by Erik Weir
“Slingers must keep a Munitions Press. With these, they can create mana rounds for their weapons. Astor showed me how to make one, but we didn’t have enough time to actually build one.”
Shyryth’s demeanor shifted to a sorrow’s edge. “I suppose this is now my press.”
Victor stepped closer, “We all miss her.”
The dragon woman turned away, grabbing a large green orb and placing it on a funnel on the top of the press.
“Each bullet is made with refined mana. That is why the Mage Authority doesn’t like them. They work with mana in its natural form, but Slingers must distill it so it has more power. It’s the reason why Slingers can take down shadows with one or two shots. It also means that life will be ripped from the ground so it can be made into a weapon.”
Victor moved closer, seeing the green orb drain into the press with a swirl.
“Many will not understand the need for Slingers until they are in danger. Our code dictates that we must take on this work for the greater good. Maybe when Vala returns, so will the balance.”
Shyryth pulled down the lever and the press clanked and whirled. “Then we don’t have to rip from nature to make weapons to protect it.”
“Shyryth, we had a situation at the edge of town,” Victor said before explaining what happened.
The dragon woman continued to work, six new bullets appearing, her hands taking them and dumping them into a wooden box. The bullets glowed with supernatural light as Victor finished explaining what happened.
Shyryth stopped, turned around and pressed her butt against the edge of the thick wooden table. “With Vala’s resurrection, we may see more Champions and others from the pantheon.”
“I have to ask, with her resurrection so close, do we have to meet with Dorian Reins?”
Shyryth looked up with wet eyes. “It was Astor’s dying wish. I can’t…” the dragon woman trailed off.
Victor stepped closer, eyes filled with sad understanding. “Shyryth, it’s okay. I’m sorry for what I said. With the resurrection so close, I think we are all feeling the pressure.”
“I’m sorry for taking so long to finish her final request. Her death stabbed deeper than I thought.”
The two hugged each other, a mutual loss filling their hearts.
Shyryth pulled away and quickly wiped away tears. “Your rooms are ready on the third floor. They are small, but they have comfortable beds. I’m sure you can find your way up. I have to stay here and keep creating ammunition.”
Victor nodded and gave her a reassuring smile before stepping toward the door. The dragon woman turned to the press, adding another green orb and pulling the lever. The sounds of clanking metal carried on as Victor made his way back to the first floor.
Night sat in a chair, rising up the moment she saw Victor’s boots. The dark-haired elf looked to him with wide eyes as he came down. Little was said as he asked her to come with him to the third floor. The pair made their way up, bypassing the second floor as metal worked behind a closed door.
On the third floor, the stairs spiraled up, but another doorway stood. The pair opened the door and stepped through to a tiny corridor. Three doors greeted them, one to each side and one at the end. Victor moved to one door and opened it. The room was small, almost like a glorified closet. It held a bed, a small chair and table and an archway window with a thick curtain covering it. The Blade turned his head to see Night stepping into an identical room.
The elf looked back to Victor, eyes containing a shyness. Victor gave her a small smile, watching as pink touched her cheeks and she slowly closed the door. The Champion let out a small sigh, emotions running from high to low.
You’re not going to invite her in or chase her?
“Sometimes it's okay to dream,” Victor whispered before he closed his door.
We’re on the clock! Things are going to get a whole lot worse before it gets better.
“You’re such a fountain of positive inspiration,” Victor smirked before he jumped, spun and landed on the bed.
The bed creaked and groaned before he settled down. It was comfortable even if it was a little small. Thoughts floated on, images of Lily and Dawn touching his mind. He couldn’t deny he missed them. They were on a mission to save acolytes and the Champion wished he was with them.
We don’t know when we will get a chance to rest again. I think you better enjoy this moment before we are fighting through armies.
“Chill, can I ask you something?”
The shadow around his heart was silent for a long moment.
Yes.
“When I was dying, what did it mean to you?”
I don’t understand.
“You’re separate from me, but if I died, what would you do?”
I try to not think about it. I’ll admit, I’m comfortable here and I don’t want you to die. It would become a huge hassle for me to find a new host.
“Are you going to stay with me forever?”
The shadow was silent. Weariness soothed strong muscles and Victor was ready to let the question go so he could get some rest when the door to his room opened. Eyes turned toward the room entrance, Night staring at him. The elf stepped in and closed the door behind her. Victor said nothing as she moved to the edge of the bed and looked down at him. The Blade could see the internal dialogue she was having before her lips parted to speak.
“I…wanted to know if I could sleep here? I don’t want anything more…but to lay with you, if that is okay?”
Victor gave the elf a small smile before moving close to the wall and patting the small space on the bed. Night slipped in with her robe on and nestled against Vala’s Champion, pressing her cheek to his chest. Victor couldn’t help himself as he hugged her, holding the thin elf to him.
“I had a good time talking and drinking with you,” Night said timidly. “I was lying in bed and knew I didn’t want to sleep alone. I hope you don’t mind?”
Victor closed his eyes as he held her. “I will never mind. I had a good time too. It’s nice to just relax. We all have been so consumed with bringing Vala back, I don’t think any of us have had a moment to take it easy.”
