CHAPTER 3.
Twenty years later,
25 CM later, Cross Forest, Saint Kingdom.
Once a sacred sanctuary for the gods of the Holy Kingdom, Cross Forest now teemed with elite monsters that resembled angelic beings, their ethereal beauty masking their deadly intent. Their movements echoed through the forest as their hooves thundered against the ground, creating a cacophony of sound that reverberated through the trees. Despite the daylight filtering through the canopy, an oppressive darkness lingered in this once sacred place, hinting at the turmoil and chaos that had engulfed the Shiltz continent since the seal was broken. It was as if the very air crackled with tension, foreboding what was to come.
The royal troops of the Holy Kingdom halted at the border of the Upper Glasis River, their horses pawing the ground in anticipation. All eyes were on their leader, Prince Rupert Terramai, as he rode forward on a magnificent white steed. In his right hand he held a gleaming silver sword, its hilt set with precious gems, while his left grasped a shield bearing the crest of the royal family. His features were chiseled and handsome, his athletic figure commanding respect and admiration from all who saw him. At the tender age of twenty, he had already been awarded the title of The Great Crusader by the esteemed heroic organisation, the Order of Apostles, cementing his reputation as a brave and courageous leader.
Since Jack's departure from the revered Holy Kingdom, his younger brother Rupert had taken over as Crown Prince. Despite the weight of this responsibility, Rupert's success seemed to know no bounds. And not without the help of someone who stood faithfully by his side as they waged war on foreign lands in an attempt to expand their kingdom. Rupert turned to his left to see a small figure with shiny obsidian locks cascading down his back. In one hand he held a wand, a symbol of his powerful sorcery, while the other eye was covered with an intricately designed patch that matched his stylish clothing.
Rupert turned to Gariel and asked for his opinion. "What do you think of this attack?" he asked.
Gariel looked straight ahead as he replied, "What do you mean, Rupert?
"I noticed you were quiet during the trip. Any thoughts?" Rupert dismounted.
Gariel finally turned to face Rupert and fixed him with a sharp stare, despite his eye patch. He took a deep breath before replying, "I told you, Rupert. The forest can take care of itself; there's no need for so many troops."
Gariel's attention shifted behind him as he finished speaking.
Looking at the massive army of the Holy Kingdom, Gariel knew that Rupert was restless and eager to train. But for Gariel, being a Royal Sorcerer meant more than just honing his skills; it was a duty to reclaim territories still beyond the Kingdom's reach. The recent decline of the forces of the Knights of the Shield had prompted King Arus to call upon the Order of the Apostles to help protect their lands. And while Gariel was already here, ready to face the elite monsters that lay ahead, he couldn't afford to waste any more troops on this mission alone. The air was thick with tension and anticipation as they prepared to face their enemies.
"I'm not going to let you have all the fun, Gariel," Rupert's voice rang out, determined and resolute. He was already preparing for battle when a large group of elite monsters rumbled into view, their growls and snarls filling the air. The sun glinted off their razor-sharp scales, and their thundering footsteps shook the ground. But Rupert stood tall and ready, his sword gleaming in the light as he awaited the impending clash with fierce determination.
Without hesitation, Gariel sprinted to the front of the group and quickly began to chant a spell. His voice was filled with power and determination as he summoned his water elemental magic. The air around him seemed to ripple and shimmer as he focused his energy, ready to unleash it upon their enemies. Despite the chaos and danger that surrounded them, Gariel remained steadfast and confident in his abilities. He was a force to be reckoned with, and nothing would stand in his way.
"Freezing Field!" with a commanding cry, he raised his wand high and brought it down to the ground. An icy wind rushed out, sweeping over the horde of elite monsters and freezing them in place. Their violent movements stopped in an instant, their bodies encased in solid ice. The once chaotic battlefield was now eerily quiet, with only the sound of cracking ice breaking the silence.
Gariel's voice rang out, powerful and commanding. "Summon Comet!" And with a flash of light, a massive comet emerged from the portal in the sky, its fiery tail trailing behind it as it streaked towards Earth. The air crackled with energy as the celestial object was brought forth by Gariel's magic, and all eyes turned upwards in awe and fear. The ground shook beneath their feet as the comet approached, a force to be reckoned with under Gariel's control.
