The Blade Guardian

by Darren Hultberg Jr

  Candor shook his head. “No. My son and his friend entered the game on launch night. I remember because we had just fought the day before. I went to work the next morning, but by mid-afternoon I’d begun seeing the reports of people being trapped inside the game, of people dying while being connected to that damn soulink headset. I hired one of the doctors that used to work with my late wife and—”

  “Did you say late wife?” I asked, barely able to force out the words.

  Candor nodded, my words clearly carrying a profound sting. “She died in the war... left me and my boy alone. I... it was difficult. I wasn’t the greatest father. Actually, I was a pretty terrible one... but I refuse to let things end that way. When the doctor came to the conclusion that my son couldn’t be freed, I logged into this game myself to come look for him.”

  A lump began to form in my throat. “You knew there was no way out, and you still gave up everything to come look for him?” I asked, tears forming in the corners of my eyes.

  “He’s all that I have left…” the man replied, averting his gaze to the ground. “He’s everything to me. I’d gladly give up my life just to see him one last time... just to tell him that I love him.”

  I rose to my feet and took a step towards the man, hands shaking uncontrollably. “What if I told you I was nothing more than a lost son trying to make his way back to his father...”

  Candor’s eyes went wide. “Adam?”

  I nodded. “Adam Osiris, son of David Osiris, and a boy who misses his father more than words could express.”

  The bearded man leapt at me, wrapping my body in his muscled arms, squeezing me so hard that I was certain I’d taken a bit of damage. Fresh tears began to flow from our eyes as we came together in a surreal embrace.

  “Adam,” my father whispered, “I... I can’t believe it. Is that really you?”

  “Dad....” I replied, voice shaky with emotion. “I’m so sorry. About everything. I love you, Dad. I...”

  Soon I lost the ability to form words as my mind became a swirl of emotion. My father... he’d risked everything to come here, even his life… and dammit all, he found me!

  Several moments passed before my father finally released me from his tight embrace. His eyes were red, and his cheeks were wet from a steady stream of tears, but nothing could hide the huge smile spread across his bearded face. “I can’t believe this, Adam. I mean, look at you!” He took a step back and studied my form, a body much different than the one he’d known back on Earth.

  “Listen Dad, the last time we spoke… before everything happened. Well, I should’ve said—”

  “I know,” my father responded, pulling me into his tight embrace once more. “I’m the one that should apologize. I wasn’t the father that I should’ve been. I… I wasn’t the father that you deserved. I promise, Adam, I won’t make that mistake again.”

  I let out a teary-eyed chuckle. “This whole time, I’ve been fighting for a way home, a way to get back to you.”

  My father squeezed me a bit tighter. “Well, you don’t have to fight anymore.”

  ><><

  Once we managed to finally calm our emotions to a reasonable level, my father and I sat down and discussed the events that had transpired over the past 3 months. He told me of the horror he felt once he found out I was trapped in AGO, of the pain he shared with Max’s parents when they claimed his lifeless body. He also shared his triumph over alcohol while searching for a way to set me free. Somehow, the desire for alcohol had completely vanished upon entering his new body in AGO... perhaps one of the few hidden blessings of transporting your soul to another world!

  As my father spoke, he told me of the struggles he faced acclimating to Aetheria, and of the help he received from his new friend, Thamriul. Apparently, he’d stumbled into a moderate-level quest area and came across the dark elf. The man was bleeding out from a sword wound given to him by a group of rather malicious players, and rather close to his demise from the sounds of it. My father, in search of redemption, saved him with his healing spells, then guided him to safety until he had regained his strength. The two had been together ever since.

  When it was my turn to speak, I recounted the first days of AGO, of my meet-up with Wesley and my quest to find Vazryn. I told him of my companions both alive and dead, of my new life I had begun building here. I spoke in length about my budding relationship with Hilda, and our near demise at the hands of the Asurans. It was a bit overwhelming considering everything I had been through.

