"It's my loss.", Vicaris said as he fell to his knees in front of Seventeen.
Seventeen stumbled and sat down, breathing heavily. He had used up most of his magia and had barely enough to function.
These messages appeared in his vision as liquid magia poured and vaporized from his wound. Zephyrus rushed to him.
"Stay still.", he said and gave some of his magia to Seventeen. His wound slowly started to heal. Zephyrus pulled out bandages from his storage ring and wrapped them around Seventeen's torso.
"How did you strike my core?", The weak voice of Vicaris asked in front of them.
Seventeen looked at the Dragon Knight. He was still kneeling, smoke escaped from the new hole on his side and it looked like he was breathing heavily.
"Well. It was difficult. I used Magia and Soul vision to find your core but it was never in one place inside you. Then I noticed that when you transformed, your core stopped moving and settled in your chest.", Seventeen said.
"I had a hunch that if you use an Original Code, your core would stay in one place. I had no idea if it would've worked since my main aim was to cut your Code.", he smiled, "Looks like my hunch was correct."
Vicaris stared at him for a few seconds then laughed, "Marvellous. You are indeed better than me."
He shakily stood up, "I don't have much time. My magia paths are disintegrating by your attack. But I did promise to give you information. Follow me.", he stumbled as he walked into the throne room.
Zephyrus supported Seventeen as he stood up and the both of them followed the Dragon Knight.
"Honestly. You scared me with that last attack. What were you thinking Seventeen? You could've suffered great damage! And don't get me started on the Magia Singularity!", Zephyrus scolded him.
Seventeen smiled, "Don't be so harsh, Headmaster. I did survive."
"Oh shut it.", Zephyrus sighed, "Just promise me that you will not push yourself too hard."
Seventeen was surprised. First, it was Ruth and now the Headmaster.
(There are people who are concerned about your well-being even if you are an artificial creation. To them, you are an important person. Never forget it. I have to agree with Zephyrus, do not push yourself too hard. Your body can do self-maintenance but I am not there if anything serious happens.)
Seventeen looked at Zephyrus. He smiled, 'So this is how it feels to belong.', he thought.
"Very well Headmaster. That's a promise."
Vicaris was looking at this exchange. He remembered making a similar promise to his king 3000 years ago. "It appears I have failed you my king. I hope you will forgive me for not being there to welcome you when you return."
He stood in front of the throne as the other two approached him. Vicaris could feel his life force fading. He's going to have to provide as much information as he can.
"We are standing in front of the throne of the Dragon King.", he said, motioning to the throne.
Seventeen and Zephyrus were surprised. "You mean Arthemia Lock, the Dragon Queen?", Zephyrus asked.
Vicaris shook his head, "She was our first ruler. I remember her when I used to be a dragon. The one whose throne your looking at is the second ruler of dragons."
Zephyrus was shocked, "The dragons had a second ruler? The dragon lords never told us about this."
"I can understand their decision to not speak of him.", Vicaris said as he looked at the duo.
"Why? Was he a bad ruler?", Seventeen asked. Vicaris shook his head, "Of course not. He was the greatest ruler we ever had. It's just that he made us promise not to tell a lot about him."
"Let me ask you a question. Did your know Oserion Syrel?", Seventeen asked. Vicaris looked at him, "That crazy elf? Of course, I did. He was a great friend of my king. It was tragic that he died. But how do you know about him?", he asked.
"Oh, I and a few others stumbled into his palace one fine day.", Seventeen said nonchalantly.
"So you found his palace. I believe you had the misfortune of dealing with his security system. That bastard always pitted me against his works whenever I visited him.", Vicaris said with a huff.
"So anyway, we have a king who likes to remain in obscurity.", Zephyrus changed the subject, "Did your king tell you not to reveal his name?"
"No, he didn't. He only told us not to tell a lot about him. And I don't intend on breaking any more promise.", Vicaris said as he shook his head.
"So what is the name of your king?", Seventeen asked.
"His name is.", Vicaris paused, "I can't remember.", he said his eyes widened with shock.
"What? You can't remember the name of the one whose throne you have guarded for three millennia?", Seventeen asked.
