The Undead Invasion (contains some spoilers)

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Chapter One: Kryta's Mysterious Mysteries


"No! You bastards! STOP IT! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I said STOP! STOP OR I'LL KILL YOU!"

Andrew Nightchaser shook off the fragments from his dream with some difficulty. He stood up from his bed and looked up at the star covered sky. Those dreams have not visited in a long time, strange that they would spring up again. Of course, Kryta was a strange place, in some ways, more then Ascalon. No the ruins of Ascalon. He had come to Kryta with the four others known as Aidan, Cynn, Mhenlo, and Devona. The banishment of Prince Rurik caused a shift in control of the Kingdom of Ascalon. Worse then that though was the death of Prince Rurik. He had sacrificed himself for the Ascalon Refugees going to Krtya through the Shiverpeaks.

At first Andrew's main reason for going to Kryta was to safekeep the Refugees all the way to Kryta the second and last human kingdom on Tyria. The second reason was to escort the four that came with Refugees. But priorities changed when he heard rumors that quickly spread in the Shiverpeaks. He had always wondered what had happened to the souls of the Orrian's that were killed on that fateful day.

According to the rumors, the dead humans weren't so dead. And when he reached the Gates of Kryta with Devona and the others what they said surprised them. The walking dead would frighten anyone. Even Cynn hesitated when they first attacked them. Normally the elementalist would have done something utterly stupid.

"What are those things?!" Yelled Cynn.

"There're dead," was Andrew's reply as he fired a flaming arrow into the eye, or where there would be an eye of a Skeletal Ranger. The creature at first ignored the arrow in its eye, until the flame spread around and burned it down. Aidan had already taken down two Ghouls, and Devona was fighting off two more Ghouls by the time Cynn's Firestorm spell burned through seven more Undead Soldiers charging at the group, stopping the creatures in place and frying them where they stood.

They had eventually made there way to the Ascalon Settlement, and the group split up from there. Devona and her friends stayed to help the Captain monitoring the Refugees while Andrew went off to scout the community. They would regroup at the D'Alessio Seaboard.

The inn at Lion's Arch had a perfect view of the entire city, Andrew looked down from window and watched the nighttime activities. People danced, traded, and spoke with merriment, as if nothing was wrong. The "warrior priests" known as the White Mantle, patrolled the streets. It all looked to perfect in the Ranger's eyes. With the Undead controlling the swamplands you would think most of the White Mantle would be mobilizing for an assault rather then acting like a police force. Didn't Krtya have the Lionguard for such simple tasks? Of course they did, it didn't mean that the Lionguard had the same level of authority as the White Mantle. BUT soldier's loyal to the monarchy of the Kingdom should have more control then the Mantle. And by the looks of it, compared to the White Mantle, the Lionguard had close to nothing. No military power or armor, and they were severely undermanned by the sounds of the Lionguard's inefficiency.

"Interesting, this place has more secrets then I first thought. The White Mantle certainly do keep a hold on this country more then the army of the current rulers."

The ranger sighed and sat down on his bed. At least the hospitality of the place was classy even for a cheap inn. The economy of the kingdom was at a peak no doubt. And by the looks of the amount of traders going in and out, it looks like outside trading is flourishing as well. It even rivaled Ascalon's trade success before the Searing.

Andrew laid his head down on his pillow and slowly closed his eyes. It would be a long day tommorrow. He was going to go with Devona and the others to the place called the D'Alessio Seaboard. The Temple there contained a very mysterious item that he wanted to see. Apparently, the others also wanted to see it.

Slowly Andrew fell into a deep slumber. He dreamt of a happier time, a time when he was younger. A time when Orr wasn't a pile of broken islands and the Holy City of Arah wasn't under several tons of water.

"Home," whispered Andrew.

Nightchaser got up the next day revitalized, and ready. He paid his bill at the inn keep and added a little extra. It caught the woman's attention, and she leaned over the counter.

"What was this for exactly?"

"Information, you have plenty of "ins" and "outs" here."

"Yes, but most information you can get from a Mantle Knight."

"They don't have what I want."

An eerie silence ensued between them. After awhile, and after the last person in the inns lobby left, the innkeeper broke the silence and leaned even closer to the ranger's ear.

"Ask while you have time sir."

"The White Mantle, how come they are so respected and treated so very well here? According to what I have seen they have more power then the Lionguard. And the Lionguard obeys direct orders from the monarchy. And if the White Mantle hold more power in this place then the Lionguard, I only assume that the rulers have no real political control over their country."

"This is true, although I don't understand the entire deal, the White Mantle do have more control then the current Royal Family. And I have heard plots that the Mantle might or will eventually overthrow the kingship completely."

"How could the White Mantle get such power in such a short time. As far as I know, they were only founded less then a decade ago."

"It's true, but due to the power of the Mantle's Unseen Gods, they were able to repel the Charr invasion that ravaged both human kingdoms. And even before that, the miracles that the Mantle's priests far out matched the healing powers and revitalizing strengths of the Old God's priests."

"Interesting, very interesting. Is that all?"

"That's all I know, but I have also heard something about a band of bandits posing as "freedom fighters" running about the country side kidnapping people and killing White Mantle soldiers. They call themselves the Shining Blade."

"Hmmm, all right. Anything on these Shining Blade characters?"

"No sorry," came the sharp and abrupt reply. Andrew assumed she knew more, but he also knew the price on telling secrets.

"Thank you for your time, and your hospitality. I have one more question for you, though. Which way to the D'Alessio Seaboard?"

"From the northern gate, follow the road west. Be warned though, several fire wielding imps have been seen along the road."

"Thank you for the warning. Have a nice day. And don't worry, this conversion never happened."

"What? Who are you sir?" the woman smiled, Andrew couldn't help but smile back. The ranger slung his bow on his shoulder and swung his pack over his back and walked out of the inn, and into the beautiful sunny day. He watched the people travel around, run around the huge fountain in the town square, and trade with others. Just another typical day in Kryta, and he hated the norm. One could expect the unexpected. But when the expected, turns into the unexpected, then it truly becomes surprising.

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Chapter Two: The Road to D'Alessio

"Damn imps!" Cynn's voice could get annoying sometimes, but add that to the little creatures no taller then your knee, throwing waves of glowing flame left and right. Well, now you have a migraine.

"Stay down!" yelled Devon as she brought her sword up once more and struck down the same imp that she had hit a few seconds earlier. Another one of the creatures pelted the armored warrior with flames. The searing heat brought her down to one knee. Devona thrust her sword into the ground in an attempt to use it as a lever to upright herself despite the flames swirling around her. Suddenly the pain numbed out and all she felt was a gentle breeze. Her wound's healed, the burns replaced with new skin. Devona smiled and charged through the flames and impaled the imp on her sword.

Andrew and Aidan were busy with another threat that appeared shortly after the imps were defeated. Tengu, bird like humanoids, they were just as tall as a male human, and apparently could think just like one. They had picked the right moment to attack just as the imps were killed.

The birds moved with swiftness that honored their features. They looked like they flew on the ground and got to the monk within seconds. A small ring, like from a guitar string was heard and an arrow shot through one of the foreheads of the Tengu Brave about to slash at the unguarded healer. Another TANG and another Tengu went down before it could get a point blank shot on Cynn.

Mhenlo was knocked to the ground by a fierce kick to the knee, and Andrew could've sworn he heard the crack of bone. He aimed an arrow at the Tengu about to finish off his crippled prey. Time seemed to slow as Devona made a mad dash for the unguarded monk; Aidan was pulling out an arrow from his back quiver. Andrew already knew, even if he hit the Tengu Square in the head the sword would skill find its target.

"No! Mhenlo," yelled Cynn, her hands and tongue moved faster then Andrew's fingers as he shot his arrow. A Fireball flew straight at the Tengu, and to Andrew's surprise not to its head, but to its sword.

