Tales of Aria: The Legend of Damiano's Disk

by Carl Russ III

  “Yeah!” Hagan agreed. “Lucas would have him in pieces if he weren’t cheating!” The Cobra chuckled and turned back to the fight.

  Lucas was sweating profusely. I’m getting way too tired. I can’t believe this. I could be living the final minute of my life right now. In that moment, he reflected on all of the events that had taken place since he’d left from his home. Receiving the fragment from Morice, the old man. Meeting Roshan and being hurled into the In Between. His encounter with Zoe. Fading into unconsciousness as Hagan rescued him in the snow. Coming to in Iris’s cozy home in Azure.

  His eyes widened. Wait! Iris! As quickly as possible, he distanced himself from his opponent.

  Kuraikaji laughed. “What’s wrong, boy? Scared?”

  Lucas faced him. Please work, please work! He outstretched his arm in a cupping formation with his palm facing upward.

  Kuraikaji remained in place, amused. An orb, hm? he thought.

  “Lumen orbis!” Lucas bellowed, successfully conjuring a light orb. Yes! Immediately, his legs began to shake. I’ve definitely reached my limit with this one. I’ve got to do this perfectly.

  Kuraikaji raised an eyebrow. “Light magic?” He chuckled. “What are you planning to do, boy? Suffocate me with fairy dust?” The Cobras laughed hysterically at their leader’s comment.

  Lucas’s face turned to stone. Without a word, he hurled the light orb directly at Kuraikaji, who easily dodged it with a simple side step. His eyes still fixed to Lucas, he smirked. “You’re going to have to do a lot better th–”

  “Kuraikaji!!” A Cobra shouted. “Look out!!”

  Before Kuraikaji could turn around, however, he was suddenly knocked to the ground as the light orb smashed into him from behind.

  Fighting through his exhaustion, Lucas bolted toward Kuraikaji, who was struggling to get back to his feet. All of the duel’s onlookers gasped as Lucas savagely buried his blade into Kuraikaji’s chest. One could have heard a pin drop for the pause that proceeded the fatal blow.

  Quivering as blood poured from his wound, Kuraikaji struggled to speak. “Y‑you... b‑but... how?”

  Breathing heavily, Lucas smirked. “Maybe I’m just some ‘boy’ throwing ‘fairy dust,’ but you’re the one who lost to him.” Kuraikaji attempted to respond to the remark, but ultimately collapsed.

  Slowly, Lucas looked up at the spectators. “He wanted a fight to the death.” He lifted his blood soaked sword. “All’s fair, right?”

  “T‑that kid just killed Kuraikaji!!” One of the Cobras blurted in utter disbelief.

  “You’re damn right he did,” Hagan proudly responded. “Way to go, Lucas!”

  “That was incredible!” Iris cheerfully proclaimed. Aiden stared in silent disbelief while Sezuni smiled.

  Lucas turned his attention to the Cobras on the balconies. “If the eye patch wasn’t cheating, neither was that. I played by his rules and I beat him. Fight to the death, winner takes all. That means you work for me now.” The Cobras hesitated, uncertain of how to react to the development. “Lower your bows,” Lucas commanded sternly.

  “And if we don’t?” a Cobra queried.

  Lucas lowered his eyebrows. “If you don’t, you might manage to kill some of us. But it’s only going to take one of us to finish off the rest of you. So I suggest you play nice while you still can.” After a short delay, the Cobras lowered their weapons. “Good,” said Lucas. “Now, all of you. Go outside and kill all of the monsters that have infiltrated Secar while we’ve been busy. Then, I want you to go door to door and inform every citizen that the entire town will be evacuating tomorrow morning at 9am to Valletal. That is, if you haven’t destroyed it already.”

  “We haven’t,” a Cobra replied. “Kuraikaji gave us specific instructions to save it for last. It was a primary target for thieving.”

  “As long as it’s safe,” said Lucas. “After you’ve spoken to every citizen, get some rest. You’re going to help us make sure that everyone in Secar makes it there alive. Once that’s done, you’re all free to go.”

  The Cobras obeyed, and began the requested task immediately. Meanwhile, Lucas and the group seated themselves on the various chairs and couches in the large lobby room, at last having time to relax. Iris looked at Lucas. “What you did was absolutely brilliant.”

