Chapter 33 - Z
"Pity we couldn't save everyone," Lowell sagged his head and walked back towards the stairs. I followed him slowly thinking about how many times this has happened recently. Not getting attacked by a Kraken, but letting people get hurt or killed under my watch. I should have done better, should have been faster. "We did our best," he turned and patted my shoulder.
Mirania gasped softly, "Look." There were a lot of bubbles coming from under the water. Then a silver body floated up to the surface, coughing like crazy. Syrenne and Mirania sprinted over to him to get him up and out of the pool. They removed his helmet and let him spit out some water from his lungs. "He's swallowed a lot of water, but he'll live," she smiled at me.
I sighed heavily. "Thank god," I walked over to see what I could do to help.
"Come on, guys. Let's go home," Yurick's hand lightly grabbed my elbow. I looked back at him and nodded.
"I bet those tentacles would taste good fried," Mirania thought out loud.
Yurick shivered next to me. "No thank you. I don't want anything else to do with that thing," he was so grossed out. I laughed, wrapping my arm around him and pulling him close to me.
*** *** *** *** *** *** Back at the Castle *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
I found Dagran near the entrance of the library on my way to find Yurick.
"Hey, you look kind of down," he flagged me over towards him. "Anything you want to talk about?"
I shrugged briefly, "This whole Outsider thing bothers me. I felt something weird in the Realm of Ascendancy, like I was in a whirlpool, surrounded by thoughts and emotions," I thought about it for a second. "That sounds silly, doesn't it? But they were calling out to me, to set them free." Yup. I sounded completely mental. "I think the Outsider is a lot more than we think it is."
"And? So what if it is?" he looked me straight in the eyes. I couldn't answer him so I looked away. I didn't even have my own thoughts together, let alone thoughts on something else. "Look, Zael, Jiral still hasn't given up on his attempts to try and get rid of us. It's not just him, either. I'll bet there are loads of people here who'd be happy to see us gone." He put his hand on my shoulder. "This place is a battlefield, just like any other. Do you understand that, Zael?"
"I know, but-,"
"It's fine to think about the Outsider a bit, but try to prioritise your survival first. I'm only looking out for you. That's what big brothers do, right?" he gave a caring smile that I hadn't seen in a long time. It reminded me of the day he'd first found me.
"Right," I tried to return it with a slight laugh.
"Good," he stood up straight and started walking passed me. "Now I'm off to do some work. See you back at Ariella's," he smirked over his shoulder and kept going.
He's right. I've got to sort out what I'm doing. I looked back towards the library and saw Lowell walking my direction.
"Zael! How's castle life treatin' you?" he smiled back at the maid who was blushing and trying to go back to work.
"I dunno. It's too different from what I'm used to, but you seem to be just fine," I looked over his shoulder at the girl who was still trying to figure out how to hold the broom correctly. "It must be because of your noble blood," I teased.
"My blood's got nothin' to do with it," he said quickly. "Just hangin' around in these fancy places enough helps you figure it out."
I laughed. "So what was your tactic this time? The weak and sensitive man or the rough tough approach?"
He squinted at me closely and smiled. "I knew you were picking up some of my skills. Too bad you refuse to use 'em. You'd make a good lady killer. We might have even been rivals."
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head with a laugh, and opened the door to the library. I stuck my head in and looked around, but I couldn't find him. I closed the door.
"You looking for your lover boy?" Lowell was still watching me.
I started silently around the corner. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Who's to know," I said quietly, looking back at him briefly before going to check the town again.
I walked down the stairs, but before I could head out of the main gate a guard informed me that Sir Therius was looking for me. I'll go see what he wants, since I'm here. I went out towards the courtyard and into the military wing.
"Sir Therius is at the lookout point. Don't keep your superiors waiting!" a knight shouted at me.
"That's where I'm headed," I walked straight passed him and to the stairs.
Therius was looking out towards the horizon when I reached the top.
"Sir Therius, you were looking for me?" I stood a few steps behind him.
He glanced over his shoulder. "How is it? The feeling of having your very own island?"
