Hawk or Crow
Azure had given the orders to let the bridge towards the Western Territory. Manna and Terrias had made their move and began to push back as many as the soldier as they possibly could with out wasting their energy on pointless fighting. The small soldiers in vast numbers were not the issue but the controllers of the soldiers could lead the war to an end. The fire burned hot from the volcanic air of the land had slowly brought the two knights to fatigue. Terrias began to feel light-headed and could not see much in front of him. Manna followed behind and made sure that Terrias would not give out before finding Seer. “Terrias, keep moving, no matter what happens do not give in just yet. Remember, you are the UltimaKnight! The reviver of the Serine Knights! The future of Ghaelivon!” she cried hoping Terrias would be driven to endure the fumes and heat and continue on. I am the UltimaKnight… I am the defender of Ghaelivon and all her people… I am… the future ruler! Terrias shook his head. He stopped and began to stare at the fort before them. “Terrias, what’s wrong?” asked Manna catching up with Terrias. A cold chill was sent through her back despite the heat of Irtra’s fires. She had looked up and a machine gun had been set towards Terrias’ position. “Terrias, above you!” she yelled but it was too late. Terrias had been shot multiple times and sent down. “NOOO!” she cried falling to his body. Terrias had looked up and began to laugh. His laughter was bitter and cold, an evil cackle that cut through the air. Manna had gotten up in shock and scared. Terrias had gotten up and his eyes began to glow blood red. His face had a malicious smile his eyes a murderous intent. The future ruler of Ghaelivon… no, the universe! “I am you lord! You are all my vassals!” he said and blasted a red aura towards the soldiers in front and vaporized them. Terrias had regained his normal self and collapsed on his knees. Manna cautiously came to his aid and picked him up. “Are you okay?” she asked. “I’m just numb. My whole body is destroyed but… I can’t feel it…” He looked at her and Manna had a serious look then looked towards the fort. “We should continue. If we stop now the surviving soldiers will tell Seer and they will know you are tired,” said Manna. “Its not something I’m worried about…. I worry because,” he looked at Manna and she to him, “I don’t want to lose any of you… not like lost Ryo.” Manna nodded and helped him move forward. “They should have a few elixirs from the equipment they stole earlier.” The two continued forward both cautiously and swiftly.
As they had made it to the fort, the soldiers had seemed to have already prepared a defense without orders. Terrias looked around and found no way to infiltrate without attacking any side. Who is stupid enough to fight me? Anyone have courage to strike me? Terrias got up and began to laugh again. “Terrias! What has gotten into you?” asked Manna with more concern than before. He had looked at her with his head turned, “Only the fact that none of them could defeat me. They will know what power really is!” He jumped out from their hiding and began to vaporize them with Ultima one by one. Many of them cleared out and left the front open. Manna came out and followed Terrias to the entrance. Before entering, however, a familiar face emerged from the shadows of the entrance. “Terrias and Manna, what an ‘onor eet eez to velcome you both eento your grave.” General La’ Mo’Ae had come out and readied his blade. “I vill only let one of you een. One of you moost fight me right ‘ere, right now!” Terrias began to laugh again and entered the fort. “Terrias! Going in without me is suicide!” “No, young Manna, eet be suicide fighting me!” Manna drew her sword and braced herself. Not since the Kaio Festival in Kryo was he ever seen. Manna only remembered so much about him and his fighting style. “La’Mo’Ae. Will you rise… or will you fall?” said Terrias in a slightly darker voice. Manna flinched. It sounded like him and at the same time it did not. La’Mo’Ae did a similar gesture. “V’at?… V’at deed you say?” asked La’Mo’Ae trembling in fear. Terrias continued forward and said, “Manna, I expect you inside. We must take Hawkeye down by all means.” La’Mo’Ae dropped his blade and his eyes widened. His body shook and his spine ran with cold blood. He looked up at Manna and she looked back at him. “Manna…. I knew eet…” he said, “Terrias… eet eez no coinseedence that ‘e would become zee UltimaKnight. Terrias… eez Celven Altima’s…” He smiled and began laughing, “LEGACY!!” Manna rushed in not wanting to hear it and tried to attack. La’Mo’Ae picked up his blade quickly and blocked. However, because it was too soon of a block, his blade bent and part of it had cut him. Manna set back a bit and rushed in once again. La’Mo’Ae tried to block but this time his blade broke taking his right eye. Manna flinched at the sight and put her sword back in her sheathe. La’Mo’Ae fumbled around for the hilt of his blade and grabbed it. “I ‘ave lost zees battle,” he said and with that, he slit his throat and died. Manna cover his face with a small cloth and entered the castle. Celven Altima’s legacy …. Those words could not escape her head. It continued to ring. She refused to believe.
