Sentinel (Not a Lemon!)
0
Ok this may be a wall of text as it 4 pages of A4 long, but I would like to know what everyone thinks about it. This is the prologue to a story I may eventually get round to writing down in more then summary format, and is the product of many years of overactive imaginings.
Summary
So as not to spoil it too much, the world of Galor is a 'stereotypical' fantasy world where a dark sorcerer of great power has been corrupted by a being older then time itself. If he is not stopped his actions shall bring about the death of all that lives on Galor. Yet there are those in the universe who are tasked with seeking out those who have been corrupted by these evil beings and deafeating them so that balnce can be restored to the universe. The story begins in the northen plains of Galor where barbarian tribes wrestle daily for dominance over the sparse resources of the harsh, unforgiving wilds.
Enjoy
Sentinel
Prologue
It was an omen of things to come. The night sky lay like a blanket of diamond laced black satin sheltering Galor. Since before even the first being of that world had gazed into its inky depths to question its place among those twinkling lights. In a time when the first tribes had heard stories of the great Star gods. When the shamans had spoken in guttural tones of mighty beings of light that had done battle in the heavens against the first evil. Of how these gods had martyred their bodies upon the great field of the sky so that their incandescent blood would spatter across the sky to form the stars themselves. Thus saving the children of Galor from darkness and the cold embrace of those ancient evil gods of darkness. Yet on this fateful night a new star had appeared in the sky. Yet unlike its brethren silent and still in their lonely vigil of the night it had grown rapidly, as if selfishly seeking to outshine the other stars and claim the night sky for itself. Then it moved down towards the surface with ever increasing speed falling to the surface of Galor as if its attempts to outshine its brethren had caused them to cast it down to the surface, exiled from the heavens for its folly. Although the truth was as ever far more plausible, yet still its arrival would set in motion events that would change the lives of every being on the planet forever.
The silence of the moors lay thick around Gar as if the very air was made of honey. The only sound that could be heard was that of his own the shallow breathing and that of his blood kin who moved through the shadows around him as they followed the tracks of the treacherous Jin. Jin who had committed the most heinous crime among the Kiva Clan, he had slain a blood brother in a drunken rage, only to flee in terror of reprisal. None had ever escaped Kiva justice. Even its own champion would know the price that must be paid for the life of a blood brother, the head of the murderer given to the family of the slain as compensation for their most tragic of losses. Yet as Jin had fled his punishment was to be far more brutal, for before they severed his head the would flay him until his body was covered in thousands of lacerations. Into which salt would be mixed with sweat and blood. Then he would be burned alive screaming his regrets to an unforgiving sky. Only after this would his head be removed before the flames consumed his agonised flesh. Such was the punishment for cowards among the Kiva Clan. Gar alone had volunteered to lead his kin in pursuit of the traitor, for Jin was rightly feared, as champion of his Clan. With muscles as thick as the arms of lesser men and hands the size of a man’s head he could swing his hammer through the walls of a building as casually as another would swat an insect out of the sky. It was his might alone that had prevented the larger clans from descending on the Kiva Clan. Savaging it to death and picking it clean like the great wolves that roamed the night. What would come of the Kiva Gar couldn't say, but know was not the time for such considerations. He had to focus on finding Jin before the other clans did or surely the fate of the Kiva would be sealed. Pushing these thoughts aside he sniffed the air for Jin’s familiar pungent odour, stale sweat and blood which surrounded Jin like a cloud of flies around a rotting corpse. He smiled despite himself, Jin may have been a warrior without equal but even a southern whelp could follow his trail with their eyes closed, so pungent was his stench. The wind howled momentarily as icy daggers of cold whipped against Gar and his kin, but none shivered for it would take more then a blast of ice-cold air to chill them, even if it beat upon their bare flesh for hours on end it would not have caused a single pimple or hair to raise upon their bodies. Even so they all wore their furs on their shoulders for were a blizzard to come in from the north even they would be cut to shreds, as shards of hail and sleet could slice their flesh from their bones without the magical fur of the mountain yeti’s. Each member of the Kiva wore their furs as a sign that they were true warriors. For each child upon his coming of age whether man or woman would set out into the wastes to find and kill a yeti so as to claim its fur for their own. For the Kiva Clan would have no one in their tribe who could not fight with all the fury of the great bear or face any foe with the courage of the mountain lion.
