Chapitre 16: Chapter 16 Beginning Of An Adventure

"You lost what!" the loud voice of an old man said out loud.

His lackeys saw how the fire on his staff lit up brightly and lowered their heads in fright.

"We are sorry my master, I and my crew thought he was alone, and so we chose that moment to attack, not to kill my master. I was hoping to weaken him so that we could subdue and capture him," One of the men says apprehensively.

Although they couldn't see his face, the hooded old man irritated by his henchman responded in a ticked-off way. "Then explain to me why I've sent fifteen of you and only twelfth came back... To think I was hoping that you weaklings were going to do so well in your tasks, and you come back like a bunch of whipped dogs,"

"But my master, our target. The spartan wasn't what we thought he'd be, nor was he alone when we had fought him, there were others there... The first son, he was there as well," The henchman said shortly after their master finished speaking.

Just by hearing that phrase of the word the old man gripped the staff as a light of fire could be seen going around the cracked part of the wood. "Safran, of course, it would've been him... Fine, you four are lucky, I will not punish you for your failure. Tell me that you've at least got the other prey?"

"We do my master, however, there was some slight inconvenience. A child, a girl. She is a friend of the little girl, the lass saw the princess getting taken and managed to warn the others, so we took her as well," a henchman said to him.

"And why take someone who is of no use to the plan?" The old man said running his hand through his beard.

"We didn't think much at the time my master. We just decided to take her because we were rushing to leave the building, besides she was a useful shield," The henchman says.

"I see, as long as you've all completed your tasks, unlike some of you... I will give you all a chance to prove yourselves next time, for if you fail, well, im sure you know what'll happen. Now begone!" the old man said as he watched every one of his lackeys depart from the chamber.

Afterward, the old man closed the door and locked it to make sure no one would disturb him. After that, he turned to a large and oval-shaped mirror. The old man or wizard could see his reflection in the mirror, and seconds later he watched as his reflection then slowly formed into that of a woman and watched as she stepped out into the opening feet first.

As he stood there patiently the old wizard watched on as the woman dressed in all red revealed herself after having to reform her figure. The woman finished with her display of masquerade she turned around slowly and reached up to pull her hood back giving the old man a look on her face.

"Why hello there wizard, how long has it been huh," The woman said with a sly remark.

"Hello to you too as well Hellen... Look, as much as I like to jape and jest with each other, I think we should get to business," The Wizard said as he led the woman to a nearby table.

"Is this about your attempted kidnap of the girl?" Hellen said as she sat up straight and looked at the old man.

"Yes... How did yo- Nevermind that. Yes, you are right, it is about the girl, however, there was a notable problem with the ones I've tasked with this mission. I've sent fifteen of my own man and only twelfth came back alive,"

"Twelfth, that's not a bad number, besides, those boys and girls knew what they signed up for. So I couldn't care less about what happened to them, with all due respect old wizard," Hellen said as she mockingly bowed her head knowing that the old wizard cared about his students.

"Oh, I know witch. And for assurance, this little girl happens to be the daughter of a certain queen, a grandchild to the empress. With her now under my arms, im sure the queen and her relatives will be scouting every part of the lands looking for her," The Wizard said as he could see a look of stupefaction on his guest's face.

"Hahaha. To think that you've had the galls to do that is astonishing wizard... Bravo, bravo," Hellen said aloud to which the wizard rolled his eyes and responded to her remark.

"Yeah as wonderful as that may be, the other task I assigned the others on was a disappointment... With these so-called spartan still alive, I'm sure the leader would want the giant dead as fast as it can be," Says the wizard sighing for he knows of the future headache he'll be getting from the leader.

"Agreed. With this spartan still out there, it is clear he may always be a thorn in the raider's side... And with him still alive, the amount of slaves we've usually gotten is starting to lessen throughout the days," said the woman as she deduced some form of ideas in her head.

"Which is why we need to get rid of him this time," The wizard said sounding angered at the words of his colleague.

"Oh, but I thought you wanted him captured alive first?" Hellen said smiling deviously.

"That was before, now I want him gone. I'm already dealing with enough problems, I don't need another one... The only reason why I wanted the spartan captured first was to send his head to the warmongering man and his raiders so that he could keep his mouth shut for good," The wizard said with a tired expression as he pinched his nose.

"Speaking of raiders, how many more people will you allow those lowly waste to take, when we could've used the captured slaves for ourselves?" Says Hellen wondering how long the wizard would approve of the said raider and his lackeys to kill as many people as long as they wish to.

"That is also one of the many things I've regretted with my decisions... However, if I had renounced my end of the deal. The Red Council would've been found out, that is something I don't want coming to pass. This is why I want the Raiders to cause as much distraction as they possibly can, which in turn the other kingdoms would for sure keep their attention on the Raider's sight for the time being," the hooded old man responded as he thought back on his choice.

"I see, my question is if it comes the time were they are of no use to us, will we dispose of them? Or integrate them into our armies?" Hellen said with an artfully cunning expression drawn on her face.

"Please, I hope to the light that will never happen. Those barbarians are likely more drawn to raiding and pillaging for the rest of their lives, whereas we are a lot more different and competent ones with brains. Why do you think I've decided to keep their base built in an underground volcano miles away from our home Hellen," the wizard said as the right corner of his mouth raised in a smile.

Hellen chuckles as she picks up her cup of wine and together clangs it with the wizard. "Ohhh, you cunning and smart. See, I knew there was a reason why today was going to be a good day... Cheers old wizard,"

Arenian City

Meeting Room

The sound of people has been overbearing ever since the attack. The empress who was seen comforting her daughter tried her best to soothe Lager's anger.

The empress was angry at herself for not arriving earlier, yet she could not get there fast enough, and her granddaughter elly along with a young lass named kraeva was taken by the very intruders who so dared to do this to Lager. With this erroneous scheme of those bastards, the empress had promised her eldest daughter that she'd hunt have the scoundrels who ordered the kidnapped to be killed.

