OoO( 14 )OoO

Lyle had returned to the guild to gather supplies and ended up talking to his sister. She approached him and said, "Lyle...I think I may know where mother is."

Lyle looked at her and stared. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, but I can only tell you what it is right now, for I know not where it is or how to enter." she said.

"Where?" he asked, his heart beating quickly.

"She is being held at some sort of prison. This I know from my visions, but they didn't give me any clue as to where this prison is." she said. "I just hope that we find her before something happens to her. Their torture is already making her suffer..."

Lyle calmly approached his blind sister and embraced her. "Don't worry, I will find her and make those who did this to us pay." he said. She smiled and hugged him tightly. Though she was older, Lyle had grown much taller than her. And though she felt dwarfed by hugging him, it made her feel safe and secure as well. "I have to go now, but I promise that when I come back I'll help you figure out where mother is." She silently nodded.

OoOoO

Lyle had finally gathered all the supplies he required, including food, tools, and even a book about Witchwood forest he found in the library. As he approached the florescent blue doorway with his haver sack, someone grabbed his shoulder.

"Where do you think you are going?" said a familiar voice.

Lyle smiled and said, "Are you wanting to come with?" he asked.

Talon smiled in return and said, "Yep, I'm your new partner now, remember chief?"

"Is that my punishment for making you Queen of the Bandits?" he asked.

"Yep, now deal with it. So, where are we headed?" she asked curiously.

"Witchwood Forest. I'm looking for a friend of Maze's." he said.

"You mean that creepy glowy guy? I don't like him much, something doesn't seem right about him." she said. "But, I am an exellent tracker so I'll be a big help." she said.

"Good. Lets get going." he said.

OoOoO

Dark and forboding. The only words that could describe Witchwood Forest. Though not as dark as Darkwood, it was still as threatening and eerie. Trees everywhere where tilted to the side as the ivy that covered the forest suffocated them like a hangmans noose around the neck of a bandit. Most of the trees in the forest had the look of death upon them. But they were all alive and well, and soon after this discovery were named Witchwood, as the people believed some kind of magic was the only thing keeping them alive.

Though calm, it was a dangerous forest. Violent plants lived everywhere in the brush hidden from the view of travellers and rarely any creatures were seen living in the forest due to the plants odd feeding habits, devouring any moving thing that passed them.

Lyle and Talon had split up to search the forest, but even after going seperate ways they still had little luck finding any trace of the scientist. The only thing that looked out of the ordinary were four stones that Lyle discovered that stood perfectly erect and the same distance from each other. He had examined the stones many times, yet still couldn't find what their purpose was. Suddenly, his attention was grabbed as he heard approaching footsteps. Grabbing his sword handle lightly, he waited and watched the brush.

Talon stumbled through the forest, sore and worn out form her near death experience. As she stumbled into the clearing, she saw Lyle and glared. "I am never seperating from you again..." she said.

Lyle smiled as he saw her. "What happened to you?" he asked noting the scrapes and cuts all over her body.

"A plant tried to eat me." she said. Lyle laughed slightly and Talon glared again. "What's so funny?" she asked.

"It's nothing. Help me figure out what these stones are for."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because, look at them. They were placed here for a reason, but I can't figure out what they are for." he said.

Talon looked at the four stones, all jet black in color and standing easily fifteen feet high. She walked up to one of the stones and looked at it. "Did you check them all?" she asked.

"Well, I didn't check them all top to bottom if thats what you're asking...why?" he asked.

"Because, there is writing on this one." she said. Lyle ran over to it and examined the carved writing closely.

To find the gate that hides many secrets,

Strike this stone with a forests greatest fear.

Should you be wrong in your guess,

Pray that Avo has a place in heaven for you.

Talon was stunned at the script. "What the hell...did that rock just threaten me?" she asked angrily.

"Calm down...its a riddle. Though if something so simple should be called that is beyond me." he said. She looked at him curiously as his hand began to blaze with fire. Hurling the fireball at the stone, it crashed against it and the stone instantly reacted. Absorbing the fire, the writing began to glow brightly. Suddenly, writing appeared on the stone diagonal from the fire stone. Lyle turned and saw it, then walked over to it.

