The trip to the Silver city for the trio of Yamada, Jacara and Ul'lanna, had been uneventful. Jacara had taken it upon himself to fill the quiet and peaceful scenic journey with, tales of his life at the Citadel. He had found that Yamada had nothing to offer, when it came to childhood stories. As his entire life on the paradise of Yamata, comprised of training, eating, sleeping and more training. Ul'lanna's childhood had been no different. The only difference between the two of them, was that the women in Kal'Nar, were publicly raped and bred like cattle. That was another topic of conversation that Jacara, was not willing to hear again on a quiet starry night, sitting around the camp fire.
That sat around a small camp fire for warmth, the crackling and popping of the fire wood, was the only sound to fill the starry night. "So what's the first thing, you two want to do at the Silver City?" Jacara asked. Ul'lanna and Yamada took a moment to think. Yamada's eyes lit up, eager to say his answer. "And training can't be your answer." Jacara said, watching Yamada retreat to think again. "To sleep in a nice soft bed." Ul'lanna said, rubbing her sore back. "I can't wait to take a proper bath." Jacara said, wincing as he caught a whiff of himself. Yamada was offended and annoyed by Jacara's remark. "Hey! What's wrong with the bath water I make?" "You mean other than the fact, it's ice cold?" "I make water, not fire." He pouted. "Even Ul'lanna can't make your baths hot. At best fading lukewarm."
"Let's just be grateful, we have Yamada's abilities." She said, smiling at him. "We would have taken even longer to reach the Silver City, if we had to stop and find water." Yamada nodded proudly. "And to answer your question. The first thing, I would do is go to the library." Ul'lanna and Jacara both cocked an eyebrow at him. Yamada going to the Library? He frowned at their doubtful gaze. "What? You think I can't read?" He snapped defensively. "No one said that." Jacara said, raising his hands into the air. "It's just..." "You don't really need anything from the library." "What she said." Yamada crossed his arms. "I want to do some research." The doubt on their faces became more prominent. "On what? The only books in that library, are about history, how Curses and Blessings heal the body, and different hypothesises."
Jacara could tell that last word baffled Yamada. "The last word means theories." "Shut up, I know that." He snapped. Yamada did not know that. "They'll have the history of how each Kingdom fights. I can use that to my advantage." Jacara had to admit. Yamada could be a wildcard in fights, but he was consistent, when it came to getting stronger. Nothing would get in his way. "Well, that has to wait, when we get there. First thing we have to do, is greet the Monarchs." He said, with a sigh. "I have your father's scroll, and you're Encara's son. Why do you make it sound like, it's going to be a hard thing?" Ul'lanna asked. Jacara took a deep breath, readying himself to explain. He grimaced and sucking in his lips to a line. "Let's just say that my Father, didn't leave the Silver City on the....best of terms." "What did he do?" Ul'lanna growled.
"Look don't worry. He's scroll is legendary. It's still going to work, no one can deny, the achievements my Father has done." "Then what's the problem?" She asked. "Well, two of the Monarchs that run the Silver City, are my grandparents." Ul'lanna and Yamada's jaws slowly dropped. Their eyes bulging. "I can play the grandson card, with them and cozy my way in. The problem is..." He trailed off looking at Yamada. "What did I do?" He asked. Jacara cocked his head to the side, confused and annoyed. How could he not know the problem. "You're a damn Forsaken Knight! That's one of the problems." "One?" Ul'lanna asked. "Look to make a long story short. My mother was an Islander whore, and my grandparents have hated Islanders ever since." "Well how would they know I'm an Islander, or a Forsaken Knight?" Yamada asked. As he casually summoned his gauntlet to pick his teeth.
Jacara took a deep breath, letting out a long exasperated sigh. He pinched between his brow, scrunching his face, trying his best to not scream. Ul'lanna simply giggled at the sight of his frustration. "Yamada, your skin and weapon give you away." "But you're dark too." She pulled her hair back, revealing her pointed ears. "I have these to prove, I'm not an Islander." "I go out into the sun a lot?" "Stop!" Jacara called out. "When we get there, you simply need to prove you aren't a threat. That's all you have to do." The two of them were silent, waiting for him to finish. "So when we get there. Don't be yourself. Be like a statue, and simply nod or shake your head." "What's wrong with being myself?" Yamada asked. He was confused as to why Jacara was giving him these guidelines.