Surveying those around him his heart swelled with pride, to see his kin follow the trail with such skill. Each and every one of them were from good families and their whipcord muscles ready to spring into action whatever the occasion. Nika her long charcoal black hair seeming to absorb the light around like a cloak of deepest midnight. Her sharp green eyes flitted constantly and she favoured him with a quick smile as their eyes met briefly before she once again focused on the trail. She held her black longbow in her hands with easy confidence for she was know as the best in the tribe, capable of shooting the wing off a moth from 500m in the dark thanks to the power of her bloodline and her own dedication to the Way of the Archer. Ridan the youngest among the group who had but a month ago hacked the head off his yeti with his axe that still had the yeti’s blood staining its surface. His short blond hair cropped so as not to obscure his deep brown eyes. Gar noted how his cloak was still matted and piss soaked, after only a month of cleaning. If he hadn’t got the smell out he thought he would not have been able to come, but Ridan had spent all his spare time washing the coat in oils and herbs so as to mask its smell from all but the most acute of senses. Finally he gazed back at Matthias who met his gaze instantly with grey eyes as old and hard as the mountains. At first Gar had been against the old man coming along, but after being floored the instant the words left his lips, he considered it could never hurt to have a man of such great wisdom and vast experience alongside them. Besides what if they needed to identify something that only the village elders knew the secrets of, he would be endangering the lives of his kin if he went in to a situation unprepared. †˜Forewarned was forearmed’ after all. That and of course having a skilled veteran wielding a razor sharp claymore was never going to hurt. Well not him at the very least. Before he could dwell on this any further he caught a bright flash of light out of the corner of his eye. Ducking instinctively he glanced around him to see six pairs of eyes staring up at the sky their owners crouched on the grounds ready to strike like coiled vipers. Following their gaze he stared up at the ever-growing white fireball hurtling towards them. Although it was still only slightly bigger then the stars that shone around it the object was definitely getting closer and it was undeniably heading to the surface. Looking at Matthias questioningly he caught his breath in surprise, as he saw Matthias shivering as he closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief.
“The god's blood falls to Galor,
Evil arises, heavens bleed,
Peace must hide from tidings of War,
Fate calls, daemons feed”
Matthias intoned, his heavy guttural tones lending depth and import to his ominous words. “What do you mean old man?” said Nika warily barely hiding the quiver of her voice. Matthias snapped out of his daze fixing his gaze into Nika’s emerald eyes. “It is an omen child. One that signals a time of great suffering and woe for the clans.” “How so?” questioned Ridan. Matthias said nothing but raised his arms to the skies. Then only when he was sure that his kin saw where he was pointing he spoke “It is foretold that when a star falls from the sky between the sign of the Great Bull Misru and Inoro the Wizard, They Who Crave shall posses one of our World. One who desires only power and whose heart is filled with only hate. He shall be fooled into unlocking the seals on the Gate of Fire itself.” Ridan gulped, Nika cursed. It took all of Gar’s strength of will not to react at the mention of the Gate of Fire. For he like all of his tribe had been told of the terrors that lay behind its doors and those who ruled over them.
“But that is surely no more then a myth used to scare young children into obedience, the Gate of Fire is just a legend.” Ridan said his voice betraying the doubt of his own words. The thin ghost of a smile flickered across Matthias lips before vanishing like morning dew. “No my child it is far more then that” said Matthias darkly. “Far more then that.” And with that he said no more simply returning his gaze to the stars. Mustering his thoughts Gar stood up straight “Omens or not we must find Jin.” His kin nodded and without a word they set off once more, melting into the darkness like the ghosts of twilight.
