Chereads / Delphine of Moria / Chapter 64 - Amaranth of Northumbria

Chapter 64 - Amaranth of Northumbria

Delphine now had two kinds of people to hunt down and kill, and she was not afraid to act accordingly. She swore that her sword would penetrate all of her foes and make sure they are all cast back into darkness. Then, she looked onward and saw many statues of ancient kings and queens, who once ruled the world before the demons took over. One of them just happened to be King Lancelot of Midland, also known as the king, who gave his life against the very first demonic invasion. In terms of family, the bloodline of Lancelot went downhill because of the many feuds that Julius of Romania and his brother had.

Julius's brother, Harald of Midland, took his place as chieftain of Loftain and made many celebrations and feasts to honor the sacrifice of his father. His son, Brant, escaped the city after it burned down by a great invasion of the demons. That one invasion caused the life of Julius's wife and made his daughter turn her back on him. After the murder of Harald, Julius sat on the throne of Midland and is renamed the Demon Wolf. A few years later, Brant met a terrible fate and was killed by the daughter of Mephiles before he could succumb to the darkness.

Mephiles's daughter was also bound by demons and carried the blood of the wolf, but she swore to never be like him. She declared that she would not let her future offspring be as corrupt as she and her father were. The only thing about this was the fact that Delphine was not told about any of these events. The time of atonement and peace was over because the demons have returned from their hibernation and swore to allow their one true king to take back his place as king of Midland. Delphine continued to walk on and imagined if this one trail never seemed to end, and she began to have negative thoughts all around her.

She had no compassion or mercy towards all who came from the shadows and sought the end of the human race. She would make sure that they are all put to the sword and sliced open to make them suffer as she has suffered. Then, Delphine saw another door that may likely be the one door she was looking for as she was inside this vast place. So far, all she has seen was nothing but paintings and tragic events that occurred one after another. Then, she walks towards that large door and places her scarred hand onto the handle, and she pushes the door open.

And so, Delphine walks inside of the large room and saw nothing but shadows; she could not move any further because she did not want to know what or who was inside those dark clouds. She then hears a few footsteps coming from the darkness and pulls out her greatsword and points it at the person coming towards her. The one who walked from the shadows was a woman who carried an ancient sword and wore old clothing with a large red cloak.

"Who are you?" Delphine asked. Then, the woman lifts her hands and heard many voices of warriors chanting and beating their shields with their swords.

She then sees a large head of an ancient dragon come from the shadows and started breathing fire all over the cave. But, the light was bright red and went from the pits of hell; the fire was enough to burn the whole mountain down. When the ancient person was asked her name, her ultimate power was seen throughout all the known voices of the cave.

Then the woman answered and spoke to Delphine, saying, "I am Amaranth of Northumbria. I am the guardian of this place and the caretaker of Ladon, the elder dragon. I felt your presence ever since you set foot in this mountain. And because of that, I know what it is you yearn for, and I can help you with that. I can give you immense power and strength against all of your enemies. All of the worlds will know and fear the one who carries both demon-blood and wolf-blood."

"You're mistaken. I didn't choose to become a demon hunter to provoke fear on humanity. I don't seek to destroy human lives... only the ones who made me this way," Delphine said.

"You do not wish to make the humans fear you, yet your very presence is a curse in the eyes of those people. You may not know it, but your name is called in the hallowed halls of men. They have longed for the day to come for someone of your ability and strength to enter these halls. I have waited for such a day to happen for someone, such as you to stand before me. I have lived for many centuries and protected Ladon as he protected me from all danger. I have wielded my sword against all supernatural creatures and humans, and I have never feared the hordes of Hell."

"I'm not the same person whom you speak of. I came here because I've been told of this place and the guardian living here who protects a mighty dragon. I've also been told that dragons have gone extinct, and there haven't been any of them soaring the skies ever since. I know I need to be here, yet I don't understand why. But, you seem to know quite a lot about me. We've never spoken before, yet you talk as if you've seen me throughout my life."

"It is true that I have no memory of a previous encounter. You came here because you're the only one out of anyone who has the mighty caliber of the Demon Wolf and the Wolf Queen. You have been called for a much higher purpose. You seek the heads of your greatest enemies, don't you? And so, you shall have them. I am willingly able to give you whatever you desire. I can give you indestructible power against your enemies at a high cost."

"I don't have time to waste. What kind of cost are you talking about?"

Indeed, Delphine did not have all night to hear Amaranth give out speeches that might last an eternity. Then, Delphine moves closer towards Amaranth and pulls out her greatsword and held onto it to see if she will listen.

"Ah, you wield the Crissaegrim? I know that sword. I know it much better than you do," Amaranth said.

"Tell me what you know. Just say whatever you got and get this over with," Delphine said. She was already ticked off about all of the secrets that Lagertha could not tell her; she started to believe if everything she has done is all in vain.

Then Amaranth said to her, "Ever since the days of old, that sword was forged for one reason only. It was forged to drive away from the evil lurking on this earth. I know that blade because I was one of many people to see it be forged. My sword was forged, for its sole purpose is to protect my family from anyone who will try to take them away from me. Only a mere fool would try and steal the one who would give his life from me. A man who loved me more than any other, and a man who was very ambitious because he was his father's successor to the throne."

Amaranth knew that she made herself clear about everything she was trying to say to Delphine. In Delphine's eyes, Amaranth was just telling a bunch of words and not going straight to the point. The Ebony Knight came here for the sake of being lent power to fight her most vigorous opponents. Not only did she come all this way for control, but she did so to acquire knowledge and know more about what the demons genuinely want and why the Demon Wolf keeps tempting her. Mephiles did all he can to make sure the things he does for the world goes as he has foreseen.

Then, Amaranth had nothing more significant to say to Delphine now that she pretty much told her everything about herself and the swords.

"But, that's not why you're here, is it? You want power?" Amaranth asked.

"Power to protect my friend and destroy my enemies," Delphine said.

"Your friend?"

"Simon. A demon hunter, and my comrade."

The guardian looked down at herself with a little bit of guilt because Delphine reminded her of the same person she used to be. She knew that she could not get away very quickly if she does not give Delphine the power she needs.

"You must know that he will not survive the end of this journey. If you continue to let him follow you, he will surely die," Amaranth said.

"You're lying!" Delphine shouted.

"There is nowhere you can hide, Ebony Knight. For you, it's a lie and an illusion."