The Remaining Army

[-tincup]

Stepping from the portal, Archain looked around. Gint had opened a portal to Meliora Island, a landmass far enough away from Domus where the demons wouldn't come looking for them... Hopefully. Archain looked around for a second before constructing stone walls in a large perimeter. He also pulled stone from the earth to create a building to house whoever decided to join him and the dwarf. As one final touch, Archain created a small stone wall on which to draw up battle plans.

So now there was nothing to do but wait. If not enough showed up, they would fall back with the rest of the army. But Archain was confident that enough of the army would love their world enough to stay and fight.

Not long after thinking this thought, militia members began to step out of the portal. Archain knew at once that he was going to need more housing facilities. He called to the militia for any earth alchemists to create housing for the new army. Before long, there were several longhouse-type buildings erected inside of the stone-walled perimeter.

Archain walked up to a small, grassy hill and sat down at the peak. He looked over the new army camp and saw the new army begin to line into the longhouses as he told them to do. He would wait for the stream of fighters to stop before addressing the new army. It looked as though there was hope yet for winning the battle.

[-Lionheart]

Vanguard stepped through one of the many portals, his body bruised, bloodied, but on the flip side, still completely intact. One of his signature daggers was missing, and he lamented not returning to the field to find it, but now, looking at where he was, Van was glad he had returned to this place. Sitting down on a large rock, he wiped a smear of blood from his face, sheathing his remaining dagger in the sash at his waist, as he gazed around him, taking in the many broken men returning from the deadly field of battle they had escaped.

Helping a wounded man who had fallen out of a nearby portal, Van set about healing the militiamen, removing his armor, and using what little healing prowess he possessed to soothe the man's pain, and hopefully, find him a doctor or healer who could completely heal his wounds. All around him, men of varying ages were returning, shattered, broken, but resilient to the demons terrible power. What little strength he felt inside of him, Van remained standing, proud to be considered a soldier amongst such a vigilant and strong army.

But in truth, the young man was beginning to have doubts, fearing for his life once more, but more so, fearing for the very ground that he now stood on. Vanguard had never valued life highly, nor regarded the many other people that populated the planet that he lived on. But now, he knew, was the time that hey must put aside their differences, forget race, gender, and age, and fight together, fight together, or fall, and forever lose the hope that they once held...

[-00cnr]

Roran took a small step through the dark portal and collapsed from exhaustion. The battle was fierce, and many had died at the hands of the humans and by the demons. But, in the end it was the power of numbers and the demon lords that took the day. Roran was bruised and bloody, both from himself and from allies and enemies slain near him and by him. Roran was no stranger to combat, but a full scale battle was different -- impersonal and quick, there was no true climax for the solider, he fought at his peak the whole day. Such exertion was exhausting even for the most conditioned solider; nothing, no amount of training could prepare you to last a whole day on the field of battle. No matter how strong your stomach, it was hard to witness killing all around you, the blood on the ground and the stench of the dead and dying.

He lay on the ground, looking at the sky for what seemed like an endless length of time. The beauty of the sky was entrancing, the clouds skirted along, brushing past, over, between and through each other without a care; the sun, dominating the sky granting life to all on the planet and everywhere else. That is how life should be lived, in peace -- no worries and no cares, no battle and war, no murder and no crime. Yes, that was it, that was how Roran would live if he made it out of this war: he would go into the country and find a secluded home bordering the beach of a clear blue lake and rising mountains where he could watch the sun rise over the mountains and set on the lake. He would find a place where he could watch the sun and the clouds, the moon and the stars. He would find a place where he could be in peace, where he could live the rest of his life the way it was meant to be lived. But, this dream was as far away as the sun in the sky, no matter how much he reached for the sky, he could not grasp the Life Giver in the sky. Some day he would, and on that day Roran would be in peace.

Roran sat up and breathed deep into his lungs, filling them completely before exhaling long and slow. Pains in his arms and legs and in his back, one burning pain, had subsided to a dull, nagging sensation. Closing his eyes, Roran's hand hovered over each of his wounds, muttering under his breath, Roran slowly healed each of his wounds with a bright light that came from his hands and magically stitched each cut completely. Roran stood up cautiously, this time he remained upright and glanced around. Many had come, but not enough...

[-Lionheart]

[ignore that I even returned here, yet!]

[-Druis Detoven]

The grassy field had been littered with all manner of military types. Soldiers of all sorts were wandering about their newly formed barracks, seeking to find a moment of reprieve after the battle they had clearly fought. Their leader looked worn, and deep in thought, as he sat atop a nearby hill, overlooking his troops. It seemed prudent to approach the man without being formally introduced, especially if the tension of battle had not quite passed…

Druis came to a stop beside Archain, as he had been called by those the Alchemist had asked. With a cough to clear his throat, and to make the other aware of his arrival, the young man looked in the same direction as the army commander.

