Chapter 6 - Unwanted Encounter

     The rain dripped onto the balcony. Tyrell and Ivan were organizing the recruits again. "What a freak storm," Alec mentioned as he lifted a block of wood, "Came out of nowhere." Calvin nodded and continued hacking up the fallen tree. Calvin jolted as Ivan roared at a recruit for messing around. "Yikes. I didn't know my dad was so harsh with the recruits." 
     "Normally he ain't, but that kid deserves it."
     "Has he ever snapped on you, Calvin?"
     "More often then I'd like to admit." Calvin put away his axe and picked up Behemoth. "That is the final piece, Alec." The two of them rolled the last chunk off the road and onto the firewood stack.

     Ivan and Tyrell kept at the recruits, attempting to teach them some semblance of respect. One man stood out from the crowd in terms of discipline. "Ivan, who's that?"
     "The Do'Sen? Gii'rohn At'mol. Mage from the northern part I believe."
     "Huh. Well then." Tyrell and Ivan parted but watched this mysterious man. Work stopped around noon, when the sun was dipping under the horizon. "Goodness me. It is indeed approaching the month of Pearl again. So soon?" Gii'rohn was staring up at the moon, charting and calculating. "No, Ruby is always unpredictable. One year, it will be light all month; then the next year it gets dark right after breakfast."
     "Then it is aptly named. Ruby magic is unstable, so an unstable month is to be expected. What day is it?" 
     "The eighteenth of Ruby." Gii'rohn wrote something down. After a moment of confusion, he began furiously writing again. He did this multiple times before sighing. "Captain Tyrell. Is there an Aeon named Calvin? Possibly one of high rank?" 
     "Calvin is the Commander of the Fifty-Second. Why? Is he famous or something?"
     "I am unsure. But today's star reading predict that I will meet a man named Calvin. Among the other information, the stars also predict that something dangerous will happen around Calvin." 
     "What do you mean? Aeon Head Quarters is the safest place for us right now."
     "Ruby is the month of fire and Tal'Rok's Comet is visible." He pointed to a glowing orb in the sky. Tyrell did not care, he had other things to worry about. "That means danger of fire. Also," The Do'Sen pointed to another star, "That star is only visible during the Evening Sector. It symbolizes danger by darkness." The man did some sweeping hand motions and pointed up at the moon. "Today is a full moon, none the less. If my star chart is correct, there is a ninety percent chance that this is true." 
    "Uh-huh. And you are a tactician, correct? Why are you here with the Aeons and not with the Col Army." Gii'rohn brushed aside his bangs and smiled sheepishly. "I'm looking for someone. And I thought joining a Mercenary corps might help he locate him." The captain nodded in agreement. "I would like to be of assistance, if possible. But I need to find this man." Ivan arrived to speak with Tyrell. Before Ivan could get out so much as a greeting, the alarm bells sounded. 
     "What is that?!"
     "I'm not sure. Gii'rohn, go to the training field and warn the rookies." Gii'rohn saluted and ran off. Ivan and Tyrell met up with Alec and Calvin at the watch tower. The four of them stood on the main road and watched as a dark silhouette approached. The figure had its sword drawn, and in the darkness it appeared that he figure had a malformed left arm. But these facts were given only mere glances. A bright red diamond floated where the figures head would be. "No way...our location is a secret!" The shock had ended, and the alarm sounded. One word floated on the air as Aeons scrambled to positions. "Sirens!"
     Alec rushed to keep up with the others. Ivan drew his sword, Pompeii. This mystical sword has the power to ignite scorching flames along the blade. These clear embers will not harm the wielder or the blade. But, in order to use such power, the wielder must know the burns of betrayal. A steep price, so only a select few can use it to its fullest potential.
     Before Ivan could so much as point at the Siren, another pair arrived. The one had a hammer drawn on his forehead. Calvin clenched Behemoth tighter as the second approached. "What is it Cal?"
     "It's him Tyrell...Doom." The Siren with the arrow design marched out from the darkness with his two comrades. Each one's left arm was enveloped in pure dark energy. The energy spiraled around their arm and came out to three talon like fingers at the end of their hands. Doom took another step forward and drew his own sword. "Pain and Agony...They will be your end." The other two began to laugh. If ever a laugh could be described as 'disgusting' this was it.
      "Pain, kindly take care of Captain Tyrell. Agony, deal with Ivan. I'll handle Calvin personally." 
     "Alec! Get away while you still can!"
     "But father -" Ivan looked at his son as the enemy slowly approached. "Alec, I need you to survive. Even if it costs me my life."
     "Father, no! I'll stay and fight with you." Ivan chuckled. "I'm not doing this for me or for you son. I just don't want you to see the monster that is your father." The man's figure was not intimidating, but as he gripped Pompeii, Ivan seemed to gain an aura of power. "I know you still have hopes about us, Alec; But these flames are from your mother." Pompeii flashed reds and blues as the fire built up on the blade. Within moments, the steel appeared to ripple with the extreme heat of the mystical clear flames. "Gather the surviving recruits and lead them to safety. I don't think these three came alone." Alec nodded and ran off.

"Char 'em to the bone, dad."

