''Alright, time to go'' I said above their faces when they where laying in total silence admiring the ceiling.
Michael rolled to his side, stood on all fours and stared at me ''Didn't you go that way?''
Allaric stretched his two hands up ''Ok, give it to me''
I handed the shiny breastplate to him.
Michael followed the golden glitter in daze, ''I didn't know the Hero's armour was that beautiful. Only heard a description in legends and pholclores, I've never seen an illustration. To think it's far ethereal than I've imagined. I see now from where the «Golden ghost» is coming from''
''And imagine his hair was golden too, such overwhelming display of status'' I chuckled. ''Eyes too golden if I remember well''
''Ok it's done'' Alaric handed it back to me.
''I've never seen a golden colour like this before. If this is gold then what is the thing we were admiring so much; yellow charbon!''.
''This is not gold'' I indicated by my hand for him to sit up and approach me.
''Oh, I see...But it's a golden colour!'' he stood in front of me.
I pressed the palet from the sides and it opened. ''It's not golden either. Your visually senses cannot capture the true colour, yet your mind interpreted it to the closer form of superior metal it knows. Going from concluding subconsciously an armour is made of metal to the link to shiny and gold by memory.'' I did put the palet on his chest then closed it letting his arms hang from the side holes.
''I don't understand, it's golden but not really golden.So what is it then? '' His eyes blinked question marks.
''If the question is about the colour, it's name I cannot articulate nor can I write. It's by a language that can't be spoken by a human tongue nor get processed by a human brain. After all, humans can imagine concepts that they are already familiar with''. I was crouching down, writing symbols on the palet to crack it's terms of wielding. Cry, mother cat, fish's breath, going back, four paths....
''But if I were to describe it, I would say it's a colour containing gold, white, silver, light blue, light red, light purple. The colours didn't merge with each other but they aren't distinct either, you can recognise them but there are not there really, it's a whole new colour. It could've been easier if I could say it's the colour of an angels hallo somehow, but people can't see angels too''. I kept writing symbols, my hands gets quicker after each symbol to keep up and demolish the surfacing countering defence system.
If someone from the hero party went off to the bad side, he can easily leak the manuscripts. The symbols are easy to memorise, they are silly by our language so they easily stick in, you can also get a sheet of the symbols to copy from. That said, the true defence mechanism is the speed you need to write the symbols with; the max speed can reach to 62 symbols per second. If you mess up, a degrading explosion reaching 5 m radius will be triggered, being on it's reach is fatal; you will disappear without a trace.
Even so, no one can reach that speed without time control or speed magic, except me of course, so not many people really tried since the armour is magic concealing. Heroes can give the right to wear the armour following the same procedure, using the world control attribute embed in them they can easily distort time flow without the use of magic.
''I feel like I'm vibrating'' Michael told me ''It feels good so I'm not complaining. Does it give massage too! Great armour, great armour''
He can't see my finger moving on his chest, only my fist put there when I'm doing something he doesn't understand like I always do, so he ignored my behaviours.
I finished, stood up, went back few steps.
''Oh, by the way, if it's not gold then from what this coat-plate is made from?''
''The material is called Kreteel, or «god's spear»''
He chuckled ''A nice material to craft the opposite, why do a spear when the name is so obvious, let's do an armour, the smith had thought to get into history record''
''Hmm, I don't know who crafted the armour, so he miserably failed hhhh''. ''Well, I want you to put your thumb on the top of your chest and then drag it down while saying the word you want to use from now on to transform'' I illustrated to him the gesture.
''Transform!''.
I nodded slightly ''well, more like getting truly coated. Go ahead we don't have much time.''
''Let me think...''. ''Alright'' he put his thumb on top of his chest ''Golden ghost'' and dragged it down to his umbilical area.
The breastplate shone faintly and the decorative lines got flooded by bright sky-blue. A stream of particules got expended centrifugally to each of his limbs, getting irrigated by the liquid flowing on the decorative lines. The armour covered all his body, from the tip of his head to his big toe, even his round black eyes got cancelled behind the weird lion shaped helmet.
I guess it's a lion! I always wondered wish animal is that. But it's a feline for sure, the reductible claws, the shape of the paws and the structure of the face, also the mane. Looking like the king of lions, but it's like a comparison between a cat and a lion. All earth's lions are the cats in this comparaison.
It's the full combat form, used only for sparing or embodying his enormous power in given situations; after all going into that for ceremonies and display would be ridiculous. Maybe I'm the only one who finds it ridiculous, or the hero too shared my opinion since he always went with a more man like armour attire. But it's undeniable The hero in that form was unstoppable, a ferocious animal in a hunt, no sword and no other gear, only pure hand to hand combat and shredding by pure speed and strength. It was good practice times.
Michael was admiring his body, his view rotating brusquely as he doesn't know wish part to examine first. The arms flexed and his arms to his face level while clenching then opening his fists repeatedly.
