• Tales of Nebula

    Back Setting:-     A 100 year old war is being fought between two great forces, The Grimmilian Empire & the Archhelm Alliance. The war started when Emperor Zardeus declared an all out attack on the Archhelm's settlement of Mist Walkers (Mysterious Humans who have the power to summon mighty creatures) The settlement was all but wiped out, not even having a chance to live up to their reputation and call forth their beasts.

    After 100 years of fighting, the war is nearing it's end. The 26th Emperor of Grimmil, a one Lufarian Grimmil, has sent three warriors, skilled in the use of mist based attacks (Much to the disdain of the Grimmilian Empire. Only a few, including the Emperor will acknowledge them as 'real people'.) on a quest to secure one of the last remaining forts of Archhelm located on the Northern continent of Aquila, the land of Grimmil. Weiss, Krista and Karasu are approaching the fort, named Fort Orbis......

    “... Too easy...” The male looked emotionless as his blade went through yet another guard, the guards body splitting into two separate, yet equal halves vertically. Turning the hilt in his hand he shoved it to his left side, the blade echoing through the air as with a clang of metal it penetrated another guards chest plate, this particular one had tried to sneak up upon him, the ultimate price to pay being his life, as he fell to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth the male who had stabbed him looked down, from the guards point of view, now his eyes were darkening he could only make out the cold glare and then.... Nothing. His head went sailing through the air, landing atop a pile of corpses belonging to his fellow guardsman.

    “Save some for us, would you, Weiss?” This time a female voice was heard, her hair, a dark green, one would mistake it for the leaves on tree's if she were to stand by them. She stood a few metres back from Weiss, a bow in her hand, letting off what seemed to be a flurry of arrows only 3-4 well trained archers could be capable of preforming. Easily breaking through the armour of the opponents, though unlike her words to Weiss, she did not want to cause unneeded bloodshed and death, instead she tried to immobilize the opponents rather than kill them cold heartedly. Most of her shots penetrating the greaves or gloves of the enemy archers, though all for naught. Weiss made sure none survived.

    “Sister, this is war, actions like that will kill you. Just look over at Karasu, he may not like it like you, but he is killing all who oppose our great Empire!” His own words acting as a morale boost, he dashed forward, his sword aimed forward, his ocean blue hair waving behind him. Running into at least twenty enemy soldiers, cutting them down as if they were ants he could merely step on, much to the horror of his sister who watched Though her loyalty kept her from questioning further. Glancing over to her left she spotted the figure of their other accomplice, Karasu, the Dark Dragoon. His mighty spear, Gungnir, spoke of in legends of old, swung brilliantly in the air, cutting down soldier after soldier, no crimson liquid seemed to stick to the spears jagged blade-top. His last movements almost invisible to the naked eye as he shot into the air, descending down upon the last soldier, lacerating the poor souls throat, letting the blood spray over him as if basking in his own glory of battle before ending his misery, twisting the spear to the side and snapping the neck of the unlucky man.

    The young girl sighed, stepping back a bit, feeling like this was her limit, that she could not fight anymore. From her point of view it seemed Karasu recognised this as he soon shot over to her position. Face to face with her, though most of his face, from nose up was hidden under his Dragoon helm, she looked in horror as he raised Gungnir to her. Her mind was racing, “Was this the price of treason amongst friends?” She thought to herself, closing her eyes, already willing to die at any given time now, she had accepted her fate in battle. Seconds past and she felt nothing, not the sting of his spear entering her body, not the feeling of death's sweet embrace blanketing her body, nothing. Slowly opening her eyes she saw him still, though his body was shifted slightly to her left. Glancing down she saw the length of Gungnir stretch past her body, her heart sank, she slowly turned around and as she imagined, she was confronted by an impaled soldier, his face contorted as he was coming into realisation that he was dying. She stepped back, watching as Karasu pushed him off of the spear before impaling his chest, directly where the heart was located. The unmistakeable crack of his breast plate caving in as the spear hit him, and before long, he lay motionless, no heartbeat for the dead man.

    She looked at Karasu for a moment, he slowly turned around to look at her, only his mouth visible due to the shape of his helm. “You should be more careful....” Karasu merely spoke, turning and going off to find Weiss, who by this time had gone deep into enemy territory inside the already enemy controlled Fort. She inhaled a large amount of breath, her chest raising before she breathed it all out, a giant sigh of relief as it be. Continuing to run forward a bit in an attempt to catch up with Karasu, standing to his left side, looking up at him, though quickly feeling awkward and looking away.