  “So,” my father said, running his fingers through his beard, “if I’ve got this straight, our souls are now trapped in a realm where my son is being hunted by intergalactic demons?”

  “That about sums it up,” I responded, reveling in the comfort of speaking with my father again.

  “And you’re in love?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Damn, son, you’ve been busy,” he said with a grin. “I guess we better go find that girl of yours. I’d love to meet her.”

  “You will,” I replied, my faith in the woman’s well-being renewed.

  ><><

  We took the remainder of the evening to rest and gather our things for tomorrow’s trek, a trip that would take us down the length of the Fangdross River, where hopefully we’d find some clue as to Hilda’s whereabouts (or perhaps find the woman herself).

  The plan was to travel southward through the troll mires and into the Greywood, to a city called Yggrash. Apparently, my father had made some connections with some folks there who just might be able to give us a hand finding Hilda. There was also the matter of rescuing our other companions from Ravenhold while ensuring the Asurans didn’t find out I was alive… in just a matter of days this place seemed far more dangerous.

  I didn’t want to admit it, but something about having my father by my side helped ease my worry, if only slightly. It was that natural sensation, that feeling you get that no matter what happens, your parents will help you through it. Perhaps it was something that I’d been longing for ever since coming to Aetheria, or maybe even longer than that.

  The next morning, we set out as the realm’s two moons descended and the lone sun began its rise into the sky. We took to the road running parallel to the Fangdross River, a worn yet well-traveled path, yet a path not without its dangers. Candor, as he was called now, rode atop his massive boar, Horus, with Thamriul perched just behind. The dark elf didn’t seem all that pleased to be riding on the boar, but it certainly beat walking.

  Likewise, I called out my windsteed Zephyr, drawing a look of astonishment from the pair as I took my seat atop the graceful beast. “It looks like you’ve done well for yourself, son,” my father said with a wink as he urged Horus forward with a pat.

  “Well enough,” I replied with a wink, drawing a slight chuckle from Razyr. “Better than I ever did on Earth, at any rate.”

  Together, the three of us rode along the river’s edge, keeping our eyes peeled for any sign of the lost guardian. Oddly enough, it would’ve been nice to have Rhylor in the area right about now. As a ranger, he would have a much easier time tracking her down then the three of us.

  Strangely, I felt a bit vulnerable perched atop Zephyr’s back. The chest-piece of my elvish field plate had suffered extensive damage at the hands of Vexes, and as a result was nearly unwearable. Thankfully, my father had been able to seal up the remainder of my wounds with a bit of help from one of his spirit auras, but still… being without some sort of armor on had me feeling all but naked!

  “We’re going to be heading southward,” Candor said, taking my mind off of my insecurities as he pointed to a spot where the river disappeared from view. From the looks of it, it seemed to empty out into a more densely wooded area. “Yggrash is just a few miles beyond that grouping of trees, and I know a few people there who might be able to help us out.”

  “Looks like you’ve made quite a few connections yourself, Dad,” I replied, genuinely surprised with how quickly he’d taken to life in Aetheria.r />
  “It was because of you, Adam... er, Zander.” Hearing him call me by that name almost seemed a bit jarring now. “I knew you had to be alive somewhere in this realm, so I did what I had to do. I learned my trade, I made connections, and I got stronger. There was no way I would last if I didn’t.” He proceeded to shoot me a sly grin. “What, didn’t think your old man would be able to cut it here?”

  His growth in the realm was impressive... in fact, it looked like he had nearly caught up to my power level, and in a fraction of the time. I guess he was telling me the truth when he said he was more focused now than he’d ever been.... Was he always like that before the drink had gotten hold of him?

  The two of us prattled on for the next hour as we made our way down the river, always keeping an eye on the river’s edge for any sign of Hilda. Even with our memories fading, we still managed to recall some of those special times we spent together, times when my mother was there. Those memories... those were etched into our very souls.

  As we traveled, the surrounding trees began to grow denser and the foliage took on a darker hue. A musty scent also permeated the air, as if we were leaving the comfort of the northern forests for a… less desirable territory.

