Legend: Meg! Look at this here! - he said with a great sense of urgency. Legend put the book he was browsing through in front of Meg on the table.
Meg: It's...
Rachel: What is it? - Rachel got close to see what they were looking at and what had gotten Legend so fired up all of a sudden.
Legend: Rachel, can you read this language here?
The book that Legend was looking at was ancient, but the text wasn't as ancient as the appearance of the book. Rachel was able to read it.
The image that caught Legend's attention was exactly the same as the hilt he was carrying... The one he got from Gowzer's castle. But there was a remarkable difference: this hilt had a blade attached to it.
Meg: Yes, Legend. It is the same one. Rachel, could you read the text, please?
Rachel: Of course.
"The Sword of Light is believed to have been forged in the heavens. It uses a blade made out of pure light, and can never be wielded by the unworthy. It judges the hearts of those who touch it... And it instantly curses the unworthy to become stone statues forever."
Legend then remembered what happened to his friend Shin inside the castle.
Legend: So Shin... He wasn't attacked by a monster...
Meg: It was the Sword. That's why I warned him not to touch it.
Rachel: Who is Shin?
Legend: An old friend... He knew the man who taught me all I know about martial arts. His skills were a lot more advanced than mine... although he was more of a ninja. He never did like talking about his ninja clan, though... I think he either deserted or got banished...
Legend began to understand the meaning of all the statues they had seen in the castle...
Legend: So that means that... all those statues were people the sword judged to be unworthy... But then why am I able to hold it?!
Meg: Rachel, would you be a dear and continue reading?
Rachel: Of course, Sir bird.
"Thousands of years ago, the event known as the War of Magic came to pass. During this dark period in history, the Sword of Light was used to vanquish evil. Its current whereabouts are unknown, however, the sword was said to have used up all of its light"
There's more... But this I cannot read. Perhaps Sir bird...?
Meg: "For every gift of power, there is a price to pay"
Legend: I don't get it! Am I going to turn to stone too?
Meg: Calm down, Legend. This is a reference to the weapon's grace and to its curse. All the weapons that we need for the upcoming battle are incredibly powerful, but demand a price from those deemed worthy of wielding them.
Legend: I don't have any money! Will it turn me to stone because I can't pay?
Meg started to get that annoyed look on his face. He really had a low tolerance for lack of mental agility.
Meg: The Sword is not depleted as the book suggests. It just needs to be rekindled by a new worthy user. And that's you, Legend. But you will have to decide if you're willing to sacrifice what the sword will take in exchange for lending you its power.
Legend: The Sword of Light... To be honest, the name sounds pretty cool. And here I thought I was only carrying a pricy hilt around my waist!
Rachel: So what you're saying is that all these incredibly powerful weapons have a terrible downside to them... as you said before... a curse.
Meg: That's right. But I fear the fate of the Arkana would be far worse if today's warriors don't step up.
Legend: I'm tired of reading these weird writings... Honestly, when you mentioned a library, I thought it was a place that involved food... We should find an Inn before they're all full to capacity.
Meg: You're probably right... This is a busy city, after all.
Rachel: Guys, it's alright. Sven always lets me stay in the empty chambers that are for scholars. We will be ok. I promise.
Richard met back with them when they were ready to get some rest. They had a nice meal and caught Richard up on what they had learned.
Richard: Since you seem to know most things, Meg... What do you think should be our next move?
Meg: We must find all the weapons, wield them, and with their power, defeat the Dark wizard that threatens the world.
Rachel: Legend already has the Sword of Light. But we have no way of knowing where to find the other weapons.
Richard: You say the Dark wizard, Meg, but do not forget that female voice we all heard. The Dark wizard may be but one cog in a terrifying machine.
Meg: I agree... This is definitely an organization we're dealing with... an organization hellbent on summoning a demon to destroy the Arkana. Remember what that poor monk said... Gerson: at the top of his organization were a Dark wizard, a Summoner, and a Spellblade knight. He also said that to challenge them is to challenge The Cabal.
