AQ3D Chpt. 4....Finally eh

Flame galloped through the forest on his horse, He had recently had a audience with the Lizardman chieftain. He had come to request that they not travel near roads if they wish to quit fighting the humans. The chieftain had denied the request instead replied saying.

“My people have been here for centuries and you wish to ask me to deny them the rite to walk amongst the trees…their home?” 

The horse galloped, the tall trees hung high above his head Flame was running from the Lizardmen, he pulled on the reins as two spear wield lizard’s jumped in front of his horse. He drew his sword as his horse ran east, Flame did not want to fight them but would if they showed hostility. He slowed the horse to a trot the Lizard’s hadn’t showed for sometime. Flame’s head hung low as he trotted along, what sounded like a bird became loud Flame looked up and quickly leaned back as spear landed and dug it’s way into the tree. Flame looked towards the spears firing point six Lizardmen leaped above shrubs and ran on all fours at times. Flame’s horse reared and surged forward running away form the six pursuers. The six lizards ran on all fours, Flame was about fifteen feet away from them the green leaves covered the blue sky from sight, the lizards would know these trails better then him. Flame continued to gallop away he glanced back the lizards where gone, he slowed again. He glanced uneasily left and right. The horse’s ears twitched Flame looked to see what had made the noise. Flame saw nothing and continued on his way. A branch snapped off in the bushes.

“What..the” flame said to himself

A green flash knocked him from his horse, The native tongue of the lizard’s speech could be heard as a large blindfold was placed over his eyes and he was dragged back to the village.

Sly sat in the chair with a hand of cards as did Rein, Meoden and Edvalencia.

“Anyone heard from Flames outpost latly?”

Everyone at the table shook there heads, Rein laid his cards down, it has a winning hand.

“third time in  a row” Rein said with a smile

“Cheat…Cheat!” Shouted Meoden as he smashed his fist on the table top.

Rein snapped his fingers freezing the dwarfs mouth shut.

“Last I heard he was in Lizardman territory” Edvalencia said

“Ahh…I remember, he had told me about it a few days prior”

The four sat in the RavenSpire inn, the meeting place of the outpost leaders. Rein slid his chair back and stood up.

“Well lets go find him”

Everyone nodded and got up from their seats. They walked out the door a warrior by the name of Kandrandt was leaned against the wall a spear hung from his hand.

“It’s a two day ride from this point to the lizardman tribe camp”

“Well then lets get movin…we don’t got all day now do we”

“Actually we kin…” Kandrandt began to say

“Don’t tempt me boy” Meoden growled

They mounted their horses and rode off into the forest. The moon hung high above the trees. Sly sat staring into the burning flames. Kandrandt was leaning against a tree staring off into the darkness. Meoden chopped logs with his axe while Rein fired spells at trees.

“Meoden…” Kandrandt called still looking off into the darkness

Meoden grunted in reply

“Where you from anyways?”

Meoden let out a laugh

“The mountains boy where do you think…Dwarven colonies hidden but always heard of in tales of gold and luscious jewls…Ha! Only thing in those blasted mine where goblins and dust particles”

“So you came out here…joined the protectors…just to get away from it all?”

“No…my people where killed…Goblins finally discovered our colony…there..there was to many we where slaughtered”

“How did you get away”

Meoden looked down

“It’s late I better get to sleep”

Shade Slayer walked through the forest the moon blocked from his view. Shade Slayer steps where muffled by trees the dirt path was untouched by any sort of life for years. Slayer looked down the path darkness as far as the eye could see. A few shadows could be seen running across the path, Slayer quickly grabbed at his blades hilt and unsheathed it.

“Come on…Come at me!”

There was no response. Shade slayer sheathed his blade and continued to walk down the dirt path. A few large vines could be seen creeping out of the trees. Shade Slayer would be there soon. A orange glow began to shine on the path, a large black wall had come into view, two pumpkin lords stood at the gates. Shade Slayer stopped a few meters from the gate. The pumpkin lords crossed their scythes in front of him, A voice came from behind the gates. The scythes where no longer in his path.