For the first time in his life Jin was worried. Scared no, a warrior knew no fear. Worry now that was a feeling he could comprehend. He had no Clan, no direction and he knew trackers whose skills in detection were far better then his skills in evasion were snapping at his heels like wolves. He cursed softly under his breath causing a small cloud of moisture to vomit forth from his lips, to dissipate on contact with the crisp morning air. The fact he had managed to last until dawn and still no be caught was unusual to say the least and he had to repress the fleeting hope that they had not pursed him. They would follow him though of that there was no doubt. He thought back to the events that had led to his flight, away from everything he once called dear. He could still remember Evin’s face now, his curly blonde hair, ruddy cheeks and soft blue eyes. It had all started with a simple bragging competition during the celebration feast of Umir the Chieftain’s son who had returned from his intiation hunt. After a few ludicrous boasts the competition naturally progressed into a battle of drunken wits as the ale flowed freely so too did Evin’s tongue. In a fit of drunken stupidity Evin had insulted the one taboo around the normally thick-skinned Jin. The one person who no one belittled, for fear of Jin and his reprisal. For he had insulted his mother Kira. The whole room went as quite as a barrow as they saw Evin’s lifeless corpse hit the ground blood fountaining out of the shattered remains of his neck where his head had been but a second before. As the fragments of his skull dripped slowly from the wall behind him now bathed in a dripping layer of crimson and gore. As soon as Evin had spoken those fateful words Jin had swung his gigantic fist with all his might in blind rage, at this most base of insults to his long dead mother. He still remembered how Evin’s head split like an overripe fruit as he had lashed out with a force that he only ever used to intimidate rivals with, splitting gigantic boulders into nothing but gravel. After that he could only remember running as fast as he could chased by the shame of slaying one his kin . Only slowing down when the place he had once called home was naught but a speck of dust on the distant horizon. He had then stopped to catch his breath and after a quick rest had begun to head off once more in search of a tribe that would accept him, despite his crime and take him under their wing. That had been a while ago now he realised, as crouching down he stared around warily looking for signs of life. Then without warning a vast roar erupted from his stomach as it growled in rebellion and frustration. Jin grimaced chastising himself for not looking for food along the way. Although in truth he had always relied on others to do the hunting while he concentrated on the kill. With a sigh he sat down hoping that it would ease his appetite and allow him to plan his next move.
“Sleep well brother” said a voice in his ear. Jin almost fell over backwards in shock, but a familiar pair of hands caught him before he toppled over. A pair of hands he had known since childhood. With a snarl of rage he stood upright wrenching himself out of the grip of those familiar hands, whirling around as he did so to face Gar his brother and dearest friend. “I knew only you would have the balls to come looking for me Gar.” He spat looking at his brother with undisguised disgust. His brother was tall and wiry compared to Jin’s stock muscular frame. Although he still sported muscles he was wiry compared to most northerners. His long brown hair spilled down his shoulders like water and his simple yet warm brown eyes sparkled softly in the light of the oncoming dawn. “Well it’s a good job some of us never had balls in the first place” said a familiar voice behind him. “I apologise” drawled Jin a sarcastic grim playing across his lips. “I forgot Gar needs a girl to watch him in case he hurts himself.” Nika laughed coldly as she tautened her longbow pointing it mere centimetres from the back of his skull. Jin seethed as he saw his Uncle Matthias and Gar’s pet boy Ridan melt out of the shadows behind Gar. Matthias matching Jin’s cold gaze impassively in stark contrast to Ridan who avoided making eye contact with Jin, instead staring at the champions barrel like chest and boulder shaped fists. “Do not fight us brother.” said Gar steadily. “I wish there was another way but you know as well as I do the laws of our clan, must be obeyed.” Jin stared hotly at his brother “But he insulted Mother” he murmured softly as if not wishing for anyone but Gar to hear of his confession. Gar flinched at this his knuckles