She and those who was in the meeting room stopped. When their guest entered the room, some quieted down and glanced at safran, behind him were three figures. One of them was of course the spartan, one whom they were aware of. Behind the giant were two people, the first wearing a brown and tattered cloak and the other a man. His cloak's upper half was cut off for only his shoulder could be seen stitched up with something they don't know of.

"Sister, im sorry about what happened," says Safran as he gives her a sympathetic look.

"Where were you?" Lager said asking her brother.

Lager and her mother both saw safran glancing between the spartan and the other two individuals in the room.

"Well, I was with Lady Carly and Ser five... We were questioning our friend over there. When suddenly Ser Five was alerted of the intruders. I'm sure you all know that already. Spartan if you would please, tell them what we've gotten from one of the captured attackers, it'd be of great explanation to my mother and sister,"

Nodding to the king five took one step forth gaining the attention of those in the room. "My name is Five. First, I'd like to ask some questions,"

Those around were speaking in a hushed tone about how someone like that of the spartan was speaking to the queen, and not only that they thought of how impetuous the spartan was for even speaking in front of the empress herself.

"You know, usually people would address those higher than them as highnesses or lords and queens," The empress spoke eyeing the spartan.

She was trying to see who he was under that helmet but couldn't for his head was completely shrouded in a dark olive green helmet with her face reflecting from the visor coated in gold.

"Apologies Ms. I only want to know of what you two might've gotten from any of the assailants that had attacked," Five said unconcerned about what she said.

"Mother, you'll have to forgive him. Ser five is unaware of who you are," Lager said to the empress who looked at the spartan incredulously.

"So, you are the ser five that today's townfolks seem to be chatting about so much this afternoon," The empress said inquisitively.

"Yes ma'am. If you don't mind me asking? Do you and your daughter have an idea of why these intruders attacked you all and chose to take the girls?" Five said in inquiries.

The empress while comforting her Lager looked up at the tall being and spoke. "I believe I do. You see, with my stature around vahrian itself, people tend to target me for their reasons, some that which I am unaware of, and some who may want me dead so that they could steal the crown... But one thing for sure is that I also have many enemies, many, ones that tend to hold grudges for quite a long time... And it's clever that they chose a better and safer way, where they go after the weaker ones like that of my granddaughter and her friend,"

The spartan agreed with her statement. Back in UNSC space, he was tasked with defending a supposedly endangered royal princess in New Russia, a planet a few light-years away from the sub-system. While he was there, he knew that something wasn't right, for something fishy was going on with one of the soon-to-be queen's advisors.

The supposed queen was targeted by an insurrectionist, yet it all came to light when the attack occurred. Thanks to an ONI agent who was there with him, koa, or five who had been with the future ruler was told by his leader, serin Osman to not leave the woman's side at all times.

With that being said, five paid attention to every one of the people in the palace suspicious of them. And just days after, the future ruler was about to denounce her crown three days after when her daughter was kidnapped, which was something funny. Why, well because he knew that the daughter of the future queen was and had always been surrounded by guards.

Because of that five knew something wasn't right. Cause usually the guards who were tasked with safeguarding the young girl acted differently. Their posture, the stance they always put themselves in, it was clear to the spartan that these weren't the same guards as the ones he saw most of the time.

So during one night, five decided to leave the future queen's door unguarded. That's when a cloaked figure covered in all black chose that moment to attempt an assassination. Foolish of who he thought he was, five apprehended the man only to find out it was the advisor. A man who was in his thirties.

And so after interrogating the man for a day, the spartan and the oni agent managed to find the whereabouts of the young princess, along with discovering every man and woman who was in on the scheming plan of the advisor.

And so here he was knowing what he might have to do. However, he supposed that Queen Lager or the empress would approve of what he was going to tell them, that is if they agreed.

"If I might your Highnesses," Koa said gaining their attention.

"Sure spartan, you may," The empress said replying.

"We're ears," Lager said speaking after her mother.

Sighing mentally to himself the spartan took a second to think of the right words one that he hoped would bring around the two as he then spoke. "With your permission, I may be able to find the whereabouts of the child and her friend,"

"What!" Safran shot up.

Everyone who was in the room when hearing what the spartan said was in a lured of incredulity thinking how it is that five would've been able to find the young princess and kraeva.

"And what ser five made you so sure you can bring them back," Queen Lager said slightly doubting Five's proposal.

Glancing around the room five could see that many of the people, heck even the ones he doesn't know. All of them had eyes on him, even ones with wizards-looking hats and some elder-looking woman. " Because. The princess wasn't the only target that these intruders were after. If you and anyone here know, I was the one who was responsible for thwarting the raiders from pillaging countless other villages and small towns. And to be truthful with you all. The Raiders, they weren't the only ones who wanted me dead... The intruders, the ones who attacked us, I recognized them, I've fought them before,"

"And im assuming whoever it is that sent them wanted you captured alive," Lager said as she was helped up by her mother and safran.

"That is unless they wanted you dead," Safran added.

"They tried. But that doesn't mean im underestimating them," Five replied. "I understand if you don't want my help, however, I'm still going after them, I have some unfinished business with their leader,"

"Wait, you can't be serious five!" Carly said cutting herself in. "We have to return to the unsc base. Doctor halsey thinks you are dead, the other spartans. Your brothers and sisters think you have been dead for fourteen years if they know that you are alive, then they could help you out with this matter,"

"With all due respect Ms. Carley. If I return to unsc base, it gives the enemy more time to have more times ahead of us. Right now is no time for negotiation," Five said to the ONI agent.

"My daughter, I know you aren't really up to this idea. But if what the spartan is saying is true, then he might be the only one fast enough who could help us in the situation we are in," the empress said resting her right hand on Lager's shoulder.

"Alright, I'll allow you to do as you want to get my daughter and her friend back... But on one condition," Lager said to the Spartan.

"And what is that queen lager?" Five said responding to her inquiry.

