"Max, can we talk for a moment?" Maevus asked.
"Sure, let's sit over there."
"So, about those two. Did you catch a name by chance? Or know anything about any of them?"
"Let's see... She rose from the South, from the Mountains of Gilliard. Nothing was ever said about who she was exactly, but they call her the shadow. The Black Horse and they've been known to call her Black. She represents the darkness and comes as quick as she leaves like a plague. It's truly terrifying to think about... The hairs on my neck are standing as I say all of this."
"The Shadow of Gilliard and The Black Horse... Interesting. Now for the mercenary who showed up."
"The Red Horse, he's been known to fight wars that are not his own just for the sake of a fight. He's an instigator, a miscreant, murderer, a war fanatic as some would say. But he hasn't been spotted in years. Same for her. Seeing those two fight showed me I was no match to become anything past a Paladin. It got beyond my speed of comprehension, but seeing you today... I know you could get up to those speeds at any given moment."
"Very intriguing indeed, thank you."
"I've heard that you're one of the highest ranks in the Mage's Academy also, is that true?"
"I see word has gotten out rather quickly about my arrival. I suppose I did see this coming, but to answer your question. I am. " Maevus spoke, leaving the bleachers.
"Do you think it would be too much trouble to help me with magic when you come by my father's estate? I want to get better at using magic, but I lack beginner knowledge so I don't know where to start."
"Of course, Max. I would be more than happy to assist you in your magical studies."
Maximus couldn't believe his luck. "Thank you so much, Merlin. I really appreciate it."
As Maevus walked back to his dorm, memories of his youth flooded his mind. He and Darrius had been close friends once, but that was before Maevus became the Death Horseman and cast a spell to erase himself from Darrius's memory.
It had been almost 20 years since then, and Maevus had moved on, but he couldn't help feeling a pang of guilt whenever he thought about Darrius.
"No need to thank me, this is all going according to plan." He grinned, looking satisfied.
The red horse doesn't seem to be on this side of the world right now, however the black horse does seem to be somewhere in the far south. That goddess said there are four of us, I'm Greater Death, he must be war, and she must be conquest or famine. I need to speed up everything, this dream is within my grasp and it's so close... Luna, I haven't forgotten. I promise, it'll be soon.
He looked down at the ring, as it shined in the sun.
He walked back to the dormatory and made it to his room. Maevus laid back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He started thinking about his past and the taboo he broke all those years ago. He had to repay his debt to Darrius somehow, and teaching Maximus the ways of the Sage seemed like the best way to do it. But how would he explain this to Darrius without revealing too much?As he pondered, Maevus drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, he found himself in a vast expanse, with a great white tiger standing before him. The tiger was Tigris, the Goddess of the Beast, and she had a message for him."Bearer of the Sage's light," she spoke in a mystic way, "your path is entwined with those of death. The power of Greater Life is within you, but you must learn to master it. In doing so, you will find the answer to your debt."Maevus was confused by her words, but he knew that Tigris was not one to be questioned. He took the message to heart and committed it to memory, knowing that it held great significance.Recalling what he'd seen in the Akashic Records, the fated reunion was beyond the horizon.
Meanwhile, somewhere south off the coast of Betinda. Approached a large ship coming from the ice continent, not even close enough to dock, the woman jumped from the ship landing at the dock. The ship crew stood in amazement of the distance she had cleared. "Get everything unloaded, I'm heading into town now." Hands stuffed inside the coat, she took a final puff, threw the cigarette and walked off.
"Oh, you've returned? It's been like two years, welcome back Ms. Roslyn." Austin spoke as she walked in taking off her coat.
"It feels good to be back, have you heard anything about the Red Dragon?" She clicked the lamp on and sat down at the desk.
"Not recently, after that messy war in Tailin. He still seems to be missing as well. As for the White Rider, they've made quite a name for themselves. The Pale Horse remains unknown for the time being, but the Gods spoke of Greater Death rising after the Massacre of Old Ascia. I'd say head north and check it out yourself, but you just returned to this continent, I don't want you in harms way. Not yet at least."
"I'll ride north in a while, after my crew unloads the ship. I'm sending them to St. Lucia, I'll be sticking around for a little longer until I figure this out." She spoke, opening the black grimoire.
