Welcome to Gaia! ::

Prologue: Gatholit’s History

The continent of Gatholit, a secret continent located in a strange new dimension.
This continent was filled with peace and hope, where humans and demi-humans could live together in peace and harmony. The continent only had three countries plus the laguz provinces, they were, Derdar, Yetzaspar, and Ochilotar. The other laguz provinces lived on the outer border and protected the land from enemies, these tribes were known as, the wolves, beast, dragon, bird, and heron tribes. But, like other continents this peace wouldn’t last.. The king and queen of each of the two countries Derdar and Yetzaspar began to quarrel with each other, thus splitting the countries into four different ones. The kings joined up in an alliance and became brother countries Daryth and Eder while the queens became sister countries Spartezar and Yetzer. After a war had broke out, Ochilotar stepped in. They signed a treaty that forbade their conflict without a signed document of war from the other country and permission from their brother or sister country and from Ochilotar, but, hatred grew, the demi-humans, fearing the worst, broke off.
The wolves joined up with the Thancor tribe in Spartezar, the beast moved to the Great Gatholit Mountains, the dragons hid themselves in the southern tip of Ochilotar, and the birds broke off and lived near the ocean. Many wars and years have past and now a great threat that has caused past conflicts has appeared once again, but this time a new type of hope emerges.

Part One: Darkness Awaken

Chapter One: A New beginning

“Hey Sar! I got it!” a green haired boy shouted running through the grass and the abundant amount of flowers, “ Oops! Wah!” he screamed tripping on his sandals and falling face flat into the fresh scented plants.
“ Martin!” the boy named Sarkanto called rushing to him his long crimson hair whipping in the wind and matching armor clanking as he took each step, “ Are you okay?” he asked kneeling down by him.
“ Ugh . . . I’m fine. Here, Sar, I found it,” he replied getting up and dusting his robes handing Sarkanto the rose he had found. It had the most perfect figure and the thorns; when Sarkanto felt them were smooth and nice...Not painful in the least.
“ Thanks Martin. I can always count on you,” he exclaimed smiling and putting the rose in his small pouch.
“ No problem. Come on! Let’s go! We have to reach Daryth by nightfall!” he explained running ahead.
“ Martin, wait up!” the two boys ran through the trees and reached the small town of Daryth signifying that they had crossed the border. As people were going about their business, the town was filled with loud chattering, bargaining, and the sounds of animals were barely heard.
Sarkanto smiled as he looked up at the clear, blue sky. There wasn’t a cloud insight and it was rather pleasant day with mild heat and a nice cool breeze.
“ Ah. It’s so beautiful isn’t it, Martin?” he asked, smiling, his hand on his hip by the sheath of his sword as he walked up to him his aqua boots shined in the sun.
“ Yes indeed. Let’s head to the inn and I’ll get us a room,” he replied back. Sarkanto smiled as Martin ran ahead, cape billowing in the breeze. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of humor when he was around Martin. He always made him happy and with the wonderful sun beaming down on him and the presence of a friend doing something nice..The only thing that would make it more perfect was that one person in his life....That single person...

Crisella walked aimlessly around the desert of Spartezar the sun beaming down on her harshly and the sand in the wind rushing violently through her red hair.
“ Brother . . . Where are you?” she asked through the loud noise of the wind. She had almost reached a small village with other travelers and was very grateful to finally get out of the desert sun,
“ Ugh . . . Man I’m tired I better rest in a shack or something,” she coughed, dry and disgusting sand getting in her throat as she finally reached the village collapsing on the ground. After she got up, she entered a small hut to rest. The hut’s inside looked like an inn only it had a small wooden couch and a fireplace. After a bit of looking around she went up to the owner of the hut.
“ Excuse me, sir, but may I stay here for a while? I have the money and everything,” she explained tiredly. The man glanced down at Crisella and his eyes widened as if he were staring at some strange anomaly.
“ You’re... You’re... Please, just pick any room no need for payment! Just go right ahead! Here!” the owner stuttered nervously handing over the room key.
“ Um? Okay thanks... I guess,” she replied uncertainly as she went upstairs and knocked on one of the doors. No one answered so she opened the door and entered the room.
The room was rather plain with a bed in the middle by a cabinet with a candle on top. A window was located to the right of that and a bathroom was made in back of the room. There was a small kitchen with a rat hole was seen visible by the kitchen area.
“ Wow what a lovely room,” she exclaimed sarcastically, “ Might as well head to bed. Hmm.... I wonder what if I had. No it still would have been the same. Ah,” she whispered sadly closing the blinds and putting out the candle light as she went to bed soundly and unknowingly.

^

“ Look I’m gonna be gone for awhile so don’t tell the king or anyone else in the country. If they realize I’m gone it will cause great pandemonium,” A blonde man in white robes explained.
“ But...But, Tazuka you can’t leave! What am I supposed to tell them if they ask for you?” a holy man asked while the man called Tazuka packed.
“ Look. They’ll survive without me. I mean it’s Ocilotar the strongest and biggest country on the continent. Just tell them I’m in a meeting or something. You’ll think of something, Razon, I know you will,” he replied with a smile as he left the room, his long white cape crossing the red carpet which he walked on.

