Well as the topic's title says, I've decided to write a story based on Lonewolf's Dragoons and the adventures we've had. I will be updating this thread every so often when I add more chapters, but right now I'll post what I have so far. Enjoy! mrgreen
P.S. I would appreciate any comments or feedback you guys would like to add to the story. 3nodding
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Lonewolf's Dragoons
Chapter 1: A legacy born
"Huff...huff..." A young boy no older then 7, filthy and wearing tattered clothing, ran through the winding maze of back-alleys, (which he has been familiar with for quite some time) trying to lose his pursuers. His brown dirty bangs slapped against his forehead as he ran. They're cries of anger and outrage echoed through the moonlit night. The boy stops at a dead end. The lights from his pursuers' lanterns slowly close in on him. The boy kicks off the wall and grabs onto a fire-escape ladder. He climbs as if his life depended on it, getting to the roof in less then a minute. He then proceeded to leap from rooftop to rooftop, easily losing his pursuers.
The boy stopped to catch his breath for a few moments. After he gets his breath back, he flops down onto his bottom and looks up at the full moon. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a piece of bread and salutes the moon with it, then takes a bite. "Another job well done." the boy congratulated himself. He hopped to his feet and wiped the bread crumbs off his pants and shirt, then made his way down off the building.
As he walked through the alley, a strange voice comes out of nowhere, "You've got potential, kid." The boy starts and turns around swiftly, "Wh...who's there?!" the boy's eyes darted through the shadows, trying to find where the voice was coming from. "Your fairy god mother." A faint purple light illuminated from what looked like an open palm. The illuminated hand rose up to unveil a man's face from the shadows, smiling mischievously as his brown eyes sparkled with amusement. "The name's Locke. I've been following you for quite some time now, and I must admit I am quite impressed at how well you look out for yourself. You're quite the 'lone wolf' kid. However, you're wild and reckless...with training and discipline I could teach you to be a great warrior."
The boy turned away from the stranger, giving him the cold shoulder as he calmly walked away. "Hmph. I don't need 'training' or 'discipline'. I'm capable of taking care of myself, thank you very much." To his surprise however, the mysterious man suddenly appeared in front of the boy. Startled by this display of magic, the boy fell backwards, tripping over himself and landing butt-first into a puddle of muddy water.
The moonlight illuminated the man, giving the boy a better look at the stranger. He was clad in a black cloak which was draped over his shoulders, completely covering the man's arms. He wore a dark purple tunic and black pants. The man pulled back his hood, again, revealing that mischievous smile as well as his shoulder-length silky black hair.
"H..how did you..?!" The boy stammered. The man chuckled under his breath, the mischievous smile still visible on his lips. "I can show you." He reached out to help the boy up. The boy hesitated at the gesture for a few moments, then took the man's hand reluctantly. The man pulled the boy to his feet and placed an arm around the boy's shoulder as they began walking together. "Why do you want to train me..?" The boy asked suspiciously. The man shrugged and said simply; "Because I choose to." The boy stopped and just stared at the man with a suspicious glare.
The man sighed, "Very well....if you must know...you remind me of me when I was your age. I can sense the power of magic that flows through your veins. That's why you're able to do some things that other people can't. However, you have not yet mastered how to harness this power, which is what I am willing to teach you. Come, I will take you to my home where you can eat as much food as you want and sleep in a warm bed."
The boy hesitated for a moment, thinking it over, then eventually nodded and began walking alongside the man again. "Do you have a name child?" The man asked. The boy shook his head. The man pondered it for a few moments, "Lonewolf." He said suddenly. "That is what I will call you."
Locke smiled warmly at Lonewolf as they walked side by side through the night.
* * * * *
8 years passed, and Lonewolf was now 15 years old. He had endured years of training in the art of magic under his teacher, Locke, and has now matured into a young warrior eager for adventure and excitement. "Hand of Pyro!!" With perfect form, the boy extended his right palm, releasing a small ball of fire at tremendous speed towards his teacher, who side stepped it with ease, stepped in, and punched Lonewolf in the gut with his right fist, then elbowed him in the back with his left elbow. Lonewolf fell to the floor with a rather loud "thud".
Angered, he shifted around and attempted a sweep, which Locke hopped over. Lonewolf let the momentum of his sweep bring him back up into standing on his feet. "Not bad, Lone. You're getting faster." Locke nodded with his arms crossed. "Now try to hit me this time." He added with a smirk on his lips. Lonewolf spat to the side, then wiped his lips with his right forearm. "...Away..." He whispered. Lone disappeared and reappeared behind Locke, right arm extended. "Sphere of Destruction!" A dark purple energy blast fired from Lonewolf's palm at point blank range.
"Two can play that game, kid...Away." Locke disappeared before the blast hit him and appeared behind Lone. He grabbed Lonewolf in a headlock. "You're being too reckless. Calm yourself and fight me!" Lonewolf leaned forward, using his back to fling Locke over his head. Locke rolled before hitting the ground and quickly got to his feet and rushed in with a left hook. Lonewolf ducked the attack, and threw a punch at Locke's ribs. His attack connected. Lonewolf took advantage of this and quickly followed up with a right uppercut to Locke's jaw, then finished with a fierce roundhouse kick right across Locke's face. The attack sent Locke twirling through the air and onto the ground hard.
Realizing how badly Lone hurt his teacher, he ran to his aid. "Locke...Locke! Are you alright, master?! I'm so sorry! I got a bit carried away..." Locke slowly pushed himself to sit up. "Ugh...I think you broke a rib or two...." He turned and spat out a few teeth. "...Amongst other things..." he added.
Lonewolf lowered his head in shame. "I'm sorry, master...I don't know what came over me..." Locke turned back to regard Lonewolf and put a hand on top of Lone's head and smiled as he scruffled his hair. "Aww don't worry about it, kid. Ya did great! I've never seen such power in my life. You definately got what it takes to be a great warrior. I couldn't be prouder to call myself your teacher." Lonewolf looked up with a smile, "Really?" He asked. Locke nodded, "Really really." He said with a wink and a smile.
"Now." He struggled to stand to his feet, "If you'll excuse me, I must get going to get some medical attention. I think I'm bleedin' internally here..." Lonewolf winced, "I'm sorry..." he murmured with embarrassment. Locke laughed heartily, and patted Lonewolf on the back. "No worries, kid. Just wash up and I'll meet ya in the usual spot." Lonewolf nodded, then bowed to his teacher and left the alleyway.
Once he left, Locke's warm smile turned into a frown. "....there's somethin' about that kid...." He said softly to himself. "He's no ordinary sorcerer....where did he get such power..?" He gagged in pain for a moment, then spat some blood off to the side. "Ugh...I better get started on these wounds before I pass out here..." He limped off with his hand clutched to his side.
Chapter 2: Beauty and the Wolf
The beautiful town of Brigadine was always bussling with activity. The sound of blacksmiths hammering away on red hot blades atop an anvil, the smell of freshly cooked bakery, children playing tag or hide-and-go-seek. Such a beautifully lively place to live. Amongst the crowd, Lonewolf made his way to the "usual place" Locke had said they would meet at, until the outraged scream of a girl caught his attention.
