ARRIVAL OF THE FIRE KINGDOM

The (Space Affinity) Metallic Gold Chest (Inventory) was a spacious beast of an item—able to hold numerous items within. I was pacing around in the third segment of our city's stone keep, while Don placed the Artifact into the (Space Affinity) Metallic Gold Chest (Inventory).

Our keep had three segments, each more secure than the one before. The keep’s third section was a little stone hall with one pillar in the middle. There was no need to expand it as it only housed three chests filled with gold, copper, and silver puries and sealed notes from other kingdoms stored within the shelves of the right wall. The left-hand shelves were barren and covered in dust.

LEON

Is this wise?

I asked Don while continuing to pace about,

LEON

To place everything in this chest?

We took all of the raw puries—iron, sapphire, ruby, expensive paintings, decorative swords, and the only dragon scale we had and gave them to the (Space Affinity) Metallic Gold Chest (Inventory).

A translucent arm would spring out, grab the item, shrink it, and suck it back in. Don only had to give it a thought to bring the item back out and had a full recollection of what was in the (Space Affinity) Metallic Gold Chest (Inventory).

DONATELLO

Why not?

He said as he slowly closed the chest.

DONATELLO

The second segment was becoming cluttered. However, once we begin to order more magical items, we will now have space for them.

I eyed the dust on the shelves and softly blew at it.

DONATELLO

Also, whatever happened to the Guardians and servants?

I looked towards the end of the short hall—etched into the stone wall was a faint frame of a door only seeable if I focused my eyes correctly—the hidden escape tunnel.

LEON

Do you mean the guards at the house?

DONATELLO

Yes. I didn't see any.

I yawned and stretched as I asked,

LEON

What were you doing out there?

DONATELLO

Oh, sorry. I frequently savor the view from the safe house. The outdoors is peaceful.

I turned to face him.

LEON

Remember the blacat attacks?

And he pursed his lips.

DONATELLO

Yes, Chief, but isn't protecting the house part of their duties?

LEON

Defend and care for an empty house?

I waved him off.

DONATELLO

Yes Chief.

LEON

The attacks were becoming frequent. I lost two guards, nearly three, to blacat fever.

I led the way out of the third segment and into the second.

LEON

So, I relieved them of their duties—just for a while.

We turned and walked up to the frames on either side of the iron puri double doors. There, upon the left and right parts of the frame, were soul stamps we placed our hands on. A tingling sensation ran up and down my body as the iron doors began to move—dragging against the scratched stone floors as it closed.

DONATELLO

You cannot succumb to the whims of a few complaints.

LEON

I am not a fighter yet, Don; I cannot displease my guards.

DONATELLO

That is precisely why we need the Guardians at the house. If something were to happen now, especially with the talk of a powerful vampire on the prowl, you'd need a safe retreat.

The doors sealed shut, and a purple symbol appeared before the doors. We turned and moved through the second segment, barren of any valuables.

LEON

It is only for a short time.

I pointed out again.

Out the second segment, we sealed the iron puri doors—no magical seal for these doors, unfortunately.

We turned and strolled through the spacious first segment of barrels and crates filled with supplies such as seeds, tanned leather, flax, dried and cured meat, wood, stone, and other long-lasting essentials.

DONATELLO

Anything can happen at any given moment. You know this.

Well, I can't say he wasn't absolutely right about that.

LEON

Fine,

I exhaled, throwing my hands up in defeat.

LEON

You win. I will call them back.

We exited the keep and sealed the first segment's single metal door with the soul stamps.

LEON

Now, about that Artifact. Only traders that are deep in warfare and the highest bidder possible.

DONATELLO

No matter if we bring in some hostility?

LEON

No matter.

We exchanged a devious smirk as we strolled down the thin halls leading into the Study Hall.

DONATELLO

Wouldn't dare to anger your guards, but other kingdoms, why not?

He laughed.

LEON

Because our guards will be ready to put those kingdoms in their place.

Bolting around the corner, Cinda came running at us.

CINDA

Chief! We have trouble in the city!

LEON

What?

She turned to lead the way, and as I sprinted after her, Don grabbed my arm.

DONATELLO

Do you see what I mean now?

LEON

Yes!

I escaped his hold.

DONATELLO

Then don't just charge in!

LEON

Cinda!

I halted her.

DONATELLO

You're not a fighter, your words Chief.

I eyed Don and calmed my impatience.

CINDA

Yes Chief!

LEON

Take me to Gate.

*****

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Donned in my armor, I followed behind Gate and five guardians as we headed out into the city.

Shouting and yelling could be heard from a few meters away as we quickly moved through the main road heading west toward the market.

VOICE

I am asking if you have seen this gent!

That accent? He was definitely from the Fire Kingdom.

VOICE

You best not walk away from me!

GATE

Let's hurry.

We moved along the road, down a slope, and around into the market through a nosey crowd that huddled around the commotion. At the center, I first noticed the seven gents armored in padded leather armor, each enchanted with +1, +2, or +3 with red hooded cloaks. At their waists were "L" shaped metallic devices glinting in the sunlight—I never seen such an item before, but the enchantment on them was translated to me as Salvo.

