Hero Gothic 1

Part 12

One Year Later.

Manor House. Bowerstone.

"Milord" said the maid "There is someone here to see you".

I looked up from the book I'd been reading, and saw Whisper, who was knitting something for the baby we would soon have. Even after being married for nearly a year I still found in strange to see Whisper dressed as a lady.

As it had turned out while she had not wanted to raise children on a farm, she didn't mind having kids with a man who had a big house, servants, and a well paying job. Which was sensible of her.

Only once I finished looking at my wife did I pay attention to the serving girl.

"Its a little late for visitors" I commented.

As Mayor of Bowerstone, father to be, husband, and part time Hero, I didn't get a lot of time to sit around at home, so when I got the chance I didn't take kindly to be bothered.

"Tell them to come back in the morning" I said.

The maid left, but soon returned, chasing after a roughly dressed woman who had barged her way into the house.

"Well, looks like you didn't turn out to badly after all" the woman said before rapidly changing the subject "Now listen, Jack is getting closer to the Sword I can feel it. He needs a Key to unlock the Sword from its hiding place and now he knows where it is".

Whisper and I exchanged looks.

"And you are?" I asked.

The women seemed shocked.

"I'm your MOTHER" she stated.

My only reaction was to raise an eyebrow.

"I thought you were an orphan" said Whisper.

Well I was. More or less, but that was not something I wanted to discuss.

"Who are you?" my uninvited guest asked as my wife.

Whisper stood up, and even though she was wearing one of those fancy dresses she started putting on since becoming a lady, it was clear that she was pregnant.

"I'm his wife" she told the woman who claimed to be mother "Your daughter-in-law. I'm Whisper".

The woman reacted to the name.

"Thunder's little sister" she said "I haven't seen you since you were a baby, and now you're having your own children. Where did the years go".

I decided to move things along.

"So where is this key?" I asked as I put my book down.

My uninvited guest soon told me.

"The key is in Hook Coast, hidden in the ruins of an old abbey. Now we have one advantage. He doesn't know the key will only make itself known to one of our bloodline. That's why we have to find your sister. As long as she's out there Jack could use her" she said. "You should go to Darkwood and investigate the portal. There must be some way of activating it. It's the only way to get to Hook Coast but first I have a gift for you. There's power in your blood that hasn't been tapped yet"

My mother held out her hands and green light formed around me. It was an intense experience, only sightly less enjoyable than when Theresa had done it.

"Feels good, doesn't it? From now on I will be able to talk to you through you Guild Seal now go. I will try to find Theresa" the woman said before walking away.

I was just able to stand when I heard the front door close.

"So that was Scarlet Robe" said Whisper once she was sure I was okay "and she's my mother-in-law, that is so cool".

Well at least someone was happy about the family reunion.

(Line Break)

The Hook Coast

Is something wrong dear.

I almost jumped into the air upon mother's voice in my head. I was somewhat used to the Guildmaster talking to me this way, but only just.

"There's a magical barrier blocking the entrance to the Abby" I reported.

Huh, that magical barrier wasn't there before, though it explains what I just found in the Guild.

"You're at the Guild?" I asked.

I was surprised to hear that as she was supposed to be looking for my sister, but I soon realised that I shouldn't have been shocked as I couldn't recall Scarlet Robes even being around during my days before joining the guild. Besides if Thereasa didn't want to be found she wouldn't be.

Yes. I need you to meet me in Maze's quarters.

"What are you doing in there!" I said in alarm "Does Maze know that you are in his quarters?".

I knew that Maze served Jack of Blades in some way, so if the Will User found her Scarlet in his quarters he would hand her over to Jack.

Just meet me there. I found a book that will help.

"Okay, I'm on my way" I said teleporting back to the Guild.

(Line Break)

Heroes Guild.

Arriving in the the map room I decided to sneak into Maze's room without the Guildmaster knowing. Only it didn't work, as ever he seemed to sense my presence the moment I entered the map room. I wondered if he ever slept. I also wondered how often he use my Guild Seal to track me.

"Your mother is here" my teacher said.

I ignored him and raced to Maze's quarters, hoping that I was not too late. When I entered the chamber I saw two strange creatures holding onto Scarlet.

"The book! Don't forget the book!" she shouted.

Before I could do anything the creatures' teleported her away. I wasn't that bothered, as she was pretty much a stranger to me, so instead of crying or anything like that I started looking around for that book she had mentioned. I only found one that wasn't in a pile on a shelf, so I assumed it was correct book.

