Redemption

Subject: Redemption Sat Nov 13, 2010 11:24 pm

The winds whipped across the plains of the Twilight Realm, kicking up sand and dust and sending it spinning into a small cyclone. Today was especially windy, most likely due to the realm's instability. Hakama strode across the plans of her domain, slight tears beginning to form in her eyes. The goddess bent down to the ground and scooped up some dirt with her hands. She turned her clenched hands to the side, and allowed the dirt to slowly fall back to the ground.

"Dust to dust..." she whispered.

The goddess lifted her head toward the abandoned village. In an instant, she was suddenly standing in the plaza. She looked all around her. The buildings were still intact, despite the realm's deterioration. But they were husks, forgotten and empty.

And for this, the goddess blamed herself.

She should have warned her servant, Steel. She should have prevented his death somehow. If she had, the Twilight Realm would still be intact.

A small tear fell from Hakama's cheek and landed on the ground. The Twilight Realm was slowly disappearing. It had gone three years without a ruler, a balancer to hold it in check. Now, the wind howled through the empty plains, and small pieces of Luc and Nox were falling from the sky.

Hakama closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was standing inside the Twilight Keep, in Steel's chambers. The room was empty, and quiet. Everything was so quiet.

Hakama glanced across the room, spotting what she had come here for.

Shadikal, the balancing blade.

She walked over to the divine weapon, picking it up reverently. She had forged this blade especially for the ruler of the Twilight. But now that the Twilight was disappearing...

"You aren't needed in this world any longer, my beautiful blade." Hakama said. "It is time for us to depart."

The goddess gripped the blade tightly and closed her eyes once more. She concentrated on the Heavens, her home. Before she vanished, she allowed one more tear to fall to the floor.

She then vanished, Shadikal disappearing with her.

Subject: Chapter 1: Exile Tue Nov 16, 2010 12:49 am

The sun hung lazily in the western sky. The smell of decaying wood and swamp filled Bill's nostrils. He placed his foot in the bog and gave his raft a small push, propelling himself further across the surface of the murky water. The warrior scratched his unkempt, fiery red beard, then laid back on his small raft. He closed his eyes, letting all of his worries slip away into nothingness. He didn't care where he was drifting. He didn't care about the mosquitos buzzing around him, biting his skin. He had lived in the swamps for so long, he had merely grown use to the slight itch the tiny beasts created when they bit him. He didn't care that something was approaching him...

Wait a second...

Bill's eyes snapped open. He rolled over on his wooden raft and slapped the water hard.

"Yeowch!" the approaching creature yelped, hopping out of the water.

Bill chuckled. "You'll have to try harder than that, Jah-Toh. I don't surprise easily."

Jah-Toh laughed and slid back into the water, gliding next to Bill's raft.

"And how is Tough-Skin today?" Jah-Toh asked, flicking his tail and propelling himself through the swamp.

Bill laughed at his Troglodyte friend. Troglodytes were the natives of the swamplands, looking very much akin to lizards. The males were known to have dark orange skin with splashes of green across their faces. The females were the opposite, having an emerald colored skin but possessing multicolored spots on their faces and bodies.

"I'm just taking it easy today, Jah-Toh." Bill said, rolling back onto his back.

"Really?" Jah-Toh asked, feigning surprise. "Me too! I think I'm just going to let the swamp carry me until I hit the Swordhaven river."

"I didn't think shamans could take days off." Bill chuckled.

Jah-Toh dove into the black marshy water and resurfaced on the other side of Bill's raft. "Ah, but they can!" the shaman said, spitting some of the swamp water out of his mouth like a fountain. "Too much work is a strain on one's soul, you see."

Bill laughed at his friend. Although Jah-Toh was his people's spiritual leader, he hardly acted like one, constantly running off to explore the darker, more dangerous corners of the swamplands.

Jah-Toh slapped Bill's raft with his reptilian tail, causing it to wobble. "H-hey!" Bill said, sitting up and steadying it.

"C'mon, Tough-Skin!" Jah-Toh said, dipping his face back under the black water. "Bbwurbbgubbbbtubtembbb." was all Bill heard.

"What?" Bill asked, shoving Jah-Toh deeper into the water. "You know I can't understand bubble speak!"

Jah-Toh popped out of the water, chuckling. "I said we're going to the temple!" he reiterated. "C'mon, you can only reach the temple by water."

Bill layed back on his raft. "Never heard of any temple in the swamplands."