Chapter 5 part 2 - The First Move

     Peterson rolled the last corpse into the hole he dug. Even intoxicated with adrenaline, he was not a heartless monster. The man said a quick prayer before he dumped the soil over the bodies. Peterson had given in to his more cruel instincts a bit, however. He was now wearing a leather vest with Daylanian black steel reinforcements, black leather boots, and a pair of slacks that were in decent condition. All of it stolen. 
     Peterson rubbed his ragged beard and took a sharp breath. He felt a presence. The man turned slowly. "One..two...four...no, at least six." Peterson focused all his magic into the ground. The moist mud drew in the man until his body was completely submerged. The ground became a two-way glass; Peterson could see up, but to a passerby, it was just a puddle of mud. The Siren stepped into Peterson's view. Peterson twisted and stood on a platform created at his will. My magic is almost out...I hope I can end this soon.
     "Where are you, runner? Come on out, ya." The man's calm voice echoed and morphed as it traveled to Peterson's ears. Just as he prepared to jump out, five more Siren's emerged from the woods. The first Siren took a step back and lowered his scimitar. He called them out, asking questions without receiving answers. The rain picked up, and Peterson could barely hear the conversation. Peterson stayed hidden. 

**********

     Kelvin reached the ambush point. Jealousy positioned himself right over Peterson. "He doesn't see," Kelvin's mind raced as Peterson readied himself for an ambush, "I have to - " He stopped short and ducked under a bush as Guile and his followers waltzed out from the woods. "Guile!? What are you doing here?" No answer. "And who are these? I do not remember seeing these masks." Only the sound of rain. "Answer me!" Jealousy's voice reverberated in the rain.

    Guile made some subtle hand movements. His men surrounded Jealousy. Each was cackling a hideous and vile laugh. "Did you expect," Guile approached, arms out stretched in mockery, "that I would explain myself to you? Well then, I shall." Guile drew a dagger. Guile and Jealousy stood within inches of each other. "Before I kill you, I'll explain." The grip Jealousy had on his scimitar slacked. "I plan to - " A streak of blood flashed across the dimly lit evening sky. Jealousy fell to his knees, clutching his throat. Guile wiped the soiled blade on Jealousy's coat. 

     "I plan to speak at your funeral." Jealousy fell to his face in a pool of his own blood. Kelvin's blood boiled at the sight. He had formed a bond with the man Guile had just killed. "Master Guile."

    "Leave the fugitive, we have bigger things to do."

    "What of the priest, sir? He was not in the body pile."

    "Not a priest, a killer. The church assassin can do what he likes. He may come after us. I care not. This was our first move. Initiate step two." The others agreed synchronously. "Sorrow and I will go begin step two. Doom, Pain, Agony. Can you prepare for step three?"

     "Aye, sir."

     "Do you know where to find him?"

     "We will find him sir, you can count on the Trio." The three Blinked away into the darkness. "Come, Sorrow, we have much to do." The others walked to the north. Kelvin waited until they were gone. Then he exploded out from the bush and rushed over to his fallen comrade. "Jealousy! Jealousy!" Kelvin's magic was ineffective on the wounds. The Siren Commander passed away. Kelvin stood and looked around. His spell was still active, and he could still see Peterson. 

    "I know you can hear me." Peterson looked up from his hiding spot. "Come out. I need to speak with you." Peterson did not move. "Please." Kelvin dropped his weapon. The steel sword did not even touch the ground before Peterson had him in a choke hold. "How do you like that? You fell for my ruse." The illusion Peterson had created vanished into a wisp of purple smoke. "Please...I...mean...it."

     "Mean what? That you want to talk? How can I trust a man who wears a mask?" Kelvin tapped his arm and reached for the strap holding the mask in place. Peterson loosed his grip only slightly. Kelvin took in a great breath of air and pulled the strap. The metal face plate fell to the ground and lodge itself into the soft earth. "Can we talk now?" Kelvin still strained to speak, but at least he could breathe now. "What do you want?"

     "Revenge." Peterson was quiet for a moment. "So do I." His voice was deep and low, filled with pent up sadness and rage. Kelvin sighed and let his arms fall to his side. The magic finally wore off, and his glowing pale blue eyes returned to their natural brown color. "Fine, get it." Peterson was more than happy to oblige. He sat down after finishing his adversary. "It is almost over Masha, almost over."

    "Feel better now?" Peterson's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. Kelvin propped himself up on his hands and knees before staggering to a stand. With a few disturbing movements, the Siren snapped his neck back into place and rotated it. "Quiet the grip you have there. I nearly lost consciousness." Kelvin turned to Peterson. "Well then, even?" Peterson was dumbfounded. "I'll take your silence as a 'yes'. Can we work together?" Kelvin held out his hand. "I guess we have to." Peterson took his hand. "Then come. They have made their first move, now it is our turn to act."

     "Well, what next assassin?"

     "We go to Sir Norton's army in the east. We will join the Loyalists."

     "Sounds good. But..."

     "But what?" 

"Could we get some food first?"

