A rumbling roused me, a tremor. “Men, to arms!” I heard a familiar voice shout, “Where the hell is Sebastien!” A monstrous screech pierced the air, following the sound of ringing metal and shattering ground. I rose quickly, jolting out of my tent.
The scene was chaos, the camp was demolished, and Tarrien, in only his underclothes, held off a great beast alongside Amoria and Halcyon. The centipedal beast's hundred arms flailed about, snatching at them from all angles, regrowing with every slash from the knights, its injuries disappearing in an instant.
“Halcyon!” Amoria shouted as the beast lunged at him. He used his superior speed to move out of the way, but the force of the beast's movements sent him stumbling to his knees. “Make him bleed… I may be able to restrain him if you do!”
The beast sent one of the Knights through the air, tumbling onto the ground in front of me. “God’s,” I shouted, running to his side.
The man’s chest was caved in, and he was gasping for air. I took off his helmet; he was young, likely around my age, his skin was pallor with a rosy hue, and his dark brown hair was tied loosely behind his head. “P… please,” he said, through strained, breathless words. “The… P… Prince!”
“Don’t push yourself,” I said, as his eyes welled with tears. I could see his life through them; he had something to return to. He took my hand, his eyes bloodshot… I… I could fix this. It was too late, but could he endure it? I knew I couldn’t make excuses for using my abilities this way, but this look, his story, it couldn’t end in terror this way. I placed my hand above his chest. “Don’t worry, please… I’ve got you.” I breathed deeply, watching the light begin to leave his eyes. “Restore!”
His body began to writhe sickeningly as his bones began to reform, cracking and forcing themselves back into place. He could not scream, eyes opened wide in horror with every second that passed. His ribcage repaired, and flesh began to heal over it, muscle and sinew, then skin, and soon, he gasped for air… as if life had returned to him. He looked at me with shocked eyes, and then they rolled into the back of his head as his body fell limp.
“No… no, no!” I said.
Tarrien raced toward my side, coming to a stop on his knees. “Gods! Amicus!”
“Is… is that his name?”
“Yes!” Tarrien said, placing two fingers on his neck. “Thank Duranex, he’s alive. And uninjured at that… he’s lucky.” Tarrien looked to me. “Come, now, we need your help.” He ran back into the Frey. I moved the knight to a safer spot. “Stay safe here… Amicus,” I said.
The fight continued, the beast swaying left and right in frustration. Amoria shouted an incantation, bringing a wave of fire down upon it. It screeched in fury, but Tarrien capitalized, jumping with sword enchanted, plunging it into the beast's chest. He pulled down with his weight and opened a large gash down its body. “Halcyon!”
Halcyon, hesitant in his stance, breathed deeply; the monster wailed in pain, about to lash out again. The beast's blood flowed toward him, evaporating into a fine mist.
“Halcyon now!!!!” Amoria yelled.
The beast lunged at him, wailing an ungodly cry. I sprinted to him, “No…” But just then, the screeching stopped, and with one hand outstretched, its advance ended.
Everyone fell silent at the sight, Halcyon struggling with his hold on the beast. “This… is hardly easy!” he said, “Find a way to kill it!” He held up both hands now, his struggle becoming more apparent.
Everyone steeled their resolve, Amoria and Tarrien looking to me. “What should we do?” They asked.
I recalled again a study of monsters and abominations in my younger years. Words and names floated throughout my mind's eye… “Dread Maw, that’s what they’re called.”
“The Children of Dormos…” Amoria questioned, “Immortal monsters? How can we kill that? I thought they were a myth.”
“Immortal… truly?” Tarrien asked.
“Common misconception,” I said, “Look… the wound you inflicted upon it,” I pointed. The gash left by his blade was still apparent. “What enchantment is on your sword?”
He held up his blade. “A simple purification enchantment…keeps the edges sharp and the metal from degrading.”
“That’s perfect… Amoria, do you know purification magic?”
Halcyon shouted as his grip on the beast was waning. “Might you all hurry up?”
“Of course I do,” she said snobbishly.
“Good, cast a wide-range purification barrier on the surrounding area; the beast will be weakened and find it difficult to move. Then Tarrien and I will move in for the kill.”
“Right,” Tarrien said, readying himself.
“We’ll have to be quick.” I said as they both nodded.
The beast screeched once more, pushing against Halcyon's grip. He fell to a knee. “Amoria now.”
With ancient words, a circle of arcane text formed on the ground beneath her glowing brightly; Tarrien and I moved in quickly.
Halcyon's grip broke, the beast bearing down on him with rage. “Protect,” I shouted. An orb-like barrier formed around him, reflecting the beast's attack and sending it stumbling backward.
