“WHAT?!�

Bright red, fiery gauntlets hit the table present in the room, a resounding thud produced as the emotion of shock and distaste was exuded, meant to draw attention to the fact that this was the LAST thing wanted to be heard by the commander of the Delosian forces, Leon Reed, leader of the Nindural Mercenary team, and probably the sole person with the knowledge to defend his kingdom should trouble arise, as it was doing now.

“Bandits have been ravaging the smaller towns and settlements around the countryside, sir, with their camps growing in size. If they happened to start working together, it’s no doubt they could take Delos in a single night.�

The messenger had to recoil a few steps, visually shaken at the sight of the normally calm and collected commander so enraged at this news. The very real possibility of losing the kingdom in such a manner, to Bandits of all people, ignited the fire running in Reed’s veins. This would not stand, something had to be done, and done quickly to ensure the safety of the kingdom, and first and foremost the kind himself. Delos was the capital city of the Kingdom of Delos, leaving it the location of the castle where the king resided of course, making it a prime point of defense…if the king fell; the Kingdom may as well be burning.

“How many do we have in the garrison? What troops can we deploy?� A sigh escaped the lips of the man behind the desk as he leaned back, ruby red eyes closing in an attempt to calm him. Stirring the blood would do no good, and only serve to weaken the tactical thought he needed at the moment to retain control of his army. His because he was going to command it of course…no bandits were going to take his home while he slept.

“10,000 untrained militia men, sir. You know the status of our army, this is a time of peace, and there hasn’t been sign of hostility from Aephris since the king’s great great great grandfather’s days. “

“Ugh…yes, I know the status of our armies. How many do we have positioned in the outlying towns? Oh, never mind…militia men there as well, seeing as the towns tend to protect themselves. Hmm…go and find Clyde, and get him in here…Tera and Sophia as well. We’ve planning to do.�

Without another word the messenger vanished, bringing back the other three leaders of Nindural in their glory, each adorned in a separate color of sorts, showing a variety of styles of dress as well, gifting their strengths in their varying styles to the power of the Nindural army. These were the best of the crop, and Leon’s friends from far back, carrying many times together in their travels…how they ended up here, not even they knew, really. It was a long and winding road…

Immediately, the blonde, sultry female slinked over and settled into Leon’s lap, relaxing against him. Such was the nature of Sophia Evanescue, daughter of Devin Evanescue of the Evanescue Mining Company, a rather rich nobleman. Sophia specialized in spells, a variety of stunning magicks on the battlefield, making her a prime support attacker, leading her squad of mages into battle. The girl also happened to be romantically entwined with the man under her, thus why she was where she was, pink pouty lips pressed firmly against his while she snuggled against his body, careful with her outfit, a thin white robe tied off at the waist and arranged at the top to show rather…ample cleavage.

Yawning a little, the female in pink rested against the desk, idly toying with her knife handle in one hand, pulling the dagger out and twirling it around a few times in the air. The brunette in question was Tera Maxwell, a quick and devious striker attuned to the wind element. Devious by nature, and rather odd in her own right, Tera led a squad of rogues, archers, and thieves respectively, bandits in a sense, though they abided by laws, applying their skills to the kingdom for a fee, and a good one too, as they were quite good at what they did…and it was quite obvious she was bored. Pulled tightly over her toned body was a pink martial arts robe, cut here and there from the wear and tear of the battlefield, but holding together in good form, being a good luck charm of sorts for her.

Lastly was a smirking face adorned in blue dress clothes, silk shirt and slacks, a deep blue rose protruding from his front left pocket while his aqua eyes surveyed the map laid out on the desk before him. Quick witted, charming, and a true knight in many senses, Clyde Enduro considered himself a man with a want to please ladies. Not in the sense that ended in the bedroom of course, but one that led to compliments, aid, and overall romantics to flatter the fairer sex and boost their confidence in themselves…he ‘helped’ and in return he stole a kiss or two as his subtle reward, or every now and then stole a bit more. Embodiment of ice itself, Clyde was calm, cool, and collected with his blade in battle, leading a squad of swordsmen on the field, masters of melee combat. Mercenaries were always superior to the army…

“Well, what’s the situation, Leon? I see little markings here and there…looks like…well then, we’ve got a little situation on our hands?�

Red eyes rolled a bit as he responded, “We do. Bandits seem to be gathering and dealing out some problems in the surrounding towns…while this may not normally be a problem…they’ve got numbers should they come together.�

A light chuckle escaped the lips of the girl in pink while her eyes turned to the map, surveying the dots placed here and there to mark the bandit camps that they –knew- about. “I don’t see bandits uniting, Leon, I think you’re just worrying to much…more people means splitting more of the spoils, plus how do you organize and trust people who backstab for a living?�

A slight murmur came from the blonde present; spoken mostly into Leon’s neck…she truly didn’t want to be here, “We seem to keep you about…unfortunately.�

Clyde shook his head and chuckled, amused by the antics of his comrades for a moment while he took another good look at the kingdom he’d grown up in on the map, “Alright…How many are we looking at in number of the opposition? We’ve about 11,000 troops total counting all our mercs, so if we fortify the outlaying to-…no, no, that’d leave Delos open to attack. And if we call an evacuation of the outlying towns, free grabs. Plus the caravans heading to Delos could come under assault…this is a pretty sticky situation if they act together, Leon. What’s the battle plan? We to squash them?�

A nod came in reply, and a rather annoyed Tera sheathed her knife, turning around on the desk to settle next to Clyde, looking at the battle plans that would be drawn in a few moments. Pulling out tokens from a desk drawer in two colors, Leon set them down. One set was blue, the other red…eleven in number. Placing eight at the center castle, three were placed at the closest bandit camp to Airroboros, Clyde’s hometown. This alone prompted a stir from the male, but the fact that the chips were blue prompted a rather wide smirk.

“Should I get the men ready to pull a detachment from the castle?�

Leon nodded, relaxing and slipping is arms around his darling, “We’ll work on rotation to allow the troops rest. Each pull three thousand troops out, and then attack a bandit camp before returning them and coming home to let the next move out. The troops you take are up to you, obviously, but make sure you keep yourself balanced. We’ll have spies posted about to watch the movement of the camps, but I’m not expecting much, really…like Tera said, I don’t think they’ll unite, but it’s a possibility, so we must prepare for it. Try not to lose troops in battle, and it’s imperative to use strategy and surroundings to your advantage to limit casualties on our side…if possible, take a few prisoners for interrogation, so we can see what’s going on in their heads. I take it Clyde wants first go to clear out those attacking Airroboros? You know…� The male leaned forward a bit, cradling his love in his arms, “It might be best if you saw to every strike, Clyde. You know the lay of the land better then any of us…if you can harness it to surround and ambush them at every strike, then maybe we can pull this off with little casualties…we don’t want to leave Delos defenseless now.�

The other male nodded, looking over to the messenger who promptly left with his unsaid orders to ready Clyde’s unit and inform them of the details…they had a mission, the army had their strategist, and a goal was now achieved…the bandits had been let settle for far too long, and the lawlessness they brought only lowered the capabilities of the surrounding towns, attacking caravans and traders, which could cripple Delos as a whole if done strategically…hopefully no one was pulling the strings behind the assaults, due to the fact if those rogues were harnessed, the result would be a weakened Kingdom ripe for the taking.

“Well then, you have your mission…everyone’s free to leave.�

-----

“Sophia…�

Tera and Clyde were both long gone to their quarters, preparing for the upcoming battles while Sophia stayed behind in, where else, but Leon’s lap, nuzzling into his neck like an affectionate kitten while he looked over the map one last time. Somewhere, deep in the pit of his gut, Leon was getting a bad feeling…the same one he had when Zeri had begun charging missions out to the group…and ended up using them to his own means, then turning around and trying to kill them when they grew wise to his plans. This wasn’t like that time…they weren’t just fresh green mercenaries now, they were a military force to be reckoned with aiding anyone who needed assistance…like Delos now. Nindural also doubled as a task force for the Delosian military…Devin saw to that, the father of the girl in Leon’s very lap…

Devin saw to everything, didn’t he?