Chapter 5 - The Chase

     Peterson bounded through the thick underbrush of western Col. At every step, the brush split to make room his feet. The mud he smeared over his markings cracked as he pumped his arms and legs, revealing glowing violet scars. A faint purple mist puffed from his mouth with every exhale. Pain shot through his bare feet as he stepped on a hidden rock. The hue of purple surrounding him instantly vanished with his momentum as he fell on his face. The brush snapped back into place around him. 
     Instinctively, he rolled to his right and landed in a thick puddle of mud. The rain pelted the trees above him. Peterson tore off his shirt, now in shreds, and rolled it into a ball. He began muttering to himself, psyching himself out for what he would need to do. He focused magic into his palm and turned his shirt into a chunk of meat. The weary man shoved the food into his mouth and swallowed. Raw. After a moment of gagging, he got it down. "Feet first." The skin around the most recent injury seal itself with a wisp of purple energy. 
     I better ditch them soon, he said as he quietly rose to a stand, or I'll have to eat my trousers. Peterson looked out about twenty yards. Five dark figures stood beyond in the darkness. "He went this way, he had to."
     "Not so, he may have gone around us."
     "Enough out of you!" Three of Kelvin's subordinates snapped to attention. The man's mask turned from Peterson's location. "Peterson is listening." The tracker turned to the fugitive's position. After a moment of uncertainty, two bright blue eyes looking like flames appeared on Kelvin's mask, piercing the dark and rain. Peterson began running. 
     "After him!"
     Peterson ran east. He didn't want to double back, but these trackers had to be taken care of first. Peterson kept moving, careful this time not to use his magic liberally. With his focus completely out of stored magic, using any more would cause adverse side effects on his mind and body. Space magic turned body mass into magical energy or caused fluctuations in his emotional state. And he would not break into a fit of hysterical laughter while evading these Sirens. He kept going, until he passed by a rock. A very large rock. A thought broke through his mental focus. A Griffon might use that point to ambush prey.
     He stopped. Ambush... Peterson looked up. They probably have food in a pouch on their belt. If I kill them... Peterson ran up the rock wall, using his magic to cling to the wall. He reached the top and waited. The first victim approached. The leader and three others ran on ahead. This one stopped. He noticed the markings Peterson had left on the wall. The man turned to scream as Peterson took the plunge. Peterson landed on the Siren and pinned him to the ground. With a simple grab and twist from Peterson's large hands, the Siren expired without a whisper. 
     Going from fugitive to corpse robber, Peterson stuffed his face with the emergency rations on the Siren's belt. After filling his stomach, Peterson's outlook on the ordeal changed. "If they're going to kill me, I'm gonna give them the fight of their life." Peterson also went the extra mile and stole the dead man's boots. He was going to need them. Peterson removed the sabatons though; they were too noisy. He ran to catch up to the others. There is a waterfall up ahead. If I enter the lake from this side, I can hide behind the waterfall. 

     Kelvin and Jealousy ran off. "Blight, how are you holding up?"
     "Fine, but it worries me that we can no longer see him."
     "I hadn't noticed, ya. Has the hunted become the hunter?"
     "I fear the worst..."

     The other two Sirens waited by the lake. "Where did Fury go?"
     "I don't know...maybe he had to take a break?" Peterson used his magic to shorten the distance between them. He reached out from behind the water and pulled in the bigger of the two. "C'mon!" The survivor called out and put his hand over his heart, "It ain't funny! Get out here now before I call the others." Peterson jumped out from behind the water and tackled the man down. The water washed off the mud and grime covering the violet streaks down his arms and legs. This Siren was able to let out a short scream before Peterson slammed his fist into the Siren's mask. The magic infused blow hit with such force that it shattered the metal face plate. Exhausted from his use of magic, he stooped down to commence his pillaging.

     "Blight, I fear that they are gone."
     "But what if he is waiting for us." Kelvin and the Siren leader pondered this until a scream pierced the night. It was cut short and the sound of the rain returned. "Blight, circle around; I shall challenge this one directly."
    "I do not think that is wise."
    "I shall do it any way. Have faith in me, Blight."
    "What of Guile and Sorrow?"
    "I gave them other work to do, they will not pose a threat here."
    "Then what is your plan, sir?"
    "What I do best," Jealousy drew his scimitar and turned towards the sound. 

"Kill 'em; Quick and quiet."