"You will have to be accompanied by a warrior of my choosing," says Lager who could've sworn if the spartan hadn't worn that helmet of his he would've had an expression of someone who didn't like something when given an alternative plan.

"Alright, I'll be waiting. Until moonrise, we'll be heading off. I can't afford to buy my time while the enemy is ahead of us," Five said as he walked toward the door with both Carly and Collon following after him.

Queen Lager's

P.O.V.

After the spartan left the room the empress had everyone else attention as all eyes and ears were now on her waiting for what she had to say.

Though safran understood the spartan capability was still doubtful of him as he wasn't sure of his mother's request for five. "Mother, are you certain of this?"

"Yes, my son. I know how effective the spartan is, why do you think I wasn't as surprised as you all were," the empress replied.

"I assume you've had some spies on him?" Lord lester said arms folded.

"No, spies would've been found out easily by Ser Five. You've heard of my birds," the empress said looking at the lord.

Lester knowing what his old friend was referring to chuckles. "That old wizard. He is still out there, I can't believe he's been working for you for that long,"

"Yeah, I agree with you on that... But, you know how he is sometimes. He's always insistent on doing his duty without fail," commented the empress.

"Why mother? Why send him?" lager said obscured by her mom's decision on five.

"Because daughter, I know that Ser five wouldn't just outright stand behind and let this get past us... Helmet or not, I saw that he too was shared the same problem we do. Which is why i knew that the spartan wouldn't let this issue ensue on any longer,"

Safran and Lager glanced at each other and then back to their mother. The two of them understood that the empress wasn't pleased at all about what happened to elly. However, they knew that their mother wasn't only here for the kidnapped of the young princess. Why, well the wizard or to be more specifically, the old man has finally chosen to leave his home to keep watch on someone whom he has rarely any contact with.

"Because the wizard came to me one day. It was during that time that he spoke to me about a prophecy," The empress said as she could see the looks of apprehension among others in the room while those like that of her daughter and queen jassan had looks of curiosity.

"Prophecy? That has not always been good news, especially when it's coming from the old wizard?" lord lester said for he knew something was indeed not right.

"Forgive me for asking empress, when exactly has the wizard spoken to you about this prophecy? Is it any good?" Queen Jassan said pondering on the matter.

The empress wished this wasn't going to occur anytime earlier, but seeing as how everyone was tuned in on her proclamation she knew that she couldn't hide any longer and had no choice but to be truthful to them.

"The prophecy. It spoke of a half-blood of an old heart. With it, a child, made of both machine and flesh shall walk the very land on vahrian in light and dark. With him, others of steel and blood shall follow, for the reclaimers of the skies and earth shall answer," The empress spoke with a slight sense of fret upon her face.

"I feel as if something of a misfortune shall emerge in the oncoming days?" lord lester said arms folded as he tapped her elbow.

"Half-blood?" Queen Lager said reflecting on the matter at hand.

"Did the wizard say any other things about the prophecy?" asked King Krasd.

"Yes. The old wizard believed that the spartan is the half-blood that he prophecies about... Though that isn't all, the other reason why I've asked him was because of his deeds in dealing with both the raiders and rescuing the son of one of my old friends," The empress responded to them nonchalantly.

"Brandor... I see," lord lester commented as he then asked her about who she'd send to accompany the spartan. "With that aside your highness. Who is it you'll be sending with ser five?"

"Melvinia of the forest elves. She is a great tracker and happens to be one of the best rangers I know of. Besides other reasons I've chosen her is because she is the daughter of one of my colleagues. Second, her skills are quite remarkable... Besides, I believe that she would need this as the start of her dream of adventuring through the world" The empress answered.

"The Forest elves. I don't think those whose land she steps in wouldn't like her," King Krasd said familiar with how some people in vahrian despise her kin.

"You are right about that King Krasd, but that doesn't mean she would be in any trouble. A woman she may be but that doesn't mean she's vulnerable to the actions of humans. So I wouldn't worry too much, she's in good hands," The empress stated as she glanced at him with a look of assurance.

"So it may be your highness," Krasd responded.

"Well, seeing as how that's all done with. I think we should hurry this up and be done with it. The longer we stand here and discuss things the farther our supposed attackers are," Safran said asserting the end of this meeting.

"My son safran is right. We should be finished with this meeting, let us depart for the day, ladies and gentlemen!"

After the declaration of the meeting, those who were part of the meeting departed, some leaving into their portal that connects to their homes. While some have chosen to go by horse.

As for the empress, she along with her kids was the only one in the chamber, of course with only the four sentinels guarding them.

"Are you certain of this mother?" Lager said to her mom.

"Yes, but somehow I can't help but be bothered by this prophecy. The half-blood," The empress says sounding worried.

"The half-blood," muttered Safran as he and Lager both caught each other looking at one another. Both siblings understood what was going through their minds. "Mother, what if this prophecy has something to do with sister Lager and gr-"

"He is long dead, I saw your brother die with my own eyes. There's no possible way that he would return from the dead," the empress said cutting safran off.

"If you say so Mother," safran said shrugging it off for he didn't wish to receive any unfavorable words from the empress.

"Daughter. Look I know this wounds you greatly, I just hope you and your siblings understand that I too love Greythrien," The empress said to her two kids yet she could tell that they didn't wish to remember that fateful day.

"Do not worry yourself. I and safran understood why you did it," Lager said as she and her brother proceeded towards the door.

Five P.O.V.

"Ready tin can," Deha said with her face appearing in the upper right corner of the spartan's hud.

"It by ready, you mean intolerant of your advice. Then yes," Five spoke answering his partner's response.

"Oh don't be such a sore brain. You and I both know that we couldn't stay away from troublesome situations like this... But, hey! Look at the bright side, you got friends!" Deha said cheerfully.

"I wouldn't as so much call them friends," Five replied with an adjectively yet weighty sound of his voice.

"Oh, so what? Are you saying the others, the cadets the ones you've grown up with aren't your friends, or better yet, john-117. Sierra-052 and maria-062 and kurt and basically every spartan 2's weren't your families," Deha comically said to him.

