Kyron's Journal

It's been a month since my mentor has released me from his tutelage and I have a wide world before me. My healing magics have allowed me to help Castle Refuge and the Legion as well as keep me in credits. Im almost used to looking in the mirror and dealing with all the insane changes that lead up to this point.

Gerald delivered a letter to me, it said that they were asking to see me in the Castle. When I showed up there were a lot of people there. They were looking for volunteer recruits. I did want to test my magic and see more of the world. Yet I was worried with all the horrors that I knew were out there. I decided to join up it would be a good test to see how I would do out there.

When I heard I would be assigned to Chay's group I was particularly happy. Chay was one of the original Legionnaires who came the place where it all began and the village I was in was forcing me out. Exile back then would have been a death sentence. Chay is cool, he is not human but then again neither am I. Something I have to come to grips with. I have been friends with him for a while and he can sure drive. I used to drive really well and I am embarrassed to admit he puts me to shame. Something else I found out is our team would be formed and they were considering having a Cyberknight lead us.

A Cyberknight ! I have heard about them of course. Almost super heroes a combination medieval knight, Jedi, and Ronin. I would like to see their psi sword. They are supposed to be able to create a light saber with their mind alone, no handle. I have been wanting to see that for a while. As a mage, Ley Line Walker I guess I should be cynical about special effects but this world has constant surprises. My mentor always reminds me that flashy things are not just special effects they can kill.

I went through some basic training, it seems my magic and knowledge is much more of why I would be a valuable Legionnaire then my combat abilities. Im getting better at the bow but I think I would embarrass any elve and they would tell me to just put my bow away.

Gathering day, tomorrow we would set out for our first official mission and our mission leader wanted us all to meet before the day we would set off. There was a young woman, red hair, green eyes, pale skin, pretty. My type in another life. I talked to her for a bit found out she was mute but very smart. She is literate in six languages. She had a little device she typed out words to me. As we were typing and talking a third member arrived. I was trembling. I stepped in front of Ana the young woman to defend her but honestly if our third legionnaire wanted to kill us I think he could have easily. He was a dog boy a nine foot tall, muscular dogboy that looked like he came from pitbull stock. He might have been scary enough just at that but he had a juicer harness on. We were lucky he was simply called Kill Hound by his Coalition masters who he got away from.

He actually looked sad when we looked terrified. For me a d-bee who practiced magic I thought a vibroblade was coming for me. Ana didn't even have armor and just for associating with me they might kill her. His tale stopped wagging his ears drooped. He felt bad that we were scared of him and after talking with him we discovered he was a member of our group. He had fought in the war with Tolkeen but he discovered he didn't like how he was treated and in a matter of speaking went off the leash and helped save some people from a demon. They were children I think from the way he described it. Since these people he saved were from Tolkeen I think that severed the ties he had with the Coalition and he joined the legionnaires. Once we learned he was friendly we shook his hand and he perked up. We said his name Kill Hound might be why he was so feared and he agreed to letting Ana rename him. He was renamed Tipolei and he liked the name. We made friends and he quickly imprinted on Ana. She really liked him too and it made me feel good. Seeing a dog boy up close and one that wasn't snarling and coming at me with blades let me see how canine he was. The way he acted his expressions and his immediatly taking to Ana.

Then Chay showed up in his typical flashy way of course I wasn't expecting it. You just can't predict Chay, he is always like one of those drivers from fast and furious. He pulled up braking just about four inches from me a cloud of dust in his wake. I tried to play it cool but damnit Chay is someone who knows me and he could see his sudden arrival shook me up. So much for the elven calm indifference I had been practicing. Honestly though if it wasn't Chay and was some other psycho I would have tread marks on my body. I like Chay though, he might just be my best friend. He is not only a great driver but he can repair just about anything. We all discussed buying Ana some armor because frankly legionnaire work can be dangerous.

