《Dragon Throne》 Prelude to Destruction It was a warm summer night, the breeze was pleasant, cooling the heat of summer day, with the moon shone brightly behind the shy clouds that drifting with the winds. The air filled with the joy of the villagers as their harvest was a good one this time. They were singing the Song of the folks, surrounding a giant camp fire in the heart of the village, beating of drum reverberating through the air, feet stomping that shook the ground, the cheering for the dancing couples that danced happilly and intimately with the song, forgeting the eyes of peoples, hands clapsing along with the rhythm , their laughter that so joyfull, filled the air with thick happiness. Hours they sang dan danced and hours their laughter never fade along with the song. But a presence that they never dreamt of has come, silent like the night it self, tearing through the black sky veiled within darkness, its presence was given when the massive wings covering the light of the moon and the stars. The sound died, everything went still with the time followed suit, as their mind can''t comperhended what was happening. A deafening roar unleashed by the creature, a shockwave that pluck leaves from the branches, tremoring ground that startled stones, replacing their joy with fear, their laughters with screams. The symbol of destruction it self has came out to meet them. It was a humongous dragon, cladded in emerald skin and yellowish eyes that gleaming in the night, full of madness. This is a sign of the beginning of something that has been foretold from the ancient time, }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ A banner of winged sword hung silently on the wall, when someone broke the silence. "My lord, there were many reports about sighting of dragons my lord, several towns were attacked" a man said huriedly to someone that seated in a golden chair in a warchamber, he is an old man if you measure it by time, but his visage was so handsome that every maidens wouldn''t care for his age, he was tall, taller than the average men, with a body that will make a masterpiece sculpture cower in shame, those blonde hair that braided with blood red string, and those blue eyes that looked calmer than a sea before storm, but his hardened expressions looked more grim than the reaper himself, why? Because the Begining of an End already began, while Nothingness is waiting patiently at the cessation of time. "Move the Terra Knight and the Valkryie, we must help with all of we got" he said grimly "But my lord, we cannot leave our own castle defenceless, what if other " his retainer was cut off before he finished "No what if Jenal, our people need us now, and what is a kingdom and a king without people that support him?, now go" Jenal saluted with his fist on his chest, and hurriedly went to do his order. When Jenal gone, a woman suddenly appeared out of thin air, as if that she was already been there all along, she was warped in black clothing that cover all of her, save for her storming yellow eyes, but the king paid no heed to the trick of her, and began to asking her himself "Morraine, what brings you here? In this time of crisis" The king ask her, Morraine as the king called her "I''m here to save the blood line of Old People, that mean your child, Aldred Pendragon of Randaghul" she said calmly as if talking to a common man, despite he was the king himself. "What Morraine, you talked as if i''m already a dead man, did you think i will not survive this mess?" Despite the calm face he had, his voice tinged with worry and fear that so subtle that won''t be sensed if you didn''t seek for it. "You know the prophecy Pendragon, when the king himself named as the prince of destruction, it means that was the last king from the Ancient People, until the Dragonborn came to the world." She said it plainly as if reading a book, not some great prophecies of Old Age. "And worry not Pendragon, the Hand of King will serve your descendant as it always serve your predecessor for the past thousand years" she add that as a reassurance but even her calm was shaken "When did the Dragonborn will come Morraine? The Prophecy said that he will come when the Dragons back from their realm" the king asked despairly. "This is not the time apparently, because the Dragon Stone is the only one that shone whilst the Mortal Stone did not, we may as well wait for tomorrow or next year or even when this time of your life already become a legend, and i fear the dragons will run rampant before our savior come, so i pray for the might of your self and your kingdom, be your might became our path to the future glory" the woman answered in agony barbing her voice "Very well Morraine, take him and May Light guide us in this battle" "May the light shine upon us Pendragon" She disappeared as fast as she came, without a word of parting, but the king paid it no heed, because the palace suddenly trembled, the high ceiling was torn apart like some kind of paper in front of the might of destruction it self. "For the Light, and may Mother Earth embrace me in her arms as my body return to where it belongs" the king muttered to himself This battle of Randaghul was called the First Revelation in the days beyond their times, a reminder that the prophecy already took their grasp within the time it self }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ -When we are drowning in our joy, they will come as the time repeat it self, their fire burn more than a blaze of volcano, as the mountain it self bow before them, their rage can''t be compared to the raging sea as the ocean it self went still in their presence, they are the more destructive than the destruction it self, as their pride made them bow to no one, not even Gods, they are called the Ruler of Skies as they freely can roam in it, the Emperor of Kings as no Kings can opposed them, the Conqueror of Country as their visit will bring you to extinction, as nothing one can stand before them. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. - They lay asleep for millenia as time of our life is a mere blink of an eye to them, they will come to bring us the End, as they will open the seal of Magic, beware you peoples, beware you Kings, as the fate is set upon stone, for them to bring you back into the Age of Darkness, as their wings can cover even the light of the sun - But Light will offer its help, with their Avatar on our realm, as the manifesation of Defier of Fate will come forth, as they will born without distinction, as the prince and princess or as the children of a whore, but they are the light that will shine our path in the darkened sky " A verse from The Prophecy of Dragonborn }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ Galdera, the southern most city of Kalderon kingdom, they are the most dangerous city in entire kingdom and aslo the capital of it. Because the often harassment of the monster and beast, their soldier trained for the worst, and from the worst they prevailed. The Warmasters were in high tension, while the Queen still looked composed amidst the worst news her country ever heard. She in her war suit was ever look beautiful and fierce, no denying in the peoples mind that surrounding her. Then the sound of slammed door broke the silence "The dragons already start their attacks, our scout report that three of them flying this way, estimated time of arrival, twelve minutes My Queen" "Your majesty, you and the royal family should evacuate now, we can''t delay it anymore, now that the dragons heading this way" one of the warmaster spoke in stern voice. He was a slender man, with chainmail armor painted in blue color, a butterfly emblem rested in his left shoulder guard, his face was handsome and young, with light blonde hair, something that you did not expect from a warmaster "Ragil is right your majesty, your safety is the utmost important thing right now" another man in silver heavy plate mail with a wolf emblem in his left shoulder spoke, this time it was an old man, with white hair, white because time already took the color, his face was stern full of little scars, as a memento of past battles. But you still can feel the vigor as high as a youth from his green eyes. "No, Denai i will and must not run from this battle. For the sake of our beloved King, i will stand my ground and fight" the Queen solemnly answered the two warmasters The sound of trumpet could be heard now, the dragons already in sight from the edge of the city. This time, Denai the old one turned into the third warmaster in the room "Zelkar, please ask her majesty to evacuate now, you are the only one that can make her change her mind" Denai pleaded while Ragil also nodded with those statement "I''m sorry old friend, this is a decision that Her majesty herself need to made, and i will do my best to follow that" Zelkar, the man answered that. He only wore simple chest and greaves armor and a left shoulder guard, with lion head emblem on it, but unlike Ragil rapier or Denai long sword that hung on their waist, a giant broadsword hung mightily on his back, his face has a giant scar that cut diagonally from his left brow to his chin. His eyes were black, contrasted with his white platinum hair "But we must evacuate the rest of the family from here" the Queen said "Zelkar, i need you to tell Agian to take his corps for this task, after that we will face the dragon, their blood will spilled tonight" said the Queen, her voice boomed in the room, while the three warmasters saluted her That night, Galdera fell, but along side with her, she took three dragons to the Lord of the Grave. }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ For months, the battles continues. Then months turned into years,then human stopped counting. Because there were no times for something else except for battles. They simply live to die or survive only to die, tomorrow. But still human never give up, stubborness was already in their core. Constant danger because of the dragons were their daily bread. Bloods were their drinks. And death were their dearest friend. Human already exhausted, but still they waited for the prophecy to fullfil it self. For their savior to born. Kingdoms rose and fell Kings and Queens ruled the empty land. Still, the Mortal stone never once shine its light. Will there be a salvation for man kind? or will the damned world burn in the fire? }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ '' O''saviour, ashes we stood in For rubble now we live in. Red now the color of all for rains no longer fall. Blood but there is without flow. For it already no longer tommorow. Excerpt from a paper found in the ruin of Kan''dira temple }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ Well, i got this thing in my mind for quite some time already. So i decided to present it for you, but don''t expect for a regular update. This is something to blew of some steam from my life. This one will be slow paced, well , mostly. Suggestion, and critics are welcomed Thanks for reading this 01. Daily Life "They said that i''m special, They said that people just jealous of me, They said that i was born for a great cause, that the God him self bestow me this very own life that flow through me, with every breath that i take, every light that come from the sky" Excerpt from an Uknown Sripture {}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{} Its just another boring morning of spring where the breeze ever felt so pleasant. But there is already annoying noise that will force you to rise from your slumber. "Hey Dio, how long you want to continue sleeping, the sun already rise and don''t forget today is your turn to do the shopping" "Zzzz" "Hey Dio, wake up now or i will open this door with my foot" When the girl finished the sentence the boy already scrambled to the door, afraid because she will do it exactly as she said. "Whoaa, okay okay Lynn, i''m awake now, see " the boy Named Dio said while opening the door. "Ashes, Dio, how long you expect me to babysitt you? You are already old enough and you know you got responsibility to hold,,," Dio quickly interrupt her before this turn to be a morning lecture. "Okay, i know that already , i heard that every morning last year, now let me wash my face, eat my breakfast, then go to shopping okay" Dio said while rubbing his sleepy eyes. "Rrghh you little" "What little Lynn, i''m just one month younger than you, its just you were born in end of a year and i was the begining of the next, now shoo shoo" he said while motioning his hand in shooing gesture "Your breakfast is in the kitchen, now i will go to the library, see you later" "Be safe Lynn" Dio said while smiled wryly at her retreating figure. After Lynn went to work in the library Dio quickly made his way to the bathroom to wash his face, then he ate his breakfast that consist only a piece of ham and a slab of corn bread and a cup of cheap wine. "Let see what market has today" Dio said cheerfuly closing the door of his home. Tress market already bustling with life when Dio got there, with every shout of merchants as the usual music that accompany him as he come deeper. Today the shopping list consisted of hams , corn bread, and heap of vegetables if he get any. That''s pretty much their daily food. But they could not afford to be picky with our money now, they were the ''dragon'' orphan, not much can be said, its just their parents died killed by the Prince of Destruction. "Hello Arnie, the usual thing please" Dio said to the person behind the stall counter "Oh hello Dio, heres 6 slices of ham, its 30 copper as usual" the lady said with smile "Thank you" "You are welcome son" After that he went to the oldman place to buy the bread "Hey oldman, 20 corn bread please" "I''m not deaf you know, here, its 80 copper for ya" "Thanks oldman, you always give