''You started to feel the surge of power flowing into your body. I can do anything if I have such great power, power I didn't have before and power I couldn't ever get even after countless hardships. It sucks you in, don't get lost in it, just focus on where you are'' I said in distant ominous voice.
''Wow, it sure is a wide view I have despite the helmet and too the armour got even more sublime. It's so shinyyyy. I'm too shinyyy, I can get sold for bilions hahahe'' he said in an exited tone.
I guess I didn't have to worry after all, he is not the foolish guy I was before.
''Don't try and escape with it boy, or your soul wouldn't be even enough for the down payement'' Alaric tapped his back. ''Alright now we can go I suppose. But where is the elegance! I'm not travelling with a beast like little guy. I'll seem like I snatched him out his mother when he was still breastfeeding. Everyone will know I'm an evil demon right on the batt.'' he flicked his fingers.
''I like it, I look like a cat'' Michael retaliated. ''I like cats, ferocious while cute''
''But you aren't cute. We favour cats cause they are cute. You are just small and...and...'' he scanned him from bottom to top ''And not''
''Well sorry for not being up to your standards of elegance, my dear sir'' Michael bowed and waved like an humble servant. ''But I'll compensate by being ferocious, that I assure''
Alaric put on a dumb face before he looked to my direction. ''Just fix the appearance, point 0 would be good''
''Point 0?''
''Ok, Michael now say conceal and point 0'' I waved my index in quick circles. ''No wait, point zero then conceal''
Following my words has become easier for Michael. As he muttered the words and slid his finger on the chest, the armour changed once again. The hard metal softened to light blue silk, knitting a blouse. Loose garment draped on his body; wide sleeves with deep neckline, embroidered precisely and beautifully.
Michael admired yet again his transformation. ''Woah, I'm suddenly dressed as a small noble. This armour is quite legendary, yep!''
I approached him, stretched my hand towards his face and flicked his forehead. A *Tang* sound echoed down the wide corridor. ''You didn't even feel my hit right now'' I answered to his ''Awe''
Michael who had shut his eyes earlier flinching on my attack, opened them slowly. He put his palm over his forehead, his face shrugging in exclamation ''Y..Yeah! I don't feel any bumps too..''
''You are coated in armour still, it is just visible and...'' I stared at his puzzled expressions ''Can allow in non harmful objects, thus you can touch your face''
''Oh''
''it can even turn you invisible'' I lift my index up in a conclusion ''Hence the Golden ghost''
Michael's eyes lit in excitement ''Oooooh, a new fact. You know too much about the Hero''
''Not as much''. I peeked to Alaric looking annoyed. ''Ok, now we go.''
We kept walking in the dark, only our steps were heard. Michael, who was the one to stir conversations normally, kept moving oddly and trying numerous types of walks to appraise his mobility. He was stunned by how light his mouvements seemed, them exaggerated displayed he was lighter than he was used to ; even with his wind magic.
A dot of light was slowly widening as we kept moving forward.
''Silly thoughts, silly thoughts'' Michael said suddenly.
''What?''
''I just had the idea that all the Hero's power was merely coming from this armour''
''Hahahe, well it's strong indeed for close combat''
We stepped outside the shadows, welcomed by a barn field. A swift breeze caressed my back as the castles shrinking process terminated in an instant.
''OOh, that's what you meant by it shrinking''
I crouched down to pick the thumb sized castle. ''I said that rather frankly, no chance for misunderstanding''
''Well yeah, but it's just not the first possibility one could think of''
''AAAgh, chitchatting blabla bla'' Alaric said annoyed ''I am tired and you two enjoying your time, want some tea, some cookie!''
''I am sorry'' Michael apologized.
The castle was in between my fingers, I flicked it and it vanished. ''The carriage is almost here. We put the stable far ahead after all''
Michael contemplated the barn land surrounded by a forest, then gazed to the greyish sky, waiting for a carriage to come. This was where the town was established. Joy and laughter are now mere dust, like my memories of everyone.
''I thought we were in morning since I saw a clock earlier at breakfast stating 9 am. But it's not even sunrise!'' He said suddenly, I think this boys mind is lagging, maybe the backlash. He turned back to my direction ''You should set your time or you....'' his eyes darted up and he was speechless. ''Wh..wha.. what is that?'' he indicated by his index to a large black fireball suspende in the sky.
''It's the sun'' I replied nonchalantly.
''The sun?!'' his eyes widened in surprise ''W..well..That can't be''
I was rather confused, why is he shaking like he saw an abnormality?
''The sun isn't black, it never was. It was instead rather white!'' he hesitated then continued in his high tone ''Or yellow, maybe''
''Oh'' I smacked a fist on a palm ''I really got used to this scenery''.
