Chapter 8 – The Siege

Wendy was woken by many loud noises. She opened her eyes to see Charlie’s stern face and Chibi’s serious look.

“W-What’s going on?” Wendy asked.

“Its Henesys!” Charlie yelled. “Its under attack!”

Instantly Wendy shot out of her bed and grabbed her staff and her hat. She nodded toward Henesys. Charlie and Chibi nodded and went to rally the small army. Wendy stood on top of the tallest tree she could find and saw Henesys burning in flames. She could see some bowman and Athena Pierce in a group surrounded by the monsters they had previously fought. Then a word flashed into her mind.

“Gate Keepers!” Wendy thought in her head.

She turned her head toward camp and saw that the forces were ready. She pointed at Henesys.

“ATTACK!” Wendy shouted at the top of her voice.

The air around the quiet plains suddenly erupted with war cries as beginners rushed towards Henesys armed to teeth. Surprised the group of bowman and Athena looked at the small army charging into the town. Wendy rushed past a few beginners furiously attacking a hideous clown.

“A Buffy.” She thought.

She chanted a few words and struck the ground. Instantly fire burst from the ground and shot towards the Gate Keepers around Athena and the other bowman. Athena stared at Wendy surprised.

“Who are you?” Athena demanded.

“I am Wendy.” Wendy simply said. “We are here to aid you.”

Athena nodded and turned around and shot hundreds of arrows all of a sudden. The sky was blue one second then it was covered up as arrows shot down towards the ground inflicting death upon the enemy. Wendy stared in awe as she watched Athena quickly loaded her bow, faster then she had ever seen Mark done, and shoots four arrows with dead accuracy at a nearby Buffy. The monster screamed as it disappeared.

“I am not called one of the four legends for no reason.” Athena said to Wendy.

Athena gasped as she caught sigh of Mark.

“Mark!?” Athena said with disbelief. “Where have you been for the past 5 years?”

Without replying Mark disappeared into a crowd of beginners cornering a Gate Keeper.

“You will know more once the siege is over.” Wendy said. “Right now we need to concentrate on the battle.”

Wendy didn’t wait for a reply when she issued an order.

“Stand back!” She shouted.

She chanted a long word and jammed her staff into the ground.

“Father Sky!” She shouted. “Destroy all those who oppose you! Forbidden Skill! Sky Of Fire!

The sky responded to her command and its calm blue color changed into a crimson red color. Fire materialized and circled the staff from the air.

“Hidden Secret!” Wendy shouted. “APOCALYPSE!

The fire in the air shot down towards their targets. The bowman and the small army of beginners watched in shock as endless sparks of fire rained down on Henesys, destroying the town along with the invading monsters. After a few minutes the sky turned back into the same calm blue color. Wendy dropped to her knees, exhausted by the spell. The bowman watched in sadness and grief as they looked about the town in which they grew up. The town of Henesys is no longer present. Wendy looked at the shocked faces of the Henesys villagers. She was secretly relieved that none of them were harmed. Suddenly a beginner pointed into the town shouting. A masked demon was coming from the town. Wendy stared into it and gasped.

“Meddlesome girl.” It said. “You will regret this when I watch your village burn and all your villagers killed.”

The demon disappeared. Wendy shivered and fainted. In the shadows two figures can be seen. Both of these strangers had red crimson eyes.

“I think the plan is working.” One of them said. “Thanatos is convinced it was the fairies of Ellinia caused the extinction of his kind.”

“This time we will be able to get two birds with one stone.” The other sniggered. “Thanatos and the humans of Victoria Island are in my way. They must be killed. I am the true ruler of Victoria Island.”

The small army and the bowman jumped as they heard laughter ring across the quiet plains…

Chapter 9 – Dark Lords Story

Wendy woke up and saw Athena sitting next to her.

“Ah your awake.” She said.

Wendy groaned as pain shot through her head.

“You used up to much power.” Athena said. “Rest for now. Although I am surprised to see a young child like you use such a skill.”

“You know of the sacred book?” Wendy asked surprised.
“I was around when it was a spell all mages use in Ellinia.” Athena replied. “Come to think of it…I think even Grendel used that skill before. Matthew was so shocked.”

“Matthew?” Wendy asked. “Who is that?”

“Why that’s Dark Lord.” Athena replied. “That was his name before he toke on the name he is called today.”

“He said he was an outcast like us…” Wendy whispered. “Is it true?”

“All so true…” Athena replied suddenly sad. “He was born on Maple Island like most of us original maplers were. He was brave and fearless. Yet one day when the Crimson Balrog attacked the town he ran. We relied on his strength and yet he ran from the battle…”

Wendy was shocked. She heard that Dark Lord ran from Maple Island but it seems like he was looked upon as a hero before he betrayed their trust and ran.

“Ever since he has never forgiven himself and strived to become a fearless leader once again.” Athena continued. “But ever since that incident he never dared to go back to Maple Island as he fears no one there will accept him back.”

“What is your connection with Dark Lord?” Wendy asked. “Family member?”

Athena seemed surprised at the question.

“Why he was my fiancé before he ran and toke the name Dark Lord.” She replied sadly.

Wendy was taken back by those words.

“FIANCE!?” Wendy said with disbelief. “Why didn’t you marry him here on Victoria Island?”

“He still blames himself for the sin he committed years ago…” Athena said. “He said he will marry me when he is ready to go back to Maple Island and confront the villages and apologize to them.”

“So you know about this matter too now…” A voice came from behind them.

Athena and Wendy turned around and saw Dark Lord standing right behind them. Behind Dark Lord was a small army of assassin’s and bandits.

“Let me talk to you alone.” He said to Athena.

Athena stood up and followed him into the forest.

Wendy decided to eavesdrop on their conversation.

“Why did you tell Wendy about our past?” Dark Lord asked.

“It was by my will…Matthew.” Athena replied.

“Don’t call me Matthew!” Dark Lord shouted. “That name was long forsaken as a traitor of Maple Island.”

“Why wont you go back and visit the Chief!?” Athena shouted suddenly. “Do you know how my loyalty feels so torn up now that I have to choose between you and the village!? You still don’t understand that…don’t you?”

Athena turned to leave. Dark Lord grabbed her hand.

“When this battle is over…I’ll think about going back…” He whispered to her.

Athena turned around and embraced him. Wendy could see that she was leaking tears of happiness. Wendy decided to leave them alone for now. They went through hardships worse then hers. Even though they have a different story…she understood them. Yet as she thought about Thanatos she couldn’t understand why does he want to attack Ellinia so badly. Did someone from Ellinia harm it in any way? Or is their something pulling its strings and directing its madness towards Ellinia…Either way…she wasn’t alone. Wendy looked at the symbol of the outcasts and covered it up.

“If I could go back and live in Ellinia again.” She thought. “Would I?”

That was the question…why is she putting her life on the line for Ellinia? Did she still have feelings for the village? Does she suddenly have the feeling of protecting something she once loved? She didn’t know the answer, yet as she looked at the darkening sky she knows that the answers will come soon.