Dragon's Archon - Ch. 8 - The Chalice of Thorns - Alpha (Patreon)

With my new gear and clothes acquired, I followed Ophelia to her home. I should have known it was the black tower that I’d spotted before we entered the city. The massive wooden doors tall enough for a giant opened up upon our approach.

Once I shuffled into the entrance, I felt the same pull across my body as I did as I passed into Nubia. Like walking through an invisible spider’s web. Instinctively, I spit and waved my hand across my face, but there was nothing to grab on to.

“What is that?” I asked.

“Pardon?” Ophelia asked, turning around.

“It's like I passed through an invisible barrier. The same thing happened when I entered the city.”

“Oh, you’re passing through my detection spell. It lets me know if there’s anyone magical coming and going. I set them up anywhere I’m planning on spending a significant amount of time. It helps detect if there are any threats or anyone I should be aware of. For my abode, it’s great for detecting intruders.”

“Wouldn’t you want it to be hidden, though?”

“It is. The fact that you’re able to feel it means you’re well magically attuned. Although…” Ophelia tilted her head. “I would have assumed you knew that. Aren’t you able to detect it and see it?”

I hesitated briefly. It suited me better that she assumed I was powerful in magic as well, although I had no perks in it outside of the access to death and holy magic. “My magic works differently than most, given my affinity to Heluna.”

“Interesting. You’ll have to explain it to me when we get the chance.”

With her buying my bluff, I could breathe a sigh of relief that allowed me to take in my surroundings. Before the doors closed behind me, I did a double take outside before the doors closed behind us. The interior looked four times as wide as the exterior.

The blackened walls were perfectly smooth, with no seams as if cut from one singular piece of metal. White crystals floated above extruded arches equal distance from each other. Lit floating candles ascended into the ceilingless void above that reminded me of an infinity mirror.

The center of the room was a busy mess. Alchemical ingredients bubbled in swirling decanters. Stacks of books sat sprawled open with spent ink jars with dipped quills nearby. Blankets strewn across a lounge chair gave the impression of a temporary bed for someone who frequently got lost in their work.

“I apologize for the mess,” Ophelia said, turning around once we were inside. “I wasn’t expecting a guest.” With a clap of her hands, everything in the room moved at once. The books flew back into their spots on the shelves. The papers organized themselves into perfect piles. Pillows fluffed themselves and rested on folded blankets.

“That’s a neat trick,” I said. “I could have used that back in college. With three other guys as roommates. We were all slobs. Not to mention the constant weekend parties, this place looked pristine.”

“College? Is that like an academy or apprenticeship?”

“Oh… er yeah.” I tried laughing it off as I was cursing myself for constantly forgetting my world was different.

“Wonderful. I did not know you were so well educated. Even among Archons it can be uncommon.”

“Is that so? I’d assumed they would all be highly educated.”

Ophelia paused and tilted her head. “You don’t know?”

I realized this was going to be a constant recurrence until I could learn more about the world. “Remember that whole thing about me being born not of this world?” I asked. “That’s literal. I’m not from Talis. I was reborn through Heluna’s magic. My original home is somewhere else across the stars. So, please treat me as if I know nothing of Talis.”

Ophelia gripped her forehead and smiled. “I should have known. My apologies. Sometimes you spend so much time rehearsing the same scripture you can overthink the simplest interpretations. I’ll keep that in mind going forward.”

“No worries at all.”

“But back to your original question. It all depends on what their god requires of them. Untilles Bakas, the Archon for Dragarus, is little more than a drunken brute. However, he’s an excellent combatant built for war. He’s single handedly turned the tide of wars because of his strength and prowess. Whereas someone like Eggart Tagris, Ikkala’s Archon, is well educated in finance and mathematics.”

“One of my goals in coming to Nubia was to find an information source. It’s clear I’m hindered by my lack of current and historical knowledge.”

Ophelia extended her arms, pointing to the multiple bookshelves that lined the walls. “This is just a fraction of my collection. My library has the rest. Once we return, you’re more than welcome to peruse it to your heart’s content.”

I nodded in appreciation. “I would love that.”

Ophelia walked over to an arch. With a wave of her hands and spoken incantation, the crystal spun. When it spun so fast that it looked like it was barely moving, it glowed a bright yellow. The same light reflected underneath to arch until an entire wall of shimmering gold appeared.

When Ophelia finished casting the spell,she turned and pointed her thumb toward the portal. “Are you ready to go?”

“How long is this going to take?” I asked. “If we’re going to be gone a long time, I should inform the rest of my party.”

“I don’t see this taking long. We’re there to address the Chalice and claim Ninazu’s helm.”

“Okay. Then, I’m ready.”

I followed Ophelia through the portal. When I exited the other side, my jaw dropped. I now understood why Ophelia had mentioned that the stars were her second home. We were in space, floating above Talis. To my untrained eye, the planet looked significantly smaller than Earth.

I touched my chest, realizing I could still breathe. My assumption was magic. The stone platform we stood on had no walls. A solid wood door with the carving of a great chalice wrapped in thorns stood guarded by two suits of giant full plate armor.

