Chapter 4

Zandor's Pov

For the past few hours I have been trekking through snow to find this item that previous guardians had left for me. As I trekked, I also noticed that the cold doesn't effect me, which is a plus. After a couple more steps, I found myself at the opening of a large tunnel, with a totem of goat skulls and bones. I took it as a sign that I was in the right place and that it was a warning. I began my trek inside and noticed that it was quite dark. I rummaged around and found some sticks, and doing what Xander did, lit the stick on fire, creating a makeshift torch.

I then looked around and found remnants of campfires and ash. It appeared that someone was here at some point. I continued down the tunnel till I came into a large cavern. On both sides, wooden huts were built along the walls both in the ground, and up in the air. Wooden rope bridges connected these buildings together and I could see tunnels that most likely connect to the higher levels. I put the fire out and cautiously moved through. As I did so, I noticed that these huts were empty, possibly abondoned but I treaded carefully just in case I wasn't alone.

I eventually made my way through a tunnel and up to the second level where I found an opening to the outside. Once I went through, I saw a huge village covering the entire mountainside. But these buildings were much bigger. I then saw what appeared to be a large stone structure near the top of the mountain.

Zandor:*That must be where it is*

Upon thinking this, I heard something drop to my left. I looked and saw a man in fur armor, wearing a helmet of a goat skull. He had dropped a basket of food. He started to run, and I knew instantly that I no longer had the element of surprise. Before I could react, he blew a horn made of goat horn and fires began to light up through the entire village.

Zandor: Well, there goes to the element of surprise.

I then started traversing the many ridges that were on the side I was on of the the village. I eventually reached a cavern that went towards the village and upon entering, and arrow sticks in the ground in front of me. I look towards the source and see someone, same armor as the guy before, with a bow decorated with bone and leather. He readied another arrow and fired. I rolled to the side and took cover behind a rock. I peeked over the rock to see if there was a way to get to him without him seeing me. As I looked m, I saw no path nor tunnel to help me. The only path I could take was towards him. I fucked down again and tried to figure out what to do.

The only plan I could think of was to charge towards the archer, dodging his arrows and taking him out before he can hit me. I readied myself then ran out from behind the rock. As I did so an arrow hurtled towards me. I slid under it, dodging it and when I got to striking distance, I pulled out my sword, cut off the archers arm, and drove my sword through his skull. I pulled it out and he feel to the ground. I grabbed his bow and arrows and continued down the cavern.

I then exited the cavern and found myself at the gate to the village. The gate stood twenty feet tall and looked to be about waugh's feet thick. It was made of logs and had decorations of bones and goat skulls. The walls on that connected to either side of the gate only stood twelve feet tall. I then saw archers positioning themselves on top of the wall. I ran and slid to cover behind a large boulder and readied my bow. I popped out and fired at one of them hitting them in their right shoulder. They stumbled backwards and fell off the wall. I readied another arrow but before I could fire one of the archers arrows flew towards me. As it got closer all of a sudden it seemed as if time slowed down almost stopping. I moved aiming towards the arrow and aiming it at the archer. I noticed as I move I moved normally and when ready I fired.

My arrow then flew, splitting the arrow that was flying towards me and hitting the archer in the eye, instantly killing him. Then time seemed to return to normal. I then quickly loaded and fired more arrows to the rest of the archers, taking them out quickly before they retreated. I then looked at my bow and back to where that archer was when time seemed to slow.

Zandor: Must be another ability I have that Xander failed to mention.

I then scanned the wall and found one part that had beam stretching across it going horizontally. I ran over and ran up the side of the wall and climbed up. Once I reached the top I noticed that, it was a straight shot up to the structure, but when I saw the road leading up there though, I saw lots of there warriors coming through. I looked around for another route when I saw that the buildings were close together. I then ran and jumped onto the roof of and and decided to go up rather than fighting all of them. After running and jumping from rooftop to rooftop I then made one final leap but only for the roof to cave in under me. I fell to the ground, dazed. As I got up, one of there warriors, wielding a sword of bone lunges towards me. I rolled out of the way and stood up, reading my sword. I then noticed four others some with swords, others axes. Then one of the warriors wielding an axe lunges towards me. I parried his attack and quickly drove my sword through his chest. I then spun around, grabbing his axe, and threw it at one of the other warriors, embedding it in their head. I then pulled out my sword from the mans chest.

The other three warriors took a step back. I readied again and lunged towards the closest one to me. This one had a sword and he swung at me but I sidestepped. Using my momentum, I pushed off the ground launched towards him and slashed through his neck decapitating him. One of the others charged me and I blocked his strike. I then punched him in the gut having him reel backwards as he hunched over. I then struck him in his back this his chest. And then vaulted over him pulling my sword out and threw it at the last one. He blocked it out of the air and charged me seeing I had no weapon. I sidestepped and tripped him and as he fell, I grabbed his hair and kicked the back off his neck breaking it. I then dropped him to the ground as he laid motionless. I then went over picked up my sword and exited the house.

