by Luke DeSalvo
“I feel it,” The young knight captain managed to whisper over his heaving breaths. “What has happened to me?” He asked, this time voice a little louder.
“A spell artifact weapon has been granted to you. You've reached the skill to command the beam saber from the pits of your soul. Powerful and eternally part of you now.”
“Her name is Alexandra.”
Codiac looked down to his hands seeing them shaking and fumbled for a response. So, this truly was the weapon of renown. Cidher and Kaeltrys exchanged knowing looks.
“Summon it now!” his father commanded.
“Yes, summon it,” The arch magician said with a smile.
“But how?” Codiac asked in bewilderment.
“Focus from all your chakras, go deep starting with the root, ground yourself and pull your way to the light in your heart, and imagine the chi flowing through your sword arm to create this instrument.”
Codiac listened thoughtfully at the instruction, still unsure of all that transpired and was still amazed at the new and improved self. He reached deep within his emotion, reflecting on his life and his sworn duty to protect the entirety of Systralas. He felt grounded with abundance, connections with all things and with this feeling his new ability from within sprouted.
A burst of life light came from his sword arm as he summoned a green glowing blade sizzling with heat. A weapon based of energy as blade, it shown bright illuminating the dark recesses of the room.
Codiac gazed at the weapon excitedly, inspecting it closer, then doing quick side motion strikes in the air as if already familiar. The beam sword swished through the air quickly, comfortable, lightly, and he swung faster, changing stances, getting acquainted before noticing his very own spectacle.
He stopped.
“It's utter magic!” Codiac exclaimed in awe and hunger.
Cidher eyed his son with approval. A proud moment of fatherhood entered his being. Codiac, his boy, discovering long lost spells from eons past, a precious object for his cherished boy. A perfect new ability for the heir.
“Summon it no longer,” the guild master finally ordered.
Codiac listened, the green saber diminished in an instant. It felt as if it were a part of him now, an extension to his inner being.
“I am excited for you now more than ever. Congratulations are in order. I cannot wait to see the weapon in action. Worthy and valuable as they say, but more pressing matters are at concern.”
Codiac grinned and nodded and took his seat, his face perspiring gently.
“You'll get used to it,” Kaeltrys said as he too sat down.
Codiac and the arch mage shared an all too well-known smile together, that was all that was needed for a moment. The young knight captain knew he would repay Kaeltrys kindly later, he decided, perhaps a cranberry mead for now as a friendly token and a ticket to an Altianian monastery.
“First order of affairs,” Cidher announced, but beforehand he reached for an espresso machine sitting on his desk, pressed the brew button and out came the dark rich coffee pouring perfect portion in his Golden Heart emblem mug. There was a pause until the action was settled.
“The guild in its entirety must depart for a raid mission. All of us are needed,” He took the warm mug into his both hands, stared at it, as if deeming it not worthy to drink due to temperatures sake. “Well,” he said, looking up now. “Most of us,” He corrected.
“Most of us?” Codiac asked out loud.
“Yes. Most of us,” Cidher repeated before taking a gentle sip from his mug, making a slurping sound before sitting the coffee back down.
“You, Codiac, will remain, along with a handful of our operatives for the safe keeping and training of our new two transfer members from Silver Aura.”
The knight captain's eyes widened at the last remark. Silver Aura? A superior guild? They might make Golden Hearts appear as fools, but why come here?
Even Kaeltrys seemed on edge, stiffening slightly, almost unnoticeable, but still showing the worry discreetly.
Codiac felt as if interjecting then and there, but held his tongue awaiting further instruction in a professional manner. He normally would not hesitate, but this was his father, he reminded himself.
The young man had thought an ordeal such as this was at hand, already too many agents were at the dining center, he noted. Something big was about to happen and he knew it.
“The names of the individuals are Aurora Bendix and Jason Ildarachi.” The guild master continued. “They are two high ranked summoners of Silver Aura and could make very capable allies.”
