The Arc of Light (story of Silver Surfer)

[silversurfer]

The First Arc

Some where in Daziarn.

“Come on, hurry. The city gates will be shut shortly”, hissed Leroan. Limping and leaning on the hilt of his sword, the Meledorian captain surveys the remnants of his platoon. “By the Gods… how did we end up like this…”, he winced in pain as he reached down to adjust his armor piece which secures his broken ankle.

The forest and field which they have left behind was a scene of utter destruction. Dead soldiers of the Daziarn Alliance lay as far as the eye can see; bronze armored bodies of the Ookar knights, gigantic corpse of the Yoacar and their flying mounts and not forgetting, dead meledorian soldiers, strewn everywhere after their initial clash.

“We should go. The Dreads will be back shortly”, came a strong firm voice, breaking the captain’s dazed gaze.

“Who??...”, Spinning around suddenly, he bumped forcefully into the torso of the orator. Standing over 2 meters tall, the Yoacar cannot help but muse at the stunned Meledorian captain.

“I am Gus’Cor, Cavalry and Defender of Yannis”, Gus’Cor replied.
“Nevermind the formalities.”, replied Leroan “We should retreat back to the city, therein we shall regroup and repel these mindless beasts.”, retorted Lerooan “They are much more intelligent than you imagine Captain” Gus’Cor “How else could they have seen through our ploy?”

“What ploy did WE have? All our pitiful generals manage to plan was to hold and wait, while our sorcerers conjure up their pathetic vortex to attempt to trap them! Speak to me no further about this ,,. Ploy… I would much rather have simply charged and at least taken a few of them with me rather than for that useless contraption to have misfired and decimated them along with us!” fuming and angry at the failed offensive earlier, Leroan turned to survey the battlefield once more before rejoining his subordinates.

Standing beside the path, Gus’Cor watched as the last of the Meledorian troopers marched past him. “All is not lost my brave friend.” Murmmerd Gus’Cor as he mounted his dragon. “We will meet again should it be our fate to.” With a loud screech, his mount took off and he disappeared into the clouds above.

[silversurfer]

“zzz… zzz… zzz…”
“HEY! Get up already!”
“WAOH!!!.....” “Bang!!!” resounded as the slumbering mass of pillow, blanket and a half awake Volkern fell onto the floor of their wooden cottage home.
“Come on, its still to early to get up Lokern. The sun is still not even up and shining yet”
“Do not patronize with me brother. Although you are at home and we are off duty, I am still your superior and you are not to laze around”
“Alright, alright. I am up, I am up. Why do I have to suffer the fate of being in the same regiment as you.”
“That, is not my doing. It is father’s wish that you are under my command.”, said Lokern as he turned to go. “Breakfast is ready downstairs. Do not be late. We have a long day ahead of us”
Picking himself off the floor, Volkern got dressed and proceeded to the stairs. “I’d better make my bed… who knows what HE will say or do when he see this mess.”, thought Volkern as he eyed the untidy mess which lay lying on the floor after this morning’s episode.
Drawing the curtains apart, the rays of the rising sun pierced the dark musty room. Looking out from his bedroom window, he can see the farmers nearby getting ready to go about their daily work. Nearby, mothers and wives are already starting their day by rousing their children and sending their husbands off to work. “It’s turning out to be a beautiful day…”, muttered Volkern to himself as he viewed the peaceful surroundings. “I hardly can feel that we are at war and in danger from the Veleves…”

It’s been 7 years since the Veleves arrived on Daziarn. They are a race banished from Daziarn since ancient times. But lately, they have returned and began waging war on the Daziran. How they managed to become so powerful, no one knows. It is said that they are once noble beings and cousins of the Meledorians. Now, they kill and plunder and kidnap citizens of all races to serve their unknown schemes. No bodies are left wherever they attack and no one has lived to tell the tale.

“Curse them… we were once as brothers but since they sided with the Dark God to create his weapons, we have banished them and now they are back and doing more harm than good… We should not have been so merciful towards them in the first place”, grinding his teeth and clenching his teeth, Volkern hit out at a beam in his house, causing a loud resounding Boom.

“Hey Up There! You sure have loads of time on your hands haven’t you!”, barked an impatient and angry Lokern. “Damn, I best stop thinking so much and take care of matters at hand first. We have to gather the rest of the troop today to go back to Sol’Dar.”, thought Volkern. Half running and half jumping down the stairs, Volkern rushed downstairs to the dining room to find a stern Lokern sitting at the table, eating his brew. “We have to get ready before noon brother, I am anxious to head back to the front… we have not heard any news from them since last week.” Remarked a worried Lokern.

