"The Master has won some of its greatest victories here," replied the man. "They say it defeated the spirit Rubiss and sealed her in a tower to the west of here."
"Rubiss was what that man was talking about at Tantegel," said Alice. "The spirit that created Alefgard."
"So you've heard of Rubiss too?" asked the man. "I've heard lots of rumors about her. In every single one, Rubiss is incredibly powerful. And what good was it? Even she fell to the Master. And that wasn't its only victory here either."
"There was a battle here, some time ago," said the man. "King Rius, the father of our current king, brought a squad of his best troops here. He came personally at the head of this group. Their mission was secret but the people of Kol knew. He wanted to storm the tower to the west and free Rubiss."
"The Master didn't like that," continued the man. "It decided it would also make a personal appearance. King Rius was given the honor of fighting the Master. And for that honor the Master shattered the Sword of Kings, one of the few symbols of hope we had."
"Wait, that can't be right," said Alice. "We met with King Raosu! He had the Sword of Kings with him!"
"Did you ever see the sword?" asked the man. "The actual sword?"
"Come to think of it, he never took it out of the scabbard," noted Ron.
"That's because he couldn't," said the man. "The true Sword of Kings has been destroyed. And there are none in this land that can repair it. King Raosu hides this from the people to try and give them some glimmer of hope. But there is no use in hope here. The sword is gone. Wouldn't matter if it wasn't anyway. It clearly wasn't capable of bringing down the Master."
The four spoke with the man and several other people at the pub before leaving. What they had heard unnerved them. Many supported the man's story that the Sword of Kings had been destroyed. One older man claimed he had seen the sword shatter with his own eyes. Since it had happened in the small, isolated village of Kol only a few people had been able to spread the story to the rest of Alefgard. And it was easy to write off a few people as misinformed. Thus, the rest of Alefgard did not know of the sword's destruction.
"Do you think it's true?" asked Alice. "That the sword King Raosu showed us is either broken or fake?"
"It does make sense," said Thomas. "He showed us the scabbard but never took out the sword. Surely we all remember what it was like when we brought the Shield of Heroes to Brecconaly. If the sword is also capable of causing such inspiration I would think the king would have made a show of it to us."
"I don't know, we've seen a lot of leaders that are afraid of hope," said Ron. "He even told us to hide the shield. I say it'd be off if he had then showed the sword to us."
"He tasked us with finding the armor," said Suzanne. "I wouldn't think he would do so if our mission was already doomed by the sword's destruction. In any case, we'll have to ask him the next time we see him. Until then, we operate under the assumption that King Raosu still holds the true, intact Sword of Kings."
"What about Rubiss? Do you think she truly is sealed to the west?" asked Alice.
"I don't know," answered Suzanne. "If she is as powerful as we've heard she would be a great ally against Zoma. But we don't know for sure if she's sealed to the west and if she is we don't know how to unseal her."
"I could study the seal," offered Alice. "Perhaps I could come up with a way to undo it."
"You think you can undo a seal placed by the Master Archfiend?" asked Thomas.
"I can certainly try!" said Alice.
The four continued going through Kol finding what news and information they could. As they talked with the people they kept hearing references to an owner of one of the local shops. He was relatively new to Kol as well; the people said he had arrived about three years ago. They also said he was a master craftsman from Jipang in the upper world. The people that talked of him said they had never seen another craftsman of such skill. Curious, the four sought him out.
"Hello!" greeted the man. "How can I help you today?"
"We've heard from other people in Kol that you're a great craftsman," said Suzanne. "We also heard that you're originally from Jipang in the upper world. We were curious to meet you."
The man gave a chuckle. "All true. My name's Demik. You won't find a better craftsman than me no matter where you look, whether it be the upper world or Alefgard."
"If you don't mind us asking, how did you arrive in Alefgard?" asked Suzanne.
"Oh there was trouble in Jipang," answered Demik. "You see, Jipang has been terrorized by a vicious monster called the Orochi for some time. It made demands of my hometown that we sacrifice one young woman every so often to be fed to it. Terrible beast. My wife and I feared that she would be next."
