Kender3421
Maevis Pas
Cheesburger eating ninja
Posts: 442
(5/14/06 11:06 am)
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Eternal Guardians
Here's one me and my buddys back home have been working on for years. This is only part one. I'll add more soon.
Eternal Guardians
Our story begins on Theoria as the main character, Cloud Rayne, has recently graduated from the Martial Academy at the top of his class. He has been drafted into the newly christened "Riptide" one-man battalion, led by his combat arts master, Lance Javalin, and the experimental unit has been dispatched to confirm the status of MIA general Markus Krade and retrieve him if he is still alive.
The pair head off to Cetria, the information hub for that sector of the galaxy. Upon their arrival, they find the planet wiped clean of natives. Lance sets the ship down and begins investigating the wholesale slaughter of the population, but they are ambushed by 3 deckans. A fight ensues and Cloud proves his skills against the warriors, defeating all 3. As they begin to haul their captives to the ship for questioning, a 4th Deckan, Javyn, appears and proves to be too much for the weary Theorian. Cloud and Lance make a hasty retreat to the planet's orbit.
While there, Lance heals Cloud's wounds and patches his shattered armor. With Cloud back in action, they return to the surface. Derrik, leader of the Deckan team, has sent the others away and has been waiting. Cloud fights Derrik to the brink of losing, but manages to defeat him. Their prisoner captive on the ship, Cloud and Lance tow Derrik's ship into space and formulate a plan.
Disguising Cloud as a Deckan, Lance sends him in Derrik's ship to infiltrate the Deckan home world and collect intelligence regarding their involvement in the demise of the Cetryu and the possible location of Krade. Insertion goes perfectly and Cloud, by some miracle of luck, becomes good friends with the Deckan prince. The two are sparring partners and Cloud improves greatly from Blaze's guidance. Cloud learns of the existence of the Burning Claw, a group of fanatics that started the Peacekeeper War and continue to maintain it. His people were proud and did not totally disagree with the faction, so his father would take no action to stop them or the war. Blaze, however, had other plans.
He'd gone behind his father's back and set up a meeting with the Burning Claw's leaders, a meeting he hoped to use to either talk them into moving toward peace... or kill them all and force peace on their followers. Blaze invites Cloud to act as one of his royal guards and he accepts, hoping to learn more of the Deckan customs. The group travels to the Burning Claw's main base on Rvall VI and is given clearance to land in the main landing bay. The group is led through a series of corridors to an open courtyard where they are surrounded.
The Burning Claw followers attack them, but Cloud, Blaze and the 3 others fend them off rather easily. They receive a large amount of trouble from Vincent Nightshade, second in command of the Claw. After a lengthy battle, he reveals that everything up until now was a trial. They are taken to a meeting with the Burning Claw leader, none other than Markus Krade.
The meeting goes poorly, ultimately resulting in a fight: Cloud & Blaze vs. Krade. The group fights valiantly, but Markus Krade reveals a powerful transformation neither of the 2 can match. He soundly defeats them. With Blaze in his custody, he releases Cloud to return home with news that he has captured the Deckan prince. He would be released only when the Theorian race was conquered. He returned and relayed the news to the King.
King Embers reveals that they were aware that Cloud was Theorian and had been watching him as he watched them. Blaze had reported that Cloud was as honorable as they come and the King vowed that, should Cloud save his son, he would put an end to the war. Cloud agreed and left Decka III for home.
Once there, he found his home planet in a panic. The Deckans, hearing that their prince was being held captive, redoubled their assault on the Theorians. Their outpost on Ardia Prime, the strategic center for any attack on Theoria itself, was nearly overrun. Cloud made his report and request to return to Rvall, but it was denied and he was sent to reinforce Ardia if possible.
Cloud found the soldiers of Ardia to be disheveled and worn down. He became friends with Kaiden, the replacement commander for the outpost and a high level run-gunner, as well as Brock and Aerith, 2 native soldiers reinforcing the Theorian encampment. Shortly after their arrival, the outpost was assaulted, but the incredible powers of these four left the Deckan assault force in shambles.
When the Deckans returned, they returned with fury. Carnal, the Deckan leader, apporached the outpost alone, demanding personal combat with the Theorian's champion prior to the battle. According to Deckan custom, should the Deckan commander lose such a challenge, his army must retreat. Equipped with this knowledge, Cloud answered the call.
The two fought a brutal and fierce match, but Cloud proved to be the stronger of the two. He spared Carnal's life and, as per the custom, the army was considered defeated and left Ardia Prime. Cloud was celebrated as the hero who saved Ardia. Terra and Aerith, both impressed by Cloud's strength, bravery, and self-sacrifice, requested to join his team. Cloud returns home with them and Lance agrees to train them.
