-----Yagami Shinsuke walked through the streets of Cretalia, taking in the smell of the Thenesien sea that was being blown into Morisato city by the strong winds. Everyone else walking on the streets around him were too busy looking up at the night sky and the full moon that had emerged to notice the smell, but perhaps Shinsuke’s heightened senses gave him an unfair advantage. Over time, many of the people began to realize the presence of the sudden wind due to the extreme cold. Yagami could have sworn that he saw flakes and frost immediately form on the rooftops of the nearby houses and constructs. While many people covered themselves in jackets and hurried to their homes, Yagami was perfectly fine, not bothered by the cold at all. In fact, it seemed affable to him.
-----Morisato City was known for having a cold season during the fall, and Yagami often preferred this, but as majestic as the capital of Cretalia was, it could never match the beautiful shores of Thenesiea.
-----At last he came upon what he was looking for, a small restaurant located at a street corner. Yagami could tell by the clean windows and absence of sexual innuendoes on the store property that it was one of the more respectable places on this particular street corner. Many of the taverns were stalked by Marauders and other criminals, and it was often regarded as the worst area of town.
-----Yagami was surprised that he had not been targeted by muggers during his rather long walk. Actually, he was rather disappointed, as he was eager to continue destroying all evil on Khazan. Yet it had been a perfect night, a for a moment, Yagami thought that the horrible news regarding the current state of Xaelon had something to do with it. An army of demons was best handled by professional heroes and authorities. Civilians and petty criminals alike took to their houses and generally stayed out of site during such times.
-----As he walked inside much of the chatter in the room turned to a whisper, yet no one actually turned to look at him. At the far end of the restaurant, which was professionally built entirely out of wood, was the bar where only one man sat, facing the opposite direction. Numerous tables were laid out around the establishment, many of them occupied.
-----While the customers assumed their conversations were secret, Yagami was able to pick up everything said in the restaurant, though it sounded like mindless gibberish all at once. Among the more common gossip he discerned several more interesting conversations, all of them talking about Xaelon. ”Have you heard! Xaelis was attacked and destroyed.” “I heard Demons were responsible.” “Really? I heard on the news that it was aliens.” “Well I heard it was a new plot by the Fallen in the name of the void.” “Yeah, and New Xaelis has been attacked several times hasn’t it?” “Yeah, I continue to see military craft sent straight from Khazan city going over there.” “When are they going to tell us about what’s going on?”
-----Among even this chatter Yagami heard the nervous twitches and gritting teeth of the one he was supposed to talk to. He easily found Shirai Natsumi, who sat in the far corner of the restaurant awaiting his arrival. He barely knew Shirai, as the SLJ had only become aware of the prophesized hero in the last year when some of her cases ended up getting her involved with the SLJ. Shirai looked like an average 10 year old girl, the type you’d normally see running down the streets in an overactive manner, but instead she sat with the infamous Sikigami and gave off an impression of endless tension and terror.
-----“I’m surprised someone like you would choose a place like this to meet,” Yagami said, taking his seat opposite the young girl.
-----“Well, I need to talk with a member of the SLJ in secret,” Natsumi whispered, shifting her eyes nervously. “This is an unexpected place, and I’m afraid someone may be after me, so...”
-----“Wait a minute, you said someone may be after you?” Yagami asked.
-----“Well, I can’t know for sure, but, well, lets say that I did a little investigating in the woods west of here. I think I found something I wasn’t meant too. Some kind of invisible men armed with weapons. I...I got shot at a few times, but the...ugh...weasel protected me.”
-----At that moment the little ferret leapt out from under its masters feet and pulled itself onto the table. Shirai let out a shriek that proved annoying to most and absolutely deafening to Yagami. After a few heavy breathes and nearly biting off all of her finger nails the young girl brushed her hair aside and tried with all her might to stay calm.
-----“Have you reported this to anyone?” Yagami asked.
-----“Oh yes,” Shirai responded. “I’ve talked to the authorities, but if this is related to the guys who took out most of Xaelon already then it will take more than the mobile police. I need the SLJ’s help. Don’t thing someone like me would handle a case this big!”
-----“I’m surprised you’d get involved at all,” Yagami said. “You’re afraid of your own Sikigami after all.”
-----Natsumi sighed heavily. “Well, I am the ‘prophesized hero of my town’ after all. I guess its my destiny.” She laid her head down on the table, only to suddenly stand up in fright when the Green Snare began to move beneath the table, having accidentally rubbed against her leg. The blob moved out a little and motioned up as if to look at Yagami inquisitively. Several people in the restaurant were staring at Shirai, who was still frozen in the same position. Eventually she realized this and forced an odd laugh before taking her seat again.
-----“There has been talk about the actions the Khazan government is taking in regards to the demons,” Yagami began once the commotion started up again. “Elwin D’Larthi herself is supposed to have a special meeting tomorrow regarding the matter. I could go there and discuss it with the SLJ if you wish.”
-----“If it’s alright, can I go with you? I don’t want to stay in this city anymore,” Natsumi said, still shifting her eyes. “I have a bad feeling...a feeling that something bad is going to happen, and besides, I have some information I found out in the woods that could be helpful.”
-----“I thought you were deathly afraid of monsters?” Yagami replied.
-----“Well, it’s my destiny to be around monsters now,” Shirai said in a monotone voice. A flapping sound could be heard and Yagami looked up to see the unique bat, the last of the Sikigami, who hung from the ceiling above Natsumi.
-----“If that is the case I see no problem. The SLJ was always happy to receive help from those willing to bring an end to evil on Khazan.”
-----Yagami may have suggested leaving the restaurant at that point, but a chill wind passed by as the door swung open and four men in black suits emerged into the room. Each wore identical black hats and sunglasses, as well as a smirk that gave off an aura of confidence. Their reputation was not doubtable as everyone in the restaurant fell silent all at once.
-----Shirai’s eyes shrank as she tried to ignore the men, and only Yagami and the man at the bar appeared unchanged by the appearance of the small group. The four men walked past the many tables of the restaurant and came upon the bar, where the bartender immediately began fixing drinks as if this was a common occurrence that he was accustomed to dealing with.
-----One of the men turned to face the others and placed his hand inside his coat pocket. A grim smile appeared on his face. “I suggest that everyone inside this establishment leave.”
-----All at once the people dropped their forks and ran out the door without a second thought.
-----“Ah, would you look at that, they were kind enough to leave a few personal possessions for us,” another joked.
-----A third man tipped his hat up and lowered his glasses to get a good look at the man sitting at the bar. The man continued to drink out of his glass and gave a cold stare in return.
-----“Hey, you!” the thug said. “Do you not have ears or sometin? We said get outta here...beat it, scram! Trust me, you don’t want to be in here,”
-----The man continued to drink.
-----“Hey! Am I not getting through to you or sometin? I said hit the road. Else we’re gonna have ‘ta teach ya a lesson, like, say, how to recieve the beating of your life.”
-----“That goes for you two over there as well,” the fourth one said, looking at Yagami and Shirai.
-----The third man suddenly became angry. “Ok, bud, if you’re not going to listen then you’re gonna wind up in Morisato city graveyard.” He threw his fist towards the man, only to have his hand suddenly stop in mid-air.
-----“What the hell?” the four thugs yelled in unison.
-----The bartender dived down as if aware that something rather ugly was about to take place.

