The next morning followed the ache of a long night, eyes crusted over… a sleep like the death, but my body could not have felt more free. Freed of stress, of… guilt? I could still feel where his hands embraced me, as if his touch was etched into my skin, like an artist’s passion painted on canvas.
I turned over to find the spot where he’d laid empty. Vampires do not sleep… I had wondered how he had felt after. Did he enjoy it?
I pushed myself up and got ready for the day. A night of peace before a long venture… I needed it.
As I made it downstairs, I found Halcyon sitting at a table across from another figure; his skin was similar in tone. They appeared to be deep in conversation, though Halcyon saw me and waved me over.
“So you’re this Sebastien my friend has been raving about.” The figure stated.
Halcyon scowled at him. “This isn’t social hour… let’s get down to business.”
I sat awkwardly next to him… though he seemed to move further away.
“So… business, as he said. My name is Cedric. I’m an old friend of Halcyon’s.”
“Acquaintance… the more you talk.”
“Is he the one you meant with when we arrived?” I asked.
“Yes, I’ve known him for a very long time. With what we experienced in Elm, I figured I’d run it by him.”
“What do you know about it?” I asked.
“A great deal,” Cedric said. “But I won’t be coy…”
“Cedric has existed almost as long as I have.”
There was an awkward glance between the two of them. “To make it short, I know of the vampire you seek.”
“Truly?” I asked.
He nodded, “His name is étienne. étienne Vox.”
“He is… a vampire lord of legend.”
Cedric went on to explain more. étienne Vox was responsible for many uprisings and attacks by his kind in the last millennia, making him much older than most vampires in the current age. Cedric had worked alongside him for a time, long enough to learn of his obsession with an even more ancient legend.
“There is a… prophecy, among our kind, of a vampire God rising to power and usurping the mortal races.” Halcyon said. “We think that whatever this power is, étienne likely thinks it will help him achieve this.”
“So we must stop him.” I said, “Can a vampire such as him truly achieve godhood?”
It was a nightmarish concept. One I could scarcely imagine, and more so, scarcely understand.
“Do we know what this power is? Do you have any insight?”
“No more than your king.” Cedric said. “Halcyon… you should know étienne has the power of blood on his side, more accomplished in its practice than any I have seen.”
“At a guess… that’s how he controls such a large army.”
Cedric nodded again. “It is.”
Halcyon seemed to grow increasingly upset.
“I know you understand what this means.” Cedric stated.
Halcyon shook his head in disapproval. “It won’t come to that,” he stood up. “We won’t let it.”
“You cannot possibly know that.” Cedric said.
“I don’t understand,” I said. “How is Blood Magic more worrisome than a vampire ascending to Godhood?”
Halcyon exhaled with impatience. “Blood magic can be used to control and subjugate. It has great freedom of ability… It can be liberating for our kind and terrifying.”
“Not unlike your own abilities.” Cedric said.
I raised a brow and looked to my friend.
“He knows only a surface level, much less than you told me at first.”
“It matters not… Blood magic is near absolute in its effects. Whatever this power is, if he even touches it, it is his. I trust you’ll do what’s necessary.”
Halcyon scoffed, “Come… we must get going,” he waved.
“Well… I suppose I’ll wish you both luck. Do not underestimate étienne.”
“We won’t…” I said.
“It was nice to meet you… Sebastien.”
We left the inn, Halcyon striding out angrily, though I still did not understand what had him so upset. Cedric seemed nice enough, if not a little secretive and mysterious, but he seemed to trust us.
“Are you alright?” I said, catching up with him.
He slowed his stride and exhaled, as if he had been holding his breath, “I am fine…” He said.
We walked for a while through the Archway district in silence. Making our way to the steps leading down to the Commons District.
“Maybe now isn’t the time…” I said, feeling an uncomfortably awkward tension, “But could we talk about last night?”
“Didn’t you enjoy yourself?”
“Well… yes, of course.”
He chuckled, “Then what more is there too talk about?”
“I suppose nothing,” I said, confused.
We walked a few more moments before nearing the end of the Commons District and entered the shipyard docks, where we were set to meet our troupe for the delve.
“Are you quite alright?” He said just as I’d asked him earlier.
“I… yes,” I said, thinking about last night. “I am.”
He paused for a moment as we walked, “If you’re wondering if I enjoyed myself too, then yes, I did.” He said, likely attempting to assuage my questions.
