Children of the Cursed Read online

  The young boy happened upon what seemed to be statues wearing armor lined up along each side of the stone walls. That wasn’t not all, as the statues had crossbows placed in their hands as well. “What in the hell,” he fumed. “Is this some kind of joke?” He may have been young, but he was smarter than most adults. He wasn't about to walk on through without first testing the waters, no matter how ridiculous things had looked to him.

  Leon looked around for something that he could throw in the middle of the statues, wanting to find out what would happen before he himself walked through. Searching the area he found a medium-sized rock that was perfect for him to toss. Picking it up with both hands raised it above his head he threw it right into the center of the statues. With that, the crossbows unloaded an obscene amount of arrows that sailed through the air from one side to the other. Leon lowered his head with disgust, “I knew this seemed too easy.”

  The brave boy stared down at the obstacle before him, and his heart was racing and sweat dripped from his brow. Leon took a few deep breaths and poised himself for the run of his life. He took one more glance at the statues, “Let's do this.” He dashed down the center. The boy could hear the arrows sail through the air, but none managed to puncture his flesh.

  Leon could see the end in sight, he could feel the relief taking over, but then it happened, he tripped and hit the ground hard. ‘By the gods what should I do?’ The young boy started to panic and fear was setting in. Without thinking he just crawled across the ground, not once did he dare to look up. Tears welled up in his eyes and he whimpered between each breath he took.

  He crawled and crawled until he hit the top of his head on something solid. He reached up and felt something jagged with his hand. It took all he had to lift his head up and look, and he found himself at a dead end. “Are you kidding me,” he snarled. Leon jumped to his feet, “I've survived your maze. I demand that you let me out of here!” Clearly he was upset and starting to lose control over his emotions.

  When he didn't get a response from the mysterious voice, Leon found himself angered even more. “I said, let me out!” He reared back his fist and proceeded to punch the wall with all of his might. A small section of the stone wall glowed a bright white. And just like the last time an overly sized silver coin appeared.

  “Claim your prize, young one.”

  Leon reached out and took the coin from the wall and placed it in his bag with the other, “One last challenge to go, I'm getting pretty good at this,” he bragged. Even though in the back of his mind he wanted nothing more to do with the accursed place.

  “Do not be so brash. You still have one more trial left to go, and he awaits you on the other side of this wall.”

  “He?”

  “You shall find out soon enough, now go and face your last trial.” The stone wall that had him blocked shook violently then it crumbled to the ground. He was now free to exit the maze, and had only one last trial left to go; the end of the Dragon Graveyard was near. If he survived the last trial, then Leon could grab another piece of the legendary blade, and the scrolls that would guarantee safe passage out of the cave where the Mages are holding his friends hostage.

  In the back of his mind he thought about his friends’ lives that depended on his success, he also thought about the words of the mysterious voice, “he awaits”. Who exactly awaited him on the other side of the wall, and what must he do to make it out alive? “No point in standing here any longer,” Leon muttered. “I've made it this far, there's no turning back now.”

  He stepped over the pile of rubble and out of the maze. For such a young boy he had more courage and bravery than most men. Like a loyal knight, if there ever was one, he would do anything for his friends. When he stepped out of the Maze Of No Return, a thick mist started to form around him. The silhouette that had been leading him through the graveyard appeared in front of him. Except this time the silhouette wasn't running away; no, this time it was drawing closer to him.

  “Are you ready to prove yourself in a test of strength?” A strong-voiced man barked.

  “I am.” Leon proudly answered. As the silhouette drew closer to him, Leon could make out someone's arms and legs, even their upper body. But the person's face was still hidden from sight.

  The mist seemed to part just in front of the person hiding in the shadows, “Then step forward and accept my challenge.” Leon stepped forward (as the voice had requested) where there was no mist, to accept the challenge. “Good, your bravery speaks volumes.”

  “I did as you asked of me, it is time you show yourself to me,” he said.

