Jin was dreaming of heaven.He wasn’t actually sure if he was just dreaming or he was really in heaven already. If that was the case, that wasn’t good news. He would have died as a laughingstock, just like the giantess said. If he died from falling, his chief would be shaking his head, wondering why he ever bothered to adopt him as a brother. He risked his life to enter into enemy territory, was able to gather valuable intel, and not being able to report back was worse than a failure.He was in a sleeping position but he couldn’t feel a bed or anything that he was laying on. Everything around him was white. It reminded him of the time when he contacted Raeya in the middle of her fight against the Shadows. He wished he could do more there at that time but he was too far away to be in physical touch with her. That white surrounding was a specialty of the Rigiddin clan. They could access one door out of the thousand doors of the Shore. That plane was a spiritual void where those with roy
When he opened his eyes Jin thought Raeya came back for him.His head was throbbing and his vision wasn’t clear when his eyelids fluttered open. His eyes were heavy like he had slept for too long and was unwilling to open them but something forced him to. There was also something wrong about the colors that he was seeing. Everything around him was in the shade of green so the silhouette of the woman in front of him wasn’t that clear as well.The only woman he was so familiar with that always wore dark clothes was Raeya so he couldn’t blame his brain on why it was her name that stuck in his head.The last news he heard about her was that she and the rest of Aegis were on a large-scale mission away from Veynstown. They were miles away from each other and that fact made him blink his eyes again to confirm the image looming over him. When his vision cleared, it was Lady Rakasha, her sister.Jin forced himself to sit and the green light hovering over his body was gone. He realized that it
Maryan should have expected it.From the moment that she realized Lidon’s true identity when they met at camp, she should have already imagined the scene. And while she was at it, she should have prepared herself. But what did she do?She relaxed in his presence. She actually believed that she could change his view of Hearth, his supposed-to-be enemy. When she thought hard about it, Maryan thought it was the perfect set-up to invite a strong man to know more about them. Why not? Lidon, or Jin Quohora, was from the other side and if the Shore was really a pair of destiny, then it was not a coincidence that they met–two members from both sides. Knowledge and truth was what enticed Maryan to be a part of Hearth. She had hoped that it would be the same for him.Maryan planned to lead Jin into the truth. He was supposed to succumb to her deception. Although she knew that it would not be easy, she didn’t expect it to be that hard. And everything happened in reverse. She was supposed to make
Grey didn’t know what was taking Maryan so long in reporting.He tasked her to spy on the factory because they weren’t free to go there as they pleased since it was pure guerilla territory. Even under the guise of friendship, the guerillas were wary of their surroundings. Seems like they learned a lot from their last war against Sir Vance, the one that brought the freedom fighters to their knees decades ago. They were wise not to give free access to those with the power from the Shore.Grey stood there, guarding the two capsules. There was a meter beside them with a delicate fluid inside of it. It was halfway full already, more than enough progress than what they could ask for. Their team decided it wasn’t possible for the liquid to rise in such a short amount of time but their raid at the Triad helped speed things up. This is why knowledge is just as important as brute strength. The data that they retrieved sped almost everything in their plan. They had determined that this war of th
Raius Rigiddin walked the last fence just to make sure.For all the battles that he had been, a siege wasn’t really his favorite. He would rather meet his enemies on the open field rather than be stuck here in the Rokohorta castle in defense. This small battle will continue on for longer as they dwindle the forces of the enemy bit by bit daily and he never liked it when an enemy such as Hearth is delaying the outcome whether they will become victors or losers. The uncoordinated attacks, the no-plan small raids, the prolonged fights suggested that they were just putting up a font. Hearth ws buying time but for what?Which was why he ordered some of the Rokohorta ladies to look around the fortress. Somehow, maybe Hearth was digging or trying to enter somewhere else while they were unaware. The thought that maybe the Rigiddin village is under attack also came to mind and that was why he never called his men for back-up. They had one conjurer locked up there so it was possible that they w
Jin chuckled.“Since when?” Jin asked. He really was a fool to think that he could hide anything from the chief. The last time he tried was when he was badly wounded from another deadly mission. He didn’t want to admit that his back had been hurt because he knew that weakness was not something allowed if you are near the chief. He was just a boy then. He feared that the reputation of Chief Raius would be affected if ever people realized that the chief chose a warrior with a soft body. He didn’t want to pull the chief back so he kept quiet about it and kept the pain to himself while the people around them proudly praised him for his achievement to come back unwounded. As he expected, the people, especially the ones visiting him were all the more amazed saying that the Rigiddin clan was indeed blessed by the Shore.However, prolonged pain made his body weak. After days of standing by the chief’s side, he finally couldn’t take it any longer and asked that he go home for a while to visit
