Chapter 8: Magus
*Yes, I know I'm doing two Magus chapters in succession without a Lucca between them (I've gone M-L-M-L-F-M-C-M), but trust me, this with all even out in the end. By the way, thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far and to whomever put me on their favorites list! It's that kind of encouragement that all writers should get, but I'm lucky enough to have. Thanks again.*
Slash's home was a little to cozy for my tastes, but he liked it. As you may have guessed, Slash lived alone, and still does. He's is a master swordsman and a great appreciator of fine crafted swords. I needed information on one that I had encountered before I was sent to 1000 A.D. It was all black, and was a katana, like the Slasher, so I figured Slash would have some information about it, somewhere in his one room hut. He had a couple practice dummies in his yard, which were pretty well worn and obviously repaired. We were in the middle of a thick woodland when we came upon his home. He was practicing in the yard. I told Frog that I would handle talking to Slash.
Out of my three former henchmen, Slash was the one I respected the most. He held an air of honor and pride which Ozzie and Flea lacked in greatly. Slash would never let me, or anyone else, help him if he was fighting one on one, even when he fought Cyrus, a fight which I was surprised he survived. Slash was never too bright, but when it came to swords, no one knew more.
"You're still here. I figured you would've moved once the humans learned of where you lived, you oversized imp." Slash was a close friend, and even though I faced him in battle 5 years earlier, I still considered out relationship close.
"What do you want, Magus. Care to taunt us mystics some more?" it quickly became apparent that Slash didn't think as I did.
"Far from it, my friend. I actually have come to ask you about a sword."
"What do you want to know about swords, you hate swords." He said to me.
"I need to identify a magical sword I came upon in my travels. A katana, do you still have that book?" I inquired about an ancient mystic book which Slash had owned before joining Ozzie in his ego crusade.
"I've got it somewhere, come inside." He said, suspiciously. I followed him into his hut. It was somewhat more organized that what I remembered. He had a bookshelf with only one row of books, the rest of the shelves were storage places for his vast collection of rare swords. Slash was a sword nut, that's all he ever thought about. He approached the book shelf and skimmed through the spines of the 10 books upon it. He picked one out. I had a black cover with the mystic symbol, in red, printed on the front. It was ancient. It was written in Ancient Mystic, a language which I didn't exactly take the time to learn in my 20 years in mystic service. Slash knew it well. It had illustrations in it, to help identify the swords. I skimmed through until I saw it.
"This is the sword, Slash." his eyes widened. I had never seen him so excited. He looked at me for a moment in disbelief.
"Surely you jest, Magus. You mean to tell me that you know the location of the Murasame!" he was like a little boy who had found a bit of candy.
"Yes, this is the sword."
"Magus, this is one of the most powerful swords ever created. There were 5 magic swords created in ancient times, all of great power. The first was the Excaliber, a holy sword used to ward off ancient mystic ancestors, known as the fiends. The next was the Ragnarok, a sword of destruction held by an evil warlord. After those two were lost in a great battle, someone forged the Einlanzer, a holy dragon sword that rivaled the power of the Excaliber. The fourth was the Murasame, the only legendary sword of mystic origins. It's power was unrivaled among katanas and was used to fight the humans who carried the Einlanzer. Both were lost, but the Einlanzer was found in the El Nido Archipelago a few years back. The last, and most powerful, as you may know is the Masamune." I wasn't exactly looking for a history lesson, but Slash said something that piqued my interest.
"You said the Einlanzer was found in El Nido? That's were I saw the Murasame. So that's got to be it. What magical properties does the Muramasa have?" I asked, becoming more curious about this obstacle with each moment.
"The Murasame is a sword with two embodied spirits, Mura and Same. Much like the Masamune, only these spirits aren't as advanced and powerful. It was said that this sword could completely erase a enemy from a battle, but only a mystic could wield it. If a human touched it, they would be drawn into a dark portal, never seen again."
