TM
The three black, lifeless specters watched as their adversaries prepared for battle. For a moment they stood motionless waiting for the first move. Then with the speed of light they left the ground and took to the air, circling the hall and taunting their enemies. They flew swiftly, their speed so intense they could not be seen by the naked eye. The air around them parted as they sped around the hall. The first specter stopped and hovered, while the others still flew wildly around the hall. It looked at Ahrvezux straight in the eye. It went into motion once more, speeding towards the tall red caped mass that was Ahrvezux. With a hammering blow it hit the ground. Shards of marble flew, making Metatron and the others cover their faces with their black cloaks. As the dust cleared a twenty foot wide and fifteen foot deep crater emerged and in its center was the grinning specter. Six white balls of energy fell from the sky hitting the crater’s center where the specter was. Ahrvezux was able to dodge and was now floating on the air firing at the entity with his hand. Ear shattering explosions filled the hall. Each hit tore a portion of the massive marble hall apart. The dust cleared once more. The first specter appeared beneath the dust it was unhurt. It was untouched. It just stood there grinning and waiting for another attack. Mecostas spun his lance and leapt to the air as Metatron ran thrusting his sword forward, Azrael ran as well gripping the end of his massive scythe as Ahrvezux charged a massive ball of energy in his hand. All four were ready to finish the first specter off. But the specter didn’t seem to care about the quadruple assault for it just stood there grinning wildly. Then it held out its black right arm and a massive pitch black and dome-like energy wave consumed the hall.
“Damn dreams, they get wilder by the lunians” Crichton said to himself as he blinked his eyes open
“Oy Crichton ma’ boy, yer up early” Merius said, still with the same booming voice but this time with an unusual and rarely heard pleasant tone. “Stay longer, I won’t charge ‘da extra hour.” Merius said as he saw Crichton descending the tall flight of stairs.
Crichton was once again dressed in his slayer’s outfit. White shirt, black loose pants, black boots and accessories, everything was in place except for his sword which was nowhere to be found.
“No thanks Merius, we best be off.” Crichton said in a serious tone not looking at Merius. Ignoring the faked smile the large innkeeper had on his face. “Here!” Crichton tossed a small pouch at the counter. The rattle of coins made the greedy innkeeper grab the pouch in an instant. A wild grin was fixed on his face as he stuffed his large hands into the bag.
“Pleasure doin’ business with ya boy!” Merius said while waving a silver coin in his hand.
“Yawn!” Daniel stretched out his arms as he closely followed behind Crichton. “The sun isn’t up yet Crich are you in that kind of a hurry?” Daniel said as he rubbed his eyes.
“Sorry Dan… but I really have to make it to Simonne.” Crichton turned to Daniel who was still drowsy. Arms flopped downwards as if they weigh a ton or so. Drake however was wide awake gnawing at his master’s robe as if he was trying to wake Daniel up.
“Yeah, yeah… were coming. Right Drake…?” Drake barked softly agreeing with Daniel.
With Daniel now wide awake the three left the inn.
“Come back anytime!!! Yar always welcome here boy!!!!” Merius’ voice thundered across the street.
It was still dark and fireflies flew everywhere. The cold breeze made Daniel shudder. The three walked on a wide dirt road and at their sides where old wooden houses, shops and stores. There were only a few people that walked about. All of them seem to be looking at Crichton while whispering and murmuring amongst themselves.
“Word does go around quickly in Arcania eh Crich? Looks like you’ve gotten a bit popular since you were gone. Probably they’re talking about how you valiantly slew a once known untouchable beast, he he he” Daniel said while nudging Crichton.
Still with a serious face Crichton said. “Too bad what they believe to be true isn’t”
“Where are we going anyway? The exit to the next town is back there.” Daniel pointed backwards.
“I have to get my sword at Uron’s first.
“Uron? I’ve heard of him, he’s the best blacksmith here at Lithia so they say. Some say he’s a crackpot though.” Daniel circled his finger around his ear. “Some say he went mad while training as a prophet… once a respected priest he was, too bad all of that lay to waste…”
“I’d trust Uron’s weapons with my life Daniel…”
Crichton stopped in front of a beaten old shop. It was so worn down that it looked more like a condemned building than a smithy. Crichton opened the door and the three entered, the store was a mess. Weapons of all sorts were scattered everywhere. Drake even sneezed because of the thick dust on the floor. From the shadows came a tall old man with circular glasses, a hooked nose and long untidy white hair. He wore a gray cloak and moved very quickly.
