Post by Aeric Ecrai on Dec 8, 2007 13:02:11 GMT -5
Right, left, thrust, parry, swipe...
That is all that was running through Link's mind as he struck down the countless shades that poured over the walls and invaded the castle.
But the mist rolled on, boiling an evil black, so thick that the eye could not see an inch into it, and these were dragoonian eyes.
Slash, stab, move, parry, uppercut..
Yet more came. The seemingly endless flood would not let up. If there was an ulterior motive, Link knew not what it was. He knew not if the mist threatened the NyghtWyng capital, or the other capitals that were scattered throughout the mountains.
A peal of thunder sounded overhead, and the ground shook. Link looked up breifly to see a massive storm overhead, lightning shooting down in all directions, striking shadows left and right.
But still they came.
Hundreds. Thousands. Millions, as far as Link knew. Centis was doing his best, downing dozens in a single shot. But where dozens fell, three dozen seemed to spring up. Was the battle hopeless?
Slash, strike, thrust, block...
The capital could not fall today. It would not.
For such a landmark to fall, for the war to end now..that was unthinkable. Link saw the royal guard, garbed in silver armor, fighting alongside the regular soldiers, holding their own against the shades. But, one by one, they were overwhelmed.
Was this the end...?
No, such a thought should not be brought into being. The Extraxi were the greatest fighters the world had ever known.
But slowly, the mist came closer. The shadows multiplied.
"Fall back, into the castle!" Link heard a general shout, and he was reluctant to obey. Whilst the soldiers scurried back to the walls of the fortress, Link fought on, but to no avail.
Without the help of the guards, Link had become surrounded. Surrounded by the beings that threatened his race. Infuriated, Link spun in a circle and killed all that were around him. But they were replaced with more.
[glow=green,2,300]Link, you must fall back. I shall provide a way. GO![/glow]
As soon as the word was uttered, a massive bolt shot from the coulds and vanquished hundreds of shadows, making a clear path to the main building. The aftershock ringing in his ears, Link ran as fast as he had ever ran. Making it to the doors, he slammed them shut.
Will they ram the doors down? Move through the walls? Assassinate us from above? Kari, where are you?
Link knew his fear was getting the best of him, but this mist, this seemingly endless supply of evil, it had broken his nerves. He knew Centis still fought outside, and he was guessing Zodack as well. Their bravery moved him, but he knew the chances of survival were slim. It was only a matter of time until the mist was on the castle. Some of the citizens were curled into balls, whimpering. Others were white as a sheet, clinging to loved ones. Link knew this was pure terror. Nothing he had seem amounted to this. Nothing.
Thud....
The sound had come from the door. Shrieking, serveral of the civilians passed out, terrified and thinking that this was the end.
But was it? Link cared not. He had to get out of here, find some comfort.
No! the other side of his mind screamed, you must fight alongside your people.
But how? Why? It was hopeless. Their strategy had worked. It had broken the courage of many, and now they waited for their deaths.
Thud..
Link flinched, taking a few steps back from the door. Surely they couldn't break in. The door was enchanted, it...
Thud..
it couldn't be broken it just-it couldn't..it..
Thud..
Link ran. He knew not where, to his room, perhaps. Who knew. He just wanted to get away, to hide somewhere, to think of all that he held dear and to hold onto the hope that this would be over.
Looking out a window, he saw...black.
The mist! It was covering the castle!
Link could feel his eyes watering. Now was not the time to be afraid, he knew, but what else could one do? Trapped inside the place he called home, held hostage by the very evil that wanted to kill his race, seemgingly helpless to do anything, what could one do?
Could they fight? No, for that meant death.
Could they run? No, for there was no where to run.
Could they encourage others? No, for what could one say?
Link just wanted to get away, to hide, to seek comfort near the fountains, but he knew such a wish was futile.
What could one do...?
Kari..
Link felt a tear. How long since he had cried? It was not sorrow he felt, but such a hopelessness that it ate at his soul, his very being, until he thought all was lost. But still, he held on to hope that this would be over. Held on to the beacon of that that floated in his mind, held on to his memories of Kari.
But what were memories? the mist seemed to say, mocking him.
Memories are what I hold dear. Memories are something that can never be taken from me, even to death. Memories..
The mist had entirely blanketed the castle now. Link knew. He could tell. This feeling of hopelessness..how he hated it. How he hated being helpless.
But what could one do?
Even more so, why were they here?
Why, when the attack was on a single capital?
Why, when the mist could easily cover the entire mountain range and wipe out the entire race?
Centis is out there fighting..Dad is out there fighting..and I hide like a frightened wyvern. How disgraceful.
Link felt his princely pride welling up already, and he knew what he must do.
He must go into the mist.
Yes, it seemed suicidal, and yes, he knew it probably was. But wasn't it better to die on the field of battle then die alone in his own home?
He knew he was inexperienced, and he knew that he would probably never see Kari again. That hurt him the most.
But if there was no escape, would he never see her again anyways?
Destiny..
Link knew not where the thought had come from.
Destiny is a funny thing..
It is odd, he decided. But why were these thoughts surfacing?
Destiny is what binds us together. Destiny is what can tear us apart. It is destiny that makes us what we are, and it is destiny that can take our identities away. Destiny that grants us love, destiny that gives us hate, destiny that brings war as well as peace. Destiny that allows us to make our own decisions. Destiny, Link, is what gives us hope.
