War-Torn Island

[linkin10362]

----------------------Continued from Northern Sea-------------------------

Narik, Azal, and Darius started on the eastern side of the island, making their way to the hill in the distance. "It's just a guess, but I would say it's on the hill...or at least something that gives a hint to where it is, you know what I mean?" Azal asked. "No, not really. Like that Klein guy said, it has to be really hidden if no one got it yet. You even agreed with him..." Darius responded. "Why do you always talk down to me? I can easily fire you and have you stranded on this island. What would you think of that?" Narik was avoiding the conversation they were having and focused on the environment. There was still nothing but more signs of battles as they headed up the hill. Once they got to the top though, they saw that there was a pile of skeletons in the center. "Huh, that's interesting. Who wants to take a look?" Narik asked the others. "I guess I'll do it.." Darius said as he approached the pile and stuck his arm inside of it. Azal watched in disgust in the back. "Wow. You seemed way to eager to shove your hand in that! I find dead bodies gross, you're a much braver man than I." Darius laughed as he continued. "Tell me something I don't know.." Narik bent over near Darius and started to help out as Azal observed. Soon, all the bones were moved from the original resting place and a single stone was at the bottom. Azal walked forward and picked it up. "A pebble? Guess we have to keep looking. I'll hang onto though, maybe it's a key or something! See, a regular bandit would never think of that!" Narik and Darius both sighed and the group then continued off of the hill to inspect the rest of the east side.

[Gamerbug94]

Klein, Amira and Blade started on the opposite side. Walking along the barren earth, Klein was at a loss. He wasn't used to such barren landscape, and he didn't like it. He looked over his shoulder, making note of the path they had taken. Blade was leading and turned around. "Any idea where we should be looking?" He asked. Klein shrugged. "No idea, some sort of cave or structure...ruins perhaps? Keep an eye out." Klein said. They walked for a few more minutes, before noticing a steep cliff leading down into a valley. "Seem like a place to check?" Amira said looking down into the valley. "Question is...how do we get down?" Blade said.

Klein looked around for a moment. "There." He said jogging over to a large boulder near the side of the cliff. Opening his pack he removed a length of rope he normally used to tie together traps and the like. "I'm...unsure if this will hold." He said. "But it's worth a shot." He said. "Who's going to go?" Amira asked. Klein shrugged. "I'm willing, although I can also stay here to pull up one of you two." Klein said. "It's up to you Blade."

[zeidridge]

In a cocky fashion, Blade stepped forward. "I'll go first." Klein gave him a strange look, "You're sure?" Blade nodded, "I am a candidate after all, fitting that I should be first. " Klein laughed, "i don't even know if you're joking anymore, I'm starting to believe you're really just that arrogant." Blade laughed, "Please, you insult me. I simply like to think I know my place in this world." Klein shot him another look, "Confidence then..?" "Right." Blade said as he scaled down into the valley below.

[linkin10362]

"Well...this worked perfectly!" Azal yelled from a hole he was trapped in. "I told you not to move ahead so quickly. It seems there are still traps set up from a previous battle. You're lucky that one didn't have spikes at the bottom." Darius leaned at the edge of the hole and attempted to get Azal out. Narik was looking around still, but also watching for more traps. "We must be getter closer to something if there are traps. I mean, we never saw any until right now. Clearly, no one went near this area in a long time." Narik stated as he turned to see Azal was finally out. "Yeah, yeah. That sounds like a good guess. This time you lead though, I think I sprained my ankle or something." The group continued on slowly, unaware that two men were watching them from the hill. "So there are 6 people here, two groups of three. Which do you want to handle?" One of them asked. "These guys seem too easy, I'll take the other group." The other replied as he turned and walked away. "Alright then, let's just make sure neither team gets any farther."

[Gamerbug94]

Klein braced himself against a rock as he held the rope. "Everything alright down there!?" He called down to Blade. Blade's voiced echoed back up "Everything's good, almost down!" He said. Klein nodded and tied the rope around a rock, making sure it was steady. "Your turn now" He said looking towards Amira. Amira nodded and made here way down, Blade caught her and helped her down gently. Klein was the last to make his way down, landing on his feet and looking up and down the valley. "I say we head that way...is that alright with you, oh fearless leader?" Klein said, pointing down the valley, a sarcastic tone in his voice.

