"Blah" – Talking "Blah" – Thinking "Blah" – Written
~I do not own Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2, both are the property of NCsoft and Arenanet~
Chapter 7: For Whom the Bells Toll
When they emerged from the waypoint it wasn't back at Fort Mariner like Jai was expecting, instead she was looking out across fortified battlements to see beautiful grassy hills, and a large river. Gaping at the sight she turned around, hood nearly falling off as she gazed up at a massive castle with Vigil troops marching all over it and training on the fields below. "Welcome to the Vigil Keep."
"…Grenth's frozen fingers!"
Forgal just chuckled, "Glad to see you can still be surprised,"
"This is more impressive than Prince Ahmtur's Citadel of Dzagon." She whispered to him, and the norn puffed out his chest in pride, "Come on then, we shouldn't keep Almorra waiting."
Arriving at General Soulkeeper's office Jai stood patiently with her hands clasped behind her back as the older charr read through the letter Gara had given them to deliver to her before leaving. The assassin's eyes drifted over to two other individuals who had been present when she and Forgal had arrived. One was an asura with a stern perpetually frowning face and dark blue eyes with a vivid shock of bright auburn hair, the other was a sylvari. His muted orange skin tone blending with greens that resembled twiggy eyebrows and a slight beard, he also had a small mohawk of purple thorns on the top of his head. The sylvari wore scout's armor armor and a bow was slung over his shoulder while the asura was clad in heavy plate.
As she observed them her eyes met with the sylvari's, his own honeyed gaze was on her and rather than look away after being caught Jai just raised a brow, "Yeah, you caught me. So what, I'm curious. Big deal." She thought at him. From the way his eyes crinkled she was sure her thought was written plainly on her face, which wasn't obscured by her hood since she had pushed it down since coming inside.
"Well done,"
Snapping back to attention as General Soulkeeper spoke up Jai kept her silence even as she felt the gaze of the sylvari boring into her, the asura just looked bored.
"I'd like to hear the Crusader give her report." The charr stated, tawny eyes picking her out even as she stood in the shadows.
Wondering why she was the one addressed rather than Forgal since he was the one with the higher rank Jai complied nonetheless thinking it was probably just a test of her reporting skills, "The Vigil was correct when the grawl's 'false god' shared many similarities with a minion of Jormag. Upon locating the shaman Gara, Warmaster Forgal and I were led to his tribe but were waylaid by the other shamans' having given orders to ostracize Gara. We then decided to eliminate the 'false god' and bring its body back as proof; should the other shamans' change their mind they'd be more likely to support us, if not then they would at least be safe from the threat it posed."
The asura was nodding in approval as her eyes went to Forgal, the sylvari just had a serene smile and the General had a smirk. Her amber eyes darting to Forgal only for him to shake his head ever so slightly which made the smirk vanish and an analytical look overtake her expression. Jai ignored their reactions but did make note of them as she kept going, "From there Warmaster Forgal, Gara and I slew one of the 'false god's champion's that was present. We returned to the tribe with evidence opposing their beliefs and camped there for the night. The next morning the 'false god' attacked with force. Warmaster Forgal slew the 'false god' while I helped cull the smaller icebrood it brought with to help evacuate the women and children. Unfortunately the grawl still took heavy casualties, but Gara did vow that he and his tribe would aid the Vigil."
"Hmm," The analytical look was still there, "Is that everything then?"
Jai blinked as she thought back over what she had said, "Yes General, the only other details I could think of would be what we ate for lunch."
There were a few moments of silence before the charr addressed her partner, "Forgal, is there anything you'd like to add?"
The norn snorted, "Kid, you'd make a terrible norn. Jai here was the one who first spotted Gara's trail as we tracked down the injured grawl, and when we found him there was a massive arctodus about to kill him. Jai teleported using that shadow magic of hers and took the beast down in two strikes before immediately tending to Gara's wound."
Jai could feel her cheeks darkening as blood flooded her face in embarrassment, "He's making me sound like some sort of wonder-warrior." And from the smug grin on his face the old bastard knew exactly what he was doing.
"Also, she was the one to suggest going after the icebrood that the grawl were worshiping. When we got to the lair we were both knocked on our asses when it practically blew up the cave but even though she had a ten centimeter shard of ice impaled in her leg- yes, I noticed kid so stop your gaping- she took it out and threw it at the icebrood hard enough to puncture it and kicked the thing away from me."
Now all three others were staring at her, or more precisely the still present hole in the side of her coat right over her thigh. Jai started fiddling with her fingers that were still clasped behind her and out of sight.
"And then-" he faltered slightly before picking his narrative back up, "-then she took a blow for Gara, saving the grawl's life. Gave me a heart attack thinking she was dead for a moment."
The sylvari jumped in, his eyes wide open with concern, "Are you alright? We can call in a medic."
Taken aback Jai just stared at him, "I'm fine." She replied back almost instinctively. "My blades are enchanted with vampiric properties, after I was wounded I used them to heal since the icebrood's attack gave me an opening. We needed Gara to convince his people, it was a risk worth taking."
"At ease Laranthir," General Soulkeeper stated, "However, I don't like my soldiers gambling their lives Crusader."
Shaking her head Jai defended herself, "It wasn't a gamble General, and I knew I could survive the hit."
Forgal scoffed and she kicked his boot before shooting a pointed glare at the norn. "Anyway, we went back to Gara's tribe and camped there for the night. And like Jai said we were attacked early the next morning. The icebrood that attacked was a champion, one of those big four-legged ones that looks like an oakheart. My sword wasn't working too well against the minions because their ice was too thick but Jai figured out how to get around it and started cutting them down like grass while I was stuck fending them off with just my fists."
"Disenchantment hex," Jai explained with a shrug when questioning glances drifted over to her, the asura in particular was looking much more interested, "I was trained in traditional Canthan assassination and my hexes coat my blades adding certain properties. I normally use poison but I am skilled at using my hexes to break down enchantments and other magical defenses."
"Astounding!" The asura piped up, "That kind of knowledge would be invaluable against dragon minions since their whole bodies are animated by the dragon's magic. The implications are ground breaking!"
Eyes wide and feeling very out of her depth Jai cast a pleading look to Forgal before stammering, "I- I didn't even know the magic was lost."
"Lost!" She exclaimed, "Disenchantment was the domain of spells alone! Necromancers and mesmers were the only professions that have a viable arsenal of them. Only the Canthans knew how to enchant their weapons, but they became extremely xenophobic after that plague of theirs and once Zhaitan rose we were completely cut off! We can channel magic through blades, enhance ourselves or an area around ourselves, but the weapons themselves? Flimsy sigils carved into hilts!" she scoffed with a roll of her eyes.