"I'll make an exception for them," Replied five nonchalantly.

"You know, usually you'd ignore my remark, what have you done to the koa I know," Deha said humorously.

"Don't overstep yourself," Five said as he unfolded his arms.

"I just want you to know that you can sometimes be terrible in discussions. Mood killer," Deha remarks.

The other two, collon and Carly saw this and thus followed after the spartan as they neatened themselves with readiness.

The door opened and out stepped two of the sentinels that the spartan learned of. After the two sentinels walked out they stepped aside and faced each other. Next, were the royals and noble folks alike. But the moment the empress and her kids exited the spartan could sense something wrong going on amongst the three yet chose to not get himself acquainted with it for he knew that it wasn't anything crucial.

"Spartan, I thank you and your two colleagues for your patience. I hope I haven't kept you three waiting," The empress says bowing her head slightly.

Carly stepped in as she then spoke. "It is no problem, Your Highness, we don't mind,"

"Yeah, we do not mind," Collon Graves added in.

"I see, im glad that is passed you three. As I was going to say, the one who is going to be accompanying you three will be a ranger of the forest elves... But please keep her out of harm's way, she can sometimes be quite the valiant girl," The empress told them.

"No worries. I think she's been hiding in the shadows for too long," Five said surprising the shocked elf was hiding in the large bushy tree near the building they were in.

From the corner of his eyes, the spartan watched as the bushes in the tree shuffled, and then not even another second passed by when a figure jumped out into the open revealing herself. Although she may have been concealed in a deeply dark green of her fairly big cape, as the body armor she had on was that of hardened leather

The spartan caught the elven woman's weapon. Hidden inside her coat were two daggers. It was an adequate place to hide it from any eyes. Nonetheless, that doesn't mean that she would've needed it any time soon.

"Melvinia. Good to see you young girl. This is Ser Five and his colleagues," The empress spoke gesturing to them as she then introduced Five, Carly, and collon to the elven girl.

"My lady. It is great to see you and your family once again," Melvinia responded courtesy.

"I assume you've already understood the reason why you are here," said the empress with a genuine smile.

"Of course my lady, I know already. That is why im here for. When will I be leaving with them?" Melvinia replied as she was then cut off shortly after her question.

"Well that's not up to me. But I believe Ser Five here will tell you," Responded the empress.

"We leave now, that is if you don't mind the long walk," Commented five.

"No worries, I happened to have a ride of my own. What of you, horses for any of your two companions?" melvinia said glancing between collon and Carly.

"Oh don't worry, I shall fetch the two of them a mount for each other!" lord lester let out as he called over one of the nearby guards.

"I guess this is where we'll be seeing each other off Spartan... May you and your companions enjoy your journey," The empress said speaking to five as she bowed her head slightly.

"Thank you, Your Highness," replied five whereas he then turned and began walking off with the other two and an elven girl.

Laraths Squad

P.O.V.

It's been a good few hours since Sergeant Larath and her squad had left the total full of the forests.

Though as much as she disliked it, she and her teammates could not help but also bring along with them three new people for the ride.

Civilians weren't really their strong suit, but after witnessing what the three new individuals could do with that weird magic talent of theirs, larath suggested that it'd be enough.

"What's wrong kid?" Franklin asked the young girl.

Alexnagree who was covering herself and Grayson in a six foot square size blanket looked up at the marine. Even though the man and his companions saved her the old man, and Grayson, Alex still didn't trust them yet.

"I'm am fine, just tired," Alexnagree replied unhurriedly slow.

Franklin could see in the girl face that she was telling the truth though he could tell that she was a bit dreadful around he and the marines.

"There's no need for you to be frightened little one," Kosnav the Russian marine said as he put his hands where his heart is. "We marines, we are not the bad people you think we are,"

Alexnagree or Alex for short felt some slight sense of cautiousness and care coming from the private first-class marine, yet that didn't mean she would allow herself to fall for the stranger's masquerade even when they had saved her, Grayson, and the old man.

"Who are you people? And where are you taking us?" Questioned alex.

Larath who was behind the two Marines strode past them and knelt with one knee to eye level with the young girl. "We are just a couple of soldiers on an exploration mission, or in a word you'd understand. We're on a task,"

Alex's eyes pang up into a sense of interest and spoke. "You people are not like the soldiers I always see where I go,"

Larath smiled for she gotta give it to the kid. Regardless of being the stolid woman she is. "You're a smart one youngster. I like that... But I and along with my companions here can assure you that we do not mean any harm to you,"

"You can't trust us child, scared and frightened you are. But just know that we care, we're not like the bad guys who enslaved you," Mike one of the marines said to the girl and got smacked in the back of his helmet by a disappointed Rosa.

"What my colleague here meant to say! Is that he wanted you to loosen up, relax? There's no need for you and your friend to be concerned," Rosa said while reaching into one of her pockets and pulling out a beef jerky covered in wrappers.

Alex and Grayson looked up at the woman and then back to the strange object in her hand. It looked to Alex that the marine was trying to hand her something like a piece offering.

But before Alex could reach for it Rosa spoke In her foreign language as she upbraided herself for almost forgetting to remove the wrapper from the beef jerky.

"What is this?" Alex says as she and Grayson accept the offer from the marine woman.

"Substance. Or you can think of it as a snack, it's ok. I know that it is not better, but I know you'll like it... Go ahead, give it a try," Rosa answered as she and the others watched the two kids getting a bite of the jerky.

"What do you think?" Larath said deferring herself from how the two children would react to one of their famous snacks.

"It's a bit dry. But it's also tasty and to be honest, it is a lot better than most food the raiders feed us," Alex replied taking a second bite.

With the mention of the raider's larath turns her head and faces the old man who is sitting near the edge of the leopard's trunk with his back against the side of the vehicle.

"Say, sir. What is your name?" Inquired larath.

