Taking a few steps through the hall, Rune glances around at the quality work put into the structure; marble floors, smoothened walls and columns bearing the weight of the cieling bear little to nothing in flaws. The shadows - as scarce as they are - linger where the soft white light of lanterns fail to reach.
"Stop where you stand," an airy voice orders, "and lay down your weapons. Failure to comply will write the end of your story."
"Relax," says Rune, leaving his hands at his sides, "I am here to harm nothing."
"You are taking me for a fool?"
I am, Siden says with a snicker in Rune's mind.
"No," Rune replies. "I am taking you for someone sensible enough to talk of words instead of fight with swords."
A section of the smoothened wall parts, sinking into the floor to reveal a hidden cavity in the hall, and the occupant within. "You are trespassing," the airy voice - belonging to an elven man who looks rather displeased at Rune's presences - says, "how I was not able to detect you earlier bewilders me. You should have been caught by the other sentries as well, if it was not for their incompetence." Thin, gloved fingers wrap around the hilt of his curved sword. "I demand to know your name, else you'll regret sneaking into here as your last mistake."
The bold threats of aggression coerce Rune's hand to squeeze Gwynt's hilt. "Runeshot, Ranger of the North." It would be wise to respond respectfully, to avoid as much confliction as possible; especially if this elf is one of the Reapers. "I'm looking for Leina."
"Leina Shadewood, my little rose?" The elven male steps closer, his frown deepening. "What of her? How do you know her by name?"
"I was traveling here with her. Due to unfortunate events which left me in extreme conditions, she and the others had to leave me behind in the care of others. When I was no longer incapacitated, I made my way through the Uskbight mountains and here I am." Rune keeps his ground as the elf draws on step closer.
"If that is the truth, then we shall ask my beloved herself." The elf plants a hand on Rune's shoulder, and Rune jerks away from it. Before he can ready Gwynt, the fine edge of a curved blade leans against Rune's throat. "Resist again, and you will suffer a fat worse than death," the elf snarls, harboring a dangerous glare for Rune. His offhand gripping Rune's shoulder again, he escorts him further down the halls. "Why did you travel here?"
"To join the Reapers," answers Rune, "I can help fight the Queen--"
"Anyone with a sword-arm can 'help fight the Queen.'" Beginning to climb up a large set of stairs, the elf moves his scimitar from Rune's throat. "What could you possibly have to offer that will do than ward off a demon or two, then sleep in a coffin?"
"You'll have to trust me, I can help banish her back to her realm." Rune climbs the stairs with the elf, only halfway to the top.
"I would learn how quickly, else your conversation with grandmaster about recruitment will be unpleasant. He has little time to waste these days, if any at all." Reaching the peak of the stairs, the elf leads Rune to a large, black pair of doors. Though no knobs or handles are apparent, the elf's hand glides along the door's surface until a loud click is evoked. The doors swing open to reveal a sight Rune has never seen before.
Braziers hold bright, young embers which cast a warm glow on the runed floor. Pillars hold up a high ceiling, which is out of the light's reach. The pale glow of crystals imitates star - spanned skies. Standing before a throne of stone is Leina, who turns around to smile brightly at Rune. "You made it!" she says, approaching him.
"Miss Shadewood," the elf says with a more gentle and sweet tone. The sheer disdain displayed only moments ago is replaced by a warmer persona. "I take it you know this.. being?"
Turning her gaze off Rune and onto the elf, a subtle decline in her excitement makes Rune smirk. "Sir Silverfall," she addresses him, "this man here is a good friend of mine. Terzogue wanted him to join our cause, to turn the tides of war. He is talented in battle, and I vouch for him and his heroism as well."
"I see," Silverfall mutters, looking Rune over as his scimitar returns to its sheath. "But I don't see what separates him from the rubbish you and Zaphen dragged in before."
"I do," another person in the room states. Standing up from the throne is a dwarf, with a long beard - white as pure snow - and flesh, wrinkled and seasoned with time. THough his legs seem no longer than any other dwarf's, his gait is slow and in strides. Leina has informed me of everything, from the mission's success due to this man's contribution, to the demise of an Ar'taian slave operation. Runeshot, Ranger of the North, if I am not mistaken?"
Rune offers the nod of his head as a response. "I assume you are the grandmaster, the one who leads the Reapers?"
"Yes, and no. While I am thought of as a head authority within this guild, I have no true control over the will of these warriors, hence why I have chosen them. They do not lose sight of their own opinion. They simply respect my wisdom and will." The dwarf looks up at Rune, offering his hand. "My name is Talbot."
"A pleasure to finally meet you, Grandmaster Talbot," says Rune as he meets Talbot's surprisingly strong grip in a handshake.