    “Ummm....Karasu...” She by this time looked back up at him, he seemed to have acknowledged her talking with the slightest raise of his head, standing at around 6'5”, he towered above her tiny 5'5” frame, she could catch a glimpse of his face under the mask, and although she had seen him, his sheer mystery in battle always left her curious to how he looked when he was in the heat of battle. “Is what we're doing..r-right?... I mean!.. What our Empire is doing...We started this war for reasons only the late Emperor knew..” Her eyes making contact with the visor type eye pieces of his helm as he responded. “In this world, things cannot simply be 'right' or 'wrong'. Every action will cause a positive and negative reaction, but this reaction is for the person to decide. This war is 'right' for our people but 'wrong' for Archhelm's.” These words of wisdom from the normally quiet man confused her, she tried to analyze them as best she could, but found she could not work out a real answer from them.

    Meanwhile, Weiss had made it into the Forts main room, the last blade strike from his broadsword would be used upon the enemies general, his blood would be splattered over his subordinates as he was struck from one hip to the opposite, the strike angled diagonally would result in the general's upper body to slowly slide apart from his lower before both pieces collapsed onto the floor in a blooded heap of meat. Weiss looked over at the remaining troops, bringing Aquagladius over his left shoulder he stared coldly at them. “This fort now belongs to the Grimmilian Empire,lay down your weapons, this fight is over.” The troops were speechless, they had never been defeated before, as a fort in the enemies territory, they were considered the best ground troops in their Alliance, but to be defeated by three people, mere youngsters not even past their 20th planetary cycle, they were devastated and humiliated. Surrendering their weapons to the three warriors without anymore resistance. Weiss, the self-proclaimed 'leader' of the three looked at the now hostages with disdain. “Sister... This is war, it turns man upon man and turns the losers into frightened little kittens.” Karasu unmoving just lent against the forts wall, his arms crossed as he stayed in deep thought. Weiss continued his speech soon after. “Now, round them all up, the Imperial convoy should soon be arriving to take these prisoners of war." Krista was looking through the injured soldiers when she spotted an elderly looking woman cowering in a corner, soon going over to her she placed her hand on the woman's shoulder. “Hey, i'm sorry you had to see this--” Cut off the woman turned around and screamed at the top of her lungs, pushing Krista's hand off her and running for her life, making her way out the fort.

    Krista soon pursued, making it out of the door to be confronted with the woman falling to the ground, a dagger embedded in the middle of her back, the Imperial convoy had arrived and it seemed she had tried to run back in when they outright killed her. A black chain went from the hilt of the dagger across the floor to a persons feet, looking up she saw infront a sneering man, clad in ruby red armour, a flowing dark red cloak hid a great deal of his front half, she looked at him, her brow furrowing as she gritted her teeth. “..General Orion.....” She finally said, keeping her gaze fixed on the cruel man. “Heheh...Krista, what an unexpected surprise seeing you here, and to what do I owe this lovely meeting to?” His expression didn't change, the same sneer seemed to stay fixed on his face as if painted on forever. “You knew full well that the prisoners were our responsibility in the fort! Any death was to be dealt by us if it was seen fit!” She snapped, outraged by the man's intrusion and irritating attitude to this whole situation. “Oh my dear, you're right, every prisoner in that fort was your responsibility. But this woman was not in the fort when I killed her, she was out here fleeing from that little massacre you, your brother and that Dragoon fellow just made.”

    She looked at him for a good five seconds, her teeth gritting even more against one another, she was about to run an arrow straight through the middle of his forehead when she heard some movement under the cloak the woman that had been struck down, wore. A child emerged, dressed in nothing but a white tattered rag, the child must have been only nine, her eyes a brilliant ocean blue, her hair, as white as fresh snow. The general stepped back a bit, seeming to have seen a ghost and not the girl before him, gripping a hold of the second of his daggers, about to throw it. Krista looked in horror, she wasn't about to let a small child die like this. Running infront, her only thoughts were to shield the child with her own body. Everything seemed to slow down as she ran, she knew in her heart she wouldn't make it, but still she dashed forward. A black blur flickered past her and as she looked forward again she saw the form of Karasu. Around his spear was the chain of Orion's dagger, the blade itself was held in Karasu's opposite hand as if he had caught but a simple rock and not a sharp blade. She saw yet another change to the general's facial expressions, he wasn't furious, but at the same time, he wasn't impressed. “Hmmp...So be it, the girls life will be spared, Karasu. But she is your responsibility, 'Dark Dragoon of Grimmil'.” Karasu nodded, seeming like he knew the consequences of his actions from the very start.

