Path of the Sword. (Hyrulian Hero)

OoC: I'll be using Zorlo for this battle, he's in my sig.

BiC:Zorlo was now in the northern continent, in search of his master's fabled sword the Queen's Guard. His hunt had lead him from his home in the west to this continent and now brought him through this land. The land was a barren, mountainous path that lead through a large trail that had been traversed by many people in the past. He moved slowly because of the shear cold, he was not dressed to handle the extreme cold. The mountains that formed the path were both so large that the path was through the middle and the path was littered with the bodies of travelers that had walked this path in the past. Zorlo was astounded at the altitude of the mountains around him. My hunt has taken me this far he thought, and nothing will stop me, not even this insane cold.

Zorlo continued to move through the frozen wasteland as he was driven by his will to find his master's sword which he had seen taken by the man who had slain his master. How did the sword get way out here. Why would that man stash it up here. Zorlo thought as he moved through the wasteland. He had covered almost two miles in the past two hours and continued on in hopes of finding something. This path is wide enough for a caravan to pass through, I cant believe that so many died heading this way. What could be out here? Zorlo continued to ponder as he traveled deeper into the mountainous path.

Suddenly it began to snow in the path, This was not unusual because of the high altitude, but he was surprised by the fact that he now began to see a shadow appearing in the distance. As he approached this shadow, he noticed it was a man and began to wonder Who is this man that is approaching me, and what is he doing out here?

Altra clapped his hands together and placed them on the smooth icy rock wall in front of him. As his hands touched the ice-covered rock, a blue light spread across it's surface. Suddenly, the rock began to change, boiling and swirling in a sludge-like manner. Slowly, it began to extend outward, forming a face. The face was slim and smooth, with kind eyes and long hair framing it.

Altra sighed as he stroked Kika's likeness and remembered their last parting. I must really be in love. He thought as he mixed the rock face back in with the rest of the mountain side. But its been so long. I just can't help but think about her. Sighing again, the alchemist turned around and continued his march across the frozen wasteland. The young man couldn't believe how cold it was, but he was willing to endure it for Kika.

He had read in the old journal of a supposedly famous swordsman that there was a unique magical blade up here, somewhere under all of this ice and rock. He wanted it to give to Kika, for she kept breaking all of her staffs, and he wanted to give her something that wouldn't break so easily. He had hoped to have it by the time she returned from her trip, but that was becoming less and less likely as he realized just how large and dangerous this place was.

Shivering, the alchemist pulled his coat closer around him. At least its not snowing... He thought, turning down on a narrow path between two small mountains. Suddenly, his eyes went wide as a snowflake landed on his nose. Ahh, damn it! I've jinxed myself! Suddenly, the ninja's eyes were drawn past his nose as a dark figure approached him from the bottom of the path.

"Who's there?" The figure called, a sword in hand.

"I could ask the same thing." Altra replied, his eyes narrowing. "Are you an enemy or friend?"

"Unless you are already my enemy, a friend. I don't want to fight you, I am merely on a quest." The figure answered, moved closer.

"A quest? What kind of quest?" Altra asked.

"I'm looking for a sword, my old master's."

Altra smirked. "Unless there are many magical swords hidden away up here, which I find hard to believe, we are looking for the same item."

The alchemist waited for several moments before he recieved a reply from the stranger. "Would, you perhaps allow me to have the sword?" The man asked.

Altra shook his head, although he already knew that it was useless, for the man would be unable to make it out in this thick snow. "I'm afraid not. But feel welcome to let me have it."

"I can't do that. I also cannot let you go, since you are after my goal."

"Heh, I thought so." Altra said, softly clapping his hands together. "So, before we begin, what is your name?" The alchemist passed his left hand over his rihgt, transmuting it into a long, slender blade.

OoC: just one thing on Zorlo, one is he does not approach people with malicious intent, ever.

BiC: Zorlo approached the shadow, not knowing what it was, hoping for the best but ready to fight if he had to. Although Zorlo enjoys the heat of battle, and believes it is great training, he did not want to fight in this area, with so much snow at least. The man finally came into view and Zorlo noticed that he was a young man.

