by J Silverado
The rays of the sun reflect the armor in all its splendor, shining like a golden statue. When the eyes adjust to the light, it is the armor of his father, clean as if it had been forged that day and beside the campaign chest that was with her in the attic. A whole trajectory goes on in his head until he gets to that day, since when Boldar took him to trial, through Molodok, all the years of training and the difficulties.
This time the guardian let the tears bathe his face, without worrying that they may see them. Then, he looks to his mother, who by then was crying and says: – Mother, do you think I deserve to use it? – Yes, my son. You deserve it! And he would like you to wear with pride. It is a good armor and will protect you for me. – They hug for a moment, then Boldar approaches again, his hand in greeting, saying: – Congratulations!
Galaniel ignores the hand and embraces Boldar that surprised, requires some time to match. – Thank you, Boldar, for everything you did for me. – You deserved it and your father did more for me than I could do for you. – You did a lot, do not think that you are in debt at all. – So if remaking him, Boldar exclaims: – better go get ready because the ceremony will begin shortly. I will ask to help you to take... – Do not be.
Galaniel withdraws support the armor from the wain, puts the campaign chest above his left shoulder and holding the holder with the right hand, he walks into the bedroom. Inara’s friends were already help her take things inside. – I think that armor weighs sixty pounds! – Boldar comments amazed with his wife. – Do not forget the bag – Eushaniel remembers, and both smile.
Arriving in the locker room, most guardians were already tidy. – Hurry! It will start in an hour! – Temar warns Galaniel rushing to put the armor. Pants, camal, hood, chain mail, armor, greaves, legs, escarpe, arms, backs, gauntlets, helmet and, finally, the mantle. Closed around the waist belt with sword, he puts the shield on the left arm and goes out into the courtyard, profiling in the front row, next to his squad and others who filled the center of the courtyard in front of the stage, where the ceremony will be held.
The order of the stations was in line with its position on the scoreboard. Around the courtyard, stands had been set up so that all the people of Kolpor and the parents of the students could see the graduation. Everyone wanted to find the best place to see.
The bells of the six towers sounded together three times. It was time. The members of the High Council, the coaches and the old man Ank-Oq rose, in sequence, the stage and sat behind the big table that was served with water and fruit, covered by an awning so that the sun does not hit them. – I thought the old man had already made the passage – Meneol comments. – Who will make the passage is you if you do not shut up – Inara implies.
The old man stands up and stays in the center of the stage, in front of the table. – Five years have passed. The childhood traits are gone, leaving the marks of adulthood. You are all winners! You completed the training and will leave here today, as soldiers. As warriors! - All stations raise the right arm with a clenched fist saying: - Citadel! Citadel! Citadel! – Ank-Oq gestures with his hands for silence. – Now we will proceed with the delivery of patents and Citadel medal for the winning squad – and he concludes returning to his seat. – The leader of the High Council gets up, takes a scroll and then speaks: – Squad twenty-three!
A round of applause explodes in the stands, while the other squads tap their feet on the ground, creating a deafening noise. The team climbs the stage and is facing the bench, which rises and delivers a small wooden box crafted that, when opened, reveals the patent. Made of red amalgam, it has a drawing of a triangle without its base, only two oblique lines lying at the upper end. Coach Feltam issues a command: – turn right – and all obey.
The authorities withdraw the patents of the boxes and put them on the side of the left arms of trainees. Once the patent, imbued with magic comes in contact with the armor, it focuses on site and melts the metal armature instantly. – Turn left – Feltam backs to order.
When the team returns to stand facing bench eight rectangular boxes, also worked, are in front, held by the members of the bench. By open them, the medals are at the Citadel, with their hexagonal shape, worked in gold and in the center a diamond cut in the same way. The medals were attached to ribbons worked so that they could be placed on the neck.
The graduates leaned forward and the authorities placed them the medals. – About turn - the coach speaks again, and the team turns to the other stations and to the stands that cheer up. – Turn right. March! – The team leaves the stage, returning to his place, and only then, the
The event runs its course, where each warrior gets his patent. The sun is at its zenith and the now soldiers are melting in the central courtyard. At the end of two hours, the ceremony comes to an end, then all stations recite, cadenced the oath warrior.