“ What!? I protest! His majesty and the queen aren’t dumb, they’ll figure it out sooner or later,” he yelled back and then sprinted after Tazuka, “ My lord, please, you can’t leave!! You just can’t! What will I do? Please I’m begging!” he protested going down on his knees and crying.
“ Razon, Stop! I’ll only be gone for about a month.
“ A month!? That’s even worse please don’t go!”
“ Oh, Razon.... I’ll be leaving now, bye,” he replied annoyed leaving the castle.
“ Oh great now what will I do?” Razon asked to nobody in particular as Tazuka walked outside and went to the stables for a horse. Razon shuddered as he went into the throne room.
“ Well I don’t have to tell them... I mean after all what they know won’t hurt them... Hee.... Ugh,” he whispered to himself. Suddenly the king overheard him and approached him from behind, his face rather cross.

“ Razon. What’s going on, are you stirring up trouble again?” he asked in a commanding tone. The holy man shivered and gulped noisily.
“ Y-your m-majesty I was just.... Um, I’m, uh,” he stuttered sweating up a storm.
“ Hmm? Fine it seems you don’t know how to speak properly. Look, Razon, tell me now! What’s going on!?” the king asked even louder and more commanding his blues eyes turning into flames.
“ Uh...I. No...I mean... Okay fine!!! Tazuka left for a month to tour the continent!!!!!” he yelled crying, “ It wasn’t my fault!!! I tried I really did but he wouldn’t listen!!!!!” he bawled.
“ No.... Tazuka oh, dear what will we do now?” the king asked, suddenly very stressed and ragged.
*

The next day Martin and Sarkanto got up and got ready for the journey ahead. Although Martin wanted to buy a house so next time they were there they wouldn’t need to stay at an inn.
“ Martin, I don’t think we can afford a house. Besides what if it get’s infested by bees or bandits destroy it?” Sarkanto protested as they approached a small hut.
“ It’s okay, Sar, I’ll pay for it and besides there aren’t any insects around or bandits. It’ll be fine,” he replied approaching the an old man wearing a straw hat, “ I was wondering, could we buy this hut from you?
“ Hmm... Well it’s about time I sold this hut anyway. All right how much money do you got?” the man asked.
“ Let’s see 100....200.......Oh about 500 gold,” he replied.
“ All right here you go,” the man cried out ecstatically, taking the money. All of a sudden a warning was issued by the mayor of the town as soldiers in yellow armor began to emerge from the forest that surrounded the town.

Over in the distance, the castle of Daryth was being overrun by more of the soldiers. Due to the surprise attack the Daryth men were unprepared and would lose the battle. Birds, rabbits, and other animals shrieked as they ran away and the air was filled with terrible screams of terror.
“ I told you buying a house was foolish,” Sarkanto suddenly exclaimed.
“ Wait those men they wear yellow armor... They’re Yetzer’s men!!! Sar, quickly we have to get out of here before they capture us and likely kill us!” Martin replied urgently grabbing Sarkanto and leaving the hut the old man appeared to of escape, but the sky was beginning to turn a dark grey as the clouds covered the sun. More soldiers in yellow appeared, this time on brown horses with torches and lit houses on fire. Martin took out his tome and readied it as they ran.

“ Those dirty little! Martin, we have to fight them I won’t allow them to destroy this town or the house we just bought! Come on!”
“ Sarkanto! No wait! Think before you act! Ah! You’re hopeless! Okay wait for me!” Martin called chasing after Sarkanto his green cape rippling in the wind. It began to rain putting out some of the fire but smells of blood filled the air as the two ran.

“ Darn it! I can’t believe this is happening!” Sarkanto yelled tightening his green sash and taking out his swords. Three of the soldiers noticed Sarkanto and charged with their lances facing forward, but he charged back at them and blocked their lances. Martin ran and shot a fire ball while reading the spell from his tome. The attack smashed a soldier and hurled him into the mud.
Sarkanto slashed at the other two soldiers, breaking their lances and then he followed it up with a stab to their stomachs. They both fell dead which alerted some mages. But of course Martin had created two more fireballs and took down both mages while dodging their counterattacks without breaking a sweat.

“ Good job, Martin! Quickly, let’s go see what’s going on at Daryth Castle,” Sarkanto told him while dodging another soldier’s lance and then following it up with a horizontal strike.
Martin nodded finishing the soldier off with a fireball and following Sarkanto as he began leading the way, “ Sar, things could be dangerous if only the two of us go,” Martin reminded him as their footsteps rang through the damp, rundown streets. The other soldiers ignored them as they continued to destroy the houses until the Daryth patrol appeared driving the soldiers away and also allowing Sarkanto and Martin to escape.

“ Maybe we can meet up with someone,” Sarkanto replied and then stopped as they were outside the borders of the town and inside a small forest. It still continued to rain and sounds off pain and bloodshed were heard from the village still without the sound of animals.
“ Maybe.. I think I know a few people who could help us.. But for now let’s rest here for a while,” Martin answered sitting down by a tree and taking out some medical herbs and rubbing them on his wounds. His short green hair became really long and wet as it hung down next to his shoulders due to the rain and his robes were soaked. Sarkanto smiled sitting down beside him and taking off his pack.
“ I don’t think we should get involved,” Martin suddenly exclaimed with a straight face as he wrung out his robe sleeve.
“ Martin, if we don’t, what do you think will happen?”
“ I don’t think we need to get involved. The other nations will find out anyway.. Besides, I’m sure that Ochilotar can work something out,”
“ I think we should anyway. It should be quite the adventure. Please, Martin!” Sarkanto pleaded. Martin glanced at him and looked off to ponder this.
“ Hmph.. Fine, Sar! I’ll start a fire and then we can be off tomorrow,” Martin explained annoyed as he went off to get firewood. Yet he smiled anyway.
^
Tazuka had already left Ocilotar in disguise as a merchant. When he finally left the town he took off his disguise, “ These uniforms always smell like old, roasted barf!” he exclaimed disgusted, “ Good thing I managed to escape, I almost thought that old lady knew who I was,” he sighed long before he heard a loud yowl in the trees. Tazuka rushed off to see want was going on. He made his way through the clustered trees and spotted a dead cat along with a mysterious young woman in the clearing.
The woman had long black hair, a long sleeved black blouse, and she wore a black striped skirt.
Tazuka entered the clearing calmly and knelt down by the dead cat and then looked at the other woman who was holding a bow. She looked to be only 15 and Tazuka asked her,
“ Who are you?” which startled the woman who didn’t seem to be paying much attention.
“ Ah!! Stay back!” she screamed, startled, backing off a couple feet and readying her bow.
“ I’m not afraid to use this!” she added, notching an arrow.

