Curse

Xceran · Apr 26, 2006, 10:06 AM // 10:06

I just recently discovered your writing, the lost volumes, and I must say, you are truly a talanted writer.

This is really, really good!!!

I take a bow for you!!

As all the others has said over and over again, I really look forward to the next chapter!!

~Xceran

storm of daeth · Apr 26, 2006, 10:20 PM // 22:20

wow that last chapter was amazing i can't wait for more you should really think about becoming an author.

Storm Crow · Apr 26, 2006, 11:54 PM // 23:54

A question to d3kst3r - Do you have a fascination with the subtitle "The Lost Volumes"? I noticed that your "Cataclysm of Orr" thread also had this subtitle...

Just wondering, I don't expect a formal answer.

d3kst3r · Apr 27, 2006, 02:02 AM // 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Storm Crow

A question to d3kst3r - Do you have a fascination with the subtitle "The Lost Volumes"? I noticed that your "Cataclysm of Orr" thread also had this subtitle...

Just wondering, I don't expect a formal answer.

Trials of Saul is the sequel to Cataclysm of Orr hence they are both part of the Lost Volumes collection.

Edit: Also in the stories the Lost Volumes are ancient texts written by a Mursaat scholar that keeps record of history throughout Tyria.

Storm Crow · Apr 27, 2006, 03:01 AM // 03:01

But, wouldn't it seem that if they were part of the same series, the current subtitle would be a pretitle, and the name of the story would come after?

d3kst3r · Apr 27, 2006, 03:09 AM // 03:09

Well as naming conventions go, you are allowed to have the series title come second although it's a rare occurence. I decided to go that way to distinguish the names of the individual stories better. Anyway a name is just a name, in the end it's the story itself that's more important.

d3kst3r · Apr 29, 2006, 11:59 AM // 11:59

Haven't had much time to write. Been playing Factions.

Fifteen

The large gates to Lion’s Arch opened up ushering in the survivors of the Orden massacre. Rumours had spread around the town that a hero dressed in white had fought the Charr back and rescued a handful of Krytans. The streets were filling with gossip and by the time the survivors had arrived, the gossip reached fever pitch.

“It is the White Saviour!”

“He’s real!”

“He will save us!”

Lion’s Arch was abound with whispers in the street as Saul walked self consciously through the crowd. The fact that his clothing was pure white and enchanted to never be dirty didn’t help things. The way that the sun illuminated him only proved to many that the gossip was true.

“Look at all the gapers,” Cynn giggled as they parted the crowd on their way to the Keep.

“The rumours are justified. There is no greater warrior in the land,” muttered Aidan.

Hope was kindled in the faces of the old, light seemed to twinkle in their weary eyes at the sight of the White Saviour. Children stared in awe and seemed to feel the power emanating off Saul’s being. Saul shut his ears off before some of the more far fetched rumours he heard muttered began to embarrass him.
After a long, long walk they finally reached the Keep. Malan however, seemed to be expecting him. Beside Malan, Malaquire looked at them with a sad gaze.

“My friend Sergio, it seems you have returned in one piece,” he spoke to the group as he stood at the top of the steps leading into the Keep. “How unfortunate that we have lost Orden.”

“Orden is completely overrun! We’re lucky to have come out with our lives!” Sergio spat with indignation. “I told you it was a suicide run and yet you still continue to stress its tactical importance!”

“Enough!” Malan shouted out as everything fell to silence. After a while he spoke in a whisper. “And I see you have brought a new comer.” His gaze shifted to Saul D’Alessio with disdain in his eyes.

“This man is the weapon to destroy our foes! He is the greatest warrior in the land!” Aidan proclaimed.

“This man was exiled from Kryta just two weeks ago for murder!” Malan replied stunning everyone in sight. “His name is Saul D’Alessio and he is a murderer!”

Saul’s eyes grew wide at the sudden shock.
Malaquire sighed, unfurled a scroll and read it out aloud without much enthusiasm.