Cloud is celebrated by the Theorian people, the hero who outfought the barbarians, and is honored by the Theorian Council. With new political weight backing him, Cloud again makes his request to travel to Rvall, this time granted. He takes his new friends and makes the journey to the Burning Claw's base. He fights his way down to the surface and as soon as the ship lands all hell breaks loose.
Legions of the Burning Claw's soldiers fall upon the group as they exit. After an extensive running engagement, they encounter a roadblock in the form of Vincent and his 2 leutenents, Belzer and Geigna. Kaiden, Terra, and Aerith attack these targets, allowing Cloud to advance. At long last, Cloud located Blaze, held in a containment cell in the prison. Unfortunetly, Krade was interrigating him at the moment of his arrival. He attacked Krade much more successfully than last time, dazing him for the moment he required to release Blaze.
The three had a quick, but violent fight in the jail room, with Blaze being weary, malnourished, and not particularly effective. Much like the last fight, Krade unleashed his powerful transformation to maintain the upper hand over the two warriors. All seemed lost as Krade used his 2 opponents to tear down the walls of his own fortress, leaving the group back in the courtyard.
The three conpatriots Cloud had left behind had been victorious over their opponents and now the entire team of 5 prepared to engage Krade. They seemed to hold their own against Krade, despite his powers, but it didn't last very long. Krade brutally killed Kaiden, leaving the Gunrunner to bleed himself to death. Cloud rushed to his side, making futile efforts to save his friend. The remaining members were forced to continuously switch between engaging Krade and the Claw forces streaming into the courtyard. One by one, they fell to Krade's power.
Through shock and horror at the tragedy around him, something erupted within Cloud and, surrounded by brilliant blue energy, he rushed to confront Krade. Overtaken by his need to save his friend, Cloud blindly drew his sword and, with his newfound strength, pierced the heart of his enemy.
The dying Krade expressed his joy that a hero had emerged to lead both the Deckan and Theorian people against the gathering tide of darkness. Having killed for the first time, Cloud was greatly shaken by Krade's death. The remaining Claw soldiers stood gaping in total shock. Grabbing Kaiden's and Krade's bodies, the four strode wearily back to the ship and departed for Theoria.
Cloud and Blaze arrived on Theoria, bodies in tow. Cloud repeated his claims that a separate faction had initiated the war and the misunderstanding was maintaining it. It was this rebel faction, he reported, that had killed these 2 and the Deckan prince was here to negotiate peace on his people's behalf. Blaze did negotiate with the Council, but any definitive peace accord would need his father's approval. They signed a cease-fire and distributed the orders to all warring states on either side.
The prince and the council quickly assembled and envoy to the Deckan homeworld to conclude the peace negotiations. Cloud and Lance, along with the newly certified Terra and Aerith, were assigned among the escorts, due to their heroism and relationship with the prince. The trip went smoothly, almost enjoyably, until a fresh ion trail was discovered in a system on the way to Decka. There were plenty of ships to defend the envoy, so Cloud's ship was dispatched to check it out.
The fast Theorian ship quickly caught up to the Claw vessel landing on a planet in the system. Electing to take the opportunity to capture more Burning Claw personnel, perhaps to help accelerate the peace process, Lance ordered them followed and apprehended. 15 minutes later, they landed and found no one in the ship. Signs of a battle surrounded the ship and from distant shouts, it seemed to continue. Investigating, the crew found Laike Storm, in a damaged mech, fighting an unknown assailant. They appeared to have been fighting for some time and neither seemed about to back down.
This planet had been wiped clean, just like Cetria, and the man, apparently named Maevis Pas, and his partner were here to "take care of some sort of business". Obvious from the uniform, Maevis was a member of the Claw. Apparently, Laike was a left over native. Cloud waited for an opportunity, then attacked Maevis. Laike refused the aid and, exiting the mech, fought Maevis hand to hand. Though Maevis still had the advantage, he seemed unable to put Laike down for the count. The fight went on for a short while, until Maevis's partner arrived. Everyone paused, awed at his speed and he strode up to Maevis, whispered to him, then Maevis left.
