Note - This is a transcript-to-story of events that occurred recently. It has been edited to remove all OOC and entry-exit notifications. Enjoy!
The Lionheart Saga
Chronicles of the Heroic Knights
Chapter - A Different Point of View
-Prelude-
Having heard of Rain's predicament regarding the Lycan Horde, Dragon Knight and Diplomat to the Kingdom of Silvermoon, Cloud Stryker, set out on a quest to find his friend and secure him from the clutches of the nefarious Dusk Empire. His exact plan was to locate Rain in the Nexxus Forest, and make his way directly to the nearest safe point, Ghost Wood, where Raven Lionheart and Solica Sunglow could assist them in returning to Silvermoon.
However, not all went as planned. During Cloud's voyage to the Nexxus Forest, he was assaulted by a massive Lycan, and barely survived. When he came back to his senses, Janus, a friend of Rain's, approached and gave him a scroll which dictated all of the circumstances regarding Rain's capture. With this knowledge in hand, Cloud decided to do the unthinkable, and venture to the land of a hated enemy to seek their assistance.
Using his status as the Diplomat of the Kingdom of Silvermoon for protection, he entered the Alejandra Empire and marched upon the capital of Fiera with no weapons drawn nor any foul intent. While there, he noticed that the architecture had changed quite a bit, almost reflecting the Lionheart Kingdom in many ways. But even more shocking was the fact that the demon warriors were more uniform, and they did not attack Cloud at all.
Cloud was stopped before the grand temple of the Alejandra Empire by one of the elite guards, known as the Hunter Knights throughout the Empire. This guard attempted to halt Cloud in his tracks, and before he could react, the Hunter Knight before him exploded into flames and disentigrated. Cloud was thoroughly confused, and even more so when the other guards aimed their weapons at him and imprisoned him.
After nearly a week in the Alejandra Empire's Hammerfell Fortress, a prison for criminals of war, he was visited by a dark-clad figure bearing an immensely long sword on his back, and a very familiar voice that brought him hopes of escape which were quickly dashed when the light revealed the man's identity. This is where our story begins...
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How long had it really been? In the lowest levels of Hammerfell Fortress was no light other than by candle or torch, and in the eerie darkness all manner of condemned and damned creature dwelled. Temperatures were high, mainly due to the magma tubes that ran close to the lower levels and the heat that radiated from a pit on one side where the dead bodies were discarded into the molten lava that flowed beneath. Cloud Stryker had known this level of the Fortress to be home for some time now, but how long indeed?
Many creatures infested the lower levels, and not just rodents or pests. Larger, bipedal monsters would occassionally materialize out of thin air and attempt to kill Cloud, but he bravely fended them off, however his body was wracked from lack of sleep and exhaustion, and he would not survive much longer unless he could procure an appropriate meal. Feasting off of the roasted limbs of the slain creatures was slowly poisoning him with darkness, and eventually his sanity would be lost.
His armor was gone, his weapons taken, and everything he held as a valuable asset to his combat abilities was destroyed. All that Cloud had left was his spirit and his memories of his friends from the Kingdom of Silvermoon. He would never forget them, and it was this that enabled him to continue on. However, memories and spirit alone are not enough to stave off starvation and sickness. He had to escape somehow. But how? Hammerfell Fortress was worse than a maximum security prison.
Lying on the ground, Cloud barely clung to his senses, holding tightly to a bar in his right hand which he had used as a weapon. The end was sharpened, and blood caked the length of it. It had been some time since a creature materialized and tried to kill him. Had he defeated them all? This humorous thought brought a slight smile to his lips, but this was broken when the main chamber door to the lower levels began to creak. Someone was coming. Cloud stood to his feet, with everything left in him, and moved behind the carcasses of several dead demons as a way to stay out of sight and possibly gain an advantage to escape.
As the door fully opened, four Hunter Knights entered, each armed with Merciless Sabers, and in the middle of them all was a man standing 6' 2" tall, clad in the black and red garbs of the Alejandra Empire. His hair was black with some silver streaks due to age, and he wore an immensely long sword on his back. Cloud could not recognize the man immediately, but he definitely recognized the sword. It was the Dragonelf Masamune, the former sword of his previous teacher, Kain Dualas, and the current sword of a long time friend of his, Adrian Lionheart, who was slain in combat.
