“Voiceless incantation and Infusion of mana into sound…?” Horan muttered. His previously composed mask broken with surprise on his face.

The others looked on with surprise at the mention of voiceless incantation.

“Incorrect. It is projecting my mana as sound. I can make you hear whatever I want.”

A voice echoed back, but the child’s mouth never moved.

“I have never heard of such a thing before.” The old knight bluntly stated in amazement.

“Of course, I developed it myself.” This time, the boy had talked. His voice was normal and childish like the one he met them at the door with.

Having underestimated the child at every turn, the old man was speechless.

The other knights had heard, and were trying to wrap their minds around how one would develop a magic.

Adalina’s face was slightly surprised. She knew he had the ability to so such things with his voice, but never knew to what degree he had taken it.

“Now that we’ve established that my mother was telling the truth, is there anything else?” Kaidus questioned.

“Yes of course. Thirn.” Brought back from his reverie, the old man called out.

The man call Thirn stepped forward and handed the commander a piece of folded cloth about the size of his palm.

The old man unfolded the cloth, revealing a Royal Knight’s Insignia. With a short display of it in his palm, he offered it to the boy. “Please take this. If you ever feel like you want to become a knight to protect the people, show this to any knight within Ferrent, and they shall see you through the proper channels.”

“Thank you.” Kaidus took the cloth wrapped insignia, giving a curt bow in return.

 “I hear you are an accomplished reader, reading such tomes as Horinfals 8 Designated Principles, The Arkane Alchemist of Lies, The 14 Formations of Derzul’s Floating Castles, and such… That you also spend your free times discussing books with the owners of bookstores you borrow from?” The old man investigated after having sat down.

“I read what might interest me.” Kaidus’ reply was short and simple.

“Also, that you are not going to school within the 3^rd ward?”

“I attended briefly, but the subject matters taught were well below my consideration. I had opted out so that others would make better use of my spot.” Kaidus responded matter-of-factly.

“Hmmm….” The old man thought deeply for a second, then an idea hit him. “Then how about Zorin Academy within the 11^th ward?”

“I’m sure Zorin Academy is restricted to nobles.” Kaidus replied with a shred of curiosity.

Zorin Academy was one of three where the best and brightest of Ferrent’s upper echelon attended. Zorin Academy in the 11^th ward, Tiokin Academy in the 12^th ward, and Hvsen Academy in the 10^th ward.

“It is, but there are exceptions. Being Lord Knight Commander, I can create those exceptions. In my eyes, you Kaidus, a young prodigy would be considered an exception.” The old man attempted to entice Kaidus.

Kaidus turned to look at Adalina. She had been watching him and gave him a weak smile as if giving him her permission. “Your offering is tempting, Lord Ravon. I would love to attend even if just to scour the academy’s stockade of books, but without the means, I would have to gratefully decline.” He bowed as he declined the offer.

“There would be no such problems! I will sponsor you with all the backings of the Ravon family.” The old man exclaimed, grinning optimistically. The three people standing behind him simply looked at each other silently.

“That woul–” Kaidus started.

“Of course he’ll attend, my Lord.” Adalina spoke

“Adalina?” Kaidus was surprised at her sudden announcement.

‘Adalina’ He had not called me by that in many years. She thought to herself. “It’s fine Kaidus. I have Anise with me. You should go and see what the academy has to offer. Do not worry about us. You can always come back when you want. You know that.” She comforted him with a smile.

“Of course… mother.” Kaidus replied as he gave her a smile back. “Lord Ravon, if you will, please allow me to attend Zorin Academy.” He bowed in gratitude.

“DONE!” with a great loud voice, the old man shouted. “I will find lodging for you along with the required paper works and my sponsorship. Everything will be ready within 4 days. Expect a courier with an 11^th ward entrance letter and a carriage for your belongings. He will bring you directly to me, where we can finalize your sponsorship and admittance.” The old man spoke, a great big smile on his face.

“I understand.” Kaidus replied affirmatively.

“Well then, that about covers everything.” The old man voiced as he got up.

“Master, Zorin Academy claims some of the most powerful magic students within the kingdom, are you sure he will be able to compete with his sound magic?” Daaro questioned from the side.

“He is not limited to sound, Daaro. You saw yourself he can invoke voiceless incantations.” The old man replied.

“I still cannot believe that, master.”

“… Are you calling all the knights who witnessed it liars? Spellblade Daaro Sinstal. Because if I were you, I would watch what I say next.”

“I do believe them master, I do not doubt that they saw what they saw. It’s just, I cannot grasp my head around the possibility that this child managed such a feat.”

“He brings up a good point Commander, I myself am intrigued by everything that has occurred. A demonstration of a similar magic that defeated the Kalligor would easily clear any doubts” Thirn backed up Daaro’s argument.

Standing in front of his seat, the old knight looked at Kaidus entreatingly

“Would it be too much to ask for you to prove my assertions?” The old knight politely pleaded with a look of complete confidence.

“I will not have others label my benefactor a narrator of false tales.” Kaidus answered. Within seconds, a twig zipped down from his room, halting in between everyone. “Watch carefully, as I do not have another stick.” He warned.

As soon as the warning was finished, his hair began emitting streaks of light.

With a single thought, the stick imploded upon itself into a sphere before bits and pieces of the sphere tore away. In an instant, thousands of tiny fragments of wooden particles were in the air. Extending his arm outward, the fragments swirled around it as if to slice it up before flying back to the middle of the spectators. With another thought, the pieces burst into flames in the air, vanishing completely.

Everyone had been mesmerized by the display, and all lacked the proper words to put their thoughts into form.

“Yaaay! Agin Gai! Do it Agin!” Anise cheered as the lightshow came to an end.

 

—

 

A few days later.

Kaidus was currently riding a carriage through the 11^th ward heading towards the Ravon Estate. They had passed the gated checkpoint into the nobility ward not long ago and he was reading a book be brought along to pass the time.

Adalina had packed him three set of clothes–two of them were brand new and purchased for this occasion. He was currently reading the book Life and Death of Malizur Lize Daran Fotbusen–It was the book he had obtained from the Tales Corner bookstore. In his pocket were three green fers that Troyle had given him–four full days’ worth of Troyle’s wage–along with a small satchel containing paper and ink that Troyle purchased for him the day before.

…

The Ravon estate was a huge plot of property towards the center of Ferrent, bordering the walled gates into the 13^th ward.

The Ravon Manor stood in the fore of the walled estate while the backyard contained a large garden. As the carriage pulled up to the mansion, a familiar face came out to greet him.

“Good afternoon Lord Kaidus. Master has been expecting you.” Daaro greeted him with a wink. His previous doubts about having Kaidus, a seven-year-old boy attending the academy all but disappeared.

“Good afternoon Lord Sinstal, and please it’s just Kaidus.”

“Well then Kaidus, please leave your possessions in the carriage, it will wait here until we are done.” Daaro spoke as if reading his mind. “Please follow me, I’ll show you to the Master’s study.” he turned around and walked toward the manor.

Looking around, the huge manor felt more like a castle. The manor was extremely large and had a courtyard that was divided into three sections. One for training, one for relaxation, and the other contained a small garden with a pathway through it. Passing the courtyard, he could see there were many people outside socializing and training.

“Does everyone live here?” He asked Daaro indicating the people in the courtyard.

“Some. Most come here for training and instruction from Master Ravon and Sir Horan.”  

“I thought Lord Gelrin didn’t give lessons, is it his son Lord Huin?”

“Yes indeed. Master Huin Xoras Ravon, the Commander’s son and Vion’s father is the instructor.” Daaro answered as they walked.

…

“Master, Kaidus has arrived.” Daaro spoke as he opened the door to the study.

“AH! Good! Come take a seat.” The lord waved him forward to a chair. “Zorin academy has already been notified of your admittance. You will be staying in a boarding house allocated to the academy for student use. Is that fine with you?”

“Is the boarding house within the academy?” Kaidus asked to make sure.

“Yes, the boarding house is a part of, and within the academy grounds.” The old man clarified.

“Then that is fine.”

“Then these.” The old man slid two official looking documents forward.

“This one is your admittance letter.”

Taking the paper, Kaidus read it from top to bottom to check for any discrepancies or hidden agenda within the document.

“The document has been magically infused to correspond to whoever synchronizes with it, allowing them entry into the academy without any problem. If you would, please infuse some of your mana into it.” The old man explained.

As Kaidus willed his mana into the letter sitting on the desk, the piece of paper shone with a blue light, and then as if dissolving, vanished completely. A cold sensation formed on the back of his hand, and then a symbol appeared.

“Good. That symbol is an enchantment that allows entry into the school without setting off the perimeter alarm for intruders.” The old man told him after confirming the symbol.

“And then this.” The old man handed him the sponsorship letter.

Again, Kaidus took the paper and looked through it thoroughly to make sure there was nothing else besides the promise of sponsorship before setting it back on the table.

“Hahahah, a cautious one aren’t you?” the old man laughed, having read Kaidus.

“Just making sure there is nothing to bind me, Sir.” He replied back with a wry smile.

“Bind you? BWAHAHHAHAHA! Surely you jest boy, it is I who should be diligent in making sure you do not bind me to your will!” the old man laughed heartily.
Daaro on the other hand, even though knowing they were joking, was edging his hand towards the sword on his waist.

“Ahem! The price of admittance for 3 years at the academy has already been paid for. That document will allow you to draw from the Ravon House treasury for anything you may need. Like before, please infuse your mana into it.”

Kaidus infused his mana into the document. This time, it shone lightly but did not vanish. The old Knight stepped forward and muttered a quick incantation, infusing his own mana into the paper. It shone brightly for a second, and then went back to normal.

“That will authenticate the document for whenever you require it.” The old man told him. Going back behind his desk, he got took out something from a drawer.

“Also, if you will,” The old man held out a badge with the emblem of a sword and helmet. “Because of your exceptional circumstances, many will undoubtedly look down upon you. Wear this, and they will recognize those who are behind you.” The old man made a low bow, as he offered the badge to Kaidus.

“I am grateful for your consideration Lord Ravon, but I wish to push through the academy with my own strength. I hope you do not mind if I humbly decline your generous offer.” Kaidus answered with a bow of his own.

“No, of course not.” The old man replied in understanding. “We have finished our business… but, how about having dinner and resting here in my manor for the night?”

“As I am a person who lacks manner and proper etiquette, I must graciously decline your offer.” Kaidus replied, attempting to claw himself out of staying.

“BWAAHAHAHAH! If you lack manner and etiquette, then my grandson must be a broken halfwit! I implore you, please join me for dinner. I would love to hear about your family.” The old man was unwilling to let him slip out of his grasp.

Kaidus could hear Daaro who was standing by the door behind him trying to hold back his laughter. “If you insist, Lord Ravon.” He replied with a smile on his face. “What about the carriage out front?”

“I insist, and thank you for the honor.” The old man asserted, grinning.  Ringing a bell on his desk, moments later a young man opened the door.

“Yes Sir?”

“Fon, show Kaidus to a room in the West wing. Also, send someone to bring in his belongings from the carriage out front. He will be relaxing here for the night.”

“Yes Sir. Please, right this way.” Fon ushered Kaidus to follow.

“Feel free to wander about the estate Kaidus. I will send someone to call you for dinner.” The old man spoke.

“Until dinner then, Lord Ravon.” Turning to Daaro, “Thank you for the guide, Lord Sinstal” Kaidus replied with a curt bow as he walked out of the old man’s study.

…

“First time I have seen you so gracious towards someone else besides his majesty the king.” Daaro spoke to his master after Kaidus had left.

“Live long enough, and you too will learn to discern people Daaro. You would do well to watch your tongue around him.” The old man spoke, unamused by his disciple’s keen statement.

 

Kaidus lazily sat on a chair with one of the books he had procured earlier that morning opened before him.

‘…remnants of displeased followers. With his charismatic leadership, the new faction quickly rose in ranks to rival the others in the organization.

The two years following their rise, the faction advocated the alliance and unification of the different factions…”

A knock, then his door opened.

“Kaidus, dinner is ready. Your father just got back so come down.” Adalina called to him.

“Be right there.” Kaidus replied as he marked the page with a piece of paper.

Downstairs, Troyle was carrying Anise to the table while Adalina finished setting it up.

Kaidus took his own seat.

Tonight’s dinner was steamed oriv deer leg with mulse bread, sides of pickled lisal leaves, and the left over qorkos from earlier.

“What was it that was so urgent this morning?” Adalina questioned Troyle as she sat down.

“Nothing serious. There was a report of korgas attacking the new fields, and Lord Varath wanted to document the damages and reassure the farmers that he would send out hunters to take care of it.”

“Did that really require your attendance?” Adalina asked with a look of confusion.

“The lord wanted to go out there and see the damages with his own eyes. I had to accompany him.” Troyle answered as he ate.

“Daddy, I shaw nyite!” Anise interrupted.

“Was it fun Anise?” Troyle stroked his daughter’s head.

“Ehehe YESHH!!!!” the little girl had a grin from ear to ear.

“Did you all go watch the demonstration today?” Troyle asked while watching Kaidus.

“I did take Anise this afternoon. We were only there for a while and Anise fell asleep, so we came back.”

“What about you Kaidus?” Troyle questioned once more curiously.

“Gai! Gai!” Anise started calling for his attention.

“I was.” Kaidus answered and continued eating.

“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about what happened in the plaza today would you?” Troyle’s inkling suspicion was growing.

“Wood yoo? Wood yoo?” Anise imitated.

After passing through the gate into the 3^rd ward, he had heard many rumors and saw guards moving about asking people questions about a young boy that was at the plaza. He never heard the details, but a dreadful feeling had crept over his skin, and he was sure he knew who the guards were searching for. Luckily, the 3^rd ward was one of Ferrent’s biggest districts and the search would certainly take a while, but it was only a matter of time until they found who they were looking for.

“I was there when it happened.” Kaidus answered with an undaunted expression and continued eating.

“What exactly happened?” Troyle asked, his voice nervous.

“What is this about? Something happened at the demonstration?” Adalina cut in, seeing Troyle’s discomfort.

“Well, they were displaying a live Kalligor as the final show. Unfortunately, it called its mate, and well, things got out of hand.”

““What?!”” Adalina and Troyle both cried out.

The Kalligor, the death of the first two knights, the battle with the other two knights, how the kalligor had targeted a civilian, how the older knight had been blown over to where he was hiding, how the knight had tried to protect him from the kalligor, and how he had killed the kalligor to protect the knight.

Kaidus recounted what he saw and what he did earlier that day to his parents.

Adalina got up, walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his head. “Are you alright?” she asked as she coddled him.

“Yes. I am perfectly fine.” He answered back.

“You didn’t faint this time?” Troyle inquired, recalling the last time something like this happened.

“No I’m alright. Sorry to worry you both.” He replied after Adalina released him.

“Then why are the guards looking for you?” Troyle inquired.

“I’m not sure. I left the plaza as soon as I could.” Kaidus replied as he sat down and continued his dinner.

 

—

 

It’s been 4 days since the incident at the plaza, and the old knight was in his studies racking his brains over who the mysterious child was.

The sheer number of boys under the age of 10 was over two thousand alone in the 3^rd ward, and they had nothing to go on besides that he had black hair, which constituted at least 1/4^th of all the relevant children in the 3^rd ward. The knights and guards had questioned many children who were at the demonstration, but none were the one he was looking for. The search was taking too long, and they had already expanded the search to the adjacent 2^nd and 4^th wards.

