The Shadow of a Hero: A Dark Foe Author: Dahaka Scene 1 Aldeberan outpost in forest, 30 years later (after my last fan fic) Two Aldeberans are keeping watch during their night shift. One is asleep on a chair while the other is struggling to keep awake. Then a rustling noise was made in one of the bushes. Aldeberan 1 (kneeling next to her friend, shaking her awake) “Jas! Jasmine! Wake up!” Jasmine (rubbing her eyes; angry) “What is it Kelly?! I was just getting comfortable.” Kelly (looking at bush) “There’s something there” (pointing at bush) Jasmine “You’re delusional, nothing comes down here, ever” (checks wind) “Besides, it’s probably the wind. Its been very windy lately” Kelly (worried) “I hope your right.” (looks at bush then back at Jasmine) “Then if you’re so sure, then you can check it out without worry.” Jasmine (looking at Kelly with an eyebrow raised) “I’ll just be wasting my time” Kelly “Come on, please? Just so I can calm down” Jasmine (pausing for a minute while closing her eyes) “Fine I’ll do it.” Kelly gives out a sigh of relief as Jasmine rises from her chair. With absolute confidence that nothing was there, Jasmine walked briskly towards the bush as Kelly watched from a relatively far distance. She put her hand on the bush and yanked it to the side. Nothing was there except for a few dead leaves. Jasmine (slightly angry, turning around to her friend) “There’s nothing here, it was just the wind” Kelly (gives a heavy sigh) “Thanks, Jas. I can calm down now. You were rig....” Suddenly a dark figure drops down from the trees above, landing just behind Jasmine. Jasmine turned around to see what had made the noise only to have head sliced of her shoulders. Kelly (shocked) “Jas!!! No!!!” Then more figures started coming from behind the first one. Kelly’s eyes widened as the first figure came closer with the others following. As the figure appeared in the light, it revealed an unknown creature wielding a sword dripping with blood. It was wearing black and torn shirt and pants. The skin was like leather only looking much dryer with black, sharp claws at the end of them. His head was covered with a red garment which was worn to show only the glowing yellow eyes of the creature. Kelly was stepping back at the sight of this. Not seeing the chair behind her, she falls on her back. She resorted to crawling backwards. Kelly (charging up a spell) “Stay back!” But the creature didn’t respond and just came closer to her. Kelly had no choice but to cast the spell on it. But to her surprise, the spell was just absorbed into its stomach, glowing inside. The creature looked at the glow. Suddenly the glow started moving up his body. It stops at his chest, and then starts to move to his arm. The creature then holds his arm up to chest-level before the glow reaches his hand. The glow then came out of his hand and became the same spell that Kelly had cast on it. The creature looks at the glow then quickly at Kelly. Fear was the only thing going through Kelly now. She was just watching. Then the creature cast the spell. Almost immediately, survival entered Kelly, She rolled out of the way in time. She picked her self up and started running out the forest. The creatures drew their swords and started running towards her. Kelly ran through the forest as fast as she could, trying to avoid each tree, branch, root, anything that could stop her running. But her efforts weren’t enough as she tripped on a root. She had fallen pretty badly. But all she could think of was getting out alive. The creatures were getting closer. She had to pick her injured body up, and start limping out. Her pain was unbearable. But the will to survive told her to keep going. The creatures were catching up very fast, it was at the point that one creature was already 3 feet to her, that she gave up and fell to the ground. But at the same moment, another figure wearing a cloak leaps from the trees in front of her and slices the creature behind her into two. Kelly is shocked at the sight. Kelly (shocked but thankful) “Thank you, I thought I was dead” Figure (low-voiced) “I don’t think it’s a good thing to thank me” Kelly (curious) “Why?” Figure “Because I was aiming for you” Kelly then had fear running through her again. She started crawling backwards. The figure raised his sword to strike while approaching her. Kelly then just closed her eyes, waiting to die. But the figure had turned around instead to block the sword of one of the creature behind him. Kelly stood up and limped away. The figure then somersaulted over the creature, turned around in mid-air and landed a downward slice on the creature, slicing it into two. He turns to Kelly who disappeared into the forest. Figure (disappointed; talking slowly) “Darn, she got away” Then a creature charges from behind, going for a sideward slash. The figure easily ducks under it. From his current position, he grabs the creature, throws it to a nearby tree and stabs him through his body, into the tree. He takes out his sword and turns to the five remaining creatures. Figure “Who’s next?” Two creatures then charge at him. Already being next to a tree, he vertically runs up it and back flips out while spinning. He continues to spin on the ground, slicing the two creatures chasing him. Another came charging. The figure then jumped to a tree and pushes off it, towards the creature. The creature prepares to strike but the figure goes down at the ground then rolls between its legs. The figure got up on the other side and kicked the back of the leg of the creature. It falls to the ground, leaving it open for the kill. The remaining two creatures then came charging at him. He immediately blocked the strike of one creature and grabbed its shoulder and flipped himself onto its back. Before landing on the ground, he kicked off the back of the creature and flipped towards the next one. He immediately sliced it as he came down on the other side. The remaining creature grew angry and went ballistic as it charged toward the figure. But the figure easily back flipped out of its attacks. Then the creature was going to stab the figure but then suddenly the figure rolled sideways, behind the creature. The figure then stabbed the creature; he then took the creature’s sword. He took out his sword from the body of the creature and x-slashed the creatures head off. Figure (smiling a little bit) “Just another day” Scene 2 Unknown camp site A fire is burning strongly as THE FIGURE adds some fire wood into it. He takes his sword out A certain brown cat comes out of his cloak, that cat is PHAIAS. He wears a black t-shirt and khaki pants, which look old and worn out. Aside from that, Phaias hasn’t changed much except he has long, black hair that