Asticka
                         An epic tale by AJ Peaslee

The universe, a plain of planets, stars, and endless secrets. Within that very universe are hundreds of galaxies. Earth’s galaxy is surrounded by them. Each one is different, and unique. One galaxy is ruled by a vast empire of robotic humanoids, while another is inhabited by cavemen. Out in that very universe, lies a galaxy on the far ends of its endless reach. That galaxy holds two rotating suns, one in the middle and a smaller one near it that acts like a moon, and several planets. The fourth planet from the suns, a place of bright color and strange environments, is known as Asticka. This planet has seen much peace in it’s long years, but a force has come to destroy the golden age Asticka has created. This tale is about a young man, whos life is changed by the “Dredge”.

                -Chapter List-

I. Distant Earth
II. Cry in Sorrow
III. A Sky Pirate
IV. Keeping an Oath and Myoko
V. Reqiuem of Stars
VI. Blade Master
VII. Damnus
VIII. Varge, the Infinite
IX. The Boundless Ocean
X. Zeras and Uras
XI. Aria and the Moment of Peace
XII. A True Giant
XIII. Reflection Plains
XIV. Grimfrac
XV. Wizard’s Fury
XVI. Cave of Conscience
XVII. Love Grows
XVIII. Wrexon, Last of the Dark
XIX. A Bloody Warrior
XXI. Madman’s Experiments
XXII. Come Back to Me
XXIII. Ferin
XXIV. Flaming Bird
XXV. The Black Nimbus
XXVI. Omni Dreador
XXVII. Hidden Truth
XXVIII. Pandora’s Castle
XIX. Close to the End
XXX. Your Eyes Lied
XXXI. Dark Choir
XXXII. Zent and Aria
XXXIII. Twilight Reigns
XXXIV. I Hold it all Dear
XXXV. The Sun Will Rise, Epilouge

            CHAPTER I. Distant Earth

In the southern areas of Asticka lies a large plain of blue grass. There is a village there called Raminta. This small town is populated by farmers and hunters, and knows little of the vast world around it. The only things that neigbor it are the ever yellow forests of Gleam, and the Dream Stone mountains. The village is mostly a row of small stone homes with straw for roofing. There are some stands of wood that are owned by merchants that travel the forest and mountains, bringing outside goods and resources. The town is coated in flowers and various plant life, giving it a peacefull aura. Several large hunters speak outside about their latest adventures and some young children run about in the fields around the town. The home at the very end of the row is very lively today. A woman named Sarena lives there with her brother Ren. They are awaiting the arrival of a very loved family member. Just then, the front door bursts open and a young man is standing in it’s doorway.

The young man is dressed in a bright white, collared shirt with a brown leather vest on top. He bears a necklace made of bronze that holds a green crystal in its center. His long brown hair reaches to his shoulders, and is kept out of his face by the black bandana around his forehead. He wears black cloth pants and deep brown leather boots that are coated in dust. He has a calm face of youth, and it shows that he is in his early twenties.

“I am home at last!” The young man shouts in excitement.

Sarena runs toward the door and hugs the young man. Her long, wavy brown hair flies about. Her face is radiant and still full of beauty. She bears a green gown and gray sandals. She holds him tighter.

“My Zent is home! Its been too long! Do you have any idea how much I worried?” Sarena shouts out in delight.

“I know mom…..haha…I know.” Zent speaks out in a chuckle.

Sarena guides him in and he sits at the wooden table in the middle of the room. A fireplace is burning behind him. A large pot is boiling some sort of soup, and hissing madly with heat. To his right rests several old and worn broadswords. A crest is next to them, gold and created in an award style. In front of him sits Ren. Heh as a long brown beard with signs of white. His face is rough but peacefull. His build is large and strong looking. He has several scars on his arms from yesteryear’s battles. He has a suit of fur armor on and has the look of a hunter.

“Welcome home lad. How goes the mercenary life?” Ren asks curiously.

“Its going alright. We have had to do some work in a village not far from here in the mountains. They had been pillaged by the Dredge again….” Zent spoke in a frustrated tone.

“Those damn knights. The Dredge, who the hell named them kings among men? I wish someone could put them down….” Ren shouted while slamming his fist off the table, causing it to shake violently.

“Enough with all that….Zent is only here for one night, and I want to enjoy it.” Sarena speaks, breaking up the conversation.

