Disclaimer: same as for the prologue. please take pity and don't sue. I'm only a poor student. T_T
Chapter 1. Constant victim.
The city of Taflem has suffered three destructions up till now. According to the legends, that is. Among these three, only two destructions were recorded. Once, during the war between the humans and the world dragons, and another, due to the ¡®sand war¡¯ between the Kimurak church and the magicians.
Even though it has suffered two complete annihilations during two hundred years, there were still streets, rooted neatly over the land. On the contrary, this had made city planning possible, making the city able to show off its beauty, like a fancifully decorated cake. To the west, a mountain range, to the east an artificial lake surrounded by the [forest] ? and to the center stood the city¡¯s largest structure ? World tower of whitewashed chalkstones, the city of [tower of fang].
The only place on Kiesalhima continent where black sorcerers can live without fearing for their lives.
He had returned to that place.
¡°I¡¯m home, Azalea!¡±
Running quickly but soundlessly through to the end of the darkened corridor, he pushed the door open.
Light at the end of darkness. The blue moon illuminated thousand and one images onto the rusted candlesticks. Stepping into the fading warmth, he smiled. A child¡¯s smile.
¡°Azalea.¡±
She turned. Her face, framed by her slightly curled raven hair it glowed in the moonlight.
She was a beautiful person.
Always was. With her shimmering raven hair and coffee eyes, and her long limbs and confident pose, straight back that never bent to anybody.
He had always followed that back, ever since childhood.
Her piercing eyes stared straight into his soul.
¡°Come look, Killiranshelo. He¡¯s having quite a day.¡±
Striding towards the small wooden table, Killiranshelo pulled out one of the abandoned chairs. In the middle of the dusty table floated a shimmering pool of mist, strings of color weaved its way through frantically.
A faint outline of a person.
Stretching on the front seats of a wagon¡¦
Killiranshelo raised his eyebrows.
¡°You changed the system, Azalea.¡±
She shrugged playfully, fingers roughing her little brother¡¯s hair.
¡°For your improved viewing pleasure.¡±
Unable to resist a smile, Killiranshelo plopped down onto the chair.
Sound began to ripple out from the lake of colors. Faint at first, but gradually getting louder¡¦ and louder¡¦ and louder¡¦
[Shut up, and get the HELL out of here! I told you not to come my way!]
[Master, how can you be so cruel!]
But Orphen quickly kicked away Majic¡¯s tearful attempts to climb onto the wagon seat. Glancing at the forest clearing¡¯s edge where Majic emerged from, as if he himself was scared too.
[Why does EVERYBODY expect me to do something for them? If you¡¯re my student, then the least you can do is to look after yourself!]
[How can I? What can I do against that¡¦ that evil creature!]
Orphen continuously tried in vain to remove Majic¡¯s clinging hands from his leg. But Majic too, was desperate. Unable to stand the wasting of time, Orphen screamed.
[How should I know?! You¡¯re not a baby, think for yourself! There are plenty of ways! Like going back and performing kami-kaze with that Black devil, or taking your guts out right here and now! Take your pick!]
[But both seem to leave me dead!]
[Do I care?! Just don¡¯t drag me into this!]
Hooves scraped the earth and horses snorted out hot air. Did the racket from the driver¡¯s seat frighten them, or¡¦
Orphen, deep in thought, shuddered.
¡®Did something that would frighten the horses already come close?¡¯
[Anyway, Master! Help, please-!]
[Don¡¯t you dare cry! I¡¯m not a god-damned immortal! There are things I can do, and can¡¯t¡¦]
[Arh! W, wait Master! What are those hands¡¦ wait, calm down!]
At that moment-
-
At the sound of leaves moving, both immediately quietened down.
[¡¦¡¦]
Slowly unclenching the fingers that were strangling Majic¡¯s throat, Orphen whispered.
[Is it too late¡¦?]
Majic too, replied with trembling voice.
