The Final Stand

*yawns*
COME ON@ LETS GET GOING! WE'RE WASTING DAYLIGHT!!!
a little pushy, aren't you?
shut up raiden.
and whiny too- this has bad day written all over it.
*sigh* Lets get moving.




If my old map is accurate at all, once we pass around this mountain, the holy city Mythamis should be in the valley behind it. it should only take us a day at the most.
that's if the map is accurate- a lot can happen in a year when magic spells are being cast- especially ones like dropping a giant iceberg on people, and earthquakes...
stop moaning. the worst that can happen in a year is a few new towns are created. all we need to do is travel through this cave under the mountain, and we'll be right there.
yeah- but the cave is filled with demons, and monsters, and evil creatures, and...
what do you care? you're in a box!
yeah, but if you die, i die. remember, this thing is linked to your biometrics. if you die, it breaks. if it breaks, i break. get it?
fine, fine. i'll be careful...

"So, Lamahl, Questor put you in charge of guarding Kisen?" asked Luke.
"Yep."
"Hey!" says Djaq, just returning from scouting. "What do you think of that Td guy?"
"Him? He seems cocky and arrogant. He thinks he's in charge now. Kisen was always in charge; Questor was just in charge seeing to it that Kisen succeeded in his mission, which is my job while he's away."
"Yeah... he seems to think he knows everything about us too. I don't like him. I don't trust him either. What was it he said when he first saw us?"
"Something like, 'Imperial soldiers would be better equiped than you are.'"
"Yeah. That sounds right. Arrogant little son of a-" Djaq is cut off by Td's sudden appearance next to him.
"Hey! What's up?"
"..."
"Fine then don't talk."
Td then leaves to go talk to Kisen.
"Apparently, he's rather oblivious too."

SMACchamp07 wrote:

"So, Lamahl, Questor put you in charge of guarding Kisen?" asked Luke.
"Yep."
"Hey!" says Djaq, just returning from scouting. "What do you think of that Td guy?"
"Him? He seems cocky and arrogant. He thinks he's in charge now. Kisen was always in charge; Questor was just in charge seeing to it that Kisen succeeded in his mission, which is my job while he's away."
"Yeah... he seems to think he knows everything about us too. I don't like him. I don't trust him either. What was it he said when he first saw us?"
"Something like, 'Imperial soldiers would be better equiped than you are.'"
"Yeah. That sounds right. Arrogant little son of a-" Djaq is cut off by Td's sudden appearance next to him.
"Hey! What's up?"
"..."
"Fine then don't talk."
Td then leaves to go talk to Kisen.
"Apparently, he's rather oblivious too."

i heard that...
fine. you find me arrogant? i was just trying to help. you have a better idea on what to do? your leader isn't back yet, and Kisen wants to go to this city. if you want to just stand around and wait for your leader, you can get attacked by the 50 soldiers coming from the east. i believe that you won't fare so well without Kisen and his mage friend here to drop an iceberg on them... I'm sorry for being a jackass earlier, but you are less equipped than the soldiers. also, if you have problems with me, say them to my face. i'll fix them. but don't talk behind my back. then, i'm still an ass and you're starting a mutiny. Got it?

"Apparently, he's not so oblivious, Djaq." laughs Luke.
"Hmph. And we were not talking behind your back, Td."
"Then what do you call it?"
"We were going to confront you about this, but needed to decide exactly what to bring up so a fight could be avoided."
"Oh. I see."
"And we're sure as hell not gonna sit around and complain about Questor not being here and do nothing. What made you think that?"
"Uhhhh..."
Looks like these guys know what they're doing. They are not mere "rebels".
"You're right. I've severely underestimated these guys."
"Well, now that that's settled, I think reaching Mythamis as soon as possible is our top priority." said Lamahl, trying to change the subject.
"Agreed."



The journey to Mythamis is a long one. A journey of at least a week is required for the large group to reach Mythamis undetected.

there is a tunnle trough the mountains that leads directly to mythamis... but you already knew that, didn't you?

