: And while you do that, how do you plan to deal with all of the guards that are sure to try and stop you?

Edgar: He's right, Amber. These are the best of the best here. We can't just go rushing in blindly.

Amber: So then?

Edgar: Think for a second. What do you usually do first when executing a mission?

Amber: I get intelligence, of course.

Edgar: Just keep on thinking it through like that. We may be short on time, but this is still a mission. And the rules are even more important now because this mission is vital.

Amber: Yes, I can see my folly now. Very well then, we haven't much time. Let's go quickly.

Excal, preparing for the first meeting.

???: It's finished, they are gathering.

???: Are you sure this was a good idea?

???: To use the growing darkness this way?

???: The soldiers here intend to bring the darkness of death to rebels and civilians alike. If they wish to do so, let them face their own darkness first.

???: But innocents will be killed! Maybe even some of those we are trying to save!

???: Which is better to let some die or all die? Besides for all we know, none of the soliders will succumb to their nightmares.

???: That is being way too optimistic.

???: It's all we can do until we have a better idea of what is going on.

Krono
"Sanity is relative."

Jordan: Keith, Kenji, you know any of these people?

Keith: Hey, is that Shingo?

Jordan: (Shingo no it couldn't be! It has to be a different Shingo!)

Kenji: That it is.

*The group moves over to Shingo. Jordan keeps his face hiden*

Keith: in a quite voice Hey, the city is going to be destroyed! You've got to get out of here!

Shingo: Really!?

Kenji: Yes tell as many people as possible!

Shingo: You got it!

Keith: Did it just get darker, or is it me?

Jordan: useing slightly different voice It's just you. (I can't believe that's HIM!(dun dun dunnnn)


Jordan, who will give explaination of HIM (dun dun dunnnn) later.

Amber: This doesn't look good...

Edgar: Well, can you blame them for wanting to keep people out?

Amber: Well, there has to be some way in!

Kyuume: I wouldn't recommend trying to break in. With all of the tension here any fight would be the necessary spark to start the battle and the trap.

Amber: So what? We wait until the battle starts and we'll have even less time?

Kyuume: We won't have to wait much longer. The nightmares of these soldiers roam the streets searching for their creators. Soon the nightmares of these guards shall find their way home, and we can get in then.

Edgar: How do you know of these nightmares?

Kyuume: I can't tell you.

Amber: You know about them because of the powers you have.

Kyuume: You know of my powers? How?

Amber: Seeing unusual power around me has been a skill I seem to have learned since I recieved this sword. As for how much I know, surely you ought to appreciate that for practical reasons I can't tell you that.

Kyuume: I supose so.

Edgar: So, we siply find a place to watch them from, and we bust in when their nightmares attack them.

Amber: That would indeed seem to work.

Kyuume: Except for the fact that to see them you must be where they can see you.

Edgar: Unless you have a telescope. Amber, you have to go in and I'm guessing Kyuume can't use a telescope. So I'll go someplace high and spy on them. I'll send you a signal when they're being attacked and the two of you go in.

Amber: My job is to diffuse the bomb while Kyuume covers me?

Edgar: Exactly. And while you two are in there. I try and cover the door to give you two an escape route.

Amber: Then let's get into position.

Excal, the battle draws near...

*While Jordan, Keith, and Kenji roam about warning rebels they run into Edgar*

Edgar: The nightmares are coming.

Jordan, Keith, and Kenji: What??

Edgar: Look no time to explain. We have to find a place to hide.

Kenji: Where is Amber and the other guy?

Edgar: Defuseing the bomb.

Jordan: oh... !!!

Edgar: Lets just get going.



Jordan, whos sorry for not posting earlier.

Amber: So what is the real reason you followed us?

Kyuume: Hmm? What do you mean?

Amber: You said you followed us because of the Excalibur, that can't be the only reason. What were you doing that you knew we even had Excalibur? Most people won't drop what their doing just to follow a sword.

Kyuume: Heh, actually the Excalibur is the reason I followed you. As for what I was doing, I was simply wanderering, not really doing anything important.

Amber: But why is it the reason you followed us? What is so interesting about it?

Kyuume: What kind of family do you come from? Why did you join the rebels?

Amber: I hardly see how my background relates to my question.

Kyuume: Answer my question and I'll consider answering yours.

Amber: If you must know, I'm from a merchant family. I joined the rebels because I don't think that the actions the government is taking are either right or needed. Now why do you wish to know?

Kyuume: The others hold similar ideals, and they are far better fighters than you. So why is it that Excalibur chose you?

Amber: Why do you want to know so badly? Who are you that you can drop your life at a moments notice to follow a sword? How can you expect us to trust you with any information about ourselves when you hide your motivations? You haven't even told us your real name!

Kyuume:..........Masayume........

Amber: Wha?

Masayume: My real name is Masayume, though my friends usually just call me 'Yume. I ask that you not tell any of this to the others, and that you continue to call me Kyuume when they are around.

Amber: But why?

'Yume: I give Kyuume as my name to most people because true names have power. It's an old wizardry pratice to hide one's name to keep others from gaining power over you. As for why I wish to know about you and your background.... for comparison.

Amber: Now you've lost me.

Masayume drew his sword and held it up for Amber to see.

'Yume: This is the Masamune, the Sword of Dreams. I have wielded it for as long as I can remember. I wish to know why other artifacts of power choose their wielder to better understand.

Amber: Understand what?

'Yume: Myself, the way the world works. It's beginning.

Amber: Huh? You mean the nightmares your mentioned?

'Yume: Yes.

Krono, taking a break from finals

Amber: Look, there's Edgar's signal. It's time

Yume: Very well then. Let's go.

*The two of them stand up and turn the corner. The two guards, while both looking fine physically, both looked to be in the throes of an intense terror. As such, they didn't notice their two assailents as they walked up to them and drew their weapons.*

Amber: I'm sorry...

Yume: Why are you sorry for this? They chose to accept an early end when they decided to become knights.

Amber: Yes, but to die like this?

Yume: If this is necessary to prevent the deaths of so many others who wish to live. Then what right have we to complain?

Amber: I guess you're right... but I'm still sorry to kill them in such a fashion.

*They quickly dispatch the two guards and then enter the warship.*

Amber: I can feel the power of the bomb. It's this way.

Yume: You lead the way and I'll cover you as you try and defuse the bomb.

Amber: Thank you, Masayume.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*In the streets of Bofsk the fighting started. It started slowly at first as it started when soldiers started trying to fight the nightmares. However, as they were faint and hard to see in the early evening conditions several groups of rebels simply saw the knights drawing their weapons. As such, the rebels drew their weapons in kind. And so the fighting began. The rebels jumping into the frey haphazardly as word of mouth spread that they were being attacked. The guards on the other hand found themselves in a desperate two front war. One against the rebels who fought against them even though they couldn't compete against the better armed, better skilled, and more dicipleined knights. And the other against their own worst fears. The lucky ones were found by their nightmares while they weren't near the action and managed to succesfully face their fear. Others were cut down in action as they stopped for a few crucial seconds in absolute terror. And those who fell to their nightmares lost their lifeforce to it. And the nightmares of those who fell prowled the streets looking for more victims.

