《Titan Sol》


 Prologue

    Prologue


    ¡°Do not speak to me of strength! How do you have the gall to even present such a notion?! In this world, few can stand as an equal to me. Those of my bloodline should never be in question. The nerve!¡±


    ¡°My lord! The young master has shown a decline in his cultivation training; the boy¡¯s on the path of a scholar! Not the path of a warrior!¡±


    A group of several men had gathered around an expansive table. Those gathered were discussing the young nobility; each man here represented one of the five great Halls that made up the Imperial Military.


    ¡°As master of the empire, you cannot allow a weak successor to your throne!¡± exclaimed Hall Master Augustus. ¡°He has never won a fight against one of his peers. As master of the Legion Hall, I can not promote a child with no desire to fight!¡± Many battle-worn hands pounded the lacquered table and harrumphing voices rose in agreement.


    ¡°Brothers! I''ve heard your concerns, lest you forget he is my son! He will no doubt become a force of his own in time.¡± The emperor paused as he considered his sons. Of all the offspring of the Emperor, two sons had stood out from birth; Titus and Kronos, who would one day be in competition for his hard-won throne. But, unlike the elder siblings of this generation, young Tiberius had shown equal potential to that of his brothers, though he squandered his training hours only to study texts. The child of the wife of his heart and the youngest heir of his Great Empire should have the potential power to surpass them all¡­You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    ¡°Perhaps the young Tiberius should spend less time with his mother! He should only see her once a fortnight like the other children!¡± General Knox of the Specter Hall looked down his long nose at the other men at the table. ¡°He sneaks away not to cultivate and hide his skill like some of his brothers, but to read and acquire useless information about old gods, the lost histories, and even forbidden techniques used by those mechanized devils.¡±


    Julius of the Praetorians grunted and spoke up finally. ¡°The boy just needs more training. Leave him to me, Tiberius, if he fails; I¡¯ll crush him into the shape you want. Surely you think I can do at least that¡­¡±


    ¡°Come on now Jules, you have to be more subtle about these things.¡± Minos hissed from the shadows tapping a small dagger bearing the faint skull symbol of the Cloaked Hall while he waited to be dismissed.


    ¡°Well, that wasn¡¯t terrifying at all.¡±The head of the Warden Hall, Ather, smiled derisively at his comrades. ¡°The boy does need more training, but surely we can only spend so much time and energy on him before it becomes wasteful. I say if he hasn¡¯t reached the beginning stages of apprentice within the next two moons, we reconvene and decide what to do with him then.¡±


    Tiberius sighed but knew that his counselors were correct. His sons would have to fight for their places in this world and coddling them would serve no one. ¡°Rather, if he fails to have a change of heart than there will be nothing we can do. If he hasn¡¯t shown progress in his training by the time I enter secluded training after the next moon, he will be removed from the capital. We will not foster someone who can not hold their own.¡±


    The hall masters all nodded and agreed with their emperor. All were pleased they had been heard out and the issue would be resolved eventually.


    Master Ather stood before the other hall masters. ¡°Now to important matters.¡± He swallowed hard as his relaxed expression became cold and tight. ¡°Brothers, news of Helios has reached our men. He¡¯s struck again, five more are dead...¡±

 Ch 1: Scarlet Port

    Scarlet Cove


    The bustling port city of Scarlet Cove, a popular spot for trade and travel for the jade empire.


    As one of the largest sea trading cities on the continent, Scarlet Cove is home to the merchant¡¯s guild and many fighters and mages guilds. It is also a hot spot for information and underground trading, anything from slaves to contraband not normally found in the empire.


    Was the city built up from the sea with? at her lowest tier, gradually rising several tiers to markets, residential, industrial and noble districts. The markets being to the east, the residential sector to the north, on a lower tier than the nobles, the nobles to the south at the highest tier their mansions built up along the cliff side of the city overlooking the southern sea.


    To the west, a distance of about Five hundred meters was the industrial sector on an in between tier and distanced from the city because of the crate work down in this sector and the size it looked like a small metal fortress mingled into the edge of this large jewel city.


    Fisherman, commoners, and travelers usually kept to the bottom two tiers of the city; there were plenty of inns, guilds, brothels and merchants on these tiers that kept the people content and allowed them to enjoy their freedoms to the limits of the law.


    The higher ups and nobility were rarely seen in the lower tiers the goods on the higher tiers were a world above the common food and items, they wouldn¡¯t dare to lower themselves.


    The only place in the city that was frequently visited by all people regardless of the class was the industrial sector weapons, armor, artifacts, cursed and blessed items along with fine artistry were all handled within the guarded walls of the industrial sector. The Empire had provided guards and the resources to construct the sector so they oversaw all trade that passed through and collected a small tax on top of the average price.


    It was mid spring and high top sailing ships and galleons were coming and going from the port smoothly skating across the crystal blue clear water. A youth standing alone on one the higher tiers of the large port City looking down below at the people moving about their business. He looked on with a saddened look on his face his noble features slightly twisted into a frown, as tears began to well up in his emerald green eyes he turned away and walked toward the nearby ramp leading from the noble district to the lower common markets.


    The young noble dawned a cloak to hide his identity and concealed his family crest and long sword.


    Around this point of the Jade Empires, history swords and armor were commonplace as the empire has been at war with the neighboring kingdoms for centuries.


    As the youth descended into the common markets people passed by conversing in many languages while carrying wears and goods to and from shops. He thought to himself as he past crowds bartering; ''the Empire sure is prospering these days only three years ago this port was nearly destroyed.''


    After a few quick stops to ask for directions he found himself on the lower end of the markets at a guild hall with a sign reading ¡°White Dragon mercenary band¡± this guild currently held the top rank for mercenary/fighters¡¯ guilds at this end of the Empire. They were nothing but country rabble compared to other guilds from the capital or from the front lines; they happened to be looking for recruits. The work this guild primarily takes care of is clearing bandits and rogues out of the surrounding countryside; because this port is on the far edge of the empire the garrison within the fort must remain within the city at all times.


    Inside the hall, one large hall stretched out before the young noble; cobblestone walls towering almost ten meters meeting vaulted gothic domed ceilings. This hall was considered to be an architectural achievement within the city; not many extravagant halls were built of stone in this manner as the practice was time consuming. This hall was constructed by masons and other artisans that were non-users. A normal halls construction would take a few days were this building took years to complete.


    Within the hall around one hundred or so people drinking while birds were practicing ballads on stage preparing for a performance. The young noble was no more than sixteen and had never set foot in a guild hall this size his father had always told him they were dank filth holes that should be raised along with the scum within them; to him, the place seemed somewhat tidy and lively. The odd rat could be spotted in a corner; other than the patrons this hall was well kept.


    He approached a fine looking young lady at a counter off to the right of the entrance the sign above her read "Recruitment"


    "Hello? I''m here looking for work; I was hoping the guild would take me on as an apprentice?" The noble was a bit shy of this beauty he''d just walked up too. She had a fair complexion coupled with long brown hair tied back and a curvature to her form that caught his gaze.


    "Sure thing we always need new blood for the guild, just need you to answer a couple questions. Also, remove your hood indoors it''s bad luck to cover your head indoors; not to mention rude." she had only looked up for a minute while addressing him then rolled her eyes and opened a box next to her.


    "Let''s get started with asimple interview. My name is Nancy; I am a Scholar with the guild and will be conducting this short recruitment interview. so, bear with me here; these questions are standard and boring. Do you understand?" She drew a card from the box next to her, it was a queue card with poorly written English on it.


    "Okay I''m ready, but I''m sorry I cannot remove my hood no matter how rude." This was the nobles first time being talked down to by a common girl even if she''s a mage she''s still should show some respect to others. If he wasn¡¯t trying to hide his identity he would have put this girl in her place.


    "Question 1¡­ or 11? I don''t know who wrote this card but it''s a mess; as I said bear with me. What''s your name" she squinted the moment she started to read.


    Seeing a Scholar struggle to discern a language was shocking. they dealt in deciphering ancient texts and foreign languages as a profession. These cards really were poorly written.


    "My names¡­ umm¡­ Shawn, I recently came into town no surname as I don''t have a trade or family." That was a blatant lie but he couldn''t let his name come out so for now, he''d be Shawn.


    Thinking to himself right after speaking, ''Shawn is such a stupid name why''d I go with that name, damn!''This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Shawn huh? Nice name if you ask me." Nancy looked up at the card as she spoke with a smile. The noble thought to himself ¡®really? Now she¡¯s nice and smiles? Imagine if she knew who I really was she¡¯d no doubt die of embarrassment.¡¯


    "Okay second question; what previous training or work experience do you have?" Nancy spoke, while struggling to read this card.


    It must really be the handwriting of a beast to cause this scholar to struggle with just merely reading a simple card.


    most scholar in a capacity like Nancy''s would work for a guild as a receptionist or a translator. higher class scholars would get employed by lords of cities or massive guilds as researchers and in some case negotiators.


    "No work experience but I do have some training in martial essence and guardian knight techniques." He''d only finished saying the word "knight" before being glared at.


    "Guardian Knight, you say? We currently have way too many useless guardians so I''m sorry but if that''s all you know then I don''t think we can take you. Let''s test your essence attribute maybe if your essence is strong enough the guild will allow you to join. Perhaps you can be retrained." Nancy had an annoyed look on her face that resembled someone who''d recently been asked by five people to do that same task. She uncovered a small opaque crystal next to the question box. "Here place your hand on this essence stone it''ll tell me your attribute and potential for the future."


    The noble had done countless tests like this and dreaded them. Once it began he placed his hand a couple people who were nearby looked over to see if this kid was any good.


    A faint yellow glow emitted with a very dull light the energy of his essence was released at first it was heartwarming to him but then intense pain filled his chest. The five essence realms that circulated his inner energy burned as if they would explode at any moment. He pulled his hand back as his chest heaved up and down.


    "I''m sorry Shaun but your earth essence is so poor I''m surprised anyone trained you at all! You¡¯re better off becoming a laborer or a deck hand. The test shows you¡¯re in the first level of the trainee stage. A six-year-old could probably beat you in a duel." Nancy said this with sincerity but had a mocking smile on her face; a scholar was stronger than this boy in front of her. All members of a strong guild that held a position of some level would require an essence of at least apprentice stage in order to qualify, therefore this Nancy the scholar was stronger than this young noble.


    She pointed toward the door, " I''d head down to the docks if you want work. You couldn¡¯t even qualify to clean the hall."


    The few people around mockingly laughed at the sight of this boys¡¯ essence it had hardly developed and he was already a teen almost a man. He''d be worthless in combat for the rest of his life. Some of these men even mocked him openly as he turned about and headed for the door, his head lowered in embarrassment.


    ¡°What trash! And he wanted to join our guild what a joke!¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know if the dock rats would even want someone like him! He would be better suited as a slave at least then he would be worth something.¡±


    ¡°Brother your wrong, even slaves don¡¯t want trash like him.¡±


    As he left the guild hall he thought about returning home but the thought of home was so painful for him tears welled up and fall streaking his face. He walked on awhile sulking and thinking of what he could do next. This city was a hostile place to him; only his lord status could sustain him here, and that was the one thing he refused to rely on.


    ¡°What the hell do I do now? Uncle hates me, the guilds won¡¯t take me in. Should I just join a crew and sail to another country, perhaps try again there?" he asked himself as he walked slowly down the sparsely populated streets of the lower tier.


    While walking deeper into the poor part of town he spotted a boy in rags stumbling along the side of the street. As the noble approached the boy from behind the boy darted off into an in a side alley; he hadn''t made it far down the alley before collapsing, the boy was injured and dazed as he dropped to on knee blood leaked from wounds on his head and arm.


    Carefully the young noble walked into the alley "Are you okay?"


    No reply came from the boy; he had managed to sit down on some crates and was breathing heavy, between coughing and spitting large mouthfuls of blood to the cobblestones.


    Rushing to his side the noble was shocked to see someone in this bad of shape; ''no one had helped him? Who attacked him? And why?'' Questions raced through his mind as he sat the boy upright and started to assess his situation.


    In an instant, a burst of energy shot out of the boy and a white essence enveloped his body treating his wounds and absorbing the blood. ¡®Shit! This is an ice attribute essence! This kids dangerous¡¯ the noble was panicked the moment he felt the power; it felt as though he had frozen in place. The pressure from his small boy was enough to completely oppress the noble completely.


    "Who the hell are you, joker? You don''t want to help me! Even if you did it''s too late you''ve come to close carelessly now you¡¯re going to die!" This boy was using his frosty essence to form ice in the nobles blood cells, such a feat wold require an astonishing amount of control to use accurately. This technique of moisture manipulation would freeze a living being solid to be smashed like glass.


    "Wait! My name is Seshwan! I''m a noble from this city I can give you whatever you want! Please! Please! Don''t kill me!" Tears Welled up and froze on his cheeks, dropping to the stone alley and shattering into tiny fragments of shimmering crystal like drops.


    The boy retracted his tyrannical essence and stared at the noble before him. "No way if you¡¯re a noble you''d have received essence manipulation training and could have at least tried to escape that. You''re what? Sixteen? Brat you should be mid-level apprentice rank! Bullshit, you''re clearly a good for nothing!"


    Seshwan looked down ashamed of his lack of skill and essence strength.


    The boy reached out touching Seshwan''s face and closed his eyes; after a brief moment, he opened them again and said; "Shit! kid your weak!" Laughing and smiling as he said it Seshwan wanted to crawl into a hole and die from being tormented this way.


    "You¡¯re only a beginner level trainee! it''s pathetic, though if your not aware it''s not your fault." The boy said as he sat back down, wiped his eye and glanced over to Seshwan.


    "What! What did you just say!" Seshwan was thrown into a frenzy at the mere mention of such an idea, of course, it''s his fault he was trash and worthless anyone who thought otherwise was insane!


    "No boy listen; your essence flows throughout your body much like blood does but your vessels that transport the energy are blocked for some reason. Gummed up by some kind of scarring in your essence realms which is preventing you from circulating energy. From what can tell it was done on purpose." The boy was dead serious. "Someone or something is setting you back and making you weak."


    Seshwan thought, ¡®it''s not possible nothing been done to him he''s nobility no one would dare inflict harm to him. Especially not to his ability to cultivate. His father would have killed anyone who tried to harm him.¡¯


    "More good news for you I can temporarily fix the block. Though I will warn you this isn''t for free and I guarantee it will be painful." The boy smiled wide at Seshwan with a grin the sent chills down Seshwan''s back.


    "How can I trust you? And, why should I? I don''t even know you! you could try to kidnap me and ransom me to my family! Not to mention you just tried to kill me!" Seshwan still didn''t believe this kid.


    "Believe me or not your choice and I have no need for money. I just hate to see someone as weak as you have to suffer for no reason." The kid extended a hand toward Seshwan. "...And you could prove useful someday."


    Seshwan felt the icy chill completely leave him as he stood up.


    "Okay regardless at least tell me your name so I''m not referring to you as boy for the rest of our brief encounter." Seshwan said as he reached forward thinking; ¡¯should I really trust this kid? He looks to only be twelve! Maybe I had finally become this desperate?¡¯


    The boy snatched his hand and gave It a shake. "Seshwan, I''m Walter and I''m going to fix you. But in return you will swear loyalty to me. Sound good? simple enough right?" Walter gave a sinister grin as he gripped Seshwan¡¯s hand and branded a small symbol onto the palm of his hand.


    Seshwan shirked as his flesh was burned from freezing cold; a symbol of two daggers crossed and a skull just above had been burned onto his skin.


    ¡°That is my mark now that you have it no one in this town will touch you.¡± Walter released Seshwan¡¯s hand.


    Seshwan sat down on some boxes next to Walter bewildered; ¡®Shit he just marked my hand, what the hell will I tell uncle now!¡¯


    Small edits weredone 04/06/17.

 Ch 2: Good Fortune

    Scarlet Cove port city


    In an alley on the lower end tiers of Scarlet Cove, the two youth sat; Walter recovered from his injuries, as Seshwan glared at the mark on his palm. ¡®This bastard left this ugly mark on my hand. Why? Ugh what a pain.¡¯


    ¡°Come on now, that mark on your hand doesn¡¯t look that bad! Stop looking like I killed your dog. That insignia will ward off any normal enemies you encounter within this city.¡± Walters words didn¡¯t comfort Seshwan in the least. ¡°If you hate it, when you make journeyman stage you can purify it off your hand.¡± Walter rolled his eyes as he jumped to his feet.


    ¡°Now get up and let¡¯s go! That essence of yours isn¡¯t going to fix itself.¡± Walter turned as he spoke and left the alley.


    "Your serious? you can fix what''s wrong with me and help me not be trash anymore?" Seshwan remained guarded toward this kid, as he knew he was far more powerful than himself; if they continued their encounter in a hostile manner, Walter would just freeze him solid and that would be the end of it.


    "Of course I can fix you but not here and definitely not for free" Walter turned to look at Seshwan his deep blue eyes reflecting a trace of scheming.


    Walter turned back briefly. "Are you going to follow me or what? I said we can''t fix you here so come on." With a wave of his hand Walter motioned to Seshwan. No matter what he did now Seshwan had no escape. ''It''ll be for the best to just follow along and not upset this Walter fellow, but maybe he can fix me then I won''t be trash.¡¯ Seshwan couldn''t help thinking he''ll be betrayed and still die; then again if Walter meant to kill him he''d already have done it.


    Seshwan stood and caught up to Walter following closely to his right dawning his hood again they moved along the road toward the docks.


    "Why are we going to the docks? I assumed you had a home or shelter you would take me too." Seshwan said very confused.


    "Hey Seshwan!" Walter said in a very sarcastic tone.


    "What?" Seshwan was confused by this response.


    "Shut up! You ask such a stupid question! God nobles are annoying!" Walter snapped at Seshwan like he was an annoying little brother.


    "Sorry, geez no need to be upset; I was just curious." Seshwan had been reminded that he was at the mercy of others. Without strength, all he could do was nod along with what¡¯s said and try to give as much face as he could to the one who were stronger.


    "Your right though, I''m just being a jerk to test the jelly you call a spine; I want to see what it takes to make it collapse. We''re headed for the wharf on the docks and then to the sewers. I live down there and before you act surprised, think about it; look at my clothes I''m clearly a beggar." Walter had answered the question about why they were headed further into the poor districts and managed to make Seshwan feel like an idiot. This boy was rather shameless for a young beggar speaking to a noble.


    Before heading into the sewers, they stopped at a few rundown shacks on back streets where the inhabitants were either too drunk to get up or weren''t home. Walter just walked though shack after shack stealing things like needles, alcohol, and other odd items.


    ''I guess no honor among thieves'' Seshwan distanced himself from Walter as he continued his spree of small thefts.


    Finally, they made it to the sewer gates. A large stone masonry mass protruding from the lowest walls of the city. All the waste from the residents above and the industrial sector were dumped into the sewers. The filth and other items would settle in large underground cisterns and culverts; allowing some grey waters to drain out into the bay.


    The door to the main outlet had been melted and bent out of the way; on this end of the city the guards weren''t coming to fix this anytime soon.


    Scarlet Cove sewers


    Within the sewers it was as expected; filthy and wet and the smell of rancid foods and human waste mixed into an odor that just might kill a lesser man.


    "Seshwan I want you to use what essence you can and block you sense of smell so that sweet aroma doesn''t make you puke or pass out. If you do I''m leaving you for the rats." Walter had said this with a smile but to Seshwan it had been a very serious statement. If he couldn''t make it here, then he''d be so worthless that he''d be better off as meal for the pests.


    The pair walked a distance; Seshwan could sense essence in this place, it was thick and almost suffocating to him. An ancient aura that seemed infinite flowed toward his realms. This was an earth essence stronger than a Grandmaster Guardian Knight.


    As they walked further on, they passed several men around camp fires trading in clothes and food they had picked out of the trash. People like these could be found in cities all over the empire; only in the Republic of the Common did people like this get treated fairly. There they even received a small amount of capital to give them a chance to rise out of the gutter.


    Walter lead the way into a small town within the largest of the cisterns. Many cisterns and ducts of the sewer had been converted into a homeless hamlet that existed only meters below the city. A few hundred people lived here; fires could be seen throughout the hamlet. Some small stalls were set up selling food.


    Continuing onward Walter lead Seshwan to a shack on the edge of a hamlet in a main cistern.


    "Home sweet home." Walter walked to the makeshift wooden door; as he placed his hand on it, a nearly invisible barrier of ice melted off the door as he pulled it open. The interior was cold and dark.


    Upon entering the hut of trash, Seshwan realized that though the outside looked like a dump, the interior betrayed his first impressions. The walls were coated with sanded wood and cloth and there were many nice pieces of furniture and even a somewhat used bed.


    "Wow!" Seshwan couldn''t help letting the word escape his mouth as he walked in.


    "I know right, place looks like a dump but I''ve done a lot of work to make it look like this; got to keep those guys and gals out there the hell out of here, if they knew I had nice stuff they''d bust the door down and pawn it all to the guild." Walter lit candles and sat on a big pillow on the floor next to a box and a pipe.


    Seshwan knew it was common place to smoke but for adults this guy looked like he was twelve, maybe a passable fourteen. "Walter if you don''t mind, how old are you?"If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "Ha-ha! you know a lot of people ask me that and my answer is fourteen to most but I want you to start trusting me so I''ll be honest and tell you a little about myself. First have a seat" Walter motioned to a pillow on the floor to his left.


    The pillow was far more comfortable than it looked before; a large square about two meters wide. Before sitting Seshwan removed his cloak to not be burdened by the extra material.


    "As you well know my name is Walter, I am an ice essence assassin from the far north. A little kingdom known as Frostfall. I left my homeland a few years ago after a falling out." Walter stared with intent at Seshwan watching his reaction, ready to strike him if he had lost his composure.


    Seshwan swallowed a mouth full of saliva hard then nodded. He couldn''t muster the courage to ask anything about Walter. The northern countries produced a number of top grade water and wind element assassins. Since ice is a mutation of the two, they are extremely dangerous and would be nurtured in their cultivation of essence. No wonder this guy was so strong already.


    After a brief pause Walter continued.


    "Because of an accident in my training at a young age, I''ve had my body stunted, I''m going to remain young looking for a few more centuries until the effects are fully healed." Walter said this straight faced still full of killing intent expecting Seshwan to laugh or ask about this accident.


    "How old are you then if you said a few more centuries? Implying you are much older." Seshwan now stumbling with his words.


    Walter lightened up, smiled and said, "Boy I''m one hundred thirty-two years old and yes I''m a Grandmaster of combat essence. I have killed Grand Knights in the Holy order and dozens of Legion members. I''m far more powerful than your average old rogue."


    Cold sweat beaded on Seshwan forehead. His mouth gaping open. Though it''s not really a shock for anyone over Master rank to live more than a century, at a cost of a portion of your essence strength every year you can prolong death. But only after Master rank.


    Seshwan ran it through his head, he was a Trainee. Trainee had Five levels; every stage after went up in sets of ten levels before advancement. Every stage was far stronger than the one before; and with every level the essence cultivator would gain some insight into the element they were cultivating.


    A Trainee could barely use essence to block a punch. A Master could suffocate a normal man with his aura alone. The gap in power was almost unimaginable.


    After a while Walter spoke to break the silence, and because he feared if Seshwan thought any harder he''d have steam rolling out his ears.


    "I said I''d fix you, didn''t I? So, let''s get started." Walter leaned to the box and pinch out a white dry grass packing it into his pipe he lit it and handed it to Seshwan.


    "Inhale this it''ll make the pain more bearable." Walter shook his hand as if he''d just throw it at Seshwan.


    "Why should I? What is it? Old man you¡¯re not trying to poison me? right?" Seshwan had never smoked in his life and was worried about side effects.


    "Seshwan you¡¯re a wuss! you know that? Trust me. If you don''t take some of this, you¡¯re probably going to die." Walter was smiling as he handed the pipe to Seshwan.


    *cough* *cough*


    Seshwan inhaled deep and held it for a moment. His vision went blurry as he began to pass out ''the hell did this bastard give me?'' Seshwan¡¯s thoughts raced as he was now paralyzed and felt numb. He fell forward to the ground with a thud.


    Walter drew the needles he''d stolen earlier from his pocket and a small bottle of clear spirits. Using the alcohol to sterilize the needles he began placing them along Seshwan spine slowly passing them into his skin. Seshwan was numb until the needles hit his first essence realm.


    Within the body essence manifests at five points, and spreads from these points to the rest of the body as a power source for techniques and abilities.


    The first essence realm by the left shoulder caused almost unbelievable pain to Seshwan; He never knew he could feel such pain from a needle. the pain intensified as the second realm, then the third and fourth realms were pricked by the makeshift acupuncture needles.


    "Wow its worse than I thought Seshwan, if I was not doing this you would die in a few years. The reason your essence causes you pain when you use it or train is because the flows have been reversed. Add to that the fact all the vessels that move your energy are extremely damaged; there is a lot of scarring from something. I have never seen anything like this before." Walter continued to work.


    Using the ice in his body, Walter froze the fifth point and injected his own essence into the realm causing a surge of energy to pulse into Seshwan''s body. He wished he could cry out, but he''d been paralyzed and could only feel pain and tears streaming down his face.


    "Wait are you crying? Ha! It a good thing you smoked some Fortune Root before we started or you''d be dead for sure." Walter had finished resetting the realms in Seshwan so he was relaxing and withdrawing the needles. Seshwan felt no more pain just a warm circulation of energy in his body the numb feeling was slowly dispersing and would be gone soon. His essence was earth element and had a high recovery rate so effects won''t last long.


    About twenty minutes later Seshwan sat up amazed as he manifested his energy into an aura like wave around his body. He felt strong and couldn''t help smiling as he looked over to Walter. In the last twenty minutes Walter, had smoked most of the Fortune Root and was in a daze.


    "Now boy, if you''d like, I could train you to be good enough to get into that guild you wanted to join." Walter spoke as smoke rolled out of his mouth.


    "I''m just looking for work; doesn''t matter which guild I join. I got kicked out of my home after moving here, my uncle got mad that I was so useless; then told me to at least find a job." Seshwan looked depressed thinking about the events of the previous days.


    "Then it''s settled I''ll train you, give you a cultivation technique and get you work through my guild!" Walter got excited which worried Seshwan. ¡°and you can call me master!¡±


    "Sure I guess. But I''d rather not call you master. When can we go to your guild?" Seshwan lightened up as he thought about finally being useful.


    "The guild is having a recruiting day in three days so you''ll need to use those days to start training, sit here." Walter held his pipe one handed and patted the pillow next to him.


    Seshwan sat, thinking of what good luck he''d found. His essence functioned, he''d found a master, and there was work for him in the near future. Not to mention good training techniques are rare, because only a master can pass them onto students, most of the ancient or legendary techniques died off a long time ago.


    "Before we start training, Walter, may I ask why I found you injured and bleeding in an alley?" Seshwan was curious to how this all started and felt the need to ask even though it might be met with hostility from his new benefactor and master


    "Oh, I broke into a noble of the cities'' home and stole a pile of jewelry and a couple bottles of wine. I tried to make off with the goods but that¡¯s when the city guard showed up! I froze the floor below them to slow them down and thought I¡¯d get past; but one of the leaders had a cursed sword! The prick got a good swing at me, I''m normally not one to kill the guards as the guild frowns on stuff like that so I shattered his right elbow instead then ran." Walter was grinning like a clown.


    "Wow but you¡¯re a Grandmaster stage assassin, even if it was poisoned, you looked awfully dazed when I found you." Seshwan was confused by the tale his master told.


    "That¡¯s right you¡¯re a young boy, you¡¯ve never encountered the nether smiths or their cursed weapons. A nether curse affects the blood; it will solidify or thin out depending on the curse and the level of essence master who writes the curse." Walter rubbed his chin as he spoke. Then continued "Don¡¯t worry about it, we will talk all about essences and the application of abilities after we get you to a decent strength."


    After a few hours of discussing which earth essence cultivation technique Seshwan should use they settled on the [Tectonic Shell] technique as it would greatly enhance his defensive abilities and eventually grow to master level. Next Walter brought forth a scroll holding his own training technique passed down by his clan.


    Walter presented the scroll: ¡°This, Seshwan, is [Shadow Foot Transition] a movement boosting technique for thieves and assassins to use when things get tight and you have to make a speedy escape. it will heighten reflexes and includes manuals on urban climbing.¡±


    Seshwan smiled as he thought about the two powerful techniques before him. He could have the possibility to ascend into a demigod state if he trained hard enough! His heart was full of joy, his family had disowned him as trash, but he would train hard and prove them wrong for sure. Walter sat back down as they began to discuss training.


    Walter had three days to whip this trash noble¡¯s son into some degree of presentable apprentice. If he couldn¡¯t, the other members of the guild would look down on him as incapable of such a simple task.


    Walter thought, ¡®This kid had a messed-up essence realm and I know nothing about his backstory; he only recently arrived in the city. I wonder which bloodline he belongs too?¡¯

 Ch 3: Tectonic Shell

    Walters residence in the Homeless Hamlet


    A day had passed and Seshwan was busy cultivating his earth essence within his five realms. He had cultivated the [Tectonic Shell] for a total of eight hours now and the difference in essence strength was already drastic in comparison.


    The technique is a chanted phrase with many chapters, and by slowly contemplating the phrases, essence would be drawn in; insight could be gained through contemplation. Along with the chant there was a physical body training technique; recite passages while circulating essence forcefully and not allowing any to escape of his body. Essence flowed vigorously throughout his body.


    Walter had gone to one the smiths to trade some trash for other essential items for the recruitment day. Down in the cistern life was different, the people here never traded with money because that is easily stolen, rather the shopkeepers and smiths only traded in items and goods. Pants and sackcloth shirts were commonly used as they were easy to come across. Other gathered materials from the areas near the city were considered tender as a lot of herbs for medicine grew along the coasts.


    When Walter returned a short while later, Seshwan was still absorbed in cultivation, trying hard to gain insight into the earth essence. Walter stored the food he had just traded some stolen items for; he''d only just finished when he felt powerful essence close to him, almost like it had sprung from the shadows and gripped his throat. He spun around to see that Seshwan was the only one in the room. Small stones had begun to float near Seshwan as they gathered they began to arrange around his chest.


    ''Amazing! This boy has talent he''s already started to form his first stage real guard.'' Walter thought about his students¡¯ progress, a real guard would mean he''s in the last stages of trainee realm and about to step into the Apprentice stage.


    The difference between stage or even levels within the stages is great, an apprentice level one could not hope to compete with a level three; perhaps a level two with the right combat techniques but not normally. The starting stages were a lot easier to ascend through compared to later cultivation stages. Walter smiled; perhaps Seshwan would turn out to be the hidden treasure he had hoped to find in this dump of a city.


    Seshwan opened his eyes; there was a majestic feeling in his chest. He looked toward the source to see an incomplete cuirass of stone had begun to form. A feeling of shock spread throughout his body and as he reacted the stones fell away.


    It seemed once he''d broken his concentration his control over the stone had failed. The majestic energy was gone for now and he sat wondering if it was going to always be like this; even in combat would he need to keep focusing so hard?


    "Walter are these stones part of the cultivation technique? I also just felt some kind of majestic energy within my essences realms, is that normal?" Seshwan may as well ask even if Walter scolded him for asking stupid questions.


    "Those stones were drawn to you to form your first stage real guard. A real guard allows for physical enhancement and grants other essence abilities. If I''m correct you should form a cuirass first and the ability to absorb large impacts at way less cost. Since you¡¯re an earth type the majority of your base abilities should be defensive and crowd controlling; those roles are essential for a Guardian Knight." Walter had seen many earth essences in his years but none had gone through trainee realm so fast or said they''d felt majestic energy before they made it into the expert realm.


    Seshwan felt full of energy as he stood up, his essence surged throughout him. The smell of the cistern no longer bothered him; the pressure he''d felt when he first arrived was still there but he could feel it was beneficial to his current cultivation. The pressure allowed him to absorb a seemingly limitless amount of earth essence from his surroundings.


    "Hey Sesh, catch!" Walter tossed him a set of beggars¡¯ clothes about his size. "You¡¯ll have to dress right in the sewers or else you''ll get mugged." Walter smiled as he sat down and lit his pipe, today he was smoking a different herb that smelled like mint; the smoke hung low and felt as though it lowered the temperature of the room.


    Seshwan got changed and stored his items in his loot box. A loot box was a box which could store items to be extracted later. Food, water, clothes and weapons were commonly stored in these boxes but since they were hard to enchant and crafted from uncommon materials they were expensive and only employed by the higher class. With Walters smoke hanging in the air, and having sat for roughly ten hours Seshwan decided to go for a walk around, he''d gained some energy now and wanted to walk around unafraid for the first time in his life.


    The homeless hamlet


    This hamlet within the scarlet sewers was not as bad as one might picture a community of impoverished people. Fires crackled as people trained and conversed at the small ship stalls surrounding the edge of the cistern. They were deep underground beneath the city but this place was rather well lit. If one could get over the toxic odor this hamlet in the depths of the earth could be a charming place to live. There were no guards, the people here were on their own, not looking for trouble or looking to start it. Everyone knew the others were down on their luck and wouldn''t hesitate to help if they could. These people had nothing but still had far more than the nobles at the highest tiers of the city.


    Seshwan had gained some sort of small insight into what a true community looked like, the impression he got from this place was much more charming and welcoming then even his own home.


    "I''ve never seen you before young man, if you need so guidance this old man would happily help." Seshwan turned around to face an old man with a walking cane. He had snuck up on Seshwan while he was observing people in their daily lives.


    "Sorry sir I''m not looking for anything, just taking in the sights. It''s my first time here and in my opinion it''s a rather nice place." Seshwan was trying to be polite to the old man; he was in rags but, like Walter, this old man could be dangerous.


    "It''s all we have so who could complain. If you need anything stop by my shop on the east side of the cistern, it''s a converted abandoned drainage channel." The old man smiled as he turned and walked away.


    ''What an odd old guy he never told me his name and he approached me so easily'' Seshwan was pondering the logic of the old man''s decision to talk to him.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Seshwan had always been an introvert and tried to not get into discussions with strangers if it could be helped. For this old man to walk up like that had him confused and feeling odd in a way he couldn¡¯t put into words.


    After his walk was complete, he traded a hand full of food for some attribute-less leather wrap gauntlets. Attributes on armor could strengthen wearers abilities an attribute-less item was made with no essence imbued into it; it could have essence added to it by the wearer. For Seshwan, gauntlets would be helpful if he had to fight anyone in the future if he couldn''t fully form and sustain a real guard.


    He returned to Walters hut; Walter had been sitting cultivating essence since Seshwan left. The hut was frigid; icicles hung from the ceiling. Frost and small pieces of ice rotated around Walters'' seated figure.


    Seshwan sat on the frozen pillow starring in awe, previously he had felt foolish calling this small kid looking man master; now his body had formed a full ice real guard. Ice spikes covered his back and forearms, the rest was smooth and deep blue ice that looked sleek and though frozen solid, it had a fluid flexibility to it.


    Seshwan had only seen full real guard a hand full of times, all of whom were generals back home while training at a martial hall many years ago.


    White light appeared in the ice as Walter opened his eyes. The ice began to melt and absorb into him as he breathed deeply. He had full control over his element and without a doubt was a true master.


    "Sorry about that I was just taking a moment to recover some of my essence I used to purify that curse." Walter stared toward Seshwan, a grin on his face "Your jealous, aren''t you? Don''t worry this is a similar technique to your Tectonic Shell, one day you''ll hit master rank and have a full real guard stronger than mine."


