"So you finally got what you wanted after all this years." The man muttered to himself. He glanced through his surroundings, his brows furrowed.
" How long have I been here." He touched his chin thoughtfully.
"A month!" He exclaimed, the realization hitting him like a wave. He winced, imagining the mountain of lectures awaiting him upon his return.
" Well, Bella can handle my classes. She got that covered already, I am sure of that." He muttered a hint of relief in his voice. "But there will be some explaining to do."
He took a deep breath, the cool night air filled his lungs.
"Well, time to go, It's been awhile since I've left the academy." He begins to work towards a blue portal.
Suddenly, a wolf-like creature almost the size of a house growls towards him. The man looked back with a smile on his face.
"Oh?" The man chuckled, his voice surprisingly light considering the situation. He created a red crystal sword in an instant, the sword blurred in his hand, a whirlwind of crimson light.
The creature lunged with a defeaning roar, but the man was a whirlwind himself, his movements impossibly swift. A series of clangs echoed through the clearing as the crystal blade met the creature's defenses.
With a final, decisive moment, the red light intensified. The creature stumbled back, a deep mournful cry escaping its throat. The man lowered his sword, the red glow fading.
"Weak." He said as he enters the blue portal. He emerged in a vast chamber, its walls lined from floor to ceiling with countless scrolls. A faint musky scent filled the air, a combination of aged paper and something that hinted at powerful magic.
The man stretched, working out the kinks from his journey. With a satisfied crack from his neck, he strode out of the room, ready to face whatever awaited him. The man winced as he bumped into a figure rounding the corner. Of course, it just had to be bella.
A young woman with flowing white hair stood before him.
"Bella!" He exclaimed.
Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, and a frown etched itself onto her face.
"You," she said her voice laced with barely contained frustration.
"Hi," he offered a bright smile.
"Do you know how long you've been gone?" She asked through her gritted teeth.
"A month?" He shrugged his shoulders.
"Three months!" She nearly shouted, her eyes flashing.
He blinked, a bewildered expression on his face.
"Eh?"
"What happened out there?" Bella asked, her voice laced with concern.
The man's excitement dimmed slightly.
"I got a little.... absorbed," he admitted. "See you later Bella." He said as he proceeds to leave.
Bella sighed and shakes her head." The king wants to see you as soon as possible."
His posture stiffened. " The king? I'm not exactly in the mood for an audience."
"There might be trouble brewing," Bella said carefully. "It would be best not to keep him waiting."
"He can take care of that," he said as he walks again. "He's the king isn't he? Later Bella, I need to rest."
Bella nodded slightly, she expected this anyways but she was lost in thought.
"What did the king do to Arthur?" Bella thought, worry gnawing on her stomach. " There had to be more to the story..."
************************
After spending five minutes admiring the library, Aiden decides to meet the librarian, a dark skinned woman. He asked her if there is a book regarding the ancient battle that occurred 4000 years ago.
"Let me show you where the book is." The librarian said.
Aiden widened his eyes in surprise. A smile broke out on his face. "Really?' there is a book about it?"
The librarian chuckled, a warm sound that echoed through the library. "Indeed there is, she stood up from her seat. Follow me."
Aiden and Peter followed eagerly as the librarian weaved through the towering bookshelves.They passed sections on yaijuus, herbal remedies and the history of Zeru academy itself. Finally they reached a secluded corner where a heavy oak door stood afar.
"This is the restricted section," the librarian explained, her voice dropping to a whisper. "These are ancient texts, some quite fragile. They require special handling.
Aiden nodded, his heart pounding with anticipation. He couldn't wait to delve into the secrets of the ancient battle.
Aiden opened the book and furrowed his eyebrows in concentration as he flips through the pages of "Zeru's sacrifice." Peter watches silently, curious about what Aiden has found.
Aiden lets out a surprised gasp, quickly turning the next page. His eyes scan the text, then widen in realization.
"The clash between Zeru and the dragon created a calamity that will never be forgotten. The Shadow Emperor."
Aiden connected the dots. "Is it what I think it is?" He thought to himself. "The yaijuu.... The Emperor created them!"
A cold dread settled over Aiden has he made the connection. The yaijuu in the legends, the creatures that caused so much destruction....they were linked to the Shadow Emperor. And the Shadow Emperor....
Aiden closed the book with a quiet thud. The weight of the revelation pressed down on him. This wasn't history anymore. This was personal.
He looked at Peter, his voice flat. The Shadow Emperor.... they're connected to the yaijuu of the shadows.
Peter's widened his eyes in understanding. The name sent shivers down his spine too. He knew the creatures from the whispered legends, stories of terrible claws and devastating power.
Aiden continued, his voice barely a whisper. " That's what attacked my village..."
The air hung heavy between them. The library, once a place of quiet contemplation, felt suffocating.
Anger and frustration bubbled up inside Aiden. He clenched his fists, a surge of helplessness washing over him. "If I had been stronger..." He muttered, his voice tight.
Peter placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder, his touch gentle but firm. "Hey," he said softly. " What happened wasn't your fault. Those creatures are incredibly powerful.
Aiden took a deep breath trying to calm the storm of emotions within him. He looked at Peter, a flicker of determination returning to his eyes. "You're right, he said slowly. "Dwelling on the past won't change anything. We need to focus on getting stronger, on being prepared."
Peter grinned, relief washing over his features. "That's the sprit!" he exclaimed. We'll train together, push each other to our limits. We'll become the best we can be." He bumped his fist against Aiden's chest playfully. "So what do you say? Ready for tomorrow?"
Aiden met Peter's gaze, a newfound resolve burning within him. "Yes!" He said a determined glint in his eyes.
"Come on let's go to our dorms, we can find something else later" Peter said.
"Yeah let's..." Aiden suddenly grabbed his own hand on anger as it begins to tremble.
"I need to learn how to overcome this, if not I won't be strong at all." He thought to himself.
"Are you okay Aiden?" Peter asked, his voice laced with concern.
Aiden took a deep breath and released his hand. "Thank you, Peter," he said forcing a smile.
"Let's go, Peter said, his excitement dampened by Aiden's sudden shift in mood. " I can't wait for tomorrow."
They exited the library, deep in conversation only to be stopped short. Three young boys, their faces etched with smirks blocked their path.
The boys' hands clamped down on Aiden's arms, their grip like iron bands. Aiden fought back a surge of panic, forcing a calm exterior. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing him afraid.
"Where are you taking me?" Aiden demanded, his voice surprisingly steady.
One of the boys sneered. "Just a little visit with a friend of ours. You'll see."
"Hey! Leave him alone!" Peter shouted as he attempts to help Aiden.
"Back off or else." The boys glared at him which caused Peter to gritt his teeth in anger.
They shoved Aiden roughly down the hall, his protests swallowed by the echoing silence. Peter watched helplessly, his mind racing for a way to help.
The boys took Aiden to the training hall almost the size of an arena. A wave of nausea washed over Aiden as the boys shoved him to the ground in the center of the vast training hall. He fought back the urge to flinch under the snickers and jeers from the observing students. This wasn't about him giving a reaction. He had to stay focused, to figure out what they wanted.
"He is so weak."
How did he survive that town with that feeble body?"
Aiden was receiving insults here and there. He clenched his fist in anger and quickly got up from the floor. The boys stopped laughing and looked at him up and down, expecting him to make a move against them. But Aiden didn't do anything, Instead he asked a question.
"Why do you feel the need to pick on someone weaker than you? What do you even want from me?"
An apology! A boy said in the midst of the students watching Aiden.