“They are a sight, to be sure,” Druis said lowly, turning his crimson eyes back to Archain. “But determination is clear on their faces, and they won’t shrug away from the responsibility they face. I am Alchemist Detoven, and I must say that you are a very hard man to catch…”

Smiling at Archain, Druis assumed a seat beside the other man. Adjusting the folds of his robes, the young man kept a steady stare with the army leader beside him.

“I have come to offer my aid in your struggle. I apologize for not locating you earlier, but I have been limited to a very primitive form of travel… walking,” Druis chuckled, hoping to ease some of the anxiety that filled the air. “None the less, I have always said it is better late than never. How goes the fight against the demons, thus far? I see that you've all managed to make it to the island without attempts at pursuit...”

But, that fact was open to debate, especially given that the army had arrived not to long past. It was still a possibility that the demons were simply regrouping and preparing to make the counter-attack, and to bring the battle to this army as they sought rest. With luck, Druis hoped, there would be those precious few moments allowed for them all...

[-tincup]

Archain saw the man walk up next to him and sit down. He was right. The troops looked haggard and weary, but determined nonetheless. The Dragon/Elf hybrid looked at the newcomer.

"I wasn't aware anybody was trying to catch me," he replied. "Had I known, I would have made myself even harder to find." The halfbreed smiled a little, but he was no less tense than before. He still needed to organize the troops and come up with a battle plan. And then there was the problem of getting them back to Domus. He hoped Gint would be rested enough by then to reopen a portal to the big tree.

Archain returned his attention to the other alchemist. "Your help is appreciated. But the battle didn't go so well. The tree was burned, and I believe that the demon gate is still opened. If not, there are still loads of demons standing around the burning tree. Either way, we still have quite a hard fight ahead of us. With any luck, we will get enough strong warriors to lead this army to victory; though with only one demon lord down, to my knowledge at least, it will not be easy."

The Dragonkin looked back out over the army. Most were in barracks, resting, but some were walking around, trying to help the wounded. This thought brought Archain's own injuries to his mind. He examined his own body. He had a gash across his back, and almost his entire body was covered in dried blood. His arms both had minor cuts and bruises, and the breastplate of his armor was cracked. His face was covered in scratches and cuts as well. Realizing what shitty shape he, himself, was in made him wonder how the rest of the fighters here still had the strength and hope to fight.

[NUO]

James landed down on the ground, with a small thud, he nade a medium hole in the ground below him, his flaming wings dissapearing immideatly. Letting go of Atrox who was seeming to be tired of the flight, James checked if his new katana was still in place and then noticed a group nearby, busy talking about something James couldn't hear. His attention caught a mark on one of the man's hands, a cloth with a blazing sun symbol on it. It seemed really familiar but James couldn't understand where he saw it, nor remembered what it was. Looking over at Atrox he nodded, and then walked over near to the group, slowly sitting down, and trying to listen on what they have been spending their time on. The rest of the army was resting some in the barracks some just outside. Workers were busy repairing weapons and healing the wounded, elves, and humans together. Some were demons, but those were on the human side, James knew it, just like Atrox.

It seemed to me you have overcome a great battle...-James adressed the man who looked like the aparant leader, but too young to be one. He indeed has lost the track of time and wasted his energies while down the abyss with Atrox. James was tired and simply wanted a sleep. He never slept. He was a demon, but did the others know it?

[siege_45]

Atrox shook his head getting rid of the weariness that he had gathered over the past few days and the injuries that he had sustained during the battle were healed for the most part since he did avoid fighting anyone near the end of the battle. Atrox nodded back at James guessing what the man's intentions were after he saw him look at what appeared to be the leader here at the moment. After taking a few steps making sure his legs were used to being back on land Atrox followed after James and listened in on the conversation as well knowing that any information at the moment would be better then none.

After the man was done Atrox stared blankly at him still standing beside James who was sitting down on the ground. Then he heard what James had said and nodded his agreement with the man's statement before staring blankly at the ground. "How many men did we lose in that fight,"thought Atrox as he raised his head up and looked around the camp.

[-Fortinbrass]

In droves they appeared on the horizon. Dozens of ships - eighty nine to be exact - came pouring towards the island, each filled with unsatisfied soldiers and fresh crewmen. Sailing against the winds had been their only battle this day. At least they knew that if the chance occurred that the enemy army had followed them there would be sufficient men to form a counter strike. The demon armies back at Domus had taken a decisive blow, but at what cost? Thousands of humans and elven bodies lay dead and feeding the roots with their blood. Still... That was all far behind him now.

