Living on Borealis-9: The Story Of A Reincarnated Human

Chapter 6, Part 1: Quest

"So, Head." I asked. "Do you have any stories you can tell while we mull over our action plan?"

"Don't call me that." The Vampire's severed head said to me. "And I do have stories. Just depends on the kind you want. For instance, I can tell you about the story of how a Sammi and Dryad ripped me asunder, and tried using me as a storyteller..."

"No thanks, thinly-veiled threats aren't my cup of tea." Luna replied, flicking the nose of Head. "We can use you as bait, though."

Head sighed loudly. I'm not going to question the magic behind him being able to speak, despite having no throat...or lungs. Or anything needed to speak, really.

"Fine. If you lot want a story, how about...yes, how about the time I was in service to Asreil?"

"Fire away." I said.

"Right. Well, the thing about our good Godking you must understand, is that he wasn't always the shining paragon of excellence you think. In fact, he was rather bloody mad. He created the world, yes, but before that, he wandered the world in different guises. Then, one day, he just decides to show up out of nowhere, and challenge Old King Vadelkim to a fight."

"I take it he won?" I asked.

"Won? Won is an understatement. The battle was so long, it lasted an entire year, the two caused storms to cover The Continental City, they never stopped to eat or drink! When Vadelkim lost, he was exiled from the palace, and sent off somewhere!" Head exclaimed

"Eish. So he was basically sent to prison?"

"No. That'd be a mercy. But that itself is a story for another time. Anyways, Asreil took Vadelkim out of the picture, then crowned himself eternal Godking. And afterwards, The Great War started. Oh, it was bloody and brutal, it was. Asreil himself fought on the front lines, but I think he just wanted to kill some Humans. A brutal King he is, ruling for...Three Ages now, I think. Counting this one."

"That's quite a story." Luna commented. "But what does it have to do with our current situation?"

"I agree. I figured you could tell us something that could help us out here."

"Ah, but that's where we get into the meat of it. You see, Asreil had many enemies during The Great War. Humans, chief among them, but also a few rambunctious Heroes, Avatars of traitorous Deities, maddened warriors who once fought for him. Even as a Godking, he is still relatively mortal. He'd have to take time to regenerate and return to life if killed. So, in order to save the problem of waiting, he arranged to train a few special groups. The Shieldmaidens, The Asura, Kingslayer Regiment 88. And for these groups, Asreil forged them various weapons and armours. One weapon that can help you with this situation...Though it's no easy feat to collect. Sumarbrander."

I laughed out loud. A budget Mimir, hanging on my side like a grim purse, is telling me to find the sword of Summer from Norse Myths. Ok. I've heard everything now.

"Why do you laugh? It's a great weapon!" Head said incredulously.

"If it is so great, why didn't I find mention of it before?" Luna asked. "Is it REALLY that great?"

"It bloody is! Sentient sword, made from the finest of sunlight! If you can get your hands on it, you can peacefully resolve the situation here."

I looked down, my turn to be incredulous. "Why? Do you think I'm weak or something?"

"Boy, if your blood tasted any more like peace, I'd have been drinking a rainbow. You want to resolve the situation here peacefully, or with as little bloodshed as possible. Sumarbrander can help you, as the sunlight it can give off will make your enemies feel a bit calmer. More lazy, lethargic, slow of the mind. More willing to take suggestions...and to leave."

Oh. He had a point.

"Wait, aren't you a Vampire?" I asked.

"Yes?"

"Matt, sunlight doesn't kill them." Luna began. "It causes their skin to split open, which is painful, and it does sap their strength. But the myth about Vampires being killed by sunlight was made up. I'd know..."

"I sense a bit of history there." I stated.

"Yes." Luna simply replied assertively. "History you are better off not knowing. Where is Sumarbrander, Head?"

Head growled. "Don't call me that...But to answer you, the sword is theoretically located in The Divine, buried with the others of Kingslayer Regiment 88. You yourself can get a blade, Ma'am."

"I don't need one, Head-"

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

I smacked Head on the cheekbone. He made a grunt, but did stop talking afterwards...mostly. But I can live with him muttering rather than screaming.

"So...The Divine? Where's that?" I asked.

"Oh, by the Lords...If I remember correctly, it's on Valka Mark...Just West-no...Vaskt (Pronounced Vu-As-ku-TA) of Járnland. It's not on many maps, but...We Dryads have our ways." Luna said with a sneaky wink.

"Makes sense. Your mom is the world, after all." I said, recalling what I had learned about the Dryads. Man, I wanted to learn more back there!

"Yes...I guess. But yeah, Dryads are in-tune with the world. We always know what is going on on our respective Continent. We know the state of nature at all times, the number of curves to the hills, the number of towns present. We always ace our Geography tests." She said with a smile...which shortly turned grim. "But The Divine isn't really...a place we want to go. Not only is it a war zone between Gaia and Ogher, but it holds many dangers within."

"Like what? Crusaders? Holy Angels?" I asked.

"No, the Crusaders are only inland. And the Angels don't go there either, they instead stay in Columbia. But the unicorns, for one, are enough to ward anyone off."

Oh. So I guess it was like the 'Hallow' from 'Terraria'. Ok, I can work with that. We just needed shadowy stuff to counter that, right?I nodded slowly, still trying to wrap my head around everything.

"Okay. But how do we get there? And once we're there, how do we find Sumarbrander?"

She nodded. "Yes, and luckily, I know the way."

"Why? How?"

"Dude. Dryad. Daughter of THE WORLD. Forests, hills, mountains, snow, fire, ice, OCEAN. Connect the dots, keep up!" Luna poked me.

Head grumbled from my side. "Can we get on with it already? I'm getting bored."

"I can give you a book." I offered.

"I have no bloody hands!"

"I can give you a spoon also."

"...Go to Hell, you dick." Head simply cursed, then closed his eyes.

Great. For vacation, we're off to go and visit The Holy Land, to find a pagan sunlight sword. Things can't get weirder, can they?