“I know what Silver Aura does, dad, but the real question is at what cost?” Codiac asked in a moaning tone. Deep inside the young man knew the extraordinary cost of attaining such elite members. Stocks would have to change; quick sells of inventory were needed just to fund such a feat.
“They come at a high price,” Cidher replied.
“I bet,” Codiac stated flatly.
“The one known as Ildarachi has a grave and dire curse infused with his body, where he is unstable at best. However, we have the antidote. The elixir of emperors. Dalamoris. The great wizard, Phiamon, has deemed this task necessary.”
“And you know that your father and I both command a lot of respect for the World Changer, Golden Hearts owe Phiamon our very own lives,” Kaeltrys added quietly.
“Yes, quite right,” Cidher agreed. “But, we cannot see to them personally. It's up to you, my son, my heir.”
“Why is that?” Codiac blurted. “You never said where you were going for this raid expertise mission.”
Cidher sighed, took another drink of his coffee, obviously still fatigued, he had much more work to be done and wanted to skip the observance quickly, yet knew the question was validated. Another sleepless night, he figured, pouring the remainder of the hot liquid down his scalding throat. He then placed the coffee mug down and stared at his son in all seriousness.
“Danielle Avilya, leader of Amethyst Divine has selected I, and the rest of Golden Hearts on a joint quest operation. The dragon Xyl'thos has returned from his slumber and he must be defeated, quickly and soundly.”
Xyl'thos returned? This was also the second time Amethyst Divine was brought up in the night. The questions brewed in Codiac’s mind with tremendous anxiety.
The ancient dragon had terrorized Systralas from the beginning, ever escaping death, slaughtering all. Somehow when wounded, the dark creature would retreat, resting away in the pockets of the world. Never to be seen for hundreds of years. Except when the wyverns awoken them.
This mission would be a full-scale war, the regular army could not handle such a task at present circumstances, not with present matters in the south. This raid would take a specialized upper-class guild such as themselves and more to take down such a terrible foe.
“You understand the bounty reward behind such a task?” The guild leader asked, eyeing his only son.
Codiac nodded then licked his lips.
“But why does Amethyst Divine require our assistance?” He asked in wonder, questioning his own visit from the strange elf earlier this evening.
“Probably to lower causality count would be our best estimates. Those elves love their members almost as much as we love ours.”
“This is why we need you here,” Kaeltrys reminded.
The knight captain looked down in dismay, never the one that hoped to be unincluded from any battle, especially a grand one such as this.
“You will earn the title guild master, one day, like I have,” Cidher reminded his son. “This is your chance to play the role while commissioning us our trump cards. Two summoners will boost our guild rating significantly. You do this foray while we’ll defeat the dragon Xyl'thos once and for all!”
“An honor to you both,” Kaeltrys said with a slight bow.
Codiac looked at each of them, he considered the two as mentors and the young man was in no position to argue, instead he stared in serious silence focusing on task at hand
, a chance to prove as guild leader off the battle had its perks. Yet, his attention remained on Faelynx and how he suspected that his absence from the fight was due to him. He knew they were hiding something, and vice versa, only no one said a word. Instead, the young man focused on his father, there would be glory from his actions, tales would be told for ages to come throughout Systralas and Codiac could not help to notice his own covetous grin from the sudden strike of fortune.
Chapter 5
“The tale goes of a man who defeated the stars and swallowed them whole, transforming him into darkness. Only the void of space can match his heart now. He does not belong here, but in the heavens themselves.”
Clairvona Aya, Sleet
Scion of Systralas
Ildarachi sped off at an alarming rate in his platinum editioned guild loaned vehicle. It traveled at an extraordinary rate that was comfortable and smooth. Inside the interior was wooly leather attire where sitting by his side lay Aurora, dozing off in the passenger seat.
After regaining his memory Ildarachi was forced out of the guild in exile. Phiamon had him along with his beloved lover, Aurora transferred to the guild Golden Hearts, where Jason would finally reach the curses end.
