Chapter 1

“Drake!! Hold up!”

“Damn it Kairi! I really need you to keep up with me.”

“Well I'm not the one who trained under Vizu to gain to the ability to shadow step.”

“I invited you to join me, but you decided that you were good enough with your ability to camouflage yourself.”

She punched me in the shoulder playfully, we both started to run, we were hunting for our dinner. We stopped, Kairi could smell it, I could feel it. An Incubus was nearby, most people would shun our actions. But one thing the two of us discovered, Incubus Wings were tender and very delicious. We discovered this from a chef we met in a camp up north in Arbor bay. We looked up at the tree, and we saw it, it was absolutely huge. Biggest Incubus I have ever seen in my life, it was twice my size. That one alone could feed us for a week. Kairi knelt down, nocked an arrow drew the bow and held it ready, I pulled my hood up, pulled out my daggers, and stood by. I nodded, she fired the arrow, struck the incubus in the chest, catching it off guard, it fell to the ground, I quickly lunged and sliced its neck open. It screech was terrifying and loud, it knocked me back, I was in a daze, I looked ahead, I saw Kairi surrounded by dark figures, I shook my head, hoping to clear my vision, I stood up, and it was an entire nest, Kairi looked scared, but her bow was nocked, and ready, she looked at me, I nodded, I threw on my hood, and summoned the power of Grenth, transforming into his Avatar, I rushed at the mob, I was so silent they didn't even know I was there till I slew three of them. They turned their attention to me, Kairi released her arrows, killing another six, trying not to stand still, I slashed my way through, cutting wings, necks, legs, the ones I didn't finish, Kairi made sure they were dead. Once the mob was dead, we heard a huge crack, we both stopped and turned slowly. The King, the leader of the nest had revealed himself. He was huddled over his mate, and then saw us his fangs out, he was even bigger than his mate. Kairi prepped a poisonous Arrow and nocked it, me in my Avatar, enchanted my daggers with holy energy. Both of us were shaking, this battle was not going to be easy, and this monster was very intimidating. We stood there for what seemed an eternity. Before finally the Incubus moved, Kairi let loose, I shadow stepped behind it, but it was so fast, that it was gone, I had a moment to blink, before Kairi's arrow, pierced my chest, I staggered back, the incubus landed, grabbed me, and threw me. I saw one last glimpse of my love, and the beast who separated us, her face was beautiful, tears pouring down, as she mouthed, 'I love you', the arrow that pierced me, was made to end life. We were never going to see each other ever again.

Present day.

Yes, Ventari found me, lying in the water, with that arrow in my chest, my heart was beating ever so slowly unless you had ears of a wolf, you would have sworn I was already dead. He took me to his sanctuary, there I was treated to the powers of the magical water. I felt my strength returning to me but I was in no state of mind to be happy. I may be alive, but Kairi...I had no idea where she was, or how she was doing, that beast, out smarted us. We were the greatest hunters, and mere beast got the better of us. I love her, I wasn't going to let her go that easily. My first order of business is to find her, two months I spent there trying hone my skills, meditating, trying to reach out through the Mists to find any trace of her. But the time had come for me to leave. I gave my thanks to Ventari for he did for me, I picked up my scythe and daggers, slowly made my towards the Asuran City of Rata Sum. Its been a while since the defeat of the great destroyer, songs were sung dedicated to the heroes who have saved the world. I have met those heroes, they truly were powerful beings, while they battled, I was in meditation, making myself stronger, training harder, I've struck down Magni The Bison, I've beaten all competitors who have faced me in the arenas, I even had some fun by playing Polymock.

3 years ago

I was strolling through  the market square of Lions Arch, it was there that I met her. A creature of pristine beauty disembarking from a ship that had just pulled into harbour, she was from Cantha, I knew it from the sight of her, those slanted jade eyes, captivated me. Her body slim, her armour clung tightly to it, which accentuated her beautiful figure. She was always smiling, her lips were thin, but very attractive, her short dark brown hair, seemed to hide her face, which made her mysterious, which really attracted me to her. However, her weaponry was very impressive, a vicious looking hunters knife which could cleave just about anything, a quiver which had strange aura around it, a very powerful looking bow, which from the look of its design was something I've never seen before, on her hips she had several small vials with oddly coloured liquids, from my guess they were poisons. She picked up her bag, and walked into town. I could see this was her first time away from Cantha, Tyria is quite different from her home. Lions Arch was huge, but there were no towering buildings. She looked a little lost. I approached her.

