Champions Vol. 02

Laurena shot him an annoyed look, and Sapphire just rolled her eyes at his comment. Turning to share a look with Laurena, she shrugged as though asking 'did we really expect any different'. Laurena sighed, but was forced to agree with the unspoken question. Much of the time David was a serious, caring, and resolute pillar of strength; but occasionally he was a five-winters-old child in a grown body.

Moving to continue along the path the pendant was guiding her on, she noticed [eek] walking over to follow them.

"So, if you ain't here to sell me something why are you here?" he asked curiously.

"We are looking for the Keeper of the Tomb of the Fallen," Laurena answered politely.

"Really?!" [eek] replied. "Are one of you Fallen?"

Before Laurena could think of a reply, David chimed in. "Yup, and I can't get up," he said snickering again.

"That's nice," [eek] said with disinterested politeness, as though humoring a child.

Looking at Sapphire, he commented, "You're pretty too. Quiet though, and kinda violent."

"Thank you," Sapphire replied politely. "And 'one of us' is having trouble keeping his mouth closed, so I am hoping that by both modeling the correct behavior and punishing his bad behavior he will learn to shut up and stop acting like a child," she continued, shooting daggers at David with her eyes.

"That's very nice of you to offer charity to the disabled," [eek] complimented.

"No, none of us are Fallen," Laurena interjected, correcting the ramblings of the five-winters-old in a grown body she was sometime forced to endure. "I am on a mission and I was instructed to find the Keeper. I apologize but the rest of it is only something I can share with him."

"Oh," [eek] said, crestfallen. "Then I suppose you're off to the Tomb of the Fallen. Well it was nice meeting you. If you survive please stop by for tea on your way back through."

"Wait," Laurena replied, "do you know where the Tomb is?" she asked at the same time Sapphire asked, "What do you mean 'if you survive'?"

"Sure, I know where the Tomb of the Fallen is," [eek] answered Laurena cheerfully. "It's pretty much the only noteworthy thing on this island." Turning to Sapphire he answered her as well, "I've seen a handful of idiots enter the Tomb over the years, I've never seen one come back out though."

Suddenly suspicious, David cast a spell to read [eek]'s aura. Neither Sapphire nor Laurena could teach him the full spell of truth detection, it was only taught to the clergy after passing the test for full priest/priestess rank, and Sapphire had never successfully reverse engineered it.

"Now, now sonny," [eek] admonished David, a glimmer of sanity in his eyes. "It's not polite to peek."

Ignoring him, David focused on the man's aura. Nothing. He could detect nothing, as though [eek] had no aura. It was not blocked -- Laurena had taught him the difference -- it simply wasn't there. Damn.

Smirking [eek] returned his attention to Laurena. "Now, I imagine you already have a way of getting to it, but it can be a right devil to find the entrance. Did you want me to show you where it is?"

"That would be very helpful," Laurena said carefully, suddenly wary of this strange man.

"Sure thing," [eek] responded happily. "It'll give me a chance to convince you not to go in. It's been a long time since a woman's been on the island, let alone two, and you and your friend here are certainly the two prettiest I've ever seen. I'd hate for you to go in there and get dead."

* * *

For nearly an hour [eek] led the trio towards their destination. More than once David shot a questioning look towards Laurena, suspecting deception, but the man seemed to be leading them the exact same direction her pendant was.

All three quickly realized that part of [eek]'s problem was he had been alone on this island for a long, long time. He talked constantly during the trip, often with little or no logical point. He did not dominate the conversations though, and would happily listen to Sapphire or Laurena talk about anything. He didn't seem to care who talked, or about what, as long as someone talked. Some of the highlights of their discussions were:

"How did you come by the name [eek]?" Laurena asked.

"It's what Bertha calls me," [eek] responded.

"Do you have another name...that humans call you?" Sapphire inquired.

"What humans?" [eek] responded confused. "You're the only people that bothered to ask my name in years (yes he said years, not winters)."

Also:

"You people didn't happen to bring any livestock with you did you?" [eek] inquired out of the blue.

"I'm sorry [eek], no we didn't," Sapphire replied.

"That's a shame, my old lawnmower died, and the grass is getting out of hand now," [eek] sighed.