  “As you wish.” The silhouette slowly walked out from within the thick clouds to show himself, and to Leon's disbelief his father was the one standing before him.

  “This cannot be,” Leon gasped. “I watched as the Dark Knight took your life.”

  The man took another step closer, “I know that you are confused, but I am your father, that much is true.”

  Leon couldn't contain his emotions any longer and ran up to his father hugging him tightly, “Father, I've missed you dearly.” He cried.

  Bowen held his son in his arms, “And I you my son.” He did his best to fight back his tears, as this wasn't the time for a joyful family reunion. Bowen pushed his son back gently, “This not the time for tears, there is much work to be done and I need you to be strong.”

  Leon wiped the tears from his eyes, “I understand.”

  “That's my boy.” Bowen smiled. “You must know that what you see before you is very real.”

  “How? Did the Dark Knight not kill you?”

  “The Dark Knight did steal my life away from me. How I appear before you now, is called spirit form. Only can the strongest of warriors use this form when there is a purpose greater than death.”

  “What is that purpose?”

  Bowen unsheathed his blade, “I must make sure that you are strong enough to accept your fate before we talk further.”

  “I do not wish to fight you.” Leon cried out.

  “This is what must be done. Unsheathe your blade and prove your strength to me. Or do you wish your friends to die?” Hearing those words echo from his father's mouth sparked a fire inside Leon that could not be explained, nor controlled. The boy fought the urge to draw his blade on his father, but something deeper inside of him took control and forced his hand. “That's it. Show me the power that dwells deep inside of you.” Bowen provoked him further.

  “If it is the power you wish to see then so be it.” Without a second thought in his mind, Leon darted towards his father readying his first attack. Bowen steadied himself, waiting until the last second to block the oncoming strike from his son's blade. The steel from their blades could be heard crashing together with enough force that it shook the ground beneath their feet. The shockwave was so powerful that it could even be felt back at the cave, where Leon's friends and the evil Mages awaited his return.

  “Is that all you've got?” Bowen growled after knocking him back. “Let me show you how it is done.” Bowen lifted up his blade and brought it crashing down to the ground. Some form of light erupted from Bowen's sword, making its way straight towards his son.

  Leon had a chance to move and dodge the attack, but he stood steadfast. “What are you doing you fool?” He shouted at him. “Get out of the way!” He wanted to test his son's strength, not watch him die. He helplessly watched his attack hit its mark. All that could be seen was a cloud of smoke floating away into the air, and when the smoke cleared, Leon was still standing. “Are you truly that strong already?” Bowen muttered under his breath.

  “How is that for strength?” Leon asked with a darker tone. “Or should I show you more of the power that I possess?”

  “Go ahead and show me.” Bowen smirked.

  “If you insist.” Once again he darted towards Bowen with his blade dragging the ground behind him. Leon was so fast Bowen could barely track his movements. The young boy slashed his blade upward towards Bowen's face with such sp
eed that he was barely able to block the blade from hitting him. What he didn't expect was Leon's power erupting; he watched as blue flames emerged from his son's body. “How about this?” He was now able to push his father back with ease.

  “What strength.” Bowen's eyes widened, he found it harder to keep Leon's blade pushed back with his own. It didn't take long for him to see that his son had lost control over all of his senses, “Leon, you must listen to me. Focus and take back control of yourself.” At first, his words did not reach him, as he kept the pressure on. “This is your test of strength, fail this and the people you care about will die!” The blue flames that surrounded the boy started to fade. “That's it son, control the power that is inside of you!”

  “F-Father?”

  “Focus on my voice,” Bowen told him.

  Leon lowered his sword, “What is this?” He asked, looking at the blue flames illuminating from his left hand.

  “That is the power that dwells deep within you,” Bowen answered. “All of us Cromwells are cursed with it.”

  “What of my fate?” Leon questioned, he closed his hand and the flames faded.

