The Rebirth of a Paladin
by : Mike Darling
A sharp yawn came from the elf as he leaned back in his chair at the steaming ogre inn. "Another Vodka Shot, Sir" came a yell behind the Elf. "Lord Ray, I hope This establishment is up to your standards". Ray Leaned backs and gave a loud sigh. Ray looked up at the bartender and then smiled gently to him. "Yes it is fine, There is no need to call me lord. I am but a simple elf, Ray would do fine". The bartender smiled back and said, "as you wish good friend".
The Town people acknowledge him more. They paid him more respect, but it was not needed. After resigning from his duties a Sheriff, he had become a frequent visitor to the bar. Ray missed his job, you could tell it in his eyes. He loved it when he would walk down the street with his trusty sword in his belt, having all the little boys and girls admire a hero vowing to protect them.
A sharp cramp in the neck brought him out of his daze. How long have I been here? Came a thought to him. Ray looked up at the bartender then look towards the door. Snickering softly, he began to get up and move towards the door. "So is this good-bye for the day, Ray?" came a call from behind the bar table. "Yep, the wife want me to get out more. I am planing on talking her for a walk through the forest east of Makilor." And with that final note he pushed open the doors that opened up to Market Street and step out into the sea of humanity.
Walking through the people made Ray feel nervous. Makilor was a big city, mainly humans and adventures. It was also crowded not much room for an elf. But, Ray was larger then the average elf. For many years he had thought maybe someone in his family was human. It would explain his size and why he tolerated the humans quite easily. While walking down Market Street towards the temple he usually gave out coins to the beggars on the street.
Finally in Market Square the crowd was large and quite busy moving form place to place. "Ray...” came a shout from behind the pondering elf. As he turned around to see who it was, a slandered eleven woman planted a kiss on the check of Ray. "Hey honey, miss me" smiled the thin elf. Ray looked at Neraz, dam he thought of himself as the luckiest elf alive, she was beautiful, charming, and an excellent healer. Ray gave Neraz a smile, "I thought we were to meet in the temple?” "Change of plans" Neraz winked at Ray. "And you would love em, too!"
Ray lifted his eyebrow in question, wonder what in the hell was his wife up to. "Don't worry about it Ray, you can trust me, it will be great!"
Ray eased up a bit, he forgot it was his wife he was talking to not a known criminal. Neraz knew Ray had problems sad ones, but Ray was never the one to talk about them. Neraz felt obligated to make Ray feel better. "So when do we leave?" Asked in a confused tone. "In 10 minutes ready?” Shocked at the impulsive nature of his wife he said " hell n...” "good" replied Neraz cutting of Ray before he could finish his sentence.
Ray realizing there was no point to argue agree to leave immediately, after all we are talking about women here. Ray would've of rather gone and fought a dragon barehanded then argued with his wife. Neraz and Ray left north out of the city on to the vast plains. On a journey towards Novdom, or so it was for now.
Mean while, friend of Ray and protector of Makilor heard their conversation. Sondo was a Half Giant, but a very well respected one. He wasn't the prettiest of heroes, but he had a good heart. He was not only a hero of Ray but also a father figure to him. Sondo took in Ray when he first step into the gates of Makilor crying in pain and sorrow, Ray was a broken little elf. But, after months of Training he made Ray a Paladin and a strong fighter. Sondo was also one of those people who wondered what plagued the soul of Ray Goldentree. Thus, he began to trail his adopted son, to where he did not know. But, Sondo planed on being there for Ray.
"How much father Neraz, and where are we going?" Ray was beginning to get in a bad mood. They had walked all-day and just passed Halkanna. "We could've slept at the inn there...” Neraz put her finger up to Ray's mouth and gave him a quite "shhh" noise. "I love looking into your blue eyes when the moon is full, I would rather look at that then a bunch of inn junkies".
Ray smiled; he apologized for his rude behavior. Neraz started doing her nightly rituals, so Ray stood back and waited 'til she finished. It also gave him time to give a little prayer to his god. Ray had been criticized on the god he chose to follow simply because all Paladins are "supposed" to follow Phaet. Ray did honor Phaet, but his father was a Ranger, a great one at that. The teachings of Helcrom had been taught in his house for years on end when he was young, back in those happy times. A sad sigh erupted from Ray. After Neraz finished her ritual and the Ray snuggled together and fell asleep innocently and happily. Two eyes were watching them though, in a tree above them. Sondo would not leave Ray's side.
