CHAPTER 3:THE FORMIDABLE SUCCESSOR
Themorning greeted them with an amazing breeze drifting through the open window, accompanied by the elegant melodies of birds. "Who are you? What are you? Where are you coming from, Mercer?" The wordsflowed from Mercer's mouth as he pondered. "Aether is
your destiny. No one in this world can outmatch your ability to keep moving forward. So, Mercer, come, and I will guarantee you will understand why you desire it."
As Mercer awakens, he finds himself in an unfamiliar place. Looking around, his eyes are captivated by the opulence surrounding him. Everything appears incredibly fancy, sparking curiosity about his whereabouts. With a sense of wonder, he begins to wander,seeking to understand his surroundings.
"Mercer, you're awake!" exclaimed the nurse who had been aiding him. Miaya rushed into the room, her expression fraught with nervousness. "Mercer..." she began, her voice trembling slightly, "are you okay?" Mercer nodded, offering her a reassuring smile.
"I'm totally fine now, Miaya. Thanks for asking," he replied, his expression betraying a hint of confusion as he tried to recall what had happened.
"So you can't recall what happened?" Miaya inquired, concern evident in her voice."I'm sorry, but I can't. My mind is foggy. It's only a little bit I remember until the point I went into the dungeon," Mercer explained.
Miaya sighed with a little relief. "So what happened is that you were attacked by a zombie, and you were severely injured. So, I used the major reward we got from the dungeon to help your arm back."With a little bit of clarity returning, Mercer understood what had happened.
He thanked Miaya profusely for everything and assured her, "If you ever need help, just shout my name.""Betty, can you bring me food for him, please?" Miaya requested."As you wish, Princess
Kingsley," Betty replied. With shock, Mercer turned to Miaya. "Are you truly a princess?"he asked,incredulous. Miaya nodded, confirming the truth. "Yes," she answered simply.
With this revelation sinking in, Mercer rose from his bed and approached the window. Outside, he beheld the most beautiful view he had ever seen, half of the city sprawled below from the vantage point of the castle. Miaya noticed his awe and smiled. "Would you like to explore the castle?" she asked. Excitement surged through Mercer, and he replied instantly, "Yes!"
With everything that had transpired, Mercer found solace and support in Miaya's presence. Together, they embarked on a small adventure, exploring the intricacies of the castle.
Mercer's eyes sparkled with excitement as Miaya guided him, revealing hidden corners and secret passages. As they reached a vantage point, Mercer was greeted by the most eloquent
view he had ever beheld. The city stretched out before him, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, its beauty captivating his heart and soul. In that moment, Mercer felt a profound
sense of gratitude towards Miaya for sharing this unforgettable experience with him.
"You cannot speak to me in that disgusting manner, you filthy beast!" echoed a voice from the other room. Startled, Mercer and Miaya hurried towards the source of the commotion. As they entered the room, they found themselves amidst a gathering of creatures engaged in what appeared to be a conference. Mercer's heart raced with a mixture of fear and an unfamiliar sense of strength. He scanned the room and saw a myriad of creatures seated around the table, each emanating a fearsome aura that sent shivers down his spine. This encounter revealed to Mercer a world beyond his imagination, one filled with unknown dangers and untold
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
secrets.
"Calm yourselves, gentlemen. This is no time for bickering," spoke a commanding voice, breaking the tense atmosphere in the room."King Varastor Umbric of Seraphon Kingdom," the voice continued, addressing one of the occupants, "there is no need for that tone towards
each other.""Exactly," chimed in Aldric Darkwood of Cuparia Kingdom, his voice carrying authority."No, no, there is no winner in this," interjected the father of Miaya, the King of Paradisia and of angels, his words carrying a sense of wisdom and authority.
In this room, a gathering of kings and beings held court. Among them stood Seraphiel Kingsley, leader of the Angels and King of Paradisia, radiating a sense of noble authority. Varastor Umbric, leader of dragons and King of Seraphon, exuded a regal presence as he
surveyed the room with piercing eyes. Tholarian Greenleaf, leader of the Elves and King of Elvoria, commanded respect with his serene demeanor and graceful stature. Aldric Darkwood, leader of werewolves and King of Cuparia, possessed a primal strength that
emanated from every fiber of his being. Together, these formidable rulers represented the diverse and powerful factions that inhabited the realm.
As Mercer entered the room, all eyes turned towards him, and whispers began to ripple through the gathered assembly. "Intruder, who are you?" demanded King Umbric, his voice carrying authority.
Miaya quickly stepped forward, coming to Mercer's defense. "He's with me. He's my friend," she asserted, trying to diffuse the tension."What species is your friend? I don't recognize it,"
questioned King Umbric, his curiosity piqued."Im human, Your Majesty," Mercer replied with a humorous gesture of respect, hoping to lighten the mood."Human? Human!" echoed.
The murmurs from the crowd, their tension rising."Are you truly human?" queried King Kingsley, his gaze penetrating."Let me check. Yes, yes I am," Mercer affirmed, his voice steady despite the scrutiny he faced. Footsteps echoed closer, drawing everyone's attention. "Sorry I'm late, everyone. What did I
miss?" announced a boy, his presence causing confusion among the gathered
assembly."What is it? Is it my shirt? I swore I cleaned it yesterday," the boy continued,seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room."Kirai!" King Umbric's voice boomed with annoyance. "You come to the meeting late and still make a mockery of us?""Is our little
dragon angry?" Kirai retorted with a silly childlike voice, showing no concern for the gravity of the situation.
The meeting continued, with each participant assigned their respective realms to govern. As
everyone went about their business, Mercer couldn't help but feel intrigued by the enigmatic figure of Kirai."That's Kirai Nyxshade of Hadesgate. He's a demon, which are quite rare here," Miaya explained, noticing Mercer's curiosity. Mercer looked at Kirai with newfound interest, pondering the depths of his mysterious nature.
After the conference, everyone dispersed to their allocated realms. Miaya's Orora guild ventured into their dungeon, with Mercer serving as their weapon carrier. The dungeon posed little challenge for the angels, and they swiftly dispatched the ogres they encountered. Approaching Mercer, Miaya observed, "You need training. Your fighting technique needs improvement."
Suddenly, the final boss of the ogre dungeon launched a surprise attack. In the tense silence that followed, Kirai emerged and effortlessly slew the monster, displaying unparalleled skill
and prowess."Be focused, everyone," Kirai advised, his actions speaking volumes about his capabilities. In that moment, Mercer witnessed the true Kirai: undeniably formidable and
deserving of respect.