“Excuse me miss, is everything all right?”

She turned to me and smiled

“Ah, yes, I'm just having some trouble finding an Inn, the map I bought on the ship is a little out of date.”

I smiled at her. Had a quick glance on the map.

“Oh that inn, if you will follow me I will show it to you.”

She didn't move,  I turned around an smiled at her.

“Something tells me this isn't the first time that a stranger has asked you to follow him somewhere.”

She didn't move, she didn't smile, didn't grimace, her face was stone cold. Her mind was focused, I knew if made a wrong move, I would have one of her arrows, through my head.

“Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself.”

I bowed

“The name is Drake m'lady, I am student of the five gods, and its a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

I looked up at her, she seemed to search me with her eyes, looking for weapons.

“I assure you, I am not armed, I left my paraphernalia back at my tent”

She still didn't move.

“M'lady, let me tell you this, if I wanted you dead, you would be. I do not wish for your death, I only wish to help you to your lodgings.”

“You walk ahead, I'll be behind you.”

“As you wish m'lady”

I took her past the markets, I told her of all the things that she might like to try, the Skale fin soup was to die for. And some of the jewellery the Krytans made were beautiful. I told her a short history of the city, from the times of war with the Charr, till Saul D'Alessio wrought the Mursaat and their fall at the hands of brave heroes from Ascalon. We finally arrived to her Inn, I knew of this place, because I come here often for a drink or two, its owned by a dwarf who made some of the finest ale I have ever tasted. I had saved his caravan and his life from bandits quite a few times, so he and I are good friends. He of ten gave me ale free of charge to repay his debt. I opened the door, and let her in, I walked in after her.

“Drake!”

“Ello Grimwall, how are you?”

“Aye lad I've been good, ever since you started taking out those bandits,  me business has grown faster than me beard, I get more ale, therefore more custo...m......”

Shoving past me, the dwarf grabs the rangers hand

“And who might ye be, pretty lady?”

She looked a little embarrassed

“Kairi”

“Aye, a beautiful name for a beautiful lass, the name is Grimwall Deeprunner, I am the inn keeper, how may I be of service.?”

“A friend of mine told me of this Inn, and that I should stay here while I'm in Tyria.”

“Aye ye friend must be a smart one, no other inn be as good as mine ya see. So you wish to have a room, no problem, ye can have the best quarters we 'ave”

He grabbed a key, and started to walk up the stairs.

“Grimwall, I wont be staying for a drink”

“Eh? Why not lad?”

“It's been a long day, I need some rest, plus I have some more studying to do.”

“Lad, you keep studying like that, ye not gonna have much of a life”

“Don't worry about me Grimwall, enjoy your evening. Ms Kairi, have a good night”

“And you, Drake”

The first time she called my name was beautiful symphony, it almost made me giddy, before I made a fool of myself, I quickly left the Inn and slowly made my way to my tent in the Northern Kryta Province. I preferred to sleep amongst nature, was a little more peaceful, those people at the inn had only started drinking soon they will on the streets singing songs all night long. I should know, I took part in that my first time there. Admittedly it was fun, but I spent the rest of day in bed nursing a bad headache. Amongst nature I could meditate, I could feel everything around me. My aura was strong enough that no beast would venture close. And if anyone or anything came close, my wards would detect them. I removed my hood, and slowly lulled myself to sleep. Her face would appear and disappear in my head, her smile was perfect. I finally achieved deep sleep and I slept with a smile for the first time in years.


I awoke to a sudden screech,

“Damn it, the Sensali!”

I grabbed my weapons donned my hood and ran at full pace towards the scene. But I was stopped short, when saw Kairi her knife in hand with a Sensali on the end of it, I melded into the shadows, and watched, I knew more of the clan would respond to that screech, she didn't let her guard down, in case something else jumped out at her, but she had bigger problems, I could feel the Sensali running up, they had called in the entire clan, she would not be able to handle them on her own. I slowly walked up behind her, she loose an arrow, I deflected it with my scythe.

