| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
The Legacy of Zarzon
08.20.02, 10:03:04
|
|
|
|
Post #1 (permalink) |
|
|
| |
|
|
Below i will post my story that i have written. It is called "The Legacy of Zarzon" and i hope you like it. It is fantasy based and i enjoyed writing it, even though i have not written it. It is 10 chapters so far, and there is still a good 5 chapters to go i think. And then i'll be rewriting it in novel form in a few months hopefully, when i find time ^_^. Right now it's a mix between novel and play, i guess. When i rewrite it i plan to put a lot more detail into the story, what the characters look like and such. I meant to do it with this version, but for some reason i rushed.
Hope you like it, and give me your constructive criticism or compliments ^_^. Remember, it isn't finished. Oh yea, and if you are anxious to see what happens next, with Neil and what not, post it and it might convince me to pop out the next chapter soon! Peace. |
______________________________________
Lord Xain Sevel
Administrator of FFRealms World of Verad
Dark Emperor - Master Swordsman
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 1 - Childhood
It was a dark gloomy night that Zarzon was born into this world. His mother and father were just mere peasants and wanted better for their son. His parents rushed into the town and rushed up to the home of the nearest knight family. They placed him on the footstep with a note pleading to take young Zarzon in and raise him into a strong knight to lead a good life. The mother of the family took the boy in and raised him. He was only four when he used his first dagger. His brother had came at him swinging a blade furiously because Zarzon had accidentally broken his bed post. Zarzon picked up the dagger and blocked the boy’s slashing. The mother came in and took the weapons and the son blamed Zarzon saying he attacked him. Zarzon was punished and sent to a military camp in northern Nimitar. He would never return.
He had just turned five when he reached the Nimitar Military Camp. They told him that he would be worked until he was 18 and if he worked hard enough he might be moved into a Knight Camp at the age of 13 to train to be a knight instead of a simple worker. Zarzon worked hard for 8 whole years, he had bruises all over his body. His hair had become long and dusty and messy all over, but Zarzon had faith that his hard work would pay off. During those years he had to pick up trash throughout the city, chop wood, cook food, clean houses, make weapons, and always be polite to others. The day he turned 13 was the day his life finally changed. A messenger from the king came into his bunker and woke the boys up. Zarzon was already up and awaiting as it was the first day of the year and that was the day they announced who would be taken to the Knight Camp. The boys shuffled to their feets and stood at the foot of their beds. The messenger opened a scroll and said aloud.
Messenger - “Fifteen of you turned thirteen this year. Only four of you have made the cut to go to the Knight Camp. To all those who didn’t, get use to this kind of work. As you will be doing it till you are Eighteen and even then you will never be able to be a Knight.”
The boys glanced at each other, each thinking the others weren’t worthy of the Knight title, thinking they were the only ones who were, only Zarzon was the one who didn’t think this. He was just praying to god that he would be picked, he had been praying ever since he arrived and learned about the Knight Camp.
Messenger - “Alright then. Let’s get this over with. When you hear your name called, step forward. When I am done revealing the lucky four, those four follow me silently. Do you understand?”
The boys all said “YES SIR!”
Messenger - “Good. Now for the lucky four. Simon Rikor, Neil Bora, Sylvia Aerik, Zarzon Willard.”
The messenger turned and exited. The three boys looked at each other and the other two looked at the girl as Zarzon and her exited. They had become good friends and they wondered how both of them managed to make it. Zarzon and Sylvia both followed closely behind the man until they reached the wagon that would be taking them. They climbed into the back with the messenger and they rode for a while when Zarzon managed to finally speak, the first to do so since they left.
Zarzon - “Sir, may I ask you a question?”
Messenger - “Sure, you’re the first person to come with me from the camps and have the courage to speak up. Go ahead.”
The boys and Sylvia turned to see what he asked.
Zarzon - “How long will it be till we get there? And…..do all of the people who go to the Knight Camp come out Knights for the king of Nimitar?”
Messenger - “(laughs) It’ll take us till early morning to get there. You’ll sleep in this wagon tonight. As for the knight question, no.”
Neil now spoke.
Neil - “What do we have to do to become one?”
Messenger - “That will be answered when you get there. Just go to sleep.”
Sylvia - “I have one question though. How many of us will become knights?”
Messenger - “Three of you will become knights that will one day serve this kingdom. One of you will not.”
