The End of a Beginning: The Beginning of an End

[Retane]

His hollowed sockets looked on, no emotion showing on the visage of the demonic figure. Where his face should be, there appeared to be only bone. Around it was a mixture of black fire and grey smoke,neither of which strayed beyond the near proximity of the skeletal cranium. He would have looked like the Grimm Reaper, however he wasn't human and his black cowl had been blown off from the pressure of the energy around him.

The fire didn't burn him, no. It wasn't actually real flame, but rather it was a part of him. It was a release and symbiosis of his transcendence of power.

Across from him, under the scrutiny of pupiless eyes, hung another. The figure was half human with muscular olive skin. From the neck up, however, was a light grey fur and the head of a dog. The location where the two textures met was divided by a thick golden chain. The only other garments the jackal was clad in were a golden cloth that was held by a leather belt, and a giant headdress and a blood ruby in its centerpiece.

Behind the ancient being was a materialized black cross that appeared to be engulfed in black flames similiar to that of the skeletal figure only a few feet away. The jackal's arms and legs were bound to the cross in a crucified manner by black chains at his wrists, ankles, knees, and elbows. The neck was also chained to the cross, just at the point where i the jackal hung his head for to long he would choke himself.

His head was hanging loosely.

Off to the side, observing the scene as it played out was a white haired elvish warrior clad in a dark orange cloak. A blade was sheathed on either side of his hip, the the crimson-eyed figure didn't seem to have any intention of using them or intervening.

THe nameless jackal rose his head slowly, his breath heavy and his body worn. He peered at his foe with Heavy eyes, "It wasn't suppose to be like this. You were said to be weaker then me. Yet, here I am, and there you are.

"Why? Why I ask? Why is it that our roles are not reversed? The fate of destiny had deemed it so, yet here we are." The Jackal closed his eyes pondering his own words. He opened them after a few moments, "Why? Who are you? What are you?"

[Retane]

It was silent for a moment, except for the low wisps of wind. he smoke, planes, and even the skull of the Reaper began to dissipate. They gave way to the emerald skin of an alien creature that was not alien to the planet they were on. It was planet Namek, home to the Namekians; Green humanoids that lived in small villages.They had a pair of antennae protruding from their foreheads and were attune to the land of their planet. They were a peaceful race usually but their were a select few that were classed as warriors. Those rare breed were given the task of protecting the planet.

This particular namek was classed as a warrior, but he wasn't peaceful. He had long ago been exiled from his home planet, but rules of exile never mattered to this renegade. There were few that could match his strength and even fewer that would like to try.

"I am Retane", He began, breaking the eerie silence with his dark deep voice. "The Black Shadow of Namek;One of the Horsemen;The Dark Hunter; Reaper of the Abyss; and God of Death."
He let the titles sit there in the air, which had become heavy with the words. "I am the Judge, Jusry, and Executioner of your Fate. I have Judged you on what you are. I have passed sentence to what must become of you. Now I must deliver your fate."

The Jackal stared on from his crimson eyes, silent as it he already know what was next.
"You will die here today. You will know that it was because of you were weak But that is not all. No. Usually I don't honor another with my name. I send them to their grave, cursed to not know the name that put them in the afterlife." He paused to let it sink in.

"You, however, know who I am. You knew it when you came after me. Now I will send you to your demise, and after you cease to exist on this plane, I will follow you and torment you for the rest of eternity. Because, while I am what I have said... I am also your worst nightmare; That darkness that wakes you from your restless and tiring sleep. This is your fate...It is what destiny has chosen for you."

The jackal let his head fall and hang there for a moment. As he raised it back up, his teeth showed as his lips curled,"If that is the way it must be, then we have a difference of opinion."
As he spoke, his eyes turned purple. The air around them began to stiffen and turn a violet hue. Cracks of lightning randomly shot out of no where and reached out at nothing. Low rumbles of thunder reverberated throughout the area.

Retane did not flinch at the spectacle.

It was the elvish onlooker that moved. He was at the Nameks side skidding from his short stride, "Retane, somethings wrong."

The Namekian shifted his eyes in the direction of the white haired elf.

"This power... It's nothing I'm even remotely familiar with."

"What are you saying Enroshia", The renegade asked.

Enro looked around trying to discern the energy shift around them.

"This isn't the power of an ancient civilization. Nor is it the power similar of the worlds in this universe. Its just..."Enroshia seemed at a loss for words.

The Namekian eyed the jackal with mild curiosity. Still he seemed unworried Retane was the God of Death, and his ability to sense ones strength and life force far exceeded any other on the living planes. He could even sense them in the afterlife. He felt no reason to worry.

Whatever this is, its target is you and only you", Enroshia said matter-o-factly. "You should end this now."

Retane still eyed the jackal, waiting to see what he was up to.

Then he felt it. His body tensed as a wave of current shot through his body. It wasn't exactly painful but is was unusual and strong.

[Retane]

Enroshia could only watch as the stout warrior started to buckle. "He's transporting you to a different Universe... Timeline...Or Dimension...I'm unsure...It's weird."

Retane's eyes shifter towards his acquaintance and he collapsed. He struggled to pull himself up but to no avail. Enroshia put his hand on the namek's shoulder.

Retane looked on knowing that the elf would not intervene, even if he could. However, Enro's hand glowed a blue hue and it's touch was cool. "I'm sorry old friend. I can't follow you where you are going, but this may be able to help you. It's the Mark and Sigil of the Lythian Warriors. Perhaps with your skill you will be able to summon them to your aid."

