Part1
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With the words from the Empyrean Reaper echoing in my mind, clearly holding to the very core of my heart, I knew after the last task that I couldn’t let the heavens down again. I knew I would have to do much preparation before I could consider even going about this task and acting out of impulse.
I walked out of the Empyrean Reapers chambers where I had been granted the meeting with her and the Arch of Wisdom, my chosen sponsor for the second time. My mind had roamed over the previous task I had failed to complete briefly, I was driven to not let the Empyrean Reaper down again, I had made it clear that I would keep trying until I was deemed worthy, as I opened my wings outside in the soft breeze, I decided this time it was going to have to be a different tactic.
My wings carried me to the chambers of where many scrolls of parchment containing the war of Eternal Conflict and it’s history, if I could find out more information of the vital importance of this sword, perhaps the knowledge would serve me a much better chance of not failing and being able to retrieve the Dawnbreaker for the high heavens.
I opened the doors leading to the historic knowledge chambers of where you could see many scrolls and wondered over to the historical section of the high heavens that had been kept for many years, I had decided to search for knowledge of before I was an angel, hoping it would guide me.
I pulled out the words written long ago on many parchments and scrolls, familiarising my mind with the background knowledge, there had to be a key or a location that could be where I could begin my search for the Dawnbreaker.
After picking up the the old parchment scrolls of our history, I brought them over to the table, flicked on the lights nearby and began to read about the previous wars, what had happened long before I had become an angel, whilst my eyes scanned the information, my right hand was equipped with a feather carved carefully with its very tip to be allowed for its pen-ship, the tip was then dipped in the nearby ink pot, and soon my hand was noting down the old names and locations of the history of places that I could visit to search for clues to the sword, my notes were written on a fresh blank piece of parchment away from the historical scrolls on the other side of the table to refrain from any damage being caused.
This wasn’t going to be a quick motion, if I had to spend all night listing the names of former historical mortal realms I should check out, I would.
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Part 2
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It took around two days in mortal timing to find a list of places to visit and scope out each one to see where I could possibly find hints of any notable areas that could be holding such trials for the sword to be hidden away.
I had crossed various places off my list as I briefly visited some barren mortal lands, others no longer existing at all so I couldn’t even visit to scope the lands or find anything that would allow any access, and with a heavy heart I was not really finding anything to connect me to what I was after. I only had one place left I could go.
Remembering the words spoken to me by the Empyrean Reaper, this wasn’t going to be a simple easy task of walking into the realm and then coming back with the sword and handing it over, I would need to prepare for the absolute anything that could be thrown my way.
So I spent the next few days perfecting my lunarsteel armour, sharpening my swords known as midnight that I carried everywhere with me, I took time to prepare many potions, stoneskin, vials of haste, and some others to enable me to have the best preparation possible for this very next lead to any daunting place I was about to visit.
In the high heavens where my quarters resided, I had also placed my treasured music playing on its little speaker, a song came to play as I carried on using the sharpening stone on my swords, their once dull edge needed to be revived.
Faintly in the background you could hear the lyrics of the song I had playing in the background as I continued my task at hand of making all my equipment was perfect.
“So I would watch and listen and try to learn
As pieces and bits became whole
But there is more going on than the work at hand
What I learned had to do with the strength of the soul
There's a light that shines
And it's power is mine!
Though our body's weak and breakable
The spirit is indomitable!”
It was a song that talked about many messages, the faint female voice was comforting through the speaker whilst I carried on running the sharpening stone over my swords edge, taking my time to make sure I could cut through almost anything when it would be the right time to leave.
When the blades felt perfectly sharp and no longer dull from the edge, I knew this as I ran a finger over one of the blades and made a small cut on my finger, letting the blood be shown. I began to look over other preparations. Once my armour and everything I would need was as the very best of its durability, I finally felt I could close my eyes for some much needed rest as the music continued to softly play in the background of my heavenly quarters, I took some comforting rest knowing that the real journey would begin in only a matter of mortal hours.
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Part 3
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My early morning expression hardens into a glare of determination. My soft silver eyes narrowing as I looked at my awaiting armour and I sat up from the nights rest. "If I'm going to get anywhere, I have to start looking for information." I continue to talk aloud to myself, even as the other angel I shared a heavenly quarters with looked over, bewildered, having no idea why I am talking to myself. I didn't care though, this daunting task was weighing heavily on my heart.
