THE MAKING OF ARCHFIELD!
Archfield is where the headquarters of OMEN is. Built 5 months after the deaths of Gaal and Isse by the Hakusari clan as the last thing Gaal was discussing on the battlefield with the late head of the Hakusari clan, Mizuto Hakusari.
The first district is Noemi, named after Gaal and Isse's hometown. It is a specialized Marketplace that people who aren't affiliated with OMEN can talk to warriors, shop and learn the history of the organization. The second district is named Kyamia, and it houses all of OMEN. This district is strictly for OMEN Warriors as it has their living quarters, training grounds, and the only access point to the third district, Skyline Ascent. Skyline ascent has only one building and it is the Pinnacle Lookout, a giant tower that acts as the eye of Azunne, overseeing the entire continent. As well as where warriors get their missions from OMEN's leader, Erik Stormbreaker.
The final thing the Hakusari clan built for OMEN was The Living Wall. The gigantic wooden wall that surrounds Archfield. Specially made by the strongest Hakusari clan had to offer, it grows back when damaged.
…
At the crack of dawn Archfield is already up and alive. Initiates, Operatives and Sentinels are all Departing for their missions. Watchers and Wardens are coming back from their missions.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Grim'Lok! Wake up!" A familiar feminine voice screams out, startling Grim'Lok out of his sleep.
Grim'Lok stirs in his sleep, "Unlock."
The room came with built-in voice recognition, state of the art OMEN technology. The door slides open revealing Nay tapping her foot on the floor impatiently. "Grim'Lok you have a mission. Get up."
"5 more minutes." He says groggily without turning his head, until he feels her angry presence at the edge of his bed making him turn his head to look.
"I said LET'S GO!" She grabs a handful of his hair, dragging him out of bed and out the house.
"I just wanna sleep!"
They approach Archfield's main gate, which now has entering and departing warriors going and coming back from missions.
Juzu and Mizaka are standing by a blacksmith's shop, discussing something before seeing Nay and Grim'Lok.
"Goodmorning you two." Mizaka says with a respectful tone a stark contrast to their previous encounter before they were initiated.
"Goodmorning MIzaka!" Nay says with a cheerful expression.
"We're waiting for one more person." Juzu mutters while tapping his foot impatiently.
Grim'Lok looks at Juzu, Mizaka, Nay, then back at his right hand which is holding up 4 fingers.
"Waiting for who exactly? Erik told me this was a four person recon squad."
Mizaka looks off in the distance at the morning sun. "It is, I won't be going. Since you're a new Sentinel you can take my spot and Jizu can show you the ropes."
"With the way you passed the exam it should be no problem." Juzu says while looking off in the distance and seeing someone walking toward them.
"We were waiting for him."
Grim'Lok turns to see who's approaching. "Hey, we teamed up during the OMEN Exam."
Nay nods, "He's not too bad."
"Ilija right?" Grim'Lok asked as Ilija closed in but he walked directly past him towards the gate.
"Let's go." Ilija said, completely ignoring Grim'Lok entirely.
Mizaka chuckles "Goodluck with that Juzu."
Juzu catches up to Ilija, looking back at her and waving. "See ya soon Mizaka!"
Grim'Lok stares at Ilija for a moment before finally stepping forward. "Alright then."
Nay and Grim'Lok start walking behind them.
"Goodluck on your first mission!" Mizaka says with a cheerful expression.
30 MINUTES LATER!
As the squad walks on the road leading to Gomen the trees start becoming more and more charred.
"We're getting closer to the battlefield. Hold it." Juzu says as he stops the squad.
In front of them stands a distinctive line in the earth almost a meter wide, behind it stands a forest of charred trees leading all the way to the clearing. The sacred forest of Gomen was nothing more than a burnt forest.
"What the hell happened here.." Grim'Lok says as his fists start balling up. The memory of Erik telling him Risaki is dead replays in his head as he just stares at the ground.
Nay looks at Grim'Lok for a moment before looking towards the clearing.
"Is he even in the right state of mind to be on this mission?"
Ilija remarks as he leaps over the line. As soon as he lands he starts skipping towards the clearing.
"Wait!" Juzu says, reaching a hand out towards him.
Grim'Lok darts towards Ilija, and Nay dashes after Grim'Lok
"I said wait!"
When Grim'Lok catches up to Ilija they are in the middle of the clearing.
Nay's shoes skid on the ground as she comes to a halt. "Woah. It looks so different when the Dojo's not up."
"Yeah it does."