"Yamada, in the short time you were at the Citadel. How many times did you feel the cold gaze, of people wanting you dead or harm?" "Every day." He answered nonchalantly. Jacara threw his hands up, satisfied Yamada had made his point for him. "Especially after Urkse, found me with Gwyneth." "Just keep quiet, and everything will be okay. Now I'm going to sleep. If you're going to let your Wyrm sleep in her cave. Please do it further away from me. I don't need to hear a two person applause, when I sleep." Yamada shied away blushing. He figured they were far enough way. "Yes, and while he's doing that, you'll be 'making' your Wyrm a cave." She said with a sly smile. He narrowed his eyes at her. "Ha. ha." Jacara faked.
As the sun begun its process of rising. Jacara sprinted ahead of them, shoving past Yamada and Ul'lanna. "Come on. Why are you two so slow?" He said rushing off giddily. The two of them squinted their eyes at him. "He's been trailing behind us the whole time. Why is he so energetic now?" Yamada asked. "Because we're here." Ul'lanna said, pointing into the distance. He leaned forward, to see small shinning glint. Yamada's eyes widened and he rushed after Jacara. "Children." Ul'lanna said giggling to herself. Jacara and Yamada sprinted over the mound, to see the Silver City, cresting out from the forest line. Yamada gazed in awe, at the Kingdom of Wealth and Health. From the pentagon castle walls, to the every tower standing over the giant walls. Everything was covered in a silver sheen. The Silver City, truly lived up to its name.
The only thing that caught Yamada's attention were the long silver rods sticking out from every tower and watch point. "What are those spear things on the buildings?" Ul'lanna and Jacara gave him a peculiar look. "You don't get the Storm on Yamata?" Jacara asked. "Well, I've seen the storm. It's never struck the islands, only the Maelstrom." "It's never once struck Yamata?" Ul'lanna asked. Yamada shook his head. "Some of the Elders, said it was because the storm was scared of us. Kapuna told me that they're full of shit." He said chuckling. The two of them wanted to press Yamada further about this Kapuna. This was the first time he had spoken about his time on Yamata in a positive light.
"Well, unlike you lucky people." Jacara said, quickly focusing the topic again. "They're lightning rods. Silver City doesn't have lightning mages like we do. So they build those to absorb the strikes." "You want the lightning to hit them? Wouldn't you redirect the lightning instead?" Yamada asked. Baffled at the notion of something designed, to purposely be struck and destroyed. "They focus and condense the damage into areas that are manageable." Ul'lanna said. Yamada scratched his head, still confused at the notion of purposely building something to be destroyed. Jacara rolled his eyes, seeing Yamada's mind, still trying to piece it together. "It's like catching an attack, so you can counter it." Yamada smiled at him, finally understanding the purpose of the rods.
As they reached the base of the hill, they entered into a wide and lush grass field. The sight would have been marvellous, on any other day. To gaze upon the silver castle walls, to see the beaming pillars, brimming with knowledge. However today, was a nightmare for Ul'lanna. She quickly undid her braid, covering her ears. She grabbed Yamada's cloak and wrapped herself. Thousands of sick, injured and poor refugees, had set up camp outside the walls. Each of them begged and pleaded their woes to the guards. "Please, help her!" A father pleaded. He held his dying daughter of six out. "HELP ME!" Another child screamed, dragging the corpse of his baby brother. The Silver City was under attack by the survivors, of the Elven war parties. "Keep your head down, and stay behind me." Jacara said, leading them to the gate.
They trio attracted stares, as they made their way to the gate. Harbinger did its job and sent a warning to those having foolish thoughts of robbing them. Ul'lanna clung onto the back of Jacara's robe, hunching herself over to seem meek. Yamada felt his blood boil. This was a sight, he was all too familiar with. Victims of an Elven attack. Grieving widows, clutching the bloodied corpses of their loved ones. Too distraught to comprehend, the lifeless eyes. Quickly reaching the front gate, Jacara held up one of his tarot cards to the guards. They quickly bowed, and allowed him to pass, being cursed at by the refugees. They were escorted inside, and greeted by a silver knight, wielding a lance. A weapon that Yamada found dumber than rocks. It was a big a cone, the sides wouldn't even hit that well.
"Prince Cagim, we were not aware of your arrival." The knight said, saluting and bowing to him. Ul'lanna and Yamada cocked an eyebrow at the statement. 'Prince Cagim?' the two of them mouthed. "Captain, why are there so many people outside? Why aren't they being seen to by a Blessed?" Jacara said with authority. Ul'lanna kept her impressed expression hidden. "There are simply too many of them. We have no beds left. The Blesseds are already healing more than five serious patients at a time." The Captain explained, trying to peek at Ul'lanna's face. Yamada snapped his fingers, catching his attention. The sight of Yamada's scowl, and Harbinger made him wince back. "Captain Bernard, I would like to speak with my grandfather." "Of course. He's convening with the other Monarchs." He quickly bowed and escorted them towards the largest tower.
