15 Departure

Corytheius's vine-like arm extended wrapping around a small bottle. It was just about the size of a baby's fist. A golden translucent liquid was jostling about as Corytheuis lifted the bottle into the air.

"A parting gift, for my son, Geodenisis Arboreth sap. Only use it, in a, desperate moment."

Corytheius brought the bottle in front of Valerian. Valerian took the bottle, carefully storing it within the vines comprising his torso.

Again Corytheuis reached out to the stone table. His vine-like arm wrapped around two objects bringing them in front of me.

Corytheius looked at me, "We crafted, these two, curved daggers, from the fangs, of the Grootslang. They are, especially sharp, and perfectly balanced. I hope, they serve, you well."

I grabbed the two daggers inspecting their exquisite craftsmanship. The handle was crafted out of a dark onyx-like metal. Their handles seemed to be covered in scales that somehow gave the daggers fantastic grip making it easy to hold and apply force with them. At the end of the handle, a snakehead formed, similar to the Grootslang but without the long fangs protruding from its mouth. The blade had the same ivory look as the Grootslangs fangs except it was polished to the point it gleamed in the sunlight. Its curved edges were beveled and looked sharp enough to slice through steel. I was so excited my hands trembled. I was just beginning to think that my kodachi needed to be replaced soon and receiving these daggers was like getting coal in winter. I quickly focused my eyes on the daggers.

Name: (Unknown)

STATS

Sharpness: 75

Hardness: 70

EFFECTS

Armor piercing: 20%

I looked at these stats stunned. This was a top quality weapon. There were few weapons I had seen in all of my past life that surpassed this pair of daggers. I had a few fortuitous encounters and had seen some incredible things in my past life so they were not the best I had ever seen. However, that was years later. As of right now, I have only been in Agartha a week and I already had a huge boost to my stats and amazing equipment. I know I have to take advantage of this opportunity and I know exactly how because of the memories of the last timeline. However, I can't take full advantage of my memories until I return to the human settlement.

After taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the daggers I began to think about what to name it. Considering the origin of the daggers, the look of the handle, and the way it curved I instantly thought of a name, Twisted Serpent. I need to make a sheathe for it, but other than that it was perfect.

"Thank you Grand Elder Corytheius. I will always remember the kindness your people have shown me."

I bowed towards him.

A smile spread across his face, "Thank you, young warrior. Good luck."

Valerian suddenly kneeled, "Thank you for this opportunity father, I will return with stories of glory and grandeur."

Corytheius nodded his head in a way that only a father knows how. Somehow revealing how proud he is of his son with just a simple nod. Valerian stood and together we headed out of the elder compound. We still needed to gather many supplies before heading toward the human settlement, I had traveled in the wilderness many times in my past life and know you could never be too prepared. Even though it was just a day's travel and in an area not known for being dangerous you can't underestimate the wilderness in Agartha.

After spending a couple of hours in the market gathering supplies we headed towards the gates of the village. As we were going through the gates I looked over at Valerian.

"You gonna miss it"

"Miss what?"

"The village. You've lived here your entire life"

He turned around looked at the village, then he looked back at me, "Nope."

Facing the road he leaped out with no hesitation, his hands raised to the sky, "I've been waiting forever to get out of this place! Corytheius always treated me well, but I never really got along well with the rest of the G'eth. I've always been more interested in the outside world than in the old customs of the G'eth."

I nodded towards this new brother of mine, "Well we will see a lot of this world, I have a best friend and a brother to find."

Of course, I know how to find Mike, but I couldn't tell Valerian that. I will get to meet him in time, that isn't a big concern for me. My brother, on the other hand, is an enigma. Other than in ten years when he kills me, I have absolutely no clue where to find him. Even after years of searching, I found no clues about his whereabouts and have no idea why he would kill me.

Suddenly, I remembered one detail I had forgotten about the moment he killed me. I had recognized the dagger I was stabbed with. It was an incredible item, the blade was a dark purple with a pitch black handle. My team had taken it off the corpse of a dead Fey in a ruin 8 years after I arrived in Agartha. We wanted to keep it but needed the funds, so we ended up selling it in an auction. I don't know how it could possibly help me find my brother though. I put it to the back of my mind, there is nothing I can do to find him right now. Even if I did I might not have the power to help him.

The best thing I can do is get strong, get strong and build up my influence. Become someone that people can't ignore, can't take advantage of, someone who stands above all others. Only then can I protect those I hold dear. Only then will I be satisfied.

I looked down the road, the forest extending into the distance. A feeling in my soul rising, vibrating at a fever pitch. Goosebumps spread across my body, I knew deep in my soul that my journey was beginning, that from this moment forward I couldn't back down, that I would either rise to the heavens or fall into the abyss of hell.I stepped forward.