Author Note

I really need a beta reader, spell checking and editing all these chapters is a lot of work. I hope people enjoy this story or all my work was for nothing.

Hero Gothic 1

Part 9

Rose Cottage

After accepting yet another quest, my faithful hound and I teleported to the Greatwood Cullis Gate and then we made our way to the Rose cottage. Once outside of the cottage, I knocked on the door and waited for it to open. When the door did open I saw an old lady who looked like she had been crying.

"James is that you?" she asked

Well I'd once been known by the name of James, but that had been a lifetime ago. Back when I'd lived in a world with Pizza, HDTV, and indoor plumbing. I really missed those things.

"Oh your not my Grandson" the woman then said.

I shook my head.

"No I'm not. I'm Gothic. I'm from the Heroes Guild" I told the old lady "From what I understand your Grandson has gone missing. I'm here to help you find him".

This news cheered the elderly lady up.

"Yes. James is my grandson. You have to find him!" the Grandmother insisted "He's the only relative I have left. Such a sweet, helpful boy. I don't know how I'd manage without him".

I didn't think this woman would be able to pay me very well for recovering his grandson, but cash rewards weren't the only reason to go on quests. XP aside a Hero needed renown, and I heard that sometimes young ladies would reward male heroes in a way only a woman could. That hadn't happened to me as of yet, and I really hoped that this old lady wouldn't be the first one to offer.

"Do you any idea where could be?" I asked.

I'd rather not have to search the entire of Albion for one person. It would be very time consuming, but I knew it wouldn't be simply otherwise this old lady wouldn't have made a request to the Guild for a Hero.

"I knew this would happen. He's gone back to those caves. I just know it. He got quite a scare with the things he saw down there last time, I can tell you. But he did bring back some gold" the Grandmother informed me "Oh, and he found something else while he was there. I don't know what it's for, but it might be useful. Here".

The Grandmother gave me a strange hexagonal object. I had no idea what it was but I put it in my pocket anyway as it was most likely a quest item.

"Please find him!" the old woman pleaded "I don't know what I would do if anything happened to him."

The Grandmother started to cry, and then closed the doors to the cottage.

"Which caves?" I wondered.

I'd have to start with the ones nearby and then expand my search. Hopefully that wouldn't take too long.

(Line Break)

Hobbe Cave

As luck would have it there were caves near to Rose Cottage, what was less lucky was getting ambushed by Hobbes once I got inside cave. It took a while for Oggy and I to slay all the monsters, not because they were that tough, but because they had an annoying habit of running around in circles while screaming their heads off. This made it hard to hit them with a sword or a spell.

Once that lot of monsters were dealt with my dog and I entered another part of the cave, one that had been separated from the rest by a big wooden door. Inside we found more Hobbes and a prisoner who was being held in a cage. Sadly he wasn't a hot chick.

"Are you James?" I asked.

The quest giver hadn't told me the age of her grandson so it was possible he was the guy I was here to save.

"No" he replied "I'm Stanly".

Despite him not being the bloke I sought I still set the poor person out of the cage.

"Thanks, mate" the man said "It was rather embarrassing getting caught by those Hobbes. Me and the lads were searching the caves for treasure. Legends say it's full of the stuff. Well protected too. They caught us and stuck us in cages. Been taking us away one by one ever since"

I felt just a little sympathy for the poor people who had been captured. Which meant I hadn't yet become a totally heartless bastard. Not that I knew why I'd become so cold blooded. Perhaps the real me was coming out now that I had a taste of real power.

"What happened to them?" I asked.

I figured I might as well save the treasure hunters, assuming there were any left, if nothing else it would increase my renown and I needed more of that if I was ever going to get invited the arena.

"I don't know what they did to the rest, but I heard screams that'd chill your blood. But, hey, less people, bigger share, right? So what you say we go looking together?" Stanly proposed.

More riches would be good. I really needed to buy some health potions just in case things didn't go well for me in the arena.

"Sure" I replied

The three of us left the room and made our way through the underground chambers. In one room we found two chests in a throne like room. The treasure hunter and I opened them and were presented with some jewels, gold coins, and jewellery. Also there was a flame Augmentation which was worth quite a lot.

"Don't forget that half of this is mine" the treasure hunter said.

I had no problem sharing, besides there was only so much I could fit into my pouch.

"Of course" I replied "We can come back for it later. For now let's see if any of your buddies are still alive".

The treasure hunter nodded and then followed me out of the room.