"Exactly!" Jah-Toh exclaimed, swimming closer to Bill's raft. "The temple was constructed centuries ago, before the Troglodyte people claimed this land. It was constructed by the warm-bloods to honor one of their many gods, but now it lies buried by the marsh, deep under the surface."

Bill was just about to agree to go, when the sun caught his eye.

Evening was fast approaching.

"Uh, not today, Jah-Toh." Bill said, his eyes fixated on the setting sun. Jah-toh looked in Bill's direction and nodded.

"That is okay, Tough-Skin." Jah-Toh said. "The temple can wait. But first thing tomorrow morning, we are going to it! You have no choice in the matter!"

"What do you mean, 'I have no choice'?" Bill asked.

Jah-Toh laughed. "You are a member of my village, Tough-Skin, and the Shaman commands that you escort him to the most holy of holy grounds!"

Bill returned the laugh, then sat up and turned around. "I should get back." he said.

"I'll tow you." Jah-Toh said, grabbing the raft and swimming back towards the village, flicking his powerful tail and propelling them up the swamp.

*****

The Troglodyte Village of Ashudaad was, by human standereds, quite small. To the Troglodytes, however, it was one of their largest villages. All around them, flourescent plants and mushrooms dotted the village, and fireflies flitted from place to place. Many of the villagers lived in small huts made out of the resources around them. The shaman, and some of the more privileged village members, got to make their homes in the giant Ashu tree in the northern part of the village.

By the time Bill and Jah-Toh made it back to the village, the sun was beginning to dip behind the tall trees of the swamp. Bill hopped off his raft and tied it to a nearby sapling. Jah-Toh climbed out of the water and flicked his tail to shake off any excess water.

"And that's how my great uncle defeated the giant Aquawyrm, Squitter." Jah-Toh finished explaining.

"Wow." Bill laughed. "So, he played dead, and when that didn't work, he began begging for mercy from the beast?"

"Hey, never said it was a brave strategy, but it worked, yes?" Jah-Toh countered, chuckling as he did.

"Jah-Toh!" a sharp call echoed from the direction of the Ashu tree.

Jah-toh jumped at the sudden call, then slapped his hand across his face. "Ugh..." he moaned.

"Jah-Toh!" the call came again. "Where have you been, you fire-bellied, toad-faced lizard?!" Fast approaching was an enraged Troglodyte female.

Bill tried hard not to laugh at Jah-Toh, or his predicament.

"Ah, Meena, my lovely mate!" the shaman greeted to the approaching Troglodyte woman. Meena, like many Troglodyte females, had beautiful emerald colored scales. She had splashes of dark orange, purple and bright orange around her eyes and face. The spines on the top and back of her head were decorated with a number of tribal trinkets.

"Spare your flattery for someone else!" Meena fumed. "Where in the name of the Great Troglodor have you been?!"

"I was...um...meditating!" Jah-Toh said. "Yes, I felt the spirits calling to me, and I needed a quiet place to think."

"I thought you were looking for a sunk-OOF!" Bill said, but was cut off by a quick nudge of Jah-Toh's elbow.

"Oh, spare me!" Meena said. "I KNOW you were out goofing off, searching for treasure and whatnot! You're Ashudaad's shaman! How can you just up and run off like that?"

"A hunting band wanted to hunt a minor Aquawyrm today. They wanted you to bless their group. You know what I had to tell them? 'Oh, I'm sorry, he isn't here right now. Would you like to check back later?'"

Jah-Yoh snickered at the comment, causing Meena to punch him hard in the arm.

"You hardly spend any time with me!" Meena growled. "You hardly spend any time in the village! You're like a youngling, I swear, always running off..."

"Is that what this is about?" Jah-Toh asked. "You feel I don't spend enough time with you?"

Meena just folded her arms and looked at the ground. Jah-Toh whispered something to her, which caused her to giggle. The shaman brought his mate close in an embrace, but then caught sight of the sun.

The sun was almost gone.

"Just give me five minutes." Jah-Toh asked. Meena seemed a little huffed, but didn't argue. The shaman turned back towards Bill, a wide smirk on his face.

"What?" Bill asked.

Jah-Toh chuckled. "Nothing, nothing." he said. "Come!"

The two walked to the base of the great Ashu tree, where a wall of vines blocked the lower basin of the tree. Jah-Toh touched the vines, whispering something as he did. Suddenly, the vines unwrapped themselves, revealing a small opening to the tree's basin. Bill dropped onto his back and slid inside.

The inside of the basin was lit with strange, florescent blue mushrooms. All around the walls, claw and scratch marks could be seen. If Bill didn't know any better, he might've thought that this was a prison of sorts.

