/Niko
Long underground hallway that leads to the sacred room. In its possession is a sacred weapon, capable of slaying anyone and anything in this realm whether monster or human, magical or not.
This weapon is blessed with a Demons strength, Goddesses light, Witches curse, Human hope and the Elders bliss. The makers of the weapon held great power once. If legends are speaking the truth - some of them are still alive. Still wielding great power.
The basic ones to cast such a great feat on a piece of an item were quite the messy lot - Me, Anne, Goddess, Ary and Maddy. We did so when the War with Fifth Realm came to us.
The King of Sopdar is seeking protection by possessing this weapon. He and his army are crossing the mountain of Three Saint Sages. Ready to rampage the towns, take over the land, then get the weapon and rule this world, or more accurately - the remains of this world.
They still don't know many flaws this weapon has, nor the fact that only ones who travelled through parallels can wield it. But right now it doesn't matter. The spirit of Mother Tree called upon forces to come together and protect the land.
Bloodshed will not be avoided this time.
I've done much that can be regretful. This weapon is a part of that list of regrets. Though, it was indeed made upon my request… More like, the pressure I held upon all those who blessed it. And why? Because… Because my beloved King ordered me to be victorious in the war that he began just for own amusement…
That's the one where I was left in shambles, as Ary and Gabriel left me on the battlefield. I was cast aside as that toy, which served its purpose.
Heh, yeah, my King is indeed merciless. But I still feel that it was not always like that. Like I'm still not remembering something very important.
It is incredibly foggy inside this hall. The last barrier which Ary disabled, triggered some sort of reaction to release this darned fog.
With vision getting more and more obstructed, it becomes harder to navigate and keep track of the party around me.
Men though, not in slightest bothered by this fog, as they kept on going further. It's like they don't even see it.
I was trembling as I walked. My pace in comparison to others was slower, making me fall behind.
It was still quite filled with darkness in this hall, although oil streak fire burned on the sides, due to magic that Ary cast.
Erick clung to Yuki's hand. Gabriel was in lead, walking alongside Ary. All were concentrating on finding the right path towards the weaponry room of these Ruins.
A close blast shook the walls. Stones rumbling behind us. Ary looked back to see that there was a wave of dust coming onto us, putting out fire, as it went. They dashed towards the wall with a gargoyle statue. Gabriel grabbed its tail, opening a hidden room beside them, letting them in, as the door shuts closed after Erick, right at the moment when dust swallows up everything behind them. Hallway now is eaten up by dust.
Room has a crack in the wall, letting some air and light in.
"That was close." – Erick looked back at the door.
"We're missing that witch." – Ary stated unhappily.
"From where I see it, I wish she dies, and surely I'm not going to miss her in any way." – Knight breathed out.
"I couldn't have agreed with you more." – Yuki wiped sweat from his forehead.
I heard them behind the wall, then sounds withered.
With dust slowly clearing up, I was left coughing, trying to get some air. My hand reaches towards the hall walls, trying to find a path, but to my surprise I touches the shoulder of the Mad King.
He reached and gripped me by the waist, pulling me along with him, further into the depths of the hall.
I almost fell, as I stumbled, but he gripped me tightly, almost raising me off the ground, as he pulled me along.
King pressed some stones on a Demon statue, getting a door to open, letting us in.
Bright, with the furthest wall having metallic bars on it instead of an actual wall, making the room resemble a cage. What makes it differ is the great view of narrow canyon walls and forest. Sound of the river below was audible. With so much fresh air and breeze floating in and out, I still needed a few moments to get my breath back and wipe my face from all the dust.
"What an idiot. Can't leave you alone for a minute, can I? You shabby clutz." – Hikaru paced around, after releasing the grip on me.
My eyes looked up at the King: his restless self being impatient, pacing around, looking out and about. I felt the pain and pang of heart. I can't manage to hate him…
"You silly twat!" – Hikaru stopped, looking at me. – "I seriously want to just. Mm…" - He came closer to me, raised his hand in a gesture of thinking something up, then slapped me hard across the face. – "That's it!"
I clenched my fists, with my heart racing crazily, not a whimper was let out of me. I was pulling myself together. I knew that he hated the sounds of whimpers and cries.
"About damn time you snap out!" – Hikaru walked towards the metallic bars. – "You, little silly girl, need to remember one crucial thing, before some shit goes down and…" - Hikaru pulled back on last words, then looked out, taking a good look at the canyon's wall, then turned around on his heels and smiled wide. – "Won't you just say something?"
"You're an asshole, you know." - My voice trembled, - "Can't wrap my head around the harsh fact of still loving you. Although there's this urge to push some needles into your body." – I found a chair to sit on.
"Ri-ight, trying to be tough are we? Awh, how cute! But right now, as I have your full undivided attention, I need you to think hard. Think back at the time when you showed up first in my Kingdom. Way before anyone else came from That Realm. What do you remember?" – Hikaru took a seat next to me, poking my stinging red cheek.
Each slight touch buzzed with pain, yet I kept it together.
What does he want with all of this? Why the time of our…
I was trying to wrap my head around his words, questions and actions.
