Chereads / The Deathbearer Chronicle / Chapter 11 - Aerial Warfare / Roundtable Feud

Chapter 11 - Aerial Warfare / Roundtable Feud

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A true warrior walks the path of the sword not to fend for themselves, but to make a pure distinguish on what can and cannot stop him. For being one that has few weaknesses, limiters, and inhibitions is what it means to protect, conquer, and vanquish. Only then can they be deemed a true Swordmaster.

-Maxwell, Swordsworn to the nameless Blade of the Abyssal Hollow

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The light of the full moon and the Grand Cathedral shines down onto the thick snowy forest below where there are four men inspecting a gruesome scene.

"What do you think could have done this?" Asks one of the men holding a torch, illuminating the surrounding snowfield.

"No common monster or beast is capable of leaving a human corpse this..unrecognizable..." Says a man with glasses, kneeling and looking down at what remains of a rotting corpse, roots entangled in and out of its body spreading across the ground.

There is a large hole where its brain should be. And it looks as if its insides have been eaten from within.

"Let me have a look." A man holding a lantern with a golden light and wearing catholic robes gets closer to inspect the scene.

"What do you think you're doing you foolish priest!? Continue holding up the holy light or we will all fall to the beasts of the night just as he has!" A man holding a sword yells.

"Shhh...keep it quiet. If you raise your voice, you may alarm any undead possibly scattered in the snow." The man with glasses picks up a rotting gray brain tissue with his gloves. "This... this isn't the result of any beast mauling... or any illness I've studied. And it is not the result of any form of sorcery."

"What? Are you saying this was caused by some sort of plague that has not made itself known until now?" The man with the sword asks as he kneels next to him.

"It is possible." He places the gray brain tissue in a small pouch before standing. "I must bring it to be analyzed within the Library of Scholars. Let us return to Azula." He says as he picks up his bag then turning away from the scene.

"What is this?" The man with the sword notices a light glint, then picks up what appears to be an empty vial. 

"Let me have a look at it." The priest grabs the vial then inspects it briefly. "This has traces of Alchemy..."

"What? Alchemy? Are you su-"

*screeek*

The four men look back at the source of the shriek and onto the corpse on the snow.

*shckkl*

A small worm like organism with thin tendrils emerges from the hole on its head before latching onto the left eye of the man with the sword, then burrowing into his eye.

"Agghh! What in god's realm was that?! It's in my eye!" He begins forcefully rubbing his left eye, blood dripping onto the snow and coloring it orange.

"Calm yourself! I will relieve the pain, hold still." The priest places his right hand onto the man's left eye, then begins chanting.

*roOoaAaargh....*

The faint distant sound of howling echoes throughout the snow forest as the moonlight slowly gets buried in a thick layer of clouds.

"The torch will go out soon!" Says the man holding the torch, its light slowly reaching a state of exhaustion.

"Make haste! The beasts of the night will smell the blood and close in on our location!" The man with glasses says, panic slowly rising.

"Patience! I cannot keep the lantern active while beginning an incantation!"

"Ghhhgh!" The man drops his sword as he panics. "I feel it moving inside me! Oh god! Kill me! I cannot take it! Kill me I beg you!"

"Calm yourself! I am nearly don-"

*POP*

His left eye explodes, releasing an orange glowing cloud onto the priest's face and melting it clean off, the left half of his skull now exposed as he drops onto the ground, dead.

The lantern light goes out as it makes contact with the snow.

"What in heaven..." The man with glasses covers his mouth in horror. 

"N-no... the lantern..." The man with the torch says as he looks at the dead priest then back to his torch, which is seconds away from giving out. "God above... It is only a matter of time..." He kneels on the orange snow next to the priest, hopelessness washing over his spirit.

"Aghh! Ghh!..." The man cries in anguish, a large pool of orange liquid dripping from his left eye. Help..m-" *SHLCKL*

Fleshy tendrils erupt from his eye and mouth hole, his face ripping in half and exposing a row of pointy teeth along his brain.

*GRAARLLRL*

The man's hijacked body lunges onto the man with the torch, then thrusts the large jaw from his head and onto his face, crunching on him.

*CRCK*

The man with glasses watches in terror as the dropped torch on the ground gives out, painting the entire landscape in pitch black.

"What.. w-.. what is.." He can't form any words. He continues to stay paralyzed with fear in the darkness. The sounds of wet crunching taking over the area.

The sounds of the distant howling now draw near, the moonlight returning briefly as the clouds clear, revealing a pack of beasts rapidly approaching the scene of blood.

The man in glasses finds his dropped bag and pulls out a book, then summons a spectral horse before mounting it and fleeing the area.