turning white as they tightened around his blade. Matthias overheard though and placed his hand on Gar’s shoulder “Respect her memory son, and what she stood for” Matthias said softly. Gar relaxed at this nodding gently “Nonetheless, the law is the law, Jin” he said, “If you come quietly I promise that the reason for your crime will be taken into account.” Jin narrowed his eyes and spat sideways. “So what, that way I can get off with a light beheading” he hissed “I better come quietly, in case there is a fate worse then death.” He whined sarcastically. At this Gar unsheathed his blade slightly showing an inch of its mirror perfect surface and sharp edge. “Even so, I do not wish to use force but we will if I have to” without a trace of the nervousness Jin knew Ridan felt. Jin thought quickly about his situation and made up his mind. He moved his fingers towards the hammer slung across his back. The hammer feared among the rivals of the Kiva. Known as The Mountain Breaker it was 2 metres long with a head of black obsidian the size of an ale barrel. “Now, now” Nika chided, “Let’s not throw a tantrum, leave your toys alone” she said further tightening the bowstring. Jin smiled at this and in a blur of movement span around on the balls of his feet ducking as he Nika’s arrow whistled over his head sinking itself into Ridan's thigh. With a casual swipe of his hand he smashed her longbow into firewood, sending her flying backwards to smash her head onto the tree behind her. Continuing his spin he drew his hammer and wheeled to face Gar with his weapon drawn. “Leave me be brother or so help me I will be forced to kill you too” he shouted. At this Gar drew his sword and Matthias readied his weapons in preparation for the fight ahead. Ridan grunted as with savage twist he withdrew the arrow shaft from his thigh, before collapsing into unconsciousness the arrowhead still buried in his flesh. The tension in the air grew as both sides, unwilling to fight waited for the other to back down. Although only mere seconds passed by, Gar felt as if he stood there for hours waiting for Jin to make a move. Time seemed to slow down to a standstill. Then Matthias gasped his eyes widening as he saw a sight even more terrifying then that which lay before him. “Look Out” he screamed as the men looked to where he pointed to see a white ball of light hurtle towards then wreathed in smoke and flames. Instinctively they shielded their eyes and crouched down to lessen the force of the inevitable impact. Yet it was all in vain as the ball of flame screamed towards them engulfing them in a blaze of white light and fury.
Once again I apologise for the wall of text :p
Summary
So as not to spoil it too much, the world of Galor is a 'stereotypical' fantasy world where a dark sorcerer of great power has been corrupted by a being older then time itself. If he is not stopped his actions shall bring about the death of all that lives on Galor. Yet there are those in the universe who are tasked with seeking out those who have been corrupted by these evil beings and deafeating them so that balnce can be restored to the universe. The story begins in the northen plains of Galor where barbarian tribes wrestle daily for dominance over the sparse resources of the harsh, unforgiving wilds.
Enjoy
Sentinel
Prologue
It was an omen of things to come. The night sky lay like a blanket of diamond laced black satin sheltering Galor. Since before even the first being of that world had gazed into its inky depths to question its place among those twinkling lights. In a time when the first tribes had heard stories of the great Star gods. When the shamans had spoken in guttural tones of mighty beings of light that had done battle in the heavens against the first evil. Of how these gods had martyred their bodies upon the great field of the sky so that their incandescent blood would spatter across the sky to form the stars themselves. Thus saving the children of Galor from darkness and the cold embrace of those ancient evil gods of darkness. Yet on this fateful night a new star had appeared in the sky. Yet unlike its brethren silent and still in their lonely vigil of the night it had grown rapidly, as if selfishly seeking to outshine the other stars and claim the night sky for itself. Then it moved down towards the surface with ever increasing speed falling to the surface of Galor as if its attempts to outshine its brethren had caused them to cast it down to the surface, exiled from the heavens for its folly. Although the truth was as ever far more plausible, yet still its arrival would set in motion events that would change the lives of every being on the planet forever.
