#“oh. but he needed to defeat the overlord” he found an opportunity and took it. season 3 he was constantly putting himself in harms way

[al-luviec]

Thinking about how the entire reason Zane went along with Wu was to try to find out more about his past. Thinkinggg about how he reached his true potential after finding his father's workshop. A big chunk of his character arc in s2 focused on how badly having no family left affected him. Then he found out how father was alive and he was sooo happy... and then his father died. And then Zane died too.

[jjajafar]

Crashing into Zeb (a Zebtv fan fiction)

Well here again our story starts with me gathering up loot, weapons, and odds and ends and selling them. When I walked in to the pub and weapons shop I couldn’t resist looking at this tough guy sitting at the bar. I think I’ve seen him some where before? Maybe I’ve been snooping around some of his past adventures knowing me. “Hey hey sonny looks like you had a good hunt.” Said the old man at the bar “Hell yeah I got a couple of gold axes, a demon possessed katana, I got all kinds of loot ready to sell!”. What? I get excited about sweet loot. “What about that demon possessed sword? Don’t you think it’s too dangerous to carry around?” “Don’t worry about it had a priest put a seal over in just in case it gets rowdy.” “Ok good excuse me if I get the daisies scared out of me because I hate ghosts.” “Ah don’t worry your secret is safe with me ha ha ha.”. So eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I asked. “Hey pops um who’s the big guy?” “He came in the bar a couple of hours ago asking for a rum and coke. I think his name starts with a z like Zach or Zeb something like that.” “Hmm well let me sit at a table and find my next bounty!”.  Introducing Zeb : powerful, strong, aggressive, proud Viking overlord. (First discovered youtube channel: in 2011 Game: sacred citadel). Just as I noticed two familiar faces on the bounty board a group of orcs came crashing through the main door. Hmm where have I seen this before? Maybe on another adventure? Sometimes I think I’m such a stalker watching other people’s adventures unfold, but it’s so much fun!” “Destroy the place and bring every ounce of gold back to mother!” said what looks to be the leading orc. One orc took it upon themselves knock the drink out my hand and grabbed me by my shirt, but I countered em by simply grabbing its arm and threw it through the wall of the bar. One of the orcs thought it would be hilarious to throw a rock at the guy sitting at the bar with the giant tattoo on his back. The rock hits him leaving a slight gash on the right side of his head. I had ducked under a table at the upper level of the bar. The guy picked up his axe leaped into the air and shouted “Why the hell did you do that!” and came crashing down with lighting knocking orcs out the door, through walls, and out of windows. Luckily this bar has some very sturdy tables. As the big guy ran out side I ran behind him and ducked into a tree. “Wait a sec didn’t I kick your ass before?” said the guy “Ah so we meet again. You might have defeated me before, but now I have more power than ever!” said what seemed to be the leader of the orcs that ransacked the tavern. “Here let me give you a taste of the power the dark lord gave to me!” she said as she cast a thunder spell that sent the guy crashing to the floor. Yikes that must’ve stung. “Ha not even enough endurance to stand. Move out! There will be no room for failure!”. After this shocking situation I pulled the guy by rope into the bushes to make sure they don’t come back for him. Took me hours to drag him to a lake in the forest. I waited around until the effect wore off and I could get him some water. When I saw that the electricity had finally died down I grabbed the drinking horn and holder off of  his belt, put some water in it, and sat it beside him just for when he wakes up. I went deeper into the forest to set up camp and watch him just in case anyone wanted to disturb his sleep. Later on in the night I woke up to a loud “AAAH!”. Yup that means he’s awake I raced outside with knife at the ready. Until I ran face first into a wall, but it wasn’t a wall it was him. “Ow shit that hurt.”, then in kind of a blur I saw a hand pull me of the ground. “Who are you” he said as he’s pulled me off the ground “I’m uh. I was there when you got shocked really hard by that orc witch.” “So you’re the one that brought me to this lake?” “Yeah.”. then after a second look he remembered. “Oh! I remember you now you were at the tavern turning in loot.” “Yeah that’s me name’s Jafar rogue extraordinaire. What your name again? Zeb right.” “ Right I overheard you talking to the old man tough customers aye.” Said the guy as he punched me in the arm. “Ow yeah you guys looked like a bunch of tough guys mr I put a crater into the floor of the tavern.”. Then suddenly came in arrows flying, but I ducked out of the way. Then I noticed that the arrows had a certain brand on them, the brand of a raven holing a skull, The brand of the execution guild. “Hey we got to go now!”. I tried to push Zeb and move  but unfortunately, we were too late. With swords drawn they backed us into a corner then their leader came out of the shadows. They call him Adam  “the raven’s skull”  Dupree . “Ah got you little sneak.” Said Adam “Well crap as if I didn’t get myself in enough trouble today.”  “And make that double.” Said Adam ’s assassin Rebecca “the sakura widow” . “Ugh what do you guys want?” “Wait I saw these two on the bounty board.” Said Zeb “Yeah but they was two different cases one well every male who thought to make a move on her she slaughtered for a dark magic sacrifice. The Other is a rogue that slaughtered a work force in a small village and ran.” As a look of annoyance raced across my face. “Right so why the bitter look?” “Well the one with the eye patch made a deal that he would keep the village safe so what happened?” “Well unfortunately for you our deal is up.” “How is that?” “Simple I cut my ties.” said Adam  as he raised his eye patch to reveal the glowing purple orb for an eye. “You’re her servant aren’t you. Yikes how the mighty has fallen.” “Funny you talk about mighty when you’re trapped right now.” “Better than being some witch’s servant.”. Adam  pulled his blade closer to my neck I looked at him face to face. “Say it again I dare you.” “You ain’t shit but a damn servant and it’s disappointing.”. as Adam raised his sword in the air I dropped a fog bomb. “Didn’t see that one coming did ya.”. Me and the big guy ran out the fog, but as we ran I knew we couldn’t avoid them for long as they were right behind us. “You thought you could run!” said Rebecca  “Escape? No I just needed some breathing room to actually fight.” I said as Zeb leaped over me and came crashing down with his axe. As he also sent me flying into the air I saw as the opportunity to make some shooting stars. I punched the crap out of every raven’s skull member I saw and sent em crashing to the floor. Then Zeb placed his axe into the ground Jumped into the air, grabbed one of them in a power bomb position, and sent them crashing down onto a group of their clan. “Here suck on poison you ass hole” said Rebecca as she thrown poison needles, but I blocked them with my chain. “Ha not on your life, but good try though.” “Ugh your face is annoying!” she shouted as she thrown more poison needles. “Yeah yeah yeah I heard it all before.”. I blocked her poison needles again, but this time with knife at the ready she jumped into the air to stab me. Suddenly Zeb swiftly swatted her out the air with a shoulder tackle and sent her flying into the arms of her master. “Ha nice try but did you forget that he’s here?” “oh shut up!” “You’re a lie and I bet your assassin don’t even know what she got herself into.” “ I bet you don’t know when to shut the hell up.” Shouted Adam  “Shove it! you know you owe that village because they shown you mercy. How dare you stab them in the back on a literal level.” “I told you before I’m done with them and I found something better  so get used to it.” “So being a servant of evil is something better?”. Then as rage raised to the brim Rebecca was the first one on the attack as she thrown more poison needles, but Zeb picked up a log, blocked the poison needles, and thrown it aside. “Don’t get it our way!” said Rebecca as both her and all of us came charging forward. As me and Rebecca  were going to connect into battle I noticed that she was going to throw a smog bomb of poison, But I quickly latched the chain to Zeb’s belt and sent him flying back out of the way of the smog. “Ha stupid I have more in my arsenal than just poison needles.” Rebecca  said as “Hahaha silly.” . With the chain I absorbed every ounce of poison out of the air. While I was tied up with Rebecca , Adam  went charging forward after Zeb, but he was able to pull the ax out of the ground with one hand and blocked Adam ’s attack. Zeb kicked Adam in the chest and sent Adam flying back. “I’m going to rip your head off your shoulders!” said Adam “I’d like to see you try before I split you in half.” said Zeb as they charged at each other. Rebecca pulled out a giant needle and I pulled out my knife and we went in a crazy flurry to see who will be the first to crumble. “I can’t wait to stab you right in the heart and watch you fall to your knees!” Rebecca said as she kicked me square in the jaw. With all I had I stood my ground and I sent my chain after her, but she dodged out of the way and ran forward. Rebecca  tried to stab me in the neck but I side stepped her and came across with my knife. Fortunately for her she dodged out of the way. That gave me enough time to recoil the chain. “You thought you were going to cut me?” said Rebecca “Lucky you moved out of the way.”. The battle continued she sent more poison needles flying at me but I circled around her untill I got close enough just to wrap my chain right to her foot, but she nearly got me with a needle. I yanked the chain and sent her flying to the floor. “bet ya didn’t see that one coming” I said as I stood over her, but she had a hidden needle in her mouth and sent it flying at me. I caught it though and returned it to its sender right in her leg. “You mother F-!” she said as she yelled out in pain. “Aw sucks for you.”. Adam back flipped and threw daggers at Zeb, but he deflects them by twirling his axe. Zeb went in for a side swipe Adam ducked under the blade he tried to come back and stab him, but Zeb came back around and kicked em right in the ribs. “Ugh damn it!” said Adam as he backed away “Give it up you lost.” Said Zeb “Heh this is far from over.” Then he turned into purple light and quickly went over and grabbed Rebecca and they both disappeared in purple fading light. “Damn it just when we had them. Hey, Zeb how you holding up?” “Alright no injuries.”. I thought it was back to square one untill. “HELP, HELP US PLEASE!” said a woman who raced up to us. “What’s going on?” said Zeb “There is a orc attack in the village bellow luckily me and my children made it out alive.” “Get to safety if you can find it.” I said as I started to run into danger again. “Ok strategy I know you’re the front man so you do you best and I can take out the other dudes in the area.” “No problem with that”. When we got to the area we hid behind a building and come to find out that there was double work to be done because there are orcs and assassins in the area. “Ok new plan you handle the orcs I’ll take out these assassins.” “Alright so on my count 3,2,1 GO!” said Zeb as he quickly ran in. I use my chains to sling right up into the air to take aim and drop three assassins with knives right to the head. Zeb hit one of the orcs with a flying knee knocking it’s teeth out and sending it flying into the hay then grabbed another by the throat and sent it flying through on of the buildings on fire. “What intruders? Kill them and put their heads on steaks!” Said a goblin that sat on his gold velvet throne covered in rings and chains. Zeb had made it through the halfway point of Orcs and I was on one last assassin. I ran across the roof as fast as I could, but the assassin shot off a arrow and shot Zeb right in the butt before I sent my chain after them and threw them right off the roof. “OW! What the fuck!” shouted Zeb pulls the arrow out “My bad didn’t get to em in time.”. “Get them, get them now!” shouted the goblin as he barks orders at the goons. I zip lined right in the middle of the action to back him up. Before I made a move I heard some heavy breathing like a enraged beast. Then I narrowed it down from the other sounds around me and come to find out it was Zeb pissed off because he was hit in the back side with a arrow. “Aw Shit let me move out the way.”. I made my exit stage left. “WHAT THE HELL!” shouted Zeb as he leaped into the air with spinning axe in hand and came crashing down sending bodies across the village and some through the decaying houses. After that I made my move and zip lined through the smoke over to the little shit and knee struck him right in the jaw and sent the poor thing falling out of his royal purple throne. “Hi we’re the intruders. If you give us info to the orc lady with the magic staff I won’t have to ring your little neck.” “No no no you didn’t think your little plan through did you.” “What’s that supposed to mean?”