Chapter I

It began atop the ancient city of Bladen. The most influential clan leaders ready to discuss the current issues facing them. The societies of Hjvoc cooperated well despite each having a different style of life. However a menacing threat existed to this union.

"I want to thank you all for joining me here, it is truly an honour for The Thorulk Clan to be host to the clan heads"

"The honour is mine, Lord Saber, your people are doing tremendous efforts in hunting down dark clans."

The two clan head's shook hands and sat down around a table waiting for the meeting to commence. Their peace had been threatened by a rising dark clan known as The Pattendo Clan. The leader of this vile clan was named Jeremy Soul, also known as The Chef. He had recently attacked the south west of Hjvoc near Lake Excalibur. The Pattendo Clan was made up of the most vicious and wretched criminals who wanted nothing but chaos.

As the leaders were speaking an unusual man with a harness and dark blue shorts walked into the building. He was panting. Tired. As if he had just ran a long distance.

Lord Saber sighed.

"I guess this means Ryder will not be joining us once again?" He said with a disappointed look on his face.

"That is right, Lord" the man said "Ryder Graythorn could not make it due to other arrangements."

"No matter, Kengamek, we will begin our meeting" He said. "King Silver-Stone, would you do the honours of casting the map spell?"

"Of course!" He replied. This was Westley Silver-Stone, leader of The Silver-Stone clan and possibly the most influential man in Hjvoc. Westley was handed a book by Lord Saber and began to tap into his inner magic energy. He closed his eyes and focused to cast a spell. He reopened his eyes to see a magic hologram in the air displaying a map of Hjvoc.

"Now as you can see here we have a large amount of Pattendo Clan attacks, mostly in the south." He said. "That is Evushima Clan territory and so far most of all the small villages and ports have been attacked."

Attention was drawn to the figure at the end of the table, Uragiri, the leader of The Evushima Clan. He was a tall and slender man with fine silver hair held up by a headband with a small fraction falling over the front of his face. Uragiri sensed a unpleasant vibe across the table.

"Well, do you have anything to add that might help protect your clans area?" Asked Lady Nedothian, leader of The Neidex Clan.

"Lady Nedothian, my forces are doing very well with the support of the clan alliance; in fact I do believe we may have the location of their base of operation near The Lake Of North. However it seems to be under a spell."

Kengamek was furious. He slammed his fist on the round table shouting at Uragiri.

"How is that possible? Ryder Graythron received no such requests from other clans to search Guerro Reach" he yelled with frustration.

Uragiri quickly stood up to respond to Kengamek's statement.

"I used an anonymous tip and the best of my men to find it, your Lord didn't even realise what was in his own territory."

Lord Saber made Kengamek quiet before he could speak again.

*

The carriage clicked as it came to a stop on the outer areas of the city. A tall young man with blonde spiky hair stepped out of the vehicle in his casual outfit. His name was Herones Maki, a young student under The Ahiru School, along with his companions: Reki and Alex, he was traveling to finish training.

"Guys we've made it to Bladen," he said. "I think Master Mitchel will be in the temple."

The young man gave the cart operator a handful of coins as he and his friends made their way through the busy streets. Market stalls had been set up and every shop brought unique items. Many people travel wherever the Clan Alliance meetings take place as a festival is held at the same time to symbolise unity among the people of Hjvoc. The group shuffled their way through the busy streets and the small street stalls until they reached the dominating stone building. This majestic structure was decorated with colourful banners and Thorulk Clan Flags. Herones nodded to Reki as they entered the busy temple.

"Do we really need master Mitchel now?" Reki said "Couldn't we just, you know, wait until the temple is empty?"

"Of course" Herones said "I just know he's going to be here"

Reki turned away from him as he crossed his arms in annoyance as the group bustled through the crowds to the back of the temple. They squeezed through, looking until they heard a deep joyful voice calling out. Herones followed the voice and found Mitchel donned in his dark red gia. Mitchel grew a smile on his face as he approached Herones with his arm wide open ready to give a welcoming hug.

"My children, you've finally made it!" He said. "You won't have any training today, just feel the magic in this temple, the temple of my master and the founder of our dojo."

"Tsk! Yeah whatever you think. how can a building give off magic anyway, it's not like its a weapon or anythi- Ngh!" Reki

He fell to the ground !!. The group laughed as Reki laid on his back, embarrassed and irritated.

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"This building was blessed by Ahiru" Mitchel explained "All magic used in here can be amplified and easier to accomplish, as you have just found out."

Reki stood up. Silent. As he was reluctant to respond. Herones and Alex began talking to Mitchel.

As they were speaking, a merchant came running into the temple towards them with an exhausted look on his face. This clumsy young man was Wilton Burgess, a part time merchant as well as student to Mitchel in the local dojo. Mitchel's eyes widened with a surprised expression on his face.