He looks back briefly and sees the parasitic monster tearing the beasts to shreds and eating them.

.

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"Damn it, damn it DAMN IT!" I punch on my knee in frustration as I ride the giant owl over the sea and back towards the Luthran Kingdom.

"Oh relax Alek. That entire situation was out of your control. There's nothing you could have done to not rupture The Rot King's soul. You should be happy you dealt with him in a rather flashy way~"

"That's not it you twat taco. I wasn't able to get any sort of intel of the Luthran King's whereabouts. And now I don't have anything to bring back to the Order of the King's twats, you TWAT." I punch on my knee again.

It hurts.

"Relax, will you? It could be much worse."

"Yeah, you could be a loser with no friends or some idiot that's clueless about world events!"

"Thanks, Astal."

I didn't mean to be so extra with my attacks. Before I knew it, I punched a hole on Ragnav Castle's wall as well as the clouds above.

It's too bad I didn't hit the ugly cathedral.

"So? What will you tell the King's Will? I'm interested in knowing how you'll handle yourself when you're expected to be the bearer of good news~!"

"I've got it in the bag. Don't even worry about it."

I lied.

I ended up staying in the Ragnav Kingdom for an extra three days. I couldn't help it, shooting the brains of beast-turned humans is a guilty pleasure I discovered.

I've been flying for about half a day, and the sun is already starting to set

I'm starving.

Here's a reminder to not travel long distances without a bag of potato chips.

It's not like it matters anyway, a bag of chips is sixty percent air.

"So, what's a rune anyway?" I ask as I gaze off into the ocean, trying to find a way to kill time.

"Oh you made it this far without knowing what it is? You are so adorable~ A rune is a mark of power that grants the authority of a certain world element. Six runes exist. The Rune of Time is the first rune to ever exist and is the reason time existed long before the birth of the cosmos. The Rune of Life, which gave souls to every living being. The Rune of Dreams, which gave consciousness and sentience to every being. The Rune of Power, which is what gives every being willpower and strength of mind, without it, life forms would fall in a state of hollowness and despair for eternity. The Rune of Arcane, which brought sorcery and every form of magic, as well as the magic essence that flows in every being and corner of the world. And The Rune of Conjuring, which allowed every being to create and store memories. Then there is a seventh rune that should have never existed - The Rune of Death.

"Thanks. Sounds stupid."

"You think so? It does sound rather preposterous, but that is just how the world came to be."

"Wait I'm confused now. So it wasn't god that created everything?" I scratch the back of my head.

"Well, when balance was established, the six runes combined and created the first ever living being in order to give purpose to the world, and that being was 'God,' the physical manifestation of the laws of the six runes. She went on to create the Outer Heavens, which is the giant Cathedral that looks down onto the mortal plain. Before mortals walked the plain, the world was in a Tenebrous age of dark and emptiness, ruled by dragons. 'God' used The Rune of Life to create flora and fauna, which is how organism evolution came to be. Over the course of millennia, mortals existed and died establishing their Kingdoms and going to war with dragons, their souls getting sent to the Grand Cathedral along with their faith, further strengthening and grounding the existence of 'God' in this world.

"Great. Wonderful even. Is that all or is there more?" I probably shouldn't have asked that. Now I might risk the blood vessels in my brain popping if she lore dumps further.

"Well... during my clash with 'God' on the day I got banished to the mortal plain, I used the Rune of Death to draw out the six runes out of her and scatter them onto the mortal plain. However, this wasn't enough to put an end to her. That was roughly half of her power gone, the other half is The Grand Cathedral, which was powered to an absurd amount from all of the generations of souls and worship it has collected. She used that power to create a faction of higher angels - The Seraphim, The Cherubim, and Thrones."

"Uh huh." I think I follow so far.

I think.

"At the time, the Rune of Death was in an early and incomplete state, as it didn't have the souls to match what the Grand Cathedral gathered. Still, with it I was only able to subdue The Cherubim."

"Tough."

"Then, there was a mortal that discovered the Rune of Conjuring, which he used to track the Rune of Arcane and the Rune of Life. He went on to use the power of the three runes to create the Philosopher's Stone in order to gain immortality as well as find ambition and understand his purpose. Years after being banished, I've traced the power of the three runes, which was quite simple since three runes combined to one soul gives out a large aura, almost like a beacon, Fufu~."

"And then what? You guys become crime fighters or something?"

"Upon our first meeting, he knew who I was and what I was capable of. But that is just what happens when the Philosopher's stone grants you infinite knowledge. I didn't even need to force him to lend me his power, he was more than eager to assist me in my plans since the stone revealed to him the truth of the world and 'God'. And yet... no matter how far I urged him to share his knowledge, he just wouldn't budge.. he was convinced that if he told me what the stone told him, the 'Voices' would consume his soul."