He turned to hear where the commotion was coming from and found that it was coming from an alley. He slowly peeked around the corner to see what was going on. He was stunned by what he saw. There stood one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen, being mugged by two lowly thieves. One of the men was holding the girl's arms behind her head while the other was sifting through her belongings.
"HEY!!" Lonewolf stepped into the alleyway, "Leave her alone!" He cried out. The man who was sifting through her belongings dropped the girl's purse and slowly stood up. He drew a small dagger and was hunched over, as if he was ready to pounce on Lonewolf. Lonewolf returned the gesture by getting into a fighting stance. The mugger lurched forward attempting to stab at Lone's gut, but Lone grabbed onto the man's arm while side stepping and elbowed the mugger directly between the eyes with incredible force, knocking him out cold.
Once he looked up, the other mugger had a knife at the girl's throat. "Away with you! Or I gut the b***h!" Lonewolf glared at the man, but before either one of them could react, the girl swiftly brings her foot back, heel-kicking the mugger in the groin, then leaning forward, flinging the mugger over her and onto the floor. She then swiftly booted the mugger across the face, knocking him out cold. "That's for calling me a b***h!"
The girl fixed her hair by tying it into a ponytail, accentuating her perfectly shaped cheek bones and chin. She bent over to pick up her belongings, then looked up and giggled slightly at the dumbfounded expression on Lonewolf's face. "Thanks." She said simply, then walked past Lonewolf and into the crowd. "W..Wait!" Lonewolf snapped out of his trance and followed the girl.
After a few moments, Lonewolf had caught up with the girl. "Hold up..." He jogged over to her. The girl turned around, "What? You want some kind of reward for 'saving me'? Well you can forget it." Lonewolf shook his head, "No no no no, I don't want a reward. Although, in exchange for helping you out I would appreciate having your name." He smiled that same mischievous smile he learned from his teacher.
The girl smiled back, and made Lonewolf's heart skip a beat from the beauty in that smile. "It's Stephanie. Stephanie Gaudemus..and you are?" Lonewolf puffed up his chest, "Lonewolf." He said proudly. The girl lifted an eyebrow, "Lonewolf..? What kind of name is that? Do you even have a last name?" Lonewolf's puffed chest deflated. "Uh...no..." he said, a bit embarrassed. "I'm an orphan. Never met my parents, never knew my name. I was given this name at the age of 7 when my teacher took me off the streets to teach me in the arts of magic."
Stephanie's violet eyes grew wide at the mention of magic. "You know magic?? Wow, are you a sorcerer?" Lonewolf scratched the back of his head, "Well...a sorcerer in training...but I'm getting better!" He added quickly. Stephanie giggled at how red Lonewolf was getting. "I can sort of use magic too...though my brother tells me it's just the psychic blood that runs through our veins."
Lonewolf seemed confused, "Psychic..?" Stephanie nodded, her brown bangs bobbing up and down, "Mmm-hmm. Like, I can lift things with my mind and stuff, and sometimes when I'm not paying attention I can see stuff that's going to happen before it happens." Lonewolf nodded. "I see...so, where you headed?" Stephanie pointed at a nearby inn, "I work there." She said simply.
Lonewolf turned to see what inn she was pointing at and became baffled once he read the sign, "You work at the Moon Light inn?!?!" Stephanie giggled once again and nodded. Lonewolf's baffled expression didn't change, "But...that place is the roudious inn in town! Only scum goes there!" Stephanie shrugged, "They're nice to me...sometimes."
Lonewolf's expression changed to an expression of understanding, "So...that's how you learned to fight like that." Stephanie nodded again, "Sort of. I had some help from my brother, Mortamus." Lonewolf nodded, "It seems you've learned a lot from your brother." Stephanie smiled, "Yes. He's been my teacher, my brother and even my father."
Lonewolf lifted an eyebrow, "Father..?" Stephanie nodded, "Yes. You're not the only one who was an orphan. My mother died when she gave birth to me, and my father died from some kind of sickness carried from a rat when I was only 5. Mortamus was 17. He raised me with his wife, and we made a living from working here." She stopped at the Moon Light inn's door. "Want to meet him?" She asked. Lonewolf smiled, "Sure."
The Moon Light inn was also bussling with activity...a different kind of activity that is. Drunken men raving, men fighting, whores giggling. I'd hate to work here, thought Lonewolf. Once they entered the bar, all of the men were giving Lone dirty looks. A little boy, no older then 9 years old, suddenly ran towards Stephanie, "Stephanie!!" The little boy hugged Stephanie, which Stephanie returned with the same amount of enthusiasm. She picked him up and held him, then turned to Lonewolf.
"This is my Nephew, Rakku." She said with a smile, "Rakku, this is Lonewolf." Lonewolf extended a hand and smiled. "'Lonewolf'?? What kind of name is that??" Lonewolf's smile faded, and he put his extended hand in his pocket. "Nice to meet you too." He muttered. Stephanie laughed, then beckoned Lonewolf to follow her. "Come. He should be in the back as usual." She said.
A beautiful blond woman called out to Stephanie from behind the bar and waved, which Stephanie returned. "Who's that?" Asked Lonewolf. "That's my brother's wife, Lara." She said as she waved to her. They made their way through the thick crowd of drunken men and eventually made it to the back door. Stephanie put down Rakku and pulled out a key from her pocket and unlocked the door, then opened it as she smiled at Lonewolf, "Welcome to my humble abode." She stated as she opened the door, revealing a flight of stairs leading upward.
They made their way up the stairs, Rakku running up the stairs, as if he were racing them. "Be careful not to trip, Rakku." Stephanie called up to him. "I won't." He returned without looking back. Stephanie rolled her eyes and smiled at Lone, "Kids." She shrugged. Lonewolf chuckled at her comment as they got to the top of the stairs. They walked down a hallway and stopped at a door, "This is my brother's office." She stated.
She opened up the door. The room was elaborately colored with red, gold and brown, which was complimented by the sunlight that illuminated from a large window that took up a whole wall. Bookshelves alligned the sides of the room and a desk sat in the middle of it. Behind the desk was a chair, aligned with gold paint along its extravagant arms, facing the large window. The chair swiveled around, revealing a strong, broad shouldered man with immaculate dark purple hair that reached down to his shoulders. He smiled warmly at the company, a slight glint of light reflecting off his deep, violet eyes "Ah, Stephanie. How did the errand I sent you to do for me go?" Stephanie looked down, "Well....I got mugged." She said with a mock cheerful tone.
"What?!?!" Mortamus sat up from the chair and walked over to his sister quickly, examining her, seeing if she had any marks or scars. "Who?! Where?!" He asked furiously. Stephanie pushed him away gently, "It's ok, Mortamus. I was saved." Mortamus' attention then turned to Lonewolf.