me discount" "Shhh, don''t said it too loud, if people know i give you discount, they will ask me to give them too, now go, i got lot of bread to make" the oldman said that "Haha, sure, thanks again" Dio grinned before walked off to wander at the market. }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ Dio''s life had been hectic and painful for the past few years. After his parents death, his life took a sudden turn that even he didn''t expect it to happen. The story went back to seven years ago. When he was seven years old and once part of the wealthiest family in the remote medium-sized town of Dintra. His parents are famous for their trade in silk and Orichalcum gem. Although started as a small family bussines, with his parents expertise they made a killing. Born as the only child on an empire of money, his life was never in inadequacy, for everything already served before him. Although drown in wealth, his parents never changed their self, for they still humble like everyone remembered from the time when they were only a family that started as a little merchant. So even when he got everything he wanted, even when he socially stood higher, their parents always implemented the education of humility and the like. Dio became a likeable boy in the town, everybody respected his parents and love him because of his personality. His parents made a gigantic estate that on par with a small castle, in the edge of the town. They also took the towns people to work for them, helping the towns to grow and creating new jobs for them. Even the major want to grant his parents a privilege to raise an army of their own, which they took eagerly, because hiring mercenary for guarding the bussines and estate proven to be expensive and somewhat ''unsecure'' He grew up with Lynn, the daughter of his family butler. She was his very first friend for she is only a month older from him. They spent their childhood together, giving both of their parents endless worry, because they like to ''gone missing'' unnoticed. Once when they were six years old, they made their parents almost went crazy because some people saw them went into the woods near the town. The woods had reputation of wild beast that lived inside, that made their parents mobilized almost the entire town to search for them, only to found that they were fell asleep in the guards barracks. Dio and Lynn got grounded for almost a month, before they were released. After that their time for playing noticeably dwindled. Dio''s parents hired tutor to teach them all kind of things, from basic literature and language , until the art of alchemy. Surprisingly, Dio was good in the art of creation, like alchemy and artificing, where Lynn was good in swordmanship and language. They made an odd pair that was known to the entire town. Although he was so likeable by the adults, somehow all the children seemed so reserved near him, it made him uncomfortable and at loss on how to act. Slowly his only playmate left were only Lynn and the guards in his estate. Though he never regreted his life.It was a perfect life. Until one day, the life shattered on front of him. A ball of fire was thrown out to the heart of the town. A Dragon suddenly came out of nowhere. Disguised in the burning light of the high sun. Yes Dragon, the bane of humanity that had been ravaging the world for as old as legend itself. Although the prophecy told, the heroes will come, but none has appeared. The Dragons still living as they pleased, sowing seed of destruction everywhere. The panic spread faster than a fire on a barn full of haystack. The town armies and guards busy attacking the Dragon, while at the same time evacuating them into safety. But no arrows that could pierce the skin, no swords that could bleed the flesh. Their struggle was a bravado that will ended up in vain. But still they fought for the safety of their loved ones. At that time, Dio was in his private laboratoty that his parents build for him. When tremors can be felt. Peoples scrambled in panic, but he saw his parents calmly directing them to the underground shelter. Instantly Dio thought of Lynn, she supposed to be in the yard practicing sword. When he made a run, a hand suddenly grabbed him, it was his mother. Wordlessly she pulled him, but when he tried to break free, a roar suddenly heard nearby. It made his legs wobbly. Then he noticed Lynn was running towards the shelter with a someone. He immediately ran after her followed by his mother. The shelter was packed full, with sobbed cry and hard rough breathing filled the room. The stream of peoples keep coming, his mother helped them to be orderly, while Dio searched the crowds for any sign of Lynn. There he found her in the corner, trying to help a crying boy. That was the last thing he remembered before he regained his consciousness. The towns people said they found him burried in the rubble with broken arms. When he asked about his parents they all fell silent, until an elder came and sit near him. Telling him everything that happened to the town. The Dragon destroyed more than eighty percent of the town. Killing more than five thousands people, his parents included. And after doing its deed, the dragon just flew away, like a small kid that got bored ransacking an ant nest. He was in grief the whole week. Peoples came to saying their condolences, but that was the worst part, he didn''t need the whole town keep reminding him that he was an orphan now for the whole week. It was at the end of the seventh day someone that he completely forgot came in. Lynn came with bandages all over her body and head. It was heart wrenching because he forgot completely about her. She came at him and hugged him desperately and they cried together. Then he found out that Lynn also lost both of her parents, when he heard that, he almost cried when Lynn flicked his head, saying that he already cried enough. Then they laughed , laughing at their fate at the miserable life that they got. The day after that, they went outside to see how bad the town was. It was catasthropic, the destruction made them barely recognize the town. It was not like anything he ever seen before. Although he saw some familiar faces, he couldn''t find light inside them anymore. It was a week after the attack, an employ from the Imperial Palace came to help rebuild the town. There were talk about building garrison here. And he overheard a talk about an academy that soon be opened on a town called Lath, a big town about a 4 days travel from Dintra. ''Thats it'' he thought, an academy is something he needed , a way for him for revenge. He didn''t have the skill with tongue like his father nor the capability to managed things like his mother, but an academy will open a path for him.''With my intelligence, i will destroy them, i don''t need the heroes, they can all go die'' he secretly vowed in his heart. When he consulted it with Lynn, she made him