Then this feeling again. The feeling that made me succumb to his selfishness and obey his whims.
"Just think back to that first time." – Hikaru purred in a tender, soft voice.
First time huh?
I thought to myself, as I closed my eyes shut. Pushing myself to remember at least a thing from all the way back then. It was not the easiest of feats at this time, after all this time…
Hikaru began humming a tune, whilst I concentrated. This tune felt really nostalgic.
The tune was something he'd humm whilst he did his work in a… Right.
Hikaru was pacing around in his library when I first saw him. It was in the library inside Guille Rose Castle.
Tall stands with books flooding the shelves. Vast majority of this library side covered the art of sciences and the great books of formidable creations by the Sylphs air crafted sculptures. The most deserted area.
Hikaru walked around, trying to figure out his troubles. He looked up, doubtful about what he sought for. He looked consumed with anger, yet somehow sad. He stirred my heart the first time I saw him. His white hair messy, his green-golden eyes, red from lack of sleep, puffy from crying, body slim, with air of death and misery around him. He was in his early twenties.
"I want to save him." – I thought to myself, as I followed him down this book shelf, on the other side of it.
"Hey! Can you hear me? I'm talking to you!" – Hikaru shouted into my ear, making me jump in surprise. – "I was saying that we can get out of here."
/Elyon
I was covered in dust after the explosion I caused. Unlike Ary, some doors wouldn't work without magic. So I used brute force to get the darn doors open.
Dragon was grunting somewhere behind. He despised loud sounds. Those were the oddities when trained by the Elves under the River Goddess.
"I must take it to him before he gets into any more trouble." – I thought to myself as I paced down the path I created by myself.
"It's hard in here, we don't have much time. Please let it all end well. Oh god, please." – Orins voice sounded in my head.
/Verin
Military forces complied the call of the King. The forces of the Forbidden City were called out to help with this brute war that was about to unravel.
I held up my binoculars to look at the positions of the forces from around the Omir town. I had enough time to get myself to the pique that divided the Kingdom and Empire. I looked at the preparations that were held here.
One of the biggest air force fields was "hidden" here, but I knew the cost of this disaster – death of Last Emperor. Such wrongdoing will never go through the fingers of the ones who asked for this to happen. Yet my other concern was the ascension of the new Emperor, his safety.
"Hey! Need any help?" – Resam called out.
I turned around, as I heard the familiar voice.
"It's all right. I've got this. They are making preparations to get more vehicles for invading Krea. We should notify the Assembly." - I replied.
Resam nodded, then turned around and headed for the camp side.
"The Emperor's last work will not be in vain." – I spoke to myself as I held up my binoculars.
/Adrian
"Hide the bodies." – I ordered Merin, as she stood in surprise, gaping at the bodies lying on the table and the floor of the conference room.
"Call Mark. He'll get this sorted." – I looked at Merin. -" And be sure to clean up all the mess left behind."
Merin was in shock turning around to face me as I was already holding the door knob.
"Where are you going?" - She said with a trembling voice.
"None of your damn business my dear. Just do your job."
I closed the door behind me
/Merin
I stood with my hand shaking as I dialled the number of so-called "rubbish collector" Mark, who was liked a lot by Adrian. Now I understand why.
The sight that can't be unseen still filled my head: the board members drinking the water, the new supplement water that was especially made only for them, to keep their "youth". Adrian was explaining to them the miraculous work of this water, then they choked after a few sips, turning grey-blue from lack of air, gasping, looking desperate and trying to convey their last words, but all that happened was them drying up alive.
Their skin wrapped tightly around bones, eyes fell in, mouths open, tongues stuck across the throat. They resembled mummies from horror movies. Their faces frozen in the most utterly disturbing expressions.
The phone dial ringing stopped and someone finally answered.
"Garbage centre. Marks listening."
"Adrian has a situation here. Boards meeting, it's…" - I try to find words to describe it all, but helplessly I am at a loss.
"Oh," - says Mark unfazed, - "He did notify me of some old organic shit cans to be taken care of. Don't worry dear. Sit tight, I'm on my way."
Phone call ends right after he says it. Now all I hear is the : "Beep-beep-beep" of the tone.
Just what the hell is Adrian thinking? What the fuck is this monster up to? Why? Why? WHY?!
/Hare, Doppel, Cat
"I've heard that Verin actually gathered forces to defend the realm against the King." - Cat looked at his new pint of ale.
"That is true." - Hare replied, whilst thinking of own issues.
"Should we go and join them?" - Doppel asked.
Cat spat out his ale.
"Seriously, we could try and kill for "good" this time." - Doppel continued.
"There is no such thing as murdering for "good"." - Hare glanced at Doppel. - "This sort of issue is up to you to decide. I won't be part of it."
"But, truthfully, you're the best out of us in that regard." - Cat remarked, as he cleaned up.
"That means nothing." - Hare downed his pint, then threw coins on the table. - "Don't you dare drag me along to any war."
"But they could use your skills." - Doppel said
Hare gave a glance, then waved his hand, as he got up and was on his way out.
"I'll never be part of that joke again. Take care."