Year 1780 Alternate Timeline
Kingdom of Akgardia
The sun rays the palace garden.
A couple of sparrows chirping with each other.
Felicia is sitting on a chair inside her chamber.
She sits on a white chair, sipping a cup of tea then she puts it on the table.
She gazes through the window.
The window somewhat reflecting part of her lower face and her torso. She stares on her pale orange lips and her white gown, standing out among all parts of her reflection.
Her eyes fixated on the waving branches of a maple tree.
She sighs.
"Oh, how I missed the peaceful life in Kartika Village."
A door being knocked three times.
"Your Royal Highness, may we come in?"
She turned her gaze toward the white door.
"Come inside."
A maid opens the door, followed by another maid. She carries the outfit for Felicia.
"Your Majesty would like you to meet him in his study."
"Alright." She faintly smiled.
Those maids are helping her undress. Felicia takes a corset from her bed and wearing it herself.
A maid helps her tighten the corset, while another maid prepares the tosca green gown for Felicia to wear.
They helped Felicia wear the gown. She feels discomfort as it's the first time she wears something luxurious. She feels the shiver on her shoulder.
"My apologies, Your Royal Highness. Is the dress not comfortable for you?"
"No, not at all. Please pay me no mind. It's just I never wear something fancy before."
Those maids continue helping her wearing the gown. Her gown emitting tosca green aura, because of the sun rays through the jewelry embedded on her gown.
"Your Royal Highness, we are very grateful for you to come back to this family. We were missing you for several decades ago."
Felicia clenches her fist, then releases it. She averts her gaze and sighs on what the maid said just now.
"Very well. Please tell him that I'll be there shortly."
Those maids bow toward Felicia, turn their bodies and walk away from her chamber. One maid closes the door from the outside.
A moment later. She walks herself toward the door, leaving the chamber. She notices an emptiness of the hallway. Only rows of large windows allowing the sun rays passes through, shines every object and entire red carpet in the hallway.
Despite she's the daughter of King Borealis VII, she is hardly maintaining balance while walking normally with the gown she is wearing right now.
"I'm not really used with this. How can people in this Kingdom walk around with this dress? Ah, forget it. I'm still having so many questions to him, if he's truly my father."
She passes the hallway and stopped in front of the golden doors, guarded by two guards. It appears she has reached the King's study chamber.
She hears a murmuring behind the golden door. She is reluctant to knock the door.
"I hear my father and the other man talking. I'd better wait here. Although I would like to hear what are they talking about."
She decides to stand near the door, then the golden door is opened.
The man with black coat and wearing white gloves passes through the door. He notices Felicia in front of him.
He extends his right hand toward her.
She reluctantly extends her hand and he takes her hand swiftly.
He kisses her hand, slowly gazes toward her face while holding her hand.
"Sister Felicia. Bless the goddess. You are looking beautiful and healthy as always."
Her eyes is shaking. She pulls her hands slowly.
"And who might you be, sir?"
He smiles upon hearing her replies.
"Ah, forgive my rudeness." He taps his hand toward his left shoulder. "My name is Olford Reagan. I am your brother. It is nice having you back to us. You've been away for years."
She closes her eyes for a brief moment, then she gazes through the King, writing on his desk.
"Nice to meet you, Olford. Apologies but you are mistaken about me. I have no interest being here. Now if you're excuse me."
She walks past Olford. While he watches her silky hair as she goes.
"You surely do. Felicia."
Olford turns his body, wears his fedora hat and walks away. Felicia stopped for a brief moment upon hearing what he said, then she continues toward the King.
He glances on her then put down his pen on the table. He waves his hand toward the guard outside, signaling them to close the door from outside.
He gives her a letter. Then she slaps the letter from his hand. Her eyes remain still fixated toward his eyes.
He gazes on her then leans back toward his chair.
"I know you are bringing so many questions. Whatever it is, I will answer until you're satisfied. My daughter. Please, have a seat."
She takes a seat. He offers a cigarette to her.