"Well we have some good news for you," interjected Ron. "We defeated the Orochi and saved Jipang."
Demik raised an eyebrow. "Truly? You four random people saved Jipang?"
"It sounds pretty unbelievable, we know," said Suzanne. "The short version is that the Orochi was masquerading as Himiko."
Demik still looked unconvinced. "That's an awfully tall tale. Perhaps it would be better if I continued with my own story."
"We fled Jipang," continued Demik. "But then I made a mistake. You see, even a master craftsman needs good materials to do his work. I had heard there were excellent materials to be found in the Necrogond. So I took us there to search. Both my wife and I are skilled fighters as well so I thought we could handle it. Next thing we know, we were fleeing from monsters and fell into a strange hole. Then we ended up in Alefgard."
"That story sounds familiar," said Ron. "I heard a similar story from a woman in the upper world. She was from Jipang too. She said her husband, also a master craftsman, went on a journey searching for materials for his work."
Demik was noticeably surprised by Ron's story. "Really? Huh, imagine that. Small world. Or rather, small worlds I guess." He seemed to be quite nervous.
"Yeah," continued Ron. "She said her husband made my sword here. Heck of a guy if he made something like that."
"Do you mind if I see it?" asked Demik. Ron obliged and unsheathed the Sword of Thunder.
"Wow, I never thought I would see this again!" said Demik.
"Again?" asked Suzanne. "Did you know this other craftsman and this sword?"
Demik became nervous again. "Er, yes," he answered. "This other craftsman is me. I made this sword. I lost it as my wife and I were in the Necrogond."
"Wait, the woman who told me about this sword said her husband made it," said Ron.
"Yes," said Demik nervously. "That would be me."
"But you said you fled with your wife and that she's here now," said Alice, confused.
"All true," said Demik. "See, that woman you met was my wife at the time. Then I fled Jipang with my current wife. We got married later."
"So you abandoned your wife in Jipang to run off and marry another woman? And you didn't tell her any of this?" asked Alice. "She was quite upset when we saw her! She believes you're dead and grieves over you still!"
"Look, I didn't mean for that to happen!" protested Demik. "She was in no danger to the Orochi; she was too old. The Orochi was very particular on its sacrifices. But Yilady downstairs could have been its next target! I saved her life!" Despite his protests, Alice did not look appeased.
"Okay, listen," said Demik. "I might not have done the right thing. But please, don't get blabbing about it to everyone you know. In return, you can keep the Sword of Thunder. It's my finest work; you won't find a more impressive blade! In fact, if you were able to find it you may just have defeated the Orochi as you said. In thanks for that, if you find some good materials I'll make an even better sword for you! I bet you I could recreate the Sword of Kings that the locals here talk so much about!"
"That's a bold statement," said Suzanne. "How do you propose to do that?"
"It's simple," answered Demik confidently. "I did a little research on the sword. Sounds like in some places of Alefgard there is a rare metal named oricon. I'
ve researched it and it seems better than anything to be found in the upper world. I'm sure the Sword of Kings must have been made of it. You get me some oricon and I'll make you a new Sword of Kings!"
Chapter 39: The Once Proud Tower
That night the four gathered near the public bathhouse in Kol. There were few in the area at that time though the group was sure to post discrete lookouts to be sure. They began digging just south of the bathhouse, as the widow in Hauksness had told them. They had to dig quite a few holes around the area but the widow's instructions were fairly accurate. Before long they found a flute that had been buried in the ground. The flute was made of wood and at a glance looked to be of ordinary make.
"Do you think this is it?" asked Suzanne.
"This little thing? This is what the widow felt we had to find?" asked Ron, unimpressed.
"Don't let its appearance fool you," said Alice. "Not all powerful artifacts are magnificently designed. I can sense a power coming from it. Let me examine it with my magic. I'll figure out what this flute can do."
