Vol. 4, Chapter 52: The Champion Returns

The cold and the darkness, these two greeted me upon opening my eyes. For a moment, I thought that I was dead, but once I began moving, the sharp pain in my body quickly tells me otherwise.

"I have to... I have to stop them..."

In spite of the pain, I forced my body to move, rising up from the thin layer of snow covering my body. I tried to stand, but my legs wouldn't move. They've been broken by the fall. However, it appeared that my arms still work. I have to get back, get back and warn them, even if I have to crawl. But, which way do I go? How far have I fallen? Damn those bastards! Was that a [Feather Weight] spell that did me in?

Bit by bit, I dragged myself across the snow filled valley even while the snow continued to slowly fall upon me, even while my fingers started to become numb. Thought I may not know where I'm going, I can't just stay here. I have to get back. I can't just leave her by herself. Corona...

In time, the cold began to get to me, my body starts to feel heavy and once or twice or perhaps more than that, when I let my guard down, my eyelids would close without my notice.

"This can't be happening. This can't be happening."

While I repeat those words, I know very well that I won't be lasting very long. I am at the limit of my strength.

"Corona..."

Even though I promised. Even though I said that I'll be back soon... Damn it! I can't let it end here. I can't stop. We're going home together. I promised! I promised damn it!

Again and again, I find myself stopping. Again and again, I gathered my strength and began dragging my body forward once more. I have to keep going, I can't stop. I have to warn them, that the enemy is coming. I have to go. I have to. I have to...

My eyes snapped open, somewhere along the lines, I had fallen unconscious again.

"Ha...ve... to... keep...... going..."

My mouth was dry and my voice barely came out. I tried moving my arms but even they would not respond anymore. How long have I slept? This is bad. This is very bad. My body is heavy and cold, and everything is turning dark. This is it isn't it? This is the end of the line for me.

"...O...ro..."

From the distance, I hear a voice.

"...Oro..."

It is a familiar voice, a gentle voice.

"Lord Oro!"

"Wha-!"

***

I leap out of bed, sweating profusely. While my vision is blurry from suddenly opening my eyes in a drowsy state, I distinctively feel a presence beside me.

"You were groaning an awful lot in your sleep so I thought I'd call out to you. Was it that bad?"

I rub my eyes to have it adjust faster before turning around to see a reptilian face staring at me. Had I been less awake, I might have either punched it or leap out of the window by the bed in fright.

"Doctor Khumar... How long have I been asleep?"

"This time, only three days."

"Three days... Where's Corona?"

"Gone, off to a campaign. She told you, right?"

"Yeah... I vaguely recall it."

I look out the window only for my vision to blur again. The light, it's so bright, it makes me want to close my eyes, makes me sleepy.

"So, what dream were you having?"

"Nothing new, it's that dream where I was at the bottom of that valley again."

"I see... Well, you're here now, safe with us. Do you want to go back and rest? Or do you want something to eat first?"

"No, no more sleep. I don't know how long I might sleep this time. I'm sure I'll feel better once I have some food in my stomach, maybe a bath after."

I rub my eyes again, trying to get them to focus and rub away the drowsiness that has been assaulting me ever since they retrieved me from the bottom of the valley. They told me that I was more or less dead by the time they reached me, but the cold kept my body preserved enough that there was a chance for revival. The healer apparently got to work as soon as they could and was able to restore my bodily functions and bring me back to life. However, ever since then, I've been experiencing fatigue regularly and when I sleep, it is for days at a time. My condition was described as my soul having a hard time connecting to my body. Apparently, a Champion's body is different from the others in that the flesh and the soul are separate, and rather than dwelling in the body, it controls it from elsewhere. At that point, I cracked a joke about resetting the router, but none of them got it, none but Corona who apparently didn't think it was very funny.

Soaking myself in hot water, I can feel my body becoming lighter. In the past, if I wanted to get rid of the drowsiness, I would have taken a cold bath, but right now, I'm rather tired of the cold. In fact, I don't think I want to take another cold bath or shower ever again. Speaking of hot, I wonder if the replacements for my swords are ready yet. I should go check the smithy later.

After getting a good soak, I exit the bath and head into the kitchen, where I find the doctor stir-frying some wild meat and vegetables with the flames from his breath. I've seen this countless times already, but even now I still can't quite decide if that's appropriate or not. On one hand, I'm not comfortable with the cook blowing into my food. On the other, he's literally breathing fire, so it shouldn't be unhygienic as any bacteria would be exterminated by the heat.

"You got out just in time. I'm just about done. Care to set the table?"

"Sure."

