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Post by Cain on Sept 19, 2008 0:16:35 GMT -5
Cain stood back, eying Nyx's every move carefully. As she glanced over at him he shot her a wink.
"I'll show you..." Alex said with a smile. His eyes closed again and suddenly a gust of wind swept through the meadow, blowing away the fog. The four found themselves atop a hill under a lone olive tree. Down in the valley before them was spread one of the most magnificent cities ever built. Terresta's capital, the city of Megiddo. The city itself seemed to dance with light as the rays of the rising sun reflected off the golden roof tops and the crystal fountain waters. At the cities center was a grand temple that towered larger then any mountain or hill with grand columns and a golden colossus marking its entrance.
"I believe you've been here before," Alex started, "Such a magnificent civilization... what kind of power do you think it would take to bring this city to its knees?"
It was then that from the shade of the olive tree a man shrouded in black emerged. He seemed oblivious to Alex, Selene and the others. His amber eyes scanning over Megiddo slowly. As he reached into his cloak he produced a black katana.
"Hmph..." Cain chuckled, "So it was him..."
The man pulled back his hood, revealing the face of a young man with dark hair and faded rings under his eyes.
"Yes..." Alex answered, "The Dark Star is a power only he could command... but is still a grim reminder of the power even one half of the blade can unleash."
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A trail of blood led from the woods into Kankage. At the base of the Kumori tower Kamisori stood, clutching his side. His wounds had healed as best they could. Climbing up the spiral stairs, Kamisori reached the tower summit and unsheathed his katana, pointing it towards Alex, who was still seated quietly.
"I see you've met my new apprentice," Alex said calmly.
"Enough games! This is where you finally die."
"Is that a fact..." Alex answered, standing to his feet and turning to face Kamisori slowly, "That'd be a neat trick," Alex reached behind his back and drew the Blade of Balance from it's sheathe. Kamisori nervously took a step back as Alex brought the blade to his side.
"You're over confidence will be your downfall," Kamisori shouted, "There are pieces to this puzzle that even your eyes have failed to see."
"How interesting," Alex responded stoically, "Show them to me."
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Post by Odan Thos on Sept 19, 2008 0:35:06 GMT -5
Tears started to form in Selene's eyes when he started to take about Megiddo demise. It had been millions of years sense she had been on the world and thousands sense she even thought about it. It weighted heavy on her. "What is this Dark Star ability, what did it do to my home?" Selene’s voice, this brought up a lot of bad memories but also some good ones.
Lady Nyx was going to say something, but Selene extended out her hand, pointing two fingers at her. Nyx knew she was hurting and should she cause more pain, she would only grow beyond control to manipulate.
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Post by Cain on Sept 19, 2008 1:39:12 GMT -5
"Shadow arts use the force to bend Space and Time, create illusions and even open doors to other dimensions," Cain began, "Image though if you had enough power to completely tear time and space. To create a wound in the force so powerful that it permeates through all dimensions. As this wound tries to heal itself it draws in all that is around it, collapsing in on itself. Essentially creating a black hole from which nothing can escape. That is the Dark Star."
The man in the dark robes raised his hood again and started down the hill towards Megiddo. Alex started after him and motioned for the others to follow.
"Come, there is much to see..."
Following the man into the city and up the steps of the Elder temple, the passed beyond Lucias' colossus and into the chambers of the Elders. Marcus was there to greet the man.
"You're a bit early."
"I don't like to keep my clients waiting," Jack answered, pulling back his hood once more. His sword had been sheathed back into his cloak and out of site.
"Jack, I believe you've already met Felix," Marcus said as Felix extended his hand to Jack who reluctantly shook it, "This here is Sylvanus, the General Ludovicus, and I'm afraid our ambassador, Isaac is late again."
"Strange of you to invite a human to a private audience with the Elders so casually, Marcus," Ludovicus commented.
"Let me assure you, General," Jack began, "I am like no human you have here on your planet."
"You're the merc from Strages?" Sylvanus questioned, "Strange... I was expecting more of army then a kid in a black tunic. How do we know we can trust you?"