"But to be able to apply consistent disenchantment to a physical weapon?" She was nearly hopping with excitement, "That'll be the discovery that could be a turning point in this war!" Reaching out and ensnaring Jai's wrist with a vice-like grip and dragging her out the door.
"Wait- what-?" Jai stammered as she was forced to lean down while being practically dragged out the door.
"Come on Crusader! I need to see how you do this!"
Eyes wide open and pleading Jai mouthed 'Help me!' to her partner only for him and the others to laugh at her as she was yanked out the door.
ooo
As soon as his partner was dragged out of the door Forgal's laugher died away. Sighing he went over to a nearby bookcase and after pushing a few books away revealed Almorra's hidden stash of alcohol.
"You know, when you told me Jai was 'special' neither of us had any damn clue." He mused while pouring himself a glass, setting out two others for Laranthir and Almorra.
His old friend took the hint and grabbed her glass as she asked, "I take it she opened up to you then?"
"Opened up?" He asked rhetorically, "She dumped everything in one massive rush!" He sighed "Wolf's fang, she told me everything." His voice broke to a hoarse whisper as he thought back to what Jai had told him in that cavern. Just thinking back on what she said sent chills down his spine in sympathetic fear.
Almorra raised a brow, "You believe her?"
He barked out a mirthless laugh, "There's no way she could lie, not about this and defiantly not in the state she was in when she told me. When she took that hit for Gara… anyone else would be dead, she was willing to give up her secrets to save him though." Forgal placed both hands on the table to support himself as an image of her body with the icebrood's arm going through her chest resurfaced in his mind, "She exposed herself without hesitation to save that grawl, but she was so afraid when she saw me. Almorra, she has faced things that make dragon minions look tame and she was terrified of how I'd react."
Almorra and Laranthir had both gone still. But Forgal wasn't done, and now he could feel his eyes burning and he knew it wasn't from the alcohol. "And they left her there, they destroyed her legend and she was left behind! She may have been willing but they didn't even try." He banged a fist against the table. "…they didn't even try to find another way, after everything she did for them."
By now he could feel the confusion from his friends but Forgal kept quiet- he was telling enough as it was but she needed more allies- Jai trusted him with this knowledge, and though it went against every urge he had he would live up to that trust.
"Is she safe to have in the Vigil?" Almorra asked, eyes staring down at the amber liquid she swirled in her glass.
Snorting derisively Forgal downed his own glass, "Safe? If you are worried about her past catching up to us then don't, everyone and everything that could come after her is already dead." And wasn't that a shame, he dearly wanted to punch that Canthan minister who started that whole purity movement, along with several other individuals Jai had mentioned. And Abaddon, especially Abaddon.
"She's a damn good fighter and is more tenacious than a dog with a bone, too tenacious really." He said before sighing, "I don't know what she sees in me, but I'll be damned if I don't try my hardest to live up to that trust." Forgal vowed, and he meant it. "All it took was me telling her that it'd be alright, and she broke down. How long had it been since she had someone to reassure her?" His voice cracked at the end as he contemplated the long dark years Jai had endured, and worse was how she didn't seem to even realize just how bad they had been because of how she'd been changed.
He knew the others were thinking five to eight, maybe even ten-ish years given how Jai looked to be only in her mid-twenties. But Forgal knew it was centuries, he'd even bet that it had been before the plague hit Cantha, and that was a terrifying thought. "Tyria doesn't even know it but Jai, Jai's the greatest hero to ever walk this ungrateful earth. And did you know; when I told her that, she said that I was the hero?"
His eyes were so thick with tears by now Forgal couldn't see anything but blurs. It was a miracle she was as well-adjusted as she was, and still willing to fight for Tyria. It was humbling to be confronted with her convictions, especially when he was having his own deep and hidden doubts that it was even worth trying anymore.
Laranthir then spoke up, "I'm, surprised. Honestly I never would have expected you think of her that highly, when you came in it was like she was just another recruit. Albeit one you are fond of but not-" He let out a frustrated sound with his face scrunched up and arms gesturing in the place of the words he couldn't find.
"Because that's what she needs," Forgal explained, "She was so afraid of me treating her differently, she never voiced it but I could tell. You weren't there, but after I told her everything would be okay she clung to me like I was the only lifeline she had. She's been judged so harshly and for so many things that she had absolutely no control over, she's only ever wanted to be just herself."
"Try and guess why she's here fighting." He suddenly asked.
Almorra and Laranthir both blinked at the sudden turn in conversation but went with it anyway, "Dragon minions killed someone she was close to, it's a common enough reason and would explain the drive and focus she displays in fighting from your reports." The charr reasoned.
"No," Forgal sighed again, "She joined because she wants to help and knew the Vigil would be the place she could help the most." "And because she was afraid of other humans." He added mentally.
Laranthir gaped, "What?! That's so- so-"
"Altruistic?" Almorra finished skeptically, "That's the kind of reasoning we usually get from sylvari and it often includes 'Dream told me to'," She glanced to Laranthir, "No offence."
"No, no, you aren't wrong Almorra." Laranthir reassured, "But it's startling that that is her motivation."
Shaking his head Forgal poured himself another glass, "She isn't motivated, she's fighting because she doesn't know what else to do, the last time she was 'motivated' she…" he paused, "Forced two warring people to work together, got a Spirits damned dragon on her side, stormed a palace, killed a legendary assassin that had already killed her once, saved a race from genocide, joined another war, lead what was left of a broken army through enemy territory, brokered a deal with a lich and then with royalty, then went and fucking. Killed. A. GOD." Forgal let out a strangled noise as that last thought threatened to make him shut down and try to process it, again.
Forgal remembered asking her how, and all he got was a dry and sarcastic response of "I swung my sword, I swung it again, and then guess what….Hey! I swung it again! And then I started stabbing because the swinging wasn't working. I wasn't really thinking about much other than 'don't get hit' and 'Shit! Shit! Shit!' at that point."
"I feel like we're taking advantage of her nature," He said morosely, and when he recalled what she said of demons he wasn't wrong, "Should she be motivated, the dragons wouldn't stand a chance, but I'm afraid of what that motivation would cost her."
All it took was a heartbeat for the other two to get what he was alluding too and when he saw their horrified faces he continued, "I'm an old norn, you know what that means. But it looks like you got your wish Almorra, you got me attached."
