15 years before back in the ancient cavern, Albert and Vul’Goth were now facing a pack of desert lions. Feral and unforgiving creatures they were. Twice the size of a normal lion, but more ferocious. They were the color of the sand with a strong brown line running down their heads to the end of their spines. No tails. Fangs as long as a human forearm. Eyes as black as night. The strength of five men, or two male orcs. They lived in this cavern it seemed.

  Albert looked over at Vul’Goth and Earth Breaker. There was a bright red emitting from the tip of it. Vul’Goth looked over at Albert and Light Wielder. There was a bright blue glow emitting from the runes carved into the blade. Both realized that they were surrounded. Ten desert lions. Five facing Albert and five facing Vul’Goth.

  Both warriors charged directly into the pack of desert lions. Albert soon realized that Light Wielder was able to cut through flesh like butter. He sliced through one desert lion with ease as another pounced on his back. Vul’Goth tackled one charging desert lion and hacked at it with Earth Breaker multiple times. He looked over at Albert and pointed Earth Breaker at it. Earth Breaker began to shoot a fire ball at the desert lion on Albert’s back knocking it off of him. Vul’Goth was stunned and so was Albert. Albert mouthed the words thanks and immediately went back to fighting the rest.

  Vul’Goth and Albert fought off the beasts with only a few minor scratches on them. Albert walked over to a resting Vul’Goth drinking water, “So yours shoots fire balls? I expected more from that in all honesty.”

  “And yours only cuts through everything like it’s nothing? Expected more.”

  “I guess. I barely read Elvish as is and I truly don’t know why these two weapons are here or what exactly they can do. I just know that these relics are powerful.”

  “Hmm… Want to look at the statues and see if we could piece together what these are?”

  “I guess… No promises if I’ll translate them right or wrong,” said Albert laughing.

  He walked over to his statue and read aloud the inscription at the base of the statue, “Here lies… Light… Wielder? I guess the sword I have? With a mighty… Slash… Thrust? The power of… Some Elvish god or whatever.... Will strike down those with the light… Of the heavens and destroy all… Will only attune to whomever is of… Pure heart… I need to get back to the wizard and ask him to help translate - fuck, I should’ve paid more attention when he was teaching me languages!”

  “Okay… What of mine if you can,” asked Vul’Goth curiously staring at the statue that was holding Earth Breaker.

  Albert walked over and asked, “Does your statue remind you of someone of your kind?”

  “I don’t know. Looks like one of the old mages back in my lands.”

  “Strange he looks both Orc and Elvish… Okay let’s read this… Earth Breaker…. Chosen weapon of… How do you say this orc name? I don’t know how to say that because it’s written in Orcish.”

  “Conlaoch. God of War.”

  “Right… Corn lock… Mace and scepter of fire…. If used… In battle… Is strong enough to… Level cities to ash… Can take down dragons…. And the rest I can’t read because it’s too hard or it’s broken off. Something about it can take control of the user if you let it… I don’t fucking know something like that. Fuck! Why can’t these statues stay intact,” said Albert frustratingly. He looked down at his new sword. “Light Wielder? I like the sound of you.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Vul’Goth looked back down at his mace. He pondered it for a moment. Something inside him felt uneasy about the mace. Yet there was also something enticing about it that he could not fathom. He said, “These are weapons of power… Of destruction. These should not be taken lightly... And you're being stupid and ignoring me.”

  Albert ignored him as he was practicing sword techniques with Light Wielder with an enamored smile. He was also making swooshing and slashing noises whilst striking dramatic poses. Albert envisioned himself as a legendary hero being portrayed on a stage. Vul'Goth honestly thought Albert was being childish and stupid.

  Vul’Goth smirked, “Come on. We have a week’s journey westward to reach the crossroads out of here.”

  “Alright. Alright. Kill all the fun why don't you... Man these are cool!”

  “Childish.”

  “What?”

  “Let’s go, Alby.”

  A week of surviving the desert and walking back towards the crossroads later, the two warriors found themselves at their land’s respective borders. To the south was Arindale: the orc lands of Evandria. To the north was Rodham: the human lands of Evandria. A fork in the road and a damaged, wooden sign indicated which land it was and how far each capital city was.

  Both had a lot more days to travel back home especially on foot. Both also knew that this would possibly be the last time they would talk peacefully to each other. Both soon realized that they would have to go back home and begin the war again. Neither wanted to fight, but the war and their kingdoms demanded it.

  Albert looked at Vul’Goth and stuck his hand out to him. He said, “Thanks… For sparing my life and helping an idiot like me live to find this ancient weapon.”

  “Thank you for the same,” Vul’Goth said in a respectful, but sad tone as his massive hand swallowed Albert’s. Vul’Goth then asked, “You suppose we would meet again as enemies or as friends?”

  “Ha! If we do meet again and we both find ourselves in battle. The victor must share a personal drink with the fallen. Like I said back then… Enemy or foe… I would still have a drink with you. No matter the circumstances. But I will win.”

  “No, I will win... You are such a strange human… I’ll be glad to share a drink with you if we meet again. Hopefully not in battle. But...”

  “Yeah," Albert replied with a voice crack. "I’ll be waiting… Friend.”

  “I’ll be waiting too… Friend,” Vul’Goth said with a teary eye.

  Albert also had a tear well up. He quickly wiped his eyes and said, “By the fucking gods, the damn sand never leaves your eyes now does it?”

  Vul’Goth smiled at him. He patted Albert on the back and said, “Farewell. Until next time. Safe travels.”

  “Till next time, Vol,” Albert said looking away as to hide his true feelings.

  Vul’Goth turned away too and quietly said, “Till next time, Alby.”

  Vul’Goth began to walk south along the path. Albert looked at him as he turned around slightly. He pondered if orcs and humans could possibly find peace and harmony together like they did in the desert. He pondered if such a thing could last and inspire the next generations in order to end the war. Albert then turned north and began walking. Vul’Goth looked over his shoulder hearing Albert whistle a song to himself.

  Vul’Goth sighed knowing that he would have to go back to war with the humans soon. He also pondered if orcs and humans could possibly live in peace together. But for the two of them, that notion was only a thought of something impossible, not the future.