[Probably¡¦ Let¡¯s die together, Master.]
[Who says I¡¯m gonna die?!]
Flinging his student violently to the ground and leaving him to roll under the wagon, Orphen turned his attention to where the sound came from. There stood-
Revealing itself from the depth of the forest was a small dog with jet-black fur. No, it wasn¡¯t a dog. His appearance was a little different. The deciding factor were the eyes though. This (imitation) dog¡¯s eyes were deeper green than the trees of the forest in the background. A trait shown only among Dragons ? wielders of the strongest magic in this continent. On top of that, ¡®Jet-black fur¡¯ could only mean one thing ? the protectors of the ¡®Sacred land¡¯, the Deep forest wolves, [Deep Dragons]. Of course, the one here¡¯s just a newborn cub.
But the fact that this (imitation) pup can draw on magic that Orphen, a mere human black magician, cannot even dream of, was undeniable. On top of that, this ¡®devil¡¯, ¡®evil creature¡¯ ¡®black fiend¡¯, was also the source of Orphen¡¯s headache over these past few days.
Orphen pointed his finger at this baby Dragon.
[Listen well!]
His voice echoed loudly, almost ear-splittingly into the forest. It sounded as if he wanted to cry.
[I am SICK and TIRED of this! I¡¯m tired of fighting monsters that just KEEP ON coming after me for no reason at all, and I¡¯m tired of winding up in petty little problems, and most of all I¡¯m TIRED of putting up with the little brat princess¡¯s outrageous, stubborn, persistent tantrums!!]
Majic gave his sympathies from under the wagon. He sounded as if he was listening to a complete stranger¡¯s sad tale.
[You must have suffered a lot.]
[Shut up! I can¡¯t live like this anymore! After I collect my money back from those raccoons, I¡¯m gonna buy a cozy cottage and hide away for the rest of my life! I¡¯m gonna raise a cat, and let nobody near my house!]
The baby dragon did not reply. He shuffled its short paws and looked around questioningly, as if it was looking for someone. Probably waiting for a command.
Its commander and owner had not yet appeared.
Orphen continued as if he was on a rail.
[Well I¡¯m just FUCKING TIRED of this and all, so-]
¡°You poor thing. You must have suffered a lot¡¦¡±
Killiranshelo turned quickly to face Azalea.
[Didn¡¯t I tell you to shut-]
Hs mouth shaped for the word ¡®up¡¯ but stopped dead in its tracks.
Killiranshelo turned his posture to face Azalea, movement as graceful and as deadly as a sleek feline. He mouthed his question silently.
What are you doing?
[Huh¡¦? Was that you, Majic?]
But his student was long gone, fleeing from the baby dragon.
She frowned, but there was an expression of resignation on her face. She turned her dark mahogany eyes and fixed it on him.
He¡¯s changed, Killiranshelo.
I know.
He¡¯s not you anymore.
I know.
[¡¦Tish¡¦?]
¡¦He can¡¯t even remember your voice anymore.
Killiranshelo observed, almost casually, as he half turned to face the images.
Eyes pierced through ¡®Orphen¡¯ as he started to quarrel with the blonde girl. As a hunter would regard his prey.
How dare he.
Azalea stole a quick glance to the side.
Killiranshelo¡¯s fists clenching up. Blood draining from the young flesh.
She kept silent.
¡®You were once me! How can you even dare to dream about forgetting¡¦¡¯
Azalea waved a hand over the pool of images, muttering softly. Killiranshelo sat there, teeth clenched, until the last images of the Deep dragon¡¯s glowing eyes faded away into the air.
She commented, offhandedly into the musky room.
¡°You promised, Killiranshelo.¡±
¡°¡¦Of course, sis.¡±
-------------
alright, not so bad as the prologue this time. the first introduction of Taflem city, and the 'images' Azalea and Killi-kun saw are direct translations. Other than that, the rest are my creations, as you probably could have guessed by the drop in standard.