Chapter 4 part 2 - Feathers, Steel, and Poison

     The newly dubbed Sir Norton and lady Chrystal exited the war tent and peered over the field. "Let us hope the mages and mercenaries held the wall."
     "Atlantis shan't fall that easily, milady. E'en if it does, the Aeons had orders to protect the inner wall. I organized them myself."
     "And came back through enemy lines?!"
     "Aye. In broad daylight none the less. Was nearly caught nine times."
     "Why?"
     "I won't abandon those I protect. That includes Atlantis, milady. She still stands." The princess was comforted by that statement. The knight commanded his troops to line up. They were officers and peace keepers from Col, but that was it. Not a trained soldier among them. They had blunted peace keeping swords and thin plate mail. Those were just for show. The strongest pieces of equipment they had were kitchen supplies. Knives, plates, forks, and spoons for weapons; and pots and kettles as helmets. They were surprisingly effective.
     As Norton's utensil clad makeshift troops line up in croocked line-like bunches, the non-military personell were scattering to prepare for the day. Maids and cooks dove into their works. Medical officials were scurrying about to gather supplies. It was so busy, but that was every day in the Loyalist Army.
     Today, there were two men standing amid the chaos. The older man saw the commander and motioned him over. "Well met," the man's heavy accent hard to understand, "I'm looking for the commander of this force."
      "You are speaking to him. If I may, you sound foreign. Argondosea?"
     "We prefer Do'Sen, but yes. I am a teacher of Alchemy."
     "I am sir Norton of Atlantis." He held out his hand. The Do'Sen watched in mystery. The younger man spoke up. "It is a sign of greeting, friend. You exchange names after clasping hands." The other man nodded and took the knight's hand. "I am called Gobehyz the Wanderer."
     "Why do you wander?"
     "I am unsure of your customs here, but I will be keeping my reasons private. I do hope you will understand my curtness on the matter, sir."
     "I understand. Forgive my intrusion." The knight then turned to Gobehyz's comrade. "And who are you, child."
     "My name is Ryan, sir. I am training under Gobehyz. And, with all due respect sir, I am fifteen. I've been next in line for two years."
     "I'm sorry young man. But, of whose house are you in line?" Ryan grew red, pale, and green all at once. Conflicting emotions raged a visible war on his face. Norton spoke up. "Ryan of house Reedman, correct? Don't even try to deny it; I can see it on your face. You've got a lot of nerve to come here now."
     "I-I understand. I've come to apologize. I brought a large portion of the supplies he retracted. I brought weapons and armour and - "
     "That is not the problem!" Ryan winced when the Emperor roared. "The damage is done," he continued, "So pack up and leave!"
     "If I may, To'lel Ryan has been training hard in Archery as well as Alchemy. He is quiet skilled."
     "I couldn't care, even if he where Q'Rohda come in the flesh!" Something snapped deep within the foreign man's head. The Emperor turned to leave. "We have one enforced law in Argondos; eye for an eye." All heads turned towards Gobehyz. "If you dismiss Ryan, I go with him."
     "Fine then! Get out!" Gobehyz pulled a small vial out of his coat. "If we go, we go to Xander's army." The Emperor shook his head. "Kill them, Constable." A dark smile crossed the face of Gobehyz. "I am not like other Do'Sen Alchemists. I specialize in," Gobehyz uncapped the vial and let a single drop drip to the ground, "Poisons." 
     The small drop touched the ground. Nothing happened for a moment. Then a blade of grass turned black and withered into dust. Another blade turned black, then another, until all the grass within thirty feet of the drop had turned to dust. The ground dried up, cracked, and even shattered, until naught was left except a piece of charred black land.
     "And that was one of my weaker poisons. Imagine what this would do if put into the Atlantian waterways? I do not believe in threats, your majesty. But if you dismiss us now, I doubt those of Xander's army would hold me back." Everyone froze. The princess spoke up. "Would you be willing to tell us the ingredients?" All eyes darted between the two individuals. It was as if war would erupt at any moment.
     "Dried unicorn blood mixed with two parts hemlock and one part cooking oil." Chrystal smiled and held out her hand. "Put some on my hand."
     "Why?"
     "Unicorn blood is not lethal to humans, only plant life. You want to minimize casualties, and end the conflict quickly. That is why you and Ryan came here."
     "And how do you know that?"
     "You said it yourself 'an eye for an eye' . If it could kill me, you would need to offer an antidote or offer an Argondosea princess as a sacrifice." Gobehyz smiled again, this time gently. "A wise mind and a sharp eye. Good work, milady. I trust your judgement. But, I regret to inform you that I do not have the antidote, so I shall not indulge your curiosity."
     The princess withdrew her hand. A soldier ran up to Norton. A situation had occured outside. A lone swordsman had just appeared, according to eyewitnesses. He stood there, motionless, just watching them. His dark red robe contrasted with his vividly decorated sheath. The five foot sword rested on his back. The soldiers tried to communicate to no avail.
     Ryan stepped forward. "Who are you?" No reply. Ryan then said something in a different tongue. A rather lengthy reply followed. Both faced sir Norton. "His name is Ro'ahn. He hails from Loc and is part of a detachment of soldiers come from Daylon."
     "A Judicator?"
     "It appears so." Chrystal turned to Norton. "What are the chances of our victory now, sir?"

     "Better than before."
     

Chapter 3 part 2 - The Cost of Arrogance

     Lila lived a mile from the Aeon Mercenary headquarters. Tyrell's sister was very close to her, so Tyrell would come to help out from time to time. Today, he just had some yard work to do. Alec, the Aeon recruit, was not at all happy.
     "Why do you even bother, Commander? The soil here is so rocky and barren everything will die anyway." Tyrell did not turn to him. "It is the effort that counts. That is all that counts on the battlefield. You will win, you will lose; it only matters how hard you try. You say that the plants will die? You don't know until you try."
     Alec just shook his head. He looked off into the distance, longing for something better. "I became an Aeon to fight, not garden."
     "An Aeon's duty is to the people. If then need a guardian, we take up the sword. If they need a farmer, then by Q'Rohda's name we'll take up the spade." Tyrell dug the pick into the soft earth another time to prove his point. Alec swallowed his pride and angrily drove his shovel into the earth. He struck a rock.

