“He’s feverish.” said a voice.
“With that wound, he may not live long…” it continued.
Kael felt a sharp pain on his left shoulder. He tried to shout, but couldn’t. He felt like he was gagged, and blindfolded. He could hear two people talking… Both of them were male. One of the voices sounded like an old man.
“He’s conscious already…”
“It doesn’t matter. He’ll black out again anyway. Quick, do something about his wound.” The voice was frantic.
He then felt another surge of pain, and his consciousness started to fade away again.
“Don’t worry… You won’t die… Yet.” Someone whispered into his ear just as his senses went silent once again.
Kael awoke by the sound of people chatting outside. He grogilly sat up from the makeshift bed, still feeling blur and dull. He tried to stretch, only to find out that he couldn’t move his left arm. It was bandaged up, with blood still seeping through the bandages. The wound still burned in his shoulder.
‘The wound didn’t look that bad…’ he thought to himself.
Kael then took the chance to examine his surroundings. From his dulled senses, he guessed that he was in a roughly pitched tent, there was a small table beside him, with more bloodied bandages and various first aid materials. He was saved by someone, he remembered all the voices chattering around him when he drifted in and out of consciousness. Just he was about to get up, someone came in.
“Well well. Looks who’s up.” said the man, he seemed to be in a cheery mood.
He was dressed in cloth and leather. And he sported a bandana too. Judging from his appearance, he seemed to be… An adventurer? No. Thought Kael. A bandit.
Kael on reflex, put up his arm in defence as the bandit approached him. As if wanting a start a fight.
“Hey hey… Is that any way to treat your savior? You would be dead if I hadn’t pass by your group when I did.” He said with a laugh.
“But then again… I wouldn’t want to see that scene again.” His tone changed suddenly.
“You saw what happened? You knew who they were?” Kael asked. Curious.
“Yeah… I saw what happened. And the two who attacked you? You couldn’t be in deeper shit than that…” he said slowly. He was serious now.
“The warlock was Jace Arcanis. The girl with the spear was Vynn Ilia. Both of them, are from the Imperial Empire of Iais. I suppose you know that.” He continued.
Kael nodded. Not many people of Eamon knew who they were, but as one of the nation’s Royal Guards, it was imperative to know of the other nations notable individuals. He only knew that Jace and Vynn were part of the Imperial Empire’s Einherjar. A group of the empire’s most feared and respected generals and strategists. One of them would be enough to overpower them. Sending two was overkill. And… They were probably starting a war.
“I don’t know how many are there in the Einherjar, but there’s another woman by the name of Amelia. Don’t know much about her though.” Finished the bandit.
Kael was surprised. The bandit had the same amount of information he did. How did a guy like him get such information? He asked himself. But what he said was true, that they didn’t know how many people were in the Einherjar. Then again, he didn’t know of the woman named Amelia.
“You know surprisingly a lot about the Einherjar… Tell me, how accurate is your information? Did you go to those sleazy taverns? Or are they just rumours?” Kael asked, even though he knew the bandits information was overall, correct. But he wanted to know where, and how he got his information.
The bandit merely laughed.
“Of course I know…” he said.
“Cause I was from the Empire.” The bandit shrugged.
That had caught him off-guard. He wasn’t mentally prepared for that answer. Though, now that he had given it some thought, it seemed logical. How else would he know so much?
“Anyway, you better get out of here.” Said the bandit.
“We couldn’t do anything much to heal your wounded shoulder. Vynn’s lance was engraved with powerful magic or something. I’m not too sure, but that’s what probably preventing your wounds from healing.” He continued bluntly.
Now that he mentioned it, Kael still felt some throbbing pain on his left shoulder. The bandage was even more soaked with blood than when he woke up. The wound still hasn’t closed.
“Someone with arcane knowledge should be able to help. A magi or anything along the lines of that. Till then, you’ll be slowly bleeding to your death.”
“Thank you for rescuing me.” Kael said with gratitude. “I won’t die from a wound like this…”
“I better get back to the capital.” He said, regaining his composure as a soldier, and Royal Guard. “I’m sorry to impose, but I need a horse.”
