Part of Dark Punishment Series
Introduction of Zane
Justin’s armor was badly beaten from the lucky shots the solders got on him. His armbands failed and the guards that protected his arms and side had fallen away. He had been hacked down to his pants and chest piece. Soldiers came in at every angle, trying to get a killing blow. The bounty for the killer was a thousand acres of land, enough to make even the poorest of men a noble. Many men have thought they killed him and even more had died trying.
Unable to use his ability Justin was more at prey then ever, and without Charles there to back him up, he seemed to be losing. He barely had time to think with all the fighting; when he could his mind was flooded with thoughts of what those creators were doing to Charles. Justin felt like there was no more reason to go on, he knew Charles wouldn’t survive the night. More solders flooded in, as the bounty got higher. Corrupt kings full of empty promises from Lander sent more men to aid the fight. Wars were stopped as men targeted Justin.
Lander whispered in Justin’s ear like an evil conscience urging him to join, threatening Charles and Kelly. Filling Justin’s head with contradicting thoughts. Feeling helpless Justin considered just letting the men kill him, but somewhere in his heart he knew there was still a chance. Might not be a good one but a chance none-the-less. The war cries of the men started to drown out Justin’s thought. One of the men moved in very slowly, planning his attack. Justin could see him but was to distract to keep his attention on him. Slowly the man moved in, adrenalin pumping, eyes fixated on a spot. The other men seemed to move out of the way as he approached; it was easy to tell that it was not intended. The man's armor was a bright gold, and he reeked of noble. His long cape drug on the ground behind him as he advanced. He pulled out a very large and clean sword, from the look it’s easy to tell it had never been used before. As he passed men they backed off and kneeled.
“The King!” was shouted off in the distance. A large portion of the men backed off and kneeled. Justin shoved the last few men off him and they did not advance back in for another attack.
“So you are Godle. I did not expect you to have been so weak. Look at what these men have done to you. Godle the destroyer of monsters, I had word sent to me weeks ago about a man that could cut threw a mountain with his sword, and moved so fast his movements could not be seen. So far from what I’ve seen, I think I either need new informants or you are not this man.” The King announced.
Justin caught his breath with the free time. “What a waste of breath.” Justin thought. Anger flowed threw through him as he realized the amount of time he had wasted on fighting these men. Face to face with one of the few men responsible Justin’s mind aimed to kill. Lander whispered in Justin’s head, “Your friend’s fate was sealed by this man; you might have had time to save Charles, kill them and join me to save Kelly. Just say the word and I will come to your aid, say you will join me and we might still have time to save Charles too,” Justin’s thoughts gave thought only for a second to Lander’s offer, but he would not sell himself to get what belong to him back, he would fight. When the King was done boasting to all the men about the fights he had won, he put up his guard and prepared to attack Justin.
Justin lifted his sword; it seemed to take all he had to get it up to a defensible state. The King charged in boldly having no attention to defense. Justin moved out of the way at the last second and tripped the king. Justin was badly beaten and groggy from fatigue, but the king was not a young man nor was he the best-trained fighter around. The king tried everything he had to hit Justin but he just wasn’t fast enough. Justin took this time of leisure to calm down and focus. Finally after what seemed like an eternity of the king tripping over himself Justin had the time he needed to plan out his attack and rescue. Justin put his sword away despite the fight being in progress. The men whispered to themselves in the background. The king snickered to himself, “Giving up already? I expected more of a fight, but I apparently set my expectations too high. You didn’t even try to attack back.”
Justin turned straight at him, lifted his arms and lifted his eyebrows. The King took a step back and snickered some more. “Killing a man with no weapon is dishonorable.” The king announced loud enough for all the men to hear. “You couldn’t even hit me and you think you could kill me, foolish king. I’m not surrendering so you better strike while you have a chance, or get out of my way.” Justin sternly said. The king’s face went red with anger; no one had ever spoken to him in such a manor. Rage guiding him, he no longer cared to campaign to the men that he was a noble, his thought turned to killing the insubordinate.
The king charged sword pointed to pierce Justin’s chest. A loud thunderous sound came over the valley as the sword hit Justin’s chest plate, just above the stomach. The men cheered as Justin bent forward. The king snickered some more, “The great Godle heh, it seems I need new informants.” The king shouted for all to hear, laughter came from the back lines. A sound of scratching metal screeched loudly as the king went to twist the blade. A twisted face of confusion came over the king as the sound screeched threw his ears. Justin stood straight up and stared the king in the face,” As I said you can’t kill me.” Justin whispered as he lifted his hand holding something shinny in it. The king pulled back his sword so that he could strike again. In horror he looked at the blade to realize he had no pierced the armor. The scratching scream that had come when he twisted was from the blunt end of the sword where there was suppose to be a point scratched the armor. It dawned on the king that the shinny thing is Justin’s hand was the point of his sword.
