Children of the Cursed Page 9

  “I don't know what I feel.” Leon was a bit snippy. “And I do not wish to talk about it either, so let's go and retrieve that piece of a blade and get the hell out of here.”

  Gawain looked at Leon attentively, he was trying to figure out the sudden change in Leon's demeanor. However, keeping his students in the cave any longer than necessary could be a dangerous thing. “Listen up,” he said. “This may be the most important thing I say at this moment. Just a little further in is where the first part of our journey ends - if we live, we get the treasure that awaits us. And if we die? Well, we will be the Queen's eternal servants. So try not to die.”

  “That's comforting to know,” Ulrich replied. “Let's just get this over with.”

  “Are we done talking?” Leon snapped, before marching into the deepest darkest part of the cave alone.

  “Wait!” Gawain shouted. “You will need the aid of the torch to see.” He chased after him, and once he was at the end of the cave he found Leon standing there staring into the darkness. “Leon?” Gawain muttered, nervously approaching him. “Leon, is something the matter?” He slowly reached out for his shoulder, but Leon turned around and swatted his hand away.

  “Don't touch me!” Leon screamed.

  “What is wrong with you?” Gawain questioned, taking another step closer.

  Leon unsheathed his blade and swung it at Gawain, barely missing his arm, “You killed my parents. Now you shall die by my hand, Dark Knight.”

  Gawain raised his hands in the air, “Calm yourself, Leon. I'm not the Dark Knight that murdered your family,” he calmly explained. “It's me, Master Gawain.”

  Leon charged after Gawain, swinging his blade at him again, “I won't fall for your tricks.” Gawain managed to sidestep Leon's attack and shoved him to the ground.

  Ulrich was next to rush into the darkness and found that his friend had completely lost his mind. He tried to run over and help, but was quickly cut off by Ellyn. “Where do you think you're going?” Ellyn snarled, this time her voice was different, she sounded like she was upset with him for some reason.

  “Ellyn move!” Ulrich demanded. “I have to help stop Leon from making a terrible mistake.”

  “You lied to me!” Ellyn shouted, almost as if she were talking to another. “You promised me that they wouldn't get hurt.” She unsheathed her blade and lunged at him.

  Ulrich unsheathed his sword and blocked the oncoming attack just in the nick of time, “What's gotten into you?” He pushed her back with force.

  “Don't pretend that you don't know what you did,” Ellyn lifted her blade up in the air and brought it straight down at Ulrich's head, and like the last time it was blocked by his blade. “You will die for the sins that you have committed!” She shrieked before swinging her sword at him yet again.

  Master Gawain and Ulrich found themselves back to back, fighting off members of their own group. “What has gotten into them?” Ulrich asked.

  “It's the Queen. She is making them see us as the enemy,” Gawain answered.

  Ellyn was going for a quick attack that Ulrich wasn't aware of; Gawain had to act quickly, and hooked one of Ulrich's arms, swinging him out of harm's way. “I guess I owe you a thank you,” Ulrich said as he regained his composure and readied himself for the next attack from Ellyn.

  “Save that for later,” Gawain replied. “We need to figure out a way to stop this.” He refused to draw his weapon upon Leon, each time that he was attacked, Gawain would just move and shove Leon to the ground.

  Ulrich thought about it and realized that he might have a way to free his friend's mind from the Queen, and all he needed was for Ellyn to be distracted long enough for him to prove it. “I have an idea, just keep Ellyn off my back long enough for me to put my plan into action.”

  Gawain had a look of distrust in his eyes, but deep down he knew that Ulrich would never do anything to harm Leon, for they treated each other like brothers. “So be it, Ulrich,” he said. “Just don't do anything foolish.” He grabbed Leon's light armor and threw him over to Ulrich, then Gawain spun around and with all of his might he bear-hugged Ellyn to subdue her from causing any more harm or interference

  Leon was back up to his feet, but the Dark Knight that he envisioned Gawain to be was no longer standing in front of him. “Who are you?” He asked. “Where did the Dark Knight run off to?”