"I supposed you don't," Jack answered, "But what really is the worst that could happen?"
The Elders seemed suspicious of him, but Marcus pressed forward anyway, pressing a few buttons on a near by control panel, causing a holographic map of the Exemplar Galaxy to appear in the center of the room.
"The Jedi Knights have occupied all but three of the worlds in this galaxy," Ludovicus began, "Our forces are ready and willing to assist you. Once the populations of these worlds have been eliminated, you'll receive your payment."
"And what of the Luminos?" Jack asked.
"What of them?" Sylvanus answered, "We still reserve the right to occupy these planets."
"Of course," Jack resonded, "What I meant was, do the Luminos have any claims outside of Exemplar? Might there be others of your kind settled elsewhere... who would need assistance?"
"No, Space travel from Terresta is restricted. Outside of the Jedi, no Luminos are permitted to leave the planet," Sylvanus answered.
"I see..." Jack said, a large grin spreading across his face, "Well I can assure you, gentlemen, the poisonous elements of this galaxy will be swept clean from this map."
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Raising his blade, Alex swiped his blade across his body, sending a quick slash of air at Kamisori that broke into a thousand pieces like before and shred him to bits. His body dissolving into a puddle of water. Raising an eyebrow, Alex began to scan the area around the tower. The real Kamisori had to be nearby somewhere.
"Even if you do have the strength to send clones, you should know by now they stand little chance of defeating me..." As Alex spoke he was suddenly cut off. Baring down on him was an out of breath Kamisori, his body struggling to recombine.
"Who ever said anything... about a clone?" Alex's eyes widened as Kamisori's blade began to glow. Liquefy was a high level water technique that could temporarily rearrange molecules in the body to take on the properties of a liquid... but to use it on the entire body and then recombine was unheard of.
"Spatial Slash..." Kamisori muttered. Suddenly in an instant Kamisori's blade was headed right for Alex's neck. Moving at light speed, there was no time for Alex to dodge or to block with any conventional attack. His only option would be to use the same attack with his own blade, or die.
Without thought, Alex's blade shot up at the speed of light and met Kamisori's. With a flash both men fell backwards and both blades were gone.
"He...hehehe....he..." Kamisori laughed, fighting against the pain, "Not so tough now... are you?"
"No... do you have any idea what you've just done!?"
"I know exactly what I've done," Kamisori answered, "I've sealed that accursed blade into the void. The only way to retrieve it now... is to finish me."
"You fool! You have no idea what's in there... you have no idea what has been pursuing me!"
Just then then the tower began to rumble, the skies growing dark once more.
"That was faster then expected..." Kamisori said, looking around nervously.
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Inside Alex's mind the vision suddenly dissolved away as the blade was taken from him. Suddenly the invisible power that had been holding Nyx and Selene in check had vanished.
"That's not good." Alex said.
"Having some trouble, master?" Cain asked with a grin.
"Nothing I can't handle. Watch them!" Alex then disappeared leaving Cain with Nyx and Selene.
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Post by Odan Thos on Sept 19, 2008 2:03:23 GMT -5
Selene could not believe her eyes; the council had waged a war of extermination and won. More over they made back room deals, she did not need to see the end to know the outcome. Selene collapsed to the ground, everyone that she knew and love on Terrestia was dead because of the uncles and her father. It was almost too hard for her to take, Lady Nyx could see this. It was a perfect time to strike, "My dear, don't worry, I well deal with this betray of the Luminos personally."
Selene looked up at her, tears in her eyes but she found the words to speak. "No, you are no different them." Selene's voice was scratchy and weak sounding, but to Nyx felt the strength of conviction. She knew her time of control was drawing to an end, at least for a while.
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Post by Cain on Sept 19, 2008 2:26:32 GMT -5
"Hmph... yeah, sucks doesn't it?" Cain commented after listening to Selene and Nyx, "But I have a feeling you ladies are going to have more pressing concerns right now... you'd better go. If you leave Chinine now you might be able to escape with your life."
Extending his hand to them, the lights slowly went out again around Selene and Nyx. She would find herself back on Kamisori's ship where he had left her.
