Chapter 5: The greatest warrior

Vannaka pounded down the dark halls of the ancient temple, the creatures stench strong in his nose. Blood pounding in his temples, sweat pouring down his brow. He wheeled around a corner, a spider web met his face and he stumbled back. He had reached a large hall, lit by few torches, but even in the limtied light he could see vauge figures shifting in the shadows.

There was a sound of flesh on rock to his left, he abruptly raised his shield, which impacted the vile creatures dagger. It shot back through the air and landed in the shadows.

There was a scamper of feet distancing themself from him.

Vannaka smirked and took a step forward, spotting the creature hiding behind a pillar.

Then the torches in the hall abruptly flared up, illuminating the immense ancient hall. At the end was the creature, who had scampered to the side of a tall, bare, manlike figure with loose black hair and dry, rotting flesh.

" Ah, Vannaka. It's been awhile..." The man spoke in a cool and calm voice, that was heavy with malice.

Vannaka's face tightened into a serious grimace, his eyes drooped.

" I was afraid you were going to be here... But I can tell that this bodies not in a particularly good condition, from it's appearance and the fact you have this weakling fighting for you,"

The man grinned a wicked grin, revealing jagged yellow tinted teeth, " Your right in the fact that this body is near useless, " He reached for a piece of flesh and pulled it off revealing the veins and rotting inards beneath, " But my little sin here is far from weak, surely you've heard whispers of the incarnates of sin,"

Vannaka froze and gazed in terror.

" This incarnate embodies lust, envy, and wrath, the other gluttony, greed, and sloth," The man began to pace about, making gestures as he names each deadly sin.

" Heh," Vannaka forced a smile, " You never were clever enough to find a use for pride,"

The man looked at him with empty eyes, a slight smile spreading across his face.

" You would be wrong there, the third incarnate I recently completed, focused only on pride... And he is most powerful, it will be he who restores me,"

Vannaka clenched his teeth, anger in his eyes, gripping his sword tightly. He shot down the middle of the hall, dust at his feet. He drove the immense steel sword at the rotting figure, who merely smiled, for at that moment the creature shot in front of him and knocked the blade's course off with a swift slash of it's dagger. With a clang Vannaka shot backwards, but already the creature was upon him, aiming for his torso with it's crude dagger. Vannaka let out a cry and brought his sword down through the creature's back and into the ground beneath it as the dagger connected with his right breast.

There was silence as they both held that position. The man slowly approached the two, a cruel smirk on his lips, and mild concern in his eyes.

" It's lust and envy to be like a normal being drives it's wrath, a perfect combination, no?" Even as he spoke the creature forced it'self upright, forcing the enormous steel blade from Vannakas hand, which swiftly grasped his bleeding chest.

The creature groped behind it's back, trying to free the blade from it's back.

" Allow me," The man grasped the handle of the blade and pulled it from the creature. He held it before him admiring the blood glistening on the fine steel," A fine blade, powerful but not overzealous, a shame you had to face such an opponent at your old age,"

The creature drew up to it's full height and let out a grunt, it's eyes turning to Vannaka.

Vannaka backed up, clutching his wound, thinking my last hunt indeed.

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"Name?" The man at the gate to Digsite requested.

" Peter," Peter responded, marveling at the number of people lining up to gain admitance.

" Just Peter?" The man inquired.

" Yes, just Peter, may I enter now?"

" Hold on," The man drew a book from his pocket and skimmed through it.

" Im sorry but unless you have a valid reason to be here or are on the list of employees you cannot enter," The man said without emotion," Will the next person please step up,"

A thin young man came forth, two sheaths strapped on either side of his waist. The gate gaurd's eyes widened.

" Me-drok! Its a blessing to see you, right through here!" He swung the gate open and extended a welcoming arm.

" The mage comes," Me-drok told the gaurd firmly.

"What do you mean? What mage?"

" Peter," Me-drok said gesturing towards Peter," Is a mage,"

"Of course, Im sorry for our...Misunderstanding. You may pass,"

Peter grabbed at Me-drok's shoulder. In a flash a long vicious blade was pressed against his cheek.

" Er, I was just going to say thank you," Peter replied despite his shock.

" Forgive me," Me-drok sheathed his sword," It is instinct. Oh and no need to thank me,"

Peter nodded in acknowledgement and began to push his way through the crowds. As he drew further east he came to a large building that was overflowing with people. After forcing his way inside he saw that there were groups of archeologists gathered around a large table.

"Get out get out!" A voice booms above the murmer of the room. A poorly dressed, dirty man brushed by Peter, woman waving an ancient staff hot on his track.

" Blasted thief!" The woman yelled in fury.

" Let it go Miranda," A small man said," He only stole a goblin fossil, nothing important,"

" You!" Miranda yelled at Peter," Get out we dont want anyone that cant contribute to our research in here,"

" Yes o-" Peter began but was cut off by a loud noise.

" He's here!" A man yelled and the room grew silent.

From the doorway a cloaked man strode in, an odd shaped object concealed on his head. Two spikes jutted from the shoulder area but were covered by fabric.

He walked to the table and spoke to the head researcher.

"Ello," He spoke with a calm near emotionless voice.

" My leige it is most wonderful to have you here," The leader spoke with great respect.

A long silence followed.

" Erm I suppose you'll be wanting to investigate the temple,"

The man nodded and was hastily escorted from the building.

" Who was that?" Peter asked Miranda.

" Him! You dont know who he is?" Miranda asked in disbelief.

" Im sorry no I dont, why is he important?"

" Important? I cant believe you never heard of the great Zezima, they say he is the greatest warrior in all the world."

" Well...Thats very intresting but whats this temple that man was talking about?"

" Its...Wait why dont you know? Its the reason everyones here!"

" I just dont, I came here on behalf of a friend, please elaborate me about it,"

" Very well... In ancient texts, some found in tombs others in the dark wilderness...They spoke of something that lay in Digsite. Several escavations failed, but then Zezima found a relic under one of our dig sites. We translated it and it revealed to us the location of the buried temple, the temple that is said to contain the tool to liberate all of Runescape," Miranda took a breath and continued," You see supposedly a traitor God resides in the temple who has the power to change the entire world. They say his name is Zaros,"

Peters eyes grew dark. He slumped forward in disbelief.

" You cannot escavate the temple, or we all will perish. Zaros is not a loving God. He is a fiend to be feared and to hide from, one to seal not release. If he sleeps within the temple I say let it remain that way,"

Miranda gave Peter a synical look. Peter stared back with determination.

Suddenly there was a lound bang as a door swung open.

" Whats going on here?" A digger yelled to the figures entering the room.

" Make way! Its Vannaka!" One of the men entering the room yelled frantically.

Peter looked away from Miranda and saw Vannaka, bloody and deformed, his shield cleaved in two, the chunks embedded in his arm, and his sword sticking through his chest...