“ Look, I was just wondering who you were and what you were” but he got cut off as an arrow soared past him, “ What! I guess my game is off today” she shrugged but stopped to look at Tazuka’s noble clothing, “ Wait you’re a holy man, aren’t you? My name is Keika,” she said solemnly bowing her head at the sight of a holy man, “ Now we’re getting somewhere. I’m Tazuka,” he added cooly motioning for her to come closer, “ Father, I have come here to search for protection.. I’m a refugee you see I was traveling with a shaman named Ray. We had recently fled from Yetzer once we found out about the queen,” she began to explain glancing back at the ground.

“ The queen?” Tazuka asked and then added, “ You can just call me Tazuka, ”
Keika looked up and then continued, “ The queen has sent a battalion of men to attack Daryth and conquer it, which is beyond her calm nature... Something is wrong with her so we went to talk to her and ask if she were alright, but then we saw her with a pink haired woman on a Pegasus and she looked as if she were a Falcon Knight judging be her armor. Anyway, we overheard them talking and then I came to a grim realization,” she stopped and then pressed on her voice trembling, “ She was possessed.. Trace realized this and nearly knocked over a vase, she noticed us and must have read are minds, because guards came and grabbed us. Trace used his dark magic to make a rift in the room and managed to teleport me outside. I refused many times, but of course, he didn’t listen and now I fear that he is in great danger,” she finally finished. After a long pause she fell down to her knees.

“ Then why are you here?” Tazuka asked bluntly calming her down by taking out some herbs.
“ Ah... I came here not only for protection, but then to seek help. Please, I have no where else to go and I’m very tired and hungry,”
“ Which is why you killed the cat.. Don’t worry I’ll help you as best I can,” he told her smiling and placing his hand on her shoulder.
Keika jumped up happily, “ You will? Thank you so much!!” she shouted hugging Tazuka and then sitting back down, “ I found a cave along the path we can rest there,” she added dragging Tazuka to the cave.

During all of this he remained calm and before they left he had recovered the dead cat for food if needed. Upon entering the musty, old cave Tazuka settled down and took out his pack and two sleeping bags, “ I had thought I would meet someone so I packed just in case,” he told Keika smiling, his wisdom was great indeed, “ Ha! That was very smart of you. The only thing I have is my bow and a vulnerary,” she chortled. A vulnerary was a special healing bottle containing a special creamy salve which caused wounds to heal quickly but it only worked on minor wounds and injuries.“ Ah, yes, I brought two exilirs as well,” Tazuka answered taking out two exilirs from his pouch. Exilirs were like vulneraries only they were able to heal any wound and had a liquid substance instead of a cream inside them. “ Ahwoo!!!” a loud cat like howl emitted from the forest causing Tazuka and Keika’s faces to wane, “ What...What is that?” Keika asked, her voice trembling while Tazuka remained calm.

“ Dang sub-humans! You steal some weapons and they come after you! Looks like this is the end for ole Danny the best treasure hunter in Gatholit!” a young short blonde haired boy exclaimed running through the forest from three huge cat, demi-humans.
The demi-humans were human like creatures which transformed into very powerful animals.
The ‘human’ forms took on the characteristics of the creature they transformed into such as a tail and for the beast tribe.

The laguz that are chasing Danny are known as the beast tribe which are divided into cats, tigers, and lions. Cat laguz are fast but not as strong as their tiger counterparts who are slower while the lions possess both strengths and surpass both types in all skills.
Now then back to our story..

“ Sounds like cat laguz to me,” Tazuka whispered breaking the long silence that had fallen. With that he ran out of the cave with Keika trailing behind.
“ Wait! It could be dangerous! Laguz are really strong and three could easily overpower us!” she shouted to him while they entered the trees. They waited for a bit and then saw Danny and the cats chasing after him, emerge from a few trees, yards away.
“ Don’t worry about it I’m highly skilled with light magic and besides if we help him he may be able to help us,” Tazuka told Keika as she realized that the boy was being chased.
Tazuka took a high level tome out deftly and began reading off the pages. A strange light emerged, stopping the cats in their tracks, it acted as if human like and made a large fist, grabbing at the cats and tossing them to the side.
This angered them as they attempted to get up. Once they regained their balance they let out a powerful yowl and charged forth.

“ Ah!! Stay back!” Keika screamed firing an arrow from her bow hitting one of the cats in the right shoulder. The cats didn’t falter and began to pounce upon the group, before they could actually pounce, Tazuka casted another spell from his tome which caused arrows made of light to pour on top of the cats. After the arrows had all fallen, the cats laid on the ground dead, unable to transform back to their usual selves.
“ Whew.. Thanks a lot. I thought I was a goner. Anyway, I’m Daniel Whiler, but you can call me Danny or Dan for short,” the treasure hunter told them dumping his pack on the ground and putting away his dagger. Tazuka knelt down by the cats and then turned to face Danny
“ Hello, I’m Tazuka and this is Keika,” Tazuka replied staring at Danny’s face which had quite a few dirt smudges all over it, he then gazed at his dirty, slightly torn, brown tank top and his baggy light brown pants with holes all over it. He thought for a moment and then glanced at his pack, it contained many lock picks, and a few special weapons. Keika noticed this as well.

