by Eden Redd
The party finished their last checks and gathered around the three knights. Everyone was in high spirits and waited patiently as Jayson turned to address them. The familiar odd feeling rolled over his heart. He never could have done this before. The painful shyness and anti-social urges once had full control of his life. Glancing to Sonja and Lance, he could feel a new strength had taken hold. Their adventures and love making only cemented that he was not some broken person in society. He was someone whose voice could be and should be heard. He was a knight and he was leading players on a quest that had taken over a year to complete. Confidence blazed as muscles relaxed. No matter what happens, this all was an adventure that he could never deny. It changed his life and he felt better for it.
“Are we all ready?” Jayson asked.
The party nodded with small smiles.
“Let’s complete the quest,” Jayson beamed as he turned and began marching.
The road stretched on with tall grass fields flanking their left and right. Oksuna walked next to her lord, eyes down and smiling. Jayson led on but occasionally looked over at his beautiful troll. Seeing her happy caused his hand to reach out and take her hand. Fingers entwined, they walked along the wide dirt road until they reached white stone.
The road changed and soon the party was on white marble cobblestones. Intricate designs covered each stone and Jayson found himself looking down, noting the designs looked like hieroglyphics. The knight looked up and the sound of the crashing ocean rose up like a symphony over the horizon. The white stone road dipped as the earth to the right and left began to rise. The party followed the sloping road as it narrowed. The path turned into a narrow pass and before the knight, the ocean stretched out to the western horizon.
White stone turned into steps as the party moved in single file. Jayson led the way, eyes drinking in the magnificent sight before him. The path descended down to a white bridge. It made a straight path over the waves and ocean to oval structure two hundred feet out to sea. White spires stood up, encircling it and the morning sun bathed the platform in brilliant light.
The party cleared the stairs and moved onto the white bridge. To the right and left of them cliffs stood and white sandy beaches painted the coast. The party was silent as they walked onto the bridge, gazing at the splendor around them. On they walked, seeing crystals on top of each small spire lining the bridge, giving the whole structure a heavenly glow. Strange runes and designs covered every inch of the bridge as if its creators didn’t want to waste a single space. Calm fell over the party as they moved as one, like they could just lay down and sleep for a thousand years.
“I don’t know if it’s the light or the bridge but I’m sleepy as hell,” Renner yawned.
“I feel it too,” Wynter fought a yawn and lost.
Lyra glanced around, “The stone has holy energy. I can feel it down to my core.”
Thorrin’s eyes blinked as he moved to the edge of the bridge, taking in the misty ocean scent, “I feel at peace here.”
“Let’s keep moving,” Jayson said as Oksuna let out a soft sigh.
“I….feel at home…” Oksuna whispered with her eyes half closed.
“You have a connection to this place,” Jayson smiled.
“Let’s stay here forever,” Oksuna smiled.
Jayson smiled but didn’t answer. He had no idea what effects the place was having on them. A cautious thought filled his mind as he wondered if this was a trap or curse they would have to overcome. Staying true, the knight marched on until they reached the edge of the oval platform.
The party spread out as they stepped in. Spires lined the edges, touching the sky. Opposite of the bridge, a white stone throne stood against the ocean backdrop. The design was simple with several blocks making it a high-backed throne but the designs and carvings glowed with intricate magic. Jayson’s gaze was glued to the throne and he took another step.
An inner oval line glowed to life with white energy. Jayson stopped and took a step back, hands at the ready. The light moved along the edge and around before connecting in front of the throne. The party readied themselves, eyes looking in every direction for any sign of trouble.
Jayson watched as the light flared for a moment before it faded from sight. Tension connected the party as they waited, the sounds of waves crashing on the beach filling the area. Mouths closed and hearts went silent as Jayson crept to the line once again and touched it with his foot. This time nothing happened and some of the party let out a relieved sigh.