Manna ran down the halls searching for Terrias. The more she looked, the more it lead to a desperate chase for nothing. She could not, no, she did not want to believe those dreadful words. Yet, the words would fill her head with memories and then she stopped. Her heart pounded. It no longer seemed like a coincidence. Those stories of history, the legends that made up Ghaelivon and Vivica, would be deemed as true. Altima and Rina… their stories were to be made true again. Celven Altima was headed back to the village of Durend from a mission given him and his troops. He noticed a boy fighting of several Yhurbargs on his own. He was outnumbered and overpowered. Before one of those hideous beast struck at the boy, Altima shredded him to nothing with a rapier. The other monsters tried to attack him but they were all vaporized by Ultima. Altima walked over to the boy and helped him up on his feet. “Kid, you should be careful,” said Altima making sure the kid was not harmed. “I’m fine,” he said, but as he looked up and got a better view of him, “…You’re… you’re Celven Altima! Leader of Clan Ultima and one of the Legendary Serine Knights!” “Well, it seems that my name has gotten around more than I have thought it did,” said Altima modestly. “My name is Terrias, fighter of the wolves, a son of the Falles tribe,” said the kid, revealing his identity. Altima was shocked. The Falles tribe was an elusive one that only a few have ever seen, for any to be separated was not likely. Altima had asked why he was separated and Terrias explained that for learning the language of the people and not of nature, his native tongue, the tribe excluded him as one of them and left him. Terrias had learned of Altima and wished to serve under him, if he ever saw him. It was why he trained so hard and why he was even fighting earlier. Altima had taken him and would later make him commander. The same commander who taught Rina the spell that would lock Altima away.
Manna got cold. The Terrias of that time would later become the leader of Clan Ultima. He noticed that power was too devastating and ended up learning Ultima obtaining the demon that came with it. To Manna, it would be too much of a coincidence that Terrias could hold Altima as a reincarnation, a legacy. He would be current leader, but if Altima was released, it would be as if the whole timeline was reversed. Manna let tears out. She was Rina’s reincarnated, no doubt. It would be hard for her to imprison her love. She could not gather up the heart or the courage to do such a harsh thing. Manna had fallen to her knees and cried. Terrias was not far from her and limped over to her side. “What’s wrong?” he asked, placing his hand on her shoulder. Manna looked up shocked and startled. She quickly regain her composure and wiped her tears, standing up to meet his level. “I-I just thought of a few things. Its nothing to worry about,” she lied trying to belie her true emotions and what she truly knew. Terrias hugged her and Manna helped support him. “The elixir isn’t far from here, I just was looking for you to get some as well. Did you fend of La’Mo’Ae alright?” he said leading her to the room with the basin of elixir. Manna stood quiet for a brief second then answered, “He killed himself… I beat him and he couldn’t bear the loss at my hands.” “Coward, always running…” Manna looked over and looked into Terrias eyes. They were blue and gentle. Terrias noticed and looked down at her. Manna began to blush and kissed him. “What was that for?” he asked just a little confused at the timing of that kiss. Manna smiled and said, “No reason. I’m just glad you’re back.” Terrias stood puzzled but did not ask any more questions.
The two finally reached the room and took a chalice of the elixir each. They were refueled and ready to attack again. Terrias swung his sword a few ways to see if all was fine and nothing too sore. Manna had stretched a bit and took a few bottles out of her bag and filled them up with the elixir. As they began to make their leave to search for Seer, a tall armored man emerged. He was erect and tall, his silhouette was dark and exerted and ominous presence. He stepped in and spoke with a tremendous voice, “Terrias Falles and Manna Aminus, I am General Hasshin. I have been sent here to tell you that Master Hawkeye is in the top most room in the east tower. However, you will only find him if you are able to defeat me.” Manna took out her blade and was ready to attack. Before she could attack Terrias held her back. “Hasshin, we have no intention of fighting you,” he smiled, “so if you could just let us go or death may be closer than you think.” Hasshin laughed and grabbed the hilt of his sword. Before he could draw it out Terrias had gotten behind him and laughed. Manna covered her ears. It was Altima controlling Terrias and she knew it. Hasshin looked back and saw the glow of red in Terrias’ eyes. Hasshin began to laugh with Terrias. “Celven Altima… I never thought I would see you here…” Hasshin bowed down before Terrias. Manna looked up at them and Terrias lipped out “stab him.” Manna grabbed her sword and ran Hasshin through while he was down. He did not die. Instead he was only able to move his head up and saw the two leave. With Hasshin out of the way, it had been the last obstacle in their way to the east tower.
Terrias and Manna raced to the top of the east tower, not stopping for anything or for a quick plan out. The higher they went up, the more anxious they were. The door was finally in their view and they opened it without hesitation. There, in front of them, was Seer Hawkeye. He smiled and let them approach him. “I have been waiting for you. I doubt I need any further introduction,” he said looking at Terrias. Manna looked over at Terrias who seemed to be himself and not Altima. “My brother saw it and I do too… you are Altima’s legacy alright. I knew it was you he was after the entire time.” Terrias looked at him dumbfounded, “What do you mean?” “Looks like my brother never told you. Well then, let me help you out.
