Domain: Doyle's Past Pt.1

The yells and laughter jar me from my temporary nap, shaking my head and grumbling at them for waking me and myself for napping when I have a job to do. My eyes pan across the tavern, looking at the people that are having a good time. I notice a few people staring at me, but I'm old so that's no surprise. As the alcohol flows, the bigger their smiles are and the heartier their laughs are or heated their arguments or lusts become. To them, I look like some old wanderer well past his prime that doesn't belong. The noise is too much for me to bear, so I heave myself to my feet slowly and head for the door, my search will continue. I notice out of the corner of my right eye, two thugs get up from their table and start towards the door, obviously following me.

I ponder to myself why, but decide not to worry about it because I'm sure I will find out soon, shutting the door behind me to the tavern.  "Just what I need, a fight…" I mutter to myself, not caring if they hear as I adjust my cloak, shivering a little from a cold wind before continuing my walk.

My name's Doyle, and I know what you're thinking. Who's this crazy old fart, what's his story, what's with the two muggers, are they gonna get him? Well, just give this old timer a bit and he'll tell you what you need to know.
I am wandering the world of Terra looking for the fabled Guardians. These individuals have the power to help save not just their world, but the entire universe. I can sense them, and so far I ain't sensed a thing. Maybe I'm getting too old for this, but if it takes my last breath I'll find them.  

I've found myself in a little settlement called Clamonte. Not a big named place, a good distance from the bustling cities like Ecorro or Suul Krazz, but there's always a chance one of them will be where you least expect it. I don't look like much; I used to be handsome when I was younger. Now I'm a bit scarred up and grey headed, but you wanna know the truth? I like it that way. I'm experience incarnate, and if you listen to me long enough, you'll learn to appreciate it.

Anyway, I'm rambling like old people do. My apologies. Ahem!

The two 'gentlemen' from the tavern, I think it was called Hoban's, have decided to continue following me as I walk down the streets. I can't help but smile as they move a little faster, so I stop and let them catch up. "Hello gentlemen, can I help you with something?"

They are an interesting pair, one a giant of a man and the other a shrimp that comes up to my elbow. "Yeah, we need ta discuss somethin' witcha, gramps. Mind steppin' into our office?" He motions to an ominously dark alley, and I smirk. "Sounds fun, but I'm not a grandfather. I never had grandkids…" The words fall on deaf ears, as they usher me into the alleyway and I do my best to act a bit feeble.
I turn to them, propping myself against the nearest wall, ignoring the clink of my sword hilt hitting the wall. "How can I help you, gentlemen?"

"You can help us by givin' us that fancy sword of your's and any gold y'got…Like that ring on your hand and on that necklace of your's…" The little man says, snapping his fingers.

The giant cracks his knuckles, and the sound is almost excruciating to my ears. "Hm, either you crack those too much, or not enough" I say calmly, folding my arms under my cloak. "But I'm not giving you anything of mine. Those three items you detailed are all I have left."

I had a feeling my words would not put a dent in their judgment, but it never hurts to try. "We don't bloody care, gramps. Just hand them over or Gorn here will break every bone in your body." The statement seems to amuse the big man, who smiles a four toothed smile. "Gorn like that part."

I shake my head. "I'm only giving you one chance, Gorn and Shrimpo (that's your name now). Leave and forget you ever saw me." My words cause uproar of laughter from the two, with Shrimpo reaching for two daggers and Gorn reaching to his back and grabbing a nice big mace. "Kids these days…" I mutter, shaking my head. Gorn raises his mace above his head and swings with all he has, grunting from the exertion.

They're both shocked to find me suddenly behind them. "That was really slow." They turn, just in time for me to grab Shrimpo's daggers, toss them aside and headbutt him, then heave him as he's dazed into Gorn. Gorn is barely fazed, but it gives me time to grab his mace and hit him with it. The sheer force catches him off guard as he goes through the wall to his left. Tossing the heavy weapon aside and ignoring the blood, I pick up Shrimpo who looks ready to apologize. "You want to know why I want to keep these, son?" Before he can answer me I let him drop onto his butt, giving him my most scornful stare.

"These rings I own are my wedding rings. The one around my neck" I take it off to dangle it in front of him angrily "Belongs to my deceased wife, Aliza! And this sword" I unsheathe it off my back and point the tip at him as he starts to scramble away "Was the blade of my son, who is also dead!" I quickly put the necklace back on and sheathe my sword before giving Shrimpo a swift kick in his back just as he rises to run, sending him back down. "Now do you honestly think I'D PART WITH THEM BECAUSE TWO THIEVING HUMANS WANTED THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE SHINY?!" The rage in my voice even catches me by surprise, as the short man is back in my grasp, my hands around his neck. "WELL?!"

I realize he's gasping for air from the vice-like grip I have on his throat, and I let go. "Y-You're not human! Get away from me!" He runs off, leaving his giant friend still unconscious.

"No…I'm not."

Now, I know what you're thinking. "Whaddya mean yer not human? What's all this crazy actin'?" Well, just give me a second. It's not every day someone tries to mug me. Every other day actually.

I am not human, though I look it in appearance.  I am what you humans would refer to as an Olkiem, a servant of Aligen and all that is good and just. That's one reason why I didn't kill Shrimpo and Gorn back there.  Old man's a good guy. 'Course, you may not believe me since the Olkiem are supposed to be merely legend, but how do you explain my fighting skills I displayed? Well, I don't care to hear your explanations, I'm the storyteller here.

Anyway, I'm on a quest with the remaining Olkiem to find the Guardians to fight the oncoming horror that are the Swarm. Any child knows tales of the Swarm and their horrible power, how they've decimated civilizations and worlds. And it's true…They added mine to that list.

I was a General in the Shield of Light, the warriors of the Olkiem and servants of Aligen. If there was a strategy, chances are I was the one leading the charge. The Olkiem, being children of Aligen and his light, were charged with fighting the Swarm, children of Ubel, the lord of Darkness and Chaos. At first, the Great Swarm War was going our way; things seemed guaranteed to go smoothly. We had been waging war with the Swarm for what seemed like eternity, but we always managed to keep them in check.

That was, until the Swarm changed.

Something happened to them, that the Olkiem did not see coming. They got smarter; they used tactics other than simple strength in numbers.  In the beginning of the war, our numbers were great and our casualties few, while the Swarm's numbers were great and their casualties also great. They were relentless monsters, destroying everything that was not like them because it was all they knew. I felt pity for them at first. Before that day, before I lost everything I held dear to me.

Look at me, rambling on about the past as if it truly mattered to anyone but me. I know what you're thinking, why am I not gorgeously handsome and young and where are my wings? Well, I will answer the first right now and leave you to wonder the second next time we converse.

I choose to look like a dying, war-scarred old man because that is who I truly am. I am centuries old, I have received countless scars and wounds from battle, and I have no reason to look youthful and happy. I am dying because my connection to my home plane has been severed by the Swarm, and I would just waste energy trying to look pretty. (Don't tell Castiel and Higure I said that last part, they'll call me a liar about my looks.)

We Olkiem are but four now: Our leader, Damascus, my fellow veterans Castiel and Higure, and my wretched self. No females, so when we die our race dies with us. A sad fate, but once more it is my fault for costing us the war.

Next time, I'll share with you about the war and what happened. A good storyteller knows when to end the story and leave the reader begging for more, and I've got to go report to Lord Damascus that Clamonte doesn't have any Guardians. I only hope we find them before the Swarm arrive, or all may well be lost…