Cordis de Incredulitatis

Five

These nightmares would have driven any normal man or woman to the brink of suicide. They became progressively cryptic and frightening. Something was happening, and Maria didn't like that. She didn't like not knowing something that concerned her. She had to get to the bottom of whatever was plaguing her.

She once more sprung awake from the end of the dream. As like nights before, it had continued more, revealing that it was useless to try to figure it out. Maria opened her eyes and scanned the room. Empty, just like how she left it. The only way, it seems, that she'd get any respite from these is to never sleep again. But she couldn't just do that. It looks like there was but one thing left to do, something her and Natalya had promised never to do.

"NATALYA!" Maria shouted, tromping down the hall of the Guardian Tower. She kicked her sister's door in and stepped inside. "NAT! WAKE UP!"

"Huwhat?" She groaned, waking up from a nice sleep. "Maria? Wha you doin' kickin' ma door in this early?"

"Where is he?" She asked, getting to her knees at Natalya's bedside.

"Where's who?" Natalya asked, still dazed.

"DAMNIT NATALYA!" Maria shouted, slamming her fist on the bed. "Don't play games! Where is he?" Natalya read Maria's glare.

"Don't expect a warm welcome, sis."

"Never do."

"Western Outskirts of Darkovia. He's got a small hut out there. He often practices summoning Ethereal Realm creatures, so there may be a few guarding the hut." Natalya replied, putting her head back on the pillow. Maria glanced at her watch. Midnight.

"Alright. If Captain Krieger asks where I am..."

"I say you're visiting a friend..."

"No. Tell him to mind his own damn business." Maria scowled, running from the door.

-Guardian Tower Stables. Shortly.-

Maria entered the stables on the ground floor slowly. The slightest creak would wake up Sparky, the resident Guard Dragon. If she woke him up, every Guardian would be on her like stink of shit. Stripped of her armor, she walked silently towards the stables. Several horses were sleeping in their pens, most of them were either white or gray, with the occasional chestnut one thrown in. However, one of them, a horse named Shadow Rider, was still awake, on his nightly vigil. It was a pure black horse with glowing red eyes. It belonged to Captain Krieger, who had won him in a match with a Necromancer Lord a few years back. Shadow Rider knew Maria well, but had a problem with her riding him for some reason. She crept up to him and placed a hand on his back.

"Shhh.." She whispered, putting her other hand up. "Listen, I know we haven't gotten along in the past, but I need your help, buddy." She told him. "Just this once." She opened the gate, held her breath and vaulted onto his back. Shadow Rider let out a loud neigh which woke Sparky and half the Tower. "Ah, fuck!" Maria growled, grabbed the reigns and urged the horse forward. The torches suddenly lit, and three Guardians came through the door.

"Hey! Stop!" One shouted. They couldn't see Maria's face through cap she had on. The brim was pulled down, the light being stopped before it lit her face. "Grab her! She's stealing the Captain's horse!" She recognized the first voice as Won-Eye, the Stable Master. The other two remained silent.

"Hya!" Maria shouted, digging her bare heels into the horse's side, taking off at a gallop.

"The Gate! Shut the gate!" Won-Eye called to his friends, who were running for the gate. One of the other Guardians fired a fireball at the braces of the gate, causing them to close.

"Aqua Purge!" Maria countered, firing a concentrated stream of water at the gates. She kept riding, focusing the water stream on the center of the gates. Eventually the wooden structure failed and gave way in a fountain of splinters. With the road ahead clear, Maria road off into the darkness.

"Shit!" The second Guardian shouted. He stepped forward into the light. "Maria... what have you done..." He asked. The man looked up into the torchlite. It was Wolfblitzer.

-Darkovian Plains.-

A solitary black figure ran across the wide plains that separated Battleon from Darkovia. The figure was of a woman on the back of a horse, the woman hunched forwards, trying to lessen wind resistence.

"I vowed never to come this way again..." Maria thought to herself as the wind whipped at her hair. "I vowed never to see your face again..." She continued, looking behind her. No one was following. "I vowed never to hear your name again. Looks like I broke that vow. Hope you're ready..." She finished, jumping over a fallen tree.

"Stop the galloping... enough with the galloping... stop the galloping..." A small voice squeaked from Shadow Rider's side pouch. Maria, filled with questions, opened it and reached in, pulling out a very ill looking Zorbak. "Enough with the galloping... stop the galloping... enough with the galloping..." he continued to repeat, looking ready to vomit.

"Good evening, Zorbak. What brings you here?" He held tight onto his staff, fearing that was the only way to keep from puking.

"I thought I could... take over by hiding here for the night... could we please stop... I think I'm gonna hurl..."

"Sorry, Zorbak. Can't stop. But you're more then welcome to ride on my shoulder, if you want. It's much smoother." She placed the moglin on her shoulder and continued riding hard towards the trees in the distance.

"Thanks... hey, wait! Why are you helping me? I'm... like... a hundred percent ebil here! What happened to Guardians trying to stop me."

"After what just happened, I don't think I'm going to be a Guardian much longer." Zorbak cracked a smile.