“Shhhhhh…come on, Leon…you’ve been so busy lately…�

Had he really? Work here, work there, organizing the now militaristic force they had in all the specialized units, setting up locations for housing them, training them, setting up a near town out here in the mountains, specifically for the purposes of Nindural. They had a trading outpost, doctors, farmers, and craftsmen…anything else you could think of for a fully productive community that would be nearly entirely self-sufficient. However, money was still needed for raw materials that weren’t present and couldn’t be grown…

“There’s been things to take care of…you know that Sophia…�

“You need to take care of meeeeeee…come on…�

A sigh escaped the commanders lips as he slipped his arms around his darling tighter, holding her close as he smirked. Smirked because despite how bad things had ever gotten, Sophia could always be counted on to keep Leon’s mind off the worse things, to keep him occupied and happy…Maybe she wanted a lot of his attention, just like a kitten, but Leon didn’t mind at all. More or less, Sophia helped Leon in more ways then he ever helped her, though the noble was just too happy to have her Leon all to herself again.

“You think he’ll be alright…?�

Sophia’s turn to speak more then wants for attention as Leon held her close. Right now, they were simply cuddling, being close, talking like that had before…so long before. So long as Sophia had his full attention…she was happy. Starved? You could call it that, but more or less she wanted to be loved, and Leon gave her that…not in the physical sense, though it was something she enjoyed, but in the emotional. Leon may not have been a man of many emotions…but he did show feelings for her time and time again. All those times he had gone to save little miss Evanescue when things had gone wrong…

“Clyde? He’ll be fine…I have faith in him…it’s his home anyway…you should have sent hat look in his eyes. That man’ll make each and every one of them pay…�

“Are you sure? Maybe he’ll just break under emotions…�

“…�

Well, that hadn’t been thought of. However even in the toughest situations, Clyde had proven himself to be a calm, tactical thinker, even to the point of being cruel on the battlefield, dispatching enemies with…unmatched skill. Cruel…it was hard to imagine Clyde being that if you truly knew him, making it nearly that there was a second side to the man in battle…was there? Maybe, perhaps, every one of them had undergone changes from the efforts to make them capable of what they were today. Perhaps Clyde’s own sacrifice was part of his own humanity…

“…I’m sure he can handle it. This is Clyde we’re talking about…I don’t think he’s ever failed us before…�

“Doesn’t mean he won’t eventually…�

Did Sophia dislike Clyde? Yes, and for reason…back before Nindural was formed, back when it was simply Leon and herself, Clyde came along…Her father started hiring out the man alongside her Leon, taking Leon’s time away from herself…When it had only been herself and her love, it quickly became them and Clyde as well, and then they had picked up Tera…and now all these other people…jealous? Maybe, selfish? Of course, but Sophia wanted this man all to herself…

“Sophia…have a little faith…�

“I don’t want to have faith…I want to have you~�

-----

Taking his pick from the castle, the decided formation was fifteen companies of archers, each one hundred units each, ten companies of mounted cavalry, accompanied by five companies of swordsmen and Clyde’s personal unit, a small army was set. It was a few days travel to the camp, but they made it without problem, of course, working their way at a steady pace. A speedy march would do little but tire out the troops, and Clyde wanted this to go perfectly. Every soldier was outfitted with the standard military armor for Delos, leather plates and a well sharpened weapon in whatever they used, save the archers, whom wore simply cloth armor with their bows and arrows of their own choice, each archer required to be at ease to pull off the best shot.

That last bit was something Clyde personally advised the king on, as before this era of Delosian rule, it was merely all archers were required to use the same kind off bow, which led to many, many awkward shots. Not everyone was the same, therefore they couldn’t all shoot the same, a level of familiarity was needed, per say, to achieve maximum efficiency. Regardless, all the men were equipped well before anyone left Delos, making certain that there shouldn’t be a single problem in equipment for the campaign.

Next was marching, a simple line down the road, accompanied by a few wagons to carry the supplies for tents, camp supplies, and the majority of the food for when they camped. Why have the foods there instead of the soldiers carrying it? To lessen fatigue, and because it was easier then gathering supplies off every soldier just to cook dinner, something the cook was very, very thankful for, as tracking down every soldier in a three thousand man army would have been…daunting at best.

The camp itself was in a rather odd position, one that was…easily attacked. It was as if they were not expecting it, which honestly they weren’t, as arrogant as bandits were, how would they ever expect the MILITARY of DELOS of all places to come after them? Delos was a dying beast on its last breath military wise, and the longer one waited, the weaker it would become. Who was waiting, however?

Nestled at the bottom of a cliff against the rock face, the bandit camp also happened to be alongside a running river, located between the two natural creations…the would only have two points of escape, as the river was quite fast running, and they could be attacked by archers across the water, and from above on the cliff…Straight down fired arrows tended to travel the quickest, and a rain of them would leave only dead bodies in it’s wake. With the setup Clyde was preparing…they couldn’t lose, and a best, casualties on their side would be minimal.

However…it seemed fate had other plans in mind, as the wheels of destiny were thrust into motion, shaking the rust from the tired and weary cogs.

The night was calm…eerily so as the troops readied themselves in the light fog and the darkness…the assault was well planned and perfect…holding a defensive line, the cavalry would be split in two, one guarding one escape side, the other blocking the other while ten companies of archers were located across the bank, poised and ready to fire on the camp, another five nestled on top of the ridge, ready to fire down in a volley of arrows. The swordsmen were squashed in with the cavalry to defend any that tried to run, and the entire strategy should have ended in a massacre of the bandits.

What actually happened was quite different, as the strategy was blown to pieces like a barrel of gunpowder on a short fuse, exactly what was set as the trigger for the assault, placed at the top of the ridge with Clyde’s unit to oversee the battlefield. However, as the leader looked over onto the camp, campfires lighting it up, a distinct noise could be heard resonating…the sound of metal clashing against metal as the entire camp started to light up. Not with a flash, or a spark, but in flames.

Flames that danced in the night, lighting tent after tent in a blaze until it hit a supply tent, one where many sticks of dynamite, gunpowder, and drink were stored…The resulting explosion could very well have made a Fire Elemental cower from the heat and flames, though cowering wasn’t what the one who had started it was doing. More clashes of blades were heard resonating throughout the area as the archers across the river saw the explosion as their signal, readying their bows and aiming into the camp.

So much happened…all in a split second…Clyde, who had been looking for the source of the clash happened to spot a fiery woman in the red, dressed in reds from head to toe with two large rings in her hands, two feet, maybe three in diameter. That probably wasn’t the proper name for the weapon, but Clyde didn’t care, her life was in danger. When the volley of arrows from across the river came…few would make it out alive, and honestly, seeing as the woman was FIGHTING the bandits, it was same to assume she would be caught in the crossfire as an innocent bystander, and become a casualty. That certainly wasn’t allowed…lighting the barrel of gunpowder at once, Clyde dove off the cliff, barrel tucked under arm while the archers and his unit on top stood in shock at their leader’s apparent suicide.