  He smiled. “Thanks. Actually, you’re the one who made me think of it.” A confused look appeared on her face. Lucas elaborated. “I remembered seeing you conjure that orb in your backyard without using your hands. I figured, if it’s mostly mental, I should be able to stop it in mid‑air. So I threw the orb, knowing he’d dodge it, and stopped it behind him. I knew he would be able to see any attacks I was about to make with that eye patch, so all I had to do was get the orb out of his sight. When he started talking, I pulled it back to me with my mind, and it ran right into him.”

  “Now that’s smarts!” Hagan remarked.

  Aiden stretched, comfortably relaxing in his chair. “I knew you’d find some way to win. Never doubted ya for a second!” Iris, Hagan, and Sezuni glared at him.

  Lucas turned to Iris. “I’m glad you figured out that the eye patch was enchanted. You just can’t stop saving my life, can you?”

  She chuckled. “I can’t claim all of the credit. I’m simply relieved that you’re okay.” She paused before adding, “Admittedly, it’s a rather clever enchantment; successfully fooling one’s opponent into believing they will have tactical advantage.”

  “Speaking of which,” Aiden said, stumbling to his feet in pain. “I’m callin’ dibs on the thing.” He approached Kuraikaji’s body.

  Iris cringed and Hagan commented, “Seriously?”

  Aiden shrugged. “Why not? Seems useful.”

  “It’s on a dead guy,” Hagan bluntly responded.

  Aiden put on the eye patch. “Whaddya think?”

  Iris lowered her eyebrows. “Please remain a safe distance from me while you’re wearing that.”

  Sezuni turned to Lucas. “Take it from someone who has killed more than she can count: the way you defeated Kuraikaji was a work of sheer tactical genius. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ll be capable of once you’ve received proper guidance from Aalok Bonham.”

  Chapter 49: Laverick’s Score

   

  Once inside the kitchen, Laverick opened the cabinet containing potions and herbs he’d viewed hours before during his initial search of the base. “Kay,” he whispered to his mother, “now what?” 

  “Search its contents,” Veronica answered. “If we’re lucky, we might be able to find something we can use to poison the guard.”

  “That’s a great idea, Ma!” Laverick softly replied. He reached for a bottle of pink liquid and examined its small label which read, ‘Anodynum Elixir.’

  “That’s a healing potion,” Veronica informed. “Keep looking.” As Laverick returned the bottle to the shelf, Veronica suddenly shouted, “Wait! There! The gray one!”

  Quickly scanning the array of potions in front of him, Laverick located the bottle his mother had referred to. He grabbed it, squinting his eyes to view the small writing on its label. “Somnus Potion?” he whispered. 

  Veronica chuckled. “Just as I thought! That should do the trick.”

  Shutting the cabinet door, Laverick continued to marvel at the bottle. “Is it poisonous?”

  “Not quite,” his mother responded. “It’s a sleeping potion. A rather useful cure for insomnia, though we’ll be making tactical use of its effects. All we must do is prepare our ‘friend’ a delightful little snack mixed with our special ingredient. If he ingests even a miniscule amount, you should have more than enough time to nab the fragment and exit the base as he slumbers.”

  “Oh boy!” Laverick said cheerfully. “This is gonna be super easy!”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Veronica replied. “Now it’s only a matter of finding something to lace with the potion.”

  Moments later, Laverick emerged into the hallway carrying a rath
er messy looking sandwich on a plate. “Remember,” his mother reminded him, “all you must do is convince him to eat just one bite.”

  “Got it, Ma,” Laverick quietly responded. He continued down the passage and entered the room in which the large bearded man stood guard. “Hi again,” Laverick greeted as he walked in.

  The man raised his eyebrows. “Zoe? You’re still awake?” 

  “Yeah,” Laverick replied. “I went and ate a snack like you suggested. I figured you might be hungry too, so I made you this while I was in there.”

  The man eyed the sloppy sandwich as Laverick handed him the plate. “Uh, thanks,” he said, gently resting his battle‑axe against the wall. He took the plate. Though the sandwich didn’t appear to be particularly appetizing, he kept his opinion to himself. “That was pretty thoughtful of you. I could use a bite right about now.”

  “It’s got honey and syrup on it,” Laverick informed, watching in anticipation as the man lifted the sandwich to his mouth.

  Yes, yes! Laverick thought excitedly. The man took a bite. As he chewed, a look of masqueraded disgust appeared on his face.

