Chapter 40: Rubiss
The very next day the heroes returned to the tower. Suzanne decided to don the Armor of Radiance for this trip. Like with the Shield of Heroes, she hid the Armor of Radiance under a cloak so as not to stir up the people of Kol. The four went to the Shadow Ferry and sailed west for the tower again. Thankfully, they did not meet any opposition on the sea.
When they reached the tower they found a welcoming party much like the one they had met on their first trip to the tower. However, the four were ready for them this time. The monsters had not changed their tactics much from last time. Again the group was greeted by a group of flying lion monsters who glided from the tower. Aware that they would be coming, the heroes unleashed their barrage of magic immediately after the lion monsters took flight. The lions never had a chance to unleash their own magic.
Having destroyed the first wave, the four did not take a moment to rest. They charged forward to the entrance, as they had the day before. This time after they made their way inside they found a group of the crimson shadow monsters waiting for them. Clearly, the monsters had adjusted their defenses a little bit. But the heroes were ready for the shadows too. Not taken off guard at all, the group eliminated the shadows quickly by sealing their magic and cutting into them. The shadows did not seem to even realize that their magic was useless as the four destroyed them.
The group had won quick entry into the tower yet they did not stay still. The four had studied Alice's map so that they would know exactly how to navigate to their destination. They worked their way through the tower at a good speed, not allowing the tower's defenses to find them and trap them.
Having fought the monsters in the tower the group was also quite effective in cutting their way through what resistance they did find. Suzanne's new armor was also of great help. She was able to move with even more agility with it than her old armor and yet the Armor of Radiance was even more effective at keeping her from harm. The armor even worked magic out of battle which slowly rejuvenated Suzanne and healed her wounds. When the group first noticed this Alice clearly wanted to stop to study the effect but Suzanne motioned to keep on the move. As long as they kept up their pace they would continue to do an excellent job of making their way through the opposition.
The heroes made their way to the break in the wall they had seen before. Alice cast a spell to slow the group's descent as they jumped. They landed in the walled off courtyard they had found. There was a door back into the tower right next to them. The path was quite straightforward from there. A small section of each floor was dedicated to this hidden area. To progress all the four had to do was walk forward to the next staircase. There were a few times where rotating floors blocked their path but the heroes had become adept at navigating these areas.
After some time the group arrived at the top floor of the tower. This area looked a bit different from the other floors. It looked as though the entire area had been covered, from top to bottom, in decorations at one point. Like the rest of the tower, these decorations had been defaced and destroyed in various ways. Most of the rest of the tower had basic brick on the floor but this floor was covered with what must have been beautiful rugs at one time.
As the four made their way around the four they were soon greeted by a group of monsters. These monsters looked like large lizards. Their bodies were covered with green scales and they crawled forward on four legs. They had long snouts and two horns each on their heads.
The group rallied into action. Thus far, they had been focusing on conserving their magic, especially since engaging in melee had been an effective tactic against most of their enemies in the tower. So the heroes used that strategy again and ran forward to fight these monsters up close.
Suzanne and Thomas paired up to fight one of the lizards. Suzanne met the creature head-on while Thomas worked his way to its side. The lizard tried to snap at Suzanne. Suzanne twisted aside to avoid the worst of the attack and her armor handled the rest. She counterattacked with a sweeping slash to its neck. The lizard was also able to avoid a direct hit but Suzanne's attack still cut it deep and also removed many scales from its side. Thomas took advantage of the opening and plunged his sword into the spot the scales had been removed from. The lizard died instantly.
Ron and Alice tried a similar tactic. Ron goaded one lizard into snapping at him. He took some cuts to his side from the creature's jaw. Alice was left alone to hit the monster's side. Her attack was not as effective as Suzanne's but even Alice's blow removed several scales. Growling in pain in rage, the lizard tried to turn around to attack Alice. This proved to be a bad move as it exposed itself to Ron who nearly cut it in half with one blow and finished it off with the next.
However, this attack pattern had left the other two lizards alone. Instead of leaping into melee the two remaining lizards breathed out gales of flame. The four were bathed in the fire. Their magic protective gear protected them from some of the fire but they still sustained serious burns. However, this was not enough to slow them down. They went to fighting their remaining foes as they had the first two. One lizard was able to release another blast of flame before dying. Other than that, they were taken care of with ease.
"First time seeing those things," noted Ron. "Good thing they couldn't handle very much, that breath of theirs was vicious."
"I think those were dragons," said Alice. "I read about them."
"Dragons?" asked Ron. "Those things couldn't even fly!"
"Do all dragons fly?" asked Alice. "Would you say the Orochi was a dragon? It didn't fly."
"Hmm, I don't know if I would call it a dragon," said Ron. "It was dragon-like."
"Well regardless of your thoughts, the Gardians classify those lizards as dragons," answered Alice. "Not unreasonable, considering their fearsome fire breath."
"Can we have this debate later?" asked Suzanne. "Let's keep on the move."