She brings over the large pot of soup. A strange mix of vegetables float about in tomato like sauce. Some chuncks of a meat resembling beef are in the mix as well. The family sits down and eats, talking and laughing most of the afternoon and into the evening. That night, Ren is passed out in the same chair he was sitting in. Zent goes into what was his old bedroom. A small cupboard, a shelf and a bed rest in it. The shelf holds many scrolls foretelling of a knight’s adventures and deeds. A dusty yet powerfull looking silver longsword rests above it all. Zent looks at it and lets out a deep sigh. Sarena comes in and stands in the doorway.

“I miss him too Zent, every day. Orland….he was truly one of a kind. The things you have read and seen cannot do him justice. He was kind and noble, always looking out for others. He only wished to fight for those who could not, and protect those who were too afraid to try. I wish you could have gotten to know him….you were only a baby…But I know he loved you, he saw great things in your future. He always said you were going to surpass him someday as a swordsman and a great knight. He wished he could have taken you with him on his quests….” Sarena spoke outloud in a sad tone.

“I…I wish I could have just…one more day. Just one day to know him and have him see me now. I want him to see the man I have become, and I want…to hear him call me son….and I want to be able to say dad….I love you….” Zent replied in an equal tone of sadness.

Sarena goes over and hugs him. Both wish they could have one more day with Orland, the husband and father lost during a mercenary mission. After comforting each other, Zent goes to sleep and rests himself for the day ahead.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the Dreamstone Moutains…..

A large building of black stone that looks like a fort erupts in flames. A large flag with a Unicron and a sword on it burns from the stones and into coals on the ground below. Several men in leather armor fall from the towers, screaming blood curddeling shouts in flames. One knight lays on the ground in front of the main gate littered with arrows. They are burst through his throat, legs and chest, causing a constant flow of blood to run down the bluegrass. Some men lie down in the dirt missing arms and even their heads. One of the men has even been torn in half, his intestines, bladder and everything in between make a trail from his lower half to top half. The  bluegrass slowly become purple and the fire rages on throughout the night. The silouthes of eight knights clad in bizarre looking armor are seen leaving the scene laughing and spouting hate in their wake……

The sun rises early the next day, filling the area with an unnatural warmth. A large flock of green sparrows take to the sky in front of it and a small throng of rainbow tailed turkeys walk calmly past the village of Raminta. Its almost as if last nights event never happened….

Zent, Ren and Sarena have been awake for a little while. Zent is prepared to go back to the mercenary fort North of his home. He turns and looks at his mother and uncle one last time.

“Mom, I will be back in a few days. The next job is a small one. After that, I am home for a little while.” Zent speaks in a calm voice.

“I know. I will be waiting for you to come back dear…” Sarena replies with a little worry in her voice.

“Zent, I am proud of what your doing. Your turning into a fine young man and soon to be knight. Your father would be pleased.” Ren says in a caring voice.

“I will see you both soon. I will be miss you both until then. Good Bye….” Zent says while turning around.

Zent walks outside into the the fresh summer air. He walks to the back end of the house and jumps up onto the brown horse that is there. He picks up the reigns around the powerfull animal and begins to ride off into the morning dew. The air flies past his hair and ears, while the dew sprays him with a cool breeze. The Mountains in the distance slowly get larger and closer as the horse picks up more speed. The green sparrows fly past Zent and sing a quick and beautifull song. The bluegrass beanath him seems to glow and everything about this morning is peacefull. Zent looks up at the mountains again to see smoke on the horizon, and its coming in heaves. Zent makes the horse go even faster and his heart fills with worry. His stomach quivers and seems to dance in his gut, he knows something is wrong. When the fort is in his sight, its in shambles. The towers have been near obliterated and the flags have been scattered to the winds. The main gate is blown wide open and several large rocks from various parts of the fort are broken. Smoke pours out of most sections of it, and bodies lie everywhere. Blood coats the once black rock and various human body organs are spread around the ground. Only one name comes to Zent’s mind…..The Dredge.

“Who could….how could they do such a thing? They massacred….my friends…teachers….everyone is….dead….” Zent speaks outloud in a whimper.

Zent staggers back to his horse and tries to hold himself up. He does not know what to think of the scence in front of him. He begins to think the Dredge got upset with the last job they did helping those innocent villagers get back on their feet….this is what the Dredge does to people who try to “oppose” them.

Just then a large explosion is seen in the distance and a large wave of fire coats the village of Raminta. Zent’s eye widen and he shouts outloud. He jumps on his horse with much haste and and tries to make it go as fast as possible. As he rides to his home, another explosion erupts, and this time a unison of screams fill the once peacefull morning. More screams echo throughout the air and Zent clenches his fists tightly around the reigns. His teeth push together so tightly that they seem to screech and his head fills with rage. Several moments later he is at his village, only to realize he has made it too late…