Arran woke up early the next morning to train after he got dressed in his gear. Arran picked up Demonsong and walked towards the enclosed part of the woods he used to train in.
Once, he entered the clearing enclosed partly by huge trees and had enough space to fight in. Arran drew his blade and closed his eyes, centering his Kyi with the Multiverse.
The fallen leaves from the Golden Oaks scattered across the ground blew past as a slight autumn breeze brushed past his face. Suddenly with unheard-of speed, Arran whipped around and blocked an attack from the woman with the Frost Blue skin whose movements were flawless and fluid as Arran struggled to block her constant attacks
" You are quite the swordsmen, Dragonborn." the woman said as she extended her hand out and said, " My name is Mera La'gar. I am sorry that I attacked you; I just saw if you were able to hold your own in a fight."
Arran shook Mera's hand and replied, " That is alright. I would not have expected any less from a Kai'lagareon Warrior." Mera stepped backward with embarrassment and said, " Please don't compare me to my mother; I am nowhere near as good as here."
Arran could tell that Kai'la was a sensitive topic, so he decided not to bring it up again
" So you healed rather quickly," Tsuki said as she had followed them to their Training spot, Suzume was close behind. " Yes, I did. Are you the Dragonborn's Allie?" Mera asked Tsuki, who paused for a moment to catch her breath
" Yes, I am, and can you please tell me why you are not in bed? Your wounds are not completely healed." Tsuki said
Mara glared at her " I am sorry, but I don't have any time to heal. My Brother was captured by Talon Vermillion and was taken to his stronghold near here, and I need the Dragonborns help to rescue him. You will cause unneeded harm to my mission." Mera said to Tsuki, who growled and bared her fangs.
"Please stop, That is my sister you are speaking to, and I am Arrans's wife and will not leave his side nor leave my sister's either. So we will b going with you no matter what you say." Suzume said to Mera, who glared at Suzume then faced Arran
" She can't be serious? Is she unaware of the danger that the Vermillions present? Both of their accounts will only endanger your life as well as their own." Mera said
Arran looked at Mera and said, " They are more to than just allies, they are family, and I am not going to leave them behind." Mera knew there was no way to persuade them not to come.
Mara sighed and said as she motioned to head back to camp, "Fine, get your gear packed, and then we head towards Jagtar." Mera said
" Jagtar? But that city was destroyed during the Age of Zargorwarth the Demon Lord; why are we going there?" Arran asked Mera as he picked up Emma's journal with he still had not dared to read yet.
Mera replied as she put her backpack on " we are not going into Jagtar itself, but Talons Stronghold is in an isolated part of the Kings Woods west of Jagtar,"
They decided to leave their horse with Lei'quin. Arran stayed back for a moment with Master Lei'quinn " Do you know what the symbol on my hand means?" Arran asked Lei'quinn, who shook his head
"Sadly, I do not, Arran." He paused for a moment, then went to his bag and took out a medium-sized red journal and headed it to Arran, who looked at the cover and saw the very same symbol that was on his hand.
"I don't know if this will help at all, but that journal has been in my family for as long as I can remember. I've always wondered what the symbol on the front meant but could not open it to find out." Lei'quinn said as he pointed to the hook and latch that sealed the journal shut. "All of us have tried but failed to open it. But you bear the very same mark as that book. So Fate must have sealed it waiting for you to come and get it."
Arran placed the book into his bag and thanked Lei'quinn
" Dragonborn, Will you look after Lei?" Lei'quinn asked Arran, who replied, "Yes, I will."
"Dragonborn! Will, you hurry up! We have very little time to waste!" Arran could hear her Mera yell, then both Lei'quinn and Arran let out a yelp as Suzume cried out
"Arran Dra'ghoul! Please hurry up and get over here before I come over there and have to drag you here!
Arran faced Lei'quinn and said, " Pray to the All-Mother for me if Xenoventaries or Lupin don't kill, then Suzume or Mera will for sure." Arran placed two fingers on his forehead and teleported to Suzume.
" Dragonborn, Are you done?" Mera said her tone was impatient Arran nodded as Mera led them through Kings Woods towards Talons Stronghold the golden leaves of the Gold Oaks changed to Viridian green as fewer Gold Oaks were seen Tsuki looked around her and saw that the Melon Yellow fields of the As'send'dar could no longer be seen through the lush Deep Green grass and peacock green vines that hung overhead.
