Chapter 39
30,000 years ago...
It was a warm spring afternoon. The construction of the new traveling devices was going well. The creators design was perfect, utilising excess magic as a power source. Not only did it allow travel between islands, but it also removed the chaos that excess magic caused. Rumours of a new dark force were spreading, but that was little concern. The achievement of a life time was just around the corner, and it was hers, which nobody could take away.
Freya sat at her desk, looking over the plans for her portal design for the last time, making sure there was no way for it to go wrong. She had spent months working on her project, studying arcane arts and forbidden technology. Tomorrow was the day construction began. Her long ebony hair covered her eyes, so she blew it out of the way.
'One day, I need to get a haircut' she thought to herself.
She decided to take a walk outside. After tucking in her chair, she picked up her lucky ring, climbed down the ancient stone steps to the outside. The old oak doors opened to the chirping of birds and the distant roar of dragons. Her home was located close to the dragon king throne known as dragon's peak. Her previous invention, the hot air balloon, allowed exploration to far off islands. The idea came when she saw a Chompy drink an entire vat of fizzy juice and was blown away by it's own burps.
She had her own personal balloon, the most advanced in existence. After a few moments of preparation, she was soaring over the vast size of the Island. It alone had more land than every other discovered island a year before.
In the distance, a dark storm cloud started to form. There was little she could do about that.
Eventually, she arrived at the centre of the empire. The buildings were tall, as to accommodate the growing population. In the centre courtyard, the emperor's personal guard were training. After landing, she went over to see how the cadets were handling their training.
Initially, she had tried to be a part of the military, but didn't find it to her taste. Luckily she had left on her 12th birthday, so no commitments had been made. It had been four and a half years since then.
The commander of the guard was a gifted 15 year old. Rumour had it that he was trained from birth to be a fighter.
"Hey, Jamie" she called across the court yard.
"Well, look who it is. If it isn't Mrs. Big shot herself. How the balloon stuff going?" He asked
"Alright. Just came to visit my old home and get a few things. Books and stuff" she replied.
"Let me guess, for that old library you're putting together? Lame" Jamie said.
'As immature as always' she thought, twisting the ring on her finger.
"That 'lame' library is going to be my next crowning achievement. Whenever knowledge is put to paper, a copy of it will end up in there. When I'm done with with my enchantments, the collective knowledge of every race will be right there".
"Sounds like a waste of time to me. If I can't hit it, cut it or eat it, I don't need it" he said.
"Wow. One of these days, you will rely on the power of knowledge"
"And you will rely on the power of my swords" he said back.
Suddenly thunder echoed across the sky. The sky had became dark and purple lightning struck the ground nearby.
Chapter 40
A few years later...
The dark cloud had all but destroyed the island, wiping out the population that once thrived there. Freya, Jamie and a handful of others escaped, having no choice but to leave their old home in ruins. Over time, the island was reclaimed by the woodland, removing all traces of development. Eventually, the storm moved on, allowing the small group to gather what they could from their old homes. Freya had left something important in her accommodations there and had asked Jamie to help her get it back.
"This place is vile" Jamie said, slashing plant life away with his sword.
"It's nice in a way. The plant life offers plenty of ingredients for my potions" Freya replied.
"If you say so. How close are we to the old village?" Jamie asked.
"It should only be a few more moments... Over there". She pointed to a ruined building, the walls broken and fractured by trees.
"How did it get so bad. The incident occurred a few years ago, not eons ago" Jamie pointed out.
"The black cloud must have some kind of effect on the plants. I shall take it into account with my research. Let's just get inside and get what we need" Freya said.
The two of them tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.
"The window" Jamie pointed out.
Freya gave Jamie a boost up and in return, he pulled her up. The inside was a mess. The floor was ripped apart, the walls collapsing.
"It should be on the top floor" she said to him.
The two made their way to the stair case. Suddenly a large bump echoed throughout the house. It was followed by a long dragging.
"Let's be quick about it. We need to get out of here" Jamie said.
"Alright, it should be here" Freya replied.
The two of them dashed to the top floor. Most of the doors were broken or inaccessible, blocked by tree roots, but luckily the one they needed was fine. It opened with a long creek. The thumping became louder. The two quickly went inside.
The room was untouched. There was a bed inside, still made, along with a magically sealed desk and a wardrobe. On the desk was a framed picture of Freya.
"I didn't know you held yourself in such high regard" Jamie teased.
"Shut up. It's the only picture of me I have" she replied.
"Alright. Just get what you need and we are out of here".
Freya pulled out a key from her pocket and plunged into the desk. The magical seal she had placed on it the desk disappeared.
She opened the top draw. Inside were a number of notes and bits inside. She picked up an old satchel she had left there a few years back. She then folded her notes into a smooth pile and placed them inside. She then picked up the machine parts and placed them in the bag. Except one. She held a round crystal orb in her hand.
