3.2.13.7. The Sword of Justice - Part 3

Andreas can’t even reach the handle until he stands on tiptoes. Well, to pull the sword out will be even harder, isn’t it? The sword might make things easy for him, and...

‘Oh, well, despite of your virtues, Excalibur didn’t choose you either. We’ll proceed with the ladies. Perhaps miss... Carolyn can make a difference,’ Avariel says with a polite gesture.

Carolyn moves forward and tries to pull the sword without much effort. The sword won’t budge, and she instantly goes back.

‘Hmm... Perhaps you’d like to give that chance to other people. Your action was admirable, yet you’re meant for something else rather than the sword. Next, Miss Lavennia Iris, please.’

Iris takes her turn. She grabs the sword with two hands and releases it, and then walks back to join Carolyn.

‘What? Giving up without effort? Sure, you’re just helping out. You have sacrificed much, and you tried to make sure the one you’re supporting will have a chance. Maybe you deserve something, but definitely not the Sword of Justice. Oh, well, we have Don Hernan next.’

In spite of his injuries, Hernan tries to take out the sword. The sword doesn’t budge too, so he pumps his aura to the maximum and resumes the pull. Even with the strength to launch top-level skills like Maelstrom Serenade and Symphony of the Seven Seas, Hernan still can’t pull the Sword of Justice out.

Pressing beyond his limits, Hernan hurts himself from the inside. Blood sprinkles from his mouth and nostrils, and on those signs, he stops.

‘Though his efforts are wasted, Don Hernan has made a splendid effort, worthy of his fathomless courage. Alas, the sword didn’t choose him anyway. How about Lord Adler von Bachmann next?’

Before Adler can grab the sword, something electrifies him and pushes him away. Adler immediately knows why – it was the collision between positive and negative auras from the rival swords: Excalibur and Kraal’shazar. He stares at Avariel, and the archangel speaks.

‘Just one question for you: Are you willing to give up the Deathblade, sealed in our custody?’

Adler answers, ‘You already knew my answer since the first time we met. This sword is not as strong as ever without Vordac’s soul in it – it won’t endanger me. So, I’ll keep it and I’m sure I can master it. Two-hand swords are always my specialty, and I won’t give it up for the shorter and smaller one.’

‘If that’s your decision, you may stop. Even if I give you a second try, the result will be the same.’

‘So be it,’ says Adler, turning back.

‘That leaves the two Deverauxes. Well, Alexis, Cristophe, who among you want to try first?’

Cristophe says, ‘Let my brother do it first. He’s the eldest son, so the honor is his all along.’

Alexis responds, ‘It’s up to you, O’ Divine One.’

With a smile, Avariel says, ‘Very well, then. Prince Alexis, it’s your turn.’

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3.2.13.7. The Sword of Justice - Part 2

The next morning, Alexis’ team arrives on the tower. He, Carolyn, Hernan, Andreas and Dejan go straight into the inner chamber where the other four champions and Avariel waited all night long. As they have rested and dined on the airship, Avariel begins the briefing for the final quest straightaway.

The eight champions kneel before Avariel. Alexis puts the Greaves of Diligence in front of him, and Hernan does so with the Armor of Righteousness.

‘So, all the champions are now here, safe and sound with the four artifacts. And now, let us begin the fifth and last quest. Behold – the Sword of Justice.’

The archangel flies up, his hands are open. The crystal floor opens below him, and a pedestal of crystallite rises from the hole. On top of the pedestal stands the Sword of Justice – the heavenly sword with crystal blade and a white, winged angel carved on its hilt. The lower half part of the blade is inside the pedestal. The sword shines most radiantly. Its holy aura interacts with the helmet, the shield, the armor and the greaves. The five artifacts glimmer and blink with irregular frequencies, as though they are talking to each other.

The archangel goes down on the floor and explains about the sword.

‘The Sword of Justice is indeed as ancient as our world. Our lord, Vadis the Almighty forged it from his own crystallized blood. And then, after his final battle against Adair he threw it into Hyrl Loch. The lake apparently was an inter-dimensional portal. So, the sword traveled in another world called the ‘earth’ or ‘Gaea’, given a name Excalibur and aided a man named Arthur in his conquests.

When Arthur was about to die after his last battle, he learned about the origin of the sword from the Lady of the Lake and decided to return it. He sent a knight to Avalon, and the knight threw it into the lake. The Lady of the Lake caught it and went back through the portal to Hyrl Loch in this world. The inter-dimensional portal was closed ever since.

The Lady gave the Excalibur to me and I re-forged it into the Sword of Justice you see now, and you all know the rest of the story from history books, folklores, legends and ballads.’

The champions and Dejan are awestruck on learning the origin and the true name of the Sword of Justice – Excalibur, which previously was a mystery for them.

