-=Dances With Balrogs and the Dark Swordsman=-

Whereas Genya and Amber were staying back at the Perion in, at the same time, the rest of the group was at the temple of Dances with Balrogs, the highest point of the town. Shadow, Lance, Skye, and Emma were all determined to know more of the details of the potential evil that was possibly dwelling in the maple world. From what they heard from Grendel the Really Old, Dances With Balrogs would give them more.

At the beginning of the meeting, after pleasantries were exchanged, the group relayed to the master of warriors what they had been told by Dark Lord and Grendel the Really Old.

“So, we know there’s a great evil somewhere, and we have a small idea of who may be involved,” Dances said after some thought. “Well, like the others, I don’t know very much, but I do know a little. Like Grendel, I’ve heard something of the prophecy. I’m not sure how much help I can be, but I’d be happy to tell what I can.”

The group looked at each other, thinking of what to ask. Finally, Lance came up with a question. “Master,” he began. “During our conversation with Grendel, I recalled a certain warrior I heard rumors of. You’d know him, he’s the one that’s virtually unseen anymore. I saw him once. Something deep inside me told me not to approach him, though, despite my curiosity.”

Dances breathed heavily. “It is good you didn’t, young warrior,” he said. “Trust me…I have a story.

“It was about eight months ago, when he first came here. The warrior we’re talking about has long, dark gray hair, and dresses in black and gray clothing. He wields a six-foot no-dachi. He also has an unnerving glare, a cold look ever on his face. He looked the same way back then. Like you, Shadow, he came from another dimension, though he didn’t say where. He didn’t even say his name. All I know is that he was devastatingly powerful. I watched him fight once, during the times I usually step out of my temple to take a walk in the mountains. I offered him encouraging words as he fought. He looked back, but he never said a word. He just gave me a single nod, that hardened expression still masking him. Even I was shuddering at that look. I went back to my temple early that day, just to get away from that look.

“The next day, he came to my temple. He heard that I could make him more powerful by enlisting him in my job services, just as I did Lance. Though I wasn’t sure if I could make him stronger, I had a feeling he could put his abilities to good use, so I accepted his offer. I advanced him in the first job of swordsman, then told him to come back when he was more powerful and I’d advance him some more. I reminded him it took a while, usually a week or two. He left without a word, not even a bit of thanks.”

Dances paused to sigh. “The next day, he came back, wishing to be judged. Amazingly enough, he was ready. I figured he would be deep down, considering his power, but after examining his combat abilities, he had grown even stronger than when I first noticed. So I gave him the assignment. As he left, he said to me, ‘I hope this is actually a challenge.’ Though I didn’t doubt his abilities, I was nonetheless offended by his lack of humility. I didn’t worry about it, though. At least, not until after the end of the challenge.

“He came back, angered. ‘That was even less worth it than all the training I did,’ he said to me. I was angered in turn, telling him that it was a legitimate challenge that has tested all before him. He didn’t listen, believing me to be inferior myself. I warned him not to test me, but he didn’t listen. He attacked me, and I fought back Eventually, I managed to beat him, but only barely. I only wished to drive him away, as his words, though arrogant and hostile, were not deserving of death. He, however, was punishing me to within an inch of my life! I consider myself lucky to have won that fight that day. That wasn’t the worst of it, though.

“A young boy, about Lance’s age, had just finished his second job advancement two days later. He became a page. I was so proud of the boy. He was a noble one, with a big heart for adventuring. He thanked me for all the training I gave him, as everyone usually did, including Lance. I was sure he’d go far. I was wrong.

“Three hours later, I was taking my walk, when I heard a scream that sounded like him. It wasn’t too far, so I ran over and saw him run through-by that swordsman! The gray-haired man glared at me, then ran off. As much as I wanted to go after that villain, the boy required attention. He was dying, though, and there was little I could do. I carried him back to the village, hoping someone there could help. As I ran, he told me that he was only trying to offer to party with the man. I shook my head in anger. That previous disciple had committed a terrible crime, no doubt through selfish pride.

“I got him back to the village, but I was already too late. The nearest priest took a look at him, but he was gone. I felt so ashamed that I couldn’t help him.” Dances paused to wipe a tear. “He had just started his second job! He now lies with other former adventurer and villagers, in graves scattered throughout the mountains.”

Everyone was silent for a while. Lance fought back tears. “Who…why…HOW?!” he screamed. Skye immediately tried to comfort him.

