A FANTASTIC TALE

Chu stared at the bird pruning its feathers within the cage. The golden beak slid across the metallic silver figure as the avian ruffled its feathers. The bird expanded to the size of an owl, before shrinking to that of a dove. It then returned the stare to the boy.

"Alicanto, how can you make a face like that. Come to mama."

Miki said while opening her arms. Chu looked at the ignorant bird as it hopped out of the open wooden cage and flew on the girl's shoulder. He noticed the tips of the wing feathers had a reddish hue. He reached out and grabbed the pointed beak while knocking heads with the bird.

"You little bastard, don't act smug with me. I provide the gold coins and iron nuggets you chip on every day and don't think I forgot about the rubies you munched on. You owe me big time!"

Chu released the beak as the bird scrambled onto Miki's chest to cuddle while nursing its grievances. The maid standing nearby shuddered on witnessing the two children scold and pet this dangerous beast. She raised her hands holding the iron washbasin now riddled with large holes.

The culprit had flown into an open window of a vacant room and proceeded to sample the décor as if feasting on a buffet. Hearing the strange noise the maid opened the door to find this bird grinding away on a bronze candlestick as if it were grain.

By the time Mrs. Thomas arrived, the demolisher had taken flight while leaving behind the remains of washbasins, bronze holders, and iron decorations. Even the inner door handle bore signs of claw marks and beaks.

Mrs. Thomas grounded the bird into the cage with only a chunk of iron ore to reflect on its mistakes. Now the maid witnessed these two children interacting with a strange creature that could peck or slice through iron like butter with its beak and claws.

Normal people did not raise pets like this. She shook her head and left, remembering the other three terrifying accomplices roaming on the estate.

"I think Alicanto gained a little weight."

Miki said while hefting the bird in her hands.

"What do you expect from a bird that eats metals and ores? This bird is already strange enough for us, how do you think that maid feels?"

Chu remarked. Never in his life had he come across such a bizarre animal. But then he was living in a different world.

"I wanted to carry him back to the dorm to show my friends. I guess I won't do it since it may cause some trouble."

Miki muttered causing Chu to glance at her cross-eyed. He dropped a karate chop onto her head.

"May cause trouble? Some trouble? Are you just out to make my life hard, or do you want us running along the roads being chased by greedy mages and nobles?"

"Well, my friends keep boasting you know. Deb always talks about her dad's Jaga, like if its some rare beast. Kimmy brags how her elder brother is a Hound trainer in the Tower, while Mari says her grandfather gifted her a red fox for her birthday."

Miki replied while pouting. Chu shook his head since he had forgotten the trials of school life. Even his once rational General-in-the-making succumbed to her peers, discarding the broader consequences.

The few days of vacation passed by swiftly and occupied mainly with the chattering of the children sharing tales from school. On the last day, Mrs. Thomas accompanied them to the academy and then waved off an embarrassed bunch of scrubbed and dressed children.

The next day an apprentice summoned Chu from the library to a nearby room. Chief Mage Slovac sat on a carved high-backed wooden chair browsing across documents on an equally antique-styled massive desk.

"Ah, you're here. Hold on a moment while I approve some orders."

Chu waited patiently and then began to twiddle his thumbs as the minutes turned to an hour. When he decided to spin an excuse and leave, the old man leaned onto the headrest while creaking the old bones.

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"The mage scholar I mentioned before will soon leave us again. When he comes to Limerock, he likes to stay at the Inner tower since its close to his books. He doesn't read much but I think it holds a special place."

Chief mage Slovac said while they walked along the stone corridors under the tower.

"I hear you have some interesting pets running around the countryside villa. You should bring them to the academy some time."

"Haha, Chief mage is too kind. They are just common wild animals found in the forest, nothing special."

Chu replied. It would have been strange if the news of Dyna and her interactions with the landowning nobles did not spread. Chu also suspected that at least three or four of the servants and caretakers maintaining the country villa reported to the Tower.

