In the misty mountains of Northwind, above the chilly waters and the thick snow, stood the historical cave of Ardonia. It houses all the Walls of Time, which record the history of the land, their words inscribed by generation after generation of Glacians, written by Chroniclers.
Before one Wall, stood Thalleous Sendaris. The Ardoni's brilliant blue markings illuminated the dark room, shining a faint light where the lantern failed. On his back hung a broad diamond sword. It is sleeping now, pulsing with a gentle breeze, like a soft snore. It was, so Thalleous proclaimed, a blade only rivaled by that of the Deathsinger's.
"Peace was restored to Ardonia, and a time for rebuilding and healing began. The wounds caused by the Deathsinger, however, will be felt forever. The Great War, 11th Wall of Time." Thalleous read under the dim light.
Thalleous pondered for a moment. Puzzled, he turned around. "Hawken, I fail to see…" But the scholar, Hawken, was dozing off leaning on the railing, with a little bubble purring out of his nose. Clearly, he was having a sweet dream. Suddenly, the bubble popped, staining his white shirt peeking out under his black overalls.
"Hawken?" Thalleous inquired.
At the sound of his name, Hawken snapped awake to his usual vigor. "Ah, yes, yes. Exactly." He sprang to life. "So, you see what this means, Thalleous?"
The blue warrior facepalmed and sighed, "Hawken, were you sleeping through…"
Not wanting to lose the thread, Hawken zipped before the wall, interrupting his friend "Look here!" He pointed at one line. "Where do the Walls of Time say the final duel took place?" He demanded.
Thalleous had no idea where this is headed. He knew Hawken could take hours to prove his point, but he just couldn't see why the scholar brought him to the Walls. He answered, trying to guess Hawken's intentions, "Mount Velgrin"
"Indubitably!" Hawken triumphed. "Most legends, including these bungled Walls of Time, fail to state that the final duel took place on the mountain's peak."
"Alright, so what does this mean?" Thalleous asked, with patience that he does not think Hawken deserves.
Hawken put his hands behind his back as if he's about to start one of his lectures. "I've heard rumors of a presence on the peak of Mount Velgrin." He explained, pacing left and right. "Being the naturally curious scholar that I am, I sent a few scouts to transform those rumors into facts." He lifted his head, and looked pointedly at Thalleous. "That was two weeks ago."
Thalleous, still not knowing what they were getting at, asked "And what was their report?"
Hawken whirled around and threw his hands in the air. "There was no report! None ever returned! Why do you think that is?"
Thalleous could think of a million reasons why a group of un-athletic scholars are lost in a mountain as vicious as Mount Velgrin, ranging from avalanches to the Yeti, which would be quite ridiculous.
"I'm not entirely sure…" He responded hesitantly.
"The Voltaris, Thalleous, the Voltaris!" Hawken shouted. Finally, after a long nap, he had made his point.
Thalleous raised his eyebrows. If there are indeed Voltaris at Mount Velgrin, they could pose a serious danger to all of Ardonia. He can now see where Hawken is getting at.
"You think the Voltaris are at Mount Velgrin?" Thalleous asked.
"Indubitably!" The scholar seems to be very fond of the word. "I'm aware you've been hunting Voltaris ever since the Great War ended," Hawken pointed toward the Wall behind Thalleous. "so I brought you here to inform you of this lead."
Thalleous gazed back at the Wall. Finally, after almost one hundred and fifty years, the Voltaris are showing up again. He pondered, "It has been years since I lost the trail of the Voltaris. I should ride to Mount Velgrin and see for myself." He headed out of the cave to his horse, Timber.
Hawken stepped in front of Thalleous. "A-a-a-a. Hold up there, Thalleous." Hawken proclaimed. "Although I'm no Chronicler, I feel it my duty to accompany you and record what information we find. I would…" He murmured with his head down, "also like to discover the fate of those I sent to investigate."
Thalleous is quite surprised. A scholar? Like Hawken? In Mount Velgrin to investigate a Voltaris presence? He will be killed before he could say "Indubitably!" "There is a chance we'll encounter the Voltaris, and who knows what other perils." He warned.
