It was a few days since Markus had endured his uncle's celebration plans for something as meager as accomplices for the Trial of the Creators. There was not much for Markus to do other than train himself up, there was no way a whole tournament to decide the Guards of the Gatekeeper and not give his two cents on who will accompany him. Terrance was busy organizing the paperwork and having members of the Dune Prowlers to head out on promotional runs posting about the Tournament of the Guard. Markus walked over to the staging area where Terrance was coordinating with one of the suppliers.
"Terrance I have a favor to ask of ya!" Markus called out as he approached his uncle's assistant. "I cannot let my uncle decide who will be accompanying me along this pilgrimage; I would like to test my own strength out as well."
"Ahh... I have a great idea!" A glitter of passion passed over Terrance's eyes. "Come we must go to one of the Private Barracks... I have a friend that can work magic on disguises." Terrance closed his planner and nodded the Supplier off.
"Interesting shall we make our way there?" Markus asked.
"We will have a stroll over there after dark, there is far too much to plan for this event at the moment." Terrance urged, "That way Master Bruce doesn't suspect any foul play, he'll be celebratin' with the boys over this thing."
"Yes, I'd rather not involve Jack with this endeavor... He would lose it." Markus implied that his uncle may not be happy about this idea, but if he were aware of it he would make it some ridiculous luchador outfit, practicing stupid poses or catch phrases... Markus simply want to go in under cover to test their strength himself along with finding his capabilities and limits.
"I'll catch up with you later then, Terrance." Markus nodded him off for the day and headed over to one of the hangars where Simon and Vance were checking out some specs on the Dark Jeep Mechanism that Randy and Dion had modified. "Learn anything new on the machine?"
"Nah that manual was pretty thorough, seeing as a demon engineer helped with the design." Simon replied, showing no doubt on his knowledge.
"There are some interesting features I'd say." Vance added, pointing at one of the defenses it can deploy in the manual. "Goddamn, Dark Mechaniciums."
"Aye' they have two Laz cannons, their ammo be life energy." Simon answered back, with warning. "That shit can eat your soul if ya not strong in will."
"Damn... as expected from cursed machines." Markus said, not really surprised knowing who was behind the design. "I can adjust the calibration so it will only sap yer' stamina and drain mana."
"Well at least it won't be a one shot deal if we go that path." Vance added suggesting the change.
"Indeed, wouldn't want anyone weak of will to accidentally stumble upon this demon machine." Simon replied, after activating the defenses to allow them to emerge from behind the headlights. "Let's see... the intake should be..." Simon was in the zone as he tinkered, a moment later there was a click sound and Simon pulled out a soul alternator connector. "There ye' be Markus, think ya can purify this lil' monster?"
"We will have to awaken the devil soul in the equipment first, bring it to the surface in order to hook the exorcism on." Markus said with confidence, his celestial upbringing allowed him to learn many techniques and skills of banishment from his father.
"Sounds like a task for me." Vance stepped in, stretching out his hand, forming a blood shard to feed the soul alternator/connector. "Give it a moment..."
Once had pumped enough energy into the blood shard, he let it drop on top of the demonic machine. Suddenly there was a quick movement from the thing, a whirring sound started that progressed into more of a wail. The soul alternator/connector began to beat, morph and manipulate its shape, turning into a fiend like devil no more than two or three feet tall. Its attitude was sour and vile, once the devil formed it leaned back in a stretch and screamed once more.
"Devil! Hear Me!" Markus began his chant invoking his exorcist ability. "You have two options... one is to be banished forever and we won't have to worry about your scheming mind from doing anything." The Devil cackled without a care, there were no knights of Styx in his way.
"Worthless humans..." it cried, "Imma gonna kill you!!!" the fiend began charging up energy in his hand.
"By the will of Sion, with the Trinity powers of Watermind, you shall not move!" Markus' reached his hand out a burst of energy launched from his forearm, and encircled the devil.
"Yeeekk!" The fiend shrieked in fear, holding its ears. "Blasphemer! Exerc..." before the devil could finish his line, the energy created a forcefield around it, a bright light blinded the devil from everyone. There was a light clunk, as if a piece of metal fell.
"There now it's a mana alternator." Markus let out a sigh as his energies stabilized once more. "The demon has been exorcised."
"Nice! Alright Vance give me a hand here," Simon picked up the mana alternator and brought it over to the workbench. "Let's give this a proper seal of magic and we can install it." Simon had a grin on his face, he was planning on modifying the weapon.
"Yes, yes let us begin." Vance walked over to the other side of the bench and began studying the manual again as they began the repairs on the new mana alternator.