Enro paused for a moment. "If you do manage to, say hi to Arith for me."

Retane attempted to speak but he only managed to grunt through gritted teeth. Pain had started to overcome him finally. It was a pain he had never felt before. His body felt like it was being torn in every direction.
His thick veins protruded out all over., showing the stress he was going through. Retane grabbed at his head with both hands, trying to get a hold of himself. The pain only became unbearable.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh-"The Nemekain bellowed with rage. He felt his links to the world start to severe and tried to overcome it by fighting back. Nit it was to late. "-aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

His whole world went black in ann instant. He hadn't blacked out, nor had he went blind. The pain still wrought throughout his body but everything around him was pitch black.

His breath was heavy from the strain. Beaded sweat began to drip and fall past where his hands where and ground should be, and continued to fall until they vanished into the vast nothingness.

As he steadied himself surges of pain shot through his head. He bit down against the pain... It was the only thing he could do besides grunt through it all.

"I'm sorry it had to come to this. " It was the voice of the nameless jackal. It came from everywhere, yet at the same time, came from no where. It was in his head and all around him.

"You gave me no other alternative. Then again I didn't I didn't think you would agree to dying really..

"You are in a limbo stasis. You wont remain here long. Just long enough to be drained of most of your power and many of your memories.'

Retane took each word in, though it was hard with the pain pulsating throughout his cranium. He let out a glutteral snarl of defiance. His corded muscles flexed and bulged. A dark grey aura surrounded his figure roaring in a rapid fury. His black cloak whipped in the air as if a steady rush of wind had begun blowing.

The aura around his visage became a lighter shade of grey as the rest became the resemblance of a black flame. The demonic skull of the Namekian formed and the God of Death rose to his feet.

[Retane]

"it's no use to fight it. It will only be more painful." The jackals voice was solemn. "But I should have known that you would fight it. Still. I am not unkind. I will let you know what will happen. It may ease the process and help you accept what will soon transpire.

"Your bond to the universe you reside in will cease to exist. Your power and your memories, as I already said, will go. Your connection to the afterlife here, will no longer be. That which you have created, will only be a forgotten memory. You yourself will be sand in the memory, blown across the land only to be a shadow in a dream to those who knew you."

The dark warrior shook violently, fighting the unseen force that assaulted him.

"Your skills, the control, the discipline you had... It will compact itself deep with you. Most likely to never be unlocked again. It will hide itself in a corner of the brain like a fully healed scar, armored with extra tissue, to be overlooked until the time comes for your life to an end."

The God of Death collapsed to a single knee. Still he tried to fight to maintain. The skeletal mouth turned into a sinister grin, "How can one forget it all, if he still has the memory that he has forgotten memories? It would seem you have a flaw in your plan."

"You are mistaken. You will be lost soon. Unable to understand what is going on. You will forget this conversation too."

"Amnesia. It can be overcome. Did you forget who my father was?" The Namekian Fiend refused to give up.

"No. But you will. As we he forget about you."

The image of a Namekian, similar to himself, but younger, with a silver-ish upper right arm and pectoral muscle appeared in his head

'That which you have created will only be a forgotten memory...'

It hit the demonic namek like a slap in the face. Respawne, his only offspring. His son had taken the name Maleficus Nova,given to him by the man who was to take him to safety and raise him. Retane was suppose to die on a suicide mission and Respawne was suppose to be his legacy.

[Retane]

Retane was overwhelmed by the feeling of anger, sadness, pain, mistrust, resentment, vengeance, and eagerness to surpass. It wasn't his own feelings. They were Maleficus Nova's.

Nova would never admit it, but he was alike, yet different from his father. Both outcasts for different reasons. Both had shared the comradery with others, yet only trusted so few. Now Retane was knowing exactly how his son felt and what he had been through.

Nova had a burning desire to surpass his father. He wanted to do it alone. To show his father that, even though he he had abandoned him, he was better. His father, had he been there, would have stopped him from being imperfect. The doctor would have never had to fuse nano-bytes with his flesh after his egg cracked prematurely.

The Imperfect Namek had a darkness within him. His father had tried to steer him to tame it and get it under control. His body was also vesseled by another, Tamsin Suzaku. She was a young girl, innocent. She had been assigned to assist Maleficus on a mission and had been with him ever since. She had been the one that was able to keep the darkness at bay.

Tamsin...

Water felt as if it started to moisten his eyes.

It was his fault she had been dying. It was his faut that the only option to save Tamsin's soul was to merge together until he could find a way to reverse the poison and sorcery that had caused her demise.

Now it would Never happen.

"Respawne..." Retane could feel his son staring at him. It was as if they were on another plane looking at each other.

"Father.." Maleficus spoke confused.

"I- I'm sorry..." Retane couldn't offer much more.

A red droplet fell from the skull. The demon put his hand to his face. Was he bleeding? No he had just took the lives of two people. Someone close to to him. But who were they? He couldn't remember.

He blinked.

He was handing a dark green egg over to the scientist, Dr. Speinburg. He was about to head to space to take the battle to the Hive, a bunch of parasites that traversed planets and galaxies, taking over civilizations and turning them into insectoids.

Retane wants the only one. Many strong warriors were going. It was a suicide mission but Earth had given him so much and Namek was his birthplace. Both would be desolate rocks if he didn't help. He hoped Respawne would understand and would grow to be stronger then himself after he hatched...