“Don’t worry. You can burrow one from us. Just tell them I sent you.” Replied the bandit.
“Many thanks… This may be strange, but aren’t you bandits? Thieves? What would you gain from helping me?” Kael asked curiously.
“We aren’t any normal bandits you find around here. Lets just say… We have our own code to abide to.” He chuckled.
Kael then started to put on his armour, and sheathed his sword. He took his shield with him too, it should still be marginally useful, even with a hole in it. Just as Kael walked out the tent, he remembered something.
“Who do I tell them who sent me?”
“Reyva… Reyva Daggerfall.”
Kael nodded, and walked out the tent.
Whispers everywhere. Someone died. The local count of the town had passed away last night. Count Balmont was not well received by the public. Unreasonable taxes, holed up in his mansion, not giving a damn about the town. The usual chatter of the morning market was mostly silent. The people despised the count alright, but one question lingered in their heads.
Who killed him?
The local makeshift police force went in. They say the count lay dead on the floor of his room, with a goblet of spilled wine next to him. It was no natural death. Even so, no blood was spilled. The door was still locked when they got in. And there was no evidence of a struggle. It was like the count just… Dropped dead.
A man with short silver hair was purchasing an apple from a local merchant. The count’s death was the only talk on that cold morning. He was leaving the market district when he heard a little girl talking to her mother.
“Mummy? Was it the Phantom?” she asked curiously.
Her mother just hurriedly shushed her daughter and started to quickly walk home.
The man gave a little smile, as he bit into his apple.
“It seems even the people in Eamon know about me.”
I try not to scream as I feel its breath on the back of my neck. I keep on running, not knowing where I am heading. All I know is that I am in a forest and running for my life. I could hear the creature's growls and that send chills down my spine. Suddenly, I trip on a rock that I did not notice and fall face down on the ground, hard. Before I could get up, the creature jumps on me and starts snarling with hunger. I am doomed. There is no way out. And then...
I wake up with a parched throat and sweat running down my face. Looking around in the dark, I realize that I am on my bed in my room. My clock shows that it is three in the morning. No forest. No hungry beast. Relief washes over me. It was just a nightmare, a very realistic nightmare. Still feeling a little bit shaken, I decide to go to the kitchen for a glass of water as yes, I am too afraid to fall back asleep.
Upon drinking the water, I am immediately cooled and not to mention, thinking about how foolish I was to feel scared of a stupid dream. As I look out the window, I notice a faint orange glowing light from the woods. “That's odd. What is that?” I think out loud. Edging closer to the window, I can see that the light is getting dimmer, as it moves further deeper into the woods. Curious, I decide I would follow it. So, I put on a coat and grabbed a torchlight. Before leaving, I decide to take along my Swiss army knife, it might come in handy.
The air is damp and cold wind blows into my face as I make my way into the woods. I have been here many times as a kid so I know that I can always find my way back. Slowly I walk with the aid of my torchlight, trying to find the light. The woods is unexceptionally quiet tonight. There are not even the sounds of crickets or frogs that I am so used to hearing. I keep on walking, pulling the coat tighter. And then I see it, the moving light! I cannot see clearly as the trees are blocking but no doubt it is the light. I hesitate for a brief moment, wondering if I should really continue on or head back home. But my curiousity got the better of me so I decide I would follow it.
As I get closer to the light I can see that someone, a girl actually, is carrying it. The source of the light is the crystal-like ball she is holding. I cannot see her face properly. She walks as if in a trance, not really looking ahead. This is getting weird. What on Earth is a girl doing here in the middle of the night? Not to mention holding a strange ball of light. Should I let her know of my presence? I decide not to as that might ruin whatever she is planning to do. So as quietly as I can, I follow her, trying not to snap the twigs on the ground as I walk.
Suddenly, as we reach a clearing in the woods, she stops walking. Feeling a bit afraid yet excited, I stop as well, holding my breath and wait. Slowly, she turns around and faces me. Her eyes, as black as charcoal lock into my clear green ones. I freeze, not knowing what to do. She has really fair but pale skin, pointy ears and long messy black hair. She looks young and bedraggled but the most disturbing part is her face. It is full of scratches and there is a long deep scar stretching from her right eye all the way to her mouth. There are also some strange symbols which seem to have been etched onto her forehead. Then, she smiles eerily and beckons me to come closer.