“There is something I am missing…” the old knight told himself.

Once again, he recalled the encounter.

The child hiding then running toward him as he yelled for the boy to run away.

The glow that he thought was an illusion.

The dark black eyes that gazed at him without fear while thanking him. 

The way the child held himself even after such an event.

The child taking out something from one of the stalls.

Walking away as if nothing had happened.

‘My books, sir.’

The words hit him like an arrow.

‘Maybe I’ve had this all wrong? What if those weren’t books for his parents or someone else, but for him?’ the old knight’s eyes shone with realization.

He had thought the boy to be on an errand delivering the books for someone else due to the boy’s age and status as a commoner. How wrong he would be, if that was not the case. He berated himself in his own mind for allowing such a simple piece of the puzzle to elude him.

‘What if, instead of looking for a boy between the ages of 5 and 10, I send people to question all the bookstores within the 3^rd ward?’ the old knight thought to himself, remembering the bound parcel.

“Renzol!” The old man called out.

“Yes Sir?” a young squire answered after opening the doors to his studies.

“Go find Thirn, I’ve got a job for him.”

“Yes Sir.” The young squire affirmed before closing the doors to the study.

 

—

 

“Is this right?” The old knight asked the one called Thirn.

“Every word, sir.”

In the old knight’s hand was a report given to him by the man called Thirn.

He had given Thirn the job of going around all the stores within the 3^rd ward that sold stationary, books, and anything that could be construed as a book.

“I did not believe it myself sir. Almost all of the stores I visited within the 3^rd ward knew about this child. If I am not mistaken, he is the one you are looking for.”

 “These statements are unbelievable…

‘First met him 5 years ago when he asked me to borrow a book… read and discussed with me about a passage out of Gorsholl’s Tomes of the arcane to prove his ability and understandings as a requirement before I allowed him to borrow.’,

‘Heard about him from Deuvus, a fellow bookstore owner. Said the child had pretty much read every book in his shop, so he was going to point the child towards my shop to see if I had anything different for him.’,

‘I told him about the library when he asked to borrow books from my shop, but he said he had already gone through everything he wanted from the library, then proceeded to name over 300 books from memory. I asked him how old he was. He said he was 5.’

The statements go on like this! Just what in the world is going on here? You would think a child like this would garner more attention from the schools.”

“That would be the case, IF he had attended the local institutions.” Thirn chimed in.

“Explain. Now.” the old knight quickly ordered.

“Due to many of the child’s claims about the library, I took it upon myself this morning to inquire at the 3^rd ward central library. Turns out, the child has been borrowing from there for almost four years. His latest visit was on the day of the demonstration. The librarian in there told me the child, Kaidus, was there for books about corvine vipers, and was in the library for at least three hours in the afternoon before leaving. Except for that last visit, it seems he usually borrows the maximum three books, returning them within three to five days.” Thirn explained.

“The child I’m looking for was carrying books as he left the plaza. Where did the books come from if he did not borrow them from the library?” the old knight asked, perplexed. His anticipation slowly vanishing with what he just heard.

“There’s an explanation for that.” Thirn smiled, as the old knight’s face lit up with hopes again. “The child was at the library around noon, but before that, he visited a bookstore in the 3^rd ward: Tales Corner. The shop had just recently opened, and it seems the child was there in the morning for around two hours, before purchasing two books and leaving.”

“How do we know it’s the same child?” the old knight asked

“The librarian. When I asked about the child, he said the child came into the library that day with an unwrapped bundle that looked like they may have been books to him.” Thirn answered, having been able to remove his commander’s disappointment.

“Do we know where he lives?” the old knight asked eagerly.

“Yes Sir.” Thirn confirmed.

“Go get Horan and meet me at the front gate. He should be in the courtyard. Also, tell him to bring Daaro and Vion.” The old knight issued as he got up from his desk.

“Yes sir.” Replied Thirn, before making his way out of the old knight’s study.

 

—

 

Sitting by the window, Kaidus was reading the new book he had obtained for free from Tales Corner.

He had gone back to the bookstore earlier that morning and discussed the droll fashions of the Dorcon Court with the owner. They had also debated over which elements within the Inguis religion caused it to fracture, allowing other religions to strengthen their influences, ultimately losing out on religious control over the Lagolls continent.

Having rectified the shopkeeper’s view of him, he had been able to pick out a free book as per the deal.

Though reading, he was constantly watching Anise as she played with some wooden blocks. Adalina was preparing dinner, and Troyle had not returned home yet.

“Gai! blay wif mii!” Anise voiced, wanting to play.

Looking at his sister, he marked his page and set the book down.

As soon as he stepped over to where she was, there was a knock on the door.

“Can you get that Kaidus?” Adalina called from the kitchen.

Moving towards the door, he could sense a familiar presence. ‘So they’ve found me’. He mused to himself.

Opening the door, an old man stood at the entrance. It was the old knight from the other day–except he was out of his armor. Four others, presumably also knights stood behind the old man. Two looked in their 30s, one in his 20s, and the last in his teens.

As soon as the old knight saw him, the knight’s eyes lit up with delight while Kaidus scanned the other four.

“May we come in?” the old man asked, voice calm and grandfatherly.

“Of course, please come in.” Stepping aside from the doorway, he allowed them inside.

“What is going on Kaidus?” hearing the noise, Adalina hurried over to check on him.

“Lord Ravon, of the Three Royal Commanders and his entourage would like to come in, mother.” Kaidus answered.

The old knight’s eyebrows went up in surprise at the mention of his surname and title.

“Oh! I am so sorry, we were not expecting guests. Please do come in!” Adalina curtsied before she went into the kitchen to fetch chairs.

“Kaidus, please bring your sister to your room.” Adalina spoke as she brought back two wooden chairs and turn back to grab the other two.

“No, please, there is no need. My business here is in regards to him.” The old man replied, his face beaming at the name ‘Kaidus’.

Having only four chairs, three of the knights had opted to stand. In the chairs were: the old man, one of the older knights, Adalina with Anise on her lap, and Kaidus in the last. The four chairs were facing each other, while the three unseated knights stood behind the two who were sitting.

“I apologize for the unannounced visit. As you have heard, I am Gelrin Teralt Ravon. Royal commander of the 11th ward knights, Lord Knight Commander serving directly under his majesty King Sarjace J. Roulus Dalzon the twelfth, Head of House Ravon, a raiha spellblade, and leader of the Ferrent Spellblades. These are my subordinates: Horan Lorkaz, my second and also a raiha spellblade. Thirn Devershin, my third. Daaro Sinstal, a promising new spellblade under my watch. And Vion Zaile Ravon, my grandson and Horan’s squire.” Lord Ravon spoke as he gestured to each of his companions. Each of them nodding in turn as their names were called.

“Welcome to our humble home, Lord Ravon, Lord Lorkaz, Lord Devershin, Lord Sinstal, and young Lord Ravon. I am Adalina Paltos, this is my son Kaidus and daughter Anise. How may we help you?” Adalina introduced herself and her children.

“How mey wee helf yoo?” Anise imitated from Adalina’s lap with a grin on her face. Adalina quickly put her finger before the child’s mouth, signaling quiet.

“I gather you have heard about the incident during the demonstration the other day?” the old man went right to the chase.

“Y-yes, we have…” Adalina answered, uncertain what was going to happen.

“Then you know that your son saved my life, and that of countless others.” The old man stated without any hidden intention.

Both Daaro and Vion perked up, confusion and disbelief in their eyes. From the looks of them, they have heard about what transpired, but did not know the details.

“Well, that…” Adalina had lost her line of thought at the candid statement.

“I must also bring to your attention that we have been searching for him ever since the incident. Were you aware?” the old man asked Adalina inquisitively before she could form a reply.

“Well, um… Yes… We did somewhat feel that to be the case…” Adalina replied, unable to deny it.

“Might I ask why he was never brought forth to our attention?”

“We-… my husband and I did not understand why there was a search, and for what purpose he was being sought after. We were just trying to protect him.” Adalina replied nervously.

“I see…” the old man gave an understanding nod.

“Is he in trouble, my Lord?” Adalina nervously questioned.

“No. Sorry to spook you, but he is not in any trouble. In fact, I had been searching for him to give him my thanks personally, and a suitable reward. If not for him, I fear to imagine what may have happened in the plaza that day. It was because of our arrogance that the incident occurred in the first place.”

The old knight stood up.

“As Lord Knight and Commander, on behalf of all the royal knights you saved that day, thank you, young Kaidus.” The old knight gave a deep bow.

“Grandfather!” Vion yelled out, having just seen his esteemed grandfather’s gracious bow to a commoner, not least, a child. Thirn, standing by his side held out a hand to motion him to stop.

“Quiet Vion.” The old knight returned to his seat. “One must know to show gratitude towards those who they owe their life to.” The old man spoke to his grandson without looking back.

“But your Knight’s honor!” Vion spoke again, against command.

“Lord Vion, please, no more.” Thirn spoke.

“What about my knight’s honor?” the old knight turned to look at his rash grandson. “Would it have been better for my honor if I had died there in the plaza? Unable to continue my knightly duty to the king? Where is the honor in not being able to thank your savoir?”

“BUT! To a commoner!?” Vion argued back.

“VION!” the old knight barked back, his previous calm and grandfatherly demeanor all but vanished. “Do you understand WHY I brought you? A knight’s honor means nothing if they judge themselves above the people! You are not a knight because you are better than the people! You are a knight because you SERVE the People! Because you have the power to protect those who cannot protect themselves!”

Vion’s mouth went silent, unable to mutter a rebuttal against his grandfather’s anger.

“Vion… If you truly believe that lowering yourself to someone because of their status is beneath you as a knight, then your dreams of following in our footsteps will always remain a dream. Remember that, boy.” The old man emphasized ‘boy’ to drive in his point.

“Sorry about that.” The old man turned back to Kaidus and Adalina. “My grandson lacks decorum; I will be sure to discipline him appropriately.”

“No, please don’t. It is perfectly fine.” Adalina replied timidly. 

“I do not know if you are aware, but your son is undoubtedly a powerful mage. Of what order though, I do not dare to guess.” The old knight stated, his voice unsure, almost frightened.

This time, all three people standing looked toward Kaidus, Thirn’s face intrigued by what the old knight just said, the other two were doubtful. Horan, having seen the display of power firsthand, had on a composed mask.

“Yes… we have been aware of it for some time.” Adalina spoke, her voice reluctant.

All the knights looked on with surprise at the sudden admittance.

“Oh? And how long have you known?” the Lord Knight Commander asked, his curiosity written all over his face.

Looking at Kaidus, she saw a stoic face. Adalina then turned back to face the old man. “We have known ever since his first birth cycle.” She answered, her voice low as if to hide the truth.

“….” There was a silent astonishment in the old commander’s eyes.

“Preposterous!” a familiar voice chimed in from behind the chairs.

“VION!”

“Sir! Don’t tell me you are actually buying this!” the grandson retorted.

“Even if you are my blood, another word and I will-” the old knight exclaimed.

“With all due respect Sir.” Horan cut in. “Though I do not doubt that this child may have killed the kalligor and saved us, thinking logically, I cannot believe that this child has been awoken to his abilities ever since his first cycle. It is just too unbelievable.” Horan added his own opinions.

“Is what you say the truth?” the old knight questioned.

“Yes, my Lord.” Adalina replied without an ounce of hesitation in her voice.

“How is that even possible? The awakening into the power from Lagus requires perfect synergy of both the person’s will and mind to the mana within the body. Even the youngest person ever recorded to have awoken to their magic was already 14.” Horan stated in incredulity.

“It is the truth whether you believe me or not, my Lords.” Adalina reinforced her previous declaration.

“My mother is not lying.” A voice, childish but imposing snaked through the atmosphere. Swirling about, the voice held a low baritone in one ear, and a high tenor in the other.

All eyes shifted to focus on the boy that had been silent ever since the discussion began—including his mother.

 

“KAAARRCCKK!!” The airborne Kalligor thundered once more before taking a dive straight towards the plaza.

The scramble for cover had caused many people to become injured, and many were still out in the open.

*CRASH!* It landed on top of the cage containing the imprisoned Kalligor. Two yellow eyes leered at the surrounding knights menacingly while its tail swept at those behind it.

“Do not let it break that cage! Knights, surround it! Mages try and keep it from flying!” The old knight commanded.

Seeing more knights closing in on the cage to surround it, the Kalligor quickly raised its body, and pumped its chest.

“SHIELDS!” One of the knights called out. Within seconds, a wall of shields was erected surrounding the Kalligor and cage.

A stream of yellow flame blasted out of the Kalligor’s mouth and collided with a part of the wall, melting the surface of the shields and forcing that part of the wall to break.

From the back, mages formed together and chanted an immobilization incantation, invoking it as soon as the breath attack ceased. The beast suddenly froze, indicating the spell had been successful. Having sealed its movements, other mages start invoking their own magic against the creature.

The initial seven knights broke off from the ranks of the shield wall and jumped straight for the immobilized Kalligor.

“KaaaAACKK!!” The caged Kalligor screeched.

“NO! GET BACK!” One of the mages yelled out.

*Swoosh* the sound of a blade cutting through air could be heard, and in an instant, two of the seven knights had been cut to pieces, while the other five had been repelled and blown backwards. The immobilized Drakall was no longer sitting atop the cage frozen, but was now on the ground in a crouched position ready to strike.

Many of those who had failed to get into a building were watching the spectacle while frozen with fear, as others screamed for their lives.

“HORAN WITH ME! MAGES BIND IT AGAIN!” The old knight called out, walking up to the circle of knights surrounding the Kalligor.

The wall opened up to usher the knight and his adjutant inside.

“Stand back! If this goes bad, evacuate everyone and wait until the reinforcements from the Mystiks guild arrive!” He commanded as he walked in to face the Kalligor.

Two knights stood face to face with the creature that had just cut through two other armored knights. The first and older knight drew a two handed greatsword of azurite blue with a serrated edge and a glowing red gemstone embed into the pommel. The second drew a thin longsword almost as long as the knight himself, the blade was so thin that it almost looked transparent.

As if knowing that these two were dangerous, the Kalligor lowered his stance and gazed at them with its two yellow eyes. Without any warning, it charged.

An iron claw swung horizontally toward the older knight. With deft hands and inhuman reflexes, the knight brought up his greatsword to block the swipe. Using the accelerating momentum of the Kalligor, the knight planted a kick into the creature’s face at the same time with his greaves. On the old knight’s right side, his second had moved into position beside the Kalligor and unleashed a flurry of quick slashes into the Drakall’s left side, before quickly retreating back to avoid the incoming tail. The Kalligor then curled itself up, and spun its wings around like a tornado to defend itself.

In range of the spin attack, the old knight jammed his greatsword into the ground and used it as a shield while his colleague swiftly retreated out of the attack’s perimeter.

“MAGES!” The old knight called out.

“– that we may vanquish it! CONSTRICTION!” The incantation had finished, and black chains of smoke erupted from the palms of the mages flying towards the spinning Kalligor.

The chains started intertwining around the Kalligor, restricting its movements, and stopping the spinning.

