Chapter 79: Dawn Breaks on the Competitors

Name

Brent

Guild Seven Banes Class Fighter Marks 1 SD 984

Centuries before the Old Guard defeated Lord Oscuro, there were many attempts to unseat that villainous NPC. Obviously, all of these failed, but there were a couple attempts which nearly succeeded. The closest and most famous examples would have to be from the Daring Dragons guild.

The year was SD566, and Oscuro had been in power for over four centuries. For years there had been a guild making a name for itself by completing quests none had done before and growing their levels to immense size. The guild was large, as these things go, and consisted of 17 members at its height. The most notable of these would have to be Harold Hume, the consummate Pyromancer and Summoner, Tergara the Troublesome who had the once in a century ability to wield opposing forms of magic which made her not only renowned for her day but for all time, and, of course, their guild leader, Maximo, that legendary player who has managed to stay relevant long past his death in the songs of Bards and Playwrights. Maximo was an early Over Powered Player who specialized with a warhammer, and proved his skill in and off the battlefield by being a master tactician as well as a deadly warrior of immense power.

With such impressive players how did they fail? Ah, their story is the stuff of legends, with the famous play “Maximo” being the height of tragedy involving that cliched yet appropriate term: the love triangle. You see, though the Daring Dragons had a good shot to defeat the Dark Lord, Oscuro was not one to ignore his enemies. Through some very minor research, Lord Oscuro discovered that Maximo, who was married to Tergara, was unaware of an affair happening between his wife and Harold, his second in command. Oscuro, ever talented at subterfuge as he was at fighting, picked at this news like a demonic doctor infecting his patients wounds. Soon, the news spread across Esem, and when the Daring Dragons finally made it to Darkcradle Castle, the Dark Lord was able to tear the guild apart by fully exposing Harold Hume’s and Tergara’s infidelities. Second hand accounts attest that Oscuro showed them images which proved Maximo’s deepest fears, and it was not long before the Daring Dragons turned on one another and the guild was destroyed.

-Famous Guilds and Where to Find Them (In History) by Jani Jobani, circa SD978

They made good time as they marched through the woods. Amelie’s light illuminated their way, which impressed Christie as, after healing Alex and Brent of their wounds, she still managed to cast a light large enough for all to see. When asked whether that ma attract the Followers, Christie merely shrugged.

“If they return I have far worse than that potion monster for them to contend with, trust me.”

Amelie had been wide eyed, and Brent had felt a chill go through him. Here was true power. Christie was one of the most famous and powerful players in all of Esem, and here she was casually talking to them after saving their lives. He found it hard to take his eyes off of her as they marched.

As they made it to outpost Jade, Brent could over hear Christie talking to Chase.

“You’re saying she kidnapped you all, made you play her game for your lives?”

“Um, yes,” said Chase. Brent knew that he was doing his utmost to eradicate his mannerisms, and had even gone so far as to affect a strange accent when he talked. “We ha’ no choice bu’ too, believe you me.”

“Fascinating,” said Christie. “The AION post article left out so much information. You guys are famous now, you know. At least, the Seven Stains are.”

“Really? I hadn’t given it mu’ thought.”

Christie paused, seemingly confused.

“I don’t remember you sounding like this before, Chase.”

“I always ha’. Must be from whence I spawned, you know.”

“True. Do you have a memory of the Old World?”

Brent glanced back at Chase, who looked as though he were walking with a rock in his boot, such was his expression.

“Why ye’, I do. I ‘member my sweet dog, name’a Joe.”

“Joe?” Said Thomas. “I thought he was named ‘Jay’.”

“Ah, silly me,” said Chase, sounding mildly exasperated. “Jay, it ’twas.”

“I see,” said Christie. “Sometimes people have memories more specific to where they came from. Ah well, guess we will never know.”

We need to save him, realized Brent. If she found out he was Spade then who knew what would happen. Brent glanced at Claire who had been walking beside him and she nodded, seemingly reading his mind.