"Sounds like a real shizo to me."

"Using the power of the Rune of Conjuring and the Rune of Death, I created the Limbo Domain. By doing this, the souls of the dead would go there instead of further amplifying the Grand Cathedral's power. However, 'God' took notice and used the power of The Seraphim and the Grand Cathedral to create the world's first law, which was the law where only the souls of sinners would get sent to Limbo. And as a result, the Ten Commandments were created."

"Harsh."

"Over the next course of hundreds of years, I've watched the immortal human with infinite knowledge grow into a state of pure madness. Without the Rune of Power, his mind went into a state of insanity from having the power of three runes along with the knowledge the Philosopher's stone brought onto his fragile human soul. He reached his breaking point and, in an attempt to free himself from 'the voices', he decided to discard the three runes from his soul and travel across the mortal plain, scattering them. Long after, we reunited, and he revealed that no matter how hard he tried, he could not get rid of 'the voices' that plagued his mind, as the power of the Philosopher's stone was bound to his soul for eternity. Of course, I attempted to request the locations of the three runes, but alas, I was given the same answer as when I asked he share his knowledge. We ended up going our separate ways, and then later came the events after that lead me to my brilliant idea of condensing my soul into the Rune of Death and implanting myself on you~"

"Uhh can you start over? You lost me halfway haha..."

*RoOooOAaaargh*

I look off into the distance and spot a horde of what looks like large snakes with the head of a dragon and wings.

"Ew! Amphithere...I've always hated those.."

"And here I thought it was going to be smooth sailing back to the Luthran Kingdom."

I tug on the rope around the owl's neck, signaling it to go faster.

*FwwOOSH*

Surprisingly, it looks like it understood me.

*RooAAAARGH*

The flying snake dragons give chase and inch closer.

Looks like we won't get out without putting up a fight.

And I am now annoyed.

"Astal, hand me Gloom, and make it SNAPPY."

"Hah? My name isn't Gloom!"

"I know it isn't you imbecile, now do as you're told or I'll flip through your pages with greasy fingers. You have until the count of three. One."

"Bahaha~ I like this side of you Alek..."

"W-what? You wouldn't defile me like that, right m-master..?"

"Two." The amphithere are now right behind us.

"You've really done it this time, Astal~"

"You shut up! M-master... please.. calm down!"

"Thre-"

"Eep!"

*FwOoOo*

"Good girl."

"Hehe~... Master called me a good gi-"

"Astal."

"Oh! U-uhm.. yes?"

"Can you tell me what it is I'm holding right now?" I raise Astal up high.

"Oh uhm.. I'm uh.."

"Astal."

"Eep! w-w-what..?"

"Why are you a slingshot?" I pull on Astal's thin string.

"You had onee job Astal."

"B-because you pressured me!! Dummy master! Blockhea-"

"Astal."

"Eek!"

"I want you to give me a valid reason not to drop you into the ocean." I slide my finger under the string and hover Astal to my side and above the ocean below.

"W-what?! Master! This isn't fair! This is harassment! You're seriously messed up in the head! What is wrong with you harassing your companion like this?? Do you really want me to fall into the ocean where I'll get my pages groped by a giant squid in the dark wet ocean? Is that what you want Master?! To see me get assaulted in such a way?! Is that what you want? IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT!?!"

"Well, that does sound like quite the appetizing sight..."

"I said SHUT UP! M-master.. please.. have mercy.."

"I'll deal with you later." I pluck out a feather from the owl and channel it slightly with my right hand, making it as hard as an arrow, then taking aim and firing.

*TCK*

*RAAAaahr*

It hits the eye of a flying snake thing, killing it as it falls onto the ocean.

"Ooo good thinking Alek~ We make such a great team you and I..."

"Sniff..."

I pluck out multiple feathers and repeat the process, then firing the feathers as if it were buckshot.

*TCK* *TCK* *TCK*

*RAahrr*

The horde of ugly flying snake things start to clear, before my ears take in the loud sound of a louder roar.

*ROOOOOAAAAAAAGH*

"Sigh" I look over my shoulder and see what I hopped we wouldn't run into in the skies.

It looks like the cries of the amphitheres alerted a nearby wyvern.

"Well that's fair, now I gotta take on a group of these and a frickin wyvern?" I pull on the rope again, the owl flies low near the ocean, dodging the current of flames that let loose from the wyvern's large jaw from behind, the owl's claws making contact onto the ocean water and leaving behind a pretty cool trail as it flies rapidly over it.

The wyvern then zooms and descends right in front of us, then it opens its mouth and releases another wave of flames our direction.