Ben was the next to show up, our Cyberknight, Sir Volent. I think I was able to hide my excitement I didn't even ask him to show his psi sword off. Tried to check with him on our mission profile. I only knew it had something to do with the fallout from the war. He told us to buy some things and prep for the mission. We would all be riding in Echo, which was the big vehicle Chay drove. As we were all getting used to each other our last member arrived and he had in a very flashy way as well. I missed out on the whole make a big flashy impression thing. How to describe him.

Kai was a shadow in the sky, a rush of wind, a crash into the earth, an explosion of stone and dirt and out of all of that walked a small naked boy. I offered him my robe but he didn't understand why it was necessary. Ana was hiding her face and Chay looked like he was chuckling. Kai is a dragon, a fairly young dragon but damn we had a friggen dragon on our team.

Tomorrow we head out, tonight time to shop.

The Adventure Begins ! or Demons in Cartouche !

I woke up nice and early dressing in my armor and fully gearing up. I still refuse to wear the damn beer hats that a lot of Line Walkers wear. Since when did that become a fashion ? I strode out to Echo, Chay's Mountaineer. He was already awake checking his vehicle over making sure it was in good shape for our mission. I saw some of the others arriving Ana and Tipolei arrived at the same time. Ben was there.

I had to project a powerful competent master of magic and not a wet behind the pointy ears just released apprentice. After all Chay just projected confidence, Tipolei fought demons and dragons, Sir Volent is a Cyberknight, and Kai, Kai is a friggin dragon, and as a wise man once mentioned from my world, "Nuff said."

That left Ana and myself, she was a superior linguist and obviously very good with animals. I think she must be a scholar but a scholar in different things then myself. I saw Kai get into the cargo hold. I smiled as I pictured some Coalition cop pulling us over and making Chay open the trunk. No one expects trunk dragons.

We started off and Chay drove the whole way. Ben filled us in Cartouche, was the town we were traveling to and it had demon problems. I was a bit worried, demons are not some guy in a costume chasing teens. Demons were real and when they said they would eat your soul, it was not idle talk, those monsters meant it. I was really glad Tipolei, Kai and Ben were here for this. Chay, Ana and myself how would we handle such things ? I wonder if they thought as a mage, I would be more in the face down the demons of hell camp.

I started going over things in my head the lore my mentor taught me about demons and the things I learned from the books in Castle Refuge's library. I tried to keep on top of my knowledge of the occult which included supernatural creatures. I might be able to help my allies with some knowledge. A lot of Supernatural creatures were hurt by silver and holy effects but I would learn more when I got more details about the particular demons threatening Cartouche.

Ive heard the name Cartouche before and it reminded me of Egypt, pyramids, sand and tombs. Didn't Cartouche have something to do with tombs ? Was a Cartouche like an epitaph ? I had been too far away from my own books. Used to love such books I wish I had them to share with Castle Refuge and people who would appreciate them like Ana.

I hope Chay doesn't read this but having Kai in the cargo kept Chay from doing the leaps and jumps with Echo that he normally would. I liked stunt driving as much as the next guy, but my stomach being in my throat feeling I usually got, was thankfully not there today.

As we arrived in Cartouche, I got a good look at the people. Mostly humans with scavenged equipment. So I borrowed a baseball cap from Chay we hid our features. Then I helped Ana out of Echo. People here looked rough, not rough and tumble, but rough like they worked hard their whole lives. Still they did have weapons and they looked like they were ready to use them, if they needed too. Scavenged weapons held in white knuckled hands. That is until Tipolei hopped out. He kind of had that effect and I held back laughing when I saw everyone back up when the ground shook as he landed. I headed over to pass a spare robe to Kai in the cargo. Since he might want to change and have something to wear. As I reached out with my senses I felt a ley line off to the north. It felt a little odd but I was still glad to sense one, it ran east-west.

Ben told them we were here to see Justice Hammer and they directed us to a saloon. When we went in there, we saw an old man in power armor. His face was etched with the troubles of the world. He seemed a bit wounded and there were other people who the man who was Justice Hammer introduced as his Coffin Nails. Perhaps at one time they were all mercenaries together and chose to settle down here. I could see why the older man was called Justice Hammer. He had a huge maul in one hand. I wish I was stronger, I have seen the Dwarves around Castle Refuge with impact hammers and rarely impact mauls like this man had. I always wanted one especially when I saw what they could do.