. Suddenly with the power of the medallion on his neck the little critter started to grow in size. “Well shit.” Said Zeb “We need to get that medallion off him.”. I tried to throw a chain at him and pull the medallion off, but he was just too strong and pulled me with it. Zeb tried to come up for a attack and the monster backhand Zeb and sent him flying into a crumbling house. I hung on for dear life as much as I could untill I went flying into barrels outside of a tavern in the village. “Bring it on I haven’t bashed any skulls in for quite some time maybe it’s time to knock some rust off.” Said the giant goblin. I rolled out of the of the barrels. “Ow shit! Hey you ok?”  “Yeah little bruised but I’ll be ok.” Zeb says as he arose from the rubble. “Ugh this sucks maybe I will have to strangle em.” “Hey gotta take a lickin and keep on tickin right?” as Zeb came up beside and we went into fighting stance again. “Hey giant asshole we’re not done yet.” Zeb shouted to the monster “Heh and I thought you were just small fries.” “Please far from it so you better get used to it because this fight is about to get real ugly.”. We both ran at the monster, but I let Zeb run ahead so that I can set something up.  Zeb went right at the monster swinging is axe at a crazy speed making the goblin go into defense. With some hand signs I prepped for the goblin to make a move. When Zeb slightly let up on his assault the goblin threw a punch and Zeb was able to dodge one of them. The goblin went back with another strike this time a swing back hand and sent Zeb flying through a tree next to a house in the village and that made the tree fell onto another house. As the goblin made his way towards me it tried to come in the zone to punch me, but Zeb quickly with loads of adrenalin came in and blocked the goblin’s punch, grabbed the goblin’s hand. and tossed it to the ground. Before the goblin could get up, with one more hand sign I trapped the goblin in chains. “Alright lets get em!”. I went after the goblin with the dagger Zeb hopped high into the air and came crashing down with his axe and slashed it right in the head and shoulder. I pulled the chains tighter sending it crashing to the floor again and slashing twice at its back and head. Then as Zeb leaped into the air to come down for another strike, the goblin was unfortunately able to turn around and send him flying through a group of barrels with a back hand. Then the goblin broke through the chains and hit me with a uppercut and sent me flying on to the stone shingles of a roof, but with the help of adrenalin I was able to recover. “Pff that’s all you got you hit like a punk ass.” said Zeb as he raises a middle finger then he rose from out of the pile and I couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s so funny” said the goblin “Your face” and I fell out laughing. “Heh I guess I tickled your funny bone huh” said Zeb “Yeah you did. Ok enough laughs back to work.”. Zeb picked up his axe and swiftly swiped at the goblin’s knee and that made the goblin buckle to one leg and he made his move behind the goblin. With the opening I was able to jump on the goblin’s back and slash at the chain of the medallion and it brought out a huge chip to the chain. “Alright your turn Zeb!” “Alright!” said Zeb as he leaped into the air and raised his axe and sliced the chains right in half. Then the chain slid of smooth as butter and fell right to the ground. “hell yeah!” shouted Zeb in victory. Then the once giant goblin decreased in size untill Zeb had his foot on his neck. “the information please?”. I tried to at least somewhat politely. “Fine the orc queen is in the catacombs of Celtia Deltarune she not only have her orc army but she also taken control of the golems as well.” “Alright well thanks for the help” said Zeb as he tied the goblin to a tree. Then we sat on a bench to at least breathe for a second. “Hey lend me your shoulder I’m hella tired.” “You’re tired? You didn’t go flying through a house and have it fall on you.” Said Zeb as he sat down also “ Hey I almost did  too when I hit that stone roof god my back hurts.” . I lean on Zeb’s shoulder thought I was gonna pass out. “I hope the guards come there should be news flying around about this village burning to the ground.” “Yeah you can’t do anything massive without someone finding out around here.” .Then just like clockwork some soldiers came to survey the town. “Hey you two ok over there!” Shouted one of the guards “Somewhat alive at the least!”. I tried to get back up on my own but just stayed on the bench. “What happened here?” said the second guard “This ass hole burned the village to the ground with the orc army and assassins. We took both sides out.” said Zeb as he pointed right at the goblin. Then the guards hand cuffed the goblin and put it on the back of the horse. “Do you all have a somewhere to stay there’s a inn a town over?” “Well I have a tent, but we do need to heal up and get a full rest.”. I showed them the summoning scroll I keep on me just in case. “Right come with us there should be some rooms available since most of the villagers from this village went another town over. Also there should be a healer at the inn as well that heal those wounds” “Alright.”. Then me and Zeb climbed into the guard’s wagon and went over to the next town. When we arrived at the village, we looked at the view of the town as the wagon went to its destination. It bustled like usual like a big town should, but even in the night and rain you could see that some parts were destroyed because of attacks from the orc army. “Well at this town is still intact.” “Yeah fighters in the town gathered together to defend this place and you’re in luck because one of them own a tavern in town.” Said the guard. They arrived at the honey inn with its signature bee ingrained into the wood and a scent of honey in the air. I climbed out of the wagon nearly falling over because of back pain, but Zeb leaps out of the wagon even though he got a bruised rib and well back side. We enter the inn where some tables and chairs were broken, but the bar was still working and the nurse’s office was in working operation. They we’re greeted by a large ginger male sitting behind a desk with his feet up with gold, black, and red armor, and a black and gold striped spear at his side. ( Met Odoyle in zeb’s stream he’s hilarious and random practically similar to Zeb, his stream is also chill) “Hi welcome to the Honey hive inn name’s Odoyle. What can I do for ya?” “Hiya me and this guy over there need two rooms and healing.” “Yeah sure. HEY WIFEY!” “Yes Husby!” said the rainbow warrior that skipped into the room wearing her signature rainbow zebra hat and armor and a white blade with a rainbow zebra charm on the end of it. (Also met Nniiee in Zeb’s stream and one of many supportive mods of the stream.) “Oh hi how can I help you guys? my name is Nniiee local healer and paladin.” “They need a room and a healing.” “Ok sure what’s your names and what’s hurting.” “Hello name’s Zeb my Right side and other places.” “Yeah he got shot in the butt with an arrow that a assassin shot at him.” “ WHA- DON’T SAY IT OUT LOUD!” “What? It’s the truth and yeah I do owe you because I let the assassin get by.” “You better pay me back!” as he looks back at me with a pointed stern finger. “Heh and what pains do you have Mr. rogue.” “ Hi name’s Jafar my back hurts because that jerk goblin hit me with a upper cut and sent me flying into a stone roof on one of the houses.” “Ouch.” “Yeah not fun.” “So let’s get down to payment.” Said Odoyle “Hey did you get that goblin’s amulet chain?” “Hell yeah I did can’t be a rogue and not take some things for yourself and if that doesn’t cover it-” I said as I snapped my fingers twice and a large bag of weapons fell to the floor. “I also got gold.” Said Zeb “Hmm I think the goblin chain and a few weapons are good enough right?” asked Nniiee “ Yeah there should be a place somewhere that will sell these.” Said Odoyle. We go to our sperate rooms and both Nniiee and Odoyle came in to help. “Alright just lay down and relax.” Said Nniiee as she spread her arms and summoned her healing powers sending zebras to race around him and the bruise on his side went from a purple back to his skin tone. “Alright I’m feeling a lot better.” “Great with some rest of cores you should be at 100% .” “Great thanks hey got any food? Throughout all that forgot to eat.” “Yeah same for the broken rogue too.” I said from my room. “Ha I think we got some food if not I’ll go around and get some things from the stores.” Said Odoyle as he ran downstairs “Don’t worry rogue I’ll be right in to heal you too.” said Nniiee as she skipped to my room. Nniiee also did her healing spell again relieving my back pain which their was likely a bruise their too. “Alright rest we should have food prepared in about an hour.” “Ok.” I said as I slowly started to drift off to dream land. Sometime after I was awoken by aroma of honey bbq sauce. I stretched around and opened the windows to let the sun in and then finally went out of the room to see if anyone was around. As I walked down the hall way I was great to the sounds of “GOLD FISH!” said a very active Odoyle “Bull Shit!” said a active Zeb “Well this is one active game of gold fish yo everyone.” “Ah hey Jafar food has been ready for quite a while luckily we had some to spare.” Said Nniiee “ Ah jeez did I sleep that hard? Well good thing cause I’m guessing those two tore the ribs apart.” “Yeah pretty much so come on plate is ready for you.” “Thank you”. After some eating I was stuffed and just watched the card game unravel again. “Ha take that Gold Fish” said Zeb “Wow you finally won.” Said Odoyle “You do know that it’s tied.” “Ha hey dudes I’m going  to be going out in the city for a while and probably get some new stuff and probably haggle.” “Alright man.”  “See ya.”. I walked outside it was a nice breeze out. I went store to store looking for new throwing knives and maybe a brand new knife set. As I made my rounds I hear something thud like something huge hit the ground. I zip lined up to the roof of one of the properties to get a birds eye view or a high view. I looked to where the sound was coming from and I saw the giant blocky boot of a golem. I also heard someone barking orders at them, and as their troops came out of the field of trees it was a dark knight. After paying for the knives and equipment, I ran back to the inn to let everyone know about the march. “What? A dark knight ? sounds like they’re beefing up their troops.” said Zeb “Yeah, we have got to get rid of that orc witch soon.” “Right, but let’s focus on this fight right now though.” “You’re right The golems look like their made from stone so you should be able to take em out in one or several hits with your axe and maybe I can set up a trap or two. Odoyle, Nniiee I feel like you fought for this town before we got here. So just in case they try to take a back entrance can you watch the town?” “Yeah and we’re ready to go we also prepared traps and ballista just in case if they were trying to sneak attack the town.” Said Nniiee “ Yeah we got this and we will fight right down to our fists to protect this town.” “ Yeah on the subject of weapons I picked up knives but your’s look pretty cool Odoyle.” “ Yeah that’s my stinger it’s guided me through several wars now. Although once this is all over gonna fix up the little things and relax and take a vacation.” “Right after this definitely taking  a vacation. Away from these fights for as long as I can at least.” “Yeah well ready to take down some golem and kick a dark knight’s ass.” Said Zeb as he picked up his axe “Hell yeah it’s time to end all this.”. As we wave the awesome owners of the inn good bye we start bolting towards the small battalion. As we got closer and closer I made my moves using hand signs to make more and more chains come through the grown and hook onto trees to stop the golems movement. Although I did set up the chains to stop them they still managed to trip over the chains and crash into each other. “Alright Zeb get em I’ll take out these golems out then we meet for the dark knight.” “Alright I’m going forward.”. Then Zeb picked up speed and the first piece of a fallen golem that went flying off was a hand.  