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[Dath]

A completely new spritefic. I've been working on the plot, characters, and setting for this for quite a while, though I only just recently decided to make it a spritefic. I've come up with a sort of...key, to help you guys in understanding.

If you want to be included in this, just PM me a name, bio, mugshot, and several battle sprites so that I can include you.

Post a reply if you lieek.

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Normal Text is exactly what it is. Normal text. Speech.

Italics are thoughts. Kind of like the thought bubbles in cartoons, just without the outline.

(Anything in the little half-circles are things involving a noise. Such as, (Creak), or (Bang))

[Anything that is in the brackets is what I, the author, am saying to you, the reader. Kind of like a...spritefic commentary.]

~Well, without further ado, I'll begin the prologue.

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Prologue One: History



?- Ezekiel! This ends now!

Ezekiel/Necromancer- Hm? And why would my fun end now? Up until just recently, you've been nothing but a feather up against my fully fledged powers. And now...you decide to interrupt me and defy my powers?

?- You...your powers lead to nothing but death and destruction. There are numerous towns and villages that had nothing to do with us; yet you invaded and destroyed them anyway! Why!?



Ezekiel- Carn...you never knew...Nobody other than I could have known. You grasp for knowledge that is not yet ready for you! Can you not see it? If you gain this kind of power, your feeble mind and determination will allow the power to corrupt you! I am saving you!

Carn-...You fool...Do you honestly believe that I was ever in this for power? Have you sunk so far that all you can see is your power, and your foolish efforts to consolidate them?

Ezekiel- Enough...That's enough. I will soon have the power to defy the Gods themselves...Nobody can stop me...Not you...Not Alryn...Nobody!

Carn-...My old friend...Already you are beyond listening. I am sorry...I must end this now!





Ezekiel- Don't you see that your efforts are wasted? Why not surrender, my good friend? You could earn a good position as one of my generals.

Carn- You were lost before this point...Why did I not end this tyranny sooner!?



Ezekiel- Do not struggle, Carn. Accept your limitations. You're only human, after all...

Carn- Grr...Damn you...I'll see to it that I've accepted my limitations...After you're lying dead on this floor!

Ezekiel- I will see you destroyed with my display of magic! Nobody will ever oppose me!



(Vrruuummm)

Ezekiel- Die!

Carn- It's for the future that I strike you down, Ezekiel. But know this; there is always redemption!



(VRRRUUUMMMM)

Carn- For the future!

Ezekiel- My powers will prevail!



(VRRRUUUU-WHOOOOOSH) (Shhhhink)



Ezekiel- ....

Carn- ....



Ezekiel- ....

Carn- ....


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~Prologue Two: Conflictual Interests






?- ...How can I justify what I've done? What I've made my life become? ...I cannot. No, I-

(Crreeeaaakkk)



?- Hm?

??- I hope that I am not interrupting anything?

?- No, good Bishop. Tell me, what is it that you need?

Bishop- Your name was Jaden, was it not?

Jaden- Yes, Father.

Bishop- Tell me...what is your reason for being here? Surely you did not travel for thousands of miles, as it looks by the way you ended up here, just to pray?



Jaden-...My life...and my history is...private. I would not like to discuss my past unless necessary.

Bishop- Forgive me, it was not my intention to pry. Though...I must know, for the safety of myself and my charges; you appear to be armed. Worse, your sword has been deeply stained with blood, as if it's been used many times, with success.

Jaden- .....

Bishop- ...are you here to harm us? Or do you come in peace?



Jaden- ...unless you prove my otherwise, I have no quarrel with you, Father, or your pupils.

Bishop- That is good news, indeed. Is there anything this lowly Father can aid you in?

Jaden- No...I do not believe so.

Bishop- Very well. I will leave you you're privacy, now. Thank you.

Jaden-...you're welcome.



(Crreeeaaakkk)



Jaden-...Sigh...if only he knew. Would he be as kind?

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[Yeahh...soo...My first spriting job in a while...I wasn't too impressed with myself, I think that with a bit more time and effort, a couple of the images could be looking a bit better. The sorcerer, Ezekiel, especially. With his collar. UGH! Yeah...so, not bad, for the story. Been cooking it up for a while, now.]

[Dath]

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Chapter One: Flee!



