OoO( 32 )OoO
Lyle and Thunder emerged from the flames and into a darkened room. All around, the only light came from the portal illuminating up to the doorway leading from the room. Walking forward, the fighters approached the doorway, looking for any sign of life. But, seeing nothing they moved forward into the darkness.
Lyle lit a fireball on his palm, making the whole corridor light up. Ahead they saw another room. But, unlike the previous room, this one was being guarded by three visious looking men in the standard town guard uniform. Two of them were sitting down and the third was laying down with his head propped up by a food sack. Dousing the fireball, Lyle moved forward until he heard a low conversation.
"Why do we have to be down here? Nobody in all of Albion is stupid enough to go through that gateway..." said one of them. Suddenly, something flew through the air and hit him in the head. "Owww...what the hell did you do that for!" he shouted as he rubbed his head.
"Shut yer yap. This down here is a slack job where there is no danger. Would you rather be three floors up fighting off those undead from the dead plain?" said another in an angered tone. "There is no end to those undead...so as long as I'm down here, I don't have some corpse chewing on my neck." he said.
The other grunted and said nothing as a snore erupted from the one laying down. The guard smirked at the sleeping sentry. "I see he is enjoyin' himself plenty down here." They hadn't seen it in the dim light, but an arrow buried itself in the sleeping guards neck, putting him into an eternal sleep. The other guard just yawned and layed back against the wall, propping his hat down to cover his eyes. Suddenly, he had an arrow protruding from his mouth. He gurgled lightly and attempted to pull the barb loose, but he had no strength left. Sliding down the wall, he sat in a crumpled pile.
The other guard looked up and saw him slump down to the ground. "You alright over there?" he asked. Standing up, he walked over to the guard and saw a shaft protruding from his mouth. He reached for his sword and was about to draw when he saw a silver flash that ended his life. His lifeless, headless form fell over and hit the ground right next to the others. Thunder swung his blade again making the blood fly from the razor sharp edge.
Lyle approached holding his bow over his shoulder with a smirk. "You know, for such a big guy, you can sure be quiet when you need to. He didn't even see that coming." said the warrior. The knight smirked and sheathed his blade at his side.
"I learned a few things from Whisper when I was training her. Though she didn't take my path as the strongest warrior, she did good for herself. Martial arts is a very handy skill to learn." he said as he looked into the next doorway. "So, we have guards protecting these tunnels." he said.
"Yeah, but chances are these guards aren't being paid by the taxes of the people." said Lyle.
Thunder nodded and thought for a moment. "But...they could have easily been mistaken for real guards. So he can put these guards into towns in order to moniter what is going on..." he said. "Or..."
Then suddenly it hit Lyle. "There...there were no guards bodies in Oakvale the day of the burning..." he said. Clenching his teeth, he grabbed the handle of his sword and said in a deadly tone. "That bastard had the whole town under his influence from the beginning!" He yelled and swung the blade, slicing through a barrel. The upper half of the barrel hit the ground and black powder spilled all over the floor.
"Calm down...we need to be quiet in here. Sound will spread through these tunnels like wildfire, and if we aren't careful, we could have the whole fortress after us." he said. Then, he started sniffing the air. "Wait a second...is that...gun powder?" he asked, then looked down at the black sand-like sunstance on the ground. Lyle kneeled down, took off his gauntlet and scooped up a handful. Letting it pour out of his hand, he smiled.
"My favorite..." said the warrior smirking. Thunder smirked as he read his partners mind. "Lets say we put this to use." he said. Thunder nodded and Lyle looked around for a moment. Looking up at the dark knight, Lyle said, "Go take a look at the corridor ahead. I'll pack up some of this so we can bring it with." he said. Thunder said nothing as he went to the corridor and looked down the path before moving ahead.
Lyle started to gather the pile of powder when he looked over at the guard to his left and noticed the foodsack he was laying on. Smiling, he walked over and kicked the guard off the sack, then emptied it onto the floor. Walking back to the pile, he scooped the black powder into the sack until no more would fit. Tearing a large piece of cloth from one of the guards uniform, he placed it on top of the powder and used the drawstrings to tie it tightly over the top so it wouldn't spill any out behind them. Hefting the bag onto his shoulder, he turned just in time to see Thunder coming back into the room. "Good news I hope."
