Harigatou phrack sama \o/. I'll edit this post to post the next chapter, soon.
[edit] \o/
Chapter 6B
*Revenge is near.*
"Stop it you ****ing bastard!" Dareth was enraged, every image of the past was brought up, it was happened again. "I will not let you get away with this!" He screamed. Suddenly Dareth was engulfed with fire. The armour changed shape. The chains snapped like they were woollen threads. Dareth was unleashed! The armour was still changing. The demon turned around and was stunned. *What the **** is going on! This is not the power of a mere human, what is he, or what is that armour!?* Finally it stopped changing shape. Smoke was clearing up and a dark silhouette slowly took shape in the smoke. The shape resembled that of a dragon, horns where sticking out from a newly formed helm, shoulders ,knees and elbows. It's colour was gold. Some parts were covered with scales. Dareth was slightly bending through his knees as he was breathing heavily. He kneeled to pick up his blade. It engulfed with fire the moment he touched it. *Guards!* The three from before and appeared and soon their comrades came along. soon the entire room was filled with spawns from hell, and Dareth was surrounded.
Dareth walked over Karima, lifted her up and held her with one hand. Due to the transformation Dareth was strong enough to wield the sword with one hand now. *Charge at him, every single one of you! NOW!* The demons obeyed and they charged in with all kinds of weaponry. Swords, spears, tridans, morningstars, double axes and so on. Dareth dodged everything for the sake of Karima. He swung his sword around. At least fifteen dropped down to the floor. With inhuman speed he rushed through the others still holding Karima near him, leaving nothing but shreds of meat and blood. He headed for their leader and without any hesitation he cut the creature in half at it's waste. It still lived. *You ****ing mortal, who are you!" Dareth's voice came from within the helmet. "I told you I would kill you, and now it's time to do so!" Dareth thrusted the sword through the head of the demon slowly, letting it scream in agony before it died.
Dareth laid down Karima and wrapped her in his cloak ,the armour was returning to it's original shape. He dropped on his knees,. He was completely worn out. He dragged himself to Karima and held her. "I'm so sorry.. I got you dragged into all of this." A tear dropped down on Karima's cheek. She awoke. "D Dareth, what happened?" She saw the look on his face, and then felt pain, she reached for stomach with her hand. "I'm undressed?" She looked at her hand. "Blood..!" Although she was unconscious back then, she did not need to think of what might have happened, and she held Dareth as tight as she could. "I'm so sorry!" Said Dareth. Karima whispered. "It's okay, in the end you saved me and we made it, we're alive, that's all that matters for now.."
She let go of Dareth, stood up and dragged him to the nearest wall and let him lean against it. Slowly she walked over to her armour, dropped the cloak on the ground, uncovering her perfect body, now stained by a bleeding cut. Karima wiped the blood of with the cloak. She reached for leather armour and put it back on. Some straps and belts were ruined by the claw of the demon, but she did what she could to cover herself up. The daggers were laying pretty near, she sheathed them and picked up the cloak.
Karima was sitting down next to Dareth with the cloak around her. Her head rested on Dareth's shoulder. The torches illuminated the room. It was filled with dismembered corpses. Creatures with the most terrifying shapes were lying dead. The room was filled with the stench of dead. Karima was almost throwing up. She covered her nose and mouth with the cloak. After an hour or so, Dareth was able to stand up again. He stretched his limbs and looked over his shoulder at Karima. "Come, we should leave now." Karima nodded, she followed Dareth to the stairway. It was dark. Karima unsheathed the daggers and crossed them. They created more then enough light to lead them through the darkness. Soon they reached the icy parts again, and light was coming through. Karima crossed her daggers and put them back in their sheaths.
They reached a gate made of stone, Dareth pushed against it but it would not even budge. He pushed Karima behind him. Without any hesitation he drew his sword and smashed the gate into pieces with a single strike. Debris was flying everywhere. "Agh!" Dareth was having pain all over. The armour had completely drained him. He recomposed himself and looked outside. The sun was just coming up. The gate was just on the other side of the mountain. They walked out and made their way back to the path, They reached the point where Dareth scaled the mountainwall. Dareth was looking down, and was about to climb down. Karima laid a hand on his shoulder. "Just follow the road, if you would have looked a little further, when you were down below, you would have found this path going up." Dareth chuckled and ached all over. "Yep, definitely me all right..."
