(AUTHOR'S NOTE:- PLEASE POINT OUT ANY MISTAKES/ INCONSISTENCIES)
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[Planet:- Islade]
[Continent:- Ki]
[Location:- Royal House of Rarocs]
[Throne Room]
We reached the Palace many hours ago, but was asked to rest first before my official meeting with the all the Rulers of all continents. When we first reached here, we first had to travel on a long bridge made up of a sky blue material. Before even I could ask, Castein informed me about it.
Apparently, this bridge connects the Palace to the mainland. The Palace is situated on a single mountain and this is the only way for transportation. The bridge is 500 ft long and it is made up of a material called Bashine. It is one of the strongest material found on this planet. It has no not worthy uses. It is also used because it reflects light, giving this sky blue colour of it and at night, it glows giving light to the surrounding area. For it to glow, it has to absorb the light energy too, that means it reflects only 20% of the light and the rest it absorbs into it.
The bridge was guarded by soldiers at regular intervals. They wore a chestguard which were silver in colour, a blue cloak, a pair of blue bracers, a pair of silver pauldrons, blue leggings, brown boots, brown gloves, a silver helmet with open spaces for the eyes, nose and mouth and equipped with a sword and a shield. The shield and the armour had an sign etched in them. Two letters ‘R’ and ‘A’ were written in black on a golden crown. The shield had them in the center while they were present in the upper right corner in the armour.
After crossing the bridge, we came to the barred doors of the castle. Seven thin, square towers are low, but set firm and strong for a great defensive line and are connected by huge, chunky walls made of dark red stone.Small windows are scattered here and there across the walls in an asymmetric pattern, along with asymmetric crenelations.
Once in the castle, we were brought in a room filled with furnitures of different kinds. Some were made of wood, some made of unknown stones and some hovered from the floor. But everyone of them were comfortable to sit in. I sat on a single chair facing the doorway. But the rest of my company stood behind me along with Castle Guards who had escorted us here from the Temple of Irah.
The wooden door opened and few Isladens came inside, four to be exact. Well, one led while others followed. All of them wore blue shirt with the same emblem worn by the Guards. The wore brown leggings and had white gloves. All four of them were male. They were close to my height. The one was leading the rest wore a golden spectacle and had a certain dignity in his walk. They reached us and stood in front of me. I stood up while my attendants bowed these men. I did no such thing… I barely know this people to even consider them as my superiors. The man with the golden spectacles spoke.
???: “Hello! And Welcome!
Welcome, to the Palace of the House of Rarocs.
My name is Teral… Teral Rouv. I am the Prime Court Minister of King Valter Rarocs, King of the Continent Ki.”
I start to give my introduction.
Me: “I…”
Aeson: “May I… present to you, Sir Teral Rouv… Prime Court Minister of Our King Valter Rarocs, with the full blessings of Our Goddess Irah and with the full support of the Faith of Irah…
Stormspike… the Marked One.”
Me: “Hello…”
He along with the other three members bowed to me. Then Teral spoke.
Teral Rouv: “Finally we have the honour to meet the Marked one… the one who is going to fight for our planet as well as for Our dear Goddess Irah…
Was your journey comfortable… umm…”
Aeson: “Stormspike… he can be referred to as Sir Storm to… authorized by the Faith.”
Teral Rouv(with a smile on his face): “Certainly… Sir Storm.”
Me: “Yes, we did have a comfortable journey… though it was a long one, but your Guards were careful and attentive.”
Teral Rouv: “Ah… It is good to know. We are proud of our men and women who serve us with their life on the line… just as you will, Sir Storm.”
Me: “We are extremely sorry to arrive early to our designated meeting time, if… i am not wrong.”
Teral Rouv: “Absolutely not!! In Fact, we are glad you arrived early, but at first… let me show you your room Sir Storm. As per the request of the Faith of Irah, your attendants rooms have been placed within close proximity with your and are also connected to each other.You must be tired too… please take rest. When you are well rested the meeting can begin. All the rulers of all the continents have already gathered here and are very excited to finally meet the Marked One.”
