AkazilliaDeNaro
2015-12-28, 03:30 PM
I started writing a story a while back.
You might have seen my posts asking about mythological artifacts.
Anyway, I started writing it, and I wanted some feedback.
So. Here. We. GO!
Collectors and Protectors
http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u398/AkazilliaDeNaro/Reliquary%20Box.jpg
Image courtesy of my friend who drew it for me.
Chapter 1
James Lewis Iverson
It all began one night thirteen years ago, well near as I can figure it was thirteen years ago. I was 22 at the time and lying in bed trying to sleep, staring at the ceiling when a ball of white light appeared right where I was staring at on the ceiling. I blinked a couple of times to check if it was real, seeing as it should be brightening my room but wasn’t. It floated down to my face, and spoke to me in a language I had never heard before but could understand perfectly.
I can’t remember the words it used but I can remember what it asked me.
“If you had the power, would you use it?”
I had no idea what it meant, I still don’t actually. But, I knew beyond reason, that the answer was yes. So that is what I said.
“Yes.”
It then flew into my face and disappeared, and I immediately felt the worst pain i've ever experienced, as if I were being electrocuted over and over in different spots for a hundred years compressed into a single moment, and blacked out.
When I awoke it was already at least 9:00am, I could tell because my bed faces the window and from 9:00-10:30 am the sun shines directly into my eyes. Looking closer at the position of the sun, I assumed it to be about 10:00 am.
I got up and went to the sink to brush my teeth and looked in the mirror. When I did, I noticed a light in the center of my pupils. When I looked deeper into them, it vanished, I figured I had imagined it so I went on with my day. Brushed my teeth, took a shower, ate breakfast, and then left for work, all of which is unimportant to this tale.
On my way to work I usually pass by an abandoned house but this time when I came to it I had an irresistible urge to walk inside. I entered and walked through as if I had been there all my life. I knew exactly which boards were rotten and which were solid. I walked as if in a trance. I went to the basement door and walked down stairs, It should have been pitch black, and it might have been, but I could still sense where everything was so well that I didn’t even slow down. I got to the bottom of the stairs and continued walking, until I found a small wooden box about the size of a shoebox. When I picked it up, I could feel something... powerful... pulsing inside of it. I had an urge to leave. I decided against it and opened the box. Inside was a set of thirteen differently shaped stones each about the size of a golf ball, all resting on a leather-bound black book, with a rolled up circular cloth pressed against one side. I decided I would need more room to examine these and closed the box. I also decided to take the day off, and went back to my apartment.
When I got back I cleared off my kitchen table, put the Box on it, and opened it. I took out the cloth first, and unrolled it upon the table. It had a strange design on it. I removed all thirteen stones and placed them on the cloth in a circle, placing each stone in a specific space in the circle. Every time I held one of the stones I could feel it pulling at me but getting nowhere, as if an ant tried to drag a mountain. Then I removed the Book, it also tried to pull at me and also got nowhere. I placed the Book in the center of the circle of stones. As I did so it seemed to snap into place. A beam of light shined upon the Book seeming to come from nowhere, It caused writing to appear on the cover of it, glowing iridescent. The writing was complex and shifting but strangely legible. The Book was titled “The Reliquary”. I could now feel it pulling at me even though I wasn’t touching it. It still had no affect on me. I decided to open and read the Book. As soon as I thought that, the Book flew open and the beam of light returned, revealing the writing in that iridescent glowing, shifting, complex language.
I began to read it.
You are The Reliquary.
You are the 22nd to inherit this title.
You are a keeper of artifacts; a harbor for the strange, and a vault for the unexplained.
You are a sealer of darkness, a destroyer of light, and a bringer of balance.
You will act without cruelty or kindness, without condemnation nor condonement.
You will be a fire of truth in a web of lies.
You will be an armory of weapons in a world at war.
You will chain the strong, hobble the quick, and lobotomize the clever.
You. Are. The Reliquary.
After that the pages flew by pouring knowledge into my head.
It told me about the history of The Reliquary. And it told me where I would find my first Artifact, the Tarnkappe, a Cloak of Invisibility. The Cloak, if I could get my hands on it, would grant me the power to turn invisible, along with enhanced strength. Which I figured would be quite useful. The Book then shut, after telling me that it would speak again if I could get the Tarnkappe without dying.
I put the Book and stones back into the Box and shut it. Then I placed my hand on the Box, closed my eyes, and recited the speech the Book had on its first page, although slightly altered, in that strange language. When I open my eyes the Box had disappeared. I knew that when I needed it again I could call it from its hiding place.
Then I went outside and started walking to my first artifact.
It took me three hours of walking to reach the city museum. When I entered I could feel the pulsing rhythm of power once again. I followed the pulse to a statue of a short man with a long beard. The statue showed him holding what appeared to be a folded cloth. I knew that cloth was the Tarnkappe.The statue seemed to be under no security, I guessed that they assumed no one would be able to lift it, or want it for that matter, so they just put a sign which read “Please do not touch the displays” in front of it.
