Her Journey Part 1

[Secondary Characters]

"Witches or not..." came a bold voice from the forest around them. No one was in sight to claim it, and because of the strange nature of the trees, the sound would be slightly distorted as to disguise the location of its owner. "... they've come across our little hideaway, hm?"

Then, out of the bushes nearby, another fox would appear. This one wore a dashing green tunic, a sword strapped around his waist with a belt and a longbow thrown over his shoulder with all the carefree relaxation of a boy travelling. On his head sat a signature cap with a red feather. "Robin Hood, at your service..." he said, removing said cap and dipping into a deep bow.

"And who might you be? Friend or foe? Fair warning... be you foe, my associate Little John has you targeted. We wouldn't want to risk a confrontation so soon after the Sheriff's attack, would we?" he said, with an amazing amount of charm and charisma in his voice. He sounded almost polite when warning them, rather than threatening, as though he were apologizing for the situation the others had thrown themselves into...

[King Edgar]

"Nice going, Terra," he said to the pregnant woman at his side, and stepped forward, holding his hands out wide to indicate he was no threat; Longinus visibly retracted in on itself and he nodded his head, smiling. "A most humble welcoming, even though the context was a bit far from welcoming!"

Again he grinned and, with his arms still up, he bowed. "Edgar Roni Figaro, King of Figaro, the Desert Nation on the world of Cosmos. These are my associates Miss Terra Branford--she is pregnant, so please treat her with respect--and Luna--I do not know of her origins, because we just arrived here--and...what was your name, again?" He tilted back his head slightly to indicate he was speaking to Agrias.

"Um...a Bard, of sorts, who shall be thankful to keep her head by performing such a wondrous piece--is that not right, Bardess?"

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias has been through this sort of teleportation before, thanks to the odd stone that was given to her, so she picked herself up rather easily the second time around. "I am Agrias Oaks." she summarized. She still looked green on the cheeks though when she turned to see yet another fox in front of them. He then introduced herself as Robin Hood, and her eyes went wide.

".......No..." gasped the bardess, etching closer to stare at the fox directly in the eyes, "...... are you really--" she watched him closely-- the way he was, deep brown eyes, a green hat with a signature red feather. "It can't be--!"

Agrias rested her hands on her hips and looked to him suspiciously, "Thou'art mean to tell me... YOU... are Robin Hood... the original Robin Hood-?? Steal from the rich and give to the poor, excellent archer...?" her eyes narrowed a little, "... prove it."

[luna]

Luna smiled and almost jumped as she sheathed his sword. She ran over to Little John and gave his a big old hug. "It's been forever John, you've been away for what seems like forever." she slid back to get a look at him.

Then she turned and looked at Robin. "And you" she said as she walked a crossed the clearing. When she was close enough to him, she punched him as hard she could in the arm "I haven't seen you in forever either, You said!!..........never mind what you said" she said as she turned away from him. She looked over to the Bard "O he's Robin Hood alright, and how would you like him to prove it, by showing you how quick he is with his bow,............ or his tongue?" she said as she crossed her arms

Terra leaned a little closer to Edgar, she looked up at him with a sheepish grin "Doesn't this remind you of something that happened before, i think it was a barmaid in South Figaro, but i think instead of a punch...... you got slapped right?

[Secondary Characters]

Robin Hood listened to them carefully, but when the claims of the man included not just that he was Royalty, but also that the woman beside him was PREGNANT, he immediately dropped any sign of hostility. "John! Come on out! Everyone, it's alright, you don't need to hide!"

The bear stepped out, only to receive a hug from little Luna. He laughed a bit and lifted her up into a big bear hug the way only Little John could. "Heya, toots!" he greeted, then set her down so she could run over to Robin.

The Hood took a punch to the arm, which he rubbed a bit with a smile. "Now, now, Luna... I was on my way back when-" he stopped, then shook his head. "But where are my manners!" He took off his hat and bowed low to the group. "Your highness, many greetings and welcome to Sherwood Forest, just outside of Nottingham. I'm sorry for the hostilities, but we're currently being subjugated by a despot of a false rule, Prince John!"

He sighed, standing up to fix his hat before waving his hands. "Someone! Please, come attend to King Edgar's lady friend! Are you hungry, miss?" Robin asked, sweeping forward to take her hand and lead her toward a badger man in a brown robe who could be none other than Friar Tuck. "And the rest of you? We don't have much, but whatever we can offer is yours of course..." He looked to Agrias, smiling in turn. "And as for 'proving it', young lady..." he said, then pulled out his bow and let fly an arrow... which ricocheted several times while Robin through his hat into the air. The objects collided, the arrow whizzing off to implant itself into a tree to be collected later while his hat landed on his head, perhaps a small hole worse for wear. He offered Agrias a wink afterwards. "Does that settle it?"