The sun had reached its highest point and they almost reached forest. Just a little further. After roughly half an hour they reached the forest, and rested for a while. Karima decided to continue after that short break. Dareth was clearly having trouble going on. It wasn't just for the armour draining his energy back then. He thought himself as unforgivable for what happened to his dearest friend. Karima noticed the look on Dareth's face. "Stop worrying about it. I'm fine, all it will leave is a scar. And I'll probably receive more in the near future, so it's no big deal. It was me who followed you, not the other way around. Really. You saved me, you where there when I need you, just like a real brother. So stop being like this!" Karima was hitting Dareth's chest with her fists softly. Tears were flowing from her eyes. Dareth held her again. "I'm all right now" He turned her face and looked her in the eyes. He smiled "Thank you." He wiped the tears from Karima's face and held her hand gently. "Come, let us return." Hand in hand they walked back.
The sun was setting, but the guards were still stationed at the gates. One of them recognized Dareth and Karima from previous. "It's okay, let them through." They did not lower their halberds and let the weary duo through. They reached a temple. "You should go see a doctor or a priest, that wound does not look like anything serious, but it was inflicted by a something not from this world. "Karima nodded. "You're right, I will." They walked up the broad stone stairway, and entered the holy sanctuary. "Oi priestess, can you check on her?" A blond woman looked up, she was wearing a white garment like the other priest inside. "What's wrong with her?" She asked. Karima showed her wound. The priestess gestured Karima to follow her. They went into a room, and soon came out. "Well?" Karima smiled. "I should be fine she said. she did say I should buy a salve at the local apothecary to prevent and infection and scar tissue, so it won't even leave a scar. Here, I got the prescription" Karima showed the note and tucked it into her pocket.
They went to the apothecary and got the salve for a little coin. They headed back to the inn. Dareth ordered some two meals and told Karima to go to their room and apply the salve right away. She did as Dareth said and returned soon. They sat down at a table. The waitress soon came to them with two plates. The meal was a large chunk of roasted pork with some raw vegetables. They ate it all as they barely ate anything today. While eating Karima asked Dareth a question. "All I want to know is, how did you defeat all of them?, especially the large one, he looked tough even as a corpse." Dareth nodded. "It seems my armour can do more then just protect me and boost my abilities. Somehow it transformed and became tremendously powerful. Although it was a great power to have, it seemed to completely drain me."
"Wrmlbgticed." Said Karima.
"Don't talk when you're chewing.."
Karima swallowed it and said. "I said I noticed." And she started eating again.
Dareth chuckled. "You're really one of a kind, kid." Karima smiled and took another bite from her roasted pork. Dareth ordered another portion. Karima was stuffed, and couldn't eat anything more. Dareth finished his meal. They headed for their room. Dareth opened the door, he let Karima walk through and closed the door behind him. "Dareth?"
"Hm?"
"Can I lay next to you again, just for this night?" Dareth thought of what happened today and nodded. "Sure, but don't make a habit of it." He blew out the candle and layed down on his bed. Karima joined him soon thereafter. She held Dareth and fell asleep. Dareth tried to stay awake just to think some things over, but couldn't fight his sleepy eyes. He closed his eyes and went to sleep.
Next day, Dareth and Karima went to a tailor. He bought her a dress. "Here, put it on." Karima chuckled. "What!, you want me to wear that!?" Dareth nodded. "You can't walk the streets naked while that leather armour of yours is being repaired." Karima did not seem to like it. "You could've at least bought me something else, I can hardly move in these things." She went back to the inn, and Karima put the dress on in their room. She folded the leather armour, and walked back outside with the leather armour under her left arm.
Though Karima did not like it herself. She was looking gorgeous. A man from across the street whistled at her. "If you want your teeth in the back of your head, do that again.!" Karima raised her fist at him. The man made his escape. Dareth sighed. "Oh boy, look who's well mannered now." Karima chuckled. "It's your fault you know, I shouldn't be hanging around with an ill mannered mercenary." Dareth chuckled along with Karima and put his hands behind his head. "You're probably right kid."