“My name is Zorlo, and I am a fencer, and that sword belonged to my lost master Kurenkento, and I have spent much time searching for it, and this mountain is my first good lead, and since you are hear with the same goal, I guess that means that I am on the right track.” Zorlo examined his enemy further as he had never seen someone dressed as he was dressed. Nor did Zorlo have any intentions of trying to fight this man in the snow. Although he wore black, the visibility was to low for any kind of attacks to be made.

Zorlo asked the shadowed figure, “Two questions, on is what is your name, and the other is what are you. You are dressed unlike any other person I have ever seen.

The man stood silent for a few moments, and only said, “Are you sure that I cannot just take the sword.”

Zorlo was struck by this question, but what more was that he was angered by it.

“No, you cannot have it, mostly because I don’t even know where it is, why do you think that I am up here looking. I have spent the past year looking for it, my master died and had it taken, and I need to see if the magic sword up here is my master’s former sword. We cannot settle this right now though, to much snow, there is a cave a little ways back that I found before it started snowing, we can wait there for it to stop and then settle this.”

Zorlo sheathed his sword and began to walk to where the cave had been, but found something stopping him, he could not place it, he had not chosen to stop, so what was it he wondered. He looked down to find his legs bound by a strange dark bond and asked, “What kind of strange magic is this. Thats it, now I’m mad, snow or not, I guess I’m gonna have to get my point across with my sword.”

OoC: This isn't anything really important, but Zorlo shouldn't be able to see his arms. The arms themselves are hidden by the coat, and he wears black gloves on his hands.

BiC: Altra smirked as the man turned away from him. There wasn't any way that he was going to follow this guy just like that. He might try to lead him into a trap or ambush. Gathering the shadows from the side of the narrow pass, the alchemist warped them into a strong, thick band. Sending the shadow over the man's legs, he prepared himself for battle.

The man hopped around, anger clear on his face. Leaping forward, Altra slid down the pass, his sword-arm off to his side. As he approached the man, he leapt into the air, flying over the young swordsman. The ninja automatically blocked the blow he already knew was coming and kicked out at the man's already bound legs.

Zorlo fell on his back, but spun around on the ice, slicing out at Altra's legs with his sword. The ninja leapt over the blade and slid back, reaching into a pocket. Pulling out a large glass bottle, the alchemist examined the landscape as Zorlo struggled to his feet. Grinning to himself, Altra heaved to bottle over Zorlo's head, to smash on the side of the mountain wall above him.

Instantly, large white flames spread over the entire rock face. There was an audible crack as the flames cut through the ice, sending large chunks of it tumbling down at Zorlo. Legs bound, the young man hopped around desperately, trying to aviod the icy boulders.

Taking this chance to escape, Altra ran down the pass, changing his hand back to normal. Thats the last I'll see of him!

OoC: This should give you a chance to get rid of the shadow bonds some how.

Zorlo sat in the pass, bound as giant boulders and white flames engulfed the chasm. Zorlo found himself hopping around to dodge the boulders and he steered as clear from the flames as he could.

Argggg, he thought, this is an effective trap, and these stupid bonds won’t break no matter how much I move around. As the flames began to move in closer, he noticed the bonds began to loosen. Light, thats the trick, I just need a really powerful light, hmm... the suns not out, so that ideas out. Suddenly a small speck of light broke through the clouds as the fire was disbursing them from the pass. Its my lucky day, the sun, he thought but noticed the bonds were not breaking. GRRRRR... stupid magic bonds, well, what do I do now. THINK, THINK. Suddenly, Zorlo noticed a glare off of his sword. Stupid light from my sword is blinding me, wait, light plus sword equals, score, escape.

Zorlo focused the light from his sword onto the bonds and they disbanded and he found himself capable of moving.

“Freedom!” Zorlo said with electricity in his voice. “Now to find that jerk that left me bound here, and I will find him.”

Zorlo rushed through the canyon in a furious rage as he sought to find his escape opponent. The black dressed man was walking through the chasm as if nothing had happened. Zorlo decided to approach him and settle the score the two now had.