-----Michael Cortelloni put his drink on the table and stood up to face the man who had dared to throw a punch in his direction. That man, previously a confident thug, was now quivering as if he was facing the lord of the underworld. His hand had stopped in mid-air, and now he felt Cortelloni’s grasp at his neck, yet his hands did not move at all.
-----With pure mental will he through the thug far against the wall. The force nearly broke the wooden structure before Cortelloni released his telekinetic hold on him. As he fell to the ground his partners were in shock, some reaching for their guns but finding themselves rather doubtful of their chances.
-----“We got a superhuman here!” one of them yelled as he finally managed to pull his weapon from out of his coat.
-----“You with the SLJ?” One of them managed to murmur.
-----Cortelloni gave the man a grim smile. “Not a chance. Sorry.”
-----The first thug pointed his gun at the former ragemaster, only to have his weapon pulled out of his hand by and thrown to the other side of the room by Cortelloni’s telekinesis. With a small gesture of his head Cortelloni sent a small burst of mental energy into the mind of his attacker, a seething pain that brought the man to his knees screaming.
-----As the thug collapsed his friends attempted to aid him, only to be thrown about the establishment in a few seconds time. Michael turned to walk out of the restaurant, a disturbed look evident in his eye. He had made the long trip to Cretalia in hopes of escaping such annoying encounters, but it seemed that he was no better here than in Xaelon. As he walked towards the door he felt a small voice inside of his head warning him of imminent danger, then a clear image came in, depicting one of the thugs reaching for his weapon. The gun was raising towards him. He turned and sent a wave of force that pulled the barrel of the gun upward...the shot went into the roof, its sound was piercing to the ears of Shinsuke.
-----The man lowered his gun and pointed it at Cortelloni again, desperate to get a good shot off.
-----“Fool,” Michael said. He pulled out his own pistol and began walking towards the man. The thug managed to get up off the floor and onto his knees, but the will of Michael Cortelloni would not allow him to stand, nor would it allow him to focus the gun barrel at his target.
-----Cortelloni pointed his weapon at the man’s head at point blank range. The man was shivering, with sweat pouring down his round face, the pupils of his eyes as small as pebbles.
-----Whether he would have pulled the trigger or not, Shinsuke never found out, for he stepped in at that moment and placed his hand on the gun. “That’s enough.”
-----At first Cortelloni wasn’t sure that it was Yagami who had touched his weapon, but perhaps another thug coming to the aid of his partner. He quickly turned and pointed the gun at Yagami’s head, but the SLJ veteran stood motionless with no expression of fear or surprise. Michael smiled as he lowered the gun, then quickly turned to look at the thug who was still sweating like an animal on the ground.
-----“You a member of the SLJ?” Coretlloni asked, looking back at Shinsuke.
-----“Yes,” Yagami replied, “and I think I know you. You are...or perhaps I should say...were the RageMaster. If I were you I’d put the weapon away and leave, I’ll take care of these people.”
-----Michael gave a chuckle that didn’t result from humor, but from mixed reactions to Yagami’s reply. “Those days are long past. I was just giving these fools a little scare. Go ahead, take them if you want. I guess that’s your job isn’t it?”
-----Shirai was already on the phone, calling the authorities to the scene. The Bat known as the Black Void grabbed a rope out of the back room and hurdled the thugs into the corner of the restaurant where it tied them up justly.
-----“What’s a member of the SLJ and a ten year old girl doing in this part of town anyway?” Cortelloni asked.
-----“We no longer need to be here,” Yagami said. “We’ll be leaving for Khazan City soon enough.”
-----“Ah, something about the attacks I bet,” Cortelloni smiled. “Gee, I wonder what our wonderful Khazanian government is going to do about it.”
-----“I sense a lack of faith in our current government,” Yagami said, “Yet I suppose you’re not going on killing sprees anymore.”
-----Cortelloni noticed that he still had his pistol out, something he always did when in the company of others. He pulled it back into its holster and looked coldly at Shinsuke. “I told you already, those days are behind me. And no, I don’t exactly have much faith in the Khazan government. Why should I?”
-----Shirai joined the conversation as she walked up and stayed close to Yagami, being more than just a little intimidated by Cortelloni. The three Sikigamis, however, eagerly approached the former RageMaster and curiously examined him. “Hey, I’ve seen you, you were on the news recently. You were in New Xaelis weren’t you?”
-----“Hmph” Cortelloni began. “Was, yes. I fought a few of those demon things in self defense, but the army and the SLJ had the nerve to try and recruit me.”
-----“You didn’t even think about defending New Xaelis?” Yagami said. “You must know of what happened to Xaelis. You know how many people could get killed...”
-----“Hey, I watch out for one person...me,” Cortelloni said, pointing his finger at himself. “I’ve seen enough battles to know what’s going on. In one week at the latest the New Xaelis defense will fall and the demon army will enter the city through Walshin Valley. I sure as hell don’t want to be there when that happens.”
-----Cortelloni apparently became tired of the conversation and turned to walk away without even a gesture of ‘good bye.’ The restaurant was virtually empty after that, only Yagami and Shirai standing in the room. The authorities arrived not long after and apprehended the thugs, though Yagami and Shirai were not there to witness that.
-----The first moon of Khazan was shining brightly in the night sky, but the day grew late, and soon the morning sun would creep over Morisato Cities horizon. Every minute wasted was a minute that the Drekis forces could complete their sadistic campaign, so Yagami and Shirai boarded the earliest Transport and left Morisato City while its citizens slept quietly, desperately trying to avoid thinking about the demonic armies.
-----Aboard the aerial transport, Yagami attempted to close his eyes and rest his cold body, but Shirai insisted on talking to keep herself from screaming about the Sikigami, who were all crowded in their row of seats.
-----“What do you think Elwin will discuss at the meeting?” Shirai asked.
-----Yagami kept his eyes closed but easily heard everything. “I don’t know. New Xaelis is in danger, at least according to that man. Perhaps she will suggest a way of finding the man responsible for all of this chaos.”

-----Izohn Falaris stood on the roof of the Zel’Myas capital building, his eyes fixed on the small craft approaching from the western coast. To his right stood Klart the Firebane, standing with his sword in hand, the blade touching the rooftop beneath him. To the left of the Marauder commander was Morlos Gao, the dark wizard, and atop a nearby tower on the building sat Gabriel Daemonchild, who also watched eagerly.
-----Klart was a tall and massive man with a fiery personality. He had joined the Marauders out of being dispassionate, confused, and angry. At all times his rage burned inside of his heart like an inferno that could not be extinguished. His eyes glowed blood red and his sword reflected the moonlight in an uncanny manner.
-----Morlos’ face was unknown even the greatest of the Marauder leaders. He hid himself behind robes and cloaks, his head hidden behind a black hood. Cruel, cunning, and powerful, he was not a wizard who sought destruction, but riches. Still, he was one of Toc Darkone’s greatest supporters in the move to take Zel’Mier as Marauder property.
-----Gabriel had, at one time, been little more than a standard thief who dreamed of much more, but now he shared his existence with a demon, a creature that had been bonded to his life force and provided him with powers no human was ever meant to have. The wings of the demon emerged from his otherwise human body and, with a quick flap, raised Gabriel into the air.
-----DaemonChild landed next to Izohn as the small craft at last arrived and landed on the roof. Wasting no time, the door of the craft opened and Toc Darkone emerged, and with him Razor, a murderous thief who had sworn his allegiance to the Marauders.
-----“Welcome back Toc.” Izohn said. “I trust your objectives have all been met with success.”
-----“More or less,” Toc replied as the group quickly left the roof and descended into the building. “Uly’Castor Morzan has remained unchanged for the last twenty years, as have many of the other countries outside of the main continent. The Marauders are steadily gaining more power and influence upon Khazan.”
-----“Do in part to the taking of Zel’Myas and the state-kingdom of Zel’Mier itself.” Morlos commented. “It is an action many Marauders were unsure about, but in the past few weeks it has made the name of the Marauders known to all the people of Khazan. That is, at least in part, what you desired isn’t in Toc?”
-----“For the moment,” Toc replied. “So, Izohn, how as Zel’Mier faired. I have heard disturbing reports that Marauder activity has dropped recently through the main continent...and that some members are actually disbanding.”
-----“None of which is our fault or that of any other Marauder I assure you,” Izohn said. The group entered what was once the governors office, now Izohn’s personal room. Izohn took his seat as he continued, “The attacks on Xaelon have led to a few setbacks. Many Marauder bases were located in Xaelon, but anyone there is now either dead or escaped to some other region and we haven’t heard from them since.”
-----Toc thought about the demon armies that he had heard about, even seen, on Khazan. His recent journey across the Main continent allowed him to see the massive army moving towards New Xaelis. “I wonder, is the Unsubtle still here?”
-----“Yes,” Izohn replied. “Since the event in Karia she has armed herself with some...new materials.”
-----Gabriel Daemonchild stepped forth, folding his wings behind his back, “The Unsubtle’s tank and weaponry have proved vital to keeping Zel’Mier under our control. In fact, all SLJ efforts to liberate the state-kingdom have stopped. I suppose they have their hands full with the Drekis armies they’ve been talking about.”
-----“That’s only what they want us to think,” Klart stated, his eyes still glowing brightly. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they sent some heroes in to save the people while all of this is going on.”
-----“The Unsubtle has seen Drekis himself, has she not?” Toc said.
-----“Yes, but she gave me limited information about him,” Izohn answered.
-----“She said the creature hid himself in the shadows for the most part,” Gabriel said. “For the most part, she said this Drekis fellow seeked only to destroy the heroes of the planet, and that they would leave us with the valuables afterward.”
-----“A likely story,” Razor said with a raspy voice. “I don’t trust them anymore than I’d trust a member of the Fallen.”
-----“Our priority is the success and well being of the Marauders,” Morlos said. “We must concern ourselves with the occupation of Zel’Myas and its treasury.”
-----“I will decide what our priorities are Morlos!” Toc said. “Every able Marauder in Zel’Mier, No, Every able Marauder that is even remotely close to Zel’Mier will be form a defensive perimeter. We will watch the movement of the Drekis armies from here. Should any move be made against us, I want to make sure that we make them regret it. Izohn, I want you to keep an eye on the Maniacal heroes and the SLJ. We will not allow them to take advantage of this chaotic time to sneak past our eyes.”
-----“I understand sir,” Izohn replied. “If any heroes dare enter these borders, trust me, they will be...dealt with.”