"He is hiding. Fan out." The man spoke calmly, his eyes roving for any sign of the hidden Dragon Knight. Upon his orders, the Hunter Knights began searching, throwing several objects and dead bodies to the side. The master of the Knights stood silent, and then turned his attention towards the magma pit on the far side. But just as he did, he was surprised by Cloud's sudden appearance.
Cloud emerged from the darkness, running as best as he could, and thrust the sharpened bar towards the master's chest. However, his timing was off only by a second, and this is all the time the cunning warrior needed to draw the Dragonelf Masamune and redirect the bar away from him. Simultaneously, he spun around, sweeping his right leg under Cloud's legs in a takedown. As Cloud struck the ground, his senses were nearly knocked from him, and the Hunter Knights were upon him with their swords at his throat.
"There is no need to fight, Cloud. You are being released." The man slowly knelt towards Cloud and sheathed the Dragonelf Masamune upon his back, and then extended his right hand towards him. Cloud stared at him with hate in his eyes, but this was quickly replaced with a look of pain, but not physical. He immediately recognized the man standing before him, and this raised more questions than could be answered.
"No... Tell me you didn't turn on your beliefs, Adrian. Not you!" Cloud was almost in tears as his former mentor stood before him, adorned as an enemy would be. He held Adrian in the highest regard as a master knight and one who placed his own honor and the honor of those around him ahead of almost anything else. How could he betray his past and his beliefs like this?
Four hours later, Cloud found himself in the dining hall of Fiera's main temple, sharing a meal with the members of the Alejandra Empire. Adrian Lionheart sat at the master's seat, while next to him stood two Hunter Knights. To his right was Drago Alejandra, the ressurected Dark Prince and son of the patriarch of the Empire, Deimos Alejandra. To Adrian's left was Temptestra Alejandra, the master magister and wife of Drago. And further down the table was Cloud, who had no interest in eating anything placed before him.
Cloud's wounds and poisonous blood had been treated by Temptestra and the medics, and he was bathed and given a new change of clothing to replace his destroyed armor. And now, with such a grand feast before him, he refused to eat. But why? The food was safe, this much was certain, but why did Cloud not nourish himself. Deep in his mind, he felt betrayed, but soon, his thoughts of betrayal would be aimed elsewhere.
"It is very noble that you would endanger your own life just to seek the aid of the Empire to rescue one man." Drago spoke calmly, something that he was not known for doing. He was a sadistic, bloodthirsty mad man who desired nothing more than death, ruin and decay. But this eve, his hunger for destruction was silenced. His curiosity was piqued at this Cloud Stryker.
"Indeed. You must have known the consequences. Silvermoon is an isolationist nation, so you must have known that they would not mount a rescue for your friend Rain, or you, should you be captured." Temptestra held her glass of brandy and swirled it lightly, and then brought it to her blackened lips for a drink. As she finished, she lowered the glass and stared Cloud down from across the table. She did not yet trust him, even though she was a friend of her master.
Yet Cloud said nothing. He merely continued to stare right at Adrian, eyes full of hate and confusion at the same time. Only one question came to mind in regards to the man he once held in the highest regard. Why?
"Cloud, I understand your confusion. But let me ask you one thing. If you were given the opportunity to grasp a great power to save those who you hold dear, would you sacrifice all to take it if it meant the better good of all around you?" Adrian's speech was direct and to the point, but it also gave an insight into his own situation, as well as raised more questions in the Dragon Knight's mind.
"Of course I would. Not for my own benefit, but for those around me, even if it meant sacrificing my life. You taught me that." Cloud's eyes narrowed and his fingernails dug into the wooden table as his anger rose. He wanted to kill Adrian so badly that it hurt him inside. But there was only one thing keeping him from doing so, and it wasn't the guards or the other members of the Alejandra Empire. It was his desire for knowledge.
"Indeed I did. I sacrificed everything to become the master of this Empire for one reason. The thoughts within the mind and wishes within the heart of the ruler of the Empire determine the growth and prosperity of its people. If Deimos would have been revived, this Empire would be a wasteland again and its people would have suffered." Adrian spoke as his eyes stared at the Dragon Knight across from him. He could see his anger, but this was soon silenced as his words seemed to have struck home.