"You stole the horse didn't you?" He muttered. Maria shrugged. "Hohaha! I knew it! You're ebil at heart too!"

"Steal is such a harsh term. I... borrowed without permission, actually." Maria muttered, breaking into the trees.

"So... where we heading?" The Necromancer asked, grabbing hold of Maria's shirt collar for balance. Maria pointed ahead of her.

"That way." She muttered, continuing.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious." Zorbak sighed. The road on in silence for some half hour.

"Okay, seriously, where are we going?" Zorbak finally asked, a hint of aggitation in his voice. "And if you say 'that way' again, I'm gonna hit you in the head with my staff." He pointed threateningly at her with the staff in his hand.

"I'm going to go see someone I've not spoken to in over twelve years." Maria replied, ducking under a branch.

"Anyone I know?"

"Know anyone named Sebastian?"

"Lots of people. What's his last name?"

"Despair." Maria responded.

"Um... nope. Sorry I only know three Despairs. Natalya, Safiria and yoh my god you're going to see your long lost brother?" Zorbak asked, shocked.

"Nope. It's my father." Maria responded. The smell of smoke was thick in the air. She could still sense it... Ren T'kak. The Drakel Super City she had destroyed eight years prior. The memories were still there, brought on by the stench of burning corpses.

"So... where does he live?"

"On the outskirts of Darkovia."

"Uh... didn't we pass that when we came in?" Zorbak asked, confused.

"Use your brain, Zorbak. He lives on the western outskirts."

"Uh..." He leaned closer to Maria. "Which way is west?"

"You don't even know which is west?!" She asked, turning to him.

"Nope." He replied, slightly embarrased.

"Look at a map. West is to your left side. East is to your right. North is up, south is down."

"Oh. Thanks for that." He smiled. "I guess you DO learn something new every day."

"I figure we've got about another two hours of light left. Captain Krieger is most likely on my ass by now, followed by at least five others..."

"So, in a nutshell, no stopping for tea?"

"Exactly." Shadow Rider jumped over a chasm and landed on the other side, continuing without missing a beat. Zorbak braced against the jump by grabbing Maria's hair.

-Minutes Later-

The horse came to a stop. It was exhausted, panting and hardly able to move. Maria dismounted and gave it a pet. They had come to a stop right in front of a small log cabin on the outskirts of town. The pair drew closer. There was a soft light coming from the window. A fire, or something along those lines. Maria knocked rather viciously at the door. After a moment or so, the wooden porticus opened, revealing a rather withered old man. His once vibrant hair was now a dull blue. His green eyes were glazed over. While not physically old, he certainly looked that way.

"Hello?" He asked with a strong tone.

"I'm sorry to disturb you at such a late hour, sir, but I have a request to make of you." She asked, Zorbak on her shoulder.

"I take it it's about your little... problem." He motioned to her eyes, where the blood still flowed freely. Maria nodded. The man returned her nod and ushered her in. "Before we get too far, allow me to introduce myself. I am Sebastian Despair. Shamen. What would you like to know this dreary night?" He asked, lighting several candles on the table.

"I want to know about the Devourer." Maria responded. Sebastian stopped.

"Ah. A seeker of The Gai'lin, I see. Is there any... reason you seek him?"

"My reasons are my own, but take solice in knowing they are purely devoid of evil intent."

"I would expect no less. Now, may I ask you your name?" He asked rather candidly. Maria nodded.

"I am Maria De..veroux." She corrected herself, sighing in relief.

"Ah, Miss Deveroux. You right a late steed, I see. Have a seat." He gestured to a chair around a square table. Maria sat and looked about. "Now, before I tell you what you want to know, allow me to tell you things you already know. It is to establish that I am not attempting to swindle you. You understand."

"Of course." Sebastian sat across from Maria and closed his eyes. The air grew cold and picked at Maria's exposed arms and legs.

"Hum... You are a strong woman, Miss Deveroux. Your friends are many, and strong. You are married... you have a daughter who rides the winds... yes?"

"Yes. Gale is her name." Sebastian nodded and smiled, but his eyes never opened.

"You are friends with Cat and Dog alike, yes? A wolf, and a tiger..."

"You must mean Wolfblitzer and Felix. Yea, they're my friends."

"I am seeing... a sister. You have a sister that you care for very deeply. She holds a secret that would bring disgrace to her family..." He trailed off.

"Yes. Natalya. I love me sister... She's a good woman." Sebastian stopped, a slight tear rolling down his face. "Sir?" She asked. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, yes, yes... I had two daughters once. Maria and Natalya. Good, gorgeous girls." He reminiced.

"What happened to them?" Maria asked, knowing full well she was who he referred to."

"Oh, heaven's knows. I was away on business when the Great Fire Dragon Akriloth attacked. He took my entire family from me. My wife, my two kids... even my cat... Left me with no one. I always told myself that I'd see them again one day, but I am, sadly, running out of 'one day's." He shook his head. "But enough about me. Let us continue." He sat up straight and regained his posture. "I am also seeing that... oh my..." He struggled. "I see a bat, and a baby... You are a vampire, yes?" Maria started to speak. "No, not a vampire... a... half... vampire. You must feed on blood, yet the sun does not scorch you."