“Come, my sons, we should treasure such moments we have together to dine as a family”,
“Mother?”
An elderly women appeared at the door way. She looked wise and full of wisdom despite her fragile appearance.
“You should be resting mother, it is not good for you to get up so early…” Volkern’s sentence was cut short when he noticed his uniform and his equipment are washed and prepared, ready for him.
“It is alright Vol, I am not as weak as you think.”, replied his mother, smiling at him. “I used to take care of all three of you when I was young.”. Hearing that brought flashes of memories back to the two brothers. Yes, they have been through many memorable times and peaceful times. Now that the war had come, all able men have been summoned to the front, to fight, to protect the ones they love, to protect all they hold dear.
“Here mother,”, Volkern led his mother by her hand as his brother pull a chair for her.
“We will be leaving shortly for Sol’Dar after we finished out meal mother,” Said Lokern as he returned to his seat to finish the remains of his breakfast. “You have your responsibilities and duty. I understand.”

[silversurfer]

The three family members chatted as they had breakfast, all knowing that no one knows when they will be able to meet one another in future. Not wanting to dampen their spirits with the grim prospectus, they talked and chatted about the food, the village, the weather. Anything but the war which each of them knows is raging not far away.

“Well, we better go get the rest of the company,”, said Lokern as he rose from his seat. “I will meet you outside shortly.” “Alright, first, let me get ready my belongings. I will not late this time thanks to a certain beautiful maiden.”, winked Valkern mischievously at his mother. “Alright you better get prepared, otherwise you will still be late.” Blushed his mother shyly after receiving the remark.

“Thank you mother, you have always taken good care of us.”, thought Volkern as he donned his tunic. The Meledorian armor plate looks more like an exquisite work of art rather than a relic of war. Being made into a hundred and eight different pieces, each piece was forged and engraved with beautiful Meledorian runes and precision. “Look at you, you have grown to be a fine young man Vol”, remarked his mother as she stood in the background watching Volkern.
“I remember the days when I have to dress you, feed you and put you into bed.” “Thanks for taking care of me during those days mother, I will always remember it in the deep recesses of my heart.”
“Vol, brother, we need to go.”,
“Yes lets proceed. Our people and our country needs us.”,
“Lieutenant,”,
“Yes my Lord?”,
“Rally the troops, we march in 2 hours.”,
“Yes my Lord, very well.”

The captain and the lieutenant, dressed in the military tunics, gathered their equipment and after making their final checks went to the stables to retrieve their mounts. “Good bye mother. Take care of yourself. We will be back… soon” said Lokern as he saddled his horse.
“Lokern is right mother. Do not worry about us. We will take care of one another. Take care of yourself whilst we are gone alright?”
“I will be alright. You boys take care out in the field. Do not try and be a hero. Fulfill your duty and return to me.”
“Yes mother.”, the brothers replied in unison. Turning around, they waved their final goodbyes to their beloved mother before trotting off to meet the rest of their contingent.
“Look after our sons for me my love,”, whispered the old lady as she peered into the horizon, “I am sure if you are here, you would tell me not to worry.”. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes as she stood there silently at the doorway watching her sons disappear into the busy streets outside of her abode.

[silversurfer]

Riding through the village, they noticed members of their company preparing to leave their families and loved ones. The atmosphere was heavy. Parents sending off their sons and daughters with well wishes and good luck, wives embracing their husbands as they left them. All knowing that this might be the last time they would be able to meet one another.

Leaving the village, the brothers proceeded towards the rally point which is mark by scores of Meledorian men, some who had arrived early and were awaiting the order to move out. As the hour drew near, more and more men arrived and the plain was glittering with sharpened steel and polished armor under the bright afternoon sun.

“It is time.”. Looking around, Lokern viewed his company of men, numbering about three hundred odd in total.
“Lieutenant, Order the march.”.
“Yes my Lord,”,
“MOOVVEE OOUUTT!!!”
Rising to their feet, the men shouldered their spears and got into their ranks. The flag bearer unfurled the Meledorian banner and as the troop proceeded, family and loved ones looked from afar, waving their final farewells and well wishes.

“To get to Sol’Dar would take at least 2 days,”, Volkern said as he urged his mount on.

“It is imperative we get there as soon as we are able to. Like I said this morning, we have not heard from them for a week and I feel something is not right.”. Lokern replied whilst scanning the horizon.

The plain was silent except for the heavy footsteps of the heavily armored Meledorian troop. Each individual carries an arsenal of weapons. A long bow, a spear, and their signature weapon, the Meledorian Arc blade. The Arc Blade is awarded to each trooper when they graduated from being a normal Meledorian citizen to a trooper. This finely crafted weapon is forged with a composite of crystallite metal which is both strong and light, providing the wielder with much needed speed and balance in combat. Although it is a single handed blade, the hilt makes up a third of the length, allowing the wielder to use both hands if needed.

