Memories (Part 1): Written by Exodus, Original Story by Exodus In a galaxy far from here, lies Planet Calix, a world populated by humans, animals, demons, cross-breeds and legendary beasts. Each country and kingdom was abundant in technology, but people all had different views, uses and methods in using it, where some lived in the traditional age, others were fairly advanced. The world’s rule was divided into several kingdoms, but the events that are about to told focuses around certain kingdoms, the centrepoint of them being Scion, a peaceful kingdom with fair and honourable rules, ruled by good people that tried to uphold peace within theirs and neighbouring kingdoms. Some time ago, several evil demons from other worlds were making their move to take over each kingdom, there were many wars and many casualties. The kingdom of Scion was a regular target, but one team of warriors in particular made a difference. Known only as Freedom Force, the team consisted of: Prince Edward Scion, the prince of Scion fighting to make a difference and wanting to be known for who he was rather than his title. James Rook, a loyal knight to Edward and a great swordsman, he was powerful and courageous and a leading member of the group. Dr Andrew Gear, the team’s primary scientist, he often participated in battle with the weapons he made. Carlos Ruwin, a master acrobat as well as a swordsman, he incorporated both into his fighting skills and usually showed off. The old master known as the Great Elder, a legendary teacher and fighter even in his old age. Titus Jay, a religious man who welded a staff with mystic powers. Nathan Kion, an excavator searching for minerals that would benefit the group. Queen Evia, she had accurate throwing abilities and was queen of a native tribe, along with her were three subjects: Ux, a knife wielder that held a burning secret. Mao, a very young girl who used whips as her weapon of choice. And the last of Evia’s followers was Tuv, Evia’s mentor and Mao’s grandfather, he trained with many weapons. Finally were two married couples: Charles and Cecilia Corelle, they worked as a duo with their hand claw techniques. And Danny and Moira McDeio, the trump cards of the group that used extreme force such as bazookas and grenade launchers. Together the team fought against the many evils, demon and human alike, that threatened their kingdom. It was another day in Scion, at the end of the capital: Kylandia City, stood the most valued building in the kingdom, Kylandia Castle. Prince Edward knelt down and held his mother’s hand, it was cold like it had been for some time, for several years she had become victim to an illness that would claim her life someday, she had had a long and prosperous life and at least she had an heir. But Edward was not ready for such responsibility, he was still immature and liked to join his comrades to fight, he didn’t want to become totally confined to the castle. “Mother, I’m leaving again. A portal has opened in North Scion.” he said softly. “Edward...” said Queen Elizabeth in a weary voice, “... I know I can’t change your mind...” He walked out of her room and through the main halls, the long red carpet was immaculate and spotless, and the bronze support poles were carved with patterns and ancient text. There were no walls or windows along the top floor halls, but there was a fence for obvious safety. Edward heard someone behind him and stopped, it was the royal advisor Iyaxxl. He was slightly older then Edward but not by much, he was around 20 and very mature. He had black hair with a parting in the middle, and wore white robes with gold strips, and he held a royal sceptre. “My liege... I must protest against this choice, you can’t fight demons, you’re the prince!” He always spoke this way to Edward, as if he were a young child unable to go anywhere. “And I’m sick of that title!” said Edward annoyed, “I want to be known as Edward, not just the prince, and I have to help the very people I shall rule over someday!” “My liege...” said Iyaxxl patiently and carefully, “Your mother... She’s very old, and very ill. Don’t get yourself killed... You’re the future king.” Iyaxxl cared very much about the Scion Family, he was totally loyal to whoever had the throne. “Don’t worry, I don’t plan to.” said Edward, before walking ahead and out of sight. A woman in a red coat and hood approached Iyaxxl, she was around his age and her hair was black, it was Dorothy, his fiancee. Removing the hood from her head, she kissed him on the cheek and put a hand on his shoulder. “That prince... He has to grow up.” said Iyaxxl tiredly. “You have to let him decide his own fate, Darling...” said replied. Edward arrived on the battlefield