“ A treasure hunter! You’re perfect! That is, can you open locks and doors?” Keika exclaimed.
“ Of course I can! I’m a treasure hunter!” Danny replied proudly turning his hand into a fist and placing it on his chest.
“ Great! So would you mind joining us? You see my brother Trace was captured while the two of us were at Yetzer Keep, and we need as many people to come and help us rescue him..
Master Tazuka, here, has decided to help and if you’re interested I’m sure that there’s a lot of treasure at Yetzer castle,” Keika explained with a smirk. At the sound of treasure Danny became ardent, smiling mischievously, revealing some chipped teeth,
“ Well I must admit I can’t deny a challenge.. So I accept!” he exclaimed not giving it much thought, “ Great! All right, let’s rest in the cave and then we can head to Baltozer, the town located near Yetzer’s castle, and restock on supplies and possibly find more people to help!” Keika told them while she and Danny went to the cave Danny being dragged by Keika.

Tazuka laughed a little and then followed them as they began to make a fire and go to sleep.
The next day...
The sun seemed to rise earlier as usual as Tazuka was the first to awake and gaze at the beautiful, sunny day and at all the creatures playing about. After a few seconds of gazing at the wonderful scenery Keika awoke and made a soft yawn, accidentally nudging Danny, thus waking him up he got up sleepily, “ Sheesh! Can’t a man sleep?! I’m really tired, and I stood up the whole day yesterday and the day before,” he told them annoyed as he went back to sleep in his sleeping bag, while Keika sighed quietly and stood up.

“ Okay we’ll give Mr. Grumpy pants another hour or so, in the meantime I’ll go get us some breakfast,” she told Tazuka taking her bow and dashing off to go hunting.
“ Hmm... Good luck,” he replied sitting down on a large rock and beginning to read to pass the time. Meanwhile Keika was stalking a small white rabbit. She crept slowly, the soft grass on her stomach and pointed her bow at the bunny after a few seconds had past and the creature was within range she fired a silent arrow which stuck the poor thing’s head, instantly killed it.

“ Ah.. Poor little thing. Oh well! Your breakfast now!” she exclaimed, letting her long black her fall down on her shoulder, while she grabbed the dead bunny, she stopped and then listened, clearing her mind of any distractions, she then heard a soft rustle in the bushes and sensed another small figure it was a small deer. She readied her bow and fired another arrow. A loud screech was heard and Keika found out that it wasn’t a deer, but a small bird that had emerged from the trees and had glided forward

She sighed, “ I was off again.. I’ll have to focus a lot more for next time” she scolded, taking the bird and the bunny back to Tazuka and Danny. Tazuka had already finished reading his tome and stood at the entrance of the cave waving to her and she waved back he started a small fire for cooking and was cooking the bunny and the bird inside a small pot while adding some spices,
“ Hmm.. I think it could use some lemon for flavor. Keika, could you get a lemon from my bag for me?” he asked her.
“ Tazuka where did you learn to cook?” she asked after fetching the lemon and giving it to him, he squeezed some lemon onto the bird and the rabbit while stirring with a stick.

“ My mother taught me awhile back. I only know the basic cooking procedures, but anyway it’s done now,” he replied taking out three plates. The smell from the delightful dish filled the air and then reached Danny who awakened immediately.


“ What did you guys cook?” he asked and then took in a large whiff of the food causing his mouth to water, “ Mmm.. It smells delicious, I can’t remember since I’ve had something that smelled so good,” he added as Tazuka put some of the food onto his plate.

He devoured the food like a starving owl who had lost his prey and once he finished he let out a graceful burp.
“ I’m glad you like it!” Tazuka exclaimed laughing and smiling while eating his fill.
“ I caught the rabbit and the bird!” Keika added eating a piece of rabbit meat and then added, “ But I couldn’t find any deer,” she felt a tad down but then felt better looking at the food and Tazuka’s and Danny’s faces. Tazuka put out the fire and went to the river to clean the plates and the bucket which left Keika alone with Danny.
“ Danny, how old are you?” Keika asked while Danny had lied down on his back comfortably, “ Hmm? Oh, I’m 16,” he replied.
“ I’m 15. Say, you seem really ragged. Don’t you ever take a bath or buy new clothes?”
“ Um.. To tell the truth I don’t have any money to buy clothes and I don’t have any soap unfortunately,” he responded sitting up cross legged.
“ Ha! You’re funny. Hmm... Oh I know! We can go to the hot springs in Baltozer and then you can get a bath and your skin can look so much more... Rejuvenated,”
“ Sounds great! We should probably get going!” he suddenly exclaimed as Tazuka returned. He didn’t want to tell Keika the truth about his past and how his family deserted him.

Tazuka walked ahead, leading the three of them to the path that would take them to the Eder town of Baltozer. Since the Great Gatholit Mountains separated Ochilotar from the other countries, the king and queen were forced to build a bridge connecting a path from the eastern most side of the Gatholit mountains into Eder. It was a small walk from the capital, but it was also heavily guarded by Ochilotar knights, thankfully, Tazuka was able to stop any guards that would bother them as they walked through the open path with the trees and flowers emitting a sweet scent all around. After a day of travel, they arrived at a large bridge guarded by an armored knight in golden armor.

