The Bladeweaver [Book 1 Complete]

As they trudged back to Sylorin's secluded dwelling, the mood was light and chipper. Rika hummed a little tune, swinging her hammer casually over her shoulder, while Liliana floated beside Kale, her usual sarcastic quips ever-present.

Rika was the first to spot Sylorin, standing with his arms crossed at the entrance of his camp. "Ahhh, good! You survived," he called out as they approached. "And look at that—not even missing any limbs. Impressive."

Kale couldn't help the slight smile that tugged at his lips. Trust Sylorin to greet them with sarcasm instead of concern. Still, there was something comforting about the old man's presence, even if he couldn't resist a jab or two.

Sylorin stared at them for a moment longer before he raised an eyebrow. "So... what did you bring me?"

The trio froze. Rika's eyes widened in realization, her hand flying to her mouth. "The meat!" she exclaimed.

Kale's heart sank as he exchanged a glance with Liliana. "We forgot the monster meat..." he muttered under his breath.

"Oh, you forgot, did you?" Sylorin said. "Sent you into a cave full of monsters and all I asked for was a little souvenir for dinner. A morsel. A crumb. And you forgot. After all I've done for you. Very disappointing."

"Well..." Kale started, "to be fair, there was an ancient, rotting god trying to kill me. Priorities, you know?"

Rika, who had been mid-laugh, froze, her hand still in the air. "Wait... what?"

Kale hesitated, feeling their stares. "Well... yeah. When I was... you know, dying." He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward. "Big, terrifying, rotting guy. Told me I'd fail and die alone, that sort of thing."

Rika's jaw dropped. "So, let me get this straight, while we were out there fighting lizard monsters and dodging death, you were having a personal face-off with some god? I didn't see any gods!"

"Well…" Kale shrugged, "it happened in Aeloria's temple. I kept seeing visions of you and Liliana dying. I couldn't do anything to save you. I couldn't move. I must have seen you die a thousand times unable to stop it. Until the final moment… when I told you to run… and he got me, but you escaped at least. And that is how I ended up in Aeloria's realm. She told me about the bladeweavers, Xeroth rising... and she gave me a new skill."

Liliana let out an exasperated sigh. "Leave it to Kale to forget mentioning something minor like that."

Sylorin shook his head. "I guess the meat's not the only thing you forgot."

Kale narrowed his eyes at Sylorin, his voice full of suspicion. "You knew the temple was there, didn't you?" he asked, his tone more accusing than curious. "That's why you sent us to that cave. That's why you're really out here."

Sylorin's grinned, the sparkle in his eyes unmistakable. "Ah, took you long enough. Of course I knew. But, here's the thing—what I know isn't important. It's what you needed to discover."

Kale's jaw tightened. "So this was a setup. You could've told me from the start."

Sylorin chuckled. "Where's the fun in that? And more importantly, where's the growth? You had to face it on your own, Kale. The bladeweaver's path isn't one where you're handed everything on a silver platter. You don't get stronger by being told everything."

Rika crossed her arms, glancing between Kale and Sylorin. "So, you're not just some old hermit hanging out in the mountains because it's peaceful?"

"I am here because it's peaceful, sure. But that's not all. There are things stirring in the world, things that are going to test every one of us. Xeroth is just one piece of the puzzle. And I needed to know if Kale here was ready for the burden he'll have to carry. Besides, someone has to look after the temple."

Kale frowned, his mind spinning. "And what if I hadn't been?"

"Then we wouldn't be having this conversation." He gave a slight smile. "But you proved you're ready. That's why Aeloria gave you her blessing."

Kale looked down at Aeloria's Promise hanging from his belt, the weight of it suddenly feeling heavier. "So what now?"

"Now?" He rubbed his chin, as if considering something grand, then shrugged. "Well, I'd still like that monster meat."

***

After killing another of the monsters and taking some of the meat, the group returned to Sylorin's camp. The air outside was crisp, the valley eerily calm, but inside, the atmosphere was warm and inviting as Sylorin tossed chunks of the freshly butchered meat into a large pot. Steam rose from the bubbling stew, carrying the savory scent of spices and herbs.

Rika wrinkled her nose, glancing at the pot with suspicion. "Wait a minute... is that what we were eating before?" she asked, pointing at the simmering chunks of meat.

Sylorin laughed. "Of course! These things are delicious! Tough to kill, but worth it for the flavor."

Rika blinked, momentarily stunned. "You've gotta be kidding me. I can't believe we've been eating... monster stew."

Sylorin laughed again, "They are called vorrak, but sure."

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Still slightly exhausted from his earlier ordeal, Kale sat down heavily near the fire, feeling the warmth seep into his tired muscles. The rich aroma filled the air, but his mind was elsewhere. Sylorin's laughter faded, and the seasoned warrior turned his gaze to Kale, his expression more serious now.

"Alright, Kale. Now that we've got food in the pot, you can start explaining what happened in there." He stirred the stew absentmindedly, his eyes sharp as they met Kale's. "What did she tell you?"

Kale shifted. "It was... a test. Aeloria... she wanted to see if I had the heart to make the ultimate sacrifice. She wanted to know if I'd be willing to give my life for my friends."

Rika's usual smile faded, and even Liliana's head seemed to tilt with interest. Kale continued, the memory vivid in his mind.

"I passed," he said. "She told me she was proud of me... that I had proven myself as a true bladeweaver."

Sylorin nodded slowly. "We live a life of sacrifice, Kale. I had to be sure you had it in you." He looked at the fire, his expression distant for a moment, as if recalling his own past trials. "When you walk this path, it's not just about you anymore. You gain a greater purpose. One that often demands more than just your skill with a blade."