    Seshwan shocked by what was just said starred at Walter. "Stronger than yours how? I''m only an earth type essence user?" Seshwan had doubts about Walters claim.


    "Kid, earth is naturally the strongest defensive type essence, how can a mutation essence like ice be as strong? It can''t! Ice is a mutation of water and wind essence types, it''s extremely rare and though it holds defensive properties it is just as easily used as an offensive essence." Walter was careful to explain his intended meaning.


    Seshwan was a bright kid but and was no doubt book smart; he lacked personality, He had, without a doubt, been looked down on for his lack of talent. Meaning he''d only begun to learn about application of essence and types of essence when he was labeled trash and kicked aside.


    "No one essence has more potential the others, the person controlling it is what makes the difference in potential and strength." Walter had learned this from his master a long time ago and he''d seen it for himself on many contract missions.


    "I understand, I''ll train till I become the strongest and show my family I''m not trash!" Seshwan had a fire lit in his heart, he could be great like others, they just had a head start on cultivation now.


    They both returned to training, Walter did not reform his real guard near Seshwan again. The side effects and pressure would eventually affect him if he couldn''t form a second stage real guard. Only two days till the recruitment date Seshwan could not be set back in cultivation if he wanted to be accepted into a guild.


    Two days later Seshwan had had break through after break through, he was now into apprentice stage of cultivation and could finally form and hold his real guard for up to five minutes at rest. In combat, he could only hold it for less than a minute. For the time being he had to rely on his only none combat technique [shadow step transition]. Most of the last two days were spent cultivating but a portion was also spent manipulating essence as an extension of your body and studying the technique Walter had given him.


    Walter had made Seshwan learn to control his essence better by picking up small stones and holding them above him for a whole minute, Seshwan struggled to raise the stones above his shoulder level so this is where they¡¯d start. The [shadow step transition] on the other hand was not an essence ability but rather a precise footing drill to accurately maneuver tight spaces quickly. It assisted in climbing walls quickly; an excellent escape technique that would allow Seshwan to run if he ever was threatened by a much stronger opponent within the city or in the future.


    Both training techniques required diligence to master; and would become a part of Seshwan¡¯s daily training routine.


    The day of recruitment


    ¡°Sesh you¡¯ve made a few major steps in cultivation in the last three days and I believe your just strong enough now to make it as a member of our guild, but that¡¯ll depend on your performance at the recruitment today. I believe you will do just fine.¡± Walter was surprised that Seshwan had trained up into the beginning stages of apprentice grade within three days!


    If he could keep up his training, he should break into apprentice level five or even six within a year with the right resources and techniques. All things the guild no doubt had, however first he must pass the tests laid down by the masters of the guild.


    ¡°Thank you Walter I''ll continue to try harder and become stronger.¡± Seshwan was overjoyed at the sound of Walter¡¯s praise. He had been labelled trash for more than eight years, so to be praised now after only three days felt good.


    ¡°Before heading to the guild hall I should explain the rules and reasoning for why I accepted you as my student.¡± Walter was going to tell him eventually but decided now was the best time. ¡°Every year the guild members bring in new recruits as apprentices.


    Unlike other guilds where apprentices are assigned by the guild masters, I chose to bring you in not because you need work or because of your talent as a cultivator, rather I offered to be your master because you have ties to nobles and the guild has needed more standing in this city. We could easily bribe the nobles, lord knows they love money, but that doesn¡¯t guarantee the guards to leave us alone. If one of our own was from the families, the guards couldn¡¯t touch them.¡±


    Seshwan was first shocked but quickly understood what was wanted from him. ¡°I don¡¯t have that sort of influence in this city; I¡¯m new here and not loved by the family. As for the guild; what kind of guild is this that¡¯s in trouble with the guards all the time?¡± Seshwan had never thought to ask he just wanted work and to not have to rely on others to get through the day.


    ¡°Were called criminals and rightly so; the Black Lotus thieves guild has been in this city for a few centuries. We steal, kill, and raid other guilds. You can imagine why were in trouble rather often.¡± Walter grinned as he was rather proud to be more than just an assassin for nobles, he would rather steal from them than kill for them making twice the money.


    ¡°An unofficial guild of assassins and thieves?¡± Seshwan wore a disturbed expression, he knew they existed but he had no idea he would soon be trying to join them.


    ¡°Eh, not just an unofficial guild of assassins and thieves, we also accept marauders and bandits.¡± Walter was being sarcastic just out of spite of Seshwan''s concerned expression. ¡°Don¡¯t worry they¡¯re not that bad we just don¡¯t like seeing the wealth in the hands of a select few we would rather distribute it like it should be.¡±


    ¡°How noble of you.¡± Seshwan rolled his eyes trying to look as sarcastic as possible.


    ¡°Kid, you¡¯re in the sewers among the bottom class, compared to the higher ups, which would you rather see succeed in life?¡± Walter bumped Seshwan¡¯s shoulder.


    Seshwan was at the rock bottom of the social hierarchy. An outcast that was labeled trash. He had been kicked around by his brothers and sisters all his life. Looked down on by his father and uncles. Even his original master and tutor thought he was worthless.


    Seshwan had been thrown out without any explanation other than that he was useless trash. Ever one of the other noble children looked down on him because he spent more time studying and reading then training in a skill of craft. He now could become just as strong as those who looked down on him.


    ¡°Your right, those bastards on the upper tiers have always looked down on me, I can¡¯t stand the thought of their smug faces. They never gave a damn about me, so why not? I¡¯ll do my best to get in and take them down a few pegs!¡± Seshwan always hated his uncle; during his contemplation of joining he thought of his father as well. At the mere thought of his father and brothers his blood boiled.


    ¡°I¡¯ll show all of those bastards I¡¯m not trash and one day I''ll return to the capitol to make you all regret kicking me out.¡± Seshwan made this oath under his breath so Walter wouldn¡¯t hear


    ¡°Okay Sesh, I am sure you will do great, though I have no idea what the tests will be this year. I am confident in your ability.¡± Walter said assuring Seshwan.

 Ch 4: Den of Thieves

    Walters residence, Homeless Hamlet


    ''Well if he''s determined to become more then he is, I''ll gladly guide him. A noble''sfavor is worth its weight in gold.'' After some careful contemplation, Walter decided to continue training Seshwan to become a thief. That is if he could pass the masters test.


    "Seshwan, it''s not about what your origins are, what''s truly important is what your future holds." Walter smiled after speaking.


    Walters reassuring comment left Seshwan momentarily confused.


    "You''re right I''ll make my own future. Thank you, Walter." Seshwan starred toward the wall of the shack his eyes gleaming with new found inspiration. He would try his best to change his future to become more than others deemed him to become.


    "The test will be in a few hours, let''s head to the guild hall." Walter stood and headed toward the door; leading the way out into the cistern.


    After leaving the Hut, Walter froze the door closed, sealing it from anyone who may be curious. Only an essence user of equal or greater strength could break this kind of seal.


    "I''m ready, lead on." Seshwan, now filled with determination, couldn''t wait to see what the black lotus had in store for him.


    The pair walked to the east side of the hamlet, a small stall sat at the entrance of a drainage channel. The old man from two days¡¯ prior was sleeping in a chair behind the counter of the stall.


    "Hey! Horus wake your old ass up I''m here for the tests I brought my new apprentice!" Walter slammed his hands onto the tabletop startling the old man.


    "Walter you little shit get the hell away from my stall, a kid like you will scare away my customers!" Horus shouted at Walter rather gruffly, Seshwan couldn''t help covering his mouth to laugh at the exchange between these two.


    "Just go inside and register with your ward." Horus was old and no longer wished to deal with the antics of youth. He looked up at Seshwan and with a wink he sent chills down Seshwan¡¯s back.


    ''What the hell was that?'' Seshwan suddenly felt awkward and out of place. This old man had killed his confidence in a single motion.


    "Hey, old man! Don''t you creep out my apprentice, this kid could kill you if you¡¯re not careful." Walter warned Horus more for Seshwan¡¯s benefit. He didn''t need this creepy old bastard hanging around Seshwan.


    They passed into the drainage tunnel which was well lit with torches. Once inside Walter turned to Seshwan, "Listen, kid; I''d avoid Horus, he''s kind of queer in his old age. Not sure he''d do anything to you, but old people are unpredictable and smell funny! Never trust them."


    "This coming from the hundred-year-old kid." Seshwan jested at Walter only because he sounded ridiculously hypocritical.


    Walter snapped about and delivered a swift kick to Seshwan¡¯s abdomen. ¡°Don¡¯t call me a kid! You shitty brat!¡±


    Seshwan dropped to his knees, he hadn¡¯t been hit hard but Walter was a master assassin and had struck his central essence realm which knocked the wind out of Seshwan but had very little effect on his actual physical state. ¡°You crazy old bastard! you could kill me if you¡¯re not careful! Geez!¡±


    After Seshwan recomposed himself they walked on for a few hundred meters till they came to a door with a guard standing by it. The guard was a giant of a man with darker skin tone and looked like he could stop Seshwan''s heart with a single strike. With one glance, he knew who they were and opened the door as they approached, allowing them to pass in with no hindrance.


    The Black Lotus main hall


    The main hall was full of people drinking near a bar; there were three tiers and a few separate private booths on each tier. Overall the hall wasn¡¯t too different from most guild halls; the lower ranked members used common areas and had access to some resources were as the higher ups and masters occupied the top levels and had full control on what went on in their hall.


    Other passages could be seen along the wall leading to a makeshift armory, barracks, library and a few secluded training rooms.


    Seshwan also came to note the pressure he had previously felt in the sewers along with that godawful smell had disappeared after entering the hall. As Walter led them through the hall many people called out and welcomed him. ''I guess Walter is popular here.'' Seshwan thought this was odd because Walter could be a straight forward and uncaring jerk most of the time.


    Though Seshwan had only known Walter no longer than seventy-two hours, he had learned much about his character. He could be encouraging; as he was when teaching a new technique or method of training. During training on the other hand; he would turn into a stone-cold slave driver.


    ¡®perhaps he¡¯s only an asshole toward me?¡¯ Seshwan thought.


    They continued deeper into the hall, up the tiers until they were on the third tier overlooking the whole hall. There were six booths on this level; four were in use.


    "Welcome Sesh to our hall and the third tier; only guild masters and their parties are permitted on this floor.¡± Walter lifted both arms in the air as he spoke.


    ¡°Wait that means?¡± Seshwan asked puzzled


    ¡°Yep, I''m one of the six masters of the Black Lotus. The other heads are in their private areas. On the right, we have my booth! Next to that¡¯s Master Devin Crest. Master locksmith and artisan, he can break any lock. Next is Master Jackson Hilliard, the master of financial services and enchantment. he provides and funds fences as well as crafting helpful tools for us to use in the field." Walter slowly went around the floor pointing out each master and explaining their roles.


    "On the other side, we have the head master of the guild''s main office. His names Master Lotus; that''s all we know him as. He runs this place, Do NOT piss him off! Next is Master Kubard the Reaver; he''s not here often as he''s a blood-crazed maniac of a man. He likes to fight so when he is here the place is turned on its head. That about sums it up." Walter cupped his hands and headed toward his private booth.


    A pile of herbs had already been prepared in a dish with a pipe left next to it. The caretakers would resupply the booths daily.


    After settling in Seshwan scanned the room again and spotted a man across the way in a red suit with several women around him. All of them looked drunk and were fawning all over him. Other than one who looked much younger than the three others. "Master? Who''s that man?" Walter had left him out of the descriptions earlier.


    Walter issued a heavy sigh "That Sesh, is the Dashing "Dandy" DeRosa, sixth Master of Black Lotus. He¡¯s a Master escape artist. He has a stand-alone escape technique that only he and his disciples can use called the [Dandy Two Step] technique it''s far more powerful than our [Shadow Step Transition] because it uses essence for short range teleportation. Only an expert grade nether essence cultivator can use that technique. Seriously that man can get out of any situation! It''s made his head swell up. It¡¯s because he''s so arrogant about how good he is that he renamed the technique passed down by his family. He can be a salty prick. It''s best to just avoid him." Walter packed his pipe and lit it as he spoke, he had no love for DeRosa because he knew the man was a womanizer and would rather spend his days with a woman than to do his job.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Worst of all; if he wants to leave no one can stop him because of his damn nether techniques.


    The girl who sat alone across the table from DeRosa got up and moved to a common area table only a few meters from the booth Seshwan and Walter occupied.


    She was a beauty only around sixteenth or seventeen she had light ginger hair, she had noble facial features and her skin looked like speckled white jade. Seshwan stared at this beauty of a woman. It took more than a few moments to convince himself he had a chance to even talk to her, ''come on you idiot look at her she''s stunning and the only girl your age. Just go say hi.'' After much arguing with himself, he had mustered the courage to speak to her he moved to the closest seat to her table well remaining in the booth.


    "Hey, you¡¯re with Master DeRosa? What''s your name?" Seshwan tried to appear calm and cool on the outside, inside he was so embarrassed and ashamed of how weak he is he just wanted to throw himself from a rooftop.


    "En, I was with Master DeRosa. Also, just because I moved over here does not mean I''ll talk to you. Run along and wait for your master like a good boy." She coldly cut Seshwan down. He could feel his pride and all the courage he''d mustered be destroyed in a single blow. He moved back over by Walter with his head down and a depressed look on his face.


    "Well shit, Sesh not only are you trash with essence manipulation and manifestation. You also suck with women!" Walter laughed well slapping his knee. "Watch I''ll get her name and essence type in under a minute!" Walter was very confident in his charming skills and fancied himself a lady-killer. Not just with a blade.


    "You¡¯re on! You old fart, two hundred silver says you can''t." Seshwan was so confident Walter was not a lady killer he was willing to bet what money he had.


    "Excuse me, sister? Could I perhaps know your name and essence type?" Not hesitating now that money was offered Walter tried the straight forward approach.


    "Umm, little boy are you lost? And what makes you think you have a right to know!?" This girl returned Walters straightforward approach to dealing with this situation.


    She turned around and stared at the pair. Walters'' mouth hung open. She was his kind of woman, sassy and a body that was well fit from extensive training. ''Damn she is hot, too bad this bitch decided to not give me any face.'' Walter didn''t care who her master was. No one called him a little boy in this guild.


    The room''s temperature plummeted and a strong killing intent was released from Walter. All the disciples on the third floor gasped for air. This murderous intent was so thick they all struggled to breathe. Seshwan had already experienced worse but was still slightly effected by the aura. Frost spread across all surfaces and rolled like a frozen mist down the stairs tot eh lower tiers. The music and chatter of the patrons below came to a dead silent halt as most of the members wondered who had offended Walter! And to this extent!?


    "You stuck up bitch! Who the fuck are you calling ''little boy''!?" With a small burst of Essence, Walter moved like a flash of lightning to within inches of the girls¡¯ chair. Ice formed along the edge of his pipe, into a blade now meeting her pearl white skin and drawing blood.


    Fear ran deep in her eyes as she knew now that she''d done exactly what master DeRosa had warned her to not do. She had offended Master Walter, the youthful from the northern kingdoms. This man oversaw all training within this hall, he had the highest recorded kill count of any of the Masters in this hall of Black Lotus


    "Your look scared little girl? Don''t worry, if you apologize and answer my previous questions I''ll leave your pretty throat intact." Walter leaked frozen ice essence from an equally cold smile sending a chill through the young lady¡¯s heart.


    "I''m so sorry Master Walter! I had no idea! My names Elise I''m a student of Master DeRosa and I''m a fire type essence user!" Elise feared for her life. She had been warned by master DeRosa when they arrived that the two people to never upset were Master Lotus and Master Walter because no matter what happened, DeRosa is no match for either in a straight up fight.


    The essence retracted as Walters facial features softened and he withdrew his blade. He turned around and returned to his seat. Absorbing the ice, he''d layer the booth with in his explosion of anger. "Hey, Seshwan her name Elise, she''s a fire type. So, pay up." Walter extended his hand eyes closed and an enormous smile on his face.


    Seshwan had no choice his master had cheated him but he did get her name and essence type.


    "Hey, newbie Elise why are you being taught by DeRosa? Does that prick have no shame?" Walter couldn''t figure why DeRosa would take on a fire apprentice if most of his skills were nether-based.


    "Master Walter, I was brought on as an apprentice to act as a future bodyguard to master DeRosa." Elise tone had changed too respectful rather quickly.


    "God I hate that man. He just wants a young girl to do as he says, what a masochist. Ugh, he just makes me feel sick." Walter truly didn''t like DeRosa and did not approve of his use of this girl or her possible talents.


    A break had formed in the conversation the hall had returned to its lively self only shortly after the incident earlier was resolved. Some patrons were upset they didn''t get to see a fight between masters. The band counted off and continued their current piece.


    A few more apprentices were scattered around the third tier. Master Crest had brought two young men, and there were two others sitting over in Master Kubard¡¯s area. Though both looked no more than sixteen, no older than the rest of the apprentices, these two were different from the others. One had scars from extensive combat on their body. The other was completely covered in robes and sat alone in a corner


    Walter glanced toward Master Kubard¡¯s area ''If those two are the underlings of Kubard then they must see combat frequently. ''Kubard used combat as hit method to train the weak, he lived by the moto ¡°get strong or die!¡±


    As the music proceeded, Walter perked up and tapped Seshwan on the shoulder, "Seshwan do you feel that?"


    "No, I don¡¯t feel anything." Seshwan thought perhaps Walter was messing with him.


    At that moment, a white light formed at the balcony overlooking the main hall. The appearance of this light caused silence to fall across the guild again. A form materialized in the light along with two others. The master of the Black Lotus Guild stepped out of the portal-like light onto the balcony and raised a hand as all the members burst into cheers.

 Ch 5: The Masters Test

    Black Lotus Guild Hall, Scarlet Cove Sewers


    The near full guild hall was set ablaze with emotion and energy. Rogues, bandits and thieves cheered and raised their glasses toward the master.


    Master lotus had just materialized from thin air two disciples in tow. The master was an older man of about seventy. Though it''s impossible to know how old this man was from the essence he projected he only appeared as a Master stage. Walter had made this man out to be someone the average man should never offend.


    Seshwan was puzzled, ¡®why would Walter speak of this man with such fear if he was stronger than him.¡¯


    Walter stood up from the table along with the other three guild masters all arriving on the balcony. The five masters exchanged greetings before master lotus turned to the cheering crowd below. The guild master raised a hand to quiet the masses down, the current population in the hall was around three-hundred, within moments they were all silent awaiting their master¡¯s words.


    "Black lotus. Welcome to this year''s Masters test thank you all for coming out." The old man''s voice bellowed out reverberating off the vaulted cistern ceilings.


    Master Hilliard turned around and motioned to all the apprentices; with a wave of his hand the ten apprentices, Seshwan included, left Their respective booths. Though the ten of them were all close in age Seshwan could sense some were stronger then him by what felt like a large margin.


    ¡°This year¡¯s tests will be a simple evaluation of one¡¯s ability to cultivate and potentail strength¡± master Crest announced


    "Candidates come to the balcony we shall explain this test." Master Lotus opened a small red box one of his disciples carried. Within the box was a blue crystal with what looked to be white clouds revolving within.


    "Candidates this is a sapphire essence crystal; this tool has long been used to test an individual¡¯s essence, but unlike standard testing you would see in a guild hall in modern day this sapphire will test your potential instead of your current strength." With master lotus'' words a few of the other apprentices were puzzled, Seshwan however was ecstatic!


    He had learned about the old methods of testing essence when he was younger and believed if he had taken a test like this as a child someone may have been able to see his potentail.


    "First apprentice come forward." Master Crest gestured toward his wards.


    The first to step up was a young man no older the eighteen with dark hair and blue eyes. From the appearance of his equipment he wore he was a thief by trade; full leather armor with seems concealing extra pockets.


    "Master Lotus let me present my first apprentice Colm Li from the Clear-Waters family of scarlet cove." Master Crest was obviously proud of this young man.


    Colm stepped forward stern faced and ready to get this mundane task over with.


    "Hold the crystal in your right hand and inject your essence slowly." Master Lotus casually directed the youth how to activate the crystal.


    Moments later the crystal changed luster shining brilliantly before turning deep blue, the previously white clouds transformed into five wisps of gold thread.


    Master Crest proudly praised his student. "Fantastic boy! Young Colm you¡¯ve got your families pure water essence no doubt."


    "Judging by colour, luster and the number gold threads within; this young man has water essence with the potential to become a grand master even if he hardly works for it. The threads symbolize your essences grade. Most tests no longer grade essences but we believe the higher the graded level is the easier it will be to cultivate your essence." master lotus used this test as an example for the rest of the rest of the candidates. "We call this grade essence root, thus Colm has an essence root grade of five which is considered to be excellent. The grades start at one and ascend to ten. the masters of this guild are averaged around grades five to seven."


    After it had been fully explained the apprentices were still confused.


    ¡°Don¡¯t we already use grading to test an essences ability to cultivate? In the empire, we have always used the system of ranking essence within each level there is grades to show current strength.¡± One of Master Hilliard¡¯s apprentices asked


    "For those who are confused I¡¯ll explain" master Walter stepped toward the apprentices. "The system works like this. In terms of strength we have standard people the weakest, then trainees who learn to manipulate essence, Apprentice stage who form there first real guard, Journeymen, Experts, Masters, Grand Masters, Sages, Grand Sages, Arch Sages and finally Ascendants. All these levels have 5 sub-levels between them. Essence root grade determines how easy it will be for you to break through each level and gain power. A standard user that has a root grade around five should be able to cultivate to Master stage within a hundred years. The higher the grade the faster and higher you can climb. "


    Master Lotus nodded along with Walters explanation. "Thank you master Walter, next candidate please"


    The testing continued as a few more tested out around root grade three and four, all wind and water types.


    Elise, Master DeRosa¡¯s disciple was next to test she held the orb as she released a burst of aura, the sapphire gem turned scarlet, then crimson the strands of gold whorled around inside full of energy.


    "Young lady how old are you and what is your name?" Master Lotus had a shocked look on his face.


    "sixteen sir, my name is Elise no surnames" Elise was only sixteen and had the body of a goddess in the eyes of her peers. Now it was clear she had some shocking level of potential to accompany her beauty.


    Master lotus announced her final scores. "Elise, disciple of master DeRosa; root grade of nine fire type essence. Future potential of arch sage. In case you don¡¯t know young lady the highest-grade roots of modern day normal test at about 8, and the number of individuals to achieve higher then sage level strength in their life time are only a thousand throughout recorded history."


    DeRosa who had previously only recruited her as a body guard for her beauty was bewildered at what master lotus had just said. ¡®This girl may one day surpass all of the master¡¯s present. what a gem I¡¯ve found!'' DeRosa would no doubt groom her to become his wife and strengthen his own bloodlines.


    Almost as if having red DeRosa¡¯s mind Master Lotus turned toward him. "Master DeRosa I''m sorry but since Elise is going to be an offensive powerhouse and in need special training I don¡¯t believe you can provide; she will be reassigned to Master Flamehammer of the Commons chapter after the tests are complete."


    DeRosa gritted his teeth; there was nothing more he could do now that master Lotus had spoken. "yes sir I understand."


    Only three remained to take their test the other seven returned to their seats. Seshwan was among the last few. The others however were the students of Kubard the first to test was not overly impressive testing at root grade of four wind type essence. Potential to be a master of offensive type techniques. Perfect for a disciple of the reaver.


    Two remained to test the other party next to Seshwan was covered in a cloak and had long black hair that covered most of his face.


    The young man stepped forward to receive the crystal. A burst of black aura projected and swirled around him. This was a nether essence. The sapphire again changed colour this time black as the void drawing in light. The gold strands within the crystal turned silver and then gold there were only two but after swapping colors from silver too gold they froze in place as two silver threads.


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    All the masters immediately formed their real guards and drew weapons.


    Five masters of different essences now clad from head to toe in their elements. A dazzling radiance shown from Master Lotus as angelic armor formed over his figure emitting blinding warm light from his whole body.


    "What sect are you from! Speak quick demon or we will kill you where you stand!" One of the guards closed in to seize the youth.


    All spectators were silent. Unsure as to what had happened.


    The youth was looked physically strong but had a sleek build and looked as though he would be highly agile and dangerous in close quarters. He turned around to face the masters.


    "Don''t get me wrong I do want to join your guild. But if you¡¯re going to threaten me I''ll have no choice to be impolite." His voice cared a chilling smoothness in its tone. "My name it''s Xerxes of the immortal demon god sect. The controlling family of the demonic forests to the west. Were also the leading family in demonic forging and curses. I found master Kubard¡¯s camp in the midland swamps on our boarder. He''s a legendary slayer of men and demons alike. So I decided to join him instead of fighting him."


    "To hell with this kid. Let''s waste him" Walter stepped toward him with a blade of ice in his right hand.


    As Walter approached he could feel something was wrong. His ice felt like it was melting and his blood was boiling. ''Shit a nether curse!'' Walter stopped dead in his steps.


    "Master Walter. You finally realized why no one''s approached me? I may only have an apprentice level essence but I''m a master of blood and demonic curses." The youth smirked. One eye could be seen through his dark hair, a slit pupil with a blood red iris. The eyes of a demon kin.


    ''The only way a demon could take human form is if it possessed a body. But the body decays quickly. Though it won''t die well possessed it will not maintain human features.'' Seshwan had red lot of books on demons well studying essence.


    ''This youth is only half demon? That''s the only way'' Seshwan had realized though this youth was strong he had a major weakness in his curses because he''s only halfblooded.


    "Xerxes, you¡¯re not her to fight calm down. You got kicked out, didn''t you?" Seshwan struggled to muster the courage to speak but his master would be greatly affected by that curse if Xerxes wasn''t stopped.


    Xerxes turned toward Seshwan. ""Shut up boy! you don''t know what my reasoning is you¡¯re just a weak human. Though You are right I didn''t come to fight the masters." Xerxes'' expression turned from a smug smirk to a half frown as he recalled being banished for being a half human and his father being condemned to life in a void rift.


    "Xerxes, I know how upset you no doubt feel it''s not easy to be disowned by your family. Let''s just talk this out. Be the first one to try to make peace they will no doubt follow suit." Seshwan recalled the day his father and brothers had banished him to this city just because he lacked ability. The thought made his blood boil.


    Seshwan turned toward Walter; ¡°back off and he will calm down. We don¡¯t need to fight here¡±


    Walter retracted his blades of ice and dissolved his real guard.


    Xerxes eye returned to a dark red round iris. He had deactivated his curses and demon blood. The masters also lowered their weapons.


    "Thank you for deciding to talk this out with me Xerxes" Seshwan smiled at him holding out his hand. "If you do mean well then I''ll gladly be the first to accept you into our world even if the others don''t."


    Seshwan had learned though hours of studying that demons were overly hostile creatures they possessed unparalleled strength and a natural nether essence that could produce weapons and armor fit for the devil himself. The best way to deal with them is to not act hostile and allow them to calm down themselves, they possessed keen senses and could tell if the other party is sincere.


    Xerxes knew Seshwan had experienced the same feelings of rejection. He could feel a terrifying hatred within this young man.


    Master lotus withdrew his holy real guards and approached placed his hand on Xerxes shoulder. "Your half demon blood will make you a god like existence one day but your human essence is only grade 2 lightning type. As long as you are within this guild you must train your lighting essence for use, your demonic essence must not be used."


    All spectators who heard what the master said broke out into a frenzy.


    "He''s a demon kill him!"


    "Two essences! And both extremely rare! Bullshit! Not possible."


    "Master you¡¯re not serious about letting him live!"


    Master lotus turned toward the guild. "Shut it you lot! I''m the master of this guild and frankly we need a new nether weapon Smith if it happened to be a demon who wants to help us why turn him down?"


    Xerxes handed the Orb to Master Lotus. "Master these people will not doubt hate me forever I''ll take my leave now."


    "The hell you will you little brat!" Walter walked up and pointed a finger at Xerxes "Master lotus let me train this shitty brat he''s got potential and I want to pleasure of kicking his ass when he gets out of line!"


    Xerxes looked down at Walter and smirked "try it little boy."


    Walter struck Xerxes in the neck by his collar bone on both sides in a flash. Xerxes looked surprised as his face turned flushed he fell to the floor and coughed out a mouthful of blood.


    Walter had struck major arteries in Xerxes neck with lightning speed and enough precise force to make him bleed in his throat. "Sorry kid your still just a shitty brat who doesn''t know his place your part human so doesn¡¯t get to cocky."


    "Walter this kid has a nether essence I''ll be handing him over to DeRosa." Master Lotus knew Walter would just beat this kid and assumed Xerxes would be better off with DeRosa.


    "Actually master I don''t want him." DeRosa spoke up quickly trying to avoid being paired with a half breed that would potentially affect his ability to attract women.


    "*sigh* fine I''ll give it some thought." Master lotus couldn''t help feeling sorry for this kid. He has attracted interest of the only master worse than Kubard.


    "It''s settled Xerxes will move on to the performance portion. Those of you who don''t like it come make your complaints in my office after the last candidate tests."


    Seshwan stepped up taking the sapphire from master lotus he began to inject essence expecting the same back lash as last time he tested his essence at the guild hall the day he met Walter. Seshwan closed his eyes worried about the outcome as he clenched his hand. The masters let out an audible gasp.


    Seshwan opened his eyes to see ten treads all different colours. the crystal had become pure white in colour.


    Walter walked up and took the crystal from Seshwan examining it. "Seshwan! You¡¯re not an earth essence user. The colour should be brown yellow for Earth."


    Master Lotus collected his thoughts, swallowing hard. "You Seshwan disciple of Walter, possess a unique essence." Master lotus thought of how to explain this. "The essences of humanity forms in 8 types; earth, wind, water, fire, holy, nether. Ice and lightning are mutations that make up the last two though these two are one in ten thousand. A unique essence like yours has limitless potential they all manifest differently which is why we call them unique.Your particular essence from what i can tell, has the potential to manifest any of the eight standard essences.Unique essences form one in a few hundred million and only to the decedents of the ancient gods. you possess an extremely rare gift."


    The guild went silent; all eyes were on Seshwan.

 Ch 6: Branded

    The Black Lotus hall was silent; all eyes were on Seshwan as he held the previously sapphire orb in his right hand. All viewers were speechless they''d never seen a unique essence before in their lives. It was commonplace to see someone without essence affinity. To the common people, this unique essence has an unknown ability. It could possibly execute any technique regardless of essence affinity or command any element. Much was still unknown about Seshwan''s abilities, which would mean this individual had potential to rise above the heavens as an ascendant. The ascendants are humans who gain the power of the gods and leave the normal plain of existence to a realm only described in legends.


    A multitude of questions whirled around inside Seshwan''s mind. ''was this why I was set aback? could someone really hate me for being special? Why me of all people?'' all questions he had no answer too.


    "Hey kid, this is probably why you got poisoned and lost your cultivation ability." Walter wore a serious expression as he stared toward his apprentice.


    ''I mocked this boy because I thought he was no more than some nobles son who was actually trash. Who would have thought he far surpasses me in potential strength?¡¯ Walter now felt embarrassed for having mocked Seshwan so much over the last few days.


    Seshwan''s expression turned dark as he racked his mind trying to recall an opportunity to have been poisoned. No one was aware of his unique essence other than the members of this guild. Even the masters at arms in the capital all thought he was just a useless offspring of some noble. He had never taken a test like this in his entire life.


    "Poisoned you say?" Master Lotus stroked his beard as he thought.


    "Yes master I couldn''t cultivate at all because of great pain, every time I attempted to draw in energy I experienced extreme backlash. Until three days ago I met Master Walter. Through some unorthodox methods, he corrected the damage and even gave me a cultivation technique." Seshwan recalled the details of the past few days they were mostly a blur of training, cultivating and preparation for this day.


    though his mind wondered here and there thinking of the past three days he still continued to search his mind for clues of what had happened. a large gap had formed in his memories, ''Was it always like this? why can''t I remember anything? The years I spent training are mostly a blur of strung together instances, are these even my memories?'' Seshwan thought the idea of a gap in his memories shocked him deeply.


    "That''s just it boy you¡¯ve manifested an essence that should hold some immunity to the kind of poisoning your describing." Master Lotus continued to hold a deep expression as he thought. " The only way you could be affected to that extent would be through some form of branding or an advanced Demon curse."


    Xerxes looked over at the mention of demons and cursing. "He couldn¡¯t have been cursed. a blood curse would leave scarring on his skin and he would have suffered to death by now, at a young age if you come in contact with a curse that¡¯s not cured by holy blessings or a shaman you will succumb to the demonic power and either die or turn into a ghoul."


    Seshwan had heard of ghouls before. Corrupt rotting bags of flesh that roamed desolate towns and plains they thrived and sustained themselves on flesh and blood. Disgusting creatures of pure evil and malice. The Holy Knights order exists for the express purpose of sending ghouls and other abominations back to the unholy realms they rise from. they especially hate demons, the ones usually to blame for them being summoned.


    "Master, what''s this branding?" Walter asked as he was just as puzzled as the rest of the other masters. Master Lotus had lived a few centuries longer than the rest and traveled all a crossed the continent, many lost techniques and abilities along with knowledge were passed down to his direct disciples.


    "Essence branding as it''s sometimes called; is a taboo art of forcibly manipulating another person''s essence through old demonic contracts. You could easily cripple someone physically or completely ruin their progress in cultivation making them completely useless. The reason it''s a taboo is that it of the sacrifice and ancient rites that are needed to be performed in order to use it. The name ''branding'' comes from the damage left on the five realms the scarring will permanently leave a mark. Seshwan your realms must have endured an intense amount of scarring, likewise with whoever used the branding."


    Seshwan had no memory of anything like this happening. "There''s no way for me to know if someone else''s realms are scarred like mine. Unless I gain access to their realms which id need to be in extremely close proximity to do.¡± Seshwan looked toward the masters of the guild. All of which smirked back at him. "Why are you all looking at me like this. I''m having a hard enough time with this."


    "Kid, of course, there is a way to view another¡¯s realms without being close to them, we do it all the time." Master crest waved his hand.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "How do you think we pick our marks?" Walter stepped forward still smiling.


    "Before I answer that, what''s a mark?" Seshwan being a privileged nobles¡¯ son was not familiar with some common terms of thieves.


    "Ugh, you''re Killing me kid. A mark is a person or group we target to rob or shakedown. Now we won''t pick someone we cannot outsmart unless we can overpower them. If we can''t overpower them, we outsmart them. But how would we know how strong a noble is without knowing them personally?" Walter step toward Seshwan taking the sapphire testing crystal from him and handing him a small blood colored ruby covered in inscriptions.


    "What''s this?" Seshwan had never seen a gem like this one before.


    "That young man is an essence ¡®sight¡¯ stone." Master Hilliard piped up from the side, no doubt proud of his own creation. "I crafted these stones to detect essence strength and type at a range. They are effective up to 50 meters. I based the design off of a technique Master Kubard knows for reading another''s Essence strength."


    "God, you¡¯re an arrogant prick. No one cares that you made them Hilliard." Master crest rolled his eyes. "It doesn''t matter how it works only that it works for what we need it for."


    Walter rolled his eyes at the small exchange before explaining; "As the two top masters of crafting and inscriptions in the guild, these two like to boast and show off their latest accomplishments. Hilliard has made more breakthroughs lately, raising his standing and contribution to the guild to a higher level than master Crest. Their rivalry tends to rear its head whenever the discussion of items comes up."