The beast's weapon flew out of its hand and landed in a bush just as Andrew's arrow pierced into its chest. Another arrow landed in between its eyes, and the creature slumped to the ground. Devona got to the monk just in time to take an arrow to her torso. The force of the Penetrating Shot caught the warrior off balance and she fell next to Mhenlo.

Quickly, the monk put both hands on the arrow impaled in his friend's chest and pulled it out. The warrior winced but said nothing. Mhenlo began to whisper some words to Dwayna and both the monk and warrior's wounds healed completely.

But that was not the end of the battle, with the others preoccupied, Andrew, Aidan, and Cynn were left to battle the rest of the opposing force.

"Six left, I can take the two Brave's, Aidan, Cynn, take the others."

Aidan nodded and Cynn was already casting a spell when the Tengu charged at them. Andrew frowned and fired two arrows aimed at the face of the closest Brave. The birdman raised its shield and blocked both arrows. Exactly what the Ranger wanted. In an instant an arrow appeared in the Tengu's unguarded foot, pinning it to the ground and forcing it to trip on its own foot. Andrew smiled as the ligaments were torn from place on that leg. With no healer, that Tengu was no longer a threat. The second Brave however leaped over its comrade with speed even Andrew didn't expect. The ranger barely had time to pull out his hidden short sword and parry the left to right side slash aimed for his face.

The birdman squealed and struck ahead, thrusting forward into the ranger's body. Andrew slide stepped the blow and delivered a hard downward slash aimed at the Brave's neck, severing the head from its shoulders. The bird fell in a heap.

Aidan's two Tengu were down just before Cynn took a shot to the shoulder, forcing the elementalist to step back. She growled furiously and formed a cross with her arms across her chest and she hovered into the air, the magical energies surpassing the power of gravity. She took another arrow to the hip before her Firestorm spell rained down upon the remaining Tengu.

The attack force split apart and the Tengu that could move ran. The elementalist was beginning to lose her balance when Andrew took hold of her shoulder. She looked back at him and frowned; her eyes were becoming white. Andrew tightened his grip on her shoulder, pressing an artery. The sudden jolt of pain registered and the elemenatlist's eyes popped open. She slapped Andrew square across the face.

"Never touch me again."

Mhenlo came over and Andrew took hold of the arrow in Cynn's shoulder, while Aidan knelt before the elementalist and placed both hands on the arrow sticking out of the woman's hip. Mhenlo was already casting a spell when both rangers pulled out the arrows at the same time. Cynn screamed and fell on her knees just as Mhenlo's spell healed her wounds. The warrior pulled Cynn off the ground and onto her feet.

The elementalist dusted herself off and began to walk up the road without looking back. Andrew shook his head, sheathed his short sword and slung his bow over his shoulder.

"At least her confidence is still in tact. Although, sometimes I wish it wasn't."

Devona smiled so did Mhenlo. The four made their way to the Seaboard and didn't have any trouble after the recent assault. The Seaboard was named after Saul D'Alessio. Who, to Andrew's surprise, was the founder of the White Mantle. The gate to the Seaboard was closed and apparently under siege. The White Mantle arming themselves and preparing for battle. White Mantle Seekers and Savants were firing arrows and casting spells over the wall.

"It looks like this place is the border line between the Undead and Lion's Arch. If this place falls, the people of Lion's Arch will be open to attack. And so will the Ascalons," said Andrew as he approached the gate.

"Yes, we should help them. It looks like the Mantle is about to move out anyway," replied Aidan.

"The Mantle would appreciate the help, ranger! Get your party ready and follow us as we move out. We will open the gate soon," said a Mantle Archer.

Andrew knelt to the ground laid all his arrows in a pile and poured a green liquid onto each of the arrow tips. He pulled out his bow, placed the arrows back into his quiver and loaded three arrows onto his bowstring. Aidan had already loaded an arrow onto his bow, Devona had her sword unsheathed, and Cynn began to cast a spell.

The lead Knight ordered the gate to be open. Immediately a swarm of undead rushed into the now exposed fort. A hail of arrows, fire, swords, and axes met the horde. The undead were strong, but in a pitched battle, the White Mantle proved to be the victor.

"White Mantle, ADVANCE!" yelled the Justiciar in charge.

The White Mantle moved forward as a unit and charged across a bridge. The Ranger launched a hard offensive against the undead army. The opposing force held a nearby village. And the Mantle's goal was to liberate it.
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All right guys I plan to make this story extra long and make it really interesting so.... can I have some comments and/or suggestions?

[RilderView]

Whoa awesome story, ^^ Keep on writing

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Chapter Three: The Forsaken Village

Andrew had his suspicions of the White Mantle. But never would he expect that the Mantle would totally abandon the village still held by the undead. The Ranger frowned as the Mantle Soldiers totally ignored the screams of pain coming from over the mountain. The Jusiticar told the Ranger that if the Undead were to get to the Mantle leader known as Confessor Dorian, all would be lost. Andrew decided not to join the main group and watched them wade their way to the swamp.

"Listen, the Mantle could use some help in the swamps. Mhenlo and I will stay with them; you three free the village," said Devona. The warrior and the monk were already running towards the swamp entrance.

"Great, well, lets get bothersome task over with," remarked the elementalist.

"I would hardly consider saving a few lives "bothersome," Cynn," replied Aidan.

Andrew left the other two and ran up the hill, only to view the burning remains of the fishing village. Andrew sighed and loaded an arrow into his bow. The Ranger ran down the hill firing at the decaying forms all around him. One, two, three, four, five, went down, but more just kept coming. Eventually the Ranger was forced to stop running and fire constantly. He was pinned down, Aidan and Cynn nowhere in sight.

A Skeletal Ranger loaded an arrow onto its bow. Andrew noticed the threat and fired two arrows at the fiend, one aimed for the bowstring, which was cut, and another that punched through the skull of the monster and ripped off its head. The undead soldier began to run around in a circle and even into its own allies. The momentary chaos gave Andrew the chance to dive past them, only to be tackled down by three Ghouls, just waiting for their chance.

Andrew dived, rolled, and ran. The Ranger barely dodged the undead swipes. Fully open, Andrew unsheathed his sword and lunged at the nearest Ghoul, stabbing it in the mouth. He quickly retracted his blade and slashed madly at the Ghoul on his right side. He left a deep Gash on the beast, forcing it back and even throwing it off balance. Although, he had fought off two Ghouls, the third one had enough time to leap at its unguarded target. The two collided together, rolling down the hill.

The Ghoul made a sound that Andrew could have sworn was a snicker. The monster then clawed the Ranger's right wrist, digging deep and ripping chucks of flesh from his arm. The Ranger winced but made no other sound. He was to busy focusing on his left hand. As if in pain the Ranger reached towards his right wrist, the Ghoul smiled and began to claw at the Ranger's sides, slowly tearing the man apart. Andrew grinned darkly as he thrust his hips to the right as if wielding a sword. Along with the force of the hip thrust, Andrew brought up his left hand and made a fist, back fisting the Ghoul across the face, breaking its jaw and throwing the beast off the Ranger.

The Ghoul got up, its face bleeding. Andrew got up to his knees and panted deeply. Andrew reached for his short sword and grabbed it with his left hand. The Ranger faced his opponent. The Ghoul snickered again, and jumped at the Ranger. Three arrows slammed into the Ghoul's head in rapid succession stopping it in mid air and pushing it back. The monster fell to the ground, unmoving.

The remaining Undead Soldiers were pelted with huge flaming rocks. The Meteor Shower literally broke the undead horde to pieces. Andrew sighed and sat down, his back against a fence post. His vision became blurry. He heard his name being called by a woman. She sounded so far away, and then he blacked out.