Amoria’s spell completed, its radiance rushing past us and enveloping the area in a pure light. The beast wailed again with tortured cries, writhing as Tarrien and I advanced.
With three swift slashes from Tarrien, the beast's many arms fell to the ground, unable to regrow.
I conjured my Magispear, “Ascend.” I shouted, launching myself into the air, spear overhead pointed downwards. “And now… descend!” I fell upon the beast with great force, lodging my spear into its gaping maw. “Ignite! And purify!” White flame burst forth from my spear, spreading across the beast's body quickly. It thrashed and threw itself to the ground, pulling me down with it.
“Sebastien!” Halcyon shouted. The beast was silent now, burning beside me.
“I’m alright,” I said, as they raced over.
Tarrien helped me to my feet. “That was… harrowing almost.”
“Dread Maw…” Amoria said, “Obviously not a myth. Father will want to hear about this.”
“And my father, the king, as well. God’s, if they’re under the city, what if some of them escape? The havoc they would wreak. I don't think our knights could handle it.”
“Or the mage’s…” Amoria said.
Halcyon stood close to me, “These will be the least of our worries if étienne and his horde achieve their goals. That should be our focus.”
“Well… What do you think, Sebastien?” Tarrien asked.
Each of them looked upon me now. “I’m not the leader… I thought you were,” I said, pointing to Tarrien.
“The way you handled that beast. You were prepared when we weren’t and knew how to handle it immediately. If anyone should lead us while we’re down here, it’s you.”
“I hate to admit it… But he’s right,” Amoria said, “And the two of you have encountered these vampires before…” she muttered off.
“I agree,” Halcyon said, his eyes cutting into me, “You are… always prepared.” He seemed to stutter for a moment. “I—seem to forget, but I owe you my life. I will follow your lead.” He bowed lightly, a glimmer of... something in his eyes.
Amoria and Tarrien glared at him for a moment and then back to me.
“I… well, I suppose let’s regroup then.” I said.
“That’s a solid plan,” Tarrien said. “We’re all up now and likely won’t be sleeping again any time soon.”
A sharp darkness permeated the air suddenly… stealing our gazes. “Ahhh… how sweet.”
My eyes grew wide, fear gripping my heart.
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“You’ve made friends, I see… young Prince Tarrien, and Amoria La’Kar herself.” He smiled ominously, afloat in the air before us. He looked upon the other knights. “And extras…”
“étienne!” Halcyon roared.
“Oh, this simply won’t do.” He waved his hand, and Halcyon fell to his knees. “Hush now, I have not the time for your disdain.”
“Let him go!” I yelled. Tarrien and Amoria snapped out of their trance, racing to our sides.
“Be still,” étienne said, “He is in no pain… yet,” he sneered madly.
Amoria began to conjure fire in her hands.
“No!” I whispered.
“I know you have all come to stop me… But your efforts are in vain. I… am on a precipice!” His voice began to rise, shaking Old Kygar itself. “I am but a short stride from godhood! The power held here will lead to my ascension!”
Halcyon broke from étienne's grip. “It will not!!”
“What’s this now?” étienne said.
"You hoard power you know nothing of! And yet more, you seek a power unknown to all! I… will bleed you dry before I allow that!” Halcyon screamed.
étienne’s face distorted in disgust. The wretched grin we’d only ever seen before twisted into an abhorrent scowl.
“You… are akin to sheep, nothing more. And like sheep, you are the ones who shall be bled!” He waved his hand, shattering the ground of the terrace in half, sending each of us into the dirt. With another violent motion, a violent quaking separated the two halves further. I could feel the earth falling beneath me.
“Amoria, Sebastien!” Two voices shouted, blending together as distance grew so fast, it felt like an eternity before I realized it.
“Sebastien….” A voice said, “Sebastien!”
Around me, shattered rock and debris seemed almost frozen in the air as I fell, glancing around frantically. “Amoria!” I yelled, finally meeting her eyes. Just a few feet above her was Amicus.
“What do we do?” She screamed.
“Do you know flying magic?” I asked.
She looked at me in fear, “If I did, I would’ve used it by now! That’s the stuff of legends!”
“Damn it,” I said. What could we do? The ground was ripped out from under us. A hopeless descent, and the city below grew closer by the second.
“We have to do something!” Amoria shouted again, the stress growing in her voice.
Closer and closer yet, think… think. Godspeed wouldn’t work here, and stopping out fall would only delay the inevitable. Then, my mind calmed for all but a moment.
“It’s simple,” I smiled.
