Prelude to War (Book 6)

[Akirapryde]

(6.7) Voyage Home
Orbital Memorial Station 'The Fallen'
Expansion Rim World of Azgard
December 5th, 1936

The voyage home for all of the Azgardians was filled with excitement and anxiety. There were so many questions that were about to be answered. At some points the excitement could hardly be contained. Songs of battles long forgotten and heroes were sung loudly through the Assault shuttle. Senni was quick to lead the songs, as she once more proved herself to be the spiritual guide of the group. When the anxiety took hold, tempers flared and anyone caught in the middle faced the wrath from both sides. Once more, it was Senni whom managed to keep the piece between the hot blooded warriors. For Talon, the voyage home pushed her in to deep meditation for much of the trip. In her memories, the last time she was home it was her sixteenth birthday. It was the day she became a full fledged Azgardian Warrior. The Galaxy was slipping in to the brush fire wars, and duty called on her. Not only did she prove her worth as a warrior, she excelled as a leader. Her life and career seemed limitless. Than that fateful morning over Coruscate her life ended.

She remembered the night clearly. It was one of her most cherished memories. It was the night that she and Zya spent their first night as lovers together. Before that night, she never dreamed that anything could challenge the priority of duty in her heart. That was before she met Zya. For Azgardian Warriors, love was not common, but it was not uncommon either. However Zya was forbidden love. Homosexual love within Azgardian culture was viewed as the darkest of sins. Talon could never understand what she saw in Zya's eyes, but her eyes could trap Talon's heart for a life time. That night, Talon experienced love on a level and a passion so deep, that than her heart then questioned her loyalty to a culture that would keep her from such a love. Talon's last memory were looking in to Zya's eyes and running her hands through her hair. Then she was woken up by the party months after her reported death. There was attempts to lie to her about who she really was. There were even threats on her life by those she at one time called friends. Now, she was able to fulfill her destiny, to return home and lead her people. 'Nothing will stop me from fulfilling Odin's' she promised herself. That was before she actually returned home and saw what left behind.

Azgard had been laid to ruin by the Republic during the Chancellor's war against Azgard and the surviving Jedi. Talon felt her anger surge as her home world slipped in to view. Azgard had at one point and time been seen as the jewel of the Outer Rim. The Warrior culture of Azgard has strong beliefs regarding balance within a Warriors spirit. Due to this, they carried the philosophy to how they treated their homeworld. While other worlds had large footprints of their industry, Azgard guarded their environment very closely. It had lush deep seas, vast forests and high reaching mountains. That was the Azgard of the past, what Talon saw upon returning home was nothing short of an alien world. The entire world was a blank wasteland. Thick brown dust storms hundreds of miles across raged on the surface of the world. There were no mountains, no seas, no nothing. Just wasteland was all that was left behind of her world. She found out that the Chancellor had dropped asteroids on her world during the opening battles which spelled the end of the Republic. The bombings continued till the upper crust of her world was no more. There was no hope of survival for her people. Yet still her culture did survive.

They learned the truth of how their culture had survived by annexing some sixty worlds around Azgard space. The Azgardian culture survived but they were leaderless. Warlord Brea had nearly avoided a civil war within her own people once the Republic fell. With resources never before so limited, there simply were not enough to go around. Warlord Brea dissolved her own warrior house in hopes of helping ease the resource burden. While under her leadership, she did help them avoid both civil war and the loss of their culture. Still, the winds of change had hit the survivors of Azgard hard. She knew that it only took one poor leader to undermine all that she had been able to do thus far. Most of the current leaders were filled with anger and rage over what had happened to them. These leaders lacked the experience that she had. She couldn't trust the fate of the entire culture in their hand. She ordered the construction of the Great Barrier which was sold as a means to keep invaders out while Azgard rebuilt. The truth behind the Great Barrier was that it was meant to keep the Azgardians in as well. Warlord Brea knew that the Galaxy had seen enough death, that it didn't need to face a vengeful Azgard. On her death bed, she left two commands for her fellow warriors. Continued to train and be ready when called. Till those Heroes of long lost return, there shall be no Warlord of Azgard.