I swung my legs out of the bed and I made myself scarce to the bathroom and began running the hot water for a much needed shower.
I disposed of the yesterday’s garments having gone to rest for the night still very much wearing the dress I formally wore to meet the Empyrean Reaper, It had marks from where I had bled a little from checking the sharp edges of my swords to being the sharpness I deemed perfect.
When I turned the shower on the sounds of the hot water running in this crystal bathroom was a soothing morning sound.
A short shower later and my damp cleanly washed hair tied in a braid to keep away from my face, I walked back into the bedroom and found the right garments to where for what would come of today.
With my backpack behind me and my armour all safely equipped, I finally walked out of the angelic chambers, I continue to grumble to myself softly as I march passed each hardworking angelic being. Every one of them was doing something productive or mentoring those who needed the extra help, trying to ignore me to focus on their work and disapproving of my walking making noise as I went passed them, and here I was groaning softly about the task I had been given in my mind.
I soon opened another door and was outside on the white marbled high heavens floor, the gold softly glittering in the clear skies. I spread each of my angelic wings wide, stretching them. I posed my body carefully, as I was about to somersault through the heavens, placing a foot forward and my body composure showing I was about to take off and fly, I pause for but a minute, I prayed that I would be able to do what was asked of me, still as a statue besides my clothes, feathers, and soft strands of hair that was beginning to dry from the shower, flowing with the wind, trying to clear my mind.
I then ran forward diving off the edge of the soft white marble and my wings fluttered as I traveled through the air.
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Part 4
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The last remaining potential key that could be linked to the whereabouts of the Dawnbreaker where very slim, although I had read nothing in the history scrolls of the sword or its prior location and had nothing to use to sufficiently locate this importance, there was a place mentioned in a mortal realm that I remembered reading over on a scroll, this location had stories of many mortals who climbed the mountain and never made it back, the land was soaked in the blood and death of many innocent lives that could of been spared.
Some mortals would climb for the greed of the rumors for the treasure hidden deep within, some had climbed this mountain purely at curiosity and had lost their lives the moment they had climbed to the top.
I knew I would need to find this location and this task of finding out truly of what had happened to the lives lost was my only thought that it could be home to the Prime Evil’s demonic forces, but no one could confirm or deny my suspicions, after all no one had lived to tell the tale of this place or where to find it.
My wings carried me down to the surface of the mortal realm, breaking through the clouds and upon the surface I was greeted by rainfall and a small village, secluded and hidden away, the weather turning from clear blue skies in the heavenly realm to the damp humid air and strong rainfall, I decided tonight I would stay in the mortal realm and hope to find the location I was looking for.
I landed at this wooded place, tucking my wings from view and wanting to appear as another mortal I used magic to make it possible, I walked into the rainfall and held my backpack over my head to shield me from most of the wet weather.
As I walked in the puddles of rain, I noticed the building with the warm lights on, the soft glow emitting from the window frames, I walked closely over to this building, this village was surrounded by vast forest, it would be totally unknown unless you knew of where it was.
I noticed the sign outside of warm orange and yellow glowed light, the sign was worn and had seen better days, it was an Inn. I opened the rustic door with a slight crackling sound, I placed my backpack back on my back before making myself known on the wooded floorboards of the inn reception, I admired the golden bell on the nearby desk, the fireplace was newly lit and warm to my cold rained on clothing. I was beginning to feel the heat start flushing my pale skin back to color.
As the sign indicated by the golden bell to ring for service, I pressed down on it twice, a little eager but I hoped this inn would have enough room for me to spare one night in this mortal realm.
Soon enough the innkeeper was talking to me in a gruff voice “Do you know how late it is?” He looked me up and down when he made the remark and noticed that I wasn’t usually the type to visit. “Well girl have you got a voice?” He further asked me as I stood there a little in shock with his unpleasant voice of me bothering him this night.
“I only need a bed for one night if there is no trouble?” I asked the man gently hoping that he wouldn’t mind.
The man noticed I only had a backpack with me, and grabbed one of the room keys, then I watched him place some details in a book, before closing it. “Check out is midday tomorrow.” He let me know, clearly not in the best of moods.
“Thank you” my voice retorted gently, I was ready to climb the stairs to locate my room on the upper levels when the man began to lead the way as he walked around the desk to lead me.