I pull on the rope yet again, causing the owl to fly higher and preventing us from becoming a happy meal.

I then yank the rope off the owl and drop down onto the wyvern below.

"Hi how are ya." I throw the rope around the wyvern's long neck and tighten it.

*ROOOOAAAAAAAARGH*

It flies up into the air and wobbles around as I tug on the rope harder.

"W-whoa whoa stop! Don't drop me..!" I pull on it harder, which causes the wyvern to rile up in a panic, flying into the horde of amphithere that grew in size thanks to this wyvern's dramatic roars.

I loosen the rope which allows the wyvern to release a huge wave of flames in every direction, burning everything around to a crisp.

"Okay thanks." I pull out my great sword and slice the wyvern's long neck, separating its head from its body.

I retrieve the rope and jump back down onto the owl flying below and watch as the wyvern's body falls into the ocean in an explosive impact.

"Phew." I put away my great sword and wrap the rope around the owl before leaning back.

"Well done~!"

"Yeah thanks. Uuwaah..." That made me use up way too much energy on an empty stomach. I'm thinking I'll just nap all the way back to the Luthran Kingdom.

"Sleep tight, my dear host..."

"Night." 

"S-..sleep tight master!"

"Hm." 

"Sniff.."

.

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The Deathbearer Chronicle - Volume 3: Plague Stone

This is a work of fiction. It is in no way related to real life persons, locations, or events. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

Seriously.

You silly rabbit.

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Eight people are in a meeting in the chamber of the Luthran King, the atmosphere silent and tense.

"I thank you for joining us on this important night, King of Draevak" Says a bald man in catholic robes.

"Hm, let us make this meeting as quickly as humanly possible. I have many matters to attend to, Phardwin." Replies a man with brown hair and beard, his bronze crown reflecting the light of the chandelier above. "And where is my water, Ame?" He asks in a demanding tone.

"It wouldn't kill you to be less cranky, my feet can only go so quick." Says a girl with long monochrome hair, her short elegant black dress swaying as she walks towards the roundtable and setting a chalice of water down.

"What was that? Would you like to repeat that for me?" He replies as he slams his palm on the roundtable, making the water ripple.

"Oh nothing." She says, looking off to the side and brushing a strand of her long bangs behind her ear, then returning to her position next to him.

"Hm." He takes a sip of his water. "Who are we missing? I thought I finished telling you to make this meeting go as quickly as possible. You dare make light of my time, Phardwin?" He taps his finger on the table. "And where is King Luthran?"

"I intend to follow through with your request, your highness. Rest assured the meeting will carry on to a swift end once we have all required participants involved." Replies the bald man as he stands in front of his large chair, his hands joined behind him. "King Luthran currently resides elsewhere. And we are expecting his return soon."

"I think we could have carried on without King Draevak. Don't you think so, headmaster?" Asks a slightly tall girl, her red eyes glaring at the King with the bronze crown, her arms crossed.

The headmaster looks at Rin next to him. "Rin, do behave yourself now, this is a meeting that must g-"

"Oh? And why do you believe so?" King Draevak rises from his seat, his palms on the round table.

"Well it is certainly obvious you have a Kingdom to run, correct? It would pose no difference if you took your leave now while the rest of us discuss matters without your sullen attitude." She narrows her red eyes. "So go on, take your senile temper back to your Kingdom and make better use of your 'time'." She walks and stands in front of the headmaster.

Ame giggles quietly to herself next to King Draevak.

"Why you.." The rune on his crown starts glowing, the table starts shaking, the chandelier swinging in slight tensity above.

"Rin. That's enough." The headmaster says in a serious tone.

"Hmph." She returns to her position beside the headmaster.

"Teeheeheee~ Well said Rin-Rin!" A young girl in twin tails says, covering her mouth in a giggle.

"Yukki." A woman in a purple witch hat says, glaring at her.

"Ah! Ahem sorries!"

"No more speaking out of line you two, this is a meeting between Kings." Says Draken, leaning on his chair.

Mira kicks his foot under the table, urging him to sit up straight.

"Hm." King Draevak sits back on his chair.

*THUMP*

The large doors to the chamber close as two people walk in.

"Sorry I'm late. Won't happen again or whatever." Says a man with messy long dark brown hair, holding a top hat with pointy spikes at the top before sitting on an empty chair.

"Do show common etiquette when addressing your allies." Says a woman in a tricorne hat, her blue hair with a single gray streak swaying behind her as she walks and stands next to him. "And do put that on, it goes on your head, not on your mitts."

"Ah? It looks silly, you want me to look silly to a meeting?" He says with an unmotivated tone.

"Ahem And you are?" Asks Phardwin as he inspects the unfamiliar person.