"What a way to create bond with your daughter. Keep it yourself."
He stands up, lights up his cigarette and staring on the window with his left hand resting on his back.
"If you're taking your time reading the letter you threw just now, you will find your answer there."
She grits her teeth.
She gazes on his unfazed facial expression through the window reflection.
"What are you talking about? Surely, I don't get to be summoned here just to staring on you smoking stuff."
He exhales the smokes from his mouth.
"Then you should know the line of work I've been through. It is safer for you to stay here rather coming back to that village."
"Oh, the audacity of yours, surely kidnapping me back then was your safest idea." She's trembled in anger. "You never cared about me. Not even mentioned mother for once."
"If you take your time to read that letter instead shoving it away, you will get your answers there."
She gazes on the letter, with its wax seal still intact on the envelope.
"It would be wise to let nobody knows about the letter."
"Then look me in the eyes, father."
He turns himself facing toward Felicia.
"What if I betray you? You sure just being too confident for giving me something that secret."
"I know my child pretty well. I'd say our goals are aligned."
"Not if you still deciding to eradicate Kartika Village. Then this secret will be exposed. These people have nothing to do with your plans. Father."
"You have my word, Felicia."
She conceals the letter in between of her cleavage and walks away from his chamber, leaving his father standing.
---
The next day in the Magistra Council.
The skies filled with gray clouds.
The rains poured down to earth.
Hundreds of black umbrellas covered on the Council field. All students of Magistra Council are lined up and facing toward one man wearing a white striped gold robe. He speaks louder than the sound of the rain.
"The Magistra Trials have officially ended. For everyone gathered here, you are already selected as graduated students and there will be delegations based on the Trial results you have attained. Please check your left palm right now."
All students are checking their left palms. The crowd and murmuring of happiness, joy, even sadness can be seen and heard across the field.
A female student gazes on her palm. She received a mark of green half-moon – indicates that she is the official member of Technology Council. She gazes on her surroundings. She notices one mark that is standing out among all marks in the crowd. The golden, shining shield mark appeared on his palm.
That man hurries himself to close his palm as she stares on the owner of the mark.
"Wow, you got yourself Military Golden Rank! Congratulations! I'm so envy with your achievement."
"Thank you, um. Miss...?"
"Hesse, Nice to meet you!"
"My name is Ieza. Seems you really aiming on joining Technology Council."
"Hahaha! Yeah, your guesses are on spot. I always wanted to craft stuff since I've learned a magic." She is surprised to hear his guessing appeared to be the truth. "Then, what about you, Ieza?"
"I always wanted to join the strongest force in this Kingdom." He replies while faintly smiles.
"That is great." She smiles while noticing something off with Ieza. "But you don't look like excited for it."
Ieza gazes on the sky, between those gaps of umbrellas in his sight, then he switches his gaze toward Hesse. Suddenly their conversation is interrupted by the announcer on the stage.
"For the students with the golden marks. Please go to this stage."
"I have yet to cross the path ahead. Anyway, if you're excuse me."
Ieza waves his right hand toward Hesse. Hesse waves him back.
He walks away, along with the other six students. They approach the stage and stand themselves facing the crowds under umbrellas, alongside with rows of white robed scholars playing the trumpets, giving the ceremonial vibes.
Ieza stood alongside the other golden members, including Gerrard.
The announcer comes to the middle of the stage.
"Before we end the ceremony, let's welcome the speech from our King of Akgardia. King Borealis VII!"
All eyes are set on the convoy. A convoy consisted of a golden caravan, guarded by several high ranked magicians – wearing golden robes, coachman carrying King Borealis VII, Olford Reagan and Felicia.
The king wears a golden robe with golden crown. While Felicia and Olford are wearing formal white striped gold uniform.
He steps down the carriage. His hands are being held firmly by Felicia and Olford as he walks slowly.
People chanting on his presence. The King waves back on his people with his charm and utmost charisma.
Ieza gazes on Felicia's movement as they are approaching to the stage.