I reached out and grabbed ahold of the sides of the stone statues face, and recited the speech in that strange language. As I did museum goers stood and stared, as the statue changed from stone to dark flesh and shining metal and black cloth. After the transformation was finished the dwarf turned in a circle looked around and its eyes settled upon me. It then spoke to me in a language that I assumed to be Old Norse, and I understood perfectly.
“Mortal I thank you for freeing me, so that I may return to my kin and-”
“I did not free you, I freed the Tarnkappe. You just came along with it. Now I would like to have it” I said cutting him off.
His face changed to rage, “You think you deserve the Tarnkappe! You think you can just imprison me agi-”
I leaned in close, cutting him off again. “Yes, yes I do.” I said snatching the cloth. Which caused him to bellow in rage, for a few seconds, before he was returned to stone.
I turned the Tarnkappe over in my hands, examining it, as security arrived.
"Sir, I am going to have to ask you to hand me the cloth, and come with me." He demanded
“No, I think I will keep it.” I said as I swung the Tarnkappe around my shoulders.
Power pulsed through my body, ancient and strong. “I think I will take my leave now.” I said to the guard. Then I vanished. I turned myself invisible and walked out.
I then walked back to my apartment, and for the first time asked myself why I was doing what I was doing. It didn’t last long, I was doing this because It had to be done.
Then I asked why I was returning home, when there was nothing left there for me. This was a good point. All I really needed was a quiet space and some privacy, in a pinch, the quiet could slide, but the privacy was important.
So, I turned down an alleyway behind an abandoned building, went into the back of the building. I lifted an overturned table back to its normal sitting position, and called forth the Box. Then I set up the Book and stones on the table.
The light and writing reappeared. I placed my hand upon the Book and it began to tell me how to properly use the Tarnkappe. It also told me where the last Reliquary died at, so I could collect his remaining Artifacts: The Thousand-Sword Sheath; Artemis’s Endless Quiver; Pwyll’s magic satchel, and The Skeleton Key. Although, getting them would prove to be difficult with my current capabilities, seeing as they were at the bottom of a lake… of lava… underground… halfway across the world.
The Book sensed my dilemma and recommended five artifacts for me.
The Seven-League Boots, which would allow me to run at supersonic speeds. Currently located on a farm in Kansas.
The Phoenix Coin, which would make me, and my equipment, immune to fire and heat of any kind. Located in New York CIty.
Caledfwlch - A powerful sword that can shed light so bright as to be blinding. Located in Northern Scotland.
The Icarus Wings - Which would grant flight as long as they did not get too hot, but with the Phoenix Coin that was unlikely to happen. Located in Germany.
Aegis - A shield that would paralyze any who would look at it. It also functioned as a one way mirror. Located in Greece.
I decided to go find the Seven-League Boots, but I encountered another problem… I was about 800 miles from my destination, and without transportation. I went to ask the Book, but it didn’t answer. So, not knowing what to do next, I packed up the Box, stashed it and left the building.
Immediately after leaving I saw a group of lowlifes following a young woman through the alley, She seemed to be about 20-21 with long straight black hair, she was wearing a white button down shirt, with a black suit jacket over it, and a long black and white checkered skirt. She must have sensed they were following her, because she started to run. Which, as it turns out, was a bad idea, seeing as she was in a trashed alleyway, and wearing a long skirt, and apparently black combat boots. When her boots caught on the inside of her skirt, she tripped, and fell to the ground, but before she could get up they were there.
“Hey, baby, why you run?” One of them asked, I could see a gun tucked into his belt.
“Yeah, we just want to play a little.” Another said, pulling a knife.
“Please, don’t-” she started, but then she saw the knife, and promptly shouted for help.
Seeing as they had not seen me yet, I decided to teach them a lesson.
“You know, I never really liked people who attack women, and now I can demonstrate my displeasure. Prepare to go through Hell, boys.” I said while I walked up to them.
“Hey, who’s there?” one of them said, just before I ripped off his arm.
He started to scream, for a little bit, but he stopped for some reason.
“Woops, looks like that is what it meant by Enhanced Strength. Sorry. Hey, do you guys want this?” I asked waving his arm around “Because I don’t. “ I said, as I flung it at the ringleader.
“Holy ****! Let’s get the hell out of here!” The leader screamed, as he ran away. The other followed.
I looked down at the young woman I just saved and smiled.
“You alright?” I asked.
She must have been in shock or something, because she just started screaming.
“Woah, calm down, I just saved your life.” I said, then I realized that I had blood on me, which might have causing the whole “screaming” thing.
She stopped screaming after a few seconds, then she passed out.
“Great, now I have to take care of her.” I said aloud.
I picked her up (she was surprisingly light), flicked the Tarnkappe’s hood over my head, causing me and her to disappear, and I walked back to my apartment.
When I got to my apartment not even an hour had passed. I cleared off my bed and set her on it. Thought for a moment, and went to wash the blood off my face, and change clothes. My bathroom is right next to my bedroom so, I could tell if she awoke before I finished cleaning up. She didn’t. Afterward I decided to clean the blood spatter off her face and neck with a wet wash cloth, She woke up when I had finished cleaning her face and started on her neck.
She blinked her eyes open, saw my face, and surprisingly didn’t scream.
“What are you doing?” she asked, confused, and surprised.
