Memories: Friends

[The Netherworld]

Deep within the abbys of pure darkness, is a long tower with a glowing pillar emanating strong radiant light. At the base of the tower eight linings of light spread out over some distance.

Deep underground, it's almost like a whole new place beneath the canopy. Passages lit up with torches on the walls and high and smooth looking pitch black ceilings.

Zephra is walking towards big iron doors. She places her hand on them and they creak opening. The wall facing the door is divided into four sections, and each section houses something in the figure of a person. They could be likened to statues of some sort and there are no signs of possible mobility on them.

Zephra walks to the headless one, sinks her hand into its left chest and sends her magic into it.

Snap….. snap…. snap….

The bindings on it broke and an eerie silence followed. The body finally began moving. It writhing in pain on the floor as Zephra watches with a smug face.

When it finally went immobile and silent, she came to it and whispered. "Get up now, it's time to kill" the headless man got up and knelt before her.

"Perfect, you did well, My Horseman. My Deliverer of death. My Horseman Of Death. Apocalypse is here at last!" a sinister laugh filled the room.

[The imperial Castle Astron]

" Father should've returned by now, I think it's time I asked him abt my training." Irla speaks to herself walking by the throne room where she overhears Zarten talking to Rouchefort.

"Report on the kids and everything else." Zarten ordered, on his throne.

" The Necromarc has healed and gained consciousness, but he still needs time to sort out his psychological state. His friends are in perfect health. The others were in good condition when I last checked."

Irla, hiding and Eavesdropping by the door. "So the Necromarc is in the palace, and it's not Ash whome I saw here lately? Maybe I should go see him." She whispered leaving.

"The city was evacuated as you ordered and there hasn't been any sign of creatures from the Netherworld."

"That's good, inform me of any incurring changes."

"I will do so my lord. And if you don't mind me asking, where have you been your highness?"

"I had to change the black cubes, after all we'll need time to train the Necromarc."

"Indeed My Lord. I'll take my leave." He left the room. "His majesty is not telling me the whole truth. I wonder what he's after?" He wondered to himself.

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"My lady! How may I help you?" it was the physician from earlier speaking to Irla.

"Tell me something, which room is the Necromarc recuperating in?"

"The second room to your right."

"I see." she walked up the stairs, then to the door with she sensed more ohra. She opens it and slowly walks in. There he was, Xicor Ryuga. Sitting on the bed looking down unmovingly. After some moments, he tries getting out of bed but goes falling down.

"Damn it." he cursed under his breath.

But Irla catches him before he hits down. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay, jus a little exhausted." though the voice sounded familiar to him, he didn't bother looking at the face of his helper.

"How's my sister and Ash? And Ryukka?" his voice still low and pained.

"I'm sorry I don't know them, but I think they're the two girls I saw earlier. If so then they're doing fine."

Irla offers him a glass of water and he gulps it down. Finally he looks at her and realises why he was so unbothered.

"Princess Irla Reign. What is her highness doing here?"

"Nothing much, please don't be bothered by my visit."

Rouchefort opens the door and walks in. "My apologies I thought you were still slumbering. And what is her highness doing here."

"I was just leaving." Irla gets up and leaves the room.

It's the morning of the following day. The morning sun shines brightly and beautifully. Xicor is sitting near a fountain in the Garden with a book in his hand. Irla is looking at the clear blue sky through the window from her room. Ash walks to Ryuga on the stone carved path.

"Ohhh, so this is where you're hiding?"

"I doubt I hid well enough seeing as you found me so easy. And it looks like you're back to full strength and perfect health."

"I'm not completely at full strength, but I'll live. So how do you feel after what happened? How are you holding up?" Ash spoke turning his gaze to the sky.

"I don't really know how to feel, but I do know one thing, I have to protect my lil sister. I want to grow stronger until I can rebuild and protect Arcadia."

"I hope you get all that you want, after all your loses are greater than before. I wish we never loose anything else."

"Thanks old friend. But that's a naive wish" sighs. "So what are you gonna do now?"

"I have already enrolled for training in the imperial army, Along with Ryukka."

"I see. Well, good luck. Be sure to take good care of her for me, will you?"

"And you seem to be taking all the girls." Ash spoke with an amused smile

"What are you talking about? You're talking crap again. I thought you were healthy but it looks like your head's not."

" For starters, Ryukka seems to love you a lot."

"I kind of think about that possibility. But you know she's more like a sister to me. And anyway who wouldn't love someone like her? after all she's really beautiful."

"Like the one who's been looking at you for the last twenty minutes. I'm sure you've also realized that."

"I didn't really see that but, I wouldn't mind that if it's the princess. I mean jus look at her, crimson red hair, those lips and that figure. A gift of heaven indeed."

"You may be indulging me, but I think you should stop before her father kills you."

"Well, that's a good advice." They both laughed.

"Anyway, do you mind starting training with us today, after all you're leaving soon."

"Sure anything to spend more time with my buddy. So, who's your trainer?"

"Sir Rouchefort"

" Can I take back my words?"

Ryuga answered with a chuckle and continued with his book.

"All things aside, you should talk to Allura."

"I did"

…

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…

[In The training Chambers]

It's a huge hall of built in a similar way to a Seal. The only way in is by the door and it is nigh impossible to force a way in from the outside. The high ceiling has six windows allowing light -sunlight and moonlight- to pour in from the outside. But those outside cannot see inside. Things like sound or magic cannot be sensed and heard from inside here.

Xicor Ryuga , Ash Kenesis, Allura A. Ryuga, Ryukka Senji and Irla Reign are standing in an orderly manner.

"Nice to meet you all, I'm Rouchefort, your trainer for the next few weeks. I'm not going to teach how to fight, I'm going to perfect your skills. Today we'll be summoning weapons. And you'll leave only when I say you've passed. Shall we begin?" Rouchefort said clasping his hands together.

"How long will all the training take sir?" Ryuga asked, breaking the silence.

"For you, you should be able to wield your 'sword' in no more than three months. Meaning pure su awaits you." He added the last part with clear emphasis.

"But now that I think about it, you should know more. Go to the Alchemist and tell her I sent you." he pointed at Ryuga.

Ryuga why he needed to see her, but he simply left without a question

[In The Netherworld]

Zephra is in the room she summoned the horseman of death in. She stands before the one wearing an armour. Like before, she sinks her hand into the chest and sends her black magic deep within its core. It's eyes respond with a piecing red glow.

"Legends arise legends fall, storms of war covered in blood and death, the second coming, the Horseman Of War." Zephra spoke taking several steps back. "Once again I repeat, Apocalypse is here at last"

The horseman of war knelt before Zephra and black hue like smoke covered him. Zephra falls down because of exhaustion but her horseman catches her. He carries her out walks out along the long passage. He sits her on her throne and kneels before her.

A woman comes rushing in. "My queen! My queen, you were successful. I located it at last."

Zephra opens her eyes slowly and realises she is on her throne. "Shelia".

"Yes my queen." The woman -Shelia- responds

"Heal me now. And get the other one ready." What followed her words, was a loss consciousness into a slumber.

Shelia walked to Zephra and covered her in a multi layered cocoon of magic. "I hope you regain your former might, mistress." She whispered to herself.

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