Me: “Me too… now that you mention it, I am a little tired and I’m sure my attendants are too.”
Teral Rouv: “Certainly… please follow us. We will show you the way.”
He led us to a very large room with three more attached to it. The halls and corridors were being guarded heavily. The corridors were decorated with many paintings depicting many number of things. But I had no interest in them so I didn’t bother to look at them closely. There were many statues of different sizes to, but I kept moving.
Teral Rouv: “Here you are Sir Storm, your living quarters. I will send a maid to bring you some edibles while you rest. I will come again at 2400 hours to escort you to the meeting.”
Me: “Thank you, Prime Court Minister.”
Teral Rouv: “It was my pleasure… please excuse us.”
They exited the room and the door was closed from the outside… presumably the guards posted outside did it. I turned towards the people that accompanied me here.
Me: “Alright, pick your rooms and take rest for sometime.”
Castein gave out a huge yawn to which he got nudged by Shilia, his sister; who stood beside him.
Castein: “What???” He asked his sister.
Shilia: “You are being rude towards Sir Storm.”
Castein: “He told us to take some rest didn’t he.”
Shilia: “Yes… that does not mean we should forget our duties handed by the Faith.”
His face showed the displeasure he felt… he was a sweet kid. Shilia looked towards me and spoke.
Shilia: “Sir Storm, please wait a moment.”
She walked towards the bags which were sent by Viva. I wondered about their contents. She opened them and picked out something after carefully choosing. She turned back and came towards me. She then extended her hands which had a wrapped item.
Shilia: “Sir Storm, please change into these clothes. These are specially made for you while you rest.”
I took the clothes from her hand. Before I could say anything else, the door opened. A few maids came inside and did a bow. The one leading them came forward and said.
Maid: “Sir Storm… we have been instructed to serve you while you are a guest in the Royal House of Rarocs.”
Ayda: “Hello… my name is Ayda and I am in charge of overseeing Sir Storms meals. Please show me the way towards your kitchens so I could choose his meals.”
Maid: “Certainly Miss Ayda.”
Ayda: “And this is Shilia. She is charge of maintaining and washing Sir Storms cloths. Please show her the way towards your washing area.” Pointing towards the girl.
Maid: “Of course. Would be interested in knowing the way of your respective places now or later?”
Ayda: “Now would be a good time.”
Maid: “Then please follow us.”
Ayda: “Come on Shilia.”
They exited the room and I was left with a sleepy Castein and Aeson, who gave out sweet and an intoxicating smell which I found hard to resist. I looked towards Castein and said.
Me: “You can go now Castein. Take some rest.”
Castein: “I was going to do exactly that.”
He walked towards a room which was attached to my room. He closed the door behind him, leaving me and Aeson. I looked towards Aeson… her eyes were showing signs of fear. Do I scare her? Well… with the things I have been doing with her from the first day, who wouldn’t be? This damn intoxicating fragrance!! Ruining my image.
Me: “Aeson…”
She got startled when I called her name. She was sweating a little bit and forced herself to smile.
Me: “Do I scare you?”
Aeson looked surprised at first, then she looked down while sliding a lock of hair behind her ears.
Aeson: “Ye-yes… Sir Storm.”
Me: “I understand. We had a long journey today… please pick your room and rest.”
Aeson: “Yes, Sir Storm.”
She turned around and after choosing a room, she went inside and closed the door. After changing my clothes which was a night gown… very… very comfortable, I sat on the bed thinking over somethings. I should start to train with this body and I should exercise restraint over the sweet fragrant business too.
Soon, Ayda came in with Shilia and other palace maids behind her. The maids were carrying plates full of food. Just behind them, butlers also came inside carrying a small table and few chairs. They placed it in the middle of the room and stood around it. Ayda motioned me to sit in the chair. As I sat, a plate was placed and Ayda put different types of dish one by one until it was full. I ate the delicious food until I could no more. Cleaning everything up, the maids and butlers left the room. Ayda and Shilia were standing holding four plates.
