Chapter Thirty-Six: Following the Whispers
Instead of heading into the Presidential building Connor and his group were led through a secret passage inside a bar where through underground tunnels they were brought to the South Island Heroes Guild.
Similar in structure style to the one Albion once had it was all underground, entering the Chamber of Fate the hero turned President Sound, turned to Connor and his group, "I'll deal with you lot in a moment."
"Ohhhh she mad," Kyler whispered getting elbowed by Mika.
"Voltage! What were you thinking? It's bad enough you are going about putting the safety of the guild at risk now you go and ruin the festival by picking fights?!" Sound scolded.
"In my defense the whole secrecy is stupid! The world has changed, and people are more accepting, what are the odds history will repeat itself and our guild will get burned down?" Voltage said flinching when Sound glared daggers at him.
"Voltage I've had enough of your rouge star glory hunt! If you can't respect the rules in place to keep your guildmates safe then I will have no choice but to remove you from it!" Sound threatened this making Voltage's eyes widen.
"You can't do that!" Voltage defended.
"I can and I will! We will discuss this later!" she growled before looking to Connor and his friends, "As for you lot, I recognize all you the 'terrorist radicals of Albion' if I recall?"
"Vicious rumors Madam President!" Kyler defended with a smirk.
"We came because our ship was damaged on our way to Samarkand, it undergoing repairs," Connor explained.
"Really? Here I thought you were brought to our front doors about the Dream Walkers," Sound spoke.
"The what now?" Seth asked seeing the President approach a large computer monitor and press several buttons bringing up reports and videos.
"A few days ago our island was struck by a plague of sorts," Sound spoke the mention of a plague making Jaya shake remembering the horror she saw before joining Connor's group.
Sensing Jaya's discomfort Ash placed her hand on the girl's shoulder to reassure her she was safe.
"A plague?" Connor spoke approaching the screen and seeing a large number of current victims, "over five hundred?!"
"Is it a disease?" Jaya asked worriedly if what happened before was repeating itself.
"No, from what our resident Will users have reported this is something dark, a dark magic none of us have ever seen," Sound explained turning to the heroes.
"It starts with a nightmare on day one, the victims describe seeing a masked twisted hooded figure, all calling him the 'Sandman' This thing enters your dreams then by night three he traps the victims in an endless sleep, nothing any of our Will users or doctors do have awakened the victims, night four is when things get weird," Sound said playing a video showing people who were in sleep comas in hospital all rising at once and leaving their bed.
"They all sleepwalk?" Mika asked watching the video.
"It seems they're searching for something, at first we suspected it was our guild but then they took to digging up the jungles," Voltage explained.
"They're searching for something?" Connor repeated looking at the video, "Then it a good thing we did come here, I think I know what has trapped your people Madam President."
"I suspected you might, you are a descendant of the Hero of Oakvale aren't you?" Sound asked.
"He is, he the true heir to Albion's throne," Seth chimed in.
"Your ancestor was once a friend and rival to my ancestor Whisper, I knew my hunch about you was correct when I saw your seal," Sound smiled looking to the screen bringing up drawing the victims drew of the 'Sandman,' "Tell me what the hell this thing is."
"No doubt about it now, he's like the Gratificator, he's one of the Ark of Sins," Kyler glared at the mask that was somewhat similar to the Sin of Pride but didn't have a mouth but seemed to have ghostly tendrils that covered the mouth and chin.
"Ark of Sins?!" Sound glared typing and bringing up records, "This isn't the first time one of them attacked our island, according to Presidential records, five hundred years ago the Sin of Sorrow attacked our island."
"This has happened before?" Neo asked reading the records on the screen, "Looks like one of your ancestors took care of her Connor."
"But the records show she came to trap the heroes in a futile attempt to kill the group, what could have changed that would have another Sin now search the island?" Jaya asked curious about what the enemy's new motives are.
"That's the real mystery, isn't it? What changed in the last five hundred years that piqued their interest in this island again?" Voltage smirked looking at Connor, "wanna bet it has something to do with you."
"I wonder," Tercero spoke in thought thinking about the Hero of Oakvale friendship with Whisper, "did the Hero Zane ever visit the island?"
"Not that I know of, Whisper didn't exactly keep a journal for us to read on her adventures," Sound replied.
"What are you thinking Tercero?" Connor asked seeing the assassin in deep thought.
"It's a theory, what if the weapon you need is here? What if the Hero of Oakvale felt Albion wasn't safe to keep Avo's Tear, so he entrusted it to Whisper?" Tercero suggested.
"Avo's Tear?! One of the most powerful swords of legend could be buried here?!" Voltage asked.
"It would not surprise me if Whisper and the Hero foresaw the sword needing protection till it needed a worthy hand to wield it again, if this is true and the Sin has learned this secret then you must find this weapon, it will only reveal itself to you alone," Sound spoke pointing to Connor.
"Reveal itself?" Kyler repeated.
"The Sword of Avo was once hidden in the Heroes Guild in Albion, in an unmarked grave, only one truly pure of heart was deemed worthy to wield it," Sound explained.
