Part 3: The Dark and Holy Knights
Most of their travel was uneventful, a few monsters attacked, but nothing of note. On their second day of travel though, they saw a man in full black armor.
"... Are you William?" The man asked.
"... Right, and who are you to ask my name?" Will shot back.
"... I am Archibald."
"Well then, I am Will..." At this, Archibald pulled out a pitch black blade, and lowered into a unique battle stance: He stood sideways, his sword parallel to his face, his left arm held outwards, parallel to his sword. He then charged at Will and attacked! Will dodged by rolling to the side, and yelled,
"What the...!? Why are you...!?"
"... I was ordered to kill you..."
"By who!?"
"... That is confidental." Archibald replied, and charged at Will again! Will unleashed the Thunder Sword to parry the blow, and retaliated! The two exchanged blows, both at about equal skill... But, Will was able to land a hit on Archibald, slicing through the armor, and cutting his chest open!
"Ga...Gah..." Archibald moaned as he hit the ground, "K... Kill... me..." He managed to beg out, "D... Do it..."
"... No... I... can't..." Will muttered, and waled away...
"D... Do it... l... let me... ha...have... this... la...st... dig...nity..." Will kept walking on, a tear in his eye, as the rest of his group followed after him.
Not long after, a young boy of about 13 passed by this spot...
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"Let's set up for the night." Harken said.
"... Yeah..." Will said, "... I... I'll look for... supplies..." He then walked off. A few hourse had passed, and still Will had not returned.
"Did... Did he abandon us...?" Tina wimpered.
"... I guess so." Harken said. "Why though, Lone Swordsman...?"
"Garh..." Ricard grumbled, "What be the lad thinking...?"
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"... I would... only be more of a hinderance to them..." Will muttered as he walked onward, seeing a city in the distance...
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"Sir...? Are you alright...?" A boy asked. Archibald, whom had his helmet removed, awoke slowly, his silver hair and gray eyes dimmed slightly in the light. He looked around, confused.
"... Where... am... I...?" He managed to cough out.
"You're in the healing room of the citadel, sir."
"Cit...adel...?"
"Yes sir. The Holy Knight Citadel."
"How...?"
"I found you woundeded out in the wilderness, sir." The boy replied. Archibald slowly rose up, and finally noticed the boy. He had short brown hair, and wore a tan tunic. Above that he wore a gray breastplate, and had a gaurd on his right shoulder. He wore dark brown pants and brown boots that had steel shin gaurds. At his side he carried a sword in an ornate sheath...
"W...Who...?"
"I am Ash, sir. A squire to Lady Arigas."
"... Ar...ch...i...ba...ld..." Archibald replied, slowly. Ash nodded, and smiled.
"Well, your wounds weren't overly serious, sir." Archibald took a moment to steady himself, and stood up slowly, quivering slightly as he did so.
"Oh...! It looks like the Makano Herbs I applied on the wound are working quickly, Sir Archibald!"
"... I see... Thank.. you..." Archibald replied with a nod. The peace was soon interupted by a bell ringing loudly! "Wh...at...?"
"Oh no..." Ash said, "We're uunder attack!!" He then dove under the bed for cover... Soon, three men in pitch black armor burst through the door, howling and roaring...
"Kill!"
"Maim!"
"Destroy! Hrm...? Archibald...?"
They all looked at him quizically. Strangely, Archibald had also just noticed this now, his armor was now a shade of dark brown, instead of black.
"Traitor!!" One of them yelled as he launched at Archibald! Archibald quickly picked up a nearby training sword, a heavy wooden katant, and swung it at him and hit the man, causing him to roll to the side!
"... Ash... I... will... pro...tect you..." Arichbald groaned out, and lowered into his battle stance: But he let his left arm hang at his side, unable to raise it due to his loss of strength.
"S-sir Archibald...!" Ash yelled out, "Take this...!" He then tossed the sword he was carrying towards Archibald, whom picked it up, and unsheathed the blade with his mouth, and held it aloft.
"... Mith...ril...?" Archibald muttered. While he was distracted, more soldiers charged in, but as they approached the Dark Knight, he quickly cut then down in flashes of blood! After many soldiers had fallen by his sword, the room littered with blood, and with him almost collapsing from exurtion, there was a moment of repreve...
"Ash!" A voice called out, "Ash, are you there?"
"Who...?" Archibald muttered.