"Brat, you really are a cautious one. Disparte said as much. I'm too old to covet another man's riches. I can even speak for the council. Meh, come to think about it, best you keep them in the villa lest the young ones make trouble."

"Haha, this little one will certainly abide by that rule."

The two unusual companions walked along chattering amicably while ignoring the curious gazes of the passersby. For the Chief mage to interact with a mere apprentice piqued everyone's interest.

The two entered through some massive doors into a large hall furnished with only a pair of large stone chairs. The occupant on one had his eyes closed in bliss while sipping on a cup. The steam carried the aroma of brewed tea leaves. Chu paused on recognizing the mage.

"Senior Norivak, I brought someone to meet you. This little one is the inventor the Council keeps bragging about. He came to the academy out of interest in ancient magic so I brought him to you."

Chief mage Slovac clasped his hands and greeted. Chu followed suit and greeted the mage. He had thought this old mage had returned to the north. Chu never would have guessed the man wanted to keep a low profile.

"Hmm, mages these days focus on stuffing themselves full of pills to boost their magic. I rarely see an apprentice interested in researching the ancient texts."

Mage Norivak opened his eyes while speaking. His faded blue eyes turned red for an instant as they locked in the boy's gaze.

"I have seen Senior's demonstration of magic which has only served to fuel my interest. I am aware that most mages concentrate on the last five centuries since it coincides with the golden age of the Tower."

Chu said while returning the gaze of the old man. He continued

"As an inventor, I am naturally curious about magic. Where did it come from? When did it all start? Even more intriguing is the history of the Talismans. Why don't the mages use it themselves? When did they make it?"

Mage Norivak sighed and cast a glance at the Chief mage.

"Damn you Slovac. You want me to relive the most trying time in my life? You do realize it's the reason I ended up leaving Limerock right?"

He looked at the curious face plastered on the boy and sighed again.

"Come with me."

***

"Starfall 1072. We have done the impossible and given hope to the Alliance. A hundred of a hundred lives sacrificed, all to create a pair to boost our forces and weather the tide of the never-ending beast.

Nine symbols mined from the dwarves to harness the power on each. Far too few but all which we can fit on the druidic parchment. Any larger and the elven priest says the magic scatters.

We turn our enemies very power against them, using their core and blood. The grassland gnomes furnished powdered gems while the sea princess handed us ink harvested from the depths of the oceans.

Heated by fire from the green shaman, we then imbued it with the magic of our ancestors. The chief of the Hakkim divined that our goal should end at eight plus one. Only then can we join his tribe as they scout the north.

Alas, our research came too late. When we arrived from the desert stronghold to the northern battlements, the western pair had fallen. Tomorrow we journey to the other battlement called Frost to make our stand. I leave this record should the Alliance fail."

Chu stood beside the Senior mage as he read the words from a scroll. If not for it being preserved between the pages of a large book, the ancient parchment, much less for the words would have turned to dust.

Book preservation occupied the least of his mind at the moment though. Currently, his jaw hinged open on hearing the recital. The mage finished reading the scroll and turned towards the boy.

"What do you think of this?"

"Senior, the records of the Empire hasn't reached a thousand years. What is this Starfall 1072? I have also never seen this type of language before, is it from one of the southern kingdoms?"

Chu replied with a puzzled look. His heart beat furiously in his chest as if trying to dispel his lie. Mage Norivak had just read words similar to what he found in the ruins. This report had also hammered in the truth.

"This language is from a time more ancient than the Empire. I spent the greater part of my younger years, picking through thousands of books and scrolls to decipher some of the words."

The mage sighed as he turned his face from the boy towards a flickering oil lamp.

"We all know the Tower existed long before the Empire but I once held this crazy notion that a gap exists. Take this language for instance, it's hard to find books that include both the present and the past. Besides this scroll, I have never come across a long and complete document like this."

Chu stared at the faded writing.

"Senior, can I have a copy of this scroll and your translation? How long are you staying in Limerock? If I happen to come across some of these ancient words can I find you?"