3rd Day of Avair 1000
Within the Northern Empire’s capital city, inside the emperor’s chambers, a regal looking figure stared down upon a kneeling knight who was dressed in silver armor.
“Have you found the egg yet Evel?” The Emperor asked impatiently.
“Not yet your majesty, though I have received a report that it was teleported to the merchant town of Deva’cher.” Evel spoke in a hesitant tone; taking a brief glance at his lord’s expectant eyes before continuing. “It was also reported that they did indeed find the crater where the egg should have been, but after a thorough investigation we found signs that someone else had already been there.”
The Emperor’s face flushed a dark red, as he directed a murderous gaze towards Evel. “Find this someone.”
Evel’s face turned pale as his majesty had ordered an almost impossible request.. “But your majesty how can we possi-…” He words were cut off as the emperor released a terrifying aura.
The Emperor ran his hand along a lustrous purple scabbard that was adorned with exotic gems. It had a golden number 1 inlayed upon it; showing its rank amongst the godswords. He gazed lovingly at the weapon before returning his attention back to Evel. “I don’t care if you have to break down the door of every home within a 20,000 kilometer radius; bring me the egg along with the thief. NOW GO!”
Evel hurriedly bowed and quickly exited the chamber.
****
It has been two days since the standoff between a mystery reptile and the old man; in that time Raeghlie managed to move Khafk into a bedroom after almost being lit on fire several times by the creature.
“I know iv’e seen this creature somewhere before.” Raeghlie muttered to Nomly as the imp peaked out from behind the door. At this moment they were both staring at the small winged snake as it curled around Khafk’s head in a protective manner; hissing whenever they tried to approach.
“We can only wait until the boy wakes up to be certain. Nomly, come get me when he does.” After receiving a curt nod from Nomly, Raeghlie frowned in impatience before going into his study.
Within the study there was an assortment of books and papers clustered throughout the room. While a dissatisfied Raeghlie hurriedly flipped through countless pages concerning Dragons and their cousins. Nomly was waiting patiently in the doorway for its master to finish his temper tantrum. When suddenly Raeghlie stopped, his face draining of color. Within his grasp was a yellowing piece of parchment, there a pictogram of a Dragon like creature was eating its own tail.
Raeghlie’s hand slightly trembled as he finished interpreting the ancient runes at the bottom of the page before mumbling “Ouroboros.”
****
Khafk slowly woke to a worried pair of ruby red reptilian eyes. “Whaaa!” He exclaimed.
“Calm down its just trying to protect you.” Raeghlie chuckled from the bedroom door.
Khafk’s gaze hardened at the old man and his strange servant. “You drugged me!”
Raeghlie showed an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry Khafk, but I was only trying to help.”
Khakf showed and angry expression. “How exactly is that helping me, making me unconscious then what!? Forced Labor, Serfdom, Slavery!”
Raeghlie continued to stare upon the youth with a grim expression. “Khafk, do you know what a shade is?”
‘What is this old man going on about, shade?’ Khafk thoughts were for some reason unnerving, as a slight shiver made the hair on his back rise. “What is a shade old man?” Khafk muttered in a low tone.
Raeghlie looked upon Khafk with pity. “I have a feeling you know exactly what a shade is.”
Khafk’s thoughts suddenly turned towards a cold breezy night on the New Year. He was falling, but in paired plummet with a horrifying shade its pale ghoulish hands stabbing into his chest. He could only look on in horror, as the shade was suddenly sucked into his chest. The last memory he had was of a thorny black crown that released an aura of impending doom.
****
Raeghlie frowned at the now unconscious and shivering Khafk. He’d known that a stimulation of the shade’s energy would arouse the memories Khafk had repressed, but it needed to be done to find where the shade was cultivating its energy.
Stolen story; please report.
Surprisingly when he attempted to sense Khafk’s Ki he discovered that it was completely dormant, there wasn’t a single trace of the shade, or any Ki at all for that matter.
“What a mysterious child, a guardian of Natira the goddess of life has bonded him while he gives off such a strong feeling of death.” Raeghlie returned his gaze to a now sleeping Ouroboros, when a knock could be heard at the door.
“Elder, we have information that states you met a youth that came from the direction of Deva’cher under direct orders of the Emperor I must investigate.” It was the commander Evel’s voice. “Open up or we will have to use force.”
Raeghlie materialized by the front door startling the commander. “Of course you may come in. Ah if it isn’t silver commander Evel. What can I assist you with?”
Evel abruptly strode past Raeghlie, standing with his hand upon his hips staring at the trinkets within the house. “I sent several men to receive you so that you could help me investigate. You can only imagine my dismay when the men reported you refused to see them. And then I came upon a rather disturbing piece of information; stating you took a blonde youth that came from the direction of Deva’cher into your home. What are your thoughts on this, Golden General of the West Raeghlie.”
Even though Evel was glaring at Raeghlie, he knew exactly how terrifying this seemingly frail Elder could be. “Gold Tier what a monster.” Evel thought, while suppressing a shudder.
For a person to become a Gold Tier warrior they would have to defeat and absorb the life essence of a SS rank monster. Upon accomplishing this, the individual is automatically granted 500,000 gold and a title of nobility in whichever empire they choose.
Evel only being a warrior of the silver rank, makes him drastically inferior in power to Raeghlie. That doesn’t mean Evel didn’t come prepared to subdue such a being as Raeghlie. Just outside the cabin was a legion of silver tier warriors.
“Well?” Evel said impatiently.
Raeghlie’s eyes flashed murderous before he showed a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Whatever do you mean commander, I am a frail old man trying to live the rest of his days doing what he loves. And if you believe every rumor a country bumkin tells you, it only makes me believe you lack the needed intelligence to handle this situation.”
Evel’s face turned a dark shade of crimson before he took a deep breath, a smile forming on his lips. “Then I hope you won’t mind my men taking a quick look around your home. I mean if you’re innocent, and the youth isn’t here; then shame on me right?”
Evel snapped his fingers in quick succession and several soldiers dressed in full silver plate armor walked in, heading towards the room where Khafk was resting in. One of the soldiers yanked open the door and headed inside. After a brief moment he reappeared again shaking his head in the direction of Evel. A look of confusion crossed the commander’s features, when an out of breath warrior appeared in the front door and whispered into his ear.
“What! A blonde youth was seen running into the forest!” Commander Evel turned towards Raeghlie with an annoyed look. “I apologize Elder Raeghlie. Now, the rest of you fools follow me into the forest!” He shouted rushing out the door, his soldiers following close behind.
“Fools.” Raeghlie chuckled. A small boy with golden hair ran in through the front door, pausing in front of the Elder if awaiting his command. A sinister expression appeared on Raeghlie’s face as he snapped his fingers causing the world around him to crack then shatter, like a rock hitting a mirror.
The image of a boy faded, to be replaced with a small blue imp. “Nomly wake Khakf, and his guardian we don’t have much time an illusion won’t work again.”
That day a subjugation force of 5000 silver tier soldiers stood dumbfounded as the small boy they were chasing suddenly vanished.
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Im sorry for releasing this chapter so late at night rl got in the way. Enjoy the chap. :D
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