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"Dad! Are we going to visit the Pretty Girl soon?"
"Yes son, we are. I have to finish up landscaping their grounds. We just went back home to get some more plants remember?"
"Is mom going to come with us this time?"
"Yes of course she is! She's got to help the Priests of Dwayna with the blessing of the noble's home."
"Look dad I can see her! Hi MOM!!"
"Oh good, your back. I got your letter, did the nobles at Surmia treat you well?"
"Yes they did mom! Look the Pretty Girl gave me a flower."
"Oh no, don't call her a "Pretty Girl" it's not proper for someone of our class level to say that to a noble! Haven't you done something about this boy yet Jonathan?"
"Of course I have Marina! The "Pretty Girl" and Andrew are close friends! Closer then you think."
"Please, Miss Cynn and our son? Come now, gather the seeds you wanted and lets go."

"Hey Andreeeew!!"
"Hey Cynn!"
"What new seeds are you going to plant in our garden?"
"Oh, we have several seeds from Orr! Even some rare ones for you!"
"I didn't tell you did I? I'm going to a magical academy to learn stuff!"
"Oh, well good for you! Your smart, you should beat everyone there!"
"You bet! I'll be the best!"
"Oh, no doubt, well help me dig these holes for the trees."
"Yeah sure."
"You still have that flower right?"
"Oh yeah! I'll keep it forever!"
"Great! Oh and Andrew! Will you. ."

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"Andrew! Will you wake up already?!! Is he dead?" Asked the elementalist as she sat in front of him inspecting his face. "I don't feel his breathing." Cynn frowned as she poked Andrew's head with her staff.

"You’re not helping," said Aidan. He put his hand against Andrew's neck artery. He still had a small erratic pulse. The man was still alive. Aidan quickly pulled out a vial containing a glittering blue liquid. He poured several drops on all Andrew's wounds causing them to slowly heal completely. Andrew moaned and opened his eyes. He was greeted with a sight, which he didn't count on. He stared into the elementalists face and blinked, then shoved her staff out of the way and slowly got up.

"Thanks for the help," said the Ranger. Andrew took one step forward and sighed. Those dreams had not visited in a long time, why now? The Ranger shook his head and looked behind him. Cynn was watching her feet as they stepped through the swamp grounds. She is the same person, and yet she isn't. The Searing, and her pride, had changed her greatly. She wasn't the child who the Ranger fell in love with so long ago.

Cynn noticed the eyes of the Ranger and said: "What is it?" Andrew's eyes found hers and he noticed something that didn't change, her eyes. Andrew immediately broke eye contact with her and pointed to her feet, and she noticed she had stepped into a green puddle. The elementalist frowned and pulled her foot out of the mess and continued onward.

Andrew frowned as he saw a fresh body, floating in a tinted pond and waded towards it, his short sword in hand. Cynn and Aidan stayed at the pond's shore. Aidan had an arrow on his bow and watched Andrew intently as he walked to the body.

The Ranger eventually got to the body and turned it over. He recognized the face of the man and sighed: the Justicar in charge of the Mantle unit. Andrew took a closer look at the pond and found several hilts and hands sticking out of the shallow water.

Something grabbed at his ankle and the Ranger quickly reached down and grabbed some sort of fabric. He pulled out the head of Devona and she gasped for air. Andrew first stared in shock, then lifted the warrior over his shoulder, and carried her to the pond shore. He slowly put the warrior on the ground in a sitting position and gave her a water skin. The warrior drank deep and sighed one big gulp of air.

"Mhenlo! Where is he?" asked Devona. Andrew shook his head and Aidan stayed silent. The Ranger didn't want to tell the warrior that if the entire Mantle unit was killed then the monk was probably one of the ones in the pond.

"He may still be alive," stated Cynn ,"if he was, then he would probably meet us up near the temple or along the way. The rest of the team nodded but said nothing. They had no other choice but to believe that the monk was up along the road somewhere.

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Hey!! How is the story so far? Comments? Suggestions?

[RilderView]

OOH scary... and intense i like :love19:

[oney]

Nice do you write novels?
any way
keep going i like the story :happy34:

[Andrew Nightchaser]

No I don’t write novels O.o. But I do read a lot. As for some other questions I have been getting.

1) Yes I know it seems long, but don't count on it getting boring.

2) Why did I choose to manipulate Cynn's past?

a) Her history has several holes in it. It was easier for me to fit it in. And I am a fan of her attitude. My sister acted the same way. I can't say its good. O.O

b) I was thinking about being Aidan's hunting buddy in times long gone, but that would make my character way to old O.o

c) Mhenlo is boring O,o (sorry monk fans)

d) I wanted my character's family to be humble and kind. Mixing them up with Devona's past would give me a migraine.

3) I should have at least one chapter up every night.

Again, thank you for your comments and suggestions. Here is the next chapter in my epic story.

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Chapter Four: Hidden Feelings

Night had crept up quickly with no end to the swamp road, and worse, no sighting of the wayward monk. Devona and the others seemed heart broken. Aidan stayed stoic, but Andrew knew he felt the same way as the two women. The four had decided to make camp near the road, their backs to a hill. The road provided a way for the four to escape if needed, and the hill formed a natural wall to hide behind just incase.

Although Devona offered to watch out, Andrew disagreed and insisted the warrior needed to recoup more then anyone else. Devona began to argue when Andrew threw a small blanket at her. Forcing her quiet. It was the Ranger's way of saying: That's an order, now obey it.

Aidan and Devona fell fast by the time the moon was high in the sky, leaving Cynn and Andrew. The elementalist sat up and had her eyes closed, but Andrew knew she was using her magics to feel him intently. The Ranger could fell the forces flowing from her body and swirling around him. Andrew tolerated it for a few minutes and then popped his eyes open.

"If you want to ask something, say it, don't probe me."

The elementalist looked shocked but said nothing. She eventually shook her head and silence abounded between them. Nothing could be heard but the hooting of an owl and the night bugs making their sounds of music. Suddenly she said, "I know you, but I can't quite place it. Your name does sound familiar though. Tell me, were you one of my dad's friends? Or maybe a servant of mine?"

Andrew stared into the eyes of the elementalist and she stared back. They both looked deep into each other’s souls. Andrew closed his eyes and broke the magical bond that was forming between them. The elementalist smiled and jokingly said: "You were one of my servants all right. How did you survive the Searing? Were there others like you?"

"You are right, I was your servant. Only temporarily though, my mother blessed your home in Surmia."

"Hmm, I don't remember."

"Well I---" Andrew stopped himself as Cynn began to stare at him again, expectantly. "It's nothing, get some sleep."

"This isn't over," replied the elementalist. She covered her body with the small blanket and fell asleep.

"Yes, it was over a long time ago, Pretty Girl," whispered Andrew.

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"No! You bastards! STOP IT! YOU CAN'T DO THIS! I said STOP! STOP OR I'LL KILL YOU!"

The boy cried out as his father was cruelly beaten by one of the noble's guards. He ran to his father's prone body and cried by his side.

"Hehe, kid, this isn't the place for a pauper! Your due's been paid. And that b*****hes daughter isn't here to report you to us! It's time that your father paid for his debts!"

"What did he do to you! He was a kind man! He---"

"He owed us 15,000. He was supposed to get paid that for the recent landscaping job, which he did. But he didn't count on the interest! Don't worry, kid, it’s all-good. We will just take you in and you can work off your father's crap!"

The boy reached for his father's hand and he was glad when his father gripped his own. But the feeling turned to dark hatred as his father quickly got up and threw his son at the feet of the men who beat him.

"Take him! He can work hard for you! You can take my wife too! Just please, don't kill me!"

"Daddy I--"

"Shut up, boy!!"

Andrew sat deathly pale at the guard's feet. Listening to his father and the guard's "negotiate" in a trade. Anger built up within him. But it finally boiled over when they began to plan on how to kidnap his mother.

