"What is life?" inquired a seeker.
"Shattered dreams and a broken heart left alone," replied the reclusive scholar, sitting alone in a corner.
"Why does the candle desire to melt away? Why does the moth crave the very flame of that candle?" countered another scholar back at the seeker
"The answer you seek lies in those lines," said that scholar to the seeker!
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{ While Principal Adolas and Vajra were occupied, there were a lot of things happening at the same time at the Kingdom of Stormgarde.}
Location: Central Hall, StormGarde Mansion
Railan looked around, he could see nothing yet everything, or a better way would be that he could feel the presence of everything around him.
That's when a message pops up in front of his eyes that no one else can see:
Summary: The ability SCAN continuously creates a projection of the room by taking into account the various environmental factors as well the images of the area in the mind of the user Kalkin pre-attack/blast.
As I didn't understand how Scan could do that, I unknowingly clicked
Note: The following information is adjusted and re-written according to the knowledge and understanding ability of the user Kalkin.
The ability SCAN is multi-faceted, not only it essentially "scan" different items, but it is also sensory in the sense that it allows the user the ability to navigate the areas easily where there is no proper source of illumination or path. Upon increasing the ability's level and rank, it can further branch out and provide many more benefits. Also increasing perception, and surrounding awareness naturally increases the potency of this ability.
Currently, the ability SCAN is trying to create a 3-D representation of the entire room by taking into account several factors such as pre-blast room images taken from the user's mind as well as accessing in real-time the surroundings such as silhouettes and shadows or refraction from broken glasses, etc to "essentially map out a rough sketch of what's happening in the hall".
Improving this ability will allow for better mapping, better real-time creations and projections as well as an increased range for mapping, even adding potential safe areas and/or critical and unsafe zones as well as the opportunity to also view your comrades/teammates and/or enemy locations in the future.
Several other benefits will also open up in the future.
Mana Consumption: High
"Woh!, that's so good, other than the fact that the Mana Consumption is High, this ability is really good! Well, it seems I did make a good choice when I decided to choose this one!" Railan said to himself.
However, I was brought back to the action when I heard, Sir Sahir shouting at me:
"Railan, are you all alright on that side!"
"Don't worry about us Sir, Princess Yasmine and the child are safe, though I had to push them from the falling portrait's location but they are alright don't worry about us, did you see what attacked you?"
"No, I couldn't, however, I know whose attack was that, don't worry I am coming right there"
With a swift movement, Sir Sahir was back with his family, He quickly found Princess Yasmine and called Railan over there, Mohini was with them attending to Princess Yasmine as she was unconscious.
"Mohini are you alright," said Railan worried about her.
"Thanks, Railan for saving us, Princess Yasmine is unconscious because of the fall but luckily she safeguarded the child, don't worry she is breathing fine, just unconscious because of this sudden attack, are you able to see anything, it's unusually dark in here,"
"We are inside his barrier currently that's why we cannot see anything but if you focus, you can hear his attacks," said none other than Sir Sahir as he made sure his wife and child were alright.
"What do you mean Sir Sahir?" asked Railan
"Well, actually we are currently inside the barrier cast by the attacker, while Prince Salem, Siddanth, and everyone else are all outside the barrier," he replied to them
"But I didn't feel any casting done or so?" asked a concerned Mohini
"Yes, he probably used some sort of vow to only include a certain limited people in his barrier, which of course were me, my wife and child, you and Railan. He plans to keep you guys, as leverage to persuade me into some sort of deal. Clearly, he knew, what he was doing, so I am assuming it wouldn't be easy to either detect or attack this barrier from the outside, however, my cadets, will figure out a way to break this barrier, we need to hold out till then!" replied Sir Sahir, clearly he was concerned and his expression serious. Railan and Mohini could not help but notice how quickly and with certainty, Sir Sahir was able to get a grasp of the situation and relay it so perfectly.
"Listen, both of you, I will deal with him, all I want from you guys is to keep yourself and my family safe, I am pretty sure, he won't attack Yasmine or my child but you guys might be attacked, I will hold all of them but be sure to be on guard, don't worry, I will not let him have things his way," he replied, his voice filled with determination and courage, igniting the same within Railan and Mohini.
"Yes, Sir, we understand," they both said in unison.