“By order of law fifty-five of Kryta,” he cleared his throat. “Any villain to return from exile to Krytan lands will be sentenced to death.”

“This is madness!” Sergio was furious.

A dozen guards emerged from the Keep all heavily armed and surrounded the group.

“We have returned from Orden and this is the reception we get?” Cynn spoke angrily and it seemed for a second a flame ignited in her eyes.

“You cannot arrest him! He is our only hope against the Charr!” protested Mhenlo.

The guards drew their swords and seemed ready to strike them at any minute. Saul sighed.

“I will see no more bloodshed of my fellow countrymen,” he said without lacking any confidence.

Saul emerged from the group and let himself be led away as the others looked on in disbelief.

“Now go help prepare the defences,” Malan ordered Sergio and then turned his back and walked into the Keep.

Sergio shook his head in great disdain.

“Malan is out of his mind,” he said.

“I’m sorry my old friend but it is Krytan law. Malan will uphold the law at all costs, even you know that,” Malaquire replied. “Even if it means the destruction of Kryta.”

“There won’t be any laws left if we do not free Saul,” said Sergio.

“Is he really the great warrior that all the rumours have told of? Some of the things I’ve heard are extremely far fetched,” Malaquire spoke casually for the first time since their reunion.

“He is a warrior of godly power. I saw him slaughter through an army of Charr all by himself without taking a single injury. His fighting style is… unnatural,” Aidan explained. “And when he is nearby, in the breeze I feel a kind of presence… like he is a large rock against the pond that is destiny. He seems to be able to shape it to his own will.”

Meanwhile Saul was led deep underground beneath the Keep into a dank cell infested by rats. The only sunlight that entered came from a small hole in a crack in the roof.
He felt cold as the heavy iron door shut behind him and slowly adjusted his eyes to the darkness.

“Tomorrow you shall be executed,” one of the guard’s said casually before leaving.

In the loneliness, Saul called upon the powers of Distortion and moved his hand against the cell wall. Despite being able to allow small objects such as swords and arrows to pass through him, he was unable to pass through anything as solid and heavy as a wall. Even his power had limits.
He gave a long sigh and then sat against the wall. He closed his eyes and drew upon the darkness that Ryzon had taught him about. And he found himself floating in nothingness, as though he were really there. In the void he focused on his surroundings hard experimenting with this strange world.

“Avenge me!” came a hollow eerie voice.

“Seek vengeance for my son!” came another voice.

For a second Saul thought he was imagining things but soon he heard thousands of voices all calling for some sort of revenge.
He blinked against the dark void and focused on the vast nothingness before him. All of a sudden it was like piercing through the veil of the surface of water. The darkness disappeared and he saw the void as it actually was.
Everywhere he saw hundreds of thousands of lost souls floating around beside him. Their bodies were hollow and emitted a pale light. They were the spirits of those who had died at the Cataclysm of Orr.
Suddenly he realized where his power came from. Comprehension dawned on him. Ryzon had not told him the full details. Saul D’Alessio was the descendent of the kings of Orr and after its destruction, the unavenged souls somehow found him within the void. It was their will and thirst for revenge that gave him such powerful earthly powers. The souls were like a well of unlimited energy that Saul could draw upon to do great feats that no other mortal was capable of.
But at the same time he was haunted.
The thousands of voices seemed to all call to him at the same time.

“Avenge me! Avenge my family!”

The voices in his head overwhelmed his thoughts and in the void they tugged against his soul in all directions pleading and begging him for vengeance.

“Get away! Get away!” he yelled without any words.