"Bastards! BASTARDS!"

The boy, trained by his father, blessed by his divine mother, and fueled by the passion of betrayal, leaped up and landed on the ground behind the two guards, a bloody kris in his hand. The movement was so fast that by the time his father's body dropped to the ground long before its head rolled off. The guards were so shocked that they didn't even notice the glow of a blood red blade floating in-between their necks. The would-be Ranger Warrior landed, his left knee on the ground. He looked back at his targets. Each one fell down in three different pieces.

Andrew dropped the dripping dagger and pulled out a small piece of cloth. he slowly unfurled the item inside. It was a beautiful yellow flower. One of the last in the world, it was perfectly preserved in-between two glass pieces. The flower was held in stasis by a powerful magic.

"Cynn, your the only one I have felt," he said. The wind howled, as if in pity and sadness. He paid no attention to this. He was already focusing on the fact that his mother was already dead.

"Hey look at that! The gardener's kid! A murderer! And he was so close to the Mistress's daughter too! Glad he decided to kill his father instead of the poor girl."

Andrew had heard the same comment several hours before. The urge to cut off their ignorant heads nearly overwhelmed him. But he stayed silent. It was the only way for him to survive. Soldiers were sent from Ascalon City to investigate. It was only a matter of time before they would find him, hidden in the alley.

He wished to see her again, if only to say good-bye. He had waited in Surmia just to say good-bye to the person who he would love forever, even if it was a forsaken love. Andrew knew it was futile. But no one would listen to him. They would only call him a murderer. A murderer! He wanted to cry, but he knew it would cost him energy that he needed to stay alive. He hadn't eaten in days, and he knew his body wouldn't last. His only hope of escape was to stowaway in one of the trading trains coming in and out of the city. If he could get on one of those wagons, he could get back to Orr. But first he wanted to see Cynn again. To tell her that he wasn't a murderer. She would believe him.

His musings on the girl would prove to be his undoing. When the boy opened his eyes he saw the same lady that was ranting about him being a street killer. The woman stared him shocked. He had tattered clothes, and smelled like garbage. The worst part had to be his clothes. Not only were they reduced to rags, but also they were still tinted with the blood of his father. Andrew stood up and that caused the woman to fall down. He raised his hands as if in surrender and that caused the woman to scream out.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH! HELP ME MURDERER! SOMEONE HELP!"

Andrew heard the movement of the people stop. The constant banter died down and then the drawing of swords. The familiar ringing friction of a weapon being drawn from its sheath forced a reaction in him Andrew sprinted down the alley. He heard shouts and footsteps not far behind him. Fatigue was starting to tow on him. The alley erupted into a bust of trading wagons and Andrew dived into one that was labeled "Orrian Tabaco."

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Andrew shook his head and was granted with a sight that almost made him laugh and curse at the same time. Cynn was searching through his pockets. She sat in front of him and noticed his eyes. She immediately hid whatever she was holding and smiled.

"I was just checking if you were asleep is all. You shouldn't do that if you are on watch. Just some friendly advice."

"I will remember it, now give back what you stole."

"You dare accuse me of--OW! Stop that--."

The Ranger held the elementalist's scrawny hand in a vice grip and clamped her mouth shut with his second hand. The trinket that dropped from her hand surprised them both. The cloth covering revealed a yellow flower. Cynn reached for it and held it close. She stared into the Ranger's eyes and tears unbidden flowed out of her eyes.

"You're . ."

"Yes, it's nice to see you too."

Andrew smiled and Cynn smiled back. She embraced her old time friend tightly. Andrew returned it. The other two had not noticed when they slipped out of the camp and walked down the moonlit road.

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Well? I know this chapter is a little dramatic. Not that much action, I tried to focus on the emotional state of my character, and the reason why he acts the way he does. How do you guys like it?

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Guys cmon! I need comments! I might submit this on the TDL site thingy!

[oney]

This is getting juicy i really like it :love57:
and why dosent andrew want
to talk to cynn about there past?

[RilderView]

Wow nice, good story. I am also working on a fan fic,i just wana get some chapters done before i post ;)

[Andrew Nightchaser]

I will call the area before my story chapters, Reader Question Time!

Reader Question Time!

Q) Why doesn’t Andrew want to talk to Cynn about their past?

A) Andrew’s past is not the prettiest in the world, as you saw in his flash back dream in the last chapter.

Q) How long do you plan for this thing to be?

A) I have estimated around eight chapters! It may be more though.

Anyways, back to the story!

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Chapter Five: The Secret of Secrets

The swamps seemed to glow with an ethereal light. The moonlight bounced off the wet leaves of the trees and seemed to make the dark place light up. The movement of the small critters around the swamp grass, the music of the bugs, and the hooting of the birds seemed to create a symphony of music.

All of it seemed to minuscule to Cynn’s beauty. Her sky-blue armor was tinted white with the moonlight, making her look like an angel. The two walked side by side down the road. Neither had spoken a word since they left Devona and Aidan. After what seemed like an eternity, Andrew stopped and sat on a huge bent tree root sticking two feet out of the ground. Cynn sat next to him.

“How did you survive the Searing? I always thought you would survive it, but I could never confirm it," suddenly asked Andrew.

“I was at my home when the Charr attacked. A huge crystal hit the area near my house and I was trapped under a table for several days. Eventually I did, escape them. How about you? How did you survive? I mean, not the Searing, but the Cataclysm! It was worse then the Searing if I have heard correctly," returned Cynn.

“Well, I,” Andrew looked at Cynn’s face; he only saw patient eyes watching him intently. He smiled, and Cynn smiled back. “Well, I was in my basement when it happened, so I missed the exact events. But I do remember living in the floating ruins of my house for quite along time. Eventually I did find myself in the Ruins of Ascalon. And I eventually found you and your friends. You have become quite the elementalist.”

“Why, thank you, but your avoiding my question. How did you find yourself in Ascalon? I mean it is quite a feat to survive the Cataclysm, but to make your way to Ascalon as well?”

“I was favored by the gods,” replied Andrew. Cynn’s eyes moved from the Ranger’s face to his body. The elementalist’s hands went to the mask over the Ranger’s face. Her hands trembled and Andrew softly gripped her hands and she smiled. Andrew pulled off his mask for her. At first she stared in shock, then she ran her hands over the lines of scars on his right cheek. They formed a repeating backwards S. It was shaped like a necromancer blood magic scar, but backwards.

“What is this? I don’t recognize this scar pattern. Did you do it to your own face?” Her hands were still running across his cheek. He enjoyed the feel of her silky skin against his face and answered.

“I told you, I was blessed by the gods. Apparently they branded me.”

Cynn’s hands went from his cheek and she rapped her arms around the Ranger’s neck. She brought her lips closer to his. Andrew could feel her breathing tense. Slowly the Ranger kissed her. The elementalist closed her eyes and smiled as the kiss became more intimate. She brought her body closer to Andrew’s and her breathing became shallow. Andrew stopped the kiss. It would not be a good idea to fall back in love now. Especially now, in this place, he wouldn’t want to endanger her. Cynn seemed to read his thoughts and slapped him hard across the face.

“You think I can’t take care of myself?”

“No, but—“

"But?!"

“But, against the demons of my past, you stand no chance.”

“So says you! I have gotten stronger in the past twelve years since you disappeared after slaughtering your family! And you say I’m not strong?!”

The comment shoved a piercing pain into the Ranger’s heart. He felt hot enough to sweat, and cold enough to curl up and freeze. He felt his insides twist and turn. He wanted to vomit. He tasted every inch of bile rising into his mouth. He had heard such condemning comments before, but coming from her, he wanted to die. Immediately Andrew got up and began to walk back towards the camp. Cynn watched him with sadness. She ran back up to him and grabbed his arm in an attempt to stop him from walking.