  Ulrich remained still, trying his best not to make any sudden movements, “Listen to me Leon, there is no Dark Knight here. Look around you, we're in the Cave Of Sorrow on a journey to find the pieces of a legendary blade,” Ulrich tried to explain. “You're surrounded by your friends, Ellyn, me, the old man. The Queen is messing with your head, you need to fight it before it's too late. I know you can do it. You have to trust me.”

  Leon was slowly coming around and was starting to trust in Ulrich's words until he caught a glimpse of the sword that Ulrich was holding ever so tightly. “You're trying to trick me,” he snarled, with a wild-eyed look. “I know exactly what you want to do with me now.”

  “Leon, I'm not trying to do anything,” Ulrich calmly explained.

  “You lie!” Leon snapped back. “You want me to lower my guard so you can execute me. You're in league with the Dark Knight.” He pointed his finger and shouted.

  “That's not true.” Ulrich frowned. “If I were, would I do this?” he slowly kneeled down before Leon, laying his sword on the ground. “Attack me if you want, but I refuse to hurt my only friend. We may fight Leon, but as all friends do, we forgive,” Ulrich explained as he got back up to his feet. “Do as you will, I won't try and stop you.”

  “Are you mad!” Gawain shouted. “He will hurt you, and not even realize that he has done so.”

  “I have everything under control.” Not once did Ulrich take his eyes off Leon. “And you.” he pointed. “If you think that I am in cahoots with the Dark Knight then strike me down.”

  Leon lifted his blade, “If you want to die for your sins, then I shall help you with that wish. And when I'm done with you nothing will stop me from killing the Dark Knight.” Leon lunged at Ulrich poised to run his blade through Ulrich's chest, but at the last minute he stopped himself with the tip of the blade just inches away from its target. “No, I won't do it. I am no murderer.” The blade shook violently in his hands as he fought the urge to kill for the Queen.

  “Kill him.” A voice whispered from the darkness. “Kill him now, he is your enemy.”

  “Never.” He was in a battle against whoever invaded his mind. “You will not make me kill him, for he is my friend.” A dark mass appeared behind Leon, and as quickly as it appeared the dark mass retreated back into the walls of the cave.

  “Leon, are you yourself again?” Ulrich asked, hesitantly approaching.

  “Don't worry, whatever was controlling me has fled.”

  “Good,” Ulrich said, before punching Leon.

  “What was that for?” Leon grumbled, rubbing the side of his face where the punch landed.

  “That was for trying to kill me, you idiot.”

  “I don't know what's going on, but why are you holding onto me so tightly for, Sir Gawain?” Ellyn asked out of the blue, for whatever had its hold on her was broken as well.

  “I'm sorry, Miss Ellyn,” Gawain released her from the bear-like hold. “It would seem that Miss Ellyn is back to normal as well.”

  “Back to normal?”

  “Well Miss Ellyn, you and young Leon here were possessed by the Queen Of Sorrow. Leon was strong enough to fight her off, thanks to the help of Ulrich. His mind was freed as was yours.” Gawain explained.

  “What did we say and do?” Ellyn asked.

  “That doesn't matter now child, the important thing is that Leon and yourself are free from the clutches of evil.”

  “We must do something about that witch,” Ulrich interrupted.

  “Hmm, no I believe the Queen has been defeated, we need to search for what we came here for,” Gawain answered. “Then we leave.”

 
After making the remark that the Queen had been defeated, an angry voice could be heard echoing throughout the depths of the cave. “Do you think that a bunch of insignificant fools such yourselves could defeat someone as powerful as me?” the voice bolstered. “I shall show you the true depths of my power.” The torches in the cave lit up one at a time, lighting up the darkness. The shadows that danced along the walls of the cave started to gather in the center of where they stood.

  “What's happening?” Ulrich panicked.

  “It's the Queen!” Gawain shouted. “She's manifesting herself.”

  “I have a bad feeling about this.” Leon muttered.