    Hilliard scowled toward Crest. ¡°Ignore whateverthis lot says, they''re just upset cause my inventions are more practical." Master Hilliard was proud and not afraid to show it. "Seshwan with these crystals you just inject a bit of essence into it and focus on a target. The information will be transmitted to your mind."


    "Let''s play with your toys another time Hilliard." Master Lotus moved to the balcony rail to address the guild. "Ladies and gentlemen we have tested these youths. Everyone has potential to be great members and even future masters. Though they possess great potential we still must see if they can truly be helpful to this guild. In a few days¡¯ time, we will send them on personal missions to steal items from the city. As the current guild members, you are to make these new comers earn their places. I''ll give five-thousand Denarii to any thief who steals the item before them and brings it to me."


    The crowd burst into cheers;


    ¡°Do you believe this! Five-thousand! those kids never stood a chance!¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no way the masters will let us control whether these kids get in, right?¡±


    ¡°Got to be bullshit! They don¡¯t stand a chance against the veterans in the guild!¡±


    to the members of the guild Five-thousand Denarii wasn''t a large sum but it was well worth messing with some recruits. Anyone who could get their hands on the money could afford to buy an inscribed weapon or even a decent set of armor, the task was well worth the try.


    The guild hall was buzzing with this news; they would be paid to mess with the recruits! While all the other masters looked puzzled. The apprentices more so than all others were stunned. A guild of thieves would be trying to bar their only way through this test.


    "This is how we test to see if you''re worth our time to accept and train. I changed the rules to test these four exceptional youths. We will be taking on a huge risk if we accept Seshwan and Xerxes. However, Colm and Elise should be able to manage." Master Lotus grimly smiled toward the four most outstanding apprentices. "Seshwan more than the rest possess the largest risk as he is affiliated with the nobles of the city."


    The whole guild went quite again this time murderous aura rose up from the lower tiers of the hall. slanted gazes of evil intent felt as if they would pierce Seshwan''s skin.


    "He may have ties to the nobles but all the more reason to have him? we will have a man in the top tiers that isn''t wanted for murder or theft, yet. he could easily help us get some high-grade items out of the noble families with way less risk." Master DeRosa spoke up, "No need to cut him now, you can do it later if he betrays us!"


    These words were intended to claim the guilds growing unrest, and serve as a warning to Seshwan; ''don''t fuck with us'' was the message he meant to convey.


    "I like this! My two apprentices are going to have to actually prove themselves!" Walter was grinning like an excited child who couldn''t wait to see how they performed.


    Xerxes looked toward Master Lotus. "If we''re caught trying to steal, will killing be permitted?" This youth¡¯s demonic heritage showed through. He was no doubt a ruthless killer. He only required permission.


    "You¡¯re not to kill anyone! You and Seshwan will also be handicapped. You must only use your human essence and Seshwan can only use his earth essence. Though he currently can''t use the other if one develops do not use it." Master Lotus smiled at Xerxes and Seshwan he truly believed these boys were going to be great men one day but for now, they were to over confident in their bloodlines.


    "Master, could we work as a team?" Seshwan had been previously thrown off by the handicap and change in the usual rules that Walter had explained to him days before. He now wore a look of determination and full seriousness. ''If I want to get work and access to the guilds training techniques I must pass this test. It''s the only way to learn more about my essence and gain a way to find out who set me back all these years. I can''t turn to uncle or any masters in the army none will believe my story.''


    Master Lotus'' eyes flashed with a glint of curiosity. ¡°I¡¯ll allow you to work together but you must pull off some form of a heist. If not there is no reason to team up. A heist will mean you pick no less than three members in addition to yourself and you must pick a target. You have two weeks to plan and submit a team list. I look forward to seeing what you have in mind Seshwan."


    Seshwan nodded, "Yes sir I will not disappoint.¡±


    This had worked out in Seshwan¡¯s favor. He had Xerxes with a lightning essence, which if he could manifest his real guard would provide a key to future teamwork. He was already halfway to a team required to pull off the theft he had in mind. a few additions and some planning and he were sure he could easily pull off a heist. He had the perfect location in mind.

 Ch 7: Unlikely Thieves

    Black Lotus Guild hall; Training room 1


    Master Lotus had decided to allow Seshwan to plan a heist, this would require a team of thieves to pull off. Seshwan had to recruit his team, pick a target treasure, and then steal it. Not an easy task for recruit thieves. This ambitious undertaking would mean Seshwan¡¯s would be group would not have to compete with veteran thieves for the treasure, depending on the scale and complexity of the heist. Too easy and someone will swipe the loot before them, too difficult and they will never pull it off. All things had been considered by Seshwan before he asked for master Lotus'' blessing.


    The next day, in Walters guild hall study, a private room within the guild hall that acted as Walter''s office. The room was large and made of old alabaster sandstones, the layout was mostly scattered around the room old desks and bookcases covered with writings and books. All of which were notes on the city and the nobles within the city. Seshwan was busy at work pouring over old maps of the city, making notes as he went. Xerxes had been assigned to Walter for training so he sat quietly in the corner reading a scroll he had been given by master Crest. The masters had passed him a lot of homework to help him strengthen his lightning essence, allowing him to not just depend on his demonic essence. The scroll in his hand was a technique that the guild couldn¡¯t pass to anyone without a lightning essence, the [flash] technique.


    The technique [Flash] was a beginner level lightning technique that allowed the user to teleport short distances, of no more than two to three meters without a blocked path. the users couldn''t use it to gain height or pass over or through walls. Mostly it was an escape ability in combat unless you were creative, it wouldn¡¯t offer much assistance other than to close in on an opponent. Xerxes would also learn [Shadow step transition] so he would need to find his own uses for [Flash]. Other than these two techniques he had also begun to cultivate his lightning essence. The lightning real guards that first form for an apprentice was in the shape of a signet ring. This ring allows the user to transmit his voice to others within fifty meters at low levels. A very useful ability when the user must be silent or relay a message quickly.


    Xerxes looked down to the ring on his right hand with a scowl, ''why do I have to use this piece of shit essence?'' he thought. It didn¡¯t have any good combat abilities in its early stages. Xerxes looked up from his training materials and over to Seshwan who was studying without rest. All the while small stones floated around Seshwan''s free hand, he was circulating essence through himself while he studied. ''Wow, this Seshwan kid is really focused on his plan and still taking the time to train his essence. I wonder, he is supposed to possess some mystic essence of legend, is it that strong?'' Xerxes couldn¡¯t help being suspicious he had never encountered a human who could surpass him or his demonic bloodline.


    "Hey, Xerxes!" Seshwan spun around as his small stones tumbled to the ground, he had broken concentration with some revelation.


    Xerxes put down his reading material, he was getting bored of reading anyway. ¡°Kind of busy learning these techniques, what do you want?"


    Seshwan had a grin on his face, as he grabbed a map from the desk behind him. "I know what I want to steal and I need your help!"


    Xerxes frowned. "I don¡¯t want to help you, I¡¯ll just take my assignment and hope for the best. I know you were hoping to plan some crazy heist but count me out! I don''t need to do some ridiculous stunt to get into the guild."


    Seshwan moved closer with a stack of notes and the map dropping them in front of Xerxes. "Take a look before you say no."


    "seriously kid you don''t listen do you?" Xerxes said rubbing his eyes, "Fine, lets see his plan of yours


    Xerxes scanned across the notes skeptically till he read the highlighted notes, "location of Scarlet Cove crafting distract material vault." cold shivers ran down Xerxes'' spin. The vault of the crafting district was rumored to hold hundreds of thousands of high-grade materials, not just for armor and weapons, they also housed scores of blessed artifacts and cursed totems.


    Xerxes looked up at Seshwan his mouth curled at the corner into an evil smile. "Seshwan this is insane, that vault is impregnable unless you¡¯re an extremely wealthy merchant and even then you cannot just take things out without permission! you require a sealed, signed scroll from a merchant guild master! Just how will you get that?"


    A flash of clever scheming flashed across Seshwan''s face. "You are aware I''m a noble in this city? I''m not just interested in one particular material in this vault. Sure we will steal materials, weapons, and armor but more importantly in two days, a shipment of Imperial military essence refinement pills will come into port. These pills are extremely effective when training essence at a low level and roughly twenty thousand pills will be in that vault in forty-eight hours. there they will stay till they are sent to Blackridge fortress to resupply the Praetorian garrison currently stationed there. no one will think twice about checking the supplies after they are secured in the vault. if we steal them out of the vault it''ll be weeks before they realize the pills are missing."


    Xerxes'' face turned ashen gray. "Seshwan if you''re caught they will kill you no matter who you are! Not to mention your team! Which you''re asking me to join!"


    Seshwan looked over his shoulder to make sure they were still alone, "Xerxes I have planned this out over the last twenty-four hours, trust me. Now get up we need to gather the other two."


    Xerxes looked up at seshwan puzzled, before he stood. "Wait a moment, you are only bringing two other people?! Just four of us are going to steal so many treasures? You''re insane! truly i think the sewer air has fried your brain."


    Seshwan had already begun to walk toward the door both hands spread out as he shrugged. "meh, let¡¯s see how insane I am when we discuss the plan with the others. Now let¡¯s go"


    Xerxes ran after Seshwan who had already put some distance between them, "God damn it, wait for me you crazy bastard¡±


    Black Lotus guild hall; main hall


    Seshwan and Xerxes moved their plans forward gathering the other two candidates; Colm Li and Elise though they both had separate masters they could not leave the guild hall till the master has assigned them their targets. Each had nothing better to do than train. When Seshwan approached asking them to join him in master Walters private section they gave little resistance, even the cold hearted Elise now only a day later showed both Xerxes and Seshwan far more respect. Seshwan expected that she would once she found out he was royalty. For Xerxes, she had no choice but to be nice though she probably loathed him for his heritage.


    All four gathered in the booth, Seshwan produces a small loot chest from a burlap sack, within the box was maps and notes, a copy for each person present, he had been busy for the past day planning each member''s roles and tasks they would need to complete in preparation.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Colm took one look and his eyes widened with disbelief. "You plan to break into the merchant¡¯s treasure vault? Are you seeking death!?"


    Xerxes smiled across the table at Colm, "No if he was seeking death I''d provide that without a second thought. he just wants us to follow him into what will surely be a hellstorm of trouble."


    Xerxes comment forced all eyes on him. This youth seemed to have missed the intention of Colm''s verbal expression. Seshwan shook his head at the sight of the others disbelief but was concerned now about if Colm and Xerxes would cause more conflict than they were worth. If a squabble were to begin this plan of his would be ruined.


    Seshwan was beginning to become anxious. "Please, hear me out! Everyone, as you may know, i am Seshwan of the Praetorian hall a member of a noble family in the city. I have had extensive military training though because my essence couldn¡¯t be trained at a young age I spent my days reading and studying tactics and strategy. I know we''re all around apprentice rank 2 or 3 so this plan will not be easy but we can definitely pull it off if we work together."


    Xerxes shook his head, "Your heritage is what worries me most, i''m not interested if your gonna betray us."


    "if he was gonna betray us wouldn''t he have already done it? i mean he''s been in the sewers for four full days i wouldn''t be worried about that, i think the plans worth at least hearing out." Colm interjected.


    Elise who had been sitting apart from the three boys cleared her throat, "What is this plan of yours from what is in your notes here, you want me to seduce a high-ranking merchant?"


    The two other boys being only about sixteen both smiled toward the beauty. They both secretly wished they were high ranked Merchants.


    "On second thought i do want to hear your plan!" Xerxes said with a smirk.


    "Perverted demon, your disgusting" Elise snapped back at Xerxes


    Seshwan rose his palm toward her. "Now now, let''s all get along children. Now Elise it''s not just any merchant, we need you to seduce a guild master! Your roles are each written in those notes, clearly outlined is your exact jobs you three can manage those i''ll do mine and we will have at least two of us in the vault by the end of the operation, we won''t actually be taking anything though, rather we will have the attendants take them out for us."


    What Seshwan had left out is that his part in this was the most difficult which would fall onto colm. the plan hinged on whether he could learn water techniques in time for the operation. Everyone possessed a skill, Elise would use her beauty to get a sealed order to open the vault, Seshwan as a noble would use his standing in the city to gain access to the vault. Colm being a water type essence user would use his first stage real guard, the mistform cloak, which possess the strongest scouting and recon abilities, a cloak of mist surrounds the body and camouflages the user. Using this once the vaults open Colm will sneak in behind Seshwan. From there they''d have twenty minutes to steal whatever they find of value. The essence pills are the main target.


    Colm raised his hand, "So once I''m inside you want me to go straight for the pills and then get out?"


    "Exactly, we have about twenty minutes to grab them all. I will take the escort they send in with me to the far side of the vault and pick up a few items I like as my uncle¡¯s birthday present to me." Seshwan smirk at the thought of his uncle receiving a bill for priceless artifacts.


    Xerxes looked confused as he looked over his notes. "So what in voids name is this? I''m to just stand on a rooftop the whole time and tell you if anyone''s coming? This is the lamest job in the world!"


    Seshwan shrugged, "Don¡¯t blame me for your lot in life, you have the realguard best suited for overwatch, were counting on you to watch our backs, if a merchant group shows up or even worse the city guard we will have a hard time getting out, Colm cannot sneak past guys who are trained to sense water essence. the last thing we need is to get cornered in the vault."


    Seshwan thought to himself, ''The hardest part is getting out! they need to stop worrying about their roles and look toward the end.''


    Colm raised his hand again. Seshwan quickly snapped his fingers, "Stop that Colm this isn''t school!"


    "Thanks, tips! Of course, I know I just didn¡¯t want to interrupt you when you looked like you were thinking so hard. Could have sworn I saw smoke!" Colm was from a higher tier family from another region outside the city and was trying to be nice but he couldn¡¯t take being snapped at, his strongest skill in life was sarcasm and he would use it rather than wit to deal with an overbearing nobles son like Seshwan. "Anyway my concern is once I have the pills I''m to hide them in the vault? Then just leave?"


    Seshwan knew these questions were coming. "Yes, as i said before, they will take them out of the vault for us. There are treasure boxes in the vault that¡¯s been there for years from what i''ve found in old guild records. It''s larger than personal treasure boxes nobles carry for storage but holds the same properties. Drop them all in there, along with whatever looks of value around you. I¡¯ll buy the chest and have it shipped to my residence."


    Xerxes smiled, "That¡¯s when Elise and I jump the laborers moving the chest and we make it look like it was stolen by bandits."


    Seshwan nodded. "Tf this all goes to my plan they will carry our loot out for us, we will make it look like it was stolen, then I blame the merchant¡¯s guild and get a full refund on my items. That¡¯s if this all goes over well." Seshwan knocked on the table as he said those words. "Once Colm is clear, Xerxes tells me. Then I will move to the chest buy it and leave."


    Elise was beginning to get bored of the boys leaving her out so she sat with her head down in her arms, till a thought crossed her mind. "Hey guys, why not just steal the items and carry them out then we don¡¯t need to over-complicate things."


    Elise thought she had made a great point and was almost proud of her idea enough to smile openly before anyone reacted.


    Seshwan shook his head, "Did you read the notes to the end? Don¡¯t be an idiot, the vault has an inscription seal at the door that will not allow marked items to pass through, the mark will trigger the door and seal the vault, as well as notify the guard garrison. We will be trapped nothing extra leaves the vault! got it!."


    Seshwan had quickly shot down Elise''s pride. She had one job. Be good looking and don¡¯t talk too much.


    "I will split the treasures with all of you equally after the jobs done. And we give the guild the cut they require. So Colm do not just grab items for you, cause I''m still splitting them up." Seshwan said jokingly toward his new teammate, the would-be thieves.


    Seshwan had thought it all out and had a few plans to escape. He believed he was ready. Now he must bring the plan to the masters, negotiate a fair tax on the loot he hoped to get and make his personal preparations.


    "Guys I don¡¯t want to do this!" Elise chose to protest to the plan now.


    Seshwan turned toward her flustered by her sudden protest. "You don¡¯t have to even touch the guy, just get him drunk and steal his seal, I can get the document we need. Your job will take an hour tops then you get to beat laborers up in an alley. do you know how much I want to do that part of the plan? do you? no i will be playing my part well you beat up laborers."


    Elise knew Seshwan was just trying to patronize her but she still didn¡¯t like merchants and the target was a merchant that was well known for getting physical with the women he kept in his company.


    Seshwan could see she was worried about it. "How about we come to the lounge and stay out of sight if he does anything we will step in. Will that make you more comfortable?"


    "Yes I would be more comfortable knowing I''m not alone." Elise could now focus on her task.


    Outside the booth, across the lounge, Walter sat with Hilliard, Crest and Master Lotus.


    "I knew they would make a group. Looks like they are really working hard on their plan. Takes me back." Walter had his chin in one hand pipe in the other as he reminisced.


    "What do you mean when we joined the guild all we did was kill a lot of people?" Crest laughed toward Walter. "Well except for Hilliard he just conned a lot of people out of their money!"


    Master lotus smiled as he recalled the three younger masters when they joined the guild 80 years ago Walter and Crest were both bloodthirsty assassins, and Hilliard was a street performer who conned hundreds of merchants. The younger generation looked promising and he couldn¡¯t wait to see what plan they would come up with.


    "Remember that one time in Karthus!? Oh man, that black widow assassin almost got you, I can¡¯t believe you made it out with manhood intact!'' Walter laughed out loud as Crest held himself and shivered.


    "Oh god, please don¡¯t remind me!" Crest protested

 Ch 8: First Assignment

    The Black Lotus Guild Hall


    The days passed by in a flash as all four members of Seshwan¡¯s team made preparations. Xerxes trained his communications ability while Colm purchased large amounts of essence enhancers. In order for the infiltration to succeed these two must be able to use their essences to their limits for an extent of time, these enhancement pills would act as a stimulant to sustain long term use easily with minor drawbacks.


    Of all the jobs Colm¡¯s was the most critical and he could not afford to let his cloaking slip up even for a second or else he would be detected and it would mean him being captured. Elsewhere within the hall, Seshwan confirmed shipment documents and information they had gathered in the days prior, such as guard rotation and merchant on-site that would be escorting Seshwan. As for Elise, she had spent the last week tailing a merchant named Cedric Locke; their mark for seduction and their ticket into the scarlet cove treasures vault.


    The man was an arrogant and prideful piece of trash that used women as toys for his own self pleasure. Most days he roamed the markets of the city, strong-arming the none guild merchants into raising their prices. These underhanded tactics and the shady dealings were enough to have the guards investigate the man. Though no one in the city touched him because of his enormous wealth that dwarfed most other merchants.


    A perfect man to have let thieves into the treasure vault. In the end, Elise hoped to gather enough information before they began to frame this bastard for the theft. Seshwan agreed that they should have someone take the fall, being a well-educated student in his earlier years he forged letters to use as a red herring for the guards to throw them off their trail, in hopes of leading them directly to Cedric.


    All that was left was to present the plan to Master Lotus for approval, once they had approval Elise would move forward with the first stage of the plan. Though she dreaded the idea of being close to such scum.


    That afternoon the four apprentices gathered to make their case. some were still skeptical of the finer details though they had all over the past week had grown to like the plan.


    "Master here is the plan we''ve come up with and with your sanction, we wish to carry it out as our first assignment." Seshwan and company stood in a line before the master as they presented him with their full file of marks, briefings, maps and all information pertaining to the shipments.


    "Very good apprentices, now let me have a look at what you¡¯re after." Master Lotus looked within the file, and his eyes widened to double their normal squnited size. "You children are ambitious I¡¯ll give you that! Ill approve this if the guild is given a 30% cut for all looted materials, pills, weapons, armors and artifacts. Deal?" The guild master was being generous only because if four untrained apprentice thieves stole a pile of items from the city vault they deserved to be commended for their abilities. The master personally didn¡¯t believe this heist was something they could succeed with but they won¡¯t learn by being told. a few of them being tossed in jail may be whats best for them to learn a lesson. Master Lotus thought while reading the file, ''I will need to have the masters watch them to ensure nothing to drastic happenes.''


    None of black lotus'' thieves have ever stolen anything from that vault, the guards always found them during their attempt to exit. Even Master DeRosa had never gotten an item past the guards and his nether techniques are the closest one could come to short range teleportation over three meters.


    "Though you have my approval I must warn you all, this is a dangerous mission you¡¯ve chosen, watch each other¡¯s backs and don¡¯t get caught. I don¡¯t need to remind you, do not kill anyone! Xerxes! Lastly, everyone come home safely, your lives are more important than treasure." With this scolding to Xerxes and the warning to the rest the team had the approval to move ahead with the operation.


    Scarlet Lounge


    The Scarlet lounge was a brothel for merchants and rich nobles on the higher tiers of the city, this establishment housed only the finest women and a few other attractions for those seeking another company. Sneaking Elise in as a member of the staff was rather easy in this establishment her features were even more impressive than some of the actual employees. of all the lounges in the city Cedric frequented this particular one often, in search of new women to keep him company. The lounge area was packed with women in fine silk dresses, nobles and merchants surrounded tables with girls accompanying them. The atmosphere was thick with the smell of pipe weeds, tobacco, and alcohol of all kinds. A heavy cloud of smoke hung near the roof with rays of candle light piercing the cloud slightly illuminating the space.


    Elise entered the room as she scanned the surrounding tables she spotted Cedric sitting in the corner drinking alone with a single girl. On the other side of the bar Seshwan had entered no longer dressed in his rags he had been dressed in the past week in the sewer. This evening he had returned to his home briefly and retrieved permission from his uncle''s steward to go to the vault to pick out an item for his birthday, his uncle didn¡¯t care much for him as he firmly believed seshwan was complete trash and ignored him sending his stewards to deal with the announce. Now donning a leather tunic embroidered with silver and gold and a green cloak draped down his back. Seshwan had returned to being a regular noble brat. Looking as if he was there primarily to celebrate his youth. A luxury noble children often took in the city. No one paid him much attention.


    As the night progressed Cedric took notice of Elise from across the room as she flirted with young nobles and one of Cedric¡¯s underlings. To him, this young beauty of around eighteen was unlike any other woman in the lounge. Her pale white skin could clearly be seen from the deep cut neckline of her red silk dress, her hair was tied back but even still the natural shade of red coupled with her figure made her extremely alluring not only to the men in the room. other women occasionally shot catty glances of jealousy.


    Cedric downed his drink and waved to his underling that he would like to have a word with that young lady. The underlying shuttered as he felt bad for this young miss but he could not deny his master. "Excuse me miss..., Ling was it? My master over in the corner would like to have you join him."Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    "Oh that handsome man, of course, I would love to join him!" Elise had gotten fully immersed into her role, though inside her mind she was disgusted by this place. ''God I wish we could just kill this guy. He¡¯s so gross!'' as she began to walk over to the merchant Cedric''s table out of the corner of her eye she could have sworn she spotted her master, DeRosa at the bar with a woman in each arm. perhaps it was just her imagination, he was a wanted thief and wouldn''t make his way into such a populated lounge just for a good time.


    Elise approached the table being welcomed by Cedric, this man was even more disgusting up close. He was overweight and looked as if he had not bathed in days, though bathing a man this size would no doubt be a task in itself, it may require two days. Regardless, Elise had a mission to steal his seal from his office and she was determined to succeed.


    Seshwan sat across the lounge from Elise who had now arrived at Cedric''s table though he couldn¡¯t hear what they were discussing Elise put on a good show for the merchant; laughing and flattering him as much as possible.


    After about an hour Cedric motioned to get up and as a pair with Elise under his arm they left the lounge. Seshwan followed suit as he passed the bar he set down some money next to a suavely dressed man with two women one under each arm. Master DeRosa looked up from his current engagement and smiled, "Told you she would leave with him!"


    "This isn¡¯t for our private matters; the ¡®pool¡¯ is still open till she returns with the seal. You only win if she sleeps with him in order to get the seal. This money is so you will enjoy your next drink on me and not follow us! I don¡¯t need you making things worse for us." Seshwan left the money and headed out the door he hoped the masters would not try to ruin this job for them, though they had the right too. the rules applied to all apprentices looking to join the guild, they were no exception.


    Before the job started the three male members of the team made bets how far Elise would have to go to get the seal from Cedric, Seshwan had bet she wouldn¡¯t need to sleep with him, though the other two both went with she would have too. Along with that Xerxes opened the betting to the masters and their apprentices. The consensus from the bets was she would have to sleep with him. Figures that Xerxes the demon to tempt mortals into gambling.


    Outside the bar Xerxes stood on a rooftop across the street, motioning to Seshwan the direction they had headed after leaving the bar. They refrained from using communications cause of the draw back it had on Xerxes to use it frequently would be a waste. Seshwan set out after the pair to make sure nothing bad happened to Elise, or better yet make sure she doesn¡¯t kill Cedric.


    Xerxes moved across the rooftops silently clad in black only his silhouette and the faint glint of his red eye could be seen, after dark, even half-demons cannot control their eyes, but in exchange, he did gain exceptional night vision. These demon features, paired with his newly acquired [shadow step] technique he jumped from one building to another closing the gap with Elise and Seshwan.


    Elise spotted Xerxes in the shadows above the street further ahead. ''that guys getting ahead of himself. Xerxes was no doubt bored, he did get a lame job'' Elise quickly swept her mind of all thoughts not pertaining to the current mission, she walked along with Cedric¡¯s arm around her waist. As a prideful and strong young woman she hated the fact that she was in this position. Not only did she hate this part of the plan the men around her were rumored to have taken bets on how far she was willing to go. That alone had made her want to back out, after weighing the options she could gain a decent cut in money and training materials if she put up with it and for money she would do just about anything, if the price was right.


    They had walked for a while before arriving at an extravagant mansion, gold trim bordered the windows, white limestone and shale cliff rocks made up the grand outer wall of the estate. With rod iron fences painted black on the walls to keep others out. This was Cedric''s home in scarlet cove, no doubt just one of many mansions in the countryside owned by his merchant¡¯s guild. Within the home were glazed tile floors, marble stair cases and vaulted ceilings. The nobles in the capital may not even have this nice of homes.


    "You have a lovely home" Elise was still putting on an act, though her amazed expression, was genuine. She was used to seeing some nice homes but nothing like this, the three story massive estate was truly on a different level from other nobles and lords.


    "Thank you, my dear, but don¡¯t mind these areas, the best is yet to come." Cedric slide toward Elise. As he did Elise¡¯s hair on the back of her neck stood up, her intuition was screaming for her to leave but something had a hold on her, her body no longer moved as she wanted it too. Her head went light and her fingers felt numb. She''d be drugged somehow.


    ''When did this bastard!'' her mind panicked as she collapsed. As her eyes began to dim Cedric look over to her smiling a sinister smile.


    "My dear you will become my new toy. We can get started after you rest." he laughed loudly as Elise began to black out.


    Outside the residence


    Seshwan had been waiting outside for no more than twenty minutes before he began to worry, no lights came on in the house. He had no way to enter the house and couldn¡¯t get any sort of signal from Elise. His heart jumped to his throat as he thought of losing so much money to his team mates if she actually had to seduce Cedric to that point.


    A hum could be heard in his ear followed by Xerxes'' voice. "Team lead, red is not on the upper floors, I found an open window and top floors completely empty. Nothings here!"


    Seshwan broke out into a cold sweat they knew this mansion was indeed Cedric¡¯s residence. But it shouldn¡¯t be empty. Seshwan hopped the wall and looked for a route inside the mansion, finding a small root cellar door for servants he attempted to gain entry to find it was locked. With no time to waste and one of his teammates missing, he had to get it.


    Manipulating his essence into his hand he placed it on the lock, sand and fine dust particles collected from the area surrounding him. Collecting into a fluid like powder in his hand the sand and dirt rotated quickly; in such a small place the friction generated began to wear the locks iron away. Two minutes later the corroded iron snapped. This was no special technique, just a trick Master Crest had mentioned in passing the day before, and he had decided to give it a try.


    Now within the basement of the estate, the space was dimly lit nothing was in the cellar it was completely cleared out, for a Lord''s home it should be stocked full. Seshwan now full well expected a trap at some point. He and his team were now in danger, he as the leader was responsible for the members and had to get them out.


    The hum began again in Seshwan''s ear, "Seshwan I found the seal, there¡¯s next to nothing on the second floor, by the looks of things this guy lives a lavish fa?ade. Cedric had nothing aside from few nice clothes and worthless junk other than that. I found no trace of Elise on the second or main floor she has got to be down in the basement. I¡¯m heading down there."


    Now Xerxes was on his way down they could at least discuss what the hell¡¯s going on. Seshwan scanned the room, it was smaller than the house. For an open cellar, there was no supports, just a servant room, and some wine casks.

 Ch 9: Unexpected Complications

    Cedric¡¯s residence


    Only several hours into their plan and Seshwan already had lost track of his mark and a team member had vanished, he could feel his guts writhe and turn with grief, ''We have already had complications, we are only in the beginning stages. Shit!'' Seshwan¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Xerxes. "where¡¯s Elise?" Xerxes had a look of disdain on his face.


    "I¡¯m not sure there was no one here when I broke in," Seshwan spoke as he recognized the look Xerxes was giving him. Seshwan knew this look well; absolute disdain as if the mission was a complete failure for having lost a teammate.


    The look in Xerxes'' eyes was a similar look that everyone gave Seshwan when he was younger after he had been labeled trash. He was being looked down on by a demon no less, Seshwan¡¯s blood began to boil. Clearing his mind, he put aside the idea of Elise being gone and her possibly being unrecoverable. At all cost, he had to remain calm to have a chance of proceeding with the mission.


    "What the fuck, are we going to do now!? Did you think nothing like this might happen!? Isn¡¯t there a contingency plan? I though you¡¯ve been pouring over this plan for days? How could you be losing your cool here?" Xerxes sneered with a mocking smirk. It was clear to him Seshwan was nervous being the team leader. This was the perfect opportunity to test his limits.


    Though Xerxes plans to torment Seshwan was quickly curbed, "Shut up!" Seshwan shouted as he grabbed Xerxes by the tunic. He matched Xerxes¡¯ gaze; staring him straight in the eyes. "We¡¯re going to find Elise, she cannot be far. I don¡¯t need your insubordination because one unforeseen outcome. It is going to work out. Now let me think, damn it."


    Xerxes broke eye contact as he shook his head. To him, Elise¡¯s life did not matter one bit. Seshwan had confused his previous statements as losing his cool because of the current situation. To Xerxes this was a terrible outcome; Seshwan was in a frantic state of mind he had hoped he could continue to test his limits. That outburst meant he wouldn''t be so easily tormented, a shame.


    Xerxes took a deep breath in through his nose, "Before you go thinking too hard you do realize the wall behind those casks isn¡¯t load bearing? There are no major supports in it." Xerxes knew from one look where a possible hidden door was. "Not to mention I smell blood and its strongest from over in that direction." Xerxes pointed toward the wall behind the casks


    The basement walls were rubble stone stacked and bonded with masons cement and had no vertical supports to the floor above. Clearly, these walls served to hide something. Upon closer inspection, the two found a secret door in the basement wall hidden behind the casks. The walls were completely covered from top to bottom in wool and heavy materials to soundproof the room.


    Within the other half of the cellar was a gruesome sight. Dried blood stained the floors and torture equipment was placed along the walls. Cedric was inside; whipping a human looking corpse that was shackled to the furthest wall. His back was to the entrance. With every heavy whip blow a fresh wound was created, deep cuts with crimson pouring out to the floor. At the sight, Seshwan nearly puked. This man was a monster.


    A hum started in Seshwan¡¯s ear as Xerxes transmitted his words into his ear. "I¡¯m going to kill that bastard! I know what I was told by the Master, but this man is a disgusting human!"


    Seshwan realized Xerxes wasn''t upset from the sight rather he was thrown into a frenzy by the sight of a man wasting blood. He felt a cold shiver as he remembered to demon¡¯s fresh human blood is a delicacy that the clan leaders would get to enjoy. Xerxes was viewed as trash among demons and had never tasted it because he was a half-breed. His human half made him resent blood as it would have a negative effect on him though his demon side craved it. Xerxes was raised to revere blood as a sacred elixir. This man before them spilled it purely for his own enjoyment.


    Seshwan weighed the options if Cedric died tonight the heist would be ruined as the imperial guard would find him and know that materials were taken out of the vault under his order after he died. Though if there was no proof of murder and it was an ¡®accident¡¯ they couldn''t tie the instances to one another easily.


    "I will let you kill him on one condition. You must make it look like an accident." Seshwan let out a silent sigh after uttering the words.


    With that Xerxes nodded and entered the room like a shadow. His steppes silent and motions fluid, he approached the target low and slow from behind. Along the way, he picked up a torture tool from its rack. A moment later he was behind Cedric laying out the tool. This torture tool looked like a sharpened rake of sorts, nine sharpened tines pointed to the ceiling each with a barb at the end nearly three inches in length. Xerxes had positioned everything perfectly to look like the tools had been laid out for use and one had fallen over. Seshwan was unclear how this would look like an accident as he watched Xerxes work. At a glance Xerxes looked as though he would just kindly ask Cedric to fall on that tool, such a silly ploy would never work to cover up a murder. Unfortunately for Cedric, Xerxes was not a kind person in the least! Especially when he was suffering a craving. Taking advantage of the man¡¯s size and weight along with the fresh blood all around his feet Xerxes stood from his crouched position and tapped Cedric on the shoulder. ¡°Excuse me, sir?¡±


    Cedric jolted by the tap from behind; turning around brandishing his whip-like device in one hand. "Who the fuck ar¡­" Cedric cried, though he was interrupted by a kick to his lower left leg. The forced caused his foot to slide back as he leaned forward Xerxes rotated hooking his right arm in a standing armbar. With a small amount of effort; the weight of Cedric was controlled by Xerxes in a grapple and slammed down onto the rake-like tool. Splitting his throat and jaw open, along with breaking his nose. The large man''s face was smashed and bloody, as he lay completely motionless as blood pooled under his head. The sudden shock had knocked him unconscious. He would remain unconscious and drown in his own blood. A brutal way to die, and at a glance, no one would have any idea this was a murder.


    "Seshwan, this guy¡¯s going to die before he can wake up." Xerxes walked over to the woman shackled to the wall. Her face was obscured by a cloth bag over her head. Xerxes removed it to find this woman was not Elise. she had died during from the torture before they had arrived. "Disgusting! Let¡¯s find Elise and get the fuck out of here."


    "Agreed" Seshwan was beginning to feel sick from what he had just witnessed. Cedric had stopped breathing shortly after being slammed to the floor by Xerxes. ''I should remember that move for the future.'' Seshwan thought as he entered the chamber.


    Well, the two searched about the room not finding a trace of Elise they discovered some small treasures. Gold and even some custom daggers. ¡°A freshly crafted Herman Gentry dagger set,¡± Seshwan announced as he picked up the small bundle of knives, Herman Gentry was a master level Holy Smith his weapons were essence-less but could be empowered with a user¡¯s essence to activate unique abilities. Because the ability was unique to the user these weapons were nearly priceless. A truly great find that could not be ignored. Even if the plan failed this set was well worth the trouble to take with them.


    "Holy weapons huh. Shit, I was hoping I''d get something nice." Xerxes took the knife set from Seshwan but quickly dropped them. As a demon, he could not touch a blessed weapon without a stinging pain that quickly followed him making contact. Demons have a naturally high resistance to all elements but could not handle long term exposure to Holy essence. Holy essence was poisonous to demons and if left untreated it could kill them.


    Seshwan grabbed the knife set and followed after Xerxes down a side passage that led out of the basement.