Me: “Why didn’t all of you eat with me? We could have spent a meal together.”
Ayda: “Do not worry, Sir Storm. It is quite alright for us and we should not share a meal with the Marked One. Now, please rest Sir Storm.”
She then asked Shilia to call both Castein and Aeson to come over Ayda’s room. I got myself in a comfortable position in the bed and slowly drifted into sleep.
???: “Have you gotten used to it?”
Me: “Why do you ask… Goddess Irah?”
Goddess Irah: “Can’t I inquire about the welfare of my Marked One?”
Me: “Yes… yes you can. You can ask your Marked One, but not me.”
Goddess Irah: “Mortal… you are now my Marked One.”
Me: “Yeah… and what am I supposed to do? Fight!!! with whom? How? What type of tournament is this? Are all of you sick in your minds… if you have one? Who bets a whole planet? No… why this tournament in the first place?And there are many other questions to follow.”
Goddess Irah: “Did the Faith not tell you about all of this?”
Me: “Oh… they did. But I although I don’t remember anything about my life before, I am feeling a very tingling sensation within my gut. You are not telling the truth. Am I right?”
Goddess Irah: “Hmmm… You are right. I have altered a single information about the tournament.”
Me: “And what would that be?”
Goddess Irah: “It you lose, with my death… this planet will die too. Every planet lost in the bet is destroyed. That is the true rule. I did not mention it to the Priestess… I… simply altered it.”
Me: “Great!! Now… I am responsible for the whole planet!!! And what would I get, if I win?”
Goddess Irah: “As I described before… I will bestow upon you blessings which would be worth your while.”
Me: “It pains to hear my Goddess Irah turned out to be more of a celestial broker than an actual Goddess.”
Goddess Irah: “You have no idea about the position I am in. Win… at all cost… My Marked One.”
Me: “How? You made me into a True Energy user. There is no True Energy user on this entire planet… all of them are born with Real Energy. How should I now find out how to use True Energy”
Goddess Irah: “You will get your answer in the meeting with all the ruling families.”
Me: “Oh... I just remembered… why the heck do I keep smelling an intoxicating fragrance from a girl in the Faith?”
Goddess Irah: “Hmm… I suppose I could shed some light on it.
As you are a True Energy wielder… there are women who are close to the True Energy wielding level, but still not quite there. This takes a toll on their body, thus making them unable to bear children. As a True Energy wielder yourself, you too are not exception to that rule, but as they are close to your level of energy, they have the innate power to carry your excess or any type of essence or mana or both within them… within their womb to be exact.
Thus, when you have a surplus of essence or Mana inside you, you will get Essence Poisoning. No one can store them at will. You have a limit… a limit which you can increase after training yourself. Just place any of your hands on their womb and push the excess or all of your mana inside you to go into her through your palm. They can store up to the level of the woman you are storing them into. The higher the level, the more intoxicating fragrance you will receive. That fragrance is an indicator.”
Me: “Can I take back the stored mana or energy?”
Goddess Irah: “Yes… at will by using the same process of injecting the essence. now, you just will be extracting out.”
Me: “Can I store an Spectral inside them?”
Goddess Irah: “No! Only essence or mana and nothing else.”
Me: “When will this circus of yours will start?”
Goddess Irah: “WATCH YOUR MOUTH MORTAL!!!!”
Me: “How can I? I can’t even see my face.”
Goddess Irah: “YOU FORGET YOUR PLACE, MORTAL?”
Me: “Can you please stop shouting in my mind? It is unbecoming of a Goddess… whom I respect very much.”
Goddess Irah: “What do you want to know, mortal?’
Me: “When will The Universal God Wars start?”
Goddess Irah: “You will be informed about it, when the time is right. All you need to know is that… you have one month to get a good grip over your new found powers and add them to your already existing capabilities.”
Me: “That is my goal, Goddess Irah.”
Goddess Irah: “Sleep well, mortal… I will have words with you at a later time.”