"Mortamus, this is Lonewolf. He helped me this morning when I got mugged." A sneer crossed Mortamus' lips, "Let me guess...and now he wants a reward." The piercing glare Mortamus gave Lone sent chills down his spine. "No. I just wanted to introduce him to you is all." Said Stephanie. Mortamus' sneer faded, then he nodded to Lonewolf, "My apologies. I thought you were just another one of those damned vagabonds, always looking to get money from others by performing good deeds. I thank you for saving my sister." Mortamus bowed his head, which Lonewolf returned, "It was my pleasure, sir. I wasn't just going to sit by and let those muggers hurt your sister."
Mortamus seemed amused, "Ahh, the heroic type, eh?" Lonewolf smiled warmly and nodded respectfully, "I try, sir." Mortamus' amused smile faded, "Well I suggest you stop playing hero before you get yourself killed. Not a day goes by when I hear about some naive youngster around your age getting himself killed by gallivanting into danger carelessly just because he's ga-ga over a pretty face." Mortamus' scold struck deep.
Lonewolf blushed a bright red. "I...I..." He was speechless until Stephanie cut in, "You'll be surprised, brother. Lonewolf here is training to be a powerful sorcerer." She said, proudly defending the speechless Lonewolf. Mortamus snorted, "Hmph. A sorcerer? This little twig? Boy, I could snap you in two if I wished it." Mortamus laughed loudly, "Sorcerer...hahaha...right.." He shook his head while chuckling.
Lonewolf's blush of embarrassment turned into a blush of anger. "I am a sorcerer, sir. Trained by the great Locke himself!" He said proudly. Mortamus almost fell over in laughter at the mention of Locke's name, "LOCKE?! HAHAHAHA!! That BUM?!?! HAHAHAHAHA!!!" Lonewolf grit his teeth and clentched his fists hard. He felt like slugging Mortamus right then and there, or maybe kicking him out the window...either outcome would be satisfying right about now.
Stephanie walked over to Mortamus and slapped him hard across the face, which shut Mortamus up immediately. "How DARE you taunt my guest that way! This is the same 'boy' who helped save my life!" Mortamus looked down in shame and sighed heavily, "You are right, sister...I don't know what came over me. I think working in this damned bar for so long is beginning to stress me out.." He looked up at Lonewolf, "Forgive me, Lonewolf." Lonewolf's anger passed, "I accept your apology." He stated flatly.
Mortamus looked up at Stephanie, "Well, if you two may excuse me, I have some business to attend to. Stephanie, remember to be back before 5pm for your bartending shift." He looked back at Lonewolf, "Pleasure meeting you, Lonewolf. Perhaps you'll be able to prove my assumptions about you wrong some day." He smiled arrogantly and nodded, then walked out of his office.
"Don't mind him." Said Stephanie. "He's just a little jealous of you is all." She smiled warmly at Lonewolf. "Mehh...I don't mind." Lonewolf shrugged. Stephanie giggled, "You're lying." Lonewolf nodded, "Yup." She smiled and then took his hand, "Come on, let's get out of here." Lonewolf let himself be pulled out of the room, "I thought you'd never ask." He stated sarcastically with that familiar mischievous smile.
Together, the two young teenagers walked through the town. It seemed the more the two of them talked, the more they found how much they had in common. They talked for hours all through the morning and afternoon. Soon the sun began to set beyond the horizon.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Stephanie said as she sat down on the side of a large fountain with statues of several baby angels holding urns, which poured out water endlessly. Lonewolf lost all breath as he was stunned at the beautiful sight of the wind blowing at Stephanie's hair, drops of water sprinkling through the air, all topped off with the gorgeous sunset in the horizon. Lonewolf almost wished that he had an eisel and paint to capture this beautiful spectacle.
He couldn't contain himself any longer and just had to say it..."Not as beautiful as you." He stated sweetly, his eyes still held in thrall by Stephanie's beautiful violet eyes. Stephanie gasped suddenly, not expecting such a comment to come from Lonewolf. She then smiled warmly at Lonewolf, which he returned, his head slightly tilted to the side as he gazed upon her beauty.
He could sit there for days...just looking at her. Taking in her beauty. Breathing it. Smelling it....loving it. Now Lonewolf knew what people meant by that saying: "Love at first sight." He took a bold step and slowly brought up his right hand, touching the bottom of Stephanie's chin and slightly tilting it up, all the while gazing into her eyes...those beautiful violet eyes. He leaned in, eyes slowly shutting. He felt her leaning forward as well...
Suddenly, a voice came out of nowhere, coming from inside of Lonewolf's mind, startling him so bad that he fell into the water within the fountain. "Lone! Where the hell are ya, kid?! I've been waitin' here all day!" Lonewolf spat out water, "What happened?" Asked Stephanie, obviously trying to conceal laughter as to not insult Lonewolf. "Lose your balance..?" She couldn't help releasing a slight giggle..
Lonewolf's eyebrows furrowed as he stood up and wrenched his shirt to get the water out, "Ha, ha. Very funny..." He stepped out of the fountain and took off his boots and held them upside down to pour the water out. All the while, Stephanie tried her best to conceal laughter. "It's my teacher, Locke. He's calling me." He stated. "I must go, I'm sorry." He looked up at Stephanie apologetically.
Stephanie shrugged, "Ok. Wanna do this again tomorrow then?" Lonewolf nodded with a drenched smile, "Yes, of course!" Stephanie shrugged again, "Besides...I don't think I want to kiss you now that you're soaked in fountain water." She stated simply, obviously teasing Lonewolf. Lonewolf's eyebrows furrowed at that comment and an evil smirk crossed his lips, "Oh yeah??" He wrung his sleeve over Stephanie's head, dropping water into her hair and drenching the top of her head.
She gasped loudly and then shoved Lone back into the fountain, bursting in laughter as Lone slowly emerged with a frog atop his head. Her laughter ceased however when Lonewolf started splashing water in her direction. She screamed and ran away as fast as she could. As she was running she called out; "I'll see you tommorrow 'Mr. Hero'!" Her laughter could be heard in the distance. Lonewolf just stood in the fountain with a frog atop his head with a goofy smile across his face. "Lonewolf..." He said to himself. "I think you're in love." The frog hopped off his head and back into the fountain water.
Chapter 3: Sword of the Fallen Devil
Locke waited impatiently atop the roof of the same building near the alley where he had first revealed himself to Lonewolf. "Damnit kid, where are ya?" He sighed heavily with his arms crossed as he tapped his foot repeatedly. Suddenly, a drenched young man appeared atop the roof in front of Locke. "Miss me?" Asked Lonewolf.
Locke examined Lonewolf for a moment, "Um...why are you all soaked..?" Lonewolf scratched the back of his head, "Heh...don't ask." He said. "Then how about asking this: where the hell have you been?!" Lonewolf looked away, embarrassed, "I met...a girl.." He admitted. The anger in Locke's eyes ceased and a slight smirk teased his lips. "Ahh...I see."
Lonewolf examined his teacher for a moment and a puzzled expression pervaded his face. "Didn't I break some of your ribs earlier? And I see you've gotten some of your teeth back...but..how is that possible..?" Locke's smirk grew wider, "I'm going to show you. Watch carefully..." Locke took out a small dagger and slit his own left wrist. He stood there for a moment watching as the blood poured out.