A black carriage came out the forest anticipated by galloping sounds. A black one drawn by two horse figures. As the horses drew nearer their shape was easily discerned, they were brutally slashed, their bodies were missing parts but the over all form was kept together. There state wasn't of a living thing, after all they are already dead yet they moved and followed commands. At times, I wonder why the border between life and death is so hazy and spiked.
Alaric grabbed the white horse's reins as it neighed and tapped the ground, coming to a halt and stationing before us.
Michael who was dumbfounded, squeezed his mouth to mutter ''Can someone explain to me what is going on?''
''I still don't see why we need to travel by carriage this time, we are faster and it will too be cramped since we can't alter the dimension'' Alaric said in a long face.
''Yes, we can get their faster if we go on our feet. However we don't know where there is, so the carriage is necessary''
''Tch!'' he opened the doors ''I forgot there is that issue. Just if I had a description of those guys or I can access his memories'' he glanced to Michael. ''We would've Gotten to the fissure easily''.
I welcomed Michael to hop in. He blinked vaguely at me for quite a moment, ''Where am I? You just keep ignoring my questions''
''Just hop in, I'll tell you later. The armour's aura started leaking''
''I am not going anywhere in an unknown carriage. I need to know what is this place'' he flexed his knees in a pre battle stance.
''Come on brat'' Alaric said playfully ''You think we can not handle you! And what's with that bipolirsme of yours, are you foolish!''
''You can say we are in the world after the fall'' I tried to reassure him, a fight isn't needed if I can prevent it. Of course he is just scared of the unknown.
''The world after the fall?'' Michael was even more confused.
''I'll tell you more once you are in the carriage''
''I am not going anywhere I don't know''
Alaric chuckled ''Kukukuke, if I wanted to rip your soul I would've done it earlier, we will not have given you an overpowered armour by your criteria to begin with. Your wariness really shows off at stupid times''
Michael's lip curled. He lowered his arms ''I guess... that makes sense. But just to be sure, you can go there first''
''Unfortunately I can't, I would've loved to just go sit instead of listening to your questions''
''It is a special carriage you see'' I continued Alaric's speech ''It gets you to the place you know of and desire. The first person's to get in in fact. I promise it's perfectly safe and I will tell you about the black sun afterwards''
''Hmm, I guess that can be right. After all I saw too many wonders with you two'' He approached the entrance wary.
''Yes, we are wonderful'' I followed him. Alaric was the one to close the door after him.
The horses started moving, going somewhere they only know. All we can do is wait as enjoy the scenery till we got their. Oh no , the scenery is unpleasant, there is nothing to admire outside except rocks and dark and red. I am stuck in this cramped space without an outside breather of boundless visuals.
''The horses seemed like they were butchered'' Michael started talking as always. It is fresh so I don't really mind it that much.
Alaric's face was brightened by a deem light coming out a small window, as he closed his eyes tiredly and leaned his head on the frame. He burned a lot of his energy by auto-clashes.
''Ah, that's cause they are dead, maybe. Or they live but not really.''
''So what is wrong with the world... the fall'' the horses nature paled in front of a black sun.
I stared at the seats in front of me. ''This is the same world, it was merely invaded and stripped of beauty by darkness''
''By darkness''
''Yes, It's a world where the demons rule by tyranny''
''W..WHAT!'' he jumped to his feet.
''Hey, trying to sleep here''
''What happened to the Hero''
''Heh'' a ridiculing smile escaped my mouth ''He failed''
''That can't be!'' he shouted again in disbelief.
''Oi'' Alaric mumbled again.
''The hero can't possibly loose''
''Well, aren't you now wearing his armour!''
He got down slowly to his place. ''That can't be, the Hero, to lose. I think we have no hope then'' he bit his lips.
''I am still here of course''
He was drowning in his dark thoughts. His expression was rogue.
''Yes it is rather depressing, but that's the world right now. Where demons feed on other living being, I want you to treat the world as such. There is no hero to save you, you will save yourself from now on''
He clenched his fists on his pants, processing the shocking news. His talkative nature was forgotten for a while as he maybe mourned the Hero or the fact he is alone with a legacy of his own.
I stared from the window, to the unpleasant scenery outside that makes me remember our failure but mostly the fact I am still unable to protect. The stark tree branches looked like numerous graves, and the dark lands stretched as far as my sight can reach, a deem greyish light spotting it all weakly. The air was devoid of any freshness, of any glory of the old days.
There was a time when magic was like breathing air, when dragons rove the skies breathing fire and where floating kingdoms of forests and waterfalls stood by an unbeatable power; Where you cast spells to warm your tea and enjoy birds chirping.
But the world now isn't what it was of mesmerizing beauty and legendary beasts and little fairies, at times they weren't legendary but a reality. The world now is a nightmare of burned houses, dark suns and bloody moon, where the demons reign and monsters rule in a crimson grey land.
"Heh, the hero, It's no longer fighting goblins in dungeons for us to need a chosen hero."