Chapter 8: Angels and Warriors

Chapter 8: Angels and Warriors

Where is he? She drawled, her head languidly resting on the palm of her hand.

A red robed figure lifted her head.

My lady. We scoured the entire province of Cilim as you commanded and found no signs of the thief. Our disciples have monitored every fresh corpse in every city and town we have a presence in, and none resurrected. Every Warrior in the Society flew to even the smallest towns and villages, and there werent any rumors of the dead rising.

Hmpf. As expected of you useless weaklings. The throne evaporated as her wings stretched out behind her. The thief is on one of these islands, and until he is caught no one will leave, or travel between them.

My lady, that's The red robed woman trailed off as Arke suddenly appeared in front of her.

Thats. What? She cocked her head.

This lowly Warrior seeks only to serve and aid you in finding this terrible thief, and none of us dare defy your will, or that of Olympus but Atlantis claims dominion over the seas, and this island.

Arke blinked, and then blinked again. Do you think Im unaware of Atlantis?

Of course not, this one will never presume to fathom the extent of your wisdom and knowledge. It is only that if Carim were to suddenly cease all exports, the Atlantians would seek to punish us. Many of us still remember her fury. Even centuries later, we mourn the loss of our Hero and pay the price of our arrogance. If Atlantis does not get her tithe, they will call us traitors. Her armies will destroy us.

If the thief is not found. Arke loomed over her. Then it will not be Atlantis you need to worry about.

My lady Im afraid finding this thief will be impossible. What if his soul already dissipated, or he allowed himself to be pulled into the Aether. Or if

Enough! She shrieked, rattling the world with her voice alone. I will not abide by your excuses. See that my will be done. As for the Atlantians, do not concern yourself with them.

How do we find this thief, my lady? If he has already possessed a body, then how do we know who he is?

She didnt answer. Disappearing with a single beat of her wings. The nine warriors shared nervous glances, before flying back to their respective mountains, leaving only Nefkha and Irila, the woman who had spoken to her, floating in the air.

What a bitch. Said Nefkha, stroking his beard.

Indeed. She should know that no ones going to find this thief of hers. Hes probably dead, and even if he isnt, how are we meant to find him among billions of people? If he isn't dead already, he could be anyone, anywhere.

Hah. We don't, that's how. Nefkha lied effortlessly. Shes strong-arming us right now, but the archipelago is too useful for trade, and not just to the Atlantians. Maybe if she knew what island the thief was on, things would be different, but as it is, there's no chance. Besides, Carim is weak and were weak. We have no choice but to obey whatever law she lays down. The other islands dont necessarily have the same restriction.

You mean Sylcra?

Mhm. Theres rumors that the Hero ascended to the next tier.

Her eyes widened, before shaking her head lightly. Even then, angering Olympus isnt worth it.

Maybe so but Olympus isnt the only faction helmed by gods, and if the rumor is true, the damage that someone at that tier could do

Hell be slaughtered. The gods dont look favorably on those who threaten them.

You're right. Nefkha turned to the direction where Arke had flown off to. His eyes hardened in hate. But, their cruelty breeds enmity, and there are many who would seek to destroy them, regardless of the cost. To themselves or to the world.

Is this about

He put a fake smile on his face. Thats enough of that. Dealing with her stressed me out. I have some bottles of Nepthian Beer if you would care to join me?

She raised her eyebrows, I didnt know you had such expensive tastes.

On the ground outside the forest, Luke and his companions knelt on the ground.

I think shes gone. Said Spiros a minute or two after she had left.

Is it that easy? He asked himself, staring dumbly at the sword. It was a beautiful thing. A three foot long blade, lacking a crossguard unlike most of the other swords in the room. It was forged from pure gold, and lacked any seams. As if it were forged from a single bar of the metal. A pommel, encrusted with a large blue gem and a tassel, narrowed into a leather wrapped grip, which flattened into a wicked double edged blade, forming a lethal point.

An eye for the fancy! A voice echoed through the room. Cant say I blame ya. Who wouldnt want a golden sword, and a xiphos at that. If nothing else, the Olympians make some fine looking weapons. What can I get for ya lad?

How much for that one? Luke asked him. Slightly surprised by his massive frame, and bulging muscles, barely hidden beneath his blue robes.

Hmm. That one is-three hundred merits. He looked at Luke. A wry smile on his face, that just screamed his doubt at Luke being able to afford it.

Ill take it! Luke answered as soon as the words came out of his mouth. Sliding his bracelet off his wrist, he held it out to him.

Youre quite decisive. He looked surprised, but pulled the sword free of its mount nonetheless. Are you sure you want this one though? Dont let the gold fool you, its not the best sword we have here. Actually the price is so high, precisely because its gold. Whoever made it possessed more vanity than sense in my opinion.

Im sure. I uh, I always wanted a gold sword. Luke answered lamely. Remembering that the Society didnt know its history, and he didnt want to clue them into its true value either. Whatever that was.

Are you sure I cant convince you otherwise? The artificer who made it, enchanted it with increased durability just to make use of the gold. Most of the other swords I have in that price range are made from sturdier stuff, and have better enchantments. I got swords that shock people, swords that are sharper than they should be, swords that vibrate all for a similar price.

Thank you, but Im sure.

Alright. Theyre your merits. He shrugged, and took the wristband. Dropping it on a paper, his eyebrows lifted in surprise. No wonder youre so eager to waste your money. I thought those vipers went extinct. He muttered as his eyes raked over the paper. After deducting the merits, he slid the sword over to Luke. Youll want a sheath with that too. Three merits.

Ill take one. Said Luke, gingerly placing his hand on the hilt, he felt the Seed stir in the recesses of his soul. A tendril of energy traveled from it, down to his arm, and into the blade.

Quest complete.

Bonding.

Connection formed with item: Xiphos

That was way easier than I thought it would be.

Sitting on the mat in his meditation room, Luke withdrew the sword from its sheath. Then with a mental command, added it to his inventory.

Status | Quests | Inventory

Capacity: 4.5 kg of 140 kg

Items:

Xiphos (Bound)

Tier - Mortal (Upgradable)

A Xiphos gifted to Bellerophon. Although not his primary weapon, after centuries of exposure to mana of a higher tier, it has gained abilities atypical of a mortal weapon. The blade will repair any damage when provided with sufficient mana. The blade will siphon mana from those it cuts. Strengthening its wielder every time a foe is slain.

Upgrade - Weakened by its wielder's battle against Zeus and from the centuries of disuse that followed, the mana in the sword has dwindled away, resulting in its decline to the Mortal Tier. It can be returned to its previous glory, and perhaps even beyond.

To advance the sword to the next tier, it must feast on the blood of a hundred Warrior Tier entities. (0/100)

Hmm. Not bad, although Im a long ways away from killing a hundred warriors. Hell, I only know nine that exist. If I'm reading it right though, the sword will take mana from those I cut with it, and make it available to me. Essentially, free Stat Points for killing stuff. I sense some murder-hoboing in the future.

Luke called the sword back from his inventory, and stared at the blade. It really was beautiful.

Returning it to its sheath, he put it beside his bed. His inventory, while useful, wasnt something he could explain.

I should probably fill it up with some food and other camping supplies though. Some talismans too. Those were useful.