The Oathsworn

by Liandra Jake

  "So what's her story anyway?" Shadow asked. Pith sighed. "She is what you would expect; orphaned, endangered, and then adopted." "That it?" Shadow asked with a laugh. Pith shook his head slowly. "Her parents were from an Eastern village who worshiped dragons. They were only ones who didn't follow their doctrines, and were brought to be sacrifices at an old shrine. Kathy was supposed to be the final victim, until I stepped in. Since then I've heard that particular village has a new head priest and stopped doing ritual sacrifices."

  Kathy emerged with two pieces of paper. One had a light glow that made it easy to find in the dark cave, and the other was so black it stood out from the shadows. "It's a little gloomy in there! You should clean it up." The two Pendragons laughed. Pith cracked a small smile. "We didn't really have time to." Shadow replied. "We only recently moved here. It was hard finding a place that didn't flood sporadically." "Then why live here?" Kathy asked. "We didn't want to travel through human territory." Hal replied. "This is a little far East for that." Pith said.

  "Not if you come from over the sea." Hal replied. "Hmm. I hear it's different over there." Pith said. "It is." Shadow replied. "Their definition of 'Monster Ranching' is very different." "They don't eat-?" Pith began. Shadow shook his head. "No. But I dare you to find a wild Monster, or even a wild animal over there. You might see birds and mice and stuff, but anything bigger than a rabbit is caught and thrown into a cage."

  "We came over here when the food started to vanish." Hal added. "That and Silv warned about some sort of Guild activity involving 'Monster Conversion.' According to her, Pendragons were highly sought after 'commodities.'" Hal shivered. "Have you seen Silv recently?" Pith asked. They shook their heads. "She's good at laying low. You'll see why if you ever meet her." Hal said. Pith nodded. "I'll keep this in mind and pass it along." He hunkered down so Kathy could climb on. Pith readied his wings. "Go to the South if you hear anything new. I have a friend down there named Cash."

  [X]

  Gliese urged Ros to take caution as they approached the edge of a small cliff. Bursts of flickering flame and neon light streaked across the twilight shore of the Western Ocean. Ros peeked over the edge. Two Pendragons were starting each other down. One was surrounded by a red-orange aura that matched his fur and swirled in numerous patterns. Below him, the sand hissed as the water from the lapping waves evaporated.

  The other Pendragon's fur was a light-consuming black with splotches of neon. An aura of twisting arcs of neon surrounded him, polling in small buds before bursting back out in a twist of color. Small puffs of steam erupted where his arcing aura touched the ground.

  They collided in an explosion of color, Orenth aura spilling out to dance over the ocean. "Neon! Star!" Gliese's call made them stop. They both grinned immediately. "Hey~! Gliese!" Star called back. "Hi~! Star!" Gliese called back mockingly. "Why don't you boys come up here out of the water? I have something very important to discuss."

  With just a mighty leap, both Pendragons cleared the cliff with room to spare. "So Gliese, you certainly haven't changed." Neon said as he approached Gliese. His gaze wandered somewhere down her back. "Not. At. All." "Raising another orphan huh?" Star added, eyeing Ros briefly. "I figure it's just good practice for later, hmm?"

  Gliese rolled her eyes. "I'm with King you idiots." They immediately took a few cautious steps back. "Sorry." "I'm here on business. Not for you to flirt." Gliese replied. "Why did you come then?" Star asked. "It can't be to fight." "I need the Termas." Gliese replied. The two frowned. "What for?" Star asked, taking a second brief glance at Ros.

  "Axis, Aenfel, and a certain Myshcell." Gliese replied. "What!?" They exclaimed. "Aenfel was combined with the child of a Myshcell." Gliese explained. "And Axis is starting to encroach on the area he grew up in." Neon glanced at Star. They nodded. "I'll get them." Neon said, turning around. "Hold on!" Gliese called as Ros ran over. "Ros should make carrying them easier." Neon looked Ros over. "…No Orenth?" Ros shook his head. "None whatsoever; I used to use Death's Ring." Neon and Star stared at Ros. Ros waved a hand. "C'mon. We don't have all night."

