The Oathsworn

by Liandra Jake

  "What?" The one who called out asked. He turned to the other man he had sparred with. "You made those out of stainless steel?" He asked.

  "Yeah." The man replied.

  Arend shook his head. "Stainless steel is good for kitchen utensils and knives, but a high impact weapon like a sword is not a good idea. The blade will explode violently once it wears down enough." Arend explained. "InpaktSteel would work well if it's for practicing and standard or Korvan infused steel if you want a functional blade." He added.

  "Everything okay over here Jacob?" Kronth asked.

  "Yeah, just a poor choice of metal from Svevek." The man who called out replied.

  "I take it this is the new guy?" Kronth nodded, stealing Corenden's hat from Arend' head. Jacob stifled a laugh when he saw Corenden and Arend side by side. Corenden snatched his hat back from Kronth with a grumpy look and replaced it onto Arend' head.

  "So what kind of weapon do you want?" Jacob asked after the other people left. "Long range, close combat, or something in between?"

  Arend pulled out his notebook and turned to the page he was working on previously. He held it out to Jacob.

  "What's this?" Jacob asked as he bent down to look at it.

  The longer Jacob stared, the more intense the look on his face became. Finally, he looked up at Arend. "Are these calculations correct?" He asked.

  Arend nodded. "And I've got the materials for the Korvan."

  "Kronth, I need you and Mr. Fluff to wait out here while we work." Jacob said as he and Arend disappeared into the shed

  . "Are you sure you can hang out like this?" Kronth asked Corenden.

  "I don't have any more deliveries to make today." Corenden replied as he sat on Kronth's shoulders like he did with Arend.

  After a few minutes, Kronth sat down. "It's been a long day." Kronth said with a yawn.

  Corenden crawled down into her lap and curled up. "I'm taking a nap." Corenden said as he shut his eyes.

  A few hours later, Kronth was shaken awake by Hunter.

  "Mmmph." Kronth said as she sat up from the ground. Her head was resting on Corenden's chest, his tail and wings wrapped around her. "Hunter? Is Arend still in there?" Kronth asked as she rubbed her eyes in the faint light.

  A small lantern was at Hunter feet. The only other source of light was from the various cracks in the shed's walls and a blue-white Korvan wrapped around the support pillar at the center of the dome.

  "It would seem so. Finding him a weapon shouldn't take so long." Hunter said as he helped Kronth to her feet.

  "I think they're making a weapon." Corenden said as he sat up.

  Hunter walked over to the shed's crooked door. He knocked twice. "Arend! I need to talk to you!" He called out.

  The door creaked open and a sweat soaked Arend popped his head out. "We're almost done. The final piece is in the works." Arend said before shutting the door.

  "Arend! It's important!" Hunter yelled as he banged on the door. A garbled shout came from within.

  "Code Red! It's gonna blow!" Jacob shouted.

  Hunter backed from the door and raised an eyebrow. Arend kicked the door down with his foot and ran out carrying a large metal box that was hissing extremely hot steam.

  "Get down!" Arend shouted as he threw the metal box as far as he could and sprinted back.

  Jacob jumped onto Kronth and Corenden, shielding them with his body. Seconds before an explosion, Arend dived to the ground and covered his head. The explosion shook the ground like an earthquake, sending bits of metal and dirt through the air.

  The hot shrapnel rained down on Arend' naked back. "Ow-ow-ow-ow-ow-ow!" Arend exclaimed as he scraped the bits of metal from his back.

  "What the hell was that?!" Kronth exclaimed as she raised her head.

  "The condenser exploded." Jacob said as he got to his feet and shook off the dirt that covered his body.

  "I'm going to go check out the blast site." Arend said as he ran to the charred crater in the bedrock.

  A series of cracks laced around the edge of the crater. Bits of metal were melted to the ground and a pile of white ash was all that was at the center of the explosion.

  'White ash? Those materials were extremely low in calcium…' Arend thought as he crouched next to the pile of ash. The other thing Arend found odd was the ashes lack of heat. He poked the pile cautiously, and immediately pulled it out. "That's fucking freezing!" Arend exclaimed as he put his finger under his arm.

  Hunter walked up beside him. "I need to talk to you." He said in a low voice.

  "Hold on." Arend replied without looking up as he dug in the ashes with his L-tool.

  "Now." Hunter growled. Arend was taken aback, standing to face Hunter. "You may have skills as a Kruxsetter and Craftsman, as well as being more gutsy and strong minded then most people, but I don't think this Guild is the right place for you. I can help you find a more relaxed and Changed free workers Guild if you want."

  "Hunter-" Kronth started.

  "No Kronth." Hunter snapped. Kronth blinked. "I saw him during the fight, flashy entrance aside, he didn't do much. Borrowing power from Kyrel and wimping out when a more capable opponent showed up who wasn't scared of him throwing rocks. I don't care if you ride into battle on the wings of a jet fighter, Arend. We don't need cowards to ruin our already tarnished reputation."

  "Do you really believe that?" Arend asked quietly, locking eyes with Hunter.

  "Yes." Hunter replied with a harsh look in his eyes.

