Chapter 3 The Story Thus Far
“I'm not going to live through this fight.”
The statement comes from Arrowny so suddenly that it actually shocks Brad. They've just finished a training match in the main hall of the castle (Ryan in fifteen minutes fifty two seconds) and were sitting down for a break when he just let the words out.
Brad knows that the leader of the Warriors probably won't live through the fight... taking the most powerful sorcerer the world has ever known one on one is never a good idea... and taking him on when he's pissed at you is just one of the worst ideas in the very long history of bad ideas.
But, that's the plan...
... Brad leads the army against the demons and wizards...
... Saphir takes on the red robed guy...
... Justin keeps everything running smoothly...
... and Ryan fights the big bad. He'll probably end up dying or something... it's his mission in life to protect one of the damned kids...
The attack comes in about three days... it's no wonder Arrowny's thinking about this now.
In a vein attempt to make his friend feel better... Brad shrugs.
“You want to live? You'll live. You die, I'll find some way to bring you back. You'll get a long and healthy life.”
“I don't think it's possible to bring people back to life.”
“Yeah... well... if you die... I'll find a way... how about that.”
Arrowny laughs a little.
“Right. Sure. Let's get back to training.”
* * * * * *
“And that's it.”
Arrowny and Brad have just finished telling the story of why Brad's been so single minded the last few years.
Justin and Saphir sit on the couch across from the chair where Arrowny is, both with looks of shock on their faces.
Arrowny just shrugs...
“Yeah... so... now I'm back, and everything's good.”
There are various sounds of agreement from around the room... except from Brad. He's kind of just trying to slink back into the shadows. Saphir turns to him.
“You got something to say?”
Brad blinks nervously...
“Well... there's this thing... you see... fortold and all that...”
“Well... spit it out...”
“It's just... the fact that we were able to get Arrowny back... it kinda means... thatthereisonemoregreatevilleftingtheworldthatwearegoingtohavetofight... but once that's taken care of... everything's great.”
Saphir shakes his head...
“Leave it to Brad... maybe you should of told us this before we helped you?”
Brad shrugs...
“You didn't need to know then.”
Justin stands.
“Okay... Saphir and I will hit the books. I'll cross-reference all of the pre-destined events that are supposed to occur about now with whatever we find. I'm sure we'll be able to come up with something before this big bad gets the jump on us.”
Arrowny rubs his forehead...
“We've got another problem.”
Brad shakes his head in agreement...
“Those really cool knight guys? Yeah... well... we coulda killed them all if you didn't want to get out of there so fast. I mean... I understand why you wanted to... I'm just saying... we could have taken them.”
“I'm not sure we could have.”
Arrowny stands slowly... turns toward Brad... and punches out at his comrade's face.
Anybody whom has seen Arrowny fight would imeaditly notice two things about the punch... one, it is slow... two, it is sloppy.
Brad, acting on instinct, grabs Arrowny's wrist, and twists his attackers arm away. Then, he spins round, bringing Arrowny's arm over his own head, and flipping Ryan to his back on the floor of the living room.
Brad looks confused...
“Why'd you do that and how'd I do that?”
He reaches down, helping to pull Arrowny up.
“I've forgotten how to fight... I can't even do the most basic things anymore... plus... I don't have any control over my powers at all.”
Saphir's eyes widen.
“Hang on! You told those knight guys that you were going to use your magics on them... you were lying?”
“Got us out of there, didn't it?”
When nobody objects to this fact, Arrowny continues talking.
“I just spent three years in a void dimension, under a curse that didn't even allow me to feel the slightest bit of emotion... I couldn't even feel bored with my life! As such, I've forgotten how to fight. So, here's the plan. Saphir and Justin do research on the big bad thing that's here because I am... also check on anything which might lead to the Knights of Human Purity. My guess is they've left a body count of mages all over the place... we just have never hand anything to connect them.
Brad, track down the guy who helped you get the spells together to bring me back. He might be able to give us a hand on this whole thing.
I will get in touch with some contacts of mine, and see if I can't get a crash course in combat. I figure once I get a few lessons in me, it'll all come back... like falling off a bike.
Everybody okay with this?”
Nobody even needs to answer. They all have their own ideas about how things should be dealt with... more research, more science, bigger swords... but when it comes down to it, Arrowny has always been the leader of the group, and even after three years away, it is still so.
They each turn away, and head off to do what they need to.
* * * * * *
“Is this information accurate?”
Minion stands at the front of the temple dedicated to the Four. He glances around at the demons working away at completing it in time... his most loyal followers of the Hetron race.
Standing directly before him is his mage... Sharod.
