Apâl+Quest

The day was warm, sunny, and perfect for sailing. Dimyr woke to a pounding head ache, recalling on the past, he had spent the last few weeks drinking himself into a alcoholic coma, until his father caught wind. His punishment was to run errands for the past week, then board a trade vessel to the “friendly” nation of the U.R.A, The ship was bearing common goods.

"Wake up lazy ass!" Sonya laughed, "Your dad wants you" Dimyr rubbed his eyes and got out of bed and put on his robes, bandoleer kit filled with holy water, stakes and silver daggers. Dimyr almost forgot to bring his sword, running back into his room, grab the holster and put it around his waist. Dimyr meet Rhys and Father outside waiting for him. Father gives Dimyr the shipping list that he need to give to the wharf master. Dimyr took Rhys with him as we strolled down the dock to one of the many docked trade ships. Dimyr gave the list to Rhys, who handed the shipping list to the wharf master and board the ship, the sailors are getting ready to do their before sail prayer. We join in their prayer and go below deck as soon as they start the engines. Rhys and Dimyr go to the bunkhouses and search for a open bunk. They finally find one and jump at the offer to take it. The hum of the steam engines assists their sleep.

Walles and his team, eyed the ship from an ally. It was a trade ship from Esperia, perfect for their mission. According to their informant, there was enough essential supplies (Food, Water, ect.), to last four months.

It seemed from Walles' point of view that, there was eighteen Esperian men on the ship. There was also seven U.R.A. officials on the dock. Nothing that his team of four others couldn't handle. Him and his men put on their mask. Each of their masks represented a different animal. Walles' was that of a white rabbit. Their plan of attack was simple. Confusion.

From the point when Walles first threw the smoke bomb to when the smoke cleared, all the U.R.A. officials had been knocked out. Once onto the ship, Walles and his men threw more smoke and gas bombs. Within seven minutes Walles and his men had thrown the crew of eighteen into the ocean.

"I'll Check down below, prepare the ship to sail," Walles instructed his men.

Walles skillfully cleared the bottom decks, just as he had been trained to do. He checked his corners, and crept silently. Until he came upon a young man snoozing.

Dimyr woke with a jolt. //Rough water,// he thought that is until he saw the gleaming light red metal of a sword's blade in his face. Dimyr reached his hand up and flicks on a fish oil lamp. The light revealed the intruder,

" Uh, Dimyr" Rhys said touching his fingers together rapidly. Dimyr's eyes scanned the man looking for signs to identify him, also looking for a escape to warn the crew. Dimyr notices the sword and a thousand thoughts race through his mind.

" Where did you get that sword?!" Dimyr said said sitting up, his right hand starts to slowly move towards his blade.

"Where I acquired this sword is no concern of your," Walles put the tip of his sword to the mans chest, "and if you grab that sword, that will surely be the last thing you do,"

" I mean no harm, I just wish to know where you got that sword. My father has a sword that looks like yours. Now friend, I wish to know where you got that sword." Dimyr said, trying to reason with this man. " At least tell my your name"

"I do not take demands from boys," With that Walles struck. He lunged for the chest.

" Who are you calling a boy?" Dimyr said through clenched teeth, with that he placed his hand on the non-bladed edge of the sword, pushing it out of its path. Clenching his fist Dimyr channeled the energy from the air into his runic seal then to his hand. Opened his clenched fingers a ball of fire materialized out of the air and barreled towards his attacker.

Walles was pushed back from the blast. None of his clothes caught fire, luckily. That is except for his mask. He torn it off as fast as he could, and threw it. Walles examined the situation.

The only people that were in that part of the ship were Walles, the boy, and some type of small machine. The boy was sizing up Walles, and the machine is hiding behind some barrels of food. The boy had already grabbed his sword. This boy didn't seem to be a threat to Walles, but he obviously possessed some form of powerful magic. Not worth fighting, He had a mission. They also needed to know a way use the Esperian tech. //Sigh//

"We took this on the wrong foot," Walles offered his hand. "Hi, I'm Walles,"

Thoughts raced through Dimyr's head. Should He trust him? Clenching his fist he cancels the fireball he was going to fire. Sheathing his blade, Dimyr reaches his hand out.

" Dimyr, and that is Rhys" Dimyr relies point to the shivering automation behind the barrel of Mead. " What are you here for?" Dimyr Asked, tilting his head.

Foot steps were heard over head.

"My men and I are commandeering this vessel, if that was not already apparent, " Walles grinned "Why were you snoozing well the rest of the crew were on deck?"

Dimyr gave a hearty laugh. " I was sleeping off my hang over, If I hadn't been such a drunked fool I wouldn't be here. But what goes around comes around, and your men are going to have a tough time piloting this vessel. Esperian water vessels have different engineering blueprints than any other vessel from any other country that is advanced enough to have sea faring vessels." Dimyr said eying the barrel of mead " So.. do you need a pilot?"

Walles took in a deep breath, "We do indeed, are you offering?"

Dimyr nodded, opening his mouth to speak he says, " If you tell me where you got that sword."

Walles eyed the young man, " It was gift for my services. A gift from an Esperian man and his boy in fact,"

" That looks alot like... my fathers sword. Did the man or boy tell you their name?" Dimyr questioned Walles.

Walles raised an eyebrow, "The man's name is Salvador,"

" And the boys name? Did he mention it? Where did you find him?" Dimyr paces back and forth.

"Arphos," Walles sat down on a barrel " Salvador gave the sword to me for saving Arphos's life,"

" Ah, that little pest. I've saved that thorn in my side to many times. I'm glad someone else did." Dimyr says, walking over to the Barrel of Mead

" Well anyways, that's how I got the sword. Now will you or won't you show us how to run this ship?"

