Drake's Quest

Prologue

Drake to his frustration still couldn't open the strange lockbox he had recovered during his stay at the ancient monastery that once sheltered the future matriarch of his clan. The box was made of a strange jet black metal with an orange-red hue it had no keyhole, no hinges, and a seam too small to force a blade or tool into. The box was deceptively heavy though if this was because of the box, its contents, or both Drake couldn't be sure.

Though his debt to Lamington and krichevskoy was repaid Drake was still somewhat paranoid that Angelina would pop in unannounced at any moment to interrupt his attempts to open this infernal box.
"Argghh!" his anger getting the best of him Drake Struck the box with an open palm punch without thought of the consequences he had used the Dragons Thunder technique created by Empress Kaida herself. According to the stories passed down to him by his mother. Kaida created the technique by combining her unique Dragon mana with the oriental martial arts, she was taught by the humans of the monastery she came to find sanctuary in after finding only spit in the world of humans. The technique was simple in theory but difficult to master. Dragons Thunder allows the user to strike their opponent by channel the explosive force of the Dragon mana through the palm of the hand this results in an electrical-like attack with a powerful concussive force this concussive force could easily injure the user as while as Drake had painfully learned the slightest error could result in shattering the bones in one's hand or forearm...

The blast sent the box sailing into the air and to Drakes surprise, the damn thing popped open mid-flight the contents spilling out almost landed on Drake's head, his honed reflexes caught the large leather-bound book with ease while the box landed with a crash on the surface of the table leaving a considerable dent in the wooden surface. "What the hell is this?" Drake wondered aloud.
Opening the book he found the pages filled with a rune script he had never seen before as while hand-drawn maps and landmarks that Drake didn't recognize. setting the book down Drake checked the box for anything that might explain the book he found only a message engraved on the inside of the box lid. 'And they say Violence never solves anything.' there was no signature with the message. Drake wondered if this was some kind of joke courtesy of the oracle spirit he had met in his vision after his near-fatal encounter with his clan's ancient enemy. Until he found his way to the monastery on earth Drake had been content to believe the whole thing had been some sort of fever dream brought on by what should've been his final moments of life... Would've been his final minutes if it wasn't for the seraph of Celestia and the only people he could trust.

Yes, even if it meant serving as a puppet he had owned Lamination a life debt and apt it a bit grudgingly. Drake knew he couldn't leave the world without repaying the extra time the angelic leader had given him before he would end up shedding his mortal coil...

~[Flashback]~
Drake found himself in an endless white void. The last thing he remembered was the dragon talon impaling him Drake look down at his chest there was no sign of the wound no blood and no pain so where was he? "Hello, Drake." said a famine voice Drake turned to see a woman with flowing silver hair and crystal blue eyes standing behind him. "I am the oracle who served Kaida I have been expecting you. I'm sure you have many questions unfortunately I only have time to deliver my prophecy to you." The young woman explained briefly.

"Son of Mathal your journey is not yet over you have a great task to fulfill before you leave the mortal world. seek out the past that lies beneath your feet of the home you knew. Your mother has left you all that you need to know before your journey to your father's homeworld. There you will follow the footsteps of Lady Kaida herself. If you prove your worth the path to the forge of Edgewise will be laid out in front of you and perhaps if you are judged worthy at the end of your journey you'll find his greatest masterpiece..."

~[End flash back]~
To say it was jarring to wake from a dream/vision like that and find one's self in the sacred sanctuary of the leader of Celestia would be an understatement. Never mind being told by the former overlord that he and his angelic friend needed your help. The moment they started explaining everything The Lord of Terror, krichevskoy's death and reincarnation, their dream to reunite Celestia, and the netherworld... hearing the angelic leader explain he could only seal the curse not stop it was a hard blow Drake believed then, just as he did now that Lamination's regret that he couldn't save him only delay the inevitable was genuine Lamination...

Perhaps it was time for the Seraph to return the favor and help him this time Drake thought to himself. Tucking the book under his arm Drake left to ask the Seraph for any insight on the strange script the text of the book was written in.

To be continued

Author notes
And so the quest begins! Stay tuned to find out what awaits Drake in his search for the lost sword of Edgewise.