Hawken straightened his back and patted his chest. "Fear not, Thalleous," He announced, like an age-old gladiator, "for I am prepared to fight!" He proudly pulled a dried fish out from his backpack.
Realizing his own mistake, Hawken quickly put the fish back and started rummaging through. "Wait, w-wait, somewhere around here I have a weapon unless I lost it…" He probably did, Thalleous thought.
"Ah here it is!" Hawken pulled out a rusty iron sword, so blunt that it could serve better as a club.
Thalleous gave a long sigh. He had to admire Hawken for this. When he set his mind on something, there's no turning back. To change his mind is like stuffing an Ender Dragon into the garden shed. "Very well, come on then." He waved Hawken towards the cave entrance. "Most likely this was all just a misunderstanding." As he walked outside, Hawken trotted along, taking two steps for every one of Thalleous' s strides.
They traveled far. Mt. Velgrin is on the other side of the world. The two rode out of Northwind, through the Heart of Ardonia, and to the foot of Mt. Velgrin. Here, their horses can no longer go forth with them. So, they dismounted and continued on foot.
Mt. Velgrin is as cold as Northwind. However, it was a different kind of chill that breathed down the neck of travelers. Beneath the ice and waters of Northwind, there is life. Fish and hares spell a welcoming scene to all. Snow, soft and fluffy, wove a carpet that soothed the aching feet. Mt. Velgrin, however, is barren. The valleys, long and steep, made them worry of falling to a painful death. The icy winds hailed all travelers by taking their breath and warmth away. As they progressed along, Hawken glanced down one of the rifts, only to coil backwards in fright. The snow lies silent and still, not a movement or tree insight. It's as dead as tomb.
The unyielding cold followed the two investigators all the way up to the top. Here, the ground opened up to a giant plateau. A mysterious obsidian archway stood in the middle, a solemn and cold observer of the world.
A tattered flag waved from the ground; half buried in the snow. Hawken ran to examine it. After carefully shaking off the snow and checking the engraved patterns, barely visible and soaked by ice. He stood up and turned towards Thalleous.
"This is where I sent the scouts." He announced. "Right here, Thalleous" He added, pointing to the flag.
Thalleous stooped down to examine the flag. It looked as if was torn apart, Perhaps the storm did its handiwork, but upon closer examination, it seemed the sides were a bit scorched. Almost, as if it was hit by a Song.
He stood up and observed the surroundings. Everything was barren, just as it should be. Then, Thalleous noticed torch light coming from one small crack in the rock. He approached the source gingerly, and found an entrance to what looked like a small lair. There were half-eaten apples, full glasses of beverages, and some slices of freshly cut cheese. Strange, he thought, but the extreme cold could have preserved the food well, even if they were left out for two weeks. But what about the torch? The bed looked like it had been slept in recently, and a shield lay in the corner. Thalleous felt the handle. It was cool, but too warm for anything that could be left out in these freezing temperatures for long. He stood up. Thinking the shield could be useful for Hawken, he grabbed it and hurried outside.
Tossing down the shield in the snow, Thalleous reported, "Someone was here… Recently. I found their supplies."
Hawken felt his goatee for a minute. "How peculiar. Why would they leave their belongings where others might find them?"
Thalleous spoke out the only logical conclusion: "Because they are still here…" he said grimly and turned just in time to see the newcomers.
All around them, Ardoni, glowing with red markings and wielding swords and spears, emerged out of the shadows. The two outsiders were surrounded in a kill circle, a most unpleasant position. Thalleous drew his sword and ushered Hawken behind him. This is what he had feared in the past one hundred and fifty years.
Then, one red Ardoni stepped forth. "You must be Thalleous Sendaris." He observed. "I've heard many things about you." He raised his iron sword, a plain weapon with no enchants, and pointed it at Thalleous.
I must bait out some information. Thalleous thought, so he replied, "And I have heard nothing about you."
The scarlet Ardoni cackled, a sinister ring to the ears. "Oh, I know, I've made quite sure of that." He stroke the blade of his sword, running his finger across its edge. His red markings reflected off the blades, almost as if it was dripping with blood.
"So allow me to introduce myself." A smile creeped across his face. It's as if the cat was playing with the mouse before supper. "My name is Tygren Voltaris." He finished with a bow.
