Not Just The New Guard

A new day, A new life

Do you ever wish for a do over? A fresh start, a new life? Is it fair that everything changes yet once we do something we can't change the past? It haunts me, the past, so I'm changing. And nothing is going to stop me.
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Once, many-a-moon ago, through forests and mountains, lakes and valleys, there stood the proud kingdom of Ginnastone. A wealthy, yet modest place where the poor are never starving and the rich are never aloof. Mostly.
Here the music of Ginna echoed throughout the cobbled streets, singing joyful tunes and happy melodies. The streets are full of colourful flowers and cherry blossoms decorated with banners and ribbons to celebrate the occasion. Cheers pour out of humble cottage windows and smiles grace the faces of people weaving their way through the town's market place. The whole kingdom is filled with the smell of sweet spices and freshly baked bread, all of the finest from across the land.
This years annual festival of the Dancing Stars was going to be perfect as far as anyone could see. This year, the lord himself was going to give away a shard of one of the Dancing Stars to whoever he decides; rumours also state that Lord Barako will also grant any wish within his power, be it fame or riches. It has been a while since anyone has seen the Lord step foot out of his castle and nobody knows why, but they are all ready to meet the Lord and thank him for this kingdoms success.

The sunset paints a blissful shade of orange upon the market as the triple sun fades below the horizon casting silhouettes and shadows among the crowds of people. They all stand gathered in the town square awaiting their guardian to announce the start of the Dancing Stars festival.
After a while, the massive oak doors slowly swings open to reveal three figures. The one in the middle is a small, yet bulky man with a black beard laced with white-grey hairs. He stands straight with practiced posture showing some pride and wealth. He's adorned in a tight white tunic and chainmail armour thats only just visible in patches. Decorated with a scarlet ruby on a golden chain and many bands of silver and gold wrap around his stocky fingers. His golden laced white cape flailing behind him. The lord Barako.
By his sides are guards, standing poised and ready to attack and defend on que. The one on his left looks slightly nervous, his short structure and attractive features are tense and his pale hazel eyes are streaked with concern. His sandy blonde hair mildly whips around in the slight breeze, armour grinding together as he moves. The other guard, to the lord's right, stood taller, prouder and dressed like a warrior. His ebony hair covers his left eye, his dull chocolate orbs looks lifeless among the orange rays of light. His strong features show little emotion bar the crooked smirked that hung upon his face that had most of the dames weak at the knees.
All was silent. The crowd waited patiently for the lord to speak. And he spoke in a loud rough voice,"people of Ginnastone. We are here to celebrate the night the stars dance for us, and the day where we will dance with them." A roar of cheer erupted from the crowd at the thought of the festive dancing to come. The lord silently raised his hand to silence them, then as the noise slowed to a whisper he began again. "This year, I lord Barako, hold forth the star of Cressintine and will present it not only to the one of my choice, but to the future lord of Ginnastone!" He half yelled as he held up a black crystal that he slipped out of his pocket. The crowd once again erupted with joy, for their new lord would be announced and trusted with the lives of the village. This truly would be a momentous occasion.

The ebony haired guard out of reflects, held tighter to his sword, for his rust coloured eyes were locked onto the unseen face of the only person in the crowd not celebrating, a hooded figure leaned against the nearest building wall, arms crossed against their chest and although he could not see their eyes, he was sure that they were looking straight back at him. His smirk had disappeared now and his aura around him had changed, the once cocky guard was agitated and furious. The other guard notice this change and gave him a concerned look, it went unnoticed though as his eyes stayed glued to the stranger. The fear of the figure disappearing into the crowd laced his forehead with concentration.
The lord started to speak again but it was all background noise to the guard, the lord's normally booming voice sounded muffled and distant. Though he could pick out details like the lord was telling another war story by the pride and smugness dripping off him. This one in particular has been told many times before as the crowd apply fake smiles to their faces, must be the battle for volten valley.

