"Your lucky to have such impressive armor, that blow should have crushed you on impact." I begin attempting to stand, to say my body protests is an understatement. Who ever this guy is he's right...my armor saved me. Luckily just like my sword my armor is permanently charged, had it not been the armor would have buckled and folded under the strength of the golem crushing me inside of it and killing me instantly. Now that's not to say I don't hurt because I do, I hurt more than I have ever hurt before but at least nothing feels broken. The man is close now, not knowing what to expect I fear the worst. Right now I am in no condition for a fight, I can't even get to my feet. I tighten the grip on my sword and hope this guy is an Allie. "Here, let me help." The man extends a hand offering to help me up, I decide to accept and before I know it I'm on my feet. I can tell immediately how rough of shape I'm truly in, my legs begin to wobble unable to support the weight of my body. "Whoa...easy does it, maybe it's best if you sit back down for a bit." The strangers logic makes perfect since. I slowly sit back down on a destroyed pillar, then I notice the golem. Seeing it there lifeless seems impossible when just moments ago it was rampaging wildly. I turn my attention back to the guy and immediately begin thinking dark elf but then I notice his red eyes, and his skin tone is off as well. It almost appears to be more of a dark gray and all the dark elf I have seen have skin much more black in nature, now compile this with his large frame leaves me not knowing what to think. Myself being half elf leaves me quite large for an elf, this guy is even bigger than me. I would assume he is half elf also but the red eyes are beginning to make me uneasy. I decide its best to just cut to the chase. "Who are you?" "My name is Kortt. Now if your feeling up to it we need to talk." This guy radiates power, not like that of the dark child but power none the less. I'm really starting to get a bad feeling, how did he get in here? The room was magically sealed. I can tell he has realized I have become uneasy so I decide its time to press for answers. "I'm wondering how you entered this room Kortt? It was sealed magically, no way in, no way out." He remains calm. "The seal was designed to keep those inside from escaping, it didn't prevent anyone from entering and you will find now that the golem is dead the seal is broken, you are free to leave." Relief begins to flow over me, I feared this was the last room I was ever going to see. "I truly thank you for your assistance Kortt, but I need to continue on. My friends life is at stake." Kortt grimaces. "That's what I need to talk to you about. I know you made a deal with a demon and I'm afraid I may not be able to allow you to keep your end of the agreement. Now before you get angry lets talk, I need to know exactly what the deal was?" Damn. Now it's all starting to make sense, the red eyes...he must be a rival demon. "Tate, I can sense your aura changing, I mean you no harm." I instantly realize I never told him my name, he knows it just as the dark child did. "No more games demon! I would rather die then allow myself to be played a fool." I see Kortts demeanor change, he now looks pissed. "You choose to to ignore me as Kortt and that's fine, so let me reintroduce myself. I am THE BROKEN ARROW!!" As the words leave his lips I feel the surprise come over me. The Broken Arrow is a legend among legends, most say a myth. Every child grows up hearing the tales of the greatest warrior to ever live, the problem is the Broken Arrow was said to have lived over 800 years ago. Could this really be my child hood hero? He slayed the golem in one shot where I could not even slow the beast down, only the Broken Arrow could accomplish such a feat and he does appear to match that of the legends and how they describe his appearance. "Are you hear to help me?" "Yes I am Tate but not in the sense you expect. I am here to ensure this tomb remains secure, you have no idea what kind of power lies with in these walls. Power I cannot permit to be freed upon the world, I am here to prevent you from making a horrible mistake." "My friend is in danger, I will NOT leave her!" "I asked you the terms of your agreement with Kasza'Zuel? I need to know exactly how it played out." So that's the dark child's name. I see no reason to be dishonest with Kortt. "My friend was dying, injured from a battle will a mountain troll. I didn't know what to do so I called out for help and it was the dark child who answered. He offered to save Hayden's life in exchange for me retrieving a book for him. I reluctantly agreed." "I see." I watch as Kortt ponders something briefly then he asks... "I understand why you did what you did but Kasza'Zuel is very old and powerful demon, if he wants a book, especially a book from this tomb...it's something that he cannot be permitted to acquire under any circumstance. "What exactly is this tomb?" I ask. "This tomb was constructed during an age when magic was dying and being replaced by science and the age of technology. It was built high above the clouds to be forgotten and was for thousands of years until you arrived. This tomb and all it's possessions must remain here, safe and locked away from the rest of the world ." He sounds serious, but I can't...I won't let Hayden die. "I'm sorry Kortt, Hayden is my responsibility and I will not abandon her so you can either live up to your reputation and help me save her or you can kill me and drag my lifeless body out here. Make your choice." **Normally I post in the Poser gallery but with my story continually expanding in size its limitations no longer work which is why I'm here now in the writers gallery. The problem I have here is they give me more words but now I have to upload smaller pics...just cant win. LOL. As always I hope you enjoy and comments and feedback are always greatly appreciated.