"Very well, I'll leave you to it then." Austin spoke, walking off.
"Where are you going? You're going with me when I head for Tailin. Those mountains are a treacherous journey, and it'll take a few weeks to a month or so to get through them."
"It would be faster if you sailed there you know?" Austin retorted.
"Fine, I'll sail around north-west. So much for an adventure, you've gotten boring in these past years Austin." Roslyn pouted.
"Well, you know how brutally injured you were the last time we passed through those mountains and history has a cruel irony of repeating itself. You know this better than I do, trust me." Austin again retorted.
"I was off my game, so what? I'll give that rat bastard a run for his money this time around. Can't believe I trusted him even for a moment... How foolish of me?" She punched the desk, leaving a deep imprint in the metal. Her hands shook, she opened the carton and grabbed another cigarette.
"I see what's happening, but look at it like this. Both of you walked away near death, you've lived to fight another day so don't think too much of it. Besides, there's much to be discovered in the rest of the world." Austin reassured her.
"I suppose you're right in one way or another... So be it. I guess this is how it'll have to be for now. All I can do is hope for a premonition from Xanthia. She'd never steer me from my calling." She spoke, taking a puff and releasing after every pause.
"By the way, what are those?" Austin asked.
"Oh this? They called it a cigarette. They fill it with red raspberry leaf and cannabis, wanna give it a go?"
"No thanks... Also, what kind of stuff did you find while you were down in the ice continent?"
"Well, come along. I'll show you." She said, grabbing her coat.
They walked down to the dock to her crew unloading the ship. Several large artifacts were found including old goblets and grimoires by the dozens. Austin walked up to the chest and opened it, jewels and coins spilled out.
"Just what were you doing down there?" Austin asked, confused but amazed.
"Nothing too crazy, it's hard stealing from Royal snobs. And we spent nearly three years out? There haven't been many pirates or traders willing to go out to sea knowing I'm out there. That reminds me, around a year ago, we ran into a human trafficking ring running the trade routes from Monai to St. Lucia's west-coast. You know how I feel about it as a whole... We dealt with everyone involved and freed them. I even went as far as teaching them how to fight for themselves if push comes to shove with those nasty human traffickers." Roslyn clenched her fists, taking another puff.
"I see, I see. Is that what I think it is?" Austin picked up a strange brush.
"Yes, it is. I found it in Monai at a market, it was cute, so I had to have it."
"You have always had a thing for obscure knick-knacks. Pretty nice haul though, I'm impressed." Austin smiled. It seemed like they were done unloading the ship, the treasure was loaded onto a carriage and sent to Betinda's Royal Capitol. Under contract, Roslyn takes forty percent of all of her findings, but she gets to choose what she keeps. Even though she's well off from needing money, she likes to do this to keep her relationship with Betinda good while she leaves the coast to her crew and Austin. Austin, her right-hand man. Probably the only swordsman on this side of the world who can truly handle any swordsman from novice to Sword Saint. He stopped the fight between The Shadow and Red Dragon when it was dead set on a stalemate. He's been with Roslyn ever since she followed that grimoire and was visited by the Goddess of Indulgence. Now she'll never truly be satisfied and has become somewhat of a glutton for pretty things.
"It looks like they're done. Let's get a move on, after I upgraded the ship; we should reach Sukate by the end of the week then from there, the ride to Tailin will be brief."
Austin silently nodded, and they got back onto the ship waiting to depart.
Betinda was a place of trade and commerce but everything she didn't want to keep was sent to Tailin via the underground river connect. She knows most big wigs in the continent live near Celus, making them easier targets to steal from again.
Back at the academy, Maevus looked up at the ceiling and raised his armed in the air as he laid on the bed. Focusing on the ring, he began pouring his memories of them together into the ring. It started to glow a faint purple but immediately faded back to black. A knock came from his door, he got up and walked up to it. "Who is it?"
"It's Aurora... Can I come in?" She asked, she sounded concerned.
"Sure thing." He opened the door, she walked in and stood by the bed.