I ran pass the golems and made my move toward the orc soldiers. One of them tried to hit me with a back hand as it was turning around, but I was able to grab it’s arm and charge a chi blast right at its side and send it flying into the other orcs. “Capture them! And take them to the mother!” Said the dark knight as they went deeper to the background of the fight. Zeb was going crazy fighting golems two to one Zeb caught one of the golem’s fist and send them crashing into the trees. One of the orcs came running at me with axe aiming to cut me right in half, I side stepped it, but the orc cam around with it’s fist and back fisted me to a tree. Then the orc went for a second attack with the axe, but I rolled out the way and punched em in the jaw, wrapped the chain around the orc’s foot and sent it flying into a tree. As Zeb was fighting the golems on of them came from his blindside and sent him flying with a kick, but he crashed right into a lazy orc that was just standing and watching the action. As the golem made it’s way to get Zeb I quickly wrapped a chain around two trees and pulled it tight and watched as the golem trip and fall right on it’s face. I couldn’t help but to snicker. Then suddenly I see a sword come right for my head but I ducked and  threw a knife in the direction of who ever was holding said sword I looked up and saw that it was the dark knight that was there. “Ha Thought you could get a way?” “No wasn’t trying to run, but that was a nice try at a cheep shot ass hole.” . I got up and whipped the chain around just in case the knight wanted to make a move and ran back to the action. Zeb got up and grab the orc by the arm and threw it right at the face of a rising golem. Then he ran and rolled pass the golem to pick up his axe, Jumped high in the air and put a hug dent in the golem’s chest plate, and then hit the golem again and breaking it’s core sending it crashing back to the ground. “One down!” he shouted in victory. I ran back into the battle and drop kicked the last of the orcs right in the skull and sent em flying to the ground. “Hey you got that last golem?” “Yup!” “Have you forgotten about me rogue?” said the dark knight “No you won’t let me forget you, but don’t worry now you have my full attention.”. I cracked my knuckles and went right for the dark knight. I threw a few daggers their way then tried to quick slash em with my knife, but the knight blocked the knives with their shield and blocked my knife with their sword. “Is this all the power you have?” “Nah I’m just getting started and your minions was just a warm up.”. Zeb is going in a back and forth battle with the golem, blocking nearly every attack the golem threw out. Then finally the golem made a mistake and tried to throw a kick and Zeb took it’s leg with his axe. As the golem fell to a knee he took advantage and chopped the core of the golem right in half. As the fight between me and the dark night went on he eventually caught me and threw me with their dark force shield sending me right over to where Zeb stood. “ Ouch that jerk.” “You’re alright.” Asked Zeb “Yeah I’m good just falling on my ass for one reason or another.” “ Yeah it happens to the best of us well not me though.” “Ha says you.” “I guess that the one on one didn’t go so well.” “ Wouldn’t be my first plan, but hey didn’t hurt to try.” . I rolled back to my feet and we both got into our fighting stances ready to go. “ So two to one, Come! Let’s test your metal!”. All three of us ran forward this time I let Zeb take the lead and I’ll follow up with some tricks up my sleeve. They both came to a blade to blade clash, and face to face they stood their ground. They both quickly leaped back and when back and forward in a flurry of attacks. Just as the dark knight a was about to come back around with his sword I threw a dagger at em and threw a couple of punches their way. In the middle of the combo the dark night was able to grab me again, however I ran up the tree side ways to release their hold, Zeb charged in with the axe, but the dark knight was able to block the attack thus bringing the fight back between the dark knight and Zeb . when they clashed again this time Zeb twisted around and hit the dark knight with a back fist sending their helmet flying off underneath another male soldier possessed buy the evil power of the orc mother. After the strike was landed I went after the dark knight and punched him aiming for his and dented at least the front plate of the armor. “You are stronger than I initially thought I’ll admit that, but it’s time to take this fight to the next level.” Said the dark knight as pitch black armor assembled onto him. Zeb with his axe ready made the first move, But with one quick step the dark knight was able to make a move before he did by grabbing Zeb by his face and throwing him through the trees. I tried to run in and slash at em with my knife but he quickly raised his sword and sent it crashing down sending a beam of dark energy. I thought I could block it, but it sent me crashing through several trees and my back felt like hell. After the sudden powerful attack the dark knight walked over to Zeb and kicked him in the gut to turn him over. The dark knight raised his sword looking to stab him in the heart, But I summoned chains to hold the swords in place. “Hey you might’ve hurt me, but I’m not going down without a fight!” “Ha you think you can hold me?” “No all I needed was a second for him to breathe!” . Zeb stuck up his middle finger rose to his feet grabbing the dark knight by the waist and  then slamming the dark knight right on his back. Zeb tried to go for another suplex, but the dark knight  got up and hit him with a upper cut to the jaw. As Zeb stumbled back against a tree he noticed that his axe was stuck in the tree and he ripped it out of the tree and marched back to the battle. Suddenly the dark knight started moving at a crazy speed to psych him out. “You can not hit what you can not see warrior.” “ Oh really?” Said Zeb as he powered up and smashed the ground creating a huge dust cloud to where the dark knight can see him. I made my move, didn’t move much because my back was hurting again but at least I did something. With some hand signs I summoned more chains to go after the dark knight. Though their was a huge cloud of dust I found the dark knight’s energy and made the chains latch around his leg, threw him to the ground twice and threw him high in to the air. Zeb Powered  up and jumped into the air around the same height and grabbed the dark knight’s face and brought him crashing back down to the ground. After the dark knight hit the ground his black armor faded away and a portal heading back to the orc queen opened and quickly pulled the dark knight in and closed. “ Dang I wanted to question him. Especially why she’s summoning the golems.” “My guess it’s to beef up the army she’s creating, but enough thinking let’s go fuck more shit up.” “ Heh sounds like fun, but let’s heal first and contact Nniiee and Odoyle to see if their ok.” “Alright then.” Said Zeb as he takes a seat on a log. I pulled a viewing crystal out of my bag it took about five seconds but it eventually made the magic connection. “Hey you guys ok on your end.” “Yeah we just got rid of two golems our selves plus a mini army of goblins.” “WOOOOO!” yelled odoyle “Sounds like someone is enjoying their victory.” “Yeah so are you guys ok?” “We’re fine just owned a dark knight.” “ Yeah we took kind of a beating but with time to heal I think we’ll be ok.” “Alright take care and I hope we could hang out some more when all this is over.” “Yeah I’ll be down for it.” “ Yeah and maybe we can go round two of gold fish.” “Bring it!” said odoyle as he brought his face close to the viewing stone. “Alright we’ll see you guys later when we win.”. After some resting and some healing we headed out on one of the horses that at least stayed during the fight. We raced all the way till we reached the outskirts of Caltia Deltarune. “Alright we’re here what’s the plan?” said Zeb “ I don’t know. There could be a lot of troops here. Maybe we can divide and conquer but we need to stick together though since you know. The odds.” “Yeah Normally I would just go in and wing it, but since you’re a rogue you like to plan before making a move.” “Hey I learned with all this, is sometimes you just gotta wing it, and hell you’re strong enough to just wing it.” “Yup strong enough to wing it.” Said Zeb as he flexed his bicep. “Oh whatever let’s just take these guys out.”. So any ways we went and scanned the camp to set up traps and to see if they set anything up for us. “Hmm bear traps looks like there’s some spike traps covered by leaves.” “Not to mention the two guards standing outside the gate.” “hmm I think I got an idea, but I’ll have to make the first move though.” “Why?” “Cause of their medallions I can easily steal those then I can get the chains to beat them up and draw the other troops.” “Yeah but that could send the rest of the troops out too.” “Yeah, but we could take them out all at once especially we could make them fall into their own traps.” “Right. Ok your move.” “Watch this is going to be easier that taking cake from a oversized knight.”. I casually walked untill The guards saw me in the night lights. “Excuse me good sirs I’m so lost could you all kindly what city is this.” “Hmm? Wait you’re the intruder.” “What no I swear just a rogue passing by.”. The chains I summoned quickly came behind them and took their location medallions off  them. “What the?” said the orc soldiers as the drew their spears. Before they could charge for me the chains wrapped around them and slammed them together knocking them out and then dragging them into the bushes. “Done and done. I didn’t even break a sweat.” “Wow good job.” “Thanks now let’s see”. I took the gold packs from around their waist and the keys to open the gate. The gate had opened, but nobody payed any attention at first. “Alright Zeb give me your best orc voice.” “OI humans are attacking humans are attacking.”. Then their focus shifted towards the gate with the bodies of their  about a quarter of their troops came out to see if their was an attack. I made the chains quickly close the gate. Then Zeb launched high to the air and came crashing down sending all of them flying. “Hell yeah took em all out with one shot.” “Yup well looks like it's on to the next poor souls who are going to get rekt.” “Yup and I got just the idea for this next trick. Let’s go.”. the next plan took us to the right side of the camp facing a hill. “So when they cam out I looked in for a second and it looked like they were having a party. I’m guessing one of them has to go to the bathroom eventually.” “Oh so you’re going to place the bear trap down to draw them out.” “ Yup and when he screams in pain their gonna come running.”. I placed down the bear trap in a bush. “Ok let’s see what are they going to do.” . It took some time of cores, but Eventually with a loud snap. “URAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”. They all came running to get the poor soul out of the bear trap and that was our sign to move in for the kill. It took us a little longer though because both battalions on the right side of the camp moved in to help the orc, but we got it done though ending the fight with me kicking it in the ribs and punching it in the jaw and sending it into the bushes. “Two groups of troops down one more to go.” “Should we charge straight in?” “Hmm I got an idea but it could take time to set up though.” “What is it.” “Remember the spike traps?” “Oh right.” “Yeah I’m guessing that there’s some traps over their or we got some digging to do.”. So we ran right over to the west wing of the camp to draw out the rest of the camp and luckily we didn’t have to dig holes we can just execute the plan. With everything in place I simply made my first move. “Hey guys!” “What the?  Kill him and go warn the mother!” Yelled the orc . As the orc was escaping to send the message Zeb flown past me and well needless to say he was silences with one swing of his axe. Then we came together and took out the other orcs. “Ok we’re done with this now on to the queen.” “Yeah Let’s get rid of her and make sure she stays dead.” Said Zeb as he picked up his axe and placed it on his shoulder. We went inside of the cave Zeb marched right through the cave head held high and ready for action while I hid in the shadows hiding behind large rocks and looking for traps even with so little light. “Man it’s super dark in here I wonder when we’ll gonna reach any light.” “Well if you want light so bad here it is.” Said Zeb as he pointed at the purple glowing crystal filled to the brim with souls. “Well this is a evil lab if I’ve ever seen one.” “Yeah and from the look of it they must’ve been harvesting for quite some time.”. We looked around for a while and then I noticed a stray needle flying at me from a certain someone. “Ha looked like you missed.” “Shut the hell up you’re ruining mother’s introduction.” Shouted Rebecca   “What ever.”. Then the resurrected queen of the orcs revealed her self stepping forward hidden by the light of the crystal. “I thought surely that my children would have ripped you limb from limb them selves, but they where no match for you even the dark knight was useless.” “Heh yeah.” Zeb snickered. Then Adam  came out from behind a pillar I thought he would be hiding somewhere. “Well, well look who’s finally here.” Said Adam  “Yeah and this time I’ll-” “Nah Zeb let me handle him. I want to talk to him one on one to see if he’s under a spell or just decided to make a dumb move.” “Alright then You take him, I’ll take her on then.” said Zeb as he cracked his knuckle “Ok then bring it on. I’ve been meaning to kick your ass for shoulder blocking me for that second rate rogue.” “Yeah says the one that lost to the second rate rogue. Second rate bitch.” Said Zeb “Listen up you mindless cave man, you only get one warning I’ll poison you and give you a slow and agonizing death.”