almost touches his shoulders. And one ear is bent forward while the other stands upright Phaias (thinking) (checks his body for wounds) (looks at cloak, picks it up) (puts it over fire, but feels the cold wind) (uses cloak as a jacket) (lays down on the ground) (looks at sword) Phaias starts to drift into sleep, resting himself for his lone attack on Aldeberan, but his plans will be set to a halt. Five more of the unknown creatures come out of the forest and into the camp site after Phaias is completely asleep. The leading one steps beside Phaias and raises his sword. With swift movement and some sound from the wind. The sword comes racing down at Phaias. From speed of the strike, some dust came flying around. When the dust cleared Phaias was gone. Then there was a voice coming beside him. Voice "That was a really fast strike" The leader turned to meet the voice, but was immediately stabbed between the eyes with a dagger. Phaias takes his dagger out and the leader falls to the ground. Phaias "But not fast enough" Then out of nowhere Phaias is knocked to the ground by another one. The creature stood on top of Phaias. Phaias sweeps the creatures legs, knocking it off its feet. He then stabbed the creature in the chest then dragged it down to the stomach. Phaias "Try harder next time, much harder." (turning to the four other creatures) "Guess 8 casualties wasn't enough for you guys." (looks at the two other dead creatures and back at the 4) "Or shall I say 10?" The other creatures grew angry and charged all at once. Phaias landed a scissors kick to the first one that came close. It gave a sickening crack in the neck and it fell down. Phaias "11" Another creature lunged at Phaias, but Phaias just jumped to avoid it. He landed on the sword and gave a sideward kick to the head of the creature. It fell down and Phaias went for the easy kill. Phaias "12" Then Phaias was tackled by another but he flipped him off. When Phaias got up He had one creature at his back and another at the front. They circled around him and Phaias stood watching them closely. He then saw one of the creatures charge at him in the corner of his eye. Turned around and charged at him. He blocked the attack and yanked his sword to the side with great might, throwing the sword away from the hand of the creature. The creature was open for the kill. But Phaias didn't kill him, instead, he jumped towards it and used the stomach as a wall, as he jumped off. At the same time, the other creature lunged at Phaias, but missed and got its friend. Then Phaias back flipped in mid air and caught the creature in the neck as he laded, forcing the creature to bend backwards, matrix-style. Creature (roars out something) After the creature was done Phaias slit his throat. Phaias "13 and 14" (drops the creature.) Then he heard a growl from the forest, he turned just in time to be thrown down to the ground by another kind of creature. It looked like a mutated dog (from our world, not the Aniverse). It had spikes growing from its back and dark fur. Phaias held it by the neck to keep it away from biting him. He then kicks it away, onto a tree. Phaias got up holding his back, which was hurt on the impact. At the same time he sees the dog-creature stand up. He sees his sword behind him, only a few feet away. He looks at the dog-creature and starts to run to his sword. He grabbed it and turned around to see the dog-creature jump towards him. He reacted quickly and stabbed it in the chest. It stopped in mid-air with a sword through its body. Phaias gave a sigh of relief. Then the fur of the dog-creature started to change. From Black to blue, from blue to orange, then orange to red. Then it started to shake. BOOOM!!! The dog-creature exploded and Phaias was thrown back to a tree, hitting the back of his head. He felt dizzy. He was stating to lose consciousness as he saw to more creatures approach. He fell unconscious as they grabbed him. Scene 3 Plains Phaias wakes up and there is dried vegetation around him. He stands up and looks around some more. Then he sees a figure approaching. He reaches in his cloak to for his sword, its not there. He goes into fighting stance anyway. As the figure drew closer, Phaias identified it. Phaias (shocked; lowers arms) "Mother?" But Shadi just came running at Phaias, without a response. She started to punch Phaias with no mercy. Phaias tried to fight back but the punches were too fast. He started to cough blood as he fell to his knees. He looked up at Shadi only to have her choke him. Gasping for air with blood in his mouth, Phaias couldn't breath. Phaias (gasping for air) "Stop! Please!" Shadi throws Phaias across the fields, next to a river. Phaias then coughs up more blood. Shadi goes next to him and grabs his head. She starts drowning him as the river becomes red. Phaias (mumbling through water) "Stop!!!" Suddenly two voices are heard conversing. Voice 1 (whimpering) "Please do it already!" Voice 2 "Are you a kitten or a cat? Cats don't get scared easily!" Voice 1 (whimpering even more) "But I'm getting really freaked out already!" Voice 2 "Fine, but if he gets mad, its your fault" Voice 1 (shouting) "Yeah, just do it already!" Phaias then felt a sharp pain on his cheek Scene 4 Unknown Phaias (sitting up suddenly) "Oww!" An Aldeberan next to Phaias was thrown back at this sudden action. Another screamed but the one to the right of Phaias just sat there. Phaias was now in a hovering platform, with steel bars around and above, like a jail cell. Only its being pulled by a ship Aldeberan 1 (the one thrown back) (picking herself up after hitting her head on a steel bar, rubbing her head; angry) "This is your fault Cindy!" Cindy (the one who shouted) (angry too) "How was I suppose to know he will do that? I just told you to wake him up, not slap him. You made that choice, Amber!" The two had a heated argument until the other Aldeberan said something Aldeberan 3 (slightly angry) "Lets not start another fight. It annoys me" Amber (shouting a little) "Don’t blame me. Cindy was the one who started it." Cindy (shouting) "Me? It was you!" Aldeberan 3 "You cats are like kittens you know that?" (stands up) "So I can throw you around like kittens" She approaches both of them but they retreat back into their corner of the cell. She stops and looks at both of them then goes back into her corner of the cell. She looks at Phaias. Aldeberan 3 "What're you looking at?" Phaias (shocked) "You were looking at me!" Aldeberan 3 "How would you know that if you weren't looking at me yourself?" Phaias just looked away, he was speechless. But he just had to know some things so he looked at her again. Phaias (curious) "How did I get here?" Aldeberan 3 "I don’t know. We just