“Hello Shade Slayer…Welcome to Croft” said a voice as he stepped in side the city.

Flameing Ice Wolf sat in the cell, his weapons had been taken from his body. His hands and feet where bound. Three lizardman guards stood outside his prison.

“Any Idea why I’m locked up”

The guards didn’t respond. Flame looked around from what he could remember he was near the Armoury and guard barracks. Flame leaned back against the cell wall.

“U know you can’t keep me hear forever”

One of the guards glanced back at him then turned away. Flame just laughed then looked off into the forest.

“Bring him” said the chief as he came into view

The guards opened the cell and grabbed Flame by his arms, They dragged him to a large platform that overhang the town square, A large block sat at the edge of the platform and a lizardman with a large axe sat on a stool beside it. They placed flame down by the block and pushed him down to rest his head on the slab of stone. The lizardman slowly walked towards him the axe resting at it’s side. Flame watched as the executioner stepped towards him. Flame began to laugh, smoke began to rise from his bonds. The executioner raised the axe above it’s head.  The axe wielding lizardman’s eyes went wide with fear the hilt of the axe was covered in ice. His bonds burst into flames and he was free. With a blue and reddish orange flash two swords one made of ice the other of flame sat in his hands.

Kandrandt walked beside Meoden and the group. Two more days till they reached Flame’s position. Kandrandt looked ahead, the forest was not a welcoming place aside from the Shade of the trees the Monsters that resided there weren’t pleasant things either. Kandrandt looked off into the woods.

“No matter how many times you look…the scenery won’t change” taunted Meoden

Kandrandt looked over at Meoden

“Hmph”

Kandrandt spun the spear in his hand. It was daytime but looked like it was the night, the overhang of the trees blocked everything from view. A rustle came from somewhere to the right.

“Wait” Kandrandt said

Meoden sighed and crossed  his arms.

“Scared of a little squirrel are we” Meoden said with a laugh

“That rustle was to large to have been a squirrel” Kandrandt replied not taking his eyes off the point of the sound

“Why don’t you go find out what it was…anything happens just yell” Rein told him

Kandrandt nodded and walked into the brush.

Shade Slayer walked through the streets of the purple city. The orange glow of the pumpkins that hung from the streets lamps filled the town. A hooded man stood outside a Alchemy tower. His white beard was all that could be seen from the hood, that and a pair of glowing purple eyes. The man stuck out his hand.

“I’ve been waitin a long time for you…” replied the man from somewhere in the hood

ShadeSlayer smiled

“So…do you have the reagents?” ShadeSlayer asked

“Of course I do…”

The man turned and entered the building. ShadeSlayer followed Stairs where at either end of the rooms winding upwards along the walls sat Towers of books and filled bookcases. There where a few mages and Alchemists reading books and conversing with each other.

“Will these things work?” asked ShadeSlayer

“I don’t know…” there was a purple flash “Do they?” the man was behind ShadeSlayer now

“I guess that answers my question…Anything else I can learn from this place”

“There is one…We heard word of a certain…person in your group of protectors…one by the name of Flameing ice wolf”

“Yes what of him” ShadeSlayer asked

“We have learnt of a hidden power he posses…it is unstable…unless of course you wield the blade FlameStop once his power comes to his realisation there will be no stopping him”

“If he does and I get the blade to him will he become stable?”

“Possibly…that or his body will reject the blade causing him to implode and well…”

“And well?” ShadeSlayer asked

“He would destroy everything around him in a 10,000 mile radius”

Shadeslayer fell back into a chair.

“This is the other reason you brought me here?”

The man nodded his head.

“Where can I find the blade?”

The man turned and began to scan the shelves of books, with a snap of his fingers the man levitated up to a large book.

“This one” said the man as he descended down to ground

It was a book

“Lore’s myths and mysteries…this…this will lead me to the sword”

“aye…It will tell you where to go…what to…harvest”

Kandrant stepped over the brush…the forest was quiet, what ever made the noise was either long gone or toying with him. He crept forward looking left and right with each step. He gripped his spear tightly, a branched snapped of in the distance. He spun in the direction staring at the noise’s location. Children laughter disrupted from behind him. He felt something hard strike the back of the head, he looked up three kids with pots and pans for armour and helmets where beating him with sticks.