Fortinbrass stood again at the helm of the lead captain's ship just off the prow. Frostmourne had not left his hand since they departed Domus. He had not meant to sheath it... Not after it had finally lent itself to his will. Or... Was it that their wills were finally one? A power like never before had overtaken the knight. He could feel it coursing not in his magical energy or through his demonic muscles hidden under human flesh. Instead it was there, in his broken heart and debilitated mind; a new resolve peaked in him and force him onward. There was less worry about life and death. No longer did he maintain the same adamant outlook on the world and community. He accepted his fate and himself as being weak and powerless before the greater beings of this world. It was in that, however, that he found his strength.

Resolve did not rely on hope, and it did not rely on skill. One did not have to maintain power to hold resolve in his grasp... No, there was only the purpose, the means, and the person themselves. He had always wanted revenge on the Aesir Caspian for what he'd done to their homeland Alabastor. But now... Now it seemed less like vengeance and more like a constant in the world. He had to do this, had to kill the Aesir and the demons and all their servants and lords. There was no way around it, and it couldn't not be so. There was a designated path he had to travel based on the sources he had now at his disposal. Were he to deviate from that he would cease to be altogether.

Fortinrbass had found his resolve. There was the mission and nothing else. He had lost everything besides that, the mission, and there was no getting it back. Hope and despair were just opposites, and no matter how many times he played with them they always just drug him in an endless loop. A mission however, had an ending. He didn't want to be pulled by the strings of fate anymore. He wanted closure, one way or another, and to follow through with nothing but resolve, a driving force that relied on nothing but an outcome, there was less the think about, and certainly less to fulfill.

Eventually the ships began to land, beaching themselves halfway on the shores of Meloria, others gathering on the already crowded docks. Crewmen and soldiers began to pile out for a restless break. Few were ready to relax yet; none felt like they'd accomplished anything.

[NUO]

James suddenly got distracted and looked towards the way of the ship docks. Massive ships, around a 100, landed one after another, men jumping out and helping the others to tie the ropes at the bay. James stood up and looked at someone really familiar to him, but he did not know who it was. From far away, all could be seen was that the man carried a large sword, larger than anything James saw. Drawing his katana, that shined in the sunlight, James suddenly went on fire, his eyes blazing again, his breath fast, his heartbeat was a melody to dance to. He couldn't control himself once again, the overwheliming powers took over as he slowly began to walk towards the bay. Knocking people out of his way brutaly with his left arm, James swung the katana that blazed with fire all of a sudden and approached even closer to the bay. Something told him that that man was either familiar or dangerous.

Knocking a woman to her knees, James suddenly stopped and looked in her eyes, filled with fear and anger, the woman began to cry, tears flowing down her eyes, her kid ran beside her and kicked James as hard as he could. James looked at the kid, who was confused and crying, his face filled with anger and red.

Go away!- the boy screamed and kicked James, following by a series of punches and kicks in his feet and stomach. James did not know what exactly was going on, but al he could was look at the boy in confusion. I'm sorry...- James began, the fire quickly dissapearing, and his eyes became hollow at first, and then back to normal. but the woman grabbed the kid and ran into one of the tents, hiding away.

What am I?- james looked at his hands, one empty and the other holding the katana. What was he indeed? He didn't even know. Realising he was wasting his time, James continued his way to the man who seeme so familiar and probably their leader and stood infront of him, about 10 feet away, looking closely at him with such expressions, that couldn't even be expressed. Who was that man?

[-Lionheart]

Van looked over the sunset, where a dozen ships had appeared, berthing in the local docks and along the Meliora shore as well. Soldiers began to pile from their hulls, looking slightly bored, as if they had not seen enough action in the terrible battle they had just all partaken in. Slowly moving his way down the extensive, winding path that led its way though the main base and camp, Van came to the front of the dock, watching and waiting for many of the soldiers to pass before he proceeded.

The salty ocean water lapped at his feet as he proceeded over the dock, and it rocked gently below his feet whenever he took another step. "Man.. what am I doing?" Van said to himself, shaking his head as he realized he had a terrible fear for water, and drowning in it as well. The capital ship of the fleet, or at least the ship carrying the commander, was just ahead, and van quickly made his way over the rotting wooden planks, up a small set of stairs, and onto the large ship.

The watercraft had appeared to have taken very little damage, and though the men aboard had been prepared and ready to sacrifice themselves for the cause, they had accomplished very little, and young Vanguard could see it in their faces when he strode past them. Ghostly, estranged, unhappy stares met him back as he walked up another set of stairs and onto the front bow of the ship, where a powerful looking man stood with his sword unsheathed at his side.

Looking into the man's eyes, Van was startled, slightly taken back at the power that seemed to emanate from the being before him. "Greetings. You could say we are the remainder of the militia, but it would appear they escaped under other commanders as well. This camp is open for your personal use as well, Commander?...." Van cut-off at the end of his sentence, awaiting the man's answer, or at least a reply or sign of life...

