Legend of Ethereal: Chapter 2, Part 1

[Xdqwerty Xdqwerty]

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JustLooking123​

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*a man in armor is standing... exhausted... while the surroundings burn with fire... everything is in slow-motion*
Man:
*panting*... *panting*...

*The man looks to his left side... Lili is being thrown at a wall*
Lili:
Aaaaah...

*The man looks to his right side...Arican and Birdman are entangled in threads, hanging upside down from the ceiling*
Birdman: Ugh... damn...
Arican: It's... so tight...

*The man takes a look at his behind... Silver is being attacked from every direction... both by blades and by lasers... his armor cannot take it anymore*
Silver:
Ugh... where... augh... where's the enemy?... argh...

*The man looks at his front... The Dark Lord sits on his throne, watching the battle*
Dark Lord:
Huahahahaha...!!!

*Suddenly a humanoid monster with six hands steps forward... standing between the Man and Dark Lord*
Man:
Scaramantra... long time no see...
Scaramantra (The monster):
Haaahahaha... Darcan!
So the legendary unkillable soldier stands before me... hah?
I have killed you once... How dare you return again?

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
*Panting* It is my duty to help these people, we are going to defeat you!

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JustLooking123​

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*Scaramantra sharpens his swords against each other*
Scaramantra:
Hahaha! Like the last time... hah?
Darcan:
Yes... Like the last time... But this time different...

(5 Years ago)

Darcan's Narration:
That's correct... everything started since that day...
*soldiers are exploring the battlefield*
Soldier1:
Unbelievable... an entire army was wiped out by just one person?
Soldier2:
Eh... nothing but corpses... I mean, we are talking about Scaramantra... The Battle Maniac...
What you expect?
There’s no chance of finding any survivors...
Here, look at this poor soldier? a sword thrust straight into his heart...
*Soldier2 points at Darcan, who is lying on the ground.*
Darcan:
*cough*... *cough*...
Soldier2:
AAAARGH!!! He... He moved!!! He's alive!

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
*Coughing* Please... Help me...
Soldier1 (to Darcan):
We'll find someone who can help you, don't worry!
*Both soldiers carry Darcan to his village, with the villagers watching in horror at the latter's condition*

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JustLooking123​

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Villagers:
Oh... Ahh... my... how he is alive?... is such a thing even possible?
Is this soldier immortal or something?... Ahh...
...Help him... help him...
Soldier2:
Hey man! how are you alive?
Darcan:
...*cough*... Dunno... *cough*...

(One Month later)
*all the leaders of the army are gathered at the royal military celebration*
Minister:
Ladies and Gentlemen!
The pride of Royal Army... The man who survives anything!
The Unkillable Soldier!
*everyone cheers*
The King:
Ah... Brave one!
Come forth and introduce yourself to us!

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Xdqwerty​

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The King:
Now, you have to meet the kingdom's fortuneteller, he might already know what happenned, so he won't ask who you are

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JustLooking123​

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*crowd gasps*
Minister:
Have you heard people?
This soldier faced one of the Four Arch Fiends...
His heart was pierced by sword of Scaramantra himself!
And... He survived!
We have such soldiers in our army!
We are not afraid of anything!
*crowd erupts in cheers*
King:
The name of Darcan shall spread across all continents...
So that both friends and foes may know what kind of soldiers we have!
The Unkillable Soldiers!
*all leaders of the army salutes*
*Darcan smiles proudly*

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Xdqwerty​

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The King:
Now, you have to meet the kingdom's fortuneteller, he might already know what happenned, so he won't ask who you are

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JustLooking123​

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(Next day)

*Darcan and a fellow soldier are walking in a desert*
Fellow Soldier:
Hahahaha! So this is the great mission for Mr. Unkillable Soldier?
Ahh... You are the greatest soldier of all times... now go and meet a fortuneteller!
Darcan:
Jack, remember this... A mission is a mission.
Jack (the fellow soldier):
a mission is a mission... *shaking head*
Man I already tell you... you are done for! The great Darcan, reduced to a messenger!

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
Hey, there must be a reason why the king sent ME to meet the fortuneteller.
Jack:
Like what?
Darcan:
Uh... Maybe we will know when we arrive!

