Tale of the Twilight Warriors

Chapter 21: Back To Iron

Shadow and Gabriel moved swiftly towards their next destination, as it seemed they were each headed towards somewhat large cities, the world didn't seem to ever get brighter then dusk, even when the oddly dim sun was out during the day. The air, stagnant, that of a empty cellar unadventured for centuries, the ground wasn't barren as the twilight reals were but it lacked the origional lush life that the twilight realm had once held so graciously.

Shadow had reached his destination by the next sun rise, however Gabriel had reached it before the moon had even set, this world was new to the both of them, the roads were made of gravel and pebbles or rough dirt as it seemed it actually rained here mud reside on the grass on the sides of the earth. Shadow and Gabriel both had lost a portion of their humanity and memory upon reaching this world of darkness, the air even had a tainted feeling about it. Shadow approached a child to ask a question, it's eyes were black and the aura around it was as dark as obsidian, the child couldn't answer his question instead it ran away. Gabriel hadn't had much luck otherwise he had managed to ask a few questions like "were is a blacksmith" and "Have you seen a man with long hair, such as mine but only taller?" None of them gave him a straight answer.

The moon and sun set and raised at abnormal times often the moon was raising in the sky before the sun had set oddly enough, Shadow and Gabriel finally found a place to take rest in the realm of hatred and malice, what would they encounter in this demonic realm?

Upon awaking, Shadow moved for the center of the city only to be stuck in the bustling market place, he didn't mind though he sort of missed the maddening chaos of people bustling as he haden't seen his home in ages. The blacksmithery was open, he had given the blacksmith an order for the best armor he could get, however based on the blacksmitery motto "Iron and under for non locals" Shadow could only purchase Iron armor.

The deed, cost everything he had accumulated on his walk, he found a small satchel on the road towards were his destination was, it contained 180 gold pieces, just enough for the armor.

Gabriel approached the blacksmithery late day after he awoke, he also purchased iron armor not because the smith wouldn't sell him any better, but Gabriel was only carrieng 150 gold pieces in his pocket.

They each recieved their armors and moved onwards, they asked directions to the largest city in the land one man told Gabriel, "South east" the other Told Shadow "North West".

Their adventure began, the bandits were horrible on the way towards the city, both of the boys met with three caravan raider packs, they each contained around 20 people but on the way they accumulated the weaponry of their trade and preferance.

Their traveling was done at night so they didn't get to see any scenory, both had the idea that they could stop any sort of evil doings if they had come across it. Finally, they both aquired access to the largest city in the lands the city of bahamuun, a large city surrounded by stone walls, half poverty half wealthy and the castle made of marble and stone a truly beautiful place yet as it seemed no real middle class exsisted.

Shadow and Gabriel bumped into eachother in the town square and glared at eachother intensly, angry at the fact that honestly neither were watching were they were going and thus the sword fight began two strangers to eachother clashed blade and shield, rapidly they fought with great valor and might yet neither could land a hit on the other.

"You remind me of someone" Gabriel chuckled as he spat on the ground.

"And as do you." Shadow chuckled back.

The royal guard came and apprehended Shadow and Gabriel two soldiers wasn't enough clearly as half way to the dungeon they both broke out of their grasp and took them out, but an entire flank managed to bring them down.

As they sat, in cells next to eachother they bantered and bickered about how they both lost their memories, and this world was so new to them they didn't know what was going on or why they were there.

As they laughed the general of the bahamuun army stepped in, "So you two idiots were tearing the city apart fighting?" he glared at Shadow and Gabriel.

"Nah, we didn't land a hit on anyone but ourselves."

"Lies!" "Half the poverty line is gone!" Glaring at Shadow and Gabriel the general changed his expression quickly.

"You two are to fight in the arena to attone for your crimes, whoever is the victor claims their match against me, then they get their freedom be it death or true freedom!"

"Now, that means you'll also have to fight fifty other total people, but that shouldn't be a problem for anyone like you monsterous people now should it?"

The general smiled.

"Ah well, we'll win and then kill you and escape this place, we still have a match to finish." Shadow grinned.

"yeah" Gabriel bluntly replied.

"Well, lets go, you've got fifteen minuets to prepare, pick your gear, and then prepare yourself for the arena!" the general smiled though his eyes were they were aimed was disclosed by the mask he wore.

Shadow and Gabriel were drug from the cells they were just recently tossed into through corridores and tunnels around and under the castle to the arena that seemingly resided four hours away, yet it may have just been the expancive tunnel system they had to walk through.

Shadow and Gabriel geared up, and the announced fights were prepared, the other contenstents readied up, guards with long spears, some archers and some swordsman stood watching over the people readieng themselfs to be slaughtered. One man, picked up a staff and some robes, and stood on the platform chuckling as he was ready.

One, selected six weapons and no armor and he was ready.

The others, grabbed swords, knives, Daggers, Bows, Staves, and rods, everything they could to win and rushed off.

Shadow grabbed some light armor, a katana and a defender, Gabriel heavier armor a shield and a helix blade.

One man, selected nothing and stepped onto  the plate bare with only tattered rags on his body that served as pants.

The sun was high in the sky, though it was still quite dimm out, they were standing on the platform awaiting the contestants, finally the announcer cried out "ROUND ONE!"