"My name is valxon. I sensed that you wished to ask me something of importance lass?" valxon the old man said replying.

Understanding the meaning of Lass larath did not mind it for it's only another word for lady or madam.

"The raiders, the ones who took you and the two kids. Do you have any idea where their bases are at?" Larath said asking him.

"Not that I know of. The only base that I know is, are the ones where the two children and I were in previously," Valxon said with with a shrug.

"So I assume the only base you know of is the place you were stationed in. Can you at least tell us of one other that you know of?" Franklin said as he was next to the sergeant.

"Yes, there is one other, but that one, I do not know of its locale area," Valxon said gaining some interest from Franklin and larath.

"We don't mind, anything could help us," Larath said.

Accepting a bottle of water from Mike the old man thanked the marine and wiped his mouth as he then spoke. "The previous place I and the two kids came from, was larger, bigger than two small towns combined. The raiders, the ones you've all killed, they only took me and the kids for we are only one of the rare slaves that they use for their benefits such as pillaging and raiding villages and towns,"

"Is it because you guys are magic users?" one of the marines asked.

Rosa smacked the marine in the head. "Have some manners, Chico,"

"It is alright young lass. Your friend is right about what he said... I and the children, are people born with unique abilities. Which is why the Raiders like to pillage wherever it is they go. And when they find those like me and the kids, they take them and integrate them into their group, or army that is," Valxon said reminiscing days months, and years since he had been a slave to them.

"How about this place you seem to know of besides the other base you and the kids were staying in?" Questioned larath.

"The first base I've been in was called the black mountain. You won't be able to find it, no one has even come into contact with it, well all except for the leaders and masters," Valxon responded nonchalantly.

"And before you asked, no. I do not know where it is either, even the slaves have no idea of its location. Our heads eyes and ears were covered by a black bag once we were moved off to join the raiders in our second base. I'm sure you know what we were going to do after arriving there,"

Larath and the Marines were listening in very closely to the old man and could somehow disagree with how ill-treated valxon was and the kids. However, they can tell that the old man must've been through worse.

Thereupon larath knew that the valxon was being truthful with her and the squad. "The second base. Do you know where it is?"

Valxon eyes peered up at the tall woman and still he couldn't believe how tall she was then than her fellow peers. "And what is it you want with that? If you are talking about wanting to go there, I'll tell you this. It'll not be good for you and your friends,"

"Oh don't worry, we'll do fine ourselves," cobin said with a carefree tone.

Valxon just chuckles as he leans back. "I like your confident boy, but trust me. It is not about how many raiders there are in the second base. It's about the others, the slaves. The Raiders won't hesitate to use them against you. They know that soldiers, men, and women like you care about the innocent and will not hesitate to set them upon you and your friends,"

"Have you seen any other folks, you know, ones that dress more strange than the common people of this world?" Rosa said arms folded as she asked valxon that question.

"What is it you mean by that?" Asked valxon confused. "There are a lot of people who dress strangely in outfits... However, I can tell you that there were ones who are a lot more contentious than the normal folks I know of. Take it from me, I am familiar with almost any language in vahrian. But the language these other folks spoke was very... What's the word? Aha!. They were different than the ones im used to,"

"These other folks you mentioned of. Can you tell us what they look like, you know the clothes they wore, were they any stranger than the common folks you've seen," Larath said recalling back to mention of the languages spoken that valxon hadn't heard of.

"Now that you said it, yes. I have seen them in clothes. It was a lot better than the usual clothes that most lords and ladies wore. Well dirty it may be but the fabric of it was nice and smooth... I happened to have one with me. The kind lady gave it to me as a gift before she was bought by some bloated noblemen... here hold on, I'll show it to ya,"

The Marines just set there and waited as they watched patiently while the old man searched untidily through his cloak and not a moment later he held out in his hands a Nike hooded sweater colored in green.

"What's! Did I do something wrong!" valxon said as he spotted looks of surprise, shock, and wonder amongst the marines.

Franklin who was always the calm one in the sergeant squad put his hand on her shoulder. "You know of this right,"

"Of course. No place in this world that could've made a piece of clothing like this, except for-"

"Except for Earth and its inner colonies," Rosa commented cutting larath off mid-sentence.

"Cobin, you're a shoe collecter. I'm sure you are more familiar with this logo than we are," Mike said asking his squadmate.

"Yeah, but, I don't think many people on Trevelyan and the unsc base are that knowledgeable about Nike... Besides, the command hasn't even authorized any unsc civilians to set foot in this world yet. Heck, you don't see any soldiers wearing Nike or Adidas while going out to do missions," Cobin said as he slid his hands across the hooded Nike sweater.

"Then it's clear that these clothes didn't come from any one of our sides. I believe it belongs to one of the twenty-first-century people who were taken by the raiders," Commented Rosa.

"Ma'am, what do we do? I know we shouldn't get involved with the twenty-first-century people, but you and I both know we can't let them suffer any longer in that slave of a camp," Franklin said to the sergeant.

"We do what we were always set out to do... Insurrectionist or not, these raiders are no different. We'll find the base or camp that these other slaves are in, see what we can do, and devise a plan for dealing with them," Larath said aloud for her teammate to hear.

"What about the raiders, we don't know much about them. Hell, for all we know. There might be more than the ones we just killed off," the perceptive Rosa said while wondering what they could do against their supposed enemy.

"Don't worry, about that. We won't be alone... All we gotta do is scout out the place, see how many raiders there are, and find out their weaknesses. And strike. Strength won't be a problem, for if we needed one, we'll call in a group of Odst's or spartans... Boom easy work," Mike added in.

"That might be the smartest thing you've ever said. See I knew you weren't so dumb after all Chico," Rosa said punching the marine softly in his chest armor.

"Yeah yeah, no need for the false praise Rosa," Mike said trying to hide the smile from being complimented.

"Sir, valxon. Can you tell us where this other base you and the kids were in before you guys were moved?" Larath inquired as she remained steady from how fast the leopard vehicle was moving.