Eventually, the knights realised that their only hope was banding together and giving as much support as possible to their friends when they themselves were inflicted. A strategy that raised morale and the chance of surviving these monstrous attacks. However, by the time they had hit upon this their casualties had been great as even these crack troops couldn't withstand the force of their own fear.*

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Lord Halifax was out in the streets fighting along side his troops with the Levantine, and increasing morale and courage of his troops by his simple presence. The Levantine itself gave him the added benefits of being immune to the fear generated by the nightmares while giving the Lord himself an aura which inspired fear and loathing in his adversaries. However, in the middle of the fight, he sensed something wrong. The bomb being set to detonate when he was either killed or when he decided to detonate it, he could tell when it was being tampered with. And that was the current sensation he was recieving. Regardless of the battle raging around him, he went and heading straight towards the warship at a brisk walk stopping only to deal with any rebel that thought they could defeat him. Finally, he reached the entrance to the warship. There was a single rebel there standing guard and two of his own soldiers dead at his feet. Holding the Levantine before him, Lord Halifax walked forward.*

Halifax: You there, stand aside or die.

Edgar: I shall stand aside for no man until my job here is done.

Halifax: Then you shall die for your insolence. Look upon the Levantine sword and know that your doom is nigh.

Edgar: You may have the Levantine, but I too have a good sword. And I follow the path of light.

Halifax: A rebel upon the path of light? I'd find it far more believable for you scum to be upon the path of vengeance than any noble quest.

Edgar: Believe what you will. It matters not to me.

Halifax: Ah, but there you are wrong. What I believe is the destiny of this nation and all who dwell in it. Allow me to demonstrate why.

*Halifax focused his energies quickly and then suddenly rushed forward at Edgar far faster than the rebel captain had expected. Halifax then unleashed a quick slash with his sword which Edgar could only get the smallest piece of, unprepared as he was. Then, with a large gash across his chest, Edgar slumped over.*

Edgar: Amber, forgive me...

Halifax: Hmph, I had warned him. Now to go inside and deal with this Amber.

*And with that Lord Halifax walked into the warship.*

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*In the outskirts of the city several rebels had set off magical flares into the sky. These signals signed to the rebels waiting outside in the forest that the time to attack had come. As the battle inside waged on, several newcomers rushed in as all the pieces were set into place.*

Excal, finally back!

*Keith, Kenji, And Jordan had fights of their own. Kenji was the first to be separated. Then Jordan and Keith split up.*

K K And J: Hmmmm where did they go?

????: You have great power.

Jordan: I know.

Knight: You've even taken out some of our best men. I have overcome my fears, so your mine.

Jordan: If that was you best, then you don't have much of a chance.

Knight: Hmph! I'm on a whole different level than those weak fools!

Jordan: Then lets get it on.

*The two made a bow and took a stand. Started swinging with the hand. (kung-fu fighting) The knight conected with Jordan's shoulder. Jordan grabed his arm and twisted it. Then the Knight landed a solid kick the Jordan's head. The said leg was then grabed (Jordan still has the arm)and the Knight was suplexed. (is that spelled right?) Jordan sparked an idea for the most painful death he could think of.

Jordan: Thundering quaker!

*Jordan slamed his fist into the Knight. This caused his body to shake and explode. Guts flew everywhere. Keith and Kenji retured a little beat up but not bad.*

Kenji: Lets help the others!

Keith and Jordan: Right!



Jordan, wants to know what you think of his battles.

*The three hurried to the town square (the "meeting point")*

Keith: Hmmmmm not here yet.

Kenji: Be on your guard. I sense evil.

*A few panicing town's folk ran around aimlessly. All of a sudden two of the town's folk ran into each other. They not not fall down, but instead combined together. Then more did the same thing, until there was a huge dragon made of the nightmares.*

Jordan: Now this is not cool!

*The dragon made a swing with his claw. This knocked Jordan on his spoon, also knocked off his fire ring. The dragon chuckled, and use his fire breath. Jordan was not even scratched.*

Jordan: AAAAAAHHAHAHAHAHAHA! I'm imune to fire as it is! Now you die! Thunder Smash!

*Jordan jumps high in the air, and distracts the dragon. Keith and Kenji see this as their opening. They nod to each other, and attack. Kenji slices the throat and Keith slices the back makeing a large wound. Keith however is hit hard by the tail of the dragon. Jordan comes flying down, his body engulfed in lighting, smashing into the dragon's wound. He rips all the way through the dragon. Which causes blood to fly everywhere. The dragon falls on it's side, and vanishes. Jordan gets his fire ring*

Kenji: Keith you ok?

Keith: I'm fine just a little winded.

Jordan: I don't know if I could have done anything had you not made that wound. Thank you.

Keith: No prob, Bob

Jordan: (My names not Bob.)

*They wait calmly for the others or more fights.*

Jordan, Wondering if you like his fights.

In a cargo bay just before the bomb...

Halifax: You there, stay aside or die.

Masayume: No.

Halifax: Then just like your friend outside, you shall die for your insolence rebel, look upon the Levantine sword and know that your doom is nigh.

Masayume: First of all I'm not a rebel. To meet the basic definition of one, I'd have to have been under rule of your government at some point. Second, your aim must be bad, that or your very impatient. The rebel outside has yet to depart the mortal coil, which I assume was your intent. Third, I wield the Masamune, and have done so for many years, the Levantine does not impress me.

Halifax: He shall die soon enough. As for you, rebel or not, to stand in my way is to invite Death's embrace.

Masayume draws his sword, and takes a combat stance.

Masayume: If anyone is to depart the mortal coil, it will be you Halifax.

Halifax: Ha, you honestly think you can harm me? Tell me, what is your name?

Masayume: Masayume, though it shouldn't matter long. Tell me, where you this arrogant before you recieved the Levatine?

Halifax: I could ask you much the same thing, Masayume. However, I believe I shall instead ask you why you fight by the rebel cause? Why is it you stand by these curs when instead you could help restore order to this kingdom?

Masayume: Your doging the question, but in my case the answer is yes. As for you question, I'm a wanderer, fate lead me to the rebels, not to your government. And from what I've heard they have cause. A government that would sacrifice its citizen's for its own power has something wrong with it. That the Juno Blade of Darkness sought out you and not the rebels merely confirms this. Or perhaps the Blade is the cause. Or am I wrong, did the Levantine seek you for a different reason?

Halifax: Hah! You believe the rubbish that the people are saying? That we're doing this simply for power? We're doing this because there is a greater evil that is coming that we shall need power to face. You wield a sword of power. Surely you can feel the disruption of the balance. And even with that, you stand with the rebels who refuse to stand down even when they know the truth? We must gain strength to survive, and if this city is the cost of survival, then so be it.

Masayume: No I don't believe that you're doing this simply for power. I have heard your reasons, and I have felt the gathering of darkness. In fact, it was because of change in the balance that I was able to summon the nightmares of your soldiers. And even knowing this I stand with the rebels. My path took me to them first, and nothing I've seen has shown you to be any more in the right than them. Greater and lesser kingdom's than yours have become corrupt and evil from actions taken while opposing evil. Hiding your motives at the start, and killing your own people to keep your motives a secret was just a start. Destroying your own city is just one more step along the way down to the level of those you would fight.

Halifax: Perhaps you are right, perhaps we are simply walking the road to ruin regardless of whether or not we win. However, I would rather defeat an evil by becoming it, then to lose for the sake of some ideals. As for you, I accept what you are saying, and as such see that I have no other options. 'Tis a shame. One of your skills would have been a great help when the time to face this evil came.

*Halifax tests Masayume's reflexs with a simple slash. Masayume parries the slash with little difficulty.*

Masayume: You would fight evil with evil, even if you knew that doing so would bring suffering and ruin to your own people by your own hand? Then it seems that my path has been true, and the Levantine has choson its wielder well. Depart the mortal coil Halifax. HellBound!