realize that his entire fortune now gone, broken under the siege of the Dragon. The only thing that left was the land and some part of the houses. He decided to sell the land and anything within it for a small fortune. Then he planned to move Lynn moved to Lath, At first Lynn refused to live with him, because she felt it will be a burden to him. But after some persuasion and talk about finding a job, she finally gave in. After arrived there he bought a small house near the outskirt, a warm and cozy place to live in. The remaining money he got, he saved for the academy , later in the future. }{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{ (Present) "Hello Dio, delivering lunch for Lynn as usuall?" A middle aged woman asked Dio from behind the reception desk, when he entered the library. "Hello there Auntie, yes i came to deliver lunch, where is Lynn?" Dio came closer to the desk while smiling. The woman is Nurna Nemata the head librarian in this place, with thirty years of service now she already passed half century in age. Her eyes still looked sharp although the time evidently already took her within its embrace. The once one of the most beautiful girl in the town, now only an old woman with greying hair. "Second floor at the H section reading booth" she said while adjusting her reading glasses. "And please do tell her to meet me after lunch okay?" Nurna said "Sure" "Lovely, now sho, she must have been starving already, waiting for you" she said before went back to read a book "Later then Auntie" Dio said while going to the nearest stairs. This library was once something that towns people seldom to visit or use. Because the growing town, people prefer to work for money and not really interested in reading. But Nurna was already been there as long as people can remember. The library started as two stories building that have books on the shelves. Every single of text and books was from Nurna parents. But now, it was a palace of text , a keep of knowledge , and many more of it in here. Thanks to the help from the Palace, now it stand five stories high with four times wider and thousands books richer. And with the academy in town, the library became one of the place to go if you ever want to enter the academy. Dio made his way through the marble stairs, everytime he was in here, this place never cease to amaze him. The intricate design and decoration gave unworldly feeling that contrasted to the world outside the door. Dio made his way smoothly between the high shelves, because he already made mental map of this place some years ago. He was humming lightly, made his way towards the far end of the second floor when he heard people voices between the shelves. "What do you mean by that? How did you get this information?" A husky voice said that The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident."I clearly heard that, they said he is the one, and the stone was alive when they checked it. So yes, but to think it come from that place, how could we expect the salvation to come" someone with a croaky voice answered. "They also said that the king will officially announce it and will give full support to him, this cause the tension to reach its peak between the faction" the same voice said that again. That greatly pique Dio interest. He tried to find the source of the sound, but from the vast shelves it will proven to be difficult. When he crept closer to the source of the sound, "Hey Dio" a hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder, it made him spun and almost attacked the person "Whoaa, easy there" a tall young adult said that "Ah,Curses Dan, you scared the hell out of me" Dio cursed "Whoa, i just tapped your shoulder man, no need to get offensive with the language" Dannuar Shelton is one head taller than Dio, which made him the tallest person on the town with more than two meter in height "That''s your fault, sneak up on me like that" Dio said but still breathing hard. "Haha, sorry man, never intend to, what are you doing here , your girlfriend already waiting for you" Dan nudged Dio''s elbow with a grin that saying what-are-you-waiting-for. "Stop it, for the thousand times Dan, she is already like a sister to me, we not in any romantic relationship" "haha yeah yeah, now go, or you will make her wait even longer" "Who''s the cause of it heh, see you later" Dio said sarcasticaly before went ahead to the destinated place. He actually wanted to stay and try to eavesdrop once again, but with Dan nearby ,thats seemed unlikely. He absentmindedly arrived at the booth, with a soft knock he announced his presence to the occupant "Wait a sec" a voice answered , a second later a soft click heard and the door opened, revealing a Lynn in black robe. "Ah, finally, come in" Lynn said taking the sandwich from Dio''s hand "Sorry, i met Dan on the way, so we talked a bit" Dio said while unwraping his own lunch "So, how''s your research ? Anything new?" Dio asked "Hmm, ohing ew" "Swallow it first then talk, that''s why no man can last long with you" "Shut up, like you one to talkz anyway nothing new about it, every record about the order is already lost or destroyed in the first Dragon War after the First Revelation." Lynn said disheartenedly "Well, what do you expect? That order is as old as the first military force known to the world. Even the Olden Prophecy has them in it." Dio said "Yeah, i know that already buut its still so frustrating for no official record about them left behind, only legends and rumours that passed down mouth to mouth. You know spoken words that already passed down is more unconsistent than weather in stormy days" Lynn angrily chew her last sandwich "Well i''ll let you to whatever you are doing here and Auntie said that you to meet her after you finished your lunch" Dio pointed at the booth that full of books "See you later at home" "Yeah i will after i clean this mess , and see you later" Lynn said before Dio closed the door Lynn job was easy for the most part, she only need to organize and deliver books to the reader inside the library. It came with decent payment and a lot of free time. A perfect job for her and her obsession. The order she talked about was the OathBlade , an order from the Hand of King organization, the oldest and the most powerful organization that run as the shadow of the Olden Kings and Queens. It was said that the first Dragon war wiped them out, but no concrete evidence was found to support any theories about their disappearance and why they never showed up in the years after the war. But, Dio''s mind already drifted back to the two person conversation that he accidentally heard. ''What was they talking about, and why they bring the king''s name in it, looks like something really big will be happening soon'' When he reached the spot where he met Dan, he didn''t see anyone nor he hear any sound, slightly disappointed he made his way down. "Auntie, i will take