The Paths of Tragedy

"Alright, Cairn." Arthvader said as he caught up to Cairn with the horse he's on. As more vines appeared in front of them, Arthvader took out one of his flaming broadswords. 'Geeze. Just how much longer is this going to last?' He then began unleashing several wave slashes, power with the attribute of fire due to the power of the sword. the wave destroyed all of the vines in front of him. "There, that should do. Cairn, Jonad, let's move on." Arthvader said as he continues heading towards Mt. Saer.
 
((FINALLY I can post))

Jake nodded. "Yeah, we're coming up alongside gramps now." Jake jerked his head in the direction of his Allsie grandfather, likewise bounding along the rooftops. Jake picked up the speed a little and caught up with him.

Jake looked forwards. They were approaching a group of horsemen farther up the road; from what he could see, the lead horseman was the man Jake and Hera had seen in the fight outside the bar. It was a memorably decisive fight. This man had motioned to the others and taken off towards a mountain.

Jake jumped off the final rooftop and ran along the right handle of the road, whereas Hera kept to the left. Jake looked back and shouted, "You're going to have to hurry, buddy; we've got to pick up the pace or else we won't catch up!" Turning to his grandfather, he said, "Look, gramps, we can't move so quickly; we've got a new guy coming up behind, and he's not as fast as we are. He also doesn't have lots of lungs like you do, so he can't keep up the pace for too long." So that he wouldn't tire out, Jake transformed into a Dragon; these lungs were far greater than those of his human form.

"He's your responsibility, Jake," Hera said sharply. "I told you not to get anyone involved."

Jake was bewildered. "Get him involved? Hey, we were just talking, and he decided to follow. Sure, I asked him if he was gonna come with, but he knows what it is we're fighting for."

Hera cursed in the Allsie tongue; this was not a common occurrence, and Jake knew that Hera was pissed off. "Jake, we need to stay to our work, we can't involve the people of this planet."

"Then don't," Jake growled. "Maybe we can help them for a change; it doesn't always have to be about fighting Sukani. What's the good about being on a planet where there's conflict, and not helping them? Sometimes we've got to take care of the smaller evils before we get to the bigger ones." Hera said nothing to this; his silence said everything for him. Jake was right.
 
"As if I weren't already 'hurrying'..." Wylliam muttered to himself, but nevertheless managed to increase his pace to some extent, leaping to the middle of the road. He was suddenly thankful that he had been struck with the notion to polish his armor and have the joints redone a few days ago. It was certainly making movement easier.

'No doubt it was my superb intuition showing through,' he thought, a conceited grin passing over his face, 'My greatness defies even the laws of logic.'

Pulling out of his self-flattery (with some reluctance), Wylliam noticed that Jake and Hera were a little further ahead than before.

"Oops, better keep focus," he said, resuming his prior pace.

Despite the upkeep of his armor, Wylliam still could feel its weight having some effect. His breathing was becoming noticeably more labored, and the beginnings of a stitch were forming in his side.

"I hope... you don't... take offense... Jake," Wylliam managed through gulps of air, "but perhaps... if I were carried..."
 
Cairn took care of the vines, and the remnants fell to the ground as ash.

Jonad Thought he heard something in the distance, some unfamiliar words.
He looked around, and it didn't seem that there was many around. except his companions.

He remained on guard, even thought the danger was apparently gone.
Cairn stated that they should get going, and that bandits might appear.
Somewhat to expect.
Though, this time Jonad would not be alone in battle, he could be passive, or defensive for the first time in ages.

Jonad replied a quick "Agreed" as he got the horse to speed again.
 
Several hours later, the sun was about to set and they still had a few days left to reach the city of Palacious. Knowing that they would require to camp here, Cairn gave the order to halt the advance and to unpack all things here. "We stay here, we should assemble a camp here and rest for the night. Tomorrow we shall continue. Stay sharp, bandits roam these areas. We would get attacked if we drop our guard." Cairn got of his horse and lead it to a nearby river to have it drink some water. He tied the reins of the horse to a nearby tree and then he unpacked his gear and prepared his tent. Soon after, he gathered a few logs and rocks to start a fire to keep himself warm during the night. Having finished preparing the fire, Cairn sat and leaned his back against a tree near the fireplace. The stars shined brightly this night, and the moon was delicately covered by the shades of silver and dark grayish clouds around the heavens. The wind blew softly, the leaves of the trees and bushes waved in response and the soil could be felt warm and soft. The wind also carried the whisper of fate, foretelling a possible assault by the lurkers in the dark. Bandits roamed the area, knives in hand, faces hidden by black masks, they also carried rapiers and other sorts of weapons with them.
 