Me: “Next time… please call me Stormspike instead of ‘mortal’.”
I woke up suddenly and sat upright. What kind of communication was that? I feel as if my mind was melted and I could not feel anything… as if I didn’t exist yet I was present there. I didn’t see anything except I felt like I saw everything… these Gods and Goddesses sure know how to play games. With my right hand, I wiped my face. I was sweating heavily so I turned to get out of the bed, but I found Aeson standing beside me… shocked.
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Me: “Aeson… what happened? Why are you standing there?”
Aeson was looking at me as if she had seen some kind of ghost. She had covered her mouth with her hands. The room had no lights, but the windows were open so the bright moonlight came into the room giving me enough field of view.
Me: “Aeson… what happened?”
She did not answer, but just kept looking at me. I got up from the bed and walked towards her. She was just a few feet away from the bed. I approached her and put my left arm on her shoulder and gave her a big nudge to snap her out of whatever she was in. It did work and she snapped out of whatever she was in. She slowly looked towards me and tears started to trickle down from her eyes.
Me: “Aeson! Why are you crying? What happened??”
Aeson: “I- I- I- I…”
Me: “You… what?”
Aeson: “I fe-felt it… I definitely felt it.”
Me: “What did you feel?”
Aeson: “I- I- I- I don’t know how, bu-but I- I felt it.”
Me: “You are not making any sense Aeson. Come… sit down for a moment.”
I dragged her towards the bed by holding her hand and made her sit on it. I asked again…
Me: “Please tell me what actually happened?”
Aeson: “I- I was on my way to wake you up for the meeting. A maid had come and told that you are requested by the King to attend the meeting within an hour. The Prime Court Minister would come to escort you to the meeting room.
I was just about to call you when I- I felt it. I- I felt a warm sensation on my stomach. It was warm for a second and suddenly it turned cold.
Here… please feel it…”
She took my right hand and placed it upon her stomach. Right then, I felt a sudden rush of blood in my head. I got dizzy for a moment and I removed my hand from there. She was still in shock and continued to look at me.
Aeson: “I- I felt it again. I felt as if something was coming out from your hands… I- I never felt such warmth before. What is it, Sir Storm?”
I had a vague idea about it. She must be having a reaction with my energy. It was not there before. She is not acting now and she didn’t feel it before. I smell a work of a certain Goddess… well other than Aeson’s intoxicating fragrance.
Me: “I have no idea Aeson, but do not worry… I am sure it’s nothing. Where are my cloths that I am going to wear in the meeting?”
Aeson suddenly stood up as if realizing something.
Aeson: “Oh no… I- I am calling Shilia, she knows where they are.”
She quickly ran over to Shilia’s room. After Shilia came, I got dressed and was escorted by the Prime Court Minister. And now… here I am, standing in the throne room filled with Royalty from all continents. I brought Aeson with me as she was my personal assistant.
The throne room was nicely decorated with paintings on the left side and a few status and weird plants on the right. The room was filled with Royal Guards who were all positioned close to the wall. A few soldiers were standing below the pedestal, where the throne was and a few behind the throne. My host hasn’t come yet and none of the other kings too. The Prime Court Minister, Teral Rouv upon reaching the throne room, informed me that I should wait here as the King will be with us shortly. But… it has been a long time since that and no one has showed up yet. No one even offered us any seating arrangement. Strangely, I had no difficulties standing for long periods of time. It felt like I was habituated with it… I wonder what I was before Goddess Irah pulled me here. My concerns were for Aeson who was clearly not used to standing for long period of time and was struggling.
Atlast the door on the other end of the throne room opened and after a few guards, five people entered the throne. Suddenly, the throne was now filled with maids and servants setting up highly decorated chairs on the pedestal, beside the already present thrones. When the extra thrones were placed so to say, the rulers took their respective positions. They all had a look of importance on their faces and they were constantly looking at me with a surprise. I turned back to see how Aeson was feeling and found her kneeling on one knee and bowing her head. So… you are expecting a bow… not going to happen.
