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The Monolith

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Dantalian

Dantalian

Posts: 3,434 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
And so, I must wonder how you were born. How does a person result from the union of automation and person? If I could find out, I could likely find a way to create life ex nihilo with my magic. In other words, I would become equal to the elder gods.”

Still shaking, Alex shouted, “You filth! You think you can just toy with people's lives like this?!” Without waiting for a response, Alex charged toward the witch.

“This again?” asked Amethyst. “You certainly are stubborn... and I had hoped to do this without violence.”

Again, Alex hit a barrier and was sent flying back. This time though, he recovered more quickly and managed to charge again.

With an exasperated sigh, Amethyst seemed to vanish in a splash of violet light, appearing a few inches from the charging boy and slamming his open palm into Alex's chest.

“I would really appreciate it if your mind didn't break,” the witch said with an annoyed tone.

A moment later, Alex was on the ground screaming at the top of his lungs. Amethyst, with an uninterested look on his face simply said, “Ms. Pautenaude...”

Alex's mother walked over to them, and, paying no heed to her screaming son, bowed.

“You must learn there are consequences for disobedience,” the witch told Alex. Then, he snapped, and before the screaming boy's eyes, Ms. Pautenaude fell apart, dissolving into dust. “Now,* the witch continued, releasing Alex from his pain. The boy stared at the pile of dust that had been his mother, too exhausted and shocked to say anything. “Here is my offer,* Amethyst continued, “I will kill each of your friends, one-by-one, until you agree to obey me. And the moment you agree, I will send all of your friends back home, safe and sound. I think we can both agree that obedience is the best policy in this ca-”

The witch was cut off by Jen shouting “Amethyst!” "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

31-Dec-2014 04:51:49

Dantalian

Dantalian

Posts: 3,434 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
With another sigh, he turned toward her, and gasped. In dealing with Alex he had left the Monolith lying on one of the armrests of his throne. Taking advantage of his distraction, Jen had run over and grabbed it.

*What do you intend to do with that?” asked the witch, “I can escape from any attack you try... your friend here would not be so lucky... and you've seen what I can do to those who go against me, do you wish to suffer the same fate?”

Jen paled but held her ground. “I don't think I can save Alex,” she said, “But I'm going to try, even if it costs me my life.”

“Cute,” commented the witch.

“There's one more thing,” continued Jen, “I can't let someone like you have something as powerful as the Monolith.”

“So what? Are you going to try to run away with it?” Amethyst questioned, amused.

“If I tried, I think you'd manage to hunt me down and get it back,” Jen admitted.

“Very likely,” came the reply.

“So instead... I'll do this.” Trying to imitate Alex, Jen focused on the Monolith, trying to draw it's power... and turn it back on itself.

Amethyst's eyes widened in surprise as he realized what she was doing, and, in a moment he was standing next to her. By then, it was too late; the Monolith, overcome by it's own reversed power, had shattered into thousands of pieces.

All around, Jen's companions stared in shock as the pieces of the artifact they had pursued at such high costs scattered across the floor. Amethyst stared with them, then, his eyes moved to Jen, flashing in anger. Jen was certain of her own impending death, when, to her shock, an amused smile appeared on the witch's face. Right before everything went black. "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

31-Dec-2014 04:52:04

Dantalian

Dantalian

Posts: 3,434 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
When Jen finally opened her eyes, it was dark and the only sound was a pattern of creaks,. So far as she could tell, she was alive, but still, there was something odd about this place. In her half asleep state, it took her a while to figure out that what was throwing her off was the fact that the room she was in was rocking gently back and forth.

With unsteady feet she got out of the hammock she was laying in and made her way clumsily to the door. Opening it, she found herself on the deck of a ship, the night sky above her and the dark sea all around.

“You're up at last,” said a recognizable voice.

Turning, Jen found herself staring at Naudos, who was currently steering the ship. *W-what happened?* she asked. The last thing she remembered was Amethyst's smile.

The captain's eyes sparkled. “Shouldn't you be telling me that?” he asked. “You, along with some people I'd never met, showed up on the deck of my ship... right before the island fell apart.*

*The island... fell apart?” repeated Jen.

“Yes it did,” said Naudos. “I would ask your companions how but one won't talk...” here, the captain motioned to the prow of the ship, where, after staring for a bit, Jen could make out Linksona sitting, asleep with his bird perched on his shoulder. “And the other is clearly crazy.” This brought a motion behind the captain, where Ece was eagerly applying clown makeup.

“Crazy or not, she knows more about this than anyone, I think,” said Jen.

“I do,” replied Ece.

“So... what happened? And where is Alex?” questioned Jen.

“The Zarosians took Alex,” replied Ece with a yawn, “As for where... probably to fix him up. He made a deal with the empty lord, and while he is many things, Zaros is not one to forget a deal... as for what happened. Amethyst didn't need the island anymore, so he got rid of it.”

“So... it all was really just a ruse by him...” sighed Jen. “It makes it feel like the whole trip was pointless.”

“Most adventures are.” "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

02-Jan-2015 07:48:12

Dantalian

Dantalian

Posts: 3,434 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
To Jen's surprise, it was Linksona that spoke. Before she could ask him what he meant, he elaborated.

“In bard's tales and tavern songs,” said the adventurer, “We adventurers spend our days slaying dragons and finding great treasure. We do that sort of thing, it is true, but most of the time our adventures lead to little. Many times, I, or others have braved tombs only to find that the treasure we had been told was in it never existed, or was looted some time prior.”

“Why do you keep at it?” asked Jen.