((O.O This is going to be a hard one...for your next post, I give you permission to god-mod, but only so that you may jump on Jake's back. He's not gonna like that XD))

Jake bristled slightly. His pride had been blown; Jake as a horse! He quickly banished the thought from his mind, massaging his ego; the man wouldn't have asked if he'd had no choice. At the rate they were going, the man was likely to tire out very quickly (his laboured breathing was already showing the toll).

Jake slowed down and ran alongside the Wylliam. "Alright. Here, jump on my back. Watch the wings, I don't want them pushed against my face." Jake lowered his upper body slightly, so that he was running with his body at a very low angle.
 
Zeria slid from Jonad's shadow and slunk off nearby, so the men were all still in view. She knew their names now, and was glad that she did, because now she could reference who knew what.

"Ugh...I'm so tired..."

She remained perfectly calm and still, leaning against a nearby tree and watching the men.......until something brushed up against her and she let out a scream of terror. When she realized that it was only a small rabbit, she clamped her hands over her mouth and swore loudly....there went her cover. Now she'd be noticed no matter what...
 
The night was calmed, the moon ever watchful over the dreams of humans, the wind ever whispering the destiny contained within our hearts awaiting for it to be unfold. Cairn had closed his eyes until he had heard the sounds of the grass crushed by swift feet, the danger lurking in the shadows. Alerted by it, Cairn woke up and unsheathed his sword, grasping the hilt tightly with both hands, his lips sealed shut and his eyes fixed on the darkness, shifting from place to place from time to time. "What creature hides there in the darkness? Stand before me and prepare to be vanquished by my sword..."

Suddenly, shadows fueled by the anger of dead and the suffering assaulted Cairn from the darkness, attempting to strike him down with their sharp talons and jaws. Cairn dodged the incoming blow by ducking, the shadow creature passing above his head and missing him by mere inches. The beast returned, charging at Carin but it was ultimately split in halves by a powerful blow of Cairn's sword. The elemental energies left behind fueled his sword, thus granting him the elemental power of darkness. Soon creatures appeared as well as the bandits leading them. The bandits had their faces covered, only their reddish eyes could be seen shining through the darkness, their clothes consisted on black robes and they were wielding single edge daggers and swords. Cairn back stepped, not removing his sight from his enemies, awaiting for them to make the first move. Gade suddenly arrived, storming like a soaring thunder, swinging his giant axe and taking a few apart. Soon he ended standing next to Cairn, both of them surrounded by the unknown enemies. "Kind a big trouble we got ourselves into?" Cairn commented with a slight sense of humor. "Yes, but the two of us are good enough to send them back to hell." Gade said confidently, as he grasped tightly the handle of his battle axe.

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Meanwhile, Julius was resting in an old inn, he was having nightmares of his past and the remnants of the "dark one" resting within his fragmented heart. Sweating, moving from side to side, not being able to sleep peacefully, the images flashing before his mind were quite disturbing. Julius saw himself, standing before a field stained with the blood of many, holding a bloodied sword and having the red stain splattered all over his eyes. The light of death shined undying within the irises of his eyes, fixed on the sun setting on the horizon. On his bed, Julius was tightly closing his fists, suffering from high fever and breathing heavily. "ZERIA!" He woken up nervously, but soon fainted due to the high fever. Back in his dreams, the last remains of a dark "being" rested within his heart, gaining power by the second in an attempt to make a triumphant return.

Could this be the dark one Hejaloki spoke in his prophecy?
 
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Zeria stepped out as soon as this new creature appeared. She hadn't sensed it before...when had it arrived? Gah, she was so tired too...her spells wouldn't do much even with the bit of strength she had left. The men were surrounded fighting, so she drew her blades and grinned.

"Cross Slash!"

The "X" energy blasted into one creature, that quickly turned on her. She ran and leapt over it, landed softly into the same area as all of the men.

"Introductions and my reasons for following you will have to wait. Concentrate on the foes here now..."
 
Hejaloki was watching over the ill Julius. Stroking his beard in thought.

"ZERIA!" Julius woken up nervously, but soon fainted due to the high fever.

"Hhmm." said Hejaloki looking up towards Julius.

Hejaloki got up from his chair and walked to Julius' side.

This disease was not a natural one, Hejaloki knew that. Not even Hejaloki could cure this ailment and yet he knew the cause. Hopefully this illness will not get any worst.