The old knight got up from his crouched position behind the greatsword and yanked the sword out. Rushing towards the bound drakall, he aimed for the creature’s head with an overhead slash. Like a guillotine, the greatsword came down upon the Kalligor’s head but missed. The creature was starting to break the binding and the attack carved into its shoulder instead.

Using the opening when the kalligor had been bound, the other knight had also jumped into action. He had swiftly dashed to the side of the Kalligor and while it was focused on the older knight, slashed the creature’s left wing.

“KKUAAAHHH!!!” The Kalligor hissed at the two knights, shooting flames out in front of itself.

Using its uninjured wing, the Kalligor staggered the old knight with a blast of wind and propelling itself back on top of the cage.

Knowing that the Kalligor won’t be flying anywhere, the younger knight bolted toward the cage to get within range.

“KURRACK!!” The caged Kalligor roared.

Due to his close proximity to the cage, the roar momentarily paralyzed him giving the other kalligor an opportunity to strike. A swift tail blow from atop the cage came through and smacked the younger knight right in the chest, throwing him backwards into the shield wall.

“KUARKARCCKK!!!” The caged Kalligor cried out again.

Suddenly the kalligor atop the cage shifted into an odd posture. His eyes unfocused and weaved around the plaza looking at the few gawking onlookers.

“HURRY UP AND EVACUATE NOW!” The old knight shouted out at the top of his lungs.

Those who had deemed it safe to stay within the area and watch the fight were suddenly hit with a sense of dread again.

Spying a gawker in the open to the north side of the plaza, the Kalligor leaped into action: Jumping off the cage, it pounced onto the ground and with a flap of its uninjured wing, propelled itself over the wall of knights and headed straight for the unprotected man.

A few of the knights saw the action and two of them managed to grabbed hold of the beast’s leg as it leaped over them. Crashing on the ground, one was trampled by the beast, while the other managed to let go in time and only incurred minor injuries. True to his title as a knight, he quickly got up and positioned himself between the civilian and the Kalligor, barely managing to deflect a killing blow away from the civilian.

“Get out of here NOW! Be-” He shouted at the spectator but before he could finish, he was blown away into the side of a building, armor and all.

Unluckily for the foolish man, the kalligor brought its wing back and was about to slice him in half.

Dashing through the plaza and right behind the Kalligor, was the old knight was. He had moved the moment the beast changed focus and jumped down from the cage. Catching the motion of the beast coiling itself ready to cut the defenseless man, the old knight quickly focused mana into his legs to facilitate and increase his agility before hurling himself at the beast.

It was all a feint, the real target had been him all along.

The coiled up Kalligor sprang at him with all of the stored up energy, blade-like wings swung at him. The force of the impact caught him in the air, and blew him across the plaza through a vendor’s stall and into the wall of a building. Even with the split second of defense with his sword, the force of the blow had shattered his greatsword, blown away his helmet, and even cracked his reinforced steel chest plate. Bones broken, out of breath, and armed with only a hilt, he barely managed to get up as the jaws of death scrambled toward him.

His knights were yelling and screaming while rushing to his aid, but were too far away. The old knight stood up for one last stand.

Suddenly a young boy caught his eyes. The boy had probably been hiding behind the stalls watching the fight, expecting to see knights like those from his children stories. The old knight attempted to walk forward, yelling at the boy to run away, but instead of fleeing, the boy ran toward him as the Kalligor stormed ever closer.

‘To protect those who cannot protect themselves.’ One of the sacred oaths resounded in his head.  

Without a second thought about his life, he mustered all his strength and grabbed the boy, twisting his body around to protect the child as the shrill sound of razor-sharp wings came upon him.

Holding the child to his chest, as if an illusion glimpsed only on the brink of death, the child’s black hair flashed bright silver for an instant, forcing him to shut his eyes.

The sudden uproar of his knights scrambling and calling for him had gone dead silent and most mysterious of all, he yet retained his life. Scared at what may have occurred, he slowly turned around to find a mass of blood splatters covering the plaza grounds and the few stalls around him.

He saw the faces of his knights, all were frozen, struck with unknown terror and bewilderment.

The boy struggled within his grasp and he slowly released the child.

“Are you alright?” The old knight asked.

“Yes, thank you very much.” The boy answered politely, eyes locked onto his. The boy then walked over to the stall he had been hiding behind and pulled out what appeared to be a bound parcel before walking away.

“Boy! What is it you just took from that stall!?” He yelled out after the boy.

“My books, Sir.” The child replied as he continued out of the plaza.

Watching the young boy walk away nonchalantly, the old knight finally noticed. Blood was dripping from his armor.

 

—

 

Inside the large tent in the plaza.

His bloody armor had been taken off, and he was now sitting on a chair. Physicians had prodded and diagnosed his injuries and mended what they could with magic. He was currently sitting alone in a room of the tent waiting.

A younger knight walked into the room.

“Any sign of him?” The old knight anxiously asked.

“No sir. Most of the knights that saw him are currently out looking right now. No one has seen him ever since he left the plaza… if you don’t mind me asking sir, why are we searching for him?”

“What do you mean why are we searching for him? I’ve already told you, he saved my life.”

“Sir, you say that, but how is that possible?” The knight asked his superior, uncertain about the claims.

“I don’t know how it was possible Horan. All I know is that I saw something happen, and then closed my eyes awaiting death. Before I knew it, the Kalligor was dead.”

“But you also said he was merely a boy, and from what you can tell, not even 10 years of age yet. You want the knights to believe that some unknown boy killed the kalligor in an instant, while you a master Raezil spellknight, me a Rujal spellknight, and forty of the kingdom’s best trained knights could barely contain it?” The knight asked, his argument logical.

“Tell to me Horan, what exactly did you see?” The old knight questioned.

“Have you not read the report sir?”

“DAM THE REPORT HORAN! I want to hear what you saw!” He snapped back.

“Sir, I saw you grab the child and use your body as a shield. There was a burst of light around you as if you were about to start shining. Then suddenly, the kalligor that was upon you burst into pieces. The boy then got something from the stalls, and walked away.” Horan replied recalling what he saw.

“Exactly. A burst of light, the kalligor in pieces, and the boy walking away. That is exactly why we are searching for him Horan, besides the fact that he saved my life.” The old knight replied, calm and collected.

“Are you sure it was not you who killed it unconsciously in your last struggle to protect the child, Sir?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Horan. Even as a Raezil, I could not accomplish what you all just saw. There are only four Raezils I know of who can kill a man by causing pressure to build up inside the body ending in a similar display of what we saw, but those usually leave body parts intact except for the point of exit, and requires a lengthy incantation. That magic earlier looked like it had ripped the kalligor apart bit by bit and threw it around the plaza, in an instant.”

“It is hard to believe, a child… capable of that?” Horan was still uncertain.

“I don’t need you to believe me Horan you saw it yourself. What I need is to find that child. Tell me, how many Malgins and Malizurs can you think of that can accomplish such a feat?”

“14 known Malgins and 3 Malizurs that we are aware of, Sir.” A swift and precise answer.

“And were any of them here in this plaza today?” The old knight asked, irritated.

“No sir.” The younger knight replied. “… Are you proposing, the child awoke to his powers in that instant?”

“That is not what I am ‘proposing’ at all Horan. How many people have awoken to their capacities and simply walked away afterwards?”

“Never before…”

“Then you should understand why this is such an important matter.”

“Yes Sir.” The adjutant replied, finally understanding why the captain wanted to find the boy.

“Have the men expand their search outward from the plaza, recruit the district guards too. Search the 3rd ward then expand to the 2nd and 4th if we have to.”

“Yes sir. What about the 11th ward? It could be possible that he is a part of the nobility.”

“No, the child’s clothes was that of the common populace, and if he had been one of the lord’s children, I would have known.” The old knight refuted the possibility. “Where is the other kalligor?” He suddenly changed the topic.

“In its cage. It will be taken to the Mystiks guild to have the cage reinforced, along with the magic binding the beast.”

“I see.” The old knight replied, relieved. “That is all. Let me know if the boy is found, or if anything comes up.”

“Understood.” The younger knight replied before turning around and heading towards the exit.

“Horan.” The knight stopped in his track.

“The child’s hair was glowing… I saw it only briefly, but the glow was bright enough to force me to close my eyes. No matter what the speculation, if I am not mistaken, that child saved me and possibly everyone here today. We must find him.”

“We will, Sir.”

His right hand clenched, he willed mana into his arm and then solidified it into his fist. He had done similar exercise hundreds of thousands of times before.

A hot burning sensation erupted and he slowly unwrapped his clenched fist, allowing the sensation escaped his hand to coalesce into a shiny sphere to hover above his palm. With a thought, the sphere shattered into pieces and ignited. The flames, as if alive swirled around his hand and up his arm enveloping it all the way to the shoulder. With another thought, the gauntlet of flames jumped into his left hand and transformed into an ethereal knife of flames. He grasped the small knife unperturbed, and swung it at a piece of stick he had found the previous day. The sword seared through the stick in a flash. The stick then burst into flames and within seconds, was consumed, leaving only ashes. With a final thought, the fiery knife morphed back into flames and jumped onto the ashes, consuming them before finally vanishing, having served its purpose.

Looking around the room, he spied one of his books that had been blown away in an earlier exercise. With a single thought the book lurched up into the air, flew straight toward him, and stopped within arm’s reach. He plucked the hovering book out of midair and looked at the title before willing it to a bookshelf decorating his room. He did the same with various items that had been throw amok around his room.

‘Well, that should be good for now. Breakfast should be ready soon.’ He thought to himself as he opened his door and proceeded downstairs.

 

—

 

“You’re up early as usual. What’re you planning for today?” Adalina asked, seeing her son coming down from the stairs.

“Thought I would go and peruse the selections of that new bookstore to see if there’s anything of interest.” Kaidus replied, moving to the table.

“GU Mooning Gai!!” A small high pitched voice called out to him from one of the chairs.

“Good morning Anise.” He replied, patting his sister’s head.

“Where’s father?” He asked after noticing that breakfast was only set up for three.

“Lord Varath sent a messenger earlier, it seemed urgent. Go ahead and eat without him.”

“I see… hopefully it’s not something serious.”

“It’s probably fine. Don’t worry about it and eat your breakfast.” Adalina reassured him.

“Gai! I Shaw a biig burd yeshtadhay!” Anise called out to him.

“Really? How big?”

“Dish BIIG!” her face beaming, Anise threw her hands up to show him the size of the bird.

“Wow, that’s really big!” He played, trying to sound enthusiastic.

“WIGHT? WIGHT?” She spoke excitedly.

“You know, the knights are having a demonstration later in the plaza. Don’t you want to go watch?” Adalina asked him.

“Maybe if I have time. I still have to go to the library and see if they have books about the corvine viper that was on display the other day.” He replied before taking another spoonful of steamed mulse with chopped honeyed nuts.

“NYITE! I wonna go watch nyite!” Anise butted in

“Be a good girl and eat your breakfast Anise.” Adalina scolded

“Wow this is great mom, the mushiness of the steamed mulse really goes well with the crunchy texture of the nuts. This roasted qorkos is great too, was this what dad brought home yesterday?” He asked before taking another mouthful.

“Yes it is. By the way, on your way to the library can you drop off this letter for me?” She asked, taking out a folded letter with a wax seal on it.

“Yes of course.” Kaidus answered as Adalina handed him the letter.

 “Will you be taking Anise to watch the demonstration?” He asked Adalina.

“She seems like she really wants to go, so we’ll go watch it for a while.”

“Well, if I get done early, I’ll stop by.”

…

 

Breakfast done and over with, Kaidus was sprinting through the streets of the 3^rd ward.

‘Mother’ and ‘Father’. The words at first sounded strange to him, but he had eventually gotten used to it over the years.

It has been six years since they settled in that cozy three bed room house in the 3^rd ward.

Adalina had been helping around the market district doing part time jobs initially. Troyle asked her many times to stop and take care of the house and him, but she had wanted to help in her own way as she had always done, so Troyle relented. It wasn’t until Anise was born that she eventually gave up her busywork and became a full time mother to both Anise and him.

Troyle had found work as a patrol, and eventually moved on to become sword instructor for Lord Varath’s son, after having placed 2^nd in an annual arms competition three years ago. His currently job was as a body guard for Lord Varath, with the occasional sword training for Lord Varath’s house guards.

Anise was born two and a half years ago and was now in the process of imitating people and learning how to talk. She was born a normal child unlike him, and has dark red hair with beady brown eyes.

Before Anise was born, he had wavered between his family and memories, causing him to become reclusive and secretive with his abilities. Having his own room, he had obtained the privacy he needed to experiment and hone his magic. Every morning before he was taken to work with Adalina, he would push what limits he could with his growing body, and attempt to perfect his control of his powers. The practices had been guarded with vigilance in fear that Adalina and Troyle would start to dread him if they knew what he was capable of. It was not until Anise was half a cycle old that they found out about his capabilities.

That day, Anise had woken up in her crib and was crying while Adalina was still in the kitchen making breakfast. He overheard her through the walls while practicing and went to check on her. Uncertain about how Adalina always quelled her cries, he tried talking to her, but that had not work. He even attempted to pick her up but he was not physically strong enough to do so. Without thinking about it, he conjured two small balls of light in the air and danced them above her to distract her. The ploy worked, but Adalina discovered it.

She did not feared nor even scold him. Instead, she had smiled tenderly at him and thanked him for looking out for his sister. The action brought many things into consideration. They had given him another chance at life, they had loved and protected him, and because they knew he was irregular, had given him plenty of space to grow and learn on his own. Their attitudes had not been anything else but those of loving parents. Without any idea as to how long he had been locked in the void, nor what his new purpose was in this life, his fury filled memories were eventually overrode by new ones, changing his views of vengeance to one of redemption and a chance to start over.

“Where ya heading off to in such a hurry boy?!” A voice called out from one of the street vendors.

“Morning Mr. Feshonton!” Kaidus yelled back while still running towards his destination.

“Kaidus! Tell your mother we just got a new wagonload of frozen fish from Gorstir. She’d best hurry before they disappear!” Another one called from ahead of him.

“She’ll be by later for the demonstration in the plaza, you should notify her then, Mrs. Arralton!” He replied to the old lady that owned the fish store.

Various other people called out to him and he replied in turn while running through the market district. These were all people who Adalina had worked for in the past or were acquainted with, and he had gotten to know them by always being brought along with her.

“Good Morning young master! How can I help you?” A merry shopkeeper called out to him as he entered the new bookstore.

“Good morning, would it be alright to browse your wares? He asked politely.

“Of course, take your time. Let me know if there is anything specific you may be looking for. Even if it is not in stock, I may be able to procure it.” The shopkeeper said, also giving him a wink.

“Certainly, and thank you.” As he moved towards one of the many shelves full of books.

‘Wow, I didn’t even know a new edition was out.’, ‘oh, the library doesn’t even have this one.’, ‘this looks very similar to Pruguil V. Vonforrun’s work’, ‘battle rituals of the foraging scorpions, might be interesting’. Such were the thoughts going through his head as he inspected the numerous books.

Lost in his hunt and countless other customers later, Kaidus brought two books to the front desk.

“These two please.” Setting the books onto the counter.

“You’ve been in here for an awfully long time. Find what you needed?” The shopkeeper asked.

“Yes. You’ve got many books here that I’ve never seen before. It was quite the dilemma choosing which.”

