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Clash of the Incarnations

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[#5AGSIZET9]

[#5AGSIZET9]

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Daigan became aware of the dark street, fully expecting the windows of nearby buildings to swing open, the occupants of the houses learning that a murderer was within their midst. Then, radically, all thought in Daigan's mind shifted back to the man before him. The only solution available was to silence the stranger before he alerted anyone.

The man must have felt Daigan's intent, because he quickly shook his head. "You wish to fight me? Please! I could not be hurt by you!"

The man walked out of the shadows into the middle of the street. The moonlight caught just enough of him to show Daigan his blood-red robes. This man was a Zamorakan.

"Even so, we don't need to fight," the stranger continued. "I have no intention of harming you or turning you in."

Daigan eyed him suspiciously. "What do you want with me, then?"

"Your heart, boy," the man replied. "We need strength, and you would be a valuable asset to Zamorak."

"I am no Zamorakan," Daigan replied. His parents had been Saradominists, and he felt an ingrained loathing for the Zamorakans.

"But you will become one," the man replied. "I am giving you an opportunity. This world sees you as nothing but a criminal, and I am giving you the chance to reshape the world into a new realm! The Zamorakans will not turn you away as these others have!"

"Zamorakans lie and turn their comrades over to the enemy whenever it benefits them," Daigan heard from his right. He spun on the spot, and he saw Zharoun materialize onto the street from a nearby alleyway.

"The Sage of Trollweiss?" the Zamorakan replied, backing away slightly. He hid his fear well, however. "I believe you would know something about that, wouldn't you?"

Zharoun shrugged off the jab. "Leave Daigan alone," he ordered.

The man raised his arms in a shrug. "I don't know why you insist on fighting this losing battle, Sage!" he mocked. "This boy will be ours; you're just in denial."

08-Apr-2011 02:39:03

[#5AGSIZET9]

[#5AGSIZET9]

Posts: 3,564 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
"He will never join you," Zharoun replied.

"If you see his heart, a heart so willing to accept chaos, you will agree with me," the Zamorakan replied. "Just look closely, o wise one. You will see."

"I have seen Daigan's heart, and it is far different than scum like you. His heart will overcome this darkness, and you will not be able to touch it."

The Zamorakan threw back his head and cackled. "We will see, Sage of Trollweiss! And when he does descend into darkness, you will have to live with the knowledge that you let it happen! Just like always, my Sage."

The man turned to walk away. "You believe that I will allow you to walk away?" Zharoun demanded, showing rage that Daigan had never seen from the old man.

The Zamorakan turned his head back to the two of them. "You will be too distracted by other things," he said, and walked away into the shadows.

Daigan was confused by the stranger's sudden exit, and even more confused when Zharoun yelled, "Daigan!"

There was an explosion of fire that burst into existence right next to Daigan. The blast sent a shockwave flying down the street, rattling the old stone buildings of Varrock. Then, Daigan came to terms with the fact that Zharoun was standing before him, his arms outstretched. The Sage's clothes were burned on the back, and Daigan realized that the Sage had taken the blow for him.

"Zharoun?" he managed to breathe out in shock.

The glow of torches began to appear all around them as windows opened to see what had happened outside in the street at this late hour. Guards came rushing toward the scene, and Daigan began to panic.

"Let's go," Zharoun said softly, still recovering from the shock of taking a fire spell at point-blank range. He grabbed Daigan on the shoulder, and suddenly all Daigan could see was a flash of purple light.

08-Apr-2011 02:39:41

[#5AGSIZET9]

[#5AGSIZET9]

Posts: 3,564 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Then, everything was silent. Only the sound of the insects roaming in the night could be heard. Daigan came to terms with his new surroundings, seeing that he was in a small area of forest. To his right, he saw a huge archaeological digsite spread out before him.

"This is... the Digsite?" Daigan asked.

"Yeah," grunted the Sage, who held his back in pain. "They're digging up the ruins of an old Zarosian city, the capital at Senntisten. I tweaked the teleport a little bit so that we would be a little outside it. We need to take off quickly, and put quite a bit of distance between us and Varrock before they start searching the outside of the city."

Daigan nodded. Then, amidst all the confusion and fear, he felt Zharoun's help, and most of all, the words he told the Zamorakan. The old Sage had vouched for him. "Thank you, Zharoun," Daigan said. I won't let him down, the boy thought.

Zharoun smiled. "Don't mention it! Now, let's get moving."

The Sage led Daigan through the trees to what the old man insisted was the east. There was not much said between them, since they were moving so quickly to distance themselves from the chaos that had broken out in Varrock. The moon sat silently overhead, the only witness to the nighttime trek of the two across the silent forests of eastern Misthalin.

----------------

Daigan kept his fatigue to himself as the arduous journey continued to drag on. The Sage was a remarkable old man, he noted, to be able to outlast Daigan, even at his age. Hours passed before the Sage stopped, Daigan obediently stopping with him.

"I believe this is far enough," Zharoun said with a small smile. "We can rest here for the rest of the night."

Daigan did not point out that it would probably be three hours at most before the sun rose, instead electing to take any opportunity to rest. He and the Sage found a small burrow in the roots of a huge tree, and they lay their belongings down within the confines of the dugout.