Neil and Simon looked at each other wondering who it would be, Sylvia and Zarzon just leaned back and looked at the stars.
Messenger - “(thinking to self) Those two have a lot of potential, they’ll definitely be knights, as for these two. One of them will probably become a ok knight that will just stand guard at the castle. I wonder what will happen to the other one. Hell I get too involved in these things, it’s not of importance anyway.”
They all fall asleep. In the morning, they reach the camp… |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 2 - Teenage Years
He arrived at the Knight Camp wide awake with the others and the messenger. When they arrived they exited the wagon and said goodbye to the messenger. He went off towards the castle which was just a little while to the right of the camp. The four of them headed into the gates where they were met by the commander knight of Nimitar. His name was Bruce, he was a large well built man with armor that glistened in the sun. His black hair was spiked upward, he turned to them and the four looked up in him in awe, hoping to one day be as good as him.
Bruce - “Ah yes, the four recruits from the military camp. Welcome to the Knight Recruitment Camp or KRC for short. You four have been chosen because you worked the hardest and have earned the right to train here as a Knight. But only three of you will make it. To be one of those lucky few, you will have to work extremely hard. Here you will train with every type of weapon used by the forces of Nimitar. Swords, Axes, Bows, Harpoons, as well as many others. You will also be doing those things you did in the other camp. This is where it all starts, this is where I trained when I was your age and maybe one day you will be in my position. Maybe one day you will be a legend, to all of Nimitar. Good luck, and work hard.”
group - “YES SIR!”
Bruce - “Your cabin is the last on the left. You will be sharing the same cabin with each other for the next 5 years, so I hope you all get along. Dismissed.”
The commanding knight walks past them and jumps on a horse and rides towards the castle. The four teens rush towards the cabin and swing open the door to their musty dark cabin. They quickly choose bunks. Zarzon gets the front right, Sylvia the front left, Neil the back right, and Simon the back left. They quickly set up their beds with the sheets given, when they are finished the door swings open and in walks one of the drill commanders. The four rush to their positions.
Commander - “Alright newbies. It’s time for your first day of Knight Camp. First you are to clean this cabin from head to toe. You will not leave till it passes inspection. Then you will go to the weaponry and clean the weapons. You will be monitored so no goofing off. Then you are to take those weapons to the recruits in the training grounds. Then you are to report here and if you do a good job you will be allowed to train. Everyday you will get jobs like these, so get use to it. That is all.”
The commander leaves and they right away rush to cleaning their cabin. It takes them nearly 3 hours to get it done and they are already exhausted. They then rush to the weaponry and begin cleaning the weapons. They joking pick what weapons they will use while they are cleaning. Zarzon chooses the sword, Sylvia the bow and arrow, Simon the Axe, and Neil the sword as well. Zarzon and Neil decide to be rivals just for fun. When they are finished they rush and take the heavy weapons to the training grounds in the large trunk. The recruits tell them they did a good job and they rush off to their cabin and when they enter they find the commander already making the inspection. They rush to their spots. The commander finishes and stands in the doorway.
Commander - “Good job. You will be allowed to train.”
The group puts a smile on their face.
Commander - “That is when you know enough to handle the weapons properly. We have a Camp Library here for those recruits who finish early and figure they’ll rest by reading a book. Go to the librarian’s cabin and he will explain a few things. This will go on for a few days.”
The commander leaves and they rush to the Library. When they arrive they eagerly sit down as the Librarian teaches them many things. This goes on for 2 months. Then the day comes when the commander finally tells them to head to the training grounds for their first lesson in the weapon of their choice. They rush their and get to their weapon’s section. Zarzon and the others first watch the others training for another two months before being allowed to hold the sword. They are then taught how to swing it properly and how to hold it of course. They are taught ways to swing the sword and certain moves and how to use their power to strengthen the blow from their weapon. The knight advisors quickly realize that these four have extreme potential and that the three that make it could one day end up becoming heroes.
Two years go by and they are all now 15. Zarzon and Neil are both skilled swordsman and Sylvia has the best accuracy with a bow and arrow they have seen in a long time. Simon finds himself as the best axe wielder these camps have ever seen. Certain people stay just to see him train. Zarzon and Neil now train everyday seeing who can beat who in swordsmanship, both increasing their skills everyday. Then one day Neil accidentally cuts Zarzon with one of his slashes. Ever since then he had become more aggressive and carefree. Some recruits started saying he had turned evil, but they all just laughed about it.