You have found the first stones secret,

But you still lie far from the gate.

To advance, you must use your brain,

To be kind to this stone and help its wound.

Talon glared at this stone as well, but said nothing. "What does it mean by help its wound?" asked Lyle.

"It has a crack down the center..." said Talon. "You can't see it because of the position you are in, but I can faintly see sunlight shining through it." she said.

Lyle walked around and saw what she was talking about. It was a hair thin crack that came from the top down to the center of the stone before it stopped. "I see it now, but how do you heal a rock?" he asked.

"Well, the other stone was magically altered to absorb the fire, so maybe this one will react to a healing spell." she said.

"Hmmm...well, its worth a try." he said and he made a strange stance in front of the stone. Holding both arms in front of him, he had his legs spread and concentrated on using a spell he hadn't conjured in a while. Talon noticed a faint glow eminate from Lyle and got closer, watching him curiously.

Suddenly, a wave of something hit her with immense force. Not something that aimed to hurt her, in fact it was quite the opposite. The feeling she got could only be summed up as orgasmic as the spell washed over her wounds and sealed them all up, leaving absolutely no trace of them. She stood there for a moment, savoring this feeling until it suddenly stopped.

Lyle turned at her expecting a nod of approval at the spells effectivness, but instead saw Talon standing with her eyes closed. Curiously, he smiled and watched her until she returned to reality. "You alright?" he asked.

She shook her head and looked at him shocked. "What calibur of spell did you use?" she asked.

"Well, to get the maximum results you have to use maximum effectivness. So, I used the strongest one I could think of. And considering that we are healing a rock, well I think it needs to be pretty powerful. Why?" he asked amused.

"No reason..." she said. Suddenly, the rock behind Lyle sealed up and began to glow as well. Its writing glowed and suddenly, a hidden platform under Talon started to faintly glow. She looked around cautiously and said, "I guess it worked, now what?" she asked.

"Under your feet..." said Lyle as he walked over to her. It was a small stone platform slightly above ground and round in shape and in the center was carved writing. As Talon moved, they both examined the script, but Talon was completely blown away.

"What the hell?"

Hrith adis stretka mado valeon,

Shenza bura comprasa cera no.

Bleyra san sunrata portalo fen,

Hvarah jemono nosenta vorida.

Stolara faktra mesca dona bare,

Mokivra comprasa shovu letrus.

Kimiwo firag zen fortuda shecas,

Matrin veil comprasa losaroseda.

Jimon desa vanla mora kamisha,

Horiryu senfa maguda dominees.

Brinjaro Savre de Ceres hahara,

Brekna minotal elfillor desinera.

Lyle sat staring at the writing, leaving Talon to rant in the background. "How are we supposed to read that chicken scratch? Its written in some language made by gawd knows who..."

"Its written in Old Kingdom script." said Lyle still staring at the carving. Talon froze, then turned to face him.

"How do you know, can you read it?" she asked.

"I can only make out three words, which may be the key to the entire thing." he said pointing to the third line of the last paragraph. This right here, the 'Savre de Ceres' means 'Sword of God'. Though what exactly they are asking for is well out of my league in mystery solving." he said.

"Well, the Temple of Avo is right down the path, maybe they could help us with something." she said. Lyle sat up and glared at her. "Just trying to help..." she said.

Lyle stood to his feet and thought for a long while before speaking. "Well, I guess we don't really have a choice." he said with a sigh. Together, they walked away from the monument and headed up the hill towards the Temple of Avo.

OoOoO

Calm and peaceful skies reigned above the temple of Avo. The hill it was sitting on was blanketed in thick green grass and trees all around sprouted with life as all manner of living creatures nested in the shelter of their limbs. The temple itself was made of white and grey stone and topped with a statue made of marble out in front of the temple. White walls stood proudly and defiantly against the surrounding forest, and ivy had begun to climb the walls, as if trying to tear the building apart for throwing off the rhythm of the forest.

