"Rubick, do me a favor. Please stop questioning me about things I'm not able to answer." Erno complains as he and Rubick continue their journey by the late morning.
"This is the seventh day and we are nearing the Radiant Ancient, still you remember nothing?" asks Rubick.
Erno sighs. "None."
"Ah. Then I expect too much." Rubick muses. "I was looking forward to be the one to uncover your identity, my mystery boy."
Erno shudders. "Rrrrr. 'My mystery boy' sounds awful. I prefer to be called by my temporary name, thank you."
"Oh hm hm. Very well, Erno."
Both remain silent as they walk. Minutes later, Erno starts the conversation.
"Rubick, I know I've asked this before but I can't help asking again. What must I expect when we reach the Radiant territory?"
"That depends on you. In my case and before I was enthralled, I wanted to pursue knowledge and be tested."
"I keep on hearing about being tested. Is everything a test to you?"
"Not all. There are other instances that are not worth taking note such as daily-life activities. Tests worth undertaking are the war and learning your identity."
"Yeah, right. And when you learned who I am, I'm not worthy to be studied, huh?"
"Depends on what happens next."
Erno is about to talk-back when his attention is snagged by something else.
"Rubick, you know who that is?" Erno asks as he pointed at a winged humanoid perching on a branch just ahead of them, his back facing them.
"Why yes, I do." Rubick answers. "Some of the interesting Radiant magus. Come, we must hurry. I wonder what he's doing."
Erno made a face but follows Rubick. Their footsteps were loud when they arrived at the base of the tree but the winged humanoid didn't notice. More like, he's deep in thought. Then he sighs heavily.
"Alas, what must I do to gain back your trust?" the winged humanoid forlornly said to himself.
Rubick then takes the opportunity to greet his comrade. "Good day, Dragonus."
Dragonus is taken by surprise of Rubick's greeting and almost drops his staff. "AIYEEEEEEE!" he looks behind and below his perch to see Rubick. "Ah, Rubick. Tis only you."
Rubick chuckles, secretly enjoying the fact he surprised Dragonus. "What were you doing that you failed to notice my arrival?"
Dragonus' cheeks are tinged pink before it's gone. "I was... Ruminating. And I want to be alone. That is all."
"Oh hm hm. I see. Do forgive me for disturbing you then."
Dragonus gives a half-smile and flies down his perch without touching his talons on the ground. "Tis good to see you back, Grand Magus. Your lighthearted nature brightens my heart." then he notices Erno. "Who is your companion?"
"Ah, Dragonus, this is Erno. Though, his name is not really his name. I will explain later. Erno, this is Dragonus, the Skywrath Mage."
Erno smiles at Dragonus. "Pleased to meet you, Skywrath Mage."
"Same here, Erno." replies Dragonus.
Rubick proceeds to tell Dragonus about Erno's amnesia and the plan to see the Radiant Ancient.
"I do not think 'tis a good plan." said Dragonus. "He is too young to be involved in a war."
"You have not seen how he fights." replies Rubick. "And his joining the war is temporary. Once he overcomes the enthrallment, he can leave. What is more important is he remembers who he is. Besides, I will always be nearby and keep him away from harm."
Dragonus seems pleased to hear Rubick's answer but Erno is shock.
"What? This is the first time I hear you say that." said Erno.
"About what?" asks Rubick.
"To stay beside me... Oh, wait. You only wanted to know my identity."
"Yes." Erno exasperatedly sighs, making Rubick chuckles. "Do you really believe that is the only reason why?"
Dragonus looks at a confused Erno and gives a comforting smile. "No matter how selfish Rubick's reasons for staying beside you, it is good to have a friend who's there to rely on." his smile almost turns down before addressing Rubick. "I have nothing else to do now. Let me accompany you back to the Radiant Ancient."
"Very well." they proceed to travel together.
...
"Erno, do you see that white, bluish glow in the sky just ahead of us?" asks Rubick. "It means, we are nearing the Radiant Ancient."
And ahead of them are two Radiant Heroes locked in combat.
"You will pay for unmasking me!" said Juggernaut after breaking from the lock blade.
Sven laughs. "Fear not. I'll never do it again. The image of your ugly face is enough to stay my hand." he laughs again when Juggernaut made a sound of irritation. "The Juggernaut is not invincible after all when unmasked." he taunts.