(Line Break)

Hobbe Cave

As it turned out I wouldn't be sharing anything as when we got ambushed by Hobbes for the second time, the treasure hunter died fighting. Which left me free to find James and to keep all the treasure for myself.

At the end of long passage way Oggy and I found a stone door that required a key to open it. The strange device that the Grandmother had given me earlier was the key, which made things a lot easier.

"Come on we need to find James" I said to my dog.

We went down some steps and entered a massive underground chamber. There was a large sphere in the centre of the room, somebody who looked like a small boy and a totally naked woman. Only she was the most strangest woman I had ever saw. She had blue hair, blue eyes and elf ears, but none of that was weird as the white transparent wings she had sticking out of her back.

"I've been waiting for you, Gothic" greeted the sexy creature.

Either I was more famous than I had thought, or there was another odd female around here who could see the future.

"Okay then" I said.

I looked over at James, who wasn't restrained in anyway I could see, but he seemed to be in some kind of trance so he didn't even notice I was here.

"Well I just came for the boy so please can you hand him over" I requested.

With startling speed she came right up to, placed her left hand on my check and looked me right in the eyes.

"Oh no he's mine" the creature told me "Give me a sacrifice in return and you can have him".

Well I wasn't going to drag some other poor sod down here. If nothing else it would take too long.

"Or you can give yourself to me" she added with a wink

I had to ask.

"What do you mean by: give yourself to me?" I wondered.

The flying female being flew some distance away and then blew me a kiss.

"Something we'd both enjoy" she said "Afterwards your little friend will go free".

Well it was better than fighting.

(Line Break)

Rosewood Cottage.

"Wait! You're not going to leave me with her, are you?" the boy called James asked "You think the Nymph was bad? My granny is worse!".

Well the Nymph had let us both go unharmed in exchange for a good fucking, although I had no clue why she'd made that deal, still she had been going to do something nasty to young James and I had to wonder what his Grandmother could have done to compare to the Nymph.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

I was soon given an answer.

"Whose idea did you think it was to go into those caves in the first place?" he said.

I had assumed he was just an adventurous young lad. I'd gone exploring at his age, and since there were monsters in this world it didn't seem that odd that he'd been captured by one of them.

"Well, I'm not standing for it much longer" James decided "First chance I get, I'm out of here".

He then sighed.

"I'll have to pick up a few things first though" he went on to say "And I suppose you want your reward. Come on".

We reached the house and found that the old lady had been waiting for us as she opened the door before I knocked.

"Oh thank you for returning him to me, Hero!" The Grandmother said before facing her Grandson "James come here."

James just ran past her, into the house.

"Hey what's going on? I demand you stop right now. I have chores for you" The Grandmother was now saying "Why are you packing?"

I decided to stay out this, and to go back to the Guild. I had more than enough treasure to have made it worth while going down into that cave, and I had no desire to get involved in a domestic situation.

(Line Break)

Heroes. Guild.

Once back at the Guild, I went looking for a new Quest Card. As I was reading, the Guildmaster made his way over to me.

"Congratulations on your latest victory" he said.

Hearing that made me chuckle.

"I don't know if I'd call it a victory" I said to the old man.

Unless he was talking about Twinblade, now that had been a victory.

"Call it what you will" the guildmaster replied "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that Maze wants to see you. He's up in his chambers".

I spent a moment wondering when the whole stabbing me in the back thing would start. I knew that Maze would turn on me soon enough because by now it was clear he was manipulating my life, and while I couldn't recall if the Guild Master would too, I figured it was best to assume that he would.

'I'll head there now" I told the old man.

(Line Break)

When I entered Maze's quarters, I saw the older Hero standing in front of the fire place.

"The Guildmaster mentioned that you wanted to see me" I said to the Will User.

"Indeed I do" Maze said with a nod "How did you visit to the seeress go? Do you know where your sister is?".

I figured that he knew he knew a lot more about what was going on than I did so I told him what had happened. Well more or less. I felt out the bit about my 'sister' giving me a rather nice power up.

"So you really found your sister before losing her again" Maze summarised "Not many could achieve such an outcome, and I would have never imagined her living among bandits".

I figured she had been hiding from Jack of Blades.

"Listen, before you go wandering off again. I have a favour to ask of you" requested Maze "An old friend of mine has gone missing. He calls himself the Archaeologist. He may have stumbled onto something big; perhaps big enough to put his life in danger".

Oddly I had no memory of this quest, but that didn't surprise me as I hadn't played the game in a very, very long time.