It lightened my mood… But yet, “That is good,” I said, “I’m glad.” I gave him a polite smile, and we continued on.
As we entered the shipyard, Tarrien, Amoria, and the rest of our troupe awaited us at the entrance to the dock house, a large hollowed-out warehouse at the base of the sky district that held trading goods delivered by sea.
“It's about time.” Amoria said, tapping her foot impatiently.
“Ah, you’re here, great, now we can begin.” Tarrien said, waving away Amoria’s comment. We stood in a circle to brief on our coming venture. The three Knights Arcana, clad in their stunning enchanted armor, stood alongside us, awaiting their prince’s orders.
“The King has entrusted us to embark upon a venture into Old Kygar. I’m sure you’ve all heard the grim tales, but we will not let them hinder our goal. As it stands, a great evil marches upon the depths of our great city in search of an ancient, unknown power. It is our goal to seek it and keep it from their clutches.”
The Knights nodded, as did the rest of us. Halcyon stood, arms crossed, and an arm's distance away from me. I almost reached for him…
“Sebastien and Halcyon… You two have faced this monster before and his fold. Would you guide us in the coming fight?”
“Oh,” I said, snapping my gaze back to the group. “Apologies, um, fire, or holy magics… we found was the best strategy, I suppose Amoria and I could supply that.”
“Yes, of course,” Amoria nodded.
“And I could lend some control over them, not all, but a few if I must.” Halcyon said.
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They eyed him suspiciously. “Well… that all seems very well.” Tarrien said.
He continued to brief the group, explaining the gravity of the situation. The Knights stood proudly in response, ready to take on anything for their Kingdom, a true display of devotion.
“Now… it is time we descend.” Tarrien said, “I and two knights shall lead. Sebastien and Halcyon, please stay in the middle along with Amoria, and the last of the Knights shall follow at the back.”
We formed our groups and opened the trapdoor leading to the warrens directly beneath the sky district. The cave system, populated mostly by vermin and the seldom homeless, stretched for but twenty minutes. The air around us was damp and smelled of mold, and one could hear the waves crash as we descended further. The stone caves slowly began to change shape. Millennia-old brick and etchings carved by ancient hands gave form to the rock… the ancient ruins of Old Kygar were near. A large, ornate door loomed ahead.
“We are here,” Tarrien said.
The door hummed with a deep magic aura.
“It is sealed…” Amoria stated, “Just as the King said. A powerful ward.”
“It was cast by your father.” Tarrien said, standing closely to her. “As I’m sure you can feel.”
“Yes…” she said.
“Can you bring it down?” I asked.
“I think so.”
Each of us stepped closer to the door. It seemed to tower even higher the closer we got. Designs similar to the ones on the cavern walls were etched into it… Some were hard to make out. A telling of history perhaps? Runes and magic insignia?
Amoria placed her hand on the door. “Father’s warding magics have always been complex… but this is…” She struggled to find the words. “Just… give me a few moments and some space.”
She took a seat on the ground, and we each backed away. The energy she gathered almost sparkled in the space around her as she fell into meditation, muttering incantations I could not recognize. The warding on the door seemed to respond to her words, the etches glowing brightly… She slowly rose from the ground, floating while continuing her spell.
Her incantations seemed to gradually chip away at the carvings, causing them to disappear… But her words became strained.
“Amoria… Don’t overdo it?” I said, “Unweaving a ward this complex is a lot for any mage.”
She continued, struggling, but the etchings had disappeared from halfway up the door's height. However… her struggle would become too much to bear as she began to descend, eventually gasping for air.
Tarrien raced to her side. “Amoria!” he shouted, catching her. “Are you alright? Gods!”
She panted for air, “Yes… yes, I’m alright, don’t fuss,” she said, pushing his arms away. She stood up wearily, patting the dust off of her.
We looked upon the ward, still strong, even if half dispelled. “What are we to do now?” Tarrien said.
Halcyon glanced at me. “Could you not break this ward easily, Sebastien?” He said aloud. Everyone looked at me, Amoria shooting daggers.
“I… I could try.” I said. There was an awkward silence as I walked toward the door. A sensation not unlike static flowed through me as I placed my hand against it. It was solid; more so than any material defense, it could likely divert any attack, whether magic or not.