I got out the plates and cutlery and lay them on the wooden table. The plates are made of ceramic and the cutlery of silver, both of which are beautifully crafted with delicate carvings on them. While the Dragonbroods are said to be lacking the ingenuity of Mankind, they are rather adept in the finer crafts. Apparently, this is due to them being a physically strong race which led to them to have far fewer needs in terms of survival, thus allowing them to be able to devote themselves to craftsmanship that would otherwise be considered superfluous.

"By the way, you should probably go see the Keeper. I heard that she had awakened. It's not every day that you're both awake, so I think you best go see her. Maybe she'll have an idea on how to fix you."

Due to using her power to keep this land from being further [Corrupted], the Keeper had to use her power constantly without cease. This results in her having to slumber for extended periods of time to recuperate, this period of unconsciousness is then further extended by the fact that even while asleep she needs to extend her protection throughout the land.

"I'll do that. I was planning on visiting the smithy anyways."

Once I finished my meal I prepare to head on out, but the moment I leave the front door, the sunlight pierces my eyes, scorching them and causing me to shrink away back into the building as I fall on my backside. While on the floor, I try opening my scorched eyes only to find my eyelids incredibly heavy. From the back of my head, a dark mist starts to overtake my consciousness, and following that, my body starts to feel both heavy and light at the same time, as if submerged in water.

Suddenly, something cold runs down my back and immediately my eyes snap open. I reach towards my back to find it to be wet. Turning around, I find Doctor Khumar with a ceramic mug in hand.

"Still not used to the sun?"

"No... I don't know what's wrong with me."

"Who knows, maybe having died once made you a little strange? Either way, take this, it should help somewhat."

The doctor hands me a straw sunhat. Gratefully, I receive it and put it on over my woolen hood, taking comfort in the additional shade provided by the hat.

"Careful now, I don't want to hear later that you fell off the mountain or something."

"I hear you. I wouldn't want to end up at the bottom of a mountain either, not again."

***

The largest settlement of the Dragonbroods lies within the mountains at the northern edge of the continent. Here, the dwelling and facilities are carved into the side of the mountains, creating a town with dynamic elevations. For sources of water, there are the springs within the mountains and the ice and snow from atop. At the foot of the mountains are the fields, mostly for farming, and surrounding the fields are the forests where the Dragonbrood hunts. It turns out that while the Dragonbroods all tend to appear rather reptilian, there are quite a few here that are omnivorous.

I make my way further up the mountain by the long staircases carved into the mountainsides. While there are services provided by those with temporary flight, I opted to climb with my own two feet. With the amount I've been sleeping nowadays, I should move my body as much as possible or else I might wake up one day finding myself too weak to move, much less fight.

"But damn, how long are these things?"

I remember the trip to be much easier the last time I was here. I guess the effects of sleeping such extended amount of time are beginning to show.

As my body starts to sweat, the winds blowing against my exposed skin starts to mildly sting, reminding me of that day when I decided to scale the mountain range that lies at the eastern borders of Beastkin territory. I thought that I could launch a surprise attack on the fort from behind while Corona's unit would strike from the front. It was a pretty decent plan, and with the Dragonbroods who are used to mountainous environments, the strategy seemed foolproof. To think, that we were actually ambushed en route.

There shouldn't be anything wrong with the strategy and there should be no way that the enemy would know that we would go through that specific route even if they have predicted our plans. Yet, there they were, launching an ambush from our blind spot. That moment still haunts me, and the fact that there is someone out there that predicted my every move and turned the tables around scares me. At one point, I had considered that it may have just been a fluke, that we ran by each other in the mountains, during a snowstorm, purely by chance, that's what I told myself some time ago. However, when that person, the one calling herself the 'Grand Keeper', said that the [World Devourer Woods] may be taken down by the Beastkin's Champion and that we should prepare to strike once that comes to fruition, I begin to have my doubts. When it actually came to pass, I knew that the Beastkins' Champions aren't to be trifled with. After all, it took us months to make even a dent in that forest, yet, those Champions had done more than that in a mere few weeks since they arrived. That's not normal.

And now, headed off to face those very same Champions, is Corona. Is she going to be fine without me? I don't know and I am afraid to find out. I need to fix my condition as soon as possible and go back her up.

Accompanied by the sounds of rhythmic hammering, I arrived at the smithy which lies about two thirds the way up the mountain. Here, the blacksmiths work day and night to provide the Dragonbroods with armor and weapons to fight back the hordes of the [Corrupted].

"Lord Oro, you're awake."

Approaching me is the overseer and head smith of the smithy, a Dragonbrood with ruby red scales obscured by the ashes and soot. Protruding from his head is a pair of great horns that appears to be trimmed down in size. Apparently, the horns got in the way. He also happens to be the one personally involved with the forging of my weapons and armor. If he's free enough to notice my approach, then most likely...

"Good day to you too. My swords, are they done?"

"You bet. Want to try them out?"