Thalleous was not surprised, but nevertheless a chill not from the winds run down his back. The Voltaris was indeed alive and well, and clearly hatching a sinister plot. He must notify all the six kingdoms, as soon as he gets himself and this dumb scholar out of Mt. Velgrin.
A snowball suddenly soared through the sky and hit Tygren smack in the face. Who would tempt a fight at this time? Thalleous turned around to find Hawken with another snowball in hand and the shield in the other. Thalleous stared. Is this scholar actually so confident of his fighting skills that he dares taunt a vicious Voltaris? Did Thalleous judge him wrongly?
"Yeah yeah, we're not afraid of you! Thalleous can take on all seven of you!" Hawken shouted, waving his snowball like it's a bomb. "Right Thalleous?" He whispered to the warrior under his breath.
Thalleous just stared. He didn't know what to say. Before, he thought Hawken was dumb to come along on this trip. But this is beyond dumb. This is downright stupid. An untrained scholar against a vicious Voltaris? Hawken wouldn't even suffice for a training dummy.
"Your insolence will be remembered, scholar." Tygren threatened with the point of his weapon as he wiped the snow away from his eyes. He redirected his sword and menace towards Thalleous.
"As for you, Thalleous Sendaris, I know who you are. Champion." Tygren spat the word like it's a disgusting piece of sludge. "And I know what you've done to my clan. Your sword has slain many of my brothers, and once I kill you, I will take it and slay twice as many of yours!" He thrust his sword at Thalleous. Out of its tip, a fireball shot out. The Aggressium Song pierced through the falling flakes. Steam billowed out around it. Hawken and Thalleous unanimously rolled to the sides to avoid it.
Thalleous arched his back and activated all his sword's enchants. He readied for a fight. "Just remember your training." His mentor's voice came back to him. He knew, however fancy one can wield a sword, there were, and always will be, only three moves: a stab that is hard to defend, a swing from the side, and a slam from above. All other moves stem from these. It was a set passed down from the ancient Orient, from Master Dugu. Know them well, and you will become undefeatable.
Tygren drew his sword to his waist, and pounced on the blue warrior. As the red flashed across the plain, Thalleous suddenly realized Tygren was not aiming for him, but for Hawken. As much as he thinks the scholar does not deserve it, Thalleous must try to protect Hawken. He is the sole witness to the Voltaris. Too many years has he spoken to the masters without avail about the imminent Voltaris attack. A witness will greatly help his efforts. He stood before the scholar and held his ground. The two swords clashed, the iron point landing on the diamond body, sending a clang bellowing across the chilly mountaintop.
Tygren turned on the spot. He drew his sword back and, whirling around, he attack Thalleous' s right. The blue blade rushed to respond. Another "ting" rang out when the edges touched, but only for a moment. Tygren turned to slash at Thalleous' s left. Thalleous leaned backwards and the blade whooshed by. In the flash of an eye, the two exchanged tens of slashes, jabs, and blocks. However, neither could gain an advantage over the other.
Suddenly, Tygren jabbed left and leapt into the air. Twisting mid-jump, he brought his iron sword, flashing silver in the pale sunlight, smack on the head of Thalleous. Instinctively, the Sendaris blocked the attack by slanting the sword in front of him. But Tygren never meant for the weapons to make contact again. He kicked Thalleous in the head and launched himself back. Thalleous was caught off guard. He summersaulted backwards to break the impact. Tygren landed squarely with a smile. He crouched, with his sword high in the air, ready to pounce again. Thalleous, meanwhile, landed with much less dignity and stumbled to regain his balance. A triumphant roar rose from the watching Voltaris.
Thalleous summoned his Mobilium Song. Golden circles flashed around him and he teleported just meters in front of the Voltaris leader. The blue blade slashed down at Tygren' s left. The two were locked in rapid combat again, and both the Voltaris on the clifftops and Hawken were simply awestruck by the scene. The two best surviving swordsmen of the Ardoni are locked in a duel.