"Who's there? How are you talking in my head? What do you want with me?!"
A chuckle echoed in Link's mind.
You know not who I am. You won't know for quite some time. Ah, but that would be spoiling it. I've watched your growth over the years. Do not fear, for you do not die today. I would answer more questions, but it seems as if you've made up your mind. You care not for questioning me. You want to fight.
How did he know that, Link thought.
How did I know? You ask that, yet you care not how I know all the things about you? Destiny is funny, is it not? But go, you have a darkness to face.
"Thank you..whoever you are.." Link replied, running out of the room he was hiding in, shaming himself for being so selfish.
He was running too fast to see the man that had been standing behind him the whole time, the man he had been unaware of. The man whose face you could not see, his hood covering his identity. Link was already three halls down and still running for the door, when the man turned around.
"My name, Link? My name matters not. So then, change history. Alter what would be a defeat to a victory. My name, Link, is Sollis."
And with that, the man in the golden cloak faded from the focus of the world and disappeared.
* * *
Odd how someone can force their way into my head. Kari'll probably want to hear about that. Hmm..Kari...
Link realised he would probably see her in a few years. My, how his perspective had changed.
All from those words..where did that come from, anyways? Did I think that?
"Destiny is what gives us hope.."
The words echoed in his mind, fueling his courage. As he reached the door, he pulled his rapier out of it's sheath, the silver blade glinting in the torchlight and drawing the eyes of terrified civilians.
"He's going into the mist.."
"He's insane! He'll die out there!"
"Silence, he's the prince. He'll survive somehow.."
"The prince?? What will our nation do without an heir??"
Throwing the door open, Link charged into the hellish fog, slamming two shadows to the ground before they could even react.
"Shut the door!" He yelled, and the citizens were quick to obey. With the slam of the large gate, Link was thrown into darkness. A darkness so black one could not see an inch in front of him, so black that it robbed your heart of hope.
"Destiny is what gives us hope"
His blade was moving faster and faster, becoming what would be seen as a blur had there been any light. Link knew not how he knew where the enemy was, but they fell, one by one.
Suddenly, a flash of light!
A thunderbolt had landed near Link, and illuminated the courtyard long enough for Link to see what he was up against.
By the gods..
Millions was all that came to mind. Millions of shades, all shapes and sizes, all forms, from sniper to soldier to scout.They were crawling on the walls of the castle, moving towards the gate.
Fear is their motive..they aren't making any attempt to get in..if I can-
Link fell over, a stabbing pain shooting through his shoulder. He thought of an arrow, a crossbow bolt perhaps, fired by one of the shadows. His sword arm was useless, he could tell.
How do I fight now? Am I going to die here?
Link gritted his teeth and fought on with his good hand, holding his rapier as best he could. But, it was not the same. Without his accuracy and skill, he couldn't finish off as many as possible. The only light was the brief flashes provided by Centis' thunderbolts that continued to rain from the sky, but still seemed to have no effect.
Naturally, Link fought on. He knew it was hopeless, knew that without his good hand he would only kill half as many.
I need to work on that..dual weilding, maybe..
But now was not the time to be looking towards the future. A thought like that could disrupt his concentration and make him open to attack.
CLANG!
Another dark sword blocked, another three or four shadows fell.
To the left, Link managed to shoot down the shadow that had shot his arm with a fire spell, or at least he thought. It was so blasted dark! Link could feel the bolt in his shoulder, feel his arm continuing to weaken.
But what was this?
He felt the feeling seeping to the rest of his body!
Posion! This could be it..
Link felt one of his knees buckling and he just managed to block another swing before he went down. Laying in an awkward position on one knee, he kept fighting. Knowing it was a matter of time until he was completely paralyzed, he mustered all his strength and fought.
What a sight it would be to see him, kneeling on a single knee, warding off hundreds of shades.
That is, if you could see.
"Ugh!"
Link felt his other knee give way, and he was lying on the ground now.
But he was still fighting. Almost facedown, he continued to ward off attacks from the shades. Finally, he felt the poison seep to his other arm, and his rapier fell to his side. A shadow - he didn't know which one, they all looked the same - raised his sword to deal the final blow.
"Hang on, prince!"
Link knew not who said it, just that a blazing blade slashed through the air, decimbering the sword arm of the shade. More fell as a red haired youth about Link's age cut down shadow after shadow with a blade that was seemingly alive with fire.
The man glimpsed over long enough to catch Link's stare.
"Oh, sorry, forgot to intorduce myself. BLAGH!"
He swung back around and fired a rapid volley of flames into an oncoming shadow. Hoping for an opening, he turned back around.
"As I was saying, my name is..- BLAGH!!"
Flipping back around, he slashed two shadowknights in half, backflipped, and landed on Link's other side.
"Flamma Baar!"
A large ring of fire began to rotate at his feet, lighting up the darkness. The light seemed to dim as the dark fog threatened to eat it up, but the wall of flames continued to grow until they were surrounded by a tower of heat.
"Yeah, as I was saying, my name is...oh, hold on."
The man reached down to his belt, pulled out some herbs, and threw them into a vial. Muttering something under his breath that sounded like "stupid alchemy" and "never learning herbalore worth a flip", he waved his arm under the vial and made a small fireball. The vial then proceeded to explode, throwing it's contents onto Link.
"Oh well, ah, that was the antidote for the poison..it shoudl still get into your system. Alchemy was never my best art.."