stopped for a while then they dragged your unconscious body in here. You had a nightmare while you were in here too" Phaias (checking inside cloak) "Where’s my sword?" Aldeberan 3 "They took it; you think they'll just leave it with you?" Phaias "Ya, you're right. What are those things that dragged me in here anyway?" Aldeberan 3 "I don’t know either. I just fought with them one day, killed a few but I got beaten." Phaias "Me too, only I won the first but sort of lost the second" Aldeberan 3 (shocked) "Really? Those guys are hard. What do you mean by sort of?" Phaias "I killed the last one but it exploded in my face." Aldeberan 3 (flinching a little) "Ouch, that must have hurt." Phaias "It did." Aldeberan 3 "I didn't get your name." Phaias "Phaias" Aldeberan 3 "Asha" Asha has gray fur with white hair drags down her back until it passes through shoulder level. She wears a blue tank top with one of the shoulder straps that seems to have been ripped off. She has army green pants that seem old Phaias "Nice name" Asha "Yours is unique too" Phaias Then the ship suddenly stopped. Asha "Looks like we're here" Phaias "Where?" Asha "Where else? The enemy's base, why do you think they didn't kill us? We're prisoners" Phaias "Hmm, you're right" (thinking of his nightmare) The cell started to move, not attached to the ship anymore, to a platform where 4 creatures wait. Scene 5 Enemy base, ancient temple The 4 creatures grabbed a prisoner each and tie a rope to their hands. They were walking down a hall. Phaias immediately noticed the many creatures in the other room, training for battle. Phaias (looking at the large numbers of creatures) Asha "There are lots of them here" Phaias (looks at Asha) "What are you saying?" Asha (looks at creatures) "I'm saying just few more thousands..." (looks at Phaias) "...they can take this planet." Phaias (shocked) "What?" Creature (hitting Asha in the back with knee, making her fall down; roaring) Phaias "Hey!" Phaias also gets hit in the back but isn't knocked down instead he head butts the creature, making him lose balance. He then knocks him down with an uppercut with both of his tied up hands. A creature who was watching them, approaches Phaias. He tries to grab Phaias but he dodges him. Phaias jumps off his stomach and into a wall across them. He then jumps off this wall, down ward at the creature. He gets knockdown. Phaias tries to get up but the creature who was holding him grabbed his head and smashed it to the ground. This gave Phaias a slight concussion. The creature sliced off the ropes of Phaias and made a new rope only in the back and tighter. He picked Phaias up and started to bring him along again. Asha (thought to herself) The creatures reached a fork with two pathways. They split into two groups, one group had Phaias and Cindy while the other had Asha and Amber. The two groups took theidr own path at the fork. The four prisoners looked at each other as they took separate ways. Phaias and Cindy were lead into a small prison with only five cells. It had 3 more prisoners inside. The cells have bars instead of alls between each cell so the prisoners can converse. Cindy and Phaias were locked in one cell each. Phaias "Asha was right, we are prisoners." Cindy (whimpering) "I want to go home!" Phaias (looking at Cindy with a raised eyebrow) "Are you really a cat? Now I see why Amber calls you a kitten." Prisoner 1 (interrupting) "She can't be a kitten, if she was, she won't be here." Cindy (curious) "What do you mean?" Prisoner 1 "First, my name is George." (shakes Cindy's hand through bars) "And this is David and Linz" (points to the other two prisoners) Cindy (a little shy) "Hi, name's Cindy" George "And who's your friend?" Phaias doesn't answer to this, he leans on the wall. Cindy "His name is Phaias; still don't know much about him." George (looking at Phaias) "So it seems" Phaias (impatient) "Just tell us why were here." David (angry) "Hey learn some respect or I'll kill you in your sleep" Linz "Calm down, Dave. He doesn't know how things work here for us." David (calming down) "OK, but I'll let it slide this time only." Cindy (curious) "What's going on?" George "We have a certain ground rules here, well sort of. We are united in this prison, we stick by each other no matter what happens." Phaias (slightly angry) "Hmm" George "OK, well for the sake of those want to know, so bad. The reason why were here is for execution." Cindy (shocked) "Execution?" Linz "Yes, those creatures that you saw go on a trial hunt every week to see who is worthy of joining the army" David "An 8 group squad goes out in this hunt" George "They must come back alive with the head of their prey" David "Although if they die in the fight, the killer must be brought back here for execution" Cindy (growing afraid) "But, I killed one of those things by accident. The bookshelf I was hiding behind fell down when I was accidentally pushed it. It had fallen over one of them" Linz "It still counts as a kill" Cindy was crying now. She couldn't hold here fear. George (comfortingly) "I'm sorry Cindy but that's how it goes" Phaias "How does the execution go?" Linz "Depends on how many of those things you kill" George "The higher, the worse." David "So Cindy is actually lucky she killed only one" Cindy's sobs became a little weaker Phaias (sighs) "Guess I'll be getting the worst of it" David "Why how many did you kill? I got 6 which i the highest in here so far" Linz "I scored 3" George "5, if your going to ask" Phaias (sighs again) "15" George, David and Linz (shocked) "What?!" Phaias "I think I have a clear voice. And its actually suppose to be more, I just didn't know that dog thing would explode if you kill it" Linz, George and David look at each other then back at Phaias. Linz (smiling) "I think our savior has come" Phaias (curious) "Huh?" David "We think your good enough to get us out of here" Phaias (shocked) "You want ME to get you guys out of here" George, David and Linz nod at him Phaias "But with the size of the force they got out there, you guys are almost sure to die, not unless some miracle happens." George "then we'll take that chance, we'll be executed soon so we might as well fight before we go down" Phaias (remains silent for a while) "OK, I'll do it. But we need the prisoners from the other side too." David (curious) "Why?" Linz "Duh, because we have more chances of living. If the enemy has 5 targets, their strength will be concentrated on the 5, but if there are ten, they have to divide their strength into two, right?" Phaias (nods, looks out window) "Its getting dark, we can't attack now, because their in full black and we won't be able to see them at night" David "So we wait till day break?" Phaias (nods) "Now, I need info on these guys before we can take them on" George "Well, there are two kinds of creatures we've seen by far. One is the bandit. He is the one who has the sword. With good skill as a sword fighter, he can also absorb magic and laser beams and use it as his own." Phaias "So he is like a mirror" George "Sort of. Moving on is the Beast. Its the same one that lead to your defeat. As you know it explodes if killed. Other than that, it is a natural killer. Born to hunt" Phaias "Anymore?" George (sighs) "That's it I'm afraid." David "So we have a battle plan, info on our enemy and the time of action. But we can't do all that with us stuck in these cells" Their conversation was cut off as the door flung open. They went silent, and watched as a Bandit came in bringing a cart. He takes out five trays and plates and starts putting some sort of powder on it. When he finished he puts utensils and approaches the cells. He opens the small door of the cell to put the food in. He leaves after everyone gets a tray. Phaias spots keys on the side of the bandit as he left David (weakly) "Dinner is served" Cindy (now done crying) "What is this stuff?" Linz "Powdered rock" Cindy (disgusted) "Ewww!" George "Disgusting but that's the only thing that keeps us alive from starvation" (eats a spoonful of powdered rock) Cindy starts feeling sick at the sight. While, the others are eating the powdered rock, the keys gave Phaias something to smile about Cindy (still feeling sick) "Why are you so happy?" Phaias (smiling) "I just solved David's problem" Linz (excited) "Really?" George "So, how are we getting out of here?" Phaias (smiling evilly ) "You'll see. Let’s change the time of action, morning, after breakfast." David "Ya OK, but even if you are able to pull off getting to the other side and setting us free, how do we fight the enemy without our weapons?" Phaias "It must be in the armory here. Just give me the description of your weapon and I'll get it." Linz (worried) "But you'll risk your life even more; we won't make it out alive without you." Phaias (confident) "Just trust me." The Bandit came back in to get the trays, he left soon after. Phaias "So lets clear things up, we start after breakfast. I'll inform the other prisoners about the plan. Once I come back with your weapons, we charge out. I will tell the other prisoners to do the same once we charge out, got that? Everyone nods. But Cindy nods weakly Scene 6 East Side Prison, morning DAVID, LINZ, PHAIAS, GEORGE and CINDY are eating their breakfast. Cindy gave gagging motions constantly, but she was very hungry. Then the Bandit came in again to collect the trays. In order, he took the trays of Linz, David, George and Cindy, Phaias was the last. When the Bandit was at his door, the others nodded to him, he nodded back. The Bandit got the food tray but noticed something missing. Phaias "I'm sorry; I seemed to have misplaced my knife" Bandit (growls) Phaias (knowing the bandit understands him) "Hey isn't that it there?" (points to the ground behind bandit) The Bandit turns around to look, then Phaias grabbed him, covering the mouth. He then took the knife out of his pocket and stabbed him on top of the head and dragged it down the back. Blood and brain juice spill on the ceiling. Cindy now can't hold it and vomits on the floor. Phaias "Stupid bandit" (drops bandit on floor) Phaias grabs the keys from the bandit and unlocks his door. He drags the body in his cell and strips it of its clothing. He switched his clothing with the bandit's. He then put the bandit in his bed and covered him in his sheets. He grabs his own clothing and his cloak and gives it to Cindy Phaias (with a serious look on is face) "Take good care of it" Cindy (a little afraid) "OK" Phaias (turning to the others) "I'll unlock your doors when I come back with your weapons" They all nod as Phaias closes his cell door and goes out with the cart. Scene 7 West Side Prison, inside Amber (coughing) "This food stinks!" Asha "Don't complain, you can't expect to get a buffet in here" Amber (puts tray aside) "I'd rather starve to death." Then a bandit came in with a cart. Amber (relieved) "Finally, you're here; get this stuff away from me" The bandit closes the door and locks it. Asha (suspicious) "Why'd you lock it?" The bandit turns and signals for them to keep quiet, he then takes out his head dressing, it reveals Phaias. Asha (shocked; whispering) "Phaias" Prisoner 1 (shocked; whispering) "You know him?" Asha (whispering) "Ya, he came from the other side" Prisoner 2 (impressed; whispering) "He must have guts to have pulled that off" Prisoner 3 (excited; whispering) "So, are you here to get us out?" Phaias "Yes but I don't have time to talk, just give me your weapon description and I'll come back for you guys" Scene 8 Armory Phaias, disguised as a bandit, walk in the armory with the food cart. Phaias (taking out a list) (looks around and grabs a spear and puts it under the food cart) (grabs a long broad sword) (grabs a great halberd) (puts it under) (grabs a sword and circular shield) (grabs a najinata) (grabs a pair of chakrums) (grabs a pair of swords) (grabs a spear with one head on top and another on the bottom) (has a weird look on his face as he grabs arrows and a bow with swords attached to it to look like wings) (he looks around for his sword a finds it, he looks at it for a while) (puts it under the cart) Scene 9 East Side Prison PHAIAS walks in again, and distributes the weapons to his friends and unlocks the doors. He gets dressed back into his own clothes. He folds and puts his cloak in a side bag. Phaias "Is everyone ready?" George "Yes, but only if the other side is." Phaias "They are, I went there before coming here and told then the whole plan." David (eager) "So what are we waiting for?" Phaias smiled as he charged out the prison Scene 10 Outside Almost immediately, Phaias slashed the two guards guarding the door, followed by the 4 prisoners. They gave out a loud battle cry which got the attention of the bandits and beasts nearby. Another battle cry can be heard from the other side. Asha and her team had started already started to run towards them. Phaias (shouting) “Come on, we don’t have much time! They’ll be swarming us in just a few seconds!” They ran toward Asha’s team as fast as they could. Phaias could see the bandits grabbing weapons and unlocking the cages of the beasts. The beasts were growling as they looked at them. Phaias’ team and Asha’s team met each other and ran down the hall way next to them. The bandits had already finished unlocking the beasts and they were armed with their weapons. Phaias could see ships in the dock where they had been dropped off from their airborne jail