“I’m giving you one more chance to get out of my way.” Justin announced. The king snapped out of his shock as he registered what Justin had said. His pride had been tarnished; he could hear the men whispering in the back, he knew they were conspiring against him. He knew the rules but did not head them, a noble does not join the battle with is men, a king especially does not go into the heat of battle, but this was one man against an army. He should have won, this man should be dead but here he is standing before him, mocking him, offering the chance for him to back off with his tail tucked between his legs. The king would not take this humiliation, move he would not. He knew this man needed to die at his hand for his army to respect and obey him. The king lifted his sword and advanced again on Justin. Before he could bring the broken sword back down to strike, Justin rammed the end of the kings own sword into his neck, then backed away as the king bleed all over himself.
Flashbacks shot threw the king as the reaper came. He thought of him pushing that sword threw Justin, “How did he get the end of it?” He continued to ponder as everything faded away. “I pushed that sword into him, he didn’t even move” The king fell to his knees, staring straight at Justin. “He should be the one dieing, not me.” Anger caused the light to come back, but only for a moment, the king fell back and lay on the ground face up.
As the last bit of light left a face showed up in the Kings head. A face he did not recognize, it was shadowy and distraught. “You want to kill him?” the voice asked. The king realized he was standing on nothing, suspended in the nothingness that surrounded him. The only light was radiating from three giant wings that floated behind the head in front of him; a body that was covered in darkness blocked them. The king nodded, he went to speak but couldn’t. He reached up and felt his neck where his voice was suppose to come from. His eyes went wide as he felt the cold metal of the sword that was supposed to kill him. “You are dead, but that’s not what I’m here to tell you. I want to know if you want another shot to kill Godle?” the voice boomed in his head. The king nodded again, anger still filled his heart as he remembered the fight. He was ashamed to be embarrassed like he was in front of his men. “If you serve me I will give you another chance at life, but you will do as I say. I will not let your men see me, and you will still be king, but you will serve me. I will relieve your position in Hell and replace it with another life, as long as you do not disobey me.” The voice said. The king nodded again, and then lowered himself to one knee. Light took over the king’s eyes and the face faded away.
The king awoke in complete darkness. He could hear voices faintly. He could feel the cold handle of his sword in his hands it was laid over him. “King Zane Long was a king raised in a time of war. He molded this society with his bear hands, making this great kingdom with his army. No king had a firmer hand nor a more loyal army, we should be proud to have served him.” The voice outside the dark said. “I’m glad to see the end of his tyranny! That man was responsible for killing most the people in my kingdom.” A faint voice shouted in the distance. The voice got louder as it approached the casket. “He’s lucky to be dead now, embarrassing our army by attacking Godle himself. The arrogant bastard wanted the glory himself for killing the legend, and his pride not only got most of our army killed but shamed his people.” The voice continued. Zane wondered why no one silenced the man. Angry to hear what people were willing to say behind his back, Zane grasped his sword tight. He heard a sound he was not use to hearing at funerals, it sounded like running water. The king listened and tried to figure out where the running water was. A pungent smell overcame the casket that set the king in a rage. The man was urinating on the casket in public, in front of nobles that use to call themselves friends of the King.
Zane tilted his sword and shoved it threw the side of the casket. Loud gasps came over the crowd as a new splashing sound came from the man. Zane pushed the casket open, and pulled his body from it. The gasps turned into gossip and some into crying, no one really knew what to make of it. The king was dead, yet here he stood in front of everyone of power in the kingdom. “Is this what you think of me?” Zane shouted. “You would let a man publicly urinate on my tomb. Did I not run your kingdom with honor? Did I no do things justly? If there is one among you that feels I am not a good king, come up front now and present your case.” He announced.
A large man came from the back; he was bald and had shoulders wide as an ox. His blue eyes pierced into any ones soul that would look into them. He carried a torch with him, tightly with both hands. Zane stared at the man as he approached, “My boys are dead cause of you, my friends, my life, all gone cause you wanted more land. I have nothing left to lose, in return for my lose I want you back in that casket!” the man shouted as he raised the torch for an attack. Zane stood still, unafraid, knowing Landers promises. The torch came down at a high rate of speed, and then stopped as the man’s face contorted as if he was having abdominal problems. He dropped to his knees, right in front of the king. Lander stood behind the man, his hands covered the large mans shoulders. Lander shoved the man down hard on his knees, the torch rolled away on the ground. The man tried to struggle so Lander put his knee into the man’s back. A pool of blood started to form on the ground as the man drooled blood. Loud gossip came from the crowd; sharp cries and screams came from many of the women and children. From the public eye, Lander was not there. To Zane he watched it all happen, “Finish him.” Lander whispered in Zane’s head.
