Alcath: Off the Map (Full Story): Written by Exodus, Original Story by Exodus Alcath was the capital of the kingdom of Grandulen, and a busy port town that had recovered since the tragedy that occurred nineteen years ago. The town was rebuilt and business was bustling as usual. Carlos Ruwin and his two sons had moved away some time ago, and only two of the original Freedom Force members were still around, James Rook and Andrew Gear. James had raised Ross on his own, and so it was undeniable that Ross would show interest in becoming a knight, recently, he trained with his father every day, preparing for a day they hoped would never come, a day in which knights were needed to protect kingdom leaders. That day had happened and finished too soon for James to make a difference, instead, he trained extra hard with Ross, his body was getting old and Ross was old enough to make a difference. Ross had brown hair and three large curled strands that stuck out, he wore a blue headband, a yellow scarf, silver armour, blue and bronze shoulder pads, a yellow belt, blue trousers and brown boots. Andrew had been depressed for several years after his wife’s death, the Euridium Crystals had been thrown away in a fit of rage, and Andrew set aside the creations that absolutely needed them, because he kept on thinking of Shirley, and how those crystals cost her her life. He had returned to the ranks of chief scientist, but not for a group, but for a simple lab that was built when Alcath was undergoing repairs. Kyle, his son, was glad his father would create again, he had learned to cope without a mother, and was there for his younger sibling David, or Dave’ as everyone called him, Kyle was simply known as ‘Gear’ around Alcath. Kyle and Dave followed their father, and while Kyle studied to be just as smart as his father, Dave went into the field of mechanics. He had never been told the real reason for his mother’s death, because he might feel he was responsible. Kyle’s hair was still purple, spiky and stuck out over his head, and was held by a thin blue headband, but he now wore a pale green smart shirt, a black coloured belt, blue trousers and brown shoes. Dave’s hair was brown and spiky, though he wore a large blue baseball cap backwards to cover it, he also had a white shirt and blue trousers, though he had a few patches covering old tears and cuts, he wore white trainers and usually carried around a small pack of tools. But now the town would face another tragedy, one that couldn’t be averted like the last. Iyaxxl wanted the Freedom Force members dead, and this town above all others to be destroyed. It didn’t take long to organise... Snide burst into Tiffany’s Salon, two people were there, Tiffany, the owner, a beautiful lady with green hair that had assisted Freedom Force in the past battle of Alcath, and her husband, Walter, a nervous cook that took a lot to be brave, and usually wore a yellow uniform and hat. “Who... are you?!” stuttered Tiffany. Snide smiled and drew his gun, “My name is Snide, and you... are dead!...” The empire quickly stormed in with their best warriors: Snide, Krytus, Brutor and Helena, who had quickly reached the same status as Krytus. About two hundred troopers were brought in to guarantee the victory. James was in the residential district with Andrew and his son. “James, I’m going to retrieve the other scientists, you’re going to challenge their leader, aren’t you?” said Andrew concerned. “I have to.” said James in his usual stern manner, “The recent death of the kingdom’s leader has thrown the castle into panic, and the majority of soldiers have been alerted to similar attacks around the kingdom, leaving no one but us to defend the town. I must protect those that can’t defend themselves, and defeating the leader of these soldiers might end things quickly.” “Then good luck to you, please make sure Kyle, Charlene, Dave, Ryan and Mary get on the boat for me, I promised their parents I’d look out for them...” “I will.” Andrew ran off towards the lab on the hill. “Now Ross. Give this map to Captain Mac. He’ll take you to a secret base planned for an occasion like this.” said James, handing over a tattered