by C S Harrop
The chanting came to a sudden stop. The priests rose to their feet and bowed to Onyxia who clearly now showed signs she was rejuvenated and empowered from the power force of the five servants of evil. Followed with a pleasurable drawn-out stretch, Relg surprisingly could actually see a smile appearing on her pale face. Relg became fixated on the whole event trying to get a better view of Onyxia as she walked across the dim room disappearing from Relg’s field of view altogether. He moved another small rock and wiggled his body over the hard uncomfortable rocks to see Onyxia now seated on a throne carved out of a large dying tree with its thick roots still buried deep in the room’s foundations.
“What news of the Lost Soul?” Asked Onyxia turning her attention towards someone just out of view of Relg’s spy hole.
“I have learnt the human female completed the journey across Everlong with the help of a large beast and a female of a woodland origin. My crows lost them in the mist of Andoria but we know where they were heading as there is only one place to go - Myst,” replied the muffled voice. Relg straining his ears struggling to understand the words clearly but the tone of voice sound familiar.
Trying his hardest to see the stranger twisting as much as he could in the confined space with his face pressed firmly against the rocks, with only a vague shadow of a distorted head manifested from the burning torches. Once again, Relg grabbed hold of an adjacent rock but this one was not as loose. It took a few harder tugs with his bony fingers until it finally dislodged widening the small hole enough to see the shadowy figure. Snitch stood staring back at the crumbled passageway as tiny bits of wedged rock and dust descended down to the temple floor. In a flash Snitch bounded up fallen rocks and climbed the temple wall like an acrobat until he reach the collapsed passageway. Relg’s heart pounded hard as he clung to rocks whilst holding his breath trying his hardest not to give his location away. Snitch listening intensely with his twitching face and mangled ears sweeping the whole mound rock by rock. What seemed like an eternity listening to Snitch climb all over the collapsed rock hoping he does not accidentally dislodge some rocks and trap Relg inside or worse crush him.
Then a moment in time seemed to stop as all noise faded to an eerie silence. Relg moved a fraction to look out through the hole when Snitch’s twitching eye appeared in front of him peering back. Relg Froze watching Snitch’s watery eyeball move around its socket trying his hardest to see any kind of an outline or movement in the darkness. Moments pasted then with a disgruntled moan under Snitch’s breath he climbed back down to the temple floor. Taking the opportunity Relg slowly climbed through the open spaces within the rocks and silently as possible moved his small frame through until he appeared in the open passageway.
“Have you finished messing around Snitch, there are rodents all over this place I can make chasing them your only purpose in life if you wish,” asked Onyxia sarcastically winding a loose piece of cloth around her arm.
“Apologies my queen you never know who’s watching,” replied Snitch looking back over his shoulder towards the tunnel.
“The girl will have to leave her sanctuary eventually and when she does I will be waiting, just like I have been for the past seventeen years. But for now we must continue our search for the relic, I must have it so I can open the doorway to the Dark Isle and release an army of your dead dark blood cousins upon the western lands.”
“But we have searched for years my queen and have found nothing are you sure it actually exists, we should of found it by now my queen or at least a clue?” asked Snitch reluctantly.
Onyxia raised her hand sending a fizzing ball of energy from her glowing palm towards Snitch blasting him across the stone floor passing the on looking priests. It took a moment for Snitch to move and realise he was not actually dead and still in one piece. He got to his feet nursing the burning pain to his chest realising the mistake he made by questioning Onyxia’s plan. Even though Snitch thought the search to be unattainable, looking for an item with two coiled serpents wrapped around a scroll with a high probably it only exist in myths.
“Apologies my queen, I was just concerned with the amount of losses we have taken by those Guardian filth,” lied Snitch not making the same mistake twice in questioning her judgement.
“Don’t be concerned with our losses Snitch once I have the relic it won’t matter. I will have an army far greater than anyone could dream of and all under my rule. When the Lost Soul leaves Andoria, she will be much stronger and more confident with the guidance of the Elders. Which brings me to the decision that we must intensify our search for the relic but this time with the help of my loyal servants,” Onyxia said pointing to the five Dark Priests. “Each of you my Dark Priests shall take a legion of orc and scour every village, hut and hovel until you have located the relic, even if your search leads to the very heart of Andoria. Fail me and you fail every master you have served including Da’Karr.”
Acknowledgements came in union from the priests with steps of their departure echoing through the dark passageway Relg was now slowly navigating. Onyxia’s voice dwindled away the further along he walked occasionally tripping over loose rocks but eventually reaching some stairs spiralling downwards. Exiting the stairwell to another dark passageway that seemed to Relg to be a much older or even ancient. The walls no longer felt to have a flat chiselled surface but an uneven surface with jagged edges that still had deep tool marks embedded into the mountain rock. The ceiling he noticed was not as tall making the passageway more like a tunnel but still with plenty of room for Relg to stand up straight.