Sure enough, Link felt his strength coming back.
Standing up, he picked up his rapier and readied himself.
"Hoo there, hold on. That pyro wall will last a while. Anyways, my name is -"
Link barely had time to run in front of him and slash a flurry of arrows out of the air that were aimed at the swordsman's head.
"Be more careful. Flame walls don't stop metal bolts. So, what were you saying your name was? Bah, it doesn't matter right now. Help me drive back more of these feinds."
Mocking insult, the swordsman turned around, his back to Link's.
"Fine. But I still say manners come first. You're right, however. So, how do you like your shadows burned?"
Spinning his rapier in a circle, Link turned his head slightly to the left.
"Burnt? I like them obliterated. They're the nemisis of my race, you know. Get this flaming wall down before they decide to shoot so many bolts that I cannot block them. Hurry!"
With a downward striking hand motion, the wall came down.
"There ya go. So, how do we approach this? There are so many.."
Throwing his rapier into the air, Link watched it arc in a spiral until coming back down into his palm.
"We take them on together."
"Very well."
Then, the shadows came. Who knows why they hadn't earlier.
Destiny, perhaps?
The two men were a blur, back to back, a flashing rapier and a flaming broadsword cutting down the fog's seemingly endless army one after another.
Centis had apparently moved on the fight blade to blade, for the raging thunderstorm had left the sky.
The only way Link could tell this was that their were no striking bolts nor peals of thunder. The only light was the dim light from the fire coating his comrade's blade.
Somehow, the shadows seemed to back away a little, frightened by the two warriors who now stood and opposed them.
Kari..I'm living through this..
Link knew the fog would not leave without substantial damage, but at the rate the fight was progressing, that was imminent.
"Let's see if we can get to the source of the mist, if there is any. We'll stay back to back, seeing as that's the best way to fight when one is outnumbered."
The flameswordsman turned his head at Link and laughed.
"Tactical genius, I see. Sure, whatever you say."
The two moved onward, inch by inch. Slowly, inches turned to yards, and they began to move faster, into the darkest part of the fog.
"So..you sure this is a good thing, prince-guy?"
Link squinted at the boiling mass they were moving into.
"Yeah..pretty sure..I mean, Centis and Zodack are out here somewhere.."
Sure enough, Link caught a flash of silver armor, then his vision turned white.
The ground rocked with a deafening sonic boom, and the row of thrity shadows coming at the exploded, a lightning bolt ripping through them.
The lightning discharged into the ground, ripping through the feet of the next wave, which fell onto the third wave, transferring the current to them, which ended their lives as well.
"Well that was..amazing." the swordsman said, and Link had to strain to hear. The sonic boom had been quite loud.
[glow=green,2,300]Well Link, it's good to see you back. I see you;ve found the help I sent for. Or rather, he found you. Need a hand?[/glow]
Link allowed him to sigh in relief and looked up to Centis, whose armor's polymerite was already glowing and providing a dim green glow.
"Yes, Centis, that would be..great. We're going to take out the center. Let's finish this before it gets any worse."
* * *
As Link, Centis, and their Pyroblade friend ran towards the area that Centis had designated the "center", the Vanguard began to talk. He was hard to hear in the midst of the sounds of battle, but thankfully Link could make it out.
"I don't know if either of you know this, and now is as good a time as any to tell you. Shadows work like..insects. No, they don't have six legs or wings, but they are grouped together in hives, packs, whatever you want to call them. Similar to clans, like the Dragoons, but incredibly different at the same time. You see, each 'hive' is controlled by a 'massmind', a thinking process for the entire group. What one member of the group sees, all of them see. They can communicate within each other as well. The Vanguards presume the Mist is created when two or more groups come together, forming enough negative energy to exude the sense of evil and break their opponents. The method of destroying the Mist is not known, however. Link, your idea is good, for something must be acting as the massmind of this particular Mist, controlling all the shades. Let it be known that a Mist has never been destroyed in the past. They have surfaced, destroyed villages and cities, then simply..disappeared. We know not why."
Link struck down another shadow soldier and turned to Centis.
"We must at least try. If we don't, the capital is sure to fall. The townsfolk are already broken, and most of the soldiers and guards were killed. It's up to you, me, and that guy that still hasn't told me his name yet."
The Pyrobalde moved his head to Link.
"I've been trying to tell you, my name is - BLAAAGH"
Flinging himself around, he intercepted a round of crossbow bolts with his sword, then fired off a burst of small fireballs in the direction of the shooter.
"Nevermind. I'll tell you when there isn't a million enemies all trying to kill us."
Link backflipped just in time to avoid a swiping sword, the hand holding it quickly becoming severed.
"Alright. Centis, they're attempting to swarm us again. I would fight more, but my shoulder wound is still open from the bolt. Even the Extraxi's increased rate of healing can't close a wound inflicted by shades..they're meant to keep the pain intense and the gash open."
Centis' eyes lit up.
"You might want to cover your ears, Link. This will be loud."
In a blur, he was gone. Shortly after, and in absolutely no time for Link to, indeed, cover his ears, a resounding bang echoed throughout the battlefield, and the area was once again lit up by the glow of a lightning bolt shooting through a few dozen enemies.
The air cracked and popped with electricity as Centis struck down numerous eneimies with his twin swords, which were curved and also gilded with polymerite. Electricity moved between the gap in each sword, which was between the main blade and a much smaller blade.