"Yes, but you see, so does the Empire. I found traces of recent imperial activity at the entrance of the tunnel. Apparently, there is a large imperial outpost stationed there."
"WHAT?!?!? You got to be kidding me." Td continues to mutter incoherently, mostly profanity.
"Exactly. Therefore, the long way."
"But... we could wipe them out."
"An entire outpost of 500+ men? I don't think so. As powerful as the mage is, there are just too many of them. And there are probably more demons over there too. To avoid detection and large teams of imperial trackers, the mountain tunnel is to be avoided."

i wonder... a year ago there was a valley guarded by a force known as the "others". they lived in a valley that led directly to mythamis... do you know anything about them?

The group of six wove their way through the trees, guided by the One-Tail. It continuously pulsated, shedding blue light, growing more faint as they traveled away from the heart of the forest. Now they traveled along the narrow corridor of the Areyu Forest separating the Sinarra Plains from the Sacred Lake's mountain wall. Finally they reached Shingetsu Pass, the way leading into the maze of mountains, rivers and valleys. Up there in the rocky cliffs also lay the Marauders' chief territory. The One-Tail finally grew too tired and returned to Areyu's Spirit World. The group needed to tread with caution to avoid the hordes as they meandered through the towering landscape...

"The Others? Uhh... Luke?"
"Ummmm... Nope. I assume they only lived in the mountain tunnel?"
"Yes, but they occassionally ventured out and caused mayhem in the nearby towns and villages."
"Causing mayhem? Maybe Vode managed to gain control of them and keeps them in line with that imperial garrison."

SMACchamp07 wrote:

"The Others? Uhh... Luke?"
"Ummmm... Nope. I assume they only lived in the mountain tunnel?"
"Yes, but they occassionally ventured out and caused mayhem in the nearby towns and villages."
"Causing mayhem? Maybe Vode managed to gain control of them and keeps them in line with that imperial garrison."

no, they'e rin a valley next to the cave. they feel all humans are worms beneath them... unless you happen to rescue their chief's daughter. then, they let you pass through their valley with no hassel whatsoever. like i did. that way, it will only take us a day.

"Oh. I was thinking of something else. My bad." apologized Lamahl. "I thought The Others were the creatures in the caves."
"Wait... Lamahl, how would you know this?" asked Luke, a bit surprised.
"Ummm... Questor told me not too long ago. He said the mountain tunnel was a bad idea..."
"I see. Well then, where is the chief and his daughter?" asked Luke.

Before long, the group found themselves at an imperial garrison. Shira, out of curiosity and just for the hell of it, knocked on the gargantuan wooden door, and archers appeared over the ramparts, thousands of arrows pointing down at them. Okami shitted out of fear and bowed his head, creeping beside Shira and whimpering.

"Name yourselves and state your business here!" An Imperial Colonel called down. Kusa walked up to Shira slowly and whispered, "You might wanna let me keep us from getting feathered..." Kusa turned up to the Imperials and shouted so they could hear him, "Most of us are mere travelers from the Areyu Forest, hoping to see the famed Tower of Salvation, sir. We fled here from the trees to escape the Marauders, who killed my father's clan. My brother, sister, our pet and some friends only wish to see the dwelling place of the Kitsune, our former clan's Guardians. We mean no aggression."

The Imperials discussed, and the Colonel boomed out, "Let them in and train them as new recruits! They will be stationed near the Tower as Imperial Servants of the Gods!" Everyone felt like shitting themselves now...

weell... we need to get to the entrance to the valley .then, i will contact him, and he will meet us there. he will provide an escort through the valley and allow us safe passage.

"This is great...."

Crow was watching Shira's group try to gain access....

"But how will I get in....Maybe I can blow the door open....Yeah, that sounds good....But I'll need help."

Crow whipped out a small phone and called in someone. That someone was his old soldier friend, Kuroari.

About 5 seconds after the call, Kuroari telewarped over.

"We have to blow THAT up! What have you gotten us into!"

"Nothing yet, old friend. But I have a feeling about that group trying to gain access. I can't tell if they're on our side or if they're enemies....So I decided to follow them. Now we can either blow the huge door off, or warp behind it. But either way, we would get in trouble...."