" Yes, you have your pilot. Come Rhys" Dimyr snapped his fingers. Rhys comes out from behind the barrel and waited for dimyr to put him in his backpack. Walles opened the hatch to the main deck, the light flooded the hall and temporarily blinded Dimyr who covered his eyes. Walking up the wooden stairs with his hands over his head, Dimyr spies 4 other men in animal masks. " Didn't know the circus was in town" Dimyr laughs.

Walles chuckled, "Men this is Dimyr. Dimyr this is the men," Walles gestured to them, the men took off their masks. "The blond one is Fredrick. Then we have George and Fred, both red heads. Finally we have Argo,"

All the men gladly shook the hand of Dimyr, except for Argo, who glared at Dimyr.

"What's the matter I don't bite" Dimyr snickered under his breath. Dimyr bid the men farewell then walked up to the captains quarters and motioned for Walles to come with him. Once the door is closed Dimyr asked the long awaited question. " Why do you need this ship? My people would have gladly accepted to bring you where ever you needed. Accept for Rayvenhelm. No body goes to Rayvenhelm,"

Walles disregarded the last comment, " We need the ship for supplies and transport north. To the Apålian Glacier, our business there is unimportant. We simply need to know how to man and navigate this vessel. We can drop you in the Apål Badlands,"

" Who says I want to leave? The ship and Supplies for said adventure. Plus the Esperian trade net needs to venture out there to see if there is friendly people whom will trade with us." Dimyr said trying to reason with Walles. Dimyr shifted the key into ignition and the engine roared to life. Backing up the ship lurches out of the harbor and turning east. " Rhys can you take over the driving for a while? I feel driving with a Hangover isn't the best Idea." Dimyr coughed to Rhys.

"If you want to stay that is your own business, I can't promise that you will come out of this alive," Walles eyed the boy, it seemed that there was more than met the eye. "Dimyr, Have you ever heard of Apål?"

" Vaguely," Dimyr replied. " Only from drunks in the underbelly." Just then Dimyr discovered something about Walles, //but he couldn't figure out what is was//.

"I've been to the Underbelly, and I would not say the drunks are the best source of information," Walles smirked "Apål it's self is a place of mystery, little is known. What we do know, is that Apål is split into three parts. First there is the Apål Badlands, a frozen plain where the kings and queens of old built their empire. Only ruins remain. Then their is the core of Apål, separated from the badlands by the Mountain of Souls. In Apål there is rumored to be tribes of Half Elves keeping the religion of old alive. Also in the core of Apål is Tylick, a giant bridge. The bridge was once built to be the link to connect two worlds, Human and Elven. All further records of Tylick have been lost. All we know is that their is a giant gap in the bridge, spanning near a mile. The third and final part is the Apålian Glacier. Not much is known about it, other then rumors of a fortress of ice,"

Walles had took in a sharp breath. He felt the sea crashing against the the ship. The smell of the salt water filled the air he breathed. He hadn't noticed but while he was talking he had been pacing.

"Fortress //of ice"// Dimyr questioned. " Is that where we are going? Are you looking for something?"

"My GPS says we will be there in a week, not counting rough weather" Rhys said, turning the wheel.

Walles looked out the window. "The fortress is just babbles from men, who have gone mad," Walles looked Dimyr in the eye, "Seeming as though we have a week, we might as well rest,"

Walles marched out of the room and down to the bunks. Dimyr took the shift and Walles took the second. The journey was as Rhys planned. It took a week and there was no bad weather. The supplies held good and tight for the journey. Rhys anchored a mile off the coast of an unmarked cove. Dimyr and Walles are waiting on the deck for Walles' man to gather there belongings.

"Alright men, and Dimyr," Walles' men laughed, "We will be taking two of the lifeboats to the shore, we will leave the ship here in the case we return. Although I find that very unlikely," Walles hesitated, "Dimyr, are you sure about this? You could take the ship and go home. We aren't even close to sure what we will find in Apål,"

Dimyr puffs out his chest, " Yes I am sure about this. It beats the week long trip back." Rhys popped his head out of the satchel Dimyr is carrying on his back. " If I do not make it out, It is a Honor walking by your side" Dimyr said, shaking every ones hand. Argo takes a concerned look but accepts the hand shake. When the crew boards the boats Dimyr places his hands together and said a short prayer. " Oh Kos watch over your humble Priest, as I journey into the Fog of War and the unknown. I commend this prayer into your ears hoping you shall grant my only offer."

Walles and his men looked a Dimyr funny, none of them had ever seen such a thing. While the boats rocked against the waves to the shore Walles decided to tell Dimyr of their mission.

"Dimyr, seeming as though you are in this for the long hall, you should know what you're getting into. We are part of the rebellion in the U.R.A., regardless of what you have heard we are in the right. The U.R.A. is feeding lies to not only its people but other nations. You should know that I'm Walles Wilder, the leader of the movement. We are on a quest to investigate the reason of why men have gone mad when they go to the Apål Glacier," Walles coughed "All we know is that there might be an ice fortress and that there might be a ring of power, that if we can control could change the war,"

"A ring of power? Like one to rule them all, one to find them?" Dimyr Laughed. " And what powers does this supposed ring have and what is it made of? Could it be a part of the Power 9?" Dimyr inquired, his facial expression changing. Dimyr looked to Walles, and said " And you said Apal was an abandoned wasteland. Why did the people leave? Were they exterminated by a unknown group? Did they Disappear?"

"I know nothing of what you're talking about, nor what you are asking. Apål is not an abandoned wasteland, far from. Nor did I say anything of the people leaving. Apål is a place untouched by time and modern civilization. No one knows why," Walles shook his head

They had hit land, the men climbed out of the boat and Walles lead them north. He carried a map that was made near a hundred years ago. They were headed to the Mountains of Souls. They would have to walk through a pass in the mountains,

Dimyr checks his bandoleer and equipment. " I'm ready when you are, just let me fill my flask" Dimyr said slouched over filling his canteen. Rhys ran a diagnostic scan to check if all of his systems are up to check.

