It was sometime, perhaps an hour or two after Ryu's triumphed victory, did another reach the battle torn lake. A translucent form that was almost as large as a tree, stalked from out of some place, drawing close towards the grassy field. It spoke…rather it grunted a single phrase, and then the translucent coating surrounding its body lifted, revealing a monstrously large crimson-skinned body.
It was a Goon, yet it was still more. Altered, though it would prefer the term enhanced, from other Goons by some entity it encountered years past. He was stronger, faster; simply better then any Goon known, though it was also the source of his constantly growing hunger.
Mordo glared, pale yellow eyes beamed hard at the scarce remains of his unsavory minions. Naon, Odo, Krong, Agos, they were all gone, blasted away by some unspeakably powerful magic. His trailing yellowed stare ended when he spotted a certain burned corpse. His eyes rested on the remnants of Guliam, his second in command, more importantly his only brother.
Mordo nearly leaped to what was left of his brother, his huge hands daring to caress the brittle ashen form. Flakey pieces of cinders were already flying due to the winds, but at the gigantic Goon's touch nearly the whole upper half of the remains broke, then crumbled into an ashen trailing mist.
The serene, nearly peaceful atmosphere that the lake of Havenlark usually held was in an uproar from the bellowing cries of the monstrously Goon. Even through the dark abyss that was Mordo's mind, he still remembered and mourned the death of his brother. His grunted wail continued through to the ends of the calm waters.
Just as suddenly as he began, Mordo abruptly stopped, the other him, the one lurking deep inside of him, quickly regaining control. It assured Mordo that vengeance would come, swiftly and most painfully.
Mordo then started. His guttered, grunting tongue speaking a series of words. Words to an enchantment, though he knew no magic, but still the words flew from his tongue. The goon then used one jagged fingernail and cut along his own palm to draw blood. He hastily spared a few drops over his brother's ashes as well as the other's bodies. He then patiently waited a few moments to allow the spell to take effect. In no time, a few strands of Guliam's burned flesh, swirled as it lifted up from soil. Other rouge pieces from the gory remains of the others levitated, and then drew to collect into a dark vortex of blood red light. Bits and pieces of images began to take shape along the vortex of dark energy. There was some distortion, and then a particular image became clear. The spell thus completed Mordo had now manifested a window to the last moments of Guliam and the rest of his horde's lives.
Mordo peered deep into the window, desperate to seek whose throat he was about to rip out. In the first moments since its appearance, the window only permitted a vision of a small boy. The boy could not possibly have been older than thirteen summers, with bright blue hair and an innocent pair of emerald green eyes.
The goon, who was a bit more than a goon, stood confused. The window should only have showed whom slayed Guliam, not some puny man-child. Mordo pressed pass the image, then delved deeper, seeking the Guliam and the other's last moments of memory.
The image cleared again, then returned to a scene of the very lake Mordo was standing at only hours ago. He witnessed the initial assault led by Guliam and the others. He was mildly surprised, how the boy faired against them, running and dodging from them all over the lake, mildly surprised sure, but ultimately uninterested. The image shifted again, showing the blue haired boy digging into his bag. The next few seconds, Mordo's ugly, hideous face contorted from uninterested, to interested, shock, then settling in a pit of rage.
Black unholy murder flared in the Goons eyes. How was it that a mere child could have caused this?
The vortex of blood red light then returned to the initially image of the boy, though this time his portrayal was far different. Streaking beams of energy surrounded him, swirling masses of light and raw power coursed through every limp of his body. His emerald eyes, flashed with a bright bluish glow, almost as if his eyes were two great towers of impenetrable light.
This was potent raw power in the likes that Mordo had never seen, his mouth watered from desperation. His hunger flared. He had to posses the boy; much more, he desired the boy's power. That oh so delicious power, that was still lying dormant.
With another word uttered, Mordo re-cloaked himself in his veil of invisibility. The last image the vortex shown him was of the boy journeying to Sienis. On his return, that would be when Mordo would strike. He would devour the boy whole to obtain all that lovely energy. Then not only would his requisite for revenge be quenched, but he also would appease his hunger…for a time.
***
As early as the day's first light did the day start for hundreds of merchants in the streets of Sienis. The city was not as grand as one of the larger cities such as Taris or the kingdom of Wyndia, but the smaller community did not differ in the amount of life. Anything that was living inside the city's wall was either buying, selling, eating, or playing throughout the city.
It was a grand sight for anyone that happened to pass by and this day was an even special sight for one particular young girl…
***
"Hurry Gury, we shall miss the festival!" a young girl cried; the uncontained excitement seemed to surge from her words. Sienis was simply an amazing place with seemingly thousands of things going on at once. It was as if the whole city had an instantaneous explosion of people, and the girl just happened to be in its center.
"Princess, slow down gurl...Ye know me stubby legs can't keep up wit ye," a more than gruff voice called after her. Trailing behind the young girl at a snail's pace, was a still grumbling black bearded dwarf, the girl's lifelong bodyguard, Gury Stonebattle. Gury muttered something rather unmentionable as he continued to stomp about in his heavy dwarven made armor. Wild strands of his scraggy black hair and beard were unruly cast about in almost every direction, the only exception was where his rounded iron helmet was in place, and even that looked as though only lucked aided in containing his hair. His trusty adamantine axe swinging harmlessly at his side, always within reach just in case a pesky onlooker needed to be taken down a peg or two.
There were places all over his adamantine armor where several years of battle had taken its toll. Knits in the plating not to mention, some mended puncture holes along the breastplate added to its rugged appearance. However, besides that fact, it was the best armor he'd ever worn. Served him for a hundred years and he expected it to serve a hundred more.
The young girl playfully laughed at the misfortune of her bodyguard. "Then maybe you should put some pepper in your step! The rate you're moving, dusk will arrive before we do," she answered with a laugh. Her playful stirring began to unravel the folds to her ivory white cloak, which for the most part had been keeping her wings covered.
Gury shot her a stern warning glance, though before he could draw for a scolding word, she had already replaced the folds. Of course, she had to remember to wear her hood down low and her wings covered, to prevent anyone from realizing her identity. Luckily, no one had been the least bit concerned over the young girl or her rather stout dwarven companion.
Nina continued to stare into the crowd of so many people, all laughing shouting, singing, and dancing. Her eyes scanned to where two men were obviously arguing over the pricing of a pheasant. She then moved to a street performer family, who had their younger ones perform seemingly impossible acrobatics, while the parents interchanged from juggling random items tossed in from the small crowd they drew. The girl looked around so anxious to see what else the city had to offer.
This had been only one stop on a 'several cities' campaign King Wilhelm of Wyndia made this year. They had already traveled from Fortune Stone, the dwarven homeland. The dwarves who had been long time allies with Wyndia welcomed them grandly. That was a few weeks prior, now they journeyed to Sienis, which greeted them with a welcoming festival.
This was a treat in itself for Nina; King Wilhelm fearing for her safety had always forbid his daughter from ever leaving the castle walls of their homeland in Wyndia. However, this year for her twelfth birthday all she asked was for him to bring her along with him on this campaign, so she could finally see some of the world outside the castle's gates. The King always being a man of his word had reluctantly agreed, on the guise that Nina was chaperoned at all times. Queue Gury Stonebattle.
"Bah! Yer gittin' more an' more like yer mother ev'ryday," Nina giggled as a response, though the statement was true. She started to resemble the late queen gradually each passing day. To her lovely shorten flocks of honey blonde hair, to her cool winter blue eyes. She was tall for her age, being four inches taller than Gury's height of five feet and slender. She looked every bit of the beautiful queen of Wyndia.
"Come on ol' blackbeard!" the girl's voice called back as she continued to move, something else seemed to have caught the young girl's eye.
The rounded cheeks of her bodyguard flushed at hearing the name. "Stupid gurl..." he grumbled, throwing his short yet powerful arms across his chest in protest. "I told ye not to be callin' me that." He roared out of annoyance, although, it was obvious he held no real anger.
