Rite sprang from his seat, his youthfulness returned
he extended his hand and helped James rise from his seat. He walked
briskly to the door and ducked underneath the lintel. James followed
a little more warily – the sudden thought of failure stripping him
of his confidence somewhat.
The walked through the forest again, going
deeper into the trees. The trail became rougher to follow and harder
to find but Rite of Penance guided James unerringly, his eyes constantly
scanning for landmarks.
A sudden clearing spilled out in front of
the two men, the sunlight bright in their eyes as Rite walked into
the centre of the clearing closely followed by James.
“Given the time
zone differences, your test shouldn’t take too long to arrive…”
Rite
crouched down with his legs crossed and closed his eyes. He was clearly
happy to hand around and wait. James paced nervously – he couldn’t
help but fidget as his apprehension boiled inside him.
A sudden crack
and a sword buried itself to the hilt into a massive oak tree stump.
Closely followed by a body dumped unceremoniously to the ground –
it was shrouded in a cape and full body armour. But strangely, a mask
shrouded this man’s face – James couldn’t see a single feature.
Rite
got up slowly and walked over to the newcomer and picked him up gently,
laying his body by the tree stump.
“And so begins your task young
one. Let me tell you of its nature, and what is required of you…”
A grave look overcame his face as he began his tale. His eyes darkened
and his lips tightened. His voice became emotionless and carried an
enormous weight in the tight clearing.
“This man caused the death
of an innocent child. His failed action lead to her loss at the hands
of evil, and because of her death, he has potentially caused the death
of thousands of people, deserting his followers to their own fate.
He has let evil escape, and because of that, he is a Fallen Hero –
not even deserving his title, name or weapon. He shall be nameless
and bound for ever – trapped in a cycle of pain if you so choose.”
The body showed signs of movement, slowly trying to gain consciousness.
It didn’t move from its prostrate position, apparently the man was
being held still by some unknown force.
“This is where you come in
James.” Rite continued, “You must choose his fate given the information
you have been given – nothing more. Your judgement will decide what
is to become of him.
As sudden as that, James now had the power of
life or death over this man. The weight of this responsibility sat
heavily on his shoulders as he struggled to come to terms with it.
“It is a heavy duty James – have no doubt. But you must decide – with
you lies the chance of retribution, the chance of revenge! Think of
the people who will benefit from this. Will you deny them their chance
of rest? They lay locked to Earth, forever tied here because of his
inaction…” The fire rose in Rite’s eyes again – the strength of his
convictions clearly driving his impassioned statements.
“But surely
he did something? His armour – it has rents in it! He has recently
fought, that is clear. Fought hard too.”
“It’s too easy to blame someone
for the death of others – did he really not act? Or did he not have
the chance? I can’t ever know these things and I can’t blame him.
The power of life or death is not mine to give – I can only protect
the innocent, defend the helpless and defeat the wicked. Choosing
who lives or dies is not what a hero would do – a hero would defend
all. No one is beyond redemption…”
A thunderous explosion shattered
from the prostrate body – the man sucked in an enormous gasp of breath,
almost as if he had not taken breath before.
He staggered to his knees,
his head bowed. Spiked sandy brown hair, broad shoulders and a tall
body were all that James could see. That is, until Cavalier raised
his head and looked into his younger self’s eyes.
“Welcome home Cavalier!”
Rite exclaimed. “As you can see, your past self still forgives you,
and grants you your Penance – as you did before…”
“I… I thank you
James… I had forgotten this ever happened. The anguish on that girls
face, the despair… It broke me. All I could think of was my failure.”
Cavalier rubbed his eyes, clearing the tiredness. He squared his shoulders
and a dark look came over his features. “I have to get back! Ghost
Starr, the Apocalypse Heroes… They need my help!” A despairing look
overcame his features as he realised that he had left his friends
behind…
“Calm brother. Calm. Take your sword and concentrate. Concentrate
on the Independence Port bridge and return to your time. Go with speed
Cavalier. Your time is now…”
“Thank you! Good luck, and thank you
again!” He ran to his sword and grasped it firmly. He pulled it cleanly
from the stump and held it braced in front of his chest, his head
bowed. He read the inscription on the sword…
Tantum dignus mos habitum
mihi - Only the Worthy Will Wield Me
The sound of the teleportation
broke through the forest again as Cavalier returned to his time.
