Chapter 50: One Thousand Years Too Soon


    Toward the East of the Grenitian Kingdom, close to the borders of Parv.


    A long stretch of t deserty as far as one could see. The blistering heat poured down on thendscape and ensured that very little organic life would survive if they didnt have a way to counter it. The people of Parv had rarely a reason to travel to the Grenitian Kingdom and vice versa. So the desert was rarely observed by humans. Recently, the source of the earthquakes could be traced to the middle of the empty desert, and with them came massive sinkholes that prevented investigation.


    If one were to stand in the desert at that moment they would see one such sinkhole. The sand slowly poured into a small chasm and oddly enough there was a dim light at the bottom of it.


    Deep below the source of the light was revealed. A humongous glowing red eye with ck x-shaped pupils.


    The eye itself looked to be at least 10 feet, in terms height and width. The lethargic eye stared out into space before it another quake urred which caused it to blink. The quakes continued in a steady rhythm that resembled a heartbeat.The eye continued to blink every several minutes, and each time the eye seemed to regain some sense of rity. A semnce of awareness appeared in its eye while a fierce tremor erupted, forcing more sand into the cavern. It finally seemed to be awake as it scanned the surroundings. The rest of its body was buried under thousands of pounds of sand and it seemed to realize that fact. As to how it got in such a ce? The creature possessed enough intelligence to remember.


    A woman. A woman with wings and dark purple hair. The creature had fought with such a woman and was injured heavily, but what happened to the woman was unknown. The creature had no way of knowing that a thousand years had passed since then, but even if it did its anger wouldnt subside. After all, it could still feel the womans sword in its body.


    A low groan echoed throughout the cavern. The sand over the creature shook, and a huge earthquake followed, but that wasnt enough to break free at the moment. Still,pared to its forced 1000 year hibernation, it wouldnt be that much longer until it was free.


    .


    Please wait just a moment, Sir. A man bowed politely in front Ira before leaving.


    Iras arrival at the Thynne Manor waspletely unexpected and there wasnt anyone who didnt realize how important Ira was to the Matriarch, especially after the wedding. After arriving, Ira was escorted to a guest room while someone attempted to reach out to the Valkyries.


    Uh...Ok. Ira shrugged as he picked through a bowl of fruit.


    After a few moments, a very familiar person appeared in the room.


    Ira. Aldis said in a somewhat excited tone.


    Aldis. Ira responded as he peeled an orange.


    Its been a while. Aldis said as he took a seat.


    Yeah, whatve you been up to. Ira asked while chewing.


    Ive been waiting to get my mothers approval to join the Mercenaries Union. Aldis exined before he realized something. Have you seen Amy by any chance? Aldis asked.


    No. I thought she wouldve been with you. Ira said without much worry.


    I thought it was good for her to go ahead and join the union before me. I dont know how long itll take for my mother to approve it. Ill probably have to fight a few of my cousins to prove that Im capable. Aldis said with a determined look. He had practiced dual-wielding for the exact moment he could show his mother and grandmother.


    Hey, you get any abilities from that Golden Aurora thing? Ira asked.


    Aldis took some time to think before responding....I felt slightly different after, but I suspect its more of me being too hopeful. Other than that slight feeling, I havent gained anything. Have you?


    Ira chuckled while shaking his head. I learned some stuff, but I had to take it from someone.


    Aldis was at a loss for words due to Iras cryptic words but knew Ira was...entric to begin with. What do you mean? He asked.


    Ill tell youter, I think someone is here for me. Ira said before standing up. Then as if on cue, someone knocked at the door and then entered.


    Sir, if you would follow me. The man who attended to Ira earlier bowed.


    Ill see youter, Aldis. Oh, and Ill ask about that Mercenary stuff if I get a chance. Ira said.


    Wait--Ira, theres no need to do that, but Id appreciate it if you could check up on Amy. Aldis responded.


    No problem, Ira said with a casual assurance. After all, it wouldnt be hard to find Amy if he really tried.


    Ira was then escorted to the familiar courtyard and spotted a Valkyrie he had seen a few times before. Compared to the other ones he knew, the particr Valkyrie in front of him was a bit more in touch with her emotions, the most prominent being anger. In fact, most of his interactions with her all dealt with her swinging her hammer at him.


    Judith. Ira greeted herzily before sitting down. I dont have to call you my aunt-inw or anything, right?


    Id prefer if you didnt, Judith said.


    Good. Between you and me, I dont think my brother would like it. After all, he wasn''t even invited to the wedding. Ira whispered before patting his sword.


    What did youe here for? Judith ignored his words and got directly to the point.


    Although her temperament could be misleading, she approved of Ira greatly. His abilities and bloodline were beyond impressive and his mental state was tolerable, to say the least. The only thing she could say he was unsatisfied with was hisck of willingness to take on a second or third wife from within her family. In the end, she couldnt press the topic as it wasnt within her right to and then there was the fact that Ira and Avery had yet to produce a child.


    Ira leaned back into the chair while ncing at the mountain far off in the distance. I have an index.


    Judith showed an unamused expression. If its just that, you should know we already have one.


    Yeah, but this came from before the copse, Ira said with a grin.


    Before the Judith looked at Ira as she trailed off. Is it with you? She asked.


    Yup. Ira nodded.


    Then Ill have to inform my mother. Judith responded.