Zane lifted his funeral sword; louder screams came from the crowd. “I am the King; any who conspire against me will be put to death!” The king shouted as he thrusted his sword across the man, shoulder to shoulder. The head rolled after the torch, the stench of burning flesh filled the air fast as the head started to cook. Some of the people up front of the crowd vomited from the smell. “Anyone else want to try?” the King shouted. A large group of men filtered their way threw the crowd. All of them wore bright outfits; they were the Lords and barons of the land. They reached the bottom step of the landing that Zane and his casket stood. They drew their swords, and looked straight at Zane. Zane entered a defensive stance, and then relaxed as no one charged him. The men lifted their swords and pointed the tips down. They all took a knee as they set their swords point down to the earth. The king set his sword down like the men, but he did not kneel. They lowered their heads, “King Zane, we apologize for our late arrival. Our grief lead us to question coming for our hearts may not have taken the beating.” The center man stated. “Lord Cline, I regret to inform you that your tongue lies to me. I will have Lord Unival remove it for you so that you may truthfully and honorably serve me once again.” Zane announced. The man just to the right of Cline stood up and pulled his dagger from his belt. Unival got up to defend himself but the Lord to his other side grabbed him and held him down as Unival removed Clines tongue. Loud screams from the man put the crowd to silence. Unival walked up to the king and set the tongue down at his feet. Zane stepped on it and pivoted then walked away from the crowd towards the castle. “You’re a tyrant!” someone shouted from the crowd. “Kill him.” Zane said calmly without stopping. The lords stood up and walked into the crowd, more screams came from the crowd as the lords silence the man.
When Zane reached the castle no one would dare look him in the eye, everyone just kneeled and did as they were told. The guards opened every door that Zane approached so that he would not have to slow or stop. Zane marched through the long halls of his castle, stewing about the way the people thought of him. “If they didn’t like me before they really won’t like me now. I showed mercy and tried my best to give these people good lives, still they spat at me. Now they will do as they are told and do in fear of their and their families’ lives. Zane marched into the throne room, his once trusted advisers stood in their places around the thrown. “Men ready your swords.” Zane shouted. Half the men pulled their swords. “Sire, we do not carry weapons.” One of the men closest to him said. “Then it will be hard for you to defend yourself.” Zane replied. Zane lifted his hand “Last one standing will be my new top adviser.” Zane lowered his hand signaling for the men to fight. No one moved. Zane drew his sword, “If you will not do as told I will have to do it myself, guards!” Zane shouted as his personal guards flooded the door. “If any of these men lift their swords to me, kill them.” Zane shouted to the bowmen. Zane moved to the man closest to him and shoved his sword threw the man's chest. “Now I said fight!” Zane shouted in frenzy. The armed men attacked the advisers with no weapons first. Screams from the men could be herd outside the castle. The people were scared for what was happening inside. After a short fight between men who really didn’t know how to use a sword only one man stood. His bloody body dripped on the floor as he tried to get to his knee for the king. “Glen you have done well, you are now at the right hand of the king. Do not disappoint me.” Zane said. “Guards, take the bodies out back and burn them.” Zane continued as he got up and walked out of the room, Glen followed close.
Zane stepped into his war room, “Glen we have to enlarge our army.” Zane said. “Well there are three untouched countries to the south. They have been at peace for almost six hundred years, they have strong numbers, and if we were to ally with them we could use their armies and triple the size of our own.” Glen said. “Your well informed my friend, but do you know why they have been at peace for so long?’ Zane asked. Glen shook his head. “Because they protect each other, the two larger countries are brothers; in essence they should be one. James Godle, the fake king, owns the county in the middle. He grew up with the brothers and took the thrown of their eldest brother when he died of leprosy. The people are still adapting to their new king, if we were to attack, we would have to take that county since the people are not use to nor loyal to their new king.” Zane said. Glen was astonished that Zane knew so much since it is not a king’s place to know such detail, usually the generals know that and present the info in time of war. “Glen you are now the high general, go clean yourself up then prepare the army to march.” Zane said as he stood up from the table. “As you wish my king.” Glen said slapping his fist against his blood soaked shirt.
Bells could be heard all across the kingdom, the people shook in fear as the men prepared to head to the armory. Most of the people stood in shock; none of them had any warning that they were to march. The women pleaded with the men not to go and children cried at the commotion. In the town a man is required to train at the age of thirteen so when a day like this came they would not need to be trained to fight. The men marched steady and in line to the armory. They all wore the same white tabard that hung in every house closet; it is awarded to the men who finished their training. Some the tabards had patches sown on the front of them, these patches tell what the man excelled in. On the back of the tabard was the king’s crest or loyalty flag as the men called it? Zane’s crest looked like two griffins fighting with a sword in the middle. Under the loyalty flag was the man’s family crest, the men’s crest resembled each other’s but none were the same. When they reached the armory their tabards were studied then a man was assigned to the part of the army he would be most useful. The heavy armor covered the men from head to toe. When the last piece was hung on the man he would no longer be unique, he would be one of the many nameless solders that fought for his king. Glen struggled with his new position so he found the most decorated man and assigned him to be his assistant. Glen took no time to learn names or life stories, as many generals would have taken the time to do. Glen knew that in less then a week most of these men would be dead and that he wished not to have any emotional tie to any of them.
