Chapter 10 - The Two Towers
Kakurine gazes at the floating fortress. It had extremely high walls and the only opening was a bronze gate with a deep moat around it. It floated on an island and it was continuously moving. Here it seemed far away and Kakurine knew Ferciol had the upperhand this time. He always seemed to know what the next move of the GSGs would be........Kakurine sighs. She knew that they had traitors in their midst and it saddened her. Ferciol knew everything about them and she knew this would be a difficult battle to win.
Kakurine gathers up her leaders.
Yuumi, Chidori, Flik, Rei, Sora, Garnet, Genezide, Machi, Dylan,Greiner, Nanami and Kulitkoh. Her face is serious as she talks to them about their planned attack against Ferciol.
Kakurine: But first, we have to find out these "3 rings" Luc told me about last night.
What are the clues?
Luc: This old woman just gave us this scroll.....its a map of the dimensions.
Yuumi: You mean those three rings are in those dimensions?
Nanami and Kulitkoh look at each other.
Nanami (whispering) We already saw one........at the back of Alvania's neck!!
Everyone looked at Alvania who was busy talking with Kibagami and Pesmerga.
Lorelai: Really Then she's the link to Ferciol!
Genezide: I think we should talk to her.
Alvania is called by Kakurine and when she approaches, Kakurine asks, "Nanami says you have a "ring" at the back of your neck.
Alvania nods her head. "Anyone who is cursed by Ferciol receives this brand , a ring, at the back of our necks.......but we also will mean his death!!
Greiner: His death? How?
Alvania: My Mother, a powerful sorceress, became very angry at Ferciol for cursing me and banishing me to the dimension. She cast a powerful spell that to anyone who is cursed by Ferciol also becomes linked to him by this mark, this ring......, so that if he tries to kill us, it will also mean killing himself............she did it to protect me!
Sarah: So that old woman we met? She's your Mother?
Alvania: Yes.
The GSG's couldn't believe it. This was the "weakness" they were looking for.
Rei: So where are the other two rings?
Suddenly Kabashu steps up.
Kabashu: I am also ONE of the three rings!
He shows the back of his neck.
The GSG's became silent and stared at him. No one could say anything. No one could believe what they heard.
Suddenly a whirlwind almost sweeps everyone off their feet and a big cloud of dust covers everything.
As the air clears, everyone is astonished to see The Zexen Knights, Dark Alliance, Dragon Knights marching towards them led by Eilie, Kurapik and Arheis!!
Kulitkoh: My knights are back!!!! She goes to greet them, happy to see them.
A handsome young man simply clothed steps forward.
Kabashu happily hugs his friend.
Sufulee: My friend, now the three rings are complete!!!
Kakurine is amazed. The 3 rings are with them at last!!! This is their chance to defeat the Mighty Ferciol!
Kakurine: Everyone! Split up and try to penetrate that Fortress!!! Its time to fight!!
Everyone moves towards the Fortress, eager to fight Ferciol's armies.
On the northside, Flik with his griffith Feather look up at the great walls.
Flik: Lets go Feather!!!
Feather: aaaaaaaarrrrrkkkk!!!
FLik: here i come Ferciol!! the day has come.. this will be the end!!!!
As Flik and Feather approach the fortress, suddenly a strong lightning blast hits both of them and Flik and Feather crash to the ground!
Kakurine: Flik!!
Flik: Leave me.. please... uurrrrgghhh...go on and fight!!! unnnffff.....
Kakurine: Flik! you can't die! I can heal you! Let us take you back!
*then flik's breathing stops*
Rei: Flik, don't die on us! I know you can survive!
But Flik dies on the hands of Rei. He lost too much blood.
Rei:(mourns) I, I, must continue to fight... Even without you, Flik...my friend!
Sadly, Flik's mercs carry the bodies of Flik and Feather back to camp.
At the gate, Yuumi and her Scarlets are fighting fiercely.
Yuumi:Scarlets, scale that wall with your ladders! We must get in!
The Scarlets hastily scaled up the great walls with Yuumi leading them.
But as Yuumi reaches the top, a Herodian greets her with a spear!!
It drives deep into Yuumi's belly!......with a low moan, Yuumi falls backward.
Carbuncle sees his fallen Headmistress and runs to her side.
Carbuncle: Yuumi!!! Noooooo!