Teral Rouv came forward and while facing the people sitting on the thrones, bowed. He stood up and turned towards me and started with the introductions. He started from the left.
Teral Rouv: “ May I present, King Folwin Ebla, Ruler of the continent Zhai.”
This guy had an oblong type facial structure and was bald. His face was full of wrinkles indicating his experience in age. His eyes were hooded type and were brown in colour. His face had a small thin line of beard over his pointed chin. He had a brown skin tone. He had an average build and was relatively the shortest person in this room. He wore a very long sleeved, velvety jacket covers him to well below his knees and is tightly tied with string at the bottom left side. The sleeves of his jacket are a comfortable fit and reach down to well above his hands, they're decorated with a single thread lining from top to bottom.The jacket has a wide, rectangular neckline which reveals part of the luxurious shirt worn below it and is worn with a small cloth band, which is held together by a small belt buckle. The cloth band is purely a functional addition.His pants are simple and incredibly wide and reach down to his hard leather shoes. The shoes are made from a very uncommon material unknown to me.
Teral Rouv moved to the next one.
Teral Rouv: “May I present, King Halamer Becub, Ruler of the continent of Sumer.”
This guy had an oval type facial structure with short black hair. He also had wrinkles on his ebony skin tone, indicating that he too was quite old. He was clean shaven and was quite tall. He too had an average build. His very short sleeved, hide jacket covers him to well below his knees and is bound slightly off-center. The sleeves of his jacket are quite narrow and reach down to just above his wrists, they're decorated with a decorative band at the edges.The jacket has a wide, rectangular neckline which reveals part of the ornate shirt worn below it and is worn with a dark rope belt, which is held together by a small belt buckle. The rope belt is partially decorative, but mostly a purposeful addition.His pants are simple and narrow and reach down to his hard boots.
Now he points to the person to the extreme right.
Teral Rouv: “May I present,King Ailliun Agnai, Ruler of the continent of Pol.”
He was quite young compared to those two Kings. He had a round shaped facial structure with long blue hairs which reached up to his shoulders. He had a slight fair complexion and was well built, considering his wide shoulders and bulging arms. He had a stubble on his face. His short sleeved, hide jacket covers him to well below his waist and is tightly tied with string at the left side. The sleeves of his jacket are a loose fit and reach down to well below his wrists, they're decorated with a single thread lining and a decorative band.The jacket has a deep, rectangular neckline which reveals part of the traditional shirt worn below it and is worn with a small leather belt, which is held together by an ornate pin. The leather belt is mostly decorative and a sign of wealth.His pants are simple and a little narrow and reach down to his shoes.
Teral then pointed towards the woman next.
Teral Rouv: “May I present, Queen Saida Raroc, Queen of our great continent of Kai.”
She was sitting very gracefully with a small smile gracing her beautiful heart shaped face. She had long black hair which reached up to the small of her back. She had a very sharp deep set of green eyes. She was a little short, but had a voluptuous figure. She had a luscious lips which complimented her well with her fair complexion. She had small ears which were partially covered by her hair. She had a very delicate shoulders which tried best to support her full breasts, if I am not wrong. She had a slight curvy waist and her figure was like an inverted triangle.
Her stylish dress flows from top to bottom and has a scoop neckline, which gracefully reveals the rather simple dress worn below it. The velvety, buttoned up fabric of her dress covers her stomach where the continuous flow is broken up by a dark leather belt worn fairly low around her waist.Below the leather belt the dress opens up and reveals the dress below. The front of the top dress is shorter at the front and flows straight down, the back continues to flow a small length behind her and ends in a broad rectangle.Her sleeves are a little short and a comfortable fit, their flow is broken up at the elbow where they're divided by thin, decorative bands, these are the same fabric and color used to outline the sleeves and bottom of the dress.
There was a very troubling thing about her… I smelled a very strong intoxicating fragrance coming from her… so much strong that I couldn’t feel Aeson’s fragrance at this moment. Oh My… I was starting to feel dizzy… so… strong. But I held back and forcefully pulled my eyes off her and towards the man beside her to which Teral was pointing now.
