Fable Heroes Destiny
Chapter 28: Marina

The villagers of Snowspire had only known peace. The Northern Wastes had many villages and warriors during the days of old but soon they were left with one. They knew nothing of the outside world, beyond the icy, stone walls. So, when four people walked through the gates to their little settlement they didn't know what to think. They stood still of a while and watched them. Waiting for them to make the first move. The young lady of the group turned to the leader with light blonde hair fading into white.

"Why are they staring at us?" She asked.

"They don't know nothing about the outside world. For all they know we could be Bandits." The leader answered before stepping forward. "You needn't fear us. We have come from the Guild and are looking for Scythe. My name is Severus Abbot and these are my friends; Jessica, Will and Jacob."

"Spoken just like them."

The leader turned towards the owner of the voice. He knew it was Scythe for he recognized the ancient Hero's unearthly voice. Scythe was still wearing the same outfit as before but considering he was just a shell Severus knew he couldn't change.

"Welcome to Snowspire, Hero." Scythe greeted "Walk with me. Speak of your journey."

The group walked through Snowspire, following Scythe who was walking along side Severus. Severus told him their journey to the winter village. He told him about the encounter in Hook Coast with the Summoners, something which Scythe took notice off.

"The Summoners have reached Hook Coast... Then there is less time than I thought. And I have much to tell you." Scythe noted. "I arrived here many years ago, when the Guild believed Jack of Blades would use the Snowspire Oracle in his search for the it is we who are in need of its wisdom."

"Is Marina here?" Severus asked.

"My daughter has already made her way to the Necropolis. If we are to speek with the Oracle then we need to Glyphs of Inquiry. They were hidden in the age of Archon by four acolytes, who buried them deep in the Haunted Necroplis" Scythe explained. "I told her to go ahead in case we are short on time."

"Wait. Scythe has a daughter?" Jacob exclaimed.

The ancient Hero turned to face the Bandit. Jacob didn't cower in front of him but he did kept his face stern. Scythe quickly looked towards Severus and the young Hero nodded in agreement.

"Not many people know of Marina's existence. Yes, she is my daughter but she is from my previous life. A life when the court of Blades threaten this land. Marina and Severus are related because his ancestor, Seraphina, was my wife." Scythe explained. "You can get to the Necropolis through the Foothills. Once you get there take the right path. A pair of Guards will be waiting for you four."

The group said there good byes to Scythe and left the village. They walked through the Archon Shrine and made there way down the path towards the Foothils. Following Scythe's directions the group the group found themselves outside the steel doors of the Necropolis. The doors opened and two Guards wearing black and red Guard uniform with a young lady walked through the entrance. The young women had long black hair with blue eyes. She was wearing a blue female women's tunic, black trousers, white boots and a green cloak. Recognizing Severus, she immediately ran over to him and hugged him.

"Easy Marina, We only saw each other two weeks ago." Severus laughed.

"Yeah but its no fun when your not around." Marina replied. She then noticed Severus's friends. "Oh, are these the friends and girlfriend you've told be about?"

Yep. Guys meet Marina my cousin of sorts" Severus said. "Marina meet Jacob, Will and my girlfriend Jessica."

Jessica and Marina exchanged hugs and Marina gave Jacob a hand shake. With Will, Marina gave him a playful wink which caused the Archer to shy away and blush.

(I can see it now. Those two will get together in the future) Severus thought.

"Wait. What do you mean Marina is your cousin of sorts?" Jacob asked.

"Well we are unsure what the connection is. Marina is the daughter of the Empress and the Archon and her parents were going to marry but something happened causing them to part. Marina should have been born during the days of the Archon William Black but because of her mother state, her birth was put on hold for years." Severus explained. "It was until the year I was born that Marina was born."

"That sounds complicated."Jessica remarked.

"So is Marina a Princess?" Will asked.

"Yes. If my Father doesn't reclaim his throne then I shall became the next Archon Queen. I would revive the old Kingdom here in the Northern Wastes." Marina replied. "But I wouldn't become the Queen of Albion."

Talk then turned towards the Guards. They told the group that Scythe allowed them access and explained to the group the cities's situation. For a moment the Guards argued amongst themselves, telling each other to man up and show the group inside. In the end Marina told them that she would guide the group inside. The doors parted open again and the group walked inside.