  “You are not quite yet ready to learn.”

  “Then when?”

  “I cannot tell you that. It is out of my hands.”

  “If I am not ready yet does that mean I have failed?” Leon's voice was sounding more and more frantic.

  “You have proven your strength to me.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large copper coin. Bowen reached out his hand for Leon to take.

  “Will I get to see you again?” He asked. Tears were starting to well up in his eyes when he realized that he had to say goodbye to his father once more.

  “I don't know the answer to that question,” Bowen said. The mist started to surround his body, “Looks like my time here is up.” Bowen had become nothing more than a shadow like before. “Be strong, my son,” he whispered.

  “Don't go, I need you!” Leon cried out.

  “I will always be with you.” Was the last thing his father would say to him before all went silent, and the mist slowly dissipated and was no more. All that was left before him was a wooden chest that had three slots carved into it. Leon wanted to fall to his knees and bawl his eyes out, but he had to be strong for his friends, for his father.

  9

  Wars Between Countries Erupt

  Looking over the wooden chest that sat on the ground before him, he noticed there were symbols notched into the chest. The words above it read, “He who braves the trials of the Great Dragon Graveyard, and has acquired the coins, my open this chest and claim the treasures inside.” Leon looked at the copper coin that was given to him by his father, and without giving it another thought he placed the coin in the slot to the far right - it was a perfect fit. “It worked,” he said out of excitement, as a click of a lock was heard.

  He reached into his bag and pulled out the other two coins and placed them into the slots next to the other. He could hear the gears click as the chest unlocked, he smiled with anticipation, opening the chest revealing the contents inside. “The scrolls.” His eyes widened even more as he grabbed for them, gently placing them in his bag. And there underneath was the piece of the legendary blade. Leon took hold of the item and instantly felt something evil emanate from the object that he held in his hands. Is this why Master Gawain had placed the first piece in cloth?

  Out of fear Leon placed the item in his bag with haste; he didn't want to handle the object for too long just in case it could cause him some unwanted side effects. All he could think about at the time was getting back to his friends. On his way back Leon had it easy, all the trials he had pushed through had vanished. Not that he was complaining about how easy it was for him, he just found it odd that the whole graveyard had changed.

  There was no mist to fight through, the maze that he had barely made it out of alive was now gone, and all that could be seen was the overly sized bones scattered across the earth. None of that was important to him now, for the entrance into the cave was in his sights and he bolted inside. “The boy has returned, with my scrolls I presume?” The leader of the Mages said.

  “I have, now let my friends go!” Leon demanded.

  “You don't get to make such demands here boy,” the man grumbled. “If you truly wish your friends’ lives to be spared, show me the scrolls.”

  Leon took the scrolls from his bag and held them up in the air, “If you want these, then set my friends free first.”

  “What are you going to do if I refuse?” The man laughed. Leon held out his other hand and chanted the same spell he heard Master Gawain chant to burn the undead soldiers to dust in the Cave Of Sorrow. “You wouldn't dare.”

  “Try me.” Leon smiled as flames appeared in the palm of his hand. “Release my friends or I burn the scrolls,” he said, holding them up to the flame.

  “Wait!” The man yelled and raised his hand in the air for a brief moment, then lowered it. “It has been done, the barrier around your friends has been dispersed.”

  Leon looked back at his friends, “Can you guys move?”

  “I can move,” Ulrich answered.

  “I can finally stretch.” Ellyn smiled happily.

  “I don't know about you guys, but I found it to be comforting.” Gawain joked.

  “There. Your friends are free, hand over the scrolls!”

  Gawain walked up to Leon, “Hand me the scrolls,” he said, reaching out his hand. Leon trusted Master Gawain; at this point he was the only one that Leon could trust and so he handed the scrolls over to him. Gawain then turned to face the leader of the Mages and threw the scrolls at his feet. “You have your bloody scrolls, a deal is a deal after all.”