“Your mine!” Zorlo said as the man turned and guarded the rapier with his arm. A clang was heard when the two met and this shocked Zorlo to the point where he backed off almost immediately.

“What was that?” Zorlo asked with surprise in his voice.

Again the man ignored Zorlo’s question, but looked at him as if he thought he knew what the man was. Zorlo had never seen an alchemist and this encounter was a new thing to him.

The alchemist finally said, “Amazing, you escaped my shadow bonds, simply amazing.” the man chuckled as he said this. his amusement left Zorlo wondering what was going on.

Zorlo asked, “What do you find so funny, why are you laughing so hard.”

Again, no response, and finally Zorlo responded, but he did so with actions. Zorlo lunged, the man put up his other arm and deflected the sword with it, again the clang came out and Zorlo stood awestruck. What a weird guy, but then again, what is normal. Might as well make good training out of this while I’m here. Getting stronger to make myself more worthy of my master's sword couldn't hurt. Zorlo thought to himself with great happiness.

Altra chuckled at the suddenly egar look on his opponent's face and clapped his hands together.

"You're applauding me?" Zorlo asked with confusion. Altra laughed again and passed his hands over each other, two curvy blades extending over each glove as his did so. Zorlo stared in wonder for several moments as Altra clapped his hands again. "By the way, my name is Altra." The alchemist told the young man, looking up. "Now, prepare yourself!" The alchemist touched the ground at his feet. Blue lightnings leapt from his hands and raced across the ice towards Zorlo.

Startled, the man leapt back and raised his sword in front of him. The ground in front of the swordsman exploded, several large spikes of ice shooting up at him. The warrior managed to dodge and deflect most of them, but was caught off guard as Altra leapt forward through the cloud of ice and snow.

The ninja knocked Zorlo's blade away with his left arm and stabbed at him with the other. The wavey blade pierced Zorlo's shoulder, making him cry out in pain. Pulling the blade out, Altra leapt back and clapped his hands together again. The alchemist slapped the ice at his feet, a large pillar of ice raising up in front of him. Clapping his hands once more, the alchemist pushed against the pillar, this time firing a miriad of ice needles at his opponent.

ARRRGGGG, he got my arm, and those stupid ice needles are about to turn me into a pin cushion. Alright, don't show your fear, keep yourself focused, there has to be a way to get out of this mess. As Zorlo thought, he suddenly saw his life flashing before his eyes, but this was not the first time this had happened, because Zorlo had escaped near death before.

I got it, hopefully I have mastered that attack or else I'm gonna have more holes that swiss cheese. Air started to gather around Zorlo's sword, and then he unleashed his special technique. "Air Slash" he screamed as a powerful blade of air fired through and destroyed enough ice needles that he could turn and not get skewered, but the attack continued on after that and struck the alchemist right in the chest. The Alchemist used the blade from his hands to stop himself from moving backwards. He noticed that the fencer had actually hurt him.

"Wow, that attacks never traveled that far and still did damage. Finally, I masted it. OH YEAH! Got it down now. Hey, buddy, thats what you get for laughing at me and not taking me seriously.

The Alchemist still chuckled, and rose to his feet and began to clap again. "Arrrgggg, will you stop with that, I know you think I am some kind of joke, but don't think thats gonna make me any weaker, remember, I just hit you."

It would be a good idea to conserve my energy, I may need to use the Air Slash a few more times in this battle, and I'll need some energy saved up for that.

"Don't celebrate just yet, I'm still standing," the alchemist said as he rose to his feet, "Do not mistake me for a weakling either."

Zorlo unlatched his shield from his right arm, seeing as it was wounded from the stab from the blade on the alchemists arm. The buckler fell to the ground. A sharp clang rang through the pass when the shield hit the ground. "Won't be needing that now, my arm is to wounded to keep trying to hold that shield up, guess I'll have to sacrifice some defense from some offense. Watch out Altra, here I come!" Zorlo said as he charged at his opponent.

