Chapter 10: Gratiam

"Over a century ago, the land that is Mikeland now was owned by another tribe. That tribe was named the Helios tribe. Helios means sun." He played with the bottle in his hands as he spoke, very calm. "They were a tyrannical group. Very barbarian. My family was banished from their tribe... for a very unreasonable... reason."

"Why did they, Bailius?" Lossius asked, who had his legs crossed.

"My father had betrayed them. He disliked the way they treated other tribes and preferred perfect diplomacy. He did not like how our tribe used to pillage so many villages. They killed men, women, and children too." He shuddered lightly, standing up to pace. "In the last battle, Mikhail and my father stood side by side, until the very end." He stroked his chin as well. "My father threw himself in front of Mikhail to save his life." The atmosphere of the room has darkened. It was quite dreary, despite the golden rays of sunlight that were peering into the wooden home. After a long moment of silence, Bailius threw his hands up and laughed lightly.

"Do not mind me! It was a very long time ago."

"Wait, how old are you, Bailius?" Magpie asked, standing out of his chair.

"I am 113 years old." This caused everyone's eyes to widen greatly. Lossius uncrossed his arms and broke the awkwardness.

"113?" Lossius questioned, "How? You look 25, at least!" Bailius laughed, clapping his hands together, enjoying their reactions.

"Well, it is a mere charm that my mother gave me. She told me it was my choice to use it or not." He walked over to a drawer and pulled out a poorly made iron can. "Actually, I'm due anytime now..." The four foreigners understood what he meant completely. "I have a favour to ask of all of you."

"What is it you want?" Halo asked. Everyone was standing now. Fully healed and full of energy. Bailius crossed his arms.

"I need you to find out what is wrong with my mine," Bailius explained, "because a lot of monsters have been spawning inside there. Unbelievable amounts. I'm about to run out of resources and I can't walk even a few steps inside without a spider trying to jump at me!" Magpie gulped at the thought of the spider.

"Down there are some very precious treasures... I keep them down there for multiple reasons. And since it's almost my time to go... I'm guessing I should see them one more time. I was scared I couldn't."

"Do not worry, Bailius," French said, "I'm sure we will find a way to get your stuff back."

"Please."

"A dying man's wish, hm..." Magpie nodded slowly, his eyes closed as he processed the information.

"Then we shall head down there!" Halo said loudly with enthusiasm. They all nodded, but Bailius shook his head.

"And you guys are trained in the elemental arts?" He walked into his main hallway. The four men followed him as they listened. "No, no, you're going to run out of energy way too quickly." He opened a door that led to a room with a few furnaces, a few chests, and a table that had a lot of different tools on it. The room had a somewhat eerie feeling within it, the smell gave a hint of age. How long it had been since Bailius went into it. He went to a chest and opened it up. It creaked open slowly, sending a chill down their spines. It echoed throughout the home. Bailius ruffled through it, the sound of rocks crumbling and falling apart. He then took out a bag made of wool. He walked over to the crafting table and opened the bag, dragging it over the crafting table. This allowed the contents within the bag to empty onto it. The ore spread nicely, reflecting the torch's light with a grey colour.

"I'm making you guys some swords."

The crispy smell of smoke filled the room, although the smoke was exiting the home through the roof in a small chimney-like structure. An hour had passed and Bailius was pounding away at the iron ingots, shaping them. French and Lossius were sweeping up charcoal that laid on wooden floor, colouring it slightly black. French sprayed some concentrated amounts of water onto the ground, allowing them to scrub the floor's dark marks. Halo was moving throughout the chest, becoming familiarized with its contents, probably getting some ideas of ores that he can obtain later in their quest. Meanwhile, Magpie was laying against the wall, bored. He repeatedly banged his head gently against the wall, creating a repetitive banging noise that vibrated the walls of the home.

Bailius stood up, clapping his hands together over and over, then placing them on his hips. This was Magpie's cue to stand up and walk over the table, lazily. Everyone gathered around it, looking at the finished products. Four iron swords laid there. The handles were made of leather and looked well tethered. The blades were white and looked so threateningly sharp. Bailius snapped his fingers, remembering what he wanted to do.

Bailius quickly exited the room, rushing down into the basement. He then returned with four small crystal that each had a unique colour.

"These should definitely help you," he placed one crystal into the first sword's handle. Inside the crystal was a white, swirling cloud. It glowed ominously, as if it had a pulse of its own. "French, punch Lossius for me, will you?"

French gladly nodded, Lossius confused. He then punched Lossius in the gut with minimum power, causing Lossius to fall back slightly.

"What the hell was that for?" Lossius growled at French, readjusting his stance. The crystal in the sword than began to increase its pulse.

"Right. They work," Bailius gestured a hand to the sword, "there, take it, Lossius." Lossius removed his hand from his gut, putting it in front of him. He cautiously walked up to the blade, placing his hand over it. He then winced slightly.

"I sense so muc-"

"Power, right?" Bailius grinned with pride. "This sword is especially for you, Lossius. It has recognized you as its wielder." Lossius looked over his shoulder to Bailius, his hand still hovering over it.

"So you're saying... it's like it has a mind of its own?"

"Precisely. Go on." Bailius then stepped back slightly. For Lossius, the room seemed to darken. His eyes fixed themselves onto the sword, especially the crystal. It seemed to call out to him. The intense warmth in his palm seemed pull him like strings of heat. Lossius gulped, completely focused on the blade. He then placed his hand on the handle, becoming immediately filled with energy. He felt the white energy surging through his hand, up his arm, then equally distributing itself around his body. Lossius took a deep breath, then picked up the sword. Everyone stared at it.

"Wow, man," Magpie began, "... you look so epic!" This caused a release of tension throughout the room, a few laughs breaking the silence following him. Lossius grinned, then stepped backward, turning to face away from everyone. He waved the sword through the air, becoming familiarized with it. It seemed almost as if he could slice the air itself and absorb it into the sword. Bailius walked up to the table again and held up a crystal that had blue liquid within it. It also glowed ominously. He pressed it into the handle.

"Do I get to punch French now?" Magpie said, readying his stance as if he was a boxer. Bailius shook his head, standing away.

"It was a mere test to see if the synchronization would work."

Lossius turned to him, a face that showed slight fury. But he turned away again, continuing to swing his sword slowly, becoming accustomed to it. French felt his heart, closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then walked forwards, immediately grabbing the handle. He too felt the surge of energy. Like a cool feeling of water surging into his veins. It was like he could feel it as he inhaled and exhaled with each breath. Bailius held up a crystal that had a glowing stone within it. He placed it into the handle of the next blade. This gave Halo the cue to walk up and grab the handle.

Then last but not least, Magpie's crystal was held up for observation. There was a flame within it. It flickered, the orange glow following his increasing heart rate. He had his fists clenched in anticipation.

"Do it, do it, do ittt!" He encouraged Bailius as he placed the crystal into the sword. Magpie grabbed it and swung it around.

"There," Bailius nodded, his hands on his hips. He raised his hand in a matter-of-fact manner. "It is time."