RuneScape Forum Archive | Dawn of the Sixth Age

NerdArtist23

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It is time once again for #FlashbackFriday, where every Friday, I will post an old, Runescape fanfic, until I run out. Today's story:

It's a oneshot I wrote back in 2014, it takes place after The World Wakes, during the Battle of Lumbridge and by the end, after the Death of Chivalry, in which the World Guardian (my player character) contemplates his new role to protect the world from the influence of the gods. Will he step up to the task and fulfill Guthix’s last wish, or will he reject it and stay loyal to the god he already follows, Zaros?

Note: Gameplay and storyline segregation will apply. Elements of the game that can’t be taken seriously/doesn’t translate well into a short story, such as respawning, eating an entire shark to heal mortal injuries, etc. will be changed/ignored depending on the situation

All feedback is appreciated, just be sure to tell me why you didn’t like [insert thing here] and how to improve it.

Without Further ado, ladies and gentlemen, I give you...

Dawn of the Sixth Age

Note 2: For more fics like this, check out my DeviantART (username's in my forum signature), and follow me there. I put my stories there first, before cross posting them here, on fanfiction.net and on Archive of Our Own. I also post drawings of my World Guardian there. -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:09:19 - Last edited on 13-Aug-2016 02:49:35 by NerdArtist23

NerdArtist23

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Everything had happened so quickly, his mind still had trouble coping; the shock…it was indescribable. Never in a million years would he ever consider it possible.

And yet it happened , the World Guardian thought bitterly. Guthix is dead…and Slikse…it was all his fault.

He took another gulp of beer, and a second later, he set the half empty mug down on the bar counter of the Blue Moon Inn pub.

Ah yes…nothing like beer after a long, hard day…

Needless to say, this was definitely one of those days. His mind flashed back to the fateful event hours ago, when Guthix spoke some of his last words to him in the Naragi home world.

I have already shared my power with you, chosen you as one of my creatures, so that you may reach this point. When this is over, you will find yourself with even more power. Power you may use to defend against gods. You must be a guardian of this world. Gielinor must be free.

He couldn’t say no, especially not after everything Guthix had been through from watching his city get destroyed by gods who never saw the Naragi as sentient beings, to watching his race get massacred as a result, to having his daughter die during a god battle, to killing a god in revenge before become the very thing he hated, to being forced to wander across the dimensions until he discovered Gielinor as the last member of his race, to being killed by Sliske because the latter just “felt like it.”

Guthix didn’t deserve any more suffering, he shouldn’t have to die knowing that he had given his power to a Zarosian who might have a different agenda; he’d have to make Guthix believe his efforts to create a godless utopia weren’t in vain and someone will carry on his work.

So he put on his best reassuring face, and told Guthix I will do as you ask. I will use your powers to protect Gielinor from the gods.

It worked, partly because feigning his emotions came naturally to him, and partly because well…he kind of meant it. -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:11:48

NerdArtist23

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Guthix’s story had really stirred him emotionally. Upon hearing that, Guthix smiled, knowing his philosophy would survive, even if he, himself did not, and he replied I am glad to have found such a noble mortal as you. My blessing is with you.

He then crawled onto his old bed and spoke his final words.

It is over. My family wait for me. Remember... your purpose. Forget me.

The World Guardian lifted the mug to his lips again and drank, hoping to be rid of the guilt that flooded him.

Could he fulfill really his promise to Guthix or was it just a well-intentioned lie to ensure the god could die in peace? He had been Zarosian, and he never even considered turning his back on Zaros…until now.

His meeting with Guthix made him see truths he did not before. It made him realise that none of the gods were to be put on a pedestal, for all of them were power hungry tyrants, always claiming to do what was best for their followers, when it was really just for their own interests.

And Saradomin’s the worst of them all, he thought. He’d pretend to be the “god of good,” and he’s got loads of followers to vouch for him, but behind your back, he’s just as bad as Zamorak. At least Zamorak admits to being flat out evil, at least he’s not two-faced.

He thought of what he had learnt about Saradomin destroying a Naragi city for daring to have the audacity to not get on their knees and worship him the second he arrived in their homeworld. He hadn’t been a big fan of Saradomin ever since he heard about him playing a big part in the Zarosian extermination of the Third Age, and his opinion of the god wasn’t about to improve anytime soon.

