It Begins...

[Caim]

}[_.Swords clashed, the metal sparked upon meeting with one another, as the men struggled for their lives, in a sea of blood, war, and of an army that battle for peace. The prince's sword clashed with the sword an enemy, wielding it with his right hand, the broad sword sparked, scraping against the metal that was its enemy. Optics narrowed in anger, shooting a glare at the soldier, who opposed him, the soldier's visage was shadowed, covered by a helmet, where only his eyes would glow and flicker.

His teeth clenched, as he pushed forth, and with his left hand, he sent a fist to the soldier's face, denting the helmet's side, throwing the soldier back on his back, he thrusts the sword into the soldier's heart. Panting, and regaining his breath the blood gushed and bathed the blade with crimson liquid, as the crying of men in war continued to spread, slashes and flesh being cut in half or pierced was heard, if one could listen carefully. His gaze adverted to the enemy nearby, and with a thrust forth, the sword was jammed into the soldier's back. With a scream of pain into the sky, the body of the dead dropped on the dirt, blood poured out of his insides to taint the ground.

Caim's fury, was evident, his own pain and thirst for revenge was drawn on his visage, as he drew his sword and swung it to the side, the blood was wiped off the blade. As he turned half-way his eyes caught the soldier running at him, with a sword in hand, like a scorpion read to sting at the victim, his left hand would come fort and lifted up to block the incoming sword, as it clashed against the shield-gauntlet that was strapped around his limb. " Arrh! " He yelled, to counter the soldier's attack, he flicked his wrist and bringing the sword up, as it would come downward in a slanted attack to slice the man across his chest. With a quick and swift turn to his left, he swung the sword horizontally slicing the soldier next to him, almost in half, cutting his gut, as the blood tainted the man's armor and clothes.

Strands of raven hair brushed against his forehead, where beads of sweat were forming, releasing breaths now and then, he turned to face the incoming giant. Every step made the ground shake, made the weak stumble, fall and lose his balance in the battlefield, he glared at the armored soldier, and lounged his broad sword forth. As the incoming of the attack was slanted, the giant swung his sword downward, Caim dashed to his left, now inside the soldier's open spot, the slanted slash cut from the soldier's shoulder blade down to his right rib.

Using his left palm to press down the blade further into the soldier's flesh, to slice him in half, to cut through flesh and bone, even the armor, that which protected the soldiers. As he continued to pant, and fill his lungs with air, the swinging of swords, the clashing and the sound of metal continued, across the wasteland. The castle, at a great distance stood still as the archers and warriors continued to fight along the Prince's side, dark pools reflected his thirst for vengeance, the passion and will to continue fighting even after fatigue was bringing him down, as he stood in what was becoming a graveyard, with a quick turn, his broad blade met and went through a soldier's neck, beheading the enemy.

The head rolled, not before leaving marks of blood his own clothes, and armor, when he lowered his sword bathed in the crimson substance, dripped, and dripped. Once again his teeth clenched, and his fingers wrapped around the hilt of his sword, tightly, lifting the sword up to clash, and spark against that of an enemy. Shifting his stance, to push forth, his left hand was placed on the middle of the blade to push down, " Arrh! " His right foot came forth to support his weight, as the sparks continued and the blades scraped against each other. As he added pressure on his blade, he managed to break the soldier's sword, and slash him downward. Almost cutting him in half.

As he saw the soldier drop to his knees, his dark holes locked with the dying man's eyes, and so his blade was slowly lowered. With his guard down, his back would embrace the pain, that the blade of another soldier behind him, would bring, as he was slashed across his back. With a scream to echo the sky, he then groaned, feeling the blood pour out and down his back, to soak the clothes and taint the armor. Anger painted his visage, with a slight struggle to regain his balance, as he turned to swing his sword down from the ground upward to return the pain at the enemy, Caim, grunted, with enough strength and pressure added on his counter, the sword cut through clothes and armor, to pierce flesh and bone.

With a gasp of air exiting his mouth, he turned his back on the the man, who'd drop dead on the wasteland, to meet the same end and fate of the rest, whom the Prince has killed. His eyes then settled on the Castle, knowing of what was within the Castle, he struggled with a breath in and out, as the fresh slash on his back dripped and continued to soak his clothes in blood. " Furiae! " Left hand extended outward, as he cried her name, trying to reach the Castle, as the flags of his Kingdom were being burnt and replaced with the flags of his enemy.