About a month later the skies darken and a fierce storm rages. Neil and Simon sleep through it while Sylvia panics from it. She suddenly rushes over to Zarzon’s bed and wakes him up.
Zarzon - “Huh? What is it?”
Sylvia - “Can I sleep with you tonight? This storm really scares me. You know how I feel about storms.”
Zarzon - “Yeah, but you’ve never slept in my bed with me before.”
Sylvia - “Well this one is really bad and I just can’t get to sleep. Please?”
Zarzon - “Sure, why not?”
Zarzon then slides over and opens the covers, she climbs in and hugs onto him, he wraps his arm around her in comfort. She rests her head and he can feel her heartbeat racing. It was then that he realized that he was attracted to Sylvia and he always had been. They were always friends and rumors always flew around but they usually laughed about it. He wondered how she felt towards him and he just laid there looking at her while she tried to get to sleep with his comfort. She then looked up at him and gazed into his eyes.
Zarzon - “Sylvia, can I ask you something?”
Sylvia - “Of course.”
Zarzon - “I don’t know how to say this so I’ll just say it.”
Sylvia looked at him puzzled as he paused for a second and bit his lip and then took a breath and asked.
Zarzon - “Sylvia, how do you feel about me?”
Sylvia - “*bites her lip and her eyes water* I don’t think can say it. Maybe if you told me how you felt I would be able to tell you.”
Zarzon - “Ok….Sylvia….I…”
Zarzon is cut off by Sylvia.
Sylvia - “I love you Zarzon.”
Sylvia then goes into a deep kiss with Zarzon. As their lips part they both have smiles on their faces and Zarzon is stunned at this. Sylvia lies back down and easily falls asleep, even though the storm rages on. Zarzon falls asleep with a smug look on his face. The next day everyone knows they are together and they walk around holding hands. As they walk by the advisors they all just have a smile or a grin on their face and laugh at the teenagers. During the next three years they train just as hard and share the same bed as much as they can. Neil and Simon snicker and make cracks about Zarzon being a wussy and falling in love with a “butch” girl. One day Neil gets in an argument with Zarzon.
Neil - “Come on man, don’t tell the commander. They won’t let me be a knight for sure.”
Zarzon - “I’m sorry but I can’t keep it a secret. You stole some gil, snuck out and went to town and paid a prostitute to have sex with you. That’s against just about everything a knight stands for. If you don’t have the morals to abide by them you don’t deserve to be a knight.”
Neil - “Oh and you do? You don’t even devote all your time to training, you spend all your time with your butch girlfriend! What a joke, she isn’t fit to be someones wife, let alone a girlfriend.”
Zarzon - “You take that back or else.”
Neil - “Or else what? You’ll report me? Face it man, your girl is butch, she’s nothing but a bad ass girl who’s too manly to ever marry anyone.”
Sylvia is sitting outside crying while listening to this. Zarzon suddenly punches Neil and he flies through the cabin’s back wall and onto the ground. Recruits start crowding around them chanting “FIGHT!”
Zarzon - “Take it back Neil!”
Sylvia comes rushing through the back as Neil stands.
Neil - “You moron. I guess I’m going to have to teach you some respect for the better swordsman!”
Neil tackles Zarzon and they roll around on the floor, Neil rolls on top and starts punching Zarzon. Zarzon flips Neil and then pummels him with punches. They then stand and Neil takes a swing, Zarzon evades and Neil swings again, miss. Zarzon continues to dodge and the advisors see him doing so. Zarzon then punches Neil hard and he flies back and hit’s the floor hard. The advisors now step in and separate the two. When Bruce comes to find out what happened Zarzon tells all and Neil denies it but can’t come up with another story. He is told that he will not become a knight but he will remain here but will not train. Zarzon is told that if he was defending his lady, he had done nothing wrong. Zarzon and Sylvia left. Though Neil was told he would never train again, he managed to by sneaking out at night and training for hours, he became like a zombie in the day with bloodshot eyes.