Sitting all throughout the mission and being forced to remain in the dark made Ryder realize that he was an impatient man.“Don’t go with Aegis,” Sir Vance ordered him a month ago. Sir Vance pulled Ryder out of the meeting and dragged him to his office, insisting that he had a different mission than the rest. Ryder didn’t expect that not doing anything was actually a mission. Although this wasn’t the first time that he was ordered such. When he was a trainee at Aegis, he was given the task to capture a robber who was hiding in an inn in Veynstown. The man had a hostage and Ryder was ordered not to do anything. The hostage back then looked like she was about to pass out from what was happening and Ryder really wanted to rush in if only they gave him the go signal but Fhae was strict in her word. She even threatened that if ever he will do anything rash, he will never qualify as a fighter of Aegis. So Ryder did as he was told and did nothing but watch the hostage scream for help for ho
Raeya received a call, something that a lady wouldn't want to hear first thing in the morning.Upon hearing the sound of soft piano keys, her hand immediately reached out to its direction even when her eyes were closed. She slept late because she was studying the map of Khenealm. She also was reading the reports that were being sent to their database. Raeya didn’t like to read but while nothing big was happening, she should gather intel while she had the time and also, for them to be updated. But hearing the sound of a call jolted at least half of her body to be awake. It has been ages since she got a call. She should have known. The last time she received one, it was when a civilian reported seeing the ghost of Fhae looking for the Roar which Ryder had been obsessed with going after for the past year. In the end, the report was half-true. Yes it was a ghost but a fake one–a mere manipulation of the mind all thanks to the wonders of magic.“Hello?” Raeya asked groggily.“Good morning
''Tomorrow?'' Chief Raius couldn't help but laugh. ''Who do you think you are? Some savior who could turn the world upside-down with a snap of a finger? How do you expect to bring down Hearth, an enemy that even the Triad is having a hard time with? Could you erase a three hundred year-old company tomorrow? Could you?''Believe it or not.'' Ryder was offended. Earlier, his face held high reverence for the chief. Now, Ryder's voice was plain and he was looking at the chief at eye level without bowing or nodding, unlike earlier. But with the chief's words, it was bound to come to this point. ''I have been in touch with Sir Vance. he said that the preparations are complete. All that's left is for your consent.''Ryder wasn't even addressing him as chief anymore. Jin discerned it then at the moment. The Roar didn't come to be pitied, nor to ask for pity or forgiveness. He didn't come to grovel and take the blame for what happened to Raeya. That was just the surface. That was what he want
''You can't kill me'', Raeya blurted amidst their wrestling.His strength was overwhelming her and her muscles were becoming sore and overpowered by him. She had to do something. She had to find a good spot that she could use to break free.''Oh? How sure are you? Don't tell me its because you believe that I still love you.''No, she didn't believe that. Seyin was the second to confess his love to her after Jin. She was the one in-charge of handling new applicants to Aegis when Seyin entered the hall where they would be taking the Shore test. She was assisting Fhae in conducting the tests that would determine if the applicants had the potential to harness the power of the Shore.Instead of asking about anything significant about the test at that time, Seyin stood and boldly asked her out, embarrassing both of them at that moment. After that, she kindly but firmly said her no. Seyin cried in front of her but in the end, she offered what she could–friendship. Until now, she didn’t know
''Tomorrow?'' Chief Raius couldn't help but laugh. ''Who do you think you are? Some savior who could turn the world upside-down with a snap of a finger? How do you expect to bring down Hearth, an enemy that even the Triad is having a hard time with? Could you erase a three hundred year-old company tomorrow? Could you?''Believe it or not.'' Ryder was offended. Earlier, his face held high reverence for the chief. Now, Ryder's voice was plain and he was looking at the chief at eye level without bowing or nodding, unlike earlier. But with the chief's words, it was bound to come to this point. ''I have been in touch with Sir Vance. he said that the preparations are complete. All that's left is for your consent.''Ryder wasn't even addressing him as chief anymore. Jin discerned it then at the moment. The Roar didn't come to be pitied, nor to ask for pity or forgiveness. He didn't come to grovel and take the blame for what happened to Raeya. That was just the surface. That was what he want