“It’s
your time now James – you will become Cavalier, you will exhibit his
strength and his tenacity. And you will do so with the blood of your
forefathers coursing through your veins and their spirits in your
sword. Now it is time to don your armour, to sharpen your blade and
live up to your promise. Your task is complete. Go with honour into
righteous battle!”
As James accepted these thoughts a sudden blankness
overcame him… He was no longer James Steele, he had become Cavalier.
All became dark as these events left him, the spell of the blade banishing
all memories of this Penance…
Meanwhile, back in Independence Port
Falling, ever falling towards the water. A stunning crash startled
him from his thoughts as he hit the water. He felt the cold rush as
he sank deeper into the sea, the water bubbling past his ears. His
eyes were open – he could see all around him but the darkness of the
water was oppressive. It felt like he was claustrophobic; the gloom
overcame him as he remembered what had happened. “Mary… I am sorry,
so sorry…”
As the guilt swamped him a sudden surge of anger burst
inside his chest. “NO! No, it was not my fault. It was not MY fault!”
He kicked up, driving upwards. Cavalier forced his burning lungs to
hold on – to hold on for a few seconds more…
His head burst from the
water and he sucked in an enormous breath, taking in vital oxygen,
as his head cleared and his body ached from the impact of the water.
He struck out for the anchor of the bridge. Every stretch was agony,
every inch swam was pure pain. His bruised body cried out for rest
but he drove on. Ever onwards. His eyes focused on the bridge. He
stared at his jump point as if it was the last thing he would ever
see. He fixed it in his mind as he swam on.
Cavalier’s boots struck
the sandy floor; it jarred him from his reverie. He waded out to the
ground the water falling from his waist, his thighs, his knees and
then clear… Clear of the ocean.
He felt cleansed. His body was washed
with the salt water, and with it, his soul flew free and his guilt
dropped from him like chains wrapped around him. The weight fell away
as he staggered towards the ladder that would take him to the top
of the bridge tower. Valour Bridge – the name now meant more to him
than anyone could ever know.
His feet stamped on the ladder rungs
as his hands dragged him up the side of the anchor point. He climbed
upwards; he sucked his breath in through his teeth as his joints and
limbs complained at their agonising treatment. He might feel better
in his soul, but his body was certainly battered.
He stopped at a
rest point for the bridge maintenance teams and looked out at the
ocean. Over there somewhere was home. “Home…” He thought. “But what
is home?” Cavalier rubbed his eyes tiredly and then turned around
and looked inwards. Inwards into Paragon City and towards Kings Row.
“Home is here. Home is where I am needed. Home is with my comrades,
my friends… Home is Paragon!”
A new drive filled him. He overcame
his body’s complaints and climbed the ladder again. Climbing higher
into the night’s sky, the lights of the city like stars in the background
and even higher the real nights stars were shrouded with cloud cover.
The moon illuminating the sky like a gigantic lantern, its rays glinting
off of Cavalier’s armour.
His hand gripped hold of the highest point
of the bridge. He hauled himself up and stood there. About 20 feet
in front of him a group of 4 squabbled over the sword buried deep
into the bridge. Comically, one of them strained with both hands to
pull the sword clear.
“Step away from the blade. Now.” Cavalier’s
voice ran deep and true – a chilling note in the cold nights air.
One of the group turned around with a sneering look – by the looks
of him, Cavalier thought, a Tsoo Sorcerer.
“This is our property now
gaijin – step back before I teach you a lesson.” He turned back and
directed a second lackey to help pull the sword free.
“I said, step
away from that sword. Do it NOW!” Cavalier walked forward, a predatory
gleam in his eye he walked over the cable joining his anchor to the
next.
The sorcerer sighed visibly – his shoulders drooping with frustration.
”Look fool, we control this area, we tell people where they go and
what they do. Not the other way around. And now you’ve made me angry.”
He nodded at the third member of his group who cracked his knuckles
and then ran towards Cavalier, his sai flashing in the night sky.