He’s just like the others, the World Guardian thought. All the gods see their followers as tools to be used and then discarded when they’ve outlived their usefulness. They don’t see them as sentient beings…but Guthix was different. He was never out for power, and he knew just how insane the God Wars was and -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:13:53 - Last edited on 13-Aug-2016 02:16:32 by NerdArtist23

NerdArtist23

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how much the people suffered. That’s why he created his Edicts. That and the fact the other gods damaged Forinthy and its Anima beyond repair.

He knew the gods must be stripped of their power, if Gielinor was ever to achieve peace and harmony, and he was the only one who had the power to make it happen. But at the same time, he also knew Guthix wasn’t the only exception amongst the power-hungry, tyrant gods. There was Zaros, the god who was betrayed by the usurper Zamorak.

He was nothing like Zamorak, Saradomin or Bandos, the World Guardian thought, remembering what Azzanadra had told him about Zaros and his empire at the peak of its power, with the largest, most technologically advanced cities and the people living in prosperity, with access to the most advanced magic, before Zamorak just had to ruin it all.

But who do I side with? He wondered. I’m loyal to Zaros and I would never, ever betray him like Zamorak did, but everything Guthix showed me was right. The gods are all tyrants, except for Guthix and Zaros. And now that the Edicts are void, they can return and fight for control of the world…

Until now, he had never really considered the possibility of another god war. To be honest, he never even gave much thought to the first God Wars, aside from the Zarosian extermination.

History will repeat itself, he realised. Gielinor would become a battlefield once again, with corpses everywhere, soldiers watching as their comrades die and not being able to do anything able it, those too injured to fight would just be lying around, just waiting for death. Even if they survived, they’d be crippled for life.

Families, friends, and lovers would be torn apart; many soldiers who leave for battle wouldn’t return, and those who do would never be the same. Even those who do not take sides would be affected. The armies of the gods would raid cities and villages, burning farmland and buildings, raping and killing people... -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:16:02

NerdArtist23

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An image of his mother’s mangled corpse flashed through his mind, with her blonde hair in tangles, dress ripped at the front from the shoulder area to the waist, and from the waist to the ankles at the back, exposing her body, which had deep sword cuts in it as well as bite marks, and she was lying in a pool of blood. It was followed by an image of his father’s corpse with his left hand cut off, and his body pierced with arrows like a human pin cushion. His head had been cut off (whether post mortem or not, he didn’t know), and the fingers of his right hand were still gripped tightly around the hilt of his steel sword. And then, he remembered the dead bodies of his neighbours, the baker, the smith, the general store owner, some people from school he’s seen but never spoken to, guards just like his father who died on the line of duty, and a bunch of other people he didn’t know. All of them had been lying in a pool of blood, like his parents.

The World Guardian’s jaw immediately clenched as he recalled that terrible day in his childhood, when the goblin tribes east of Draynor decided to conduct a raid on the unprepared Lumbridge, and he downed the rest of his drink.

When that happens, and I’ll bet all the gold in my bank it will, the gods won’t stand by idly now that there’s nothing to stop them from returning and Gielinor is just waiting to be taken, who would I fight for?

He was then reminded of his father’s words. No matter what happens along the way, do not lose sight of what’s truly important; do not forget what always comes first−your duty.

My duty to whom? He thought. Zaros or Guthix?...What is my duty anyways?

He sighed. “Hey, bartender? Can I get another beer?”

The bartender gave him another glass, and the World Guardian paid him two gold pieces in return, before taking a gulp.

G uthix gave me such a good reason to fight for him, but I can’t cut all ties to Zaros, it−

“Bryce, is that you?” -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:17:26

NerdArtist23

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He turned around and saw one of his close friends, and favourite people. She was so beautiful, with a green and yellow Alice band in her long blood red hair, wearing a green long-sleeved shirt that accentuated her perfect, slender hourglass figure, and floor-length grey skirt.

For a moment, Bryce forgot about his troubles, and he smiled.

“Ariane. What are you doing here?”

“I had a bad day,” Ariane said, taking the seat beside him. “I need a drink.”

She glanced at the bartender, just as he took notice of her.

“I’ll have a beer,” she told him. A second later, the bartender placed her drink on the counter, and she paid for it.

Ariane took a sip. “I can’t believe Guthix is dead.”