The next day Alice went to work. After her examinations she shared her findings with the rest of the group.
"No doubt about it, there's a great power within this flute," said Alice. "Curiously, it seems like a power we have seen before. I want to go back to the Great Pit of Giaga and study it."
"Why Giaga?" asked Suzanne.
"The power in this flute seems tied to the power that kept Ramia from going through the Great Pit," answered Alice. "In fact, the power is much like the power that comes from Ramia herself. I want to work with Ramia for a little while and study this flute there. Who knows? Maybe we could dispel the magic that keeps Ramia from coming here!"
"Getting Ramia to Alefgard would be a great help for us," said Suzanne. "Okay, Alice, we'll all go. I don't want to risk stranding us here and I don't want to risk sending you off alone."
The heroes reunited with Ramia and worked to study the Fairy Flute. Despite Ramia's insights the exact power and purpose of the flute remained a mystery to them. The power was tied to the seal keeping Ramia out of Alefgard. Unfortunately, Alice and Ramia concluded that it was unlikely the flute could be used to break the seal.
"Basically, there are two magical signatures at work powering the seal keeping Ramia out," explained Alice. "To get Ramia into Alefgard both of these signatures would need to be undone simultaneously. We believe this flute would undo one of these signatures."
"What exactly are these signatures?" asked Suzanne.
"That is what is most mysterious," answered Alice. "One of them is a signature of malice and darkness. No doubt this signature is born of Zoma's own malignant power. But the other signature seems like that which comes from Ramia herself. The two signatures should be at odds with each other yet they are interwoven and work together in harmony."
When I try to enter the portal the two signatures serve different roles, said Ramia. The malignant signature is what denies me entry. However, the signature tied to me provides identification. It supports the seal against me and me specifically.
"We tried to use the flute to break the seal," continued Alice. "But the flute only combats the malignant signature. With this 'identification' signature supporting it, the seal holds against the flute's power."
This is powerful and complicated magic, said Ramia. The flute may be unable to combat this seal on its own but I suggest you keep it with you. It may be able to undo some other of Zoma's spells.
"Damn! I was really hoping that would work!" said Ron.
"It was a long shot," said Thomas. "The nature of this seal makes it seem intentional. Zoma likely went to quite some trouble to keep Ramia from interfering in Alefgard."
What do you intend to do now? asked Ramia.
"We still have no leads on the Armor of Radiance," said Suzanne. "And we recently learned that the Sword of Kings is likely destroyed. Our mission to reunite the three pieces of equipment legendary to Alefgard may be doomed."
"Don't give up so easily, Susie!" said Ron. "We met that swordsmith from Jipang that said he could make a new one! If he made my sword he must be capable of making a legendary sword!"
"We need some oricon for that, though," said Thomas. "Where would we find that?"
"That man we met when we first got to Hauksness said he was looking for some," mentioned Alice.
"The man who was randomly digging around town like a fool?" asked Thomas. "And if he found some, why would he share it with us?"
"It's worth a try!" said Alice.
Suzanne turned back to Ramia. "Other than that, our only other lead is a tower west of Kol. Rumor says that a spirit named Rubiss is sealed there. Some scholars in Tantegel claimed that Rubiss created Alefgard."
Rubiss? echoed Ramia. That name sounds familiar to me.
"You've heard of Rubiss?" asked Ron. "How is that possible? Isn't that a name specific to Alefgard?"
"Ron has a point," said Suzanne. "Alefgard is unheard of here. Ramia, how do you know that name?"
I cannot explain it, answered Ramia. Memories from my past life elude me still.
"Could it be that Ramia somehow visited Alefgard in the past?" asked Alice. "It would make sense in a way. Perhaps Ramia went to Alefgard and presented a threat to Zoma there. And maybe that's what made Zoma seal her out of Alefgard."
"This makes me very curious about what's in that tower," said Suzanne.