Lyle approached the statue cautiously and looked up at Avo, as he had done many times before. Avo, like Skorm, was very intimidating. He stood seven foot tall and wore inpenatrable armor covering his shoulders and chest, as well as a cloak that covered his body. The only part of Avo's face that showed was his mouth and nose, for his eyes were shadowed by the large helmet he wore. Finally, to top off the frightening image, he held an enourmous sword in his left hand, pointing to the ground.

"Wow...is that Avo?" asked Talon as she followed Lyle. Lyle mearly nodded and Talon continued. "Would hate to be the one who stands in his way." she said.

Lyle nodded, then looked at Talon. "Well, we should hurry up and get this over with." he said. Together they walked into the temple and immediately were set upon by the priests.

"Welcome to the Temple of Avo. Your donations would be much appreciated...Oh, hello Lyle." said one of the priests. There were four priests in the temple, all wearing the same long white robes with red scarves hanging about their shoulders. As Lyle approached, the priest continued his rantings. "Have you come to pray again? Or would you like to donate..."

"I'm not here to give money away so that you can have fancier robes." he said harshly. "I came here so that I could ask a question...now are you going to cooperate?" he asked. The priest nodded and he continued. "I came to ask about the Sword of God. What is it and where can I find it?" he asked.

The priest smiled and bowed. "We have for sale swords that were used..."

"I'm not asking for some lame sword that was made to look like a relic, I am asking what the Sword of God is!" he shouted. Suddenly, a young looking priest with a bald head and paint slashes across his eyes stepped forward.

"I will have to ask you to lower your voice." he said in a calm manner.

"Well tell your friend here to stop eyeing my money pouch and actually help me for once." said Lyle.

"We will help you as much as possible. What is it you seek?" he asked.

"I want to know where I can find the Sword of God." said Lyle, slightly calmer than before.

The priest nodded and said, "I'm afraid we can't help you with this problem, for we know not what it is." he said. Lyle sighed and turned around.

"This was a waist of time..." he said as Talon followed him out the door. He walked up to the statue and kicked the marble lightly in his distaste. "Man, I should have known they wouldn't be able to help me." he said.

"Well, at least that one guy tried..." said Talon. Suddenly, both of them jumped as they heard a voice behind them.

"We may not be able to tell you. But then again, maybe you are asking the wrong person." said the priest. He had followed them out of the temple and heard what Lyle had to say.

Lyle turned around and stared at the priest. "What does that mean? Who else would know about it if you guys don't?" he asked.

"Who would know more about the Sword of God then Avo, a warrior sent by God?" asked the priest with a small smile. "Why don't you ask Avo what you need to know...maybe you will find your answer." he said, then turned back around and walked back into the temple.

Lyle stared at the priest for a second before turning to Talon. "What's he want me to do, talk to a statue?" he asked. Talon shrugged and Lyle walked around and faced the statue. "A warrior sent by God would no doubt carry the Sword of God, so this must be it." he said examining the sword held in Avo's hand. He had to examine very closely before he said, "What is the Sword of God?" in a quiet voice. Suddenly, as he was running his finger over the stone blade, he felt something. It was a small ridge in the blade.

"Find anything?" asked Talon as she poked her head from behind him. Lyle stayed silent as he stared at the ridge. It lead up the sword blade to other ridges like tributaries of a river. It almost looked like...

Then it hit him. Lyle went wide eyed as the realization smashed into him like a warhammer. He stumbled backwards with a smile. "I've got it, lets go!" he shouted and began racing down hill.

OoOoO

Lyle had made it to the stones and he screeched to a halt right in the center. Talon ran after him and stumbled a few times trying to keep up with him, but managed to make it to the stones soon after Lyle. Lyle got onto his knees and read the passage again, then stood to his feet. "Now I just need to know what it wants me to hit with it..." he said.

"Well, the writing is on the platform, so maybe you hit the stone with it." suggested Talon.

