Chapter 1: Comraderie
Heroes of Ruin: Lost in the Void
Chapter 1: Comraderie
"There is nothing better than walking down a dusty road with a good friend to watch your back."
- Xavier
It has been two full years since the defeat of the fledgling Ruinlord Adrian, former prince of Nexus, and peace shone down all across Veil like the sunlight that shimmered off of Thao'Luang's massive claymore, Faith, the Eternal Warden. The Knight of Nexus had his one good eye watching the sea from the fortified walls of Castle Arcanus, his golden eye roving the sea looking for a single ship in particular. The salty sea breeze felt delightful as it combed through his midnight black fur. A large, muscled paw ran through his snow white dreadlocks and went back to their folded position over his leather tunic. He had opted for his common clothes today as he had no real pressing duties to attend to as Knight of Nexus. Children played around him, often trying to get him to join in, but he was waiting on a very important ship.
"On the morrow." He told them. His deep, rumbling voice belied his gentle nature. The children were disappointed, but like most younglings, they found something else to cast their attentions upon. This city was very unlike his home city of Sanctum, home of most Leomar in Veil.
A long blast of a horn from the harbor brought Thao out of his memories. A ship was docking. Not the most majestic of vessels, but it served it's purpose well. Thao made his way down to the Merchant's District that housed the docks and approached two figures, their features hidden. One, the male, had a large brimmed hat that covered the top half of his face. His wide grin splayed out on the lower half. He wore a suit of brown leather that matched the hat, and various plates of armor for extra protection. His twin talonshots holstered on his belt. The second was female, a cloak of deep forest green cast a shadow on her pale blue skin. She wore cloth of a similar color to the cloak and held her wooden glaive in a grip tighter than death itself. It was clear she wasn't much comfortable near the male.
"You are late..." Thao'Luang rumbled as he approached the pair.
"Yeah? Well, take your complaints to the Tibur pirates who tried to board us." The male said sarcastically. "Oh wait! I killed them all. Oh well."
"Perhaps, Xavier, if you had left one alive, we may have found out where they came from." The female replied. Her voice was clear and crisp, with a slight of annoyance.
"Aww.... Sorry Allie. Did you want to kill some too?"
"Enough." Thao interrupted them before things got too out of hand. "Lady Aleria, might I inquire were the savage, Klorg, is?"
"I believe he wanted to take his own boat. Some sort of Northern custom I believe." Aleria replied. Her tone became softer when speaking to Thao'Luang. He supposed it was because of his politeness.
A mighty bellow echoed from the direction of the sea, drawing the three's attention to a small craft that looked barely large enough to hold it's massively muscled occupant. The savage bellowed once more, sending his boat rocking from the volume alone.
"Well, that answer your question, pussy cat?" Thao shot Xavier a scowl before stepping to the end of the dock and letting loose a roar of his own.
The mighty roar of a Leomar is truly a sight to behold. Thao's doubly so. The water below him were parted from the sheer ferocity of the ear splitting roar, sending waves away from him. The very air seemed to be forced away from the large Leomar. The roar died down as the small vessel approached, the savage's grin matched the Knight's own. All of his friends were finally together once more, and it sent a warm feeling all about his body.
"Klorg greets the Cat-man and companions!" The savage Northerner's rumbling laugh made everyone's bones rattle from the bass he produced.
"Kay'tera shimora Klorg. It is wonderful to see you once again." Aleria smiled and drew back her hood from her bright red locks.
"Yeah, nice to know the meat shield is here to protect me."
They all stood there and regaled one another with tales of their exploits in the two years since they parted. Aleria had stayed with the Ghost King Keltas in Salvera to learn more about magic. Xavier stayed true to his nomadic nature and wandered Veil, diving into a ruin every now and then to irk the adventurer Nolan Hart. Klorg had returned home to the Northern Reaches to fight Yetis or whatever Klorg wanted to fight. He wasn't very picky about that.