"What are you talking about? I don't own the island…" Not him too. The last thing I need is another person telling me I'm some big shot or something. I'm not. I'm just… normal. I didn't even believe my own thoughts.
He looked down at my hand. "With that power, you are capable of moving the entire island as you see fit. If that is not ownership, then what is?" he raised his voice in annoyance.
"I'm not going to use this power for my own gain," I snapped back. If I was, I would have turned this place around a while ago. Or never let it detach in the first place.
He raised his chin and looked down at me over his nose. "Hmph, just remember this. The fate of many lives will depend upon how you decide to use that power. Those that bear power must also accept the responsibility that comes with it."
"Responsibility…," I looked out towards the sea. I didn't ask for any of this.
He gave me a once over then walked towards the stairs. "I'm curious to see what cards you will play."
I walked lazily down the stairs. When I got back to the military wing, I heard more talking than I usually did there. Isn't that? I squinted and saw Mirania and the General having a very animated conversation. Mirania looked stuck between angry and sad. I tried to get closer to hear what they were saying without disrupting the conversation.
"That's precisely why I'm making this request! Please! This island is quickly losing its power," Mirania pleaded.
"I am truly humbled by your genuine…," he was saying, but she cut him off.
"Then please, General!"
I couldn't hear the last thing he said to her, but he walked away and left her silently emotional. What was that about? I hurried over to comfort her.
"Oh, Zael," she quickly wiped at her face. "What are you doing here?"
"You first, what were you and the General talking about?" I questioned, reaching for her hand as she held the other in front of her chest.
"Oh, nothing… Just talking about the world, traveling…," she lied. I cocked my head in worry. She shook her worry off quickly. "So what are you up to?"
"I was just talking to Therius about some things," I didn't want to explain, just like she didn't. "Are you heading back to the tavern?" She nodded. "Let's go together then, how about that?" She nodded again and the two of us walked back through the courtyard, still holding hands. I stopped suddenly. "Um, Mirania, do you mind heading back without me? I just remembered something I have to do."
"Sure, Zael. I'll see you there then?" I nodded and she smiled before letting go of my hand and walking into the main hall.
I turned around and saw the General leaning against one of the statues. I approached him.
"Good day, Master Zael. Finally on the path to becoming a knight, I see!" he grinned, like he usually did. He was always this happy fellow. I envied that. "Hm? You seem rather down. What's wrong, my boy?"
"I…," I sighed. "There's just a lot on my mind, with all this war talk and everything," I didn't want to take his smile away. It didn't seem like anything ever affected him, but I knew he had a lot to deal with on his own without my problems as well.
"Can't say I blame you, lad," his smile twitched, but regained its friendly charms within moments.
"I can't help but think that I made the wrong decision," that's why I'd wanted to find Yurick. He was the only one who could get my mind off of it for a while.
"Then perhaps you ought to forget all of this and escape the island?" he smiled playfully, like he'd thought about it before.
"No, I couldn't do that! Never!" I cared for the people here. I couldn't leave them now.
He laughed. It was a hardy laugh, like a dad would have. "Then you have nothing to fear. Simply follow the path you believe in," he said it like it was so obvious. "First just concentrate on becoming a knight. Accomplish that and it's not unreasonable to assume you'll have the Count's ear."
"General Asthar. Please, will you take me as your pupil?" I looked him straight in the eye and spoke with confidence. This is why I'd wanted to talk to him.
"What?" he looked startled.
"Right now, I have no idea what I should do to become a true knight. You and Sir Therius seem to be the only ones who even care about the people and the world. So, please, would you train me?" I was about to beg if he didn't say yes. He told me to follow what I believe, and I thought that, under his instruction, I'd become the best I could be.
His face fell. "You ought to know, I am extremely strict with my pupils. Are you sure about this?" Our eye contact never broke.
"I am. I will do whatever it takes," I said firmly.
He clapped his hands once. "Then it's decided! In this castle, there is a place where we can see if you have the potential to become a knight. However, so many lost their lives that it became forbidden to even go there," his stern face turned to that of a daring and giddy child. "Want to try it?"
"Sounds like a challenge. I accept," I smiled.
"I admire your resolve. Let's be off, then!" he clapped his hands once more and chuckled excitedly.