Teral Rouv: “May I present, King Valter Rarocs, Ruler of the continent of Ki.”
This man had an rectangular face with a face full of a thick beard. He looked quite experienced and was of brown skin tone. He had short green hair and had broad shoulders. He was the tallest in all of them and seemed the more arrogant. His fairly short sleeved, leather jacket covers him to just above his waist and is tightly tied with string at the left side. The sleeves of his jacket are quite narrow and reach down to well above his wrists, they're decorated with a single thread lining at the sleeve ends.The jacket has a round neckline which reveals part of the traditional shirt worn below it and is worn with a simple cloth band, which is held together by a big belt buckle. The cloth band is purely a functional addition.His pants are simple and a little narrow and reach down to his black boots.
All of them kept staring at me as if I had committed a murder in front of them. Aeson gave my introduction to them.
Aeson: “Our Goddess Irah’s chosen Champion, Islade’s one true hope and saviour…
May I present to you, Sir Stormspike… the Marked One.”
King Valter Rarocs: “It seems the Marked One lacks proper etiquette.”
King Folwin Ebla: “Yes!! How could our Goddess Irah chose this being.”
Me: “With all due respect to your Majesties… you may be rulers of this planet, but not in mine. Atleast I think so… I mean I don’t remember where I am from, but I am sure we didn’t have any Kings ruling over us…
In short, don’t expect ‘etiquettes’ from me… I am here to fight so called Marked Ones of other Gods… for which I need some things. I am told that you can provide me those things.”
King Ailliun Agnai: “And what would those be?”
Me: “I need a Mana Gun.”
King Valter Rarocs: “A Mana Gun!!! Impossible… do you know how much it costs? Absolutely not.”
Me: “So… you are denying the Marked One of your beloved Goddess Irah a material which you are able to provide. It’s cute really… I am not asking to you to give me… I’m ordering you to.”
King Ailliun Agnai: “On what right?”
Me: “The right given by Goddess Irah. Now, how soon can you provide me with a Mana Gun?”
King Folwin Ebla: “HOW DARE YOU SPEAK LIKE THAT WITH US?”
Me: “How dare you… to make us wait for so long. Do you think… you are a higher being than me? Do you really think so? You will give me what I want or I will take everything from you. Your whole life depends upon me now. You may be the rulers, but I am now the highest entity present in this planet. I have no wish to take your place, but do not force me to. I need the Mana Gun…”
Queen Saida Raroc: “And what else do you need, Sir Stormspike?”
Me: “Please call me only Storm, Your Highness.”
She gave a small smile amidst frowns from all three kings.
Queen Saida Raroc: “As you wish… Sir Storm.”
Me: “I am in need of a person who is well versed if not the best in the theoretical and practical applications of True Energy.”
King Valter Rarocs: “Why do you need to learn about True Energy?”
Me: “Because… I wield True Energy and I want to learn about it and to learn how to use it too.”
Queen Saida Raroc: “It is a topic on which very few people research about it. And out of those few people only a handful can partially grasp the idea of True Energy and even fewer who actually know the practical use of it.
But… aside from that, I am considered the foremost scholar of True Energy in the entire planet of Islade.”
Me: “Do I detect a hint of arrogance in your voice?”
King Valter Rarocs: “Yes… she is the greatest scholar our planet has ever produced.”
He was beaming with pride and was the envy of the rest of the kings. Queen Saida was a truly beautiful woman and not because how she looked, but because of warm feeling she gives out for everyone to feel. Her voice can even calm a turbulent sea. That’s how she carried herself… a true and a worthy Queen.
Me: “Then it is great… and Oh… I also need something. It is the most important thing in the list of what I need.”
King Folwin Ebla: “What is it?” He spoke while trying to control his anger.
Me: “I need your wife King Valter Rarocs.”
Absolute silence fell in the throne room... absolutely pin-drop silence.
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