The Fate of the First Hero of Light
After suffering through the detailed explanations of Athena's sexual exploits, given by herself.
Was I able to complete a list of marriages that would confound, aggravate and irritate each one of the members of the two Royal Houses so much, that they would not in Estonix's and Micheal's lifetimes ever be a threat again.
"Estonix, Micheal we will depart now. I will see you, hopefully never again."
"Yes, Claurilles I feel the same, but undoubtedly the hands of fate will cruelly manipulate our paths to cross again."
Estonix extends his hand, it is the first time ever. I shake his and go to leave.
"Wait Claurilles." Micheal also extends a hand and we shake.
Also the first time we have greeted each other with respect.
"I am leaving."
"Farewell Claurilles and thank you."
I wave my hand and move to our small dinghy, at the side of the ship.
"GEIR WHY WILL YOU NOT TELL US WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO?!"
"Knight help me the island should be only short times from here."
"GEIR?"
"JUST DO IT!"
After struggling to reach the island. The Knight's strength overpowering me and turning our small ship rapidly in one direction. The Fire Mage had to help me. Then finally we reached the island.
"Geir why is this island like this. It seems to be split into parts?"
"Yes, we have been travelling through a fierce snow storm. I can see a desert in front of us and we passed a jungle leading into here."
"Vivi this was the land King Roland told of his quest."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
"Yes, when he was boasting at his feasts I had one of my Houses's spies infiltrate it and carefully document what he said."
"EVEN SPYING ON THE KING IS THERE NO LINE YOU WILL NOT CROSS!"
"Geir what is the point of this quest?"
"Everyone look here." I open my hand there is a bloody sphere inside it.
"THAT IS THE EYE OF THE KING!" the Knight moves to attack.
My wife grabs him firmly.
"Geir what does this mean? What dark magic is this?"
"DARK MAGIC! LADY VIVILARA!"
"Sir Hunfrey look at the eye." says the Dark Elf.
"IT LOOKS STILL AS THE DAY WHEN THE KING PLUCKED IT OUT! BUT THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE MANY DAYS HAVE PASSED AND THE BLOOD IS STILL WET. IT IS NOT EVEN DECOMPOSED!"
"Geir! What does this mean?" says a frightened Fire Mage.
"Was it not odd that the King returned alive and well?"
"But he explained of his quest and journey. His party and House members confirmed his story."
"It is HIS party and HIS House, if I told you to spread a lie that could save the Kingdom would you comply?"
"..."
"Geir ignoring all of that, why are we here?"
"We will find the remains of the real King Roland."
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!?" screams everyone.
"BUT GEIR YOU YOURSELF SAID IT WAS THE REAL KING!"
"I was lying. How could I possibly confirm that?"
"But you were probing him were you not? While you were stabbing him?" asks the Fire Mage
"I was looking to see if he was not an undead. They do not react to pain in the nerves. But I could not tell."
"Geir how could you not tell?" asks the Dark Elf.
"I could not ascertain if he was just an excellent warrior who never showed any pain or if his nerves did not work."
"Was there no other way to make sure?"
"He wanted to assault Zelda after a spat. I disciplined him but before I could examine him he was taken away. Even in the hospital I was never allowed to be near him. I could only enter his room before he woke up. He spoke to me but I could not get near him so I left."
"This is unbelievable!" says the Fire Mage.
The Knight is starting to tear up...
"MY FRIEND WHAT REALLY HAPPENED?!"
"Geir could you not enter his crypt to make sure. If he really was on a quest surely it would be empty!" says the Dark Elf.
"I tried but I could not get near his burial grounds. House Vasilios had so many guards stationed there it was impossible to enter."
"Knight did you notice anything different from the King?"
He is sobbing...
"NO, MY FRIEND..."
"I see I thought as much."
"Can we not wait for Sir Hunfrey to calm?" ask my wife.
"It is impossible for him to question any action of a King except for when I was the King. He would not know."
"Geir what is the plan?"
"Fire Mage we will travel to this so called Devils Realm of their quest and find some answers."
"Geir what will we find there?"
"Misery and suffering."
"WHAT?!"
Many times later...
I have left my party behind.
I am in the underworld.
"EVERYONE COME LOOK IT IS GEIR THE BUTCHER!"
Many devils rush towards me they look the same as when Zelda and myself went for her mages training in the village of Rim Knob. Red skinned with pointed horns.
"It is an honour to meet you!" says the young looking devil he takes my hand and puts it in his, shaking it up and down.
"Move boy I am next!" The warrior devil grabs my hand and shakes it "You make us all proud seeing as you are a devil working in the real world." I nod my head, a line is formed behind him.
All the devils are excited to see me.
I am crying in my head. Is this my fate!
They explain that time has stood still outside of the entrance. They ask me for help with various dubious schemes they are machinating to ensnare the foolish persons who make use of the dark arts. I teach them magics and instruct them in fighting techniques.
What feels like many ages pass...
I know them all by name now. I have gone multiple times to make sure what was said is true. When I exit I speak briefly to my party and ask of our situation and quest. Lest I forget and come out unprepared.
