The Blade Guardian

by Darren Hultberg Jr

  “Dammit, Adam. Do you know what it felt like to lose you in the chaos? I… I thought I might have lost you again…”

  My dad finally loosened his grip on my torso, allowing me to step back and peer into his eyes, eyes that had gone misty. I hadn’t really considered how he’d felt when I abandoned him for the lower levels. I just assumed he would catch up eventually, inconsiderate of the emotional toll he’d felt when he lost me on Earth. Perhaps my father was still viewing me as a child that needed protecting, rather than the warrior I’d become. Ah well… there would be time later on to convince my old man I could take care of myself. Right now, I felt it was best to just let him be a concerned father.

  “I’m…. sorry, Dad,” I uttered, not quite sure of what else to say. He responded with a half-hearted smile before wiping a line of blood from my face.

  “So, did you find your woman?” Thamriul asked, emerging from behind a pair of Tidecaller guards. My eyes went wide as I lifted the key ring into the air, my ticket to Hilda’s freedom.

  My father nodded, as if he knew exactly what I meant by the gesture. He shared a few words with Greygor, imploring his guards to split up and search the premises. Then, without hesitation, Thamriul, my father and I began to rush down one of the nearby corridors in search of my lost companion.

  ><><

  Several moments passed as we clamored through the thieves’ guild hall, the sanctuary quickly abandoned due to the arrival of the city guard. We searched high and low, making our way through twisting corridors, traversing stone hallways that delved deeper into the marsh, until finally we stumbled upon the cell block.

  I walked with trepidation as I passed by each of the cells, peering through the bars half-afraid of what I might find. As I reached the last cell, my heart nearly stopped… Lying there on the floor in tattered clothes was a woman, her body curled tightly and wrapped in aethereal wings. She didn’t notice me at first, didn’t notice the tears beginning to form in the corners of my eyes as I muttered her name.

  Hilda had been found.

  19

  The Cost of Heroism

  My hand began to shake as I gripped the cell key in my palm, squeezing it so tightly that my hand began to ache. I worried that my eyes had deceived me, that this was just another trick of the thieves’ guild… but no, I was sure of it. That was Hilda… she was alive. Dammit all, she was alive!

  I guided the key into the runic keyhole and gave it a decisive twist, deactivating the sealing rune surrounding the lock and opening the door of the cell. Without hesitation, I rushed into the chamber, reaching for the woman’s curled up form. My lips parted as I began to speak her name. “Hil—”

  CRACK!

  As I spoke the guardian’s name, another captive emerged from the chamber’s shadows, stepping in front of Hilda and promptly smacking me on the head with a fist-sized rock. My eyes went cross as a sliver of my health reticle diminished from the blow.

  “I won’t let you have her!” the woman screamed as she took another swing at me, barely missing my face.

  “Stop!” I protested. “I’m here to help. I’m not going to do anything to—”

  CRACK!

  This time the woman thrust her foot forward, kicking me right in the groin and dropping me to my knees. I quickly relented, covering my face as the woman stepped over me for a third attack…

  But it never came. The woman paused as her gaze settled on the group of Tidecallers standing just outside her cell. She studied each of them, carefully inspecting each man individually, as if she was searching for small, personal details… perhaps to assure herself the men were real. Then, as if a giant burden had been lifted from her shoulders, she began to weep.

  “Lady Yonda!” Greygor shouted as he rushed to the woman’s side, emerging from the back of the Tidecaller pack. “We thought you had perished!”

  “Nearly, Sir Greygor,” she replied. “But don’t worry about me. Get these prisoners out of here. They’ve been through enough and don’t need to wait on me.”

  “As you wish,” Greygor responded, before snatching up the keys and making his way down the cell block.

  Thankfully, she stood idly by as I crawled over to Hilda and placed a hand gently on her shoulder. The guardian winced, pulling her Aether wings tighter over her body as my rough hand grazed her skin. I gave her a soft compassionate squeeze, hoping to rouse a reaction from the clearly frightened woman, before softly speaking her name… “Hilda?”

