The Prodigies: The Return of Equinox

Chapter Thirty-Five - Fated: Reemergence

The group had reached the center of the Quil Valley before too long. And in the center they had found quite the number of graves. Enough for a small village, and all for people who shared the same name.

"The Quil Valley is what you people have called it?" Asked Core.

"As far as I know." Replied Garvhoz.

"I remember now of a valley that my elders have told me of. One that was cursed by a god to be one filled with lifetimes of loneliness. I think this is that such valley."

"What do you mean?" Asked Noromac.

"It was the Goddess of the Strong, who when asked by her son, cursed a man and the valley in which they were. I do not know the details of the curse, but it does have an end. This is all I know."

"What do you mean? Vera would not curse a man or a valley! Gorund would never ask for such a thing onto another. If he were to deal with a foe he would deal with arms rather than words or magic. Never would he invoke the wrath of his mother."

"Exactly why is it that you defend the honor of a long deceased half-measure god." Alegna asked. "Clearly he sounds no more than a spoiled brat. No better than you it seems."

"I do not have the time to play with your games, Tree! We have a mission to complete. I'll deal with you after that!"

"Look here!" Noromac called out. The group rushed to him. They found an old man. Not alive, but he was there. He showed no signs of rot yet. He might have died just then, perhaps even before they had reached the valley.

"Looks like our job is done without need for us to come along." Alegna chuckled.

"I'd disagree." As they turned around they found Riah swinging a long chain with a long blade attached to the end. "How strong are you all?"

"Riah?" Noromac tried reaching out towards her, but she stepped back and started swinging the chain faster.

"How strong are you all?"

"Quite." Answered Core.

"That's all I needed to hear." With a flick of Riah's wrist the blade at the end of the chain flew towards Noromac. Noromac had no time to react and stood frozen as the blade came to him. He inhaled sharply and closed his eyes prepared for the impact but felt none at all.

"Looks like I still need practice with this body. Unfortunate." The blade missed Noromac's neck by inches. Noromac snapped out of the daze he was in. He reached for the twin scabbards that hung sideways at the base of his spine. He pulled out the knives that he ran away from home with. The last pieces of home that he carried with him. Dagger and knife, each with a purpose, and each with a predetermined use. The knife was of a sturdier make and was better for defensive action, while the dagger was sharper and was the deadliest of the pair. One cutting edge and one double edged.

Alegna grew their bow and arrows and prepared for their fight, but there was a difference. Up until now, the bows they had made were more flexible than the one Alegna had made just then. This bow would require a bit more power to pull back than the one that they usually employed.

Garvhoz reached for his sword and new shield he had been given by order of one of the High Council. The shield was slightly larger than he was used to, and was not of the more modern style he had grown accustomed to. The ones he trained with and used were mostly circular and had somewhat of a half dome on the front that aided in parrying and making it harder to be jarred by a powerful swing. This shield was more diamond shaped, and had a pronounce curve that wouldn't allow any large swings to make contact without sliding off the shield.

Core, on the other hand, just raised his arms to be parallel to the ground. He was the only weapon he needed.

"Are you the new Quillian?" Garvhoz growled.

"Yes, but that's not my name."

"Then what is your name?"

"The same as the ones on those gravestones."

"I remember of your name." Core moved towards the Quillian.

"I heard you challenged Gorund. And failed horribly."

"Maybe so, but I can beat him soon enough."

"What do you mean 'soon enough'?" Asked Garvhoz

"If I grow strong enough then Gorund will return to our world and we'll have a fight that will allow me to finally kill him."

"What are you talking about? Why would you want to do that?"

"I wanted to prove that we don't need the gods or demigods."

"But the goddess Vera cursed you didn't she? Is this part of her curse."

"I guess you could say that because of a god that I have been given the chance to kill her son. But in order to do that I need to fuel my strength with that of others'."

"So you grow stronger with the deaths of others? Quite the morbid curse." Said Core

"You could say that, but I do this so I will be at the mercy of gods and their children no more. That is my only wish now. To rid myself of this pain of constantly fighting and dying only to come back and do it all over again."

"I promise you one thing Quillian!" Shouted Garvhoz

"And what would that be?"

"You will grow no stronger as long as I live."

"Sounds about as empty as the words of gods, tell me. Do you worship them?"

"I live my life as is dictated by Gorund. The man you wish to kill will haunt you in my form, I declare it."

"If Gorund could see you, would you think he would be proud?"

"Excuse me? I've followed his teachings better than any who have come before me!"

"Have you ever heard of the man who most impressed Gorund? The one who was said to truly understand what it meant to be strong?"

"Of course! It was..." the realization had hit Garvhoz harder than any physical blow.

"Yes, it is me. The one who dared challenge the deities of our world. Are you prepared to do the same? Killing me is in direct offense of their wishes, don't you know? Vera cursed me to fight and die until I became strong enough to kill her son in battle. She cursed me and her son to a fight that would only allow me to come out as the victor. Are you prepared to fight for the honor of gods and their son who would allow such a thing?"