“Die..Die” one of them shouted

“Evil monster” another screamed

He was trying to make out words but the sticks kept getting him in the lungs and ribs.

“Help” Kandrandt gasped out

 “It speaks…RUN!!”

The attackers all ran off into the woods. Rein and the others charged into the opening.  Kandrandt had sat up he clutched his bruising chest

“What happened” Edvalencia asked

“Got…jumped b-by a coupla kids”

“Hmph”

Edvalencia looked back, Meoden hovered over his shoulder a hysterical grin on his face.

“Can’t even handle a couple of punks…how do you think he will hold up against an entire army of undead”

“He’ll learn” Rein said as he helped Kandrandt up off the ground “We need to get moving again”

Rein walked out of the clearing back to the horses.

“you can take mine” Edvalencia told Kandrandt

Flame jumped to the left killing the executioner. He turned and looked at the chieftain, he spun the blades in his hands. The chieftain tried backing up but tripped on his own foot, Flame looked down at him his breath could be seen and his eyes no longer where there but instead flames had taken their place and smoke rose out of them. Flame walked towards the chief. He got down and looked the lizard in the eye. Fear…he was rank with it. Flame slowly rose up and placed his swords on either shoulder of the chief in a x formation and brought them across each other. He looked out at the people who had come to see his head roll, instead they saw their own leaders. Flame’s eyes darted around quickly.

“ahhh” he cupped his head in his hands

He tilted his head back his mouth wide open. A blue mist slowly rose, it was ice, the ice reached about a foot in length then shot down back into him. His body began to shudder, the Lizard people watched in horror. A quiet laugh rose from his body. His head shot up and looked at the people below him. the swords twisted and became two spells. He blasted the people below him. They would try to run he would freeze their feet in place. He would make a wall of fire in their paths.

“You can’t run…you can’t hide…only death will welcome you here”  He said in a otherworldly voice

A wall of flames surrounded the people.

“hmmm…hahahaha….”

The flames shot inwards.

ShadeSlayer walked through the woods. He was in lizard man territory, he was heading west to Flameing Ice Wolf…he had to stop him before it was to late. He hiked for hours. A heavy smoke had filled the trees. It got him thinking.

“No…It can’t be”

He looked up he could see a circular wall of flames…they lasted like that for a minute then shot inwards. ShadeSlayer unsheathed his blade and ran forward. He stepped out into the burning village, a man sat in the middle of the destruction. Shadeslayer watched him aware of his power. The man slowly rose from his spot. Shadeslayer tightened the grip on his blade. The man lunged at him, he quickly stepped aside. He ducked avoiding a roundhouse he swung at the attacker twice, he jumped back as the man swung at him with a flaming sword. He blocked a hit to the hip. He swung down twice at flame’s head he held his blade their trying to over power him. Shadeslayer kicked his feet out from under him and jabbed at flame’s chest. Flame rolled out of the way and backed up. ShadeSlayer breathed heavily, Flame looked un affected. A pair of Golden wings burst out of Flame’s back as he ascended into the air.

Rein and the group ran full speed through the smoke. The came to a clearing, they all saw a large orange flash ascend into the sky. ShadeSlayer was in the clearing looking up into the sky.

“What is it!” Rein asked running up to him

“Flameing Ice Wolf…he…he’s gone berserk”

Flame came down in a flaming explosion the ground froze around him. he was on one knee glaring at the group. Meoden shot at him with the crossbow. Flame’s sight darted to the arrow, it slowed in mid air then fell to the ground frozen solid. He lunged at Edvalencia, he raised his shield and knocked him aside. Flame landed on his feet and slid his palm on the ground. He lunged again this time at Rein. He cast spells of Ice at him, flame quickly destroyed them and round housed Rein. Kandrandt ran up to attack flame with his spear, he jabbed downwards flame did a backwards summersault avoiding the attack. Flame kicked kandrant in the left foot then hit him in the chest with his palm, Kandrandt flew across the clearing smacking into a tree and hitting the ground unconscious. Edvalencia swung at flames head then swung upwards flame dodged each one then shot up into the sky again.