Hatched? The Emerald Fiend struggled with the pain that ran through his head. His thoughts were jumbled.

[Retane]

The Namekian let out a low growl as the Ancient Egyptian God's power was bestowed upon him. He could now feel those he knew in the afterlife. A comrade was there. Perhaps the GOd of Death could bring him back...

God of Death? His head ached as he looked down at the lifeless bodies that littered the battlefield. He had masked his face with a skull, and a chained scythe was held in his hands. He looked liked the fabled Grimm Reaper and had sent many to their demise, but who had called him the God of Death?

He looked around in the darkness. He was on both knees struggling to get up. His cranium burned like he was on fire. Where was he? Some dark abyss?

Abyss? Dante's Abyss. How many times had he entered the tournament?

Three Times? More? Yes.

Many times had he entered the Abyss, and many times had the hell of it consumed him.

The eyes of his old comrade slipped in view. His eyes were slightly larger then a human, as was his head. His ears were pointed and he stood shorter then the average human. He wore a red mohawk with a determined yet kind face.

Tapion.

He was the Konat brother to the younger Minoshia, who was the Leader of The Horsemen.

Still those solemn eyes looked up at him. His body was lifeless as it laid flat, floating on the surface of the water. Retane had just taken Tapions life.

This was the AByss. It was Kill of be killed. Only one man could survive. You could be allies at the start, but in the end, if you made it that far, it was either you or them.

The end wasn't near. No, but here was Tapion. Dead. BLood colored the water from the three claw marks that puncture the chest of Retane's fallen friend.

Sadness in the form of liquid, flowed from the eyes of the Namek and merged with the calm sea.

Retane looked at the gloves that held the retractable claws. THe Leather held the stains of Tapion and two others. They would be stained with more.

Retane let out a low growl. He saw his target and sprang into action. He was one with the Abyss. He allowed the darkness to consume him. His Prey's folly was apparent... He had gotten to close to the Emerald Fiend.

He lunged then. The Namek lashed out cutting the foe across the face. The humanoid turned and tried to flee.

The effort was in vain. A bottle flew threw the air and landed in the targets path, blocking his retreat and causing him to slide to a halt. Another and a third were already airborne. It was too late and reactions were to slow. As the glass shattered, flames covered the area.

The victims screams of agony as he waved to and fro only annoyed the Namek. He looked to the direction of which the Moltov Cocktails came from.

The red mohekian stood tall on the hill, a determined grin was donned on his face.

Thoughts of vengeance on the one that stole his kill were gone faster then they were manifested as Retane saw his comrade. It seemed the duo would continue their havoc from last year.

Tapion still held a cocktail... and it was lit.

He threw it, it's destination, Retane.

The Namek only blinked for a moment. The cocktail would land where he stood, but he would not be there. A growl escaped from the lips of the Emerald Fiend as he dashed to the side. A grin slowly etched itself across the green humanoids visage as he closed in.

The previous year, they had been known as the Twins of Betrayal Despair. Now Tapion had tried to destroy Retane with their favored tactic. Tapion would fail and it would backfire.

Tapion readied another bottle. Retane got closer. The Konat threw it. The Namek was already to close. He slashed at the bottle. It split showering both of the comrades with napalm.

Retane rolled., his face burning, his vision blurred. Still he was a predator of the Abyss. He kept on the move. He dashed at an angle , turning his body about as he did.

He could soon see again. As he predicted, he was positioned behind the Konat.

Tapion seemed to recover as well and jerked around. The claws sunk into his chest with ease, peircing the heart of the Mohekian. Still, he smiled as blood trickled down the sides of his mouth.

His end was already here. He had made the mistake and paid the price. He wouldn't be there later to help the Namek take on the fused form of Raditzu and Android 18, Eightzu. He would be there to help Retane and protect him when he attempted to take on the Changeling ans Saiyan by surprise, when he too would fall and pay the price of his own life.

It was Tapion's end and the start of the end of his friend.

A tear fell.

[Retane]

A tear? Why was he crying? Eightzu? Tapion?

Yes... Tapion...

"I'm sorry my friend. At least we made it this far." Words Retane wanted to say but wouldn't He was a demonic plague in Namekian form. He would show no weakness.

His body was mangled. His face smashed in and held together by a makeshift tourniquet.. He held a grenade in one hand, a power shield on it's wrist, and a scythe in the other. His back pack was also loaded with various trophies of their victims.

His collar activated. It made a low rapid beeping noise. Retane took a deep breath in and accepted his fate. Not paying attention, he had found himself in a dead zone and it meant instant death. Did he subconsciously commit suicide because Tapion had died? His head felt as if it had just exploded. His eyes were watery. He looked down where Tapion's body lay. They were on the beach of a small island they had planned to head to. Tapion was dead, but Retane had carried his body to their destination. They were a team and it felt right. This was where Tapion could rest, untouched by any other being. No one would desecrate his body.

Retane looked down at the collection of ears he had removed from his victims. More people would become his trophies by the hands of rage that was the Emerald Fiend

The renegade removed a grenade from his pack; Tapion's initial weapons at the start of the Abyss. He pulled the pin out and tossed it in Tapion's makeshift grave/

Retane turned an started walking away as he controlled the wind, sending a huge gust against the pile of sand, forcing it to return to the hole of which it had come.

No one would touch Tapion's body while he rested.