And just like that his eyes opened and he was back in his cell once again. A cold sweat covered his back. The battle of Lion’s Arch would soon begin and Saul was stuck in a dark cell, tormented by the spirits within.

storm of daeth · Apr 30, 2006, 06:04 PM // 18:04

sounds great i can't wait for the battle of lions arch =D

Goats17 · May 01, 2006, 11:47 PM // 23:47

Geez, any more chapters like these and I will have3 to start using l337sp33k to convey how good these are. One of the best stoies that I have ever read.

storm of daeth · May 19, 2006, 02:52 AM // 02:52

major bump fell to second page we need more

Goats17 · May 19, 2006, 10:09 PM // 22:09

Yes we do, where are you D3kst3r?

storm of daeth · May 20, 2006, 01:15 AM // 01:15

i need my fix if you dont write more soon ill have to start writing angry letters!

Goats17 · May 20, 2006, 01:39 AM // 01:39

It's been 10 days D3kst3r, we're getting impatient......................................... ......................

storm of daeth · May 20, 2006, 02:14 AM // 02:14

im gonna send him a message

d3kst3r · May 20, 2006, 11:43 AM // 11:43

Sorry about the delay. Suffered a bit of writer's block lately. And also lots of assignments due.

Sixteen

Darkened clouds began to amass across the sky as a mighty sea of Charr flooded into view over the hilltop. The small walls around Lion’s Arch stood like a fragile barrier ready to be swept away. These walls were unlike those in Ascalon or Arah, they were not built to withstand an invasion. Malan knew this and kept his main army outside to await the onslaught in glorious battle.
The thick dark clouds made the air seem grey with impending death and dread.

“Here lies the final bastion of humanity in Tyria,” snorted Zenn licking the blood off his axe. “We shall break them.”

On the other side of the battle field Malan rode on his horse donned in the finest Krytan armour with an air of arrogance about him. He strutted in front of the assembled army of around a few thousand or so. They were all the fighting men that were able to be tracked down in Kryta, some of them had barely seen bloodshed before.

“We should have died in the Searing,” said Devona whispering amid the nervous clatter of the ranks. “It’s time to pay homage to that.”

“There is no finer death than dying in battle among friends,” replied Aidan.

All throughout Lion’s Arch, the old, the sick, the women and the children were sewing their death beds. Some of them drew swords ready to die fighting with their last ounce of breath. Their homes and their families would be destroyed before them and they knew what had to be done.
Some of the less bold hid themselves in their shops and their homes and barricaded the doors. The harbour was totally deserted, not a single ship that had not left remained. All those that had left had gone with full loads of refugees.

“Look at them,” sneered Zenn. “They’re frightened. I can smell it on their flesh.”

The other Charr began to cheer.

“Whatever happens, know that you have lived a good life,” Malaquire said patting Sergio’s shoulder.

Sergio sighed as he held Frostfell.

“It is a pity that our one hope lies locked up in the dungeons below,” he sighed.

Up ahead, a single drop of rain fell. It glided swiftly until it dropped onto Devona’s cheek. The Charr formation had stopped moving.

“Charge!” Malan ordered in a moment of madness, his troops unsure of what to do. “Charge!” he yelled again as they reluctantly complied.

The Defenders of Kryta surged forwards towards an army than was far greater than their own. The casualties came fast and heavy. Thousands of arrows were exchanged between both sides and lives were lost by the hundreds before a single sword was swung, their corpses lay on the ground like obstacles.

“Draw!” Malan ordered as his troops did so.

Sergio ducked under a Charr axe and rolled forward taking out the legs of another Charr as he did so. Beside him Devona had already become smeared with blood. Mhenlo was frantically healing wounds and trying to prevent nearby troops from dying. The battle was so chaotic that clouds of dust smeared most of the air around them that visibility became quit low. Bodies and limbs were appearing and disappearing out of mists of dust and destruction as the ground became heavier with corpses each moment.

“We’ve lost more than a fifth of our forces!” cried Aidan’s voice out of the mists. “This is madness!”

“We’re not here to win!” replied Devona as she hammered a Charr into the ground.

