Retribution of a Fallen God

[SaigoKusunoki]

Phoenix ducked under the demon's clumsy attacks, keeping a steady rain of blows on the creature's body, arms, and legs. Phoenix felt confident that he could slay this beast, this wretched abomination that had killed so many. He was driven by his thoughts of vengeance; he would show no mercy.

Saigo, however, had other plans. He calmly stepped forward, eyes set on the demon. Quickly, he put one foot out, and tripped Phoenix. Not expecting this, he fell flat on his back. Now, Saigo stood in between him and the demon. Saigo levelled his blade, pointing it mere inches from Ruin's eye.

"Demon, what do you fear more...the wretched hell you were spawned from....or me?" his voice was steady, quiet, and unwavering.

[PhoenixFlame]

Auvrea didn't see Lord Saigo at first... She was a driven one. Though her enemies fled, she did not take eyes from them. They fled with all haste, leaving their wounded behind, as only the enemy could. It was all she could do to oblige them with a just, quick death.

"Ahhhrgh! Arrhh!" The armless barbarian howled, his axe having fallen to the ground at his side. He attempted to limp away, but she allowed him not. Sweeping her weapon low, she knocked him forward off of his feet, taking her staff overhead and driving one end through his back with a sickening, wet sound.

Was this fury?

"It was." she could only think, striding slowly to the man whom had earlier lost his footing. On his knees now, though his weapon were still ready. Fear gripped him at the sight of Lord Saigo, but he could not flee. What other recourse did he have, but to die?

*Splurtch!*

From just beyond the range of his axe, the sorceress threw her spearlike staff through the man's torso, and only then did she turn to see salvation. Lord Saigo, in all of the story's splendour, had arrived at last. She could do nothing but stand dumbfounded, at her actions, their victory, and the return of their emperor.

[Red Mage Black]

(I don't remember where the hell everyone was...)

It was a surprise as Black got just where he wanted. But even so, the army had already found its victory. He walked amongst the wounded and dead, taking care to finish off any he found still alive, soldier, demon, or heretic. "None of them are worth my time. They do not even carry a good pints left of blood in them. Are you satisfied dear?" 'Quite, but be careful the humans are still around.'

Black's swords reflected the suns rays in all directions, the jade showing on all armor and weapons. He reared his head back and let out an audible scream. "Wretched beings, I shall slay those unworthy and drink the blood of those who are."

From a distance one could see a pale skinned man standing in a field full of bodies, as if he was the last survivor.

[Ryu Kurai]

Darenith had removed his helmet, and was doing the same to the legion of archers, most of whom he had downed himself, but were quickly rushed from behind by one of the Bastion's companies. He ripped the helmet offf of each one, at last finding a demon whom he had slew with a deep stab to the neck. He hefted Bonesplitter high, recognizing the demon-blooded heretic's demonic influence as that of an eye demon. That's what Darenith called them, anyway. Their eyes were said to be the keenest of any demon's. Funny, that hadn't helped him dodge the elf's spear. The organs themselves were rather odd looking, somewhat fly-like at the pupil, but that wasn't what he wanted. He stabbed downward into the demon's armor, the body shuddering at the sudden force. He stabbed it a few more times, until he could get through the armor. He removed it with his gauntlet, flinging it aside into the rest of the corpses. He grasped the end of one of the bones he had severed in his attempt to get the thing's armor off, and pulled out a rib. He grinned, the demon's bone bearing several barbs that seemed almost randomly placed. Perfect for more short spears. He thrust his blade down a few more times, harvesting every last one of the ribs with surgeon-like precision. He stepped on the demon's exposed face as he went over to another body and removed the helmet. He would join the others once he had harvested the rest. Perhaps war could bring a bit of profit.