  The once black mass had now gathered all the shadows from the cave walls and manifested itself into a solid form. “Allow me to show you true beauty, and sorrow, before you die,” she said, lowering her arms to reveal her face. Whatever beauty she once had, was now faded. Her once beautiful and sparkling blue eyes were now as black as the darkest night, her once fair skin was pale and pasty. The beauty and radiance she once possessed had now been taken over by hatred and ugliness. “Bow down before your Queen.”

  “Whatever beauty you had faded real quick lady...” Gawain smirked. “And if you think that we're going to bow down to the likes of you, you've got another thing coming.”

  Ulrich picked back up his blade, “Now that the real villain has appeared, I'm ready for a fight.”

  Leon lifted his blade as well, “You tried to make me hurt my friends,” he said. “Now you shall pay.”

  “Whatever kindness you once had, has now been corrupted by hate. You prey on the weakness of others, which makes you no better than the rest of the monsters in this cave.” Ellyn snarled.

  The four of them stood together with their blades aimed at the Queen; no matter the sadness they felt in their hearts, they had to stop her for the sake of others. “You wretched little fools!” the Queen roared. “I will bring this cave down around you all.” She let out a loud shriek that brought Gawain and company down to their knees. The shriek was so powerful that the walls of the cave began to shake, at the rate it was going the cave would soon collapse upon them.

  “We have to do something,” Gawain tried getting back to his feet, but the pain was too much for him to bear.

  Ulrich dropped his sword to the ground, covering his ears with both hands. “I can't take much more of this.” Blood began to trickle down from his nose.

  Ellyn was the only one that managed to get back to her feet, “I won't die like this.” Before she could even take a step towards the Queen, she passed out from the extreme pain she was under.

  Leon watched as Ellyn collapsed to the ground, and not much longer after that Ulrich dropped to the ground as well. “Ellyn. Ulrich! I can't let them die like this.” He grasped the hilt of his sword tightly. “I won't allow this to happen.”

  “What makes you think that you can stop me, little boy?” The Queen laughed. “You're so scared it's pathetic.”

  “Shut up!” Leon hissed. “You don't know a thing about me.” He slowly made it to his feet. “There is nothing left of you that is human, all you know is rage.” Leon found the strength to lift his blade, and again whatever power dwelled inside of him showed itself for a second time. “I will free you of your torment, set free the hatred that consumes you.” Leon's body glowed with a blue light that even caught the Queen by surprise.

  “This cannot be!” The Queen exclaimed. “You should not even be able to stand. What are you?”

  “I am your ending!” Leon charged at the Queen, and once close enough he brought the end of his blade down at her. “It's over.” With a mighty blow the Queen had been defeated. The shaking had stopped, and the stones that were falling fell no more. The darkness that consumed the underground chamber had lifted, the cave dwellers disappeared, and the undead soldiers stayed dead this time. Ellyn, Master Gawain, and Ulrich had regained consciousness, rejoining Leon.

  “What happened?” Ulrich asked. “One minute the cave is collapsing, and the next I wake to find Leon standing over me.”

  “Where's the Queen?” Ellyn nervously questioned.

  “Don't worry about the Queen, she has been dealt with,” Leon answered.

  “What do you mean by that?” Ulrich inquired.

  “Does it matter?” Leon replied.

  “Leon is right.” Gawain interrupted. “The only thing that matters is that we're all safe.” Unaware that Gawain had been conscious throughout the whole ordeal, Leon nodded in agreement and nothing more was said.

  “If that's truly the case, then where is the piece of the blade?” Ulrich wondered. Just then the black mass reappeared out of thin air, and all except Leon lifted their blades in a fighting stance. “I thought that you said it had been dealt with.” Ulrich belted.

  “It has been dealt with,” Leon responded without hesitation. “Lower your weapons, for this is not the Queen Of Sorrow.”

  “How can you be so sure?” Master Gawain questioned.

  Leon cracked a smile, “Just watch, and you will find out.”

  Rays of light started to break through the dark mass, and what was once nothing more than darkness had now become a beautiful white light. The orb floated down to the ground and turned into the Queen, but not the Queen Of Sorrow.