"Not quite. There is an army of those guards down here. And from the looks of things, most of them are gathered in the room ahead. From what I could make of the room, it has a lot of doorways going to who knows where. So where we end up after here is just a guessing game." he said gravely. Lyle nodded and walked over to the corridor.
"Well, only one way to find out where they go." he said with a smile. Together they traversed the hallway until they reached the next doorway which led into a large cavern like room. As Thunder said, there was at least a score of guards in the room. "Damn...you weren't kidding..." he said. Then, he began to form an idea. "Hey, you think you can use that ground shocking attack again?" he asked the knight.
"Sure...but after the first time it really won't work anymore. They will have each other to walk over and the lightning won't be able to reach them." he said. Lyle smirked and tapped his nose.
"Once is all we will need." he said. "I'll lead him down this corridor. I guarantee I can outrun any of them, even in this armor. So I'll run down here and you use it, then let me handle the rest. But first..." he said, tossing the bag he was toting down the hall so as not to be caught in the crossfire. "Don't want that to end our sightseeing before we begin eh?" he asked.
Thunder drew his sword and nodded. Lyle took his bow off and went towards the doorway while Thunder backed down the hall to maximize the number of casualties he would make. When he saw Thunder stop moving, he turned and aimed the bow at the nearest guard. The man went down silently. Lyle drew another arrow back and fired again, but didn't get the satisfaction of a silent kill this time. The barbed shaft struck the guard in his heart, making him scream with pain before falling over. The other guards noticed the stranger in the doorway and drew their weapons, charging at the intruder.
Lyle backed down the hall and fired arrows at the rushing crowd before turning and running down the corridor to where he saw Thunder standing with his sword poised and a smile on his face. Lyle smiled back as he jumped into the air and stepped on Thunders shoulder, launching himself into the safe zone. Thunder raised the sword, then slammed the blade tip first into the stone floor. A giant wave of electricity shot forward as the packed corridor rushed forward. Suddenly, every guard in the hall stopped running and started shaking violently. When Thunder pulled his sword out of the ground, over two thirds of the guards fell to the ground dead or in comatose.
The dark knight stepped to the side Lyle stepped forward again. Lyle put both hands out on either side of him with palms facing the walls. Fire ignited and he began some strange arm movements that seemed vaguely familiar to the knight. Suddenly, he placed the fireballs together into one and threw them with both hands down the corridor where the other guards were getting closer. One guard saw it coming and swung at it with his machette. As soon as the blade hit the blazing ball, it exploded with incredible force, tearing the guards nearest to it apart and blowing the rest back into the room from before.
Thunder looked at Lyle with surprise. "What the hell was that farmboy?" he asked.
Lyle smirked. "You aren't the only one who learned from Whisper. Though she was more of a spear fighter, she was really crafty with magic." he said as he looked forward. "Now, for the survivors." he said as he drew his sword. Both of the warriors ran forward with their weapons out and attacked the remaining guards visciously, leaving none alive to stab them in the backs.
OoOoO
Darkness covered the entire plain. There was no sunlight, no fires, no nothing. Just the vast emptiness of oblivion. The figure walked forward to a mountain and stared up at the peak. A blinding light shined out of nowhere, but the figure stood strong and didn't look away. Three large shadows decended the mountain and stood before the figure.
The largest stepped forward and said, "I am the Soldier."
The one to the right stepped forward. "I am the Savior."
Then the one to the left stepped forward. "I am the Sacrifice."
Then the trio spoke together. "One, without the others will fail. Only with the power of all three can Albion truly be saved." The figure looked up at the face of the first one and knew that the person was familiar. Suddenly, the three shadows melded together and formed one being. From the darkened mass came Jack of Blades. His evil eyes piercing her blank gaze. She just stared back, not fazed by the being who caused her suffering so long ago. Walking forward, the figure stared deep into his eyes and could hear voices.
"The one who sees your face will be the one to bring your death young one..." said the voice in his thoughts.
"But...but hundreds of people have seen my face! How do I know which one!" said another voice.
"You will never know Jack. But, as long as your face can be seen, you will find your end."
Suddenly, memories flooded into her head. A burning village, a young man with a mask on his face, dead bodies of friends and family lying everywhere, the village elder begging for his life, only to be cut down with one of the blades from the man. Taking the blood red cloak from the elder, the young man donned it and put the hood up over his pale white hair.
