Shamad took the week and considered his options. He decided on the last day. He would go find and destroy the Nadma Kal. The map pieces weren't going anywhere and they certainly weren't trying to kill him. He and Alantin grabbed their possessions and left Limsa Lominsa.
They took a boat to Vylbrand, following Shamad's sense of direction. They spent a few days scouting the island. They found a compound at the base of the volcano. It looked to be patrolled day and night. They waited until night before they did anything. They grabbed one of the guards. The idiot had been staring at a fire when they captured him. They tied him to a tree and started interrogating him. He was missing a few things by the time they were done. He was a very stubborn man and the information was very precious. Alantin and Shamad were apathetic about what to do with the guard. They flipped a coin. Heads they leave him alive; tails they kill him. It came up heads. They left him tied to the tree after removing his tongue.
Shamad studied the map they had drawn with the guard's direction. It was in the shape of Llymlaen's symbol. Apparently the People had discovered this series of caverns centuries ago and killed any who stumbled upon it.
Shamad gripped the pendant he had gotten from the Miqo'te assassin. In his mind he could feel a pull towards the compound. They started walking to the outskirts of the target. Just as they were out of sight of the guard, he started yelling incoherently. They ran back and decapitated him. They had given him a chance and he blew it. They hid in the bushes for an hour or so. No one came to investigate. They waited until dark and approached the tunnel entrance. They killed the guards and hid the bodies after stripping off their uniforms. The tunnels were dimly lit by torches. They walked through the tunnels, guided by the pull Shamad felt. After an hour or so, they approached the central chamber. Alantin peeked around the corner and quickly pulled his head back. "There are 5 people in there. Look for yourself." So Shamad did. He peeked around the corner and saw the room. He saw a chamber that was brightly lit and shaped like a bowl. There was a raised dais with something glowing on it.
Surrounding the dais were 5 people, one of each race. He looked closely. They were all female. He guessed it made sense. Llymlaen was female after all. All five turned as one. They called out. “We know you are there Shamad. Come down here. We will not hurt you even though you have killed some of our guardians.†Shamad looked startled. He stared back at Alantin. Alantin shrugged and stared back. They both stood up and walked down to the women. Alantin and Shamad were confident they could kill the women if necessary. They all greeted Shamad somberly. “Why have you killed our guardians? There was no need to do that.†Shamad got angry. “Why?! Why did I do it?! Because you are hunting me! You have killed my family and everyone of my blood!†He whipped out the letters and threw it at their feet.
The Lalafell picked them up and read them. The color in her face drained. She showed them to the others. They started whispering to each other. The Lalafell approached. “Where did you get the prophecy? It looks to have been corrupted.†Shamad looked at her with contempt. “I got it when the messengers told me about my entire tribe being slaughtered. It was found among the bodies. But you already know that. They also found two very distinctive necklaces. They belonged to my brothers. We always believed they were killed in Ala Mhigo but that letter throws that theory out.†She looked troubled. She walked back to the others. They talked a little more. The Lalafell came back. “I know you won’t believe me but we didn’t do it. The prophecy is supposed to be a joyous thing but someone added some words to it to make it and you seem evil. It really goes:
Magic of the Gods, it comes again
An ancient war, it yet starts
Its new master it seeks, who shall use it and die, yet still live on
What shall stand against its coming?
The progeny shall kneel
Blood feeds blood.
Blood calls blood.
Blood is, and blood was, and blood shall ever be.
The Witness stands alone
He searches for the blades
Two paths before him, one to peace and death, one to war and eternal life
Which will he choose? Which will he choose?
What arm shelters? What arm slays?
Blood feeds blood.
Blood calls blood.
Blood is, and blood was, and blood shall ever be.
The Witness bleeds
The blades are revealed
The hunt is now begun. The Peoples’ hounds search and hope
The blood of the Witness waters the desert
The time of pain has come
Blood feeds blood.
Blood calls blood.
Blood is, and blood was, and blood shall ever be.
The Nadma Kal awaits
The seed of the twelve thrive and search
Death shall sow and cities burn, before the Echo comes
Death shall reap and gods mourn, before the Echo Comes
Again the seed gather and worship, before the Echo comes
Now the Echo comes
As you can see the part about us killing is wrong. You are the chosen one. We have known for the past six months that you were coming. All the People do.†Shamad looked into her face. He didn’t see any guile. He nodded. “I still don’t trust you. I will need proof that you are as benign as you say.†She looked at him with surprise. “I never said we were benign. We do kill intruders. This power is a very dangerous thing after all. We only trust you because the Nadma Kal chose you. I am curious though. How did you find us?†Shamad shrugged and showed the pendant. “I see. I don’t know how you got it but I know for a fact that was stolen years ago. We keep a close count on our locators and that one disappeared about 15 years ago. About the time of the Garlean attack I believe. Maybe whoever stole it also killed your family and brothers.†Shamad nodded. It made sense.
