D
Davy Jones
Guest
The Rise Of Archon
“Brothers! The time has come for man to begin his glorious quest for freedom! My son Archon has come of age and will fulfill the prophecy! he will go to Snowspire and will confront the Oracle, there It will tell him what he should do, my son the hopes and dreams of all Albion rests upon your shoulders do not fail us! One more time my friends let us give cheer to Archon!!!” the crowd roared in praise for Archon as he left the great hall. The snow was thick and the cold was fierce but Archon didn’t care, he walked onwards knowing that his destiny was that of the world. As he walked through the gates the whole of Snowspire was there to greet him man, woman and child. He walked up the steps and saw the 3 faces of the Oracle in the distance. He walked through the archway alone, then a barrier arose from the ground to stop those not worthy coming into the ancient place. He recited the 3 names of the Oracle “Yaron, Morik, Calron” The 3 faces awoke, snow fell from their stony faces and their eyes focused on Archon. The spoke in turns, “Ah..Welcome chosen one we know this day would come” “so what is it you wish to ask us?” “All knowing Oracle, i wish to know more of my purpose” “Stange..Surely you must have been told what your destiny is?” “Im afraid not, I was never told by anyone in detail all I was told was that one day I will go out into the world and do great things” “Well we will explain to you fully, thousands of years ago two gods Taren and Korath created the world and everything in it. Taren is the god of life and Korath the god of death they used their powers to balance out the world. But one day there was a dispute an argument they fought in one epic battle but neither could best the other so they abandoned each other and did what they pleased. They constantly tried to outdo each other by using men and the other assorted creatures of Albion as pawns. There has been no peace in Albion ever since the fight, war, disease and destruction have become all too common and men have suffered greatly for it. But other things came forth, Daemons were born out of the hatred of the gods and Korath now rules over them, they are his servants with which he spreads death with, to battle this Taren made his own special minions, Angels of great might. And it is your destiny to destroy these gods so the world came finally come to peace” Archon was shocked with what he just heard “me? Destroy the gods?” “Yes, you may not know it but there is great power within you Archon” “And how am I meant to destroy the gods?” “With a sword, a sword of great might, a sword which no man has ever heard of before, it is the sword of Aeons” “And where is it located?” “In the far north, the northern wilds”. “The northern wilds? That place is damned and forsaken” “yes that is why the sword is there, forged In the very fires of hell, its power is to great for any mortal to wield, it must be the chosen one, you”. “So this is my destiny.. I shall go forth then, thank you” “so go remember Archon the world itself relies on you”. As Archon walked through the Archway the crowd kept their eyes on him, waiting for him to speak. His father was there filled with pride. “My friends! Today I have learnt of what I must do, I will travel to the northern wilds and there I will retrieve a sword with the power to destroy the gods themselves!” the crowd went wild, people from all over Albion had come to witness his leave. “I cant and will not fail you!”. Archon began to walk when a hand lay on his shoulders. “My son, before you go come with me” Archon followed his father to the foothills. “There is a place out here which will only make itself know to one of our blood line, you see our family knew this day would come for many years so we prepared for it”. They walked down a path and then into a large forest. “Anacrium alothium avatos lentos” a stone door way came from under the ground. Then thousands of tiny lights like stars filled the gap within it. The men walked though the doorway. Then they appeared in a hall of stone. Torches were hanging off the walls with statues of former family members. “My son, each time a man came of age I would take him here to see if he was the one. Within that chamber lie items, which will help you on your quest. Let us go and claim them my boy”. They walked in and Archon walked over to a stone with a handprint in it. Archon placed his hand on it then a circle of blue light wrapped around him. The stone sank into the ground and then shining silver armour rose. “It is armour made from the legendary platinum troll, Archon there is no stronger material in all of Albion, this armour will protect you” and then something else arose a great sword, it was also made of platinum. “This is our family sword my son, it will protect you from the dangers that you will face” “Thank you father, I will treasure these items of battle”. “Then go my son, go and save Albion”. Archon left the chamber and began his walk to the bay. He walked down the hill and saw that his ship was waiting. “Archon” someone said, he turned around “yes who are you?” “My name is Imrik a great mage”. “I wish to travel with you” “I am sorry but the danger is to great” “I know but I wish to make something with myself, you see I am old my friend and I wish to see Albion before I die” Archon was unsure. “Think about it, you will need companionship, the loneliness will be crushing” “ah..so be it come we have a ship to get” “thank you Archon, you have made an old soul happy”.