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In the garden in front of the Kumori tower, Alex and Kamisori stand face to face. The entire planet pulsing with energy as the skies grow red.
"No choice now," Alex said to himself, "I have to use it..."
Clasping his hands together, Alex began quietly chanting to himself, then suddenly throwing his hand into the air.
"Yuukai... Tonearu!" Alex shouted, slamming his hand into the ground. Kamisori stumbled back.
"To call upon the dead... how could you know THAT technique!?"
Just then, from beneath the earth a body pushed its way upward, the air around it bending and distorting before finally settling. It revealed a man with dark hair and large white wings. He had a bandanna covering his right eye.
"A-Atsuke-sensei!?" Kamisori stuttered, "Impossible..."
"Kenshi?... You've aged terribly," Atsuke answered, "I'm not sure what the hell is going on here... but it appears I'll have to fight you."
Kamisori raised his arm to the sky, a spear made of ice forming in his hand while Atsuke drew a katana from his side.
"It's over." Just as Atsuke spoke he appeared behind Kamisori and hit him with a slash from a flaming sword, then in front with an upper cut that discharged a blast of lightning, then the side with another fist hard as diamond, and then from the other side with a spinning kick that swept arcross Kamisori's face at near light speed. All sending him tumbling wildly for about 200 yards across the field and shattering a tree upon slamming into it.
"You've gotten slow... my old apprentice..."
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Sept 19, 2008 2:39:29 GMT -5
Zilfer's ship reentered the atsmophere and he quickly appeared just in time to see Kamisori blasted from the tower. Zilfer used force speed and force jump to land on the top of the tower, and he imedaitly noticed a few things.
"Who's this..... and where the hell's the blade?" said Zilfer looking down at Kamisori. "He doesn't have it does he....?" Zilfer couldn't see anything that reembled a blade. "I sunk their temple, they where making an army of clones.... they may have more however."
Zilfer was a bit out of words for this moment and didn't know what the explosion of power he had felt was. He waited for one of the two men to answer.
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Post by Odan Thos on Sept 19, 2008 2:52:14 GMT -5
Nyx open her eyes onboard the shuttle but her will was already being undermined by Selene. She looked around and then jumped into the Void, she would kill the heretic while she still maintained control. Jumping between the Void and the real space she moved at great speed towards Kamisori and the major disturbance in the Force.
It took only a few minutes before she made it all the tower. She jumped up with her silver black core lightsaber activated. She looked over at the newcomer that was facing Kamisori then back at Alex. Nyx vanished into a shadow and exited in Alex shadow swinging her lightsaber. It was not a normal attack, but while she was in the Void she powered up her blade and exited performing Nightmare where Alex would be in real space. "You well live in the Nightmare of the Void with the dark king himself sinner." Nyx said as a battle cry to to the heretic.
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Post by Cain on Sept 19, 2008 21:36:03 GMT -5
As a clone appeared behind him, Alex vanished into the void himself and reappeared directly behind her. Wasting no time he discharged a blast of lightning through the clones back. Meanwhile, sensing the massive amount of power being gathered near by, Atsuke used the force to toss Alex out of the way. His blade beginning to glow lightly as time seemed to grind down to a halt. As Nyx's blade came ripping down through the void, Atsuke simply kept his raised in a defensive position. The moment the two sword collided, Atsuke's blade released a blinding light.
"Counter..." Spinning around and delivering a slash of his own, the result was a maelstrom of energy being released all at once back in Nyx's direction. Turning Nightmare back with double the energy, the sheer power of the attack threw Atsuke and Alex back to where Kamisori had been laid out. In front of the attack it was as if a nuclear bomb had gone off, the Kumori tower and most of the remaining huts were pulverized and the earth had been churned up for nearly a mile clearing the village of all of its trees.
When the dust had finally settled, Atsuke had returned to the form of a corpse and Alex and Kamisori lay side by side writhing in pain.
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Post by Odan Thos on Sept 19, 2008 22:28:54 GMT -5
Lady Nyx laid on the ground, she was blown a good fifty meters back from the blast. Nyx had though she would have died from someone pulling a trick like that but she wasn't. She closed her eyes and seemed to pass out.