[linkin10362]

Narik continued to lead the group around the island. "Damn it, we are getting close to the end. Hopefully the others had better luck finding something.." Narik stated. An arrow suddenly stuck into the ground in front of him. "Looks like we have company!" Azal said as they all turned to see a single man behind them. "If you couldn't tell already, this is the end of the road for the island...and if you don't leave, it'll be the end for you as well." The man yelled to them. Darius smirked and in the blink of an eye was behind the man, holding his sword into his back. "I believe you'll want to rephrase that comment." Darius cockily responded. The man laughed. "You're a fast one, I almost didn't see you." The man suddenly disappeared and Darius felt a blade poke him in the back. "Almost.." The man continued. "I'm Azal's guardian, I can't allow you to hurt him." Darius spun around and sliced at the man. He dodged the attack and then stabbed Darius in the side with his dagger. "Don't make this difficult, you are outmatched here." The man then kicked Darius away and pulled out his sword. "Now for you two.."

Azal moved behind Narik. "Keep him occupied for a bit. I'll make something to give us the upper hand." He pulled out items from one of his waist bags and began to work. Narik sighed and slowly walked towards the man. "So, do I get a name? I'm Narik." The man laughed. "I've never been one to share names before a battle. There isn't much of a point knowing your name when you'll be dead soon enough." Narik drew his sword and then looked into the sky. "Well if that's how you think.." He then charged at the man and then locked blades. Narik glanced to Darius and saw that he was still conscious. "Take your time recovering, I've got this for now." Darius grunted. "Yeah, yeah. I'm trying." The man withdrew his sword and swung at Narik's chest. Narik ducked below it and then attempted an upward slice. The man dodged back and barely avoided the blade and then slashed at Narik while he was recovering from the attack. Narik managed to block the attack with his sword and reached for a dagger. He stabbed the man in the leg and quickly aimed his sword for the man's chest. But Narik saw that the man was no longer, only the dagger remained.

Narik turned and saw the man was behind Azal, who was completely unaware and focused in his work. "Damn it. AZAL MOVE!" Narik yelled at him. Azal looked up to Narik as the man slowly rose his blade to attack. Azal suddenly threw a smoke bomb down and rolled away from the attack. He grabbed his sword and began furiously slicing at the smoke, hoping to hit the man. But when the smoke cleared, he was gone again. "It seems you men are smarted than I believed. Hell, my partner went after your other little group because he thought you would be no match, guess he was wrong." Narik moved forward. "Shit, Klein and the others better be on their guard." The man laughed. "Yes, they most certainly must. X is much more ruthless than I. By the way, you can call me Z." Azal put away his items, having finished what he was making. "Z? Seriously? You must feel really badass to have a single letter as your name." Darius slowly stood up and silently moved towards Z, hoping to get in a lethal attack. "It is only a code name. Each of us got one of the 27 letters and then had to adopt a real name from it, mine being Zephrel." Darius inched further as Zephrel continued to talk. "The letters are also a ranking system. I am the bottom of the tier, A being the strongest." He then looked to Narik. "I heard that you helped take down Ellis, that's a pretty big feat, but I'll just chalk it down as luck. You were with one of the Heroes of Yufferock after all." Azal was shocked by the comment and looked to Narik. "You've fought these guys before AND took down one of their highest officers? Why is this man still alive then?" Darius finally was in the perfect position to attack. "HE'S DEAD NOW!" Darius yelled, stabbing his sword into Zephrel.

Darius started to feel weak after the attack. He then looked down and realized what had happened. Zephrel stabbed Darius at the same time he did. "I knew you were there the entire time. Do you really think I would forget that I was fighting three people?" Zephrel ripped the sword out of Darius and then moved forward to remove Darius' blade. "You missed all my vitals, as expected. This wound will put a damper on me though, but at least I'm not dying." Azal ran to Darius as Narik rushed to do battle with Zephrel. "No, no, no, no, no. You aren't dying on me. You can't die." Azal started to search through his equipment to find something to help Darius, but couldn't. "Don't...waste anything on me. I'm done. Did you...finish the.." Darius started to cough violently, more blood pouring from his wound each time. "Yes, I did. Just try not to talk, okay." Azal said to Darius. "Gi...give me it." Darius asked. Azal paused for a moment, looking over Darius' wounds. "Are you sure?" Darius nodded and Azal placed the item in his hands. Darius attempted to get on his feet and Azal helped him. Narik continued to fight Zephrel, but then stopped as he saw Darius run at Zephrel with the item, a bomb. Just as Darius was inches away from Zephrel, Narik pushed Zephrel forward and then moved back, narrowly avoiding the blast. The dust settled and Zephrel stood dazed, his body burnt and his left arm completely gone. "Looks like you forgot about fighting three people this time, huh?" Narik asked, kicking Zephrel to the ground.