"Are there any unmarked graves here on the South Islands?" Jaya asked.
"You'd be surprised how many tomb names have faded with time, it takes too long to search through the records," Sound explained.
"Damn!" Connor growled turning around and noticing the paintings all around the room, similar to the story he had seen in the ruins of the other hero's guild he noticed these told a different story.
Approaching one of the paintings he noticed it was a picture of a teenage Zane and Whisper training with the Guild Master.
"I wonder," Connor spoke touching the painting with his hand and closed his eyes concentrating his magic, his Will markings starting to glow.
"Connor?" Seth asked seeing the aura around Connor starting to grow.
"Show me what you need me to see Zane," Connor spoke reaching out to his ancestor.
Opening his eyes to reveal them to be completely glowing blue, his spirit left his body and was taken to a white room version of the Chamber of Fate in Albion but not in ruins.
Looking around Connor saw his ancestor Zane clad in armor who slowly looked over his shoulder to Connor before turning to Theresa, "Are you certain, sister?"
"Yes, the destruction of Oakvale is inevitable, you can't let the Sword of Avo become lost to what our home will become," Theresa explained.
"I see," Zane spoke touching Whisper's pin that was attached to a shirt he wore under his armor, "I think I know where it will be safe."
"You do not wish to be buried here alongside mother and father?" Theresa asked already knowing what her brother's decision was.
"If I die the sword goes with me, that's how it works, I won't be able to move on but I can wait, wait till another worthy soul claims the sword, if Oakvale isn't safe then I know where my grave must go for one of pure heart to go," Zane said turning and leaving the guild.
The memory then changed to many years later when Theresa stood before two coffins carving an X on one before turning to a man, "by his request this empty coffin is to be placed in his grave next to his mother and father."
"What of his living family? Won't they be mad?" the man.
"They will never know, as long as they have a grave to visit, they will have peace of mind," Theresa spoke turning to the driver of the carriage where she watched her brother's coffin get loaded, "take his remains to Whisper in the South Islands she will know what to do next."
Being pulled from the memory Connor blinked to see he was back in the South Island Heroes Guild, "Whoa! Bloody hell! Zane showed me what he did with Avo's Tear!"
"Well don't leave us in suspense," Kyler spoke approaching.
"He knew his family home in Oakvale would be destroyed and become Wraithmarsh so he took steps to make sure he wasn't buried there! He swapped graves! The coffin he left in his home was empty, he had his remains sent here!"
"Why on earth would he switch his graves?" Seth asked.
"So that he could be the new guardian to watch over the sword!" Sound concluded.
"So, he been waiting? All these centuries unable to rest in peace? Or to return to his loved ones in the afterlife?" Jaya asked feeling sad for the ancient hero.
"He made a sacrifice, Whisper helped with his new burial, surely she left clues!" Connor asked Sound and Voltage.
"None that I can think of," Sound spoke going into thought.
"What about that old family rumor?" Voltage suggested.
"Well? You going to tell us?" Neo asked crossing his arms.
"For years there were rumors that Whisper had been in love with the Hero of Oakvale, a love that she never perused and regretted, so much so she carved his name in the Mountain of the Goddess," Voltage explained.
"A ridiculous rumor because the family with brain cells knew she didn't harbor no such feelings for the Hero," Sound explained.
"But if Whisper started this rumor, maybe that's where Zane is buried? On that mountain!" Voltage suggested.
"Well, it's a lead! Let's go people! We got to get that sword before this new Sin gets his dirty hands on it!" Connor said.
"I'll lead the way!" Voltage volunteered.
"No, you're benched! You can head to town and clean up the mess you made!" Sound spoke.
"Oh, come on! You know how dangerous the mountains are! They need a guide and the president can't do that now can she?" Voltage smirked.
About to argue Sound groaned realizing her hands were tied, "One chance! ONE! You help them find the sword that it! You come back here! Understood?"
"Yes ma'am! Let's move people! I'll give you a VIP tour~" Voltage smirked leading the heroes out of the guild with Sound letting out a sigh.
"Oh, that boy gonna be the death of me," she sighed pinching the bridge of her nose.
Entering the city again Voltage led the heroes whistling a tune with his battle-axe lying on his shoulder.
"So, 'Voltage,' was it? Care to explain why the hell you attacked Connor?" Seth glared.
"I wanted to test his power, if he was truly the Descendant of the mighty Hero of Oakvale I wanted to see for myself if he had the stones to compete with me," Voltage smirked.
"Compete? This isn't a competition Voltage!" Ash scolded.
"Sure, it is! Example, a show of hands, who knows of the mighty Thunder?" Voltage asked turning to face the group
"Who that?" Kyler asked looking around to see no show of hands.
"Exactly! How about Flash? Echo? Or Whisper?" Voltage listed raising a brow.
"Whisper your ancestor, right? I'll be honest I am not familiar with her whole story, just bits," Connor spoke honestly.
