FlashBack - The chronicles of the Dark Dimension, What happened

After the portal had been established, and the volunteers sent home through a combined effort by Sival, Samuel and Maye, the group left decided on their plans next.

" The Dark Lord will be coming for Maye. We must flee."
It was from Samuel, who supported the notion of running.

"But fleeing as a large group will just attract more attention. Besides, He is only after the three of us. I suggest we flee, but only the three of us, while the others can settle here to protect the portal and the Light dimension."

Maye spoke, and received support from all the Clan Destiny members, all except one.

" But.. I want to go with Sival."
" No, it is too dangerous."
" Let her."

Sival finally spoke.

" Let her come with me. We shall both go together."

Samuel and Maye shrugged, for they know Sival have far more experience with the Dark Lord. However, this time Kyan spoke up.

" If you ever let her come to harm... I... I will never forgive you...We already lost Ayan."

He banged his hammer against a tree in angst, crushing the bark. Kya's eyes began to well up too, but was shushed by Sival. He mouthed the words. "We must go, now." to Kya, which she fully understand, and they both summon forth the power of the wind and disappeared. Samuel and Maye nodded to each other, drew their respective swords and disappeared as well, just as a certain evil began to loom overhead.

Samuel and Maye took a different path from Sival and Kya, all for the obvious reaon not to allow the Dark Lord to crush them all at once. Should one side fall to the evil, the other must rise up stronger than before to avenge them, twas so was thier mutual agreement.

And hence, they started thier individual search for strength, Samuel and Maye, questing to find back the scattered Jewels while Sival and Kya seeks to unveil the Nature Adepts secrets. Obviously, the Dark Lord's servants will stand in thier way.

****

An intriguing fact struck Sival as he lies meditating below a tree alone, that the Dark Dimension's elements, while similar to the Light's, are essentially different. As per the parallel dimensional theory, there is even a different set of artifacts which ensured the stability of the elements.

Kya, who had went to fetch water, returned and saw Sival deep in thoughts. She knew better to disturb him, and sat down by herself to think. These days, they had been in the wilds, only stopping at villages to restock on thier supply of food. Sival had wished for them to have a low profile, and she had not complained. However, she do feel very alone, especially when Sival closed himself off from the world in his meditation. She sighed, and was about to get some sleep when a shock of energy pulsed past her.

She glanced at the now stirring Sival, who had obviously felt the pulse too. He opened his eyes and stood up, saying words that Kya had expected.

" Something is nearby."

******

Samuel and Maye walked through the town's pavements, looking for an inn where they could find lodging. The town, was by no means recently built at the ruins of an older one, and it took alot of convincing from Maye to show that they are not actually monsters in disguise.

As they passed the darker sections of the town's alley, shadows moved, startling Maye. She tugged at Samuel's sleeves, but a nod from him reassured her that he too knew that someone is watching. No sooner than later, a man appeared in front of them, appearing to be a bandit of sorts, carrying a glinting knife.

" Now, give me your money, and you may be able to live. Oh, and we don't mind having the girl too."

Another voice appeared from the shadows.

" Now, Rangoth, we are upright bandits. We only want the money, not the girl."
" Shut up. You may not want the girl, but i do, enough?"
" Darn you."

Silence followed, while the one named Rangoth smirked.

"Hand them over now boy..."

The sentence was not even finished. What Rangoth saw, was just a fist aiming straight for his face, breaking his teeth and nose. In anger, he motioned and twenty other faces leaped from the shadows, poised to strike. Samuel only grimaced as he unstrapped his sword on his back, causing Rangoth to cower for awhile, until he realised Samuel only put down his weapon. He spoke again through blood stained mouth.

" Scared? Boy? You don't even want ..."

What happened next caused his jaws to drop and him to go wide- eyed. In that instant, Samuel disappeared and reappeared directly infront of him, the dagger he was holding before now at his throat while his comrades all dropped with a sickening thud.

" For wanting to hurt Maye, you fail."

There is a swipe, as Rangoth's arm detached from his torso and fell into a pool of blood. A shriek rang out from his bloody mouth, a cry of pain, which softened to a whimper as he ran away. A stone dropped out of his pocket as he made his escape, glowing an earthen brown. Samuel grinned in surprise. He bent to picked it up, as another person revealed himself.

" I am Yusix, co-leader of the Brotherhood Order. Being opressed by Rangoth through that stone, he brings us to shame than upkeep the code of the Order. I thank you for liberating us from him. Your strength awed us and I pledge myself and my fifty brother thieves to your service." the young handsome brown haired man spoke in a gentlemanly tone.