“I’m cleaning the blood off of your face and neck.” i responded, still cleaning, “I didn’t do anything about your clothes though, I thought it would be… indecent... of me to undress you without your consent.”
“Blood? What blood?” She asked startled, getting up, and looking at her clothes. “What happened to me? Who are you? Where am I?!” She demanded.
“Relax,” I said putting the washcloth down, “You were attacked, I am the person who saved you James Lewis Iverson. You are in my apartment.” I said answering her questions.
“Y-you, you ripped that guy’s arm off! What are you?!” She asked scared.
“I… I… I appear to not be able to tell you that... yet.” I said, with a shrug. “But, a better question is; What is your name?” I asked.
“My name is Ava. Ava Lillian Lucio.” she said hesitantly.
“Nice to meet you Ava, I’m James” I said with a bow, “Now, what do you plan to do about your bloody clothes?”
“Uhm, right, can I use your washing machine then?” She asked, now sitting up with her legs dangling over the side of the bed.
“Sure.” I responded, “But what about... ya know... you?”
“What do you mean…” She said as realization dawned on her. “Oh, can I also borrow some clothes?”
“I... uh don’t have any clothes your, uh... size.” I said sheepishly
“It’s okay, I just need a shirt really” she replied.
“I don’t think so, look at the left side of your skirt, you were laying in his blood for a bit before I picked you up. It soaked in quite a bit” I said.
“Oh, well, I guess I’m going to need some pants too, then.” she said, “Can I use your shower to wash the blood off me, too?” she asked
“Yeah, sure it is just across the hall.” I replied, “I’ll get out some of my clothes and a towel for you.”
“Thanks” she said as she got up and went to take her shower.
“No problem.”
She passed me her her bloody clothes, through the door, as she removed them, which managed to include her skirt, blouse, both her undergarments and her socks. I then took these and put them in the washing machine, along with my bloody clothes. Afterwards I gathered together some old t-shirts and some sweatpants of mine and a towel, and I put them on the table next to the door inside the bathroom. I went into my living room, sat on my couch and waited for her to be done with her shower. Which as it turns out wasn’t very long.
“Hey, I had no idea you were a Power Metal fan.” She said coming out with a Dragonforce t-shirt on, while drying her hair.
I looked over at her to reply, “Well-” was all I managed to say before my brain deserted me, leaving me with a thought process somewhere between the intelligence of a potato and an overweight gerbil. After a few seconds I managed to compose myself, but It was too late, the damage was already done.
She started laughing, “So, either I’m drop-dead gorgeous, or you haven’t been around many women lately.” she said
“Or, it could be both.” I said, sheepishly.
“Oh, Clever” She replied.
“Well, I have my moments.” I said somewhat smug.
“Well, I will admit, that whole saving me from an attack was pretty cool.” she said sitting down next to me.
“Even the arm thing?” I asked cautiously.
“Especially, the arm thing.” she said, “Also, I was wondering, how did you get me here, while we were both covered in blood, without anyone seeing you?” She asked curiously.
“Well, I… I appear to be able to tell you, that’s good. But you probably won’t believe me.” I said sadly.
“What? I watched you rip a man’s arm clean form his body, a feat which should be impossible no matter how much muscle you have. So go ahead and tell me!” she said excitedly.
“All right,” I said “I have a magic Cloak that turns me and anything I am carrying invisible” I explained.
“But, that still doesn’t explain how you carried me across town! Or how you ripped that guy's arm off!” she said.
“It also grants me Enhanced Strength.”
“Oh, can I see it?” she asked.
“Uhm, sure, just don’t touch it, I’m fairly certain it is cursed.” I said.
“Okay, no touching. Gotcha.”
I stood up turned toward her and put my hands on my neck where I had the Tarnkappe hiding itself. I then summoned it from hiding, and draped it over my shoulders, the black cloth falling to my ankles and wrapping around me.
“Well!, turn Invisible!” she said impatiently.
I flicked the hood up and turned invisible.
“Woah, that is so cool!” She exclaimed.
I flicked the hood down, and returned it to its hiding place.
“Yeah, I guess it is rather cool.” I said.
“Where did you get it? HOW did you get it?” she asked.
“I got it from a museum, and as for how I got it, I… can’t tell you, apparently.” I said sadly.
“What, is that part of The Curse?” she asked waving her arms at the last two words.
“No, It is from something else.” I said
“Well, we still have approximately, 45 minutes to an hour and a half till our clothes are done, and it is already 3:30, I don’t believe I will be able to make it to my apartment before dark, can I stay with you?” She said pouting.
“That has got to be the best thing I’ve ever heard, ever” I said starting to laugh, which caused her to laugh as well.
“I assume that means ‘yes’” She said after her laughter had subsided.
“Yes, of course!” I replied after my laughter had subsided, “But, you also know that this means I have to sleep on the couch?” I questioned.
“What? You don’t have a spare bed I can use? I would hate to deprive you of your bed! After all I am an intruder in your home.” She said surprised.
“Nope, there are a total of 5 ‘rooms’ in this apartment: Kitchen; Bedroom; Bathroom; Living Room; and Laundry Room. Along with a total of one bed. which you will be using.” I explained.
