Chapter 1
After Ned said his long and loving goodbyes to his extensive family, the Cursed Devils stared at the ten mile hike to the tunnel entrance looking annoyed. Ator dropped to his knees and started to plead with the gods to not make him endure that hike again.
Keely darkly joked, “Well we might succeed on this mission, but we can at least die of exhaustion before we get there.”
“Kee… Just… AAAGGGHHH,” Ator yelled to the sky in frustration.
Audra then said to him, “Dramatic much?”
“Shut up,” Ator said as he stood back on his feet.
Aurora laughed at this and Skivvy said to her, “And to think he somehow was okay during the mountain hikes in training and never broke once during SEAR training, but a straight path is enough to break him?”
“Everyone has a thing that breaks them. Didn’t think it was this.”
“True that,” Skivvy said looking at Audra for a moment.
She was in the middle of adjusting her belt. He was admiring Audra’s unintentional ability to look sexy and rugged at the same time. However, he turned his head to the side as to no make it obvious. He still felt bad about Audra feeling him on the couch earlier.
Aurora smiled at Skivvy reassuringly making him feel better. She quietly told him, “It’s okay. I don’t blame you for that. She’s cute.”
“Yeah.”
“Come on, Sarge. Let’s get going.”
Kale picked up Nikolai and both were playfully shoving each other. Soon, some of Ned’s kids tackled them to the ground wanting to play. Ator and Audra had to peel the children off of them. Though, both were having fun watching Kale and Nikolai struggle. Desmond sighed seeing the long walk.
Keely asked Desmond sincerely, “You okay with what’s beyond here, boss?”
“Yeah.”
“You sound like – I mean this in all due respect… Troubled.”
“You know… I’m supposed to lead everyone… Yet… I’m very green… Also this sword,” he said looking Light Wielder’s handle. “So much responsibility with it. I just hope we make it out alive… Everyone one of us.”
“Don’t worry, boss. You actually give a shit about us dumbasses. We’ll always have your back. We’ll make it.”
“Appreciate it, Kee.”
“No problem, LT… Now curious, “ she said looking at Aurora. “You and Miss Beautiful… Plans with her after the mission? Go to a nice romantic hill and have a passionate…”
“That’s enough, Kee,” Desmond said feeling flustered.
Keely laughed to herself as she slung her rifle over her shoulder. Desmond looked back at the tree seeing Ned finish his goodbyes. Keely chuckled to herself and Aurora rolled her eyes at her for that last bit. Keely shrugged and Aurora gave her a shoulder bump in response.
Ned told his wife that he would be back in about a month and that the older kids were to step up and help. Ned then exclaimed, “Everyone hold hands! In a circle. Teleporting!”
Ned climbed on top of Ator’s helmet as his eyes and staff turned purple creating a circle around everyone. They all teleported back to the tunnel entrance in a flash. Nikolai threw up along with Skivvy due to the sudden teleporting. Ned chuckled, “Yeah, it’s not for the weak stomachs. Sorry. Forgot to warn you about that.”
“It’s okay… Oh, that was a chunky one! Argh,” Skivvy said spitting out vomit with Kale handing him a rag trying not to gag. Keely looked away nearly puking due to them puking. Nikolai was pulled up by Audra and he gave a thumbs up adjusting his goggles. Desmond and Aurora looked at the map and then walked ahead. Though, Aurora had to hold back some throw up that she swallowed back down. Ator grunted tiredly petting Ned on his head. Ned began to purr.
Aurora looked over at Desmond and he wore a hardened expression that perturbed her deep down. He never looked like this unless in combat. She thought herself, “What is he feeling right now? We have to cross… No.”
Desmond turned around and said to everyone, “Our next stop is roughly under a week’s walk. We will be at Fort Amber just before the frozen mountains. Word is that an orc expeditionary force pushed close to it and the majority of the Northern forces are concentrated there. Expect to see fighting. We will do our best to stay out of it. I don’t want to lose anyone. Not again.”
He said that last part with a harsh seriousness that chilled everyone to the bone.
He concluded, “We are to lastly link up with Commander Aviana. She’ll set us on the right pathway. Let’s move!”
Aurora nodded to herself fully understanding Desmond’s demeanor. Aurora looked to Skivvy who was silently expressing his concern as well. Both nodded in silent understanding. Keely and Audra felt Desmond’s pain, but both hid it behind forced optimism. Nikolai looked at Ator who nodded silently confirming fear in Desmond’s voice. Nikolai looked ahead at Desmond slightly scared. Kale looked to the side feeling a sense of fear, but said nothing. He also sensed everyone else around him felt the same.