"What happened, I might be able to fix it," David offered, not remembering what world he was in.

"I doubt it," [eek] said, "I already ate him."

And finally, because David knew there had to be a story behind it:

"Have you ever had a different head of security?" David asked.

"Oh yeah, Bertha's only been doing it for the last few months," [eek] explained. "She used to be the housekeeper. I had to fire the old head of security, Rufus. He'd had the job for almost twenty years."

"I didn't think rabbits could live that long," Sapphire interjected confused.

"They can't," [eek] replied, "he was a turtle."

"Oh," said Laurena, "I get it. You fired him because he was too slow."

"Nah, he cheated at cards."

Eventually, they emerged from the forest onto a beach. Apparently they had traveled the width of the isle. Walking north on the beach, [eek] gave a sigh as he looked at the water. "I guess I should probably take my bath for this month while I'm here," he said sadly.

"Why don't you just use a spell of cleansing?" Laurena asked kindly.

"Can't do magic," [eek] explained.

"No one ever taught you spells?"

"Some tried, but I just can't do it," he explained. "I don't have magic."

She and Sapphire were both surprised at this announcement. They had never met someone completely without magic. They had never even heard of someone without magic.

"Well, here you go," [eek] said, pointing toward a sheer cliff face.

Laurena, Sapphire, and David looked at the rock wall, but could see no entrance on it. Both Sapphire and David turned to Laurena, seeking her confirmation.

"The pendant is saying the same thing to me, but I do not see an entrance either," she explained.

"Huh?" [eek] perked up. "Did you say you have a pendant?"

"Yes," Laurena answered absentmindedly, "right here," she added, gesturing to the miniature sarcophagus around her neck.

"Well damn. I thought you said none of you were Fallen," [eek] said in annoyance.

"None of us are," Sapphire replied defensively.

"Well what do you call her," he countered angrily, pointing towards Laurena.

"That's Laurena, we already told you that," Sapphire responded.

"Not the one carrying her, the lady in the sarcophagus," [eek] said in exasperation.

[eek] now had their full attention.

"You know what this is?" Laurena asked in surprise.

"Yeah, that is one of the Fallen Champions," he replied. "You should have told me you were bringing her. You can go right on in; you'll probably survive."

Laurena was growing more and more confused. "Go in where? There is no entrance."

Sighing [eek] walked up to the cliff face and then appeared to walk into it. Laurena and Sapphire gasped in surprise, and David raised an eyebrow, impressed. A moment later [eek] walked back out.

"There you go," he told Laurena. "And don't forget to stop in for tea on your way back." Turning to address Sapphire he said, "Don't forget you need to stay out here. You're very pretty, so don't be stupid and die." Lastly he addressed David, "Stick close to this one," pointing at Sapphire, "I doubt you can afford to be on your own." Then he waved at the trio and walked into the surf fully clothed. Once he was up to his waist he dove in, and began scrubbing without a care.

Laurena, Sapphire, and David just watched him in open-mouthed shock. [eek] really was crazy.

Finally David shook himself, and cleared his throat. "What do you want to do Laurena?" he asked.

"I guess we go in," she replied absentmindedly, still watching the fully clothed man scrubbing away.

Tearing her eyes away from the odd sight, she approached the sheer cliff. When they were within a few feet they realized the illusion. The rocky face before them was not completely flat, and hidden in the uneven surface was a small cave opening. They could see [eek]'s footprints in the sand leading inside. Realizing the deception, Laurena's confidence grew, and she used the first spell she learned from Sapphire to gather light into her hand. However, as she walked a few paces past the entrance a feeling of fear and danger flared from the pendant.

"Wait," she called out, stopping. David halted directly behind her, with Sapphire bringing up the rear having just entered the opening. As soon as they stopped moving the feeling reduced, but did not go away. Holding up a warding hand to David and Sapphire, she took a few cautious steps forward, but the feeling neither dissipated nor increased. Uncertain she turned to her companions and motioned for them to rejoin her. The instant that David took a step further into the cave the feeling returned full force.

"Stop," Laurena called out. "The pendant is sending me a warning, but I cannot tell what it is. Let us go back outside."

