(The chapter opens with the crimson moon at night. it cuts to tenebris in the captains room sitting at a desk. lykoi opens the door slightly. )
Lykoi: hey you wanted to see me?
Tenebris: lykoi, come over here.
(lykoi walks over and ulfer walks behind him. )
Tenebris: (slides his chair back and lykoi looks at down at the desk at the book tenebris got from the library. )
Lykoi: what is that?
Tenebris: That's what I wanted to ask you. this book looks like it was written in the ancients language, but I cant decipher a lot of it. thought I would see what you could make of it.
Lykoi: hmm. this language is old. very old. it is from the ancients but this is a royal dialect.
Tenebris: royal dialect?
Lykoi: It was a formal way of speaking and writing that separated the nobles from the commoners. where did you find this?
Tenebris: it was in a library on tempura. do you think you could translate it?
Lykoi: I don't know, it has been quite a while since I learned this language. it may take some time.
Tenebris: even if you could decipher some of it, that might help us find out what we're really up against. no pressure though.
Lykoi: right...(he takes the book and starts leaving)
Tenebris: Lykoi, thank you.
Lykoi: (he bows slightly and leaves. it cuts to arthor sitting against the wall of the bridge playing with a knife. machi standing behind karri at the wheel)
Machi: its just that easy.
Karri: really?
Machi: yep.
Karri: can I try?
Machi: whoa whoa slow down. its easy for a trained and seasoned helmsman as I but for a youngling like yourself it will take time.
Arthor: expert helmsman huh? do you even know how steering actually works?
Machi: uhhhh, ye...yes.
Karri: of course he does he's an expert helmsman. (to machi but really loud) what's a helmsman
Machi: its the uhh, the guy who stands at the wheel.
Karri: see he knows what he's talking about.
Arthor: "hough" (he looks out onto the deck and looks at Svangur standing at the other end of the ship. ) (he looks at him suspiciously)
(it pans out to Svangur.)
Svangur: Creator above...if you can hear me. please keep her safe a little while longer. (he looks up at the moon with the sky clear it pans down and it is now in a village where 2 Sedanss legionaries are walking down the street.)
Legionary 1: I really dont understand why they have us on these night patrols.
Legionary 2: we're supposed to be on the lookout, haven't you heard the rumors?
Legionary 1: what? about the demon sightings?
Legionary: 2: yes.
Legionary: 1: you honestly believe those.
Legionary 2: Yeah, they said that they're as strong as an immortal knight, and can steal orku.
Legionary 1: please, the last report of a demon was almost 200 years ago, and even then it is questionable whether they were real.
(a lady with black hair and brown eyes runs up to the legionaries)
Lady: you have to help, please my brother he picked a fight with the wrong people, they're going to kill him!
Legionary 1: calm down mam, where is he?
Lady: he's in that building over there, please hurry.
Legionary 1: we'll take care of it. (they run over and open the door and their eyes light up and they hold different colored fire as the buildings all dark. they check a couple rooms)
Legionary 2: clear
Legionary 1: clear
(they both go into a room with their weapons drawn)
Legionary: Sedanss legions, show yourselves! (they walk further in)
(a dark figure drops down in front of them. )
Legionary 1: (his eyes start glowing)
Legionary 2: (eyes glow)
(the figure stands and walks into the light and its the corrupted Raxis.)
Legionary 1: what are you?
Raxis: hungry.
(it cuts to a view of the doorway where lights and clashes of iron ring out, then stops. A black claw slams in the doorway, then cuts to a train with pieces glowing as it follows the tracks. it cuts to the inside where Keira and Sam sit at a table looking at a map on the table.)
Sam: The last demon sighting was in Atherstone and the one before that was Castleford.
Keira: they're heading west. which means these next three villages are likely targets.
Sam: the closest one is Whitehaven, we should start there.
Keira: what are they up to? (she looks at the map again) ( a radio on the table turns on and a voice comes through ) radio: Sedanss legion 26, requesting backup in Reigate. under attack by demons, threat level Delta.
Sam: Reigate, that's a little over 20 kilometers from here.