That second he realised that he'd lost concentration he stares back at the place searching for the shadowy figure, only to find that they hadn't moved an inch. The sole difference was a smile that now clung to the stranger's face as if they had wanted to be seen as a threat. Slowly, as though not to draw to much attention, the cloaked figure unfolded their arms and waved at the guard; smile growing as his eyes glared at the person's hidden face.
The movement allowed him to see more of the stranger, they wore a fitting, black chest plate decorated with silver trims along with grey leggings and brown knee high boots. Although he did not wear traditional guard uniform, it was clear that he was not from around here. As he resumed his first position, his dark cloak hid his body once more.
Then out of nowhere a night bird flew down only to land on the stranger's shoulder, its long tail feathers draping over their back and the birds small head let's out a quiet carr to grab the stranger's attention as if it hadn't claimed it the moment it landed. It look different to the normal night birds that came out at dusk but it was impossible to tell how.
The figure whispered something and the bird flew off, as if it were a trained mutt. A smirk still remained on the stranger's face, but it all change too quickly. The crowd erupted in cheer creating a cloak of chaos forcing the guard to take his eyes off the stranger once more. The figure disappeared from the wall into the shadows that hid him well. In a second the dark haired guard had looked over the whole crowd in search. He mentally kicked himself and looked at the other guard who seemed cheerful and more relaxed. Feeling the pair of eyes on him he turned and gave a concerned look to which he replied with a "look out" sign. The blonde simply nodded and looked away again as the crowd hushed. "Before I start the festival I will announce the new lord" boomed lord Barako "it is no doubt, that the new lord must be strong and smart, but I believe in you, my people, and someone who can speak for the people is a wise and strong man even without nobility. So I, Lord Barako, present the star of Cressintine to...", but he never got to finish.

Suddenly a scream erupted from the crowd as a woman stood pointing at the sky crying, the Hellion's are coming! The two guards drew their swords and looked to where the women was pointing, only to see five men dressed in black with twisted faces of mutts and karti's along with any other beast you could name. Although each face had the same smile printed upon their features, a wide and wicked grin worthy of a clown from depths of üllta itself. As they floated down, one spoke in a low voice that would make you shiver in fear. "Sorry to interrupt this... sickeningly happy night but I do believe you have something of ours..." he spoke slowly creating pauses for effect as he gestured towards the lump of rock that the lord was gripping tightly. "This stone has been the property of Ginnastone for millenniums, don't think you can float in and take it, Hellion!" Lord Barako hollered. Their smiles, if possible, grew wider. "Listen, we just want what's ours and I'm sure we won't kill to many people to destroy your little... hovel you call a town." Panic raced through the square, people started to hold their loved ones, others were frozen stiff. The blonde haired guard was the one to speak the words no one wanted to say, "and if we refuse?". " the setting sun will not be the only thing red" the demon snarled. The group now hovered in front of the three, eyeing each other up. A boney black hand reached out to collect the black gem but it stayed in the grip of the lord as he glared at the leader. The ebony haired guard looked quickly at the crowd in search for the hooded stranger but saw no hint of him ever existing. The black clad monsters grew impatient and started floating closer, looking down at the three men. " give it to us... or your death will be a long and painful one" a demon whispered to the lord, but he only held on tighter to the star. The hellions extended palm flipped and reach out to snatch it away, it's sharp claws inches from the rock.

A black blur erupted from the left and rushed right through the hellions arm, severing it in two. The demon let out a terrific screech and hurled backwards in pain, its hand lay before it squirming as if still alive. The blonde guard stood on it for good measure. The demon now withering in pain looked up at its comrades as they hurd around him. Then a sense of deja vu struck the dark haired guard as a black night bird flew down and picked up the crushed limb, flying of to the right. It dropped the hand at the feet of the figure the once again perched on the stranger's shoulder. He picked up the hand disturbing the bird momentarily as he turned it in his hand and waved it as if it were his own ligament. " is that the person I'm meant to look out for Ezekiel," said the blonde. "Uh huh..." the ebony haired guard replied. "...Found him..."