. During the stair off, slowly the orc queen went back under the light of the of the glowing crystal. I pulled out my knife and Adam  pulled out his sword of darkness. Then we officially went charging after our targets. I started off the fight sending some throwing knives after him. He blocked both knives and blocked my incoming spinning back fist. Adam  tried to slash at me with his sword, but I was able to block his hand and roll back to bring the fight back to mutual ground. Zeb and Rebecca ’s fight the assassin started of by her flipping off the high ledge she was sitting on and tried to hit Zeb with a drop kick. Zeb was able to block the drop kick by blocking with his axe and throw her off of him. Though throwing her she was able to flip mid-air and throw poison needles at him. Zeb  was able to block the needles by spinning his axe, then he tried to go in for a huge axe swing, but Rebecca  ducked out of the way as the axe slice through a dark knight statue like butter. While Zeb tries to butcher her, me and Adam  were in a back and forth fight knife vs sword. Reven tried to come in for a huge over head slash, but I went underneath and tried to slash at his stomach. Just when I thought I connected, It was actually him blocking my hand and then he kicked me disconnecting the stand off. I hopped backwards and sent out my chain as it ricochet off the wall and try to trap Adam , but he dodged right out of the way. I sent out another chain this time one coming strait for him but he blocked it and he used that to go for his super attack: Night’s deception. Suddenly the space around him turned into shadow then he shot forward with astonishing speed. Luckily I was able to pull my knife up to block the incoming attack starting with a stab attack. From the stab he nearly pushed me to a pillar, then he went for three over head slashes aiming for my head, but I was able to duck out of the way. Then he went for double slash to the body  and finally one big final stab attack, but I was able to block both slash attacks though he caught me with the final stab and stabbed my shoulder. With a kick to the stomach he sent me crashing to the ground. “That’s all you got. Heh rogue my ass not even cut throat enough to be one.”. while I was stuck and injured, Zeb and Rebecca  continued their dangerous dance with Zeb nearly chopping everything in sight. “Yeah keep on swinging you giant ape.” Rebecca said in her head as if she had a plan of attack. Then she ran forward a ran right into the blade,  just when he thought he hit her, her body burst into poison smog. “What the hell?” “Not done yet suck on this.” Rebecca  said as she created more clones and made them spit out poison smog untill there was a huge cloud of smoke. “Now stay right there and suffer you ass.” Rebecca  says looking at the poisonous cloud of death. “What are you going to do now huh! Piece of trash.” Said Adam . As he had the advantage but then I heard something. “Jafar get up !” said what sounded like Adam ’s voice but less evil. With the most confused look I at least started to guard and prepare for my next attack even though injured. “Come Jafar save us please.” I heard the voice again and still wondering what the hell is going on. While I got ready for the next assault Rebecca had Zeb in a poison trap then she sent her clones in for the kill. “Go clones go in there and murder him.”. They swiftly went into the huge void of poison smog, though she couldn’t see the fight on the inside of the smoke she could her the sounds of steal cutting flesh. “heh if he’s not dead by now he should be.” “Dead heh gotta hit me harder than that.”. Then she started to see glowing white eyes pierce through the cloud of smoke. “What the!” Rebecca yelled out “Raaaah!” Shouted Zeb as he burst through the huge cloud bringing oxygen through. “I-I” said Rebecca as she was stunned “break through Thor’s lightning!” Shouted Zeb. Suddenly a huge bolt of lighting crashed down with force sending Rebecca crashing flat to the ground. After the attack Zeb fell to a knee to breathe then he pulled out a healing potion and it healed some of the cuts from Rebecca ’s attacks. On my side of the fight couldn’t stop hearing a familiar voice again and again. “You must wake me up!”. Then as Adam was going to stab me aiming right for my heart suddenly his arm stopped like a invisible ally came in to help. “What the! No you can’t win!” shouted Adam “No You’ve hurt so many. Enough is enough get out!” said the other voice “What the hell is going on.”. Then I started to see a royal purple aura that soon transformed into the Adam I knew before. “What the? Adam ?” “Jafar please that witch kidnaped me and made me kill all those innocent people in that village! Please kill me I deserve to die.” “I won’t kill you but you must atone. Luckily I have just the trick!”. From the ground I sent out chains again, though straining through the movements Adam  dodge out of the first three chains. I sent out a hidden chain and that chain wrapped around his leg, other chains ricochet off the walls and wraps his other leg, torso, and arms. “What the hell?” said the evil Adam “Tied up? Good it’ll make this a little less painful for you at least.”. Just when he thought to look my way I already teleported off the ground and made my move. “What the hell where did you go.” “Time to wake the hell up! Big burst: jade palm strike!”. Hit him right in his back and sent the spirit that possessed him flying out of his body. “How?” “Don’t worry about it and oh don’t run I’m kicking your ass even harder now.”. Just when I was about to go for a punch, all of a sudden the evil spirit was pulled into the hand of the orc witch and turned into dark energy. The same also goes for Rebecca as she floated right into her hand as well. “You two are weak! Well at least you’ll be useful to me in the end.” Said the orc queen. Then she absorbed the dark energy that the evil spirit morphed into. Then she took Rebecca ’s power of poison from her pulling the purple smog into her lungs. With the evil aura the orc queen collected she evolved into a twisted spider like form. “Oh crap and just when I thought you and this situation couldn’t get any uglier.” “Silence! You will both pay for breaking my pawns!” “Your pawns? I knew you were behind this giving them orders and not to mention the multiple attacks that we saw.” Said Zeb “Yup she was and I can’t wait to strip you of everything just like you tried to do to this land.” “You will never strip me rogue my children will rise and take this realm starting with you!”. The fight started with the orc mother blowing out Rebecca ’s poison smog. Zeb had taken another drink of healing elixir and charged right into the fog. I sat a unconscious Adam  onto a pillar away from the fight, took a healing elixir as well and ran in. I through out a chain to cut through the fog and it worked but to be greeted and slapped across the room by a spider’s leg. “Thanks for the opening at least” said Zeb as he cleared the fog within one spin. Zeb went in for the attack looking to chop off a leg, but she parried it, blew poison smog in his face, and slapped him sending him crashing through a pillar.  “Is that all you have? You really thought for a second you could end me? You don’t even know how much I had to sacrifice.”. Suddenly a needle hit the monster right it the face. “Take that for everything that you made me do you butt ugly tramp!” Shouted Rebecca  at the top of her lungs “How dare you!” “How dare you use my power for your evil makes my skin crawl just thinking about it.” . Rebecca  hobble ran over to Zeb. “Hear drink this this is the antidote this should help for and hour and just in case here’s two more healing elixirs.” “Um thank you?” said Zeb with the most confused look on his face. Can’t lie I felt the same. Rebecca  also ran over and gave me some of the antidote and a elixir as well. “No more healing!” said the orc mother as she went for a stab attack heading strait for Rebecca . Just when Rebecca  thought she was done for she heard a sound like something clashing with metal. To our amazement it was Adam  who blocked the attack and  with a new found power to boot. “I thought you were dead?” said the Orc queen “News flash that attack is not lethal, it’s only used to cast out the darkness within something. I learned that little trick along the way.”. I pulled myself off the ground, was greeted by Adam ’s hand to pull my self up some more and Rebecca  helped Zeb up even though he was three times her size. “Once I’m done with you little rats I’m going to feed you to my children!” said the orc queen with a snarl “Blah, blah you won’t be talking once I’ll take your head off.” Said Zeb as he picked up his axe. Zeb made the first move and charged to go in for the kill and I followed right beside him knife ready to do its job. The orc queen though to try to sweep my feet but I hoped right over the spider like leg and threw a knife aiming for her eye. The orc queen quickly dodged out of the way of the knife and went after Zeb with a attack looking to stab him, but he raised his axe and blocked it and continued his charge forward. As we started to inch closer to her she went for the poison breath again, but I was prepared using the chain of the reptile and absorbing the poison right out of her breath untill there was nothing left. “My poison breath nooo!” shouted the orc queen “Ha got em!” “Now time to take a bit off the top!” said Zeb as he gave the orc queen the proverbial off with your head and sending the rest of her body crashing to the ground. As the orc queens body slowly turned to stone, the orb of the evil spirit that was connected to Adam  cracked and the evil spirit died and faded away as well. “Thank you so much for freeing us.” Said Rebecca “Ah it’s no thing, but we’re not done yet though hold on to the chain.”. When she held onto the chain the poison poured out of the chain and slowly seeped it’s way back into the lungs of the poison assassin. “Thank you Jafar now I feel normal again.” said Rebecca  “ You’re welcome.” . As Adam and Rebecca went over to thank Zeb I looked over at the evil glowing crystal. I made a chain wrap around it then pulled it making the chain tear the crystal break into a pile of powerless gravel. I made sure that this land will have no evil authority ruling over it. “Hey Jafar come on dude this place could fall apart at any moment!” Shouted Zeb “Alright I’m that coming! Just making sure things stay dead this time.”. We all climbed out of the cave into the bright light and just as we made it out we saw some familiar faces. “ Hey! You guys made it out!” said Odoyle “Hell yeah took her head right off” said Zeb “Jeez and how are you Jafar.” Asked Nniiee “Alright, tired, took some fighting but we rescued these two as well.” “Hi I’m Adam .” “I’m Rebecca  nice to meet you.” “So what happened other than you rescuing them.” “Long story, but I’ll tell it once we go back to the inn.”. Suddenly I look next to me and Adam  tide a rope around his hands and bound himself. “ what the.” “Jafar I am your prisoner.” “But that doesn’t mean… whatever all I just want you to do is stay at the front of me and Zeb so just in case anything go south we have a fighting chance.”. Everyone assembled into marching order and started out of the orc camp. We made it back to the inn and man talk about hunger hitting me right where it hurts and everyone hung around the open area of the inn.“Hey Nniiee can I get a bourbon honey bbq burger.” “Yeah coming right up along with the other boys orders.” “Thank you so much you’re the best.”. Suddenly in the mist of the arm wrestling match of Zeb and Odoyle having a arm wrestling contest, Adam walked up to the bar. “So what’s next for you two huh?” “I don’t know Jafar I might turn myself in or go into hiding and be a rogue again atoning for my sins along the way.” “Yeah I get that you need to atone, but then again you was under a spell there has to be some level of mercy for that.” “I think so that’s why I at least want to go into hiding, but won’t you need the bounty on our heads.” “Well won’t need the bounty, again you were under control of the orc queen. I say that you and your troops go into hiding and restore the village that you once destroyed.” “I would really like to do that, but we are a group of rogues and cut throats they might not believe a thing we say.” “Try at least, but if you can’t call me rogue’s honor.”. After a while, Nniiee placed the plate on the table and I couldn’t help but to take a bite of he burger, but then Rebecca came over. “Listen I know I’ve probably said some very evil things when I was under her control please-” “It’s no big just make sure you both use your powers to rebuild the village that witch made you destroy.”. After the convos it was time to pack up, that is until I heard my com crystal go off. “Ugh looks like another war broke out man shit’s always hitting the fan.” “Yeah sound the everyday recently.” “Hey Zeb can I leave it up to you to take them back to their village and let the peeps at the bounty hunter guild know that their bounty is off.” “Yeah sure dude no sweat.” “Thanks.”. After some hugs we once again waved cya later to the awesome owners of the honey inn and we went our separate paths. That’s how a friendship can start with a crash.  