At the end, the whole bench stands up and applauds the new warriors, accompanied by the crowd in the stands. The bells of the towers return to sound three times and the new warriors will celebrate. Each soldier will toward his family. Inara and Galaniel come close to their family – Congratulations! Could not be more proud – Boldar speechs, excited, putting his arm on the shoulder of both. – Thank you, Boldar – Galaniel responds while Inara embraces the stepfather.
The guardian turns to his mother standing with her face bathed in tears. – Do not be sad, Mom, it will not happen to us all. Do not worry. – Let me cry, my son, they are not tears of sadness but of pride and happiness, for you were able to form. And with honors! I have no doubt that yourfather, wherever you are, you will be very happy – she concludes hugging her son. – Still lacked a gift to give you, my son. I would like you to use it. – She pulls out a little velvet bag from a pocket and opens it. Inside is the ring with the seal of his father. – The tears that until then he had managed to dam, roll fed up. – Come on, take the right sleeve – the mother speaks. He quickly pulls the handle and the mail and then she holds his hand and places the ring on the index finger. – Use it bravely, my son. – I will use it, my mother.
One last hug terminating the moment. – We will go. No more whining and let's eat, because the bash will be plentiful and the first batch of wine is always the best – Boldar animates, together with the other children. – I'm starving after that graduation. Have patience! – Eloe, the oldest, calls.
The Secret
The view would freeze to the bravest of men. Until that moment, no warrior returned alive to tell how was the Balkatar countenance, and in this situation, nothing indicated that they would be the first. – So you thought even that could come into my domain and rescue one of my souls? – the leader of the demons did echo in the hall, his ferocious voice. – You are sadly mistaken! Here comes to an end your journey at least in the bodies where you are. I'm sure that you will be great lieutenants. – And now, Gala, what do we do? They are many and the only way out, by where we have come, is almost in the same distance as the damned – Codaino questions.
Galaniel raises the head, looks slowly around the room, trying to examine the entire scenario: cocoons, demons, fire and brimstone, and that colossal figure that was almost the size of two Legions, both in height and in width. He takes a deep breath and answers to the friend: – we will do what we have always done: killing demons!
The guardian takes the lead and, looking at the creature, he says: – then you are responsible for bringing pain and suffering to our people, damn! I think you have heard about the name of our small group, no? – Yes, but what use eight warriors against hundreds, thousands of opponents? And... By my count, nor eight most you are, I think you are not taking good care of your flock, guardian, but do not worry, because soon you will be nothing! Attack, my minions! Let us only with life in their bodies enough to spend eternity serving me. - Galaniel turns to the group saying: – we have only one chance, we need to reduce their attack space. Mentales, destroy the right wall of this room, use the debris to form a directed barrier for that exit to the left. Rion, you stay with me in t
he front, protecting the group. Pelokir, in the center of the group, create a protective shield to prevent the attacks of the winged. Let's get out of here soon.
Immediately, the group goes to action. Codaino, Hrothgar and Nirmiriel conjure a spell that destroys much of the wall, followed by another spell that moves and gets a pile of rubble on a big wall, virtually dividing the room in two. Pelokir creates a protective field that goes to the edge of the wall of debris, protecting the group and allowing that the mentales do their jobs.
Galaniel and Rion are ahead of the protective field, using everything they can against the flood of demons that come toward them. Rion focuses his essence, using the shock wave powers of invulnerability and extended speed to reject his opponents, while Galaniel intones the mantra of power that attracts the spectra, causing them excruciating pain in the eardrums, beating his new sword against the face of his shell.
Each advanced meter is achieved with great effort, because the flood of demons is constant. – Codaino, leave the wall with Nirm and Hroth, I need you to fight. – What you need, sir? – Concentrate beams of light towards the fire exit. – It will be.