  “Exquisite!” Veronica proclaimed. “It won’t be long now.”

  The man gagged slightly as he swallowed. “I think our syrup is going bad,” he commented.

  Laverick shrugged. “Tasted okay to me.”

  Returning the sandwich to the plate, the man rested it on a small table. “I’ll... finish it later,” he said, frowning.

  “Okay,” Laverick replied with a smile. “I’m gonna get some rest now. Good niiiight!”

  The man lifted an eyebrow as Laverick exited the room. She’s awfully peachy, he thought to himself, collecting his axe. He glanced at the sandwich. I’m never eating her cooking, that’s for damn sure.

  Laverick waited patiently in the hallway, a massive grin plastered to his face. About ten minutes had passed when he heard a loud thud.

  “Bingo,” said Veronica. “Go, now!”

  As he reentered the room, Laverick looked down at the large man. He was sound asleep on the ground in front of the chest. Not far from where he’d collapsed rested his dropped battle‑axe. “I’m gonna hafta move him,” Laverick whispered. “Is it gonna wake him up?”

  “Not at all,” Veronica answered. “Until the effects of the Somnus Potion have worn off, absolutely nothing will awaken him.”

  Laverick grabbed the man’s arm and pulled with all of his might. Though it took a great amount of effort, he managed to drag the bulky guard far enough away from the chest to make it accessible. Reaching into the bag on his waist, Laverick took out the ring of keys he’d found under Tarren’s pillow. He approached the chest and kneeled in front of it, examining each key as he flipped through the ring. “Which one of these do you think opens it?”

  “Just try them one by one!” Veronica ordered impatiently. “And hurry! We must be sure that you have enough time to distance yourself from the base before he wakes up.”

  Hurriedly, Laverick stuffed one of the keys into the chest’s lock with no success. Quickly removing it, he flipped to the next one on the ring and attempted to insert it. This proved to be futile. The following key went into the lock, though he was unable to turn it. As Laverick tried to pull it out, however, he quickly realized that it’d become stuck. No, no! Dang it! With a little wiggling, he managed to extract it. He hastily proceeded to the next key, which only went halfway into the lock.

  “Damn!” Veronica snapped.

  Laverick tried yet another key. “What if we got the wrong keys, Ma?” he queried.

  “That’s impossible!” Veronica barked. “One of these must open that chest! The man was sleeping on them for goodness sake!!”

  Laverick’s sixth attempt failed. “I dunno, Ma,” he said as he tried yet another key. “It’s sure not looking good right now. There’s only three more.”

  “Don’t talk like that, Son!” she exclaimed, frightened by the prospect. “Try the next one.”

  Laverick slid the subsequent key into the lock. He turned it and heard a click as the lock released. His eyes widened.

  “Success!” Veronica declared as Laverick eagerly took the lock off and cleared the chains surrounding the trunk. He hoisted the lid and looked inside.

  There it was at the bottom of the chest, all by itself: the disk fragment. Laverick trembled with excitement as he reached for it, the thoughts of his future as a wealthy nobleman racing through his mind. He grabbed it, closely ogling its curious engravings. Swiftly stuffing it into his bag, he jumped to his feet.

  “Alrighty, Ma! Mission complete! Time for me to get outta here.”

  * * * *

  Veronica turned to Lord Quinn. “I’m proud to report that my son currently holds the disk fragment in his possession. He’s exiting the Spades’ headquarters as we speak, and will soon be on his way back to Aria.” As she spoke, Lord Quinn’s mouth slowly formed a smile.

  “Impressive,” he said. “I can now say wholeheartedly that my doubts have been effectively dispelled.”

  “Then I suppose it’s time I received my payment, hm?” Veronica suggested.

  Lord Quinn’s smile faded. “I sincerely assure compensation for you and your son’s assistance the moment I hold the fragment. No sooner.”

  Frustrated by the response, Veronica hesitated before replying, “Very well. Laverick will not return until the morning, however. He has quite a distance left to walk before reaching the portal. Unfortunately, if either of us falls asleep, our telepathic connection will be lost. Therefore, I will remain here for the rest of the night until he emerges back in Aria.”

  Lord Quinn got out of his chair. “Splendid. Considering my presence will not be required, I’m going to take this opportunity to acquire some much needed rest.” He walked toward the double doors. “Do not hesitate to make any requests to my servants. I will return to this room early tomorrow morning.” He glanced back at Veronica before walking out of the doors. “I highly anticipate our next meeting.”