[overlord-nabriales]

Chapter 4 - Corruptions Toll

||- AH! GUYS HERE IT IS! Finally! ;_; The final chapter of the epic Saga that I was graciously given the opportunity by @elezenchaser @forestartisangiraffe and @eorzeanstray to use their characters in this tale of corruption and a fight of defiance and freedom! This chapter has been a work in progress for nearly 4 looong tiring and gruesome months as I waged war against writers block and a lack of inspiration on what to do and how to progress the story that I’d broken into pieces, jotting down the parts I wanted to include while becoming stuck on how to connect them all.

In this chapter there will be hints dropped as to what is to come in the future of Nabriales’ dirty scheming. I would like to recommend the song I literally played on repeat while I finished about 14 pages of this chapter which was called Impostor by the band Red. :>

But it’s finally complete and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I had writing it!  I’m sorry it took so long!  DX

For those who just joined watching me from 4 months till now I recommend reading the drabbles in order!

| Part 1 - The Take Over | Part 2 - The Return | Part 3 - Chaotic Uprising |

And below the cut! Part 4 - Corruptions Toll!

It was loud but quiet. Bright but dark. His head was swarming with so many things at once yet he could not sort out the chaos. It was perpetual and never ending. But sharp clicks met his ears and the sound was so cringing his face contorted to one of pain. Then they stopped, a blurred mass in front of him as he hung shrouded in an almost living and thriving mess of restraints.

“You have held on for far longer than even I suspected.”

His bleary eyes stared at feet before his head lifted ever so slightly for his vision to try and focus on a form. His once vibrant green eyes glazed over with a hazy tone. But he did not respond. The only noise that escaped from his throat was that of a troubled breath as he strained to keep his head up.

The other helped him, lifting his chin further with cold steel fingers. “You are fading. Do you truly wish to cease existing… pet?” The pause followed by a mocking label adding a twisted and almost pleased smirk as though trying to get a rise out of the beaten hyur. He received no such response to his disappointment and so he reluctantly let the man’s head slip from his lifting fingers. “Your body is nearly broken - Your soul however is far more valiant. It is only a matter of time,” he commented softly before turning and dissipating, likely that he was to take control once again and cause a bit of trouble.

But Athral felt he was not alone. He could sense the presence of another.. A more familiar and comforting aura. He tried to lift his head on his own, gazing around until in his blurred vision a white light overshone the area and he found himself in the familiar setting of the house fortemp manor.

As though he were asleep his eyes opened, searching a room with vision as clear as he was known to see. No... this was a trick. It had to be. He was in his bed. And just across from him dozing in an arm chair... no...  He reached out with a shaky hand, placing it firmly upon the other's arm before he weakly groaned, “Sno-..snow grouse…” His light words and touch were enough to awaken the sleeping Elezen who quickly became aware of the situation.

“Ah! Athral, I was beginning to think you would not awaken!” quickly his dreary visage turned to one more of his usual sense, with a smile that his eyes mimicked.

The hyur could feel the warmth of tears beginning to pool in his eyes before falling vertically down his turned face, and the elezen soon took note of it. “Whatever is the matter?”

“Is.. this real?” Athral nearly choked on his words over the want for this to be.

The elezen looked at him with a quizzical look before he seemed to chuckle softly. “But of course! You surely hit your head harshly, my friend. Do you not remember anything at all?”

The hyurs gaze turned downcast before Haurchefant decided to try to fill in the missing blanks. “You were knocked unconscious during the battle with Nidhogg, but fear not! Your allies were able to defeat the dreaded wyrm with the help of Hraesvelgr and his brood. It was quite the sight to behold!”

Wait.. WHAT?! Athral’s eyes grew wide in shock as he looked up again to the stoic elezen’s excited features as he recalled the scene upon the Steps of Faith. Then.. the - this couldn’t be. This had to be some sick joke, a dream.. Anything but reality!

“...Snow grouse...” calling him by his nickname hurt, but he needed to know if this was true. “Do you remember what we did the first time we met?”

“How could I forget! We went for a drink and might I add it was quite an adventure! I believe I had to carry you out before our stock went dry - Oh! and the humorous tales, it was a rather pleasant delight amidst the dreariness of the coerthan winters-!” The elezen continued again to retell the night of their meeting in his rather flamboyant ways he was known to. Athral simply stared on, a soft smile on his features - if this wasn’t real.. He could care less. He would live this beautiful lie as long as he possibly could.

----

The paragon soon awoke his preoccupied form to a visitor lying on his other side.. wh-... Ah, yes. He’d forgotten and mostly regretted agreeing to lie with the Elezen during the night. It prevented him from doing more meaningful tasks and yet instead to keep up his dreading act of portraying the hyuran mercenary he had to engage in activities that only mortal minds found enjoyable.

He stared plainly ahead before pulling himself up and bringing his legs over the side of the bed. Movement not of his own turned his expression to a dismal annoyance as Armantel shifted closer to the now empty yet warm place he’d just left behind, a hand feeling feverishly around until it grasped the mercenaries wrist. His gaze traveled lividly to his mild suppressor before a sleepy voice began after a pleased hum.

“You’re up early,” The elezen said with a smile as he stared at the hyurs bare back.

“‘ve got a job,” truth be told the mercenary mind did, though whether he would fulfill it honestly was another question.

“At this hour?” Armantel propped himself up but a short distance before blearily looking around for a chronometer. It was rather early, the sun was just starting to show signs of its forthcoming over the horizon.

“Mhmm,” He’d muffled out a response as he gently tore his hand out of the others light grasp and began the work of finding some clothes to cover up his rather naked form.

In reality he didn’t much care for the bareness. It made him feel vulnerable and open, like a book that could be read in it’s entirety just by looking over the cover. He preferred the anonymity of his dark clad robes and the bright blood red mask that symbolized who and what he was - a being to be feared and never looked down upon. But he could not afford that luxury around these.. Simple minded creatures. At least not until he had all that he’d desired of the mercenary. A slightly malicious smile spread across his lips ending in one side hooking further than the other.

Nabriales could feel Athral’s will beginning to wane with the pleasantries he’d designed for him based on his most deepest and emotionally inclined memories. He could feel the corruption growing deeper almost to the point where he could change the hyur’s appearance to his more usual form by manipulating the vast amounts of aether his body drew in on a daily basis, yet there were small yet strong tethers still in place keeping him from doing so. He did not know the keys to unlock the doors that protected these ties.. But given time he would forge a fake pass and decimate what little remained of Athral.

“Does boss know about this job?” The elezens still dreary voice tearing Nabriales attention away from his thoughts of success and triumph to make a quick nod to him.

“Yeah,” it was a short but simple answer as he'd finally located the particular articles of clothing he'd require for his task. “Go back to sleep if you're still tired. I should be back in the evening.”

Armantel was truthfully still weary from the previous night's enticing connection and then affirmed the suggestion with a hum before grabbing a pillow and bracing it between his curled arm and the side of his face, a clear and amused smile displayed upon his lips.

There was no amusement on the other's features though. As soon as Armantel had quickly drifted back into sleep, Nabriales reached up to his neck to grasp the pendant that hung around the mercenaries neck and yanked the cord - causing it to snap at its weakest point before he threw the object between a crevice formed by a solid mahogany stand and the wall. He scowled towards the objects new home, believing it to be a tether that allowed Athral to linger and cling to this form and this life. It had also been a hinderance to the paragon. It sapped quantities of aether he was determined to hoard for himself yet he could not remove it until now due in part to its requirement to keep up the mercenaries usual appearance but now Athral was fading and he would harbor it no longer.

When he exited of his room a thought crossed the overlords mind which soon enough allowed his lips to twist in their usual fashion they’d often get when he’d come upon an idea. Upon entering the open area of the free companies lobby he’d removed the pamphlet of the job he’d taken and wrote upon it’s back, detailing that he was leaving for nearly most of the day to carry out the mission. Once the ending of his message was complete he requested Weta meet him at the place his work was to be carried out by the end of the day. Satisfied with the message he placed it in a spot he knew the boss would find it and thus went on his way.

It would be some time until Weta would waken but a certain vermin was determined to make a fuss. Lymlilly, with the crystal necklace in tow - had managed to squirm her way under the door of the room Weta occupied while he was staying on the free companies grounds, squeaking frantically as she climbed up the blankets and up to Weta’s face. She’d place her small little hands on the Miqo’te’s cheek and squeaked feverishly until he jolted awake, nearly knocking the poor creature off the bed.

“Huh?!” Weta’s bleary eyes began to focus upon the white blob at the foot of his bed that soon came into full view of the pet Athral cherished. “Lymlilly? What’s wrong?” A question pertaining to the beasts odd behaviour aroused an air of suspicion before she approached and held Athral’s crystal pendant within her tiny paws.

“...wait.. This is Athral’s -” the sudden realization that it was not bound around the hyur’s neck could only send the archer into a panic. “Lymlilly where is he!”

The creature dove off the bed, leaving the crystal for Weta to pick up in a rush for the door. Once opened she guided Weta to the kitchen, following Athral’s scent before climbing up a pillar and onto a counter where the letter was left. Weta grabbed a hold of the paper and noticed it was a written letter. A frown appeared to form on his lips. Had Athral left him this letter despite his inability to read? Something was definitely up and he wasted no time rushing off with both letter and crystal in hand to Athral’s room, knowing full well the fact that Armantel and Athral had a notorious habit of sleeping together.