I focused on the stand-off between Captains of the Guards, Beka and Boradashire, three other guards, and a berating gent. The gent abruptly pointed his finger into the air,

VOICE

Will you insects stop staring at me!

And the air temperature spiked with heat causing my people to flee in panic. Captain of the Guards, Beka, Quickstepped at him, colliding his fist into the gent's quickly formed magical barrier.

His blow was so powerful that it rocked the air, sending cracks through the stone pavement and the gent's magical barrier.

BEKA

Don't you dare attack our people.

Beka caught sight of me,

BEKA

Leon?

He continued, almost glaring at me.

BEKA

It's dangerous here—

BORADASHIRE

This gent here is Cain,

Boradashire jumped in.

BORADASHIRE

Of the Fire Kingdom. He's been pestering our people and guards.

Cain gave me a disdainful look.

BORADASHIRE

Should we detain him?

CAIN

Detain me? Cocky for an insect.

That nightmare of that vampire from three years ago came to me as Cain held his arms out to the sides.

CAIN

I would like to see you try.

Beka unleashed his Willpower, disturbing the area around him with his golden aura.

CAIN

You are going to need more than that.

My heart began to pound—the events of that nightmarish nightwalker facing off against my father replayed in my head. The screams of my people. The destruction of the city’s walls. The pain of loss in Beka's eyes. The sight of my dead father—

LEON

Enough!

I shouted.

Beka gave me a stern look before extinguishing his aura and leaving.

BORADASHIRE

Beka?

He called out after him.

BEKA

Let the Chief handle it.

He muttered without missing a step and disappeared down the road. I ignored Beka's remark and focused on Cain.

LEON

What is it that you are looking for in our city?

Cain gave me another sidelong glance before peering around the market.

CAIN

Pretty small to be called a city.

He mumbled but then quickly added,

CAIN

Looking for a bastard. I think you might have seen him.

*****

We took the conversation to the Great Court. Donatello, Chambers, Gate, Boradashire, and five guardians stood behind me. Cain sat across from me, looking a bit annoyed and anxious. His seven gents took a hostile stance behind him with their arms folded.

CAIN

Did we really have to come all the way here?

He asked and continued before I could get a word in.

CAIN

It was a simple yes or no question.

LEON

You brought a party of soldiers for a simple yes or no question.

I countered.

CAIN

What do you mean?

LEON

The mass of wagons outside the East Gate.

I pointed out.

CAIN

Oh? That is but a small platoon. More will be on their way.

I stared at him, wanting to challenge his decision. But I couldn't risk endangering my city. Of course, if the Fire Kingdom went to war with us, they would answer to the North Star, but as times have it, the tension between the North Star and the Lightning Kingdom was growing.

This must be why the Fire Kingdom acted as brash as they were.

CAIN

Ah, what am I thinking?

He materialized a bounty and placed it before me. I glared in shock at the price they wanted for this boy's head—seven hundred million puries!? I studied the moving image—

LEON

Thought you were looking for a gent.

Cain snorted,

CAIN

He is a gent.

My lips parted in disbelief, and I looked down to study the bounty once more. Ire Farcatcher was his name, and he had such a feminine body structure it was difficult to take Cain for his word. The boy had a black face with a white skeletal pattern upon his face and down his body.

His lengthy dirty, unkempt red hair nearly matched the bloodstained rags he wore. He sat at a desk and rested his head on his hand. His red eyes in the center of his black scleras stared down at the table, seemingly lost in a daydream despite his right-hand writing frantically.

I clamped my mouth shut and regained my composure. This had to be the vampire that took out Ignoc and frightened Isaac. What does the Fire Kingdom want with a vampire? I wondered deeply.

LEON

Gate.

GATE

Yes Chief.

LEON

Have we come across this gent?

GATE

No Chief.

He lied on beat.

LEON

Satisfied?

CAIN

His name is Ire Farcatcher.

Cain smiled and pointed at the name as if I had missed it.

LEON

We haven't heard of him.

CAIN

He came from the Fire Kingdom.

LEON

Most of our travelers are from the Earth Kingdom.

CAIN

I already knew that,

He said, raising his finger and twirling it.

CAIN

Thanks to my impromptu tour of your city.

This bastard...

LEON

Besides traders and you, we haven't had any visitors from the Fire Kingdom.

CAIN

He is quite the Mage. Even more powerful than me. Hence—

He gestured to the seven gents at his back.

CAIN

—and the several other platoons I am bringing.

LEON

We don't get too many Mages in this city.

CAIN

I wonder why.

He mumbled.

CAIN

We are going to be staying here in this city. No need to worry about the credits. I will be paying directly.

He grabbed the bounty off the table and Stashed it.

CAIN

I will be making more of these. See to it that you hand them out...

He smirked as he caught a glimpse of my irritated face.

CAIN

Or not, and keep it to yourself.

He stood and took a deep breath.

CAIN

Aid me in finding this gent, and I will make sure this city is well rewarded. May you find favor in Ra's Wrath.

And with that, he left, leaving me to repress my rage over being disparaged for the second time this year. I—no, this city needed to gain power fast before I and my fellow people ended up dead like my family.