Altra quickly dropped to one knee as Zorlo charged him. Touching his hands to the ground, the alchemist sent an arc of blue lighning across the ice. Suddenly, the ground under the fencer collapsed, sending him falling down into a frezing pool of ice water. Altra laughed as the young man sputtered and flailed around wildly.

"W-w-what d-did y-you do?" The swordsman asked as he climbed out of the water-filled pit shivering.

"You really have no clue what alchemy is, do you?" Altra asked, crossing his arms carefully, so as not to cut himself. This is great! Altra thought to himself, clapping his hands together again. This fool doesn't have a clue what I'm doing! Maybe I can bluff him...

Zorlo shook his head. "W-whats al-alche-me-ey?"

"Its the very power of the gods." Altra answered wickedly. "I can do anything with it. I can change the world around me, create anything from nothing, and even control time! It even allows me to see the future!"

The fencer's eyes went wide at that. "N-no way!"

"You don't believe me?" The alchemist asked, stepping forward, his hands still pressed together. "Watch, I'll create a bottomless pit for you to fall into to. You'll fall forever, with no release or rescue, trapped for all eternity!" The alchemist leapt at the man, holding his hands outward.

Zorlo yelped in terror and backpedaled rapidly, falling into the icy pool again. Laughing at his bluff's success and this fool's gullibility, Altra touched the ground again, raising several large pillars of ice around the pool. Hiding behind one, he waited for Zorlo to appear again.

Oh great, Zorlo thought, another fine mess I’ve gotten myself into, now I’m fighting a guy that can manipulate time and space and what have I got to contend with that. Think, I’ve got to have something up my sleeve, but man this waters cold, but once I jump out again, he’ll throw me into a bottomless pit, ARRRGGGG! Well, what now, escape is impossible, I’ve made this guy to mad, what can I do. I got it.

The fencer leapt out of the pit and slashed one of the columns in half and landed on it. “Now, wheres that guy, I’m ready to continue,” Zorlo said as he peered around looking for where his enemy was. “Maybe he left, I dunno.”

Just then the Alchemist came out of know where and slashed under the column that Zorlo was under and sent if flying towards a wall.

Zorlo noticed himself moving and said, “Something is wrong, the ground beneath*pauses*my feet*another pause* is moving. Ahhhhh!!!!” Zorlo leapt from the column and landed unscathed. He was breathing hard, most likely because of the shock of almost being shot into a wall.

Zorlo stuck his sword into the ground and took off his hat and wrung it out. He then put his hat back on his head and pulled his sword from the ground.

“That was a nice bluff, but from what you just did, I don’t think that you have the powers you claim to have. If you did, you could have just ended my existence there. So, I guess that means that even your power has limits.” Zorlo said with a smug look across his face.

The alchemist was unchanged, Zorlo didn’t think to much of it, seeing as he had figured the man’s rouse, amazingly. “Okay, time to rumble,” Zorlo said as he charged at the man. The alchemist just shrugged and put his hands on the ground and produced a massive ice wall under him. Zorlo brought his feet to a screeching stop and looked up to see where his opponent had fled to.

“What are you doing, I thought we were fighting here.” Zorlo said.

“Strategy my good man, its all in the cards as they say,” the Alchemist said.
Altra slammed his hand on the ice and shattered the wall and then jumped off of the massive cracked wall as it fell. The wall crashed down with a hard thud and left little other than the remains that which was just an ice wall.

“Well, farewell, I’m off to get that sword now. Enjoy your death,” Altra said as he walked away.

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m still very much alive. See, when that stupid wall started to crack I guessed what you were doing and fled as fast as I could, and to my surprise, the wall just missed me!” Zorlo said while laughing.

Altra responded with a hint of anger in his voice, “I won’t make that mistake again, don’t you worry.”

OoC: I hope I didn't over use your character, If I did forgive me.

"I guess I'll show you my real powers now, instead of just toying with you." Altra said, clapping his hands and touching two pillars on either side of him. Instantly, a myrid of ice needles shot out a Zorlo. The fencer leapt back and slashed at the air with his sword, sending an invisible gust of air to deflect the needles.