Keira: lets go. (they grab their gear and jump out the window with their eyes glowing and start running into the forest)
CHAPTER 106 THE RETURN
(The chapter opens with Reigate on fire at night, it zooms in and Legionaries go flying back as a demon with one twisted white horn and bestial features swipes its claws at the legionaries there. The legionaries block with their shields but get sent back. another slashes at the demon from behind with his eyes and sword glowing. it cuts the demon but the blades energy gets absorbed and the cut immediately heals up. the demon turns and swipes its tale and slashes the legionary acrost the chest. it cuts to legionary archers firing into the sky as a demon with wings flies above the village, it flies down and attacks a Master class legionary in the middle of the village. )
Master class legionary: (dodges the demons attack) get everyone out of town, and put out those fires, there are still civilians trapped in those buildings!
Legionaries: yes sir!
Master class legionary: Do not use orku against the demons, their chaos will absorb it and make it stronger!
Legionary: right! (archers line up and fire arrows at the bestial-demon who holds up its forearm as the arrows stick into it. it roars and dashes at the Master class legionary who draws his hammer and sidesteps the slash and hits it in the back as it runs into a burning building. legionaries cover the civilians as the demon crashes through the building. legionaries gather around it and try to pin it down.)
Master class legionary: Raaahhh! (he charges in and tries to smash the demons head but its eyes glow and another demon flies down and sends him flying back onto the ground. The demon gets loose and sends all the legionaries who tried to restrain it flying back. its eyes glow and it lunges at the master class legionary who braces himself. black screen. it comes back with the demon falling over with its body in half. the master class legionary looks over and sees Sam standing with her blade drawn and her eyes glowing. )
Sam: are you okay?
M/C Legionary: uhh..yeah.
Sam: good. (The other demon roars and flies down at her. she puts her sword up and blocks the attack and the demon flies at other legionaries who are protecting civilians. the demon opens its mouth to attack the civilians and gets sent into a burning building by a wave of glowing water. Keira's eyes glow and water around the village starts glowing and she pushes her hand forward and a bunch of water gathers above the village, she pulls her hands down and the water crashes down and douses the buildings. The demon flies out of the building and dashes towards Keira who stands still and Sam cuts its head off before it gets to her. )
Master class legionary: (thinking) who are these guys? they took those demons out in seconds.
Keira: Are you the highest ranking legionary here?
Master class legionary: yes mam.
Keira: good, have your men search for any injured civilians and legionaries. take them to the opposite side of the village and set up a respite shelter there.
M/C Legionary: (notices the mask by her side and the crest with I1 on her armor.) your the Immortal knight from Apcee.
Keira: save the introductions for later there are people who need our help.
M/C Legionary: right, Alright people move, move, check every building and get that shelter up now. send out an all clear signal and contact the recovery crew! (he continues in the background. Sam puts her sword away and walks over to keira who is leaning down and looking at the body of the demon, the chaos covering its body melts away into the ground and a scarred and mangled legionary corpse is left. )
Keira: (eyes glow as she puts her hand over the body) Anda energy, this was recent.
Sam: they were one step ahead of us again.
Keira: this cant be a coincidence, they have to be tracking us somehow. . . .but for now these people need our help.
Sam: right.
(it cuts to Raxis sitting in the back of a transport with Valka and some other kongur. his eyes glowing teal. his eyes stop glowing)
Raxis: Pathetic, killed in seconds. Even so they did their part. The Immortal and her side kick are out of the way for now.
(The transport continues its route)
CHAPTER 107 INFESTATION
(The chapter opens with Tenebris on the deck of the ship at night )
Tenebris: (leaning against the railing looking out at the sea)
Voice: it's a strange feeling isn't it? (Tenebris looks beside him and Kane is also leaning against the railing looking out)
Kane: you know that just beyond the horizon something is waiting for you. you don't know what or who or when, but you know its out there.
Tenebris: (looks back over the water) it is. but its just a feeling.
Kane: Maybe. Maybe something more. but you will never know unless you follow it.
(its silent for a while as they look over sea)
Tenebris: But you know what's out there...don't you?