Then the day came when they were to be promoted or sent to the fields. That day, Neil didn’t show up. He had run away in shame of not being promoted to a Knight. The other three gladly showed up, knowing they were going to be promoted. Zarzon was promoted to be a Swordsman Knight, Sylvia to a Archer, and Simon to a Axe Knight. Sylvia and Zarzon were instantly sent out to the field as part of the 3rd regiment. Simon was assigned to be a guard at the castle. They finally made it and now were part of the Nimitar Knights, whether they were a swordsman, archer, or Axe-wielder. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 3 - Titan Tyron
Zarzon had now served Nimitar as a knight for 3 years. He was 21 and had yet to be on a quest of any kind. He had married Sylvia and they decided that if they ever had a child, she would withdraw from the Nimitar forces and Zarzon would stay to earn money for the family. Luckily they had not yet conceived a child, but they knew it would happen.
Then the day came when Zarzon was summoned to the king and was given his first big task. He was to lead a group of knights into battle against a titan named Tyron. All of Nimitar knew that Titan’s were among some of the most vicious of monsters. He approached and kneeled to hear the words of his good king.
Zarzon - “My lord, you summoned me?”
King Nimitar - “You are Zarzon correct?”
Zarzon - “Yes your majesty.”
King Nimitar - “Good. I have summoned you here to go on a quest for me. You are to lead a group of knights into the Borik Mountains to the north of here. There lives a titan who has been terrorizing the villages nearby, eating their maidens. As you know a titan is a ferocious man three times the size of a normal man with much more power. Beware his awesome strength, you’ll need strategy more than anything to beat him.”
Zarzon - “My lord, why do you send me instead of the Commander.”
King Nimitar - “I’m testing you Zarzon. I’ve heard you to be a great knight and it’s time we put you to the test. Show me your leadership skills and slay the beast. Bring me back the titanium armor Tyron stole from us so long ago. He escaped and we have yet to capture him, we presume he still has it and is willing to die for it. Go Zarzon, go slay the titan Tyron.”
Zarzon - “Yes your majesty, I shall return with the golden armor you seek.”
Zarzon then leaves the chamber and meets his knights outside and leads them immediately towards the mountains to the north. They arrive there within two days and hunt for the titan carefully, being as quiet as possible so not to alert the titan. As noon breaks the next day they hear screams from the mountain village nearby. They rush their quickly and rush in when they see the titan knocking a brave man to the side as if it were nothing. He looks at the young woman and licks his lips, she screams in terror and covers her head as the titan makes a move to grab her when the titan is knocked backward onto it’s back by Zarzon’s strike with his fist. The titan wobbles to stand and then looks at Zarzon and laughs.
Tyron - “*laughs* Foolish knight! You think you can defeat me? A titan?! You pitiful human, step aside or face my wrath!”
Zarzon - “You will not harm one more maiden, I will strike you down and your blood shall stain the dirt beneath you.”
Tyron then becomes angry and looks at Zarzon with hatred.
Tyron - “You think you can defeat me? Then bring it you foolish man! I shall crush you with one blow from my massive fist.”
Tyron swings at Zarzon and Zarzon ducks and slides beneath Tyron’s legs and then kicks him from behind. Tyron spins around and is suddenly bombarded by the other knights jumping at him, slashing with their swords and stabbing at his back with daggers as they jump on his back. He whirls them around and eventually gets free of them, he then looks at Zarzon, picks up a knight and hurls him at Zarzon. The knight hits Zarzon and they both fall to the ground and Tyron goes running for his cave a little up the mountain, visable from Zarzon’s spot. Zarzon gets up and rushes after Tyron as the maiden goes to her husband and cries as he comforts her. Zarzon comes running around the path and rushes up the a large slap that’s more like a shortcut and jumps into the air and lands on Tyron’s back knocking him to the ground. They scramble to get up and Tyron swings with his right and Zarzon ducks. Zarzon then quickly jabs with his left and Tyron uppercuts with his right but Zarzon jumps back and then throws a hook right into his jaw, Tyron wobbles back and then gets furious and charges at Zarzon and tries to tackle him but Zarzon falls back purposely and uses his feet to propel Tyron backwards and onto his back. Zarzon then grabs his sword and rushes over to Tyron swings it into the air and brings it down in Tyron’s chest, killing him, his blood stains the dirt beneath him.
Zarzon - “You might be strong but you sure aren’t smart or fast.”