Weeks passed and the boat cradled back and forth as it fought against great waves. Then port was made; the area of the northern wilds had been abandoned for hundreds of years after the settlers were all killed mysteriously. The old bay was in ruins “Well this is where I leave you good luck on your quest Archon” said the captain “thank you, good bye” the ship once again sailed into the mists. “Well my friend shall we go?” “Yes” Archon said “be wary the gods will have probably sent their minions into the wilds to stop us” “yes don’t worry my guard is up”. They followed the footpath into the valleys. “How come the sky’s is always red here? Does it never change?” “Well they say that the very earth itself is damned and that some evil power like nothing we have ever seen, something that even the gods fear sleeps here deep in the earth” “lets hope we don’t find it then” Archon replied with a grin “yes” Imrik said back. “Ok friend this is where me must be careful, that forest I know of, its called the Forest of Darkness” “well what you say is only half true” oh said Archon puzzled “yes it is only a legend a story to scare children for all we know the forest could be as lifeless as a rock” “let us hope”. It was an evil place, the branches of tress blocked off the sky and skulls and skeletons hung from tress and bushes. “A fairy tale I think not” then he heard it, the sound of roaring and hoofs from the bushes emerged foul things, men with horns and legs of goats, “Beast men!” Imrik yelled. Archon was surrounded they charged him with their horns ready to gouge him. Archon stiffened and closed his eyes. One loud shattering sound echoed all around, skulls and horns shattered as the beast men rammed their heads into the unbreakable armour. Imrik was in awe. He was about to speak when a cleaver went for his head; he ducked and fired lighting at the beast. It roared in pain as it began to burn up. It fell to the ground, dead. “We best be on the look out for more of these things”. “That was amazing Archon how did you resist their attack?” “My armour is made out of platinum” “ah.. Yes the strongest material in Albion”. They came upon a huge stone. “What is this?” “A herd stone, I think it’s of some religious importance to these things”. “Look at the ground around it, its red and tainted” “yes like the creatures themselves, it is said they came to be because men and animal alike spent to much time near these stones and it slowly corrupted them so men turned to beasts and beasts turned to men” “let us go less we suffer the same fate”. It was growing darker and the vegetation was growing thicker. Then they came upon a clearing. “Why is that tree by itself?” before Archon could receive an answer there was a terrible shrill scream. Thorn bushes rose from the ground blocking any escape, the tree began to take the form of a women and it grew a face “what are you doing here?” “We don’t mean harm we are passing by” “no your are not.. Your are here to burn me and cut me” “no please” “silence! Your are not the fist I, have seen your kind here before” she pointed to a pit. It was filled with human skeletons and the skeletons of the beast men. “Now you will feel my wraith” she let out anther scream and many forms came from the bushes they looked like her great wooden talons with dark red eyes. They circled the men and one went for the kill, it cut Imrik across the face, a sharp slice appeared on his cheek. “Archon protect me” another came but Archon sent his armored fist into the things body, it splintered apart and crashed to the ground. Another came and tried to slash at Archon, he withdrew his sword and cut the Brach Wraith to pieces. “Firos!” Imrik yelled. Great pillars of fire came from under the ground the entire area around Archon and Imrik burnt with hell fire. The Branch Wraiths wailed and dropped one after the other. The leader was safe from the flames using a magical barrier. Archon threw his sword at the creature and it ripped right through her, she screamed and Archon ran towards her. He punched it into splinters and it tired to fight back, but it was useless Archons hulking form was to great. The Throne bushes burnt to ash. “Hurry! We must go!” yelled Imrik and then something mighty burst through the wood, a giant tree with blackened wood it was being chased by beast men with arrows of fire. Then more Branch wraiths came from the foliage they charged the beasts and shredded them to pieces. Then more beasts came from the darkness, it was a twisted battleground. Imrik was tugging at Archon to go, but he was to amazed by the