" Welcome to the Jagtar Region," Mera said as, with a single swift motion of her hand, she sliced through a massive Peacock and Forest green vine that hung in the pathway.
Arran ducked under several vines asked Mera, " Are you sure that this Talon person went this way?" Mera replied, " He did not go the way we are going. I am sure he went a different way; we are going this way to sneak into the back of the Stronghold."
After several hours they finally reached the end of the Vinny maze, and all stumbled onto the Deep Green grass of a large clearing.
Arran stood up weakly and faced Mera, and said, " If there is a different path, let us try that first."
"I am sorry." Mera said as she helped Suzume and Tsuki up, " It is fine." Suzume said as they looked at the massive stone-grey castle that towered over them. Arran looked at the four watchtowers, one on each corner and the massive tower at the very edge of the castle.
"So this is the castle of a Vermillion Family Member." Arran said Mera stood next to him and nodded " That it is, Talon and Scarlett Vermillion, the next heirs to the Vermillion Empire."
" Well, I guess before we go a quick rundown of the Vermillion Bloodline," Mera said as the group sat down. Tsuki said, " we don't have time for everything, just what is important."
Mera nodded and said, " Well, I can assume that all of you know who Vector Vermillion is." They all nodded " Good; now Vector Vermillion has three sons. Well, four sons, but he is not important right now. Vector's threes sons, from oldest to youngest, are Talon Vermillion, Jasper Vermillion, and Issac Vermillion, each of them, control a section of the world
Talon controls the Jagtar Region, Jasper Vermillion controls the Vermillion Region, and Issac Controls the Vonholo Region."
Arran intercepted, " If Jasper controls the Vermillion Region does that mean..." Mera nodded " Yes, Vector Vermillion is nothing more than a figurehead while Jasper is controlling it all behind closed doors."
Suzume then said, " If that were true, then why not use the full force of the Vermillion Army and overthrow his other brothers?"
"Why indeed, Little Sparrow?" Scarlett said, standing across from Arran. " How did I not sense her?" Arran thought as Mera drew her blade ready to attack, but Scarlett put up her hand
"Study your blade Kai'lagareon; I am not here to speak with the likes of you." Scarlett put her blade back. Scarlett faced Tsuki and Suzume " Kitsume's stay back." Scarlett said, her voice powerful and commoned that both Tsuki and Suzume, who were baring their fangs at Scarlett, inched away, trembling with fear.
Arran placed a hand on his blade and said in what he hoped was a brave voice, " Who are you, and what do you want us with me?" Scarlett stopped and silently took out a woman's head.
" Oh no. It can't be." Tsuki said
" Arran," Suzume said, placing a hand over her mouth, preventing her from screaming.
Scarlett tossed the head towards Arran, who had his eyes closed as the decapitated head of a person who looked like Emma rolled past Arran.
" What say you, Dragonborn?" Scarlett said
Arran turned to Mera and said, " Take the others and go have them help you find your brother, leave now; I am sure that more will be coming."
Mera could see in his eyes the burning Ice Blue flames of fury; she nodded and looked at the others who also knew to leave. Tsuki and Suzume placed two fingers on their forehead and teleported away while Mera vanished in a flash of white light.
" So now we are alone, and you wanted to fight me when I am angry? Do you wish to see me at the limit of power I can obtain at the moment?" Arran said his voice restained
Scarlett smiled, her blood boiling with excrement " I know it is an awful thing for me to do to you, Arran, But this is the only way for me to keep track of you. If I begin to hunt you down." Scarlett thought in her mind
" It is funny, Arran and myself always seemed to have a rivalry of who was better than the other, and in some ways, I think Fate was preparing us for this very point in our story,"
Scarlett drew her Demon Nightwalker Blade; its Amber Red blade shone against the pale moonlight. " Yes, I am!"
Arran smiled as he drew Demonsong, its blade engulfed in Geranium Red-colored Flames " Good, So am I," Arran said as he opened his eyes with were consumed in Ice Blue flames.
There was a long silence before Arran let out an intense scream that rocked the heavens. Scarlett had to study herself as intense Kyi Waves that broke the earth were emitting from Arran's body. Scarlett watched as the Kyi waves condensed and formed into Frost Blue flames that encircled Arran's body
" What Power!" Scarlett said as Arran let out a final cry, and the Kyi disparate Scarlett watched as the smoke cleared and Arran walked towards her his shirt ripped to pieces, Arran's eyes blazed of Fury as he wielded the Chaos Blade Demonsong.