[siege_45]

Atrox looked around when he heard someone yell something about ships then watched as he few people walked past him heading towards the water. he turned around and looked out at the water and saw nearly one hundred ships out on the water a few already had landed and then he glanced at James as he walked by and headed towards the water drawing his katana. Atrox sighed as he reached up and grabbed a hold of his sheathed blade's hilt then turned and followed James.

Suddenly James became covered in flames once more and Atrox started to charge forward but then looked down at the kid who had ran in and started kicking and punching James then laughed quietly to himself as he watched James flames vanish and then the pain in James face stopped his laughter automatically. Sighing quietly he looked at where James was headed and saw what looked like the commander and then Atrox noticed the familiar army having seen the group once more.

"The Golden Sash," mumbled Atrox as he stayed close to James' side not wanting to let the man out of his in case anything else went wrong. This group wasn't Atrox's favorite considering the first time they meet it seemed the group was a bunch of wannabe heroes but Atrox had basically shrugged off that first impression since it was only a small group off their men.

[-Fortinbrass]

He had been dazed by those new realizations of power and greed and sorrow. Fortinrbass starred straight ahead and into the distance while his men landed and departed their ships to take make very restless stop on the island. For a moment or two he couldn't concentrate on what was being said. the horizon had pulled him in, and his perceptions were gone, lost to a sort of space of uncaring in the deep reaches of his mind. Fortinbrass had always been, as he called it, a Knight of the World... But now it seemed that even that had been lost. He would have to carry on eventually and fall back into the triviality of life. But now... Now he knew what his tool would be for doing battle with himself and with his brother.

The captain of his ship put a hand on his shoulder and motioned towards the man who had joined them. In kind the old knight shook his head slightly and blinked, taking in his surroundings. His eyes hurt, and the sword's pommel in his hand had grown extremely cold. He wondered if it had frozen to it as the ache was almost to the point of numbness. It didn't matter. He didn't plan on putting the blade away anymore. With a half jump-half drop the old knight let himself fall from the prow of the ship and land next to the man. His hair was long and silver, his build was tall and lithe, his demeanor was calm, but somehow excitable with a blazing fire he felt stirring inside his heart. He was again reminded of Caspian, but this time of his elder brother, and not of the Aesir. It almost made him smile.

"Thank you. We saw your ships leave the tree-city ports and thought to regroup with you here. they will pick us off one by one if we separate now." He extended his heavily armored free hand as if to shake. "General Fortinbrass of the Golden Sash, though I can't express just how little that title means right now. Your name, sir?"

(OOC: Stuck in mid-shake right now. Fortinbrass will have his reunion with James in the next post, NUO. )

[NUO]

OOC: Sure.

James starred as Atrox approached, whispering something about the Golden Sash. This word, even, seemed familiar, but James couldn't realize what exactly happened and where he heard the word last. Some of the men were already unloading the stocks and the wounded, carrying everything towards the camp and their only shelter. Some men, stopped to look at James, some whispering, some had fear in their eyes. James checked if he was on fire again, but it wasn't true. Then why would these men look at James as if he was a ghost. Looking over at Atrox, James nodded to him slowly and hummed something.

Atrox, dear friend, where have you heard this "Golden Sash" word...?

It seemed so familiar, but yet his memories were erased. Who was that man in front of him, a mystical hero? Perhaps his long lost relative? Someone he knew? Who exactly? James only had to find it out now, awaiting as the younger man who was already on the boat, would finish talking to this commander. More men, were jumping out of ships, and all of them seemed to have the exactly same uniform. Dark gray clothes with a large blazing sun emblem on the back. Some had gray armors, with the same emblem on their chests. Perhaps the first ones were the workers, and the armored ones seemed to be the army itself.

[-Caspian]

(OOC:

Post count levels for the angels are as follows:
Lesser angels: 200 posts
Unit Captains (1 per unit): 500 posts
Personal Guard (4): 1000 posts
There are a total of five units consisting of 10 angels each.)

Their transmition closed he left Yume and the other two to their task in Domus. Caspian pushed a string of long silver hair out of his face with the back of his hand before taking a few steps forward on the sandy shore of Meloria Island. Salamel had spared no magical expense he noticed as a personal retinue of a few dozen angels appeared around him. The Governor was prudent in the protection of his Lord, and no direct order was given to maintain the entire army at Charlmagne's He concluded that he may require some small force if the demons did make their landing here as well. The remaining Lords of the demon armies were widespread, and many of them possessed great magical potential. Caution was needed, and a lite touch. Circumstances were not in his favor.

Their position as of now was hidden from the main camp on the other side of the island. only one who could sense extreme magical energies might notice. Even then as that possibility came to mind though, Caspian was already working on sheltering his aura, pulling it in on himself and tucking it away in a temporary holding place in the magical realm. he used his body as a medium to hold the energies but still hide them, considering he himself was a portal to the magical realm. This way, no one in the temporal world could sense him. They would either have to be psychic, or a very powerful magician to feel the flow of the eather alter.