However, things would work out differently. Clyde Enduro wasn’t an ordinary man, no his blood and genes had been altered down to every last cell at the time of transfusion to be that of an Ice Elemental in ability, which was now what he was calling on, creating his element in a cylindrical tube, he chucked the barrel into it as he fell, making himself a small shield onto his arm while his body plummeted down the length of his creation…when the barrel his the ground it blew, and when the explosion hit his shield of ice it pushed him back, weakening the impact that would occur a few moments later as the ice dissipated and Clyde hit the ground in a roll, within reach of his intended, and bewildered target. Moments…mere moments, and he was nearly too late as the arrows were already in the air…without a second thought, he erected a shield in front of them, half his height and pulled her by the belt loop down beside him as the volley hit, wiping out nearly everything in it’s path…when 1,000 arrows fly…few are left in the wake…

Those on top of the cliff picked off the last survivors while Clyde took a nice deep breath, glancing over to the woman just in time to get hit with the blunt end of a knuckle as it connected with his face, accompanied by some insults tossed his way…apparently, she wasn’t happy, though Clyde wasn’t hearing much anyway, halfway into sleep…working so much of his ability had exhausted him as the wall fell, and Clyde with it onto the ground…dead? Hardly…it wasn’t his time yet. Merely…asleep, resting on the ground after a near fatal rescue attempt…

-----

They say fortune favors the brave, history remembers those who are bold, and the wise shall leave the most behind for their people. If all of that was true, then why were there unknown ruins scattered about the world? Why were people entombed in such ruins, with no record of who they were? From the way the places were made, it was easily known they were important, yet know one –knew- what it was about them. Then there was the Kingdom of Gote, of which was a massive ruin unto itself, towering skyscrapers and technological marvels…none of them, or rather very few, actually working. A relic of the past…was that all they really were?

A few days after the battle, an overwhelming victory for the Delosian forces, the General of the armies awoke, just like he had the past few days, only this time to an aide at the door of his tent, waiting for the owner to awaken. With a start, Clyde rose from his bed, stretching and looking over at the messenger impatiently. From the look on his face, one thing was fairly clear…their captive had awoken. Not captive really, since they were merely treating her wounds…however she had passed out from blood loss shortly after the cavalry moved in to sweep the camp, taking one too many wounds in the process of fighting beforehand.

All they knew of the woman was that she was female, and possibly a Fire Elemental. This actually was fed on by the fact that she had a Fire Elementals seal on her forehead, as the healers as clearly seen when they had tended to her many wounds. While her personal effects hadn’t been gone through, seeing as no one knew exactly what they were. Everything from the camp and the surrounding area had been dragged to be sifted through and looted for anything that might be recoverable to return to the town, or to be taken back by the mercs as payment. Somewhere in there was probably her personal effects.

The one thing was the seal on her head, a symbol given to all of the Fire Lord’s various children for some reason or another…Clyde hardly knew. In reality, he should have bore some kind of seal as well, but due to the nature of his existence…he wasn’t technically…

“………………ugh…�

Clyde stepped up to the bed, nearly half leaning over as he watched for some sign of movement on her face…the medics had said she was awake, but quite obviously she must have been slipping in and out of consciousness, or something of that ilk, as Clyde didn’t see any real signs of anything other then a possible nightmare. With a word and a wave the General dismissed the medics from the room, pulling over a stool and moving back her hair to get a look at the seal himself…she was still passed out, and out cold it seemed, tossing and turning every now and then in her dream…

“I wonder…� Two wonders actually…what was on the girl mind, and if the seal was actual proof. Another wonder was her name, but he could get that when she awoke…it would only be polite, after all he had saved her life…she could have died in the assault. Instead, Clyde risked life and limb to save the girl…in truth, had she not been a female, he may not have gone to such lengths to ensure she came out without too much damage…Had she instead been male, he may have only tried to warn the person, or call off the assault…

Obviously Clyde held a soft spot for the fairer sex.

Lightly, one finger attempted it, gracing up her forehead and barely nipped the seal before pulling away and flinching…it burned. Not just a normal burn, but one that hurt his finger still as he iced it over, and even then it still burned. Surely, this girl would be the death of him…lightly his other hand graced her cheek as he turned her head to face up…so serene…so calm…so beautiful. As Sleeping Beauty would have been awoken, Clyde would have awoken the girl…though the punch before he blacked out came quickly to mind, chasing the previous thought on its heels…

“…urrrr……mother…�

Eyes clenched as her body tensed a bit, obviously at a rather climactic part of the dream, or something to that effect, and just as Clyde was about to pull the covers tighter over the girl, she sprang up, his hands falling off her thankfully as she did so. Quickly, the female surveyed the room, spotting Clyde so close to her and nearly scowled…this wasn’t how things were supposed to be.

“Who are you…and where did you take me?�

It was the same person who had leaped down to pull her against that ice wall…it’d hurt…not the pull, but the wall itself, the chill and cold had stung her deeply. Ice and Fire shouldn’t mix, as the results can be quite painful to both elements as Clyde would learn shortly if he happened to do ANYTHING that she didn’t like, and notably, for a male, that list could be rather extensive. Already her hands were heating a bit; ready to produce flames…he dealt with ice, right? Easy battle…

“Clyde Enduro, a mercenary of sorts…You’d be in a mercenary camp. Normally, we’d have headed off to attack the next bandit camp by now, but I gave the men some rest so you could heal up first…plus I figured you’d want time to collect your things, wherever they may be…we didn’t exactly find any packs lying about that weren’t mixed in with the bandit gear.� Just as She started to speak up, Clyde cut her off, “And your weapons would be on that stand over there…normally we’d keep them far away from someone in this situation, in case you may strike…but…as you can see, I’ve let everyone off for the day. Then again, you’ve already hit me once…�

Lightly, he felt his jaw with his left hand, she rolled her eyes and cracked a few knuckles idly, “You don’t feel I’m a threat?�

Clyde had to chuckle at that, shaking his head, “Quite the opposite, but I expected a bit of courtesy for the person who probably saved your life, and then made sure you stayed alive when it was all over.�

She nearly spit on the floor, glaring at him, “If you hadn’t shown up with your friends, I’d have had that camp taken care of.� A small fire was burning inside those ruby jewels on her face, pointed directly at the cool and collected stare of Clyde…

How long had they locked eyes before he spoke, rising out of his seat? “There’s a Delosian army to take care of the bandits…it took long enough, since the castle wasn’t going to do a thing about them…eventually the problem landed in Nindural’s lap because of a few private investors…and we’ll make sure it gets cleaned up.�

Rolling her eyes, she tossed the covers off, stretching a bit and swinging her feet over the side of the bed, blinking as she found herself in a red nightgown…finally. It was about time she noticed, and she nearly twitched a bit as the anger grew, “The whole lot of you have done nothing until now, why would you do anything now!� Rising to her feet she turned to face him, “And you’re most definitely going to suffer…where are my clothes?�

Clyde yawned a bit, pointing to a nearby cabinet, “We had them washed and stitched up…one of our female healers took to changing you personally, so you could calm down a bit. I thought you’d appreciate the sentiment, plus the fact that the gown matches you a bit, no?� Maybe that went a bit too far…especially when she wasn’t in any mood to play…Clyde really needed to watch what he said…

Already flames were enveloping her hands as Clyde took a step back, sighing and holding his hands up as if he’d given up, “Really I don’t want a fight…I just came to check on you, inform you on what happened, help prepare you to go on your way, and give you anything you need to travel, maybe an escort if you’d like. It’s the least I could do, honestly.�

Still growling she barely let the fires dim a bit, still intent on setting Clyde ablaze, “I won’t take a bit of it. None!�

Clyde actually chuckled, stretching and pulling the rose from his pocket…twirling it in his fingers, “That’s too bad, since the first three have already been done. Come now…calm down, rest, relax, and restore your strength, alright? No need to be hasty…you aren’t a prisoner either, meaning you can leave when you like, but you can stay with use for free…we’ll be marching to the next camp in one days time, you’re free to accompany us if you’d like…and I would like to have another talk. There’s quite a bit I’d like you to explain, and probably a bit you’d like me to explain wouldn’t you?�

Intent on not letting her get a word or action in, the verbal assault continued for a bit longer as Clyde made his way to the door, “Now then, I’ll keep the healers from returning for a bit, so if you’d like to change, I suggest doing it soon…if you have a pack, I’d suggest getting it unless you’d rather us wash your outfit every day, which we would do. The army takes good care of their guests, Miss…I don’t believe we have your name…�

“Mai Pyris.� A single utterance as the flames died and she looked away, still visibly not happy…Clyde had been on the assault a bit, however, and it really normally wasn’t like him to be so straightforward…but handling the situation quickly and preventing her from making any kind of attack…his body hadn’t forgotten the sucker punch, not now and not for a while, however his mind wanted to look past that, and focus on…well let’s just say his sight dipped a bit as he exited the tent, setting about his duties for the day in keeping the wellbeing of his detachment high and morale higher. Already the troops were ready for this battle after the clear victory of the last…

-----

The day of the march was rather uneventful in its beginnings, quiet and peaceful morning with breakfast served all around; even to the Fire Elemental tag along…personally the troops were a bit at ends over her. Half were infatuated, in a sense, watching her from afar with adoration as her form…but much too afraid to approach her, given she clocked their leader just for saving her life. The other half or so? They wanted to get rid of her, leave her behind somewhere and be done with it…but no, the General had given her a horse, and was letting her have free roam of the camp as well. Probably the only saving grace for the latter crowd of soldiers was that Mai spent most of her time combing through the junk from the bandit camp, searching for her belongings, or so the soldiers thought.