battle, blood and wood flew through the air then a bolt of magic hit the tree thing and it broke apart. Archon turned his head it was a beast man in robes and with a staff. He turned to look at Archon and then his head was blown clean off by another spell. A strange being was at the other side of the battle, half human half branch. “Archon we must go!” they ran and finally reached the exit of the forest. “What was that?!” “A war between the forest and the beasts” “we should go back and”.” “No Archon, im sorry but I can’t imagine what else is in there and I don’t want to”. They carried on. “They came across a vast land, it was barren except for the odd tree, and mountains could be seen ahead. “We must reach those mountains” Archon exclaimed. They were half way there when the earth rumbled. Then something arose in the distance. “What is that?” Imrik said. Archon squinted “Scorpion”. It was a king scorpion, massive with a deadly sting. It charged them. The men went different ways. The scorpion chose Imrik as its target. “Imrik! Lead it to that rock!” Imrik ran and fired bolts of lighting at the same time; they hit the scorpion in the face, it almost lost its footing but it charged on. Imrik laid back against the wall and then he teleported at the last second. The scorpion smashed its face into the rock, Imrik cast binds on its legs it was stunned and couldn’t move. Archon ran past Imrik and then leapt on the scorpions back, he thrust the sword into the scorpion’s back. It broke free in pain it ran in all directions and then brought its sting down on Archon he moved out of the way and the sting went into the wound and poison shot through the monster. Archon jumped off as it ran in circles. It went berserk, it charged towards Archon, he fell onto his back and raised his sword, and the scorpions underbelly was ripped wide open as it rushed against the sword. Foul contents poured all over the ground as it crashed and became still. Imrik ran to Archon ‘Are you ok? Did it sting you?” “no, im ok” “good its sting is highly venoms”. They reached the base of the mountain. “We have to climb to the top maybe there’s a cave. They climbed for hours Imrik was becoming exhausted, “Archon…I can’t go on..im to old for this”. Archon pulled him up and carried him on his back. “Don’t worry friend you have done well” Imrik slowly said “thank you..” They reached the very top of the mountain; the view was amazing they could see everything. “Imrik is there a way to see far ahead?” “Yes, put me down and I will show you”. Archon let him down and he crossed his legs he became very quite. Archon didn’t disturb him, thinking he must know what he’s doing. Minutes passed then Imrik opened his eyes. “Archon, I have seen ahead”. “What did you see?” “I think I can see the place where the sword is, but it is far and blurry”. “Ok, at least that’s some idea, I have found a cave over there lets go”. They walked to the mouth of the cave and then they heard something, a low groan and then footsteps. Archon drew his sword and Imrik readied a fireball. A giant line of white shout from the darkness, Imrik was hit and dragged into the cave, “No!!!” Archon yelled and charged after him. The cave went on forever and the path was going down. He reached a large room where some light came from the cracks and holes in the walls and ceiling. There was a massive web in the ceiling with Imrik stuck on it. Then there was a massive thud behind him. It was a giant spider, black with massive fangs. It hissed as it circled Archon “come on, ill squash you” it hissed as if it knew what he said. It pounced, Archon thrust his sword one of the eight legs flew off, blood poured on the floor, the insect turned around and smashed into Archon, he was sent off his feet. Two massive fangs loamed over Archon and he grabbed them so they couldn’t close on his head. He brought the two fangs together and with great force ripped them out. The spider screamed and spat blood all over the cave it ran up the wall, in panic and began to get caught in its own web. It became tangled and dropped to the floor. It couldn’t escape the hero climbed on top of it and thrust the sword into the spider’s head. Its legs slowly stopped moving and it curled into a ball. “Imrik!” “Imrik! Came you here me!” he wasn’t answered. Archon picked up the leg that had come off the spider. It was incredibly sharp, he thrust it at the web and Imrik came free. Archon caught him; “Imrik” he pulled all the webbing off him and Imrik began to wake “you killed it?” “Yes” he looked over to the corpse. “Bravo boy, come let us rest”.