-----Morlos left the meeting with Toc and entered his own small room, which was at one time the room of the Governors son. All decorations and posters had been torn down, and the walls appeared rotten as if they were ancient. The room was dark, lit only be candles, and populated only by a mirror and a desk of darkstone.
-----Morlos locked his door and sat at his desk where he lifted his hood to reveal his face, demonic face that could only be seen in his reflection. His eyes burned brightly in the mirror, and around his neck, the amulet that could also only be seen in the reflection. With his right claw removed the amulet from around his neck and clenched it tightly in his hand.
-----The amulet began to glow, yet its light did not fill the room. Rather, the light seemed to dim, giving way for the darkness to overcome the candlelight. Morlos felt its power surge through his arm, up his body, and into his very mind.
-----“Master, the Marauders are beginning to distrust the words you spoke to the Unsubtle. They make preparations to make Zel’Mier ready for a possible attack.”
-----The voice of Drekis boomed loudly through the amulet, but its sound did not travel outside of his room, it isolated itself within Morlos’ mind. His skull vibrated as the voice spoke. “They distrust my words as they should. No matter, my evolution nears completion, the fall of Xaelon is near and soon Aigonis will move into Araelis. We need not worry about Zel’Mier. The state-kingdom would have been better off if defended by the heroes of the planet.”
-----“Yes master, but you need not worry about Zel’Mier at the moment. They have no plans to move against you. Save the strength of your minions for the attack on the Eastern side of the continent. I will keep you informed of any problems here...”
-----“Morlos!!” Drekis shouted inside of the dark wizards mind.
-----Morlos placed his hands around his ears as if an explosion had gone off near them. “Master...what?”
-----“You obviously do not see,” Drekis continued. “As we speak the heroes of Khazan City prepare to launch a mission...a mission to seek out my lair and defeat my empire at its very source. Some of their most trusted heroes will be assigned this task, and they will come through Zel’Mier to find us.”
-----“Zel’Mier? Why?” Morlos asked.
-----“They know from what limited information they have garnered that the hive is located close to Zel’Mier in the Endless Caves. They will come here to search, and will approach from the East in secret, passing by Zel’Myas within the next two days.”
-----“I see, but could they really find the hive?”
-----“Fool! Do not underestimate your enemies, especially since you live among them currently! They are resourceful, and a member of the Seekers is with them. She will lead them to me if all else fails.”
-----“I understand Master Drekis, but what do you want me to do about this?”
-----“You will wait and watch for their arrival! When they come, you and the other Marauders will apprehend them and take them within Zel’Myas. Do whatever it takes to keep them from finding this hive. It is too early at this moment, our armies cannot afford to have the main hive located by the Khazan forces!”
-----“But Master,” Morlos stuttered. “I cannot reveal my true intentions to the Marauders just yet...”
-----“You won’t have to. The Marauders are concerned with their own well being. Convince the other Marauders that the heroes passing through Zel’Mier are attempting to liberate it. You will gain their aid then, and the heroes can be dealt with!”
-----“Yes, very good my lord,” Morlos said. “I will not fail you.”
-----“See that you do not!” Drekis said, his booming voice slowly fading from Morlos’ mind. “For if you do, then you may not emerge animate following the fall of Zel’Myas.”

-----The next day started like any other in Khazan. The industrial sector was filled with the sounds of work and construction...of laboratories and global businesses struggling to get their products back on schedule. The science sector was engaged in the early morning meetings between fellow scientists regarding their newest inventions, findings, and theories. The uptown city streets and skies alike were filled with people trying to reach their jobs in the only ways they knew how. And in Lowtown, people went about their business as usual.
-----Yet the military transports passing in and out of Khazan City were a symbol that not all was well on the main continent. Khazan City was by far the biggest city on the planet, being the size of a state-kingdom itself, but that couldn’t stop the civilians from seeing the massive military movement that had been occurring in the last few weeks.
-----President Pharis had ordered a full scale movement of the Khazan military, but for the moment, all that could be done is defend New Xaelis from attack. Word of a strong counterattack often came up in the backstreets of Khazan where the gossip flows, but others were worried that a just retaliation could not be possible without knowing where the enemy was.
-----In the center of the Uptown Sector the SLJ base stood, a majestic building of towers and pillars. The building was designed to capture the culture of all the different people of Khazan as a symbol that the SLJ protected everyone. The headquarters showed signs of ancient castles, stone temples, and modern buildings. On the front was the giant symbol of the SLJ, a symbol of hope and freedom for the people of Khazan.
-----It was here that Tanin, Captain Khazan, and Uberman arrived early in the morning. All three had arrived in the magnificent city in response to Elwin’s bidding. Uberman had left Scout in control of the New Xaelis forces responsible for the protection of the city. Despite their desires to stay and help the tormented people of Xaelon, the three heroes decided to fly in to Khazan City and here Elwin’s new plan. A plan that, hopefully, would allow them to end the war before it became too chaotic.
-----At the Northern side of the Uptown sector, Vincentzo Maiinverno emerged from his aerial transport craft. As future ruler of Araelis, he demanded a hearing with Elwin, and had received notice of her call just a few days ago. The haughty wizard walked among the public of Khazan city as if he was a king among men, at least in his mind. Woose had been left in charge of watching over Araelis, and what Woose lacked in brain power was made up for by Maiiverno’s trusted lieutenants.
-----Arriving just a quarter of an hour later was Yagami Shinsuke and Shirai Natsumi, both rested from their long trip to Khazan City. Along with them came a rather unexpected visitor. Michael Cortelloni stepped off of the transport shortly after Yagami and Shirai disembarked. As nice as Cretalia was, it was far too close to Xaelon. He was sure that if there was one place to be during a war, it would be Khazan City.
-----Cortelloni wanted to quickly find a residence in Khazan City and be done with it, but an innumerable amount of people eventually convinced him to look upon the SLJ meeting. It seemed that everyone wanted to hear the conversation, whether it was in person or over a radio.
-----He hadn’t really been invited to see it in person, but he found it quite easy to sneak into the SLJ base unnoticed, at least during these times. Inside the main hall Elwin sat on her council chair. The only other members of the council present were Uberman and Captain Khazan, though they remained standing. The others, Cortelloni had heard, had ventured to other smaller SLJ bases throughout the main continent to insure the protection of those cities. Uberman and Captain Khazan apparently decided to stand since Elwin was now acting as the wife of the President, not just as another member of the Sentinels.
-----Standing among Elwin, Uberman, and the Captain were Yagami, Shirai, Vincentzo, and Raea. Elwin raised her hand to begin and the crowd was quickly silenced. Everyone, it seems, was eager to hear how the war would be handled.
-----“Fools,” Cortelloni uttered to himself. “Their all like drones.”
-----Elwin looked upon Uberman first, “Uberman, I would like to express my sympathies for all that has happened in the last week. Though if all goes well, perhaps you will not have to go through such punishment anymore.”
-----“There is no need for your apology,” Uberman responded. “I am the leader of the Sentinels of Liberty and Justice. It is my responsibility to protect the people of Khazan regardless of the enemy I face.”
-----Elwin nodded. “Tanin, I must thank you for coming here to help us. I have a favor to ask of you, of all of you.”
-----“No problem,” Tanin replied. “The avatar of light is always willing to take up arms whenever an avatar of darkness is involved.”
-----“What news do you have Elwin?” Captain Khazan asked.
-----Elwin took a deep breath. “Through information brought to us by a Seeker, a bounty hunter with ties to the Galactic Defense Force, and from information brought to us from Captain Khazan and Amy Coleman, we have learned that the creature or man known as Drekis has created a Master Hive from which he controls the path of his army. We know also that it is found in the Endless Caves. As you all know the Endless caves are, as far as we know, Endless, and it would be pointless to conduct a search of the whole area while people are suffering in Xaelon. However, we may know where the Master Hive is.”
-----“I can testify to that,” Captain Khazan stated. “The Endless Caves were populated by many of the Deminites in the Zel’Mier area.”
-----“Indeed,” Elwin continued. “We believe that the master hive may be located somewhere in the state-kingdom of Zel’Mier. That still leaves us with a large area, but its a start. We know that while Drekis has many powerful generals leading his army so as to not reveal himself at this moment, his entire empire would crumble if he himself was destroyed. Therefore, we have come up with a plan....a mission.”
-----“What kind of mission?” Maiinverno asked.
-----“A large military group cannot infiltrate Zel’Mier,” Elwin said. “Either the Drekis army or the Marauders that currently occupy the State-Kingdome would try to stop us. However, a small group of people may be able to sneak in with a clever plan. A small group of Khazan’s bravest heroes must enter Zel’Mier in secret and enter the Endless Caves, possibly through the Dark Shadow Forest. From there you must locate Drekis himself. Together you must kill him. That is the only way to end this chaos, and the only way to stop his empire once and for all.”
-----The room fell silent once again.
-----“So we must enter Zel’Mier and attempt to find this Drekis fellow and destroy him,” Maiinverno repeated. “Sounds easy enough, except we don’t know what he looks like.”
-----“That is true,” Raea said. “The Seeker seemed to have a strong grudge against Drekis, though even she had not seen Drekis. She also said he often changes form for unknown reasons.”
-----“Your skepticism is understandable,” Uberman said. “But Elwin is right. This is the best way to handle the situation. A small group can infiltrate the Main Hive easier than an entire army.”
-----“We’d also lose less lives in the process,” Yagami said.
-----“The Deminites are dreadful to many of the Mobile Police and military personnel,” Captain Khazan said. “But to us they shouldn’t be a problem. As long as we find him quickly we can put an end to this.”
-----“Though we also have no idea of what his limits are,” Uberman said. “I hate to rush into something with very little understanding of our enemy.”
-----The sound Chrysilium being pulled from its sheath filled the otherwise silent room. “You just leave that to me,” Tanin said with a confident grin. “I’ll take care of the avatar guy, you just worry about getting into Zel’Mier without the other Marauders knowing.”
-----“We could take a aircraft there, disguised as a transport,” Raea suggested. “Many transports have made it across Zel’Mier airspace before.”
-----“Not without having some rather close calls while passing over Zel’Myas,” Tanin responded. “Besides, passing over Zel’Mier and landing in it are two different things.”
-----“Allow me to lead the group into Zel’Mier!” Vincentzo yelled suddenly. “I will get us in.”
-----“I have no problem with that as long as you have a valid suggestion,” Uberman said, looking at the young wizard seriously.
-----“A cohort of mine, Woose Brain, used to live in Zel’Mier for a while, though he moved away long before the Marauder activity. I believe he still owns a trade caravan, an extremely ancient vehicle. The ride may be slower than some, but it would allow us to pass through the Marauders disguised as merchants.”
-----“Not all of the Marauders are fools,” Raea said. “At least one of them could tell the difference.”
-----“Not if we stick to the main road,” Shirai Natsumi spoke up. “I mean, the main road splits apart, one going to Zel’Myas, the other descends into Karia Valley. I’ve been there before.”
-----“That would allow us to get inside of the Dark Shadow Forest, and we wouldn’t have to actually pass through any Marauder cities or camps.” Captain Khazan said.
-----“But the Marauders may attack you in an attempt to steal the merchandise,” Elwin said.
-----“Nah,” Tanin smirked. “I’ve watched Zel’Mier during the past month or so, the Marauders think they have Zel’Myas wrapped around their pinky. They immediately assume all trade caravans passing by are heading for Zel’Myas. Currently all of the Marauder activity is centered along the Karia Valley.”
-----“Exactly,” Vincentzo said. “And with Woose’s rather peculiar luck, I’m sure we can pass by unnoticed. By the time they realize we’re not a legitimate trade caravan we’ll have already entered the caves.”
-----“It does sound like a good plan,” Uberman said. “A much faster and more powerful aircraft or vehicle would get us to the destination faster, but would immediately be noticed by Toc Darkones Marauders there. A more secretive approach does seem to be the best option.”
-----Elwin looked upon the crowd of onlookers who had begun to murmur among themselves. “Very well, it is decided. Uberman, Captain Khazan, Tanin, Vincentzo, Yagami, Raea, I’m sure I can count on all of you.”
-----“You can count on Woose to come and help as well,” Maiinverno remarked.
-----“I would also suggest that Shirai come as well,” Yagami said.
-----Natsumi froze with fear at the comment. “Wha...what? Why me?”
-----“You said it was part of your destiny,” Yagami replied. “Isn’t that why you came here in the first place?”
-----Shirai had begun to pull on her hair, but the Sikigami’s looked exhilarated. “I didn’t say that exactly, I just came here to confirm the danger to Cretalia and the...the...and...ugh..” she sighed in disbelief, but knew that somehow, someway, her accursed destiny was making this happen.
-----“Why me?” Shirai said to herself.
-----“The Sikigami could prove useful in the battle,” Yagami said.
-----Shirai frowned as she looked down upon the Green Blob and the Ferret. “I’m doing this, if for only one reason, to help my family and friends back at my village. I certainly don’t want them facing an army of demons.”
-----“Very well, it has been decided,” Elwin remarked. “We must all prepare. The mission must be launched by early evening.”