The final moments before they left came, and the rubble would be left behind for a crew from the castle to sort through while the army moved on to the next camp to finish their job. Already they were behind schedule because of the female, having had to wait for her to be nursed back to health before they could move…and for what? So she could take from them and go when she wanted to? That wasn’t sitting well with any of the troops…morale was overall decreasing.

Decreasing wasn’t good, by any means, and anyone with a hint of tactical knowledge would have been able to tell what that could mean on the next battle, though when they made camp, Clyde already had a plan to fix it. All of the generals had had some kind of power or ability thus far, something regular people didn’t have, the average person, and whether it be through odd means, like Clyde’s own, or natural, like Mai’s, it was an asset on the field of battle. Able to shape the elements to your own whims could be quite handy in the fray, which was just what he would remind them of, should she stick around, and if not, he would have revealed that as his plan.

Finishing packing her horse, Mai’s strode right up alongside Clyde on his own horse, mounted alongside the cavalry in the back of the formation as the troops set out, not in formation at all. No, Clyde let his men relax as they moved, and they were more in huddles here and there, laughing and talking and joking as if all of them were not marching off to go extinguish a few lives from the face of the earth. They were just bandits, right? The lawless that harassed the lawful, and disrupted the lives of the good people of the kingdom.

“Rather early morning isn’t it.� Clyde stretched, finally looking over at his guest, with his jaw nearly dropping. Packed on her poor horse were multiple bags, each apparently full of anything valuable. She’d scavenged through all of the rubble, hadn’t she…and taken whatever she’d liked. Mostly, the things were bandit gear and not stolen goods, though Clyde didn’t know that yet. Had he, Clyde wouldn’t be in the odd position to want lecture her, but at the same time be afraid to…

“It is, but I think I got enough sleep last night. What?� Of course, she looked innocently at him, as if it all was normal occurrence, toying with the leader, but that was just Mai, and she got a few kicks out of the look on his face, giggling a little to herself while her horse continued to march, nearly overloaded…the animal would be worn by the time they arrived…he would need more rest tonight to even hope to be able to do something with her after the second battle…

“You’ll kill your horse.� Coughing lightly, and trying to regain his composure, Clyde looked ahead out over his troop, yawning a little again. Avoiding the subject, actually, just a bit of conversation, and he was set to move on…or maybe not speak at all. Despite his attempts, he’d yet to get why she had done what she had done out of the girl, why she was there, or anything save her name. Besides calling fire that one time, Clyde had no indication of her race besides the seal as well…

“Oh, but you’ll just give me another, won’t you?� Mai honestly found this funny, digging into one of the packs which had solely been filled with dried food, another with cals, the currency of the kingdom, another with various weapons to sell and scraps of what was left of their armor, and what wasn’t too porous from the arrow strikes, and another with clothing and such scavenged, with a bit of drink that hadn’t burned up in the flames, and the last, finally, with her own personal belongings…her only actual pack. “Besides, journeys are expensive…�

Clyde snapped up, and one might claim they could see an exclamation point in the movement as he looked over, not from the first comment, since it was mostly true, but the second. Eyeing her a little, he smirked, rolling his eyes in play, “Only if you travel alone. Burdens are best shared to lessen the weight. What sort of journey would the Lady Pyris be on, I wonder, that she would need soooooo many bags to carry all her supplies, and weaken her horse with the weight?�

Mai quirked an eyebrow, twitching a little from being called Lady Pyris…it was much too formal…she shouldn’t have told him her name period. “A journey that surely isn’t the business of someone such as yourself. I’ll carry my own burdens, and my horse’ll carry the material ones. That’s all I’ll need, SIR Enduro.� Maybe it was just how he was, but Clyde had a certain gift for pushing Mai’s buttons it seemed, as she hardly ever remained calm after too long around him, despite the teasing she normally did before anger.

Lightly, Clyde’s hand plucked the rose from his pocket, yet another aqua flower, enchanting a bit in its near frozen appearance. No one would guess it actually was frozen, held in a state of suspended animation, though it was dead after being plucked from the ground, torn from its roots and nutrients. That didn’t matter though as he brought his symbol of good luck to his lips for a light kiss on the frozen petals, looking over to Mai once more, “Why do you fight, then?�

Mai smirked, pushing back a lock of her ruby hair with a finger while she made him wait on an answer, drawing it out and teasing him with it. The question itself was simple to her, there were things in her past that needed to be taken care of, and a future to be created, since as it stood, there was little for her, here in Delos especially…but somewhere, there had to be what she was searching for…it had to exist, if for no other reason then Mai commanded it to, “To save the one’s I love. A rather silly question to ask…Why do you fight, Enduro?� Well she certainly wasn’t going to call him sir again…and his first name was like a sign of defeat to call him by…not giving the right tone.

Oh, but Clyde only grinned in return, relaxing on his own horse and looking out over his troops…the march was going at a nice pace, and with the current set up, they would be halfway there by nightfall, and it was hardly noon. “That…is a question for another time. If you won’t answer mine…�

Today was going to be a long day…

-----

Tomorrow wasn’t looking good either.

Then again, there never was a tomorrow, since in reality, the time when tomorrow would be, is what turned into today, thus leaving tomorrow eternally out of reach. After all, when midnight hit, it was the next day, and the next day became today, and today couldn’t be tomorrow. That bit of philosophy aside, the detachment was at where they needed to be to be able to set up camp, tents being pitched for a quick nights sleep, resting for the battle tomorrow, which would in turn never come.

Dinner was being made, talk exchanged, and everything as they had the days prior, resting and relaxing while the days events slipped from their mind. There was still discipline among their troops…they wanted to defend their homeland, but there was no need in Clyde’s eyes to be so uptight about it…While some may argue it was a bad thing, it did receive the respect of the troops, and a certain looking up to their leader. None of them really wanted to march under Tera or Leon…and the thought of being in Sophia’s detachment made some of the strongest of men shudder.

Approaching the leader’s tent, a red figure could have been seen entering, enveloped in the night with only a few candles lit within, casting silhouettes on the walls while Clyde poured over maps of the field, fine tuning the strategy and helping him plan. His guest, on the other hand, had different questions on mind, though they still pertained to the battle. Just a different battle, one in the past…Mai had questions herself, just as Clyde had them, and both needed to be answered, didn’t they…all in turn, all in turn.

