The Final Ashfield

The sun, previously beating down on the battlefield with its heat, was now blotted out by many dark clouds. Even its majestic energy was overshadowed by a sea of pungent mist.

Filling the air was the smell of rancid blood and iron, sickening enough to make your stomach churn.

It was the smell of rancid blood and iron. But it was that smell that helped him focus in the fog.

There he stood. The figure of a man could be seen, alone, looking onwards. His name was Jacender Ashfield. Proud son of the Ashfield line and guardian of the gate.

The mist slowly dissipated, revealing dozens of strewn bodies laid all around him. It was apparent that Jacender remained the last man standing.

"Khak!! Khak!!" he coughed fiercely into his hand.

He had become exhausted from the raging battle against the demon hordes. So much so that he fell to his knees, blood on his glove.

"D-Damn it!!" He grunted, propping himself up with the hilt of his sword.

Just as he started to rise, a domineering voice came from overhead.

"Stay down...or die."

Peering up toward the voice, all Jace could see blood red skin. And it's wearers were a seemingly endless army of demons.

'Ravishers. And even more than before...' he thought, tight-lipped.

They were all ready to devour him with their jagged teeth, however they maintained their distance.

It was clear why.

Above them, perched on the hill above, dressed in white, a figure--presumably the boss, stood, looking down at Jace.

The ravishers would not attack unless given the permission.

Outfitted in a white overcoat as if to directly contradict Jace's black one, the figure also donned a white mask with carvings of an apple under one eye, and a book underneath the other. Two swords were also equipped on his waist.

Jace stared the man in the eyes with a fierce determination.

"Yeah...?" He panted mockingly as he pushed himself up.

"Ngghhh!!" his heart thumped, reverberating through his ears as he faced his enemies.

He gritted his teeth, gripping his sword and faced it at the man.

Taking a deep breath, he sharply inhaled.

"WELL?!?! Come on then, you bastards!! I'm ready when you are!!" he roared.

A wave of calm took hold of his body as he focused himself.

'If I'm gonna die here...it's gonna be with some style.' He smiled.

"Kekekeke!!!!" the demons chittered.

The sounds of their teeth clacking together was nerve-wracking.

It was a horrid sound, but Jacender was ready.

"Yes!! Human blood!!!"

"Dieee!!"

"Let us kill him master!!!" the ravishers cackled.

The figure went silent for a moment and then motioned with his hand toward Jace.

"Go."

The wave rushed toward Jace in a frenzy.

Jacender exhaled.

In an instant, a fire-like golden energy seeped from his body.

The last of his power being brought to the forefront.

'This is it,' he concentrated.

'If I don´t hold them off here... humanity is doomed...' he amped himself.

'I can't miss a single attack.'

"I'm gonna miss you, 'Lex." he whispered softly, reminiscent of the past, and charged in.

10 Years earlier:

[The Axis]

The Axis was a decently large place.

It had a forest of Ash trees(who´s wood never burned), a large supply of food in the form of magical animals, and its residents.

A small family of 4. 1 adult, 3 children.

The axis wasn't an ordinary place either. It stood in a dimensional crack, separated from the rest of the world. The children inside had never met another human being before, other than their uncle. But these children were special. They didn't know it quite yet, but destiny had other plans in store for them.

{FX: CLANGK!!! CLANGK!!!}

The sounds of swords striking each other echoed through the meadow.

The source of the sound? Twin brothers Jacender and Aleximus.

The 2 boys, no older than 9, stood facing each other in a meadow of grass.

Sweat rolling off of Jacender's temple, he slowly inched forward.

Aleximus did the same.

"HYAH!" Jacender lunged fiercely, bringing his wooden sword down.

Aleximus swiftly side stepped, pivoting on his left foot to deliver a kick to Jace's stomach.

"*Kuek!!*" he grunted and flew back.

But Aleximus didn't fall back. He ran forward, swinging his sword at Jace's head diagonally.

Jace ducked, but not in time to evade another kick.

This time to his face.

{FX: THUD!!}

The swords fell and the match was concluded.