scroll. “But what about you?” asked a concerned Ross. “I’ve taught you everything I can. You and young Gear must bring together those who wish to fight this new evil, and forge a resistance.” “Dad, I can’t do this without you.” “No Son, you can, I won’t always be around, and I must fulfil my duties as a town protector. Just make sure anyone left gets on the boat.” said James, turning away and closing his gold helmet. “I want to help you...” pleaded Ross, but his father got angry. “Get going! NOW!” Ross stared at him, aware that he was shouting at him for his own good, and then ran. Ross couldn’t help but feel as if his father knew he wasn’t coming back... Helena and Krytus were at the port. Krytus stabbed a villager while Helena held a large energy cannon. “Okay, I’ve got my target, but I don’t trust this device.” moaned Helena. “Jus’ use it. Morn wants it tested before ‘e starts buildin’ ‘is so-called invincible robots.” explained Krytus, who hadn’t had so much fun since... the attack on Kylandia Castle not so long ago. She fired the device and an energy blast burst out, but hot particles were blown by the wind and Helena was burned. “Arrrrgh! My face! My beautiful face! Its burning!... I knew I shouldn’t have trusted that little freak!” Helena screamed, throwing the cannon down and holding her face, her cheeks were slightly seared now. “But ‘elena, it worked, jus’ look at the lab!” Up on the hill, the lab was in flames, fire easily spread through their many chemicals and helped to explode the entire building. Krytus and Helena watched the pure destruction, and then turned towards the castle... Meanwhile, James approached Brutor, who was directing soldiers. “So its true, someone betrayed King Edward... Are you the leader of this army?” he ordered. “That Ah am, ye must be the town protector, James Rook.” said Brutor confidently. “I will stop you.” said James. “Once people like ye, who oppose us, are gone, this kingdom, and all the others, will bow down tae Iyaxxl. But now that ye know this, Ah can’t let ye live.” They clashed their weapons together, Brutor, a large knife, and James, a small sword. They slid the weapons across and pulled away, Brutor swooped his knife upwards in an uppercut stance but James blocked it and pushed Brutor to the floor. James struck down but Brutor blocked the hit, surely he was at a disadvantage fighting on his knees. But Brutor had a hand free while James used both to hold his sword. Brutor reached towards his belt and drew a second knife, which with a quick flick, made its way into James’ chest, he collapsed soon afterwards. Brutor wasn’t finished and kicked James over so that he’d drop his weapon, he then plunged a knife through the eye hole of James’ helmet. “Eeeyyyaaaaaa!!!” he screamed. “Ha ha ha!” laughed Brutor openly. The scream pierced through the ears of many, especially Ross’. “... No... Dad!” screamed Ross, leaping out of the boat and running towards the residential area. “Ross! Don’t!” warned Gear, but Ross was long gone before long. “No...” muttered Ross, overlooking his father’s body, “You did this!” he shouted at the man walking away. “Obviously the man was important tae ye, ye’ll be nae challenge.” laughed Brutor. “Don’t walk away from me! You’ll pay!” Ross drew a short sword and charged towards Brutor, he turned around too late and Ross dragged the blade across Brutor’s chest, so fast and hard that it pierced through and cut into his skin, Brutor backed away in time so that Ross didn’t cut into his organs. “Ughhh!” shouted Brutor, holding his chest, it wouldn’t kill him, but it would leave a scar, “Ye stupid lad! Ye had yir chance tae live!” He quickly threw a small knife which stuck into Ross’ right arm. As he tried to pull it out, Brutor was on top of him and quickly sliced through his other arm... “Aaaaaarrrrggghhh!!!” screamed Ross. A dismembered arm dropped to the floor and leaked, Ross clutched his shoulder and breathed heavily, trying to hold on, but the shock and blood loss caused him to collapse. “That’s what ye get fer scarring me. Nae one messes wit’ Brutor an’ lives!” shouted Brutor, approaching Ross. A flash of gems flew by Brutor’s face and blinded him for a