The Angelus Saga
Prologue
Heroes. What makes a hero? Is a hero someone who knows what to do in every situation? Someone who can lead responsibly through the darkest night; or melt through a stern deposition with a smile? Is a hero someone whose very life changes the course of history, and inspires even the least of people to do the same? Not always. Most heroes are just ordinary people, who ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time and decided to stand their ground no matter the cost.
Three such heroes made that choice. This is their story.
Chapter One
A new world, a new beginning
"Look Daddy, it's leaving!" said a young boy climbing onto his father's shoulders and pointing off towards the sky.
"Yes Seifer, Pioneer 1 is finally on its way." Said a tall, noble man to his the young boy.
"Where is it going?" questioned the man's eldest son.
"Ragol Davion, it's going to our new home," the man said reaching down and putting his strong hands on his two other sons.
"I like our old home, I don't want to leave." said the man's other son, hugging his fathers waist.
"I do to. But Diego, we won't be able to live in our old home for much longer. That's why the Pioneer 1 has to leave. Its job is to take many people to Ragol to colonize it for the rest of us. They will build a settlement there and a central dome."
"Like a big house?" questioned the boy on the man's shoulders.
"Yes Seifer, like a big house."
"I think I'll like living there." returned Seifer.
"I hope we all will." The man said putting his arms around the two boys at his side. "We still have a few more things to do before we leave on Pioneer 2 boys, lets go home." The man and his three sons returned home still gazing up at the starship shooting off through the sky.
The man's name was Artemis Angelus. Artemis was a rich and powerful man on his home planet where he made his fortune as a starship manufacturer. Because of his renown he was asked to help design and build the two gigantic spacecraft for the Pioneer Project. The Pioneer Project was a plan to relocate the entire population of his dieing home planet to another world where they could re-establish themselves. Un-manned probes were sent out to the far reaches of space to find a planet suitable for colonization while construction on the spacecraft began. The probes sent back information on a planet suitable for life named Ragol. It was the perfect planet for colonization. So with the discovery of Ragol Artemis and the people of his world began the pilgrimage to their new home.
Artemis built a home for himself and his sons on Pioneer 2. Angelus Manor was built so that the Artemis and his family could live like they did in their old home, in extravagant luxury. Angelus Manor was a vast estate with many rooms where Artemis and his sons could work, live, and play. Of all the rooms the library was the most impressive. It was where Artemis spent most of his time. It was three stories tall with walls and walls of bookshelves reaching to the ceiling. At one end was an immense window that reached from the floor to the cathedral ceiling and overlooked Pioneer 2's beautiful vistas. Artemis placed his desk at the foot of the window so he could watch the people enjoy the starship he helped create. He was not a man to do things halfheartedly.
The three Angelus boys spent many happy hours in that library. They would race around the library; jumping from ladder to ladder, level to level. It was a pastime their father discouraged but tolerated.
Artemis had lost his wife to sickness a little while after his youngest son was born. Artemis' three sons were all he had left in the world. There was Davion Artemis Angelus, the eldest, the middle brother Diego Gabriel Angelus, and the youngest of the boys, Seifer Alexander Angelus. All three sons bore a great affection for their father, and a great respect. Artemis cared for his sons, and brought them up as best he could. He nurtured them and taught them to be serving to their fellow man and to be just in all their affairs. Because of this upbringing, the three brothers grew up humble, caring, and just.
During the early years that they lived on Pioneer 2, Davion made friends with some of the staff that worked at his home. He made an especially good friend in Dash Henderson whose father was the head of security of all Pioneer 2. Dash was a few years older then him, and tended to beat him at a lot of things. Races and target shooting among others. The one thing Davion could always best him at was fencing, swordplay, games of strength. In this, his biggest rival was no other than his youngest brother Seifer. Seifer trained constantly in order to keep up with his eldest brother, and he was very good at it.
Growing up, Dash and the Angelus brothers were very close. Even before they came to live on Pioneer 2 they were best friends. During their third year onboard Pioneer 2, Artemis enrolled his sons in the Hunter Academy so that they might learn to become strong and disciplined. Not all hunters needed to go to the academy, but Artemis wanted his boys to get the same training he did when he was young. Seifer was allowed to enroll early because his skills showed much potential and because his brothers had already become some of the best students the school had ever seen.