"*Ow*...Did you have to hit me that hard...?" Jacender held his face, which was burning red from the kick.

"Next time I'll go for *your* face, Aleximus!"

Aleximus smirked and extended his hand to Jace. "Sigh. It's not my fault you don't know how to dodge." He responded, helping Jace stand.

These 2 were very good friends. Rivals who wanted nothing more than to help each other grow. They were in every sense of the word: Brothers.

Footsteps approached them.

Jace turned his head to see who it was.

"Anna!!" he beamed with delight.

A girl just a bit younger than them stood there, holding a basket of what seemed like fruits.

She looked to be shortly out of breath.

"*Jeez*...I told you guys to take it easy!!" She said, worryingly.

She walked up to Jacender and put her hand up in front of his face.

"-Runic Healing Wave-"

A small pink wave of energy was emitted from her fingertips and pulsated on Jacender´s face.

The redness began to disappear and the swelling reduced.

Aleximus stood, marveling at the magic.

When they found out that Anna could use magic, it was quite the shocking experience. They had never seen it before. It was like... a mythical energy out of legend. She always used it to heal their injuries during their sparring matches, so there would be no cause for concern for their Uncle Matsuda in case he figured out that they had been training behind his back.

Their uncle himself had magic as well. Though it was different from Anna's. It was embodied through the form of talismans used as a medium.

¨I can't use magic.¨ Their uncle told them when they had asked about it. ¨Talismans are all I´m capable of. It gets the job done and it won't draw unnecessary attention.¨ he added, leaving it at that. He never spoke about magic to them again. Which is why the children were scared that he might forbid Anna to use it. So they kept it a secret between them.

"Thanks Anna, I can always count on you to fix me right up! Hehe." Jacender grinned.

"No problem." she smiled.

¨Hnng...¨she groaned. The sound of her heart beat pulsing from ear to ear.

¨Are you okay?¨ Aleximus asked, putting his palm on her forehead.

She swatted his hand away playfully.

¨Mhmm. Just a headache. I´ll be fine¨ she murmured.

¨You´ve been getting a lot of those recently. Maybe we should put training on hold. I don't want you to keep pushing yourself more than you need to.¨ Jacender worried.

¨I said I´m fine. Jeez, you guys are worrywarts.¨ She sat on the floor, looking at them deadpan.

Aleximus picked up his sword and held it over his shoulder, shrugging at Jacender.

Aleximus had broken a sweat against Jacender but wanted to test himself against a stronger opponent.

No offense to his brother, but he needed a challenge.

"That was a good sparring match, dontcha think? I can tell we're getting a lot better." Jacender pointed out.

"Yeah. You're getting much stronger. Learning how to use that stupidly comical physical power of yours is going well I see" Aleximus chimed.

Though they were twins, Jace was born with superior strength and speed whereas Aleximus was born with smarts and stamina.

But Jacender´s physical strength was beyond doubt, inhumane. He could lift heavy objects, crack vases with his bare hand, and grind small rocks to dust if he tried hard enough.

They both laughed at each other.

Making fun of the other's skill was another fun way of motivation.

'Sigh. Boys.' Anna rolled her eyes and ate a banana from her fruit basket.

The boys started to goof around. Several times there it looked like they would fall off balance and hurt each other. Anna watched them play, humming to herself.

When they got tired, they collapsed next to her and sat.

Staring at the clouds in the distance, Jace spotted one with the shape of angel wings. They floated around slowly with the sun and moved down.

It was getting late.

Aleximus stared at the hill just beyond the sunset. Ambition blazing in his eyes, he spoke. "One day...I'm gonna get on the other side of that hill. I know Uncle Matsuda doesn't want us to, but... I know my curiosity won't be satiated until I go."

"The people beyond there must be wonderful and amazing, huh?" he rambled. ¨All powerful and different. The food is probably great as well.¨

He stopped for a moment.

"If I go... will you guys...come with me?" he asked them, turning to his sides to look at them.

"Snore...Zzzzz....zzzzz."

Jacender and Anna had fallen fast asleep. Much too comfortable in the grass to listen to Aleximus ramble.