Angels formed ranks behind him, and an elite guard of four with overly large wings and massively long broadswords came up to circle him personally without command. They had been well trained in the other world.

[-Lionheart]

Vanguard watched the man turn and offer a hand in greeting, and returned it, feeling a strong, yet somewhat weakened grip shake back. "Vanguard at your service General Fortinbrass." Van replied with a curt nod, his eyes drifting to the strange, archaic looking sword held in the man's other hand. Though somewhat taken back by the General, Van felt an instant bond form between him and the man, but it wasn't a normal bond...

"What was that?" he suddenly spoke aloud, his eyes darting off to the other side of the island, where he had felt a strange pang of energy resonating inside his mind. "Is this everyone you brought with you General? Are you sure nobody followed your ships here?" Van asked, and with a quick wave, the young man darted off the dock, sprinting over the uneven wood, and ignoring the water entirely as he made his way back up to the primary base camp. Casting one hand over his eye, he gazed around the island carefully, looking for something that was out of place...

But all around, the camps of various soldiers filled his vision, with piles of discarded armor, weapons, supplies, and the soldiers themselves as well. "I know you're there." Vanguard closed his eyes, sending a psychic echo around the island, knowing the being who had concealed himself would hear him regardless. What worried the young Van, was who this being was, and why they had decided to conceal themselves on the island where the remainder of the militia and other armies had decided to meet......

[-Fortinbrass]

(OOC: I don't want to God-mod. NUO, if you mind Fortinbrass' punch then go ahead and PM me. I can change it so it doesn't connect if it's a problem.)

"Vanguard then... No, our men are as you see them. We've only docked on this half of the island." He reported, sounding just a bit concerned now at the man's sudden and unexplained reaction. He hadn't felt anything, but Frostmourne became all the more frigid in his grasp. The blade's handle had long since frozen fast to his gauntleted hand, and frost could be readily seen on the purple tinted metal. A side effect of his new resolve. It was just one more second that they were greeting each other before the silver haired welcomer darted off across the beach. Fortinbrass took this strangely. No one had followed them from Domus. His rear flanking gunships had made certain of that... No, but what had spooked him so? There was no demonic auras nearby of considerable strength... He would have felt a pull at his heartstrings had there been. What was it then?

Before he could come to any real conclusion his eyes fell on a man that stood not ten feet off form his current location on the helm of the ship. His eyes became wide and he raised a single eyebrow before leaping the rest of the way off deck. The knight took long and powerful strides towards this man, bunching his fist up into a solid metal ball. He recognized him for sure. There was no doubting that either this was the one he knew or another using his body to infiltrate their camp. Either way, he deserved what was coming next.

The last step between them he took an extra long stride moving right into the man's face. From there his massive armored hand came forward and landed a solid blow to his face. "Bastard. Who are you?"

[NUO]

James was suddenly knocked off his feet while he was thinking about the Golden Sash word itself, and where he came from. The current general came with a sudden blow in his face, forcing James to fall back inside the shallow water. James took a gulp or two of the sal water and stood up, half of his body on fire and the other beneath the water's surface, as normal as always. His eyes blazed as he drew his katana, and jumped back at the ship's deck, leaving traces of both water and fire, it looked beautiful. James looked at the general that seemed so familiar, maybe it was his enemy?

My name doesn't concern you...- James growled, and launched a runnin attack at the general his flaming katana held in a piercing position aimed straight at the man's heart. But sudden thoughts made James stop right before piercing the man's heart through. Images, memory perhaps, caught James right before the kill. His eyes, turned hollow once again, as he stood there, looking at the emptyness. He did not know what he saw, he could't remember, but something made him stop and look at the man, studying his face texures.

Who....are you?- james said, in somewhat childish tone, his eyes hollow, but he could feel tears gathering from the inside.

[siege_45]

“… the Golden Sash is…”Atrox said his sentence trailing off when he saw what appeared to be the leader of the group leaping off the ship and coming directly towards James. Atrox reached up and grabbed a hold the hilt of his sword hoping this wasn’t going to be an ugly beginning to their meeting with the sash. A sudden power caused his focus to be turned from Fortinbrass towards a familiar holy power that he wished he wouldn't have to sense for a long time to come.

Atrox growled slightly knowing that holy beings maybe liked by mortal kind but by his they are seen by high and mighty bastards with a stick shoved too far up their ass to care about anyone else. He shook off his feelings about the angels and turned back to James in time to see him get laid flat by a punch from the general. Atrox growled and started to draw his sword flames starting to line the blade as it came out of the sheath but he stopped when he saw James make his move.