Ilija's left eye raises.
"Dojo?"
Juzu closes his eyes trying to search for any Chikara signatures.
Nay walks towards the center of the clearing, "Grim, did Risaki ever show you how to make the dojo emerge?"
A giant grin appears on Grim'Loks face, "Of course he did."
Grim'Lok leaps into the air, landing on the exact spot Risaki payne stood when he would bring the dojo up.
He takes a deep breath before taking the first step. As he does the ground starts rumbling and Juzu opens his eyes. "I can't get a moment of peace can I?"
The next step Grim'Lok takes causes the Dojo to slowly emerge from the ground.
Ilija takes a leap back towards the trees watching as Grim'Lok takes the final step.
"Welcome to the Dipea-Kicho Dojo."
Grim'Lok says, looking back at Ilija and Juzu. He then starts walking up the stairs "This dojo is the legacy he left." He starts thinking back to the 3 months he spent training with Risaki for the OMEN Exam.
Nay runs after him, "Come on you guys we can show you around."
Juzu grins, "I've always wanted to train at the Dojo ya know!" He says as he follows after them.
Grim'Lok stops at the doors looking at the handle for a brief second before opening the dojos' doors revealing the Main hall and Risaki Payne's own Tree of Connection which is now stagnant and has no glow. "The dojo was his home."
"But it's empty now."
Ilija watches as Nay, and Juzu also so inside the Dojo.
"I can't believe Dargus killed a man who at one point was considered the greatest swordsman ever." He looks back at the burnt forest for a moment before heading into the dojo.
"It's just like Dargus said."
A cloaked masked figure appears from behind a burnt tree, then another.
"Lets not engage yet. Watch from the shadows."
The two cloaked individuals start walking towards the dojo, slipping into the shadows.
Juzu looks around the Main Hall with Nay while Ilija and Grim'Lok stand next to the tree.
"So you were a student of Risaki? Does that mean you know his techniques?" Ilija asks while scanning the Dojo's interior.
"Only a fraction. Although he promised to show me the special scrolls in his room."
Grim'Lok's head turns towards the hallway leading to Risaki's room.
For a moment he looks as if he's contemplating something, then he starts walking towards the hallway.
"Give me a minute."
Grim'Lok walks down the hallway, and the only room is down the hall with a sign on the door that reads, "Risaki's Office"
He stops at the door reaching his hand out to the door handle.
"Damnit.."
A strange sensation overtakes Grim'Lok, as if he's been thrown underwater.
When he opens his door he sees an office as big as Erik Stormbreakers but there's a scroll on his desk with a note attached to it.
Grim'Lok approaches the desk, picking up the note.
"For Grim'Lok, from Risaki."
A small chuckle escapes his lips then a deep sigh.
"He's really gone…"
His eyes shift to a painting on the wall, a gigantic map of Eldoria but with several X's drawn on it including one on Gomen before veering back to the note.
"Grim'Lok. If you are reading this then I have fallen protecting Gomen's seal and you have officially been initiated into OMEN."
Grim'Lok reads the note to himself as his eyes scan it. He doesn't notice the glow happening in front of him in the slightest.
"I'm proud of you and Nay, honestly. The only two of my students to enroll into OMEN's warrior exam and hopefully the only two of my students to be initiated. While it is a celebration to be had it also means you have joined something you are far too young to understand.."
The familiar voice startles Grim'Lok.
"How.."
In front of Grim'Lok stands a piece of Chikara left behind by Risaki Payne that he programmed to turn into a temporary Chikara clone.
"My death also means a war is on the horizon ."
The words make Grim'Loks eyes widen. War, it's something grim'Lok hadn't thought about much before.
"A war between Noctis Dominion … and the O.M.E.G.A Alliance."
Risaki walks towards the map of Eldoria, "O.M.E.G.A is an alliance meant to protect all 5 continents." Every footstep he takes makes a different location light up until 5 locations are lit each one of a different continent.
"Come here Grim."
When Grim'Lok approaches he sees Archfield is one of the locations marked.
"OMEN is just one of the 5 organizations that make up the O.M.E.G.A Alliance. Now I would tell you all about them but I don't have time, so instead I'll just give you their names."
He points to the massive grassland and forested continent of Azunne, "The Order of Manifested Eternal Night, OMEN for short."
Then he points to the massive pyramids and sand dunes the continent of Imperia has to offer. "Masters of the Blazing Sun."
Next his finger goes to the gigantic Tundra and blizzards of Blizia. "Eldo'Blizera."