"Later, I need to see the Keeper."

"The Keeper, eh? I don't know, I think she is entertaining a guest right now."

"A guest?"

"The Grand Keeper, she's come to visit. That's why our Keeper is awake in the first place."

"Is that so? Still, my business is pretty urgent as well. I'm sure they won't mind."

"Well, if the Champion says so."

"I'll come back later."

"Yeah, I'll be waiting."

Further up from the smithy, there lies another lengthy and twisty path extending towards the top of the mountain. From there onwards, the air becomes much thinner, yet, somehow, it's not difficult for me to get around at all. Rather, I feel much, much more energetic around here. There's something about a Keeper's presence that empowers us Champions. I wonder why.

As I move further up the path, I see something dark and massive coiled around the sides of the mountain, the luster of its black surface is reminiscent of the black metal weapons made for my use. From this point onwards there are no more stairs, only a gentle slope spiraling up toward the top of the mountain. I tighten the chin strap on my hat before advancing further as I expect the winds to be especially harsh up here.

"Again, I sensed her, but like before she only appeared for a moment before disappearing."

"She is careful to not be caught. It is clear then that she does not stand with us."

"Indeed, but we must acquire her nonetheless, without her the world is doomed."

With the winds becoming calmer the nearer I got to the top due to a permanent [Air Ward], I catch on to a conversation from a distance. It sounds like they're talking about someone, someone they would like to be found, someone very important, but that's the extent of my understanding. There is little more I can glean from that conversation. I wonder who they're talking about. If she's so necessary in regards to saving this world, maybe I should get involved with this conversation, seeing that I am in fact the Champion summoned here for that express purpose.

"Sounds like an important person. Think you'll need help finding her?"

At my interruption, one of the two participants of the conversation turns with a surprised look on her face, her golden locks flowing smoothly along with her movements as she does so. Upon spotting me, she sends a glare of death my way with those deep blue eyes of her that adds to the coldness of her gaze, sending shiver down my already chilled spine.

"Relax, Grand Keeper, it is only the Champion."

Trying to calm her down is a creature whose head is that of a serpent, in fact, only her head can be seen from here while the rest of her body is too massive to be observed without stepping far far away from the mountain. Once you do, you'll soon realize that the dark massive object curling around the mountainside is in truth, the rest of the serpent's body.

"Oh, I hardly recognize you with that hat on. Good day to you, Oro."

Once she realizes that it's me, the Grand Keeper relaxes and lets her guard down. Was no one supposed to hear that conversation? Or did they not expect anyone to just waltz up here?

"Good day to you too, Grand Keeper. So, what were you two talking about?"

For a moment, she looks away, looking as if she's considering whether or not to tell me before finally deciding.

"A rather elusive individual, one that also happens to be very important to this world's restoration."

"If she's so important, why didn't I know about her?"

"It is in the case you got [Corrupted]. You understand right? That one does not simply lose their mind upon [Corruption]. Even as [Demons], they still retain the knowledge and experience they've had prior to being [Corrupted]. I can't risk having you using this information against the rest of the world."

The Grand Keeper and pauses a little, taking a bit of time to read my expression.

"Not convinced?"

"Well, even if I'm not, I would probably keep that to myself, Grand Keeper."

"Perhaps, but perhaps you might also be a terrible liar."

"I'll have you know, I can tell some convincing lies."

"Well then, consider me bamboozled, but regardless, I'll be going now. I have other matters to attend to and I believe so do you. For now, I'll bid you farewell."

Bamboozled, she said. Not a word I expect to hear from someone called the Grand Keeper.

"Yes well, take care, Grand Keeper. Hope I'll see you soon."

She nods slightly before sprouting a pair of pure white wings upon her back and took off into the sky, disappearing into the sea of clouds.

"Now then, Keeper, do you have some time?"

"I do, in fact. If you hadn't come on your own accord, I was going to ask for you myself."

This massive serpent coiled around the mountain, the [Holy Sentinel Serpent], is the Dragonbrood's Keeper. Though she does not possess the vocal cords for speech, it appears that she can communicate by speaking directly in one's mind and is capable of doing so to anyone living on this mountain. Convenient, as I would imagine that no one would hear her from all the way up here.

Still, despite her ability to speak directly to the mind, she lowers her upright head closer to the ground so that she may, as she puts it, have a better conversation. That being said, having such a large creature this close to me is rather unnerving, with her yellow eyes and slit pupils staring at me so attentively making me feel like I am currently part of her meal. Finding myself unable to look directly into those predatory eyes, I shift my gaze elsewhere, towards the Keeper's neck, where I find exposed skin on her scale-covered body. This is where her toughest scales grow, and it appears that they have been plucked, most likely to be refined and forged into weapons, weapons for my use. The skin, of course, has been healed by the healers, but the scales do not appear to be something that can be easily reconstructed with healing magic and will take time to grow back.