"It would seem the Heroes of Veil have all arrived." A new voice called from behind them. It was a young male voice, pure and eager. The four turned to face the speaker, a young man with jet black hair and the startings of a beard. His fine black clothes made him instantly recognized by Thao.
"Prince Solon." He said, bowing.
"Please Thao, just call me Solon. After all, are we not all friends here?" Solon laughed. "Come, let us drink and be merry, for today is the day you four saved the world of Veil and resurrected Lord Ataraxis. Today is the Festival of Heroes in your honor."
As they made their way through the main plaza, the citizens of Nexus would point and cheer as they passed, easily recognising the four great heroes. Xavier was basking in the attentions of the citizenry, especially the female portion. He would blow kisses to the young women in the gathering crowd, much to the chagrin of the young men. Aleria hid herself behind her hood and took pace behind Thao. Klorg would wave to various people in the crowd just because Xavier had told him to.
"Just listen to the adoration of the people of Nexus, heroes, and know that the rest of the world thanks you too for your deeds." Prince Solon said respectfully. "I cannot imagine what would have happened if you four never took up the call. Truly it would be a dark place."
It wasn't long before they reached the gates to Castle Arcanus, the guards immediately opening the doors into the castle. The castle interior was intricately designed, relying solely upon the detailed stonework rather than fancy trappings most castles would have. It was modest, yet beautiful.
"Yeah, I don't think I'll ever get used to this fancy frou-frou stuff." Xavier commented, shifting uncomfortably.
"Ha! Klorg just sees another cave. Just one without monsters to fight."
They made their way through the maze-like halls of the castle to the already prepared dining hall. Inside, King Marcus and Lord Ataraxis were speaking while several nobles were listening and enjoying the festive meal. Ataraxis the Sphinx easily towered over all present, Klorg only came up to his shoulders. The crystal that caused so much trouble two years ago now rested in it's rightful place on Ataraxis' chest piece. The great golden sphinx turned to the newcomers and smiled gently.
"Ahh, hail to you friends. I am glad you all were able to make it on this auspicious day." The Ruinlord's voice held a commanding tone tempered with his great wisdom. Thao bowed deeply, while the others greeted the sphinx in their own ways.
"You honor us, Lord Ataraxis, I trust that your time in Ashthrone went well?" Thao asked.
"Yes, it would seem that I was worrying for naught. I am glad that the rumors of a new demon army were just that. Rumors. But let us not speak of such trivial matters. Today is your day and I have set various dishes to your own tastes." The sphinx motioned to four empty spaces near him and King Marcus. One was set with a plate of the finest venison, another with rare, deep sea fish. The third, set next to the venison, was made up of primarily plants. The last was more akin to food one would find in a pub, along with a mighty mug of ale.
"Now that's what I'm talkin about!" Xavier exclaimed as he rocketed into the seat with the bar food. Aleria gave him a disgusted lok as she sat next to Thao with her plate of vegetation. Klorg happily removed the far too small chair and sat on the ground, at just the right height to enjoy his meal without reaching. The various nobles tried to keep their disgust hidden for the savage and the Gunslinger that sat next to him, but the smacking and crunching of the delicious food made them excuse themselves from the feast. Presumably to enjoy the festivities of the Noble District.
They all enjoyed their fine meal, with Lady Katrina, the late Eckhardt's daughter and the betrothed of Prince Solon, making a late appearance by Solon's side. They chatted aimlessly for a few hours, the setting sun filling the room in a red flood of light, before King Marcus spoke up.
"I know this is presuming much on my part, but I have a request for you all."
"My lord, you know we will help you no matter the task."
"As long as Klorg gets to beat monsters to pulp."
"And there is gold... Lots of gold involved." Thao gave Xavier yet another vile look.
"Where is your sense of honor? Duty?" He asked the Gunslinger.