The once-elite monsters lay in pieces, vanishing before their eyes. Rupert and his troops stood in awe of the Royal Wizard's incredible display of magic. Despite his small stature and eye patch, there was no denying the immense power he possessed. However, Rupert's assessment of their safety was proven wrong as more monsters closed in on them from all four directions, their sinister grins spreading across their faces.
Anticipation and adrenaline coursed through Rupert and his troops as they prepared for battle. But just as the monsters were about to attack, a complex magical circle materialised, enveloping the royal troops in its protective embrace. The elite monsters' attempts to harm them were futile against the impenetrable barrier surrounding them.
"Gariel?" Rupert's brow furrowed in confusion as he watched his companion, unsure of what he was doing.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to them," Gariel repeated, determination in his voice.
"And I hope you stay inside the magic circle until I finish this." With a quick movement of his hands, Gariel began to cast support magic for Rupert.
"Blessed Protection, Blessed Light, Blessed Strike!" he chanted, each word accompanied by a bright burst of light that enveloped Rupert and enhanced his abilities.
Rupert's silver sword transformed into a large mace with a flash of lightning as he prepared to attack the group of elite monsters. The air crackled with energy as he shouted "Electric Smite!" and unleashed a devastating blow on his enemies. The ground shook beneath their feet as the force of the blow sent them reeling back.
A small smile tugged at Gariel's lips as he watched Rupert's impressive display of strength. His friend always managed to impress him with his magical abilities. But Gariel was not one to back down from a challenge, and he couldn't afford to lose this battle.
Determined, he channeled his magic once more and called out a powerful spell.
"Flame Road!" he declared, raising his wand high in the air. A burst of fire erupted from the tip of his wand, coalescing into a massive ball that tore through the elite monsters below. The ground beneath them turned into a sea of flames, leaving nothing but ashes in its wake.
Rupert snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Trying to show off?" he teased, but Gariel just stuck out his tongue playfully.
Not to be outdone, Rupert unleashed a spell of his own: "Judgement Hammer!" With a quick swing of his sword, it transformed into a magnificent glowing hammer that spun like a boomerang, striking the elite monsters with incredible force before returning to Rupert's hand in a flash.
In awe and admiration, the royal troops stood in a circle around Gariel and Rupert. Their duet was renowned throughout the Holy Kingdom, even healing the long-standing feud between their respective hero organisations. The Hall of Fairystar and the Order of the Apostles had agreed to work together to further their knowledge of ancient and divine magic. King Arus beamed with pride at this development and announced that Rupert would take over as leader of the Order, replacing the retired Bishop Ignacio.
In battle, it was unusual not to see these two fighting together. Their absence added to the war's already staggering toll. Unlike their siblings, the Saint and Inquisitor heroes, who possessed healing magic, the Crusader and Guardian did not. Thus, in this battle, only Gariel was able to provide healing through his simultaneous mastery of Ancient and Divine magic. As he chanted ancient incantations and called upon divine power, wounds were closed and broken bones mended for his comrades-in-arms,
Rupert's eyes swept every corner of the area. "Has it all been destroyed?" he asked, his voice full of disbelief.
"I thought..." Gariel began, but was cut off by a deep voice emerging from ahead of them.
"Not so fast," the voice said sternly.
The two turned to face the source of the voice and saw the boss monster, his body towering over the others.
"Hananiel-?" Gariel gasped, recognising the leader of the monsters.
"You know him?" Rupert asked in surprise.
The towering figure of the monster loomed over them, its red wings spreading like a dark cloud against the sky. His elegant robes billowed around him as he moved, each step leaving a trail of sparks and embers. The fiery red hair that framed her beautiful face was in stark contrast to the dark aura that surrounded her. Hananiel, known as the Boss Monster, was one of the seven elemental guardians of the Shiltz continent. Once a being of pure light and beauty, Hananiel had been corrupted by darkness and now radiated an aura of evil and malice. But Gariel knew that this was not Hananiel's true form - her face was one of gentleness, and her wings were not large and imposing, but shone with a golden glow. Ten wings stretched out from her back, reminiscent of the Cherubim angels from the history of the Shiltz continent, supporting her body. Despite her current state, Gariel couldn't help but admire the regal creature before him.
