The Serpent
Blade
Chapter 3:
The Test of Champions
Having helped the nigh-king of Anubor get his daughter back from a
traitorous advisor, Ssaletzots is on his way to the capital city of
Arbenia to meet with him, and to get his daughter back
.
The skies darken as a prelude to worsening...
As the skies darken upon us, we travel the side path down out of the city. The air is humid with the deference to a storm front. The trees engulfing the path are bright oranges and reds, mainly being birches and oaks, with the occasional spruce. The sun itself gives off an aire of unnatural light, the land only being half lit from one side, the other being completely covered by cloud. It is an oddly strange feeling. The path we ride upon is made of mossy, decrepit cobble, with flat stone bricks forming a border on both sides. Gray, stringy and curly moss hangs from some of the trees, forming darker spots in the already patchy shade, and blocking deep views.
The trees are fuzzy throughout the fog hazing my sight, though there are a few things I can see inbetween it. There are squirrels, Leafy Tomwyverns, little green wyvern birds of course with a leaf motif, even a few Maskxen, a type of little fox with an armor plate which resembles a painted porcelain mask on their face, and I think I see some other creatures off in the distance, but they are not clear enough for me to tell, truly.
Along the road, there is an opening through which I can see the trademark red leaves of the Nanaroot blowing in the wind. This brings back nostalgic memories of the happy times before my wife died. We would always find a grand old Nanaroot just like this one to make camps under.
Allen says, happily “Ah, the feeling of imminent rain iss alwayss welcome.”
and I respond “Yess, but the rain upon my scaless iss even better.”
Allen, agreeingly nodding his head and laughing, states “Yess, water from the skiess is a graceful feeling.” continuing “Have you ever been to one of the springss of the capital?”
I state, remembering it “Yes, actually, but I tend to stay at my hometown, being the place is full out bounties as iss.”
He responds “Well, when we get there we should go to one, it iss a feeling that cannot be beat.” and I nod agreeingly.
The daughter of the nigh king eventually introduces herself, joyously saying “I'm Sphyra, how are you?”
I respond “I'm fine.”
and Allen states, happily “Wonderful, the rain is a welcoming sight.”
and Sphyra states, somewhat blue “The rain is all too common in Anubor.” saying, happier “I prefer it when it's sunny out.”
and I say “Well, the ssun iss always out in the desert.” and she responds “Maybe I should go there someday.”
I respond “I wouldn't recommend it in this age, too many revolutionaries and outlaws, at least in the southern portion.”
and she says, invested “Hm, interesting.”
As I look in the sky I see something. It looks to be a serpent of some kind. Maybe a dragon? As I look at it, it looks to me. I think it noticed I was watching it, and looked back. It makes a loop in the air, and then boosts off with a loud exploding sound out of sight, through the clouds.
Allen asks surprised “What wass that!?”
and I tell him “I think it wass a dragon.”
he responds, surprised “A dragon?”continuing “A dragon hasn't been sseen in 50 years!”
and I say “I think it may be an omen, good or bad.”
Arbenian true dragons are much different than they are in most places, only being similar
to the Dinyrian true dragons. They are long and serpentine, lacking wings. They also have
fur on their faces that tends to form a beard-like structure.
I see the griffins of the area flying back to their mountain nests and dens, to tend to their
heading back to their shelter, in fact. I even see some grassy drachinettes, teensy little
dragons, similar to True Dragons from Lunaria,with green scales heading to a nearby cave,
and even a few other smaller creatures.
As of now, the road grows rugged, and the birch trees have been replaced with tall thin spruce. The mountain is somewhat rounded, and covered in moss around this part, with tiny little edges where you can see a small cliff covered with grass on the top.
This place doesn't look too dissimilar to what I've seen of Lunaria. Their mountains are of course a bit sharper, though. They live somewhat close to the Vulfri, so have similar plants like spruce trees.
Ah yes, Lunaria. Almost forgot to tell you about it.
Lunaria is where the Motri live, and they are similar to an extremely fluffy moth, though they are huge and bipedal, up to 11 foot tall. They were created by the moon spirit, Lunasi, and have an extreme obsession with lamps. Essentially, if you were to give them two options, a lamp or 100 gold, they would choose the lamp.
We eventually get back to the grassy rock filled plains adjacent to the mountains, and a great tower is seen far in the distance. I ask Allen “Have you sseen that tower before?”
and he responds, chuckling “Why, yes.” continuing “It iss the tower that the Hokri ssend their messages from.”
I say “Ah yes, my mind had betrayed me since it had been so long since I had been around here.”