"Rest Julius." said Hejaloki and laid his hand on Julius' forehead. Hejaloki casted a spell to help calm Julius.

Then Hejaloki with drew his hand as through he was shocked and took a step back.

Hejaloki felt a dark presence gaining strength inside Julius...
 
Jonad had gotten of the horse, his butt slightly sore. It has been a while since he had last ridden.
He sat down up against a tree, and started to slumber.

Jonad awoke slightly from the ruckus that the battle was making.
"whats going on..." he mumbled as his white eyes opened slightly.
Only to stare in some deep red glowing eyes.

"AAAH!" Jonad shouted out in surprise.
In pure reaction, his hand glowed a grayish tint, and Jonad struck the being with his palm.
Inducing the paralyzing touch, as well as breaking its nose.
As Jonad got to his feet, he looked around.
In front of him, lied a humanoid person looking creature, in a coma as of now. And a broken nose.

He looked around, and saw Cairn and Gade side by side, facing what was the apparent larger of the group.

Jonad grabbed his metal Tonfa by the handle, if nothign else, he would be able to block.
He mentally made ready the 'Paralyzing Touch' in case he was attacked again.

Jonad took cover, for some reason, it seemed that the creatures hadn't noted his whereabouts. They must have thoguth that the one that woke him, must have taken care of him.
This was indeed a lucky break.
Jonad was in no apparent danger as of now.

Suddenly. The girl from the bar jumped in, Jonad wondered how she managed to follow them. But her promise to answer after the fight, made him ignore the question for now.

Jonad was a healer, not a fighter. He was severely outclassed here.
What should he do?
 
Jake's initial reluctance did not go unnoticed by Wylliam, preoccupied as he was with his running. However, Jake fell back to run beside him, and none too soon.

Not wanting to lose speed, Wylliam carefully timed his jump to land directly on Jake's back, doing his best to avoid the wings. Finally situated, if not wholly balanced, Wylliam said to Jake after catching his breath, "This probably isn't the most fun you've had recently, but I appreciate the assistance. Thank you."
 
Jake shook his head. "No problem, we can't get slowed down." With honesty, Wylliam was a little heavier than Jake expected. He'd managed to prevent himself from grunting, but Wylliam wasn't light. It was a good thing that he was in his Dragon form, or else he wouldn't have been able to carry him for too long.

Hera slowed down a bit as well, just as Jake caught up. "Slow down Jake," he said quietly. He stole a glance at the man on Jake's back before continuing. "There's a fight ahead."

Jake nodded. "Yeah, I can sense it too." Jake could feel, only a little ways ahead, a number of fighters; there was an all-wout brawl. It wasn't too far ahead. Jake handled the blade hanging across his back.

It wasn't long before they came upon a camp. Their assumptions had been right; there was a big fight going down. Jake gave Wylliam a quick glance and a jerk of his head, signifying that he should get off. Being more explicit, Jake said, "You might wanna stay out of this. With gramps and me fighting, it ain't gonna be pretty."

As if to prophecy, Hera shot forward and began slashing away at the shadowy assailants. Jake shot after him, handling the grip on his blade as he slashed away with his left claw, literally tearing down the competition.
 
Deciding to take Jake at his word, Wylliam threw his center of balance harshly to the right, dislodging himself with moderate grace from Jake's back. He landed, a little less gracefully, on his face. He raised and shook his head, clearing the dirt from his eyes. His vision and equilibrium returned just in time to see one of the shadow creatures break off from the main group and leap at him.

Wylliam smiled and gripped his spear tighter. "Good, I've been a bit uncomfortable lately, hanging out with folks that make my highest leaps look like skips through the meadow." Gathering all of his strength into his legs, Wylliam crouched low, and jumped ten feet into the air. "But know this! In this world, no one soars higher than I!" Still grinning, he sped spear first to the ground, impaling his target and dispersing it back into the darkness.
 
And with that, Jake's mobility regained its former glory. He whacked a masked one aside and engaged another foe. He heard Wylliam yell, "But know this! In this world, no one soars higher than I!"

Jake threw the masked one to the side and watched as Wylliam burst down, impaling a target. Jake laughed. "Hey man, you call that high?" With a burst, Jake jumped and used his energy to soar. He was up twenty feet before he looked down, and still rising!