Robin looked to the King, walking over and speaking to him. "Perhaps you can help us? I'm a royal too, you see. I am Prince Robin of Loxly... but my family was overthrown when Prince John seized the crown. Since then, he's been punishing the people with heavy taxes, to the point of starvation and poverty! We must topple him and return the crown to his brother, the TRUE King of England, King Richard!"

While Robin explained their situation to King Edgar, that the people were being captured and imprisoned for not paying the doubled and tripled taxes of recent weeks, a Rooster man would be walking over to Agrias, smiling a bit.

"Name's Alan O'Dale..." he said to her, pulling out his mandolin eagerly. He strummed it lightly, one eye closing as he looked to her. "Now... call me a crazy old Rooster... but you don't seem the bard type..." he chuckled, humming lightly before speaking again. "You have yourself a higher calling, don't you, miss?"

[Agrias Oaks]

Gods... this was her hero? This fox? She rubbed at her temples a moment and assessed the situation. This is what Beatrix must of felt like when she was expecting a man, rather than a woman. She looked down at her lute, giving it a weak smile...

"Beatrix... everyone, " she spoke softly to Save the Queen, "... I hope you are all safe."

...She looked up to hear the troubles happening in this world, and this "Prince John" was making her nothing but angry. It was then when the rooster man walked up to her and introduced himself. She watched his Mandolin and gave him a soft smile, "Nay... I am only a Class Bardess.." she whispered, stringing a tune to his to make a harmonious melody.

"In reality I am a knight....well.... was a knight." she frowned, thinking of her diminished holy now, "... I have to follow my roots if I am ever to find what is missing to be such again." she smiled, " ... but I'm sure I can assist with helping a kind King in the mean time."

She stopped playing, and offered the rooster her hand, "I am Agrias Oaks, at your service."

[Secondary Characters]

Alan O'Dale extended his hand to her, shaking it lightly. "A pleasure, Miss Oaks..." he said, then smiled a bit, going back to plucking one or two notes on his mandolin with all the charismatic intrigue of a double-talking spy when he spoke again...

"Follow your roots, hm? Well, I know my passions lay in tellin' it like it is... and if I had to tell you like it is..." he leaned in, nodding to Robin speaking to King Edgar. "... what we need right now is a tactician to help us figure out this lil' problem..." he winked a bit to her here. "Aeur Grauss.."

He walked off, whistling a tune to himself as he played. "Oo-de-lally, oo-de-lally, golly what a day..." he sang lightly just after, finding a place to lay and play. Apparently, this travelling bard picked up stories everywhere he went. What roads did this rooster travel to run into that tale? Maybe only he, and his mandolin, knew for sure.

[King Edgar]

"Perhaps you can help us? I'm a royal too, you see. I am Prince Robin of Loxly... but my family was overthrown when Prince John seized the crown. Since then, he's been punishing the people with heavy taxes, to the point of starvation and poverty! We must topple him and return the crown to his brother, the TRUE King of England, King Richard!"

"and he imprisons them, you say!?" cried the king in an outrage. "--no, no, I'm quite alright," he said to the one offering him anything to eat or drink. "Thank you. Now, Mister...Mister Hood, is that appropriate? Well, nonetheless, yes! I shall be inducted into your ranks as soon as possible. Not only am I a charismatic lady's man, but I am a valued fighter with both spear and sword. As well as that, I'm part mage--due to the life force of Terra's ancestors--and could be quite helpful in trying times."

He nodded and then bowed. "This king you speak of sounds a coward, and I know how to strike down the highest."

[terra]

Luna looked over to Edgar, "It would be most helpful to have one such as yourself to help us, that...... magic you used would go a long way" she said with a smile. at the same time she kept taking quick looks up at Robin.

Terra looked around and said "yes thank you" she couldn't help it , she was actually starving, she didn't like taking food from others but right now she couldn't help it. Terra rested her arm on top of the badger's still staring at them all in amazement "So tell me good.... Sir what might be your name? " she asked as she was being lead to a kitchen like area.

Luna sudden;y grabbed Robins arm, "My Village, Robin the Southern tree village is under attack, surely there is something we can do? she asked trying not to look at him in the eyes too long.