  Very slowly, very deliberately, the woman began to unfold her wings, dropping them to reveal her face. The feathery appendages remained tight against her breasts and torso as she rose to a sitting position, those beautiful eyes finally meeting my own.

  “Zan?” Her voice was so soft and delicate, a parallel to the rigid chamber in which we sat.

  As our gazes met, a thousand different things ran through my head at once… things that I wanted to say, that I needed to say. As tears began to build in the corners of my eyes, I chose to settle on three very important words, three words that conveyed everything I knew and felt right at that very second. “I love you.”

  Finally, Hilda lurched forward, wrapping me in her warm embrace as she buried her head in my shoulder. I squeezed even tighter, the feeling of having her back at my side truly indescribable.

  Several seconds passed as we held each other on the floor of the cell, until Hilda eventually raised her head, face red and eyes puffy. Again, her eyes locked with mine, though this time she ran her hands down the length of my arm until she reached my hands, gently entwining our fingers. “Together, Zan,” she said, her voice firm yet affectionate. “Whatever happens on this world, from now on we remain together.”

  I nodded, then leaned in and pressed my lips to hers before wrapping her in another warm embrace. I knew right then that I would do anything to protect that woman, whether it was fighting off a guild of thieves or standing alone against a mighty red dragon… I vowed to myself that I would be there for her. Yes, Hilda… together indeed.

  ><><

  Several moments passed as the Tidecaller guard made their way through the cell block, releasing the small group of prisoners held captive by the thieves’ guild. Then, as a group, we made our way back to the surface.

  “W-what happened to you down there?” I asked Hilda, immediately regretting the words as soon as they came out of my mouth. If something traumatic had happened to her in those cells, then asking her to relive that was idiotic. Dammit all, I was such a fool sometimes!

  “They didn’t want me,” she responded, not giving me time to recant my question. “They were after Ivan.” Her familiar gave a low squawk in agreement before nuzzling his beak into her blonde hair. “That man... Cryox. He was a Sprite hunter... a pitiful man, really. He was unable to bond a Sprite of his own, so he hunted down the sprites of others, killed them and harvested their powers into small gems that he wore on his wrist.”

  “But you protected Ivan, didn’t you?” I responded, my voice somber.

  She nodded. “I bonded him, kept him stored away inside my body. They tried to beat him out of me… they tried with all their might… but I wouldn’t give in. I... I didn’t—”

  “It’s over now,” I interjected, placing my arms around her shoulders and embracing her as we walked. “That bastard Cryox is dead, just like anyone else that tries to hurt you again.”

  “Zan...” she replied with a somber tone.

  “No, he means it this time!” Razyr interjected. “I saw him fight a whole room of people... He was.... strong. No… he was angry!” The drake’s words managed to put a smile on Hilda’s face, an expression that I was more than happy to see return, if only briefly.

  In moments, we emerged out of the hidden guild stronghold and back onto the streets of Yggrash. By our side was Tham, my father, the Tidecallers and a small group of freed prisoners, including the strange woman that hit me with a rock. I gave her a quick sidelong glance as we strode through the street.

  Yonda

&n
bsp; Lvl 40 Seer

  “I’m sorry Yonda got the jump on you,” Hilda said, eyeing me as I gave the woman an inspection. “We were watching out for one another down there. She doesn’t have any true combat skills… She was only trying to protect me.”

  “Was she like your... cell mate or something?” I asked with caution.

  “I guess you could call her that. She was very kind. She looked out for me and Ivan... she helped me stay strong through it all. Apparently, she carries a lot of importance around here.”

  I nodded, opening my mouth to respond before I was suddenly interrupted by Greygor. “Excellent work, lad,” he said, giving me a stiff pat on the shoulder. “You helped take down a rather large sect of the thieves’ guild here in Yggrash. We’re even chasing down the man that stole your lady’s sword… in fact, we should have him in custody within the hour. The city owes you a great debt, Darkblade. If there’s anything we can do...”