" As am I" Rhys said, wiping the sand off of his soles. Dimyr picked Rhys up and puts him in the satchel. The group heads north towards the Mountains of Souls.

" Why is it called the Mountain of Souls anyway?" Dimyr asked, tilting his head.

" Well I'd assume it has something to do with the souls of the damned," Walles shrugged his shoulders, " Honestly no one knows. I've never heard of a person who has made it over the mountains," Walles took a deep breath. " Although I have heard of an entire legion of URA men who were lost in the mountains three hundred years ago. Its possible," Walles trailed off.

//Souls of the damned,// "W-what?" Dimyr sputtered, stopping in his tracks. "S-s-so does that mean there's gonna be G-ghosts?"

"Eh, possibly. I mean, we have no idea it could just be a name," Walles laughed, "Its equally as likely that there could skeletons, zombies, and the like. I told you Apål is filled with all kinds of things,"

Dimyr breathed out, and walked forward. " I have a fear of Ghosts, they.... nearly killed my father and I." Dimyr turned his head. Rhys sticked his head out of the hole atop the satchel and gazed around at the frozen plains.

" Well, um, I'm glad it didn't," Looked at the ground not quite sure what to say, "You and your father are both great men,"

" What about your dad? What is he like?" Dimyr looked at Walles.

Walles' face went completely straight, "I don't know,"

" What do you mean you don't know? You dont know your father?" Dimyr said with a concerned grin.

They walked in silence for a couple of minutes, " Its complicated. I don't remember anything past two and half years ago. Which is odd, because I remember everything since then,"

//Strange,// " Do you know why? Did you sustain a head injury?" Dimyr and Rhys Harmonized.

Walles looked out at the frozen plains, in a way that looked almost strenuous, "That's just it. I have no idea what happened. All I know is that I woke up while leaning against a tree. Then I found my way to a man named Dr. Tesla, and he showed me everything I needed to know,"

Night fell on the rag tag group of Men. Dimyr and Rhys were tasked to find firewood, while everyone else was to set up camp. Dimyr and Rhys emerged out of the brush with a arm full of sticks,

" I've got the Firewood, where shall I put it?" Dimyr questioned looking at the group of men. He looked all around, Walles and the man Fredrick were having an argument on what they should do with the supplies. The twins, George and Fred were throwing knives at ground each others feet. When Dimyr's eyes reached Argo's he was met with a glare. Argo had been sharpening his battle axe and cleaning his rifle, while glaring at Diymr.

//This is going to be awkward,// Dimyr dropped the Firewood and cursed under his breath. "So, do you have any robots in your country?" Dimyr said projecting his voice to everyone and picking up the dropped bundle of sticks.

The men looked at each other obviously waiting for Walles to speak up. As Walles leaned forward to do so, Argo stood up and began

"The government has work camps that they use to manufacture robots built for destruction. These machines are used oppress the people and hold from them their basic rights as human beings," Argo looked at Rhys and frowned, " They are made with pure hatred, no good can from a robot," Argo stared at Dimyr.

"Is there no good robots?" Dimyr asked eyes wide and saddened. " Do they have a mind of there own like Rhys?"

Argo looked at Walles for half a second before turning back to Dimyr, "Several years ago there was one, a prototype. He was to be the elite man. A man made to think for its self but with "correct mind set". Said robot was made and served for many years as the utmost elite police force, there was no rebellion. Just a group of men who talked about plans but never executed any," Argo looked at Walles directly now, "It changed when the robot was lost, no one knows how. The rebellion began to grow slowly. It wasn't until Walles came around did we truly grow, he brought about the change," Argo had said the last statement with what seemed to be much resentment.

//It's that feeling again. Why is he so suspicious.// Dimyr placed a few sticks in the form of a Tipi and threw some bark and wood shavings onto it. With a snap of his fingers, the Fire started and Dimyr and a few others began to warm their hands and do other tasks such as cook. Dimyr took a sharp stick and let it lie at the edge of the fire, letting the sharpened part become charred and coarse.

" Is there anything that you need repaired and or looked at? I have a way with machines and robotics that make things come together like no one else. I built Rhys when I was 12 years old." Dimyr lectured.

"Bit modest aren't we?" Walles chuckled "No there is nothing we can handle our selves, thank you,"

With that they all had went to sleep. In the morning the group of men broke camp and had started their trek north. They walked for days. They traveled in a clump, mostly keeping to themselves. Their journey had been mostly flat, until they had started to incline, the mountains were soon seen in the distance.

" I take thats the mountain." Dimyr shivered. " So is there actually souls of the Damned in there?"

Walles rolled his eyes, "As I have told you several times, no one knows. I'm sure everything will be fine. Whats the worst that could happen,"

With that they marched to the mountains. The mountains grew taller and the incline became much steeper. Their walk had soon became a hike, they were closing in on the mountains. The mountains themselves were gigantic. They ominously stand above the raw untouched beauty of Apål.

" Those are pretty big mountains, how are we going to get through." Dimyr eyed the mountain.

"Well we obviously can't walk over them," He said looking up at the mountains, " But the pieces of the maps we do have, say there should be a pass in the mountain," Walles pulled out a scroll, " This inscription states that pass, is a sort of canyon. Large enough to fit a small legion through, but so small that twenty men shoulder to shoulder would be able to squeeze through. Which should not be any problem of ours. The pass is said to be the only through the mountains. The mountain's themselves being to large and steep to climb,"

"Then let us go through the pass, since it will be shorted than climbing these mountains." Rhys pipped, sticking his head out of satchel.