Lady Nyx stood in the shadows wearing her dressed. "Why by hell am I here. Am I dead and this the afterlife?" She looked around to almost be blinded by a person bathed in light. "Lucias, is that you?" Lady Nyx was sure she was dead now. The figured walked up and the light faded down. Lady Nyx jaw almost dropped when Selene stepped out of the light. "Why are you trying to trick me like that, I thought I had really died." Nyx sighed with relief that she had not got herself killed; she would still have a chance to kill Alex.
Selene looked at her, "I think you just proved my point about not understanding what it means to be a Luminos. It is not what runs through our veins; it is not immortality or our connection to the Force. No, we are just human beings and what set us apart are our actions. We are to be like the rising sun, a beacon to all that the darkness of night well ends. We are hope when all hope has been driven off by evil. This is what grandfather tried to teach his sons, but they got lost during the night. Once that happen they forgot what the light even looked like." Selene lowered her head in sorrow for all the Luminos that died before realizing this.
Lady Nyx looked at her. "What are you talking about; I keep you safe during the night. I made sure you survived even when father wanted to kill you. I did the dirty work that you couldn't." Nyx was fighting her case, knowing something important was happening. "Now let me get back out there or you well die." Nyx was playing every card she had to get Selene to back down.
Selene stood their however, her eyes gleamed from the light which was steadily getting brighter and brighter. "What are you talking about; I just saved myself back there. You attacked in a blind rage, determine to fallow the Book of Lucias to the letter. It was only my intervention of creating an aura of force energy around my body which prevented use from being sent to the Void in very small pieces." Selene turned around about to take control of her body again.
Nyx however was going to say one more thing. "He well kill you, Kamisori well kill you if it is not me out there. He will make sure that he does not have to face any more enemies." Lady Nyx hoped the comment would be enough.
At this point the room felt like it was at the center of a star, light emitting from everywhere. Selene slowly turned around and looked Nyx in the eyes. "I would rather die a Luminos then live an eternity as a monster." And with those words Selene walked into the blinding light leaving Nyx behind to think about all that had just transpired.
Selene's eyes open as she gasped for air. She may have survived the counter attack, but just barely. She coughed up some blood then closed her eyes. Slowly she started to use the Force to regenerate her cells, and with the amount of damage she had taken, it would be a very long recovery.
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Sept 20, 2008 13:41:14 GMT -5
Zilfer had charged himself once he had senced a large power near by and the body who he couldn't help but think he should know who it is, saved alex from another attack. Zilfer watched as time seemed to slow down, and his lightning still began to swirl, and then a move "counter" unleashed hell. Being away from the blast he was hit the least, however he flew back just as the others and as he hit a tree off in the distance, he forced himself up as the tree caught of fire from his lightning swirling around him.
"Alex, what's going on?" asked Zilfer as he headed over to where alex was next to Kamisori.
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Post by Cain on Sept 21, 2008 3:15:37 GMT -5
Alex coughed up a bit of blood himself as he struggled back to his feet, leaning shakily on a near by tree.
"The blade," He gasped, "We have to kill him... he's taken... the blade..."
As Alex sputtered out the words, Kamisori rose to his feet behind him. His wounds steadily healing over as he cracked his neck.
"It's too late now," Kamisori answered, "It is likely we all will die here. But at least we can die with honor. No weapons... just Tenkai vs. Tenkai..."
As Kamisori softly closed his eyes the temperature rapidly plummeted. The moisture on the ground and in the air freezing instantly creating a layer of frost on the ground and floating on the wind. Kamisori's arms also became coated with thick ice that were even more frigid then the air around them as plumes of cold air seemed to leak off them.
"It isn't over yet!" Alex answered back, wiping the blood from his chin, "Shadow Force!"
