[IC] Revolt

Endalausir Forest - Eleven village <Skari>

Skari saw that she was right. It didn't move him at all. It had moved the people around the place here tough. That was her real goal anyway. Now he would need to leave too. "Well, I guess you can see who they believe. We are not oppressing the people. Instead it is people like you that are oppressing us. We have a goal to unite this land. We strive to get rid of thieves and murders like yourself. Besides, what do you even mean that we will harm some sort of girl? We are after you because you are a thief and a murderer. But very well, I will make sure they get your message. In the meantime you should get as far away from this place as possible" she said. She didn't really know why she said that last part tough. Maybe she felt sorry for him. It didn't matter much anyway. She met up with the agents that she had ordered to get the hovercraft and quickly headed back to Mattúr.

While on her way she opened up her phone and called back to Mattúr. "How did it go? Do you have the person? You sent a signal that you entered combat, where there many casualties?" the man on the other side of the line asked. I sounded like he thought something had gone terrible wrong. He didn't know what tough.

"It went bad. We don't have the person and yes we were forced to attack" she said with a slight pause at the end. It didn't sound like she was done talking, she was just sad about what she had to say. "As for the casulties, everyone died except me and two other" she said with a sad voice.

"Oh, I see. So this person is more powerful than we had anticipated. I hope this does not mean that you give up" he said. He clearly shared her grief over the loss of the agents. At the same time it sounded like he was excited. As if he was waiting for something.

"No, this is not the end. I request permission to bring a military squad to a search tonight. Could you order permission to enter as soon as we finish this talk?" she said with a frim voice. She knew that if she did not do this mission, it would have consequences. That was why she was doing it and that was why she intended to keep on going.

"You have permission to take a military squad with you. As for permission to enter again, I'll work on it. Well I guess that is all? We'll see each other when you get back" he said as he hing up.

Outside Azeruk's House - Endalausir Forest - 3:56 AM

After two hours of walking through the forest, Azeruk finally returned home. Of course, he had a lot of thinking to do. After all, he was asked to go on this trip to wherever, possibly far from home. Azeruk didn't like the idea of leaving for so long, but he felt obligated to follow Reagan and Sidna. Azeruk gave a light grunt as he wrestled with the thought and entered his home.




Outside Azeruk's House - Endalausir Forest - 3:56 AM

To be honest, he was torn between his peaceful life here and the possibility of what was out there, beyond the forest. Just what would he do? After a couple of minutes, Azeruk prepared his late lunch consisting of a couple sandwiches and sat down at his dining room table, still deep in thought. Azeruk had never really left his home and had usually kept to himself, ever since his run-in with the bandits, back when they killed his mother and father. Yes, the bandits still attacked every once in a while, but he had weakened them significantly, all on his own. It made Azeruk think about why he was so reluctant to go. The townsfolk knew about him, about the tragic death of his parents and how this lone boy was now essentially a hermit. To be honest, the entire situation left a bitter taste in his mouth and made him wonder how exactly the townspeople of Skoger viewed him. Perhaps they felt pity for him that he was alone, or perhaps they thought he was a monster for mercilessly killing countless bandits in his self-contrived quest for vengeance. Then again, people had their opinions. Perhaps the reason why he didn't want to leave was because the bandits were still alive. As long as they were alive, he would have this empty pit in his chest, this void, one that he tried to fill by working. At least working took his mind off of it, at least for a while.

Of course, when it was time to put away the tools of his trade and go to sleep, it was almost as if he would relive the countless battles he had against those who took everything away from him. To be honest, Azeruk didn't feel sorry for himself, but he did feel hollow, depressed about his entire situation. He knew there was something wrong with him, but there was little he could do to remedy that. Perhaps that's why he didn't feel like going with Reagan and Sidna. Azeruk was perfectly happy working away in his home, creating complex weapons and durable armor for those who were willing to pay. As long as he had that, he would be perfectly fine. With that in mind, Azeruk finished his late lunch and exited his house, ready to go to the crafting shed and continue his work.