Zarzon then goes into his cave and finds many supplies. Food, water, swords, armor, leggings and in the back the titanium armor. He then hears wimpers and looks at the dark back wall and sees that it’s actually a large slab blocking the path. He tries to move it but can’t alone. He calls for the other knights and together they somehow muscle the strength to move the slab to the side and inside are 5 maidens tied up. They release them and carry them down to the village as they are too weak, the villagers immediately take them inside and feed them, thank Zarzon and say they are forever in his debt. Zarzon takes the titanium armor and returns to the castle presenting the king his titanium armor.
King Nimitar - “Excellent Zarzon. You have shown your skills in a excellent way. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you defeat the titan?”
Zarzon - “I was merely quicker then him and outsmarted him by dodging him and luring him into charging at me. I then flipped him on his back and drove my blade through his heart where he still remains. My sword still there struck through his bleeding chest and into the earth now stained by his blood, as I told him I would do.”
King Nimitar - “So you did your task. Excellent. This shall be remembered when next time you are up for a commanding position.”
Zarzon - “Your majesty, we also found the maidens the titan had kidnapped. He had them tied up in his cave behind a large stone slab. They are safe and back with the village.”
King Nimitar - “Splendid Zarzon. You will be handsomely paid for your deeds. You are dismissed.”
Zarzon - “Thank you my majesty.”
Zarzon then exits and returns home where he tells Sylvia of his great exploits and tells her that she must come with him on his next quest if and when it is given to him. She agrees and they spend the money Zarzon was awarded and throw a feast for them and their friends. About 3 months later, Zarzon is summoned once more for a quest. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 4 - Serpent Lorko
As Zarzon and Sylvia kneeled before the king they looked up and saw the stern face of the king. They could tell he was in anguish.
King Nimitar - “Stand, please stand.”
They stand.
Zarzon - “Sir, you summoned me. I brought along my wife for the quest, I hope that is alright.”
King Nimitar - “Of course. Your wife’s archery skills could be of some great use to you. Zarzon I have summoned you to go on the greatest quest I have ever had to witness in my time as King. You will be accompanied by the Commander as well.”
Zarzon - “Sir it would be an honor to fight along side him. What is the quest?”
Bruce comes over and stands by Zarzon.
Bruce - “Sir, I would also like to know of this quest. What shall we do?”
King Nimitar - “You must fight, and kill, a 100 foot serpent that has been named Lorko. It came from the seas just the other day and devoured an entire village.”
Sylvia gets a horrified look on her face and Zarzon and Bruce become very serious.
Zarzon - “Sir, where do we find Lorko. We shall slay this treacherous beast.”
King Nimitar - “Before you rush into battle you should know that Lorko also has 3 heads. He is very strong and though he may not look very quick he is. Many warriors rushed into battle when they saw him and were brutally killed and eaten alive.”
Sylvia turns away about to vomit.
Zarzon - “You sure you want to come along?”
Sylvia - “Yes. Just the details, please….”
King Nimitar - “I understand. But be careful, Lorko is no beast to be taken lightly. Go as soon as possible. The beast lives in the Swamp of Frel.”
Bruce - “We leave now!”
The three of them exit and Zarzon jumps on a horse and Sylvia jumps up behind him and grabs onto his waist. Bruce jumps onto another horse and they ride off towards the swamp. It takes them two days to get there and when they do they slowly creep through the swamps with their weapons ready for an attack. They figure they’ll see it before it sees them since it is so big. They step over a large tree root and as they pass it the root slowly slivers away, it’s the tail of the serpent. They slowly creep around and the serpent begins to sliver behind them clung to the ground covered in mud. Suddenly Zarzon holds up his hand.
Zarzon - “It’s really close.”
Suddenly the serpent rises into the air letting out a large roar from each of it’s three heads. It swings down at the three of them and they begin battle. One head dashes at Zarzon trying to bite him. Zarzon quickly moves to the side and when the serpent swings it’s head towards him he jumps into the air flipping back over the head as it goes underneath him. He then slashes with his sword cutting the serpent and acid flings out of it’s wound hitting his steel armor burning a hole in it.
Zarzon - “Be careful, it’s blood is acid!”
Sylvia is now rushing away from the serpent head and she runs through a few trees and the serpent head gets suck and can’t go any further because the others are holding back. Sylvia then climbs up into a tree and looks down at the serpent roaring at her. She puts a arrow into the bow and pulls it back, aiming carefully. She closes one eye and lines up the shot. She releases and the arrow quickly dashes between the branches and hit’s one of the serpent’s head right between the eyes. Acid spews everywhere onto the trees barely missing Sylvia and the trees begin to burn. She jumps out of the tree and lands hard where there is no acid. She quickly rushes over to see if she can help.