to join his comrades. Evia and her tribe, James, Andrew, Carlos and the Elder were there already. Up ahead, a portal shimmered in the sky not very high above the ground, three strangers were in trouble, they looked human but their ears looked elf-like, surrounding them were three demonic apparitions. They had green skin, their eyes were like red gems, there was a twisted design which covered their ears, and they had horns, scales and large claws and talons, they also had huge gargoyle-like wings. One of the people raised her hand and fired a blast of green light at one of the creatures, this was strange as humans didn’t use such power here, the creature embraced the blast, then dived down. Edward couldn’t help but shout, “Evia!...” She reacted right away and threw a javelin through the chest of the attacking creature. While Evia retrieved her weapon, her tribe covered her. Ux drove his knife into the second demon’s chest, while Mao whipped and Tuv threw a spear into the third. All four wore beast skin for clothing, apart from Evia, who being the queen, wore white furs. The three subjects had green hair, but of different shades, while Evia’s was naturally white. As the first flock of demons were slayed, more emerged through the portal. Edward drove his spear into one of the them, then pulled out, and lifted a demon that was charging at him with the sharp end and threw it down. Edward had blonde curtain-style hair, and he wore royal yet casual clothing composing of reds and whites, he wore jeans and brown boots, it was clothing that was manoeuvrable for battle. James Rook, dressed in his gold armour, looked at the situation, he had spiky black hair and a moustache, and wielded a long sword. Two demons were charging from the sides, in a moment, James quickly dodged and cut the heads off both demons, so fast that the bodies kept moving as the heads bounced to the floor. Doctor Gear used small bombs that he had designed himself, surrounded by metal but instantly exploding on contact. He had pale turquoise hair brushed back and a lab coat with a short moustache and beard. An explosion ripped through a demon and body parts littered the floor. Carlos Ruwin wore thin silver armour under his uniquely coloured waistcoat, comprising mainly of orange and some other bright colours, he had straight black hair and two curled strings overlapped his face, and his thin moustache curled upwards. He leaped over a demon as it clawed down, and somersaulted behind it, bringing his sword down into a vertical slice that cut through the demon’s back. Finally on the party was the Great Elder, with his long grey hair, moustache and long beard, he wore fighting robes coloured white and red, and he wore sandals on his feet, he always had his black belt tied around his waist. He backed away from the swipe of his demon, and shot forward, outstretching his hand, the damage was high as he spun his leg around, hitting the demon another three times with multiple kicks. The demons were either dead or escaping back into the portal. Once they were through, the green haired woman pulled herself up and outstretched her hand, the portal shrunk down and faded. “Are those people okay?” asked Edward. “They’ll live.” said the elder, “Let’s get them to the safety of the castle...” Back in Kylandia Castle, the three strangers were resting, James, Evia and Edward stood outside the rooms. “What are those people?” asked James concerned, “They used those demonic powers.” Magic was rarely used on Calix, and those that did use it mostly turned out to be demons. “Don’t judge them so quickly.” said Evia a little annoyed, “Just because the demons use that power doesn’t mean to say that these people are the same.” Iyaxxl stepped in, “My liege, Nathan Kion wishes to see you.” Edward sighed, “For the last time, he doesn’t need permission, we’re old friends. Send him up.” Nathan always had trouble with accepting Edward’s way of not calling him the prince, nor Sir, nor any other royal title. “Hello my prince.” he said cheerfully with an accent similar to a jolly Earthling Englishman. He had light brown skin, black spiky hair with a moustache and beard, he usually wore his excavator uniform along with the explorer type hat. “We talked about this before, I want you to call me Edward.” “Yes Prince Edward.” he replied. Edward sighed. “Our recent excavation result has been successful, we’ve found a new metal which could benefit our forces greatly.” explained Nathan. “Give it to Dr Gear for research.” “Of course my prince.” Edward didn’t even bother to try and convince him otherwise. James and Evia left the halls and one of the guest room doors creaked open. It was one of the strangers, she had caramel