"I am here to ask about my condition, actually. I am sure you've heard about it, right?"

"Ah yes, I have indeed, Champion. In fact, the Grand Keeper and I were talking about it before your arrival."

"So what's happening and how do I fix it?"

"The root of the problem lies with your current vessel. It is, in essence, 'broken', and your soul is having a difficult time recognizing it as its body. Undoubtedly, the cause of it was the event of your 'death', and though you were brought back to life in the nick of time, your soul now has a hard time telling if the body is indeed a body or a corpse. Should this keep up, let alone three days or three weeks, one day you may not wake up at all."

In other words, I might just drop dead in my sleep. I can't say it's exactly all that comforting a thought.

"Alright, sure, now how about some good news."

"Do not rush me, I am just getting to it."

"Right, sorry, go on."

"It is the summoning ritual that connects your soul to this body. The solution to fix this lies within the same ritual."

So it has to do with the summoning. I wonder, if my soul unbinds with this body, will it go back to the body it is originally from? To the body in my own world?

"Okay, but let's say that I don't learn the ritual and keep going like this, what happens to me and my soul."

"I see what you are thinking. You think that if your soul is no longer bound to this body, you may return to your world. While there is the possibility that it might happen, it may prove a challenge for your soul to find its way back."

"Is it that difficult?"

"Think about it this way. Your soul has been pulled across time and space. Even if it somehow crosses back to your world and locates the body, will it arrive at the correct time? You may find yourself in a body days, months, or even years older than when you left it. Is that acceptable to you? Of course, you may get lucky and your soul may find its way back to your body prior to being summoned, perhaps when you're but a child even. I don't think I need to tell you the myriad of issues that may cause."

"Yes... I am starting to see the problem here. If possible, I want to return to the exact point when I was summoned."

"That is for the best. And that is why we need the ritual proper, to make sure all is done accordingly."

Guess there's no way around it then. Not that I expect to find loopholes in all these magical nonsense. I'm not exactly an expert on them.

"Fine, consider me convinced. Now that we got that all sorted out, do I just wait for the Grand Keeper to come back down and fix me up?"

"If she could do so, she would have done it a while ago. I am afraid it is more complicated than that."

"How so, the Grand Keeper is the one who summoned us right? Shouldn't she be able to fix it?"

"While it is indeed the Grand Keeper that had summoned you, as I have told you before, things did not go as planned."

"The ritual was interfered with, and if I remember correctly, it was by the Beastkins."

"Indeed, they had interfered with the ritual with a ritual of their own, causing the Champions who were supposed to be gathered here to scatter throughout Elgardia and arrive at different places on different times. Some, like you and Corona, arrived in a time period prior to the ritual being performed. We need to know how exactly they interfered and the precise details of what they interfered with. Once we acquire that knowledge, we should be able to restore you, and once all is done-"

"You'll be able to send us back."

"Precisely."

"Alright, so where do I start?"

"Like the race of Mankind they took much of their culture form, they should be keeping records of all important information they come across. I'd advise you to investigate their archives which should be located in their capital."

So, I guess this means I'll be joining with Corona then. In that case, I am not opposed to this plan, not at all.

"Then I'll be heading out. Have you got an escort for me? Since, you know, with my condition, traveling a long distance is going to be hard."

"Of course. Take as many warriors and you deem fit as well as one of my priestess. She is a Shaman, and though I am not sure how effective her abilities may be, I think she may at least alleviate your symptoms."

A Shaman, if that's anything like the class of the same name in Elysium Online, then she'd be something of a necromancer, commanding souls of the undead and summoning zombified creatures. In some ways, this class plays like a Summoner. However, while the Summoner's performance varies depending on the creatures summoned, a Shaman's is a class specializing in debuffs and support, with a few skills for direct damage. Not to mention, once a Summoner's creature is killed in battle, it has to be resurrected in a cathedral to be used again, while a Shaman can dish out as many zombies as his or her Mp allows, making them great for soaking up damage while the tanks pull back for healing.

"Alright, then, I'll be heading out immediately."

"Oh yes, and remember to pick up your armaments, they should be ready by now."

"Yes, I've heard from the head smith. I'll be sure to pick them up."

"Ah, I suppose that was uncalled for from me. Well then, I shall be eagerly awaiting your return."

I wave the Keeper goodbye before heading down the mountain. While the thought that I might have to face that Summoner again unnerves me slightly, it was much worst when I realized that Corona would have to face the bastard without me by her side. Had I know this is how things would turn out, I should have just gone with her when she left. Hopefully, I can still catch up to her before the battle starts.

***

End of Chapter 52