Another very big thank you to Tela again for her newest review! Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer: I don't own Ragnarok Online. (Though I wish I did…)
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Unwilling Heroes
Chapter IV: Sakatul
A long narrow corridor…
Empty and dark…
Moving forward…
There's a door on the far end…
Open it…
Open it…
Open it…
Open it and enter…
Remember…
You must protect it…
Protect it…
It…
Julian woke with a small jolt, breathing hard, slowly blinking his eyes. He was covered in sweat. Dimly his eyes could make out the flickering light of a bonfire. He rose and sleepily rubbed his eyes, stifling a yawn.
He sat up and saw that it was already dark. How long had he been sleeping?
"Around five hours I'd guess"
The priest turned around and saw Alalia sitting on a rock behind him.
"How'd you—"
"The look of confusion on your face. And no, I can't read minds. But I can read faces pretty well, and I tend to be lucky when it comes to guesswork"
"Oh"
He sat up, stretching. Relaxing with a sigh, he looked up.
"Where's Sel'an?"
She looked at him.
"Your bard friend? He came back a few minutes ago carrying a large bag of fish. Then he went off again, muttering something about a deer of sorts"
Julian remembered what he said earlier.
"Oh, he's probably hunting for more food"
"Perhaps"
He got up and stretched once more. He walked over to the bonfire and squatted by it, rubbing his hands and warming himself.
"Why do you say 'perhaps'?"
"No particular reason. It doesn't mean that you'll do something you're limited to only doing that. When you go out and buy a sword, it doesn't mean you can't get a good shield or a set of armor while you're at it"
"I see"
Alalia shifted and got up, then sat down next to the priest.
"Are you hungry? The fish your friend brought earlier is roasting already"
He nodded.
The sage got up and walked over to the other side of the bonfire and took out a stick with a fish skewered on it. She took out a small knife and quickly scraped off the charred skin, then handed it to Julian.
He accepted it gratefully and began to eat. It was delicious.
Just then, a light crack was heard behind them. The both of them turned around and saw Sel'an stepping into the clearing, a young buck on his shoulders. He walked over to them and deposited it on the ground. He turned to the two of them and grinned.
"This will make a fine meal"
He walked over to his pack and produced a set of long sharp knives. Then he hoisted the buck onto his shoulders once more, and disappeared behind the bonfire's flickering light.
A few moments later the elf stood and picked up a waterskin, washing his bloody hands and knives. Alalia and Julian took a quick look at his work, and found around hundred strips of meat hanging from a makeshift rack, as well as a cloth containing the fat. The deer's skin hung neatly beside the meat.
Sel'an came back and impaled three of the larger pieces onto thick skewers and rubbed salt and a thick sauce onto them. He then set the meat over the fire.
Alalia looked at him curiously.
"Aren't Wood Elves supposed to pray over the animals they kill?"
Sel'an looked confusedly at her for a moment.
"Oh, well, I did that in the forest. We don't kill them then pray; we pray so that they, um, understand, in a way, why we have to kill them"
"I see"
"I'm amazed that you know about that ritual"
"I've, studied, a bit about your people's culture. You're a very interesting people"
"Thank you" replied Sel'an.
Julian blinked. He might have imagined it, but he almost thought he saw a strange glitter in Alalia's eyes as she said that.
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At that very instant, the assassin was leaping through the forest. He jumped from bough to bough, searching for any tiny sign that would show him the whereabouts of the priest. He moved swiftly, knowing that this may probably be the last chance he would get to finish his job.
As he rushed through the foliage, something caught his eye. He landed on the ground, and walked over to it.
It was a small rosary.
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"I'll take first watch"
Sel'an blinked, surprised by Julian's offer.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes"
Sel'an thought it over. As it were, he wouldn't let Alalia take any shifts. He didn't like her, not one bit. Let her keep watch and they may end up stabbed in their sleep. He didn't understand why Julian couldn't see that she was a danger to them.
Maybe it was because he was a priest.
He nodded, then leaned against a tree, making himself comfortable. He shot a quick glance at the sage, who had produced a cloth and was lying down on it.
He closed his eyes and divided his mind in two. One would sleep, while the other kept awake. He would need to be careful with her around.
Julian watched as the both of them drifted off into slumber. He knew Sel'an wasn't completely asleep, he was only half-conscious. Why he was so suspicious, he would never know.
Maybe it was because he was an elf.