The girl wheeled around on her heels facing Gury. She then slowly walked over to the dwarf and looked deep into his coal colored eyes. "I apologize, Gury…" her apology ended with a gentle kiss on the dwarf's nose.
The dwarf's whole face flashed red like a bright bearded berry. He smiled back at her, giving her his usual single missing tooth grin. An accident from when he was a lad. He accidentally let an ogre get the drop on him, resulting in him loosing the tooth. Of course to show his appreciation, Gury accidentally met the ogre in the face with his adamantine axe. But that was ancient history.
"Come lass, let's see what all the fuss is 'bout," the burly dwarf stated. Nina nodded and lent the dwarf her hand just as she used to do when she was younger. Gury took her small slender hand into his coarse, stumpy one. Then the two entered the city's streets.
***
Sienis. Ryu had known the small city since he was but a tiny lad. He knew the city just as well as he knew his own name. From Mauroden the baker, who always baked fresh breads and sweet rolls every morn, though he tended to be steep with the pricing of both. To Sturm Coldsteed the blacksmith, who forged shoes for many of the horses for the town. Who also every now-and-then forged a fine blade for a warrior who made Sienis a small stop in between adventures.
Ryu had always fancied himself to be a great swordsman…given a few a years to proper training that is. He had always wondered if maybe he would one day wield one of Sturm's blades. He would wield the blade triumphantly, striking down evil, righting the wrongs of Etheria.
Ah, the fantasies of a young boy, Ryu relented. He had to stay focused. Today he must be a simple errand boy for Master Aeon, but for tomorrow who knew....
***
Thoughts such as those consumed Ryu's attention as he walked down one of the lesser congested streets of the city. Had he been looking, or more importantly, paid closer attention he'd seen the fleeing form of a small girl, around his age, dressed in a fine gown made of sky blue silks with a white shawl trailing behind her.
Her dainty almost graceful strides would soon-be-followed by the loud lumbering stomps of a black bearded dwarf, a sad case really, who was desperately trying to keep pace with the long limbed lass.
Nevertheless, all this seemed to go unnoticed by the young boy, as they past like two departing ships in the midnight fog.
***
"Nina slow down! Slow down gurl!" Gury puffed and huffed. The gods that slaved long and hard to create the dwarven race had not intended them to keep pace with small energetic young girls. Now give them an axe and a score of orcs or ogres that would be a different tale entirely. "Now ye know we hav't'be gettin' back," Gury warned. He looked up to the evening sun.
"Go?" All the excitement in the girl's young body almost crumbled. Her deflating spirit mirrored in her voice. "But the festival had only begun. Can we not stay just a little longer?" Nina pleaded, pulling his arm in the opposite direction of their lodgings, toward the center of the city where more excitement surely was in wait.
Stubborn, unshakable Gury, shook his head. "The king would hear none of it. Now let's be goin' lass, I'm sure the king be worried for ye…ARGH!" Gury's words slurred then crumpled into a heap, much like the one he was under right now.
Two men frantically waved their arms in distress as they viewed the huge mess. Here their whole supply of foreign spices had fallen from their kart, not to mention the black bearded dwarf buried underneath of it had all but ruined the entire shipment. Nina stared wide eye at the sight. Instantly she worried for the health of her bodyguard, all that was Gury rested completely buried underneath the pile of various assortments of spices. The different shades of brown, green, and black grains covered even the dwarf's helmet. However, her fears were soon put to rest, after hearing a steady stream of obscenities it notified her that Gury was well, not too pleased, but well.
'Here's your chance!' A small voice inside of Nina shouted. The young girl looked to her side. No one was really paying any heed to her being. All the people's eyes were glued to the spice mound. Nina then did probably one of the most reckless actions in her life; she took a step away from Gury toward the unknowing Sienis streets. Two steps, which soon followed with three, the girl then broke off into a mild run away from the scene, away from Gury.
Never in her life had Nina ever deliberately disobeyed Gury. The dwarf was always a trusted friend as well as her bodyguard. However, something inside her this day motivated her to be defiant…just this once.
Therefore, when the world became right for Gury Stonebattle, he stared at the spot where his princess was just standing at, only to find her trail of empty steps. It was safe to assume that part of the city soon flowed again with some of the most colorful of terms from the dwarven language.
***
Nina hated having to abandon Gury like that. She knew he was only doing as her father instructed, to keep an eye on her, but she also knew she was old enough to look after herself. She was almost a woman now and in some years, she would soon have to rule all of Wyndia. An occupation that would devote all of her time, leaving her less liberties than she held at the present, so she figured a few waywardness acts while she was young could not so bad. Besides, she knew it was the only way she knew she really could truly experience all of this bright new city.
If all of those reasons were true, then why did a linger feeling of doubt fill her steps the further away she moved from Gury. Soon the dwarf was only a speck of armored life in a huge sea of moving people. Soon every street looked the same as the last one she past. And very soon Nina found herself in the middle of one of the busiest days of the city completely lost.
***
Mauri was the kindly mid-age woman that ran the Sienis General store. In her youth, she often dreamed of the wonders that lay all over Etheria, wanting to experience them for herself. The adventure, the danger, the romance…However, the ill-fated death of her father left her in possession of the family business.
There was a time when she considered selling the place and be done with it, fore running the store often was more of a burden than the young lass wanted to endure. However, her Ma would hear nothing of it. So, Mauri let her grand dreams of seeing all the realms of Etheria slip aside to honor her parent's wishes.
After allowing some time to past, Mauri found her store started to strive. She soon began to draw customers from all over. The store was also the place where she met a handsome yet awfully shy man around her own age, which would always come around her store everyday.
There were a few times when she spotted the sir, in an almost dreamy like state while gazing in her direction. Though, when she approached him to take his order, he hardly said a thing, though his flared cheeks always betrayed him. It did not take Mauri too long to get fed up with the charade and courted the man herself.
They were married that following spring.
Soon Mauri's life was filled with family and children. They shared many years together very happy, though just like all youth, as they became of age slowly but surely they left the city, each seeking lives and beginning their own families. Every so often, Mauri would hear word from her own children about the exploits of her grandchildren, though it was probably almost certain she would never see any of them.
This was probably around the time when Ryu started becoming a customer. Ever since the young boy started coming to her store, Mauri had shown a particular fondness for the polite blue haired boy.
"Good day to ye, Mauri," Ryu greeted as he approached her store.
The older, now a bit rounder, woman wore today a plain cotton dress, with a slight stain but other wise clean red apron. Her deep brown eyes seemed to sparkle at the sight of the young boy. "Ah, if it isn't Master Ryu," she greeted, then swiftly rounded her kart to envelope the boy in a small hug. She then placed a gentle kiss on the boy's cheek. "Tis, good to see ya this day Master Ryu, art ya retrievin' more goods fer ye and yer sire?"
"Aye, Ma'am," Ryu answered then placed the usual amount of Zenny for the groceries on her counter. The twenty green octagon shaped coins resting soundly there, though Mauri never needed to count them.
The older woman smiled as she ventured back into her shop. "It'll be a moment," Ryu nodded as she disappeared. "I bet yer Master Ensor, 'fraid ye'd soon eat 'em out of house and home," she called back with a teasing hoot.
Ryu's laughter soon filled the inside of the tiny shop. "Aye," He mirthfully responded, the hint of laughter still in his voice. "Tis, been one of his fears."
"Here ya go…" Mauri returned with a rather large bag filled with the boy's order. The usual vegetables, breads, cheeses, and a little something sweet added that Mauri liked to throw in just for the little boy.
"Thanks Mauri," Ryu then slid the buddle over his back. He then looked around for a bit. The always working always moving people of Sienis, seemed a might bit more frenzied today. "Mauri?" the woman turned to him. "There is much celebration 'round the city. Is there some holiday today?"
"Nay…" The woman cupped her hand around her mouth as though she was keeping some grave secret. She then paused, as her round hand then went to her chin cradling it as though she was in debate over whatever-or-not to reveal something to the boy. However, a small smile from Ryu ended her deliberation. "Well the city officials wanted to keep things secret, but there is talk everywhere that the King has arrived in Sienis."