"One last mission and then you can put me on reserve, no more active duty. Just promise me that if anything happens to me you'll look out for her, and you'll wait for the whole story before judging her. Promise me." He pleaded, and as Almorra and Larathir both slowly nodded Forgal felt a wave of relief crash onto him.
"I swear it on my honor."
"I promise old friend. But I do have just the mission in mind."
Looking down at the fancy parchment handed to him Forgal quickly read through it. "Oh hell no! This does not count!"
ooo
Jai had only just managed to escape Warmaster Efut, the asura had introduced herself after several tests and after using some device had managed to gather a sample of Jai's hex for further study. She had also mentioned sending it to the Priory so the 'eggheads' could work out further details but the assassin had been more focused on escape.
It was an hour later that she managed to find her way back to Forgal in General Soulkeeper's office and the norn was loudly protesting something. "A party! A Spirits damned human noble's party! No!"
"You are requested by name to go. And we need to keep positive relations." General Soulkeeper reasoned.
"I'm not mentioned by name, I'm just 'and her teammate' on this blasted thing!"
Announcing her arrival Jai asked, "What's this about?"
The sylvari gave her a strained grin before handing over a piece of crisp white parchment. Jai took it with a perplexed expression before frowning at the ornate fancy script. "I can't read it."
"What?" Forgal cut himself off mid-rant to stare at her after her admission,
"I can't read it. The font's too…curly." Jai repeated with a shrug while giving the letter a scrutinizing turn, she supposed it was pretty looking, "I only just recently learned to read New Krytan and only at a very basic level. Fonts like this start distorting the letters away from what I can read."
Almorra frowned deeply, "I thought humans took great pride in their children's education, something to do with a goddess of knowledge."
"That would be Kormir," Jai stated with a ghost of a grin, "And I didn't get the chance to go to a school as a child, I was raised on the streets by a gang and fished out three-eyed fish from the polluted sewers." "It was only when I was a teen that I started learning my letters and math from Shing Jea. I was so behind."
The sylvari and Almorra both looked taken aback by the news whereas Forgal just looked resigned.
"Legate Minister Caudecus is hosting a party a week from now to celebrate the human-charr détente in his home, Beetletun Manor. The Queen, Countess and Captain of the Seraph all have sent you an invitation on behalf of yours and Forgal's efforts in saving the ambassadors." The sylvari summarized for her.
Her eye gave a twitch as Jai's mind flooded with memories of the Festival of Lyss and the inane antics of all three Vabbian princes, "No."
"See! She agrees with me!" Forgal exclaimed.
General Soulkeeper rolled her eyes, "You have to go, both of you. We can't afford to isolate any of our political allies and this treaty is still in process."
Exhaling forcefully Jai couldn't help but think "Please no harpies this time, and no mimes either." Before she reluctantly agreed.
"Really kid? You're agreeing?" She looked over and saw the crushed expression on Forgal's face, "I thought you were on my side?"
Rolling her eyes Jai explained, "It looks like I was personally invited by the Captain of the Seraph and Countess of the Shining Blade on behalf of the Queen herself. If I don't show they lose face in front of their chief political opponent, and Minister Caudecus is a slimy two-faced bastard. We don't want him to gain any leverage over the Queen." She then let her cheek twitch with a half-grin, "We have a week to prepare ourselves for shallow nobles, but if there are harpies I'm bailing."
Forgal got her reference with a small grin, "You're comparing this to that fiasco?"
Snorting she retorted, "You weren't mistaken for a serving wench and told to fetch a hors d'oeuvre. I was in full armor and armed, did I look like I served snacks?" she looked down at her worn leather armor with nicks and hap-shod stitches made out of strips of dried sinew she had been given by the grawl. "Although it's a good thing I have a week to start saving up some money… I'm going to need something presentable."
"You're in luck then, your Vigil uniform was completed while we were out on that last mission." Forgal stated as he looked down at her thoughtfully, "It should work since you are a member of the Vigil, with some polish though.."
Pursing her lips Jai shrugged, "I've been in less comfortable situations before." She then turned and bowed to General Soulkeeper and Laranthir, "Have a good day General, and…?"
Jai was embarrassed to admit she had already forgotten the sylvari's name, in her defense though it was only said once before she had her brain picked at by that overeager asura.
"I am Laranthir of the Wild, Grand Warmaster and Almorra's second-in-command. It is a pleasure to finally meet the one Forgal's spoken so highly of." He said warmly, hand extended.
Blinking in surprise Jai stiffly shook his hand, slightly surprised at his warm and firm grip. "Then, as you've no doubt already heard I am just little ol' Crusader Jai." She tentatively grinned while Forgal snorted, prompting her to kick his boot.
"About that." Almorra added, "You've shown many traits we find ideal in our Warmasters, I'd like to promote you effective immediately."
Jai had to bite back her first response of "No thank you!" And instead tried the more diplomatic answer, "General, it isn't that I'm ungrateful of your consideration but I really don't feel like I've earned that promotion." She took a deep breath, "To be frank, I haven't even been in the Vigil for more than two weeks."
"And yet that is all the time it took for you to trust Forgal with your life story," Almorra rebutted dryly.
She shrugged, "Surprised me too. It wasn't my intention to question your judgement, I just don't know how you reached such a decision."
"Forgal's been quite firm in his belief of you." Laranthir added, "It's been quite surprising for us to see him so quickly taken with a new recruit."
"That," General Soulkeeper amended, "And you came to us as an already tested soldier, you can plan on the fly, adapt, fight well, understand tact and can see the big picture. It'd be a waste of resources not to promote you and furthermore sending two Warmasters to this political minefield would look more like we respect the politicians rather than treating it like a training exercise."
Nodding along Jai acknowledged the points made, "Thank you for explaining," Though she still didn't feel like she had earned it, and the feeling was only stronger now since the General admitted that the promotion was partially for political reasons.
Forgal walked over to her and ruffled her hair, "I've had plenty of partners thrown at me by Almorra... but you're the finest I've had the honor to serve with. Aw, hell. Don't get all teary-eyed on me again. Come on, let's go get your uniform."
Jai followed him out with an acknowledging bow –"Kid, how many times do I have to say stop bowing!"- to both General and Grand Warmaster when another Vigil soldier came running in, "General! I bring news from Lion's Arch!"
"Report soldier!"
"Sir, yes sir!" The human soldier snapped into a salute, "The disappearances in Lion's Arch have escalated sir! Several tacticians stationed there have also turned up missing."
General Soulkeeper didn't even take a second before she snapped into action, "Change of plans, Forgal, Jai I want the both of you to investigate immediately. That political event is a week from now anyway so get out there and find our soldiers."