His finger slides to the lush jungles, rainforests and wildlife of Ewari. "Guardian Vanguard."
"And finally, Aetheris." He points to the place known for the continent wide rain cloud and the golden sky cities above it, Vura.
Risaki turns to Grim'Lok who is just staring at him in shock.
"Those are the 5 main warrior organizations, you'll be working closely with them in the future I'm sure of it."
Grim'Lok laughs, "I don't care about any of that! How the hell are you here?"
Grim'Lok looks the glowing Risaki up and down before taking a step back. "I still haven't even really processed you dying."
"I was left by the original before he went out and fought the intruders."
The Chikara clone picks up the golden scroll left behind by the original Risaki.
"Have you opened the scroll yet?"
Grim'Lok shakes his head no, "It slipped my mind reading the note."
Slowly the clone lifts the scroll towards him.
"That note is not important. This scroll is probably the most important thing Risaki will ever give you."
Grim'Lok looks down at the Golden Scroll in the Chikara clone's hand.
His mind is racing, thoughts turn into migraines in his head as the mark on his shoulder starts to glow through his clothing.
Instinctively he reaches out and grabs the scroll.
"Yes, master."
Grim'Lok slowly begins to unravel the scroll, and as his eyes bear witness to the text a bright white light fills the room.
Jizu stares at the tree of connection watching as it begins to start pulsating as if searching for something now.
"What's going on? Nay come take a look at this."
The pulsating glow of the leaves glow brighter and brighter.
Underneath the Dipea-Kicho Dojo the roots of the tree of connection roam the dirt searching for that familiar Chikara.
As Grim'Lok sets the scroll down he turns to the Chikara clone.
"So that's what master wants?"
"Yes Grim'Lok,"
"He wants you to become the master of the Dipea-Kicho Dojo."
Grim'Lok's eyes start to tear up. "I didn't even get to say goodbye…"
A tear falls on the ground.
"Well you can now."
Risaki walks towards Grim'Lok.
"Was this always your plan.. You talk as if you knew your time was limited!"
"Not to mention you only gave me 3 months to accept my parents death and then you go and die on me yourself.. Unbelievable master."
"You're a wreck Grim'Lok. Many in your position wouldn't have even survived the attack on your village."
The Chikara clone takes a step closer to Grim'Lok.
"That is simply the way I got handed the dojo, call it tradition."
"Although, you went through much more trauma than I did."
Risaki stops in front of Grim'Lok and the two stare at each other for a moment. "You have all the skills to be a very capable warrior someday Grim'Lok. Someone who'll make a change."
"I want you to stop this upcoming war. Don't panic, you still have many years before Noctis even gets close to it."
"But from the intel I've gathered before my death, you have about 4 years. At your current strength you aren't gonna be able to keep up with the strongest members, change that."
"As a last Wolfshire you are the only person alive who can use every single element. A true prodigy. Make Lilith and Alexander proud, you have already made me that much."
Grim'Lok looks into Risaki's eyes as he continues his speech.
"And finally, do not listen to Zeru Kagemura, for he is the leader of the Noctis Dominion and pure evil."
Grim'Lok has a look of confidence on his face.
"Don't sweat it. This war is nothing."
Risaki's Chikara clone grins, before opening his arms. "I know my student won't let me down. Now do as the scroll says and absorb me. This is my final wish. I also have a gift for you behind the painting."
He signals to the map of Eldoria before looking at Grim'Lok.
Grim'Lok wastes no time embracing Risaki's clone and for a moment he materializes before he starts to absorb Risaki's Chikara.
His signature starts to skyrocket, his veins start glowing a deep green.
As this happens the roots of the Tree of Connection begin to wrap around Grim'Loks leg, swirling around till it completely wraps around both arms and legs anchoring Grim'Lok to the Dojo.
It found the source of the familiar Chikara.
The energy circulating inside Grim'Lok begins to fuse with his own Chikara amplifying it a considerable amount.
That Chikara then starts visibly linking with the Tree of Connection, flowing from Grim'Loks arms into the tree of connection while the tree pumps Grim'Lok full of its own Chikara.
Wolfshire Chikara, Risaki Payne's Chikara and the Tree of Connection's all fuse to become one inside of Grim'Loks body.
"Woah.."
Grim'Lok looks at his body which now feels reinforced, "This is a new power.. I've never felt stronger."
The tree of connection finally starts glowing, as it finds a new host, a new owner... and so does the Dipea-Kicho Dojo.
Grim'Lok Wolfshire.