†††††††††††††††††††††††

      "That was a pointless day! All we did was plant flowers and dig holes!"
      "We also built a fence and helped that old man weed his garden and chased off those wild dogs." Alec was fuming now. Tyrell and he had been working for at least five hours. The sun had started to set and the lanterns around the city were being lit. "Today was a learning experience Alec." He huffed.
      "I'll buy dinner. There is a great pub not to far from here. And the food ain't too bad either!" Tyrell laughed a great belly laugh as Alec stormed off ahead of him. Alec paused. A group of kids were playing on a roof. The falt roof had a rail to protect them from falling.
     "Peace still exists deep inside the veil of war, does it not." Alec was shocked by Tyrell's ability to change moods at the drop of a hat. "It does..."
      Suddenly, disaster. A boy of about twelve years ran into the rail at full speed. The blow bent the rail back. He fell three stories unhindered by anything or anyone onto the hard dirt road. Alec sprinted off in that direction. Tyrell was close behind him.
      "He's bleeding badly. At least three broken ribs, definite internal damage, fractured femur." Alec mutter to himself as he began to clean and dress the wounds as quickly as he could. The bandages kept falling off. "What's the point, Alec? Look at all the blood, he's already gone."
      "I wont let him die! Not when I can help."
      "But your bandages are not working."
       "Fine then, I'll use magic!" Alec removed his gloves and placed his hands on the boy's wound. After saying the ceremonial chant, his hand began to glow a pale grey. But nothing happened. "His wounds are mortal, Alec. You can do nothing."
      "Why the grudge?! Okay, I get it, you are getting payback! But we can save him!"
     "No we can't! Don't you see? His wounds are bleeding too fast to bandage, and the breaks are too bad to fix with Light based magic. We can't save him, but we can try."
     "And what's the difference!?" Tyrell walked over and touched the boy's forehead. "It's all a matter of perception." Tyrell's hands began to glow. The right hand glowed green, and the left one began to glow with a sky blue hue.
     The blood stopped pouring out and the boy's breaks began to see themselves together. "Best bandage that while you can." Alec jumped to action and quickly wrapped the wound.
      The two stood back as the parents wept over their son. "We lost him..." Tyrell watched the tears. "You will win and lose sometimes. Today we lost."
      "If I had been more level-headed -"
     "He would still have died. Alec, you and I did all we could."
      "We should have been able to save him. We had to save him."
      "It matters not the outcome, but that you tried anyway." Alec dropped to a knee and punched the ground. "If I can't save a boy, how can I save my comrades!?"
      "You try, just like you tried to save that boy!" The father came up to Alec and Tyrell. "We're you the ones that tried to save my son?"
     "Yes sir." The man held out his hand towad Tyrell. "You tried...that's..that..." The man fought back tears as he went to rejoin his wife. "Our spells should wear off soon." Alec shot a glare up at him. "I put him in a death state just so you could wrap that wound. He will wake up soon." Alec's tears returned as tears of joy. "He's?"
     "I didnt think it would work, but while you are wrapping that wound, you still had your magic in effect. That last boost of magic was all he needed to recover."
      "But why did you not help me at first."
      "It was a test." The two men looked at the family, who were now weeping with happiness.

                    "And you passed Alec."

Chapter 3 - Calvin Awakens

    Calvin jolted upright in his bed. Four strong arms held him down, but even that was barely enough to keep the man down. They kept speaking soothing words and affirmations that he was safe, but to no avail. After about a minute, the pain kicked in. Calvin willingly dropped back onto the bed. The two men that held him back relaxed their hold and sat back into their chairs. "Well, Captain; how do you feel?" 
     The initial fear and shock gave way to sanity soon enough. Calvin looked up into the faces of his friends Tyrell and Ivan. Head Commander Ivan was smaller, younger, and more reserved then Tyrell. He was also far more serious than Tyrell. Scout Commander Tyrell was a burly old man with nice hair and a massive moustache. He was known for his groan inducing jokes and lack of seriousness on the battlefield. However, when things got difficult, Calvin would rather have the two of them over an entire army. 
     Tyrell asked his question again. This time Calvin responded with a grunt and an annoyed waving of the hand. "You are entirely too loud Tyrell. I think plague victims in Ken answered you."
     "Well, that's a relief; at least his sense of humour is unscathed." Ivan slumped into his chair and put his head into his palm as Tyrell broke into a fit of laughter. "But honestly Calvin, how do you feel?" 
     "I'm fine, Commander." Ivan nodded and stood. He turned on his heels to leave. When he was out of earshot, Tyrell spoke up. "He was rather worried about you. Nearly burst into tears when we finally found you."
     "What?"
     "I'll be honest," Tyrell's mood darkened, "We were not going to tell you, but I think you need to know." Calvin nodded in understanding and propped himself up against the wall. "The Battle of Atlantis took place on Emerald fifty-third, in the ninety-eighth year. It is now Opal third, New Years Day, ninety-nine."
     "Impossible. My wounds were mortal; I should have died."
     "We thought you had. When your squad didn't make it back after the battle, well...Ivan was about ready to tear apart all of Col if he had to."
     "But I was taken by - " Calvin froze as he called to memory his earlier encounter with the Siren Doom. Tyrell continued. "Someone did take your body. Whoever took you wanted you to stay alive. I'd love to explain more, but you need to recover. I promise that when the time comes, we will talk some more. But for now, I need you to lay back and rest up." Tyrell stood and saluted. "Blessings and health upon you." Calvin returned the blessing and was left alone. 
      Ivan was sitting alone in his office as well. "I told him."
     "How did he take the news?" 
     "He wants the whole story, Ivan." The commander sighed and adjusted his collar. Ivan did that when he was troubled. "How much did you tell him?"
      "Only that we found him. Should I have told him about the seal on his chest?"
     "He shall find out soon enough. For now, I have another question. Would you be willing to be a second for a new recruit?"
     "What do I have to do?"
     "He has already passed to combat and physical examination. I only need someone to vouch for his prowess on the field." 
     "I can do that. I have to go help Lila today. He can tag along."
    "That isn't exactly field work."
      "You obviously have no idea the work that woman gives me." Ivan simply stated blankly at Tyrell. Tyrell help up a hand, "I will take care of it; but I did promise Lila that I would help her out this afternoon."
     "Very well, I shall send him to you shortly. You remember Alec, right?"