"Ah! That's Lady Arigas!" Ash cheered. "Lady Arigas! We're in here!" He yelled out. Soon, a woman with long golden hair stepped into the room her golden eyes glowing in the faint light. She wore a silver and gold breastplate, with silver should and elbow armor. Under that she wore a blue and gold out that had a regal quality to it. On her legs she wore dark brown tights with silver and gold armor on her knees, which ended into boots. All of this clung tightly to her curves, her breastplant enlargened for her large bust.
"Hm!? You get away from him, demon!" She yelled at Archibald, taking out her blade!
"No, Lady Arigas! Sir Archibald protected me!" Ash said, standing between the two, "I probably would've died if it wasn't for Sir Archibald."
"... I see." Arigas replied, and sheathed her sword, "... I thank you, Sir Archibald."
"... You're... welcome." Archibald replied.
"Lady Arigas, how is it outside...?"
"... Not well. We managed to hide the countess, but... we need more help..."
"... So... Only... a miracle... can save... us now..." Arhcibald muttered, and slid down on a wall, resting...
And little did they know, two miracles were on the way...
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Will approached the gate to the city, where he was spotted by two soldiers in pitch black armor...
"Stop boy!" One yelled at him, "Unless you wish to end your life, stay back!"
"... What is going on here...?" Will asked.
"It is offical Dark Knight bussiness. We're looking for a renegade." Will grunted, and started to walk away, when he heard:
"Sir! We have found the renegade, he's held up with a woman and a boy!"
"Kill them all."
"... What...?" Will muttered as he turned around, "W...why?"
"They are in the way!!"
"... No." Will stated, as he unleashed the Thunder Sword, as a bolt of lightning flashed off in the sky, "I won't let you!!" He started to glow with a strange, green aura while he howled out with a hot-blooded yell! Will charged through them in a flash, a clash of thunder boomed as he sliced through them, killing the two! He ran into the city, following the groups of Dark Knights into the citadel and to where the group was held up! He started to glow with the green aura again as he swung his blade, and a bolt of energy shot from his sword, killing a few of the Dark Knights, and charged towards the door to the room. He bashed on the door, keeping his attention to the Dark Knights, and said, "Hey!! You there, let me in! I'm here to help you...!"
On the other side, Ash went to open the door, when Argias said,
"No, Ash... it could be a trap!"
"My name is William! Let me in...!"
"... Wait..." Archibald said, perking up. "Let... him in..." Ash nodded, and openned the door, while Will quickly rushed in, fending off blows, and slammed the door behind him.
"I am Will." He said again, keeping his weight on the door.
"A pleasure to meet you, Sir William!" Ash replied and bowed, "I am Ash... and these are Lady Arigas and Sir Archibald..."
"What!?" Will said, and turned to the dark knight, and rushed towards him...
"Wait, Sir William! He saved my life!"
"Ah..." Will muttered, and sheathed his blade. "Hm... 'Enemy of my enemy is my friend...'" Will muttered with a smile, remembering what the saying Harken used on him before.
"... Will... Thank you... for sparing my... pitiful life... twice..." Archibald said, disheartened. "... At least... I have severd... a good purpose..." At this, Arigas stood up.
"Well, with the three of us, I'm sure we can take their commander." She said, readying her sword.
"Lady Arigas, I want to help!"
"No, Ash, you'll be safter here."
"But..."
"Accually..." Will muttered, "Wouldn't... he be safer with us? There isn't anyone here to protect him, like last time..."
"... I see your wisdom, Sir William." Arigas said, "... We shall take you with us, Ash."
"Oh! Thank you, Sir William!!"
"Eh... It's nothing." Will replied, then he turned to Archibald, and said, "Are you ready?"
"... Yes. I have no ties to this world..." Archibald replied and stood up, raising his sword, his full strength restored to him.
"Uh... Ok..." Will muttered. "Well... Let's go!" He then burst through the door, and the four of them cut (Well, Ash had a wooden katana, but... it was pretty heavy, so let's say he bashed them) through swaths of Dark Knights, making a trail through the city that allowed the other Holy Knights to join in the whole battle, and help stem the tide of Dark Knights. They soon reached the main gate to the city, where they saw a huge, hulking mass of a man!
"HMPH! Such insignificant gnats face me!? You shall face your maker!" He yelled out, and raised his sword...
"Majinken!" A voice rang out, and suddenly, a blue wave streaked across the ground, and hit the man in the leg, causing him to topple over!
