Become a Ka’ern …Become a demon …The phrases kept on repeating inside Arth’s head as he took a stroll along the stone bridge, supported by two columns of pillars that reached up towards the arched roof. The path was narrow but long. It connected three towers; from the left wing to the center tower of the castle and then to the Right Wing. Arth paused in the middle of the bridge towards the Left Wing, leaning his elbows on the stone ledges. His thoughts ran only through his discussion with the Demon Lord earlier.Arth had asked Lord Ander an amount of time for him to decide. Him being truly fortunate, as his bloodline was the only thing that kept the Demon Lord from killing him. Though Lord Ander gave Arth the freedom to roam around the castle, he could feel he was still being watched. It might’ve been Shadowhunter who’s following him.Again, Arth shook himself to return to focusing on his options. If he’d become a Ka’ern, it would prevent the entire Legion from opening the portal to
Though broken and destroyed, the ruins were magnificent. Tristan stood on the wide balcony, taking the view of the entire city with the cool wind blowing against his face, sending his silver hair into a flail. He glimpsed the shattered structures and walls, all made of white stones, with the bones like mountains on every corner of the street. Then his eyes traveled towards the group of dragon hunters right below him, each equipped with a leather vest and a white cape.Tristan caught his father, speaking a command to the group. Seeing him had made his heart remember all the memories he had with his father, all the good and bad ones, but the good memories had caused more pain that tightened his chest. He wouldn’t dare recall every one of them. Those had been buried already in his past, as every time he tried to remember, the scene of his family’s death had kept on stopping him, drawing his full attention to the pain that it had caused.Tristan decided to take a stroll around the ruined
Kael awoke, breathing in the chilly morning air in the forest. He found himself sitting on a large branch with his back leaned on the trunk. But as he looked around, he couldn’t spot Luna. He tried to remember what happened last night, but it only brought him pain. Luna did not seem to enjoy talking about their feelings, or only his feelings. She had just shut him off while Kael was already expressing what he felt for her. The topic must’ve made her uncomfortable.Kael stood from his branch and searched around and below him. Countless branches surrounded him, with no movement or sound, and looking down, he only found snow that blanketed the ground. And so he climbed down. His boots crunched against the snow as he landed, before he made his way to look for Luna. Walking further, he thought he smelled the stench of a corpse ahead, so he continued.Kael found Luna standing behind a big tree. He was about to speak, but then Luna touched his lips with her finger and shook her head. At that
Glacies Materia …Arth replicated Frostcalibur multiple times, then he launched them to counter the incoming shadow daggers, hitting each one that produced sharp ting sounds. Panting, he whispered a curse. Shadowhunter was close to killing Arth and Elicantris by a sneak attack from behind. He had to be more careful to protect Eli. She had her Ascendant summoned; a ball of light floating around her with her enchanted book opened. Both of them had to go against Shadowhunter.Arth looked around as he stood over the castle’s inclined roof. He couldn’t see every shadow because of the darkness, but Eli’s light had helped him locate which places Shadowhunter could make his next attack.“Eli, don’t go near any surfaces,” Arth yelled, gripping Frostcalibur tightly.Shadowhunter was hiding … and he could be everywhere. Arth brought one foot backward and cast Ice King’s Footprint on his shadow, as he sensed the enemy approaching. He was about to move, but then …“I told you, human … your tricks
Galloping down the street, Tristan’s sharp gaze focused far ahead. His grip on the reins tightened as he spotted the group’s arrival in the gatehouse. Seeing Bow had darkened his face. After what the man had done to him, he could not let this opportunity to pass. Revenge was all he wanted.The hot wind of noon had brushed against his face, with his silver hair flailing. All the memories from that ship had returned; from the moment Bow had him chained into an anchor before pushing him to drown at the sea. Why the hell would he do that? It’s what Tristan was dying to know, now that Bow had arrived. He recalled the man mentioning that he had worked together with Tristan’s father as dragon hunters. And now that he found out his father was the leader of the dragon hunters, Bow must’ve worked under him.Tristan had not forgotten about Lewis also, who had been kidnapped by those hunters. Seriously, why did they have to do these? After all of what they’d been through … Tristan had never expec
Kael glanced at Gared’s sharp face, shone by the light ball at the low table between them. The mage had offered bread and butter, and Kael already had two slices for his hungry stomach. Chewing his third, he listened with Luna to Gared’s report.“You said you didn’t come here alone,” Luna said, “so where are the rest of you?”Gared flipped through the pages of his journal and replied, “Five knights and three mages, including me … Magus Jade had to have me protected to be certain I’d survive, so I can return and report to him. On the second day of our journey, we decided to split up to have a wider range of coverage in the forest. I went with two knights and a mage, while the other group had three knights and one mage. Then …” His eyes fell to the journal and sighed. “That night where we agreed to gather, not a single member from the other group came.”Kael and Luna looked at each other with worried eyes. “What happened to them?”Gared turned the page and read it for a second before rep
