Reaching the top of the stairs, Arth finally stepped on the blue crystal floor. The place had a wide and open space, having no walls or roofs, only pillars on the edges. He wasn’t familiar of this temple, built between the Twin Mountains, but he could sense a familiar presence … a familiar energy … lurking nearby. Looking ahead, six tall obelisks had stood, forming a six-pointed star, with a glowing semi-spherical crystal at the center of the floor.
“I knew you’d come here …” a voice spoke from one of the obelisks, “nephew …”
Arth froze as Terrowin stepped out behind the obelisk, his blue cape dancing wildly from the cold blowing wind.
“I know why you’d have to wait for me,” Arth said, glaring at the false king. “I know you can’t open the portal … so you need me just so you can get your unworthy hands on the
“How …” Terrowin spoke, his mouth drowning with blood. “You … traitor …” He tried to stop the bleeding using his hands, while he hopelessly grasped for air.Lucas made no reply. He walked forward and then touched the ice that covered Arth’s body. “Divine Revocation,” Lucas cast.The ice cracked and then it broke, shattered into pieces. Arth hit the floor, breathing heavily while holding the wound in his gut. He gritted his teeth from the pain, panting hard.“Well done,” Lucas told Arth, before he turned back to face Terrowin. “Your eighteen years of wicked reign ends here.” Then he sliced the king’s neck, cutting his head off at a blink of an eye. Blood spurted from the sliced head, spreading on the blue floor.“Can you stand?”Janshai’s v
“Cynthia Denvorn,” Kael immediately told the lady at the desk right after he and Tristan entered the Home for the Aged.“May I know your name, sir?” the lady asked, working on a parchment using a quill pen.“Kael Denvorn.”“And you are her … son?”“Grandson.”“Just a moment, sir.” The lady pulled one drawer open under her desk and then took a folder. She opened it, traced her finger on the list of names, and flipped through the pages. Then she stopped and put the folder on the desk.“I’m afraid she’s still having her meal. Can you wait for a moment? I’ll call you when they’ve already taken her back to her room.” The woman smiled as she gestured her hand towards the couches on the side of the lobby.Kael closed h
“Watch out, boss!” Arth yelled.But before the claw of the dragon could strike, Lucas made a high jump to dodge. He waved his sword to land a quick slash, aiming at the beast’s head, but then it ducked and spun its enormous body, swinging its huge tail to strike him. Lucas couldn’t move, as he’s still on air, so he had no other choice but to block the tail with his arms crossed.The direct hit blasted Lucas away, slamming him against the stone wall, only to fall on the floor, coughing blood, leaving the wall cracked.Arth held his sword tighter. Despite its enormous size, Draphiron was undeniably fast.Even Arth himself couldn’t possibly react in time had he been in Lucas’ situation earlier.“Why does it keep on attacking us?!” Arth shouted.No … Why would it keep on attacking only Lucas? Not Arth … or J
“No …” Once again he burst into tears, leaning his forehead on the cold floor.“I failed … all because of me … all because of my stupidity!”Arth could no longer see any hope of saving Glacia. His body was too exhausted, worn out to go after Lucas and stop him. He could not even stand a chance now that Lucas had the sword and the power of its curse. No one could stop him now. And even if there was someone, Arth was already tired of hoping.“So all of our efforts are wasted … our accomplishments with the team … with Alice … all are wasted for his selfish ambitions?!” Arth said to himself as he hit his own forehead against the floor. “Alice died for nothing …
“Are you sure about this? What if they attack Cold Hills?” Tristan asked as they rode their horses, the west gate of the kingdom capital rising from their view ahead. It was a half-day journey from Cold Hills after they spotted the blue beam piercing through the skies, coming from the far north.“Don’t worry,” Kael replied. “Our village will be fine. The winterbird from the citadel said that the enemies were only attacking straight towards the capital.”As they reached the western gatehouse, Kael could still see the destroyed portcullis he had caused by the explosion two days ago. He raised his head to the top of the curtain walls and found no knights on watch anymoreThe fort bell kept on ringing, like repeating thunder amidst the dark clouds; the alarm for evacuation. The skies had already turned dark … wind blowing hard against his face, carrying the scent
