At the Temple of healing on the island of Naxos, 100 kilometres from the southernmost point of the Southlands, Remus was pretending to be asleep as a man and a woman talked about him while he lay down on a small cot.
"I felt it, Master," the woman said. "Many life forms crying out as they died in the crash."
"That's because they all possessed a strong affinity for magic, including this one," the man said. "The airship crashed in the Rift itself. It will be impossible to retrieve. We need to find other ways to determine the origin of the craft and more importantly its intent. Was it alone or part of a fleet?"
"Do you believe this is a scout ship for an invasion?" the woman asked.
"I don't know," the man replied.
"Are there any other survivors?" the woman asked.
"Just one and he put up a fight," the man said. "We assured him that we meant him no harm but he refused to listen."
"You sound like there's something else troubling you," the woman said.
"We've been alone on our island for over 500 years," the man said. "Suddenly we have airships crashing into us. This is a bad omen."
"It's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversation," the woman said. "I know that you're awake, outsider."
The woman talking was one of the three that found him unconscious. She had blue skin and blood-red eyes but flashed a kind smile.
Remus tried his best not to notice her voluptuous hips under her white tunic.
"I apologise," Remus said. --I'm not into blue chicks but I might have to make an exception for this one.--
The woman rolled her eyes. "All men are the same," she said. "I forgot to mention that I can sense your thoughts."
Remus grew flustered.
"I apologise," Remus said. --Stop thinking about her hips. Start counting down from 1000.
1000... 999... 998...--
The other man present was tall and lean. He smiled warmly. "I will leave Akira to her interrogation," he said as he started to leave. "Go easy on him." --I don't need her reading my thoughts. I have a reputation to protect.--
As soon as he was gone, Akira fixed her gaze on Remus. "What is your name and what can you tell me about the lighter-than-air ship that brought you here? And if you lie to me I will know."
Remus couldn't help but stare just over her shoulder at the door behind her. "My name is Remus Aquitane. I am the son of the Duke of the Southlands in the Human Kingdom. I was taken from my bed at night and brought here against my will."
"I believe you," Akira said. "The pieces of the airship as well as the remains of your kidnappers are being kept in the forge at the moment. Come along and maybe you can help us fill in some blanks."
Akira led him outside the Temple of Healing. They first had to take a small paddle boat to get to the shore because the temple was built on a calm blue lake and had most of its foundations submerged.
The world outside was temperate and beautiful with grassy rolling hills. In the distance, Remus could make out a city with tall spires and white metal.
After climbing steps carved into the side of a mountain. They reached the Forge which was built on an active volcano. The Forge looked more like a medieval castle built on a large dome floating on a sea of lava.
Inside there was a hefty man built like a tank waiting inside.
"Master Thresh, this is Remus," Akira said. "He's the last remaining survivor of the crash."
"Was there another survivor?" Remus asked.
"Unfortunately yes," Thresh said in a deep baritone voice. "Let me show you something."
Master Thresh brought out a curved, slender, single-edged blade with a round guard and long grip. The blade was broken into three pieces.
"This is Holy Steel," Thresh said. "Nothing is supposed to be able to break or destroy it but the other outsider managed to do this to it."
"Can you fix it?" Akira asked.
"Unfortunately not. Once Holy Steel is made, it can't be reforged," Thresh said. "This will have to become a museum piece to show young acolytes."
"May I try?" Remus asked.
Thresh was taken by surprise but remained composed. "If you think you can, have at it."
Remus took the pieces of the sword and put them together in an instant.
"That is some powerful magic," Thresh said. "What about this?"
Thresh brought out the large hilt of a two-handed sword without a blade.
"The other outsider wielded this and somehow manifested a blade but I haven't been able to figure out how."
Remus took the hilt.
"It is a Dark Soul Sword but I can't acquire the design because I don't know how to use Dark Soul Magic," Remus said.
"That is forbidden magic on Naxos," Akira said.
"We may need to delve into that if we have to defend ourselves against people wielding Dark Soul Swords," Thresh said. "What about this?"
Thresh brought a large and oddly shaped skull.
Remus held it with both hands.
"Adult male Shadar-Kai," Remus said.
"I've never heard of the Shadar-Kai," Akira said.
"Both of you need to leave," Thresh said.
"Is there something wrong," Akira asked.
Thresh waved off her concern. "Don't be alarmed. I just need to convene with the other Masters," he said. --Just as the Daegon's prophecy said. Shadow people with souls in their swords will bring the end for us all--