“It’s no use he is to powerful”

“We have to at least try”

A large blast of ice shot down at ShadeSlayer, He raised his sword before him and cast a spell making his blade ignite. Like butter the ice split, he stood in between to large slabs of ice. ShadeSlayer looked up flame jumped at him, he swung to the left he felt the sword hit flame’s face. Flame jumped back he glared at ShadeSlayer then shot into the sky.

“Someone get Kandrandt…We must journey to get the blade Flamestop”

Shadeslayer looked up at the snow covered mountains.

“So this blade…Flamestop…It can cure Flame” asked Edvalencia

“Aye”

“But you said we needed to gather things” Edvalencia

Shadeslayer looked at Edvlaneica then continued up the mountain.

“He killed them all…” Reaper said

“What do you think the other Lizard clans will do?”

Shadeslayer never answered any of their questions just continued on his way. The snow was harsh in these regions.

“Where getting close”

“How…how can you be so sure?”

Shadeslayer pointed ahead.

“There”

Rein looked in to the white abyss of snow.

“All is see is this blasted snow!” Rein shouted over the wind.

“Your not trying hard enough” Shadeslayer shouted back

Rein shut his eyes and began to expand his energy through out the regions, His eyes burst open. Shadeslayer watched Rein.

“Now do you see?”

“Aye…I see” Rein replied

They stumbled up the mountain side.

“So this doorway…do we just walk right in or what?”

“We will be put through a series of tests” Shade slayer replied

“By whom?” Sly asked

“The guardians of the Gate…get you weapons ready…we’ve arrived”

They unsheathed their blades, The gate towered above them.

“How…?” Edvalencia asked

“The Avatars?” Meoden asked

“Aye” ShadeSlayer replied

The group of men stood before the gates. The wind howled and the snow gently rained down.

“Soo…where is this test”

“shhh” Shadeslayer looked at Reaper

There was a loud boom, the portal appeared. Reaper drew an arrow, Meoden readied his hammer, Sly spun his katana in his hand, Kandrandt grabbed his lance with both hands, ShadeSlayer stood still and Rein prepared to cast spells. The mountain rumbled and shook with fury, Flame and Ice elements marched from the gate before the men. Rein and Reaper fired their first shots and Ed, Meoden, Sly and Shadeslayer charged at the mass of Elementals. Shadeslayer smashed a Ice element as it stomped towards him, he blocked a blast of fire from a flame element, A arrow struck it in the chest. Shadeslayer hit a Ice element in the knee knocking it over, Meoden ran up hitting it in the side of the head with his hammer. ShadeSlayer struck down three more fire elements.  Reaper shot down two more as Rein blasted hordes of Ice and Fire elements with his spells. Meoden Charged at one of the Ice elements it swung down at him, Meoden quickly dove between it’s legs, he recovered quickly swinging his hammer hitting it in the back of the knee. He finished it off then ran into a group of ice elements. Sly jumped above the fire element, it spun to face him he quickly purged ahead so he had his back to it, He back flipped then killed the element. The numbers depleted then suddenly disappeared. Shadeslayer looked at the gateway his chest rising and falling at a steady pace.

“Now…Lets get that blade”

ShadeSlayer stepped into portal, Sly, Evalencia, Meoden, Kandrandt and Rein all followed, Reaper was the last to enter, he paused looking back then he stepped through the portal. The stood on a snowy plane of rock.

“So that’s it…you said we need to harvest something…what?”

“Courage…the will to go on”

Shadeslayer began his march into the great building, The building towered high above them.

“The cosmos” Rein gasped

They where surrounded by galaxies and stars. There was a large pair of doors. As they approached the doors began to creak open.

“Looks like they’re expecting company” Kandrandt said

“We just killed the guardians of this realm…If that wasn’t a large enough knock on their door step then I don’t know what is” Reaper replied

The group stepped into the castle. The roof top of the castle stretched on so high that not even one of Reins Spells would reach it’s summit.