Link looked to his other sided and saw his fiery friend cutting down three bowman in one stroke of his large broadsword.
Spinning around, Link's rapier was a blur as he slashed his way through line after line of the enemy.
"Centis, they won't stop coming! We'll tire before we even make a yard of progress!"
Centis seemed to have heard, and seconds after a few more shades fell, their bodies racked with electricity, he appeared by Link's side.
"I know. To the center, then?"
* * *
Finally, the center was near. Link could see the area where the mist was generating from, a mass darker and more evil than the fog. Their progression there had not been easy, however. Centis hadn't taken a hit, but was beginning to tire. Leroy's leg had been slashed by a dark blade, giving him a slight limp, and Link's arm was still hurting from the bolt that had been pulled out. The wound was pretty deep.
"How do we stop this..?" Link asked, somewhat hopeful that it was soon going to be over.
"Don't ask me!" yelled the pyroblade, still slashing at the shadows that were seemingly generated my the mass in the middle.
"I wasn't!" Link yelled back, searching for Centis, who was in the midst of another battle.
"Centis!" Link yelled to the Vanguard, just as the shadows fell.
"Oh, sorry. I was a little busy." Centis turn to Link.
"Well, I'm not sure. I've never taken one down before..I'd say we kill whatever is at the center..if there is anything there. We can only hope.."
Link readied his rapier once more, tired of the ceaseless fighting.
"Very well...are you with me, Pryoblade?"
"I've been TRYING TO TELL YOU, my name is - oh forget it. Let's go."
The three began to run at the center of the mist, feeling their charisma returning. Blades held at an attack position, they struck down countless swordsmen on their way to the middle.
The mass of shadow in the middle was larger than it had seemed at first. Whirling around and around, it sucked all the air around it into the darkness. The wind had begun to pick up, but the shadow mass was fading, and Link could only imagine what it would reveal.
[glow=red,2,300]So...you've come to stop me, little ones? Ah..haha..HAHAHAH!!![/glow]
Centis' eyes widened. "I know that voice!! Link, Leroy, RUN!!"
So THAT'S his name.. Link thought to himself. But unable to disregard a direct order from a Vangurad, Link pulled Leroy away from the center.
[glow=red,2,300]Centis, Centis. You and me both know you aren't strong enough to take me on. Aoei should be here as well..so I could take her from you.[/glow] The voice was malicious, and seeped of evil.
The darkness in the center began to slowly fade, and with it, the mist declined, ever so slowly..
[glow=green,2,300]Don't speak of her! I may not be able to defeat you, Crimson Knight, but I can keep you away from Link![/glow]
Link's eyes widened. In the center of a destroyed courtyard, where the center of the mist had been, stood a man clad in blood red armor, brandishing a broadsword of equal color. His visor turned to Link, and the gaze from behind it seemed to bore into his skull.
[glow=red,2,300]So, you think you can, little Vanguard? We shall see...[/glow]
Raising his sword, he brought it down on Centis, who threw up both twinswords in a defensive block. Electricity flowed from them into the sword and onto the knight, crackling with power. But the knight just stood there laughing, and forced the sword down harder onto the two smaller twinswords.
[glow=red,2,300]I won't break that easily, you know...you were always a thorn in my side...you and Zodack both.[/glow]
He said the name Zodack with such hate that it made Link flinch.
What does he know of my father...?
The sky had been clouded over, for as the mist was covering the capital, it had changed from day to night. But slowly, the clouds began to part. Rays of sunlight danced on the hills in the distance.
[glow=green,2,300]Ngh...maybe I can't defeat you..but I can delay you...until sunrise...[/glow]
Centis' voice held the tone of triumph, for he knew that the Crimson Knight had spent the majority of his energy spawning the mist, and since the knight was pure evil, he could not survive this sunlight long.
[glow=green,2,300]Zodack is coming, knight. You had best retreat...[/glow]
Centis slammed both his swords upward, sending a bolt of lightning into the air and onto the knight, who didn't even flinch.
[glow=red,2,300]How right you are...but I have enough time to kill you...[/glow]
He brought his sword down hard on Centis' body, but it seemed to flow through it, embedding itself into the ground. Centis moved to the side, his body becoming solid again.
[glow=green,2,300]Aoei taught me some water magii tricks...now, you wouldn't want to lose your sword, would you?[/glow]
The Knight knew he had been outsmarted. The sun was coming over the mountains now, illuminating the figures of Link and Leroy.
[glow=red,2,300]I shall not forget this...[/glow]
In a burst of shadow, the Knight was gone. Finally, sunrise hit the entire capital, illuminating the mountainside. The capital was almost in ruin, but...they had done it. They had stopped the mist.
"Leroy, Centis...we did it..."
Leroy and Centis looked over at Link.
"Now..we rebuild.."
Centis put his hand on Link's shoulder.
"The Vanguards will watch over you. We had no idea the Knight was involved..."
"Who IS the Knight?" Link asked.
"That, Link, is a story for another day." Centis moved his hand over to the pyroblade.
"Link, meet Leroy. Leroy, Link. You had best treat your wounds...I fear that this peace will not last long. The capital will be rebuilt...but I sense a dread over this place..and all the dragoons. But Link...hold onto destiny.."
Centis spread his wings, and like a bolt of lightning, shot into the sky.
Destiny, Link, is what gives up hope..
Who had said that again..?
No, to Link it did not matter. They had survived, and they had triumphed. But a shadow now hangs over his entire race..