Jayson walked across the stone platform, eyes on the throne. Sonja and Lance followed, their hearts beating with excitement. The three stood in front of the throne and marveled at the detailed carvings.
“Should one of us sit on it?” Lance asked.
“I honestly don’t know,” Jayson said as he eyed the runes, trying to find a clue on what to do next.
Sonja was about to speak when something white caught the edge of her vision. Eyes turning from the throne, they grew bigger as water churned white and bubbled against the blue ocean. The rest of the party witnessed the churning water, foaming higher and higher as they stepped closer. Jayson, Lance and Sonja moved to one side of the throne and looked out into to the sea.
Water spilled away as something enormous reared up. Iridescent scales shined in the morning light. Long razor like fins cut through the foaming water, black and slick. An armored snout opened as did oval, serpent eyes. Dripping short tentacles hung from under its chin as white smoke spilled from the edges of its snout. The party stood motionless as the giant serpent rose up, water cascading down its armored hide. Black, green and blue painted its body as it swiveled its pointed snout to the platform. Eyes widened and brow furled as it opened its mouth and roared.
The power of the roar was enough to cause every member of the party to step back. The very air vibrated and Jayson put up his arm to help block the deafening roar. The serpent slinked in closer, body bobbing to the waves as maniac eyes trembled.
Jayson felt his stomach drop as it approached. He knew this feeling once in his life. A rabid raccoon had taken residence under his porch when he was a teen. It wandered out of its hiding spot one morning when he was taking out the trash. There was a moment they saw each other. It was foaming at the mouth and Jason backed slowly away. It frothed at the mouth and attacked. Jason managed to throw himself through the door to the house before kicking it shut with his leg. The raccoon scratched and scratched until it lost interest. He called animal control for them to come and get it but he still remembered how it looked at him, very much the same as the serpent moving in closer.
“Get back!” Jayson shouted as he turned.
The serpent’s maw opened and it roared a stream of molten steam. The party scattered. Lance grabbed Sonja and threw his back to a thick pointed spire. The white knight held her close as the spire split the stream in half. It struck the white stone and burst into a cloud. Lance waited until the stream stopped and pulled Sonja away as the cloud drifted closer before dissipating.
Kai had his bow in hand with arrow notched.
Jayson noticed the troll as he aimed, “Don’t do it!”
Kai hesitated, “It’s going to kill us!”
“I have to agree,” Renner shouted from behind another spire.
The serpent reared up and blasted out a stream of white steam. The troll dove for one of the spires just as steam raked across the stone and defected off of a spire. Jayson watched in astonishment as the stream blasted through the air and struck the seaside cliffs. Stone and earth melted as a hole was bored out. It was then that Jayson knew if any of them were struck, it would be instant death.
“We need to do something!” Thorrin shouted with hammer in hand.
“I’m open to ideas!” Jayson said as he drew his swords from over his shoulders.
“Kai and I can hit it at a distance!” Wynter shouted as the monster roared and blasted out another white-hot stream.
“If you guys keep it busy, I can hit it with Sha
tter Light’s ability,” Lance shouted as he and Sonja rushed behind another spire.
Doubt loomed as Jayson wondered if this was how it was supposed to play out. If they attacked, it might stop the story line or alter it. He wasn’t sure if this was the right course of action. The player cursed to himself, wishing he had just a little more information. Lifting a hand, he was ready to signal for a counter strike when Oksuna stepped from a spire and walked to the center of the platform.
“Oksuna!” Jayson shouted as she moved with a relaxed pace.
The sea serpent reared back once again, steam spilling from its parted maw. Insane serpent eyes narrowed down on the pink haired troll in the skin tight white dress. Jaw flexing open, it prepared to release another stream when light shined from the troll’s pink hair. The monster hesitated, its jaw open and eyes focused on the troll. Oksuna made it to the center of the platform and turned to face the giant serpent. With kind eyes, she opened her mouth and began to sing.