    Listen...Since Im here already, it wouldnt be too much to see Avery would it? Ira asked as he pretended to be nonchnt.


    You brought an index just to see her? They wouldve made an exception and let you on the peak if you just asked. Judith shook her head with some slight amusement. She could see why Lauren liked Ira more than her own blood-rted grandchildren.


    No one told me that. Ira responded.


    Come on. Ill take you up myself. Judith said as she stood up. Ira moved next to her and she grabbed his arm before summoning her wings and flying off without saying another word.


    Juliana Fairfax once was felt as if her family didnt cater to her enough, but it all had changed recently. Ever since the incident, it felt as if her family was paying too much attention to her and the Temple was even getting involved. She even had overheard maids calling her an oracle or prophet of some sort. No matter where she went there would always be someone nearby usually gazing in fervor, but there was no one around at the moment because she had simply run away.


    The pressure and anxiety had been building for some time, while others attempted to assure her it was a great thing, she could only recall being fearful of losing control of her body.


    That was why at that moment, the youngest daughter of the Fairfax Family sat alone in a corner hidden from the world. No jewelry or expensive clothing was present, only a in dress and a pitiful looking face stained with tears. She nned to sit there and collect her thoughts alone, but there seemed to be other ns for her.


    Hey...uh, are you ok? A male voiceced with awkwardness took her focus.


    Are you in trouble? Do you need help? Another voice asked.


    Juliana looked up to see two boys that werent much older than her. One of them was tall and the other wasparatively shorter but seemed to carry a lot of confidence for some reason.


    N-No thank you. Juliana responded. She realized it was dangerous to be without guards especially after all the recent incidents, but she didnt think anything bad would happen.


    Did someone hurt you? The shorter boy asked as he shed his Mercenary card.


    No After seeing his card, Juliana felt a bit safer and continued, Its just...everyone is saying that the Golden Aurora was a sign of the gods. That its going to help us...but...I dont want any power from it...I dont Juliana began crying.


    Woah. Woah. Woah. Please just calm down. The boy panicked as he tried to calm her as the scene could be interpreted differently from possible spectators.


    Its weird to hear people say its the Gods way of helping us. My younger brother was killed by some bandits a year ago and they werent there to help at all. If I had the same abilities I have now...then maybe The taller boy spoke quietly to himself before realizing he was speaking aloud. He turned to see two faces looking at him with pity.


    Sorry. He said as he smiled bitterly.


    Seeing that Juliana calmed down, the shorter more confident boy began to speak, My name is Randolph and this is my friend rk.


    ...Hi. Juliana greeted.


    H-Hello, rk responded.


    Thats much better. Randolph nodded with a friendly smile. Hey, if youre hungry you can get some food with us. He offered.


    Um...Ok. Juliana stood up and dusted herself off. She had looked atmon people with disdain previously, but it she met two people who turned out to be nice and more caring than those she lived with.


    Far below a stretch of barrennd, a city stood. Crystals lined the ceiling and simted daylight for those who lived in the city. Along the streets, thousands of its citizens could be seen moving about their day. There was some diversity among those who lived in the city, but the most prominent races were those with greyish skin, red eyes, pointy ears, and white hair. They were none other than the Dark Elves. Beast people and even what appeared to be humans could be seen walking along the streets, but it would be wrong to assume they were human. Those who looked like humans fell into two categories, Vampires or Lycanthropes. Either way, they one thing inmon and that was they suffered from a curse. In theory, it would be hard to think that those different races could live together, but it worked well under the leadership of the Dark Elves.


    Dark Elves lived under a matriarchy, unlike the Elves which were ruled by n Keepers who were usually male. From an outside viewpoint, it seemed like the Dark Elves and Elves lived in a waypletely opposite of each other.


    In the center of the underground city stood a pce. Amon trait of those who ruled over others. Inside a Dark Elf woman sat on a throne, while a male kneeled in front of her.


    Please allow me to apany you to the Summit, Mother. The Dark Elf man pleaded. He was the son of Queen Sylun Meldara, the oldest and most powerful living Dark Elf in its entire civilization.


    While all Elves were known for their longevity, it didnt really include the entire race. Since the copse, only certain lineages were able to live for more than hundreds of years, and of course, the birth rate was incredibly low for those who could. Sylun had lived for a little over 700 years and was lucky enough to have twins, a boy, and a girl, less than 100 years ago.


    Instead of responding, the Queen spoke quietly to herself. Will that Valkyrie be attending?


    Sylun was familiar with the Valkyries or more specifically Lauren. At that time they had met, the Dark Elves were small in number and still looking for a ce to permanently settle. Luckily enough they had managed to receive some assistance from Lauren and she could be considered directly responsible for setting the foundation that the Dark Elf civilization was built on.


    Mother? The prince raised his head in confusion.


    Ill allow it, Saren. Sylun responded. Their purpose in attending the summit was to gain as much information as they could on the Red Moon. While Dark Elves did stay underground, they sometimes went to the surface during the night.


    Putting away her thoughts the Queen continued, I hope your sister will lead well during my absence. Seeing as youve decided you want to apany me to that summit.


    I only want to find out more about the Red Moon so we can ensure our prosperity, Saren exined.


    I know. I just hope you avoid trouble with an old friend of mine. If she even appears. Sylun mused with a smile.


    ...