[Astral Harmony]

Shalvanis scanned the battlefield carefully. She herself had removed seventeen of the Legio Dominatus from the battlefield, and after resting, she was ready for more. Now that everything seemed to grind down a little too easily, she decided to start mopping up, finishing what others couldn't be bothered to do because their skills were required to deal with fresh targets. Her kills in this manner increased her total to upwards of fifty, though she wasn't counting those that she simply finished off. Once she was done, she decided to wait around. The beasts that she hunted were likely all in hiding thanks to the enemy's approach and retreat, meaning any hunt she made wouldn't be successful for a time.

[Echo of sanity]

Ruin pondered the options over in his head. He couldnt run, there were too many of them, and he would be painfully killed if he returned to morian, having failed. He could try fighting, but maybe they wouldnt kill him if he gave up, but that seemed very unlikely. The desire to kill was in the eyes of all around him.

He smelt something on this one. The void. Ruin didnt know he was coming until he was on him. He wasnt a normal human.

"W...What are you?"

[SaigoKusunoki]

Saigo cocked his head amusedly. Quiet at first, he began to laugh, but soon, it became a hearty chuckle. However hearty it was, it dripped with cold malice.

"I can't exactly say what I am, for even I do not know...but I do know who I am. My name is Saigo Kusunoki, the rightful and true Emperor of Archanas. I have been through many tests and trials, all to return now, and deliver this beautiful land from the clutches of the Heretic Morian Baneblade."

Stunned silence. Students stared at him wide eyed, disbelieving. It was him. The Emperor had returned.

"Now demon you have a choice. You can die now, a clean death, or you can return to Morian, and tell him that his skull with decorate my throne, and be tortured mercilessly, to a slow death."

Saigo now turned away from the demon, and offered his hand to Phoenix, who was staring at him from a sitting position. Phoenix shakily took it, and was pulled to his feet without effort.

"Now. My people. The future of the country...the students of the Academy. This was but your first test on the road to peace. There will be battles like this that are far harsher, far bloodier. In the near future, many will die, blood will run in rivers, and screams of anguish will be so deafening that they will shake the very ground. For this is war. But do not fear. I have returned, and with my return, I will bring peace, once and for all. What you saw here was just a tiny glimpse of my power; you have nothing to fear, but the traitor has everything to fear. Now, we must march north. To the north there is a keep, an impenetrable fortress, where we will make our stand. There is no time for rest; gather any waterskins, field rations, and small personal belongings, for we march in one hour. Time is of the essence."

Saigo turned back to Ruin. "Now YOU," he pointed his spear at the demon's eye again, "have you made your choice?"

[Echo of sanity]

Ruin fell to his knees, and lowered his head. "Be grateful to your friend here." he said to the tall man, jerking his head to the "emperor". Ruin had no interest in the babbling of human politics. "Just make it quick." He muttered to Saigo.

[SaigoKusunoki]

"Gladly."

Even on it's knees, the beast's eyes were still level to Saigo's. He moved the tip of his spear to rest in the middle of the demon's skull, where it's brain would be.

"By blade and fire be purged, wretch."

He thrust forward, the speartip passing though flesh and bone and bursting from the back of the demon's skull in a spray of blood and brain matter. Saigo rested his foot on the demon's chest, and pulled his spear free with a sick, wet sound.

"Now, dont just stand around kids, prepare for the march!"

*****

Phoenix was prepared. He did not need to grab anything special because he had nothing special, only his swords and his body. He sat next to the reflection pond, wondering about his future. Now that he was to leave his school and home...what will become of him? He was truly and honestly scared. He idly picked at the grass, hoping Auvrea made it out alive. He did not have the courage to check, lest the answer be no.