Ned scratched his chin sensing what the others were feeling from Desmond. He then asked in Audra’s mind, “He has lost a lot of men before I presume?”
“Sadly yes. His entire battalion was killed in the Southern Plains battle. He tends to stay just about arm’s reach away as to not get too attached… Twenty two and he’s been in three large scale battles. I wonder how he handles it?”
“I wonder that too. Sorry for invading your mind. Just wanted to ask without anyone noticing.”
“It’s okay, sweety. Ask away if need be. I’m always open.”
“Noted,” Ned thought as he slinked down to Ator’s left shoulder and putting his staff into his pouch of holding.
Audra gave a quick okay sign and wink to Ned. Ator thought it was for him so he returned a thumbs up happily. Kale punched Ator on his right side rolling his eyes noticing the exchange. Keely laughed whilst hiding her nervousness as usual. Nikolai adjusted his goggles only to trip on himself again. Skivvy nonchalantly picked him back up as he wrapped himself in his cloak. The squad trudged on North East.
Night fell as the squad set up the heated tent and fire. Ned and Desmond were the only ones awake, though barely. Keely was supposed to take first watch, but fell asleep in the tree again. Ned sipped on a tiny cup of coffee nestled in a bundle of flannel blankets draped over him. He looked like a cat wearing a long cape. Desmond stared beyond the flames looking into the darkness not seeing anything. His eyes were saggy and empty. He was constantly thinking about the mission and the Dark One. He also thought deeply about the lady in blue he kept finding himself talking too in his dreams. He wondered what those brief conversations meant. He also thought about his constant reliving of past battles.
Ned sensed something in Desmond and asked, “Bad dreams?”
“What?”
“You have bad dreams as of late? You seem eager to stay awake.”
“Yeah,” Desmond said sadly. “Been happening since the battle… I keep waking up crying or I keep finding myself along a beautiful shoreline and there’s a blue women smiling at me as she skips rocks or does water painting… I don’t know why.”
“That’s the goddess most likely. You talk with her?”
“Sometimes… Mostly me looking at her confused, but I sometimes get a kick out of watching her galivant around the water like a happy dog. I sometimes forget that I’m still a knight on a mission when I see her.”
“What was the last conversation you remember?”
“Well,” Desmond said ponderously.
He remembered himself being out of armor in his civilian attire with his leather jacket on as he walked barefoot into the warm sea water with his pant legs rolled up. He saw her painting a water color portrait of the squad walking along a grassy hill overlooking a vast and beautiful ocean seascape with a few merchant ships heading out to sea. It was done in an impressionistic style with some level of realism. She looked back at Desmond and waved hello. Her bright smile always melted his hardened heart. He always felt warm and bubbly when he saw her. He also felt confused by her; he could never get an accurate read on her. She was always beautiful in her blue, flowy, strapless sun dress that somehow highlighted her light blue skin and shiny blue hair that flowed freely in the cool wind. There were two X-shaped scars peeking out her left breast hidden partially by the strapless sun dress. Both had a faint light shine from underneath them.
He remembered her saying, “You look a thousand times better out of armor, I must say. Not so dreary and crestfallen this time. You look nice with your hair down! I love how wavy it is.”
“Thanks and you look… Wow.”
“Thank you! I know! Trying this new dress out. I shouldn’t be self-conscious about these scars. Sometimes forget I’m a powerful being that can disintegrate or create life with a snap of a finger. Been – how many centuries? Eh. Oh well! ”
“What’re you painting?”
“Just something I felt like doing. You and your squad…Your squad is quite formidable I must say. Taking on that town and the ape men. They each individually have potential to step up… You may not realize it, but you’re all heroes for doing so.”
“I guess,” Desmond said hesitantly as he stood in the water observing the endless horizon. He noticed a far off and dark area with hints of red lightning. He stared at it almost thinking he saw a black, jagged island with red lightning.
She looked over at that dark spot and said, “Oh that’s just my brother. Probably enjoying another battle or skirmish again. Crazy bastard! He likes the blood and guts.”
“Brother?”
“Yes! God of war? You never knew this?”
“Honestly, no. Never cared to learn or pay attention to mythology while in school. Sorry if that upsets you.”
“No, it’s fine… Right! Right! Right,” she said stroking her chin. “I forgot you’re not a religious one… Cute!”
“Ha,” Desmond laughed. He then changed his tone slightly and asked earnestly, “I know I probably asked this before very bluntly after the prince died, but… But this time I’m trying to change and be more sensitive and… Why am I seeing you again, now? It feels random, but on purpose sometimes. I was supposed to die earlier, but I was saved.”