She saw more. The prophet that had given him his fate staring down the blade of a sword the protruded from her back. Old friends being slaughtered like cattle. Any trace of anyone that had ever seen his face had been removed from the world permanently. Then, she saw the look of hunger on his face. He wanted more...more power. He had to have more. He had made sure that anyone who could possible be his killer was dead, but that wasn't enough. He needed to be invincible.
She saw images of the guild, and piles of books laying around the library. She saw his laughter as he found what he sought for so long. "The sword! Finally!" he shouted as his wicked laugh filled the guild halls. Then, she saw her own village. The fire that tore the peaceful hamlet apart. The bandits that attacked, the murder of her father, and the man that was responsible for it all.
"Where is the boy! The ritual will not work without the boy!" shouted the man. Another man, taller and very familiar spoke back.
"I don't know my lord! This is his house! He was supposed to be here!" said the man.
"Do not stop until you find him!" shouted the cloaked man.
Further in the future, more images came. "My lord...why do you keep him alive? He could be used as a boy to finish the ritual..."
"Fool, you know nothing! The only one who can break the barrier around that temple is the boy! If it were as easy as that I would have the sword already! He has to be the one to recite the Old Kingdom enchantment and break the barrier." shouted the man as he backhanded the mage. "Watch your tongue Maze...your usefulness is running thin." said the man before walking off. When he left, the mage smirked and stood again.
"No, you know nothing. That boy will become more powerful than you will ever know Jack. And your arrogant foolishness will be your end." he said, then walked off.
More flashes of the past occurred. "Scythe, how are you holding out in the village?" asked the mage.
"I am doing fine for now." said the snake-like man. He stood in a spectral form, only in mind and not in physical body. "I hope this boy is as strong as you say he is. You weren't able to find the counter to the sword, so now he is our only hope. Can you assure me that he will finish Jack?" asked the man.
Maze, though not looking at the man, nodded. "I can. He has exceeded Jack in all of his skills, the only thing he needs is experience." Turning to the man, Maze continued. "Jack of Blades wants the sword so he can take everything he wants to. I can only hope that Lyle grows enough to beat him before Jack decides its time to get the sword."
"How do you intend to find out if he is? We cannot leave something so important to chance Maze, the world is relying on us." said the man.
Maze nodded. "I will test him myself when the time comes Scythe. There is no need to worry." said the mage. Scythe nodded, then turned.
"Then I will leave it in your capable hands Maze. Be sure you do not fail. If you do, the world will be in ruin." he said before walking away and vanishing. Maze stared at the window.
"I do not intend to fail..." he said. Finally, the scene faded to black and she woke up.
OoOoO
Maze sat in his quarters in front of the fireplace, the shadows of his age dancing across his face. Theresa walked up the stairs and looked in the mages direction. Maze looked up and smiled to her. "Ah, Theresa. Is there something I can help you with?" he asked politely.
She walked forward and stood in front of him. "I know the truth Maze." she said, and instantly his face turned into that of surprise. "I know that you are working with Jack of Blades to get the Sword." she said. Maze jumped to his feet, but her blade was like lightning. The tip of the small sword was against his throat in an instant.
He grimaced at her. "You don't know the half of it..." he said.
"Actually, I know all of it. I know that you were working with Jack because you knew his crimes. You knew that he was a person that wouldn't stop at just being safe. You intended to keep him under control. But he got out of hand, and before you knew it he was more powerful than you." she said. He sat back in his chair with a look of surprise on his face.
"H...How..." he stuttered.
She cut him off. "I know it all Maze, I know about Lyle, I know about Jack and the Sword of Aeons, I know about the ritual, I know about Scythe and Snowspire Village." she said. Putting her blade away, she stood and smirked. "Which is why I came to talk to you about a dream I had." she said.
Maze had listened to the dream in full and gaped at her amazedly. "When they said you were a seer, I had no idea how far your powers extended." he said. "So...what do you make of the dream so far?" he asked.
She looked at the floor. "As far as I can tell, if Jack gets the sword, then he will be the most powerful being in Albion, and maybe even the world. But, with these three...the Soldier, the Savior, and the Sacrifice...if these three fulfill their roles, then no matter what Jack does, sword or no sword, Albion will be safe. I figured out who one of them was. The Soldier...he is my brother. His role is to face Jack and whatever else comes along head on. As long as he does this, everything will be fine. But we have to find these other two before we can be sure that Albion is safe. And even when we find them, we won't know for sure how they are supposed to fulfill their roles." she said.