" I agree with Rhys, it will slash off pointless hours of climbing up said mountains" Dimyr replied.

Walles shook his head, "I just said that we would have to go through the pass,"

They then walked, closer to the ever growing mountains. They saw the pass far before the reached the mouth of it. It was as if a giant had taken a knife and cut through the mountain. It looked as two cliffs stuck in an ever lasting stare. The group came to the pass, and looked down through it. As far as they could see, the passes walls were close to, two ninety degree angles. All throughout the walls were caverns. Some were ground level, some were not.

"All right, this is it. Lets just go," Walles commanded

So they walked through the mouth of the pass, and onward for near an hour in silence. The walls of the pass towered over the group. Closing them in, leaving only two directions. The way they had came, and the mystery of what lays onward in Apål.

Dimyr wondered what Arphos and His father were doing right now. He also wondered if his acceptance letter for his introduction to Robotic Priests to keep more men home with their wives. The group had been walking for a little more than an hour and a half when out of the corner of his eye Dimyr spied a shadow in one of the higher up caves.

"What was that?" Dimyr snapped to Walles. " Did you see that? I think I saw something in that cave right there" Dimyr pointed to one of the higher up caves and awaited Walles' reaction.

Walles turned to react but before he could, Argo responded.

"You saw "something". We've seen close to no living animal since we first arrived in the badlands. You're just tired. I didn't realize that hiking was such a strenuous activity for Esperian,"

Dimyr opened his mouth to snap back at Argo, when he sees a shadow snap back into he cave.

" See, there it is again" Dimyr says pointing at another higher up cave. " I'm not tired, I used a Esperian recipe that assists you in your sleep. I put it in my tea I had last night. Please tell me you saw that too..."

Fredrick stepped forward, " I did!" George pushed through the group " I did too!"

Dimyr looks in horror as a group of shadows sucks back into the cavern. Dimyr drew his sword and said,

" There it is again, I know i'm not imaging it!"

George and Fredrick both pulled out their matching blades and revolvers. They went back to back and eyed the cliffs.

"There is nothing here! What would...," Argo started but before he could finish an arrow went whizzing past his ear.

"In the caves!" Walles shouted as he drew his sword and took out a grenade.

Just then an army of skeletal warriors emerged from the caves. Some were wearing bronze armor and had weapons ranging from swords to war hammers. Others had no armor, but had bows and arrows. The skeletons appeared to be hundred of years old. Despite being that old, they all still had decomposing flesh stuck to their bones and clumps of hair on their skulls. The smell was over whelming. Fredrick threw up.

" RUN!" Dimyr screamed. Sheathing his blade, the group runs deeper into the pass. Argo took up the lead, with Fredrick and George close behind, and then Dimyr and Walles on the rear. Dimyr eyes saw a narrow path ahead. The pass was just wide enough for two people to stand next to each other. An idea suddenly had popped into his head.

The group attacked while running. Walles and Dimyr took up the rear. Walles threw large proximity grenades, blowing dents into the horde of skeletons that continued to grow in size. Dimyr shot fire at the skeletons, blasting them back. Fredrick and George were shotting rounds from their revolvers into the mass of skeletons. Argo just ran, never taking a chance to look back. They had just reached the pass.

"I have an idea! Walles keep throwing grenades, and place two stationary mines at the opening of the smaller pass! Fredrick, George keep shooting," Dimyr shouted

Dimyr unsheathed his blade, and lunged it the closest skeletons chest cavity. With his free hand he grabbed the skeletons skull by the eye sockets, and yanked upward. The skull came free from the rest of the body, just as Dimyr hoped. He infused the skull with as much fire magic as he dared. Dimyr kicked the skeleton back into the horde, and pulled his sword out in the process. With the headless skeleton nocking back their ranks, Dimyr rolled the flaming skull into the skeletal mob. It exploded on impact, making a chain reaction with Walles mines. Blowing one quarter of the horde into oblivion. The explosion caused a rock slide to occur on the sides of pass. Giant boulders fell down the sides of the pass, crushing several skeletons, and closing of the the entrance to the narrowed pass.

"Strike!" Dimyr smirked

The group could hear the skeletons on the other side clawing at the boulders.

"We better keep moving," Walles sighed as he dusted himself off.

They continued through the pass, keeping a brisk pace. The walls of the pass began to widen again. The caves on the sides became much more scarce. They marched on for a few hours, until they could finally the opening in the pass. They had reached the other side! Fredrick, George, and Dimyr ran to the other side of the pass. Walles and Argo strode out behind them.

"This is it, we're half way there," Walles exhaled

The group of adventurers looked around. They were standing on top of a small mountain, that looked out into Apål. They looked out onto large rocky mountains, with towering pines. The mountains went on as far as the eye could see. Each more grand than the one that laid before it. The mountains were teeming with life, unlike the Badlands. Screeches from birds filled the air. Birds filled the air, each one unique. The group could see a myriad of wildlife below.

There was everything one could imagine. Ranging from the smallest of torrid lizard and long fang rat to the fire breathing western dragon and the giant gorillas. Unlike other creatures of the world, these were untouched by society. Each and every inch of Apål was home to something. In its entirety it was the kind of untouched raw beauty, unlike anywhere else. Walles was in love. The only part of Apål that showed the works of man was the bridge.

The bridge towered over everything in Apål. The peak of the tallest mountain couldn't overreach that height of it. The bridge is considered to be the oldest and biggest mystery in the western and northern world. It reaches hundreds of feet above sea level, and spans a countless amount of miles. It use to connect the world of man to that of the elven kind. Until an unexplainable gap was blown into the middle of the bridge, severing the link. The bridge can be seen from just about everywhere in Apål (It's that big).