  Star looked to Gliese as Neon and Ros left. "Where did you find him?" "He attacked Sareville; defeated by that Myshcell, who stunned him with Orenth." Gliese replied. "Just 'Orenth?'" Star asked, confused. Gliese nodded. "All types. In a Cavity Slash as I've been told, with a Heavy Blade." "Goddamn." "The kid's definitely got Pendragon in him. But Aenfel being that Pendragon makes me worry. Aenfel wouldn't give up without a fight."

  "I take it the Termas are a 'little' precaution?" Star asked. Gliese shrugged. "More or less. The biggest way they would protect anyone isn't added power, but less for our enemies to use against us. Namely Axis." Gliese blinked. A small laugh escaped her. "I just realized how much you two have changed since I last saw you. I bet you both are still pains where it counts, but you've mellowed out some in the past few centuries."

  Star shrugged in reply. "What about the other Termas?" "We've collected the strays, and we have friends collecting Hal and Shadow's. With these two, it leaves us with three." Star grimaced, immediately knowing which three. "I don't think you'll have to worry about those three. Silv is a little powerhouse, Necro can kill with a look, and Flora hides out in the depths of the greatest forest in the world."

  Gliese nodded. "I didn't plan on contacting them. Although, have you heard anything from Silv? She apparently was sending a warning this way." Star shook his head. "I haven't heard anything. We're so far out if the way Axis could never find us." "Not to mention you two could level half the continent alone." Gliese replied. Star grinned. "We try, babe." Gliese laughed. "Times have really changed haven't they?"

  Neon returned with Ros. Gliese crouched so Ros could climb onto her back. "If things were really bad, I would have you guys come personally; an army of Pencores would mean the start of a war." "That's really reassuring." Star said. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that." Neon added as Gliese stood. "Tell King we said hello!" Star called as Gliese vanished into the night.

  [X]

  Kronth was confident Dragon's Den's A-Team would win the Guild tournament with little effort. Hunter, Nem, and Panzer had confirmed their place on the teams, but she had no reply from Faulken. If he fails to call her back, Corenden would step in, and Nem would become the group leader.

  As for a B and C-Team, Kronth would have to call the s-Ranked together to pick out those willing. She glanced absently at her answering machine. She still hadn't listened to Isaac's message. She knew she would have to before the 24 hour mark to meet the rule she had for herself as Guildmaster. Her finger hovered over the play button. She still had her reservations as to Isaac's intent on sending the message.

  She glanced up as Arend entered her office. "Hey boss!" He called with a smile. "Hey Arend." She replied, returning her attention to the work in front of her. Arend promptly stopped her by lying on his side on top of everything. "What's wrong?" Kronth sighed. "Well, none of the s-Ranked people I've talked to have sent me anything yet. Plus Faulken's off doing …something." Arend grabbed her arm, stopping her wild gestures. "Is that is?" Arend asked, poking her palm. She poked his forehead. "There's a fool on my desk…"

  Arend sat up and slid off her desk. "You know that's not what I mean." He tossed a stray paperclip back onto her desk, walking around to Kronth. "Well…" Kronth looked at her answering machine. "Isaac left me a message around noon yesterday." Arend quickly glanced from a clock behind Kronth back to her. "It's 11:23." "Yeah, I know." Kronth replied as she sank further into her chair. "I've been at odds with myself." Arend slid the answering machine across the desk, minding the cords. "Then do it. If it's obscene, he'll regret it."

  While Arend' cool tone was reassuring, it also made Kronth shiver at what he might do to Isaac if it was what she worried it was. Suppressing her fear, Kronth pushed play. "Kronth, it's Isaac." Kronth frowned at his sigh. "I'm sorry." The answering machine was the focus of the room as Isaac's message was played. Arend had to stop Kronth when she reached to play a fourth time.
"I just, don't get it." Kronth said, too shocked for tears. "Just like that and he's apologizing. After everything he's done!" Arend lifted her out of the chair, taking her place and having her lay across the arm rests, dipping into his lap.