“Brothers! The time has come for man to begin his glorious quest for freedom! My son Archon has come of age and will fulfill the prophecy! he will go to Snowspire and will confront the Oracle, there It will tell him what he should do, my son the hopes and dreams of all Albion rests upon your shoulders do not fail us! One more time my friends let us give cheer to Archon!!!” the crowd roared in praise for Archon as he left the great hall. The snow was thick and the cold was fierce but Archon didn’t care, he walked onwards knowing that his destiny was that of the world. As he walked through the gates the whole of Snowspire was there to greet him man, woman and child. He walked up the steps and saw the 3 faces of the Oracle in the distance. He walked through the archway alone, then a barrier arose from the ground to stop those not worthy coming into the ancient place. He recited the 3 names of the Oracle “Yaron, Morik, Calron” The 3 faces awoke, snow fell from their stony faces and their eyes focused on Archon. The spoke in turns, “Ah..Welcome chosen one we know this day would come” “so what is it you wish to ask us?” “All knowing Oracle, i wish to know more of my purpose” “Stange..Surely you must have been told what your destiny is?” “Im afraid not, I was never told by anyone in detail all I was told was that one day I will go out into the world and do great things” “Well we will explain to you fully, thousands of years ago two gods Taren and Korath created the world and everything in it. Taren is the god of life and Korath the god of death they used their powers to balance out the world. But one day there was a dispute an argument they fought in one epic battle but neither could best the other so they abandoned each other and did what they pleased. They constantly tried to outdo each other by using men and the other assorted creatures of Albion as pawns. There has been no peace in Albion ever since the fight, war, disease and destruction have become all too common and men have suffered greatly for it. But other things came forth, Daemons were born out of the hatred of the gods and Korath now rules over them, they are his servants with which he spreads death with, to battle this Taren made his own special minions, Angels of great might. And it is your destiny to destroy these gods so the world came finally come to peace” Archon was shocked with what he just heard “me? Destroy the gods?” “Yes, you may not know it but there is great power within you Archon” “And how am I meant to destroy the gods?” “With a sword, a sword of great might, a sword which no man has ever heard of before, it is the sword of Aeons” “And where is it located?” “In the far north, the northern wilds”. “The northern wilds? That place is damned and forsaken” “yes that is why the sword is there, forged In the very fires of hell, its power is to great for any mortal to wield, it must be the chosen one, you”. “So this is my destiny.. I shall go forth then, thank you” “so go remember Archon the world itself relies on you”. As Archon walked through the Archway the crowd kept their eyes on him, waiting for him to speak. His father was there filled with pride. “My friends! Today I have learnt of what I must do, I will travel to the northern wilds and there I will retrieve a sword with the power to destroy the gods themselves!” the crowd went wild, people from all over Albion had come to witness his leave. “I cant and will not fail you!”. Archon began to walk when a hand lay on his shoulders. “My son, before you go come with me” Archon followed his father to the foothills. “There is a place out here which will only make itself know to one of our blood line, you see our family knew this day would come for many years so we prepared for it”. They walked down a path and then into a large forest. “Anacrium alothium avatos lentos” a stone door way came from under the ground. Then thousands of tiny lights like stars filled the gap within it. The men walked though the doorway. Then they appeared in a hall of stone. Torches were hanging off the walls with statues of former family members. “My son, each time a man came of age I would take him here to see if he was the one. Within that chamber lie items, which will help you on your quest. Let us go and claim them my boy”. They walked in and Archon walked over to a stone with a handprint in it. Archon placed his hand on it then a circle of blue light wrapped around him. The stone sank into the ground and then shining silver armour rose. “It is armour made from the legendary platinum troll, Archon there is no stronger material in all of Albion, this armour will protect you” and then something else arose a great sword, it was also made of platinum. “This is our family sword my son, it will protect you from the dangers that you will face” “Thank you father, I will treasure these items of battle”. “Then go my son, go and save Albion”. Archon left the chamber and began his walk to the bay. He walked down the hill and saw that his ship was waiting. “Archon” someone said, he turned around “yes who are you?” “My name is Imrik a great mage”. “I wish to travel with you” “I am sorry but the danger is to great” “I know but I wish to make something with myself, you see I am old my friend and I wish to see Albion before I die” Archon was unsure. “Think about it, you will need companionship, the loneliness will be crushing” “ah..so be it come we have a ship to get” “thank you Archon, you have made an old soul happy”.