"Well, well, well, who do we have here? Ahh! Sahir, ohh! And it seems he has found two new people to fool!" said a man as he walked towards us, his footsteps could be heard but his presence couldn't be seen!
"It seems you still haven't lost your way with words, even I, could feel the emotion in your proclamation, I would have to give it to you, if wars and fights could have been won with just the mouth, you would have become the king of such world, such inspiring yet empty promises that you make, there is no one equal to you in that regard!" said that figure, whose presence still couldn't be seen but his voice could be heard everywhere in that domain.
"Brother Kadil, it doesn't have to be like this, we fought for the title, and I won fair and square, it doesn't take away the fact that you are one of the best swordsmen in our kingdom, it's still time to come back, and surrender, you don't have to do this! It's not like you, brother, this is not you!" pleaded Sir Sahir, clearly not wanting to raise his sword to the person, he respected as his brother.
"Don't call me your brother, you lost that right when you stole away the woman I liked!" said Kadir in a stern voice.
"Brother, you are thinking about it all wrong, it's been years since me and Yasmine first met, everything happened naturally! She liked me, not you, it isn't a competition," said Sir Sahir as even he couldn't understand how can his brother-in-arms Kadir could think and talk this way!
"Ya, you and your words, my poor Princess Yasmine, she was lured into your trap, by your words, I see you for who you really are, you cannot fool me, today will be your end, Sahir, brace yourself" said Kadir, unable to control his anger, still cloaked in darkness, he launched a similar force of attack towards Sir Sahir.
However, this time, Sir Sahir was prepared, he blocked the attack with his sword but still the force of the attack still pushed him back.
"Good, Sahir, at least, you still remember how to fight, if it's easy it's no fun!" said Kadir as he laughed menacingly,
Sir Sahir closed his eyes as he tried to focus!
Two more powerful forces attacked him but he dodged them and with a quick movement, his special technique called "flash steps" he quickly reached the source of the attacks and swung his sword!
"yes, he got him," said Mohini, but to our utter surprise, "No he didn't that was just an illusion" said a voice as he suddenly appeared behind us, away from Sir Sahir's location.
Railan immediately jumped in to counter the sword attacks that Kadir swung at them but he was no match as his blows swung at them with such force and speed, it was as if Kadir is playing with him but Railan was still focused as he tried his best to block them!
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Finally, Sir Sahir using his "flash steps" reached back and parried all of Kadir's attack and pushed him back.
"Railan are you okay?" asked Sir Sahir focusing his attention on defending against any incoming attacks as it was still impossible to see in this barrier.
"I am alright Sir, what about you?" asked Railan.
"Don't worry, I am fine, it's just that I am not able to pinpoint the source before he attacks," replied Sir Sahir focusing his mind to be able to know the location of his attacks!
"I tried reading Kadir's mind, however, it's difficult to do so as in this entire barrier he feels like he is everywhere!" said Mohini, still attending to the child and the unconscious Princess Yasmine.
"I am not sure if this helps but just before he releases that "force" attack of his, I can see a very faint light for a fraction of a second!" said Railan.
Both Sir Sahir and Mohini were amazed by Railan,
Mohini thought to herself, even though he was one of the bottom-most candidates, I can clearly understand why the Principal and Ms. President were interested in him! I cannot see anything here!
Meanwhile, Sir Sahir also amazed, asked, "Railan by any chance do you possess 360 vision?"
"I am not sure about it Sir, it's the first time that this has happened to me!" replied Railan, trying to keep his powers as much in the dark as he could.
"Well, it's possible for people to sometimes gain new strengths in a life-threatening situation but now is not the time to think about it, we can think of it as a boon!, Railan you will be my eyes in this battle, just inform me of the direction his attack is coming from, don't worry about close range, but keep me informed of any incoming attacks from far, Mohini you keep my wife and child safe!
Understand one thing both of you, our Mission is not to win this fight but to hold long enough so that the barrier is broken from the outside, Conserving our strength takes priority here! I will be the shield and the sword, Railan you will be my eyes, and Mohini, you will look after my back!"
"Do you both understand" shouted Sir Sahir as if to motivate those two!
"Sir, Yes Sir" they both replied in unison.