Brushing away the cobwebs, Relg took another long dark passage off to the right and carried on a straight path away from the temple, passing the occasional rotten support posts that were still in place to prevent a cave-in. With his hunger held at bay by eating caught rat and quenching his thirst by licking the walls of trickling water which he located by brushing his fingers for wetness against the rock as he went along. Relg finally of what seemed an eternity came to stop at the sight of a faint light at the end of the passage. As he moved closer, the light became brighter sending his wide goblin eye into a painful spasm that had naturally adjusted to the darkness.
Shielding his eye with his hands taking small peeks through the gaps in-between his fingers gradually readjusting to the light. He noticed a gap opening up in the rock face no taller or wider than his own little goblin frame. It seemed to Relg, a doorway must had been under construction with the obvious tool marks around the rock entrance but seemed to have long been abandoned, possibly due to the collapsed passage way back in the temple Relg thought and deemed unsafe.
Squeezing his small frame through the narrow gap that was much deeper then it first looked. Relg reappeared standing on a rocky ledge on the other side of the mountains of Draknar looking out across the wasteland of Mordrath with a pleasing fresh breeze hitting his goblin face and a blanket of green visible on the horizon.
Chapter 14
Lineage
Andoria’s population rapidly increased over the past year with an influx of refugees with tensions rising rapidly throughout the city of Myst, along with a grim atmosphere hanging over like a dark cloud. City guards were weary and short-tempered working double shifts keeping quarrelling crowds and small groups of volatile protests at bay.
Willow and Riven returned unscathed from patrolling lands to the northeast regions, welcomed by a hail of verbal hostility from groups of concerned individuals. The Core however had an increase in Guardians returning from various parts of the world escaping Onyxia’s forces injured or much worse bringing back the fallen. Luckily, Riven and Willow returned in one piece with vital information concerning the eastern boarders. Getting the information to the Elders as soon as possible was their priority but to their annoyance as they rounded a corner to the full view of the Core, the gateway to the enclave was blocked. A mob had formed shouting and raving wanting answers from the Elders regarding protection of their lands from Onyxia and her dark army. Two of Myst’s guards Lambert
and Doyle stood out brightly at the front wearing traditional gold and brushed steel armour with matching helmet, draped in a long dark blue cape just barely holding back the steadily increasing mob with their spears.
Unnoticed by the preoccupied mob of a variety of different races Riven silently approached from the rear and opened his huge mouth displaying his large sharp fangs and let out a long deafening roar that echoed throughout the city streets giving the mob the fright of their lives. Willow found the sudden obedience of the mob secretly amusing, their eyes bulged out of their sockets as they turned around to see an enormous sabre-tooth cat looking maddeningly enraged. A smartly dressed small bearded man was the closest to Riven, he could feel his head shake by the vibrations that made his ears pop and bits of warm cat saliva covered his face which embarrassingly and uncontrollably made him urinate himself on the spot.
“We are at war. Guardians leave these city walls fighting day and night to protect your lands. Many have died, and many more gravely injured and all you people can do is wine like infants. We are all in this war together not just the Guardians, be useful, and go home and protect your lands and your families against the Dark Bloods they will need all the help they can get. Hiding away here doesn’t help anyone it only hinders the Guardians doing their sworn duties,” bellowed Riven watching the mob quickly back away and disperse in a panic.
“I wonder if they got the subtle hint,” laughed Willow watching them bump into each other and falling over each other’s feet in a rush to flee.
“Thanks,” said Doyle slowly relaxing. “The crowds have been steadily increasing each day, they get more vocal the more people there are.”
“Let’s hope that gives them something to think about and just maybe some of them might actually find some courage and go back home,” replied Riven not holding onto too much hope.
The Core was always a welcoming site for Willow and Riven they had been away for just over eight months and returned to a far more chaotic place. Guardians with variation of coloured illuminating palms faded in and out of the courtyard leaving behind a remnant of black dust to fill the empty autumn air. Willow and Riven had to stop short as a Guardian appeared head first out of mid-air hitting the ground hard and sliding to a stop by their feet.
“It’s getting so busy around here Riven people are even falling out of the sky,” Willow joked observing the Guardian’s smoking clothes.
“How is it going there Walker not the best place for a nap?” asked Riven sarcastically.
“Couldn’t be better,” replied Walker pulling his rugged face from the flagstones and brushing himself down. “I just barely escaped from a village to the northern regions they came from nowhere in numbers far more then I could handle. They even had a mountain troll and to top things off I also had the pleasure of meeting one of those Dark Priest, hence the smoke after he electrocuted me with his staff.”
“We haven’t had the privilege to meet a Dark Priest yet, I heard they are a sight to see but they normally don’t travel far from Mordrath,” stated Willow.
“If you mean the burnt masks they wear beneath there hoods with strange symbols branded into it, then yes a sight to see. But I wouldn’t hang around for too long if you do meet one,” warned Walker pointing to the scorch mark in his leather armoured body armour.
“The time for Onyxia’s and her Dark Blood army will soon come to an end. The prophecy is upon us and Onyxia is powerless against her fate,” Riven said his belief deep-rooted.
“I wish I had your optimism Riven but when it’s just me against a legion of orc and seeing first-hand how this war is swaying towards Onyxia, I’m finding it hard to see how this one person can turn a prophecy into reality,” replied Walker.