“Drake!! I almost killed you, what are you doing here?!”

“Nothing Ms Kairi, I was sleeping, I heard the screech and came running to find you here, now I can tell you without a doubt that you will not be able to take the entire clan alone. I'm here to help you fight.”

“The entire clan?!”

She had no idea, she was not attuned to the earth.

“Kairi your a ranger, a disciple of  Melandru, one of your traits is to be attuned to the earth, kneel down, place your hands and listen.”

She did as I said, her eyes shot open, she couldn't believe that it worked.

“I count twenty.”

Now that surprised me, even I couldn't tell the size of that contingent. She was more gifted than she let on.

“That's impressive, how close would you say they are?”

“They're right over that hill, we will see them in, three....two....one....”

There they were, six of them,

“Okay lets....”

Before I could finish the sentence, the six that had appeared had just gotten an arrow each pierced through their heads.

There was a slight pause, then suddenly the rest of the clan, appeared. She was right, twenty, six down, made it fourteen. Kairi nocked another arrow, but their spell caster casted something on her, she fell to her knees.

“I feel heavy, I cant shoot that far in this state!”

Donning my hood, holstering my scythe, I chanted a prayer, and I rushed at them.

“DRAKE!!!”

Her voice became nothing more than a whisper, pulling out my daggers, I quickly took Grenth's Avatar, and sliced the first Sensali in the gut, I followed through, stabbing one in the chest, using it as a shield I rushed at his companions, I could feel thumps as arrows pierced his back, I flipped one of my daggers and threw it at the Casters head, I threw it hard enough to pierced through his headgear. So much so it knocked him of his feet, I glanced back and saw Kairi stand up, I turned around only to see a massive axe coming down on me, something flew past me with great speed. I saw the Sensali had a an arrow through his head. Pushing my meat shield away, I produced my scythe whirled and sliced down the nearest Sensali, one of them sliced at me with their sword, but he couldn't even pierce my armour, I grabbed its neck, and slowly absorbed its soul. I turned to last two archers they had, my hands had a green glow, they had no idea what expect, I shadow stepped past them. If they had human faces, it would of shock, their bodies fell limp and lifeless. I closed my fists and the green flames diffused into nothing. I walked back to their bodies and pulled my daggers out. Wiped the blood on their armour, and replaced them on my belt. I released the avatar, and returned to my normal self.

She walked to me, with a look of fear. I removed my hood.

“You okay?”

“Am I okay?! What was that?! I have never see anything like that before, even the greatest Assassins in Cantha couldn't do what you just did! What are you?!”

“During the time when Palawa Joko threatened Elona with his undead hordes, Turai Ossa, created a new contingent of holy warriors, we are known as the Dervish, soldiers of the Five Gods, through our discipline we have gained the attunement and the strength to take on the forms of the Gods, the form you saw earlier was..”

“Grenth...”

“Yes, I absorbed the souls of those Sensali. And sent them straight to Grenth for judgement. I know of your skills through my studies of Melandru. I may be scholar but I am also a well trained in art of war.”

I looked up at the sun, it was at its peak, guess it was lunch time, I guess I overslept a little.

I looked at her, she was a little shaken up, then I heard it, her stomach grumbled, she was very embarrassed, her cheeks shone a bright red. I just smiled at her.

“Would you like to join me for lunch, m'lady?”

Our walk back was quiet, she said nothing, I didn't know how to start  a conversation. Once we got back to my tent, I spread out a straw carpet, for her to sit on, I started a fire, and began to make skale fin soup that a chef once taught me. She watched me intently, admittedly it was a little nerve racking.

“Drake...”

I almost spilt some soup.

“Yes?”

“I just wanted to thank you...for earlier.”

“That's all right Ms Kairi, anything to lend a hand to those who need it. By the five gods did you need help. That spell really took you down.”

“I got really scared, I saw their archers taking aim for me, I couldn't even move, they would have killed me, if I wasn't for you I would be dead right now.”

