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~` Illusions `~

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CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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~` Chapter Eleven `~

Twisting and turning, the wispy clouds blanketed the sky with their soft approach, absorbing the bright rays of sunlight with their lightened figures; they had only just appeared, but they left their mark on the small town of Veskile, coating it in a strong layer of shade for moments at a time. Straining across the sky, it seemed like nothing disturbed them, aside from the sharpened point of the church that raised upwards in reverence to God’s unknown presence; it showed the ultimate symbol of respect, a perplexing climb that few dared to make, and even fewer succeeded in finishing.

Intimidating, its cold appearance did little to calm Landon and Jacob as they passed by. It sat alone on one side of the road, worn down by the years, while on the other, behind a small, gated fence, lay a graveyard. An eerie feeling overtook the two travelers as they stopped walking and looked on at the church’s entrance.

A flowing flight of stairs greeted them, raising up about ten feet in the air before flattening out along the doorway. Through the center of it ran a guardrail, which was there to make sure the elderly folk that came and went from the massive building did not stumble on the heightened path.

“Amazing,” the king’s advisor murmured, adjusting his glasses.

On both sides of the stairway was a giant statue resembling the phoenix; they stood on two platforms of equal size and looked out onto the road, their feathers burning with passion even inside such a gentle stone. Beaks agape and wings opened, both looked ready to right for some strange reason; their stone coating was not enough to stop the emotions of their sculptors from pouring free of their eternal abode and coming upon those who looked into the creatures’ eyes.

07-Jan-2009 03:18:23

CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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The pedestals that they stood on slanted backwards as they left the large carvings, creating a “V” shape along the crevice and then rising up to meet the church’s platform. Realizing the time and effort put into making such a glorious building, both Jacob and Landon could not help but stare at it, studying it, as if hoping for God to come alive and shower them with His glory; it did not happen.

Silver-colored spikes twisted into a variety of shapes at the top of the entranceway, looming over those who came through it. Atop of the structures was an enormous stained glass window, depicting scenes of ages long since passed and, if the light hit it correctly, a shining mixture of colors fell upon the pews that lay within.

“Such a place,” the young knight whispered. “I wonder why it was abandoned.”

They stood in silence for a few minutes, but then Landon’s voice broke the silence. “We have to go now, Jacob. There is not enough time to go sight-seeing.”

Jacob nodded in agreement. “Brexton should be another mile up this road. Maybe two.”

“Well, we’d better get moving.”

Turning away from the church, Jacob and Landon silently struck out down the trail, searching for the one their king had asked to see. It was a task of the utmost importance, and they couldn’t afford to waste any more time; he was only a short journey up the road now, and the two men set their sights on accomplishing their king’s request.

They walked briskly now, ignoring most of the scenery and staying on the path. Every so often they’d see another person walking along the trail, but only a casual greeting would escape their lips before moving on past them; it was becoming quite repetitive as they walked for a solid thirty minutes before seeing the small chain of smoke rising high in the distance.

07-Jan-2009 03:18:57

CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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Jacob and Landon looked at each other before nodding simultaneously and slowed their pace. The shade of the clouds had helped their stamina remain intact, but they couldn’t help feeling a wave of fatigue wash over their bodies as they reached their destination, stopping to rest and take in some air.

The older man walked ahead of Jacob, stepping in front of the door. The entire house was rather quaint, displaying only a few key features. The solid walls were crafted of mahogany, as determined by the fresh scent that wafted from them, while it had a rounded roof; a small chimney jutting from the top, letting smoke filter out in small amounts and fly up into the clouds high above.

A few windows remained close to the ground, but the shutters were closed and it seemed rather reclusive to anyone who might have passed by it. Hard brown wood, accompanied by a tightly-wound need for seclusion, deterred most travelers from stopping for a quick chat.

Landon readied himself and rapped on the door in quick succession. As he waited with bated breath, he heard a lock snap backwards and a carving from the wooden doorframe, around eye level, be pulled back into the home. Taken aback by the surprise encounter, Landon could not help but stare at the sharp, green eyes that seemed to scrutinize his appearance with their unending gaze.

“Who are you?” a voice asked cautiously.

Seeing his companion hesitate, Jacob stepped up beside him. “I am Jacob, a knight of King Rezod’s court, and this is his trusted advisor Landon; we need to have a word with you, Brexton.”

