NightTime Roads

Well, this story is winding down, and so is my creative mind... but I must keep going for you all! For everyone who ever read my story, and has stuck to it. I humbly thank you. You've been great... no really, you have! You have no idea how much I like you all for reading this... well, maybe not in that way...


Chapter 20


The salty air brushed by them, as Rekia, Antros, Ayisa, and Evia sailed on to the Island Kingdom of Doisa. Rekia had chartered them a boat to use, so while he was busy sailing it, the others prepared for battle. Evia was inspecting her arrows, Ayisa by her side. "Evia, your arrows... they are different then normal ones."

"Oh you noticed? Yeah your right, the arrow tips are said to be made from mythril." Ayisa looked a bit stunned. Myhtril was a legendary material, said to have been once used commonly throughout the land. However, mythril was limited, and had been mined to the point where it was rare to even find enough for the hilt of a knife. In time, people believed that all mythril was used up and resorted to other, cheaper metals. But none could match the strength and durablity of it. There were even stranger tales concerning mythril and its origins. "When I was given this, and told what it was made of, I at first didn't believe it."

"That's understandable. After all, mythril doesn't exist... or so I've been told."

"Yeah well, this metal... it seems to glow a strange light sometimes... I think it's the power of mythril." Evia smiled. A legend of mythril was that, in the right hands, it could enhance the power of a weapon or the durabity of a shield or armor. "Well, that's just what I like to think anyway."

While Evia and Ayisa were talking, Antros stood at the bow, holding a brand new sword. It was slightly smaller then his old one, and recently polished, but knew that it would have to do. His own blade, well worn out, would be much stronger especially if his brother learned the secret of the blade. According to a legend, the blade was made with orihalcon, a metal so rare, that no one believed it to ever have existed. Myths often told that weapons made of orihalcon were amoung the strongest in the world and only the greatest of forgers could possibly shape these weapons. However, despite the fact that orihalcon was long-lasting and extremely durable, no records or clues of it's existance were ever found.

Why Antros believed that his blade was crafted out of the mythical substance, he didn't know for sure, nor did he really want to know. Knowledge may be power, but too much power could lead to corruption. It was a path that Antros saw people take many times in his travels, men and women alike driven to the brink of insanity with power many of them could not handle, or did not understand fully the magnitude of.

Antros stared at his blade for what felt like the longest time, raising it up to see what it looked like in the morning sun. For a brief instant, the world around him was silent, like he was the only one there, once again traveling a road which he did not know to where it would lead, only knowing of the challenges and dangers that awaited him at the end. Silently he put the sword away and said he would cook something.


The ship landed on the docks of what could only be described as a city on water. Even from a distance, the castle of the island could be seen, and from up close, it was grand, far more so then even the castle at Gaia Kingdom. At least a hundred houses could fit inside, and if Antros dared to try it, he could probably fit them all and maybe a bit more. The town surrounding it was nothing he expected. Each home seemed to be unique in every way, from the style it was built in to the materials used. Polished oak and marble, redwood and bronze, even hints of gold and silver. Antros was amazed that the island didn't sink from all that. Armory and blacksmith shops could be seen, the smell of sulfer and ash coming from them as the wind blew, the sight of jewels being crafted and metal ores melting in burning hot flames.

"This place is... amazing!" Ayisa said, deeply impressed with the way things had run, as they had left the doks and entered the marketplace. People seemed ot be making transactions, each one using every trick in the book of business to get the best deal. Rekia also seemed impressed by the grand scale of things although he did his best not to voice this outloud.

"Yeah, this place used to be renouned for it's excellent fishing and spices, but it seems the increased trade has turned it well..."

"Incredible..." Evia said, eyeing a silk dress. "I've never seen such fine material." She ran her hand along it, mesmorized by the soft, light texture. It was like water made solid and sewn together, the cool feel of the material giving a pleasent and inviting touch on her hand. "Unbelievible."

"Let us not forget the reasons we came here. We have to find Idora" Rekia said, almost having to literally drag Evia away from the expensive, yet beautiful thing. "We must quickly inform the kingdom of its leader's loss and tell them of Idora."

As they all went to the kingdom, a lone figure semed to be watching them from the stalls of the marketplace. However, no one noticed as the person's hood was raised and went about finished thier work.

The group approached the grand doorway that, as far as they knew, led into the inner courtyard of the castle. Two guards had been stationed there, thier armor a highly polished silver, each wearing helmets that covered thier eyes but allowed them to speak freely. As they came into view they stood blocking the path. The guard on the right spoke, "Leave please. Our king is away and has yet to return. We will welcome all visitors when he arrives back."

Rekia stepped foward at this, his voice calm and with authority. "I am Rekia, Guard Captian of Gaia Kingdom, here to speak to the minister of this land by direct order of the queen." The guards whispered something to each other, taking side glances to Rekia all the while, until they nodded and stepped out of the way. The guard on the left shouted something, and the doors opened, allowing them entry. The guards said nothing more, as the four went past the gates.

Beyond was something totally unexpected. It was as if they had wandered into a field of fruits, as the trees that grew all around them bore a distinct fruit. Apples, oranges, pears, strawberries, even grapes and apricots. Each scent pleasing to smell, and, if given the opprotunity, probably sweet to taste. Soft, light sounds of water could be heard, as statues placed all around the courtyard were emiting them into a small pool of water over which they stood. In the center was a gaint statue of the kingdom's now dead ruler. Truthfully, Antros would have been surprised if anyone who entered this place would not see it. As everyone took in all these things, the gates behind them closed.

And though he couldn't explain why, Antros felt as if the closing of the gates had sealed something more then just them.