Chapter 6

Once the three children had given Varzoth the whole story of how they’d tried to escape before, and that was the reason they were in the cell with the next emperor, Varzoth didn’t change his mind. He had an idea to escape and it would be the easiest plan ever, hopefully. He asked the three what the prison was like, where everything was, who was there. That’s when they hit him hard with the truth.

“What did you just say?” Varzoth said, stunned.

Zaroth looked at him strangely, “The Commander of this facility is Karnyx Vorgath.”

Varzoth fell to one knee, and looked at the floor while Lilith came to his aid. “That man is a traitor to his kind, he threatened my friends, he threatened Lilith, lead me to him for me to rip him apart.” Varzoth gasped at how angry he was, he never liked thinking about Karnyx but him wanting to kill him felt wrong. Varzoth shook his head, “I’m sorry, we have history with him.”

“What kind?” asked Selene.

Varzoth’s anger grew, “The kind that makes you want to kill them.” Varzoth felt the pull of his blade, and felt his arm moving up. He reached out with all his power, and pulled his sword to himself. It broke from its shackles, and went into Varzoth’s hand. “Let’s get out of here ya?”

Varzoth and Lilith started debating over the best way to get out of there, they thought of everything, time, place, everything they needed. The guards in front of their cell left at an exact time, and they had about a five minute gap between them and the new guards coming around.

Lilith said that time was the best, so Varzoth cut the doors in one slash. “Good job trying to keep us in right?” Varzoth said sarcastically.

Lilith ran out, and went through a bunch of boxes outside of their cell. She threw Varzoth his knife and wand, and she grabbed her spear, whip, and dagger. She also grabbed a shortsword for Malakath, and gave Zaroth and Selene small daggers.

Selene walked up to the boxes, and looked through. “Is there anything that I can use to cast fire?”

Lilith shook her head, “That stuff would be locked away somewhere underground.”

Varzoth smiled, “Hey Selene, catch.” He threw her his wand.

She smiled, “Thank you!” She held the wand tight in her grasp.

Varzoth realized he’d lost his cloak somewhere around the way, but he didn’t care about what he looked like. He walked over to looked over a fence running along the side of the giant cavern the important’s had made. It seemed to go down thousands of miles, and Varzoth couldn’t see the end from the morning shadow over the cavern.

“Why are they preparing for a fight that isn’t gonna happen? Now that you guys have the forge I mean.” Asked Malakath. Varzoth thought for a long moment, and started thinking about how things were playing out. The Sword of Flame was a prophecy for years, they knew the power of the forge, they had this giant facility in place but why would they if they were abandoning this entire side of the continent?

Varzoth turned around, “We have to get back to the village.” He said aloud.

Lilith looked at him, “Wait why?”

Varzoth heard the voice in his head again, ‘It is true, they planned this for years while I slept.’

Varzoth looked at them, he gasped. “The important’s have been planning for everything, they know where the forge is. They knew about the sword of flame prophecy, they’re probably going back to the village to get the forge and use the resources here to make they’re weapons.” They all gasped,

‘I do disagree with this fact though, if we do not complete this task, then the future for Romania will be ruin and nothing more.’ Said the voice in his head.

Varzoth grunted, “We have another problem.” He admitted. “The sword wants us to continue and fulfill the prophecy.” Lilith grabbed the sword by the handle, and threw it into the hole before them. “I did not expect that.” Varzoth admitted.

“Call it back and ask if there’s a way to do both or something! We need to save our race, and I don’t care what some sentient sword thinks about it.” Lilith said, Varzoth nodded and called back his blade.

It came directly to his hand, it spoke. ‘Well, that was indeed unexpected.’ The sword floated in front of Varzoth, ‘There is indeed a way to do both, but I don’t know if we are able to do it in time. If we are unable to get to the stone and complete the ritual Romania’s fire will rage for eternity. If we choose to save all of Romania it will be another step, but it will cost us greatly.’