"Yo gramps," Jake called to Hera, "Watch this!" With a roar, Jake shot his hands forward in a series of thrusts. From his hands burst forth a multitude of energy bursts; they struck a series of the fighters, dissipating them all into the shadows. A toll had been taken on Jake's energy, but hey, it was enough

Hera flew up beside Jake, holding a foe by the clothing. With a powerful thrust, Hera literally shot the foe into darkness, a small beam of energy passing through the creature from Hera's palm, shooting the thing through the chest and dissipating it.

"Don't flaunt your power, Jake," Hera cautioned.

Jake laughed derisively. "Oh yeah, like you showed nothing with that little attack?"

Hera grinned. "I haven't the slightest idea what you mean." With that, the both of them shot into combat; they drew their swords, and unleashed a flurry of combined attacks, defending each other and cutting down their foes. Their bodies were little less than a red and blue blur as they whirled around, their blades shining gold and silver before their next foe was cut down.
 
Surrounded, obviously the odds were against Cairn, Gade, Jonad and the mysterious woman. Each time one of these creatures was slain, two appeared from its remains to take its place. Cairn and Gade took on as many as they could, but in the end they were still too many. They had to think about a way to find the source of these demons, and fast. While battling, just moments after dodging a beast's right talon, performing a side step dodge and finally beheading the beast with his sword, Cairn had just realized that perhaps they were attacking the wrong target. He soon sighted a man clad in dark armor, only the man's reddish eyes could be seen glinting within his dark skull helm. Though most of his body parts were covered by dark steel, those exposed remained hidden by thick clouds of dark mist. "Gade! Hold on as much as you can! I'll take care of him...." Cairn jumped to the enemy lines slashing and cutting through them until finally reaching the man clad in dark armor. The dark knight did not respond, instead he menacingly unsheathed his dark, double edged, large broadsword and aimed it to Cairn, Cairn did the same with his own blade and aimed it towards the dark knight. Cairn smirked, as he moved his right feet behind and put his left feet forward, then with extended arms he grasped the hilt of his blade with both hands, the sword held slightly diagonally.

The dark knight, with a thunderous battle cry that echoed through the night, charged against Cairn swinging his blade from left to right clearly aiming at Cairn's head. Cairn ducked, avoiding the blade by mere inches and then he stepped to the right, bringing his sword upwardly towards the dark knight's chest. The dark knight brought his own sword to his chest, blocking Cairn's attack. As soon as both blades connected, Cairn bent his knees and soon stretched them, propelling himself forward and pushing the dark knight away. The dark knight's feet tripped slightly, almost causing him to stumble yet he was able to keep his ground.

The dark knight rose his blade and brought it down upon Cairn, who blocked the attack by placing his own sword horizontally above his head. Cairn then pushed the sword away, making the dark knight retreat, and then he charged, making a 360 degree spin and ultimately ending it with an upward slash from left to right, clearly leaving a deep gash on the dark knight's torso. Darkness, a mist so black that threatened to swallow all lights came from the wound, and the dark knight was forced to place his left hand on the wound on his chest.

Sensing this as an opportunity, Cairn stepped forward and attacked. The dark knight deflected the blow, but the strain it took on its body was too great, breaking his guard. Cairn found the opening, withdrew his sword and then lunged it forward, piercing the dark knight's chest through the very same wound that was made several moments ago. The dark knight's eyes widened in despair as he felt himself drawn within the orb attached to Cairn's sword. The mist soon faded and entered the orb, leaving an empty armor that slowly tumbled until it remains fell at Cairn's feet. Sensing that the monsters were greatly weakened now that it's source was taken out, Cairn used the dark elemental energy he had gathered and unleashed it. "Noctis Regis Incantamentum! Shadow of the Past!!!"Soon after, Cairn summons an afterimage that follows his every move, as if there were two of him. Due to the great amount of darkness he had absorbed, this time he created four shadow images of himself, each with glowing red eyes and armed with a dark version of Cairn's sword. As swiftly as the passing wind, Cairn cut through circularly around his friends, which were surrounded by the beasts, and soon he ended up slashing through most of them, leaving only a few to be vanquished.

Cairn then disabled his spell, the shadows went back to Cairn's body, and Cairn could be seen smiling confidently. Gade slew the monster that was right before him with a bone shattering downward slash of his heavy battle axe, as he ended up grinning confidently as well.
 
Zeria sliced and hacked through quite a few of her own foes, and could be seen ripping off her final cross slash. She had a few minor injuries, but nothing serious, except one on her left shoulder.

"Yo, guys! How's it coming for you?! I'm good on my end!"