  * * * *

  Laverick stood at the dead end of the base’s main corridor. I think this is where I came in. Maybe there’s another thingy for that crystal. Cautiously running his hand along the solid black wall, he tried to find a small groove similar to the one he’d used to access the base.

  Without warning, his mother chimed back into his head. “Any luck finding your way out, darling?”

  “No,” he replied. “I can’t find the crystal majiggy.”

  Just then, his hand bumped into a small protrusion on the otherwise smooth surface of the passage wall. “Wait, I think I found something!” He placed his hand on top of it and pushed it in. As he did, a loud rumbling filled the hallway as the rock at the dead end shifted to create an opening. Laverick froze in horror, certain that the resounding noise had put an end to his otherwise stealthy escape.

  “What are you waiting for?!” his mother screamed. “Get out of there this instant!” Panicked, Laverick bolted into the wilderness of the In Between.

  Chapter 50: Reflections Of The Past (Part IX)

   

  Javan explained to the men that he’d learned of a great treasure known as Damiano’s Disk and was sent to seek the Crimson Clan to assist him in reaching the In Between. All the while, he was certain to avoid the more personal aspect of his tale, including his encounter with the mysterious spirit. This led one of the men to ask, “Who told you of us and our practices?”

  To which Javan replied, “A reliable source.”

  “Damiano’s Disk is a myth,” a young man with brown eyes informed him, his lengthy dirty‑blond hair barely visible beneath the hood of his red cloak. “Even if it were real, what would it be doing in the In Between?”

  Javan calmly responded, “While I do not possess the answer to your question, I’m quite convinced of the disk’s authenticity. I would also like to make it entirely clear that I’m willing to pay your organization immensely for its assistance. In the event I’m able to attain both fragments, I plan
to use my newfound power to lead Aria into a new era – and I certainly wouldn’t overlook those who aided my rise to such a position.”

  The Crimson Clan of Gethin Woods was astonished. Unknown to Javan, they too had recently spoken to a spirit which told them that they would soon be visited by a man who would change the world. It said that the visitor would seek their help, and if they were to comply, the man would one day be responsible for leading them into an age of prosperity. At first, they were skeptical of the news but now believed its prophecy to be true and Javan to be the man of whom it foretold. Without further questioning, they agreed to his request.

  Javan then learned that the men were practitioners of advanced necromancy, and often visited the In Between in order to perfect their skills. After explaining the dimension’s purpose, they took him to a building in which many strange creatures were encaged. Javan was quite fascinated to learn that these beasts were once lost souls, and had been transformed into what he saw. They explained that the potential for what they could make was nearly limitless, but that the process was quite arduous and they experienced great difficulty controlling their creations. The men expressed that they wished to create a perfect soldier, capable of speech and free will, yet compelled to follow their every command. With these soldiers, they had planned to start an empire of their own. Javan was highly interested in this concept.

  Afterward, the group took Javan to the In Between, through a structure they referred to as a ‘gateway.’ He was amazed by the sight he beheld on the opposite side of the portal. The colorless landscape seemed surreal, yet there he was. Curious, Javan asked if it were possible to create a gateway while in the In Between. They informed him that they had attempted to do so before, but discovered that the destination of the portal was far too unpredictable. Building a gateway in one area of the In Between could lead to a random spot in Aria’s wilderness, while building another merely a foot away could send the traveler to the middle of the Eastern Ocean. In order to keep other Arialites from discovering or interfering with their work, they destroyed their secondary gateways and resorted to using only the original one.

  The men went on to tell him that the dimension was monumental in size, and that locating the fragments could prove to be a long‑lived task. Discouraged by the news, Javan was uncertain he would have the time required to search the dimension while still managing to hold his position as King Ashraf’s adviser. That’s when he got an idea. He made the men an offer: he would pay them generously to hunt the In Between for the two fragments, and promised them that he would make certain the law remained unaware and did not interfere with their personal work. Without hesitation, the men took the offer, after which Javan stressed the importance of discretion while handling the matter. He warned of his close connection to the king and was certain to make it known that anyone who betrayed his trust would be dealt with. The men proceeded to swear him their loyalty, and ensured him that they would honor his wishes.