Meanwhile Bruce is quickly rolling out of the way of the serpent trying to bite his head off. He grabs a stick and puts it in it’s mouth preventing it from snapping. The serpent becomes sidetracked at trying to get the stick out. It bends the stick slightly but the stick is too strong for it to snap in half. Bruce grabs his broad sword and takes his stance. Sylvia sees him and tries to shout to him about the acid, she runs at him screaming about it. He looks at her and takes the chance to impress her and whirls the blade slicing the serpents head off. Acid spews everywhere and covers Bruce. Bruce screams in pain and falls to the floor and Sylvia tries to run over to him when she is tackled by Zarzon.
Zarzon - “NO! You’ll just get burned too!”
Sylvia - “BUT WE CAN’T LET HIM DIE!!!”
Bruce - “OH GOD!!! IT BURNS!!! HELP ME!!!!!”
Bruce’s shouts become silent as he dies. Sylvia begins to cry when the last serpent head that Zarzon slashed roars back into the air and howls down towards them. Zarzon does what Bruce did and rams a stick in it’s mouth. Zarzon steps back and takes Sylvia and they begin to run. They stop a little while off and he tries to calm her down to fire the final shot.
Zarzon - “Sylvia, you gotta calm down and finish this thing off. If you don’t then we have no way of doing it except ending up like Bruce.”
Sylvia - “*tears down her cheek* Alright…..I’ll…I’ll try.”
Sylvia fights back her tears and lines up the shot. She fires and it zooms through the trees and hit’s the serpent in the throat and sticks through the back. Acid spews around and the serpent finally dies. Zarzon rides the horse back to the castle with Sylvia sitting on the other horse crying. Zarzon holds onto the other horse’s raines guiding them back to the castle while Sylvia cries. It is then that Zarzon realizes that Sylvia isn’t meant to be a big fighter. Back at the castle the king and the army is shocked to find out that Bruce had died from the acid and he said that he would be appointing a new commander later that week. Zarzon and Sylvia went home and they went to bed.
The next week Sylvia found out she was pregnant from the doctor and she withdrew from the army. They decided to throw a huge party and invited all of their friends and the king made an appearance and announced that Zarzon was now appointed the new commander. It was a joyous occasion. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 5 - Phoenix
After that joyous occasion Zarzon led the Nimitar army into many battles and was earning quite the reputation as the greatest commander Nimitar has ever seen. Six months passed and Sylvia and Zarzon were always planning things out for their baby that would arrive in three months. Zarzon was then summoned to the King’s Chamber and when he arrived he received his newest adventure.
King Nimitar - “Zarzon, I have summoned you here to go on another great quest. This is no regular mission, you will be accompanied by fifty soldiers.”
Zarzon - “Your majesty, the way you speak makes me think that I will be going up against a god.”
King Nimitar - “No, not quite. You will be going up against the firebird Phoenix.”
Zarzon - “Phoenix? I thought those were just made up by little kids?”
King Nimitar - “It seems that most vicious monsters are thought of that way, not too long ago titans and serpents were thought of as fairy tale creatures, but you’ve already fought against them.”
Zarzon - “Indeed. Where is this firebird located?”
King Nimitar - “In the deep south, past the swamp where you fought Lorko. It lives in the volcano and has been seen spreading fires and has even destroyed a village. The survivor made it here and died a few days after he told me of his troubles. We believe these monsters are somehow being brought here from another country.”
Zarzon - “If that’s true it’s most likely Scoral. They’ve hated us for our superior army for years.”
Nimitar - “Could be but that doesn’t concern me right now. You leave tonight, it should take you a week or so to get there. Your troops are outside of town.”
Zarzon - “Yes sir.”
Zarzon leaves and gets on his horse outside of town as he leads his troops over the mountains and through the swamps. On the third day of their trip they encounter a pack of ogres, they easily slaughter them but a few men are lost in combat. They take a moment of silence for them and they head for the volcano far to the south still. They reach the volcano’s base on the 7th day and camp for the night. They decide that they will make the trek up the volcano in the morning.