"Merlin, there's something I'd like to ask you. If it's too personal, you don't have to answer it. I just need a sign. As I was doing my normal research as I have been doing. I noticed something... Well, I noticed someone while I was in the room. As I searched around making sure everything for the spell was stable, it was you and a girl who felt like I should have known. Can you please tell me anything, I don't want to pry where I don't belong." She asked with a concerned face.
Maevus looked down at his hands, the ring glowed only for a moment. But this was confirmation from Luna that she wanted this to be.
"Alright, put this on." He commanded her, slipping the ring off his own finger.
She grabbed the ring and put it on her finger. A shock went through her body and a loud thud sounded off. She collapsed onto the ground, he knew this would happen. He laid her on the bed and waited for her to awaken by herself.
"So, you must be Aurora... You're wondering about my dear a lot it seems. But that's expected given you're partially a reincarnation; however, I know exactly how you feel at this moment when I was smitten with him. We were only children playing with a force beyond human comprehension, I assure you; I won't let you end up how I did. You're stricken with awe and angst. I know, but to answer your question. Yes, I'm the one you saw. You still can see some of our older memories together. In its truest sense, I am Luna Maldive Lionheart. I've been "missing" quote unquote for nearly forty years now? But I've been with my sweetheart this whole time... Maevus and I, or is he going by that silly name Merlin now? It doesn't really matter. But listen to me. On the fifth night of next month, take him to Old Ascia near the graveyard of Saint Francis. On that night will be a new moon, then will I be able to rise again to aid him in his longstanding quest. But this goes beyond just me, I'll leave you to it. Do you have any questions before I dismiss you?"
"First question is, what exactly happened?"
"My darling will explain everything to you, for he has no choice on the matter anymore. The Goddess is not pleased with his actions."Luna scoffed and replied.
"Second, is there anything I can do to help both of you? I feel like I've stumbled into something I shouldn't be involved in but I do want to help as much as I possibly can."
"Do as I told you on the fifth night of next month and I'll take care of everything from there."
"I would really like to hug you, you remind me of my older sister.." Aurora spoke, looking down.
"I can grant you that." Luna flashed over, hugging her. It felt as if she was being held by an angel, but her words were as cold as ever.
"And my last, final question... It's not really a question. I hope to see you very soon."
"Likewise, farewell Aurora Gandorah-York."
Aurora woke up immediately, Maevus sat at the desk.
"You were out for nearly three hours, I thought you were going to die. But you passed the test of fortitude." Maevus spoke.
"Alright, explain everything to me from the beginning up to now; Maevus." Aurora said.
Maevus jaw dropped.
"So I see she let the cat out of the bag... Very well." Maevus began to explain everything to her and she completely understood the situation but not the massacre of Old Ascia.
"So, instead of going to a prison or something where there are actual people who deserve punishing, you chose your own country?" She asked, confused and irritatedly.
"They declared war against me, I had no say in the matter. Although; I probably could have taken a better route but that was long ago. It no longer matters."
"And how old are you?" Forty one?"
"I was cursed with Greater Death Immortality at the ripe age of twenty three. So I'm only twenty three. Technically I'd be around fifty or so but I spent some time in a comatose state."
"Oh and one more thing, Luna Maldive Lionheart said on the fifth night of next month come to the graveyard of Saint Francis. She'll be able to rise again. And she mentioned your Goddess being upset at you for your actions."
This was news to Maevus as his eyes filled with tears, their reunion was so much closer.
Aurora attempted to take off the ring but it seemed to be stuck on her.
"I suppose Luna has found a new pool of mana to consume, until then." Maevus said, grinning.
Roslyn's ship began to pull around the north and there destination would be sooner than expected. As that was happening, the White Rider had seemed to pick up on the Red Dragon's location in St. Lucia and established connection. It seemed like everything was rolling forward but one anomaly changed one's own fated demise. Now Maevus was in the process of fixing one of his gravest mistakes he made. Somewhere in Monai, a miracle had risen. But, what seemed like a miracle was merely a facade in the face of those who knew the truth. At the ripe age of eightteen, chosen to guide humanity but seemed like the Gods' last barganing chip in this gamble to see who will prevail. Will it be Death in the end? Will it be War? Will it be Famine? or Will it be Conquest? Or will it all fall down to Corruption?