The silence of the moors lay thick around Gar as if the very air was made of honey. The only sound that could be heard was that of his own the shallow breathing and that of his blood kin who moved through the shadows around him as they followed the tracks of the treacherous Jin. Jin who had committed the most heinous crime among the Kiva Clan, he had slain a blood brother in a drunken rage, only to flee in terror of reprisal. None had ever escaped Kiva justice. Even its own champion would know the price that must be paid for the life of a blood brother, the head of the murderer given to the family of the slain as compensation for their most tragic of losses. Yet as Jin had fled his punishment was to be far more brutal, for before they severed his head the would flay him until his body was covered in thousands of lacerations. Into which salt would be mixed with sweat and blood. Then he would be burned alive screaming his regrets to an unforgiving sky. Only after this would his head be removed before the flames consumed his agonised flesh. Such was the punishment for cowards among the Kiva Clan. Gar alone had volunteered to lead his kin in pursuit of the traitor, for Jin was rightly feared, as champion of his Clan. With muscles as thick as the arms of lesser men and hands the size of a man’s head he could swing his hammer through the walls of a building as casually as another would swat an insect out of the sky. It was his might alone that had prevented the larger clans from descending on the Kiva Clan. Savaging it to death and picking it clean like the great wolves that roamed the night. What would come of the Kiva Gar couldn't say, but know was not the time for such considerations. He had to focus on finding Jin before the other clans did or surely the fate of the Kiva would be sealed. Pushing these thoughts aside he sniffed the air for Jin’s familiar pungent odour, stale sweat and blood which surrounded Jin like a cloud of flies around a rotting corpse. He smiled despite himself, Jin may have been a warrior without equal but even a southern whelp could follow his trail with their eyes closed, so pungent was his stench. The wind howled momentarily as icy daggers of cold whipped against Gar and his kin, but none shivered for it would take more then a blast of ice-cold air to chill them, even if it beat upon their bare flesh for hours on end it would not have caused a single pimple or hair to raise upon their bodies. Even so they all wore their furs on their shoulders for were a blizzard to come in from the north even they would be cut to shreds, as shards of hail and sleet could slice their flesh from their bones without the magical fur of the mountain yeti’s. Each member of the Kiva wore their furs as a sign that they were true warriors. For each child upon his coming of age whether man or woman would set out into the wastes to find and kill a yeti so as to claim its fur for their own. For the Kiva Clan would have no one in their tribe who could not fight with all the fury of the great bear or face any foe with the courage of the mountain lion.
Surveying those around him his heart swelled with pride, to see his kin follow the trail with such skill. Each and every one of them were from good families and their whipcord muscles ready to spring into action whatever the occasion. Nika her long charcoal black hair seeming to absorb the light around like a cloak of deepest midnight. Her sharp green eyes flitted constantly and she favoured him with a quick smile as their eyes met briefly before she once again focused on the trail. She held her black longbow in her hands with easy confidence for she was know as the best in the tribe, capable of shooting the wing off a moth from 500m in the dark thanks to the power of her bloodline and her own dedication to the Way of the Archer. Ridan the youngest among the group who had but a month ago hacked the head off his yeti with his axe that still had the yeti’s blood staining its surface. His short blond hair cropped so as not to obscure his deep brown eyes. Gar noted how his cloak was still matted and piss soaked, after only a month of cleaning. If he hadn’t got the smell out he thought he would not have been able to come, but Ridan had spent all his spare time washing the coat in oils and herbs so as to mask its smell from all but the most acute of senses. Finally he gazed back at Matthias who met his gaze instantly with grey eyes as old and hard as the mountains. At first Gar had been against the old man coming along, but after being floored the instant the words left his lips, he considered it could never hurt to have a man of such great wisdom and vast experience alongside them. Besides what if they needed to identify something that only the village elders knew the secrets of, he would be endangering the lives of his kin if he went in to a situation unprepared. †˜Forewarned was forearmed’ after all. That and of course having a skilled veteran wielding a razor sharp claymore was never going to hurt. Well not him at the very least. Before he could dwell on this any further he caught a bright flash of light out of the corner of his eye. Ducking instinctively he glanced around him to see six pairs of eyes staring up at the sky their owners crouched on the grounds ready to strike like coiled vipers. Following their gaze he stared up at the ever-growing white fireball hurtling towards them. Although it was still only slightly bigger then the stars that shone around it the object was definitely getting closer and it was undeniably heading to the surface. Looking at Matthias questioningly he caught his breath in surprise, as he saw Matthias shivering as he closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief.