"I guess that makes sense..." he said. Backing up, he held out his hands and stared intently at the platform. Suddenly, lightning shot from his hand and struck the platform with amazing force. Talon covered her eyes as the bright glow lit up the landscape around them. Then as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. Talon ran over to the platform to see it undamaged by the lightning.

"Hey chief, you might want to have a look at this." she said. Lyle bent down next to her and examined the writing, which had transformed completely.

Your courage cannot be quelled,

And your brain has failed yet.

A step closer you are to the gate,

But still one key you need to get.

To get to the gate that you seek,

Throw your knowledge away.

Use your instinct to tell you all,

For your mind will lead you astray.

Stand upon this holy shrine,

And use the power within your soul.

Summon the Sword of God to earth,

And strike the stones to fulfill your goal.

Lyle smiled at the writing and stood up. "Stand back. Its time to see what all this is." he said as he popped every bone in his hand. Talon backed up beyond the stones and watched curiously. Lyle held both hands into the air and they started to glow with the light of lightning, but something strange happened. Lightning shot from the sky and hit his palms, making a bright flash that nearly blinded Talon. As she covered her eyes again, Lyle started to yell out loud as the eletricity surged through his body like a tidal wave.

Suddenly, he aimed both palms at the remaining stones and lightning shot from his hands so powerful that Talon was blown backwards. Lightning flew like an arrow towards the stones and crashed against them with amazing force, almost ripping them from the ground. But they stayed solid and absorbed the lightning as the other stones had done to the other spells. Lyle stopped the attack and smiled, then fell to his knees with his body slightly smoking.

Talon rubbed the black spots from her eyes and said, "Lyle, are you alright?"

Breathing heavily with a massive amount of sweat dripping from his face, he said, "Yeah...I'll be fine." It took several minutes before he was able to stand again, but he stood and looked at the stones. All the stones stopped glowing and looked as dark and hollow as they had when Lyle first saw them. He looked around for something to happen. "What now?" he asked. No sooner had he spoke than a loud cracking noise could be heard in the distance. Lyle listened closely and started to jog in the direction of the noise, closely followed by Talon.

As they turned the corner, both of them were suprised to see a doorway in the center of the cliff face. "Where did that come from?" asked Talon, both surprised and excited at the discovery.

"I think thats the gate those stones were talking about. Lets hurry up and get inside incase it closes." he said as he drew his sword. Slowly, the pair walked forward and approached the gate cautiously, not wanting to jump into any traps. As they stepped into the cave, the atmosphere around them immediately changed. Once a feeling of death all around them, changed into anxious and paranoid. They walked into the cave for about five minutes before the light from the entrance faded. Lyle lit a fireball in his left hand that spread light throughout the entire corridor, while still clutching his sword.

Talon had her two swords ready as well, making sure her eyes scanned every inch of the hallway for any signs of an ambush. But, they travelled in peace and in under ten minutes, they both stepped into a large cavern. Lyle held the light up so they could see all around and what he saw amazed him. The entire cavern looked like a somebodies room. Standing in the very center of the room stood a merchant cart, commonly use to carry a merchants goods from place to place. All around the cart were barrels and boxes untidily thrown onto the floor. Lyle approached the cart and looked inside to find a few barrels and a large box of some sort.

Talon walked around the cart and looked at the other remarkable traits of the room. Shelves lined one of the walls at the far side of the room holding many books that were sloppily crammed on the tiny shelves. At the far end of the book shelves stood a small pitiful tent, only comprised of a cloak thrown over a tree limb that had broken through the tough rock and sprouted into the cave. Talon crept closer to the tent and saw a sleeping form lying on a bed of straw. She silently signalled Lyle to approach, and he quietly slid over to her and saw the man sleeping.

Lyle crept over and pointed his sword at the man, then kicked him on the foot. The man grumbled and rolled over, but Lyle kicked him again harder, instantly waking him. The man sat up and rubbed his eyes. "What does a man have to do to get some sleep around here?" he asked. Then, at the realization that something had jarred him awake, he froze, staring up the blades of two dark figures who had found him...