With little time to react, Scarlett blocked Arrans's furry of attacks; his power was insane as he never yielded as Scarlet was dealt blow after blow. Scarlett fell to the ground. Her regation was helping to heal her, but it was not fast enough. Finally, Arran fell to the ground and dropped Demonsong to the ground; taking his hand, Arran gripped his head and cried out
" No! I will not kill! You can't make me." Arran cried out as his hand moved towards the sword
"It is almost like he is not in control, and his anger has overtaken him, but he seems to be fighting back, and that is draining his Kyi. Arran will be unable to attack in that state" Scarlett said her wounds were fully healed.
Arran could only watch as Scarlett flew off as the last of his Kyi was drained from him, and he passed out only to be awoken by the shock of a bucket of cold water being tossed on him.
" What gives?" Arran said angerly as he looked at the tall Terrain with Chesnut brown hair; his skin was fair, and he wore Terra One Armor that had a Shadow Wolf Jacket, around his neck was a golden chain with a purple crystal. He knelt, and Arran saw that the right eye and arm were cybernetic " Sorry about that, Arran. My name is Kai 'ran La'gar, but you can call me Kai." Kai said as he handed Arran some new clothes, who noticed that he was in a large guest room.
" Kai, where am I, and where is my stuff?" Arran asked, noticing that his gear was nowhere to be seen.
" You are in the Blackfire Homestead," Kai said. Arran paused " Where is that?" Arran asked
Suddenly the sound of a wooden can tapping on the floor was heard as Kai'ran stopped and left as a tall, medium-built older man with stone grey hair walking with a long wooden can. " Parden, my boy, He likes to talk." The man said his voice was calm and smooth
" Who are you? Where is my gear, and where are my allies?" Arran asked the man who raised his hand then said, " Please, one at a time. I am Morgone Blackfire, or as you may know me from history, Zargorwarth the Demon Lord.
After your fight with Scarlett Vermillion and you unlocked your Chaos form but were unable to control it. Sort of. My children brought you and your Allies here as for your gear."
Morgone paused and said, " I can't let you use Demonsong." Arran was confused " Why?" Morgone replied, " Demonsong is a weapon power that is controlled by the user's emotions and Kyi. You are too emotional and a danger to use Demonsong."
Arran stood up angrily " Then what do you have me do? Defeat Xenoventaries with my bare hands?"
Morgone sighed and walked over to a glass case and took out a long golden sword that had a dragon's head on its hilt " No, But I will let you use my older brother's sword Xendar the Dragon Blade."
Arran gripped Xendar; once he did, Arran could hear a melody of voices from the past rush into his head, his body felt lighter, and he now knew things that he previously had not.
" By the grace of the All-Mother! It seems that Xendar has chosen you." Morgone said as Arran put Xendar in his hilt
Arran bowed and said, " Thank you."
" Now regarding a different matter, Lupine has been quiet for some time, as has Xenoventaries," Morgone said
Arran replied, " Where do you think they will strick next?"
Tsuki walked in and said, " Right now, that is not our concern; what is our number one priority is retrieving the other weapons of Aztar. The Bow of the Fire Eagle is what Suzume will use, and the Staff of the Nine Rings what I will use."
Kai'ran replied, " If both of you intend on retrieving those weapons myself, Mera, and would not mind joining your group." Arran looked at Morgone, who nodded " I have my things to prepare and can't have them here."
Mera and Kai'ran shouted in excitement, " Get out, please I need to speak with Tsuki alone." Morgone said once everyone was gone
Tsuki sat down, using her tail as a cushion " Have you given any thought to having the boy go train with the Jea'dar?" Morgone sipped her tea and said, " I have lately, and it seems like a good idea, but I would rather myself train him, "Tsuki said
Morgone noded, " You were taught by Draco."
Tsuki took out a holo map and placed it in the center of the room
" So Erikk, Lei, and Fumetsu are going to the Wolfkin temple to get the Wolfbanes blade." Tsuki pointed at an unmapped section near Kings Crossing
Morgone pointed to the ruins of Farcry. "Somewhere in that damned city is the Bow of the Fire Eagle," Tsuki glared at Morgone
"Suzume and I are from there, and we know all too well what happened When the Old Bell was unearthed."Tsuki said hotly Morgone replied, " my apologies. I might no disright, truly."