"The king?"
"Aye, the King of our land," Mauri nodded in approval. "A kind man, he is. Very just and gentle ruler," Mauri spoke as though she knew the man personally. Which very much could be true, Ryu did not know everything about Mauri. "So the officials decreed for a festival to be in his honor, although they have dubbed it, a "Late Spring" festival. But the people know better ya see," She confirmed the statement with a firm nod. "Ya should stay a bit, see all the wonderful things before you head off to yer home."
An air of concentration was fixed on Ryu's youthful face. "The king…" He finally said after so many moments. His green eyes lit up. "Could it be that there are royal soldiers 'round the streets?"
"Could be…" Mauri teased. Her speech was broken with an instant thought. "P'rhaps even Sir Riddick is among them," Mauri had no idea if the famed adventurer was in the King's company, but she would say nearly anything to spark the look of fantastic excitement that danced in Ryu's emerald eyes. "Only one way to find out, eh?"
Mauri barely finished the statement before Ryu was already out of her sight. The small boy was quickly moving towards the heart of the city. The older woman let out a few soulful chuckles. "There is fire in that one…" She said to herself, viewing another customer approaching in the distance. "Back to work," it seemed as the brown-eyed woman returned to her store, the day continued just as any for her. Though one would noticed there appeared to be an extra twinkle in the round woman's bright smile.
***
Ryu dashed through the city streets. The opportunity to see, maybe even meet Sir Riddick, was almost too grand to imagine. The thought of meeting the great warrior filled Ryu with so much energy that it stemmed through every one of his steps, making him move faster, as well as move frantic. Anyone that had not to been paying the slight bit of attention faced being, practically trampled over by the ecstatic youth.
His steps were so hurried in fact, he failed to notice a slightly taller, lithe figure dressed in blue with a white cloak draped over herself, who happen to be standing in the middle of the road. That is he failed to notice…until it was almost too late. Apparently, she was in some deliberation in which direction to take, so she was not aware of the danger lying ahead.
Ryu glanced and barely registered her being, he immediately slowed his pace, but the sudden halt in speed caused him to lurch forward, still heading in the cloaked figure's direction. His hands clumsily caught a hold of something soft as he made his way to the "Ouch…" payment.
In her innocence, Nina hadn't the slightest idea what happen. It was only a moment before when she was merely standing in the streets debating which way she would follow, the next she was assaulted from behind by an unknown assailant. Her wings fluttered as she let out a frustrated shriek. Maybe it would have been wiser to stay with Gury…Wait a moment her wings?
Nina looked to her left as she viewed her ivory shawl sail unceremoniously to the ground, in its wait she saw a small common boy in a writhing heap beside her. The Princess of Wyndia narrowed her eyes, it seemed her assailant did not escape and Nina held a word or three concerning his actions. The boy looked around her age maybe a year younger or older. He had a long mane of blue hair and green eyes that seemed to be swirling at the moment. Nina might even have said he was a handsome young boy, if he had not outright attacked her without any motive.
As Etheria placed itself in order again, Ryu scrambled to a sitting posture. "I apologize miss," Ryu groaned, it seemed those stars he was seeing simply would not seize. "I had not…" the rest of his sentence ended then there, as his emerald eyes stared almost spellbound at her face. Though girl looked as if she held a few words in check for his person, the look of annoyance was completely lost to the boy. Never in his life had he ever been so blinded, here before him was the single most beautiful girl he'd ever seen.
That moment Ryu fought hard to think of something witty, something clever to retort. Being a student of Aeon Avanthas Ensor, probably Etheria's greatest wielder of the mystic arts, who also was world-renowned for his affairs of the heart, his mentor had also given the boy a few guiding lessons when dealing with the fairer sex. Ryu presently wished he could recall every line, state every sonnet, or pronounce anything that would captivate the girl who stood before him. His heart drummed faster and faster the longer the seconds trailed.
Something then moved behind the girl that drew Ryu's attention. His continued stare followed as a crisp white feather danced on a thread of wind then landed half a step's distance from his feet. It was in that instant the boy noticed the girl was in possession of two purely white wings. They fluttered slightly in the wind.
Ryu's emerald eyes widen in recognition. He knew what she was. The boy only heard about them from legends, but he was sure of what he was witnessing, that this girl, this remarkably beautiful girl could not have come from this world. "Art ye an angel?"
Nina cheeks flared a rosy pink at hearing the boy's question. Her clear blue eyes continued to stare at the odd little boy before her. Her anger was then lost as a small smile crossed her lips, a tiny giggle soon escaping from her. The blue haired boy beside her smiled as well, a few chuckles exchanging from him. It was a genuine innocent laugh, the kind only children shared.
With a gentle tug, Ryu pulled the girl to her feet. It was then he was graced by seeing her full beauty, not to mention her full height, which seemed to be a few inches taller than himself. He was past caring though, as he continued to look up into her cool winter blue eyes. The girl shyly smiled. 'Butterflies quit thy stirring,' she pleaded, while staring back into his emerald green eyes.
"NINA!" a deep gruff voice called from some distance away. The two children watched as a stout black breaded dwarf in an old armor, parted through the sea of people, heading their way.
The angelic blonde hair girl gasped in frightful then swiftly fled into crowd before Ryu even had the chance to inquire what was at fault. The girl already had fully mingled with the congregation, just as the dwarf made his way to Ryu.
The dwarf planted his large feet down with a stomp. He squinted from side to side, but there was no sight of the Princess. His coal colored eyes then swam to Ryu. "Hey boy, ye see a pretty wing-ed gurl come this way?"
Ryu eyed the dwarf who was about his height with a casual smile. "Uh…no sir," he nonchalantly answered, his grin never failing. His look reminded the dwarf of a tale he heard from one of the royal guards. A man stood before the Taris arbitrary some years ago, on trial for the murder of a business competitor. When the arbitrator asked the accused, if he was guilty of the crime, the man's reply was. "Oh, no sir…His back was just in the way of my blade as it was coming down." Needless to say, the insane man was shortly flogged then put to death.
The dwarf, apparently not liking tone and much not liking the shrewd smirk played on the boy's lips, decided to ask the green eye child again. His dark bushy eyebrows frowned; with a grip like steel, he hoisted the boy off the ground with one hand, his trusty axe in the other. "I think ye should be reconsiderin' 'bout yer answer," the dwarf spoke in a calm, yet deadly voice. "Boy, did ye see a pretty wing-ed gurl come this way?" the black bearded dwarf asked again, his dark coal colored eyes staring daggers into the boy's skull. Although Ryu didn't meet his stare. The gleaming adamantine axe the dwarf nonchalantly waved, every now and then, did more to draw the boy's attention.
Ryu knew he was far stronger then most boys his age. However, he could tell that this gristled old dwarf that was two inches shorter then he was, could easily snap him in half.
Relying more on fear than actual cunning Ryu pointed into a direction. The dwarf looked to the south, the direction where the boy pointed. It was just another busy; Sienis congested stretch of street, nothing more significant then any of the other busy lanes.
The dwarf grunted then released the boy, who unceremoniously landed on his backside. The grumbling dwarf released a sigh, and then continued stomping along through the crowd.
Ryu let out his own sigh, out of all the dangers from this morning that by far was the deadliest encounter yet. Luckily, Ryu pointed south, where in fact the young angel girl went north the total opposite direction that the ill-tempered dwarf was storming off toward. Ryu had not thought it was wise to mislead the dwarf then again Master Aeon often said, "Rash decisions can often be the best ones…" Blueflame wondered though, how many encounters did his sire have with disgruntled dwarves? It would be a question to ask when he returned to the Tower.
Speaking of which…
Ryu's eyes widen as he remembered the groceries. They had fallen when he ran into…He then paused. A white veil lay besides his bag. He tossed his bag over his shoulders, then stared at the ivory cloth. There was no question who it belonged to and he should honestly return back to Tower, fore it was getting late in the day. Although any reason to seek out that angel again, to see her smile once more, Ryu would not pass up the chance.