  The Queen of old had returned with all of her radiance and beauty, “Will the one that freed me, please step forward.” She smiled. Leon stepped forward, “So it was you that freed me.” She was surprised to see such a young warrior with such promise. “Young warrior, I thank you for freeing me from such a horrible fate. To repay my debt, I give you this.” She reached out her hand to give him the treasure that they sought.

  “Thank you, my Queen.” Leon took the item from her hand and bowed to her gracefully.

  The Queen leaned over to whisper in his ear, “I see great trials and heartache ahead for you. Remember, you have the strength inside to conquer what lies in wait. If I can give one word of advice it would be, not all is what it seems, be wary of the ones around you.” She then looked up at the rest of the group.

  “All is not lost in darkness. There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” she said as she looked at Gawain. She then looked into Ulrich's eyes. “If you use darkness as power then one day you will end up the way I was, a prisoner.” The Queen smiled warmly at Ellyn, “You have a big heart, that is your strength. Do not seek out vengeance, for the outcome may not be what you think,” she explained. “That is all I have to say, make of my words what you will. Thank thee again for freeing me, young warriors,” She smiled before turning back into an orb and disappeared.

  After a long walk back through the cave, they finally reached the exit. Since they were safe and far away from the Cave Of Sorrow, Gawain took it upon himself to approach Leon, “What did she give you?”

  Leon reached into his saddlebag pulling out an item that was wrapped in cloth, “Here, this belongs to you anyways, Master Gawain. I wrapped it in cloth, since it is so precious and all.”

  “Is this what I think it is?” Gawain excitedly said, taking the item from Leon's hand. He unwrapped what was inside of the cloth, and to his amazement it was actually a piece of the Legendary Blade Soul Reaper. “I surely thought it was nothing more than a myth, so how did Alistair and Caine know of its whereabouts? If they only knew of this piece, where shall we find the rest?” He whispered.

  “What did you say, Master Gawain?”

  “Do not worry yourself young one, all is well,” Gawain answered. When he looked at Leon, Gawain could see that the young man did not look so well, and sweat was rolling down his face. “Are you alright, Leon?” He asked. “You don't look so good.”

  “I'm fine,” Leon answered faintly. “When we next stop I shall-” before he could finish his sentence, he passed out and fell from his horse.

  7

  East Haven

  Leon jumped to his feet and brushed himself off, but when he looked around, it dawned upon him that he was all alone. Ellyn, Master Gawain, and
Ulrich were nowhere to be found, “Ellyn, Master Gawain, Ulrich. Where are you guys?” He called out, but the only thing he heard in return was the echo of his own voice. Not one to be discouraged, Leon was determined to find his friends and Master, and with that determination, he pressed on. After what seemed like an eternity, Leon stumbled upon what looked like a graveyard at first sight. “Where am I?”

  “This is holy ground that you stand upon.”

  “Who said that?” Leon looked around nervously. “Show yourself.”

  “Keep your voice down.” The person demanded. Leon could make out a silhouette of someone walking his way. “Show some respect, child.”

  “I am no child,” Leon grumbled. “This is the last chance I am going to give you to show yourself.”

  “Give an old man time will ya.” As the silhouette drew near Leon could tell that it was an elderly man walking slowly his way, using a cane to help keep himself steady. “You youngsters are always in such a rush nowadays. Learn how to take it slow every once in a while.”

  “Who are you?” Leon asked. “And where am I?”

  “My name is Robin,” the old man answered. “And I told you, that you're on holy ground.”

  “That doesn't exactly explain to me where I'm at,” Leon said.

  “First be respectful and tell me your name,” Robin responded. “Then I will tell you exactly where you stand.”

  “My name is Leon.”

  “The last name please.”

  “Cromwell,” Leon answered. “Now will you tell me where I find myself?”

  The old man turned away from Leon and started mumbling to himself. “A Cromwell here?” He muttered. “I thought for sure that bloodline had been wiped out ages ago. But that would explain how he has ended up here of all places.”

  “You promised that you would tell me if I told you my last name, keep your end of the deal,” Leon told him.

  “Do you remember the Great War, child?” His raspy old voice sounded very proud.