She gives him a cold shoulder, not even gazing back on him as they walk.
She barely makes a facial expression, as if something holds her back. As they approached the center of the stage, she walks and stands beside of the King, with Olford on his left side.
King Borealis VII raising his hands and delivers his speech. He speaks about the future of the Kingdom lies on today's generation.
As he delivers the final words of his speech, Olford whispering something to his ear. Then he announces a good luck wish for every graduate in the field.
Meanwhile, in the distant corner of the field, sighted a man with heavy armor, watches Ieza and Gerrard walks away from the stage.
"The new hot shot, eh. Wonder what he's capable of."
The man is grinning for a brief moment, then he and his subordinates follow their footsteps.
---
Ieza and Gerrard walking through the busy plaza street.
"Ieza, a word please."
Gerrard grab his hand and drag themselves inside an inn.
They ordered some meals and beverages, then they sit at the table.
"I've noticed someone following us from Council."
"Yeah, I felt that too." Ieza replies. "Judging by how heavy the footstep was. I'm pretty sure they are from Military Council."
"Precisely."
"No need to worry. I think I get the gist of what are they up to."
"So, about what you said. Is it true?"
Ieza put down his meat on the plate. He clenches his fist.
"Yeah, Chief Gunzo himself told me what will happen with their village in the future."
"Figures, it's probably someone inside the kingdom giving such idea to strike the village."
Ieza acting surprised, despite know everything about the culprit, he decides to play along.
"Listen, gather as much intel you can find and share it with me. And do follow their plan. Do not try or even think something funny as they are on par with Prime Wizards and Prime Witches. By such perception skills, they will actually intercept and kill you before you know it. There is one man that you can flatter him and you will get his trust. Bet you already know who is he."
Gerrard continues munching his food while Ieza gazes at him.
"Just curious, Gerrard."
"What is it?"
"How do you know about the culprit is someone from the Kingdom?"
"Because they killed my parents. I was a scared kid back then. Back then magic devices weren't allowed and my parents did their best to share it with the kingdom. Then they told me that my parents are involved in criminal activity regarding of the creations they made."
Ieza's eyes shaking. He feels pity toward Gerrard.
"What?" Gerrard asked.
Ieza shakes his head.
"Nothing, please continue."
"Then, I met Mister Farrell. He adopted me...and trained me. He even acting as guarantor for me, just so I can assist him in the Council about the magic device."
"So that's why you're joining Technology Council."
"Yeah, I want to create a masterpiece. I want the Kingdom to acknowledge me as the greatest inventor in Akgardia."
"That is great idea. I hope you really achieved it."
"It is not easy as you think, Ieza. I need to do it for the benefit of those people. If there's no benefit to them then I'll be doomed just like my parents. Look, let's stop our chatters here. That man will probably be arriving soon here."
Ieza gazes on him, almost as he changes the physical appearance, becoming his father from his life in previous timeline.
"Yeah, you right." Ieza replies.
They continue enjoying the meals.
While they're on it, a man with helmet and knight armor is entering the inn. He approaches Ieza and handed him a letter.
"Captain Herga would like your presence in the barracks immediately."
Ieza takes the letter and reads its content, then he folds the letter and put it in his pocket.
"Excuse me." He whispers to Gerrard while standing up from his chair and following that man.
Gerrard raises his wine glass as a sign of waving him goodbye. He chugs the wine and put the glass on the table.
"Man, I wish he wouldn't joined military council..."
Ieza and the man in knight armor leaving the inn and walk themselves directly to the Military Council.
They are entering the barracks zone, crowded with resting and working soldiers. The crowds moving back and forth carrying military supplies.
Another man in knight armor approaching Ieza and escorting him inside the barracks. They are approaching the large building with gigantic double door.
"This must be the headquarters" Ieza murmurs.
"This way, Mister Ieza. They are expecting you." The knight extends his hand to the opened gigantic door. Ieza walks inside the building and the knight closes the door.