So much went through the man’s mind. Why did he do it? To summon Malifer on a lunar eclipse was forbidden. It went against the laws of summoning and now he was paying the price. He thought then, that he needed any magic other than elemental summons to take down that behemoth of a wyvern down that night.
An awakener of the dragons. It was a powerful beast, and the other summons proved futile, his comrades were being killed, he had panicked. Malifer came, saw and destroyed the wyvern effortlessly, but came back to claim Ildarachi’s life. Claiming “Let me feed through your flesh at last,” and then possessing Ildarachi to bring a fate far worse than the death of the wyvern’s.
His career at Silver Aura was at its end, with plenty of members destroyed by his hands. All he needed now was Dalamoris, the elixir, and this hellish headache would go away for good. He still did not feel the same and wondered if he was even in good enough condition to drive, but managed.
It was a hard, but at times comfortable ride, not ever driving before, but with plenty of simulation practice, Ildarachi enjoyed his reprieve and the swiftness of the traveling formation as he took a turn down the windy road in exceptional fashion, silver car darting in the night.
The only road, Ildarachi thought to himself.
Windows were cracked to create a small brief flow of air, hair slightly drifting with it. With the next curve, taken less than desirable as Ildarachi left his lane slightly, Aurora stuttered, waking, and turned over to face her love.
“Babe?” She asked, stirring in her seat still. “How close are we to the outpost?”
“I don't know yet, honey,” Ildarachi gently replied. “We’ll be there soon, I can tell you that much for certain. This contraption is amazing. Eighty miles per hour now? Incredible. I can't even fathom the speed.”
“Do you believe that we will make it?” She asked now, sitting up straight and gazing at the ever-flowing street.
He said nothing, questioning the very mission that they were partaking in. A trip to Golden Hearts for a remedy seemed as an easy task, but anything could happen. He sighed at his misfortune, he had been over confident, powerful as he may be, he was no match for a Star Child and his heart ached just thinking about it.
“It's not your fault,” She said quickly as if reading his mind. “You were just doing your best for us. I will marry you regardless one day.”
“I knew better,” Jason spat.
“Ikaika was stopped though,” Aurora said soundly. “Who knows? What you did my have been the best thing for Systralas.”
“You know I love you, right?” Jason gently replied. “And I always will, forever and ever. Out of all our companions, you're the one that belongs with me.”
The thought struck Ildarachi hard, suddenly the very notion of death seized him, like a knot in the brain, bringing the emotion of utter hate at the demise met by his own inconvenient ideals. He felt a slight face tremor, embarrassed he then swallowed hard, returning to a more normal stasis.
“What happened to Jacob?” Ildarachi finally asked in desperation.
There was a long pause, where the dirty and dusty vehicle felt as if it were Jason’s only companion.
“You destroyed him,” Aurora silently said, eyes still on the street.
Ildarachi's eyes teared up, slightly, but he commanded them to remain dry, a summoner's honor, though he still felt the harsh grasp of sorrow clinging into his very chest. All the times he had cherished with his guild mates were now finished, never to happen again as he continued with this new journey. Phiamon taught Jason along time ago that guild was home, with that lesson in mind and the revitalization sunk in. He had brought havoc and death to his family.
Aurora noticed his struggles and gracefully took off her seat belt.
“Hey!” Ildarachi called, “What are you up to!?” he risked a look at the gorgeous woman. She eyed him with love and kissed him smoothly and quickly, unaccustomed to the bumpy ride, she carefully seated herself again, praying that she was not too much of a distraction in the much too speedy vehicle.
Hope was regained, and the thoughts of a new guild became alluring for the first time. After all, they were only descending a rank in house structure. Even that might not be everlasting, Ildarachi noted. Golden Hearts was on the rise again, and up to something and he knew it.
Now if only they could escape Layeth unscathed and enter the region of Thyne, a fine land where most immigrants were gracefully welcomed. Of course, there was still the check point, and the two lovers hoped that news had not traveled too far from the recent tragedy, otherwise the adventure would be finished before it even came into fruition. There were many that despised them now.