Cloud was dumbfounded, and even had to admit to himself that things were very different now than they were several years ago when he first met Adrian as a young knight in training. The empire was thriving. But why did Adrian kill his own son, and Cloud's best friend, Raven Lionheart? This would be something he would enquire about later on. For now, his focus was on getting away and helping his friend Rain.
"Allow me a question as well, Stryker. Are you aware that Silvermoon will not raise a finger to aid you or Rain, even though you are both members of their Kingdom?" Drago turned his attention fully towards Cloud, waiting for a response from him. He knew that his words would have some meaning, but the reply would not be expected.
"Silvermoon may be an isolationist nation, but I can guarantee that Captain Jason and the other Royal Guard members are prepared to march upon the Empire and rescue me." Cloud grinned as he stared right back at Drago. The Kingdom of Silvermoon would never allow harm to befall one of their members, would they?
"Allow me then." Adrian extended his palm towards Cloud, and a flash of light flowed from his fingers and converged in the air, forming a disc about twelve inches in diameter. It showed Adrian near Kichou Takara, meeting with one of the members of the "welcoming committee". It was a magical recording, apparently a memory brought to life.
I represent the Alejandra Empire in the name of peace. My name is Adrian Lionheart. I believe that we have a member of your diplomatic court in our custody. Adrian's voice was crystal clear.
We know of Stryker's venture into your territory, and frankly we're glad to be rid of him. The representative sent to meet Adrian spoke next.
He is to be executed for his actions. Should you wish his release, I will do so under diplomatic terms, and the hopes of establishing a friendly dialogue. I believe it to -- Before Adrian could continue, though, the officer before him abruptly cut him off.
We don't CARE about him. Under Captain Tsukino's orders, he is to be executed when he returns for violating his charge as a diplomat and venturing beyond the borders of Silvermoon. The guardsman's words were harsh, and the expression on Adrian's face in the recording seemed to acknowledge this.
Very well. I do not believe diplomatic relations are possible, then. I leave you in peace. These were the last words of the recording, and as the disc faded away, Cloud's expression became visible to Adrian through the blur of fog.
"You have been betrayed by your own people, Cloud." These words belonged to Drago, who had stood from his seat to stand next to Cloud. His eyes displayed sadness, which was very odd for him. But one thing was certain, as Temptestra was about to point out.
"Although our Empire was built on death and destruction, our fundamental goal was victory through the abilities of each and every member of the Empire. Each person is valuable and not worth sacrificing. Silvermoon apparently believes that your good intentions were misplaced." Temptestra also stood from her seat and join Cloud at his side opposite from Drago. Her left hand landed softly upon Cloud's right shoulder, and gave him a reassuring squeeze.
Cloud, on the other hand, was completely struck with pain, and could not take his eyes off of the dead space where the glowing disc once resided. Tears were welling up in his eyes as well, and mixed emotions flooded him. He believed this recording to be accurate, as in his life, this man of honor, Adrian Lionheart, would never EVER lie to him. Why would he now? His honor had been maintained to this point, so why sacrifice it now?
"I offer you a choice, Cloud... I think you know what it is, old friend." Adrian had moved from his seat and stood alongside of Drago, before moving behind Cloud to place his hands on his shoulders. Cloud reacted by turning his head towards the members of the Alejandra Empire around him, and uncertainty still filled him. But Adrian was there as a beacon of hope and was apparently showing him the way. What would his choice be? Deep down, though, Adrian knew what it would be.
Days later, a familiar presence found his way back to the Kingdom of Silvermoon, and found himself standing outside of he capitol, Kichou Takara. Blue eyes stared past blonde hair towards the city limits, while the garbs of the Kingdom of Silvermoon, while tattered, billowed in the mid-day breeze. Cloud stood silently, his Gaia Blades strapped to his back. There were scars all over his exposed skin from his battles in the lower depths of Hammerfell Fortress, but the pain he felt from them was nothing compared to the pain he felt earlier in the dining hall of the Alejandra Empire.
How would he react now that he was home? Given his clothing, it seemed that he had made his choice to rejoin the Kingdom of Silvermoon. Perhaps now, he coud find answers and solidify his decision. Only time would tell. Many questions were unanswered, but they would be answered today, one way or another. His mind set, he entered Kichou Takara, to find his Captain.
