A past life memory…
"My friend, you don't look sad at all."
On the top of a hill, stood two individuals. One was Ether, and the other one was an old elf who was holding a crane to support himself.
"I'm sad. Greatly sad. This is why I hated people becoming old. Serah. You are even an elf and yet you still get old at the end, leaving me alone like everybody else."
"I wish, your feelings will get reflected on your face, Ether. And only a god will not age and an immortal like you."
"Hah. I'm the awesome immortal archmage. I don't easily show my emotions."
"You still hang up on that, my friend. Are not embarrassed calling yourself like that repeatedly." Serah looked at the clear skies. "My time is almost up in this world. Can you take care of the little one who will hatch in this egg?"
"Is this your final wish before you die?" Ether said as she looked at the huge white egg she was looking at.
"That child inside there is a dragon. And they could live longer up to seven thousand years. The dragon inside can be a companion for you for a longer time than anyone would ever meet.
"Haha. What do you think of me, a child? I can live on my own."
"Yes. Yes. You're not a child. But my dear friend, I deeply wish for you to be happy even after I leave this world. Loneliness can dull someone's emotions and life."
"You all said that. Hah." Either let out a deep breath. "But it's not as if I can't do anything about that." Ether also looked at the clear skies. "Serah, my friend. They say that afterlife, there are so many places where you can go. You can go to heaven, hell, or have a new life as someone else in another world or another time. Where do you want to go, Serah?"
You also asked this question to the others right?" Serah said. He closed his eyes, as the wind blew his long white hair.
"Wherever it is, I will continue to live my life the way I wanted to, just like you Ether." Serah said with a huge grin, deepening the wrinkles on his face.
***
Back to the present time.
The Town of Rhoda.
At first sight, the town seemed like a normal town. However, if one explored and dived inside, differences could be slowly seen.
A clear distinction between the upper class and those who were in the lower strata of the class.
It was not visible right away if one was on land. However if one flew high above the town, one could see that there was another circular wall fortress that was in the middle of the town. Inside it were houses that were luxurious and large. Compared to the shabby houses that were outside this inner wall. Whoever led this town, did so well in separating the rich and poor.
Not only that but in the middle of this place was the largest mansion that one could ever see in the town.
That huge mansion belonged to none other than Baron Gredor. Heading deeply in the mansion lies underground prison cells, where plenty of old people could be seen and locked. Their eyes were dull as if all the hope and light they had in life had already been lost. And their appearance was the worst of the beggars on the streets.
Not only that, cries could be heard echoing through the underground prison cell.
In one of the prison cells, the old imprisoned there weakly glanced up. Three men wearing silver armors were unlocking the cells. "They are the next batch, hurry and bring them!" One of the men said with authority in his voice.
"Yes, Sir!" The knights brought the old people out of the cell. While they were busy bringing the elderly people out of the cell.
Another knight ran after them. "Sir, the new slaves have arrived."
"Let's see them right away. The Lord is getting impatient already that they are taking so long to return."
They walked towards the center wall of the underground prison. The leader of the knights pressed the brick that had a different color. As soon as he pressed the brick, the wall began to break into two, revealing a tunnel on the other side of the wall. With torches in their hands, they walked inside the tunnel and the wall immediately closed behind them.
After a few moments of walking, they finally reached the end of the tunnel. The tunnel led them to a hidden place inside the woodland in the inner walls. And it was just behind the huge mansion of the baron.
At the end of the tunnel, the slave traders were already waiting, with the promised old people with them.
Jabo, the leader of the slave traders greeted the leader of the knights. "Sir! We have brought another set of slaves as you wanted." Behind him, were three cart carriages.
The leader of the knights gestured his hands to the knights with him. The knights immediately checked the carts and indeed, they consisted of elderly people.
"Sir! They are all slaves."
"Good." The leader of the knights said." Then he handed three huge bags of silver and gold coins to Jabo. "Go and make sure to bring more of these people again."
"Yes. Thank you, Sir Knight!" Jabo said as he eyed the bags of coins with greed.
The knights proceeded to take the old people one by one inside the tunnel until all the carts were emptied. The slave traders watched the head of the knights and all the elderly people they have entered the tunnel.
"Let's get out of here now," Jabo said as he immediately turned around.
When they were a distance away from the hidden tunnel, one of Jabo's henchmen whispered to him. "Boss, are you sure we are going to be alright after this?"
Jabo's face turned dark as his body trembled. "She promised that she won't touch us or our families. This is the best thing we can do."
"Even if she is powerful, the baron's knights are still elite. Do you think she can handle all of them?"
"I'm sure of it. The day will not end without the entire baron mansion getting annihilated." Jabo said with certainty. "Let's all get out of here if we value our lives." With that said, they hurried their footsteps, to get as far as out of the baron's territory. However when they reached the end of the woodlands…
"Don't move, or the arrows will kill you!" The knights serving under Duke Clarence appeared, capturing the slave traders.