-----After the crowds had disappeared, each person whispering their own opinions on the matter throughout the City streets, Raea approached Elwin nervously. She had been a member of the SLJ for a while now, yet still felt uneasy about being trusted with such a vital mission.
-----“Excuse me, Elwin,” Raea began, “Are you sure that I should be the one to go on this mission? I mean, I..”
-----Elwin smiled. “Raea, you’ve been a member of the SLJ for a long time now. You’re not a veteran, but your a brave woman and a courageous hero just like the rest of us. I think its time you left Khazan City and garner new experiences. I know you’re capable of doing this, and I think it would be good for you.”
-----“Th-Thank you Elwin,” Raea said.
-----“Don’t worry. If anything does go wrong, you have many experienced heroes there to protect you.”
-----Raea dropped the matter then and there despite still feeling uneasy. She started the long walk down the halls of the SLJ headquarters to retrieve all that she would bring on the mission, constantly thinking about the task at hand. As she walked she nearly ran into a tall man who was apparently waiting for her.
-----“Are you Raea?” Michael Cortelloni asked.
-----“Yes I am, who are you?”
-----“Michael Cortelloni, though its not like my name matters. Your mission is taking you through Zel’Mier correct? The area controlled by the Marauders?”
-----Raea nodded accordingly. “Yes, Why?”
-----There was a long pause, and Michael’s expression appeared frozen. “I wish to accompany your group, at least until you get past Zel’Myas.”
-----“Oh, well any help is deeply appreciated, so...”
-----“I’m not coming along to help really,” Cortelloni replied. “I don’t care much for people in general, and I have no desire to risk my life against the Drekis Army.”
-----“Then why...?”
-----Cortelloni started to walk past Raea as he talked. “I have something I want to take care of with the Marauders. I’ve got something to settle with a certain someone in Zel’Myas. Who it is and why is none of your concern. I also lost a lot to those Demon creatures. Wouldn’t mind getting back at them a little in the process. Just make sure to put me on the list, and come get me when you’re ready. Don’t worry I have nothing to bring.”
-----By the time she was fully prepared it was already late afternoon, and she found Tim waiting outside of the headquarters for her. She smiled and approached him, though she also felt that seeing him before she left would make her afraid...afraid of the possibility that she would never see him again.
-----“Hey darling,” Timothy started. “I...saw the whole thing from the crowd. I’m very happy that you’re going.”
-----“Really?” Raea said, puzzled.
-----“Well, I mean, you’ve always wanted to be an SLJ hero involved in something important, and well, this is something that is certainly important. Come to think of it, I kinda wish I could go with you.”
-----Raea put her hand on his cheek. “I wish you could come with me to just to be there Tim, but you and I both know you’re not ready.”
-----“I know, I know,” Tim responded
-----“I’ll see you as soon as I get back,” Raea said. “Don’t worry about me...”
-----“I know, you’ve got people like Tanin and Uberman there with you. I’m not a nervous wreck.”
-----His confidence seemed to rejuvenate her resolve. “You’ll be great hero someday, you know that Tim.”
-----“You think so huh,” Tim laughed. “Well if you think so, then I bet its true.”
-----Raea smiled, but was then reminded of something else. “Oh, Timothy, I need you to do me a favor.”
-----Tim’s eyebrow raised in suspicion at first. “What?”
-----“Don’t tell Telissa about this, okay.”
-----Tim was surprised. “Don’t tell Telissa about this? But she’s been hunting for Drekis for years!”
-----“Exactly. She’ll get herself involved if she finds out. I know she didn’t listen to the announcement because she was at the hospital visiting her friend, but you have to keep her from picking up any gossip. Tim, she’s in league with the GDF, you understand. We can’t have the GDF getting involved in this. They have a really nasty habit of putting any planets that can’t fend for themselves under their jurisdiction.”
-----“I see,” Tim said. “Very well, I won’t say anything. You just be careful okay. Take care, and good luck.”
-----Within the hour Raea had boarded an aerial transport headed for Araelis. From there they would enter Zel’Mier and attempt to pass Zel’Myas, the city of the Marauders. Tim tried to keep himself in a optimistic mood, though he couldn’t help but worry for Raea. As he walked away he looked upon the blade his father had left behind him and recalled the words that Raea had just said to him.
-----You’ll be a great hero someday