“Before…you used ice, didn’t you?� Almost as if spoken though the words came forth. Relaxed in her corset for the evening, dressed to simply turn a few heads, something that always made her inwardly feel good, so long as she didn’t catch them eyeing her specifically, just knew they were doing so. Complicated? Yes, that’s what Mai was, but she didn’t care, just acted however she pleased. “How.�

Clyde quirked an eyebrow when the first line was said, eyes turning upward though his head stayed put, inwardly coughing at what he saw, trying to concentrate. Mai did look good, “Yes, I did.� This was a test, wasn’t it…some tempting, or maybe an excuse to hit him and him not able to do anything about it…in either case, his eyes drifted up to her face while his head turned, leaning back into the chair, “And why should I answer that, precisely? You seem…disinclined to answer my questions.�

Mai quirked an eyebrow, noting the reaction, if ever so subtle, and visibly even getting a little angry, though she brushed it away, leaning onto the table, thus inevitably giving him a ‘better’ view. “Because I’m asking, that’s why you should answer. You aren’t an Ice Elemental…are you? I don’t know, your aura is a bit odd, something just feels off, so you’re going to explain it.� The expression on her face, smirk and all was a clear sign she wanted the facts, but Clyde wasn’t exactly willing to give them…

“I’ll make you a deal…� Fighting, and in vain, Clyde tried to keep his eyes from lowering…she knew what she was doing, didn’t she, and it was hurting…the fact that Mai was violent only served to make Clyde actually FEAR dropping his gaze…and she probably knew that. “Answer my questions…and I’ll answer yours.� Leaning back, he yawned a bit, “You see, it’s a rather complicated explanation…very interesting though…so if you want to hear it, what were you doing attacking that camp? Alone, as well, and about your own race…�

Mai smirked, reaching over and pulling up a chair, instantly settling in and crossing her legs, arms folded across her chest, or rather under it. It was fun to watch him struggle, perfect payback for the list of offences he had against him…�That’s quite a bit for just a piece of information, Enduro. Are you sure it’s really worth my while?� So much for her to give away, just to receive something that was bugging her…if he was an Ice Elemental, that would mean they were more harmful to one another then she’d thought before, and really she ought to have left just then…or maybe he was some gifted mage, or something of that ilk.

Clyde chuckled, leaning his head back, “Yes, I’m certain. It’s actually quite interesting if not a bit of a long story…but I’m certain you’ll find it worth your while…now then. I believe you were telling me about the camp…?� Leaning his head back, thankful for the momentary rest from worrying about his prying eyes, Clyde yawned. “It’s really a matter of interest…you see, I need to know why you were there, since if our objectives happen to coincide a bit, perhaps we could assist one another…you’d be a valuable asset in tomorrow’s assault, Mai.�

A grimace crossed her face for a few moments at the word assault, “I work alone. They happened to have taken something from a nearby town…I was on my way through there, and overheard some people and their plight, and took a step to fix it…in my bags are a bit of stolen goods I intend to return to them…� She tilted her head to the side, smirking, “Someone needed help, I helped them when they asked…quite plain, quite simple. Now then, what was next, hm?�

Aqua eyes rolled as he leaned back in his chair again, eyes spread out over the map…it was two days to Airroboros from here, and it was the closest town…that had to be what she was talking about. It still sickened him to think Bandits had been harassing his home…well it wasn’t his home anymore, that was certain, but he still held an affection for the place…it was where he spent his earlier days…and with his mo- “Next was your race…� It was kinda obvious why she was alone now…who would work with her?

Mai chuckled, brushing back her hair idly with her fingers to reveal the seal, “That didn’t tell you? The flames either? You must be pretty dense, Enduro…� Oh, she was grinning, relaxing into the chair and hugging her arms tighter under what was resting on them, “I am a Fire Elemental…half by blood, but one none the less. Now then, about you, I do hope you’re keeping your end of the deal…� Or things would degrade quickly, and violence would not be out of the question…Mai instilled a certain…fear.

It was a good thing Clyde was a man of his word, as he still carried a code of honor even, and lying to a lady of all things was certainly against that, “It’s quite simple in it’s essence, but how it came about is rather complicated…I’m human. But…I’m an Ice Elemental. Not half either…� Clyde took a moment to grin and make her wait, “Part of an experiment really…a few scientists decided to try altering genes in humans to give them abilities of other races…my friends and I, though we only met when it was all over, were the test subjects…each one of us had something different about us that made it perfect for testing. While I was made to be like an Ice Elemental, a friend was chosen for a Wind Elemental, another for Fire like yourself, and the last for a Mystic. That’s it, genetically altered…happy? A science experiment, some toy for a researcher who decided to play a god.�

Mai had to quirk an eyebrow, leaning forward onto the desk, “So then, you’re just a human with ice?� He shook his head, stretching and standing up while gloved hands worked quickly to fold the map up, slipping it into it’s container, “Structurally, my body is just the same as an Ice Elemental, right down to weaknesses and strengths, and as time goes on, it’ll become more sound as my body replaces old cells and whatnot with the new genetically modified cells.� Setting the roll itself next to a bookshelf he smirked, “In an essence, I am an Ice Elemental…does that have you worried, Mai?�

Worried? Mai Pyris didn’t get worried…grinning she stood and pushed back the chair, “No, it doesn’t…but it is good to know. So with a simple flame, I could probably give you third degree burns…nice…maybe make you pass out from the heat in a stroke. Ice Elementals weakness, after all…how hot can you handle it, Enduro?� Mai simply grinned wider, stepping towards the door…she had his weakness sealed then…but on the opposite side he had hers. Quite simple logic…there wasn’t Elemental Dominance between them…both were detrimental to one another.

“And with a simple cast, I can have your arm frozen, flame and all, and maybe give you hypothermia…Fire Elementals weakness, after all. My name is Clyde, you know…it’s only nice…but…I think I can handle the heat, Mai, but can you handle the chill.� Mai smirked, opening the flap and half out as she said, “I can handle anything you might toss, Clyde.� And with that, she was gone into the night and Clyde had to sigh relieved…quite relieved. Pain was over for the night as he settled onto his bed, resting for morning…there was a battle tomorrow…

-----

The battle….the morning itself was clear as any normal morning, not a hint of fog to cover their approach, and no easy blocking off. This camp was once again positioned next to a river, however the difference was that this river was quicker moving, there was a lack of a cliff, and really no solid hills to give the archers an advantage other then number. There was little that could be done without a frontal assault, but Clyde had a plan, as any good general would. The plan, in itself, would take a small unit to wipe the entire camp out, leaving the majority of his detachment to play cleanup.

The unit itself would consist of Clyde, hopefully Mai, and a small number from Clyde’s personal unit. They would approach by the river under the cover of night, and using supplies floated down with them, wreak havoc in the bandit camp and blow up the supply tent, which would be the signal to charge. The day of the assault, however, Mai was nowhere to be found…the soldiers hardly cared. Maybe she would return, maybe not, but either way, the plan was continuing.

Night approached and the unit dove into the water, lukewarm from the climate of the land, the supplies being slipped into small canoes of boats to be moved down with them…the majority of what was taken was explosives and thrown weapons, things to strike with from afar while preparing to signal the main army. From the lit up camp ahead, cries could be heard, ones of joy as it seemed a party was occurring, meaning the soldiers would be at ease. At ease was always easier to kill.

The first thing Clyde’s unit saw happened to be a figure whose features are still debated in the Delosian camps. Cloaked in amethyst robes, the humanoid of indescribable gender strode outward from the camp, serpentine lips twisted upward in a cruel smirk of someone whom had just made a deal with the devil…or were they the devil themselves? Whoever it was, they did not take notice of Clyde and his soldiers, instead walking away, chortling the chilling laugh that still haunts the soldiers to this day…�Fu fu fu.�

Mysteries aside, the units progressed, shaken, but carrying on with their plan. Barrels and sticks were lit and tossed, and Clyde formed daggers of his element, speeding them into the enemy as the massacre began. The whole of the enemy was centered around the campfire, partying and enjoying themselves in a relaxing manner, completely unaware of the cruel fate that would befall them as the barrels landed in the fire, shrapnel and wood flying everywhere as the gunpowder blew, sending the units reeling, the enemies bodies cold and dead as they flew. Survivors were picked off with the thrown weapons, and the rest of the army rushed in on the initial explosion, little left to ‘clean up’, though there was a large mess.