He approached the three of them and held his lance out,
“ Greetings!” he exclaimed, the others replied with a friendly ‘hello’. The knight bowed and then walked to the front of the bridge, “ If you wish to pass, you must answer my riddle first,” he explained. There was a short pause as the trio looked at each other in surprise.
“ What is this riddle of which you speak?” Tazuka asked.
The man chortled as he thumped the ground with his lance
“ Forwards I am heavy. Backwards I am not. What am I?” Once he had finished Danny scratched his head in confusion, “ Umm.. A Dragon falling backwards?” he suggested. The knight shook his head, “ You all get one guess, which this one has wasted,” he explained, all eyes turning to face Danny. He shrugged in apology. Keika calmed herself and began to think long and hard,
“ Forwards I am heavy.. But, backwards I am not.. Maybe it has something to do with a word associated with heavy,” Tazuka spoke up. Keika nodded.. She thought more carefully and then she gave a thoughtful smirk. Glancing around at her surroundings she began to formulate an answer and after a few moments it was complete, “ A brick! Forwards it is defined as heavy, but backwards it isn’t a word at all!” she exclaimed. The knight shook his head, “ No.. Then the answer would be any heavy object.. It must have something to do with..” Tazuka explained with a pause at the end.

Danny looked at him, “ Tazuka, maybe.. Maybe it has something to do with the word ‘not’?” he asked, “ I dunno,” he shrugged, Keika slapped him across the head, “ Quiet! He’s trying to think!” she chided. Tazuka ignored them, except for the part about the word ‘not’. Suddenly it all came to place like a puzzle.
“ Aha! Not spelled backwards is ton!” he exclaimed as he recited the full answer,
“ The answer is ton, because forward it is heavy, but when backwards it is ‘not’,” he explained. The knight nodded, “ Very good! You may now pass!” he exclaimed and with that they walked across the rope bridge and made it to the other side and rested.

After a few minutes the three of them gathered their supplies and then walked off to Baltozer, which was a really short walk away. Once they had arrived they looked around at all the busy people creating much cacophony. Tazuka found a wooden sign, while plugging his ears, that directed them to the springs and after much walking they finally made it to a hot spring house.
Tazuka approached the owner, “ Hello, a spring relaxation for three, please” he explained laying down a sack of gold. The owner’s eyes bulged at the site of the money. Without a single word he skipped about as he directed them to the changing rooms with Tazuka and Danny heading into the male changing room and Keika heading to the woman’s changing rooms and then heading into the springs, “ Ah.. This is great,” Danny exclaimed as he relaxed his bare body upon entering the water which cleaned and cleansed his pores. Tazuka smiled, as he rested on some warm rocks while whistling softly. Meanwhile on the other side...
“ Mmm.. I wish I was with them,” Keika exclaimed in the other hot springs all alone.
“ But I wouldn’t want too anyway.. Yucky!” she shuddered her long black hair dipping into the water, she felt at ease, and yet.. Something was amiss.

Here is the long awaited chapter three of " The Great War of Gatholit" I hope you enjoy it and comment on my romance attempt which has been intensified.. Sort of.. It was actually rather hard and took awhile to update this chapter and then make it longer, but at least it fits with the others..Heh..
" Yea! Dasfg5 is finally gonne be working on my part of the story! It should be very hard since he basically skipped through it!"
.....Right...Just read this and tell me what a think!

Chapter 3: The Forest of Destruction

“Ahh!!” Maria screamed as the screeching grew louder and louder. The forest began to awake, letting the source of noise move towards the three.
“ It’s all right, I’ll protect you guys!” Sarkanto said reassuringly stepping in front of Maria and Martin, his swords in an X. There was a sudden grinding sound and then the trees and bushes were pushed aside.

A giant spider, the size of a car, emerged from the mist, poison dripping from its grotesque mouth.
It stood on its hind legs menacingly and growled at the trio, it’s claws were opening and closing threateningly, as if saying ‘this is you’ to them. Then the familiar roar was heard.

Two sick looking wolves appeared they had zombie like flesh, Blazing red fur, and bone that around their hind legs and their back they howled at the canopy and charged directly at Sarkanto leaping up simultaneously. Sarkanto had dealt with these things before and was ready to strike.

“ Burn you demon dogs!” Sarkanto shouted as his swords lit on fire. He swung at both of the wolves, at the sight of fire they attempted to leap back, but Sarkanto had caught their hind legs on fire. The giant spider let out an ear splitting shriek causing the group to cringe and cover their ears as the sound threatened to cut their ears in half. Another spider appeared and this time it was much bigger and more ferocious then the one that had called it. The wolves seemed to grin as they pounced and tackled Sarkanto to the ground, biting and lashing out at his chest.
Martin acted quickly by casting a bright piercing light which shot right through the two wolves bodies.

A splash of blood covered the ground immediately as the wolves lied huddled and bleeding painfully. The smaller spider charged at Maria its claws stretched and aimed straight for her chest. Poison dripped on the ground and slowly ate away at the leaves that covered it.
“ Get away!” Maria shouted swinging her mace and striking the spider’s left eye.
The spider gave shriek of pain, lashing it’s claws out randomly one of it claws struck at Maria’s right leg, once the claw made contact it released its poison into her body. She grabbed her leg in pain as she felt the blood course through her veins.
“ Ahh!!” she screamed painfully, and with a bit of her strength she swung at the fiend’s claw, smashing down on to solid earth. There was a silent crunch and the claw fell right off spilling out ooze.