skin but her eyes were totally white, a red stone hung over her forehead and she wore a sphinx-like helm, designed to look like it was made of bricks, but there were Pyramid-like (the term used on Calix to describe Earth Egyptian-like artifacts or people) designs on it, and a green jewel, from it came two horn-like parts that stuck out to the sides. She also had a green top, a brown skirt and green shoes. She looked awfully nervous. “Hello... You’re the ones who saved us...” Nathan’s eyes widened and he approached the woman, “Hello, who are you?” “Rahs, and you?” “I’m Nathan Kion, I’m a friend of the ones who saved you, I heard that you’re from another world, and that you have special powers...” The woman hesitated for a moment. “... Yes... We are magical beings known as Gaians...” Nathan turned to the prince, “Edward, may I investigate these powers further?” “Provided it in no way harms them.” Nathan turned to Rahs and spoke softly, “Rahs, please stay with me in the town of Ranphoa in the southern kingdom of Furren Terre. I promise, if you wish to return to the castle, you only have to ask, and it shall be done.” “Yes Sir...” “Call me Nathan...” “Of course Sir Nathan.” Nathan frowned a little and Edward smiled, “Annoying, isn’t it?” In another of the guest rooms, the outsider Gaian, Lucas, woke up, he had the standard elf-like ears, and turquoise hair, a large quiff hung over his head and the rest fell back and was tied in a ponytail. He had silver armour with red shoulder pads and boots, brown gloves and a large yellow scarf around his neck. A servant girl was there with food, she was totally silent as she softly put the food on the table next to the bed. She wore a black and white maid’s uniform and had shoulder length brown hair. “... Hello.” said Lucas politely. She stayed silent but looked at him. “I’m Lucas...” After some hesitation, she spoke, “... I’m not meant to talk to you.” Lucas smiled, “What’s the harm in that? You’re a servant here, aren’t you?” “Yes.” “And a very beautiful one at that.” She couldn’t help but blush... Finally in Edward’s room, the green haired Gaian lay, her hair was long and two bangs hung at the sides, it was a pale green colour. She wore soft pale blue gloves and a long pink royal dress. She had just woke up, Edward was at her side with a bowl of soup. “Here...” he said softly, offering the bowl. She stayed silent and still. “Its good for you.” added Edward. She looked into his eyes and stared inquisitively, as if studying him and everything inside him, particularly at his eyes. Eventually, she stopped and smiled, taking the offering and sipping it politely. “We need to talk...” said Edward, “What is your name and where are you from?” She stayed silent, afraid to tell him. “Its important that you tell me, or else the people of this world might fear your kind... But I know that you are not a demon.” She gave up on resisting, “Okay... Edward, wasn’t it?... My name is Elenora, and we’re from Gaia, a magical world. It was a peaceful world where I ruled as queen, until a horrible creature entered our world and devastated it. He experimented on us, corrupted our people, started wars, and...” By now tears were streaming down her face. “Its okay, go at your own pace, I won’t tell a soul.” said Edward softly. “He... forced me to have a child with him, for the purpose of science, but instead we had twins and he took them both away from me, experimented on them... and... my son...” She couldn’t hold back the tears now and was sobbing. “I’m sorry...” said Edward. Elenora managed to stop, and continued, “I was able to free my daughter, and I handed her over to a trusted subject while I freed my people and opened a portal, but the demons appeared and separated us, only half of us made it through. To stop the demons, I unleashed a wind to cast them off, but to my disbelief, the subject with my child didn’t make it, and got cast off with the demons. I doubt she or my child survived... And then we entered your world. But there are more of us than the three you found, many others spread out into your world...” “Don’t worry, you’ll be safe here. I’ll make sure of that...” said Edward kindly. “I’m afraid they’ll probably find others like yourself and eventually produce offspring with equally powerful magic, I’m sorry, this is probably the last thing you need.” said Elenora feeling guilty. “Don’t worry, provided they don’t do anything wrong, we have no reason to get involved.” said Edward slowly leaving the room. “Thank you...” “Rest here, I’ll be back...” said Edward, as he left. Edward met the Great Elder in the halls, “Are there any more demon attacks?” he asked the Elder. “Another demon squad has been sighted near