She walked over the dais and picked something up. She led them to a clear spot on the floor. “Before we can hand over the Nadama Vron, we need you to prove who you are.†She unrolled a map of Eorzea.â€ÂMark the locations of the other compounds. If you fail, you will be killed. If you succeed, we will hand over the Nadama Vron and you can be on your way.†Shamad swallowed hard. He closed his eyes, concentrated on that pulling sensation, and grabbed the quill. He opened them and put 12 exes on the map. There didn’t seem to be a pattern.
She picked up the map and took it back to the others. They all gasped and turned around to stare at him. The Lalafell ran over and kissed his hand. Shamad jerked it back. “No one has ever done it! In a thousand years no one has ever gotten them all correct. We will now give you the Nadama Vron.†She stood up and started to go to the others. Shamad grabbed her hand. “Before you do that, I need some questions answered.†She stopped and nodded. “First, what is the Nadma Kal?†She considered the question. “We don’t really know other than a very powerful spell. We do know that it is alive and can only be used through the use of twelve bracelets, one for each god. We found this and the other networks of tunnels about 1000 years ago. We suspect they were created when the Nadma Kal arrived here. The 5 families who found them devoted their lives to protecting the spell. We have passed the tradition for a very long time. Did you have any other questions?†Shamad considered for a minute. “No. You just answered them all.â€Â
She nodded and motioned him to follow her. He and Alantin walked to the dais. They looked at Alantin. “I’m afraid he is not allowed to see this. We know he is your companion. That is the only reason he has been allowed to stay.†Alantin looked mad but he walked back to the entrance. Shamad looked at the dais. On it was a dome of shimmering light. He reached forward and was zapped for his trouble. The women each cut her left palm and as one, drew the wave symbol of Llymlaen on spots arranged around the dome. The dome disappeared and they all motioned for him to pick up the bracelet that lay in the middle. It was only as wide as his little finger and was the color green. He picked it up and felt a nice rush of power. He put it on his left wrist and clicked it shut. He grimaced with pain as he felt spikes pop out and puncture his skin. He felt it shrink until it was welded to his skin. The pain stopped and the bracelet turned transparent. He could barely tell it was there. All the women clapped and cheered. Shamad made his goodbyes and left with Alantin.
For the next month they traveled around Eorzea, retrieving each bracelet. When Shamad put the last one on, a voice starting talking in his head. "You must come to me to get the full power you have been seeking. Come to me and we shall live forever!" In his head a map popped up. There was a bright spot marking the place he needed to go. It was near a place by the name of Al'mian Oasis. There he would go to get his reward.
They took a boat to Vylbrand, following Shamad's sense of direction. They spent a few days scouting the island. They found a compound at the base of the volcano. It looked to be patrolled day and night. They waited until night before they did anything. They grabbed one of the guards. The idiot had been staring at a fire when they captured him. They tied him to a tree and started interrogating him. He was missing a few things by the time they were done. He was a very stubborn man and the information was very precious. Alantin and Shamad were apathetic about what to do with the guard. They flipped a coin. Heads they leave him alive; tails they kill him. It came up heads. They left him tied to the tree after removing his tongue.
Shamad studied the map they had drawn with the guard's direction. It was in the shape of Llymlaen's symbol. Apparently the People had discovered this series of caverns centuries ago and killed any who stumbled upon it.
Shamad gripped the pendant he had gotten from the Miqo'te assassin. In his mind he could feel a pull towards the compound. They started walking to the outskirts of the target. Just as they were out of sight of the guard, he started yelling incoherently. They ran back and decapitated him. They had given him a chance and he blew it. They hid in the bushes for an hour or so. No one came to investigate. They waited until dark and approached the tunnel entrance. They killed the guards and hid the bodies after stripping off their uniforms. The tunnels were dimly lit by torches. They walked through the tunnels, guided by the pull Shamad felt. After an hour or so, they approached the central chamber. Alantin peeked around the corner and quickly pulled his head back. "There are 5 people in there. Look for yourself." So Shamad did. He peeked around the corner and saw the room. He saw a chamber that was brightly lit and shaped like a bowl. There was a raised dais with something glowing on it.
Surrounding the dais were 5 people, one of each race. He looked closely. They were all female. He guessed it made sense. Llymlaen was female after all. All five turned as one. They called out. “We know you are there Shamad. Come down here. We will not hurt you even though you have killed some of our guardians.†Shamad looked startled. He stared back at Alantin. Alantin shrugged and stared back. They both stood up and walked down to the women. Alantin and Shamad were confident they could kill the women if necessary. They all greeted Shamad somberly. “Why have you killed our guardians? There was no need to do that.†Shamad got angry. “Why?! Why did I do it?! Because you are hunting me! You have killed my family and everyone of my blood!†He whipped out the letters and threw it at their feet.