*** *** *** *** *** *** The Tower of Trials *** *** *** *** *** ***
"I believe Sir Therius is the only soul to have braved this tower in decades!" the door closed behind us. "Zael, it is time. Steel yourself for the challenge ahead!"
I put my fist to my heart. "By my honour, I shall do my best!"
"There are five levels to this tower. Complete a trial and the path to the next level will open before you," he grinned and waved his arm towards the door. "Now, let the first trial commence!"
"Ahead, you will find a child and a mage waiting for you. Ensure that the child crosses the bridge safely. Then work with the mage to defeat the enemies. Now open the door and begin!"
I walked through the door to see a lot of stairs. I have to pass these trials, no matter what. It's the only way to make things better for all of us. I confidently ran up them to a bridge with a few smashed pillars in the centre. I looked around for the child I was supposed to escort.
"He's made of stone?" I reached out towards him and he started glowing. Suddenly, the boy was running.
"Thanks for helping me!" he turned around and smiled.
"Sure," I grinned down at him.
"Erm, I wanna be with my mummy. Will you take me to the other side?" he looked over his shoulder to the black gate on the far side of the bridge.
I nodded. "Okay," I kneeled down and extended an arm, gesturing for me to pick him up. He wrapped his arms around my neck and I held him tightly on my side. "Let's go, then, shall we?" I looked around to see what obstacles would be in the way. There were archers on the bridge parallel to this one. Archers too? Looks like I'll have to avoid them for now. Just get the kid to the other side safe and sound. I snuck around the first pillar and looked around to catch a small pattern in the arrow release. I waited until most of them had fired and ran swiftly for the next safe area.
The kid was very still and quiet. It was pretty simple to get him across. I set him down next to the gate.
"Thanks again, Mister," he said sweetly. The gate opened and he ran through, turning into a blue light and floating away.
I stared for a second, but then shook myself to return to the fight. "Great. Now I have to shut those archers up." I pulled out my crossbow and took shelter behind the large column next to me. Just then, a blast of fire took out one of the archers. "Oh yeah, there's a mage." I took out another with a few arrows of my own and repeated for the next one. The mage took out the last and the fight was over. "Thank you," I went to say to him, but he just stood there, staring at me.
"Mission successful. To honour your accomplishment, you have received the title of 'Unyielding Defender'," he bowed his head then turned into a light and disappeared as well.
The General met me passed the second gate.
"Well done! Defending the weak and protecting your allies are fundamentals! Now onto the next trial; Strength. How can you protect anyone without it? Let your blade guide you and vanquish your enemies!" he pointed to a smaller set of stairs. "Now, Unyielding Defender, it is time! Prepare yourself!"
There were two levels. The first was split up by barriers and the second acted as a balcony, housing a few archers and a few more mages. I looked around the wall I was hiding behind to see an ogre as well. I have to defeat all of these enemies by myself. I shrugged. I'll just do what I normally do then. I pulled out my crossbow and took out the archers first. No-one in the middle had moved yet. I took advantage of that and crept to the other side to take out the mages next. When I took out the first one, the ogres noticed and I was forced to change tactics. There was a healing spring on the other side of the wall that I had been hiding behind at first. I positioned myself there as a sort of home base and let the knights and ogres come to me. The first two knights had way more armour and power than I had thought. It was difficult to take them down, but I did. I knocked over a lantern nearby and used the flames to help me take down the ogres, since they survive off of an earth based magic.
When it was all finished, the last knight that I had slain stood back up and saluted. "Trial complete. To recognise your battle prowess, you have earnt the title of 'Mighty Swordsman'," he said loudly, then disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.
I started towards the next door.
"Excellent!" the general was leaning against the wall by the entrance to the next trial. "With strength like that, you will be able to overcome any crisis." He clapped and the door opened. More stairs. He smirked. I walked through and ran up. "Trial three," I heard his voice echo. "A test of intelligence and decision making in battle. You must prevail in battle, however, you have the aid of only one ally at any time. To change your ally, you must awaken another warrior from his eternal slumber. Lose a single ally and you will fail. Now, Mighty Swordsman, are you prepared for the challenge ahead?"