"That is correct."

"I see a larger bat... it's wings holding you in an embrace... you are... married to a vampire... slave to a vampire... I cannot tell."

"Married." Maria clarified for him.

"I can see that this bat which holds you is large. An elder... perhaps older."

"Actually it's... nevermind." Maria brushed it away.

"Ah, yes, I see it now. Safiria is her name. The Vampire Queen. How... odd..." He cracked a smile. "Now that I know what you already do, let me tell you what you want to know. You seek knowledge about The Gai'lin. There are thousands of books on Lore. Most of which, are simple stories. No more fact then history. However, two books which you must search for. One, is called "Flesh Feast". It is a rare book, only one known copy existing. The second is called "Coridias de Marte sel Lore". This book, is impossible to find, the Drakel hold the only known copy in existence in their Super City of Ria Mossian, due west of here. It is a long, hard journey, but you are an independent woman. You shall have no issues getting there. However, gaining entrance is a whole new matter entirely. I trust this information helps you."

"Yes, it does, sir. Thank you." Their conversation was interrupted by a vicious knock at the door, then a booming voice calling:

"Maria! This is Artix Krieger of the Paladin Order! You are hereby under arrest for Grand Theft, fleeing the scene, and assaulting a Guardian of Battleon! Come out peaceably, and you will be treated with the dignity you deserve!" His voice softened. It was now less commanding, more like the voice of reason from a friend. "Please, Maria! There's fifty three of us out here! Come out, for the love of the Creator, stop running!" Maria shook her head.

"I can't Artix! I can't stop until I find the answers! And I won't find them from behind bars in the Guardian Tower Brig! I'm sorry!" She heard Artix swear.

"Maria, at least release whatever prisoners you are holding in there!"

"Prisoners?! There are not prisoners here, Captian, I'm not that kind of girl!" She barked back.

"You are in the company of one Sebastian Despair and one Zorbak! Let them go, and no one will get hurt!"

"Sir, you are free to go. And tell them you weren't a prisoner." Maria told Sebastian. All he did was nod and exit.

"Alright, now let the moglin go, too!"

"Time to go, Zorbak." She placed the tiny Necromancer on the floor. "Head on out."

"Oh, fuck that! I've not had this much fun in years! Hell, I've not had this much fun since fuckin' CARNAX! I'm stayin' with joo!" He whacked her in the head with his staff, after jumping back on to her shoulder.

"Zorbak's staying with me, he says!" Maria called out.

"Oh, bullshit he is! Zorbak! Come out and you'll be absolved of your wrongs!" Artix called in again.

"BONE! THAT!" He shouted back, flicking the door his middle finger. "There's not way in HELL I'm coming out with fruckin' fifty three of ya!" He continued. "Are you hearing this? It's crazy!" He told Maria, who just laughed.

"MARIA DESPAIR! You WILL come out THIS! INSTANT! Or I WILL break the door down, and drag your ass all the way BACK! And DON'T THINK I WON'T!" Artix continued to shout, his voice crackling under the tension. Zorbak jumped up to one of the windows up high and looked out. His purple skin went ghost white.

"Fifty three my ASS! All of Battleon is down there! Must be five hundred, at least!" Zorbak muttered. He perched back up on Maria's shoulder. "So, what do we do now?" He asked.

"We go outside. Like they want."

"Wubbajubbawha?!" Zorbak shouted, confused. "But you said... not coming... eeeehhh..." His face went like a Picasso and he shut down for a second.

"Relax, will ya? I've got everything under control. Just hold on to me." Zorbak complied, and grabbed her head.

"Alright, you win. YOU WIN! I'm coming out!" She feighned defeat. "Just tell me... Is Natalya out there?" There came a pause.

"I'm right here, Maria. Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you! Just... everyone's out for blood... Half of the town wants you dead!"

"It's okay, Natalya. I'll be fine. Just, do me a favor, would you?"

"Sure, sis. What's wrong?" She asked.

"Take a few steps to your right. I... I don't want to see you. Too painful."

"Certainly." Natalya responded. There came a pause. Maria inhaled deeply.

"Natalya; I love you!" She shouted, charging the door. She kicked the wood door in, shattering it into a million smaller spears of wood. The flying shrapnel dazed everyone long enough for Maria to run out into the crowd and leap over everyone's head. She landed on a tree, looked down at everyone, waved woefully and dropped, running into the trees, dissappearing.

"Holy jesus!" Artix shouted as he lost sight of Maria. Dozens of Guardians tried to pluck the pieces of wood from their chests and arms. He shook his head, defeated, then turned to Sebastian. "Are you okay, sir? Did she hurt you?" Sebastian was too stunned to speak. All he could do is stare at the place Maria ran off into and shake his head, devistated.

"My daughter... right in my hands... And I was too blind to see her... to blind to see my own daughter." He collapsed to the ground in a fountain of tears.