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JustLooking123​

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Jack:
But I tell you man... my sixth sense never fails!
Darcan:
The fortuneteller I'm supposed to meet is not you! It's over there.
*Darcan points to a tent*
Jack:
And you've lost me again! Why in the hell would the Royal Fortuneteller live in a tent in the middle of the desert?
*they approach the tent and overhear the fortuneteller speaking to a man*
Fortuneteller:
...the path to Astral Mountain.
The place of the legendary sword... but there is no sword.
Man:
You... You mean... I will take it out?
Fortuneteller:
The hardship... Nothing but a steep path... At the end of the path, I see a castle... Darkness surrounds it... There's a throne inside... But no Dark Lord...
Man:
Hah! Hahahaha!!! YES!!! I'm the destined Hero! I knew it! Hahahaha!
I'm the Hero who will defeat the Dark Lord!

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Xdqwerty​

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Fortuneteller:
I was actually talking about...
Hero:
*goes to look for the Ethereal sword* I am the hero! I will defeat the Dark Lord! I am the hero! I will defeat the Dark Lord! I am the h...
*Darcan and Jack enter the tent*

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JustLooking123​

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Jack:
Hah! What a freak! You really know how to get people excited huh?
Hey fortuneteller! What do you see about MY fortune?
Fortuneteller:
You won't survive long enough to hear it... *turns toward Darcan*
Well, so you are here to...
Jack:
What? hey... what did you just said?
Fortuneteller:
*still talking to Darcan* I have written the answer for the King here and...
Jack:
The King and all his dogs can go eat shit!
What did you said about MY fortune? How won't I survi... Garrgh!!!
*suddenly, a sword pierces his chest, and he collapses to the ground... it was Darcan's sword*
Darcan:
Insulting the King is punishable by death... *sheathing his sword*

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Xdqwerty​

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Fortuneteller:
Thats what I meant.
Jack:
Darcan... You son of a... *Perishes*
Darcan:
Sorry, but I have to obey the king.
Fortuneteller:
As I was saying, I have written the answer for the King and you will give it to him, get it?
Darcan:
Yes sir!

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JustLooking123​

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Fortuneteller:
...
Are you waiting for something?
Darcan:
Is there nothing you have to tell me?
Fortuneteller:
You mean things aren't already clear enough?
The King is waiting, so please hurry and deliver the message...
Darcan:
...
Yes sir.
*Darcan steps out of the tent, walking through the desert, disheartened*
Darcan:
The Unkillable Messenger...

(One Year later...)
*a few soldiers stand in a room, each holding two swords*
Darcan:
I must always be prepared for another battle with Scaramantra...
Everyone, attack me at the same time!

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*The soldiers all attack Darcan at the same time, but he manages to avoid them all*
The soldiers:
What the...

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JustLooking123​

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Darcan:
Too slow! Scaramantra's attacks are way faster than this!
I can't practice properly if you can't manage even this much!
Chief:
*entering the room*... Are you practicing again?
C'mon, you know you’ll never be sent on any dangerous missions anymore.
What’s the point of being this stubborn?
I mean... look at my soldiers? How much are you going to push them?
*points to soldiers panting and collapsing from exhaustion*

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
But... What if Scaramantra attacks again? I need to be prepared!

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JustLooking123​

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Chief:
Yeah... yeah... never change, eh?
Another mission for you.
The Head Mage’ll give you the details herself, go find her on the second floor.
Might take a few minutes before she shows up... wait outside the Elemental Magic Academy’s door.
Darcan:
Yes sir.
One of the exhausted soldiers:
Hah... woo! a mission from the Head Mage herself?
Maybe she's sending a letter to a lover or something huh?
Good luck postman!
Everyone:
Hahahaha!

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
I'll show you i'm not a postman!

 

[Xdqwerty Xdqwerty]

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JustLooking123​

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*soldiers look at each other*
*Darcan moves out angrily, and stands at outside of Elemental Magic Academy’s door, waiting for Head Mage*
*inside the classroom, children are studying*
Children:
Level 1, Fyr! Level 2, Fyrin! Level 3, Ivay Fyrin! Level 4, Fyrin Sorino! Level 5, Fyrintra!
Teacher:
That's correct my children! You have learned these spells so well!
Child1:
Miss Teacher? What's the highest level spell you can cast?
Teacher:
Oooh! Haha! When I was young, I once managed to cast a level 4 Fyr magic! *says proudly*
Children:
WOOOAH!!! That's Fyrin Sorino!... Woah Miss Teacher is a hero!... that's so cool!... wow!...
Teacher:
Hey now! Haha! nonono... I was nearly dead after casting such a strong magic...
I'm far from a hero... But I have heard of a prodigy mage who can cast level 5 magics!
And not just one, but several in a row!