Bishop- In your name...I pray. Let the Abbey have sufficient supplies to last us through the harsh winter...Let us have-

(KNOCK)

Bishop- ...Enter.



Jaden-...You asked to see me, Father?

Bishop- Indeed I did. Tell me...what are your imminent plans?

Jaden- Father?



Bishop- To tell you the truth...I do not know if the Abbey is going to make it. King Brand is already threatening to shut us down unless we raise enough money to pay back all of our debts to the Manse.

Jaden- Why would the King do that to you? Isn't he a religious man?

Bishop- Bah! Religion. What does it matter to a man as high up in position as the King? I-...Ahem, well...you don't necessarily need to hear my opinions on that.



Bishop- I ask this of you, if you indeed are planning on staying for a little while. Would you help out with the Abbey, just help raising money and gathering supplies?

Jaden-...I suppose. I do need a place to stay for a little while...

Bishop- Excellent! I do think that-...I say! What is that ruckus out there?





Jaden- This was just supposed to be a simple mission...How did I end up here...? How did I end up doing the things that I've done..?





Soldier- Move, peasants!

Soldier- Out of our way! We're here on official royal business!

Soldier- You! Put up posters on the Town Bulletin. You! Report to Captain Orpheus once we've completely deployed.

Soldier- Sir, yes Sir!

Soldier- Onward, ho!



Soldier- Captain Orpheus! The villagers have yet to offer resistance, yet nobody seems to have seem the traitor.

Orpheus- Indeed? Well...perhaps they just need a bit of persuading...Come back as soon as you've captured the traitor, Jaden Tierce.

Soldier- Right away, Sir!



Orpheus- Come out, come out wherever you are...



Bishop- Wha..! What is this? I must warn Jaden!



Jaden- About time you're ba-..! What's wrong, Father? You look amiss.

Bishop- Soldiers! From the Aurynian Empire!

Jaden-...So they're here?

Bishop- Yes! And they say that you betrayed them, and betrayed the King. King Brand!?

Jaden-...it's true.

Bishop- Wha...!

Jaden- They would not allow me to leave. So...I killed my battalion. The blood on my blade....The blood that is now encrusted on my conscious...is theirs.

Bishop- How...When...I...-! The soldiers! They're coming! Quick, hide in that cupboard down there!

Jaden- Wha...! Why would you-!

Bishop- There's no time!



Soldier- I heard voices! Who were you talking to?

Bishop- Hm? Soldiers? What are you guys doing in Triar?

Soldier- We're looking for a rogue by the name of Jaden Tierce. Seen him?

Bishop- No...I don't believe so, good soldier. Perhaps the village square would be more beneficial to your search?

Soldier- Perhaps. However, I'm under orders to search the premises.

Bishop- Ah...then might I suggest starting in the personal chambers? That would seem the most plausible position to hide in, in my eyes, at least.

Soldier- Yes...very well.



Bishop-...quick! Through the Mess Hall is a slight crack in the wall. With a little bit of...persuasion, you can hop out the wall, right under their noses! Go now!

Jaden-....thank you, Father. For all the kindness you have shown me...

Bishop- No time! Go!



Jaden-....ah! That...hurt. That was quite a fall...Who...who is that?



Jaden-...who are you?

?- Grad. Are you Jaden?

Jaden- Depends on your allegiance.

Grad- I'm no ally to the Aurynian Empire, if that's what you mean.

Jaden- Very well. Yes, I am Jaden. What are you doing here?

Grad- Bishop Ceorn asked me to escort you to a nearby town. I am the village's blacksmith and weapon master; he felt that coming with me would be a bit safer than just by yourself.

Jaden- Yes, I'm sure it would be. Thank you.

Grad- S'no problem. Let's go.

Jaden- Alright.

Soldier- Hey...I think I see someone!

Jaden-...quickly.





Jaden- I'll come back, Father. I will.





Orpheus- Hmph. Flee...like a coward, Jaden. Go...



Soldier- Sir! Should we follow them?

Orpheus- Have a scouting party follow them and report their positions. Make sure that they are aware that they are not to be seen or engage the enemy, unless ordered to otherwise. Am I clear on this?

Soldier- Yes sir. Right away, sir.



Orpheus- Finally....the end is nigh...And peace will return.

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[Dath]

Chapter 2; Ill Fortune

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Grad- There...we've reached Aezon.