As Carbuncle carries Yuumi to the medics, Yuumi holds on to him and whispers,"Take care of my Scarlets....Unnnnffff! aaaaaaaah" and with this,releases her last breath.
Carbuncle: Noooooooo!!
Painfully, Carbuncle carries Yuumi to the grieving Scarlets.
The Scarlets and Mercs mourn the deaths of Yuumi and Flik, their bodies are carried back to camp.
Everyone is quiet.
Kulitkoh:This is a disaster!
Nanami: I feel sad too but this is war! It is expected people will die! *Sniff *
Rei is still crying.
The other GSG's try to console him.
Kakurine: I am so sorry Rei.....I am so sad about losing our comrades but we have to think of the many...........if we do not defeat Ferciol, he will continue attacking other towns.....other kingdoms.....even our Toran castle.
All GSG's! Let us give them a heroes' burial!
The GSG's pause that day from battle.........spending a quiet time to bury their heroic comrades and saying a fervent farewell to them.
The following day, Kakurine and the GSG armies renew their energy. Inspite of the tragic loss of their comrades, the GSGs were ready for battle.
Kakurine confers again with her officers.
Rei: We need to know the layout of the fortress. This time we should send a scout team first, the very best we have!
Kakurine: I agree with you! Who do you recommend?
Rei: Sino pa? but US!!!.....He points to Luc, Futch,Kibagami, Machi, and Pesmerga.
Rei: We will be the scout team!
Kakurine smiles and approves.
As the scout team is about to leave, Alvania runs towards them.
Alvania: Pls. bring me and Houjun with you! My mother is a prisoner there! We can release her with our powers! Houjun will help me!
She looks at Houjun.
Houjun: I will try, Alvania.
Rei looks at them for a while and then agrees.
Rei:Lets go!!
They ride off through the thick forest towards the dark lake that surrounds the Fortress.
As they reach the lake, Futch with his dragon Black scout the shore.
Futch looks at the floating Fortress.
Futch: We have to swim to get in!
As they go into the water......the water is icy cold.
Kibagami: Ang lamig naman!!!! Brrrrr!
Pesmerga: There's something in the water!!!!!!
The three jump out of the water as
a big crocodile lunges at them with its mouth open!!
Futch: Run!! I will not be his lunch!!!
Pesmerga takes out his sword.
Pesmerga: DIE!!!! you evil reptile!!!
He lunges his sword down at the big crocodile.
Green blood spurts out!
The crocodile dies.
Futch: What kind of crocodile is that? Its blood is green!
Kibagami: Me thinks its one of Ferciol's creatures.
Pesmerga: The water is filled with them!!!
As the scout team rest, Rei comes up with a plan.
Rei: Lets cut down those trees! The rafts will help us reach that fortress!
Machi: But that will take time!
Pesmerga: Rei's right. We have to start now so we can reach it by nightfall.
But as Pesmerga talks, there is a movement behind him.
Machi's eyes grow large in surprise and she starts to point.
Pesmerga: Machi! I am trying to explain here that.........!!!
Machi: Pesmerga!!..uhmmmmm...behind you!!!!!
As Pesmerga turns around, he is grabbed by a giant oak tree, its branches twirling tightly around his arm! He is caught!!
Pesmerga: Help!!! Cut this tree down!! He screams.
The giant tree speaks up.
Tree: Hey!! Dont be afraid! I am the Keeper of this Forest!!
Futch: yeah weird place!
Tree: Hey! I heard that!! So... you want to reach that Fortress?? That's an evil place!!!
Rei: Yes, we have a score to settle!!
Tree: Go to this lake nearby, There are pink flamingos and they can carry you up the high wall of the fortress.....thats the way to go in! But be careful, those flamingos have tempers and they can bite. Treat them well.
Rei: ahhhh ok thanks!
As Machi and the others walk to the lake, something nudges Machi from behind. Machi turns.
"Falcon!" The great white steed stands before her!
Machi: You have been here all along?
Kabashu suddenly appears from behind Falcon. "I see you have met my white stallion, Machi. He is the best horse in all Harmonia. When I was cursed, Ferciol sold him to a peasant in the town". Machi is stunned.
Machi: He is a "very" fast horse!
Kibagami: So Kabashu u have decided to join us?
Kabashu: I wanted to see if everyone was alright. My Knights will stand guard on this lake to avoid any ambush from Ferciol's minions. You go ahead and scout the Fortress!
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