He smiled softly and laid down next to his siblings.

"Yeah. Nevermind."

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A thunderous voice spoke. It crackled through the air around Aleximus and resonated throughout his mind.

#"When the gates fall, a man of golden brilliance shall ascend to the sky and usher forth a time of change.

It shall be on this day that the false messiah reveals himself. A duel shall mark a vicious war and the doom of the 4 realms.

Those who were forsaken shall seek vengeance upon the newcomer and his apostles.

The Hammer of Babylon will once again taste the thrill of creation; and when air turns to fire, the child of the Ashfields shall finally sit atop the throne and fulfill his destiny."#

"AAHH!!!" Aleximus screamed and jumped out of bed, heart pounding, and breathing heavily.

"W-What...was that?" he said, holding his forehead to check for fever.

'No...not a fever...was that...a dream?'

"Aw wait, crap! What time is it?!" He looked around.

It was then that he realized he was no longer laying in the meadow.

He was home. Laying in his bed in the treehouse atop the giant Ash tree.

He turned to his right.

Jacender was asleep, snoring loudly.

'Who...brought us here?' Aleximus worried, getting out of bed and over to Jacender.

"Jace...Oi...Jace!" he whispered, shaking him.

Jacender wouldn't budge.

Aleximus's mouth twitched in annoyance.

"Hey Jace...wake up will ya?!" he said, raising his arm.

Jacender's eyes started to open, vision still fuzzy.

He couldn't see too clearly.

A dark figure(Aleximus) stood above him menacingly with an arm raised.

Jacender thought it sought to do him harm.

So of course he had the appropriate reaction.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" he screamed, bearing no shame.

His frightened figure looked ghastly.

¨WHAT THE F–¨

Aleximus quickly grabbed his mouth and stifled his scream.

"S-shut up, you idiot!" he hissed.

Jacender shivered in relief that it was Aleximus and calmed down.

"Listen to me. How did we get back home? Weren't we in the meadow?" Aleximus inquired.

Jacender looked around as well. He too had started to realize that they had been moved.

{FX: Knock Knock....}

A man walked into the room. His hair and goatee were purple but light blue streaks of hair could be seen coming out of them.

"Oh? You're awake!" He smiled.

He was middle aged, dressed in a blue kimono embroidered with blue flax flowers in its layers.

"Uncle Matsuda! Hi!! Were you the one who brought us back home?" Jacender asked, running to him for a hug.

Matsuda hugged him back, ruffling his hair.

"Hello to you Jace!", he responded, "Why yes. I did bring you all home. After all, it's dangerous for you to be alone out there." He stood up straight.

"What do you mean?" Aleximus asked. Matsuda's eyes covered him with sad warmth.

"Why don't you two come to the table? I've made dinner."

'? Did I say something?' Aleximus asked himself.

Jacender sighed and flicked Aleximus's forehead.

"You did nothing, Aleximus. Uncle is just worried about us. So you stop worrying too..."

"How did you...–" Aleximus started.

"–Cuz we're brothers, duh!!" Jace interrupted him.

Matsuda smiled at the two and stood up.

The connections the boys shared gave him nostalgic feelings of a friend from his past. "Come on. It's a special occasion today!" he beamed, opening the door.

"Special occasion??" The boys asked in unison.

"Yes! After all, today is your sister's birthday!!!"

'Birthday?' Aleximus suddenly remembered.

"Oh yeah!! We even made her a present, didn't we Jace?" He exclaimed.

'I had forgotten about today. We've been so busy with our training. Good thing we made it beforehand!!' he thought.

"Uncle–" Jacender began.

"–No worries. She's asleep in her room. As long as we move quietly and get the dining room table ready, we can still surprise her!" He whispered, excitedly to them both.

"Haaaaa!!" Jace released a sigh of relief.

"You're the best, uncle Matsuda!! You're the best parent I could ever wish for!"

Matsuda gave a sad smile.

"I'm glad to hear it, Jace. You have been nothing but the best children one could ever wish for as well." He said, walking out the door.

"Now get ready. We want perfection for little Anna."