After Justice introduced us to his crew he shook hands and offered us to sit and listen to his tale. I scribbled down some quick observations as well as a map with the town, distance to the ley line I sensed, and a compass direction on it. Hopefully I would get my observations and info back to Castle Refuge.

Tipolei mentioned our hosts looking injured and when I took a close look he was right, one was even missing a leg. It was just the way everyone was placed.

Doom a nick name for Justice Hammer's mage, a man named Danny Doom Lawrence. was eyeing Tipolei they both talked about the Tolkeen and Coalition war and I thought things might get out of hand. They didn't though the two ended up shaking hands and putting that war behind them. Danny moved his bandages revealing he had gills and the way he was moving it looked like he had busted ribs.

Gills ! I wonder if he could actually use them if they worked ! He could explore the oceans. I asked like a kid if they worked as I am always adding to my knowledge base. Plus Gills ! How cool is that.

The man then cast a spell to float drinks out to all of us and after that Ana asked him if he knew America Sign Language and he cast another spell and could understand her. She looked so happy. Made me feel bad I didn't have that spell.

I mentioned to these poor beleaguered town guardians that I could heal them if they allowed it, and asked for Ana's help which she happily provided. Once she told me where to focus my healing magics I begun what was a big magic very draining calling upon my mastery of magic to heal all those before me that were grouped together. As I healed them I felt a kind of corruption, a minor curse or something similar. I was able to overcome it enough to heal them all some what though I only sealed the wound on the missing leg.

I let them know about the lingering curse or corruption. They were still very thankful that I had healed them and they all moved about much easier and in less pain. I talked a bit with Shooter, the man who lost his leg telling him when all was done I would try and heal his leg. I didn't promise him anything, I didn't want to give any false hope. Still I have healed some serious wounds in my time and people have come to me mangled from farming accidents or attacks from horrid beasts and they are now whole and healed skin smooth and blush with health.

He thanked me for at least giving him hope.

Then Justice Hammer started his story. I guess the towns outlaying farms had problems and Justice Hammer and his posse went out to face the threat. They found an area unnaturally cold covered with snow. As they made their way he described their pattern the way they marched and placed themselves but he also described them being ambushed by demons buried under the snow. It seemed a little disjointed to be deployed in a certain way without knowing an ambush would be there.

They fought these demons who were as tall as Tipolei as they described them and well armed with armor, axes and shields though Justice Hammer said no strange powers. Still well armored and armed demons could still be well dangerous. They went through quite a bit of ammo it sounded like and then the snipers among them were attacked by an ice giant demon even larger then the demons the rest of the team it had been fighting.

This other demon the large one sounded like the leader and the way he described them being hit by icy winds that sapped them it sounded like this beast had magic. This made sense. Justice Hammer was able to hurt the thing with the huge maul he had but they all found themselves needing to retreat.

So what we were left with was a description of these creatures. I had not heard of them specifically but most demons are hurt by holy magic. Not exactly my brand of magic but perhaps I could make due. I let my team know about weaknesses that I knew about as well as the fact I had heard about some nexuses out this way that while not as active as they used to be still on random occasion released demons. So we had some likely places to inspect.

I also thought fire might be handy since these things seemed to be linked to cold and ice.

Justice Hammer said they had no flamers but that they would use them if these creatures got to their town.

Tipolei was the first to assure them they were in good hands with us protecting them. I swear when I see him step up and act heroic it makes me angry at how the Coalition uses this blind good natured bond with the dog boys. It makes me wonder how unfairly they must have treated him to get him to leave their side.

Sir Volent our Cyberknight got a map of where these demons were and as luck would have it, it was north near the ley line I sensed.

Note to self: Everything going perfect ? Well don't you believe it !

Kai stepped up then waking up more and he accused Justice Hammer of hiding something. Kai even said he would get mad.
Ok first thing I thought was young angry dragon in a saloon full of combustible alcohol. Noooooo !!!