{Sahir, this will be the end of you, even at the very end, you are manipulating those two! Both of them will die because of you Sahir, just because of you and your manipulative words!}
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{ Before the attack on the Stormgarde Mansion, Somewhere away from the Stormgarde Mansion, in a forest }
Farkas's POV:
"Ferko, how long are we going to walk, what is it that you want to tell me?"
"Elder brother just a little further, and then only I can tell you something really important!" replied my younger brother Ferko.
It's been years since I have seen him but something about him seems a little different, I mean he is not acting in his usual happy-go-lucky way. It's not like I haven't seen him being serious but he is acting different from his usual self! And then this constant stench that keeps on coming! It's very faint but my nose can still smell it. I am pretty sure Ferko could also smell it! His sense of smell is even greater than mine! Probably that's the reason why he is being serious now! Let's just wait for him to tell me everything! I kept on wondering as we walked deeper and deeper into the forest!
"Brother, finally we have reached the place!"
"What do you mean, what's so special about this one? I can't see anything special here!" I asked confused as to why we stopped here after walking so long!
"Well, Elder brother, it's just that now there can be no interruptions in our conversation!" he replied without turning back and facing me.
"What do you mean by no interruptions?" I could feel something wrong with him, I could also feel something bad happening!
That's when Ferko turned and revealed himself, he continued, "Brother the thing is just like you, I have finally found the master I am supposed to be bound to! I know, I always used to say that I, Ferko am the freest of all but that was all a fantasy! and that's why, I need to follow my master and do as he wishes from me!"
"What are you talking about Ferko, it makes no sense!" I asked him, for the first time, I was genuinely concerned about my brother. All this while I knew he was strong and took care of himself but his words today don't seem like his, it's as if they are fed to him!
"Ferko, that doesn't seem like you, what has gotten into you?"
That's when he completely removed the robe he was wearing as it fell, my eyes couldn't believe what we saw, My blood boiled the moment I saw what they did to my brother!
For the first time, I felt my anger choking me, it was as intense as someone harming my master! My anger made my breathing intense, it was getting near impossible to curb myself!
"WHO, WHO DID THIS TO YOU! FERKO, TELL ME, TELL YOUR ELDER BROTHER, WHO PUT A SLAVE COLLAR ON YOU! WHO DARED TO MISTREAT A PROUD MEMBER OF THE WOLF CLAN?"
"Calm down brother, for a moment I thought you cared about us! This, this collar that you are talking about, is a gift and a proof of my servitude to my master!"
"I am sorry brother, as now, I have been given special orders to make sure that you do not harm my master's plan!"
"What, what do you mean?" Just as he said this, all my focus shifted toward my master.
That's when it occurred to me, the uneasiness I was feeling wasn't because I could feel something wrong, it was because I couldn't feel anything at all since I came into these woods!
"Brother, I understand how you feel but as you are devoted to your master so am I, " as Ferko said this, he threw a stone close to my location but not at me! As the stone fell it automatically adjusted itself and strange symbols started to appear all around me! Slowly some light also started flowing out from them as the symbols started to shine brightly, I immediately decided to jump away from them as I noticed that the symbols surrounded me and I was at the center of that formation!
But as I reached the edge and decided to jump past it, a sudden electric shock engulfed my body as I was pinned down at the point I was standing on by a sudden force coming from above.
I finally looked around me as I managed to get myself back up when I shifted back to the center of the formation and that force subsided! It was a barrier, I was surrounded by some special sort of barrier, something I had never seen.
"You must be surprised brother, this is "Rune Magic", it's a lost ancient art but my master can use it! The great thing about it is that it is completely undetectable until all the stones are aligned correctly. It only activates after all the stones bearing these symbols align in one specific manner. A special thing about them is that you can do nothing until these stones or runes run out of mana and as I am here providing the mana they will keep you here as long as I deem it necessary for my master's plan to take action!"
"What have you done, why can't I sense my master's presence?"
"Oh, well, it seems like it has already started there, your master must be in a special domain/barrier as well brother, don't worry, I am only told to keep you here as captive, as soon as my master's plan is fulfilled, I will leave here" Ferko replied, this person is not my brother anymore, it's as if he is just a puppet following orders, Ferko's only desire in life was to be free, this person is the exact opposite of that, I don't know who did this but I will never forgive them, I will free my brother from their clutches!