    Moments later they found another secret door, leading to a cell with a dozen or so women within. Elise lay unconscious at the side of the cell.


    "Look at her just sleeping there well we do all the work!" Xerxes said while he shook his head.


    "Leave the dark humor for another time, let¡¯s get her out and get going to the vault. We have less than an hour before the next guard change." Seshwan knew time was short there was no time for Xerxes joking.


    A key hung to the right of the cell the pair opened the lock releasing the women, they cried and pleaded to not hurt them.


    "Stay put!" Xerxes ordered as he approached Elise.


    ¡°We should let them go,¡± Seshwan said, expressing his concern for the women.


    ¡°And then what? When someone finds Cedric they will wonder what happened in the cell. We can¡¯t let them go, it will hurt us in the future.¡±


    Xerxes was right this would hinder them in the future by drawing attention to them. No matter what they had to leave them here. Seshwan felt grief creeping back into his mind, ¡®don''t think about it! Don''t think about it!¡¯


    Placing a hand on Elise¡¯s neck to ensure she was still alive, Xerxes detected a pulse. He then drew a water pouch from one of his utility packs, splashing it on her face she began to come too. Once Xerxes saw a sign of her waking up he coiled up his right hand and released it like a whip; landing with a crisp smack noise on Elise''s face.


    *Smack* "Ow WHAT THE FUCK!" Elise¡¯s eyes shot open to see Xerxes had slapped her. Heat burst forth from her body the moment she noticed she had been hit by this degenerate. Elise placed a hand on Xerxes'' chest and detonated a fireball. The resulting explosion launched Xerxes across the cell.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    ¡°What was that for?!¡±


    "Serves you right you piece of shit!" Elise furiously roared; her temper definitely did not match her stunning beauty.


    "Could you two cut it out for like five minutes. We still have to rob a vault? Did you forget that?" Seshwan spoke up because time was short and it was clear Elise wasn¡¯t going to thank them for the rescue anytime soon.


    ¡°What about these women?¡± Elise asked concerned for the others who would still be at the mercy of Cedric.


    ¡°Xerxes murdered Cedric, but we can''t release them or it won''t look like an accident.¡±


    Elise thought a moment, ¡°I don''t like this but we don''t have much of a choice we should report him missing tomorrow, anonymously, I''ll need to get my gear.¡±


    Elise kicked the two boys out of the side room and emerged a short time later into the cellar no longer in her silk dress, now dawning a full set of red highlighted leather armor, a red and gold rapier hung at her side.


    "Check it out! I found this sword in there on one of the racks. Finders keepers." Elise had calmed down she was smiling now that she had at least found something useful for her time.


    With one glance toward the sword, Xerxes looked like he would explode. "Fucking bullshit! I want a new weapon! And we can''tkeep taking stuff, the guards won¡¯t think this was an accident!" Xerxes was right about taking the items though no one would miss one of two items.


    Outside the residence


    Colm had arrived and sat silently hidden in a tree; ''They should be here by now''


    Next, to the estate, three silhouettes could be seen exiting from the cellar and making their way toward him. Colm withdrew a red crystal from his bag and after injecting his essence the crystal light up. It acted as a signal to those three to say he was nearby. After clearing the wall of Cedric residence the three sprinted for the alleyway. Xerxes entered followed by Seshwan, after training their shadow step technique the two used downspouts and other parturitions from the walls to climb to the rooftops. Elise, however, wasn¡¯t trained for urban climbing like the others, she had to locate another route.


    Once atop the building, Colm meet the pair and set to work forging the order for the vault to be opened for the young Master Seshwan of the praetorian hall to pick out his birthday present. Approved by Cedric Locke.


    With this forgery, they should be able to enter the vault.


    The plan so far had some minor hiccups but nothing that could not be resolved later.


    "Colm you should have seen Seshwan losing his shit when we lost Elise! he grabbed me and said some shit about it will all work out well staring me in the eyes." Xerxes had twisted this story slightly for dramatic effect.


    "Wow! Seshwan I did not take you for that kind of man! Xerxes, you better be careful I hear guys like him are into so queer stuff with demons and vampires." Colm played right along not missing a beat.


    "Damn the both of you! It wasn¡¯t like that and of course, I was on edge, Elise was gone! I might have lost a lot of money on that bet!" Seshwan had no choice but to joke along though he was irritated. He would get these two back eventually.


    The boys sat and discussed Xerxes brutal murder of Cedric well they waited for Elise to get there.


    "Xerxes remind me not to insult you in the future." Colm said with wide eyes after having heard about the situation in the torture chamber and that ''accident''.


    "God I wish Elise would hurry up. I mean come on." Xerxes was becoming impatient but it could not be helped, out of the four-man group Elise was more of a fighter than a thief and possessed no means of urban climbing or techniques to escape easily. Once she engaged she would have to defeat all of her foes.


    At the moment she arrived they all stood. "Let¡¯s set off. Elise go wait at the ambush point." Seshwan instructed as the other three departed.


    ¡°You three just sat here? This whole time, making me come up here just to say that?!¡±


    ¡°Yes. Now get going!¡±


    Though she had just climbed a two story building and was still groggy from the drugged earlier she could only silently nodded and headed out, the other three left for the vault, Colm was excited and feeling anxious. It was his turn next; he could not wait for his chance to stand out as the most important member of the team.


    Scarlet Cove Manufacturing District


    Merchant guild Storehouse also known as the ¡°Treasure Vault¡±


    Before arriving Seshwan switched out a few pieces of equipment to more noble items, storing his thief kit in a nearby dead drop location that could be retrieved by a runner from the guild later. Xerxes took up his station overlooking the courtyard that led to the vaults. This vault was enormous. Two stories tall with buttresses and spires all over the exterior, the building itself was only repurposed as a treasure vault after the city was built, the structure was from a prior civilization that had settled along the coast long before the empire was formed. Intricate carvings of two massive dragons dominated the main entrance, one black silver the other white-gold; these were believed to be two ancient gods of the civilization. To the modern empire, they were masterpieces that were beyond the skill of many artisans in modern times.


    Colm moved to position and shrouded himself in his realguard mistform cloak, once concealed he took up a post three meters from the entrance waiting patiently for the merchant and Seshwan to arrive and order the massive vault doors to open.


    Seshwan met with the merchant who would be escorting him, an older and feeble looking man by the name of Grey Wilk ¡°Young Lord, pleased to meet you I am Grey Wilk, an underling to Master Cedric Locke of the merchant¡¯s guild I received word from your uncle¡¯s steward you¡¯d like to choose from our vaults a gift for your birthday.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s correct I have a very weak essence cultivation and I would like to see if the vault has some ancient treasure that may help my cultivation. I have an order here permitting me to pick any items.¡±


    Seshwan produced the forged order sealed by Cedric. After a quick inspection, Grey rolled the paper and store it away.


    ¡°But of course young lord, please follow me¡± Grey gestured toward the vault.


    As they approached the massive doors a loud clunk noise followed by the turning of gears and other mechanical systems could be heard, a small slit was made as the vault door crept open. These massive steel doors were thick and inscribed to withstand essence assaults, along with the interior of the door an inscription that would prevent items from leaving the vault once they were marked they could not pass this barrier. Only the master of the inscription could remove the brand.


    Seshwan entered with eyes wide before him lay mountains of gold, swords, armors etc. mounds and racks of items extended for hundreds of meters the space within the vault were augmented and made larger somehow, though the building was only two stories outside, it appeared vast and expansive. As if it was a completely different realm.


    Colm trailed behind about three meters and stopped dead at the sight of this trove. Though they could not steal it all they could defiantly take as much as they liked without being noticed. A thief''s dream come true.

 Ch 10: Scarlet Cove Vault

    Scarlet cove treasure vaults


    A vast space before Seshwan''s eyes extended out seemingly infinitely within the hall. A vast trove of golden coins, jewels, weapons and artifacts of all kinds piled and stacked in all directions.


    Though the craftsmen and artisans of Scarlet Cove are renowned for their works of art the true value within this place we''re the treasures of an age gone by that were stored within these walls. Swords with lost enchantments, armors stronger than real guard and tempered weapons there were even a few ancient items like the storage chest that had a dimensional realm within to store vast amounts of items.


    Though they seemed like disorganized and chaotic piles of items, in actuality they were all expertly separated into categories based enhancement and elemental affinity. Grey led Seshwan down a corridor of treasures; all low ranked and trash articles of armor that could easily be bought in the auction house. Seshwan couldn''t shake a feeling since he entered the vault, he felt as though something was calling to him from deep within the vault. some form of intent lived within this space and was reaching out to him, like hundreds of hands gripping every inch of his skin and pulling him along. the sensation made his flesh crawl as his body hair stood on end, this intent was ancient and wondrous, though Seshwan''s instincts told him it was extremely dangerous.


    "Mister Grey, what''s back there?" Seshwan said pointing toward the back of the vault, he could feel the pressure of the intent calling out to him. A numb feeling spread throughout his body as he focused on the intent trying to not use his essence to feel it out, as he started to understand the intent it would suddenly retract and change, making him even more curious.


    "My dear young lord, the area in the depths is reserved for unusable ancient treasures from before the Empire. No one can use those treasures without meeting their doom. if at all." Grey spoke as his face wore an uneasy look.


    Seshwan ignored the warning and turned toward the depths of the vault. ''This would serve as an excellent distraction while Colm work'' he thought.


    As they walked the intent had grown to a colossal raging torrent of energy, to Seshwan it felt as if a hand had a firm grip on his heart. This intent was extremely old and was very powerful. Upon arriving at the furthest depths of the vault there lay a small pile of items, along with a small red velvet jewelry box and a rack with a single sword displayed separately from the pile. Of all the items the small jewelry box was the one harboring the intent. Seshwan grasped the box and attempted to open it but couldn''t. The box had no visible locking mechanisms or latches but it was completely sealed.


    "Master jade, these items are worthless, why don''t we just leave them here. A box that can''t be opened, a sword that can''t be drawn." Grey bent down and picked up a set of gloves. "And a set of gloves that are essence-less yet are in scripted with a curse. The whole lot is useless."


    With one look at the left glove, Seshwan had found what he assumed the intent belonged too. All the items were steeped in the ancient intent, he couldn''t easily decern which item held the true intent, of the three items which had the highest concentration of intent; the sword, jewelry box, and gloves, the gloves were most likely the host. he knew exactly what they were though he wouldn''t dare mention them to someone like Grey.


    "Grey I''ll take the items you deemed worthless, All of three of them. Along with those, I''ll need something to carry them in are there any storage bags or chests perhaps?"


    Grey was shocked at the thought of finally getting rid of these items. They''d been in the vault before the empire was formed. ''If this noble¡¯s nephew was willing to pay for them why not make the guild some money.''


    "Right this way young master we will look at the armor section next. There should be a number of good storage items there."


    As they walked back up front Seshwan felt a hum in his ear. Xerxes was giving him a message. "Seshwan, Colm has finished his collection of items. All pills and a few nice treasures are within the box. Ready when you are."


    Once Seshwan had the all clear he picked out a suitable bag for hiding his purchases then without delay headed straight for the chest. A large storage chest coated in dust and buried in the corner of one pile could be seen from the corner of Seshwan''s eye. ''That''s the chest.''


    "Mister Grey I''d also like that old chest. It looks sturdy and I have a feeling it and a few other treasures I''ve picked out will serve as excellent items to boost my cultivation. Please have it sent to my home under the cover of night tomorrow."


    Grey nodded, it was no strange thing for a noble to have a delivery made incognito to avoid prying eyes of thieves or even other nobles.


    "I''ll have this all picked up by some men and brought up to the estate by midnight tomorrow. Thank you very much for your time young master."


    Seshwan had completed the second phase of the plan. Along the way finding a few treasures that the guild won''t miss and striking a blow to the empire by stealing their shipment of pills. The plan had been pulled off with minor issues. Seshwan would no doubt get a stern lecture by the masters for allowing Xerxes to kill Cedric, regardless he was at ease in his mind.


    Lastly, before the deal was set Seshwan ensured that the work order would be made so even if Grey forgot the shipment would still happen. after leaving an X on the signature line the transaction was completed.


    Outside the vault


    All items had been collected and Colm was safe outside, but Xerxes was feeling uneasy, something wasn¡¯t right. The guards below gave off an odd feeling. They normally stood post by the doors of the vault, though after the change of the guard they had begun to patrol the square. These new guards roamed in pairs. Colm also felt unease about the current situation of the square. Nearly ten additional guards were present, at this time a night there should be no reason they would increase security at the vault.


    "I''m going to go take a closer look at those guard¡¯s something''s off. They shouldn¡¯t be this slack with their patrol routes. All the data the guild has on them says they hardly ever move from their posts after the sun goes down." Colm took a moment to ingest an essence enhancement pill and swap out his burnt out red signal crystal. ''these crystals don¡¯t last very long it was brand new a few hours ago, I only used it several times.'' anyone would be displeased with cheap equipment but a man like Colm was previously a well-known heir to one of the largest non-military scout clans. He was used to the finer equipment. though it was his choice to follow master Crest so he had no room to complain.


    "Good luck I¡¯ll keep watch, and I¡¯ll be in your ear." Xerxes melded into the shadows of his perch completely unseen by all below.


    Colm scaled down the structures side into the alley below proceeding into the street. He had been using his essence to its upper limits for near half an hour, this time drawing out the energy took great concentration, soon his back became shrouded with the mist form cloak; The cloak when not active appears as just water suspended in space around the user. Once active it would mirror the surroundings according to all who are looking at it, the more people observing the cloak the higher the toll on the user¡¯s essence. even with this camouflage, he was still partially visible if he was careless with his movements. if he was not it would exhaust him further to keep up his camouflage.


    Once the user was exhausted the camouflage would not last and would fail. For Colm sticking to the shadows and out of sight was the best option. After crossing the street and making his way to the nearest guards Colm could see the armor was shabby and not worn like a professional. Straps and buckles hung loss. ''shit, these aren''t the guards, there''s no way a watch captain would approve his men to go on patrol with armor this poorly worn; these must be other thieves here to steal from the vault too.'' Colm turned toward Xerxes flashing the alert signal of three rapid blinks followed by a long solid light.


    For human eyes red in the dark is extremely hard to focus on and won¡¯t be noticed at a distance but for demons, abstract colors stand out plain as a white light. Xerxes received the message now worried, ''Damn we were right some bastards have come to ruin our plan if they enter the vault it''ll be too late. That or they plan to steal whatever Seshwan brings out.''Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Activating his ring and focusing on what small essence he could feel from Seshwan, Xerxes established a connection, "Seshwan bad news; we believe other thieves are here and may try to rob you after you try to leave, or they''ve already entered the vault and the plan could be ruined anytime. Get out now and bite getting mugged for the greater good. Don''t get trapped in there!"


    Inside the vault


    Cold sweat formed on Seshwan''s neck as he heard the report from Xerxes. He had thought that by picking a high-risk target other thieves from the guild wouldn¡¯t try to come after them. There was no way to get a message to Xerxes at this point thieves could have snuck into the vault. If any of them tried to leave with treasures Seshwan would be trapped within the vault.


    Within moments of the thoughts of worst case scenario crossing his mind, Seshwan spotted a shimmer of light near the entrance like a mirage that only appeared for a fraction of a second. Another thief was heading for the vault door. This one no doubt had grabbed as much as their bag could hold and made a dash to escape before being noticed.


    The vault door released a loud creak as inscriptions on the walls surrounding the door ignited, thousands of tiny red figures burned in a ring around the massive doors. The barrier that acted as a security system was triggered. The hulking mass of metal swung closed long before Seshwan, old man Grey or even that thief could react.


    ''Shit! Who knows how many other thieves are in here! Let alone the fact I¡¯m now trapped in this vault.'' Seshwan¡¯s mind raced as he thought of a way to get out.


    The agreement of the nobles and merchant lords were underhanded and frowned upon by the guild members. If Seshwan was found by those who weren¡¯t loyal to Cedric another merchant lord would no doubt have him jailed. Grey as well had a look of shock on his face as he now feared for his own life.


    "Someone triggered the door inscriptions!" Grey shouted now coming out of shock.


    Near the door, the silhouette had vanished as quickly as it appeared.


    Within the vault, Seshwan and Grey were trapped till the doors were opened by a guild master. Trapped within a vault with a possibly hostile thief, Seshwan would have to keep up his guard and protect Greys life for the plan to proceed accordingly.


    A Hum began in Seshwan¡¯s ear. "Seshwan the door shut and the squares in chaos the guards arrived and engaged the bandits in the square. We''re certain they aren¡¯t from Black Lotus. Colm and I are moved back to a safe distance. You need to think of a way out of there. We will rendezvous with Elise and wait for you at the checkpoint."


    Seshwan stood still while he processed this new information. ''Okay there''s got to be some way out of this, Grey needs to live. I have to get out. First, that thief needs to be located.''


    Five full minutes have passed after the door closed. The lights dimmed, all the torches went out and space became illuminated by small crystals within piles of treasure, dotting the walls and illuminating the ceiling like twinkling stars of the night sky. The vault had become reminiscent to a cave of wonders shimmering and twinkling in the low light. Nothing could be removed and there was no way out.


    Seshwan had fully calmed himself and sat down to meditate to find a solution.


    "Young master now is not the time to train we must think of a way out of here. If the guild catches us master Cedric will have me put to death!" Old man Grey was scared to the point of shock, his old body quaked as he nervously spoke.


    "Don¡¯t worry Grey I''ll think of a way out. Besides I can''t have you dying I still need you." Seshwan needed time to dig through his memories of the ancient city layout to find an exit. nothing came to mind, perhaps another route would show itself in time. "Hey! You by the door! We''re trapped same as you reveal yourself! or don''t, I don''t mind if you tire yourself out." Seshwan was just playing a hunch by shouting into the sparkling space before him as visibility had dropped to only a few meters.


    A silhouette appeared from behind a pile of treasure as a young girl in leather armor shrouded in a mist form cloak stepped out of the shadows. ''That¡¯s the thief! It¡¯s just a small girl!'' Seshwan thought to himself. Standing no more than a hundred and sixty centimeters this girl looked in her late teens and not well developed, though her small frame and body type were somewhat appealing. She was obviously a lower class citizen who became a thief to not starve to death.


    "I knew someone triggered the inscription who obviously didn¡¯t know the rules. You Ms. Thief have got the three of us trapped!" Seshwan boldly shamed this girl.


    "Hey, asshole! How was I supposed to know the doors rigged?" The young girl looked down after her short outburst.


    Though she couldn¡¯t have known without privileged information. Black Lotus had tried a number of times to steal from this vault but never got a single copper. This girl was wearing a guild crest on her tunic, a red diamond with a black eight-pointed star as the background. "Tell me your name, and which thieves guild are you with?" though Seshwan didn¡¯t think these questions were all that important, he had an idea already of what guild she belong too.


    "My name is Vanessa Kha''ren. I am no thief; I am a mercenary currently on contract with the thieves¡¯ guild Scarlet gem."


    "So a stealthy fighter type, eh? With a water essence. You''re defiantly an assassin then."


    "That¡¯s right I was summoned here by a merchant lord; my band was hired to steal an item from this vault and eliminate a noble who had entered the vault when he exited. I take it your Seshwan the nephew of one of City lords?"


    Seshwan felt a chill run the length of his spine as he did not expect an assassin after his life; not this early on. Gathering his composure, he spoke.


    "Who hired you to kill me, perhaps we can work out a deal."


    "A merchant lord named Locke. He added that he wished for all items you purchased to be returned to his estate after the job was complete."


    "Ha! Cedric tried to eliminate me, that¡¯s ironic.", Seshwan laughed. The other parties looked on with confusion. ¡°To clear the air your employer is dead. He died earlier this evening. On that note, old man Grey, im sorry, but if you make a scene I''ll kill you right here."


    "You killed the master! How dare you!", Grey shouted. Grey was a loyal servant to Cedric and did not take his death well.


    "Old man!", Seshwan said as he stood with one hand raised; fine dust from the area accumulated to his palm; forming a raging torrent of energy. "I will kill you and leave no trace of a corpse for your children to grieve over if you have any further complaints about my business save them. My companion killed that pig of a man for offending him. Don¡¯t make the same mistake by offending me."


    Seshwan''s hand began to shake slightly, he was scared, this was a bluff against two opponents, the mercenary could possibly end his life if he doesn''t make an outstanding and convincing performance. Seshwan''s heart pounded as he forced his limits of control over the area''s sand and dirt.


    Vanessa stepped back in shock, the info on Seshwan they received was he was an earth type essence user who couldn¡¯t activate his essence. Now he not only used it but had full control of low-level manipulation; though she didn¡¯t recognize the technique he was using she could sense it was a strong amount of energy to manipulate that much fine matter into a refined attack.


    ''He must be in the higher levels of the apprentice stage to have this control.'' Vanessa had no counter techniques for this, if Seshwan attacked her she was a squishy target he could easily eliminate. She specialized in stealth killings; once she was revealed all she could do was run.


    Inwardly Seshwan let out a sigh of relief, this tough act served its purpose. ¡®If looks like she bought it.''


    "Now that I¡¯ve made my point clear. I¡¯m going to find a way out of this vault for the three of us. You¡¯ll both owe me a debt if we get out. As both of you would be dead if you stay it¡¯s not a small one. From you Grey, you will serve me now your masters dead. no objections, you and I will form a contract once we escape. Vanessa, you will accompany me to the Black Lotus guild hall when this is over." Though his demands weren''t steep the two had no choice but to comply, Vanessa''s contract was void and Grey was a weak old man with no essence; both were entirely at the mercy of this tyrant.


    "What''s the plan then, get me out and I''ll suffer your demand." Vanessa crossed her arms and stared daggers as she knew she had no choice in the matter.


    "Don¡¯t worry I''ve remembered a hidden secret, I was formulating the plan before I called out to you, just had to make sure I made you both submit before I revealed it," Seshwan revealed an unpleasant smile toward Vanessa.


    ''This man is dangerous.'' Vanessa thought to herself "Alright I''m all ears."


    Seshwan turned around and headed toward the back of the vault, within that pile of discarded treasures. was a hidden treasure that would assist them to get out. Though it would no doubt put their lives at risk doing so.

 ch 11 Escape pt1

    Scarlet Cove treasure vault


    Within the vault, Seshwan led the way to the rear of the vault though it felt like an eternity since they had started to walk, in reality, it was mere minutes. The constant threat that Vanessa provided made Seshwan think twice about bringing her along.


    ¡®I think I¡¯ve lost my mind. I better prepare something in case they eventually see through my bluff.¡¯ Seshwan thought as they approached the rear of the vault.


    Though Vanessa also happened to be a mercenary that had originally been out for his blood Seshwan was less worried about her killing him; Vanessa couldn¡¯t get paid anymore so she had no reason to fill out the contract. Though Grey had reason enough to be hostile to Seshwan, the fake display of power luckily had frightened him enough he may not make an attempt on Seshwan¡¯s life.


    As they arrived Seshwan went immediately to retrieved the gloves he had inspected earlier with the other treasures the merchant''s guild had labelled as ''trash''.


    "If I may be so bold as to ask; What are those gloves to you? When you picked them up earlier you looked as though you knew what they were. As if they were not simply trash as the guild had labelled them." Grey asked. His eyes filled with resentment for Seshwan.


    "These if I''m not wrong have been in here so long no one in the city could identify them. It just so happens while studying in the imperial capital came across a book of lost artifacts from the earliest ages of the empire. These gloves may be essence-less now, but they change with the user. If the wearer knows how the inscription works, they should prove useful to break out of this space." Seshwan smiled as he slipped the light leather gloves onto his hands, a perfect fit.


    "How are a set of gloves that Master level mages can''t Identify going to help us break out of this vault?" Vanessa spoke her mind as she was skeptical of Seshwan''s plans.


    "Well miss Vanessa, you see this inscription? it¡¯s known as a [Rift walker] enchantment." Seshwan had both gloves on now and injected his essence into his hands, then into the enchantment on the gloves. With a brilliant purple lustre, the inscriptions lit up.  "Now that they are active I can use them to open a rift! Unlike nether rifts demons use to torment humans or seal their kind as punishment, this rift will behave as a ''makeshift'' passage to, what I hope is an abandoned crypt near the edge of the district.", Seshwan finished explaining. The chance of successfully navigating the void was not high but Seshwan; out of fear they may not go along with the plan decided to leave that detail out.


    ¡°If that''s your plan you aim to travel into the Geohmn crypts? You do know that those crypts haven''t been opened in decades due to being defiled and now wraths and undead haunt its halls.", Grey said with fear in his tone.


    Grey was a young man when a thief had tried to steal from the lord of the now-dead family''s treasured jewel. The whole crypt was cursed by a demonic priest after the last member of the family died off. As a counter-measure against looting. That thief had blindly entered and the result was a crypt full of tormented souls and undead.


    "This city should have a holy knights'' representative in the earls keep. Once we escape you will need to report that the undead has made their way into the common area of the crypts and it needs to be purified. The holy knights will then deal with the issue. We need to escape. that is the only place inconspicuous enough to open a rift gate."


    The presence of the three parties in the crypt would rile up the undead. A small horde would be present within the crypt, once they cross the barrier that seals the undead in it will fail. Once a human crossed the threshold the inscriptions will break down and the undead will escape. If they wanted to keep this situation under control Seshwan would need to now involve the holy knights.


    "Soon after the knights clear the undead the door will be resealed, and no one will know we were the ones to enter the crypt. Once I open the gate it will remain open to those I mark for four hours. I can''t make it last any shorter than that." Seshwan continued to explain.


    "What about those you don''t mark?" Vanessa asked curiously


    "If you enter without my mark, you''ll fall into the void and be trapped there tormented by the Master of the void and his creations." Seshwan replied, "Don''t worry ill mark you both, just stick close and don''t venture away from me ever! The beasts of the rifts won''t hesitate to devour your souls or worse."


    Within the rift, there was a god-like in the outside world and below that god, his demigods, and deities. Existences that humanity could never hope to compare themselves with. Especially in the rift. Once in the rift, the inhabitants will conjure what your heart most desires to lure you into their clutches, once they have you escape is impossible. Seshwan had learned a lot about the void during his younger years that he spent studying in the capital.


    Along with the gloves Seshwan had also acquired the sword that was believed to be sealed in its sheath and the small jewelry box that could not be opened.


    "Before we leave grab anything you want, we will bypass the enchantments on this space, once we¡¯re out we will not be allowed to return the same way. Also grey I will need you to update your shipping manifest so my items I purchased get shipped out. Without suspicion."


    Grey nodded before walking off to execute his task.


    Vanessa went to work scooping up a bag full of gold and a few small low-grade weapons; daggers, a crossbow and a set of inscribed throwing knives.


    Grey returned and decided to also search for an item. He only grabbed an artifact with light attributes. A silver pendant with bright inscriptions etched into the silver. "Grey that''s a holy warden, good eye. This will protect you from the beasts of the void and undead in the crypt.¡±Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    The item was a Holy Warden pendant and would cause low strength spirits and undead to flee from its holy aura.


    Once they all collected their spoils Seshwan stepped over to the east-facing wall. Counting the stones along the floor till he found a spot suitable for a rift gate to open in the exact spot he required. Placing his left hand to the wall his arm ignited with a dark violet aura along with his gloves; with one hand flat on the wall, he used his other to draw a series of characters around it. After a minute, the wall radiated a majestic aura and a small opening formed.


    With both hands, Seshwan reached into another space and with a small amount of force ripped a small hole between two spaces open wide enough for him to step through.


    "Here, let''s go." Seshwan stepped into the rift. Holding his right hand out, he tapped grey and Vanessa on the shoulders. A spot formed on each shoulder becoming marked with a character much like the symbols on Seshwan''s gloves.


    "Avoid contact with my left hand from here on, it will undo the void marking," Seshwan said as he stepped through to the gate.


    Both Vanessa and grey nodded as they stood staring out across the plains of the void. A barren wasteland of perpetual darkness and a twisted horizon that swirled and bent along with the reality of the space they perceived before them. Though the void wasn''t just infinite darkness and undead cold; also within this space eerie lights floating all around. Purple and Blue spirits danced through the darkness, surrounding the group. With a wave of his left hand, Seshwan projected a barrier that drove the spirits back to a manageable distance.


    "What are they?" Vanessa whispered.


    "Those are the lost souls of the void who wish to seize your body, there not that dangerous. Just ignore them. The real threat to us hasn''t relieved itself. From here on don''t talk unless you¡¯re being communicated with by what you perceive as a long-dead loved one. So I know if you''re in trouble." Seshwan was constantly looking about making sure they weren''t being approached.


    As the group moved forward, the gate behind them appeared to shrink over time then closed after what seemed like minutes. The only sources of light now were the tormented spirits stirred into a frenzy by the presence of foreign life.


    Following close to Seshwan Vanessa attempted to make out the path ahead of them as they walked; though the path seemed to appear as they progressed and it vanished just as soon as they walked along.


    ''From what I remember the void is a twisted space existing between reality and a spiritual plain. If I head straight and follow my instincts, we will arrive at the edge of the crypt soon.'' Seshwan thought as he led the way.


    In the distance, a black silhouette rose from the already dark space. Towering before them was a structure that resembled a crypt that had been inverted and turned inside out. As if the entire crypt had been Hewn from the earth and placed before them.


    "That''s got to be it," Seshwan whispered.


    "How can that be? That crypt is buried Twenty meters at its shallowest points." Old man grey forgetting instructions earlier spoke out in disbelief.


    At the moment of his outburst, Seshwan turned toward him and glared this expression slightly discernable by the lights of the spirits surrounding.  Not having realized it yet grey had alerted a monster of the void. From the infinite silence, the three felt a warm buzz in their ears followed by a smooth voice so sweat it could lull an enraged warrior into a surreal state of mind. "Humans entered the void and attempted to sneak through without even saying hello?"


    "Shit!" Seshwan hurried his pace. "Let''s move if whatever that is catches up to us were dead!" Seshwan didn''t turn back as he hurried to the walls of the crypt. Activating the rift enchantment and drawing characters as fast as possible.


    The gate opened. "Okay, both of you through! Now!" Seshwan grabbed Vanessa by the back of her tunic and tossed her through the gate Grey dove through close behind. Only Seshwan remained in the void.


    A massive creature appeared; its silhouette covered in spines and large demonic structure like curved bone sections. The only visible portion of its massive tower-like body was its eyes. Two cyan flames burned bright starring straight through Seshwan as if it could see into the deepest recesses of his mind.


    "Little mortal you possess a god¡¯s belongings. I demand you leave it behind. The void master will trade your life for the gloves in your possession. As they belong to him he''s being more than generous." The voice now cold and piercing into Seshwan''s eardrums


    "These gloves? Belong to the void master? I could just leave but there''s something I''ve wanted to ask your master. So I''ll only leave these godly items with him if he grants me an answer." Before Seshwan could finish speaking the giant before he vanished like rolling smoke into the darkness.


    A humanoid figure appeared before him seated on a large throne of skeletal remains and twisted figures. This man before Seshwan wore all purple robs. His head was covered by a violet hood, beneath which two burning cyan ears glared with malicious intent.


    "You with the mortal spirit who dares! To ask me for an answer. I am the master of the void what would you like to know?"  the sweet voice spoke again, soft and serine to all who heard it.


    "As I''ve said I will not return these gloves to you till you answer me. In the first era of the mortal world when humanity overthrew the dragons and the gods rose to power. The jade bloodline¡­" as Seshwan spoke the master raised a hand toward Seshwan interrupting him by cancelling all sound coming from him. His mouth continued to move but no sound transmitted.


    "Boy, it''s not the time for you to know what you¡¯re about to ask. So as a favour to your father I''ll allow you to live. But those gloves. If they leave here I will no longer be polite. Your greed will destroy the world of man if not kept in check." The master lowered his hand. "Also boy before I expel you from my realm know this; I allowed your passage through my realm. Next time you come without an invitation I¡¯ll ensure you suffer something far worse than death. Begone!" the masters¡¯ voice pierced the back of Seshwan¡¯s mind.


    The gloves on Seshwan''s hands disintegrated into a mist as the gate opened wide. Seshwan was hit with a burst of energy sending him out of the void. With that, the gate sealed.


    "So that''s one of your boys Tiberius?" The Master smiled as he began to fade and disperse. "He''s too smart for his own good.¡±


    Geohme family crypt


    Seshwan woke up face down on cold wet stones; the floor was dampened from condensation pooling in the deepest parts of the crypt. Pushing himself to his knees he could hardly make out the outline of the tomb walls.


    The air within the tomb smelt foul and a heavy dense aura lingered. An aura unfamiliar to anything Seshwan had ever felt, this aura was ancient. Far older than anything in the empire.


    The gate to the void had closed after he came through; closed out by the Master of the void. After coming to some degree of his senses in the pitch-black Seshwan stood. Retrieving a signal stone from his pack he injected his essence into the gem; a slight red luminescence appeared in his hand. He could see on the floor before he lay a corpse his heart skipped a beat.


    With closer inspection it was a corpse; oddly though it had been dismembered, recently.


    ''Vanessa and grey must have had a run-in with a few undead. I better catch up!''  Seshwan walked forward with a tiny light in his palm.


    Navigating the tunnels of the crypt Seshwan found more remains of undead and ectoplasm smearing; a sign of wraths having passed those spots. On high alert, Seshwan slowly moved low to the ground along the paths and halls.


    He moved carefully to limit the amount of noise from the noble outfit he had worn to the vault. he slowed down his movements to reduce the amount of noise made by the armour as he made his way down corridors till he came to a double door partly opened, the interior of the room illuminated by fire.


    Peeking through the door Seshwan could see five large unopened sarcophaguses atop a large alter. Built-in the center of the room with stairs ascending toward the top. Four of the coffins were standing guard on all corners of the altar, in the center lay the fifth.


    ¡°This is the lords¡¯ burial chamber!¡± Seshwan gasped quietly.

 ch 12 Escape pt2

    Geohme Family crypt


    Laying Before Seshwan was the burial chamber of a mysterious family that was rumoured to have been cursed by their own volition. Such an act was viewed as blasphemy in the eyes of the Holy order; which lead to this tomb is sealed with a barrier after a thief attempted to grave rob here and awoke the husks of the long dead.


    This chamber appeared to be dormant as Seshwan slowly made his way through the main doors and approached the altar where the sarcophagus of Lord Geohmn was displayed.


    The old lord was rumoured to be buried with a treasure that was coveted by lords the world over; a gem known as the Dragon Stone.


    A dragon stone was an ancient relic; these gems only formed when a dragon from ancient times gave up their life willingly. A gem condensed of dragon soul. In terms of forging, it could be fused with weapons when crafted to imbue a dragon¡¯s ability. Rather than a random effect being imbued the gem will carry the main attribute of the Dragon whose soul resides within. Once the dragon is bound to the weapon the soul will remain within sealing the weapon if the stone is ever removed.


    The bloodline of geohmn died out centuries ago and no one knows what attributes this gem holds; or if this gem even existed.


    Seshwan scanned the room for traps; from what he had learned in his brief time studying in the guild library burial chambers were commonly rigged with traps to prevent grave robbing.


    His eyes caught a glimpse of tiles along the floor hiding a possible trap along with a few chests along the walls with tripwire traps fixed to their lids.


    Seshwan slowly made his way to the alter stepping by the possible floor traps. He couldn''t help thinking ''These guys did not want to part with their treasures.''


    Finally arriving at the alter after passing three possible traps, Seshwan hoped up a few steps to inspect the surroundings.