Tsuki pointed at the ruins of Nevermore "Somewhere in the Ruins of Nevermore is the Staff of the Nine Rings."
Morgone turned off the Holo map and said, " then what?"Arran walked in and said
" Then we go to Vera, and I confront this First One and ask him how myself and Ezra are connected to Xenoventaries and what his true plan is."
Kai'ran put his arm around Arran's shoulder and said, " well, we might not be able to ask him directly, being that this First One would be a skeleton."
Suzume said, " well, we need to go to Farcry first? Maybe father can tell us more about Azadawn the Overseer and Xenoventaries."
Tsuki was silent for a moment, then said, " Maybe."
Kai'ran and Mera said there goodbyes to Morgone and left with Arran, Suzume and Tsuki to head towards Farcry."
Meanwhile, Xenoventaries teleported in across from a giant stone tower in the center of the Broken Lands. After placing his hand on the tower, a panel slide opened to a staircase that led down into a massive empty room that had an older man chained in the center of the room; his hair was white and his body riddled with scars,
" How are we feeling today?" Xenoventaries said as he gripped the man's face and lifted it, " Arran Dra'ghoul?" Xenoventaries said their eyes meeting the older version of Arran's Eyes gleamed at the sight of Xenoventaries
" You know I will defeat I always have in previous Timelines and will continue to do so even when you are gone from this one." the older Arran said
Xenoventaries restrained himself from attacking him but replied, " Yes, you have the Dra'ghoul bloodline that has unknowingly been preventing me from my true goal in thousands of lifetimes over countless timelines."
The older version of Arran said, " yet here you are, Jarred must have failed." Xenoventaries smiled and said, " No, Jared did not fail. In a strange twisted bit of fate, it was when Arran was born, and Lupine was set free that I decided to leave the Crimson Tower and my master Lord Azadawn."
The older version of Arran cried out, " So you are the original, You are the reason the Dra'ghoul bloodline has been over these countless eons across countless times have been preventing you from causing the End of all Things!"
Xenoventaries replied, " Yes, you have part of that right, but this timeline Arran is the barer of Azadawns gift and is much more of a key piece than any of you ever could dream of having been."
As Xenoventaries was leaving, the older version of Arran cried out, " What do you plan to do to him!" The tower door shut as the older version of Arran was left screaming in the dark
" You can be a real bastard. you know that Xenoventaries?" Lupine said as he teleported next to him. Xenoventaries nodded " I have been told that more times than you can fathom."
Lupine grunted, then said, " I am sure that is true, but if Arran has defeated you over countless timelines, how are you the original?"
Xenoventaries smiled and said, " Lupine, one of these days, I will show you the origin of true evil. But now, our goals have connected with either once more. Take this, and it will lead you to a source of tremendous power that will unlock your true form."
Lupine was given a large iron key " Where do I go?" Lupine asked Xenoventaries, who smiled and said, " To the Tower of Begining of Everything and End of it All" Lupine noded and put the key away. " I will do just that, but first, I must talk with Jarrad Youngblood."
Lupine teleported to the Twisted Woods, where Jarred stood waiting for him; once Lupine neared Jarred, he bowed low and said, " My Lord. what do you wish me to do?"
Lupine motioned for Jarred to raise, " You are my most loyal servant and have done everything I have asked of you up to this moment so that I will reward you with my Blessing."
Jarred let out a cry of pain as Lupine thrust his hand into Jarrad's chest, Lupines body glowed a deep purple, and his eyes shone golden flames as he channeled Dark Kyi into Jarred. Chains of Deep vicious fire sprung from Jared's chest and wrapped themselves around his chest, arms and legs.
Lupine removed his hand once he did; the hole was fulled up with new skin; jarred tried to scream in pain as his eyes turned into red wine flames and his hair erupted into a fiery mane of Ice blue fire.
After a moment, Jarred fell to his knees, his head lowered " Thank you, my lord. I will use your blessing to serve your will." Jarred said, his voice low and gravely
" That you will, and I want you to end Arran Dra'ghoul. Xenoventaries must not be defeated this time in this timeline." Lupine said as Jarred teleported away