Gariel's jaw clenched as he watched Hananiel, his former friend, succumb to the pull of darkness. The air around them was charged with tension and magic as Gariel kept his wand at the ready. "I can't believe you were so seduced by darkness, Hananiel," he murmured, his disappointment palpable.
But Hananiel just sneered, a mad gleam in her eyes. "You know nothing, Gariel. His Majesty King Feather will grant me power beyond what I currently possess. You have no right to judge me."
Without warning, Hananiel's hands shot forward, fingers spread in an intricate gesture. A blinding light burst from her palms, hurtling towards Gariel and Rupert. Instinctively, Gariel called upon his protection spell and a circle of light formed around him and Rupert just in time.
The clash of magic filled the air as Gariel and Hananiel battled for control. Each burst of energy was more intense than the last, and it was clear that neither would back down easily. Gusts of wind whipped through the clearing as their forces collided, creating a tempestuous storm of light and dark magic.
Rupert's face contorted in anger, his fists clenched at his sides. "I'll cut her down, you damned bastard!" he cursed, but Gariel quickly stepped in to restrain him.
"No, Rupert. Stay within this circle. You can't fight Hananiel with the element of light either. Let me do this alone," Gariel said calmly, trying to calm Rupert's anger.
Rupert shook his head, refusing to back down. "Are you mad? How can you fight her alone? She is one of the Elemental Guardians of the Shiltz Continent!" he shouted, staring at Gariel with confusion and concern.
Gariel just smiled softly, his blindfold covering his eyes.
"Trust me, Rupert. Just this once," he said firmly.
Rupert closed his eyes and took a deep breath before pulling Gariel into a gentle kiss on the forehead. "You must be careful. If things get too dangerous, I won't hesitate to intervene," he promised.
Gariel nodded and then said confidently, "I am the Royal Sorcerer of the Holy Kingdom, master of the seven elements as well as ancient and divine magic. No one has ever been able to defeat me."
Despite his annoyance at Gariel's boastful words, Rupert couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at his partner's abilities. It was true, after all.
"You dare to challenge me alone, Gariel? How brave of you." Hananiel stroked his chin thoughtfully, admiring Gariel's boldness.
"Hananiel, the Guardian of Light. I will restore you to your true form and maintain the balance of the forest and the Seal of Light." Gariel declared loudly, his wand held firmly in front of him.
Suddenly, a dark aura enveloped Gariel's body and wand, causing the crystal ball at its tip to glow with an ominous hue.
"Grudge Formation!" Gariel shouted, stretching out his hand as a large circle of dark magical netting enveloped him.
Hananiel gasped in disbelief as she watched the dark energy swirl around Gariel, forming a powerful shield.
"This magic..." She murmured, her eyes widening in shock and awe.
"Phantom Avenger." Gariel intoned once more, and a mystical pattern in the shape of a giant eye materialised beneath his feet. A wave of darkness flowed into the royal wizard, powering him for battle.
As Rupert and his troops trudged after him, their eyes widened in amazement at the sight before them. For in Crosswood, the sky above them had turned a dark, ominous grey, as if a storm was brewing. This display of magic was unlike anything they had ever seen before. Rupert couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for his childhood friend Gariel, who stood before him with an air of quiet confidence. Despite being ten years Rupert's senior, Gariel remained humble and approachable, never one to let his age or status define him.
At this moment, as Gariel's 20th birthday approached, his face showed no signs of aging. It was clear to all that he possessed great power and skill in Time Magic - a discipline taught to him by his master, Mariel. The same power that had halted his aging process, leaving him with a youthful appearance even at twenty. Looking at his friend, Rupert couldn't help but marvel at the wonders of magic and its ability to defy time itself.
With a mighty roar, Gariel spun his staff in the air before smashing it into the ground. The earth shook and cracked as he summoned ancient magic.
Suddenly, two legendary creatures appeared - the fiery Phoenix and the serpentine water dragon known as Leviathan. The air around them crackled with energy and their roars echoed through the Crosswoods, stunning Rupert and his troops.
"You...? Who exactly are you, Gariel?" Hananiel growled, frustration evident in her voice as she struggled against the magical restraints that held her in place.