As Glen watched over the army he noticed a small group of them that were not in full gear work their way to him. They wore bright cloths and pushed anyone that stood in their way. When they reached Glen they removed their swords from their sheaths and set them point down into the ground. The center man stared Glen in the eyes,” You are the new high General?” The man asked sharply, Glen nodded. “You have any idea what you are doing?” The man asked again very sharp, Glen nodded again. “Then why have we not received our briefing on what you want our branch of the army to do?” The man said with such arrogance it made Glen’s blood boil. Glen reached into his mind for what Zane might say; he knew these men only respected power so he must be strong and quick. “Did your tongue get removed today as well sir, or are you so far away from where you belong, you do not remember how to talk to a noble. Glen lifted himself up as he found the words he wanted “Soldier did I give you permission to speak?” Glen asked the nobleman. In shock the man began to speak but Glen did not allow it. “If I did not give you permission to speak then you should be getting your armor on and placed where you belong. Do you understand this or do you need to be made an example of?” Glen barked out. The man still refusing to believe what he was hearing became furious. “I am the lord of the southern region of this kingdom. I own more land then any other beside the king himself. I will not be spoken to by any man other then the king himself.” The man shouted. Glen reached over and removed a crossbow from one of the soldiers walking by, he pointed it at the lord “I will give you one last chance, get in line or be buried out back.” Glen ordered. The man opened his mouth to bark something back at Glen, a mistake he would not have a chance to make again. Glen released the arrow; the sound of the arrow whizzing through the air cause all the men in the room to stop what they were doing. The man’s eyes went wide as the arrow forced its way threw his flesh. Glen watched the body drop; his hands were shaking from the rush of adrenalin. The other lords readied their weapons as if they were ready to attack Glen. “I am in charge of the entire army of this kingdom, and now I own more land that any other besides the king. Are you sure you want to threaten me with those weapons?” Glen asked as he faced the nobles. They lowered their weapons and one got on his knee. “Get that body out of my sight and get in line.” Glen ordered. The men grabbed the body and started to drag it off, a line of smeared blood on the floor followed. Glen approached the man that kneeled to him, “You stay with me, and I think I have better work for you.”
Servants worked franticly polishing Zane’s armor. Zane stood very still as he was being worked on. A servant started to remove a piece of armor, Zane startled all the servants when he quickly grabbed the woman’s arm. “What are you doing?” Zane asked. “This piece is ripped my King, I was going to have the blacksmith make another.” The woman said franticly. Zane looked at her a moment then reached down and released the strap holding the plate on. “Hurry” He said as the woman ran off.
Lander slid up behind Zane. “You know the three kings will slaughter your little army.” Lander said. Zane thought about it for a moment. “We have the element of surprise.” Zane argued. “They outnumber you five to one and they have walls and you are fighting on their homeland. Your army will fail. Unless, I will bring you reinforcements so you have enough. I will return in five days. Keep yourself alive till then.” Lander said as he pulled away then faded into nothing. Zane looked around to see the servants staring at him. “I’d strongly suggest moving faster, if I’m still standing here with dirty armor in thirty minutes you all will be replaced and their first task will be to bury your bodies.” Zane said angrily as he shook himself into a straight postured stance. The woman began to work more franticly.
Original Intoduction
My Father ran out of the house only to come to a dead stop right in front of one of the large creatures. It swung its sword and it hit his shield sending him flying into the house right by the tree I was in. He started to get up. The monster charged with its sword pointed straight at him. He rolled out of the way just in time. The monsters sword cut through the wall of the house, like the wood was paper.
I’ve seen my father train before, he was a knight. He always had a strong dispassionate expression on his face, but now, now he had the look of a lost child. Scared, alone, in danger, he was afraid of death even though he would never admit it.
The monster swung again, missing. My dad sliced of the monsters front legs, then slide his sword through its stomach. It dropped to its knees, with his sudden chance my father maneuvered around behind the monster, dropped his shield and with both hands lunged the sword right into its neck. The blade stopped halfway through. The monster was dead in its kneeling position with the sword protruding out.
My father pulled and strained, but couldn’t get his sword out. Another monster came up behind him. He saw it too. He reached down and tried to pick up the sword of the monster he had just vanquished but it was too large, he couldn’t move it.
I saw the monster get closer. I wanted to yell but I was stunned with fear. I watched in horror as the monster grabbed my father, wrapping it large hand all the way around his torso. The monster stabbed its sword through his thick iron armor like butter. It pulled the sword out after my father yelled his last words. “Run, Justin, run.” Its blade was clean even though blood was pooling out of the armor. He was dead.