The Sorcerer laughed and turned back around, ignoring the fool that
dared interrupt this operation.
The blade flashed towards Cavalier’s
head. He watched the blade sail right above his head as he ducked
beneath it. He sprang up and drove his fist into the Tsoo’s stomach.
He bent double as the wind was taken out of his lungs. Cavalier stepped
further forward and launched a huge uppercut that lifted the lackey
off of his feet and dumped him on his back. The sound of the punch
echoed through the night as Cavalier stepped over his fallen opponent.
The Sorcerer laughed again – assuming that his warrior had whipped
the idiot.
“Good work Kenji – you’ve earned your next tattoo young
warrior…”
Cavalier walked quietly forwards, he wanted to take advantage
of their foolishness and take them by surprise.
“Kenji?” The sorcerer
turned around and the confidence in his voice fell away as he saw
the shattered warrior flat on his back.
Cavalier bellowed a war cry
as he jumped towards the blade, and just as sudden time suddenly slowed
to a crawl as he neared the blade. Before him he saw ghostly images;
images that looked like him land near the blade. A hand reached out
for the blade and the imaged warped around the blade, spinning down
the hilt, a second hand did the same, glinting along the blades edge.
A third, a forth, countless images all went before Cavalier attaching
themselves the sword. A loud keening broke the air and Cavalier realised
that the blade was literally vibrating as his ancestors returned to
their home…
Cavalier’s fingers wrapped around the hilt. He didn’t
know what to expect. The familiar tingling? A dead sensation? Was
he worthy anymore? His hand locked around the blades handle. The sword
felt cold under his hand – there was nothing. His face fell and his
spirit felt broken.
Silence. The world seemed to stop. The outraged
Sorcerer was in the midst of some kind of spell and the two lackeys
froze in the act of falling backwards, shocked by their attacker’s
actions. Their faces were full of fear. Had they seen the spirits?
Is that what frightened them?
The shaking of the blade travelled all
the way up his arm and a light seemed to emanate from the blade. With
a sudden radiance the light exploded outwards. It splashed an enormous
light into the sky as it washed over Cavalier. A untapped well of
joy flooded over Cavalier as he felt the familiar sensations return.
His confidence, his powers, his purpose were back! He was Cavalier.
He was a warrior. He was a hero again!
His body mended, his mind became
clear of the guilt for Mary’s death. He knew that she had died needlessly,
and that Ghost Starr must atone, but this was now his duty – he was
required to bring her killer to justice. He was Cavalier – and he
would have his revenge.
Time returned to normal the massive light
faded, but was not gone. A glow permeated the blade and emanated from
Cavalier. He had never felt stronger, fitter or better.
The Tsoo’s
spell finished in a loud shout and a wash of blackness rushed from
his hand towards Cavalier’s chest. With a roar of triumph Cavalier
wrenched the blade from the steel of the bridge and held it aloft.
The darkness wrapped itself around Cavalier and suddenly dissipated
as the brightness from the sword banished the sorcerer’s dark powers.
Cavalier turned to the two minions. They both had katana’s held in
the ready stance. With a shriek of rage one leaped forwards with a
massive sweep of his blade. Cavalier flicked his broadsword out and
parried the cut. The shrill sound of steel on steel rang out as their
blades met. The katana broke like a fragile twig against the magical
blade. The look of horror on the Tsoo’s face provoked a grim smile
on Cavalier’s face. His fist slammed into the face of his assailant
and broke his nose, the blood and cartilage exploding outwards as
his face crumpled.
The other warrior took one look at his comrade
and dropped his sword and dove off the bridge. Cavalier looked quizzically
at the jumper and then turned towards the sorcerer.
Bursting forward
in a sudden attack Cavalier sprang towards the sorcerer. His sword
held over his head he launched his most deadly attack and sundered
the skull of his attacker.
“This is your territory? I don’t think
so…”
Turning on his super speed Cavalier jumped off the bridge anchor
and landed on the road. The night was most definitely just beginning.
_________________
Cavalier - Level 50 Broadsword/Invulnerable Scrapper
- LoA - Leader