Taking a combative stance, the air around Alex began to swirl, suddenly exploding to life with electricity. Discharging electricity behind him, Alex shot forward, his fists and feet flying at Kamisori like bullets each landing with a clap of thunder and massive discharge. Kamisori blocked the blows as best he could with his frozen arms, the ice having become so cold that they were almost hard as diamonds. Alex's attacks drove Kamisori back until he finally countered with a force palm to the sternum. The ice from Kamisori's palm rapidly froze to Alex's chest, sticking it on like concrete.
"Kouseki Sousou!"
Alex suddenly threw his head back, coughing up more blood as he twisted in pain. Ice crystals rapidly forming in his body had begun to shred his insides. Alex then grabbed Kamisori's arm with both hands
"Not... yet..."
Alex then discharged all the power in his body into Kamisori's arms from point blank range, rapidly charging the power back and discharging again. This repeated with several flashes and loud claps until the ice bond shattered and both men were thrown back. Alex's chest smoking as electricity still sparked through him and Kamisori's arms badly singed as ice rapidly reformed over them.
Kamisori recuperative powers gave him an advantage here, recovering faster he stood back up and walked over to where Alex was still laid out. Lifting him up by the shirt, Kamisori gave him a straight arm punch to the face with his ice fist, spraying blood across the ground.
"Ugh! ugh! Hahaha," Alex began to chuckle as he coughed up blood. An angered look came over Kamisori as he game him a hard back hand, spraying blood in the other direction, "Ugh! Hahahahehehehohoho! Please, please no more..."
A look of confusion came over Kamisori as Alex had become almost paralyzed by laughter. As Alex's eyes opened, Kamisori suddenly let go of his robes. They had started to glow a soft amber color.
"Cain...!?"
"Hehehehaha, in the flesh." Cain suddenly shoved his palm into Kamisori's chest and a fiery explosion blasted him upwards and back. As he stood back to his feet even Cain's hair started to grow black. Coughing more blood onto his hand, he slowly gazed down and examined it.
"Hmph! Looks like I already missed all the fun..."
Cain slowly clasped his hands together and the air beneath him began to distort. The power in the void was unusually strong and as he drew it in a massive shock wave exploded out all around him. Cain grinned from ear to ear as the dark energy pulsed through him.
"Cain, no! You have to stop!" Kamisori shouted as he struggled back to his feet unsuccessfully, falling back down to one knee," If you open the gap between the dimensions and the blade should split, it will doom more then just this planet. It will eradicate half the galaxy!"
"Heh! What's the matter, Kenshi? Scared?" Cain taunted back as his flesh cracked apart, seemingly deriving more and more energy the more pain he suffered, "You're not so young any more, old man. Time to throw caution to the wind and live dangerously!"
Spreading his arms out, intense flames then shot out from the void taking the form of an immense dragon large enough to swallow an entire city. It shot straight into the sky turning it red at first, then slowly it grew into a bright yellow... then a blinding white just before the dragon slammed back into the ground, consuming Kamisori as Cain cackled wildly.
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Sept 21, 2008 21:14:08 GMT -5
Zilfer watched the battle start up again, he was a bit confused but knew whatever happened he was on Alex's hand, however things turned bad as Alex turned into Cain. Finally a finishing move landed upon Kamisori as Luster came back to the planet exiting the ship a save distance away from where the dragon had shot up into the air.
Meanwhile back with Zilfer, who had charged his blade's in preperation for the battle with Kamisori now approached Alex, who's body was currently changed as Cain. Zilfer knew how unpredictable Cain could be, so he kept his mind open that Cain might strike him, it was a risk he had to take however to approach Cain and put a hand on his shoulder as he sheathed one blade.
"It's over...." said Zilfer a bit unsure of whether it was truely over. He had done but a small part in this battle, and perhaps Alex had been right originally that Zilfer wouldn't have needed the teaching of Ancient knowledge to have helped in this battle.
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Post by Cain on Sept 21, 2008 22:31:55 GMT -5
As the massive fire column finally cleared, the once frigid battle field was now reduced to ash and flame. Kamisori knelt shakily, his arms up in a defensive position were singed right to the bone as was much of the rest of him. With one last weak gasp he collapsed to the ground.
"Hmph... pathetic..."