"What!?"
"I am sorry, but I had to stop you." The same voice called out, with a hint of compassion and kindness to it.
"Wait... that voice... is it...?" Arigas started, and looked behind the giant, and noticed a person in silver armor. His gauntlets, pauldrons, greaves, boots, and helmet, all of it had an increcible shine and luster of the purest silver. His cuirass was a long white cloth, seperated a little below the waist, embroidered with a gold string at the shoulders, neckline, and at the bottom; which stopped at his needs. At the center was a symbol, a stitching of a red diamond. In his left hand was a sheild, the center was made of wood, painted red, and in the shape of a diamond, and the wood was surrounded by silver. He held a longsword in his right hand, the hild and blade both made of silver.
"It... is the... Lord Crusader..." Arigas said in shock. "He's... still alive..."
"Ah. You know I do not like being called that." the Crusader said, and removed his helmet, his bright blue eyes shining in the light, and his long, golden blond hair flowwing in the breeze. "I prefer my own name. Elzam." He continued with a smile.
"El...zam...?" Will asked, trying to get it to sound right.
"Yes, sir William. Lord Elzam, the Lord Crusader, is a living legend. No one has beaten him yet!" Elzam flashed a smile, and yelled out:
"Kentou Ougi! HienKenBu!" He then rushed up to his foe, and then lept into the air! He then kicked him once, and turned around in the air, kicking him with his other foot, and then turned again, stabbing him in the shoulder!
"Grah!! Damn you...!" The man howled out. He grabbed the shoulder where the blade peirced, and... grinned evily. "... Since I am going to be defeated... maybe I should tell the reason of our coming here... It was to find him!" He the pointed to Archibald, and said, "Whoever caused him to come here... it is their fault! The deaths of those innocents is on their hands!"
"W-what...?" Will muttered, and slowly fell to the ground. "N....No... No... Not... again... why... can't I... save anyone...? Everything I do... people die... All... my fault..."
"Will...!" Archibald yelled, "Snap... out of it...!"
"What...?" Elzam said as he turned his attention to the group. Taking this opening, the man raised his sword, and brought it down on Elzam! But, the swordsman dodged it at the last second! He waved a finger at the man, and said,
"Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. Hitting a foe with his back turned? How... rude." He the sheathed his sword, then Elzam threw his sheild behind him, and closed his eyes. The man laughed, and raised his sword to attack, when Elzam yelled out:
"Wrong move!! Kentou Ougi!" He then opened his eyes, and vanished in a blue of speed! He then reappeared, and attacked with a falling slash: "Kou!" He then vanished again, and reappeared once again, and attacked with a rising slash: "Shou!" Then, he vanished and reappeared at his original spot facing away from the man, and sheathed his blade, the man crumpling to the ground as he did so: "KEN!" Elzam stood back up, smiled politely, and headed back towards the group, to see that Will was still in shock... But, suddenly, a holy knight ran up and saluted at Elzam. He then said,
"Greetings, Lord Crusader and Lady Arigas!"
"At ease, Knight." Elzam said with a smile, "Anything to report?"
"Yes sir. A second legion of Dark Knights are aproaching!"
"What...?" Elzam muttered, then he turned to Arigas, "Arigas, take Ash and..."
"Archibald."
"Archibald, into the Citadel. I will hold them off!"
"... As you wish, Lord Crusader..." Arigas said, grapped Ash, and headed into the Citadel...
"It was William, Correct?" Elzam said with a smile. "This is not your fault. No... They were planning on doing this sometime."
"No.... It..."
"He's right, kid." A familular voice said. Nearby from the shadows, a figure stepped out into the light...
"... Z...?"
"I'm glad you remember me, kid..." Z said, "Now... Rise, and become the Hero you were meant to be."
"No... I... I am... no hero... I... can't save anyone..."
"What...?" Z muttered. He then scowled, and yelled: "WHAT!? You think THAT is all a hero is!?" He picked Will up with his left hand, and slapped him across the fake with his right! "There is more ot it than that! A hero fight for what is right, for their friends, for ANYONE that needs help!" Z yelled, and grabbed Will by the collar of his tunic, lifting the boy up with both hands. "I know this as a fact! Don't you DARE tell ME what makes a hero!! I... AM a falled hero... So how DARE you feed yourself such crap! Ask Nali, Sarah, Alex, Tina, Arigas, Ash, even Archibald!" At this, he stopped for a moment, and let Will go, muttering: "...Even... me." Z turned away from Will, and said, "William... I am disgusted. You are nothing more than a coward."