Walles pulled out his map and studied it.

"By Kos, this is beautiful" Dimyr said, his eyes widening. He had never seen a place like this before, with such abundant life. He wondered if this is what the old Prophets said was true. //Did Anarchintia really look like this?//, Dimyr looks over at Walles who is studying the map, like a mad man studying notes. " Do you really think Anarchintia looked like this before it was attacked?"

"I have not studied on Anarchintiain history. The only time I have interacted with them, is when they tried to starve me to death for weeks on end," Walles said grimly

" Oh, my forgiveness" Dimyr said looking at Walles.

"What do you think lies ahead?" Rhys asked.

"Look in front of you, what you see is what you get. If you're referring to the map, it says to go through the break in the bridge and then cross the land bridge to the glacier. From there it is a long trek in snow in ice to a place that may or may not be there," Walles answered. "So lets get to it shall we. Mind the wildlife. I feel it would be safe to say most of them could kill us," Walles warned " We should rest until morning, to regain our strength,"

So the company set camp and rested. In the morning they broke camp and moved onward. They progressed cautiously being careful not provoke any of the wildlife.

"It seems to be you don't harm them, they don't harm you kind of thing," Fredrick whispered to the group

The group walked for the entire day. They ever moved toward the bridge. The ever towering reminder of what laid ahead. They were never interrupted by any of the wildlife. By the time the sun set, they had reached the break in the bridge.

"We'll make camp here for the night. Fredrick, George go get some wood," Walles ordered

Within the hour the camp was set and the group was around the fire, roasting some of bits of food they had left. They sat in silence for hours until.

" Walles, I've noticed something about you." Dimyr said standing up he unbuckled a silver stake from his bandoleer and grabbed Walles wrist.

Fredrick, Geroge, and Argo stood up at once each drawing their weapons. "Put your weapon down," They all shouted

Dimyr had began to sweat, "Walles do you trust me?" Inquired

Walles' eyes widened in bewilderment. He took a quick breath, "Yes, I do,"

Dimyr gulped and tilted Walles' arm to the underside. Dimyr then ran the tip of the stake down his arm, revealing bronze plate.

Walles' started to squirm, take sudden deep breaths.

Dimyr than took hold of the edge of the cut and ripped. A flab of false skin was in Dimyr's hand, reveling an entire arm of a strange metal. Walles' men looked on in bewilderment not sure one what to take of the situation. Dimyr smiled wide and laughed,

" I knew it!" Dimyr inquired. " My hunch was correct! This skin, is not regular. It seems created by Biomancy." Dimyr flipped the slab of skin in his hands, and observed the metal more. " This metal is mysterious, its characteristics are amazing. What is it?"

Just then soldiers came pouring out from behind the sides of the bridge. An entire cohort came from the shadows, bearing rifles pointed at the company. The group pulled their weapons and got ready for an attack. The two forces stood at a stand still, waiting for the the other to attack.

Argo started to laugh, a long laugh. One that was uninterrupted, it was as if all of Apål was holding its breath in anticipation. Argo stepped from the group and joined the ranks of soldiers.

Before anyone could react Argo took a rifle from a soldiers hand and shot Fredrick in the knees.

"What are you doing!" Walles shouted at him

" I knew it!" Dimyr said standing up. A soldier shoved Dimyr down, and pointed his rifle at his face. " Crap," Dimyr replied. Dimyr gave Walles the "What are we going to do" look. Dimyr's eyes gazed at the cohort of soldiers. One came forward and put a muzzle of his rifle to Dimyr's head. //Kos, if you are listening I am asking forgiveness to all of the sins I have committed. Give me strength in my final hour if so. In Kos' name, I pray.//

In the next instant, a small portal opened next to the man's head and a chrome arrow flew through it, piercing his temple and sending him crashing to the ground. No one knew what to do, everyone was frozen in shock. Except for Walles seeing his chance, he drew his sword and charged Argo. Their swords clashed. Fredrick and George started to fire rounds from their revolvers into the mass of the cohort of soldiers. Dimyr go up from his knees and started to cast fire magic at their enemies.

It was quickly apparent they would be fighting a losing battle. They were strongly out numbered. George and Fredrick were starting to run out of rounds. Dimyr was becoming weak from the excessive use of magic. Walles was too enthralled with his battle with Argo to be able to help with anything else.

Unbeknownst to those engaged in combat, the portal from before grew exponentially until it was as large as Walles himself. A man in dark clothing and wielding a unstrung bow then dropped to the ground from out of it. He lifted it so that the large gem on the bow's center was aiming directly towards the man nearest him. He grabbed the at the space where a bowstring would normally be and drew back. A thin sliver of magically infused metal then materialized from the crystal. As he unleashed the arrow into the man's back, he collapsed, dying on the spot. He quickly materialized three more arrows and sent them through the hearts of the men attacking Dimyr, George, and Fredrick.

With a newly found boast in morale, the group attacked fiercer than before. Dimyr and Rhys did a joint attack on a small group. Dimyr slicing with his sword and Rhys kicking, punching, and headbutting legs. George and Fredrick reloaded

Dimyr woke with a start, he was in a strange hut. Looking around he saw that be was in a small room with walls of hide and that he was resting in a bed of furs. The room was empty other than for the bed, strange wall ornaments, and in the corner sat a figure of a man. The man was staring at Dimyr. Before Dimyr could say anything Walles came through the doorway.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Walles seeing Dimyr was awake.

"Fine, my head hurts. But its not the worst my head has felt after a long night," Dimyr grinned "Where are we?"