Linksona shrugged. “You learn to enjoy it, to take the journey and the challenges as the reason you do this sort of thing... any additional reward simply becomes a bonus.”

“Well said,” agreed Naudos. “My crew and I are much the same, lassie... oh, don't get me wrong, we loot merchant ships and what have you, but we take to the sea for adventure. The money is a bonus, and keeps us living and our ship in top shape.*

*I see...” said Jen.

“Given that, what will you do now?* asked Linksona, “This adventure is done, and we've not gotten what we came after. Do you intend to go back home and live a peaceful life?”

Jen leaned back and looked at the sky. “You know,” she said, “I had always wanted to go on adventures... but I never knew how hard they were...”

“An adventure is bad things happening to someone far away,” commented Linksona. “While it sounds fun when you're safe at home, it's hard work, and often painful. You don't need to continue it, given what we did get from this one, you could retire when you get back.”

“Retire?” asked Jen, “How?”

“When we finished the ship, we wandered into the land,” said Naudos, “We've found enough treasure to fill our hold. Naturally, a portion is your's... and you could live very comfortably for a long time with that portion.” "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

02-Jan-2015 07:48:29

Dantalian

Dantalian

Posts: 3,434 Adamant Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“Likewise, Skad Hel*eighn was wanted for multiple capital crimes in every major kingdom,” said Linksona. *I took the liberty of taking his head before we chased after that witch's creation... the reward money will also be split.”

“So... I really could retire...” said Jen. She paused, thinking it over, then said, *I don't think I will... When I get home, I'll make sure everything is secure with my parents, then I'll head out again.”

“Do you know where your going, lassie?” asked Naudos.

Jen nodded. “First, I'm going after Alex.”

“The Zarosians might not appreciate that, he has a contract with their god,” observed Linksona.

“He was my friend long before he knew about Zaros,” said Jen, “I'm not just going to let a god take him...”

“You might die,” Linksona pointed out.

“I'm willing to take that risk,” replied Jen.

“Then, I wish you luck,” replied Linksona.

Nothing else was said. And soon after dawn broke. As it did so, it's rays illuminated the coast of Kandarin, and, in the distance, the walls of Ardougne could be seen rising from the land, indicating for Jen that she was nearly home. That one adventure had ended, and that many more were to come.

THE END "He appears in the Form of a Man with many Countenances; and he hath a Book in his right hand. His Office is to teach all Arts and Sciences unto any; and to declare the Secret Counsel of any one."

02-Jan-2015 07:48:47 - Last edited on 02-Jan-2015 07:49:06 by Dantalian

Orcris

Orcris

Posts: 1,169 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
That was the second time I've tried to respond to this when my computer crashed. The first time was right after the add. This time I've reread the series and plan to reread things you had not rewritten but I've saved. In both instances of what I was going to say I had a good bit written, which is why the first time I didn't end up posting a comment as I had lost a good half hour of making sure I had said everything.

Seeing as I've recently had a chance to speak with you I know you are still active in-game, and I figure you probably check the forums at least a little bit though I don't know how often you look here. Either way it will be waiting for you should you ever choose to look. Also I'm hoping any of your other old fans decide to check in on this one day. I dearly wish to get back into contact with some of them; so if any of you read this be sure to let me know how to contact you somehow or something.

On to my thoughts on this. First I need to, compulsively, point out that Skad and Chris both seem(being the key word here) to be alive in Weapons of Destiny; thus this ending breaks some continuity as far as I can see. It also feels a bit rushed and abrupt, not overly so but it lacks your love of explanation on pieces of lore. You also threw a lot of your lore at us in a way that you never had before. Previously you either presented it to us as author's notes, if we needed to know it, or gave us just a hint of it and tried to make us guess as to what the bigger pieces were.

Those were the negatives, but now for the positives. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the closure this brought for this story. I like the origin of the Monolith and it made me think of some of our many discussions. Your characters still felt consistent even after you had left them alone for so long. This definitely wasn't the ending I expected, but I cannot say that was a good or bad thing. I am not saying I thought the Monolith would actually make it out of there, it was far too powerful to just

03-Jul-2015 09:07:01

Orcris

Orcris

Posts: 1,169 Mithril Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
make it into someone's hands without there being reverberations throughout your entire lore.

I must say I found Mephos actions, or lack thereof to be quite curious. I actually found Amethyst's response to be completely appropriate, as something that has no end and is a constant schemer I feel he had more enjoyment in the plot and the attempt than he would have in the success; that doesn't mean I don't think he would have greatly loved to succeed, but at that point it kind of becomes something the point in a video game where you use a cheat code to become invincible. Yeah it's fun to do things you couldn't have gotten away with before, but it takes away so much of the enjoyment.

Finally I have to say that I do hope you continue this trend and end up decided to finish your other work, even if that means another rewrite. However, I want you to do this because you want to and because you find the idea of doing so exciting. I do not want you doing so because you feel obligated, because for one your heart won't truly be in it and two it would be a terrible use of your time to devote so much of it to that when you did not truly want to be doing that. I want you to continue/rewrite what you started, but for the right reasons.

Having said my piece I must now appropriately finish up my posts with a few signature lines, or else how could you be sure it was really me. I mean I didn't even enter dramatically as I always had before. Such entrances are important, but I had to be sure I got my message through instead.

~Orcris~
~Est Sula*us Oth Mithas~
~Journey before destination~
~Mercy and compassion are virtues that only the strong are privileged to possess~
~In the end, all men die. How you lived will be far more important than what you accomplished~
~Even if my sins weigh me down, it shall not stop me from making a better future~

03-Jul-2015 09:28:51

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