After rushing out of the dungeon, Kael led the whole group inside the citadel, sneaking, as they did not want to catch the attention of the ghouls scurrying on the palace grounds … and the undead beasts flying above.A symphony of darkness and silence welcomed them … and it was a bit strange as to why Kael found no ghouls inside.The armory was located on the third floor of the citadel, so they had to use the wide staircases. As they made their climb, they tried to keep the silence, but Kael was annoyed by the Chief’s son who kept on whispering to Gregor. Had Gregor not taught his son how to keep his mouth shut?When they reached the armory, Gregor and his son quickly got their swords back. “Where are we going now?” the Chief asked Kael as they stepped out of the armory.“The throne room,” Kael replied. They got back to the staircases and clim
Draphiron’s wings created a powerful gust of wind on the high tower as its claws held on to the pillars, and then lowered its long neck for Arth to climb down. The dragon’s remaining alar, in the form of a blue spirit, had helped him reach Crown Galacer in a short time.“Thanks, Draphiron … thank you, father,” Arth whispered, rubbing the dragon’s neck before he jumped off and landed on the floor. The blue spirit slowly dissolved into strings of alar, flying away from the tower, then they all compressed together and finally exploded in the skies like fireworks.Arth turned around, studying the situation now. The first thing he saw was the cracked Power Crystal … with tiny fragments scattered on the floor. Nearly destroyed it was … that Divine Knight must’ve stopped the demon before it could shatter the crystal. Kael did his job well enough, holding off the demon befo
“The Demon King had ordered me to initiate the war by destroying the Power Crystal in the North,” Dethnar said, dark-blue flames covering his entire demon form. “This undead army of mine is just the beginning. After getting rid of the crystal I can now—”“I never asked for you to babble about your stupid plans, demon,” Arth cut him off. “You won’t be able to execute any of that. Now that you’re separated from Lucas, I can finally eliminate you from our world.”“Eliminate me?” Dethnar smiled wider in amusement. “You think you can beat me in my true form? You can’t even make a scratch.”“We’ll see,” Arth replied, then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.‘This is it, father,’he thought.‘I’ll show them the true power of our
It was a grand festive night for the entire kingdom capital to celebrate the crowning of the new king. Arth had never been to a big celebration before, seeing lots and lots of people. He was seated at the dais of the Great Hall with tons of food on his own table. It was too much at least for him, so he just sighed and then sipped on his wine, looking around. The other three kings had already returned to their regions right after the ceremony had ended earlier, as they still had other responsibilities to attend to.Now that more people were present, the air had become warmer, filled with loud chats and laughs from the nobles and lords while they drank their liquor. The live music played by the talented musicians had made the Great Hall much noisier.“So this is what a feast is like,” Arth shook his head, watching a drunk noble dance over the table while his fellows laughed and clapped their hands, “It’s &
“How is it, My Prince?” The dressmaker lowered his chin, his eyes looking over his glasses.“It looks wonderful, sir. Thank you,” Arth said as he surveyed himself in front of the mirror. He wore a knee-length blue tunic of golden beadings. Beneath it was his white inner garment with two buttons undone to reveal his chest, tucked in his straight-cut black trousers.“Are you certain you do not want any jewelry, Your Highness? It’ll make you look more glamorous in the ceremony later,” the man said. “We have five boxes for you to choose from … some fine gold necklaces and diamond rings—”“It’s all good.” Arth smiled at the dressmaker and then looked again at the mirror as a servant was oiling his newly-cut black hair.The door of the dressing room suddenly opened.Looking through the mi
Arth cried and screamed from the pain … as the cold, rough earth was crushing his body in between. He exerted his arms, pushing both sides to prevent the ground from squeezing him, but hopeless it was … as it only made him bleed more, caused by the sharp stones against his skin.“Have no worries, for I shall take good care of your lands and—”Dethnar’s voice stopped as well as the ground, then followed by the demon cursing.“What’s … happening … now …?” Arth’s eyes fell heavier, but he still kept his consciousness.“You’re … a … demon …?! What are you?!” Dethnar spoke again from above, his voice shaking and mad. “You traitor! You are one of us … and yet—”“And you are a fool …”Arth