Word spread through the camp that Mai had returned, less than happy, and wished to speak to Clyde alone…which Clyde hurried off to take care of while the men scavenged the camp and supplies, taking what was needed, and leaving the rest for the crew from the castle to return to the towns, knowing that not a single soldier of the army would taken something that was stolen from the town, only taking food and weapons to add to their own. All the while, General Clyde Enduro went to take a private audience with his guest…

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!�

Immediately on entering the tent, Clyde was met with a hard right fist connecting once again with his poor jaw, making him falter backward and hold it with his hands. Mai, on the other hand, stormed off to the other side of the tent, less then happy visibly. She looked angry. Very angry. Angry enough that someone would die if they crossed her, but Clyde was willing to take that risk to defend himself, seeing as there was so little he had left to defend but his honor. All of that left his honor as something Clyde would fight to defend…

“What do you mean? The plan went without faltering, and there were zero casualties on our own side. It was a success.�

Oh, that made her twitch, picking up a book and tossing it at him, a book that happened to be his own, since they were present in his own tent. Without a second thought he swatted it away, being a tactics novel though, the back of his hand was slightly bruised from the impact. All worth it however, as the slings and arrows from Mai’s verbal assault were being prepared for, and Clyde also prepared for some physical objects to be tossed, and maybe some flames…

“What do I mean?! Sneaky, dirty, underhanded! That’s what I mean! Don’t you have any honor, going and doing something like that?!�

Now he faltered, taking a deep breath and stepping a bit closer to her, shrinking the gap as Clyde thought to speak. The smile was gone from his face, near emotionless right now as his voice showed traces of the same anger she was tossing at him. Clyde could become heated, though it was hardly expected of anyone who saw him otherwise. Mai returned it all with a glare, daring him to come closer while she prepared a small fireball in her hand…

�I have soldiers out there. Their lives are at stake in this all…and it’s my job to make sure they all make it home alive. All of them are putting their trust in me that I won’t let them die, and I’m willing to not break that trust. A frontal assault on that last camp would have ended in casualties on both sides.�

Ice embodied, the glare he shot back made Mai falter for but a second, twitching as she tossed the fire, of which Clyde defended with a small wall of ice, inwardly cringing from the heat, though his body wouldn’t show it. Still angry, Mai went to punch him, only to have her hand caught at the wrist and held in the air, his face unchanging from that cold icy glare. Mai’s heated cast was hardly much different, except there was a fire burning in her eyes…

“What you are, is a coward, not a general. You don’t deserve to lead these…MEN!�

On the last word, she brought her leg up to kick him, which he caught again, with his other hand…Angrier yet, Mai attempted to force herself forward, toppling Clyde down with her landing on top, fighting for control for a bit, before her face turned red. Not from the heat, or from anything else, no, this was a blush, as when they landed…they landed with lips intertwined in a kiss, which Clyde was rather shocked at first from as well. Though, instead of fighting it, or trying to break it off, instead letting go of her leg and hand, arms wrapping around her body.

Clyde held her close, and Mai melted into him, the kiss growing with passion before she pulled away a bit, uttering a single word before Clyde could kiss her again, one hand sneaking up to cradle her head so she couldn’t move it away like that…The cold had dissipated, leaving flames of a different kind in their wake. Bodies intertwined on the ground, Clyde and Mai spent the night in each other’s arms…the single utterance being…

“Idiot.�

-----

How worried would you be, when your leader hadn’t been seen since after the battle last night, visiting with a person whom had hit him in the past, neither of them leaving the tent all night, and yells were heard coming from within before there was nothing but silence the entire night. Not a single soldier wanted to enter the tent, too fearful of the Fire Elemental’s wrath should they walk in on something. But what would that something be? The worst of the assumptions happened to be that their general had been injured or killed by the woman…Imagine their surprise when both of them exited the tent with smirks on their faces.

Most of the soldiers gaped in awe, as if there was some hidden information held by those two that the rest of the world wasn’t privy to, but also because not only was the general safe, but the two of them seemed to be in good spirits. Well, good spirits for Mai happened to be just a little less quick to strike…She was Mai Pyris, after all. Whatever the general did, it calmed the flame a bit, no longer a raging inferno. A miracle…

“Men, we’ve one more camp between us and our way home. This one is nestled in a section of hills, easily defensible…they’ll see us coming a mile away. Ready your blades, your shields, your bows and arrows, as this won’t be an easy battle. This one will not be like we have faced before…we will need to strike, and strike fast at the enemies heart. We will defeat them! Companies A through G will assault from the north while everyone else will strike from the south. We’ll pin them in the hills and show them that they have no place in Delos! No one will attack our land and live to tell the tale. Now, from here we will have to split. Those of you going north, will we attack at sunrise tomorrow, be in position, and remember to not set a campfire, as you’ll draw their attention. It’s a single day’s march, and you have your maps. Troops, move out.�

Smirking to himself, Clyde drew his sword, pointing it forward, “They say the blade of Delos is dull and too heavy to strike, but little do they know our true might. Delos is not a blade, but a shield, and let us show them what happens when they smash against it!� A rallying cry erupted from the troops as the cavalry mounted up, taking their compatriots and heading off to their destination. Most of the companies of cavalry were in that group, along with scores of archers. From the north would rain arrows and the cries of horses, while from the south would ring the clash of steel and the flicker of blades.

Mai had agreed to help in this particular battle, alongside Clyde, since this was a strategy she could approve of in a sense. No tricks, no secrets, just readying and fighting, cutting off the enemies retreat and assaulting them before they could strike back. Mai’s eyes, not holding fire at the moment, but certain adoration for the speech given, were turned on Clyde…maybe she’d been wrong a bit. No coward would march into battle with a plan like this…Maybe a fool, but no coward. It took either ignorance or confidence, and General Enduro had instilled the latter in his soldiers.

The march was eventless, but the call to arms was still fresh in the soldier’s hearts throughout the night, resting in preparation for the next day. Not a light or fire was lit, leaving the camp in darkness, lit only by the moon in the sky. Nestled on top of a barrel outside of the General’s tent was Mai, awaiting the leader as he finished making the rounds and talking with his troops, easing doubts and worries, and preparing them for what they would face tomorrow…One regret is he couldn’t converse with the soldiers on the other side of those hills…

“They look up to you…it’s a little inspiring, I hadn’t noticed before…�

Clyde smirked, hopping up onto the barrel beside her, looking up at the moon like she was. One leg of Mai’s was on the barrel, clad in red like the rest of her as always, regular clothing, simple red pants and a red shirt taken from her pack, no need to look menacing for the night, or attractive or anything of the like…like anyone could even see her in this light. Voices were all that told the tale and all Mai looked like was a red blur against a green and blue background. Clyde blended in, actually…

“No, they just love their country…Delos is a fine place to live in…but it isn’t without fault. The majority of these soldiers have no formal training…for many these are their first battles. Then there’s the lack of a military force outside of Delos, leaving bandits to move into places like this…there is a serious bandit problem around here…this is just the start though. We’ve let them grow for too long…�

Mai shook her head, relaxing against Clyde for once…just leaning on his form with her shoulder…he was cold to the touch, even through clothing. Last night had sent chills up her spine, and it had made him sweat in so many ways…were they really that bad for one another? Genetically, yes…physically, perhaps…mentally, not at all. So what was the case, or what would happen? Did they even care? Mai could hardly say she did…but there were things she needed to do…she couldn’t stick around here forever…

“It does seem like a good place…but eradicating people for their lifestyle…� Clyde cut her off, “That’s not the case…they attack the towns and settlements, hijack merchants, disrupt the way of life about here, toss the economy into turmoil with the lost shipments, and make it dangerous to even leave one’s home. Bandits are a threat here…if they didn’t make such problems…then there would be no reason to get rid of them. Delos is weak enough as it is without more crippling it…if Aephris decided to strike…we would be wiped out.�

Mai sighed a bit, going a little limp with a groan, ruby eyes rising to meet the aqua already looking down to her. The moment seemed to last forever, the two of them, just looking before Clyde slipped a hand onto her cheek, brushing back a lock of her hair as he leaned in and kissed her softly, prompting Mai to look away. His skin…was so cold…Yet to Clyde, she was so warm…

“Clyde…what would you do after all of this? When the bandits are dealt with…what’s left for you when Delos is safe?�

Doubt showed in her eyes, though Clyde couldn’t see them from the angle of her head, wanting to turn her head back to face him…Looking into her eyes calmed him…it made him feel safe and reassured. Mai had a soothing affect on him, it became apparent after the previous night, and Clyde had the same such on her, able to calm the inferno that had been their Fire Elemental guest…

“That all depends, Mai…would you wait for me?�

Slowly, her head turned back up to face him, looking into his eyes once more with a hint of doubt. Clyde picked up on it, leaning in and pressing his lips firmly to hers once more, hand caressing her cheek on into the night. Not a soldier knew what happened between the two the night before, nor would they know what proceeded tonight…after all, it was too dark to see ten feet ahead of you, and when Mai was about or near somewhere, the soldiers stayed away from there at night…Just in case she got violent over something.