cell. Phaias (shouting to George) “Your freedom is only a few steps away!” George (smiling a bit) “One month in that hell hole, and I’m finally going home. Let’s go faster!” George pushed himself to go faster. Everyone saw this and gave another battle cry as they too pushed themselves forward. They burst from the hallway and to the docks. Bandits were already close to them. Suddenly Phaias stopped, facing the bandits. Asha (stopping next to him) “What are you doing?” Phaias (not looking at Asha) “You guys are going to the ship now, while I hold them back.” Asha (shocked) “That’s suicide.” Phaias (now looking at her) “Believe me; I’ve gone through something worse than suicide” She looked into his eyes and knew that that he was serious and nothing that she can was going to stop him. She looked at the team which had gone ahead of them and back at him. She ran back to the team. Asha Phaias prepared for battle as the bandits had come closer at every second. Asha already reached the team. They had already taken over a ship and were hurrying up to get it started. David then noticed that Phaias was not with Asha as she came in. David “Hey, you!” Asha “The name is Asha” David “Fine, Asha then, where’s Phaias?” Asha “That lunatic cat, wanted to take on that whole army by himself so we could escape” Everyone (turning to Asha at what she said) “What?!” Phaias was killing a lot of bandits, anyone that was unlucky enough to be in his attack range. Waves and waves of enemies, falling in defeat and death, but the increasing number was slowly pushing Phaias back. The team was shocked at the sight of this. Linz “Wow, he’s cleaning house.” Bob “Yes, but it’s becoming obvious that he can’t hold any longer.” Cindy “I hope he makes it out alive.” Sarah “We can’t just leave him there to fight alone.” George “We have to” (pointing at bandits going past Phaias) “Not all are aiming for him” George went back to starting the ship. Everyone else was still spectating the fight through the windows of the ship. They could see Phaias was slowly being surrounded. Asha looked at the team then back at Phaias. She made her way to the door. Cindy and Linz saw this. Cindy (curious) “Where are you going?” Asha “He’s going to die out here.” Linz (shocked) “So you’re going out to help him” Cindy (also shocked) “You’ll die too if you go out there!” Asha “He got us out of here and I won’t let him die.” Asha opened the door, leaped out and shut it behind her. George saw this and went to the door and opened it George (angry) “Come back here!” Asha ignored this and started to go towards Phaias, shooting any bandit with her bow and arrow. George started to call out again but he could see the closing bandits and shut the door. Cindy (slightly angry) “So we’re just going to leave them here” George “They’ll have to catch a ride of their own.” All went silent as George finally got the ship starting and immediately took off, leaving Phaias and Asha to fight an entire army. Back in the docks... Asha looked back at the now airborne ship and realized there was no turning back. She slowly made her way to the now surrounded Phaias. But Phaias seemed to be handling himself very well. He was cornered to a wall but reacted quickly by running up the wall and jumping off, coming down slashing at bandits. He landed next to a pole. The bandits were very close to him. He grabbed the pole with one hand with his sword in the other hand. He spun around the pole with his sword sticking out. There were heads of bandits flying everywhere. Phaias leaped from the pole still spinning while slashing at any nearby bandit. Still spinning, he went into a handstand and started kicking at bandits while moving forward. He moved forward by going to a one hand handstand regularly, so he gets to slash every time he does so. He stopped by another wall. He ran on the wall (he’s not running UP the wall) slashing down on every bandit he passes over. He was started to come down as he jumped off the wall and slashed bandits that happened to be across him. It was Asha who had a hard time with the bandits. Phaias saw she was surrounded and immediately jumped off the stomach of the bandit he was fighting and landed beside her. Phaias (slashing a bandit across the stomach) “Why are you here” Asha (struggling against a bandit but finally stabs him in the stomach) “I couldn’t just leave you here” Phaias (kicking a bandit down) “How about the others?” Asha (shooting a bandit in the head) “They left already” Phaias (stabs a bandit; pauses for a while) “Thanks for helping me out” Asha (slashing a bandit to death; smiles a little) “Why are you thanking me? I did this to thank YOU for getting me to the ship at least” Phaias (snaps the neck of one bandit and throws him to a group of them; blushes a little) “But now your stuck in this battle with me” Asha (blocking a strike from a bandit) “It’s better than have my conscience bother me all my life for leaving you to die here.” Phaias smiles as he takes out another bandit. The two fought hard against the ever increasing number of bandits. Then beasts finally got a piece of the action. They forced their way to the two warriors. Phaias got tackled by one beast but stabbed it. It started to change color. Phaias then got an idea. He threw the beast to the crowd of bandits. It blew up and many bandits flew everywhere. Asha ducked as one bandit came flying at her. Phaias (smiling a little) “Let’s use the beasts to get out of here” Asha nods as she shot a beast and kicked it to the bandits. They killed and threw the beasts to make their way to another ship. Bandits were flying everywhere, a wall, over the cliff and even at more bandits. They grew closer to the ships. Suddenly a bandit shot an arrow at Asha’s leg which took her down. Phaias immediately went to her side. The sudden halt of attacking gave the bandits am open attack. Asha (realizing their defeat) “We put up a good fight” Phaias (angry, but not showing it) “Just close your eyes.... and wait” Just as the bandits grew close to attacking range a horn was blown from a balcony above them. The clouds suddenly became dark gray, thunder and lighting emerging. The bandits halted their advance and stepped back. Phaias looked at them then back at Asha. He put his sword in its sheath and yanked the arrow out of her leg. She gave a little gasp of pain. He picked her up with her arm over his shoulder and his arm around her waist. The both looked at where the horn was blown from. A male Aldeberan had blown it and looked down at the bandits. The male had black fur with bronze armor with a red, torn cape hanging from it. The bandits got on one knee with their sword stabbed one the ground and put their head down. The male Aldeberan began