The spider backed away and fell down in pain after losing its left claw. A loud galloping sound was heard, something on horseback was coming,

“ No...First wolves, then spiders, now,” Martin turned around and ducked down as an axe nearly sliced of his head. The enemy was a centaur, holding a rather dangerous looking axe. Martin backed away, these creatures were a lot more temperamental. He held his tome close to his body, the centaur kicked back it’s front legs as if ready to charge straight into Martin. He was ready for this. After a brief stare down, Martin made the first move and opened his tome. The monster grew tense and charged forth, but Martin was chanting quickly, yet quietly at the same time, when the centaur was only inches away he made his move, “ Holy light from above! Vanquish this demon that threatens my companions, but spare mercy on the others! Auroao!” he shouted out as a bright light eclipsed the two of them. The creature stopped to cover it’s eyes, after a few moments it opened it’s right eye only to be blasted by a powerful ray of light. The attack shot through the monstrosity’s chest like a speeding bullet swerving out of control, the monster reached out it’s hand as if grasping at the last bit of life it still had left.

Martin stepped backward and let another blast of light shoot forth and finish it off. Once the attack struck, the centaur seemed to smile. Martin closed his tome, allowing darkness to take back its place in the forest, he stepped backward while wiping his brow and giving off a great sigh. Finally I can rest.
He thought, but, of course, he heard a loud groan, it was Sarkanto. He ran to his friend, staff in hand, ready to heal wounds or scraps he may have endured. Once he reached him, he laid his staff down upon his friend’s chest, there was a brief glow from the staff thus allowing the wounds to seal up instantly, “ Thanks,” Sarkanto murmured as he used Martin for support.

He picked up his swords and got up, while surveying the scene only to spot Maria lying next to a tree several yards away, she looked unable to fight yet she held her mace in her hand without falter. The other spider was approaching Maria, it’s mouth making clicking noises as if to taunt it’s prey, Sarkanto couldn’t bear the sight of this acting swiftly, he ran in front of it while making a defensive stance.

The horrifying creature reared up and approached Sarkanto swinging both of its claws at his chest.
Sarkanto blocked both of the talons, this angered it as the monster attempted to reach out and bite him, but he was too well trained to be taken down by such a simple attack, while pushing back with all his might, he attempted to push the spider down and struck at it’s vulnerable part like before, but the creature wouldn’t give up so easily, as it pushed back even harder making a soft, creaking sound, but unlike the spider, Sarkanto could hold this stance up for quite awhile, but the spider was growing tired and slowly it would collapse from exhaustion. Crunch. The beast pulled back, as it’s talons snapped, thus leaving itself open to a finishing blow, he smirked at this and Sarkanto stabbed at the monster’s gooey center. Yellow and green blood poured out staining Sarkanto’s dark red shirt and armor, “ Yuck! What do you eat?” he commented, disgusted by the spider’s blood he ran over to Maria and stabbed the other spider as it got up thus ending its misery. Martin was busy searching through his pack for some antitoxin while the forest slowly began devouring the remains of the monsters as if it were extremely hungry.
Sarkanto started to shake Maria, her sudden ill state seemed to frighten him.
“ Maria! Are you okay?” Sarkanto exclaimed kneeling next to her, the humidity of the forest was starting to get to him as sweat dripped down his cheek.
“ I think..I think it poisoned me,” she gasped, her face turning slightly pale from the poison, “ Maria here!” Martin shouted rushing to her with a bottle of antitoxin in hand.

Maria grabbed it, her hands shaking, and slowly began to drink the bottle. Anticipation followed as her face seemed to regain color and her shaking ceased,
“ Thanks, Martin,” she replied trying to get into a kneeling position.
“ I’m sorry, Maria, I should have been there for you,” Sarkanto said helping her stand. She grabbed his arm and leaned close to his chest.
“ It’s okay.. I’m fine really,” she said reassuringly pushing back, using his body like a pillar.

“ We should hurry, more monsters could show up at any time,” Martin reminded, Sarkanto nodded, “ Right, Maria stay close to me, Martin stay in the back,” he explained dishing out orders. The two nodded as the three of them began running blindly though the forest. Vines reached out to stop them, but it was futile as Martin burned them down with a simple gesture. The forest seemed to weaken as the mist slowly cleared allowing some light to fill the forest, after a few minutes of running the three stopped, exhausted and panting heavily. As the mist cleared away, Maria glanced at Sarkanto, her face brimming with slight affection, only to be shot down by the holes and blood all over his shirt.

“ Oh, Sarkanto!” she exclaimed, blinking, able to see his shirt clearly she stared at it and began to take out a small bottle, “ This will help remove the stains,” she explained pouring some of the liquid onto the stained parts of his shirt.
“ It’s fine Maria,” he protested, but the stains had already cleared.
“ The blood of those spiders is deadly and so is the poison, if those stains had remained the poison would have eaten through your shirt and into your skin,” Martin explained.

“Oh,” Sarkanto shrugged turning slightly red with embarrassment,
“ Well thanks, Maria,” he added with a smile of kindness.

“ Your welcome,” she replied soothingly.
Martin looked around noticing that they were almost half way through the terrible smelling forest. He could tell, because much like the eye of a tornado, the half way point of the forest was a safe haven for travelers.

“ Let’s rest here, we can build a few tents and a fire,” he suggested. Glancing at the trees near them, “ Huh.. Looks like you can only use those trees for tents.. The others look a tad... Err... Sarkanto, you better go find some other wood, this is far to rotten, the fire won’t last long,” Martin explained.
“ Good idea! I’ll get some good wood,” Sarkanto exclaimed, “ If there is any decent wood,” he added, walking off into the depths of the woods.

