Chapter 14: Miara Emerald
Elliot had the biggest smile on his face as he made his way over to the Inn where Aaron and the rest were staying. Today was the day that Aaron had told him he would start teaching him. After he had agreed, he told Elliot that they planned on going to the capital. Elliot didn't mind at all, he had nothing binding him to Viridian City.
He had gotten up before the sun was even out, he wanted to go to his parents graves and say goodbye. Having done that he figured even though it was still early he would make his way to the inn and wait for the rest to wake up. Soon he found himself across the street but before he could go inside he noticed something glittering in the early rays of dawn.
A young man draped in a gold was jumping out of a 4th story room window. He landed and quickly starting heading west. It was his Master!
'Why's he leaving so early? Is he leaving?', Elliot panicked.
He quickly ran over and called out to him.
"Master!"
Aaron who had just started making his way towards the western gate was startled . Turning around he saw a young man with curly blonde hair and blue eyes. It was Elliot, who he had never expected to run into. Yesterday after they had left the guild he decided he would sneak out and find the leopard himself. He didn't want to worry the others so he left a letter explaining that they should go ahead and that he would meet up with them at the capital and that Elliot should go with them as well. With that he had woken up earlier than the rest and begun to head towards the the gate.
"What are you doing here so early?", he asked.
"I was too excited to sleep and ended coming a little earlier than planned", Elliot said while scratching the back of his head.
"Master, where are you going by yourself so early in the morning?"
"I just have a little errand to run, you should wait inside I'll be back soon.". Aaron didn't want Elliot following him considering his strength.
However Elliot was of different mind, he was worried that Aaron was leaving and that he wouldn't train him anymore.
"It's fine, Ill come with you."
"Its dangerous and I can't be sure I can keep you safe"
"Now I must go!", Elliot said looking determined.
How could Elliot allow Aaron to put himself in danger? He still hadn't learned anything from him!
".....", Aaron didn't know what to say. This guy was being difficult.
"Agh~... Fine but you must do as I say, understand?"
"No problem", Elliot responded with a smile
Together they started making there way toward the West Gate.
Outside a small Farming Village to the West of Viridian City
A large luxurious green and gold carriage being pulled by 2 white horses could be seen approaching the village, on its side one could see an emblem of a golden tree with emerald leaves. This was the emblem of the Royal Family!
Surrounding the Carriage were 15 guards all on horseback, that moved alongside it. 4 of these guards were Peak Core Formation Realm experts while the rest were all Late Core Formation realm experts.
"Your Highness, we're almost at the village", the guard closest to the carriage respectfully said.
"En", a response could be heard from the carriage.
The guard could only smile at the short response and continued towards the village. They had been tasked with protecting the princess who had been training in the area. When they had started hearing rumors of a Peak Core Formation Qi beast. It had been killing the citizens and frightened them to where they didn't want to leave their homes let alone work the fields. Hearing this they were surprised seeing such a high realm Qi beast near Black mountain. Considering its realm the princesses decided to have her guards kill the beast.
Inside the carriage sat two women, one young and one in her mid twenties. The older one had her blonde hair up in a bun, fair skin and bright brown eyes , she was wearing a maids uniform and attending to the younger one.
The young girl had a healthy light brown complexion, her long black hair reached to the small of her lower back, it was so full and lustrous that one couldn't believe their eyes. Her small nose and mouth only served to increase her beauty, however what shocked one was her eyes. They appeared to be made of Emeralds, the bight green eyes held a spark of youth that couldn't be hidden behind her elegant demeanor. She wore a long flowing green and gold gown that flattered her still developing figure. On her thin waist a sword made of wood affixed to her belt, gold engraving could be seen on the body of the sword.
However, she currently had a troubled look her face that one wouldn't except a young girl to have, yet this still couldn't hide her beauty.
"Your Highness, are you okay?", the maid asked. She had noticed that ever since The Princesses had heard the message sent to her by her father The King she wore this expression.
"Its nothing serious just that...", Miara paused.
"Just that father has delivered some news that I'm having trouble believing."
"...", the maid had wanted to ask but she knew it wasn't her place.
Seeing the look on her maids face Miara smiled.
"Ella, you've been with me since I was a child, no need to act so reserved."
Ella smiled as she heard The Princess. She had indeed been with the princess since she was a child, they had almost always been together.
