Xiato charged towards Vierte, his body cutting through the air like a knife. Vierte lifted his sword and held it at a slight angle. The air stopped, silenced by the upcoming strike. As Xiato's sword met Vierte's, a flash of immense power was created.
After realizing he could not get to Vierte with this strike, Xiato jumped back and prepared for another assault. Vierte stood there and lowered his sword, staring at the ground; he had complete focus...
As he watched the battle commence, Reden looked down at the bloody ground where his friend used to lay... his last friend. Thoughts began to race through his mind, entrapping his conscience in a web of terror and guilt.
'Why couldn't I protect her? Why am I not fighting? Why does Vierte always have to be the hero? He didn't even know Selvi. I've lost everyone... there is no one to fight for anymore. This is all Sinoto's fault... no... this is the Jewel's fault. Why did I have to find it? Why couldn't some other unlucky soul be the one to receive it? Why? Why? Why?' he thought to himself, rage beginning to entrap his mind in a vortex of confusion and anger.
He grabbed the Jewel from his pocket and stared at it. The effect it had on his mind was overwhelming. It's red tint had grown now; the color had become a blood red and it began to infiltrate his conscience.
"Reden, what's wrong?" Vierte asked, not even bothering to turn around.
Reden glanced at him for a moment, but then turned his full attention back to the glowing Jewel in his hand. His mind continued to race with horrid thoughts of his friends' deaths. He began to doubt his own abilities. The hatred began to fill his mind, destroying his intellect and reason.
Hags be hagglin', gods be god damn crazy, it's all happening ogre at Into The Fire
"Reden?" Vierte asked, glancing back for a moment.
Xiato saw the opening and rushed forward. Vierte saw the glare of the sword out of the corner of his eye and he ducked, avoiding the large swipe of the blue blade. Instinctively, his foot blasted out, striking Xiato in the chest and causing him to fly backwards and land in a small pile of dirt and rubble.
Suddenly, a pain shot through Reden's chest like a blazing arrow. The pain was overwhelming and it forced him onto his knees, holding his chest. The pain worsened, causing him to shout aloud and close his eyes tightly. When he opened his eyes again, he stared down at the Jewel, which was now felt like fire in his hand. However, it did not burn him... it merely sat there, as if attempting to corrupt his very soul.
"Vierte," Reden muttered under his breath.
Vierte turned and asked, "Are you okay?"
"Shut up! You don't even care!" Reden shouted at him, his eyes growing cold with hate.
Reden's chest pulsated with pain and his mind pounded with hate. He had no idea where these horrible feelings were coming from... all he knew was that they were there, and they were affecting his judgment.
"Reden, what's going on?" Vierte asked, shocked by his friend's emotions.
Reden screamed as the force on his chest increased and forced a small trail of blood to appear in the corners of his mouth. He stared down at the Jewel which was resting in his hand. As he stared at it, a strange thing occurred. The Jewel flashed and Reden was thrown backwards into a pile of rocks.
"Reden!" Vierte shouted, taking a step towards his fallen friend.
As he took a step, he felt the hilt of a blade blast into his undefended back. His eyes widened as the attack paralyzed his body for a few moments. Xiato had seen his opening, and he had taken the chance.
Hags be hagglin', gods be god damn crazy, it's all happening ogre at Into The Fire
"Now you die," Xiato muttered, raising his sword high into the air. It gleamed as sunlight hit it, and it created a blinding effect for anyone who watched.
--------------------
Zito ran forward, his mind completely focusing on killing his brother. Leo frowned and raised his blade as well, preparing to defend once more. Zito's blade lashed out and the swords connected in a flash of blinding light.
Leo did not move this time though, he was firmly planted and he wasn't going anywhere. He used a small amount of force and pushed back Zito's sword just enough to open him up. With his left hand, he drew a small knife and shot it into the air. Zito was quick to react though, and he was able to deflect the small projectile with his sword.