  Soon, the soil beneath our feet began to soften as the river widened and slowed, its waters permeating the ground as far as the eye could see. The outlines of the road could still be seen, but they weren’t nearly as noticeable as they were in the woods behind us. No longer were we traveling in the whimsical comfort of the forest… we’d entered the marshlands.

  “Trollmire…” Salence growled, eyeing the discomfort in my expression as I took in a whiff of the musty air. “Dangerous lands… especially for those with warm blood.”

  I gave the dragon a solemn nod. “I’m guessing by the name of it, that this place just might be inhabited by—”

  “Quiet, you two!” Tham said with urgency as he suddenly leaped from the back of Horus, performing a quick flip and landing at the head of the group, his boots sinking into a puddle of ankle-high water. Without hesitation, he drew his dagger and held it out in front of him, a runic weapon with a blade the color of bronze.

  His elvish ears perked up attentively as his eyes scanned the horizon, peering between each and every tree. Something had caught his attention…. Something that his elvish senses had detected that I just could not.

  “Get ready, son,” Candor whispered as he dismounted from his massive boar. “The locals are usually smart enough to leave us alone… but perhaps with you along they’ve changed their mind.”

  I dismissed Zephyr to the winds as I took up a fighting stance next to my father, nevermore forming in my grasp.

  “Stand down, son,” he said, motioning me back. “We still need to get your armor fixed up… Besides, aren’t you ready to see what your old man can do?” he asked, shooting me a grin before yanking his helm over his face.

  I grinned as I gave the man a nod. Seeing my father like this was more than I could’ve hoped for…. Hell, I didn’t even have a reason to head back to Earth now!

  The sound of sloshing water beneath lumbering footsteps reached my ears as the supposed threat began to draw close. Suddenly three towering forms appeared between the trees… creatures covered in sinewy green skin with massive limbs that dangled awkwardly from their shoulders. Two of the beasts stood nearly eight feet tall, while one of them was well over ten. They were muscled, bulbous deformations with a stench nearly as putrid as their appearance… Trolls.

  Mire Troll

  Lvl 23

  Mire Troll

  Lvl 23

  Mire Guardian

  Lvl 28

  Focusing on us with those sickly dark, green eyes, the trio of trolls began to lumber in our direction, elongated arms swinging wildly at their sides. For a second, I thought we might be in danger… I mean, my father was never a fighter back on Earth.

  Then in an instant, he managed to change my mind.

  Candor stepped forward as a spirit aura swirled around his armored form, taking the shape of a mighty translucent bear and bolstering the man’s combat prowess in an instant. Seemingly unarmed, the spiritwalker extended his gauntlet, calling to his familiar, Sledge. The rocky lizard responded with vigor, leaping into the man’s grasp as he transformed mid-air into the shape of a mighty warhammer.

  “Damn…” I uttered, mesmerized by my father’s awesome battle pose. Perhaps I was wrong about my previous assessment of the situation… Those damned trolls didn’t stand a chance!

  12

  Action heroes

  “You’ll regret this!”

  Those were the words my father roared as he charged towards the trio of trolls. I should’ve been at his side with a blade raised into the air, but my father had insisted that he and Tham handle this… Plus, I just couldn’t take my eyes off the spectacle unfolding before me. I couldn’t believe it, but dammit all, my father could fight!

  The spiritwalker charged as he activated his first spirit aura, spirit of the bear.

  Spiritform: Spirit of the bear

  The spiritwalker calls forth the power of the great bear spirit, greatly bolstering his strength and defense.

  `A translucent aura swirled around his body, taking the form of a large bear-like apparition that seemed to mimic my father’s movements. Coupled with his warhammer and already imposing size, the man now appeared downright formidable!

  The first troll met Candor’s charge, swinging a sickly green hand in its direction. Ultimately, it proved futile as Candor’s hammer met the attack, snapping the troll’s arm back and breaking bones with one mighty swing. The troll let out a howl of pain as a chunk of its health reticle faded, but Candor was far from finished.