The door closed as their uncle walked through.

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Jacender and Aleximus got changed and walked over to Anna's room.

"*Phew*." Aleximus sighed, holding his gift for Anna.

It was a good thing that his uncle reminded him, or else he would have been frustrated with himself for forgetting

Jacender knocked on the door. "Anna? Are you awake?" He asked.

{FX: CRASH....!!}

¨What was that?!¨ Aleximus asked, running into the room.

¨Hey!¨ Jacender exclaimed, worried that Aleximus´s behavior was improper.

The room was empty. Sheets were sprawled all over the floor, drawers from the dresser were opened haphazardly, and blood stained the floor.

Anna was nowhere to be found and the window near her bed had been opened.

"?!?!?!?" The boy's ran towards the window in alarm, fearing the worst.

Aleximus peered outside, squinting at a small figure at the trunk of the tree.

"There!!" He yelled, pointing her out to Jacender.

Anna was on the ground floor and walked through the dark forest, disappearing from sight.

'How did she get down there...?' Aleximus pondered, wary.

'Never mind that!! I´ve gotta help her. That blood... she must be hurt!!'

"We've gotta tell unc–" Jacender started but Aleximus wouldn't wait. He ran towards the door, flinging it open, and made a run for the outside.

'Idiot!!' Jace cursed him in his mind, running into the hallway.

"ALEXIMUS!!!" He yelled.

But Aleximus wouldn't listen.

His sister was in trouble. He knew it. But from what? And why?

Fin

Aleximus ran through the meadow quickly as the moon shined down on him.

"Huh?!?!" He whipped his head, turning to look behind him.

"Who's there?!" He spoke, on guard, ready for any and everything.

There wasn't a reply.

´Tch. Of course there isn't anyone there!! Us four are the only ones who live in the axis.´ He convinced himself, exhaling to regain his composure.

He was still on guard, however. The strange happenings with his sister were just his primary concern.

But...the presence that he sensed...reminded him of the magic that Anna used.

...It's energy.

He focused his mind back on his sister and continued to run.

--

"Oh...? Can he sense me? Interesting..."

The moon shined down, outlining a dark figure's shadow.

He stood behind a tree watching Aleximus with a sinister grin.

"Looks like my journey here won't be too boring..."

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Jacender burst into the kitchen.

"Uncle Matsuda!!" He yelled.

His uncle had been icing a cake.

"Oh, Jace! Is your sister awake? If so, I'll be right there soon. I just need to finish topping her cake. You know chocolate is her fav–" he said before being cut off.

"–Uncle! I...It´s Aleximus and Anna!!¨ he panted.

Matsuda´s eyes narrowed.

Jacender quickly told him what he had seen.

¨Do you know the direction they went in?¨ he asked, removing his apron.

"I-I'm not sure...I think...they went through the Ash trees!¨ he stammered. ¨But uncle! Didn't you say that under no circumstances were we to go through there?¨

¨The Ash tree route?! Dammit! Jace, stay here!" Matsuda leapt, running out of the room.

¨Wait, uncle!!¨ Jace called out.

´If they really are going through the ash tree route... they might come across that thing...!´ Matsuda worried.

´I promised Runnulf I would watch over it... I've got to get my talismans!!´ He thought, running into his room and opening a large chest behind the bed.

"Why...? Why now?!" he muttered worriedly, and began to rummage around.

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Aleximus ran through the trees, swatting away branches that obscured his view.

Anna was right through the path here. He was sure of it.

He had to make sure she was okay. He *had* to.

¨ANNA!!¨ he yelled, finally seeing her.

He suddenly noticed what she stood in front of.

'Wait. What is that!?'

A giant waterfall ran down in front of them.

The clear water moved down heavily, pouring into the small pond, and standing in front of the waterfall, was a stone statue of a man.

His hair was long and his facial features were quite elegant, yet rustic.

His palm was outstretched holding out a ball of fire.

'What is that...? Is that also magic?... It doesn't feel different from Anna´s and uncle Matsuda´s energy.' Aleximus deduced.

