The Tales of Darkmore

The Warrior of the Water

Lucian appeared deep in a forest, far away from any human civilisations. He looked around, then got lower to the ground. He outstretched his hand, closing his eyes to feel any nearby magic. He felt a small trace, being hidden by a powerful spell or curse. He smiled, standing up.

"Ah. I was right..." he muttered to himself, following the faint trace.

He walked onwards, the trace growing slightly stronger with each step. His eyes were closed, letting his instincts guide him. He took another step, the trace dying instantly. He opened his eyes, feeling himself step through a barrier. He let his hands hang by his sides, fingers spread apart ready for anything. He muttered a quick spell, and as soon as he finished the final word, he felt multiple pairs of eyes on him.

"I know you're out there." He raised his voice but closed his eyes as footsteps approached, a quiet, background hissing accompanying them.

"Hm. You're not as stupid as I thought." a woman with an accent spoke, Lucian feeling her stand in front of him.

"Hello there. And of course I'm being cautious." he smiled.

"I'm surprised you found us. Clearly you are knowledgeable about my people if you knew to shut your eyes." the woman scoffed, a slight hissing heard in her voice.

"I'm so careful that I've got an enchantment over my eyes, making them reflective. Sure, I'll be turned to stone, but you will too. As well as anyone that's looking at either of us." Lucian smirked, the hissing stopping. He opened his eyes, face to face with the gorgon.

"There's nothing stopping me, or my sisters from killing you right now. So why should we let you live." She glared, water flowing from her hand, forming into the shape of a spear and solidifying.

"Well, you'd be killing your last hope at getting back at the gods." Lucian made sure he was ready just in-case she attacked. She glared; her eyes locked onto Lucian like a wolf hunting its prey.

"You were sent by The Gods to lure us out weren't you." she moved the spear, holding it with both hands.

"I'm the last person they'd wanna be in contact with." he laughed, the woman seeming unimpressed.

"Then why do you stink of Angel." she glared, the leaves rustling around them. Lucian chuckled.

"Well, there's quite a reasonable explanation for that actually..." he started talking, but the woman lunged towards him, stabbing the spear towards his face. He quickly raised his hands, magic catching the spear an inch away from his face. He slammed the spear away from him, knocking her backwards.

"That was too close..." Lucian muttered, lowering his hands.

"Prepare for your death outsider." The woman glared, spinning the spear. Lucian sighed, looking at the top of his left forearm.

"Let's hope this thing has a few tricks..." Lucian sighed, pulling out his tantō. He held the blade in his right hand. He locked eyes with the gorgon, beginning a circular walk, staying opposite each other. The gorgon rushed forwards, stabbing the spear towards Lucian's head. Almost as if the blade had sprung to life, he felt his arm instinctively move to parry, breaking her guard and following up with a hard kick against her ribs. She cursed, eyes locking onto Lucian.

"No human should be able to compete with one of my people... How did you do that?" she snarled, twirling her spear.

"If you stop attacking me, I'll tell you." Lucian smiled, trying to de-escalate.

"I won't risk my people being found by your masters." she lunged again, the blade parrying, before moving in for a stab. The gorgon rolled out of the way, slashing at Lucian's calf muscle. He winced, turning around and his foot connecting with her skull. Her head hit the ground briefly before she flipped up, blood dripping from her nose.

"Just let me explain, you war hungry lunatic!" Lucian snapped, clenching his fists.

"Not until I prove that their spies will never break our defences." The gorgon glared, making another attack attempt. She knocked the back of the spear against Lucian's head, disorientating him enough to follow up with a stab into his right arm. Lucian dropped the tantō, shouting out in pain. The gorgon kicked the back of his leg, making him fall to his knees. She swung the spear around, holding the blade to his neck.

"Well go on then. Might as well be now." Lucian's entire demeanour changed as he moved slightly closer to the blade, confusing the gorgon.

"You... You wish for death?" she asked, trying to understand what he was doing.

"No. But it doesn't scare me. You've got a choice now. I'm one of the few people that can help you get back at the Gods that hurt your ancestors, cursing your entire bloodline, so you can kill me and lose that chance. Or. You can give me a chance." Lucian looked up at her. The gorgon hesitated.

"Sisters. Bind the stranger. And bring him with us." She looked up at the trees, two others dropping from their branches. They wrapped his wrists in rope, dragging him forwards.

"My name's Lucian since you didn't care to ask." Lucian smirked, following the woman he'd fought.

"I'm Maya." she answered, continuing onwards through the forest.