The True Sword of a True Ranger

When I reached the edge of the clearing, I jumped up, grabbed a branch and pulled myself up in one fluid motion. 

Let's try this. The less time the better.

I looked ahead, only to realize how little space there was in any of the trees. I could imagine traveling through them, but not quickly. Unless…

I climbed to the top of the tree, realizing the roofs were probably better than the rafters. I jumped, across to another tree, then another, and another, gaining momentum until I could enter a gait, only needing to jump when a large gap revealed itself. This was certainly fast. It took a lot of my mind to keep up with it as I had to watch every step closely and look ahead, but it was certainly quicker than avoiding trees, bushes, webs, low-hanging branches, and predators. Before long, a wide, long gap made its appearance. My senses easily confirmed what I assumed. It was the river. I was gaining on it quickly, the narrow gap widening with every step or jump. I picked up as much speed as I could, until my foot reached the final tree. I jumped, trying not to break the branch. I flew over the riverbed, over the water, past the island in the split, but I was losing air. I could tell it wasn't enough less than halfway through. My feet planted harshly against the small stones of the riverbed on the other side as I slid out of the water.

I breathed heavily, slowly bringing it down. That's not as easy as the course. I'll have to try again later.

As soon as my breath regathered, I walked toward camp. Eventually, I made it to the tree I backed into when I fought the shadow wolves. I placed my hand on it, thinking of the memory; every detail, every wolf.

I was so scared, so angry. I could've died then. Feels like forever ago. But then again, it hasn't even been a month, and since then, I've nearly died more times than I want to count.

The thought of Gerickst made the shadow wolves—even the big one—feel weak; non-threatening. My memory of them didn't solicite even a tinge of fear.

I sighed, and moved on. Before long, the familiar scents of the camp reached my nose. Burning wood, leather, people, and food. Not long after, the sounds came. I heard some mumbled chatter, but mostly the clangs of metal. When the camp finally revealed itself, I saw several rangers practicing in the circles. The camp was less empty than I thought it'd be. It seems everyone returned from Moltenbell, and were busy, rushing around.

"A most fascinating journey," the persuasive and seductive voice of Lili spoke in my mind.

"Hi, Lili."

She walked out from between some sleeping tents. "Hello, Ladon." She smiled her usual confident, warm, somewhat creepy smile. "It seems the mysteries have been solved."

"Can't say I'm not growing sick of it all."

"I know… But you're back; you made it home. That counts for something, does it not?"

"Fair point." I looked past her to see Dannas down the path, squinting in my direction. "It is good to be back." I saw him smile big, then run our way. "Oh gods."

He was halfway now. "LADON!"

"Oh gods."

Lili stood by me, entertained.

He finally made it, still running, reaching for me. I sidestepped, turning sideways as he crashed past me. He quickly picked himself back up and dusted himself off.

"You're back! How'd it go?! How's the city? How's the girl? We have SOOO much to talk about. Come on!"

I stood still, took a sigh. "It's good to see you too, Dannas. The city was fine."

"That's… IT?!"

"Well, I got injected with an extract that made me attack my friends, got put in a trial to prove my innocence, and got banished for a year."

"Yera above."

"I got some cool things though." I brought out my fox, the blue and white starry liquid forming its shape.

"WOAH! Can I…"

"You can pet him."

"Yes!" He immediately started rubbing its fur. "How'd you get him?"

"It's an elven secret, but I got two others."

"Everything's a secret to those people."

"I'd hate to interrupt…" said Lili, "but I believe Ladon here needs to talk to Captain."

"I do."

"Right! Because we're going to have your celebration. That's exciting!"

I forgot how much energy he had. I missed it as much as I didn't.

"Do you want to tell him?" she asked in my mind.

"Tell him what?"

"About Gerickst."

"No." I didn't want to risk anyone.

She nodded.

"Well, I'll be around when you're done," Dannas said.

I nodded at him, and walked off. I could feel his awkwardness behind me as I left him with Lili. When I reached Captain's tent, I opened the long flap to see her rubbing her face, looking at various parchments on her desk.

"Oh, Ladon. You've returned."

"Yes."

"That's good timing. A little merriment is just what my rangers need. After helping Moltenbell, and now preparing to move on, everyone's either tired or getting there."

"There's something I need to tell you."

"Go on."

"The girl, Mi, has these visions."