"Last night this half-elf saved us, you got knocked on the head pretty hard," Walles explained, "The man over there, saved us. He hasn't left your side since he rescued us. To answer your question, we're in an Apålian village,"

"Well where is the rest of our company? Fredrick? George? Rhys? And the two men that helped us?" Dimyr asked fearfully

Rhys came rushing out from behind Walles and jumped on Dimyr, smiling.

"Well that explains that," Walles laughed a bit shakily, "As for George and Fred, I saw them being taken by the soldiers. When someone is taken by the U.R.A. They are usually tortured in public, till the die. The other two were lost in the fray," Walles answered shaking his head.

Dimyr took a breath and began to take it all in. Their adventure had suddenly became very real. Sure they fought off the undead and have had many other obstacles, but this was something else entirely. Dimyr started to reconsider coming with Walles.

As Dimyr thought this all over, a half-elf came through the door way. He walked straight to the other half-elf who had been watching over Dimyr. He whispered something in a harsh foreign tongue and left. Without even glancing at the the Walles and Dimyr. The man in the corner rose.

" You must leave now. Chief has ordered it, he said that one, " The half-elf pointed to Walles, "Means bad omens. We will supply you with what you require for you trek into the Glacier," He handed them to packs made of some type of hide. Inside the packs were think clothes made of fur, dried meat, fruit, some rough rope, and four saws made of bone, "These shall grant you comfort in the Glacier. I will warn you, no man has come back sane from the Glacier. It is too evil, worse than demons. We will give you a moment to collect your things in private,"

Walles nodded. The half-elf turned to leave.

"Wait!" Called Dimyr, "You haven't even told us your name!"

The half-elf looked long and hard at Dimyr. Not sure what to make of the boy, until he broke into a smile,"Aaferoo," Aaferoo turned and left.

Walles looked at Dimyr and then to Rhys. He had never really considered Rhys before. Walles had never seen such a free willed robot. Dimyr noticing Walles staring at Rhys, took note of his arm. Which still showed the strange metal. Along with other cuts Walles received during the battle, each showed the same metal underneath.

"Walles we need to talk," Dimyr started, "Ever since I met you, I've noticed differences in you. The way you talk, the way you fight, the way you analyze things as if every conversation was a thirty step math problem," he trailed off, looked at Walles and took a breath, "It reminds me a lot of Rhys and other bots I've seen. After seeing the metal...," Dimyr tailed off again.

Walles looked at Dimyr long and hard. Then down to the metal that is his arms, then to the bits of Biomancy skin. He took off his shirt, grabbed hold to the a cut in the Biomancy and pulled. Ripping hunks of the flesh off at a time. Reveling the plates of bronze colored metal underneath. He ripped until there was none left to tear from and than sat in the silence. He looked at the ground, waiting for tears that couldn't come.

"Walles," Dimyr took a shaky breath, "This isn't it. You're still the same. I'm good with this type of thing," Dimyr began

"What type of thing! Is that what I am? A thing," Walles shouted.

Walles stood up and raised a hand to slap Dimyr. Until he saw the look on Dimyr's face. He was truly trying to help. There was more to this kid, than Walles ever could have imagined.

"I'm sorry," Walles apologized. After a couple of seconds he added, "I'm just scared,"

"Theres no need to be. Just say it. What we're are both thinking, you need acceptance," Dimyr instructed

It had taken Walles a brief second to gain the courage, but finally he was able to let out, "I am a Robot. I know I am. I have seen the signs and it is time to face facts,"

Dimyr smiled, "Good, now to business. Turn around if you will, your binding runes should be on your back," Which of course they were, Dimyr had extensive knowledge on robots. Both Esperian and U.R.A. alike.

"Judging by the runes, it appears as if several things have been erased and tempered with beyond repair. Although this one," He mused while touching a spot near the small of Walles' back, "Seems fixable, I'm pretty sure this has to do with memory. Just give me a moment," Dimyr spoke. He then began to cast a series of spells and enchantments. It took him near a minute to finish. "That should do it. You should regain any lost memories. The process takes different amounts of time depending on the amount of memories tempered with,"

"Thank you," Walles sighed, "If you don't mind, I would like to take of the rest of the Biomancy and see myself for what I truly am. So, if you don't mind," Walles nudged his head towards the doorway.

"Right," Dimyr exclaimed, "Come along Rhys," He said to the little fellow, as he grabbed their new gear and travel bags.

Walles took off the remainder of his clothes and began peeling the rest of the Biomancy away. Underneath it reveled a well built structure of a man. Except made entirely of the U.R.A. metal known as Anktios. It was bronze and copper in color, and shined dimly when light hit just right. His chest was completely plates of Ankitos, except for a glass shield that displayed his artificial heart. The heart had shown a counter, which at the time bore the the number sixty-two and a half.

Without the Biomancy, he could hear the light tick of the clockwork in side of him. He could feel the pounding of the gears in his chest, and the lubrication of joints when he flexed. For the first time since he could remember, he felt comfortable. He came out of the hut proud, and ready to face the world and the mystery that laid before him.

Walles had came out to meet Dimyr and Rhys who were both sitting on stone steps that looked out into the village. It was nestled into the side of a mountain. With a combination of hide, fur, wood, and stone huts, these people carved out a living in the harsh climate.

No one stayed to see them off. They simply just left, and followed the map, that their new friend Aafroo gave them. It marked the exact location of where he believed they would find the end to their adventure.

The trio walked by day with stealth but also with haste. By night the rested in caves, and burrows. The farther they went the colder it got. They soon began to wear the clothes that were given to them. Walles and Dimyr would talk for hours about their pasts, robots, and anything else. On one such night, they began to discuss the origin of sword which was give to Walles by Dimyr's father.

