Edge easily hacked away at the level one mobs in the cave until he reached a final cavern at the very base. The cavern was empty except for a small ring of shallow water almost surrounding a plateau of rock. There was a narrow path leading up to the top of the plateau to the right with the three-quarter ring of water to the left. The back edge of the plateau adjoined the wall of the cavern.
Clearly visible at the top of the plateau was a shining sword floating in midair. The Mystic Razor!
The sword was magnificent. It’s graceful, curved blade slipped seamlessly into its long, black hilt. It had a gleaming, single edged blade and circular guard with intricate symbols carved into its hilt. The symbols seemed to change and shift colors from gold to silver. A faint mist of grey-white seeping outward from it like a light fog marked it as a magical weapon.
From his vantage below, Edge could not see the whole plateau and he assumed Naraven’s belongings were on the ground by the sword. Edge proceeded slowly up the path, wanting to see exactly where the belongings were before charging in.
He was counting on his extra agility points to make him fast enough to scoop up the items and the sword and run like the devil to get away from the Rock King who would spawn from the wall when he touched the sword. He wasn’t sure what would trigger the rock guardians that Naraven had described as spawning out of the back wall of the cave, so he stepped slowly forward, one step at a time, until he reached the top of the path and stepped onto the plateau.
“You’re not fast enough you know,” said a voice.
The voice was low toned and husky but definitely female. There was a faint impression of haughty amusement in the voice, as if the speaker was a bit prideful and possibly a bit mischievous, but no sense of malice.
Startled, Edge looked around. He saw no one. “Who’s there?” he said.
“Who do you think, you idiot,” said the voice haughtily. A flaming light flashed.
Edge stared at the Sword. A ring of fire now seeped out from it to form a ring. The symbols on the hilt were no longer flashing between gold and silver, they were blood red.
Shit. A Sentient Sword. What bad luck! Is it going to work against me?
Edge had heard of Sentient Swords in his past life. They were ultra-rare and notoriously temperamental. Although extremely powerful, if you didn’t treat them right--their version of ‘right’--they could turn on you.
Edge had never seen the appeal. Sure, they were extremely powerful and most had unique skills or effects, but who needed a high maintenance sword? There were other powerful weapons in the game that didn’t come with such a downside.
Still...it was exceptionally beautiful...What if I can get it to work for me, just through this quest? Maybe if I find out what it wants...
In his most polite tone of voice, Edge said, “Master Sword, I greet you. How does such a magnificent one come to be in such a place?”
The sword hilt dipped forward slightly and then back and slightly to the side in one motion as the voice clucked in reproach. Was that the sword equivalent of an eye roll?
“Your charm needs work, adventurer. It’s not supposed to be so obvious that it’s a blatant attempt at flattery.”
Edge reddened and changed tack. “Fine. I won’t try. I need to retrieve yourself and the dwarf’s belongings to complete my quest. What will it take to get you to help me?”
“Now you’re talking, adventurer. I like a man who gets right to the point. None of that smarmy, charmy fakeness. I have two options for you.”
The voice paused, as if to make sure Edge was listening.
“Option One: I will tell you what to do to finish your quest if you choose me as the reward and then deliver me to a place of my specification without binding me to you.”
Edge didn’t like the sound of that at all. He needed the cloak reward of this quest. Also, since 'not binding' pretty much meant 'not using', he wouldn't be getting any reward for this quest at all! He shook his head emphatically and waited for option two.
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“Option Two: I help you finish your quest in such a way that you get to keep all three rewards. In exchange, you must bind me to you so that I can level up and promise to help me free myself from my maker.”
“What exactly does freeing yourself from your maker entail?”
“I was made by the Ancient GrandMaster Forger--”
Edge’s sudden intake of breath caused the Sword to pause. An Ancient Grandmaster Forger! The Ancients had had magics that had been lost to the ages. What secrets did this Sword carry?
“I see you somewhat realize the significance of my Maker,” said the amused voice.
It hit Edge that going up against an Ancient was a task beyond formidable. Likely well into the territory of unlikely or impossible. His heart sank.
“Ah, now he gets it. Just so.” The hilt bobbed forward, as if to nod.