Endalausir Forest - Eleven village

Revere stood rooted to where he was, nary moving a single muscle. He stared off in the direction of where Skari had left for what seemed to be an eternity before finally collapsing. He used his drawn sabre to prop himself up as he fell to his knees. His breathing was hard as exhaustion poured over him. He didn't dare show weakness, his will kept such a thing in check. But his will gave in and he found himself staring at his hand, that was also helping to hold up his weary body, pressed against the stone road; He was questioning his own resolve.
The people that were there earlier...he ignored them. He had no energy left to care. He gasped in air. His hand clenched and started to form a fist while the other on the hilt of one of his swords strained.
"Why...Why has it...."

Suddenly he felt someone embrace him. He could tell by a quick glance it was Selene. She had ran out of her hiding place to him. The broken clock was still in her hands.
"I'm sorry....Sel....Selene....I...."

***
A few months ago...

It seemed a simple enough job...
I never would have thought....
The one that I was told to find....my target...this girl...
...Before that day, I would have never seen myself trying everything I could to keep her safe.
After the ones sent with me to retrieve her...
....after they killed her parents.
I changed then and there.
Selene...this girl that SYSTEM wanted...
I heard her screams.
I saw what she was capable of.
The two other SYSTEM Agents that I was working with.
Frozen in time.
I saw her face. Her terrified face.
She looked right into me....my soul.
I looked from her, to the two frozen in a sphere of trapped time...
I was afraid.
I was afraid of the girl.
That scarred little girl.
I was horrified.
And I did something that I told myself that, as a mercenary, I would never do.
I killed the two SYSTEM Agents.
I betrayed them.
For the girl's safety.
In cold blood.
For the safety of this young Time Mage...
I turned into the keeper of the gates of hell that day.
For the child.
She became my ward.
I her guardian.
I put myself between SYSTEM and her.
That terrified little girl.
And I shall not falter.
Was I right to kill for her safety?
Would SYSTEM do the same?
How far would they go for her?
To get their hands on a Time mage...
I do not believe in chance meetings. I have become paranoid.
If it bears the mark of SYSTEM...I assume immediately they are there for the girl.
They say they do not know.
I will never believe....
They might not know.
But their superiors...
They Know...
And they are pawns.
And pawns that are not taken early in the game...
Can become so much more.
A preemptive strike.
Pluck out the weeds before they grow.
Leave some alive to spread rumors.
Play a dangerous game...
A wounded animal is the most dangerous to corner.
Do I dare play this game?
Yes.
I Dare.
And I dare SYSTEM to take this girl away from me.
For I will do all in my power to keep her safe.
I willingly sacrifice myself for her safety.

My life is forfeit.
I sacrifice all that I am,
To ensure her everlasting protection.

Mattúr - 10 Hours later <Skari>

After a few hours of preparing, Skari was finally ready to depart towards the forest. During this time she had been granted permission to go into Endalausir Forest. She had also gotten clearance to use military forces. These were much more suited for battle than a normal SYSTEM agents. They were also using advanced technology in order to confuse their enemies as most people didn't have any knowledge about SYSTEM weapons. Now she all that remained was to make a plan to catch him. Although they had originally wanted him alive, they didn't care anymore. They had also been able to gather a little information about him as he had been working as a mercenary for them before.

Now they were cruising trough the air trying to find the man they were looking for. Luckily they had lot's of gadgets to find a persons location. Withing about 30 minutes they had his location. Apparently he was passing by on one of the sides of Skógur. If they were fast enough they could maybe reach him before he would get too close to the town. This was what they went for. Withing minutes they were hovering over his location.