I closed, my eyes, grabbed my cross hanging from my neck and prayed that I was dreaming. I was so overwhelmed with anger I slide down the tree.
The monster looked at me. It dropped the body it was holding like a rag doll. It charged, I didn’t move. It had about forty steps to go till it would reach me. I pulled out my daggers. I lunged one right into its eye. It stopped, a scream of pain came from it causing all the other monsters to look at me. A pale purple fluid ran out from its eye. It looked right at me. I could feel its anger radiate to me.
I bolted as fast as I could. As I was running I noticed they weren’t chasing me. By the time I realized what I had done, I was on my knees gasping for breath while also mourning my father. I sat there and prayed.
Terrified, I clutched the cross on my necklace. I began to chant. “Lord, protect me from this evil that surrounds me.” I kept repeating it. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, a lightning bolt struck the body of my father and the body of his friend. They disappeared. The accessories stayed on the road, in front of me lay the necklace my father wore since he was a young boy. I grabbed it and put it on.
I clutched my necklace and thanked God. The monsters looked confused. One went into a house. I heard a scream then I saw a lightening bolt shoot into the house. The monster came out empty handed and one are was handless
The one with pupils raised his hands and began to chant in an ancient language. The crack in the earth reopened and two smaller monsters came out. When they grew I noticed they were holding crossbows. They seemed to talk to the one with pupils. The crossbows men walked over to a house and shot arrows into it. Seconds later the house exploded. Two lightening bolts once again struck, this time hitting the house in flames.
After all the houses were burning, they left. I climbed down holding my cross and dagger. When I reached where my father died, I saw the monster on his knees and the armor my father wore.
I saw the armor had no blood on it now, but a large hole where the blade went through. I picked it up and I was hit with a lightning bolt. But this one was blue, I stood in the same spot. I wasn’t gone.
I looked at the armor I was holding. It shrank to my size and the hole was gone. I put it on. I picked up the helmet but nothing happened. I took it with me because it was my fathers. I grabbed the sword and pulled it out. Suddenly the monster on its knees rose, causing me to jump. It swung its sword at me. It hit the armor and sent me soaring through the air. I was happy the sword didn’t even scratch the armor. The creature ran at me with its sword pointed straight at my head. It slammed into my chest. The sword snapped in two. I knew this must be Gods doing. I drew my sword my father once wielded.
I swung and took two of its legs off. I threw the sword. It flew like an arrow straight through the monsters stomach. It dropped in a kneeling position again. I decapitated its remaining body. As a reddish fluid oozed out, three small jewels came into view. Beams of light came from each one in a clockwise manner. Every time a beam hit me, I felt stronger. I don’t know why, but I pulled my sword out and pointed it straight up. As fast as it started it stopped. The three jewels vanished in mid air. I walked in the opposite direction the monsters did, to a town where I knew a blacksmith and a monk.
When I staggered into the town, many people approached me in concern, asking what had happened. I walked past all of them. I knew what they were saying but I could not hear them. I reached the blacksmiths. “Ah, its little Justin Godle Jr., how is your father?” said the blacksmith. I stood silently not answering. “Dead” I cried out. The blacksmith gasped and then stood silently for a moment. He then ran into the back. Minutes later, he came out fully armored. “Who did it” he bellowed. “I’ll kill them.”
“They will kill you too,” I replied “ please don’t go after them.” “Then what can I do?” he asked. “Finish my suit, I need a shield a helmet and leggings.” I replied indicating the scarps of armor I had remaining. “What do you intend to do young Godle, and who made you that, I'm the only blacksmith for miles, and that is not mine.”
“I am not sure how, but I feel as if God himself created that armor for me. It has saved my life multiple times today already, in ways no metal can.” I explained what had happen. He was reluctant to believe what had happen, but as the story went on he realized it was no joke. He stared blankly at the chest piece tapped on it once to make sure it was real “So this is your fathers armor? Interesting. I wish I could understand those above us. Putting such a young lad in this situation.”
“Terence, let me show you something” I requested he get an old shield so that I could show him the enchantments of this equipment had him take a whack at the shield with his finest sword, the results were a large indentation of his blade into the side. He seemed happy with this result. I asked him to hold the shield up for me. With a swift swing my blade slid threw the shield as if it where not there, two halves hit the floor. Standing dumbfounded Terence agreed to make what I had requested, it took him two full days to make, but the resulting gear was astonishing. He fabricated a neck guard and stretched it down to cover my lower regions, studs made it one piece. The gloves were of the same silver design that stretched up to the elbow yet flexed like chain and the boots did the same. The helmet draped down the sides of my face but blocked almost none of my vision, it left just enough room to clear the neck guard. Last were the shield, a large solid kite style shield, and solid silver. He etched a large signature into it, a mark I had never seen before. ( ? ) “What does that mean?” I asked him. “I have no idea, I figured to deal with monsters we know nothing about, we should use a symbol that no one knows about to represent ourselves. Maybe one day it will have a meaning but for now it’s just a question”. On the second day I set out to find the creatures that were rampaging throughout the towns. On my way I saw the monastery. I went in to find my friend, Friar Charles. “Ah Justin, to what do I owe this visit?” he said with a refreshing tone. “I have come to ask for your help” I told him though that was not what I had intended to say. “How may I be of assistance to you” he asked. “I know this is unusual but...” and I told him my story. “And you are better with a sword than anyone I know so I have come to ask you to help me with this task” I said.
