It had been another day of struggle against the mystical creatures of the forest, that it led me to the shores to steal a moment of peace. It had been three long years of continuous fight. My body seemed to retire from these engagements for the first time. After leaving my squad for just a moment, I found myself contemplating along the shores.
"Alas! I am hearing those sweet and gentle yet feeble songs of the birds pattering just above me, finding their refuge for the coming storm. After all that I've encountered this day, finally, sweet repose!", I jubilantly whispered to myself.
It's weird that despite of the noise the angry sky and the furious sea attempted to arouse my awareness, it seemed my eyes were so heavy. The coolness of the sea breeze and the subtle chirps of the birds succeeded in making me slumber.
Moments have passed. I sensed the coldness of the air had become more bitter around me as the night drew near. The storm had finally passed. Calm sounds of the waves were heard as they ran back and forth at the outskirts of Taborea.
Rejuvenation seemed to manifest in my body for I sensed my health and mana were somewhat replenished, though I admit that I still feel some bits of exhaustion. Moreover, some sort of pain were being felt with my eyes that when I tried to raise my head to catch a glimpse of the sea, I was surprised by a blurry silhouette of a being standing in front of me.
"Oh, no! Not another encounter!", I exclaimed to myself. "My army is a mile away from here.."
I abruptly reached out for my potions bag for a "Blind" cure, but was shocked to know that the last potion was already used up when I fought a deadly medusa back in the forest. Desperate as I was, even though stumbled by the extruded roots, I got up and extended for my sword and shield just a couple of steps behind me and hurriedly faced the coming opponent.
"You will never get me, you strange creature!", I shouted at the seemingly unusual being as I geared up my "Enhanced Armor" (increasing my armor stats) and "Holy Shield" (giving me an ability to block all physical damage).
I was doubly surprised when that creature silently came closer that it seems I could touch its face and yet my hands seemed to be as hard as a stone that I couldn't even move a muscle.
"I've cast 'Shadow Prison' on you (this skill disables the target from moving or using a skill for seconds). It seems you still have the effect of a 'Blind' skill. Here, take this.", a seemingly familiar voice gently pronounced as she grabbed my right arm and handed over a potion.
"Welcome home my dear..", she said with a caressing voice. "I apologize I have to use that skill, for I know how aggressive you are. The potion won't hold that much, but it should regain some of your strength and clear your visions."
Struck by her feminine finesse, not even a word came out of me. However, just by mere glaring at her round soft cheeks and her cute little eyes, I think I was looking at a face of an angel.
"Irene, it is so good to see your pretty face once again.", finally I sounded out. To me, Irene is always the woman. Everyday as I woke up, she was always on my mind. Seeing her once again just made my heart jump for extreme contentment and joy! "You didn't change a bit. How are you?", I asked with a dozen more questions. We sat together on a log, reminiscing the past, rekindling the emotions we already have for each other. Hours have passed, but it seemed it was just a few minutes.
"How's Taborea? I bet it has changed a lot since I left.", I asked, pertaining to our hometown. Shades of gloom and fear suddenly overpowered the once cheerful countenance I'd just looked upon.
"Father had died just a couple of months after you left for the crusade. You leaving me was indeed a hard part for me, but my father leaving me all alone had added up the pain and sorrow that's been there inside." she said in a melancholic voice. Not even a word came out of me. I just felt that words could not comfort her, so I held her in my arms. Tears fell from her eyes, as she embraced me so tightly. I was relieved when at last her sobbing finally stopped.
The intensity of the situation sunk deep into my heart. How terrible things had turned out. "What if I hadn't left, would things be different?", I asked myself. Suddenly, my body dropped on the sand half-conscious as if strength had left me.
Irene noticed my condition at once that she hurriedly summoned a golem to carry and escort me to a spot where nostalgia seems to linger. The place was a familiar place, a once rendezvous of bonds. She took me to a fine resting bed. I tried to recall what this place is, but as I reminisce these things, fatigue forced me to fall into a deep slumber once again.
"Eric, I am really happy to see you back! And I hope you're feeling good right now..", a manly voice uttered. "Just stay there.", he said as he raised his arms and cast some skills. I soon realized that it was 'Heal' (restoring one's health points) and 'Cleanse' (removing harmful effects of any skill from the target).