“But-” she started before I interrupted her.
“No. No ‘buts’, you are a guest in my house therefore you get a bed.” I said
“Alright, but at least take a pillow and blanket.” She pleaded.
“Oh, I intended to.” I replied “But, now I need to check on those clothes, and possibly make dinner, unless you don’t want to eat.” To which her jaw dropped.
“You can cook?” She asked surprised, “Let me guess, ramen noodles.”
“Oh yeah I can make ramen noodles… from scratch.” I said which caused her jaw to drop, again. ”But I thought I would try something a little bit better than ramen noodles.” Her jaw was still dropped at this point, so I decided to see how much I could blow her mind.
So I said the two words she never knew she wanted to hear, “Chocolate. Pancakes.”
“WHAT! How? What?” was all she could manage to say. I left her to contemplate the magnitude of it while I went and switched the laundry. By the time i came back, she had moved to the kitchen, and was in the process of trying to find the skillet.
“Well, I see you are trying to figure out how to make them, but I’m sorry it's a family recipe and according to ancient tradition, I can’t show it to you.” I said with a shrug.
“B-but, Chocolate pancakes.”she managed to stammer out.
“Ah, I see your mind is still rattled by the revelation. Just go sit in the living room and rest. Let your mind recover.” I said leading her to the couch.
After about a minute setting everything up and four minutes of cooking. I called her back into the kitchen. The aroma itself was almost enough to knock her over. We sat down at my little table in the corner. I served her two of the pancakes, and took two for myself, leaving two on the plate.
“Go ahead, Take a bite.” I encouraged her. She took her knife and cut a small piece off, and took a bite. Her eyes widened to engulf half her face and she slowly swallowed.
“That, was , the best pancake, no the best food, I have, ever, tasted.” she said to me, eyes wide.
“Take another bite.” I recomended.
Hesitantly, she brought the second piece to her mouth, and took a bite.
“How? How can food taste this good?” She demanded, taking another bite. And another, and another, soon the whole plate was gone.
“Well, you certainly enjoyed that. More?” I said, gesturing to the plate of remaining pancakes.
“Yes, please” She responded. I placed one on each of our plates. She soon devoured that one too, just as I was finishing my second.
“You should drink some milk to satisfy your stomach. I'm surprised you didn’t choke with how fast you were devouring those.” I said starting on my third pancake.
“But, they were so good! I just couldn’t stop!” She said.
“Yeah, that happened to me when I first tried these.” I said finishing my plate.
“Really? When was that?” she asked curiously.
“Back when I was seven years old, my mom had made them for me in celebration of my first day of school.” I said picking up the plates to wash them in the sink.
“Aww, that’s sweet. Where’s your mom now?” she asked
“Dunno, she just up and vanished one day, I was 16 at the time.” I said washing the dishes.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She said.
“It’s okay, I’ll find her one day, though.” I said determinedly, as I dried the dishes.
“Well, it’s 5:00 now, and you’ve already taken me to dinner, now, how about a movie?” she asked innocently.
“Well, I don’t know what movies are playing in theaters right now.” I said coyly.
“Oh, we don’t need to go to the theaters to watch a movie, we’ve got a theater right here!” She replied sweeping her arm across the living room.
“I guess you have a point.” I said leading her to my small DVD collection.
“Well, let’s see here ‘Star Wars: Episodes I-VI’ boring, ‘Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo’ hmm maybe could be intre- WHAT! You have ‘Summer Wars’ ‘Ame and Yuki: Wolf Children’ AND ‘The Girl Who Lept Through Time’!?”
“Yeah, Mamoru Hosoda’s pretty freakin’ awesome, right?” I said.
“That settles it. We are watching one of these! Pick one!” She demanded holding them in front of me.
“Alright, ‘Ame and Yuki: Wolf Children’’ it is then.“ I said plucking it from her fingers, and put it in the player, ”I would have chosen ‘Summer Wars’ but, I like this one better.” I said as I pressed play. We sat down on the couch and she curled up next to me. About two hours later the movie was over, and I could tell we were both feeling pretty sad over the ending.
“Well, what did you think of the movie?” I asked stretching.
“I know I would normally be crying over that sad ending right now, but I just don’t feel like it, strange.” She said rubbing her eyes, “It must be because I’m with you.”
“Huh, well I have got to go get the clothes out of the dryer.” I said attempting to get up.
“Why not just sit here with me?” she said, pushing me back down.
“But, don’t you need your clothes?” I asked attempting to get up again.
“Alright, fiiiiine.” she whined standing up, “but I’m gonna go lay down then.”
“You know you are cute when you are angry?” I said.
She hit me in the arm, “Oh shut up, go take care of the clothes” she said blushing.
When I got back with a basket of clothes I asked, “Do you want to fold yours, or do you want me to?”
“I think I will, thank you.” she replied snatching her clothes from the basket, and started folding them, and stacking them. Afterwards we decided to go to sleep.
“Well G’night.” She said walking to my room, “Oh and no sneaking in on me and watching me with your Cloak of Invisibility!” she said turning around.
“I won’t, I promise.” I said, laying down on the couch.