"The fake kind?"

I shook my head.

"Carry on."

"Sometimes she sees pieces of the future."

"Okay? What does this have to do with anything?"

"She saw the future, days before we left the city. Gerickst is going to come—to my home—to investigate. He's going to attack Abraxas. I came to warn you, so you can get far away when it happens."

Her eyes grew cold, reading me like a book. "Where will you and… Mi be?"

"We'll be at home."

"What will you do?"

"I… I don't know. All I know is I need to help Abraxas, no matter what."

She was silent.

"I also wanted to make a request."

She nodded.

"When he comes, I'll send a message, so you'll know as soon as possible. If you can, I want you to send someone to take Mi away. I'm not sure if she'd be willing to leave the area. Whatever happens, I want her to be safe."

"Are you planning to fight a dragon?"

"I don't know."

"You sound like you're planning to die, Ladon. Only a fool would do that."

"I don't care. I'll do what I have to to keep them safe."

She exhaled through her nose. She seemed like she understood too well, so much so it frustrated her. "You have my word, Ladon. I'll send you help."

"Thank you, Captain."

She nodded. "How long will you be here?"

"I'll probably leave tomorrow."

Suddenly, Soras entered. "Then the celebration will be tonight. We're all excited to see you hold your new sword."

"..."

"I'll go get the celebration prepared. You do whatever you want until then, Ladon."

I nodded. I wasn't sure I wanted a celebration, but I didn't mind the idea of getting my sword.

I left the tent, just after Soras, to see Dannas and Lili, significantly further away, by an unlit bonfire. Before I could do anything, I saw someone leave Yara's tent in my periphery, to the left. I turned out of curiosity to see Gin-me, holding the hand of her young sister. She had fresh bandages on her right arm, probably more treatment for the burns. She too caught me from the corner of her eye. She looked at me, nodded, and moved on elsewhere. Night wasn't very far away, so it didn't surprise me.

"Ladon!" I heard Dannas from a distance. "Hey Ladon!"

I turned back to see him waving his hands in the air to get my attention. My fox was sleeping on Lili's lap. I walked over.

"Hey! Ladon, hey!"

I kept walking to them.

"Ladon!"

A sigh.

"Hey!"

He's not stopping. "What?!" I already made it.

"Can you do some magic?!"

I nodded. "It's been a while."

I returned my fox to my tattoo. Lili didn't seem perturbed at all by his exit. I thought she might, considering the comfort, but all she did was stare at me with her ever-confident, slightly creepy smile, leaning back, her hands holding herself up. She looked as relaxed as ever.

I reached my hands out close to the wood, creating the cozy warmth, and immediately started raising it. For some reason, it seemed somewhat easier to control. Somewhat. I kept increasing the heat, hotter and hotter. It quickly got out of hand like all other times, but easier than those other times I was able to bring it back down.

I sighed. I've done it before. I guess I need more practice.

"You're getting better," Lili said, her head leaning to the side as she stared at me, black hair draping over her shoulder.

"That's it? I've seen you write your name with fire and that's it?"

"Dannas," I said.

"Yeah?"

"Can you get me some kindling?"

"Jokes on you, I already did!" He reached behind himself and grabbed a bundle of dry twigs and weeds.

I took the kindling in one hand and hovered the other over it, creating heat at the top. I kept increasing it, focusing it to a honed, sharp point. In seconds it got out of hand as it lit aflame at the very top, hotter and larger than it ever should've been, but safe nonetheless. I stopped using magic as I placed the kindling safely in the center of the piled wood.

"Nice! Now all we need to do is blow on it a bit," Dannas said.

Before he could lean in, I aimed my hand at the small flame, and outstretched my fingers, mimicking an explosion as the fire burst around its radius, setting the rest alight quickly.

"Never mind then. Any more magic?"

"No." I didn't want to say, but I wanted to conserve my energy.

I stared at the fire, watching the chaos of its sparks and flickers and whips. Somehow, it didn't scare me as it used to. I didn't know if I got used to it or if it was just the looming threat of Gerickst hanging above my head—in my thoughts—at all times. In comparison, nothing seemed as terrifying as him. I've seen firsthand what he's capable of, and I'd have to consider myself a fool to say I saw his limits.

"I'd never blame you for your fears. He's quite the threat," Lili spoke in my mind.

"..."