Besides being a romantic himself, Master Aeon would understand…
***
Nina rushed down the city streets. The Wyndian princess knew she could not run away forever, but just a few more minutes free from the constantly watching eyes of Gury or any of the other hundreds of guards under her father's command, was all she desired.
After a few blocks, the princess rested beside a bakery. Nina panted heavily as she took a few breaths. "Miss you dropped this," a voice sounded behind her. The girl nearly screamed, as something white was held before her face. She sprang back only to run into that strange boy with the long blue hair from before.
He looked at her strangely, as he stood in the middle of the street. The girl blinked as recognition took place and then she looked down. He was holding her cloak.
In the all the commotion of fleeing from Gury, Nina hadn't noticed that she was without it. "My thanks kind sir," she made a small curtsy with her blue dress, and then quickly threw the cloak over to cover her wings. The girl then made one quick glance around; making sure no one took noticed. The girl then sighed and continued to walk down the street. Ryu tilted his head to the side and merely shrugged. The boy, having nothing better to do, slowly followed behind.
The girl noticed her pursuer but decided not to comment. Anyone that observed the pair would have thought they almost looked comical. The taller slender girl of twelve accompanied by a healthy young lad about her age only half a head shorter.
Ryu's eyebrows forked in slight confusion, as he continued to observe the girl's peculiar behavior. When the two of them past a person along the street, she would draw her hood down, almost as if she was making sure no one would see her face. However, her hood could not diminish the bright shimmer of her beautiful blue eyes. He could not help it, but ever so often, he stole a quick glance her way. It was true Ryu had a limited number of encounters with the opposite sex, but even in his inexperience he knew she was fairer than most. "I've never spoken with an angel before," Ryu proclaimed, finally finding something to say.
The girl blue eyes widen and then a mirthful laugh escaped from her. Ryu stopped. The boy believed he did not say anything humorous. "What is wrong?" Ryu then frowned as he looked up to her, after the lengths he already went for her, she now decided to mock him.
The girl smiled as she glided turning towards him, her blonde hair dazzling in the afternoon sun. "Nay, nay…I am no angel," she chirped with another small giggle.
Ryu's anger fled almost as swiftly as it came. "Ye're not?" he questioned. Was she an elf? Ryu shook his head, elves usually had almond shaped eyes, pointed ears, and they usually to spoke in a singsong type of melody. Ryu believed she could not have been an elf; although Master Aeon did say they were elves were a beautiful graceful people. Traits the girl possessed in reserves.
She shook her head. Nina could almost laugh. "Nay, have you ever seen a Wyndian before?"
"Wyn-di-an…?" Ryu tilted his head as he stressed every syllable.
"Yes…" the boy questionably looked at her. The girl let out a sigh, almost in surrender. It was as if she asked him if he ever saw a Kaiser Dragon before or some other type of mystical being.
"What's a Wyndian?"
The girl halted completely. It was absolutely impossible to think a person could never have heard of her people. However, the look of total ignorance on the boy appeared too genuine. The girl held her chin while she considered how to properly answer his inquiry. "Well, we're like you 'cept we have wings," she unwrapped then flapped her wing her wings once to signify her statement.
"Aye…" He nodded his head finally starting to understand. Granted, he did not fully, but he knew she was not an angel. He then perked his head up. "Are all Wyndians as pretty too?" The boy inquired just as casually, as if he asked if the sky was blue or if Worens had a lot of fur.
Red patches of blush tainted Nina cheeks once again. "I…" Why was it so hard to talk? She'd always been complimented before, with nobility one constantly faced with smiling faced people. Each one of them always telling you what would please you the most. Yet this boy, this strange but sweet boy, he seemed so forthright with his words, so honest. He was just an ordinary boy though, a commoner, she had to remind herself, but it did not explain why his smile and his words warmed her so. "What is thy name?"
A grand smile crossed the boy's face as he puffed out his chest. "I am called…"
"NINA!" A gruff but familiar voice echo from behind both of them, they both turned to the sound of the cry. It seemed a familiar black bearded dwarf was making his way through the crowd. He was not alone in his search either, a few armored soldiers filed through the crowd, aiding his search. The group had not seen them yet, but that could change at a moments notice.
Nina's blue eyes widen in horror. "Miss Nina," the girl looked down to the boy beside her. "…follow me, I know the way," he held out his hand to her. The girl only spared a second glance at the dwarf, who at that very moment met her own gaze, Nina then hastily took the hand of the boy who she hardly knew.
Ryu for a moment consider how small and slender her fingers were in contrast to his own. Her skin was the softest purest white he'd ever felt. The boy quickly then drew his attention back to the dilemma at hand; they then quickly fled the scene.
Nina was amazed that even though the boy was shorter than she was; he was able to move almost twice as swiftly as she. In no time, the two made their way safely out of the city.
***
"I think we out ran him at last," Nina called as she panted. She put up all her weight, leaning against a tree as the two of them rested. She had to remember to take a more strenuous exercise routine whenever she returned to the castle.
"T'wasn't much of a challenge," the boy responded in between breaths. "With his short stocky legs, I'd doubt he could give chase to a marauding tortoise, much less us."
Nina tried bit back a laugh, but it seemed to explode anyway. 'Sorry, Gury,' she thought, as a picture of how utterly infuriated the dwarf will be when she finally returned, came to her. She did not even want to think of the reaction her father would give. 'You certain made a mess of things today,' she chided herself. Those thoughts would have to wait for later, the girl decided. Nina then stretched out against the tree letting out a small purr of relief. She unwrapped some of her cloak to allow, her wings a little more moment.
She then looked up only to see the boy steadily staring at her. "I apologize…" he quickly responded, then found the stones by his feet suddenly quite interesting.
Nina smiled then coyly walked over and took a seat besides him. It took the hooting call of some unknown beast to remind the girl she was still in the middle of a forest and darkness was steadily coming. "Where are we now?" her blue eyes started searching around the forest brush. She never had been near the forest on the outskirts of Wyndia, now she was considering if maybe that was a good thing.
"Oh, just a hair or two away from the city, if we continue on yonder path for an hour we would soon arrive at my home," Ryu was then struck with the thought. Wouldn't Master Aeon be surprised if he showed up today with such a lovely visitor. He then thought against it, Ryu knew he couldn't compete with the charms of his sire.
Unsatisfied the girl continued searching around, making sure that every shrub, every tree and every darken bush stayed firmly in their place. "Perhaps we should head back to the city."
The boy was already on his feet foraging around the area. "What for, are ye afraid?" His eyes lit up as he found what he was looking for. There was a loud snap, that momentarily made the girl jump but she relaxed as she saw him just holding a long thin branch from a tree.
The girl then turned her lip up. "Nay, this does not scare me, I just…" she opened her eyes to see the boy staring plainly at her. Nina sighed, her white wings drooping down. "…only a little," she spoke honestly in a small voice.
"Don't," he calmly returned as they resumed walking. "I'll protect ye…" he quickly swung his walking stick menacingly through the air, and then drew it back and continued on. "I know these woods. I was reared up here."
"Oh?" she looked around the forest. It was beautiful, to finally be able to see a forest up close instead of from her window back home. "So what passes the time for you here?"
"Well," he stopped to face her; the stick he gingerly held the stick then impaled it into the ground besides him. "…sometimes I study my lessons," his emerald eyes swam up to sky. "At times I practice writing or go adventuring through the woods. But a lot of times I think."
"Think?"
"Aye, I can think a many a thoughts in these woods," the boy returned, almost as if he were completing a bard's poem.
"Thoughts?" she parroted.
"Aye," he turned then nodded. "Thoughts and dreams," his poem continued.
"Dreams?" she was intrigued. "…about what?"
Nina had never seen a grin bigger than the one drawn on the boy's face. "That I am a great warrior!" he shouted, making a great swipe with the stick. He held the piece of wood as if it was no longer a mere walking stick, but a fine blade made of the purest steel. He continued his speech while feeding off some invisible army with several mighty swings with his "blade." "Matchless when it comes to battle," a parry then a final thrust. "…a great hero to all the people of Etheria."
