Tales Of Elementia The Astral Return

Chapter 1: The Camp of the Hybrids

"Blaze! Wake up!"
Blaze awoke with a start. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He was on his cot in his tent. Around him were his clothes, his armor, his sword, and his shield. The lantern that hung on the roof of his tent was dead, probably ran out of battery during the night. "Blaze! Come on! We gotta get ready!" Blaze swung his legs over the cot, feeling his feet against the grass. He quickly grabbed his leggings, and slipped them on over his underwear. He then grabbed his red shirt and his armor, slipping them on. He grabbed his sword and shield and walked out. "Yea, Yea, sorry sis. Bad dream." His sister, Aquamarine Ashfall, stood with her arms crossed. Her long, cyan hair blew in the wind. "Its ok. I haven't had a normal night's sleep for years." Blaze nodded. Both of them walked out into the clearing. All around were different tents. All belonging to survivors of his group. Many of them were people from the attack. Some of them even fought in the fight. Yet, there's were only a few, as many others were killed in the fight or captured. The others were kids when the attack happened, all were from six to eight. Blaze and Aqua walked through the camp. The sound of swords, spears, and multiple other weapons, clashing sounded through the camp. Over by the left, the sound of arrows wizzed through the air. This was the camp of hybrids. A majority of them were alive during the invasion, some even fought in it. The others were just kids when it happened. They were about six to nine. Now, they were teens or adults. "Everyone's awake early."
"No. You woke up late." Aqua laughed. Blaze looked at her. "What! Shit! I forgot I had practice with Roushe and Nyli!" He quickly rushed across the clearing before Aqua could speak. He passed my many other hybrids he knew by name, but not personally. The only ones who were close to him were Aqua, Roushe, and Nyli. Blaze had known Roushe since birth. He was a mute cat, who seemed to have some mutations, such as four ears, and two tails. His fur was a creamy color, with red somewhat in his hair. Blaze would go over to his house to play games back in the city. They were almost inseparable. Then there was Nyli. Nyli was known to everyone, as she was the leader, Keado's, daughter. Blaze had seen her a couple times in the city, but always stayed away due to her strict father. When the raid happened. Her and her family all made it out. Blaze became friends with her on the boat over and they became close for the next ten years. She had other friends, such as Bio, Pheramone, and Damian, but mostly hung with Blaze and Roushe. Blaze quickly rounded the corner of a tent into their training area, only to see Roushe tumble to the ground. Nyli landed and spun her glaive. Blaze looked at Nyli, somewhat mesmerized. Her orange and yellow scales glistening in the sunshine like gemstones. Her eyes were a beautiful turquoise, like the ocean shores. She brushed her yellow hair out of her face. "That's 4 to 2 Roushe. I'm winning." Roushe signed to her, saying, "Oh shut up, that time you cheated!"
"Oh no, that wasn't cheating! There are almost no rule in battle."
Roushe got up and flipped her off. She laughed, before spotting Blaze. "About time you woke up!" Roushe turned to Blaze and waved. Blaze drew his sword. "Well you know, I don't have good dreams anymore, so I actually try to sleep then." He flourished his blade. "Reasonable." She twirled her glaive in her hands, ready for an attack. Blaze quickly rushed at her, clashing his blade on hers, he swiped it to the side and stabbing at her. Nyli quickly jumped up and spread her wings, flying over him. Blaze looked up at her. "So that's what you meant by cheating, Roushe?" Nyli rolled her eyes and dived down, swinging her glaive. Blaze quickly dived out of the way, somersaulting on the grass. He drew his shield as he stood. Nyli started to dive again, but Blaze blocked. He took the chance to lock her glaive to his sword and shield. Nyli was swung down to the ground. Nyli tumbled on the ground and landed on her back. She groaned as she grabbed her arm. Blaze quickly rushed over and slid over. "Shit! Are you ok?" Nyli looked at him and smiled. "Never let your guard down!" Nyli swung her tail at Blaze's legs. He fell backwards as Nyli stood. "Hey! Foul play!" Nyli giggled. "Yea I know. I'll admit defeat today." Blaze smiled and got up. He placed his arm around her shoulders and walked over to Roushe with her. Roushe smiled and joined in. They all continue into the main area of the camp. Blaze spotted Aqua in a fight with another warrior, using her metal bow staff. She was merciless, smacking the warrior across the face with the staff. He seemed to fall over, knocked out. Blaze turned away, knowing she was doing fine. "What should we do now?" Asked Nyli.
"Patrol?" Roushe signed.
"Maybe, if Keado lets us." Nyli's smile faded. "Ok-" Blaze looked at her. "Hey. I know he's not the best to you, and we can do the talking." Nyli looked at him with appreciation. "Thanks Blaze." Blaze removed his hands from their shoulder's and walked towards the leaders cabin. There were only a couple cabins in the camp. There was the leaders cabin, where others took orders and commissions by Keado, the medical cabin, where the sick and injured were taken, and the caretakers cabin, where you ones were raised. The leader cabin was one of the taller cabins. Inside, On the first floor, it contained the meeting area. Where group meetings would be called. On the second floor was the leader and commanders room. Those being Keado, and Nyli's brother, Slash. Slash was older than Nyli by a couple months. He was Keado's first born, who had purple and black scales and sleek black hair. He wasn't the nicest, but he meant well. Blaze entered the cabin, Roushe behind him. The meeting room was full of different people. Blaze approached Keado. His red and blue scales were dull with age, and his hair was starting to gray. "Keado. Sir. May me, Roushe, and Nyli take a patrol around the boarder?" Keado turn to Blaze, glaring. "I've already sent Damian and a group on a patrol." Blaze knew who Damian was. He was a well trained warrior. A true master with a scythe. His blue and white fur, his metal chest plate, his knives, all of it told you he was a killer. He was the only one to ever beat Keado in a fight. Blaze envied him a little. Many warriors were favorites of Keado's, the top warriors being Damian, Slash, and Roren. "Let them go Keado, I'll go with to make sure everything is ok." Speak of the devil. Blaze turned to see Roren. He was a grey and purple wolf who, like Roushe, had mutations. He had two extra arms, and a scorpion tail. He was about the same height as Blaze, which was a little bit surprising considering Blaze was taller than most everyone. Keado gave a softer gaze. "Fine, take some others too." Blaze looked at Roren in some thanks. They all walked out of the cabin. Nyli quickly walked up. "So? Are we?" Blaze nodded. "Yup. However we need a few others. Roren is coming, so we just need some others." Nyli rolled her eyes. "That's my dad for you... Ok, I'll get Pheramone and Bio." Quickly, she walked off. Blaze, Roushe, and Roren remained there, completely silent. "Blaze, right?" Blaze turned to Roren and nodded. "I saw your battle with Nyli, you might have to teach me some moves sometime." Blaze sort of stuttered in surprise. "O-Oh! Sure! I don't know what you would learn from me but ok." Roren smiled at him. Nyli came back with Bio and Pheramone. Pheramone, or Phera, was like Roren and Roushe, only her mutations were a third eye and three tongues. She had a light blue with cerulean markings and hair. Meanwhile Bio was a skulldog. She had crimson, grey, and green fur all over her body except her face. Her face was bone. A canine skull, with pink freckles. Blaze looked at them both. Bio looked more excited while Phera looked more timid. "Shall we go?" Roushe signed. Blaze nodded and started to walk.