"Honor? Duty? Do you think I could have on survived your precious honor or duty for this long?" Xavier grimaced. "I know you were born in Sanctum during the War, but not all of us had the privilege of growing up in some great House like you! I had to steal, cheat, and lie to survive out there because no one cared enough to help a poor, starving orphan. No, you can keep your honor. You can keep your duty. I only live for myself because the only one I can trust is myself!" Xavier stood up and fiercely exited the room, leaving the rest of the small party in stunned silence.
Thao was about to chase after him before a soft touch on his shoulder made him stop.
"Don't worry, I'll go talk to him. It wouldn't be wise for you to try and say anything to him in this state." Aleria said sagely before making her way out.
"Angry talk will only make more angry talk." Klorg said, nodding his head.
"I think it would be wise if you stayed here Thao'Luang." The King said. "In the meantime, as the elf speaks to your companion, we should discuss the matter of tomorrow and the task I have need for you."
<====(--o The Rooftops of Nexus o--)====>
Xavier sat alone on a clay tiled roof, gazing up at the moon that slowly rose over the sea. The gentle night wind ruffled his dirty, grey cloak and blew away a single tear from the stubble on the man's face. The great, silvery orb that slowly climbed into the sky had always been his greatest comfort. The light of the moon was not harsh, nor was it a revealing light. It was soft and knowing. If there was any god he worshiped, it would be The Lady of the Moon. He pulled the brim of his hat down lower and curled his knees in a tight embrace, feebly warding off the cold, night breeze that came from the chilled sea.
Just what did Thao know of survival? Of hiding from a corrupt guard patrol out to beat him senseless just because no one cared enough for him to take him in. What did he know of being so hungry that his rib cage poked out and just thinking of food made him ache. Thao knew nothing of poverty, and it made Xavier mad. He sighed. He couldn't fault the Leomar though. Some people are just blessed to be born into nobility while the rest were cursed to live in their refuse.
"Xavier? There you are." A soft voice said in relief. He quickly wiped away his tears before Aleria noticed. He still had an image to uphold. "I was wondering were you got off to."
"Hey Aleria... Do you think there is a place out there for me?" He asked suddenly, pointing to the stars. "Cause there sure as the Void isn't a place here for me."
Aleria took a seat next to the Gunslinger and looked up to the stars with him. "Of course there is a place here for you Xavier." She said, consoling the human. "Peritg, your place is with us! We may never had done half of the things we did two years ago without your cunning."
"Heh, you know it." He cockily replied. "But I can't help but look up there and wonder if there is someone else out there looking back."
"What brought this about?"
"Well, it was two years ago when we were in Frosthome helping the goblins with their 'Hero'. I had gotten to talking with one of their astronomers and he told me that one of the stars he had been studying wasn't a star at all, but a world that looked a lot like ours." He explained. "It got me to thinking that there may just be others out there, watching us through their own telescopes." Aleria was surprised by the way this human's mind thought. It could have been possible that, in another life, he was a philosopher or a scholar. Just imagining Xavier in the robes of a scholar made her giggle.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing." She tried hard to stifle her laugh. "You know that Thao only wants the best for all of us. He cares deeply for you, even if he doesn't show it." She said solemnly. "He sees great potential in you. He just wants to see you be the hero he knows you are.
He sees you as the son he lost.."
That last sentence surprised him, his wide eyes looking into Aleria's own purple orbs. He never knew that Thao even had a kid. It explained a lot about the old Leomar's protective nature.
"Well... I guess I can forgive him just this once." Xavier said, fidgeting. Aleria smiled and stood up, reaching her hand out to the human. "Come on. Let's get some rest before we set out tomorrow."
"Yeah, sleep sounds good right about now." He yawned as they made their way back into the castle.
"You know Allie," He said, waggling his eyebrows. "you could always sleep with me."
Aleria gave him a solid whack on the back of his head and sighed. "You are insufferable..."
"That's why you love me." This earned him another whack and a laugh from both of them.