~Finish.
That is all that was running through Link's mind as he struck down the countless shades that poured over the walls and invaded the castle.
But the mist rolled on, boiling an evil black, so thick that the eye could not see an inch into it, and these were dragoonian eyes.
Slash, stab, move, parry, uppercut..
Yet more came. The seemingly endless flood would not let up. If there was an ulterior motive, Link knew not what it was. He knew not if the mist threatened the NyghtWyng capital, or the other capitals that were scattered throughout the mountains.
A peal of thunder sounded overhead, and the ground shook. Link looked up breifly to see a massive storm overhead, lightning shooting down in all directions, striking shadows left and right.
But still they came.
Hundreds. Thousands. Millions, as far as Link knew. Centis was doing his best, downing dozens in a single shot. But where dozens fell, three dozen seemed to spring up. Was the battle hopeless?
Slash, strike, thrust, block...
The capital could not fall today. It would not.
For such a landmark to fall, for the war to end now..that was unthinkable. Link saw the royal guard, garbed in silver armor, fighting alongside the regular soldiers, holding their own against the shades. But, one by one, they were overwhelmed.
Was this the end...?
No, such a thought should not be brought into being. The Extraxi were the greatest fighters the world had ever known.
But slowly, the mist came closer. The shadows multiplied.
"Fall back, into the castle!" Link heard a general shout, and he was reluctant to obey. Whilst the soldiers scurried back to the walls of the fortress, Link fought on, but to no avail.
Without the help of the guards, Link had become surrounded. Surrounded by the beings that threatened his race. Infuriated, Link spun in a circle and killed all that were around him. But they were replaced with more.
[glow=green,2,300]Link, you must fall back. I shall provide a way. GO![/glow]
As soon as the word was uttered, a massive bolt shot from the coulds and vanquished hundreds of shadows, making a clear path to the main building. The aftershock ringing in his ears, Link ran as fast as he had ever ran. Making it to the doors, he slammed them shut.
Will they ram the doors down? Move through the walls? Assassinate us from above? Kari, where are you?
Link knew his fear was getting the best of him, but this mist, this seemingly endless supply of evil, it had broken his nerves. He knew Centis still fought outside, and he was guessing Zodack as well. Their bravery moved him, but he knew the chances of survival were slim. It was only a matter of time until the mist was on the castle. Some of the citizens were curled into balls, whimpering. Others were white as a sheet, clinging to loved ones. Link knew this was pure terror. Nothing he had seem amounted to this. Nothing.
Thud....
The sound had come from the door. Shrieking, serveral of the civilians passed out, terrified and thinking that this was the end.
But was it? Link cared not. He had to get out of here, find some comfort.
No! the other side of his mind screamed, you must fight alongside your people.
But how? Why? It was hopeless. Their strategy had worked. It had broken the courage of many, and now they waited for their deaths.
Thud..
Link flinched, taking a few steps back from the door. Surely they couldn't break in. The door was enchanted, it...
Thud..
it couldn't be broken it just-it couldn't..it..
Thud..
Link ran. He knew not where, to his room, perhaps. Who knew. He just wanted to get away, to hide somewhere, to think of all that he held dear and to hold onto the hope that this would be over.
Looking out a window, he saw...black.
The mist! It was covering the castle!
Link could feel his eyes watering. Now was not the time to be afraid, he knew, but what else could one do? Trapped inside the place he called home, held hostage by the very evil that wanted to kill his race, seemgingly helpless to do anything, what could one do?
Could they fight? No, for that meant death.
Could they run? No, for there was no where to run.
Could they encourage others? No, for what could one say?
Link just wanted to get away, to hide, to seek comfort near the fountains, but he knew such a wish was futile.
What could one do...?
Kari..
Link felt a tear. How long since he had cried? It was not sorrow he felt, but such a hopelessness that it ate at his soul, his very being, until he thought all was lost. But still, he held on to hope that this would be over. Held on to the beacon of that that floated in his mind, held on to his memories of Kari.
But what were memories? the mist seemed to say, mocking him.
Memories are what I hold dear. Memories are something that can never be taken from me, even to death. Memories..
The mist had entirely blanketed the castle now. Link knew. He could tell. This feeling of hopelessness..how he hated it. How he hated being helpless.
But what could one do?
Even more so, why were they here?
Why, when the attack was on a single capital?
Why, when the mist could easily cover the entire mountain range and wipe out the entire race?
Centis is out there fighting..Dad is out there fighting..and I hide like a frightened wyvern. How disgraceful.
Link felt his princely pride welling up already, and he knew what he must do.
He must go into the mist.
Yes, it seemed suicidal, and yes, he knew it probably was. But wasn't it better to die on the field of battle then die alone in his own home?
He knew he was inexperienced, and he knew that he would probably never see Kari again. That hurt him the most.
But if there was no escape, would he never see her again anyways?
Destiny..
Link knew not where the thought had come from.
Destiny is a funny thing..
It is odd, he decided. But why were these thoughts surfacing?
Destiny is what binds us together. Destiny is what can tear us apart. It is destiny that makes us what we are, and it is destiny that can take our identities away. Destiny that grants us love, destiny that gives us hate, destiny that brings war as well as peace. Destiny that allows us to make our own decisions. Destiny, Link, is what gives us hope.
"Who's there? How are you talking in my head? What do you want with me?!"
A chuckle echoed in Link's mind.