Finally...
Their thirst for knowledge has been satiated. They have stated that the heavens and Holy Mother had always oppressed them. But now that I taught them how to fight and use magics, they will overthrow their oppressors in not even short whiles.
I do not know how to feel about this.
If ever I was forced into the Heavens, I will not be able to use my real name anymore.
"Zigrakad I am looking for the person whose eye this is."
"Great Father Geir for you anything."
I am led down the various levels of hell.
"Down this way Great Father."
I pass through one of the inner levels.
This one is reserved for people who in the other Dwarven world, committed crimes of vehicle abuse.
Those ones that drive to close to others from behind, park their vehicles taking up to much space or stopping their vehicles in reserved spaces for ones with disabilities or the like.
They are burning screaming loudly, most of them are the short female Humes who drove those big vehicles that they advertised for going up mountains and driving in the dirt.
Zigrakad laughs evilly "I hated these people when I was still alive!"
I am so shocked at hearing this I want to scream out of shock. But I have learned through my many battles with the Dwarven traders to display extreme calm even when panicking.
I thought they where appreciating me for my terrible personality. But it seems you can change into a demon when you die!
Maybe they believed me to be their future superior!
"Great Father over here. Brekol assist Lord Geir."
"GEIR THE BUTCHER! Forgive me Lord Geir it is an honour to meet you."
He is shaking my hand very vigorously and his eyes shine with admiration.
I nod my head while crying on the inside.
"Over here Lord Geir." the cell is opened. There is frail broken man, you could see he was a massive man once.
"King Roland is it you?"
"...who are you..."
"My name is Claurilles Descarte Oddmund of House Dominitus."
"Lord Anaxtus's prodigy what can I do for you?"
"I have come to free you."
"No one can leave hell, even if you can leave I cannot."
"Here is your eye put it in then maybe you can see clearer."
The King takes the sphere and puts it in his skull. His flesh starts to regrow and his muscles tighten. He is a massive muscular man again.
"LORD GEIR WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
"LET US GO!" "YES!" the King is up and I kick the door free from its hinges.
"SOUND THE ALARM. GREAT FATHER GEIR HAS BETRAYED THE UNDERWORLD AND IS FREEING A PRISONER!"
The Devil Mages stand next to the entrance of the Hellish Realm. They cast the magics I taught them and they are immediately encased in large ice crystals. Without me lending them my living energies to enable them to use magic. The spell has the opposite effect. The other demons attack us using the fighting methods I taught them. Their defenses are wide open the King and I disable them in not even short instances.
"Through there King Roland!" he jumps into the mirror and leaves the underworld.
A massive figure jumps and falls in front of my path.
It is the chaos god Loki. I received the power he promised the Warchief, many times before I led the tribe.
"GEIR THE HUME!"
"LOKI THE FOOL!"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
After irritating him for short moments he lets me past.
He always tries to antagonize his opponents and then he gloats over them, laughing at their consternations. I have learned this through our many battles, when he would try to torture me in my dreams.
I am outside again.
"KNIGHT NOW!"
"I UNDERSTAND." the Knight swings his sword Rust Bane it shatters the magical mirror. The path to hell is closed.
"What should I do now Geir the Butcher?"
I feel weak I had forgotten how terrible that name is.
"You will have to be hidden for some time."
"Why would you say that Geir?"
"Escaping from hell is not something that will go unnoticed."
"Was that really the UNDERWORLD!"
"Yes, I made sure it was not an illusion."
"GEIR!"
"Vivi?"
"WHAT IS GOING ON?! WHY IS HE HERE!" screams the Dark Elf.
"The King was fooled, he was led into the underworld and a devil left and took his place."
"NOOO! LADY VIVILARA WHAT IS GOING ON!?" screams the Knight.
"Sir Hunfrey is it really yo..." I put my hand on his shoulder. He understands and stays quiet.
We leave and depart on our little dinghy.
I hand the King a black cloak.
"From now on wear this do not take it off for even a moment."
"Does this conceal me from the devils?"
"No, it is a normal cloak but your doppelganger was killed not long times ago, you appearing at this time would cause mass hysteria."
"I understand. What should I do now?"
"You will be hidden in the Dwarven realm, till we can ascertain it is safe for you to leave."
"I am truly grateful but why would you risk your life to save me?"
"You and Zelda have the same kind of mental deficiency. When you have the strength to help someone and see them in distress would you not immediately help that person?"
The King laughs "Yes, you are right!"
"Why do you not ask of her Highness Your Majesty?" asks the Fire Mage.
"My Queen Zeldany her life must have changed so much. I have been dead, I have no right to be called her husband again. She has her own dreams now and she is not alone."
"Very well I understand." says the sad looking Fire Mage.
"Let's go." I signal to the party.
As we are rowing the King is talking to everyone. The party wants to confirm it is him, but so much time has passed in that hell his memories feels to him like thousands of suncycles ago. The more they talk the more vivid it becomes his days at the academy and his wedding. His younger years as the King. His quests.
Finally the Knight starts shouting. They share stories of their youth. Games they would play. My Grandmother speaks to the King, he is very hesitant to talk to her undoubtedly remembering their time together very clearly.