"Well, I guess my job is done here...hah." Markus laughed sarcastically, turning around and heading back out on the Dune Prowlers Compound, 'best leave the tinkerers to tinker' he thought, walking around the grounds. There were already some skilled warriors turning up already for the tournament, it had only been no more than 48 hours. They were locals and mercenaries that based their work in the Grande Fresen area. One particular man was stout, dark skinned and covered nearly head to toe in plate mail. A long flowing beard of a Jet black tapered just to the mans waistline. There were signs of age and wisdom in his eyes as they pierced through the navy blue armor. He carried a large hammer-edge. The man was no more than 4.5 feet tall, one would call him a Dwarf, this honorable and talented race emerged from deem within the great mountains to the north. Markus was intrigued by the man, having only seen a hand full of his kind in his life. Markus stopped by the man as he sat by a campfire just outside one of the Barracks closer to the Main hall.
"Good tidings, friend..." Markus began as he knelt by the fire, warming his hands apathetically. "Not from these parts eh? How long you been in town?"
"Aye laddie, been here 'bout a month." The armored Dwarf replied, "I be from the Mount Highmarsh lands, been honin' skills along the way."
"Yeah... I hear ya. Getting anxious about this whole fiasco put on by the Dune Prowlers, wouldn't ya say?" Markus answered with a nervous shake in his voice that was barely noticeable.
"No worries, mate! This be just another show 'fer the masses. Nothin' wrong wit' showin' some loyalty." The Dwarf knight replied. "Nerves let'cha know 'yer still alive!"
"I appreciate the pep talk... knight from Highmarsh." Markus could at least tell the man was quite noble in his actions.
"Tha' names Jasper." He answered the man. "Jasper Wedgewood."
"Nice to meet ya..." Markus stretched out his hand to the Dwarf. "Sir Wedgewood."
Jasper raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Keen eye, ya have Laddie." The Dwarf answered in a more intimidating manner.
"That has to do with my uncle Jack's rigorous training." Markus added, being a member of the same faction as the Dune Prowlers. "My father was the Commander of the Blood Barons."
"Ahh... your lineage show's your wisdom, sir." Jasper complimented the man, any of his great ancestors would know the name. "I too 'ave once met wit' those pesky Barons... Many years ago." Jasper trailed off, remembering older times.
"Yes your people were the first to reach out after the Crimson Night." Markus added, finally able to open dialogue with an ancient ally of his father. "I heard stories about a Dwarf Knight in great Lapis armor." Markus was remembering a line from one of his fairytales from his childhood; the few memories of his father that were so precious.
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"Hahah... Ewan always 'ad a way wit' words." Jasper laughed heartily. "You must be the infamous Guardian o' Sion... Markus Alistar." The Dwarf showed wisdom beyond any that Markus had ever met, less Jack who always had a flair for attention.
"Well as expected..." Markus sighed not particularly liking his job title. "Seems my reputation is larger than I'd like."
"Well mate, nothin' wrong wit' showin' off every so of'en." Jasper replied, showing some support for Markus' fate. "It 'elps ye release stress, n' jus' enjoy life and a pint!"
"Hahah... typical proud Dwarven culture!" Markus loved the pub and celebration aspect of the Dwarven people. "Lets have ourselves a lager as well! Come let us join the others in the main hall!" Markus stood up, urging Jasper to follow with a wave of his hand.
"Better not regret it, Laddie! I be drinkin' ya under da table! Harharhar!" Jasper stood up, grabbing his hammer-edge and standing it upright in his hand. "First round on me! Boy!" Jasper led the way into the Dune Prowler's headquarters, making their way to the on site bar and pub as this too was a tradition of the Dune Prowlers.
Progressing through the main hall, Markus and Jasper were about to head downstairs into the bar and pub when Terrance appeared from the back office and was at the front desk. "Jasper, go on ahead I must speak with Terrance for a moment." Markus stopped and encouraged Jasper to head down.
"Ye be missin' out laddie! I'll treat ya once you join me." Jasper nodded Markus off heading down the stairs to the pub.
"Terrance! any updates on our mystery competitor?" Markus added hinting at their earlier conversation.
"Ah yes! Master Markus I do have some information here for you!" Terrance queued in and wrote something quickly on a piece of paper, handing it to Markus. He took the note reading it... 'Come to Barracks 8, after midnight' ...This was going to be a covert operation and Markus simply smiled and nodded.
"Been a busy day for ya, Terrance?" Markus spoke up leading into conversation. "Hopefully the extra workload wasn't too much to handle."
"Well you know how the boss gets when he can show off his forces to the locals." Terrance began, hinting at the work from Jack was far more stressful.
"Yes indeed. Uncle Jack can't seem to help it; I guess it's part of his charm that encourages you to follow him." Markus was trying to up talk his uncle making it less awkward for Terrance.
"Master Markus, I was able to acquire a parcel form a good friend today." Terrance went on to show he had fun coming up with a disguise.
"Hahaha... well hopefully it was for all the right reasons." Markus asked, hinting at the disguise hoping Terrance did not over do the design.
"Yes sir! We should have all the prep ready by the end of the night. Commander Bruce does not appreciate tardiness." Terrance spoke in a way that told Markus to give him the rest of the day and everything will fall into place. That included the Elimination Tournament of the Guard, as Terrance was the one who had to come up with the battle tree for the event.