"Understood, Almorra. What areas should we survey, and what should we be looking for?" Forgal said sternly.
"I recommend you start with the sewers. That's where those Lionguard were last seen." Laranthir added, "I've been keeping up with the reports of missing persons, something didn't seem right with them." He shook his head.
"Right then, let's go kid."
Jai nodded as they left the office and headed to the armory, as soon as they were out of earshot Forgal griped, "Sewers. How in the blazes am I going to fit in the sewers?"
"Don't worry Forgal," the former Am Fah member said reassuringly as she patted his arm, "If these sewers are anything like the ones back home I'm sure you'll do just fine."
The norn snorted, "Worry? I'm not worried—and if I was, I'd be more worried about the missing people, you rascal."
They both shared a small laugh before Forgal suddenly spoke up, "I didn't know you couldn't read."
"I can read and write Canthan and Elonian, but New Krytan…" She shrugged while making a 'so-so' motion with a hand, "I'm working on it though,"
Forgal pulled out a small scrap of paper and a stick of charcoal, the items surprising Jai, "How do you spell your name in Canthan then?"
Jai looked at the paper and charcoal bemusedly, "Does it really matter?"
The large norn shrugged, "I like to know the small things about you too," He gave her a tentative grin, "I want to surprise you anyway."
Giving him a suspicious glance Jai carefully wrote out the characters that made up her name and handed it back to Forgal who carefully tucked it away into his rune of holding. "You really don't have to do anything for me," She said slowly, "You've already done the best I could ever ask for."
That drew him up short, so Jai continued, "You're a very dear friend to me Forgal,"
She grinned as her partner gave her a quick crushing hug.
ooo
It wasn't long before Jai and Forgal were wading through the water channels of Lion's Arch. Jai had switched out her worn leather armor for a Vigil scout's uniform though she kept her hood, and wore a black long-sleeved shirt underneath to cover any exposed skin.
"Well, we're in luck." She stated frankly when looking at the broken grate that led the way into the sewers, "It's already much cleaner than the Undercity."
"These sewers are dangerous. All sorts of monsters could wash in from the sea." Forgal explained as they ducked in through the break in the grate, "Huh, more room in here than I thought there'd be, at least. Come. We should hurry with our search."
With that they took off down the narrow passageway, the sloshing of water around their legs echoing down the dark stonework. "I don't like this Forgal," Jai whispered to him, "Anyone or anything down here could hear us coming from yards away."
"There isn't much we can do about it,"
Humming thoughtfully Jai let a flicker of purple dance across her fingers, "Hang on," She said, frowning in concentration as she reached out and pressed a hand onto Forgal's arm. A swirl of black smoke obscured their forms before they both vanished from sight. "It's not foolproof," She said, "It won't obscure sound and our feet still show up in the water, but it should buy us enough seconds to dodge if we get ambushed."
"Good thinking," Forgal's disembodied voice drifted down to her, "How long does it last?"
Frowning as she felt her magic straining against her Jai answered, "As long as we keep in contact."
"Right," He drawled disbelievingly, "Just don't hurt yourself kid."
Jai rolled her eyes as they set off again, it wasn't long before Jai spotted another ominous sign. The water was tinted pink ever so slightly. "Forgal," She whispered to get his attention.
"I see it." He replied gravely.
It wasn't long before they came upon the source. The water steadily became redder as they got closer to the bodies, a whole patrol of Lionguard were floating in the deeper ends of the sewer. Forgal's invisibility faded as he leaned down unexpectedly to inspect them. "These Lionguard died fighting. Whatever killed them was powerful."
Jai had to agree, her practiced eyes scanning over the large gashes and dismembered limbs. Whatever did this was large, probably stood as tall as Forgal. "The beast that did this wasn't hunting, you can see bite marks but the mouth was just another weapon as no parts of them are missing." She also recognized the ragged tearing of the marks on them, "Whatever this was had large blunted claws, they were only able to cut through the force applied, worn serration on the inside." There was also a bit of discoloration on the corpses, "And whatever it was, was spectral. There's some ectoplasm left behind."
Forgal gave her a curious look, one of his bushy grey eyebrows climbing half way up his forehead. Jai flushed embarrassedly, "I know these kind of wounds, and I've had them before in the Realm, some titans had claws that were quite similar."
The norn grimaced, "Ah,"
Jai shrugged, "Hey, it's coming in handy now." She got back up, dusting off her legs even though there was nothing on them in nervous expression, "Now we have an idea of what we're up against. Giant ghost beast."
It was then that a chilling warbling wail echoed through the whole sewer system, shrill and cold it pierced Jai's ears causing her to reflexively bring her hands up to cover them while Forgal did the same. The silence that came after the wail was soon filled with a frantic snuffling and squeaking. Jai stumbled back in surprise as a horde of rats came scurrying past, they parted around her and Forgal as they ran and swam past. Then just as they came they were gone and it was once more just Jai and Forgal alone with the bodies.
"Ooookay," Jai said shakily, "That, was not normal."
Forgal looked pensive, "I've got a bad feeling about this. Let's go deeper, whatever made that sound is probably what killed these people."
Nodding Jai fell into step with Forgal, recasting her invisibility spell despite the slight headache she was getting. Eventually they came across a pool of deeper water, this grate was also broken but a black and white clad body was caught on it.
"It looks like we found one of our missing tacticians," Forgal said gravely, "The grate below is broken. We should check through there."
Jai frowned, "I don't think there'll be any air pockets down there," She cautioned, "How we are going to breathe?"
"I got us some aqua breathers," Forgal said as he handed her an oddly shaped face mask, "Picked them up while you were getting your new armor."
Turning the strange device over in her hands she made to press it to her face only for Forgal to chuckle lightly and reach down to turn it over. Apparently she'd been trying to put it on upside down, "Thanks."
"No problem kid, now let's go."
And with that they dived under the water.
Swimming through the tunnels was creepy and claustrophobic; they discovered more dead Vigil bodies with marks similar to what were found on the Lionguard, and Forgal had to keep pushing dead fish out of his way. Eventually the sewer system gave way to a large underwater cave, sunken ship debris filled the lower half. "Agh! This place stinks like an alehouse on free curry night."
With an unseen grimace due to the aqua breather Jai had to agree that this area did indeed stink, which she found strange since the aqua breather covered her nose. The assassin just chalked it up to asuran technology and left it at that. Spotting a green glow underneath some wreckage Jai tugged on Forgal's gauntlet to get his attention before pointing it out.