The Ranger’s senses paralyzed for a split second. Long enough to warn him what was coming. The Master was coming for the Slave. The Ranger stopped walking and shoved the elementalist behind him as he faced the tree root where the two sat a few minutes before. The sounds of the swamp were silent. The moon disappeared behind huge clouds. The swamp turned from a beautiful haven, to a dark chamber. Andrew had his short sword in hand. Cynn was still holding onto his left hand, unaware of the danger. A strange stretching sound echoed in Andrew’s ear. He quickly pushed the elementalist to the ground as four arrows slammed into his chest, and two more lodged themselves on the arm where Cynn was a few seconds ago.

Andrew fell onto one knee, Cynn was at his side casting a spell into the green darkness where the arrows flew from. Andrew smiled at her attempt and tripped her with a sweeping motion of his left leg. She fell back first onto the ground as three arrows flew a few inches over her head.

“Run, warn your friends, find another way to the temple. You can get away right now. It’s me their after. You don’t stand a chance.”

“I will not leave you after all this time! I can’t!”

“You said you’re strong. Now be strong and run!”

The elementalist seemed to ignore him. She tried her best to help the Ranger back on his feet. The poisonous arrows began to effect his muscles. His entire body seemed to go numb. Cynn decided to drag her friend back to the other two. Devona and Aidan could assist them! They had too.

Footsteps could be heard coming from behind them. Andrew sighed in exasperation and pushed Cynn off him. He fell onto one knee. Cynn ran back to him and tried to lift him again.

“Cynn, if you stay, you might die.”

“So?”

“Fine, but if it looks like I will fall, run.”

Andrew immediately got up after the statement. Even with the arrows still imbedded in his body. Cynn stared in shock as Andrew pulled every single one of them out without flinching. What surprised her more was that no blood gushed from the wounds.

“Ssshee lamano daleno ryo demo!”

A small earthquake could be felt. Andrew paid it no mind. He was to busy expanding his senses to find the caster. Cynn held onto her staff and was casting a spell when Andrew took her by the arm and jumped several feet into the air and landed on a high hill. Just in time to avoid a huge wave of flame that incinerated the position where the two were just in.

“Stay.”

Andrew smiled an encouraging smile at his friend and unsheathed another hidden sword. The blade was strange in appearance. One side of the blade was as pure as the moonlight that once lit up the swamp. The other side was dark red, the color of blood. Cynn stared at the blade, not because of its looks, but because of the image that appeared in each side. The moonlight side reflected the top part of her face in all its purity. The bottom red part reflected a deformed and decaying jaw. She looked at Andrew’s reflection on the blade. Or more exactly, looked FOR it. Andrew had no reflection. The fact frightened her more.

Andrew noticed her eyes and frowned. “Don’t look into the blade. And I am not a vampire,” Andrew smiled and Cynn couldn’t help but smile back. This wasn’t the boy who she had fallen in love with twelve years ago.

Andrew leaped down the hill, sword in hand. He swung at his left, a bony hand flew straight into the air and then another limb. Figures appeared all around the Ranger. Arrows flew at him. None hit. The Ranger moved to fast. A split second the ranger was one place, another second three or four of the dark bony soldiers flew into a tree. Two more fell down in a mass of bones, and another was slammed into a solid rock wall.

Cynn watched what she could. Whenever she tried to focus on the Ranger, he was gone, replaced by one of the poor bone soldiers. Eventually the battle was over, ten soldiers, down in less then ten seconds. Andrew frowned darkly as he continued to stare at where the soldiers came from. A stronger earthquake shook the ground.

A huge decaying figure with wings emerged out of the darkness. It grinned with delight. Andrew hated the smile on the sick creature. The monster stood eight feet tall, it had huge chest muscles that looked like they were about to burst. Flaming magical energies flowed in between its finger tips.

“I am the Great-One! I am immortal! You, the Disobedient, You shall become a part of me!”

“My name’s Nightchaser you huge piece of s**t.”

Andrew grinned darkly and leaped over another wave of fire that scorched the land. He made his move right after he landed on the ground; a mad dash towards the caster. When he got within range, his blade glowed, and he slashed savagely at his target, disrupting the casters focus. He wounded the monster deeply, a putrid green ooze leaked out of the wound. The monster swung at the Ranger with a huge twelve foot long blade. Andrew quickly ducked under the left to right slash and struck at the hand holding the destructive weapon.

A fireball exploded into the creature’s chest forcing it to step back. Andrew took the opportunity and jumped right into the creatures face, delivering a furious downward slash the sword embedded itself into the monsters skull, but only about an inch.

“You’re a hard headed one.”

The monster responded by grabbing the Ranger in mid air with its left hand and thrusting his face straight into the swamp road. The creature then took a position where he was going to bring its mighty sword down upon the Rangers head when a huge flaming rock slammed into the monster’s jaw, breaking it and sending the monster flying into a nearby swamp tree, breaking the tree down on impact.

The Ranger was up by then, mud all over his face. With one swipe of his left hand, the mud fell off his face and landed in a small pile. Cynn ran beside Andrew and took his arm in an attempt to pull him away from the battle. Andrew glared at the elementalist, forcing her to let go.

His eyes then mellowed out as he noticed what was happening to him. The creature had got up by then; Cynn cast another quick Flare spell to knock it off balance for a few seconds. Long enough for Andrew to sheathe his sword and load an arrow into his bow. Cynn had finished casting her Firestorm spell by the time Andrew pinned down the creature’s feet to the ground with two sharp shot arrows.

Andrew took the elementalist’s hand and ran in the opposite direction, only to find more soldiers behind them. He looked up on one of the higher cliffs and smiled as he saw a flaming arrow shot up from the top most ledge. Aidan had signaled that he and Devona were safe.

Andrew ran over to his left, half guiding Cynn, half dragging her along though the swamp. He stopped immediately and looked down a sharp cliff. A raging river swept at the bottom of the canyon. He looked behind him and saw several torches popping up all around them. Cynn looked questionably at her friend and he shook his head.

The Ranger quickly picked up the elementalist and jumped off the cliff just as several flaming arrows flew over their heads. They fell, Cynn holding on tightly to her friend.

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How do you guys like it so far? I know it’s a little confusing now, but it will all make sense later! And I know it was longer then normal, but I figured I should make up for the lack of fighting in the last chapter. Comments and suggestions? Even questions?

[oney]

How do you come up with this stuff it's getting really good you got talent,

Q1) who is the great-one?
Q2) why did andrew say that the master was coming for the slave?
>.>
<.<
what happend to the monk?

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Reader Question Time!

Q) Who is The Great-One?

A) That question will be answered later on in the story

Q) Why did Andrew say the Master was coming for the Slave?

A) That question will be answered later on in the story

Q) What happened to the monk?

A) That question will be answered later on in the story.

Anyways, back to the story!

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Chapter Six: Revealing the Soul

The Ranger twisted and turned in mid air. Cynn tucked her head tightly under Andrew’s chin. He had to get this just right. Andrew twirled and twirled until he was the one going to take the full impact of the fall. The water was softer then solid rock, but it was still enough to break a bone or two. He began to whisper a few words and Cynn’s body began to glow brightly. Cynn looked up at Andrew, a split second before his back hit the water. Cynn watched in horror as Andrew’s face contorted in pain as the snapping of several bones echoed in her head. The elementalist also felt some sharp pulls on her muscles, but nothing to serious. She recognized the monk spell Andrew had cast on her, Reversal of Fortune.

Even with several broken ribs and possibly a thrown out spine, Andrew forced himself to stay conscious. He pushed himself to float down stream. His head went under water several times, but Cynn never got lower then her chin. The river swept them until finally it got shallow enough for Andrew to grab the ground and anchor himself to shore.