“ Hmm... I’ll make the tents,” Maria suggested, using her mace to slam down an old decrepit tree, as it fell she heaved it up into the center of their resting place, which was only a few yards long, she broke apart the tree into small section and then went back to her own pack taking out some tent materials and blankets.

“ I’ll get us some food,” Martin said, looking through his small bag that was filled with rations. Inside he found a few slices of meat, a loaf of bread, two apples, some water, and a large peach. He looked quite satisfied with his rations, but something was missing for his recipe, he saw a small mouse scurry about and deftly killed it with a spark of fire to make it quick and painless. The rat gave a loud squeak causing Maria to jump, “ Martin!” she exclaimed putting aside her materials, so she could run up and pick up the rat, “ I can’t believe you killed it!” she added glaring at him. The thought of harming a poor creature, always annoyed her, “ When I grew up in the farm.. I use to have a pet rat.. You see the creatures all acted as my friends and family, of course I had friends in town, but,” she started. Martin nodded in sympathy.

“ Maria.. I know how you feel, but we need the food.. My rations aren’t gonna last forever,” he explained calmly. Maria was silent and nodded in defeat returning back to her work.
She picked up the large logs and started to build the tents, while using the blankets as the outer layer that would keep the tent dry in case it rained. She toiled for what seemed like an hour until she stood up to admire her work. The tents weren’t flashy, but it was like a modern day tent, only wooden. Martin was busy stirring the peach, meat, and the mouse in a small bowl, while adding some leaves and herbs found around him. Maria glanced at him,

“ It that safe?” she asked. Martin glanced at her, “ I suppose so.. I haven’t done this before, but Sarkanto has,” he explained as if it were a suitable excuse. Maria blinked at the thought, but before she could question it Sarkanto had arrived.

“ I got some wood,” he said dryly piling it on the ground with some leaves and twigs.
“ Oh.. The wood is all rotten,” Martin said suddenly realizing why Sarkanto was so low in spirit, “ No matter, it’s better than the others, thanks, Sar,” Martin murmured as Sarkanto lighted the fire with his swords and then poking it with a stick to get it going and blowing on it, “ Your welcome,” Sarkanto replied with a smile.

“ He’s so cute when he smiles.. And those muscles they are so big and well tone,” she whispered to herself, “ Did you say something, Maria?” Sarkanto asked,
“ No!! Umm.. The tents are finished,” she stammered pointing to them, as Martin placed his bowl over the fire.

“ Good. Wait there’s only two tents,” Sarkanto said puzzled. Martin looked up, he was right.
“ Huh? I’m sorry there weren’t enough materials for three tents,” Maria explained.

“ It’s all right I’ll just sleep outside,” Sarkanto offered.
“ Well.. You can sleep in my tent,” Maria replied.
“ Oh . . . ” Martin laughed silently as he cooked his dish.
“ Umm . . . Okay sure, Maria,” Sarkanto answered blushing slightly. Maria’s heart skipped a beat while Martin continued to cook the meat after about ten minutes he called them back and offered each of them a slice along with a slice of bread.

“ Mmm! Martin, you’re a great cook,” Sarkanto exclaimed the first to try the meat and bread. The sweetness of the peach and the bread, accompanied by the savory meat sent his taste buds on a journey that was short lived. His eyes bulged slightly as he began choking,

“ Wah!! Oh! No! He’s choking!” Maria screamed jumping up and running in circles panicking, like a possessed llama in a merry go round. Martin couldn’t resist laughing so hard from Maria’s silliness between laughs he gasped,
“ He’s fine, Maria! This always happens, it’s more of a happen,” he exclaimed as Sarkanto swallowed and laughed at Maria, “ Oh,” Maria sat down blushing very embarrassed.

“ I’m glad you like it, Sar,” Martin finally managed to say.
Maria smiled at them as she ate her share, “ Mmm.. You know this is really good, just like Sarkanto said,” she commented, “ When Martin and I traveled around the world he would be the one to cook and I’d just offer up recipes and special herbs that could be used. My mother taught me a lot of this, since my father always found it important for survival,” Sarkanto explained.

Martin nodded his head, “ We’ve been together for a really long time now,” he explained. Sarkanto smirked, “ Yea, and you were always getting us in trouble at the library.. Why I remember that one time,” he began, “ Sar! Don’t talk about it around her! It’s embarrassing!” Martin fumed. Maria chortled at their brother like talk. It reminded her so much of her own brothers... They conversed a little, with Martin cleaning off their plates with the water.

After they ate Martin kept the fire going as Sarkanto and Maria went to bed.
Sarkanto had taken off some of his armor and his boots and placed them to the side as he got his sleeping bag and blanket ready. Maria was busy setting up her sleeping bag taking off her boots and her orange headband as it made her feel uncomfortable when sleeping, but she left her medallion on.
“ Maria.. Have you been doing all right?” Sarkanto asked her concerned. Maria seemed startled by the sudden question.

“ Yes.. I’m all right. Although it has been a little overwhelming,” she replied getting into her sleeping bag while facing Sarkanto, who laid a few feet next to her.
“ Mmm.. It was the same for me with Martin,” he replied getting into his sleeping bag and turning off the light. Maria started to blush suddenly, “ Why is it that he’s so attractive why do I keep blushing?” she thought embarrassed once again, “ Yea.. I mean fighting monsters and such,” she stammered.