The norn nodded and together they made their way over to the glow. What they saw was equal parts disgusting and frightening.
A massive undead ghostly drake barreled its way towards them as soon as they came into its view. The large beast turning faster than its girth should let it as it paddled with its powerful tail and tried to capture Jai in its massive jaws. Not bothering to swim away the assassin shadow stepped behind it, and grabbed hold of one of its spinal bones. She was soon being dragged along with the ghostly beast as it thrashed about to try and dislodge her. With her free hand Jai stabbed down, her blade slowing like it was cutting through thick jelly as it entered the translucent flesh.
Forgal was not idle as she attacked though, while Jai had distracted it he swam in close enough to grab its neck and begin sawing at it with his sword. The beast withered and bucked, one of its arms with thick blunt claws caught the norn on the chest as he was launched away, his armor catching the brunt of the force.
The rough jerking made the aged bone in Jai's hand break; the chunk in her hand dissolving into spectral goo, but before she could move away it turned around her as its tail caught her in a strangle-hold. With both arms pinned, Jai was shaken so vigorously that her vision went cross. Blindly diving into her magic she vanished into black smoke just as Forgal came back, driving his blade into the ghostly drake's skull. Reappearing beside it Jai grimaced, none of their blows appeared to be doing any damage to the monster.
But she did have a skill that would work on the undead.
Drawing back a hand it ignited into white flames, the pristine fire causing jolts of pain down Jai's fingers and hand as it burned the flesh under her gloves. With a pained cry she threw it at the beast, hitting it square in the chest where the fire immediately caught and began burning. Forgal withdrew his blade and backed away as the drake thrashed and cried as it was slowly burned alive, or unlive?
"Kid, what was that?" He asked, his voice slightly distorted through the breather.
Jai just held her hand close, squeezing hard on the wrist as though that would stop the pain shooting down her arm. "That…was Lightbringer magic," She explained painfully, "…holy magic."
"Shit!" Forgal cursed before swimming over to her and carefully peeling off her glove to reveal blackened flesh underneath. "Will it heal?" he asked worriedly.
"Yeah," She replied shakily, "It just needs time. That was a very low powered blast, barely enough to kill a grasp but holy is highly effective against undead. Although it was still more effective than I thought." Jai carefully put her glove back on. "What was that?"
"I've only seen such a creature once before—at Port Stalwart, just before the Orrian dragon destroyed the town. Years ago." Forgal said, voice distant, "It's a special kind of scout for Zhaitan. If that creature's here, then there's an undead army advancing on Lion's Arch."
Looking up at him sharply Jai exclaimed, "What?! Are you sure?"
Forgal nodded gravely, "Dead sure. We don't have time to go back and report to Almorra, or even send for Vigil backup. We need to head for Claw Island to warn the Lionguard." He looked worried, and Jai couldn't help the feeling of foreboding that washed over her, "If Zhaitan's going to attack the city, its minions will have to fight their way past the fort."
ooo
As soon as the ship docked Forgal was pushing Jai onto the docks, "The creature we found hadn't been in Lion's Arch long. We may still have time. They built this fortress to last. Only a complete, full-bore invasion could break those walls. And that's exactly what's coming as we speak, we have to find the Watch Commander and convince him to ready the defenses."
They both walked briskly up the narrow entry, Jai couldn't help but listen to all the idle chatter of the Lionguard they passed.
"I smell something odd. Do you smell it?" One charr had asked, the sylvari beside her shrugged, "Smell? No. But the back of my neck keeps itching for some reason."
The char shuffled uneasily, "I don't like this. Something's definitely wrong."
"Not a good omen." Jai thought, a chill traveling down her own spine. The sky didn't look right to her, she'd almost say it looked oily.
A particularly bulky norn pointed to the gates, "Is that Trahearne up there, talking to Commander Talon? What do you think he wants?" Another Lionguard scoffed, "Trahearne, the necromancer? Comes through here every few months on his way to Orr. That guy creeps me out."
Sure enough, a dark green sylvari was arguing with a burly charr, "I've researched the situation extensively. The Orrians will strike here, on Claw Island."
The sylvari didn't look very intimidating, lean and thin while dressed in dark leaves with odd off-white gloves and a messy bush of leaves on his head his voice could only be described as scholarly and slightly flat, as if he wasn't used to expressing himself with it. But Jai could tell that he was earnest with how tensely he was standing and she knew better than to judge just on appearances.
"Watch Commander Talon. We have grave news." Forgal called out, wasting no time with pleasantries, "One of Zhaitan's minions breached the city. We destroyed it, but it was one of Zhaitan's scouts. An attack is imminent."
The charr just sputtered, "A what? That's extremely unlikely." He blustered, "We've seen no sign of an impending attack. If there was to be one, we'd know of it." Jai glared at him.
It was then that the sylvari looked over towards them, his face lighting up with a relieved grin when he spotted Forgal, "Is that you Forgal? Well met, old man! Are you still fighting for the Vigil?"
"Trahearne? Ahh, by Snow Leopard's shadow, you're a sight for sore eyes. With you on our side, we've got a fighting chance." Jai looked Trahearne over curiously, he was a friend of Forgal's?
A large hand on her back pushed Jai forward, "I want you to meet my partner — one of the bravest Warmasters in my Order. And more importantly a loyal friend." Jai felt her cheeks darken.
"Kid, this is Trahearne, one of the sylvari firstborn. He's Tyria's foremost scholar on Zhaitan and Orr. I've been trying to recruit him for years."
Trahearne rolled his golden eyes fondly before turning back to the charr, "Commander Talon, I can confirm their information. Zhaitan's servants are indeed approaching. A fleet of Dead Ships has launched from the Straits of Devastation. The Risen sail beneath a cloak of stealth."
But Commander Talon just scoffed, "Whatever you've seen, it can't be a real threat. Claw Island can withstand any assault!" He waved them off, "Speak with my deputies, Brakk and Mira. Once you review our defenses, you'll realize there's nothing to fear."
"You shouldn't underestimate Orr, Watch Commander," Jai spoke up, her voice stern and cold, even ignoring Zhaitan, Abaddon's influence from the Cataclysm was sure to linger on the dead land.
"The Orrian's are shambling dead corpses, their magic is old, antiquated, out of date. There's nothing they can do that we can't do better."
"The past holds powerful and sinister secrets," Jai shot back, "Orr's magic is dark, and age will have only made it more potent."
She would have said more; and by the Gods did she know what she was talking about, but Forgal dragged her away while Trahearne followed, "We can't say anything to convince him now. Trahearne, you bookworm, tell me you've got some information on how to stop this attack?"