''You can't kill me'', Raeya blurted amidst their wrestling. His strength was overwhelming her and her muscles were becoming sore and overpowered by him. She had to do something. She had to find a good spot that she could use to break free. ''Oh? How sure are you? Don't tell me its because you believe that I still love you.'' No, she didn't believe that. Seyin was the second to confess his love to her after Jin. She was the one in-charge of handling new applicants to Aegis when Seyin entered the hall where they would be taking the Shore test. She was assisting Fhae in conducting the tests that would determine if the applicants had the potential to harness the power of the Shore. Instead of asking about anything significant about the test at that time, Seyin stood and boldly asked her out, embarrassing both of them at that moment. After that, she kindly but firmly said her no. Seyin cried in front of her but in the end, she offered what she could–friendship. Until now, she didn’t kn
Jin had a feeling his discussion with Fahazi about leaders going at the forefront jinxed the night.“Go!” He commanded as he pulled Fahazi to his feet and pushed him to get him running. As they ran, Jin looked behind. He could make out nothing because of the darkness but he felt shadows following them. He grabbed Fahazi’s hand and sped across the tunnels. They only had one flashlight. Fahazi must have lost his own light during the explosion.Jin felt something was about to fall on them. He felt dust and debris fall upon his face as they ran. “Fall back, Fahazi!” Both of them were able to stop just in time before the ceiling gave way. If they had advanced one second further, they would have already been buried in a pile of huge blocks of cement and dirt.It didn’t stop there. A slight tremor was felt from above.“This way,” Fahazi suggested as he pointed to one of the tunnels which didn’t seem to be shaking. Jin nodded and they entered the tunnel to their left.“Do you think we can st
Grey wasn't someone who was easily intimidated. Even with Ryder and Leison had him on gunpoint and swordpoint, he still wore the same smug expression.''You're pretty confident this time, Aegis.'' He wasn't fazed at all with the pressure around him. ''Have you finally moved on from your humiliation in our last war?''This position was familiar with the battle at Hearth. Ryder had also cornered Grey in their laboratory. Grey wasn't yet a fighter or a conjurer back then, just a normal scientist who only knew how to wield science and technology. That was why Ryder decided that he wouldn't kill him. He diverted his focus on the Shadows that Hearth released. However, Grey took advantage of Ryder's soft heart back then. He summoned Absinthe and the rest was history.''You're provoking the wrong people. You should be telling that to your bosses,'' Leison answered.''I wouldn't call that a word of provocation. It's just called a taunt.'' Grey was feeling extra powerful now. Was there some rea
If Raeya could recall properly, the men said they were going to answer her questions after they had tied her up but now she was the one tying all of six of them up. It was a good thing she found a rope in one of the toolboxes of the saleslady or else she would have to knock them unconscious every five minutes that they woke up.Raeya pressed the switch and a single dim bulb was brought back to life. Its light was yellowish but it would serve its purpose just for the room to do away with the darkness. She tried calling her friends but she was stumped after realizing that there was no signal. Raeya hoped that Aegis was doing well and that nothing bad happened. Raeya didn’t know why but she was feeling ominous like something big happened. Or was that her overthinking? After securing their hands, she dragged them into the corner and made their backs lean on the wall, away from any object that they could grab and free themselves. She was waiting for the leader, the one with a red turban,
''So? Where did you come from? How did you meet with Jaiyo?''Infiltrating the camp was hard enough but questions like these were harder. ''My family of guerillas received your notice. I simply answered your call. Fortunately, the man with a purple headband who led me here and your attendant recommended you to me,'' Lidon answered as they walked the mountain trail.''I see.''She was not to be underestimated, unlike her hired soldiers.Jin and the chief already knew the basic structure of their camp because they flew over them once. He was pretty confident that he could get inside without doing anything not until he saw the entrance.The ones going in and out had some sort of special tattoos on their skin which they were showing to the guards. Jin was at a loss not until he spotted a group. They didn't show any part of their skin but they were accompanied by some sort of leader with a purple headband.It was that leader who let them in. Jin waited for a few nights at most before spot
Lidon was still wary of the guerilla army.He had wrapped his dagger to make them think that he had lowered his guard. But since no one was still attacking them, then it is safe to assume that they are safe for now. They led them through the forest until they reached a hanging bridge. In this time, it was unusual to see a wooden bridge when they were living in the age of development. The bridge was just a collection of blocks of wood bound together by rubber ties and twigs. A river with sharp rocks twenty feet spread below.“Let’s go two at a time or else the bridge will break,” the woman with the golden tooth said. That goes without saying. It was as if the bridge was designed to not welcome visitors.As ancient and old-looking the bridge was, the new guerilla army seemed to have no problem with it. Wayl and the woman went ahead first. It was only the two of them but the bridge swayed so much.“That seems scary,” Maryan whispered beside him.“We can’t do anything about it, can’t we