“Christie?” Said Claire, slowing down her speed until she was near the Old Guard Member. “What was that magic you used back there against the Followers? I’ve never heard of any kind of magic such as that.”

“I’m glad you asked,” said Christie, a bit of pride creeping into her voice. “It’s a new potion I have been working on. I like to try to think a couple steps ahead of the competition-the competition being those dorks in Great Nexia-and so, after mastering the potion monster, I decided to upgrade and try to push the envelope farther than any possibly could.”

“Oh, I wish you could meet Marlon,” said Amelie. “He is our potion maker and would love to pick your brain about these things.”

“I should like to meet him,” said Christie. “Where is he?”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“He’s back at our camp,” said Claire quickly. “He’s a bit older and so decided to stay back so that he could work on his levels.”

“Decent idea,” said Christie. “I remember in my early days of potion making I preferred long hours of solitude in order to master my craft. Of course, there is no end to the hijinks your guild members may bring despite explicitly telling them to shove off for a day or two.”

“Honestly I think it’s the other way around with Marlon,” Said Claire. “He prefers to interrupt our training instead of the other way around. To be honest, I am slightly worried about him being so alone for this long. The man loves to talk to people and it’s hard to get him to shut up sometimes.”

“Nigh impossible,” muttered Thomas.

“True,” said Chase with a chuckle.

“You know, Chase,” said Christie suspiciously. “You’re accent just disappeared. Did you get knocked on the head or something back there? Perhaps that is the cause of your sudden accent.”

“Y’know,” said Chase. “Maybe you right.”

They were not past outpost Jade and heading down that road they had met Meredith and the Young Valorous. There was still a ways to go, and judging by the sun that was beginning to cast the early rays of light over the mountains, Brent figured they would arrive just after the tournament had begun.

“Christie?” Said Alex suddenly. “What are we going to do about Argo? He was apart of the tournament and now he is gone.”

“He’s not the only one,” said Brent. He began to tick off names on his fingers. “The innkeeper, Markon, and all the players we killed after they attacked Chase.”

“That is a bit tricky,” said Christie. She thought for a moment before responding. “The other players will certainly begin to get suspicious. I know for a fact that some players were complaining about the absence of the innkeeper at The Royal.”

“Perhaps we should just leave, then,” said Amelie.

“Maybe,” said Christie. “But I think if you just stay until the tournament ends then all be be fine. Claire is no longer in the running for the women tournament, so as soon as noon comes there won’t be any more reason for you lot to remain.”

“And wha’ abou’ Argo?” Said Chase.

“Argo who?” Said Christie innocently. “You mean that little NPC running around bothering people? I didn’t even know his name.”

“Fair ‘nough,” muttered Chase.

“Wonder who my opponent is,” said Brent.

“I suppose I can tell you,” said Christie. “But I think you already know.”

“Of course I don’t,” said Brent, starting to feel his face burn. “I’ve been stuck with those freaks all day.”

Christie sighed.

“Well it should be pretty obvious. There were four competitors in the men’s group yesterday. Astor missed his match—and now we know why-so you advanced. There was only one other fight besides that one.”

“Me and Georgio,” said Alex, realization dawning. “Good luck, Brent. That guy was pretty good.”

Deep down Brent had known the entire time who he was going to fight, he had just tried to not think about it. When he began the tournament he had been so confident in his ability, he had thought that no one would be able to beat him, no matter their age, size, or how long they had been training. And this this guy, close to his own age, with comparable time to train, comes along and ways the crowd, and Christie herself. He had never considered meeting a prodigy like this in the tournament.

“You’ll do just fine,” said Claire, who was walking alongside him once again. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Do I look worried?” Snapped Brent. “And if I lose it’s not my fault. I’ve been out all night nearly having my life taken away. I haven’t slept since yesterday morning and I got hit about a dozen times by a speedball faster than a bolt of lightning.”

“Fine,” said Claire, backing off some. “Whatever you say.”

Brent stewed on that while the others chatted, politely ignoring his words. It was true that his he lost it wouldn’t be his fault, right? He imagined fighting Georgio at his stop strength, after a night of rest. This was going to be ridiculous. The only thought in his mind was finding a bed or a patch of grass to curl up on and doze off.