Weeks passed and the boat cradled back and forth as it fought against great waves. Then port was made; the area of the northern wilds had been abandoned for hundreds of years after the settlers were all killed mysteriously. The old bay was in ruins “Well this is where I leave you good luck on your quest Archon” said the captain “thank you, good bye” the ship once again sailed into the mists. “Well my friend shall we go?” “Yes” Archon said “be wary the gods will have probably sent their minions into the wilds to stop us” “yes don’t worry my guard is up”. They followed the footpath into the valleys. “How come the sky’s is always red here? Does it never change?” “Well they say that the very earth itself is damned and that some evil power like nothing we have ever seen, something that even the gods fear sleeps here deep in the earth” “lets hope we don’t find it then” Archon replied with a grin “yes” Imrik said back. “Ok friend this is where me must be careful, that forest I know of, its called the Forest of Darkness” “well what you say is only half true” oh said Archon puzzled “yes it is only a legend a story to scare children for all we know the forest could be as lifeless as a rock” “let us hope”. It was an evil place, the branches of tress blocked off the sky and skulls and skeletons hung from tress and bushes. “A fairy tale I think not” then he heard it, the sound of roaring and hoofs from the bushes emerged foul things, men with horns and legs of goats, “Beast men!” Imrik yelled. Archon was surrounded they charged him with their horns ready to gouge him. Archon stiffened and closed his eyes. One loud shattering sound echoed all around, skulls and horns shattered as the beast men rammed their heads into the unbreakable armour. Imrik was in awe. He was about to speak when a cleaver went for his head; he ducked and fired lighting at the beast. It roared in pain as it began to burn up. It fell to the ground, dead. “We best be on the look out for more of these things”. “That was amazing Archon how did you resist their attack?” “My armour is made out of platinum” “ah.. Yes the strongest material in Albion”. They came upon a huge stone. “What is this?” “A herd stone, I think it’s of some religious importance to these things”. “Look at the ground around it, its red and tainted” “yes like the creatures themselves, it is said they came to be because men and animal alike spent to much time near these stones and it slowly corrupted them so men turned to beasts and beasts turned to men” “let us go less we suffer the same fate”. It was growing darker and the vegetation was growing thicker. Then they came upon a clearing. “Why is that tree by itself?” before Archon could receive an answer there was a terrible shrill scream. Thorn bushes rose from the ground blocking any escape, the tree began to take the form of a women and it grew a face “what are you doing here?” “We don’t mean harm we are passing by” “no your are not.. Your are here to burn me and cut me” “no please” “silence! Your are not the fist I, have seen your kind here before” she pointed to a pit. It was filled with human skeletons and the skeletons of the beast men. “Now you will feel my wraith” she let out anther scream and many forms came from the bushes they looked like her great wooden talons with dark red eyes. They circled the men and one went for the kill, it cut Imrik across the face, a sharp slice appeared on his cheek. “Archon protect me” another came but Archon sent his armored fist into the things body, it splintered apart and crashed to the ground. Another came and tried to slash at Archon, he withdrew his sword and cut the Brach Wraith to pieces. “Firos!” Imrik yelled. Great pillars of fire came from under the ground the entire area around Archon and Imrik burnt with hell fire. The Branch Wraiths wailed and dropped one after the other. The leader was safe from the flames using a magical barrier. Archon threw his sword at the creature and it ripped right through her, she screamed and Archon ran towards her. He punched it into splinters and it tired to fight back, but it was useless Archons hulking form was to great. The Throne bushes burnt to ash. “Hurry! We must go!” yelled Imrik and then something mighty burst through the wood, a giant tree with blackened wood it was being chased by beast men with arrows of fire. Then more Branch wraiths came from the foliage they charged the beasts and shredded them to pieces. Then more beasts came from the darkness, it was a twisted battleground. Imrik was tugging at Archon to go, but he was to amazed by the