Another laugh escaped from the Wyndian girl. "Ah, greater than even, Sir Riddick?" Nina ended with a playful smirk.
It was now Ryu's turn for a few chuckles. "Aye, greater still," a firm nod concluded his sentence. "I'd make Sir Riddick, the stable boy for my horse," the boy proclaimed for all the woods to hear.
Nina laughed. He would be interested to hear that, she thought to herself. The girl knew from then on, whenever she saw the warrior, one of her country's greatest champions, she would never be able to keep a straight face.
"What of ye?" his emerald eyes returned to her. "What motivates ye're dreams?"
Intrigued by such a game, the Wyndian girl put her mind to work. "In my dreams, I am a grand loving Queen of my own country, where instead of fighting we discuss all matters peacefully, without the shed of blood," she stood up and made grand gestures with her arms as if she was address her father's royal court.
She turned to her new friend, his eyes still fixed firmly on her. "In the days, we discuss laws and politics," her tone was lighter, as if the words simply flowed from her lips. She turned her nose up and walked around on the tips of her toes, prancing around area like in the snobbish manner she remembered seeing other nobleman and woman that have entered the palace. Her gaze then returned to the boy as she made a grand sway with her arms, performing a deep curtsy with her dress. She held out her hand presenting it to him. In a flash, the boy was on his feet to bow deep at the waist to greet her; he took her hand and gently brought it to his lips.
"Although…" She continued while maintaining her prim and proper attitude, holding it to the very last minute. "…in the nights we'd have grand balls and dance!" she cheered while grasping Ryu's hands, waltzing and twirling him around with her through the forest. They twirled faster and faster till they both lost their footing and fell to the ground in a pit of bright laughter, white feathers from the girl's wings dancing innocently through the air surrounding them.
"That's a fine dream, aye Miss," the boy said while clearing his throat. A particular feather rested on his nose, with a simple blow from his lips, he cast it away. "…but what happens when a problem arises that cannot be settled by mere talk?"
Nina turned on her side to face him. Was it some trick of sorcery or did his looks seem more appealing in the evening light. The girl pushed the thought aside as she pondered his question. After a few moments, a tiny smile dared to cross her lips. "Then perhaps I'll seek the aid of a hero, who is even greater than Sir Riddick," she said softly almost in an enchanting whisper, her cool winter blue eyes drawn solely on him.
Ryu suddenly felt his face grew intensely hot. It grew hotter still as she moved closer towards him. "So will thee help me and my country when troubling times come?" their faces were less than a foot apart when she spoke those words. She continued to look dreamily into his emerald eyes. "Will you protect me?" she moved closer still.
"Aye," Ryu answered softly, he did not even recall when they started speaking in such soft tones. Nor did he care. "…with every breath in me. I will always protect thee…" He answered. Feeling bold, he moved even closer.
Nina closed her
eyes. She had always dreamed over what events her first kiss would involved.
They usually consisted of some tall strong heroic knight that slayed some
unworldly beast to win her honor. Never in her days did she imagine it would be
to some strange commoner boy, who was even shorter than she was, and yet she
could not picture it being with anyone else, nor did she want it to be.
So many thoughts flushed through Ryu's head as drew closer to her. He sent his
hand through her shorten sunny blonde hair, a shuddering cry arose from her due
to his motion, just as his lips were with in an inch of each other. Then for
some reason, Ryu's eyes blinked as a buzzing sound from the back of his mind
flared. In an instant, the boy was on his feet.
Nina opened her eyes, wondering why he did not continue. "What is it?" she asked, noticing the stressed expression on his face.
"Shhh…Listen," he spoke, emerald colored eyes scanned the perimeter.
The girl frowned and then followed his instruction. She patiently stopped and listened for a moment. Outside of their own breathing, nothing sounded through the forest. "I hear nothing…" she let out a frustrated breath.
The blue haired boy nodded. "Aye, that's what troubles me," he took another glance around, his gaze then returned to her. "P'rhaps we should get ye back to ye're dwarf."
Not quite understanding the girl agreed. As her thinking continued, it was soon obvious to her that things did appear out of sorts. Little did the two children know that a pair of pale yellow eyes had been trailing them ever since their escape from the city.
In the span of a few minutes, for both the children, all of Etheria swam in a whirlpool of chaos.
***
Unaware to the plight of the children, the archmage Aeon Avanthas Ensor gradually browsed through his corridor of books to select the works for today's afternoon session. He had been leafing through a particular part of history, one he personally been involved with, so the archmage had completely lost track of time.
From the stoned boulders of its foundation to its spiral summit, an ill gust of wind blew through the halls of the Shadowlight Tower. The gale traveled even into the archmage's study, making the candlelight fires flicker. Ensor took a fleeting look away from his scrolls as a softly moaned "Ensor…" rang through his ear.
The silvery haired wizard forked an eyebrow as a wave of darkness crashed over the room. In the next instant, Aeon found himself in the endless void of space. Moons and stars of the endless cosmos littered the background as another dark wave rushed over the wizard, now he found himself in a completely different room. As far as the wizard could see, mountains and mountains of unbelievably beautiful riches covered the room. Gold, rubies, diamonds, platinum, and silver were everywhere, in amounts more than any man could hope to spend in ten lifetimes. A handful from any one of the piles would be more than enough to buy a man his own realm to rule.
Aeon turned away from the riches as he continued to venture through the golden halls. Lanterns fires of green flame erupted to life while he walked; the lanterns continued to spark until they led a trail to the center of the room. Aeon's gray-blue gaze then fell over to the room's summit where there lied a jeweled throne that would make even the wealthiest king pale in envy, but his interest was not in the throne, but the person dawning it.
A fearsomely tall man he was, with a thin yet powerful frame. His hair was a crimson red, groomed to be less than a few inches long, slick so it fell backward then curved slightly upwards in spiked tips. His skin was a dark ebony color with grey rune tattoos outlining every limb of his body.
A tiny hint of mischief past was itched along the dark centers of his gray eyes, though they also held sight to future calamities that have yet to come. The floods of his black cloak fell down the sides of throne cascading down onto the floor, like an endless curtain of darkness. A playful grin itched itself on the man's face as he continued to regard the wizard.
"Malakai "the Shadow" great weaver of mysterious," Aeon announced with a curt bow to the god. "Ye, do me well by ye're visit," the archmage then narrowed his eyes to tiny slits. "Tell me, is it beyond all deities to simply knock on one's door, or is it a requirement to make a grand show for all ye're entrances?"
"Where would the fun be in godhood if it wasn't?" the god grinned. The words easily slipped from the god's tongue almost as if he slivered from syllable to syllable.
Ensor raised an eyebrow then shrugged. "Ah, all the more reason, I'm glad to be rid of such a title," the archmage eased while crossing his arms.
"More like the title was stripped from you," Malakai countered.
"Perhaps…" Aeon replied not caring in the slightest. "Is there some reason behind the audience today old friend? I doubt all of Nexus is on its ears, waiting for inquires on my behalf."
"Not so much your behalf," the god answered. "…but that of your ward, how does he fair?"
"How does he fair?" the wizard repeated. He merely shook his head. "He fairs as any other boy his age should, dreamy, thoughtless, full of joyful innocence," then through his words a smile started to form on the old wizard's lips. "Though, he is sharp as the finest blade and even swifter with his wits."
The Lord of mysteries was intrigued. "You speak of him as if he was your own son."
The silvery haired wizard opened his mouth almost instantly to refute his claim, but he then clamped it tightly. A few chuckles escaped from the Mystery Weaver's lips.
The archmage of Shadowlight Tower soothed his tension. He then calmly regarded the god. "One could be so bold to believe so…" the archmage stated simply.
"And would they be wrong?"
At this Aeon had to think about for a second, then the casual smiled returned to his youthful face. "Nay…the boy is," he proudly answered.