moment, giving Gear the chance to roundhouse kick him. Ryan Stella, a spiky black haired boy in purple and silver armour ended his spell and helped to carry Ross, along with Mary Hein, a short spiky blonde with a red bow in her hair, wearing a black dress, gloves and boots, she used a healing spell to help ease Ross’ pain. Gear wrapped the arm in a cloth, and the four returned to the boat, but barely, they had to make a huge leap as the boat left the port. “That was as long as I could stay!” shouted Captain Mac, in his usual pirate accent. “That’s all the people we’re going to get, Mac. Go! Go! Go!” shouted Gear. The ship pulled out and left the port before the troopers could get on board. “We made it.” sighed Mac, adjusting his black hat and suit similar to a pirate’s. “This isn’t over!” screamed Brutor raising a knife, “Ye tell that lad that he is dead! Dead! Dead! Dead!!!...” Later, the environment on the boat was depressing. “Its so gloomy...” stated Mac without really thinking. “A lot of lives were lost, everyone in Alcath were all so close, its hard to accept that so many have died...” explained Gear sadly, “Charlene. Where are your folks?” he asked, addressing the girl that had just approached the wheel. A green haired girl in a sleeveless pink dress (that revealed her shoulders), a pale blue skirt and pink sandals stepped up, her hair was tied back by a headband and a hairpiece. She sighed, “They’re both dead, a man named Snide shot them... It was totally awful! They were, like, hiding me and then he, like, burst in... I saw them die...” Charlene needed a shoulder to cry on and Gear willingly obliged. “Your mother was Tiffany, right?” asked Mac inquisitively. “Yes... Did you know her?” sobbed Charlene. “Yes... Yes I did.” he replied sadly. Gear waited until Charlene stopped sobbing, and went towards Ross and the others. “Mary, how’s Ross holding up?” he asked. “He’ll live, but he needs an operation to fix his arm quickly!” she replied. “Ryan, Mary, those powers of yours, they sure are useful...” “You didn’t know?” smiled Ryan. “We’re part Gaian.” added Mary. “You don’t think any different of us, do you?” asked Ryan upon seeing Gear’s astonished face. “Of course not, I think Ross is going to be very thankful of you...” Later on in the secret hideout, Gear was talking to a doctor that worked in Fawra, Doctor Lewis Zimmerman, the one who lost his parents in the previous Alcath tragedy, after his family died because of a lack of doctors, he decided to become one, and do what he could to save the lives of others, his mentor Doctor Heath had passed away some time ago, but Lewis had learnt everything he could and continued to run the hospital. Lewis wore a white doctor’s uniform and had little hair, he was practically bald, apart from a selection of hairs on the top of his head. Unfortunately, there weren’t many to save, the evil warriors had struck quickly and deadly, but the few survivors that had been transported here, were all saved. “Its a good thing you joined up with us Doctor Zimmerman.” “Please, call me Lewis. Now, we’ve managed to stop Ross’ bleeding, but we couldn’t save his arm, god, he’s going to be so upset when he wakes...” said Lewis sadly. “Lewis, I have an idea that could help...” suggested Gear. Ross woke up later and was a little shocked, on his left shoulder was a metal ring and attached to it, a mechanical arm and hand. “What the hell?! What’s happened to me?!” he yelled, staring at the sharp claws on the hand with a disgusted expression. “Ross, you’re finally awake.” smiled Gear, but his expression soon changed. “Gear! Explain this!” “Ross, the damage to your arm was too much, we couldn’t save it. This was the best I could do... Its made of a new metal, and so, responds as quickly to your brain patterns as a real arm. I might also be able to design some unique weapons for it. Its all thanks to this nifty device my father left me. Its called a Personal Access Demonstration Device, a P.A.D.D for short, what do you think?” said Gear trying to lighten the mood. In his hand was a flat cuboid device with ports at the sides and on the base, a small screen and a keyboard, it used to belong to Andrew, his