The door slammed open, Lymlilly rushing in ahead of Weta to climb up the bed and sit on Athral’s pillow before Weta began to shake the sleeping elezen. “Armantel! Wake up!”

“Mmmn… hm..?” It took a bit for the elezen to become aware of the fear stricken tone of Weta’s voice before he came to and sat up quickly, looking down at Lymlilly first and then to Weta. “Boss? Whats wrong?”

Y’weta shoved the note in Armantel’s face, the elezen’s eyes still trying to focus before he grabbed a hold of the parchment and read over it noting that despite the convincing scripture, something was off. The common penmanship Athral used was hurried, rushed as though he was late for something and had little time to spare. “It just looks like he was late for his job…” Armantel commented before Weta shoved the pendant in his face.

“Without this?” his face portrayed a worried scowl. Armantel blinked staring at the gem before furrowing his own brow and looking up to Weta.

“Well… this certainly is cause for alarm,” Armantel spoke before giving the letter another look over. Lymlilly placed her little paws on Armantel’s arm and looked at the letter as though reading it herself before looking up to the Elezen with a small whimpering squeak. It was as though Lymlilly wanted ever so badly to tell them the truth, but a rat could not speak the tongues of man - only chitter and squeak.

“Why would he take this off? It’s too dangerous for him to leave without it,” Weta’s tone sickeningly worried as he dropped the crystal of the pendant into his other palm. “We have to find him!” Determination rose in the miqot’es voice, his ears flattening and his tail flicking to portray his stance.

Armantel turned the note over, noting it was the advertisement detailing the job Athral had taken. “Then we need to go to Gridania. The conjurer’s guild is where the job was issued.” His own concern was beginning to be masked by the will to ensure everything was truly alright.

The two prepared as though they were going in for a fight. If Athral had not taken his pendant and had left this rather hastily written note, then something was amiss and that danger lay ahead them.

-----

It was a long trek into the depths of the black shroud until they found the old manor that the conjurer’s of Nophica’s Altar had made mention of. The place certainly put haukke to shame in terms of the state of ruin it was in upon inspection of the outside. It was the perfect place for voidsent to be running amok and as such the job detailed protection required for a cleansing ritual.

Armantel and Y’weta made short glances to one another before pushing forward with their plan to find Athral and help him should he be in any danger. Inside the air was musty and the decour ominously draped with decades of dust and cobwebs. It was likely this abode had been abandoned even before the dreaded wyrm Bahamut had broken free of Dalamud and reigned terror across Eorzea for it’s brief moments of freedom.

“Well this is certainly far larger than Haukke Manor,” Armantel made note by just the size of lobby itself. “I suppose we will have to split up if we wish to find him.”

Y’weta felt uneasy. A familiar sense washed over him as he listened - ears perked in an attempt to locate any noise other than old wood creaking with every breathe of wind that coursed through the mansion. Splitting up seemed both a good and bad idea, but Armantel was right. Finding Athral was their top priority and so he agreed with a nod. “Hm. Use the linkpearls if you find anything.” Armantel nodded in assurance before heading off to inspect the western halls.

Weta inhaled deeply, gripping the handle of his bow tightly before pursuing the eastern wing. It must have been close to half an hour or more - searching through rooms with decaying wallpaper and objects holding importance, showing sign that the home had once upon a time been inhabited. The Miqo’te was so concerned looking around within the eye level of the hyur he’d been seeking that he’d nearly tumbled to the ground after tripping over something firm. After a quick hop to regain his balance he looked down. Fear lit in his eyes as he gazed down upon the corpse of a conjurer, bled dry of the aether that gave man life. With a quivering breath he gazed forward into the hazy distance. There was another still body. Hastily he rushed toward it and heaved a sigh of relief that it was not that of his companion but another conjurer and even further another. That was the three conjurer’s that Athral was supposed to protect. His ears perked, listening intently for anything as he looked around with fear. Then he heard voices speaking.

He inhaled sharply, removing the curve of the bow from against his body and over his head to fasten an arrow's nock to the string before he set out to tracking the voices as quietly as the old wood beneath his feet would allow.

Weta traced the voices up a flight of stairs and into an open hallway where a faint light bled from the open doorways of a large and spacious room. Peeking just around the corner, he noticed it was a library and the bodies to which the voices belonged were still not in sight and so with another deep breath he pushed forward, getting closer and closer with corner he passed until he’d nearly run into the opening in which he saw two figures. Hasty and cautious to not be seen he retreated back behind the bookcase and hunkered down, intent on listening.

“My lord, Pashtarot continues to grow worried of your… alternative practices.”

Instantly the dialect became clear to him. Ascians. The gift of Hydaelyn deciphered their words as he was intent on knowing what their purpose was here and if Athral had an encounter with them.

“Do you serve the little weasel now? Or have you forgotten who your true master is?”

This one. The voice was far too familiar.

“You know too well who my true master i-”

“And you would know even better that he has deviated from his purpose! He chooses those weak, soft shells over his true nature,” the familiar voice arose with spiteful distaste.

“And yet Lord Lahabrea continues to exist one way or another and thus he remains to be the one I serve entirely.”

Lahabrea? Was the paragon truly still alive?

“And even then if he were to pass, you would be without a light to guide you. So why do you continue to swear fealty to him?” the more overbearing voice demanded.

“I do so because I am born of this land as he is and thus I am bound to serve only his will - second to that of our lords. I know he would not approve of this recklessness”

Y’weta peeked around the corner to get a glimpse of the dark clad figures before ducking back behind the wall of books. One seemed to be a lesser paragon while the other a more powerful rank of their kind, an overlord seeing as how much his voice commanded respect. Yet seemingly in an instant the air of the scene seemed to turn heavier as the overlord whose back faced the opening began to walk casually toward the black masked entity.

“You're right. Tied to your lord's will, you would know of his thoughts far better than even I could hope to understand.”

The overlords tone was of a calm demeanor as he moved towards the old dusted and cracked window just behind the lesser paragon. Of course caution would be taken as the other turned to keep a focus upon him.

“However, your lord is weak and frail in his current predicament. He chooses to lead a mortal life over one with infinite power and longevity,” the overlord spoke as he brought his hands behind his back gazing through the glazed glass.

“I have faith he will return to us when he is ready,” there was an unease in the lesser ascians tone, Y’weta could feel it.

“Your faith is warranted for I will see to his return even if I must force his hand into action,” the overlord turned towards the lesser being, the miqo’te turning around ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of red confirming his suspicion of him being an overlord.

“Once I have taken what remains of this pitiful mercenary I will see to your lord’s return. However, speak a word of this to your master and I will personally send you to see Loghrif for your defiance.”

Mercenary? He had to be speaking of Athral!

“I… I will not,” there was hesitance in the other ascians voice; as though this Loghrif was one to fear - and then the heavy presence lifted only a fraction, leaving the deepened and tainted aether of the overlord to remain.

Fueled with equal amounts of bravery and fear that something had happened to Athral at the hands of this being, he pulled back the string of his bow and rounded the corner to stand within the open, shouting out with a straggling worry, “Where is Athral? What have you done with him?!”

There was a pause from the dark clad figure, his hands still neatly crossed behind his back before he spoke in the tongue of mortal men.

“Ah, so our fates are to be entwined once again, warrior of light.” The voice, it was too familiar, he couldn’t shake it now, but Y’weta would not let his guard down; pulling back further on his bow. As the Ascian began to turn towards him the red mask came into full view, it’s design confirmed any doubts he'd had on the placement of the paragons voice.

“Y-you! Nabriales!” Weta stammered in disbelief. “You're dead! I-I saw to that!” His brow furrowed at the realization that the venomous overlord who'd kidnapped the antecedent and been the cause of death of a trusted scion was now standing before him, intact and whole.

“I'm quite pleased you recall my name,” he spoke with his twisting smile. “I take it you bore witness to my handiwork upon your entrance?”

“I would be more relieved to know the whereabouts of my friend,” Y'weta scowled, peering at the Ascian from between the wood of his bow. “You made mention of him. Where is he?”

“Ah, the mercenary. He is here … in a sense - barely I suppose.” He let go of a brief chuckle as though he found the rather confusing predicament amusing.

“I don’t have time for your riddles! Where is he!?” Weta demanded as he reassured himself that he was willing to let loose the arrow.

The overlord hummed before beginning his approach towards the miqo’te and yet Weta found himself unable to back away as he came closer, the ascian lifting a finger to trail along the tip of his arrow and down the shaft as he moved slowly. “Now that in itself is a rather tricky question...” he spoke the words with such an insidious tone that Y’weta could feel his spine tingling with numbness as Nabriales’ fingers were soon laid upon his drawn hand.

The Miqo’te could do nothing as his body trembled, he could not even speak. The magicks Nabriales was utilizing was not like that experienced from their former encounter against the overlord - it was as if he were far more powerful in this new incarnation and yet in the moment he’d touched Y’weta, he could feel a sense of familiarity. However in that single moment, the hand at his own tore the bow from his grasp, discarding it a distance away while the other followed up - locking fingers around Weta’s neck as he threw him against a tower of books, the shelves shattering and books tumbling down. There was no time for recovery as Nabriales was upon him again, his hand returning to Weta’s throat before he felt himself being hoisted into the air, his feet leaving the comforts and stability of the floor.

During the opposition Weta attempted to claw and kick at the assailant, able to cause such a fuss that he managed to grab hold of the edge of the paragons decorative mask before tearing it from him. But he would not expect what lie beneath, for the mercenaries own face graced his enemies visage. Y’weta grabbed futilely while in shock at the hand that held him up, choking the breath from him as the sharp silver talons dug deep into his neck - the tips beginning to penetrate flesh as small trickles of blood began to force through the fresh wounds.

“What will you do now?” a question proposed with a suppressed laugh of mockery slipping past the corrupted form of the mercenaries lips.

Yet the Miqo’te could not answer with how tightly he’d been held. This could not be it! To die at the hands of a vile creature who had taken control of a trusted companion. Who had played his part well enough to go unnoticed without question. He couldn’t - but hope came in the form of movement just beyond the Ascian.

Armantel was slowly easing himself within view of the miqo’tes glancing gaze, taking a hold of the discarded bow and an arrow near before he drew it back and took aim. The elezen had caught the faint sounds of the foreign dialect from the linkpearls open communications before and had worked in tracking the miqo’te down, knowing full well there was to be danger looming. Yet when Weta saw Armantel and the following actions he was committing to, his eyes grew wide in shock. He shook his head to the best of his ability, gasping for air to warn him - to stop him from releasing his pull. But by then it was too late. Combining what he knew of astromancy and what even less he knew of archery the arrow was loosed.