"Tapion!!! No!!! Tapion! Don't you die on me! Don't you die!" Tears welled up and splashed the the pale bashed in face of the Konat. It was futile, his demands towards his comrade. They fell on ears that could no longer hear.

Retane was an emotional rollercoaster with tracks missing up ahead. He had watched his friend die, saw him save his life, and found him dead again.

What's more. his killer was still out there. But not for long.

"Come my friend", Retane scooped his fallen ally up, "We will still finish our journey."

He looked around, the blue-ish alien had him trapped. There was another six-eyed bastard some where else in the warehouse. Retane glanced over the crate in the direction he had last seen the stranger. There was nothing.

A rustle came from a side hallway. The Emerald Fiend glanced and had to double take.

TAPION!

The Konat was alive... But Retane saw him die...Or did he?

Perhaps the Konat was stronger then he thought? Still though, he was seriously injured...

The Namek didn't have time to ponder. Tapion fell to the floor and the blue humanoid was upon him. THe two struggled. Retane hurried to his comrades aid. A mace rose and and fell, connecting with Tapion's cranium. The Emerald Fiend let out a growl of protest but stopped short as he saw the grenade slip out from the Mohekian's hand. The pin had been pulled.

[Retane]

A flash of light appeared in his eyes. It burned and blinded him. He felt as if his head was going to explode. What was this feeling? This Rage? This power?

Tapion had just been shot. It was an all out war. Two groups of strangers had met in a small clearing, both sides trying to kill the other. Tapion and himself had sided with one group. It was all out chaos.

Now Tapion's life hung in the balance and Retane was being held up by another.

But this power? What was it? He felt the rush of energy explode within him. It was the fabled ascension of strength that Namekians' could achieve after a long hard road of training ones body and mind.

Retane hadn't followed the path of his kinfolk, but here he was. The Mythic power of the 'Super Namek' was flowing through his body.

He would Save Tapion!

Tapion...

The two eyed each other as they waved Raspberry over to them. Well, Tapion waved him over.

Raspberry was a new recruit to the Horsemen. Retane had seen his file. He was a small Crocodilian, a bit skiddish and not really The Horsemen type. He carried a Power Shield and it was a prized piece of equipment.

Retane would soon find out if he was worthy.

As Raspberry approached, Retane moved behind him. It was over before it started as a single cut of the hand had decapitated the Late Horsemen.

This was the Abyss and the weak would fall fast. Raspberry should feel happy that Tapion would wear his Power Shield and his ear would be Retane's first trophy.

Retane found himself on both his knees. His breath was heavy. Sweat and tears dripped into the darkness. Still he fought it.

What was he fighting?

Nothing yet. He was in the barracks with the other contestants. He leaned against the wall near Minoshia's bunk as the Leader of the Horsemen finished checking his pack.

Minoshia was younger and smaller in appearance and age, compared to the red mohekian that was approaching them. But Minoshia seemed stronger and hardened. His soul was dark and heavy.

Though Minoshia had an orange Mohawk, the two were obviously brothers. Tapion seemed softer then his brother, though he could no doubt, hold his own.

"Tapion, I'd like you to meet Retane," Minoshia stated as he approached.

Retane only nodded. Tapion responded with the same gesture.

"So I know you two don't know each other, but I'd like for you to keep an eye out for my brother." Minoshia spoke and it was one of the few times Retane had ever seen Mino show much of any care. " We have a few new recruits that think they can hack it in The Horsemen, and I'd like for you to test their meddle... If you get my drift?"

Tapion nodded with acknowledgement, and Retane almost smirked at the Konat's determined face. Tapion might be an enjoyable partner after all...


Retane stared into the darkness as he struggled with the pain and ache of his head. He found himself in the submissive position. He was Retane though. Why was he like this? Minoshia had a brother? What was going on? He couldn't remember... and the Pain he was feeling in his head... It was indescribable.... Almost like the time he had seen the Sun after being in the Caves of the Mercenary Rock for so long...

He tried to shake his head free of the pain..." Minoshia..."

He remembered when they first met. He had just came back to life... The Arbiter had told him that it was his destiny to join The Horsemen. Fate had brought the two together.... And they had become brethren, if that's what one could call the two..

Arbiter...

Arbiter had been the Arbitrator of Heaven and Hell... a Mystic called Enroshia... But who was Enroshia? He remembered the Arbitrator... He could see him...


The behemoth rose, looking down on Retane. As a long sigh escaped the Arbitrator's lips. "This isn't a memory old friend."

The Namek looked up through the darkness. He could feel his warm fluids flowing down his face and neck. What was going on? Who was this guy? Why was his head killing him? So many questions and he felt so weak."

"Well it is but it isn't. This is where met me and then Minoshia. Can you remember? Probably not." The glowing eyes seemed as if they peered into his soul.

"What will the world be like if Gromp never birthed Retane? If Retane never rebelled against the Namekian lifestyle and was never exiled? If Retane never accepted the darkness? Never met Enroshia? Never met Minoshia? Never entered the Abyss? Never met Tapion? Never faced the Hive? Never spawned Maleficus Nova?"

Retane didn't understand. How did this being know who he was and about him being exiled from Namek? Who was Enroshia? Tapion? Minoshia?The Hive? Maleficus Nova?

He had never spawned anything. He was barely old enough. Or was he?

He felt pain. He felt weak. He felt sadness. Was he actually older?

"The Sands of Time that once were a part of Retane are fading. Almost as if reversing, but not fully. Not even the most powerful could remove all that was of someone so...Malevolent.