“The god's blood falls to Galor,
Evil arises, heavens bleed,
Peace must hide from tidings of War,
Fate calls, daemons feed”
Matthias intoned, his heavy guttural tones lending depth and import to his ominous words. “What do you mean old man?” said Nika warily barely hiding the quiver of her voice. Matthias snapped out of his daze fixing his gaze into Nika’s emerald eyes. “It is an omen child. One that signals a time of great suffering and woe for the clans.” “How so?” questioned Ridan. Matthias said nothing but raised his arms to the skies. Then only when he was sure that his kin saw where he was pointing he spoke “It is foretold that when a star falls from the sky between the sign of the Great Bull Misru and Inoro the Wizard, They Who Crave shall posses one of our World. One who desires only power and whose heart is filled with only hate. He shall be fooled into unlocking the seals on the Gate of Fire itself.” Ridan gulped, Nika cursed. It took all of Gar’s strength of will not to react at the mention of the Gate of Fire. For he like all of his tribe had been told of the terrors that lay behind its doors and those who ruled over them.
“But that is surely no more then a myth used to scare young children into obedience, the Gate of Fire is just a legend.” Ridan said his voice betraying the doubt of his own words. The thin ghost of a smile flickered across Matthias lips before vanishing like morning dew. “No my child it is far more then that” said Matthias darkly. “Far more then that.” And with that he said no more simply returning his gaze to the stars. Mustering his thoughts Gar stood up straight “Omens or not we must find Jin.” His kin nodded and without a word they set off once more, melting into the darkness like the ghosts of twilight.
For the first time in his life Jin was worried. Scared no, a warrior knew no fear. Worry now that was a feeling he could comprehend. He had no Clan, no direction and he knew trackers whose skills in detection were far better then his skills in evasion were snapping at his heels like wolves. He cursed softly under his breath causing a small cloud of moisture to vomit forth from his lips, to dissipate on contact with the crisp morning air. The fact he had managed to last until dawn and still no be caught was unusual to say the least and he had to repress the fleeting hope that they had not pursed him. They would follow him though of that there was no doubt. He thought back to the events that had led to his flight, away from everything he once called dear. He could still remember Evin’s face now, his curly blonde hair, ruddy cheeks and soft blue eyes. It had all started with a simple bragging competition during the celebration feast of Umir the Chieftain’s son who had returned from his intiation hunt. After a few ludicrous boasts the competition naturally progressed into a battle of drunken wits as the ale flowed freely so too did Evin’s tongue. In a fit of drunken stupidity Evin had insulted the one taboo around the normally thick-skinned Jin. The one person who no one belittled, for fear of Jin and his reprisal. For he had insulted his mother Kira. The whole room went as quite as a barrow as they saw Evin’s lifeless corpse hit the ground blood fountaining out of the shattered remains of his neck where his head had been but a second before. As the fragments of his skull dripped slowly from the wall behind him now bathed in a dripping layer of crimson and gore. As soon as Evin had spoken those fateful words Jin had swung his gigantic fist with all his might in blind rage, at this most base of insults to his long dead mother. He still remembered how Evin’s head split like an overripe fruit as he had lashed out with a force that he only ever used to intimidate rivals with, splitting gigantic boulders into nothing but gravel. After that he could only remember running as fast as he could chased by the shame of slaying one his kin . Only slowing down when the place he had once called home was naught but a speck of dust on the distant horizon. He had then stopped to catch his breath and after a quick rest had begun to head off once more in search of a tribe that would accept him, despite his crime and take him under their wing. That had been a while ago now he realised, as crouching down he stared around warily looking for signs of life. Then without warning a vast roar erupted from his stomach as it growled in rebellion and frustration. Jin grimaced chastising himself for not looking for food along the way. Although in truth he had always relied on others to do the hunting while he concentrated on the kill. With a sigh he sat down hoping that it would ease his appetite and allow him to plan his next move.