Upon examining the book I found that it was written in a language. Without any other options I took it to the Guildmaster, hoping that either he could read it or direct me towards someone who was able to.

"Jack has captured my mother again" I informed the older man glumly.

I was a bit bummed about it even I wasn't exactly sad.

"Oh my boy I am sorry to hear that" the Guildmaster replied softly "I spoke to her briefly today. She told me all about your quest, the Sword and the existence of a key meant to unlock it".

Which may have been a very foolish thing to do as my old mentor might also have sided with Jack.

"You continue with your quest" the Guildmaster was now saying "Your mother was right. Jack can never be allowed to succeed. You must stop him getting the key".

That sounded a lot simpler than it actually was.

"There's a magic barrier preventing me from entering the abbey" I told my teacher "My mother said this book would help, but I don't understand the language".

I opened the book on the marked page and handed it to the Guildmaster, who began reading it.

"Yes I can translate this" he told me "Now go to barrier at the Hook Coast Abbey, I shall contact you on your Guild Seal when you arrive. Now go".

(Line Break)

The Hook Coast

When I arrived back at the barricade. I informed the Guildmaster of my arrival, who then instructed me to chant something in another language. Whatever I had just said worked and the barrier had disappeared.

I immediately entered only to find someone had beaten me inside. Somehow.

"Hello, Maze" I said.

Maze turned around to face me.

"Gothic you're here" he said while looking nervously around "I'd have thought you'd be at home with your wife".

I would have preferred to be as the baby was due any day now, but I had to save the world from Jack of Blades, then I could worry about the real challenge of my life: fatherhood.

"So what are you doing here?" I asked, while trying to sound as I wasn't aware that he was betraying me "and how did you get past the barrier?".

Before he could say anything in reply I looked past Maze to see what he was doing. Behind the Will User was a dome shaped barrier of some sort, and inside was trapped a young woman. Whom I soon recognised.

"Theresa!" I shouted.

She was sitting down, looking as though she was either in pain or praying to a higher power.

"I had to contain her" Maze said, sounding frantic "Jack is somehow controlling her. That's why I'm here. I'm trying to stop him".

I took out my magical sword and prepared to attack. Not that it mattered, as suddenly another magical dome appeared, and I was stuck inside it.

"Finish the ritual, Maze!" I heard Jack order "I'd like my key now".

I couldn't see the bad guy, but that didn't matter right now as I needed to get out of this dome.

"It's almost over" Maze informed his master "and it will be easier with the boy here".

Then there was dark laughter in the air.

"Indeed it will" Jack agreed.

The change in the voice told me that the bad guy was now here, or that he had been here all along and was now close to be heard so clearly. However I still didn't see him because as soon as I turned around Maze began his ritual and things became very painful for me, and I blacked out.

(Line Break)

"Finally, the Septimal Key" I heard Jack say as I picked myself up off the ground "You've hidden from me for too long".

I then saw Jack of Blades, but I was too hurt to do anything about it.

"Take those two to the Chamber" Jack ordered "I shall be there soon".

I called upon my Will Powers and began healing myself.

"Yes, sir" Maze replied as Jack disappeared with the Key.

I was now on my feet, and once again trying to figure out how to blast apart this dome. A powerful Force Push should do it, but I would need a few seconds to charge up such an attack and it would tricky to do it without being noticed.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked Maze "Why serve Jack, that's the part I could never figure out. He's really not that impressive".

The Will User didn't agree.

"Only an idiot would oppose Jack" Maze replied as he walked over to me

That was when the barrier dropped on its own, and Maze and I were both very surprised.

"Stop him" I heard my sister cry out.

I unleashed the Force Push I'd planned to use on the barrier upon Maze and sent him flying across the old abbey. He hit the wall so hard that he not been a Hero it would have broken his spine or maybe his neck.

"You cannot win" said the Will User as he got to his feet "The world belongs to Jack now".

Before I killed him I had other questions I had to ask.

"Why did you spare my life all those years ago" I asked Maze "You didn't find me by accident. You were looking for me. I think you even led the attack, so why didn't you just kill me?"

That was what confused me the most. Maze had to have at least known about the attack in advance to have arrived so soon after it happened. But if he'd wanted to wipe out my family he could have done it.

Clearly the bandit raid had been something he'd planned as a cover so that no one would suspect Maze of being behind a plan to wipe out my family, but it didn't serve his interests for me to become a powerful Hero, so he should have just killed me.

"At the time it was because I felt sorry for you" Maze said "but Jack was glad that I spared your life. You have been most useful. You managed to get your sister and the Archaeologist out of hiding for us, and you helped with the ritual. Even if it was unwillingly".