“Ah yes young Orchion. The broken handle of ivory and the black rifter blade fitted well, not a usual combination but they spawned a great weapon, a very great weapon indeed.” Uron grinned and pushed his glasses up and held out a long single edged sword with his right hand, its sheath was black and had white markings all over it. “Seraph script” Uron said as pointed at the markings on the sword’s sheath. “Here you go” He handed Crichton the sheathed sword.
“Thank you Uron.” Crichton took the sword and unsheathed it halfway. The blade was blacker than the black heart that spawned it and it glistened like crystal as light touched it. He unsheathed it and swayed it mildly. It gave the feeling that it was slicing the air. He slowly put it back inside its sheath
“Thanks for the trouble Uron. Here’s my payment…” Crichton handed over yet another pouch.
“No payment for that young one… It is my honor to make a sword for our future savior…” Uron the blacksmith grinned at Crichton.
“What is it that you mean Uron?” Crichton replied with a gesture of confusion.
“The Seraphs have beckoned that one day a boy with a blade as black as the blackest sky would come and challenge Vladimitri the lord of death. He shall lead an army of angels to wage war against the forces of the dark. You are that boy Orchion… you are that boy…the boy of Prophecy… the boy from the white moon... you are our sacrifice… HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Uron’s laughter echoed throughout the shack, it was the laughter of a mad man… a laughter of a demon…
“Come on Crich.” Daniel pulled Crichton out of the shop as a madly barking Drake followed.
“You can hide boy! But fate will someday get you… oh yes it will. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!”
“I told you he was a lunatic!” Daniel said as the reached the road right outside Uron’s shop
“What if he isn’t… you said he trained as a prophet… what if what he said was all true?” Crichton said, with his face white in shock.
“You believe that rubbish?”
“You’re right Daniel, I shouldn’t be that childish”
Crichton, Daniel and Drake left Uron’s shop and headed for the town exit. Crichton held the sword up and looked at the markings on the sheath. “Inhoc Certi Propeticum Fin…… What does that mean?” Crichton asked in his mind. Crichton tied his sword to his waist and looked at Daniel who was unusually pale. Then he looked at the people around him. They were still staring at him whispering at each other as if he was a legendary hero. Crichton somehow felt eerie to be stared at by everyone so he walked faster.
“Ironic isn’t it? The blade that nearly killed you is now your best friend eh Crich?” Daniel said he stroked Drake’s forehead while catching up to Crichton’s quick pace.
“Look who’s talking… you’re the one who wields a weapon that was known to torture animals since ancient times… mister animal lover… he he he…” Crichton said jokingly.
“Okay, okay were even.” Daniel mildly punched Crichton’s left shoulder.
The three stopped in front of an arch, strangely Drake was staring at the sign as if he was trying to read it, but Crichton ignored him at once….”THIS WAY TO YARDON” Crichton read.
“Well this is it… This is where we part way’s Crich”
“Daniel…”
“Yeah Crich?”
“Thanks for saving my life… I don’t know how I could ever repay you… I promise someday I will… ”
“I just did what I thought was right Crichton…”
“WERE EVEN” The two friends spoke of the same words at the same time, they laughed.
“Bye Drake…” Crichton kneeled and patted Drake’s head one last time. And Drake licked Crichton’s face
Crichton stood up and turned to Daniel. Crichton offered his hand.
“Thank you Daniel…”
Daniel took his hand and shook it
“Thank you Crichton…”
“Send my regards to Father Reveni and Raymund, oh and good luck with the ervons. I know you’ll find them.”
“I will tell them Crichton. And I will get those ervons.”
Crichton walked towards the exit and took the path to Yardon.
Daniel watched as his newfound friend disappeared behind a dark patch of trees, He was whispering very softly as Drake looked at him. He said…
“I know we’ll meet again someday my friend, there are trials you shall need to overcome, but I shall fight by your side, all of us will, for it is our destiny, good luck …”
“…and thank you….”
“…Janus”