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
Uhmm excuse me, have you seen the Head Mage?

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JustLooking123​

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Teacher:
Ah, yes... She's coming right now, i can feel her presence nearby... Please look over there.
*Darcan looks out the window*
*Head Mage has already appeared on the floor below, walking with a Royal Ambassador, and their discussions can be heard*
Royal Ambassador:
You know Darcan shouldn't be sent on any dangerous mission, so why send him to such a place?

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Xdqwerty​

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Head Mage:
I know he's important, and he might find out why.
Royal Ambassador:
Important for what?
Head Mage:
You'll see...

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JustLooking123​

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*they enter the building and go up to the second floor*
Royal Ambassador:
*still talking* ...But one trick may not work twice!
*Head Mage motions her hand to signal him to stop talking*
Head Mage:
Darcan... I have a mission for you.
You should travel to Elven Forest and and warn them about the Dark Lord’s threat.
A major attack might be coming soon, and based on our prediction, they may be the first victims.
All the details are written in this scroll.
Royal Ambassador:
But... they are very unfriendly toward humans!

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Head Mage:
And? Darcan will deal with that.
Darcan:
Don't worry Ambassador, I will be fine!
Head Mage:
See? He isnt taking it so badly.

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JustLooking123​

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Royal Ambassador:
Fine! But I take no responsibility for the outcome... whatever it might be!
*Royal Ambassador leaves in a bitter mood*
Head Mage:
Go immediately, time is tight.
*Darcan holds the scroll in his hand proudly*

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Darcan:
So, where do I go?
Head Mage:
Arent the details in the scroll I gave you?
Darcan:
Nope, it just says "Darcan, after you read this message, ask me whatever you want about your quest"

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JustLooking123​

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*suddenly, the laughter of children can be heard from nowhere!*
Head Mage:
Kids, you know you can't hide your presence from me... don't you?
And now even this idiot noticed...
*A group of students suddenly becomes visible in front of the door*
Kid1:
I'm sorry Miss Head Mage... but we were curious!
Kid2:
And we couldn't help it! I can't believe he's reached this age and still doesn't know anything about talking scrolls!

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JustLooking123​

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Darcan:
Um... But I don't know what it is!
*suddenly the scroll in his hand rises into air, opens up, and beings to speak*
Talking Scroll:
A Talking Scroll is a magical item that can answer questions on its own.
I am a Talking Scroll.
My answers are limited... I can only answer about what is written within me.
*the scroll closes and drops back into Darcan’s hands*
Darcan:
Ah... um... I see...
Head Mage:
Now you can leave... anything you need to know is already in the scroll.

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Darcan:
So that means that any vague details might be answered by the scroll?
Magic Scroll:
I sometimes don't know what I talk about either.

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JustLooking123​

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*Darcan looks at the scroll confused*
*next day, Darcan is walking through the desert toward his destination, scroll in hand*
Darcan:
Who is the strongest man in world?
Scroll:
The danger of Dark Lord is the biggest concern... An alliance with Elven Forest is the only way to face such a powerful shared enemy.
Darcan:
What's the meaning of life?
Scroll:
The message must reach its destination... The duty must be fulfilled... There are different paths, but the destination is Elven Forest.
*suddenly a man clad in golden armor appears in the desert and approaches Darcan*
Man:
Hey Soldier! Do you know where I can find the Cave of Destiny? I heard a golden helmet might be there, one fit for a true hero like me!
*suddenly the scroll answers the man*

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Xdqwerty​

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Man *after listening to the scroll*:
... Thanks, I guess? Hey, why does this scroll talk?
Darcan:
It's a special scroll that the Head Mage gave to me.
Man:
Really? I heard of her, she is quite powerful.

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JustLooking123​

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Darcan:
Yes, by the way, are going to believe what the scroll sa... *the man is already walking away*
Man:
Haha! So my destination, the Cave of Destiny is in the Elven Forest? I should have known!
The prophecy will be fulfilled soon! I shall become the True Hero in no time! *leaving*
Darcan:
Hey, aren't you that man from before?... Well, he's already gone...
He could've at least come with me!
*Darcan continues on his path*

*20 days later... he finally reaches to Elven Forest*
*an elven arrow lands near his foot, shot from within the forest.*
Elf:
Stand where you are, human! No outsider is allowed here!

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Darcan:
The Head Mage sent me here, so let me in!
Elf:
What "Head Mage"? That name is not familiar.