    There were five chests on the alter near each stone sarcophagus; each chest covered in inscriptions most were modern language but some Seshwan had never seen before. Moving to the closest chest he tried to decode the inscription.


    Seshwan began processing the glyphs in his mind. ¡®¡± Those of righteousness who are deemed blessed by holy hands may inherit the wealth of the dead¡±. Hmm. No clues to the rest of it.''


    These chests did not have tripwires and the inscriptions were not holy enchantments or nether curses.


    Seshwan decided to take a chance and open the chest before him.


    *Click* *creek*


    Seshwan slowly lifted the lid expecting some kind of a trap but it opened effortlessly. Within was a small pile of gold coins; all marked with a dragon on one side and a demonic beast on the other. Along with the gold was a satchel.


    ''Cool a storage bag I wonder what''s in it?'' Seshwan grabbed the bag and flipped open the lid to find no treasures. The bag was a storage bag that could hold twenty square meters of objects. And this one was full of books.


    ''What a letdown.'' Seshwan was depressed at the contents.


    He collected the gold into his satchel along with the storage bag. The next three chests were all the same. Same inscriptions and storage bags filled with texts.


    Leaving the last chest at the foot of Lord Geohmn''s coffin till the end Seshwan hoped within his mind that there were better treasures than just ancient texts to be had. Why else would a lord and his entire family attempt to prevent grave robbers?


    Seshwan had collected enough books to fill a personal library and about twenty dragon coins though he didn''t understand their use.


    The final chest was different than the first four. On the lid was inscribed, "Those who seek the flame of dragons shall seek their death." The number of ancient glyphs on this chest was far more than the previous ones.


    Though this chest didn''t appear to be trapped it was locked. But had no keyhole. Seshwan tried to open the lid some form of seal prevented the lid from being lifted.


    Seshwan thought about how to open this chest. ''Perhaps there''s something to do with the Dragon coins? No that''s not it. Hmm. Maybe there''s a phrase that will open it?''


    As he was pondering the locking mechanism he noticed the writer¡¯s word flame was written wrong. At that moment it made more sense. ''Not flame but life.'' Seshwan Drew out one of the knives he had collected at Cedric¡¯s manor and carved the new marks to change the character from "flame" to "life".


    *click*


    The lid of the chest popped open slightly. A black aura rolled out of the chest and to the floor, spreading like fog. Something that was sealed within had been released.


    ''Shit!'' Seshwan jumped back as the chest opened all the way a black mist rose from the chest and landed on the coffin of Lord geohmn.


    Slowly taking shape into the form of a man soon the body of a man materialized sitting on the side of the sarcophagus.


    "Ahhhh. You mortals will never learn! Though I do appreciate releasing me from that box." The strange man spoke with his head raised to the ceiling. He was dressed in a black armour that resembled scales with gold underlying; his skin was ashen grey with piercing eyes unlike any Seshwan had seen before. He had long ashen grey hair that draped down over this shoulders.


    This strange man gave off an aura that froze Seshwan in place causing him to break out into a cold sweat.


    The man lowered his gaze and turned toward Seshwan. "Well mortal why did you open the chest? Did you seek the treasures of the Geohmn family?"


    Seshwan couldn''t find his voice, his head nodded even against his whole being screaming for him to run!


    "Since your unable to speak I''ll assume what you¡¯re here for. Take it! You''ve released me and I''ll grant you this small favour. Take whatever you like from this room but you must leave the Dragon stone." The strange man raised a waving hand dismissing him.


    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Seshwan was shocked. ''Who is this man? what should I do?''


    Seshwan had an idea he broke free of his paralyzed state walking towards the chest within was five more dragon coins, a scroll and a clear white gem.


    "I''ve done as you''ve said I''ll take my leave. Though before I do would you reveal your name?" Seshwan trembled as he spoke to this man before him.


    With a booming voice, the stranger laughingly announced "Ha! I''ll tell you as a show of my gratitude. My name in your tongue is Drax Dagon the dragon of the west! Immortal Lord of dragonkin! Since I¡¯ve gone first who are you mortal?"


    "My name Seshwan Jade. Thank you for your grace lord Dagon." Seshwan cupped his hands and began to leave as quickly as possible.


    As Seshwan got to the crypt doors Dagon stood, ¡°now old man where have you hidden my stone!¡± Drax roared as he tossed the lid of Lord Geohmn¡¯s coffin open. Seshwan did not wish to remain in the chamber any longer. He sprinted toward the exit.


    After a few minutes of running past corpses, he came upon Vanessa and old man grey slumped in a corner. Vanessa was cover in blood and her short sword broken; she had disabled or defeated several undead and collapsed here from exhaustion. Old man grey had taken a hit to his shoulder and was bleeding badly.


    "Where the fuck did you go?!?" Vanessa was shocked to see Seshwan turn the corner quickly.


    "What do you mean it''s been like fifteen minutes since I tossed you both from the rift? I got separated and found some stuff now I''ve found you! We can leave now." Seshwan neglected to tell Vanessa about Dagon or the finding the Lord burial chamber.


    Seshwan fished a tonic to help replenish essence and stamina from his pouch and tossed it over to Vanessa as he bent down to help grey.


    "fifteen minutes?!? Are you that dense!? We waited who knows how long for you to come out of the rift and you never did! We''ve been wandering around for what feels like an eternity!" Vanessa looked as though she had not slept in days. Heavy bags had formed under her eyes.


    "We can talk after we''re out! Let''s go!" Seshwan walked past the two helping old man grey to his feet and leading the way to the entrance.


    Vanessa stood and got an arm around Grey who looked as though he would pass out any minute. They ascended the stairs to the exit of the tomb a roar rumbled up from the depths of the crypt. As if shaking the solid stone around them. "JADE!"


    Seshwan felt his blood run cold. He had done something to upset a dragon lord.


    "Run!" Seshwan struggled to get his words out.


    "What the hell was that?" Vanessa asked cold sweat beading on her forehead.


    "Run to the keep get the knight commander to seal this tomb! Go! Go now!" Seshwan was panicked his expression caused Vanessa to remain for a moment before sprinting out of the tomb.


    Old man grey struggled but managed to leave after Seshwan had assisted him out of the main doors.


    A black cloud plumed as the crypt was smothered in darkness and smoke. Another roar rolled through the halls as Drax materialized before Seshwan grabbing him by the throat lifting him off the ground and slamming him against a wall.


    Seshwan fought to remain conscious as he tasted blood in his mouth.


    In a deep voice as if from the bowels of hell Drax spoke slowly. "Mortal you¡¯re a despicable soul and I shall see you burn in hell for deceiving me!"


    "Lord Dagon I didn''t take the Dragon stone I swear!" Seshwan could hardly breath


    "Lies! You dare lie to me! Produce it or die!" Drax would not listen to excuses.


    "Put me down I''ll show you!" Seshwan demanded trying to convince this monster to release his grip.


    Drax set Seshwan on his feet.


    Seshwan went into his bag opening the lid for Drax to see he wasn''t being cheated no dragon stones were in his bag. As Drax scanned the contents his eyes settled on the sword from the vault that was sealed.


    "You!" Drax exclaimed


    Drax seized Seshwan again before lowering his head.


    "How do you have that sword!?" Drax had gone from a frenzy to a depressed state at the sight of the sword.


    "It was labelled as trash in the treasure vaults so I picked it up because I had a feeling it could be unsealed by some means." Seshwan was confused. ''What does this have to do with the Dragon stone?¡¯


    Drax pulled the sword from Seshwan''s bag. "This blade is made of dragon claw. There''s a similar one to it in a shrine to the east; made of fangs. The twin dragons. Drax and sol."


    After a brief moment, Drax raised his head along with his gaze came a wave of murderous intent.


    "Seshwan Jade this sword was crafted from my body almost a millennium ago. But cannot be unsealed without the Dragon stone. I smell it on you! Hand it over!"


    Seshwan found courage as he stared into the eyes of this former dragon lord. "If I had it do you think I''d hide it! Drax you are free just leave the crypt! Take the sword and leave!"


    Drax gritted his teeth "You fool I''m just the intent of Drax Dagon I can''t leave the area of the Dragon stones! Not without a new master and the last ones long dead! I can''t leave!"


    Seshwan had a moment of insight, ¡®he¡¯s restricted to remain here and can¡¯t harm me once I leave.¡¯ Seshwan thought, his plan to escape this monster would no longer work. He only had one option.


    "If you need a new master why now return to that sword and serve me?" Seshwan boldly said as he locked gazes with Drax. He stared at the dragon lord with no fear in his eyes.


    "You!? You¡¯re so weak you couldn''t even draw my blade! Even if you had the stone." Drax laughed as he broke eye contact.


    ¡®what¡¯s wrong with this kid a mount ago he was terrified. Could he have figured it out?¡¯ Drax thought.


    "At least you won''t be trapped here till someone else comes to claim you? Do you want to remain in the darkness for a few more millennia?" Seshwan reasoned. He originally planned to escape, but a powerful dragon to serve him would have its uses later in life.


    "Human you have a point I don''t want to be trapped here anymore but I could never serve as a vassal to someone so weak!" Drax taunted.


    With this Seshwan was at the end of his patience.


    "I''m sick of this! Everyone calls me weak! To hell with you all! I''ll become the strongest in this world even if that means defeating my father! Or killing the masters of the realms! I swear one day Drax I''ll become so powerful I''ll destroy this rotten world! So people like you will stop looking down on me." Seshwan had had enough of people talking down to him. he hated being weak.


    Drax was dazed before breaking out into laugher. "Kid did you know that a demon laughs every time you humans talk about the future. I do find it amusing though. What''s your father have to do with any of this!? Why mention it?"


    Seshwan gritted his teeth "My full name is Tiberius ''Seshwan'' Jade the third, my father is the fifteenth jade emperor and master of this domain!"


    Drax went silent.


    "Tiberius¡­Hmmmm, Tiberius??? I¡¯ve heard that name before¡± Drax pondered a moment before striking the palm of his hand.


    ¡°Of course! you¡¯re that old monsters¡¯ grandson? Boy, I allied and submitted to serve with Geohmn just to fight the Jades during their rise to power and was defeated in my original form by the first emperor before I became one of the twin swords that slew him. If you even become half as strong as the old man. You''d be a worthy master to me." Drax laughed deeply. His laughter bellowed through the halls.


    Seshwan was speechless he had no idea of the history he would discover here on the fringe of their territory.


    "I''ll remain within the sword for the time being. You''ll need to find the stone to unseal the weapon and you must become stronger. If not, the first time you draw the sword it''ll burn you alive." Drax finished speaking.


    His head turned sharply toward the entrance. ¡°I can sense a Knight headed toward the crypt I will give you a chance. For the first time in millennia, I¡¯m excited to see how humanity will change the world.¡± Drax dispersed as the smoke was pulled into the hilt of the sword.


    Seshwan slumped to the floor as Knight Commander Remus arrived to seal the entrance.


    Remus was the acting commander of the port city garrison and the only stationed Holy Knight within the city able to seal undead.


    He was a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and a noble brow; he had been bred, groomed and trained to serve the order until death. The Knight Commanders of the Holy order were the most loyal and powerful soldiers in the empire; they would serve as a special operations unit in war times, and were tasked with hunting undead and demons in times of peace.


    Remus showed no interest in Seshwan as he left the tombs. He only thought a brief moment about his as he left. ''Damn young nobles; they need to find somewhere else to take pretty girls this is the second time I''ve had to close this damn crypt.''


    Seshwan had finally escaped death¡¯s door. He had gained insight into the past as well as laid out a better future for himself. The only task left was to find Old man grey some medical help and return to the guild.

 Ch 13 Pride of Black Lotus

    Black lotus guild hall; scarlet cove sewers


    Seshwan stepped through the guild hall entrance and was met with cheers! The whole guild was their usual rowdy selves, unlike usual today they cheered and greeted their new fellow thief for successfully stealing items from the one place no one could hope to touch.


    Seshwan ascended to the top of the hall to find four of the six masters present; all seated at a long table with his allies seated on the opposite side. The mood here was fouler than the greetings Seshwan had previously received.


    "Ah boy, you finally here!" Master crest stood and exclaimed.


    "Yes, I was occupied previously with ensuring grey got medical treatment. If he hadn''t been carrying a warden with him he would have succumbed to his injuries before we escaped the crypts." Seshwan explained to the group.


    "That''s fine Sesh, I''m glad you made it out safe but we''re gathered here to debrief the four of you on this mission." Walter had a stern expression on his face.


    "Master Walters right! Congratulations on a successful heist but you four are in a world of trouble if you can''t explain why your mark is now dead!" Master Hilliard slammed his fist down on the table.


    Master lotus sat calm faced and speechless.


    "Tell us why you killed Cedric! And how did you escape the vault after the door was sealed?" Master crest was more excited than upset and was amazed Seshwan found a route out of the vault.


    Seshwan gave a brief recount of what had happened at Cedric¡¯s home and how Xerxes had killed him with Seshwan permission.


    At this moment Xerxes wished to speak up but Seshwan glared at him. His eyes shooting daggers.


    A hum started in Seshwan''s ear


    "Screw you, playing the hero! I killed that guy because I wanted to! let me take the credit!" Xerxes¡¯ voice spoke in Seshwan head.


    "With that masters; I hope that issue is put to rest it was my idea to kill Cedric because he was a disgusting waste of life and I could not turn a blind eye to the injustice. Now as for the vault escape there was a secret tunnel leading to the Geohmn crypts that we used to escape. Thought the guild will be unable to use this tunnel again as the crypt is full of undead and was resealed by the Knight Commander of the Holy Knights." Seshwan explained


    He was covering the fact he had entered the void and met the void master. The masters also did not need to know about Drax or the Dragon stone. So he explained that portion in vague detail.


    "I guess that makes sense. What became of Vanessa? This assassin from the Scarlet Gem was she arrested?" Master Hilliard asked.


    "No sir, she should be along anytime. I invited her to travel with me in the future." Seshwan said this with a smirk.


    ''I have no choice I saved her life her tribal code won¡¯t let her leave my service till she repays me. Just another killer following me around, it¡¯s bad enough I have Xerxes.'' Seshwan thought as the conversation continued.


    "If she joins the guild then we shall allow it." Master lotus had broken his silence. "As for you four, I''m splitting you up. You will also pay a heavy tax for killing against orders. Do you understand want I''ve said to you?"


    After a brief discussion, it was decided that master crest would remain as Colm teacher. Walter would escort Elise to train with master Flamehammer in the Republic of Commons at another chapter of Black lotus. As for Seshwan and Xerxes, they would be leaving for the midland swamps to meet master Kubard to finalize Xerxes becoming Walter¡¯s new student.


    The new assignment had been handed out and the serious tone was dropped as a few servants were tasked with retrieving the loot from the vault along with wine to celebrate a large score. The guild was taxing this loot at eighty-five percent as a penalty for killing and breaking rules.


    All the cultivation materials from the empire would also go to the guild as these things required delicate handling when sold to fences and back to the suppliers for the empire.


    Of the loot, they got to keep Elise got a flame attribute leather jack, her resistance against other essences, other than water, would greatly improve. The jacket was also enhanced with inscriptions to bolster her fire essence when fighting in tandem with a Wind Element user.


    Colm took the set of knives Seshwan had taken from Cedric¡¯s home along with a water attribute ward totem. The set of Herman Gentry Knives suited someone who was trained in dual-wielding short weapons perfectly; though Colm had a small amount of training with two knives he was confident he could master these weapons. The water totem he had selected was a basic elemental totem that could store the essence of its user out of combat and later supplement it back to the user during a fight. What made this particular totem special above a run of the mill totem was who crafted it. A Smith known as Raging Tides; who was famous for his unique inscriptions. This totem had a high-risk inscription called lifeline; if the life of the user was in danger it would act and boost his regeneration and essence abilities by almost two-hundred percent at the cost of the totem.


    Xerxes took a smiting hammer weighing about two hundred pounds. A beginner¡¯s hammer for demonic craftsmen. At a glance the hammer looked completely average; though the moment Xerxes'' essence made contact with the handle the hammer transformed. The head was engraved with depictions of a great battle of angels and demons at the beginning of time.


    "Hey, Colm! Did you find what I asked you for?" Xerxes shouted toward Colm who was busy filling his totem with essence across the room.


    "Look with your eyes man. It¡¯s in that box." Colm said calmly. Eyes closed as he concentrated on his totem.


    Xerxes looked once more through the chest to find a weapon he had asked Colm to find above all else.


    One of Master Hilliard''s apprentices approached the chest and retrieved a bow, "Cool a lighting essence bow!"


    A grim expression crossed over Xerxes¡¯ face. "What was that? A lighting bow?" Xerxes asked.


    "That¡¯s what I said!" the apprentice¡¯s gaze transferred from the bow to Xerxes. "are you okay?"


    In a moment the apprentice found himself on the floor, blood trickling down from his nose. His head was spinning.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Seshwan had only just seen what had transpired as Xerxes turned toward this other apprentice and sucker-punched the poor kid in the face. "Come on guys, at least don¡¯t get blood on the carpet," Seshwan said shaking his head.


    "Okay, Colm I found the bow, thanks, buddy!" Xerxes shouted toward Colm.


    Colm still focused on his work raised his center finger as a response.


    "Okay, Fuck you too," Xerxes said with a smile as he went to help the other apprentice to his feet.


    The lighting bow Xerxes had requested Colm to find was a high-grade piece of equipment; These kinds of weapons didn''t do a lot of physical damage to users of the same level but they scale to the user¡¯s level accurately and could grow with the user. A bonus was after apprentice-level three the user would no longer require arrows. Instead, lighting would form as the missile to be fired. Causing a discharged explosion when the arrow landed.


    Seshwan had given up his portions of gear and gold to the guild as a sign of good faith. He had accumulated Drax''s sword and knowledge on the Dragon stones. His trip was worth the headaches.


    After the loot was divided up Seshwan raised a hand toward Colm. "Pay up she didn''t sleep with him."


    With this Colm''s eyes shot open breaking his concentration.


    "To hell with you! You killed the guy so she couldn''t! The bets off." Colm shouted. He knew he had lost but didn''t want to admit it.


    Elise had remained silent the whole time while being reprimanded, after the mention of a bet was made her eye lit up with a deep disgust for her fellow team member. "You bastards had some kind of bet on me sleeping with Cedric?"


    Xerxes saw a moment to throw Colm to the wolves and took it. "If it makes you feel better Seshwan bet you wouldn¡¯t sleep with him. Only Colm thought you would do it to get the seal. This was completely his idea from the start." Xerxes smiled from ear to ear; as he watched Elise''s gaze fell onto Colm


    Colm glared at Xerxes, ''this bastard trying to avoid the fact he was the one to suggest the idea of a bet.''


    Elise flew into a fury; "You Bastard! How dare you assume I have no morals. I should gut you right here!"


    Master Lotus was at the end of the table tallying the count of pills and elixirs they had pilfered from the empire as these children squabbled opposite himself. "I understand you trying to have fun. But I''m trying to work here." he calmly stated.


    The master was calm and collected as always but anger rose in his face as the fighting continued and he had been ignored.


    "Colm I am going to kill you! And Xerxes like id trust a demon¡¯s word you probably put him up to this!" Elise was fired up and not listening.


    Master lotus stood "All of you shut your damn mouths! You¡¯re the most successful recruits we have brought in in a long time! And Possibly future leaders of this guild! Take your fighting and childish games the hell out of my sight!"


    Walter couldn¡¯t help start laughing at the old man¡¯s scolding. "Master we were all like this at one time, they¡¯re just kids! Let them have fun."


    Lotus'' gaze snapped over to Walter. A cold piercing light could be seen in the master¡¯s eyes, "You¡¯re the master of this guild halls training. Go put their energy to work. Perhaps do something useful, you brat!"


    "Wow, you are pissed! aren''t you? Fine ill set them to training. Couldn¡¯t hurt to teach them something before they all head out in a few days." Walter submitted out of respect for Master Lotus. "Come on newbies we¡¯re going to learn some new skills to keep you from getting killed in the outside world."


    Walter stood and motioned toward the bunch; all seated now and scared witless by Master lotus'' outburst.


    As the group left the room master lotus heard Xerxes utter a quiet "He was so nice before" This quip sent the master overboard one last time throwing a sword toward the exiting group. Xerxes turned back with a mocking smile.


    ''Damn demon child he''s going to be a huge headache when he''s older.'' Master Lotus thought while rubbing his temples


    Black lotus training rooms; Walters room


    This was the largest training room in the cistern. The walls were scorched, scraped and smashed.  Many different techniques were practiced here, along with all the guilds sparring. Walter sat cross-legged smoking his pipe on a pedestal overlooking the training area.


    ¡°Okay two of you will spar; Xerxes and Colm since you two enjoy fooling around your first.¡± Walter addressed the four youth from his seat. ¡°As for Elise you will take Seshwan copy of the technique [Shadow Step Transition] you will learn this technique for the next three days then I will assign new work. Lastly, Seshwan, since you possess talent in all essences I¡¯d like you to start meditating where ever you feel suits you. In three days I hope to see you form a new real guard. We don¡¯t have any training techniques like your [Tectonic Shell] so I don¡¯t know if you will be able to achieve a new real guard. Regardless you will try.¡±


    The group separated to their respective training. For the next few days.


    Eight hours into the training session the group was surprised by the arrival of Vanessa and Master Crest.


    ¡°Recruit for you, Walter. She¡¯s a level three Apprentice with a water essence and She¡¯s already received training as an assassin.¡±


    ¡°Is that so? Very well miss, you are going to join our training for now.¡± Walter stood, jumped to the ground level and walked over to a chest. After a moment of digging through the chest, he retrieved a scroll. ¡°Here¡¯s a water technique for stealth and tracking. [Mist Form Divination] mastering this will allow you to mask your essence to avoid any kind of detection and you can use moisture to sweep for hidden enemies that try to escape you or lay an ambush.¡±


    ¡°Thank you master ill work hard.¡± Vanessa was determined to do her best.


    She accepted the scroll and walked out into the cistern. Within the room, she could see Colm in a stranglehold by Xerxes. Elise was climbing a crumbling wall repetitively. While Seshwan sat motionless on a destroyed wall eyes closed and face moulded with determination.


    She found a spot near a drainage channel that was running water. As she sat down Vanessa recounted her last few hours having met the guild masters. ¡®as a mercenary I had always heard of the black lotus, I should have sought them out a long time ago. This place should be beneficial for my future. Though I wonder what became of the others.''


    when Vanessa had arrived she received no hostility whatsoever. Master lotus had invited her to join the guild and serve as a future guide and companion to Seshwan. The master had said; ¡°Seshwan is extremely important to the future of this guild you must give your life to ensure no harm comes to that boy.¡±


    Vanessa pondered as she scanned the contents of the scroll; ¡®Was he that important? He had guided them through the void and helped them escape the treasure vault. But he was a level two apprentice with earth essence. This boy was going to be a purely defensive fighter why would he need companions to guard him?¡¯


    At the End of the first day of training, the group gathered for a meal; introduced Vanessa and shared their experiences from the day. Xerxes had won every match against Colm.


    ¡°There¡¯s a thought that keeps reoccurring in my mind, how did the last part of the heist go?¡± Seshwan was curious as he was within the void at the time.


    ¡°They used the route you told us they would use, Elise, blocked their advance while Colm and I approached from behind. They didn¡¯t last long, those guards handed over the chest without a fight. It all went over easily!¡± Xerxes explained.


    Elise took a moment to interject ¡°Only because you held the highest-ranked guy at knifepoint and threatened to assault his manhood!¡±


    The men all winced in unison.


    ¡°Xerxes that not what we discussed. I told you not to do that.¡± Seshwan mockingly said toward Xerxes.


    ¡°Eh, it worked didn¡¯t it. Let god judge me another time¡± Xerxes smirked.


    Walter sat up high meditating with a smile on his face Seshwan had started to come out of his shell and was gaining confidence. ¡®That boy in time will make a great guild master.¡¯


    The group continued to train for three days. Xerxes began to lose one or two fights to Colm. Elise trained in basic combat techniques of an assassin along with studying techniques with a rapier. On the fourth day, Vanessa and Elise began sparring.


    All the while Seshwan sat silently meditating. ¡®why can¡¯t I feel any kind of change within my realms today? I thought for sure there was something present yesterday, maybe if I move spots?¡¯


    Seshwan stood with his eyes closed sensing the essence around him. Walking around the training ground aimlessly. Before approaching Xerxes and Colm and sitting directly in the center of where the pair were sparring. ¡®finally, I feel it again!¡¯


    ¡°Umm Sesh? You want to not sit directly where we¡¯re fighting?¡± Colm had been confused when he saw Seshwan walk over.


    Xerxes used Seshwan''s distraction to land a high kick to Colm''s shoulder knocking him off his feet.


    Seshwan raised his index finger to his lips but didn¡¯t say a word.


    Walter understood what was happening and knew Seshwan shouldn¡¯t be disturbed. ¡°Colm don¡¯t let your guard down cause an obstacle appears, continue sparring, if you hit him he gets a free hit on you. That you¡¯re not allowed to block.¡±


    Within Seshwan¡¯s realms, he could feel a warm fuzzy tingle, and after a few hours, the meditating a spark ignited within Seshwan. *Boom* a sound resonated throughout the cistern as if thunder had clapped within the training room. Seshwan opened his eyes now shining with heavenly light. He felt as if he had undergone a massive change.


    ¡°Seshwan!¡± Xerxes smacked Seshwan across the face dispelling his feeling of tranquillity.


    ¡°Why did you hit me!?¡± Seshwan was outraged from being smacked. As he stood to retaliate he noticed everyone had stopped training. The masters had entered the room along with other members of the guild.


    Seshwan inspected himself to find a band of energy around his finger! ¡°I did it! I''ve formed the lightning real guard!¡±


    Everyone stared in disbelief.


    ¡°It¡¯s not fair¡±


    ¡°The gods are unjust¡±


    ¡°Why this kid? Why not me?¡±


    Master Hilliard stepped forward with a grim expression. ¡°This is truly an impressive boy, though I¡¯m going to ask you to not celebrate yet. The only cases of a dual essence user having both earth and lightning essences have never been any kind of useful. The earth acts as a grounding insulator that suppresses lighting. Your two essences may hinder your future growth if used in tandem.¡±

 Ch 14 The inquisition

    The Imperial city; Halegrove Inn


    Looking down toward the bustling streets one could see carts shipping goods and people along the streets. The markets were bustling with activities; nobles, soldiers, commoners and serfs all shopping for wears and goods.


    From on high; a third story Inn window, Titus Jade observed the scene while sitting at a table eating his breakfast.


    "Titus, I''m getting a drink would you like one as well?" One of the officers accompanying Titus asked.


    Titus continued to silently Stare toward the markets with a depressed look on his face. As a young noble of the Jade bloodline, his features were noble. A firm brow acting as an accent to his emerald green eyes. Dark brown long hair he wore tired back. Unlike other youth of his age at twenty-two years old he was already a tall robust young man.


    "Titus?" Across the table, from the young noble a hulk of a man sat in an ebony black armour with bright green highlights within the underlays.


    This man was Titus'' knight attendant Knight-Captain Darius Grizwalt. More commonly known to his subordinates as Darius the Dark axe. As a Grand Master stage striker knight, Darius was no mere run of the mill knight. He rivalled most Knight commanders for strength. Though issues in the past had held him at his current rank, though nothing could set back this monster¡¯s cultivation or training.


    Titus brought his attention back to the table.


    "Sorry lads I was distracted by something. What was it you were asking?"


    "Sir, I''m going to get another mead would you like anything?" The officer who had addressed him before repeated himself.


    "Just tea, please. As for you men drinking alcohol with your breakfast. *sigh* I''m not your caretaker but I am responsible for you once we enter the keep. So please do not make me regret allowing this to slide." Titus said, half scolding the other men.


    This particular officer had caused issues in the past with being drunk before the currently seated prince of an allied nation. If he caused another scene Titus could not do anything to save him.


    Darius bit off a mouth full of meat then spoke. "Titus, why do you believe General Marcus has summoned us back to the keep?"


    Titus'' expression turned to disgust. "Knight-Captain! Do you have no decorum? Chew before speaking, barbarian."


    Darius responded with a familiar gesture with his middle finger that Titus had grown accustomed to. A gesture not so suited to a Knight addressing noble. Let alone his superior.


    Titus continued, "I have no idea. We¡¯ve been stationed at Crescent moon keep for almost six months with no issues or attacks perhaps they have new orders to finally attack those savages from Desh."


    Finishing his meal Darius thought with his hand on his chin. "Doubtful they would have just sent a runner to deliver the orders not have you and your entire company return to the capitol."


    Along with these five officers, the rest of the company numbered around two hundred men strong-most essence-less serfs forced to serve the empire but Titus did have about fifty capable knights both Strikers and Guardians that were all between journeymen and expert stage.


    All the officers in his company however were not so simple all belonged to the Warden knights. Wardens served in the active military as the disciplinary force; once an internal issue arises a warden was dispatched to investigate.


    Titus was the current Acting Warden-Commander and the prime disciple of the Warden Hall master. He would one day succeed his master and become the Hall master.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Titus stood up excited. "Your probably right. Well, I''m curious now. Darius, you and I will go ahead. You men get the tab and see to the men. Ensure they are reequipping and resupply for whatever comes and the officer that left to get mead and hasn''t returned with my tea. I''d like to see him after I meet with my elder brother." As he finished speaking he headed for the stairs leading toward the exit.


    "Yes, sir we shall see it done!"


    All members stood as Titus and Darius departed the table.


    A moment later the two officers returned to their seats.


    "That little punk left us with the tab again! I hate these self-entitled kids they make officers just cause daddy''s a noble." One of the officers griped.


    "Watch your mouth your new to this unit and the Wardens. So ill forgive the comment but that self-entitled noble¡¯s son is second prince Titus Jade. His father is emperor Tiberius Jade the second. That ''Punk'' as you called him is twenty-two and already a late-stage journeyman with both of his essences. I have full respect for that young master."


    The other officers nearly spat out his breakfast. "That''s him! I guess that explains Captain Darius¡¯ loyalty to him."


    "That''s only because he also respects the boy now go find the other and get the tab."


    "Ah, you¡¯re a jackass. Sir."


    The officers paid their tab and quickly carried out the orders given by their commander.


    Jadestone keep.


    Within the massive keep, Titus and Darius strolled along the halls. Young nobles of the next generations were training in the courtyards. Training their bodies in martial techniques and channelling essence.


    ''It''s been a long time since I''ve been back in this place. I have not come home to visit since brother Tiberius was exiled.'' Titus thought.


    As he recalled the details of Tiberius being exiled, he recalled that his younger brother had only just turned sixteen when general Marcus had thrown him out and labelled him as trash. All according to the emperor¡¯s orders.


    Titus weighed his options and Concluded asking Darius was the best option. "Darius do you know what became of young brother Tiberius?"


    "General Marcus cast the boy out because he was unfit for service in the military and not fit to wear the name Jade." Darius looked away as he spoke.


    Titus joking laughed "I see. I''d like you to look into where he was sent. I''d like to check up on the little brat."


    Darius turned toward Titus stopping in his steps. "Young master I know where he is but I was sworn to not tell you or your siblings where the boy is."


    "I see then I shall ask Kronos."


    Titus turned down a corridor toward one of the house halls. The Hall of the spectre. Above the entrance was a massive mosaic depicting a three-eyed skeletal being two eyes black and hollow. The third-placed in the center of the forehead of the figure was a deep green colour. This was the crest of the spectre.


    The Specter hall severed as the branch of the military that saw all. Knew all. These individuals were ones that showed exceptional talent in commanding forces and communicated well. Therefore, the spectre hall handled all deployment tasks and mission briefings.


    Within the hall, A middle aged noble sat at a long mahogany table which was carved from one sold tree. The whole hall was dressed extravagantly with massive chandeliers made of jewels and gold and tinted and stained glass in the windows.


    Titus entered cupped his hands and bowed.


    "Major Titus Jade of the Warden hall greets acting Hall master Kronos."


    "Well met brother please enter and have a seat. We have an issue I must ask your assistance with."


    Kronos waved Titus over to his side. Kronos was the eldest of the emperor¡¯s children. At thirty years old he was already in the upper end of the Expert stage in his wind essence and was an extremely skilled combatant with all forms of combat. He was also the first disciple of the revered General Marcus. He was a tall robust man with long scarlet red hair that was tied back and hung in a single long braid down his back. Along with the other members of the emperors¡¯ offspring he also possessed the same emerald green eyes.


    Titus sat with Darius next to Kronos


    "So brother what''s the issue?" Titus asked curiously


    Kronos rolled open a scroll, "Titus I need you and your knights to investigate a shipment of medical and cultivation pills that happened to vanish from a secure location in a port city to the far East."


    "It''s just vanished? That''s not possible. Someone must have stolen it." Titus said, his eyes examined the details of the shipment on the scroll.


    "My thought exactly but the only group that would dare to steal from the empire claims they don''t know anything about it. So I''m dispatching you and your men to the port city of Scarlet cove. Find the thieves. Clear their den, then bring the pills to their destination; Blackridge Fortress."


    "Yes, brother I shall crush these would-be thieves and return the pills to our garrison."


    Titus recalled scarlet cove was the home of the Guardian Hall, the Hall master was his uncle Julius. ''Perhaps I''ll visit my uncle while I''m in town.¡¯ Titus thought.


    Kronos handed Titus all the mission details on a scroll. The two sat and chat a while longer before Titus stood and took his leave as to not waste too much of his time.


    The trip to the east coast would take more than a week.


    Titus stopped at the Hall doors, ¡°Brother? would you happen to know the whereabouts of younger brother Tiberius?¡±


    Kronos sat up in his chair at the question. ¡°If I¡¯m not mistaken Tiberius is no longer our brother, though if you must know he was recently living with uncle Julius in Scarlet cove. Though I doubt he¡¯s lasted living with that man. Don¡¯t get your hopes up for some reunion.¡±


    ¡°understood. Stay strong brother I¡¯ll send a runner with my report once I reach Scarlet Cove.¡± Titus said, waving as he left the Hall.


    After Darius and Titus had left Kronos relaxed into his seat. ¡°Hopefully that runt has gone somewhere and disappeared he will only be trouble in the future.¡±

 Ch 15 Departure

    Black Lotus training room


    Seshwan sat on the floor staring at his hand. Electricity sparked from the tips of his fingers; arcing from his index finger to his thumb. Electricity rolled across his skin in waves.


    Those present stared in shock and jealously.


    Seshwan looked up toward the guild members surrounding him, then back at the lightning in his hand. He spoke after a moment still gazing at his energy in physical form.


    "Master Hilliard, you said this is bad? That earth and lightning will just cancel each other out if I try to use them in tandem?" Seshwan asked, confused by his current achievement.


    "Yes, that''s exactly right. Like trying to use water and fire in tandem. The two just don''t merge and have positive effects."


    Seshwan stood, still staring intently at his hand. He winced as he felt a familiar pain surge from deep within him. This pain was an unpleasant reminder, he had experienced it every time he trained before he had met Walter. The pain returned briefly as the lightning energy coursed through his veins and throughout his body.


    The pain soon changed to nothing he had ever experienced before. Every cell in his body began to cry out in agony. Rolling energy coursed through Seshwan''s limbs, constantly flowing upward toward his torso. With this amount of power flooding his essence realms, Seshwan started to feel numb. Seshwan broke out into a cold sweat as his Essence Realms felt as if they would rupture as a wave of power and pain tore across his chest.