"Indeed, it would have been more destructive if he had knew how to use that stone. I accept your offer Yusix, I am the leader of Clan Destiny. Go to Dark Iifawood, and search for one named Wisoni. Tell him, that the Earth Jewel had been found, and you had been sent by me to be under the clan."

" Yes my liege."

The twenty other man got up and vanished along with Yusix. Maye beamed at Samuel who held his head in embarassment. Maye suddenly felt something in her pockets, something not there moments before, and drew out a paper on which is hastily written.

My liege, you are welcome to rest at our territories.
Yusix

" There is our lodging, and free too."

****
The pulse came again, this time stronger than before. Its intent is unknown, or rather, undetermined. Sival merely waited at his original position, eyes alert. Kya glanced worriedly at Sival, and whispered through the wind.

" We... arn't going to check it out?"

" No, it is coming towards us. Don't waste your energy." was his answer, although his lips were unmoving. A swirl of dust began to gather around the area, as the pulse of energy came again. This time, evil intentions are evident.

" Run." A word burst out from Sival's lips, causing the both of them to turn and run just as a sword cleaved the ground they were originally standing on. The newcomer, was clad in black armour. Coupled with the signature Unholy Blade, he is Darinos of the Dark Dimension, now one of the servants of the Dark Lord.

"Sival Destiny, the Dark Lord has orders to kill you and your ilk." The Bangaa said coldly, as he leapt towards the fleeing Nature adepts, his sword nearly missing Kya. Sival cooly replied as he turned to face his ex-subordinate's alter-ego and fired off a bolt of flames, " That depends if you can kill me."

At that very instant he fired off the bolt, Sival skidded to a halt and materialised a spear of solid air. He lunged straight towards Darinos who had just cleaved through the firebolt and was surprised to find a spear aiming straight for his head. At that particular same time, icicles starts to form behind Darinos, a work of Kya to create a two prong attack. Darinos merely grinned, and ducked.

Blood dripped from Sival's side. He was surprised to see that Darinos could gain the presence of mind to duck even under such conditions, leaving him face to face with the icicles. They were of no problem, however, Darinos had gained the moment to thrust his blade through Sival's left abdomen. Suddenly, Sival collapse to his knees, and spat out blood from his mouth.

" Poison.."
" Ha! Sival, never expected it, right? Poison isn't one of the elements you control. This time, you are effectively dead!"

A smirk was seen on Darinos' face as he raised up his sword to impale the weakened Sival. Out of the blue, Kya appeared above him, and swiped with her Elsabre, only to find Darinos gone. Kya could only managed a look of surprise as Darinos reappeared in front of her again. A fist was thrown by the bangaa, and cracking sounds were heard as a few bones fractured. Kya was thrown a few feet away, unconcious.

"Fool, i shall do away with her later."

Darinos turned back to find Sival gone. Seething with rage, he gathered his energies in his unholy blade to blast Kya into smithereens, only to find that she had disappeared as well, their traces gone with the wind. Slamming down his sword in fustration, and cleaving a deep hole in the battered land, the maddened bangaa released the energies he intended for Kya, blasting the soil skyhigh and setting the surronding trees on fire.

"Remember me Sival, for I am Darinos the Destroyer."

*****

Sival appeared at a small forest clearing miles away from where Darinos fought him, carrying Kya on his shoulders. As soon as the wind fades from his feet, he dropped Kya and collapsed beside her. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Sival fell unconcious as well eventually.

****

Samuel and Maye were heading towards the next town, when Maye felt a disturbance in the energies.

" Something must had happened to Sival."

It was Samuel who spoke. It seems that he knew too. " He will definitely be fine, a man of his caliber should have no problem, i hope.."

The reply came hesitantly. " I hope so too."

****

Dark Lumina stood towering over his puny self. There was maniacal laughter, and jesting. It was unbearable. They are laughing, laughing at how weak he is. The servants are mocking him. Collapsing to his knees, he tried to summon a spell to project at them. Anything, just to stop them from laughing. But he could not.

His magic had been stripped from him, and he watched helplessly as the huge blade was brought down on him.

Sival jerked from his sleep, sweating profusely. The nightmare, had been frighteningly real, as if sent to him as a warning for his betrayal. As his eyes focus on his surroundings, a girl came into the aclove, carrying a basin of water.