As if there is some sort of magnetic force pulling me, I slowly move towards her even though my mind is telling me to run away. She seems even more horrendous up close. Feeling her eyes burning into mine, I quickly look at the ball. It is glowing brightly and I could see my face being reflected on it. She moves it upwards and closer, looking at me with that creepy smile and I instinctively take a step backwards. However, she seems not to have noticed but instead moves closer to me. Slowly my hand reaches and touches the ball and upon contact, I could feel energy from my body being sucked into the ball. I am getting weaker but I could not remove my hand. All the while, she looks at me and perhaps it is just my imagination but she seems to be getting younger.
All of a sudden, I hear a deafening roar somewhere behind me and that made me use whatever strength I have left to push the ball away. I fall to my knees, hands on my head that is throbbing with pain. The girl looks displeased and as she takes a few steps backwards, there is a flash of blinding light causing me to cover my eyes. When I open them again, she has vanished. I am all alone in the dark woods. Slowly and steadily, I try to get up when I suddenly feel something's breath on my neck. That something growls hungrily and I know then that my nightmare is becoming a reality. I take a deep breath and turn to face the creature. And then...
“Jasper! For the last time, come down for dinner!” Mrs Brown yells. Jasper groans and unwillingly put down his book next to the bowl with his pet goldfish. He wants to finish up the story but he knows better than to cross his mom. He has borrowed that book from the school's library this morning and has been really engrossed in the story ever since. As he rushes down for dinner, he wonders whether the nightmare of the character is truly turning real and if the girl with the ball means anything significant. Whatever it is, he would find out soon enough.
One could barely see the sky from within the forest. The sun's rays were nonexistent. The group slowly treaded through the forest. Only the sound of their footsteps and rain could be heard. The captain gave a slight cough as he shook himself awake. It was cold. They were almost there. The only had to escort the princess to the village up ahead. At their current pace, it shouldn't take more than a few hours. They would make it by nightfall. Though, considering the current weather, and the sheer thickness of the tree canopies, it may as well be late evening.
Her Highness, Millia, was a young girl, dressed in a simple gown and a cloak to ward off the rain. She travelled with five soldiers and two of her Royal Guards. Her father, the King, had asked her to bring more men with her, but she refused. A day's journey to a village shouldn't be that dangerous. At worst, they would only encounter a band of thieves or bandits. Nothing they couldn't handle. But today… Something was different.
The forest was dead in silence. There were no sounds of wildlife, no chirping of birds, no sounds of insects. There was only the sound of the rain, and howling of the wind.
Two of the group were lagging behind a bit. Princess Millia's Royal Guards. Leah, and her subordinate, Kael. Leah was middle aged woman clad in silver armour, and a red cape with the insignia of the Eamonian Crown. One of her swords was sheathed behind her. Her other sword was by her hip. Kael was dressed in a similar manner, but he had his sword, a keepsake of his father, by his side, and a shield strapped behind him.
"Leah…" whispered Kael.
Leah gestured him by moving her head. Her eyes were focused on other matters – their surroundings.
"Something isn't right…" Kael said without hesitation. He felt a sense of unease since he entered the forest.
"I know." replied Leah, still keeping her attention to the trees. "I've been keeping an eye out on our backs since we entered… But there's not a soul."
She couldn't shake off the uneasiness either. Her arm was gripping onto the hilt of her sword. Even though she couldn't see anything, her instincts were screaming that someone, or something, was watching them.
Then, it happened.
"Hello your Highness…"
It was a voice. Hollow, cold, and made everyone dead in their tracks.
In that instant, a black shadow that was reminiscent of Death itself swooped past them, and floated in front of the group. A figure materialized.
A man with long silver hair, with the red eyes of a devil, stood in the shadow's place. He was wearing robes, with red rubies studded at various points. It was clear who this person, no – demon was.