You know not who I am. You won't know for quite some time. Ah, but that would be spoiling it. I've watched your growth over the years. Do not fear, for you do not die today. I would answer more questions, but it seems as if you've made up your mind. You care not for questioning me. You want to fight.
How did he know that, Link thought.
How did I know? You ask that, yet you care not how I know all the things about you? Destiny is funny, is it not? But go, you have a darkness to face.
"Thank you..whoever you are.." Link replied, running out of the room he was hiding in, shaming himself for being so selfish.
He was running too fast to see the man that had been standing behind him the whole time, the man he had been unaware of. The man whose face you could not see, his hood covering his identity. Link was already three halls down and still running for the door, when the man turned around.
"My name, Link? My name matters not. So then, change history. Alter what would be a defeat to a victory. My name, Link, is Sollis."
And with that, the man in the golden cloak faded from the focus of the world and disappeared.
* * *
Odd how someone can force their way into my head. Kari'll probably want to hear about that. Hmm..Kari...
Link realised he would probably see her in a few years. My, how his perspective had changed.
All from those words..where did that come from, anyways? Did I think that?
"Destiny is what gives us hope.."
The words echoed in his mind, fueling his courage. As he reached the door, he pulled his rapier out of it's sheath, the silver blade glinting in the torchlight and drawing the eyes of terrified civilians.
"He's going into the mist.."
"He's insane! He'll die out there!"
"Silence, he's the prince. He'll survive somehow.."
"The prince?? What will our nation do without an heir??"
Throwing the door open, Link charged into the hellish fog, slamming two shadows to the ground before they could even react.
"Shut the door!" He yelled, and the citizens were quick to obey. With the slam of the large gate, Link was thrown into darkness. A darkness so black one could not see an inch in front of him, so black that it robbed your heart of hope.
"Destiny is what gives us hope"
His blade was moving faster and faster, becoming what would be seen as a blur had there been any light. Link knew not how he knew where the enemy was, but they fell, one by one.
Suddenly, a flash of light!
A thunderbolt had landed near Link, and illuminated the courtyard long enough for Link to see what he was up against.
By the gods..
Millions was all that came to mind. Millions of shades, all shapes and sizes, all forms, from sniper to soldier to scout.They were crawling on the walls of the castle, moving towards the gate.
Fear is their motive..they aren't making any attempt to get in..if I can-
Link fell over, a stabbing pain shooting through his shoulder. He thought of an arrow, a crossbow bolt perhaps, fired by one of the shadows. His sword arm was useless, he could tell.
How do I fight now? Am I going to die here?
Link gritted his teeth and fought on with his good hand, holding his rapier as best he could. But, it was not the same. Without his accuracy and skill, he couldn't finish off as many as possible. The only light was the brief flashes provided by Centis' thunderbolts that continued to rain from the sky, but still seemed to have no effect.
Naturally, Link fought on. He knew it was hopeless, knew that without his good hand he would only kill half as many.
I need to work on that..dual weilding, maybe..
But now was not the time to be looking towards the future. A thought like that could disrupt his concentration and make him open to attack.
CLANG!
Another dark sword blocked, another three or four shadows fell.
To the left, Link managed to shoot down the shadow that had shot his arm with a fire spell, or at least he thought. It was so blasted dark! Link could feel the bolt in his shoulder, feel his arm continuing to weaken.
But what was this?
He felt the feeling seeping to the rest of his body!
Posion! This could be it..
Link felt one of his knees buckling and he just managed to block another swing before he went down. Laying in an awkward position on one knee, he kept fighting. Knowing it was a matter of time until he was completely paralyzed, he mustered all his strength and fought.
What a sight it would be to see him, kneeling on a single knee, warding off hundreds of shades.
That is, if you could see.
"Ugh!"
Link felt his other knee give way, and he was lying on the ground now.
But he was still fighting. Almost facedown, he continued to ward off attacks from the shades. Finally, he felt the poison seep to his other arm, and his rapier fell to his side. A shadow - he didn't know which one, they all looked the same - raised his sword to deal the final blow.
"Hang on, prince!"
Link knew not who said it, just that a blazing blade slashed through the air, decimbering the sword arm of the shade. More fell as a red haired youth about Link's age cut down shadow after shadow with a blade that was seemingly alive with fire.
The man glimpsed over long enough to catch Link's stare.
"Oh, sorry, forgot to intorduce myself. BLAGH!"
He swung back around and fired a rapid volley of flames into an oncoming shadow. Hoping for an opening, he turned back around.
"As I was saying, my name is..- BLAGH!!"
Flipping back around, he slashed two shadowknights in half, backflipped, and landed on Link's other side.
"Flamma Baar!"
A large ring of fire began to rotate at his feet, lighting up the darkness. The light seemed to dim as the dark fog threatened to eat it up, but the wall of flames continued to grow until they were surrounded by a tower of heat.
"Yeah, as I was saying, my name is...oh, hold on."
The man reached down to his belt, pulled out some herbs, and threw them into a vial. Muttering something under his breath that sounded like "stupid alchemy" and "never learning herbalore worth a flip", he waved his arm under the vial and made a small fireball. The vial then proceeded to explode, throwing it's contents onto Link.
"Oh well, ah, that was the antidote for the poison..it shoudl still get into your system. Alchemy was never my best art.."
Sure enough, Link felt his strength coming back.
Standing up, he picked up his rapier and readied himself.