Narik walked towards Azal and patted him on the shoulder. "Are you alright?" Narik asked. Azal nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess I am." Narik over to Zephrel and Darius. "He knew he time was up, sacrifice was the most honorable way he could've gone out. Azal nodded again. "I understand that, but..." Narik started to walk with Azal. "I know, he will be missed. His life goal was to protect you and he did it to the end. I guess that means he entrusted me to watch over you now and I can't have you zoning out. Darius wouldn't have wanted that." Suddenly, a man appeared aside Narik and Azal. "He may not have wanted it, but it gave me the perfect opportunity to get both of you!" Before Narik and Azal could react, the man knocked both of the unconscious. "Hm, I knew it was a good idea to sit in the background and wait for Zephrel to ware them down a bit, although it did cost him his life." The man then grabbed Narik and Azal and began to drag them away. "Let's just hope X does a good enough job and can kill those others. No need for them now."

[zeidridge]

Blade smirked, "That way it is, I of course will lead the way." The group began walking, Blade sighed. "How are we meant to find this damned thing.."

[linkin10362]

"Oh, don't worry. You aren't meant to find anything here." The group looked out in front of them to see a figure in the valley. "Well, it looks like we found you. That's something, right?" Bladed asked the man. "If that's what you want to call it, sure. You found the X mark you were looking for." He then reached behind him and pulled a large hammer off of his back. "And now Mr. X will kill all of you." He launched himself at Klein, Blade, and Amira and slammed his hammer into the ground, sending a shockwave across the entire valley. While everyone was off balance, X ran towards them again to get a hit in. Klein tried to block the hammer with his blade, but the force was too strong and he was thrown into the ground. As X lifted his hammer to finish Klein off, Blade shot him in the chest with his gun. Klein used his time to get away, but not before attempting to get a shot in at X. He swung his blade at X's leg, but X quickly put his hammer in the way and countered Klein by kicking him away. X slugged the hammer across his shoulder and sighed. "You guys are going to need to try a lot harder to kill me, so come on!"

[zeidridge]

Blade readied himself, and rushed at X. He landed a long combo of punches and kicks on X, pushing him back as he did so. Finally X jad his back to the valley wall, and Blade stopped and stood before him, Klein was now at Blade's side. X laughed, "Was...was that an attack? Ha, you're kidding, I didn't feel a thing!" Blade was out of breath, but refused to show it to an enemy, he didn't respond. Klein drew his dirks, he knew Blade would need a moment to compose himself, and rushed at X, "You'll feel this!"

[Gamerbug94]

Klein rushed in headlong, slashing horizontally in a sweeping arc. X parried each blow with ease. "What is with this guy?" Klein asked glancing back at Blade, who had recovered his stamina. "He's strong, thats for sure." Blade said putting his fists up in a fighting stance. X took the opening to swing his hammer at Klein's side. Klein ducked, barely dodging being launched by the powerful blow, he rose back up slashing X's chest as he did. Blade was on him instantly, covering Klein's recovery. After landing a few blows Blade ducked away as Klein ran back in to finish the job. Klein Slashed twice at X's chest and face, jumping backwards and spinning the dirks around before launching them directly at the stunned X. Klein rushed forward with a flurry of kicks. "Critical Rush!" He yelled as the first kick landed. Suddenly X grabbed his ankle, swung him above his head and tossed him across the valley. Klein's head struck the wall and he winced. "Damnit..." He stumbled to his feet, disoriented. "How is this guy still standing..." He mumbled. Blade readied himself once more as X chuckled. "Keep trying, im enjoying this!" He said.

[linkin10362]

"Damn it, there has to be a secret behind this guy's strength." Klein said while trying to catch his breath. "Yeah, that's for sure. We'll just have to keep trying until we can manage to take him down for good then, huh?" Blade responded. X slowly moved forward, waiting for Blade to strike. "Come on now, don't keep me waiting. I enjoy the adrenaline rush of being sliced and beaten...and then watching as I do the same to the pathetic fools who believed they could take me down." X shrugged and then stopped moving. "And to think you all were thought to be the chosen ones. Yet you can't even beat the 3rd weakest member of our little organization. Taking out Ellis was a fluke, you aren't getting lucky again." Klein and Blade looked surprised with the revelation. "What? You and Ellis worked together?" Blade asked. X nodded and then swung his hammer at Blade, who barely managed to dodge it. "That's all you're getting from me, no use explaining anything to those who are about to perish!"