*Halifax felt a spiritual gate open beneath him, a vortex that tried to drag him down into the abyss. He focused desparately on the Levantine drawing upon its power to shield his life force and hold his soul on this plane. Gradually between the Levantine and the limits of the spell itself, the gate closed with Halifax unharmed.*

Halifax: It is better to accept the risk of ruin than accept the inevitability of anihilation. And now I have nothing left to say to you. Give my regards to your friend when you see him on the other side. Shadowform!

*Halifax phases out and 7 identical Halifax's phase in.*

*Masayume's eyes narrowed.*

Masayume: Nice trick. Photon Beam.

*A ray of energy shot from 'yume's hand to slam into the middle Halifax. The beam was strong enough to push him back into the wall and hold him there for several seconds after which he faded away. Moments later Masayume was locked in a fight for his life with the remaining six.*

---------------------------------------------------

???: One down, six to go.

???: And no time for heavy magic.

???: These aren't illusions, they all have enough substance to do harm.

???: One of them has to be real. Othewise we would be able to sense him.

???: He's weakened himself to create these.

???: Look out behind you!

???: Weaker or not, these are all deadly.

???: Your going to have to leave yourself open and cast some magic.

???: That one's about to lower his guard.

???: If you can get it down to one in the next few minutes you'll have a chance.

???: Amber still needs more time, she's barely past the tamper proofing on the bomb.

???: The nightmares are in full swing, but the rebels are attacking not retreating.

???: Duck!

???: These shadows do have some magic resistance, you'll have to him them hard to destroy them.

------------------------------------------------

*Masayume's fight continued, he was outnumbered and had yet to connect with more than a sword and was being backed into a corner. A mistake on Halifax's part. As soon as he didn't have to worry about being attacked from behind, he switched to the offensive.*

Masayume: Gravity Blow, Free Fall!

*A sphere of dark energy flew from 'yume's hand to slam into one of the Halifax's, knocking it to the ground. Moments later another one was lifted up and slammed against the ceiling and then the floor fading moments after the second time it struck. Before it had faded Masayume dashed forward in a glide to slash a third Halifax which faded as it was cut in two. Masayume turned and prepared to defend himself further as the four remaining Halifax's regrouped, only to throw himself flat a moment later to avoid being impaled by icicles. He countered with a fireball and roled to his feet in time to parry a blow meant to decapitate him. He broke free from the fighting and took cover behind a crate for a few seconds, keeping a close eye on the three Halifax's.*

-------------------------------------------------

???: Three? Where's the fourth?!

???: Relax, your fire ball hit the one that was recovering from the gravity blow. He's gone.

???: The remaining ones are stronger than before.

???: I'm impressed that the real one has managed to avoid being hit.

???: They've all been attacking too. Look out that one's casting a fire spell.

???: Different one from before too. Looks like you'll just have to find out the hard way.

----------------------------------------------------


Krono
"Sanity is relative."

Well now, this has been a far greater challenge than I had originally anticipated. Who would have thought that the rebels would have not just a mage skilled enough to be able to effectively sift through most of the protection I put on that bomb, but would also be able to spare a warrior mage of this caliber as a guard. I suppose I could send one of my shadows in to deal with their mage, but I would much rather deal with this nuicance first. It's such a shame he couldn't see the light of reason.

-----------------------------------------------------

*After the effects of the Fire Pillar spell faded away, the Halifax that had cast the spell charged at Masayume. This time, however, the Halifax stayed there and engaged him in melee combat. The two of them stood there, their skill about even. However, eventually Masayume got a shot in on Halifax, dissolving the shadow. But the other two had not been idle while that exchange had been going on. Once the shadow had been dispatched, Masayume found himself in the centre of a magical ice storm followed quickly by an intense burst of fire magic upon his frozen form as the other two Halifax's unleashed an Antipode on him. Then, the two Halifax's seperated and each one placed themselves on an opposite side Masayume. Masayume, rufusing to allow himself to get double teamed turned to one of the Halifaxes and summoned down a Meteorite. Halifax saw the glowing white rock coming down at him and tried to dodge, but was unable to move fast enough as the impact threw him to the ground. While this happened Masayume and the last shadow started to fight. However, the fight was brief as Masayume managed to immobilise the shadow long enough to hit it with a Photon Ray. The white magic went through the shadow and dissipated it.*

Masayume: It would seem that, once again, there is just the two of us.

Halifax: So it would seem. But, why don't you give up while you still can and ask for mercy? You are more wounded than I am.

Masayume: Perhaps. But I was never one to give up a fight.

Halifax: Very well then. You shall at least leave this battle with honour, even if you won't leave it with your life.

------------------------------------------------------

This has proven to be far tougher than I had expected. Not only has he dispatched all of my shadows, but that mage of theirs has broken through the defences on the bomb. It seems that they have forced my hand. Either I defeat him and stop their mage in the next few minutes. Or I have to detonate the bomb early. Well, I suppose that it is time to pull out the stops and see just how strong this adversary is...

------------------------------------------------------

*As the two of them stood there, preparing for the next round of combat, Halifax suddenly started charging at Masayume just like he had at Edgar. Masayume, though, had reflexs far faster than those possesed by Edgar and held out the Masamune to intercept Halifax and attempt to throw his mad rush off balance. Masayume's technique probably would have been succesful had the two clashed. Instead, Halifax suddenly warped about a foot in front of Masayume only to instantly appear the same distance away but to an odd angle behind the startled fighter. Masayume tried to whirl out of Halifax's way and parry the blow with the Masamune, but having been caught off guard, he couldn't hope to avoid the slash. Fortunatly, he was able to minimise the damage. Unfortunatly, Halifax warped again once he had traveled about two feet only to reapear at another odd angle in relation to Masayume. This process was repeated another three times, each time with Masayume even more out of position and with Halifax getting a better hit. The final time, Halifax just continued upon his chosen course, stopped his charge, and then turned around to see the wounded Masayume.

But, Masayume refused to give up. He turned around and gathering power, he cast Photon Beam at Halifax. At the same time, Halifax used Hellfire. The Levantine was briefly on fire as Halifax swung the blade in an underhanded fashion. When the blade was at its lowest point, a small spark of red flared on the ground and shot along the path set by the swinging blade. When the spark met with Masayume, an explosive flame shot out from the ground knocking the weakened Masayume down. Halifax himself was knocked down by the powerful white magic, but having sustained less damage, he was quick to get up.*

-------------------------------------------------------

Well, so much for him. But, I do have to give him credit. Very few opponents these days can make me break a sweat. And look at the look he has. He's down and the odds are hopelessly against him now, but he's still hatching some plan to defeat me. Likely he's planning to get me when I walk over there to finish him off. It's what I'd try and do were I in his situation. Unfortunatly for him, I have no such plan. Why should I when another Hellfire will toss him up to the perfect hight for another slash to do the trick? Now, to just finish gathering the power I need, and...!! No! That mage is almost at the core! Detonate! Detonate!

-------------------------------------------------------

All around Bofsk, nobody was prepared for what happened next. The town centre literally dissapeared as the giant fireball engulfed it and immolated both buildings and those who weren't equipped to deal with the massive firebomb. Those who were were simply flattened by the force of the blast. Near the outer edges of the town nearly every building was on fire except for the few made of stone such as the forge and the millitary barracks. As for the gates, imbued with ancient magic to prevent an opposing army from ever burning them down, they became new centres of conflict as the army sought to try and shut and protect them to prevent any from escaping the hell Bofsk had become. The truth of that statement showing in the rampaging battles between soldier, rebel, and nightmare in the flaming rubble of the once prud city while civilians just tried to find a safe haven that didn't exsist.