"There's a rumour he may be hiding somewhere in Witchwood" the powerful Will User went on to say "You can use a cullis gate to get there. I only hope it isn't too late".

I wasn't tired, and I could grab something to eat from the kitchens here at the guild so there was no reason for me not to head to Witchwood right away.

"I'll head out right away" I replied, before hurrying from the room.

(Line Break)

Witchwood.

Not long after using the Cullis Gate I found myself facing a Demon Door. Of course, it would only be useful to me when opened and to open it, I had to fulfil a certain requirement.

'I only open to those who know my name' the Demon Door informed me "Only one person knows my name, but I doubt you'll find him… even at the Temple of Avo".

Hearing that made me chuckle.

"So if I go to the Temple of Avo" I said "I'll find the person who knows your name?".

My map informed me that the temple wasn't far from where I was now.

"I did not say that!" the Door replied with a hint of worry.

Rather than reply I looked at my map, and after locating the temple on it I raced off.

(Line Break)

The sword was stuck in the stone, and the challenge was to pull it out. Which seemed simple enough as either I would be able to do it or I wouldn't. So I put my hands on the handle, bent my legs and pulled.

"Hmphgrrh" I grunted.

The sword stayed in place and all I got was a lot of pain in my lower back.

"Okay" I said to myself before clapping my hands "Let me give it another go"

I pulled as hard as I can, holding my breath. I pulled and pulled, yet nothing happened. At least until I lost my grip and ended up flat on my back, much to the amusement of the crowd.

"Right I'm going to Dean Winchester this mother fucker!" I declared.

I lacked explosives, but I could generate some kick ass fire balls.

"Everyone stand back" I ordered.

By channelling my Will I formed a massive fireball, and then threw it at the boulder which shattered under the force. The sword was not broken, and as I picked it up from the the ground. I felt the urge to yell something.

"I have the power!"

Sadly I didn't transform gain all the powers of Castle Grey Skull, but I had a cool magical sword, which was cool.

(Line Break)

"You know you could have just told me your name" I said when I got back to the talking door "or maybe you could have come up with a clever riddle. You know something that involve me running half away across the country just to open a door".

The Demon Door grumbled something incomprehensible under his breath as he opened. I immediately entered to the area beyond and found the Archaeologist.

"So, you found me"Maze's friend said, not sounding too happy "That's just grand. If you can find me, so can they".

The way he had used the word 'they' sounded rather ominous.

"And who are, they?' I questioned "Tax collectors, your ex-wives. Morris dancers?".

All of which were worth avoiding.

"Jack of Blades" the Archaeologist whispered before raising his voice slightly "If I had of known he was interested in those Focus Sites I never would have started studying them".

I had no idea what these Focus Sites were.

"Look, I don't have time to explain" the Archaeologist then said "but you can read my journal if you want. I don't want it anymore".

He threw it at me, before running off. I didn't bother to chase after the man as I had only been asked to find him. Instead I read some of the journal.

An ancient evil, Jack of Blades once ruled Albion as part of the Court before his defeat at the hands of William Black. However, Black was only able to destroy Jack's physical form, and his spirit lived on in his Mask. He continued his reign of terror by possessing any being unfortunate enough to put it on.

"Note to self" I muttered "Do no put on any masks".

Then I figured that this wasn't the best place to stand around reading so I left. Once I was outside, I found that Maze was waiting for me.

"How did it go?" Maze asked

Given that the Will User had to have known where the Archaeologist had been, in order to be waiting for me here, I had to wonder why he'd hadn't just gone inside and grabbed the guy. It was another mystery.

"I found him, but I lost him when he threw his journal at me and ran off to find somewhere else to hide from someone called Jack of Blades" I reported while handing Maze his friend's journal "I'm surprised you didn't see him out here".

Maze examined the book for a moment, and then teleported away without a saying a word. I figured I might as well head back to the Guild and pick up another question. I still had a lot of renown to earn, and skills to sharpen.

(Line Break)

Knothole Glade

When I entered a place known as Knothole Glade, which contained a village that had requested the aid of a Hero, I was welcomed to the neighbourhood by two balverines that weren't too happy about getting a visitor. Lucky for me I was able to deal with them by throwing my silver knife into the neck of one and by stunning the other with lightening long enough to be able to remove its ugly head with my awesome new sword.

Then, when I approached the village, I saw the gates were locked and that there were several people, banging on the gate, begging to be let in. As I approached them, three more balverines appeared.

