Chapter 2 : The boy

For the many years of his life, he has feared. Feared the people, feared the animals and for the most, feared he himself. He has been given a name, Oden which was commonly known as a slave name. Although he has a name, it was rarely used. Most of the time, he was called "slave" or "boy", the latter being the least. He lived, or more appropriately, survived inside a castle. It was dark in every room, dangers lived in every curve itself and treacheries present itself at every possible chance. The boy did not know anything about the castle, all he knew of this dark, gloomy place was that he was but a slave in it. He had been trained to obey and not to defy--- which convinced him when he saw the gruesome consequences. He had thought to escape, but where could he go? He had thought to befriend someone, but, there was nothing friendly in the palace, even right down to the rats. There was only the daily routine of serving the lords. Only the daily eating of bread a few days past its age. Only the hours of darkness spent in the dungeons of the castle every day. He has come to believe that it was to be his destiny and how he was to spend his entire life. Oden too, has learnt how to survive in the castle, how to accept punishment dealt and how to bend to his masters' wills.

"Slave! Attend to me immediately!"

Oden scurried along the dirty corridors and arrived at Master Ransic doors. There, he bowed down till his head touched the floors till the master accepted him--- all part of his daily routine.

"There you are! COME! Get my clothes ready! HUH! AND be quick! SHOO!"

He hurried to the lord's closet and with the utmost care, took his clothes which shone with dazing light in all its glory and shiny material. He placed the clothes down onto the bed with great care, for a single mistake could mean his life.

"Oden? Is it not? You will follow me to court today. And, BEHAVE!"

Oden was caught off guard by his master's words. It was the first time the lord had mentioned his name, and perhaps what really surprised him was that he had been invited to court!

He had heard a rumor that once a slave of his caliber was admitted to court, there was chances of escape from the slave life. Hope filled his heart.

"Yes, my master. I shall behave."

Chapter 3: the court of Veden

Veden was a small town. Small as it is, it still possessed a certain margin of power among the area in which it occupied. Stronghold, as the Masters of the town preferred it be called.

The air was cold today, mist following every breath. In the town of Veden, everyone's attention was on the courts. Today was the most important day, the day where decisions would make a huge impact on the town's future. Where today would be the day where the town would take a side or remain neutral.

Villagers gathered at the entrance of the castle, excited voices lingering in the cold winter air.

"Fellow villagers! I bring forth an important message from the Great Lord himself!

Dear villagers of this beloved town,

I, Ransic will now begin the meeting with the high council to give a final verdict on this town's fate! Please, do not worry and go on your daily duties! For I, will most definitely lead this town towards glory!"

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Oden stood next to his master, face covered with a dirty rag for it was uncustomary for slaves to reveal their faces in the high court.

"As you can see, the Inzet guild holds the most influence and wields the most power compared to the others. I highly proposed the signing of the alliance treaty with them. That is the most natural course of action!"

"However, how can one tolerate their actions? Brutes!"

"One cannot be judged by an action alone!"

"….hmmm…"

Oden was bored by the mindless arguing. There was simply no point about them and he paid them no attention. However, he used the precious moments to scope around the court. The high courts were made out of a huge domed stone building, with ample tables and chairs, with the discussion of daily or important matters going on at the middle.

However, there was something that particularly caught his attention. There, seated behind a particular lord that he did not recognize, was a small boy. The boy seems to blend in the surroundings, except for… one thing.

There was an aura surrounding him.

The aura was thin, just enough to be spotted by Oden's eyes. It was blue, shimmering at the edges.

Oden gasped as he noticed it.

That action seems to acquire the attention of the boy though, as he seems to stare at, no, through him with that mystified look of his. Oden shuffled uncomfortably in his old rags, trying to shake his gaze off his back.

"And so, we conclude this meeting, and starting from this day onward, we shall be affiliated to the Inzet guild! ..."

'You did well up there, slave," Oden flinched at the word being mentioned again. It was like a thorn against his flesh.

"And you shall serve me well again. Oden, you shall become our gift to the Inzet guild."

Oden could no longer contain his frustration.

"Master!Nooo!Please do not do that to me!" However, there were no grounds left for discussion as he was dragged out of the doors, sealing his way to doom, a darkness darker than that in the castle….

Weeping was all he could do on the carriage that carried him to Inzet. Oden could not believe his ears at first when he heard about him being a gift to the Inzet guild. The Inzet guild are rumored to be mad alchemist that do experiments which are better left unsaid.

While he was shrouded in his grief, there were explosions around him. It was not until they reached him when he noticed them. The explosions rocked the carriage and threatened to crash it.

Darkness shrouded his vision.

"Ah, I see you are awake. Now, Oden is it not? We have a whole stash of questions for you and I, I mean we will appreciate it if you answer them truthfully."

Oden woke to a cold splash of water, instantly forcing his eyes wide open. He tried to make out where he was, but to no avail. There was nothing that he could see that could make sense to him in his groggy state of mind. He was aware of suddenly a huge presence beside him.

The presence was huge, all right, towering him at least two heads. His eyes were of a such a deep intensity that when Oden looked up at him, he found himself whimpering.

"Yes, sir…"

"I am not a sir, haha! I am your savior, your redeemer and your road to a better future!"

Oden gaped at the words. Savior? Redeemer? What was he talking about?

He continued "You see, this is Mojlir , a free kingdom. This is not a slave kingdom or a kingdom ruled by hypocrites, like those of the Inzet's."

The gigantic man leaned against a shovel. "Our "spy" told us about you. And your special talent." He gestured to a shadow behind his back.

Oden gasped as he took in the shadow's owner. It was the same boy that had that aura around him!

" You see, I suppose you could see his aura."

Oden nodded.

"There, that's why you could not fall into the Inzet hands."

"You are royalty , part of the imperial family."

"What!"

"No surprises here, only those with the imperial bloodline could see the aura of wizards. And all of the imperial family have been vanquished. Which means that you are the last of them. You are the son of the great imperial kingdom, the wielder of the legendary items and the…"

He paused. Taking a deep breath, he continued.

"Heir to the throne."

Ehh, still need some ideas on the story. Cooking them up. Opinions greatly appreciated.