Bryce’s eyes widened. “How do you know about that? It only happened hours ago.”

“I was at Taverley,” Ariane explained. “Investigating the druids’ summoning magic. I wanted to see how it worked, so I could learn it. It's quite interesting, all that material about charms, spirit shards, pouches and scrolls…I’d love to try summoning some time. I was also doing a bit of research on the side about potion making, so I could brew a potion that would enhance my magic abilities…I’m sorry, I think I’m getting off topic…”

“That’s all right,” Bryce said. “I know quite a bit of summoning magic myself. If you’d like, I can show you some time.”

“Thanks, that would be great,” Ariane responded. “I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Anyways, so there I was in Taverley, talking to Pikkupstix in his shophen somebody started to shout for us to gather at the Druids’ Circle and that Guthix is dead. Well, that certainly got our attention, so me, Pikkupstix, and pretty much everyone else made our way there, and two druids, Kaqemeex and Thaerisk told us everything. I was beyond shocked, and to be honest, I still am. Guthix was so strong, he was able to stop Saradomin and Zamorak back in the Third Age from completely destroying the world…and now he’s gone. How can someone so powerful die so easily... -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:18:58 - Last edited on 13-Aug-2016 02:19:39 by NerdArtist23

NerdArtist23

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“...like a mortal?”

“I think everyone’s asking themselves that,” Bryce said.

Ariane went on. “And his wish about a godless Gielinor…I never thought…being a god, I never thought he’d want something so noble, so selfless−

“Hang on,” Bryce interrupted. “What exactly did Kaqemeex and Thaerisk say?”

Ariane then told him everything she heard, from the adventurer who discovered Guthix’s resting spot, to followers of the other gods teleporting there, to the Guardians of Guthix meeting him, to the race to stop the followers from carrying out whatever plan they might have against Guthix, to Sliske’s betrayal, to the adventurer being given power from Guthix so he become another one of the Guardians of Guthix.

“…And then they mentioned your name,” Ariane said. “They said ‘Bryce Stanton is the one who would protect Gielinor from the tyranny of the gods when the next God War comes, he is the World Guardian.’ ”

“They did?” Bryce asked, feeling surprised.

Ariane nodded.

That was not what I expected, he thought. I didn’t think Thaerisk or Kaqemeex would mention me, considering I went against the Guthixian cause; I acted in favour of the Zarosians back in Guthix’s chamber…Did he genuinely believe I’d side with them, or was he just giving them some good news to keep their morale up?

“Thaerisk said you saw Guthix in his last moments,” Ariane said. “What did you see?”

Bryce hesitated for a second, before telling her everything he knew about Guthix going from a peaceful Naragi farmer to a god that could beat Saradomin and Zamorak a hundred times over.

“Wow...” Ariane said when he was done. “I've never been fond of Saradomin. Ever since my days at the Wizards' Tower, I found his ways to be...off-putting. I couldn't stand the holier-than-thou attitude his followers had, and their stubbornness and refusal to see anything from a different perspective, especially when it comes to demons annoys me to no end. But now...I don't think I will ever see him the same way again.” -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:21:42

NerdArtist23

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“Me too,” Bryce said.

“You know Guthix was not the god I’ve been following since childhood,” Ariane said. “Growing up in Seers’ Village, no one ever made a big deal out of the gods. Of course, that wasn’t the case in the Wizards’ Tower. I only became interested in Guthixianism after my expulsion, since I’ve never liked Zamorak, and I don't think I'll ever become a Saradominist. I’ve always seen Guthix as an alternative to two gods I dislike. But that was when I thought he was all about balance between order and chaos. Now I’ve realised just how right he really is.”

She took some more sips of beer, before turning her attention back to him. “I haven’t told anyone this, because I didn’t want them to think I was crazy…but I’ll be completely honest with you, Bryce.”

She smiled at him. “I’ve never really liked the gods or most of their followers...and I always wondered about a world without them. However, I always dismissed that idea a second after I thought of it, because I’ve always thought it was impossible. But not anymore.”

Bryce didn’t reply, and Ariane continued to talk.

“Needless to say, you’ve been given a very important task.”

“Yeah…I know.”

Ariane looked at him in the eyes, with her emerald green ones gazing into his purple (formerly blue) ones, as if she could see right through him.

“What happened to your eyes?”