-----Timothy Shinestar wasn’t exactly sure why he told Telissa the news, even though he had sworn not to. Perhaps he felt sorry for her, or perhaps he had found himself charmed by her looks. Either way he ended up telling the Seeker about the mission, and he could have killed himself for doing so, if for no other reason than for the amount of time he had to spend convincing her not to go.
-----Despite his efforts Telissa easily barged out and began walking down the streets of Khazan City, most likely thinking of how she would get to Zel’Mier.
-----“Telissa, you can’t go!” Tim yelled. “Look, you’re not even welcome by the team, they don’t want you there.”
-----“I don’t give a damn about what they think,” Telissa said, never turning around. She continued to walk, and for a moment Tim felt that she didn’t know where she was really going. “I have my own score to settle with Drekis.”
-----Part of Tim wanted to let her go, but he grimaced at the thought of Raea’s reaction to this turn of events. Telissa Ravan was an extremely attractive individual and her heart seemed to be in the right place, but nothing could shake his devotion to Raea. They had grown up together, shared the same pain, and shared the same dream. Now that Raea had become a member of the SLJ he was determined to do so himself. However, this wasn’t going to look good for him, especially since the SLJ had wanted Telissa to remain ignorant of the situation.
-----The light of the Khazan sun became a bright orange as the sun approached the western horizon. By now the mission would have already been launched, and there was little Telissa could do at the moment. Then again, he knew little of her resourcefulness.
-----Even at this early hour the Uptown sector of Khazan City had its lights shining brightly and its free ways and airways busy. The people were working in an assiduous manner despite the grim news that had been passed on at the meeting, but everyone seemed confident that Uberman, Tanin, and the others would return victorious. Beaming lights and radiant beacons streaked across the sky as hovercrafts, aircrafts, and cars alike zoomed through the massive city, yet there was one particular light that suddenly caught Tim’s eye.
-----A timid yet unique light that poured out of his fathers sheath...the sheath to his sword. The bright blue aura surrounded the weapon, and soon a rattling sound filled the air. Tim was slow to realize that the sword was vibrating inside of its hilt, its metal continuously hitting the edges.
-----“What the...,” Tim said as he pulled the sword from his holster. The thin, professionally sharpened blade glowed as if possessed by an unearthly spirit. At one time Tim could have sworn the blade itself was silver like most ordinary swords, but now it was rapidly pulsating with a brilliant glow of blue and green.
-----Telissa noticed the phenomenon and suddenly became tense. “What is that? What does it mean?” She spun around and looked at him, then carefully checked around them. The street they were on was mostly empty. It was a back road, and few cars passed through the area at this hour. If anything, a hovercraft high in the sky would pass by, yet it appeared that no one else was with them.
-----“I have no idea what this means,” Tim responded, eyeing the glowing sword. “I know little of my father’s sword, or my father myself for that matter.”
-----“You mean you’ve never seen it do that before?” Telissa asked.
-----Tim shrugged and he pointed the sword towards the heavens. “No. I’ve had this sword for all of my life, and yet I’ve never seen it do this. Hell, I haven’t seen it do any of the things that it was rumored to do.”
-----Telissa took a step forward to examine the blade Tim held in his hands, barely escaping a shot that she felt pierce through several strands of her hair. Immediately she took the ground and dove for cover. Tim, not knowing what to do, took refuge behind a large recycle machine, yet the glow of the sword still continued.
-----Telissa began pressing buttons on her forearm device, and soon a battlesuit formed around her, conforming to her figure and revealing some new tools. Quickly she pulled out an odd looking pistol and looked around the area. There was no trace of the assailant.
-----Tim wanted to move out, but he was halted by Telissa who shook her head. The young Seeker pulled a large glass covering over her face, and suddenly computer images and text began appearing over her eyes. The radar system scanned the area and found what she was looking for. Four large humanoids standing on a roof above them.
-----The creatures obviously didn’t expect to be discovered so soon, for as Telissa dived into the middle of the alley the invisible monsters took aim and fired several shots that missed their mark. Telissa stood and fired her pistol twice, hitting the creature in the middle in the arm and chest. It didn’t fall however, and the four creatures, realizing that their cloaking gave them no more advantages, revealed themselves before jumping to the ground below.
-----Tim emerged from his hiding place to see the horrible men. Humanoid and muscular, with bald, scaly heads and sharp fangs decorating their mouth. Each wore armor of some kind, and carried a rather intimidating weapon.
-----Telissa began running down the alley, followed closely by a stream of particle cannon fire that began to tear down the alley walls around them. Outgunned and outnumber, Telissa pulled Tim with her as she turned down another alley to avoid the gunfire.
-----The creatures began to run in as if hungry for blood, but their hunger betrayed them as Telissa suddenly turned around the corner, armed with a larger gun, a molecular disrupter, which fired a brilliant bolt of green energy into the chest of the first monster. Within seconds the armor burst open and the creatures chest exploded in a fiery fury. The rest of its upper body slowly deteriorated as the three remaining creatures began firing their weapons in an uncontrollable manner.
-----Telissa turned back and ran down the alley. Tim followed closely behind, his sword still shining.
-----“What the hell are those things?!” Tim shouted.
-----“Their Hunter Killers,” Telissa said. “Deminite Hunter Killers. They belong to Drekis.”
-----Just as they turned down another corner a missile was launched from a Hunter Killer weapon. The massive warhead hit only an alley wall, yet its massive explosion forced the fleeing duo to the ground.
-----By the time she could get up two of the Hunter Killers had caught up with them. She raised her gun to fire but was first shot in the chest by the demonic soldiers particle gun. Flying back into a row of garbage cans, Telissa dropped her gun and gritted her teeth at the seething pain. The armor suit protected her life, but even then she could feel the burning against her chest where the shot had struck.
-----The Hunter Killers both moved in, yet even then Tim stepped in front of them, his sword still glowing. Yet suddenly its mighty glow stopped, and any fear that the Hunter Killers might have felt from its ominous light dwindled.
-----One of the creatures backhanded Tim to the ground and growled in fury. “Stay out of this Khazanian!” it screamed.
-----The other snickered. “We might let you live for now if you choose wisely and run!”
-----Telissa stood to her full height, ignoring the pain in her chest and reaching for her pistol. Then the third Hunter Killer emerged, falling from the sky above and dropping down behind her. Its thick arms wrapped around her, and she found herself pulled off of her feet by the gigantic humanoid. The monsters claw reached for her pistol and crushed it like a child’s toy.
-----“You let her go!” Tim shouted. Angrily he stood and charged at the creature closest to him and swung his sword. The Hunter Killer lifted his arm and at once the blade was stopped by the thick armor of the creature. With pure physical force Tim was pushed back, and soon he found himself with a gun pointed at his head.
-----The blast came at him in an instant...his life flashed before his eyes...