“Idiot …”A familiar voice called Arth as he stood amidst the orange plains of the Desoland. He looked around but found no one. The voice repeated the same word … which made Arth recognize who it was from.He turned around and then found himself suddenly at the peak of the red mountains. The Blood Tower had stood in his view. “Janshai?” he said, remembering this place. It was where he and Janshai went after they had gotten trapped in the Desoland. “Are you there?”“I’m up here,” Janshai’s voice came from the skies.Arth looked up and found only dark clouds. He summoned his dragon wings and flew up along the tower’s height. His chest pounded faster from his excitement.As he reached the top of the Blood Tower, Janshai stood in the middle of the carved circle on the stone floor where a red-light cylindrical barrier had trapped him.Arth’s eyes widened and rushed towards the man. “Janshai!”“No …” Janshai said. “Don’t go anywhere near me, you idiot.”Arth stopped abruptly, furrowing his e
The dock was clear when Tristan sneaked behind the tall barrels. He peeked over and observed the ship. He wasn’t a fool to believe the ship had no crews or guards onboard. Lewis, being their captive, would need men to watch over the deck and the cabins. The fresh sea breeze blew on Tristan’s face. He smelled the air and found an alcohol scent from the ship.Tristan looked around, then glanced back. No one was on the dock but him. And so he rushed towards the ship, the wooden dock squeaking with every step. After crossing the narrow board, he jumped into the deck quietly, eyeing the empty place and finding no one. He walked carefully, his eyes focused on the doors ahead of him. But then men’s voices came.Tristan immediately went to the mast and hid behind its huge trunk.“We supposed to be drinkin’ there in the fortress, ain’t we?” a hunter’s voice came louder along with the sound of their walk tapping on the wooden floor.“We still have a couple of loads to transfer,” another man’s vo
A huge explosion shook the area of the Ashenvale forest.“What is this power?” Maester David was staying in the big tree watching General Kael and his student, Arth battle.He could see Arth at a disadvantage after taking many hits and blows by the mighty sword of the General. Every attack of the general and every block of Arth was slowly draining his strength.General Kael was still holding his sword one hand while Arth was already panting and wounded.“Just yield, Arth. You can’t defeat me.” The general said.“Even with my last breath, I will never yield.” Arth replied catching his breath. His brown cloak was already shed with blood and his lower ankle injured. Soil and dust are already on his face and his yellow hair.“Then I’ll force that out of your mouth.” The general quickly touched the ground with his hand and looked at Arth narrowly. “You’ll regret this.”The ground began to shake suddenly. Huge root vines came out from the ground and extended towards Arth with speed.Arth he
The plan changed. Because of the chase, I was led to east from Casterfall Kingdom. Arth thought while riding his horse in a snow plain. I guess the best route for me is Frostwood village. I want to see Chief again. He passed through big stones covered with snow. From there, snow began to fall lightly.I wonder how Grand Master Tera is doing. The knights from Ice Crown Glacier are really scary. Arth saw a hawk flying over the big stones. But the one who saved me… who is he? I heard the Grand Knight call him Grand Magus. His magic is purely immense. I want to learn those skills someday. The hawk landed over the other big stone in his left side. Arth noticed that the hawk was wearing a black scarf collar on its neck.“What in the world…” Arth felt something strange about the hawk. Then, the hawk began to cry out suddenly.Wait a sec… Arth realized that it was not a wild bird. “It’s calling someone!”He whipped the rope of his horse to run fast. Then, he began to hear running footsteps
The village bell rang in the cold and windy mountain top. The noise of the women and men calling and shouting filled the whole atmosphere with intensity and fear. After a few moments, the doors and windows of the houses were closed and locked tightly. The men which appeared to be hunters gathered towards the center village.The village was located on top of the mountains and built above the stones on the sides. Stones on the mountains have been formed to make stairs/roads from the base to the village on top. It was almost the end of afternoon and the skies are getting dark.“Sir Kael! They already reached the southern gate in the base of the hills.” One hunter wearing black jacket approached Kael who was walking towards the scout tower. Kael walked towards the wooden stairs up to the scouts. He went to see what’s below the mountains. He could clearly see hundreds of blue caped knights standing on the base of the mountains.“Quick, tell the people to pack and go all the way towards the