  "Fine. I'll gather my stuff and try to find a ride." Arend said as he turned to the pillar and started to walk. "

  You're not going anywhere Grey Heart." Corenden said with a tone of authority as he waddled into Arend' path.

  "Grey Heart?" Jacob said with a raised eyebrow.

  Corenden placed a hand over Arend' heart. "As a monster, I can sense the flow of Orenth in a person's body. I noticed right away that his heart was artificial. What wasn't as obvious was what it was made of. I knew as soon as Arend burst from the shed with the condenser. That Orenth filled steam should have left horrible burn marks on his skin as well as interfere with his Orenth flow.

  "However, none of that occurred. He absorbed the Orenth in the steam and his body used it to shield his arms. In the hundredths of a second before explosion, all the Orenth was drained into the ground. So when the pieces were shot outward, Arend had nothing with which to protect himself. My only conclusion could be that his heart was made of Grey Adamtinium that had bonded to the Orenth that flowed inside his body." Corenden explained.

  Jacob was shocked, but Kronth and Hunter remained silent. "I know. There's no point arguing it, I have a lot of work to start tomorrow." Arend replied as he walked around Corenden, tossing his hat to him. "Unyielding heart or not, there's no point staying where you're not wanted."

  "Arend, wait." Kyrel said as he walked out from the shadows with Nate and a large group of people Arend didn't know.

  "Kyrel, as your superior, you have no power to repeal my decision." Hunter said.

  "Shut it Hunter." Nate snapped.

  "Ranks don't mean jack shit right now."

  "Arend, don't go." Kyrel said.

  "Why should I stay?!" Arend exclaimed. "He says I'm not 'Dragon's Den material!'" Arend' finger pointed in Hunter's direction.

  "Dude, you jumped from a fifty story building with a rope that only goes to the twentieth as a survival plan! Hunter can go screw himself if he thinks you're not good enough." A man said from the crowd.

  "Yeah!" Many people yelled in reply.

  "This Guild isn't about being 'material' or not." Jenifer said as she walked out from the crowd.

  "Arend, you are the spark we need to get this Guild going again." Cris said, his hair glowing in the light.

  "Enough!" Hunter yelled, silencing the crowd. "Right now it's between me and him. He's not a hero here to save us!" Arend stopped breathing at the mention of 'hero'.

  A little girl's voice flashed in his head. 'A hero? In that case, if I
'm ever in big trouble and need to be rescued, you come and rescue me okay? And don't forget to put all your heart and courage into saving me!'

  Hunter continued. "He may have a heart that gives him an advantage, but he doesn't have the courage to use that power and put himself on the line!" Arend tightened his fist and clenched his teeth in anger "He couldn't begin to protect himself, let alone this Guild!"

  Arend snapped. Something deep inside his chest roared into a mighty flame and filled his limbs with its fiery passion. Arend spun around, dropping his bag. Before his bag even the ground, Arend' fist was flying past Hunter's cheek. Hunter was too fast for Arend to hit, so he was dodging each of Arend' fury filled punches. Hunter jumped back, watching Arend taking massive breaths.

  "Hmph, so a few words can get you going more than an injury to a friend." Hunter said with a glance to Kyrel.

  "It's not the words that piss me off; it's that you talk like you know everything about me. I didn't tell you everything back at the shop." Arend replied. Hunter just stared back through his sunglasses. "The day I lost my heart I lost more than just my parents. I lost my little sister."

  The field was filled with only the sound of Arend' heavy breathing. "When we were attacked by the monster, my parents tried to protect us. When they failed, I tried to protect my little sister. The beast split my chest open with a single blow, but I still stood steady for the sake of my sister. A spike from its mouth pierced my heart and continued into my sister." Arend explained quietly.

  "Somehow, I was still conscious. I was able to watch the corpse of my dead sister turn into a Possessed along with my parents. The monster watched as they tried to kill me. I can't remember what happened afterwards very clearly, but Alexander found me with my hand deep in my sister's chest, her still beating heart in my hands. I was barely eight. You can mock my fears all you want, but don't you fucking dare call me anything but a hero. I literally fought with all my heart to protect her."

  A faint, unnatural wind brushed though Arend' hair. Everyone was stunned. While most didn't hear Arend' original story, this one held great weight. Corenden waddled over to the crying Arend and placed his hat onto Arend' head. Arend pulled it down and gave Corenden a grateful look. Hunter turned away, throwing Nem's Korvan to Arend and walking into the darkness. Arend returned to digging through the ashes while Kronth and Jacob explained what the explosion was from.

  Many people left. Corenden sat next to Arend and watched him work. "What are you looking for?" Corenden asked, his usually cheerful tone mellowed.

  "You said the ground absorbed the Orenth, but I think there might be a Korvan that sucked up all the extra Orenth." Arend replied.

  "Does that theory explain why it's cold?" Corenden asked.

  Arend nodded. After digging through the first layer, a second layer of grey, congealed ash was underneath. Arend grabbed it. It had the consistency of putty. Deep inside it was a circular Korvan with an indent in the center. When he warmed it in his hands, a rainbow spider webbed inside became visible, along with a lace-like swirl of gold and silver.

