Chapter 85: A Truth as Hard as Steel

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Port Shelldur incident. We remember on this day the loss of life of both players and advisors and continue to live in a way that such a tragic incident will never happen again. On the the 5th of September, SD 734, three Advisors and about a dozen players engaged in a reckless battle that left dozens dead, buildings destroyed, and the loss of life of two Advisors.

What began the confrontation has been lost to history, but some details remain: A guild known as The Falling Blade shared two advisors among ten people. Because of this, is was usual for them to invite both of their advisors whenever multiple players needed a new contract. For this meeting, they chose the sunny town of Port Sheldur in Tangamar, just off the coast of Coral City. The guild was surprised when a third advisor showed up, and shortly after a battle commenced. Witnesses reported that the guild began to argue with the three advisors, and then all hell broke loose. The Falling Blade was a notable guild in that they had several players on their seventh contract, and were no easy battle even for Advisors who have been designed to be able to fight most players.

The Advisors quickly transformed their bodies into large beasts, but against such numbers they stood little chance. Spells and swords were soon unleashed and many in the vicinity were caught in the cross fire as the fighting unfolded. By the end, the two Advisors of the guild lay dead upon the ground, along with the entire guild. The surviving Advisor flew away to return to his training area.

What is most peculiar about this incident is that the names of the Advisors have been lost to history. It is speculated that the Advisor who fled was returned to AION, never to return to Esem to guide players. It has been the passion of many Historian Class players (such as myself) to learn the truth of this incident, but as of yet every answered question is only replaced by two more mysteries.

Port Shelldur: Separating Fact from Fiction by Gnash, SD984

Ghelion had set out at the break of dawn from Training Island. He summoned his wings and shot across the sky, enjoying the cool morning air which caressed his wings. Nothing existed when he was flying, and as usual he was reminded how much of a rush it was to be able to fly. It was an ability which truly separated players from Advisors, and he relished every moment of his long journey north.

He soon crossed the sea and was high above Moontown. The people looked like ants far below him and soon they disappeared. He was now over the forests and all of Avalon stretched out below him like a grand tapestry. Hawks squawked at him as he passed them by and he could only smile at their blank faces. It was a cloudless day.

A few hours later he found his destination. The meeting was had been determined to be at Gatetown—so named as it was a town which existed among the Gate which led to the Hub and the rest of Esem. As far as Ghelion could remember the name had never been official. It was just what players called it who decided to live around the Gate for easy access to the Hub. Most of its residents were beyond their first contract as only players with two marks or more were allowed to leave their starting areas.

“There we go,” said Ghelion to himself as he touched down outside the town. He was on a road, and a couple players who were walking ahead of him turned around and waved politely at him. He returned the wave and then allowed his wings to return to his body, so that he was once again a regular Advisor in his robe.

Among advisors there was a silent agreement not to use their powers needlessly in front of players, which is why Ghelion chose to land outside the town and not Gatetown’s main square where his meeting was to be held. Around his own players he did not care, but holding to the old ways was something which comforted Ghelion.

How much longer will we have the old ways? thought Ghelion.

Gatetown was small. From the air Ghelion could only see a couple dozen buildings, a few tents scattered here and there, and the famous Gate which gave the town its name. As he walked down the road into town Ghelion was struck by the creativity of the humans who had designed these homes as they stood in stark contracts from the boring abodes which the NPCs had. All of Esem, and all of its areas, were represented here. There were of course a couple small towers which mirrored the architecture of Avalon, but also the unique Machiya style from Nabonoban and also the stately townhouses from Great Nexia. Just before he entered the square he had to pass a Viking long house clearly inspired from Killheim, and at the far end was a small shack that Ghelion knew was run and operated by tour guides from Tangamar. It was decorated as any island place of business would and had a few players setting up for the day.

“’Second contract in the bag? Come to Tangamar for the rest!’” Ghelion read as he passed the shack. He chuckled to himself as he knew at least half of his players did exactly that. After so long in Avalon with its long winters most of his players wanted nothing better than to enjoy themselves on a beach for a year or two. Of course, getting their second contract there was another matter.

“Ghelion!” Came a voice. “There you are!”

“Miska!” Said Ghelion.

Miska was a thin man. He was taller than Ghelion by a good margin and had long, slender fingers. On his face was a short goatee and his blue eyes sparkled in the morning light. He was around Chase’s age, and he wore the dark blue robes of a mage.

“It’s been too long, old friend,” said Miska as he shook Ghelion’s hand. “How was your flight?”

“Lovely. And your journey? Did the guards at the gate give you any trouble?”

Miska glanced behind him where the gate was. It loomed over the buildings by one hundred feet and stood there immovable and shut.

