by Jarod Meyer
“Samuel,” William said as they stopped on a precipice to rest. “Where are you from?”
Samuel looked at him, and began, “I’m from Georgia…born on a plantation in the Great South. My family grew cotton, and was a very prosperous bunch, but as you probably know, William, it was not to last. A civil war broke our country apart, and I being a fool enlisted in the Confederate Army. I didn’t even make it through my first battle. I lacked the nerve to kill, and died in a pile of bloody bodies, crying for my mother. A Guardian came and picked me up I have been striving to make up for that lack of courage ever sense.”
William nodded in approval. “You’re doing good, Sam.”
He looked at Ulifrig, who must have been expecting it, because he sighed and said, “I was a warrior in the northlands long ago. I never wanted to fight, and every chance I got I would flee from battle. I pretended to survive them, and came back a great hero, but when I needed to defend my village, I couldn’t run any longer. I let down my people, and died. I too was brought here by a Guardian. I vowed to him that I would become a truly great warrior.” He turned to Samuel, who patted him on the shoulder.
“We will help you, amigo,” Juarez said with earnest. There was a moment of silence as the group sat in darkness.
“And you, William, what happened to you?” Ulifrig asked, solemnly.
William’s gut clenched up.
“I made some bad decisions I am here to fix those mistakes as best I can,” he sighed.
Katrina looked at him skeptically, but didn’t push it. Ulifrig nodded understanding. Juarez began to speak, but before he could tell his story a low rumble shook the rocks around the small group.
William and the others looked around in surprise, small bits of stone and dust rattling down around them. Juarez turned slowly towards the face of a cliff, drawn by the source of the noise. It was so dark that they hadn’t noticed the fissure in the cliff it was the opening to a cavern. William and the others stood uneasily.
Katrina muttered, “What in the world…” but was interrupted again by a long and guttural growl.
“Katrina. Get out your bow,” William said slowly. Katrina nodded and William unsheathed his sword.
Rocks crumbled all around they had been so distracted with the growling noise that they hadn’t noticed a large group of figures approaching from all sides.
Juarez let out a cry, lifted his hand in the air. Juarez projected a blazing light towards the approaching figures. It cascaded around the Cliffside blanketing everything in light.
“Bears!” Ulifrig shouted.
“No, wolves,” Samuel responded.
They stood on all fours, and did indeed resemble a mixture of wolf and bears. They looked large and strong their mouths full of razor sharp teeth. William didn’t take the time to think about what they looked like for very long.
“Kill em!” he shouted, and lunged forward, bearing his sword with ferocity.
The creatures recoiled in reaction to his charge, snarling, their teeth bared. Katrina drew her bow, a bolt of energy appearing instantly, and with a determined face she let it fly. The bolt hit its target, a brilliant explosion of light filling the darkness. Sparks flew, and the creature hit the ground hard. The other creatures closed the gap almost instantly, making her bow useless.
William arched his sword, catching one of the unlucky creatures in its face, splitting it open. It recoiled from the strike, yelping and tearing William’s sword out of his hands as it fell to the ground, dead.
William didn’t try to go after the sword. Instead, he spun and sidestepped an incoming lunge from another beast, and caught it by the back of the neck. He yanked the creature back towards him, taking it by the inside of the mouth and ripping. Its upper jaw gave way, and cracked under his strength. With a roar it went limp. He saw Katrina pinned to the ground, and gave a cry.
He focused and held his hands, pointing his palms forward. He pushed forth his inner energy, and with a tremendous effort projected a wave of gray light. It caught two of the beasts, sending them flying over the edge of the cliff top and into the black abyss. William saw Juarez blast three more with small balls of light, and the remaining creatures dispersed.
“What in the hell were those things?” Samuel asked, gasping for breath.
“Creatures in Archonia are supposed to be peaceful. There are no predators,” Juarez said.
William held up his hand, igniting it in a ball of light, just as Juarez had done. He scoured the small precipice for the creatures he had felled, but they were nowhere to be found.
“Where are they?” William asked through gritted teeth.
“I sense the work of a conjurer here,” Samuel said.
“A conjurer?” William asked.
“Those were projections,” Juarez stated.
William immediately thought of that day when he had battled Henry’s massive two headed beast. Of course.
“Someone is testing us again,” Katrina surmised, her expression sour.
“Then let’s keep moving,” William offered, “before we get any more surprises.”
He walked over to where he had felled the first creature to find his sword lying in the dirt. The creature had vanished. He picked up his weapon, and slung it over his back.
The group gathered themselves, and headed towards the cliff face. It was a sheer climb from here. William found some good hand grabs and footholds, and started to climb. They climbed slowly for another couple of hours, the wind whipping them ferociously. William discovered quite by accident that he could dig his hands into the stone, making his own handgrips if he couldn’t find his own.
The others adopted this technique quickly, approving of his good idea. Samuel discovered that if he projected like he was flying, he could burst forth at short intervals. He moved ahead of the group, scouting the rock face for them.