"Well," Kuroari said, "Let's see what they do, and then decide what plan of action we need to take. But just to make sure, get ready to blow it off."

So Crow started chanting a little, and a glowing white ball of fire started to materialize in his hand. After about 5 minutes, it became stable.

"Just tell me when to fire."

Questor wakes up slowly, visibly shaking. He dreamt that the sorceror had found him here and came to kill him before Questor had regained his former power.
"Ready to go, Questor?"
"Yeah, just give me a sec..."
He straps on his weapons, then checks the chest to make sure he didn't leave anything.
"All right. All set. Any ideas on where to go?"
"The sorceror was last seen heading to the imperial garrison by the Areyu Forest and Sinarra Plains. That is where we are going first."
"All right."
Time to finally start setting things right.

The machine, called HunterX4 by his creator, silently approaches the Chosen's camp. He manages to get right behind Td when Lyle gets out of his to take a piss sees the machine and shouts for Td to get out of the way. Td rolls left as the sword slashes down where his head used to be.
"Oh crap. That thing looks deadly." says Lamahl upon seeing the machine.
"Give up Questor and you live." The machine repeats this phrase several times over, with no intention of keeping his promise. Suddenly, a tomahawk lands in his chest.
"Too bad Questor isn't here." laughs Luke, appearing from his tent.
"Then die." The machine charges Luke, only to be met by a fully armored Kisen, deflecting the blow. Lamahl then charges in, stabbing the machine in the leg with his spear. The next thing Lamahl knew, he was flying through the air after getting smacked by the machine's shield.
"So, you wanna play with shields? Let's go." The spike deploys and Lamahl charges in, with all his weight on the shield. The machine, occupied by Lyle, Luke, Kisen, and Djaq, does not notice Lamahl coming in and the spike goes all the way through his midsection. Meanwhile, Melissa and Td are preparing spells to take down the HunterX4. They do not notice the personal soldiers of Vaisey coming behind them.

Lu was terrified. She burried her face in Okami's fur and began to cry. She looked up to Shira once to see his expression, but quickly returned to Okami. The Giant Wolf's fur was warm and comforting. Through her tears she managed to sing.

"Give me Your eyes for just one second
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me Your love for humanity

Give me Your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach?
Give me Your heart for the one's forgotten
Give me Your eyes so I can see
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah"

Her small words filled her with power. Her small voice, suddenly growing loud, could be heard by all. She got off of Okami's back and stood tall.

She looked at the guards. She grinned in a malicious way. Her small voice grew extremely loud. "CHARM! You are now under my controll! Obey me!" The gaurds all fell deeply in love with her. In unison, they spoke, "Yes, my love!" "I want you to allow us entrace! We will not be under your command! You are under ours!" The gaurds nodded as Lu laid her hand on Okami's shoulder. "Come on guys. We'll be ok." The gaurds led them inside. Lu stood with a proud grin.

"Um....Did I just see what I thought I saw? Did she just charm all the soldiers to let her in?"

Crow stood amazed. Kuroari, specializing in magic, knew all about it.

"She's very good, but on the other hand, those were pretty stupid men..."

"Aw c'mon Kuroari, just because your smarter than everybody... Anyway, it looks like blowing the door open is our only way now. How many soldiers will you allow me to kill?"

Crow changed from kidding around to dead serious. That's how he is most of the time. Kuroari just laughed.

"I'm not your leader, and besides, they're charmed. We can't do much else to them. Consider them....."Sacrifices that must be made".....Get ready to blow those big doors down."

"Alright, it's game time! I never was good at magic, but this spell was the only real magic I ever learned. It takes too long though..."

The white flame in his hand had condensed to a white ball, and now a black flame was covering it. It won't be too long now.

"One more thing Kuroari....What if they're really on our side?"

"Well, Crow....then we're about to screw up big time....I hope they're forgiving...It's not their little fort anyway...."

"Interesting."
"What? You mean how the girl charmed the soliders to let them in?" asked Questor.
"Yep."


All of a sudden, the doors are blown from the hinges and thrown to the ground.