“Not really,” he shrugged. “After the second contract traveling becomes much easier.”

“So I have heard,” said Ghelion. He smiled. “How about a coffee while we go over this contract? I am sure you are excited to do this.”

Miska rubbed his hands together and grinned.

“That I am,” he said. He motioned down an alley way. “There is a great cafe this way.”

Miska led him to a small cafe that was in the style of a Nabonoban tea house. The ceiling was low and the wooden tables low to the ground. Ghelion had to sit cross legged on the tatami mat. Soon a player had come over and gotten their orders. Miska ordered a coffee with extra cream and sugar while Ghelion decided to try their stamlis tea, which he always ordered when he had the chance.

“Now then,” said Ghelion. He drew some papers out of his robe and layed them flat on the table. “Today is a big day. It’s not very often I get to sign a player to a special class.”

Miska grinned somewhat smugly.

“I worked my tail off to get to this point. Many times I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it, but here I am. How many summoners have you signed, Ghelion?”

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

“In my time it must be less than 10 on the offensive side. For the defensive magics I think it must be about double that. Still, a very low number considering how many years I’ve been doing this for.”

“Well, today is number 11, then,” said Miska. He crossed his hands before himself on the table and a serene look crossed his face. “I can’t wait to summon an earth golem. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of.”

“Take a look at this,” said Ghelion with a smile. He slid the contract over to Miska and the man plucked it gently off the table and scanned it over. He muttered to himself as he read.

“’Miska, formally an Earth Mage, will become a Summoner of the special third mark class. His primary magic will be earth based, as that was his previous class…”

Ghelion watched as Miska continued to read the contract. The player who took their orders came over to set their drinks on the table and, after Ghelion politely declined breakfast, returned to the counter.

The tea was still hot so Ghelion idly looked out the window where he had a view of the very top of the Gate above the buildings. He knew it stood at the back of the town, and its dark presence always cast a long shadow throughout the day. From a birds eye view Ghelion imagined that players would follow the shadow to stay out of the sun like the hands of a clock chasing the second hand.

“Seems fine to be, Ghelion,” said Miska at last. He placed the contract on the table and then took a sip of his coffee.

“Would you like to do it here?”

Miska shook his head.

“I’ll go ahead and sign it but lets save the ceremony for when we have a bit of privacy.”

“I thought you couldn’t wait?” Said Ghelion with a chuckle.

Miska smiled, and then glanced out the window and a frown crossed his face.

“I can wait a moment longer,” he said.

“Is something wrong, Miska?”

“You tell me,” said the mage, placing his drink back on the table. “What’s up with this new event going on?”

“Are you worried?”

“Should I be?” Said Miska, spreading his hands out. “Ive read the papers, and it seems this NPC isn’t operating as one normally should. Oscuro was before my time but I’ve studied him quite a bit, and this Antagonista is nothing like him.”

“What have you heard. Exactly?”

“Well,” said Miska, lowering his voice. “There are rumors that players are working for her, for one. Rumors that she is signing contracts for them.”

“Signing contracts?” Ghelion blinked. “That’s not possible.”

“It’s what I’ve heard,” said Miska, his voice returning to normal. He shrugged nonchalantly but the air of unease remained with him. “From some reputable sources, I might add. If it is true then this means all of Esem is in for a surprise. It could be the end of everything.”

“Even if she can,” said Ghelion, trying to sound reasonable. “AION would never let things get so out of hand—.”

“Like with Oscuro?” Said Miska suddenly. “His reign lasted centuries, since long before you got here I believe. That was certainly ‘out of hand’ het AION did nothing.”

“Well, perhaps,” said Ghelion evenly. “But it’s not like everyone died or became enslaved. He just ran things his own way, but mostly just in the Hub.”

“Still. AION does not intervene in these things. Who is to say that he won’t let it happen again?”

At that Ghelion had no words to argue or comfort Miska with. He just sighed and took another sip of his tea. The two sat in silence for a while as they drank their beverages. After a while, Miska stood up.

“I’m ready.”

Ghelion again found himself being led. Miska found an empty alley behind the cafe and, after a moment looking around, confirmed they were alone.

“Let’s do it, then,” said Ghelion. He drew the dagger from him robe, and its jewel encrusted hilt shone in the morning light. Just before he cut himself Miska suddenly spoke.

“If she has one of these what kind of contracts can she sign?”

“Huh? Oh,” Ghelion glanced at the dagger. “Miska, you are worrying over nothing. Only Advisors can sign contracts, trust me.”

“I didn’t say she was personally writing them herself,” said Miska, crossing his arms.

“Miska,” said Ghelion with a sigh. “Seriously? You think Advisors are working with her?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time an Advisor has gone rogue. I know all about Port Shelldur.”