Vicaris plopped down on the floor, his legs have stopped functioning, "I don't get it. Why can't I remember the name of my king?", he wondered aloud. He was at a loss. He would never forget the name of his king but how can he not remember it now?
He didn't think about it since he was alone in the palace. 'Have my memories worn down?', he thought.
"Don't think too much about it big guy. His name was removed from your memories.", a young female voice said from behind them.
The three of them immediately looked in the direction of the voice. There standing at the entrance was a beautiful girl.
She looked about fourteen or fifteen years old with long platinum blonde hair, snow-white skin, and a petite figure. Her red eyeshadow contrasted with her icy blue eyes and long eyelashes.
She wore a black Victorian-style dress. Her straight hair was adorned with three purple roses. She looked like a living doll with no imperfections.
Seventeen and Zephyrus didn't sense her at all and were really surprised. What is a young girl doing in a place like this?
'Did she enter after my barrier was destroyed? But the mountain has partially collapsed due to the battle, it would've been really hard to find a way in here.', Zephyrus thought.
"Seventeen. Can you gauge her magia? I have a feeling she is strong.", he asked.
"It would be a bit difficult since she is not releasing her presence but I will try.", Seventeen used his magia scale and his eyes widened in shock.
"Headmaster. Let's not provoke her. We don't stand a chance.", he said with his voice tinged with fear. Zephyrus had never heard Seventeen say like this regarding an opponent. "How strong is she?", he asked with a sense of foreboding.
"High-level CAT-5.", Seventeen replied.
Zephyrus's blood turned cold.
"That is in the realm of gods.", he whispered. CAT-5 is considered the pinnacle of magia beings. The only ones who were in this realm were the Arken gods.
The first guardians of the world who got corrupted. They were the first Fallen but were defeated and driven away by Arkenstein and his allies.
'Is she an Arken god?', Zephyrus thought as the girl looked around the destroyed throne room. "My, you really have made a huge mess.", she said as she kicked away a small rock.
"You are in such a bad shape Vicaris.", she remarked as she looked at the Dragon Knight.
Seventeen and Zephyrus slowly turned their heads. The girl was right in front of them a few seconds ago. Now she is kneeling in front of Vicaris and examining his damage.
"This is the first time I have seen you this beat up.", she said with a smile.
Vicaris tried to stand up but he failed. Instead, he bowed his head, "I am ashamed to let you see me in this state, Queen Vanessa."
Vanessa shook her head, "It's fine. And no need to address me like that. I have put down my crown. You can call me Lady Vanessa if you want."
"But why? Why did you put down your crown?", Vicaris asked,
"Well. What is a queen without her people? My people don't remember me, so what is the point in being the queen?", she asked.
"Makes sense.", Vicaris said as he sat down, the dragon symbol on his chest glowed dimly, "I have failed my duty, Lady Vanessa. I have failed my king."
Vanessa frowned, "You Dragon Knights are always so knuckleheaded. I didn't expect that you would remain to this day. You guys have always impressed me with your undying loyalty. But I believe your king will be happier to hear that you have finally gotten some rest."
"Are you sure Lady Vanessa?", Vicaris said with renewed energy and a small amount of doubt. Vanessa nodded with a smile, "Of course. Now rest well, guardian of the throne."
Vicaris slumped back against the steps of the throne he guarded for 3000 years, "Finally. I am truly lucky to die in front of you, Queen Vanessa."
His body stopped moving as his life force faded, "Even in death, I will await your return, my king.", the flames of his eyes slowly went out and the last Dragon Knight breathed his last.
Silence prevailed in the throne room for a few minutes. Seventeen bowed his head as he acknowledged the strongest opponent he has ever faced. One that was similar to him, a soul with an artificial body.
Vanessa had a sad smile on her face as she gazed at the black throne, "You truly were a great king. My friend."
She turned around and faced the duo. Zephyrus and Seventeen were immediately on guard.
"I mean no harm to you. I am simply here to see you.", Vanessa assured them.
"Who are you?", Seventeen asked.
Vanessa smiled, "I believe introductions are in order."