battle, blood and wood flew through the air then a bolt of magic hit the tree thing and it broke apart. Archon turned his head it was a beast man in robes and with a staff. He turned to look at Archon and then his head was blown clean off by another spell. A strange being was at the other side of the battle, half human half branch. “Archon we must go!” they ran and finally reached the exit of the forest. “What was that?!” “A war between the forest and the beasts” “we should go back and”.” “No Archon, im sorry but I can’t imagine what else is in there and I don’t want to”. They carried on. “They came across a vast land, it was barren except for the odd tree, and mountains could be seen ahead. “We must reach those mountains” Archon exclaimed. They were half way there when the earth rumbled. Then something arose in the distance. “What is that?” Imrik said. Archon squinted “Scorpion”. It was a king scorpion, massive with a deadly sting. It charged them. The men went different ways. The scorpion chose Imrik as its target. “Imrik! Lead it to that rock!” Imrik ran and fired bolts of lighting at the same time; they hit the scorpion in the face, it almost lost its footing but it charged on. Imrik laid back against the wall and then he teleported at the last second. The scorpion smashed its face into the rock, Imrik cast binds on its legs it was stunned and couldn’t move. Archon ran past Imrik and then leapt on the scorpions back, he thrust the sword into the scorpion’s back. It broke free in pain it ran in all directions and then brought its sting down on Archon he moved out of the way and the sting went into the wound and poison shot through the monster. Archon jumped off as it ran in circles. It went berserk, it charged towards Archon, he fell onto his back and raised his sword, and the scorpions underbelly was ripped wide open as it rushed against the sword. Foul contents poured all over the ground as it crashed and became still. Imrik ran to Archon ‘Are you ok? Did it sting you?” “no, im ok” “good its sting is highly venoms”. They reached the base of the mountain. “We have to climb to the top maybe there’s a cave. They climbed for hours Imrik was becoming exhausted, “Archon…I can’t go on..im to old for this”. Archon pulled him up and carried him on his back. “Don’t worry friend you have done well” Imrik slowly said “thank you..” They reached the very top of the mountain; the view was amazing they could see everything. “Imrik is there a way to see far ahead?” “Yes, put me down and I will show you”. Archon let him down and he crossed his legs he became very quite. Archon didn’t disturb him, thinking he must know what he’s doing. Minutes passed then Imrik opened his eyes. “Archon, I have seen ahead”. “What did you see?” “I think I can see the place where the sword is, but it is far and blurry”. “Ok, at least that’s some idea, I have found a cave over there lets go”. They walked to the mouth of the cave and then they heard something, a low groan and then footsteps. Archon drew his sword and Imrik readied a fireball. A giant line of white shout from the darkness, Imrik was hit and dragged into the cave, “No!!!” Archon yelled and charged after him. The cave went on forever and the path was going down. He reached a large room where some light came from the cracks and holes in the walls and ceiling. There was a massive web in the ceiling with Imrik stuck on it. Then there was a massive thud behind him. It was a giant spider, black with massive fangs. It hissed as it circled Archon “come on, ill squash you” it hissed as if it knew what he said. It pounced, Archon thrust his sword one of the eight legs flew off, blood poured on the floor, the insect turned around and smashed into Archon, he was sent off his feet. Two massive fangs loamed over Archon and he grabbed them so they couldn’t close on his head. He brought the two fangs together and with great force ripped them out. The spider screamed and spat blood all over the cave it ran up the wall, in panic and began to get caught in its own web. It became tangled and dropped to the floor. It couldn’t escape the hero climbed on top of it and thrust the sword into the spider’s head. Its legs slowly stopped moving and it curled into a ball. “Imrik!” “Imrik! Came you here me!” he wasn’t answered. Archon picked up the leg that had come off the spider. It was incredibly sharp, he thrust it at the web and Imrik came free. Archon caught him; “Imrik” he pulled all the webbing off him and Imrik began to wake “you killed it?” “Yes” he looked over to the corpse. “Bravo boy, come let us rest”.