Chapter 64 – Fate

Two years has passed since I have left Mehn for traveling in and around the kingdom. I have gone through some hardships, met new people, learned about different local cultures and most important of all, I have made my decision about upcoming Gorn issue.

As I was entering Myrim again after two years of travel, I saw similar face at the entrance. Krayon was going right and left in stress. I came up to him, “Been long time, ey!” and he hugged me as if he had met someone dear to him after many years. “Master Bartholomew, its an honor to meet you again after so much time” he talked and smiled simultaneously.

During these past two years, I was sending out pigeons to Mehn or different regions regarding plans but I had never showed myself in front of “The Guard” members. I was keeping myself away from everyone. A week ago, I sent a pigeon to Myrim for Krayon to meet me in front of Myrim’s gates.

Myrim had changed a lot since my last visit. City has grown into a metropolis, and big merchant guilds and companies have established their offices in city. I didn’t learn much about its economical advance as it was not matter of importance to me right now. I stayed as Krayon’s guest for a week and told him that I have to leave. “You have to be ready, Krayon... Do not forget, dragon shall attack soon! We can not save everyone, but we have to do our best to save most of denizens of this city and surrounding villages. Stay true to our initial plans!” was my last words to him. I did not know if I will ever meet him again though everything may happen. What future holds for all of us is unknown.

-----

I was standing on top of hill from where I could see village shaman Hitomi’s hut clearly. My young self now, almost 21 years old was going towards green mountainsides to feed his cattle and sheep. I watched him leaving until image of his herd disappeared out of my sight.

For almost a month I lived in an old house which was not occupied by village people. In morning of 30th day of my stay, as sun lights were appearing out of east, I grabbed my fake beard and pulled it out. Watching it burn up and turn into dust I murmured “It’s time” to myself. Slowly I walked over to Hitomi’s hut. As always she was already awake.

[Hitomi]: Aslan aren’t you supposed to be far away by your sheep and cattle?

[Me]: There is an urgent situation that has come up and we gotta talk. Help me find village elder, I’ll get Mariette and come up to his house... Wake every influential member in village and meet me there..

She nodded in approval, got on Aiki and left away. I walked over to my house. Opening front door I entered into my home. It felt so nostalgic after so many years that for a while I was lost in thought and standing just besides the open door as if I was a frozen statue. “Aslan, you are back” Mariette smiled and hugged me. “Dear” I whispered, hugging her back. “How’s my health of”, I couldn’t finish my question. Mariette put her right hand on top of her belly and spoke “She is doing fine”. “You mean he is doing fine” I cut in. “We will now, when she is born” she replied. I told her that we have to join village elder in his house and talk about a matter that is important to our village as our life and death depended on it. She was worried but I told her “I’ll protect you, that’s I’m back. Just be there with me to support”.

It took us around half and hour to reach to village elder Taham’s house. There were around 10 people, including Taham and Hitomi waiting for us. We entered into same hall that I was told that I earned my ticket to Mehn Academy long time ago. Mariette sat on chair while I stayed up and began to talk.

[Me]: I have left my herd back in mountains and came back to tell that dragon has attacked few cities and most probably by now it is Mehn. Destroying it!

I saw shock and despair filling everyone's face as I gave them news of Gorn’s appearance.

[Me]: We can stay here and die. Or...

Taham cut in.

[Taham]: How we know that dragon has attacked any city at all?

[Me]: I have no way to prove but waiting for it come over and attack us is absurd. There will be no way to protect ourselves or run away after it is knocking our doors.

I looked at Mariette and her eyes were filled with uncertainty. I patted her shoulder to courage her. She smiled back at me.

[Me]: There are two ways left. First is to stay and wait for our end. Second is to go to west. To forests..

[Taham]: Elven forests? Are you crazy?

[-]: If he is right, then that is most logical way out.

[Taham]: Kars even you? Have you all gone crazy? We belong to mighty Kali tribe.. No one can...