The heroes made their way to the south side of the tower. There they found an area that looked like a sort of inner sanctum. In the middle of this area was a large room guarded by a locked door. The Final Key took care of the lock and the four went inside. The room inside had been completely stripped of decoration. The rest of the tower had some banners left, albeit defaced, but this room had been made as plain as possible. Scraps of cloth left behind made it clear that something had once adorned the room before it had been torn to shreds.
At the back of the room was one decoration that was still intact. There stood a statue of a gorgeous woman. After the examining the rest of the room the group returned to the statue to examine it.
"Well, we've looked at everything on this floor," said Ron. "No sign of this Rubiss we keep hearing about."
"There has to be something around here," maintained Suzanne. "This room is definitely the most difficult place to get to in the tower. There has to be a reason they didn't keep the armor here."
"There's something up with this statue," said Alice.
"What do you mean?" asked Thomas.
"It is an amazing work of art," commented Ron. "But that's it."
"Alice has a point," said Suzanne. "Everything else in this room has been shredded, by the looks of it. Throughout the tower, all decorations and banners have been defaced in some way. But this statue alone is the only decoration that looks untouched."
"Plus, just look at it," said Alice. "Have you ever seen a statue so well crafted? So realistic. It's almost like—"
"It was once alive?" finished Ron. "You think this statue is tied to Rubiss somehow?"
"It could be," said Alice.
"Alright, Alice, use your magic to examine the statue," said Suzanne. "For the rest of us, let's focus on guarding the room from any monsters that may come by to check up on it."
Alice began her examination of the statue. It did not take her long to find something.
"Wow, there is a lot of power centered on this statue!" exclaimed Alice. "There is definitely something important here!"
Alice continued studying th
e statue. The other three had to beat back monsters a few times as she did her work. Alice made sure to work quickly as she knew they were in greater danger the longer they stayed.
"Remember what we found the last time we went to Giaga?" Alice asked after a time. "I'm finding something similar here. There is a magic signature here at work holding back some great power."
"So we're stuck then?" asked Thomas. "We still don't know how to undo these signatures."
"Correction!" said Alice excitedly. "We didn't know how to undo the seal on Giaga. That involved two opposing signatures somehow working in harmony. There is only one signature on this seal: one of malice and darkness. Back in Giaga that was the part that the Fairy Flute worked against."
"Are you suggesting we use the Fairy Flute now?" asked Suzanne.
"This is all a lot of theory for now," said Alice. "This seems very similar to what we saw in Giaga. But there are complicated forces at work here so I won't know for sure until I do a more thorough investigation."
"We don't have time for a thorough investigation," said Suzanne. "Who knows how long it is before everything in this tower organizes against us. Ron, try playing the Fairy Flute now. Let's see what happens."
Ron did as he was told. He took out the Fairy Flute and played a tune on it. As he played the statue began to glow. The effect startled him at first but then he continued playing. As his song went on the statue glowed brighter and brighter. By the end of his song the statue glowed so bright that none of the four were able to see.
Ron ended his song and the light gradually subsided. The statue had come alive and stone had been replaced with flesh and light. The woman's feet began to lift off the ground. She began to gently float just off the floor. She took a moment to examine her limbs, seemingly amazed that she could move them. Then she turned towards the four and spoke. However, she did not speak with sound. Much like Ramia, her words went directly into the minds of the group.
Ah! Spoked the woman. It's like a dream come true! You have broken the seal.
"Might you be Rubiss?" asked Suzanne.
Yes, I am the spirit Rubiss, who created this land of Alefgard, answered the woman.
"We have heard a lot about you," began Suzanne.
And I have seen a lot of your adventures, Suzanne, cut in Rubiss. Though I was sealed I was still able to watch what transpired throughout this land. It has been unbearable to watch the suffering of my people over such a long time.
"How long had you been sealed for?" asked Suzanne.
Since shortly after Zoma arrived in this world, answered Rubiss.
"'Arrived' in this world?" echoed Suzanne. "That makes it sound as though Zoma did not originate in Alefgard."
That is correct, replied Rubiss. Zoma originated in your world. He attempted to conquer your world and had intended to make your world into his dark domain.
"He tried to conquer our world?" echoed Suzanne. "That doesn't seem right. If something as powerful as Zoma was a threat to our world I'm sure it would be carried forward in our history."
"Unless…" began Alice. "I wonder if it's possible…" she trailed off.
"What are you thinking, Alice?" asked Suzanne.
"Not much is remembered from the First Great War," answered Alice. "We don't even know the name of the Master Archfiend who began that war. But we know this: no monster has dared assume the title of Master Archfiend since the First Great War. In both the Second Great War and against Baramos, they assumed the title of simply Archfiend. Why not call themselves the Master Archfiend if they were the most powerful monsters of the time? Could it be that Zoma was the threat that the great hero Simon fought against in the First Great War?"
You are correct, said Rubiss. The people of your world fought against Zoma long ago.
"But our histories say the Master Archfiend of the First Great War was destroyed by Simon's forces," said Suzanne.
"Histories and legends can become inaccurate over time," said Alice.
Indeed. Zoma was not destroyed by your hero, Simon. He was sealed away to this world, stated Rubiss.
"You know a lot about what happened in our world," observed Suzanne. "Have you been to our world before?"