Chapter 1. Constant victim.
The city of Taflem has suffered three destructions up till now. According to the legends, that is. Among these three, only two destructions were recorded. Once, during the war between the humans and the world dragons, and another, due to the ¡®sand war¡¯ between the Kimurak church and the magicians.
Even though it has suffered two complete annihilations during two hundred years, there were still streets, rooted neatly over the land. On the contrary, this had made city planning possible, making the city able to show off its beauty, like a fancifully decorated cake. To the west, a mountain range, to the east an artificial lake surrounded by the [forest] ? and to the center stood the city¡¯s largest structure ? World tower of whitewashed chalkstones, the city of [tower of fang].
The only place on Kiesalhima continent where black sorcerers can live without fearing for their lives.
He had returned to that place.
¡°I¡¯m home, Azalea!¡±
Running quickly but soundlessly through to the end of the darkened corridor, he pushed the door open.
Light at the end of darkness. The blue moon illuminated thousand and one images onto the rusted candlesticks. Stepping into the fading warmth, he smiled. A child¡¯s smile.
¡°Azalea.¡±
She turned. Her face, framed by her slightly curled raven hair it glowed in the moonlight.
She was a beautiful person.
Always was. With her shimmering raven hair and coffee eyes, and her long limbs and confident pose, straight back that never bent to anybody.
He had always followed that back, ever since childhood.
Her piercing eyes stared straight into his soul.
¡°Come look, Killiranshelo. He¡¯s having quite a day.¡±
Striding towards the small wooden table, Killiranshelo pulled out one of the abandoned chairs. In the middle of the dusty table floated a shimmering pool of mist, strings of color weaved its way through frantically.
A faint outline of a person.
Stretching on the front seats of a wagon¡¦
Killiranshelo raised his eyebrows.
¡°You changed the system, Azalea.¡±
She shrugged playfully, fingers roughing her little brother¡¯s hair.
¡°For your improved viewing pleasure.¡±
Unable to resist a smile, Killiranshelo plopped down onto the chair.
Sound began to ripple out from the lake of colors. Faint at first, but gradually getting louder¡¦ and louder¡¦ and louder¡¦
[Shut up, and get the HELL out of here! I told you not to come my way!]
[Master, how can you be so cruel!]
But Orphen quickly kicked away Majic¡¯s tearful attempts to climb onto the wagon seat. Glancing at the forest clearing¡¯s edge where Majic emerged from, as if he himself was scared too.
[Why does EVERYBODY expect me to do something for them? If you¡¯re my student, then the least you can do is to look after yourself!]
[How can I? What can I do against that¡¦ that evil creature!]
Orphen continuously tried in vain to remove Majic¡¯s clinging hands from his leg. But Majic too, was desperate. Unable to stand the wasting of time, Orphen screamed.
[How should I know?! You¡¯re not a baby, think for yourself! There are plenty of ways! Like going back and performing kami-kaze with that Black devil, or taking your guts out right here and now! Take your pick!]
[But both seem to leave me dead!]
[Do I care?! Just don¡¯t drag me into this!]
Hooves scraped the earth and horses snorted out hot air. Did the racket from the driver¡¯s seat frighten them, or¡¦
Orphen, deep in thought, shuddered.
¡®Did something that would frighten the horses already come close?¡¯
[Anyway, Master! Help, please-!]
[Don¡¯t you dare cry! I¡¯m not a god-damned immortal! There are things I can do, and can¡¯t¡¦]
[Arh! W, wait Master! What are those hands¡¦ wait, calm down!]
At that moment-
-
At the sound of leaves moving, both immediately quietened down.
[¡¦¡¦]
Slowly unclenching the fingers that were strangling Majic¡¯s throat, Orphen whispered.
[Is it too late¡¦?]
Majic too, replied with trembling voice.
[Probably¡¦ Let¡¯s die together, Master.]