"Oh, you are awake! Seems that you are more resiliant than the girl. The poison was difficult, but we still saved you both."
"We..."
"Oh, its me and my sis."
"You..."
"We are this town's doctors, just happened to pass by that location looking for herbs. We found you two unconcious and brought you back."

Sival blinked and groaned. He was not one who did receive help from others, and now his notion of lying low with Kya is definitely busted. Kya... Kya!! Sival glanced frantically around the aclove, only to find the poor girl covered in bandages at her torso and her head. His eyes softened at the sight, and his head began to swoon.

"Don't worry. She will be aright, there are broken bones here and there, but she will recover. I am Lastria, and Reqia is my sister. You are?"

The question sounded simple enough, but Sival is having doubts, and trouble replying. The state he is in now, and to mention now that he had given up his powers back to the Dark Lord he was rendered relatively weak, he is in no position to fight if a wrong place in trust leads to enemy confrontations. Lastria sensed that uncertainty an decided to leave it at that. She gave him a wide smile, a familiar smile that would be seen in the future on that face of his daughter, before leaving the room.

******

They entered the village, the original feeling of fear and unease subsiding. However, something was wrong. They knew it the instant they stepped foot into it. Something is very wrong in the village indeed. That very instant, a sudden searing of pain shot into Maye's head, forcing her to collapse in pain. With trained reflex, Samuel caught her without much effort.

"What happened... Don't tell me.."
"He is here."

He had expected it, but had never thought it did be so soon. There was a sudden tremor, and the earth beneath them cracked, the origin seemingly from the centre of the village. The sky, which had always been dark, now appear pitch black. Dark flames rose from what seems to be the village centre as a giant dragon swooped down from the skys and breathed destruction. Screams erupted as villagers suddenly burst ino flames

" Bahamut."
" Yes, indeed. Bahamut."

Samuel turned behind, only to see a female cloth in black robes walking towards him. An aura of power and evil radiates from the female, and Samuel thought it did be useless to question how she might have appeared behind him. Though her hair was short, adding decor to her pretty face, her skin was ghastly white. Her voice, was icy cold. Her intent was all too clear.

Samuel propped the semi-concious Maye on the fence and drew his sword from his back. He wasn't really too sure about the odds of winning, but with Maye like this, he isn't going to run far before this entity catches up anyway.

******

Maye watches groggily as Samuel engaged the mage. She was dully aware of the dragon overhead as she tries to contain the pain in her head. Samuel had tried to slash at the mage, but she was quicker. Seeming as though she teleported, the mage reappeared behind Samuel and cursed him. As Samuel dropped to the ground, he winced in pain. The cold voice once again sounded. Where it had been sad a few seconds ago, it was slightly amused.

And another figure appeared out of the shadow, fully equiped with blackened armor. His gigantic spear trembled as he slammed it into the ground and spoke.

" Let me have him. Tuila."
" He is all yours, Vanquish. I will have the girl"

Maye knows she is in danger. However, her body just could not seems to move. Samuel too was curled up in pain on the ground as the man... no, he is more like a monster, walked towards him. Vanquish, as he had been called, must be very strong, strong enough to carry a spear that was twice his size and length. He was even taller than an average human.

" What a hunk he is, eh? Too bad you are not going to be facing him. The Dark Lord's wrath is unavoidable, so don't think of mercy."

That same icyness returned. A cold grin even crossed her pale face as she muttered under her breath. Maye did not know what she said, or even bother to care what she had said, for her body seems to be pierced by thousands of blades suddenly. This must have been what Samuel went through just now...

****

Samuel saw Maye's form turn limp. In a moment of desperation, he swung his blade upwards towards the hulking figure who was by then over him. Blood was drawn, and splattered on both Samuel and Vanquish's face.

Vanquish merely stuck out his tongue to lick the blood off, showing his inhuman teeth, and shifted back his body weight to bring his spear down on Samuel. However, Samuel was quicker and managed to dodge the otherwise fatal blow. He crouched low and slashed at the demon's leg, only to create a superficial wound upon Vanquish's skin.

"This is the difference between your power and mine, Destiny. The restrain upon the blades of power might have been broken, but they are still no match against me."