my leave now" he said cheerfully to Nurna "Oh, finished already? You didn''t forget to tell her that she need to meet me right?" Nurna said while placing a bookmark on her book. "Yeah , she is cleaning the booth now, see you tomorrow Auntie" "See you tommorow Dio" Dio made his way towards his workplace half running, the place it self was not pretty far from the library but with lunch already in time, peoples busily crowding the street. Thankfully he already knew the street shortcut inside his head. Alternating between alley and main road he reached the place under ten minutes. With little sweat beads in his face he opened the door and sent his greeting "Good day Mr.Bram" Dio said to the man behind the counter that smiled at him. "Ah, Dio you came at the right time, we have an order that need to be delivered" the man, Mr.Bram said while taking out a leather bag in size of Dio''s head "Um, deliver this? To whom ?" Dio surpressed an urge to sigh "To the Resterian house, the payment already been made, so you just have to deliver it" "Oh okay, later then" Dio walked out from the store disheartenedly The place wasn''t far, but he was tired from running. He walked slowly, savoring the crowded street with the mixture smell that hung in the air. The place where he worked was a Pharmacist or herbalist as the towns people called. It was the knowledge that interested Dio to work there. While making money he could learn basic and advance Pharmacology for free. Right now he is already capable to distinguish most herb and plant, complete with their effects and how to use it for certain purpose. And the pay was good, even though he often had to deliver the meds all over the town. The Resterians house already in sight, Dio sped up his pace. He found that Mr.Restari was sipping tea peacefully at the terrace. "Hello Mr.Restari, i''m here to deliver the meds from Mr.Bram" Dio greeted "Ah, yeah, thank you so much" he said while taking the bag "Wait a moment please" Mr.Restari said before gone inside the house, a moment later he came bringing a piece of paper in hand "Now please give this to Bram, he will know what to do" "Sure, now if you excuse me" Dio said bowing to Mr.Restari "Ah yeah, be careful on your way back" he smiled at Dio retreating figure, before sat back again in his chair His way back was smoother, because most of the people already finished their lunch and back to their previous activity. Although several peoples still walked down the street. "Oh , you back already?" Mr.Bram said that when Dio entered the store "Yeah, but Mr.Restari said to.give you this" Dio took out the paper from his pocket and hand it over to Mr.Bram. Mr.Bram eyes widened when he read the paper, "oh he want us to make this" then he turned towards Dio "Now please gather two slot of Nightbane, Nightshade and Wolfsbane, also a bottle of Imp Blood, a spoon of Glow dust and a head of Garlic" when he finished that Mr.Bram already made his way towards the brewing room, and Dio went into the storage room where almost all ingredients kept. But the ingredients confused Dio, while Nightbane and Nightshade could damage health, Imp Blood enchanced and restore stamina, Garlic is the deal breaker, it can cause the body to breakdown the meds effects faster, making it less effective. Not wanting to waste his time to thinking it, he swiftly gathered the required ingredients in a basket then made his way to the brewing room. No matter how many times he come here, Dio always struck by the sheer sophistication of the place. For the eyes of ordinary person, this place maybe looked like a mess with tube and stuff, but for a herbalist or pharmacist, this place was like heaven. With a soft cough Dio announce his presence, this also a way not to startled people, because it proven to be fatal for someone that working in this kind of environment. "Ah, you already finished gathering the ingredients?" "Here" Dio showed the basket to Mr.Bram. "Ahh good job, now you go make those aromatic candle that you made before , it sells like hot cake, and several people already order it ahead of time, you will use the second room ,and don''t disturb me, except for something urgent and important" Mr.Bram dismissed Dio without a second glance. Dio knows better not to disturb Mr.Bram when he on that state of mind, he will make something extraordinary and unique for Mr.Restari that''s for sure, you could not miss the glint in his eyes. "Well candle to go" Dio said to no one in particular The second brewing room is where Dio''s little kingdom take place. Although it lack the "wow" feeling compared to the other room, for him, this was perfect for him right now. The ingredients were already available for making the aromatic candle, although it was so simple and less flashy. The wax was already prepared before hand, because making it from beeswax took much time and couldn''t be done everyday. So the process will be extracting the essence from the aromatic source. Dio used four types of aromatic plant, Bloodwort, Anmita grass, Lavender and Citrus grass. The four of it already dried of course Carefuly he crushed them together until it became powdery. The next step was mixing filltered water with it, filltered water used so it won''t affect the scent later on. After that Dio put them on the distillation device where the heat will separate the water and the essence. After a few minutes Dio got a strong scented essence for the arimatic candle. Then he mix the wax with some steric acid to make before adding several drops of the essence to the mixture. After that he heated it carefully for several minutes until the mixture fused and melted. Then he poured it to the mold while adding wick. "Then there you go, aromatic candle ready to sell" Dio muttered happily. He then made another batch of candles with the remaining essence until a bell was rang, indicating it was already four in the afternoon. He then clean the room and stored the finished candles in the shelf. He then went to check Mr.Bram, but he was not in the room anymore. Dio knew Mr.Bram was likely to be in the second floor. He made his way to the library/private room of Mr.Bram with knock he said "Mr.Bram, are you there?" A voice answered him telling him to come inside. "So, how many candle you finished today?" Mr.Bram asked without glancing from the book in his hand. "A dozen of them" Dio said while curiously looking all over the place. He only once ever came to this room, that was the first day when he applied for the job, because he was under pressure back then, he never noticed the paintings and the "weird-but-interesting" ornaments the room had. The painting clearly portraying a human taking out the heart of a Dragon, but the ornaments intrigued Dio the most, it was full of the things that related to the Hand of King, maybe Mr.Bram has some books that related to the OathBlade order. "Hey, are you listening to me Dio?" Mr.Bram said with a