"I was just curious as to what kind of news would make you appear so troubled"
"Its no secret, so I don't mind telling you. An Earth Realm cultivator with Rare Ice affinity, High grade Gold possibly Platinum cultivation skill and a Platinum Grade Bloodline has appeared in Viridian City. However, the crux of the issue is his age. Father said that he was only about 15! Can you believe that?", Miara exclaimed unable to hide her disbelief.
"What?!", Ella was just as shocked. A 15 year old Earth Realm Cultivator with a Platinum Bloodline? A monster! This was a monster! This monster also had a rare ice affinity! She also began having trouble believing the news.
It must be said that Miara was also 15 and currently had a cultivation of Late Core Formation realm but she was a princess! With access to abundant resources and a Platinum ranked Cultivation skill and Bloodline her future was practically limitless. Yet now a unknown person had surpassed even her!
"One of our spies personally witnessed him subdue 4 Late Core Formation as well as his elemental Ice skill to subdue them. The strange thing is his bloodline allows him to manipulate people as if they were puppets. However, no Platinum bloodline with these abilities has ever been seen before! Father has asked me to visit Viridian City to get more information."
"So that's what has you worried."
"En, we need to figure out who he is and where he came from. However, we can leave that for later we should be arriving at the village soon.", just as she spoke the carriage suddenly came to a halt.
"Your Highness, we've arrived."
Western Gate Road
Aaron and Elliot had been traveling for about 4 hours and had just started seeing a small town on the horizon. Since he wasn't sure where the leopard was last spotted Aaron wanted to stop and ask for information. Elliot had been asking him martial arts questions the entire time. However he really didn't know how to respond and this was not the time to teach him. All he could do was tell Elliot he would teach him after he completed his mission which finally got him to stop nagging him.
"Master, are you sure you can defeat this Qi beast?", Elliot asked. Aaron hadn't told him the rank but did inform him that it had killed villagers and Adventurers alike. Hearing this he began to worry for Aaron.
"It should be fine, but we need information first."
They finally entered the small town. They noticed that some of the people were putting up decorations and that the town seemed full of energy.
"Is there some sort of festival?", Aaron wondered.
"There shouldn't be any Festivals at this time of year", Elliot said while also appearing confused.
"Let's ask around"
Aaron began walking up to a authoritative looking middle aged woman. She was currently directing some men on how to place the decorations.
"Excuse me, ma'am."
"What? Can't you see I'm.....!", she turned around ready to berate whoever was distracting her. However before she could get another word out she was frozen stiff.
In front of her was a young man dressed in golden robes, his face appeared to have been carved by the Gods themselves. Golden eyes could be see staring back at her, they glowed as if they contained the sun itself.
Aaron seeing her freeze at the sight of his face was all to used to this. He smiled and continued.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you work. I was just curious as to what the decorations were for." he said with a smile. The woman seeing this, felt as if she'd go blind if she kept staring, quickly she averted her gaze.
"You aren't interrupting me at all! Not at all!", she said while staring at the ground, a light blush on her face.
She had never seen someone so beautiful. Not even the nobles that occasionally head over to the forest to train could compare with this young man.
"We were informed that Princesses Miara would be heading to Viridian City. As she would have to pass through the town to head back, we wanted to present our best to welcome her", she said while fidgeting with her hands. She appeared to have become 10 years younger.
"Princess Miara!", Elliot jumped. He had never seen the youngest Princess but he had heard of her beauty and talent.
Aaron had never heard of her so he had no reaction. He quickly shifted the topic back to the leopard.
"If it's not to much trouble I have another question. I've heard about a Leopard Qi Beast attacking the surrounding villages. I was wondering if you had heard anything recently"
The woman slightly frowned at the mention of the leopard. She had indeed heard of the western villages being attacked by a leopard Qi beast. Some had even fled to the town for refuge.
"I have heard rumors saying that its appeared by a small farming village about 3 to 4 miles west but no one can be sure. This was about 3 days ago and I haven't heard anything sense, its best you avoid heading that way.", she warned Aaron.
"Thank you, Lets go.", he thanked her than turn and spoke to Elliot
The woman who was still staring at Aaron's Golden feather jacket suddenly noticed that they had began waking west. Just before she could say anything they had sped up and were out of earshot.