But the young man couldn't deflect all of them, and the swordsman soon found himself sporting enough needles to pass for a porcupine, despite his efforts to defend himself. Unwilling to give the fencer a chance once he had depleted the ice pillars, Altra clapped his hands together and touched the ground at his feet. The earth rumbled audibly as a huge crack broke the ice and rock surface in half, racing towards Zorlo.

"You didn't believe in my powers, so now you'll get a chance to witness them firsthand!" The alchemist told Zorlo as he attempted to flee the mountain pass, blood trailing behind him from his many wounds.

Running along the mountain side along Zorlo, the ninja pulled a handful of kunai out from his trenchcoat and hurled them at the fleeing man. Zorlo deflected most of them with his sword, sending them flying away with a clang, but one of them slipped past the man's defences and slammed into his leg, sending a fresh burst of blood splatering onto the ice.

The fissure chasing Zorlo had stopped now, allowing the fencer to stop and turn his attention on Altra, who had leapt off the side of the mountain wall and in front of Zorlo.

Ouch, this hurts. I have to deal with this guy somehow, Zorlo thought. His powers are amazing, and I’m wounded now, movement will not be as easy as it was. I gotta take this chance, I gotta stand and fight him, I cannot leave, and I will not lose. Zorlo was now focused, and was ready to fight. He pulled the kunai knife out of his leg, but he could feel the blood dripping down his chain mail. Damn those pins hurt, and my chain-mail seems useless against this guy, better ditch it before I wind up in a ditch.

Zorlo removed his shirt and removed his chain-mail from his chest, the new holes that had been made by the pins were bleeding, but not enough to make him bleed to death. I’ve had enough of this guy, I gotta give him every thing I have left, even if its not much.

“Alright buddy, I guess I gotta get serious to. Man, I don’t want to end this with one of us dying, and I don’t understand why you want the Queen’s Guard anyways, but still, I cannot lose, I am to close to give up now!”

Zorlo ran at full speed, which was not as fast as he had been attacking before because of the leg wound which throbbed with every step. The man created an Ice column in front of him to hinder Zorlo’s movement, and readied to make Zorlo into a pin cushion, but as he fired the needles, Zorlo jumped onto the column and leapt down at his attacker.

“Im gonna find some way to win, I don’t care what it takes,” Zorlo shouted as to allow his opponent to know that he was now more serious then he had previously been. Zorlo’s sword came down fast, but his opponent was faster as he raised his arms to absorb the attack. Although Zorlo’s sword had been stopped, he shifted his body and kicked the alchemist in the head, and then released his sword and spun his body around such that his other leg slammed into his opponents shoulder and left a dent in it. Zorlo fell back to the ground because Altra had been stunned from the blow to his arm, and his arms had been seperated by the second kick. Zorlo’s hands made it to the ground, and his opponent raised the blades on his arm to land a finishing blow, but Zorlo used his legs that he had wrapped around his opponents head to throw him away.

Altra hit the ground with a thud. *phew* finally got that guy, but man, that whole attack hurt. Gotta stay focused, but man, that last attack really hurt, good thing that my bad leg got that metal arm of his. It’s gonna be hard to run after him, but I gotta hope for the best. I still have enough feeling in my leg to maneuver, just not to charge again. Zorlo grabbed his sword from the ground, his opponent rose from where he had landed and readied himself again.

“I just have one question Altra, why is it you seek the Queen’s Guard, of what meaning does it have to you, this sword was my masters, and I was am the rightful person to take it. I do not want to fight anymore, please heed my words, leave the sword for me and let us both leave with our honor,” Zorlo pleaded with the man.

OoC: Ummm......when Zorlo, who is not even really strong enough to dent the auto mail, kicked Altra's arm, he should have broken his leg. It's like you trying to kick a street light over.

BiC: "Heh," Altra brushed the snow off his coat and looked up at the swordsman. "Unless and until you have known true love, and the desire to do anything to protect that love, you cannot understand. I would like to leave you in peace, but I cannot give you the sword, for the sake of the person who is precious to me." The alchemist told him, while transmuting both of his arms to normal, fixing the dent in the process.