Ul'lanna kept her head down, clinging onto Jacara. To her surprise even the stone streets were silver, yet not reflective. She figured it would have been stupid, to have streets that blinded everyone at midday. Yamada scanned the new kingdom. The streets were completely symmetrical, each house an exact replica of each other. Jacara marched through the streets with his held up high. However one thought continued to trouble him. What dumb thing is Yamada going to do?
Arriving at the base of the largest tower in the Silver City. The tower of Asklepios. A naked blonde woman, with ragged hair, and soot covered feet, was thrown out of the tower. "Please help her!" She cried out. A lanky old man, wearing a white apron emerged. His skin pruned and hair white as a cloud. "I said go away whore!" He yelled, tossing her clothes. "Please! I'll do whatever you want! Just save my daughter!" She begged, crawling to the Blessed's feet. The man kicked her across the face. She quickly crawled back sobbing, spitting out blood and a tooth. Yamada marched over, with Jacara wincing. It was too late to stop him. "No gold, no healing. Now get lost-" As the man readied himself to boot her again, he stopped feeling the prescene of a monster glaring at him. He turned to see Yamada, shrouded by the sun's rays, casting a shadow over his face.
However from the shadowed face, two piercing amber eyes glared back him. "Kick her again, and you lose the leg." He growled. The Blessed's eyes adjusted to the light, and he scoffed at him. "Coming to defend this whore?" He said placing his foot down. "She's not a whore." Yamada snarled, clenching his fist. "This woman, has no gold. And has attempted to pay me with her body. What would you call her?" He said mockingly. "A grieving mother." He said, reaching into his coin pouch, and turning back to Captain Bernard. "How much would it take to heal three people?" The Captain shook his head confused. "Ten gold pieces per person here." "No matter the injury?" "Yes...." He said filled with anxiety and unsure, if he heard Yamada correctly. Yamada emptied the pouch, kneeling down to hand three gold coins to the stunned mother. He shoved the rest in to the Blessed's chest. "Heal them." He snapped. The man scoffed, shrugging his shoulders. "Whatever, pay for the whore. Come on inside, I'll treat your daughter." He wagged his fingers at them. Yamada helped the woman off her knees, as she wiped her tears, still comprehending what had occurred. The man glanced over his shoulder. "Are you comin-" Yamada cocked him in the jaw, teeth flew out like sparks, with blood. Captain Bernard and his other guards, took a step forward ready to stop him. Jacara raised his hand, and shook his head.
The Blessed gasped for air, twitching on the floor. He desperately tried to crawl away, when Yamada summoned a sabaton. He squashed both of the Blessed's hands into paste, with a sickening wet crunch. He screamed out with all his might, crying in agony, sobbing and choking on his own blood. Yamada bowed to the mother. "I know it's not much gold, but it's all I have. I hope you and your daughter well." He said walking back to Captain Bernard and the others. They all stood with their weapons ready and trembling. Yamada had summoned his armour on command and made it disappear. An ability that only one group of people have ever had. The Forsaken Knights. "Captain, he's harmless unless provoked. If you don't want to see him get serious. I suggest you take us to see my grandfather." He nodded and quickly ushered them inside. 'For fuck's sake Yamada. You had one job.'
The three of them were brought before the Monarchs, that governed the Silver City. They stood in the large throne room, with three ornate and excessively decorated thrones in front of them. Yamada had to guess that if they gave up those thrones, they would have enough gold and raw materials to pay for the sick outside. The centre Monarch stood up, wearing a golden robe, with turquoise linings. A flash display that he was a master of Blessing magic. Jacara's grandfather was a tall youthful man, with long black hair tied into a pony tail. And unlike him or Encara, he had porcelain white skin. Jacara approached him first, and kneeled before him. "Monarch Cagim, I apologize for-" "Bah!" His grandfather scoffed. "Drop the formalities. I'm your grandfather. Give grandpa Symtic a hug." He cheered with open arms. Jacara rushed towards him with an ear to ear grin, hugging him tightly.
