Chapter 350: The Sword Marshal

Chapter 350: The Sword Marshal

Shield? Is that true? Dallion asked.

There was no response.

Ill talk to him, Gen said from Dallions realm. You take care of your stuff.

Sure.

The shield guardian never hid that he had taken part in the war. Given the scale of the war, that was to be expected. However, he had never gone into any specific details. If anything, he had downplayed his involvement. It was now obvious that he knew a lot more than he claimed.

The world was a different place back then, the shield said out loud. Its strap extended, allowing it to slide off Dallions arm.

Moments later it changed form completely, transforming into a dryad in a military uniform Dallion hadnt seen before. Crimson vines flowed down the left side of his shirt, continuing up to the belt from which hung a long wooden rapier. While the face was the same, there was almost no similarity to the companion shield that Dallion had grown to know.

A marshal? The Moon Cleric arched a brow. No, not just any marshal. You were a sword marshal, werent you?

Dallion saw shame form throughout the shields entire body.

Whats a sword marshal? Dallion asked.

Remember when I said that there were many such swords? To ensure compliance, the high conclave entrusted each world to one of their capable army elites, just in case. Those who had the skills and experience were given the title sword marshal. They had tens of thousands under their command and carried with them a weapon that housed millions more.

Sword?

Vihrogon, the sword dryad said. My name was Vihrogonhe who banishes winds. And yes, I was a Sword Marshal. What is more, this might have been my sword.

Emotions stirred throughout Dallion like a whirlwind. He felt astonished, betrayed, confused

Might have been? he asked.

The world guardians arent the only ones who considered we might be betrayed. The Star had done so before, so it was likely he could do it again. When the first signs appeared, I broke off of the main force. The shield guardian looked down at the sea. Several colonies of cracklings were visible below, floating like small islands on the surface of the water. A few of us gave up our command and rushed here, to the ruins of the old copyette capital. Fearing we might lose the war, we hid our swords among the ruins. What is one more artifact among so many? If we ended up being wrong, we could always return and reclaim them. If we were right, at least they had a chance to survive.

I didnt expect this, Nil said.

It was you, the Moon Cleric said. I remember how majestic you seemed back in the day. Now you hide, pretending to be a companion shield of all things. How the mighty have fallen.

It wasnt pretending, the shield sighed. When the time of banishment came, everyone had to face their past and make a choice. Some lost their minds, reverting to their primal form and living on as feral guardians. Others chose to forget, taking on an existence that would help them escape the memories of their past and the desire they held.

Leaving us in our prisons

It was better than the alternative. At least this way you had a chance.

Dallion, the Cleric turned to him. Are there any dryads in the world?

Dallion shook his head.

No, not anymore. No banished can.

Dallion fell silent again.

Whats the item? the Moon Cleric asked. If there was anything of the sort, I would have known.

Like you knew about the Vermillion tears that were scattered about? the shield snapped. Only certain people knew, and those that did had the memory extracted from them, so the Star wouldnt find it. It was supposed to be a foolproof plan, the dryad laughed bitterly. Apparently we were wrong. He paused for a moment. The Twicrown, he added shortly after. Thats what was hidden. It had the power to help you escape from this realm and defeat the Star.

The Twicrown? Its just an ornament. There are dozens of them scattered among the ruins. Rulers have worn them for centuries.

Not the ones made here, one brought from outside and hidden away.

And you know where its hidden? Dallion asked.

Yes and no. All sword marshals who took part in this plan had their memories taken out in a temple of the Moons and given form. That was the only way to guarantee that the Star wouldnt know.

Some plan, Dallion grumbled mentally. Not only had everyone involved forgotten about it, but somehow the Star had also gotten wind, else he wouldnt be so eager to enter the realm.

Taking a deep breath, Dallion recited the names of the Seven Moons. He had already gone down the emotional roller-coaster. He had learned too much, too fast. Back on Earth, he wouldnt have even blinked. Due to his love of puzzles, he might have actually enjoyed it, but he didnt risk anything there. Here, there was a lot more at stake, potentially his life, possibly a lot more.

I know where to find them, though, the shield said.

The dryad scrolls, Dallion whispered. They are your memories.

No. The dryad shook his head. The scrolls are the worlds memory. The white scroll is mine.

Didnt see that coming, Gen said from within Dallions realm.

The protector was intrigued that a human would have empathy, but her last sentence wasnt directed towards you. It was directed towards me, the shield went on. Seeing her reminded me of a few things, but if Im to remember the rest, Ill have to defeat her and claim the scroll.

Saying that, Vihrogon, reverted back to his shield state. As far as he was concerned, the conversation had ended. The Moon Cleric, though, didnt share his opinion, and continued to ask Dallion about what the real world had become. Dallion answered as much as he knew, but all the time he kept thinking about the past. There was no doubt a lot that remained unknown about the dryads and their empire. However, the second most important event in their history had been revealed, making Dallion feel as if he knew them.

He could only imagine what they must have gone through to banish all their otherworlders within world realms and hide the keys. According to what the armadil shield had said, manyif not allrealms had hidden within them the means to escape, as well as hurt the Star. The big question was why didnt they use that power against the Star to begin with?

The vine whale increased its speed. So far, the creature hadnt said a thing, but the revelation had to be a shock for him as well.

Ill take my leave, now, the Moon Cleric stood up. Rain will fly you to the city.

He can fly that far in?

Rain can fly anywhere he chooses. Its just not very safe. With your moonspark, though, I think youll manage to pull through. He winked. Take care, Dal. Id wish you luck, but not to the sword marshal. Too much was done for me to do that.

I understand. Dallion nodded. Thanks for the talk.

I hope it helped. Im just sad that I wont be able to share any of this with the rest. Which is a pity, because there were some really good parts.

Vines emerged from the back of the dryad as he spoke. Tiny leaves spring from them, glowing in the light of the Green Moon. Then, a blink of the eye later, he was gone.