“ You’re really cute when you blush,” Sarkanto said after a short silence.
This only made her blush an even darker red, she didn’t think he could see her.
“ I’m sorry you probably find that embarrassing, but the truth is I’ve never met someone as beautiful as you,” Maria smiled at this,

“ I.. Yea,” she replied starting to sweat uncomfortably, “ Maria, when I’m near you... I..” he paused, Maria glanced at him her heart was about to burst out her chest, “ What is it?” she asked, “ Heh.. I’ve never felt this way before.. You make me feel happy..,” he murmured, “ Happy?” she whispered grabbing her chest, “ Well.. Good night,” he finally said, laying his head on his soft red pillow.

“ Oh... I think I’m gonna faint,” Maria thought as she fainted as if on cue.
Martin heard the two and smiled, “ Ah.. Young love,” he commented, after a bit he went into his tent and got his sleeping bag ready, before he fell asleep he glanced out his tent, past the trees that obscured the sky, he could see a glimmer of light..

The next day Sarkanto had woken up first while rubbing his head, he looked to the side and smiled at Maria as she slept soundly.
He placed his armor and boots back on and walked right out the tent to be greeted by a sudden warmth, there was barely any sun yet his body felt relaxed and at ease,
“ Hmm.. Even in the morning the forest is still slightly dark,” he commented.
Martin woke up as he said this and got out of his tent yawning and stretching his arms.
“ Good Morning, Martin,” Sarkanto said gingerly as Martin nodded absently.
“ Hmm.. We should get going soon,” he replied, glancing about,
“ Where’s Maria?”
“ In the tent, I’ll go and wake her,” Sarkanto offered heading into their tent, he approached the peaceful girl as she slept
“ Maria wake up,” he whispered soothingly shaking her slightly.
“ Huh? Oh, Sarkanto,” she said drowsily sitting up and putting her boots on.
She yawned and nodded to him as she got out of the tent almost tripping along the way.
“ Good morning, sleep head,” he greeted, he had already cleaned out his tent and the fire was taken care of, without a single trace of there ever being a fire or a tent.

“ All right we should get going,” he told them as Sarkanto took care of his and Maria’s tent giving all of Maria’s belongs to her, “ Thanks,” she murmured putting away her stuff and following Martin as he began walking through the path out of the dark and unappealing forest.

Maria went up to Sarkanto, “ Umm.. Last night,” she began pausing choosing her words carefully, “ Did.. Did you really mean all of that?” she finally asked. Sarkanto smiled softly,
“ Of course I did,” he replied kindly.
“ So it wasn’t a dream,” she murmured softly catching Sarkanto’s eyes.
“ Maria..” Sarkanto began.
“ Hurry up you two!” Martin called already a few feet ahead of them.

Maria and Sarkanto nodded rushing up to where Martin already was. The sunlight had gotten through, signaling that they were reaching the end of the forest. Martin was very relieved, he couldn’t bear the smell and humidity of the rotten forest not to mention all of the vines, monsters, ugly trees, and corpses, “ We’re finally here,” Martin exclaimed as they arrived in front of the gate to the Daryth capital, Carnot. The castle was fifty yards away towered over the large town, which was smoking and completely destroyed. Sarkanto rushed up to inspect the gate only to find it hanging wide open. A few feet past the gate bodies of dead civilian, Daryth knights, and soldiers lay rotting by the houses and stores, it was obvious that they had tried to protect the citizens. Martin glanced around at the wreckage while Sarkanto pushed a board of a man’s corpse.

“ How... How could this happen?” Maria asked completely caught off guard by the death and devastation the town had endured, it seemed unreal.. An impregnable country dismantled in such a way, “ We were too late,” Martin said bluntly shaking his head.

Sarkanto passed by large street. He walked down the alleyways and found a white feather. He looked around and spotted a small untouched hut a few feet away.
“ Sar? Where are you?”
“ Over here!” Sarkanto shouted, Martin and Maria made their way to his voice. Once they had reached him he held out the feather
“ It’s.. It’s a Pegasus feather,” he said
“ It’s completely untouched and so is this hut.. How odd,” Martin said examining the hut and the feather carefully. Maria glanced at them starting to feel light headed, “ I...Wow,” she stuttered starting to tip over, but Sarkanto caught her,
“ Maria? Are you alright!? Maria!”



“ Now, King Reinhert, hand over the sacred stone of Daryth,” a woman on top a Pegasus commanded the king glared back at her, “ Never! Daryth will not surrender to the likes of you! Even if my men have to fight in the gutters we’ll never surrender!” the king exclaimed his sword drawn and covered in blood his imperial guards lay dead around him. The woman raised an eyebrow in annoyance.

“ Hmph.. Fine then prepare to die!” she exclaimed, unsheathing her sword, the king stood up in a defending position, She smirked and charged straight at the king her long pink hair flowing in the air. She gripped her sword as the king raised his the two blade met, there was a loud clang, breaking Reinhert’s sword in two and knocking him to the side, She landed her Pegasus with ease, “ Gloria lock the king in a cell!” she commanded as a blue haired Pegasus knight arrived, she nodded grabbing the king by the arms.

“ You shall never have the stone it is well guarded by my finest men!” the king shouted before being knocked unconscious by several armored knights.
“ Commander Vivian, what now?” a soldier asked the golden armored woman who had defeated Daryth’s king, “ Ha! Ha! Let’s get the sacred stone,” she ordered as several Pegasus knights, soldiers, and druids, powerful dark magic users wearing black robes, appeared beside her.
“ The Master will be very pleased!” she exclaimed breaking down the door to the sacred stone. Her prey gripped their lances, she grinned, the slaughter had only begun.

(( Note: chapters 13 and 14 are done look for them in my journal))