"I am," I heard my own voice echo off of the walls as I reached the door at the top of the stairs.
"The battle is about to commence! No time to lose!" I could hear the enjoyment in his voice as the door opened.
I stepped through and saw a giant chess board. The enemies in this room were black knights, mages that looked like bishops, archer pawns, and a slightly stronger looking knight as a king commander. I looked around at my frozen comrades. I had two archers, two mages, and a knight. I assumed one of the mages was a healer… but which one…
The battle started when I touched the closest mage to me. He cast a heal circle almost immediately. Well that answered that question. I ran to the other and tapped his shoulder. He was a fire mage. That should do it. I nodded to myself. I played as queen and ran around attacking while alternating between the two mages. If I had awoken the other knight, the likelihood that he might die was far too great, and the archers weren't powerful enough to protect the sleeping allies. The entire fight took a little over ten minutes.
My allies turned to light and drifted away, but the knight remained. "Trial of Wisdom completed. To honour your sharp mind, you have earned the title of 'Wise Tactician'." He, too, turned to light and flew away. The next door opened and I found the General there, too.
"Well done, lad. You have but two trials left! Let us move on to the fourth!" he grinned and waved me to the stairs. He followed me as I ran to the top. "You have six allies. Your role will be to support them to the best of your ability. You must learn to know the extent of your strength to secure victory. Now, Wise Tactician, the time has come! Prepare yourself!" he clapped again and the doors flew open.
This room was also a giant chess board, but this one had a statue of an ogre in the middle. I sighed, thinking it would come to life as the trial started, but it never did. There were only two black knights, but there were at least three sorcerers. They used poison, so I had to be careful of that. There were also three archers, but as long as I could dodge the arrows, I could get behind them, since they're slower than a sword. That's why I practiced both. Sniping is all well and good, but when you end up in a situation where you don't have the time or the space, a sword comes in handy.
Everyone came to life at the same time and the battle started immediately. I ran quickly to the other side and took out the first archer and mage duo. The next sorcerer was a healer, so I had to defuse his circles before I could do any actual damage to him. My allies were pretty good as well. They came around on the other side and, together, we took out the remaining enemies.
The last archer stood and saluted. "Trial of Loyalty complete. To honour your dedication, you've earnt the title of 'Benevolent Leader'." My allies and the archer turned to white smoke and disappeared.
"Superb!" the general congratulated as the doors opened for the final trial. "Many trials in life can only be overcome by working together with your comrades." Then his voice stopped. I looked around, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"General?" I looked around the corner. Nothing. I ran up the stairs to the next door. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the final trial. Surely this one will be difficult indeed. I pushed the door open. This is it.
It was the top of the tower during sunset. I hadn't realised how long I'd been there. The general was standing with his arms folded in the middle of the area.
"It is no easy feat to reach the final room! You must be prepared to face death itself!" I walked towards him, curious as to what the last trial was. Knowing him, it could have been anything. "Your final opponent is me," he uncrossed his arms and drew his sword. "Fight with all your strength!"
He rushed at me. I barely had time to raise my own sword. The strength of his hit pushed me backwards. I threw him off and ran a few paces back to regain my footing. What? How am I supposed to defeat him? He's the General.
"It's time, Zael!" he rushed again and it was like I could see where his attacks were going to land. It wasn't like he was slow or obvious or anything, it was like I'd improved myself. I was truly focused. I raised my sword above my head to block his blow. Our strength seemed almost matched. "Do not hold back! I told you, you must accept death!"
"But General!" What if you got seriously injured! Not that I thought I would easily beat him, but I was determined and I hadn't died so far…
"Hesitation in battle will kill you, lad!" he pushed harder and I matched his strength. "And it will not just be your death, either. Do not fear risking your life. If you do, you are no knight!" he pushed off and backed up a few paces.
"I understand!" I lunged at him and followed his movements. Every hit was equally blocked as it was thrown. Everything he did was flawless. We pushed off of each other again and I repositioned myself, but when I looked back towards him, he was gone. "Where-," suddenly I heard something and looked up to see him flying down towards me. I dodged and took the opportunity to get him from behind, but he was too fast and our swords met again, neither one yielding.