“Who do you think helped you kill that ape man leader?”
“You did… Right before I was to die… Thank you! I truly mean it, but why though? I’m no real hero or anything like the prior champions before. Especially Prince Albert… I’m just… Just a guy who survived because of dumb luck. All I did was hold the prince’s hand and cried. I haven’t earned anything yet.”
“Darling,” She replied putting her easel on a small table in the water.
She turned around and walked smoothly towards nearly hovering over the water with each step. She stroked his cheek and delicately tracing the scar on his right eye.
She replied soothingly, “You are a humble soul that is conflicted and you’re trying to find meaning in what appears to be a meaningless world. You’re their light now. Be a beacon to follow. I just help when needed.”
“Okay.”
“That sword was a gift to you mortals for I believe there is good in this Earth. Some of the gods have given up on you all. However; I and a few others still believe there is good to be found. The prince was a great man, but so are you. You just don’t know it yet. I believe in you!”
“Why me?”
“This,” she said gently resting her hand over his heart. She closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “I haven’t felt the warmth of touch in so long. Thank you.”
“Hmm?”
“No matter… Fate is finicky. Sometimes us gods set things in motion in our own way. Sometimes we have no control on how things go… But for you, darling. My steward.”
“Yes?”
“You are on a righteous and moral mission to vanquish evil. The fact that you are still willing to do so despite your doubts and fears makes you and everyone in your squad one and the same… Heroic,” she said looking deep into Desmond’s eyes. “A part of me is in you and the sword. You’re my light to this world. No more needs to be explained, love. Be their light.”
Sakoria gently kissed Desmond on his cheek leaving a warm spot. She giggled and blew blue rose petals at him waking him up.
“And that’s what I can remember. Something like that,” Desmond said to Ned as he added more sticks to the fire.
Ned calmly responded, “She is looking out for us.”
“Yeah,” Desmond replied quietly. Ned sat next to Desmond looking at the stars as the moon was covered by a cloud.
Ned said, “You know… You can actually see more stars out this way when the moon is covered and not outshining the stars. If you notice that slightly larger star… Right there. That is another planet. Those three making up the belt of Sixus are part of another constellation of stars possibly with another earth like ours.”
“That’s actually really interesting and cool.”
“Yeah… I say this because sometimes our own worries and burdens can distract us from the things that are close by and around. If you stop for a little bit every now and again, then you can see the beauty of new things or things you forgot to notice before because you were so focused on one thing. I see the burden you put yourself through. You and I both know that everyone in this squad will not hesitate to help and save you. She will be the first to do so no matter what,” Ned said pointing at Desmond’s hand. “You’re their light now. But don’t let it outshine the others and yourself on this noble quest. Yes, burdens and tough choices will be made soon… But if it’s all for a just cause, then it was not in vain. That’s how I see it.”
“Okay. Thank you,” Desmond said laying down on the log. Ned did the same as he looked at the stars above. Desmond then asked, “How long does it take to reach warlock status?”
“Too long… Tell me, how’s Albert and Arn doing these days?”
“The king is older yet dignified as always. Stern and everything he says and does seems to have specific purpose. Like, everything is planned. Despite having one eye, he is constantly scanning everyone… But I suppose as a ruler you have to be like that.”
“Very true. He’s now one-eyed, eh? Battle wound or infection?”
“Infection from a mosquito bite.”
“Ah yes. The bane of all existence: those damn insects… Anyway, I remember when he was young man. Still the same as usual. How about Arn?”
“Still a hard-ass, but deeply internal and caring in his rough way of sorts.”
“Ha! Of course he is! Hasn’t changed… You hear snoring?”
“Yeah that’s Keely,” Desmond said with sigh. Keely was snoring loudly from a tree. “Passed out on watch again… KEELY!”
“I didn’t fall asleep I swear,” she yelled falling from a distant tree followed by muffled cursing.
Desmond yelled back, “You can sleep! Ned and I will finish watch tonight!”
“Thank you sir,” she yelled back happily as she quickly jumped into the heated tent with a loud thud followed by grunts from Skivvy and Ator.
Ned and Desmond proceeded to laugh in response to this as they took watch. Ned also took a second to sense Audra silently listening in. Ned looked at the tent only to hear the immediate shifting of a sleeping bag. Ned smiled and telepathically said to Audra, “Getting better at listening in… Still needs some refinement. Tomorrow, I’ll teach you a technique I use. Night.”