Ieza entered a gigantic luxurious room with huge table in the middle. There are several notable figures standing at the table:
Prime Wizard Yudra from Magistra Council. He has long silver hair and wearing white long coat. His hands are bright like fireflies. He is accompanied by two mistresses covered with black hood.
Captain Herga Talon from Military Council. He wears the silver armor just like the knights did except with axes on his back and without his helmet.
Farrell Stevan from Public Relations and General Affair Council. He wears blue long coat and black fedora hat.
Professor Hugo from Technology Council. He has blonde hair and wearing circular eyeglasses. He is carrying a weird stick. The stick moves and rotates itself.
Lidia from Territory Planning Council. She has long curly black hair and wearing red dress.
Barden from Labor Council. He is a dwarf with thick brown hair and beard. You can almost see his amber eyes.
Margaretha from Economy Council. She is the only one person wearing full joker mask, as if she hides something beneath it.
He keeps his cool despite how intimidating they look. Before Ieza moves his mouth, Captain Herga immediately throws one of his axes, aimed toward Ieza.
Ieza just rotates his body, allowing himself to dodge the axe within small distance and keeps walking forward.
The axe crashing the wall beside the door, causing whole building shaking pretty hard. Despite all that, the building and its interior remain solid still.
"If you keep doing that then I will personally cut away your salary, Captain Herga." Lidia raises her voice in anger. "Do you know how much the cost to preserve one building?"
"Whatever, madam. I would like to see what on earth is Magistra Council thinking, recruiting young boy into military golden ranks." He replies with big grin on his face, gazing straight into Ieza's blue eyes. "Hey weird face. You should leave military. Your body will be torn pretty badly before the bigger battle starts."
"Then you understand how difficult our Trial is, Captain Herga. He has everything it takes to be your Lieutenant." Yudra speaks with distorted voice, sending chills to Barden and Ieza.
"Lieutenant, eh?" He gazes on Ieza and returns his gaze back to Yudra. "Maybe you stop talking like muddled water then I finally understand what you said."
The wind blasted from Yudra, as he is emitting strong magic aura.
"Such arrogance. Let me show you how to understand this."
His hands and his eyes are glowing blue, slowly brightens entire room. He pointed his right arm toward Captain Herga.
The light become greatly brighter than before, sending everyone a very blinding glare. Ieza, Barden and Professor Hugo cover their eyes with their hands, while everyone else remain still without even flinching.
"Here it is." Margaretha saying that while holding her mask, seemingly to take it off, almost as if everyone could see her grinning under her mask.
"So, that is a part of his tremendous magic strength." Ieza
"Are you guys finished with your little chit chat?"
Yudra lower his right arm slowly. The blinding light instantly snapped to thin air.
A man appeared walking from the dark room.
Ieza turns his gaze on that person. He remembers that man. He clenches his fist for a brief moment.
All notable figures are greeting him. Olford waves with smile on his face.
"Mister Olford, glad to see you in better health." Barden shouts and laughing cheerfully.
Olford approaches at the table. He puts a big piece of paper containing discussion matters.
"I need eight pairs of eyes and a pair of ears. We will start the meeting."
Herga walks away from the table. He takes his axe he thrown before from the wall and standing there while leaning himself toward the wall.
"We will be going to execute the order from the King to capture all of those people in Kartika Village. As you already know, they are possessing dangerous time magic. We found several intel from our informant that matches the suspicion of that village. Our goal is to seize all the knowledges in various manuscripts and documents they possessed. This mission is authorized by the King himself and it is declared to be effective today."
Ieza remains calm, despite feeling troubled about the mission he will be carrying later.
"Captain Herga, you will come with Ieza, carrying one thousand and five hundred soldiers. We will negotiate with their leader. Order them to surrender until they show themselves hostility. Remember, they are possessing forbidden magic and should not take those lightly."
"Wait, why we even bother asking them? My army can easily eradicate those people." Herga yells and spit on the floor.