While there were many who claimed to be that long lost hero. It wasn't till Talon returned home that the prophecy became fulfilled. Never before, had anyone seen such a renowned hero return home. Never before had anyone seen with such clarity that the dead had returned from Valhalla to lead them. Talon's missions had been written in to Azgardian Lore so many centuries ago. The rescue on Wormwood, the brush fire war on Baklid VI, her rapid raise through the ranks and her honor all reseeded her. Word of her return spread throughout the Warrior Houses like a wild fire. Within hours of her arrival in Azgard space, fleets of warriors were already speeding their way to Azgard to see the legend for their own eyes. Then a second event occurred, Talon was challenging the Council of Warlords for the right to led their people. For the first time in over two thousand years, the warriors of Azgard were going to witness history in the making. For the first time in over two thousand years, Azgard was going to have a leader. There was going to be a Warlord of Azgard. That's if, Talon can survive the challenge!

The first match pitted her against the Warlord Dace, of House Warden. His long double bit battle ax was more than a match against her quick long sword till first blood. By using the reach of his weapon he was able to keep Talon out of range for any attacks that she would launch at him. His experience matched his skill with the weapon of choice. However, Talon had her own battle prove experience and her own fighting style which gave her the advantage. Her agility allowed her to get within his reach and attempt to land some sound bows. Still he avoided her attacks for the moment. In the end, it was clear that he gave her an opening which she took and drew first blood. Like that, Talon won her first match on her way to becoming Warlord of Azgard. It wouldn't be her easiest match to win, but even this match would help her learn who she could count on and who she would learn from. The old Warlord smiled as he accepted his defeat while bowing to her. “My house and I shall follow you, Warlord!” She returned to the bow respectfully and thanked him for the battle.

The next match was against the Warlord Tornik, from House Furey. It was surprisingly uneventful. He walked in to the ring with a steady determination. He strolled up to Talon and whispered to her. Under the rules of the matches, what is exchanged between rivals shall not be reveled. He kept whispering to her and she kept nodding as if he was giving her directions to some greater battle. After a few tense moments, he slipped back and she gave one last nod. He turned to face the warriors who had come to watch the events. Raising both arms he announced, “We have decided to settle this upon a single toss of the stone.” There was a great gasp of surprise as many rose to their feet. The anticipation was thick and could be felt across the arena. The High Priest from the Temple on High stepped forward with the stone. It was a flattened oval like stone which was wighted to land on one flat side or the other. Talon's quest to become the next Warlord of Azgard could end with the toss of this stone. The High Priest gave Warlord Tornik the honor of calling the side. Talon bowed her respects to the offer and accepted her fate in this toss. The High Priest tossed the stone high in to the air as it flipped over, Swords then Hammers. Over and over it flipped till it reached its maximum hight. Warlord Tornik never took his eyes off of Talon as the stone flipped through the air. As the stone started to fall, those warriors not standing finally took to their feet. What would he call was their common thought. Would it be Swords or Hammers. As it passed between them, Warlord Turnik finally spoke up loudly. “EDGE!” he called out. Another gasp of shock filled the area as the stone landed with 'Swords' facing up. He bowed respectfully, “House Furey will follow where ever you shall lead us, Warlord”

The area erupted in cheers as every warrior stomped down on the decks where they stood. The move by such a powerful Warrior House only proved that she was meant to be the next Warlord of Azgard. Warlord Turnik smiled as Talon returned his honorable bow and smiled. “Thank you Warlord,” it was all she could think of saying at the time. She knew that in the future she would need allies, and House Furey was on that she had to have be her side. It was that simple. Earning their trust and respect was going to be hard. However, just like the rest of them, she knew she had to earn all of their trust and respect. She watching Warlord Turnik walk from the ring as her next opponent stepped forward. The two Warlords exchanged looks and Talon knew that this match would not be so simple. Warlord Jocasta from House Shaw carried with her a mountain of respect and power as she walked. She also had that look in her eyes that told Talon, that she better come hard or quit now. The two sized each other up as the stone was tossed. Warlord Jocasta called Swords and swords landed face up. The Warlord drew out her twin blades calling blades. Talon knew better this time to call for first blood. She called “First Disarm” for the victory condition. The move once more changed the match and ensured that Talon would not be at much of a disadvantage.