“We usually don’t get visitors anymore… People only come here to climb the mountain and never get seen again.” I remained quiet listening to the man continuing the chatter as he soon walked across the hall and opened the door towards the room.
He held the door so it was open so I could get acquainted, I was about to thank the mortal gentleman but a question came to mind before I could, “I am looking for the mountain actually, do you know where to go from here?” I softly spoke and the man gazed up and down at me before answering, “You want to follow the trails out of the village and it will lead you to a deserted path. You probably won’t make it back out of there if you plan to go to the summit of that mountain. It’s got the nickname of death mountain for a reason.” I took the information on board and smiled at the gentleman, “I am looking for the temple not the actual summit, I love history and have been told it’s something you shouldn’t miss.” my body language relaxed as I walked over to place my backpack on the bad after speaking to him.
“Thank you.” I continued as the man placed my room key on the table, “Good luck, if you make it back.” he said in his once returned gruff annoyed voice, his back to me as he closed the door to go back down to whatever he was doing before.
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Part 5
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Unpacking my backpack softly with the essentials, toiletries and a few things I would need for the evening, I also dug out the parchment I had made notes on, ignoring the scribbles of the other places, I wanted to make sure I understood the directions from the innkeeper and so I had a fresh mind for the notes in the morning, looking to the side of the room there was a table and a pen, and some form of guest commentary book on the table along with a room light which I switched on, I walked over to grab the pen and with the book already being open I noticed so many people had come to this place, a lot of names, my mind drifted to hope that some of the mortal names of those listed were still alive before closing the book and placing the parchment on the top cover so I could use the pen to make a note of the directions the innkeeper had told me, I leaned down and briefly made the notes of directions and decided that was all I could do for the night.
When I dropped the pen down, I decided to turn back to my backpack and pull out a change of clothing and quickly sorted a protection spell to make sure I was safe for the night and able to get rest to be full of bright energy for the morning and what would be awaiting me.
After a quick wash with the ensuite and quick comb to my white hair, I was soon in the bed provided at the inn, of course it wasn’t like the luxury of the high heavens and the beautiful soft silk sheets, but it would do for one nights rest.
I turned to lie on my right side, my eyes could faintly see the silver light from the mortal realms moon, and before I knew it I had succumbed to whatever rest I could get for the one night I was here.
When I heard the cry of the morning birds song, my eyes darted open, I had tossed and turned a little in the night, my angelic side could sense this pending task and it was clearly in the back of my mind, so eventually I had given up on resting anymore, I had watched the sunrise begin the day and decided my best course of action to this location I was going to be taking.
I knew I had to follow the directions I was given to get to the deserted path that lead to the trail, once I had formed my inner plan, I began to pack away what I had gotten out of my backpack that night, used a little more magic to make myself appear mortal just until I managed to be able to fly and make the speed of my journey much quicker.
I soon opened the door to the inn’s room and headed back down the flight of stairs, I hadn’t got any mortal means of cash for the room, so I decided to pay the man for my room with a small bag of diamonds, I had crafted 30 perfect diamonds recently on the gemcutting table, and I placed them in the silk soft bag to thank him for the room with a little note as it was still the very early hours of the morning.
I then located the front door I had entered the night before and I opened it, thankfully the weather had remained dry, but I knew it was going to be a warm day, the skies were clear and the humidity was soon to rise.
I walked the mortal pace, I followed myself out of the woods as I came around the corner to what seemed to be the beginning of the deserted path, I couldn’t see anything ahead other than the long upward climb, I could feel a slight perspiration to my skin as I had walked, I was much more of an angel who preferred to fly, but for the sakes of leaving this mortal village I wanted to make sure I fit the part even briefly.
Once my feet had carried me far enough and the village was soon deeply hidden from the mortal eyes, I knew I could let the disguise fade away, and begin the more serious journey of this place, I placed my backpack on a rock, began to prepare myself, something deep within brightness could feel the despair and blood of the innocent already taken in ways that would be hard to form into words, the air smelled of hatred and anguish that the demonic forces from Prime Evil lived for.
I placed my beloved midnight swords in a strapped sheath behind me, returning my backpack on my back, my angelic feathered wings stretched out and fluttered softly, the heat of the day was becoming more clear and rising with the humidity from the rain the night before, deciding that I was going to fly to the entrance of this mountain and use the skies to scope out the location before me, I knew from the air I would get my bearings the best.