The fire burned as cool winds fanned it, gently flowing throughout the forest. Everywhere, hidden forest animals began to awaken and stir. Food was the one thing in their minds. Owls and foxes scampered in search of small animals, while these very same animals were foraging for nuts and fruit.
Julian got up, stretching. Sitting like that for hours gave him immense cramps, so he decided to walk around a little.
He found a small but beautiful glade just a stone's throw from their campsite. It was cozy and private, and close enough to the camp that he would still be able to tell if something was wrong. Moonlight streamed through the forest canopy, throwing silver shafts of light all around it. It was perfect.
Julian knelt down, and took out his bible, reading a short passage from it. He meditated on it for a short while, then reached into his pocket for his rosary.
He fumbled around a bit, and drew his hand out. His rosary wasn't there.
He began wondering where it could have been. He always kept it with him at all times. It gave him a sense of slight comfort, as though the gods themselves were with him. To find out that it wasn't with him was slightly unnerving.
"Looking for this?"
He turned around, slightly relieved. He must have left it at the campsite and Sel'an had brought it over to him. He was about to thank him when he saw who was there.
It was the assassin.
He automatically brought his hand to his side, and found he didn't have his mace. Remembering belatedly that he had last it down the river, he began to chant, only to find a blade pointed at his throat.
"Oh no, we can't have you attracting any attention now can we"
He looked down at it. A dark, sickly sweetish-smelling liquid dipped off its edge.
Poison.
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Sel'an woke up. Something was wrong.
He looked over at Alalia and reluctantly decided to wake her up.
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"Do you know exactly how much trouble you've caused me dear priest?"
Julian set his jaw, defiant. The assassin laughed.
"You're brave, I'll give you that, but that won't help you now"
Suddenly, a voice spoke from behind him.
"No, but I shall"
Alalia leapt into the glade, her hands blazing. She raised them and aimed at the assassin.
"SPICULA FLAMMAE!"
Bolts of fire burst from her hands and flew straight at him. He instantly sidestepped, but released Julian in the process.
Alalia's gaze followed him as she furiously chanted another spell.
"CLAUSTRUM GELU!"
A wave of frost erupted from the ground, rushing towards him at an incredible speed. He turned to dodge, but the ice caught him before he could.
The assassin was trapped in ice.
Sel'an leapt down from a tree, his bow raised.
"I was about to shoot him, but you didn't give me the chance"
He turned to the assassin.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The assassin leered at him.
"Is it necessary for me to tell you? It is obvious that I am here to kill your friend over there"
He gestured towards Julian. Sel'an looked at him, then returned his gaze towards the assassin.
"What is your name? Who sent you?"
He sneered at him.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
Alalia stepped forward and grabbed an arrow from Sel'an's quiver.
"Do you see this? Do you know how it feels to have a white-hot arrowhead slowly pierce your body?"
The arrowhead began to glow.
"Would you like to find out?"
The assassin gritted his teeth, thinking.
"Alright, I concede. I am Sakatul, assassin cross. I was sent by my master to retrieve something that that priest has with him, and if necessary, eliminate him as well"
"Who is this master you talk of?"
"That, I do not know"
Sel'an studied him suspiciously for a few moments, then relaxed slightly. He turned to Julian.
"I think he's telling the truth. He may just be a hired hand"
Alalia slowly backed up towards them, keeping her eyes on Sakatul.
"I don't think so. I think he may be concealing something. We have to be careful around him"
Julian walked over to the assassin.
"Please tell me, who sent you?"
The assassin smirked.
"Do you think pleading with me will help? Just give me the Shard!"
"What's this Shard you're talking about?"
Sakatul's eyes widened, slightly surprised and amused at the same time.
"You don't know? Well, this is interesting! Too bad then, you don't know just how important that Shard is. Now if you don't mind, I'll be taking it now and your life as well!"
The ice exploded as Sakatul burst free.
"How did you—"
He sneered and rushed towards Sel'an. The elf had no time to react. The assassin leapt towards his back and put a blade up on his throat.
"The Shard, now!"
Julian hesitated.
"Or your friend here will be the first to try Saliva of Garm!"
Alalia leapt forward, horrified.
"Opps, no funny stuff. Just hand it over"
Sel'an met Julian's eyes. He saw the elf slowly begin to draw runes in the air with his right hand.
"Julian," he said, while doing all this, "don't give him the pouch. Whatever is in that pouch is not worth my life"
Julian nodded mutely.
"Bad idea priest"
Sel'an suddenly raised his head.