Night gave a slight nod, the intoxicating heat of Victor’s body easing the tension in her body. Molding her body against his, the elf snuggled closer, her breathing slowing down.
“I just want to sleep tonight,” Night whispered.
“I’m okay with that,” Victor said with his eyes shut.
Night bit her lip for a moment before taking in a deep breath. “My sister made me promise to watch over you. I said I would, but I think I’m not keeping her promise.”
Victor barely opened his eyes as Night continued.
“You are Vala’s chosen, but if you take away the title and powers, you’re still you. I see it when you smile. I see it when you talk to others. You’re a good man and I’m lucky to have such a quiet moment with you. I thought I had to protect you because my sister asked, but after a few hours, I knew I was here to protect you, not because of my sister, but because I want to. Does this make me selfish?”
Victor gave a small smile. “No more than me wanting to protect everyone else. I may have been chosen, but so were you, Dawn, Lily and the others. We are here to help each other and bring Vala back. I never thought I would have met so many amazing people and I can’t picture my life without any of you.”
Night looked up; eyes soft. “When the time comes for us…will you love me?”
Victor’s arms held the thin elf close. “It would be my honor to love you.”
Night’s mouth shifted to a happy grin as she snuggled closer. The pair lay in bed, the soft touch of slumber caressing nerves. The Blade couldn’t deny Night’s alluring touch, but the moment didn’t feel right. He could tell she simply wanted comfort and he was more than happy to provide what he could. The realms here and beyond were such chaotic places of warring gods and monsters, but here, in this tender moment, the Champion allowed himself to relax.
Slee
p touched the mind and Victor fell into its warm embrace. The darkness swirled with gray wisps of smoke. When the dreamscape morphed into a forest clearing at night, the Champion smiled. It was the very place he met and saved Vala as she ran from one of Baaldir’s war wolves. A small pond shimmered as moonlight caused it to glow in the primal darkness. A figure stepped from the inky shadows of the trees and Victor found himself grinning.
“I missed you,” Victor said to the robed figure as they emerged, a warm smile forming with red lips.
***
Dawn ran across rooftops in the dead of night. The moon was high, giving the top of the city an ethereal glow. The lithe elf jumped from one roof to the next with expert ease. The city of Loress was quiet, the lone tower in the middle standing like a fortress.
Dawn landed on a roof and stayed low. Touching her glasses, she stared at the giant tower, the lens giving off a slight glow. Stone melted away as the elf stared at floors. Guards and mages walked along halls and corridors. A large chamber filled the base of the tower with many empty seats. Scanning upwards, the glasses cut through stone to reveal many floors. Some rooms held couples engaged in intimate acts while many more held sleeping mages. Three floors could not be seen, Dawn guessing they were warded against magic and magical items like her glasses.
The elf continued her surveillance, her gaze stopping at the vast floors on the top of the giant tower. Fountains flowed and plants grew to magical orbs of light. Three women bathed and talked in the large indoor garden. Dawn memorized what she was seeing, noting the thick doors and the dozen guards on the roof of the tower. When she had seen enough, she jumped, her body spinning until she landed on a small balcony and leapt again.
Dawn reached the street level, silent as a shadow. Moving in long strides, she maneuvered down alleyways and small side streets until she reached a non-descript tavern. Climbing the side of it, she reached an open window twenty feet off the ground and slipped in. Closing it behind her, she turned to the six women gathered there, Lily approaching the elf with determined eyes.
“How does it look,” the succubus asked.
“They are on the garden level toward the top of the tower. I think we can take the guards and make our way in, but the doors are thick and most likely warded,” Dawn stated.
A woman with blue dragon scales running along her forearms and down her shins stepped to the two women, a sly smile on her lips.
“We can get you in,” Vindrel said and glanced to Izy and Mildra.
“We can handle the doors,” the War Maiden Nerin said as she stood next to Ida.
Lily nodded with confidence as she looked to the woman gathered. “Tomorrow night, we free three of our sisters from the Authority.”
Four
The dreamscape pulsed and flowed as Victor stood, his warm gaze on the robed Vala. The goddess stepped closer, darkness covering her eyes, but pale light illuminating her lips, cheeks and chin. The air took on an electric current and Victor found it impossible to deny the shiver of power running up and down his spine. Each heart beat filled his ears as his shoulders relaxed.
Vala moved closer until she stood before her Champion. Energy caressed his nerves as Victor fought the temptation to take hold of her waist and press his lips to hers. The song of love played on, but the Blade knelt before the goddess so he would not be tempted by his basic desires. The warmth gnawed at him until a hand touched the back of his head and he looked up.
“The crusade is nearly over and I have you to thank, my Blade,” Vala said with a seductive whisper.
Hand falling away, Victor stood up and gave the goddess a small smile. “We still have a lot to do, but I’m feeling pretty confident.”
Moonlight glowed across the small clearing; pale light reflected in a small pond. The trees swayed slightly as stars twinkled high above.