I really loathed being used.

"So now that my usefulness has expired, are you going to try to kill me?" I asked.

Try would be the operative word.

"No" Maze replied "Jack still needs your help. Will you come willingly?".

I shook my head and Maze closed his eyes with a sigh, before attacking me I only just managed to conjure a shield in time. Then, just as Maze was about to attack again, I sent a fireball at him. Which he was met by one his own defencive spells.

Next Maze summoned up some spirits. By the looks of things a lot of monks had died in this place, and judging by the ghostly weapons they carried they had been killed in battle. Most likely while defending the abbey.

I blasted the raised spirits with lightening that went from enemy to enemy as it leaped around the room. I had plenty of mana so this was easy to do.

"You've grown strong" Maze stated "but not strong enough to defeat Jack".

The Will User then conjured up lots of blades, which he sent at me. I slowed the passage of time, and then batted the summoned weapons away from myself with my magical sword.

Next Maze brought fourth a lot of fire, but rather than send it at me he moved his hands around in an odd way and the fire took shape, becoming somewhat dragon like in appearance.

At this point I had no idea what do as I had spell of my own to counter something like this, all I could do was bring up a barrier and try to survive to the intense heat.

Which thankfully I did, thanks to my shield, and the flames faded away. When that happened I saw Maze's expression, he hadn't expected me to still be standing after that attack.

Then to my dismay the wizard began to teleport away, but just before he vanished I slowed down the flow of time and zapped Maze with a lightening bolt.

"I didn't know I could do that" I said to myself.

Next I went over to Maze, who was hurt but still alive. I took out my sword and pressed it hard enough into his chest that it hurt, but didn't really do any damage.

"Tell me Jack's plan and I'll kill you quickly" I told the wizard.

To my surprise he did just that.

"He going to use the Key to activate Focus Sites all over Albion" Maze told me "Then, the Sword will be his and no one will be able to stop him, but they'll try and it will get them all killed".

He then gasped out his last breath, and I stood there staring down at the face of the man who had pretty much been my version of Albus Dumbledore, he'd guided my life from a far, and used for his own ends.

Still it was tempting to kick the body a bit I had other things to do.

"Gothic!" I heard my sister shout.

I turned and saw the blind seer as she was grabbed by two strange creatures, which like those who had taken Scarlet Robe early.

Without thinking I activated Assassins rush, but I only ended up blurring through thin as the creatures vanished.

After swearing up a storm, for being so stupid as to not alter the flow of time, I used my Seal to teleport myself back to the Guild.

(Line Break)

Heroes Guild.

When I arrived I found the Guildmaster anxiously waiting for me, and lots of people rushing around.

'Good, you're back" my teacher said "Things are far worse than I had feared. Maze's betrayal surprised us all, but we have bigger problems".

I could guess as to what those were.

"Jack is activating the Focus Sites. You need to join the other Heroes in stopping him at all costs" the Guildmaster said firmly "Go to Witchwood immediately. I'll explain more when I can".

I nodded and used the Cullis Gate to teleport to Witchwood

(Line Break)

Witchwood.

Briar Rose was waiting for me when I arrived, and it looked as if she needed the help. All around her were many kinds of strange creatures.

I took out my sword and waved my left hand which slowed down time. Then I triggered Assassins Rush which allowed me to cut down the monsters while they moved in super slow motion.

When time went back to normally all the remained of the enemy were the corpses scattered all down the road. From another person's perspective it must have looked as if I'd appeared at the top of the path and then reappeared at bottom leaving a trail of bodies behind me.

"Bloody hell!" swore the female Hero "When did you learn to that?".

There were more important things to discuss right now.

"Where is Jack?" I asked Briar Rose

She soon answered me.

"He's been activating those spherical, patterned rocks" Briar informed me "I always thought they were damn ugly things. I don't want to die protecting them".

As she talked we headed over the focus sight and found that Jack of Blades had already turned it on.

"So, Maze couldn't hold you?" Jack noted "No matter. He wouldn't have seen the end of the day anyway. He had outlived his usefulness".

The bad guy had more to say.

"You're too late here" Jack informed me "This Site is active, but don't worry. I haven't finished with you yet".

He then vanished through a portal.

"Looks like he's done whatever he was doing" Briar muttered "but that portal's still open, let's follow him".

I let her go as I had already realised that chasing Jack was pointless. I was much better off going to the Guild and waiting for him to arrive. That way I wouldn't exhausted myself by fighting all his minions.

(Line Break)

Heroes Guild.