*****

As was Naoronian tradition, all of the Legio Dominatus corpses were beheaded, the bodies piled on top of one another, and the heads put on pikes in a circle around the pile of bodies. Afterward, a fire was set, and the Naorinians sat around the pyre, drinking and laughing and talking of victory. It was hard won, with more friendly soldiers lost than enemies, but a victory nonetheless. Amongst the gathered North Elves, sat two humans. One was tall, muscular, with long brown hair tied back into a ponytail. He wore a bloodstained leather jacket over a white cotton shirt, and black pants, and was very much scarred, most notably a scar that ran from his forehead, over his left eye, down to his chest. His left eye was milky, a sign that he was blind in that eye. He hefted an enormous greatsword, the likes of which probably weighed as much as a man, if not more. He was incredibly imposing, and sat staring at the ground with his one good eye, deep in thought.

No matter how imposing this man was, the person sitting next to him was downright frightening. Shirtless and unscarred, his skin is pale, almost blue tinged, and decorated with many intricate tatoos, the likes of which would make you dizzy to look at for too long. His hair was black, mid-back length, and hung in greasy strands. This man sat arms folded, eyes closed, also deep in thought.

From the sky came a roar, guttural and frightening. The roar of a dragon. The assembled soldiers looked up to see a large black dragon coming in to land. They immediately stood at attention, as their King approached. The dragon landed smoothly, hardly making a sound. The figure on top, however, was more frightening to the men than the dragon could ever be. Fully armed in plate mail, Kalaador Aferaanor swung his leg over and dismounted, landing with the crunch of steel hitting rock. He gave a quick nod to his men, but his business was with the two men, and no Naoronians were in a position to interrupt him, lest they wish to keep their head.

"Tanata, Stormborne. What news from the front?" he asked, his voice quiet and calm, yet commanding vast authority.

"Slaughtered, each and every one of them, I made sure of that. Have you considered my request, Lord?" the man with the greatsword stepped forward.

King Kalaador sighed. "It is a large request, no doubt risky and will cost the lives of thousands. Even this military action has cost me many valuable men, and if that dreadful Morian decides to march on Bloodthorne or Blacksteel, I would be in dire straits."

"But Lord, he wouldnt attack you. Not with him alive. He will devote his every waking breath, and spend every coin he has, to see my Emperor's head on a pike. Without your help, the entire world is forfeit to his will. I hope you consider my request carefully, but I must be on my way."

Before Kalaador could say anything, the tatoo'd man stepped forward and bowed.

"Now, King Kalaador, you stand on the blade's edge. Your decision here today will decide the fate of the world. Is it in your heart to live with yourself, should your decision lead to ruin? Choose wisely." his voice was dry and airy, and commanded as much authority as Kalaador's, if not more.

The two men mounted black steeds and were ready to leave, when Kalaador turned suddenly.

"Shiro Tanata....Kyogi Stormborne. Give me two weeks. My forces are meager and not what they once were...but I swear to you, I will stand by my allies and honor my vows, and so I declare the Naorond army on the warpath once again."

The cheers from the surrounding soldiers shook the ground, and Shiro Tanata, Regent-Marshal of the Archanas Imperial Army, left with a smile on his face.

[PhoenixFlame]

Auvrea left the battlefield in a bit of a daze, like she could only imagine everyone else doing. The sorceress packed her books, her tools, scrying kit, diagrams... It was a lot to carry, but she could afford to leave none of it. As she turned to leave, she stopped to examine herself in the mirror... The person who looked back to her was not a student, nor a teacher. The bloodsplatters across her robe were something that couldn't be imitated by even the best actors, and her staff was slicked with crimson. This person was a warrior, no?

The mirror couldn't come, and the academy would be burned if she ever lived to return to it. Striking it once, she shattered the image, and left without looking back.

She came to the reflection pond still in a faraway daze. Given not the time to change or clean her clothes, she still wore the robe she had for the battle. Although, with a similar demenour toward the mirror, she tossed her staff in the pond. The clear waters splashed, and slowly, the blood began to come off.

"Heretic blood is thicker than... Than normal blood." She explained quickly to Phoenix, making a macabre parody of an old quote while retrieving her weapon. "I'm glad to see you're alive, but I cannot say the same for the others..." she said softly, "I take full responsibility for not demanding an orderly formation before the charge."