"What the..." stammers Questor.
"I say we go investigate. Yes?"
"Yep."
Questor prepares a Triple Shot, while Hedret draws his naginata. They begin stealthily moving towards the door, wondering who blasted the doors down.

"EMP BLAST!!!!" td260 yells as a blue bolt of energy struck the machine. the machine stopped in it's tracks, immobilized. it started to spark and emit smoke.
"HIT THE DECK!!!" he shouts, and drags his companions to the ground as the robot explodes.
Picking himself up, he turns to face the oncoming enemies.
"SONIC PULSE!!!" the first row of soldiers fell to the ground, clutching their ears as the intense noise stunned them.

"Damnit, more fighting. Why must everyone kill eachothe-wait, is that...it is. SMAC Jax. And it looks like he has pals..." Minby walked near them and saw them already battling someone. "looks like you need a hand. Don't ask any questions untill this guygoes down.

whipping his gun out and unsheathing his sword, he charged at the second row firing shots at the enemies in the back and stabbing the ones in front. Raiden materialized behind him, and crouched low to the ground, chanting and muttering. Lamahl and lyse fall upon the soldiers, hacking and slashing as raiden mutters behind them. "WHAT IS HE DOING?!?" Lamahl shouts over the fighting. "HE'S PREPARING A SPELL- PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS!!!" TD retorted, as his laser seared flesh and melted armor. Raiden stands up and with a final word, points to the group of soldiers the group was holding off. "GET BACK!!!" Td shouted as clouds gathered overhead.
the group quickly ran back as thunderbolt after thunderbolt pulsed into the ground ahead of them, and the soldiers were fried in their places. panting, Raiden returns to the computer, the energy drained from him after such a large summon.

quick- lets get to the valley before any more find us...
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!?" Luke said.
"THAT was raiden's most powerful summon. come on, we need to get to the gate. just show them this token, and say you want safe passage through the valley."
"Why can't you do it?"
"i'm trying to share the leadership here."
the group walked to the gate, and was granted their request. the guards looked down at them, with a sneer, but they recognized the token. but, as TD crossed the gate, he began to glow.
"What the hell?!? this feels weird..."
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!" He suddenly disappeared in a flash of blinding light, and the only thing to mark where he had stood was a slight shimmer, which soon faded away.
"WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED?!?" Luke exclaimed as the group regained their eyesight...

yes... it is all falling into place. the chosen one is going to the holy city, and the hero of the last great battle is mine to deal with... yes... all according to plan...

"Um, Kuroari. What just happened?"

"Well, Crow, after you blew the door open, the just, what do you call it...'Owned' all of the soldiers. Let's go and check the carnage. I guess it's time to show ourselves..."

Crow leaped out of the tree he was in and landed in front of the castle, Talwar blade drawn. Kuroari had already warped beside where Crow would land. He opened up a small rift and pulled his chain sword out, and then the rift closed.

"Hey Crow. Wanna make a cool entrance? Just like old times?"

"Sure!"

Kuroari raised his hand in the air, and a purplish glow was coming from his hand. Soon, fog was being materialized all around them. No one could see anything except other people's shadow. But Crow and Kuroari were trained under these conditions. The could hear and smell perfectly fine and that let them visualize what everything looked like.

So as the whole fort was fogged down, the shadow of the demon brothers were at the entrance...

Shira stood dumbfounded as the others decided that now was the time to move through the garrison and into the cave. Shira ran up to Luca and whispered crossly, "Do you HAVE to use magic to do that? Seriously... Men'll do anything a cute girl like you tells--" Shira was interrupted by Kusa's failure to stop laughing. He nearly fell to his knees he was laughing so hard. Shira snarled at him and turned his attention back to the cave.

As they had just reached the entrance, they heard a huge explosion, and the group turned to see the doors flying at them. Simultaneously, Keith and Trinity stopped the door in midair as if they'd caught it. Kusa used the already-present flames to incinerate the doors, and Okami dragged Shira, Luca and Kusa back into the cave. Keith and Trinity threw the door using unseen forces and ran in after them, wanting not to go toe-to-toe with whatever the hell had possessed the ability to do that. Adding to their fears was a strange cloud of mist that was spreading...