Jaden- And yet no soldiers barring the way to the village? That seems...odd. Wouldn't you say?

Grad- I don't know. I know that we would have been caught by now, if they had, so I am grateful that they did not.

Jaden- I suppose so, and yet...I can't dispel this sense of unease.

Grad- Perhaps it's not what has happened, but what had happened?

Jaden- .....

Grad- If you wish not to talk about it, you don't-

Jaden- Later. If we both survive this, I swear I will tell you.

Grad- ...M'kay.



Grad- Alright, well, if you wish, the town is right there, we can enter at any-!

Jaden- Don't make another move, unless you want to die.

Grad-...What!?

Jaden- Look into the village. It's swarming with soldiers. That's where they all went to.

Grad- ...what would call all the soldiers from their posts?

Jaden- I don't know; I'm just relieved that they did.



Grad- Well, the next town isn't that far off. Shall we keep moving.

Jaden- Yes. Let's keep going.

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??- Well...that was dull. Not a good fight in there.



Soldier- You there! Gladiator! Have you seen or heard from a man by the name of Jaden Tierce?

??- J...Jaden? No, I apologize.

Soldier- No worries.



??- Jaden, what have you gotten yourself into this time? Well...if the soldiers looking around for him, he has to be nearby.

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Grad- Well, let's go-

??- Hold! Jaden Tierce?

Jaden-...Damn!



Jaden- I hope you've enjoyed your life-! Leon!?

Leon- Yeah... In the name of the King's royal backside, what have you been doing?!

Jaden- Ehehe...It's a long story. Are you coming?

Grad- I take it he's a friend of yours?

Jaden- Yes, apologies. Grad, this is Leon, Leon, this is Grad.

Leon- It's a pleasure. You bet I'm coming along! This sounds way more exciting than killing off weak so-called "gladiators" at the arena.



Jaden- Well, come on then. We have to keep moving. I'll fill you in on the way.

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???- Has there been any success?

Soldier- No, my liege. Jaden Tierce avoids us the way a-

???- Enough. You are dismissed.

Soldier- ...yes, King Brand.



Brand- ...well? Your report?



?- My lord, the soldier was telling the truth. Not only has Tierce avoided us, he salvaged a number of Imperial supplies from his fellow soldiers when he slew them, and...

Brand- ...speak, Carlisle.

Carlisle- He took the Imperial Doctrine.

Brand- ....so General Daeroin fell in the battle?

Carlisle- I'm afraid so, sire.



Brand- ....bring Tierce to me. Bring him to me NOW!!

Carlisle- Yes, right away, my lord.

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Grad- Well...we've gone far enough for one day. Let us now take a break.

Jaden- ...if you think we can afford the time, then by all means.

Leon- Are you SERIOUS!? You killed your entire battalion? Are you INSANE!? Even though you had the top secre-

Jaden- ....later.

Leon- ....right. Tell me...If we were in Aezon, did we leave to the east, or west?

Grad- ...the the west, why?

Leon- Are you insane! You see that castle up there? That's the IMPERIAL CASTLE!



Jaden- What!? That's not...wait....he's right. Did you know of this, Grad?

Grad- ...I did not. We should move, they might have already spotted us!

Jaden- It's too late...they've already sent a preliminary team out. I can see them ahead.



Leon- Our only choice is to leave the way we did, and try to outrun-!

??- I'm afraid it's far too late for that.



Jaden- ....Orpheus...DAMN IT!

Orpheus- Calm down, old friend. After all...it's "just what's right," huh?

Jaden- Orpheus...Let us go. You know that-



Leon- Jaden...the Imperial preliminary party is here.

Jaden- ....damn it.



Carlisle- I did not expect this trap to actually work. Well done, Captain.

Orpheus- Thank you, sir.

Carlisle- Now...I don't believe that we all know each other. I'm General Carlisle Benovial, of the Imperial Army.

Jaden- ....General.

Grad- Leon! That's General Carlisle!? He's rumored to be one of the best swordfighters in the world!

Leon- Yeah...and Jaden's gotten on his nerves, even when he was in the Army. Things can't be too good when he's called out...



Carlisle- You three will come with me. Now. Orpheus, make sure none of them make a break for it. Not that they would make it very far...

Orpheus- Right away, sir.

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