((occ: My only comment iiiiis... Meh, it's good enough for a few minutes of work. As for the thing as it is... feels like clue. Like we need some announcer guy for each post "and this is what might have happened..." *crazy dance music*
))
The journey continued with increasing grace. By avoiding the bridge, Alkesh and Virose were plunged way from towns of magic and glitter, and into the wanna-be cities- which were more closely related to what a CD would vomit up. Some of the towns were poor, but relatively clean, others were tightly packed hell holds where rats were more common than people.
It was on the outskirts of one of these ‘town,’ hear a dying wheat field, that they met the dark child. Who really was a child- of about ten-years-old. He was an innocent little thing with big red eye and shiny raven’s black hair and a bright smile… on the outside. Virose, however, who was in charge of carting him around everywhere like pack mule knew he was a sinister brat.
He’d received quite a few kicks to the ribs from the snot-nosed twerp he affectionately called, “BASTERD!” Though with finding the dark child, Virose’s mood did improve greatly and he gained faith in the mission. He was more confident in his sword skills- having to fight the damned doll during many mid-night adventures- he was suspicious that the doll was coaxed into doing these attacks by Bastard.
They found a church where the doll could be exorcised by a White Witch just glowing with pure light. Pell had been strange after that though. With the absence of the doll she entered a relieved, satiated state. Constantly happy- really happy- and so full of hope. Virose never minded fighting after that. Not when things were looking up so much. The mission really could be completed and after it was over… things would change.
Things would be as they should have been. He would go back to his home village- Virose (Which ceased to be a village and was remembered only as the scene of the Virose Blaze)- and help to re-build it- as it had been destroyed beyond recognition and all the inhabitants except Virose and a few others had been killed; though in the days afterwards, the survivors dropped one-by-one do to a lack of food and shelter and no lack in injuries. Virose had been found by Sanor and given a name- as he had been too close to death to remember who he was and the tragedies that had happened were forcefully blocked out by his young mind trying to protect him.
Virose had longed for a day when he could prove that he’d been worth saving and have some kind of home to return to, and this mission was the key. With the guidance of Alkesh, who seemed to be lead by a force unknown to Alkesh, they made it to their destination with both light and dark candidates alive. Surprisingly, they did not seem bothered at all by the thought of their fate, more like they had been born knowing it would happen and that by joining they would finally feel complete.
The final half hour had been the most eventful in all of Virose’s life. They were met with resistance- strong resistance that seemed other-worldly in its own. It looked impossible, but Virose found Alkesh’s words to be truthful,
"I knew Sanor, albeit briefly. But I know he wouldn't have taken you as an apprentice if he didn't believe you could be the best. Even if you don't think it's there, I know it is. Just give yourself the chance!"
Virose battled with skill he had not even truly known he had and Alkesh bravely lead the kids through the volcanic caverns until they reached the destined location. He started the ceremony, but the battle did not stop. It seemed the entire volcano was rising up to attack and all the healing and battling in the world wouldn’t be enough to make them last more than fifteen more minutes.
Luckily, that had been all that was needed. Virose held back the onslaught as best he could until something’s terrible, otherworldly blade crashed across his face. He was aware of a terribly powerful foot slamming into his chest and sending him flying so he thought he would land in the lava pit, though he managed to avoid that by a few inches, and instead fell over the lip and onto solid rock.
Bastard and Pell did not hesitate before leaping into the volcano at Alkesh’s word, and with the most peaceful faces Virose had ever witnessed. They were gone from the world in an instant and the attackers faded away as the mountain rumbled and gurgled threateningly. There was no mob of villagers come to help them, nor back up in any way. All there was, was an eruption that blanketed the sky in darkness and hurled rocks at the heroes who had just saved the world and yet seemed destined to be forever forgotten under a mound of volcanic ash.