Turning his gaze to the two elves, Talbot gives them a dismissive wave. "I request you both vacate this chamber. There are some things that are meant for for only this one's ears."
"Of course, Grandmaster. Miss Shadewood and I shall depart immediately." Silverfall opens the chamber doors once more, following Leina after she exits. The doors shut, a series of clicking followed by silence seconds after.
"Now," Talbot resumes, "I have been playing defensive with our strength in wait of your arrival."
"You have been waiting for me?" Rune asks, a little surprised. A god he could understand expecting him, but how did this simple dwarf know he was coming? Why?
"Aye." Talbot walks back to his throne, sitting down with a near-silent grunt. "When the Reign of Darkness - as our archivist calls it - I was visited by Anto in my dreams."
"The King of Light?" Intrigued, Rune approaches one of the braziers, watching the embers glow.
"Yes. He told me that I must hold my ground for as long as I could. The gears to conduct victory over this darkness were already in motion."
A faint memory plays in Rune's mind; had the choice of strict defense not afflicted morale? "The Exiled said you had the power to end this terror when it came to Erelith."
"And Anto told me otherwise. But, I could not go around saying the holy deity told me what to do. I would appear a madman." Talbot's eyes wander up to his false skies. "Regardless, I am glad you have found your way here. Unfortunately, I have bad news to greet you with."
"What is it?"
"Your brother, Goldshot, departed from our compay without warning, nor a trace."
"Then we must find him," says Rune as he strides towards the door.
"I already have our best trackers looking for them, you will be ineffective. Besides, you must be inducted into the Reapers so we may begin the ending of this disdainful chapter." Talbot beckons Rune closer. "Let me get a good look at you."
Approaching Talbot, Rune kneels down, as directed by Talbot's hand gesture. He looks up into the worn, grey eyes of the dwarf, twin pools of indefinite wisdom and grace - the likes of which should not belong to a leader of warriors.
"Interesting," comments Talbot. "Though your destiny is as opaque as any other, I can feel the raw power and potential of what is to come. You may make a fine Reaper, indeed. But, you should know the origin of our guild before making such a decision.
"What is there to know?" Rune asks as he stands up again. "I thought it was just created to preserve humanity."
"More than you can even fathom." Talbot inhales deeply. "At the beginning of mortal times - the Manifestation of Mortals - Anto was extremely paranoid of running a truce with Byzix. It was only natural that one be nervous to make an agreement with the deity of all things sinister. He kept one of his angels intact to subtly amass an army of those faithful to the cause. However, that angel was no longer an angel. As a bringer of death and destruction, mortals called him Reaper.
"And so it began. Our numbers grew, yet we remained unseen. Our horizons broadened, as we took to killing those who have the potential to destroy humanity, along with the will to do so."
"What happened to that angel?" asks Rune.
Talbot shrugs. "Disappeared. I am his successor. He left us so we could become independent of leadership."
Silent, Rune only clears his throat before giving a nod.
"Now that you understand our story, we can begin the process of writing your chapter in this story." Reaching behind the throne, Talbot retrieves a crystalline bottle. "Before you drink, you will repeat the Reaper's Oath, after me."
Rune bows his head. "Ready."
"I draw my weapons--"
"I draw my weapons--"
"-- mind--"
"-- mind--"
"-- body--"
"-- body--"
"-- and spirit--"
"-- and spirit--"
"-- to watch over the threshold of life--"
"-- to watch over the threshold of life--"
"-- and purge those who seek to destroy it."
"-- and purge those who seek to destroy it."
"Do you, Rune, swear on your life to fight the evils reality harbors, 'till you or the last manifestation of darkness draws their breath?"
"I do."
"Will you give every ounce of your strength to the benevolent cause of the Reapers, and pardon yourself from personal goals so the weak may achieve their own?"
"I will."
"Shall you hold our banner high in your heart, even in secrecy?"
"Are you worthy of being a Reaper, death incarnate to the darkness and hero to the those oblivious of your identity, and maybe even the danger itself?"
"I am."
"Then hold your head high, Reaper Runeshot, Ranger of the North; Erelith needs you now more than ever!"
Raising his head, Rune takes the bottle from Talbot, and pours the sour contents down his throat. As the bottle is emptied, the world around him grows unsteady. Losing his balance, he crumples down on the floor, taking one last glimpse of Talbot before his eyes shut.
Easy, Siden says with a chuckle, it's perfectly normal after drinking an angel's blood to awaken yours that your body would shut your conscience as it resists the assimilation. Siden's chuckle echoes through his mind after a period of silence. I forgot how you can't speak here. Well, you're doing well, to say the least. Considering your recent reactions to simple trauma, I was expecting you to be in another coma after a change like this. Regardless, congratulations on drinking the blood of a Predecessor; I hope what it is going to cost you won't ruin the glamour it projects now.
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