"Names of great heroes! My legacy! Only local legends whose names were forgotten over time, why would that be? Because of your bloodline," Voltage spoke pointing at Connor, "every kingdom all across our world knows of the heroes your family produced, the shadows they cast have made other just as great heroes be forgotten, I have no intention of being forgotten or to be out shinned by you."
"You do realize the threat is greater than a petty rivalry, right?" Neo asked.
"So, you say, however, I don't see why the world can't be saved and earn my eternal glory," Voltage smirked turning back around to lead the way again.
"Now I have a better grasp on you, you're a fame seeker," Tercero remarked.
"So I am, I have no shame," Voltage shrugged, "who wants to lurk in the shadows like a hooded creeper, to be left out in historical moments, no offense assassin."
"None taken, pendejo," Tercero shot back rolling his eyes.
Glancing at the Voltage blade leg, Jaya was tempted to ask but felt it may be rude to ask.
Catching her eye Voltage let out a chuckle, "Did you know with missing limbs or birth defects, that is the first thing most people look at? Most wonder things like 'I wonder how they lost that limb?' wanna know how I lost my leg?"
"Cut it off with your axe?" Mika remarked sarcastically.
"You're a fiery one, I like that in a woman," Voltage smirked winking at Mika who then rolled her eyes at him, "Nah, it got ripped off by a Kraken."
"Oh my!" Jaya gasped this reaction then made Voltage chuckle.
"I'm joking love, it was just how I was born into this world," Voltage shrugged.
"That's not funny," Jaya glared.
"So, what exactly is so dangerous about this 'Mountain of the Goddess,' looks like a regular mountain to me," Kyler asked looking up to the mountain, "and what Goddess?"
"Well, you can't see from down here but from a distance, if you sail in the right direction, you will see the mountain takes on the appearance of a sleeping woman, some believe this is the slumbering Goddess, the one who made the South Islands rise from the seas," Voltage explained.
"The South Island don't believe in Avo?" Seth asked.
"Some do, others refuse to believe in a made-up god who didn't come into existence too much later in human history, in ancient times here on the South Islands we believe in the Goddess Hahli, mother of the seas, protector of mother and children," Voltage explained.
"LeDorada has a similar belief system, we don't have any religious beliefs in Avo, we believe in a different Dios, some have come to call him the All Maker," Tercero spoke.
"As fascinating as this topic of deities and beliefs is, check it out," Kyler pointed to the mountain where clouds began to fill the sky quickly.
"Do you sense that?" Tercero asked Connor who nodded both sensing the darkness of the new enemy taking over the island.
"This isn't right, the darkness and nightmares only come at night!" Voltage growled feeling a powerful wind hit them and slowly covered the South Islands in a blanket of clouds.
"It's the Ark of Sin member, he making his move," Mika spoke glaring and seeing the sky become red with thunder booming above them.
In the capital standing at the top of a building, a hooded figure sat crisscrossed looking out to the mountain, letting out a long sigh the Sin of Sloth the Indolentor held up a clawed hand where sand began to form and blow in the strong wind.
"Shhhhhhh, you don't have to fight anymore my dear children," the Indolentor spoke slowly standing up his body became enveloped in darkness and his mass slowly began to grow.
Growing in size the people of the South Island look up in horror at the massive creature that began to form above their capital building.
Emerging from the darkness a massive creature in torn brown robes began to form, on his chest was an hourglass that was slowly dropping sand, and on his shoulder and wrist were metal pieces of armor with chains attached to them that clinked with the wind.
Bursting out of his back were several jagged bone pieces similar to what the Vexator had, a marionette cross attached to his back.
Wearing a mask similar to the Devourer with the expectation of horns on the head and the jagged tendrils all face downward the Indolentor let out a loud roar that echoed across the island.
Holding out a clawed hand the Indolentor began to form sand that began to blow in the wind and spread across the island, down below, people who had the sand land on them slowly began to grow weak before collapsing on the ground and passing out in a deep sleep where they stood.
Where the people slept magical chains began to come from their bodies and began to float up towards the Indolentor where they flew into his hourglass.
"What the bloody hell is that?!" Seth yelled looking out from the jungles they stood in seeing the Indolentor in the distance and seeing the chains flowing into his chest.
"What is he doing to the people?!" Jaya gasped.
Pulling out his binoculars Tercero looked to the city seeing the sleeping people and seeing from their hearts the magical chains, "They're asleep? He must be the sin of Sloth!"
"The Indolentor? Gabriel told us about him, so that's what he looks like," Connor glared looking to the Sin before looking back to the mountain.
"Should we try to stop him?" Kyler asked.
"Not wise," Voltage warned pointing, "Look the bastard making it rain...sand?"
"He's like a twisted Sandman, he puts his victims to sleep, he must be using their dreams to try and find who has the information he seeks on the sword's location," Mika said.
"Oh no..." Voltage spoke realizing his mother was in the city still, "Mom knows now!"
Seeing the Indolentor tilt his head his eyes looked up to the mountain spotting the heroes in the distance, "there you are~"