I ran forward with my feet before using the force of my wings to carry my body back up into the air, they fluttered in the warm breeze as I flew up the mountain trail, It was as I began to fly up the trail, I noticed mortal remains, mortal bones, the bodies seem to become more frequent as I got higher up the mountain trail, along with the heat, it was starting become suffocating, the pain of seeing these lives gone so swiftly along with the heat of the depths of the mountain, it brought sadness to my face.
When I spot the small opening to what seemed to be inside the mountain, I circled my wings around the mountain to check for anything including demons, once I felt the coast was clear for now, I flew down to land my feet towards the entrance, as my feet touched my ground, I got a sense of dread lingering over my body, I was about to step forward to enter the crater of this mountain where the fires and heat of hell flushed my skin red, but as I made my first step forward I heard a squelching sound, looking down on my lunar steel boot was bits of mortal human flesh and blood with the decaying maggots on the decomposing body part of someone’s arm. “Oh gross!” I said out loud trying to kick the body part away from me in shock, the body part had looked so fresh, it was just beginning to decompose and I had stepped right onto it.
I walked forward to the entrance trying too not let the decomposing body part get under my skin and radiate fear. I had to focus.
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Part 6
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Part 6
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The hidden temple became more clear on view as I walked closer and into the summit of the mountain, I noticed more body parts, some skeletal and others fresh and deep within, my nose filled with burning flesh, and I couldn’t bare the rotting of the bodies, I knew many had lost lives and were lured to mere rumours.
I carried on walking deeper into the abandoned temple, and soon enough I encountered my first demon, I knew if I wasn’t stealthy enough I would have to be ready for a huge fight, but if I could distract the demon for a moment and get him to move away from the spot he was guarding, I could perhaps grab the key that was firmly attached to his belt.
I noticed a rather chunky piece of rock, of course blood was smeared on it in parts but I decided to make a distraction to lure this demon to come and check out the noise, I aimed my throw to just a little way over from where I was, and soon heard a loud thud of the rock hitting the ground. As planned the demon came over instantly to check the noise, probably expecting to find nothing, but they soon noticed me, before they had a chance to raise alarms to any others I sliced their neck open, watching them struggle as the demon blood poured out like a fountain.
My eyes looking for the key for the locked door, and once I found it hanging to the demon’s waist belt, I ended his life with a fatal blow to the heart, banishing him back to the realms of hell.
The blood had splattered on my clothing, I was more concerned about it being in my white hair, “urgh it’s in my hair..” cursing under my breath how much I hated blood being in my hair and the thought of washing my long white hair especially when it covered in demon blood that took at least several shampoos was not something I was looking forward to going home to.
The key I had retrieved held tightly in my hands as I walked deeper into the temple and came across a door on the left and a door on the right. I tried the handle on the left door and it gave way quite easily, I stepped into the room after pushing the door open, to find a gruesome torture cell, I could see parts of mortals, some still hanging whilst the bottom half of their torso was completely dismembered, the walls were red and a dark brown, Indicating fresh blood and dried hardened blood, the mortal bodies look like they were tortured in a lot of anguish before deemed the worst death possible.
The room was bleak, nothing but a candle light, “I’m so sorry.” I spoke to the entire room, whoever had done this clearly had their fun, it sickened my heart, noticing nothing else but the dead body parts, half dead mortals hanging from meat hooks, I turned to leave the room, as I once again closed the door my mind spoke a prayer for the victims that had been enticed here, “I hope we can bring you peace, on behalf of the High Heavens I shall do all I can to know that you all didn’t die in vain.” My voice was soft and low as I closed my eyes, I didn’t think I would ever get that kind of scenery out of my head for a while.
Noticing the door straight ahead, which would have been the right door, I walked over and tried the handle, “Hmmph” I said out loud as I discovered the door was locked. “At least I have a key!” I said mumbling under my breath as I put the key in the lock and soon enough opened the next room so that I could step into it.
My footsteps made it into what seemed like an abandoned main room, the heat was still radiating through out this temple and it wasn’t long before I could hear the dreaded crunch of bones under my feet being broken, more people had died.
I walked around the big room, I could see some doors to my far right of this room and I could see high ceilings that had some unique architecture, as I walked around the room, I was grateful for the lights of the candles being on certain holders and chandeliers that illuminated my way forward. As I walked central down towards the back of the room, it was there something shiny caught my eye, I noticed a dark pedestal, and a sword lodged deeply inside.