At day break they gather their things and leave the horses and start their climb up the mountain when they reach a cave half way up. They then enter and travel through all the way to the center of the Volcano where it is like a large hole with lava down below. Zarzon leans over the small cliff in the center and looks down at the red hot lava moving swiftly underground through the faults.
Knight - “Sir do you see the Phoenix?”
Zarzon - “No, this place looks abandoned. Wait a second…”
Zarzon looks up and sees another cliff 50 feet higher then they are. They go back through the cave and go up another 50 feet and sure enough find another cave. They go through it and as they approach the center again they see a large nest on the cliff. They get closer and notice the Phoenix is no where insight.
Knight - “Sir, it’s the Phoenix’s eggs.”
Zarzon - “Yes, destroy them. We can’t have more of these things flying around torching villages.”
The knights approach the eggs and draw their swords. They begin to hack at then and the inside spill out over the nest and the Phoenix suddenly roars from outside the volcano and dips in. The knights look up and begin to run back through the nest. Zarzon draws his blade and slashes at it but is knocked over instantly as the Phoenix flies past him and begins to breathe fire through the cave. The Phoenix burns every knight running through the cave, killing them all, their bones turn to ashes and flood the cave. The Phoenix flies out the other end. Zarzon takes the chance and attempts to trick the Phoenix and jumps to the lower ledge from earlier, taking with him a bunch of bow and arrows. The Phoenix flies around outside hollering while Zarzon sets up the bows and arrows carefully aiming them at a slight upward angle towards the center of the volcano. The Phoenix suddenly swoops down as Zarzon makes the final preperations and fires them as the Phoenix appears swooping down fast, two arrows hit each wing and one hit’s the stomach and the Phoenix flies backward hitting the wall and getting stuck. It yells out very loud.
Zarzon - “That was a close one. Glad Sylvia taught me that little trick. Now to finish it off.”
Zarzon picks up his sword but the Phoenix breathes fire towards him. Zarzon quickly jumps to the ground out of the way. He slowly tries to stand but the Phoenix keeps breathing fire at him. The volcano then begins to rumble and slowly stops. Zarzon crawls over to the edge and looks down at the lava now much higher then before. He begins to think up a plan.
Zarzon - “You might be a firebird but you still can’t withstand lava. Now if only I could make it erupt…I’ve got it. If I throw a big enough rock down there it’ll erupt. But what’s big enough….*grins* Of course…”
Zarzon scurries back and looks at the ledge and picks up his sword and thrusts the sword deep down and then brings it back up and does it again next to that spot. He continues to do that and finally when he reaches ¾ the way it breaks and crumbles down into the lava. Zarzon instantly rushes through the cave and out the other end as the lava boils up and then erupts. Zarzon rushes down the volcano’s side towards the horse’s shouting at them to go, most of them began to rush away but some remained including his horse covered in steal. He rushed down being chased by lava and jumped onto the back and rode away while the area surrounding the mountain were burned to ashes. As he is riding he hears a loud roar from above and sees the Phoenix.
Zarzon - “HOW?! The eruption must’ve let the arrows go and enabled him to fly out quickly. I’ve got to stop him!”
Zarzon takes out a mace and begins to twirl it above his head, as the Phoenix gets closer he releases and it whirls into the air and hit’s the Phoenix in the chest, it stutters in the air but then regains it’s flight and speeds up towards Zarzon. Zarzon then takes a spear from the side of his horse and throws it and it hits through the stomach of the Phoenix and it crash lands into the dirt. Zarzon then jumped off his horse and unsheathes his sword and rushes over to the Phoenix now gasping.
Zarzon - “Your terrorizing of the citizens of Nimitar ends now.”
Zarzon wields the sword down and decapitates the Phoenix and takes with him the head of the Phoenix back to the castle. He regrettably tells of his men’s demise and the king takes a moment of silence for them. Zarzon then heads home to Sylvia and tells of his most terrifying quest yet. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chapter 6 - Neil part 1
Ever since the Knight Camp, Zarzon has been rising through the ranks and leading a great life. He also was starting a family with Sylvia and was expecting his first child within the new few months. Zarzon had planned to stay away from duty as soon as the child was born and was going to stay with Sylvia and the baby for at least a year before going on a new mission. Unfortunately a month before the baby was to be born he was summoned before the king to go on a mission.