She dropped to one knee, breathing heavily...and her blades clattered to the ground. ~It seems I...spoke too soon...damn!~
She clutched a small cut on her left shoulder...okay...it wasn't so small. It was pretty deep and blood was beginning to drip down her arm. She winced and clutched it harder, biting her lip to hold back a cry of agony. Pain was beginning to race through the young warrior's shoulder now, making it damn near impossible to continue...especially with the extreme lack of all energy...
 
As the monsters were vanquished, their remaining energies were thus absorbed by Cairn's sword. Cairn held his sword high and horizontally, the orb attached to his weapon began to resemblance a small dark hole swallowing the darkness being released within the core of the sword. After absorbing enough elemental energy, Cairn lowered his weapon, the tip of his large sword resting on the soul, the hilt held tightly by his right hand as the moon watched over them. Their source was defeated, the demons had no way to reemerge from the shadows once again, and the few remaining were thus forced to flee. Cairn sheathed his weapon, victory was finally achieved. "I am sure they will return, if so we must be ready." Cairn turns to see Jonad and the mysterious woman while Gade went to make sure the tents and their gear was safe. As he walked towards the woman, Cairn felt that he had met her somewhere before. He stopped before the woman, staring down since he was somewhat taller than him, his menacing eyes showed nothing except an urge to find out whether or not she was an ally, or not. "Who are you?" Cairn said referring to the woman with some distrust.
 
She took a breath and sighed, sheathing her blades. The wound in her shoulder still hurt extremely badly, but she promised to tell about herself. She looked up at the man called Cairn and blinked. He was slightly taller....

"I am Zeria Iiyasei, of the Balamb Garden Military Academy. SeeD Class S, Mercenary skills. I'm currently on a search to find out what happened to Lord Julius Argexis, the man who is both my master and...the man I love..."

Zeria looked away, hiding the sorrow in her eyes.

"I've been on this journey since he disappeared, along with Hejaloki. I don't know where to find him, or even a clue where to search, so I'm looking for anyone who can help. Then, I found Arthvader and you guys. You all intrigued me, and I wondered if you had any knowledge of Julius...."
 
Cairn remained silent after hearing the name "Argexis" being mentioned. Some time ago, Cairn had heard of a young lord and heir of the Silverwing Throne who had suddenly disappeared after the old Aldabra was attacked by dark forces. Much after this event, the Altzoure Castle, the Silverwing Castle, was reconstructed from the ruins the old war had left of it, giving it back its former splendor. This was done with the help of Lord Maximilian Regisheart and Lady Vegnya, the two who took over control of the Aldabran Region. Since the true heir was lost, Maximilian remained in charge of the governmental actives much like Vegnya has been doing, and together they established the Aldabran Empire. The reason of why Aldabra attacked Seseu still remains unknown to Cairn. "Yes, I've heard he disappeared and that his followers have been losing faith on finding him. They fear of finding him dead...." Cairn breathed deeply and then resume his conversation "Of this 'Hejaloki', I am not aware if a man like him ever existed....nor if he was linked in any way to the Silverwing Family." Cairn turned his back on Zeria and stared at the moon for few moments, wondering if the stars and the moon above were witnesses of the true story behind this tragedy. He soon closed his eyes and lowered his head, feeling disappointed of all that has happened, the war, the attacks, Seseu, his demotion, everything. "I am going to the Royal City of Palacious, seeking an audience with the King. If my suspicions are correct, Seseu might be a few months away from being conquered by Aldabra. I fear that, the King might have been betrayed..." Cairn finally turned once again to see Zeria, his face seemed more peaceful and his eyes showed some kindness and solidarity towards her feelings. "So love moves you....just make sure that feeling doesn't blind you of a bitter truth if the rumors of Lord Julius' death are true. You know, I once had a daughter, as lively as you....sadly she is now in a better place...waiting for me. I would hate to see you shatter and beaten by sorrow....young people aren't meant to suffer....not like this. This is not the world I have dreamed of...." Cairn then walked away from Zeria, passing by her left shoulder, he was heading towards the river. "Perhaps, if your heart is correct if it tells you he is alive. Maybe you and Julius share some sort of connection....call it love or loyalty....I don't know. But the true thing is that this bound is strong....now rest, I shall remain watching for more of those bandits. Jonad! Gade! Make sure you rest enough for a rough road awaits us tomorrow. Rest my friends..." Cairn smiled, his eyes fixed on the crystal clear waters of the river reflecting the soft lights of the stars.
 
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