      "How could I forget that hot-head?!"
     

Chapter 2 part 2 - Firstborn of the Rebellion

     Not a moment after he was done speaking, Aeon and Col Guards screamed in agony as they were torn to shreds by Siren guerrillas. Calvin drew his sword and waited. The green on his shield would give him away, but he was not going to abandon his only protection against arrows. Sirens wore helmets. Special helmets designed to deflect arrows. They would shoot into their own allies, because it couldn't kill them. That, and the red markings allowed them to distinguish friend and foe even through the harrowing fog.
    Calvin saw a red marking approach him. He raised a shield to block and felt a weapon strike the other end. At this range, he was able to identify the figure as the Siren Commander. Jealousy swung a curved sword similar to a scimitar at Calvin. Jealousy spun around into his next attack, a horizontal strike. The second blow knocked the shield off of Calvin's arm. The Siren held his sword in both hands and followed with a flip that turned into a spinning diagonal chop. Calvin raised his sword to block the third strike. As they both recovered from the attack, Calvin looked down. 
     His side sword had been cloven in twain. Not just that, but the cut had grazed his left gauntlet. The plate had been sliced clean off, and the skin on his wrist had been brushed by the steel. Obviously, this man was not a normal soldier. He was something far more dangerous. "Who are you?"
     "Commander of the Sirens. Yourself?"
     "Calvin of Carlos, Aeon Field Captain. By what name are you called?" Calvin pulled on his shoulder strap. He would have no choice but to use Behemoth now. "Jealousy." He was not a man of many words on the battlefield. Jealousy took a deep breath in a peculiar manner. Calvin let out a low growl from deep within. The man he was fighting was meticulously trained. A storm was brewing, with Calvin in the midst.
     Jealousy ran forward, moving the blade in a figure-eight pattern. Calvin reached under the cloth and grabbed Behemoth's hilt. The two weapons connected. Jealousy's scimitar was deflected by the hunk of metal that Calvin swung. The six foot long blade was one hundred pounds of raw Daylanian black steel. Calvin was the only man in Iltaz that could swing the brutal weapon. 
    Jealousy jumped back and readied his sword. Calvin swung full circle and rested the blade on his shoulder. The force of the swing cleared the fog away in a large radius. Now Calvin could see his mark clearly. Now, he could fight. Calvin ran full speed into the Siren, dropping the hulking blade at the last second. Jealousy rolled out of the way and the ground broke under Calvin's blow. The Siren swung and sliced Calvin's right arm around the wrist. Calvin swung again, this time horizontally. His adversary slid under the strike and caught Calvin again, this time along the right fore arm. 
     The shock from the blow dislodged Behemoth from his hands. It fell to his side and Jealousy stood facing him. "A pity that your sword arm is crippled. Prepare to die." Calvin smiled. "I'm not right handed." Calvin lunged forward, and swung the blade one handed. But, even still, Jealousy was faster. Calvin swung in vain, and Jealousy targeted his good arm. After three minutes of desperate swings, Calvin was on his knees. Jealousy walked up to him and pointed the scimitar at his throat. 
    "I'm done playing with you."
    "As am I!" Calvin jumped to his feet in one last effort. Jealousy ducked under the first strike and lay a wide gash going from Calvin's right shoulder to his left side. His sword cleaved though Calvin's armour like it was paper. Calvin paused a moment in pain and swung a second time. Jealousy finished the 'X' he was drawing on Calvin's chest and watched the man. "You fight without concern for yourself or your surrounding. Had you assessed my speed during our first encounter, you may have survived." Calvin raised Behemoth one last time. Jealousy spun and struck a horizontal slash. This one was deep and wide; it slit through the center of the 'X' and sliced through the vitals in the torso. 
     Calvin froze. Behemoth slipped through his fingers for the last time and hit the ground, creating a mild tremor. His arms fell limp at his side. "I can't die yet...have so much...to live...for..." He fell to his knees, and finally crumbled to the ground with a thud. Jealousy looked up at the walls and grunted. "Sirens. I'm issuing an evacuation order. The mages have sealed the city. We don't have the magic to pierce through that barrier." He turned to look at the bloody Calvin as he lay there. "Well fought, Aeon Commander. May you find rest in the after life."