Cautiously, Sapphire and David backed out of the cave. However, before Laurena moved she noted that the feeling of danger began reducing, so she remained still while Sapphire exited. David backed all the way to the entrance, and stopped.

"Are you coming?" he asked worried.

The warning of the pendant was extremely faint now, almost gone entirely, and she suspected the source. "Yes, I was just testing something," she replied, and followed her friends outside.

The moment David was clear of the entrance the feeling vanished, which went far towards confirming Laurena's suspicions about the nature of the warning. Once all three were on the beach, standing in front of the cave once more, Laurena explained to them what the pendant had done.

"So it is telling you to go in alone," Sapphire voiced what they all suspected.

"It appears so," Laurena replied in frustration.

"Well, that sounds about right," David added. "Delivering Ophelia here is supposed to require you to face some kind of trials, according to Eros. And Philotheos warned us that we would not be allowed to accompany you."

"But I have no idea what the trials are," Laurena complained. The situation was getting to her. "I wanted to ask the Keeper of the Tomb about them but you heard Eek. He had no idea where the man was."

"Maybe he's inside," Sapphire suggested.

Laurena considered the idea. It was not implausible, but very irritating.

"Maybe we already met him," David suggested, turning to look at [eek] where he was splashing in the water.

Laurena and Sapphire followed his gaze, and realizing what he meant they both reevaluated the man.

"That would explain a lot," Sapphire contemplated aloud.

"We will stay out here, and wait for you to come back," David assured the stressed Champion, bringing her attention back to him. Moving forward he wrapped Laurena in a reassuring hug. As she calmed in his embrace, he whispered to her gently, "You have learned, experienced, and grown a lot since we first met. Sapphire and I know you are strong enough to face this. Eros himself chose you, so even he thinks you can do it. Remember that."

Laurena nodded into his chest. She took a few moments to contemplate the chance that [eek] was the Keeper of the Tomb while she enjoyed David's embrace. In truth it mattered very little whether he was or was not. Their conversations with him so far had already taught her that any attempt to figure it out would either annoy the man, or result in a discussion bereft of logical sense. Reluctantly she separated from David, and she was looking much calmer and more confident when she did.

Sapphire stepped forward and hugged her as well, whispering her own words of encouragement, which caused Laurena to smile and giggle. They both stole a glance at David, who was surprised by their sudden change in attitude. Sapphire just gave him a wink. Separating, Laurena turned and strode boldly into the entrance, re-lighting her hand as she disappeared from their sight. Sapphire walked over to David and tucked herself under his left arm.

Once their friend was gone from view, David looked down at his love and asked, "What did you say and why were you suddenly giggling?"

Sapphire shot him a devious grin, and shook her head playfully, resisting his interrogation.

"Do I have to tickle it out of you?" he growled playfully.

Sighing Sapphire reached up and flicked his nose. She had already intended to tell him, she just wanted him to work for it. "I reminded her that she had already faced and conquered the most fearsome beast in the land," Sapphire said, reaching down to fondle David's manhood through his trousers. "Compared to that, there was nothing in that cave she couldn't handle."

David just chuckled, and shook his head at his woman's antics. She was a feisty one, and he loved her for it.

*** Chapter 27: The Power of Love ***

031400JUN13 DW

14^th of Pyanepsion, 2351 EC

The Isle of Eirini

The cave entrance was narrow, but a few paces in it widened into a natural stone passage that was less claustrophobic. The light from Laurena's hand did an excellent job illuminating the way, and with the significantly greater power she possessed the Champion only needed to use a fraction of her magic to maintain it.

The passage twisted and turned, sometimes rising and sometimes falling, but always leading Laurena further north. At least she thought it was north. She moved cautiously in the enclosed space, the ground uneven and sometimes difficult to walk. As she traveled in the only direction available Laurena reflected on the encouragement she had received before entering.

David was correct; she was the Champion of Eros. Her god had selected her for this task, and he would not have done so if it was impossible. He had also warned her that it was difficult, so she expected to be challenged in ways that she may not be prepared for. With a smile she also recalled Sapphire's reminder, she had already 'conquered' a powerful beast.