“Yeah, you better not.” she said.
You might have seen my posts asking about mythological artifacts.
Anyway, I started writing it, and I wanted some feedback.
So. Here. We. GO!
Collectors and Protectors
http://i1065.photobucket.com/albums/u398/AkazilliaDeNaro/Reliquary%20Box.jpg
Image courtesy of my friend who drew it for me.
Chapter 1
James Lewis Iverson
It all began one night thirteen years ago, well near as I can figure it was thirteen years ago. I was 22 at the time and lying in bed trying to sleep, staring at the ceiling when a ball of white light appeared right where I was staring at on the ceiling. I blinked a couple of times to check if it was real, seeing as it should be brightening my room but wasn’t. It floated down to my face, and spoke to me in a language I had never heard before but could understand perfectly.
I can’t remember the words it used but I can remember what it asked me.
“If you had the power, would you use it?”
I had no idea what it meant, I still don’t actually. But, I knew beyond reason, that the answer was yes. So that is what I said.
“Yes.”
It then flew into my face and disappeared, and I immediately felt the worst pain i've ever experienced, as if I were being electrocuted over and over in different spots for a hundred years compressed into a single moment, and blacked out.
When I awoke it was already at least 9:00am, I could tell because my bed faces the window and from 9:00-10:30 am the sun shines directly into my eyes. Looking closer at the position of the sun, I assumed it to be about 10:00 am.
I got up and went to the sink to brush my teeth and looked in the mirror. When I did, I noticed a light in the center of my pupils. When I looked deeper into them, it vanished, I figured I had imagined it so I went on with my day. Brushed my teeth, took a shower, ate breakfast, and then left for work, all of which is unimportant to this tale.
On my way to work I usually pass by an abandoned house but this time when I came to it I had an irresistible urge to walk inside. I entered and walked through as if I had been there all my life. I knew exactly which boards were rotten and which were solid. I walked as if in a trance. I went to the basement door and walked down stairs, It should have been pitch black, and it might have been, but I could still sense where everything was so well that I didn’t even slow down. I got to the bottom of the stairs and continued walking, until I found a small wooden box about the size of a shoebox. When I picked it up, I could feel something... powerful... pulsing inside of it. I had an urge to leave. I decided against it and opened the box. Inside was a set of thirteen differently shaped stones each about the size of a golf ball, all resting on a leather-bound black book, with a rolled up circular cloth pressed against one side. I decided I would need more room to examine these and closed the box. I also decided to take the day off, and went back to my apartment.
When I got back I cleared off my kitchen table, put the Box on it, and opened it. I took out the cloth first, and unrolled it upon the table. It had a strange design on it. I removed all thirteen stones and placed them on the cloth in a circle, placing each stone in a specific space in the circle. Every time I held one of the stones I could feel it pulling at me but getting nowhere, as if an ant tried to drag a mountain. Then I removed the Book, it also tried to pull at me and also got nowhere. I placed the Book in the center of the circle of stones. As I did so it seemed to snap into place. A beam of light shined upon the Book seeming to come from nowhere, It caused writing to appear on the cover of it, glowing iridescent. The writing was complex and shifting but strangely legible. The Book was titled “The Reliquary”. I could now feel it pulling at me even though I wasn’t touching it. It still had no affect on me. I decided to open and read the Book. As soon as I thought that, the Book flew open and the beam of light returned, revealing the writing in that iridescent glowing, shifting, complex language.
I began to read it.
You are The Reliquary.
You are the 22nd to inherit this title.
You are a keeper of artifacts; a harbor for the strange, and a vault for the unexplained.
You are a sealer of darkness, a destroyer of light, and a bringer of balance.
You will act without cruelty or kindness, without condemnation nor condonement.
You will be a fire of truth in a web of lies.
You will be an armory of weapons in a world at war.
You will chain the strong, hobble the quick, and lobotomize the clever.
You. Are. The Reliquary.
After that the pages flew by pouring knowledge into my head.
It told me about the history of The Reliquary. And it told me where I would find my first Artifact, the Tarnkappe, a Cloak of Invisibility. The Cloak, if I could get my hands on it, would grant me the power to turn invisible, along with enhanced strength. Which I figured would be quite useful. The Book then shut, after telling me that it would speak again if I could get the Tarnkappe without dying.
I put the Book and stones back into the Box and shut it. Then I placed my hand on the Box, closed my eyes, and recited the speech the Book had on its first page, although slightly altered, in that strange language. When I open my eyes the Box had disappeared. I knew that when I needed it again I could call it from its hiding place.
Then I went outside and started walking to my first artifact.
It took me three hours of walking to reach the city museum. When I entered I could feel the pulsing rhythm of power once again. I followed the pulse to a statue of a short man with a long beard. The statue showed him holding what appeared to be a folded cloth. I knew that cloth was the Tarnkappe.The statue seemed to be under no security, I guessed that they assumed no one would be able to lift it, or want it for that matter, so they just put a sign which read “Please do not touch the displays” in front of it.