Kane: I think you know too.
Tenebris: The Storm.
Kane: (looks at Tenebris) Your journey is far from over. but you are not on this path alone. Remember that and don't ever forget it.
Tenebris: (Tenebris looks at his ring on his hand then clenches his fist.) I wont.
Kane: (Smiles) Good. (A bolt of lighting strikes and it cuts to tenebris waking up in his room on the ship. )
Tenebris: "Hough" another dream. ( he rolls over and a feint glow dies down from the sword on his side table. it cuts to the next day where machi is making breakfast in the kitchen and karri sits on the counter with johsef and the camera Jaeja gave him and ulfer sitting looking up at him. )
Karri: First day on the Crimson moon! (he tuns the camera around and takes a selfie with machi and johsef, it flashes)
Karri: sorry. (machi looks back and stares at the food)
Machi: hmph (he continues cooking. Karri slips ulfer and johsef some food and they eat it up. Arthor walks in)
Karri: (grabs the picture) watcha think? (shows him the picture)
Arthor: are you still playing with that stupid toy?
Karri: aye its not a toy.
Arthor: you realize that we are on our way to fight Raxis and the Kongur right?
Karri: yeah...
Arthor: this is possibly the only opportunity we have to surprise the Kongur and you are taking pictures of food?
Machi: woah woah calm down. you wake up on the wrong side of the ship or somthin?
Arthor: I just don't understand how you can be so care free when we are just days away from the fight we've been training for for the last 4 years.
Karri: because we've been training for the past 4 years. We've trained for this very moment and when the time comes we'll be ready.
Machi: might as well enjoy this time while we can. (as he slides the chopped up food into a pan) so you shouldn't worry about it today.
Arthor: its not us I'm worried about. (He looks over and sees svangur standing on deck looking out at sea. Tenebris walks up to him )
Tenebris: we should get to the sedanss border in 3 days.
Svangur: right.
Tenebris: (stands beside him)
Svangur: may I ask you something?
Tenebris: of course.
Svangur: What was it like?
Tenebris: what?
Svangur: Tempura I mean. what was it like before the war?
Tenebris: (looks out at the sea) It was a place unlike any other in the world. often I would wonder through its forest and watch the sun set over the sea.
Svangur: sounds incredible. I often dreamt of one day of seeing its kingdom for myself one day. but I guess that is what it will only ever be.
Machi: Aye! breakfast is almost ready!
Tenebris: we will be right there. (he starts walking away, he turns back) you coming?
Svangur: you go, I'm not hungry.
Tenebris: you sure?
Svangur: yes.
Tenebris: alright (nods and continues)
(it cuts to Tenebris sitting down with the others at a table inside. machi sets the food down on the table and sits down)
Tenebris: this looks so good.
(they start eating)
lykoi: I hear it taste even better. (looks at ulfer)
Arthor: should we talk about what are plan is when we get to sedanss?
Tenebris: We are still a few days out, besides Svangur isn't here.
Arthor: right.
Tenebris: for now we should focus on your training. we need to be as prepared as possible for the coming fight.
Everyone : ughhh!
Tenebris: and we might as learn from svangur while we can.
(it cuts to a building on the coast on the outskirts of the city. A man stands on top of the building and looks out and sees the kongur transport driving towards them and a garage opens and the transport pulls in and stops. Nyx and Nox step out of the front as other kongur greet them)
Gregor: Welcome back, almost thought you had been taken out in Egran.
(Barron, and Valka step out of the back)
Gregor: by the looks of it I was almost right. where's the boss? ( a black claw grips the side of the back of the transport and glowing red eyes peer out from behind it. Gregor and the other kongur step back. Raxis stands up taller than the vehicle with his eyes and veins glowing. )
Valka: Your king reborn. (everyone bows in fear)
Gregor: My lord, what happened to you?
Raxis: Where is he?
Gregor: who?
Raxis: The one you say controls the darkness.
Gregor: You mean the Royal, he is imprisoned downstairs.