"Brother," Leo began, "do you truly believe you can kill me?"
Zito smirked and muttered, "I'm not letting you get away with what you did."
"So you plan to avenge our village by getting yourself killed?" Leo asked smugly.
Zito frowned and replied saying, "No, I plan to kill the murderer who caused all of those deaths."
"So, you plan to attempt to destroy me?" Leo asked. "Even though you will be unable to?"
"Don't underestimate me, Leo," Zito murmured.
As the dust from moments before finally settled, thoughts of pain and anguish blasted through the mind of Zito.
The older man, sitting in a chair in front of him, smiled and looked into Leo's eyes. After a few moments, he swiftly turned and began to search for something on his desk.
"What are you looking for father?" Leo asked, beads of sweat forming at his hairline.
His father turned back around and said, "Leo, take this Jewel... it has been in the family for generations. As the eldest, you are now responsible for it."
Leo looked down at the opened hand of his father and saw the small purple Jewel resting inside of it. He slowly motioned his hand towards the Jewel, but hesitated and pulled it back.
"What is wrong?" his father asked.
Leo looked up and replied saying, "There is some kind of evil presence surrounding this..."
"Oh, that's nothing Leo," his father said reassuringly, "you're sixteen now... so I'm sure you will be able to handle it."
"Very well father..." Leo muttered as he took the purple Jewel from his father's sweaty palm.
His father put his hand onto Leo's shoulder and said, "I am sure you will make something of yourself one day."
"Father! Father!" a voice called from a distance.
His father looked away from Leo for a moment to see who was calling him. After a few moments, a younger boy walked into the house.
"Ahh, Zito, you have arrived home."
The younger Zito strolled across the room and up to his father, pushing Leo out of the way and giving him a hug.
"How was your trip?" his father asked with a smile.
Leo scowled and interrupted saying, "I'll be leaving now..."
"Where to?" his father inquired.
Leo shrugged and said, "I have no business in the village any longer. I will return in a few months to check up on things..."
Hags be hagglin', gods be god damn crazy, it's all happening ogre at Into The Fire
"Very well," his father said, disappointed.
Leo turned to his brother and frowned saying, "Goodbye brother."
"See you later Leo," Zito replied, confused at his brother's anger.
After Leo left the room, Zito turned to his father and asked, "Why is he so upset?"
His father sighed and replied saying, "You are fourteen Zito, he is sixteen. There are some things he keeps secret."
"Okay father, I understand," Zito muttered, walking towards the door.
"Zito," his father began, "please watch Leo..."
--------------------
Zito jumped backwards, barely avoiding the devastating attack by Leo. However, quick thinking allowed Leo to place his fist into Zito's stomach; sending him plummeting backwards into a wall.
"Dang it," Zito muttered, unable to move his body at all.
Leo laughed and appeared in front of Zito saying, "Seems as though you failed brother..."
"I'll get you," Zito stammered.
Leo placed the tip of his sword at Zito's throat, preparing to kill him. Beads of sweat ran down from his forehead and dripped onto the gleaming blade.
"Goodbye brother," Leo muttered, bringing his sword back to his side and then vanishing in seconds.
"Dang teleportation," Zito muttered as he sat leaning against the wall. "Don't think I'm done Leo... Don't think I'm done..."
--------------------
'Save him...'
Xiato was amazed, his blade had been blocked by the edge of Vierte's blade. He looked down at the wielder and saw Reden... holding his head down, sweat dripping down onto Vierte's back.
'Leave him...'
Reden pushed back Xiato's blade and stood there, still leaning over the fallen body of Vierte. Without thinking, he ripped the Jewel from the blade and tossed the sword to the ground.
"What are you doing?" Vierte stammered.
Hags be hagglin', gods be god damn crazy, it's all happening ogre at Into The Fire
Reden laughed and said, "I never asked for your help..."
"What?" Vierte asked.