Lonewolf couldn't help, but feel shocked and disgusted at what his teacher did to himself. Suddenly, Locke's eyes shut and a faint white light glowed from his right palm. He held the light over his wrist and said a few incantations, "By the Light. I Heal Thee." The cut in his wrist miraculously disappeared.
Lonewolf's eyes were wide with wonder. "Now you try." Said Locke. Lone couldn't help but ask, "How..?" Locke smiled, "Alright. First, close your eyes and focus energy into your palm, much like your Sphere of Destruction spell, only instead of focusing on negative energy, focus on positive energy. Hold that energy in your hand and embrace it." Lone did just that(which wasn't hard, considering his "positive" thoughts came from his time with Stephanie) and after a few minutes, his palm began to glow just as Locke's did.
"Now..." continued Locke, "Hold it over a wound." Again with the knife, Locke cut a small wound on his own forearm and held it to Lonewolf. Lone did just as Locke said and held the light over his wound. "Then repeat after me: By the Light..." Lone repeated, "I Heal Thee." Lone repeated again. The wound disappeared. Locke smiled, "See? I knew ya had it in you kid." Lonewolf was still a little dazed from the warm feeling the spell gave him. "Aww, don't worry about it, kid. That's just an after-effect." Lonewolf nodded slightly.
"Now, time for lesson two. All this time I've been teaching you how to cast spells and fight unarmed, but now that you are older I think it's time that you learned how to fight with a blade." Lonewolf looked around, expecting Locke to toss him a sword of some kind, but there was nothing but rubble atop the roof.
Locke seemed amused at Lone's confusion. He then crossed his forearms forming an "X" then slid his left hand down to his right bicep while straightening out his right forearm, his right index and middle fingers pointing upward. "Sword of the Fallen Devil!" He then extended his right arm diagonally down off to the side while extending only his index finger and middle finger. Suddenly, a dark blue, energy blade extended from his two fingers. He held it up for Lone to see, then stated: "Begone." The blade dissipated from his fingers.
Locke nodded to Lonewolf, "Now you try...first, cross your forearms like an 'X' as I did, extending all fingers. Then concentrate piercing energy into the tips of your left fingers. After that, slide your left hand down to your right bicep without disconnecting the two arms. Place all fingers on your right bicep and channel the energy into it...let it flow through your veins and into your right index finger and middle finger only. Once the energy is ready, say the incantation: Sword of the Fallen Devil! Then disconnect your arms and hold out your right two fingers away from you and let the sword form its shape. You MUST put an EXACT amount of energy into the blade. Not too much, not too little, it needs to be just right. Remember this."
Lonewolf did everything as his teacher said for him to do. However, try as he might, he kept fumbling the spell, either not putting enough energy or putting too much. Locke patted Lonewolf on the back, "Heh, you'll get the hang of it, kid. No worries. That's a pretty tricky spell to get used to." Suddenly, a loud "BOOM!" interrupted the training session, "What was that?!" Lone turned around quickly.
Smoke was billowing from the town of Brigadine and the sky...the sky was painted with black. Thousands of strange, bat-like creatures swarmed into the village. "NO!!" Lonewolf cried. He looked back at Locke, "Come on! We need to do something!" Locke hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Yea.. Let's go" He grabbed onto Lonewolf's wrist, "...Away..." They both disappeared from the roof.
* * * * *
The once beautiful town of Brigadine was now covered in flames. Men dying, women getting raped, children trying to find somewhere to hide. The air was filled with the scent of both burnt flesh and wood. The wind held a coppery taste to it, like blood. It was truly a horrible sight to behold.
The brave young 15 year old girl, Stephanie, fended off the demons with her bo-staff. Keeping them away from the Moon Light inn's entrance. However, an unseen enemy readies itself to pounce on its unsuspecting prey, but in mid-pounce is sliced in half by a rather large broadsword. Mortamus fought alongside his sister, ready to give his life if he had to in order to save her.
Meanwhile, Lonewolf and Locke appeared on the outskirts of the village. "My God..." said Locke with a choked tone to his voice. Lonewolf couldn't believe his eyes...he has never seen such horror and this sight will surely taint him for the rest of his life.
"Snap out of it, Lone!" Locke shook him furiously, "Remember what I taught you! Now go! Save as many people as you can, kid!!" Locke summoned the Sword of the Fallen Devil, then unsheathed a dagger from his left thigh. He rushed through the orange and red abyss. Lonewolf stood there, still stunned by the horrific sight, until a familiar scream caught his attention, "Stephanie..." He said softly as if in a trance.
As he grew near Stephanie and the Moon Light inn, Lonewolf was stopped by a huge demon with a long crooked blade. It swooped down on him, attempting to slice off Lonewolf's head, but he rolled forward, barely ducking the attack. He ran to a nearby anvil that had a rapier on it and picked it up quickly. Just in time to turn around and parry the second attack from the beast aimed at Lonewolf's mid-section.
He booted the demon in the face, forcing it back, then held out his right palm and shot a large purple energy blast from it, blowing the demon to bits. He wiped sweat off his brow with his forearm then continued to the Moon Light inn.
"Help us! Please!" Lonewolf heard a plea for help coming from a woman who was trying desperately to grab her child who was lying on the floor helpless and crying wildly. She was being dragged away by two demons, one each holding an ankle as they pulled the woman who was clawing at the ground, desperately trying to get to her child.
Lonewolf had seen enough, and without a moment's hesitation, jumped in and sliced one of the demon's head off with the rapier he had. The other demon dropped the woman's ankle, not caring as the woman crawled to her child and picked it up, then ran for her life. The demon's eyes grew a bright red, then it opened both hands suddenly, causing two blades, one in each hand, to appear.
Lonewolf stepped back a few steps, hesitant to fight this dual wielding demon. He tried his best to block/parry its attacks, but the demon's attacks were proving to be too much for Lonewolf to handle with only one blade. The demon forced Lonewolf to his knees. It lifted one of its blades for the killing stroke, but Lonewolf held his arms in front of himself forming an "X" then quickly shifting his left hand down to his right bicep as he extended two right fingers, "Sword of the Fallen Devil!" Lonewolf thrust his right two fingers forward, aiming at the demon's mid section as the demon was bringing down its blade to finish Lonewolf.
Suddenly, a blue energy blade extended from Lonewolf's two fingers, piercing the demon through the stomach. Lonewolf moved the blade upward, slicing the demon right down the middle as he exited the blade from the demon's skull. He took a moment to study the blue energy blade, smirking slightly as he was happy he had finally gotten the spell right. He then bent down to pick up the rapier he had found and held it in his left hand, dual wielding, both the rapier and the energy blade.
"Stephanie!" Relieved to see that Stephanie was okay as she breaks a demon's neck with one strong horizontal swing from her staff, Lonewolf ran towards her. The blue energy blade dissipating as he drops the rapier from his left hand, "Lone!!" Stephanie drops her staff and runs to Lonewolf.