"Wilton, I thought you decided not to come back in Shinkawa?" He exclaimed

"Ahaha, yeah, well I changed my mind, plus Ma said that all merchants would be here, so I wouldn't want to miss that either." Wilton replied with a shy smile on his face.

"Well i'm glad you arrived" Mitchel said "But today there is no lesson, you can feel free to just embrace the atmosphere of this city today."

The students left the temple back onto the busy streets.

"Alright, i'm going to see the stalls. i'll meet back at the temple guys" Alex said as she merged into the crowd. The students split ways as they joined to the bustling city.

*

Back in The Clan Alliance Building, the leaders could not agree on how to act on The Pattendo Clan and as such, an argument broke out.

"They must be annihilated at all costs, we know they are in The Lake of North so we must attack!" An infuriated Kelly said.

"Then why have the attacks been in Scarlet Reach in the south? I say we send troops to Scarlet Reach and The Openestria. the north seems like a trap if it was that easy to find for The Evushima Clan." Responded Lucas Main, leader of South Point Clan.

"Are you saying you don't trust me? " Questioned Uragiri. "This is the biggest threat to peace since The Knights in The South War. my people have suffered long enough!! these animals are too strong, if these attacks persist I may have to consider reviving a death spell."

Westley bolted up from his chair as he yelled at Uragiri.

"No such power exists anymore and if you know how to use it then you are keeping very important information from the alliance. You wouldn't save your people, you would endanger them."

Uragiri smirked, amused by this.

"We don't know that, The Pattendo Clan is too much of a threat, this will provide prompt and utter annihilation. I will figure out how to create it and then we can use it to abolish them and strike fear into other dark clans. I will not let my people suffer any longer and I will use any means necessary to defeat The Pattendo Clan. The Evushima Clan has enough power in their Court Wizards to understand any spell, I will do this with or without the alliance."

The leaders were shocked by the extreme idea. Lord Saber objected to the idea by proposing sending regular forces instead, but Uragiri wanted no more innocent blood shed. A dark look engulfed his eyes as a crooked grin stretched across his face. Before anyone could stop him Uragiri marched out of the building to a massive crowd of people. He raised his hands and, with laughter, addressed the crowd.

"People of Hjvoc, hear my words, you will no longer be subjected to the evil and inhuman acts of The Pattendo Clan." He shouted.

"Your homes, villages and families will no longer be threatened for I, Uragiri Evushima, dedicate myself and The Evushima Clan to abolish these scum by any means necessary and you will never have to worry of them or any dark clan again. I promise to you that I will behead The Pattendo Clan leader and will bring his head back to Bladen."

The crowd cheered waving their flags and chanting. Multiple Thorulk Clan guards tried to detain Uragiri but were taken out with a swiftly executed blow to the head. Uragiri was still fixated with a crooked smile as he cast a spell, enhancing his horse to go faster. The Clan Heads exited the building. Westley looked directly at Uragiri as the two made eye contact. Uragiri gave an unnaturally cold stare as he cast a spell pushing back those who tried to stop him. A feeling of uncertainty oozed through Westley as Uragiri's actions felt strange and shocking.

A hooded man approached Westley, seemingly invisible to the guards. He smirked and cast a projectile spell right at Westley.

The gust of magic energy struck Westley like an arrow to the head. He fell to his knees as the royal guards rushed to his aid. The other guards hurried after the man but he seemingly disappeared into the now chaotic crowd. The guards at Westley's side called out to the crowd.

"Help! We need a healer! He's been struck!"

The call was heard through the crowd as everyone looked for a healer. Among the crowd was Herones who rushed to the king amidst the pandemonium.

"I can help, I've practiced in healing magic before" he exclaimed to the guards. Herones reached his hands out and channeled magic through to the king. He could feel dark energy seeping through Westley's head. He concentrated his magic on that creating a barrier to counter the energy. The dark energy began to slowly shrink until it became a small purple crystal. Westley relaxed as Herones used his magic to levitate the crystal out of his ear. Westley stood up and sincerely thanked Herones for saving him. He smiled as he handed Westley the crystal. He looked at the crystal as it began to darken and eventually start to fade.

"My boy, I thank you for your act of bravery, i'm no wizard but performing a spell like that requires a vast amount of magic energy and concentration, you are clearly very focused"

"It is truly an honour to receive praise from a person such as yourself your highness." Herones said.

"I must go now, I fear that danger may be ahead, but i won't soon forget your selfless act."

Westley travelled back into the Clan Alliance building, struggling to stay clear of the chaos of the crowds. Something had begun Herones thought to himself. An unknown crisis had began to overshadow him and all of Hjvoc.