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JustLooking123​

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Darcan:
Ah, yes... here, this scroll will explain everything.
*Darcan hands the scroll to one of the elves*
Elf:
Hmm... This scroll is from a human kingdom.
Follow me human. The court shall judge you and your scroll.
*a few fully armed elves surround Darcan, escorting him into the forest*

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Judge:
So, Darcan, why do you come here, again?
Darcan:
The head mage ordered me to do so.
Judge:
Again? The "Head Mage"? Why are you always mentioning them?
Darcan:
She offered me to do this job after I got demoted.

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JustLooking123​

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*elves in the jury look at each other and nod*
Elves:
He was once demoted... A typical human... A disgrace... Hmm... Yes...
Judge:
What is your relation to the other human who visited earlier? *he points to a man tied to a nearby tree*

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Darcan:
I dont know him, your honor.
Judge:
Well, we found him trying to attack some of our people.
Tied man:
I swear it was a misunderstanding, they attacked me!

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JustLooking123​

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Jury Elf1:
He's denying it too... What do you think, Solican?
Jury Elf2:
I agree with you, Malrican. They both deny it, so they must know each other.
Judge:
Hmm... I have heard rumors of a self-proclaimed immortal soldier who goes by the name "Darcan".
Tell me, why did you choose a name so similar to elven names?
Are you trying to imply that you are an elf?

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Darcan:
Why would I choose my own name? My parents did.
Judge:
Ahem, sorry, is that us elves choose our own names.

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JustLooking123​

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Darcan:
Shouldn't we be talking about more important things?
Judge:
Is there anything more important than disgracing our names?
Darcan:
The scroll! There's supposed to be a war coming soon! You can ask the scroll for the details!
Jury Elves:
Heheheh!... Ask the scroll? Who do you think we are? We can read its contents at a glance!

 

[Xdqwerty Xdqwerty]

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Xdqwerty​

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Magic Scroll:
Excuse me? I'm the one who should be making all of you know all of this and you treat me like this?

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JustLooking123​

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*Jury Elf 3 gestures with his hand. the scroll closes on its own and falls to the ground*
Jury Elf3:
We elves are far better than you humans at magic. We've all already read its contents.
A war against the Dark Lord? That's ridiculous! Our forest is protected by a magical barrier... No life-form can pass through it without us notici...fuagh!!!
*a metal blade suddenly pierces through Jury Elf 3. it's the arm of an insect-like robot*

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*everyone gasps*
Darcan:
What was that!?
Judge:
I don't know!

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JustLooking123​

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*suddenly another elf is killed by another robot, then another, then another*
Judge:
We are under attack!!! Why I can't sense their presence?!? Ivaya Fyrina!!! *casts a multi-target fire spell, burning multiple bots at once... but the bots seem resilient to elemental attacks*
Tied Man:
The Soulless Army!!! This is the army of Cypideron, one of the four archfiends who serve the Dark Lord!
This is what I was trying to tell you all along!!!
*Darcan rushes to free the Tied Man while everyone else is busy fighting the robots*

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
There, you're free.
The tied man:
Thank you, now lets get rid of the cypideron's army!

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JustLooking123​

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*suddenly, an arrow pierces Darcan's heart with surgical precision*
Archer Elf:
No outsider is allowed to free our captives!
*Darcan pulls out the arrow and continues fighting the robots*
Archer Elf:
How is such a thing possible? So the rumors about the immortal soldier are true...
*while the Archer Elf is in awe, suddenly the Freed Man rushes at him pushing and throwing him to the ground, just before a robotic arm pierces where the elf had stood. the man is injured in his place*

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Darcan:
Are you okay!? I'll go look for a potion!
Freed man:
I'm alright, just save the elves...

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JustLooking123​

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*Darcan stares into the Freed Man's eyes... and nods*
*meanwhile, Archer Elf is shooting arrows at robots with unbelievable speed... each one piercing their vital parts... but finally he runs out of arrows*
*Darcan gazes at him, and throws his sword toward him*
Archer Elf:
Haha! Your aim is so off, human! *the thrown sword destroys an ambushing robot behind the elf*
*Archer Elf, pulls out the sword, and softly tosses it back to Darcan... then he breaks the arm off a robot and uses it as a weapon*

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Xdqwerty​

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Darcan:
I wasnt aiming at you *winks*
Archer elf:
Now, human, we have to get rid of the robots one way or another, what is your plan?

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JustLooking123​

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Freed Man:
Ngh... *stands up*... No plan. We should just defeat them...
*Darcan nods, and takes a look at the battle scene... most of the mage elves are already dead. their magic is not effective against the robots...*
Darcan:
We should rely on physical power... It's the only way...