-------------------------------------------------------

*Up near where the workers had been housed, there had been few messangers and no fighting. Consequently, it was reletively late when word got out to the few that were in their houses there that the fighting had broken out. One such house was that of Irius Burned. The messanger in the area had just recently visited the house. This meant that even though the fighting was fierce elsewhere, Irius had only just gotten on his battle armour. Nearby his wife was getting ready to go. And his son was impatiantly standing around in the gear his father had given him so that he could practise a bit before he went off to join the Cadets to help him get a better Squire position.*

Excal: Dad! Dad! What just happened out there?

Irius: That? That's what your old man's been working on for the last little while. And you remember what I've been telling you about what to do when this happened?

Excal: Yup! I've got to be a big boy and look after mom over in the barracks while you go and fight the bad rebels!

Irius: That's my boy! Maria, are you ready to go.

Maria: Yes, yes. Are you sure you'll be ok.

Excal: Don't worry, Mom! It'll take more than a rebel to take Dad out!

Irius: Don't worry. I'll have my sword in my hands, and my men by my side.

Excal: Huh? What's that?

*The three of them look at a nightmare which had just wandered into their abode. It was still translucent and in the form of a young boy with several cuts including a very nasty one to the head which looked fatal. The boy that the nightmare resembled was one that was immeadiatly recognisable to the three people in that room as it was that of Irius' own son. As for what it said, only Irius could hear.*

Irius: What is this? How could I be seeing this horrible vision of my own son? Is this what is to be? Tell me, why are you here?

Nightmare: I'm here to congratulate you on your victory, Dad! The rebels were fleeing before you and you were the pride of the army!

Irius: But, what happened to you?

Nightmare: While you were fighting valiently near the gates, a group of rebels broke into the barracks and decided to kill those who were related to the soldiers to make them pay. You were one of the first ones to arrive there to fight them off. I saw you slaying lots of rebels as I fell trying to protect mom. You were almost to us when she got run through.

Irius: Wha... No... The rebels, they destroy my family right in front of me? No... I'll stand by my family. I'll stay at the barracks and protect them!

Nightmare: But if you do that, then the Rebels'll win. Without you to lead your men, then they'll fall in battle. And with that hole other divisions will also fall. And finally, the army troops will all be gone, and it'll be just you and a few guards against all of the rebels at the barracks. And not even you can stop those odds.

Irius: No, this can't be true... No matter what I do my family must perish?

*As Irius stands there dealing with the fear that those he loves will die with his being able to do nothing the nightmare pulls out its blade. Although the blade is a tool of a young child, short enough that it is barely longer than a knife, it is still lethal. And that fact is driven home as the nightmare sticks the blade into Irius Burned's chest. The nightmare gaining form before the two schocked onlookers as its victim and originator dies. Finally, the process is completed and the nightmare gains true form.*

Excal: You, you killed my Dad.

Nightmare: Yes, and you're next.

*The nightmare attacks stunned child. However, it's strike is deflected by Maria who had grabbed a bread knife from the kitchen.*

Nightmare: So, Mom. You wanna go see Dad first?

Maria: I don't know what you are, but you've already taken my husband. You won't take my son too!

Nightmare: Well then, it's bye-bye time.

*The nightmare attacked Maria Burned, but she had some skill with a blade and was able to hold her own. However, the nightmare was better than she was being more skilled than the person it was imitating and it had a better weapon. Finally it managed to bat her knife out of the way for a clean shot when it was tackled from behind and stabbed repeatedly by the young Excal Burned as he screamed in rage.*

Excal: YOU KILLED MY DAD!!!! DIE YOU BAD ME!!!!

*Excal continued stabbing the nightmare long after it stopped trying to throw him. And when the adrenaline finally cut out, the nightmare's back was simply a bloody mess.*

Excal: Is it...?

Maria: Yes. But, we don't have time to worry about that. We have to get to safety. Remember what your father said.

Excal: What Dad said? Oh yeah! Be a big boy and get us to the barracks!

Maria: Right, son. Let's go.

Excal: But what about, Dad?

Maria: Your father... The... the army will do everything they can...

*And the two of them headed off for the barracks.*

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Amber was dazed, but otherwise ok. As such she got up fairly quickly after the massive explosion that had destroyed half the town.*

Amber: I'm glad we made sure to equip these fire rings before we came here. But, I better go and check on Kyuume.

*Amber turned towards the rubble of what used to be the warship and looked for survivors. The first person she saw wasn't Masayume though, it was Halifax. She briefly considered trying to kill him, but ruled it out as she didn't think she could make it to him before he recovered. Instead, she quickly gathered her magic powers and cast psychic prison on him. She doubted it would hold him for long, but it was better than nothing. Shortly after that, she saw another form moving in the rubble. Rushing over she quickly realised it was Masayume.*

Amber: Kyuume, are you all right?

Masayume: I will be shortly, go check on Edgar.

Amber: Edgar? Oh no!

*It quickly dawned on Amber that Halifax had broken through Edgar's defence to fight Masayume. She quickly ran over to where the entrance to the warship used to be. There under bits and pieces of rubble she found Edgar. He was still alive, though barely so. Amber quickly sized up his condition and decided what she had to do. She then pulled out the Excalibur and set it on Edgar's chest. Then, focusing on the Excalibur, she cast the strongest healing spell she knew. The healing magic covered the nearly dead rebel and healed his wound although he still remained comatose. However, even his colour had improved so Amber felt certain that he would survive.*

Masayume: It seems you've already attended to your friend. Shall we be on our way before we have company?

Amber: Yes, I suppose we shall. But Edgar is still out cold...

*Amber sheaths the Excalibur and Edgar's Save the Queen.*

Masayume: We don't have time to wait and with that armour it wouldn't be wise for any one person to carry him.

Amber: You're right. Let's go.

*Masayume and Amber pick up Edgar and, carrying him between them, head off for the pre-arranged meeting place.*

Excal, another bid of chibi suffering true, but finally introed Excal's background...

Jordan: Huh, what the spoon just happened?

Kenji: It would seem that Amber failed in her mission.

Keith: Damnit! This ain't good...

Jordan: Well c'mon! We gotta go and make sure they're ok!

Kenji: No.

Jordan: No! Whadd'ya mean no! Something mighta happened to them, they might not be able to make it here!

Kenji: Perhaps not. But this is where they'll be coming. If we go to them, we might miss them. Right now the worst thing we could do is ensure our separation like that.

Keith: He's right, Jordan. Edgar and Amber are more than tough enough to survive whatever can be thrown at 'em by these guys. And if they went alone, it means they don't wanna see us until they get here.

Jordan: So then we gotta stay here and wait for them to arrive?

Keith: Well, we may gotta stay here. But, if they're hurt then they'll be awfully glad if we try to clean out the area first. Dont'cha think?

Jordan: Sounds good.

Keith: Then it's settled. Kenj, keep an eye on the spot for us.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

*In all of the chaos by the gates, two battles had been resolved in favour of the rebels. These groups started trying to escape the city, but found their way blocked by a line of yellow that formed out of nowhere and started closing in.

Recognising it as the cavalry the rebels started pulling back to the city. There they noticed the cavalry stopping far enough away to make a rough ring around the burning city.

And so the trap was fully sprung.*

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Amber and Masayume, still carrying the injured Edgar, round the final corner and see Kenji standing at the appointed locataion. Their pace quickens a bit as Amber hurries over to her friend and Yume simply matches her pace.

"Kenji, it's good to see you, but where's Keith and Jordan?" asked a slightly winded Amber.