hint of annoyance in his voice "Ah,sorry what is it? i was lost in my thoughts" Dio said apologetically "Whatever, just listen, i need to take care of several things, so tommorow you don''t have to come, ah and the day after tommorow too, i will give your full payment early with the price of the candles" he then took out a pouch of coins and set it in the table infront of him, the coin clinked indicating the presence of many of them in the pouch "Sure" Dio said taking the pouch, but it was several times heavier than it supposed to "The amount seemed to be wrong Mr.Bram" Dio said giving back the pouch "No its not, just take it boy, and now leave" he said "Thank you" he said simply Confused but still Dio took the pouch, he will never turn down money espescially the one that he earned. When he reached out for the door knob, Mr.Bram called out to him "Dio, take this with you too, i know that your sister interested in the OathBlade order, this book might contains something in that nature" Dio''s eyes brightened when the words enter his ears, He quickly took both of the books from Mr.Bram hand "Thank you so much, this mean alot for me" he said bowing his head "Yeah yeah, now go" Mr.Bram back to his book once again This was definitely the best thing that happen to him for the whole year, not that many thing occured in it though His step was thousand times lighter and he radiated happiness when he made his way home. 02. Reason and Rage After from his work place,Dio didn''t immediately go home, he went to the town bulletin board that placed near the town hall. What he want to check was , the pamflet about the academy admision. The test will be held in 10 days, he so excited thinking about that, the path he choose at least will be held open for him. He wanted to enroll as soon as possible , when he first arrived at Lath town, but the minimal age for enrollment is 15, while he was only 8 years old back then. The seven years wait he used to fill his head with knowledge from the library and from his boss, mr.Bram. With him lost in thought, he didn''t notice that someone was standing few steps behind him. The person, quitely stood, watching Dio with intense eyes. Strangely, no one seemed to noticed the person, everyone just passed by, like nothing was there. When Dio awaken from his thought and turned around, the person already gone with the wind. Dio made his way to the market once more, with extra cash, he could be a little ''generous''. He bought several Redberry, Lynn favorite fruit. He made his way to home, smiling ear to ear. --- As him arrived at his 4 room house, Dio started putting his grocery into place and do some cleaning. After Dio took a seat and started reading a thick heavy book that set near his desk. The book tittle was ''New Invention in Alchemy'', it was kind of new book, just published last month, and with Lynn working in library, he could got the book fast, but of course , he only borrowing it. Although he could not pursue his passion in alchemy anymore , due to financial problem. But he kept his knowledge up to date with books from library. The newest invention that piqued many interest from many peoples were explosive powder. Yes, it was not new one, explosive powder has been invented long before, as a necessity for fighting Dragons, but the material was equal to small fortune, not many people used it, only handfull. But this new explosive powder, was cheaper, and can be mass produced. A new breakthrough in human history. Dio remember a sentences from a book he read long ago. It sound ''Only in crisis, living being will try the hardest, will uncover their true potential.'' "I guess its true, many incredible things that invented is because of the crisis" Dio muttered to himself He recalled that a history book that told the time before the first Dragon came back. It was placid world, with life just goes on, with same monotous occurance. But after human defeated in the first war, all of us started to realize, that human as they were, were insufficient to even wound their enemies. Although fight with beastial creatures were common, but they couldn''t be compared to even a small Dragon. Then, human changed how their mind works. Started to seek a power that could easily help us to kill the Prince of Destruction. One of the notable discovery , were the Mage''s Tower. A symbol of hope and power , that could rival Dragons. Alas, the greater the power, the harder it will be to weild them. To become a Mage, you must have aptitude, and must endure harsh training. Many were failed. Although concept of Magic were known before the coming of Dragons, but it was scarce, only a handful of people knew the existance of such power. But as the prophecy it self has told ''they will come to bring us the End, as they will open the seal of Magic, beware you peoples, beware you Kings,'' Many people interpreted that as a sure way to push back or even annahilation of Dragons. Yes, Mage or Magician number are many times higher than before, but still how many times multiply a hand full, it still won''t be enough. Back to his book, Dio conclude , only the new kind of explosive powder were really useful. Several other new invention like new kind of alloy, or something related to herbology are usefull, but the cost wouldn''t be efficient to be implemented immediately. Dio, aware of the soft footsteps behind his door, immediately glanced up, to see Lynn , standing there with a smile on her face. "Hey, why you didn''t turn on the lamp?" Asked Lynn , while putting fire on Dio''s oil lamp . "Ah, sorry, i forgot, kinda lost the track of time while reading" Dio smiled back innocently. "So, how''s work today?" Asked Lynn while took a seat on Dio''s bed. "Hmm, its usual i guess, with something unusual mixed in it" said Dio "Um, what do you mean? What was the unsual thing you mentioned?" "Ah, it was, mr.Bram, recieved a piece of paper from mr.Restari, and he suddenly asked me to take a two days break, with double payment, made me curious what was inside the paper" Dio said while putting bookmark on his book "Hmm, that''s certainly unsual, but you know mr.Bram is considered expert on his trade, maybe something related to that. Anyways, has you prepared yourself for the admision test ? Its just 10 days, you know" said Lynn while twirling her shoulder-long hair. Dio was fascinated with her hair, as he were back in the old days. Lynn has the most beautiful hair, Dio ever seen. A soft-brown hair that reflect the shining sun, but the amazing part is, a deep scarlet shade, that only can be seen on certain angle if you looked closely at her hair. A truly magnificent work of art, Dio concluded. "Hey, are you listening to me?" "Um, what was that again ?" "Heh, i asked, are you prepared for the admision test?" "Oh, ah, yeah test, i did my best to prepare, but the question was known to be hard, but i think i can manage it, probably" Dio shrugged and smiled at Lynn, which only replied with a rolled eyes. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more."Ah, how about yourself ?" "Me? What do you mean?" Lynn asked with confused expression "Aren''t you going to enroll too? You are probably the second smartest girl i have ever know" "Huh, i''m the second? Who''s the first then?" Curiously Lynn asked Dio smiled smuggly before dropping the answer "Your boss of course" then, Lynn certainly thought what Dio said, "haha, yeah, that''s so true, i bet , mrs.Nurna remember all of the book on the library" Dio laughed with Lynn, but her expression suddenly changed to serious one, this expression mean, a heavy talk with her ''But still, i won''t enroll, first, i''m not that talented with sword, and i don''t have money" Lynn said with cold detached tone "Why are you worrying over money? I''ve got a saving that, i intended for both of our enrollment, and your skill with sword is top class, for someone in your age." Dio said vehemently "But its your money, and i don''t want to be a burden for you anymore, you have done enough for me already" her cold voice changed with one that tinged with bitterness and pain "Haa~h, why are you always like this? Didn''t i already said, you are the most important person for me now, i want you to be able to rise, and the humanity need many skilled people, and why are you so stubborn with money? If you felt burdened if i''m giving you free, you can consider it as a loan" Dio inadvertently raised his voice, while Lynn looked as calm as before "This is what i''m affraid about, even you looked the same cheerful you outside, inside your vengeance already eating your reasoning. Me too want to kill those dragon, but seeing you like this, i''m affraid you will kill yourself one day, because you''ve been blinded by your vengeance. We will talk again, after you have cool your head down." Lynn then walked out the room slowly, leaving Dio on storm of thought. Gone all his excitement for today, but Lynn words were indeed true, its only that Dio already abandoned the world when his parents died, only his vengeance drove him. Many times in the past seven years he thought about abandoning his vengeance , but then his life felt bland, nothing to look forward , in a world where a flying disaster could strike anytime. He then took a deep breath, thinking that Lynn was right, his vengeance did blind him, but it was his fuel, an important reason that made him want to enter the academy. What he need is, a way to control his emotion, a way to channel his rage, make it into a weapon that he will hone. ~~~~~~ The silence at dinner was deafening. Dio, who used at laughter and conversation with Lynn felt so restless, but when he saw Lynn only calmly eating her food, Dio''s pride got better of him, so he kept his silence and eat the food mechanically. ~~~~ The same night, at her room, Lynn were contemplating the earlier conversation with Dio. ''You fool, why are you so bent on something so useless'' an inner monologue played over and over again inside her. She recalled the disaster seven years ago. A secret that he didn''t tell Dio. A word from her father, that sworn her to protect the young master, and something else, something that only her father and Dio''s parents knew, her father said that she will knew when the time is right. That was upsetting, knowing something will happen but not knowing what, or why. And there was Dio''s mother words in her death bed. She remembered how she was. Mrs.Evelyn was a beautiful lady, not by her physical trait, although she wasn''t ugly in the slightest bit, but her graceful figure, her shoothing voice, and her bright green eyes, would undoubtly makes everyone like her. Even in her deathbed, she didn''t lost any of her qualities. ~~~~ "Lynn" Evelyn smiled weakly when she saw her son bestfriend was okay, except a few bruises and cuts. "Must be unsightly, seeing me like this" Evelyn said in a tone of irony, because she always emphasized that any woman must always appear as they were in the best. "No, Mam, its not, you are still the best woman in this town" Lynn, knowing how her mistress mind, replied with the appropriate answer. But still seeing her crushed arms and legs were heart wrenching. She almost cried, but thankfully , her lesson as swordswomen , saved her. "Though you need to rest, the healer will make you as good as before" "Hahah, you silly girl" even her laugh still felt warm to Lynn. "But no, no healer can save me, my time is near, i will soon follow my husband , and your parents" when Lynn heard that, she unconsciously clenched her fist, knowing your close person was dead is a something, but hearing it still tore a large part of her heart. "I''m sorry Lynn, we couldn''t give both of you a good life" Lynn answer were only a silence, but mrs.Evelyn continued "Seeing your father already gave you that necklace, it means that you already sworn to our family" Lynn who heard that, unconsciously put a finger on her newly added ring, a keepsake from her father, that came with an oath, and she firmly nod. "I''m sorry, that we must made you to take such a heavy responsibility in such young age, but knowing my son temper, he will be consumed by blinding rage when he awake later. I need you to consol him, make him forget his rage. Although i wish him for a happy normal life, but that''s just a pipe dream now" mrs.Evelyn put another smile, but it followed with a blood cough. Lynn rushed to help, but mrs.Evelyn only could whisper ''please'' before light fade from her eye. ~~~~~ Lynn quickly wipe her beads of tears. Those memories always bring the weak side of her, even as seven years has gone by. She put out her light and quickly went asleep. 03. The Path Opened A week has passed by just like that. While Dio and Lynn still hasn''t talked about their problem. The days were passed on monotonous autopilot. Everything felt bland, at least for Dio, because no matter he look, Lynn always have the calm and detached expression in her face. He couldn''t know what she think or how she felt. But the feeling already made him restless, his heart filled with guilt, but his pride got better of him. Holding his apology for a whole seven days. Until at the eighth night, he couldn''t bear it anymore. They were eating dinner, with every passing single second made Dio more nervous. "Hey Lynn" Dio filled his mind with as many bravery as he could muster "Yeah?" As she looked up to him from her food, Dio''s mind blanked because of nervousness for a second. Quickly got hold of himself, Dio with stuttered words, deliver his apology. "Ah, um i, i''m sorry for what i said back then." "Sorry? For what?" Lynn confusedly asked "You know, the thing last week" Dio got more nervous from Lynn respons, he already prepared for an outburst of anger or worse, but this calm demeanor of her, really got to his nerves. While Lynn at the other side, genuinely confused. Because with