The ground is uncovered by bushes, only by short grass so green it could be worn by a magic initiate. There are occasional sharp or rounded rocks, with large amounts of moss on them. The sky lays gloomy above our heads, and I can physically see the heavy rain ahead, like an unrelenting fog. The
thunder drones closer, and Allen says “We should
likely find shelter, as the sky relents not for the traveler.” I nod my head affirmatively.
We see a cave off in the distance, and we ride the cart to it. We make a small bed for the horses out of the moss found inside. Whilst inside, I light a torch, and notice inscriptions, and I notify Allen “Hey, I found some writingss on the wallss.”
and he responds, coming to read them along with me “Interessting.” I read them
“Here lay the remnantss of an ancient passt, the makerss betrayed by their creationss.” continuing “We bare our history to you, so that you may not make the same mistake, but you have several challenges you must passs to find the true sstory of the Koliani.” And I heed the warning, and move further “You musst have the strength to defeat one's enemiess, the smartss to outwit them, and the endurance to last longer than them. You will be tested on these, prepare yourself warrior of great esteem.”
Sphyra says, excited “I always liked ancient cultures, myself.” continuing “They're so interesting
aren't they?”
me responding “Yess, the Koliani are
my favorite, they once were part of my people.”
she asks “What happened to them?” and I say “Long ago, there was a united set of tribes upon the deserts, the Ssolass tribe, the Koliani tribe, and the Arban tribe.” continuing “Eventually the Ssolass tribe wanted to take control over all of the tribes, and they entered into battle with my red and gray people, of the Arban tribe.” continuing further
“The Ssolass tribe won the battle with my people, and the folk of Ssolass became the ruling tribe, and-
-eventually the royals, being mainly purple with yellow underbellies.” continuing even further “Then they went into battle with the mainly blue Koliani tribe, and lost.” finishing with “The Koliani tribe decided to go far away, and made numerous cities within rock faces like mountains to experiment with magics, such as this, and created machinations a mix of metals and magic.”
Sphyra asks “How do you know all of this?”
and I respond, happily “Well, I make it a habit to read what little books are available in my town, and
they're mainly informational pieces, as well as having traveled quite far.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
I wander past the entrance, and suddenly, magic
green fire lights itself, making my torch irrelevant and lighting the entire ruin. I put it out, and stash it on my waist-belt. There are three pathways, adorned with three different types of creatures. One has a statue of two intertwining dragons breathing the same green fire, to represent strength. The next has a statue of a phoenix at the top, burning as well, to represent wisdom and intelligence, and the last door has two wolves howling with flaming green eyes, to represent endurance. I go through the dragon door, as to represent the order of the writings.
Inside of the dragon door is a grand room, with spiraling and intertwining dragon engravings surrounding the room, with inlaid carvings of a Machinid army beneath. In the room are 8 Machinid warriors. One has a Gotri katana sword and wakizashi, another has a macuahuitl, one an Arbani khopesh and a shield, one a Mothman war hammer, another two small Wolfman war axes, one wielding a Gotri hachiwari, one has two sais, and the final one
wields only a wall shield.
They all have a human-like form, being with two legs, and two arms, but instead of a human head
they have dragon heads, and they have clawlike hands. Their bodies are mostly of blackened steel, with somehow unrusted bronze adorning all edges, on areas such as their sloping spiked pauldrons, and armorlike torsos. They have eyes and a circle indented in their chest both glowing with green fire, and I can see more of it inbetween the gaps of their plates. I hate to think that they may try to breathe fire on me.
I think that the weapons of the Koli Machinids were mostly inspired by the Gatorfolk people, with
this selection. As most of them are of Gotri origin,
the only one I'm noticing not being seen commonly used by any other culture is the macuahuitl.
First the one with the Gotri katana and wakizashi approaches me, menacingly making warbling and crackling noises as it approaches, with a notable limp due to rust and the constant whining sound of the joint moving. It strikes at me with the large sword. I swing back with my khopesh, it doing
nothing. I stab it with my bedoin. It grazes my face with its wakizashi, barely missing. I then notice that if I cut inbetween the plates, I may win. I stab its
flaming circle with my bedoin, it becoming glowing red. I then chop at the joint of its hand, cutting it off, and then at its neck. It blocks it with its other sword. Certain tiles in the floor begin to shoot flames, and I quickly jump out of the way of one of them. I put my khopesh in the same fire, and then swing it at the neck of the Machinid, and it kneels down on one leg in defeat.