It quickly became apparent that 'partner' was not the accurate term. This man was obviously Maevis's mentor. Laike fought Chameleon alone, but he did not last very long against this ultra quick foe. Even as Cloud declared the battle hopeless for Laike, he continued to argue as the 3 guardians fought Chameleon. Cloud hesitated to use his newfound powers, but when Chameleon rendered Terra and Aerith unable to continue, he had little remaining choice. He transformed, allowing Laike to back him up, and the 2 managed to defeat Chameleon. With the nefarious Claw wounded and hurting, he revealed the true plan, attacking the envoy. The group quickly retreated to the ship and took off for the Deckan envoy.
On Decka III, the remaining guards were fighting a major battle against an incredible foe, The Apocalyte. He was slaughtering them wholesale, save for Blaze who had discovered the Guardian transformation as Cloud had. The group, Cloud, Blaze, Brock, Aerith, and Laike, teamed up and battled The Apocalyte. The Apocalyte declared this battle to be 'uneccesarily annoying' and, with his objective achieved, opened a dimensional gateway and fled.
With the present council members killed, there was no purpose in remaining. After thorough questioning of Chameleon, they learned a great deal about the Apocalyte. Most importantly, they learned he'd be assaulting a planet by the name of Gaiat within one year. They traveled there hastily and infiltrated the medival society.
For the next several months, the group lived there. Posing as a knight who'd lost his lord, Cloud swore loyalty to an english lord and took a liking to a peasant maiden, Lia'Shura. His lieutenants Blaze, Terra, Laike, and Aerith were charged with defending the city, which the five did rather well. They met and became friends with Tiana, apparently the physical avatar of the planet itself. She displayed amazing powers and taught the group many things. As things turned out, Terra was also capable of the Guardian transformation and awakened it during this time. Near the end of the third month, the group finally received a sign of The Apocalyte.
A temporal portal had begun to form several miles from the city. Cloud increased his troops training regiment and enlisted additional peasants, vowing to be ready. The time eventually did come that The Apocalyte attacked their city. The battle was fierce and brutal. The Apocalyte's monstrous army was focused on a single objective and fought relentlessly to achieve it. A path of bodies and blood led from the outer walls directly to the keep, where the Apocalyte had taken custody of the Lord and Lady. He led them to the roof of the keep and, from their position on the ground, the residents of the town watched the Apocalyte ascend, using the spirits he'd taken to force his parents into the bodies of the Lord and Lady, then brutally slaying them. This act alone was enough to cause Aerith to Guardianize, but the Apocalyte had grown much stronger.
The Apocalyte proceeded to beat the shit out of the 7 warriors. Blaze and Cloud had stopped him the last time, so he bound them to the ground as he demolished the others. As he focused on Lia'Shura, Cloud's dark rage began to take hold. Misery first emerged, dissolving the chains with his power and attacking the Apocalyte, effectively as a Guardian 2. Showing some decent offense, Lia's voice broke his hold and Cloud reappeared. The Apocalyte was mortified that a mortal could content with him in his ascended state! He could focus on his conquest goal no longer. These mortals would have to be erased! He retreated from the Guardians for the second time.
Shortly after The Apocalyte's departure, Lance deemed that the group must return to put in an appearance on Theoria. The group, sans Tiana, travelled to Theoria and received orders to capture the Apocalyte to stand trial. The troubles of the Theorian government would take time to settle, but Theorians were a patient people. Now that peace had finally set back in, they could rebuild.
Cloud's troubles, however, were of a different order. What had that dark power been? Did such an entity really lurk within him? He thought long and hard on this issue and the thoughts bothered him.
As they search for The Apocalyte, the group encounters Chameleon. He asks to be able to accompany them, to repent for his past misdeeds. Cloud warmly welcomes him onto the team. One night, he attempts to use the Shadow's Edge to slay Cloud in his sleep. Misery fights back against Chameleon, attempting to use the blade to kill Chammy. Other members of the team enter and interrupt.
After a thorough examination, Lance discovers evidence of mental manipulation and frees chameleon from the Apocalyte's hold. Shortly thereafter, however, the group enocounters a possee of Cetryu survivors. They are under the belief that Cloud had kidnapped and brainwashed Chameleon (Lazarus Terrill), when in fact it had been the Apocalyte. They accused and attacked Cloud, who lost himself to Misery. He demolished the Cetryu before Chameleon learned of the situation and interjected. Misery was calmed away and the Cetryu greeted Chameleon warmly. After much talk, they departed, leaving Chameleon to pursue his mission.
Continuing their search, they meet Cedric Stryfe, Cloud's childhood nemesis. Cedric challenges Cloud. Cloud accepts. Within a few blows, Misery emerges. He has finally gained congnizance and declares that he is independent of Cloud and needs to escape the body. In a blinding flash of light, he transfers his essence to Cedric's body. The two form a symbiotic relationship and never again distinguish between Misery and Cedric.
