Chapter. 70
As Vincent fell from the cliff he drew his sword and thrusted it into the stone wall to slow his decent. The sword only lasted for a few seconds before the blade broke and Vincent continued to fall. The rocky walls started to slope and crashed into them, bouncing, rolling, and slamming into rocks as he went down. When it was over Vincent reached the bottom of the canyon. Several of his bones were broken and his armor was covered in cracks, a seventh of his heath was all that was left.
Vincent opened his eyes as he laid still, waiting for the other avatar to find him. "Just kill me so I can respawn." After a time Vincent didn't see anything coming and all he felt was the pain. Using his right arm Vincent rolled himself onto his back to see behind him and saw a creek.
Vincent tried to move his limps and found his left arm was broken and his left leg hurt more if he moved it. Vincent slowly pushed himself to his feet, leaning on his right leg. Looking at the creek he saw the direction of where the water is coming from and started limping to followed it upstream.
Each step was another shot of pain run up Vincent's body. "Need to get back. Need to get out of here." Following the creek for a minute Vincent took a seat on by the water. "This has to lead to some waterfall, hopefully." Vincent stood up to press on. Vincent's vision started to blur from the pain, his breath was becoming ragged. "This sucks so much." Vincent fell to his knees and laid on the ground. "Where is that avatar? He should be better off then me, being green and all." Vincent took a deep breath and forced himself up. "Gotta keep moving. Gotta keep moving. Gotta get back up. Gotta find a waterfall." As Vincent limped the rocky path was getting thinner until Vincent had to walk in the water to keep going, which only went up to his ankles.
After another minute of walking Vincent slowed as he found a corner. "I'll turn the corner and rest there." Turning the corner the creek grow wider and the water came from a shine gate in the rock face. Vincent stop at the sight. "The fuck?" Vincent dropped to his knees to rest. "What is this?" Vincent took a few deep breathes, checked behind him, then stood up. "There must be a way up from in there." Vincent took a step as the pain spiked once more. "Please don't let there be stairs." The grew deep as Vincent drew close reaching his knees as he walked into the shrine.
Inside the walls have vents where light poured in, reflecting off the walls, giving the illusion that the whole hall was underwater. If not for the pain Vincent would've felt his nervous calm down. Going deeper Vincent stopped at a four way intersection. "Where do I go from here?" Vincent dropped to his knees again to rest. "Okay, think. This is still a game. Every puzzle has an answer." Vincent watched the water flow by him then check over his shoulder. "I don't like this, but where can I go?" Vincent looked down each of the halls. "Wait, if the water is going past me then where is it coming from?" Vincent checked the halls again, the water to his right was the only flow coming towards him. "There you are." Vincent stood up and took the path to his right.
Vincent came to another intersection, he rested as he checked the water for where it was coming from and turned left. Vincent kept going for a few minutes until he reached a large temple. Waterfalls from eight vents in the ceiling and flows around the center. a small bridge built over the water leading to the center with stairs to a pedestal with a sword in it. "Well this is something." Vincent sits on the bridge to rest, as he recovers his strength Vincent looked into the water. The water was crystal clear and cool to the touch. Vincent scooped up a hand full and his visor open to uncover his mouth.
"That's new." Vincent brought the water to his lips to drink. The water tasted crisp and relaxed his body, Vincent's pain subsided a bit. Vincent took a few more drinks then stood up as his visor closes again. "Let's see that sword now." Vincent felt his pain ease up some and slowly limped up the stairs and to the sword.
The sword had runes along its blade that glowed dimly in the light from the water. The hilt stretched three inches from the handle and curved up into talons pointed up with the blade. The handle was sliver with leather wrapping for better gripping and a tiny blade for the pommel. "This looks nice." Vincent drew closer and a message appeared before him. "Last Critical? Sounds strong."
Vincent touched the sword when a tidal wave of water rose from the pools and crashed into Vincent, sending him sliding down. More water rose and took from in the air. Vincent sat up on his knees as the water shaped into a giant bird. "Who has entered my domain!" The bird spoke, it's echoed as if spoken under water.
"I do!" Vincent stood up again. "I'm Vincent Slater! Who are you?"
"I am Halcon! Protector of the sword, Last Critical!" The bird flapped its wings and water rain all around Vincent. "Who are you to come into my domain?"
"I came here by coincidence-"
"There is no coincidence, only the illusion of coincidence!"
"Either way, I came in here hoping to get back to the top of the cliffs that I fell from."
"Likely story!" Halcon flapped its wings again. "If you want the sword you'll have to fight for it!"
"I'm not in any condition to fight anyone."
"Then leave and don't come back!"
"Help me reach the top of the canyon and I'll leave you alone."
"I can't leave this place! My duty is here!"
"There must be something we can work out." Vincent glances at the sword again. "Say someone defeats you, what happens to you?"
"This is my domain, should the sword be taken then I will remain here, guarding nothing!"
"That's, kind of sad."
"It is the fate of all Guardians should they lose what they protect!"
"But don't you want something more?" The water bird grew silent. "I have an idea."
"Speak, but I will not give you the sword!"
"What if you come with me?"
"I can't leave here!"
"Is your duty to the sword or this place?"
"My duty is to protect the sword in this place!"
"But what if the sword was somewhere else? Couldn't you just follow it?"
Halcon flapped its wings and land behind the sword. "Speak clearer player!"
"Hear me out. I let me take the sword and you can come with me."
Halcon folds its wings and leans closer. "I will never be your slave!"
"I'm not asking you to be one."
"I will not serve you!"
"Not asking that either."
"Then what are you asking?"
Vincent holds out his hand. "To be my partner."
Halcon leans back. "Explain."
"We fight together. You help me, I help you." Halcon went silent in thought. "Don't you want to leave here, see more of the world?"
Halcon leans closer again. "Your devise to come here, your neuro linker."
"Yes?"
"I will be free to do as I please?"
"As long as it's not to harm me or the people close to me. Yes."
"Why do you want this weapon?"
"There is a war going on, and people I want to protect in it. I don't care who wins as long as it ends and me and my friends get to walk away."
"So you want it to save a handful of people?"
"What do you want me to say? I'm gonna save everyone? End the wars peacefully? Sorry, I'm not that guy." Vincent slowly sat down. "I don't have the power to lead. I just do what I think is right, and fight anyone in my way."
"You have the heart of a warrior, let's make a pact."
"A pact?" A status screen appeared over the sword, Vincent climbed back up to see it.
"You may have the sword to use how you see fit. In return I will resided in your neuro linker, free to do what I please." Halcon leans an inch away from Vincent. "But should you miss use the sword, restrict my freedom, or I deem you unworthy to use the sword. I'll leave, taking the sword with me."
"Understood. Let's make this a fruitful partnership." Vincent grabbed the sword and pulled it out. Halcon turned into a tidal wave of water to wash over Vincent, covering his body. Vincent's injuries were fading as his heath bar filled up.
"I feel better." Vincent gave the sword a few swings as a sheath formed on his back. "Halcon?"
A small dove make of water formed on Vincent's shoulder. "Where you go, I go. As long as I deem you worthy, you won't stand alone."
"Let's go." Vincent sheathed the sword on his back and ran out of the temple.
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