Jemriah
Something was not Right...
Just minutes ago... This tomb lay shattered... And now, it has taken form of a small kingdom that I recognise... Forenhold.
Kingdom of king foren ....
Jorath looked amused. He strode off with long heavy steps in dark.
Smiling, he touched a pillar. There were several of them now, they were shattered just minutes ago. Lying alongside the broken tomb.
"A door", jorath said.
"What?"
"There is a door brother", jemriah said, still smiling. "Looks like we solved it".
"Yes... We did", jemriah said. I am still confused. About a lot of things... How did we solve this?
Suddenly, the door flew open, and several thousand swords rose into the air, circling above the two strangers like a steel storm.
Longswords with black hilts hung beside golden blades. Some angled their edges toward the strangers, sharp and hungry, while others burned with a cold blue shine.
"What's happening?", jemriah asked.
"I have no idea! Be prepared!", jorath said. "Wait a second. This might be a test".
One sword tore through the air toward them. Jorath blocked it and threw it away in water.
Another attack. This time two swords. Jorath blocked them.
This time three. Blocked. Four, blocked.
More swords rose into the air, until a hundred blades were rushing toward them, swift and merciless.
"HIDE BEHIND ME!", jorath screamed.
Jorath took every strike. Swords shattered against his armor, sparks bursting free, and not a single scratch marked it's surface.
The number of swords started depleting, one by one until there was nothing in air but silence and jemriah realized with a shock that they were standing in a pool of thousand swords.
From the open door, a figure appeared. Floating and incorporeal. Darker than night, he seemed to blend in shadows, outlined slightly in air.
"You have passed the test. Wish what you will", his voice ethereal and low.
"M-may I ask who you might be?", jorath took the initiative.
"I speak not to you but the young one".
Jemriah closed his eyes. His voice was so serene and soft that it made him feel light and sleepy. He opened them with immense resolve.
"Who you might be?", jemriah asked.
"I am Aravan. God this village worships".
Both of them stood there, not saying anything.
What can you say to a god?
I worship him? Never believed that I would meet him...
Jorath was not as surprised. "Jemriah, say something".
Jemriah was taken aback. His eyes was filled with shock as well as tears.
"There is no time for this!", Jorath's voice was loud. "Can I get a wish?"
Aravan looked at him and said nothing.
He was flying above the tomb. His face was barely visible. His body a dark smoke in air.
Energy rushed through me. Tension of a Drawn bow. A musky sweat on my forehead.
My whole body on fire. My head in pain. Feeling like a hammer on a forge, continuosly smashing with repeated blows.
"Would not ask again", Aravan said. "You can choose any sword from which is fallen here. Every single one of them has my divinity. Small but enough for a mortal".
"I don't want anything, my god" jemriah said.
Jorath grinded his teeth. "I will take one of them, more us-"
"YOU ARE NOT WORTHY OF IT!"
A whirlwind of blackness poured from the god and engulfed Jorath. In a heartbeat, he was gone, leaving nothing but air behind.
"No.. no what did yo-"
"Be quiet mortal! He is out of this tomb not from this world".
"I wish for your forgiveness, my god. But I don't want anything. If possible give this blessings to jorath. He is the one who did everything. Not me. I hate tombs and power.
He is an adventurer. This power is more use for him than for me".
"I have no interest in lives of measly mortals. You are the one who muttered about king foren and solved the history behind murals. So you will be the one to receive this blessings. Not him. Not anyone but you.
My patience is thin like a thread and my anger soon will break that. Do not test me mortal. If you reject this blessings then consequences will follow".
"I will gladly bear them, my god. This power-", jemriah said pointing. "Is no use of me".
"Not even for your own child", aravan said smiling. "You will reject this power even if it means that your family will be in danger. Sonavr, Irene and iken. All three of them will perish... Unless, you accept this blessings".
"You would do this?", jemriah asked in shock.
"Not me mortal. Someone will. An attack that will destroy this village. Alongside every single one living here... Yes even your family".
"What will happen then? Would you be able to protect them? With that many troops even a well protected fortress will fall", Aravan continued. "You will not be able to protect them. I can see fire. I can see your face, full of tears watching your family burn".
"Who will attack us? My father? Some other kingdom?"
"Accept the blessings and i might tell".
Jemriah sighed. "I pray you. My son too. Why not just protect us and this village? You are a god! You're supposed to protect us".
"I can kill them now, if you keep talking".
Jemriah stood. Dumbfounded.
Should I accept it? To protect my family?
What will jorath say? What will Irene say? How will I explain this to sonavr?
Questions upon questions piled up. There was no simple answer. There was no resolution but to do what the god was asking him to do. He had to do it lest he risk putting his family in danger.
So be it ...
"I want the strongest sword here", jemriah said. His voice loud. "One that will assure safety for my family".
Aravan smiled. His hands darkened beyond their natural hue, and a sword took shape in the air before him.
The sword drank in the light, its blade polished to a black sheen that shimmered like oil over water. Along its length ran a faint, restless gleam, as if something ancient stirred beneath the metal. The hilt was carved in the likeness of a dragon, its jaws clenched around the grip, scales etched deep and alive with cruel detail. Several jewels were set into the hilt, dark rubies and cold sapphires. each of them catching the light like a watchful eye. A thin chain wound along the blade's length, whispering softly as the sword moved, a weapon not meant for ornament, but for binding power that refused to sleep.
"This blade has a mind of its own. It never sleeps. It has several powers beyond mortal capabilities. You and Dragmia will be binded together forever. You can hide this blade into your arm, a small chain will hang around it, piercing skin. Pain will not follow, so you can pull on chain and use this blade in dire situations".
"Who will attack us?", jemriah asked.
The sword rushed forward and entered jemriah's forearm. A small black chain hung around it. Visible only at a careful glance.
"Tell m-"
There was nothing above the tomb.
Aravan disappeared.
Jemriah looked around. Stone and shadow vanished, replaced by towering trees and whispering leaves, the tomb had become a forest.
The shining tree was gone aswell.
Of course... That was all a ploy...
But atleast I got something to protect my family... I have to hide this well...
World of sumaka through eyes of haldren-
I wish for a sword as well. A sword given by a god has many powers. I heard they have dimensions in them. A world were they can enter and manifest the powers.
I wish father would give me one... Seems I have to stay satisfied with "oath of aegis".
If I ever get that sword... I will attack every kingdom in sumaka and bring them under my banner...