While her friend had said it to make her laugh, the spirit behind the message was the same as David's. With them she had faced and overcome challenges. She had begun to take charge, accepting the responsibility of being her god's Champion, and many of the decisions she was making were the right ones. Yes, she had made mistakes, and suffered failures in the past; but she had also had successes as well. She also accepted that she would make mistakes in the future, because she had finally realized that she was not perfect. But she was the Champion of Eros.

She would face the trials to come, whatever they might be.

Lost in these thoughts, she did not initially notice the light ahead. But as she grew closer she could clearly make out noticeable details in the passage before her, outside the range of her own light. Dispelling the magic in her hand, she noted that the tunnel ahead was illuminated well enough for her to see walls and floors. She also noted that she could not see the source of the light. The path ahead turned sharply to the left about twenty paces away, so it was likely coming from around the bend.

Summoning her light once more, so that she could more easily navigate the tunnel, she moved forward and around the bend in the passage. As soon as she began the turn she could see that the passage exited back onto the surface of the island. She dispelled her light once more, no longer needing it in the bright sunlight, and exited the cave.

She was in a large area, perhaps a quarter of a mile across, with high mountain walls all around. There was a smattering of trees and vegetation in the area, but Laurena barely noticed these. Her eyes were locked on the only non-natural object in this mountain bowl.

It was a temple of Eros. But not the kind she had ever seen before. It was ancient, and it seemed to be made entirely out of marble, with massive pillars holding aloft a roof which overhung the front. Spanning the entire front of the building were steps, which led to the entrance inside. Moving forward, she noted that there were certain architectural elements to this building that matched the oldest parts of the great temple. Was this what temples looked like long ago?

Laurena felt the pendant drawing her towards the temple, and her feet carried her forward. She was so lost in her inspection of the building she did not even realize that she had walked up to it until her foot bumped into the first step. Looking down, she could see that although the building was very, very old, it appeared to be well maintained. The surrounding vegetation had been cleared back three paces all around it, and she could see no cracking, chipping, or crumbling in the stone. It could easily have been mistaken for a structure that was recently built, except...it just felt old.

Taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the structure and the tranquility of this hidden valley, Laurena felt the peace she had achieved earlier return. She ascended the steps calmly, and approached the double-door entrance without fear. Seeing no latch or lock, she pushed on the left door and it opened easily. She could see that the inside of the structure was well illuminated by sunlight. Moving inside she left the door open, not thinking to close it. In fact, she was so busy inspecting the inside she did not even notice when it closed behind her.

* * *

"So...now what do we do?" Sapphire asked David innocently. She was still tucked under his arm, and was looking up at him expectantly, and with no small amount of mischief in her eyes.

David shrugged. "My plan for the day kinda began and ended with following her around," he replied, motioning to where Laurena had just disappeared into the cave.

"Oooo," she said, faking breathy excitement and batting her eyelashes at him. "Does that mean I get you all to myself now?"

"Pretty much," he laughed, leaning down to kiss her. A few moments later they heard splashing and looked up to see [eek] still up to his waist in the waves...sort of.

He was doing hand stands in the water and letting the waves knock him over. The activity would have been slightly less disturbing if he had worn anything under his robes. The sight of his naked, pale ass poking out of the water right before a wave knocked him over -- cock and balls flapping in the ocean breeze -- was something both David and Sapphire could have happily done without.

David sighed and Sapphire giggled. "Okay, well you almost have me all to yourself...whenever Looney Tunes leaves."

Sapphire responded with a confused expression.

"It's a phrase from my world. It's too hard to explain but basically means crazy," David offered.

She shrugged. It wasn't the first time, or even the hundredth, that he had used a phrase she was unfamiliar with.

David decided that with nothing else to do, cooling off in the sea like [eek] would be a welcome respite from the day's heat. They had sailed far enough north that the island was close to being an equatorial tropic, and while the vegetation of the island had not been as thick as a jungle, the walk here in body armor had not exactly been pleasant. He was sweating his ass off.

Explaining his plan to Sapphire she nodded and began disrobing as well. The enchantments on the clothes he had made her worked quite well to keep her cool, but a quick swim in the ocean sounded wonderful. Soon they were both naked, and as they walked down the beach towards the water [eek] waved goodbye to them. He had exited the water about 100 meters from them and appeared to be returning to his home. David and Sapphire waved back as they entered the water naked.