"... No." Will said, "I am no coward..." He then rose to his feet, slowly, "But... I am no hero either." He took a deep breath, and continued, "... I have let people down, yes... But I have saved countless others..." He then yelled out: "I have acted foolishly for far too long! That stops today!" He looked towards the sky, which was now blue and clear... He then raised a finger into the air, and yelled out for all to hear: "WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK I AM!?" From this, he then pointed straight ahead, "I am William Marate!" And from that, he clenched his hand into a fist infront of his face, "And I WILL become a hero!!"
"... And not a moment too late... or too soon." Z muttered to himself, and then said aloud, "William. I shall aid and travel with you..." He then stopped, and added to himself, in thought: '...So you do not turn out as I have.'
"... Thanks, Z." Will replied with a smile, and readied his blade. "Alright, guys... let's protect everyone..." The two nodded, and they too, readied for combat. Together, the three cut through many of the Dark Knights that attacked, and in short order, the Dark Knights finally retreated.
"We won." Elzam said with a smile as he sheathed his sword, "Well. I shall take my leave for now. There is much I need to do." He then headed off, and continued, "Meet me in the main hall of the Citadel. Farewell, for now." He then gave them a wave, and ran out into the wilderness.
"... Alright. Let's go, kid." Z said, and started off.
"Hey! I'm not a kid!" Will yelled, following after Z, "At least not to you!" Z turned to will, and said,
"I measure age vy maturity. Not by a silly number." He then turned back around and walked onward, Will following.
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After a while of waiting, Z and will were finally greeted by the countess.
"Milady Elina, these are the two that faught off the second wave... with Lord Elzam." Arigas said, stadding next to the seated countess. She appeared to be about 17, rather slender, with her black hair cascading out behind her.
"Thank you, Lady Arigas." Elina said with a soft smile, her voice sounding like a bird's song. "And... you are...?" Will was about to speak, but Z held up his right hand:
"I am Z. This is Will."
"Oh? Well, thank you, sir..."
"Just Z. I do not need any formalities, Milady."
"Okay. Then, Thank you, Z, and Sir Will." Elina said with a smile, and continued, "S... Z, I think I have heard of you..."
"... Most have, yes..."
"... And I was curious... How did you get that arm?"
"... It... is the reason why I work alone." Z stated, staring at his arm in... hatred? "...And a testament... to my failure..."
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'Come on Z!' A man yelled out, covered by a hood, reaching his arm out. Z lept out, and grabbed the man's hand, who pulled Z up. With that, the two ran out. 'That... was a close one.'
'Yeah... Thanks.'
'Oh, Don't thank me just yet.'
'Wha...?'
'Z! It's a trap!' A girl yelled out, being help back by gaurds!
'Sorry, 'pal', but they paid me more.'
'Damn you...!' Z yelled and rushed towards the man. But, he snapped his fingers, causing an explosion that ripped Z's right arm straight off! 'GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!' Z howled out, grabbing the spot where his arm was a few moments ago...
'That, my 'friend', was a warning.'
'... Fine... I... surrender... Just... let her... go...'
'... Nah. Kill her.'
'NOOOOOOOOOO!' Z yelled out and stood up... but was too late. By the time he stood up, one of the gaurds cut the girl's neck, and she crumpled to the ground...
'Later, 'buddy'.' The man said, and started to walk away...
'... No... you... won't live with this injustice...' Z said, taking a sword into his left hand. He charged at the man, and plunged the blade into the man's heart!
'DIE!!' Z howled out as he twisted the sword, and forced it out, turning his attention to the gaurds... his body radiating with a dark aura...
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"... And... that is... my tale..." Z stated. Just then, Elzam calmly storde in and said, "Sir William, there are two parties waiting for you."
"Who...?"
"WILL!!" A familular voice yelled out, as a familular girl ran in, tackled Will to the ground in a familular fashion, and punched him in the arm rather familulary.
"Oh. Hey Sarah."
"That's it!? Just 'Oh, Hey Sarah'!?" She screamed, hitting him, "I... we've been really worried about you!"
"How did you guys figure out where to find me...?" Will asked as the rest of the group, Nali, Alex, Ricard, Tina, and Harken piled into the room. Harken smiled, and with a twist of his hand in the air, said,
"Oh, yeah, guilty of that, Lone Swordsman. They hired me to find you, and as Cavalier Monk said, to lead you here. Good to have friends that care that much, eh?"