Surprisingly, Malakai seemed almost pleased from the response. "Well it seems fatherhood has altered you greatly my friend. Almost seems as if your days of slinging spells and slaying hearts are at an end," the god commented.
Aeon almost lurched back in laughter. "Oh, that will never be, unless the very end of Etheria is upon us. The whole world turned onto its ass, leaving men to walk on their hands and all the great seas of the world is filled 'till the brim with ale. Only then could you ever hope for such a thing."
Malakai hooted with laughter. "My, it is good to see you again, my friend," the Shadow held his side, a few more hissing chuckles still escaping from him.
At hearing the words, Ensor narrowed his eyes again. "Malakai, that's the second time ye've claimed the phrase," the archmage directed. "Ye've never been one to prance gently through roses; don't let me be the first."
His steady ruse at an end, the god cleared his throat. "The matters of which I speak of are in the gravest importance. In three days time, you and your boy must part ways," Malakai easily dismissed the stressed look on the archwizard's face as he continued. "You must travel far north to Magieria. Ask not the reason now; you will know when the time is right."
Aeon was without breath. "I have to abandon Ryu?" his gray-blue eyes blinked again out of disbelief. "…but he is only a child."
Malakai was somewhat sympathetic to Aeon's position. Granted, being the Lord of Mysteries, he always held in impartial opinion when it regarded to the issues of Etheria. His total existence was based on neutrality, therefore in a sense he did not truly care for what happen to the boy, either way, but the long bond of friendship with the archmage, one that was formed many eons ago, he never could extinguish. No matter how many he endeavors, he attempted. "I know what you may be thinking," Malakai continued. "…but have heart that this is all at Lord Haydian's decrement. If you have no faith in my words have faith in him," the god referred to the name knowing that through all matters Ensor would trust Lord Haydian's decision.
Ensor glared back at Malakai. "Where is King Haydian? Why have I not heard these words spoken from him?"
"The Lord is…" Malakai paused as he considered his words. "The Lord is addressing to major threat that will soon befall Etheria, but he told me that you, his very chosen, would trust in him."
The wizard let out a frustrated breath. For a brief moment, his true age almost was evident in his tired eyes. "But he is still only a boy," his words beseeching. "He will not understand any of this. I barely do myself."
"True as that may be, but it is also true that the next stage of his life must be his to experience. He can no longer hide under the robes of his sire," once again, Malakai ignored the almost hateful gaze of his old friend. Despite his ill temperament, he was confident that Aeon would not strike out in anger against him…Pretty confident at least.
Things at the moment were almost crushing to the archwizard. A century ago, the only matters that truly concerned him were his art and the female acquaintance of the time. Now after he became a father, his whole view of the world changed, he truly became dedicated to that little life that was entrusted for him to protect, to rear, and to love. The wizard sent a weary hand through his silvery crop of hair. "He is a young boy, still naïve to the ways of the world," Aeon resolved after some time.
The god of mysteries face softened at hearing Aeon's words. "Then select for him an adequate teacher for him to learn. To sharpen his mind and his skill," Malakai smirked, the god knowing already whom the archmage would select.
Aeon sharply cut a glance toward the god. "Ye, speak of him as if he was a sharpen blade, yet to be thrust in the hearts of ye're enemies," the archmage bitterly spat.
Malakai calmly regarded the archmage. "I only speak of what is beneficial to all the realms of Etheria."
Astonished the wizard took a step back. "All the realms?" he repeated. "Is his destiny that deeply woven?"
"There is much that is not known to you about your boy, Ensor, things that cannot be revealed until the moment is right," Malakai then summoned the archmage closer to explain further his instructions.
***
A stream of tree brushes and branches, which lay some great distance into the Havenlark forest, up roared then shattered as two young children cleared from their midst. One was a short boy with a long flock of bright blue hair, probably of thirteen years. Flowing in tow was a slender slightly taller Wyndian lass. Her pearl white wings leaving a fleeing trail of feathers.
For the next several seconds, the quiet forest only sounds were of their echoed labored breaths. They would take a rest now, but only for a moment.
"Sir…?" the Wyndian girl asked her first words since this calamity began. The boy did not reply to the girl's calling, his eyes were hastily shifting back and forth scanning the forest floor. "Sir…!" the girl demanded, pulling hard on the boy's blue tunic sleeve. The forest was quiet; the thought of her voice being the only sound chilled her greatly.
The boy did not stop his searching, but he made a small sound that told her, he was listening. "What manner of creature was that?" she desperately tried to keep her voice from cracking, but the ever so often flutter of her wings betrayed her fear.
The long tusks of his hair brushed against his eyes as he shook his head. "I know not…" emerald eyes finally returned to her cool winter blue ones. She appeared to be well, though he could tell she was just as frighten as he was. His emerald eyes then looked past hers, their attention drawn to something else. "Do these work? Thy wings I mean…" he gently stroked their soft surface.
Nina closed her eyes as she endured his silky touch, his ministrations did greatly to calm her nerves. "For most Wyndians they can only hope to glide a few paces, but I've been practicing," she proudly spoke, a small smile forming.
The boy gaze drew away from her, back into the forest. "Then it is possible for you to fly from this place to safety?" he inquired from over his shoulder.
The girl gasped. "But what of you?" she moved in front of him to seek his stare. "You surely cannot think to face him alone."
"Worry not for me," the boy grinned. "I've been in far more dangerous situations." This morning for instances, he thought.
There was large rustle from within the brush, suddenly a tree fell to the side in the distance, and then another crashed down to the grassy plains. An ungodly roar was unleashed that rang through the sky.
"Fly!" Ryu shouted. There was no time left!
"What?"
"Fly hard! Fly fast Miss Angel!" his eyes pleaded with her.
Nina took a breath, with a quick step she ran into the boy's arms and forced her lips upon his in a sealed kiss. "To aid you," she whispered as she backed away, the boy's shocked emerald eyes still on her. The girl's wings were already moving, levitating her a few feet off of the ground.
Nina turned just as the trees behind her came crumbled down, giving way to a huge red creature. His body, where there was not rippling muscles or excess matted hair, coursed with a web work of a blacken substance, almost if the beast was covered in tar. The black sludge on the goon moved as if it possessed a will of its own, it surged as the goon regarded the Wyndian girl. The monster then grinned, it had been some time since it last had poultry.
Nina was too petrified with fear to move, the monster's gaze held in her place. She didn't even realize she was falling back to the ground until the monster made a grab for her.
Ryu's eyes widen. "NINA!" he shouted, as soon as the name exited from his lips, five streaking lights, which were ignited sparkstones, roared through the air after the goon. The five crashed into the beast with a flurrying set of rippling explosions.
Through the awesome conflagration, Ryu quickly moved to the Wyndian girl's side. She was well, though the blasts knocked her unconscious. The boy swiftly lifted the girl into his arms; she was remarkably lighter than he would have originally thought. Ryu then chanced a glance towards where his sparkstones hit, suddenly from within their swirling mass of destruction a thick black tentacle soared through the smoke. It thundered across Ryu's spine with a stinging crack sending him to the floor. The boy was only gladden he managed to shield Nina from its sting.
Then the burning debris started to part, an odious laugh blared. The goon held not a scratch on him. He then took a step, which rumbled the very ground Ryu stood on. Mordo then grinned, at last he had found the boy. At least he would have his revenge.
Ryu placed Nina down behind him and held his ground firm. He glared at the beast with all the strength he could muster. "You'll not harm her, while blood still flows through me!" the boy cried, plenty more sparkstones in his hands as he continued to walk forward.
The goon grinned, apparently enjoying that arrangement. It opened its mouth and spat out a foul dark blast of black energy. Ryu immediately dashed, sidestepping the blast, the boy then recited the incantation to the sparkstones. The stones held in place for a split-second then flew like shooting stars. The monstrous goon peered at the awaiting doom hurtling his way, he then extended his hand the dark substance that coated his body swam up his limb like a slivering eel. It wrapped its self then expanded its size and folding out like a huge black tarp, just as the sparkstone were about to consume him. The stones hit the tarp then harmlessly fizzed out of existence.