“So, the Arth that you’ve talked about with Chief Gregor is the rightful heir to the frozen throne?” Tristan said with a loud voice. “Keep it down. Someone might hear us.” Maester David replied as they jumped from their horses and walked towards the entrance to the dark woods. They stopped and the maester pointed at the woods, “We have to reach the city as soon as possible. And this is the fastest way for us.”Tristan looked at the dark entrance and he could hear the echoes of the sound from the deep woods. “I can definitely sense many things here.” He said as he narrowed his eyes. Snow was falling from the white sky and a slight cold wind breezed through the two.“These woods are lived by wild beasts. I can sense them too.” Maester David replied. “No, it’s not only the beasts. I can feel something else. A group of people, I guess?” Tristan told the maester. Then he shook his head, “Never mind. Let’s go now, maester.”They began walking on the snowy path towards the entrance. “Stay al
After the tricky escape of Arth and Robert, they arrived in the secret tunnel of Casterfall kingdom in which Grand Master Tera told them before. I’m back here, again. Arth thought. The last time Arth was there was when he ran away and chased by the knights. The two entered the tunnel and it was pitch-black. They could hear the water running through the tunnel as they walked on the side. Robert casted an Illumination in a lesser energy to light up the tunnel way. “How was the academy you got into with Bran?” Arth suddenly asked while looking down in the stone way as he walked.“It was great. There are lots of things that I learned there.” Robert replied. “But Bran was still the same. He never learns.”Arth smiled as he shook his head. “I envy you. You got to learn a lot. It must be so fun.”“Why? What about your private trainings with Grand Master Tera?” Robert turned to him while walking.“We only did some training to build my stamina. And he only taught me one skill.” Arth replied.“
Now that I got these knights away from my village, I better think about my escape now. Kael told himself as he was sitting on a horse behind Grand Knight Bryle with his hands chained. He realized that there were also eight knights in a formation with them. One in front was a banner man carrying the flag of the Ice Crown. Kael and the grand knight were in the center and the other seven knights surrounded them as they travelled on their horses. I can’t fight them but I just need to distract them only if I have my sword with me. Using just magic is not enough to distract them. Kael thought as he looked at the pine trees covered in snow they pass through. He turned to the Grand Knight’s back and looked down to his elegant sword. An enchanted sword, huh? There’s clearly no chance of fighting them. “So, you’re Kael? The son of king Kaelas?” Grand Knight Bryle said smiling. “I never thought you’re alive.” Kael remained quiet after what the knight said.“I once served him. To be honest, I h
Tristan quickly walked passed through two small houses towards the big white tent ahead. There were wooden benches outside the tent which are for the people accompanying their sick or injured patient. The chief directly saw maester David wearing blue cloak sitting in the bench on the right side impatiently waiting. He approached the maester quickly.“Maester David?” Tristan called while he was walking towards him. The maester turned and was relieved to see him. Maester David stood and shook hands with the chief.“Tristan, it’s been how many years.” The maester said.“15 years actually,” the chief replied. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Ice Crown right? And what’s with the elf?” He asked with his eyebrows meeting.“I’ve got bad news. There’s a war coming.” The maester said worriedly as he sat down.“A war? What are you talking about?” the chief replied.“King Muradin will declare war with the elves if they don’t give what he asks. He sent me there to negotiate but t
“What happened to the kid?” Lord Nicholas was standing in the tiled path towards the entrance to the high garden. He was in his white sleeved clothing and brown pants. Grand Master Tera was there in the entrance of the garden looking at the fountains. The sky was cloudy but there was no snow falling. The snow that covered the grounds and plants made it seem that snow just fell earlier.Grand Master Tera looked above and saw the high towers of the castle. He sighed instead of turning to Lord Nicholas. “He’s gone.”“To where? The knights from Ice Crown Glacier became frustrated that they didn’t found the boy. You said he was there in his room?” The lord said.The Grand master turned to the lord, “I already said it, my lord. He’s gone. I don’t know how or why.”“And you were gone also by the time the knights searched his room. Is there something you’re not telling me, master Tera?” Lord Nicholas looked him in the eye as he walked towards him.“I was in my office, my lord. I just continu
The green woods and mountains of Ashenvale have spread throughout its entire region. The scent of the husky woods and the sound of the birds made the entire environment a natural and peaceful to be in.Maester Kael, wearing a blue cloak and carrying his valyrian sword, have gone through the green woods. The soft soil of the earth gave the maester a comfortable travel on it.The place seemed to be so magical. A strong spiritual energy can be felt by the maester in to the woods.The wisps have always protected their forest and brought life in it. Maester Kael thought as he walked in the pathway through the forest.He saw different friendly animals on his way through the woods. He encountered stags, birds, monkeys, and a hippo. Such beauty the forest holds. I have to get to the Guardian of the Forest as soon as possible. The maester thought.He crossed a shallow river ahead and jumped on the small rocks. After reaching on the other side, he saw a yellow butterfly flying towards him. The