The elementalist was asleep. Andrew picked her up from the river shore and found an ideal spot where he could make a fire. He placed Cynn down on a soft piece of grass. Her clothes were still wet, and the night was getting colder. The Ranger quickly made a fire going, placed his cloak on the ground near it, and put the elementalist’s body as close to the fire as possible.

The Ranger wore armor that had been blessed by the druids of Maguuma. His clothes were already dry, Cynn, however, was shivering. She would get sick if he couldn’t warm up her body. Andrew had wanted to avoid his next idea, but at this point he had no choice. He searched through his pack and found a small white cloth the length of his arm and about two feet wide. He nodded to himself and began to strip Cynn’s clothes off. The wet armor was making her colder, not keeping her warm. The Ranger took care when drying the woman’s body with the small cloth, not to wake her up.
Andrew took off his vest and placed it on Cynn’s body. She wrapped it around her in her sleep and turned to face the fire. She began to snooze, the sign of a deep and peaceful sleep. The Ranger ran his hand through her soft hair. He loved the feel of it. He took another look at Cynn’s armor and assumed that it would be dry by tomorrow.

The flames of the fire danced around, making shadows appear and disappear at the far ends of the campsite. He noticed one of these shadows had moved constantly, and that the shadow never moved with the flame. Andrew reached for his vest on Cynn’s body and pretended to tuck it tighter around her. He found the small compartment that contained a dagger. He slipped it in the long sleeve of his shirt. He got up again and noticed that the shadow had moved closer to them. Andrew smiled and jumped at the figure. He took someone by the neck and put his dagger tip to the man’s gullet.

“Nice and slow, step into the light,” ordered the Ranger.

Slowly a man in tattered clothes appeared in the low flame. Andrew frowned darkly as he recognized one of the marks on the man’s clothes, the mark of Grenth. He looked back at the elementalist. She was still asleep. The man had a hood so Andrew couldn’t see his face. But he had a feeling he knew why this servant had come to him.

“Grenthhh is pleassssed withhh yooou,” said the man in a ghostly voice. His figure seemed to shimmer in and out of sight. “Yooou have found ooone oooof the Lich’ssss coooomaaandeeerssss. The Greattt Oooone mussst beee dessstrooyeed and yooou shall do it! After yooou doooo that, the Whiteee Mantleee willl have the upppppeeer hand in baaaatttleee. Yooou caaaan find the demoooon when you fooollooooow the river to the ocean. .” The man began to fade away when Andrew grabbed onto his arm.

“Wait, the one called Mhenlo, where is he?”

“Hiss dessstiny issss yeeet to beee fufullleeeed.. You shall seeee him again down the river,” and the man completely disappeared from view.

Andrew fed the dying fire and pushed it back to a roaring flame. He stared at it and sighed. Cynn was beginning to stir. Eventually her eyes popped open and she noticed she was naked.

“What? Andrew what happened?” Asked the elementalist. She sat up close to the fire, and leaned back against the Ranger’s chest, Cynn had put on his vest to cover herself from the cold

“When we fell off the cliff, you lost consciousness. If I didn’t undress you, you would have been frozen by now. I am sorry for the inconvenience.”

“It’s not your fault. Where’s my armor?”

“It’s drying, I hung them on the branch over there.”
She pressed herself against Andrew’s body in an attempt to stay warmer. The Ranger reached for his vest and buttoned it shut for her. He also took his cloak from the ground and wrapped it around them both.

He leaned his back against the trunk of the tree behind him, Cynn had placed her head on his chest and was using it has a pillow. The woman smiled as she tucked her head tightly under the Ranger’s chin.

“Andrew, do you think, do you think there’s still a chance for the two of us?”

Silence, was her answer. She looked up expectantly at her friend and he grinned.

“Yes, maybe after all this is over.”

“Tell me, what happened back there? I’m not sure I understand why they are after you. Did you steal that strange sword from them or something?”

“No, the Red Moon Sword, was forced by the gods, Dwayna, and Grenth. It was also infused with their powers. When I use the sword, I have the powers of a necromancer, and a monk. The gods gave me this sword with the intention of me becoming their pawn. Although I hate it, I have no choice. My current assignment was to guide a select few, favored by the gods, and make sure their trip to Kryta would be a success.”

Cynn nodded, “and the Undead? Why are they after you?”

“You really want to know don’t you? Well I will tell you the short version. The only reason I survived the Cataclysm is because the spirits of Orr protected me. Of course, such protection comes at a cost. It cost me half of my mortal body. What you see before you is nothing but an illusion. You couldn’t see my reflection in the Red Moon Sword because it shows everything in its purity and impurity. I am neither. I literally am, a wandering ghost. It’s just that I have a shell. The two gods, Dwayna and Grenth, had foreseen the coming of the undead, but they needed a counter measure. I am that countermeasure. They freed me from the curse that controls the Undead. And they promised to give me back my mortal life once I fulfill my mission. 'Promised' as in, if I don't obey their orders they will condemn me to live an eternity in my current state.”

“This is the first time I have seen you open up to me like this. Well, first time since I left for the Academy. I think I like it when you trust me more.”

The elementalist wrapped her arms around him and quietly listened to the constant beat of the Ranger’s heart. She placed her head on his chest and felt his lungs breathe in and out, it slowly rocked her back to sleep. He didn’t seem evil in the least, just a poor lost soul, looking for a way out.

“I still think your human,” whispered the woman. Andrew smiled and returned, “Glad you think so.”

The two fell asleep in each other’s arms that night, and awoke fully rested. The sun was directly above the camp when Andrew had run off to hunt, and he came back with a dead rabbit, which he skinned and boiled. Cynn took the soup and looked strangely at her friend.
“I have never had rabbit soup out here in the middle of nowhere before. Tell me, are you a good cook?”

“Hmm, last time I checked I was.”

“Okay good.”

“But—“

Cynn smiled and took a sip of the soup and grinned.

“BUT—it has been awhile since I last checked.”

“Well, you are one hell of a cook. This must be the worst thing I have ever tasted, that in itself, is amazing.”

“I’ll remember to bring a cook book with me the next time I leave a town.”

The two shared a laugh and began to eat. They would both need the energy for later. According to what Andrew assumed, the river flowed to the ocean, and all rivers did. Once they would reach the sea, they would begin to head northwest, following the seashore. That should lead them to the Temple of Tolerance, and to Mhenlo, Devona, and Aidan.

The Ranger had packed up their belongings in his pack and gave Cynn her armor back. She slipped behind a large rock to change and threw Andrew’s vest over it and laughed as Andrew had to drop everything he was holding and dive for it. He caught it a few inches before it hit the water.

“No peeking!”

Andrew laughed and repacked everything. By the time he was done, Cynn emerged from behind the rock, fully clothed. She was knotting her hair in the particular way she did and picked up her staff leaning on a tree. Then the two followed the river downstream.

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Suggestion/comment/question time!

[oney]

But how do you people do it, do you read alot,
or practice writing whatever you are doing
its working really well. Im gonna look at the fan fic forum
every day to see if there are any new post. :love57:

you people have too much power...I wanna write just like that
The way you put the story itself if great
Nice to see those two are getting along
cant wait for the real action part :thumbsup:

[Andrew Nightchaser]

But how do you people do it, do you read alot,
or practice writing whatever you are doing
its working really well. Im gonna look at the fan fic forum
every day to see if there are any new post. :love57:

you people have too much power...I wanna write just like that
The way you put the story itself if great
Nice to see those two are getting along
cant wait for the real action part :thumbsup:

Well to your first question on how I do it three simple steps:

1) Read good novels made by great authors. I read all kinds of books, for example, some themes of this story contains the saga-style type of story revealing found in the Harry Potter books and the Elizabeth Haydon's Symphony of the Age's series.