‘So, as the sword has aura and will of its own, it’ll choose its new master in the same manner as it chose King Arthur of Camelot, Sage the Fireheart and Antoine the Avenger: Whoever draws the blade out of this crystallite may borrow it and become its new master. Plus, he or she will get the whole arsenal: the armor, the helmet, the greaves and the shield.

Now I shall give each and every one of you a try.’

‘Each and every one of us?’ Carolyn protests. ‘I thought only the ones who got the artifacts may try.’

‘Well, the artifact winners must be excelled at a certain strength that suits that artifact. He or she got a greater chance to get the sword, and yet the overall strength of body, mind and heart are to be accounted for. Anyway, each of you has only undergone two quests, not four. So, let the sword decide and choose its new master. If none of you are chosen, you must leave all your trophies here. Maybe one day a true Heir of Vadis will come and claim the arsenal.’

On hearing that, Carolyn thinks of the four other candidates who are absent: Robert, Kyflynn, Desmond and Agustina. Without further ado, the archangel calls upon the first champion.

‘Eidos Crydias!’

The old chronomage goes forward, mumbling something about his old bones and excessive labor. He grabs the hilt of Excalibur and tries to pull it with all his might. The sword, however, won’t budge at all. Avariel immediately calls the second candidate.

‘Okay, enough, Mr. Eidos. You may go back. Next, Andreas Marvellini alias Rollo Bigstumble.


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3.2.13.7. The Sword of Justice - Part 1

The griffinback flight is not a comfortable one, yet it’s almost as fast as airship flight and less the hassle. You just mount the beast, kick off and steer them to wherever you want to go (or simply let Acavela take you to Yvais, it knows the way). You can even make nice stops in your favorite places in case you’re hungry, but this is a non-stop flight in full speed, not some advertising for griffinback flight.

Cristophe, Adler, Iris and Eidos arrive in Yvais, the Floating City of Angels exhausted, wounded, and not quite recovered from the last fight against the Succubus Queen and her harpy horde.

However, before they can rest they are to meet Archangel Avariel to report about their quests. Acavela and the other three griffins land on the top floor of the Tower of Immaculate Bridge, the highest cloudscraper. The four champions dismount and walk into the inner chamber.

Avariel Swordsinger the archangel personally greets them.

‘Welcome back, champions. I see you have completed your quests.’

Cristophe responds politely, ‘Our feats were far from perfect. However, we bring the Shield of Faith and the Helmet of Truth.’ He puts the shield on the floor in front of him and kneels. Adler also kneels and puts the helmet in front of him. The other two champions and kneel.

‘Splendid! Very well done, champions. Now you all must be tired. Take some rest and have a meal here while we wait for the other four.’

Four tables and comfortable chairs appear on the left side of the room. As the champions are all seated, the archangel claps his hands two times and various food – all vegetables and fruits – and goblets of orange juice appear on each and every table.

After a prayer of thanks, Cristophe, Iris and Adler eat a hearty meal. Eidos just waits until his master begins to eat. As a man of science, he doesn’t worship the Parthenian gods in Mount Olympus.

This is much better than waiting, Chris thinks.

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3.2.13.7. The Sword of Justice

The griffinback flight is not a comfortable one, yet it’s almost as fast as airship flight and less the hassle. You just mount the beast, kick off and steer them to wherever you want to go (or simply let Acavela take you to Yvais, it knows the way). You can even make nice stops in your favorite places in case you’re hungry, but this is a non-stop flight in full speed, not some advertising for griffinback flight.

Cristophe, Adler, Iris and Eidos arrive in Yvais, the Floating City of Angels exhausted, wounded, and not quite recovered from the last fight against the Succubus Queen and her harpy horde.

However, before they can rest they are to meet Archangel Avariel to report about their quests. Acavela and the other three griffins land on the top floor of the Tower of Immaculate Bridge, the highest cloudscraper. The four champions dismount and walk into the inner chamber.

Avariel Swordsinger the archangel personally greets them.

‘Welcome back, champions. I see you have completed your quests.’

Cristophe responds politely, ‘Our feats were far from perfect. However, we bring the Shield of Faith and the Helmet of Truth.’ He puts the shield on the floor in front of him and kneels. Adler also kneels and puts the helmet in front of him. The other two champions and kneel.

‘Splendid! Very well done, champions. Now you all must be tired. Take some rest and have a meal here while we wait for the other four.’

Four tables and comfortable chairs appear on the left side of the room. As the champions are all seated, the archangel claps his hands two times and various food – all vegetables and fruits – and goblets of orange juice appear on each and every table.

After a prayer of thanks, Cristophe, Iris and Adler eat a hearty meal. Eidos just waits until his master begins to eat. As a man of science, he doesn’t worship the Parthenian gods in Mount Olympus.

This is much better than waiting, Chris thinks.