  The spiritwalker dropped low, swinging the hammer wide and smashing it into the troll’s exposed knee and knocking the thing off balance. As it fell to the ground, Candor hoisted his hammer high over his head, activating grizzly strike before smashing the hammer into the troll’s skull. “Critical hit” flashed above the troll’s body as its skull shattered and brains began to ooze out over the crushed bed of leaves.

  One troll down, two to go.

  Thamriul dashed in to meet the next of the ugly green beasts, grabbing its attention with a flick of his bronze blade. He waved the weapon back and forth, tossing the elongated dagger between his hands as if he was taunting the troll with some unobtainable treasure. Foolishly, the creature took the bait.

  The troll lunged at the waiting dark elf, stretching its arms out wide in an attempt to snatch the elf up and strangle him. Unfortunately, the dark elf had other plans. Thamriul casually tossed his runic dagger into the air a mere second before the troll reached him, causing the weapon to spin end over end just inches above the creature’s head. Then, before the troll could get its disgusting hands on him, the elf activated his first skill.

  Blade rush

  The daggermage activates one of the runic markings on his dagger, teleporting to the weapon’s location instantly.

  The troll’s eyes went wide as Thamriul faded out of view, reappearing above his head with a hand around the hilt of his dagger. I also noticed that of the four runic markings on the blade, one of them now glowed a faint blue.

  Thamriul fell from the sky, crashing onto the troll’s back as he activated his second skill, rain of blades. The dark elf plunged his bronze blade into the troll’s back as several mirror copies of the weapon formed around him, each stabbing into the creature’s sinewy green flesh.

  The creature roared in pain as its health reticle quickly depleted, each bronze blade taking a chunk of HP.

  The largest of the trolls, the mire guardian, stepped in to help its falling comrade, swiping at Tham with an oversized hand. Again, Thamriul threw his runic dagger, this time flinging the blade into a nearby tree before teleporting away to its location. The third rune marking on the blade lit up with an aetherial glow, nearly encapsulating the dagger in light.

  “Switch!” Thamriul yelled as he yanked his bla
de free of the wood, a signal for my father to re-enter the battle. Candor charged back in with a smile on under his helm, arm raised and hammer resting on his shoulder plate.

  The translucent bear surrounding the man faded as he dismissed his spirit aura and activated another, this time calling forth the translucent form of a wild, sabertooth feline. Almost immediately the spiritwalker’s speed nearly doubled as he dashed in between the trolls, smashing one of them in the abdomen with his hammer before spinning away and connecting on the other’s skull.

  The trolls, clearly angered by the attack, began swinging wildly at the fast-moving Candor, but the spiritwalker seemed to remain just a step ahead at every strike.

  “Switch!” my father yelled out with vigor, this time calling Thamriul back into the fight. The daggermage responded with a smile before throwing his runic dagger back into the fray, sticking it directly into the mire guardian’s chest. In an instant, he teleported to the dagger’s location, landing vertically on the creature’s chest.

  With a quick yank and a well-placed flip, Thamriul landed gracefully in front of the now raging mire guardian, runic dagger secured in his grasp.

  The fourth and final rune on the flat of the dagger illuminated, one rune for each use of the elf’s skills. Suddenly, aetherial magickk poured from the blade, wrapping around Thamriul’s hand and forearm before crawling down the length of the dagger and extending several feet outward. Thamriul grinned as he lifted the glowing blade into the air, the weapon now appearing more as a glowing longsword rather than a dagger. “I see you have an ailment,” the dark elf spouted to the trolls, a bit of charm in his voice. “In fact, you’re looking a bit green… Perhaps it’s time for surgery!”

  I immediately turned to my father. “Did he just...”

  “I’ve been telling him about Earth culture,” my dad half-yelled, half-whispered back. “And about those corny taglines in old-school action movies. It’s a work in progress... just let him have his fun.”