“That so? Let’s see… Inner workings of the Dorcon Imperial Court and The fall of Inguis: legacy of a religion… are these for your parents?” The shopkeeper asked.

“No sir, these are for me.”

“For you?” the shopkeeper observed him closely. “You… you’re seriously aren’t you? How old are you boy?”

“It’ll be my eighth cycle come next Alivai, so seven years old.” A straight forward answer. He knew full well the reading abilities of children his age, it was no surprise the shopkeeper was skeptical.

“Hmm seven huh… well, that’ll be 34 erns and 4 kuis for the both of them young master.”

“Here is 35 erns.” He dropped 17 double bits onto the table and a singular metallic bit.

Scooping the bits up, the shopkeeper reached into a pouch and brought out three smaller darker metals bits and handed him the 3 kuis. He then tied up the two books together and handed it to Kaidus. “Thank you for your patronage.” The shopkeeper said with a smile on his face.

“Thank you.”

“A moment, young one. How about a deal?” He called as Kaidus was about to head for the door.

“Let me know what you think about the Imperial decree for male versus female fashion within Dorcon, along with your insights pertaining to the rise and fall of the Inguis church. You do that, and I’ll surrender you a book of your own choosing—for free.” The shopkeeper said with a wry smile.

“Deal.” Kaidus grinned.

The book stores within the 3^rd ward knew him to be a voracious reader. He had started at the age of two and had gone through over seven bookstores and two libraries borrowing and devouring books that interested him. As a child who was taken wherever his mother went, he had spent those days reading to satiate his curiosity while his mother was busy with her job.

Being a new bookstore, the objective was to see if there was any books of interest, and luckily there was. But to also have the chance of obtaining a free book, he was overjoyed.

 

—

 

He had dropped off the letter at the delivery hall for Adalina, and is currently at the front desk of the 3^rd ward library, asking about books with information about corvine vipers.

This sudden interest in the corvine viper was due to four days ago when the Ferrent Royal Knights had returned from an expedition to hunt a man eating creature in the eastern swamplands. The hunters had to bring it back via eight wagons, and he was immediately fascinated by the serpent. It was a species he had no recollection of – even from his old memories, and had never taken any interest in when reading any mentions about it. That was until he saw it for himself. Deep black coloring, fangs of blood red as long as a daggers, scales as thick and tough as chain mail, and the sheer size of it measured three buildings wide–or the length of twenty three grown men–something that had never been recorded. He had never seen anything like it before up close, and had spent at least an afternoon gawking at the behemoth, trying to visualize the beast alive and hunting. The Knights said that the hunt had required the cooperation of a respectable Malgin, two of his Rujal apprentices, along with a small unit of knights, and a squad of hunter and trappers who knew the swamplands. Even with the small army, they had lost three hunters, one trapper, and four knights to the beast, only managing to exterminate it due to the magical support of the Malgin and his two apprentices.

Having waited for about fifteen minutes, the librarian came back with a stack of books.

Genealogy of serpents, Ground Vs Sky; the Drakalls Reign, Fhildon’s expedition into the unknown, yellow eyes of Kunsha …

And the list went on for about thirty books. Anything that has any mention of the corvine viper seem to be in the books picked out.

“Now you know Kaidus, that you can only borrow three at a time.” The old librarian reminded with a lighthearted tone.

“Understood, Mr. Kliness.”

With the stack of books, he started skimming the pages to search for significant body of information pertaining to his subject. The majority of the books only mentioned the corvine as a subspecies of the Viper family, and no real information about how they bred, hunt, or lived. A few of them had speculations about such things, but speculations were not what he was after.

After an afternoon of reading through the various books looking into the subject matter, nothing noteworthy was found. The best information he had about the corvine viper was pretty much what he has seen for himself.

Having left the library earlier than expected, he headed towards the plaza to catch whatever was left of the demonstration.

Passing a vender that sold skewered meat, he remembered that his breakfast had been ages ago, and got himself a snack as he walked towards the plaza.

Arriving at the plaza, the place was filled with onlookers from all sides. Even the buildings bordering the plaza were full of people curious to see the abilities of Ferrent’s knights. Squeezing his way to the front like a child, he managed to claw his way into view of the spectacle. Two knights were about to duel, both using the standard short sword and shield. Then the voice of the judge went off, signaling the start of the duel.

One of the knight moved in with a diagonal slash, the other effortlessly brings his shield forward at an angle and deflected the sword with ease. Using the opening, the second knight countered with a slash from a low angle going upwards towards the other’s sword arm. Instead of hitting metal signifying a loss of the arm, the swift slice cut through the air. The first knight had already twisted his body and slammed his shield into the shoulder of the second knight, throwing him off balance. With a quick low sweep the first one easily took the second off his feet, ending the duel. Everything had occurred within seconds of the starting signal.

The first knight helped the second up off the ground and they both walked back to a tent, the sound of thunderous applause behind them.

‘If that second knight had not aimed for the arm, but instead gone for a horizontal slash, the first one would have been forced to defend in that situation after having his sword deflected, then it might have been a better contest of skills. But in the end, that speed on the turn, utilizing that small opening when he had staggered his opponent with the shield slam, and the precise and swift low sweep… the other knight probably never had a chance in the first place.’ He contemplated to himself, analyzing the fight from a spectator’s perspective.

A couple more duels came and went, two mages came out to showcase a display of magic that awed the audience, and a newly knighted young man demonstrated his forms that earned him his knighthood.

“And saving the best for last, a final presentation! BEHOLD!” The announcer called out.

A gigantic cage covered by a large sheet of black cloth was rolled into the plaza, seven knights and a mage came along and surround the cage. Kaidus could feel an ominous aura emitting from whatever was in the cage.

With an incantation from the mage, the black sheet shot up into the air and vanished, revealing a scaly monstrosity almost filling up the cage it was in. A set of yellow eyes could be seen staring out at the onlookers from within the gray mass. Wings with razor sharp tips were thrashing against the steel bars of the cage, a long spiked tail had extended outside of the cage–whipping about. It was a Kalligor.

The audience went into an uproar over the sight of the Kalligor. The danger it poses, all but forgotten.

The majority of people knew that Kalligors were a vicious member of the Drakall family and are even known to possess some magic. They hunted all manners of creatures, including humans. To have subdued one and captured it alive was quite the achievement.

“*KRUAACCCCK*!!” The beast screeched from within the cage, causing people to cover their ears.

The seven knights immediate held up their swords invoking a sword spell and poised ready for combat, while the mage started an incantation to fortify the cage.

Laughter and cheers started pouring from the audience.

He could see that this was a display of the power of the knights. An exhibition displaying their mighty strength to garner the trust of the populace. A dead Drakall was one thing, and they had seen a few over the years, but a live one within their control, it would be proof of the knight’s strength to dominate.

*Kraaaaaack!!* A cry from a distance.

The audience perked up and scanned around.

“KraaakK!!!!” The cry was getting closer.

The expressions of the audience started changing from that of cheering and jeering to confusion and panic.

“KKRRAAACCCCK!!!” The Kalligor in the cage cried out again

*KRUACKK!!!* This time, the other scream was even closer than before.

“OVER THERE!!!” A voice called out.

People started looking around, first from the voice’s immediate vicinity, then slowly everyone saw it. A black silhouette up in the sky, ever closer with each passing moment.

“Everyone! Into the buildings closest to you, NOW! Knights! Assume formation! Those on the outside! Assist civilians to shelter!” an older knight commanded with a booming voice.

Panic ensued. In their haste to find shelter, people collided into one another causing each other to trip and fall adding to the chaos.

“KOOUURRRAAACCKK!!!”

Before everyone had evacuated, a thundering roar erupted from above the plaza. It had arrived.

 

 

 

 

 

It was the morning after the caravan had pulled into Ferrent. Inside the Crystal Wayfarer Inn, waitresses rushed about from table to table with plates of food and drinks. The inn consisted of three floors: the ground floor was the Inn’s eatery, on the second floor were rooms for travelers and families, while the third floor contained lavish suites for the rich–whether they be merchants, nobles, or just some schmuck with too much money. The second floor was where the Paltos family had roomed.

The eatery was full of hungry customers who had just recently gotten out of bed, and a few of them had instigated a yawning epidemic around the room. In a corner of the restaurant sat a couple with a child on the young mother’s lap. The three were eating breakfast.

“TROYLE!?” someone exclaimed while passing by their table. Looking up, a man around Troyle’s age was smiling at him.

“Dalzak!! What are you doing here?!” Troyle got up.
Dalzak was someone he had known for a very long time. They had joined the mercenaries around the same time and quickly became rivals during their early years. When they started working more dangerous jobs, Troyle had found out how valuable it was to have someone he could depend on watching his back. They had quickly became friends after many jobs together saving and watching out for one another, and Dalzak became like a brother to him. It was Dalzak who had saved him when he got the injury that caused him to leave the mercenary life.

“Waiting for you. The captain got your letter. He sent us here to wait for you. When did you arrive in Ferrent?

“Just last evening. Did the captain tell you why?”

“Not a clue. I’d just come back from a job when he told me that I was to come to Ferrent. Told me you’d be staying here at this Inn.”

“Who else is with you?”

“York’s also here. He’s probably not awake yet.” Dalzak grinned then looked at the other person watching them from the table.

“It’s been a while Adalina.” He smiled at her and gave her a bow.

“It has, hasn’t it? How’s everyone and the captain?” Adalina answered while also giving Dalzak a respectable nod.

“Been swell. Captain is still the same old crazed goat who jumps at every little thing when it comes to those in his charge. He got wounded a while back, but now you won’t even notice it. Although, he has put on some weight. Geral and Lilian took after you two and got married last Rinol.”

“That’s great! Are they still working as mercenaries?” Adalina inquired joyfully.

“Yea, they’re currently on a job right now. Oh right, Galivia also got married to some lumberjack over in Kerkhill. Apparently the fellow saved her life while she was lost in the forest and starving, or so she said. Lives there with him now.”

“Really? Sister Galivia, married? I’m so happy for her. She used to say how no one was going to marry her because of her quick temper and sharp tongue. I’m so glad she found someone. What about you Dalz? Anyone special?”

“That would be a secret.” He winked and gave her a wry smile. Then he spotted something on her lap opposite him. “What the? Who’s that little man there?” Dalzak asked after the child on her lap.

“Dalzak, meet Kaidus Reilt Paltos, our son.” Adalina picked up the child for Dalzak to see with a dazzling smile on her face.

“Reilt huh? A fitting title. He was so quiet I barely noticed he was there. How old is he?”

“Kaidus just turned one last Lokil.”

“Hmmm… wow… time sure has flown by. Can’t believe you guys have already been gone for two years.” leaning closer to the infant, “Hello there Kaidus, how are you?”
… Silently, two beady eyes stared back at him.

“C’mon Kaidus. Say hi to uncle Dalzak.” Adalina urged, standing Kaidus onto the unoccupied length of the wooden bench.

“U-u-u-UNCLE?! Aah… what is this emotion?!? My heart. It is crying in delight!” Dalzak cried out happily.

Troyle rolled his eye at the utterly shameless display of his friend while Adalina giggled to herself.

“That’s right Kaidus! Say Hi to me! Say HI to uncle please!” Dalzak prompted Kaidus with a grin on his face, his previously charming decorum all but gone.

Standing up on the bench, Kaidus angled his left arm behind his back, his right palm open up against his chest, and made a bow.

“Good morning uncle Dalzak, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.” a small soft voice traveled through the inn with crisp crystal clarity. The previous chatters and playful banters of the inn suddenly dropped a couple decibels.

Speechless at the display before him, Dalzak looked towards Adalina and then Troyle. Both just stared at him and smiled.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance too, Kaidus.” Dalzak also gave an appropriate bow to the child. Reverting back to his respectable persona. ‘Finally?’ he wondered at that word.

Kaidus returned to Adalina’s lap and continued to eat his breakfast as if nothing happened.

Looking around to make sure it was not just him, Dalzak spied a couple of eyes looking around the room while others were focused on the table and him.

A small voice. Almost inaudible but perfectly fluent and clear, as if it were a whisper in his ears. That was what he heard. Undoubtedly he was not the only one. His earlier display may have brought some attention to him and their table, but the room all but went silent after that little display.

“Uh… you guys teach him that?” he asked Troyle, unsure of what to make of it.

“No, that was the first time I’ve seen him do that. I don’t even know where he learned it from. Adalina?” Troyle replied shaking his head while passing the question to Adalina.

“I don’t know either.” She replied her voice puzzled, but strangely proud.

“And… you are saying he just turned one…?” Dalzak asked them again, stretching the question.

“Yes, just last Lokil.” Adalina replied.

“Well, he certainly is something alright. To have made this Dalzak speechless, he will undoubted grow up to be a fine man, unlike his father. HAHAHAHAH -OW!” Troyle had elbowed him.

While catching up and recalling old memories at the table with the Paltos family,
“Dalz, what’re you doing?” a deep voice called out, having just descended the stairs from the second floor.

“Well look who’s awake! York, come here!” Dalzak gestured for his companion over.

“What do you want? I’m about to grab something to fill my -… Troyle?” seeing Troyle, the man lightened up. “Whoa! It’s been so long! How have you been?! Does this mean you are returning to the mercs?”

Troyle looked at York and smiled. “Glad to see you are well, York. You remember Adalina my wife,” Troyle gestured to Adalina, “and that there is my son Kaidus.” indicating the small child on Adalina’s lap.

“Of course I remember Adalina. And a son huh? That’s great. Good to see you again Adalina.” The man greeted, taking a small bow towards her.

“You too York.” Adalina gives a nod of respect and acknowledgement back.

“What’re you doing here Troyle? Last I heard you were living in Hilthu?”

“Circumstances came up, and I thought leaving Hilthu would be for the best.”

“Does that means you are coming back to the Drox Mercs?” a hopeful grin on his face.

“I can’t York that life is behind me now. I want to take care of my family.”

“Don’t tell me that’s why we’re here?” Dalzak cut in.

“Yes, it is… I’m sorry. The Drox mercs will always be like a family to me, but I have my own family now. I must protect them.”

“Does that mean…” York started.

“Yes. Will you two take it back to the captain for me? I know he had left it in my care in case I ever choose to return.”

“Of course. Although I’m sure the captain will be disappointed. I know he’ll understand.”

“Thank you both. But this is not the time to discuss this, how about you both go grab something for breakfast? We can talk about this later.” Troyle suggested to the both of them.

A couple minutes later, the table was filled with four adults chatting and reminiscing about days long past. Troyle had moved to sit by Adalina’s side while York and Dalzak took the other side of the table; Kaidus remained on Adalina’s lap.

 

—

 

Breakfast had ended, and Troyle was out with Dalzak and York to attend to some business while Adalina and Kaidus were back in their room. Kaidus sat on the bed with one of the few books Troyle and Adalina own opened in front of him, while Adalina was keeping busy sewing him a new set of clothes.

‘So those two are York and Dalzak. Always thought they’d be bigger and more rugged.’ was the impression Kaidus had of his parent’s mercenary friends. He had remembered their names from stories that Adalina had told him.

Dalzak had a slender body type and curly dark brown hair down to his shoulder. He had given off an image of a flamboyant person with a cool personality at first, but then had gone off the deep end and he saw a weird side of the man.
York was stout and about a head shorter than Dalzak, with childish features. His voice though, was surprisingly deep in contrast to his features.