“Long it has been since I have held a sword, I have no equipment” he said, “But I will help you.” We went back to see Terence the blacksmith and bought the best armor and sword he could make. Charles and I then set off. When we reached where my father had died, we stopped and prayed. We saw the many houses that were now burning. We soon came upon a creature on patrol. “Let me show you the power Heaven has entrusted me with” Justin said. I drew my sword and paced my way over to the creature. As I drew closer I saw that there were two, soon as they saw me another one approached from around the corner. I shouted for Charles help, but he stood frozen in fear, eyes wide as any mans could be. I backed up slowly, an arrow hit my shield. By the time I realized what happen the arrow exploded sending me flying into the building behind me. Charles drew his sword, more of a distinctive position seeing he was scared out of his mind. I climbed back to my feet, dazed by the arrows impact. I looked up just in time to see Charles glide his sword threw the side of one of the beasts. It dropped like the one I fought, but it jumped back to its feet without hesitation. I stood in amazement as I saw Charles start to glow as he moved. I snapped out of my trans and charged the monster running away with the crossbow. It narrowly missed me with a frantic shot as it ran. I threw my sword at the monster frantically, under judging how far away the monster had gotten it landed closer to me then it. Dodging another arrow I snatched the sward off the ground and hurled it again, this time knocking the crossbow out of the monsters hand. The monster didn’t even turn to see where it had fallen it charged forward, away from me. I picked up the crossbow in pursuit of the beast. A small jewel came out of the arm that was holding the crossbow when I picked it up, I had no time to see what this one did. The small jewel followed me as I ran, I shot an arrow at it, it moved out of the way. It let out a small beam of light and another arrow appeared in the crossbow. Relieved to see that this would reload my crossbow for me since I had never used one in my past, the bow seemed to aim itself, I shot like I had been doing it my whole life. I put an arrow in the monsters back I had been chasing, with little to no effort. The monster stopped in its tracked and reached for the arrow, with no success. Within seconds the monster was just a black patch in the dirt. I heard and remembered Charles was still back there with one of the monsters. I came back in time to see that neither of them had made any progress of breaking the other down. Charles seemed to glow like the sun, it was almost blinding to watch. The monster seemed to be slowing down from fatigue, and Charles seemed to be speeding up as if he were just merle building momentum. I drew my new crossbow to finish the fight but Charles was too close., I couldn’t get a clear shot and I knew Charles didn’t know about the impact these arrows made, I had to put the bow away and charge in myself. Before I made it half way to them Charles jumped high into the air, he sat in the air for a few seconds as if floating, then in a blink of an eye he slammed to earth separating the monsters right side from its left.
Charles recovered and noticed I had joined the battlefield again, He asked what happen and where I had gone. He seemed upset that I left him alone with the monster. I told him of my pursuit of the crossbow monster and the impact they made. “We make camp here tonight, I do not know enough about these monsters to pursue at night” I told Charles. That night I told Charles all I knew, he seemed astonished by every word I said. I asked Charles about his glowing when he fought, he was unaware of this little detail of his fighting technique. It came clear to me that the light was God letting me know that Charles was to be my partner, powering him to hop me in this lonely quest to save everyone from these monsters.
The next morning when we woke up there was a monster not twenty feet from us, if it had been a single monster I would no have been scared. However a massive army of monsters accompanied this monster. I woke Charles and showed him what I had seen, knowing we had no chance we slowly crept away looking for somewhere to hide. We found a creator in the ground where an arrow must have hit seeing as it was larger underneath the surface, like a small cave. From the creator I could get a clear shot at the massive bulk of monsters, so I pulled out my crossbow and shot an arrow into the side of one monster in the middle. It pulled it out with little reaction to the fact it had just been shot, when it realized what it was it tried to pitch it. Whispering to myself I counted backwards from three. The monsters in the middle were scattered by the explosion, without stopping the other monsters trampled over the dead and wounded to get away.
When they were gone I walked over to the dead one, three jewels came out like I knew they would, but one was blue. I didn’t know what that meant but I wasn’t going to ask. When it was done, I saw and felt no different, as if there was no effect. The yellow ones did what they always do.