I only nodded, it was true, I have seen Sensali Archers in action, they were excellent marksmen, and their arrows always pierced through everything, their bows must be really powerful. They hunt Ettins for sport, that itself should say enough. I poured her bowl and gave it to her, and waited for her reaction, her eyes shot open, she licked her lips, looked at me,

“Drake, this soup is amazing”

“Thank you, but believe me this is nothing compared to the chef in Lions Arch, his Skale Fin soup is godly. So you didn't tell me why you were roaming around the Northern Kryta Province.”

“Ah that, well to be fair I was just exploring, looking for new species,”

She pulled out a journal

“Since I travel a lot, I though I might as well keep a record of all the different creatures I meet.”

I asked her if I could see it, she handed the journal over and I looked through it, not only had she written down what the creatures were, she also had detailed drawings, she was a fantastic artist, and her journal was almost full, and that was purely from Cantha, but I saw an image which I was familiar with.

“A Shiro'ken warrior...”

“Yea, when Shiro returned, his Shiro'ken were every where, I learnt more about them when my clan killed one.”

She even had an image of the Black Moa, I remember a beast master back in Istan who kept talking of one, but no one ever believed him. I had often thought of looking for one. The picture was beautiful, the Moa was under a waterfall having a bath, it was jet black, its bright yellow beak was buried in its body, cleaning itself.

“This image of the Black Moa is striking, how did you manage to get so close to draw this?”

She only smiled, I figured that's for her to know and for me not to find out. I continued to look through, white tigers, reef lurkers, Saltspray Dragons, Snapshell Turtles, Kappa, Scuttle Fish, her collection was vast and detailed.

“My word, your talents are by far amazing, these pictures, my god they speak volumes. I am very humbled that you would share this with me.”

She smiled,

“Thank you Drake, I'm glad I have found someone who actually likes my drawings, I was doing a picture of a feline species found here, when that Tengu scout saw me.”

I flipped over the page and saw the feline she was trying to draw.

“Ah, That's a lynx, they are plenty here, and they make fantastic pets, very lovable.”

We continued talking of the creatures we have encountered, Mandragors, Wardens, Rot Wallows, she even showed me an image of the legendary Kuunavaang, I had only read stories and an artists imitation.

“Ah I see, you are looking at the Kuunavaang.”

I was awe struck, Kunnavaang were reported to have died out, centuries ago, yet this image was larger than life. She had even coloured it, it wasn't anything like I had imagined.

“H...h...how..?”

“During the battle against Shiro, he resurrected a Kuunavaang, do his bidding, she was a powerful creature, but her body was corrupted by his magic's, once the heroes defeated her, she used her celestial powers to assist with the final battle against Shiro. After which she remained as Cantha's protector, I had the honour of gaining an audience with her, and with her due permission, I drew this image of her. While we talked of the past, future and the present, under her guidance did I come to Tyria, she spoke that something monumental was due to happen here, that I was to be a part of.”

I nodded, my eyes never leaving the drawing, her green scales and her rainbow wings, truly a beautiful creature. The image captured the creatures radiance and its awesome power.

“I've only heard stories of these creatures. Their power dates back to the time when the five gods still roamed the earth.”

My eyes started to wander around her, she had a warm smile, my eyes caught her bow. She seemed to notice, and produced it for me to look at.

“Spirit Wood, compound bow, made it myself, consisting of a pulley system, which allows for quick draw, and powerful let-off. The pulleys make the drawing easy, and the release gives amazing power. Fires as fast as a Flat bow, but the arc is the same as the longbow, making it a fast firing longbow. I have created a sights allowing me better accuracy. Its still a working prototype, I've been trying to improve it.”

She handed it to me. I could feel an aura surrounding the bow. It was ancient, but it was peaceful, my mind became more focused, all sounds were blocked out, I held it up, and drew the bow string, everything stopped, time seemed to slow down, my vision was perfect, the sighs zoomed in on a leaf, I could see an ant on it. Truly a powerful bow.

“I see that this weapon has been enchanted.”

It was also light as a twig, the bow string itself was nearly invisible, a string so fine, and yet so strong.

“Yes that it is, in my meditation I sat under a waterfall for three days, learning the the ways of imbuing my weapons, thanks to its enchantments, as you have probably already sensed, it gives me the ability to focus and slows time down a bit for me to make quick decisions.”