Zarzon - “Your majesty, you summoned me?”
King Nimitar - “Yes and it is of extreme urgency.”
Zarzon - “Is another monster terrorizing a village?”
King Nimitar - “No, not a monster but a man. His name is Neil.”
Zarzon gets a shocked look on his face and thinks to himself that it can’t possibly be the same person from the Knight Camp. The same person he knew for most his life before joining the army.
King Nimitar - “We know his name because he attended the Knight Camp, around the same time as you. Do you know him?”
Zarzon - “Yes…we were the most prosperous swordsman at the camp. But when me and Sylvia got involved, he became angry and furious with me for spending more time with her, and not training with the sword. They always made fun of me for falling in love with Sylvia, but it didn’t bother me. Then one day I found out that Neil had stolen some gil and had gone to town and hired a prostitute to sleep with him. I told him I was going to turn him in and we got into a fight, he was told that he would not graduate and the day the rest of us did, he left and we haven’t heard from him since.”
King Nimitar - “I see, well it appears he has been training all these years in some temple to the east and perfected his swordsmanship. They had great promise for him and thought he would become a great hero. The day they told him he had learned all they could teach him…he slaughtered them all. Cut them down in their own temple and fled. A survivor came to me with this tragic story. He is somewhere out there in the world, waiting to strike down his next victim and we can’t let that happen. You must find him and kill him, do not let him live. He could be ready to strike any moment.”
Zarzon - “Sir, we have no idea where he could be though. How will I find him?”
King Nimitar - “There was rumor of a man in a black cloak staying at a Inn a few towns over.”
Zarzon - “Yes Sir. I will leave immediately.”
King Nimitar - “Zarzon, be careful and remember, he is skilled in both swordsmanship and magic. We are not sure of the magic they taught him, the survivor died shortly after telling me of his story.”
Zarzon nods and returns to his home and tells Sylvia about Neil. She understands and gives him a kiss goodbye and he gets on his horse and rides to a town to the east and asks about a man in a black cloak. The town knows nothing of this man and Zarzon heads to the next town over. When he arrives they know nothing as well. Zarzon heads to the final town in the east and when he arrives, sure enough they know of him. The tell him that he checked into the Inn to the north of town and had not came out since. Zarzon walked up the dusty wooden stairs to the inn and opened the old door and walked in. He aksed the Inn Keaper where Neil was.
Inn Keaper - “If you’re talking about that strange man in the black cloak, he’s upstairs at the far end of the hall.”
Zarzon - “Thank you.”
Zarzon then went up the creaky steps and approached the end of the hall. He grabbed the rusted gold knob and turned it and then suddenly flung the door open as to surprise him. The room was empty with a window open at the far end and the curtain blowing in the wind. Suddenly Zarzon heard screams from the town and ran to the window and saw Neil, no longer wearing the cloak, slashing a sword onto a villager and then running up to a man on a horse. Neil buried his blade into the man’s heart and then removed it quickly, the man fell into the dirt and Neil jumped on to the horse’s back and rode by cutting down villagers. Zarzon was now rushing out the front door to the Inn and running towards Neil. Neil came riding towards him with his blade high into the air. Zarzon unsheathed his blade and Neil struck down at him, Zarzon blocked it and fell backwards into the dirt. Neil laughed and stopped the horse and looked at Zarzon who was returning to his feet.
Neil - “You haven’t changed a bit.”
Neil then rushes towards Zarzon and struck him with the back of his blade knocking him unconscious. When Zarzon awoke he was in the middle of the town face down in the dirt. He slowly stood up holding his head, he was filthy with dirt. He gazed out as things came into focus at the now massacred town. Blood stained the building and bodies filtered the streets. Zarzon shook his head in disbelief at how he allowed this to happen. He returned to where his horse was left, and it was unharmed with a small note on the side.
“See you soon” is what it read. Zarzon climbed slowly onto the back of the horse and rode off towards Nimitar, hanging his body down and just letting the horse lead. He couldn’t believe he had froze up when he saw Neil riding towards him on the horse. He couldn’t move, he wanted to block the blow but couldn’t, his body had froze and allowed Neil to strike him down.
Zarzon - “Why didn’t he kill me? What is he thinking? How could I have let him massacre that entire town? Next time we cross paths Neil…you’ll be the one to lie face down in the dirt.” |
|
|
| | |