“Wow” Kandrandt said in amazement

Meoden walked over to a Globe looking Artefact he outstretched his hand reaching for the large ball. Shadeslayer grabbed the dwarf’s wrist, Meoden looked at him Shadeslayer was shaking his head. They continued down the path a shrine sat at the end of the great hall.

“The Altar Of Flamestop” Shadeslayer said

“Finally” Sly said

“No doubt” Reaper said gazing up at the rooftop still

“Where’s Meoden?” asked Kandrandt

The group looked around, the dwarf was no where to be found. The sound shifting of coins and large objects was coming from down the corridor.

“Rein, Sly go see what’s up”

The two walked down one of the hallways listening to the laughter of the dwarf and more things being clattered about. Rein and Sly rounded the corner to find the Dwarf lying on a pile of Gold coins swords and helms rested on the pile with him, He bore a golden crown and held a Golden Goblet with diamonds around the rim.

“Meoden what are you doing?” Rein asked

Meoden looked at Rein spinning the glass as he held it. The liquid sloshed about inside.

“Rein…if you only knew…”

“Knew what?”

Meoden slid down the pile of gold still holding onto his drink. He looked at Rein their eyes met then the dwarf continued on his way heading towards ShadeSlayer.

Kandrandt slowly opened his eyes. Reaper looked down at him, He was leaned up against the wall.

“We….we get the blade yet”

“No…where still looking but where close”

Kandrandt smiled he had a large bandage wrapped across his chest.

“That battle with the elements opened up your wound”

Kandrandt gazed around.

“This place is huge”

Reaper looked down the hallway. Shadeslayer was walking down towards a large staircase.

“Come on we better get going” Reaper said as he hoisted Kandrandt up carrying him, Kandrandt’s arm slung over his shoulder.

Edvalencia Followed alongside ShadeSlayer.

“Where do you think he is right now”

“Flame…I think he is storing his power…Preparing for a battle soon to come”

“Battle?”

“We…I mean he killed a most of the tribe of lizardmen…the survivors most likely ran off to another tribe…what Flame did will start a war between the humans and tribes of lizardmen”

“So either way Sword or not we fight?”

Shadeslayer nodded. Edvalencia pointed up the stairs.

“That is there?”

Shadeslayer smiled.

“Aye that be the sword” Shadeslayer said as he bound up the staircase.

Rein followed not far behind the dwarf, He could see Ed and Shadeslayer running up the stairs towards the blades shrine.

“Sly”

“yea?”

“Lets get going, seems Ed and ShadeSlayer finally reached the shrine”

They both bolted past the dwarf who continued to slowly walked along. Rein looked back to see the dwarf in his golden garbs walking along his head hung low, Rein shook the thought away and continued on to more pressing matters. Rein hit the halfway point on the Stairs. Ed and Shadeslayer had already reached the top.

“Here we Go!” Rein shouted as he leaped up the last bit of stair. He landed then rolled, He breathed heavily slowly glancing up to look at the shrine.

ShadeSlayer Rested on one knee before the shrine.

“Shadeslayer…you alright?” Ed asked

He looked down at the floor.

“It’s gone…The sword is gone” He growled

Rein looked shocked.

“We came all this way for nothing!” Rein shouted

“We didn’t come for nothing” Sly said he held something in his fist

“The shard” said a voice

The group turned to see the dwarf in his golden crown, he still held his Goblet.

“How’d you know”

“How did I know…I knew cause I was one of the dwarfs how brought it here…As king of the Glauder mountains I was the one who led this expedition”

“You’re a king?” Reaper asked

“Aye…Been king for fifteen years”

“So that is what you meant back there”

Meoden nodded.

“The reason I survived the Goblin attack is because my people would go through anything to keep me alive…I watched Families Die and sacrifice themselves…all for my life I’m not proud of the blood on my hands” Meoden said taking his crown off

Shadeslayer walked to the right side of the room.