"Hoo there, hold on. That pyro wall will last a while. Anyways, my name is -"
Link barely had time to run in front of him and slash a flurry of arrows out of the air that were aimed at the swordsman's head.
"Be more careful. Flame walls don't stop metal bolts. So, what were you saying your name was? Bah, it doesn't matter right now. Help me drive back more of these feinds."
Mocking insult, the swordsman turned around, his back to Link's.
"Fine. But I still say manners come first. You're right, however. So, how do you like your shadows burned?"
Spinning his rapier in a circle, Link turned his head slightly to the left.
"Burnt? I like them obliterated. They're the nemisis of my race, you know. Get this flaming wall down before they decide to shoot so many bolts that I cannot block them. Hurry!"
With a downward striking hand motion, the wall came down.
"There ya go. So, how do we approach this? There are so many.."
Throwing his rapier into the air, Link watched it arc in a spiral until coming back down into his palm.
"We take them on together."
"Very well."
Then, the shadows came. Who knows why they hadn't earlier.
Destiny, perhaps?
The two men were a blur, back to back, a flashing rapier and a flaming broadsword cutting down the fog's seemingly endless army one after another.
Centis had apparently moved on the fight blade to blade, for the raging thunderstorm had left the sky.
The only way Link could tell this was that their were no striking bolts nor peals of thunder. The only light was the dim light from the fire coating his comrade's blade.
Somehow, the shadows seemed to back away a little, frightened by the two warriors who now stood and opposed them.
Kari..I'm living through this..
Link knew the fog would not leave without substantial damage, but at the rate the fight was progressing, that was imminent.
"Let's see if we can get to the source of the mist, if there is any. We'll stay back to back, seeing as that's the best way to fight when one is outnumbered."
The flameswordsman turned his head at Link and laughed.
"Tactical genius, I see. Sure, whatever you say."
The two moved onward, inch by inch. Slowly, inches turned to yards, and they began to move faster, into the darkest part of the fog.
"So..you sure this is a good thing, prince-guy?"
Link squinted at the boiling mass they were moving into.
"Yeah..pretty sure..I mean, Centis and Zodack are out here somewhere.."
Sure enough, Link caught a flash of silver armor, then his vision turned white.
The ground rocked with a deafening sonic boom, and the row of thrity shadows coming at the exploded, a lightning bolt ripping through them.
The lightning discharged into the ground, ripping through the feet of the next wave, which fell onto the third wave, transferring the current to them, which ended their lives as well.
"Well that was..amazing." the swordsman said, and Link had to strain to hear. The sonic boom had been quite loud.
[glow=green,2,300]Well Link, it's good to see you back. I see you;ve found the help I sent for. Or rather, he found you. Need a hand?[/glow]
Link allowed him to sigh in relief and looked up to Centis, whose armor's polymerite was already glowing and providing a dim green glow.
"Yes, Centis, that would be..great. We're going to take out the center. Let's finish this before it gets any worse."
* * *
As Link, Centis, and their Pyroblade friend ran towards the area that Centis had designated the "center", the Vanguard began to talk. He was hard to hear in the midst of the sounds of battle, but thankfully Link could make it out.
"I don't know if either of you know this, and now is as good a time as any to tell you. Shadows work like..insects. No, they don't have six legs or wings, but they are grouped together in hives, packs, whatever you want to call them. Similar to clans, like the Dragoons, but incredibly different at the same time. You see, each 'hive' is controlled by a 'massmind', a thinking process for the entire group. What one member of the group sees, all of them see. They can communicate within each other as well. The Vanguards presume the Mist is created when two or more groups come together, forming enough negative energy to exude the sense of evil and break their opponents. The method of destroying the Mist is not known, however. Link, your idea is good, for something must be acting as the massmind of this particular Mist, controlling all the shades. Let it be known that a Mist has never been destroyed in the past. They have surfaced, destroyed villages and cities, then simply..disappeared. We know not why."
Link struck down another shadow soldier and turned to Centis.
"We must at least try. If we don't, the capital is sure to fall. The townsfolk are already broken, and most of the soldiers and guards were killed. It's up to you, me, and that guy that still hasn't told me his name yet."
The Pyrobalde moved his head to Link.
"I've been trying to tell you, my name is - BLAAAGH"
Flinging himself around, he intercepted a round of crossbow bolts with his sword, then fired off a burst of small fireballs in the direction of the shooter.
"Nevermind. I'll tell you when there isn't a million enemies all trying to kill us."
Link backflipped just in time to avoid a swiping sword, the hand holding it quickly becoming severed.
"Alright. Centis, they're attempting to swarm us again. I would fight more, but my shoulder wound is still open from the bolt. Even the Extraxi's increased rate of healing can't close a wound inflicted by shades..they're meant to keep the pain intense and the gash open."
Centis' eyes lit up.
"You might want to cover your ears, Link. This will be loud."
In a blur, he was gone. Shortly after, and in absolutely no time for Link to, indeed, cover his ears, a resounding bang echoed throughout the battlefield, and the area was once again lit up by the glow of a lightning bolt shooting through a few dozen enemies.
The air cracked and popped with electricity as Centis struck down numerous eneimies with his twin swords, which were curved and also gilded with polymerite. Electricity moved between the gap in each sword, which was between the main blade and a much smaller blade.
Link looked to his other sided and saw his fiery friend cutting down three bowman in one stroke of his large broadsword.
