I fear death. Perhaps that fear is reasonable, but I honestly do not think so. I have claimed countless lives, in most cases it was necessary, I know that. Me or them. To die or to live. Despite the guilt of surviving, I selfishly choose to live. The guilt weighs heavily on my soul, but I will not regret killing, and will live on as my duty to those I deemed 'necessary to kill'. However, today I was reminded of the terror that accompanied staring death straight in eye.
- Callahan Nyx, Year 861-
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"Boss! Look, Look! A flying ship." Vanessa pointed towards the sky in an innocent, almost childlike manner. A grey, silver object hovered in the sky, peeking through the clouds.
I was an airship. A marvel of the modern development in Arcane devices and scientific technology. It's ability to fly came from the Arcane metals, otherwise dubbed 'magic metals', used.
Airships in particular used the gray-silver metal Mithril, a strange metal, that when infused with mana, be it from a 'Blessed' or other source, would become equal or lighter than air. The metal could only be found deep within the earth, making its use rare and specific. Due to its rarity, it was very expensive. Using it in incredible quantities (to make a large Airship, for example), only served to demonstrate the immense financial power of the ship commissioner.
Such a thing now floated above me sailing among the clouds. Of course, it wasn't really sailing. Though that ship had two masts, each three triangular sails high, an airship was mainly propelled by another source. Massive engines, powered by equally massive Arcane furnaces, constantly released compressed superheated air from the rear of the vessel. Arcane furnaces were devices that used a very unique mineral as fuel. This mineral was called Nautilisium, named after the Great Witch Nautilus who discovered that the translucent aquamarine crystal could be used to power Arcane Devices. Growing faster than weeds, and hard as granite, until this discovery the material was scrapped and worthless. It was particularly loathed by farmers, for it was worse than a weed, and got in the way of crop growth. Nowadays though, the world practically runs on the stuff.
Nautilisium grew anywhere mana was abundant, being an almost pure crystalline form of mana; it was truly a perfect fuel. Though no one knew how an insubstantial force transformed into a substantial form, it was an established fact that were mana flows strongly, Nautilisium will grow. Even so, a single Arcane furnace will consume nearly five hundred pounds of crushed Nauitilisium within twenty four hours; to make the mithril structure of a small airship float one would need at least two Arcane Furnaces working 'round the clock.
However the ship I saw now, I knew all too well. It only took one look at the size and shape of the vessel for all color to drain from my face. I practically knew the specifications of this class of ship by heart. Measuring 1,000 feet in length, the metal ship had an almond like design, had a cruising speed of seventy five miles per hour,and was armed to the teeth. With a hundred Cannons (A type of Arcane Device that uses mana to cause an explosion within its metal barrel to propel an object) lining both sides; each one being capable of firing cannonballs six inches in diameter. With its main armaments alone it could lay waste to defenseless settlements safely from the sky. Factor in the rousts for, at the very least, two hundred wyverns and their riders as an air force, and that sums up it's the basic specifications.
The name of the ship you ask? Well, the emblem of 'the ring with a fire burning within it', painted in a golden color on both the port and starboard sides should give a hint as to its affiliation. This was the 'Specialized High-Speed Subjugation Air Cruiser' (Wordy ain't it), but I just call them 'Air Hunters'. Developed by the Misiril Theology to hunt down powerful 'Cursed', as well as subjugate monsters, this was one of the Misiril Theology's greatest weapons.
Not that long ago, I was hunted halfway across the continent by one, letting me personally taste the fury of the ships armament. I only managed to escape them by blending in with the populace of one of the Kingdom of Gandole's major trading hubs. After failing to find me, the ship opened fire on the nearly defenceless city, leveling it to the ground. After which I was officially declared dead, and removed from the Theology's hitlist. Of course no body was found, and I successfully gave them the slip. From there I headed north to the Dragonridge forest. Naturally the Theology pawned it off as a 'divine trial' as retribution for housing and failing to hand over those that were 'Cursed'.
I didn't think that I would staring down the barrel of an 'Air Hunters' Cannons so soon though. After all, I'm supposed to be dead.
"Vanessa! Into the trees!"
"What? Okay!"
Never underestimate the viewing range of an 'Air Hunter'. They have Arcane Devices on board that allow them to use short-range Clairvoyance, for the purpose of searching for prey. I was proven correct when no more than a few moments had passed when the area we once stood at was vaporized in a burst of scorching fire and blinding light. Each of the ship's Cannons can fire a shorter range high explosive fireball using only mana, an attack specialized for taking out fleeing targets. Me and Vanessa scrambled north to the Ascret Republic, running as fast as our legs could carry us. All the while, the Air-Hunter bombarded the Dragonridge forest with cannon and fire balls. Tonight it would be for the best to tell Vanessa the most likely reason why the hell we are being shot at, by an unknown force (for her at least), for no apparent reason. If she decides she wants to leave because of that, I won't stop her. Though it would make me a bit sad...