Raxis: Take me to him. (it cuts to a beaten Demion chained to the floor, the cuffs glowing. Magnus stands by his side unflinching. The door opens and gregor walks in followed by the Valka, Barron, and Raxis. )
Gregor: here he is.
Demion: (looks up weakly) wh...what the...h..hell are you...
Raxis: (walks up to him and gets on one knee. he grabs his face and lifts his head to the side showing Demions black eye) Half blood. (he drops his head and stands up) you are special. it is rare that one is born a Gefanda. rarer still that they can control its power. I give you an offer, join me and I will grant you power that rivals even the immortals.
Demion: and if I refuse.
Raxis: (eyes glow and the chaos blade appears in his hand from black fire and he slams it into the ground) Your decision.
Demion: ...you know...what makes a Gefanda...strong?
Raxis: they have the power to manipulate any form of energy.
Demion: heh...you...forget one thing..
Raxis: what is that?
Demion: (he smiles a little)...Malmite cant absorb...all a gefanda's energy. (his black eye burns like flame) ENDA ALLT! ( the chains go black as the room gets engulfed in darkness, Gregor, Nyx, Nox, Barron, Ehud, and the other Kongur start stumbling back. )
Raxis: (standing unphased by the terrain, his eyes glowing red. he grabs Demion by the throat and picks him up braking the chains from the ground and slams him into the wall causing the terrain to drop) I did not forget. (Raxis eyes start glowing black as chaos flows though his arm to demion's body and demion starts screaming and it shows raxis smiling)
CHAPTER 108 DARKER STILL
( the chapter opens with the village attacked by the demons at mid-day. it shows a montage of Keira and sam directing and helping legionaries get people out of the rubble of the attack. she makes her way through a building. Her eyes light up and it shows like heat seeking goggles a spot of faint orku coming from behind a wall. she cuts through the wall with glowing water and walks in and finds a mother unconscious on the ground with her head bleeding with her husband and her child next to her. Legionaries run in and check on them.)
Keira: how are they?
Legionary: she has blunt force trauma to the back of the skull, but she's still alive.
Keira: and the others?
Legionary: (shakes his head)
Keira: (takes a couple steps back)
(The legionaries take the woman on a stretcher out past Keira who stands solemnly)
Sam: (notices her) hey...are you okay?
Keira: (still staring at the corpses her eyes glowing a violent dark blue) Yeah....yeah. there's more building to go through. (she walks out.)
Sam: (looks sadly at the bodies then follows behind Keira) (It cuts to the evening and Keira and Sam are walking back to the camp and hear music playing from outside the building. they walk through the various tents with legionaries helping villagers get food and places to rest. they walk into the building and find in the main hall a crowd of people gathered. they find standing at the back of the building a woman with blond hair, a short blue dress and lite legionary armor on, strumming an instrument on her wrist with the strings and her eyes glowing. they stop and watch for a bit then she finishes playing)
Legionary woman: (she starts walking off the stage and notices Keira and Sam and walk up to them) Your Keira Lucielle, the first ranked immortal.
Keira: yes, and you are?
Legionary woman: My name is Melody Jonsdottir. You are my biggest inspiration in the legions! but why are you here?
Keira: oh, thank you. We've been on the trail of the Kongur for several months, but they always seem to be one step ahead of us.
Melody: Sorry to hear that. well anyway, it was good that you were close by, who knows what those demons could have done if you didn't stop them.
Keira: (looks sad) yeah.
Sam: what are those things?
Melody: (holds up her wrist lyres) these things?
Sam: yeah.
Melody: these are called Nenkari, they are a traditional instruments warn by Langlinu warriors. Makros made me a special pair made of malmite when I became a royal knight.
Sam: whoa so cool!
Keira: So then you must be in charge of the recovery crew in Sedanss.
Melody: yes.
Sam: is that why you were playing music?
Melody: medicine can mend the body, but music repairs the spirit. at least that is what I believe.
Keira: well it has seemed to work. (she looks out over the crowd of people sharing food, talking, and helping each other)
Melody: for now, but tragedies like this can not be fixed quickly. you said that you have been on the trail of the Kongur, are they connected to the demons? (they start walking further into the building)
Keira: they are the only ones we know of with the power of chaos.