I could hear the screams and moans of dying people as soon as I teleported into the map room. Also I could feel the heat of the flames and feel the smoke as it filled my lungs. The Guild was burning.

While I stared at the burning Guild, memories came flooding back. Memories of Oakville burning, all the suffering caused by Jack. He had to be stopped.

I drew my sword and gripped the hilt tightly. I had become quite fond of my magical weapon, despite having never remembered its name. It was a good weapon and it had never failed me before. I just hoped it wouldn't fail me now.

As I headed for the Chamber I could see the bodies of guards and apprentices lying on the ground at odd angles. There wasn't a living soul in sight, even the Guild Master wasn't here, and he always here.

Then I did see him, and when I saw my old teacher move I raced over.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

It was the most stupid question I could have asked him, but it was all I could think of in the current situation.

He groaned in pain and I gently turned him around so I could see his face. He'd always been here, teaching and later advising me, and now he was lying on the ground while the Guild he'd run for so many years burned down around him. It was so unfair.

"I knew you'd come" The Guild Master said.

I didn't know what to say so I looked at the deep gash in his side; his clothes were stained with blood. Then I knew I couldn't tell him that everything was going to be alright. That wound was fatal, and he knew so as well. I could see it in his eyes.

"I tried to stop him" he was able to say "It all happened so quickly. I was in the library when I heard screaming so I was going to summon you. I tried to reach the map room so I could call you, but he was already..."

By now his whole body was shaking with the force of the coughs and I held him tighter, trying to soothe him, to calm him down. After a few more moments the coughs lessened in force and he was able to breathe again. Thankfully the smoke wasn't too bad in this part of the Guild, but it was only a matter of time before the fire spread here.

"Before I could even reach him he had flung me across the room with a blast of Will. I hit the wall and fell on the ground. He stabbed me before I could get up".

"Were there any others with Jack?" I asked quietly.

The old man nodded.

"Yes, a woman and a girl" he said

I nodded my head.

"My mother and sister" I mumbled.

"Avo help them…" my mentor muttered before he went into another coughing fit.

Something wet splattered on my glove and I turned my hand to see that it was covered blood.

Then the Guild Master started shaking hard and he was struggling for breath again. He didn't want to die, I could feel it. But deep down, I think he knew he didn't have a choice. He struggled for a couple of seconds more, then took one last, gurgling breath and suddenly went limp.

I gently laid him back on the floor. Then I stood up and looked at him one last time. Which was when I realised that I didn't even known his real name. Despite having known each other for years I really knew next to nothing about the man. I had no idea if had a family, or even just some friends I could contact.

There was only one thing I could do about his death, and that was to avenge him.

(Line Break)

The Chamber of Fate.

Inside the Chamber I found Theresa, who was trapped in another magical dome, and our mother who Jack had acting as a human shield.

"What a touching family reunion,' Jack said sarcastically "We have the mother, the daughter, the son, and the Sword. There's only one thing missing!"

Theresa screamed as Jack slit Scarlet's throat with a sword, and her death seemed to empower the blade, but I barely noticed that.

"Did seeing her die hurt you?" asked Jack.

Not really as Scarlet Robe wasn't anyone important to me. I had no memory of her as a child. I barely remembered my father either. Theresa I could recall somewhat, but the only family I really had was Whisper. Thankfully Jack hadn't understood that.

Besides I was becoming numb to it anyway. The place that had really been childhood home was burning up above, and nearly everyone I cared about was dead anyway. I didn't have much left to lose, and what was left I wanted to protect by killing Jack.

"Not really" I told the bad guy "Its just another reason to end you".

Rather than reply Jack swung his fancy new sword and a wave of blue energy hit me, and I was sent flying into the Chamber.

I forced myself to my feet, and I threw a fireball at Jack, but he used his weapon to deflect it harmlessly away.

"Is that the best you can do" Jack asked "Do you honestly think you can defeat me when not even Heroes like Maze could?".

Well I had beaten Maze.

"Surrender to me now and I promise you a quick and painless death" Jack offered.

It didn't take me long to reply.

"Go fuck yourself" I said.

Then I threw a bolt of lightening at the bad guy, only somehow it was absorbed into the sword.

"You foolish boy" Jack said.

The bad guy then swung the sword again and despite the shield I raised blue energy still hit me right in the chest and I went flying into a wall. This time it took me a few seconds to get back up onto my feet. I was somewhat glad I was wearing dark chainmail armour as it looked and helped keep me alive, but the downside was that it made heavier than normal.

"Had enough, have you?" Jack asked curiously.