Next, the ones with the macuahuitl and the khopesh and shield attack. I quickly scorch both of my blades, and as they run towards me I swing at the
legs of the khopesh wielder, wounding it. I spin around, and continue the slice by chopping the
machuahuitl in half. With my bedoin I cut the neck almost off of the khopesh wielder off, but not enough inherently, as it still moves. They both strike at me, the once macuahuitl wielder now slashing with just their claws. I duck under the attack of the khopesh, but the one of the claws scratches over my eye as I scream in pain, and cover it with my bedoin
wielding left arm. I rescorch my khopesh and wrap both of the Machinids with my tail, then cut off their heads at once.
Then the rest attack me all at once. I quickly scorch my blades, and attack the one with sais, as they prove the most threat to my weapons, however ancient they may be. I slice at one of their hands as the warhammer narrowly misses my skull. I then cut off the tip of the warhammer with my khopesh, and it flings, smashing a hole in the shield wielder's shield. I flame my bedoin, and cut the ankle of the warhammer wielder, and then back at their knee, limiting them from walking far. The sai wielder stabs me in the gut, and while it's in me I grab it, and throw it away. I then use my bedoin and stab them in
the face, deactivating them. I stab the hachiwari wielder in the chest. They then hit me in the side of
the head with the hilt, and I stab the same spot on them with my knife. I cut off the head of the warhammer wielder, who claws at me right before it. I then stab through the shield of the shield wielder, and they finally discard it. They jump at me, with claws heading for my face, and I cut their thin pole
waist in half with my bedoin. They crawl at me, and I bash their face in with the heel of my khopesh. The sai wielder attacks me with their other sai, and I grab their arm, spin them around, throw them, and then
jump and impale the back of their head with my bedoin.
All the Machinids are now deactivated as I near bleed to death, and a Koli serpentine ghost of the past wearing heavy black armor, not dissimilar from the design of the Machinids appears before me, sheathed in green flame.
They say “You have now faced the trial of strength.” continuing “I am the spirit of the great Koliani warrior Shaben Ra, you have proven your strength to me, and you may learn a portion of the past.” they continue “The passt iss but a broken remnant of a future to come, and what iss long gone may be revived by the worthy.” and they then dissipate.
I exit the room, which then has the ancient stone doors close upon my exit. They burst into green flames, and then the door and statue completely disappears. I go to the cart and wrap my wounds,
then I go to the next room, the test of intelligence.The room is lined with phoenix imagery, covered in the same magic flame as anything else. And in the center of the room stands a single Machinid, covered by a purple force field. It seems my test is to figure
out a way to puncture the shield, as it is not even attacking me. While looking closely at them, I notice that they are in an upwards stance, their hands forming a triangle on their chest. They have a human-shaped face, but instead of normal facial features there is just a large green flame circle. It has the same style of body as the other Machinids, though. I know that the test won't be as simple as just coating my blade in flame this time around, so I figure if I use magic to move the Machinid's hands out of the triangular position that the force field may cease.
I don't have much power in magic, so I have to call upon my deepest strengths I can find, being my children. They are the only reason for which I
continue, as is. My wife used to bring joy to my life as well, and ever since she died, I've never enjoyed much as a profession. It is only a necessity as of now.
Regardless, I take all my strength, and use my powers, my eyes glow a bright purple, and I take the stance of the machine. It's flame turns the same purple in response to my control. I then break the stance, and it does the same, breaking its force field,
to which I throw my right arm down, casting it to fall on the fl0or, after which I coat my bedoin in flame and throw it at its face, ending the test.
A green shade of the fallen serpentine empire dressed in light robes appears before me and says “You have passed my test with flying colors, young one.” dryly continuing “I am the great Koliani ssage Propa Dein, you have taken control of the unceasing, proving yoursself to me.” and says, somewhat poetically “The realm of Makaru iss an unusual one, and only the mosst intelligent may find the way to traversse it.” continuing further “Finding a unique way to use one'ss power, ssmall or large in a way to win an impossible fight, iss the ssign of a true mind, and you have proven yourself to me.” they then dissipate.
I slither over to the Machinid, and retrieve my blade from it's face. I then walk out of the room, and with the same ancient magic flare as the previous, the door disappears.
I enter the test of endurance, and it appears to be a large hallway, with imagery of wolves with green fire eyes. There are holes in the wall, and the floor is
uneven. I assume that there are going to be darts coming out of the wall. Pretty much every book I read that has some form of adventure in it has one of these. I guess fiction can sometimes be based on fact, after all.
Moving on, I slither as fast as I can down the hallway, and what do you know, it shoots darts. Thankfully, they are all behind me as I move, but I do have to keep this up for however long this takes. At least I've done a lot of slithering throughout my life, though.