  "Pretty." Corenden commented as Arend slid it into his bag, next to Nem's. Arend scooped the white ash and the ashen putty into two separate bags and placed them in his bag.

  "I'm going to get some sleep." Arend said as he walked towards the pillar in the distance.

  "I'll fly you home." Corenden said as he lifted Arend.

  "Thanks." Arend replied, suddenly realizing how tired he really was. They floated towards the pillar with the hopes of a fresh and brand new day.

  [X]

  Arend woke up with a sharp snort. He was lying in Nem's old bedroom, sprawled out on Nem's old extra large king sized bed. Whenever he was exhausted, Arend would snore loudly in his sleep. Rolling out of bed in only his boxers, Arend wandered into the bathroom. Climbing into the shower, Arend started his daily routine. He let out a long sigh as the hot water ran over his stiff muscles.

  Once he ran out of hot water, Arend climbed out and dried himself. He began looking for his bag of clothes. 'That's right. I left it by the door.' Arend thought as he walked down the stairs only wearing a towel. Corenden was out cold on the couch. Carrying Arend everywhere had exhausted him. Arend looked over at the door. 'Where the hell is it?!' Arend thought as he looked around.

  He noticed a pile of clothes neatly folded on the coffee table. Corenden's bag and hat were nearby. A hat that looked just like Clouds, only a grey that matched Arend' hair was on top of the pile. Arend picked it up. A note was folded inside it.

  'Arend, I'm sorry for what I said last night. I had other things on my mind at the time and I took out my frustration on you. I know a letter doesn't serve an apology very well, but I cannot apologize in person at the moment. I got the hat and the gloves that are at the bottom of the pile specially made. The hat isn't anything too special, but the gloves will protect you from anything, as well as insure your grip when climbing; they're also water proofed.

  I put your old clothes in the dresser under your bed. It took me a while to find it. I mean seriously! Who puts a dresser under a bed? The clothes here are from Kronth. I also managed to gather us some old stuff that I thought you would like. I suggest wearing anything but your old stuff. Kronth will be waiting downstairs with your first assignment. Good luck.

  Signed, Hunter Wasteland

  Arend grabbed the gloves from the bottom, a pair of blue jean shorts and a black tee-shirt. Retrieving a pair of his underwear, Arend got dressed. Upon dressing, Arend noticed two things that were off. The first was that the shorts were cut at an odd angle, making the inner thigh shorter than the outside. The second was the shirt had an odd circle with a spiral he didn't notice before.

  Sliding down the stairs, Arend woke up Corenden. "It's time to get up. Want anything for breakfast?" Arend asked.

  "Egg and cheese sandwich with a pinch of paprika and pepper, the eggs slightly runny and cooked with something salty." Corenden replied groggily.

  "I'll make myself some pecan and blueberry waffles and pour us some…Moonfruit juice it seems." Arend said as he opened the fridge.

  As Arend worked on breakfast, Corenden floated drunkenly up the stairs to the bathroom. Corenden's sandwich was hot and ready when he came back down the stairs. Plopping down at the counter, Corenden dug in with a grin.

  "Mmm. This is good." Corenden said as he chewed.

  "Thanks; odd as your request was, it was rather easy to cook." Arend replied as he started on his waffle, sitting next to Corenden. Arend poured him and Corenden a glass of Moonfruit juice as he chewed his first bite.

  "So who was living here before you?" Corenden asked after he chugged half his juice.

  "Can't tell you. He asked me not to." Arend replied.

  Corenden nodded. "I hope my wife isn't angry at me for staying out late." Corenden said as he continued to devour his sandwich.

  "You're married?" Arend asked with a surprised look.

  "Not in the same sense, but it's essentially the same." Corenden replied.

  "Does the rest of your kind talk like you do? And do they have a name they call themselves?" Arend asked.

  "Some can talk, but we usually stick to our own language. Your second question is harder, but the common term is Pog." Corenden replied.

  "Heh, Pog. Sounds a little silly." Arend said.

  "Oh really, Human?" Corenden countered.

  Arend finished his food and placed the dirty dishes in the automatic dishwasher. "Kronth has some work for me, hang out for as long as you like." Arend said as he got his bag from beside the door and walked out.

  Corenden finished his juice when Arend stepped back it. "Wrong door." He said when he opened the trapdoor.

  Corenden finished his food and placed the dishes in the dishwasher. He closed the trap door with his foot. Arend jumped down into the hall way he had been in before. He walked into the room he had jumped from. Kyrel's blood still stained the carpet.

  Arend poked his head out the window. The sun was rising out over
the skyscrapers. Down below, workers in bright yellow hard hats were working on building a lip out of the wall Nate had burst through. A floor board behind Arend squeaked. Looking back, a dark figure shrouded in a cloak filled the doorway.

  "Where's Nem?" The man asked.

  Arend turned to face him. "Who are you?" Arend demanded.

  A large dark blue scythe flashed out from the cloak. Four notches were in the last 2/3 of the blade. A fin topped the shaft and a large hole was in the spine halfway down the blade.

  "Aquaporus…"Arend said under his breath.