    Seshwan collapsed forward to the floor writhing in pain. All he could manage was a miserable cry as he coughed out a mouthful of blood.


    ¡°Seshwan! What¡¯s happening!¡± Water pleaded. He dropped to his knees by Seshwan¡¯s side. Though he didn¡¯t dare to touch him while his body coursed with energy.


    ¡°No one is to touch him, only he can help himself get through this. Either he will die or he will forcibly tame this new essence.¡± Master Lotus said, watching with a look of horror spread across his face.


    Within Seshwan¡¯s consciousness, there was nothing but darkness, his mind was tranquil, though he knew his body was in extreme pain.


    ¡®I must have passed out.¡¯ He thought


    As his consciousness floated in what felt like a void an irrefutable light suddenly illuminated the space. A massive lightning bolt flashed across space.


    ¡°Boy! Are you just going to waste your life waiting for your body to tear itself apart?¡± A familiar voice spoke from an unknown place.


    A dark grey ball floated before Seshwan as if it had just appeared.


    ¡°Well? Is this it was I this wrong to trust you?¡± The voice spoke again.


    ¡°Who? Who¡¯s there?¡±


    ¡°Who indeed? Wake up Seshwan, tame that energy or you and your dragon will die. He also trusted you. Now enough of this. AWAKEN!¡±


    Seshwan awoke in his body, the pain returned for the moment being. He climbed on all fours, blood leaking from his nose and mouth. ¡®What the hell just happened? I can¡¯t quite recall.¡¯ he thought in a frenzy as he tried to forcible contain the energy.


    Returning to his seated position he activated his earth essence. All the loose earth around him fluctuated rising into the air and circulating his body.


    The lightning began to arc to the stones and dirt around him. With every bolt arcing away from him his body felt warm and the pain became slightly more bearable.


    The pain eventually subsided as the lightning converged to one spot and formed a ring of yellow energy around his right ring finger.


    Once Seshwan came to his senses he realized most of the guild was now gathered around him with faces showing great concern and fear.


    "Seshwan you¡¯ve formed the Lightning first stage Realguard. You¡¯ve survived." Master Lotus praised, while he patted Seshwan on the back.


    ¡®Truly this youth has a gift from the gods. Without a technique, he had formed his real guard through his methods. A truly frightening ability.¡¯ Master lotus though.


    In reality, anyone could manage this. As training techniques and different styles skills were rewritten by sage stage essence users. Not many of the old techniques could be easily accessed or even still existed. If Seshwan continued to the sage ranks of his cultivation, he could record and produce hundreds of abilities and training methods to be spread across the globe.


    "Masters I¡­, I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯ve just done. I feel as though I may have a much better grasp on my essence now. Though I¡¯m still confused. Are you sure I couldn¡¯t use these two essences together in combat?" Seshwan asked.


    Within his head, Drax spoke. "These men are right. You cannot conduct and manipulate lightning if you have the insulation of your earth element active. The lightning will be grounded and be effective. Like you just experienced. If you hadn¡¯t activated your earth element when you did you would have died."


    The tingling sensation of this old dragon¡¯s voice in Seshwan head gave his chills making the hairs on his arms stand on end.


    Seshwan thought more about it. ''I¡¯ve defiantly made progress but I¡¯m not sure how something feels different. I feel as though lightning and earth may work together. For now, I''ll train them separately but someday I''ll be the first to use both.''


    Master Crest spoke up interrupting Seshwan''s thoughts. "A country in the west beyond Deshan territory studied this in great length the fact that you have both now will defiantly slow your cultivation down. But in combat with practice, you could switch between the two elements quickly to launch solo attacks or defend. You just can''t strengthen your earth with lightning effects like you can with ice and water."


    Seshwan nodded in agreement. "Masters I''d like a combat lightning technique if we have one. I already have my [Tectonic shell] and Guardian knight training so I''d like to learn about being a Striker as well."


    Walter tossed a scroll to Seshwan. "Here Sesh that''s the [Flash] technique that Xerxes learned. As for real combat techniques sadly were fresh out. You''ll need to find a way to manipulate your essence to compensate."


    Seshwan gritted his teeth as he whipped the blood from his face. ''shit I was hoping for some kind of attacking skill or ability. Guess this will do for now.''


    Seshwan cupped his hands as a sign of respect and thanks for the help. "Thank you masters I shall return to training."


    One full week of training had come and gone. Amongst the group, Vanessa and Elise had a level four apprentice essence and had both learned the basics for their new abilities.


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    Colm and Xerxes had not made much progress in cultivation but Colm could now successfully grapple and counter against Xerxes. Which to him was a massive improvement. Seshwan had successfully opened a new path for his cultivation.


    "You children have missions and training to get to in other parts of the country some further than that. Or did you forget? Are you planning to lay around the hall for a month because you had a heist that I''d call mediocre at best?¡± Master DeRosa said as he stepped into the training room. "Sure you completed the job but you broke guild rules and almost got caught. Don''t forget your plan could easily have been foiled by one misstep. You got lucky. Get your jobs completed then you can be lazy."


    Master DeRosa was not one to usually reprimand anyone or even speak up in the first place. As he was a lazy womanizer having him speak about completing a job and training was almost laughable.


    Walter agreed with him, however. "He''s right. Seshwan you still need to notify your uncle you''ll be leaving for a while. And the rest of you need to prepare for your respective journeys. That''s it for training for now."


    "Yes sir."


    The number of people in the training room dwindled till only Colm and Vanessa were left. Colm was packing his kit into a sack and Vanessa sat cross-legged to the side.


    "Hey, Vanessa?"


    "Yes, Colm what would you like?"


    "You¡¯re going with Sesh and Xerxes on their trip right?"


    "Yes, I swore I''d follow Seshwan for a while till my debt is repaid. Why do you ask?"


    "It''s just I have an uneasy feeling and was wondering if you''d like to switch with me. You can stay and train and I''ll accompany Sesh."


    Vanessa stood up her slender frame and modest curves dramatically accented by her training clothes. She wore her hair tied back in a braid. Colm couldn''t help swallow hard while just looking at this deadly beauty. Though for once he looked up from her body and noticed she had pure blue eyes and an eyebrow piercing he had not seen when her hair was down.


    "Colm! Eh!" Vanessa snapped her fingers toward this boy of a man. "Didn''t you hear what I told you? Or am I just that captivating to a boy like you?"


    Colm blinked a moment realizing he had been staring. "Come again?"


    *Sign. "I said I''ll be accompanying those boys. That was the whole purpose of sticking around and these last few days of training. Plus, I''m stronger than you. So I''m sorry but I can¡¯t switch." Vanessa said, all this neither mockingly nor condescendingly.


    "Okay, I understand. Good luck then." Colm collected his pack and left the room.


    Vanessa got cleaned up and changed into her normal wears. With a thought in her head. ''He''s kind of cute when he doesn''t get his way.'' But she quickly shook that idea out of her head.


    Scarlet cove docks


    Seshwan had collected his noble clothing and wears from Walters shack again and had returned to the surface. The air was fresh and clear. He could sense another presence like he had when he was in the sewers this one was not the same. The energy it projected was far away and of a different variety.


    Nearby Walter was leaned against a post waiting for Elise to arrive so they could depart.


    "Hey, Walter I feel a pressure I''ve never felt before on the surface. It''s like the air is heavy. And I can feel a surge of power as I breath?" Seshwan asked confused. He had never experienced this before.


    "Kid I don''t know what you''re talking about I''ve never heard of that before. It could have to do with your naturally formed essence though." Walter rubbed his chin as he thought about Seshwan''s words. "After I return from Commons we will travel through Deshan to the west there''s a country called Solstice out that way that has arch sage rulers that may be able to answer your questions."


    Seshwan nodded "Sounds good. Okay Walter I''m going to head off to uncles to break the news to him and collect equipment for the journey."


    Walter walked over and hugged Seshwan around his waist. ''Wow, he looks like a little kid.'' Seshwan couldn''t help thinking.


    Walter stepped back "It''s customary in the north to have a manly hug before a journey. Then again it''s also customary to sacrifice cows and make their stomachs into instruments soo. Well, whatever has a good trip and stay safe."


    "You too; good luck and stay strong" Seshwan turned and headed up the tiers toward home.


    Walter pause at Seshwan¡¯s farewell. ¡®Nah, he¡¯s just a noble¡¯s brat, he can¡¯t be one of them.¡¯


    City lord¡¯s residence; top tier of Scarlet Cove


    Seshwan approached the home of his uncle. A cathedral-like mansion that towered above all other structures surrounding. This massive estate built of white stone stood as a symbol of power and authority over the city.


    The city lord mansion was the third-largest structure in the city next to Scarlet fortress and the treasure vault, though it was of newer origin. The doorways and windows were boldly accented with modern Tudor arches. The exterior was embellished with many marble pillars lining the walls. A red clay roof had been recently added with the modernization of construction. The use of clay tiles had slowly become more prominent for roofs and cladding homes.


    Seshwan arrived at the main door. A large bronze coated mass that both served as a gate and at a decorative piece. Above the door, depicted in a tile mosaic; a radiant shield. This shield symbolized the royal family''s Guardian hall controlled this residence. The guardian hall served the empire as the strongest defensive force and was unrivalled in their defensive capabilities. The sect¡¯s current master was the emperor¡¯s youngest brother Julius Jade; Seshwan''s uncle and his current guardian.


    Seshwan took a deep breath and pushed the door open with one hand. On a normal day, he could hardly move the door and required aid but his body had begun to change as he cultivated more and more. ''I''ve gotten stronger; ¡®I''ll have to hide this from an uncle or he will become suspicious.''


    Seshwan walked through a massive one hundred square meter courtyard toward the main hall. All around him servants worked weeding gardens and cleaning the many winding pathways.


    One servant stood to meet Seshwan. "Young lord, you''ve been gone a few days the master is furious you must go see him immediately!"


    This servant¡¯s name was Jerome he was a middle ages man, with a weak frail body but he was highly intelligent and keen. His eyes and mind were sharp. The guardian family had employed him to serve as a worker not to work but to ensure the rest of the workers were well treated and no abuse went unreported.


    The empire has always promoted slavery and the employment of serfs. Though they were still humans and deserved some level of respect. Though any demi-humans that were enslaved did not enjoy the same treatments.


    "Thank you Jerome I shall see him at once." Seshwan nodded and continued to the hall to face his uncle.


    Upon entering the main hall Seshwan noticed the serfs were hard at work cleaning the entire hall. The towering marble column and alabaster floors were spotlessly polished and gleamed with radiant lustre.


    "Boy!" A booming voice echoed from the end of the hall. Lord Julius stood next to his throne which he governed from. The hulk of a man wore traditional light armour and robs. With an earth tone tan tint to the light scales on his armour pauldrons.


    In the empire, all active warriors wore a set of white robes with a set of scaled light armour. Even in times of rest and peace, a warrior must be ready at moment¡¯s notice. Another philosophy held by the empire cherishes its martial strength.


    "My dear uncle a pleasure to see you!" Seshwan smiled and bowed his head.


    Seshwan was still in a positive attitude about his recent breakthrough, the last month he had seen the return of his essence and with it his confidence.


    "How dare you? My brothers¡¯ trash son was taken in out of pity. How dare you disappear for more than a week and casually stroll into my hall and greet me! You should be begging for forgiveness." Julius spat as he yelled across the hall.


    Seshwan was once again reminded that this was not a home he could freely leave or return to. He had avoided his uncle while in passing, had him approve the order for a birthday gift that led to the vault being opened.


    Julius calmed himself, "A shipment of goods that were meant to reinforce Blackridge went missing from a secure vault. The acting master of the wardens and the Cloaked hall are sending representatives to investigate the theft. Which means more of your siblings are on their way to visit."


    Seshwan felt as if he had been hit in the stomach by a maul. How was he to know that the empire would send investigators to find the supplies? ''Damn merchants reported it missing instead of covering it up. I guess they aren''t as prideful as I thought.''


    Julius approached Seshwan, walking across the hall. "You look ill. Is it shame you feel knowing you will be facing your brothers no longer as a Jade?"


    Julius leaned in close and meet Seshwan''s gaze. "You''ve shamed the name Tiberius and the reputation of the Guardian sect. I can understand why you''d feel shame."


    Tears began to gather in Seshwan''s eyes as he was relentlessly tormented by his uncle.


    Within Seshwan there had always been an idle ember, a spark of pride he had always tried to hold onto, through his toughest years it endured. That ember had grown with his achievements recently; into a small flame. As the two stared at one another Seshwan felt that flame grow making it more difficult to suppress words within him. Words burned within his throat trying to be free.


    Finally, he couldn¡¯t contain himself. "Uncle, I don''t give a damn about that name or your Guardian hall!"


    Julius without hesitation backhanded Seshwan across the hall. Sending him flying into a column. "Ungrateful trash. Don''t show your face while the young masters are here. Count yourself lucky your mother ordered me to not kill you."


    Seshwan stood as blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. The crumbled stones that shattered from the column when he impacted clattered on the floor all around him. His anger had evolved into an inferno within his essence realms. Though he stood no chance in a fight with his uncle. Seshwan had a newfound resolve to destroy this empire that trampled the weak.


    "Uncle I will not show my face. I came home to only collect my things. I''ll be leaving for an extended period and I may not return. As you''ve said I don¡¯t deserve the name Tiberius so from this day forward I renounce it! As for the investigators I don''t give a damn about who comes if they come looking for me they will not find me. Goodbye uncle" Seshwan stood tall and walked toward the door.


    Julius laughed. "Such hubris to talk like that to me! Good riddance, I hope when you return you''ve learned something in the ways of respect."


    Seshwan at one time couldn¡¯t even stand to utter a word before his uncle. These last few weeks of success had inflated his trampled ego. Reminding him of the days when his mother had praised him as a genius. He had his former life stolen from him, taken by some unknown hand. His confidence had begun to be restored now, Seshwan was sure he could reclaim his status of genius or even better. This coupled with the rage within him would become the driving force into the future.


    ¡®I will destroy this temple you¡¯ve built and created my own in my image.¡¯


    Seshwan collected what he had in the armoury. A suit of medium plate mail pure white with gold trim and black seems. The helmet he left behind. The helmet was created with a golden eagle and a radiant shield. These two things were once a symbol of power for him during his youth now they were nothing more than a mortal reminder.


    Along with the armour, he retrieved a sword and medium iron shield. During this trip, their party would no doubt require a knight if they encountered enemies. Though he liked to sneak and play the rogue, that style didn¡¯t suit him.


    Once all his belongings were collected he set off to meet up with his companions. With one last look, Seshwan walked away from his former life completely.

 Ch 16 Bandits

    Chapter 16


    Outskirts of Scarlet Cove


    Seshwan arrived at the set point for the group to meet up. As he approached, he saw Xerxes lying upon a rock, chewing on a reed and humming a tune that seemed best suited for the choirs of the damned.


    Vanessa and old man Grey were checking over gear and packs in a small covered cart. The party would be traveling for three days by cart to the edge of the Midland swamps, then embark on foot to the demonic forest region to search for Master Kubard.


    Xerxes sat up quickly as Seshwan approached. "Oh, the fearless leader arrives at last. What are you wearing? That''s imperial armour! Do you want us to get killed in midland?"


    Seshwan shrugged as Xerxes questioned him. "It is indeed! I was a noble in the city after all. Of course, I''d have a set of armour like this. As for getting us killed, not likely most people will avoid trouble with us. While we¡¯re on the subject of armours, where did you get yours?"


    Xerxes looked down at his black leather armour. He wore a set of fitted leather and hide armour designed for assassins or scouts that required mobility and stealth over defence. The chest was tightly fit with three straps on either side, covering his ribs. Unlike traditional armour, this had no sleeves; his arms were exposed. Xerxes had equipped a set of black and white leather bracers with an archer''s guard on both arms.


    Xerxes shrugged "When we move through Midland, I''ll be ready to deal with whatever comes. Don''t worry."


    Vanessa finished her check and approached the two having their discussion. "Now boys, I''m sure what you''re wearing is just fine. Can you two check your gear and get in the wagon? I''d like to avoid trading by night as much as possible let''s get a move on."


    Seshwan took a quick look over Vanessa''s gear as he nodded and walked with Xerxes to the cart. She wore a form fitted suit of assassin¡¯s armor. It looked as if it hardly had any thickness to it though it most likely looked weak so opponents would let their guard down or underestimate her. This armour defined the curves of her slender figure, making her even more irresistible to mortal men.


    Seshwan felt a familiar buzz in his head as he heard Xerxes speak. "Sesh, that girl is gorgeous. How do I get a girl that good-looking indebted to me?"


    Xerxes spoke without moving his lips; no one would even know he had transmitted his voice. He had been refining this ventriloquism technique while sparring with Colm for the last week. Seshwan had only just learned how to transmit his voice so he couldn''t risk incurring the wrath of a beauty like Vanessa just to humour a demon like Xerxes.


    Seshwan stowed his kit into the wagon. "Grey, I''ll need you to stay in the city. I need you to wait for the arrival of the two nobles coming from the Cloaked and Warden halls. Collect what you can on these two and whoever''s accompanying them. Send any new information to me via Runner. We will travel to Bivio and wait there till we receive word."


    Grey nodded. "Understood."


    Seshwan spoke again. "Very well. Now that that''s settled, let''s set out. Xerxes, you¡¯re driving first for what you said earlier."


    The three loaded up and set out. Xerxes scowled as he took the reins to get the journey set off. In the wagon, Seshwan sat cross-legged meditating and chanting the [Tectonic Shell] he would use this time to reach level four. Vanessa also used this time to train.


    As Vanessa circulated her essence, small wisps of cloud formed around her body, floating and swirling around as if they had taken on their own will. This was the manifestation of the Mistform Real Guard when not concentrated to an effective use; its natural beauty would be considered a dazzling sight. Fitting for Vanessa.


    Seshwan felt dazed as he sat and watched. The heavy armour made his training more difficult. During their time in the wagon, till they arrived in Midland, he removed the top portion of his armour.


    Seshwan broke himself free from the spell that had drawn his gaze as he dumped out three bags of sand onto the floor around himself.


    He had taken a new approach to his training. He still would chant the phrases of the [Tectonic Shell] as he circulated his essence but he wanted to attempt what others said was impossible. He would train both essences without resistance or backlash on his body.


    For this, he poured out a bag of refined iron flakes and mixed them into each pile of sand. Three equal piles of sand and iron sat within his field of view. He concentrated on forming the sand around him into three pillars of swirling and shifting sand. Miniature sand storms raged trapped within the boundary he controlled with his earth essence.


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    The sand flowed fluidly within the pillars collecting the iron to one central point. From this Seshwan injected his lightning essence into the pillars, though a small amount for now.


    Once he was certain the charge was contained and could be controlled, he slowly used his essence to guide the lightning to the second pillar, Then the third. Finally, after going one full cycle it returned to the tip of his right finger. And reformed his real guard.


    ''Hmm, interesting. The charge did not build or deplete in the transfer. Yes!'' Seshwan rejoiced after his experiment had worked in his favour.


    ''Now I''ll need to find a way to build the charge and transfer it more quickly.'' Seshwan''s results for first-time manipulation boosted his spirits especially since he was manifesting two essences at once. And two that were complete opposites and were known to cause backlash.


    He continued to train through the day. Eight hours passed before Xerxes switched out his seat with Vanessa. He watched Seshwan in amazement as he could see the sand piles take shape and begin to transfer an electrical current in a circuit fluidly. Seshwan even appeared to be hardly focusing on the miniature experiment as it rotated and hummed with energy.


    Though he was controlling the current¡¯s direction and strength now, he continued to circulate slowly and at low power. He had begun to read as he was training.


    Xerxes was extremely jealous of this natural talent. "Do you have to show off?" He asked.


    Seshwan looked up and smiled, but didn''t reply as he returned to his novel.


    Disgruntled by the lack of reply, Xerxes sat on the floor cross legged and arranged his hands into a four-layer folding pattern. As he circulated his lightning through his body the air became heavy. Black and red lighting surged across his skin. Small bolts ran across his shoulders to his hands.


    Xerxes had recently achieved apprentice level five and was on the doorstep of the journeyman''s stage. Though his demonic nether essence was boosting his cultivation, he still primarily focused on achieving a higher level for his human essence.


    Though Xerxes joked around frequently, something fundamental was apparent to everyone around him. He may act harsh and like he doesn''t give a damn but under that grim scowl he normally sports, he wants to try his hardest to compete with Seshwan and the others. He has started down a road that only hard work and determination will help him on.


    They travelled long into the afternoon, the sun was low as the party approached the border of the Jade Empire. Without warning the wagon came to an abrupt halt, causing Seshwan to lose focus and his sand pillars collapsed.


    Vanessa called into the back of the covered wagon. "Sesh! Xerxes! Get out here!"


    A deep and rough voice shouted outside. "Woman, shout your mouth and give us your cargo!"


    Xerxes and Seshwan exploded out of the back of the wagon. It was late day and the sun had begun to set.


    All around them were men dressed in rags and some shabby pieces of armour, numbering close to twenty-five in total. A few had swords that looked as if they hadn''t seen the touch of a Smith in a decade. Others wielded makeshift clubs and poorly crafted bows.


    "Bandits! Great, just what we need!" Xerxes sighed heavily. "Sesh, let me take care of these jesters."


    Xerxes stepped forward.


    "No there are too many for just you." Seshwan countered as he finished buckling the clasps on his cuirass. He had not equipped his shoulder pauldrons before climbing out of the wagon.


    Vanessa moved toward the pair, daggers drawn and looking ready for a fight. "Uh guys, these bandits demanded our surrender. What''s your take on that?"


    Seshwan paused and spoke aloud to the bandits surrounding them. "Gentlemen! We mean you no harm. Though if you continue to bar our path, I cannot promise my companions will continue to show you mercy. You have till the sun sets to be gone. Trust me, it''s in your best interest to listen."


    One bandit stepped up. This bandit wore the most complete set of armor and had a great sword. He stood a full two meters and was built with a large frame.


    "My name is Grackus, Leader of the Silver Moon Bandits. Pay the toll and give up supplies or you will die."


    Xerxes smiled at Grackus. "Unfortunate."


    Seshwan felt a warm buzz in his ear as Xerxes relayed his voice to Seshwan. "These guys are all essence-less trash. Grackus is the only user in this group and he only feels like a level three apprentice. I can take them. If you want, support me. Regardless, I''m going to take action if they do."


    Seshwan nodded in agreement. He had no other choice. Surrender wasn''t an option.


    Grackus shrugged. "Well, fuck it. Get them, boys!"


    "Dibs on the woman!" One of the bandits shouted.


    "I saw her first!"


    "No way, she''s mine"


    Seshwan laughed when he heard their squabbles as they charged. ''Xerxes better hurry and attack or Vanessa will kill them all first.''


    The three activated their essences. Seshwan took up a front-line position with his shield and longsword. Xerxes drew his bow as he underwent his physical change. The air became thick with blood lust behind Seshwan. Xerxes¡¯ irises became demonic slits as red lightning enveloped his body and surged through his arms into his bow.


    A bolt of arc light formed around the first arrow. Upon releasing the shot, the arrow launched like a bolt of black and red lightning into the attacking group, exploding and scattering limbs and bodies around the impact zone for three meters. Five men were either killed or badly maimed.


    A second shot was released followed by a third and a fourth. By the time the first fighter reached Seshwan only ten opponents were still standing.


    Seshwan allowed the first strikes to land on his shield before answering with a crushing counterattack enhanced by his training and heavy-weighted real guard. The long sword in his hand struck with the force of two-handed mauls, cleaving the closest bandit in two.


    Seshwan continued to block and counter as Xerxes switched to a knife and backward-gripped dagger. Using his energy to enhance his movements he engaged the remaining bandits. Three teamed up but met their fate as he sidestepped, dodged, or parried their strikes. He was delivering swift counter attacks after each motion, aiming for vitals with deadly precision. In a matter of seconds, twenty-five men had become five.


    Three bowmen had retreated to try and attack from a distance. Once they had sufficient distance from the danger, they dropped their guards and drew back their arrows. Before the first could release the missile, his bowstring snapped and blood trickled down his chest soaking his cloth tunic. The other two, confused by what they had only barely seen, quickly blinked to try and focus their vision. They turned to see their comrade choking on his blood from a slash across his throat.


    Almost as if materializing out of the air a blade appeared and ended another archer. The third fell to his knees in terror. "Don''t kill me!" he cried.


    Vanessa''s silhouette appeared standing before him. She knelt and grabbed the man by the throat. She raised his head and applied pressure to his windpipe. "I believe you claimed dibs on the woman? Here is am. I''m all yours." She smiled while increasing her grip on his throat. Within minutes the man went limp. "Huh, I guess you couldn''t handle me. Your loss."


    Grackus was soon standing all alone in a sea of blood and limbs. As his men bled and clawed to keep the life that was slipping away from them.


    ''I''ve made a huge mistake and the boss will be mad I lost so many guys. I better get out of here!'' Grackus thought.


    Xerxes stepped slowly toward the lone survivor. "Hey, mate. You''re next."


    As Xerxes increased his steps Grackus broke out in a cold sweat. To save himself now was the time to run. Grackus turned tail and sprinted off toward the woods.


    "Should I chase that guy?" Xerxes asked.


    "No, let him go. Let him warn the other bandits to not mess with us. Let''s put some of these guys out of their misery. Collect anything that we can fence at the next city." Seshwan commanded as he cleaned the blood off his equipment.


    ''Well, that could have been worse. A good start to this new quest of ours.'' Seshwan thought as he collected his effects.

 Ch 17 Night Raven

    The Imperial trade route; Midland


    Seshwan loaded his equipment into the wagon after another small skirmish with bandits along the road.


    They had been travelling a few days now and were approaching a city. They were being attacked more and more frequently though.


    "Xerxes, what all did we collect from these bandits?"


    Xerxes walked around to each of the corpses of the slain bandits, picking up scraps from each. "Nothing from these guys either? Seriously not a single Denarii to speak of." He let out a loud sigh as he collected an article from each body.


    "What are you taking from them?" Vanessa noticed Xerxes was up to something after the last battle as well.


    "I''m collecting index fingers," Xerxes said without looking up from his work.


    Vanessa went pale as if she''d be sick. "That''s disgusting! Why would you do that!"


    Xerxes glanced up toward Vanessa and Seshwan. "If any of these bastards have a bounty, I plan to cash in on them. I don''t know about you two, but I''m broke and when we get to the city I''d like to have a Smith look at my weapons! Maybe buy food?"


    Vanessa and Seshwan exchanged glances. As sick as it sounded, he had a point. They had spent what money they had to gather food and buy the horses for this trip.


    Seshwan was still arranging equipment as Xerxes finished his task.


    "Hey Seshwan, what''s the supplies situation!?" Xerxes shouted.


    "I''d say we have enough for today. However, after today, we will be out of food. Not to mention, we¡¯re almost out of fresh water." Seshwan rummaged through canteens and casks trying to find one with liquid content before sighing heavily. "Never mind we''re out of water."


    Vanessa let out a sigh as well. Since they entered Midland the air has become noticeably more humid, as the land was primarily forest and marshland. "We can resupply in the city. Let¡¯s get a move on."


    A few short hours later, near the end of the afternoon, the party arrived at the first city across the imperial borders: Night Raven. The city was a waystation for all trade caravans traveling to and from the Imperial territory to the trade hub of Midland, Gaeta. From Gaeta, all trade would go to its respective territory. Every country and territory traded through major trade hubs like Gaeta, though it was the only completely neutral trade hub because the city was owned by the Continental Merchants Alliance (CMA). All trade guilds are registered and protected by the CMA across the continent. Small cities like Night Raven serve as safe rest spots and a place to resupply along the nearly week-long road between cities.


    The city¡¯s streets were buzzing with lively activity as carriages pulled by horses, Libero-wolves and massive Takin rolled along the streets heading to and from the city. Many with armed guard companies riding alongside them as protection no doubt.


    "Wow, this city sure is lively for the evening!" Vanessa exclaimed as she moved from the rear of the wagon to the front with Seshwan. "We will need to stable the horses and find an inn to stay in for the evening."


    Xerxes poked his head up front from behind. "I know a good inn that¡¯s cheap. But first, let¡¯s see if I can cash in on those bandits. It will make it easier to get a room if I''m not carrying these around." Xerxes said laughingly as he held up a sack dripping with blood.


    "By the gods you''re disgusting!" Vanessa shouted as she slapped Xerxes hand, causing him to almost fumble the sack.


    "Hey now! I take offence to that!" Xerxes said with a smile.


    "If the both of you can¡¯t get along, I¡¯ll sell you both to a slaver." Seshwan cut in before they could continue their argument.


    "Sell me if you can, but I¡¯ll take your head first" Xerxes smirked. Though Seshwan had been joking, Xerxes had taken the comment as completely hostile, allowing it to show on his face.


    "Man, you¡¯re dramatic. Just go to the guard post and check the bounty wall. We will stabilize the cart and horses." Seshwan pointed toward a stone construction down the road with guards posted out front.


    "Awe, I was just starting to have fun!" Xerxes laughed.


    "Go now! You cut on defeated and fallen enemies. So get this over with!" Seshwan said firmly as he began to lose his patience with this childish demon.


    Xerxes leaned toward the edge of the cart with a distressed look. As he sighed heavily he began to step off. "Yes, Moooom."


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Xerxes dropped to the street and headed up the road to investigate the guard post.


    Within a few hours, the horses were stabled, the cart was stored, and Xerxes had returned to meet Vanessa and Seshwan at the tavern, Raven¡¯s Hollow.


    The Raven''s Hollow was located across from the stables, no more than one hundred meters from the front gates of the city. The tavern was small and made primarily of solid wooden beams set into a stone foundation. Sandwiched on both sides by towering buildings, the meek tavern was no more the two stories tall, appearing rather plain among the city¡¯s newer structures.


    Xerxes entered and was immediately met with hostility; "Boy you dare to show your face around here!" a thunderous voice boomed from the second-level balcony.


    A tall man leaning on the railing glared at the young man who stood in the doorway in a cold sweat.


    "Ha-ha Edwin! Nice to see you..." Xerxes eventually recollected his calm demeanour enough to laugh.


    "Nice to see me?!? Last time we met you robbed me blind. But now devil, I¡¯ll make you pay!" Edwin walked slowly down the wooden staircase and across the tavern to Xerxes.


    Within the tavern, all the patrons were puzzled as to what was transpiring before them. Vanessa and Seshwan just ignored the situation, staying seated at a corner table.


    "What do you think he did to piss a guy like that off?" Seshwan asked.


    "No doubt something he believed he would never need to answer for." Vanessa sighed as she rolled her eyes. ''Hopefully, he can just pay the guy off without an issue.''


    By now Edwin had Xerxes by the neck and lifted him from the floor.


    "Edwin listen to me; I can pay you back! I''ve got a few hundred denarii right here!" Xerxes said with a smile. "No need to get handsy," he continued.


    "Like I''d trust your word again demon. I¡¯ll take your head as payment." Edwin said as he tightened his grip.


    Seshwan let out a loud sigh as he stood and slammed his hands to the surface of the table. "Ugh come on! Seriously Xerxes? Stop messing with this guy. I¡¯d like to get a room before the night''s over!" Seshwan had lost patience for games. Though Edwin was a stronger and larger man, he was hardly a match for Xerxes. Seshwan could sense Edwin was about the level 4 apprentice stage.


    "Fine!" Xerxes sighed.


    Xerxes grabbed hold of Edwin''s arms firmly and delivered a hard knee straight into his abdomen. Edwin dropped to the floor writhing in pain so much so that he couldn¡¯t muster the strength to get a word out between heaving breaths.


    Seshwan walked over and bent down to face Edwin. "Sorry for my companion¡¯s rude behaviour, but you will take what he owes you and not interfere in our matters again. If you do, I guarantee you, I will be the one to put you in a state far worse than this."


    Xerxes produced a sack of gold coins stamped with imperial insignia. He counted out three hundred denarii and dropped them to the floor next to Edwin.


    Seshwan stood and motioned for the door. "Now let¡¯s get out of here. We''ve overstayed our welcome."


    The three departed the tavern. As they did two guards stood from the bar and approached Edwin. "Sir, it''s best to not assault other individuals in public places. For that, we will be seizing those coins as evidence and you¡¯re going to spend a few nights in a cell to cool your head."


    The guards scooped up the wheezing man and escorted him out of the tavern


    Within an hour of leaving Raven¡¯s Hollow tavern, the trio arrived at the doorstep of a small run-down shop on a back street. A sign hung above the door that read "Ramshackle Grove". The little shack was a sad single story wooden hut, its roof sagging at its peak. The windows were dark and the structure looked abandoned.


    "This is the inn?" Vanessa sneered as she examined the exterior.


    "Yep, let¡¯s go inside!" Xerxes seemed to be overjoyed since they arrived for no apparent reason.


    "Don¡¯t worry, Vanessa. Walter¡¯s shack was a dump on the outside but not so bad within. Maybe this will be the same." Seshwan added as they opened the door.


    Within the shack, it was no more promising than the first impression. The ceilings were rotted and water dripped from some hidden space above. The floors were extremely worn. As Seshwan stepped through the threshold, his armour''s weight bowed the floor to the point of minor stress fracturing. No lamps were lit within, only the dim light of the now-rising moon lit the space through the door and windows.


    "Hey! Clyve! It''s Xerx, get your ass out here and greet your guests!" Xerxes shouted into the dark.


    A moment later, a small child carrying a lantern climbed a set of steps from the cellar.


    "Big Brother Xerxes! You¡¯ve returned!" The boy shouted as he ran over and hugged Xerxes around his waist.


    "Hey you little shit, you''re not going to get anyone to come in here without the lights on," Xerxes said as he ignited a small ball of light on his fingertip, using it to light other lamps within reach.


    Xerxes turned toward the others "Oh! Sesh, Vanessa, I¡¯d like you to meet Clyve, my younger brother. Clyve, these are my companions: Seshwan and Vanessa."


    "WHAT!? No way, not true, can¡¯t be." Vanessa shouted in shock, horrified that this little child could be related to this man.


    Xerxes broke his smiling expression into a scowl, "What do you mean? Of course, it¡¯s true! My mother was originally from Night Raven. This was her inn. And Clyve here is my half-brother; he''s pure-blood human."


    Seshwan scratched the back of his head as he thought about the likelihood of Xerxes just taking advantage of a street kid. ''He could be using this kid for his gain. But if that was the case, he probably wouldn¡¯t be so friendly with him. This seems to genuine.''


    As more lamps were lit and the fire place ignited, Seshwan could clearly see the features of this child. Dark brown eyes, pale white skin and dark black hair. The two truly did look like siblings. Though this boy was no more than six years old, making Xerxes nearly twelve or more years older.


    Once the inn was lit up, it had a cryptic and rundown yet homely feel to it. The group sat down at a large wooden table next to the fireplace.


    "Xerxes I meant to ask you if you got anything for the bandits we killed on the road?" Seshwan asked as he retrieved a book from his bag and opened it.


    "Oh yeah, get this! Grackus and his guys have a rep around here. There''s a bounty of nearly one thousand Denarii! And ten denarii for each of his men we defeat."


    "Mom would be mad if she knew you were bounty hunting again!" Clyve shouted.


    Xerxes scoffed. "Kid I need money and so do you so shut up. I know mom would be upset but what else can I do?"


    Vanessa, reluctant to take Xerxes¡¯ side, agreed "Xerxes is right. We don¡¯t have a lot of money at the moment and it¡¯s the easiest way to get more for us well we travel."