"Do you have everything you need?" Jah-Toh asked.

Bill nodded. "Yep. Goodnight, Jah-Toh."

"Goodnight, Tough-Skin."

Jah-Toh whispered something, and the basin once again sealed itself. Bill laid down and breathed out a long sigh. How long had he been in the swamp now? Two years? Three? Bill had lost count, though he was sure Jah-Toh and Meena still remembered that day when he had wandered into the swamp, half-starved with the Swordhaven militia hot on his heels.

His thoughts eventually turned back to that fateful day back in the Twilight Realm. Bill closed his eyes, but those damning images continued to flash in his mind. He remembered blood. Lots and lots of blood. He could see the bodies of soldiers, and children.

And Selena. Pure-hearted Selena. Clutching her right eye, her lifeblood streaming from her face.

Bill cursed the images in his mind and tried to sleep. But not even sleep's gentle embrace could save him from the nightmares of his past.

Subject: Re: Redemption Tue Nov 16, 2010 1:47 am

Looks interesting so far Billeh, looking forward to it :)

Subject: Re: Redemption Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:01 am

Bill lives in a swamp, and Selena is missing an eye. What happened? :o curious. >.< I can't wait to read more. =D

Subject: Re: Redemption Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:18 am

:O Selena? Missing an eye? What has happened, I wonder :3 Can't wait!

Subject: Re: Redemption Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:09 pm

Wow, same questions as above, super chapter Bill! Jah-To is a cool name :p

Subject: Chapter 2: Chapel of Mori Wed Nov 17, 2010 5:44 pm

Bill's violet eyes snapped open. His hands trembled violently, and his skin was a deathly pallor. Sweat beaded his forehead. He shakily sat up, the florescent blue light of the fungus partially blinding him. He took a moment to adjust his eyes to the light, then stood up.

"Tough-Skin, you awake?" Jah-Toh's familiar voice called out.

Bill rapped his knuckle against the wall of the tree basin, signalling Jah-Toh that he was, indeed, awake.

The vines blocking the entrance to the tree basin suddenly retracted, revealing a grinning Jah-Toh.

"What time is it?" Bill asked, climbing out of his sleeping quarters.

"Dawn!" Jah-Toh replied, grabbing Bill's hand and hoisting him to his feet. "And isn't it a beautiful dawn today?"

Bill glanced at the slowly lighting sky. There were few clouds in the sky, and the sun was just barely beginning it's ascent.

"You're awfully cheery this morning, Jah-Toh." Bill said.

"We're going to find a lost piece of history!" the shaman said. "How could I not be excited?"

Bill nodded and walked over to his raft. He quickly untied it, then hopped on. Jah-Toh did the same, hopping on the small raft.

"The temple, from what I've heard," Jah-Toh explained. "Lies to the northern end of the swamp, near the Sinkhole."

Bill eyed his companion. "The Sinkhole?" He asked. "As in, THE Sinkhole?"

"Yup." Jah-Toh replied, sitting near the end of the raft and dropping his tail into the water. He flicked his tail hard, propelling the raft quickly across the water's surface.

Bill shuddered. The Sinkhole was one of the more dangerous areas of the Troglodonian Swamp. It was an appropriate name for the area. The Sinkhole was famous for two things: its mud, and its plants. The mud in the Sinkhole was constantly shifting. Anyone who got stuck in it would eventually sink into the earth, either drowning or getting smothered. But more dangerous than the mud were the plants. Sinkplants, they were called. Hardy weeds that had adapted to life in the constantly shifting mud of the Sinkhole. Being constantly dragged further into the earth, Sinkplants had evolved the ability of supergrowth, allowing their leaves to constantly float in the water above to absorb nutrients.

If a Sinkplant were to wrap around your foot, you'd be dragged to your doom in mere moments. Many Troglodytes (and many more human explorers) had met untimely ends in that place.

Jah-Toh chuckled. "You look worried, Tough-Skin. What, worried about a few sinkplants and Falceels?"

"Ah, I forgot the Falceels." Bill muttered.

"Relax, warm-blood. They won't bother us."

Falceels. An aggressive, predatory swamp eel that varied in size. Many had been spotted near the sinkhole, which had led the Troglodytes to believe that their nest was around there somewhere.

Needless to say, Bill was not exactly excited to go to this sunken temple any longer.

*****

It took an hour to reach the Sinkhole. The hour passed rather uneventfully, with Bill and Jah-Toh merely swapping stories or making light conversation.

Bill sniffed the air, recognizing the stench. "We're here."