Everyone in the room has their eyes on him.

"I'm uh.. the new King of Ragnav, I think."

"What? The new Ragnav King? And what has become of the previous King?" The headmaster has a look of shocked curiosity.

"Ahem.. It is with deep regret and sorrow that I announce the official passing of the previous King of Ragnav." Says Lucia.

The room briefly falls silent again, before Phardwin speaks.

"Now then, I'm sure we all have questions, and I assure you all we will get to them. But for now, we are missing the Supreme Sorceresses, and we will not carry on without her presence."

"Unfortunately, The Supreme Sorceresses will not be making an appearance." The headmaster places a letter in the center of the roundtable. "As per this letter that hails from the Kingdom of Azula states, written by the Sorceresses herself. And it is also the reason we are having this meeting.

The gazes in the room drop to the letter.

"Well then, we will proceed without her. I thank the Kings and their representatives for making their appearance. This meeting is now in motion." Phardwin sits, and the rest of the room follows. "Now, let us start with the passing of the previous King of the Ragnav Kingdom." He looks at the new King.

"Ah? Oh, right. He's dead." The man with the unmotivated tone says.

"Is that all? I have trouble believing you, new King of Ragnav. Are there no further details to this claim of yours?" Asks Phardwin, his skeptic eyebrow raised.

"He speaks the truth, Saint Phardwin. The castle of Ragnav was found in a state of ruin. We believe an entirely different party was involved in the murder." Says Lucia.

"Is that right?" He places his hands on the table and interlocks his fingers.

"Indeed. We have concluded that his assassination was done by none other than an organization that has been working in the darkness. They are known as 'The Order'."

The man with the messy hair shoots her a brief glance.

"What? An organization operating in the darkness you say?" Phardwin looks at the other members of the meeting, they share the same confused and intrigued look. "And just what is the extent of what this 'Organization' is capable of?"

"This organization might be connected to the reason we are having this meeting, Phardwin." Says the headmaster as he picks up the letter. "The Supreme Sorceress stated than some sort of... disease has been making the rounds across the outer Kingdom of Azula. And she fears that if it isn't investigated and dealt with, the central continent will be engulfed in an infestation."

"Infestation?" Rin speaks up. "That is disgusting. Are you certain that's what she wrote, headmaster? The way I see it, it sounds like nothing more than a minor outbreak of common bugs."

Yukki and Ame giggle quietly to themselves.

"That isn't all she wrote." He flips through the letter. "This 'Infestation' is described as a parasite that habits the body of a living being and morphs it into a monstrosity unlike anything witnessed. Then it will roam until it finds living prey, consuming it and spreading its spores, further multiplying itself."

"That is.. quite the description she wrote.." Says Mira, a look of unease on her face.

"I see. And? What does she want us to do with this information?" Rin crosses her arms.

"She requested each Kingdom to send in a trusted ally to Azula in hopes of aiding in the investigation." Says the headmaster.

"What? Send help all the way to the Kingdom of Azula just to deal with an infestation of parasitic monsters? Correct me if I am wrong, but does the Supreme Sorceresses not bear the Arcane Rune? Such dilemma should pose no threat to her and her Kingdom." She shakes her head.

"The infestation is not the only problem. While it is true the Rune of the Arcane is more than enough to wipe out a horde of parasitic abominations, it isn't without its risk of destroying everything around it. Furthermore, the Sorceresses cannot be everywhere all at once, as the organization has now become something to distress over, additional hands will be required."

"Hah! What is it, girl? Afraid of a little bug or two?" King Draevak says mockingly.

"As it stands, I'm more afraid of a rat that has found its way onto my bed than some ill-tempered 'King' with a sour attitude. I will more than gladly contribute far more than the likes of you." Rin replies with an expressionless tone.

"Ah, so you say." He rises from his seat, the rune on his crown glowing as a bronze staff manifests on his hand.

"Yes, I do say. Would you like me to say it again?" She draws her rapier.

"Rin!" The headmaster yells.

Ame pulls out a pouch of sweets and begins chewing as she watches the events unfold.

"Who do you think wins here, Mira~?" Yukki asks, her elbows on the roundtable.

"Shh!" Mira urges her to remain silent.

"This meeting is starting to work out real nicely." Says Draken, leaning back on his chair again.

"Zzzzz..." The new King of Ragnav remains asleep as Lucia begins to shake him awake.

"Enough! The both of you! We have gathered to address potential world calamities!" Phardwin rises from his seat and slams his hands on the roundtable. "We will not have this meeting go t-"

*WAM!*

The room goes silent as everyone shifts their gazes to the large doors that have been kicked in and onto a boy that strolls in.

The black necklace swings around his neck as he approaches the roundtable.