“What of the shard…It’s use…can it still control Flameing Ice Wolf”

Meoden walked up to Reaper taking the shard from his grasp

“Only a fragment of the Blade is needed to control his fury” Meoden answered

Sly began heading back down the hallway towards the Entranceway.

“What of the other pieces…where are they” Rein asked

“Scattered…Through out the land…all waiting for the day they are discovered”

They all turned and began to leave the great hall.

ShadeSlayer rose up from his bed roll the fire smouldered. Meoden stood on a tall boulder his arm resting upon his hammer. Shadeslayer crawled up to stand beside the dwarf.

“What you said back there”

“All true…I’m fifth king of the Glauder mountains” Meoden replied still looking off into the distance

“We leave once they all wake”

“How’s the kid doing?” Meoden asked

“He’ll live…Pretty beat up but he’ll survive”

ShadeSlayer turned, he placed his hand on Meoden’s shoulder patted it twice then jumped off the rock.

Rein got up slowly. Sly, Edvalencia, Reaper and Kandrandt still slept, Meoden was on look out and ShadeSlayer was gone. Rein watched the fire, there was a crackle then a spark in the middle of the fire, the spark ignited and began to burn.

“To cold around here for my liking” he said placing his back down on his small pillow

He lay still for five minutes then threw the blankets from his body. He sat by the fire painting images in his head. There was a purple flash, Shadeslayer stood in it’s place folding his arm across his stomach. He fell to one knee and began to vomit.

“Rein got up quickly and ran over to him.

“You all right?”

Shadeslayer stood up shakily.

“I sure hope so” he mumbled “Teleportation…it throws you equilibrium off”

“You’ll get used to it right?”

“Eventually” Shadeslayer said

 Rein walked back over to fire and sat down again. Shadeslayer stumbled over to the fire after him. Rein glanced up at Meoden.

“Has he moved from that spot?”

“No not since last night when him and Ed swapped”

“He must be getting tired” Rein said

Shadeslayer shrugged “He relived a major part of his past last night…a past better maybe left alone till the time is right”

Edvalencia walked over to Rein and Shadeslayer, An hour had passed.

“At this rate by the time we leave we will all be wanting to sleep again” Rein said

“I’ll wake em up” Shadeslayer said

He walked over to where they where sleeping. He shook Reaper but he just continued to sleep.

“Rein…Wake them up”

Rein got up and walked over to where they all slept. He began to cast a spell then smacked both of his hands together, A loud boom echoed throughout the forest. Birds fled from the trees. The remaining sleepers jolted up looking around only to see rein standing a few feet away.

“Lets go…We’ve been sleeping for to long”

They all mounted their horses and rode east towards the closest city.

“So I’ve decided on what it will be made into” Shadeslayer said

“What?” Sly asked

“A necklace” Shadeslayer said

 The group breached the mountain top and looked towards the horizon a small town was within their view.

“Lets end this” Shadeslayer said then gave his horse a click-click and took off down the hill

Within thirty minutes they had reached the town. Sly and Edvalencia took of to the market to get supplies, Reaper took Kandrandt to the Healer shrine, Shadeslayer, Meoden and Rein set out to find the blacksmith which wasn’t hard considering the bang of the metal. The group of three rode up to the smithy.

“I would like a Necklace made”

“I’m busy come back later” said the Burly man his large beard moving when he talked

“I don’t think you understand sir…this is urgent”

“As is this order now be gone before I call the guards”

Meoden slid off his horse and walked over to the Blacksmith. He reached up and dragged them man down to his eye level.

“If we don’t get this necklace made by tomorrow a entire race of people will be wiped from this plane of existence” Meoden said letting go of the mans Blacksmith apron

“Alright…but I’ll ne” Began the Blacksmith

Meoden handed him the shard

“Alright I’ll have it done in about an two hours”

Rein walked along the Streets of the city people stared at him in awe. He browsed about a few shops. Rein walked down the street a little farther. A blonde girl stared at him from across the market. Rein glanced over at her then continued on his way. Rein walked up to the Healers shrine and stepped inside, hooded mages walked around tending to wounded guards and sick elders. He walked around the main room till he heard Reaper’s voice.