The Sinkhole didn't look like much on the surface, but both Bill and Jah-Toh knew better. Lying just beneath the water was one of nature's deadliest traps.

Jah-Toh stood up and walked over to Bill. He touched his thumb to Bill's forehead, and placed his hand over Bill's heart. The shaman began to chant, though softly and almost inaudibly.

A surge of energy raced through the warrior at that moment. Suddenly, he began to cough and splutter, unable to breathe the air around him. He staggered backward, tripping and falling off the raft and into the murky water.

Bill panicked. Why had the air become poison to him? He opened his mouth to inhale, but water flowed in, rushing to his lungs. Suddenly, the pain of breathing had subsided. The water now flowing in his lungs seemed...normal.

A splash from above caught Bill's attention. Jah-toh's familiar form swam next to the warrior. "I suppose I should have warned you." The shaman said, his voice surprisingly clear in the water. "But you'll be all right now!"

"What happened?" Bill asked.

"It's a spell." Jah-Toh explained. "A temporary one. It allows you to breathe water, but prevents you from breathing air. I call it 'Fishlung'."

Bill chuckled. "Where to now?" he asked.

Jah-Toh turned around and pointed. Bill nodded and the two swam on.

*****

"There! There it is!" Jah-Toh exclaimed. "The sunken cathedral!"

Bill followed Jah-Toh's excited pointing. His eyes widened in surprise. The cathedral was massive! It appeared to be made from a polished stone, possibly marble or some other material. The stonework was faded now, due to the decades submerged under the waves.

"The building's design suggests that it was built several centuries ago," Bill mused aloud. "Likely just within the last thousand years." the warrior chuckled. "This thing has to be as old as the swamp."

Jah-Toh regarded Bill curiously. "How do you know that?" he asked.

"Oh, my father lived in a monastary." Bill explained. "I studied history extensively."

"Ah, I see." Jah-Toh said, turning back toward the temple. "We won't learn any history by floating out here. Come on, let's get a closer look."

Jah-Toh flicked his tail, propelling him through the murky water. Bill kicked and paddled, just barely keeping up to the Troglodyte. Underneath him, Bill could see the wiggling forms of infant Falceels. Infants weren't dangerous, but that usually meant that there were adults nearby. Bill quickly scanned the area and paddled on.

Jah-Toh touched down on the bottom of the swamp, using the doorway of the temple as an anchor.

"Don't worry." Jah-Toh said reassuringly. "This area of the swamp isn't connected to the Sinkhole."

Bill nodded in appreciation and touched down as well. The two peered through the dark doorway, scanning the hall.

Jah-Toh swam in first, being careful to move slowly. Neither of the two had any idea what might lay in store within this sunken holy site.

"What do you see?" Bill whispered.

Jah-Toh looked around. He shrugged and turned back towards Bill. Just as he was doing so, Jah-Toh's eyes widened in surprise. He fell back against the wall of the main chamber, just staring at what grabbed his attention.

Bill, reacting on instinct, swam inside. He cursed that he no longer had Mandurugo, his trusty vampiric blade. As he entered the great chamber, Jah-Toh grabbed him, wrapping his arm around Bill's stomach and clamping a hand over Bill's mouth.

"Shh." Jah-Toh whispered, still looking at what had spooked him.

"What?" Bill whispered. Jah-toh could only point. His finger aimed up to the ceiling of the sunken chapel. As Bill's eyes followed the direction of the finger, he gasped (or at least tried, as Jah-Toh clamped his hand over Bill's mouth even tighter).

A Falceel. A mammoth-sized Falceel was swimming in short circles up near the chapel's ceiling. It's scaly green skin shimmered in the small amount of light in the water. It opened it's mouth, revealing rows of sharp, jagged teeth.

"Why hasn't it attacked?" Bill asked, his voice barely audible.

"Look." the shaman said, pointing to the creature once more. It's eyes were a milky white.

"It's blind." Bill said. "It can't see us."

"But I'll bet my tail that it can still hear." Jah-Toh whispered. "Stay low and remain quiet. It should just ignore us."

Bill nodded his agreement. Jah-Toh released Bill, who was still staring at the massive aquatic predator. Jah-Toh nudged Bill and motioned for him to keep moving.

The two kept low and swam on, admiring the chamber as they did. It appeared that most of the chapel was this one main chamber, although several doors and a second floor could be seen. Bill and Jah-Toh didn't dare open any of the doors or move into the second floor, fearing that the Falceel would hear them.