It might have been a subtle relief for Weta as the Overlord released him in an attempt to flee the oncoming attack - the build of magics being siphoned into the arrow’s tip alerting his senses, but still the target struck true, albeit off its mark. The frustrated snarl of Nabriales vocals portrayed that despite his hasty moment to withdraw into the shadows, the arrow still embedded itself within the mortal flesh he occupied causing him to stagger from his retreat not a few steps away. Though still with cowl covering his entire visage a rather coy chuckle came from within his breath as he stood only halfway from gripping his upper shoulder - the arrow to which Armantel fired breaching through and through.

“Ah.. now that did tickle a bit. Who knew you had it in you?” the change of the voice and tone as it progressed through speech was beginning to surface something far more recognizable... The Ascian raised his afflicted arm over head, reaching under with his adjacent hand to break off the end of the arrow's shaft before pulling the spearhead from the front, tossing the arrows remnants aside.

At this point Armantel was confused beyond reasonable doubt. It couldn’t be… But revelations became apparent when the cowl fell and the man turned halfway to great his gaze with an unusual deep brown hue. “Hello, handsome.”

The Elezen stepped back, dropping Weta’s bow in pure shock. He’d… he’d shot .. Athral? Athral was - No.. this was wrong. This wasn’t Athral. His eyes betrayed that much.

The hyur began to approach Armantel and all he could do was stand frozen in his tracks, his mind attempting to understand this reality. This wasn't real! But Nabriales - being the vile and venomous scorpion he was, was all about increasing such shock factors.

As he made his way over he began to dig the talon upon his index into the fresh wound, coating it thoroughly with blood as he began to speak to the disoriented man before him. “Such power - you've been holding out on me, handsome,” he remarked before in Athral’s smooth and coy voice, bringing the red tainted cold steel to run smoothly across the other's cheek, dragging them down the still man's lips all the while leaving a clean trail of blood in its wake. It sent Armantel into further disarray when the vile creature's lips pressed roughly into his own in a passionate embrace so like Athral’s.

It was enough for Y'weta as he'd soon gained enough consciousness to spit out a fury of few words. “Get away from him!” His words followed by action as he stumbled up to his feet and rushed at the imposters back.

Though not being fully recovered from his spell of dizziness, the Ascian used it to his advantage, allowing him to shift into the shadows just moments before Weta would be upon him. The imbalance coupled with the disappearance of the monster right before him saw his body collide with the dazed elezen, forcing both bodies to tumble and crash into a dilapidated book case, dust rising as wood shattered and came crashing down around the two.

Nabriales let go of a bout of humoured laughter at the scene as though the two were jesters performing for his amusement. “Now that is a pity,” he calmed himself after taking a moment by releasing a breath of air, choosing to continue using the hyur’s voice as a means to antagonize and ridicule the lot.

He took a moment to walk towards the recovering duo, stopping just before as the pile of splintered wood and desecrated books began to be cast aside slowly as Armantel and Weta worked feebly to remove the damaged furnishing. “Let’s have a little fun, shall we?” the paragon spoke with sinister intent as he gritted his teeth in a wide and open grin.

----

As for the mercenary himself, his days were being spent in the company of companions - Celebrating their past victories and more to come. Of course what else could one expect from such a perfect world. As the boasting of stories continued on around him at the dining hall of the Fortemps manor, Athral could not help but feel an unease.. As though something was left undone. He could feel something pulling at him, hear the faint cries of a familiar voice calling out to him. And then as clear as a sunny day in coerthas a single phrase.

“Forgive me but I must have you come to your senses!”

And shortly after those spoken words a clap of thunder and a searing jolt of volatile aether sent him writhing to the floor of the manor, crying out in pain. And yet his companions did nothing, seemingly carrying on their festivities as he lie cringing in agony. Shortly after the pain suddenly subsided and he came to a moment still in time. He looked around in panic as the world around him had halted in an all too familiar scenario. But even as he dreaded the slithering tongue of the dark lord, he was shocked to hear a different voice speaking to him.

“Athral.. I.. I’m sorry I had to do that.”

Athral’s gaze darted towards the dark clad disciple. It..

“Cailethan? How-?” Athral was bewildered, was this real? Was this all a dream? Or had he passed over drunk at the party? Yet as though he knew what Athral was about to ask, the young paragon responded.

“I continue to exist because I infused a fragment of my being with you when you shattered my soul. But I only exist within your soul and no longer his as you continue to remain. I have been trying to reach you for days but I was too weak… You were too weak.” The boy’s attention turned downward before he looked up to the moment paused in time and then to Athral in a pleading gaze. “You need to wake up, your friends are in trouble and they will die if you don’t fight this!”

“What are you talking about? My friends are fine… I’m.. I’m with them, we were having a celebration - I -” Athral tried to plead with himself that what he believed real was true but the youth persisted that the reality he’d been experiencing was all a farse.

“Athral this isn’t real - Nabriales created a setting based upon your memories. The moment you awoke here you began inserting figments of your past and mixing them with what you desired most. An outcome that you wished but never came true. It’s allowing him to not have to sit here and orchestrate everything that goes on!” his voice held defiance even though it hurt to have to break someone with honesty. Cailethan was not used to the pain of the truth. He had always been so set with lies and deceit like that of his former mentor that he had never once stopped to think of the pain it was truly causing until he’d experienced such betrayal himself.

“This...isn’t...real?” He spoke the words softly and slow, suddenly the events of what truly happened began to flood his mind, he was no longer celebrating and was instead upon the walkway of the vault, the very place he’d lost him… His eyes opened in shock as he gazed at his hands. Blood.. But not his own.

“Your thoughts fuel this world… Every time you think of something this world changes to fit that vision.” Cailethan spoke as he approached Athral, kneeling down before him and placing a hand on his shoulder. “You have to end this or you and your friends will not survive.”

The hyur fought back tears, gritting his teeth to attempt to keep them at bay. “He.. tricked me,” his voice held a growing fury as the realization that this perfect world, this… beautiful lie was just that. Fake. It did not truly exist except for in the desires of his mind. The world around them slowly began to crumble and Cailethan took note as brick by brick the setting began to fall.

“Athral.. When this dream ends, he will be made aware,” he had little time to explain as the illusion was beginning to dispel itself. “He cannot be here and there at the same time. He will come and when he does, I will help you with what little is left of my strength.”

Athral’s fists clenched tightly, his body shivering with a blaze of fury that began to well up inside him. “He… That monster will fuckin’ pay for this!” finally the rage had been released with a scream that unbridled his anger, what little was left of the dream of his reality was torn away like a force of wind bending trees to its will.

His eyes opened and with a newly awakened strength he tore himself from the bindings that held him against his will, pushing outwards in a show of defiance that he would not be broken so easily. The thick vines began to snap and those that were embedded within the body of his soul were being pulled from within him as he fought against this living prison. With a long drawn cry of fury and agitation he broke from the restraints and fell against the floor that had grown over with vines similar to those that had subdued him.

His breath started out ragged before he began to push himself up. “Ca-Cailethan?” He looked around for the young paragon to seemingly appear alongside him but the boy did not, instead only his voice accompanied him.

“I’m here.”

“Where?” Athral questioned before the youthful paragon replied.

“I exist in your soul now, remember? I am no longer bound to him, but you … for the time being at least.”

“Then where is he…?” Athral’s words were heavy as he gathered himself to his feet, his tone dark and dripping with the power of rage he’d used to destroy his bindings.

“You’ll have to draw him in.”

“And how do we do that?” Athral growled, seemingly ready to smash anything he could find into pieces.

“He’s bound to you by a dark crystal, unlike what became of Thancred and Lahabrea; Nabriales chose to embed your body with it which is something he was careless in doing.”

“What do you mean?” the hyur questioned as he rose up, regaining his composure finally standing to gain his bearings.

“The crystal Lahabrea used to bind himself to Thancred was on the outside, thus making it difficult for the scion to fight with him internally for control. With the crystal inside your body, it will make it easier to locate and thus cause harm to Nabriales himself.”

“Ah right, Boss mentioned something like that. Alright so where is it?” Athral grunted, pounding his fist into his opposing palm.

“Focus. You can find it by following the flow of aether. Do you remember from before when we set those souls free? Follow the the direction the aether flows from the vine like structures.”

Athral attempted to focus like Cailethan said, but at the time being he was more focused on kicking a certain monsters ass. As though simply thinking about that thought he felt his aether being pulled at and it nearly caused him to stumble in the direction of the tug.

“Woah,” a simple phrase of disbelief one would often express when something of a similar situation would happen.

“That’s it, go!”

Cailethan urged him on and it seemed for once Athral got something with his aether right without much practice. Not wanting to dally behind he took off from the room he was currently prisoner to, coming into the hallway that was once nearly barren now blanketed thick with the twisting corruption.

There was another tug and he set off in it’s direction. How long had it been that the overlord had possession of his body? How much time had passed for the corruption to grow so thick as to nearly choke out his existence? He shook his head, he couldn’t think about that right now. What mattered was that he was free and with that freedom he’d planned to obliterate that bastard.

After a few twisting turns he began to hear voices… familiar voices.

“Athral, I know you’re in there! Please!”

It was Weta!

“How lovely it is that you think there is even a shred of his existence still within me.”

That.. was his voice speaking those deceitful lines. He… Athral growled with fury as he picked up the pace finally coming into view the large corrupted form of the very dark crystal the vicious monster had driven into his body those weeks ago. He didn’t even bother slowing down to find a way to speak to his friends. He went straight for the source.

“You fuckin’ bastard, I’ll make you choke on those words!” He rushed the static crystal with full force, slamming his whole body into it’s base and that was all it took to crack its surface, splintering a few small fragments from it’s tethered body and causing it to tremble.

It was almost as if the Overlord did choke back further words, feeling the damage done in the surface of the corporeal world. It was such a trifling blow that he’d nearly stumbled back, losing temporary control of his actions as he stood still and hunched for a few seconds. He was bewildered for a moment before the realization dawned upon him.

No... It cannot be…

Now he was furious. He could not contend on two fronts now; this world and the one within the body of the mercenary. He only had time to deal with one and the one most threatening was that of the warrior’s awakening from the illusion that was meant to be his end. The overlord no longer held back, roaring with such a rage as he summoned from the depths of the hyurs body enough aether to amplify his abilities to even disrupt the very essence of time for the warrior of light himself, suspending everything in a terminated animation before he retreated within to deal with the problem that had resurfaced.

Upon his coming into the space in which the dark crystal bore itself he first took note to inspect the damage. It was extensive… It could not have been the mercenary who’d done this. No, he would be far too weak to cause this. He could not dabble too long on the thought though as a fist came slamming into the side of his face as he stared distracted at the shattered pieces.

It was most certainly unexpected for the paragon, throwing him off his feet and to the ground, though he was quick to recover as his assailant was upon him in nearly an instant, rolling out of the way as the very same fist came crashing down in the place he formerly occupied. He finished the roll into a crouch to take a look at his attacker and for one to see disbelief upon the corrupters face was all the hyur needed to return it with a smirk of confidence as he rose up and charged again, not giving the Ascian time to think of the next course of action.

