• The Dreduan Forest is full of excitement.

    All the woodland creatures are in an uproar.

    A dark aura has befallen the land.

    And with it, so has utter hopelessness.

    A group of warriors are running through the forest, trying to catch up to an unspeakable evil and what that evil has stolen.

    One of the the warriors falls to his knees, unable to continue the chase.

    He pants heavily, trying to catch his breathe.

    "I can't go on, forgive me," he says.

    One of the others running with him goes to his side.

    "You must continue," he tell him. "We are almost to our destination."

    "Please go on without me," the fallen warrior begs.

    The leader of the group walks up to him and squats down, with his back to his companion.

    "Climb on," he says.

    "What?" the fallen asks.

    "Climb up on my back," he repeats. "I will not allow for one of men fall when he has so much support around him."

    The fallen warrior looks into the eyes of his leader and sees his sincerity.

    He climbs up on his back without another question.

    "What goes on?" the other members of the group asks.

    "A slight hindrance, but it has been taken care of," the leader says.

    With all said and done the group continues.

    At the edge of the forests castle waits.

    A dark aura surrounds the castle.

    The castle is the root of all the problems in the forest and the Dreduan Kingdom.

    A terrible villain has kidnapped the princess of the land.

    She is Princess Tamesis.

    She is the only daughter of the royal family, and the future ruler of the Dreduan Kingdom.

    Her kidnapper is the Dark Wizard, Pikullos.

    His skills in magic cannot be compared to.

    The castle in which he resides in is the warrior's destination.

    They were assembled for the sole task of rescuing the princess.

    The princess tries her best to fight off the villain.

    "Get away from me, you monster!" the princess screams as she flails.

    "Now, now, Princess," Pikullos says. "I don't want you to get hurt while in my care."

    "You monster, release me immediately!" the princess orders.

    "Princess, I haven't followed an order of the royal family since I was a young man," Pikullos says, with a chuckle.

    CRASH

    "Well it seems as though my guests have arrived," Pikullos says with a smile.

    Pikullos places his hands together and whispers, "Tempus Ignus."

    A hardened ball of fire forms in Pikullos' hands.

    He drops it to the floor and asks, "Do you know what this is, Princess?"

    "It's magic," she replies.

    "Very good!" Pikullos says with a smile. "What kind of magic?"

    "Delayed magic," says the princess. "It allows the user to complete other tasks while the magic ticks away."

    "My, my Jengu has taught you much," Pikullos says, keeping his smile. "Has he also told you that this magic will explode after an amount of time?"

    "Yes, he has," the princess answers.

    "Very good," Pikullos says. "Now I will leave you to see to my guests, I hope that you will come to your senses before the time comes."

    Pikullos laughs and leaves to see to the warriors that dare to stop his plans.

    The warriors have infiltrated Pikullos' castle and prepare for the fight of their lives.

    They stand at the base of a set of stairs.

    They dare not go any further into the castle, for they don't know what lay ahead.

    "Pikullos, show yourself!" screams the leader of the group.

    "My, my, Ogoun, you must calm yourself down," says Pikullos' voice.

    The demon comes out from the doors at the top of the stairs.

    He strides closer to the stairs, but keeps his distance.

    "So for what reason are the best warriors in the land in my home?" Pikullos asks.

    "Tonitrus!" the fatigued warrior yells.

    A blast of power shoots from his fist, its target is the demon.

    "Scutum!" Pikullos screams.

    The blast is met with a shield of energy.

    "My, my, Jengu, aren't we aggressive," Pikullos teases. "Starting out with such a powerful spell."

    "Release the princess at once!" Jengu demands.

    "Calm yourself Jengu," Ogoun commands.

    Ogoun turns to the archer of their group.

    "Cocidus, do you think you can get a good shot?" Ogoun asks.

    "Of course, but it would have to be a surprise shot," Cocidus answers, confidently.

    "Alright, we will make sure to get you that shot," Ogoun assures.

    "Gao Yao, you have to get close to him and distract him," Ogoun says.

    "Do not worry," Gao Yao assures.

    "What are we planning, Ogoun?" Pikullos asks.

    "Jengu, go now!" Ogoun screams.

    "Dracon Ignis!" Jengu screams.

    A giant dragon of flame shoots from Jengu's hand, heading straight for Pikullos.

    "Obex!" Pikullos yells.

    A dome of energy forms around Pikullos, keeping him safe from the flame dragon.

    The flame disperses and Pikullos has a clear view once again of his attackers.

    He notices that one of them is gone.

    He feels a breeze and turns in time to see Gao Yao with his fist ready.

    "Flamen!" he screams, sending a gust of air between him and Gao Yao, launching them both apart.

    "Nice try, but my senses are far better than the average man," Pikullos informs.

    An arrow hits Pikullos in the shoulder.

    He screams in pain.

    Cocidus prepares for another shot.

    "Pernicitias!" Pikullos screams.

    Pikullos disappears from sight.

    He appears in front of Cocidus and says, "Pungus Caeli!"

    He punches Cocidus square in the gut with a fist of lightning.

    Cocidus passes out from the blow, and falls to the ground.