Still you wont remember. Your memories are fading. This is our farewell. I know it hurts deep inside,somewhere in the back of your mind. But your to stubborn to admit it. Where ever this limbo takes you... I know they will know that Retane has come.

There was darkness. It comforted him. The Never ending sunlight pained him. He disagreed with the peacefulness of his kin, yet they created a class of warriors that were built for battle. How did they expect them to get stronger if they didn't give it their all?

His counterpart should have blocked. It wasn't his fault that their spars had gotten more and more out of control.

They had called Retane a black mark. He was too rebellious. Keeping him around would only anger his fellow warriors. More blood would be shed. So they had chosen to exile him.

Gromp, his own father, hadn't intervened. They would learn one day. Retane would show them.

It felt darker. The walls around him were closing in. He couldn't remember who he was, or where.

He saw a light. It was a window of sorts. He peared through it. H

His name was Gromp, and he was tired. He had enough energy to sire one more. Before long he would become unable to. This would be his final and youngest. Retane , he would call him.

He had felt the future. Retane was destined for greatness. It wasn't like his previous offspring, who were well off. No, Retane's future was dark and clouded. Perhaps it wasn't wise to reproduce anymore. What if Retane would lead to the destruction of his own kind or worst?

No, he wasn't going to risk it...

"So it has been, now it never was. " The jackal's eyes looked down at the Namek that was once the Emerald Fiend.

Retane seemed smaller, more diminished. His skin slightly pale. His hands clutched at his head as he trembled in the submissive position.

[Retane]

"Aaaaaaaaaa..." He could not take it anymore. It was to much. The emotions and confusion clouded his mind. He let out a feral scream in attempt to relieve the pain, "aaaAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH".

Then it was as if all condense itself in a tiny ball and exploded in force. He couldn't take it and faded into darkness....


----------------------

Ominous eyes stared from afar, scrutinizing the green figure that laid unconscious on the grassy plain. He hadn't summoned him here, yet here he was. He'd have to keep an eye on him...


-----------------


The green figure began to stir. His head ached and he felt groggy. His eyelids opened and blinked a few times as they moistened and adjusted to the fading light of the sunset.

Slowly, he pushed himself up to a prone position. He was in some sort of a grassy plain with only a large fountain nearby as a marker.

How did he get here? Where was here? Where was he before? Had he been drugged? If so, why?

His mind raced with questions as he searched to remember his last location. It was in vain. Did he have amnesia? Was this headache an after affect of a blow to the skull that hindered his memory?

He ran a hand across his cranium, finding no tenderness. He rolled himself to his knees and crawled towards the fountain. How did he know to check his head? Perhaps it was intuition or instinct? Maybe it had happened before?

He reached the fountain and splashed water on his face. The excess dripped from his hands back towards the the unsettles water.

His green hands...

The green figure looked on at his stern visage in the rippling reflection. He was of age, not long past maturity. He fingered his antennae trying to remember...

He was a Namek. That much he remembered, and it was a start. He looked around. THis wasn't his planet. He couldn't explain it, but deep down inside he knew. Maybe it was biologically engineered in his genetics to know?

[Retane]

The Namek put his back to the fountain, facing outward to the sea of grass. He clenched his fists and opened them a few times as he watched his corded muscles flex.

He was a fighter or a warrior. Bred for battle and physical combat. His muscles told him that much, as well as the sharp nails at the tips of his fingers.

Perhaps the Nameks' were a warring race. Still, he couldn't be sure. It was just an observation from his own personal appearance.

He put his hand to his head and let out a long sigh. The aching had subsided at least, but he was still as lost as he had been.

Glancing up at the sunset he felt an eerie ominous feeling that it was symbolic in a way. Perhaps it was a representation that meant his former life was ending. Maybe it meant that light was ending and darkness was coming. Or maybe he was just imagining things/

Still it didn't stop the annoyance from welling up inside. It was almost like a primal urge wanted to take over. He'd never felt such a rage. Or had he? Again, he couldn't remember?

He let out another sigh that he stopped abruptly. It hit him like a brick wall that he hadn't even asked one of the most important questions. He had asked 'Where' and 'What', but not 'Who'? Who was he?

He furrowed his brow. He remembered he was of the Namekian race. He guessed he was a warrior. But his identity really slipped his grasp. His mind wondered the vast emptiness of his memories as he tried to find a trace of himself.

He came up on nothing but a single thread of hope. It was a small light in the darkness; A piece of the puzzle, though a single piece it was, it was a start.

His name was Retane.

He had a name and what he was. It was a start.

Retane glanced up at the darkened sky. The moon had risen and night had fell. The dark seemed settling. It put him at ease, or rather, was more comforting.

The Namek pulled himself to his feet. He couldn't stay here. His instincts urged him to move on. Part of him wondered what might come along if he remained here. The fountain was hand made after all.

[Retane]

Retane rubbed his chin with hid left hand as he thought on what he should do. He couldn't decide. He let out a low sigh rubbing his temple, then down his neck and his other shoulder and upper arm.


As his hand reached his upper arm a marking showed beneath his fingers. It glowed on the green flesh as a light orange color. It was a shield with a prowling wolf as its Sigil.

Retane moved his hand, his eyes raised curiously. He wasn't sure what it was. His hand moved away, a dark smokey mist trailing it. Fear should have took him, but it didn't. Intrigue had set in and he felt in tune with the mist.

