Memories of the Forgotten

Just some filling stuff... nothing too much of importance... so you might believe.

Chapter 11


It took the better part of the day for Aivon to recover from his injuries after Hieas' surprise attack. He indeed had not expected him to grow so strong so fast. As soon as he could, he started to treat Midas' wounds. They had healed somewhat while Aivon was recovering, something that he couldn't quite explain how it had happened. He had noticed while he was bandaging up his arm that Midas' pendant was glowing a fierce dark glow.

Aivon had known there was something odd about Midas, ever since they had met. There was always a distinct aura around him that he could not place as either angelic or demonic, for Midas was neither of those things. Yet he knew that he was not entirely human as well. He was from beyond the Gate, as thus had maybe certain ablities that seperated him from everyone else in the world.

Whether or not this had anything to do with the glowing pendant or his fast healing, Aivon wasn't sure. He already knew his demon protection and heritage would let his wounds recover quickly, even without treatment. The sun had just gone down when Midas awoke, the smell of cooking meat filling his nostrils.

"Ugg... what... happened?"

"We got our butts handed to us by Hieas, that's what happened." Aivon said, casually stroking the fire. "Nothing new I'm sure," he added with a smirk.

Midas shook his head and thought back to his fight and how Hieas had defeated him. And from Aivon's tone, it sounded like he fared no better. "So then why are we alive?"

"Your asking me? Hieas decided to let us live is all. Not sure why either."

Midas thought for a moment before looking once more in the direction they were traveling in. He knew things were bad, but if an old enemy was back and indeed stronger then they were now, it could only be the start of what was to come. Which meant that whoever was really behind this would be even stronger. Midas didn't find this idea comforting one bit.

"We need to train harder then ever. I don't know why Hieas has come back, but I know it can't be for something good. In our current condition, and with our current power, it is pointless to even try."

Aivon didn't seem shocked that he would say something like this, but he was surprised at his tone of voice. He spoke so calmly, as if just accepting it to be a fact. "Well, we have to try anyway. Can't hurt to train a little."

They began to eat and soon were once again traveling onward, with no road to guide them. The moon rose up, most of it nothing more then a shadow of itself, casting it's little light upon the world. As the two traveled slowly through the dead of night, Aivon asked the question that he had been dying to ask. "Midas, what is with your pendant?"

Midas shook his head and sighed. "My pendant is... an artifact that the being held. That thing... he crafted items that resonated with the darkness and evil within him. They were pure forces of his power, all four of them. When he had been banished, the pendant was the only item he had left. His staff, his headpiece, and his ring were lost. Each had it's own power to help him conquer this world.

"The ring was used to amplify his power, and allowed his minions to increase their strength. You've seen one yourself." Aivon vividly remembered the dark creature with 'living skin' that Hieas tried to command when it emerged from the Dark Gate, only to have it kill him with it's blade-like arm after Midas ordered it. "There used to be lots of them, rampaging the lands. The ring allowed them this power to withstand those with magic. The staff was filled with dark energy, powered by his own darkness. It was used to focus his power and direct it most effectively. The demon was able to steal it and use the power himself.

"The headpiece allowed his skin to become 'living armor', unable to be hurt without using the most powerful of spells. And then even when that happens, this pendant allows him to recover his wounds at a much quicker pace. When I was sent here, I was given this pendant in order to help me with my mission. It resonates constantly with my nature whenever it is exposed."

"Do you know where the others are now?"

"No." Midas said, looking up to the sky as he walked. "I never found them really. I don't think I really want to either. It may increase my power, to find them, but the risk is too great." Aison seemed confused at this, and Midas could see it on his face. "The power might... tempt me back into my darker side."

Aivon nodded, as if trying to agree with him on something when he noticed they had reached a wooded area. The place seemed to radiate with it's own essence, as if the forest itself had some strange life energy all it's own. And Aivon could sense it, the power of magic from within the forest.

"This place... it's..."

"They say long ago it was a cursed forest until a Destined appeared. He entered the forest and drove away the curse, but at the cost of his own life. It is said that his brave sacrifice allowed his magic to flood into the very forest around his body, which then grew to create what you see before you. The magic is said to protect the forest from harm. We'll camp here for now. It's not safe to enter this place at night."

Aivon began to set up camp, the moon now high over the two traveler's heads. It was near midnight, as far as Aivon could tell, and he felt as if they made some progress within the first day of traveling. Once they had settled into their sleeping bags, they drifted to sleep.

From the shadows of the trees, a lone figure watched. He gazed upwards as the midnight hour passed. "Ten days left... till my destiny is complete..."