  "I can't tell you what finally made him feel guilty," Arend said. "But I think you should take a moment to just breathe." Kronth looked at him and huffed. With a crooked smile, Kronth took a deep breath and blew into Arend' face. He took his hat and covered her face. She laughed, cocking it to the side and leaning against him. "I think I figured it out." She said quietly. Arend looked down at Kronth, but said nothing. "I've never told you how Isaac and I broke up did I?" Kronth's face was pensive as her conversations with Isaac passed through her head.

  "It was after he placed second in the Open Tournament last year. Back then, any one of us getting past 4th was a big thing. So Isaac and his Dragon's Den buddies - Crazz, Ferrous, Arking, and Tel – went out drinking to celebrate. Naturally things got wild and all five got drunk. Except Isaac got so smashed he blacked out and cheated on me in the alley behind the bar.

  "He denied it ever happened, claiming he simply passed out. I wouldn't have been as upset as I was if he bothered to ask the others what happened, or if I didn't overhear her while getting a haircut. It was only my second week with him, but he was kind and generous. Whenever I think back to it, I almost feel I would have been less heart-broken if I hadn't given myself to him."

  Arend pulled Kronth close, letting her head rest against his. Her hair had the faint aroma of blueberries. "Regardless of you do or not, I'll never do something like that." "I know." She replied softly. "Although the amount of alcohol needed to get me intoxicated is way too much for my body to ever hold." Kronth laughed. "That a part of Janese's little tests a while back?" "Yep." Arend replied. "My tolerance is so high it's insane." "Like so many other things you do." Kronth said, poking Arend' chest.

  "Well, it's not quite as crazy here in Dragon's Den huh?" He replied with a wink. "Of course not! Crazy comes with the Guild badge!" Kronth replied. Arend' face turned a deep shade of scarlet as Kronth's phone vibrated in her back pocket. "Care to get that before something else happens?" Arend asked. Kronth arched a playful eyebrow as she slowly reached into her pocket. Her face flushed as well by the time she answered.

  "Hello~?" Kronth asked as she shifted more weight onto Arend. "…Kronth?" Gliese asked slowly. "Oh. Hey Gliese." Kronth said, sitting up. Arend watched her with an amused smile. "I wanted to let you know we're only a few days out. Pith and Kathy will show up a few days after us." Gliese explained. "Oh. Okay. Good." Kronth said hurriedly. Gliese laughed. "Tell Arend I said hi. You kids have your fun, but be responsible!" Kronth shut her phone as Gliese hung up. "Now for that fun!" Arend exclaimed as he pulled Kronth back towards him.

  With a flair, Kronth fell back onto Arend as the chair tipped back. Kronth's secretary looked in to investigate, but retreated from sight when he heard them giggling. "Be careful next time!" Kronth exclaimed as she stood up. Arend rolled out of the chair and picked it up. "Alright alright! You free tonight?" Kronth nodded. "I don't have any plans." "You do now. Meet me on top of the Den Building at six." Arend replied as he hurried out the door."

  [X]

  Michael pushed through the undergrowth into Aegith's campsite. His companions were scurrying back and forth in a beehive of chaos. A large peice of the crashed Airship had been unearthed and they were busy looking at each separate piece in detail. Aegith himself was at the center, ordering others on how to arrange the pieces. Michael could see something of an Airship forming in the scattered parts. The old archeologist glanced up when he saw Michael approach.

  "Michael! Isn't this a surprise!" He exclaimed. "I'm here on business believe it or not. Guild Ruled asked me to interview you." Michael said. Aegith smiled. "Why now? Don't you think you could have done it sooner?" "I was told there was no interest. Now after the article on Arend, and your new discovery, they're suddenly gunning for some action." Michael replied.

  Aegith nodded, directing his people before returning to Michael. "Unfortunately, we have a lot of work to do at the moment." "I noticed." Michael replied with a passing glance at a chunk of metal. "Perhaps you should visit your family? That way I have time to compile everything I can divulge."

  Michael nodded. "You have a point. And since I don't really have a deadline, I can afford a week off." Aegith nodded. "A week will be more than enough for me. Tell your sister I said hello." "I will." Michal replied as he stepped around Aegith's workers. As Michael began his trip south, Aegith called out with a laugh. "Watch out for Pendragons!"