William lifted his head, noticing a light ahead of them. It was orange like fire, at the top of the peak. He sped up in excitement, but as he did, something hit him. It beat against him rapidly, gusting strokes pounding the air. He spun, clutching the stone to see a giant winged creature with white eyes screeching wildly. William’s eyes went wide and he heard Ulifrig yell loudly. He looked, finding his fellow initiates under attack as well. William managed to grab the creature by its skinny throat. It was hideous. Thick leathery wings spanning a good six feet in length beat ferociously against his grip and nearly caused him to lose his grip on the cliff face.
A hissing issued from the gaping mouth that was filled with needle like teeth. It was black with tufts of fur and patches of scales. William growled, realizing painfully the creature had long arms and razor sharp talons. With a click the claws ripped at William’s hand, helping it break free of his grasp. William hollered and punched his hands into the cliff.
He climbed as fast as he could upwards, more of the terrible creatures swarming him. Juarez let fly a salvos of energy, but the creatures were so fast that he missed most of them. When he managed to hit one they burst into light embers burning their outlines in the night sky. William tried projecting as well, but couldn’t concentrate.
He found a new footing, and whipped around with a large stone in his hand dug straight from the cliff. He twisted his arm, grunted as he hurled the stone at a group of the bat-like creatures. It caught one square in the chest, scattering the group and sending them screeching in a panic.
Just when it appeared that the battle had turned in their favor Ulifrig gave a cry, one was beating against him as he dangled from one hand grip. His hand slipped from the cliff wall Ulifrig fell, scrabbling against the wall, falling in a slow, desperate battle he appeared helpless to stop.
“No!” Katrina shrieked.
William looked up at Samuel, who had only just made it back down to the rest of the group.
“Samuel!” William shouted. “You have to get him!”
Samuel shook his head, “I can’t fly with this vest on.”
“You have to!” William shouted qui
ckly.
Samuel’s bright energy encompassed his body. He yelled a long and loud battle cry, and then he pushed off, diving like a swimmer into the void.
A blast split the air, rocks flying as he kicked off from the rock face, a stream of gold flowing behind him. He plummeted catching up to his friend in seconds. William followed their descent, visible now as only a tiny light fading in the distance. The sight Samuel’s selfless bravery invigorated William, and he successfully projected several blasts of energy towards the flying creatures. The balls of light clipped several of the beasts, burning their wings to ash. Unable to fly, the injured beasts plummeted out of the sky, screeching in terror. The remaining creatures, witnessing their defeated, flew away, squawking loudly.
William looked down in despair. Katrina pounded the cliff face, cursing loudly.
“Could they die from the fall?” William asked.
No one answered. They just stared dejectedly down into the darkness. He decided that it may have been possible despite their strength their minds were still fragile, and the two might not have been able to survive the fall.
William could see Samuel’s ball of light in the distance, and it appeared to still be fading. He turned his head in dismay, but when he looked again the light appeared to be stronger. Could it be?
“Look!” Juarez shouted, almost jarring him from his roost on the cliff.
The light was definitely getting stronger. A huge wave of wind shook them, almost breaking their grips on the stone. The light shot past them, and William hooted, before starting to jump up the side of the mountain.
After a short, labored climb, they reached the peak. The cliff flattened out to a plateau at the very top, and as William’s vision broke the plane he caught sight of source of the orange, fiery glow. Flames burst forth from a massive stone sculpture, licking the sky in angry torrents. Two figures, completely in shadow, stood between them and the statue. He knew it was Samuel and Ulifrig before he could see their faces. Steam rolled off of Samuel’s body. Katrina ran and wrapped them in a hug.
William looked around, his gaze settling on the peculiar statue bathed in flame. It was a dragon, the carving was spectacularly detailed. Individual scales of the dragon’s armor glistened in the blinding light of the flames against the dark night. William’s legs started to cramp. The climb had really taken it out of him. Not to mention that he had not meditated in two days.
He undid the clasps holding his vests in place, and let it fall off and hit the ground with a thud. The others follow suit, before leaning, or settling onto the ground for a rest. As they did Chang Fei emerged from the shadows, flanked by Brock, and Henry.
“Well done, recruits,” Brock offered.
“How faired your climb?” Henry asked. The other initiates scowled in response to his question. The beasts suddenly made sense to William. Henry had summoned the vicious beasts.
“It was pretty uneventful,” William said, sarcastically.
“Those wolves were pretty meek,” Katrina said, looking towards Henry.
“I didn’t like the bats though,” Samuel added, still gasping for air.
“Bats?” Henry asked, jerking his head toward him.
Brock turned a concerned gaze his way. William took a breath to speak, but was interrupted by an intense pain shooting through his leg. The cramps worsened, and he flopped to the ground, clutching his legs.
“Come now, William, was it really that bad?” Brock asked, skeptically.
“…You’re very welcome to try it,” William growled through gritted teeth.
Brock laughed uncomfortably, their small conversation interrupted by the flames bathing the large statue. They rose and flared brighter for a moment, the heat intensifying. William watched as a figure emerged, striding straight from the fire.
It was a man, standing at least seven feet tall. He wore a long, well-groomed beard. He didn’t look old physically, but his eyes spoke to extensive experience. He wore only a loin cloth. The rest of his body was covered in soot, and ash. William exchanged glances with his friends.