"Yeah." Will replied with a smile, "Thanks, Harken."
"Eh...? For what, Lone Swordsman?" Harken asked, just as surprized as everyone else.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"What? It's true." Harken replied with a grin, "Besides, if I just told ya the truth, you'd probably try to ditch me, or something. Not like you didn't..."
"Enough!" Z yelled, "Reunion's over!"
"Um... Z is right." Elina said with a smile, "We must find out who sent those Dark Knights."
"Oh, that won't be such a mystery for long." A voice rang out. Just then, a black sphere appeared and grew in size, takeing the shape of a man... which was then clad in red and yellow armor with a helm covering his face, and wore a red cape...
"You... you are..." Z muttered.
"His... majesty..." Sarah said.
"The ruler of Celeste..." Alex stated.
"... The Big Cheese..." Harken said.
"Lord Blazer!" Everyone, but Will, cried out in unison.
"... Yes. I sent those Dark Knights." Lord Blazer replied.
"But... why...?"
"Why? To kill him!" Lord Blazer bellowed at his pointed at Will, "William Marate!"
"What...? What have I done!?"
"... Ever since your birth... you have, and will forever be, a thorn in my side!" Lord Blazer turned around, his back towards them, "... One cannot control destiny and fate, William..." He then turned back around, unsheathed his blade, and readied to attack! "... But, I WILL stop it! I WILL make your destiny shater under my blade!" At this, Z, Sarah, and Elzam sprung up aside Will, while Z said,
"Lord Blazer! One cannot change destiny! Only a god can do that!"
"I... am beyond the power of a god NOW!" Lord Blazer howled out, and flicked his wrist! The world, time itself, seemed to crawl and slow to a stop, everything frozen and gray... but Will and Lord Blazer.
"Wha..." Will stated, but, Lord Blazer sprung at him, and said,
"Let us see what is stronger! Your destiny or my power!" Will, fumblingly, took out the Thunder Sword, and blocked Lord Blazer's first attack! The two faught, exchanging blocks and blows, strikes and parries, both seemingly at equal skill and strength.
"Hmph. Time to stop playing around." Lord Blazer stated and raised his sword above himself: "Nekketsu!" He then glew with a red aura, and punched Will with enough force to knock him down! Lord Blazer stepped up to Will, and said, "You know... why should I kill you... when I can make you my strongest ally..." He then placed his hand on Will's foregead, which glowed with a black-purple light... and then flashed in a red-light, as time resumed...
"W-Will...?" Sarah asked, appreaching the boy.
"A...A...A...Agh..." Will moaned as his body was surrounded by a black aura!
"Hm!? Everyone, back!" Z yelled out, "He's... Corrupted!" Z closed his eyes, and muttered, "I'll hold him off... until... I can purify him...!" Z was then surrounded by a black aura as well... While Will's body and head was surrounded and clad in a black and red demonic armor, who large red, demonic wings jutting from his back, a sword surrounded by a dark aura appeared in his hand!
"Must... Kill... Master's... enemies..." 'Will' muttered, and flew towards the group, but, was stopped when a black tendril whipped out towards Will, knocking him aside!
"You'll have to go through me first, Will!" Z yelled, as one of the tendrils wrapped back around his mechanical arm, "Let us see which is stronger... Your evil, or my darkness!" Will let out a wicked howl, and charged toward Z, swinging his sword rapidly! Z lept back, and swung his arm in a large arc that whipped the tendril out, hitting Will again!
"Grrrr...RAH!" Will growled, charging at Z once again! Z lept to the side and whipped the tending out once again, and lashed Will, whom fumbled and fell to the ground!
"... Dakrness... Receeds..." Z stated as he raised his left arm, "And Turns to light!" The Darkness around Z faded, and was replaced by an aura of light!
"Darkness..." Z stated as his mechanical arm was surrounded by a white mist, "... Be purified!" He then placed his palm on Will's forehead, and the boy's body glowed with a soft white light...
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"Ugh.... Oooooough..." Will moaned. He slowly opened his eyes and rose up, apparently back to normal. "W... What... happened...?"
"... You were... corrupted." Z stated. He offered a hand to Will, whom grasped it. Z pulled the boy up to his feet. "I... tred to purify it."