"You mean a time gate. That's how I returned to 1000 A.D. I attempted to remove the sword from it's resting place because it kept a magical field up around a cave I was trying to enter, the next moment, I was in Truce circa 1000 A.D. Does the book speak of a magical field?"
"Yes. It says the field is kept up by the spirits of the sword, and even a mystic wielder of the sword couldn't bring it down. Only the Masamune is said to have to power to do so." I was right, I knew I would need the sword. "Magus, I need to ask you something. Why do you mention going to 1000 A.D? You can just move 400 years into the future."
"Slash, I'll explain it to you some other time. I've got to go." I started to head out.
"Wait, Magus! You'll need me. You need a mystic to remove the sword or else the field will never go down, besides, it will be the masterpiece of my collection. My ancestors forged that sword." He followed. Whether I said anything or not wouldn't have made a difference. I called Frog from the forest. Slash was surprised at first, but he figured I'd have had to have the Masamune in one way or another to even thing about getting past the Murasame. I tore open a gate. Slash was a little surprised.
"Magus, what is this."
"You know those portals the Murasame pushes humans through when they touch it?" Slash nodded. I smiled and pushed him in. He screamed as Frog and I jumped in, but not before I left a note for Lucca. I knew she was following me, and Cyrus was probably with her.
We landed in 12,000 B.C. Slash was startled by what had just happened. We trudged through the snow for 15 minutes, when we found a cave we could use as shelter. Night would fall very soon, and night in the dark ages is impossible to survive, even for a master wizard.
I made a fire in the cave and we ate some rations. During the whole time, I couldn't help but think about Lucca. I told her I loved her, but the next day, I left her on Death Peak. I felt horrible. I wanted to be with her again. I wanted to be able to hold her as I did on the mountain. I wanted to do so much with her, but if things went the way I planned, I wouldn't see her again. Thinking about that caused me even more pain. I suppose I let some of the pain out, because Slash seemed to sense it.
"What's the matter, Magus. You don't look that good." he probably wouldn't understand, but I told him anyway.
"Slash, I found my soulmate. She's beautiful, intelligent and she cares about me. Now, I'm here, on the verge of never seeing her again. I left her for something I must do, but I don't want to leave her, and all these feelings are getting all mixed up and...." I paused for a moment to look at Slash, who was absolutely horrified. I suppose he never expected me to say anything like that. His eyes were wide open. After a few seconds, he had the absolute stupidest grin on his face.
"You mean to tell me that you, the scourge of the human race, destroyer of all that oppose him and the most cold blooded, heartless being in the history of the world, has fallen in love..... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH ............AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Slash bowled over laughing. I felt stupid. Frog looked at me puzzled.
"Magus, might I inquire of whom you speaketh." he asked.
"Fine. You've probably got a hunch." he nodded. "Lucca."
"You mean that purple-haired fire four-eyes!? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA .......... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!" Slash continued to laugh at me. Frog just looked at me.
"Magus, I understand what thou must feel. Thou art very lucky. Not many would take thee knowing thy past. I must ask, will this be a permanent farewell, because I never agreed to......"
"No, Only I could manage the spell. This trip is only one way for me. You two will return safely. But, when I am gone, don't tell Schala who I was. She is not to know of her brother's death. Tell Lucca and Cyrus as well when they arrive."
"You have a sister." Slash let up on the inane laughter for a few moments. "Can I ask one question? Is she as mean and nasty as you, because if she is, the whole world is screwed! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA-OW!!!" I punched him in the head as I retreated into the cave. I never should have brought it up.
"Thou art lucky *I* do not strike thee upon thy head, with the Masamune! Lady Schala was a kind a loving woman who suffered a tragic fate. Thou should be ashamed." I don't think Slash was ashamed as much as he was afraid that I'd kill him should he insult Schala again, but he shut up the rest of the night. I went to sleep, feeling worse and worse as we traveled, but what I would do must be done.