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Archer elf:
Uhm I juuust gonna hide somewhere bc i ran out of arrows, see ya!
Freed man:
Wait...! That coward... He had potential...
Darcan:
Thats how stuff is *shrugs*

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JustLooking123​

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Freed Man:
This isn't just about the elves... this is a stronghold against the Dark Lord... if it falls, the power of darkness will grow stronger... Even humans won't be safe anymore...
We have to stop them right here... *pulls at the end of the bandage wrapped around his wound*

*6 hours later*
*the last robot is destroyed by Darcan*

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Archer elf:
So... Have you got any arrows?
Darcan and the Freed Man:
We already defeated the last robot.

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JustLooking123​

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Archer Elf:
I can't understand, why you humans bother to help us while we won't do the same for you?
Darcan:
Dunno...
Archer Elf:
Donno? What's Donno? I never understand human slang.

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Freed man:
It means "I dont know" :/
Archer elf:
Well, soooorry, its not my fault i can't understand humans sometimes!
Darcan:
Please, gentlemen, lets not start an argument, shall we?

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JustLooking123​

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*some of the surviving elves gather, pointing their weapons at Darcan and Freed Man*
Darcan:
What are you doing? We helped you!
Elves:
Rules are rules... you are enemy too.
Archer Elf:
...No. Put down your weapons. That is my command.

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Elves:
But... The rules...
Archer elf:
Do you refuse to obey me!?!?
Elves:
No sir!

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JustLooking123​

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*suddenly, a female elf fires an arrow at the ground in front of the Archer Elf’s feet... she’s hanging upside down from a tree, then flips down with unbelievable skill and casts a binding spell on him*
Female Elf:
Arican! You have betrayed the way of the elves.
You were supposed to marry me, but I cannot marry a rule breaker.
You chose those humans over the princess of the elves... Why?
Arican (The Archer Elf):
Dunno.

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Female elf:
Dunno? What does that even mean?
Arican:
It means "I don't know"
Female elf:
Well, i'm still gonna exile you for 100 years!

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JustLooking123​

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*Darcan moves to protest, but Freed Man stops him, with a confident smile*
Arican:
Merynican... you...
Merynican (The Female Elf):
Arican, I know you're not good with words... so I’ll translate your thoughts for you... We elves aren’t loyal to any person or land... it's concepts we follow.
Arican:
Yes! But we were defeated! So there's a contradiction in our concepts! Why did these humans risk their lives like fools... and win?
I don’t understand... but I should learn...

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Darcan:
Thats because our main mission is to defend those who are in danger.
Freed Man:
Yeah!

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JustLooking123​

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Arican:
Merynican... I accept the punishment... I shall follow these humans, and learn about their ways.
Merynican:
*firmly nods*... Arican, your punishment starts from this moment... Leave this forest. *moves her finger, and Arican is released from the binding magic*
Arican:
*looks at Darcan, while walking out of the forest* On second thought, I'm not interested in serving royalty.
I'll follow the other human instead... Hey human, what is your name?

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Freed man:
My name is Silver, Silver Solious. You are free to join me.
Arican:
It will be a pleasure!
Darcan:
Well... I think this might be a farewell...

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JustLooking123​

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Arican:
I won't forget you, human.
Darcan:
...Before I go, you said your name is Silver? I heard a story about a hundred-strong army that pushed back the Dark Lord’s forces in a small village... and their leader was called "Silver". That was you, wasn't it?
Silver:
...We won, but the cost was huge... Everyone except me was killed in the battle...
But that won’t stop me from fighting the Dark Lord! I’ll gather new allies and put an end to his tyranny once and for all!
*Darcan looks at him, inspired*
Darcan:
I’m a royal soldier... our paths are different... but maybe we’ll meet again someday...
Good luck.
*Darcan leaves towards castle... but something inside him had changed forever...*

(End of Part1)
(To be continued...)

 

[Dany28]

Beautiful story. I'm looking forward to the second part.

 

[Xdqwerty Xdqwerty]

Previous chapter:

Legend of Ethereal (The RGT story series) - Chapter One: Snow Fairy

https://retrogametalk.com/threads/legend-of-ethereal-the-rgt-story-series-chapter-zero.4771/ JustLooking123 *a fairy is flying happily around flowers* Fairy: Lalalala! *giggle* What a cute flower! I love to touch it! *reaches her hand to touch it* Fairy: But no, I don't want to end the life...

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