His own feet now betrayed him, as he falter, dropping to his knees, as his right hand's grip on the hilt of his blade became loose, and slipped his hand. " Furiae! " Again, the man on his knees cried her name, and before his chords could deliver yet another cry of her name, a coughing fit interrupted such, where it only deliver amounts of blood, with each and ever cough, to exit his mouth. As his sight became blurry, and dark he thudded, falling on the ground, where the faint sound of swords, and man crying in the wasteland as the war continued faded, for a voice to erupt, " Wake up. You're not weak, if you were, you would of have died back then, " the voice of a dragon reached him, where everything was dark, only the voice of the dragon was heard, " You are not dead. You have a pact with me. You cannot die, human. "

With a hiss the dragon spoke, followed by a gust of wind, as his eyes flutter open, a blue orb with an red orb illuminated, what was ahead, with a groan and grunt his eyes finally open. His sight crystal clear, adverted to the Dragon's direction, behind him, " ...? " The crimson dragon returned the same look at the man, " This is not your Kingdom, nor any land I'm familiar with. The stench of humans, isn't different. " The dragonic voice responded, as the man stood up to his feet, " ... " The dragon's mouth parted, " Dreaming? No, we are in a different land, stay on your guard.. " with that said the ancient beast nodded slightly, and both went into silence._]{

[Frog]

"It is not who wields the sword, but how."

"The most important thing in this life, protecting the King and Queen, to perserve our way of life."

"You will surpass me, Glenn. I feel it to be true."

The words of Sir Cyrus, leader of the Knights of the Square Table, a legend in his own time had come to rest, never leaving his thoughts or heart. It would be what he took to the grave with him, alongside his honor and devotion to the Kingdom of Guardia, and never would he lose those precious words.

"'Tis not thy own will to defy fate?"

The question asked was in reference to something spoken, it was a question posed by his mentor Cyrus a decade ago. It was something he still lacked the answer to, but in living hoped to obtain that which he lacked, sought.

"Is defying one's destiny not fate as well? If one is fated to resist the intended flow, it is defiant obligation."

However, Sir Cyrus was no more. He could never obtain that answer, as Cyrus has been slain by the ruthless Magus and his top general Ozzie, but it had not been in vain as a valuable lesson had been learned by his apprentice, thus forming the man who would become Guardia's finest knight. This was all ten years ago, and today was just his reminder that another day had gone by, surviving it he had.

"Weepeth tears no more, shall I. Thou hast grown bold, much thanketh to thine memory."

With this, the amphibious knight was off, heading to battle, moments after being blessed by the Chancellor who was holding some form of power with the King and Queen's deaths, as well as guiding Princess Furiae and Prince Caim into their destined obligations, an occupation that sparked much reminder of his conversational moments with Cyrus. How he longed for the wisdom of his mentor, but through tragedy emerged a realization that Cyrus could not have taught better: living comes at a price to those you know, especially those held dearest.

Has thou soul lain to rest? Thy heart could bear naught such injustice.

At precisely the moment Angelus had awaken Caim from his slumbering, a mighty sound filled the air, it belonged to one of Magus's soldiers, a Mystic. It stood about five feet tall, wore spiked armor that snaked around his muscular form, and scaley green skin that collaborated well with his diamond-shaped pupils and jagged fanged teeth, suited for biting and tearing the flesh. It would not make good on its intentions, as the sound of air, then mass surronded Prince and dragon alike, allowing the beast to fall to the blood tainted soil.

"Lower thine guard and thou'rt letting the enemy in."

He rose, only standing about 5'3" feet, much shorter than the Prince of Guardia, but in those passing moments made up for it with his bravery and skill. His odd appearance meant little to those within Guardia's walls, as despite this hideous form coming from the 'Dark One', Magus, it had served him well over the years and over time he had reluctauntly come to accept it as who he was. However, the previous comment was a direct puncture at Prince Caim, not so much at Angelus who was wise and mighty beyond her years.

"'Tis good to see familiar faces, but alas thy Kingdom's battle ceases such greetings."

The sword in his hands was the legendary Masamune, its blade stainless and clean, even with the striking down of an enemy. It was just one of a few qualities that made the blade sought after by so many, but more importantly it was the blade that embodied his relationship with the past and its former wielder.

"The Chancellor brings forth with me, orders. Guardia's defenses have been breeched, Zenan Bridge the last hope for victory, Prince Caim."

[Caim]

}[_.Head tilted to his right, adverting his eyes to that direction to carefully examine it, as he had no intentions on staying in this land any longer. In silence he then approached the Dragon, which kept a calm environment about her, crimson orbs, turned to the direction of which the air would come. Alerting the Prince of the individual that would show up before them, with his right hand unsheathing the broad sword, and bringing it forth, he extended his arm out. " ...!? "

The ancient Dragon, growled softly, as she moved to adjust her body, " Lower your blade. He means no harm, " with a hiss the voice of the dragon reached the Prince's ears, and with a slight nod coming from the man, he lowered the blade. Recognizing the voice, he offered the Knight, the warrior, soldier or however one would like to refer to the Masamune wielder, in return of said words. With this he sheathed his blade, he bowed slightly to the knight known as Frog, " ... " Raven strands of hair brushed against his forehead, as he motioned to bow at the familiar one, leaving the dragon, Angelus to respond, " Those who seek death this soon, shall know the consequences. I pity, the soul who seeks out nothing but death, wise they are not."