“I wonder why they just trembled over him?” Charles said, “and what did the blue one do?” “I don’t know I don’t feel any different, maybe I’ll find out later.” Justin said. Instead of going in the direction the monsters fled, we went to a town that wasn’t rampaged yet. We warned the people to leave the town, and for knights to prepare for battle. No one would listen, except a group of knights in training. And four full-fledged knights. We got some food and a good nights rest. Fully prepared, we waited for the invasion. Charles and I started off to a so-called wizard dwelling. When we got there, a burning pile of hay slammed into me. “Sorry” someone yelled, “I was trying out my knew catapult, I hope I didn’t hurt you” I looked down at my leg, my pants were burning but I hadn’t noticed, I beat the flames out to see my skin wasn’t even warm. “No I’m fine I just need a new pair of pants” I said. “The blue jewel must have made me fire proof” I whispered to Charles. “How may I” the wizard stopped midsentence with a chock “your not even burned but your pants look like shorts” he exclaimed “how?” I replied with “it’s a long story and we have little time.” The wizard gave me a new pair of pants and apologized again. “As I was saying before, how may I help you?” asked the wizard. “Yes we need a crossbow” I said. “Why would I make a crossbow?” he asked. “How about a flaming crossbow” Charles suggested. “Yes a crossbow that shoots flames instead of arrows” said the wizard. “how long would take you to make” I asked. “I’m not much of a blacksmith, so about a day” said the wizard. I turned to Charles “We’ll have to hold the town up for at least a day”, all right said Charles. We went out to see all the knights fighting one monster. Two of them hit the ground and two lightening bolts took their bodies. “Stand back” I yelled to them charging the monster swinging my sword, and two of its legs hit the dirt. I held up my shield as the monster swung both its swords. I found out very quickly the monster didn’t swing at me, it fell on me. I backed up from under it, and it fell to the ground. I pointed my sword straight in the air. With grace I lowered it to its back and pierced the blade through to the handle, removing it slowly and confidently. “Justin!” Charles yelled loudly as two charged at him. I wiped out my crossbow, and shot one coming up behind in the leg. It stopped, tilting its head at me, giving me a desolate expression as it exploded. The face of that monster stained itself into my mind, I almost felt sorry for it, almost. Bright light drew my attention, it was Charles engaging a solo monster. Knowing he would be fine I walked over to the bodies of the monsters and received the powers of the jewels, they were five yellow and one red. I heard Charles yell in pain, I saw a huge gash in his leg where the monsters sword had nicked, he fell to one side. I threw my sword like a dagger, it flew over to the monster and embedded itself through two of the legs on the right side. It turned to me and crawled slowly over, I reached for my crossbow when I saw Charles jump into the air, he landed on the monsters back- pushing his sword through its neck and pinning it to the ground. After a few seconds the monster stopped squirming. I saw Charles eyes roll back as he slid off the monster, his pant leg covered in blood. Out of the monster came two yellow and a silver jewel. The yellow got him on his feet and the silver healed his leg. Charles and I fought a handful of monsters that day. That night we took patrol. When morning came, the wizard had the crossbow done. Out of courtesy the wizard made a blue cape for me and a red one for Charles. We pleaded with the wizard to come with us, not only for his protection but we could use the aid. He reassured us anything that came for him would regret it, and that when our mission was done we should come see him again. Charles and I moved on to the next town, where we found a monster walking peacefully among the townsmen. There were a few houses burning but many were still standing. When Charles spotted the monster he drew his sword, “Stay Charles” I demanded. “Why, these monsters have burned many towns” Charles replied. “This one is not hostile, as well he is alone, and if he was here to destroy the town he would have done so already. I think we should find out why the townsfolk have accepted him into their community.” Hesitantly Charles put away his sword. We talked to some of the townsfolk, they explained that he showed up before the armies, though unable to communicate he showed no hostility. When the armies did come it seemed to urge them off and left the town standing. With this information in hand, we returned to the wizard. “Is there a way you could get a creature to understand and communicate with us that could not before?” I asked. “I have actually been working on a formula for this, I have yet to complete one, but with the right amount of effort I should have one soon.” Replied the wizard. Charles and I offered help and he replied the need for no distractions and would appreciate our protection. For three days we did not sleep, chasing off monsters and doing various quest for the townsfolk, to keep them from disturbing the wizard. Finally the wizard came out with a potion in hand. “This is it” he said, “come back soon to tell me if it works.” Charles and I headed back to the town with the peaceful monster. When we got there the town was on fire, only one house stood. “Look” Charles shouted, through all the smoke I could see the monster leaning up against the house, he was badly wounded. I walked over and held the potion out for it to drink, it obeyed without a fight. “What…how am I… I am speaking your tongue.” I started to answer but a loud crash cut me off. The monster grunted in pain to the sudden excitement. “We’ll talk later, come with us, we’ll get you a healer.” I announced “Thank you” the wounded monster faintly replied. For such a short walk it was a lot of work, helping a four hundred pound monster stumbling the distance. When we approached the wizard’s house the surprised wizard