Tales of Targon
The Solari Temple was more than I could have ever imagined, It was built as a fortress, large, thick walls it from the world outside, and beyond that you could see a shining building larger than any tribesmen on Targon could have ever build. It was a vast, sprawling citadel, It seemed that only the sun could have shined brighter. "Marvelous, isn't it?" The kindly Inquisitor Argus asked me. I could do nothing but nod. He seemed to find my nervousness amusing, he ruffled my hair and smiled. "Don't fret, I was nervous too when they called me to be an inquisitor. You'll be fine." "Thanks." I said, clutching my family's blade. It was the only thing I brought from my home; my parents had given to me in pride, saying that the ancestors had truly blessed us. It was in it's sheath, attached to the belt of my tunic. Holding unto it calmed my nerves
We walked through the gates, monks in robes paused as we passed by. Some bowed in respect, others quickly turned as they saw my face turning red. Thankfully, we entered the main building, a man dressed in the high priests robes was speaking to a small black-haired girl around my age. "Ah, Elder Athe." The Inquisitor said. The man turned from his conversation with the girl and faced us. He was considerably aged, he was bald, with wrinkles around his eyes mouth. He smiled at me like I was his grandchild who had come over for a visit.
"Ah, so it really is true." He said. The girl next to him immediately stood up straight. "Sir, is she-" "Yes, this is the Sun's Chosen." The Inquisitor announced happily. The Young girl quickly bowed. "This is Diana, she will show you to your room." Elder Athe said, gesturing to the girl. Now that I got a closer look at her, I could make her out a little better. She had a cute face with a small nose and a really big forehead. Her hair was longer than most normal Targonian women, being all the way down to her waist. She smiled at me as she bowed again. "It's my honor to serve you." I returned the bow, much to her surprise. "It's my honor to met you."
The Inquisitor and the Elder looked at one another, but before either could say anything Diana began to lead me into my room. We passed through the golden halls of the temple, the sun's light entering through windows, open doors, really it came from everywhere. It comforted me, like I was back at home. We passed by other acolytes, some around our age, some looking even as old as Inquisitor Argus. Most of them thankful gave us no attention. We eventually reached the end of the hall and came across a door slightly bigger than the rest. "This is it?" I asked Diana. She nodded. "Go on in, it's the same room as the original Chosen of the Sun himself."
The Room, to my surprise, didn't have a speck of dust on it. Everything in this room were things that would be considered sacred and holy to all tribes of the mountain. The symbol of the Solari was above the largest bed I have ever seen, letting the light from the outside enter the room. There was a practical library of sacred books and scriptures , a bathing area that seemed entirely made of gold. It was amazing, whole tribes would have destroyed one another for just one of the treasures in here.
Diana looked away slightly. "I'll see you around then, Elder Athe says your training will start tomorrow." I nodded. "Alright, thank you again Diana. I'm sure we'll be good friends." She smiled again. "I hope so."
I brought down a great beam of sunlight, blinding my opponent. I raised my blade a gently tapped it against his head, this managed to knock him down to the floor. Smiling . "Excellent job." Hermes, my instructor, said to me as I helped my opponent up. "Thank you sir!" I said, wiping beads of sweat off my brow. I turned to my partner. "Are you going to be okay?" He nodded vigorously. "Yes ma'am, my vision will be back soon... I think." Instructor Hermes tapped the boy on his shoulder. "I'll see him to the infirmary. Oh, and I have received word that the Elders request your presence when you are available." "The Elders? For what?" Hermes smiled. "I have told them of your progress, Leona, and they have seen it fit to test your abilities in the field."
I nodded. It had been six years since my training begun, and I had learned how to harness the sun's light in order to protect the people of the mountain. Still, I wondered how much I could do with it. The Solar flare was the most powerful of my abilities, but it was lethal, at least as far as I could tell. I supposed it was for the best, but I hoped this assignment would be non-lethal. Sighing, I entered the main hall and went to bathe myself in my room. "Hey Leona!" I turned and saw Diana running towards me, scrolls tucked under her arms. "Hello Diana." I said smiling. Diana had grown on me since we had met. Out of all my new friends at the Solari Temple, she was among the closest. "How's your research going?" Diana's eyes gleamed as a smile formed on her face. "I think I'm on to something Leona." She said, patting her scrolls. " I think my research will change theology forever." I smiled, unsure of what she meant. "Good luck Diana." "Thanks Leona."
We tracked the monster down to Promlus's Ridge. It was a strange looking beast, surely not a creation of the sun. It had a mouth like a whale, filled with sharp teeth, it had no eyes, it's body was like a lizards, four long legs allowed it to move, but it moved far faster than it's size should have logically allowed it. It's skin was a glistening purple, seeming to pulse with vile and evil energy. It's hide was cluttered with spears and sword, signs of the failed attempt of the warriors of the Gorgian tribe to bring the beast down
That was our quarry. The Elders have received request for help in stopping this monster, but no warriors were capable of bringing it down. That's why they fought it best it send me in. Judging from the looks of Inquisitor Gealus and this Cyclopean guards, they felt our chances were just as good as the Gorgian. "Alright, there it is, we don't know what it can do, so be careful!" The Cylopeans looked at me for reassurance. "The Sun will bless our efforts." I managed.
The beast made a motion similar to a wolf sniffing the air. It's head turned to us and it gave out a roar that sounded like a seagull's screech, but something alien and unintelligible mixed in. Already this wasn't going well. We moved out of the way as it charged, Gelus fired his Light staff at the beast. It worker, certainly it did more damage to it then my sword and the one-eyed men's spears. It shot out it's tongue to one of the Cylpoeans. I knew in that split second, she would die. No! I used my ancestral weapons power and dashed to her, my shield's power hitting it. On a normal human, it would have stunned him, but this creature merely froze. I slashed at it's tongue, a soft, lumpy mess the drooled strange liquids. Three hard slashes chopped it off.
The sun was rising, the creature gave off a disturbing roar, a weakened sound compared to the other. I brought down the Solar Flare. Hitting the creature directly. Then, my Zenith Blade allowed me to charge it and began to attack it. My old Rakkorian upbringing made each strike hurt. The others began to attack it as well. The beast didn't stand a chance.
I felt so tired by the end of it I couldn't hear what was happening. I felt an arm help support me up. "Thank you." I turned and saw the Cyclops girl looking at me with a smile. The Inquisitor looked at the corpse and kicked it. "Excellent job Leona, it's victims may rest in peace." I nodded. "They all helped us to slay this beast." He nodded. I looked to my bloodied boots and greaves, my companion moved slightly to better support me. "I wish we could have saved them sooner." Gealus frowned. "Yes, but life will continue. This beast is however, a mystery." "How so sir?" "This beast is not natural, but no magic has been used to make it. A living organism not of this world... The Elder's will hear about this..." I sighed, knowing the journey back would be just as hard and long as the journey here.
An: Please see this post. This series will be my love letter to old Targon, and to league. For the first Part, please see this.