On the first town Blue encountered, he found himself strolling on its desolate streets. The sky was grey and murky, there was a ruckus being emanated from the east which he presumed was the townhall. Normally, it would make anyone uneasy with the doors of most houses were ajarred, and bloodstains blotting the ground, but he felt nothing.
The landlord's blood were still coursing on his body, so he still had no need to feed on humans. He would know when he's urged to drink some blood.
He continued ambling and haven't yet encountered a single person. Luckily the languages being put out on the stores were english, it made things more convenient for him. He chose one shop, then pushed the door wide open, letting the faint sunlight illuminate the dim room.
There were shelves on the sides which he could guess where the merchandises were placed, but there were only few left as it was mostly empty. There were some rolling potions, swords and some staffs splayed on the floor, some of the shelves got tumbled down and the room was a mess
When he took a step, an old man emerged from the backdoor. "Who are you?" He hoisted a sword upon his chest that he started to tremble.
"Calm down old man, I won't harm you. I need something from you after all." Blue said then he calmly sat upon a seat and rested his arms upon the front desk.
Seeing Blue had no malintent, the old man retreated his blade and sighed. "Forgive me, I thought you were a demon."
The old man then passed by Blue, he crouched and gathered the potions, swords and staffs into his arm.
"Hey old man, tell me everything you know about this world." Blue said.
"You mean the Land of Altheon?" The old man said.
"Yeah, I came from a different world you see. We had no magic, only devils and spirits, but most of the time they were rumors." Blue said.
The old man gave an amused gasp. "Devils and spirits, huh? I think we have those too."
"Anyway, on with it." Blue demanded.
"Sorry young man, but I'm just gonna collect my items, I'm heading to south as early as possible. This is a dangerous place after all." The old man said. He approached Blue, then laid a thick, brown book unto the desk, then slid it to Blue. "But you can try reading this."
Blue nodded mirthlessly. He inspected its cover, it was had the drawing of a continent, and above was its title. "History of Altheon, from 0 AD til 1360 AD."
Blue raised his eyebrow. "AD? Does this mean After Death?"
The old man was stuffing his merchandises into a bag, and he began speaking. "No, we refer the era today as the After Dawn. We began recording our calendar after the major event called the Dawn. "
With Blue curious, he lifted the dusty book cover and laid his eyes upon the first page, he then began reading.
"Brief Coverage of the Pre-Dawn Era."
Long time ago, the land of Altheon was dominated by the demon Lord Zalgan, he reigned throughout the continent with his massive army and uncomparable strength. The humans have been forced into hiding and they were on the brink of extinction, they dwelled in caves and deserted areas they can find, just to escape Zalgan's wrath.
But it has come to pass, when the Goddess named Melias have come forth to save the land from turmoil. After Melias knew that she couldn't take on Zalgan alone, she divided her strength towards several humans by giving them the ability to manipulate nature, which is now called magic.
She had a powerful weapon that could slice any evil forces and it was referred to as the Sword of Righteousness.
With Melias and the army of nature wielding humans, they managed to cut through Zalgan's army and thus ending the long reign of the demon lord. She managed to slay Zalgan and thus ending the war, the start of the era was now referred to as the new dawn, which now begins the calender of Altheon. And this book will cover the recorded history from Dawn til the present.
Blue scowled a bit, he shifted his head away from the page to the old man. "Hey old man, I'm not interested in some convoluted history. Give me a book of magic, unhexing and stuff, their nature, how they work and where they come from." He demanded.
The old man has now cleaned up the room, he rested and draped the bag upon his back, then he spoke. "I have no such books, books that cover magic are well kept by the government and magic institutions. If you're that curious you can get one from a real mage."
Blue closed his eyes as he thought about it. "I know one mage but I don't think I'll get a clear answer from her." He said.
The old man chuckled. "Really? Is this mage a girl you speak of?"
Blue nodded. "I find her to be annoying, she's always beating around the bush."
The old man laughed. "I had a wife once, it took her forever just to get ready, I feel like I have to wait for eternity, there are just some things men can't understand on women. But just this year she passed away, it was painful." The old man lessened his voice
Blue sighed. "I've been there more than a hundred times at least." He said as brief glimpses of memories flashed upon his eyes.
"Anyway young man, I think you like this woman you're talking about." The old man said.
Blue chuckled as though scoffing his words. "Even if I spend a thousand years with that woman, there's no way that would happen."
The old man giggled. "Be careful what you wish for young man, just to tell you my wife and I used to be merchants who competed against each other. I checked her store one day just so I could gather some data, but I never realized I had been coming almost everyday, before I knew it, I was married."
Blue sunk his eyes to the floor, his words were coated in glum. "I abandoned my feelings long time ago, these types of emotions would only haunt me."