He watched James charge in and begin an assault on the man but then stared curiously at James when he stopped the attack within killing distance of the man. Atrox then looked at Fortinbrass and growled, “What the hell is your damn problem I go down to near the damn abyss to get that guy out of that damn hole and when he gets here to lend some assistance you come off your little ship and hit him in the face… what the hell is wrong with you,” yelled Atrox as he sheathed his sword completely once more the flames on his blade extinguishing.

[-tincup]

Archain watched the scene before him play out with grim amusement. This was what was left of the army that was supposed to defeat the demons. Seemed like they were more interested in fighting each other than anything else. Two of the men involved in the "dissagreement" seemed to catch fire when they got angry. Well, one's blade spit flames, but one's body seemed to actually spontaniously combust.

Archain walked over to the three just in time to hear one man raving about the abyss.

"So this is the group of warriors that is supposed to lead this army to victory? Maybe if you picture each other's faces on the demons while we fight you would be more effective? Can you please just put aside your petty differences until after we finish off the demon army? The battle could solve a lot actually. For instance, if one of you was to die, that would make the dispute much easier to settle. And if not, well then you have the rest of your lives to fight. But right now, the lives of everybody in the ENTIRE DAMN WORLD are in our hands! So if you could stop acting like four year old brats, maybe we could come up with some kind of plan that doesn't involve everybody on our side dying!"

[-Lucian]

Lucian was surprised when he found everyone had retreated back to the ships while he was day-dreaming and lost in thought. None were even kind enough to tell him so when he was brought back, he found himself alone. He was nearly about to rush the nearest demon lord because that would have given him the same chances of survival as he would have had just standing there. He readied his weapons and then a flash and Taishar appeared. Then he grabbed Lucian and teleported again. Taishr looked worn out from the teleportations, but other than that and a little scab on his leg he looked fine. Looking around him he saw that they were on a Golden Sash boat.

Sighing Lucian looked up at Taishar and smiled. "You'd never guess what I was about to do if you hadn't come along." Leaning against a rail, Taishar sighed and responded. "Yeah I do. You were going to rush the closest and most dangerous enemy you could find, just because you had the same chances of survival then you would just standing there." Putting his head back he kept a slight smile form coming out as Lucian stared in bewilderment. "How di..." Pulling his head back up Taishar rubbed an eye as if he was tired. "Lucian I was a lot like you when I was young, so much that you wouldn't believe..." Walking off Taishar found an empty bed below deck and slept until they hit the island. Lucian on the other hand stayed awake and watched as the island grew closer and closer.

"Hey Tai! We're here! We've landed!" Lucian shouted from deck down into the hallway full of rooms. It was a good thing that Taishar had waken up a few minutes earlier or he would've simply slept through Lucian's warnings. Standing up, Taishar walked up on deck and stretched his arms and his wounded leg. Not really wounded any more, it had some time to heal up a little so it was just a scab now, but still. He saw Lucian jump off the side of the boat and heard a splash as the kid hit the water. They weren't docked yet, still a ways to go. A good swim. Thinking about it then looking up into the sky he saw the sun and suddenly felt really warm. He also thought about his weapons, Lucian only had little knives, Taishar had a shield and two sword that he had to swim with. Shrugging, Taishar put one leg up on the rail and gave a nod to a concerned crewman standing nearby. "I'll keep him safe, don't worry about it." Shaking his head the crewman walked away. "Whatever you say man, just be careful jumping off, the water's not too deep here. Pushing himself forward and off the boat with his arm, Taishar went down into the water. The man was right, the water was only about 25 feet deep. Good thing I didn't dive. Swimming back up to the surface of the water, Taishar saw Lucian smiling at him.

Lucian was grinning at Taihsar as he broke the surface and then quickly sped off, swimming as fast as he could. "RACE YA!" Laughing a little, Lucian soon became kinda tired and slowed down a bit. Taishar on the other hand knew that the kid would get tired and slow down and eventually stop before they reached land so he sped up and easily caught up to Lucian. "Your tired now. You shouldn't have done that." Lucina was surprised to hear Taishar's voice, especially when it was right next to him and that caused him to stop swimming and float down under about 5 feet before he got a hold of himself. "Wow! How'd you catch up so fast?!" Lucian was now floating on his back and let the current take him in. "Your slow, I could swim that fast for days if certain conditions allowed." Shrugging Taishar stopped swimming and simply was sitting in the water in a standing position, not sinking or anything but simply treading the water so he didn't sink. He also angled his legs so it pushed him along. It looked like he was running on the ground except he was half submerged and his feet weren't on solid ground.

"Whatever. I could always do this!" Lucian said and he was shot through the water like a bullet, like a torpedo. That's why i chose water alchemy! Taishar sighed and pushed on at a steady pace, nowhere near as fast as Lucian was going but faster than the average swimmer could go.