At an instant, strength and vigor dominated my whole being once again. As he came closer, my vision was welcomed by a very close friend I haven't seen for a long time, my former companion in every encounter.
Watson, Irene, and I were childhood friends. We grew up in Taborea together, but I was forced to be apart due to the sprouted war. I led an army for a crusade to redeem a distant colony, but was extended for duty due to some diplomatic complications.
"Have you already heard what has happened to Taborea?"he asked. "Yes I do", I replied.
"Hmm.. It is a wicked world, and when a clever man turns his brain to crime it is the worst of all.", I murmured to myself. As I fell into deep thinking, Irene held my hand and with a glance of confidence, she whispered, "Dear, we can do this together, don't you worry."
"What should we do then and how will we do it, having the fact that darkness seems to overshadow the whole region? It is quite impossible to overthrow Moriarty from his throne with his vast and loyal armies.", Watson inquired with great curiosity.
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the way. You know my methods, Watson!", I responded. "Good thing I still have a number of skilled fighters."
Glances of more curiosity were seen on the face of Watson. But were somewhat enlightened when I started my speech.
"Watson, we need data! I cannot create bricks without clay! When we act on something, let it be based on a solid argument and evidences. Give me some time, I will be addressing with that matter.", I declared. "Watson, could you do me a favor please? Could you go to this place, where my army is resting, and hand this letter to Lestrade, my trusted Captain. That should calm them, for they might be searching for me by now."
"No problem, Eric!", Watson answered.
"Let it be in status quo for now.", I responded.
Having beside me my one true love made each day of my life more colorful than before. Irene and I spent each nights lying on the grass gazing at the stars, with her slender body being wrapped around with my arms. Waking up another day knowing that there's someone ready to love and care for me had always been my source of power. We then found ourselves strolling around the forest, with our hands held together.
Meanwhile, we tried to show to the city everyday as any ordinary day. Watson did his ritual heal and enhancement to anyone who wishes to be healed. Irene did her routine, training some newbie Mage. While my presence was not yet known to the majority of the Taborean world, I did use my 'Hide' skill, taught by Irene when we were still young, to accumulate enough information regarding Moriarty and his armies.
Everything went out just as planned. I was captured by a group of five soldiers, bound in chains. I was brought into Taborea at around the deepest part of the night, when the only light shining on the road was the light of the moon. About eight camps we're passed by our carriage until it finally came to a stop at a small opening on the Taborean wall. Three consecutive whistles were heard, and a door concealed with vines opened in front of us.
"Were the goods already there?", a husky voice asked. "We have a dozen today.", his comrade replied.
"We shouldn't delay our transactions, General M. would be greatly disappointed. And this will cost us thousands of golds.", followed by the first voice.
"Just as I've thought!", I exclaimed to myself. With the artistic, evasive, and persuasive skills I've inherited from my mother, the late High Scout of Taborea, I managed to persuade the other creatures to create a riot. This led the attending guard to come inside the cell to check for the situation.
"This is our chance!", I declared to my fellow prisoners. Right there and then, the guard was seized, giving each of us the freedom we'd longing for.I then took off my disguises and returned to my real state.
I and Irene secretly crept towards the king's inner court. It was a majestic room filled with all the precious gems of the region. The ceiling and walls were all covered with silver and gold linings. Huge chandeliers and magnificent fixtures were evident. Yet with all its grandeur, an ambiance of gloom was manifested all throughout the place.
As we came closer and closer to the king's room, my heart was pounding so hard.
The door opened, and as we entered the quite room, there lay a body of a dead man, having the form of Moriarty. Just by mere looking at the body, the incidence just took place about a couple of hours ago, and the tool used was a tiny speck of wood pinned at the back of his head. Poison had indeed killed the man, for signs of rashes were manifested just around the wound.
"Who could have done this?", I asked myself.
With quite a number of questions on my mind, confused as I am, I was comforted when Irene wrapped her arms around me. "At least, Taborea is safe now..", she whispered with a feeling of relief and joy.
4 Comments