-----What happened then passed by like a dream, and as such Tim could not truly understand what had transpired, let alone the reasons for why it had occurred. The energy of the shot curved around him...splashed in a way, like water smashing against a solid wall. The sword glowed brightly and the spherical field around began to come into view.
-----It had protected him, but why or how, Tim did not know.
-----He felt his emotions surging. The Hunter Killer that held Telissa brought its sharp claw towards her neck and Tim felt his heart overcome with anger. Yet it was not hatred that fueled him, no, it was desperation. Fear and anxiety took hold of his mind, yet he stepped forward. The blade continued to glow brighter and brighter as his emotions became more powerful.
-----His vision became vivid, almost distorted. He saw things he never saw before, and his subconscious began to take it all in. He began to move in a fluid motion, the rapid shots of the Hunter Killers seemed to miss him every time as he approached. He knew not was he was doing, only what he wanted to do in the end. Time seemed to pass more slowly from his perspective. A Hunter Killer side stepped to avoid his charge, and while many would have seen it as a blur he saw it all, perhaps even at a slower pace than the Hunter Killer itself saw.
-----He changed his course accordingly, and before he even realized it he had jumped into the air and was just above the Drekis minion. He brought his sword down with such strength that he could have sworn the planet would be split asunder. The beaming blade cleanly cut through the hunter killer’s forehead and continued straight down, slicing the monster in half. Its bloody corpse fell to the ground as the blade touched the ground and a wave of energy passed over the area. When it had passed, a small crater lay in the ground among the bloodied object that was once a Hunter killer.
-----Tim reached out with his hand, and somehow he grabbed the hunter killer that held Telissa Ravan from a distance. He lifted its talon away from the Seekers neck and held it into the air. The bounty hunter pulled away from the grip of the monster, and activated a blade of incredible fire that formed out of her left forearm device. She spun gracefully and placed the blade into the gut of the creature. It raised its head to the sky and screamed in pain, its cry echoing throughout the alleys.
-----The other hunter killer, still partially stunned by Tim’s actions, raised its gun to attack, but Telissa countered with a long cable that extended from the devices on her hands. The cable stabbed into the creatures gun, sending a charge of electricity into it. The gun exploded, enveloping the monster in fire. Despite its screams the monster remained fully aware of its surroundings and continued to fight.
-----The monster seemed almost desperate as it pulled out a hellish blade with curved edges. The blade was black like deep space, though the fires surrounding the monster soon enveloped the sword as well. It stuck at Tim, its closest target, but the slash was blocked almost instinctively by the glowing sword.
-----Puzzled at his own actions, Tim found himself weaving out of the way of his attacks and effortlessly countering those that he could not. The monster became frustrated and put all of its strength into a horizontal swing that Tim fluidly moved under. As he raised back to his full height he spun and gave his own swing. His father’s sword sliced into the creatures body and tore through its stomach. The blade cleanly carved through as if the monster were air, and even as the creature staggered backward Tim could see blue energy pouring from the cut he had made. The monster reeled in pain as the energy spread like a horrible virus, consuming his body until a sickening, charred body remained.
-----The one Telissa had stabbed had fallen to the ground and slowly died during the event, and the alley became quiet abruptly; even the glow of the sword dimmed and faded away.
-----Telissa retrieved her equipment and deactivated her armor, checking all of the Hunter Killers to make sure they were dead. Tim stood motionless, looking at his father’s sword which had displayed a power he never dreamed of. He had not only used its power to kill the demons, but he had used it with grand mastery and skill. As Tim thought about the blade he imagined how powerful it would be in the hands of a true master.
-----When Telissa finally spoke to him he felt as if he had suddenly been awoke from a strange, impossible dream. He found himself breathing heavily and sweating, yet he did not feel tired, nor did he feel exhausted.
-----“That was amazing what you did just then,” Telissa said. “I knew the heroes of Khazan possessed some great super powers, but I never expected you were one of them.”
-----Tim sheathed his sword before he answered. “Neither did I.”
-----“I take it the sword has never done that either?”
-----“Done that? I’ve never been in combat before. At least, not true combat where lives are at stake. I...I don’t know what came over me.” At once he began to think of someone other than himself...of Raea and the mission to Zel’Mier.
-----“You said they were hunter killers, minions of Drekis?” Tim said.
-----“Yes, a ruthless breed at that,” Telissa confirmed. “They number less than the Deminites and other lesser minions, but they are stronger, faster, more agile, and most of all, far more intelligent than your average lower minion.”
-----“They were lower minions?” Tim said.
-----Telissa nodded. “Drekis has other minions that are more intelligent and stronger.
Though the hunter killers are malicious and cunning. They march in groups while invisible and spy on Drekis’ enemies. They are often used as scouts, but they can also be terrible assassins during times of war.”
-----The thought of these creatures in Khazan sickened Tim, in fact, it destroyed any sense of security he had. However, he was certain that once the authorities learned of their presence, the heroes of the SLJ and the Maniacal Heroes would handle them. But then he realized that it might be too late.
-----“You said they act as spies sometimes,” Tim said. “Do you think these people have been spying on the SLJ, or maybe even the government council itself?”
-----“Its quite possible,” Telissa sighed. “Drekis has likely been here for more than a year. During which time, his minions would have spent countless hours learning just how to infiltrate your cities without being detected. I have no idea how long they have been here, but its a good bet they’ve been spying on the SLJ and maybe even the government for over a month now.”
-----Tim began to pant heavily as he thought of Raea and the others. “Then they know about the mission. The mission to Zel’Mier. They know exactly who’s going and how their going to get their! Hell, they probably found out before Elwin told the group!”
-----“We have no way of knowing,” Telissa responded. “But unfortunately that is most likely the case. Drekis’ link with his minions is greater than you know. Even if the minions that bare witness to an event are too stupid to comprehend it, Drekis can see what they have seen, and he will analyze it for his own purposes.”
-----Tim found himself walking towards the Khazan airport. “We have to tell them. They’re in danger. An entire army could be waiting for them.”
-----Long distance communication was not an option. Any form of it was cut off to prevent the Marauders or even the Drekis Empire from intercepting it and finding the team. If he was to get Raea out of there, he would have to go himself. Fortunately, he would not have to do it alone.

-----By the time the heroes made it into Zel’Mier the sun had fell and shadows were beginning to creep over the land. Behind them they could see the shimmering lights of Axia, and behind it they could see the colossal Khazan Arena in Khazan City.
-----They had stopped in Araelis first via aircraft and boarded the old caravan craft. It was a relatively small wheel-based wagon essentially, though it required no hoarse and was operated by simple mechanics. Many similar wagons were seen traveling back and forth along the main road, most of which were likely heading to Zel’Myas. It was almost guaranteed that their mission would go on unnoticed up until the moment when they broke off from Zel’Myas.
-----In the front Yagami Shinsuke operated the vehicle, covered in robes and hoods which had been purposely worn and torn to give the impression of a poor local. Next to him, POWAAA!!-Man sat as his alter ego Woose Brain. Vincentzo Maiinverno, Captain Khazan, Tanin, Shirai Natsumi, the Sikigami, Uberman, and Michael Cortelloni were cramped in the back, hidden not only be the cover but by electronic equipment designed to trick any form of sensors.
-----“So far so good,” Tanin remarked. “If this continues the long wait will be well worth it.”
-----Captain Khazan briefly looked out of a small lookout in the wagon, where he could see the city walls of Zel’Myas. “I see no Marauder activity outside of the city for miles. Hopefully we can get to the Dark Shadow Forest before they ever know we were here.”
-----Shirai continuously shifted positions to put a few more inches between her and the Sikigami, who always seemed to bother her even though she had been surrounded by them for over a year. “Couldn’t we just leave the path? It’d be quicker than taking the road.”
-----“We can’t afford to do that,” Vincentzo commented. “This gimmick is working because were on the main road and at a steady speed.”
-----“He’s right,” Captain Khazan said. “If we left the main road now the Marauders may see us. They may act like common thieves, but believe me, the Marauder have some powerful and deceptive people under their payroll.”
-----Vincentzo crossed his arms and closed his eyes. “So, do we have a plan of attack upon our entrance into the Dark Shadow Forest?”
-----Uberman could instantly tell that the young wizard was hoping to take charge of the tactical edge of the team. “Personally, if you wanted to lay out the tactics I wouldn’t mind, after all, we don’t know where Drekis is, what he looks like, where exactly the Master Hive is, and how many minions guard it. The operation will be played along as the events unfold, we have no other choice than to follow our path.”
-----“Bah,” Maiinverno said. “We should split up into two, no, three teams once we find the Endless Caves. We should communicate somehow, or know where to find each other once one of us has found the Master Hive. From there we walk in and find this Drekis fellow. The minions shouldn’t be much of a problem, I’ve dealt with them by myself.”
-----“You did have my help,” Woose said, sticking his head into the back area.
-----“Shut it you twit!” Maiinverno said angrily. “I’m telling you I could have handled them all.”
-----“So?” Woose replied. “I could have as well. You, Mr. Maiinverno, would have gotten your face rubbed into the ground by the giant beast if it hadn’t been for me, and you know it!”
-----“Would you stick that cranium of yours back outside!” Maiiverno said, his left eye beginning to twitch. “You’ll give us away looking like that.”
-----Amidst the argument, Uberman shifted his attention to Cortelloni, who sat quietly in the far corner of the wagon. “So, Cortelloni, I assume your personal agenda leaves you in Zel’Myas. I suppose you won’t be joining us for our true mission.”
-----Michael replied, but never looked Uberman in the eye. “I have some things to take care of with the Marauders. From your point of view I guess you could say I’m helping the liberation effort, if that helps you feel better.”
-----“Its a pity you don’t want to help us,” Captain Khazan said. “I know of your talents, back all the way to your days as the RageMaster. Your powers could be useful, and the Drekis Empire is your enemy just as much as it is ours.”
-----“Everyone...” Cortelloni responded, “...is my enemy. Just some more than others.”
-----Shirai sighed, “Well, I’m certainly surrounded by a happy bunch.”

-----Gabriel Daemonchild swooped down amongst the trees to the side of the main road and gazed out at the approaching wagons. There were two coming, the first occupied by a young woman and her child, the second operated by two men.
-----The Demon inside him stirred. It was trying to tell him something...it had observed something that his own eyes did not.
-----“What was that,” he said to the demon within him. “Ah, I understand.” He hid himself in the trees and kept a careful eye on the second wagon. As it slowly passed by he made sure to look inside, though he could see little. Then, a small creature, a ferret, followed by a green blob of sorts, came into view in the back of the wagon. A small hand, like that of a child, reached out quickly and pulled them back in. Such things were not normal cargo for a Zel’Mier wagon.
-----“I see,” Gabriel said. “I would never have even paid it much notice if you hadn’t warned me.” The Demon within him was pleased.
-----“So, Morlos was right. I don’t know how, but he was right. We do have heroes coming to liberate Zel’Mier from the Marauders. Well, we’ll have to see what Toc has to say about this.”