Melody: chaos?
Keira: the black substance that absorbs orku.
Melody: that's what those demons are made up of.
Sam: yep.
Melody: how can I help.
Keira: well, we know they are moving west. they have gone town to town creating demons as a distraction, to go unnoticed in their traveling. for all we know they could be at the next village already.
Melody: if their going west, do you think their going for the capital?
Keira: so far every demon has been a corrupted Guardian class legionary, I don't think they would try to invade a place so heavily defended like the capital.
Melody: so where are they going? (they walk into a room with other legionaries and a map on the table)
Keira: if we are correct, they should be on their way to one these villages. (she points to 2 villages on the map)
Melody: I will send a message to warn them.
Keira: Tell them to report any Kongur activity, do not engage with them, until a royal knight is there.
Melody: yes mam. I will tell them we're on our way and to get a transport ready. Bridgman, Collins with me please.
Legionaries: yes mam (she walks out and they follow her)
Keira: well, the recovery crew has this town under control, we should get going. we could get to the next town by tonight. (she starts walking out and she is visibly sad)
Sam: right, yes mam. (sad for Keira, then follows her)
CHAPTER 109 OLD WOUNDS
(the chapter opens with The gang on the deck of the ship in the evening all sitting around tired after training)
Tenebris: alright, we'll call it there.
Everyone: finally.
Arthor: what? the suns still out we still have time for another sparing session.
Tenebris: we will continue this tomorrow, right now we should get something to eat.
Arthor: you said it yourself we should be as prepared as possible, so lets run it again.
Tenebris: Arthor, we will train more tomorrow but you guys need to rest. you need to restore your orku supply.
Arthor: I've got plenty, I'm sure everyone does. besides if the Kongur can absorb orku attacks, we should learn how to fight without it right?
Tenebris: Arthor! drop it. I said we're done.
Machi: IIII'm going to go prep the food.
everyone: yeah yeah sounds like a good idea (everyone but tenebris and arthor start walking away)
Tenebris: what is wrong with you?
Arthor: wrong with me? are you kidding I'm the only one trying to do the right things.
Tenebris: Really? and pushing others too far and spying on Svangur are the right things now?
Arthor: (mad and slightly shocked)
Tenebris: yeah, I've seen you. ever since we talked with him back on tempura, you've shown nothing but hate to him
Arthor: am I wrong to be suspicious of the guy that tried to kill us?
Tenebris: The guy that is actively helping you and giving us the opportunity you have wanted for so long?
Arthor: I don't understand what's wrong with caring about the others enough to find out what's actually going on, and pushing them to be the best they can.
Tenebris: you don't care about the others. Everything you've done has been to benefit yourself. for the record, I didn't even want to bring everyone and put them in danger. you know how dangerous this is?
Arthor: I do, and that's exactly why I am doing what I am.
Tenebris: If you truly believe that your doing the right thing, I should have left you on tempura.
Arthor: You don't know the Kongur! you don't know what Raxis is capable of. you remember last time we fought him, oh wait, no, because literally he killed you!
Tenebris: Is this what its about? having to face Raxis again?
Arthor: Everything I've done in the last 4 years has been about facing Raxis again.
Tenebris: I know how bad you want this to work out. I get that. but questioning me, spying, and pushing people too far is not going to help. I want to take down Raxis too, but we have to work together. do you understand me?
Arthor: (still kinda angry) ...yeah.
Tenebris: "hough" ....look I know it seems like a lot is happening and we're all stressed. I'm sorry for yelling. I'm just trying to look out for everyone.
Arthor: I am too. (he walks away)
Tenebris: (looks up into the sky, then starts walking to the cabin behind arthor. they walk in and everyone is sitting around the table with machi preparing the food Svangur sits alone on the other side of the cabin. Tenebris walks up to him and starts talking. Arthor sits down with the others)
Karri: everything good bro?
Arthor: yeah, its fine. (he watches Tenebris talking with Svangur angrily)
(karri slowly holds up johsef next to arthor who doesn't notice him right by his face.)