Diego and Dash always seemed to be fascinated by guns. They were all they wanted to play with, practice with, and collect. They soon became Ranger trainees. Seifer and Davion loved bladed weapons. Swords, partisans, and daggers appealed to them. They became Hunter trainees. Davion was always partial towards the large two-handed swords. They gave him a sense of power that he could never attain with more agile weapons. Seifer was never as strong as his oldest brother, so he couldn't wield the large blades Davion loved. Sabers were his forte. The only weight being the hilt that projected a photon blade made is much easier for him to use. He especially liked double sabers. He would practice with long staves when he was young fighting mock battles against many unseen foes. Most of his peers in the school, and some of the teachers, didn't akin to Seifer's unique style of fighting with the twin class of weapons. Most students ridiculed him, confusing Seifer's disregard of normal style as an inability to understand the basics. In reality Seifer was the most skilled of all his fellow students. Being topped only by Davion, and his ability to wield the large swords, of which not many students could use as easily. When Seifer, through tournaments and feats of skill, graduated to the more difficult class of twin usage, he shocked and even angered many of his rivals. Seifer was seen as the oddball of his class, and was looked down upon by many of his peers because of his age. He was thought of as too young to be a hunter. Seifer was determined to prove them wrong. He pushed ahead so much that he actually graduated at the same time as Diego and Davion. This was an impressive feat that finally gained Seifer the respect he had worked these many years for.
At the graduation ceremony, it was customary to have the top ten students perform their specialty. Seifer, Diego, and Davion were the top three of the school. This made their father very proud. Because of the occasion, Artemis purchased new weapons for all of them. He bought Davion a Claymore, Seifer received a Stag Cutlery, and Diego received two guns, a Blaster rifle and a Lockgun sidearm.
At the night of the ceremony, the three brothers stood proud as they and all their classmates received their hunter's certificates. When the graduation was finished the demonstrations began. Many fine presentations of shot, sword, and sorcery were displayed setting the stage for the top three. After the initial seven demonstrations, it was time for Diego. Diego walked into the middle of the arena, surrounded by a multitude of people in the stands.
"Diego Angelus will now demonstrate his amazing marksmanship skills." The announcer declared. Diego nodded that he was ready, and the show began. Several targets were fired into the air as Diego pulled his new Lockgun from its holster, took aim, and fired. He destroyed all of the targets before they had even reached the apex of their flight. More targets popped up fifty yards behind him as he pulled his rifle from his back. He dropped to one knee and destroyed each one in a matter of seconds. The crowd cheered as he stood again. More targets appeared all around the arena. Diego tucked his rifle under his arm as he once again withdrew his Lockgun. Now with both guns he began firing in every direction. Not one of his shots missed. All met their targets much to the satisfaction of the audience. Again more targets appeared but this time they were far towards the ceiling. Diego raised his rifle and fired. From a sheath on top of the stock a hook and chain shot towards the lofty ceiling. The hook caught hold and the strong micro motor began to pull Diego up. He now reached for his hip where he kept a saber. He reached the ceiling and climbed on top of one of the rafters. He took a deep breath and fired his grappling hook at another one of the rafters twenty feet away. As his hook caught hold he leapt from his perch and armed his saber. He swung by one of the targets and cleaved it in two with his blade. He reached the peak of his swing and began to fall back again in a different direction. He flew past a row of targets and hacked through all of them with one swing. But suddenly his hook broke loose from the rafters. Diego began to fall towards the floor. The crowd gasped in fear as he plummeted downward. Quickly Diego fired back up at the ceiling where his grapple caught. He used all his strength to keep a hold on his rifle and lower himself slowly to the ground. As his feet met the dirt the crowd cheered again for their hero whose performance had outranked any Ranger's that had come before.
After he had finished his exhibition, Seifer strode into the ring.
"Now Seifer Angelus will give a display on saber combat."