I have not, answered Rubiss. I do not have the power to traverse the boundaries between worlds. But I have met with one that does. And from what I have seen of you four during your time here I suspect that you have met with this one.
"Could you be referring to the phoenix, Ramia?" asked Suzanne.
Indeed, said Rubiss. Ramia has the power to cross between worlds. She visited this land long ago, before the seal was put in place.
"Wasn't Ramia killed midway through the First Great War?" asked Thomas. "Before Zoma was defeated? You couldn't have found out about Zoma's defeat from her then."
You are correct, confirmed Rubiss. But Ramia taught me a great deal about your world and about Zoma. Further, I was able to study Ramia and even Zoma. Indeed, all I have been able to do for centuries now is wait and analyze. I am sure I know what it is that happened at the end of your First Great War.
"Please tell us," requested Suzanne.
There is a seal in place that keeps both Ramia and Zoma from crossing it, said Rubiss. The seal actually is bolstered by power drawn from both of them.
"We studied the seal a few days ago," said Alice. "We found out how it works. But I didn't realize it worked against Zoma too!"
Indeed, that was the seal's original purpose, said Rubiss. That it keeps Ramia from coming here is likely just a side-effect. I believe that before Ramia died she passed on some of her wisdom and power to your people. They used that to create the seal for Zoma. They would have had to engage Zoma in combat to capture the magical signature derived from its power.
"That would fit with how our history tells it," said Alice. "Our history says there was a terrible final battle against the Master Archfiend. Of course, our history says the Master Archfiend was destroyed but if Zoma was sealed away, presumably never to return, whoever penned it in probably figured it was destroyed, or didn't realize that Zoma had been sealed in the first place."
Rubiss continued her story, Though the seal on Zoma kept it from menacing your world it also had some consequences your people could not have expected. Zoma, like me, does not innately have the power to cross between worlds. However, the very seal that keeps it away from your world is derived from Ramia's power. Zoma itself has been able to use this power. Indeed, this is how it sends its minions into your world. I do not know the purpose for which it has done so, however.
"We do," said Thomas grimly. "One of its minions started the Second Great War, though that conflict was not as terrible as the First. And just recently we fought a terrible battle against Baramos, who we now know to be one of Zoma's underlings, that nearly could have ended in the defeat of humanity in our world."
I see, said Rubiss. I believe Zoma wishes above all else to return to your world and conquer it, to finish what it started. It is not content with its domination of Alefgard. And it seems to have no intentions towards the rest of the world that Alefgard inhabits.
"It suffered a defeat in our world by getting sealed," said Ron. "It must be itching for some payback after that."
Alice noticed something in what Rubiss had just said. "You say there is more to this world than Alefgard?"
Indeed, said Rubiss. From what Ramia had told me, all the nations of your world united in the fight against Zoma. Zoma must have realized how dangerous the united forces of humanity can be. Thus, to conquer Alefgard the first thing it did was isolate and seal Alefgard away. This way it could ravage the country with no outside interference.
"It has placed a similar emphasis on isolation in its tactics in our world," said Suzanne. "We only united the nations against Baramos in the nick of time."
Then Suzanne had another thought. "Rubiss, now that you are free, can you help us in the fight against Zoma?"
I will not be as much help as you would expect, replied Rubiss. Even when I was at fu
ll strength Zoma was able to defeat me. Since then it has stolen much of my power. I would not even be a challenge against it now.
However, there are still things I can do, continued Rubiss. First of all, I will give you this Sacred Amulet. Rubiss brought forth a beautiful amulet. The amulet was a circular medallion. The medallion was of fine gold and it had the same bird insignia on it that the Shield of Heroes and the Armor of Radiance did.
This Amulet will play a key role in the fight against the Master Archfiend, said Rubiss. I can also provide guidance to you on your quest and help rally my people to your cause. I have seen the seeds of hope planted throughout the land. It is time for that hope to blossom.
"Alright!" exclaimed Ron. "Will you speak with everyone? Help everyone to realize that it's time to fight?"
I fear I will not be as inspiring as you may think, said Rubiss. I have been unknown to my people for centuries now. The true hope will come from you four. Especially from you, Suzanne.
"Because of the equipment we keep finding?" guessed Suzanne.
Yes, answered Rubiss. Adorned from head to toe in Alefgard's legendary equipment, each piece decorated with the ancient symbol of this land, you shall be a symbol the people can look up to.
"We still have to acquire the Sword of Kings," said Suzanne. "And from what we heard in Kol, the Sword has been destroyed."
Perhaps it is time for you to speak with King Raosu, suggested Rubiss. There is much to discuss with him.
"That sounds like a good idea," said Suzanne. "We can get the truth from him and, if the Sword has been destroyed, begin arranging to make a replacement."
"Things are really looking up now!" said Ron. "Time to turn this world of darkness around!"
"We'd better leave soon before more monsters show up," said Suzanne. "Rubiss, what will you do? How will we be able to contact you?"
I must remain hidden from the Master Archfiend, answered Rubiss. But my eyes cover this entire land. I will be watching you and will appear to offer assistance when it is needed.
"Thank you, Rubiss," said Suzanne. "Well then, let us be off to Tantegel immediately."
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