[Who says I¡¯m gonna die?!]
Flinging his student violently to the ground and leaving him to roll under the wagon, Orphen turned his attention to where the sound came from. There stood-
Revealing itself from the depth of the forest was a small dog with jet-black fur. No, it wasn¡¯t a dog. His appearance was a little different. The deciding factor were the eyes though. This (imitation) dog¡¯s eyes were deeper green than the trees of the forest in the background. A trait shown only among Dragons ? wielders of the strongest magic in this continent. On top of that, ¡®Jet-black fur¡¯ could only mean one thing ? the protectors of the ¡®Sacred land¡¯, the Deep forest wolves, [Deep Dragons]. Of course, the one here¡¯s just a newborn cub.
But the fact that this (imitation) pup can draw on magic that Orphen, a mere human black magician, cannot even dream of, was undeniable. On top of that, this ¡®devil¡¯, ¡®evil creature¡¯ ¡®black fiend¡¯, was also the source of Orphen¡¯s headache over these past few days.
Orphen pointed his finger at this baby Dragon.
[Listen well!]
His voice echoed loudly, almost ear-splittingly into the forest. It sounded as if he wanted to cry.
[I am SICK and TIRED of this! I¡¯m tired of fighting monsters that just KEEP ON coming after me for no reason at all, and I¡¯m tired of winding up in petty little problems, and most of all I¡¯m TIRED of putting up with the little brat princess¡¯s outrageous, stubborn, persistent tantrums!!]
Majic gave his sympathies from under the wagon. He sounded as if he was listening to a complete stranger¡¯s sad tale.
[You must have suffered a lot.]
[Shut up! I can¡¯t live like this anymore! After I collect my money back from those raccoons, I¡¯m gonna buy a cozy cottage and hide away for the rest of my life! I¡¯m gonna raise a cat, and let nobody near my house!]
The baby dragon did not reply. He shuffled its short paws and looked around questioningly, as if it was looking for someone. Probably waiting for a command.
Its commander and owner had not yet appeared.
Orphen continued as if he was on a rail.
[Well I¡¯m just FUCKING TIRED of this and all, so-]
¡°You poor thing. You must have suffered a lot¡¦¡±
Killiranshelo turned quickly to face Azalea.
[Didn¡¯t I tell you to shut-]
Hs mouth shaped for the word ¡®up¡¯ but stopped dead in its tracks.
Killiranshelo turned his posture to face Azalea, movement as graceful and as deadly as a sleek feline. He mouthed his question silently.
What are you doing?
[Huh¡¦? Was that you, Majic?]
But his student was long gone, fleeing from the baby dragon.
She frowned, but there was an expression of resignation on her face. She turned her dark mahogany eyes and fixed it on him.
He¡¯s changed, Killiranshelo.
I know.
He¡¯s not you anymore.
I know.
[¡¦Tish¡¦?]
¡¦He can¡¯t even remember your voice anymore.
Killiranshelo observed, almost casually, as he half turned to face the images.
Eyes pierced through ¡®Orphen¡¯ as he started to quarrel with the blonde girl. As a hunter would regard his prey.
How dare he.
Azalea stole a quick glance to the side.
Killiranshelo¡¯s fists clenching up. Blood draining from the young flesh.
She kept silent.
¡®You were once me! How can you even dare to dream about forgetting¡¦¡¯
Azalea waved a hand over the pool of images, muttering softly. Killiranshelo sat there, teeth clenched, until the last images of the Deep dragon¡¯s glowing eyes faded away into the air.
She commented, offhandedly into the musky room.
¡°You promised, Killiranshelo.¡±
¡°¡¦Of course, sis.¡±
-------------
alright, not so bad as the prologue this time. the first introduction of Taflem city, and the 'images' Azalea and Killi-kun saw are direct translations. Other than that, the rest are my creations, as you probably could have guessed by the drop in standard.