her mindset of a protector, Dio''s selfishnesss is something that she already knew, and his reasoning is sound, well for the most part. So she didnt really think that it was something to apologize for. "Why do you need to apologize for that?" "Um, because what i said was wrong, and i made you angry" Dio, almost couldn''t let the words out because of his nervousness, for all the time he spent his life with Lynn, this is the first time they talked in this kind of situation. "First of all, I''m not mad at you, and weren''t you said that it was true, even i''m considering most of what you''ve said back then were true, so where did you get a notion that i''m angry with you?" Dio were flabbergasted, ''what is happening here'', he thought to himself "But, didn''t you seemed to getting away from me, i even haven''t heard your laughter in the past seven days" Dio said hastily, and then the realization of how the words he said would sound dawned, a reddish tint appeared in his cheek "Haah, because of that? How could that notion appeared in your head? Yes i admit i was somewhat absentminded this past week, but its because i''m seriously considering what you said, buut you didn''t even try to strike a conversation either. As for the laugh, did you notice that it was always you that did the silly things or told me the joke, how could i laugh at nothing?" Lynn were burst out laughing after saying all of that in deadpan face. Dio, just stood there, still as stone, as he absorbing the information that he just heard. Its all just in his head, yeah Lynn were unusual, but his imagination add an exaggerated detail to his assumption. Then he started laughing too, looks like its all turned out to be great at the end . ~~~~ Today is the day, Dio stood outside the gate of Lath Academy. He took a deep breath and looked to the girl beside him. "Lets go Lynn" while Lynn only nodded, noticing Dio''s nervousness. The academy were massive, at least to the source that Dio read. The actual size were never made public, but everyone lives in Lath will know, that, roughly,it took a third of the whole town land. The support from empire were enormous. But for the future , anything will be done right? At least that''s how Dio thought. The academy it self teaches numerous lesson and trade. From basic calculation to making weapons, from basic swordplay to a Dragon slashing technique. The academy were unofficially divided into two, the destruction and creation camp . Why unofficially? Because making that nickname official is not good for the image. But everyone knew the nickname, though the dividing itself is vague. The academy it self never force anyone to learn only on one camp, but everyone knew, academic and fighter camp way of teaching is different, and dividing your lesson might slow you down, unless you are a genius When they arrived at the reception hall, it filled with many peoples, faces he knew and more that he didn''t. When he got to one of the desk, a broad shoulder man asked him Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!"Academic or Fighter?" "Um what?" "I asked, you here to get into the academic side or the fighter side?" The man asked with a boomed voice that shook the air in Dio''s lung. "Ah, um academic sir" he answered with flustered voice. Although he lived for years in Lath, he never met anyone that he knew from the Academy, so this new experience , which he hold as a way to his revenge, made him very nervous. "Take this and don''t lose it, we will start the test at high noon" the man gave him a badge of plain blue color "Next" he said with a raised volume, then Dio scurried away, it was Lynn turn, she got same badge, only it was in red color. "Looks like we have quite some time before the real test start" Lynn said while took a seat beside Dio They choose uncrowded spot to seat, at the end of the reception hall. Here you could have a bigger picture of the crowd. "Yeah, they said the fighter camp test were quite strenuous, would you be okay?" "Hmm, don''t worry about me, although i''m working at library, i still do my basic training properly, unlike someone that i know" Lynn said with a faked bored expression which only to made Dio rolled his eyes at her. "I''m sorry that someone didn''t have enough interest to do his basic training" Dio shrugged, then noticed someone, or to be exact three peoples stood watching them, while the fourth came towards them. "Hello, my name is Gerard Maxio, a fellow fighter camp student, may i have your name?" the boy came facing Lynn, while treating Dio completely like air. But Dio knew better to not take it to the heart, because he knew the boy, well his last name mostly. "Oh, i''m Lynn, Lynn Valengela, nice to meet you too" Lynn said with a basic courtsy "Wanna take a bite before the test start? My brother said it will be tiring, and i don''t want such a beautiful lady to suffer a hunger while at it" the guy didn''t even try to subtle when trying to flirt her, which made Dio rolled his eyes "Ah, i''m sorry, i already eaten, and i''m currently talking with my friend now" her words that filled with rejection were accompanied by a bright smile, which serve to made people wouldn''t mind her rejection "Ah, is that so" the Gerard boy glanced at Dio, "We will still have the time at the future to meet miss Valengela" Gerard retreated with a bow, then joined his other friends, which seemed console and mock him at the same time. "Why did you reject him? You know who is he right?" Dio asked after Lynn sat back "Hm, yeah, if i recall correctly, he is the fourth child of Maxio family. A bit of bully from the rumour, so i would like to keep clean of him" when Dio heard that, he couldn''t help to laugh "Haha, what is he? Some kind of disease?" Lynn only smiled when Dio said that. Time passed by as they chatted, until a bell rang. Then the peoples that do the reception earlier made a row, with the man which has the booming voice at the middle "Gather up, the fighter camp at my right the academic camp at my left, hurry" his booming voice made many peoples hurried, affraid to incure his wrath. "Let me introduce my self, i''m Jorgen, the vice president of this academy, these are your future instructors" he said pointing all of the people that lined beside him "You will get your chance to know them, but first we need to do the test. The academic camp, please follow them into the test site," he pointed at the peoples at his left "the fighter camp, follow me" Dio immediately tried to find Lynn in the moving sea of crowds when someone tapped his shoulder "We will meet up later, okay" it was Lynn, which Dio answer with a nod, before both of them consumed by the sea of peoples again. ~~~~ "Will the fire consume? Will they rise from the ashes? The thing it brings is a double edged weapon, could we weild it? Or is it just a false hope? Please be the light, for darkness already eating us" A piece from Velander diary ~~~