After much travelling we reach the ship I chartered to take us homewards.
"Is there somewhere you would like to go?"
"Can we walk the Capitol's streets?"
"Yes."
The King is dumbstruck the city had grown so large. The styles and fashions had changed so drastically. We walk many times the massive hooded figure attracting many worried looks but when I am seen the people are relieved.
"The people seem to admire you greatly."
"Till recently I was the King."
"UNBELIEVABLE!"
I sigh deeply.
"Forgive me I did not mean to offend. They were very fortunate."
"King Roland?"
"They had an excellent leader."
"Do you know what happened to your comrades?"
"I was separated from them. I believe them to have suffered the same fate I had. Do you know of them?"
"They also accompanied your doppelganger."
"If possible I would like to meet with them."
"That would be for the best."
We enter the dungeon I arrange a meeting room the bound party members are brought.
The King wants to greet them I stop him.
"I know you are devils who took the places of the party members of the King."
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WORM?" screams the elderly warrior.
"If you produce the real corpses of the party I will be merciful and only send you back to the underworld."
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
I signal to the King he removes the hood.
"THIS CANNOT BE HOW DID YOU FRE..."
"Where are my friends wretches?" asks King Roland.
"..."
"King Roland swear on your life you will not tell anyone of what I am about to speak."
"You saved my life on it I swear it."
"Do you know what Dwarven runes are?"
"They power the mechanisms in this realm."
"Do you know how they are made?"
"..."
"They are made using the souls of the dead as the power source."
"CLAURILLES IS THIS REALLY TRUE!"
"Yes, King Roland."
"What does this have to do with us?"
"You come from the underworld yet you are alive, the runes we are going to make from you. Will be many times stronger than normal ones. Bring us the party members or their corpses, then you need not suffer this fate."
"How do you know..."
"No normal devil would be able to leave the mirror. I have studied in the underworld, you are the princes Tirkarak, Mizuxen and Brekol. You command each a legion of devils. Do not take me lightly I will not hesitate."
I produce three small stone blocks and put them in front of each one of the bound persons.
"Claurilles these stones what are they?" asks the King.
"Empty rune stones they lack souls to power them." I open my parka pull out my left arm, the runes shine in red on them. I take one rune and put it in my palm. I grasp Tirkarak's fake bodies face. His soul is extracted the runes on my arm turn blue again. The rune states the symbol for fire, this rune gives off heated energy.
The fake body turns to dust.
"Mizuxen, Brekol who is next?"
"STOP WE WILL CALL THEM!"
The dark mages that work for me are called.
"Mage Alurres did you get my message?" "As always Great Father another perfect scheme, fooling the devils into teaching us magics that can bind them permanently." ""Scheme"" Alurres?" "Forgive me your great evilness...excuse me!...I mean Great Father Geir!"
The mage approaches the two party members and bows deeply.
"It is an honour to meet you Lord Mizuxen and Lord Brekol. Please state what Great Father Geir has ordered you to do."
"ORDERED ME A LOWLY HU..."
I pick up the stone.
"Well what you need do, is this..."
The party members are returned.
"Thank you I just need your help with one more thing."
"What is it?"
The rune stones are filled and there are two new heaps of dust.
"As always your evilness...excuse me!...I mean Great Father Geir, you show no mercy."
"Claurilles even if they were devils..."
"They knew it was possible to leave the underworld. If news of that spread about, it would be disastrous."
The bodies of the party members lay broken on the floor.
"Here put these in their mouths."
I hand King Roland five runes.
They are inserted.
I place my left hand on their bodies. Great Father Houzmaz Grimmaker's curse extracts the souls that were bound to the runes. The escaping energy revitalizes their broken bodies and repairs their shattered souls.
Not even long moments later...
Everyone is joyous and tears are flowing.
"Claurilles I thank you from the bottom of my heart."
"Do not thank me yet. You will also have to face the curse of the runes."
"CURSE OF THE RUNES?!"
"Yes, they will extend your lives."
"Even that should be a blessing!"
"Even when you have outlived you grandchildren or their children. All your friends will be dead and you will have no family left."
"..."
"I took the weakest runes I could find to heal you. Your lives might not be extended by much times, but I am not sure."
"What should we do now?"
"You will stay in the Dwarven Realm till it can be ascertained that the underworld will not come to claim you again."
"Why the Dwarven Realm?"
"The Dwarfs have a different afterlife I have already spoken to Great Father Voltec Woldgrog if need be, we will hide you in the Dwarven Afterlife."
"Thank you Claurilles how long?"
"I do not know."
"WHAT?"
We enter the Dwarven Realm.
"King Roland you have finally returned!" "Great Father Thandall Deepstand my friend! Are you well?" "Yes, I am thank you"
After much explanations...
"I see thank you once more Claurilles may we meet again soon."
I nod and move to exit.
"Great Father Geir!"
"Yes, Tharbec?"
"There is an emergency the Queen needs you!"
"I understand!"
I look backwards and greet everyone
...the King is crying...
I run towards the Kingdom.
Finish.