Jayson watched as a haunting melody rose up from her throat, filling the very air with peace and calm. It drowned out the sounds of the ocean as she sang on, eyes closing and her voice taking over. The serpent’s maniac eyes began to slow, its gaze steady on the beautiful singing troll. Its movements turned from thrashing to gliding motions, like a cobra caught to the sound of a snake charmer’s flute.
Jayson stepped away from the spire, looking at the serpent as its movements quieted. Remembering what Slytha told him, the descendants of the Sormir held sway with the ancient beasts. Looking back to Oksuna, her status of Rose Seer spoke to her true power. She calmed the madness and they were enthralled to her voice.
The party moved from their spots, cautiously looking up at the serpent as it swayed to the melody. Behind it, multiple circles of white foam began to churn. The party watched as serpents rose up from the blue sea, eyes turning to the platform and thick bodies swaying to the troll’s song. At first there were several but soon, more and more serpents rose up. The knight watched as dozens of sea serpents created a semi-circle around the platform, listening to the magic of Oksuna’s voice.
The first serpent bowed its head, peering down on the little bodies on the platform before centering its eyes on the troll.
“Child of Sormir….” The serpent bellowed with a deep voice, “….you have calmed our madness. What brings you to our temple?”
Oksuna’s song slowly died and she looked to Jayson, “My lord wishes to speak with you.”
Jayson felt the laser sight of the serpent shift onto him. The knight gulped down some air before stepping before Oksuna and turning to the giant serpent by the edge of the platform.
“I didn’t expect to meet with the Sormir,” Jayson said with a half smirk.
The serpent was silent as it stared at the knight.
Jayson cleared his throat and continued, “On behalf of Lady Slytha and all of Lukken, we come in peace.”
The serpent maintained its intimidating gaze, “What do you seek, little knight?”
Jayson tried to keep his calm as a shudder ran up his spine, “We….we wish to open relations with the Sormir. War has come to Lukken and the…Sindrell wish to begin again with the Sormir.”
The serpent’s eyes narrowed, “We care not for your war.”
“But many do. There are rumors that others are coming, seeking your favor to turn the tide of war. We only want peace.”
“You speak of others but you yourself have come seeking favor. We Sormir will not interfere in the natural progression of your petty wars,” The serpent seethed.
Jayson looked up, thoughts of Oksuna filling him with confidence, “We don’t wish for you to interfere. I am only a messenger to bring what I have been tasked to do. We were to find this place and report back but clearly, more needs to be done. Lady Slytha wishes to end the war. I know some of your history between the Sormir and the Sindrell and she has expressed wanting to open relations once again between your people.”
The serpent’s head bowed down and floated over the platform until it was ten feet from Jayson. The knight stood his ground even with the serpent so close and so big, it could swallow him in one gulp. Serpent eyes met the knight’s eyes as if regarding the knight’s words.
“We have known regret for such actions, so long ago. The dragons fear us as they should but we bring no malice to this world. Even now, my brothers and sisters speak to me of bridging our people together but I have doubts such a thing could exist.”
“Times have changed since your last meetings. The dragons only wish for peace.”
The serpent shifted its eyes to Kai as he stood in the back, “And what of his kind? They rape and pillage across Lukken, displaying their power for all of those to gaze upon. The Sindrell ruled with quiet power but the Kunarr rule with brazen command. We still hear whispers of what happens on the lands of Lukken. We know either side wants more then what they have. You bring nothing to convince us.”
Jayson tried to think fast, “We bring information. Not all are pleased with the war. We know there are those who want it to end peacefully. If you opened dialog between your people, then it might be enough to end this war and begin healing between the Sormir and the Sindrell.”
The serpent shifted its eyes back to Jayson, “Such things come at a cost, little knight.”
“I’m sure the Sindrell could come up with….” Jayson was cut off.
“No…no…little knight,” The serpent bellowed. “The temple you stand on was created by the children of the Sormir. They built it as a means to quell our madness and bring our people from the deep oceans. When you stepped onto it, it summoned us from the depths. The Rose Seer has subdued our madness but only for a certain length of time.”
