Legends of Torn: Sword in the Rift

Chapter 11

The chattering of the warriors ceased as rocks slid from the slopes of the surrounding mountains.  Valder fitted his winged helm over his dome, unlatched the shield from his back and the axe from his belt.  Randar nervously loaded a bolt into his crossbow.  Nolan peered through the misty walls and tightened the grip on his javelin.  Norrum, being a priest possessed no weapon and kept close to the dancing blaze.  Valder placed the sacred sword at his feet, fearing it would get damaged if used.  The warriors put their backs to one another listening to movement from all directions.  The fog continued to blind them, and mouths remained sealed in order to be undetected.  However, whatever preyed on them already knew their location.  Hellish cries screeched through the darkness, sending chills down their spines!  Three bulky figures soared overhead. Randar was quick with his trigger finger and fired a bolt from his crossbow.  The sound of a crash echoed from beyond the wall of mist, whatever his target was he removed it from the sky.  Norrum became uneasy and turned to the fire with hopes of claiming a torch.  His quick movements lured the creatures back and the tribesman was plucked from the ring of warriors.  His torchlight slowly faded with his disappearance.  The figures glided over once more and Valder was struck down into the snow.  Randar ducked avoiding an arm reaching for him.  Through their passing one monster had claimed Nolan but only for a short distance.  Iron met the foul creature's ribs and the stirring outlander was released.  Randar rushed to aid his friend but the flying ghouls were relentless and continued to encircle the camp.  Valder assisted Randar and together they lugged Nolan to the safety of the cave.                                                                                                                                                    ​"They got Norrum!"  Randar shouted.                                                                                   ​"And they will soon get us!"  Valder yelled.                                                                    ​Escaping beneath the under forge they huddled around Oaknar's idol.  Bayla cowered in the corner while the sound of flapping wings filled the cave and rung in their ears.  "Valder, what's happening?"  She asked.                                                                                                                    ​"Stay back Bayla!"  Valder barked.                                                                                ​Valder's mind thought about the sword, remembering it was no longer in his possession.  Scanning the layers of ice and snow, he saw the shine of steel from the raging campfire.  Like a mad man he bolted to retrieve it.  Disregarding the flying creatures and even his own life.  He answered the blade that called to him.  Alone on the snowy plain arms reached for him overhead and legs kicked him to the ground.  With each bash against him, his axe and shield fell, then his helmet bounced off his dome, but Valder was determined.  Slammed to the earth once more he crawled for the shining silver handle.  He snatched it from the snow and brought himself to both feet. The flapping wings split the mist and Valder swung the blade, slashing through the flesh of the fiend.  It thrashed at his feet hanging on to entrails with clawed hands.  The statue of Oaknar began to rumble and two beams of light projected from its stone chipped eyes.  The mist slowly began to clear, and the winged fiends quickly scattered.  Valder watched the ghouls glide over the mountain side.  Randar and Nolan were bewildered by the movement of the structure and amazed by the shining white lights that escaped it.  Valder dropped on one knee to study this creature as it continued to grunt in suffering.  Both hands tightened around the silver handle and Valder held it steady before impaling the being's chest.  Bayla joined Randar and Nolan at the mouth of the hollow.  As if an illusion captured their eyes, the slain beast slowly converted back to its human form.  Valder and his allies were speechless.  Was this the work of Castor?  Could he turn anyone into such demons?  These questions revolved in Valder's mind.                                                                                                      ​"Valder look out!"  Bayla cried.                                                                                    ​Valder's sword arm was clutched by another gargoyle and his feet left the ground with the creature's path of flight.  Randar's crossbow was loaded and pressed tightly against his shoulder.  The bolt pierced through the beast's side and Valder was freed from its grasp.  Valder smacked the rocky floor and the gargoyle circled back.  Valder cleared away the layers of snow, desperately searching for the sword.  The beast in the sky dove forward with a hellish howl.  Its body twisted in a downward spiral with both arms at its front.  Valder rolled from its path, but the creature's intentions weren't to harm him but rather snatch the mystical sword with its talons.                                                                                                                             ​"No!"  Valder yelled.                                                                                                             ​He pursued the beast unarmed as massive wings fluttered.  His mad determination was rewarded with failure.  The gargoyle vanished within seconds, reuniting with its brethren on the other side of the cliff face.  Feeling dishonored, Valder's knees sunk in the snow and his fists pounded the rocky crust beneath.  Only he knew of the sword's purpose the rest of the party was unaware.  The company clustered around the uneasy warrior.                                                                                                                               ​"It is only a sword, Valder."  Nolan said.                                                                               ​Valder kneeled in silence and Bayla comforted him.  The highlanders of Colvest departed, following the trail from which they came.  A short distance away they discovered the torn remains of Norrum.  Never had they confronted a beast capable of such slaughter.                                                                                                                ​"I failed."  Valder muttered.  "That was no normal sword.  The wizard that tormented my people that is what he sought after and with it he plans something vile."                                                                                                                               ​The light from Oaknar's statue slowly departed and the trembling started again.  Once the light resided back to the eyes a flash expanded brightly.  The warriors shielded their faces from the mysterious and blinding force.  What was once solid stone formed into flesh.  Locks of white hair matched the god's eyes and shifted through a calming breeze.  The metal of the axe head glimmered like a crystal, crafted from something not of this world.  A silver spiked chain wrapped around his bare chest.  At the god's knee stood a young boy.  Randar and Nolan straightened their forms, frozen in place by the presents of this godly figure.  As powerful as Oaknar was he seemed to be in a weakened state.  He had poured most of his godly energy into the revival of the boy accompanying him.  It was unheard of for a god to sacrifice so much.  Bayla teared up at first sight of Axton and the warriors remained bowed in the presence of Oaknar.                                                                                         ​Bayla's eyes filled with bliss and she darted to meet her son.  "Axton!"  Mother and son reunited in the center of the pale valley.  "My son I'm so sorry."  Arms tightened around the boy and the tears continued to trail down her face.                                                                                          ​"Mother, I am at peace now.  You should not curse yourself with such misery.  Be strong, like I know you are."                                                                                                            ​Valder smiled, hearing the familiar voice.  He then observed Oaknar standing silently.  The warrior lifted himself and confronted the god.  "I failed everyone Oaknar."  Valder expressed.                                                                                                                    ​Oaknar's eyes matched that of a blind man, but those eyes could behold the corners of the world and even beyond.  "Your journey is not over Valder.  Go to the land of your ancestors."  Oaknar's head lifted to the darkened sky and pointed towards the moons.  "For a thousand years, Zoth has waited for the day those two moons meet."                                                                                                       ​"You cannot leave the fate of mankind to me."  Valder distressed.                                                                                     ​"My powers have been depleted; I can barely stand in the mortal realm.  I am unable to intervene and if not you than who?  I was there to witness your people standing blindly by when Castor invaded.  Only you resisted, anyone could have done the same but chose not. You will meet others on your path, those who seek to save their lands.  You are not alone."  Oaknar freed the silver chain hugging his torso.  It produced a supernatural shine from the first touch of Valder's palms and this filled him with a surge of strength.  "The warriors of Agaroth watch you Valder and this weapon will be the only protection I can offer you."                                                                                  ​Axton returned to Oaknar's side, but the god had stopped him.  "Axton!  Stay here and grow.  You will see Aragoth again, but as a man."                                                          With no further words, Oaknar vanished in the same blinding light from which he appeared.