The distances melted away as the company of warriors pressed on towards the city of Sol’Dar. As they neared the outlying villages of the city, many civilians can be seen hurriedly packing their belongings and evacuating to the safety of other areas. Their worn faces and clothes displayed their hardship and plight from the oncoming enemy. Not wanting to be delayed by the refugee jammed roads, Lokern ordered his troops onto the plains, hoping to reach the city as soon as possible.

[silversurfer]

The Battered city of Sol’Dar came into view as they reached a little hill top located on the outskirts of the city. Looking down from there, the scene was a sight of death and destruction. Rotting corpses littered the battlefield and charred remains of battle engines stood burning. In the distant plains, the black and purple banner of the Veleves fluttered where their camps are pitched, their number vastly out numbering those of the alliances. Soldiers clad in purplish black armor hurried from place to place, preparing their arsenal and readying themselves for the next attack. Superiors barking orders and planning new strategies as well as formulating new battle plans. In the mists of the sea of purple, blood red tents stand noticeably out from them.

“The Dread Knights… Elite guards of the Veleves. They seem to have tripled in number since the last time we came into battle here.”, Volkern said as he scanned the enemies’ ranks.
“It looks like we are out-numbered this time. I do not think the city can withhold more than a few days if this siege continues.”
“Yes, the city might fall. But we will give them a battle they will remember for the rest of their lives.” replied Lokern. “Let us enter the city to bolster their defenses quickly.”

Urging his mount onwards, Lokern lead his troops on a quick march down the gentle slopes of the hill towards the city gates. Noticing the mass of men approaching, the sentries stood on alert, bows drawn and rifles aimed. Ready to release their payload should the oncomers prove to be unfriendly. Leroan, grabbing the nearest scope peered into it and recognized the brothers. Of whom they studied under the same mentor whilst they were still cadets in the Meledorian academy.

“Open the gates!!” barked Leroan at the gate keepers, keeping a keen eye at the incoming column. The sturdy metal gates creaked open whilst the heavy wooden drawbridge, riddled with arrows and holes laid to rest over the moat trenches. Crossing the trenches, the stench of blood, grime and rotting flesh floating in the moat brought a fresh wave of stench, forcing the arriving new comers’ stomachs to ranch. Entering the city, its ancient and proud standing buildings are now nothing but derelict ruins as the city got bombarded by the enemies’ weapons during the conflict.

“It is good to see you alive and well Leroan,”, Volkern said as he dismounted.

“Welcome back,” came the grim reply. “I am afraid circumstances are now much bleaker than when you left. I cannot guarantee you are able to walk out of here alive.”

“How is it that we came to this?” Lokern said
“Thanks to the Dark God’s newest champion Xog, we have been suffering defeat after defeat. Having twelve eyes and four arms, he wields whips burning with hellfire. We were only able to tire him battle after battle to ensure survival of this city. Since then, our numbers have been dwindling. The Ookars have been providing us support with their chariot cavalry and Yoacars have been supporting us from the skies with their dragon mounts. But we will not last long against the ever growing horde of the Veleves.”, lamented Leoran.

“How is it they are able to grow in numbers every time we engage in combat with them?” Volkern asked.

“It would seem to me that they are making use of the SEED”, Lokern replied
“What’s that?”
“During ancient times, the Veleves have been living in forests, and have been masters of the way of the forests. Using their experience and research in the arts of plant elementary, they have managed to develop an ancient art which involves instilling living plant elements into dead corpses, thus reanimating them. These zombies are just a shell for the fragile weed parasite to live and control. Using this method, they have been able to increase their ranks with fallen soldiers from both us and them.”, explained Lokern. Having spent time in the libraries learning about his enemies since the war began, Lokern understands the enemy more than anyone.

“To disguise this, they encase these fauna zombies in this black armor so one would not notice their trickery. These zombies, although dead still retain their skills and strengths, therefore making them just as powerful as the original host might be when he is alive.” continued Lokern.

“What are still fighting for?”, “Should’nt we retreat?”, “We’re all going to die here.”, “It is hopeless.”, muttered the surrounding men as they heard the grim prospectus.

“We are going to battle. We will give them a fight to remember us by. Let them remember that the Alliance of the free Daziarn Nations are not cowards. Think of your families and your friends, you loved ones. Should you fall here, the enemy would be upon them! Are you going to let that happen? You are all proud Meledorian warriors. We shall not let the enemy have their way while we are still alive” Volkern exclaimed upon hearing the discouraged men.

“Come, enough of talking. We have got much to do and less time to do it in men.”, said Lokern as he turned to go.

The men, with their morale raised, nodded in approval and hasten to prepare themselves for the next battle. Amidst the busy preparations, A lone figure watched from the battered towers.

[silversurfer]

“There is little time left,”, muttered the hooded figure to himself as he surveyed the soldiers scurrying to and fro, preparing their defenses.