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{Cerci had come out to meet with her followers to gather intel as requested by her Master Railan}
Cerci's POV:
"So did you find something useful for the Master?" I asked my followers, their leader, Anne rose and handed me the documents!
"Hmm, it seems to include everything reported by the prince, am I right?" I asked Anne as I started to go through the report.
"Yes, Ma'am, also though Prince Salem is keeping special tabs on this project, there are still a few things that are not reported to him, firstly, the groups handling the project from resource funding to labor organizations are essentially part of the same family, there seems to different figurehead but they are being managed by one family entirely. We still haven't been able to find the family, however, we are looking for them. They have done a really good job of hiding themselves in the paperwork. Had it not been for different managers meeting at the same remote location we wouldn't have been able to find it out. However, we couldn't disclose the person in charge of them as he never came to the meeting just his voice was heard, and that too seems to have been manipulated/distorted by some magic so that lead ended there. We are still keeping an eye out on the managers for this project and will report as soon as we find some lead!" replied Anne!
"I knew everything was too good to be true, if all the funding and labor is being managed by one person, they wouldn't take like Master becoming one of the sponsors! Hmm, we need to be careful!"
Suddenly, as the explosion occurred in the StormGarde Mansion's Main Hall, Cerci's attention shifted back to her master!
"Ma'am do you want us to investigate this explosion" asked Anne.
"It came from the location of the main hall, something must have happened there!"
"Investigate, tell me everything that happened there but do not attack, keep yourselves in the shadows, do you understand?"
"Yes, Ma'am we'll follow your orders!" They all responded simultaneously as they vanished from the meeting spot!
"Aria, Aria can you hear me? Respond, Aria!" I asked her through the mana link we shared!
"Ce...ci, Ce...i, ba..ier, close" I could hear trying to respond back, however, it was not proper!
I immediately teleported myself to the Main Hall, but to my surprise, I couldn't enter it, someone had deployed a barrier there!
"Aria, Aria can you hear me," I asked her
"Cerci, Cerci, ...." she tried responding back,
This barrier is obstructing any form of communication with the outside, It will be a huge task to break this barrier but it is possible to create a small fluctuation, enough for Aria to get out!
"I quickly placed my hand on the invisible wall of the barrier and pinpointed my mana to a specific point, small enough to get unnoticed by the caster but enough for Aria to get out!"
Without wasting a moment, Aria leaped out from the barrier!
"What is happening Aria, who did this happen?" I inquired unable to process how this situation might have occurred.
"It's a good thing Cerci, we both practiced for "what if" scenarios beforehand! Someone attacked Princess Yasmine and Sir Sahir, he goes by the name Kadir, he is a maniac trying to "win back" Princess Yasmine from Sir Sahir" replied back Aria.
"What about the master, how is he?"
"He is currently within the domain created by that Maniac this domain, I couldn't get in there as he might not know that I am a part of Master as his AI but Master was pulled in his special domain along with Princess's Family. Sir Sahir's men are trying to open that barrier but to no avail!, we need to find Farkas as well, he is also missing, I am unable to locate his aura!"
"How is this possible? How can someone so perfectly remove us all away from the master, I don't think that this was simply an attack on the Princess's Family, there is another force at play" I said to Aria. That person outplanned us! How can he take such measures when Master was invited last moment? It's as if he knew everything beforehand!
"Cerci, let's think about it later, let's first find Farkas and then together take down this barrier!"
"You are right, Aria, I have already sent my followers, they should be coming back with something right now!"
Just as I finished speaking, "Ma'am The entire Hall is put under a domain, specifically some ancient domain, and various stones are lying around, it seems that the person responsible is just providing the mana and not concerned with the domain at all, I have found the location of this person. Other than that, Mr Farkas is also being held captive by a member of his own clan, within a similar barrier! at the far end of the forest in the north!"
"Good, Anne, you guys, now make sure the person casting this barrier doesn't vanish, I'll meet you after freeing Farkas, keep that person engaged till then!"
"Yes, Ma'am as you say, "
"Aria, let's go, it's time to punish them for harming our Master," I haven't felt this excitement, the desire to kill in such a long time! I'll show them what happens to people who poke the Braveheart Household!
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To be continued