“Some unhinged conspiracy theory does not mean—.”

“It’s not a conspiracy theory,” said Miska fervently. “There is so much circumstantial evidence that the third advisor started that fight! I mean, can’t we even—.”

“Miska,” interrupted Ghelion. He hefted the blade to remind the mage why they were there. “You can tell me later. Let’s get this over with, huh?”

Miska, paused, and then laughed in a self embarrassed kind of way.

“Alright,” he said, holding out his hand. “It’s time to bleed, old friend.”

Contract on the ground between then, Ghelion first slashed his own hand. Red droplets of blood fell onto the contract below and were absorbed by the paper. Ghelion placed the blade into Miska’s waiting hand and dragged the knife across his palm.

Miska hissed, and then turned his hand over so that his blood could join Ghelion’s.

“Player whose word is bond,” intoned Ghelion. “Do you swear to abide by the terms of this contract?”

“I do,” said Miska.

“AION has given you this chance to be the strongest version of yourself. Do you swear by the master creator of this world to be true to yourself and your word?”

“I do.”

“This contract is a chain you shall wear every day of your life. If this chain is broken then you forfeit your life. Do you swear you shall attempt to contact your advisor before breaking your contract?”

“I do,” said Miska.

“Then it is so,” said Ghelion gravely.

A light consumed them.

The light disappeared, and once again Ghelion’s hand was mended, and the contract did not have a drop of blood upon it. The contract was complete, and AION had accepted it.

“And that is that,” said Miska, absently massaging his hand that had been cut. “I am on my third contract.”

“Congratulations,” said Ghelion. He bent over and gathered the paper. “Feel any different?”

“Not really,” said Miska. He pulled up the sleeve on his left arm and examined his new tattoo. It was the symbol of a wing and a clawed hand within a wisp of air.

“Here, this is for you,” said Ghelion. He handed the new Summoner a book. “Not every day I get to give one of these out. This is The Book of Summons. Be careful with it, okay? If you try and summon something which you are not ready for yet, the beast will likely attack you. Start small, and you should be fine.”

“Wow,” breathed Miska, gently taking the book. He opened it up to the first page. “I’ve never gotten the chance to see one of these.”

“They are very rare,” said Ghelion. “Protect it with your life.”

“I shall,” said Miska. “How about I try one?”

Ghelion was ready for this.

“Page 7,” he said quickly. “Earth sprites are harmless.”

Miska had the book opened to the middle.

“You sure you don’t want to see a…how do you say?…Pyroclastic Earth Golem?”

“No, thank you,” said Ghelion. “You need to wait on that one, okay? Try the earth sprite.”

Miska chuckled to himself and said, “only joking. Page seven, huh?”

After a few moments of reading the information about the sprite, Miska out stretched his arm and turned his palm to face the ground.

“Terra parvus,” he said.

For a moment nothing happened, and Ghelion glanced at Miska who was staring with great intensity at the ground. Suddenly a small crackling sound came from the earth.

“Hi!” came a little voice.

A small green creature with translucent skin appeared. It was only a couple inches tall and had large yellow eyes. Ghelion thought it looked like a cross between a lizard and a clump of dirt.

“Um, earth sprite?” Said Miska hesitantly.

“Thats me!” said the little creature. It waved. “What can I do for you?”

“Oh, nothing, actually,” said Miska with a grin. He looked at Ghelion excitedly. “I was just trying out my new powers.”

The earth sprite sighed pathetically and rolled its large yellow eyes.

“Every time,” it muttered. “I’m more than just practice, you know.”

“Sorry. Um, what can you do?”

The sprite appeared to think a moment, and then it grinned wolfishly, reveled a set of stone shaped teeth.

“How about we play a prank on someone? I’m real good at pulling down people’s pants!”

“That’s okay,” chuckled Miska. “I think I am fine on that front. You can just go if you want.”

“Fine,” said the earth sprite. It stuck out its tongue and then gave both Miska and Ghelion a very rude gesture with both its little hands. “Up yours.”

Poof!

It disappeared.

“Silly little creature,” muttered Miska.

“Harmless, mostly,” said Ghelion.

“I don’t want harmless, though. The times are changing, after all.”

“Then practice well, Miska,” said Ghelion, placing his hand on his friends shoulder.

Miska nodded and then gently closed the Book of Summons.

“So…about that so called ‘conspiracy’,” began Miska.

Ghelion laughed and clapped his friend on the shoulder.

“Fine,” said Ghelion. “But I’ll need a stronger drink than a tea to listen to this.”

The pair wandered back to the center of town to see who would serve them alcohol this early in the morning.