“The Dawnbreaker!” I exclaimed loudly and my voice could of been heard, I was excited and hoping for a situation of grabbing and going as quick as I could, but of course that would never be the easy path I was given.
The sword was held in a room that was being held up by chains, it looked narrow and it was hard to see where the steps were to climb up and retrieve the sword, I lowered my gaze to look around the room in the limited lighting to try and find a way up there.
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Part 7
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Soon I was greeted by the sounds of footsteps, clearly my loud voice had signified that I had chosen to dive deep into this temple and had alerted those foul demons, with torches illuminating the stairs on the far side of the left of this room, I noticed in the shadows the demons who were running to me and I had to find a way to get through this matter.
I acted quickly dowsing my body in a reactive armour spell, and protection, I grabbed out the small pocket nearest to my blades, a vial of haste and swigged the contents quickly down my throat.
“Looks like we have a new meal on the table boys!” The ring leader of the demons called out eyeing me up, but when my wings sprouted into a defence stature and my eyes were glaring at the ones who had come in the room, I was positive I would be fine with this battle, “Get her!” One of the young demons shouted and soon enough war began amongst myself and the demons, I sent a flame strike harshly down on the nearest demon before slicing his throat with my hidden knife from the side of of my hip, with my back turned I was hit over the head by something and it hurt, but I managed to turn to face the one who had hurt me and use an energy bolt to push him away leaving him banished from me.
Another demon came charging to my right side as I was focusing on the energy bolt and went to slash for my neck, I had to duck out the way, crouching down I drew my swords and plunged it into the heart of the demon.
After I had pulled out my beloved midnight swords out of the demon I had turned around to see another two demons coming for me, muttering the words of the poison spell I cast them both as they got closer, only to watch them to begin to choke and their face going so red and puffy, they started to cough as they staggered forward to me, then their faces went blueish from the lack of oxygen, they knelt down to try and catch their breath, I walked over and used my swords as I came closer to this pair of new demons and cast their heads off with my blades to make a statement to the remaining demons, banishing them back to the depths of hell.
Once all of the demons coming after me were finally banished back to the depths of hell, I had counted about 25 of them in total, I scanned around the room once more to look for a way to the sword’s chained room, my breath was sharp, I definitely had a few battle wounds, but I still had managed to hold myself up and keep motivated.
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Part 8
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It was after the battle that I softly looked towards the illuminated far side of the room and found a broken stairwell, I ran forward and began running up what I thought could of been the original stairs. Once I had reached as far as I could go, I decided to fly the rest of the way up this room in the temple, my black and red valour wings spread beautifully, I had finally made it to the room of chains holding the sword.
The chains were still holding this sword in place, as I landed near the pedestal I began to use my own blades to try and sever the chains that were holding the sword in its place.
“I wouldn’t try that If I was you.” I heard a voice behind me speak in my ear, I turned to face the voice when I realised someone else was stood in front of me. “Oh for goodness sakes…” my voice retorted back to the figure I now could see had clearly appeared in front of me, “you want to fight too?” I continued as I looked at them.
With a twisted smile on the unknown figures face, they clicked the fingers and used the sword from the pedestal and the chains had gone from binding it in, I could see the runes illuminating bright red as they pointed the sword at me.
I drew my midnight blades, determined that this must of been the sacred sword, I guess I would have to fight this monster.
I then ran at the figure, and our swords clashed immediately, whilst they tried to flamestrike me with their spare hand, I had managed to move out the way and do some damage, but the flames had also managed to scorch my wings, it hurt painfully, I did cry out loudly when I felt it.
The figure then lifted the sword for another attack, I rolled out the way and managed to come behind the figure that had the sword stuck momentarily, I did as much damage as I could with my midnight blades and attacked the back of what I could see.
Eventually a piercing scream was heard, I couldn’t tell what kind of demon or monster this was, as they banished away, the runes that were glowing red on the sword began to glow a pure white, it sucked all the darkness away, and became purified, the blade had a slight glow of light.
Once the blade was purified it made a loud clang on the floor, as I picked it up, it felt different, I gazed over the runes on the blade and realised this was the sword I was looking for.
The temple also began to brighten, like a new day had started, the darkness seemed to be leaving this location, I held on to the sword and sprouted my wings once again, flying out of their and making it back to the high heavens.
I had achieved my task and gained the sword the Empyrean Reaper had asked of me, now it was time to return it.