Aaron didn't wish to waste any time, he wanted to find the leopard and kill it within the day if possible. Even though his automatic elemental form wouldn't be able to avoid Qi attacks from the leopard he was confident in be able to defeat if from a distance. However he couldn't help buy think he should serious start training his haki and 'Six Styles'.
'After this I should start accepting missions from the system', he thought to himself.
They finally reached the village at about 1 in the afternoon. Compared to the town from earlier, the mood here was the complete opposite. Barely anyone could be seen outside, all had locked themselves in their homes. Aaron and Elliot walked into the village but before they could begin to look for people a shadow appeared from behind on the huts!
"Who are you?!", screamed a man in tattered clothes. He carrying a hoe and had skin like leather, clearly he was a framer and had worked in the sun a lot. He was shocked by Aaron's face but was too on edge to appreciate it.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, I'm and Adventurer and just had some questions about the Leopard Qi Beast that's been in the area", Aaron held up his medallion, however he only showed the part with Guilds symbol. He didn't want the farmer to see his rank and brush him off.
Sure enough, after seeing the medallion the man relaxed.
"I'm sorry for my rudeness, its just that everyone is a little tense. Its all due to the damn Leopard!", his eyes contained a hint of anger and loss.
"We're here for that leopard. Can you tell me where it was last seen?", asked Aaron
The farmer was stunned, looking carefully at the two young men in front of him. The older one had curly blonde hair and blue eyes, one could see that his face was a bit swollen and bruised but that he still had an above average appearance. He was dressed in commoner's clothes that consisted of a hemp shirt and pants with simple sandals and on his back a small pack. The other however was wrapped in luxurious silks and cloaked in gold. He had never seen silk robes so finely made and as for the golden feathered robe? He dared not imagine how much it would cost.
'Must be some Noble and his servant' he thought before continuing.
"The leopard was spotted just a little ways west to the village, on the fringe of the forest. However, you need not go Young Lord. Princess Miara has taken her personal guard to go deal with the beast! There are over 15 elite guards with her, that damn leopard wont live past today!"
"What? Princess Miara was here?", Elliot exclaimed.
"Ah, she was training herself and herd our plight. Without hesitation, she immediately brought her guards over to kill the leopard. Such a compassionate ruler, just like her father.", said the farmer full of admiration.
The Emerald Family had always been good to its citizen and were much beloved by commoners and nobles alike, a feat that very few were cable of performing. Aaron had also began to respect them for there willingness to do best for their subjects, whether it be the king constructing magnificent cities for his subjects or the Princess coming to their aid both had impressed him.
"Can you tell me which way they went?" Aaron said, his eyes shining with excitement. He was finally about to have his second real fight after coming to this place. Other than the boar he had encountered when he first arrived he hasn't met anyone or anything that could injure him.
The farmer was about to advise against it but after seeing the look in Aaron's eyes he could only sigh dejectedly and point to the direction they went. Aaron quickly thanked him and left, Elliot following right behind him.
"Elliot, from now on do is as say. If we encounter the Leopard you are to immediately flee and hide, am I clear?", Aaron said sternly. Even if he was confident, this was still a Peak Core Formation Qi Beast he wasn't sure he'd be able to protect Elliot.
"Understood, Master!", Elliot said. He understood that if they encountered it he would only get in Aaron's way.
"By the way, you can just call me Aaron you know."
Aaron wasn't used to being called master. It felt quite strange to him considering Elliot was older. The problem was that Elliot immediately turned down his offer.
"Master is the one who will allow me to walk the path of martial arts. Its only appropriate that I refer to you as such."
"Ugh...fine"
They had left the village after walking for about 15 mins and had just entered the fringe of forest when they started to hear yelling and the sounds of a fight. As they got closer they began to smell blood.
"Elliot stay behind me. Remember what I said!",
Elliot nodded
Aaron had become serious and started to approach the sounds carefully. As they approached a circular clearing about 100 ft wide came into view, the first thing they saw were 5 dead bodies and over 10 dead horses which had been mangled and burned. Elliot panicked but Aaron quickly calmed him. Staring ahead he saw a fight between 2 men in green and gold armor and a leopard like none he's seen before.