    Seshwan raised a finger while reading. "Now now, that just isn''t true. We could escort a caravan for money and kill bandits that way. Not bounty hunting; just doing our jobs at that point. That¡¯s how I''d justify it to my mother."


    "Ugh, but guarding a caravan is boring." Xerxes pouted as he leaned over, dropping his chin into his hands. "But you''re right. Mom wouldn¡¯t want me killing just ¡®cause it¡¯s fun." Xerxes continued as he used his free hand to mess up Clyve¡¯s hair.


    "Eh, stop that!" Clyve smacked Xerxes'' arm away. "Don¡¯t treat me like a little kid."


    "Hate to break it to you squirt, but you are a kid. And till mom gets back I¡¯ll do as I please to annoy you.¡± Xeroxes'' pushed Clyve over off of his chair. Causing them both to laugh.


    Vanessa watched the two boys messing around and leaned over to Seshwan, "I still don¡¯t believe this is Xerxes. He''s smiling and not completely unbearable!"


    "I know right? But I''m wondering more where their mom''s gone too." Seshwan replied without looking up from his book.


    Clyve stopped playing with Xerxes and looked at Seshwan, "Mister? Do you know where your mother is at present?"


    Seshwan stopped reading and froze. "I''m not sure where she is at present. Though I assume it¡¯s more pleasant than when she was with me."


    "Mister, do you worry about her even though you don¡¯t know where she is?" Clyve stared directly into Seshwan''s eyes.


    Seshwan felt tears well up in his right eye; "I can¡¯t say I worry all that much. I trust she''s well and going to be taken care of."


    "That¡¯s how I feel too. I don¡¯t know where she goes but I''m sure she''s okay and is being provided for." Clyve smiled.


    Seshwan wiped his eye before the tear could fall; "You''re probably right." Seshwan quickly changed subjects to avoid questions. "Now guys. We need to decide about tomorrow. We will be leaving for Lynwood next. And we need money. I brought up the idea of guarding a caravan cause we could easily turn a profit. We won''t need to supply ourselves and we will no doubt run into more bandits. So I see this as the best possible option."


    "Yeah, that''ll work for us." Xerxes and Vanessa nodded.


    "Then let¡¯s get some rest and prepare for tomorrow." Seshwan stood up from the table and headed into one of the side rooms closing the door behind him.


    Vanessa sat up awhile longer with Xerxes and Clyve as they caught up. She listened as they talked about all the adventures Xerxes had since he had stopped by last.

 C18 An Evening in Ramshackle

    Night Raven, Midland


    The night grew darker and Seshwan had gone to his separate room apart from the others. Clyve and Xerxes could be heard in the main room making a ruckus till the late hours, long after everyone turned in for a night¡¯s rest.


    In the separate room, isolated and concealed, Seshwan lit a candle and began to cover the old dry rotten desk with books and tomes he had brought along from the Geohmn crypt. All these texts spoke of the Dragons that defended the land against tyrannical rulers in great times of despair. The dragon of the East in ancient times swore an oath to defend humanity when they were in their darkest hours.


    While his twin, the Dragon of the West, would serve as the alternative if humanity was beyond redemption.


    Seshwan laid out the sword he had acquired at the vault in Scarlet Cove.  He began pouring over the ancient texts.


    ''I wonder If these are serious about Drax being the dragon that will end the world?''


    "You know as long as you¡¯re the owner of the sword I can hear your thoughts, right?" Drax spoke up for the first time since Scarlet Cove.


    "You nearly scared me to death man! Though your timing is perfect; I was just wondering how I''m supposed to communicate with you." Seshwan didn''t need to speak so instead he spent the idle energy on Researching the dragon stone.


    -The dragon stone. The physical bond between the dragon and the weapon they embody. The dragon¡¯s sword cannot be drawn without the stones being bound to an owner and inserted into the weapon.


    -Be advised the dragons must never be released from their oaths. If one were to become free and reincarnate, calamity would befall mankind. -


    "Well the text is helpful if I was looking for information about the rituals or the history but I can''t find anything on what the stones look like or where it is. You¡¯re sure it wasn''t on the corpse of Lord Geohmn?" Seshwan openly spoke, expecting an answer from someone.


    "The stones are not normal jewels. They are a living link for myself and any other dragons in this form. So, the imagination of the craftsmen dictates the design of the stone. Making it easier to hide the stones in plain sight." Drax was also pondering where the stone may be.


    The original craftsmen in ancient times never revealed what the true stones looked like.


    ''Hiding in plain sight? Hmmm,'' Seshwan pondered for a while. He drew out one of the gold coins from the crypt. There were twenty-five pieces in total and everyone possessed remarkable craftsmanship for normal coins.


    "What''s that coin!?" Drax exclaimed. Rolling black smoke poured out of the swords as Drax took his physical form and snatched the coin from Seshwan.  "You fool!"


    "That''s not nice and I was examining that! Give it back." Seshwan swiped his hand toward Drax¡¯s back only to be met by a spectral form that he passed through, temporarily disrupting the dragon¡¯s image.


    "Those damn fools! Geohmn must have had the stone split and reformed into these damn coins. I can feel the energy coming from that coin. If only we had the rest!" Drax flipped the coin back to Seshwan.


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    "Uh, you mean like these twenty-four others I have here?" Seshwan placed the stack on the desktop.


    "Boy, I''d kiss you if I could. But I won''t, ¡®cause that''s gross. All we need is a Smith able to refine the stone and reform it! Then Seshwan, you will be able to unleash my power upon the world!" Drax laughed.


    "First off, you¡¯re gross for thinking such things. Second, I doubt anyone we know will gladly forge us a dragon stone just if we ask. Especially if they know how dangerous it will be after it¡¯s done. I''ve been reading a lot about you Drax. You and Sol.


    ¡°Your sword wielders laid waste to thousands in ancient times! Usually,  on a whim, they may be connected to the imperial occupation forces. If I release you, we are going to form a new contract. Before we go collect Sol¡¯s blade." Seshwan looked up from his books after citing his sources.


    "Seems fair. Beats being bored doing nothing in a tomb. *yawn* well I''m going back to sleep. Wake me up when we do the forging."


    "Drax that may not be for months or even years." Seshwan stared, shocked at the length this old dragon wanted to sleep.


    "In the eyes of an immortal years are like seconds. You ever wondered how the world was created in seven days when time wasn''t a concept yet? What seemed like a day to us would be millennia for beings with your lifespan.¡±


    With that, Drax dispersed into the air again.


    Seshwan breathed a sigh of relief ''Geez that old guy¡¯s a real pain in the butt when he''s awake. I hope it''s not always like this.''


    Seshwan had a lead on the dragon stones and his mind could now focus on training rather than deciphering ancient texts and dealing with the looming threat of having a dragon in his back pocket.


    As Seshwan began to pack away his texts and do some training, a knock came at the door. Xerxes entered before Seshwan had a moment to answer.


    "Is there an issue?" Seshwan asked, confused as to why Xerxes had come to see him at this hour.


    ¡°Nothing¡¯s wrong with me. Vanessa asked me to come talk to you¡± Xerxes said, he walked in and sat on a stool in the corner.


    ¡°Why would she ask you to do that?¡±


    ¡°I imagine it has to do with earlier. You know because, at the smallest mention of your mother, you nearly broke down. I respect you as a companion whom I must travel with but, when Clyve spoke of our mother and asked you about yours, I lost what respect I had for you. You looked as if you were completely broken by a child. I''m not the only person to notice the small things.¡± Xerxes said crossing his arms.


    Seshwan thought back again, reminded of the painful memories surrounding his childhood. The memories of his home life just a few years before where he was surrounded by loved ones. All of that was gone now. He could never face his father or his brothers. He would never be able to see his mother¡¯s loving smile or feel her warm embrace. As his mind flipped through his memories a tear rolled down his face.


    Seshwan wiped the tear away. ¡°Xerxes I¡¯ll ask you once to not mention my childhood to me. You, or anyone else, have no idea what has happened to me and cannot possibly imagine or know how I feel.¡±


    Xerxes had previously been annoyed by Seshwan''s attitude. That tear nearly pushed him over the edge.


    Xerxes scoffed before he stood and punched Seshwan in the back of the head. ¡°Face your pain, you fucking wimp! Do you think the world is so unfair to only you? That no one gets you? I¡¯m sure that¡¯s how you truly feel and I¡¯m sure you¡¯d love everyone¡¯s pity, but you won¡¯t get mine. In that other room is a young child who I haven¡¯t seen in months and won¡¯t see again for a long time. He lives in this dump because he was abandoned by our mother! But he won¡¯t cry even though we both know she isn¡¯t coming back for him. It¡¯s disgusting that you think your life''s so much worse than the others around you.¡±


    Seshwan rubbed the back of his head as he thought about Clyve. The boy¡¯s mother was an exiled human servant from the demon clans. She was more than likely marked and would be hunted for the rest of her life by holy knights. The likelihood of her returning was slim.


    ¡°Xerxes I don¡¯t want your pity, though if you knew what had happened to me during my childhood, I think you¡¯d reconsider your words. I¡¯m a noble who was exiled from my home and one day I will return there to reclaim what I lost. You¡¯re right; I can¡¯t let my pain hold me down.¡± Seshwan¡¯s expression turned dark as he spoke.


    Xerxes sat back down, ¡°There it is, that¡¯s the look I¡¯ve come to know in your eyes. That burning fire of hatred. Someone someday will satisfy that bloodlust." Xerxes tossed a light kick to the back of Seshwan''s chair. "So you know; if you ever break down like that again in front of me or anyone else be sure you¡¯re prepared to face consequences. I don¡¯t like wimps and neither does Kubard.¡±


    ¡°One day Xerxes, I¡¯ll explain my whole story to you, perhaps then you¡¯ll understand me better. Also, let¡¯s get something clear: I don¡¯t particularly like you Xerxes.¡±


    ¡°The feeling mutual¡±


    ¡°You prick. Regardless, I appreciate you knocking some sense into me.¡±


    ¡°Anytime.¡±


    The serious emotional tone hung in the air for what felt like hours. Both parties sat in silence staring at one another.


    Seshwan cracked a smile before speaking; ¡°If you don¡¯t like me, why not tell Vanessa to come see me like you normally would?¡±


    Xerxes rolled his head to the left looking away from Seshwan. ¡°Fuck off, don¡¯t get any ideas, I wasn¡¯t concerned¡±.


    ¡°Sure you weren¡¯t bud¡± Seshwan mockingly added.


    ¡°Vanessa asked me to check in on you; she was worried. I¡¯m mostly doing this for her sake.¡±


    ¡°Oh? You got a thing for Vanessa that I¡¯ve somehow missed?¡±


    ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t?!? Even a blind man could see she¡¯s hot! Have you not seen her?! Plus, she¡¯s good with kids and can cook! I mean complete package!¡±


    Seshwan dropped his head into his hands as Xerxes stood up and made some thrusting motions with his hips.


    ¡°Get the hell out of here. Go get some sleep¡± Seshwan laughed.


    As Xerxes was leaving, Seshwan looked toward the door and added, ¡°Though we have our differences, thank you for this Xerxes.¡±


    Xerxes didn¡¯t reply but exited silently.

 C19 A New Commander

    Jade Empire; Scarlet cove


    Along the road approaching Scarlet Cove, nearly a thousand men marched with cavalry accompaniment. Ranks and files of men marched in step, their cadence shaking the ground in the surrounding area.


    At the head of the company rode Major Titus Jade, Commanding Officer of the Disciplinary Force of the Imperial Military. Along with his usual honour guard and officers, he was closely followed by his loyal second-in-command, Captain Darius Grizwalt.


    "My lord, we''ve arrived at the walls of Scarlet Cove; how would you like us to proceed?" A scout returning from his forward patrol reported.


    "Your men can sweep the area one last time. Even then, I will have you rejoin the main force at Fort Blackridge." Titus ordered.


    "Yes, my lord."


    Titus looked toward his men following him.


    "All noncommissioned members will split their sections into squads and enter the city. Report to the keep and wait for orders from your commanding officers. All officers will now accompany me and Captain Darius to meet General Julius of the Guardian Hall. You have your orders; disperse."


    The column of soldiers halted and in unison replied. "As the Emperor wills it!"


    Titus rode on, accompanied by ten other officers toward the gates; they''d have to enter in the city through the lower tiers and ascend to the higher tiers.


    The Guardian Hall¡¯s mansion was the largest in the city. Its lord also held the title Master of the Guardian Hall. That lord was Titus'' uncle, General Julius Jade, brother to his father Emperor Tiberius Jade.


    Before he entered the main grounds, he directed his officers to where their briefings would be handled. Darius would ensure all information was passed along to them from the knight commander and the stationed holy knights of the city.


    ¡°Sir if they don¡¯t comply, am I permitted to obtain the information through my means?¡± Darius asked.


    ¡°My god man! Try going one day without killing people¡­¡± Titus cracked a smile toward Darius ¡°I¡¯m just kidding. But seriously you¡¯re too ¡®torture happy¡¯. They will comply; not one of these Guardians are stupid enough to resist the Wardens. Even if they do, the Seekers will find the truth through their means; if those men want to live, they won¡¯t lie to us.¡± Titus reassured him.


    ¡°Yes sir. After the briefing, I will ensure all preparations are made for the investigation.¡±


    ¡°Very good Darius. I will see you after I meet with General Julius¡± Titus said. He walked off toward the main hall separate from his escorting officers.


    Titus entered the main hall. To his surprise, a large portion of the hall was busy with masons repairing a wall along with a column. The damage was nearly completely repaired.


    "Titus!" A familiar voice shouted from across the hall.


    Titus turned around to see his uncle approaching with a younger man to his right. The younger man was a slender man with dark hair and clear bright eyes. He gave off an air of nobility.


    "Cousin Quintus, Uncle Julius! it''s been far too long." Titus said


    "Indeed it has been too long. Look how you''ve grown!" Julius praised Titus.


    "It''s good to see you again so soon cousin," Quintus followed up with Julius.


    "Ah yes, we recently met up on the border with Deshan. Sadly, our meeting was cut short. Uncle, before we get to business may I ask what became of Tiberius? Is he not joining us?" Titus asked.


    Julius felt his blood boil as he thought back to the events of the week prior before sternly saying; "No, your brother has decided to leave the city of his own accord. I''m uncertain of when he will return."


    Titus frowned he had looked forward to possibly meeting with his younger brother. They hadn''t spoken for some time since he was sent to live and train with Julius.


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    ''I wonder if he made progress in his training in these few years. I should have made more of an effort to come see him.'' Titus thought.


    "Well then let''s get to business. A large quantity of essential cultivation items has been somehow stolen from the merchant guild¡¯s treasure vaults. Young master Kronos sent the Wardens and Seekers to investigate the crime. So from here on, in my city, you boys will have full access to all information and free reign to investigate however you see fit." Julius explained as he cupped his hands.


    ''This old dog just wants us young guys to do all the work while he sits back and relaxes. I wonder if he still plans on trying to surpass father.'' Titus thought the idea of such a thing was laughable.


    In his younger years Julius, had tried to fight for control of the throne and lost a fight that ended his regular military service. The loss had been at the hands of Tiberius, his younger brother, now the glorious Jade Emperor.


    "I assure you uncle, the Warden hall will locate and recover every pill that was stolen," Titus reassured him.


    "Uncle Julius,  Titus and I will take our leave. Our men are back at the garrison and will require orders sooner than later. Please excuse us." Quintus cupped his hands and bowed before walking toward the door.


    "Sadly, Quintus is right. We can catch up another time uncle. I will take my leave." Titus said respectfully as he bowed and followed Quintus out of the hall.


    After walking to the edge of the property Quintus let out a sigh. "God, that old man''s boring. Not to mention he knew we were to arrive today. What''s with that main hall? The place looks like it was trashed recently."


    "Quin, you''ve always been a picky guy but don''t sweat small stuff like the appearance of the hall. He probably had an issue he''d rather we didn''t know about." Titus replied as he stepped through the massive bronze gates and headed toward the stables.


    As Titus walked, he retrieved a hand rolled cigarette from an interior pocket in his breastplate. The tip of his finger ignited into a small scarlet tongue that licked the end of the cigarette igniting the paper into a cherry flame.


    With a deep breath, the small cherry tip brightened and burned away the herb within. Releasing a massive cloud of smoke when he exhaled Titus looked up towards the sky.


    ''Sesh where did you go off to? Perhaps he didn''t know I was coming to visit?''


    Titus'' thoughts were quickly disrupted by a blade nearly skimming the side of his face.


    "Your back¡¯s wide open cuz. You should be more careful." Quintus laughed as he threw another knife.


    Titus rotated and caught the blade of the knife. "Quinn, I don''t have time for this playing around. Not here. After we finish this job and arrive at Blackridge, then I''ll fight you."


    "Oh come on Titus. Or should I say, Devlin?" Quintus laughed mockingly.


    Titus dropped his arms to his side as heat began to rise from his body. Steam rolled off his shoulders as he gritted his teeth.


    "You bastard! Don''t call me that. I''m not in the mood to play with you, Quinn! Don''t piss me off." Titus burned down the rest of his cigarette trying to calm down.


    "What are you going to do about it?" Quin mocked again. Smiling toward Titus, ¡°Jade Devil, hm? What are you going to do?¡±


    "That''s it! You¡¯re a dead man!" Titus roared.


    Titus'' arms exploded with heat as he ignited his real guards. Both arms splintered with large cracks appearing in his red-hot skin. Steam and fire poured out, engulfing his arms and torso completely in a raging inferno.


    "That''s more like it Dev! Come at me!" Quintus shouted. Quintus also activated his real guards and wind rushed in from all around as Quintus lunged forward.


    Titus didn''t move an inch as Quintus approached at great speed.


    "Wind still can''t hope to defeat my flames," Titus spoke quietly under his breath as he took in a deep breath.


    [Dragon¡¯s Rage]


    [God Adjudicator]


    [Holy Seal] Activate.


    White scales covered Titus'' skin. Covering his entire body in an armour of scale and light. Fire escapes out of any small gaps.


    The temperature of the area rose sharply to sweltering. The grass along the sides of the path withered and became ash. A burst of essence sent out from Titus hit Quintus who had nearly reached his target; Sending him flying back a few meters.


    "Damn! I thought I could close the gap before you equipped your holy blessings. I guess you finally learned the [Dragon¡¯s Rage]. That''s very impressive. Well, it would be, if I had sat dormant this year since we fought last." Quintus laughed.


    He truly was enjoying himself. There was very little Quintus liked more than fighting his brothers and cousins.


    "Get a load of my new technique." He smirked.


    [Sonic blast] Quintus dropped into a low stance building up essence before blasting forward with explosive speed. He appeared four meters behind Titus with a knife drawn in his hand.


    Titus felt a warm sensation in his neck. Blood flowed out from under his scales.


    "You managed to land a hit. That''s impressive Quin. But that''s enough messing around, I''ll end this now." Titus said as he shifted into an attack stance.


    "Bring it! I''m a Journeyman Level Five. I''m not scared of you anymore." Quintus smiled.


    Titus took a step forward as his foot hit the ground he appeared directly in front of Quintus, landing a solid punch to his abdomen.


    ''He just closed the four-meter gap faster than I could see! How?'' Quintus'' mind raced as he collapsed to the ground.


    [Realguard deactivate]


    Titus squatted next to Quintus.


    "Your arrogance cost you that fight. You¡¯re a wind essence user. Attack like you mean it from the start or don''t bother. An assassin loses the moment the element of surprise is lost in a one-on-one with a striker, your only hope is to surprise them. Though props to you for putting me with your energy. I know that blade was just a bluff to confuse me¡­. Okay. Class dismissed, I''ll see you over at the barracks once you muster the strength to get up." Titus finished speaking. He stood and continued down the road to the stable, drawing out another cigarette out and lighting it as he disappeared.


    A few hours later Quintus rolled to his stomach and propped himself up against a wall.


    "Fuck that hurt! I guess that''s why he''s the commander for this mission." Quintus said to himself. ¡°Better stop sitting here feeling sorry for myself over a small fight.¡±


    Scarlet Cove Guard garrison


    Titus had arrived at the main guard barracks for the castle garrison. Darius had already set to unpacking the equipment and setting their men to the tasks previously laid out for them.


    ¡°Sir! Are you wounded? Your neck is bleeding.¡± Darius inquired.


    ¡°This is nothing, Darius. Just got into a scuffle with an old rival who insists on continuing to pester me.¡± Titus sighed as he climbed down off his horse.


    The end of Titus¡¯ index finger lit up red as he applied heat to the wound. Sealing the wound as he traced around the laceration on his neck.


    ¡°Sir, cauterizing will leave scars. Use a bandage please.¡± Darius scolded.


    ¡°Who are you? My mother? If I have the ability to stop the bleeding, then why not?¡± Titus mocked.


    ¡°Well actually sir, if I were¡­¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Darius. I know.¡± Titus cut Darius off.


    Within the Scarlet keep the Wardens had set up temporary barracks and settled into their new home. The garrison also welcomed the men from the Cloaked hall, a small group of only ten men had come with Quintus. Unlike the Wardens, they didn¡¯t wear armors or crests. These men wore dark grey cloth garbs marked with a black strip on the sleeve.


    Quintus commanded a small unit of assassins; though small they were all experts in their fields. Sabotage, murder, torture, etc. If the Specters were the eyes of the empire under General Knox and the Wardens were the right arm commanded by General, then the Cloaked hall was the left hand behind its back ready to strike. Their master General Minos was a god of death on the battlefield, all his followers reflected his teachings in their steely gazes.


    ¡°Sir, the men are nervous around those cloaked guys...¡± Darius whispered to Titus.


    ¡°They should be Darius; those men could destabilize and topple a government overnight if the Emperor ordered it done,¡± Titus explained. ¡°Have the men give them a wide berth.¡±


    ¡°Yes sir,¡± Darius answered.

 C20 Don鈥檛 Provoke Demons

    Night Raven


    The sun poured rays through the holes in the run-down shack as day broke upon the town. Seshwan was already awake seated cross-legged on his bed. Energy flowed around his body as he chanted the phrase of [Tectonic shell] he had memorized. His essence was nearing the next stage. He needed only a few more days to make a breakthrough with his earth essence. He had nearly grasped level four of the apprentice stage. In another few days, he could consolidate his energy and begin the push forward to the journeyman''s stage. As he trained he could faintly hear robins chirping in his room, ''What a lovely sound'' He thought. His mind entered a serene state.


    The peaceful morning was quickly thrown into chaos when a loud crash came from the inn''s main hall.


    "By the gods, what now?" Seshwan sighed. Walking over to the door he could hear Vanessa shouting something indecipherable.


    In the main room, Xerxes sat sunk deep into meditation as red lightning arched down from his shoulders to his fingers constantly, oblivious to the world around him.


    Vanessa was digging through the old dry, rotten cupboard, throwing pans and pots onto the floor as Seshwan entered.


    "Really!? It¡¯s the crack of dawn. What could you be fighting about?" Seshwan asked as he walked out of his room.


    Xerxes opened his eyes, "We aren''t fighting, Mom."


    "Oh, you''re sarcastic as ever, big surprise." Seshwan quipped. "Vanessa, what the hell¡¯s going on?"


    Vanessa stood by rummaging through the cupboards near the floor. Knife in a reverse grip. "Oh, ugh¡­ nothing¡¯s going on."


    Xerxes stood up and walked over to the wall. "She saw a mouse and freaked out."


    Seshwan was speechless as his gaze fell on Vanessa. ''She''s a killer, who''s scared of mice? What in the realms have I gotten myself into with this group?¡¯ Seshwan thought as he stared in disbelief.


    "I can explain."


    Xerxes chuckled. "Yes, please do."


    "Ok, so I got up to make breakfast because you were both meditating. As I was looking for spices in this cupboard I met a rat. Like an inch from my face! It was big! Like the size of a dog, I swear! And the essence energy this thing had! It was at least an expert stage. At least." Vanessa explained trying to recall the exact details.


    Seshwan''s confused face became even more puzzled as he tried to fathom exactly what Vanessa was talking about.


    Xerxes snickered off? to the side, unable to contain himself.


    "So you''re telling me, and let¡¯s make sure I heard you right. A giant rat with expert level cultivation is somewhere in this kitchen?" Seshwan finally asked.


    "Yes!"


    "I think you need to sleep more Vanessa, that¡¯s crazy talk."


    "Fuck you both! I know what I saw."


    Within moments a massive black rat the size of a dog came trotting up the cellar stairs.


    "What in the void is that!?" Xerxes shouted as he jumped onto a nearby chair.


    Clyve, who had still been sleeping, was woken up by the noise and rubbed his sleepy eyes. "Chester, come here boy."


    The rat sauntered over the Clive''s side and laid down next to the small boy.


    "Nope, nope! I''m done. Seshwan, Xerxes, we''re leaving right now." Vanessa said, shaking her head as she collected her gear.


    "Wait. That¡¯s Chester?" Xerxes asked with a surprised expression.


    Clyve sat up and began scratching the rat''s stomach. "Yeah, he''s gotten really big."


    Xerxes recalled the small familiar from his childhood, it had belonged to his father. Though years ago, the now monstrous rodent could have fit in a small pocket in his jacket.


    "Xerxes, you know what that is?"


    "That¡¯s a Demonic Swamp rat. They normally don¡¯t grow this big ¡®cause they are hunted by the demon tribes. This guy was a pet my dad kept when I was a kid in the tribe. Back then he was no bigger than a pocket watch." Xerxes explained.


    "I fed him lots of good food now he keeps me company," Clyve said as he patted Chester''s head.


    Vanessa was standing next to the door keeping her distance. "I''m not going near it, it¡¯s a beast that could kill all of us. Let¡¯s goooooo."


    "Stop whining. My god, woman. I at least feel better leaving Clyve here if he has Chester to protect him." Xerxes said.


    "Then let¡¯s get a move on. The caravans will be leaving for Lynwood soon, thank you for having us Clyve. It was a pleasure meeting you." Seshwan said, as he collected his equipment and packed his bags.


    "Ok, little man. You take good care of yourself. Steal only what you need. The guild will make sure the guards leave you alone." Xerxes said.


    "You too Big Brother. I¡¯ll see you next time. Don¡¯t be gone too long." Clyve said, more awake now.


    The two brothers exchanged farewells. Clyve gave Xerxes a hug around the waist and wished the group a safe journey as they set off for the Northern gate of the city.


    The Northern Gate of Night Raven


    The party walked along the already bustling streets. With sufficient rest and newfound resolve, Seshwan and the party were ready to set out for their next destination; Lynnwood.


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    "Xerxes when we arrive, I''ll be going to talk to the merchant¡¯s guild representative to sign on as guards. You and Vanessa should network with others in the market nearby. Perhaps even do recon and investigative work about the area. Anything could be useful." Seshwan said, leading the others along the path toward the North side market.


    "I understand," Xerxes replied.


    "Seshwan, what will we do with our horse and cart if we sign on with this caravan?" Vanessa asked.


    "I''ve marked it with the guild''s insignia and left it in the care of the stable master. A member of the guild who''s going back that way will return it. If no one claims it, he will sell it to someone else and the money will cover the stable fees. No need to worry about it." Seshwan explained.


    Once the group arrived at the market, each went to their respective jobs. Seshwan arrived at a large structure built of molded earth and stone. The walls appeared smooth as glass, yet had an earth tone hue. Compared to the other shops and structures in the area, this one stood out. Much like the other merchant¡¯s guilds across the continent, this building had a decidedly unique look to it.


    The mixture of old techniques and new modern techniques that were seen as bizarre by some, were graciously employed by these merchant lords as they desired to have the most outstanding shops. Compared to other guild halls in Scarlet Cove, or any other city, this hall seemed plain yet impressive, with its flat walls and perfectly square glass windows.


    ''Is this even the right place?'' Seshwan thought as he entered the door.


    Within the hall there were scores of merchants pouring over texts, bills, receipts and maps. This guild was far more stern than Black Lotus or even White Dragon*. The layout of the hall seemed to be rather standard as well. With a quick scan of the room, Seshwan easily located the guild services desk, a banker, and many high ranked merchants.


    ''I bet there''s a lot of denarii on these guys. Oh, and there''s a vault in this building. What kind of treasures would they store there?'' Seshwan thought? as he looked around the room. ''No, you¡¯re here for work not to steal. I''ve been around Walter and Xerxes too? long.'' Seshwan shook the thoughts from his mind.


    A young woman approached him from the guild services desk.


    "Excuse me, mister? Do you need something?" she asked while looking toward the floor.


    The moment she approached Seshwan, she lowered her head; he could not get a clear look at her face through her long dark hair that draped over her face while her head was lower. She was much shorter than him which also contributed to masking her appearance.


    "You may be able to help me. My party is looking to sign on with a caravan headed for Lynwood." Seshwan said


    "Lynwood?" the girl questioned, as if shocked.


    "Yes it¡¯s the next town toward Bivio, and the shortest distance to travel without adding a week to our journey," Seshwan explained.


    The young girl raised her head, meeting Seshwan''s gaze with her own. She was no older then fourteen, her skin was pearl white and flawless, though the reason she had lowered her head was clear when she looked up. Her right eye had a fresh ''X'' shaped scar across it and three marks below the bottom eyelid.


    Seshwan was taken aback by the marking.


    "I''m sorry sir, I forgot, I''m not supposed to work without my eye patch," she said while covering her eye.


    ''She''s ashamed about the mark. I guess that would be why she''s hiding it. From the look of it, that¡¯s a new scar.'' Seshwan thought. He couldn¡¯t help but frown.


    "Miss, why are you concerned with Lynwood?"


    ¡°The city was taken over by several bandit groups not too long ago. There is currently no law in the city but trade has not stopped." she quietly said.


    "Miss, I''m sure my party can handle themselves; we''re all fairly capable."


    "Well alright, then sir. I''ll have you fill out the forms. A caravan is scheduled to leave later today for Lynwood."


    She led Seshwan to a wooden desk and handed him a travel guard form.


    "This is a standard travel forum saying the guild is not responsible for any parties who sign on as guards. We cannot compensate for losses, damages, or dismemberment. Lastly, the bottom section is for payment. It details the amount of denarii the party will be paid. I''ll fill that part in, once you''ve told me about your party. The more members, the less money the guild will give you, to prevent a large guild from abusing our payment system." the clerk explained.


    "There are three of us; a rogue, an archer and myself, a guardian knight."


    "And what''s your average cultivation level?"


    "Two of us are pinnacle apprentice stage, the other is either the same or just stepped into the journeyman stage."


    "Alright, the guild will offer you and your party one thousand denarii to escort the trader to Lynwood, do you accept?"


    "Yes!" Seshwan said as he signed the contract.


    "Then the contract is all set¡­ wait, in the information section you left guild affiliation blank? Understand we need you to be affiliated with a guild to ensure you¡¯re not thieves or bandits."


    ''Shit, I can¡¯t write Black Lotus. Damn,'' Seshwan thought.


    An idea crossed his mind as he considered his options.


    "Miss, could I register a guild in this town?"


    "You can indeed, our guild also handles guild registration."


    "Then I shall return, once I''ve talked it over with my party." Seshwan said, "You know miss, I never got your name."


    "Oh, I''m so sorry. I''m Diana Est, clerk of the merchant guild Midland Traders." Diana answered.


    ¡°Well, Miss Est I shall return.¡±


    In the market Seshwan wondered, thinking about the possibility of starting a guild for small contract work like escorting. Though the decision was not for him to make, he had to have the input of Xerxes and Vanessa.


    Unfortunately, the two others were nowhere to be found in the market.


    A loud crash, resounded from further in the market, breaking Seshwan¡¯s concentration. Up ahead a cloud of dust rose as a stall collapsed. Xerxes stood up out of the debris and stumbled as he attempted to gain his footing.


    ¡®What in the heaven realm is he doing? Why can¡¯t I just trust you to not cause trouble.¡¯ Seshwan thought as he quickened his pace.


    To his surprise, Vanessa lay on the ground at Xerxes¡¯ feet, blood leaking from the corner of her mouth. A large silhouette appeared in the dust cloud, a hulking mass of a man in heavy armour stepped into the street. Accompanied by six other men.


    ¡°What the hell¡¯s going on!¡± Seshwan shouted.


    The warm tingle of Xerxes'' communication started in Seshwan¡¯s ear. ¡°These guys ambushed Vanessa in an alley. They''re all bandits from Silver Moon. I¡¯m going to wipe them all out.¡±


    Seshwan activated his lightning essence to reply, ¡°Xerxes, don¡¯t! Your demon blood being activated in the middle of town and during the day will cause you massive backlash.¡±


    ¡°No choice, this guy in front of me is in the mid-journeyman stage and I can¡¯t beat him without it.¡±


    ¡°No!¡±


    Ignoring Seshwan¡¯s instructions, Xerxes¡¯ eye changed to a blood-red hue, the iris morphed into a slit demonic form. The previously white-yellow lightning that was pure and bright changed to a chaotic black-red. The temperature of the air in the city plummeted and became dense.


    The sky which had been previously clear turned black as night. The bandits looked on toward their opponent. A kid, no older than seventeen, now releasing a power on par with a Master stage essence user.


    ¡°What the fuck is this!?¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no way!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s just a punk! It¡¯s just an illusion...¡±


    The largest bandit stepped forward, ¡°I¡¯m not scared of your parlour tricks boy. Lightning essence in the apprentice stage is only good for being obnoxious. I¡¯ll still slaughter you! Then it¡¯s her turn.¡± He said, smirking at Vanessa.


    Xerxes stood motionless with his head down, ¡°We will see who gets slaughtered,¡± he said as a grin spread across his face.


    ¡°Fuck off and die kid!¡± the large bandit shouted, brandishing a great sword. Swinging for Xerxes¡¯ head, the force of the blade kicked up a cloud of dust. Mid-swing, the blade stopped dead.


    As the dust settled, a figure appeared. On the other end of the blade, Xerxes held the edge of the sword between two fingers and his thumb. ¡°You could hurt someone with this. You should be more careful.¡± Xerxes chuckled.


    ¡°What is this kid?¡± the large man''s face twisted in terror at the scene before him.


    In an instant, Xerxes appeared face-to-face with the bandit. Gripping his throat Xerxes leaned in and whispered, ¡°Let me show you a parlor trick.¡± With a wink of his demonic eye, Xerxes ripped the full-grown man¡¯s head clean off his shoulders.


    ¡°What the fuck!? Was that?!¡± The other bandits shrieked.


    Xerxes dropped the body and head to the ground licking the blood from hand.


    ¡°This guy tastes awful¡± Xerxes laughed as he spat the blood to the ground. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll sample the rest, just in case.¡±


    Xerxes¡¯ gaze fell to the other bandits. Before the bandits could react, he arrived at the next target, leaving an afterimage as he moved nearly five meters in a second. Before the poor souls could make a move, one by one, Xerxes delivered single strikes resulting in immediate deaths. In ten seconds, only one of the six remained alive.


    Blood soaked the street where some of the bandits had previously stood.


    Xerxes walked to the last survivor, lifting him off the ground and stared into his eyes, ¡°Receive the curse.¡±


    ¡°No! Please, no!¡± The man shrieked in terror. Tribal black bands spread across his body as Xerxes set him down and released his grip.


    ¡°The curse I¡¯ve placed on you guarantees death in several days. I¡¯ve given you enough time to report to your bosses, Grackus and whoever else. After that if you want to live you must make the trip to the Demonic Forest and seek a shaman named Raoul.¡± Xerxes said, as he turned around and walked away.