“Well… can you?” Amoria questioned with irritation.
I inhaled, feeling the magic energy of the ward beneath my fingertips… I could almost hear the weaknesses within it, buried deep, almost impossible to notice; it would give if I pushed hard enough, if I willed it to do so. I whispered upon the ward itself, “Shatter.” A sharp ringing echoed through the cave as the ward broke instantly, cracking into shards like glass and withering into dust. Following that, the etchings and runes slowly faded… The spell was broken.
I turned to see shocked expressions, save for Amoria, who almost seemed furious, and Halcyon… who likely wasn’t surprised.
“That was… marvelous,” one of the Knights whispered, being elbowed by another.
They received a cold glare from Tarrien, “Yes… I suppose it was,” he said, “Thank you both.”
“I might not have been able to break it without you, Amoria,” I smiled.
She rolled her eyes and looked away, crossing her arms.
“Alright,” Tarrien said, having us form our groups. “We have a mission, so let’s continue.”
We took our formations, the door opening on its own as if to welcome us. Before us lay the Ancient Road. A far cry from the cavern we entered from. The brickwork and carvings decorating every inch were in pristine condition, the way lit by wisps and magefyre. The silver lining the bricks glinted from the light. “So this is old Kygar,” I said as we walked in.
“Indeed.” Tarrien said. “Everyone, stay close… We don’t know what we’re walking into yet.”
We continued on, albeit blindly, but moment by moment of walking, the energies that permeated this place could be felt even in the air… to which everyone took notice.
One could imagine when this place was populated. These bricks were laid with love, and wisps do not shine in places of hate, just like Kygaron. Old Kygar was likely a marvelous city, beloved by its people, whoever they were.
An hour’s walk and the hall had begun to open up into a larger room, strewn about with what appeared to be old displays and stalls.
“What could this be…?” Tarrien said, “An old trading hub?”
“The ancient road is long; perhaps traveling merchants stopped here to make trade with other travelers.”
“It would make sense,” I said. Though there was nothing of any interest. “It seems it was picked bare by whoever else has passed through here before.”
“Come then.” Tarrien waved to us, “We should keep moving.
The hall narrowed again, though the wisps seemed to follow us, or were they leading us? They moved in the same direction as we did, and eventually, we came upon a large doorway. The wisps raced through it excitedly; had we finally arrived?
Each of us made our way through, unto a sight unlike any I’d experienced before.
“Old Kygar,” Tarrien whispered.
We looked upon a large cavern lit by wisps, crystals, and ambient magic. Everything seemed to glow in a divine light. An ancient kingdom lay before us, built from the cavern’s ceiling and descending down through its center. The sides of the cavern were carved out, making homes, towers, gardens, and common areas. The sheer sprawling size of this place… it put Kygaron itself to shame.
“Alright, let us snap out of this,” Tarrien said. “We have a mission, after all.”
His own awe was apparent, but he was ever the leader.
We pushed past our initial amazement and continued into the city. The way to the structure in the center was not apparent, and the city around it seemed like a maze.
“Do you think we’ve made it here before them?” Amoria asked.
“We’d have no way of knowing just yet. I suppose we shall see.”
She moved closer to him; there seemed to be a bit of fear marring her typical confidence, Tarrien noticed this as he moved closer too. Halcyon, however, could not seem to make enough space between the two of us.
Delving within the city led us to a large terrace-like garden area, perhaps a park, we all thought. Nonetheless, it was quite a good area to rest, as by this point we had been walking for hours through empty streets and buildings. There was no life here besides that of the foliage and overgrowth.
One of the knights pulled a few convenient pieces of dried wood from his pack. “Good man,” Tarrien remarked. They lit the fire with help from Amoria, and a few of us sat within the warmth as the other knights set up tents.
The air within the city was surprisingly pure but carried a chill as any cavernous area would. The fire was welcome, as was the company, as everyone talked amongst themselves. Even Halcyon conversed… with Tarrien and Amoria.
I sat, warming my hands. I suppose some time to myself was good. Perhaps it would do me some good to stop thinking about Halcyon, I thought… and why he wouldn’t talk to me about what happened. His touch still lingered on my skin.
A cold chill overtook even the warmth of the fire… but it was welcome. The atmosphere of this ancient city bore an uncanny comfort. As if somehow I belonged here.
As the hour grew long, Tarrien made his way over to me and took a seat.