Standing atop a high tower in the city, the mysterious figure held his seeing scope steadily as he surveyed the alliance’s troops’s preperations.

Meledorian Soldiers are lining up into their different divisions. Ookar knights are equipping their war chariots. A handful remaining of Yoacar riders gathered into formation as they await orders. Upon the walls, Meledorian, Ookar and Yoacar all put aside their differences and manned the siege weapons. Cannons, balastias, catapults and arbalests are loaded. The banners of all three races are being raised high above the city walls in defiance to the huge amassing enemies.

“Let’s hope we are not too late,”, said Iron Fist as he emerged from the shadows.
“We are not. The city has not fallen yet.”, retorted Silver Surfer.
The two Kai lords, sat down opposite one another. Dressed in green clocks and tunics, the two Kai lords looked tired and worn. Their clothing and equipment are dirty and full of holes and grim.

“Its been a few years since we arrived here in Daziarn.”, said Silver Surfer as he took his rations from his backpack, preparing to settle down for his meal to satisfy his growling stomach.

“Yes, we have been here for about seven years now. I wonder how everyone are doing back home.”, said Iron Fist as he looked out through the tower at the smothering ruins below.

“They have left us for the dead, how can they remember us after all these years, after how we recklessly rushed into the shadow gate?” reminded Silver Surfer as he bit into his food.

“Do not forget that we are here to use the city’s shadow gate to return to Sommerlund,”, Iron Fist said.

“Yes. That is our plan. Although I am not sure how the Elder Magi and the Kai Council will react when they see us alive and well emerging from the portal they thought would be certain death.”

“We will worry about that later. Let’s accept things as they come.” Reassured Iron Fist.

The sky lit orange as the sun approached the horizon. The alliance troops have little time as they knew the enemy attacks once night approaches. The Alliance troops have completed their preparations and lookouts stand alert upon the walls. Scanning the surrounding for any enemy movements.
Amidst this, Leroan, Volkern, Lokern and other fellow officers hurried to the War Chamber for briefing on the oncoming conflict. Entering the Dusty and dimly lit Chamber, the trio could see Ookars and Yoacar officers deep in thought and staring at the battle map, setup upon the enormous table sitting in the middle of the room.

An elderly Melodorian General heads the meeting. Standing at the head of the table, the room fell quiet as he motioned to speak.

“My dear friends,”, the general started. “We are looking at a grave situation. The enemy has grown in numbers and despite our troops’ best efforts, we are gradually running low on man power and resources. It would seem that we will be overrun by the next assault.”

Mummers can be heard throughout the gathering as the general delivered his gloom announcement.

“Our mages and sorcerers have failed in unleashing their planned vortex spell and we are now left to depend on ourselves to defend the city. The Citadel must not be lost to the enemy. Therein lies the shadow portal. Should we lose the portal, the enemy will be able to gain foothold into our other worlds.”, continued the General oblivious to the silent protests of those present.

“We will have to destroy the portal then.”, said a Yoacar officer

“Yes it is the only way.”, agreed another.

“Why should we stay and defend it when we can destroy it?”

“We do not have any knowledge on how we can destroy the portal. All we know is that they require this to open activate the portal,”, replied the General holding an oblong crystal object.

“This is the Cosmic Key. Since ancient times, we have used this to activate the portal should we require use of it. We know that the Veleves have their own keys and therefore, are able to make use of our shadow gate portal.”, said the general as he took the Cosmic Key out from his pocket.

The crystal glowed brightly, illuminating the room with a pulsating bright orange glow.

Unknown to the members of the meeting, two persons, utilizing their Kai mastery of invisibility have been hiding amidst the beams of the roof, owing to the dim candle lighting, the duo are very well hidden from the conference below. Paying close attention to every word being uttered intently, Iron Fist could not help but feel excited upon learning that the truth about the shadow gate.

“That’s what we need” said Iron Fist telepathically to Silver Surfer.
“Yes, that is our way home. Our way back to Sommerlund.”
“Should we just jump down and get it then?”
“No it is too dangerous. We have to wait till most of the people here leave first before relieving the Cosmic Key from that old general” replied Silver Surfer
“Would’nt that be TOO LATE??” argued Iron Fist
“NO.”, hissed Silver Surfer “I do not like having to take on ALL of them. Even with our Kai disciplines, we wouldn’t last very long fighting the whole lot of them.”
“Alright, what is you brilliant plan then?” replied Iron Fist sarcastically.

Unfortunately for them, their conversation was cut short by a loud sickening bang resounding from outside the courtyard, followed by a explosion which shook the foundations of this stone walled chamber. Alarms bells went off as the sentries on the wall pounce into action, noticing that the enemy have already started their bombardment.