A draconic hiss escaped the Dragon's mouth, the long tail moved about to then, be slammed against the soil, " We shall head to the Zenan Bridge. " Crimson orbs adverted to the raven hair warrior, expecting an answer, it was already known, but Angelus would want to see it in Caim's eyes. " ... " Head motioned, making his way to mount the dragon, her body shifted and adjusted, now that Caim was in place, " Come. It is time. " She spoke for the prince, she made it clear, with her answer erupting to reach the Knight who delivered the message, as Caim waited for the other to choose to come with, or catch up to them, in his own manner. The wings of flesh, spread out open, knowing she would have to wait for the human, the rider to decide upon their depart._]{

[Frog]

"Upon thou's beastly wings? 'Tis not practical of thine own methods, but alas meaningless it has become to resist."

Using his hind legs, the amphibian lunged into the air, landing upon the backside of the winged reptile, taking only a moment to grab hold of the harness that Caim used during his flights.

"How long has it been, Madam Angelus?"

Even around a non-human, respect was given as best as could be mustered, and within the socialistic resources of his kindness. It mattered not the size, look, or background, courtesy was given in accordingly appropriate degrees that reflected the individual's nature; Angelus was good.

"Thy wisdom inquires more than a decade's passing, since then has it been that Sir Cyrus graced the skies upon your back."

The one called Frog had already become comfortable, deciding to go with the Prince of Guardia and Pact-Beast to the location requested of them: Zenan Bridge. It was south of their current location, and at the moment it looked as if the small rogue parties of Mystics had been slain from the northern territories.

"For Cyrus, for Kingdom, as well as the Prince himself, I devote myself to fulfilling a promise unobtained through one's death, that of Cyrus, to bring Magus to justice, forever vanquishing thine's own Kingdom from war and tragedy."

The Knight of the Square Table was prepared, eager and ever-ready to rush into combat to personally deal a striking blow against a formidable foe such as the Mystic Army, it was an ever-growing organization that threatened the very lifestyle that Guardia had come to embrace and represent -- they sought to eradicate it, making all who lived there subject to Magus's rule and influence.

"Come, Prince Caim! Leteth our wings be without delay, for today Guardia stands firm, forever against thy's foes, whoever they may be!"

[Caim]

}[_.The long neck, of the dragon turn left and right some, to awaken the muscles that had been sleeping for the while, they had been on the ground. Grounded. With a low growl to exit her mouth, Angelus spread her crimson wings out, once Sir Glenn made himself comfortable. The prince, greeted the knight once again, offering him a court nod and, so he would wait for Angelus to decide upon their flight. Caim carefully listened to Sir Glenn speak, but he could not respond, so it was left for his Dragon, pact-beast to speak for him. " Time can only fade if one allows it. Perhaps years, have passed but even for those who hold onto memories, time stays still. " With a common hiss, the dragon answered, and before she leap into the air, crimson wings open wide, and lifted her and those on her back into the sky.

Caim tilted his head ever so slightly, never once he thought the Dragon, would speak in such tone or manner toward any being. " ... " It was obvious, the Prince had much to learn from her, but in a situation such as this one, he wouldn't ask for answers, instead he nodded, agreeing with Sir Glenn's words. They were now thousands feet high into the sky, the wind that came and went was gentle. The wings would only glide with such wind aiding them, but not anymore, they needed to arrive at the Bridge as soon as they could, the sooner the better. Both, Angelus and Caim understood this, " Humans, choose war, when they should choose peace. I, will continue to pity those who do not and will not understand the consequences of war. " As Caim held onto her, in a serene manner, he looked back at Sir Glenn, both understood her words, but they were always involved in war. Caim chose it, for many reasons, few understood.

Strands of raven hair danced about, and brushed against his forehead, as the wind touched his face and trace his features. Dark pools narrowed as he looked ahead, probably wanting to see ahead, to see the Bridge, the army, war itself. " ... " Silence. It was the price the Prince paid in order to obtain power, his reason was the same, but wouldn't share, and now he never will, he was mute. " To see what you feel, is not to feel what you see. This war may end, but humans another will start. " So, she'd continue to speak, for hers to reach Caim and Sir Glenn's ears, she respected the knight, it was obvious, after all a beast such like her, had many reasons to why hate humans, and respect so few of them. With a slight turn to her left, she would dive some, and quickly regain the direction in which she was flying._]{

[NPC]

[Roleplay continues in Zenan Bridge.]