Still, the main chamber was just as enchanting and mesmerizing. Books and other parchments floated in the temple, suspended by the water. Bill grabbed one and flipped it open. It appeared to be a journal of the temple's build. Most of the writing was illegible, though, and Bill closed it and let it float back in the water.

At the far end of the chamber stood a large, marble statue of a young woman. Unlike the building, the statue seemed to have retained it's shine, and reflected beautifully in the water. Surrounding the woman were a number of weeds and plants, all growing around her, but not growing on her.

Bill grinned. He knew who this was. The goddess of nature, Mori. It suddenly made sense why the temple had sunken. It was likely Mori's will that the temple be sunk, to allow life to flow through it.

"Tough-Skin, come look at this!" Jah-toh called, as loud as he dared.

Bill glanced at the Falceel, which was still swimming in circles, oblivious to the two intruders.

Jah-Toh had swam a little higher, to a large, gaping hole in the temple chamber. As Bill drew near, his eyes widened. Just beyond the broken wall was a study.

Full of Falceel eggs.

"This place IS the nesting grounds!" Jah-Toh whispered excitedly. "That must mean that that-" Jah-Toh pointed to the mammoth Falceel. "Is the Falceel mother, or Alpha!"

Jah-Toh climbed through the hole and sank down to the floor.

"Jah-Toh, what are you doing?" Bill whispered.

Jah-Toh swam a little closer to the eggs. He reached down and grabbed one, feeling the squirming creature within.

"Life at it's purest." the troglodyte said with a grin.

A sudden roar shook the temple, causing Jah-Toh to drop the egg.

Bill spun around. Speeding towards the eggs was the Alpha Falceel. Bill kicked off the wall, propelling himself to the floor. He threw the door to the study open, causing it to creak. Jah-Toh shot for the open door, just narrowly dodging the wild rush of the giant predator.

"Time to go?" Jah-Toh asked.

The Falceel climbed back out of the large hole and roared once more.

"Yup!" Bill agreed.

Jah-toh grabbed Bill's hand and swam, towing Bill along back to their raft. The two rushed out of the temple, hearing the massive Falceel slam against the marble wall of the temple.

As Jah-Toh swam, Bill checked their six o' clock. Following right behind them was a large pack of adult Falceels. Bill kicked as hard as he could, sending several of the Falceels careening off into the deeper water.

It wasn't long before Jah-Toh hit the surface, throwing Bill onboard the raft and hopping on himself. Bill turned and coughed out the water that had been in his lungs. The air was no longer poisonus to him.

"Heh heh...that was close, huh?" Jah-Toh asked.

Subject: Re: Redemption Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:36 pm

Wow Bill, you write amazing stories, that was a wicked chapter! Keep it up!

Subject: Re: Redemption Thu Nov 18, 2010 2:30 am

Good chapter Bill. I'd like to know what happened still though xD

Subject: Chapter 3: Dreaming Insanity Sat Nov 20, 2010 1:48 pm

Bill ran through the halls of the Twilight Keep, running to the shrieks and yells of pain. He skidded around a corner, only to see Selena, a pool of blood near her head. The Shadowmancer clutched her right eye, crying in misery. Azk, the Twilight assassin, was beside her in an instant, cradling her close.

"God, no!" Azk cried. "Selena!"

Azk spun around to face Arata, the youngest member of the Twilight Knights.

"Heal her!" Azk pleaded. "Please heal her!"

"I-I can maybe stop the blood flow..." Arata said, in obvious shock.

"Then do it!" Azk ordered.

Arata wasted no time, surrounding his hands in cool, southern water. He placed his glowing hands on Selena's wound, slowing, then eventually stopping the blood flow.

"What's going on here?" Leyla asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

"Selena's been attacked!" Azk growled. "Her eye...her eye..." he moaned.

"Who did this to you?" Xavier asked.

Selena suddenly sat up. Her face was scarred, with three claw marks running up her face and across her right eye. She opened her wounded eye, allowing blood to drip from the empty eye socket. She raised her hand and pointed.

Directly at Bill.

Azk stood up, growling as he did. "Kill that goddamn beast!"

Bill raised his hands in a surrender, and tried to convince his partners that he was innocent.

But Bill's hands were no longer hands. They were claws.

Bill's voice didn't come through. Only a single, low growl could be heard.

Bill glanced down at himself in pure disbelief. He no longer wore his fine brown and white chainmail. Mandurugo was not attached to his hip. Instead, Bill's body was covered in coarse, dark fur. He stood taller than normal, his muscles seemed to have expanded and grown. He felt strong. He felt free, wild even.