11-May-2011 04:06:18

[#5AGSIZET9]

[#5AGSIZET9]

Posts: 3,564 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
"Zharoun," Daigan began, timidly. "Did you truly believe what you told that Zamorakan?"

The Sage nodded. "I believed every word," he replied. "I want you to believe it as well. Remember this, Daigan: your heart is yours. Whether it goes to the Zamorakans or to the darkness, it will do so only if you allow it to go. Do you understand?"

Daigan nodded.

"Remember, Artemis and I both believe in you."

Daigan lay his head back against the tree, looking out into the dark sky. Artemis... He wondered where she was right now. He secretly had doubts that she actually believed in him as much as the Sage claimed that she did. Still, he must know something of her heart. He was the Sage of Trollweiss, after all.

Daigan allowed Artemis's face to wash through his thoughts. He understood what Zharoun meant. Whether or not she believed in him, he had to believe in himself. That way, he could make her believe.

You hear me, Artemis? he thought. I'll show you when I see you again. You'll see... Artemis...

------

The next thing Daigan knew, he was being shaken awake. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon, and the Sage was next to him. "Get up, Daigan," he said.

Daigan opened his eyes and rose slowly to his feet. "How many hours of sleep did we get?"

"About three, if we round up," the Sage returned with a smile.

Daigan shook his head. "About what I expected."

He stretched and walked away from the tree, looking out into the forest, which was still barely cut by the rising light.

"We need to get an early start today," Zharoun said, moving to pick up the pack from where he had slept. "We will be crossing the Salve, so we need as much daylight as we can get. Morytania will be dark at any time, but at night it is unthinkably so."

11-May-2011 04:06:34

[#5AGSIZET9]

[#5AGSIZET9]

Posts: 3,564 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
"Why exactly are we going to Morytania?" Daigan asked. "That is Zamorak's land. How does it make sense to go right into enemy territory?"

"The best things are normally hidden in enemy territory," the Sage replied, grinning.

Daigan did not return his smile. "What is it you are searching for?" he demanded. "Zharoun, I deserve to know, if I am your companion."

The Sage frowned. He seemed to contemplate Daigan's request for a moment, and then he reached down the front of his robes near his neck. He pulled out a pendant that he was wearing. It was a blue stone, like a sapphire, but much lighter. It was a stone the color of the sky. "I am searching for the rest of this."

"What is the rest of it? What is that a part of?"

"I see there is no persuading you," Zharoun said. "Fine, let's walk, and I'll explain on the way."

Daigan nodded. He was too interested to turn the Sage down. Besides, he needed Zharoun, so it was unlikely that he could bluff.

They began their trek, and Zharoun was silent for a few minutes. Just when Daigan was about to burst and ask, the Sage continued his explanation.

"I have been searching for a special artifact for many years. It was told to me by my mother, way back in Ak'Namozk."

"Your mother was a Zarosian, right?" Daigan asked.

Zharoun nodded. "She was secretly telling me of the ancient artifacts of Zaros. She always dreamed of the day when one of the family could leave the Zamorakan stronghold and search for the lost pieces of Zaros's reign." The Sage laughed ruefully. "I don't think she ever imagined how difficult it would be to find it."

"How long have you been looking?"

"Since the battle at Agaben's Palace. I left the battle and remained in the Wilderness, looking for it. That was about sixty years ago."

11-May-2011 04:06:52

[#5AGSIZET9]

[#5AGSIZET9]

Posts: 3,564 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
"Surely you must have searched all of the world by now!"

Zharoun laughed again. "The world is more vast than you could imagine, my boy! I was sidetracked a few times, but most of that time was spent searching."

"Where?"

"Well, Zaros's Empire stretched mostly through the Wilderness, so I have searched extensively out there. Also, the capital was at Senntisten, which is now the Digsite, so I have looked there as well."

"Have you been digging at all these places?"

"Not digging. Since the item has so much magic stored in it, I can sense it if it is close. All I need to do is get underground and feel around for it. Since most of the old Zarosian cities are connected to the surface by caves in at least one location, I can generally get down to them."

"So, you do not think that it is in any of those places?"

"Well, I had, up until recently believed that Zaros had the artifact in question in his possession up to his death. His death occurred at Ghorrock, so a large amount of time was spent scouring that area. However, now, I believe that the artifact was taken during the fall of Senntisten and held by one of Zamorak's allies."

"And it was taken to Morytania?"

Zharoun nodded. "I believe so. It is the best lead I've had in about a decade."

Daigan nodded. "What is the artifact that you are looking for?"

Zharoun sighed. "I am looking for the lost Sword of Zaros, the weapon carried by the old god himself."

"His sword? What is so special about it?"

"The sword carries magic that has never been seen since," the Sage replied. "It is said that a piece of his soul inhabits the sword, so his own magic is present in the blade."

Daigan looked up at the Sage. He saw how much this old artifact meant to him. Oh Zharoun, he thought as he looked up at the old man's clenched face. Will I ever understand you?

----------------

11-May-2011 04:07:16

Marine Doge

Marine Doge

Posts: 1,213 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Wow. Really great story. I've been a silent reader ever since your first story. You've definitely gotten a lot better since. I just came back from my 2 years of quitting Runescape and read The Empty Lord, just saying, great job, and keep up the good work. :P ^_^ ;) :) Mods pls notice me

18-May-2011 14:48:45

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