Seifer stood solemnly as he held his weapon. He spread his legs, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply as he raised his blade. He held the hilt out before him and with one hand turned one of the blades on. The crimson energy of his weapon projected out with a flash. In a blur of light he spun his weapon about. Twisting his lithe and nimble body with the motion of his saber. He jumped and brought it zinging down before him to the ground. He leapt up and jabbed forward withdrew and jabbed again. He left his blade before him this time still gently glowing. But now he grabbed the hilt with his other hand an in a moment another blade had joined the first. Effortlessly he twisted the deadly weapon around his body. His form was enclosed in a scarlet haze created by his magnificent movements. Both man, android, and newman held the unusual style that Seifer practiced in awe. He appeared to be fighting unseen enemies, swinging the weapon with amazing skill, throwing out kicks and blows in every direction while his weapon never ceased its motion. He leapt into the air spinning his weapon above his head before he brought it crashing down to the floor. He quickly stood up and held the saber at arms length before him. He drew a breath and began to spin the blade slowly at first but ever quickening. Soon it was spinning so fast that all one could make out was a crimson disc floating effortlessly on Seifer's hands. For his finale Seifer quickly stopped the blade and withdrew it to behind his back. Now thrust his arm out in front of him. The audience could see a charge build up on his palm. He drove his hand into the air as streaks of lightning began to shower the ground all around him. There was a blinding flash that hid Seifer from view and caused all in the audience to shield their eyes from the brightness. When the light dimmed the audience looked in amazement at Seifer who was now standing proudly with his arms crossed across his chest and his blade strapped at his hip. The crowd roared with approval. Cheers filled the stadium as Seifer walked out of the ring and towards his brothers.
"Good job buddy." said Davion.
"Thanks Dav." replied Seifer, "You're next."
"Ok then." Davion said as he walked out to the middle of the floor, holding with pride the hilt of his new sword swung over his back.
"And now the eldest Angelus Brother, Davion, will exhibit his swordsmanship skills."
Davion stood and took the sword from his back. He gazed about the stadium addressing the onlookers with his noble gaze. Then he closed his eyes drew a deep breath and began his presentation. Plunging the point of his blade into the ground, he switched it on. The sides of the large metal blade flashed and began to glow crimson as the photon edges took life burning the ground in which it was planted. With one powerful swipe he ripped the blade from the floor. He began to swing it in circles around his body. The hum of the photons blended with the swipe of the steel to create a dreadful harmony. Spinning it around again he brought it in front of him. Now he began to slash from left to right with large potent strokes. Its hum could be heard throughout the arena. Next he shouldered his weapon and brought his hands to his sides in fists. He bent over until with a surge of power he slowly raised his hands to the air. Davion's hands glowed ice blue as the ground began to shake as many pillars of ice paid heed to their master's call and rose from the dust. Now he took his blade form his back and dashed out at the frozen columns. He swung his sword from one side to another shattering the pillars like glass. With one column left he swung his weapon to his side and produced from his outstretched had a massive fireball. It collided with the ice and hissed as it plunged through the frost. The crowd was amazed with this display of both magical wisdom and brute force. They all looked intently, waiting for more. Davion was happy to oblige. He swung his blade about and brought it crashing down to the ground. He grabbed the hilt with both hands and flipped it over with the blade pointing down. He began to slash with this inverted swing much to the satisfaction of the crowd. Next he brought his sword to his side and stretched one hand out in front of him. A pulsing red light began to glow from Davion's palm. It rushed up his arm and covered his entire form with a shining power. It was Shifta, a technique that usually only forces could attempt. Now he reached for his hip and withdrew a saber. With one hand he grasped its hilt and with the other he lifted his massive blade. Now he began to cut at the air with both weapons. He sliced faster and faster drawing strength from the magic surrounding him. After an impressive performance using both blades Davion prepared for his final show of strength. He sheathed the saber and crouched down low. With a yell he threw his sword skyward. He leapt to meet his blade nearly ten feet in the air. He flipped over backwards and landed with his arms across his chest moments before his weapon imbedded itself in the ground inches from his foot with a thud. The crowd cheered as he ripped the blade from the ground, and walked back to his brothers. Throwing his arms around them, they walked back to their applauding father, who was watching from a booth in the audience. After the graduation ceremony, they headed home both exhausted and proud.
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Davion on 2003-07-24 19:01 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Davion on 2003-07-24 19:05 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Davion on 2003-09-03 15:22 ]</font>
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Davion on 2003-09-12 11:10 ]</font>
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