The match started just as Talon had expected, with Warlord Jocasta using her twin blades with great skill and speed. 'I am sure Senni is loving this match' Talon thought as she narrowly avoided being tangled in the weapons. The older Warlord was just as fast as Talon and just as quick to change up her tactics during the changing match. Talon bid her time wisely as she held her attacks as limited as possible. She didn't want to give Warlord Jocasta an opportunity to disarm that she didn't earn. Talon held much of her skill focused on defense and avoiding being entangled which would surely lead to a disarm attempt. Using the entire ring this time, Talon drew the match out forcing the Warlord to continue to move in on her. She had watched Master Visst enough in combat and seen what he could do by biding his time wisely. It was clear that Warlord Jocasta had been used to fighting quick battles. It was most likely the reason why she mastered Azgardian Sister Blades. The style of twin long swords which she was using now. These weapons were by design, fast and agile. Talon continued to learn all she could as Warlord Jocasta pressed her attacks. Then it happened, Talon got the opening she was waiting for.

Talon switched from a defensive battle to a pure offensive battle while Warlord Jocasta was in mid attack. The change forced the Warlord off balance and blasted an opening in the Warlord's defense. Talon took full advantage of it as her long sword worked fast to keep the Warlord on the defensive. While the Sister Blades were quick, they lacked the pure power that came with the long sword. And Talon pressed that power forcing the Warlord backwards for the first time in the match. Within moments, Talon saw her change to disarm the Warlord's left weapon. However she didn't take it. Talon knew that the disarm would win the match. But she wanted to win the respect of the warriors from House Shaw. This had to end like it began, with a massive explosion of force, speed and skill. Talon continued to press the attack keeping her blows against the Warlord short and to the point. This forced the Warlord to pull her faster blades in closer where they had to slow down to match Talon's speed. Once more, the attack was just another attempt to bide her time. Talon knew what she wanted and was willing to force Warlord Jocasta to give it to her. Talon saw the signs coming as Warlord Jocasta formed her next move. The Warlord shifted from the defense back to the attack. As she pulled her blades and sped them up, Talon turned and tangled them with her own long sword. The two highly skilled warriors twisted each other as they fought for control of the disarm.

The warriors watching were cheering the move by both warriors as the two continued to roll and twist within the disarm. Like two uncaged animals, the two growled at each other as they desperately fought for control over the three weapons. This was it, within moments this match was going to be over. Within moments a warrior was going to loss. The moment was signaled by a loud “NO” from Warlord Jocasta. The pair backed up from each other and between them laid Warlord Jocasta's Sister Blades. Not only had Talon got the first disarm, she managed to completely disarm the leader of House Shaw. It was clearly not seen as a simple feat as the watching warriors cheered the victory. The rage and anger in the Warlord's eyes quickly faded and was replaced by acceptance of the extended match. She lowered her head, “Warrior House Shaw shall follow you, Warlord.”

Talon nodded as she returned her blade to her back. She then stepped forward as she lowered herself. She reached down and picked up the two blades. “You are a remarkable swordsman” Talon said as she returned the blades to their owner. “You have honored your House today” Talon added with a smile.

Warlord Jocasta took the blades and nodded “thank you, Warlord.”

Talon watched Warlord Jocasta walk out of the ring with her head held high. The next warrior was a stand in for Warlord Buckler from House Redick. It was normal for the House Warlord to allow other warriors a chance for honor in such matches. As such the last three houses had elected to allow their houses to be represented by someone other than their house Warlords. The next two matches were no less exciting as the first three. During each match, Talon had the warriors on their feet banging and cheering on her victories. It was regardless of rather she had weapons or not, each match ended the same. Each of the next two warriors were honorable in how they fought and brought cheers from the on looking warriors. The battles were equally intense and none gave Talon any quarter. In the end however, Talon did defeat both warriors. Starting with House Redick and followed by House Elwards, swore their allegiances to Warlord Fiolla Heartman. As the Warlord for House Elwards walked out of the ring, Talon stepped back to where Master Visst, Captain Ogon and the others were watching.