Reden smirked and leaned down until he was face to face with Vierte and said, "You're an idiot."
"I never did anything to you," Vierte muttered, his body still paralyzed by the cheap shot made by Xiato.
Reden laughed and stood up asking, "You were always planning to steal my Jewel, correct?"
"No," Vierte stuttered, "you're wrong."
"Am I?" Reden inquired. "Then tell me why you are being so helpful. Tell me your story!"
"No," Vierte responded, "that is my business..."
"Then I say goodbye," Reden muttered, kicking dirt into the face of Vierte.
Then Reden ran off, through the destroyed wall of Reinth, and away from the only help he ever received.
As Reden ran, Vierte thought to himself, 'Reden, why did you do this? Was it the Jewel's corruption? I hope not... if it is, then you must die.'
Then, his vision began to blur; the last thing he saw was Xiato sheathing his blade and walking away...
A mass of green surrounded him, while the wind rattled several loose branches. He knew not the severity of his previous actions; turning on Vierte and leaving himself completely alone...
'You did the right thing...' a voice quietly said.
Reden came crashing down, tripping over a root, which protruded from the ground nearby. He did not move for several moments, he only lay still, sobbing softly.
'He deserved what he received...' the voice continued, trying to seduce Reden's emotions.
Suddenly, Reden stood up and continued to run, crashing into several trees along the way.
'You have no one... They all left you...' the voice continued, growing impatient.
"No!" Reden shouted, punching a tree in anger. As he did so, a loud cracking sound was heard and Reden stumbled backwards, looking at the bloody mess of a fist he still had.
'Come now... You must realize that they didn't care about you...' the voice said with a slight chuckle.
"Who are you?" Reden yelled loudly, caressing his broken hand.
A shrill laugh echoed through the air and it slowly seeped into Reden’s body.
“Tell me!” he shrieked, tears swiftly falling to the ground.
‘You would do well to listen…’ the voice softly muttered.
Reden fell to his knees and mumbled, “What do you want from me?”
‘I just want you to listen…’ the voice replied shrilly.
Reden slowly leaned his head downwards, the salty taste of his own tears filled his mouth and he spat onto the ground. His brown hair was a mess, tangled and ruined. What he had experienced lately was some of the worst pain anyone could possibly witness during their entire life.
‘You don’t need them…’ the voice said sharply.
Reden jumped at the sound and he stood up, determined to find the source.
“Where are you?” he shouted fiercely.
A cold laugh filled the air and the voice spoke, ‘Inside… of you.’
He stood up and gazed at the landscape, almost completely destroyed by the battle. He could smell the smoke, which was rising from one of the burning buildings, and he could taste the coarse sand in his mouth. He turned his head to the side and he spat onto the ground, then wiping his face smoothly with his wrist.
‘Reden,’ Vierte thought, a frown appearing on his face.
He turned and saw the gaping hole in the wall, and he remembered how Reden betrayed him and fled. As he reminisced, he began to grow angry. He looked down at his side and noticed that his Jewel was missing – a bad sign.
“So, you’re awake…” a voice muttered.
Vierte quickly lifted his sword in the direction of the voice and said, “Show yourself.”
“Don’t be angry, Vierte,” the voice said slyly.
“I said show yourself!” he shouted fiercely, he sword beginning to shake in his hand.
As told, the owner of the voice stepped out of the shadows and revealed himself...
Vierte was confused and asked, “Who are you?”
-----------
Xiato quickly moved through the demolished buildings, easily maneuvering around the rubble. His glanced quickly to his side and seemed to notice something.
Suddenly, a knife flew from one of the shattered windows and came flying towards Xiato. He smirked and quickly ducked, avoiding the knife.
‘Who is this?’ he thought to himself.
After a moment, he heard an explosion come from behind. As he turned, he only saw a blazing ring of fire shooting towards him like a rocket.
‘Crud,’ he thought to himself.