It poured from his hand as the sigil continued to glow. Deep in his head the darkness was familiar to him. The wolf emblem, not so much. But curiosity had been piqued.

-"It's the Mark and Sigil of the Lythian Warriors."- A strange voice echoed in his head.


-"Perhaps with your skill you will be able to summon them to your aid"-

He couldn't remember when he had heard the voice, but the words played over and over in his thoughts.

Skill? Summon them? To my aid?

The words meant that he had a skill. He could summon warriors to help him. But how? Perhaps they held the answers to his questions, but how did he summon them?

The Namek watched the black mist Settle above the ground near his feet. He closed his eyes, concentrating on it. He set his jaw firm and imagined the mist in his head.

Perhaps he could shape it? But to what? Who were the Lythian Warriors?

Retane let out a growl. Not a Sigh, but a growl. It was a low feral roar that escaped his lips. It was almost as if he had given his mind a verbal command.

IN his mind the fog started to take shape. First the feet. He sculpted the shadow into hardened boots that ran up the calf. The leggings where scaled armor on top of a strong leather like material. A belt hugged his hips,separating the upper half of the armor. No weapon hung from the hip, but instead, from upside down, crossed scabbards at the center of his lower back.

His joints were well articulated to the point that no movement was hindered, but the warrior was well protected. On top of the shoulders was a helm in the shape of a dragons head.With the visor down you saw the snarling teeth.

Still a cloud of fog needed life. The Namek wondered if he would give the warrior some of his. Maybe just a little. It seemed risky, even if it was possible. Still he had to try.

He focused on the inanimate figure. If only he could make it move. He offered energy to it. He knew he just make it move.

A wolf howled off into the night. The dragon armored warrior folded his arms. His eyes began to glow.

Retane opened his eyes. In front ot him stored a figure similar to what he had depicted in his mind. The warriors armor was smoke grey, and he stood looking away from the Namek.

Retane reached out to touch the Lythian. He was really there. A solid figure.

[Retane]

The dragon warrior turned it's head catching glimpse of the Namek out of his visor. He let out a cry of, "Gremlin!!!"

The Dragon Warrior Jumped back and produced his sabers in a defensive manner. The eye slits of his visor glowing a gold hue. Retane answered pulling back standing in a defensive position as well, crouching slightly ready for the attack. "Namek", Was Retane's answer.

"I know you are a gremlin! Now die!" The Shadow Mist construct struck out at the Emerald Warrior, Retane slapped away both blades and sent a knee into the gut of the sentient.

To his dismay ... The Dragon Warrior busted into a puff of dark mist and landed nearby.

Retane could only blink. He was unsure of what had happened. He couldn't make it out. He had just created a being that attacked him and became mist again at a single blow.

"What is this", He wondered a loud. His eyes fixated on the mist as he tried to comprehend. This seemed new to him, but he was not unintelligent. He looked to his showered and saw that it still glowed its weird hue of colors.

Perhaps he could bring him back?

Immediately, the Namek pictured the shadow figure in his head, closing his eyes as he pictured him again... He opened them after a few minutes to see that the Dragon Warrior clutched his blades looking around. "What the hell was that!?!?"

The Namek blinked for a moment and tried to recall what he had heard echo through his head, "It's the Mark and Sigil of the Lythian Warrior's." He thought more on the words. "Perhaps with your skill you will be able to summon them to your aid."

The Dragon Warrior stopped listening to the Namek speak and sheathed his twin sabers.

The Namek continued to speak, even words that he couldn't remember,"If you do manage to, say hi to Arith for me."

The Dragon Warrior paused for a moment, before reaching up, and taking off his helm. His eys looked solemn. He let the Dragon Helm fall into mist. No sound was heard. Arith Looked the Namek up and down. He saw the glowing Sigil mark on Retane. "Say... Hi.. To... Arith... For... Me..."

The Shadow Warrior's eyes seemed to moisten if that were the word and tears started to fall into the shadowy mist. The Dragon Warrior could do nothing more but bend a knee and cover his eyes.

Retane played the words over in his head still taken aback. Even more he looked down at the Shadow Mist Warrior trying to discern what was going on.

"Enroshia.... I miss you my brother... But why this? Why not by your side? I don't get it!? You promised me Lythia would be together again! So what is this? A joke?" The Shadow warrior wiped his eyes and looked up at the Namek.

Retane could only shake his head, "I have no clue where I am, I don't know Enroshia, I don't remember anything really, but pain and anger.. and those words..."

The Dragon Warrior seemed to well up in tears even more, "Your words... They are the Words of Enroshia.. They are meant for me and the others. "

"I don't get it." Retane was still confused.

Arith looked at the Namek with hard grey watered eyes, "We are the Warriors of Lythia of the Land of Lyth. We have been placed on different planes to and fro but all met together once. There Enroshia had gave most of his life to create a stamp in which one day he would use to bring us together to go home. Enroshia was suppose to imprint himself and summon us to him so that we could finally go home."

The Dragon Warrior wiped at his eyes again as he looked down, "I have failed him again. I am Arith, the Storm Rider. Enroshia's Champion! And I have a distate for your Gremlin Kind..."

Retane could feel the sorrow from the being, perhaps it was because he called him, still his pride had to answer, "I am a Namek."

Arith spat a grey mist at the ground that dissipated. "You look like a Gremlin."