-----

Blood…he could see it, taste it, feel it…but Clyde had gone to sleep, hadn’t he? Lost in dreams with Mai held firmly in his arms, that hold only growing tighter as the visions hit him, as real as if he were there. Delos was burning…the castle in flames, the town in shambles, all of it burning. Knights rode through the city, knights clad in armor black as the night they struck on, leaving destruction in their wake. A city turned into a sea of flames, a town where people lived, loved, and thrived reduced to piles of ash…

A jar, something painful to wake him up as Mai elbowed him deep into his side, causing him to cough and start. She sighed, red form snuggling into him with a smirk, giggling to herself, “You were squeezing me too hard, Clyde…is something wrong?�

Silent, he thought, kissing her cheek and holding her close, honestly needing the comfort. What he had seen had been so real, Clyde could have sworn it was happening. That there had been knights attacking Delos…but Leon was defending it, wasn’t he? No, Leon was back at camp, Nindural camp located in the mountains, a good day from Delos. They technically weren’t the army…�Just…a dream…�

Mai frowned a little, turning in his arms and placing a gentle kiss on his lips, holding it out a tiny bit…it didn’t take a genius to see whatever it was was bothering him, and her arms found their way around him, smiling softly, “What kind of dream, Clyde? What’s gotten at you?� Scooting as close as she could, Mai just attempted to provide some comfort for him…he had for her, nightly now, and it was her turn to return the favor.

Clyde shook his head, kissing her forehead with a weak smile, laying his head down to rest once more, and pulling the covers over them a bit tighter…it would be time to awaken for the strike soon, as Clyde knew dawn was fast approaching, “I just…saw something I shouldn’t have. Someone attacking Delos…� Mai smiled softly, kissing his cheek with a chuckle, “Silly, you’ve got that tower there, and all the soldiers and supplies inside…hole everyone up, and you can hold off just about anyone.�

Clyde nodded, “That was the strategy when it was built…but the tower was in flames too.� Shaking his head, Clyde softly kissed his darling’s neck, just holding her close for the moment, “Don’t worry about it…it was just a dream, Mai, I’ll be fine. Sorry for squeezing you…� Oh, she grinned playfully, kissing his cheek and giggling, “Oh, you know I don’t mind certain kinds of squeezing…� A little tease as she relaxed into his arms, the two of them talking quietly with one another until it was time to awaken for battle.

The sun peaked over the ridge, both parts if the Delosian detachment noticing and turning their attention on the camp, charging in, battle cries and screams flying in the melee. Horses charged, spear met shield, and sword in turn. Blade met blade, fist to fist on occasion, axe to axe, and arrow to skull. The battle had only just begun, and the Delosian forces were pulling ahead victory wise. Pushing the enemy back towards their camp, Clyde’s strategy was working as the side of both forces met in the center, effectively pinning the bandits in their own camp while arrows rained in.

The second detachment met with little resistance from the scrambling bandits at the time, them far too worried about escaping or making it out alive then working and fighting together in the confusion, however’ Clyde’s side seemed to be meeting with an organized resistance. It seems they were only expecting an attack from one side, and as fire and ice rained down on the battlefield, the General waited for ht blunt of the forces to have their flank exposed and attacked as the second detachment cut its way through the camp, blood, sweat, and tears flowing freely from every man and woman who met their end at a sword point.

It was a massacre on one side, a battle on another, and the two were quickly finding their way together while all the while arrows rained down on all parties before the archers began to target ones another. Brilliant, that, as the unarmored men on both sides fell while the armies clashed, the ring of blade to blade alive in the valley with a vengeance that would not be denied. No, the clashing was quite clear in it’s noise, marking every ear that heard it with a sort of rallying cry, of which shortly also erupted.

Mai was making quick work of the armored foes, as melting their precious armor to their bodies as they screamed before she liberated their heads from their bodies was just such fun. It nearly made Enduro sick as he froze group after group, entering with his sword drawn to slice limbs, severe heads, or stab in the heart the frozen enemies…Sure, the General would be rather worn out back in his quarters, but it minimized the risk of casualties…and that was certainly what was important to Clyde. Mai didn’t approve much, but…well she could deal with it for now…

Though the chill and flames were getting to them both…

Unlike the other battles, where only bandit lay on the ground, cold and dead, bloodied and beaten, some soldiers in armor were laying amongst the dead, pulling harsh looks and tears in some cases from their comrades…maybe it was the reality of death and mortality setting in, maybe it wasn’t. Beforehand they had been invincible…now as some saw their own blood, and other saw the blood of their brothers, morale was declining. Taking note, Clyde jumped atop a nearby wagon, clanging his sword onto his buckler to gather attention.

“Proud army of Delos…you have fought well today. I know the sorrows we are facing now, but do not let their sacrifices be in vain. People lost their lives today, but they lost them fighting for their country, for the land they loved, and for the safety of the people of their kingdom! We mustn’t let their deaths lead to the fall of Delos, instead let it lead to the glory as we take back our land, rid ourselves of what is plaguing us, and strengthen ourselves for the coming days! Come! You all have earned it…let us return home, for tonight, a banquet shall be held in the halls like none ever seen before!�

Would there be a banquet? Er…probably not, but Clyde could have sent a messenger ahead to prepare. In either case, he hoped off the wagon, men inspired again as they searched through the camp, preparing for the way home. This time, they had wagon, enough for most of the archers and swordsman to ride in, and hosts of horses from the camp, all of which would be returned to their owners should they come forth, but until then things needed to be hauled. Everything loaded, the troops set out, headed home…for Delos.

Nothing could prepare them for what awaited them though…

-----

As if dream became reality, the city had been reduced to the ash Clyde had been witness to in his nightmare. It didn’t take the general but a moment to tremble, leaping from the wagon and vaulting towards the castle as his soldiers looked on in dismay. A few cried out for their children, their wives, husbands, family, names of people they knew for years, or maybe in passing, the grief of losing them all thick in their veins. This wasn’t happening; this couldn’t be happening…Delos couldn’t be assaulted! They had the tower and the castle keep; easily defensible to protect the people…there was no way this was happening!