to speak. The bandits looked up on this Male (angry) “Is this the force that I will use to take over this planet?” (looking at the bodies all around) “400 defeated by 2 cats?” The bandits lowered their head in shame. Male “Is the Almighty Odin guard actually weak?” (looks at Phaias) “Or is the enemy just powerful?” The male looks at Phaias with concentration. This took a few minutes. He began to speak again Male (shouting) “Mighty Warrior! I am Bain, a Commander of the Odin Guard. I ask for your name!” Phaias (shouting back) “Phaias” Bain (smiling) “Phaias, long have I seen a warrior of your capability. A strong warrior you are indeed! I have waited for one such as you to have a duel with.” Phaias (looking sternly) “Is this a challenge?” Bain (shaking his head) “No, because I am still not pleased with what you have done. Those mere excuses for warriors you have faced are not worthy of facing you.” Phaias (confused) “What are you saying?” Bain (smiling evilly) “A mighty warrior needs a worthy opponent” He signals for one bandit to open a giant pair of doors. It’s dark inside and nothing could be seen inside. Suddenly a loud nose is heard followed by the ground shaking. Bain (shouting at Phaias) “We’d like you to meet a new member of the Zeratul Guard” (looking at the dark passageway) “The Golem” Suddenly a giant foot comes out of the darkness. Then the Golem revealed itself after taking the next step. It has the same purple, leathery skin of the bandit. It towers at 20 feet tall, wearing gold body, shin, forearm, and bottom (you know the place where your privates are) armor and a gold helmet that only shows the yellow eyes and sharp teeth. Bain (smiling) “Please, enjoy his company, I certainly will” Bain laughs evilly. Phaias steps back with Asha in his arms. Asha is overwhelmed by the sight of the Golem. She just stares at it. The bandits run and make a circular arena. The Golem moves forward. With one step, the Golem is in front of them. It clenches a fist and swings it sideward at Phaias. Phaias pushes Asha aside and he gets thrown through a wall. Asha tried to stand up to help Phaias but the arrow wound prevented her from doing so. All she could do was watch and hope for the best. The Golem picked up Phaias who was coughing up blood from internal injuries. The Golem dropped Phaias and kicked him. He launched to the air at high speed. He smashed through a window beside the balcony of Bain and into a wall. Bain “Come on Phaias, can you at least put up a show” Phaias looked at him. His were angry and Bain could see it. The Golem grabbed Phaias again, by the legs this time. It swung Phaias into poles, breaking each one. Phaias was now very bloody, coughing out huge amounts of blood. The Golem threw him across the ground, scrapping the jagged rocks of the Temple. Phaias couldn’t move any more, just lying there for the Golem to kill him. The Golem picked him up by the legs again. It looks at Bain. Bain (disappointed) “I guess you weren’t worthy of dueling with me” He nods at the Golem. The Golem lifts his arm with Phaias in it and swings it to the ground at high speed. Dust flew around at the speed. Asha (crying) “No!!!” The dust dispersed after a few seconds. Asha was shocked and relieved at the sight. The Golem had his arm down, but not fully on the ground. Phaias had unsheathed his sword and stuck it on the ground on impact. He was pushing against the powerful Golem. The Golem was trying to push him down but couldn’t. Then at high speed, Phaias took out his sword and stabbed the bare hand of the Golem. The Golem let him go and he landed on his feet. The Golem grew angry it tried to stomp Phaias but he rolled out of it. The Golem tried again and again but Phaias just kept rolling out. He signaled for the Golem to come closer. He dodged the stomps this time by back flipping while going back wards. The Golem was really angry and lifted its leg high for a powerful stomp. Phaias rolled forward to dodge this. He was now behind the Golem. He ran up its leg and hung on to its belt. The Golem looked back and saw this. It tried to get Phaias but he kept swinging to dodge the huge hands of the Golem. Then Phaias grabbed one of its hands and he climbed up the arm. He made his way to the back of its head. He started chipping of pieces of helmet with his sword by slashing it hard. The Golem started getting dizzy from the vibration. It tried to get Phaias again but he just dropped off and hung on the neck of the body armor. He pulled himself back up and started slashing again. It made a hole on the helmet of the Golem. He balanced himself on the Golem and used two hands to do an underhand stab on its head. The Golem made a huge roar then fell to the ground. Phaias flipped off the Golem to avoid being crushed. He landed on the ground but collapsed under his injuries. Asha crawled her way to him. Asha (crying a little) “Phaias? Are you OK?” Phaias (coughing blood) “I’m fine, just a few broken bones” Clapping was heard from the balcony. Phaias and Asha looked up to see Bain clapping with an evil smile on his face. Bain (smiling) “Well done, Phaias. I guess you are worthy of dueling with me” (looks at two certain bandits) “Bring them to me.” He motions to two bandits. The two get up from knelling position and head toward Phaias. Each grabbed an arm. But Phaias push them away and looks at them with sharp eyes. The bandits growled at Phaias. Phaias drew his sword and stood up with a grunt of pain. The bandits started to step forward with drawn swords. Bain (angrily) “Stop!” The bandits looked at Bain the back at Phaias. They growled and stepped back. Bain “Do as you wish, Phaias” Phaias sheathed his sword and went over to Asha. He picked her up with his arm on her waist and her arm over his shoulder. Asha was shocked at this. Asha (shocked) “Phaias, your injured, I should be helping you” (looks at her leg then at Phaias) “This is just an arrow shot” Phaias (smiling weakly) “I couldn’t let you crawl inside the temple neither will I allow those monsters to touch you” Asha just looked at Phaias as he led them inside the temple. Scene 11 (finally hehe) Temple, balcony Phaias and Asha go through the doorway leading to the balcony. Bain is leaning on the balcony railing, arms crossed with an evil smile. Bain “I have been bored here, no one worthy of beating.” (turns around to see the sea of bandits) “I just wait here, waiting for the order from my commanding officer. 