“I figured Halcyon would be over here talking to you. Is everything okay between the two of you?”
I chuckled. “Now wouldn’t be the time for there to be a problem, right?”
“Well… you’d be right, but problems persist no matter the situation. In any case, I’ll keep you company until the tensions cool, whatever they are.”
“Well, that’s kind of you.” I said.
“It’s a strange, strange place… right? A city built upside down, strangely reminiscent of home? It’s like a mirror of Kygaron in some ways, though older.”
“It is…ironically, though, I feel comfortable here.”
"I feel the same.” Tarrien said.
“So might I ask what is wrong between the two of you?”
I breathed in deeply. “Honestly, I’m not sure. We… well, shared a moment last night, and—he has barely spoken to me since.”
“Perhaps he just needs time. Have you both known each other long?”
“I suppose not, no… I feel like maybe it was just all the intense experiences culminating…”
“Maybe.” He said.
“So… you and my sister?” I smiled.
He nodded, though squinting his eyes. “In a way… yes. She is my wife; I am her husband.”
“And do wives and husbands usually sit so far apart from one another?”
He exhaled, “It was an arranged marriage if you must know.”
“Oh,” I said.
He nudged my arm playfully, “We aren’t unhappy, you know? We’re friends firstly; that’s what’s most important. Our marriage was just a means to strengthen uneasy alliances in the kingdom… and to ease tensions.”
I smiled, “A knight and a mage, it’s almost storybook.”
“I’m as much a mage as she is.” He laughed.
We sat comfortably in the ambiance of our surroundings, with no sense of night or day. It seemed to make time pass slower down here.
“I feel we’d better get some sleep, if only for a few hours. Who knows when the vampires will descend upon us?”
“So dramatic,” I waved my hand.
“Maybe they’ll… ascend?”
“Can they fly?” he asked worriedly.
“No,” I laughed.
Tarrien scoffed at my joke and waved goodbye, returning to Amoria. Again, I sat alone, but now I was content… Tarrien had a way of doing that. I had wished we had grown up together; perhaps we could’ve been even greater friends.
He spoke up over the chatter, “Alright everyone, we should get a few hours rest before we continue. Even if you are not tired, it’s better we rest now than be exhausted in the battles to come, whenever they may be.”
Everyone nodded in understanding and, with the tents set up, retreated to them for the time being. With only one empty tent left, Halcyon approached with a coy smile. “I suppose we’ll be… sharing a tent tonight.”
“Yes… we will.” I said bluntly.
The tent itself was shoddy, small, and cramped. In the corner were left two sleeping mats and cheap woolen blankets, itchy but warm… Even so, I hated wool.
We laid out the mats, mine spaced apart from Halcyon’s. He eyed me curiously as I sat upon it, laying the blanket upon my lap.
“Are you quite alright?” He questioned, sitting upon his too.
“Of course… Why are you worried?”
“I’m not,” he said. “Your mood is just strange; it’s not like you, from what I’ve seen.”
“If you must know… I don’t enjoy being used.” I said.
He was taken aback by my words. “Used?” He crossed his arms. “How did I use you?”
“I don’t consider myself a superficial person. Sex…” I stuttered, inhaling shakily. “Sex… to me, is special. It is not some surface-level exchange; it is an experience.” I emphasized.
He almost seemed to roll his eyes.
"It was… wonderful and amazing. And I felt like we shared something—more.”
“And yet you feel used?” He asked, “I’m afraid I still don’t understand. I told you I enjoyed myself too; what more is there?”
“Obviously nothing!” I said, more angrily than intended. “Let’s just forget it happened, please, and move on. I don’t wish to feel this way.”
He paused a moment… “If you wish.” He stood up. “I’m going outside. I’ll be back in a while.”
I scoffed, my heart racing as he left the tent. I’m not one to get caught up in flights of fancy, and I loathe the superficial. It brought out a part of me I truly despise. I could not risk being distracted when we encountered étienne and his flock. But seeing him go… no, I couldn’t think about it.
Sleep came hard, what little of it I was able to get. I shed a tear that night, trying to forget, to move on. He would never look at me like that, I thought, knowing all too well that I was… fun and nothing more. What else is there? he said. My dreams were barren, bleeding black like a wound into nothing.
What do you think étienne plans for them as they traverse Old Kygar?