Mai leapt after Clyde, running after him as fast as her legs could move…he needed her before he did something stupid. Sorta late for that, as Clyde vaulted through the city…passing the blacksmith’s, poor John and his work there, and on the opposite side, the jewelers and armorsmith, and past that the general store, then the uptown clothing shops…the bakery, the museum, the gallery…Evanescue Manor! All lay in rubble as Clyde approached his goal of the castle keep, sword drawn. In front of the doors seemed to be…darkness embodied. No solid form the creatures shifted and twitched with every ray of light that was denied by the castle entranceway…

“Get. Out. OF. MY. WAY!�

A hiss erupted, and it almost sounded like a chilling mass born from the darkness these creatures seemed to crawl out of. Horrid, screeching sounds that were low and wispy, likely laughter from the fetid beings as they shifted and moved. The near sight of them was offensive enough, blobs without form or body, and there was no way of knowing where the sounds were coming from….perhaps here, perhaps there, or maybe from inside the very beings themselves. No head, wisps for arms, likely not even a body…simply a mass of darkness that almost appeared ethereal…What came next was a raspy hum that sounded like it rang from someone whom had been torn of a throat…

“Ne…..ver…ele….mental…scum…our mas…ter…command…s…it…�

Eye flashing a darker blue, Clyde jumped, coming downward swinging at one of the beings, it’s very body seeming to splinter before the sword even touched it, and then reform after the blade had passed. While Clyde merely saw his blade touch the ground in wonder, the being formed a blunt fist, striking at Clyde’s jaw and sending him reeling, sword and all until he hit the ground with a thud. “Son…of…� Rising quickly, Clyde rammed the tip of his blade into the grass, pulling his hands together for a force of power, and pushing it forward…Ice swept over the entranceway, the beings frozen still which let Clyde easily walk up, sword in hand again, and place a solid kick on each, sending them shattering.

Pushing through the rubble in front of the castle doors and the ice, or what was left of them, the Fire Elemental made her way in the same way Clyde had, following the sound of his footsteps until they had run cold, leaving her to slowly approach behind him…into the throne room.

“Just like…my dream…�

Oddly serene in its destruction, the roof of the castle was either no more in places, or in shambles, ray’s of light cast down here and there, giving the place a look of peace through being ravaged. The throne itself seemed oddly out of place, a twisted and black version of what was once there, spikes and horns protruding from the outside, with a figure sleepily sitting on top, eyes cast lazily on Clyde as if he were bored. It was a he. It was a night…but this one had been dressed in white, unlike the others whom had attack, blonde hair falling down to his shoulders as he drew the sword that had been fastened around his waist. Not a stitch of armor was on the man, and he rose, chuckling, “So nice of you to come to the festivities, though you are rather late, for the party is over. One should never tarry, such leaves a bad taste, doesn’t it Enduro. You should know more then anyone else what damage waiting can do, do you not? Is it not what cost you your mother’s life? Stalling killed her, you killed her, boy.�

“How…how do you know? WHAT DO YOU KNOW?! My father killed her!� Anger was rising, Clyde’s eyes growing a darker and darker azure while the man before him kept speaking, hand gesture flowing eloquently along with the words. Every bit of this blonde haired menace screamed arrogance, as if he simply perceived himself better then all others around him, that it was a reward for the others to merely be in his presence as he spoke down to such inferior beings. Such mortals, such insects, such lambs for the slaughter…to him, that was what they were.

“Tsk, Tsk. Temper Enduro. I happen to know a great many bits of knowledge about you and your household…such as where your father ran off to. You see, Enduro, fate and destiny have this sense of working their magic in such odd ways, and passing information beneath the door, so to speak, and what I’ve become privy to would truthfully astonish such a feeble intellect as your own. Mortals are such trifles…no matter, however, you shant be among the living much longer. Soon to join your dear mother, but do survive long enough for me to personally rend the heart from your chest, Enduro. Such an oddity you are.�

It didn’t take another moment, and Clyde’s own blade was drawn, a few utterances under his breath, curses at the man which did not bear repeating to anyone. Hate, anger, vengeance, the want for retribution was welling up inside him, blade ‘growing’ as ice coated it to a fine point, just a bit larger and all the more deadly as he jumped, swinging his blade…Mai was simply watching on…she…knew this man, had seen and heard of him before, and had been too shocked to call Clyde back and hold him off…it was a death wish to strike…

Formed by the offenders own sanguine fluid, a spike burst forth from his body, catching Clyde in the air and piercing straight through his stomach, leaving him suspended like a rag doll, coughing and breathing heavy, clinging to life just barely. Mai drew her chakram, ready to strike to save her darling, but the man saw no need, dropping him to the ground, spike still in him before it vanished back where it came, returning to the caster’s blood and leaving Clyde in his own growing pool of vitae. “Pity. I was expecting so much more from you, Enduro.�

Stepping around the boy, he turned his attention on Mai, “And what have we here…a Fire Elemental? You do know the boy is Ice in his veins…oh, this is truly interesting…� Chuckling, he turned, walking back to the throne and sitting down, “Grow strong and present a challenge for me, or I will simply wipe out the both of your races…Elementals pose such a small threat…your lord would be such quick work.� Without another word, the throne itself vanished as shadows rose, pulling it down into them and leaving just Clyde and Mai…The latter rushing to the former, making small flames to dry and harden the blood to force scabs to stop the bleeding…he needed a doctor.

That's all for now. Perhaps I may place up the rest later, if the mood strikes me, or if someone requests it.

I'll request it..XD I forgot a lot of this...

In the beginning, the land was but a wasteland, and the Eljha looked down onto it, saddened by the desolation and ruin. With a single breath, she blew out onto the land, springing forth life where there was once none. Plants, trees, flowers all grew, though Eljha noticed a flaw in this. There stood no one to enjoy it, to thrive on the land that had been reborn, and grow as those who came before had done. The elves, the mystics, the elementals all survived, tended, and enjoyed the surroundings before hand, but there were no people to truly breathe life into the land through struggle and perseverance.

At this time…Eljha recreated the first humans, shaping them after the other races with diminished bits of all held inside. They would be the culmination of all existence…the mixture of all life and those that would truly tempt and bear the burdens nature would put forth…and one day, she knew, they would tempt the gods themselves with their might.

“How is he?�

“The boy’s lost a lot of blood, but there’s little actually on him…this is…odd to say the least.�

“I don’t care if it’s odd; I’m asking if he’ll make it.�

“Calm down, calm down, Commander. Given proper bedrest and relaxation, I don’t see why he wouldn’t. The wound was hardly fatal, and it seems the girl made sure he wouldn’t lose too much blood, so there’s little chance he won’t make it.�

“What about the girl…where is she?�

“She hasn’t left his side since we got him in here, sir, or spoken much of anything when questioned. I think she may be in a state of emotional shock…�

“Hmm…well, it’s not unlike Clyde to gather a girl or two here and there. If he wakes up, send me word…and tell him I’d like to speak with him when he’s ready.�

“Of course, sir.�

Oh, pain…was a pounding pain. A burning sensation of sorts that started at the tip of the head and slowly spread downward throughout the body, centering on his stomach, right where the spike wa-…Was. It wasn’t there now. What had crippled him, and made that pain writhe through his body was gone…so why did it still hurt? Was his mind not gathering that it was no longer present and hindering him, causing the sensation of physical pain in the absence of true pain? Whatever the cause, it made the boy stir a bit, groaning lightly…

Mai’s eyes, rubies that they were, lit up with a different kind of flame then oft noticed at his movement, face lighting as well as she tried her best to sit still. Her eyes had yet to leave his face for more then a few scattered moments, intently eyeing the person she failed…If he was rousing, the last thing he needed was her tackling him or being affectionate, certainly not with his injury. The healers hadn’t said many good things about his condition other then he should make it…

“……ungh…�

Spoken word, even if it wasn’t a word, set her mind aflutter, pushing away the chair as she knelt beside the bed, grasping up his hand, still cold to the touch in her own, and the warmth making him shiver a tiny bit. Even in his stupor at the moment, he knew it had to be Mai…no one else had felt that warm to him. Oddly enough, alongside the relief that she was alive and safe, came the embarrassment that he had even gotten into this predicament, and that he knew he had to have worried Mai…

“…Clyde?� Oh, now he heard her voice…either this was a sweet dream, or reality, and Clyde was fearful to face the latter, forcing himself to slowly open his eyes, much to Mai’s delight. “Clyde!� Oh, she moved before thinking, leaning up and slipping her arms around his neck to hug him close, also applying a bit of light pressure to his stomach, which prompted a cringe and groan, a light apology from Mai, and her to move back, getting the chair and pulling it up against the bed, taking his hand in hers once more.

“Oh…you’re awake…