The two sat in silence now, riding closer to their destination and anticipating promise of a new life. Overhead, a crescent moon of blue shined gratefully, it's companions the glittering stars, blinking on and off in festivity. A campfire was placed yards from the road, nestled in the quiet caves carved into the mountains. Owlbears danced at its flames in shamanic form, reminding Ildarachi the dangers of traveling by foot, that they did so often.
However, soon they would reach the outpost guarding the nations between the giant mountain range of Zylos. Identification was necessary, and Ildarachi asked his lover if she had hers. They both checked quickly, even slowing the car down momentarily, satisfied with the items in place, they continued their journey with crossed fingers.
The mountains range ahead loomed with dark crimson and violet rocks that stood even taller than giants. Night birds and bats flew around the tips of the mountains, swirling gracefully at their home.
It was then when Ildarachi started hearing voices. Quiet at first, but then a slow bloom of whispers could be felt flowing throughout Ildarachi's senses. It was just beyond the next bend, he reminded himself, the outpost.
Jason shuddered at the thought and pounding of his brain. Unused to the fidget he reached out to his beloved Aurora feeling a darkness succumb from within. It was hard to resist the call of black horrid that waited to claim him.
“Something's wrong,” his voice cracked in a deep inhuman tune, he choked and coughed the error away quickly.
“Aurora, you have to drive!” He exclaimed, voice back to his original sound.
“But I don't know how!”
The speech ringing in Ildarachi's ears became echoes booms of yelling and screams, cold sweat dripped freely down his forehead.
“I hear them,” he whispered, focusing on the ringing noises.
“Amethyst Divine is there,” he continued, regaining momentarily clarity.
“The elves? But why?” Aurora shrieked.
Amethyst, for short, was no guild to be reckoned with. If they wanted a job done the project would be completed. They knew all and saw all as the best networking house in Systralas, and
surely, they would know if a Star Child was beaten or being contained within a body. The question was what they would do with such a dire act, acting as world police.
“They hear us too. This damn car is giving us away and it's too late now to ditch it and run. Scouts are assuredly everywhere at this point.”
“Are you certain?” Aurora questioned the puzzling sight of Jason, who seemed paler than normal and exasperated.
“Yes,” He coolly replied “We mustn't stop. We press onward. Faster. “
He pushed the pedal of the vehicle further down, commanding even more power and speed. Aurora held onto her seat belt in a panic.
They turned the bend to find the “The King’s Avenue”, a cavern cut deep in the mountains engraving with long tall sharp towers chipped away from the stone. A gate stood, solid oak wood mixed with steel, gaining exit and entrance to worthy travelers. Normally guarded by a single pack of troops, now lined with thirty elvish warriors, clad in chain mail and leather, armed with swords, knives and spears, some with longed robed magicians at their backs, ready and awaiting attention at the oncoming speeding vehicle.
“Hold on!” Ildarachi called, flooring it and attempting to make a hasty getaway even if crashing the car through the gate to avoid the rival guild.
Amethyst Divine was not on guard for such speed and only minor fire balls struck the silver vehicle, blemishing it further, but otherwise forced to retreat to a safer distance, scattering out of line of sight.
The car hit the gate with a slam, opening it with ease then sending the vehicle in a tail spin, damaged on impact and dancing to a skit. Tires and engine shot. Smoke sputtered out of the engine in a fog-like haze and the sound of heat pursued.
Aurora, in shock, exited in a limping out of sheer instinct, bleeding lightly from her right shoulder. Immediately the elves descended themselves on her, surrounding her as if a catch was to be made. The enchantress' eyes blurred at the many attackers then she quickly commanded herself to regain full consciousness. The time was dire, the guild looked hostile and a summon must be performed out of mere protection at this point, but there was simply no time. Elves came ever closer, weapons drawn, shouting orders in their tongue that simply could not be heard from the high-pitched ring emanating from her ear drums.