"You can still leave, but I have a feeling that you would no more surrender the sword than I would." Clapping his hands again, Altra transmuted a sword over his right arm, and his left forearm into a long, slender chain, spikes covering the entire lenght. "Let us end this. Do not worry, for I shall not kill you. I might even take you somewhere where you can heal."

With that, the ninja leapt at the fencer, who raised his rapier before him. Altra ducked under a quick slice and countered with his own jab. Zorlo side stepped the blade and brought the hilt of his sword down on Altra's arm, forcing it into the ground. The ninja was not detered however, and spun around on the blade, both of his feet spinning through the air and sending Zorlo flying.

The fencer bounced off the rock wall behind him and leapt back at the alchemist, holding his sword out in front of him horizontally. Altra pulled his left arm back and whipped it foreward again, the chain wrapping around Zorlo's blade. Yanking at the chain, Altra tore the rapier from the fencer's grasp. The sword flew through the air, embedding itself in the rock behind Altra.

Flipping his chain-arm up again, the ninja lashed at Zorlo. The spiked chain wrapped around the man, the spikes digging into his arms and chest. Pulling the chain tight, Altra watched as fresh blood trailed down the fighter's body, pooling at his feet.

"You'll die soon from a loss of blood." Altra told him, his voice and face grim. "I've already told you that I don't want to have to kill you. You should give up now."

Standing there prostrated with his predicament, the fencer finally spoke, “Alright, I concede this battle. I have too much to live for to die here now!” *Laughs*

“I ask one thing of you, after you have retrieved the sword, may I please see it. Your cause is stronger than mine, and that makes your determination all the greater. Still, I will request that you allow me to see the sword after you acquire it. I will no longer pursue you and I shall not attempt to take the sword even if it is the sword of my master, but allow me to lay my eyes on the sword before I continue my journey. I have decided that my last hope is not in fighting you, but to get the fulfillment of seeing the legendary sword once more.”

Arg, what a thing to happen, so sad, I was so close to the sword, and yet I missed my chance to get it. Master, I am sorry, please forgive my weakness but this man’s power is far beyond anything I can produce now, well I tried, please forgive me, Zorlo thought as he began to pass out, but managed a last sentence before he passed out.

“This...was...fun....at...least!Hope...one...day.. .when...I’m...stronger...I’ll...get...another...ch ance.” and then the fencer collapsed from his wounds.

Ooc:sorry this sucks, but it's the best I can produce under the circumstances.

Altra sighed in frustration. He could have at least remained concious. Oh, well. The ninja picked the man up and slung his over his metallic shoulder. Trudging through the snow, Altra made his way up the pass, making sure to move around the icy pond. Marching around the corner at the rise of the pass, the alchemist's eyes flickered briefly to the spot where he had molded a likeness of Kika.

A sharp pang shot through his heart as he wondered if he would ever find the sword. he hadn't promised the mage anything, but in his heart, it was already a promise. If he didn't find it, he would torture himself with his failure for weeks, or at least until he found some way to make up for it.

A sharp gust of icy wind shot through the mountains, reminding Altra that he had to find shelter soon. The young man peered through the snow that swirled around him desperately, the cold wind cutting through his flesh like a knife. Finally, the alchemist gave up on ever finding shelter and settled on making his own.

Dropping Zorlo at the base of a cliff unceremoniously, the alchemist clapped his hands together. As he placed them on the rock wall in front of him, blue lightnings arched from his hands, racing across the surface. The rock began to open up into a cave, almost as if it was evaporating. Dragging the fainted fencer after him into the cave, Altra peered around the darkness.

The young man dropped Zorlo again, pulling a bottle out from his coat. Throwing it to the ground, the alchemist turned his head, prepared for the sudden flash of light. Blue flames exploded on the rock floor, illuminating every corner and shadow in the cave. Altra's eyes widen in surprize as he got his first glance at his new-found shelter.