‘I must be careful and quickly control this, or it’ll cause problems later on.’ Reminding himself about the earlier accident when he had unconsciously infused mana into his voice. This has been one of the reasons why he had never spoken in public. Infusing mana into everything he does had become something of a norm in his previous life, not doing so was turning out to be quite difficult.

Ever since he was reborn, there has been little chance to really get used to his abilities with this new body. Attempt as he may, his control was lackluster and due to always being with Adalina, he had hardly been able to experiment. Like a newborn chick knowing it will one day fly, try hard as it might, it will never soar through the sky without feathers. That was his situation. His memories and mind was that of an adult, his immeasurable capacity was all too suffocating and roaring to be let out, every conceivable possibilities were in his grasp, yet his body had not grown enough to be the perfect conduit that would channel his will. ‘At least not yet’ he grudgingly acknowledged in his mind.

Attempting to read the book while lost in thoughts, Kaidus nodded off into dreamland.
…

He awoke to Adalina’s light touch and the removal of the book he had been drooling on, unsure how long he’d been out.
“… Adalina?” he asked.

“How about using the pillow? I’ll put the book right here in case you want to read later.” Smiling, she took the book and set it onto the desk in the room.

Adalina had started teaching him how to read towards the last stretch of the journey to supplement his ever growing curiosity about this new world. He had picked up the vocabularies more easily than he did with the language, and after a couple days of tutelage, had started venturing on his own without constantly having to ask her about words.

The current book was titled The Drakall Mountains of Rotoss. Rotoss or Rolvstoss as he once knew it was the continent situated to the north of Darsus. Rotoss’ geography is very much like all the other eight continents except for its three mountains dubbed Arauns Claw. The three mountains stand out like gigantic claws that had emerged from out of the bowels of the earth to claw at the heavens. They were also the tallest mountains in the world–even during his previous life. He had been reading about how the three peaks are the prime breeding grounds for Drakalls—those in the family of flying serpents—before he was taken by sleep. Arauns middle talon is known as the Imperial talon, where the Mighty Kargalls nested. While the other two talons were known as the Fallow Spire and Dukes Ire, hosting the vicious Farkans, Kalligors, Poringuls, and Hvarals, with a surfeit of other smaller and more diffident Drakalls. Kaidus knew about Drakalls, not by what they are called now, but it was all the same: great serpents who ruled the sky with majesty and domination. Many great mages and warriors had lost their lives hunting such creatures in his previous life.

‘Curse this incomplete body. To even lack the stamina to focus…’ He complained to himself as drowsiness took over once again.

 

—

In York and Dalzak’s room at the Crystal Wayfarer Inn, three men were resuming their talk from that morning.

“Are you sure about this Troyle? You do know that there is no going back after this. Maybe you ought to keep it just in case.” Dalzak asked to confirm once again.

“No Dalz, that life is over. Troyle the mercenary is dead and has been for a long time. I am now Troyle the husband, the father. Even if I were to come back, what about my family? My son is too young and Adalina… I have not been good to her. I must at least try and keep her happy if nothing else.”

“Then bring them! C’mon Troyle, we are all like family there. Everyone can help look out for your wife and child. They’ll be cared for while you are away, and you know merc jobs pay way better than being posted as a city patrol or some guard.” York contested.

“We are family York, but you both know that is no place for an infant to grow up. Even worse, what If I don’t return? What would my family do then?” Troyle replied again, this time resolute.

“That…” Unable to think of anything, York remained silent.

“I never realized it before, but it was probably because of Adalina that I left in the first place. I always thought it was because of my blunder and injury that caused me to remove myself from the mercenary life… but now I know that is not the case. After I got that injury and you saved me, I was afraid. I was scared of not being able to see her again. That was probably the real reason.” Troyle sat up on his seat, his expression dark and determined. “I denied the possibilities of it for far too long, but sitting in that wagon, I saw the reasons. Beautiful, hardworking, sensitive, keeping the well beings of others before herself. I want to keep her smiling, I want to do whatever it takes to make up for the year I spent oblivious to her pain.”

The two saw that Troyle was serious in his decision.
“I understand. I do not know what your letter said, but if I were to guess, the captain probably saw this coming which was why he sent us.” Dalzak answered Troyle with understanding. “I, Dalzak Revarr, 9th chair of the Droxxon Mercenaries. With York Dulgos as witness, hereby relieve you: Troyle Paltos of any obligations to our cause. Your previously frozen position of 17th chair will be nulled and given to someone else. If you were to join again, your position will be that of a new recruit. Please turn in your blades and the insignia of the Droxxon mercenaries.” Dalzak spoke as if reading from a script.

“Thank you Dalzak.” Troyle replied. Swords in hand, he quietly handed over the two azurite swords that were bestowed upon him when he became 17th chair. In his pouch, he pulled out a tiny strip of vellum. A halberd and sword crossed against each other making an X, the longer halberd extending and elongated one leg of the X.

—

With the help of Dalzak, York, and some old acquaintances, Troyle managed to settle his family in a small house in Ferrent’s 3rd ward. Wards 1-9 surrounds the inner wards: 10, 11, 12, and 13. 10, 11, and 12 is where the nobility lives, while ward 13 was where the palace is located, along with the royal family. All of the districts are encompassed by a 20ft wall made of stone, protecting it from attackers. The only way in or out was through one of the 9 gated checkpoints, and are guarded day and night. The inner wards themselves have another set of walls to isolate the nobility from the common populace, all with gates and guards.

The search for the residence had taken only two days, and within the week, they were already living in the small two story and three room house.

The first floor was where the kitchen and living room was located along with an indoor toilet and bath. The bath had a mechanism that drew water from an underground reservoir to fill up into a stone pit for bathing. The water could then be heated by another mechanism built under the bath. The lavatory was in a lowered room that connects directly to a pipe with flowing water that flows into a sanitizing facility somewhere in the 12th district.

The second floor was where the three rooms were. Currently, one was being used as a study, one belonged to Kaidus, with Troyle and Adalina in the last room.

Through the connections of York and Dalzak along with some fine negotiations, the price house came out to be 311 erns each month, or almost 7 erns a day.

Sticking to his plan, Troyle had found a job as a patrolman with the wage of 19 erns a day.

The journey had been a long 28 days of travel from Hilthu to Ferrent, but they had finally reached their destination. The trip had taken longer than what was expected, but after the attack, everyone had been a lot more cautious, and plenty of detours had been taken to restock and avoid any danger.

By the time the weary caravan had passed into the outer perimeters of Ferrent, budding signs of civilization could be seen all around them. Fields full of cultivated kargiz trees bearing ripe fruits scattered the plains while paddies of newly planted mulse filled plowed and richly irrigated patches of flat land. There were even flower fields snuggled in between the scattered kargiz and mulse plantations giving the farmland patches of rich vibrant colors in contrast to the brown and green of the trees and plants.

Not sure of what things were known by in this era, Kaidus had spent the better part of an hour–ever since clearing out of the forests and desolate plains–asking Adalina what some of the newly encountered foliage and creatures were. Something that he had done every day while on the road ever since he recovered.

Learning the name and then attempting to connect them with those from his memories.

‘So that is now called a Krenuk huh, I don’t remember them having a tail like that. I wonder if it’s a species of the hwezi family.’ Kaidus pondered toward a small hairy creature. A large rodent, they were literally blind and traveled around using their tail as a feelers while their extremely sensitive hair detect changes in the air around them.

‘That is definitely a drezor Hound. The coloration may have changed a bit and it looks larger, but the features are definitely those of the drezors.’ He marveled at a large domestic hound that was patrolling the fields for intruders. Adalina had called it a Kaltier, a large hound species.

Piecing things together from memory, he had noticed that many of the creatures and plants had changed drastically while others had remained virtually identical to how he remembered them. There were also many new plants and stunning creatures that he never seen.

In the single hour of question and answers with Adalina, he had spotted 4 animal species that he knew of and 6 plants and trees that he could recall. On the other hand, there were 12 avian species, 4 mammals that he had glimpsed in the forest, 6 new types of plants, and 3 new trees that he did not know. It was, a whole new world to him. In his previous life, books were one of the few things that he had escaped to in his time of tribulation, but such information were quickly becoming useless.

Thinking back about it, he had become more talkative to Adalina ever since he recovered from his condition. He found out he had been asleep for almost three days, and in his hunger, had finished three servings of delicious wolf stew. The stew was made with dried kluse wolf meat, herbs, and a plant picked the day before by one of the scouts.

Throughout the duration of the trip, neither Adalina nor Troyle had asked about what happened, and he was thankful for it. It was one explanation that he did not want to give.

 

—

 

Rolling into Ferrent, the Capital of the Darsus continent, the caravan was stopped at the gates. After looking through their wares and being shown a writ of passage by the caravan master, they were ushered in.

Sitting on Adalina’s lap at the front of the wagon with Troyle, Kaidus took notice of the changes that had eluded him while he was in stasis within the void. The roads of the capital, though similarly paved and constructed, they lacked the luster of being magically reinforced like those he had ridden through a lifetime ago in Andarg. The buildings though constructed with stone and wood, also lacked the mana infusion to strengthen them. Something that piqued his interest was the amount of people bustling about their everyday business greeting guards and each other. Most surprising to him though were the Gverils with their telltale metallic right arms and single horns walking about the populace. ‘I wonder what happened. For that crazed warring race to be living among humans… the world has surely changed’ he mused to himself.

Not just the Gverils, but the Kovus who had been known to keep to their mountains, the Aleiths of the plains, and even the Derzuls of the underwater kingdoms. All these different races who in his previous life had hated each other and constantly warred for territory were all now, in one place shuffling and conducting business amongst each other without an ounce of animosity in the air. How many more other races had resolved their differences and were now coexisting, the thought baffled him.

Other things that had not changed throughout the course of history caught his senses. The sound of a hammer striking anvil reverberated through the throngs of shouts and yells, children crying while parents tried to hush them, merchants and locals peddling their ware all along the roadside. A sweet scent of honey spiced meat cooked to perfection, had just been pulled out of whatever cooking contraption cooked it, and the aroma was wafting through one of the open windows of a restaurant nearby. His mouth watered, even though he had just eaten not long before they got to the gate. Unable to spy much more than his immediate vicinity while on Adalina’s lap, Kaidus held his eyes hostage, unwilling to blink lest he miss anything that might be new to him.

—

 

After twenty minutes of slow rolling through the crowded streets, the caravan stopped at a moderately sized building. Crystal Wayfarer. The sign of the inn read. With this, Troyle had fulfilled his contract. He and his family were going to leave the caravan and try to settle in Ferrent.

Unloading their possessions from the wagon that had been their home ever since leaving Hilthu, Troyle grimaced as he hauled a basket filled with clothes and his two azurite swords on it out of the wagon. His leg wound had healed well enough, but any pressure on it sent a throbbing pain like lightning up his legs. Favoring his right leg after that misstep, he slowly set the basket down along with the two mid-sized chests of clothing he had pulled out earlier. Adalina got off the wagon and carried over a box filled with stationary, writing utensils, and her cooking knife. As he was about to turn back to the wagon, the caravan master called to him.

“Troyle, are you sure you don’t want to come with us to Gillstone? We can definitely use your sword arms.”

The Caravan master had asked him to remain as a guard a couple times before, but he had business here in Ferrent. The latest glimpse at his own mortality had caused him to realize that he wanted to stay with his family.

“I’m sorry Pate, our contract was only until Ferrent and I want to make a life for my family here. I’m glad you are still considering me even with my injury, but it is here that I must stay. Tell the others to be well and don’t get careless for me will ya?”

Though he never really spoke to the caravan master, after that day where they had been besieged on the road, he had developed a new found admiration for the caravan master. Anyone with courage enough to try to barter with armed thugs while tied up, beaten to a pulp, and yet insists on continuing his trade was someone worthy of his respect. They had gotten to know each other well enough to learn that the caravan master’s full name was Pate Donsillt, and a prominent member of the merchants guild. Pate traveled with his wife Dillane throughout southern Darsus buying and selling wares.

“That’s a bummer. I was hoping to rope you and your mage wife to stick with us to give everyone a better peace of mind.” The merchant replied jokingly.

“Now you know that’s not true Pate. What happened that day, I don’t know how else to explain it but that the gods must have been watching us. Better yet, maybe one of them Phraes of the forest heard and saved them?” Troyle jokingly retorted, a wry smile on his face. No one had even suspect that it could have been his infant son.

“Well, no use trying to figure out what the god’s were playing at if they were really watching us.” pulling out a small pouch from inside his robe, the caravan master held it out to Troyle. “Here’s 400 erns. 14 erns a day for a total of 28 days for your services. I evened it out to 400.”

“Thanks Pate. For everything.” Troyle took the pouch and tied it onto his waist and bowed in gratitude

400 erns would be enough to pay for room and board in the inn for a while until he found a job and started earning some money.

About to turn around to resume unloading, the caravan master pulled out another pouch from the opposite side of his robe and handed it to him.

“Although you may deny it, I had considered my life forfeited after failing to bargain with those brigands and knocked senseless. My wife, I, and those of the others retain their lives only because of the miracle your wife brought forth. A debt must always be repaid, more so one of life. As caravan master, I have resolved to shoulder the responsibilities of those I have endangered, along with those who have perished. Suitable remunerations have already been allocated and will be seen to the families of those who have perished in my service along with any belongings. Although I cannot offer your wife my life nor would she want it, I want you to have this as a token of my gratitude and your bonus upon completion of service. Know that you and yours will always have a friend in the merchant’s guild.”

Troyle reluctantly took the second pouch, since it was not really his to take and tied it with the other one.

Pate waited until Troyle had finished before reaching out a hand.

Troyle watched as the caravan master strolled back to the front of the wagons after their handshake before returning to his duty.

 

—

 

The fatigue of the whole trip hit him like a dropped egg against a hard surface, yet Troyle was unable to sleep. He had been so busy negotiating for a room, moving and carrying luggage, then having dinner down at the eatery that he had forgotten the second satchel that Pate had given him.

He looked at the desk in the room where the two pouches sat.

‘He said my bonus and his token of gratitude. I wonder how much is in there’

Walking up to the desk, Troyle took the lighter pouch and jingled it. It sounded like money. He untied the string that sealed it, then poured out the contents onto the desk.

Two green fers equating to 50 erns each, 32 metallic erns, and a single opulent Rae worth 500 erns. Troyle was shocked. Just about how much of it was supposed to be his bonus? His best guess was the 32 erns.

The room for his family had been negotiated to 22 erns per day with breakfast lunch, and dinner included. With the 400 erns he had received as his payment, they would be able to stay for at least 18 days while he looked for a job. But now suddenly, the total amount of money had doubled and he was staring at a total of 1010 erns. Enough to rent a small residence for two months with some left over.

His initial plans were to stay at the Inn until he got a job and had found a place for them. Sure the plan hasn’t changed, but the necessity for the job has been slackened a bit, and finding a place was going to have to take priority.

Hidden beneath the myriad of metallic erns, something else stuck out. It was a circular obsidian piece of metal with an engraving of a feathered hat. His face froze, his mouth agape. Troyle knew exactly what the piece of metal meant: The League of the Feathered Hats. The caravan master was not just a prominent merchant, but a founding member of the League of the Feathered Hats. The Feathered Hats were a secret and maverick group within the Merchants guild, and they had only one obligation to the guild: excellence in their jobs. Every single ern that those of the Feathered Hats raked in was theirs to keep. In return, their jobs were extremely difficult and dangerous. These jobs consisted of transporting rare and dangerous games, artifacts, relics, and highly priced valuables belonging to the guild.