The Lalafell picked them up and read them. The color in her face drained. She showed them to the others. They started whispering to each other. The Lalafell approached. “Where did you get the prophecy? It looks to have been corrupted.†Shamad looked at her with contempt. “I got it when the messengers told me about my entire tribe being slaughtered. It was found among the bodies. But you already know that. They also found two very distinctive necklaces. They belonged to my brothers. We always believed they were killed in Ala Mhigo but that letter throws that theory out.†She looked troubled. She walked back to the others. They talked a little more. The Lalafell came back. “I know you won’t believe me but we didn’t do it. The prophecy is supposed to be a joyous thing but someone added some words to it to make it and you seem evil. It really goes:
Magic of the Gods, it comes again
An ancient war, it yet starts
Its new master it seeks, who shall use it and die, yet still live on
What shall stand against its coming?
The progeny shall kneel
Blood feeds blood.
Blood calls blood.
Blood is, and blood was, and blood shall ever be.
The Witness stands alone
He searches for the blades
Two paths before him, one to peace and death, one to war and eternal life
Which will he choose? Which will he choose?
What arm shelters? What arm slays?
Blood feeds blood.
Blood calls blood.
Blood is, and blood was, and blood shall ever be.
The Witness bleeds
The blades are revealed
The hunt is now begun. The Peoples’ hounds search and hope
The blood of the Witness waters the desert
The time of pain has come
Blood feeds blood.
Blood calls blood.
Blood is, and blood was, and blood shall ever be.
The Nadma Kal awaits
The seed of the twelve thrive and search
Death shall sow and cities burn, before the Echo comes
Death shall reap and gods mourn, before the Echo Comes
Again the seed gather and worship, before the Echo comes
Now the Echo comes
As you can see the part about us killing is wrong. You are the chosen one. We have known for the past six months that you were coming. All the People do.†Shamad looked into her face. He didn’t see any guile. He nodded. “I still don’t trust you. I will need proof that you are as benign as you say.†She looked at him with surprise. “I never said we were benign. We do kill intruders. This power is a very dangerous thing after all. We only trust you because the Nadma Kal chose you. I am curious though. How did you find us?†Shamad shrugged and showed the pendant. “I see. I don’t know how you got it but I know for a fact that was stolen years ago. We keep a close count on our locators and that one disappeared about 15 years ago. About the time of the Garlean attack I believe. Maybe whoever stole it also killed your family and brothers.†Shamad nodded. It made sense.
She walked over the dais and picked something up. She led them to a clear spot on the floor. “Before we can hand over the Nadama Vron, we need you to prove who you are.†She unrolled a map of Eorzea.â€ÂMark the locations of the other compounds. If you fail, you will be killed. If you succeed, we will hand over the Nadama Vron and you can be on your way.†Shamad swallowed hard. He closed his eyes, concentrated on that pulling sensation, and grabbed the quill. He opened them and put 12 exes on the map. There didn’t seem to be a pattern.
She picked up the map and took it back to the others. They all gasped and turned around to stare at him. The Lalafell ran over and kissed his hand. Shamad jerked it back. “No one has ever done it! In a thousand years no one has ever gotten them all correct. We will now give you the Nadama Vron.†She stood up and started to go to the others. Shamad grabbed her hand. “Before you do that, I need some questions answered.†She stopped and nodded. “First, what is the Nadma Kal?†She considered the question. “We don’t really know other than a very powerful spell. We do know that it is alive and can only be used through the use of twelve bracelets, one for each god. We found this and the other networks of tunnels about 1000 years ago. We suspect they were created when the Nadma Kal arrived here. The 5 families who found them devoted their lives to protecting the spell. We have passed the tradition for a very long time. Did you have any other questions?†Shamad considered for a minute. “No. You just answered them all.â€Â
She nodded and motioned him to follow her. He and Alantin walked to the dais. They looked at Alantin. “I’m afraid he is not allowed to see this. We know he is your companion. That is the only reason he has been allowed to stay.†Alantin looked mad but he walked back to the entrance. Shamad looked at the dais. On it was a dome of shimmering light. He reached forward and was zapped for his trouble. The women each cut her left palm and as one, drew the wave symbol of Llymlaen on spots arranged around the dome. The dome disappeared and they all motioned for him to pick up the bracelet that lay in the middle. It was only as wide as his little finger and was the color green. He picked it up and felt a nice rush of power. He put it on his left wrist and clicked it shut. He grimaced with pain as he felt spikes pop out and puncture his skin. He felt it shrink until it was welded to his skin. The pain stopped and the bracelet turned transparent. He could barely tell it was there. All the women clapped and cheered. Shamad made his goodbyes and left with Alantin.
For the next month they traveled around Eorzea, retrieving each bracelet. When Shamad put the last one on, a voice starting talking in his head. "You must come to me to get the full power you have been seeking. Come to me and we shall live forever!" In his head a map popped up. There was a bright spot marking the place he needed to go. It was near a place by the name of Al'mian Oasis. There he would go to get his reward.