The Custodes

Chapter 18 - Zuro Arc Part 2

The stairway was far from wide, walls on either side of it. Hadi didn't want to imagine what it must've been like trying to get all the people that were at the rally through it, and likely back out again. Maybe there were other entrances he didn't know about - it seemed likely considering how impractical this one was. He and Charon quickly caught up with their particularly slow moving father and his faithful companion, staying quiet as they walked for a further five minutes before a hatch came into view. Without much tact and surprisingly uncaringly, Dolion threw open the hatch and hurried out, followed by Leona, then the twins hurriedly rushing out behind them. Fresh air hit them like an avalanche. They'd never even considered that there would be a difference between overworld air and that from the underground, but as its pristine coolness washed over them it was impossible to ignore the distinct change. Both men looked around in every direction, with Charon simply taking it all in emotionlessly while Hadi wore his disappointment clear on his face. He'd expected there to be more...well, anything. The barren wasteland before them was nothing like what he'd imagined, or read about in any of the books they'd been given. The pale orange ground seemed to almost crinkle beneath their feet, slight cracks clearly forming in its surface. There wasn't nothing, Hadi had to admit it to himself. The land formation varied, a few hills being seen in the distance and plenty of rocks and different strange coloured plants dotted around the place, but he'd pictured seeing some sort of civilisation. The idea seemed almost stupid to him now, however. If there were anything like that in the vicinity, he surely would've heard something due to being directly underneath it. It also made sense that Dolion would take them to such a secluded place, given the important of what was going on there and the secrecy of their identities. Thinking this, he quickly subdued his disappointment and instead looked at his father curiously. "Allow me to sit, my sons." He said to them, walking over to a fairly large orange boulder and sitting down with very slight assistance from Leona. The twins moved over to him, watched as Leona set the cases down beside their father. Dolion waited a minute, trying to decide where to start off, before finding a suitable point and looking from son to son "I've showed enough praise for one day I think. Instead of continuing to flatter you, I'll tell you outright what your efforts have earned. The rebellion wasn't gathered here today on a whim, whispers will get out soon so our plans are starting as soon as possible. Tomorrow you two are to report to Leona's training grounds where your mission will be laid out for you in detail." Hadi and Charon's faces both lit up, looking at their father in further disbelief. "We're going on an actual mission? Outside of the underground?" Hadi asked, to which Dolion replied with a mere nod. "As I was saying. I wish to tell you of exactly what the mission will consist of - tomorrow will simply serve to refine your knowledge of everything I tell you. Both of you will fly South-" he pointed in the direction and both men looked, despite obviously not seeing anything "-for six days, escorting Leona and certain equipment with you. After those six days you will stop at a certain point and continue on foot for a further three days until you reach the city above ground. Once there Leona will take you to one of our associates, who will give you a further briefing and afterwards you will both commandeer a Foalk, the only mode of transport used around the planet. Once it has been hijacked Leona shall take control and set it on a different course than its intended one. It will end up in a secret section of one of the largest structures in the city, and it is there that your true mission will begin." Dolion quietened, giving his sons the time to process all the information he was telling them. "Father, please continue." Charon said, caught up in how intently he was listening to Dolion "We can keep up with what you're saying - we want to hear more." "Very well. Once there you shall apprehend a man who is of great importance to our plans - a Sage. If he resists you may use force, but if he dies...ours plans will be ruined. And your death will quickly follow." Charon let out a small snort of laughter, assuming Dolion was kidding despite his entirely serious and sullen expression, but Hadi was not so convinced of the matter. "Along with him, there are a few items that must be acquired." Dolion went on, ensuring both sons were still giving him their upmost attention "An artefact - a piece of jewellery - and a number of different books too. As I said you'll be briefed on the appearance of these and where you'll find them tomorrow. After that, the Sage is to be taken back here with haste, along with the items, and with that your mission shall be finished. I have no doubt that it will be a complete success. You won't disappoint me, either of you." He seemed incredibly sure of the fact, which filled both boys with another small sense of pride. "Father, what is the meaning of the things we're acquiring?" Hadi asked curiously, always the one to be sceptical and cautious "The Sage, and the items. What is the resistance's end goals with them?" Dolion set his jaw from side to side a few times, judging in his mind whether or not to reveal his plans to the twins. Eventually he let out a small exhale, his expression final "I'm afraid the greater details will take far too long to go through. Know that it is of great importance though - The Sage is linked directly to the powers we hope to acquire for our people. That is why his safety is crucial. The books simply hold the knowledge we need to carry out this final task, and the artefact..." He paused, taking the time to choose his words very carefully "Its purpose will be revealed further down the line. But handle it with extreme care. It is likely the most precious good you will ever carry." Hadi and Charon both gave small nods of understanding, before Dolion lifted up one of the cases and placed it on his lap. "I have gone to the liberty of obtaining these to assist you during the mission. Hadi." He looked at his son, watching as the man walked towards him at the mention of his name. Without any further explanation Dolion opened the case, revealing a red padding inside with a blade set in like a moulded key. It was sheathed in a slick purple holster, decorated with small jewels and strips of different fabric to give it a respectable appearance. It's hilt was speckled with dark blue gems in a polished brown tinted stone grip, with deep red metal forming the pommel and guard. Hadi stared, slightly entranced, not noticing Dolion wave to Leona who lifted up the other case and opened it to reveal an identical sword, before speaking "And Charon." The other brother went straight to the sword, carefully lifting it out of its case before slowly freeing it from the holster. The blade shimmered as Charon waved it elegantly around the air, the clear white metal seeming almost invisible except from the enhanced sparks of light illuminating it as they passed through. "Its Staelic metal, arguably the rarest and undoubtedly the deadliest material found on the entire planet. Only five weapons have ever existed. And two of them I grant to you both." Dolion said, nodding to the boys as they both continued to inspect their blades in awe. "Father this is...an extraordinary gift. I don't know if we yet deserve it..." Charon quietened, almost as though Dolion would strip his gift away from him right after giving him it. "Put them to good use. If you do that, you shall be deserving enough." Dolion said almost uncaringly, as Hadi looked away from his blade for the first time and watched the man "What makes them so deadly?" "Well, it's what they do to a Dohlkai that's what makes them so. On other races it acts mostly the same as a regular blade, but for our species a single blow landed in the right place leads to immediate death. Not a transfer from human form to true form; death. Simple and final." "Holy shit..." Charon muttered, suddenly holding his sword more firmly and with two hands while Hadi looked at his much more timidly.