Everything clicked in his mind. the army of guards that the caravan had hired, the two attacks on the caravan, the extremely ridiculous token of gratitude, and lastly the token of a Feathered Hat–which can only be relinquished by a member of the founders.

Troyle chuckled to himself.
What a strange turns of events. He had thought the deal with the caravan to be a godsend, only to find out that his family was actually the benefactors. Regardless of everything that had occurred, the merchant’s guild was now in his debt. Or more specifically, Kaidus’ debt.

‘Just what was he delivering that an army of bandit was required to secure it?’ Another mystery, another question to the many others he had no answers to.

Putting everything back into the pouch, he secured the Rae and obsidian token within a hidden pocket inside his trouser before attempting sleep again.

 

 

 

pIt has been two days since the attack on the caravan.
The group had made camp in an area a short distance away from the battleground to recuperate. The atmosphere was gloomy with everyone on edge, and not a single person had bothered to pitch up tent the first night, opting to just sleep in or under or in the wagons.

Whispers and rumors swept through the somber camp like a cold breeze and those who recalled what happened that day shuddered with fright under their blankets.

No one had been able to explain exactly what had occurred that evening.
The only thing that everyone could agree upon was hearing Adalina’s cries, seeing a man coming out with her babe in his arms, and then everything went white. As if the brightness of the sun itself appeared in the middle of the chaos. By the time blindness cleared away, Adalina was already out of her wagon and cradling her child, surrounded by a pool of blood and gore.

The seven or so armed men who had gathered everyone out of the wagons and tied them up had vanished, and in their place, were nothing but blood, entrails, bits and pieces of flesh, and shattered bones.

Four of their guards had perished while protecting the cargo and passengers, while others were captured. Altogether, eleven guards had fallen during the bloodbath against the bandits, leaving the number of remaining guards at a measly nine with most wounded.

The caravan master himself had a broken arm, a black eye, and a broken tooth along with from what he said ‘felt like two shattered ribs’. The man had been trying to protect the passengers by attempting to barter with the bandits and had been beaten unconscious.

Due to the fact that all of the guards had been injured to some extent, a few of the passengers had been asked to be lookouts while capable individuals were tasked with tending to the wounded until some of the guards could resume their duties.

Guards and passengers alike who were able to move, had spent the last two days looting whatever they could from the battlefield and searching for items that may be sent back to families of the deceased.

 

—

 

Adalina ripped a shirt at the seam. She then took a knife and slowly sliced it into strips.

Taking out a dried dessil leaf, she crushed it first in her hands, then poured it onto a clean piece of cloth and attempted to mash it into finer pieces. After assessing that it was good enough, she removed the wrappings around Troyle’s left thigh and applied some of the powder to his wound. She took a piece of the strips she had cut and folded it into a makeshift gauze and covered the wound before re-wrapping it.

Troyle’s wound was deep, but not life threatening as long as it did not get infected.

She had never imagined her skills–acquired from her time with the mercenaries–would ever be required again. Countless times she had done this treatment, helping to mend wounded mercenaries and especially Troyle whenever he got back from a job. The Dessil plant was not a rare plant by all means, but it was inedible and filled with a thick bitter liquid that when dried, became something akin to anti-septic. She had learned from one of the mercenary healers that by drying the leaves and grinding it, the fine powder could help to dull pain and prevent infections in and around the wounded area. From the constant necessity to apply aid to the wounded, she had made a habit of always having dried dessil leaves handy.

Bandaging the man before her, she had always feared that one day he would not come back her. Even during his time as a mercenary, she had been afraid but knew better than to keep Troyle away from the one thing he knew he could do well in life, and that was fighting. She had seen him sparring years ago while he was still a mercenary and had fallen in love then. Taking combat away from him was like clipping his wings, and she would not do that to him. It was one of the reasons she did not beg him for them to move elsewhere when he was conscripted to join the village guards.

This time too, she was afraid. But this time it was neither for Troyle or herself. Not even for the caravan’s safety.

She was afraid for the child that was laying on a makeshift bed of clothes. Kaidus had been unconscious this whole time. He was breathing, but no matter how much she attempted to coax him into wakefulness, the child remained unconscious.

She had spent the better part of the previous two nights fearing for the child’s life, and had not been able to sleep much. She tended to her job of cooking and bandaging Troyle’s wound, but most of her time were spent by the child’s side.

She vehemently blamed herself for his condition, for not being able to protect him.

“Wake up Kaidus… please wake up…” She begged with tears streaming down her eyes.

 

—

 

Sitting there watching his wife move back to their child after she dressed his wound, Troyle sat in silence, unable to say anything to lift her spirits.

He had encouraged her, had promised her that the child was merely sleeping when he first found out about the child’s condition. But that was two days ago, and now his words did naught but fall on deaf ears. All he could do for her now was watch her in case she fell further into despair.

His eyes moved from his family and fixated on his leg. Predominantly his left thigh where his new injury was.

Toward the end of the battle, while fighting one of their attackers, another had come up from behind him. Parrying the first man’s sword slash, he had used the momentum of the man’s strike to push himself back and twisted around to counter the one flanking him, but he had miscalculated the speed of the second man. Instead of waiting for the new assailant to reach him and the first man time to strike again, he had lurched toward the latter to get in range. His quick movement was able to surprise the one that was flanking him, but by the time he turned around, the first man was already upon him. Barely dodging a thrust to his stomach by jumping backward, the thrust had caught him in the thigh. He was able to dispatch the man afterward, but it was only with the support of the surviving guards that he was able to come back alive.

Reminding himself about his blunder, anger swelled within him.

‘I should have stayed with the caravan.’  He regretted to himself

In two short years, his judgment and skills had dulled to this effect. The sound of footsteps, the angle of a blade, the force of a parry, the speed of a thrust. His time as a village guard had seen little action, and even when something did happen, it was never more dangerous than a wandering wolf or bear that could be easily scared off or trapped. He had lost his edge that had been forged via countless life and death situations. Yet, thinking himself a more capable warrior than the other guards, he had failed to notice or even thought that there might be a second team and had opted to move with the main force instead of staying behind to protect his family.

Their force had consisted of 42 well trained and armed guards–including himself–when the caravan first started out from Hilthu, now it was less than a dozen.

After hearing from one of the scouts that a sizable force was quickly coming upon them, 8 guards had been assigned to guard the caravan while the rest went on to engage the enemy. The idea was to stop them before they could surround and used the passengers as hostages. Half way through the battle, a horn had been heard, thinking that it was a sign for retreat, they did not pay much attention to it.

The 4 surviving guards had said they were ambushed from the forest by a small team, from the sound of it, the enemy had weaved through the forest and waited for the horn to signal their attack. In the scuffle, four of the guards had been cut down, while the other four who reacted in time ended with only wounds and subjugation. Bound and tied up with the passengers, they had lost all hope of surviving this ordeal until the strange burst of light.

Mulling over everything he’s heard one more time. Troyle’s anger slowly vanished, while confusion and regret filled its place.

A part of him knew Kaidus had something to do with the so called strange light. ‘What had Kaidus done?’ that was the mystery he had racked his head over the past two days on. But since the child was not waking up, he was not able to get any possible answers from the source. And that is assuming the child knew what he did.

A light that targeted enemies, with a force that was strong enough to – for lack of a better word – ‘obliterated’ them, utterly destroying them by ripping them into shreds as if the body had blown up from the inside.

The remnants of the attack force had come back to a bewildered crowd of bloodied people. Being in the vicinity of the bandits, most of the travelers were covered in blood and possibly gore. Adalina herself was plastered with blood from her back to the hem of her dress. She had been cradling Kaidus while the other passengers, still tied up, had kept their distance. While most looked surprised, fear was prominent in everyone’s eyes.

even without an explanation for what happened, as the two days went by, some of the more superstitious and thankful passengers had come to the idea that: Adalina was some sort of dormant Malgin, and that her dormant powers had manifested and caused a miracle. Although there are cases of people exhibiting such events, it was unheard of in any adults, and most were definitely not on this scale. Adalina herself had vigorously denied it to him when he asked about the possibilities, saying that Kaidus had been the one who protected them.

With a hole in his leg, a son who had been unconscious for two days, and a wife who had pretty much lost her mind, Troyle leaned against the side of the wagon. Unable to usher any new words that would help calm his wife, he sat there silently watching and wallowing in his regret.

 

—

 

“You are beholden. You will find me. I WILL be FREED.”

-A dead woman, her husband with a knife in his chest. A child in tears.

-His eyes adjust to the figure of a man begging for mercy. He points at the man and the man was taken away.

-The figure of a young girl, broken, crying, dying…

-A crooked gallow, the beam breaking due an excess amount of bodies.

-People begging for mercy, crying for salvation, asking for forgiveness.

-Blood everywhere.

-Countless bodies lay dying, their life source leaking out like a slow moving stream.

-Hands covered, dripping something dark and rancid.

-A voice whispering sweet words

-Darkness. An endless darkness swallowing him up.

Realization dawned. He clawed at the darkness. Punching, kicking, struggling, running, everything he could think of. Nothing worked. Exhausted, he lays down and gives in, becoming a part of the darkness.

Days… months… years… ages… they all came and went.

Suddenly a liquid trickled onto him. With every drop, the darkness seem to slither away, shrieking in agony. After what felt like years, the darkness eventually washed away and he could feel a warmth encasing his body. Grasping at this little bit of light, he willed himself up from the darkness, and opens his eyes.

“Adalina?” A barely audible voice.

 

—

 

Looking at the child her in arms, Adalina cried again. For almost three days, he had been unconscious and she had fallen into the deepest pits of despair. There were times while she was cooking that she feared he had stopped breathing, and would hurry to his side only to find his tiny chest rising and falling weakly.

Being a mother, she had been prepared for when her children gets sick, but this was not a sickness. For all she knew, this had been some sort of incurable magic.

Kaidus was one who was born with mana, he had started understanding her ever since he was half a year old, and knew how to control his mana by his first birth cycle. Conversations came to him easily, and his eyes shone with intelligence and knowledge far beyond his age. Although she knew that most of the caravan members assumed, she had called forth the light that saved them, there was only one person here who could have created a miracle. She was glad for everyone else’s safety, but that miracle had almost cost her the one thing that she treasured the most. She loved Troyle, but he had grown distant over the last year after Kaidus was born. Although it has been getting better, and he had come to term that the Kaidus is his child, she can always see that he was doubtful whenever he looked at Kaidus. He had kept his distance and rarely interacted with the child until recently when he learned that Kaidus’s hair was due to the child’s inability to understand the situation and control his mana. Before that, Kaidus had been the only one by her side, her tiny sliver of better things to come. Glimpsing his ever watchful eyes drove her to push herself for his sake. Her loneliness washed away whenever she talked to him and held him in her arms. He was, the one thing in this world that she would be lost without.

Having cried herself out of tears, she calmed down.

“You cry a lot do you know that?” the tiny tired voice said as her sobbing came to a halt.

“Ehih… yea… I’m sorry.” holding him against her in a hug she replied in a relieved tone.

“Adalina, I’m hungry.”

“Oh! Sorry! I’ll prepare something for you right away!” Gently setting the boy back onto his little makeshift bed, she quickly got up and left the wagon. Her previous despondent mood had vanished completely.

 

Ten days have passed since Troyle made his decisions. They were packing up and getting ready to leave with the latest trade caravan that pulled into the village the previous morning.

Four days earlier, Troyle had left his job of guarding the outskirts and resigned from his post amicably with those he worked with. Those who got to know him knew he was a good fighter even with a bad shoulder and saw his leave as something of a loss.

Those in the village had a different mindset. They passed off his leaving as an act of rebellion against the village, and hated him even more for it. When the news that Troyle and his family were going to leave the village came around, everyone was ecstatic to finally be rid of them.

It did not matter much to Troyle, and even less to Adalina. The village had treated her unjustly and she would not miss it. Luckily for them, only days later did a caravan show up.

The caravan had traveled from Heveston, a large city four mountains to the west of Hilthu.

After finding out that the caravan was heading north towards Ferrent the capital of Darsus, Troyle negotiate with the caravan master and was able to get a moderately appropriate pay of 14 erns a day with food and board in a supply wagon for his family with a bonus upon completion. The job contract would begin after leaving the current village of Hilthu and end upon reaching Ferrent. Normally a caravan guard would get paid 50 erns for a hard day’s work since it entailed: fighting and risking their lives, loading and unloading wagons, hunting, scouting, and various other minor tasks involved. To get 14 erns a day while having a weak shoulder and bringing along his wife and kids, was quite the bargain in reality. Luckily for him, being a former mercenary and knowing how to use a sword really helped with the negotiations.

After making sure that everything required had been packed into the wagon they were to travel in, Troyle took one last look at the house they had been living in for the past two years. Happiness and sadness mixed with an extensive amount of doubt swirled around the place, almost as if telling him to reach out and grab onto it and take it with him. The house had made him the happiest man alive, and inversely turned him into the worst. After staring at it, Troyle decided they were better off away from it.

“Let’s GO!!!!”

As the caravan master shouted at the top of his lungs from the front, the wagons started rolling.

 

—

 

In what appeared to be a stronghold on the side of a mountain.
In a well-lit room, two men were looking through documents.

“Karei, what happened to the Ytel job?” An aged gentlemen asked his assistant while brooding over a stack of paper on his desk.

“We got words from Jerik a fortnight ago that the job was successful. They lost 3 people, 11 were wounded, and 7 others were poisoned. He said that the poison was non-lethal, and that they should be back within 25-30 days once the injured are strong enough to travel.” The assistant Karei replied promptly and precisely.

“3 huh? I knew I should have gone…wait a minute. A FORTNIGHT!? How come I was not notified of this?” The aged man shot a powerful inquiring gaze at his assistant.

“Because you were still mending from your last escapade, and stress and surprise were not in the doctor’s prescribed treatment. He specifically said to have you get plenty of rest, and have you move around as little as possible.” The assistant answered nonchalantly, even adding in irritation to his own voice while eyeing the papers in front of him. There was silence. Moments passed and as if waiting on cue, the assistant slowly lifted his eyes from the paper and looked toward his boss. Spying a glint of realization upon the older man’s face, the side of his mouth tipped upward into a villainous grin.

“YOU BASTARD!! THIS WHOLE TIME!!!” A roar erupted.

“Captain, that’ll only open up your stitches.” The villain replied while trying to suppress his laughter.

“You, conniving knave! This whole time! I’ve been looking through these boring old records because you said it was of the utmost importance that we sorted them. That you needed my recount of each, but it was just to keep me here in this hole!” The man angrily jested.

“Now captain, you are going to burst a blood vessel like that. I know how much you love Margil’s ‘healing’ potions, would you like to start bleeding again so I can get another flask for you?” Karei grinned, having emphasized the word healing.

“Uh. N… no thanks………its fine….”

“Well then, shall we finish sorting these?” Karei replied with a satisfied smile on his face

After an hour of reading and looking through records pertaining to previous completed jobs, there was a knock on the door.