The woman to his right stood up removing the hood to her magenta robe, with turquoise linings. She had long black hair, with her right side being braided into three rows. Ul'lanna snuck a peek at her, from under her cloak. She felt a sense of jealously at how amazingly smooth and healthy her skin looked. "What no love for grandma Surce?" She pouted, with open arms. Jacara rushed over leaping into her arms. The three of them embraced tenderly, in front of the Monarch's guard. A set of knights clad in silver armour, styled to appear as snakes. With their salets open, it mimicked the dislocated jaw of a snake. Yamada glanced at their armour, eyeing their weapon of choice. A large rounded shaft lance. The weapon made no sense to Yamada.
However one knight, made Yamada stand on edge. The commander of the Monarch's guard. He had eyed him the moment they entered the throne room. Rivalling Vexgar in size and clad in even thicker armour. The large Ram-dao by his hip, had Yamada anxious to reach for Harbinger. The third Monarch cleared her throat. A slender beautiful woman with long platinum blonde hair, and pale skin. The most striking feature that captivated the men who gazed at her, was her blue lipstick and eye shadow. She stood up wearing clothes that Yamada found, left nothing to the imagination. A thin silk sheet wrapped around her breast, and over her waist, that flowed beside her as streamers.
"I believe you have more than one guest." She said with a breathy and sultry voice, eyeing Yamada. 'Not this woman as well.' Yamada thought, avoiding eye contact. Symtic and Surce took their seats, as Jacara stood beside Yamada and Ul'lanna. "Yes, I do apologise Irina." Symtic said straightening out his robe. "However, we haven't seen our grandson in over a decade." "Surely you can understand?" Surce said. Irina bowed. "Of course. However I believe, we are in the presence of something that has not existed in over eight thousand years." She said, crossing her legs. Whispers and murmurs quickly spread through the, guards, scribes and those in line to talk with the Monarchs. However even without Elven hearing. Yamada could make out the words. "I also believe, your shrouded guest is of importance to." Irina said, resting onto her palm.
Ul'lanna pulled her cloak away, and quickly took out Encara's scroll. Another round of murmurs and gasps spread through the room. Symtic slapped his knee. "HA!" The reaction made Ul'lanna and Yamada uneasy. "A Prince, a Forsaken Knight and an Elf defector walk into a throne room. That has to be the start to a great joke." He said smiling at them. "Elf, hand me that scroll." Surce ordered. Ul'lanna hesitated, before Jacara tapped her arm. "It's okay." He whispered with a confident smile. She approached her, and kneeled offering out Encara's scroll to her. Surce snatched the scroll out of her hand, grumpily mumbling the contents of the scroll to herself. She let out a sigh, and wagged over the Commander. "The scroll is real. Alert your men to leave this....what is your name?"
"Ul'lanna Jiyū." She said, keeping her head down. Symtic and Surce both snorted at the name. "An Elf with an Islander name?" Symtic scoffed. "I don't suppose you would be his Sarang?" Surce said eyeing Yamada. "She chose it herself." Jacara said, surprising Ul'lanna. "It means free." Surce threw her hands up into the air, laughing. "That's one way to rub salt into the wounds. First your kind rapes, kills and pillages his islands, then you take their names. I must applaud your audacity." Ul'lanna grimaced. She had been a complete idiot. Why would you take that name? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid girl! "She didn't do any of that. She was still growing up." Jacara interjected. "Oh, don't get all huffy. It's a joke." Symtic said. "Rise Ul'lanna." Surce said. "Commander Gwayn. Alert all the guards. That woman is to be treated, as if she is a Monarch." "It will be done." He growled, with a salute. His voice deep and rumbling. "Take her, to her new quarters."
"Take my grandson, with you. They are exhausted from their journey." Symtic ordered, clapping his hands. Commander Gwayn bowed, and ordered the other guards to escort Ul'lanna. Jacara jogged beside her. "As for you Forsaken one. We would like to talk with you in private." Irina said, with a sly smile. "Go." Yamada said, stopping Ul'lanna and Jacara, before they could speak. "We're not gonna hurt him." Surce said, waving them away. "He'll be fine. We just need to have a discussion with him." Symtic reassured. Ul'lanna and Jacara hesitantly left the room, glancing over their shoulders. Commander Gwayn's men, ushered everyone out, closing the large wooden doors behind them. He stood beside Irina, resting his hand on the pommel of his weapon. The room fell eerily quiet, and the air became heavy. The other guards nervously readjusted their grips.