Then Codaino begins to prepare the magic until bright light cones come with speed from the center of the two hands of the mentale, united by the wrists. As the cones will toward the opponents, a green smoke trail is being formed, just being then replaced by more spectra. When the group is approximately one hundred meters from the exit, the attacks intensify and the damn power shots begin to overcome the protective field. – Lord, the attacks are many, the field is not holding - Pelokir warns. – Lack bit, Pelokir, hold on. Hroth, light hedgehogs!
Immediately, the mentale conjures the well-known attack and begins to shoot against the winged, starting to move away to avoid being hit. Nirmiriel, still convalescent, helps Hrothgar keep the wall of debris, but with great effort. When they are almost at will in the output, Balkatar is placed ahead of the group. – You thought it would be so easy? – the chief of the demon mocks, while launching a concerted attack from his accursed power directly across the group.
Galaniel takes the front and can protect them with his shield. The energy spreads like glass shattering in all directions. Pelokir anticipated and put Rion also under his protective field. – Keep moving, get in will. I’ll let him busy – Galaniel coordinates.
The group gain to enter and only Pelokir remains in the door to keep the protective field around the will behind Galaniel, preventing that other demons invade and surround the guardian.
The fight ensues fierce between Balkatar and Galaniel. – I need to do something, I’m not able to keep this up for much longer – the guardian thinks. – I will try to access the shell and see if there are even new powers as Ethanael said. – Then he concentrates his focus on the shield and a few moments later, the same violet light emanating from earlier returns, but at this time only on the face of the shield.
Violet flames come from the mouths of dragons carved on the shell, reaching, in full, Balkatar, who howls in pain and departs. Galaniel seizes the moment to turn around and run toward the will.
When he is about to leave, the guardian turns to the left and look back, looking for his opponent, only sees a big damn energy beam hit his shield and bounce, slipping on his face, cutting from the left to the right of apple top of the forehead. Putting the shield hand over his face, already dripping with blood and unable to see properly, the guardian enters the will, feeling the walls. Seeing the situation, Rion uses his shock wave and put below the ceiling on the go, closing the passage.
Nirmiriel secures Galaniel’s right hand, saying: – come, I'll help you. – Pelokir sings a charm starting the healing of the guardian, trying to stop the bleeding, but still Galaniel could not see. Impact sounds are heard behind the group, near to where the will was sealed. – Come on, pretty soon, they will be able to come and if we are still here it will be our demise – Codaino rushes everyone. – Where should we go, Gala? – Hrothgar asks. – Ethanael said, turning left, we must follow the trail to the end – the guardian answers, without seeing. – So, it should be up there – Pelokir points to the slope of the final where they were. Upon arrival, a gap gave access to a small room, immediately recognized by Rion. – This is where we went down, I remember this camera. Now we just have to go up.
Galaniel after receiving more bionte cures, could see the blurry shape with the left eye. – Come on, guys, we need to get right to the surface. Hrothgar, go first. We need your darts, when new demons are waking where we entered. Rion, help Nirmiriel to rise, she is exhausted with the spell of the wall of rubble. – Then will it you, Gala, you are still injured and not seeing right. Doctor's orders – Pelokir determines, smiling at the guardian who outlines a tired smile and nods in agreement.
Quickly the group follows the plan and, sneaking through the narrow passage, it can reach the surface. Hrothgar, quickly eliminates the sentry who was making the rounds and the group manages to sneak out and walk toward the hill where down, doing the reverse path. When they can reach the hiding place where the horses were, a deafening sound is heard by all, and looking terrified to the slot, they see a number of spectra out at high speed, part to the sky and part by filling the surrounding lands.
Then Balkatar in person, out of the slot, says with his demonic voice: – bring those wretches! Only appear here with them or feel my wrath! – We need to better hide. This shelter was just to throw off looks from afar. We will soon be discovered - Pelokir reported the group. – Let's go to the cave parchment – Galaniel speaks. – Gala, I think I saw this scroll there in the slot – Codaino comments. – Chat when you get there. Fast, mount your horses - the guardian answered, rising in his chestnut-red and gold starting at a gallop, just behind Nirmiriel.