Rein stepped into the room.

“How’s he doing?”

“A few broken bones but nothing the Healers can’t fix”

Rein  nodded then looked about the room. Kandrandt’s chest rose and fell with each passing second.

“Is that normal” Rein said pointing at Kandrandt

Reaper looked at Kandrandt.

“For now yes…it’s the anti-biotic taking effect”

Rein nodded “Alright” he got up to leave “Meet us by the Smithy in two hours” he said then walked out the door. Rein stepped back out in to the town, it was a small farming village with no wall to protect it, “If the Lizardmen tribes where to attack, this place would crumble within nightfall” Rein thought to himself. A few guards ran past him. The land around here was open, it would be easy to take the attacking enemies down with a group of archers. Rein looked around the street, he saw nothing of interest and began to tour the town searching for the armoury.

ShadeSlayer stood by the cities guard captain. “Have your troops reported any Lizardmen patrols close by?”ShadeSlayer asked. The captain looked at him “A few yes” he said looking back out into the fading sun. “How many in these groups?” Shadeslayer said “Ten at the most…One group showed aggression to my men” Shadeslayer placed his hand on his blade’s hilt. “Will your men be prepared for a war?” The captain looked back at ShadeSlayer “Of course” he said with a smile. ShadeSlayer turned and began to walk down the tower stairs. A guard surged passed him. “Sir!Sir!...The Lizard armies rest upon the horizon” yelled the messenger “What?!..Sound the alarm!”

Horns blared throughout the town. Rein looked around to see Shadeslayer, Meoden, Sly and Edvalencia all stood on the tower top looking out to the horizon, he looked behind him Reaper ran out of the Shrine, their eyes met then they both took off heading to the tower. Rein leaped up the staircase, the group looked to see who had come. “Is the necklace finished?” Meoden shook his head in response to the question. “Wait what’s that?” said one of the guards. The long grass began to frost over while the tips smouldered and burnt, a ball of ice and fire formed in the middle of it all, the ball spun for a few seconds then burst. In side the ball was Flameing Ice Wolf still bearing the wings, he levitated motionless then out of nowhere he stretched his wings out then shot into the sky.

Shadeslayer stood alongside the troops of soldiers outside the city on the main road. The Lizard army pounded down through the field. Reaper placed three arrows on his bow sting and pulled aimed and released, many arrows followed. Lizardmen dropped all across their ranks. Every tribe had come to this one spot to get revenge. The arrows continued to rain down on them. A spear soared through the air digging itself into the chest of a man beside rein. The horns bellowed and the sound of metal boots thundered, war cries rang out, a moment of silence then all at once the sound of metal striking metal echoed. Rein cut one down a spear flew at his head, he flicked his wrist knocking it aside. The Lizardman jumped at him knocking Rein to the ground, the lizard pulled out a dagger raising it above his head readying to bring it down through Rein’s chest.

The Lizard crumbled as it was tackled by Sly. Sly brought his katana across it’s throat, one ran up pulled it’s spear back to impale him, Sly leaned to the side so the spear went in between him and his arm he clamped it tightly and pulled the lizard close his katana pointed at it’s belly, the Lizardman fell over. Sly ran at his next opponent.

A few lizardmen had got past the soldiers, Meoden stood up on a tower downing the ones that had got past with his crossbow. He heard someone shout in pain Meoden turned around to see a lizardman impale the Blacksmith with a spear. Meoden ran to the edge of the tower and jumped off landing in a cart filled with tomato’s. He ran and kicked the Assassin in the side. He grabbed the Blacksmith’s outreached hand, blood seeped from the wound, the injured man was trying to choke out words, the dying man lifted his other hand placing something in Meoden’s palm, The smith grasped his hand tightly then his grip softened as he died. Meoden looked at what was in his palm, A necklace Slid a dark shard in a pendent rested at the end. The lizardman had gotten back up with it’s spear pulled back. Rage passed through Meoden in waves, he grabbed the hammer on the table next to him and swung behind him breaking the lizardman’s knee, he grabbed the Braided of hair upon it’s head, he punched it three times then smacked it’s head against the anvil the Lizardman was dazed it aimlessly gazed up at him, Meoden looked down at the hammer then back at the lizard…he raised the hammer high above his head.