“Yes, my Lord. The list of demon clans still loyal to you has been checked time and time again. The Hetron have kept close watch on the changing feelings of those the Four used to command. Once they hear of your return, they will join your armies once again.”
A dejected look crosses the demon lord's face...
“I miss my armies. I miss everything... I miss the world. I miss the wars against the mortals...”
“You will be returned to your former glory.”
“I want more than that. I have new plans, Sharod. The humans... they have infested the Earth... our world... and they must pay. I will find a way to bring open war between man and demon... it is the only way to thin the animals numbers. I will lead the demons... but I need a human to lead man... a human whom I can control...”
“My lord!” Sharod bows low to the floor, “I am honoured that you would select me in this humbl-”
“Don't be foolish. You will fight for me. Your magics will be of use to me. I promise you... when the war is over, you will be given charge of the slave pits. The humans will be yours to do with as you wish.”
Sharod stands... smiling...
“I look foward to it.”
Minion nods...
“And, Sharod... find me a human. Somebody who has the ability to lead his people in a war against me. Somebody they can trust, but whom will be willing to work with me in my attempts to start the war.
Also... I must speak to the Chaos Bringer. He may be interested in my plans.”
“But Morning Star has always looked down upon you. The Four have sought order in the world... he wants chaos.”
“Yes... but I believe that this war will be enough chaos to satisfy even his needs for generations to come. He will join us.”
* * * * * *
“The Dragoon Warriors escaped from the scouting team sent to the chamber.”
He is the General of the Knights of Human Purity. Of all, it is his will which shapes the will of the group. His red and black cape flows around in the breeze from the open doorway. His black and gold armour is... awe inspiring. Perfection forged from metal.
He is delivering the news of the failure to his second in command whom just entered the General's cabin. Cape a little less flowy... armour a little less perfect. The second in command's face is set, hard from his years of battle. He joined with the Knights only six years ago... just after the tragedy of his life... and he has worked his way up the ranks by being the best warrior in the group...
... next to the General himself.
“The Dragoon Warriors must be made to suffer for their crimes. Their magics are powerful... they pollute the human race.”
The General shakes his head.
“Samuel... I know that this is not your true feeling on the matter. You are a great warrior, but I know that your heart does not belong in the battle against the magics. You wish for simple vengance... and there is nothing wrong with that. Revenge can be the greatest of motives... and if it keeps you in our fight, I will not question it. Lie to the men all you want... keep them believing that you fight against the sorcery and witchcraft... but do not lie to me.
You seek vengeance against this Arrowny person.”
Samuel slams the door shut behind him.
“Shouldn't I wish it? With what he took from me! I will see him in HELL before I die... I will be the one to finally send him there.”
The General nods...
“I truly believe that you will get the chance to do just that. But, it is no matter. Your motives and our mission will keep us together during the battle. And, as it happens... I have a special plan for which I feel you would be most suited to take part in.”
Samuel stands at attention, waiting for instructions. The General points to a map of Nova Scotia...
“I think it is time we sent a message to Arrowny and the Dragoon Warriors. They need to know what happens when one plays with magic... and I believe the best way to send this message is with a burnt corpse of one of his friends.”
* * * * * *
Arrowny steps into the cabin owned by the former Master of Arms of the Protectors. He retired years ago, and holds the honour of being the only Master of Arms which lived long enough to reach retirement age.
The cabin is in the woods somewhere in Canada... a secret place known to only the highest ranking members of the Protectors...
... Arrowny gave a common street thug twenty dollars for the location.
There is only one room, decked out gladiator style... mats on all the floors, and various weapons in racks all along the walls.
Sitting in the center of the room is the Master of Arms...
“Master?”
The old man looks up... his face is covered with the proof of his age. He looks at Ryan for a second, then nods.
“Protector Arrowny... aren't you supposed to be dead somewhere?”
“Yeah... funny thing about that.”
“Save the story... I don't care. You've forgotten how to fight... and you want a crash course... right?”
Ryan gives a confused look...
“... right... how do you know this?”
The Master raises his right hand... showing Arrowny a cellphone...
“Voice mail from that Saphir fellow you work with. Nice guy... knew his grandfather. He wanted to let me know you were dropping in uninvited.”
“Okay... great... that's nice. So... you'll re-train me?”
“Not quite. You're old skills will come back to you after a few basic lessons. But, if you want me to teach you, we're going to move on to some pretty advanced stuff. You've got the skill and the strength... my style has always been more about the balance and agility. You want my help, we do my lessons, agree?”
Ryan shrugs...
“Fine... whatever... I need the help... so yeah... I agree.”