"Uh... there's a but in there, isn't there..." Will muttered. Z was silent, and continued:
"... I was only able to... supress it... It is... has... a mind, a soul, of it's own. It seems dormant for now, but... If used correctly... you might be able to use it for yourself."
"... But, I should use it sparingly, right?" Will replied, "Ya know, so I don't go... feral again." Z nodded, and said,
"Right." The room was silent, and finally, Alex spoke.
"Now that we know who are enemy is, what is our plan for facing him?"
"That is a valid idea, Lord Alex." Elzam said, "We need to rally together allies, and... find something that can help defeat Lord Blazer." There was another long moment of silence as they thought of ideas... That is, until Harken broke the silence by snapping his fingers.
"I got it! Somewhere in the world is a sword, a sword that is called: 'The Sword that Smites Evil'." Harken said.
"... Aye. Since it be hidden..." Ricard said, pacing back and forth, "I can only think it be hidden in one o' the lesser known lands." He then turned to Elina, and continued by asking, "Lass, may we borrow a room that 'ave many chairs and a large table?"
"Hm? Oh, of course, captain." She replied, smiling.
"Thanks, lass." Ricard replied, as Elzam led them into such a room. The room was rather large, and able to fit everyone. On the northern wall was a map of Terlium, that had all the major landmarks, locations, and cities marked on it.
"So, Captain Ricard, do you have any ideas?..." Sarah asked.
"I 'ave a few ideas, Aye. The forest o' Myrst, the Northern Reaches, the isle o' Idle... and the worst o' them all... The dreaded Ghost Straight."
"G-ghost Straight...?" Tina wimpered, "W...What is that...?"
"It be... a cursed stretch o' sea, leadin' into the heat o' Golia, and it be the only way into Golia. Many ships 'ave been lost to the rocks, the waters be very rough there... And, the spirits o' the dead sailors haunt it still." Riard said, "As such... none outside o' Golia has tampered with it." Elzam stooed up at this point, and said,
"Now, we have a lead on this... evil smitting sword, now we need of who to get as allies. William, as spokesman for me and my sister, you have the support of the Holy Knights."
"Sister?" Will asked.
"Yes. She is Arigas. Don't you think we look alike?" Elzam said with a smile. "Anyway, I am not sure how others would take our... bold claim, true as it may be."
"Couldn't I..."
"No, William." Alex said, "That wouldn't earn any trust, turning into that... demonic form."
"Right. Besides, we'll need to gain an aucdience for some. Still, that can be done by Elina... Ours is the biggest task. Vingarth. The duke of that city is one of my friends. He probably won't arrange an audience with us that easily. Still, he is a fan of a good play, so we can meet him there." Will stood up at this, and said,
"Alright! Then, let's start our quests: Vingarth and the Sword that Smites Evil!" Will looked at Elzam, and said, "Thank you, Elzam." He then turned to Arigas and Ash, and continued, "And you too, Arigas and Ash, for all the help..."
"They're not done just yet." Elina said as she walked into the room, smiling, while a knight followed her in, carrying a sheathed katana... "I want them to go with you."
"Yes, Milady." Arigas said, bowing, while Elzam smiled and nodded.
"M-me too...?"
"Yes, Ash... I also have a gift for you." She said with a smile, as the knight handded Elina the katana. The sheath was a brilliant platinum, encrusted with damonds and pearls. The hilt was also extravagant, and a blue tassle hung from the hilt's end.
"What... is it...?" Ash asked as Elina handed him the blade.
"Milady!" Arigas said, raising her voice in protest, "He is still a squire, I think..."
"Lady Arigas, please. I think that Ash is ready." She replied with a smile, "Ash, ths is the King's Sword. The sword used by the original founder of Carrisdale, King Sutro himself."
"But... why me, Lady Elina?" Ash asked.
"I think... you could put it to best use, Ash." Elina replied, smiling, "I am sure that, in your hands, the king would rest easy."
"T-thank you, Lady Elina..." Ash said, and took the blade out of it's sheath. The blade gleamed in the light, and it felt... very strange. It felt heavy in Ash's hands, but not too heavy... as if it was made for him.
"It was made out of Silver Mithril... Only a few small veins of it exist in the world..."
"Thank you... Lady Elina..." Ash said once again, sheathed the blade, and strung it onto his back.
"Now then. Onto Vingrath!" Will said, almost like a leader.
"Right!" Everyone replied, and together, they set out...















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