Thus begins Misery's active role. He moves quickly to render Cloud unconscious and put him out of the game. The others of the team engage Misery, but find themselves outclassed by his brutal form of combat and his superior weapon, the Soul Ripper. Chameleon, however, ascends to his Guardian form and disarms Misery, allowing a combined assault from the remainder of the forces to make Misery retreat into the night.
Roughly a month later, Misery makes his return. He engages them in the middle of a bustling metropolis, no warning of any kind. Cloud's team engages him again, far more concerned than he at the fate of the populous. The battle is intense and leaves much of the town in shambles, but Misery is driven off once more.
Nearly another month passes and Misery ambushes them for a final time. A fierce battle ensues and Lia'Shura discovers guardian abilities of her own, but Misery manages to make off with their ship, the Defender, sadly leaving his precious sword behind.
Several months expired as they attempted to aquire another ship. Suddenly, a dark cloud descended upon them and the Apocalyte returned, just as he had foretold. This battle shook the very foundations of the planet. The Apocalyte had tapped into his newfound power and used it to his full potential. Each Guardian pushed themselves to the limit, but only when Cloud broke through could the Apocalyte be matched. Cloud unleashed previously unseen depths of his power and fought the Apocalyte back.
Slowly, the numbers advantage began to take its toll on the Apocalyte. As he began to lose ground, the Apocalyte played his trump card. He revealed that the armor he wore was restricting his power, not enhancing it. He removed the armor and resumed beating on the heroes. Laike unceremoniously ascended directly to guardian 2 in order to allow the others time to retreat. Blinding the Apocalyte, he escaped as well.
The group remained on the run for months. Their journey ended with the intervention of Zelith. He and his men appeared to them out of the thick of the crowd as a group of six law-officers. Though they were distinctly non-human, they strode up and apprehended the heroes. Confused, they did not object. Once at an indoor location, the six explained the Legion and demanded the heroes accept membership. They requested a day to consider, which was granted.
That night, Laike informed the group of his past membership to the Legion and such. The next day, Cloud, using Laike's info, challenged Zelith to a duel. Zelith, scoffing Cloud's challenge, forced a preliminary match with his leutenent, Kyrai. Cloud managed to defeat the Vyrek princess and Zelith was forced to concede that Cloud had skills. They sparred and, in recognition of Cloud's abilities, Zelith agreed to spare the planet. A casual mention of Cedric caught Zelith's attention and the group discovered that he'd been in the Legion and 'borrowed' by the Apocalyte.
Shortly thereafter, Misery returned from space. Their ship was scarred but intact, but Misery was not alone. The girl, Javyn, was with him and the two wreaked havoc on the group. Misery had apparently returned for his sword and was not concerned about who he had to kill to get it. Chameleon rose to guardian 2 during the fight, but they could do very little to stop Misery. The two defeated all the heroes and Misery went to take his sword. He realized aloud that he was more proficient with his scythe than the sword, however, and, deciding they needed him, joined the heroes, whether they liked it or not.
An un-entirely trustworthy pair of allies gained as well as their mode of transportation, the group set off for Theoria, home. The team was not well received on Theoria, having still not brought the Apocalyte to justice. The new Theorian government was having trouble holding the peace together and complications seemed to wish to tear them apart at the seams. The new members were inducted into the team, but no training was deemed necessary.
The group was dispatched to Kenti, the home of Theoria's major ally in the PeaceKeeper Alliance. Upon landing, they discovered that Kenti had become another victim of the Legion. A single ship was still active according to the sensors and the group located it, along with its broken, young owner. He turned out to be Sirhc, a Kentian noble and warrior, a lone survivor of his race. He and Cedric formed a bond and he offered to join the group.
Before they could leave the planet, however, another ship arrived on Kenti, landing near them. A pair of Irdon emerged, one dressed in black, Arkinadon, and one in white, Falkenor. They revered the Guardians as some sort of demi-gods and, though they gave little detail, Arkinadon requested permission to accompany them. The guardians agreed and Arkinadon jubilantly joined the crew.
Returning to Theoria, the group was ordered to Decka Prime. The group made haste there and Blaze set foot on his homeworld once more. The group was warmly greeted and they acquired another pair of allies: Sniper and Kira. With the ladies in tow, the group surveyed the scene and reported the status of the other fronts. Their task completed, they returned once again to Theoria.
"There is nothing more noble or beautiful than a warrior with no distractions. One might even say that he's the closest thing to god."
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