07-Jan-2009 03:19:17

CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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“Ah, Rezod?” the voice, determined to be Brexton’s, asked. “I thought I told him never to call for me again; I’m done working for such a man. I helped him back when he was on the brink of a rebellion, and I’ll tell you what I told him then: ‘Sometimes, you just have to face the consequences for your actions.’ Whatever he did, I’m sure he can buy his way out of it or something, but I shan’t be assisting him. Find some other lackey.”

Landon cleared his throat with a short cough before replying. “Rezod can deal with his own problems, I assure you.”

“Then what are you here for?” he asked in an annoyed tone.

“King Rezod has another take he would like you to take part in. I can explain it to you inside, if you want.” Landon paused and waited for the hidden man’s reaction. Suddenly, the green eyes narrowed and examined the figures on the doorstep before slipping away and the small strip of wood slammed back into the door. A lock clicked, and it was sealed once more.

Jacob sighed. “What’re we going to do now? Rezod surely won’t be happy with this."

"I think that we could…” the advisor trailed off. A series of short clicking noises could be heard and, in the blink of an eye, the door swept open, revealing a home covered in a dark shadow; nothing could be seen in the blackness.

From behind the door, the two servants of Rezod heard a voice: “Come in, and tell me your story.”

--

Anthoni and Drake did not falter as they stood, staring each other in the eyes with malicious intent burning deep within each of them. While Anthoni’s hand tightly wound around the hilt of his sword, Drake teased him by rotating the dagger within his hand confidently, but never taking his eyes off of the soldier.

07-Jan-2009 03:19:32 - Last edited on 07-Jan-2009 03:23:22 by CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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“Who are you?” Anthoni asked. His eyes then turned to the fallen girl; he recognized her, but could not tell exactly who she was. Dark hair, wrapped in a ponytail, fell upon her back, and glasses hung off of the edge of her nose; he could not remember, he conceded.

The man standing above her smiled and tossed hair from his eyes, relishing the fact that he would complete his mission after only a day of being attacked. “My name is Drake Hidal,” he replied, “and you, Anthoni, are a traitor to the king: surrender now, or die.” Drake’s face switched from confidence to seriousness in but an instant, and he beckoned Anthoni to respond.

“Ah, Drake.” Anthoni tossed his shield onto the ground and let his hair fall over his face as he bent forward slightly. “If only you knew how we treated you back at our camp.”

“I do know how you treated me!” the mercenary shouted, raising his dagger menacingly as if to strike out. “Your men… they tortured me; they left me scarred for life! And under your command! How am I, a man under complete allegiance to the king, supposed to consider a… deal… with rebellious scum like you? I will not leave my king, but you….” His eyes narrowed as he paused. “You, shall perish beneath my blade.”

Anthoni’s face became stern as he replied, “I suggest you not underestimate me; I am not but a common man seeking false riches by holding this rebellion against the king. I have been chosen for a much greater task, now, and I have no time to deal with men like him.”

“Treachery is your mission, as it has always been. I live under the generous rule of King Rezod, and never have I seen a man such as you!” he accused. “Rezod treated you like a son: he fed you, he gave you your own army to command, he loved you… and how do you repay him? You take what he has given and throw it back in his face!”

07-Jan-2009 03:19:52

CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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“Emotions only lead to downfall.” Anthoni whipped his head backwards and stared into the eyes of the assassin. “I, admittedly, found favor with Rezod, but at what cost? I led my army through all kinds of hell for the man, and, yet, he attacks us with his taxes like we are nothing but sheep, luck enough to find help from a passing shepherd?” Calming now, he raised an eyebrow and said, “You should relieve yourself of such anger, for I have been like you. Now, though, I serve the people of Atiolgo, and I shall never betray their trust, their loyalty, not even for a king like Rezod. I was sent there to protect them, and, until they have found love for the king once more, I will fight for them.”

Drake smiled. “Meaningless words… coming from someone like you. Do you have any idea of what you had?”

“I do.”

“Then… why?” he asked, his arm falling to his side to emphasize the question. “Why would you give it all up for peasants? Do you expect something in return?”

“Ah,” the former general began, “this is a good question. Never shall I ask of something in return from them; I am merely doing what I see is right.” Sighing, he relaxed and pointed with his open hand. “Are you doing what you think is right, Drake?”

“You have no right to question me! The king’s word is law, and I will follow it!”