"More than that, he's a sadistic, grudge-holding dragon. I don't envy your position. The roughest part is ahead of you yet."

"..."

"And still… you're going to face him head on. You'll do whatever you have to." She looked me in my eyes. "Regardless of what the outcome will be… I believe in you."

I stared in hers, catching ever-so-faint flickers in her black abysses. "Thank you."

"Am I missing something here?" Dannas interrupted. "Are you two having a moment? Should I..."

"No, Dannas."

"Are you alright?" He asked.

I looked back into the fire and nodded. I felt as determined as could be. Lili was certainly to blame for it.

Whatever I have to do, I'll do it. I'll be damned if I let either of them get hurt.

"Can somebody tell me what's going on?" Dannas asked.

"Just thinking about the future," I answered.

"I guess it must be complicated now, huh? I mean, stay home, stay with us, the girl, your dad. It's a lot… I think."

I nodded slightly. "Plenty to think about."

"What do you want to do?"

"At the moment, go home; spend time with Abraxas. After that? I don't know."

"Are you… interested, in staying with us?" he asked, nervousness showing in his blue eyes as clearly as his vulnerability.

"I can say I'm certainly interested… in your answer," Lili added.

I paused, just for a moment of thought. "I'm not against it necessarily. I guess we'll see."

Dannas nodded. "Well… uh… Oh! Did you ever name your bow?!"

I looked down to my hip, at it. "I said I would, didn't I?"

Dannas nodded ferociously. "Mhm! So did you?"

"Not yet, I guess I haven't been able to think of one."

"I can help!"

"You don't hav—"

"What about Chest Piercer—ooh! Chest Burster!"

"No."

"What about Sting?"

"No. Sounds like it would be taken already."

"True, true." He scratched his chin, trying to think more.

"How about… Final Whisper." Lili said, as confident as she was excited, though her excitement definitely held plenty of dignity.

"Not bad."

"Breath Taker? No… "Thunder! Thunder Clap! Thunder Strike! Bolt!"

"Some of those were alright. Not bolt."

"What about… Talon… or Thunderbird. The bow was designed after an eagle after all," Lili added.

"That's true," Dannas said.

"Not bad."

"Thunder Talon!" Dannas yelled, mimicking some kind of bird attack with his hands.

"That's my favorite so far. But I'm not sure."

"I suppose you'll have to think on it a little longer," Lili said.

I nodded.

"Aw man…" He flicked a pebble, pouting like a child. "I thought we had it."

The sun had finally made its way close to evening, though it was hard to see through the ceiling of trees. Not long after, Karik, Lili's partner, joined us.

"Lili, they need your help with something. Come on."

"Very well then." She stood up. "It was nice spending… time with you, Ladon. I can't wait to fete you for succeeding your mission. I look forward to seeing your new sword too." She winked.

I nodded. "Thank you for the company."

She nodded back slowly, smiling. "I'll see you later. You too, Dannas." 

"Y-yeah, see… later, you. Uhhh."

She walked away.

"What was that, Dannas?" She whisper-yelled to himself. "It's easier when she's not talking to you. That kind of defeats the purpose."

I didn't realize he was nervous.

"Dannas?"

"Uhm, yeah?"

"What are these celebrations usually like?"

"Oh, I dunno: food, games, dancing, sometimes music. Your sword. We usually stay up all night or so. Sometimes there's some, Ahem!" He cleared his throat, leaning toward me. "Adult drinks." He leaned back, practically smirking at himself. "Yeah, I had one once… pretty cool, I know."

"I see."

Time passed and the sky grew dark, our surroundings darker. The fire illuminated us more and more with every passing moment.

"Oh shit, it's almost time." He looked around frantically, landing his eyes on our tent. "I'll be back!" He sprinted off.

Am I supposed to be somewhere too? All they told me is we're celebrating.

I looked around the camp only to realize everyone was gone. Nobody was mending their armor, tending to their weapons, training, eating. Nothing. No one. Suddenly like a wave, darkness washed through the area, much faster than the night's approach. Darker too. I was in near-pitch-black darkness in less than a second.

The fuck?

Lights, several lights, lit in the distance, flickering, past the sleeping tents to the right of the T, where the smithy was. Maybe twenty lights appeared. They shifted down the path in unison. Just as they turned left, to me, I realized they were torches, held by rangers clad in leather armor, the symbol illuminated and shadowed on their chests. They walked with serious faces. In the front of the troop walked Soras and Captain. Soras was holding something in his hands, obscured by the lighting. It smelled of metal, linseed oil, and recently lacquered leather and wood. It was obvious what it was.