    Pikullos turns to the rest of the group and screams, "Terrae Motus!"

    The entire castle begins to shake, as if an earthquake was happening.

    Our heroes have trouble keeping balance and begin to stumble.

    Pikullos takes this time to ready another spell and screams, "Eurus Acutus!"

    Another gust of wind hits the group, but not with just normal wind, the group is hit with a gust of tiny blades.

    The blades do their duty and slice up our heroes.

    They all scream in pain.

    "Did you really think you foolish men could kill me?" Pikullos asks, smugly.

    A blood curdling scream comes from a distance, followed by an explosion, causing the castle to shake once again.

    All of them look in the direction of the scream.

    "Oh, too bad," Pikullos says. "I thought the threat of death would ease her into the idea of marriage."

    The heroes look at Pikullos in confusion.

    It doesn't take them long to understand the situation.

    A look of horror comes across their faces.

    Pikullos laughs his sinister laugh and says, "So you understand now?"

    Jengu is the first to move.

    "Pernicitias!" he screams.

    He disappears.

    Pikullos doesn't even bother to move.

    "Odium!" screams Jengu's voice.

    "Come now, Jengu, I am beginning to lose interest," says Pikullos.

    Jengu suddenly appears behind Pikullos, with his fist clenched and glowing.

    "Pugnus Caeli!" he screams.

    The spell is stronger than the one Pikullos used, due to his anger.

    Pikullos mearly moves out of the way, causing Jengu to miss.

    "Oh, so close," Pikullos says. "Pugnus Gelus!"

    He hits Jengu straight in they stomach, with a fist of ice.

    Jengu grunts in pain.

    He falls to the floor, with a patch of ice on his stomach.

    "Out of all the people in your group, I never expected Jengu to make the first move," Pikullos says in surprise.

    Gao Yao is next to move.

    He gets close to Pikullos and begins to throw kicks and punches at him.

    Pikullos dodges with almost no effort.

    "Didn't your master warn you to never attack out of anger?" Pikullos asks.

    He moves out of Gao Yao's range and screams, "Spira!"

    Vines suddenly come up from the ground and wrap around Gao Yao's wrists and ankles.

    Gao Yao struggles to try and free himself.

    Pikullos casually strides to Gao Yao.

    "Repercussus," says Pikullos.

    An invisible shield wraps itself around Pikullos.

    Once he his close enough he rears back his head and brings it back, headbutting Gao Yao.

    All the pain is sent to Gao Yao, even the recoil, thanks to the invisible shield.

    Gao Yao passes out and falls to the floor.

    Ogoun is the only one left.

    "Well, well, Ogoun, it seems we are finally alone," says Pikullos.

    Ogoun is in shock.

    "My, my, Ogoun, don't look so down," says Pikullos sympathetically.

    "How can you be this strong and cruel?" Ogoun asks out of desperation.

    "Ogoun you're taking the fun out of this," Pikullos says, disappointed.

    Pikullos walks over to Jengu and kicks him in the gut, causing Jengu to cry out in pain.

    "STOP, Pikullos!" Ogoun screams.

    "There's the Ogoun I know and love," Pikullos says gleefully.

    "Why don't you just kill us already?" Ogoun asks.

    "Why would I kill you when it will cause you so much more pain to live with the fact that you failed at your mission?" Pikullos asks.

    After hearing this Ogoun stands and takes out his sword.

    He charges at Pikullos, ready to kill.

    He swings with skill of a true master, but despite this Pikullos is able to dodge with ease.

    Ogoun slashes one last time, but Pikullos jumps away.

    "It seems as if I'm at a disadvantage," says Pikullos. "Furor Gladi."

    Four portals appear around Pikullos' feet, out of which, come four swords, each different in shape.

    Pikullos motions his hands and all four swords fly toward Ogoun.

    Ogoun is ready for them, he deflects each one, but they knock him back a few feet.

    Ogoun can tell he will lose if he doesn't turn the fight in his favor.

    "Furor Gladi!" he screams.

    Just like Pikullos, four portals appear at Ogoun's feet, along with the four swords.

    He too motions with his hands and the four swords go in to action, clashing with Pikullos'.

    Pikullos and Ogoun are evenly matched, controlling the swords like puppets.

    "Enough of this!" says Pikullos, irritated. "Pernicitias!"

    Pikullos disappears once again.

    His blades fall to the floor, left without their master.

    Ogoun turns his attention away from his blades as well, but keeps his hands up to keep them in control.

    He looks around, making sure not to panic.

    He suddenly get a sharp pain in his side.

    He turns to see Pikullos holding a knife, which he used stab.

    Ogoun speaks through his tightened jaw, "Such under-handed techniques. This is not like you."

    "Well, when your enemies won't give up you have no other choice than to use under-handed tricks," says Pikullos.

    Ogoun swings and motions for his blades to attack.

    Pikullos moves and dodges the blades.

    Ogoun gives him no time to conger a spell.

    "Enough, Ventus!" Pikullos screams.

    A gust of wind stronger than the other blows the blades away, and knocks Ogoun to the floor.

    Pikullos summons a blade and grabs it and brings to Ogoun's neck.