This must be Vulcanus. What an intimidating figure, he thought.
With a few massive strides, the large man closed the gap between them.
“Welcome, young Guardians. My name is Vulcanus,” he said, his tone husky, but surprisingly docile.
“Hello, brother, how have you been?” Brock asked, embracing the large man in a half hug.
“It has been a great while since you last brought me a group of new recruits, Brock,” Vulcanus responded.
“They are as fresh as they come. They are ready to be fit with armor?” Brock said.
“I have not been asked to forge steel for a tainted soul in many centuries,” Vulcanus said, looking William over.
“Do it for Gabriel,” Brock said softly.
Vulcanus looked at Brock, and then at Chang Fei. Chang Fei simply grunted and nodded his head. Then Vulcanus turned and headed back into the flames.
“We will begin in the morning. Get some rest, young ones,” he said, and disappeared into the flames. The fire dissipated almost as soon as he disappeared. Darkness fell over the mountaintop.
It took a moment for William’s eyes to adjust to the lack of light. He didn’t move, even when he heard everybody else begin to. Vulcanus’ words had cut deep…deeper than he ever believed possible. Had rumor of his taint spread so far, and so fast, to reach even this remote place? Or was his taint so very obvious to everyone? William shook the thoughts away and turned to see the others huddling around a large flame. It floated in midair, projecting warmth to the small group. Katrina shivered and moved in closer to the flame. The night had become cold at the peak of the world.
Samuel and Ulifrig moved into the darkness to meditate. Juarez and Katrina sat with William by the fire. It crackled, and burned slowly. Brock and Henry remained with them for the evening, but despite their presence, William caught himself flinching, his eyes searching the shadows.
Chang Fei remained for a short time, but eventually pulled Brock aside, and whispered something in the big man’s ear. Judging from Brock’s expression, he was told something he didn’t like, but William didn’t want to push the issue, and he had been used to compartmentalization in the military. If he needed to know they would tell him.
“Brock, come and join us. Sit. You’re making me nervous,” William said, shortly after Chang Fei left.
Brock jumped and spun, startled by his words.
“My apologies, little brother, it is just such an exciting time for you young ones. To forge your armor is a major step in your journey. I…I can’t seem to find rest.”
“So, how does it work?” William asked, glancing over at the forge, where the flames had burned so brightly before.
“Henry, perhaps you can tell the story. You know it better than I,” Brock said, his eyes only half-focused.
“Indeed,” Henry said, sighing. “The Greige Forge has been around as long as the Archonians have. During the War of Souls over six thousand years ago, when the first Archonians went into battle against the demons of Lucifer their bodies and armor was no match for his evil power. The man you saw earlier, Vulcanus, was a master of metallurgy in his previous life, and instantly knew what needed to be done. In our previous world, metal was the strongest material, yet it could still be molded,” Henry said, pausing to see if everyone was paying attention. They all appeared to him to be enthralled by the explanation. Henry chuckled and continued, “Vulcanus is very clever. Knowing only metal in his previous life, he asked himself what the strongest thing in Archonia was.”
“Projected energy,” Katrina interrupted quickly. Henry nodded appreciatively.
“Correct. Our inner energy is what this world revolves around. We can use it not only to destroy, but to create. Vulcanus was one of the first Archonians to begin molding his inner energy. As you can imagine, his reputation grew, and was commissioned to create armor for one of the mightiest warriors ever to come from Earth. Thor, who was so great in b
attle in both worlds that he was thought to be the son of the Archon Othin. No demon could stand against him, and he single-handedly turned the tide of the war,” Henry finished.
“So how does he make the armor? How did Brock summon it from…well, nowhere?” William asked.
“Vulcanus delves into your mind, and helps you mold your inner energy. But ultimately you must be the one to create it. Vulcanus has found a way to make the process a necessity in order to speed it up. The “tempering process” is needed to make the armor as strong as possible. You will find out all about it tomorrow, my friends. For now you should all meditate. You have all had a long day,” Henry said, resting his hands on his knees and pushing off to stand.
William couldn’t disagree. He felt like he had been pushed to the limit, plus he had seen his first real combat in a long time. He stared into the flames, wondering if the fire was real. According to everything he’d learned, everything was in his mind. He pondered this as Katrina started singing softly to herself. She had a beautiful voice, and William quickly became lost in her song.
Images of the past day flew through his mind. Flash: William was running across the great plains of Archonia. Flash: he was climbing the massive mountain. William had been in Archonia here for many months now, yet he was still not used to the meditation process.
His eyes fluttered open, and he was sitting in front his friends, the sun now burning bright in the sky. His fellow initiates were all still deep in their meditations. Some of them sat with eyes open. Others closed. All sat motionless however. William felt a pang of uneasiness, like he was being watched.
William stood, scouring the cliff top. Nothing appeared out of place or amiss, but he held his breath, listening for anything and everything. He heard nothing.
My mind must be playing tricks on me, he thought, breathing out a slow sigh of relief, as he did a low voice cut the silence.
“Tainted one.”
William jumped, and spun around to find Vulcanus looming over him. His eyes appeared thoughtful. His body relaxed.