“Cassandra has given you the invitations. Once they are handed over to the guests and you free the remaining acolytes, we can begin the resurrection ceremony. The time is vastly approaching and even I cannot hide my excitement.”
Victor let out a small sigh before he spoke, “I know Cassandra asked you, but she never received an answer. I’m going to ask now, why are we having guests to your resurrection? Some or all could take that moment to…” Victor stopped when a single finger touched his lips.
“I can understand the singular notion of simply wanting to exist, but my return will have further complications. I can feel the paths diverging, but we must stay true in our hearts,” Vala said as she pulled her finger away.
Victor’s head bowed slightly. “I don’t want to take any unnecessary chances. We are so close and I could never forgive myself if…”
Vala turned away as her voice filled the air around them. “Do you have any small regrets?”
Victor raised an eyebrow, “Small regrets?”
Vala’s hooded head nodded. “Yes, small regrets. All beings have some kind of regret. The large ones often consume us, but the small one’s needle at our souls. We don’t appreciate the small ones, the ones that change us in subtle ways. I want to know about your small regrets. I want to know what touches your mind and heart when no one is watching.”
Victor’s gaze lowered. Until recently, he hadn’t much time to think of anything else besides the crusade. Even now, his mind worked to say something to the goddess he followed. The deep questions swirled as Vala turned to him with a smile warm enough to melt metal.
“I have a few, I think,” Victor said in a low tone.
“My power continues to grow as I prepare for my return. Tell me so I have something of you to warm me before the trail of rebirth.”
Victor scratched his head before parting lips, “There is a small feeling that I will never return home. I won’t be able to order take-out or sit at home, playing video games. My old life has become a dream. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to go back, but I think about it from time to time.”
The Blade let his hand drop to his side as he kept his gaze on Vala. “I miss my movie collection. They brought me comfort on lonely nights. Getting lost in so many movies helped me to not think about the crappy turns in my life.”
Vala was motionless as Victor’s lips spread out in a wide smile.
“The last regret I have, and I’m not sure you will understand what I’m saying but here goes, I will never see the Avengers End Game movie. You pulled me here months before it was supposed to come out in theaters so there is zero chance of completing the epic series.”
Vala stepped closer, raising a hand and touching Victor’s cheek. The energy between them exploded and the young man was caught in its power. Every cell in his body danced as the goddess seemed to dive into his soul. Time no longer existed as the two seemed to swim through infinity, spiraling around one another. When time began to flow once again, Vala pulled her hand away and took a step back.
Victor swayed before he caught himself. “What just happened?”
“You opened up to me and gave me a chance to dive deeper. Victor, love is powerful, but it can burn as much as it can heal. I now understand and I’m happy.”
“Happy?”
The hooded goddess nodded. “Happy to know we have made the right choices.”
Victor’s small smile faded as darkness touched his eyes. “Vala, what’s going to happen when you return? What will happen to all of us? What will happen between me and you?”
Vala turned away and tilted her head slightly up to face the moon. “All will be revealed. For now, see Dorian Reins, hand out the invitations and free the remaining acolytes. Beyond that, our faith in each other will bring us to our moment of fate.”
Victor tried to penetrate the darkness around the goddess’s eyes. She told him if he ever saw her true gaze, he would fall forever in love with her power. Despite the warning, the Champion wanted to know, wanted to see the true goddess. Urges welled up and as the moonlight seemed to show her eyes, the Champion looked away out of respect despite what his heart desired.
Vala’
s head bowed, darkness covering most of her face once again. “Victor, you continue to surprise me. You had your moment to see me and you let the chance go.”
Victor lowered his gaze and bowed his head. “Love is respect, my goddess”
Vala nodded with a divine smile.
The dreamscape bled together until it began to swirl. Victor watched as Vala slipped away, melting into the background. Shafts of light filtered in before heat bloomed into a blazing fire.
Victor blinked, light penetrating the edges of the curtains. Night was snuggled close to his chest as the warmth of their bodies prevented any need of blankets. The Blade held her close as he stared at the stone ceiling, images of Vala appearing and disappearing in his mind’s eye.
“I love you,” Victor whispered to Vala’s after images.
“I love you,” Night whispered as she snuggled closer.
The Champion held her close, a smile on his lips and renewed vigor touching his spirit.
***
Victor, Shyryth and Night stood on the bottom floor of the tower. The trio faced each other as the dragon woman slipped an arcane pistol into its holster with one hand and placed her hat on her head with the other.
“We are going deep into the Forsaken Lands. The town we are visiting is as far to the east as we can go before the Molten Desert and the Leviathan Ocean. The town of Brimdark is a small settlement surrounded by canyons and jagged mountains. I believe Dorian is still hidden among the canyons.
“When we arrive, I’ll seek out a few Slingers Astor told me about that reside there. One of them may have an idea where Dorian is or will be. Any questions?”
Victor raised his hand to his chest, “What will we be doing while you’re asking around? Time is kind of short, maybe we can help.”
Shyryth shook her head. “Thanks, but no Slinger is going to talk to you about Dorian. I’m not even sure they will talk to me since I’m new to the Coalition. Stay at the Inn and out of sight until I get back.”