******************************************************

    As night fell, Calvin breathed in shallow breaths. I'm forgotten. They left me here...Footsteps approached him. A boot prodded his ribs, just below his wound, and rolled him over. Though his restricted vision, he made out a black siren mask with a curious marking. This design was an arrow that went through both eye slots and around to the right ear. "I think this is the one." Another joined him. Their design looked like tears falling from the eyes. "Hmmm...it may be. Brother said he carried a massive sword." The second one looked behind Calvin and pointed at Behemoth. "And there it is. This is him." The arrow-masked Siren motioned and two others appeared out of thin air. "You two, find others on the brink of death and bring them to Master Guile."
     "And what of you sir?"
     "Sorrow and I will take this one to the Master personally." A brief rush of air signaled the use of the teleportation spell Blink. This Shadow spell allowed the user to move instantaneously to anywhere in the users line of sight. Sorrow leaned over him and whimpered. "That wound looks bad, Doom. He may not make it."
     "Master Guile assumed the worst when Jealousy said he fought him. In truth, I'm surprised he held on this long. The master will be pleased. You go on ahead and inform him, I wish to say a quick prayer." Sorrow cast Blink and disappeared. "You have fought well, Calvin of Carlos. I know you yet live, and I know you are conscious yet. Today, you opposed the Sirens. Soon, you will work for us. Yesterday, you stood for peace and unity." Doom chuckled as he lifted Calvin over his shoulders. 

"Come dawn, you will be the firstborn of our rebellion."

Chapter 2 - The Battle of Atlantis

     Calvin watched the hill through the cursed fog. He tightened his belt and adjusted his shoulder strap. A feeble, sage cloth covered his weapon, Behemoth. Few were graced to witness its frightful mass in full swing. Fewer still survived.
     On his belt he wore a side sword; that was his weapon for today. As an Aeon Field Captain, it was his duty not to get people killed. Using Behemoth was not safe.Though, when one is up against an army of suicidal maniacs; safety is not a major concern. Calvin sighed as he pulled on the shoulder strap again. Behemoth weighted a lot and the strap was putting strain on his sword arm.
     "Oi! Ya see anything?" Calvin clenched his teeth to respond. "Only a white blanket of fog." The mage snickered, "I could do without your sarcasm, mercenary!" Calvin only clenched his teeth harder to avoid lashing out. He went back to his duty; lining up the troops and making sure his Aeon troops were ready.
     A dark form appeared among the fog. Soon, another joined the first. Calvin gave his men the ready signal. Whistles pierced the quiet morning. Enemy archers started firing into the Fifty-Second Col-Aeon line. Before Calvin could react, twelve of his men fell from the arrows. They used bodkin arrowheads; Col plate armour never stood a chance. "Shield bearers, front lines!" Four men responded to their captain's call and stood, massive shields up, against the wave of arrows. However, just as soon as it had started, the bombardment stopped. One of the men spoke up. "Did they give up?"
     Calvin lowered his own, howbeit smaller, shield and looked out into the fog. It had grown thicker somehow during the assault. He cold barely see his own hands. "No," Calvin spoke almost at a whisper, "If they've stopped, then their allies must be nearby." Calvin drew his sword and waited. Nothing. "Aeons! Sound off!" One by one, the living Aeons called out their names. "Col Fifty-Second, sound off!" The survivors spoke up. His line had dwindled during the first wave of arrows. More whistling. "Shields!" Another bombardment of arrows washed over the line. 
     An arrow grazed off his shield landed mere inches from Calvin's foot. It had a strange marking on it, as well as a faint green glow. Upon examining it, he found the arrow head to be heavy, but soft. It did not puncture the earth and it left a green spot where it had landed. Calvin looked at his shield. It had a large glowing streak down the full length. A tracer arrow? Calvin's thoughts raced as he tried to figure out what was going on. Off in the distance, another grey figure stood. As it got closer, a faintly glowing red skull could be made out on its forehead. Calvin knew what it meant.
     "Sirens!" Calvin's forces readied themselves. Jealousy, the Siren Commander, called out to his own men. "Allies marked in red." Calvin looked down at the green strip on his shield. "All others are hostile. Lethal force is authorized." 
     "Aeons, battle formation!" Calvin couldn't order his troops without being able to see his opponent. His strategy relied heavily on sight, and the fog today would be his undoing. The Siren's voice reached Calvin's ears. "Attack pattern Harpy." The sounds of steel and excitement filled the air. 

"Execute." 