Kale felt Sylorin's words settle over him, the enormity of his responsibility pressing down on his shoulders. He had felt it before, but now... now it was different. The stakes were higher, and the path before him seemed endless.

Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Aeloria told me that Xeroth is rising again. That we need to gather the bladeweavers... warn them, unite them, and stop him like they once did."

Liliana, who had been silent until now, let out a soft, skeptical hum. "Stop him?" Her eyes filled with doubt. "I thought Xeroth annihilated your order."

Sylorin chuckled softly, though there was no real humor in it. "That's what they say, sure. And yes, we were hunted, and still are. But we did manage to stop his plans, even if it cost us dearly."

He stirred the pot again, the spoon moving through the thick stew as if it were a distraction from darker memories. "Most of us died during that final battle," he continued, his voice growing quieter, "but this is the life we chose. We sacrifice for the greater good. If we have to die to protect the balance, so be it."

Sylorin turned to Kale, and there was a glint of something... not regret, but a deep, unshakable resolve. "Whatever story people choose to believe doesn't matter in the end. The balance was protected."

The words hung in the air, heavy and final. Rika exchanged a look with Liliana, who was still processing what they had just been told.

Kale exhaled. The idea of facing Xeroth again, of gathering the remaining bladeweavers, felt like an impossible task. But as Sylorin had said, it wasn't just about him anymore. It was about something greater.

"We'll stop him," Kale said, more to himself than anyone else. "We have to."

Sylorin's smile returned, though it was tinged with sadness. "That's the spirit. Now eat up. You'll need your strength for what's coming."

He stirred the pot as the stew bubbled. "There are seven temple guardians like myself, spread across the lands of Ilvaria. Well, technically six are on land… one of them is…" His stirring slowed, a glimmer of amusement flickering in his eyes. "In the ocean."

Rika blinked. "In the ocean? How does that even—"

Sylorin waved a hand, silencing her. "Trust me, you'll figure it out if you are ever ready to meet her. Each guardian is meant to protect one of Aeloria's ancient temples, much like this one. They also serve a more... active role when the need arises."

Kale's brow furrowed. "Active role?"

"Think of them as messengers of the bladeweavers' cause. When it's time to gather, these guardians can point you to the generals. The generals... they're the ones who will sound the call. When the time comes, all the bladeweavers will answer."

Liliana's head floated closer, intrigued. "And the general here, in this region... where can we find him?"

"The general of Thaloryn, the region you're in now, can be found in the city of Khor'dun. It's an old, fortified city at the heart of the trade routes. Dangerous, powerful... but if anyone knows what to do next, it'll be him."

"Should we be worried?" Rika asked.

Sylorin chuckled, "Always. The general there... let's just say he's not the type to be easily impressed. But, Kale, with the blade you carry and the trial you've faced, I'd say you're about as prepared as anyone can be."

Kale leaned forward. "This general... what's his name? How will we recognize him?"

Sylorin stirred the pot slowly. "His name? Brakkan Ironhand. And as for recognizing him..." He paused, letting the silence stretch for a moment before letting out a chuckle. "Chances are, you won't have to. He'll find you first."

"Ironhand?" Kale asked.

Sylorin leaned back, the firelight casting shadows across his weathered face. "In some places, names are earned rather than given. Brakkan lost both his hands in a battle long ago. But instead of letting that end him, he came back stronger. He had them replaced with something far more dangerous."

Rika tilted her head, intrigued. "What did he replace them with?"

Sylorin's smile widened. "Daggers."

Kale blinked, caught off guard. "Daggers?"

"Not just any daggers," Sylorin continued. "These were forged from a material that can cut through magic itself—shards taken from the broken blade of a long-dead goddess. Each of his fingers was replaced with one of those beauties, honed so fine they could carve through steel, flesh, and sorcery alike. That's how Brakkan became infamous, slicing through sorcerers and warriors as if they were nothing. That's why they call him Ironhand."

Sylorin's gaze hardened as he looked at Kale. "He doesn't care for pleasantries, and he has no patience for weakness."

"So we go to him, right? In Khor'dun?" Kale asked.

"That was the plan. But the thing is…" He trailed off, his attention shifting past Kale.

A soft, metallic clink echoed in the silence. It was rhythmic, deliberate. It grew louder, closer. Then, out of the shadows, stepped a figure—tall, imposing, and utterly terrifying.

Brakkan Ironhand.

His form was draped in a heavy black cloak, but his hands… Kale's eyes widened as he saw the gleaming metal where fingers should have been—each one a dagger, sharp and menacing. Brakkan's face was shadowed, but his eyes reflected the firelight, flickering like embers as they fixed on Kale with an unsettling intensity.

"Saved you a trip, boy," Brakkan rasped, his voice low and gravelly. "But don't get the wrong idea. I didn't come here for you."

Kale opened his mouth to speak, but Brakkan cut him off with a wave of his hand, the metallic daggers slicing through the air.

"I sensed something," Brakkan continued. "A disturbance. Xeroth has returned."

Sylorin raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but knowing. "Been keeping an eye on the pulse of the world, have you?"

"You feel it too, guardian. The world is shifting, cracking. We're running out of time."

Kale stepped forward. "But if you didn't come for me—"

"I came for the truth," Brakkan interrupted. "To see if the world's decay was as deep as I feared. And now that I'm here…I see the storm brewing around you. A storm that could destroy us all."

Rika stepped closer to Kale, her warhammer ready. "What are you saying?"

Brakkan tilted his head. "I'm saying the real challenge hasn't even begun. And if you're as weak as you look, you'll be the one who drags us all to ruin."

Kale's fists clenched, anger sparking in his chest. "I won't fail."

Brakkan stared at him coldly. "We'll see. The world doesn't care about promises, boy. It cares about results."