Ryu dropped to one knee as he stared dumfounded by the sight. "Pathetic…" the goon grumbled, he flexed his arm once and then the limb returned to its regular form. He then stomped taking a step toward the boy. Ryu reflexively took a step back. "My brotha…." it growled it then sprang with speeds that seemed impossible for its size.
Young Blueflame tried lunge to his left away from the monster, but it was far too fast and caught a hold of his foot. Mordo swung its arm up then slammed it hurtling to the ground. Ryu crashed down onto the gravel with a pained grunt. The monster then swung its arm up again, and slammed it home into the soil once more, trying to stamp out any further resistance from the boy.
The world was little more than pain to young Ryu Blueflame, he was sure he heard his ribs crack during one of the blows. It pained him even to breath. Shapes were fizzing in and out for him. The goon then held the boy above him as his forked tongue slivered out of his mouth wetting his lips then retracted back. He opened his mouth, then his jaw seemed to extend to inhuman lengths as he was about to consume the boy in one whole bite.
Then without warning tiny searing pain jetted through the goon's neck, with a howl the beast dropped his hold on the boy and continued to howl in pain.
Ryu shook his head; his senses were slowly coming back to him as he looked up only to see the tiny lithe form of a young winged girl in blue, clawing, and scratching her nails into the goon's neck. Her pearl white feathers fluttered everywhere like fallen snow. The injuries could not truly do anything to the goon but cause it mild discomfort, but the girl tried with all her strength to hold on.
Irritated by such madness, the goon reached back and grabbed a hold on one of the girl's white wings. He then flew her hard off him. She bolted through a few tree branches luckily; Ryu caught her as she made her decent.
He looked down into her scraped and scratched face. Her dress was in tattered ruins to him though she still was breathtaking. The girl's blue eyes opened briefly staring up into his own. "I'm sorry I did not flee," she whispered as darkness consumed her again. In the distance, the rumbling of the goon's footsteps thundered on. A moment later, an immensely huge shadow fell over the children. Ryu held the girl tightly in his arms, shielding her as he looked up to the approaching doom. If death were to claim them both, he would guard her life 'till the very last breath.
At that moment the darken skies of Havenlark, almost seemed to have split in twine as a thunderous roar, that did not below to the terrible Mordo, rolled through the forest.
The goon's pale yellow eyes widen as some unknown entity hurled him back with a snarling growl. Then both the children stared in amazement as blows that seemed to come from out of thin air, rained upon the goon's being, thrashing, and slashing his flesh with such great fury. Mordo fell to bended knee though he swiftly recovered, his great swung fist smashing into the unseen opponent.
A ball of something unknown flew back some twenty paces before landing on the grass. Green almost catlike eyes flashed as the creature uncloaked from its spell of invisibility. The new challenger was a sleek black panther with darkest hateful green eyes that Ryu had ever seen. The panther circled the goon readying itself for its next strike.
***
Nightmorrow had been grateful this day, Mordo's trail was easy to trace. The panther had been spending most of the day tailing the murderer of her children, awaiting the opportune moment to attack.
When she learned of the monster's assault on the two children, a new feeling of responsibility filled the great cat. She herself knew what the lost of a child felt like and when seeing their young innocent faces, she could wait no longer.
Never again would this beast, this demon, prey on innocent young lives!
***
The panther let a mighty roar then raced forward, fangs and claws bearing. With such raging power in her steps, the panther tackled Mordo to the ground. The goon furiously fought against the raking claws as it took chunk after chunk of bloodied flesh away.
Mordo wailed out loud as he felt flaring pain with every strike. The black inky mess that cloaked his crimson body coiled, and then several thick black tentacles whipped from the goon's chest. The first set of thrash against the panther's body stunning it, and then the other set tangled it in a gooey web. The large cat fought in a frenzy against its bounds, but the web held her firm.
The terrible goon returned to his feet and stomped onto the cat. The cat howled in pain, but finally managed to slash free from the cage. It sprinted away, just as Mordo was coming with a driving fist to her skull. The black cat then cloaked itself invisible and dashed into the forest.
The goon circled round trying to spot the predator. He only caught a small glimpse of burning forest green eyes a second before the panther tackled him again to the ground. She raked and clawed again drawing so much blood, then it dashed away again awaiting another moment to strike.
***
After mildly recovering the two children watched as the two monstrous beasts fought. One using speed and agility, the other an unstoppable brute, it seemed impossible to predict who the victor would be.
"Nina flee from this place," the short boy in front of her said as he finished the last healing spell for his injuries. His emerald eyes stared intently on the two combatants.
"Flee?" she questioned. "We can both leave, now, while they're both fighting."
The boy merely shook his head. "She already risked her lives for us, but if no one will aid her, she will fall." He stated coolly.
His voice was so cold, so sure. It did not seem possible that this boy was the same one who moments before was so carefree. "I can't leave you!" she cried. "Not like this!"
The boy regarded her for a moment then dove into his tunic top. She heard a small something snap, then he placed the item in her hands. "Here!" he said while covering her fingers around it.
"What is this?" she looked down at the small golden necklace with some strange inscription along its face. Despite the odd wording that she could not make out, it looked beautiful.
"I've had it since I was little," he told her. "It's the only thing I've really own," he looked up into her cool blue eyes. "I want you to hold onto it for now."
"But…?"
"But nothing Miss," the boy pleaded with her. "We don't have the time. I don't think she can hold out much longer on her own." His ears hearing the raging battle in the background. He smiled when she put the necklace on.
Nina looked over to the boy; she could not help the tears falling from her eyes. "Please…tell me thy name?"
He warmly smiled back at her. "I'll tell ye when next we meet and ye've returned my necklace," he then gently gave her hand a small comforting squeeze.
Nina frown then swiftly leaved forward placing another chaste kiss on his lips. This time the boy took a second longer to return her embrace. "May the gods be with you…" she whispered into his ear.
"I will return with help as quickly as I can," she shouted to him. The girl then took flight; Ryu's eyes did not fully leave her until she was a mere speck in the evening sky.
There was thud then crash as a huge black body smacked down behind, Ryu. The boy looked down at the panther. There were gashes and wounds that mixed in with the matted fur on her body. Although, it seemed to pain her to move, let alone stand, the beast stubbornly returned to her feet, just as the great brute Mordo stomped his way to the path.
Ryu peered up at hideous creature, as the words to his fireball spell flew from his mouth. The boy yelled a cry and hurled the attack.
***
Nina flew hard and flew fast, back to the city. As soon as she returned, she found the first soldier she could, demanding that he take her to her father. As she was brought-in, Nina was greeted by the stern face of her dwarven bodyguard also in the room was the even sterner face of her father. It was at that moment when the girl knew her cause was lost.
Therefore, they turned a deaf ear to the girl's wild tale of monstrous goons, of the boy with long shaggy blue hair, and the invisible panther. They ignored her pleas, her cries, and the tears rolling down her young face. Only thing they told her was to return to her room to await her punishment.
That night Nina made an hour-long prayer to Callisto, begging for the goddess' grace in aiding the boy. Although, the young princess was sure, she would never see the boy again. After this night, she swore she would never take that necklace off, nor would she ever forget its owner.
***
Ryu staggered as he drew breath, his recently healed ribs were again most likely cracked. The boy's companion was not in any better condition. The panther possessed a form of healing ability but it would need several hours of rest before it would recover from all the bruises, slashes, and welts covering her black fur.
The boy stared back at the huge goon while he spoke the words to conjure another fireball. He fired the blast toward only to see is fizzle and die in the grasp of the monster. Ryu cursed aloud, while the goon simply laughed.
The crimson and black beast cackled evilly as he spoke. "Mordo tell u 'uny boy. No, lo magik can harm Mordo," his yellowed grin continued as he pointed a jagged finger towards the boy. "Mordo well feast on ye! Yer will fill me belly good!" His grin continued until it almost consumed half of his face. "T'en I go back and get tha birdy gurl" his voice trailed off as the booming howl of his wicked laughter filled the air.
