The Azamguhl

Grandfather

Now, I honestly expected this year would be the same boring thing as always, but I'm glad it wasn't. You see, it started when my grandfather gave me something very special. A red dagger, or as it was known as the Azamghul as he called it. Now you might be thinking, "Whoa dude, like it's just a red dagger man." And no dude, it's totally not just a red dagger man.

Apparently, this dagger was supposed to unleash some sort of ancient power, if the user was in great enough need, and deserved such power. My grandfather had carried this dagger on many different occasions but never once had he awoken the daggers power. Maybe he wasn't worthy of such a thing. Grandma used to tell me stories of him stealing and looting from innocents, so maybe that was why.

In case you're wondering about me, well I'm Blake. I'm 15, and where I'm from, school doesn't begin until you're 17. What a luxury you might think, but oh it was not fun. You had to start work at age 11, mining or farming, usually you follow into what your father does. Well, my father was an adventurer, so I somehow managed to follow in his footsteps. It started with him telling me stories about caves and dungeons, then him showing me some of his most famous relics. Such had included helmets that had not been forged in ages, or a sword with ancient markings on it. But it was his father, who truly had the adventurous talent.

My grandfather was the one who found the mythical blade. His name was Abe, and he was only 16 when he founded the weapon. He had told the story so many times before. Abe was fighting in the war, and was running from the enemy. He found a cave and wandered inside, hoping to escape the bad guys. Since he couldn't really go anywhere except further into the depths of the cave, he did so. It smelled of sulfur and sensed of death. There were cracked bones loitering the ground as he walked further into the depths. Tombs and coffins lay lined up in shelves. Some were cracked open with skeletons hanging out and others had the lid closed. Abe covered his nose with his shirt to cover the stench. He came upon a little alter before a metal door.

Perched upon the ground near the alter was a dead body, not yet rotting. Probably came in to hide as well and passed away. He was wearing fur armor and one of his hands grasped an item close to his heart. Abe knelt down to get a close look at the hand. He gently opened the fingers and out tumbled an iron claw. It weighed about 10 pounds for as small as it was. There were 3 symbols lined vertically on it. A whale like figure, a serpent, and last was a bear. He picked up the claw and studied it.

Then Abe looked at the metal door, and figured the claw was a key of sorts. He stood up and looked at the alter. There was a lock, with 3 openings. 'Perfect for the claw.' Abe thought. Then slid in the claw, and turned it clockwise. There was a loud creaking noise and the door roared. It slowly began to lift up. Dust and cobwebs waking from a deep sleep as they get disconnected from the door. There was a new smell, not as much death like but, more of a awakening smell. Abe grabbed the claw from the socket and took a deep breath. He ventured forward, unknowing the path he had laid out for himself.