“One man’s word…” Anthoni muttered. “It is enough to drive men over there moral boundaries; I have found this to be true, now."

Surging with anger, Drake tossed his dagger aside and reached onto his back, muttering a spell under his breath. Almost immediately, reality was shattered and there, in his hand, appeared a long sword, darkened by the new age he lived in. Korinth’s brother raised it in his hand and laughed confidently. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

07-Jan-2009 03:20:23 - Last edited on 21-Apr-2009 02:23:54 by CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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Anthoni’s hands adjusted themselves on his blade and he held it within the two of them, clenched together. His opponent laughed at the sight and then asked, “Why do you not use you shield, fool?”

“You do not have one, and I shall honor the pact I made when I first saw you and laid you on my horse: as you have requested, you shall continue with your task; this is now a duel, and the rules of a duel state that I may use only what you have. Since you do not have a shield, I will not use mine.”

Drake frowned and replied, “Your morals shall lead you down a dark path, my friend. In this world, one must take advantage of everything… and anything.” His sword slashed to one side and in his hand materialized a shield, colored the same as his blade, out of seemingly nowhere. Its curved edge, sharpened it seemed, slashed through the air as it tightened its grip around his forearm. Anthoni flinched at the sight and tried to grab his own shield, but Drake darted forward in an attack.

“Anthoni!”

Turning, he saw Maxwell beside the woman now, motioning for the fight to stop, but it would not: Drake needed blood to fulfill his mission, and only Anthoni’s would satisfy his raging thirst.

Twisting his body, Anthoni found his sword blocking the downward strike of Drake’s serrated blade, but the foul swipe pushed it down and opened up his torso. Anthoni’s face contorted into a grimace as he saw the rounded shield swinging towards his body, and he closed his eyes, waiting for the blow to land.

Metal met flesh as the hardened exterior of the defensive weapon placed itself on Anthoni’s sternum, sending him flying backwards into the air and landing on the ground. He looked for his own shield, but found it to be lying too far away to grasp it, and, at the last second, he saw Drake’s blade swing down at his fallen body.

07-Jan-2009 03:20:40

CaptChekaka

CaptChekaka

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Anthoni rolled to one side and the sword sunk into the soft earth, easily pushing through it as Drake followed through with the blow. In the corner of his eye, though, Anthoni saw the edge of the shield coming down at him, an he rolled onto his back before delivering a kick to Drake’s chest and sending him stumbling a few feet away.

Sliding to his feet, Anthoni repositioned himself with his sword and pressed heavily on his left foot, anticipating Drake’s next move. The assassin regained control of himself and faced Anthoni, staring into his eyes with a brooding hate; it was time.

Drake’s right arm, holding the sword, swung at him with a reversed blow, but Anthoni was able to sweep it away with a turn on his own wrist. His foe’s body continued through the momentum, though, swinging to the right and the shield came raging towards him. Ducking, Anthoni found his opportunity.

His own sword tucked within his clasped hands, he plunged forth into the battle, aiming for Drake’s open side; however, the assassin's experience was well shown, as he twisted his foot around and caught Anthoni in the jaw, tossing him onto the ground and making him experience a feeling of whiplash. In a daze, Anthoni felt that his shield lay beneath his fingers, but it was too late. Drake stood over Anthoni and twirled the sword in his hand, ready to end things.

“A fitting end for a traitor, eh?” He paused to laugh cruelly before he quickly regained his composure. “Goodbye, General Anthoni of Atiolgo," he sneered. Then, he raised the blade, and the metal fell.

-- End of Chapter Eleven --

07-Jan-2009 03:20:55 - Last edited on 07-Jan-2009 03:24:19 by CaptChekaka

[#U82ZJ81IX]

[#U82ZJ81IX]

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11 Chapters already? Now I'm starting to get creeped out, I'm only on chapter, like 8! Once I'm done with this pile of homework I'll get right up-to-date. (Whoa, that rhymed!)

How's tricks, Chekky?

Also, your response to the question, "How did you come up with this story?" was,

"I thought of the most cliche thing possible and now I'm thinking as I go."

This is -really- the most cliche thing possible? O_o (Please, tell me it is... lolz. ^_^ )

07-Jan-2009 21:03:22 - Last edited on 10-Jan-2009 21:35:38 by [#U82ZJ81IX]

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