I traversed through some back alleys and side streets till I found my self standing in front of the entrance to where the structure was. I walked in and found a large courtyard where tents and other gear were strewn about. Then I heard lots of running and shouting from all around me. I readied my sword and saw that I was surrounded by all sides but they didn't attack they just watched. They then back away forming a very large circle, staying near the outskirts of the courtyard. I then heard loud and heavy footsteps behind me. I turned and saw a man, bare chested, wearing a bone helmet instead of a skull and wielding a large great axe. He stood at eight feet tall, and looked as if he could rip a lug in half with his bear hands. He let out a roar and the people around us cheered. I could see by his outfit that this must be their chief, and that if I was going to get this item, I must take him down first.

He then let one more roar out as he lunges to me, with his axe behind him ready to swing. I sidestepped and slide under his swing. I then lunges back and swung but he blocked it with the handle of his axe. He then grabbed me by the neck, and lift me up. I struggle and seeing that I can't get out with my own strength I pull an arrow out and stab it into his arm but it did nothing. As I feel his grip getting tighter, I then have an idea. I grab ahold of his arm and focus on the nervy in his body. I then feel it coursing from his arm in my body. I then feel his grip tighten and he throws me. I land and slide back. He grips his axe and roars but I can tell he is tired, and I notice I feel a lot stronger than before. I rush towards him, fist ready. He swings and I grab the handle and smash the flat side of his axe against his face shattering his helmet. He falls backwards stunned as I quickly grab his axe and drive through his chest and into the ground underneath him.

After which, I hear many of the villagers gasp and whisper. I turn to them, standing on there dead chiefs body and move as if I were going to charge them and they start sprinting out of the courtyard until I was the only living soul there. I then start to look around till I find a pedestal with a symbol on it covered partially by dirt and ice. I break the ice off and brush away the dirt and see that it appears to be a button. I press it and I see that the large stone wall that was in the mountain began to move revealing a passageway. I walked inside as torch's light up with green flame. I walk a couple more steps till the door behind me slams shut, locking me in. I continue walking till I reach a large room. In the middle is a stone table and when I approached it, I saw that it had a full set of armor, besides a helmet, all grey-black colored. I touched it and I felt a connection to it. This had to be why I was sent here, what I had to find. I then put the armor on and my clothes changed to accommodate for it. My coat became an overcoat, covering my chest piece. My boots went almost to my knee and when I put the gauntlets on, I felt power surge through me. I felt fast, and strong.

As I studied the armor a bit more, I heard the table grind into the ground and the grinding of stones footsteps on stone. I looked towards the sound and saw stone golems surrounding me. I pulled my sword as one lunges to me. I swung and upon impact, my sword shattered. I dodged his attack and looked for a way to defeat them. On if them behind me, shoulder charged me and launched me forward. I got up and rolled away from another swing. One close to me swung and I grabbed its arm and I saw that the fingers on my gauntlets pointed and acted like claws. I saw it easily cut through the stone. I used the other and cut its arm off. It stumbled back as I clawed it to peices. I then went from to another, ripping them apart at breakneck speeds, tills all of them were rubble. I then see a portal open and walk through.

Once I entered I see that I am in the portal nexus again but no Xander. I hear the portal close but then another one open. I look to the hallway then the portal and wonder if I should talk to Xander or just enter the portal. I decide to speak to Xander first to see where I am going. I follow the hallway till I find myself in the hall I found him last, in front of the Record of the Aether. He turns and sees me.

Xander: Your back and I see that you have acquired what was left for you?

Zandor: Yes I did.

Xander: So what happened?

Zandor: The armor was in a secret passage in the middle of the mountain tribes village. I had to fight my way through and kill the chief in order to get to it.

Xander: Like I said they don't like visitors.

Zandor: When I out on the armor, stone golems appeared and the sword you gave me shattered and I struck them, but after using the armor, I made short work of them. Now why was there golems there?

Xander: Most likely to protect it so that anyone besides you wouldn't be able to get the armor, as well as a test to see how you fair. From what you said, you succeeded. Now, you saw the next portal open. This make great haste because where your going is much different.

Zandor: How so?

Xander: You will be going to the Elven kingdom in the forest of Tâlim. That forest is located south of the northern mountains and straight west of the Îkul jungles. But it won't be the Elves you will only be fighting.

Zandor: What do you mean by that?

Xander: Since I brought you here, Zargoth has amassed an immense army which he calls the Dark army. They are currently attacking this kingdom to gain more territory.

Zandor: wait, how long have I been here?

Xander sighs.

Xander: I brought you here three years ago. During that time I was slowly bringing you back to where you woke up.

I stood in silence, stunned by what I was hearing. I felt anger grow within me. I had been stuck here for three years and Xander did nothing to stop him.

Xander: I know you are angry but there is hope though.

Zandor: How so.

I say growling.

Xander: There is a resistance that is being formed and there leader is your father.

My anger dissipates upon hearing that.

Xander: If you want to help your father, you need to go to this next place to find the next item that was left behind. Without it, you can't necessarily help them.

I nod, knowing that if I am not equipped with the right tools, it will be pointless to help.

Xander: One last thing, the one leading Zargoths army that is attacking the Elven kingdom is one of his top commanders. If you kill him, there forces will fall and they will retreat. When you return I will tell you more, but right now go, you have work to do.

I nod and run back to the portal and jump through. I land on the other side in a small clearing with in the forest. I hear the distant sounds of battle. I look around as the portal closes and I start making my way towards the fighting.

I am not leaving till the commander here is dead. I should also get information from him if I am going to help the resistance whenever possible.