“Have faith Walker,” said Willow whole-heartedly. “Asha will have turned eighteen year of age by now and she has been training under Elder Fallon himself. She is the one, I feel it in my bones and she will be ready when the time comes.”
“Let’s hope your right Willow for all our sakes. Anyway can’t chat all day I better go report to Elder Nyran and give her the good news,” said Walker sarcastically dusting down his standard Guardian attire for a second time, which consists of a tight fitting hooded robe laying on top a leather and steel plated chest armour, buckled belt with trousers tucked in a pair of sturdy boots.
Riven and Willow made their way across the flagged courtyard. They had been gone for many months seeing first-hand the pain and suffering Onyxia’s raids were causing hitting them both emotionally hard. Passing fellow Guardians as they lay injured on the very grounds they swore their oaths when joining the order were being patched up by healers whilst helpers ran around providing food and water. They both tried their hardest not to show remorse on their faces as they made their way across to the Spire.
They followed a path away from the courtyard passing the Spire and a few similar looking oval buildings. Making a quick detour to the food hall for supplies, they arrived at a large grassy clearing to the rear of the Core. In the centre protruding out of the ground stood a stone archway with large oaken doors covered with a pattern made of silver representing a tree with long outspreading branches. The archway displayed symbols carved into the very stones stating, ‘with knowledge there is power, with power there is responsibility.'
“Just those words alone taught me a great deal Riven, when we stepped through those doors we came out who we are today,” Willow said reminiscing with a feeling of pride.
“I remember when we left the Core for the first time. We decided to travel south to Nissyn that resulted in me falling into that trap left by those Swampers,” recalled Riven.
“Yes I remember, it seems a long time ago now and you were much smaller. Those Swamper's are good at trapping but when it comes to brains, they definitely got the short straw. I remember freeing you I had never seen crazy scared like them before,” laughed Willow stoking Riven’s fur.
“Well we are here at the time the message orb stated. Shouldn’t be long now until Asha comes out of those doors. I wander if she will come out a changed person?” Riven wandered.
“I’m sure of it. We came out of there with very different attitudes from the carefree vagabonds we used to be.”
Within the Arch, the training rooms were built entirely of a dark grey coloured stone with intricately carved burning torches attached to the ancient walls flickering shadows wildly across large airy rooms and hallways. Towards the north wall of the large central room stood a metallic sculptor representing the three rings of the Guardians. Kneeling in front, wearing a light blue robe was Asha in a meditation position. Her back straight with her eyes closed and her arms relaxed over her crossed legs in a higher state of relaxation and controlled breathing.
“Asha, the time has come. You have completed your training with distinction, there is no more I can teach you only through life and death can you learn more,” Elder Fallon said stepping up behind her. “Now rise Asha, rise a protector for all and a defender of light, and arise a Guardian.
Asha opened her eyes and slowly got to her feet feeling a very different person than when she first stepped through the doors of the Arch. Her increased confidence and wisdom in her gift gave her a greater inner strength and a much-needed emotional control. After brushing herself down, making herself more presentable, she turned to face Elder Fallon and gave a respectful nod. Elder Fallon stood expressionless ages of knowledge embedded in every wrinkle of his face.
“Your parents would be proud of you Asha. You have learnt so much in so little time but leaving these walls is not the end of your training. As a Guardian, you will be in a constant search for knowledge and understanding. What you have learnt here is only the beginning as a training is never over,” explained Elder Fallon.
“I understand Elder Fallon maybe one day I will be a wise a person as you,” replied Asha respectfully.
“I foresee you will be a much wiser person then I. However, before we leave here there is one last thing we must discuss and that is reg
arding your father. But first follow me,” requested Elder Fallon taking Asha down one of many long corridor stopping at a reinforced wooden, the same door Asha has been wondering what is behind since she first entered the Arch whilst exploring its inner rooms and corridors.
Anticipation within Asha grew in strength, the lack of a keyhole and doorknob had always eluded her from the very start. That was until Elder Fallon’s palm began to glow revealing an inscription in a circular formation on the door’s surface. With a slight twist of his hand, as if turning a doorknob and a whisper under his breath the inscription turned counter clockwise. Loud bangs of bolts retracting echoed the corridors followed by creaking hinges as the reinforced door slowly opened.
The room was not as big or mysterious as Asha had expected the anticipation had slightly faded seeing the usual stonewalls lit by the same torches that were scattered around the Arch. However, strangely a large black rock in the centre did intrigue her. Stepping further into the room the detail of the rock seemed to change before her eyes. The rock had somehow melted with large strips of metal embedded around the surface forming a shape Asha thought looked very much like a chest.
“Your father left this for you many years ago with instructions that you only open this when you reach adulthood and are ready for your journey ahead. You have surpassed your eighteenth year and the day you become a woman. Personally I believe becoming a Guardian shows more proof of being an adult than your age,” explained Elder Fallon disapprovingly.
“Do you know what is inside the chest?” asked Asha curiously.
“No, I haven’t got the foggiest idea. This chest has a magical inscription placed upon it that can only open by the bloodline of your father. The family mark on your palms is the only key, sometimes a password is needs to be spoken but in this occasion it’s not needed.”