"It will likely be extremely dangerous," warned Thomas. "If Rubiss is as powerful as we've heard and if she's sealed in that tower then Zoma will not have just abandoned the tower. It will be filled with its minions, perhaps even checked on periodically by the Archfiend itself."
"I believe it's a risk we have to take," said Suzanne. "But you bring up a good point. We will need to be extra prepared for this."
The four teleported back to Kol. They made their way back to the Shadow Ferry and sailed west to the tower. The tower looked as though it had at one time been a beautiful structure. All along the walls were tattered banners, many of them with Alefgard's symbol of the golden bird. However, all these banners were torn up or had been defaced in some way.
"Why would a tower of Zoma's have so pictures of that golden bird on its banners?" asked Ron. "I wouldn't think it would enjoy seeing that."
"Look at the condition of those banners," said Thomas. "Most have been torn up. Others have obscenities written on them."
"Why not just remove the banners?" asked Ron.
"At one time this tower may have served as a symbol of hope or strength to the people of Alefgard," replied Thomas. "Perhaps before Rubiss was sealed this tower was made in devotion to her. But now this tower and these tattered banners only serve as a reminder of the Master Archfiend's victory."
The group had little time to continue their musings on the tower's original purpose. Alice spotted three figures gliding down from one of the upper floors of the tower. The figures were three lion creatures. They had grey fur with bright red manes. On their backs were red wings.
"We can't wait for them to come down," said Suzanne. "They might have magic. Blast them out of the sky!"
The two opposing forces let out bursts of magic simultaneously. The three lion creatures all cast spells on their descent. Their combined spells turned the ground around the heroes into a horrific ice field. The grass was uprooted and sent flying as jagged spires of ice emerged from the ground. The four were sent flying into the air by the force of the ice field's emergence. And as they began their return to the ground the jagged ice spires waited there to impale the heroes.
Meanwhile, a powerful storm of fire was created to engulf the lion creatures. A large, tornado-like whirlwind carried two streams of fire, one so powerful that flames bounced all around it, to the lions. The cutting winds and scorching flames seared the monsters and then a large explosion finished them off. Their badly damaged corpses hit the ground.
Suzanne and Ron took out their shields and did their best to acrobatically roll themselves away from the spires.
The Shield of Heroes again proved its worth as Suzanne rolled harmlessly off one of the ice spires. Ron took a cut to his side but it was not as bad as it could have been. Thomas conjured up a small wind gust to save himself though he took a blow to the shoulder. Alice used a spell to slow her descent.
The ice field dissipated slowly and the four crawled out of it. They immediately saw that their quick fight had not gone unnoticed; numerous lion creatures could be seen emerging from the tower.
"We can't handle many exchanges like this one," said Suzanne. "Into the tower!"
The group rushed to the tower. Fortunately, the lions did not have very good maneuverability in the air. Some had launched themselves from the tower at the heroes however as the heroes ran underneath them they had to take a wide arc to turn around. The four arrived at the entrance of the tower. The door was locked but they quickly used the Final Key to get inside and shut the door behind them.
The room the four found themselves in was a narrow entrance hallway. At the other end was trapped floor that shot up sparks. The group hid themselves to the sides of the entrance door and waited for their pursuers to arrive. Thomas did not have time to heal everyone individually so he cast a single spell that healed some of the wounds of all four of them.
The lion creatures soon opened the door and rushed inside. Suzanne, Ron, and Thomas all rushed upon the monsters. Though they were still dangerous in melee fighting them up close proved to be less dangerous than feeling the wrath of their magic. The three cut through several of the lions taking only a few minor cuts for the effort.
Unfortunately, another lion at the back of their formation cast a spell. The group was again struck by a field of ice with spiky ice pillars. However, since it was only the one lion casting a spell the ice field was not nearly as dangerous. The group took some cuts and continued slicing through their attackers. Alice rewarded the lion who had cast the spell with her newly improved fireball spell, sending a tower of flame its way. It tried to cast its spell again but by that point Ron broke through the lions' front line and destroyed the spellcaster.
Dragon Quest Novel Page 60