And angry. How dare that woman accuse him of attacking her! He hadn't laid a hand on her!

Bill let out a low, threatening growl. But the Twilight Knights only started to laugh.

Bill glanced back down at himself. He was normal once more, his anger replaced by concern for Selena.

"Are you ready to face judgement?" Arata asked Bill.

"Judgement?" Bill asked, bewildered. "I haven't done anything!"

"He's really become his father, huh?" Nami and Frozen Fighter asked in unison, popping out of nowhere.

Suddenly, Bill felt a skeletal arm wrap around his neck, putting him in a headlock.

"I'm so proud of you, my son." Anselm's familiar voice whispered. "You've become a monster."

He chuckled. His chuckle suddenly evolved into a hysterical roar of laughter.

"Like me!" he finished.

Azk stepped forward, flicking his wrist and extending one of his hidden blades. He rushed ahead, stabbing his blade deep into Bill's stomach.

Before Bill had time to cry out, Arata rushed in, swinging Hokkyoku and slicing Bill across the back. The holy weapon burned, and caused Bill's flesh to sizzle. Frozen drew Yumi, shooting several arrows into Bill.

Bill fell backward, surprisingly not dead. He tried to climb away, slowly crawling with his hands.

But the Twilight Knights weren't done with him yet.

Leyla grabbed Bill and through him against the stone wall. Arata stebbed forward, impaling Bill with Hokkyoku and pinning him to the wall. Bill roared in pain.

"Why are you doing this?!" Bill tried to ask.

But Bill's voice wasn't heard. Only a single, lone howl erupted from Bill's mouth.

"The beast must be dealt with." Jah-Toh's familiar voice said.

"With pleasure." Anselm laughed.

Anselm gathered a small sphere of energy into his hand, waving it in front of Bill teasingly. Bill. for some reason, couldn't speak. He could only whimper and whine like an animal. His eyes pleaded for mercy.

Anselm roared with laughter, along with the rest of the Twilight Knights and Jah-Toh.

"Now, now, don't look at me like that, William." Anselm said. "You know this is how it must end, yes?"

Bill struggled against Hokkyoku, but that only cause the blade to bite deeper into him.

"No regrets, my son." Anselm whispered, tossing the sphere of energy toward him.

As the sphere touched his flesh, Bill was suddenly overtaken by a blinding explosion.

*****

Bill's eyes shot open. He leapt onto his feet, sweat lathered his body. He grabbed his stomach, making sure Hokkyoku was not there. Sure enough, it wasn't.

Bill sank back on the floor, breathing a sigh of relief. As he contemplated his dream, he began to wonder if what Anselm said was true. Could the curse only be broken by death?

Bill placed his face in his hands. He didn't know. He wasn't sure he wanted to know. He was broken from his thoughts by the familiar voice of Jah-Toh.

"Tough-Skin, are you all right?" he asked.

The vines covering the tree basin retracted, allowing Bill to climb out.

Jah-Toh eyed Bill with concern. "You were very loud last night." he said. "You scared half of the village. They feared you would break free of your sleeping quarters."

"I'm sorry, Jah-Toh." Bill said, lowering his gaze to the ground.

"In fact, you've been getting louder and louder for the past few days." Jah-Toh continued. "An emergency council has been called...concerning you."

Bill looked at Jah-Toh in disbelief.

"The tribal council wants to expel you from the swamplands." Jah-Toh said, his features grim.

"Jah-toh, you can't let them!" Bill pleaded. "I have nowhere else to go!"

Jah-toh sighed. "I'm sorry, Tough-Skin. But it is out of my hands now."

Jah-Toh walked away, his head hung low. Bill watched him, sorrow and anger rising within him. Once again, he would be exiled, tossed away like the piece of trash he was. Bill stamped his foot on the ground in rage. They wanted him to leave? Fine then, he would oblige them.

Bill marched over to his raft and untied it, hopping on. He kicked off the shore hard, sending him downstream, toward the plains of Swordhaven. His violet eyes simmered with an inner fire, an unsatisfiable rage. The rage helped mask Bill's true feelings, helped hide what he knew deep in his heart.

He was alone. Forgotten, unwanted, and utterly alone.

Subject: Re: Redemption Sat Nov 20, 2010 2:58 pm

Poor bill, sounds like he needs a hug. =(

Subject: Re: Redemption Sat Nov 20, 2010 7:02 pm

Emo Bill needs waffles :(

Subject: Chapter 4: The Bladed Crescent Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:58 pm

Arata hopped backwards, feeling the rush of air as his opponent's weapon swung downward. The duelist dropped low, again just barely dodging the powerful swing.