The rules required her to remain in the ring till the end of the last match. While she had only been in combat for just over an hour and a half, the stress is already looking as if it is taking its toll on her. Her wounds were still fresh and her blood dripped freely from them. Talon bore the wounds of her combat with pride as she took water and listen to words of encouragement. Her most recent ally and friend, a noble and Ambassador from the Free Worlds' Council stepped forward, Zan Xall, moved closer without entering the ring. “Talon, You are the best fighter, I have seen in my life. You are in the the right in every way. You are the Warlord, right by your laws. The universe needs your lead, therefore you are universal right. You have your friends' love, you are right in there hearts.”

Talon's gazed at him through a black eye and smiled, “But am I more pretty than my sister?”

He nodded and said with a smile, “Yes, in every way.”

Talon laughed as she stepped back and turned to face Angel, “In your face!” Talon yelled over to Angel in a playfully ton. Talon than turned as she walked proudly for the center of the ring.

Angel appeared confused as she only heard part of what was said. She reached up and touched her face. “What about my face?” She looked confused for a moment as she wondered what was wrong with her face.

Talon walked to the center of the ring and waited for her next opponent. It was a match forged by the Gods themselves. House Heartman had always been long time rivals of House Mercer. This was just the way she wanted to finish this. If she could possible when over House Mercer than it would seal her place as Warlord of Azgard. Talon took the moment to calm her mind and clear her thoughts. The warriors were all stomping on their benches as they screamed out her name over and over again. In Talon's mind there was only peace. She had fought five of the best warriors of Azgard and beaten them. She now stood ready to face off with a powerful rival of her family. Still in her mind there was only calm. She could feel the beat of hundreds of boots slamming down. Her body eased as she controlled her breathing. The only thought in her mind was how lucky she was to be here in this moment at this time. Here history will be written. Here she will earn the respect of her fellow warriors and they will support her leadership over their culture. With each passing moment, her breath came in and left.

Hundreds of voices called out her name. It was almost intoxicating to feel their emotions surging through the area. She slowly opened her eyes as she looked down the dark hallway where her next opponent was walking. Even as a distance, he was a monster. As he got closer, Talon could see that he was no normal Azgardian. He dwarfed her by nearly a half meter. His arms and legs were massive and matched the build for the rest of his body. However as he walked towards her, she gritted her teeth. It was an insult to not even bother to remove his cloak as he readied for battle. A dishonorable slap against her honor and worth as a warrior. The move was an arrogant one and Talon took it personally. Glimmering in the spotlights was the metal starburst, which was the symbol of House Mercer. At one time, the Starburst was a symbol of the new hope for their culture. Before the Warrior Houses were divided up, the Starburst was a symbol for all Azgardians. Now only House Mercer used the symbol. Talon wasn't the only one to recognize the insult. Many warriors hissed at the move from the warrior from House Mercer.

Talon closed her eyes once more and cleared her mind again. There shall be no distractions in her mind. She refocused her thoughts on the moment. 'If they do not respect me as a warrior now. Than I shall earn their respect in this battle.' she thought as her mind calmed. The High Priest called out and Talon's eyes snapped open. The stone was about to be tossed, and she nodded her ready. It flipped in to the air and the Mercer Warrior called out, “Hammers!” Sure enough, the stone landed with hammers facing up. Talon had already figured that he would ask for a match with no weapons. She watched as he tossed his might warhammer off beyond the ring. Talon nodded as she called out, “To the knock out.” She had figured that she would take a beating in this battle. She knew that she would have to take him down the hard way. Which meant a long painful battle. She reached over her shoulder and removed her sword and tossed it to the side. She made her first and only mistake of the entire day. She took her eyes off of her opponent as she tossed her beloved long sword aside. The crowds reaction brought her attention back to him as they booed. It would be her last mistake of the day.