"... My father use to tell my brother and I tales of the trials the sword has been through when we were kids.. The quests it has been on and the foes it has vanquished. He said that one of ancestors won the sword in a bet with a demon. The sword is made with the very essence of the demon, mainly the blood. It has since been modified,"

Walles took that in, and lay in silence. "I wish I had could have had stories been told to me when I was young," Walles sighed

"Well since I fixed that rune, do you remember anything?" Dimyr inquired

"Only bits and pieces. Flashes of the past. Nothing to solid, I can't really piece anything together."

"What about anything of a father figure, or anything of that nature," Dimyr pressed

"Nothing from the memories you unlocked," Walles hesitated, "Well there was a man I thought was my father, until you know I found out I was a robot and all. His name is Tesla. He always hinted at being my father but that couldn't be now,"

"Just because he isn't your biological father doesn't mean anything," Dimyr assured.

Walles turned over and fell asleep. In the morning they broke camp and went on. They traveled in the same way for near three weeks until they came to the land bridge. It was small ledge that ran from Apål to the Glacier, a few miles above the roaring sea below. The ledge was about two and half feet wide and forty feet long. They decided it would be best to take the bridge one person at a time. Walles volunteered to cross first.

Walles took small tentative steps. Trying to keep a strong posture to keep his balance. The wind threatened to push Walles down off the ledge. Snow was being blown up from the ground up into his eyes. He just took the bridge as cautiously as he could. He was across within a couple minutes. It was then Dimyr's turn.

Dimyr took the bridge the same way as Walles did, Carefully. He took small steps and kept a strong posture to block the wind. All was fine until he was about three quarters of the way across that's when his foot slipped. He fell face first down onto the ledge, and began to slide on the ice. He was sliding right to the edge, his legs were already off the edge. Dimyr quickly pulled a couple steaks from his bandoleer. He jabbed the steaks into the ice with as much force as he could muster. They stuck in, and he pulled himself up by the steaks. When Dimyr regained his balance he saw that the ledge had began to crack and splinter. He ran as fast as he dared to the other side.

Walles caught him, and together they continued their journey. Their trek on the Glacier was unlike anything either of them had ever experienced. The wind and cold bit at their faces ever second of every day. Walles had began form ice-sickles off of his limbs and nose. Dimyr began to develop frostbit and had gotten a cold. Rhys stayed hidden in their packs, never coming out.

At night they would burrow into the snow and huddle close together with their blankets. Aaferoo had taught Walles how to create the burrows and small survival tips for the Glacier.

Near the sixth day they were on the Glacier a blizzard stormed in. It made visibility near impossible. Walles and Dimyr tied a rope to each other that way they wouldn't get lost. They decided to keep walking and try out last the blizzard. Within minutes they were lost. Their was noway to tell where they were and how far they gotten from when they started. Dimyr's GPS got no signal. They continued to walk though.

"We need to rest!" Dimyr shouted over the storm

"No! I can feel it. I'm sure that we're close. We just need to push on!" Walles replied

Dimyr took a pause. He contemplated it all. Sure he was frostbitten, cold as ever could be, and felt like death its self was hanging over him, but this was Walles. Over those past few weeks he really began to trust and respect the fellow. His judgement was almost always right.

"Fine!" Dimyr shouted back

With that the trio continued. Walles in the front pushing onward, now with much more determination and direction. Dimyr following behind, rethinking his judgement, and then Rhys still hidden in the pack. They continued for what seemed like days until they could see a large shadow in the blizzard. Their spirits lifted. They ran towards the shadow! It grew bigger and soon they could make out the outline of a castle. When they got closer they could see it was a castle indeed and it was also made entirely of ice.

They stood in front of the main gate for less then a minute trying to figure how to open it, until it opened by its self. Walles and Dimyr looked at each other and made a decision without talking, Anything was better than this blizzard. They were wrong.

When they went through the gate they found themselves in a large frozen courtyard. In the courtyard were countless amounts of ice sculptures. All of men and woman in battle ready positions. All the sculptures seemed to be from a different time period. Some bore spears and some rifles. They all outlined a path right to a door opposite the gate. The trio decided to walk the path and try to get inside the castle and find some warmth. About half way down the path everything went bad.

Dimyr and Walles were hurried down the pass, anxious to get out of the cold. About half way down something grabbed Dimyr's pack halting him in his path. Dimyr swung around quickly and let a fireball loss. The exploded on impact. When the smoke cleared Dimyr looked down. On the ground lay a half melted ice sculpture of a barbarian. Dimyr looked up quickly. To his horror, he saw ice sculptures coming alive all around himself and Walles.

Without a moments hesitation they both ran to the door of the castle. They ran in and slammed the door behind them before any of the ice sculptures got them. Walles held the door back as Dimyr looked for a way to block the door. There was a large wooden bar that was meant to go across the door in the corner nearest to the door. Dimyr ran over, mustered all of his strength lifted the bar and threw across the door. Pounding could be heard on the other side. Walles and Dimyr took a look around the room they were in. It appeared to be a large greeting-hall. There was no furniture in the room, only pillars of ice to hold the ceiling. Not just the pillars were ice, the entire room was. On the walls were ice torch holders that bore a white magical flame.

The being inside was not any warmer than being out. In fact the castle felt quite a bit colder. There felt to be a draft that came from a hall, opposite to the trio. Walles wanted nothing more than to not go towards that hall, but Dimyr was drawn to it. Dimyr walked with such determination.

"Wait!" Walles called to him,

Dimyr walked on regardless, Walles had no choice but to follow. They were soon in the hall, Which the draft became much stronger and became more of a breeze. Dimyr continued to follow it through the castle. The draft that had become breeze soon became a gust then gale. With each step the wind became increasing cold and fierce. Dimyr and Walles followed it until they came into a large throne room.