"Ja – " stuttered Leah.
Before she could finish saying his name, his words, his spell, echoed through the air.
"Dias Ftifor"
The words could not be understood. He did not perform magic, that was what magi did. He was a warlock. His skill surpassed magic. It was more appropriate to say that it was divine intervention. An action that no human - magi or not, could perform.
The rain intensified, and a howling wind came. Then, screams were heard as the princess's escorts, the captain and his troop, were swallowed by Death itself.
The princess was backing away, shocked and terrified. While Leah and Kael were advancing to cover Her Highness. They were unharmed as they were at the back of the group.
The rain and wind died down, but didn't stop completely. The Royal Guards were in front of Millia now. Their weapons raised, even though they knew they were no match for him.
He was around 15 metres away, and the princess was 5 metres behind them. Even if he ran, Leah should be able to intercept, and keep him occupied enough for Kael to bring princess to safety... Even though the chance was slim.
And in an instant...
The warlock was gripping the princess's hair. He was no longer in front of them.
Leah had no time to contemplate how he did it. She just swung her swords at the warlock on reflex. Her arc would decapitate him, with her speed and power. She was sure of it.
Then she coughed up blood mid-swing. Her eyes lost focus as she figured out what was wrong. The warlock was in front of her, smiling with the princess in hand. She then noticed that there was something solid protruding out from her chest.The tip of a lance.
She tried to look behind her, but all she saw before she lost consciousness was her subordinate, Kael, metres away to her left, clutching his bleeding left shoulder.
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Kael was stunned for a moment when he a saw a shadow pass the warlock. He was no longer there. Then a scream from behind him, and he saw Leah swing her twin blades with a pincer attack. He was about to turn as well, but his instincts took a hold of him as he instinctively raised his shield to block an incoming attack.
He couldn't see it, and he felt a sharp pain on his left shoulder. He could see the weapon now, as it had pierced his shoulder. It was a lance, and it went through his shield. Before he could swing his free arm, with his sword, at the attacker, he had the wind knocked out of him as he felt a sudden blow to head. A roundhouse kick, straight to his temple, that blurred his vision and sent him flying metres away.
He lost the grip on his blade as he was sent flying. The sharp pain on his shoulder was the only thing keeping him conscious. As he numbed the pain with his mind and kept pressure on his wound, his eyes only met with the sight of Leah being impaled by the wielder of the lance.
He was helpless. He couldn't even stand now, and all he could do was see his teacher die in front of him. In his mind, he knew he would probably meet his end here as well. A group of five trained soldiers, and the princess's Royal Guard. Wiped out in a matter of minutes, no – seconds, by two... Only two individuals.
Kael was biting his lip to stay conscious. He would not black out there, not in this situation. The lance was dislodged from Leah, and her lifeless body dropped onto the wet ground. Now that Kael noticed, the lance wielder was a woman, barely older than himself. She had short dark green hair, and it parted in the middle. He knew who she was.
"Vynn..." Kael coughed, blood trickling down his chin. "Ilia..."
The girl turned to his direction, and readied her lance once again, to pierce his heart then and there. As the lance was about to strike his heart, she stopped. Kael could see the tip of the lance clearly, there were faintly glowing red symbols engraved on the blade itself. It was clearly no ordinary lance. It could even penetrate his shield without resistance.
Her eyes met his, and it seemed that she saw something.
"Why didn't you finish him off?" asked a hollow, lifeless voice. "Its not like you to leave survivors."
"I believe we need to send the Eamonian Kingdom a message..." she answered bluntly. "And he's the perfect messenger."
"Hmph." scowled the warlock. "Do what you will, I will not be responsible if the Emperor beheads you for leaving survivors."
Vynn ignored his comment, and turned to Kael.
"It will do you well to remember this." she began. "Your princess belongs to us now, and if you try to recover her..."she trailed off. "Well, you won't make it in time either way."
Before Kael could even nod or say anything, she gave him strong kick to his stomach. Kael's consciousness was fading... Before he blacked out for sure, he could only hear the voice of the princess... Crying for help.
Hello? er . . . well . . . juz for fun XP
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