    The girl he saved was whimpering, she looked up at the dark figure that had saved her, and unlike any child before, did not run from the threatening-looking man. Instead she kept staring. “T-t-thank you... Mister....” Karasu kneeled down, becoming level with the girl, and for one of the first times ever, he smiled. “You're welcome.. What is your name, child?” The girl looked at him, her shivering and whimpering stopped, showing her true colours. Smiling now in the company of Karasu and his own attitude change. “I'm, Ana Sheddtego, m-my mother was the Church's holy maiden..” Karasu nodded at her, in an effort to settle her nerves after what she went through he reached up, his hands gripping onto his helm as he slowly moved it from his head. Golden, long flowing hair cascaded down from the dragon-head shaped helmet as he revealed his face to the girl. Passing the helmet to her. “Would you like to wear it?” The girl smiled, taking a hold of it and putting it on her head, though obviously too big, it completely obstructed her vision, moving it back about she revealed her whole face once more, looking at the de-masked Karasu. “Thank you again...” She smiled before falling forward into his awaiting arms. Worn out, she had fainted from fatigue. All the while Krista looked on, a hand coming down softly on her shoulder, looking up she saw Weiss, his face expressionless, but she knew this act had reminded him of his true self, a kind person, not like the character he had built up around him now as a self-defence. “...........” He walked forward a bit, not letting Krista see his face. “........We're moving out with the convoy, get ready to go.”

    It took them them two days of travelling to finally reach their home, the capital of the Grimmilian Empire, Grimmil. During this time Weiss began to exclude himself more and more from the group. Krista was still coming to terms with how different her brother had become and Karasu had become closer to the girl, Ana, the strange girl encountered in Fort Orbis. Though the girl was nine in appearance, she showed the intellect of someone four times her age.

    Upon entering the main palace along with Orion and Ana, the three warriors confronted the Emperor, Lufarian. Weiss kneeled before his Emperor. “Emperor Lufarian, I have returned along with my sister, Krista and the Dark Dragoon, Karasu. The mission is complete, Fort Orbis is no longer under enemy control." The Emperor, now in his late years, a shadow of his former self, and despite this being war, he was known as the most understanding and kind Emperor the Grimmilian Empire had ever seen, which is one of the reasons he took in all three when they were but little children with no place to belong. “Ex-excellent, Weiss, you have done well and are in need of a reward. But what is fit for my new Knight of Grimmil” Weiss looked up in shook, his eyes widened in disbelief. “Kn...Knight?...Bu-but i'm just a commoner...Such a rank is above one such as me... I am not worthy...” This change in Weiss' attitude was a comfort to Krista, it was like looking back in time to when they were both the happy young children when the Emperor first took them in. The kind Emperor smiled, his wrinkled face just visible under his whitened hair. “Nonsense, my dear Weiss, you're my most trusted warrior. That is why I see no other worthy of taking up the place by my side as my top Knight.” Weiss still seemed unsure of himself, he had definitely reverted back to his former self out of battle, shaking a bit. “But..But.. As the law states... If you were..Were to..to die..With no heir.. Then--” --”Then you would be the next Emperor of Grimmil. The 27th Emperor to be exact. And you would take on my second name, as I did when I was first made Emperor by Zardeus almost 60 years ago.” Weiss quickly rose to his feet “But Karasu! You took him in as your son! He'd be the rightful heir, wouldn't he?!?!” Krista looked at Karasu who seemed to have not noticed anything being said and merely kneeled down back to Ana's level. “Come, I will show you to your room, Ana.” The girl nodded and took a hold of Karasu's hand as he lead her away and out of the palace throne room. Krista then looked back at Weiss, who by this time had seen Karasu leave with Ana. Slowly looking back at the king, waiting for his reply which would soon follow when Karasu was out of ear shot, for what good it did. “Karasu has already declined taking up the title of Emperor. Without needing to ask him might I add. He, like you, does not see himself worthy of being apart of the hierarchy of Grimmil. He would rather stay where he is now--” The Emperor paused for a moment simply to smile at Weiss. “--But what of you? Do you wish to stay a mere soldier forever? A young man like you could accomplish much & I am offering you the chance to...” The Emperor began to cough, only a little at first, but soon it became violent, various helpers circled around him to which he quickly ushered them away, Weiss himself was about to go up before the Emperor held his hand out. “No, do not let the troubles of this old man trouble you too, I've lived long enough. But I'll ask again... Do you accept my offer?”