It stood 5 ft tall and almost 10 ft long, its fur a dark yellow color and its rosettes were glowing red and appeared to be made of fire, they would flicker with embers now and again. On its head just above its blazing eyes, was a 10 inch horn that appeared to be made of crystallized flames. The air around it appeared to shimmer and distort an indication of the heat it was putting off.
One Horned Blaze Leopard!
Before he could make his move he heard the shouting from earlier. Looking over he saw 8 guards huddled around two women, he couldn't make out their appearances but he figured that one of them was the princess. Next to them he saw even more dead horses, and a shattered Carriage.
'Were they ambushed?' Aaron thought. Wanting to be cautious he quickly scanned the guards fighting the leopard, Peak Core Formation, afterwards he scanned the other 8, Late Core Formation. His expression becoming grim, he had a feeling without even having to scan the leopard that the information the guild had was wrong. Sure enough after he scanned the leopard his suspicion was confirmed.
Status]
Name: One Horned Blaze Leopard!
Level: 9 (Early Earth Realm)
Qi:1100
Bloodline: Blazing Mane Lion (Diluted)-Peak Grade Silver
'I knew it.'
No wonder they couldn't beat it. He had noticed that the 2 Peak Core formation guards had Qi levels of about 800 each, while the reaming 8 were between 500-600. They clearly had better cultivation skills than Marvin who at the same realm but only had a Qi level of 300. However even though they were strong they simply couldn't keep up with its speed and were quickly exhausting their Qi defending against the heat radiating from its body.
The two Peak guards Doug and Ronald who were fighting the leopard were quickly being worn down. They had already lost 2 Peak and 3 Late stage Core Formation guards. These were their friends and allies however they had no time to mourn there deaths, they had a job to do.
"Get Her Highness out of here now!", yelled Ronald. He knew they couldn't hold on much longer
"Protect Her Highness!" they 8 men surrounding the princess shouted in unison while trying to get her to safety.
"Damned Humans! None of you will escape!" the leopard suddenly swiped at Ronald, raging flames could be seen covering its red hot claws!
'It Spoke!'
Aaron was surprised to see the Leopard speaking in human tongue. Asking the system he found out that once a Qi Beast reaches Earth Realm its can speak and has similar intelligence to a human. However he soon came out of his thoughts as he heard a cry of pain.
Bang!
"Arrrggggh!"
Ronald was caught off guard and struck on his side, he was sent flying over 20 ft and slammed into the ground. Coughing up blood he tried to stand but his ribs were broken and part of his armor had melted exposing a deep wound. Slowly his struggling came to a stop, he had succumbed to his injuries.
"Captain!", the 8 guards yelled as they watched in horror.
"Focus! Get Her Highness to Safety! There's no time to delay ", shouted Doug at the 8. He was furious over Ronald's death but he couldn't afford to be distracted. He swore to protect Her Highness with his life and he would!
The 8 could only follow orders while burying their rage and grief. They had a job to do! Aaron watched the whole thing and was shocked by their dedication. These were true soldiers!
However the Leopard wasn't so kind.
"Raawwwrrr!!! I said none will escape!!!!". It changed targets and rushed at the 8 guards!
The leopard was enraged. It had worked so hard to gain this power yet these damn humans dared to hunt it down. It would kill all of them to send a message, it was not some weak creature they could do with as they pleased.
Swiping at one of the men it tore his armor open! His body sent slamming against a tree, never to move again.
"Princess Miara!!!", Doug was going crazy. He immediately charged at the leopards back but he wouldn't make it in time!
'I've failed in my duty!' his heart was aching!
"Protect Her Highness with your lives!", the 7 others charged without hesitation!
Ella was terrified, she was just at the early Body Tempering realm she could only stare in horror as the guards were being killed. Miara was just as afraid, she tried to control her fear but she couldn't stop her body from shaking. Seeing her guards die for her broke her heart yet she was powerless to do anything. The leopard who had just killed another guard had now set its eyes on her. It quickly evaded the guards and charged!
"NOOOO!!!" Doug and the reaming 6 guards were falling into despair knowing they wouldn't reach the princess in time.
'Is this where I die?'
Miara was too afraid to move. She closed her eyes and waited for the pain to come. However what she expected never came, opening her eyes she saw something inconceivable. The leopard was stuck in mid air as if it had been locked there. In front of her she saw a young man with his back to her, draped on that back a Golden Feathered robe. She could hear him murmuring to himself.
"It's quite cloudy today."