"Foolish boy! I shall end you!" he curved and almost hit my leg, but I jumped back and blocked his next swing. "Overcome me! Escape the jaws of death!" We pushed off again and both of us distanced ourselves from each other. "Now, witness my resolve," he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Ah! His aura changed! It was incredible. This was what I was aspiring to be. "Come, Zael!"
I ran into his attack as opposed to waiting for it. "I'll do it! I'll overcome you, General!" I changed angles and forced him back. "I'll protect all that's dear to me! Even if it costs me my life!" I thought about my friends, my brother, Yurick, all that I had been fighting for since the beginning. I could feel new meaning being brought to my purpose and my future.
"Yes! Hone your body and soul, lad. Show me your resolve!" he broke off and slashed towards my side, but I jumped back quick enough and spun to counter. "And know that this is a knight's greatest weapon!"
I pushed back and lunged right back into him, putting all of my power and will into this move. He stopped. I looked up. He raised his hands and smiled. His sword… I looked around and found it behind me. No way… I stood up straight, but still held my sword tightly, not knowing what he would do next.
"Masterfully done, Zael," he was almost out of breath. "You have successfully passed every single trial. I salute you."
I sheathed my sword and bowed stiffly. "I am humbled by your words. I owe you my thanks, General." I kept my head low for a second, then looked up at him.
His hands were on his knees and he was breathing heavily. "Nonsense! You did it by yourself. You proved you have everything it takes to be a knight!" he shook his head then stood up with a goofy smile. "To commemorate the occasion, I give you this," he reached into the pocket in his cloak. "This is the first gift the emperor ever gave me," he held out a small metal with a shield on it.
"No," I waved my hands in front of me, "I can't accept something so important! I mean, I still have so much to learn," I look a step back.
He smiled again. "That is precisely why I wish you to have it," he put it in my hand and closed my fingers around it. "Zael, when you feel doubt, look at this. Look at it and remember how you feel now." He backed up and looked me up and down proudly.
What an honour! Did this seriously just happen?! "I will, General!" I held it tightly.
He stood straight. "Tower of Trials complete. You have earned the title 'Valliant Warrior'." He smiled and started towards the door. "And by the way, you're bleeding."
"I'm what?" I looked down at my hands and arms. I'm fine. I turned to follow him and cringed. I looked down at my leg. "Oh, so I am." I had a decently deep cut. Probably from where I'd dodged his move earlier… or at least lessened the blow. I bent down and pressed my hand to it. It was actually bleeding pretty bad. I took the cloth that was tied around my arm and tied it tightly on my leg. Yurick's gonna kill me. I laughed then followed down the stairs.
I was feeling pretty good about myself when I got to the level below, but then I saw Jiral doing something weird in the centre of the floor. I let out an internal grunt that could have been a silent scream. I'm so sick of him.
He noticed me, then started clapping very slowly. "Congratulations on passing the Tower of Trials, Sir Zael," he extended a hand. I shrugged. What harm could it do? I took his hand, but immediately felt ill. And no, it wasn't because the mere sight of him made me sick to my stomach, but it was something else. Poison or something.
"Ah!" I pulled my hand back as something shocked it.
He started laughing hysterically. "You must show me just how capable you are," he waved over his shoulder and walked towards the door. He started looking blurry. I blinked a few times, but it seemed to make it worse. My head felt light and I almost lost my balance. He turned around just to do some stupid hand wave thing, which probably looked even more dumb without the blurry vision, before continuing out the door.
Am I gonna die here? NO! Wait… is it my imagination or is that statue actually moving? The ogre statue in the middle of the chess board began walking towards me. I started choking, but I had to… I wasn't going to die. Not there. Not by his hand. I stood my ground as best I could and swung my sword as hard as I could at the ogre's leg. Luckily, my swaggered fighting style helped me avoid the ogre's hammer. He was incredibly blurry, but eventually he was a blur on the ground.
"You're not gonna beat me! This- this is nothing!" I kept shaking my head, trying to regain some sort of sense. "Just you wait… I will be a knight!" I made it to the door before everything went black.