“Sleep well brother” said a voice in his ear. Jin almost fell over backwards in shock, but a familiar pair of hands caught him before he toppled over. A pair of hands he had known since childhood. With a snarl of rage he stood upright wrenching himself out of the grip of those familiar hands, whirling around as he did so to face Gar his brother and dearest friend. “I knew only you would have the balls to come looking for me Gar.” He spat looking at his brother with undisguised disgust. His brother was tall and wiry compared to Jin’s stock muscular frame. Although he still sported muscles he was wiry compared to most northerners. His long brown hair spilled down his shoulders like water and his simple yet warm brown eyes sparkled softly in the light of the oncoming dawn. “Well it’s a good job some of us never had balls in the first place” said a familiar voice behind him. “I apologise” drawled Jin a sarcastic grim playing across his lips. “I forgot Gar needs a girl to watch him in case he hurts himself.” Nika laughed coldly as she tautened her longbow pointing it mere centimetres from the back of his skull. Jin seethed as he saw his Uncle Matthias and Gar’s pet boy Ridan melt out of the shadows behind Gar. Matthias matching Jin’s cold gaze impassively in stark contrast to Ridan who avoided making eye contact with Jin, instead staring at the champions barrel like chest and boulder shaped fists. “Do not fight us brother.” said Gar steadily. “I wish there was another way but you know as well as I do the laws of our clan, must be obeyed.” Jin stared hotly at his brother “But he insulted Mother” he murmured softly as if not wishing for anyone but Gar to hear of his confession. Gar flinched at this his knuckles turning white as they tightened around his blade. Matthias overheard though and placed his hand on Gar’s shoulder “Respect her memory son, and what she stood for” Matthias said softly. Gar relaxed at this nodding gently “Nonetheless, the law is the law, Jin” he said, “If you come quietly I promise that the reason for your crime will be taken into account.” Jin narrowed his eyes and spat sideways. “So what, that way I can get off with a light beheading” he hissed “I better come quietly, in case there is a fate worse then death.” He whined sarcastically. At this Gar unsheathed his blade slightly showing an inch of its mirror perfect surface and sharp edge. “Even so, I do not wish to use force but we will if I have to” without a trace of the nervousness Jin knew Ridan felt. Jin thought quickly about his situation and made up his mind. He moved his fingers towards the hammer slung across his back. The hammer feared among the rivals of the Kiva. Known as The Mountain Breaker it was 2 metres long with a head of black obsidian the size of an ale barrel. “Now, now” Nika chided, “Let’s not throw a tantrum, leave your toys alone” she said further tightening the bowstring. Jin smiled at this and in a blur of movement span around on the balls of his feet ducking as he Nika’s arrow whistled over his head sinking itself into Ridan's thigh. With a casual swipe of his hand he smashed her longbow into firewood, sending her flying backwards to smash her head onto the tree behind her. Continuing his spin he drew his hammer and wheeled to face Gar with his weapon drawn. “Leave me be brother or so help me I will be forced to kill you too” he shouted. At this Gar drew his sword and Matthias readied his weapons in preparation for the fight ahead. Ridan grunted as with savage twist he withdrew the arrow shaft from his thigh, before collapsing into unconsciousness the arrowhead still buried in his flesh. The tension in the air grew as both sides, unwilling to fight waited for the other to back down. Although only mere seconds passed by, Gar felt as if he stood there for hours waiting for Jin to make a move. Time seemed to slow down to a standstill. Then Matthias gasped his eyes widening as he saw a sight even more terrifying then that which lay before him. “Look Out” he screamed as the men looked to where he pointed to see a white ball of light hurtle towards then wreathed in smoke and flames. Instinctively they shielded their eyes and crouched down to lessen the force of the inevitable impact. Yet it was all in vain as the ball of flame screamed towards them engulfing them in a blaze of white light and fury.
Once again I apologise for the wall of text :p