The howling sounds from the tyrannical goon's laughter were lost to young Ryu as his senses deaden. All he could think of, all that flashed through his mind were those last devastating words.
"T'en I go back and get tha birdy gurl"
Images of her being tortured, bloody, and battered, flashed before his eyes, stealing his very breath. Then, like a pebble dropped in a well, something deeply rooted arose from within the boy.
***
Aeon could not believe how late in the day it was when he returned from Malakai's domain. Ensor knew Malakai had never known to be long winded, but the extended period in the god's audience made the archwizard reconsider charging an hourly fee for every one of his divine abductions.
The archmage looked around the main hall of his tower once and knew Ryu had not yet returned. Aeon was never very stern on placing a curfew for the boy, believing he was old enough to know his limitations, but he would consider giving that talk when the time arose.
Ensor then faltered in his steps; there would be no later time. This same time three days from now, he would have to leave Ryu, possibly forever.
There had to be another way, the archwizard considered. Besides the unusual grounds of his introduction, Ryu had never shown to be anything more than a regular boy. Surly Lord Haydian was mistaken. Then an idea came to the old mage. He would simply just venture to Nexus to have an audience with Lord Haydian himself and finally settle all this nonsense.
Satisfied with his resolution, Aeon traveled downstairs to the dinning hall of the tower. While making the venture, Ensor paused as all of his senses flared as if they were each set ablaze.
A power…A power in the likes Aeon had never seen, was sprawling to heights that seemed unimaginable. Ensor ran towards the summit of his tower, while in mid-stride he spoke a few words of magic and was instantly teleported to his tower's apex.
The wizard hastily flung the window open and nearly was blinded by a radiating blue light. It was as if dawn had approached several hours too early, the light was so bright.
"What in the nine!" Aeon shouted. The wizard already taking flight to investigate what was befalling his woods.
***
Total utter chaos brewed in the forest of Havenlark. Treacherous winds blew, rocks rolled then crashed against the ground and in its center was a mere boy.
Ryu clutched his head in pain as so many raging sensations consumed him. Several foreign thoughts, ideas, emotions, were all drawing into him.
The boy no longer feared the presence of Mordo. The goon was below him, beneath what he was, power. Power made flesh. It was all that was important, all that was necessary.
Beams of energy continued flooding into him like a growing dam, each wave cascading into a great geyser of blue light, building greater and greater until, and then the boy screamed.
In one cataclysmic burst, all of that raging consuming chaos flared towards the heavens lighting the night sky as if there was another moon in orbit.
Aeon approached the scene just as the blast was unleashed; the forced winds caused the archmage to lose his bearing for only a second. When the chaos cleared, the archmage blinked. His eyes still not believe what he'd just saw.
***
Ryu then fell to a heap along the ground. The ever-so-often rise of his chest was the only factor determining the boy still lived.
Several paces away, a tree fell over. Another followed its course as the great Mordo rose to his feet. It was greater than the goon originally believed the boy was drenched in untapped power.
His month watered as he drew closer to his meal. He hoisted the boy with one hand and extended him mouth. Just as Mordo attempted to make his final strike and consume the boy, a blazing arrangement of greenish blue light struck him, sending him flying back at least thirty feet away. Then a man wearing blue robes, with a short stock of silvery hair stepped out into the clearing.
He glared at the goon just once, regarding him with his gray-blue eyes then the man stepped away from Mordo and started moving towards the small boy.
Mordo let out a loud grunt from frustration, he jumped to his feet his steps thundering as he dashed towards the man. The goon brought his hands together making the black substance take the shape of a club, his sole intention to clubber the man into a blood-filled stain.
The man did not pay Mordo the slightest bit of concern while he continued to examine the boy. He simply muttered a word, which resulted in the goon hurtling back yet again as if a powerful blow rained down from out of midair.
After the man made his assessment on the boy, it was only then did his attention return. His spoke another phrase and the goon was hoisted into the air held in place, then dragged before the human.
The chilly grip of fright, iced its claws into Mordo's neck. The first time the goon ever felt sting of fear as he continued to look at the calm eyes of the blue robed man. The man quietly spoke. "Mordo..." the goon looked up as the man spoke his name. "Ye and ye're kin have been in Havenlark for a number of months," his voice was even and calm, it was if the man was speaking down to a child who had erred greatly instead of fearsome beast. "I have tolerated ye're existence up to this point. However," his eyebrows narrowed as he cut the goon a hateful glare. "…it is apparent that ye must learn who the true owner of these woods is!" The man then brought his hand up and snapped his fingers.
There was a thunderous explosion followed by a blinding flash. Then the world as Mordo knew it was no more. His ending images consumed by the bright burning crescendo of mysticflame.
Only a few ashen bones remained of Mordo, as he fell to the soil. Very much dead.
***
Aeon frown a bit. It seemed a little burned ash got into his robes. He sighed. It seemed he could not win for losing. His dilemma ended as he heard the rustling sounds of Ryu awakening.
The boy rolled to a sitting position and blinked his big green eyes in astonishment. "Master Aeon?" he question, wondering why his sire was in the middle of the woods. Then faint traces of memory started to roll, the boy sprang to his feet looking to all the sides, waiting for the goon to pounce once again.
After a few minutes, he heard his Master sigh once again. "Honestly, lad ye're the only youth I know that can make retrieving groceries into a grand crusade," the man stated while kicking a pile of ashes by his foot.
"Sorry Master Aeon," the boy apologized realizing that once again, his sire saved the day. The boy couldn't help but laugh remembering the archmage's words.
"It is fine, Ryu," the wizard calmly stated. "Now let's get ye home. We have much to discuss," he commented more solemnly then he intended. "Especially, what in Etheria did ye do today?" the archmage questioned as he walked over to the boy.
Before Aeon took another step, a large black shadow dashed in between the two of them. Standing before the archmage was panther, scarred and battered but still threatening the wizard if he took another step closer to the boy.
Ensor eyes shot down to meet the surprisingly intelligent eyes of the panther, then his sights returned to the boy. "…Ryu?" he asked, waiting for an explanation.
The boy took a step forward and draped his arm around the panther's neck. "Her name is Nightmorrow," Ryu said while stroking behind the panther's ear. She released a mildly pleasant purr of appreciation, but her green eyes still stayed on the wizard.
The archmage titled his head to the side. "How do ye know that?"
"Well, she told me," the boy answered, matter of factly. Not understanding how else was he suppose to know?
"Charmed…" Aeon greeted with a bow. The panther merely sent her tongue around licking her maw. She then eased down to the ground, lying down. She let out a small yawn as if she wasn't the slightest bit amused.
The archmage sighed for a third time. He was sure this tale would be something to hear. His gaze then returned to Ryu. "Ye think the two of ye, can make the journey back to the tower without the Knights of the Velvet Rose being summoned?" Fore Aeon was sure his forest could not stand any more adventures in one day.
The boy merely laughed as he called the panther to his side. The two raced back to the tower with Aeon constantly keeping his gaze on his son.
Although he spoke lightly of the matter, Ensor's still shaking hands betrayed much of his calm demeanor. It would be all of Etheria if something ever happened to that boy.
His concern was not for the fact that all of Etheria's fate might rest on his tiny shoulders. No, it was far from that. Somewhere along the line, at a rate even the archmage could not have predicted, Ryu became less and less the child of Osirrius' prophecy. Ryu became Aeon Avanthas Ensor's family, his son. That is why his next act would be the hardest thing either of them had ever faced in their years together.
Saying goodbye…
***
Wow, I have to say this chapter was a bittersweet experience, although I'm finally glad to be finished it all. We finally got a glimpse of Nina and a little romance going on. Fear not for those two, their destinies are intertwined so expect them to be meeting up later on.
There isn't much left to this part of the my story. After the next chapter, it will be the end of the Dragon Weaning Chronicles, then we begin the Wyndian Star Chronicles and the true heart of the story. So stay tuned for that.
As always my partner in crime Angelkitty01, my buddy, my beta-reader, my…uh some other meaningful thing.
That's all for now!