Chapter 1 part 2 - Joining the Sirens

     "You won't find him 'ere, ya."
     "I'm so sorry, good sir, but I thought you could help."
     "Oh, we will; so long as you're footin' the bill, ya!" The current Siren Head-Commander was a man that went by the name of Jealousy. Once an infantry general for the reckless 'suicide squad' of Daylon, Jealousy became the natural choice to succeed his father. His face plate had a skull emblazoned on the forehead in a dark crimson, and Kelvin prayed it was not blood. 
     The members of the Sirens were eccentric. The first thing that set them apart from other mercenaries; the armour. Each wore a suit of armour that was identical to his comrade. This decision was made to prevent segregation or isolation of certain groups. The second was their choice in recruitment. They took anyone, regardless of their background, birth, or even gender. Kelvin noticed separate bathing chambers and changing rooms, but it was impossible who was what, thanks to the identical armour.
     The final thing that made them odd were those masks. Each individual had his own mask. It was a modified theatre mask, but flat and featureless. It was made of a midnight-coloured metal. The colour and the shape of the mask made the surface reflective and appeared like a mirror. When someone received a promotion, instead of a patch or badge, they received a small amount of a red paint. They were allowed to put stripes or shapes on their mask. 
     But when they were promoted to commander, the paint that they had accumulated was wiped off, and they were given a more permanent, dark red paint. They were then allowed to put their own design on their mask, one that identified them and them alone. Some dyed their whole mask red. Others, like Jealousy, put small symbols on. To each his own.
     Every Siren was required to wear their mask at all times. The reason was two-fold; It was the only way to identify each other, and the Sirens were only 'part-time' mercenaries. They were people who wanted to live double lives. Controversial, yes, but effective. The mask rule was initiated to protect that other life from mixing with the life of a Siren.
    Jealousy moved and Kelvin snapped to attention. Kelvin, a wiry man, was built to be an assassin. Thin, short, black hair and a pale grey skin colour added to his stealth capabilities. When combined with his mastery of both Time and Dark magics, he was completely undetectable until his blade met his target.
    He had been given a set of armour and a mask, so that he could stay within Siren regulation. The light metal plates made minimal sounds as Kelvin followed Jealousy down the hallway. The black leather and metal only added to the man's skills. "Just a few questions before we get started, ya?" The Commander motioned to a chair. "What shall I call you? Do not give me your real name now, ya?" Kelvin sat. "How about Belligerence?"
    "Too long."
    "Bravery?"
    "Too positive."
    "Blood?"
    "Nah, somethin'...somethin' tidy and dangerous, ya?"
    "Blight? Like an illness."
    "Blight, ya? I don't...it ain't tidy..." Jealousy said it to himself a few more times. "Well, I rather like that! Now then, Siren Blight of the Leneel church, what can I do for ye?"
     "I'm looking for a man named Peterson. He escaped from Ken a few years ago. We hired the Sirens to help us search, but you are a very hard man to get in touch with. We even paid in advance."
     "I'm sure you understand, as a man o' the blade. We needed to make sure you were not comin' to do us in yerself, ya?"
    "So you kept me running in circles for all those years just to save your own hides?"
     "Aye, we did. But that be all in the past, ya?" Kelvin sighed. His brother had told him he was too soft on people, but Kelvin could not get his blood to boil like Klyne could. He found it hard to hate the man sitting before him. "Anyway, do you know where the man is?"
     "Aye we do. He done destroyed that infernal 'Lunar Forge', ya? He opened his mouth, said a few words. Then zip, shloop, plop, BOOM! No more forge, ya?" Kelvin was in awe at how the man described the event. But even more in his mind was the capabilities of the man to destroy forges; once thought indestructible monoliths from a long forgotten era. Impossible, thought Kelvin as he shifted nervously in the chair, no one should be able to destroy a forge...unless a Zero Matter Zone can negate the old magic keeping the forge alive. If it can, that would make the ZMZ the most powerful spell in the world. It would upset the magical balance.
     "Anyway, did more good than harm, ya?" The man kept going, oblivious to 'Blight's' thoughts. "After all, too many creatures were pourin' out o' it, ya? He saved more lives by closin' that forge than the weapons made from it did." Kelvin came back to reality. "Where is he now?"
     "On his way to Atlantis to charge up his focus. The thing musta been drained completely after the whole wibbly-wobbly ball thing he created out there, ya?" Again, Kelvin was awestruck. But now he knew where to go. "Alright, I'll leave at once."
     "Not so fast, laddie. I'll help you, but you gotta help me, ya?"
     "I already paid you, what now?"
     "We got some strange new-comers here in the force. I'd like you to investigate them and report back to me when you can, ya."
     "Fine."
     "Good! Their names are Guile and Sorrow. Sibling duo, ya? I may not like 'em, but them names are great, ya?"
    "Fine then."
    "But do be careful around this Guile fellow though, ya?"
    "Why?"
    "He's dangerous."
    "I deal with danger all the time."
    "Not like this, ya?"
    "How bad?"
    "Take yer problem, and multiply it by cancer." Awestruck. Can people actually talk like this? That was just... Kelvin's inner rant was cut short by the tension in the air. Jealousy looked up at Kelvin. The blazing gaze coming from that man's mask seemed to pierce through into Kelvin's black soul. Jealousy's demeanour had completely changed. He went from a unintelligent lout to a strictly disciplined soldier in a matter of seconds. "I also perceive you are not all that you say you are. I perceive you are dangerous, a menace...a threat." The thick atmosphere seemed to suffocate Kelvin as Jealousy came to his ultimatum.

"And I will not hesitate when killing you to protect my people if you are."