Titans must die. What an odd thing to say as a greeting, am I right? I mean... Is it too much to ask for a simple 'hello' these days? Its not like it's that complicated. Here I am... a new face... walking onto a road minding my own business and BAM!... 'PuT yOuR wEaPoNs DoWn AnD gEt On ThE gRoUnD' then it's 'TiTaNs MuSt DiE'... Geez... Not even sure they understand what a proper greeting is...
Anyways, the words he said was quite unexpected, and of course I looked confused. I then looked up at Hevlauna Quaelsen, supposed last living heir to the Quaelsen estate, for a possible explanation.
"That's the first time he's spoken anything since we captured him." Hevlauna stated with a bit of surprise etched into her face.
"Explain yourself murderer!" I commanded the prisoner.
"Titans will be the death of us all! We must kill them before they rise up again!" the prisoner exclaimed.
"You're not making any sense. The Titans are just a legend, and regardless, they were extinguished ages ago." I told the prisoner
"You mindless ignorant fool! You should know better than anyone by now! The Titans were trapped in another realm, being drained of their power to keep fueling the elements of our bidding! We shall all crumble in power and face extinction!" The prisoner exclaimed just before buckling over in pain from being electrocuted.
I immediately looked over at Josiah who glared only at the prisoner with pure hatred.
"Your life has only one purpose to fulfill at this moment. You're destined to die. I will either make it swift or agonizing beyond comprehension. My decision will be based on your next words so choose carefully. Where is the next attack and who is responsible?" I stated without emotion
The prisoner panted and stayed in thought for a few moments. Until finally he elected to speak.
"The next location is the Brichandor estate in one year and eighty moon cycles. The attack will begin as soon as Psiron is high. The only knowledge even I have of the entity responsible for the attacks is that the orders come from monstrous elemental flying reptiles. That is all I..." That was his last words as Josiah swung a very powerful lightning infused sword strike and beheaded the prisoner, ending his life.
"Brichandor estate... That's not far from here. I've met the Lord of that estate once." Captain Saergon stated.
"Good, lead the way." I stated before dropping deep into my head.
Titans, attacks, I should know about it more than anyone? What does that mean? Then it dawned on me. The abominations that have overtaken Josiah, myself, and perhaps now Hevlauna were apparitions of the ages old Titans. We were vessels for the freeing and rise of the Titans. We were being hunted as each of us awakened to our elements which simultaneously released the apparitions of the Titans. By dragons? That can't be the case. Someone else was the creators of these dragons and apparently the people here had never encountered them until now. Something told me we wouldn't find out who they were until all of the Titans have been awakened once more.
Time apparently had flown by as we traveled to the next location which was a small village. I immediately thought that this couldn't be the Brichandor estate, but I guess I was wrong. Especially since we were greeted by a large group of armored officials, armed to the teeth.
"Halt! State your names and business with this estate!" The obvious Captain of their brigade stated.
"Zionai Mourn-Shard, heir of and only surviving member of the Mourn-Shard estate, Sehaela Veyren, only surviving member of the exalted family, Josiah Diagonsen heir to the Diagonsen estate, Lieutenant Bruhom, last remaining brigadier for the Mourn-Shard estate, Hevlauna Quaelsen heir to and last remaining member of the Quaelsen estate, and her accompaniment. We come with grave news and dire warnings. We request a meeting with the Lord of this estate." I stated with respect.
"You will stay outside these gates until further notice. We will take your request to the Lord. His decision will be final." The Captain stated before gesturing for a seemingly high ranked brigadier to go and consort with the Lord of the estate.
I elected to simply bow respectfully. I turned to the group behind me that for some reason had been electing me to be their leader. Why? I don't know, but here they were, looking to me for direction. Sehaela stepped forward.
"You think they'll be reasonable and listen to us?" she asked me.
"I think they will listen to us, but whether or not they'll consider to believe us is a different matter all together." I answered.
"They'd be foolish not to believe us." Hevlauna chimed in.
"They don't know that. All they are going to see is a complete set of strangers who've come with completely outlandish stories. They could consider us all mad and lock us away." I shrugged.
"That would be very unfortunate." Josiah stated
"Yes, I have a theory that this thing inside of me won't take kindly to being contained." I sighed before I hear a loud cling of what sounded like metal hitting metal.
I turned to see that it was the gates had apparently been unlatched and were opening yet five men still blocked the entrance. One of them was the Captain.
"Permission has been granted initially only to the one who claims to be the heir to and surviving member of the Mourn-Shard estate. You can meet with the Lord and then a decision will be made to permit the rest of you or deny entrance." The Captain stated flatly and firmly.
I looked back at the group and they nodded understandingly. Turning back, I addressed the Captain respectfully.
"That would be me." I replied.
"Very well. Step forward and be prepared to have your weapons confiscated until further notice." The Captain stated.
I did as I was told and slowly stepped forward to the gates and awaited to be disarmed. Three guards stepped forward. Two of them grabbed a war axe each, and the third examined me for any additional weapons and withdrew my dagger from my calf holster. It was my back up weapon and utility dagger.
"Follow me." The Captain stated.
I nodded and walked behind him. Two guards followed behind us as we walked through the tiny three business market area. There was a smithery, a jeweler, and a general goods store. Honestly as simple as it was, it had its own charm to it.
We walked up a short set of stone steps to the largest house of the whole estate. The place wasn't grandiose or elegant, but again it had its own beauty. The doors opened upon arrival and we entered what seemed to be the grand hall, which again was quite quaint.
"Zionai Mourn-Shard, I presume?" a man's voice resounded from my left.
I looked and was greeted by a rather short yet muscular man who was well dressed and groomed.
"Yes, Lord Brichandor, I am." I responded with proper etiquette.
"Pfft... nonsense... that formal etiquette is for the high fluting snobs, you're family my boy!" Lord Brichandor stated with gusto leaving me relieved yet confused at the same time.
"Family, sir?"
"My name is Chilroy Brichandor, and I am your Uncle." He replied with a grin.
"Uncle? Are you my father's brother?" I asked inquisitively
"Ha, no, I am married to your mother's sister, my boy!"
"Really? Well that is quite a relief to know that I am amongst family."
"Indeed, yet, my captain's lieutenant informs me that you are the last surviving member of your family? He must have misunderstood you." Uncle Chilroy stated sincerely.
"No, I'm afraid not. My entire family and estate was decimated in a terrible attack a bit over a year ago." I sighed, trying to repress my sadness.
"You... Oh gods... This is terrible! Oh Maeyette is going to be devastated! My boy, what happened!?" He exclaimed, genuinely disturbed and saddened by this set of news.
"It happened when my awakening occurred. A mighty fiery flying reptile that some are calling a dragon, along with several fire warmages attacked my family and home without mercy. I had been incapacitated by my awakening and thus I believe was my saving grace. Only a girl from a very exalted family within our estate and my Captain's lieutenant, Bruhom, managed to survive." I recanted.
"This... I'm sorry, my boy... Listen, you and your comrades are welcome here and may stay as long as you like! My Captain is a bit over cautious. Have his group enter and bring this boy back his belongings. Give his group places to rest and rejuvenate. Everything is free to them!" He stated as he commanded his Captain.
"Yes Lord." The Captain stated and turned heel. He quickly exited to fulfill the Lord's wishes.
"Listen, Uncle Chilroy. I have more to tell you. Your estate is in grave danger." I said sincerely as I turned to face him once more.
"Okay... I'm all ears..." He replied attentively.