The old man was already ready for his departure, he had his bag ready. "I had good time talking to you, well then I think I have to go."
Blue nodded as stared he at him.
When the old man stood on the doorway he heard a trudging foot steps, it was drawing close. He tried to peek and saw five demons prancing on the streets, they were inspecting each houses it seems, only few more blocks it would be their shop which would be checked next.
The old man went back besides Blue.
Seeing the panicked state of the old man induced his curiousity. "What is it old man?" He said.
The old man gritted his teeth, and pulled a blade. "Demons, they're approaching." His face was deeply serious.
Blue sighed he then snatched the book from the desk. "I'll take this book for now." He said then left his seat and casually strolled towards the door way.
The old man reached out for him but it was too late, Blue has vanished from his sight and has now entered the streets. When the old man hurriedly trailed him, he got surprised when he saw the streets, the demon's corpses were burning on the ground and Blue has already disappeared. "Who is that mysterious person?" The old man said confused.
Celina and the boy found themselves carefully ambling on the empty streets. "So when did the demons first attacked? She said.
The boy sighed in dismay. "Just this morning, they captured the mages and ate the common folk."
"I think we need to avoid the town hall for now without a plan." Celina said.
The boy curiously gazed at her. "So where are we going?"
Celina smiled. "Our rendezvous, I'm supposed to meet with Shot Fury, and Frost Serpent." She said.
The boy's eyes widened from amusement. "Isn't that the third and the sixth Pillar." He mused another time. "I just realized it, but you're the Light Wielder right?"
Celina nodded. "That's right."
"Anyway, I have mana too." The boy gazed at his arm, and effused some mana, it was faint and young and Celina knew the boy had a long way to go. "In fact, I want to become a pillar as well, but it's no longer possible since the capital has fallen, and soon all cities of Thesur would go next." He said with a glum voice.
Celina patted his back. "Don't worry, Pillar is just a title, just continue your training."
"Anyway what kind of sick man would seal your magic?" The boy said with a hint of rage.
Celina had a sullen eyes, she seemed hesitant to answer. "One who is blinded by loyalty." She said in a low tone.
"Oh, thank goodness you're still alive." A familiar voice from above said.
Celina tilted her head and saw a man with a dark green long sleeved cloth, he had crimson spiky hair, a young looking guy who were at his twenties, he seemed cheerful and free spirited as he steadied a grin. There was a golden bow affixed with glittering ruby stone resting on his back, there was no quiver however. His name was Radmun, the Shot Fury.
He sat on the roof of a building, then dropped himself and made his way to their ground.
"Hey, miss Celina." He said with glee.
"Radmun!" Celina smiled, she leaped upon him and hugged him tight. Then made some steps backwards, "so where's Skylar?"
Radmun scratched his head. "Hmm, he already left, just yesterday." His eyes then darted to and fro as though expecting somebody else. "So? Where is General Herdis and the others?"
Celina sagged her head. "I'm sorry." Her voice went down as she clenched her fists.
Radmun sighed, then forced a smile and patted her head. "Those men have carried out their duties, let's just look at what is ahead of us okay?" He said with a soothing voice.
Celina nodded slowly.
She pulled herself up and took a deep breath. "Anyway, where did he go?"
"He went to the kingdom of Lazaril, he said he wanted to accompany her highness, but I just think he just wanted to impress her. Quite a guy eh?" Radmun chuckled.
Celina had a quick laugh. "Well, it's expected we have to accompany the royalties."
"But, princess Herana refused him, she even told Skylar to go to prince Hiro, but Skylar refused." Radmun said.
"Anyway, there's one more important thing I want to talk to you. It's Gamiz, he's a traitor, he said he was still loyal to the King." Celina said.
Radmun crossed his arms with a sigh. "That's pretty bad, I used to have a good impression towards the guy." He then became ecstatic as he gazed at her. "Anyway did you get a spirit beast."
Celina chuckled and strayed her eyes. "Umm, you see.."
Radmun laughed. "You never change miss, anyway allow me to introduce you, my new familiar, Lomin."
In a sudden, Radmun's entire body were coated with red, transparent smoke, it danced around his body and it was accompanied by some traces of electric sparks.
A giant crimson bull whose entire body were on fire, were conjured behind him, it was ghost-like since its body were semi-transparent, it looked fierce and violent, with its eyeballs on fire and glowing red. However it stayed still as it followed Radmun's whims. It casted a red smudge of light on the surroundings as though they were on hell.
"At your service Master." Said the bull.
Celina shuddered and pointed to the beast. "You made a contract?"
Radmun laughed and nodded. "I had a hard time against him, though."
He turned his head to the beast. "You can now go back."
The dancing smoke around him along with the red bull vanished, the air went back to normal and Celina was now at ease.
"I envy you." She said with a pout.