the village of Rolem. The others are preparing to intercept them.” Down below in the courtyard, the synchronised shouting could be heard. It was the royal soldiers in training, with two of the best Scion soldiers, Commander Javes and Lieutenant Berkeley in charge. “Did you know that the Krytus family have adopted, the poor little orphan is called Sylvester, he’s had it bad, but now he’s finally got people who care about him, and Danny and Moira’s son, Brutor, has been quick to make friends with him.” explained the Elder. The Krytus family were in charge of the safety of the castle and regularly checked up on it. “You can tell me more once this crisis is averted.” replied Edward. Iyaxxl caught up with the two, in his usual mood, “Edward, why much you risk your life so much?” “I know.” said the Great Elder, “I’ve watched the prince on the battlefield and I’m afraid he gets a thrill from the danger-” “And its my duty to help.” intervened Edward, “I’m not prince of Scion just to sit around while innocent people die.” A young teenager ran forward, eager to say something. He had naturally pale grey hair which was spiky and hung to the sides, and he wore a lab coat and jeans. “Sir, the tests on the portal technology is working well, if we ever complete it, we’ll be able to banish the demons to an empty void, imprisoning them forever...” he said in his usual high pitched voice. Edward smiled, “Good work Morn, or maybe I should start calling you Professor Ridley.” “Aw shucks Sir, I’m not that great.” He scampered off and Iyaxxl left abruptly, Edward watched Morn as he left, “Only a teenager and he has already come so far as a scientist.” The Elder remembered something, “Oh I was meant to tell you, Vilem’s communication is down so we haven’t been able to alert Titus, I was about to go there and sort out the problem.” “Who else is on standby?” asked Edward. “James, Andrew and Carl are at home with their wives.” “I’ll alert them immediately.” Alcath was located in the kingdom northeast of Scion, in Grandulen, it was a port town full of homes and many shops, it was popular for business, and many boats came in and out every day, today it was transport ships that were pulling in, full of people moving to Alcath. In the household of the Rooks, James answered the distress call. “Yes Sir, of course Sir.” He put down the communicator, “Raven, I’m sorry, I have to go, the prince needs me.” Raven was a beautiful maiden with long black hair, she wore a thick beige coloured robe and usually wore the same coloured hat which hung like a hood. She was sometimes shy and withdrawn, the two had met when James saved her life from a criminal madman, and the two had stuck together since. “Yes... I know... Please be careful.” And the Gears’ home: “Shirley, the prince has called me again, is that special metal locked up safely?” Shirley was Andrew’s lab assistant for some time before they admitted their love, she wore a female lab coat and a black skirt, and had long violet hair. “Of course.” Finally in the Ruwin household, Carlos, or Carl’ as he preferred, turned Edward down. “Ah'm sorry Sir, but Ah can’t go, Mariah needs me.” Mariah was a beautiful woman with long brown hair with a parting, she wore a long pale yellow dress and she needed a walking cane to get by, as an illness was slowly consuming her life. She was currently having a little trouble with her breathing. “I don’t know if I can go on... The illness worsens everyday...” she said negatively. “Don’t say that!” shouted Carl, “Doctor Heath, you and Ah, we’ll overcome this illness together!...” Suddenly a huge explosion erupted outside, all three Freedom Force members rushed out to see the carnage. “The transport! It exploded!” shouted Andrew. All three transports had been damaged in the explosion, and one of them had been lifted up and thrown onto the land, blazing with fire. This wasn’t natural, as three armies of different leagues leaped in, armed with their choice of weapons. The Zondai Thieves, who killed the rich and pillaged villages for their riches and food, with their rusty knives. Suited gangsters from the far west Silva Corporation, they had specially made cards that had razor edges to them. And armoured soldiers from somewhere in the far away Coerax kingdoms, they had large swords and good armour defenses. “What’s going on?!” screamed James. “You have something of great value here!” said Bandit, the current leader of the thieves. “We’ll be taking it!” said the lead gangster. “It shall not be kept in this pitiful town!” shouted the commander. They all wanted the metal, and would tear apart the town to get it. To be continued... Part 2 Back to “Past Heroes and New Beginnings” Back to the Library