“Is Captain Zikale in there?!” A yell from the other side.

Anything to get away from the boring task at hand, Zikale got up to answer the door himself, but his assistant was already at the door.

“What is it?” The captain asked after Karei returned carrying something in his hand.

“A letter for you sir, from Troyle.”

“Troyle?”

A name he had not heard for the past two years. Troyle was a loyal and distinguished mercenary under his direct command. The boy had shown great promise as a mercenary, and Zikale had tried grooming him into a commander. An unfortunate event occurred while on a job, and Troyle had decided to leave the mercenary life.

“It has already been two years. I wonder if he is better now and would like to come back.” Zikale pondered aloud while taking the letter from Karei.

On the red scroll, a dab of sealing wax was holding it together. An X was etched across the wax. At a glance, it was just a normal cross. Yet upon closer inspection, one leg of the X was significantly longer than the other three and going to the edge of the wax. It was the symbol of the Droxxon Mercenaries, and only those from his own crew knew about the subtle nuance to that mark.

 

—

 

19 days have passed ever since they joined up with the caravan.

The group had stopped at two small villages to rest and peddle their wares and restock on necessary supplies.

When not in the hospitality of a village, they had camped along the side of the road or campsites that have been created precisely for travelers.

They were set upon by bandits one night which the caravan fought off. It had cost them a pack mule and a wagon pulling mare. Four guards were slightly injured, but luckily Troyle was not one of them.
Another evening, the caravan had ran into a pack of hungry kluse wolves while on the road, and had to fight for their lives and those of the animals brought along. It took them until nightfall before the last of the kluse wolf were either dead or had ran away. Luckily for them, the kluse wolves were not big like other members of their family. In fact, each were only about the size of a small dog, so most of them were easily taken out. The real problem with the creatures were that there were too many of them. That night, the caravan had spent most of the night gathering whatever they could from the wolves before setting up camp.

Other than those, the trip had consisted of scavenging nearby areas for anything useful to use as ingredients or as tools. The caravan had hired capable trackers and scouts, and always had them move ahead periodically to find game or places to camp for the night while avoiding any would be threats.

Most of Troyle’s jobs were either helping to unload the wagons or making supports from logs to help lift the wagons while others replaced broken axles or wheels. Most of his time was spent driving the wagon and riding with Adalina and Kaidus.

‘He has not spoken a single word since the caravan arrived in Hilthu. I wonder if he is trying to act his age.’ Troyle pondered.

The surprise that his son was born with mana and talking already was still fresh in his mind. From the look of it, that disbelief was not going anywhere. He shuddered at the idea that his son was talking and has understanding and comprehension. Sure, there were words the child did not know, but that was because he has never heard them. Once explained to him, the child was able to absorb the information and weave it out as if he had been making conversations with such subjects for years.

As if the jig was up, the child had started talking after the revelation. Although still his quiet self for most of the time, Kaidus would sometimes ask for seconds when eating, or thank Adalina when she feeds him or does something for him. He still asks what the name of certain things are, but in contrast to quietly pointing them out like before, the boy was now voicing his questions. The only thing that didn’t change much, was that the questions and words were always in the privacy of their own home, away from the prying eyes and ears of the villagers.

Not sure what to make of this, Troyle decided to count it as a blessing, since the other options were much too horrific.

 

—

 

Riding in the wagon, Kaidus slept cradled in his mother’s arm.

Though asleep in appearance, his mind was deep in thoughts.

‘How many years have I been away exactly? For the world to have changed so much, that people with mana is so rare? The language itself is not any of the main languages from what I can see. That story about the demon king was definitely my crusade. Even the order from the church was to counter my revival as if they expected it. If I am not mistaken, I have been reborn 27 times this time… exactly how much time passed between each rebirth? Exactly what year is it? Why was this rebirth different from the rest? What is the point of my rebirth and retaining my memories?’

Unable to find any answer for these questions, Kaidus briefly thought about what had unfolded over the last few weeks.

He had tried so hard to be impassive toward Adalina ever since he could remember. He knew that he was an abnormal child. To have retained memories of his past life.

-Blood everywhere, the body of a women sprawled out on the floor, her husband next to her with a knife in his chest and a slash across his neck. A young child crying and begging. Pain, horrible pain. People crying and pleading for someone to save them. A hand stained with a dark liquid slowly devouring the person. A darkness that no light could penetrate. –

He had tried so hard to keep the thoughts of seeing Adalina as a mother locked away in the deepest part of his being. His impassiveness was to lessen her affection so if she ever felt he was a burden, she can easily cast him aside.

Yet, the love she showed him, her effort, and her perseverance over every obstacle in her path, her sorrows, her liveliness, the anguish that she kept to herself. As he witness each and every emotion that she displayed, yet still retained her love for him, he had unwittingly began to let slip his facade little by little, and had eventually asked her a question. Ever since then, there was no going back to being the silent mute he was. They both knew he could talk, he had blurted about having mana, thinking it was a normal thing like in his previous life, only to find out that it was nonexistent amongst the common populace now. Not wanting to raise suspicion and reveal his true identity, he had quickly played the role of a child, and managed to mollify the situation he had gotten himself into to some extent.

‘I have to be more careful. I can see the fear in Troyle’s eyes when he looks at me sometimes.’

Suddenly his eyes jerked open. Looking up, he saw Adalina’s face, her mouth quietly humming a song that she’s been humming for as long as he can remember. The song always seemed to calm him. As if entranced, he silently listened to the song, not worrying about what had shattered his concentration for it was inevitable.

A little later, a horn could be heard off in the distance. From the sound of it, a raid of sort, a signal for battle. As quickly as the horn died off, Troyle opened the flap of the wagon and told Adalina to take him and hide somewhere safe. Troyle then grabbed his sword, a dagger, and a strap with some throwing knives before promptly leaving.

 

—

 

They had been attacked before, but from the look on Troyle’s face, this time was greatly different.

His face was frozen like the mask he used to wear, just before going into a large scale battle.

Surrounded by forests on both sides of the road, Adalina had no idea where safe was. Instead of running into the woods possibly filled with beasts that could kill her and her child, better yet unknown plants that may poison her on contact and leave her paralyzed for days, she decided it was safer to stay in the wagon.

She quickly shoved aside a couple of smaller boxes and crates to get access to a larger chest. She pulled out most of the contents of the chest to make enough room for her and Kaidus and quickly stepped inside, then closed it.

The sound of battle could be heard from outside. Horses thundering around, dogs barking, people screaming and yelling from every direction. A horn was blown twice, thrice, and then it stopped. More screaming could be heard, and then screams from nearby wagons. Voices she had never heard before were shouting orders, and eventually she could feel her own wagon rattle. She felt someone get on the wagon. She bowed her head down in reflex to pray to her ancestors for protection, but she spied a tiny face looking up at her.

‘Now is not the time to be praying! I have to protect Kaidus!’ her fear stripped away, she resolved herself. Feeling around inside the chest, she felt something solid and pulled on it. It was one of Troyle’s belts. Holding the belt in one hand and the other wrapped around Kaidus, she waited.

There was a shuffling noise as if whoever came on board was moving things around in the wagon. Then suddenly the chest opened and a thin, dirty, unshaven man looked at her while grinning jovially.

“What do we have here? A stowa-” *WHACK*

Before he had finished his sentence, she had smacked the side of his head with the belt, causing the man to stutter a couple steps back.
“YOU DAM WHORE!” The grin was gone. The man’s face was red with anger. Taking steps forward, the man reached down and grabbed onto Adalina’s hair, pulling on it to force her up. A sinister grin immediately materialized on his face when he saw that she was clutching a babe in her left arm. “I see, you really were a whore.” The man stated, grinning.

Adalina tried again to hit the man’s head once again, but this time, he caught the belt with his left hand. Letting go of her hair, he slapped her across the face and jerked the belt out of her hand.

Stunned and in pain, all she could do was curl in the chest while trying to protect Kaidus in her clutches.

The man began beating on her and attempted to pry her hands apart. Seeing that she was putting up a fight, he called out to someone else. A moment later, another man came into the wagon to help him. Eventually they forced her arms open, and the first man picked up Kaidus. Grinning, the man took Kaidus out of the wagon.

Adalina cried and begged, but she was unable to escape from the second man’s powerful grips. Despair and fear erupted inside her, and her begging became incessant wails, powerless to do anything but watch as her child was taken away.

Suddenly, a blinding light flashed from the outside. The grip on her loosened. She jerked the hand away and quickly scurried out the wagon while winking to try and recover her vision.

After finally regaining her sight, she was accosted by a scene of bright crimson.

Blood was splattered everywhere. Looking around, she saw members of the caravan tied up and on the ground. Some of them were horrified. Others were still trying to regain their vision.

Her eyes darted around until she spotted what she was looking for.

In the midst of a giant bloom of blood, Kaidus laid unconscious. The man who took him was nowhere to be seen.

Along with the villagers, she had assumed Kaidus was a mute, but that was not true. The child was now emanating an air of intelligence.

For his first few words to be a question inquiring about her sadness, it was beyond her expectations. She knew he was different due to his usual demeanor, but this something else.

‘It’s a Demon!!’ The voice of the midwife from a year ago resounded in her head.

Fear and surprise overtook her for an instant, and her legs gave out. Hitting her knees against the hard dirt floor, the pain returned some semblance of order to her mind, and the fear slowly dissipated.

“Are you okay?” The boy asked, walking over to her.

Looking at the adorable little face before her, Adalina slowly opened her mouth. “You know, mother was afraid you were never going to be able to talk. Yet, here you are asking me about why I am crying. I feel like such an idiot for worrying about nothing.” Neglecting that fact that a toddler at his first birth cycle had clearly and proficiently spoken to her, she replied, holding back her fear.

The child lowered his small head as if ashamed of what he had done. “I am sorry…”

Not completely convinced that this was real and not a figment of her imagination, “And how long have you been able to understand my words?” Wavering, she tried to make sense of the situation.

“Ever since I could crawl.”

‘Ever since then?!’ Her mind exclaimed, unable to believe it. Out of loneliness she had always talked to him ever since he was born, but to have been able to understand her since he was but barely six months old, it was extraordinary. Her fear gradually began growing.

“Why do you cry?” The boy repeated. His voice soft and inquisitive.

Lost in thoughts, the question shattered her anxiety and dismissed her fears. As if a dam had broken inside her, the reasons for her sorrows came gushing out.

 

—

 

‘It was me. Because of me, the villagers are mistreating them. Because of me, she suffers. Because of me, she blames herself and kept it all in all this time.’ realization dawned on him. “Let’s see… I think it’s something like this.” Closing his eyes, Kaidus concentrated.

The gray on his hair slowly split into two different colors, a pitch black, and a pure white as if to start glowing any second. Then the white suddenly vanished and all that was left, was a head full of black hair like Adalina’s.

Astounded, Adalina knelt silently while watching the event unfolded.

Opening his eyes, Kaidus spied a terrified mother who looked like she had lost her voice.

For a span of minutes, mother and child stared at each other, unsure of what to say.

“Are you a -” catching herself, Adalina tensed up at the question she had unknowingly blurted out.

“?” Tilting his head to one side, Kaidus wondered at her words

“I am sorry. I mean, how did you do that with your hair?” Adalina asked carefully.

“Some of my mana may have been leaking out without my notice. I just absorbed them back.” Kaidus replied matter-of-factly.

“M-mana?” Another shock of surprise escaped Adalina’s mouth.
Being able to talk and converse at his age was unheard of, but for the boy to also have mana, not to mention know what it is and be able to control it, is something that was impossible.
She quickly revisited her prior thoughts, but refused to go further.

The gift of mana was not rare ages ago, but such was not the case nowadays. The majority of those who still had the gift of mana were nobles, primarily those hailing from a distinct line of ancestors with overwhelming magic. Yet she herself had no knowledge of either of her parents having mana nor theirs, and Troyle’s ancestry from what he had told her, also doesn’t go back far enough to tell if mana was in his line or not. And although it was not impossible for families from a line without mana to suddenly birth a child with its gifts, it would take years before any signs of magic could be perceived in the child. Even then, developing it would also take years, not to mention such cases were extremely rare.
Yet in front of her, was a child–for all she knows–knew what mana was, and could control it ever since he was born.

Lifting his head to see that Adalina was in a state of shock, “Why did my hair estrange us from the village?” Kaidus questioned, trying to occupy her mind with other thoughts.

“Huh?”

“You said it was because of my hair that we’re living in such a state. I would like to know why.” He gave a prompt reply

 

—

 

A long dead religion, a long dead demon, a long dead legend.

Thousands of years ago, the world was prosperous because of mana.

One day, a demon who had amassed a vast amount of power raised an army, and overtook one of the seven continents, slaughtering the beloved Emperor and his subjects.

The other six continents sent in reinforcements to subdue this evil, for surely if it was not stopped, it would swallow the entire world.

The battle took seven days and seven nights, and on the dawn of the eighth day, heroes emerged. These heroes, having fought to exhaustion sacrificed their lives, and finally sealed and destroyed the demon.

Shortly after, the dominant church at the time decreed an order: Anyone born with white hair was to be denied life, for they are demons.

After the order, a crusade swept through the seven continents and rivers of blood flowed, as all those who had such traits were massacred, bringing about even more wars.

Ages passed and such battles became legends, and legends eventually became myth. In the end, all that was left, was a dark period in history marred with death and destruction.

Although the Church that made the decree was long dead and new religions have sprouted up to replace it, the idea sown into the minds of the public that continued to prevail into modern-day.

 

—

 

The majority of the reasons were contrived and unsophisticated superstitions, but he was able to question his way to some semblance of information from Adalina. While his mother fancied it all as bedtime stories about heroes and demons kings, he knew all too well. He lived its truth.

It was as if the church had known that their seal was not perfect and would not be able to completely destroy him, thus, putting into motion a failsafe in case he is ever reborn.

‘Well, that explains that.’ Kaidus thought to himself, remembering the other 26 times he was sent back to the void. It was because of such ridiculous reasoning, and his lack of control at birth.

Judging by what he had just heard, quite some time has passed in the world for the Church of Hainl to have been dead for so long.
‘If it’s been that long, then what is my purpose here now?’ Kaidus wondered to himself.
Quickly recalling where he was, he looked up to the curios face staring back at him. Not wanting to make Adalina even more suspicious than she already is, “Is having mana a bad thing?” He questioned innocently.

“No it is not. In fact, people born with it are extremely rare, and those with talent are always sought after…” Her voice trailed into silence.

“Then there should be no problems from now on, right?”

As if reluctant to give him a definitive answer, “I don’t know Kaidus… sometimes people’s minds are harder to change than their appearances.” Adalina replied, her voice low and unsteady. “The villagers will probably never get over the fact that you were born with white hair despite knowing you also have mana.”

Attempting a solemn bow with his tiny body, “I am sorry for causing you trouble. It is because of me, that such unfortunate-” events befell you. Before he could finish the sentence, he was in a tight embrace. ‘This is…’ warmth filled him.

“It is going to be alright.” Adalina whispered. Disposing of everything that she had just witnessed, she held onto the child before her. Whether he was a demon or not, such things did not matter. The sorrow in his tiny eyes when he tried to apologize nearly killed her inside. A sorrow unfitting his age. “You are just a little different from everyone else, you have nothing to apologize for. Everything will be fine.”