Endalausir Forest - Near Skógur
3 hours prior

"Where are we going?"
"West. To Lake Thoka."
"Why are we going there?"
Revere paused for a moment. "Because there is possibly something there that can help us."
"How can it help us?" Selene continued her questioning.
"I'm not too certain how...I just know it can."
"That's not a very good reason..."
"I know, but it's our only hope..."
"I don't think that lady is going to leave us alone..."
"She better. Or else it's her head."
"Why do you have to kill them?"
"Because...It's the only way I know how to get a point across."
"I don't think it is...I think it's just making them angrier."
"I hope so. Because then they'll make mistakes."
"Is that really a good idea?"
"Not really. But my hope is that if I kill enough of them that anger will turn to fear. When the bodies pile up, then their will shall falter. No man would willingly throw his life away. Men are animals. They will learn to fear me. Or else lose their lives. I spill blood now, and I guarantee your safety."
"How many would you have to kill?"
"As many as it takes. Be it hundreds or billions, I will make them know fear."
Selene went quiet for a moment. She seemed restless at the thought of her freedom being paid for in blood.

Present
Selene was sleeping as Revere stood watch. They found a niche under a tree and boulder and well hidden. The sound of the hovercars made Revere alert. He woke selene and told her to be quiet. He then carefully glanced out of the niche, still concealed from sight.

Endalausir Forest - Near Skógur <Skari>

They knew where he was. They couldn't see him from the hover crafts, but they had other means to see him. After monitoring him for a while, they began shining giant flashlights towards him. Now he could no longer hide in the shadows as easily. Now they were just hoping that they would be able to end this as quick as possible. Of course that was most likely not the case. In a way tough, this was a very lucky moment for SYSTEM. By taking out this outlaw like this, it would strengthen their bond with the people of the forest.

Skari was looking down at Revere, this time they would not loose. She grabbed a microphone ad began talking. For normal people, it would seem like as if she was using some sort of sound magic to enhance her voice and strengthen it. "This is you last chance to give up and stop this before it gets any worse for you. We know who you are, we have data on you, we know all of your weak spots. So what will it be? Will you aknowledge that what you did was wrong and come with us, or do we have to take you by force?"

Endalausir Forest - Near Skógur

When she finished speaking, the gravity around her hover car reversed in one half of the car, causing it to flip.
Revere initially kept silent as he continued to remain out of site in the crevice. He could hold this position.
"What happened to our deal? SYSTEM lied again? Not surprising. Unlike you, I am true to my word. I warned you. And you did not listen. And thus, your lives are forfeit."

Endalausir Forest - Near Skógur <Spira>

As he spoke, one of the hovercrafts flipped around. No one the tha hovercraft fell down however. This time they had come prepared. This gravity magic was something simple to deal with. They just had a few individuals in the hovercraft user their magic to fasten them to the hovercraft. This way the hovercraft had it's own gravity. Of course, this wasn't the only thing that kept them from falling out. They also had a lot of technology that was helping them.

"Our deal? Executed just as you said. I was told to tell the higher ups that you would not let harm come to the girl. I did. They chose to ignore it and send more troops after you. In fact I think you even angered them a little. Now let's get over with this. I want to go back to Máttur with a well done job. Prepare mana cannons and fire" Spira said. In a way it sounded like she was having fun telling him about what had happened. A few seconds later a few big cannons fired giant bolts of mana at Revere's location. At the same time, all the hovercrafts had positioned themselves around Revere in a arc. When the fired the cannons, a special net going between the hovercrafts was also made, preventing escape.

Endalausir Forest - Near Skógur

When the Mana bolts struck the area, the scream of a young girl could be heard.
Revere went back in the niche and used himself to shield Selene.
"Lying Dastards!"

To him the net was a double edged sword for him. It would prevent his escape...
but now they need to go in to it to get to him.
A cage match where he held the advantage by sheer skill and abilities.

Endalausir Forest - Near Skógur <Spira>

The mana cannons never hit Revere's location. Instead they hit a little bit in font of him, creating explosions wherever they hit. Soon enough, the forest closest to Revere was burning. He would have no choice but to escape. Staying in the same place would be suicide. At the same time, SYSTEM also followed from behind. Of course they could fix the forest after they were done with with Revere. That was the goal now, and they were set on completing it.