"Those two are off hunting down some soldiers right now. They should be back soon to check in," stated Kenji. "I take it things didn't go well for you either."

Amber bowed her head down and shook her head slowly. "No. Lord Halifax came in and hurt Edgar pretty badly. Not to mention he destroyed the bomb before I could do anything to it."

"Will Edgar be ok?"

"I think so, but he won't be of any help on our way out of here."

"Then if it won't hurt him, I suggest you two put Edgar down and rest up a bit. We're gonna have a tough time fighting our way out of here."

"Well..."

"Amber, his suggestion is a prudent one," interjected Masayume. "You could tend to him better if you are not carrying him and if Halifax comes after us again then we will need all of the strength we can get."

To this Amber said nothing but gave a small nod. The two of them set Edgar down on the ground and then sat themselves as they waited for their wayward comrads. It turns out they didn't have to wait that long as about 10 minutes later the two came back.

"BAM! Poor guy never even knew what hit him!" Keith's voice wafted over.

"Hey! I think your buddies are back!" Came Jordan's voice in responce.

"Hey, you're right! Even that strange new guy!"

The two of them rushed over to the rest of the group. However, something seemed increasingly wrong to him.

"What the... What happened to Edgar?" Keith said in a quiet voice after he finally realised what was wrong.

"He got hurt badly fighting Lord Halifax," Amber said in a like voice. "We're going to have to carry him to safety."

"Let me do that," Keith offered. "After all, what's the point of a tough guy like me if I can't do the heavy lifting when it's needed. 'Sides, right now you gotta figure out how we're getting out of here."

"I guess I am the leader..." Amber said, realisation dawning on her. "Alright then, I think I remember the escape route Edgar had planned. Follow me."

After Keith had picked up Edgar, the small group started off after their acting leader.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Come, son. I think this way will be safe."

Excal watched his mother lead the two of them through an allyway where it looked like there had been little fighting and no nightmares. However, as they were leaving the alley.

"Well, well. If it ain't a knight's bitch and her little brat."

The two of them turned to see a small group of rebels heading their way.

"Boys, kill the brat, but let's have a bit a fun with the lady before we off her," the leader said with a smirk on his face.

"My Mom'll never do anything for you guys!" Excal shouted as he drew his sword and prepared to fight them.

But his attack didn't happen as he was quickly shoved back by his mother as she stepped in front of him. Brandishing her knife she tried to look brave as she said "We don't want to fight, but we will if we have to."

"Well, well. It seems we'll have to teach her not to mess with us first. Boys."

At this command the rebels all drew their weapons. Excal, although he was young and nervous at his first 'real' combat (he didn't count the nightmare) still managed to keep his head. Now that there were weapons out, he could count their numbers by the glinting steel. He could see two swords, two daggers, and a spear for a total of five rebels.

"Heh, leave this to me," sneered one of the dagger weilders.

The rebel walked up to them with a smug look on his face and a walk which proclaimed his confidence that this would be an easy fight. He fiddled with his dagger as he watched his prey back up a bit trying to avoid the fight. Then, when he was close enough he swung trying to disarm Excal's mom's weapon. However, she moved her knife to deflect his blow away and then swung at his arm leaving a nasty gash behind.

"I warned you! Now go!" she screamed as she swung again at the stunned rebel.

"Heh, she's got spunk. Just the way I like 'em," the leader of the small group said as the other rebel stumbled back to his comrads. "Shame we might have ta mark her up a bit first."

At that, he started advancing himself and all of his crew spread out to surround the mother and son. As he walked towards her, he was prepared and parried the few blows she sent at him. However, he did stop when he found a sword being pointed at his gut and he heard a small voice defiently saying "Don't you dare touch my mom!"

"Heh, cute, kid. Real cute," the leader sneered. "But someone forgot to tell ya yer holding that thing in the wrong hand. Now get outta my way!"

With that he swung his broadsword at the young Excal who managed to parry in time. Unfortunatly, this meant that he was simply thrown to the ground instead of being sliced in half. But it did give his mother a chance to land a blow of her own. The rebel barely managed to get out the way in time and got nicked by a blow that was meant to decapitate him. His battlefield instincts kicked in though and he quickly thrust his sword back at her. Unable to recover quickly enough, Maria Burned was run through.

"MOM!" came Excal's anguished cry as he saw his mother fall to the ground. Then he turned to look the leader of the rebels and charged. Young though he was, his father had taken the time to teach him the basics of how to use a sword, and how to use chinks in an enemies armour to his advantage. Excal quickly noticed a gap that was a combination of sub-par workmanship and a night of pitched battle with knights and nightmares. Dashing with a speed unanticipated by his adversary, he stabbed at the gap. Focusing solely on his aim, he managed to hit the gap on his try. He then let his angre take over and thrust the sword in and out hoping to do as much damage as he could.

His attack ended when he felt an abrupt pain in his gut and went flying. He looked up to see the four remaining rebels standing over him. Although only the one his mother had injured earlier still had his weapon out. Excal thought briefly about how to try and escape these four, but his thoughts were cut short by a sudden boot to the head. From there it didn't stop. They rained blows on whichever part of him was most convenient. Excal was sure they were saying something, but he couldn't quite be sure. And he couldn't tell how long it was until they finally stopped.

And so he just lay there feeling an urge to rest and a knowledge that he had to go somewhere. He couldn't recall how long it lasted until suddenly he felt this pleasurable sensation wash over his body. He looked and saw his savior, a young woman with red hair and green eyes. Although he felt he couldn't trust his senses here as everything looked red in the fire's light. What he could tell though was that she was a rebel as she wore no uniform. But, there was something different about her that inspired his trust. And so, he gave it and asked the only thing that came to mind.

"My mom, is she..."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Never before had Amber felt quite as bad as she currently did. Edgar had been hurt because of her plan, and she could tell that Masayume, she still had a bit of trouble remembering to call him that, didn't look like he was at 100% either; although it was hard to tell with him. And yet everyone still trusted her to lead them out when her last plan had failed so miserably. But, how could she doubt the fact that when they came to a crossroad, it was her they all turned to.

As such, she took it upon herself to make sure nothing happened to any of her charges. She scoured the path they took with her eyes. Taking it all in so that she could prepare in advance. However, the fighting seemed to have moved from this part of town so near the barracks and so all she saw were dead bodies. And the presence of all of these dead people was only adding to her depression as they reminded her of why they came in the first place. And of the price of her failure.

And so it took her a few extra looks when she thought she spotted one move a bit. Between the flickering shadows cast by the many fires and her own desire to see just one survive, she almost dismissed it as a figment of her imagination, but she decided to take a closer look.

"What is it, Amber?" came Keith's voice as she raised her hand to signal them to stop.

"I think one of these people is still alive. I'm gonna check it out," she repied.

"Then we better go with you," Kenji said. "This area is dangerous, and we can't afford to split up. Especially if Halifax might have a grudge with Kyuume here."

"Alright then, stand by, but don't get in my way."

Amber jogged over to where the figure lay. It was small, that of a boy around seven years of age. And it looked like he had been beaten almost to the point of death. Nearby lay what must have been the boys mother, and what must have been the one who killed her. Her analasys was cut short by Keith's voice.

"Ah, nothin to save here. It's just some knight's kid."

This got Amber's attention. "What do you mean nothing to save? We can't just let this kid die!"

"If we save 'im, then we're just gonna end up with another knight to kill in ten years time. So it's better to let nature do it now then to have one of us do it then when he'll be able to do some damage."