"I can, but you'll have to promise not to get the two children involved in this attack of yours," Valxon said to the sergeant.

"Don't worry, we were never planning to go that far anyway sir," Larath replied with an understanding of the old man's tone.

Valxon was silent for seconds as he tried to discern any signs of lies from larath's face but seeing none of that he finally responded. "Alright, yes, I may not know of the first place, but I do know of the second base. And where it is at,"

"Great, we're all ears!" Responded Mike.

Five

---P.O.V.---

It was not long after that the spartan and his group had left arenian city when the moon had risen.

Though at first before he could leave the city, brandor along with his sister and wife vaena stopped by to talk with him.

They first thanked him previously for their rescue and somehow felt sorry for having to drag him into going to find the princess, and not only that he would have to find their daughter as well.

And now here he was traveling with an ONI agent and an agent spy coming from the twenty-first century time. Though many spies originated from different countries on earth, deha gladly put in her time as it wasn't hard for her to find out that these collon graves came from the other side, or to be more specific, that he came from the twenty-first-century earth. It was clear to both her Carly and Five that collon was no regular soldier. How, well it was during the time Carly found out about him when she had put him to sleep, whereas while he was out she rummaged through his belongings, and all she ever found from him was a simple Kimper-1911 silencer pistol along with four mags as extra ammo, following with a hidden chip miniature microphone in his right ear.

So while he may have thought that both Five and Carly didn't know who it was he worked for, collon was unaware that the two of them already knew he worked for the higher-ups that were now stationed in the special region in a place called Alnus Hill.

On the other hand, there was one other person they never thought they'd meet. Melvinia. The elven girl was walking next to Carly seeing as how she was the only other female in the group.

She didn't choose that side, not because of the spartan and collon being men but because she was distrustful of male humans.

"Say, what do you think the elf woman's problem is?" Collon said whispering to the spartan.

"Don't know, the best thing you can do is ask her yourself," Five said not caring about it for it wasn't an important matter to him.

"I see that you aren't much of a talker," Said collon.

"He's got that right," said Deha.

"I thought you didn't like him," Five responded.

"That was because he couldn't shut up for the past hours," Deha replied amusingly.

"So Melvina," Carly spoke but cursed at herself for misspelling the elven girl's name. "I'm sorry, im just not used to speaking names I ain't used to hearing,"

Melvinia who was holding onto the rein of her horse just beamed her a smile and chuckled. "It is quite alright, don't blame yourself, my mother made sure to me that people will tend to misunderstand my name,"

"Thank you, so tell me. Where is it you are from? Really," asked Carly.

"I come from the forest on the western side of the world. It is solely one of the only homes that woodland elves like myself reside in," responded Melvinia.

Carly's right brow raised in question to that. "Oh, but I thought you were a forest elf... Unless there are different types of elves in this world?"

Melvinia's face contorted into a genuine approving way and replied. "Correct you are madam. Yes, there is more than one kind of elven people, the forest elves and woodland elves as well. Or to be more precise, the two species of elves live together, under the empress-protected forests,"

"Protected forest!" perked up collon who had been listening in on the two's conversation.

"I'm guessing not many people in this world are very fond of the elven kind?" Carly said pondering about how long that has been going on.

"Yes, you are right about that," Melvinia answered with a glooming look on her face. "My people, the forest elves and the woodlands, along with every other elven kind aren't like amongst the population of vahrian,"

"Can I ask why?" Carly said as she and collon were drawn in by her story.

"Well, I may have not lived thousands of years ago, but I can tell you this. A very long time ago, during ancient times, my kind stood on top as one of the highest lords of vahrian second only to the humans while the dwarf came in third... At that time, the years of elven and humans were tremendously great for they flourished in both economy and wealth such as aiding one another in issues they could not take on themselves... However, the unity between them was broken after humanity suffered from a war that they thought they could handle on their own, and so they asked the elven lord of that time for. And so the human king requested for the elven lord to aid him in the war, Unfortunately for him, it never came. With almost a yearly fought war against the legions, the human king along with half of his kinds was wiped leaving the other half to fend for themselves.

I don't know what happened, but somehow the elven lord chose to take the deceased human king's crown in order to rule amongst the two races causing some of the remaining humans to renounce the elven lord as their leader. But that wasn't what brought about the final nail on the humans. The wife of the deceased human king who has been friends with eleven lord for quite a while took his hand as marriage... It was from there on that the half of the other remaining humans began the planning in an attempt to overthrow the elven lord,"

"The humans didn't like that the elven lord had taken the crown and the wife of the human king... Heh, no wonder why they rebelled," Collon said but soon regretted his response when carly gave him a what the fuck look.

"I don't think you a mere human male could understand what that led to," Melvinia said with an urge to stick her dagger in his foot but chose to remain.

"You'll have to forgive him Ms, collon can sometimes be sort of an idiot," Carly said giving the elven girl a reassuring look.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that," Collon apologized for he understood what melvinia's kind must've gone through.

"It is alright, I know not many human males aren't that bad... So I'll make an exception for you," Melvinia replied answering him.

"About what you said of the elven lord, what happened?" Carly asked in slight curiosity.

"Well, after the humans who opposed the marriage between the current queen and the elven lord, they left to find a place of their own, for they didn't wish to be ruled under an elven man... The elven lord could've ended them then and there but did not have the desire to do it. Unfortunately, it was from there that he made a mistake, as decades later the human population had risen, and some didn't join the other humans in their rebellion while others joined. Though the elven lord and his fellow elves were unaware of the human schemes, it came too late for him and his kind to respond to an invasion of the dark and burning legion... They tried and tried to fight the invaders until the elven kinds numbers dwindled. After the elven lord's death, the wife or queen fled with the last remaining elves whereas the humans took that chance to hunt all of them down, one by one,"

"Then how come there are still living elves?" Questioned Collon though he reckoned that there were still some out there hiding.