I gave it back to her,

“Truly a masterpiece Kairi, I'm most impressed”

She smiled, her eyes started to wander around me, her eyes quickly locked on my weapons. She noticed my two daggers. I pulled them out in a flourish and presented them to her. She carefully took them, but she managed to drop one, before she could pick it up, it materialised into my hands. I smiled. She was bewildered.

“These daggers are bound to me. I made them myself back when I was still a trainee. The Zaishen often visited and I got to meet a few of their assassins, they showed me their daggers, and how they were made, through trial and error I created these. I call them Severance and Judgement. With nothing but a thought I can materialise them into my hands, they never lose their edge, and they take on the enchantments that each of my forms provide. If you notice you will see markings along the blades, those are the marks of the gods, each daggers has been blessed by the five gods, therefore making them one of the most powerful daggers in the world.”

I gave the one in my hand back to her, she played around with them, twisting them between her fingers, throwing them up in the air and catching them. She seemed most impressed. She turned back to me, and passed them back, I re holstered them.

“I remember seeing one more weapon.”

I pulled out an intricate staff, and gave it to her.

“This cant be it, there was a blade and everything, I saw you hack down the Sensali with it.”

I smiled and took it back, I closed my eyes and the staff transformed it self, I vicious blade elegantly slid out of the wood, I then handed it back to her. She looked stunned.

“Another weapon I crafted in secret, the only people who know of its existence, are Dunkoro, Kormir and me. Once again its been blessed by the five, the markings are an ancient text that symbolise the power of  the human spirit, my scythe, Vengeance. It made out of a wood That's similar to Spiritwood, but its magical properties are more potent. I was given this wood as a reward for my work in Vabbi when I saved one of the prince's lives, I could feel the energy as soon as I  touched it, I locked myself away in my workshop for six months and I didn't emerge until the weapon was complete.”

She looked it up and down

“Yes...I can feel the energy in it, but I also feel something more...what is it?”

“Aye, the scythe itself has an existence of its own, it has a soul imbued into it”

She looked even more shocked.

“In my travels I finally got the opportunity to put my scythe to use. I came across a villager, he was nearly dead, he told me of a power, one made by the souls of his tribe, a Skree Shaman slaughtered his entire village used their souls to create a new power for himself. His dying wish for me to set those souls free so they may travel the Mists. The man died, I gave him a proper burial and made my way, I met the Shaman and took him on. This battle was one that I knew I wouldn't be able to win, he was using the souls he captured to increase his speed and his attack, I was unable to land a single hit, while he had struck and wounded me several times. I was close to death, until I felt a presence, it was cold, it was harsh, but it was powerful. I looked behind me, the spirit of the villager was descending to me, his eyes were filled with fiery rage, he entered my scythe, and I could hear his voice. 'You never fight alone', the war cry of the Sunspears, I felt his energy rush into my blood, before I knew it, I was moving faster than the Shaman, his spells, his speed, his attacks, did nothing to me, I was untouchable, I finally slew him, the villagers were released from their prison, to be in the Mists. The man however, stayed with me, he told me that he will stay in my scythe as a dormant power, one that can only be used in situations of dire need. Till then, he will remain in slumber waiting to release his godly vengeance on those who oppose me and him.”

She nodded, I knew that she could feel him, his power was beyond my comprehension, after that battle my body was severely damaged. The power he gave me, was incredible, but its also a very strenuous one, I can use it any time I wanted, but I wont, I cannot rely on the power of a vengeful soul, or he might consume me in his rage.

“You are an odd one Drake, wisdom, power, and yet...you seem to be the most gentle of creatures, that is when you are not in battle.”

“Aye, I try to keep myself composed, the last thing I want to do is scare people for no apparent reason, the people of Tyria have enough to be scared off already, I do not want to add to them”

We continued to talk of our travels, and exploits, we talked until the evening, the sun began to set, she stood up.

“I should probably go, its getting late, thank you again for saving my life and the meal Drake, I do appreciate it.”

“My pleasure Kairi, I hope to see you again soon.”

With a wave she walked back to Lions Arch, I just sat there watching her go. Truly a a magnificent woman.