“What is?” she said impatiently. Glaring at my cracked grin as if I were a madman.
Could I do it though? Every attempt before had been a failure. “Better now than never,” I mumbled. “Flight,” I yelled. My fall lightened as gravity no longer resisted me. Amoria and Amicus grew distant more quickly than I had planned. “Damn it,”
“Sebastien!” she screamed.
I angled my body down, “Descend!” Debris flowed past me with little difficulty; having flight active made maneuvering a breeze. I neared Amoria quickly, her hand outstretched; the moment we made contact, I swung her over my back. She clung tightly to me.
“We still have to save Amicus,” she said!
I glanced around frantically, eventually finding him locked precariously between much more debris. Large chunks of the terrace we had been upon obstructed the view; it would be much more difficult to retrieve him.
“Amoria, hold me tight!”
“Why?” She asked.
“Just do it!”
Another large piece of debris caught up behind us, flat and solid. “Perfect,” I said. I drew over to it, using it to support my stance, and bending at the knees. I took a deep breath, keeping my eyes locked on Amicus. “Godspeed,” I yelled, pushing off the stone. It shattered behind us as we pierced through the air, Amoria screaming in my ear.
Amicus’s position grew closer; the stone obstructing our path stared us down, solid and unbreakable… but not to me. Three, I thought, two, one. “Scatter,” I said. The debris opened and separated into a circle of dust and shards… My arm wrapped around Amicus as I placed him over my shoulder.
A sharp, stabbing pain pierced my head. “Gods," I cried, beginning to lose altitude.
“Sebastien! Are you okay? We’re falling!”
I held the two of them tighter as my flight began to plummet. “Just hold on, we’ll be okay!” I gritted my teeth.
Our descent into the darkness of the city below felt like an eternity, the wind sharp and ripping at our skin. My head still raged in pain; I’d overdone it. Ever since I arrived back in this world, I’d barely given myself a rest. Never before had I used my abilities so often, so recklessly. Continuously I’ve pushed my limits… But was there any other choice? Was there now?
Old Kygar's Depths loomed in sight. “Do something, please!” Amoria yelled.
Closer still with only a moment left, but my head rang like shattered glass… Why now, why now?!?!
And for but a split second, the pain softened; a not-so-distant voice called out to me… “This is not where you die.”
I snapped back to reality quickly; Amoria’s hold on me began to grow limp as she’d passed out. With but seconds to spare, it was already cemented in my mind… I was my own limit. I breathed deeply, “Flight!”
Once again, our fall lightened; that stabbing pain was still evident but softer. The debris collided with the city below, and finally, we’d landed softly. My legs buckled under me, the exhaustion finally catching up; I would need to rest awhile before we continued.
Nearby, I commandeered one of the empty homes and, within, found an old bed of petrified wood. Some old fabrics kept within had made good padding for the two of them… Perhaps Amoria would wake again soon.
With time to think and rest, I took a seat outside, leaning against the doorway to keep them in sight. Halcyon… and Tarrien; they would’ve had to face étienne without us. He wielded such terrifying power, separating us so easily. I should’ve seen it coming. I was never one to torture myself with what-ifs, but étienne… somehow planned this; I could feel it. Of all things, I hoped they’d survived for Amoria’s and my sake.
Above us, the main castle-like structure stretched into the upper cavern where we’d seen it when we entered. The darkness above, though, shrouding the upper city like a black firmament. étienne’s forces were likely already scanning the city, though even in their numbers it would be hard to find it. But… I had wondered.
Even in my exhaustion, I could muster something, a small but useful ability, if only out of curiosity. I crossed my legs, concentrating deeply. “Sight… of Aether.” As before, the world around me receded and shone as nothing but currents of magic and mystic energies, not unlike an aurora-lit sky. The familiar aura of blood magic pervaded the entire city, only proving more that étienne was closer to his goal than ever, but the energies were scattered… searching as I had thought. I did my best to sense Halcyon, Tarrien, and the remaining knights, but to no avail. However, nestled deep beneath the energies, I could feel the hum of something old… Shrouded whispers of ancient magic, or something else? I could feel the sight fading as the world reformed. I sighed; nothing of note was to be gained from it.
How long would it be before the Thralls found us? Would I be alone to fight them in this state?
Some grumbling noises arose from within the home. “Amoria?” I questioned, rushing within. “Oh,” I said as I laid eyes upon him, the knight I had saved before. “Amicus…”
He sat up in the bed, clutching his chest. “Do I… know you?” he questioned.
“I… I am—Sebastien,” I said.