“Then we find a wrap-around.” Said Lilith, Varzoth was surprised they heard the blade. It seemed to be able to speak to other people as well.

‘Hm,’ The blade said, ‘The method is ancient and dangerous, using knight’s magic at the exact right moment.’

Zaroth interjected, “We aren’t able to use other knight’s magic though, I was lucky to even learn the one spell I know.”

The blade did a gesture Varzoth chose to be resembled as nodding, ‘Malakath is correct, knight’s magic is only able to go through dimensions that allow it or have been severely damaged. Such as this one, but there is an event in history labeled by people throughout the multiverse. Big Bang two.’ Before Varzoth could interject to the craziness that was occurring, the blade continued. ‘At this exact point something is happening in another universe, something that will eventually affect this one. Varzoth will play a role in that soon enough, but for now we will use it as an opportunity! The reason I wanted you to do the ritual now is for that reason, knight’s magic can only be used at this point in time. When the ritual is complete the blade will be able to heal the land into what it used to be, among other things, giving the throne to Varzoth, allowing beasts to roam once more, and more.’

“Wait, throne to me?” Asked Varzoth, but the blade fell into Varzoth’s hands. One last whisper was heard from the blade before it stopped though.

‘The stone is right under your feet.’

Varzoth looked over the fence, and thought for a second. He sheathed the blade through his belt, and jumped over the fence. He rode down the hill, and reached a small area to stand. He looked back up.

“Run! It’s not going to be safe for any of you!” Said Varzoth.

Lilith looked at him, “Wait, what is going on?” She yelled.

“They're not mining just for pyromite, they're mining for the stone! I have to get down there and complete the ceremony, you all have to leave before you get caught!” He said, she nodded and ushered the three kids out of the way of the mine. Varzoth nodded.

‘It is time to reunite this world, and for the age of the knight to be reborn.’ Said the blade, he didn’t know what that meant but it sounded important. Varzoth ran to the center of the mine and started looking for a rock, but there was none. He kept looking until the blade pulled on him. ‘The stone is Romania. It has been fueled by knight’s magic for generations, place me into the ground when the sky opens.’ Varzoth nodded, looking at the sky. The sun shone through the clouds of dust surrounding Varzoth, and he could see through them. He saw three figures approaching him, and he prepared the sword for the ritual. He held it by the handle, facing the ground, blade not touching it. A figure in golden armor appeared, and Varzoth wished he didn’t remember him. The smile is all he needed to see to know who this was.

“Varzoth Soulrender.” Said Karnyx, former ally in the important’s.

“Karnyx Vorgath, how’ve you been?” Asked Varzoth.

Karnyx smiled, “Not too bad actually, got positioned as defense and protection for these workers. Allowed in the Emperor’s halls any time I want, so ya i’m pretty good.” Kernyx laughed under his breath, “How about you?” He said with what Varzoth could only call an evil smile.

“Not bad, the usual. Outlaw, keeper of the forge, trying to fulfill a really important prophecy to save the world.” Varzoth shrugged, “Always up to something, you know?”

Karnyx laughed again, “You always surprise me in ways I dont think is possible, but somehow you do. The kind, perfect, important. To the defiant, traitor, thief.” Varzoth held the sword strong, “So what’s your plan here? Wait until we catch you, again.”

“Nope, I’m actually listening to a sentient sword who wants to help stop the world from ending.” Said Varzoth.

Karnyx looked at him with crazy eyes, then looked to his soldiers. “Told you! He’s crazy, he listens to a ‘sentient sword’ and he thinks he’s talking to something?” You're insane.”

‘Get ready!’ Said the blade

“Well, then I'm sure you’ll love this.” A loud crack sounded, and the sky splitted into two. Varzoth had no idea what was happening.

‘That’s what’s supposed to happen! Do it!’ Varzoth listened and slammed his sword into the earth, making a loud crack in the air. The ground split. It felt like a tornado had started. ‘Get ready for your new life Varzoth.’