    "When are you going to admit that you are weaker and that it is useless to think other wise?" Pikullos asks.

    "When you finally have achieved the task of killing me," Ogoun says with chuckle.

    Pikullos screams and raises his blade to kill Ogoun.

    "Tonitrus!"

    A blast of energy hits Pikullos and sends him flying.

    Ogoun looks up to see Jengu.

    "Jengu, by the gods you're alive!" Ogoun exclaims.

    "Yes, and I'm glad to see you are as well," he responds with a smile.

    "Damn you all to hell!" yells Pikullos, full of anger. "Lorica..."

    Before Pikullos can finish his spell a voice catches his ear.

    "Regnum," says the voice, "Nocturna Suppresio!"

    A portal suddenly appears at the other end of the room.

    They can all feel the evil oozing out of the portal.

    Suddenly, a hand of dark aura shoots out of the portal, flying straight at Pikullos.

    "Pernicitias!" Pikullos screams.

    He disappears to another part of the room, with the hand right behind him.

    Jengu recognizes the spell and is full of shock.

    He sees Ogoun getting to his feet.

    He rushes him and knocks him back to the floor.

    "Jengu, what's gotten into you?" Ogoun yells, completely taken by surprise.

    "That spell is one of great power," Jengu explains. "It is a forbidden spell, due to its power and sacrifice. That spell is designed to attack anyone and everyone."

    Ogoun looks at him in shock.

    "What I don't understand is who would cast such a spell?" Jengu asks himself.

    A strange noise comes out of the portal, and they turn their attention to it.

    Someone is stepping out of it.

    It's not until he walks out completely that Ogoun and Jengu recognize him.

    "Old man Kurche?" Jengu screams in confusion.

    Kurche is a man of great age, with a beard as long as his body.

    He walks with his staff at hand.

    "My, my, how weak you men are," Kurche says, scratching his beard.

    Kurche waves his hand and says, "Vires Animi."

    Cocidus and Gao Yao suddnely float into the air and make their way to Jengu and Ogoun.

    "Mage, heal them, or risk them dying on your watch," Kurche advises.

    "Yes Master!" Jengu responds.

    Kurche chuckles and says, "Come now Jengu, I am no longer your master."

    "Sorry, force of habit!" Jengu says.

    Kurche chuckles once more then turns his attention to Pikullos.

    "You have gotten a lot stronger, Pikullos," Kurche comments.

    "Damn you to hell, old man!" Pikullos screams, still avoiding the dark hand.

    Kurche raises his hand and the dark hand comes to a stop.

    Pikullos comes back to the floor, breathing heavily.

    Kurche closes his hand and the dark hand, along with the portal, disappears.

    "So, you've killed the princess and destroyed the monarchy all together," says Kurche.

    "That's right, but killing her was not my choice," Pikullos corrects. "She chose death, rather than marriage."

    "You did not give a suitable choice for marriage." Kurche tells him.

    After hearing this Pikullos screams in anger, and charges at Kurche.

    Kurche chuckles once again and says, "Ventus."

    A gust of wind hits Pikullos and sends him flying.

    He hits the wall and grunts in pain.

    "You do not have the power to hit me, let alone kill me," says Kurche.

    "Maybe not in this time Kurche, but when we meet again, I kill you," Pikullos says with a grin.

    He raises his hand and screams, "Circus Tempus!"

    Jengu gasps and begins to try to stop Pikullos, but Kurche stops him.

    "That spell comes with a sheild it would be a waste of time," he tells Jengu.

    A portal opens above Pikullos and he says, "When we meet again, only time will tell."

    After that he is sucked into the portal with it closing right behind him.

    Jengu and Ogoun are left dumbfounded.

    Ogoun, who is the first to speak, says, "Why didn't you stop him Old Man!?"

    "It would have been useless," Kurche tells him. "The spell he used is not one that can be stopped. He is now most likely in the distant future."

    "How can that be?" Ogoun asks.

    "I hadn't the slightest idea that he was in the possession of the Circus Tempus," Kurhce says, stroking his beard.

    "Well there is no need to fret, is there Master Kurche?" Jengu asks.

    "No need indeed," Kurche retorts.

    "Why is that?" Ogoun asks.

    "I told you that the spell he used came with a great price, you lose the ability to die," says Jengu.

    Ogoun's mouth falls open in astonishment.

    "This cannot be true," Ogoun says.

    "Oh, but it is, but this works to our advantage, since I am now immortal, I will track down Pikullos and then we can take care of him when that time comes," Kurche explains.

    "But we are not immortal," Ogoun points out.

    "No, you are not, but you will have descendants, and when the time comes I will seek them out, to help me destroy Pikullos," he tell Ogoun.

    Ogoun is about to speak but Jengu hushes him, as if telling him to trust Kurche.

    The Old Man comes up with a story for the King and Queen, for their failure.

    He tells them that the Princess was dead long before they arrived, and that they could not beat the evil mage.

    By telling them this he did not lie, but did not tell them the whole truth.

    So after their failure, the four warriors seperate and await the day they are reincarnated.

    And so they wait...