  “Oh… Thank you, Greygor. Actually, I am short a suit of armor,” I replied, recalling my sack of busted gear that remained strapped to Horus. I’d been taken aback by the man’s kind words, but I also had quite the road in front of me back to Karrihdan, and couldn’t be skimping on offered help.

  Greygor pondered for a second, then quickly waved one of his men over. “Further arrangements can be made later, but for now I assume this will do. You earned it, after all.” The guard strolled over to a small chest that his men had exhumed from the thieves’ guild, instructing them to drop it as he dug around inside. After retrieving an item, he closed the lid and stepped in front of me, presenting a long black coat, folded carefully and sitting atop his hands.

  “Recovered from the blasted Sprite hunter himself,” Greygor added. “I figure you defeated the man in single combat, so you earned it... Besides, this will likely suit you better than any plate mail we have to offer, given your dexterous nature in combat.”

  Item acquired:

  Coat of the Bladesinger

  Legendary Item

  Once worn by the legendary bladesinger Marko Black, and woven with legendary runethread, this coat is highly resistant to both slashing and piercing weapons while still retaining its light, pliable nature.

  +3 Dexterity

  +3 Constitution

  Slowly, I pulled the coat on over my shoulders and slid my arms into the sleeves before grabbing the collar and pulling it tightly to my chest. The coat came to a rest at the midpoint of my calves, covering my body in a nearly impenetrable leather-like fabric that offered free range of motion. As I walked, the coat flowed behind me, easily manipulable if I chose to yank it close to me and use it like a shield. Yes, this would do much better than an encumbering suit of armor.

  My father approached as I gave Hilda a preview of my new coat, a smile forming under his thick beard. Oddly, he wasn’t looking at me though. No, he had his eyes set on Hilda.

  “Well look at you,” he said, taking the woman’s hand and giving it an awkward shake. “You must be Hilda. My son has told me so much about you already, about how happy you’ve made him. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

  Hilda’s eyes went wide as she listened to the man’s words, then gave my father a nervous smile before making a sidelong glance in my direction, clearly a bit confused.

  “Sorry Hil,” I said, placing an arm around her shoulders. “I haven’t told you yet... but this is my father.”

  Her eyes shifted between the two of us. “Your... father?”

  Candor nodded. “I made it here, all the way from Earth.”

  The air grew silent as Hilda seemed to stare off into space before finally coming to and giving the man a half-hearted smile. “That’s... wonderful,” she replied, a nervous tone in her voice. “Listen, Zan, I have to go clean up. Yonda would like to meet with us in the temple a bit later. I... I have to go.”

  Before I could respond, Hilda turned on her heel and began rushing towards the temple where her new friend Yonda awaited. I just stood there, watching as she scurried through the street before disappearing through a large set of double-doors. Her behavior was so puzzling.

  “Perhaps I should’ve waited to introduce myself,” my father said, placing a hand on my shoulder.

  “Did we… did I?”

  “Give her time, son. She’s been through a lot.”

  I nodded in agreement as we resumed our walk down the wide, stone street. Perhaps all of this was a bit too much at her at the moment. She had just been a captive, after all. Giving her some space to breathe was the least I could do.

  ><><

  Moments later we made our way over to the guild hall to have our wounds mended and our supplies replenished. Surprisingly, the Tidecallers were far more welcoming than the ravens ever were, offering us food and shelter and demanding nothing in return.

  Their guild hall was a marvel to behold, with a high-reaching ceiling covered in an oceanic mural and stone walls carefully carved with intricate designs. The central hub of the building appeared to be the main hall, where a massive statue of Vorghan had been erected near its end. The statue depicted a hooded man with hands clasped in front of his chest and six giant tentacles protruding from the bottom of his robe, the aquatic appendages stretching upwards and encircling him in a majestic nature.

  For some reason I felt comfort standing in the statue’s presence, a warmth that seemed to course through my body despite the statue being nothing more than stone. I reached towards the giant stone idol, preparing to touch it when a familiar voice shouted my name.

  “Adam,” my father yelled from across the room, flagging me down with a wave. “Over here.”