Lucian reached the beach in a good 5 seconds and soon felt the hot burn of really warm sand in a scratched arm and leg. "OW!" Looking up he saw that Fortinbrass was walking quite quickly towards someone. IT was James! "Fortinbrass LOOK OUT!" Lucina yelled before his friend punched James in the face. That single punch sent James falling into the water. Then he was engulfed in flames. "What the hell is going on?" Lucian whispered to himself. Pulling himself out of the water, he sent a little push with his alchemy to bounce him onto the dock with Fortinbrass. "What's going on?!" Lucian said to the people gathered here, more demanded than said really.

That was about when Taishar got there. He had never shown emotion as long as Lucina had known him but now he had a strange face on. It looked like a slight tinge of anger mixed with fear, maybe respect. it confused Lucian... Actually Taishar was showing slight, very slight respect, for James considering how much more powerful James was compared to most he people here. Also a little dissapointment in himself for not being able to finish the fight that he had started with him. Subconsciously easing the weapons in their sheaths, Taishar walked onto the dock to stand with Fort and Lucian.

[-Fortinbrass]

The deadly flaming tip of this man's blade, whoever he turned out to be, came within a foot of his unarmored chest. The only thing that separated flesh from steel was a few thin layers of a templar's robe and cloth undergarments. Fortinbrass was far past games at this point however, and stood in wait unflinchingly as the person he took be be James strafed towards him in a furious assault. He opened his arms as if welcoming the release the sword would bring when it punched through his chest and singed his heart to a throbbing wad of muscle and sinew.

A change soon overcame his would be attacker though, and "James" halted in his tracks. "What's wrong? Don't tell me you remember? Won't you shred your old friend to pieces before all these willing spectators?" His voice carried a tone of biting sarcasm and skepticism. It was almost like animosity, stinging and as violent as the other man had been a moment before. "You know what would happen if you dove that blade into my chest... You know what I am, and you have for decades now. Is that why you stopped... James?"

It was then he turned away and faced the other onlookers who were jeering on the sidelines. Normally Fortinbrass was quite couth and cared for each individual's opinion. Right now however, after what he'd been through on the sail to Meloria and with the sudden appearance of this possible poser, he actually couldn't' care less. With one swift and menacing motion he brought the frozen sword Frostmourne snapping and crackling up until it pointed into the face of the first one to break their reunion. In turn he let it fall to the second man who'd spoken... Something along the lines of a lesson he lectured to the pair James and Fortinbrass.

"Neither of you know what this is." He motioned towards "James". "He could be a demon spy, and you scold me for pressing the matter? Mind yourselves until the situation allows for an educated opinion." Blue sparks jumped from the sword's jagged edge and dissipated in the air as more frost crept up the knight's already icy arm, now reaching halfway to his shoulder. Fortinbrass wasn't powerful himself by any standards, but the sword was another story, and he was the one holding it. Quickly he left them and turned back to face "James", lowering the sword and moving just a bit closer.

"Show me the mark on your back. If you are James then explain to me how you pulled us all into that hellish place back at the Temple and what happened to your double?" His eyes narrowed. He meant to find out what was really going on with this person. The real James had always had problems, but whatever he had put them through at the temple, and now his sudden reappearance... It simply wasn't acceptable. One doesn't do those sorts of things to a lifelong friend and ally. It certainly wasn't fitting for an army to be lead by a man with a loose mind and habits in outbursts of insanity involving murderous rampages... And it certainly didn't make sense to have the dead return to life. "Did you come back to torment us, or are you looking for something in particular? Be you James or demon, I won't tolerate your half-assed perplexities any longer." Verily he was giving him the once-over weather he was James with all of his issues or some other form of evil thing sent to decimate their armies while everyone sat on their hands and dozed.

[NUO]

James listened as the general drew his sword, an as he finished his lectures, James suddenly grinned and narrowed his blade down, his eyes hollow and black, all flames were completely gone. His face showed violent sarcasm and perhaps murder itself, but inside himself, James wasn't feeling this way. Perhaps Othenimus survived and is now inside his body, but perhaps it's just an overdose back at the abyss. James stopped grinning, and looked at the legendary frozen Frostmourne, his face pale, and emotionless. He looked up back at Fortinbrass and noticed that left arm's half armor was glowing, some blue runes slowly intensifying in light. What could this be?

I don't know you stranger...but something tells me I shouldn't kill you.-James started and slowly circled the general around, as he continued to speak in low frequency tones. I don't know how I got inside that abyss, or how I remember you, I don't even remember anyone for God's sake...and this man...-James pointed at Atrox who was just standing next to James a minute ago....Got me out of there...My twin perhaps is dead, although he is the only one I remember.

Stopping for a moment, James looked at the people around, who were all seemed to be stunned, time stopped as the two strongest men on land actually decided to settle their differences. He then stopped behind Fortinbrass, and threw his katana on the floor, puling his armor chest and plates off, and undressing himself completely naked from the top. The bottom half was still dressed in armor as it always was. The rest lay on the floor. Some people behind him, began whispering, and James smiled as his body lit on fire, flaming tongues piercing through the air, about to touch Fortinbrass. James turned around and a sight was revealed. There could be clearly seen a large wide birthmark, spelling something in perhaps elvish runes, or another language, but those who knew it, could clearly see it through the fire and say: "It says...Fortinbrass."