I stepped in to calm things down kind of getting Ana behind me as If my flimsy elf body could protect her from angry dragon.
The Coffin Nails were not making it easy saying things like get a strap for the boy. If they only knew the strap and their arms would give out before they left even a scuff on Kai.

Well I am pretty good with words and did manage to get everyone back on the same page, saying Kai was young.

Kai told this weird ass story about his grandpa and dirty girlie magazines. It was all I could do not to laugh but then... phase two of make my life miserable happened.

Tipolei got up and walked right over to Justice Hammer and I could tell it wasn't to shake hands. He backed up Kai and said he trusted Kai and if the old man was hiding something fess up. He was not wearing the cute dog face I knew and I jogged over. I wish I hadn't I really do. I got to see Tipolei's angry face and to be honest that was probably the last face a lot of mages at Tolkeen saw. It chilled me but I knew deep down Tipolei was my friend it was the only thing that let me stay and not back away.

Justice Hammer crumpled and begged for his life. That was it, that is all that he was hiding. That encounter with the demons had rattled him so bad he was a shadow of himself. No shame in that. Though pride was something I could see in all the Coffin Nails eyes. They got angry and slowly so did Justice himself. They left angrily. Only a few stayed and they were not exactly in the good natured mood they had been a moment ago.

Tipolei did something that was more human then most humans would do he showed the old man empathy before he left. It didn't change things but raised Tipolei in my eyes again he was more then the Coalitions lab rat or creation. He was something with a soul.

Danny Doom stayed a bit he tried to patch things up like me. He let us know it was that last encounter that broke his pa. Of course he got yelled at by the others that stayed.

I had something else I wanted to do, admit to Tipolei I was a bit scared myself and he mentioned I looked tired. I was that big healing took a lot out of me and hopefully they would remember it after emotions had calmed down.

I went to Ana and apologized this was the second or third time I have tried to protect her. She was picked by the Legion too and just because she was a young woman I didn't want her to be mad that I kept protecting her. To my amazement she wasn't. That made me glad. I knew both Tipolei and myself would look out for her. Most likely our knight too.

I decided no time like now to discuss the story we heard and impart a bit of lore on demons as well as my hypothesis. I was chosen not because Im a blasty mage. Heck I love magic but Im more a trickster, thief and pragmatist with my magic. So I saw my role as part magic scholar as well as mage of the group. At the end of saying how fire, silver and holy magics and warriors would probably be key I was surprised to hear Shooter speak up.

Justice Hammer's Maul had some silver in it. That to me at least confirmed the silver aspect since their other weapons failed to hurt the big demon. Shooter also mentioned her sniper rifle a northern gun particle beam weapon. She said it hurt the smaller demons. After a bit of talk we managed to convince them to lend us those two weapons and I promised to get those weapons back to them.

Looking around Kai had picked up the hammer.

Tipolei mentioned he should be able to smell the demons and I suggested smelling the hammer for traces of blood and gore to get their scent.

We were going to try and tie the hammer to Kai's tail so he could swing his tail like a stegosaurus or anklesaurus.

The plans were discussed.

Shooter lent us those weapons and I gave Shooter a page of requests and a few hundreds in credits.

I made sure our team knew we should give the weapons back (in case I didn't make it)

We checked the map that Justice Hammer gave us and were pretty sure the Echo could make it to the location that was given to us.

Ben called us all out to the Echo. We loaded up. Ana was putting on her armor and I found out it was her first time in armor. I remember how weird it felt putting on armor. Where I am from we didn't need to wear armor at all unless you were military or police forces. I helped her get her armor on and balanced well. I wanted her to feel comfortable in it but snug enough to not hamper her movement. It didn't take long before she gave a thumbs up and smile.

Chay gave me the ok to rest and we tried to find someone else to do the navigation. I noticed he didn't have the sniper rifle so I went back in to get that. It was a pretty heavy rifle but it looked well cared for. A northern gun particle beam rifle hopefully it would be handy. I put it on the seat next to me. Maybe it could be braced on something.