"Could a gremlin do this?" Retane sent a kick tt Arith, which turned him back into mist. Still however the Mark of Lythia remained glowing, and Retane actually recreated Arith again, who was still wiping at his eyes. "Fine whatever. Enroshia wouldn't have summoned me to a gremlin, but you are as ugly as one.

Retane could only cock his head. He felt sad for the guy, almost as if some deep memory really knew this Enroshia person... But he felt he would never really know.

Arith looked down at himself finally realizing something was wrong,"What kind of bullshit is this? You can't even make me me? I mean, this whole punching me around thing can be a pain but you cant even get my color right? And why the hell am I not whole?"

Retane looked at the glowing Wolf on his arm and then to Arith., "I... Don't know how this even happened."

It annoyed the Namek that he had no answered. Arith had only little but he knew that Enroshia was in his past. Enroshia was been an ally. But other then that he couldn't remember much. He almost felt like crying like Arith had been, but still he felt he had to listen and help him if anything.

"I'm only like a Grey Shadow. You hit me and I disperse and IM not here until you form me again? What kind of gremlin shit is this?"

Retane let out a growl feeling offended, "Shall I strike you again to test your theory?" Sure Retane had began to realize the same thing. But he hadn't been able to confirm it fully.

Arith fell on his rump with a sigh, "No." He looked down at himself for a few moments and looked up, "Can you summon Enroshia here? He could help!"

Retane was taken aback for a moment as he looked to the Sigil that still glowed. He took a breath and touched it closing his eyes. He repeated the name 'Enroshia' over and over again yet he couldn't visualize him. He focused on ta picture of shadow mist and tried his hardest to form something, though it never worked. "I am trying, but it is not working."

After a few minutes, the Emerald Fiend let out a sigh and opened his eyes to see Arith with a stern face. "Thank you for trying at least. Enroshia is the most Mythical of us all and he had the chance of getting us home. Maybe he decided that you were the one to get us there. Or maybe he decided you were more important."

Arith wiped his eyes again as he stood up, "I am Arith, Storm Runner and Champion of Lythia...."

[Retane]

Arith took the puzzled look of Retane's on for a moment before he continued as if almost reciting something. "I am bound to you by the choice of Enroshia. While I wish that he could tell me greetings himself, I must do as a Lythian is bound and until it is said differently, you are our Leader."

"Our Leader? I only see you." Retane wondered if he could make many of the Arith guy but also wondered if that meant a huge headache.

"And they say I am Mental." Arith shook his long mane. There are Many of us bound to the Mark of Lythia. All it takes is for us to be summoned. And I am NOT Summoned!"

Arith looked around at his grey shadowy figure. in a bit of annoyance. He unsheathed and sheathed his blade after a practice swing. Retane watched and saw that every action was trailed by the shadowy mist.

All the Namek could do was put his faith in the Lythian though, and wanted more answers. He had questions, and wanted to figure out how to bring forth This Enroshia, still though, he might be best if he figured out exactly what was going on.

Arith scratched his chin for a moment. "Maybe you can make me whole."

"Where is my helm", Arith asked as he looked around in the mist beneath him. "Oh, here it is." Arith pulls his helm up and positions it on his head. "I am not some grey cloud. I am Arith, Champion of Lythia, Golden Dragon, Storm Runner and Champion of Gremlins! NOW SUMMON ME!"

Retane looked annoyed and almost reached out and hit him, but another side of him decided that perhaps he had skills he didn't know and even better then he had done so far.

"Summon Me!" He had closed his eyes and was already thinking of the Dragon Warrior. He had given it form and it had its own thoughts. What was missing? What made the summons complete? He had the Name? Knew some bit of the background, or at least titles. Retane could only wonder.

The Namek dropped to his knees and reached up to the mark thinking about it. His eyes were closed and he had Arith spinning around in a gray form waiting to be summoned. Arith... Champion of Lythia... Enroshia's Champion.... The one that bore two sabers near the small of his back.

Storm Runner, what ever that meant... and the flash of lightning in the background shown a Horse....

Champion of Gremlins..... Retane saw a flash of Arith becoming a fool in front of his followers as he called a green palish race of orcs; Gremlins... Yet They still seemed certain to follow.

Golden Dragon... Retane furrowed his brow. Golden not gray and black. Retane felt almost taken aback that he had not been able to create the Golden Warrior the way he should have been initially, but was damned and determined to do it then. He let out a low growl and thought the Shadowy mist needed color. Slowly it began to glow golden yellow as he reached his hand out to the Mark of Lythia on his arm. He saw a Golden Armored Arith for a Moment with Red Rubied eyes from his visor. Then Retane collapsed.

The Emerald Fiend lifted his head after moments of darkness and looked up and the standing Arith. He had a Golden hue almost that soon vanished. "You almost had it! What happened?"

" I felt weak..."

[Retane]

"I feel weak.."

Arith looked at the Namekian for a moment and dropped his helm back into the mist. The Champion moved a bit away and fell to his rump. as he studied Retane who looked even younger then himself yet almost as strong, or at least could be. The Champion wondered for a moment if Enroshia was pulling his chain or if this was actually real, but then again, looked at the Markings on Retane's arm.

"Well then, you should rest." Arith wasn't always as simple as he acted. but he himself was Arith, and Arith didn't care. "Sit your ass on the ground, lean against that construct and let me try to help you."

Retane shook his head in defiance for a moment wanted to argue and fell prone. He leaned back and the fountain was there to hold him. He felt tired, his head hurt, and he realized then that he was exhausted. His primal instincts told him to keep going. But he just knew that he couldn't.