The candles on the chandelier flicker slightly as he gets closer.

He stops briefly as he notices the quiet tension in the room before speaking.

"Sup?"

Yukki starts waving at him and motioning him to sit next to her as she scoots to make room on her chair.

He lets out a sigh before making his way over and passing by Rin and the headmaster.

He gets stopped in his tracks as Rin grabs onto his shoulder.

"Ah, Alek. Welcome back. How was your trip?" Asks the headmaster, his hand on Rin's shoulder, urging her to put away her rapier and let him go.

He stands motionless, as if contemplating, before speaking.

"It was ok." 

"Ah, well we are currently in a very important meeting, and it would be grand if you would join us." He points to an empty chair next to him.

"Sure." He walks over and sits.

Yukki scoots her chair closer to his, before Rin intercepts and sits in the empty seat next to him.

"Hmph." She crosses her arms.

"Awww, you just had to butt in.." Yukki pouts.

"Fufufu~" Mira giggles.

*CRUNCH*

Ame continues chewing on her sweets before King Draevak shoots her a glance, making her put the pouch away. "Sorry."

"Ahem.. Now that we've returned to calm and quiet, let us resume." Phardwin sits.

"Hm." King Draevak puts his bronze staff away and takes his seat.

"Now then, we were discussing how the Kingdom of Azula is requesting aid from the three Kingdoms." Phardwin says, his hands joined on the roundtable. "As the current one in charge of the Luthran Kingdom, I will follow through with this request in hopes of stopping a potential infestation across the central continent. What say you, King Ragnav? King Draevak?"

"ZZZzzz"

*SMACK!*

"Huh?" King Ragnav is woken up from Lucia's smack to his head. "Oh uhh.. I do apologize but uhh.. we're currently experiencing uhh.. a bit of trouble on our end, and we need everyone available within Ragnav to assist in the reconstruction of Ragnav castle and its wall, or whatever." He yawns.

"I see. And what of yourself, King Draevak?" Phardwin looks at him.

"Are you out of your mind? I have the Dragon School to maintain as well as other matters that overshadow this 'infestation' you speak of!" He stands from his chair. "If there is nothing more then I shall take my leave. Ame, come." He turns away and walks towards the doors.

"Huuuh? Oh, ok." Ame steals a quick glance at the mysterious boy before turning away and following behind him out of the chamber.

"Yeahh.. we'll be going too.. Uhwaah.." King Ragnav rises and walks towards the exit.

Lucia gives a bow before turning away and following him out.

The room is now left in silence, as the original members of the Order of the King's Will remain.

.

.

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That was probably the most awkward silence I've ever walked in to.

I could have sworn I heard yelling before entering through the giant stone doors of this room.

I kind of had to give them a hard kick just to open them.

They were too heavy.

The giant owl I rode on decided it was a good idea to drop me off at the very tip of Luthran castle's top. I had to carefully slide off the side of its bricked roof and had my butt impaled by a couple of loose bricks.

Maybe I should have apologized for plucking some of its feathers.

*SMACK*

"Stop that." Says Rin after she just got done swatting Yukki's hand away from my face and stopping her from further poking my cheek.

"Hey! I was just making sure he was alive!" She pouts.

"Yes I'm alive damn it. People need time to think in their heads you know." I rub on my cheek.

"Fufu~" The witch lady giggles.

"Now then boy, the time has come. Speak of what you've gathered on the Luthran King." The baldie demands as he gives me his glance.

The room goes into yet another awkward silence.

God damn it. I knew the problem was me. I just can't seem to stop bringing in my awkward vibes, yo.

This ain't it.

I'll need to wrap up my stay here as quick as possible and just give them the answer they want to hear.

"Who? Old man Luthran? Yeah I met him, great guy. He'll be back. He's currently at.. uhh." I look over to the fireplace and onto the painting above it.

It depicts a castle in the sky.

I remember watching a movie with that kind of premise.

Ten out of ten.

"Yeah he's in a castle in the sky."

The room blows a sigh of relief.

"Ah, as I have thought. We were right to suspect his wellbeing remained intact." The baldie nods to himself.

"I see, well done on completing your first major assignment, Alek." The headmaster nods.

"Phew This does seem to ease my worries..." Says the witch lady.

"What is it, Mira? The news that unfolded on this meeting still on your mind?" Asks the man with red hair.

"Yes.. this.. infestation sounds rather troublesome.." She says.

"The what?" I ask in confusion.

"Ah yes, Alek, the Supreme Sorceress has delivered a letter requesting the aid from the three Kingdoms in order to investigate and put a stop to a problem that could potentially expand on a world scale." The headmaster says, his fingers interlocked on the round table.

"The who?"