Kai came out and put the hammer in the vehicle and then he said he needed to stretch.

Right in the middle of town he leapt into the air and changed into his dragon form. Damn impressive but also probably terrified half the town. Those that saw he was with us probably gave our team a lot more respect though.

My new family, a knight, a giant of a dogboy, an alien mechanic and ace driver, a dragon and a young woman.

We road towards the site in Chay's Echo a huge vehicle that could even fit Kai in his draconic form in the storage bay. I liked the Echo it had it's own character. Chay worked on it a lot as a professional what is known as an operator, what I call a supermechanic he could tinker with nearly anything and the Echo was definitely a custom job. If we weren't part of the Tomorrow Legion, Chay and I would probably be smugglers and conmen making our way criss crossing the continent.

Even with the speed we were going Chay had to make his way around obstacles and I had time to regather some of my energies.
When I looked around during my meditation, I saw Tipolei and he was all prepared for battle. He was focused and I could see him sniff the air by his open window from time to time. Ben was alert looking around and monitoring the radio. Chay of course was doing the driving. He had somehow hooked up the sniper rifle to the Echo already. Kai's shadow occasionally passed by overhead but after a while he took off north. Ana was wide eyed and one of her hands was on the holster to her Wilks.

I had given Ana my wilks and e clips as back up since we didn't have a rifle she could use.

Finally we saw it. Snow and ice, trees weighed down in heavy snow and swirling flakes caught in the wind.

Chay stopped the Echo outside of the snow zone and we got out.

We talked a bit of strategy and Kai landed approaching to let us know what he had scouted out from the air.
Our air force a dragon, how cool is that ?

There was a big box of darkness within the snow possibly a place where the local icy lord was making his lair.
We decided how we would approach.

My contribution, I asked for the group to lend me a bit of their strength and power and I cast a spell over our weapons even one of Kai's claws. I cast the spell exceptionally well and the power of my magic turned all those weapons into the dream or nightmare version of those weapons thrumming with light and my magic power. Even Ana's Wilks was lethal to heavily armored things now.

Later when we were close to the ley line I would cast an armor spell on everyone. It felt good to have a group and be working with a group. To be honest the healing and the mass enchantment of these weapons, were some of the few big magics I have worked and the mass enchantment of weapons was because I was nervous. This was our first mission and they sent us after demons ! I really didn't want to end up missing a limb, or maimed or worse dead.

So best defense, STRONG OFFENSE and the weapons were now.

We crunched through the snow making our way towards the line. My shot gun looking more like a holy relic then a gun.

Up ahead Tipolei and Ben were making their way with Tipolei already beggining to track.

I walked in the middle with Kai passing overhead from time to time.

Behind us Chay and Ana were watching from the Echo and I knew Chay was looking forward to making it rain with his missiles.

We were ambushed but luckily I sensed them moving below the snow and gave warning. I worked my magic to armor us.
Soon, Tipolei, Ben and I were clad in magic armor of dreams and nightmares.

Demons of Ice bearing spears and shields came from the snow to engage us and before I was even done fully warning people Chay had launched missiles. The boom from the missiles left a crator and not much else. I don't even think ice cubes were left.

Tipolei was battling two and Ben one and others were heading towards Kai and myself.

Kai engaged the one by us and he and the demon went back and forth with their blows.

I fired my shotgun even though I was deaf from the missiles I hit the one fighting Ben.

Tipolei clashed with and finished his and Kai was dealing with his. I took aim but before I could fire the one I was targeting was destroyed.

Ana then Chay made great shots with that sniper rifle, we definitely need to invest in one of those it was amazing !

Before I got my hearing back Tipolei smashed a demon with that hammer and I swear it was like some cartoon. The Demon looked like it was smashed into the ground needless to say it was dead. The last demon we questioned and got some weird info from they claimed to save us from the tyrant, and served the Just bringing cold ecstasy. Kai explained it funny but he was the only one who could understand the demon. We might have gotten more info but Tipolei kept his word and destroyed the demon.

We all loaded up in Echo which I was glad for because I was freezing out there in the snow.