While X's attention was put on Blade, Klein was able to recover from his fatigue and get into X's blind side. Blade noticed this movement and gave a signal to Klein to strike when X's guard was down. Blade ran at X and tried to land some blows, while also avoiding the strong swings of X's hammer. "That's your problem right there, Mr.X. You put so much force in your swings that it takes you more time to recover from your attacks, allowing me to do this!" Blade then moved in and unleashed a devastating assault on X before finishing with an uppercut. At the same moment, Klein moved in from behind and started to slash at X's back. X grunted in pain, the first time he had done so during the entire fight and then quickly launched Klein and Blade away with a swing of his arm. "Damn it, it seems my time is running out. Didn't think it would take this long.."

Klein looked to X with suspicion. "Ellis had a special ability that he used on us that amplified his power greatly. If you belong in the same organization, that means you must have a power as well. When we first began this fight, you were both fast and unaffected by our attacks, but now.." X then launched himself at Klein and slammed his hammer into the ground. "ENOUGH, YOU'LL DIE HERE!" He continued to pursue Klein as Blade put together everything Klein had said. "So his power is to be granted a burst of energy and power for a certain amount of time before he returns to his normal level...and it seems that time is approaching!" X started to become more desperate as he swung at Klein. "We just have to keep dodging him and once his boost is over, he'll meet his end as well." X then dropped his hammer and slammed his hands into the ground, causing the ground to rise up around Klein and Blade. This stumbled both of the men, allowing X to catch up and deliver a finishing blow with his hammer. His attack suddenly stopped short of Blade and the hammer fell to the ground. "What?" Blade looked up to see what had happened and saw one of Klein's dirks in X's forehead. "Looks like your time was up. That last attack sure sped the process up. That was your fatal mistake." X's body dropped to the ground and Klein retrieved the dirk. "Clearly this island has something if this guy was here. I think it's time we meet up with Narik and the others."

[Gamerbug94]

Klein cleaned the blood off his dirk as he walked further down the chasm. "Question is, where could they be?" He said. Amira shrugged. Blade looked further ahead, noticing the chasm was opening up. "Looks like it lets out up ahead Klein" he said. As they reached the clearing Klein looked around, it was just like the rest of the island, very rocky with steep cliffs and little vegetation. "Hm...wonder if theyve been near here." Klein said. He squatted down and looked at the ground. "The soil is slightly disturbed here...broken twigs and dislodged stones as well." He stood and looked to the left. "Someone's been here...but im unsure who" He said. "They went this way." He headed off in that direction. Blade stopped after a few paces. "Footprints, leading towards that cliff face." He said. Klein noticed them as well. "Quite deep, whoever made these was either very large, or carrying a heavy load...not sure I like either of those things." Klein said. Amira nodded. "We should be careful" She said. Blade nodded. "Be on your guard Klein, I'll watch our backs." he said. Klein treaded carefully, his hunters instincts kicking in as he closed in on the cliff face, a cave was now visible. "This must be it..." He said quietly. "Stay here...ill scout ahead." Klein said. "Alright...but at the first sound of trouble im busting in there." Blade said adjusting his gauntlets. Klein nodded. "Be sure that you do, ive taken enough beating for a life time." He said, creeping into the cave entrance.

[linkin10362]

"Ugh.." Narik slowly opened his eyes and looked around to see where he was. The room was dark, but a small candle resting on a table gave off a glimmer of light. Narik was tied up something, but couldn't turn to see what it was. "About time you woke up. I was about 20 seconds away from going insane just sitting here and staring into the dark." Azal said to Narik. "How long have you been up? Hell, how long do you think we've been in here?" Narik asked. Azal shrugged. "Not sure, I pulled myself together around 2 hours ago. Not much eventful stuff has happened since then, hence my previous statement. I did hear some faint footsteps outside the room we're being held in not that long ago though." Narik nodded. "Well, that's a start. Damn it, if only I wasn't off guard when that guy attacked us." The footsteps then occurred again and both of the men looked towards where the noise came from. "See what I mean? I guess they knew we'd get up around now." Azal stated. The footsteps then slowly got louder and louder, until they stopped right outside the room and the door opened. "Ah, it seems both of you are conscious now. That's good, it's about time you're informed of what is going on." The man grabbed Narik and Azal and took them out of the room and down the corridor. They walked for what seemed like hours, going pass corners and corners, eventually making it all seem like a maze. "I didn't think a island this small would have such a large lair deep inside of it." Azal said to Narik and the man. "Yeah, luckily for you guys we already scouted this out and learned the true path. Just imagine how long it took for that to take place." The man replied. "Is that so.." Narik said as he continued to drop a powder as they moved, leaving a path for the others if they managed to find where they were.