I smiled, but there was no humour or warmth in it.

"Oh I'm just get started" I told the monster.

Jack seemed to blur and I knew he was using Assassin' Rush, or something like it, so I rolled backwards, barely missing being decapitated.

After getting to my feet I used Force Push to drive Jack backwards, but the abomination had power too so he was able to use a spell that matched mine. Which resulted in me struggling against an unseen force as I tried to drive the bad guy to his knees.

Then Jack brought fourth bolts of lightning. I caught the bolt in my free hand, span on the spot, and sent bolt back at Jack of Blades. It hit him and the monster in human form screamed, but what really mattered was that he dropped his weapon.

Before Jack could recover, I'd thrown my sword to the ground and was going for the Sword of Aeons, the thing from the Void, also tried to grab it which resulted in us both trying to remove the others hand from the hilt of the sword.

Changing tactics I hit Jack in the face and had been human I would have bloodied his nose. However being something that wasn't human I had to kick and punch, while still holding on the sword, the creature a few times before he stumbled to the ground.

"Give that back!" Jack roared.

Then the abomination somehow had a katana in his hands, and at the same time he created a force-field. Not that the barrier lasted for very long as one swing of fabled blade shattered the shield.

Jack tried to block my next blow with his katana, but the blade I used snapped his sword in two.

"Damn you!" howled.

Then Jack of Blades held his hands in the air and his body floated upwards. His body was now surrounded by this evil red glow, and vortex was forming nearby. I had no idea what he was trying to do, but I wasn't going to let him do it.

I jumped up and grabbed one of Jack's boots, and pulled him down. Jack hit the ground and I drove the Sword of Aeons into Jack's stolen body before the villain could do more than scream in despair.

(Line Break)

All that was left of Jack's body was a pile ashes and mask, which I felt compelled to pick up. I even dropped the very important sword so that I could hold the mask in both hands.

'Put me on I will grant you the powers of a god' a voice said into my mind.

It was a seductive tone the voice used, and it sounded like Jack. When I thought about putting the mask on I found my mind being filled with images.

I saw myself wearing the mask while ruling over all Albion as a king, no not as king, as nothing less than a deity. It was tempting, but knew this mask was like Sauron's One Ring, or something like that so with great mental effort I threw it into the vortex while listening to my sister urge me to do that.

The next thing to happen was something very painful. I had turned around, intending to check on my sister, only for her to drive Jack's magic sword into my chest.

"It is the oldest of all weapons. The Sword of Aeons was bloodforged long before the Old Kingdom. Once unlocked, its power is the power of all Albion" I heard Theresa say as the pain began to fade and the world around grew darker "William Black used the sword to defeat the three members of the Court, and ultimately free Albion. Only your blood is strong enough to fully unlock its powers".

I felt Theresa pull the sword out of me, and while it hurt, I stayed alive long enough to hear her speak some more.

"But it is an evil weapon" she said "So I will exchange it for a sword of equal power that is not so cursed, a weapon given through sacrifice. A sword you will one day use to defend all of Albion".

I would have replied, if I had been able.

"We'll met again" she promised.

My eyes closed and breathing simple stopped. I was able to hear my heart slow and then stop betting before I finally felt nothing at all. But I could still think, and in my last moments thought about Whisper and the child I would never see. I hoped that they would be okay.

(Line Break)

Chamber of Fate.

Theresa watched the vortex close and then looked at the sword that been given in exchange for the one Jack of Blades had wielded for such a short time.

Avo's Tear had once been the sword of a common guard until Solcius, the most powerful mage to ever live, used it as a focus point in a spell meant to close a vortex that had threatened to engulf Bowerstone. The sword disappeared soon afterwards and knowledge of it had soon become nothing more than legend. At least until Maze had started searching for it as a means to fight against Jack of Blades.

However Maze had failed to retrieve it because he was not deemed worthy of its power. Theresa wasn't either, and so would never wield the weapon, but one day a Hero would. Her brother would return, when he was needed the most, and he would wield a blade that was equal to that of The Sword of Aeons. Which was important as there were evil beings out there no normal weapon could slay.

Theresa knew that she had a lot of time to prepare for her brother's return, she still had much to learn, and there would be other things she needed to deal with, as well as plans to put in motion. However that could all wait for a while, for now she wanted to be alone. She needed to grieve for her dead family, and do that she needed to be alone.

She held Avo's Tear in her arms as if it was the child she would never have, then she teleported herself away leaving the guild to burn. It would be forgotten, and this chamber would be sealed until the day it was needed again.

Five centuries from now.

THE END