"The humans didn't get all of my kind, even with their enormous numbers. One other thing my kind is a lot better than humans is magic... The daughter of the queen after failing to fight for her people's freedom knew then that they wouldn't be able to defend her kind against the humans, so she conjured a portal into another realm that she thought would be an escape to freedom, but instead, something from that other side of the portal came out," Melvinia said this time as she caught the interest of the spartan.

"Portal, do you know of the ones who came from the other side when this daughter of the queen summoned the portal?" Inquired five.

"Not that I know of, you would have to understand. I may be an elf but that doesn't mean I was born during the time she had summoned it... But, my great-grandmother was only so young when it happened. Perhaps when we are finished dealing with the Raiders, I'll try and see if my great-grandmother can answer your questions," Melvinia said half-heartedly.

Nodding at her in response the spartan was going to speak but was then interrupted when he and the group heard an exceptionally loud scream.

Immediately the group watched as the spartan sped forth slowly and without a second thought the three of them hopped onto their horses and began following after the spartan.

"Koa, there seems to be a problem, four hundred sixty yards ahead of us. Hurry!" Uttered deha.

Five told the group the same thing that deha had informed him of and then headed off, yet he slowed himself down to let the other three catch up.

"By the light! how fast can your giant of a friend run!" Melvinia complained in a fuss as she had to duck her head down every so often from having to hit every branch she saw.

Carly who was not so far behind melvinia was dealing with the same issue as the elven girl, and when they made it out to the opening the three of them immediately pulled the reins back to stop their mounts.

In front of them and the spartan were multiple creatures of the same looks. The beings were around the same height of the same class as five, strictly some were around seven to eight feet tall. Their bodies were contorted into different proportions than humans. It was also very clear to the spartan and his group that these beings had long and sharp tusks, hell even their teeth looked like they could bite a hole in the wall. Their outfit was about as close to a man as in the warrior tribe. The beings also had a deep purple skin color along with the fact that their hairs, or some of them do. Their hair was exceptionally longer than most humans especially when it ran down the back of their neck making them look like a mohawk red-headed barbarian.

The weapons the barbarians creatures wielded in their hands were mainly melee ones. Some held axes, and swords while others only had like a knife and makeshift swords, spears that looked as if they had just been forged from a bunch of rocks, and very sharp as well.

The spartan scanned through multiple of these beings trying to see past some and after what felt like minutes but was in reality nine seconds, his eyes caught sight of a short and stocky man. The man while he may be shorter than an average human made it up for both ferocity and aggression while battling the purple-skinned beings.

"That's a dwarf!" Melvinia managed to utter a word.

"We should help," Collon said as he was about to head forward but was stopped by five.

"You and melvinia take care of the ones on the left, Carly and I will handle the other ones on the right," said five as he and the oni agent left to assist the dwarf.

Melvinia and a collon both nodded and moved to deal with their half of the enemies.

When Collon reached his first opponent the seven-foot-eight creature turned around and sees him. Collon quick to act upon his fast reaction pulled out his 1911 Kimber pistol and pulled on the trigger.

The creature was struck on the right chest, and when it finally came to its senses the creature let out a roar and continued towards the human. It opens its mouth to bite collon, but it chomps down onto nothing. Then when it turned to look at its prey all it saw was the head of the handgun touching the center of its head. Before it could even move an inch all that the barbarian creature felt was the meat in its head being separated as the second after a fairly large amount of purple blood was dripping down its body, from the neck to the very grass.

After the third shot collon rolled to his left and aimed for the head of his attacker. With that, he put a bullet in the creature's legs intending to slow it down and then he followed with the seventh bullet. Before the being could move one more step, one of its eyes popped, and a gush of liquid blood splattered forward out into the opening grass field.

"Duck human!" Shouted Melvinia who pulled one arrow from her quiver and shot an instant kill right at one of the jumping creature's necks.

"Thank you for the save," Collon said as he was back-to-back with the elven girl. "Though, I have to ask. What are these things?"

"They're called trolls, they are around the same height as your armored friend. But these uglies, I'd say they are one of the bad ones!" the elven girl answered harshly.

Meanwhile, as collon and melvinia were fighting the other sides of the trolls, both the spartan and the Oni agent were dealing a fair share of damages and more to the trolls on their own side.

"Who the fu** are you two!" The dwarf said as he shot a troll on the knee and then brought his axe down on its head.

"We're just a couple of people on an important task. We heard a loud commotion, so we came as fast as we could. And you!" Yelled Carly.

Before the dwarf could respond to the human woman's query he shouted to her duck, and as she did he quickly finished reloading his musket gun and put it to eye level with the oncoming troll, and its head splattered in an instant from the shot.

"The name is Zallar of the bronzebeard clan!" the dwarf said introducing himself.

"I'd say it is good to meet you! But I doubt that wouldn't happen in such a trouble we are in!" Carly says loudly for she had to speak louder than the ongoing battle occurring.

"Who's your friend!" Zallar asked as he watched the spartan headbutted a troll against an oak tree.

"His five!" Carly replied and put three quick shots of her M6C pistol into the foot of the running troll, two where his toes would be, and the third where his brain would be.

While the others were getting attacked by fewer numbers of trolls five on the other hand were dealing with an uncertain amount of trolls.

"They must've seen you as the bigger threat," commented Deha.

"You think!" remarked a less humorous Five.

"Oh brighten up tin-can, it's not like this is your first time meeting hostile aliens. Besides, I don't see these guys giving you much trouble," chastised deha.

A first from one of the trolls came flying for his target's head but instead, five leaned backward and quickly swept his leg as the troll just fell on his rear end. The second he got up to his feet he did a spin kick by whirling around an axe swing. The troll that had attacked widened his eyes in shock for when he glanced to the right all that he saw was a green-armored boot that when connected to the right side of his face, his jaw shattered upon contact as the bottom of his whole face was missing.

As the troll dropped down to its death the spartan grasped his axe and brought it down on the chest of the troll that he swept.