  [X]

  The Termas were gathered in the hills south of Sareville. Eight humans, three Monsters, and a dragon divided the Termas equally. Kyrel was disappointed he couldn't grasp a sixth Orenth Type. "It's for the best really." Kronth said, hiding her pieces like everyone else. "It could be dangerous to use so many different Types your body wasn't meant to." "More like it is." Pockle replied. "Five is Kyrel's limit, and the Termas know it. For most, two is the usual limit."

  "What about Arend?" Hunter asked. "Two reasons," Gliese began. "Arend is using a powerful weapon to channel Orenth Types, and his heart collects and disperses them almost as soon as they arrive." "Were should we go from here?" Duke asked. "Looking for Silv is a good idea." Pith said with a glance at King and Gliese. "The Pencore of the Metal Terma. From what Hal and Shadow said, she disappeared after warning about something dark; no Monster or animal is free across the world, and something is happening to them."

  "I think I have an idea." Arend said, stepping forward in the ring of people. "What?" Pith asked. "What do you think?" Aenfel asked with a grim smile. "I was the beginning."At that, their minds wandered, eventually sticking to a thought that filled them with disgust.

  Arend' phone interrupted their brooding. Arend had no time to say "hello" before someone started talking. "Do not ask any stupid questions. Do not try to find me. Only listen. Dan paid me to find information. Against my better judgment, you should know. Luyurk is the continent that makes up 3/5 of the far side of the world. Axis holds tight control over all the regions within. It is nothing like what you know. There's a gigantic Guild-based event coming. You alliances should get involved. It'll be less suspicious than just Dragon's Den. As for who I am, don't bother asking."

  "You said no stupid questions." Arend replied quickly. "…Pain in the ass like he said." "What about Axis?" Arend asked. "How can I trust you?" "They won't try anything if you show up in a group." "Anything specific about all this that made you contact me?" Arend asked. "Teneo. He's still alive."

  The voice was cut off as Arend' hand tensed and cracked his phone. "Arend!" Kronth exclaimed. "It doesn't matter." Arend replied quietly. "I only broke the shell. Nothing important was damaged." "Why did you break it?" Vladd asked with a frown. Arend slowly turned towards him. The anger behind his eyes was fierce, piercing Vladd to his core. "My father is still alive." The words escaped Arend as a low growl. Kronth placed a hand on Arend' shoulder, snagging his phone before he broke if further. "Calm down Arend. Now isn't the time to freak out. Can you explain what the call was about?"

  "My uncle hired a spy." Arend replied, fists clenched. "He told me something is happening in Luyurk; Axis is involved, and we should investigate with the Alliances. Some Syndicates even is taking place." The group glanced around at each other as Kronth led Arend away.

  Nem took control."If we're going to war, and by the sound of it, it will come very close; this year's Guild tournament will be a great practice. And we can identify potential problems, as well as allow the Alliances to show us what they have in terms of fighting capabilities." Nem looked around. "Kronth and I can handle that. You just have to prepare yourselves."

  The group slowly broke apart. Kronth and Arend stayed together in the hills, while Nem and the other Legendary Weapon users readied to begin training. Gliese and King also stayed in the hills, but wandered far from Arend and Kronth as the sun began to dip low
. The two Pendragons settled on the western side of a hill to watch the sunset. Gliese rested her head on King's shoulder, leaning against him to shift her weight off her braced leg. They stared, distracted, at the stars beginning to fade into the darkening sky.

  "Where do you want to go after this?" King asked suddenly. "I know it's some time off, but a discussion now will prevent confusion later." Gliese hummed. "Where do you want to live together?" King didn't need to think long. "I want to go somewhere close to this place; someplace where I can watch Arend and this group of friends grow up." "Why not just stay here?" Gliese replied almost as quickly. "That girl Kronth has a ranch nearby right?"

  "Yes," He said slowly. "But we can't just move in there." "Maybe not, but it'll give us a way to stay in contact with them without living close to the city. A place in the mountains would be perfect." Gliese replied as she leaned more on King. King let her push him over, lying down on his side with her on top of him. "What about Pockle?" King asked, watching a lone bug shiver in the brown grass. "She left on her own for Sareville. I couldn't care for her forever."