The throne room was quite sizable. The only thing in the room was a throne, that was raised on an exorbitant pedestal. On the throne sat a man. The man seemed to be in a deep sleep. The man was dressed in a red coat with white trim, red tights, a large black belt with a large bronze buckle, and a large cap. He wore a single golden band ring on his right hand. The man also had long white frizzled hair and a scraggly beard. He seemed to be a rather large man. What was abnormal about him was that he was covered in frost, but didn't shiver. You could see the movement of his breath and see it in the air. Other than that he didn't stir.

The wind had now become more of a whirlwind. Walles was ever caution of the man in the throne. He didn't seem to be much, but Walles could feel a power emitting from him. Something so powerful that it actually began to hurt him. In the small of his back Walles felt as if an icy knife had been plunged through him. He let out a scream.

Dimyr took no notice of this. He kept walking through the throne room, making a beeline to the throne. He walked with such determination, Walles had never seen him like this. Dimyr walked right onto the pedestal, and next to the throne. Dimyr reached out to the man, to the hand that bore the man's ring. Before Dimyr touched the man, he woke with a gasp. Without a moments hesitation, Dimyr took a stake out of his belt and stabbed the man in the neck. The man shattered as ice. In to small crystals that fell past the pedestal, like snow. As the man shattered, the golden ring fell to the ground. Dimyr reached down, and put the ring on.

As soon as the the ring hit Dimyr's skin, he was thrown back into the throne. Walles watched in horror. Dimyr lost all control. He looked around as loose pieces of ice from around room start to move towards him. Closing his fist Dimyr summoned three Ice warriors who charged at Walles. Dimyr opened his palms and thrust his hands at Walles. Sharp icicles shot from his palm at Walles and all around the room. Dimyr's eyes grew more and more white with the more icicles he fired at Walles.

Walles rolled out of the way of the ice. He drew his sword as he came up. With one swing he cut one of the ice worriers in half, and it shattered. He charged to the second and stabbed it through the chest of the second, shattering it. While sizing the third one up, gunshots were heard as an echo. Faint pounding that sound as footsteps were heard.

Walles acted quickly and sliced the head off of the last ice worrier. Rhys then quickly jumped out of Walles' pack.

Rhys ran up to Dimyr and clutched onto his leg for dear robot life. Dimyr looks down with a scowl until he saw Rhys, he then paused and locked gazes with him. Walles seeing his chance tackled Dimyr, and held him to the ground. The footsteps could be heard closer. Walles tried to pull the ring off of Dimyr's hand. It wouldn't budge. Voices could be heard from the hall. Walles saw no choice. He took out one of bone saws, and pined Dimyr down in the correct position. He lined the saw up to DImyr's wrist, and started in. He sawed through skin with ease, next came the veins and attires. Blood spurt out onto the white snow and ice. Next the bone. Between Dimyr's screams, Walles' gaging, and the heavy footsteps from the corridor, you could faintly hear the sound of bone grinding against bone. With a crunch Walles cut through the bone, and was easily through the skin. Yelling could be heard directly from outside the throne room. Dimyr's hand fell to the ground, and shattered in like ice, leaving the the ring on the ground. Blood stained the ground around them. Dimyr's yelling stopped, and he went limp.

Distracted by the blood pouring from Dimyr, Walles was not aware of his own shadow disappearing from below him. Darkness was gathering behind him, pulsating and slowly solidifying. After a few seconds, a man appeared, pushing his way through the veil and dropping to the floor below.

"You again?" His voice was soft, but Walles could detect a hint of concern. He turned quickly and recognized the man as Acasius standing in the rift.

"No time to explain. Hide this," Walles threw the ring to the him.

Acasius caught the ring in his left hand and nodded. "Of course, but who is that?" He pointed a finger towards Dimyr. "He needs medical treatment."

The yelling was much loader now, they could be heard right from outside the throne room.

"Here, just take him some where safe," Walles yelled as he handed Dimyr off to Acasius. The remains of the cohort came bursting into the room, with Argo in the front.

"I'm coming back," Acasius told Walles. Then with Dimyr in his arms, he began to dissolve back into the darkness. Dimyr, drifting between conscious states, noticed Walles being taken by Argo and the cohort. Noticing that the veil was almost completely closed, Rhys dashed from the shadows and leaped after his master. The portal dissipated, leaving Walles behind.

Dimyr slipped in and out of reality in the hands of The Void Walker, a white hot stinging pain erupted in Dimyrs right hand. Looking down onto the Robotic man which he grew fond of over this past few weeks. The door busts open and U.R.A Soldiers breach and cleared the room. Argo slowly strutted into the throne room with a cheshire grin on his face. He holds out his revolver and fired a shot into Walles' leg. Walles cried with pain before collapsing onto the ground.

"W-Walles" Dimyr faintly sputtered. A U.R.A soldier smashed Walles in the face with his rifle and then another Handcuffed him. Dimyr's eyes slowly closed to the sight of Walles's limp body being dragged out of the room. "N-no.." He weakly choked out as the portal closed, so did his eyes.

Dimyr's eyes shot open, his breathing heavy, and mind racing. Looking around the room Dimyr was hooked up with Medical equipment of all sorts .Dimyr's whole right side of his body was numb and pounding. On his chest was a note that read.

//" If you seek more information, travel to the Library."//

" Good, you're awake. If you will come with me we can get to the Augmentation station for you're dummy arm until your custom arm is constructed." A nice looking Nurse said. Dimyr looked to what once was his right arm looked in shock as nothing was there. Dimyr removed the I.V. and stood up. Rhys crawled out from under the bed and gave a squeek of joy.

" Hey buddy" Dimyr said rubbing Rhys's head with his left hand. Dimyr walked out of the room with Rhys following close behind like a lost puppy, in search of an owner. //What is the library... I though it was a myth.//