"Still, I'm glad I met you though, even if you're an ill mannered mercenary."
"I agree, but how do you know I'm a mercenary? Karima shook her head. "Even though the way you act, points out the obvious, I saw what happened with that map of yours. From what I think of it, you're getting missions from someone or something. And that also makes you a mercenary." Dareth was stunned. "So you know that much.?" Karima had a satisfied grin on her face. "Yep, the one thing I don't know is who your employee is, but I do know that map of yours will probably have a new mark by now." Dareth almost jumped up. "You really should not stick your nose in someone else's business." Karima laughed out loud. With laughter and complaints they walked to the nearby leatherworker.
Dareth stepped in and saw a dark haired woman of medium age sitting in the shop working on some leather boots. "You the owner? The woman looked up. "Yes that would be me, can I help you with anything?" Karima walked in with her leather armour and showed it to the woman. "Some of belts and straps are broken, it also needs some touch ups as I have been wearing it for a while." The woman looked at Karima and then at the armour. She took it and brought it to the back of the shop. She returned "I will have it done by tomorrow. Come back around midday. By the way, would like me to dye it in black?" Karima nodded "Sure, but wouldn't that be very expensive.?"
"Do whatever you like with the armour, money won't be a problem." Said Dareth.
Karima smiled at Dareth. "Thanks."
That afternoon they went to a nearby lake. Dareth took the opportunity to freshen himself up, it had been a few days since he last washed. Karima was sitting on a small boulder near the lake. For Autumn it was a very warm day. The birds were singing, and some plants and flowers were still blooming. After a while Dareth returned, and saw her sitting. "It's like she stepped out of a painting, unbelievable.." He got dressed and walked to her. "Oi, how about you?" Karima looked up. "What about me?" Dareth closed his nose with his fingers. "You could use a good bath too you know." Karima carefully smelled her armpits. The odour was undeniable. She stood up, got undressed and ran to the lake as fast as she could, and jumped in the water. "Crazy kid." Dareth saw a nearby tree, he sat down underneath it and leaned against it. He closed his eyes and took a short nap. Suddenly he heard Karima screaming. He stood up and ran to her as quick as he could.
She stood in the water. "What's wrong!?" Karima covered her breast with her hands, she shivered all over. "A fish!"
"What kind of fish!?"
"I don't know but it touched me."
Dareth laughed as hard as he could. Karima got upset. She stuck out her tongue, and said.: "Next time I'll smack your head with it Dareth!" Dareth walked back to the tree and sat down again with his hands behind his head. He picked a straw from the grass and put it in his mouth. He looked at the sky, suddenly he remembered Karima's words.
"Yep, the one thing I don't know is who your employee is, but I do know that map of yours will probably have a new mark by now."
He sat up and retrieved the map from his bag. She was right! A new mark had appeared, but this one was different. He checked the letter as well. Underneath the old lines, new ones had appeared.
"Mortal, your task has almost come to an end, your last mission will be, infiltrating castle Razyr and take out the demon queen. Do this for us and your task is completed. Your revenge is coming nearer and nearer, mortal. Do not squander this opportunity."
"Razyr huh? Never heard of it. I'll ask the locals about if I can." He put the map and letter back in his bag, and leaned against the tree again. Karima returned and sat down next to him. "It sure is lovely out here." She looked at the lake with the sun's reflection in it. She leaned her head on Dareth's shoulder and closed her eyes. Dareth did not bother to take a nap again. He stayed awake and kept an eye on the area. Although there couldn't be any possible danger, he just made sure nothing could happen to her.