The fiery blaze connected with his unguarded body and it sent him crashing into a pile of rubble. He struggled to stand, but as he attempted to pull himself up, a figure appeared over him.
“Not even a challenge,” the figure spat out before smashing its boot into the side of Xiato’s head.
Hags be hagglin', gods be god damn crazy, it's all happening ogre at Into The Fire
Xiato slowly felt his consciousness fading. Instinctively, he retaliated and attempted to stab the figure with a hidden knife. The figure was too quick, however, and caught his wrist in mid-strike. As if in slow motion, the figure snapped Xiato’s wrist backwards. He cried out in agony immediately after hearing the sharp ‘Crack!’ fly through the air. He could feel the warm blood silently traveling down his arm and from the side of his head.
“Who,” he stammered, “who are you?”
The figure just laughed and replied, "It doesn’t matter.”
Xiato could only stare up at his attacker; he was bleeding to death, and he couldn’t do anything about it...
-----------
Leo stood atop a home of a deserted place; the brisk wind blowing his hair in all directions. His black robes were wrinkled and dirty from the long battle. Slowly, he lifted the purple Jewel into the dying sunlight.
“So, I finally found you…” a cruel voice muttered.
Leo turned calmly and asked, “What do you want?”
A man emerged from the shadows, completely covered in black. A mask covered his face and he wore robes like that of a demon. His eyes were the only source of color on his body – and they were pitch black, stained with hate. “I was sent to capture you,” the man said hesitantly, studying the white blade sheathed at Leo’s side.
“Well, then you’ll have to actually fight me,” Leo said with a smirk, slowly drawing his gorgeous weapon.
The man took a step forward and mumbled, “If that’s how you want it.”
Slowly, he reached for his dagger, which was stained with a powerful poison – strong enough to kill a dragon. He slid his left hand into his pouch, and when he removed it, he was holding several strange items – circular in shape.
“Die!” the man shouted, tossing the strange objects at Leo.
Leo frowned and shouted, *I don’t have time for this!”
Hags be hagglin', gods be god damn crazy, it's all happening ogre at Into The Fire
He swiftly moved his sword in the way of the objects; however, when they collided with the sharp blade, they exploded – sending a cloud of smoke over the area. Leo quickly moved his hand up to his mouth, trying to keep the smog out of his lungs. He saw the faint outline of the man in front of him and he raised his sword, preparing to be attacked.
‘Here it comes,” Leo thought to himself, closing his eyes.
He waited several moments, and then realized that an attack was not coming. He opened his eyes and saw that the smoke had vanished – pushed away by some outside force.
“What the…” he muttered.
As he looked around, he saw somebody standing over the motionless body of his attacker. Before he could ask who it was, the figure turned around.
Leo was astonished and stuttered, “Y-You?”
In front of him stood his very own brother, Zito.
---------
Tial walked into the old Phoenix hideout, thinking about Xiato and whether or not he had survived. After a few moments, she brushed off her emotions and continued into the back room.
“Why, Tial,” Sinoto said. “What brings you back here so soon?”
Tial scoffed and replied, “Xiato was a complete idiot. He challenged Vierte so I left him.”
“So…” Sinoto muttered. “You left behind one of your own because you were afraid?”
Tial hesitated and replied, “No, I’m just not stupid.”
Out of the corner, Trey appeared, holding his giant axe over his shoulder. He walked over to Sinoto and said, “She is a disgrace.”
“What did you say?* Tial shrieked in anger.
Trey looked at her and repeated himself, “You are a disgrace.”
In a fury, Tial rushed at Trey, hoping to kill him. However, Sinoto raised his hand menacingly and she stopped, struck with fright.
“Now,” Sinoto began, “give us a good reason why you left Xiato alone with Vierte.”
Tial muttered incoherently before saying, “I came back to report to you!”
“Liar,” Sinoto hissed.
Hags be hagglin', gods be god damn crazy, it's all happening ogre at Into The Fire