I could definitely beat him at full strength, thought Brent.

“At least my class abilities should be back,” said Brent to himself. Claire didn’t acknowledge him though she had clearly heard him.

The group continued on down the road. The sun was peeking over the mountains now and Amelie had extinguished her spell some time ago. Brent felt the weariness in his legs and arms and despite Amelie’s healing spell still felt sore. He clutched the handle of his sword which was at his side. The old familiar grip greeted him like an old friend, like a familiar glove welcoming his fingers.

At least I got you, thought Brent.

When at last they arrived in Birchtown, the place was already alive with activity. They had barely taken ten steps past the statues of the Children of AION before a player with blonde hair ran up to them.

“Lady Christie! Where have you been? The tournament needs to begin and no one has been able to find you or Argo.”

“Just out for a walk…what’s your name again?”

“Micheal,” said the man. He blushed and inclined his head.

“Right, Micheal.” Christie yawned. “Alright alright. I’ll head right over there. But I want you too look for Argo, and also that big Markon oaf, alright? This isn’t my job.”

“Yes ma’am,” said Micheal. He looked like he wanted to bow but then thought better of it, nodded his head, and quickly walked away into the crowd.

“I’ve never seen that guy before,” mused Christie.

“Do you think…?” Said Alex.

“Who cares,” said Christie suddenly. “Brent!”

Brent spun around to face the Old Guard member.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes,” said Brent. “Well…I don’t know. I’m really tired.”

She just stared at him for a while, with neither a look of condemnation or pity upon her face. She looked as through she were looking through him.

“Sometimes life does not give us want we want, Brent, but it will always give us what we need. All that must be done is for us to recognize, accept, and then embrace what ever that is.”

At her words Brent felt a fire spread across his chest. What had been only an ember on the road, nearly sputtered out by the wind of his life circumstances, now roared to life, an inferno just as hot and powerful as Ethan’s had been back in the clearing.

“I’m ready,” said Brent. “Just show me Georgio and I’ll end him.”

“Well, if you kill him you’ll be disqualified,” said Christie with a chuckle. “But I know what you mean. Banes?”

Christie looked around at the guild.

“I’ll see you all at the tournament grounds. Try not to get kidnapped again. Got it?” She then pinched Thomas on the cheek which he tried to slap away.

“Say one thing for Xem” said Thomas. “At least she never did that,”

Christie laughed again, and for a moment some real joy crossed her face. Brent figured it was interacting with Thomas, just a young boy, who did it for her. He was sure she didn’t see too many children in her life.

The guild then said good bye to the Old Guard member, and then waved her off into the crowd.

“She really us quite impressive,” said Amelie to Chase. “Are you quite sure we couldn’t just…”

“No,” said Chase, his put upon accent dropped. “She is beholden to others who certainly can never know the truth.”

“I see,” said Amelie with a sigh. “She’s just so kind and friendly. I know she would never betray us.”

Chase only shook his head, and then, catching Brent’s eye, playfully punched him in the shoulder.

“Christie’s little speech do anything for you?”

“Huh? Yeah, I guess it did,” said Brent. He was breathing as though he had been running. The energy coursing through his veins was unreal. “Really inspiring.”

“That’s something Solomon told us all the time,” said Chase. “I’m surprised she whipped it out for you. She must really see something in you, Brent.”

“Why didn’t you ever say it to us?” Said Alex, frowning.

Brent didn’t hear the sheepish response of his guild leader. All he could think about was Solomon himself telling him those very same words. Suddenly any doubt he had in himself were banished. He was more than ready for Georgio. That little punk with the dark hair and silly name was going to be defeated in front of all of Birchtown. Brent was going to be named victor of his first ever Contract Tournament, and the rest of his life would be determined by this one moment.

“Let’s go,” said Brent, interrupting the arguing going around him. All eyes turned to him and he felt their energy leak into his mind and under his skin.

Now was the day for him to leave him mark on the face of Esem.