enchanted a large tree that grabbed the monster with its giant branches. I calmed the wizard and explained the situation. The wizard had the tree set the monster down on a large pile of leaves. Very quickly the wizard approached the creature and began to chant in a language I did not know. The creature went silent as it lost consciousness. “I put a quick heal spell on him, and put his mind far away from the pain.” We wrapped the wounds as best we could and covered in blankets to rest. Very quickly it healed, taking only two days rather than the two weeks the wizard predicted. When the wizard brought him back to consciousness, we broke out fast and spoke with the creature. Apparently his name was Alexander the third. He rebelled against the others at his post, taking their lives and receiving their power. When he first got to the town the people were scared, screaming and running for safety. Many attacked him. He stayed on the outskirts of the town like an exile until the army came. He saw the fighting between his people and the town folk. He charged into the town, and convinced the leader that his people needed help in another town. The army left. After that he was accepted by the towns folk, though unable to communicate the townsfolk were very nice. Two days later when the army returned, they punished him and burned the town. He then offered to help us fight the other monsters. Charles didn’t approve, thinking it would be dangerous to keep him. I explained to Charles we needed all the help we could get and that this creature would help. Charles hesitantly agreed knowing I was right. After a few battles Charles began to trust Alexander more. And we realized he was a remarkably good fighter. “Alexander” Charles quietly asked for his attention. “Yes Charles” Alexander replied. “Do you know what the other monsters are after?” he asked. “We are not monsters!” Alexander shouted madly and boldly. I could tell under his bold voice he was afraid of Charles. “Then what is it you call yourselves?” Charles asked. “We are elites” Alexander responded. “We were sent here fifty years ago to scout out this planet, the first generations laid their eggs in the creator they formed when they hit earth. They covered the hole and set out to scout. After we were born.” Charles cut him off, “how many of you elites are on earth?” he asked. “Roughly estimating with all we have killed, I would guess less than four thousand, as I was saying the first generation set out to scout the planet. After they found life here, there was a fight in the chain of commands. Some wanted to take the resources anyways, other wanted to help the new species they found. In the end the mother ship retrieved the pods, fearing a civil war on the home planet. Some fought some hid and others just disappeared” Alexander said before Charles interrupted again asking, “Where did you come from?” “I do not know I was born here.” Alexander replied. “Now let me finish, the one who hid died slowly by time and people, we were hunted by poachers- “if you were discovered how come we have never heard of the hunters or an alien species?” Charles asked. “Stop interrupting and ask your questions later.” I told Charles. “Thank you Justin” Alexander praised, a little annoyed with Charles. “I was about to get to the part of the story that would answer your questions. All the poachers were considered crazy since they had no proof. There was no body to show for after the jewels were released we acquired from each other.” “But all of them only have three.” Charles said. “That is because we are born with only three” Alexander said, “ and no one has killed one another. After we were born we didn’t know where we were. There were about two thousand of us in the creator, a few went up and the rest stayed. We were saddened when we were told that the others that ventured up were killed. Some were so angry, they formed the army and began the rampage. “ You mean this is only half of them?” Charles asked. “Yes. Well actually, this is about a quarter. One group started digging, hoping to get away from everything.” Alexander replied. “Where is the hole?” I asked. “Three towns back the way we came from.” Alexander said pointing in the direction we had been moving away from. I stared in the direction recollecting the town and mapping out our path. “That’s my home.” I announced, fear in my voice. The thought that there was an army of monsters still under my home made me uneasy. “Let’s go get them.” Charles said lifting his shoulders, preparing to travel. “Are you crazy! Lets go get more monsters so they can gang up on us.” I said mocking Charles. “They will not gang up on you if I’m with you. Not to mention the females are much smaller then the males.” Alexander said. “How much smaller?” Charles asked. “The average female Elite is about the your size Charles. That is not to worry about still. The ones that stayed in the creator, stayed out of fear. They are not blood thirsty like the armies you have seen. Unless we threaten them, we should not be attacked.” Alexander answered.
“Alexander, our trust is in you for this, but you should know if they do rebel, we will be forced to take action.” I said. “I understand.” Alexander replied sternly. As we moved back we passed threw the towns that had been destroyed. Even the armies of crusaders were not as thorough at destroying a town as the few Elites we have seen. Nothing survived the attacks, every person was dead, men, women, children, even the animals had been slaughtered. The houses were not on fire this time as we passed, only smoked emerged from where homes once stood. I would assume this is what Hell looks like. The air reeked of death and smoke. Everything had been burned. We camped outside the first town we passed, none of us could stand the smell. As we laid by the fire we all imagined the attack, there couldn’t have been more then ten soldiers protecting the town, the crusades had emptied most the towns of capable men. After they were disposed of, could have only been a slaughter. People running and crying trying to get away, unable to defend themselves.