The blades locked. Thalleous had aimed his sword at Tygren at such a dangerous angle that the Voltaris can only block it by bringing up the sword from behind him. The "ting" shrilled the freezing air. Tygren threw the blue blade off and returned with a blow to Thalleous' s head. Thalleous ducked and returned with a deep jab to Tygren' s legs. The Voltaris jumped onto a cliff wall and pushed off to crush upon Thalleous. "Clang!" For a moment, it was red on top of blue and one sword seemed to penetrate the other. Thalleous heaved and launched Tygren a few meters away, who landed on his feet, but stumbled to steady himself. After a futile attempt, Tygren tumbled flat on his back on the icy ground.
Thalleous changed his grip on his sword so that the blade pointed downwards. He will end these Voltaris demons once and for all. Jumping high in the air, he brought the point of the sword down upon the red Ardoni lying on the ground. At the last moment, Tygren rolled to the side and the blue blade was sunk into the ankle-deep snow into the frozen dirt beneath. As Thalleous tried to retrieve his sword, Tygren slashed his blade into Thalleous's chest. The blue warrior gave a painful grunt, and freed his weapon. The sword had left a gash. Blood froze as soon as it flowed out. Tygren leapt into the air and fired his fireball at Thalleous. It charged down the snowy plain. Unprepared, Thalleous was hit square in the stomach and flew backwards into the wall, the wind knocked out of him as his back struck the hard, cold stone. He landed motionless at its feet. His weapon flew out of his hand and landed in the snow. Tygren was propelled backwards by his song and landed with another winning smile. After years of training, he will kill this hunter of his clan once and for all!
Tygren stood up and twirled his sword around. At the tumult of the slash, he fired his Aggressium Song again at the lump of blue on the ground. The red fireball charged towards Thalleous, still motionless. Suddenly, a shield rushed in front of the wounded warrior. It was Hawken. The Song blew the shield apart, but Hawken nevertheless readied his battered sword for battle.
Tygren raised the corner of his mouth. Was this scholar really defending the Champion? How has he fallen, even depending on these weaklings for his life! He strolled towards Hawken, who tried to stand his ground, but recoiled slightly as the Voltaris bore down upon him.
Thalleous, meanwhile, was crawling towards his weapon, now lifeless on the ground. Finally, he reached the hilt and stood up. He turned around to see Tygren's silver sword through the back of Hawken, who fell to the ground, lifeless.
Tygren let Hawken's body, already half frozen, land with a thud, and turned slowly towards the blue warrior with a crack at his lips that said, "you are next." Mustering the last of his strength, Thalleous roared and leapt at Tygren. His blade flashed a menacing green as it was brought down. There was a flash of blue against red, silver against cyan. But, being wounded, Thalleous was quickly beaten and launched away. He fell with a heavy "thud.", with his sword before him, right next to his open hand. A cheer rose from the surrounding Ardoni. They will bear witness to this great day, when the Voltaris will rise again!
Tygren flexed his shoulders and adjusted his grip and aimed the blade towards the ground. He marched towards the blue warrior, whose light was a bit dimmer now.
"So many years have we prepared for this, and you are not about to interfere!" declared Tygren. He raised his iron sword high and, with both hands at the hilt, brought it down on the pile of blue on the floor.
Thalleous felt the blade coming and reached for his weapon. He summoned his Mobilium Song again and teleported onto the mountain slope. Tygren missed and only struck snow.
"After him!" Tygren called to the other Voltaris and they all charged towards the blue figure disappearing in the mist. They will not lose him now, not when victory is so close.
Thalleous barreled down the hill, holding his chest with his left hand. He must run now. He was in no condition to fight. With Hawken dead, no one will believe his tales. A cliff materialized in front of Thalleous. Without thinking, he leapt into the air. Time seemed to stop as the Voltaris caught up and watched him fall. So, he has chosen suicide rather than being killed.
Then, suddenly, golden circles surrounded Thalleous and he teleported onto the opposite bank, landing with a "thud" in the snow. He stooped up and looked back, supporting himself with the sword. The red eyes were there, glowing through the mist. Then, they turned away one by one. The glowing red markings vanished as quickly as they came into the darkness.
"I must warn the Clans." Thalleous panted. Grunting painfully still, Thalleous stumbled down the icy mountain.