“I never saw him again after that,” Dances said. “I warn people about him nonetheless. So far, no one else has been killed by him, of which I’m grateful. However, your explanation about him being in league with this evil is possible, something I wouldn’t doubt.”

After some more group thought, Shadow spoke up. “We’ve heard of the prophecy, and who may be involved. For me, the next question would be where.”

“An evil like this would most likely hide in a place where it could never be seen,” Dances explained. “The only place that would offer such seclusion would be deep down in the Victorian dungeon. This dungeon is a system of caves that begin in the center of Victoria Island. They stretch far down below. Even I haven’t been all the way down, but I have heard tales of very powerful monsters. At the very bottom is said to be a beast of unparalled magnitude, more powerful than any other monster on the entire island.”

“Perhaps you’ve heard talk of the people from Grendel’s dream in the dungeon,” Shadow suggested. “Perhaps some unusual activity?”

“I can’t say that I have, to be honest,” Dances replied, shaking his head. “However, I can say that there has been a larger amount of deaths there lately. Usually, there are a modest amount of reports, which, though never good news, is unfortunately understandable, considering the risks adventurers take. However, the number has grown as of late, and they always seem to be around where monsters known as tauros are around. I find it odd, since I know there are many adventurers around that are strong enough to defeat them, and the majority of weaker adventurers know well enough to stay away from them.”

The group nodded, keeping it in their minds. “What about…the Victorian Oni?” Emma asked, keeping her voice down. “Anyone see him down there?”

“It’s very difficult to say,” Dances answered. “I know well about the Oni, and from what I’ve heard, all who see him up close or are seen by him will most certainly die. Sometimes those who see him from a far but manageable distance will also be killed. If anyone did see him down there, it’s uncertain, more likely impossible, that they’d live to tell the tale. Still, I wouldn’t rule it out entirely, since we only see him once every four months.”

Again, the four travelers made a mental note. After more thinking, Shadow came up with another question. “Dances With Balrogs, what do you think of this person called Empress Victoria?”

“She is a kind and just ruler of Ossyria,” Dances With Balrogs said. “I am confused as to why her silhouette would be part of the others. I will say this, though, but only because I wish it to help you. Otherwise, I neither condone nor commend gossip.” Shadow and the others nodded and listened in.

“I’ve heard no details, but they say she had a traumatic past…something that involved her daughter.”

The others looked at each other. “I see…” Shadow eventually said, slightly crestfallen. “I guess she stays a suspect, then.” The others nodded solemnly. “Is there anything else you can tell us about this quest?”

“No, I’m afraid not,” Dances said. “I’m sure Athena Pierce could tell you more, though. She’s the job master of archers at Henesys. I hope I was able to help you.”

“You were,” Shadow said with a smile, the others nodding. “Thank you for everything.”

“Anytime…actually, I just remembered,” he said, pulling out a coin from his vestments. The coin was red, and had the number one on it. “A stranger dressed in a bright robe gave it to me one day as he traveled the village. I asked him what it’s purpose was. He simply said to me, ‘A warrior will claim it.'”

Lance’s eyes lit up. “Perhaps…” he began as he reached for the coin. However, his hand couldn’t get at the coin, even though it was easy for him to get. His hand was consistently blocked by an unseen force, as though the coin was resisting his grasp. Lance eventually gave up, heavily disappointed.

“I’m sorry, young disciple,” Dances apologized. “It must be for another warrior.”

Shadow scratched his head after watching Lance’s attempt. “I know it’s not mine, but…” The one-armed bandit reached for the coin. To everyone’s suprise, he successfully claimed it. Everyone looked at him, astonished. As if to explain his reasoning, he pulled out his coin, the black coin with the three on it. It shimmered in his hand.

“So, you are another one,” Dances said undertandingly. “The person dressed in the robe told me about four people called the lightbringers that would dispel an eventual darkness. It’s no doubt the prophecy we currently know about.”

“I’ll give it to the warrior to whom it belongs,” Shadow said, pocketing the crimson medallion. “Sorry it wasn’t you, Lance.”

Lance shook his head in response. “It’s alright,” he responded, managing a smile. “At least I can be a part of this quest. Plus, I still have all my friends with me…along with a special someone.” He put his arm around Skye. The archeress smiled and scooted close to him. “Also, now that I think of it, I can get something else.” He approached Dances With Balrogs and got down on one knee before him. “Master of warriors, I humbly ask to be judged for a job advancement.”