    Weiss stood there (He had got out of the kneeling position when he went to try and help the Emperor before being stopped). His heart was skipping beats, he finally looked up at the Emperor and nodded, bringing his arm infront and across his chest. Assuming a military stance. “Yes, I, Weiss Daedalus, accept the role of the Knight of Grimmil and will stand by your side till you deem it fit that my services as your personal guard are no longer required.” Taking a few steps forward, he walked onto the steps leading to the throne before kneeling once again. The Emperor brought his hand to a ceremonial sword in it's sheathe, located to the side of his throne, pulling it out. The blade looked as if it was born from the darkness of space itself. No light reflected off of the blade's edge, the hilt a dark grey, lifeless, like a withered tree. Placing it upon Weiss' right shoulder. “And I, Emperor Lufarian Grimmil, 26th Emperor of the land of Grimmil, declare that on this day you shall become my most trusted Knight and adviser, a man who will one day ascend to the thrown when I am no more. With this sword, Noir, the sword first held by the 25th Emperor, Emperor Zardeus, over 100 years ago. Forged by alchemists from black meteorite. The fires heated by wood from the legendary Yggdrasil.” Moving the sword onto Weiss' left shoulder now. “Now rise, Sir Weiss and take your place beside me as the Knight of Grimmil.” Weiss slowly rose to his feet, looking around he saw his sister, Krista, a smile on her face which caused him to smile too. To her right stood a rather irritated General Orion, not daring to make eye contact with Weiss, the general merely looked to the side.

    As the meeting ended, Weiss & Krista headed for Karasu's room. They would be confronted by the young girl, Ana bouncing on Karasu's bed, her clothing had changed too. No longer the peasant like garb, she wore an emerald green dress, one you would expect only royalty or high class rich folk to wear. Looking around for Karasu before Krista finally called out. “Karasu!, where are you? We've got good news..For you AND Ana.” Waiting another good ten seconds until some shuffling was heard and Karasu finally walked out. His armour completely off, he wore the same colour clothing as that of General Orion's armour. ruby red, though this was just a shirt and trousers. Looking at his two new visitors he spoke out. “What news?” Krista smiled, looking back at Weiss who just smiled and went to sit down next to Ana. “Well..” Krista went on to say. “The Imperial court has declared you as Ana's legal guardian and she will be allowed to stay, isn't that great!” Karasu looked at her for a bit before walking off and resting his back against the wall. “It wouldn't matter if I was her legal guardian or not. I will protect her, it is the right thing to do after what happened...But..” He stopped for a moment as if he were in thought before completing his sentence. “...Thank you....”. Krista smiled and did a joking curtsey “You're welcome, Karasu” Smiling at him.

    Much of the rest of the day involved a great banquet to honour Weiss' promotion to Knight of Grimmil. Though tempers were high and patience wore thin. Many a general believed that they deserved such an honour and not some “Fog Maker” as they would refer to people who could control mist.

    As the banquet came to a close everyone headed back to their rooms. Karasu made his way up with Ana after everyone had left due to her wanting to be the last one in the great hall (A trait of youth it seemed.) And as they made their way back, Ana spotted something. She quickly ran off from Karasu despite his warnings for her not to wander. He started to run after her, she seemed to be heading for the Emperor's chamber. And as Karasu stepped inside to get her he saw her frozen in place in fear. Infront of them lay the body of the Emperor. Over him, blacked out by the shades, stood what looked like a man, in his hand, the legendary sword Noir, used to slay it's former master. The man looked up at Karasu and stepped forward slowly, Ana moving to seek a hiding place behind Karasu. The unknown assailant spoke “Hello...--” And as he stepped into the light of the dimly lit candles, his face was revealed. “--Friend....”

    Before Karasu stood the form of Weiss.........

    Chapter 1 End.