They hug each other strongly for a moment, then Lonewolf pulls back, "I thought you'd..." Stephanie put a finger over his mouth before he finished his sentence, "I'm fine." She said, smiling. "Come quickly, my brother needs aid protecting the inn!" Lonewolf nodded. They both picked up their weapons again and ran towards the inn, which was now swarming with demons.
A single man, broad shouldered and wielding a very large broadsword, sliced at the oncoming demons. Felling one after the other with expertise. Stephanie and Lonewolf ran into the fray to help him out. Mortamus using sheer brute strength to destroy his enemies, Lonewolf ducking and dodging, using his rapier and various offensive spells to pick off his enemies one by one and Stephanie using her bo-staff, delivering a devastating blow after blow to her enemies. Unbeknownst to them, however, a demon flies up to the large window leading to Mortamus' office.
* * * * *
"It's going to be ok, Rakku...don't be afraid. You're father will save us." Lara, Mortamus' beloved wife cooed her frightened nine year old boy. "It's going to be ok....it's going to be ok..." She kept repeating as she stroked her son's silver hair over and over, tears running down her cheeks uncontrollably. Rakku held tight to his mommy, never wanting to let go.
A loud noise of shattered glass caused both his mother and himself to jump slightly. "What was that mommy?" Rakku looked up at his mother, hoping for a response. She was frozen. Rakku couldn't contain a sob, "Shh...stay quiet, baby! Be still and be quiet..." His mother hissed. The footsteps coming from the hallway grew closer and closer.
Lara slowly got up and grabbed the nearest weapon she could find...a kitchen knife. She stood by the doorway, waiting intently for the stranger. Once she saw its shadow, she leaped out to stab the demon, however she missed its heart as it weaved to the side, getting its shoulder only.
The demon roared in pain and shoved the woman down onto the floor. It then began clawing at Lara's clothing, ripping it off little by little as she flailed about. It punched her hard, causing her to stop, then continued to tear at her clothes until she was completely naked.
Rakku hid in the cupboards under the sink, watching helplessly as his mother got ravaged violently by the demon. A single tear rolled down his cheek as he remembered his mother's words: "Stay quiet, baby."
He covered his mouth, stifling his sobs as he watched in horror as the demon finally finish with his mother and then guts her with its claws. Rakku closed his eyes tightly, never wanting to get out of the cupboards, still cupping his mouth with his hands as he rocked back and forth trying not to make any noise...
* * * * *
Lonewolf and the others had just finished fighting off the last wave of enemies. They stayed alert, ready to take on more, until Stephanie gasped loudly and cried out. Mortamus and Lone both turn to regard Stephanie and see her pointing up at Mortamus' office window which was shattered to bits.
Mortamus needed no words to know what had happened, "LAAAARAAAAAA!!!!!" He roared as he rushed into the inn. He broke down the door in the back of the bar completely, then rushed up the stairs, Lonewolf and Stephanie close behind. Mortamus followed the shards of glass to their kitchen. Mortamus stood at the doorway speechless and stunned at what was before him.
Lonewolf and Stephanie look over his broad shoulders to see what had happened. Stephanie gasped lightly as tears rolled down her cheeks, "No...oh no....my God....noo..." Lonewolf stood there, his eyebrows furrowed and his upper lip curled, downright disgusted at the sight of such cruelty and evil.
Mortamus slowly walked forward, then his knees buckled. He fell at the side of his once beautiful wife's teared and broken body. He reached down and cradled his wife's head in his arms. Her green eyes stared blankly up at the ceiling. He rocked back and forth and back and forth, constantly mumbling the same word, "No..no..no..no..no..no..no...no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-NO!!!!" His head whipped back, tears bursting from his tightly shut eyes:
"NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Chapter 4: Scars
It has been 2 years since that horrid night. The town of Brigadine has been restored to it's normal state, however the memory of the event that had passed still remains. A memorial plate had been bolted to the very same fountain that Lonewolf and Stephanie shared their first date on and now holds the engraved list of hundreds of casualties from that night. The park where Lonewolf had grown up playing on was now a graveyard. Residents of Brigadine were now more paranoid and everyone had locks on their doors. Mornings were no longer bussling with activity and nights were silent and desolate. Not even a single cricket sounded through the cold wind.
Lonewolf, now 17 and fully matured with his teachings, stood atop the church, standing beside the church bell. The wind blew silently, blowing his brown bangs aside and causing his cape to flow like wings of a raven. He has now self-appointed himself as "gaurdian" of the town of Brigadine ever since that tragic day. He vowed to never let anything like that happen again...not in his hometown.
As he gazed down upon the quiet moonlit town, he couldn't help from keeping his mind wander. He and Stephanie were now deeply in love, however things have changed drastically. Mortamus was now a walking statue; his facial expression never changing and his eyes gazing ahead, as if he was lost in his own world and only he can see what lies before him. Who knows what's going on through his mind. As much as Lonewolf hated to admit it, he kinda liked Mortamus better with that arrogant attitude of his...at least he was more alive back then, he thought.
As for Mortamus' son, Rakku, who was now 11 years old...well...he is a bit of a sad case that one. Ever since the night he saw his mother get raped and murdered, he has not been the same. He's isolated from the world and spends most of his time in his room by himself. Every time Stephanie tries to talk to him, Rakku just keeps pushing her away, yelling and cursing at her saying stuff like: "You're not my mother!!" or "Just leave me alone!!" Who knows what's going to happen to that kid when he gets older. Lonewolf shuddered at the thought.
And as for his teacher, Locke, well he went his own way once he saw that Lone had matured into a man and had completed his training. He said his goodbyes just a few months ago and drifted into the night, never to be seen again. It broke Lone's heart when he lost his teacher/friend/father, but he accepted the fact that he was gone now.
Locke always was a drifter, always traveling from town to town around the world, meeting new people and sharing his knowledge of magic to those he deemed worthy. Quite the vagabond, thought Lonewolf as he smiled to himself, knowing that a bit of Locke's personality had rubbed off on himself. Perhaps he'll see him again someday...who knows.
"Think you could take a break from your guardian duties for a little while Mr. Hero?" Lonewolf closed his eyes and smiled warmly. "No." He said playfully. He turned to regard his beloved Stephanie, and opened his arms. Stephanie walked towards him and placed both her palms onto Lone's chest and rested her head against them as Lone wrapped his arms around her along with his cape and placed his chin atop her head. He closed his eyes, basking in the ecstasy of his beloved's perfume.
They remained like that for a few minutes, until Lonewolf finally broke the silence, "2 more days..." he whispered. "I can hardly wait." She whispered back. They were scheduled to get married in the next 2 days on a Saturday. "Have you told your brother yet?" Stephanie hesitated slightly, "...no...not yet." Lonewolf nodded slightly, "I understand...how is he doing by the way?"
Stephanie remained leaning against Lone's chest, "Worse...he's losing his mind, Lone...the other day I found him in his room with hundreds of books on ancient artifacts..." Lonewolf shrugged, "So what? So he's got a new found interest in history." Stephanie looked up at Lonewolf with tears in her eyes, "Lone...he hasn't bathed for the past few weeks...he is obsessing over these books, and when I ask him what he's doing he just barks at me and tells me to 'mind my own business.'" Lonewolf had a baffled expression on his face, "...a really really big interest in history..." he said jokingly and smiled that familiar mischievous smile.