[Agrias Oaks]

Agrias gasped when that name was mentioned, and she watched the rooster walk off with round eyes. She rested a hand over her heart and allowed her Lute to hang loosely at her side.

"A ... tactician..." whispered Agrias, remembering wisdom of her past.

"To be a great warrior, My Son, thoust must learn that battles are not only won up close, but from afar. You must be nimble and quick on your actions, for it can only take a single arrow to end disputes." her father's words seemed to echo around her.

She took this time to walk around a tree, her eyes closed. She continued to remember...

"Watch your enemies closely from a distance... and see the many possibilities you cannot see from up close."

"Class Change!" Agrias whispered to the heavens, tilting her head up and taking a soft breath, "Archer Class!"

Her body was wrapped in a tender light. The bard wear she had pixelated and in seconds turned into something else. A Green vest covered her body, with a short green skirt, knee high boots, and long sleeves that extended into gloves. A green hat with a similar feather adorned her bradded hair. Save the Queen also had changed shape-- She was now holding a long bow.

She looked at herself a moment, grateful for her father's words. When she walked around the tree again, she looked to Robin Hood and gave him a confident smile, "Prince Robin of Loxley... I believe you are in need of a tactician?" she spoke strongly, resting a hand over her hip while the other gripped tightly at her bow. They were ready.

[Secondary Characters]

Robin Hood had been diligently speaking with Edgar, when his attention was drawn to Agrias after a bright light. She approached and asked if he needed a tactician, but he was still somewhat suprised at the sudden change. Shaking his head clear, he smiled a bit and put his hands on his hips.

"Ah, a wardrobe change, is it? Well, young lady... a simple change of clothes do not a tactician make! You've asked me to prove myself, well perhaps now I might ask you to do the same? I can't in good consciousness risk my men or your friends without fully trusting the plan, hm?"

With a wink, Robin Hood nodded firmly. "Show us your skills, my lady... What clever strategy have you to demonstrate?"

[Agrias Oaks]

Her eyes narrowed at this challenge, and she nodded in acceptance. "Only fair I prove myself... follow not!" She turned toward the area of whence they came, and dashed forward to disappear in the forest shade and there was silence. Not even the trees whispered of her location; it wasn't certain if she ran away, or dashed forward into the heat of battle with the shadow archers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the shadows of the forest region, Agrias crept closer still toward the heartless infested village. Quietly counting the many predators and survivors with every glance and calculating her moves thoroughly.

"My son... sometimes the enemy is wise... you must out think the possibilities and send a quiver to their hearts." ringed her fathers voice in her ear.

She began to set stone traps around the village and making makeshift bows for an "ambush" effect, and stationed them all through that opening where a "charge" would be expected. These would take at least an hour to set up. These would be very sensitive to touch, and would be activated by a light pull of rope or a sudden vibration. A great distraction for archer heartless.

If they fell for these traps, they would focus their arrows to that empty lot of forest, leaving the rear opened for attack. The few strays that would be looking about where she didn't want would go first while their own arrows activated the traps onslaught. Agrias, the clever archer went to find the captured villagers, striking down enemies in her path with her Save the Queen bow and endless silver like arrows. She hoped the captured folk would take a hint to be quiet, and sneak around the back toward Robin Hood's hideout while the strange archer woman stayed behind to deal with the creatures.

"CHARGE +10!!" The archer would spam, her arrows driving so much force it would pierce several heartless at once critically. The heartless bewildered and confused from the arrows coming from the forest that they concentrated most of their arrows on the trees while a few concentrated on Agrias. "CHARGE +9!!" she would shout out, dashing from behind a tree to send another arrow flying, ramming into two heartless lined together. She had to at least take out 2-3 at a time at this point. The heartless grew smarter, and some made it to see the traps allocated within the trees, and the remaining ten pointed their arrows toward Agrias now. Separating to become single targets.

"Bull--" She couldn't finish, she now needed to dodge those ten arrows that headed toward her. She jumped behind a tree stomp and waited to hear nothing-- this was when they were reloading their bows. She quickly notched an arrow in place and pointed at the nearest one, "CHARGE +2!" she estimated, and sent the arrow flying towards the target before she hid again. The second and third targets where close to one another, and similar distance. To this, she placed two silver arrows on the string, and located her thumb between them to release at an angle.

-thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk-!! the enemy arrows attacked the poor stump. It was turn for Agrias again, and she hoped out from her hiding spot, "CHARGE +6!!" she shouted, and released her angling arrows which pierced the two heartless closest to one another, sending them down. To hide again!

-thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk thunk!- went the heartless arrows, and the process repeated until there where about two thunk thunks when there where three left. One of them was waiting for her to come out while the other ones charged. It grew a little difficult here...

Agrias looked about her to find any sort of vision aid- and found a shard of broken mirror on the floor. She reached for it carefully, listening to footsteps etching closer to her spot, "Tch.." she mumbled, listening to the displacement of the steps, along with the pace... the distance...

She pointed her bow upward, "CHARGE + 1!" she shouted and let that arrow fly high into the sky, and began to fall at an angle. -KTHUNK!!- it stroked something. When she looked into the mirror, she saw the heartless down.

-THUNK THUNK!- The two remaining heartless growled, now simply aiming and striking in panic, and Agrias was down to one arrow.

"Bullocks..." muttered the archer, notching the arrow against the string and waiting.

-THUNK THUNK!-

Now. She got out of hiding, and pointed the arrow toward the closest Heartless, "CHARGE +3!" she shouted, and with the force of her coil, the arrow soared and hit its target. The final heartless was reloading, and Agrias was out of arrows... but then she saw the nearest Heartless, whom her calculations had saved her from it etching closer. She dashed forward, and retrieved the arrow piercing its chest, yanked it out, notched it, aimed...!

The Heartless was ready as well... both ready to fire!

-TCH!- The Heartless let go of his arrow first, and the Light Archer watched as the projectile etched closer. "CHARGE+ 10!!" she shouted, and released her force induced silver Arrow at an angle. It was coiled so back it whistled in the air at its increased speed, and displaced the wind around it slightly. Both arrows met, but one of them split in half and it wasn't hers.

... In the end, there was only one archer standing, and she hoped twice in victory! She ended her little dance by falling on her rear, breathing heavily on how tired she was, and looking at the mess of arrows and disappearing heartless around her. She smiled, knowing that if she could do this on her own, at least for now, that Beatrix and Abigail where taking care of themselves. If she could do this...so could they.

"No more Dilly Dally, Agrias!" She assured herself, standing up, and going back to Robin's Hideout....

[Secondary Characters]

As Agrias ran off to rejoin the group, she'd be followed by an unfriendly presence. The overweight wolf was suprisingly stealthy when he needed to be, keeping out of sight and out of mind as he tailed her back to Robin's Hideout. The Sherif of Nottingham smirked widely upon seeing the place, and began to make his retreat. "Well I'll be... Prince John will want to hear about this!" he said quietly to himself...

Meanwhile, Robin was blinking in suprise. The woman hadn't been gone more than an hour and 20 minutes, and she was already back! And with rescued villagers as well! He scrambled to have them taken care of by Little John, Friar Tuck, and Alan O'Dale but he walked up to Agrias himself with a wide smile.

"Oo de lally! Good show, Miss Agrias! It would seem I was grossly mistaken in questioning your ability as a fine tactician!" he said, bowing graciously to her. "Perhaps, then, we could use your skills. You see, Prince John has been taxing these poor people to death, and I've a plan to liberate some funding from the rich in order to benefit the poor and downtrodden!"

He gestured for her to follow as he made his way toward Little John, King Edgar, and the others. "Perhaps after this, our dear phoney king of England will see fit to surrender the crown back to its rightful owner, King Richard!"

[Atticus the Fallen]

The darkness of the forest would slowly deepen... as high above, the bright sun would begin to fade. An eclipse was happening, but not from the moon which hung in another part of the sky and was darkening as well. No. Darkness was overtaking the light. The last life of the brightness lingered on the edges of the circle of black hanging like a death's head in the sky, begging to be safed from its slow, painful fall...

Darkness has consumed the light... The Final Day begins.

[Agrias Oaks]

She bowed gracefully to Robin Hood, happy to see him so pleased with her results, "Well, Ser-- I believe we are even then? Now tell me more of--" she paused herself, the sky suddenly failing on them.

"Night has fallen? So soon...?" she would ask herself, excusing herself climbing from branch to branch, making her way up and through that umbrella of leafs. She glanced up to see a dark sky like no other, and she grew frightful.

"...No.." she nearly cried, seeing stars afar die one by one rapidly. "...NO!" she shouted to no one in particular, and rushed down her path toward the others. She needed to find Beatrix, and Abigail-- she needed to go to the others! Something terrible had happen but she did not know what.

"EVERYONE!" Agrias would call out after she reached the familiar clearing, " there is trouble-- we need to stay on high alert!"