James continued to stand, his body on fire. Then turning around he glanced at Fortinbrass and replied in some sort of elegant manner. I don't know how I got into the abyss, nor I remember what happened. I only know, that I survived and my memories have been depleted to the emptiness. I am sorry, but I do not remember you, the only man I know now is Atrox, that young lad, and he had saved me from the abyss, I really don't know how. Then James stopped and turned around 260 degrees slowly, screaming out loud.

What's wrong, people, never seen a DEMON?

[siege_45]

Atrox looked around at the men who had arrived and scowled at the first man who though he could come over and preach to them even if this damn commander is the one who struck the first blow not them. Then he turned his complete attention back to Fortinbrass his blue eyes glaring at the man most of him wanting to jump the man for is ignorance and the way he treated James.

Then Atrox watched as the man drew his mighty blade and pointed it at him. But Atrox didn't flinch he just continued to glare at Fortinbrass as if daring him to try anything. "James is no demons spy, bastard,"growled Atrox as he stood his ground crossing his arms infront of him, "If that was true i wouldn't of saved him and even once i did i would of probably been dealt with quickly considering how strong he is," he added as watched Fortinbrass lower his blade.

"And before you accuse him of anything you should of asked what he did know,'Added Atrox and before he could say anymore James started talking causing Atrox to stop and listen a tad bit curious himself. But James didn't say anything Atrox didn't already know but when he started stripping Atrox eyed him curiously. The flames and the look in James eyes told him this may not end well. "I... have seen many Demons... James you are not one of them till you believe slaughtering innocents for the fun of it is the only way to go... and that is my opinion you mortal bastards you fear us when we have come to lend our damn assistance and accuse him of siding with your enemies just because you are to dumb to look over the situation and figure out what the hell is going on... I will never understand why mortals are so hard headed ."

[-Fortinbrass]

There was an instance when he felt the overwhelming strength he'd known James to always possess overcome him. The flames approached and the aged knight was forced to cover his face for just a second until his skin became used to the feel of the heat. Water dripped off the frozen vambrace that held his legendary sword, but never could it wholly thaw with the sword's power's so rampant now. As it were the man who claimed to be James turned his back to him and displayed, almost as expected, a large mark that he remembered from along ago. Fortinbrass.

He didn't smile, and he didn't choke. The expression displayed a kind of relief that said he'd prayed for this to happen, but a hope that had been controlled and nearly destroyed. Because of this the expression remained blank. One more chapter in their lives was closing and a new one opened up with an expected but unexpected twist. "You bastard son of a demon." He said with a half-hearted tone. Light as it was one could have taken it as happy. He lowered his weapon and the blue sparks began to die away. He slowly came towards his old friend James so as not to seem threatening before suddenly grasping his hand and giving it a strong shake. "Weather you know it or not, we were waiting for you to come back and take over."

At last he tipped his head back to the other man who had interjected with his feeble attempts at reasoning geneses around the world. He may have been old and ancient, but it seemed he knew very little about life. "You think so lad...?" He asked, eying the other admitted demon with a sidelong glance. Frostmourne now hung at his side and the furious energies began to diminish a little more. Still, he couldn't bring himself to let the blade go. The sheath on his back would never again take the sword from his grasp. "And I'll never understand why demons think they know more than men. Demons are despicable creatures who deserve no more than to throw themselves down and beg forgiveness from humanity."

Loyal as always to the genuinely good people of this world, Fortinbrass gave his piece in response before accepting the inevitable and letting it out along with whatever other truth they'd find here today. His very humanesque exterior darkened with his aura for just a brief second before reverting back again. His heart skipped a beat from the experience. "You realize I'm a demon too. Don't lecture me, please. I don't have the mind for it now and it seems that you don't quite either." He turned back to James. "We've all been through terrible events in the last few days, your own people here on this island in particular. The Sash will gladly lend its hand to men, demons, and everything in between so long as that course remains in the world's best interests. I hope you come to realize this again, General." Fortinbrass threw a heavy hand onto James' shoulder in an sort of unofficial welcome. It was very possible that he had no desire to continue on with their group at this point considering his lost memory, but if he did there would be a place for him always among the Golden Sash.

"Lucian, all is well... And thank you Taishar for your continued support. We couldn't have made it this far without you." He called back to them. the thought never once crossed his mind that anyone would think less of him because he was a demon. Fortinbrass imagined that juvenile prejudices such as those had long since been disbanded among the finer warriors of this age, and he expected his friends to understand had they not known previously of his inner demeanor.