The Sword must know that he could never beat an Ancient, even if the Ancient still existed. Hmmm...I wonder if she even knows…
“How long have you been in this cave?”
“Don’t worry, I know that the Ancients have long since disappeared. My Maker is still alive or his hold on me would already be gone. As to how you’re going to beat him, I have a plan.”
A low, husky laugh rang out at Edge’s skeptical look. He shifted uncomfortably. She was able to read him with an accuracy that caused no small discomfort. He wasn't used to being so transparent to others.
“You won’t be able to beat him, but I know how to trick him. We both have to be leveled up to Tier 4 in order to retrieve an item we need to pull off my plan. Do we have a deal or not?”
“You’ll have to tell me a lot more about this plan before I can agree. What item? How will it help? What powers does this Ancient have? Where is he? And what about you? I don’t even know what your stats and abilities are--”
Edge jumped back and dove to the ground as the ring of flame around the sword suddenly whooshed out like a flaming shockwave.
“You could have killed me!” He said indignantly.
“Seemed like the only way to shut you up. You need not worry that I have sufficient power for you. The nerve of some people! Why are there so many human idiots? Now, as to the plan. We will retrieve an item guaranteed to put the Maker to sleep. Deep, dreaming sleep that will take him to such a sweet dreamscape he’ll be eager to stay there. Dreams can be so dangerous! They seduce and deceive and before you know it, your sword is gone! While he’s asleep, you’ll use a Potion of Relinquishing to control his magic for 5 minutes. Nasty little potion that is! Come to think of it, all potions are nasty. And so are the Alchemists that make them. Cowardly little mortals. Five minutes you’ll have. During which time you’ll use his magic to sever his connection to me. That’s all you need to know.”
Edge’s head was reeling a little with her rapid shift in moods and subjects. He suspected this might be her intent---her rapid little shifts reminded him of rapid cuts and parries. She made her plan sound so simple but Edge knew that retrieving an item powerful enough to subdue an Ancient was going to be a monumental task in and of itself.
Sensing Edge’s hesitation, she said, “Did I mention the fact that his workshop is full of ancient treasures? You’ll have plenty of time to loot…”
Ancient treasures?! Edge couldn’t help his greed from rising to full throttle. He could be the only one in all of Divine Frontiers to have Ancient treasures!
The Sword was very still and said nothing, but Edge could somehow feel her satisfaction. She had baited her trap well and she knew it.
“I will agree IF…” he paused for emphasis, “IF, you will agree to one condition.”
“I’m giving you the world and you want a condition?” The flame exploded again. Edge put his agility to good use diving to the ground again to avoid the deadly burst of flame.
“What is of greater value, ‘the world’ or your freedom? It seems to me, you’re making out much better than I am and I’m taking all the risks.”
There was a long silence and then a grudging voice said, “Fine. Speak your condition. But be warned, if I don’t like it, I’m going to fry you, adventurer!” The flame expanded slightly, as if to punctuate her warning.
Edge stood up and brushed himself off. He took his time and finally said, “I have big plans and I can’t have a temperamental sword who works against me. I need you to promise that you will do as I command in combat.”
Edge was ready to dive, but to his surprise, the ring of flame did not erupt. The Sword seemed to be considering the proposition.
“I admire your boldness, adventurer. That will at least make it easier to stomach being weilded by a stupid mortal, I suppose. I will not agree to always do as you command but I will agree to protect your life to the best of my abilities and to follow reasonable directions. Mostly.”
Edge realized that this wording gave her a lot of wiggle room but this was probably the best deal he would be able to wring out of the Sword. She had already acknowledged that they both had to level in order to carry out her plan, which meant that until Tier 4, they had the same goal.
“You’ll agree to a contract by the Divine Overlord?” he said.
The Sword agreed and they engaged the Divine Overlord system to finalize their agreement. The Divine Overlord was the main oversight system of Divine Frontiers. It enforced all contracts and agreements so that nobody could cheat or go back on their word.
Putting his greedy thoughts of future treasure out of his mind, Edge turned his attention back to the quest at hand. Excitement percolated inside him as he remembered that the sword had promised that all three rewards would be his!
“Well, Sword, what shall I call you?”
“My name is Mystic Razor but you can call me Raze.”