70 years of waiting and still no order. I was just another sad cat.” (turns back to Phaias) “Then you came along, and I am filled with joy...” (taking a sword from the balcony railing) “... for I finally get to duel with one who is worthy.” Phaias (has a sharp look in his eyes) “Tell me something, why are you going to lead an attack to take over your own planet?” Bain (laughs a little) “First, I am not leading the attack. I have been chosen by one much greater than I am to be a ‘Servant of Zeratul’.” Asha “But why are you going to turn on your own planet?” Bain “I don’t need Aldeberan. I am a Servant of Zeratul. We have been promised that we will take over this Aniverse and any other Universe that is out there. You think I’d want this planet if I can have everything?” Phaias “I’m sorry, but that dream of yours will not come true.” (sets Asha down next to a wall and draw his sword) “You won’t live to see it happen.” Bain (unsheathing his sword; smiling) “Really? I think it’ll be you to die today.” Phaias takes a step forward. But Bain raises his hand, signaling for him to stop. Bain (laughing a little) “You think you can fight me at your current condition?” Phaias look at him with some confusion. Bain suddenly put his arm in front of him and Phaias was pushed back. Asha goes to his side. Asha (concerned) “Are you OK?” Phaias (holding his ribs) “Ya, actually I feel great.” (stands up and looks at Bain) “What did you do to me?” Bain (smiling) “Just a little healing spell.” Phaias (smiling weakly) “This doesn’t change anything between us.” Bain “I didn’t intend to heal you for your good. I wanted you to be in full fighting shape to face me. Now let’s stop talking and start fighting.” Bain charges at Phaias, catching him off guard. Phaias tried to dodge his slash but was wounded in his arm. Phaias looked at him. Bain signaled him to attack. Phaias charged at him. They exchanged slashes. The battle was fierce with the little battle space and the skill of the two warriors. The two were now pushing against each other with their swords. Bain (smiling) “I never thought you would be this good.” Phaias “I would say the same.” Bain (with a serious look on his face) “But here comes the turning point, Phaias” Phaias (confused) “Huh?” Bain, seeing Phaias was confused, kicked him with full force in the stomach. Phaias fell to one knee, holding his stomach and head down. Bain towered over him, he was laughing. Bain “I take it back, I estimated you perfectly.” Bain raised his sword in an underhand, preparing to stab Phaias. Suddenly Phaias looked up and tackled Bain over the railing. They fell down to the bandits below. Asha felt her heart drop to her heels. She crawled over to the railing and picked herself up. She looked down and saw the two of them crash down onto the bandits below. The bandits served as padding and the two were alright except for a few bruises. Asha was now well enough to walk; she starts to limp down to the battle field. Scene 12 Training Grounds The bandits formed a small circular arena around the two as they picked themselves up. Bain looked at Phaias who was smiling. Bain grew angry and charged at Phaias again. Phaias rolled out of the downward slash of Bain. Phaias went in to strike Bain blocked it. Bain kicked Phaias into a bandit. The bandit pushed Phaias as Bain clotheslined him. Phaias fell down and hit his head on the ground but got up almost immediately, holding his head. Bain was smiling as he went in to strike. Phaias blocked it, spun around and swept the legs of Bain. He fell to the ground and Phaias went in to stab him. Bain rolled away and Phaias’ sword was stuck on the ground. Bain took the opportunity and went to slash Phaias. Phaias dodge it by somersaulting over him. Before landing, Phaias kicked Bain’s head. Bain landed next to a bandit. He got up, angry. He took the sword of the bandit and tuned to Phaias, who now got his sword from the ground. Bain charged at Phaias. Phaias blocked one sword but the other sliced him in the side. Phaias grunted in pain. The attack kept coming. Phaias moved back until he reached some bandits. He rolled out of the attacks. Bain got the bandits that were behind Phaias instead. He turned to Phaias with an enraged face. Bain charged at full speed and knocked down Phaias. Bain made a double downward slash at Phaias. Phaias blocked both swords by putting his sword sideways. Phaias pushed Bain with his sword, knocking him off balance. Phaias spun his legs around and pushed the ground above his head. Phaias got off the ground while landing many spinning kicks at Bain (like a Chinese get up only your spinning and kicking). He landed on his feet as Bain fell back. Bain just got up even angrier. He tackled Phaias and smashed him through a wall and into a room. Phaias kicked him off, into a wall. They got up at the same time. They circled the room as bandits watched form outside and Asha forced her way to the front. They charged at each other again. Bain over-powered Phaias and threw him into a table. Phaias smashed through it and slid on the floor. He roll out of the table as Bain came flying down at him. Bain immediately got out of the wrecked table. Phaias ran up the wall he was beside and flipped out. He landed a drop kick at Bain as he came down, throwing him to the wall. Bain got up and turned around. He got a chair and threw it at Phaias. Phaias caught the chair and threw it aside, only to be tackled by Bain. Phaias blocked the strike of Bain and they were pushing against each other. Bain (angrily) “You annoying pest, I will kill you!” Phaias (laughing a little) “I thought you were happy to have someone fight you” Phaias started to push Bain back until he was at a vertical base. He was pushing some more. Bain was trying to push back but was over powered. Phaias finally pushed him enough to get the swords out of his way. Bain retaliated by dragging his swords back in. Phaias quickly jumped up and over Bain. Before touching the ground, he cut Bain’s cheek with a spinning slash. He connected a downward slash but it was blocked by Bain. They started pushing again. But this time, instead of pushing further, they drew their swords back and both mustered a powerful strike, enough to send them both flying at wall on impact of both swords. They hit the walls hard and fell forward. They lifted their heads and slowly got up at the same time. Bain threw down one of his swords, making one sword each. Then they both put a foot on the walls they were beside. Bain (cockily) “You’re a good dueling partner, Phaias!” Phaias (smiling weakly) “Same here...” (now has a sharp look in his eye) “...but this duel ends now” They jumped on their foot that was on the ground then pushed themselves forward. They were both flying at each other with their swords pointed forward. They were already close. They were both going to get a blade in their bodies. Suddenly Phaias spun 180 degrees, dodging Bain’s sword and leaving his stomach wide open. Phaias stabbed Bain’s stomach and