-----Though much time had passed, the small wagon made it across the trail without any sign of Marauder activity. The heroes had been ready to fight off the thieves the moment they showed their faces, but for now they were happy to have passed by unnoticed.
-----Raea scoped the Dark Shadow Forest as the group began to move about the immense trees and bushes of the land. She scanned ahead with her thermal vision device for signs of life, yet it appeared that nothing else was in the forest for over a mile.
-----“The place looks dead,” Raea said. “Save for the plantlife I mean.”
-----“That’s what it always seems like,” Uberman replied, taking the lead. “We must all stay close and at all times in one area. The forest can play tricks with even the most intelligent person’s mind at night.”
-----Captain Khazan looked around his surroundings. The forest had appeared tropical and inviting when last he saw it. He had only been inside to chase escaping criminals, and that had always been during the light of day. Now the forest seemed to welcome the night sky, yet banished the starlight and moonlight. The further down, the darker it became. “It isn’t exactly the most enticing area I’ve been in.”
-----Maiinverno extended his arm and turned his palm towards the sky. A ball of hot flame emerged in his hand, floating just above it. Its light began to chip away at the surrounding darkness. “That’s a little better, isn’t it?”
-----“Though you’ll give our position away,” POWAAA!!!-Man said, now fully dressed for combat.
-----“If the Marauders wish to come now let them come!” Cortelloni argued.
-----“I suggest we rest a while here,” Uberman said, his hand against a tree and his eye set on the darker regions of the forest ahead. “The Dark Shadow forest is dangerous, but there’s nothing in it that we can’t handle. Besides, there doesn’t seem to be anything here now.”
-----“I find that rather strange,” Maiinverno said. “Perhaps were closer to Drekis’ domain than we thought.”
-----Shirai began to shiver. “Close!? And you want to rest here? We’ll be ambushed by demons and...”
-----“I will be able to keep watch,” Yagami interrupted. “If anything comes near us I’ll know.”
-----Uberman nodded. “We can rest here to build up our strength, we’ve had a long day, and I feel we have a long battle ahead of us.”
-----“But don’t you think we could enter the Hive under cover of darkness?” Raea asked.
-----“We can enter the caves an hour before the sun rises,” Uberman answered. “Besides, once we do enter the caves, you’ll realize that its always night in there.”
-----Centzo and the others sat themselves down upon the flat grass area they had come upon, while Tanin floated up to a tree branch and laid back as if he was in a hammock.
-----“You certainly don’t look tense Tanin,” Raea observed. “Guess your confidence can’t be broken.”
-----Tanin smiled as he put his arms behind his head to rest. “Well, that’s one of a heroes greatest qualities I guess. Besides, since when have I ever lost a fight? If anything comes into this forest looking for trouble, I’ll gladly give it to them.”

-----The heroes had been more exhausted than they thought, though a foul trickery was at work in the Dark Shadow Forest. Those who entered began to lose their strength, and while rest could reverse the effect entirely, the team had become vulnerable.
-----Confidence had been placed in Tanin and Yagami who had both promised to use their keen senses to warn the group of enemies. But their senses soon went blank...suddenly Yagami was sensing nothing. Immediately he awoke, startled by the sudden change. He had grown accustomed to feeling the body heat of others as if he were near a raging fire, and to smell the air of the eastern cities through the wind. Now, there was nothing, no sense at all, nothing.
-----Tanin didn’t seem bothered by it at first, perhaps because he did not live as Yagami did. Unaware of the cause, Shinsuke motioned to wake his partners up, a task which was not too difficult. It seemed that the effects of the forest had worn off, and the heroes were revitalized at last. But the attack that came upon them in an instant was still startling.
-----It had come in the dead of night, sheathed in the shadows of the forest itself. Morlos came down upon the heroes like the wrath of an angry god. A blinding flash ensued, and Yagami Shinsuke found himself bounded to the ground. The pain passed on, but still his body glowed in an eerie fashion, his muscles tensed, and his entire body refused to move.
-----Only moments after the sudden movement, Gabriel Daemonchild swooped in from above. His blade cut into Uberman’s face, scrapping across the armor and nearly drawing blood from the SLJ leader. Uberman stepped back, but Daemonchild followed him, striking at him with the ferocity of the demon that possessed him. The struck again and again, each time having his blade stopped by Uberman’s forearm, the sparks of their meeting falling to the ground.
-----Klart the Firebane emerged from the bushes, followed by a dreadful wind that he directed. Flames, and lightning suddenly surrounded the area. Michael Cortelloni had turned to grab Gabriel Daemonchild, throwing the Marauder off of his feet and into a nearby tree, but Klart’s furious power struck him broadside and knocked him to the ground.
-----Gabriel Daemonchild landed on the ground next to Shirai Natsumi, who’s piercing scream forced the Marauder to cover his ears in pain. Even the demon within him stirred from the awful sound. The Sikigami moved in to attack, yet even then Morlos showered them with blasts of ice, a spell of blizzard fury that froze the Sikigami in their tracks.
-----Tanin leapt from his tree and launched an attack on Morlos, who barely avoided a mortal wound to his heart, assuming he had one. The sorcerer countered with a swift blast of magical force, but Tanin had immediately moved, leaving his image behind to confuse the sorcerer. Tanin appeared behind him, but just then Morlos disappeared as well, merged once again with the shadows.
-----“Hey, only I can do that trick!” Tanin yelled. His peripheral vision saw Klart the Firebane charging at him with sword in hand. Tanin parried against the attack, then pushed the Marauder away.
-----Their swords met in midair, both blades of mystical origin. Chrysilium attempted to bend and twist the very fabric of reality in Klart’s sword, though at the same time the Marauder’s sword sought to do the same to Chrysilium.
-----Morlos emerged once again behind the Avatar of light, yet the dark wizard seemed extremely resistant to Tanin’s gifted powers, and with a touch upon the back of the heroes neck there came a terrible shock. Tanin felt as if millions of insects were travelling down his spinal cord, consuming his body along the way. He fell to his knees, and soon, thanks to Klart, he was unconscious.
-----Raea was unsure of how the Marauders knew of their location, or how they launched such a dreadful attack. Toc Darkone was likely involved in it somehow, but it still made no sense to her. Gabriel lunged at her at a speed to quick to counter. She readied herself for the blow, but even then Uberman continued to fight on, his concussion blasts knocking the demon warrior away.
-----“I’ve had enough of your meddling!” Gabriel said.
-----Captain Khazan stepped up to join the SLJ leader in combat. “Marauders! Justice will be served for what you have done to this state-kingdom. I had thought to carry that out later, but seeing as you wish to start a fight now...”
-----Razor abruptly descended from the gigantic trees of the Dark Shadow forest, wrapping his chain around the Captain’s neck and putting the hero into a strangle hold. Captain Khazan struck Razor with his elbow in an attempt to free himself, but the Marauder put up with the pain.
-----Gabriel took this chance to attack Uberman. The SLJ leader raised his arm to block the sword, but this time Daemonchild grabbed his arm with his bare hands. Fire suddenly surrounded Uberman’s mechanical body and smoke began to rise from where Gabriel had placed his hands.
-----“So long!” Gabriel yelled as he readied himself to strike with the sword.
-----A fireball from Maiinverno’s hand knocked the blade away from Gabriel, giving Uberman the chance to kick the Marauder away from him.
-----Klart moved in to attack the wizard and was met with several kicks to the face by POWAAA!!!-Man. The attack would have felled most mortal men, but Klart stood up to both the impact and the smell of POWAAA!!!-Man’s feet.
-----“Watch this Maiinverno!” Woose said. “I’ll show you how to be a true fighting hero!”
-----He motioned into a jump kick, but was hit in midair by a bright green streak of energy from the hand of Morlos. Woose was stuck in place, his body dropping to the ground in his jump kick stance as if turned to stone.
-----“Bastard!” Vincentzo said, his fury allowing his magic to envelop his body. “He shot several blasts at the dark wizard, but each one seemed to curve away from Morlos, striking the trees around them. Morlos disappeared into the shadows, appearing in front of the struggling Captain Khazan, who still fought against Razor’s grip. Morlos raised his hand to Khazan’s face and faced his palm towards the confined hero. At once the mighty Captain Khazan fell asleep! Dropping to the ground, the DarkShadow Forest only helped to keep him in his slumber.
-----Raea jumped in and managed to smash in Razor’s chin with a precise kick to the head, then turned her attention to Morlos. The Dark Wizard seemed rather calm despite the nature of the combat. Behind him she could see Vincentzo sending blue flames of magic against the vengeful Klart, while Uberman still locked horns with Gabriel.
-----She moved forward, desperate to do damage against Morlos, whom she had immediately figured to be the toughest of the group. Her battle suit sheathed her hand in a bright violet storm of electricity as she threw a punch and the hooded Marauder.
-----Then Razor’s chain was suddenly wrapped around her arm and she found herself being pulled towards the maniac. Instinctively she turned her body and swung about, using the momentum against the Marauder and hitting him in the face with the punch that had been intended for Morlos.
-----Landing on the ground and released from Razor’s grip, Raea powered up a ball of electric energy in-between her hands and released it, at point blank range, into the Marauder’s chest. Without a sound the Marauder was thrown back into the darker regions of the forest. Raea panted heavily, but when she turned to face the Dark wizard he was nowhere to be found.
-----Klart’s sword clashed against Vincentzo’s magic, and once again Morlos’ power came into play. Morlos appeared within arms reach of the young mage, serving only a sudden distraction. Klart moved in, and Vincentzo, not sure of whom to attack at that moment, was thrown against a tree.
-----Uberman countered Gabriel’s sword slash and jumped into the air, where he met Daemonchild in aerial combat. They struck at each other multiple times, until at last Uberman hit the Marauder in the face with a concussive punch. Gabriel spun out of control and fell to the ground.
-----Morlos took aim where Uberman would land, and a cord of green energy came out, wrapping itself around the SLJ leader as if it were a horrid snake working for the enemy.
-----Several disrupter shots bounced off of Morlos’ defenses, and the Marauders turned to find only Raea standing there, her disrupter cannon aimed at the two standing attackers.