He swung his spear again, and missed, creating a huge hole where Samuel had been a moment ago - Samuel had leapt back to get some ground. However, the demon refused to let him have any breathing space and charged straight at him, dragging the huge spear and creating a deep crevice. The blow was undodgable, and Samuel struck back with equal fury. The resounding clank of their weapons clashing ended with Samuel flying a few feet away from Vanquish. Dazed, and confused of Vanquish's enormous strength, Samuel could barely recover before Vanquish was on him, his spear ready for the kill. This time, his speed was beyond imagination. Speed with power, is the most fearsome combination of traits a warrior could have, and Samuel know it. This battle is a lost, and he could not get away, not with Tuila and Vanquish around.

*******

Tuila's hands had suddenly burst with malice, forming a sharp dark blue blade around it. She decided to give it a test, and sliced a nearby boulder into half easily. Grinning, she poised and shoved the blade down towards Maye...
and meet the Sword of Light. Tuila's lifeless eyes dilate in surprise as Maye pushed herself up shakily.

"You..."
"Yes me"

There was a flash of light, and Tuila was thrown away by the pulse of energy. In that instant, she caught Samuel's eyes and nodded. Samuel noticed what had happened out of the corner of his eyes, and fired a cresent of blue towards Vanquish. As expected, Vanquish held out his spear to block, only that there is no more Samuel to counter when the cresent fades off. Both of them had taken the chance to escape.

"Darn girl caught me by surprise."
"....."

And the darkness swallowed the both of them.

*******

Maye fumbled her way over the dirt path, Samuel trying to sustain her. Giving out a sigh, Samuel finally decided to hoist Maye across his shoulders and continue fleeing.

Sival laid on the bed, staring into the blank wall for a long long time. Lastria came into the room several times, beaming like an angel, to change their dressings. Somehow, Sival was attracted to that particular smile. No, it was not that he had a change of heart, or anything, but Lastria has been stunning in her own rights.

She should have many suitors, pity for her to be born into such chaotic times.

Sival lamented. Dark Lumina had brought nothing but misery across this land. The people here had adapted to the everconstant change, becoming even more stronger than the people in the Realm of Light. Natural selection had ensured that only the strongest will survive, here, not there.

In there, equity exist because of those so-called good clans to uphold whatever wrongs that may occur. Because of this, society had corroded and people grew weaker in the mind and soul every day.

Suddenly, there was a loud crashing noise, which alerted Sival. Something has happened, and he is currently unable to do anything. Lastria and another man burst into the room, looking flustered and exhausted. Without needing to hear what Lastria says, Sival could already guess what happened.

" They are here, we need to move. Louis, could you help me move them? Quickly!"

The man wordlessly went over to Sival to heave him over his shoulders while Lastria carried the unconcious Kya over her back. Without a sound, they exited the aclove out into the unaturally still village street.

*******

The silent broke, and cottages began to burst into flames as what seemed to be a flock of fire birds flew overhead and dive-bombed the place. Lastria only gasped, as they quickly made their escape.

" Hell ravens..."
" Where is Reqia."

Lastria only beamed a smile back at Sival.

"She will be okay, she is treating the injuries of the others now."

Sival wondered how she could ever smile in such a condition, and admired her personality.

*********

They were reaching the village entrance, when a hulking fiery humanoid stood between them and the gates, which are also on fire.

" I am Firaros, Fire elemental of Dark Lumina. You will not pass."

**********

Normally, Sival would have gave his smirk and proceed to eliminate this low ranking servant of the Dark Lord off the face of this dimension. However, given his current position and ability, that is one thing that would be foolish to do.
The man named Louis drew his sword, muttering words back towards Lastria. Sival glance at the man in sadness. He had not been anything special. His death is impending, and so will theirs.

" Run, Las, run.. I.. I will hold .."

Lastria's eyes only widen as Louis was consumed by fire, his last words still unfinished. She could only barely register Firaros sending another ball of flames towards her, and inwardly resigned to her fate.

Sival saw her fear, her face distorted to that of pain as Louis vanished. His heart broke. He remembered standing up and shielding her from that second blast with his own body. He remember cradling the badly burned Lastria in his arms. He remembered Lastria giving him her signature smile before her life ebbed away. He remembered multilating the offending elemental until he was nothing more than embers.

And then, he was outside of the towns in the wilderness with Kya, and an unknown ring in his hands. The last words of Lastria echoed throughout his head, as he told her his name, and asked to be her friend.

" Si.Sival. Take this ring, and unite the seals... I... I accept you."

Sival struggled back a tear and hugged Kya as tightly as he can as the distant village burned. The symbol of Light shining brightly upon the Ring he holds, the first of the Seals he obtain.