[Me]: I am not here to discuss things and lose time. Anyone who is interested, is welcome to come with me to east. I shall take my wife and mother with me and leave by tomorrow morning. I am going to go now, I will be at western entrance of village by sunrise tomorrow. Everyone who wishes to leave may join me.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

We had two horses mounted to our carriage, Mariette and my mother were sitting at back side while I was sitting on front of carriage to control horses. Almost half of our village was outside waiting for me.

Hitomi was flying on her griffin over us. I stood up to address people who had decided to go to west with me.

[Me]: Few years ago, I have met Elven princess and you shall be welcome to stay in elven forests until I return to pick you all up after dealing with dragon.

Hooray! Shouts and claps of people could be hear from opposite side of village. Taham did not come with us, but he was at entrance cursing me.

“How you know Elven princess?” Mariette asked me while my mother had a laugh. “I know many people, dear” I tried to evade but she insisted on a proper answer. “You should ask her when you meet her” I swayed though now it was up to Alva to tell her whatever she felt...

We reached Elven forests in almost two months of time. First to enter the forest, I was surrounded by elven bowmen. I asked them to me Alva, and they were shocked to see me knowing their princess. Alva had come to meet me with her father. I explained them situation which we faced and told her that I’ll deal with dragon in less than a month and come back for my people. They agreed to host our people but no more than a month.

I kissed Mariette on her forehead and my mother on her cheek, asking her to look after Mariette. I concentrated and mana began to flow out of my body, I chanted “Inem apra!” and momentarily I was back in my village close to Hitomi’s hut. Black smokes had covered sky over our village and everything was broken or burned down.

Directly, I walked towards village center where I saw my young self talking few very old people who were alive after the catastrophe which our village faced. He ran to our house and I followed him from distance. He was in pain, and I knew exactly what he was going through. He disappeared and I knew where he had gone.

Concentrating again and I whispered “Inem apra!”. I appeared close to 1st bridge. Snow was pouring down from sky. My young self was surrounded by few warriors. I stayed away and observed them. They gave him food and water. Next morning they left and after an hour passed I found another horse and went after them.

It took them close to month of travel time to reach place where Gorn was fighting Kimbra and two other demons. My young self activated spell for mana shield and went to fight dragon while other warriors besides him followed him.

For a moment, I thought that I should join them and kill Gorn but if Gorn was killed then I should disappear to passed my mind. I stayed in distance to watch the battle. Gorn was very aggressive as it had reached its maximum size and was stronger than everyone else there.

As its fire breathe reached young me, Kimbra and others, my young self grabbed Kimbra to protect her from flames though others were unfortunate. My young self threw Kimbra away and she fall down few meters in front of me unconscious. I crawled close to her and checked her pulse. Luckily she was alive.

Hours passed as they fought each other. By now, my young self had cut down Gorn’s wing. I checked Kimbra regularly, she was still unconscious and exhausted. When I checked Gorn and my young self, Gorn had already chanted some spell and magic circles were activated. Instantly, both of them disappeared.

It was almost sunset. I walked over to place where both of them left this dimension to the other. Nothing was left. Magic circle was not visible anymore. I came back to see Kimbra still lying on ground. I sat besides her and took out water bottle and sipped few drops on her face. Slowly she opened her eyes. “Did we make it?” she asked. “Yes, Kimbra... We did.” I answered. “I shall go now, though there is a new world to make and I shall need your help” I said and stood up. Concentrating again, I chanted same spell that I knew well “Inem Apra!”.

I appeared close to elven forest. Most of villagers were still living in tents. Sun had already set. I asked Ulfberht to turn to its sword form. He appeared in my hand and I went to center of tents where people had come together surrounding the fire. “Aslan” Mariette screamed seeing me. She ran to me and hugged me. “What happened?” she inquired in front of others. “Dragon is no more in this world!”

New world order was going to be made, and hopefully in this world I shall know what happiness is.

*******************************

I'm sorry for late update. I was planning to write 10 more chapters but because I'm writing another FF called Red Eyes I did not want to prolong Wolf's Cry anymore and finish it.

Thank you all for your kind support. I hope it was to your hearts content.