"Sadly, no." The scholar admitted, "I'm only here to give the Lionguard a warning — much like you and your friend. If you don't mind, I'll accompany you on your rounds"
"Damn; well, at least you've come out from behind your scrolls and scribbles. That's a start." Forgal grimaced, "We need your common sense, lad. Pair it with Jai's go get 'em attitude and we might just have a chance."
As they made their way to the battlements Jai could hear more whispers of unease, a quick glance up had shown the sky to have gotten oilier and Jai would swear that she could feel malice carried on the very wind itself.
"There's a chill in the air. It is beginning." Trahearne whispered.
"I agree," Jai stated, "I can feel it, a dark malice. Ill intent." She shuddered.
Forgal turned to look back at her, "Are you sure?"
She meet his eyes with her own, "Very, I'd stake my blood on it."
The blood drained from his face, he opened his mouth to say something but they were approached by an asura, "Well hello there, I'm Deputy Brakk. May I ask why you are here?"
Trahearne stepped forward, "Be on alert. The Orrians are preparing a major attack against Claw Island."
Deputy Brakk hesitated, but only briefly, "Tell the Watch Commander Talon that the gunnery emplacements are ready. The fortress here on Claw Island houses more twnty-four-pounders than a ship of the line! We'll be ready to fight the Orrians. Don't doubt that." He looked very proud of himself at the end of his little speech, "Check on Deputy Mira. She's in charge of the beach patrols."
With that they were escorted off the walls, Trahearne was fretting, "The Lionguard don't understand. This won't be a sortie. It'll be a massacre."
They were met at the gate to the beach by a blond human woman, "Welcome to beach patrol, the most dangerous duty on Claw Island. I hear you have some concerns?"
Forgal stepped forward, "A massive Orrian attack is coming, now. You must prepare your troops."
Deputy Mira at least seemed to take their warning seriously, "If we fall, our last order is to light those three signal towers. We have to warn Lion's Arch if the fortress is lost. In a hundred years, they've never once been lit. We're very proud of that."
A voice called out, "Deputy Mira! Sound the alarm, there are undead on the beach!"
The Deputy and her patrol started running to where the voice called out, "If an invasion is really coming, and we'll need everyone on the island to hold the line. You coming?"
The three nodded and joined her, making their way across the small island to a small hidden cove where a handful of risen were stumbling out of the water. Upon seeing them Jai narrowed her eyes, these were just thralls, and too few of them at that. "Diversion," She hissed at Forgal and Trahearne.
They both nodded but joined Mira in the fight anyway, if it could be called that. The risen were easily and quickly cut down, Jai just managing to kill one before the others had already taken out.
Mira stabbed her slightly gore stained sword into the ground, "That wasn't much of a fight." She observed with a frown, "I thought you said the attack would be significant?"
"It was a feint." Trahearne stated as though he thought this should be obvious, which, in his defense so did Jai, "They're testing your defenses. More will come, and soon."
"Makes sense. Report to Watch Commander Talon, and tell the men to be ready."
Jai wanted to pull her hair out, what was with everyone wasting their time ordering her and Forgal- and she supposed Trahearne too- everywhere? It was Vabbi all over again! The Watch Commander didn't and wouldn't take them seriously until they were under attack and by then it'd be too late.
As they retraced their steps Trahearne started talking, "I have studied Orrian creatures for twenty-five years, but I rarely engage in combat with them. It's terrifying." Now that he mentioned it she could hear a light trembling in his voice, "Do you think the commander will listen to us now?" He asked hopefully.
"No," Jai shot down, "I know his type, he won't see till it's too late."
And she was right.
"A paltry attack. It barely ruffled our feathers. Is that all they brought?" Talon crowed in victory as Jai glowered at him from behind Forgal. "I defy Zhaitan to try and take Claw Island."
"That damned bloody idiot," Jai thought spitefully, "You've done it now, don't go poking at sleeping dragons."
Trahearne was not dissuaded though, "There will be more. Much more. Keep watching the sea."
Talon just scoffed, "You're a scholar, not a general, firstborn. Why should we trust you?" he asked, his voice taking on a suspicious tinge.
There were several loud crashing sounds that were soon followed up with war cries and screams, turning around and looking to the source she saw the asura from the battlements yelling to them "There are too many! They've breached the wall! We're being over-"
It was too late to warn him as a massive risen abomination appeared behind him and brought its spiked club down on the small asura with a sickening splatter of red. Watch Commander Talon snarled, "They're catapulting abominations onto the western wall!" Raising his voice he barked out, "Repel the invaders!"
An icy wind swept through the island, bringing with it the fetid stench of rot. "So many—the wind has grown stronger. There's something in the clouds!" Trahearne observed, his eyes watching the darkening skies warily.
"Come on, let's find out what's going on out there." Forgal urged as they ran to the battlements.
They were met head on with the same risen abomination that had killed the asura, its club still stained red as it turned to them. With a loud war cry Forgal charged forward, sword raised and with a heavy stroke brought it down upon the risen forcing it to stagger back. "Be stalwart! We are all that stand between these monsters and the innocents in Lion's Arch." He called, rallying the Lionguard.
Jai nimbly leapt onto another abomination, using the shadows to give her the height she needed to reach its head as she channeled a hex through her blades letting them cut through the magically enhance bone with ease as she loped off the head by crossing her blades like scissors under the helmet fused to its skin.
The helm clad head fell to the ground with a hollow clang and the body teetered over not long after but Jai had already moved on to the next nearest risen, blades trailing a venomous purple as she rolled away from a heavy hammer. "Kid! Get on that trebuchet and sink that ship!"
"I can't!" She called back to Forgal, stabbing one blade through the empty eye socket of a risen charr. "I don't know how to operate one!"
She could hear Forgal curse over the din of screams and gurgles coming from the undead, suddenly the ground darkened as skeletal hands reached up from the dirt and began dragging several risen thralls down below the earth or- if they were too big- ripping out chunks of legs and crippling their movement. Near the trebuchet Jai could see Trahearne waving his scepter, next to him was a living blob of shadow that made her gasp when it turned around and blinked six blue eyes at her.
The eye placement brought back a lot of bad memories but Jai pushed them back, she'd deal with it later. A nearby Lionguard shouted, "Lionguard Mira's squad is pinned on the shore!"
"Forgal! You and Trahearne get the trebuchet and cover each other, I'll get Mira!"
"I hear you kid! Go, and stay safe!"