When I followed Ophelia to the center of the platform, the suits came to life. Glowing blue lights illuminated behind their visors. They moved with robotic synchrony. One stepped beyond the other and loomed over us both.

“Ophelia the Red, your presence is forbidden from the Orchard,” the guard said in a deep, menacing tone. “Turn back immediately or be vanquished.”

“Klug, Flug, it’s good to see you both.”

“Turn back—”

Ophelia held up her hand. “I heard you the first time. I know I’m not welcome but I wouldn’t have come without purpose.”

A commanding, throaty female voice echoed all around us. “You come uninvited and with an outsider in tow. You bring dishonor to everything we stand for.”

“Oh get over yourself, Moira.”

“I am your mother and you shall address me as such!”

“You ceased being my mother when you disowned me or have you already forgotten?” Ophelia shouted.

A few seconds passed before the voice returned. “Why have you come here?”

“Validation,” Ophelia said with a wide smile. “I’ve brought with me that which has been foretold. The Blackthorn.”

“Impossible. There is no such thing. Your visions were mere fallacies. Nothing more.”

“How dare you say that after everything you put me through! This isn’t some greenhorn I pulled randomly off the street. I know you can feel the power radiating from him, or perhaps you’ve grown decrepit in your old age.”

When nearly a minute passed, I looked over at Ophelia, who gave me a reassuring nod. The suits of armor returned to their stations when the doors opened. When we walked through the opening, Talis disappeared from view. I was certain we were in the middle of space somewhere, far away from everything else.

The platform we stood on was wider, with a recessed middle. Half a dozen doors, just as large as the last one, stood closed. The furthest across from us closed behind a woman in an elaborate gold and white dress. A white crystal crown sat upon her head of braided golden hair.

My eyes widened when she got close. She was the spitting image of Ophelia. They looked like twins if it wasn’t for the different nose.

I did my best to maintain confidence as I concentrated on my walk. The walking staff helped, but my legs still shook with each step. I caught Moira’s scornful gaze before she focused on her daughter.

“This better not be some cheap parlor trick,” Moira said, crossing her arms.

Ophelia smirked. “Trust me. I’d much rather spend my time elsewhere than to waste my breath on you. Look at him yourself. Surely you can see I speak the truth.”

Moira’s eyes shifted to solid white when she glanced at me up and down. “He’s… gifted. But that means nothing.”

“Gifted? He’s absolutely bursting with excess. He’s a raging storm. It’s unlike anything I have ever seen.”

“I perceive holy and death magic. It’s a twisted amalgamation that is the basis for his power. Yet he doesn’t seem to be drawing it from the void, so he’s not Star Touched. That only leaves one other explanation. He’s been blessed by one of the divine.”

Ophelia and I shared a glance before she answered. “Yes. He’s an Archon.”

“Of Ninazu and Abetha?”

“Of their kin, Heluna.”

Moira brought her thumb to her chin as she thought for a moment. “So, Heluna finally places a piece on the board.” She let out a sigh and shrugged. “I don’t see the fuss. It was only a matter of time that the young goddess came into her own. A powerful Archon does not imply the fulfillment of some false prophecy.”

“But he fits all the markers,” Ophelia said before counting on her fingers. “He’s not from this world. He’s powerful, and he’s a figure of light and shadow. Not to mention that when he arrived, I started having visions again.”

For the first time since we’d arrived, Moira showed an interest and cocked her brow. “You’re having visions again?”

“Yes! That’s how I found him. I saw him and his companions. I knew where he was going to be. You must summon the other members to acknowledge the prophecy and decide the manner in which the Chalice shall respond.”

I stepped back and furrowed my brows. Is she implying what I think she’s implying? I wondered. Could she have brought me under false pretense? I’d asked her before why if I was some foretold beast that would destroy the world, why would she help me? She gave a good reasoning, but it sounds like her loyalties lied more with her fellow Chalice members.

Before I could question Ophelia, Moira turned and asked, “Tell me, Blackthorn. What is your desire for Talis?”

From how Ophelia phrased her previous statement, left me uneasy expressing my true desires. Garnering a powerful enemy like an organization of sorcerers was the last thing I needed. I played it safe.

“To be an extension of my goddess’ will. I aim to grow the Sect of Rebirth in her grace.”

Moira smiled. “Spoken like a true Archon.” She turned to her daughter. “There you have it. I don’t detect the world ending threat that you exclaimed. I see a new Archon looking to please his goddess, as expected.”

“It’s not just about your interpretation. It’s about the whole community. Everyone should get a chance to observe and weigh in.”

“As the head sorceress, I am the Chalice. And I decide what’s worthy to bring to a session. I will not waste the other members' time by bringing up the ramblings of a spoiled fruit that has fallen from the tree in some blind attempt at redemption.”

“You’re the one who is blind. So blind with your power and so full of your pride that you can’t see the truth standing right in front of you. This isn’t just about you or me. This involves the whole Chalice!”

“Which you are no longer a part of!”