The other man laughed at Arata. "You'll never beat me if you keep dancing away like that!" he taunted.

"We'll see, Ajax." came Arata's reply. "We'll see."

Ajax rushed forward, sweeping is weapon upward, aiming for Arata's jaw. The duelist sidestepped the strike, again feeling the rush of air. Ajax was right, of course. If Arata just kept dodging, no one would be named the victor.

Arata rushed forward, falling into a somersault and rolling close to his opponent. The duelist sprang back onto his feet, swinging his weapon with all of his might, striking Ajax across his stomach. Before Ajax could react, Arata rolled to the side, brining his weapon up and smashing it into Ajax's back.

Ajax turned to look at Arata. He broke into laughter.

"Is that the best you got, you blue field mouse?"

Arata hopped backward, putting distance inbetween himself and his opponent. Ajax's stomach and back were bright red where the duelist had struck him, but Ajax had shrugged off the blows like they were nothing!

Ajax snorted and threw his weapon aside. "I don't need a weapon to beat you." he said, a grin spreading on his face. Ajax planted his feet firmly on the ground, and assumed a combat stance.

Arata did the same, readying his wooden sword, and standing as far back as he could without going "out-of-bounds".

Ajax drug on foot across the ground, like a bull readying a charge.

Arata steeled his gaze, and didn't move an inch.

With a loud shout, Ajax shot himself forward, sprinting towards the blue-haired duelist.

Arata didn't move. If he wanted this plan to work, he would have to act at the very last second.

Ajax closed the distance between the two in seconds. He lowered his head, thinking to ram the duelist out of the ring.

Arata smirked.

The duelist sidestepped the wild charge, smashing his wooden sword across Ajax's back as he did. Ajax, unable to stop his own momentum, suddenly tumbled and rolled on the ground.

"And that's the round!" Hector said. "Arata beats Ajax!"

Cheers and claps arose from the small crowd that had gathered to watch the sparring match. Arata's and Ajax's matches were always nail-biters.

Arata walked over to Ajax, who was still lying on the ground, and extended a hand.

"Good fight." Arata said. "You almost had me there."

Ajax reached up and grasped Arata's extended palm. The warrior stood up, stretching as he did.

"Eh, I didn't want to destroy your self confidence." Ajax said coolly. "I let you have that win."

Arata nodded, smiling. "Ah, I see. Well, then the way you fell on your face back there? Very convincing." he taunted.

Ajax chuckled, scooping up his wooden practice hammer. "Next time, you won't be so lucky, twinkle toes."

Arata laughed at his friend. If the demon Fuketa had been Arata's mirror image, then Ajax had to have been his polar opposite. Ajax was a giant of a man, standing a little over seven feet tall. He had been born and raised in the Frozen Northlands, in a land called Frostheim. He had long, dark brown hair that he often had tied into warrior braids, and a beard to match. While Arata preferred the swiftness of a katana, Ajax preferred the crushing power of a warhammer. Arata was fast on his feet, but Ajax was the strongest man Arata had ever seen. The only real thing the two had in common was their choice in armor. Both preferred light leather to heavy platemail.

"Hey, Arata!" a familiar voice called out.

Arata turned. The voice belonged to Hector, a swordsmen who could probably out-duel half the men here. Hector had short black hair, and a clean shaven face. He was a few inches taller than Arata, and had a "no nonsense attitude" about him. Arata wasn't surprised. He expected the leader of the Bladed Crescent to be a serious individual.

"Hello, sir." Arata greeted, shaking Hector's hand.

"That was a good match against Ajax." Hector congratulated. "Great thinking, to turn your opponent's weight against him. You're a real credit to the Company. Just think, three years in service and you're all ready one of my top fighters!"

"Thank you, sir." Arata replied.

Has it really been three years? Arata thought to himself as he watched Hector depart. After the Twilight Knights had dissolved, Arata and Leyla had traveled back to Sayle, where Arata had first landed in Lore, and where Leyla had grown up. When Arata went hunting for work, it wasn't long until he found the Company.

The Company of the Bladed Crescent was formed at least a century ago, by the previous king of Lore. Originally, the group had consisted of Lore's greatest warriors, and had existed for the sole purpose of defeating the king's enemies, insurgents and rebels who believed that the king was misusing his power. After the king had been overthrown, and a new king instated, the Company had no work to do. The new king had no need for them. So, they became mercenaries for hire, taking on jobs for the citizens of Lore.