Jai nodded before making her way to the edge of the battlement, but just as she passed the trebuchet she grabbed Trahearne's arm, "Keep Forgal safe," She ordered. "I'm trusting you…"
"I will," The scholar assured her, his golden eyes glowing lightly in the gloom as they met her own pupiless purple, "Go," he urged.
With that she leapt off the ledge, breaking her fall with a roll before fighting her way through the massive hordes swarming the island to the beach where Mira was last sighted. What she arrived at was a massacre, thralls were swarming the beach as a thick poisonous miasma hung low over the sands as it rolled in from the sea. A fair number of the risen also wore broken Lionguard armor, which was not a good sign. Tightening her grip on her blades Jai dove right into the fray, twirling through the mass of undead she cut down any that came too close and constantly throwing her off-hand dagger at any exposed head she could see, while she sure to avoid the miasma. Each thrown dagger hit its mark and the corrosive poison hex she channeled through it dissolved whatever rotted brains were there as each hit risen dropped with over half its head missing.
Overhead Jai could see a large fireball be launched at the risen ship she could now see in the harbor. When it hit the ship the assassin allowed a brief "Yes!" of victory before she spotted a wounded Mira coughing as she stumbled out of the miasma. Quickly shadow stepping to the injured woman Jai wrapped her arms around her waist and shadow stepped the both of them away from the poisonous clouds and any risen that could be hiding inside. "My patrol-" Mira coughed, each convulsion shaking her whole body and when she pulled her hand away Jai could see blood, "Where's my patrol?"
"Dead," Jai answered, Mira had been the only survivor she could find.
It was then that a loud explosion rang out over the coast, both Jai and Mira turned to see the risen ship sinking below the waves as it was broken into numerous burning pieces. "We did it! It's sinking! A small victory." Mira exclaimed between coughs, a bloody smile on her lips.
Jai just stared out at the unnaturally still ocean suspiciously, "That was too easy…"
"And there are too many risen on the beaches to have just come from one ship."
It was then that more ships began emerging from under the waves, each one breaching the surface with a spray of saltwater, one, two, four, eight, twelve, soon the whole ocean view was filled with the risen fleet. "By the gods," Mira whispered in horror, "There's so many of them... Get me to Talon. I don't think we can hold out this time."
Nodding to show she'd heard Jai quickly scooped Mira up and ran with her back into the fort, shadow stepping back up to the battlements to avoid waiting for someone to open the doors. By the time she approached the Watch Commander he was yelling at a very frustrated Forgal, "Claw Island has stood for nearly a hundred years. It cannot fall!"
Letting Mira down but still supporting her as the Lionguard deputy argued in their favor, "Talon, this is no normal attack! The Lionguard cannot hold! We're overwhelmed!"
Jai snarled at the fool, "Get your head out of your prideful ass and sound the Torment damned retreat!"
But the charr was still stubborn, "We'll fight them to the last soldier! To the last sword! We'll never surr-"
It was then that a massive rotting fish fell down from above, being the first to notice it Jai had immediately jumped back with Mira while calling out a warning that had Forgal and Trahearne dodging back as well. Talon however had his back to the wall and too little time. With a definitive thud he was crushed under the risen projectile and from the unmoving clawed foot that poked out from underneath Jai would say he was dead.
"Well, that handles that problem," Forgal said with distaste before turning to Jai and Mira, "The island is overwhelmed. We have to evacuate the Lionguard and ignite the watchtowers to warn the city."
Mira nodded as she coughed again, more blood spraying onto her hand, "No. You'll never make it to the beacon with these Risen monstrosities chasing you. We'll have to fight our way back." She tried pushing off of Jai only to stumble as soon as she was on her own two feet before Jai caught her again, "The Lionguard will make a stand in the courtyard while you go for the tower. Gods willing, the Risen will be too busy fighting us to stop you."
"Your bravery is commendable, Deputy Mira," Trahearne said with a frown, "But your remaining soldiers cannot survive a protracted battle against this many undead." And he was right, already the gates were being pounded in, the massive beams of wood used to bar them shut splintering as the occasional arm broke through to grasp wildly. All the while more undead were being lobbed over the walls, landing with sickening thuds as some bodies just fell apart from impact while others shambled or crawled on broken bones to attack. Jai didn't know how many risen now swarmed the beaches.
Mira was not dissuaded, "It's the duty of every Lionguard to lay down our lives to protect our city. If that's what it takes, that's exactly what we'll do." She said with finality, "We'll rally in the courtyard. You light the warning beacons. Now, go!"
Forgal grabbed Jai's shoulder, "Kid, you're the best bet we have at reaching the beacon that turns all of them on. You need to go up that hill," He pointed it out, "And activate the device."
"All it takes is pressing your hand to the holographic interface," Mira added, "It was made as simple as possible should whoever reach it not be in the best state."
Nodding as she processed the words Jai looked back at Forgal, "Right, watch yourself Forgal. D-don't die on me, okay?"
"I'll be fine, now go."
And with that Jai took off, flooding her body with her magic as her form wavered out of sight in the darkness. She ignored all risen along her path, shadow stepping up ramps rather than walking them. When she got to the console she could see a large glowing see-through plate, running over to it Jai quickly pressed the flat of her palm to the floating glow and with a hum and crackle a massive beam of light shot up into the sky from each of the three pillars.
A burning pain in her side had Jai crying out. Turning she was met with the already rotted face of a risen Lionguard, its sword coated in her black blood. Pressing a hand to her waist Jai could feel the large gash that ran across it and with a snarl she returned the favor. Luckily for her the former Lionguard's armor had already been rent and broken beyond use by the very blows that had killed him and with a few slashes she dismembered it and her wound was mostly healed. Looking back down at the courtyard Jai could only watch in horror as a massive undead dragon landed on the fort itself, barreling into the wall and throwing chunks of mortar and brick everywhere as it spewed poison from its snaggle-toothed maw. "Forgal!"
Jai jumped off the cliff, landing clumsily and falling flat on her face she quickly picked herself back up and kept racing to the back gates. Once there she saw Forgal holding off the risen with support from Trahearne who tended to a withering Mira as she held her hands pressed to her face, "My eyes! My eyes! I can't see... By Kormir, it burns!"
"Forgal!" Jai called out, quickly appearing at his side and joining the fight, "You need to evacuate, now!"
"I know that kid," He snapped back, his sword bisecting a risen asura that threw itself at him with a gargled snarl, "The Lionguard's already in full retreat but the dragon's servants will never let our ships sail. If they surround the docks, they'll slaughter us—and Zhaitan's forces will grow."