Maze nodded knowingly. "I see. Well, one thing I have always been known for is having an eye for talent. So I was right to think that Lyle was the one to take on Jack in the end..." he said.
She nodded as well. "Yes, but you were also right in saying that Lyle could not fight Jack until the right time. If he faces Jack too soon, then he will die, as will any hope we have of stopping Jack." she said.
"I...I must thank you Theresa..." said Maze. He looked at the ground with guilt as Theresa stared at him. "You and Scythe are the only ones who know my connection to Jack now. And I must thank you for coming to me about it and not confronting the Guildmaster. He is a good friend, and I'm not sure how he would take the news." he said. "But, I plan on going through with this til the end."
Theresa sighed. "You know that means..." she said, but was cut off.
"You don't have to tell me. I'm not as stupid as I look. I know that the only way to test your brother is to convince him to go all out with it. And that means that in the end..." he said looking down again. "If he passes then I will no longer be in this world. But, at least I will go knowing that Jack will soon follow." he said clenching his fist.
Theresa smiled and stood to her feet again. "You are a good man Maze. Its really too bad you got mixed in with Jack. Its not going to be the same without you here." she said. Turning around, she walked towards the exit. She stopped, then turned once more. "I wish you a peaceful life next time around." she said, then walked out the door.
OoOoO
Van was sitting in a chair in his new house in Bowerstone. After a long time, he finally got one and he had spent most of his recent time inside the house. Books were everywhere, covering the tabletop, the chairs, the counter, and one was even hanging on the small chandelier that hung in the center of the room.
He sat deep in though with his chair leaning back and his feet propped up on the table. Suddenly, the door burst open and two people ran inside. One looked over and shouted, "VAN!"
He lost balance immediately and tried to regain it by waving his arms. But the chair flew back and he hit the ground hard. Both William and Briar Rose stared at him for a moment before bursting into laughter. Van rubbed his head gently and glared at them both. "What the hell do you think you're doing! I should call the guards on you!" he shouted as he got to his feet again. "Why did you burst in yelling at me like that?" he shouted.
William smiled. "We found it." he said. Van's face lit up.
"Seriously?" he asked. William and Rose nodded. "Where is it at?" he asked.
"Its actually not far from Lychfield. Its a path that leads along a narrow cliff. The only problem is that it is infested with undead." said Briar Rose. Van looked at her with an odd expression. Glaring at him through her clouded glasses, she said, "What?"
"When did you have the sudden urge to help Lyle out?" he asked. "I could have swore you hated his guts." he said curiously.
"I don't hate Lyle..." she said looking away. "Its just, he's kinda a rival now, being the arena champ and all." she said glowering at the door. Both William and Van smiled. Looking at them both, she shouted, "WHAT!"
They both started laughing and she became furious. "Don't worry about it, its nothing." said William. She drew the cleaver from her back and swung it at William. He ducked and missed it by mear inches. The blade found the wall and carved a slash into the wood.
"Hey! I just bought this place! I don't need you wrecking it already!" shouted Van.
"Thanks for caring Van, really appreciate it..." said William as he nervously stared up at the blade that cut a tuft of his brown hair off.
"Enough! Back on the subject..." said Van. Walking over to another table with a large map on it, he threw down a stick of charcoal. "Mark the location of the path on the map." he said.
"So, tell me again what good this path is if Lyle is taking the Hellgate.." said Rose.
"Well, incase things don't go in Lyle's favor and say he gets cut off, we can storm the gates and break into the prison so he has another way out." he said watching as she marked a black coal line on the map.
She nodded. "Well, lets hope that his path doesn't get cut off while he is in it..." she said. Both Van and William glared at her. Looking up, she noticed the contempt aimed at her. "What?"
"I agree...lets hope Lyle doesn't wind up gone for good..." said William. Van nodded. "Well, we found the path. Its been a few days so Lyle might have made it to the prison already." he said. "Which gives us about a week before we should start worrying about him."
Van nodded. "Until then, we need to have a plan. The undead shouldn't be too hard to get past. But that prison is full of guards that won't be too happy to see us." he said.
"I've got it. We'll just let Briar Rose lead the way. Any man seeing her coming would run in terror." said William patting her on the back. Soon after he was running out the door as she pulled her blade from the wall and began to chase him. Van, though trying to be serious, burst into laughter at the sight.