2) Read the reviews on the books you really like. So you know what to do if you miss certain details. In essence, learn from other peoples mistakes, as well as your own.

3) Pratice!! I have done this several times before in forum rps. So I know how to opporate certain situations. I just capture the images in my head and form it in words. I also try to make puzzles in the beginning of the story to really reel the reader in.

[Firanne]

I am very much enjoying this. Please keep up the good work! :thumbsup:


Hopefully, one day I will post up some of my own work, but as I am sure you know, the first posting is always the hardest... :winking47

[Andrew Nightchaser]

sorry guys due to a combination of no laptops at night... and writers block i won't be able to finish this story until next week...ty and keep checking...

[listen]

no hurry dude! we wouldn't want something rushed out just for e sake of it

all the best in writing n keep up e gd work :happy65:

[Cocotroid]

Nice story so far. The only question I have is, wasn't the catacalysm(Spelling error?) a few hundred years before the searing?

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Nice story so far. The only question I have is, wasn't the catacalysm(Spelling error?) a few hundred years before the searing?

no the catacalysm was right after the searing when the charr invaded the Holy City of Arah. The Leader of all Things Arcane...i think that's what his title was... read the dark scroll that destroyed all of Orr and the invading Charr army... it also softened the invasion of Krtya. Not that it mattered much since the undead would strike Krtya shortly afterwards.

(yes i do read to much..and yes I will be posting the next chapter in the next few days.. i have just been wondering weather to kill Andrew off and start a new story..or have him live and make a part two to this fic..not sure..)

[Sasquatch]

Is this the end of hte posts for this story? I hope not I want to see what happens!!!

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Reader Question Time:

First off, I know I have not finished this story yet, and I really do want to! So here’s my next chapter!

Q) Oh, my, friggin god! Where the heck have you been?

A) Marching Band, School, a lot of other stuff

Q) Can you actually finish this story?

A) Depends what the admins and mods say, but my god, I hope so. (Considering I just typed up the next chapter)


Chapter Seven: Life-Blood

Cynn had finally recovered from her fall and was walking at a brisk pace down the swift river. She seemed to move almost as fluid and as fast as the river flowed. The elementalist’s sky blue armor appeared to meld in perfectly with the light blue waters she was walking next to. Her sapphire eyes gleamed sharp with the beautiful brilliance of a person who has just awoken to a new sense of being, someone who had just been washed clean of all impurities.

At least, that’s what the Ranger saw. Maybe he was thinking to hard. Maybe his mind was over exaggerating everything around him. And just maybe, he was falling in love again. He preferred the last one. His mind wandered back to the weeks of traveling he took, or endured, on the trading wagon. .

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The boy cowered in horrid fear as he slowly unsheathed the kris he used to kill the two guards and his father. The tattered leather shirt he wore had way to long sleeves to be of any use in fast movement, so he cut them off. Next, he shorted his long leather pants by slicing off anything lower then his knees. Andrew stood up, shoulders high, and bowed down to his opponent. This was it, if he couldn’t beat this teenage girl, Marilyn Realde’, the caravan would throw him out into the forests of Kryta. The only problem was, this lone young woman, had killed four of the nine Tengu that attacked the wagon train a day before.

“Better be ready, you black haired stowaway! As far as I’m concerned, you’re already dead! When I get through with you, you’ll be nothing but a few cut up limbs!” Yelled the brown haired teenager. She watched Andrew’s movements with analytical eyes, something that most people gain only after having years of fighting experience. The people that owned and operated the trade train made a large circle to keep both of the fighters from running away. A buff man about the age of forty-five said in a loud voice, “boy will yer look at ‘er go! The new kid’s toasted I tells ya!” Cheers were heard and that same man who started the eager rally flipped a coin high into the air.

Andrew’s entire body tensed when he heard the finger hit the small cold metal. His eyes widened, every single muscle in his body froze, expanded, contracted, and returned to normal. It was an instantaneous stretch and relaxation of the whole body. Apparently, the girl was caught off guard by the sudden changes going on in her opponent’s body.

Time slowed down for Andrew as he saw the coin hit the ground. Normally the clicking sound would be barely, if not, audible with the loud roars and cheering around the two fighters, but to Andrew it was like a gun shot signaling the start of a mad spiriting race.

The two opponents ran at each other, the dash itself was probably twenty feet apart. Andrew had cleared fifteen feet in four seconds, an amazing blur of movement. The girl smiled as her opponent brought his bent dagger back for an upward thrust. This would be cake, she thought. The teenager brought her body and her own blade down in preparation to parry the strike when she received an extremely hard back kick straight to her face, breaking her nose.

Andrew smiled. Just as he thought, the girl thought he was running at her in a berserk like panic. And she had accurately predicted he could thrust at her with the blade ready. But she made one error: when he brought his blade back, he was using the momentum from his hips and shoulders to swing his entire body clockwise. He then thrust his leg forward in a hard back kick, add to that the momentum of the run he just made, and you have one horrid attack. Especially when she bent down right into his kicking foot.

The stowaway quickly whispered as the girl flew back in midair, “just because I have a weapon in my hand, doesn’t mean I’ll use it. Remember that next time otherwise you’ll end up dead.” The loud cheering turned to gasps of shock and dismay as they saw the girl’s eyes close when she hit the ground with a thud. Andrew had won his right to go back home. .

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His mind instantly flooded back to the bright sky of the present when he felt Cynn take his arm. The two of them had been walking for hours now non-stop. His brain had been so focused on the memories of his childhood, that he had not noticed the piercing pain in his leg muscles. Andrew smiled at down at Cynn, whose eyes were about five inches below his. Again, he saw that little twinkle of happiness in those jewels she called eyes. They glowed as if they contained some hidden secret, and Andrew wanted to know what exactly it was.

Cynn smiled back and redirected their traveling route to a rather large rock that sat by the river, and she sat down on it and merely pointed forward. The Ranger looked at her strangely and walked over to where she pointed. It looks like this was the secret he thought, so he walked over to where she was pointing.

He had to stop just in time from falling down a waterfall. His right foot seemed like it was standing on air, mainly because he kept all his weight on his back foot. Thus, he was able to turn around----to see a huge towering figure jab its entire right clawed hand into his torso, its arm ripped through the Ranger chest and exited out the other side. The huge demon didn’t stop there. He just kept shoving his arm deeper, causing Andrew to vomit blood every time the monster’s arms moved. The attacker was only satisfied when Andrew’s body was impaled all the way into his elbow. The Ranger’s body jerked back in shock as the all the pain registered into his skull all at once.

The Ranger’s head tilted slightly as he saw the image of the elementalist sitting there perched on her rock, laughing, as she slowly dissipated. An illusion, he thought. His last few coherent thoughts were: What happened to Cynn? The monster known as the “Master” laughed insidiously at the near unconscious figure. The beast silently whispered: “Found you.” In the next instant, a huge flaming rock slammed into his skull, the rock shattered and man and beast flew across the river.

Cynn emerged from the forest nearby, her armor bloody, but not from her own body. Apparently the woman had been taken by a few of the demons servants in an attempt to keep her from interfering. That attempt had failed, miserably.

The elementalist leaped and ran over the river and dragged her dear friend off the prone figure of the demonic fiend. Her eyes shed tears of grief as Andrew’s blood poured out of the gaping hole in his chest, his life oozing out of him like an eager river flowing out of a broken dam. The fire wielder felt along the remains of his torn leather vest to find several vials of blue liquid. The blood from trolls, she thought. They had amazing regeneration powers and with no monk in sight, these were the only things that would save her dying friend.