dragged the sword out the upper left leg. Both fell down on the ground. Phaias got up slowly but Bain didn’t move at all. Asha limped next to Phaias and looked at Bain. Asha (looking at Phaias) “Is he...” Phaias (looking at Asha) “Yes...” (looking at Bain) “...he’s dead” Phaias collapses but was caught by Asha. Asha (struggling to lift Phaias) “Are you OK?” Phaias (grunting with pain) “Ya, the fight just took a lot out of me.” They hear growling out the hole made by Bain. The bandits were still there. Phaias (sighing) “Aw come on.” To their surprise the bandits moved aside knelling down, head down with their sword stabbed in the ground. Asha (confused) “What are they doing?” Phaias (looking at the bandits) “I think they’re letting us go” They looked at each other and nodded. Asha helped Phaias walk slowly through the path made by the bandits. The path led them to the docks. They could see a ship that has doors open and ready for takeoff. They looked at each other and walked further. Suddenly they heard a scream from the room where Phaias killed Bain. They could see a bandit walk inside. Suddenly the bandit was flying out of the hole. Bain came out of the hole. Bain (shouting) “You think you can kill me that easily?” (looking at bandits) “Kill him you fools!” The bandits looked at Asha and Phaias and growled. They took their swords out of the ground and started to advance. Asha (worried) “What do we do?” Phaias “The only thing we can do...” (releases himself from Asha and draws his sword) “...fight” Asha looked at him then at the closing in bandits. She took a silent gulp and got her bow and loaded and arrow on it. Just as the bandits were already close enough to attack, they suddenly froze in their tracks. Asha and Phaias were stunned at this as they lowered their weapons. Asha went so close to a bandit and waved her hand in front of him. Asha (confused) “What happened to them?” Phaias shrugged weakly as Asha went back to his to help him stand. Suddenly a cloaked figure appeared from the ground in front of them. Everything went red except for Asha, Phaias and the figure. Asha stepped back at the sight but was still holding on to Phaias. Phaias just stood there, right in front of the figure. The figure was hovering from the ground, wearing a jet black cloak with a hood and its face, covered in darkness. It started to speak in a low demonic voice Phaias (bravely) “Who are you?” Figure “I am one both far and near, both friend and foe, both guardian and devil. For now, I am in your favor. I have come to help you with troubles inside you.” Phaias (slightly angry) “I don’t need help.” Figure “That’s where you are wrong. You think that your only purpose left in life is revenge, against those who betrayed you.” Phaias (shocked) “How do you know this?” Figure “I know more about you than what you know about yourself. I have been with you since the day your mother had you in her womb and know what goes on in that head of yours and what doesn’t but is still in you.” Phaias (confused) “What do you mean?” Figure (pointing at Phaias’ chest) “There is something that is within you, but has eluded you for the past 30 years. Do you remember what your mother said to you before she pushed you off that cliff?” Phaias (holding back of head) “My memory has been blurred a little bit from the fall, but I still remember who had done it.” Figure “Well, before you were pushed off, your mother said something about you having magic.” Phaias (rubbing) “Yes, now I remember. But its just magic, you see it everyday here in Aldeberan.” Figure “That is why I am here. Your magic is one greater than any other.” Phaias (silently shocked) “And this magic is?” Figure “I’m afraid telling you what it is, is not part of my reason of being here” Phaias “Then what are you going to tell me of my magic?” Figure “I had just spoke of it. It is greater than any other magic.” Phaias (shocked) “That’s it?” Figure (quickly) “Oh yes, you need these to activate it once you have learned it.” The figure extends its hand to Phaias. Phaias looked down to see two spell gems, one blue and one red. He picked them up and looked at the figure. Figure “You will know when to use them” Phaias (confused) “How?” Figure “I have to go now; my purpose here has been served.” Phaias (holding on to the cloak of the figure) “Wait!” Figure “You should hurry now; my freezing spell will only last for a few more seconds.” The figure dispersed into black feathers and flew away. The color of everything changed back to normal. The bandits were still frozen, but they began moving slowly. Phaias “We have to go... now.” Phaias grabbed Asha and ran toward the ship, pushing away bandits and not minding his injuries. The bandits were moving a little faster now. Phaias ran even faster. Suddenly the bandits broke from the spell. Phaias was already at the doors of the ship. He signaled Asha to go first. Then he went in and closed the door as blades stabbed through it. He barely dodged the blades. He immediately went to the cockpit with Asha, but was confused with all the buttons. Phaias (scratching his head, putting his finger over some buttons) “Which one?” Asha then limped forward and hit a red button. The ship lifted from the ground. But Phaias didn’t know how to pilot it too. Asha “You, out of the captain’s chair” Phaias looked sternly at her for a while. She looked back and Phaias got out of the captain’s chair and sat in the co-pilot’s chair. Asha pushed some buttons and the ship started moving forward, faster with every second. The bandits just watched as two more prisoners escaped. Asha and Phaias now relaxed. Asha was resting her leg from the arrow shot and Phaias had to rest his whole body. Asha (looking sternly at Phaias) “Are you sure you’re OK?” Phaias (looking at Asha, smiling) “For the last time, I’m OK.” Asha (smiles but turns back to a serious face) “What happened between you and your mother?” Phaias (looking back to the front) “I don’t want to talk about it” Asha (still looking at Phaias) “Did she try to kill you?” Phaias sighed and began telling her the whole story from his point of view. Scene 13 Docks Back at the enemy base, Bain stood with on the edge of the cliff where the docks were stationed. He looked at the escaping ship and clenched his fist. He had an enraged face. Bain (mumbling to himself) “I swear that you will die at my hands Phaias” He calls over a bandit. The bandit rushes to him and bows. Bain (angrily) “Release the Cephires; I want that ship shot down, but the inhabitants alive!” The bandit bows and goes to a pulley. He starts to turn it around. A door in the side of the cliff slowly opened to the side. Once it was fully open a loud hiss came from inside To be continued...