The sun was almost setting and Dareth woke Karima. "Come one sleepyhead, wake up." She stretched arms and yawned at the same time. "Where are we going?" Dareth listened closely. He heard something. Karima was looking below, it was her stomach. "To a place where we can fill that stomach of yours." He laughed. They went back to town and walked the streets. The roads were covered with shining cobblestones. Guards where lighting the lanterns, as the night would soon come. After they had their meal they sat around with the other guests and the locals for a while. They were having a good time. Dareth ordered two flagons of mead. It was Karima's first one, Dareth chuckled as she said it tasted good with a rather disgusted look on her face. When Dareth ordered seconds, Karima politely refused it. It was midnight, they left for their rooms, the mead made a big impact on Karima, she fell asleep the moment she closed her eyes. Dareth was just tired and fell asleep pretty soon as well.
Dareth and Karima were awake and eating their breakfast. They would head for the leatherworker soon. Karima did not feel so well. Dareth told her she probably had a hangover and chuckled over it. "Actually, it's something else" Karima leaned over the table and whispered in Dareth's ear. His face turned red. He stood up and put his hands on the table. "Woman! did you have to tell me that, your monthly problems are none of my concern!"
"You flapout! Not everyone needs to know about my condition you know!" The people in the inn were laughing at the duo as they behaved like children. "Who are you calling a flapout, you just told me you where on your period!" Karima got rather angry now "I was proving I was not having a hangover! And when I whisper something you're not supposed to spread it like some local news, you bonehead!" Dareth turned around. "I'll come back when you've come back to your senses woman! In the meanwhile, don't go anywhere!"
Karima nearly exploded. "I'll decide wherever I want go!"
"Fine!" Said Dareth.
Karima turned around "Fine!"
Dareth left the inn. Karima saw the people in the inn looking at her, and felt ridiculous. She went to her room and sat down on her bed, after a while she laid down and slept a bit.
Dareth returned at midday. He opened the door and saw her sleeping. He brought her armour back, and laid it next to her bed. He quickly wrote a note and laid it on the pile of armour. He left the room and headed for the mess hall.
Karima woke up and sat up for a while. She looked around her and saw something on the ground. "Hey my armour! And a note?"
She unfolded it "I'm sorry for acting that way before. Come to the mess hall with your armour on, I got a surprise for you." Karima already forgave him when she awoke, she smiled and held her armour up. It was looking perfect, all the belts and straps were repaired, the armour was made more comfortable to move around in, and was black as a starless night. She put it on and felt how comfortable it was compared to before. She holstered her daggers once more and their deep dark colour was matching perfectly with the armour. Excited she opened the door and locked it behind her. She ran to the mess hall. The moment she entered she saw Dareth sitting with a grin on his face. "You look good in that armour, kid!" Karima sat down in front of him. "I hope you forgive me for being such a bastard earlier." Karima nodded and smiled. "Of course, I guess the moment you walked out I already stopped being angry. But about that surprise, what is it?" Dareth grinned again. "Remember me buying you that dress at the clothier and you said, you could hardly move around with in it?" Karima nodded. "Well this time I bought you something that's a little more comfortable, it will suit well with the rest of your equipment. Stand up and close your eyes." Karima did as Dareth said, she stood up and closed her eyes. Dareth attached something to her armour.
"A black cloak! With a hood, oh Dareth you didn't have to!" She hugged Dareth and did not stop kissing him on the cheek. "Alright, alright, that's enough thanks for now." He chuckled. "I figured you could use this, even though that armour of yours is black now, that hair of yours makes you look like a lantern combined with the armour. And now you know what "business" I have, I'm quite sure you're not letting me go alone next time, even if I tell you not to." Karima's green eyes were sparkling. "You'll let me go with you!?" Dareth nodded, "Yeah. It's probably for the best, if you're near me I can protect you better, then when you're stalking me." Karima wasn't bothered by what Dareth last said, instead she jumped in the air and cheered. "We're headed West this time, to a castle called Razyr, it will take us a week to reach it by foot, so I asked around if there were people headed that way. It turned out a caravan of travelling street artist were headed that way. I approached them, and asked if we could join. They said they could only take us halfway there, so I refused." Karima looked confused. "Why did you refuse, I don't understand." Dareth grinned. "They charged me the same amount of coin, two horses would cost me, so instead I bought two, we'll be leaving right away after supper."
[edit]Someone please post, not only I don't want to double post. I'll stop posting this story here, if there's not enough interest.[edit]