The Necropolis was a city in the Northern Wastes until it was reduced rubble. The once city used to lively and prosperous until a inhabitant made a deal with the forces beyond the world leaving the city and its people annihilated. It was no surprise that the Guards didn't want to enter the city for it was nothing but a ghost town now.

"What happened here?" Will asked.

"After one person's selfish wish, the whole city was annihilated. Every was dead but they came back as spirits. And yet, they don't know they are dead. Ice Trolls, Ice Balverines, Summoners and Wraiths took over the city." Marina explained. "The Glyphs are located in each of the four grave stones that belong to a member of the Inquiry. I have marked them on this map and dealt with some of the Summoners and Wraiths but more could come at any moment. We must hurry."

Marina handed Severus, Jessica, Will and Jacob a map of the place. The map showed them the ruins of the city and on the map were blue letters o A.

"What the hell is YMCA? It sound likes one of the songs drunken bard would perform." Jacob exclaimed.

"Its not. The Y stands for Yeron, the M stands for Moryk. the C stands for Calran and the A stands for Avisto." Jessica replied.

"Well, somebody been looking up there History. It will be quicker if we split up and find them." Marina said. " Jessica you go to stone C, Jacob you got to stone Y, Will you got to stone A and Sev-"

"I get stone M. Great." Severus muttered. "And what we'll you be doing, Cuz?"

"Yeah. M for Marina not M for your Dad. And I'll be dealing with the Summoners and Wraiths" Marina answered. "Now go do as your told Seffy and stop throwing temper tantrum or I'll raise the dead and get your father here personally to babysit you."

And with that Marina walked leaving the rest of her friends baffled.

"What the heck was that?" Jacob asked. "She wasn't serious was she?"

"Not really and besides there no spell to wake the dead." Severus replied. "Anyway. We should get the Glyphs"

The group went there seperate ways and went to find the Glyphs. It took the group longer then expected as they kept getting stopped every five minutes by Wraiths. Will found the Glyph of Calran in front of an old house with a statue in front of it. Jacob found the Glyph of Yeron next to the river but not before getting spooked by the ghosts. Severus found the Glyph for Moryk in the same area Will found his Glyph. The Liberator then went to help Jessica find the Glyph of Avisto. The Glyph was being guarded by a Ice Troll, Summoners and Minions. Lucky, Marina got to them just in time and helped the couple fight the onslaught. Within twenty minutes the battle was over and Jessica retrieved the last Glyph. They trio left the Necropolis and met up with Will and Jacob outside.

"Did you get the last one?" Will inquired.

"Yes. The battle wasn't easy. There were Ice Trolls, Summoners and Minions." Jessica replied.

"Why are the Minions running rough anyway? Shouldn't they have disappeared when Jack was defeated?" Jacob questioned.

They should have. I don't know why they are still active." Marina remarked. "Anyway, we should get back."

The group swiftly made there way back to Snowspire via teleportation and head towards the Oracle. When they arrived they found Scythe waiting for them.

"You have uncovered the Glyphs?" The group nodded. "Very good. It is time we awoke the Oracle for its deathly slumber."

The group followed Scythe up the staircase and had them stood facing the Oracle. The Oracle was a stone faced wall with the symbols ofeach of the members of Inquiry.

"Oh, great Oracle! Grant is the knowledge we seek! What evil rises in this land?" Scythe spoke.

The Northern one spoke first. "The Prophecy is fulfilled. The one born into Empress Seraphina's bloodline is here."

The East one spoke next. "You follow the footsteps of the one who bore the mask you carry."

The West one followed afterwords. "Jack of Blades has awakened the dormant power of the Summoners."

"He has used the blood of Archon to feed his new shell, beyond the Bronze Gate."

"But now his Soul Mask is in your hands. You must use it to feed the Archon's Shrine and open the Gate. Go now. And face your destiny."

The group followed Scythe down the stairs.

"So Jack has cheated death one more. Never have we encountered a being like him." Scythe spoke. "I do not envy. The Bronze Gate has long been a symbol of doom in this land. Return to Briar Rose at the Shrine. Perhaps she can tell you how to use Jack's Soul Mask. I must return to the Guild. May fate smile on you."