"No assassin, it is a bad idea for you, to try and hold an elf hostage"
Sakatul leered and began to draw his blade across Sel'an's neck, but then suddenly, the bard cried out a spell.
"FERALAS SLEITH'ANEL, DAMLERION KRAITH'IS!"
Roots suddenly burst from the ground and shot up, wrapping themselves around the assassin's arms and drawing them back.
Sel'an instantly leapt free and rushed off towards their camp.
"Follow me!"
Alalia and Julian both obeyed, for as the elf commanded them, the roots binding Sakatul were blackening and crumbling away.
Julian turned to Alalia as they ran.
"What is the Saliva of Garm?"
"It is one of the most powerful poisons both here in Midgard and in the Aesir. It is a poison that instantly freezes your organs and crumbles you into nothing. There is no antidote, probably because it is impractical to have one. By the time you have taken it out and ingested it, there would be no stomach to hold it any longer"
Julian shuddered.
"Of course, even the Saliva of Garm cannot go against holy power. Priests have an ability to slow the progress of poisons don't you?"
He nodded.
"That's true, I remember my master teaching me how to do so when I was younger"
They came to the camp just as Sakatul came free from the spell Sel'an cast on him.
Sel'an was already holding his bow and aiming towards him, chanting ancient words under his breath.
"Both of you, down now!"
They ducked as the elf released his arrow. It suddenly glowed and burned with black flames as malevolent spirits surrounded it, wailing and moaning as it flew towards its target.
Sakatul avoided it just in time, only to find Alalia pointing her hand at him.
"CLAUSTRUM GELU!"
Again waves of frost burst out of the ground and sped towards him. He was caught off guard.
The ice exploded all around him once more, encasing him. Alalia didn't give him time to break free this time. She raised her hands and cried out.
"TEMPESTAS FULGURIS!"
Lightning suddenly burst out of the sky and rained down on the imprisoned assassin, shattering the ice and striking him down.
He cried out angrily and raised his hands, bringing them together and muttering darkly under his breath.
"ABEO!"
He vanished.
Sel'an and Alalia both cursed simultaneously.
Julian took a deep breath and clasped his hands.
"RUWACH!"
Multiple orbs of light surrounded his body, bathing the entire place in a blue glow. The assassin suddenly reappeared.
Sel'an wasted no time. He pulled out his violin and began to play.
Sakatul's eyes widened as unearthly music filled the area. Negative energies surrounded him, rooting him to the spot. Dancing lights surrounded him and flickered in different colors, red, blue and yellow.
"Now Julian, send him away!"
"But I don't have a gem of power! I can't open a portal!"
"You don't have to! My music will provide the power for you!"
Julian blinked in surprise but obeyed. He clasped his hands once more.
"PORTA VICISSITUDERE LOCI!"
He screamed as a flash of light erupted beneath him, engulfing him in energy. It pulled him down and swallowed him up, then disappeared into another flash of light.
Julian lowered his hands, breathing heavily as he stared at where the assassin was just moments ago.
"Is he gone?"
He turned to Alalia.
"Yes"
"Where did you send him?"
"Glastheim"
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After that whole episode, the three travelers were sleeping soundly, trying to get enough rest for their journey tomorrow.
Well, all except one.
Alalia rose, getting to her feet. She checked the other two to make sure they were fast asleep. Satisfied, she went into the forest.
A small distance in, she pulled out a bejeweled mirror and set it on the ground, peering into it. Her reflection began to swirl and dark clouds filled its surface. After a while, a dark figure appeared. She bowed.
"Greetings master"
Well, well, Alalia, I was beginning to wonder when you would finally call…
"Forgive me master, I was, caught up in some things"
I see.
"If you will permit me master?"
What is it?
"Why did you send Sakatul after him? I could have handled him easily myself. Besides, that assassin is unstable and could very well have killed me, seeing as he did not recognize me at all"
Don't you think that was a good thing?
"I do not understand master"
By sending him, you have thrown off suspicion away from yourself. He will now wholeheartedly trust you.
"Yes master"
Now go, before anyone else wakes up to find you missing.
Alalia bowed, then retrieved the mirror, tucking it into her robes. She walked back to the campsite, where she found a sleepy Julian looking up at her.
"Where'd you go?"
She smiled at him as she lay back down.
"I needed to clear my mind a little. Don't worry, go back to sleep"
He nodded, then turned away.
"Good night"
Alalia's smile disappeared.
"Good night"
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phew That took quite a while. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this new chapter! Please R&R:D