Juggernaut poses a battle stance. "Never again will I put my guard down when around you, Sven!"
Erno looks at Rubick. "Those are your comrades, right? Shouldn't we stop them?" he asks when the two Radiant Heroes continue their battle.
"Leave them be." answers Rubick. "But how curious, Rogue Knight has seen Juggernaut's face."
"I know what you're planning. Don't do it." warns Erno and Rubick chuckles.
"Let us stay away from the sparring Heroes and use another route." suggests Dragonus.
...
"We are here, Erno." said Rubick after they arrived at the top lane. The creeps come out their barracks, greet the two Heroes and proceeds to leave the base. The three of them are looking at the Radiant located at the middle of the base. Rubick turns to see Erno's expression. "Erno, what's wrong?"
Erno grimaces and his turquoise eyes are blinking rapidly like it's getting irritated by the Radiant's bright aura. "Uurgh... I can feel It... Calling me..." he answers. He shuts his eyes tightly, grits his teeth, and puts a protective hand over his forehead. "... My head... Huuurts..."
Dragonus is shocked and he turns to Rubick. "This is not how the enthrallment works!"
"I know. I, too, did not expect this." answers Rubick. "Erno!" he calls out when Erno starts walking towards the Radiant. He puts a hand on Erno's shoulder to stop him but Erno shrugs off his hold and continues to walk.
Rubick and Dragonus look at each other then follows Erno. As Erno stands between the tier four towers in front of the Radiant, the two Heroes goes on Erno's side and sees him staring blankly at the Radiant's glowing light. Slowly, Erno's dim turquoise eyes widen and brighten slowly.
"Erno?" Rubick cautiously asks upon seeing Erno's surprised then horrified expression.
Suddenly, Erno grabs each side of his head and screams out in pain as his eyes are wide open.
"Erno!" Rubick and Dragonus cannot do anything else but watch on as Erno continues to scream. Erno is now on his knees and his forehead meets the ground, screaming in agony.
After two minutes of suffering, Erno stops screaming and his muffled sobs were heard.
"Erno? Are you alright?" Rubick asks when Erno stops sobbing.
"Yes." Erno answers after standing up and continues to wipe away his tears with his sleeve.
"What happened?"
Finally, Erno stops wiping his tears and faces Rubick. Erno's eyes are not red-rimmed but they're serious and bright with resolve.
The solemn Erno didn't answer. He pulls up his cowl and props his collar to cover his head, nose and mouth, before looking up at the Radiant Ancient. "You know what I'll do next. Do your part."
Rubick then stops when the Radiant orders him and all Heroes in split seconds. After that, he turns back to Erno. "What is going on, Erno?"
But Erno didn't answer. A teleport spell appears near the towers and reveals Io, the Guardian Wisp. Io then tethers with Erno. Seconds later, they Relocate.
Dragonus is wearing a stupefied reaction when he faces Rubick. "Your friend is going to meet the Dire Ancient with Io's help."
Twelve seconds later, Io returns to the base without Erno.
"You left Erno?" asks Rubick.
By the grace of Radiant's power, mortals and everyone present in the Material Plane can understand whatever Io conveys it's message through a voiceless whisper (within Ancient territory only), like words printed inside the brain, just like how the Radiant calls all Heroes.
'The Dire Ancient still reads the boy's mind after I returned. You must not worry for his welfare, he is not under attack. But there is no doubt that whatever the boy conveys will make the Dire Ancient cooperate.' beeps Io.
"Yes. We are fully aware." said Rubick. "The question is, what is this war we are to encounter that requires to set aside differences? Do you know?"
'Nay. I am an ancient, too, a Fundamental specifically, yet the Radiant will not share what It knows and I have no clue about this sudden change. But I believe something far sinister will come and that boy has come to warn us. I must go now and begin searching for Heroes.' Io ends and goes to the fountain.
Dragonus looks at Rubick after Io teleported. "It seems Erno's identity is finally revealed if we are to agree with Io's belief. Whatever this new war is, we will not fail! Come, we must gather our things then teleport to the middle lane, too."
"Very well. I will continue pondering about this change when we arrive there." Rubick chuckles that made Dragonus skeptical. "He still remains a mystery that needs solving. Oh ho ho! What a test this will be!"
Last chapter of my dota 2 crossover 'Out For Blood' is posted.