Cain approached the corpse and gave it a kick causing much of the burnt flesh to flake away. As the gap to the void closed the scars on Cain's own skin began to bleed slowly as he stared coldly down at Kamisori. It was then he felt the hand on his shoulder.
"It's over...." Zilfer said sheathing his blade. Cain glanced back at him a moment before looking back at Kamisori.
"Not quite..." Cain answered, "don't you feel it?"
"Feel what?"
"Hmph... exactly," Cain said turning to Zilfer, "I can no longer feel the blade. It's as if... as if it just vanished."
Just then a lone fighter settled down amidst the rubble of what was not too long ago Kankage. As the hatch opened Ryuu jumped out, his lightsaber in hand. Surveying the carnage, he caught a glimpse of Zilfer and Cain and ran to join them.
"This is bad," Cain commented to Zilfer, taking his lightsaber from his belt, "If it's not found quickly who knows where it could end up." As Cain turned to walk away, he paused a moment, glancing back over his shoulder, "And don't try to follow me. I'm better on my own..."
Just as Cain vanished into the void Ryuu came running up next to Zilfer. Stopping and grabbing his knees to catch his breath.
"Zilfer... what happened here? Where's my father?"
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Post by Zilfer Of Shadows... on Sept 21, 2008 22:57:13 GMT -5
Luster appoarched the sence. He first came upon an unconsious girl, he put a hand over her seeing she was still alive. "Luster Purge." said Luster as he began to heal her. It seemed the battle with Kenshi was over. Luster saw a figure run over to Zilfer as one disappeared.
"What is going on now..." wondered Luster to himself as he looked down seeing that Selene was fine now. He headed over to the other's leaving her upon the ground for now. He'd be back for her in a moment.
Zilfer looked at Ryuu who had just arrived as his father had slipped off into the void. "There's no time to explain in full detail, Ryuu. Needless to say your father has gone a little insane and during the a battle he has lost the blade. He's going to retreive it and I have to follow....." Zilfer looked up at Luster had come quitely and hadn't noticed him.
"Your going to need help, Zilfer." Said Luster stepping forward, as luster looked at Ryuu. "So your alex's boy eh? Good to meet you at last, however we should get moving before Alex's gets to far...."
"Yes... The Cain side of him is in control now." said Zilfer getting ready to enter the void.
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Post by Cain on Sept 21, 2008 23:16:03 GMT -5
Ryuu still seemed a bit overwhelmed. The village was destroyed, the Sith were dead, Alex had reverted back to Cain and the blade of balance had been 'misplaced'? It was a tad much to take in all at once, but Ryuu did his best to compose himself, nodding at Luster's comment.
Gently closing his eyes, Ryuu slipped into the void with Zilfer and Luster. The other side was bathed in perpetual shadow. The ground and trees black as night... the skies still scorched from Cain's attack. The air also was visibly distorted and blackened where Cain had been... almost as if there was a bruise on space itself.
As Ryuu stepped forward he could feel chills running down his spine. The souls of the damned were close, Ryuu could almost feel them as they would brush by. Knowing it was not good to linger anywhere for long in the void, Ryuu ignited his lightsaber and got ready to move, waiting for Zilfer or Luster to take the lead.
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Meanwhile, somewhere not too far from Ryuu and the others, Cain moved forward alone through heavy woods. The forest seeming to breathe around him. The souls of the dead were thick here on Chinine, especially out in the wilds.
Cain let the force guide him as he trekked deeper into the woods, finally clearing the trees and coming to a curiously pristine round topped hill. Through the tall grass the swayed gently in the breeze atop the hill Cain could make out the shape of a sword sticking out of the ground against the back drop of the setting sun. Hurrying up the hill, Cain reached out for the blade only to be stopped by a hand grabbing his arm.
...
"We should get moving..." Ryuu commented, "You never know what kind of strange things could be lurking in the shadows here."
"AAAaaaaHHHHHhhhhhh!!!" Just then off in the distance the sound of a blood curdling scream echoed through the trees, causing a flock of birds to flee from their perches and into the sky all at once.
"Case in point..." Ryuu said raising his blade, visibly shaken by the sound.
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