Retane closed his eyes and with his heavy voice spoke, "Tell me what you can. But speak well, because you may find yourself back in the mist."

" Arith snickered, "You are over there Gremlin, and tired, I'd like to see you try."

Retane's fingers dug into the ground and his eye shot open.

"Whoa! O! Stop!" Arith had to shout. When Retane's muscles loosened, he decided to add, "Gremlins get so pissed these days."

"Namek,Champion" Retane answered with pride as well. Still he rested then and his eyes closed as he tried to picture Arith in his Golden Hue."Why do you call me a Gremlin?"

Arith seemed to smile,"Because you are green! however, not quite as ugly as the rest and bigger. Maybe you are their King?"

" I am a Namek, Not a Gremlin. I do not believe." Retane snorted.

"How do you know", Arith had to ask.

"Because you would be dead if I was anything else."Retane had a sharp tongue and he spoke like he had confirmation about it all. He felt weird but still he tried to rest.

"Well my friend, I guess I should try and help you again. Maybe if I told you about the Sigil? The Mark of the Wolf?"

"Yes?" It's here Retane answered without opening his eyes.

"It's meant as a sign of a Pact. The Pact of the Pack. We shall roam the lands but never roam alone. Even alone we are suppose to feel the others urging us on, no matter what."

Retane nodded as he listened to the Dragon Warrior. He felt himself Picturing the Sigil with the wolf trampling the plains with his pack. It made a lot of sense.

"The Mark on your arm is suppose to be the Key to Summon myself, and the others, Ashlon, Inirtias, Grom, Raze, the Twins. Grom, even Kumia and even Selm were supposed to be summoned."

As Arith spoke, Retane felt as if the Pack of wolves started to take shapes of wolves in his head. "Keep going... " Its all he could mutter.

Arith cocked his head to the side for a moment as he observed the Namek's deep harsh breath but shrugged and continued.

"There are Many of us and Enroshia said that we would all meet together again to go home. There's this Warlock scoundrel that trapped us all into that portal as we charged his keep that took us from the land. It was Said we were suppose to die, but with the greatest powers of Lythia at a Castle's Door step, even the portal couldn't destroy us. We Met together all on a single plane once and that is when Enroshia chose to mark us and give his life to get us home."

[Retane]

"Give his life?" Retane thought for a moment.

"He gave up some of his essence to make the Pact", Arith answered. "He was the type that was that strong enough to endure and get stronger."

"Hmmm..." The Namek pondered the words for a moment. "This still doesn't do anything for me but give me more questions. Questions that really do not pertain to me it seems."

Arith cocked his head at a different angle as if trying to understand what he was saying. "Say what Gremlin? More questions? Questions that don't pertain to you?"

Retane let out a long sigh, "Forget about it. So you're saying that this Enroshia fellow marked me with this... Mark.. A Mark that he was supposed to use on himself to summon you and get you guys home?"

"Yes." Arith frowned a bit.

"Then the question is why? Why mark me? I have nothing to do with any of you." Retane seemed perplexed by it all. He hardly knew anything about himself, and was having this thrown at him as well of more stuff he didn't know.

Arith could only shrug, " Maybe you can summon us and send us home."

The Namek gave the thought a passing shake of his head. "While I might have been many things, I really doubt that's the case. From the words I spoke earlier, it seems more like he might have f-" He happened to look up as he was speaking and somewhere there seemed to be a shimmering twinkle in the eyes of the Champion. It was as if it was the last beacon of hope for the Lythian, and Retane was not sure he was up to taking it away it away from him.

"-found a different way to get you guys back home." Retane finished the lie and closed his eyes again.

Arith pondered over the words for a few moments and raised his hands and shoulders in a shrug, "Maybe."

Retane still felt weak. He hadn't actually rested since he had recooperated from what had happened to him that he had no memory of, and he was sure it was all taxing and taking it's toll on him. So it was then that he allowed sleep to take over.

----------

He awoke later on. He had no clue how much time had passed but as his eyes opened he was confronted by the hot breath of a grey dragon staring him dead in the face.

"Boo."

The Namek reached out and swung hard. His reflexes were off though and missed the mark as Arith leapt back, or rather, fell back laughing

"I scared you! Ahahahahah"

Retane flexed his muscles a bit recalling everything that had passed in his previous wakening and shook his head of the cobwebs, "Why are you still here? Shouldn't you have vanished when I slept or something?"

Arith stopped mid laugh and sat up, "I don't know how it works. You're the one with the Mark, not me."

Retane grumbled, "Why were you in my face anyways?"

The Lythian Champion paused for a moment as if to recall the reason,"Oh! Because someone is coming and I was trying to see if you were still asleep or pretending to sleep and then I was gonna whack you in the head and run!"

"You were going to do what?"

"Hey its the best way to wake someone up and get them alert in my honest opinion." Arith threw his hands up like the answer should have been obvious.

Whether or not the Dragon Warrior was correct or not, Retane didn't have time to ponder. Instead he leapt to his feet and looked around. Someone was coming, but who? Were they hostile? Or no? Could they be trusted? Could anyone be trusted?

He walked over to where Arith was still prone as he kept his eyes looking about, "I'm sorry but I'm going to need you to be quiet for a while." Arith looked up at him and Retane was sure that there was a confused look behind the mask. He never saw the kick coming from the Namek and turned into the shadowed mist upon contact.

It was the only way Retane knew how to get rid of him at the time.