Using silver tipped arrows, another wise invest of mine, I shot them all before they could harm the villagers. Like the werewolves of legend the balverines had a very nasty reaction to silver, it didn't take much of the stuff to slay one of them. It also helped that the Seeress had upgraded me quite a bit so I could now summon up magical arrows that would strike a foe along with the the physical arrows that I fired.

"What's going on?" I demanded to know, while walking over to the scared people.

I was soon answered.

"They've locked the gates to stop the balverines from entering the village!" one of them explained "But they've locked us out and won't let us in just in case a balverine gets inside. They just left us out here to die!".

I could see the logic in that action, but it was rather pointless given that balverines could jump really high, and some of them could even take human form. With that in mind I walked over to the gate with the intent of getting everyone inside.

"Open the gate!" I ordered.

Someone on the other side of the gate spoke to me.

"I don't think so, sonny" a voice replied "I can't risk the balverines getting into the village".

Well that wasn't a problem right now.

"I killed the Balverines" I told the person on the side of the gate "So open the damn gate".

That didn't get me what I wanted.

"Who do you think you are giving me orders?" the voice enquired.

Now I was getting annoyed.

"I'm from the Guild" I said, while repressing my anger "and if you don't open this gate I'm going to use my Will powers to blow it apart".

That had been a bluff for two reasons. First of all I didn't even know if I could do that, and second even I could have I wouldn't because that would defeat the entire purpose of being here, which was to defend the village.

"Oh alright then" the voice said "Just make sure you hurry. There could be more of them out there!'

The moment the gate was opened, the villagers ran inside. I slipped in too as the gates were closed once more. I then headed into the village of Knothole Glade, and found the man who looked to be in charge

"Bloody balverines!" the man was grumbling to himself "In all my years as Chief, I've never seen anything like it".

It seemed that I had picked out the right bloke.

'"Well, hopefully you won't have to deal with them much longer" I said to the chief guy before going on to introduce myself "I'm Gothic. The Guild sent me".

The bloke was very happy to see me.

"Ah, thank goodness you're here!' the Chief exclaimed before telling me what was going on "We might have had a chance by ourselves if the bloody beasts weren't following a white balverine. It comes into our village and kills who ever it wants".

A roar suddenly echoed around the settlement, making everyone jump.

"It must be attacking the warehouse at the bottom of that hill!' the Chief said, while looking nervously towards the warehouse he just mentioned.

Before he'd finished speak I had one of the silver tipped arrows in my hand and I was running towards the warehouse. When the monster came in sight I pulled back the bow string as far as it would go, before releasing it. I managed to get it right through its heart. Next I yelled out loudly enough to informed everyone that the threat had passed.

"I don't believe it" the Chief said to me as people slowly began to come out of their houses "You managed to kill it with one arrow".

Really when you had the right tools for the right job, along with the right knowledge, then any task could be completed easily enough.

"You have our gratitude" the Chief then said "A Hero of your stature deserves the glory of fighting in the Arena. I'm sure you'll be invited once news of this victory gets around".

Perhaps I was ready to fight in the arena, but I was still going to take a bucket load of healing potions with me, and maybe get a new sword too.

"So is there a pub around here?" I asked of the Chief "Slaying monsters is thirsty work".

I also hoped that there would be grateful maidens around here who would want to thank me saving the village, but I didn't have my hopes up.

(Line Break)

The Guild

The next day, when I returned to the Guild in order inform the Guild Master of my success I was given a letter.

Dear Gothic

I have always known we were special, and now I have found proof. The book that I have sent with this letter – The Bloodline – describes a bloodline from the days of the Old Kingdom, and its connection to a sword powerful enough to rule the world. It is a bloodline Mother belonged to, I am sure of it. It is also the bloodline we belong to.

Love Theresa

"Where is the book that came with this letter?" I asked of the messenger.

He just shook his head, and I figured that Maze must have taken it in order to help keep me int he dark about what was really going on around here.

"Congratulations, my boy" the Guildmaster said when he entered the map room "It would seem that your exploits haven't gone unnoticed. Many people throughout Albion are impressed with your triumphs. You have been invited to fight in the arena".

Well if nothing else at least the plot was advancing.

"So, why don't you run along to the Arena in Witchwood and show the people what a real Hero looks like" he then said.

I would after getting something to eat, and ensuring that I had all the needed supplies for such a trip. Also I wanted to be armed with the best sword I could get my hands on. I even had an weapon augment ready for it.

"Wish me luck" I said as I headed out the door.