“I don’t know,” Bryce said. “They’ve been like this ever since Guthix gave me his power.”

“Huh…”

“I’m glad he chose you,” she confessed.

“Really? Why?”

Ariane took a swig of beer. “Because I know you won’t fail.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I know you, Bryce,” Ariane said. “You’ve seen Zamorakians and Saradominists at their worst. You’ve even seen how much of a tyrant Bandos is. You know from those experiences the gods are not to be revered. You don’t follow any god in particular, so you’re nothing like those who are so tied to their beliefs, they’re too blind to see the truth. You’re still reasonable unlike them... -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:23:04

NerdArtist23

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“...and it’s quite obvious the next God War will happen, and you must stop it.”

“Well, I…”

Bryce didn’t know what to do or say. On one hand, he wanted to tell her sweet words and give her exactly what she wanted to hear, so he could please her. But on the other hand, he wanted to tell the truth, this was one those times he felt like he’d go mad if he kept his thoughts and emotions all bottled up inside; he needed someone to talk to.

But would she understand? Bryce wondered.

He took a gulp of beer, and he spent several seconds considering, until he opened his mouth again.

“You’re right,” he said. “The gods are tyrants, and their upcoming war will devastate all of us. But…”

He took a drink again.

Bryce turned his attention back to Ariane. “To tell you the complete, honest truth, just like you did with me, I’m not sure if I should follow him.”

Ariane’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Why?”

“Well…”

Bryce didn’t know how he’d explain it to her, or if he should even try. He had already pledged himself to Zaros, a god she knew very little about, and the reason she even knew about him was because she read his name off a tablet (with the words “tremble mortal, before the altar of our dreaded lord Zaros” written on it) in a display case.

We were at the Varrock Museum that day, he thought. Just the two of us...talking, browsing through the displays…having a moment where we didn’t have to fight anything. She was wearing her green and brown dress, but she was still so beautiful…she noticed that tablet inside a display case, and she read it out loud. Then, she noticed the plaque that gave me the credit I deserved for finding the tablet, and she asked me what it meant, but I had no idea at the time. Of course, she wanted to know more…

And that lead to the both of them hunting for information about the exiled god, but while Ariane’s search had been fruitless, Bryce managed to free Azzanadra, learn the -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:25:05

NerdArtist23

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long lost Ancient spells, and he even helped Azzanadra restore a temple that had once stood in Senntisten. Azzanadra told him a lot about Zaros, from the start of his glorious empire right up to the point where his enemies sealed him in the Jaldraocht Pyramid. Unfortunately for both them, Bryce had to keep it all a secret.

“Ariane, you’re wrong about one thing,” he confessed. “I do follow a god, but he’s nothing like Saradomin, Zamorak, Bandos, or anyone else. He’s a noble, righteous god. He’s honourable too. I’d fight for him, but…like you said…I’m still reasonable. I know that if I do that, I’d just be another soldier, contributing to the death of the people. I know I should take up my duty as Guthix intended to prevent the bloodshed, but I’m still loyal to my god. I…don’t know who I should choose Guthix or…him.”

“Listen to yourself,” Ariane said. “You sound just like those fanatics I was talking about. But…you can still be reasoned with, and you can still see it’s much better to side with Guthix. Still, I am curious to know. Who do you follow?”

Bryce took a gulp of beer. “I’m sorry, but I can’t say.”

“You can tell me nothing?” Ariane asked.

“I’m sorry,” apologised Bryce. “But I’ve been sworn to secrecy, and I intend to keep my oath.”

In reality, there was no formal oath, or even a promise, although he was told to keep his Zarosianism a secret. Still, he didn’t want to break the number one rule of confidentiality.

“And I’m not a fanatic,” he told Ariane.

I am nothing like Zilyana. Or Humans Against Monsters. Or Enakhra.

“But you share their ideology,” Ariane pointed out. “You’ve seen how bad the gods can be first hand, and yet, you still ally yourself with one. And you still consider fighting for him despite knowing what would happen should another God Wars happen. Bryce, you’ve seen the effects of war first hand--

“I know, you do not need to remind me,” he interrupted, thinking once again about the day -This account is currently controlled by the Committee for State Security.
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13-Aug-2016 02:26:22 - Last edited on 13-Aug-2016 02:26:58 by NerdArtist23

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Dawn of the Sixth Age