"Keith's right. I'd guess that the sword in that rebel belongs to the kid here. And judging from the scene, I doubt he would ever be sympathetic to our cause," Kenji added.

"So we're supposed to just let a kid die like this because he's going to become a knight?" Amber asked. "If we sink to the level where we're letting kids die, then what are we fighting for. We're just as bad as Halifax and the rest."

"Then how about you think about how likely it is the kid's going to attack us," Kenji answered. "rebels just killed his mother right in front of him, and then they started beating on him. What if he chooses to attack us?"

"If I can, I'll put him to sleep. If not, then I'll let you do what you must," Amber said, her voice quiet. "But, if I can help it, I want no more innocents dying."

Except for Keith muttering something about the innocence of the child at hand, there was no more discussion as Amber cast one of her strongest healing spells on the child. The results apeared almost instantly. The child turned and looked at her and she got the distinct impression she was being sized up. However, the look was more one of curiosity than hostility and that was some of the first good news Amber had had in far too long. The first things the child said were not.

"My mom, is she..." the child asked with no hope in his voice.

"Sorry, she's beyond even my gift," Amber said, feeling inadequate yet again.

"I see..." the child said softly. Then the rage started coming out. "Those... those... BAD REBELS! FIRST DAD! THEN MOM! I'm... I'm gonna get 'em! I'm gonna get for getting Mom 'n Dad!" the child screamed, tears running down his cheeks.

"Then how about you start with her, huh kid?" Keith sneered. "She's a rebel. We're all rebels. And it's not exactly like we're gettin' it easy either, we lose people almost as important to us almost everytime we fight! So don't think you're so special!"

The child, unable to think up a retort fast enough, got cut off by Amber. "Keith, be quiet! It's not like you're any better than him! Or have you forgiven the knights for all those deaths and not told us about it."

Keith shot a dark look at Amber before he continued. "Yeah, well then how come the kid hasn't come through on the first part, huh? So, kid. You gonna attack us?"

This time the child answered.

"No. Attacking her or her friends after she saved my life would be dishonourable and without honour a knight is no better than you!" came the defiant reply.

At this Keith just laughed. "Hah! Knights, honourable! Kid, you've got a lot to learn."

"Not from the likes of you!" the kid shot back.

"Oh yeah..." Keith said, shifting into his fighting stance.

"ENOUGH!" Masayume said as he stepped into the middle of it. "We have no time for the petty bickering of children. And you had better be off to your refuge to, young one."

"Yes, I must get word out that my father has fallen. But, miss. My name is Excal Irius Burned. I owe you my life and will grant you a favour should you ever ask it."

"Thank you, Excal. My name is Amber McAllistar. And please, try not to avenge your parents. It would make their sacrifices to protect you in vain."

Excal got up and picked up his sword. He turned and said "I, I dunno..." before starting off towards the barracks.

"Great, now that the brat's gone, let's get out of here."

"Tsk, tsk. One really shouldn't ruin such a touching moment as that with such a trite comment." came a voice behind them.

"Halifax!" Amber cried seeing him.

"It's so nice to be remembered," he said, sarcasm readily apparant.

"So that's Halifax!" Jordan said. "Let's see how he deals with me!"

Jordan rushed towards Halifax planning to beat on the enemy leader. Halifax, though, sent a Hellfire attack at Jordan as he drew his sword. Jordan didn't see the spark heading his way and was caught by surprise when the flames burst around him sending him flying.

"Wha, but I'm immmune to fire damage..." the stunned Jordan stated after he landed.

"He's using the power of the Levantine," Kenji called out. "Most of his attacks are going to be darkness based."

"Hmmm, smart boy," Halifax commented. "Pity you weren't smart enough to know not to mess with me."

"Overconfident, or stalling while your troops get into place?" Masayume called from his position.

"Neither," Halifax smirked. "Now get your hands in the air, or the full force of our elite forces shall decend upon you."

"Last I heard," Masayume retorted, "your 'elite forces' were busy fighting off their worst nightmares."

"Last you heard, yes," Halifax said smugly. "But the thing about elite soldiers is, they've learned how to deal with fear efficiently."

At this, a dozen troops step out of the shadows. Each carrying the trademark of an elite Canuck Knight, a proto blade, or copy of the Juno Blade.

"Three of each aspect. I think you'll find fighting them to be an interesting challenge. Let alone taking me on at the same time."

"Troops, to me!" Amber called. When they gathered around her, she gave orders in a quieter voice. "Keith, keep Edgar safe no matter what. Kenji, Kyuume, Jordan, you three take on the soldiers. I don't care how you do it, but you must stop them. And I'll hold off Halifax."

"Are you willing to let him know you hold the Excalibur so soon?" Masayume asked her.

"It had to be done sooner or later. And we are in great need of its power right now," Amber said.

The five of them nodded and split up. As the fighting started behind her, Amber turned to face Halifax.

"Hmmm, so the leader herself chooses to face me. I think you should know, that I'm not going to go easy just because you're a girl."

"I wouldn't expect it."

"Excellent. But, I am curious, why is your friend not fighting me? Is he afraid? Or do you wish to die first?"

"I'm here to stop you before you can do anything else like what you've done here. The darkness corrupts those who use it and I shan't stand by while it ruins this land."

"And so you'd have us remain weak while those who wish us harm move to destroy us."

"No, but I wouldn't resort to such measures as you have!"

"If that is how you feel, then I shan't try to change your mind. But, as such, your fate has been sealed. Farewell, Ms. McAllistar."

Halifax focused briefly and then charged forward just as he had against Edgar. Amber stepped back in panic as she realised that she hadn't even drawn her sword yet. Her mind grasped onto the slim hope of a miracle and pulled the Excalibur to her. A bright light flashed in her hands and the Excalibur appeared in her hands and deflected Halifax's blow. This unexpected action caught them both by surprise and as such they were both knocked off balance.

"Huh, the Excalibur... saved me?" Amber said in amazement at the sword which had appeared in her grasp.

"I don't believe it! This girl has the Excalibur! No wonder she was the one to face me!" Halifax said. "Well then, it seems that I shall have to defeat her then."

At this, Halifax charged forward and engaged his opponent in close combat. Amber had done well in picking up the art of swordplay from Edgar and learned as much as she could from him. As such, she could stand against Halifax and streaks of white and black clashed in the hellish light of the fire. However, Halifax had a clear advantage over her and finally he knocked her to the ground.

Looking at her imminent defeat Amber called upon everything she could muster and cast Holy. The light energies gathered and tore away at the advancing noble. And when it finished he lay there, badly hurt.

"That is the price one pays for following the path of darkness," Amber said as she got to her feet.

"Perhaps, but so long as I live, it is worth it." Amber took a step back in shock as Halifax got back up. "And now, to show you a little trick of my own. Multiplicity!"

Halifax charged at the stunned lightbearer and came at her with the four strikes that Masayume had to face before. When it was done, Amber fell to her knees.

"You provided me a good challenge, but now it's time to end this," Halifax said preparing his finishing strike.

"How very true," came Masayume's voice as he used a Dash & Slash attack on Halifax.

The stunned Halifax was unable to do much more than try and scramble out of the way and took a vicious slash. He turned to see Masayume standing by Amber and looked the other way to see Kenji and Jordan preparing to fight him too, though they both looked a little worse for wear.

"Your troops are dead Halifax," Masayume stated. "And soon you shall join them."

"Perhaps," said Halifax, his voice still even, "but I've made a living of knowing when to fight, and when to run. 'Til we meet again, Ms. McAllistar."