I reached out and grabbed ahold of the sides of the stone statues face, and recited the speech in that strange language. As I did museum goers stood and stared, as the statue changed from stone to dark flesh and shining metal and black cloth. After the transformation was finished the dwarf turned in a circle looked around and its eyes settled upon me. It then spoke to me in a language that I assumed to be Old Norse, and I understood perfectly.
“Mortal I thank you for freeing me, so that I may return to my kin and-”
“I did not free you, I freed the Tarnkappe. You just came along with it. Now I would like to have it” I said cutting him off.
His face changed to rage, “You think you deserve the Tarnkappe! You think you can just imprison me agi-”
I leaned in close, cutting him off again. “Yes, yes I do.” I said snatching the cloth. Which caused him to bellow in rage, for a few seconds, before he was returned to stone.
I turned the Tarnkappe over in my hands, examining it, as security arrived.
"Sir, I am going to have to ask you to hand me the cloth, and come with me." He demanded
“No, I think I will keep it.” I said as I swung the Tarnkappe around my shoulders.
Power pulsed through my body, ancient and strong. “I think I will take my leave now.” I said to the guard. Then I vanished. I turned myself invisible and walked out.
I then walked back to my apartment, and for the first time asked myself why I was doing what I was doing. It didn’t last long, I was doing this because It had to be done.
Then I asked why I was returning home, when there was nothing left there for me. This was a good point. All I really needed was a quiet space and some privacy, in a pinch, the quiet could slide, but the privacy was important.
So, I turned down an alleyway behind an abandoned building, went into the back of the building. I lifted an overturned table back to its normal sitting position, and called forth the Box. Then I set up the Book and stones on the table.
The light and writing reappeared. I placed my hand upon the Book and it began to tell me how to properly use the Tarnkappe. It also told me where the last Reliquary died at, so I could collect his remaining Artifacts: The Thousand-Sword Sheath; Artemis’s Endless Quiver; Pwyll’s magic satchel, and The Skeleton Key. Although, getting them would prove to be difficult with my current capabilities, seeing as they were at the bottom of a lake… of lava… underground… halfway across the world.
The Book sensed my dilemma and recommended five artifacts for me.
The Seven-League Boots, which would allow me to run at supersonic speeds. Currently located on a farm in Kansas.
The Phoenix Coin, which would make me, and my equipment, immune to fire and heat of any kind. Located in New York CIty.
Caledfwlch - A powerful sword that can shed light so bright as to be blinding. Located in Northern Scotland.
The Icarus Wings - Which would grant flight as long as they did not get too hot, but with the Phoenix Coin that was unlikely to happen. Located in Germany.
Aegis - A shield that would paralyze any who would look at it. It also functioned as a one way mirror. Located in Greece.
I decided to go find the Seven-League Boots, but I encountered another problem… I was about 800 miles from my destination, and without transportation. I went to ask the Book, but it didn’t answer. So, not knowing what to do next, I packed up the Box, stashed it and left the building.
Immediately after leaving I saw a group of lowlifes following a young woman through the alley, She seemed to be about 20-21 with long straight black hair, she was wearing a white button down shirt, with a black suit jacket over it, and a long black and white checkered skirt. She must have sensed they were following her, because she started to run. Which, as it turns out, was a bad idea, seeing as she was in a trashed alleyway, and wearing a long skirt, and apparently black combat boots. When her boots caught on the inside of her skirt, she tripped, and fell to the ground, but before she could get up they were there.
“Hey, baby, why you run?” One of them asked, I could see a gun tucked into his belt.
“Yeah, we just want to play a little.” Another said, pulling a knife.
“Please, don’t-” she started, but then she saw the knife, and promptly shouted for help.
Seeing as they had not seen me yet, I decided to teach them a lesson.
“You know, I never really liked people who attack women, and now I can demonstrate my displeasure. Prepare to go through Hell, boys.” I said while I walked up to them.
“Hey, who’s there?” one of them said, just before I ripped off his arm.
He started to scream, for a little bit, but he stopped for some reason.
“Woops, looks like that is what it meant by Enhanced Strength. Sorry. Hey, do you guys want this?” I asked waving his arm around “Because I don’t. “ I said, as I flung it at the ringleader.
“Holy ****! Let’s get the hell out of here!” The leader screamed, as he ran away. The other followed.
I looked down at the young woman I just saved and smiled.
“You alright?” I asked.
She must have been in shock or something, because she just started screaming.
“Woah, calm down, I just saved your life.” I said, then I realized that I had blood on me, which might have causing the whole “screaming” thing.
She stopped screaming after a few seconds, then she passed out.
“Great, now I have to take care of her.” I said aloud.
I picked her up (she was surprisingly light), flicked the Tarnkappe’s hood over my head, causing me and her to disappear, and I walked back to my apartment.
When I got to my apartment not even an hour had passed. I cleared off my bed and set her on it. Thought for a moment, and went to wash the blood off my face, and change clothes. My bathroom is right next to my bedroom so, I could tell if she awoke before I finished cleaning up. She didn’t. Afterward I decided to clean the blood spatter off her face and neck with a wet wash cloth, She woke up when I had finished cleaning her face and started on her neck.
She blinked her eyes open, saw my face, and surprisingly didn’t scream.
“What are you doing?” she asked, confused, and surprised.