One of the trolls who looked to be the leader of these trolls stopped and pointed one of his only three fingers at the green-armored spartan. "You! You are no mere prey. You big pre. Your tiny friends are less of a problem for me. But, one I will kill will be you. Trolls attack!"

The Spartan got into a guarding stance with the axe on his left hand and with the sword in his right which he got from one of his kills. Though he knows he could've used the firearms but chooses not to, at least not until when he deemed necessary to use them.

The trolls that surrounded him earlier all rushed him from every side. One of them leaped at him from a very large jump with his spear aimed at the spartan. Boy was he a fool for when he was only three feet in the air away from his target, the spartan grabbed the spear, pulled the troll toward himself, and with the axe in hand, he decapitated the troll.

As the other trolls neared him the spartan threw the axe at the head of one of the trolls. Now with a long-range weapon, along with the sword, five used them to an advantage over his enemies and proceeded to cut down the shocked trolls who had thought blindsiding would work. Yet afterward, he was surprised when the spartan easily pushed the spear as it pushed past every organ in his abdomen and then heaved him up and threw him aside at one of his brethren.

Two trolls attacked from behind, the Spartan saw them coming and tried to respond but felt his spear wouldn't budge. He turned to see one other troll holding onto the spear. So with the other weapon freed, the spartan sliced the neck of the troll, and with the quick and precise defense, he blocked the countless swings of axes and swords while having to move backward.

He knew that the more he continued in this position it would give the other trolls time to strike from the opening. The ferocious intent of these trolls made it up for how they were gaining ground against the armored man one attack after another. Yet as was predicted one of their kindred threw his spear at the spartan.

One of the two trolls who was doing so well in quelling the spartan was struck in the chest by the spear and let out a gurgling yell with blood filling his mouth as it then began dripping the grass with its blood-red color.

"Nooo!" Exclaimed the other troll in anguish at seeing his brother dying form. "I kill you!"

The troll filled with a hunger for the blood of the Spartan rushed dashes forth and landed a good kick on Five's chest armor, though it may have struck true the troll didn't care that the energy shield had appeared all over the armor of his target and proceeded with swinging his spear down at the spartan.

Five sees this coming from a mile away and just moves his enemy's spear away from his shoulder. As the troll came down he was surprised when the next thing he didn't expect was that the spartan struck the spear right into his stomach and then pushed it hard enough that its head could be seen from the very back.

"Me, we will kill you armo-

The spartan didn't care about the dying trolls' attempt at trying to speak and did what anyone who came against the insurrectionist. He just wrapped his hands around the troll's neck and then twisted.

His ears picked up the sound of footsteps and five immediately acted upon instinct and turned around to strike the possible attacker, but as he turned the head of the spear stopped inches away from Melvinia's chest armor.

"Cease yourself ser five. It is just I, melvinia," the elven girl said with her hands up in a friendly way.

The spartan apologized and glanced around the area, the place where they had battled the twenty or so trolls was filled with blood and body parts, along with chunks of bones and meat lying here and there.

"Good god, I didn't expect to fight some fantasy creatures!" Collon spoke as he the dwarf and Carly strolled towards his path.

"I'm with you on that," Added an exhausted Carly. "Anybody got water?"

Melvinia was about to hand the oni agent her flask of water but was beaten to it by the dwarf.

"Here lass, take it as thanks for saving my ass," Zallar offered. "Ya know, never in my life have I seen something like you before my friend. The name is Zallar, what's yer name,"

"Five, any idea why these creatures attacked you?" Five inquired.

"Nah, they didn't attack me, I attacked them," Zallar said causing the others to look at him questioningly.

"Why, what made you think it was a good idea to rush twenty-three trolls all on your own?" Melvinia said absurd by the dwarf ludicrous decision.

"The toothy bastards done stole my friend while I was on a trip to town. So I tracked them down, these purple bastards!" Zallar said as he kicked a dead corps by his head. "They were the first clue that I have of finding my friend,"

"Hmmm, these are fendarian trolls. Why are they so far out in this part of the land?" Melvinia said while she was checking out the dead corpse.

"That is something I do not know. But now that you mentioned it, I believe that there are still more out there. One of their armies was responsible for burning and butchering my camp... Darn, purple bastards! I swear I'll cleave their heads off," Zallar said gripping the handle of his axe tightly.

"May I ask something of you Zallar," Melvinia said.

"Sure, go ahead lass,"

"Your camp, when it was attacked one of the people had a sigil like this," Melvinia said holding it in front of the dwarf to see.

"Yes, these were the same numbskrulls that I dealt with in the previous days, my group was hunting them down for they were taking my people for their benefits. I'm sure I don't need to tell you what they'd used them for," Zallar answered.

"Yes, you are right about that. However, what have these trolls got to do with the Raiders?" Carly spoke as she holstered her pistol.

Zallar laughed at that as he put his axe in its sheath. "Oh, the Raiders recruit anyone into their groups, hell, I wouldn't be surprised if they have a damn Xaraus Rex in their ranks," Zallar said sounding frustrated.

"Xaraus Rex?" Collon said a little concerned that this world might have more surprises for him.

"They are large carnivore lizards, they stand on two legs with arms smaller than their legs, with teeths sharp enough to leave a hole in your body," Responded Melvinia with a smirk.

"So basically a t rex... Let's hope they aren't as big as the ones on Earth," Replied collon.

Carly and Five had conversed themselves in a quiet chat away from the other's ears, and after they had discussed things Carly walked to the dwarf in hopes that he'd accept her offer.

"Sir Zallar, If you would. I believe we can help ourselves. That is if you're willing to listen," Carly spoke to where the dwarf looked at her inquisitively.

"Is it about the raiders and the trolls, then my answer is yes. I also need help, besides. These old bones can't keep on going foreva,"

"Then we should get moving, I have a feeling some animals might be on the way here," Five suggested as he and everyone could hear multiple howls belonging to that of wolves.

"Your friend is right. As much as I like killing, I do not wish to hurt Mother Nature's children any longer," Zallar said in agreement.