With that he reached into his cloak and threw a smoke bomb on the ground. Masayume refused to let him get away that easily and threw a photon beam into the smoke. But it was no use. Halifax had already dissapeared.

"Damnit!" Keith said behind them. "We finally get him cornered and he just runs."

"We'll meet again," Amber said. "One day I'll fight him again. But for now, we've got to move. That fight took a lot out of all of us it seems."

They all nodded their acceptance and headed towards the gates. They were lucky and this gate was one of the ones where the rebels had previously broken through. Outside the gates they ran into another stroke of luck. The rebels had had time to organise outside the gates due to heavier than expected losses to the knights. As thelight cavalry outside the gates hadn't expected any organised attempts to break their lines and weren't equipped to do so. They did the smart thing and retreated.

And so, battered and bruised, the party left for the nearby woods to seek a spot to set up a tent for the night.

Excal, this took far too long to get up...

ooc:hey this is my first time in one of these threads so i really could use some pointers...if im doing anything wrong just tell me
also i havent read the whole thread so i dont know exactly whats happening...er if someone could maybe sumerize what happened so far i would be very greatfull
well here i go

ic:
A tall man walked through the woods, seemingly alone, his long dark hair pulled back into a braided ponytail and a scar across his face from the left temple to the right side of his chin going over his nose...

Tux::I can smell my next meal all the way out here...yes...less than a mile away...come to me my meal...oh im so hungry i dont even know if i can take her...im too weak........

(Hey. I gave my intro in another topic, and didn't have time to read all of this one, so could someone summarise?)

Alright, here's what one needs to know about this thread. First off, it takes place ten years before the main board arc. And it doesn't have that much longer before its arc finishes as the main characters are likely going to leave in the next big battle so as they can participate in another thread that ought to be starting soon...

Aside from that, for actual summary. The year is 985 and the seers the the great nation of New Canada have discovered that the forces of the world are out of whack due to some approaching great evil. This evil has already been fought in a different thread and defeated, so no worries about it. But, the nation of New Canada takes extreme measures to prepare for this evil and rebellion breaks loose across the land. Thus we focus in on the main characters.

Aside from Lord Byron of Halifax, who wields the dark blade, Leviathan and Lord Regeant Balinore, we don't really focus much on the government side, although there was some attention paid to Irius Burned and his family, particularily his son, Excal Burned who's become an important person 10 years later (technically around 12 or 13, but he's gone back in time a few years) and has been a part of the three adventures this crew has had.

So, the main focus is on a small group of six rebels. There's the leader, Edgar. The protagonist, Amber. The hot headed fighter, Keith. The consumate professional, Kenji. The newbie, Jordan. And the mysterious stranger that's obscenely powerful, Kyuume, or Masayume as his friends call him. After their HQ was destroyed by the army this group went to find a new group to join when they found out about a plan to stop all of the rebels with a fake warship in Bofsk which was really a bomb. Thanks to Masayume calling in nightmares though many of the rebels managed to escape. However, in the fighting Edgar was nearly killed by Halifax and he's currently out cold and near death.

The current time is with the group heading for the woods to camp for the night immeadiatly after the Bofsk raid. The immeadiate post for this group is being made by Krono right now and is almost done from what I've heard. (This is also meant to be an answer for Alex as to why he hasn't had a responce yet.)

Anyways, that's about it for what's happened with this thread. Main things besides this is just a bunch of backstory for the Juno Blade (all of this information will probably be tossed into a more complete package when I'm done setting the story straight and just be put out in a post on the Myths and Legends of the Canuck Knights, although it'll mainly just focus on the origins of their people, why they have a regent but no monarch, the properties of their two most powerful swords (one is the Juno Blade, the other is the regent's sword and is going to be named once I find out what "Queen's Guardian" is in latin.), and the various orders of knighthood.) and personality developement for Amber, Halifax, and Masayume (though how much relevance Masayume's character has is an interesting topic in and of itself).

Anyways, sorry for the overly long rant, and hopefully we'll soon be back to your regularily scheduled rebellion.

Excal, wondering how many people remember that there's two Excals out and about right now.

Maybe I'll just post in my other thread right about now.

OOC: Sorry for taking so long to make this. The ending of school for the summer has given me time to spend playing games, and less chance to be online. Just a few quick things. 1) Masayume is not "obscenely powerful" as Excal said. It's understandable that Excal said that by accident because my main character Krono is. 2) Don't let the amount of stuff that's gone before intimidate you. This is a good as thread as any to get a feel for things, and it could use a slight increase in people writing for it. 3) Jordan, your fight scenes were fairly good. Only critisim I have is that I don't really see a Knight acting that way, and I question the ability of a ring to get knocked off mid fight. 4) There is no four, on to the post.


???: You ok?

???: I'm fine, just a few cuts and scrapes, I'll be fine with a little rest.

???: That you don't have any major injuries doesn't mean that you aren't getting exhausted.

???: Can't be helped, and I've been in longer running battles before, I'll rest once we make camp.

???: If you say so...

???: Meanwhile you can make yourself's useful, what's the status of the surrounding area?

???: Most troops seem to have remained near the city, the rebels are scattering as fast as they can, and the fires in the city are being put out.

???: The calavry has a few patrols out, nothing nearbye or headed this way. Someone with a brain is apparently still in command, the soliders are helping any civilian's left in the city.

???: I guess they figured that too many rebels and civilians escaped for them to make a complete massacre of it, so they'll go with the story that the rebels launched a full scale sneak attack against the city and blew up the airship yards. Then they'll take credit for saving the civilians that survived.

???: Not that many civilians left though, anyone who wasn't related to a member of the army wasn't prepared for that firestorm. Easily half of them died in the intial blast alone, I don't think much more than a fifth of the city's population survived at best.

???: Couldn't be helped. At least it's better than all the civilians and rebels.

???: Kind of a cold atitude to take.

???: It's about all that can be said. It could have been far worse, and I'm not about to get all weepy over the deaths of people I've never seen. What's the status on the nightmares?

???: Still going fairly strong, most of them have faced their creator at this point, a lot of them didn't get past that point. That Halifax fellow wasn't kiding when he said those were their best troops.

???: Still enough of the nightmares won and are causing a lot of chaos among the remaining soldiers. The troops are having a diffcult enough time that a lot of nightmares will still be around come sunrise.

???: And when the nightmares disipate with the dawn, the knights will be too exhausted to mount much of a persuit against us or the rebels.

???: Good, sounds like we don't have to worry about being attacking anytime soon, anyplace around here that we could camp for the night?

???: There is a clearing about a half mile ahead, and fifth or so yards into the trees. It's the most out of the way place around for miles.

???: Ok, I'll steer everyone towards it and we can see about tending to our wounds.

???: All of them?

???: What do you mean?

???: Considering that the mission was the survival of the city, it was a rather dismal failure.

???: Everyone's wounded to one degree or another, some seriously.

???: Everyone's tired and angry right now. Basically morale's at a low.

???: Ok, I get your point. Only you would consider morale problems to be "wounds".

???: Your point being?

???: Nothing, just commenting. Looks like we're nearing that clearing, time to start directing people again.


Masayume: We should be far enough away from the city, time to set up camp.

Kenji: Set up camp where? On the road?

Keith: And what makes you think this is far enough away? There could be patrols less than a mile away for all we know.

Masayume: The city was in ruins, and the troops in chaos when we left. Too many rebels and civilians escaped for them to get away with wiping out surviors in the city. They'll be helping the surviors by this point to help fight any rumors spread by those that escaped. Odd's are they'll escape blame for this, if they stay close to the city and try and salvage what's left.