Quickly, Cynn poured each vial, one by one, into the huge wound. Layer by layer, she saw each missing organ regenerate. She had no experience in this, so she did what she could. She wanted to vomit, and she almost did at one point, but that wouldn’t help Andrew, so she kept unloading the healing waters onto her friend, until she used every last drop. Andrew had not regained consciousness yet, so the elementalist sat beside him in hopeful fear until she saw his chest rise up and down in deep slow breathes.

She looked up just in time to watch the demon, which apparently had his skull shattered by the meteour, grab onto a nearby boulder and haul himself up onto one of his massive his knees. The monster raised his head up, his fiery red eyes ablaze. And a disgusting toothy grin on his face. .

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Chapter Eight: The Hungry Flames of Magic

Cynn had never been so surprised in her life. She felt the blood drain from her face, making her head appear like some sort of white apparition. This undead creature seemed to get up even while having its head smashed in. The fire elementalist felt a knot of fear lump in her slender throat, causing her to gulp the ball of saliva gathering in her mouth. The power of this monster was phenomenal. He was vastly more powerful then she could ever be. She raised a quivering hand at the beast and fired a single fireball at it. The missile didn’t even hit its target. The flame disappeared completely a few feet before the Masters head. She began to cast another, much more powerful spell when she felt something happen in her eyes, it became hard to maintain her focus.

The world began to spin as she continued to watch the demonic figure. He seemed godly with all his magical and physical might. His body was covered in muscles larger then her torso. But what really fascinated her was the mystical power this towering giant wielded. He appeared to not even blink when he created that invisible shield to protect his face from the fire of her first attack. Cynn was amazed. All she could feel was pure astonishment. Her own powers were nothing to this creature. She was greatly out matched by him. She wanted to grow even mightier then this thing. She could feel the power emanating from his body as his head slowly regenerated.

She found herself wanting more, needing to be more powerful, to be able to cast her opponent out of existence. She saw herself learning the dark arts of magic, absorbing the vast magical energies within those forbidden tomes. She saw herself casting spell after awesome spell, slaying all those that opposed her. Nothing stood in her way; she burned down cities, crumbled mountains, and forced every single living being to be her servant. She saw her family, alive and well, enjoying the new life Cynn had brought to them. They were living back in Surmia, in their mansion.

Then she saw Andrew standing before her, bow in one hand and an arrow in the other. There was something around his neck, and upon closer observation it was a black flower, dead for several years. Although this appeared strange to her, she paid it no mind and reached out for her dearest friend. The Ranger shot her right in between the eyes. Then as quickly as it happened, her vision of glory shattered into a million pieces.

Her eyes burned red with a passionate hatred for the one who so ruined her happiness. The spell was at her fingertips. She could feel the flames flowing through her veins. The hair at the back of her neck stood up in excitement. Then a rush of power struck her, then another. She closed her eyes and drank in this newfound magic. She was able to track where it came from, and she faced the Master.

With eyes that were red as hell, he smiled at her. The elementalist smiled back and turned around to see her friend, finally up on one knee. Cynn couldn’t tell just how long it had been since she first helped Andrew, but it didn’t matter. She knew how to become more powerful. She wanted to become more powerful, and she was more powerful.

“Good my pupil, feel the power coursing through you. This will be your first of many lessons,” said the demon in a sickly sweet, cultured tone, “you must learn to place back your emotions, for they will only hold you back. Now, harness the energies in your hands and focus them at one point. I believe you know what “point” I speak of, my dear.” Cynn only nodded and stretched out her arms in front of her, palms up, facing Andrew.

The Ranger angled his head up to see Cynn begin to mutter a spell. The worst part was, the demon was speaking in unison with her, thus, multiplying her powers several fold. He looked into the red-rimmed eyes of his friend and only saw a deep burning hatred stare back at him. Time slowed down for Andrew as the final few words slipped from both their tongues. He reached for the Red Moon Sword hilt and grasped it a few seconds before ten huge flaming rocks slammed into the same exact place on his body, ramming into him in lightning fast succession. He felt a horrid pain fly through his entire body as he himself flew back several yards. His body was just about to go over the waterfalls edge when he grabbed onto a think branch sticking out of the sharp cliff.

Andrew dangled there, over the falls like a Christmas decoration. He looked down and held onto the branch even tighter. He could hear the backbreaking sounds of the water hitting the bottom. He felt himself black out several times, but to his shock, he never let go of his lifeline. The Ranger looked up to see Cynn standing on the ledge above him, one hand downward, and the palm up. She was casting another spell. The elementalist last few words to her friend were: “Have a nice trip.”

A fireball shot out of her hand with blazing fast speed, it hit Andrew directly in the face, knocking his grip from the branch and burning his leather clothes. He felt his mouth shouting: “Cynn!” as he fell down the waterfall in flames.

The demon smiled and watched the body of the Ranger crash into the waters below. The roar of the waterfall drowned out any ear-shattering scream that might have ensued, a true disappointment, really. He would have enjoyed every moment of watching and hearing every single one of his Old Slaves’ muscles twisting, and bones breaking. Ahh well, so much for that, he thought. His Master would be very pleased with this, and he also captured one of the “four.” This woman named Cynn was certainly powerful, and the deep inner anguish she had tucked inside made it all the more easier to seduce her into killing her own friend.

“Come my Student, I have much to teach you,” he said. The elementalist merely nodded and began to walk behind her Teacher and into the dark forests.

---------------------------------------------------------------

End of Part I: The Undead Invasion.
Check Part II: The Flames of Fate, coming out November 10
Anyone have questions and comments? And if anyone wants, I can completely rewrite the Undead Invasion story for more detail and event changes. I have been getting some feed back that say they want a little more info and things on the characters, more flash back stuff etc. Depending on what you guys say, will I add more to the story or not?

[Immortal Barrinvorg]

Hey, man its a great story, i dont really see any need to flesh out the characters more, jus keep the level of fleshing as it is.

The only thing that troubled me about your latest chapters was the Gun shot remark, as they dont have any reference for what a gun shot is.

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Immortal Barrinvorg: Thank you for your feed back, but my own personal choice is to add much more depth to this story, so I am currently revising and editing some errors, adding some more events, and altering others. I should have a fully finished version by November 15th. Yes, that means the sequal will be moved back to late November or Mid December! Sorry everyone!

As for your original input: I do not see the "gun shot" comment in Chapter Eight. I do have some similiar things that could refer to a gun shot, for example:

"She raised a quivering hand at the beast and fired a single fireball at it. The missile didn’t even hit its target. The flame disappeared completely a few feet before the Masters head. She began to cast another, much more powerful spell when she felt something happen in her eyes, it became hard to maintain her focus."

The word missile could be mistaken as a bullet etc. But I did not mean for it to mean that. When I used the word "missile" I had no other words that came to mind to otherwise call the fireball that Cynn had cast.

I hope that clarified something for you, if you have more questions, feel free to post them. I want my new version to be the best it can possibly be.

Any other insights, comments, or questions?

[Andrew Nightchaser]

Back to Immortal:

I finally found the gun shot remark in chapter seven:

Time slowed down for Andrew as he saw the coin hit the ground. Normally the clicking sound would be barely, if not, audible with the loud roars and cheering around the two fighters, but to Andrew it was like a gun shot signaling the start of a mad spiriting race.

Yes, I can see how that can cause some confusion, I will reword this paragraph slightly in the final version, thank you very much for pointing this out.

Any other comments, questions, and/or suggestions?

[Immortal Barrinvorg]

yeah sorry man should a said chap seven, it didnt confuse me it just didn't seem to be appropriate, as that section dealt with the palyers thoughts and/or feelings, and he used it decriptively, but how could he have knowledge of a gun shot.

Unless when the gods changed him, he say sections of the future...you know like nostradamus and ****.

[Matts Malice]

WOW! so far its a perfect story, I needa hear more!

[oney]

omg.....cyn...is..evil.. great chapters, i can wiat for the next installment