She never saw the hit coming before it landed soundly in her gut. The force of the blow bent her over and lifted her off her feet. Her lungs exploded as the air was forced from them. He bent down low and brought a powerful upper cut against her face launching her off her feet and in to the air. Her eyes sparkled with stars and planets as she flew through the air. She landed hard on her back and slid to a stop. The warriors around the area were screaming at the cowardly attack. Talon rolled over to her belly and fought to get to her hands and knees. 'I will not be beaten by a sucker punch!' she demanded as she slammed her fist against the ground. She pushed herself back up to her just in time to block his next attacks. Talon might not be more powerful than him. But she was faster than him. She brought her arms up and used them to block his next blows. She dodged as best as she could while blocking the rest. His attack was unrelenting as she tried desperately to get some space between his attacks and her. She knew she had to do something before he broke her arms. She side stepped and landed a fast powerful combination attack against his side. He spun around and landed a sound back fist against the side of her head. She once more flew backwards, this time landing by where her friends were standing.

Zan bent down, “You can do this Talon. I know you can. Just try not to get hit as much.”

Talon looked at him, “Really?! Thanks for that advice” she said in sarcasm. She got back up while her opponent was taunting the crowd. His arrogance was going to cost him this time. She used all of her speed and at the last moment she leaped in to the air. She preformed a prefect side kick. He spun just in time to see her attack. He reached up and snatched her leg as he side stepped. He pulled her off her planned attack and dropped to a knee while using her leg to flip her over his shoulder. He slammed her in to the ground face first causing the sand and fill the air around her. The stars of her eyes were joined by solar systems as she fought hard to regain her senses. She felt her body getting up off the ground. For a moment she thought she was actually standing. Her eyes cleared to see him standing before her. He wasn't going to beat her, he wanted to break her first. The anger filled her heart as she tried to get her arms up before his next attack. However, her mind was still too cloudy and his attack was too fast for her at that time. He landed a strong powerful combination against her torso followed by a kick which sent her back to her side of the ring. She rolled over spitting up blood. Her body felt like she had been twisted over and over again.

Ogon dropped down to his knees, “Talon!” he yelled to her, “His arms....their not real! He's a cyborg!”

Talon's mind gripped that like a fish on a hook. Her head twisted to watch him. He was once more taunting the crowds. She got up and changed her attack plan this time. She moved up on him just in time to dodge his first attacks and relied completely on her speed to avoid being hit. She waited for her chance to act and she took it once it opened. She landed a few blows to his torso than grabbed his right arm and dug her nails in to it. She ripped away the flesh and reveled the cybernetic arm. The crowd let out a powerful wave of discord and boos over it. Many called for the match to be called. All knew however that it couldn't be. The match had to continue till the end. If Talon wanted to dispute it, she could but there was no guarantee that she would win her dispute. The best way to ensure that he doesn't win by cheating was to simply beat him. As she finished her plan, he kneed her and drove both fist down on to her back. She hit the sand once more hard. This time, he didn't walk away from her. He lifted up his foot and drove it in to her back. Talon let out a scream of pain and anguish. Zan got Talon's attention once more. “Try his cloak!” he yelled while pointing at the cloak around the man's neck.

Talon nodded and rolled over and kicked her way up to her feet. She moved fast once more and snatched his cloak. In one action, she flipped it over his head and rapped it around him. For the moment he was blinded by the cloak. She took full advantage of the moment. She unleashed a set of combinations which forced him back as she landed blow after blow on him. He tried to land a hit against her, but being blind made it hard. With her moving as she attacked, made it even harder. However he did score a lucky hit which sent her flying back once more. As he ripped his cloak from his head Ogon got her attention once more, “NO! Talon LOOK!” he said pointing up above the ring. There hung Warlord Raynar's Hammer. The rules of this match were simple. What ever is brought in to the ring is legal to be used, less the Warriors agree to remove them. It hung above the ring and she realized that they could argue its use being legal or not. Either way, she would surely win with it. She looked back to Ogon who added, “The Starburst!” Finally it hit Talon like a brick. She nodded and fought to get back up. Her body was rebelling against her demands for more. There was not a part of her that hadn't taken a beating.