Arata had been a member for a little over three years now. His skill with his enchanted blade, Hokkyoku, had earned him some serious prestige in Sayle, and in the group itself. He was one of the groups best fighters, alongside Ajax, Hector, Paris, and a few others.

"So, Arata!" Ajax's familar voice boomed from behind the Duelist. The warrior patted Arata on the back, but the force from the friendly gesture caused Arata to stumble slightly. "How are things with that lass of yours?"

Arata smiled. "Leyla?" he asked. "Great, actually. I, uh, think I might be ready to ask her-"

"Arata!" Paris' voice called from the crowd.

Arata turned. He could see the fighter making her way through the small mob of warriors, pushing some aside if she had to. Paris was an unusual one. She appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties. Her hair was shaven off, and she had several small scars on her face. She had a blade strapped to her hip and a shield on her back.

"Ah, Paris, you're looking more lovely every day!" Ajax chuckled as the fighter drew close.

Paris ignored the northern warrior, walking straight to Arata. "We've got a new contract for you." she said.

"Can you ask someone else to take it?" Arata asked. "I had plans for tonight."

"Well, you'll have to cancel them." Paris replied, handing Arata the contract. "This contract asked for your aid specifically."

Arata read the paper, then reread it. Indeed, the contract had asked for Arata to personally come and handle whatever the problem was.

"Where is-"

"Swordhaven." Paris replied curtly. "The contract is in Swordhaven, in the Mage's Guild." Paris turned on her heel and marched back toward the Bladed Crescent guild house. "Try not to louse it up!" she called.

"Ugh, mages." Ajax muttered. "Damn tricksters. I've seen my share of bad mages in my life, and let me tell you, Arata, they don't fight fair. Always have an agenda, too. Watch yourself."

The warrior patted Arata on the back again, stumbling him. Arata reread the contract. He had been asked personally to deal with this problem, but who could've known that he was a part of the Bladed Crescent?

Arata was sure he would find out soon enough. The duelist sighed. He would have to cancel his plans with Leyla tonight. He reached into his pocket and produced a small box. He opened the box, and just stared at the contents inside.

Arata sighed again. "Guess it'll just have to wait." he said, flipping the box closed.

Subject: Re: Redemption Mon Nov 22, 2010 12:55 am

Cool billeh, lol @ Emo Bill :p, Bill, you wrote stebbed instad of stepped, and through instead of threw. This is in the chapter above this one, both in the paragraph where Arata stabs Billeh, meany Arata :p

Subject: Re: Redemption Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:42 am

I thought that she might be Talona's daughter. >=)
Great chapter Bill. ^_^

Subject: Re: Redemption Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:25 am

You actually guesses that Kate? lol

So, they are both the children of deities then :D But, I thought the Ring was destroyed! It was broken by Shadikal.

Subject: Re: Redemption Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:22 am

Yes I actually guessed that because Bill said that she and Arata had something in common parent wise, but that she wasn't from Arcterra. I also remember him saying that her father was a leader of a cult... so like yeah...my mind makes odd connections... =P

I also thought the ring was destroyed. :o

Subject: Re: Redemption Mon Nov 22, 2010 9:00 pm

Lol, you're right, Zev. Must've been typing too fast. XD

And Arata and Kate, you're right, the ring was destroyed...

But the real question is, was the Agent destroyed? :O

Subject: Chapter 5: ? Fri Dec 03, 2010 3:24 am

To be rewritten...again.

Subject: Re: Redemption Fri Dec 03, 2010 9:59 pm

Billeh's identity...revealed! Great chapter Billeh! Can't wait for the next! :D

Subject: Re: Redemption Sat Dec 04, 2010 1:29 am

Woot Woot, that was super dooper chapter Bill, but Arata, didn't we already establish it was Bill? 0.o

Subject: Re: Redemption Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:22 am

I meant that now the enemy knows what Billeh looks like xD

Subject: Re: Redemption Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:44 pm

Ohhhhh lol. The enemy doesn't sound very nice huh?

Subject: Re: Redemption Thu Jan 20, 2011 10:11 pm

I miss Bill and Arata and Selena and everyone. XD

I plan to continue writing this story, but I'm changing the title, and the story. I feel like I didn't properly send off the characters from the other story. So, there.

For the moment, Legend Reborn will be paused. Rebirth (title pending) will show what happens to the knights, but it will have no real villain.

Subject: Re: Redemption Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:44 am

Sounds good! I agree, I did want to know what happened to the other knights :P This way we'll all find out! But, I'd still stick with Legend Reborn afterwards. Fresh cast of characters, and I'm really starting to like it! :D