  I nodded, giving the statue a final glance before striding across the main hall and into one of its large open chambers.

  There, my father introduced me to a pair of guild tailors who outfitted me with a new pair of darkleather boots, a pair of brown traveler’s pants and a new bandolier for my throwing knives that I wore slung across my chest. Having a relative in the Tidecallers’ guild was certainly coming in handy.

  My father had also gone to retrieve my things just moments earlier, and now produced a sack containing my giant’s belt, raven cloak, gloves and draconic bracer.

  As we exited the room, the pair of Tidecallers crossed their arms in front of their chests, saluting my father and I as they uttered, “for the Kraken, brothers.”

  “May the kraken’s many arms guide you,” my father replied, before giving them a salute of his own.

  After leaving the guild hall and making our way towards the temple, I gave my father a wry grin. “Kraken, eh? I never would’ve imagined finding you here worshiping sea beasts.”

  Candor shook his head. “The Kraken isn’t just some sea beast, son... The Tidecallers have shown me that its tentacles are woven into many things.”

  “Oh?” I replied, cocking an eyebrow.

  “Perhaps you’re viewing this the wrong way, Adam. You see, the kraken these men and women speak of isn’t merely some creature... it’s a name given to one of Aetheria’s great gods, Vorghan.”

  I shook my head in disbelief. “C’mon Dad, if this is an act than you don’t have to keep it up around me. I know you… you don’t have a religious bone in your body.”

  Candor grinned. “I also didn’t believe in monsters and magick and other realms. Here, let me show you.”

  Suddenly, my father widened his stance as translucent energy began to envelop his body, taking the form of long, writhing tentacles that lashed the ground, leaving thick cracks in the stone. The wind around him began to whip about as an outpouring of energy began to grow from his core. Then, inches above him materialized the translucent form of a hooded man, movements perfectly mimicking his glowing, azure eyes gazing out from the shadow.

  My father continued to grin. “You see, Adam, this is my power.”

  Elite Skill:

  Spiritform: Avatar of Vorghan

  20

  The History of Aetheria

  “That’s... amazing,” I utte
red, watching my father become fully enveloped in Vorghan’s spirit aura. Unlike his other spirit forms, I could feel the power radiating from him this time. This skill had the potential to truly put him on another level.

  Slowly, my father unclenched his fists as the spirit avatar of Vorghan settled onto his shoulders, wrapping its translucent robed arms around him before absorbing back into his body.

  He let out a labored breath as his muscles loosened, then focused his gaze on me. His face had suddenly become so rigid, so serious, as if he had something on his mind. “Son, I’d be lying if I told you I could explain any of this. God… a few months ago I was sitting in an empty house, starving myself as I watched over your near-lifeless body and fought off the urge for alcohol... But this place, it’s given me a fresh start. It’s given me you back!” He paused to rub at his face, a nervous habit he’d had since I was little. “Now I’m not going to pretend that I can fully explain my feelings, but this power, these people... it all feels right. It feels pure, and well, I for one fully intend to embrace it. I hope you can understand, Adam.”

  I stood there silently with my father as a light breeze began to blow through Yggrash’s stone streets, eyes locked on his broad form. He stood there like a pillar, solid and unwavering, a man of strength that I hadn’t seen since before my mother’s passing. It felt good to see him like this again, and dammit all, I wouldn’t let a single thing jeopardize that.

  “I’m with you, Dad,” I said, embracing the man in a tight squeeze. “I’ll always be with you.”

  My father returned my affection with a strong hug of his own. “And I’m with you, son. Now, let’s get our hides over to the temple. I have a feeling they’re going to be waiting on us.”

  I nodded, and together we made our way to the temple of Vorghan, where the mysterious woman Yonda awaited.

  ><><

  My senses were assaulted as we entered the double doors leading into the large stone temple. A pair of incense burned near the entrance, giving off a faint smell of seaweed and ginger. As I fully stepped inside, I found the air thick and humid, with drops of water beginning to form on the shoulder pads of my coat.