-----Raea awoke in a large cell, a prison room surrounded not by bars, but by a force field of some kind. She wanted to test the strength of the field, but deep in her mind she felt that there was no use in doing so.
-----“Don’t bother,” a voice said.
-----Vincentzo Maiinverno was sitting there, his arms crossed and on his face a look of anger and disappointment. “The field resistant to physical force as well as magic. And the field can only be deactivate by a card entry, so telekinesis certainly doesn’t help us here.”
-----There were, in fact, multiple barriers surrounding the cell. It had originally been a prison for deviants and criminals of Zel’Mier, designed to stop anyone from escaping whether it be through dimensional travel, teleportation, phasing, magic, or pure force.
-----Uberman, Captain Khazan, and the rest of the team awoke soon after.
-----“Where are we?” Woose asked.
-----“Some king of prison obviously,” Cortelloni said. “Looks like your plan didn’t go through so smoothly after all.”
-----Uberman saw the symbol of Zel’Myas on the roof, which covered the entire room as a massive painting. “We must be in the cells of Trovol, in Zel’Myas.”
-----“If that is true, we are near the center of the city,” Captain Khazan said.
-----“Has anyone approached to inquire us of our business?” Yagami asked.
-----“What does it matter!” Tanin responded. “It doesn’t matter what we tell them, you can be certain of that. As far as their concerned were just heroes trying to save Zel’Mier from Marauder occupation.”
-----“But we are still alive,” Cortelloni said grimly. “We’d be dead if they didn’t want something.”
-----“We’re probably just additional hostages,” Raea guessed.
-----Shirai Natsumi freaked at the thought of being a hostage for the Marauders.
-----“There is nothing we can do now,” Maiinverno said. “All there is to do is wait and see what happens.”

-----Tim and Telissa first arrived in Zel’Mier via a personal air transport vehicle that allowed them to fly through the Vizeon Republic quickly. They landed outside of the city borders and proceeded on foot from then on.
-----They were spotted by Marauders early on, and attacked many times, yet somehow the two managed to pass by the thieves and continue. As they came closer to the DarkShadow Forest they found themselves faced with more and more Marauders.
-----If they had kept a low profile like the group had planned to, then perhaps they would not have to deal with the waves of Marauder attackers that seemed to swarm them like insects. Tim couldn’t wait that long however. He had a feeling that something terrible had happened to Raea, and if she was alive he was going to find her.
-----Entering the DarkShadow Forest was never an option, it was swarming with too many Marauders for unknown reasons. Amidst the Marauder warriors who marched alongside the borders of the forest, they managed to see the wagon the group had taken. It was torn apart and being used as firewood for the Marauders, but no sign of the team itself.
-----After further analysis, the two decided that the group had been attacked by Marauders, not by the Drekis empire. Zel’Myas was the most likely place that they would be held, and Tim was prepared to storm inside and free them, even though his conscience told him his chances were slim. Marauder security had tightened up since the group’s discovery, and all hope of freeing the team seemed to disappear.
-----Then a lone figure approached them, sword in hand, at first mistaking the two for a group of patrolling Marauders. Veda Lexine came forth, scanning both Tim and Telissa before deciding that the two were not thieves.
-----The moon entered the horizon in the distance. It would soon be day.

-----Veda led Tim and Telissa through the nearby patches of trees surrounding Zel’Myas. The trio managed to allude lights, scanners, trip wires, and laser based camera systems as they outlined the city wall and came across the south wall. Dodging behind several bushes to avoid being seen by the eyes of several Marauder onlookers, Veda carefully peeked out to see the Marauders passing by before she decided to talk.
-----“We cannot afford to wait much longer,” Veda whispered. “Entering Zel’Myas during the day is not, well, advisable.”
-----Tim didn’t know why he trusted her, since he had no knowledge of Lexine as a hero. Yet somehow he had managed to discern the woman from a common Marauder, and was certain that she was trying to help them, not lead them into a trap. “So you’ve been working on a way to get inside Zel’Myas for nearly a month now?” he inquired.
-----“Yes,” Veda quietly responded. “I’m only one person, and the city is swarming with Marauders. Getting by isn’t an easy task, not if were going to go in unnoticed, which is obviously the best way. I’ve been analyzing the average Marauder security around the city walls as well as inside of Zel’Myas for a long time.”
-----“So you’re certain that this is fool proof,” Telissa whispered. “I mean, are you sure this plan will work.”
-----Veda laughed quietly, “Nothing is fool proof in this world. We just move out and hope for the best. Karia has been receiving multiple unwanted guests recently, and I think its about time it stopped.”
-----Veda, being the only one truly aware of plan, led the way. The few Marauders found outside the city walls proved easy enough to sneak by, and all three heroes proved athletic enough to sneak around the trip wires, lasers, and cameras. Not a single trap or security device had gone overlooked or unconsidered in Veda’s plan. They escaped everything, including the occasional Marauder thief looking over the city walls.
-----Veda’s plan was made even simpler due in part to Telissa’s technology, based on some of the most advanced computers possessed by the GDF. Bypassing the computer controlled lock to the rear gate and disabling any and all security devices monitory that gate was an easy task for the Seeker. Once inside, Veda led them through a window of an abandoned building. It had been partially destroyed during the Marauder takeover, and Lexine had seen no indication that they would rebuild it. Thus, the building was unpopulated, and provided them with a means of avoiding those outside on the city streets.
-----They leapt out of a small window on the second floor in a back alley, jumped a single brick wall where no camera device was monitoring, and waited at the corner of a building. At 5:30 AM on the clock a large group of people left a local bar, most of them Marauders, but too drunk to comprehend anything going on around them.
-----“Now,” Veda said.
-----The group ran across the street, ducking behind the crowd of drunken Marauders and darting to where Veda knew a small entrance to the sewers could be found. Most of them were locked or sealed, but Veda had been able to find one which was not. They entered the sewers, and, despite the unpleasant nature of the tunnels, managed to pass through undetected.
-----Heading for the prison building had not been a part of Veda’s original plan, but she had spent too much time looking upon Zel’Myas to not know its general location. They came upon the entrance to the Prisons of Trovol, where the sewer entrance had been sealed.
-----“What do we do now?” Tim asked. “The gate is sealed off. Don’t you have a way of getting through.”
-----Veda looked at him coldly, “This wasn’t part of my initial plan, alright. Don’t rely on me so much. Getting through the gate isn’t the problem, but in doing so we will make a lot of noise. The Marauders will come for you.”
-----“But perhaps we don’t have to worry about that now that we’ve come this far,” Telissa said. “Once we free the group we can fight out way out of here.”
-----“You can,” Veda replied. “I cannot. I have stood by in Karia far too long while the Marauders run wild, using innocent civilians of Zel’Mier as hostages to keep the Khazan military and the SLJ at bay. What you do once you have your friends is your business, but I will stay to fight.”
-----“Then I wish you all the luck of Khazan,” Tim suddenly announced, thrusting his blade into the sealed gate. Surprisingly the sword made no sound upon cutting into the gate. It carved into in cleanly, as if it were tissue paper. Timothy himself was surprised despite the event with the Hunter Killers.
-----“An impressive blade,” Veda commented. “It cut through the gate as if it were air.”
-----“Hurry Timothy,” Telissa said, already having taken her disrupter rifle into hand.
-----Wasting no more time, Tim moved the sword in a circle, eventually cutting the seal and using his own strength to lift the gate open.

-----Word of two intruders who had entered Zel’Mier in a rather foolish and headstrong manner had reached Morlos many hours ago, though he never imagined that they could actually sneak inside of Zel’Myas without being detected.
-----The security systems inside the prison picked up the first intruder, a young man with silver hair armed with an interesting looking blade. As Morlos stared at the young man, and then at his sword, he began to recognize something. There was something familiar...a memory that was beginning to surface. Or perhaps he simply had a resemblance to someone he knew. Whatever the answer, he could not tell at the moment, but maybe his master would know.
-----The young man was followed by a woman, whom he recognized as the Seeker who had come to the planet looking for his master. It was obvious that both of them had been sent to free the captured team, or perhaps they had decided to come on their own, which was more likely considering their brash strategy.
-----How they came to sneak into the actual city he did not know, but already they had made a great mistake. There were Marauders everywhere outside of the city walls looking for them, and now Marauder patrols would soon be flooding the city streets. It didn’t matter that the team would be free, or that they had so many heroes with them now. They would never escape. Morlos would see to that.