Spinning around, Link's rapier was a blur as he slashed his way through line after line of the enemy.
"Centis, they won't stop coming! We'll tire before we even make a yard of progress!"
Centis seemed to have heard, and seconds after a few more shades fell, their bodies racked with electricity, he appeared by Link's side.
"I know. To the center, then?"
* * *
Finally, the center was near. Link could see the area where the mist was generating from, a mass darker and more evil than the fog. Their progression there had not been easy, however. Centis hadn't taken a hit, but was beginning to tire. Leroy's leg had been slashed by a dark blade, giving him a slight limp, and Link's arm was still hurting from the bolt that had been pulled out. The wound was pretty deep.
"How do we stop this..?" Link asked, somewhat hopeful that it was soon going to be over.
"Don't ask me!" yelled the pyroblade, still slashing at the shadows that were seemingly generated my the mass in the middle.
"I wasn't!" Link yelled back, searching for Centis, who was in the midst of another battle.
"Centis!" Link yelled to the Vanguard, just as the shadows fell.
"Oh, sorry. I was a little busy." Centis turn to Link.
"Well, I'm not sure. I've never taken one down before..I'd say we kill whatever is at the center..if there is anything there. We can only hope.."
Link readied his rapier once more, tired of the ceaseless fighting.
"Very well...are you with me, Pryoblade?"
"I've been TRYING TO TELL YOU, my name is - oh forget it. Let's go."
The three began to run at the center of the mist, feeling their charisma returning. Blades held at an attack position, they struck down countless swordsmen on their way to the middle.
The mass of shadow in the middle was larger than it had seemed at first. Whirling around and around, it sucked all the air around it into the darkness. The wind had begun to pick up, but the shadow mass was fading, and Link could only imagine what it would reveal.
[glow=red,2,300]So...you've come to stop me, little ones? Ah..haha..HAHAHAH!!![/glow]
Centis' eyes widened. "I know that voice!! Link, Leroy, RUN!!"
So THAT'S his name.. Link thought to himself. But unable to disregard a direct order from a Vangurad, Link pulled Leroy away from the center.
[glow=red,2,300]Centis, Centis. You and me both know you aren't strong enough to take me on. Aoei should be here as well..so I could take her from you.[/glow] The voice was malicious, and seeped of evil.
The darkness in the center began to slowly fade, and with it, the mist declined, ever so slowly..
[glow=green,2,300]Don't speak of her! I may not be able to defeat you, Crimson Knight, but I can keep you away from Link![/glow]
Link's eyes widened. In the center of a destroyed courtyard, where the center of the mist had been, stood a man clad in blood red armor, brandishing a broadsword of equal color. His visor turned to Link, and the gaze from behind it seemed to bore into his skull.
[glow=red,2,300]So, you think you can, little Vanguard? We shall see...[/glow]
Raising his sword, he brought it down on Centis, who threw up both twinswords in a defensive block. Electricity flowed from them into the sword and onto the knight, crackling with power. But the knight just stood there laughing, and forced the sword down harder onto the two smaller twinswords.
[glow=red,2,300]I won't break that easily, you know...you were always a thorn in my side...you and Zodack both.[/glow]
He said the name Zodack with such hate that it made Link flinch.
What does he know of my father...?
The sky had been clouded over, for as the mist was covering the capital, it had changed from day to night. But slowly, the clouds began to part. Rays of sunlight danced on the hills in the distance.
[glow=green,2,300]Ngh...maybe I can't defeat you..but I can delay you...until sunrise...[/glow]
Centis' voice held the tone of triumph, for he knew that the Crimson Knight had spent the majority of his energy spawning the mist, and since the knight was pure evil, he could not survive this sunlight long.
[glow=green,2,300]Zodack is coming, knight. You had best retreat...[/glow]
Centis slammed both his swords upward, sending a bolt of lightning into the air and onto the knight, who didn't even flinch.
[glow=red,2,300]How right you are...but I have enough time to kill you...[/glow]
He brought his sword down hard on Centis' body, but it seemed to flow through it, embedding itself into the ground. Centis moved to the side, his body becoming solid again.
[glow=green,2,300]Aoei taught me some water magii tricks...now, you wouldn't want to lose your sword, would you?[/glow]
The Knight knew he had been outsmarted. The sun was coming over the mountains now, illuminating the figures of Link and Leroy.
[glow=red,2,300]I shall not forget this...[/glow]
In a burst of shadow, the Knight was gone. Finally, sunrise hit the entire capital, illuminating the mountainside. The capital was almost in ruin, but...they had done it. They had stopped the mist.
"Leroy, Centis...we did it..."
Leroy and Centis looked over at Link.
"Now..we rebuild.."
Centis put his hand on Link's shoulder.
"The Vanguards will watch over you. We had no idea the Knight was involved..."
"Who IS the Knight?" Link asked.
"That, Link, is a story for another day." Centis moved his hand over to the pyroblade.
"Link, meet Leroy. Leroy, Link. You had best treat your wounds...I fear that this peace will not last long. The capital will be rebuilt...but I sense a dread over this place..and all the dragoons. But Link...hold onto destiny.."
Centis spread his wings, and like a bolt of lightning, shot into the sky.
Destiny, Link, is what gives up hope..
Who had said that again..?
No, to Link it did not matter. They had survived, and they had triumphed. But a shadow now hangs over his entire race..
~Finish.
Awesome job, Link!!))
-LOL "-BLAGH"))