“I’m cleaning the blood off of your face and neck.” i responded, still cleaning, “I didn’t do anything about your clothes though, I thought it would be… indecent... of me to undress you without your consent.”
“Blood? What blood?” She asked startled, getting up, and looking at her clothes. “What happened to me? Who are you? Where am I?!” She demanded.
“Relax,” I said putting the washcloth down, “You were attacked, I am the person who saved you James Lewis Iverson. You are in my apartment.” I said answering her questions.
“Y-you, you ripped that guy’s arm off! What are you?!” She asked scared.
“I… I… I appear to not be able to tell you that... yet.” I said, with a shrug. “But, a better question is; What is your name?” I asked.
“My name is Ava. Ava Lillian Lucio.” she said hesitantly.
“Nice to meet you Ava, I’m James” I said with a bow, “Now, what do you plan to do about your bloody clothes?”
“Uhm, right, can I use your washing machine then?” She asked, now sitting up with her legs dangling over the side of the bed.
“Sure.” I responded, “But what about... ya know... you?”
“What do you mean…” She said as realization dawned on her. “Oh, can I also borrow some clothes?”
“I... uh don’t have any clothes your, uh... size.” I said sheepishly
“It’s okay, I just need a shirt really” she replied.
“I don’t think so, look at the left side of your skirt, you were laying in his blood for a bit before I picked you up. It soaked in quite a bit” I said.
“Oh, well, I guess I’m going to need some pants too, then.” she said, “Can I use your shower to wash the blood off me, too?” she asked
“Yeah, sure it is just across the hall.” I replied, “I’ll get out some of my clothes and a towel for you.”
“Thanks” she said as she got up and went to take her shower.
“No problem.”
She passed me her her bloody clothes, through the door, as she removed them, which managed to include her skirt, blouse, both her undergarments and her socks. I then took these and put them in the washing machine, along with my bloody clothes. Afterwards I gathered together some old t-shirts and some sweatpants of mine and a towel, and I put them on the table next to the door inside the bathroom. I went into my living room, sat on my couch and waited for her to be done with her shower. Which as it turns out wasn’t very long.
“Hey, I had no idea you were a Power Metal fan.” She said coming out with a Dragonforce t-shirt on, while drying her hair.
I looked over at her to reply, “Well-” was all I managed to say before my brain deserted me, leaving me with a thought process somewhere between the intelligence of a potato and an overweight gerbil. After a few seconds I managed to compose myself, but It was too late, the damage was already done.
She started laughing, “So, either I’m drop-dead gorgeous, or you haven’t been around many women lately.” she said
“Or, it could be both.” I said, sheepishly.
“Oh, Clever” She replied.
“Well, I have my moments.” I said somewhat smug.
“Well, I will admit, that whole saving me from an attack was pretty cool.” she said sitting down next to me.
“Even the arm thing?” I asked cautiously.
“Especially, the arm thing.” she said, “Also, I was wondering, how did you get me here, while we were both covered in blood, without anyone seeing you?” She asked curiously.
“Well, I… I appear to be able to tell you, that’s good. But you probably won’t believe me.” I said sadly.
“What? I watched you rip a man’s arm clean form his body, a feat which should be impossible no matter how much muscle you have. So go ahead and tell me!” she said excitedly.
“All right,” I said “I have a magic Cloak that turns me and anything I am carrying invisible” I explained.
“But, that still doesn’t explain how you carried me across town! Or how you ripped that guy's arm off!” she said.
“It also grants me Enhanced Strength.”
“Oh, can I see it?” she asked.
“Uhm, sure, just don’t touch it, I’m fairly certain it is cursed.” I said.
“Okay, no touching. Gotcha.”
I stood up turned toward her and put my hands on my neck where I had the Tarnkappe hiding itself. I then summoned it from hiding, and draped it over my shoulders, the black cloth falling to my ankles and wrapping around me.
“Well!, turn Invisible!” she said impatiently.
I flicked the hood up and turned invisible.
“Woah, that is so cool!” She exclaimed.
I flicked the hood down, and returned it to its hiding place.
“Yeah, I guess it is rather cool.” I said.
“Where did you get it? HOW did you get it?” she asked.
“I got it from a museum, and as for how I got it, I… can’t tell you, apparently.” I said sadly.
“What, is that part of The Curse?” she asked waving her arms at the last two words.
“No, It is from something else.” I said
“Well, we still have approximately, 45 minutes to an hour and a half till our clothes are done, and it is already 3:30, I don’t believe I will be able to make it to my apartment before dark, can I stay with you?” She said pouting.
“That has got to be the best thing I’ve ever heard, ever” I said starting to laugh, which caused her to laugh as well.
“I assume that means ‘yes’” She said after her laughter had subsided.
“Yes, of course!” I replied after my laughter had subsided, “But, you also know that this means I have to sleep on the couch?” I questioned.
“What? You don’t have a spare bed I can use? I would hate to deprive you of your bed! After all I am an intruder in your home.” She said surprised.
“Nope, there are a total of 5 ‘rooms’ in this apartment: Kitchen; Bedroom; Bathroom; Living Room; and Laundry Room. Along with a total of one bed. which you will be using.” I explained.