Stephanie didn't seem amused. Lonewolf sighed and his expression softened as he stroked her hair softly, "I'm sure it's nothing to be worried about." He assured her. Stephanie smiled weakly and sniffled a little, then rested her head back onto Lonewolf's chest as she wrapped her arms around him and held him tightly. "I hope you're right, Lone...I hope you're right." They remained in each others arms atop the bell tower for the rest of the night until sunrise.
* * * * *
Meanwhile, in Mortamus' office atop the Moon Light inn, Mortamus vigorously read the incantations of a spell from one of his "artifact" books, cleverly disguised to not reveal what the books really were. He had been studying necromancy, the forbidden sorcery of death and destruction, for the past few months behind his sister and son's backs.
Ever since he had lost his beloved Lara, he has been searching vigorously through the libraries for possible ways he could obtain enough power to resurrect his dead wife. He was too weak to save his beloved wife, but after mastering the art of necromancy, he'll be able to bring his beloved back to him. He ignored the warnings in the books that learning necromancy not only taints one's soul, but can drive the learner to absolute insanity if he/she wasn't careful.
Needless to say, Mortamus has been quite careless in learning this magic and is slowly, but surely losing himself. "Losing my sanity is a small price to pay in return for for you, my love." He kept reminding himself. The power to not only bring his wife back to him, but to rid the earth of demons once and for all! No! He refuses to give up such an opportunity. He will continue to learn this magic for her....his beloved Lara.
He took a moment to turn away from his book to grab a picture frame with the picture of his deceased wife on it. He kissed it so hard that the glass of the frame cracked and cut his lips slightly. He ignored the pain and put the blood stained frame back down where he got it as if nothing happened. He licked the blood off his lips as he continued to read his book.
* * * * *
In the bathroom just down the hall, Mortamus did not notice his son's sobs coming from within. Rakku stood hunched over the bathroom sink which was painted red with blood...Rakku's blood from his wrists which he had cut. It was beginning to be a bad habit, but Rakku couldn't help it anymore...every night he suffered from the same nightmare.
He would see through a small crack from within a cupboard, his mom being ravaged by a disgusting demon, over and over and over again. When the nightmares got too horrendous, he'd always retreat back to the bathroom, sobbing heavily and grabs a shaving razor and slices his wrists. It was the only way to soothe his pain really...seeing all that blood. Feeling his life pour out of him ever so slowly. It was ecstasy.
His eyes rolled back into his head as his entire body convulsed in pleasure. "Mother..." He sighed. "I want to be with you....mommy...." He sobbed again and he lowered his head down onto the edge of the sink and rested it there as he cried and cried. Both, tears and blood flowing out of him. He had no mother, and at the same time lost his father. He had nobody, he thought. He was alone in this world...so alone. So much blood...he passed out from the blood loss.
Chapter 5: Dissaproval
Later that night, Stephanie returns to the Moon Light inn, only to find the bathroom door half opened and what appeared to be someone's legs on the floor. She rushed to open the door only to find Rakku covered in his own blood and as pale as a sheet of paper. "Oh my God!! Mortamus!!!!" She cried out as she held the unconscious Rakku in her hands. "Rakku! Wake up! Please!! God no...not again....Mortamus!!! Rakku is hurt!!"
At the mention of his son, Mortamus bolted out from his office. He looked like a wreck and looked highly irritated. "Can't you see that I am studying?! Why must you always...Rakku!" He stopped mid-sentence once he saw his dying son in Stephanie's hands. "What did you do?! Get away from him!" Mortamus shoved Stephanie away from Rakku with such force that she slammed into a nearby mirror, shattering it to bits.
"I didn't do anything! What the hell is the matter with you?!" Mortamus just sat there rocking back and forth with his son's head in his arms. "No no no no no no...." He kept murmuring as he caressed his limp son's head. Stephanie dusted herself off and pulled a few glass shards from her arm as she stepped over Mortamus and Rakku and headed for a window. Once she found one, she opened it and called out to Lonewolf, who was casually walking away from the inn. "Lonewolf! Get help! Rakku's hurt!" With a quick nod, Lonewolf swiftly turned and bolted to the town's doctor's house.
The following day, Stephanie, Mortamus and Lonewolf stood around Rakku's bed with Rakku laying in it and the doctor sitting beside him. "Well...he's gonna be in a coma for a little while, but I think he'll be alright. Long as this blood transfusion doesn't get tampered with." The doctor tapped the device beside Rakku's bed which was gradually pouring blood into Rakku from a glass container.
"Good thing you found the boy as soon as you did. He was about a few drops of blood away from death." Said the doctor as he patted Lonewolf on the shoulder, "You truly are quite the hero young man. Keep this up and perhaps you'll become a legend around these parts." The doctor winked at Lone and smiled as he nodded in approval.
Lonewolf flushed with embarrassment at the compliment, "...thanks..." He said modestly and respectfully. No one noticed the sneer on Mortamus' upper lip in response to this display of flattery. The doctor then nodded to Mortamus, who didn't nod back, then Stephanie and proceeded to leave the room, courteously closing the door behind him.
The three of them stood around Rakku for a few minutes. After a few moments, Mortamus broke the silence, "This would've never happened if you weren't gallivanting around town with that pathetic excuse for a hero..." Mortamus nodded at Lonewolf, "...pretending to be 'guardians' of the town!" Stephanie's jaw dropped with outrage at this accusation. "Well maybe if you didn't have your damn nose glued to your 'artifact' books, you'd have payed a little more attention to your son!!" Mortamus' face grew red with rage, he didn't know what to say and got tongue-tied for a bit, eventually he spat out five words: "Get out of my sight!!" He growled.
"GLADLY!" Stephanie turned to grab onto Lonewolf's arm and yanked him out of the room with her, "Come on Lone!" She said as she dragged him with her. Mortamus' sneer grew more menacing as he watched his sister leave the room with Lonewolf.
Lonewolf....how he despised that boy. Always acting like he's some kind of big shot. Calling himself a "hero" just because he helps little old women take out their garbage. "Hmph!" Mortamus snorted, "I'll become a much more powerful hero then he could ever imagine to be." He said to himself reassuringly. He then left the room without looking back at his comatose son and headed back to his office to continue his studies in the art of Necromancy.
Outside, by the fountain where they shared their first date, Lonewolf tries his best to calm a flustered Stephanie. "Don't worry about it, Steph, you're brother is going through a lot. I mean, first he lost his wife and now he almost lost his son. It's completely understandable that he'd pretty much hate the world..."
Stephanie stopped her pacing to turn and glare at Lone, "What the hell do you think I'M going through?! Mortamus was practically a father to me, Lara was practically my mother and Rakku is my only nephew! They're the only family I've got and I'm slowly losing ALL of them!" Lonewolf's head slumped down at this, he wasn't sure of what to say, after a few moments he looked up slowly, "...you still have me." He said softly.