“Because of you!” Ophelia shouted, throwing up her hands. “You banished me!”

“Because of what you did! Your assault on me was and is unforgiveable. Do you not recall the scars you left upon me? So soon after your father—”

“Don’t you dare speak of him!” Ophelia growled, raising her finger. “You have no right.”

Moira smiled wickedly. “Ah yes… still holding on to the sentimentality. Pathetic.”

Ophelia’s hands lit with fire, and she pulled back. “Call the other members. Now.”

“Or what?”

“I’ll finish what I started.”

I could see why Ophelia felt the way she did about her mother. Ignoring all the history they shared, she didn’t even seem to want to entertain the notion that I could be the Blackthorn. She was a grade A certifiable bitch, and didn’t care whether her daughter had all the proof in the world. The resentment of each other was too strong. This was a dead end. But allowing them to kill each other with me in the middle only would make things worse. I had to stop it.

I stepped forward, slammed my stick in the ground, and shouted. “Enough! If you two want to kill each other, do so on your own time. I did not come here to listen to the family’s petty squabbles. I came here for Ninazu’s helm.”

Both women shared deadly glares before they relaxed. I turned toward Moira. “I was told by my head priestess that the Chalice is guarding it. Do you have it in your possession?”

“Yes.”

“Give it to me.”

Moira leaned back and smirked. “Do you believe you are ready to be judged worthy?”

“What are you talking about? I am Heluna’s Archon. It is my right to claim her father’s armor.”

Moira shook her head and glanced at her daughter. “You didn’t tell him?” When Ophelia didn’t immediately respond, the sorceress chortled.

I glanced between the pair. “Tell me what?”

“I haven’t been here, so I’ve only heard rumors,” Ophelia said. “You’ll have to tell him the truth.”

I rubbed my forehead. “Will one of you please explain…”

“From what we can tell, the helm is imbued with a dark entity,” Moira said. “We came to this conclusion from careful examination after several of our younger members perished.”

“What happened?”

“They absurdly assumed Ninazu gave us the helm as some sort of test to designate a new Archon. In an elaborate heist, the three in question sneaked into our vault in a manner I shall not repeat, but is now impossible, and took turns attempting to wear the helm. What’s baffling is the second and third members still attempted to wear the helm after seeing their peers perish during the attempt. We found the three still locked in the vault, with one still wearing the helm.”

“So, this entity tries to kill anyone who attempts to wear it?” I asked, before shrugging. “How is anyone supposed to claim it?”

“Our assumption is that the entity acts as some sort of safety mechanism inside the helm. Whoever wears it must either prove themselves worthy or bind the entity to their will.”

I just shook my head and laughed. Of course. It couldn’t be as simple as claiming each piece of the armor. It’s got a goddamn security system in it…

After a moment to weigh my options, I looked up at Moira and said, “Go get it.”

“Are you certain?” the sorceress asked with a slight grin, as if she was slightly impressed.

I raised my gauntlets. “Do you see these? These are pieces of Ninazu’s armor. The helm is another. It is my right to claim it. I don’t care if there is an entity inside. I will do whatever needs to be done to retrieve it.”

“Very well.” Moira swirled her hands in the air. Black smoke appeared in the surrounding air as if she was conjuring it from nothingness. It solidified into the bottom of the helm until the entire piece floated in the air.

Its steel was as dark as night. Its nose slanted into a sharp point. The eye slits sloped at an angle, giving it a menacing look. Two draconic horns sprouted from the top. The black smoke radiated from the helm itself.

I reached out and grasped it. A voice speaking words I couldn’t understand whispered into my mind. Lines of glowing orange spread over the helm and down my gauntlets as if it rested in a blacksmith’s forge, but I felt no heat. It eventually cooled, returning to a solid black.

Ophelia tugged on my shirt, pulling my attention. “Are you sure about this?” she whispered, her voice not hiding her concern.

“I only have one choice, and that’s not to fail,” I said, turning the helm around. “Any advice before I plunge in?”

Ophelia’s lips twisted as she thought for a moment. “These entities are ruthless. Give them no quarter. No matter what it says, do not expect to be able to bargain with it. They only care about strength and power. Whatever you do, do not show weakness. You must either bend it to your will or destroy it.”

“No holds barred. Got it. After I am done, you and I are going to have a long chat about what just happened here.”

Ophelia nodded slowly. “I understand.”

The whispers pulled my focus back toward the helm. It seems like every step I take comes with the threat of death, I thought. I’ve already killed eleven. Time to add another.

With a clenched jaw, I put the helmet on. Just like the gauntlets, the steel fitted itself around my head. When I blinked, I was transported somewhere else.

I stood in complete darkness. When I looked down, I realized I was completely naked instead of the helm and the gauntlets. However, I smiled when I took my first step. My legs worked perfectly. I performed a few squats before leaping high into the air.

When I landed, I stood on a stone platform. Maniacal laughter echoed from the darkness all around me. I spun, scouring for any sign of my enemy.

“Another moth seeks to claim my flame. You will burn like the rest of them!”