“But-” she started before I interrupted her.
“No. No ‘buts’, you are a guest in my house therefore you get a bed.” I said
“Alright, but at least take a pillow and blanket.” She pleaded.
“Oh, I intended to.” I replied “But, now I need to check on those clothes, and possibly make dinner, unless you don’t want to eat.” To which her jaw dropped.
“You can cook?” She asked surprised, “Let me guess, ramen noodles.”
“Oh yeah I can make ramen noodles… from scratch.” I said which caused her jaw to drop, again. ”But I thought I would try something a little bit better than ramen noodles.” Her jaw was still dropped at this point, so I decided to see how much I could blow her mind.
So I said the two words she never knew she wanted to hear, “Chocolate. Pancakes.”
“WHAT! How? What?” was all she could manage to say. I left her to contemplate the magnitude of it while I went and switched the laundry. By the time i came back, she had moved to the kitchen, and was in the process of trying to find the skillet.
“Well, I see you are trying to figure out how to make them, but I’m sorry it's a family recipe and according to ancient tradition, I can’t show it to you.” I said with a shrug.
“B-but, Chocolate pancakes.”she managed to stammer out.
“Ah, I see your mind is still rattled by the revelation. Just go sit in the living room and rest. Let your mind recover.” I said leading her to the couch.
After about a minute setting everything up and four minutes of cooking. I called her back into the kitchen. The aroma itself was almost enough to knock her over. We sat down at my little table in the corner. I served her two of the pancakes, and took two for myself, leaving two on the plate.
“Go ahead, Take a bite.” I encouraged her. She took her knife and cut a small piece off, and took a bite. Her eyes widened to engulf half her face and she slowly swallowed.
“That, was , the best pancake, no the best food, I have, ever, tasted.” she said to me, eyes wide.
“Take another bite.” I recomended.
Hesitantly, she brought the second piece to her mouth, and took a bite.
“How? How can food taste this good?” She demanded, taking another bite. And another, and another, soon the whole plate was gone.
“Well, you certainly enjoyed that. More?” I said, gesturing to the plate of remaining pancakes.
“Yes, please” She responded. I placed one on each of our plates. She soon devoured that one too, just as I was finishing my second.
“You should drink some milk to satisfy your stomach. I'm surprised you didn’t choke with how fast you were devouring those.” I said starting on my third pancake.
“But, they were so good! I just couldn’t stop!” She said.
“Yeah, that happened to me when I first tried these.” I said finishing my plate.
“Really? When was that?” she asked curiously.
“Back when I was seven years old, my mom had made them for me in celebration of my first day of school.” I said picking up the plates to wash them in the sink.
“Aww, that’s sweet. Where’s your mom now?” she asked
“Dunno, she just up and vanished one day, I was 16 at the time.” I said washing the dishes.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She said.
“It’s okay, I’ll find her one day, though.” I said determinedly, as I dried the dishes.
“Well, it’s 5:00 now, and you’ve already taken me to dinner, now, how about a movie?” she asked innocently.
“Well, I don’t know what movies are playing in theaters right now.” I said coyly.
“Oh, we don’t need to go to the theaters to watch a movie, we’ve got a theater right here!” She replied sweeping her arm across the living room.
“I guess you have a point.” I said leading her to my small DVD collection.
“Well, let’s see here ‘Star Wars: Episodes I-VI’ boring, ‘Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo’ hmm maybe could be intre- WHAT! You have ‘Summer Wars’ ‘Ame and Yuki: Wolf Children’ AND ‘The Girl Who Lept Through Time’!?”
“Yeah, Mamoru Hosoda’s pretty freakin’ awesome, right?” I said.
“That settles it. We are watching one of these! Pick one!” She demanded holding them in front of me.
“Alright, ‘Ame and Yuki: Wolf Children’’ it is then.“ I said plucking it from her fingers, and put it in the player, ”I would have chosen ‘Summer Wars’ but, I like this one better.” I said as I pressed play. We sat down on the couch and she curled up next to me. About two hours later the movie was over, and I could tell we were both feeling pretty sad over the ending.
“Well, what did you think of the movie?” I asked stretching.
“I know I would normally be crying over that sad ending right now, but I just don’t feel like it, strange.” She said rubbing her eyes, “It must be because I’m with you.”
“Huh, well I have got to go get the clothes out of the dryer.” I said attempting to get up.
“Why not just sit here with me?” she said, pushing me back down.
“But, don’t you need your clothes?” I asked attempting to get up again.
“Alright, fiiiiine.” she whined standing up, “but I’m gonna go lay down then.”
“You know you are cute when you are angry?” I said.
She hit me in the arm, “Oh shut up, go take care of the clothes” she said blushing.
When I got back with a basket of clothes I asked, “Do you want to fold yours, or do you want me to?”
“I think I will, thank you.” she replied snatching her clothes from the basket, and started folding them, and stacking them. Afterwards we decided to go to sleep.
“Well G’night.” She said walking to my room, “Oh and no sneaking in on me and watching me with your Cloak of Invisibility!” she said turning around.
“I won’t, I promise.” I said, laying down on the couch.
“Yeah, you better not.” she said.