The wind blows coldly, the dawn was peeking through the mountains as the sun slowly rises. The chill making the early birds shiver as they made their way through the streets. The surrounding was still dark, only the faint light from the sun and the light from the few remaining lit street lamps- as the lamplighter makes his way through the street lamps. Tirelessly putting out the fires from each lamp, one by one.
Darius lay on the cold floor, his chest heaving up and down as he breathes. So calm and peaceful, like a child in his mother's arm. In his hand, he still holds the necklace from his mother. Yet even with the whole night for him to think of it, his questions remained unanswered.
Suddenly, a knock echoed inside the room. Waking the young man from his peaceful slumber.
"Darius, it's time to go," Brennan said from the other side of the door.
Sitting up, Darius yawn before rubbing his eyes. Trying to rid of the sleepiness in his system. "I'll be out in a minute" Darius groggily replied.
"Alright, we'll wait for you outside" Brennan finally said before walking away, leaving the other to his own device.
"Here," the old man handed Brennan a sandwich wrapped in paper. "Considering what happened last night, I reckon it will not be pleasant to eat in the inn." He told him, which Darius completely understand.
The people in this village hate him because they know what he does for Ravana, they know that he works for the witch of the Dead Swamp. But they know nothing about the truth and for that, he could at least say, at the feeling of hate was mutual.
This entire village could burn to the ground but he couldn't care less, or at least that's what he told himself.
As they walked along the streets, Darius remembered some part of his childhood. The good ones before he was taken by Ravana. He remembers it clearly, as he held those memories close to his heart. The way he would run freely in the fields when no one is around to shoo him away. How he would find bugs inside the wood and keep them inside jars. Climbing trees and munch on the sweet fruits, while swinging his legs as he sat on a branch. The feeling of the wind against his face as he chases the sun, he remembers it all.
Oh, how he wished for those moments to stay forever.
How he begged for the day of claiming to never come, yet his prayers were not heard. Because on his eighth birthday, Ravana came to take her new slave. At that young age, he was trained and groomed to become her tool, before starting the real service at the age of ten.
"We are here," Brennan announced running towards the nearby stable. The sound of his feet alarming his other companion, finally his rider was back.
The horses neighed as their owners returned, hooves thump against the ground as their anticipated their owners' return.
"There are only two horses so you will have to ride with Brennan," the old man explained.
"Understood…" Darius knitted his brows, he was uncertain. What should he call the old man? Captain just like Brennan does? Or master? Since the old man was going to become his mentor anyway. But then again he doesn't look particularly fond of either title.
"Just call me by my name son, don't copy that thick flank" the old man instructed. "Oraculi," he said, his teal orbs sparkling with life.
The travel towards Sentry took two weeks, as it typically would. While the duration of their journey remained peaceful, no monsters nor trouble came their way.
It was late noon when the three hunters arrived in the small house near the southern woods of Sentry.
A partially wrecked wooden house, old with time and destroyed by nature. "Welcome to my humble abode, although you have been here before," Oraculi said as he opened the door for his apprentices.
The scent of dust and wood came with the cold breeze as the door opened, matching the dark surroundings.
"Brennan the two of you can share the room, there are two beds in there anyway so it will be fine." The old man instructed as he lit a glass lamp. "Here take this and guide Darius to the room, we will start your training tomorrow" he added, before shooing the young men away.
The night was cold for a summer night, the chilling wind was unforgiving. The sound of the strong wind can be heard along with the song of the crickets and the croaking of the frogs.
Laying on the bed, Darius was wide awake. Even with his tired body from the long journey, he couldn't seem to find any reason to sleep.
Staring straight towards the ceiling, his mind remained blank. He still hasn't told anyone about his little brother.
But shouldn't he be rushing to save him? He asked himself.
'Don't worry you have plenty of time' Ravana's voice echoed inside his head.
"How do you know that?" he asked with a low voice. "What will they do to my brother?" he added.
Darius could hear the witch chuckle, 'I cannot tell you, not yet. But you have at least a little more than a year to prepare, for the time being, your little brother will just have to hold on. But I can assure you he will remain unharmed… for a year at least. When all the worlds are aligned, the ritual will take its place' Ravana explained. 'During then the seals are weak and can be broken by the seven stars of the coven.'
"Do you mean like… the seven strongest witches?" Darius asked.
'In a way, yes. But they are called the seven councils of the coven. But yes they are the strongest, it takes great power to take ahold of a position after all.' Her voice was laced with poison, bitterness, and anger.
"Tell me Ravana, how come we can talk so casually now? And how are you suddenly existing inside my head?" Darius said curiously.
Once again the woman chuckled, 'Because you're no longer a stuttering fool, therefore, it is more tolerable to talk to you. Also, we now have the same fate as my lingering existence lives within you. But most importantly, you and I share the same interest. Isn't that just convenient? Our destinies are now aligned.'
Darius knitted his brows, "I understand the fact that I have your essence, but how come we share the same interest?"
'My, you're no longer stuttering but I believe you're still a fool,' Ravana sighed. 'It was the White Raven that took your brother, the person I want dead. Therefore, if you want to save him. You will have to kill her, as I said before... you will fulfill my will even if it cost you your life.'
Darius may not be able to see it but inside her dark confinement. Ravana's lips were graced by a smile, one that could make the bravest men shudder in fear.
'At your current strength you won't be able to kill her, therefore, you must train harder than your body could handle. Break yourself if you have to. Use the sword to gather more power. Many do not know this, but the subterranean sword can steal its victim's power. If manifested correctly, you will find yourself capable of controlling every kind of magic.'
"Another-" Darius was about to ask more questions but Ravana cut him off.
'Enough get some sleep, you've learned enough for the night. The only thing you need to focus on is to get stronger. Then head back towards the northern territory and kill the serpent inside the great mountain. That will be your passing if you can kill it… then, you can start hunting down the seven stars of the coven.' As Ravana finished talking, Darius heard the sound of wind chimes.
Once
Twice
And thrice…
Without even realizing it, his lids grow heavy, his fatigue took over his being, and slowly the young man fell into a deep slumber.
The sound of chirping birds resonated inside the room, the sunlight shining through the crack of the window. Darius groaned as he tried to cling into his slumber, his body was still tired.
As the window burst open, Darius closed his eyes tighter.
"Wake up Darius it's morning now," Brennan said after opening the window.
"Yes, I understand" Darius heave a sigh before seating up. A soft glare presented in his features as he scratches the back of his head.
"What do you think we will do?" Darius asked, turning to the younger man.
"Oh, I have my own training. I will need to shoot arrows while riding a horse, while running or while I'm tide upside down. Oraculi said it was to help with the accuracy." Brennan explained.
"Accuracy? I think your archery is already excellent" Darius said.
"Yes but that's when I'm in the proper position, but situations differ. So I will need to prepare for the unexpected and shoot accurately even if I'm drowning."
The both of them laughed, "That's a bit much" Darius replied as he get off the bed.
The door suddenly opens, "Get up both of you, it's time to go" Oraculi ordered.
"Brennan you know what you will do for the day," the old man said before turning to Darius. "Darius we will spar for the time being so I could figure out the things you are lacking, we will only be out until midday. At noon both of you will read books and journals that contain collective information about monsters and witches. So you can have a better understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and abilities" after barking his commands, Oraculi left.
Leaving his two apprentices to follow him outside.