"There is no cure, for what you have become." Symtic said. "I don't want to be cured." Yamada responded. "Then why are you here?" Surce asked. "I was making sure those two arrived here safely." "Well, unlike those two. You have nothing that grants you stay here." Irina said. "And we very well, cannot have a Forsaken Knight running around our Kingdom." Symtic said slamming his fist down. "I'm not here to stay. Now that those two are safe here, and away from the war. I'll restock my rations, and leave when I'm rested." "How long would that be?" Irina asked. "Three days at max." "You have no gold left." Commander Gwayn interjected. "You emptied your pouch, crippling that Blessed, and helping that whore." He growled. Yamada grabbed Harbinger, behind his back. "Call that mother a whore, one more time. And I will kill you." He snarled back.
Commander Gwayn took a step forward, ready to draw his weapon. Irina raised her hand up. "Three days? That's all you require?" She asked. He nodded, staring Gwayn down. "I will fund your stay then." Symtic and Surce glared up at her. "Why would you pay for this monster?" Surce raised her voice, pointing at Yamada. "A dog is loyal and caring, when treated right. When it's not. It ceases to be a dog, and becomes a feral beast. I believe it safe to assume, that..." She trailed off, looking to Yamada. "Yamada Ken." "That Yamada, would be the same. So it would be in our best interest, to not enrage a dog that houses a draken." She said, giving a fake warm smile to Yamada. "Very well. You have three days Forsaken one. Afterwards you are to leave." Symtic said. "However, if you make any trouble, or we hear about a single incident. I will have Gwayn paint the front gate with your blood."
"Fine by me." "Good it's settled. Please follow me, I'll take you to your quarters." Irina said, leaving her seat. She sauntered over to Yamada with her hips swaying and swinging side to side. She placed a finger over his heart, and locked eyes with him. "You won't hurt me will you?" Yamada shook his head, relaxing his grip. She smiled, and took point, walking him through the long hallways of the tower. "I must say, the reports about you, have not been faithful to its source material." "Reports?" "Word of someone becoming a Forsaken Knight, travels fast. Especially one as...interesting as yourself." "What are they saying about me?" Yamada asked, annoyed at how slow she was moving. She would walk much faster, if she placed one leg in 'front' of another, rather than side to side. "That a hulking Islander, tall and wide as a gorilla. Wields a sword of pure Deiridium." She recited with an overly dramatic voice.
"The sword part is right. The gorilla part." "Oh, do not worry. Now that we have seen you. Our messengers will correct the stories, all throughout the land." She said, stopping in front of wooden arch door. "Before, I pay for your stay Yamada. You must answer me one thing." He let out a long annoyed growl. "What is your plan after leaving here?" "Why does it matter to you, about what I do, when I leave?" She placed a hand over his heart. "The Silver City's purpose has always been to heal and help those in need. I can think of no one in more need of help. Than a young survivor of Kal'Nar's ruthless assault, and the curse of a Forsaken Knight. So, please tell me. Let me see if I can help." She pleaded. "I'm going to kill Begron Argul in Kal'Nar. And on the way, I'm going to destroy Artaraxus for attacking the Citadel."
She opened the door to a lavish room. Several beautiful naked women waited inside, with covered silver platters. "You were always going to pay for my stay, weren't you?" "A chance to meet and interact with the first Forsaken Knight in over eight millennia. I would pay anything for that." She said giddily, walking into the room. He followed her in, averting his gaze from their bodies. Irina ordered the women to wait in the other room. "Killing Begron Argul. That's quite a goal. I can see why you chose to become a Forsaken Knight." Irina said, running her finger along the book case. "He would have nearly sixty years worth of training and experience than you. That ritual would have closed the distance between you two." She said stopping her finger on a thin black book. "You sound, like you know the difference between me and Begron."
"I know that in your current state, you would be killed by him." She said taking a seat. Hearing those words, made Yamada's transformation flare up. Half his face transformed, and he took a step forward ready to cut her down. "How would you know that!?" He roared. "Because you're not in control of your Draken side." He stopped before her, his face reverting. "You hear it's voice don't you? Whispering in your head." "Kill her." The serpent hissed. Yamada reeled back clutching his head. "Kill her now!" It roared. Yamada fell to his knees, the voice thundering in his mind. "You want to harness that power? To control it? You as a human must have more power than it. You must be at the top of the hierarchy." She said grabbing a platter. "How..." Irina took the lid off, revealing a raw scaled heart, oozing blood. "By becoming the stronger Draken." She said, her eyes becoming a sharp arctic white. Yamada stuffed the bloodied heart into his mouth, and bit down.