The cave went on for miles, a perfectly straight line. What the-! Altra thought, shaking his head in disbelief. I only opened it a little, I didn't do all this! The fire at his feet sputtered, reminding the alchemist to seal the cave before the wind blew out his only source of warmth. As the reforming rock wall blocked off the cutting wind, Altra sighed in relief. He rested against the cave wall for several moments before looking back down into the tunnel.

I should go investigate. He thought, looking back down at Zorlo. He won't be waking up for a while. Pulling a thick stick out of his coat of myrid pockets, Altra walked over to the fire. He inserted the stick into the flames for a minute before pulling it back out, the end aflame.

Leaving Zorlo safely back by the fire, the ninja started down the tunnel, his footsteps echoing off the rounded walls. The young man walked for what seemed like an hour before he began to grow worried. Just how far does this thing go? I must have already walked to the other side of the mountain by now. The alchemist had just decided to turn around when he rounded a corner and was blinded.

Squinting, Altra saw a long erect figure just ahead of him, sparkling magnificently in the reflected light of his make-shift torch. It was a huge pillar of ice, with a sword suspended inside it. The traveler's heart leapt in excitement as he saw the sword, his auto mail hand crunching through the torch. It was hard to tell through the ice, but the sword looked golden in color, with a long, slender blade protruding from a lion's head crossguard. The hilt was a deep blue, with a huge ruby set at the end.

Practically giddy with joy, the alchemist dropped the torch and sprang forward, clapping his hands. This ice would prove troublesome to a normal man, but with my alchemy, it'll be a snap! All I have to do is excelerate and spread the water molecules in the ice, turning it into water! Within an instant, the ice had transformed, falling to the ground with a splash. The sword stood balanced, held erect by it's very tip.

Taking a few deep breaths, Altra paused to admire it. Kika will love it! He thought, his heart pumping rapidly with the thought of presenting it to her. The young man extended his hand slowly, holding it over the hilt. As if the sword was made out of ice, he gently lowered his hand and touched the ruby with a single finger. The sword collapsed.

Altra watched in terror as the sword disentergrated into dust right before his eyes. He just stood there, holding his hand out over a small puddle, several dust flecks drifting on it's surface.

"W-why?" He asked, falling to his knees. "Why do you do this to me?!" He yelled at the ceiling, practically in tears. He had been so close, so hopeful. And then it all came crashing down. Even if he had remade the sword with his alchemy, it would olny be a normal sword, completely unmagical in every way. And that just would not do. Resigned, the young man turned and drudged back out toward Zorlo. He would just have to get Kika something else.

OoC: I don't care if you post more or just leave it at this. Either way is fine.

OoC: I'm only posting this to allow me to keep the hunt moving on.

BiC: Zorlo awoke in the cave the alchemist had made, there were still remnants fire, and he rose slowly to look about his new surrounding. His wounds from the battle still ached, but he did not care, because it was over and it was time to see what had happened while he slept. Guess I lived, he thought, but what good is it if he already has the sword.

Zorlo trudged through the cave until something grabbed his attention, something that was glowing red. Zorlo approached it slowly to see what it was. What Zorlo found shocked him. He reached out to grab the object and found it was a hilt to a sword, but it was strange.

Hmm, guess that lead I got was wrong, hmm, well, this is both a good and a bad thing. The hilt of this sword is nothing like my old master's sword, its shaped like a lion, and has jewels throughout it, my master would never use something so flashy. Also, this sword rusted to the point that it disintegrated when that Altra guy grabbed it. My master hasn't been dead long enough! For the sword to have gotten that rusty and break down, so, obviously, thats not it. guess that means I have to get on the road again.

Zorlo exited the cave and headed into the mountains again, although his wounds still stung, and the wind was strong and fierce, he had to move on. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "What a day! My life gets better every time I go somewhere, and now I can train hard to get stronger to match Altra, and I shall continue my search for my master's sword. Only death and fear of what's to come can stop me."

The boy traveled deep into the snowy path to continue his search on the other side, and to continue his search for his master's sword. His determination had been almost destroyed, but now he had a reason to continue on, knowing that the sword still existed some where else.