Stephanie's glare went from angry, to confused as she darted her eyes from side to side as she looked down, then her shoulders slumped as she heaved out a heavy sigh. "...you're right." She said as she nodded soberly. "I'm sorry, Lone...I've just been going through so much stress lately and..." She was interrupted by Lonewolf's right index finger covering her mouth.
"No need for apologies, Steph." He said softly as he drew her near and wrapped his arms around her, "I understand that you are going through a lot right now, as well as everyone else in your family. It's okay to vent out your frustrations. I just want you to know that I'll always be here for you, babe."
His hug grew slightly tighter as he continued to whisper into her ears, "If you need a shoulder to cry on, I'm here. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. If you just need someone to hold...I'm here." He kissed her lightly under her ear, then rested his chin on her shoulder as he held her in his arms. Tears flowed down Stephanie's cheeks as she hugged him back just as tight, "I love you..." She whispered through tears. "I love you too, Steph...I love you too." Returned Lonewolf as he patted her softly on her back then rubbed her back with the same hand.
"I'm just...scared..." Said Stephanie with a choked up voice as she held back tears. "I know...I know..." Said Lonewolf, still rubbing Stephanie on the back reassuringly. "No...I mean I'm scared...of HIM.." continued Stephanie. Lonewolf seemed a little surprised at this and drew back to look at her face, "Mortamus..? Why?" Stephanie looked up at Lonewolf, her eyes no longer holding frustration and anger...instead she had the eyes of a scared, lost child.
"Didn't you see the way he was glaring at me Lone? He's....I dunno.....he's not himself anymore...and...my dreams..." Lonewolf cocked an eyebrow, "Dreams?" Stephanie nodded slowly, "Yes....I've been having these nightmares...of Mortamus becoming evil and the same image keeps popping up." Lonewolf seemed curious, "Image?" He asked.
Stephanie nodded, "Yes....it's a very stormy night, and my brother is standing atop a very high cliff. He looks different though...a little older and his outfit....he's clad in gold armor with a black cape and red pants and bracers. He's holding a man by the throat in the rain. It's hard to make the man's face out at first, due to the darkness, until a flash of lightning strikes, revealing the man's face for just a second.....it's you Lone...only you look different. Older, and you have a large scar beginning from above your right eyebrow and sloping diagonally, ending at your left cheek. I know my lover's face anywhere and I tell you Lone...it's you who I see every night being choked by my brother, then he tosses you off the cliff like some kind of doll....you fall....and fall....and fall....and.."
Lonewolf had to shake Stephanie by her shoulders to snap her out of it, "Stephanie!" He called out once again, finally waking her up from her trance. Stephanie blinked her eyes and then looked at Lonewolf as if she hasn't seen him for a very long time, her eyes fill with tears as she holds Lonewolf tightly, "Oh Lone! I don't want to lose you!" She cried aloud as she burst into tears, burying her face into Lonewolf's chest.
Lonewolf seemed stunned by all this and speechless. He had no idea what to say. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her again, as he stared forward at nothing. Stephanie's "dreams" have always proved to come true in the past. Lonewolf even recalled a time where they tried to prevent one of her dreams from happening...yet it still happened.
Will Mortamus really kill me in the future..? He thought. Lonewolf was stunned. No...impossible. He refused to believe it. There must be something unseen in this image of hers...right..? "I'm not going anywhere, Steph...." He said reassuringly, however he wasn't one hundred percent sure if whether or not that were true...
* * * * *
Later that evening, Stephanie returned to the Moon Light inn. She slowly edged the door to the back room open and made her way up the steps to the second floor as quietly as she could. Just as she was about to enter her room, she heard the creaking sound of a door opening followed by heavy footsteps echoing in the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat. Though she knew exactly whose heavy footsteps those were, she couldn't help but feel terrified.
"You're late...again." The deep, menacing voice sent a cold shiver down Stephanie's spine. She turned to regard her brother, but hesitated a moment once she saw how he looked. His hair was completely disheveled, his white, frilly shirt was open widely around his chest, revealing his glistening, tanned skin that was covered in sweat. Even his shirt was beginning to grow a disgusting yellow-ish color around the collar and armpit areas. He looked as though he hadn't shaved in days, and the smell....simply horrid.
Stephanie's nose twitched before she answered. "I am a grown woman, Mortamus. I'll come and go as I please." She stated simply, then turned and began to open her bedroom door. Mortamus' hand caught the door knob before she did. "I don't like you hanging around that boy so late at night, Stephanie." He said with controlled anger in his voice.
Stephanie crossed her arms and gave Mortamus a defiant glare, "And I don't like you staying cooped up in your office all the time and letting your hygiene suffer like this. Seriously, Mort...have you taken a whiff of yourself lately? I've smelled wet, stray dogs who smelled better then you." She cocked an eyebrow at him, followed by a mischievous grin, obviously learned from spending a little too much time with her lover.
"DON'T YOU CHANGE THE SUBJECT ON ME!!!" Mortamus roared as he grabbed hold of Stephanie's neck and picked her up off the ground, then slammed her back into her bedroom door as his fingers remained tightly wrapped around her throat.
"You will learn to do what I say from now on...even if I have to cast a spell on you to keep it that way!" He squeezed tighter as if to emphasize his words further. Stephanie gasped for air as her legs dangled in mid-air. "...Mort...am....us......I....I can't...breathe..." Mortamus' eyes suddenly flashed a bright red color. "Now then...you will tell me EVERYTHING that has been going on between you and Lonewolf..."
Stephanie's eyes fluttered into a daze. "Yes, master." She stated with no emotion in her tone. Mortamus began cackling loudly, he couldn't believe it! It worked! His mind control spell worked! Now...he can finally learn what has been going on between Lonewolf and his sister behind his back.
* * * * *
Elsewhere in the town, Lonewolf trained vigorously atop the church's roof. He had hung a large sand bag by a rope atop one of the wooden planks from the ceiling. He punched and kicked at this bag for hours, training his endurance, stamina, and resistance. He was clad only in his navy blue slacks, boots and fingerless gloves.
He suddenly heard a faint noise come from the shadows behind him. Immediately, he held out his palm towards the shadowy figure, a faint dark purple light emitted from the middle of his palm. "Who goes there?!" He demanded.
The figure stepped out from the shadows, revealing herself in the moon light. "Stephanie? What are you doing here? I thought you were going home?" Lonewolf had a faint, but surprised smile on his lips as he walked up to his lover to greet her in the proper manner, but Stephanie stepped back away from Lone before he could hug her.
Lone looked somewhat confused at first, but then smiled embarrassingly, "Oh I see, yeah...sorry about the sweat." He scratched the back of his head as a goofy expression pervaded his face. Stephanie didn't say anything. "Steph...you ok?" Lonewolf's expression changed from embarrassed to worried. "I'm fine." She stated with no emotion.