When Captain and Soras got close, the darkness, all at once, returned to a singular point; to Lili's closed fist, who stood a few steps behind them. The area was certainly brighter, but night had settled, continuing the usefulness of the torches. It didn't seem like all the rangers were here, but there were quite a few nonetheless. I didn't see Dannas.

I stood up.

Soras and Captain approached me.

"This is your blade, Ladon," Captain began. "The second it's in your hands, you're one of us, regardless of where you are, how far in the future you will be, you'll be a Midnight Ranger… always. Is this understood?"

"Yes."

"Being a ranger is more than just hunting monsters, beasts, fighting with swords, shooting bows, and traveling through forests," Soras began. "It's a responsibility you'll hold forever; a promise to help humanity in any way you can; a dedication to the balance of nature; of life and death. Along with this messer, you will carry this duty; this weight with you, the symbol on your armor, a heraldry to prove your promise to the purpose at all times for others to see."

I couldn't help but think of the tree of life when he brought up balance. It made sense considering the first were taught by elves, and somehow, the purpose felt right, more than before.

He reached out, bringing the sword close to me. "That is what it means to be a Midnight Ranger."

I stared at the sword, thoughts innumerable rushing around me like a typhoon.

He held it at the tip of the scabbard so the handle would be even closer. "Do you accept this purpose?"

I looked at him, who held his determined, stoic expression, then looked to Captain to only find a calm, unreadable emptiness observing me, giving me no advice for any choice in any direction. It almost felt like her expression was telling me this was a choice for me to make, no one else.

I looked at the sword. The knife-styled handle, the round-angled guard that held the same rough shape as my last, and the beautifully-designed wooden scabbard tightly wrapped in leather. I could even see some black fur poking out from within.

I grabbed the handle, pulled slowly. I was careful to not make any noise as the freshly-oiled blade slipped out. I could see a layer of fur running deep in the scabbard, smelling of linseed oil. The blade shined in the small amount of moonlight that peeked through the leaves, glistening to the pattern of them. I quickly found the words, "Last Resort," on both sides, with the t being right ahead of the hilt. It was beautiful, just the right length, curvature, and weight, though the last part didn't matter as much to me.

"Be careful with this one," Captain said. "They put in a lot of work and effort to make that for you."

"I understand." I didn't want to ever use it anyway.

Soras smirked slightly, "Well how about having a go with it; a couple swings?"

"Hm?"

"Let's have a duel. I've been itching to see how much you've improved."

"I don't know about that. I've had enough blades for a while."

"Then all you have to do is not cut me… if you can even get the opportunity, that is."

I sighed. "Do I have to?" I noticed everyone was waiting in anticipation.

"Well, you did do pretty decently last time; I think everyone wants to see your skill."

I sighed once again. "Fine."

Soras immediately moved to a training circle. I followed him, the large group of rangers following just behind me.

Before I could enter the circle, a hand grabbed my shoulder. I stopped.

"Be careful, okay?" I heard Yara say close behind.

I looked back, and nodded, before entering the circle.

Dannas sprinted into view, cutting the crowd. "Am I late?! Did it start?!" he yelled to nobody, then saw me and Soras.

I detached my quiver and walked it and my new scabbard to him. He happily carried them. I walked back to the opposite side to Soras who pulled his grosse messer out, the biggest of the messers.

I looked to my right to see Captain, arms crossed, watching just like at my test. I looked to my left to see Yara, Karik, and Lili watching me. Lili nodded, smiling like she was trying to transfer her confidence to me.

"I must warn you, Ladon," Soras interrupted my observations, "this won't be as easy as the last time, unless of course you didn't fail to gain any skill."

I knew I hadn't. "If it was going to be easy, it wouldn't be worth it." For the crowd, I meant.

"Exactly."

A familiar scent reached my nose, from behind. I turned to see Gin-me watching, just next to the now-nervous Dannas. She looked tired, and bored, holding her bandaged arm. I didn't see her sister.

I looked back to Soras to see him break his stoicism for a smirk. "Ready to begin?"

I stared him in the eyes and entered my stance.

He acknowledged with an equally determined gaze, entering his.