The forest seemed to sway in the wind, as the group continued to walk. It was about the middle of spring, so it was warmer and everything was starting to bloom. Blaze walked ahead of the group, Pheramone the closest behind him. She somewhat walked up next to him. "Hey." She said in her soft voice. Blaze turned to her, surprised she even wanted to talk to him. "Hey- what's up?" Pheramone stayed silent for a moment. "Nothing much. Just... life." Blaze nodded. They continued to walk in silence. "You are gonna do great things.." Blaze turned to Pheramone's sudden words. "What?"
"My third eye can sense peoples aura. I've learned purple and black means to bring corruption, yellow and white means to bring justice. But you... you glow red. I've never seen it in anyone. All I can get from it is you will do something great..." Blaze stayed speechless. He didn't know how to react. "Sorry- I didn't mean to weird you out! I-"
"Nonono, it's ok. I'm just a little confused." Pheramone seemed to look away. Blaze didn't know what to do, so he patted her on the shoulder. She looked back at him and smiled a little. Suddenly, there was a click. Blaze's senses went on high alert. "EVERYONE GET DOWN!!" Everyone ducked as a loud shot rang out. Blaze drew his sword. "Humans!" As Blaze spoke, multiple different humans rushed out surrounding them. Some had guns, some had knives, swords, and other things. Blaze quickly took the chance and charged at one. He jumped and spun, midair, and slashed at the human's neck. The human grabbed his neck as blood spewed out. Blaze turned to another and clashed his sword against his. The humans eyes were filled with hatred. Blaze flourished his sword and clashed it with the humans sword again. He quickly struck with his claws, stabbing them into the humans eyes. The human screamed, before Blaze slammed his sword into their face. A yell was heard and Blaze turned. A human was charging towards him, when his torso was cut in half. Nyli flourished her glaive. The human fell over in two. Blaze smiled at her for a second. "Blaze! Watch out!" Blaze quickly turned and dived out of the way as a human fired his pistol at Blaze. The human tried to shoot but Roren was there. He stuck him in the back with his scorpion tail and then slashed him with his swords, removing his arms. "Thanks Roren!" Blaze called. He then turned to see a big human, metal armor all over his body. Blaze flourished his sword, spinning it in his hand. He quickly charged at the human, sliding under him. The human turned and swung a mace. Blaze tried to block but it shattered his sword. The mace hit Blaze in the chest, sending him again a tree. The human slowly walked towards Blaze. Blaze tried to look around for help, but everyone was fighting other humans. Roushe was taking two on with his flails, Bio had just stabbed one in the face with her rapier, Pheramone had decapitated one with her chained blades, but none saw what was happening. Blaze gripped his ribs, feeling them broken. "Is... that all you got, fucker?" The human gritted his teeth and raised the mace. Blaze quickly moved out of the way as the mace was brought down. As the mace hit the ground, the grass started to fall. Blaze and the human had no time to react as the ground turned into a hole. Blaze felt himself falling. "BLAZE!!!!" Nyli's voice seemed to echo through this sinkhole. Blaze felt himself connected with the side of the cave, sliding against it. Rocks, roots, and dirt cut up his arms, back, and chest. Blaze gritted his teeth in pain, feeling blood start to drip from the wounds. Everything around him was dark. The humans screams eventually ended with a sickening crunch of metal and bones. Soon enough, Blaze felt himself hit a hard, stone floor. He felt many more of his bones break. He  screamed in agony, slowly loosing consciousness. Was this it? Was this where he was gonna die? Blaze slowly felt his vision cloud. Then, everything went black.