“It was not very long ago that Ryo and I grew up here in Irtra. We loved playing around and shooting targets with the practice blasters we normally got from father. Ryo was kind and loved to study about the history of Ghaelivon. One day he would come across a book that many of Ghaelivon have ever read… that’s right, the one of the Serine Knights. He was fascinated by Altima’s story and wanted to grow up and try to change the world like he did. ‘Seer, it would be great to make a clan of our own and help out Vivica. I mean, its so broken apart, someone has to fix it.’ I wasn’t so sure how to respond. I dismissed it and never gave it another thought, but Ryo was so damn persistent. He would tell my father about it when he turned 16. Of course, my father thought it was a decent idea and would only allow it if Ryo listened to everything father would say to him. Yeah, it seemed to work just like he thought and he would get us nearly killed. Clan DSF would come by and kill father. Of course mother wanted this to stop but Ryo would only continue. He took us to Vivica and that is where mom would meet her end at the hands of General Aoi. Ryo did not stop and only said, ‘sacrifices must be made in order to achieve what you want.’ ‘Ryo, father also told us that absolute power corrupts the heart. You are seeking one of those forbidden spells. Hasn’t father’s death at the hands of DSF tell you anything?’ Ryo only laughed and didn’t look back at me. We would meet Aoi again, this time with General Hiita. He stuck his nose again where it should have never belonged. He got all of us killed and his arm torn off at their ruthless power. I managed to escape and Ryo presumed me to be dead. I went back to Irtra to find out that clans have tried to take over the monarchy and sending us to feudalism like Vivica. It was all Ryo’s fault. Father was a great engineer for the king and would design all his defenses. I later would hear a rumor that he had found Altima’s legacy. I refused to believe it and had to see for myself. To my surprise, not only did he find Altima’s legacy, but was able to obtain the last GraveKnight and learned Desert Strike, the very same spell that did father in. At Xiang Hu Island I was able to speak to him alone at night. ‘Seer?! I thought you were dead.’ ‘Brother, I don’t die so easily.’ ‘Seer, you have been gone for over 6 years, why do you show yourself to me now?’ ‘I have joined a rebellion back at Irtra to see to it that all clans are wiped out from Irtra and I will see to it that Irtra stays away from all foreign affairs and clans. As long as you keep trying to revive the Serine Knights, I will stop at nothing to put an end to them and you.’ He only laughed again. ‘You still don’t get it do you. I know that I am suppose to be the one who will govern Altima when he is resurrected, but I am going to let him govern this planet. He can make it right, he is not the tyrant I once presumed him to be. As long as he is linked to the boy.’ I stood there puzzled at what he had just told me. ‘Seer, you will not see me again. I will have these last things to say. Absolute power corrupts the heart if the heart willing to be corrupted, but in the hands of a pure heart, that power can save all.’ I wished not to look at him any longer and I left. The coward knew he was going to die. He needed an excuse and he did it in a noble way, or so it seemed. He did not want to make himself look suspicious of anything. Terrias, I am sorry I will have to put an end to you…”
Terrias smiled and he laughed again. Manna covered her ears again and fell to the floor in fear. “I understand now, Ryo. You wanted me to avenge what was left not to avenge you. My mission was to put and end to the Hawkeye family because you knew perfectly well they were the betrayers of Altima. You feared you would betray me so you gave your life to me. Foolish, but it was indeed a noble sacrifice. A crow you may be but so is your brother!” Manna looked up and the two had engaged in battle. Terrias was no longer himself and began to fight in a different fighting style like before. Seer could only keep up by a mere second or two but could not respond to counter. Seer began to examine every move Terrias had launched at him. He was sure there was a way to counter without sacrificing momentum that could lead to the end of the battle in Terrias’ favor. Manna could only watch yet would refuse to do anything. After contemplating about whether to attack or not she grabbed her sword and engaged into the battle. Seer could not defend on both ends. He took a majority of Manna’s attacks because a defense against her would let Terrias kill him. He thought too long. Terrias ran the sword through his chest. “Goodbye…Hawkeye!!” The room was destroyed with the attack of Desert Strike. Terrias and Manna were blasted high into the air. Manna looked and saw Terrias back to his normal state and passed out. She quickly grabbed him as they started to descend back to the ground a rapid pace. She closed her eyes and hit something hard.
When Manna opened her eyes, she found herself in a bed… the third cabin of the MK II! She looked over to her left and saw Terrias asleep on the bed beside her. A man entered the door and looked at Manna. He had green eyes and flaming red hair. His height was medium, no taller than Saharah might have been and he contained a small canteen in one hand. “I see you are awake, lass.” “Who are you? And why are you in control of Ryo’s ship?” He laughed and walked over to her. “Lass, you need not worry. The name’s Oliver Wingblade. I was a great friend of Ryo when he lived he, ya know. I was sent by the king and your brother to rescue you and this young lad.” Manna looked over at Terrias and she got up to stroke his face. “He is a helluva warrior and survivor. He saw me and asked me to help you first and then he passed out.” Manna got into bed with Terrias and held him close. “We will be back at the fort in a little bit, just stay put for now.” Manna kissed Terrias lightly then fell asleep as the ship made its dock back to the fort.