She rushed forward once more and this time focused completely on avoiding his attack. She fainted to the left and rolled to the right as she passed him. She picked up his starburst which had fallen from his cloak while he was removing it from his head. She cleared her mind and focused on the moment. She pulled everything she had left in to this one moment. She took her aim at the target, a small metal box which was the emitter for the tractor beam which held the hammer in place. 'Oden, let your will be done' she prayed as she surged her entire body forward in to the through. She felt the pain rip from her shoulder as she launched the starburst in to the air. She had to watch for where the hammer was going to land. If he got it, she was finished. She had to ensure that it was going to fall in to her hands. She watched as the starburst flew upwards. There was a moment when she actually thought that it wasn't going to make it. But the sparks which exploded from the box told of her success. The hammer was released from the beam and started to fall. Talon rolled to the side as his fist moved just past where her head had been. She leaped to her feet and sprinted behind him leaping in to the air. She landed on the small of his back and kicked her self upward for the hammer. 'Thank you Odin!' she thought as she reached for the hammer.

As if a door had been opened to her memory, just as her fingers gripped the weapon she recalled the training that her God-Father had given her as a child. She recalled how Warlord Raynar and her had trained together before she joined the fleet. Her eyes filled with all that he explained to her about combat and warfare. “Remember child, If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.” Raynar was more than just her God-Father, he was her mentor. The feel of his weapon awoken something in her that had long been asleep. His words echoed in her mind, “Know yourself before you attempt to know anything else.” She gripped the weapon in her right hand and landed on her left foot. She knew in her heart that this match was over now. She spun once more as his attack flew past her again. She spun on her left foot as she turned her head to look over her shoulder. She watched him line up for another attack. She continued to spin as she brought the hammer out to gain speed and power. She watched the point of her target carefully as the last moment she side stepped his attack.

She drove the hammer hard against his incoming fist. The two metal items hit with such force that the impact was felt throughout the area. His arm collapsed under the impact and caused a shower of sparks to fan outward. The blow sent him reeling backwards as the remains of his arm fell across the ring floor. Talon pressed her attack as she carried the momentum of her attack against him. With a second blow to the man's torso, Talon caused the man to double over. She spun around him as he fell to his knees. He tried to get back up to his feet before her, but she was faster. Moving behind him, she rose the hammer high in to the air. She let out a scream as she drove it in to his back. The blow landed just above his shoulder blades. The force of the blow caused his spin to compact in on itself. She pulled the hammer around once more to ready for the next blow. In that moment his life was held in her hands. No one would second guess her reasoning for killing him. No one would even raise a question about it. In that moment she could end his life, just like that. Talon let out a long breath and watched him fall face first in to the sand. He was defeated, but still alive. In that moment, Talon remembered the teachings of Master Visst about knowing when to fight and when not to. The match was over, killing him would have proved nothing.

There were cheers around her and people rushed her. She slowly turned to see everyone cheering and rushing towards her. The legendary Fiolla 'Talon' Heartman had returned and claimed her rightful place among her people. She could see the Warlord of House Mercer screaming his protest to the outcome. She couldn't hear what he was saying but the High Priests didn't seem to take much notice as that walked past him. She stumbled a bit as she herself dropped to her knees as her arms no longer had the strength to hold Rayner's Warhammer. It hit the sand covered floor with a thud as people rushed here she was kneeling. She could feel people shaking her and speaking to her but she couldn't hear them. She looked around almost confused by the explosion of emotions. Talon looked down at her broken body as her blood pooled under her. She looked up once more as the joy filled faces of Birgr and the Immortals surrounded her. “Um.....medic please!” She said before falling over on to her side. Every part of her was in pain. It was if her whole body was being placed over a giant fire.