After about 13 minutes I finally make it to the end of the hallway, with barely enough energy to stand. I end up sitting down, and eventually another fragmented soul of serpentine green fire dressed in medium plate armor, adorned with dragons appears before me, looks down and says
“You have faced the trial of endurance”
continuing “I am the Koliani trainer of men, Dinor Khab, and you have proven yourself to me by passing through the hallway unscathed by the arrows.” finishing “A true warrior is what is needed to break the binds of Makaru, however strong they may be, and you have
proven yourself by finishing the three.” and they then dissipate, leaving me to journey back through the hallway.
I eventually get up after another five minutes or so, and slither back down the hallway, slower this time. After I exit, the door bursts into green flame, and disappears.
After all the doors are gone, the entire wall they were on bursts into flame, and opens up. It shows a grand library of magic and knowledge, hundreds of rows of books and scrolls. As opposed to the green lighting found everywhere else in the ruin, this area is lit by an unnatural golden light, coming from everywhere and nowhere at all at the same time. There are grand pillars, but the overall look is very dissimilar to what you usually see from the Koliani.
The books are each ancient in their own right. I see one telling you how to create a portal to several different realms, including the exact dimensions needed for each, likely. I pick it up, and open it. It States that the only way to get to another realm alive, is through an arch portal. Each arch can go to a different realm, or possibly universe in whole. On the next page it also tells you can go to and from the future or past with a circular arch.
There is also a golden arch at the end of the hallway. It seems... Otherworldly. Like it leads to somewhere else, or back from it. The entire room gives off a strange aura, feeling more unnatural than anywhere I've seen in the rest of my life. It feels... Sakkarik... Unholy...
A green flaming spirit of a Koliani dressed in elegant mage robes appears before me and says “I am the keeper of the great knowledge of time past, and you have proven yourself by the three tests.”
and I ask “What have I proven, exactly?”
and they respond “That you are a true warrior, and may bring our ancient kind to the world of the living yet again.” continuing, doing a motion with
their hand as to signify to follow them “Follow me further, so that I may show you.” we then walk into the library further, and they say, waving their had to the collection of books “Thiss iss the collection of the grand mages, who ruled over our kind.” continuing “They ruled our limited kind with gracefulness, and without greed, unlike the Ssolass tribe rules your greater tribe of Arbani in the modern day.” continuing further, sadly “Yet, our people began to innovate with new magics, and eventually we played god by creating the Machinids, and most were banished to the Dark Bastion of the spirit realm” stating, happier “Though a special form of flame has been passed down our genetic lines, and you yourself may be able to learn it.”
I ask, confused “How iss thiss?”
and they tell me “You have purple eyes, a trait
of our kind ssolely from the Koliani tribe, not found in any of the Arbani, Ssolass, or Ssentri tribes.” continuing “And you ssee, I casst a ssilent spell to read your lineage.” showing me an ethereal green scroll just now appearing, telling me with great pride “you are an Aroni, and your lineage is of the grand
mage Andur Aroni.” after which saying “Sadly, he was one trapped in the Void...” and him stating ,avoiding the previous statement
“You have great potential, it just has yet to be unlocked.”
and I ask “How do I unlock it?”
with him responding, confused “Well, that is tougher, as you have to go to the sspirit world and convene with the sspiritss themsselves.”
and I respond “That iss... quite tougher..”
and he states “Yess, as you can't visit while still alive in the modern state.”
with me saying “Quite, the main problem would be getting back.”
and he tells me “Yess, you are a mixed breed between the Arbani and Koliani, alas you have forgotten some of your ties to the mortal world.” continuing “Your soul is the very binding to the mortal realm of Arathi, and it is necessary for magic.” finishing “You need to find your reason for being truly bound to the planet you live upon, in order to have magic true.” and then they put two fingers out,
and tap my forehead, and I feel a surge of power
within me. They say “This is the first step of unlocking your power, you now have the ability to create tears within the pages of the mortal plane, as do the great mages of your lineage of Aroni.” finishing “Your family line was the greatest line of voidcasters in the land, and you should honor this with your uses of magic ability.”
They then rise flame around me, which then magically teleports me out of the room, and back into the main hall. The room I went into is now completely gone, and the other people recognize this, most notably the Gatorfolk that we brought
here, still in tremendous pain asks “Wasn't there a room that you just came from?”
and I respond “I think the ghostss of the passt no longer needed it to be open, sso they closed it.” stating “I also took a book from it, on portalss.”
And Sphyra states, excited “Cool, what does it say?”
I tell her “Well, sso far it tellss plenty, but I have only gotten a little bit in.”