"Because it is what our King wished." Olford gazes on Herga then revert back his gaze to his surroundings. "Now, if there is no more question. I would like to proceed to the next matter. Captain Herga and Lieutenant Ieza, you may dismiss."
Everyone walks away from the spot. Ieza approaches Herga.
They are glaring on each other.
"Anything you want to say, kid?"
"You were intentionally missing your throwing aim."
Herga standing still, his facial expression remains unchanged.
"Hmm. What about it?"
"I studied about you and that axe you have right there." Ieza pointing out the axe on his back. "Made with silver blood dropped from The Great Arach Jinara*. Crafted by the legendary blacksmith Holger. Said by the wielder's will, it could follow the target precisely on whatever wielder think it should hit, wherever he run, or even hiding behind the strongest shield. If you were thinking about that, I'm pretty sure dead already by now."
Herga grins. He seems proud on how Ieza observes things.
"I've seen that kind of eyes like yours before. The eyes from a man that afraid nothing to lose. Although you are still nothing compared to me."
"Your reputation precedes your rank, Captain Herga. My power is at your disposal."
Herga clears throat.
"It's time. We should gather the troops. Get prepared."
Herga and Ieza walks away from the building.
A man in black robe sighted at the rooftop, watching Ieza and Herga walks away from the building. Then he dissappears along with the wind and flying leaves.
Ieza turned his neck, gazing on the rooftop for a brief moment as he walks away.
Herga raises his axes and starts yelling.
"Attention, soldiers!"
The soldiers gathered, wearing knight armors and weapons ready on their right hand.
"Starting from now, Lieutenant Ieza will be your second command after me! Whatever he orders, whatever he asks, do it so with full commitment and without question!"
The soldiers reply with firm and loud voices, as they raise their weapons to the air.
"As your wish, Captain Herga!"
Ieza lays out the map on the wall with his wind magic. He describes important list to the soldiers about what to do and where to regroup.
"...and as we regroup here, I require two best soldiers to accompany me on the negotiation with their leader. If things go south, one man must send the signal to Captain Herga and we strike down anyone who stands in the way!"
"As your wish, Lieutenant Ieza!"
Ieza nods to Herga, signalling that everyone is ready for the mission.
"Alright, everyone. We are commencing the mission!"
The soldiers open a pathway for Herga and Ieza to pass through. They taking the horses and gallops away swiftly, alongside with their troops. The sound of clattering horse hooves rumbling as if the storm is approaching.
---
Meanwhile in the palace. Felicia and King Borealis VII are in the middle of heated arguments.
"You broke our promise! You promised me not to harm the village!"
"With the intel and the evidence suggested otherwise, Felicia. Then I will not be letting our Kingdom perish just because of letting small chance for them to retaliate with such catastrophe magic!"
"But they are not bad people! I saw it myself for a long time back them. You're the one throwing me away from the kingdom, and now I'm back unharmed and you're telling me this?"
"Silence! Felicia. Not. Another. Word." King Borealis VII threatens Felicia.
A door can be heard being knocked. They are gazing on the door.
"It's me, Olford, Your Majesty."
"Come in." The King replies.
As the door opened, Olford comes in while Felicia rushes away from the King's chamber. She tries to wipe her tears away from her eyes and feels disgruntled upon what his father said just now.
Olford approaches the King and bows himself toward him.
"Pardon me, it seems that I disturb your personal meeting with your daughter, Your Majesty."
"It's nothing. What news do you have here, Olford?"
"The troops are already advancing to the Kartika Village as we speak, Your Majesty."
"That's good. Thank you for your hard work, Olford. You may leave now. I need some time for myself."
"Then excuse me, Your Majesty. I won't eat up your time here any longer."
Olford leaves the chamber with grin on his face.
"The plan become smoother than I expected. Now, Herga. Time to do your part." He lost in thought for a brief moment as he walks far away from the King's chamber.
---
Ieza, alongside with Herga's troops, approached the entrance of Kartika Village. Many Kartikan guards are forming a line, guarding the entrance with their weapons and magic arsenals ready.