The warrior master was about to reply, until a young armor clad girl ran into the temple. “Someone help! It’s terrible! My older sister, she was…” The newcomer struggled with tears. “It was some guy, with long…long, gray hair!”

Lance’s ears perked. “Gray hair?! Where? Where is he?”
“We were on our way home from training, and we saw this man fending off monsters,” the girl explained. “My sister and I felt like taking a few more monsters on, so we helped him fight them. He immediately yelled at us, telling us to go away! My sister stood her ground, trying to reason with him, then he attacked her! She told me to call for help before engaging him. I figured Dances With Balrogs could help me. Please, help! The fight looked bad for her last I saw! They’re not too far from town, on the street west of Perion!”

No sooner than the girl was done talking than was Lance out of the temple, headed for the destination. The rest of the group followed behind. They quickly made it to the rocky area outside town. “Alice!” the girl cried out as they ran. “Alice! Where are you?! I brought help and-” she stopped when she saw Lance fall to his knees, a look of terror on his face. She looked over in turn, and let out a bloodcurling scream. The rest of the group stared in silent horror as they saw a young woman stare up at the gray-haired man, a look of fright and despair mixed on her face. A no-dachi was run through her heart.

The young, gray-haired man eventually looked over at the group, a look of malice on his face. He yanked the sword out of Alice’s body unceremoniously and took a few steps toward Shadow’s group. Meanwhile, Alice could only watch herself bleed for a few moments before she collapsed to the ground, her emotions melting from her face. The little girl screamed and ran toward her, but the gray-haired man knocked her back with a kick.

“STOP!” Dances roared. “Leave her alone, or you’ll deal with me again!”

“You only got lucky last time,” the swordsman growled. He picked up the girl by her throat, holding the sword dangerously close to her.

“DON’T YOU DARE!” Lance yelled, charging forward with his iron ball. He swung with all his might, but the swordsman casually knocked the attack away with surprising strength. Lance tumbled back to the ground, getting up in time to see the villain charge towards him.

“LANCE!” Skye screamed.

The gray-haired swordsman brought his sword up, then down towards Lance. His strike made contact…with a dagger. Shadow intervened with lightning reflexes, blocking the strike. The swordsman glared at him, somewhat alarmed, as Shadow fought his strike away. It wasn’t easy, though; Shadow was sweating profusely from the effort. Angered, the swordsman lunged charged forward again, but Dances with Balrogs blocked him with a parry. With his experience and strength, the job master managed to deflect the attack and knock the swordsman away. The rest of the group stood beside Shadow and Dances.

Clearly frustrated from the numbers game, The swordsman walked away from the group. When he was far enough, the girl ran to Alice’s side. Alice looked up at the girl with half-open, teary eyes. “Cecelia…” she whispered. “I’m…I’m sorry…” Alice’s eyes closed and she never moved again. The girl laid her head on her sister’s as she sobbed heavily. The rest of the group went to Cecelia’s side.

All of a sudden, a ninja dressed in blue and black flashed into the scene near the swordsman. He surveyed the carnage. “Little girl!” he declared. Cecelia looked up at him, tears still in her eyes.

“Do you miss she who has fallen?” the ninja asked. Cecelia silently nodded. The ninja shot a blast of cold air at the girl. Before anyone could react, the blast made contact, freezing Cecelia solid. Skye screamed at the sight, even as the ninja flashed away with the swordsman. Lance let out a cry of rage; two more innocents had been claimed, and he couldn’t stop it. Shadow merely looked at the ground, using every ounce of energy in him to suppress his anger. It didn’t work; he drove his dagger into the ground and ran back to the village. The quest was continuing to grow more and more dangerous, but that didn’t bother him. What did was the fact that wherever he seemed to go, death followed. Deep down, he couldn’t bear to face the fact that it could happen again.

——————————————————-

Chapter 24 is done! More plot advancement, and more tragic acts of evil. Geez, what angst! I sincerely hope I’m not creeping anyone out with this. It is a darker story, I’m sorry to say, but in all honesty, it’s strictly entertainment purposes only. It’s basically my way of showing how influential the evil is and how important it is for it to be stopped. It’s kinda like a hacker rant, only pure fiction. In any case, I don’t expect you to read this if you don’t like it. I’m simply rather good at dark, actiony stories. More importantly, I’m always making sure the good guys win out as well , usually more often. Basically, it’s merely my first attempt at a full-scale fanfic born purely of imagination, creative writing skills, and a popular mmorpg that is currently represented by HORRIBLE american commercials.-_- Enjoy!

Mountain Dew for you readers!

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