Richard: The Cabal... Sounds awfully generic and yet terrifying at the same time. And from what I have seen up till now, we still do not know how to wield the power of the Sword of Light. Am I wrong, Legend?
Legend: You're not wrong... Look, Meg... Maybe I'm bad at math… correct me if I'm wrong… you say we need six weapons, right? But there are only three of us… anyone else sees a problem here? Is it just me?
While they talked in a tavern, a couple of tables away from them were a few people that seemed uneasy about some strange occurrences that had surfaced that same day in the city...
Old woman: It's been almost a full day... My granddaughter still hasn't woken up! I tried everything! I don't know what else to do...
Man: In my case, it's my wife... She just collapsed in the middle of the day, and she wouldn't come to... I heard that the same thing happened to the apothecary at Sunflower Street.
Drunken man: It's the government... They must have poisoned our water supply. We're all gonna die! *Hicck! *
Man: A friend told me that this has been happening all over the city... You think that in a situation as dire as this one our government would do something about it. It's pretty obvious... they don't care about us!
Old woman: What could it all mean?
As the people slowly succumbed to panic, our small group of heroes still hadn't realized the horror that was about to begin.
Meg: Rachel. I believe Sven may be able to narrow down our search options. If not, then we'd have to move on my gut feeling.
Rachel: I'll ask him right away.
Richard: We should get some rest and be ready to move out in the morning.
Legend: I'm stuffed! I think I ate too much...
Richard: Better than having your stomach growling, don't you think? - Richard was remembering what happened the day he met Legend.
Legend smiled, while thinking to himself {I'm not so sure about that... it's hard to lie down with a full stomach!}
The party went with Rachel to find Sven, who showed them to some unused chambers where they could comfortably spend the night. Sven also spoke to Rachel about the weapons.
Sven: It's not going to be easy to find these weapons. The records of their existence are quite ancient... Besides, any record that could reference their location is likely to no longer be accurate. Why are you in search of such long-forgotten items?
Rachel: We understand it to be our responsibility to prepare ourselves to defend the Arkana. We are on the verge of a battle of epic proportions but are not strong enough to prevail as we are. So we must be aided by the power of these weapons.
Sven: I see... To think that an awful battle is about to begin! Well, if I were you, I'd go to the lands beyond the Lost forest. Try speaking to the wise men in the temples therein. I can't assure you that it would be a fruitful journey, though. Nonetheless, it will most certainly be a dangerous one.
Rachel: Thank you, Sven... For everything!
Sven: It is always a pleasure to be at your service, princess Rachel! By the way... I was surprised since it is the first time that I see you without that Dark knight that would always accompany you...
Rachel got teary-eyed and was fighting to avoid crying uncontrollably again.
Sven: Oh... I'm so sorry, princess... I did not mean to upset you!
Rachel: It's OK, Sven. It's not your fault. Sir Lionel died trying to save me from my captor.
Sven: Forgive me, princess... I am so sorry for your loss!
Rachel: Thank you, Sven. I will go rest now. Good night to you.
While she was talking, it was quite evident that she was still shaken by Sir Lionel's death. Before she turned in, she went to talk with Richard.
Rachel: Brother... forgive me for intruding. I know you must be exhausted...
Richard: It is no bother, dear sister. Tell me... what is it?
Rachel started sobbing again.
Rachel: We didn't even give him a proper burial! We just left him there!
Richard was sitting on the bed. He stood up and went to hug Rachel hoping to comfort her.
Richard: I know, Rachel. Forgive me. It did not occur to me at the time. But worry not. I have already sent word to father in Dalmacia. He will send a squadron to retrieve Sir Lionel's body and grant him a burial worthy of a hero.
Rachel: Thank you, Richard.
Rachel went to a separate chamber to get some sleep. Legend shared the same chamber with Meg.
Late at night, while everyone slept, Legend was dreaming. He was in a very familiar place. It didn't seem like a dream, though... it felt quite real... but besides that... it was more like... a nightmare.