Strike

Chapter 5: Planning Takes Awhile

So I recently found out that I can write my story on the COMPUTER! That means better writing, longer chapters, and faster production. Hope you enjoy chapter 5!

"I think I know a way to get to Orochi without wasting thousands of innocents." Said the ecstatic stranger. The man seemed to be in his late 20's early 30's, he wore a large blue tunic with silver plated armor covering his chest and legs. In his left hand was a long yellow lance with many markings and rings.

The leader of the encampment turned quickly to face the stranger, she looked coldly into his eyes and then nodded, as to improve of his motive. "Then please, do tell us what your plan is to stop a GIANT FEROCIOUS DEMON." Exclaimed the leader.

"Oh, Audrey, you know how I plan to do it. You just can't accept it, can you?" the leader stopped and did a double take on the stranger. "What I KNOW is that its completely insane, and never call me that again, Andric."

Zephr began seeing a connection to the two, both names began with an "A" and the both meant brave, not to mention the way they speak to one- another. Suddenly he blurted out "Are you two siblings?!"  "What?'' Replied the leader, "*Sigh* Unfortunately, yes. Although we were raised in different tribes, so he is just coming to visit for a while. RIGHT?!"

"BACK to the topic at hand, we can easily distract the beast with smoke bombs and flash bangs. Then get behind him and strike the sigil on his back." stated Andric. "However, much easier said than done," replied Ezri. "Even if we distract one of his heads, we have to be aware of the seven other heads, 14 pairs of claws, and four tails."

The ideas started gushing from everyone's mouths, very many included a distraction since fighting him head-on was suicide. Suddenly the door burst open and a young boy in blue garb collapsed onto the ground bleeding and panting. Then a dark shadowy figure appeared behind him, it was Vex and a boy he recognized from his childhood. He was the keeper of Aquarius, despite the fact he had no experience with fighting. His brother was always there it protect him, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Credell!" Yelled Zephr. "What happened? Are you okay? Where is your brother?" The boy didn't answer, he had passed out as soon as he fell to the ground.

"Somebody get a medic!'' motioned Audrey. But Vex stood over him and spread his hands over the gash in his back. Suddenly a green light enveloped the boy and the blood and gashes vanished. "I didn't wake him up, but he should be fine as long as he does't exert himself too much." Mumbled Vex. Then Zephr walked over to Vex and said, "I didn't know you could heal people, I thought you just murdered and destroyed." The shadowy man replied with a look that said So did I.

Several hours had passed and the boy awoke with a jolt. "It's okay Credell, your safe. You don't have to be afraid anymore." Whispered Zephr. "LIAR!" Screamed the boy. "I saw the beast, I know what it did to my brother and my tribe, I know i'm the only survivor, you can't deceive me any more you wretch!" He began lashing his arms through the air in attempt to hurt Zephr. But several nurses restrained him. Then gave him a shot in the arm, and he fell back into comatose.

Zephr never felt this hurt before. Wretch? What did I do to deserve this? he thought. But the answer was obvious as he looked out the window over the red sky. He had started this, not anyone else. He had let the host go, and now safety was nothing but a foolish ideal. The nurses excused themselves and Ezri walked into the room.

"So I heard what happened." said Ezri. "Poor boy, he must be traumatized. I know I would be, if anything happened to the ca-" Zephr stopped her with a shush. "You won't have to worry about that, I'll make sure nothing happens to the camp or you." He replied with a blush. 'Even if it means putting my life on the line, I will protect you.... AT LEAST UNTIL THIS IS OVER....." The door to the room creaked and a head popped in. " Oh my god, Audrey you were right, they are adorable together!" Yelled Andric. "Yea, they are pretty cute" replied a shadow in the corner. Zephr looked over to see it was Vex. "Shut up you two!" Boomed Audrey. " You blew our cover you idiots! I wanted to see if they hugged or something!" Moaned Credell. "WH-WHAT?!?!??!?! You were spying on us?!" Screamed Zephr. Ezri didn't say anything, she just walked over to the group of eavesdroppers and bashed their heads with a book. Vex and Andric fell to the ground with a loud thud. Audrey just started laughing hysterically.

With that, Zephr, Ezri, Audrey, and Andric all went to the gates of the camp. Audrey called for 50 smoke bombs and flash bangs, as well as 30 of their finest soldiers. "Tonight we rest, in the morning say goodbye to your loved-ones and prepare to leave." She motioned towards the barracks as she said that. The event had him thinking of ways to engage Orochi with minimal casualties. The only possible way was to distract him, as they had explained in the meeting. But how? How on earth could they possibly distract such a huge creature with only a few flash bangs and smoke bombs?

He began to think of ways to succeed when Credell ran from the medical house with Vex trailing behind him. "I was thinking about ways to help in my sleep, and I think I found a way! We just need to use the elements to seal him away! Easy peazy, lemon squeezy." All four of the group looked over at him in horror, was he stupid? In order to use the elements, the keeper would have to sacrifice something, whether it be their life, magic, limb, or loved-one. He knew that, as the keeper of Pyronia.....

Wait- WAIT! Zephr fell to his knees. "I forgot something, something incredibly important." He mumbled. "I.... don't have the element of fire.. anymore." The five pairs of eyes all shot his direction. Nobody spoke a word, they all just stared at him. Finally Vex spoke up, "I don't have the element of shadow anymore either. It was stolen from me by Orochi right before Ezri arrived." Now four pairs of eyes shot at them both. Nobody could believe it, the keepers had been stripped of their elements. Rendering Credell's plan useless. Finally after a long moment of silence, somebody else spoke up. " We don't have time to worry about that right now." It was Audrey. "We have a task at hand. We have to prepare for the long trek ahead of us. Now get some rest."

Welp. Over 1200 words is one night, and I did have a lot of fun writing. As always leave a comment telling me what you want me to write about! The next chapter won't come out for a little while. I'm going to take a little break so enjoy the previous chapters and READ ON!              - Cringeey_Joey