  The man bent over and picked them up, “I've been waiting my whole life for this moment. To think that I hold scriptures from the most powerful wizards that history has ever known.”

  “That's all fine and good, if you don't mind, I think we will be taking our leave now,” Gawain said.

  “Of course.” The man snapped his fingers at his servants to get their

  attention. “Bring these people their horses, be sure to show them the way out, we repay our debts. But know the next time we meet things will go quite differently.”

  “I will keep that in mind.” Gawain smirked. “Everyone mount up, we're getting the hell out of here.”

  As he and his companions made their way out of the cave, a man dressed in black appeared behind the leader of the Mages. “Is it wise to let them go?” He whispered.

  “Did you not notice the marking on the young boy that had the message for us?” The leader asked.

  “What of it?”

  “He is the boy of legend. It would be wise not to hurt him, Darz.”

  “You believe him to be one that carries our Dark Lord’s powers?”

  “I do.”

  “Then what shall we do, Lord Zerius?”

  “We shall wait for his return, then prepare for the awakening,” Zerius answered. “Though I do have a special task for you, Darz.”

  “What would you have me do?”

  “Watch over that boy, keep him safe until the time presents itself.”

  “As you wish.” Darz bowed and disappeared into the shadows.

  Meanwhile Ellyn, Gawain, Leon, and Ulrich were miles away from the cave and they felt safe for the first time in days. But that didn't mean danger would not find them again. Nevertheless, at that moment Gawain had something else on his mind. “Leon, I forgot to ask. Did you find the piece of the blade?” He asked as he rode his horse up closer.

  “Yes, I have the piece of the blade,” Leon answered hesitantly.

  “What is the matter?” Gawain could tell that something was amiss with his young pupil.

  “Well.” Leon was still somewhat hesitant.

  “Go on.”

  “When I touched the piece of the blade, I felt something evil emanate from it.” Gawain's mind started to race after hearing what Leon had to say. ‘It's
just as I feared. Alistair and Caine must be up to something foul, I must find out what that is.’ He thought to himself. “Master Gawain, are you alright?” Leon asked.

  “Just deep in thought.” Gawain smiled. “If you don't mind, can you hand me the piece of the blade?”

  “I don't feel right carrying this damn thing around with me anyways.” He went to give Gawain the piece of the blade out of his bag when a feeling of dizziness suddenly came over him.

  “Leon?” Gawain had a look of concern on his face for his student.

  “I'm…Fine,” Leon faintly replied. “Just-” In mid-sentence he fell off his horse and hit the ground hard.

  “Leon!” Gawain pulled the reigns of his horse to make it stop, and dismounted from the saddle before rushing over to where Leon lay unconscious on the ground. It wasn't long before Ellyn and Ulrich were standing behind him looking over his shoulder.

  “Is he going to be alright?” Ellyn asked, concerned for her friends’ well-being.

  “He will be just fine,” Gawain answered. “I think he passed out as the time before.”

  “Leon needs to learn how to use his strength wisely,” Ulrich said with a smug look on his face.

  “Do you not care for your friend?” Ellyn hissed.

  “I do, but that doesn't change the fact,” Ulrich answered harshly.

  “That's enough bickering from the two of you!” Gawain grumbled. “We have much work to do if we want to have camp set up by nightfall.”

  “We can't set up camp here, we're out in the open. That's dangerous, remember,” Ulrich said.

  “Do you not think I know this?” Gawain responded with a hint of anger in his voice. “We have no choice in the matter, just keep your guard up at all times. Please, no arguing. We must prepare for nightfall.”

  Again Leon awoke to find himself back at the holy grounds, “I'm back here again,” he muttered. He slowly got to his feet; this was only the second time he had been to the holy grounds and he didn’t quite have his bearings about him just yet, plus he was in a completely different area. It would seem as though he would have to do some walking this time around. He walked through a field of green grass and a pasture of flowers for about an hour.