The serpent reared back to its full height and looked down at the people gathered on the temple floor, “There will never be peace or dialogue as long as we suffer from this madness. We cannot risk taking another life as long as we are slaves to this abhorrent malady. The children of Sormir knew this and created this very temple before their own madness consumed them.
“If you desire peace and openness, a price must be paid.”
Jayson’s eyes turned to the white throne, “What price?”
The serpent’s mouth twisted into a small, knowing leer, “Someone must become our voice. They shall become our diplomat, our consort to speak for us and calm the very madness in our veins. They must leave behind all they knew and become one with our hive mind before we depart this world and return to the stars.”
The serpent’s eyes grew wild and a deep chuckle fell from its open maw, “Someone must sit on the Sormir throne and join us before we consider any of your requests.”
Dread crawled up Jayson’s spine as he turned to the party. Shadows covered everyone’s eyes as the weight of the serpent’s words hung heavy in the air. A moment of silence blanketed the group and they mulled over the very words.
“Someone has to sit on that throne and I don’t think they’re ever getting back up,” Thorrin said with a low voice.
Vass stepped forward, “It means we have to give up our character?”
Wynter held her staff tight, “I think so.”
Jayson shook his head, “There must be more to it.”
“Sil?” The knight called out as his mind worked.
An angel appeared, hovering before the gathered party. A moment later, several more angels appeared. The players watched as all their individual angels hovered above them, white and black wings swaying in the ocean breeze.
“Yes, Sir Reed,” Sil said with a kind smile.
Jayson eyed the other angels and turned back to Sil, “Why is everyone’s angel here?”
“Due to the nature of the quest, we are here to listen and speak as one,” Sil said simply.
The knight took in a deep breath and looked to the floating winged beauty, “What happens if one of us sits on the throne?”
Sil’s eyes took a hint of sorrow as she spoke, “You would become the Voice of the Sormir. Your ch
aracter will retire permanently and become legend in the histories of Lukken.”
Renner raised a hand, “So that’s it? No big reward or fancy loot? We just become the voice of the sea serpents?”
Every angel nodded as Sil continued, “You will herald a new age for Lukken.”
Renner put down his hand, “I didn’t come all this way to be some puppet on a throne. I put a lot of work into this character and I’m not ready to give it up.”
Thorrin crossed his arms and looked to the Rogue, “No one is asking you too.”
Renner shot the paladin a sarcastic grin, “Yea but no one is stepping up to plate. What kind of reward is that where you only get the satisfaction of starting a new age? I thought for sure there would be something more than this.”
Sonja turned to Sil, “What about a concubine? Can they sit on the throne?”
Sil shook her head, “NPC’s cannot sit on the throne. It is a sacrifice a player must make.”
Jayson rubbed his jaw as he turned to the party, “Someone needs to take on being the Voice of the Sormir.”
“I’m not starting over,” Wynter said as she held her skull staff.
“Neither am I,” Kai added.
Vass stood at unease as she looked away, “I can’t start over,” her gaze moving up to Renner.
Sonja bit her lip and said nothing. Rekt stood off to the side, leaning against a spire and his lips sealed. The concubines looked around, worry bleeding into their eyes. Thorrin was silent as he stood, his brow furled in deep thought. Jayson opened his mouth when Lance stepped forward.
“I’ll do it. I’ll be their voice,” The white knight said with conviction.
Jayson and Sonja looked to the white knight, their hearts thumping.
“You can’t,” the two knights said in unison.
Lance gave them a warm smile, “Someone has to do it. The game has been fun but it will be nice to go down in history.”
“What about us, the three of us?” Sonja asked with glistening eyes.
“Guys, there’s not much to discuss with this. Someone needs to make the sacrifice and I’m the logical choice. Jayson needs to be with Oksuna and you need to be with Jayson.”