Currently the line of defenders and the line of Charr had been even and neither lost or gained ground. However for each Charr killed many more would come to take his place whereas the defenders would have no replacements. Over time the defender’s line would be broken by sheer numbers.
Aidan was nocking and firing shots more frantically than he had ever done. His arm became strained by the work and his shots became less and less accurate but over such a short range there was much need for accuracy.
In the far corner of the dusty battlefield he managed to spot a single Charr who was taller than the rest and wore armour lined with gold.

“Devona! Regroup to me!” he yelled as Devona hastily rushed to his side. “Leader,” he pointed.

She knew what to do and without hesitation she rushed him. Aidan took careful aim and fired an arrow into Zenn’s shoulder. The powerful Charr who did not seem to even notice as it killed a Krytan defender by beheading. Aidan quickly fired another arrow and then a third, both of them implanted into the Charr’s torso.

“If we keep this up we’ll all be killed!” Sergio cried.

“Push on!” Malan ordered coldly.

Meanwhile far from the battlefield, in the cold depths under the Keep, Cynn crept silently through the dark passages. The sound of fighting and violence could be heard even in this remote and sealed off place and every step she took, she felt guilty that she wasn’t up there helping the fight. But she had a more important role.
All the guards had gone to fight and the area was deserted. There were the remains of skeletons all over the place where prisoners had died in their cells. These sights gave Cynn a cold chill.
It wasn’t long until she found the cell where Saul D’Alessio was kept. It was by far the easiest to find since she could hear his tortured screams echoing through the prison.

“Saul! Are you alright?” she asked.

“Make them stop!” he cried at the top of his voice. “These voices in my head! The spirits of the Orrians! They will not leave me alone!”

“We’ve got to get you out of here. We’ll all die if you do not join the battle,” she was pleading now.

Within the cell Saul pulled his slumped body off the cold stone and leaned his weight against the door. Try as he might he could not open it.

“Stand back Saul,” ordered Cynn.

Closing her eyes she let the feel of the elements sweep over her. She entered an altered state of consciousness where every single gust of wind seemed visible, every flicker of flame seemed solid, every particle of dirt was fully detailed and every drop of water was alive. Then she took a hold of one of the threads of fire and began to shape it building it bigger and bigger within her palm until it was nearly bursting.
With a deep breath she released the fireball as it hurtled into the door blasting it asunder.

“Saul! Are you ok?” she screamed as the smoke cleared.

Lying on the ground with a face full of cold sweat, Saul struggled to stand.

“The voices… I can barely walk,” he whimpered.

Cynn rushed to his side and helped him up.

“You must fight Saul. If there is any life left in you then you must fight. Otherwise all of Tyria will fall to the Charr. This is our last stand. Right here right now,” her voice was filled with determination.

Saul brushed off the pain within him and for a second seemed to be able to move normally. But in his eyes there was a deep strain.
And in his mind a new voice had emerged among the spirits of the dead. It was the voice of Balthazar himself.

Goats17 · May 21, 2006, 05:10 PM // 17:10

I am getting so fired up for this next part, I think me and Storm are your greatest fans D3kst3r. Wow, these are some of the greatest stories that I have ever read, and I have read Phillip Pullman, Tolkien, Jules Verne, and (the greatest of the group) D3kst3r. No joke.

storm of daeth · May 22, 2006, 12:14 AM // 00:14

you are by far one of the best authors i have ever read something from and i've read from tom clancy and some others whom i forgot their name lol but for the love of all that is holy write more. and me and goats are youre biggest fans lol

Goats17 · May 25, 2006, 08:07 PM // 20:07

5 days and no fix....*shudders*

storm of daeth · May 29, 2006, 05:12 AM // 05:12

if you don't write more soon ill blow up this senior/daycare center! *straps bomb to chest and pushes button* WTF!? ah crap i forgot the triple A's.......

Goats17 · May 29, 2006, 10:58 PM // 22:58

I got some.................*hands them over*

Do you have an extra bomb?