"Come on, put it in and lets go" Jamie hurried.
"I can't let this out of my sight. The other parts are replaceable but this is one of a kind. It is the one, the only crystal eye!"
She lifted it into the air. A small amount of light in the air was magnified ten fold.
The thumping became louder.
"We need to leave. Now" Jamie urged.
The two of the ran to the window they came in. But, as they ran down the stairs, the eye slipped out of Freya's grip and landed with a crash. It was then followed by a large groan. The two of them froze. Two large lumbering creatures dragged their heavy bodies across the wooden floors. Their original form was gone, replaced with a thick purple tendrils and a layer of purple rock and crystal. The two of them bellowed at Freya.
Jamie unsheathed his sword.
"Leave. Take the bit with you and go" he said
"But..."
"DID I STUTTER" he ylled.
She picked up the eye and exited through the window, leaving only Jamie and the creatures.
"So, who first?" He asked
The creature on the right charged at him. He slashed his sword across its chest, sending droplets of purple liquid everywhere. It fell with a thunk. The other charged, but Jamie was ready. He used his signature attack, cutting deeply into its chest. He then pulled it across its chest, slicing through rib, muscle and organ. It screamed in pain and waved several of its tendrils around frantically. He then repeated this, forming an X on its chest. Purple liquid poured out of the wound as it collapsed, dead.
He sheathed his sword and turned to the window. He was about to call down to Freya, but was pulled back. The first creature had gotten back up. This time, a huge gaping maw opened where the wound he inflicted had drawn blood. It lunged for him as he pulled out his sword. It missed and he struck at it again, striking it near the top. Nothing happened. The tendrils on its right side started to change. They writhed and coiled around each other, forming a fake limb. It smashed the weak floor, creating fractures through the floor. It cracked and splintered. Jamie, knowing what was about to happen jumped to the window still. The creature followed, further weakening the ground. The floor buckled under the weight of them all. The creature bit into Jamie's left arm as the floor collapsed. Jamie reached with the other to the window frame and stabbed his sword into the brick work.
The creature bit in hard. Jamie grunted in pain. His sword arm was the only thing holding him up with the sword still in hand. The creature bit into his arm as hard as it could. Blood spewed out of the wound. Jamie had no choice. He pulled as hard as he could with his sword arm, pulling himself into the window frame, using his legs to prevent his fall. Then, relying on blind luck, pulled out his sword from the brick work.
He tried hitting the fracture again, but the only part he could strike was the chest. He sliced it several times, hoping it would be enough. It wasn't. The pain in his arm intensified until it stopped after the the wound. His arm was useless. Knowing his legs would give soon, he knew there was no choice left. Using the rest of his strength, he swung at his trapped arm.
"Chew on this, monster".
In one swing, he sliced through the muscle and flesh connecting his arm to his shoulder. The creature fell, taking Jamie's arm with it.
Finally, using the little energy left, he pulled with his legs falling on the other side, only to be caught by Freya. He started to lose conscious as he finally heared the first, dead creature hit the bottom with a faint thud.
Chapter 41
Jamie awoke inside Freya's laboratory. His vision still blurry, he sat up and scratched his head with his left hand.
'Hang on a second' he thought, the memories of the encounter returning. He glanced at his left arm. Instead of the fleshy appendage he was used to seeing, a metal construct had replaced it, still scratching his head.
He paused for a second, staring at it. It faintly ticked and gnashed with every small movement he made. It didn't feel like his old arm. While he was in control, he couldn't quite feel it. He slowly dragged it along a bookshelf next to him. While he could still tell the texture of it, knowing whenever there was a dip in the wood or how dusty it was, it just wasn't the same.
"It was the best I could do".
Jamie jumped when he heard Freya's voice. She had snuck up behind him. His sight had started to return. He was lying on one of the various desks in the building, with one of his rolled up shirts acting as a pillow.
"I like it. Happen to attach anything useful to it?" he asked
"Actually, I did. Flip the compartment on the wrist".
He did as instructed. At first nothing happened. But, quick as a flash a small circular blade with a hole in the centre popped out. He caught it in his other hand.
"Now place it on your forefinger".
He did just that. The hatch on his wrist closed and the finger started to spin, with the blade attached. It was loud, with an echoing buzz.
"Why not the middle finger?"
"Because, I'm a scientist, not a comedian. Now, open the hatch again"
The finger slowed down to a halt. The blade detached from his finger. He took it off, putting it back in the arm compartment.
"There's another compartment near your elbow if you want to store anything else. Anyway, need to go now" she said urgently.
"What's the rush?" Jamie asked
"I've nearly finished it Jamie. I've nearly constructed the core of light!".
Author's note
The reason for the shorter last chapter and the longer this chapter is that I wanted to fit all the backstory into one bit. There would also be a witty comment here but I'm too tired to think of one.
- Captain Diomedes
/Author's note