He winced in pain trying to move, “L—Lady Amoria!” He shouted, collapsing out of bed. “God’s,” he grimaced, “Prince Tarrien, w—where is he?”
I rushed over to him, helping him to sit on the edge of the bed. “What do you remember?” I asked.
He placed a hand upon his forehead. “I… I don’t know,” he said in frustration. “How do you know my name?”
“I heard it from Prince Tarrien.”
“And who are you? Sebastien… you said?” He asked.
“Sebastien, yes… Sebastien La'Kar.”
His eyes grew wide, as if realizing my relation to Amoria. “I… I’m sorry, I just need a minute, or two.”
“Of course,” I said. It was comforting to finally see him wake, however confused he may have been. Once his mind calmed, the anxiety and confusion would likely subside, but still… I feared my presence would only add to that.
After a while, he came outside and, with strain, took a seat on the ground not far from me. “I… almost died, didn’t I?” He asked.
A fear gripped my heart, the memory of his screams resurfacing, as if it was happening all over again. His deep brown eyes pierced through me, waiting for a response.
“Yes…” I muttered.
He looked downtrodden for a moment but looked back to me. “Thank you… for saving me,” he smiled.
Relief, like a blanket, calmed me; perhaps I had the gods to thank for that, or perhaps it was just him. “It’s not a problem,” I assured him.
“Do we know if Prince Tarrien is okay? I assume we got separated at some point?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “We fell so far; there’s no way of knowing for now.”
“And your companion too… You must be so worried.”
I nodded. Halcyon was a capable man, perhaps more so than when we first met, but that… monster étienne. There was nothing to be sure of now.
“Lady Amoria looks okay, for the most part."
“She is,” I chuckled. “She passed out during our fall.”
“Truly?” He covered his laughter, “The lady is supposed to have nerves of steel!”
“It seemed for a moment that we were going to die... I think that’s what did her in.”
“God, I was useless, wasn’t I?” he said. “Dead weight.”
“No,” I assured him. “Nobody could have expected to encounter a Dread Maw this far from the Deadlands. You have nothing to feel guilty for.”
“Still… Prince Tarrien took a chance on bringing me, and I failed him. Perhaps,” he stuttered. “Perhaps I can repay him by helping you and Amoria.”
I smiled.
“And… could you refrain from telling the Prince that she and I were in bed together? I wouldn’t want him to get the wrong idea,’ he chuckled nervously.
“Of course,” I said.
From above, we could hear faint echoes, voices in the dark… a gentle rumbling. “Could that be them?”
“étienne or the others?” I asked.
“Perhaps both…” He said, “Prince Tarrien would fight till the bitter end in defense of Kygaron. I wish I could be there with him.”
I surveyed the surrounding city. “There… may be a way from down here.” I said, “We’ve yet to encounter any thralls. Maybe they haven’t made it this far.”
“But with Amoria still passed out, we can’t leave yet.”
He was right; our options were limited; we would need her. The thrall's numbers would threaten whole armies.
“Don’t worry…” he said, “You can trust me.”
“What do you mean?”
He stood up, “I would give my life to ensure her safety. You go… and I will watch over her.”
“Are you… sure?”
He nodded confidently, “I am on guard this time. They won’t get the drop on me.”
Even so, I knew these Thralls. Vicious and merciless… and with his chest plate broken, he wouldn’t stand a chance. “Come here.” I said.
He stepped forward awkwardly; I placed my palm toward his chest. “Repair,” I whispered. The metal reformed, as good as new… But that wasn’t enough, not for me. “Reforge.” The metal began to warp, changing shape slightly and growing darker in color.
“This is… Ebonsteel?” His eyes were wide with surprise. The armor was elegant and regal, and a far cry from a typical knight's steel armor, and even stronger than the enchanted steel of a knight Arcana. Ebonsteel… the most valuable and strongest metal of our world. He remarked upon its gold inlays and sturdy joints reinforced with black leather. “Why…”
“Call it an apology.” I said.
He drew his sword, a blade of night, having been reforged alongside the armor. “I promise… I will make good upon this gift. You have my word.”
“And I promise I will return if I find the way forward. étienne won’t beat us to it.”
He gave a confident nod.
I had only one destination in mind, the structure in Old Kygar's center. The only place that made sense.
“Go… Sebastien.” He said, “I’ve got this.”
“Magispear—come.” Like a bolt of lightning, it appeared in my hand. No matter what, I would find the way forward.
I bid Amicus farewell and delved into the deeper city.
And with words unperturbed, I beckoned upon the chill air, “I will find you—”
What awaits Sebastien in this abyssal part of Old Kygar as he ventures off alone?