Day broke, then mid afternoon. By that time then had made it to Novdom in good time. A painful memory came over the elf. He remembered Novdom, a painful memory. Neraz waited at the temple while Ray visited the grave of Korick his friend and savor when he was a child. He left the cemetery and gave Neraz a big, long hug. "Wan tell me what's wrong" ask the always worried Neraz.
"Nothings wrong lets.... Go", Neraz noticing a tear form in the left eye of Ray. She let it pass, for she knew he would not say what was on his mind. Much troubled the elf, he was the type that took all the blame and pain and stick it deep inside him. Then he would wear a mask and hide his pain with smiles. Sondo stood still, a sudden chill overcome his body. He sensed it; someone else was stalking Ray, An evil demon, and a strong one at that. Sondo snapped out of the trance he was in he glanced over at the cemetery, to where Ray went to. He saw a dark figure in a Red Cloak. A message zipped through Sondo's head. RAY WILL DIE, SO LEAVE OR YOU WILL DIE TO. Sondo cringed in pain, then look back up to see the cloaked figure gone. A sharp growl came out of the Half Giant. He began a steady run to catch up to the Goldentree's. Sondo did not have a good feeling about the coming events.
Couple days had come and gone and they were walking through the murky forest. Ray looked troubled; he started to get familiar with the area. "Why are we going this way, I don't want to go....", again Neraz made gestures for Ray to be quiet. "There are Ogre Warrior's that may be in this area watch our back and be quiet". True enough Neraz's words were correct, but he still wanted to know where they were going. Sure they always explore but never this close to....
A small bungalow stood before them. The wooden shudders old and creaked with age. Uninhabited for years, darkness filled the house. Ray knew that someone good person had been here for there was two graves in front of the house, also by the front door stood a pole standing straight up. On this pole was two skulls, the little farm was surrounded by a one foot high stone wall not for with standing horde attacks but just for marking a once happy families territory. A decayed rocking horse lies on its side near the southeastern wall. "Why did.... You...why..." can pitiful whines of pain from the elf. It had been so long and so painful to him, but just the see this place made his soul burn in pain. Pouring bottle of acid on his very heart. "Cause, you have to let it go, what ever is bothering you.... You have to let it go” Neraz looked deep inside Ray's eyes. "You have to open you heart to me and let me help you out.
A loud cackle brought the elf back to his sense; though sweating he dared to look up to the roof. There stood a cloaked figure, cloaked in blood red. His red eyes leering out of the darkness in his hood. Neraz took a step back and amazement and fear. The cloak removed his cloak, displaying the finally crafted armor, shaped in the design of a dragon. It was pure red, from head to toe. The face was eleven, darker and leaner though. The face Ray knew, the face belonged to Cyrus. Ray couldn't move he feared Cyrus more then anything in the world. Ray fought Valg's, Dragons, armies of undead, ogre warriors, but Cyrus he couldn't face. He stood there in fear, yet again.
"Like I said Ray, you die, NOW!" bellowed Cyrus sensing the win he would have over Ray. "NOOOOO" screamed Neraz drawing her large battle-axe and charging Cyrus.
"Stupid female!" Cyrus muttered and with a gesture of his hand Neraz was sent flying into the bushes and hit a tree, she went out cold soon after. But still, Ray was frozen in fear. Not moving a muscle, every waiting the swiftness of death to realize him from this torture.
Sondo crept quietly during the meeting so far, when he saw Neraz go flying he immediately went to her aid and gave her a soothing prayer he get her conscience again. A light cough came from the injured elf. "Sondo.... Is” another cough came Suddenly from the elf. "Rest here Honorable Goldentree, do not speak. You have been injured badly." and with those words Neraz drifted off in a sleep. "Hmm" thought Sondo, "she will recover soon, I want to learn more about this fellow though".
"...So you see that is why you must die Ray", "I did love your mother for she was my sister, but she betrayed me and so did your father". "And so they must as well as you and everyone one else bearing the blood or name of Goldentree". Cyrus then drew a large sword with a wicked blade. Stains of blood cover the entire blade, and it emitted a glowing deep light red. Cyrus had confidence in his skills, in life and even in death. Cyrus grabbed the sword with both his hands and took a mighty lunge at the elf. Who stood there unmoving and afraid?