"Unfortunately, the two other Kingdoms refused to grant their aid to Azula, as they had their own matters to attend to.." He sighs.

"There is nothing that can be done. We are fortunate enough King Draevak and King Ragnav bothered to even show up. We haven't had a full meeting of Kings in ages." The bald man says.

"Who?"

Did he say just say King Ragnav?

I thought I busted a cap on his gut.

Things are getting pretty nonsensical today.

"So, Alek." The headmaster looks at me. "You wouldn't mind going on yet another assignment to the Kingdom of Azula, would you?"

Very nonsensical.

"Huuuuuh

"What? Headmaster, Alek has just returned from an assignment that stretched for nearly a week, and you want to send him out to Azula?" Rin crosses her arms, as usual. "I say we send Yukki." She gives Yukki a cold glance.

"Oooo~ I like the way you think prez~" Yukki rises and places her hands on the roundtable in excitement. "And I'll even bring Alek with me!"

"Wait what?"

"What?" Rin has the same reaction. "Absolutely not."

"Ohh~? And why not, Prez? You're aware we can't send Mira or Draken, right? Mira has to place a few spells for extra security measures in the Grand Archive after it has been breached..." She smirks. "And Draken has to train the new recruits...Riight Draken~?" 

"Haah.. It's true." He leans back on his chair and cracks his neck.

"We still have not found any leads on who was responsible for the wreckage of the Grand Archive's roof.. and the troublesome books scattered around have yet to be fully contained.. oh deary me.." Mira rests her head on her palms.

"Uh huh. So that leaves me and Alek!" She looks at me and winks.

No good can come out of this conversation.

"Yes but.." Rin uncrosses her arms.

"Buut?" Yukki smirks again. "Could it be you want to go instead, Rin-Rin?"

"I-..I.." She tries speaking, her fists clenched.

It doesn't matter who ends up going with me.

At the end of the day, I'm screwed either way.

Worst part is I don't have any say in this matter.

I'm kind of just stuck here waiting for my fate to get announced.

"Yees~? That shouldn't be the case, riight? You were heavily insistent the thought of investigating an infestation was below you... So you're fine if Alek and I go, correctt?"

"Hmph." She stands up and crosses her arms, again. "Headmaster, it seems Yukki and I will just have to accompany Alek to Azula." She says as she goes back to her usual cold tone.

Yup. Just what I was afraid of.

"Tch.." I hear Yukki pout.

"Very well. Allow me time to make preparations and write to the Supreme Sorceress about the allies that will be sent. Begin preparing for a long trip beforehand." He stands from his seat.

"Then, this meeting has come to an end." The bald man rises from his seat. "We will meet here again once new developments have been announced. Until then, do continue giving the Kingdom of Luthran your all." He gives everyone in the room a last glance before disappearing out of the chamber.

"Uwahh.. I'd like to sleep this headache away." Mira rises and heads towards the exit.

"How about a drink, headmaster?" Draken offers as they rise from their seats.

"Oh, I couldn't, there are many arrangements that need to be made. Perhaps another time." He replies as they make their way out.

And that leaves me and my two captives currently tugging on both my arms.

"Let go, Yukki. I will be the one that will see Alek out." Rin says coldly, nearly digging her nails in my skin.

"Oh don't be silly prez, you have much student council work that needs to be done, remember? Now be a good sport and let go now~." Yukki replies, tugging on my coat repeatedly.

"Can you two just-"

"No."

"Nuh uh!"

"God damn it."

"Why is it that you always have to find a way to interfere with my business, Yukki?" Says Rin, her grip getting tighter on my right arm.

"Your business? Alek is BOTH of our business, Prez~. Alek is the entire KINGDOM'S business! Did you already forget~?" Yukki tugs my left arm harder, nearly making me stumble.

"T-that is not what I meant." She looks away before returning her cold gaze. "I merely wish to express how much of a cockroach you are. Always finding a way to show up and ruin my day." She grips even tighter.

This is just getting to unparalleled heights of absurd.

I'm out this piece.

I quietly slip down from my coat, the two girls too lost in their argument to notice, their hands still gripping onto the now vacant coat.

I walk towards the exit and shut the door behind me, leaving the two animals to their devices.

.

.

.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

"ACHOO!"

I'm now sitting down on a rooftop looking down at the dimly lit streets of the Luthran Kingdom.

"Quite the day you've had today, eh Alek~?"

"Shhh, don't jinx it. The day isn't over just yet and there's always a chance more bullshit could get thrown my way." I look down at the dark streets threating to kill me by fall damage. "Which is why I'm up on this roof, waiting cautiously..." I shiver as the air of the cold night scrapes my skin and onto the crescent shaped scars on my right arm.