The sun was dismissing behind the hills and the darkness progressed. Nearly three hours later, the group manages to reach the cave entrance with his exhausted and panting horses.
While Pelokir took the animals into the cave and, along with Codaino, fed them and removed the cells so they could rest, Rion and Hrothgar covered the entrance with branches and other debris, disguising the cave.
Galaniel had gone to bed and Nirmiriel was taking care of his wound, wiping his face with a cloth and water. The wound was already beginning to heal, thanks to Pelokir, but it certainly would be a big scar. – It seems that I will not be the one you married, En. – Let silly El, I did not tell you, many years ago, that women like men with scars? – Nirmiriel answers, flashing her right eye.
Galaniel pulls his wife by the arm holding the tissue and kisses her at length. - Er... Gala... Sorry to bother - Codaino speaks awkwardly. - No problem, Cod, say - the guardian replied, with a smile. - I saw a similar altar with that there at wall, next to the throne of Balkatar.
- On the altar was a type of paper rolled up and next to a bottle with a red substance. I kept looking at the altar and it had branches which then turned in the ducts that linked cocoons. It seemed that all were concentrated there, as if there were branches of the same root. – The guardian is a moment in silence, analyzing what Codaino said. – Pelokir, the monolith of the text spoke of blood, right? – Yes, Gala, "the same blood." – So that bottle should contain blood... ESCON – Yes! I think you killed the charade, Gala. It was his blood that was shed when Balkatar emerged. Every adult and every child knows this is part of our teachings – the bionte answers. – So, according to the monolith, if we again wet parchment with "the same blood"... We'll end the pact. Everyone will be saved! – Galaniel reasons. – And the devil will be with no army – Rion complements excited.
The entire group is silent, looking at each other – And how do we do? They are many, we will not give account of all – Codaino questions. – No matter, since we kill as much as possible – speaking Hrothgar embittered by the loss of his brother. Pelokir puts his hand on his friend's shoulder, trying to comfort him. – I do not think Ethanael visited us for nothing – Nirmiriel speaks. – We need better weapons. We need the Primeval We
apons! – Yup! We saw what Gala could do. Imagine three more of them – Rion complements while grinding his ax, sitting beside the fire. – But how will we find them?
Looking forward to respond, the guardian of the shell starts sounding a little light. – Gala, what is happening? – I do not know, just thought where other weapons would be. – Then, in one of the cells of the pack horses, another light is observed. Quickly the group guns and walks toward the light. When they get closer, the light comes from something really long and wrapped carefully. - But this package is the staff of Nirmiriel, I brought along with the load as we could not get in Kolpor – Galaniel speechs, removing the wrapping and delivering it to his wife, who immediately begins to unfold his gun.
When, finally, the staff is in sight, a light white light surrounding the gun completely. Nirmiriel handles the stick with her right hand and puts her feet. – How good it is to hold it again! But why it is shining alone?
Galaniel approaches his staff shell and the light becomes a little stronger. – It seems that this is another weapon Primal En, but without its missing piece. I'll pull my shield on it, to consider finding the missing. – Nirmiriel closes her eyes and think of how to find it. Moments go by without any results. – Nothing, I think that is not how it works. – Easy, try again. Take a deep breath and talk to his staff, ask him to show you. – The guardian gives the hand to his wife. She, again, close her eyes and, even if she feel silly, she think as if she were talking to her weapon: – if even one of these weapons, show me where the missing piece, that I may make it whole again. – A few moments pass, all are silent and then she feels... – North, is north of here. – Where? In Gitar? – Rion questions. Nirmiriel opens his eyes saying: – I do not know, just know it's the North. – Then she feels dizzy and falls not only because Galaniel safe, saying: – come, you are still very weak. Rest. – She nods and both will lie down on one of the mats by the fire. – Wonder at least now we have two. – Rion celebrates. – Yes, now we need to rest, the day was very hard and I still can not heal all your wounds. How Gala and Nirm are the most critical, the four of us we take turns. I caught the first round as well. Continue my charms soon after Hrothgar, Codaino and Rion – the bionte sets, which is accepted by the group, which already begins to straighten to sleep.