Little Anna looked to be in a trance. She walked slowly, ignoring Aleximus´s words, towards a waterfall.

She collapsed with no warning, plopping down on the floor as if lifeless.

"Anna!!" Aleximus dashed to her worriedly.

He held her forehead. She seemed to be burning up from fever.

"I got you. No worries...I've got you." He consoled her.

His hand felt warm. "!?!??!".

He checked it, to his surprise...finding blood.

Anna's arm was bleeding.

"A-Anna?! Are you okay? *Wait!!* I'll stop the bleeding!"

He quickly ripped off his sleeve, tying it around her arm, halting the blood flow and temporarily sealing the wound.

"*Whew.*"

"Huh...?!" a voice behind them gasped in awe.

"That flame shouldn't even be active, let alone that big!! Is it talisman magic?"

Aleximus jumped, raising his fists in an instant.

¨What the...¨ he started.

Jacender walked out of the shadows.

¨Jace?!?!¨ he exclaimed, ¨What are you doing here? I almost hit you!!¨

Jacender glared at him.

"W...What?" Aleximus stammered.

Jace began to chew him out. "Idiot! I told you to wait!! You always let your feelings get in the way. *Tch.* Aren't you supposed to be the smart one? Uncle Matsuda said it's dangerous!"

"Urghh." Alexinus rolled his eyes. He didn't like it when his brother was right. It left a bad taste in his mouth.

"*Grrr*...Shut up!" He responded.

"How did you know where I was? And where's uncle Matsuda?" He realized.

"I figured this was the direction of the Ash tree path, so I followed you. Uncle Matsuda went to get something, I think. He looked flustered."

"Wait...but how did you know where in the path we were?" Aleximus asked.

Jacender blushed embarrassed. "I...felt...you here."

Aleximus put his hand over his mouth to avoid a giggle.

"J-Jerk...!" Jacender blushed harder.

Aleximus turned back towards the statue. Anna in his arms, he turned to Jacender.

"I finally found Anna..! Let's just get her home!! Uncle Matsuda is just paranoid!! There's no danger anywh–"

{FX:VRMM....}

Jace heard a silent pulse and stared at the waterfall.

{FX:VRMM...}

'That sound...is it coming from the waterfall...?' He pondered, walking towards it.

"Jace, be careful. We don't know what it is. Let's get Anna away from it!!" Aleximus warned, skeptical.

'Aleximus can hear it too?' Jace thought, confused.

Aleximus stared up at the statue once again.

'This ringing...what is that sound?' He thought.

"Jace...we've got to–" he winced, "...Argh!!"

#"Go, my child. Find that which awaits you beyond the waterfall..." a voice resonated in his head.

"Only your bloodline can retrieve it..."# the voice ordered, domineeringly.

'This voice..!! It's the same as before!!' Aleximus fell to his knees, holding his aching head.

The sensation. He was sure of it. It was magic. And it sounded awfully like the voice he heard when he was asleep earlier.

"Huh?" Jace turned, snapping out of his daze once he realized his brother was in pain.

"Aleximus!! Are you okay?!" he said, running to help him up.

"I–"

{FX:BAAM!!!}

Jace's body suddenly went flying straight into the waterfall.

Aleximus's eyes widened.

"*JACENDER!!!!*" he yelled in worry.

He quickly jumped so he could run to him.

"I'm com–"

{FX:WHAAM!!!}

A foot dove into his stomach.

"*AACK*–"

He coughed up blood as his body got implanted into the ground.

The pain was piercing. Aleximus was sure a rib or two had been broken.

"*Tch!* Fuckin' brat!! You got blood all over my clothes!!" a voice came from overhead.

A man walked over to Anna's collapsed body and picked her up.

Aleximus struggled for breath.

"*Huff...khaa...huff...puff*" he panted.

"*SHADDUP!!*" the other figure stomped on his stomach again.

"AIEEEEHHAHGHH!!!!!" he screamed echoing through the forest as he nearly blacked out from the pain.

"Now..." the figure bent down, his face becoming visible in the moon's light, "...What was that about danger...?"

Fin