She didn't have to dig her nails into me.

"Still, I wasn't expecting you to give such a response to the King's Will about the Luthran King's whereabouts. I'm impressed!"

"Yeah, well I- ACHOO!"

"Bless you."

"Sniff.. Oh, Astal, I forgot I had you."

"Wha-"

"He hates you."

"Master.."

"She's messing with you." I wipe my nose. "So, what can you two tell me about Azula?"

"Ahh.. The Kingdom of Azula.. Do make sure to take a coat with you. If you're shivering now, the snow from Azula will have you shivering out of your skin~!

"Wow, thanks."

"Azula is the Kingdom that created the grandest of sorceries and shared its many grimoires across the central continent, master. Every grimoire comes from the Great Library of Scholars, as well as the many common spells that everyone uses across the continent."

"So is that where you were born?"

"Uhm.. not exactly.."

"You see, little Astal here was written by a forgotten Sorcerer that discovered magic from the cosmos and infusing the soul of his daughter to the grimoire after she-"

"D-don't you dare finish that sentence!

"Okay okay."

"Is that all?"

"As far as common knowledge goes, yes. There is however one more thing you ought to keep a look out for."

"And that is?" I start to shiver again.

"Remember the immortal human I told you about in my little tale~?"

"No. I mean yes. I mean.. maybe."

"He is actually being held captive in Azula. Why not try talking to him? Perhaps you'll have better luck getting something out of him~"

"How did you even find out he's there."

"I know lots of things...but I can't see the future you know? I have my own limits~"

"Wait if the person that has infinite knowledge is in Azula, why don't they just ask him for the answers they're looking for instead of having me go there just to freeze my skin?"

"Do you really believe I have the answer to that? Ask yourself why Azula is requesting assistance even though they have him, you silly devil! He was always quite the nut to crack, FuFu~" 

"And you really think he'll spill the tea to me?"

"Who knows~? It wouldn't hurt to try..."

"Yes it will. Me. My skin. And my temperature."

"You'll live~"

"Greaat."

I guess there's no helping it. I really will have to head out on yet another trip with little to no choice.

Only this time, I'll have more than just two beings that won't stop barking at each other and driving me nuts.

I'll have to deal with Rin and Yukki's disorderly conduct.

And the thought makes me tremble.

No wait, I'm just cold.

I miss my coat.

"ACHOO!"

"Bless you, master."

.

.

.

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---------TOPIC---------------

Joffrey, the blade of ashes: Who killed King Ragnav? Assasination by 'The Order' or did little bloke run away to suck on mommey's wankers? Get in here you rotten bastards.

-------------------------------------------

Hitsharold, divine knight of Fortuna: Truthfully, I never did see such mediocre man as any sort of 'King." The simpleton acquired the role of King without possession of a rune's power. His death was better late than never I suppose. But such is the result of a deranged twat that is blinder than that of a twat whose face is far up my nether portion.

Jack, the bladesworn imperial: >>Joffrey, the blade of ashes >>Hitsharold, divine knight of Fortuna

>Assassination by 'The Order'

It is clear as day, what art thou, a simpleminded plebian?

>The simpleton acquired the role of King without possession of a rune's power.

Did your little women starved head forget Ragnav was a Fragment Holder?  You people that hail from Fortuna have your heads so far deep up your noggin it's almost a comedic thing to witness.

Haythorn, surveyor of the desolate wilderness: >>Jack, the bladesworn imperial:

>Fragment Holder

Do you truly believe that old tale to be real? There is no evidence that proves a seventh rune exists other than the ones practically the entire continent knows about. I shall bring your little head to reality with but these two statements. There is no Rune of Death. There is no Requiem Rune. These are all but campfire tales and bedtime stories your little mum tells to keep you from venturing out and getting eaten by a slime.

The Doctor: Good day, my pretties. Lovely thread you brought forth here. Would I be correct in assuming you all have evidence to prove King Ragnav's death was caused by 'The Order'? And please, do give any names you believe are involved in the assassination, I feel myself shaking in my boots from the anticipation~

Fray, the one that stalks the shadows: >>The Doctor

>And please, do give any names you believe are involved in the assassination.

A name has been getting thrown around this Kingdom. It goes by "Mr. Denmark". No one knows what it could mean or why in blazes it sounds so moronic. One thing that remains certain is the bloodshed that remains wherever his name follows. I've placed my bets on this wanker belonging to 'The Order' way before King Ragnav's assassination.

Colt, harbinger of disaster:

>Thread lacking in any good answers 

I see the discussions from the Ragnav Kingdom have not become any less of a wanker fest.

Jack, the bladesworn imperial: >>Colt, harbinger of disaster

Perish thyself.

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