Keith: I think you're underestimating their desire to kill us. If they were willing to destroy a major city, and kill their own citizens just to get rebels, they'll likely use the excuse of hunting down the rebels as their reason for not helping the city.

Masayume: Not with nightmares hunting them, and rebel archers and mages hidden waiting to pick off any knight that goes looking. No, they'll be staying close to the city. It doesn't matter much anyways, we can't really go any farther without rest, and being carried isn't helping Edgar.

Kenji: He has a good point there Keith. We're currently in no shape to put up more than a token fight, we need rest.

Jordan: But is there any good place nearbye?

Masayume: There should be a clearing a few dozen yards back, lets head for it, we're not likely to find a better place to camp for the night.

Amber: Sounds good, lets go.

Amber's statment ended the arguement. Silence reigned until the group reached the clearing and began to set up camp.

Kenji: Do you think it's safe enough to risk a fire?

Jordan: I could start a small one that would put out heat, but not much light.

Masayume: Normally I'd say that we shouldn't risk it. But with Edgar being injured the benefit of having a fire on hand while treating him outways the risk of it being spoted. Besides, we should be far enough away that a small fire wouldn't be seen if we dung a deep enough hole for it.

Kenji: We all could probably benefit from a fire, Jordan and I will get right on it.

Keith: I'll take first watch, but first, how's Edgar doing?

Amber: He's stablized, which is a good sign. I've healed the wound as best I can for now, but he lost a lot of blood and a few of his rib's are still cracked. He's still in danger, but with any luck he'll be fine with a few days rest.

Keith nodded and left for the edge of the clearing to stand guard.

Masayume: Which unfortunately he's not likely to get for a while. And while he's recovering he's not going to be in a position to command. Sounds like you're staying leader for a while Amber.

Amber: Great, with the track record I've got so far we'll be dead in a week.

Masayume: Don't sell yourself short. You got us out of the hellhole the city turned into. We're all alive, and a lot of rebels and civilians are alive that would be worm food if we hadn't done anything.

Amber: And more dead because I didn't defuse the bomb in time. And my leading us out of the city had us fighting over a kid, then stuck in an ambush.


???: Halifax detonated the bomb telepathically. He sensed that Amber had almost defused it. Successfully defusing it was never actually possible unless Halifax had been asleep or something.

???: And even that's iffy.

???: Thanks.

???: No problem.


Masayume: Halifax probably remote detonated the bomb as soon as you got close. If anyone's to blame it would be my and Edgar for not taking him down. And we survived the ambush and left Halifax running for his life.

Amber: After he nearly killed me. The Excalibur is the only reason I survived. I don't have a chance of winning against him. And look at us, we're tired, injured, and fighting among ourselves.

Masayume: We're fighting amongst ourselves because we're tired and injured. And exhaustion and injuries are part of any battle, there isn't anything you could do to prevent it. Edgar couldn't have kept us from being a bit worn after that mess.

Amber: Still doesn't change the fact that I'm not as good a leader as he is.


???: You know your not going to win an arguement when it starts going in cirlces.

???: Your optimism is overwhelming.


Masayume: Amber, for someone who found herself unexpectedly the leader for the first time, you did a fine job. You just need a little experience, and more importantly self-confidence. Hell you did a better job commanding your first mission than I did.

Amber: Oh? How did your first command turn out.

*Masayume sighed and sat back a little.*

Masayume: It was a small scouting party. There were only ten or so of us. A valley I lead us into had snipers on the ridge. Half the party was killed before we knew we were under attack. Another was killed as we withdrew. Shortly after we had to fight off a few troops sent in persuit. In the end only three of us made it back to the main army. One of whom later died of his wounds. We did our job the best we could, only a few more people were lost clearing out the snipers a week later. But my first command was for all intensive purposes gone. I spent a long time going over what happen, trying to think of what I could have done better. In the end I came to the same conclusion that you should.

Amber: And that is?

Masayume: That you did the best you could given who you are and the information you had. In war, many thing happen and people are killed that we blame ourselves for not preventing, when in reality, there was nothing we could have done.

Amber: I'll give it some consideration. How does your story end?

Masayume: Hmm?

Amber: What did you do for the rest of the war? And what happened to the other survivor?

Masayume: I spent enough time recovering, and the war ended soon enough, that the only other thing I did during it was help coordinate supplies. As for the other survivor, he has a rather sad story. You see, in the last few battles a fair number of the brigade I had been in was wiped out, my scouting party had been only the start. It turns out that the town the other survivor was from had a fair number of its young men in that brigade. He was the only survivor. When he returned, much of the town felt that he somehow failed by living while everyone else died. That he should have died with them, or helped more of them return. He died of shame a coyuple years later.

Amber: Wow. So how did the war end? And when was this war anyways? I don't remember being taught of any recent major wars.

Masayume: It wasn't that big a war, few noticed other than those near it. And it ended the way it should have started, with both sides hammering a deal out at the peace table.

Amber: Such a sad story... Perhaps we're also doomed to such a fate.

Masayume: Perhaps. Fate is rarely known for being mercyful. One of the reasons why I prefer to take my own path most of the time.

Amber: Your story made me feel a bit better, but there's an important difference between our tales. You planned your mission from the start. I was following what Edgar had planned before. All the mistakes here were mine.

Masayume: Edgar's only human, he planned this, not you. And some of what happened was unavoidable, no matter what. You can't place blame for every little thing that went wrong on yourself.

Amber: I... I guess you're right. There's nothing that could have been done... *Amber brushes her hair back with a thoughtful, hesitant look on her face. Then she looked at Yume again.* If you don't mind my asking, where is your homeland?

Masayume: A long ways away from here. My travels have taken me across dimensions. I haven't been back in so long I can't even remember its name. It was a rather unremarkable place and I never really got too attached to it. Hell, time flows differently for each dimension, for all I know it ceased to exist years ago.

Amber: Perhaps you could help me then. Doubtless my destiny is to fight Halifax as the holders of the blades of light and dark are sworn foe in all the tales that are told of heros past. So, could you help me learn how to properly wield the Excalibur. Doubtless having traveled across worlds you would know how to properly wield a sword of true power.

Masayume: I'd be more than happy to help you. Actually most of the time it's a lot like wielding a normal sword. The main difference is that you have to learn what powers it posseses, and when and where you should use them. I can help you learn to be a good swordswoman. But a lot of learning Excalibur's magic will be up to you. Either way such training is for another day. We have some respite from pursuit, but it's best we leave here early tommorrow.

Amber: True. Well then, shall we get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a long day as it is. We need not add to our burdens.

Masayume: Good night.

Amber: Good night.

*Masayume then got up, walked over to a nearbye tree, unhooked his sword sheath, and sat down, leaned up against the tree, rested the sheathed Masamune on his shoulder, then apparently fell asleep.*


???: Not bad.

???: Never thought you would actually managed to cheer her up.

???: I wouldn't call her current mood cheerful. Less depressive, and not blaming herself for everything. But not cheerful.

???: Will you please shut up? I believe a while ago you made an observation about me needing rest?

???: Sorry.




Krono
"Sanity is relative."

Jordan overheard some talking. he didn't now if it was in his head or outloud, but it was too jumbled to make out.

Jordan: (hmmmm better stay on my guard)

After the fire was started everyone seemed to relax in the heat.

Keith: Now all we need are some marshmallows.

Keith's attemp to lighten the mood didn't work. It didn't hurt though.

OOC I'm going to be out of town for a week, so you guys are in charge.


Jordan, who is going to music camp. (thats right im a little bard make fun of me if you must.)