“The Demon King had ordered me to initiate the war by destroying the Power Crystal in the North,” Dethnar said, dark-blue flames covering his entire demon form. “This undead army of mine is just the beginning. After getting rid of the crystal I can now—”“I never asked for you to babble about your stupid plans, demon,” Arth cut him off. “You won’t be able to execute any of that. Now that you’re separated from Lucas, I can finally eliminate you from our world.”“Eliminate me?” Dethnar smiled wider in amusement. “You think you can beat me in my true form? You can’t even make a scratch.”“We’ll see,” Arth replied, then he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.‘This is it, father,’he thought.‘I’ll show them the true power of our
Draphiron’s wings created a powerful gust of wind on the high tower as its claws held on to the pillars, and then lowered its long neck for Arth to climb down. The dragon’s remaining alar, in the form of a blue spirit, had helped him reach Crown Galacer in a short time.“Thanks, Draphiron … thank you, father,” Arth whispered, rubbing the dragon’s neck before he jumped off and landed on the floor. The blue spirit slowly dissolved into strings of alar, flying away from the tower, then they all compressed together and finally exploded in the skies like fireworks.Arth turned around, studying the situation now. The first thing he saw was the cracked Power Crystal … with tiny fragments scattered on the floor. Nearly destroyed it was … that Divine Knight must’ve stopped the demon before it could shatter the crystal. Kael did his job well enough, holding off the demon befo
After rushing out of the dungeon, Kael led the whole group inside the citadel, sneaking, as they did not want to catch the attention of the ghouls scurrying on the palace grounds … and the undead beasts flying above.A symphony of darkness and silence welcomed them … and it was a bit strange as to why Kael found no ghouls inside.The armory was located on the third floor of the citadel, so they had to use the wide staircases. As they made their climb, they tried to keep the silence, but Kael was annoyed by the Chief’s son who kept on whispering to Gregor. Had Gregor not taught his son how to keep his mouth shut?When they reached the armory, Gregor and his son quickly got their swords back. “Where are we going now?” the Chief asked Kael as they stepped out of the armory.“The throne room,” Kael replied. They got back to the staircases and clim
“Are you sure about this? What if they attack Cold Hills?” Tristan asked as they rode their horses, the west gate of the kingdom capital rising from their view ahead. It was a half-day journey from Cold Hills after they spotted the blue beam piercing through the skies, coming from the far north.“Don’t worry,” Kael replied. “Our village will be fine. The winterbird from the citadel said that the enemies were only attacking straight towards the capital.”As they reached the western gatehouse, Kael could still see the destroyed portcullis he had caused by the explosion two days ago. He raised his head to the top of the curtain walls and found no knights on watch anymoreThe fort bell kept on ringing, like repeating thunder amidst the dark clouds; the alarm for evacuation. The skies had already turned dark … wind blowing hard against his face, carrying the scent
“No …” Once again he burst into tears, leaning his forehead on the cold floor.“I failed … all because of me … all because of my stupidity!”Arth could no longer see any hope of saving Glacia. His body was too exhausted, worn out to go after Lucas and stop him. He could not even stand a chance now that Lucas had the sword and the power of its curse. No one could stop him now. And even if there was someone, Arth was already tired of hoping.“So all of our efforts are wasted … our accomplishments with the team … with Alice … all are wasted for his selfish ambitions?!” Arth said to himself as he hit his own forehead against the floor. “Alice died for nothing …
“Watch out, boss!” Arth yelled.But before the claw of the dragon could strike, Lucas made a high jump to dodge. He waved his sword to land a quick slash, aiming at the beast’s head, but then it ducked and spun its enormous body, swinging its huge tail to strike him. Lucas couldn’t move, as he’s still on air, so he had no other choice but to block the tail with his arms crossed.The direct hit blasted Lucas away, slamming him against the stone wall, only to fall on the floor, coughing blood, leaving the wall cracked.Arth held his sword tighter. Despite its enormous size, Draphiron was undeniably fast.Even Arth himself couldn’t possibly react in time had he been in Lucas’ situation earlier.“Why does it keep on attacking us?!” Arth shouted.No … Why would it keep on attacking only Lucas? Not Arth … or J