    ¡°You bastard! I¡¯ll kill you!¡± the bandit shouted. He rushed up behind Xerxes drawing a dagger and striking Xerxes in the back.


    A metallic clang rang out as the dagger snapped off on impact with Xerxes skin.


    ¡°I¡¯ve given you time to live. That¡¯s more than someone like you deserves. Till that curse takes your life or you have it purified, you will be unable to kill anyone, anything you attempt to use will be destroyed including your body. You will also be unable to die, no matter what you do to yourself your body will not die till you complete your task. You will become a ghoul that will serve me. There¡¯s only one way out of this.¡± Xerxes explained further.


    ¡°No way...¡± the poor man moaned.


    ¡°Your life is mine till you complete my task. Now be gone!¡± Xerxes ordered.


    The bandit snapped to attention, without control over his body he fled town toward Lynwood.


    ¡°Hey, Seshwan, that bastard from Silver Moon is in Lynwood. Let¡¯s go kill him next.¡± Xerxes said. His eyes reverted to normal.


    Seshwan walked up to Xerxes, placed a hand on his shoulder and punched him in the gut.


    ¡°I told you not to! The guards will have your head for killing in the city! Are you that dense? Or do you not care?¡± Seshwan scolded.


    Xerxes scanned the crowd, while he had been killing these men, the people around were shocked and scared. Guards had rushed in but had not interfered out of fear. Vanessa had collapsed from a blow to her abdomen and was currently lying on the ground out cold. The bodies and limbs of the bandits had been sent flying, damaging a few shops and littering the streets of the market with blood and corpses.


    ¡°You cannot do as you please here. Get your shit together!¡± Seshwan scolded again.


    Xerxes coughed as he recovered from Seshwan¡¯s blow. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said. Just before he vomited out blood and collapsed to the ground. The strain on his body had caused him to pass out.


    ¡°You knight! That demon is under arrest!¡± one of the guards shouted.


    ¡°He¡¯s one of my companions. Please don¡¯t be rough on him.¡± Seshwan said as he watched Xerxes being detained.


    ¡°You will also be taken in for questioning!¡± The guard shouted.


    ¡°What no! I¡¯m not with him, I swear!¡± Seshwan pleaded.


    ¡°Come quietly sir,¡± the knight said with shackles in hand.


    ¡°God, I hate you, Xerxes,¡± Seshwan said under his breath, as he raised his hands and got down on his knees.

 C21 Guild Name

    Night Raven, Midland


    The authorities restrained Seshwan. Along with him Xerxes was bound and chained. The market flooded with guards and concerned people who had heard the commotion.


    "They provoked my companion. Release us!" Seshwan demanded as he was clasped in a set of irons.


    A guard approached, "That monster is a demon hybrid and is too dangerous to allow to freely roam the cities."


    All the guards had faces of terror as they tried their best to stay composed in the presence of a beast like Xerxes.


    ''This is bad, I need to think of something.'' Seshwan panicked. ''If Xerxes wakes up like this, he will kill more people to prevent being captured.''


    "That monster is a member of my guild! We have a contract to kill Silver Moon bandits from the Midland Traders." Seshwan said.


    The guards pulled Seshwan up from the dirt to allow him to explain.


    "Bullshit! What''s your guild name?" The guard in charge questioned. His disbelief of Seshwan''s lie showed in every angry line of his face.


    "Titan... Sol. It''s Titan Sol, we''re an adventurer¡¯s guild. It''s not uncommon for a guild like ours to take on kill quests from merchants, is it?" Seshwan lied again.


    The guards pondered a moment. It was common that a merchant guild would hire extra mercenaries to handle bandits in the area. This demon had only killed the bandits.


    "Well will need to verify the contract with the merchant¡¯s guild." The lead guard scoffed. The guards escorted Seshwan toward the building he had just left moments before.


    Entering the hall in irons, Seshwan looked toward Diana, who was currently filling out documents.


    "Clerk!" The guard shouted as he entered. "This man claimed you issued a kill quest to him and his guild to kill bandits. This led to the destruction of several stalls in the market and five dead men."


    Diana looked at Seshwan as she felt a warm hum in her ear. Seshwan''s voice spoke in her ear. "I need you to lie to these guys, please!"


    "Yes sir, the order was for rogue bandits around the city. We asked they be removed by any means. Though they will pay a penalty for damages to the stalls and a fine to the city for any mess they made." Diana explained smiling cheerfully.


    "If that''s the case, well alright." The guards seemed to believe this innocent girl. Except one.


    "What was the guild¡¯s name you issued the quest to?" The guard asked.


    "The paperwork was handled by another clerk I''m not sure. Let''s see if I can find it." Diana said.


    She could feel cold sweat starting on her skin. The question had caught her off guard.


    Again, Seshwan spoke in her inner ear. "Lift a piece of paper, don''t show them and say it was Titan Sol."


    After a few moments of believable rummaging, Diana slid a piece of paper out of the desk.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Here''s the order," Diana said, she presented the order to the lead Guard.


    [Rogue bandits in Night Raven;]


    [Faction: Silver moon]


    [200 Denarii for each removed]


    [Contract status: open]


    "This is an open contract." The guard said, confused. This didn''t help at all.


    "It is indeed an open contract to kill silver moon bandits. One was issued to every guild registered with us. It''s common knowledge. The adventurer¡¯s guild Titan Sol is permitted like any others to fill this contract." Diana said confidently. She crossed her arms across her chest as she stared at the guards.


    "Are you guys going to release me? " Seshwan said looking at the guards, enjoying their shocked faces.


    Moments later Seshwan was released, Xerxes was moved to the guild hall and Vanessa came too. The three sat in front of Diana''s clerk''s desk.


    "So you three make up the guild Titan Sol? I kind of expected more." Diana said.


    Vanessa rubbed her temples trying to clear her head. "This is not how I wanted to start the day." She groaned.


    "Diana, could you register our guild with the merchants to make it official? We need to get on our way to Lynwood." Seshwan asked


    "I can but are you sure about the name? Most would go with something that stands out more. Here''s a list of available ones." Diana said. Presenting the list to Seshwan, she read off suggested names.


    "White gold dogma"


    "No"


    "Black-winged leopards"


    "No"


    "Hmm... how about, Dynamic Heavenly Dragons? DHD?"


    Xerxes came to during the reading, surprised to be sitting in a chair. He had heard the last guild name. It was so bad; he had been woken up from his unconscious state at the mention of the name.


    "That''s a terrible name." He quickly snapped.


    "Okay. No need to be rude."


    "Girly, I just got thrust awake by the mere mention of the name. It''s worth being rude." Xerxes said while rubbing his temples.


    "How is Titan Sol any better?" Diana asked, dejected by Xerxes'' outburst.


    "It isn''t." Vanessa and Xerxes both said in unison.


    "Why can''t we be Blue Lotus?" Vanessa asked.


    "It makes people think you''re affiliated with Black Lotus."


    The three exchanged glances. All smirked then continued thinking.


    "Okay. Here''s my reasoning for the name Titan Sol. I aim to become a colossus power someday. So, ¡®Titan¡¯ is fitting. The ¡®Sol¡¯ portion comes from the ancient dragon which helped to liberate the people from the oppression of the gods and dragonkin. The dragon of the east, the dragon of new beginnings." Seshwan explained.


    "It''s still stupid."


    "Ughhhhh.  You¡¯re such a pain." Seshwan groaned.


    "You know Seshwan''s description needs work, but it''s not bad. I don''t mind it so much" Vanessa spoke up.


    "Two out of three¡¯s not bad. Fine, I don''t care. It''s only for a while longer anyway." Xerxes said, finally giving in to Seshwan.


    "Okay then to the guild Titan Sol, we issue an escort quest. Escort the goods to Lynwood along with the trades. Please sign." Diana said while presenting the contract to Seshwan.


    "Who said he was guild leader?" Xerxes asked a Cheshire grin across his face.


    "Xerxes, I''ll let you sign and next time you kill people in town and pass out, I''ll let the guards exorcise your demon half. How''s that sound?" Seshwan said with a friendly smile.


    "Fiiiinnnneee. You can be the leader. If I get to kill stuff, I don''t care." Xerxes resigned.


    ¡°It¡¯s all set, but I¡¯ll need a full signature to validate the form and a card of validation, to show the guild master has some level of essence. Come over here to test your essence.¡± Diana explained, motioning to a pedestal machine with a test crystal embedded in the top.


    Seshwan gladly walked over, and with his hand hovering above the crystal he activated his earth essence. The crystal ignited into a brilliant light, the crystal began to shine with a heavenly lustre. After the test a card printed out of the machine.


    ¡°Okay the test is complete, let¡¯s see your results,¡± Diana said, taking hold of the card.


    She read the card details. But her excited expression quickly turned to disgust.


    ¡°Seshwan follow me a moment,¡± Diana said with a grave expression on her face.


    ¡°Okay,¡± Seshwan replied, as he got up and followed Diana into a side room.


    Within the tiny meeting room, which was more like a broom closet, Diana closed the door and stared at Seshwan.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Seshwan asked.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been lying to me! Your name is not Seshwan at all, is it?¡±


    ¡°Why would you ask something like that?¡±


    ¡°That machine reads your genetics as well as your essence, it¡¯s the latest model from Solstice Academy. It says your genes match almost perfectly with Tiberius Jade; the emperor of the Jade empire. Are you one of his sons? No way he would name one of his royal sons something like Seshwan.¡± Diana asked while glaring at Seshwan.


    He sighed. ¡°You¡¯re right, I am Tiberius Jade the third, son of the current ruling emperor. Though I was exiled and no longer considered a son of the empire. I¡¯ve renounced the empire and all ties I held with them. Miss Diana, I''d appreciate it if you just call me Seshwan for now and don¡¯t tell my companions. If it requires I sign with my full name I ask you to allow me to sign it and keep this a secret.¡± Seshwan explained.


    ¡°The Jade family is an oppressive and abusive ruling power. You think I¡¯d help you?¡± Diana said tears became heavy in her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯m not like my family, and I am not one of them! Please assist me with this. I need you so that I may take my revenge one day.¡± Seshwan said, his fist clenched tight.


    Diana could see that Seshwan had suffered as well at the hands of his own family. He was kind to her, even though she fully wished to vent her grief, she swallowed the lump in her throat.


    ¡°Okay Seshwan, only if you plan to get back at them one day. Give the bastard Quintus a blow for me, would you?¡± Diana said, a smile back on her face.


    ¡°Quintus?! You got it.¡±


    ¡°Then allow me to sort your paperwork. And get you on your way.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Diana.¡±


    Diana finished up the paperwork and finished the escort mission documents. Titan Sol was now a registered guild under their new master Seshwan, The Exiled.


    ¡°Seshwan the Exiled? What does that mean?¡± Vanessa asked.


    ¡°Not sure. Diana said I need a last name or title for the document so I told her to add one.¡± Seshwan lied, cursing Diana for making it plain and obvious that he had a secret.


    All Seshwan could do was laugh it off as they left the guild hall.

 C22 Lynwood

    Night Raven, Midland


    The party continued their way, discussing the events of the day. Xerxes was far more bearable because he had exhausted a huge amount of essence in the markets a few short hours ago.


    For Vanessa and Seshwan this was a relief. He was far more tame when he was in this tired state. They could relax instead of trying to break up fights or stop him from scamming some young travelers.


    The sky had never recovered from Xerxes¡¯ fluctuation in the atmosphere though. Dark clouds? hung low over the city blocking out the afternoon sun. Not a single ray of sunshine penetrated the thick cloud formation.


    As the group walked along they came upon the staging area of the trade caravans.


    Men and women carried luggage and crates to wagons, carts, and large transport sleds. All manner of beasts roamed the area, harnessed and fitted to pull their set modes of transportation.


    Seshwan walked about aimlessly searching for the cart described to him by Diana.


    ''The cart should be red with a canvas tarp covering the cargo.'' Seshwan thought, as he stared into a sea of red carts with canvas tarps. ''Thanks Diana''.


    "Seshwan who are we looking for? What''s the driver''s name?" Vanessa asked. Her expression showed displeasure with all the laborers who walking by, stopping to ogle her. "This place disgusts me."


    "The driver''s name is Orson. He should be a burly man with a grumpy looking face and a big beard. That''s how Diana described him," Seshwan said as he looked around at the passing burly men with angry scowls and large beards.


    ''I''m starting to think Diana may not have been all that helpful'' Seshwan thought.


    "Well, we should ask around. You go that way and I''ll ask those large gentlemen over there. Xerxes..." Seshwan stopped mid-sentence as he realized Xerxes was gone. "Seriously this demon is going to drive me to insanity before my hair¡¯s grey." Seshwan cursed as he looked around for signs of his companion.


    "Little man! You¡¯re the one who busted up my shop earlier!" A merchant shouted from within the crowd.


    Seshwan felt his skin crawl and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. ''For the love of the gods, that better not be Xerxes in trouble.''


    "Hey! What! What are you doing?!?" The merchant shouted, as he came flying out of the crowd, sliding up to Seshwan¡¯s heels when he hit the ground.


    Xerxes was standing within the crowd. Leaning on a crate puking out dark black mucous. A large man stood next to him patting him on the back and handing him a flask.


    "How dare you Orson! Throw me while I was reprimanding his boy?" The merchant angrily spat as he sat up in the dirt.


    Seshwan turned about to confirm all he had heard.


    "Mister merchant?" Seshwan said, tapping the man at his feet on the shoulder.


    "What the hell do you want!?"


    "You''ve been a big help, but you¡¯re really annoying. And I''m having a stressful day. So, could you shut your mouth?" Seshwan said with a smile.


    "The nerve!" The merchant shouted but was cut off by a swift kick to the head by Vanessa.


    "Seshwan, don''t act like a girl! He''s annoying, so shut him up!"


    "You know from you, that''s terrifying. I expect such things from Xerxes or even Elise but come on." Seshwan pleaded.


    "Sorry! I''m edgy from the rat and the bandits earlier. Anyway, I guess that''s Orson." Vanessa pointed toward the man helping Xerxes.


    "Hey, old man? Are you the Orson the midland trades asked us to escort to Lynwood?" Seshwan asked as they approached.


    "I am. And are you three my would-be guard detail? From some newbie guild called Titan shit or something?" Orson asked.


    "It''s Titan Sol actually."


    "Sounds ridiculous."


    Sigh* "Can we discuss this on the way to Lynnwood? I''d like to get a start today if you don''t mind." Seshwan said, annoyed by Orson already.


    "Young guild master, your companion is vomiting black fluids and mucous and you''re concerned about the job still?" Orson asked, puzzled by this teenager before him. ''Clearly this kid¡¯s never heard you are responsible to those you are responsible for.''


    "Xerxes, you okay?" Seshwan asked.


    Xerxes raised his index finger as he spat the last of the mess from his throat.


    "Okay ladies, I''m ready for this. Just some backlash from earlier. I''ll be fine thanks for the drink old man." Xerxes laughed. As he took three steps and collapsed to his knees.


    "Great. Okay Orson let''s go." Seshwan said disregarding Xerxes¡¯ current state.


    Vanessa bent down and poked Xerxes in the side of the face. Before whispering in his ear. "If you don''t pull it together, Demon, I''m going to sell you to a research guild as spare parts. I''m sure they would love to experiment with your tissue."


    Xerxes blinked hard and stood back up. "Woman, you dare to call me a demon. That''s laughable."


    Orson looked at the three with complete disbelief. ''This is a guild? They''re completely dysfunctional! We are all going to die before we get to Lynnwood.'' Orson cracked a smile as he thought. ''I can''t wait to see what will happen."


    "Alright Master Seshwan the Exiled, let''s set off."


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Seshwan walked silently next to Orson leading the way through the busy staging area to the cart. Vanessa followed behind with Xerxes leaning on her for support.


    "Vanessa, thank you," Xerxes mumbled.


    "You saved me in the market. You brought out your demon even though you knew the risk of backlash was high. So, don''t thank me. I''d say we''re even.¡± Vanessa replied.  Her cheeks were red from the embarrassment of having to say such a thing.


    Xerxes laughed. "Look who''s all embarrassed, that''s? cute."


    Vanessa dropped Xerxes onto the road the moment he finished speaking.


    At the cart, the group loaded up their gear and laid Xerxes in the back with the cargo. Vanessa took time to train and relax in the back of the wagon sitting atop the pile of cargo.


    Seshwan rode up front next to Orson as they set off.


    It was two days of constant driving before Xerxes regained his strength enough to stand and participate in any duties. Though they didn''t encounter any bandits, Seshwan constantly had the feeling that he was being watched from the sides of the roads.


    After the third day, the group had made their way to the edge of the Lynnwood city limits. Standing on the road in the distance were hundreds of men. Everyone was wearing poorly maintained armor and their weapons were shabby and broken.


    At the head of the large company, five men stood atop a barricade. One of the men was Grackus of the Silver moon bandits. In the center was a man in fine armour. Golden plate mail covered his whole body. He stood taller than the others, like a mountain above a forest. The tank of a man carried a large stone maul.


    Orson stood up looking over toward the bandit army before them.


    "Good guild master. Those are the tyrannical bandit lords of Lynwood; how do you wish to proceed? They will no doubt insist we hand over all our cargo. And your friend Vanessa."


    "That won''t happen. I''ve thought this through and I''m sure we can fight them. Those five at the front are the only true issue. Xerxes can manage with three at least. I''ll let Vanessa kill Grackus as a personal gift. Lastly, I take it that''s their leader? I have a plan for him." Seshwan explained as he took off his armour.


    Seshwan walked forward with his sword in the sheath. Flanking him on either side were Xerxes and Vanessa both without weapons.


    Orson looked on in disbelief as the three approached the barricade. "This kid''s nuts!" He couldn''t help saying as he watched.


    Seshwan stopped fifty meters from the barricades. "I am Seshwan the Exiled of the guild Titan Sol. I''m here to see your leader, more correctly to challenge him to a duel."


    A warm hum started in Seshwan''s ear. "You think he will go for this instead of killing us?" Xerxes asked.


    The large man jumped to the ground, shaking the forest surrounding them. "I am Soros Toth, bandit lord of the midland bandit¡¯s union. I accept your challenge. What would you have? Three versus three?"


    "Exactly"


    Soros laughed as the other four bandit leaders landed next to him with a handful of underlings.


    "Sorry boy, but I don''t do fair fights. So, we will just kill you and the old man and take what you have. Maybe not kill the girl. I''d like to have some fun with her."


    "Well then fine. Have it your way." Seshwan said with a grin.


    Seshwan tossed his sword to Xerxes. With a nod, the three stepped toward their opponents. The ground below Seshwan trembled as stone armour formed over his torso and legs. Vanessa disappeared into the air. Xerxes enveloped himself in red lightning as he laughingly accelerated into the enemy lines.


    The area became a brawl. Xerxes used [Flash] to evade strikes and lash out with force to cripple the underlings that came out first. He also used the sword as a club to break the bandits before him.


    Seshwan slowly walked through the bandits whose swords and Spears reflected off his stone armour. This was only the first stage of the [Tectonic Shell]. Normal bandits couldn''t even scratch him.


    Throwing the odd bandit out of the way Seshwan arrived within six meters of Soros Toth.


    "An earth user? Good." Toth laughed as he raised his stone maul.


    With a powerful swing, Toth sent a strike directed to Seshwan''s head. It connected with a crash! A Dust cloud consumed the two.


    To his surprise, the maul had come to a complete stop. The strike had been blocked! Seshwan was standing directly in front of him sparking with lighting. The maul had collided and been fused with a statue of stone.


    Seshwan struck Soros'' inner thigh before he could react. An electric shock was sent throughout his body as he released his grip on the maul.


    ''This little bastard does feel strong but he has two essences. I better take him more seriously'' Soros thought? in a panic, moving away from the stick that had hit a gap in his armour.


    "Not bad kid. But I''m not even started yet. I''ll burn you and your friends to ash!" Soros shouted as he erupted into steam and fire.


    ''Shit! He''s at least peak journeyman stage in fire essence.'' Seshwan thought as he flashed back three meters.


    Elsewhere Xerxes had not drawn the sword though he made short work of the bandits without it. Striking vitals and shocking others. Till three were still standing.  The bosses.


    "I am Cryo"


    "I am Rapture"


    "I am Bart"


    The three bosses announced as each powered up and activated their real guards.


    Xerxes smiled as he rested the sword across his shoulders. "You gents are aware I killed that journeyman stage bandit you sent to Night Raven. Like in less than a second. You three aren''t even worth the use of my demon. I''m confident this time, I don''t need him."


    Xerxes drew the sword. This time the blade was not the usual bright steel long sword. The blade refracted and fluxed in the light. It had become a black steel blade that overflowed with demonic essence.


    "Boys, this is a curse.  If it touches you, you''ll die. Now let''s begin."


    As Xerxes went to work fighting the three journeymen bandits Grackus, stood in shock watching the same scene as he had experienced nearly a week before. The men lay scattered and broken. This time he had nowhere to run to.


    As he panicked and tried to plan what he would do next, a sharp pain hit the tendons in his legs. He could no longer control his muscles as he fell to the ground.


    Vanessa appeared standing above him a small blade of energy on her finger.


    "It''s a wonder what this essence can be used for. Seshwan over there inspired Xerxes and myself to start making up new ways to use it. This whole fight is just a test for us." Vanessa said as she sat on Grackus'' back.


    With every? struggling move he made, she slashed across his tendons reducing him to a motionless mass that could do nothing but cry for mercy.


    "Grackus, you''re a bandit leader. I''m just making you experience the suffering you''ve inflicted on others. Nothing personal. Now be good and stay quiet as my friends? kill your boss and comrades."


    Grackus was physically disabled by a woman. He had no choice but to die in agony.


    He drew all his energy into his main essence realm. A burning feeling filled his body as he attempted to force his limbs to move.


    ''If I can''t fight, I''ll try to kill this bitch at least.'' He thought.


    "Oh, you''re planning to suicide by forcing your essence to explode. How noble. But I think not..." Vanessa said.


    She drew back her arm and punched into Grackus'' back, snapping his spine in two places and rupturing two of his essence realms.


    Grackus felt his body going cold, all his energy left his body. ''Fuck I couldn''t even do this. Please just let me die.''


    "One down," Vanessa said smiling.


    Xerxes made short work of the three other bosses. They lay on the ground in heaps bleeding. Their bodies blackened and decayed around the strike marks on their bodies.


    All that remained was Seshwan, who was allowing Soros to power himself up fully.


    ''He''s never solidified his cultivation. He may be almost an expert but he''s unstable.'' Seshwan smirked as he watched his opponent draw in more energy.


    Soros presented as a peak journeyman stage cultivator, but he was sub-par. He had flaws in his refinement of essence. The energy he drew in was just that. Potential-less energy that did nothing but to make the opponent think they are facing a strong cultivation. A cultivation with no foundation will always crumble.


    Seshwan could see through this trick easily. Dashing toward Toth, the heat coming from his skin was hot but it barely managed to singe the ground around him. To Seshwan this was no worse than a hot summer''s day.


    To Soros¡¯ surprise, Seshwan appeared below him and delivered a strike to the point in his leg he had hit before, forcing his concentration to be broken. His leg gave way under the force of the punch.


    ¡®Impossible! My body is strong and my armour is thick. How could he do this?¡¯ Soros panicked.


    Seshwan struck the other leg in the same spot twice in succession, hoping for the same outcome. But this time he was met with a counter.


    Soros shifted the leg back and grabbed hold of Seshwan around his chest. Soros proceeded to squeeze as hard as he could.


    Seshwan felt his ribs cracking from the pressure, as he coughed out a mouthful of blood. ¡®not good, I messed up.¡¯


    ¡°Now little boy I¡¯ll kill you and your friends for harming my lieutenants!¡± Soros shouted.


    ¡°What a joke¡± Seshwan managed to blurt out as he felt like he¡¯d be snapped in half.


    Energy from within his Central Essence realm burned white hot. Power flowed through Seshwan¡¯s body.


    Soros looked down at his opponent and realized he had changed. One of his eyes had become an Emerald green light, the area of skin surrounding the eye was cracked and emitted a bright green lustre.


    ¡°What the hell is this?!¡± Soros shouted in shock, he had never seen this before. This wasn¡¯t a real guard he had ever seen.


    Seshwan reached out and grabbed ahold of Soros¡¯ chest plate. A burst of energy lightning coursed through the armour, numbing Soros¡¯ whole body.


    The grip on Seshwan was loosened. Quickly using Flash to escape back, Seshwan landed and formed a complete stone Realguard.


    ¡°So you are a dual essence user¡­ I thought it was a cheap trick before. Regardless, prepare to die!¡± Soros roared as he charged toward Seshwan, ready to strike.


    His massive fist swung toward Seshwan, but it didn¡¯t connect with him. A thick stone wall manifested before Seshwan. Toth¡¯s fist struck it with immense force. Smashing it to rubble.


    Seshwan jumped, landing on Soros¡¯ extended arm near and resting on the stone wall. The weight of the stone real guard was like a mountain landing on an egg. Toth¡¯s arm made contact with the stone wall. His elbow locked, and the arm folded backward. Blood and broken bone punched through gaps in his crushed armor.


    Soros let out a shriek as his Realguard began to backlash, he had lost concentration and the energy now began to tear him apart.


    Seshwan punched Soro''s chest, connecting with the force of a landslide and crushing the breastplate. Soros was launched off his feet and landed on his back. Blood leaked from his eyes and ears. He could taste copper as he struggled to move. He couldn¡¯t feel his legs anymore and his vision had begun to become hazy.


    ¡°Before you die, tell me, who put you up to this. You no bandit lord. Who backed you? Who gave you that half-assed cultivation method? Tell me?!¡± Seshwan yelled. He walked over to Soros and sat on his chest. The weight bent the already crushed chest plate further.


    ¡°It was¡­¡± Soros coughed out a mouthful of blood as he tried to speak. ¡°It was an Imperial, he said we were to destabilize the merchant¡¯s guild in the area. I swear that¡¯s all I know.¡± Soros said, gasping for air.


    ¡°An imperial eh? Who?¡± Seshwan questioned.


    ¡°That¡¯s all¡­. *cough cough*¡­*blah*¡± Soros vomited more blood one last time before he stopped breathing.


    ¡°Shit, he died.¡± Xerxes said, walking up behind Seshwan, ¡°Sesh what¡¯s up with your eye?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Seshwan asked as he deactivated his real guard.


    Seshwan¡¯s vision went hazy; his head was swimming and he felt faint. His eyes returned to normal as he collapsed to the ground next to Soros. As if in the distance, he could barely hear faint voices.


    ¡°Seshwan! Hey!¡± Xerxes shouted as Seshwan passed out and collapsed. ¡®I guess he overdid it.¡¯

 C23 Days Gone By

    Seshwan awoke in a large bed, heavy blankets and sheets of silk and wool covered his body. He sat up, unsure of his surroundings. The room? looked familiar to him, though he was unsure of where he had seen it. The chamber was expansive, more than a hundred square meters of space. The walls were clad with papers, all decoratively trimmed with silver.


    Across the room, a woman sat in one of two chairs positioned before a large fireplace. The fire crackled and popped as the birch wood within burned bright.


    This room felt all too real. But it couldn¡¯t possibly be, this room should be the bedroom to the emperor and his first wife.


    Scanning the room, Seshwan noticed an enormous portrait hanging on the wall, the man depicted was none other than his father; Jade emperor Tiberius II. Fear spread across his body. ''What the hell''s happened? Why am I here?'' he frantically thought.


    A comforting voice quickly broke his train of thought.


    "Oh, Sesh, you''re awake." The voice belonged to the woman by the fireplace.


    The voice was sweet and soothing, as if it had never once been tainted by malice or anger. Seshwan immediately recognized the woman.  "Mother?"


    The woman stood from her chair and walked over to the foot of the large bed. This woman was Helena, the first wife to the emperor of the Jade Empire, and Seshwan''s mother.


    She was tall and slender, with a clear complexion and fair, long brown hair. She was looked on as being the gentlest and kindest of all women by the emperor¡¯s side. Along with her angelic beauty and kindheartedness, one of her defining aspects was the fact that she, at one time in her life, had beaten her husband Tiberius in a duel. She was one of three to ever beat the Jade Emperor; to this day, that fact is still seen as no small feat.


    Seshwan looked up at his mother¡¯s loving smile as tears flowed down his face. It had been years since he had seen his mother¡¯s warm smile.


    "What''s wrong, my child?" Helena asked as she approached Seshwan.


    Taking a seat on the bed next to Seshwan, she wrapped him in her warm embrace to calm him down.


    This feeling of warmth and comfort soothed Seshwan as he sniffled and tried to stop crying.


    Now, he came to realize his body was not that of a sixteen-year-old boy but a child. ''What the hell¡¯s going on!?'' Seshwan''s mind screamed out.


    "Seshwan, you look as if you''ve seen a ghost?" Helena asked.


    "It''s nothing, mother, don¡¯t worry," Seshwan said.


    "Okay, well, you¡¯ve overslept. Titus was already to take you for lessons, I told him you would be late today." Helena explained, and a gentle smile spread across her face. "You better get going before Julius and Augustus get cross."


    "Yes, mother, thank you," Seshwan said as he threw back the covers.


    As he was getting out of bed, he was stopped. Helena leaned in and kissed him on the forehead. "Do your best. I love you, Sesh."


    "Thanks, mother, I will do my best, and I love you too," Seshwan said, pausing for a moment.


    "Silly boy, don¡¯t stop now! Get dressed and get to the training hall." Helena laughed.


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Seshwan dressed himself in his old training clothes, white robes and light cloth armor.


    After going on his way, he ran down the hallways of the Jade Palace to the courtyards where the Martial hall was housed. This hall of the empire was the soul of the army; they trained all fighters and knights for the military. All soldiers originate from the Legion hall before they transfer to roles and specialty halls like; Wardens, Specters, the Cloaked or Guardians.


    The master of the Martial hall at the time was elder brother to the Emperor, Seshwan''s uncle; Augustus Jade, the strong-arm of the empire, a master of many body strengthening techniques of cultivation. This man was also rumored to be the strongest striker to ever serve the empire throughout history; his fire essence was second to none.


    Seshwan approached the hall entrance. Above the doors to the hall was featured a mosaic of a humanoid being meditating, his body ignited in golden flames. The training hall¡¯s mosaic was unique compared to the other halls, it possessed a motto encompassing the depicted being, that read; "Body and mind, strength and victory. Above all else we strive for greatness."


    The words always inspired Seshwan throughout his whole childhood in the palace.


    Within the hall, rows of noble students sat spectating a duel between two children on a center stage. The fights were standard for all lessons. Two students would spar, then master Augustus would lecture on the essence of methods and which technique was more useful or which had flaws.


    Above all else, the students of master Augustus were to become strong.


    "Tiberius junior. You¡¯ve decided to join us?" Master Augustus laughed as Seshwan walked through the door.


    Augustus was a slender, small man, unlike Seshwan''s father or even his uncle Julius. He was trim and lean; his muscles were clearly defined, and his veins could be viewed and counted. Master Augustus rarely wore a shirt, even in battle. His skin was covered in scar tissue, from his waist to his cleanly shaved head, he had almost one scar per square decimeter.


    Master Augustus clapped his hands, "That¡¯s enough sparring, Tiberius come to the stage, your opponent will be¡­ hmmm¡­. Kronos. No essence will be used in this fight, Seshwan I want you to use your own method with fighting an opponent that¡¯s much bigger than you. Kronos is nearly eight years older than you. Do your best." Augustus laughed.


    Seshwan gulped hard as he realized what was happening. Almost everything that had happened so far this morning was completely the same as last time. He was reliving a memory. Or he had died and reincarnated. If it was the latter then he could change the outcome of this fight, if not and it was truly the former; then he knew how this fight was about to go.


    Kronos hopped onto the stage. He was nearly thirteen years old and already possessed a genius level of cultivation for his age. He had successfully manifested his essence, though he was not apprentice stage yet, he was still beginning to train his body with the essence energy. He would be an extremely tough opponent.


    "Little brother Tiberius, come and face me." Kronos mocked from up on the stage.


    Seshwan walked to the stage and climbed up to ready himself to face his elder brother.


    "Kick his ass K!" a few of the older boys yelled.


    "Sesh, you can win! Just do as you¡¯ve been taught, go for weak points when you can!" a voice from the group yelled.


    The owner of that voice was Titus, Seshwan''s brother, who was closest to him in age. Next to him, their cousins, Marcus and Quintus, both stood with arms crossed, looking on, unsure of what Titus had said.


    Whispers circulated as the fighters took their places.


    "Tiberius is frail and weak, he spends too much time studying books rather than training his body."


    "Kronos will crush him, just watch."


    "An easy fight to win, damn why can¡¯t I fight Kronos?"


    Seshwan gritted his teeth as he thought, ''fuck you all I¡¯ll show you. I''ll beat Kronos now and show you all I''m not just a bookworm.''


    Kronos was over a full head taller than his little brother. "Tiberius, you could still forfeit." Kronos smiled.


    "Master won¡¯t let me, so not this time," Seshwan said quietly.


    "Fight!" Master Augustus announced.


    The two boys bowed and both charged forward. Kronos was faster than Seshwan and arrived to strike first.


    Seshwan rolled his body around the punch Kronos threw toward him, getting in closer. Seshwan retaliated with a palm strike to Kronos'' ribs.


    "That tickled kid." Kronos laughed as he brought his knee up into Seshwan''s stomach.


    The wind had been knocked out of Seshwan from the blow to the abdomen. He fell to the floor holding his stomach.


    "Damn it!" Seshwan cried out.


    Master Augustus sighed. "Fight¡¯s over. Seshwan, come see me when you can. The rest of you, go out to the courtyard and meditate; keep trying to awaken your essences," Augustus instructed.


    "Yes, master!" all the students shouted in unison.


    As they all filed out of the hall, Titus approached Seshwan and helped him to sit up.


    "Sesh, you landed a hit on Kronos, that¡¯s better than not being able to do anything and losing to the first punch." Titus comforted.


    "Titus, leave him. Do as I''ve instructed." Maser Augustus commanded.


    Seshwan breathed heavily as he sat on the stage, ''This is my memory, without a doubt, but why?''


    Master Augustus walked over and sat next to Seshwan.


    "Listen, kid, I''m sorry. I know Kronos is a lot tougher than you, but I put him on the stage to show you that your lazy, lay-about attitude won¡¯t make you strong. This is the lesson for today: your enemies will always be stronger or faster than you. You must be ready to fight for yourself. I don¡¯t mean to be mean to you; as my nephew, I just want you to do well." Master Augustus explained as he rubbed his hand on top of Seshwan''s head.


    Julius entered the training hall, he was wearing the same training garbs he would wear in the future. "Tiberius, the elders have determined that you will take the Test of Hades. Your father has also agreed. Come with me."


    "Test of Hades? This boy still has time to develop; we can¡¯t submit him to Hades! He could die!" Augustus shouted.


    "The Emperor has ordered it; I shall oversee the rite. Come with me, Tiberius." Julius said coldly. He glared at his elder brother, who dared to question him.


    "August, keep your mouth shut about this. The kids don¡¯t need to know."


    "Juls, what happens if Helena finds out what you¡¯re doing to her only son?"


    "We don¡¯t need to worry, she won¡¯t," Julius replied.


    Seshwan''s mind raced, ''What is the Test of Hades?'' He had no memory after this fight that he could call up to reference. Something was about to happen.