"I am the Royal Sorcerer of the Holy Kingdom, sent by King Arus to neutralise this place." Gariel replied calmly, his eyes glowing with power.
Hananiel sneered, "Ordinary people could never have such mastery of fire and water magic."
But as she tried to break free of Gariel's spell, Hananiel couldn't help but feel a tinge of fear at facing an opponent with such formidable magical abilities.
Rupert was taken aback by Hananiel's words and couldn't help but agree with her. It was a well-known fact that even those with pure blood from the prestigious Fairystar family could not use five different types of magic at the same time. However, there was one exception - Master Mariel, who had mastered Divine and Ancient Magic as well as the seven elemental magics. Rupert couldn't help but remember this information as he processed Hananiel's explanation.
The power emanating from Gariel was unprecedented, even among the previous royal wizards. The Phoenix and Leviathan, their forms towering over him in a protective embrace, bound Hananiel with an unbreakable force. A brilliant pattern of light magic swirled and danced beneath Hananiel's feet, marking his submission to Gariel's will. It was a sight to be told and retold for generations to come, a testament to the young wizard's immense power and control.
Gariel's lips formed the words "Light Smear!" and Hananiel's body was instantly engulfed in a radiant, blinding light, causing her to scream in pain.
Rupert's jaw dropped as he witnessed the powerful magic Gariel possessed. Only members of the prestigious organisation of Knights of the Shield were able to cast such spells. In fact, it was the same spell his father had used to neutralise Esdelron Lake years ago.
As the light slowly faded, Hananiel's body began to change, shrinking to the size of an ordinary human. Her wings and hair turned a shimmering gold, surrounded by an aura of sparkling light that seemed to rejuvenate her.
"Thank you, Gariel. I am forever in your debt," Hananiel smiled gratefully at the voice that echoed through the forest.
The phoenix and the leviathan had vanished with the magic, leaving Gariel looking completely normal again.
"Gariel!" Rupert exclaimed, his exhaustion evident as he approached his friend.
Gariel's heart raced as he listened to Hananiel's warning. The whitelighter looked different, her face etched with fear and worry.
"King Feather has the Black Dragon Gem and is waiting for four more to complete his collection," Hananiel explained urgently, her eyes darting around as if she expected an attack at any moment. "You must stop him quickly, or the Shiltz Continent will be doomed."
Rupert's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean by the Dragon Gem?"
Hananiel's gaze turned serious. "To understand, you must seek out six elemental guardians scattered across this continent. But beware, they may have met the same fate as me. Especially Samael, the Dark Elemental Guardian, who resides in the treacherous depths of the Dark Abyss".
Impatient with Hananiel's cryptic answers, Rupert raised his sword threateningly. "You still haven't answered my question."
But Hananiel just smiled and reached out to touch the blade, causing it to slowly lower as if by some unseen force.
"Prince Terramai, you will get the answer from Gariel later. I know this is a lot to handle, but it is your duty to stay by Gariel's side and look after him at all times." Hananiel spoke before disappearing in front of them, returning to the nearby Seal of Light with a bright beam reaching into the sky.
Rupert muttered, confused and unsure of what to do. He put his sword back into its scabbard, still trying to make sense of it all.
Gariel let out a soft chuckle, the sound reminiscent of a peaceful breeze fluttering through the leaves of a tree. The prince's snort in response was almost comical, like an old man's grumble.
"You have much to learn, Rupert," Gariel said with a hint of amusement in his voice. "Crosswood has long been claimed by the Holy Kingdom. Report to His Majesty King Arus at once. I need some rest." He patted Rupert's broad shoulder before turning and walking away.
With a flick of his hand and a whispered incantation, a portal appeared before them, adorned with intricate magical ornaments that shimmered in the dim light. It seemed to pulse with energy and power, beckoning them closer. And as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into thin air. Rupert scratched his head in confusion at Gariel's cryptic words, but felt a sudden surge of determination to prove himself worthy of this quest.
"Are we back, Prince?" the captain of the royal troops asked, breaking through Rupert's thoughts.
Rupert nodded eagerly and replied, "Back to Saint Haven!" With a shout from their leader, the great mass of troops turned and headed back to their kingdom, their footsteps echoing like thunder through the forest.