"Well I best be join' up with Jasper, he's waited long enough." Markus made a sarcastic remark hoping to clue in that Terrance would pair them up against each other. That was all the words exchanged and Terrance bowed and headed back into his office to finish up on the tournament tree.
There was little preparation left on Markus' side before his rigorous training regime begins with his uncle. Markus wanted to enjoy the last few days before the routine, one of those enjoyments was to have a lager with Jasper. Heading down the steps into the bar and pub area of the complex, Markus could hear low music that was of a jazzy variety. There was tables set about the cafeteria that connected to the bar, billiards tables were at the back of the room and there was a small corner stage for presenters for any events. The pub was starting to fill up as the day lingered on, Markus sat at the bar next to Jasper.
"I made it." Markus said as he signaled the barkeep over. "A lager..."
"On me! Barkeep!" Jasper was more well spoken no after having already downed two other glasses that sat empty on the bar. "Yes! Laddie, so what was all the shenanigan's you been gettin' into?"
"Nothing worth mentioning..." Markus trailed off as the barkeep returned with the lager, taking a deep drink from the glass. "Gettin' my training schedule for the next 3 bloody weeks."
"That's not so bad, laddie!" Jasper encouraged Markus, being from a warrior honor bound history of the Dwarves. "Keepin' 'yer skills as keen as 'yer eye, shows true skill."
"Oh fer' sure!" Markus took another deep drink, finishing off his glass. "Barkeep! More!" Markus started to feel a buzz, since he did not drink regularly.
"Tryna' drink me under are ya laddie?" Jasper replied in jest, "Yer' a hundred years too young to keep up wit' me!" Jasper downed his glass, signaling the barkeep for another as well.
"Not at all, matey!" Markus answered as the barkeep came over with a pitcher of lager and two fresh glasses already topped up. "I would never try to challenge a veteran Pubmaster!"
"Ahh! Best ye' didn' HAHAHA!" Jasper was beginning to feel loosened up, after downing his latest glass. "The brewmaster o' Dune Prowlers Pub! Cheers! Break open a keg! We 'ave a great festifal around tha' corner! Drink up n be merry!" Jasper was showing signs of slurred speech, as he did finish a pitcher of lager in less than ten minutes.
"Yes! I'll chip in, whose got the master key to the pump room! I must have the oldest of brews!" Markus stood up after downing his fresh glass of lager, pointing to the barkeep and the other tenders of the establishment. They all knew who Markus was. "Where's my uncle! He's missing out on his own celebration!"
"Tha boss is in town at the moment." one of the Dune Prowler members shouted across the bar, they were already enjoying their time off. "No need to kill the buzz so soon! hahahaha!" Markus nodded and sat back down pouring another glass of lager with Jasper.
Jack was finding out about a possible competitor that would join the Tournament of the Guard. He was at the town Assembly hall when he caught wind that the King of Myd'raal was to make an appearance. Jack knew the king well, some called him the Great King Ghan while others would called him the Mad King Evotori. Either nickname had accompanied the King of Myd'raal since he inherited the throne. Jack had served several years during Ghan's youth as a retainer. This was to be a pleasant surprise for Jack. Passing by a few more conversation pits in the hall Jack had determined where King Evotori was to be staying he was only an hour from Grande Fresen.
Once all of Jack's reconnaissance was completed, he left the Assembly hall and headed back into the town. Walking up the Market alley to pick up a snack as he made his way to the eastern gate. As Jack approached the gate guard, he was stopped for a moment.
"Captain Bruce, I hate to be the one to do this but, I have orders to not allow anyone through the eastern gate." The guard was a freshman, maybe on his second watch.
"What is the meaning of this, you do know my compound lays just north-east of here." Jack reassured the guard that he surely would be able to pass.
"Apologies, Captain my orders are clear, straight from the Mayor..." The guard leaned in closer and spoke in a lower tone. "...I been told the Mad King is almost upon us..."
"Not to worry lad, I have had dealin's wit' the Mad King for years. You need not to worry about myself." Jack simply padded the shoulder of the guard and lightly pushed him aside as he talked about the Mad King. The guard simply bowed and signaled to the others that Jack would be allowed to pass. A moment later Jack was heading up the road toward the direction the Mad King was to be arriving. Waiting at the crest of the hill, Jack leaned back and waited as he seen the dust clouds in the horizon, signaling motion further up the road. It was no doubt a large band following the King of Myd'raal. Jack Bruce was not a man to trifle with, being the Supreme Commander of the Dune Prowlers, he was also one of the Trion Titan's captains, with a thousand well trained members that have been through just as many battles as Jack himself. There was nothing for Jack to fear about the notorious Mad King Evotori; he was but a boy when Jack was assigned to be a retainer for the young King. Ghan Evotori, Lord and King of Myd'raal Kingdom, The Great Deceiver of the Kaiser Wars, Mad King Evotori of the Ender Dragon. Jack Bruce knew the King all too well and had a plan to incorporate him into the Tournament of the Guard...