Finally, the three men made it to the main chamber of the lair. Candles hung all around the room, but the main source of light came from a odd object in the center of the room. There was a man sitting in a chair near the object and stood as he saw the others walk in. "Perfect, the time draws closer to which my goal is finally complete. Yasha, you can let them both go now." Yasha complied and allowed Narik and Azal to move on their own, although they were still both tied together. "The object you see before you is one of immense power. It is known as the Chi (Earth) Crystal, one of the 6 crystals that are hidden around the planet of Avalon. There is also the Sui (Water), Ka (Fire), Fu (Wind), Ku (Heaven), and finally Shizen (Nature). These crystals controls the world's balance and also grant those who obtain them unmeasurable strengths. If a person were able to collect all 6, they would be at the level of a god...and that's exactly what I want. This world has become corrupt and no one is truly able to fully control it, but with these I'll be able to be the true leader of the world. Unfortunately, I am unable to awaken these crystal from their dormant state and need the power of a candidate. And it has come to my attention that each member of your little rag tag group is one of these fabled being. So this is where I ask politely: Awaken the Chi Crystal and grant me its power and then join my organization to find the other 5. This will ensure you a rightful place as my Royal Guard when I rule the world." Narik and Azal looked at each other and nodded. "Sorry, but we're going to have to decline that offer. You may tell us you are trying to make the world a better place, but what we've seen of your organization tells otherwise." Narik told the man. The man sighed and then rolled up his sleeves. "Fine then, I'll have to use my power to force you to comply. Yasha, go back and scout out the island. Make sure no one else makes it here." Yasha then walked back into the corridor as the man began his torture on Narik and Azal.

[Gamerbug94]

Klein stayed low and quiet as he moved through the cave. It was dark and winding, he wasnt sure which way to go at each turn. "Wonder what im going to find." He thought to himself, taking a sharp turn. He looked around at the darkness, unsure where he was now. "Damn...this place is like a damn labyrinth" He mumbled. He looked to his feet and noticed some dust of some kind. "Whats this..." he bent down and rubbed some between his fingers. "Doesnt seem natural..." he moved along following the trail.

"Wonder who left this..." he thought to himself. Just then he heard a scream far inside the cave, just low enough to be audible to him. "That...was that Azal?" He thought. "Damnit, I better hurry." He picked up the pace a little more. Suddenly he heard footsteps approaching. "Shit...not good." He thought looking around frantically. "There!" he ducked behind a nearby corner and waited, the footsteps seemed to trail off. Klein let out a sigh. "That was too close..." He said to himself. "What was?" Klein froze, eyes growing wide, he turned around just in time to see the glint of a weapon closing down on him, he dodged out of the way just in time as the weapon struck the cave floor. "Damnit!" Klein said regaining his footing. "This isnt good...' Klein said readying his blade.

[linkin10362]

"Nice dodge there, in hindsight I probably shouldn't have said anything and just have cut your throat, but I've had enough of this stealth stuff for today. Time for more of a frontal attack." Yasha said to Klein as he jumped at him. Klein blocked with his blade and then kicked Yasha away. "I don't have time for this, I have to get to Narik and Azal." Klein then darted off and continued following the trail with Yasha in pursuit. As Yasha turned a corner, he saw that Klein had disappeared. "Ah, I see. You are trying to beat me at my own game, huh? Well then, time for some hide and seek!" Yasha slowly crept down the corridor and kicked open the doors, looking for Klein. Eventually, Yasha had opened all but one of the doors. "Well, this was dull. I expected more of a challenge from you. Oh well, time for you to die!" He then kicked open the door and thrusted his blade in, but saw that Klein was not inside that room either. "Hmm, guess I was wrong, this is a challenge, but where is the man then?" Yasha asked himself. Suddenly, Klein fell from the ceiling of the corridor and poked Yasha with his sword. "I was above you, good thing these corridor walls are close enough to do so or else I would've been done for. I also don't announce my attacks like you did, so I had the upper hand." Yasha then began to laugh at Klein. "I may have announced that one attack, but it's not like I don't have other tricks up my sleeve..." With that, Klein heard footsteps behind him and turned to see several Yashas walking out of the previous rooms. "Shit, looks like I'm outnumbered. Hopefully Blade is a man of his word.." Klein stated as he clutched his blade, ready for the Yashas to attack.