father, but he had no use for it anymore... “I’m a freak...” moaned Ross, “... And its all Brutor’s fault! I’ll kill him!” “Ross!” shouted Gear, “Don’t you think blind rage has proved itself useless so far?! If you had just not lost sight of your father’s teachings, this might not have happened to you. Promise me you’ll control this anger and not do anything rash!” “My father is dead!” yelled Ross. “And so is mine!” retorted Gear, there was a brief silence, “But you don’t see me going crazy. I know everyone has different ways of dealing with loss, but your rage is going to get you killed! I will have my revenge, but that means bringing the people responsible for this to justice. Our fathers wanted us to fight this evil and make them pay for their crimes, now will you help me do that instead?” “I’ll see how it goes...” grumbled Ross, “... But if I’m not satisfied, I’m doing things my way.” “Ross, My father ordered me to organise a special group of expert warriors to take on the invaders more often than the soldiers here, I’ll keep a place for you, but only if you learn to control your rage. I’ll run you through the functions of your new arm after I talk to a new fighter...” said Gear leaving the room. “And you are?” “Ex mercenary, Rob’ Ruwin.” said the stranger, with a high pitched voice and strange accent. He wore silver, gold and bronze armour, and had short brown spiky hair and shades which were balanced above his eyes, “Ah wus formerly one o’ the Shinin’ Wonders, an’ this is mah brother Nicholas. We’re from Fawra, in Scion, an’-” “Ahem.” said the younger boy, he wore some silver armour and had orange hair in a curtain style. “That’s a bad cough ya got there Nichol-” “Ah’d appreciate it if ya called me Nick... ‘Roberto’-” “Shut up Nick...” argued Ruwin. “’Roberto’?” questioned Gear. “His real name, an’ he doesn’t like it much.” explained Nick. “Nick! You’re makin’ me look bad!” shouted Ruwin to his brother. “The name Ruwin is familiar, you’re not related to Carlos Ruwin by any chance?” questioned Gear. Ruwin and Nick looked at each other and grinned. “You’re his sons?” asked Gear, and was answered by a couple of confident nods. “My father worked with him... before he died.” mentioned Gear. “Drag.” said Ruwin, trying to be sympathetic. “I was told you had an idea that could help us?” questioned Gear. “Uh huh. Firstly Ah’d like ta offer mah services ta yer cause.” said Ruwin. “You know we can’t afford to pay you at this point.” warned Gear. “Yeah yeah, Ah know, Ah’ve given up the mercenary work anyway. Provided there’s cute gals ‘round here, Ah’m sorted.” “Riiight...” said Gear, a little suspicious of his intentions. “Mah other idea is that me, Nick an’ a lot o’ cute gals-” Nick elbowed him sharply as he mentioned the girls. “Whut, like you don’t wanna get hooked up wit’ a cutey?” “Ah won’t get the chance if this guy doesn’t take yer plan seriously.” said Nick annoyed. “Ah mean, myself, Nick and a group o’ others follow the invaders back to their hideout an’ set up a base near there. Once Ah bug their headquarters, we could hook into broadcasts an’ meetin’s, an’ be there ta stop ‘em wherever they go.” explained Ruwin, amending the speech. “Its a good idea, and it would be a great help. But its risky.” warned Gear. “But ya approve of it.” smiled Ruwin. “Well, yeah, but-” “Then we’ll take that risk. Of course, Ah’ll wanna help you guys out once in a while.” “I’ll remember that. Go downstairs and pick out some people to assist you. Good luck.” said Gear softly. “Pick out, he says.” grinned Ruwin, walking away. “You’d better not get too many gals, Ah’m watchin’ you!” argued his brother. “That means Ross, Ruwin and I are up for forming a lead group for the Resistance.” said Gear to himself, “But its not quite enough though, those invaders won’t stop at Alcath. We need more people, people who aren’t happy with this new evil imposing its rule on our kingdom, and people with amazing skills or Gaian magic. We’ve got a long way to go, but it’ll be worth it to bring those creeps to justice.” End Back to “Empire’s Beginning” Click to read the next story: "Let Loose” Back to “Past Heroes and New Beginnings” Back to the Library