Sondo took a mighty leap out of the bushes that concealed him ran and tackled Ray out of the demons way. Cyrus landed and turned toward the two in outrage. Cyrus screamed " I TOLD YOU TO STAY OUT OF THIS!” Sondo smirked in doubt "whatever,” Sondo clambered to his feet grabbed Ray and dive over the 1 foot wall. Ray landed on his head, and rolled a few feet and ended up by the graves knocked out cold. "Damn" said Sondo in frustration. Sondo clambered to his feet, drew his swords and made an attack against the demon. Sondo launched a serious of attacks and parries with the demon, but Sondo knew he could not win. He was tiring, and Cyrus kept up the pace. Sondo soon realized that ever time he scored a hit, it would not cause any damage or slow the demon down. Sondo felt like crap, spitting blood up some times, while bleeding heavily.
Ray awoken in a dream, a light was before him. In the Light he saw he father and mother sitting there smiling. "Mom...Dad.... Is that you...am I ...dead?” A deep voice replied "No son you are not dead we are in you, you feel pain. It is not your fault, do not take blame. Cleanse your soul; let this evil in it out. We are with you, we will always be, we will help you beat Cyrus.". A Soft voice replied "but you must let go dear, we are very proud of you. You shall and will serve Helcrom proudly and in our name, but it is not your time to join us". "LET GO!". A deep red hue then left Ray's soul. The Pain, the Hatred, the Fear, the Revenge, was all gone now. A deep voice spoke up " I shall assist thee Ray Goldentree, Son of the Ranger Krecino Goldentree. The most honorable of the Queen's guard. Of the Family Goldentree, second only to the family of the Queen. High Paladin of Helcrom, and honorable friend to all. The Sword of your Father, the sword of the Goldentree, the sword "Rikimaru" the blade of Helcrom is to be passed on to you.
Ray Goldentree awoke and sat up. He felt better, not afraid again. Before he stood sticking out the ground a massive two handed sword. It had a Flaming-Psi engraved on the hilt and it emitted a glowing bright white. Looking up he say his new adopted father-fighting Cyrus. Ray clambered to his feet, and grabbed the two handed sword with both hands drawing every once of his strength and pulled it free into the air. Ray then screamed "I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"
Both opponents jumped back a foot from each other; they stare at Ray standing there proudly. Ray starting Screaming for the power of Helcrom. As if the mighty God himself was they’re answering his followers cry. A lightning bolt shot done and encased Ray in a spirit like armor, he was then encased in a golden glow. Then Ray Goldentree was given the blessings of the gods.
Neraz awoke and immediately rushed over to Ray; she then used her clerical powers to make Ray glow with a bright light. Neraz then rushed to Sondo who was standing farther from Cyrus and attempted to heal him somewhat.
Cyrus not as confident after seeing this display of power started to growl. That is when fear came over Cyrus for the sword was raised, the very sword that banished him to hell. And it was bigger and stronger.
Ray dived in for a wide and overhead chop, and Cyrus quickly went to block it. The power of the two forces was so great that it cut threw Cyrus's sword, sending pieces of it breaking and shattering on the ground. Cyrus then gasped and looked up but said no more. For by this time his head was already hitting the floor, his body fell lifeless once again to the ground.
Sondo gave a weak smile, "let’s go home". Neraz nodded, "you two give me couple minutes with my parents?”
"Anything for you my love" replied Neraz.
Ray walked up to the grave, kneeled on one knee. And he started to pray. A deep voice entered his mind, "Ray you must put the sword back you are not worthy yet to call it your own make your father proud start again his a strong soul and heart then come back and it shall be yours". Rat then nodded and agreed he laid the sword down atop his father’s grave, which it melted into the soil. Ray whispered quietly, "you are free as am I, I love you both and I will return for what is rightfully mine, when I am worthy that is". With those final words Ray stood up, a new man. He walked over to Sondo and Neraz and told him he was ready to leave, but not to Makilor drop me of at Ba-ul.
Neraz uttered the words 'oahz'
And with those words the three flickered faded and disappeared.