image [https://i.imgur.com/deMzpZJ.png]

Stars sparkled above Drac’s party of three. Drac, Marina and Bob sat on wooden chairs on the rooftop lit by lanterns. All is quiet in the headquarters as its residents have gone to rest for the night.

“The Great Tree, huh? What for?"

Mask and hood down, Drac addressed his party members. "I need to bring someone out."

“Who? A noble?”

“The ‘who’ is the reason for bringing you up here. We travelled miles together, slept on dirt and grass together and fought together. I realised that if I am bringing you towards more danger, you have the right to know why.”

“Finally! Let me guess, it's about your weird powers, I am right, Drac?”

Drac smiled. “Yes, my weird powers.” He exhaled, trying to calm his nerves.

What if they avoid us? See us a freak.

We are seen as freaks by many, two more people won’t hurt. Leave them behind. The journey can be done by ourselves.

Drac thought about being lonely again with only a voice inside his head for company, travelling without the dependable giant and the fiery fair lady.

We need them.

His voice choked as he explained. “I need to bring back a priest named Asa.”

“So it's a request from the old man?”

“Kind of. He is Issac’s student. He volunteered to go to the Great Tree to help since many priests were going missing. There has been no contact from him since.”

“If he is just one of many priests gone missing, why him?” asked Marina.

Drac stared at Marina’s eyes. He built his courage.

“Asa is me.”

Marina's head turned to the side in confusion. Bob’s eyebrow shot up.

“Yes, it sounds strange, but make sense of my powers.” Drac makes a copy beside him.

The copy spoke, “Around Tralor or the world, I am not sure, I have many of ‘me’ living their own lives. Around my eighteenth birthday, my copies were to meet and combine. Decades of knowledge and skills will create an unparalleled person. But we have to meet first, and one copy is currently missing.” The copy dissipated.

Marina, mouth wide said, “You’re seventeen years old!?”

“Just a boy.” Bob chimed in. “ A talented young boy nonetheless.”

Drac looked away and blushed.

“How did get this power?” asked Marina, her eyes fixed on Drac with rabid curiosity. She was almost at the edge of her seat.

“I have no idea. Hood doesn't have a clue either.”

“Hood?”

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“Another copy I met before you.”

Marina scanned Drac, dumbfounded. Bob’s other eyebrow shot up.

“The ‘Drac’ that Gove and Maki know is Hood, the assassin.”

“Then… who are you…?”

Drac stood up to rest on the railing, fires below create shadows of the drunk.

“Just a farmer.”

The party let the revelation settle in their minds.

“I will understand if you would like to leave and go your own way.”

Marina put her hand on her chin. Her eyes widened. “Wait… So it was that hood that called me short?!”

Drac.

Sure.

Drac let go and Hood took the reins. His eyes turned stern and cold. Eyebrow furrowed. The energy around was intense.

“So you’re hood…”

“The one and only. Pleased to meet you. Lady Marina.” Hood gave a noble bow.

“I like Drac better. Bring him back.”

“Fuck you.”

Hood went back to the darkness.

“Sorry, Marina. He is a bit of a prick.”

“Oh really? Couldn't tell from his welcoming demeanour.”

“He seemed polite,” Bob said.

He is a good judge of character, that giant.

“Continuing from where I stopped, we need to find my copy at the Great Tree. But there is another issue.”

“What other problem there could be? Just go in and rescue the man.”

Drac’s nervousness got a hold of him once again.

“I am weak. The battle with Danor had me tethering between life and death. But the vampire, Magon… They put things into perspective. I have to get stronger. I can not hold you two back with my ineptitude.”

Silence lingers.

“So me and Hood thought of a plan. The other copy trains by a town by the river east of here. We aim to meet, combine and get strong enough to enter the Great Tree Forrest. But I cannot do it alone, without my dependable comrades. I will ask again, will you-”

“When do we leave?” Marina butted in.

“Huh?”

“The Great Tree! The guardian of Tralor against the force of evil. Land of fantastic creatures and the elusive elves!”

“Drac,” Bob spoke. “Why are the priests going missing?”

“Umm, ah, Issac said it is linked to the tree loosening its power.”

“So the stories of my patients were true… I will go back to the garden to pack. Marina?”

“Yes, go. I’ll stay with Drac.”

Bob patted Drac on the arm before descending the stairs.

“Drac.” He turned around to see Marina walking toward him. Her figure was illuminated from behind with the warm light of the oil lanterns. Her every step got his heart beating. She held his hand in hers.

“Thank you for telling me, for telling us. I know it wasn't easy. It's a pretty big secret.” She held his other hand.

“It was as easy as it was hard since it was you I told.”

“Although I am a little sad.”

“About what?” Marina's breath felt warm on his chest.

“We are the same age, yet you act so mature.”

“Yes, ‘Act’. I am still a boy that gets excited seeing a new weapon. A boy who wants to be a hero and do good. And…a boy who gets nervous in front of the woman he likes.”

Marina brought Drac's body closer. She tiptoed on her boots. Her lips touch Drac’s cheek. The world became them alone under the stars.

Marina let go with a cheeky grin. Drac stood starstruck.

“See you early for training!” said Marina while she ran down the stairs, cheeks flushed.

Drac? Hello! DRAC!

While Drac fell asleep in his room in the hideout from the shadow, a man in black crept out the window. Light as a feather, he ran up the outside wall to the rooftops. Several buildings jumped and he arrived at the Garden. The imperial army occupied the rooms and guarded the doors. But sneaking past the tin cans would not be a problem. Rune-imbued boots silence his steps on blue light. On the second floor, the man in black found the room. Aura tendrils messed with the lock and he let himself inside. In front of the bed, a luggage bag sat inside. He opened a secret pouch in the bag lining. He took out the secret pocket a raw crystal the size of his palm.

The man in black checked his watch. It was time.

The crystal called for him.

He tuned.

“Father.”

“Four, What problems are you causing now?”