It was time to think that the ascian needed, taking the opportunity to retreat into the shadows as was common for him to do. It left Athral to come to a sudden halt as he glanced around, frantically looking for any sign of where he might show up next. Instead he heard his voice all around him, throwing off his perception.

“So it is you…”

“You sound surprised,” Athral responded cooly, still keeping his head clear enough to try to pinpoint the other’s location.

“More dissapointed…” Nabriales responded dully as the end of his words formed behind the hyur, his reaction time being on point to catch the blow of a foot aimed at his back before attempting to shove the overlord off balance, yet he’d only fall back into the shadows before trying from a different vantage point, this time successfully slamming the steel clawed tips of his gloves across the hyur’s face, causing his body to fall partially off into the flow of direction the attack headed towards.

He’d regained his ground but by then the Ascian had returned to sightless aether. “Yeah?” he spat definitely. Despite not bleeding, the blow still stung - lines the claws left behind glowed with an ethereal vibrance as they sealed up, healing over in what he could only assume Cailethan’s doing.

“Keep talking.”

Cailethan urged. Athral was once again compliant. “Were you expecting someone else?” he spoke with a defiant sarcasm, trying to lure the hidden one with mockery. “Well sad to put you down in the dumps on that. I’ll be sure to send in my apology note when I send your ass back to your dead god.”

A pool of dark aether was forming behind Athral, stalking him in a circle as the hyur turned to attempt to address the direction the other may have been hiding in. It seemed Cailethan could sense the Overlord’s temper rising with every insult the mercenary taunted with, being so closely tied to that of his lords will.

“Behind you!”

The information came just in time for the warrior to spin around as a frontal outpour of destructive aether deflected off its direct path towards him followed immediately by a strike intending for the claws of the Ascian’s gloves to embed into Athral’s body. But with the early warning, he’d managed to step to the side, grabbing the hand that was intended to strike his center and then planting his other hand on his shoulder and falling back into a roll, applying a pushing force to the overlord’s chest to toss him into the air, finalizing the end of the deflect into a spin that he ended in a crouch, facing the direction he’d tossed the enemy.

“Keep it up! As long as his emotions are raised I can sense where he’ll come from if he disappears again.”

Again Athral was happy to oblige. “Getting a little slow their aren’t ya?” he huffed with a simple smirk, keeping his crouched stance in defense.

Nabriales was growing impatient and quite furious at the fact that this blasphemous hyur continued to antagonize him not even forgetting the fact that he was somehow managing to dissuade his attempted attacks. He had to get off the floor. Get up. He told himself and with a growl his body followed the command slowly.

“How old are you even? Maybe you should just stay down, ya know? Brittle bones n’ all,” Athral rose slowly, adding insult to injury as he held his hands up in a soothing manner, patting the air with both hands as though mockingly trying to ease the others stress.

“I know not how you manage to stand in your condition…” the paragon growled deeply. “But I will see to it you are on your knees before this is over!” It was almost instantly that Nabriales arose, levitation came into play as he began to draw in the aether channeled from the dark crystal before him.

The mercenary didn’t like where this was going as he watched the mass amounts of energy swirling and pooling around the overlord, his form contorting and turning into the monstrosity that had bored the dark crystal into his chest. A single pulsating wave pushed out from it’s center bouncing off it’s surroundings before it reversed it’s trajectory and began to draw in it’s surroundings like that from before in the dark world, but pull was far stronger than before.

Athral continued his attempts to resist the flow that drew him steadily closer to the bodiless apparition clad in ragged robes and deathly skeletal fingers adorned with black cloth and tarnished silver claws.

“I will end you as I should have long ago!” The distorted voice called out with rage. “I will consume what remains of your pitiful existence!”

“Damn it!” Athral cursed under his breath trying to grab ahold of an uneven surface to stay the force that attempted to draw him in.

“No, let go.”

Cailethan wanted him to let go?! Was he mad? “The hell for!” Athral spat. So far Athral had obliged to the young paragon’s requests, yet this one was by far the only one that made him uncomfortable, but he reassured.

“Trust me!”

The hyur snarled fiercely as if wanting to deny such a comfort but so far Cailethan had been helping him this far. Whatever the child like ascian had done in his former existence he seemed to be desperately trying to amend it. However he shut his eyes tightly and released his hold on whatever protruding surface he’d clung to, letting himself be pulled towards the monster.

But what he did not expect was for his form to go straight through the paragon’s grim appearance and it would seem neither did the creature. Athral found himself skid to the ground behind the mass of torn rags adorning the red mask of Nabriales and noticed that the gravity of the draw in was only pulling from before the beast.

“What?!” A monstrous growl of rage and confusion beset the overlord as he turned sharply. “This is impossible!” An impossibility that he could not currently comprehend until it dawned upon him. “Is it that your soul harbors another!?”

“Go!”

The youthful paragon didn’t have to tell Athral anything before he was on his feet and charging, summoning all his strength with a primordial shout as he lept up and slammed his fist into the red signature mask of the monster before him. It was like Cailethan had aided in channeling what remained of his own into the blow as the mask shattered into small fragments, dispelling the deathly image and sending the paragon back against the large crystal formation.

“Agh!” Nabriales hissed as the back of his head slammed against the uneven surface of the corrupted shard - the blow causing him to become dazed as the surface of his fragment cracked.

“Don’t let up!”

It was a demand that Athral was more than willing to follow as he took the opportunity to rush the paragon and pin him against the tethered fragment drawing in his hand an aetherial spearhead like fragment of his own aether combined with Cailethans above his head, driving it down in an instant.

However the time it took for Athral to pounce was enough for Nabriales to at least halt the attack for the time being, yet with his previous form shattered it seemed to had dealt damage to the dark crystal, black aether began to seep from it’s cracks weakening both his hold and the strength he held against the oppressed hyur. He clenched the wrist that held the violet shard that seemed to be aiming at him, the stress of keeping it at bay beginning to show through.

“I’m sick and tired of being your plaything!” Athral growled through gritted teeth as he kept applying strength to drive his arm down further.

“You-you’ve been suppressed far too long! H-how can you fight with such strength!?” Was that a tinge of fear the Ascian displayed in his tone? The overlord was bewildered at the fact that Athral was indeed beginning to overpower him. Even with the dark crystal damaged like it was, he still should have been far more than capable of disposing this nuisance in it’s current state of disrepair. Even the look in the others eyes gave Athral an empowered feeling.

“Are you afraid?” the hyur let go of the words with a partial gritty chuckle.

“No - you are mortal!” It was apparent the man was angering the paragon, but it was true. The paragon recalled the feeling of true fear. The feeling was overcoming him, he began to reminiscence and in that moment as he drifted to a memory he’d long forgotten, Athral was able to finally overwhelm the resistance to bring down the violet shard upon his aetherial body.

He drove it through the Ascians body with such a fury that it bore through his form and slammed heavily into the surface of the dark crystal, essentially pinning the monster to his own corruption. Upon realization of what had truly just happened, Nabriales came to from his trance and sputtered as though he were truly capable of expelling blood.

With a one last push as though driving a stake through the monster's heart, Athral pushed himself away from the construct, retreating to a safe distance as further cracks dredged their way through it’s jagged form. He watched as it began to crumble - like the illusion the vile beast had made for him, trapped him in, expecting him to just lay down and die.

Nabriales could not comprehend what had just happened. He remained in place, despite the formation crumbling down around him. The look of his dazed and confused visage persisting as though he had seen something that truly puzzled him. As though he was not ready to accept the reality of this loss. But here he was, his form seeping the very black aether that dissipated from the dark crystal. The tethers it used to bind itself to Athral’s body bursting into nothingness before the crystal itself shattered allowing the overlord to fall forth upon hands and knees where he lingered for a moment.

Athral watched on as Nabriales glanced up at him with his brow furrowed in confusion until he saw a slightly smaller form come into view besides the hyur. Cailethan… It all became clear to the overlord how and why Athral broke free.

“You…” he uttered the words darkly and with a silent quivering rage before the aetherial manifestation of his form began to dissipate and soon cease existing.

Athral stood in silence at the openness that was left behind by the former occupant before he noticed Cailethan standing to his side. “Is it over? Is he-”

“He is not dead,” Cailethan denied his suspicions before looking up to him. “But for now it is over.” Upon speaking those final words the young paragon grimaced nearly doubling over.

Almost out of instinct Athral caught him, concerned at first but realizing that Cailethan had used up what little remained of his soul to help him break free and that it was time for him to say farewell. “This is it, huh kid?”

The boy laughed albeit a bit grimly and nodded. “I’ve lived many life times following his ways… I had done things… things I would have never dreamed of doing had he not torn my soul from the lifestream… It wasn’t till the time he killed me that I truly saw that everything I’d done was to gain his approval… I didn’t want to do any of it but I felt it was appease him. Make him see me. But still he looked through me. Towards something else…always.” Cailethan slipped out of Athral’s grasp, finding his footing on his own.

Athral watched him in silence, not even bothering to contemplate the deeper meaning of what this something Nabriales truly was looking toward. “Sucks I won’t see you again,” Athral’s lips released a grimacing smile.

“No, but maybe in another life,” Cailethan spoke with a smile, trying to alleviate the pain of having to say those two difficult and painful words before he began to dissipate.

“Yeah… T...Take care, huh?” Athral said, also trying to refrain from speaking them.

“Yeah,” Cailethan nodded lightly, keeping up his smile to the very end until his presence was no longer felt.

He felt a big relief. A burrowing weight deep inside him began to release. He could finally rest peacefully knowing this was all over, despite the lingering feeling that he hadn’t seen the last of the vile overlord. Yet he cast that feeling away.. He was tired.. He just wanted to sleep for now… And so he closed his eyes and drifted.

-----

Time resumed in the waking world, the unpausing of any actions relinquishing as well the heavy, taxing aether that filled the room and once choked it’s current occupants. The body of the mercenary stumbled back before suddenly falling to his knees and then upon his side where he lay unmoving.

Armantel and Weta had been thrust into the air by the former shockwave of pure darkened aether that had forced time to halt and yet the moment Athral’s body collapsed, so too did everything affected by the magicks - dropping the two captives upon the floor roughly.

“Athral!” Weta managed to stammer out, uncaring for the pain his own body experienced as he scrambled to the side of the hyur. He grabbed a hold of the unconscious being, feeling no more that dark, foreboding presence of the insidious paragon, his ears falling flat with relief.

“Is he-” Armantel’s fear of demise unsettled as he approached cautiously but his fears quickly hushed by the ranger’s subtle words.

“No,” it was with a calm sigh that Weta could declare Athral was in fact still breathing despite how shallow his chest heaved. For a moment Weta and Armantel exchanged views, as though silence questioned them how long this had been going on and just how much stress was placed upon Athral’s body as the paragon occupied it. But they knew that with time he would come around - just as it had for the scion, Thancred. One thing was for certain that the hyur would not be pleased to awaken and find himself in the garb of an Ascian but first and wiith a smile, Y’weta pulled the crystal pendant from his pouch and fastened it around the hyur’s neck. It was over…