"We are here. I will deal with them, Captain Herga." Ieza speaks to Herga while opening his helmet.
"Good, now proceed with the plan."
"As your wish, Captain Herga."
"Be wary of that man above the rooftop." Herga pointed his finger at the location of a man with black robe.
Ieza gazes on what he's pointing at.
"Don't worry. I'm more than capable to handle with just one man."
Ieza approaches the Kartikan guards. Among all those guards there is one woman wearing the same clothes as the guards, except she is wearing different hat color as she is wearing white while the other guards wearing black hats.
"She must be the squad leader. I'll talk to her." Ieza murmurs himself.
"Hey you, stop right there and tells your soldiers to stand down!" A female guard yells toward Ieza.
Ieza raises his right hand in front of his chest, with only his point finger directing on his face. He blinks his eyes several times.
"What is he doing... Oh!" The squad leader of Kartikan guard notices something off with Ieza. She recognizes his face and following his gesture.
Ieza put his finger in front of his mouth. Signaling them to stay appearing hostile.
"It's morse code*." She tells herself in low voice, then she takes out her spear and writing down the letters. He is pretending to be arguing with Ieza, while he argues with his eyes keep blinking the morse code.
"Greetings. My name is Ieza, and according to the evidence suggested that this village is condemned as dangerous threat to mankind. We suggest you and your people needs to surrender. This is the mercy of the King."
The guard writes E-V-A-C-U-A-T-E on the land. Ieza nods.
"Honorable for you to introduce yourself before attacking us. My name is Rika, I'm the squad leader here. We definitely won't surrender just because of your cheap dirty evidence planted by your officials. We are doing nothing wrong here except living normal life, kid. Go back and tell your King about this."
Ieza raises his sword, escalate the pretending situation, to make Herga believes and hoping he doesn't intervene.
All guards in vicinity raises their spears.
Herga smiles watching all events being unfold.
"Atta boy, let me assisting him. You stay here wait for my signal." He commands his trusted aide to be his acting command of the troops.
Ieza perceived something off on his back. He notices Herga is actually approaching instead of staying where he should be.
Ieza blinked his eyes again. Rika writes down another spear while pretending to be arguing.
N-O
T-I-M-E
R-E-A-D-Y
That's what she wrote just now.
She cast wind spells toward Ieza, causing Ieza being thrown backwards. Herga cushion his fall.
She runs away while the guards are readying their weapons.
"Charge!" Herga yells toward the soldiers. The soldiers are running down approaching to the Kartikan Guards.
A man with the black robe dashes away from rooftop. Meanwhile Rika is running toward the central hut.
"Ieza! We will hold those guards! Don't let her do something from inside the building. Go!" Herga yells to Ieza as they are holding the resistance of Kartikan guards' attack.
Ieza flies himself with wind magic straight above the gate. The guards throwing spears with immense speed toward Ieza, but he is able to deflect those spear projectiles away from him.
"I'm sorry, but this is according to the grand plan. Please stay alive for this village." Ieza murmurs himself watching those guards fighting against massive soldiers from Akgardia.
Ieza lands on the ground, continues the pursue with the squad leader. Both Ieza and Rika worked his legs twice as fast as before.
Just before reaching the central hut, Rika stopped midway. She talks to Ieza as she raised her spear pointed on Ieza's face.
"Who are you really? Are you expecting me to believe you?"
"Rika, listen! The chief knows about the grand plan. Let him know and we'll work something out. There is a stubborn captain from my side trying to mess it up."
"I'm sorry." Rika chants her spell, applying aura magic on her spears. "I can't let those people dying with your stupid plan. I will protect this village even it costs me an arm and a leg!"
Before Rika swings her spear, an explosion blasted in front of Ieza.
Ieza being thrown away from his place and rolled backwards, but he is able to regain his stance.
Ieza fainted then slowly opens his eyes, and gazes on the black robed man. That man removes his hood.
"Who...are...you?"
Chapter 8 – End