Lonewolf cocked an eyebrow, "It doesn't seem like it." He said as he crossed his arms and looked at her suspiciously. "I've come to call off the wedding." She stated, again, no emotion. "WHAT?!" Lonewolf looked completely dumbfounded. Did he hear her right? Call off the wedding? Perhaps he misunderstood her? He calmed himself down before responding, "You mean 'postpone' the wedding...right..?"
Stephanie remained expressionless, "No. I am canceling the wedding...for good. I've come to realize that I don't really love you as much as I thought I did. In fact, I find you somewhat boring and delusional. You act like you're the hero of the town, when you're really just some teen-aged kid who will never amount to anything or ever get a steady job in his life. You're a bum, Lone. Just as much as your teacher, Locke, is. So please. Don't ever talk to me again, and stay away from me from now on. You actually kind of creep me out with your clingy-ness." A disgusted look crossed her face. "Good-bye, Lone. It was fun." She waved, then turned and walked back down the ladder.
Lonewolf stood there...completely at a loss for words. He didn't move or even budge for the next few hours. Was this a nightmare? Somebody...please...wake me up. These thoughts crossed his mind over and over.
He didn't want to believe what had just happened, happened....but it did. That was her. That was Stephanie, in the flesh and blood, talking to him. Was she just taking him for a ride the entire time? Was everything a lie? It all must have been! She never truly cared about me!! Lonewolf's petrified body twitched slightly.
A faint glimmer of light can be seen rolling down his cheek as the full moon's light reflected on it. He felt like collapsing right then and there. Just fall down dead. The one girl he had loved with all of his heart and soul, had called him "delusional" and "creepy". The same girl who he had shared so many nights of ecstasy with. The one girl who he could've told anything in the world to. The one girl he trusted with his own very life. She had pierced his heart and twisted the blade. It was over....he had nothing left to live for...
He fell to his knees. More tears began to surface at the reams of his eyes. They fell. His cheeks were moist, yet he felt nothing. His body was completely numb. So many tears....
* * * * *
Lonewolf committed the next few months trying to get back with Stephanie. From sending "Forgive me" letters to serenading her outside her window...nothing seemed to work. She seemed to dissapear from the face of the earth. Until he came across her one day...
"Stephanie..." She had her hands full with groceries and her bo-staff. She stopped at the mention of her name, though she did not turn to regard Lonewolf. "Please..." Lonewolf, with tears in his eyes, reached out with a weak and shaking hand to touch her shoulder and try to turn her to face him. "Forg-..."
He was interrupted by a swift slap to his face. "Don't you touch me, you psycho!" Stephanie had dropped her groceries to the floor only to slap Lone across the face. Lonewolf just stood there with his head turned to the side, the long bangs of his hair covering his eyes. "For months you've been hounding me like some sort of stalker! I've had it with you! Can't you take a hint?! I DON'T LOVE YOU!!" She held up her bo-staff, "Must I beat these words into you?!"
Lonewolf seemed unphased by her threat. "How can you say such things...after all that we have shared together..." Stephanie swung her staff and knocked Lonewolf across the face, causing him to fall to the floor, "Shut-up!" She cried out as she hit him. "Just leave me alone!" She prodded his back violently with the bottom of her staff, then kicked dirt into his face as she picked up her groceries and walked away.
Lonewolf just layed there in the mud, lying in a pool of blood and tears.
Chapter 6: A Broken Man
"Hand of Py...awww." A young girl attempted the spell, but failed. The man standing beside her patted the girl on the shoulder reassuringly, "You will learn the spell soon enough, Arianna." The man smiled mischievously at the girl, "You'll see." He added. The girl looked up at her teacher and bowed respectfully, "Yes, master. I will continue to train hard." The man nodded in recognition, then turned to leave.
Zanaria was a dark town, filled with criminals and cut-throats. It was a port town for pirates and smugglers. They'd come to drink themselves to a drunken stoopor, pleasure themselves with the town's whores, maybe pick a few fights here and there, then leave on their rotting ships with their oily crewmates. It was a disgusting town, but the only thing keeping Locke in it, was the orphan he had fatefully come across.
Her name was Arianna. She had long, beautiful black silky hair, accompanied with soft, pale skin. The poor girl had lost her entire family to a band of pirates. Her father was killed in cold blood, her mother was tortured and raped to death, and her twin sister, Elliana, was taken away with the pirates. Locke was too late when he had arrived to the scene. All that was left was the broken remains of what used to be a beautiful home, and a poor little girl, no older then 7, weeping ever so softly on the floor.
He had adopted her that night and had been training her for the past 2 years. Though only 9, the child had much potential in her. It almost rivaled the potential of Lonewolf, Locke's last pupil. She will grow to be a powerful sorceress, indeed. However, Locke sensed a conserved hatred within the girl's soul. She yearned for revenge of the death of her parents and possible death of her sister. That was her drive to push herself further and further in Locke's teachings.
Though glad that she had some kind of motivation for her training, Locke didn't approve of her dark desires. Of course, that was her business however. Locke only trained his pupils. What they do with their lives from then on is their decision, he didn't care.
Still...his bond of friendship he shared with his last pupil, Lonewolf, was quite unique. He knew deep down inside, that boy will become a legend one of these days. He was very proud of Lone, and is proud to admit that he was his teacher.
He made his way to the town's pub. It was as rowdy as ever tonight. Men fist fighting and throwing over tables, rum splashing all over the floor. Whores giggling, men laughing loudly, thieves pick-pocketing, perverts a**-grabbing...the usual ol' band of villains and murderers. Locke ignored them, as he usually did, and made his way to the bar table.
The bartender knew him well and smiled broadly at Locke. Locke returned the gesture, "I'll have the usual tonight, Gregory." The bartender nodded, turned to get Locke's drink ready, then swooped back around and shoved a tall glass of rum in Locke's direction. Locke caught the bottle and took a sip quietly, then looked back at the bartender and gave him a small salute with his glass.
He sat at the bar and began to take in his surroundings. Amongst all the boisterous men and women, Locke noticed a familiar looking man sitting in the far corner, alone with his drink and many empty glasses beside him. Locke stood up and began to slowly make his way towards the disheveled man, whose face was veiled by his brown bangs that hung over his eyes and nose. Locke quietly sat across from the man.
"Never would've thought I would see you in a place like this." He stated with a mischievous grin, then took another sip of his rum. The man across from Locke remained silent, drinking to himself and not even bothering to look up at his former teacher. Locke's head tilted slightly to the left, "You look like s**t. What happened to you, Lone?" He asked with a touch of sincerety to his tone.
Lonewolf remained silent for a few moments, ".....leave me alone." He said flatly. His voice was hoarse, and surprisingly cold-hearted. he didn't sound like the Lonewolf Locke knew. "Come now...you know you can tell me anything, kid. Besides...I doubt that you've been following me all this time just to tell me to leave you alone."
Lonewolf looked up, finally revealing his eyes. He looked somewhat shocked, "How did you..?" Locke smiled mischievously as he tapped his temple with his right index finger, "...Eyes on the back of my head, kid." Lonewolf looked a bit embarrassed as he looked downward, he hesitated for a few moments, then responded, "It's Stephanie