 

—

 

Troyle came home for his break to find a village full of disgruntled villagers.

“Get out of this village you deceiver!”
“Don’t think that this changes anything! Just because you two have hidden his grayness, does not mean we don’t know what he really is!”

Confused at some of the outcries directed toward him, he quickly made his way home to find his wife and child.

Upon seeing his son with a head full of black hair sitting by Adalina, he finally understood the words of the disgruntled villagers. They had probably assumed that he and Adalina were trying to deceive them by dyeing the boy’s hair to fit in with the rest of the community.

“What is going on?” Troyle inquired, having seen for himself what Adalina had done without asking him. Looking downward at the two, he could see that she was trying to come up with words to diffuse the situation, while Kaidus simply stared back at him.
“Adalina. What happened to his hair? Is that why some of the villagers were so angry?” Troyle questioned again.

“My apologies, it was because of my selfishness that caused such a problem. Please do not blame mother.”

The one who answered him was not his wife, but someone else entirely. A voice he had never heard before, a voice that carried itself through the room as if it were alive, coiling about. Meek but powerful, humble and dignified. Looking around the room for a stranger or one of the villagers, Troyle failed to spy anyone. His eyes eventually rested on the small child sitting by Adalina’s side who was staring at him. ‘Mother’ the voice had said.

Willing himself to tear the gaze away from the child to Adalina, he saw her merely nodding as if to confirm his unspoken curiosity. “W-what in the world is going on here?!” Troyle shouted, this time stupefied.

 

—

 

‘This child was born with mana!’ Surprise, fear, relief, happiness, and a plethora of emotions surged into Troyle’s thoughts.

After hearing about what happened a few days ago on the boy’s name day, the revelation that his young son could understand and talk already, that within the boy’s small body contained one of the rarest commodity in the world known as mana. It was unbelievable.

As much as he would like to deny what was happening, Troyle could not, for the child in question himself was explaining the situation.
His son who has never made a single sound. The child who he had thought a mute and addled in the head, had explained the things that transpired over the past few days to him with crystal clarity.

‘So… the hair was because of his mana leaking. By absorbing it, the hair returns back to their true color… but that does not explain why he is able to talk already at that age… is it because of the mana? What is mana? Could it also have the power to accelerate understanding in newborns? There has never been any such tales, but…’

Lost in thoughts, he pondered endlessly about the mysteries that had just been revealed to him. The only person he’s ever known to have been able to control mana was his old mercenary captain. But even then, the captain never really talked about it. The captain’s mana capacities were quite low, so he had rarely seen the man use his abilities outside of jobs. 

‘Could he be someone else’s kid? Where or who is his mana from? What will happen to him? Could he possibly be a demon as the others claim?’ His thoughts turned darker the more the thought about it. ‘No! I had already come to terms with such things!’ Casting the doubts aside, he resigned himself to figuring out what he was going to do.

 

—

 

Restless, Troyle slowly sat up on the bed.
Like a barrier between himself and their young son, Adalina was sleeping to his left and facing away from him as usual. The candle on their nightstand had already burnt out and it was almost pitch black, but he could tell that she was still awake and quietly watching the boy sleep.

A myriad of thoughts continued racing through his mind. “I am sorry.” Troyle finally spoke, his voice barely audible to himself even in the dead of night. “I have not been good to the both of you. For that, I apologize.” To his side, he could feel the bed shifting.

“Troyle?”

“I have failed as a husband and a father.” He continued, speaking into the darkness. “I thought that you- no… I believed that you had been unfaithful… I had even began questioning the legitimacy of my… my own son.”

“You know that I would never.” She interjected from his side.

“I… it’s just… I’m sorry. Can you ever forgive me?” He apologized again and turned to look at Adalina. Within the darkness, he could sense that her gaze was already on him. Troyle held his breath.

Callused hands slowly slid over his left hand and caressed it gently. “There is nothing to forgive. Whether you believe it or not, he is your son, and you have been a fine father.” She replied, voice steady with neither hate nor contempt.
 
“Haaa…” Breathing a sigh of relief as some of the guilt for the past year lessened, “Thank you…”

Having apologized, he asked her about the situation at home, and what has been happening while he is out on the outskirts. About their future and what is possibly in store for their son. About various things that he had never bothered to ask, or was too prideful and scared to talk about, and ultimately about Kaidus’s situation.

Trying to convince each other, they eventually settled upon the idea that it was due to being born with mana that their son was able to talk at such an age.

After their talk, Troyle got up from the bed and headed to his desk.

First, he would write a letter to his old captain. Though he may no longer be a mercenary, after years of being a part of the company, he knew exactly where the captain would be stationed.

Second, with the next trade caravan that comes into town, they would leave the village. His injured shoulder will never be the same as it was in his mercenary days, but he can still fight, and he could help guard the caravan in exchange for his family’s travel fee.

Pulling out a sheet of light red harkus paper from the desk along with some fine ground dreevil ink, Troyle started to write.

Adalina, born Adalina Drallfus in the small village of Nultulk. She was from a lower class family who grew up working in the fields with little education. Her family consisted of her parents, two sisters and a younger brother. She was the second eldest of the siblings.

When her sister turned 16, her sister was married off to a lumberjack’s son from a nearby village. Adalina had delusions of one day leaving home and marrying a handsome merchant who she would travel the seven continents with. Alas, such fancies were not to be and even before she was old enough to marry, she had caught the eyes of a local innkeeper. When asked for, her parents refused her to him due to the fact that the village knew he was not a decent man, with two prior wives who already left him.

One day as she was gathering water from the river, bandits had attempted to kidnap her. A young soldier that was passing by had seen the incident and made a ruckus and interfered, resulting in the kidnappers running away. Seeing that the kidnappers were actually people affiliated with the innkeeper, she begged for the young man to take her with him. That was how she met Troyle.

On their travels, she disclosed to him why she wanted to run away, and what he had saved her from. The young soldier also told her of how he was one of the few mercenaries that were hired by her village to solve the amber fox infestation in the nearby forest. He had finished talking to the village elder and was on his way back to report to his company head when he saw the kidnapping. After the rendezvous with the mercenary band, she decided to stay with them, learning various things from the older females there.

The mercenary band did a lot of traveling due to the nature of their work, and she would follow them. Helping to cook, cleaning, and washing dirty laundry. When she had time, using what little knowledge that was taught to her by her father and various trials and errors, she would scavenge for edible plants, berries, nuts, and roots during the travel. She had only planned to follow the band to the nearest highly populated town where she could find work and try to live on her own, but after getting to know the people in the mercenary company, and Troyle, she had decided to stay with them.

She eventually fell in love with Troyle, and after four years with the mercenary band, they got married. During a job, Troyle injured his left shoulder and was not able to able to work as a mercenary anymore, so they bought a small house with the money they had saved up and settled down in the village of Hilthu, on the southern edge of the Darsus continent.

Being outsiders, the villagers were indifferent to them which was just fine. After recovering to an extent, Troyle was conscripted to join the village guards and sent to the outskirts of the village, only to come home once every five days.

As the days went by and Adalina became pregnant, she felt the weight of loneliness disappear. She spent her days doing what little work she could in her pregnant state, and talking to the life that was growing inside her.

It was a horrible birth and even though she thought she would never make it, the child was birthed safely. As if stillborn, the baby made no sound after entering the world. The midwife slowly lowered her ears to his chest and mouth to listen for any indication of breathing, but upon closer examination, the child had ash gray hair, and two birth marks on his chest that looked like scars.

Seeing his hair and birthmarks, “Demon! It’s a demon!” the woman had screamed as she moved to crush his tiny neck with her hands.

Yet fortunately before the midwife could, a sword had leveled itself at her neck. Luckily that day, a replacement had been sent to call Troyle back when she had gone into labor.

Seeing the fury in his eyes, the midwife relented and gave him the newborn then briskly left the room and the house altogether.

Troyle looked at the newborn inquisitively with a face full of confusion and doubt, then at Adalina. He had dull red hair and Adalina had sleek black hair, yet the color of the child’s hair was gray. Doubt and confusion were the only things occupying his mind.

“Is this what you do when I am out there protecting the village?!” In his anger, he had forgotten her faithfulness as suspicion clouded his thoughts.

“T-Troyle… Plea-”

“Whose it is?!”

“Y-yours.” She replied, panicked and exhausted. “Please…” She pleaded, begging for him to believe that the child was truly his.

“Adalina! The truth!” Holding the child in his arm, Troyle’s thoughts manifested themselves in his eyes.

Seeing the murderous look of his mercenary days, Adalina slowly rose up from the bed. Strengthened by willpower alone, she rushed toward Troyle and with a speed unlike that of one who had just given birth, she quickly snatched her child away. Clutching him to her breast, she begged and pleaded again for Troyle to believe her.

Outraged and perplexed, Troyle promptly exited the room before he could do anything unforgivable.

Left in the dim lights of flickering candles, Adalina gently caressed the newborn in her arms as she fell to the floor. Fearing the worst, she silently waited while holding onto the child. Bringing his tiny body up to her ears, she could hear a low breathing sound, and could see his tiny little chest rising up and down with each subsequent breath. Yet her relief was short-lived as the child’s breathing began slowing. Not sure what to do and with what looked like impending doom hovering over her child, Adalina cried. All the happiness when she found out that she would be a mother came crashing down, and nothing but grief remained. Clinging onto the babe, she let out her despair.

“NGHGAAAAAAAAAA! NGHAAAAA!” As if telling her he was there, the child started crying with all his might.

Like a ray of light piercing the darkness, her sorrows disappeared. As if a child’s adorable trick had gotten the best of her, a light laughter could be heard mixed with her diminishing sobs. As she watched the tiny bundle of life in front of her quiet down and fall asleep, she decided to name him Kaidus, with Reilt as his middle name meaning ‘Silent one’.

 

—

 

After calming down and thinking things through, Troyle dared not return to the house that day. Instead, he went around the village, asking for information and looking for clues on anyone who came through the village with gray or white hair. No one had any information, and those who did, were old people telling him of legends with people with gray silver and white hair. No one in the town had white hair. Most of the villager’s hair color was predominantly brown. There were only three people with blue hair, seven families with blonde, a few of those with red like his own, and two other families with black like Adalina.

No one had ever seen anyone with anything close to gray hair not to even mention white, ever since times immemorial.

Looking at the evidence before him, Troyle had no choice but to accept the facts that the child was undoubtedly his.

Yet with the midwife’s incessant gossip and his own inquiries, the rumor that his wife had giving birth to a white-haired demon quickly became known throughout the village.

 

—

 

With the rumors, Adalina could do nothing but take their jeers while bringing up her child. The indifferent attitude toward their family when they first moved in was now full of contempt. After much investigation and deliberation, Troyle had apologized to her and believed that Kaidus was his child, but when he is off on patrol, he could not protect her from the glares of the villagers nor their scorn. Her previous abundant jobs of helping out around the village slowly declined, and the previous payments drastically dropped to barely a fraction of their prior pay. Always having to bring her child along when she is working, she can feel the disdain from those she passes, yet the majority of the gazes were not even focused on her, but at the child whose only sin was being born into the world. She hated herself for it. She hated how due to her love, she had brought him into this world, and because of that love, unable to set him free from a fate of hate and loneliness.

The only ones whom she did not feel such gazes from, were her husband, children too young to understand, and those who has known such scrutiny and contempt.

Then there was the child. As if sticking to his middle name, Kaidus grew up in silence. There were times when she feared that his eerie silence helped to reinforce the rumors, but such thoughts were quickly extinguished by her maternal instincts. Kaidus always remained quiet, but whenever hungry, he would cry at the top of his lungs just like when he was born. As he grew and his vision became apparent, she would sometimes notice eyes filled with intelligence, quietly observing and examining his surroundings. Occasionally when looking at him, she would notice him staring back at her. Love and fear would war inside her. Upon staring at such a small and inquisitive face, she would recall how happy she felt when she gave birth to him, but adversely how unfortunate he is to have been born with such traits. This regret would overwhelm her often causing her to break down in tears.

By the beginning of Grunei, Kaidus had already started to crawl, and the silence became more prevalent. Instead of crying, he just tugged on her for her milk whenever he was hungry. At home, setting him down while she cooked, he would often disappear but would always be found in the backyard sitting on the grass, just staring into the distance.

As his curiosity grew and as if he can understand what she says, she would often speak to him and tell him stories. She would spend hours just talking to him while she worked. She talked about insignificant things such as having pets, what she liked to eat, who wanted what to be washed, how sharp her kitchen knife was, and so on. Other times, about life, how to farm, how she grew up, what kind of plants she used to pick in the forest when she still lived with her parents, and other useful tips of life. Catching him looking at something, she would pick him up and name it for him while pointing it out.

By the end of Grunei, the boy had already started toddling around and started to refuse her milk whenever she tried to feed him.

As usual he would tug on her signifying his hunger, but instead of taking breast milk, he would push toward her own meals. Knowing that a few of his baby teeth had come out, she had spooned him a small piece of mashed derilt root from her bowl a while back, and ever since then, he only eaten solid food and would always refuse her milk.

 

—

 

After a hard day’s work on the field helping to weed the newly planted furuce, her pay was 5 erns. The usual pay was 15 erns per day, but since less and less people had started employing her, she had begged for the job to help with the farm, and was reluctantly accepted at the measly pay of 5 erns.

Walking home from the field, she would take detours along paths less traveled and used her talents from her old life to scavenge and scrounge for edible herbs roots and plants to supplement the need to shop for such things. She met a hunter on the way back to the village and had procured a small piece of a scaly hare for 2 erns. Meat was expensive, but since today was a special day, she decided to surrender the money.

Kaidus had watched her patiently as she cooked the piece of scaly hare into a stew—with plenty of derilt root and dry ciscut leaves chopped into fine pieces. Dried herbs were also added with salt to season the stew. After the stew was ready, she scooped most of the nutritious scaly hare into a bowl, and blew on it to cool it down before giving it to Kaidus.

Meat was not a rare treat in the house due to the fact that Troyle would bring some home whenever he comes back, but scaly hares were extremely rare within the village. They were also very delicious and rich in fat while the meat were filled with unfathomable flavors, coupled with the fact that they spent their lives underground only appearing nearing the end of Alivai to breed, she was quite lucky to have procured some.

As she finished what little scaly hare she got in her stew and began sip the broth, she lifted her head up to watch Kaidus eat, only to see him staring back at her. With his cute adorable face looking at her curiously, she smile at him. “Happy name day.” she voiced, trying to look strong for the child.

The boy had never troubled her ever since he was born. He never made a sound even when people were yelling around him, never cries out besides when he is hungry, and even when the pressure of life and the village has gotten too much to bear and she would cry, he would just stare at her as if unsure of what to do. He was quiet most of time and she could never figure him out. Yet his actions never bothered her nor caused her to worry, instead, she would talk to him about various subjects even if he never made a sound back.

‘Such a wonderful child, and all I can do for him is to try and shield him from the hate. Even for his name day, I could do nothing but give him something to eat. How I wish I had more to give him.’ The thoughts trickled in as she watched him, and tears began to swell out of her eyes.

Staring back at her, the boy slowly opened his mouth twice as if to speak, then, “Why do you cry?” A small voice came out of his tiny mouth with crisp clarity.

Her tears immediately stopped. Surprised and at a loss for words, she could only stare back at the boy.