Her mind working quickly Jai steeled herself, "Then leave me behind, I'll distract the dragon while you warn the General."
"No Jai. And that's an order. I'm not leaving you behind." He commanded.
"I'm the best one for it." Jai retorted sharply, "And you know why."
"And how will you distract it? You said you can't operate a trebuchet." Forgal reasoned.
Impaling a risen and then lopping off its head Jai said frustratedly, "I'll figure something out."
Forgal was silent for a bit as he slashed at another thrall that got too close to the gates, "I lost my mate and children to the dragons. I thought my legend was buried with them, that I had no one to walk in my footsteps and tell my tale."
Jai felt the beginnings of fear sink its icy claws into her spine, "Forgal," She said slowly, terrified of what he was getting at.
"I promised you would never be left behind again Jai. It's been an honor to have known a hero as great as you, be sure to tell my tale at the hearth fires. And kid, don't blame yourself."
True heart-stopping terror gripped Jai's heart, just as she turned around to face Forgal something came down hard on the back of her neck and everything went black.
When next Jai awoke it was to the creaking of a ship. Eyes flying open she saw Trahearne leaning over her with a concerned look on his face. "Forgal?" She gasped out, her voice going slightly hysterical as she repeated herself, "Where's Forgal?"
The sylvari's silence told her everything she needed to know, inhaling sharply Jai raced out of the ship's hold. Stumbling over barrels and crates, crashing into and around injured Lionguard she finally made it to the back of the ship, already she could see them pulling away from Claw Island. "Forgal!"
A series of concussive thuds split the air as the undead dragon took to the skies. It let out a bloodcurdling roar as it began heading towards the ship but a lone fireball launched itself at the dragon, drawing its attention back to the island as the fiery projectile hit it on the side of its head.
Eyes wide open Jai felt her heart stop as she remembered Forgal's words, "And how will you distract it? You said you can't operate a trebuchet"
"No, no no no no nonononono," She started whispering, and just barely against the gloom she could see a lone figure standing tall on the remaining battlements as the dragon descended, "No, no, Forgal! Forgal!" Jai started calling, she hiked a boot up on the railing of the ship, ready to jump into the water and swim back to the island, she had to help, she had to keep him safe, he was her partner, he was her friend.
Thin but strong arms wrapped around her waist, stopping her from jumping ship, "Jai! What are you doing?!"
By now the dragon had landed in front of the lone figure, she could see its large rotted chest expand as it inhaled.
"Forgal! FORGAL! –let me go!- FORGAL!" She called out, struggling against whoever was holding her only for more hands to join. Jai fought back blindly, jerking back an elbow and feeling it crack against someone as she tried to keep pushing towards the edge of the ship. Jai's foot was dislodged as someone pulled back on her shoulders and unbalanced her. By now tears were streaming down her face, "FORGAL!"
And then it breathed.
A massive cascade of corruption erupted from the dragon's maw and Jai knew, she knew that the figure, that Forgal wouldn't- couldn't have survived it. Her struggles ceasing Jai went eerily still, tears still cascading down her face. "…Forgal." The name came out as just a mere whimper.
"He's gone."
Turning to the voice Jai saw Trahearne looking at her sadly, his own tears rolling down his face as he held something out to her. "He- he wanted you to have this."
Slowly looking down Jai saw an old worn dolyak horn clutched in the sylvari's hands. Runes that she belatedly recognized as names were carved into it and at the base there were three that caught her eye. One that said 'Kern' and was followed by 'Forgal', from those two and the age of the horn Jai realized it must have been a family heirloom, but as her eyes caught the last name on the horn she sucked in a sharp breath. Sitting there just after Forgal's name was her own, spelled out in Canthan characters and carefully carved with small meticulous cuts as if the carver wanted to make sure they didn't get it wrong.
Taking the horn with trembling hands Jai held it tight, her knuckles turning white under her gloves as the truth hit her with undeniable finality. A low keening wail came from her lips as Jai cried, her legs giving out as she slid to the deck. She didn't see the Lionguard leave with uncomfortable expressions, she didn't feel Trahearne awkwardly hold her and try to offer comfort. All she felt was the pain in her very core, "I- I couldn't keep him safe. He's dead. Forgal's…gone, gone, gone, GONE!." She took in a rattling breath as sobs continued to rack her, "You said you promised you would never leave me behind….so why did you go to the one place I could never follow?"
ooo
It was raining when Jai appeared from the waypoint at Vigil's keep.
Walking stiffly and silently the assassin's face was unnervingly blank as she threw open the door to General Soulkeeper's office. Trahearne was still with her, following as though he wasn't too sure what to do next but just accompanying the one familiar face. The loud noise drew the attention of Almorra, Laranthir and Efut who were all gathered together. "Ah, there you are Warmaster what happened-" she paused, taking in the sight before her as her ears slowly drooped, "- Where's Forgal?"
Slowly, Jai took out the horn and held it where all could see but kept it close to her heart. They all got the message as thunder boomed across the sky.
Grabbing the table for support even as Laranthir gasped and Efut started denying it Almorra asked, "How?"
Trahearne spoke up, "He- he sacrificed himself at Claw Island so we could escape. Zhaitan is attacking Lion's Arch, and the Lionguard have fallen."
Jai's grip on the horn tightened, "…I will rip Zhaitan's fetid heart apart with my bare hands." She vowed, a thick and potent hatred lacing every word. "I will avenge Forgal."
And she would; after all, revenge was in her blood.
May 11, 2016
Words: 10,857
Pages: 21
AN:
-Holy shit this was sad! Seriously, you think you guys feel bad? I'm the one who wrote it! Did you know I had to stop twice to blow my nose and that I had a literal puddle of tears on my desk after writing this? We all knew this was coming (If you've played GW2 that is, if not then…well I guess that came as a bit of a surprise eh?) but it had to be done. But I do feel like I've given the Mentor Death a bit more meaning.
-I also had a few guest reviews! Since I can't PM them I'll address them here:
-Kiki: Aww, thanks so much for your review! Yes, their similarities is a big reason for why I chose the Vigil for Jai. But as you can see Claw Island has come. Poor Jai won't be the same.
-Thurfus:I get this huge goofy grin on my face every time I read your review! I hope the previous chapter lived up to your hopes!
-Also, I have a Tumblr! Feel free to get on and yell at me to keep writing (lol)
My name there is "ghostyreader"
- P.S. Please please please review, it makes my heart and soul sing with joy. Seriously, review, I'd love to hear what you think will happen, what you think of my OC, and how I'm doing. Have any head-cannons with Jai? Share them!