ShadeSlayer sliced the Lizard across the chest. the army was battering them down. ShadeSlayer breathed heavily, each gust was visible then in a instant gone. In the backlines of the Lizard army fire and ice shot into the air. A flaming ball shot into the sky then burst raining meteors of flame down on the army. Flame shot ice down at the rest of the army. He launched flames at them a few bodies flew through the air. Flame cut a few down one threw a lance at him, it stopped mid-air spun and shot back at the one who threw it. An attacker swung a small blade at him he blocked it, the blade melted then traveled up the lizard’s arm melting it also. Flame Froze a group of them solid then tightened his fist, the ice figures shattered.

Kandrandt stumbled out of the shrine, he walked along one of the streets, he fell to his hands and knees and clambered along then got back up and stepped up the watch tower. He looked down at the battlefield. They where losing but had taken out a lot of the Tribe’s soldiers. Most of the dead where smouldering obviously Flameing was amongst the battle. He looked around some more, he turned to leave, he felt a cold object enter his stomach. He looked up to see a Lizardman snarling at him, the feeling went away then came back three times. Kandrandt slumped down leaning against the wall. The Lizard picked it’s spear up off the ground and slowly walked over to Kandrandt. It pulled the spear back Kandrandt gazed up at his killer with half closed eyes. A grey figure barrelled into the Lizard’s side, a flash of silver as a blade was brought across it’s throat. Reaper walked over to Kandrandt, a few healers where behind him. Reaper slung his arm over his shoulder and began to carry him back to the healer shrine.

ShadeSlayer cut down three lizardman, he spotted Wolf. Shadeslayer charged at him and tackled him over. Flame shot a blast of ice at him he swung splitting it in half. Flame swung at him with his blade, ShadeSlayer blocked it then elbowed Flame in the face. He stumbled back. Shadeslayer cut him on the arm then the chest, Flame blasted Shadeslayer away about three feet, Flame was breathing heavily the wounds slowly closed and the blood seeped back into the wound. ShadeSlayer ran at Flame swinging at his stomach flame jumped back then grabbed Shadeslayer by the throat and smashed him into the ground, Shadeslayer slowly got up, he swung at flame who lazily caught the blade in his hand and grabbed by his throat again he lifted him high up in the air. There was twang then a arrow dug it’s way into Flame’s leg, he dropped to one knee, he ripped the arrow out right after one hit him in the shoulder then the arm. Meoden slowly walked up to where Shadeslayer lay, he loaded his crossbow one last time, Flame glared at him the Bolt Lit then was gone “Now matter” Meoden said, he walked up to Flame the necklace slid down then stopped and bounced a little, Shadeslayer watched the dwarf in shock. Meoden placed the Necklace on Flame. His breathing slowed and the Icy aura left his eyes, Flame stared around, then shakily got to his feet. “There’s still a fight to be had” he said unsheathing his blade, he turned to the army of Lizards two tribes remained. He spun his sword in his hand and charged into the fray.

The villagers had exited their houses greeting their husbands and fathers while others desperately searched for the man that would never return home. Shadeslayer, Flameing Ice Wolf, Magic Rein, Sly Wolf, Edvalencia and Meoden all walked to the healing shrine, Kandrant lay motionless in the middle of the main hall. Reaper say at one of the benches looking down a the floor. “Is he dead?” Rein asked “Close” Reaper muttered

“He got stabbed four times by one of them” he continued. Rein looked around the hall he caught glance of a blonde girl the same one from earlier she quickly turned and left. Shadeslayer placed his hand on Flame’s shoulder, Flame glanced over at him, ShadeSlayer nodded then left and went back outside. Flame followed. “So where to now?” he asked “Where ever the wind takes us” ShadeSlayer Replied looking up at the sky a gentle breeze passing through the village.

The END

6,340 Words...time for Chpt. 5