《Age of Revolution》 CHAPTER 01: INFERNO 1 ARIA 1500 EDENIAN ERA ¡®Argius, Argius¡¯ the yelling is ringing in his ears. The heat blared around the windows. The heat must burn skins. At last that is what he believed. Fire is supposed to stay hot. But never for him. Fire is not something he fears. ¡®Argius¡¯ his mother yelled from the distance. His finger grips the blanket, but the flame engulfed the house. HE could see it. He could almost feel it. But it was not the fire that he fear, for the young boy has inherited his father blood. And his blood is strong. He wanted to run from the carriage and jump out from the grip of the young man holding him, wanting to save her mother, but the young man gripped tightly. On the outside the neighbour who have always fear the mother and son who spread rumours and unkind words about the mother and son ,anxious and afraid as the flames lick the brickworks of his dilapidated house as Argius mother were engulfed in the fire. Trring,Tring. The alarm clock wakes him. And the nightmare recedes to his memories. It is nearing summer. Argius open his eyes slowly and carefully as the sunlight shone his face. He opens his eyes and look at the ceiling contemplating. ¡®At least I did not wake up screaming again.¡¯ But still there is sweat on his forehead. And slowly he wipes the sweat and take a deep breath. He looked around. New house again. ¡®Uncle¡¯ he said as he shakes his head. The house is new. Very new. Even the smell of the paint can still be smell. The colour of the walls is white, no picture of family or places that he might have visits, or notes, clean like no one ever live in it. Empty and desolate. Argius know that these walls will remain empty. The wind breezes through from the windows. ¡®Did I open my windows last night?¡¯ He asked to himself and he remembers how he was feeling suffocated last night and he wanted to enjoy the sound of the rain dripping from the ceiling. The windows were huge. It is his house, sponsored by his uncle, his only living relative because he has regarded anyone from his father side dead to him. They are dead to him after what they have subjected¡­..and he shakes his head. ¡®Old history¡¯ he said. He doesn¡¯t want to have anything to do with their lot. And his mother side? All exterminated. Killed in cold blood. ¡®Old history¡¯ he muttered but even he could not believe the words anymore. He goes to the kitchen, open his fridge, take a couple of eggs and make himself an omelettes. He asked from his uncle to try let him live the way he wanted. Then he looked at the calendar. 1 Aria. School starts. ¡®New school¡¯ and he sighed again. He is accustomed to it but never did he feel¡­he belongs anywhere. And even this is to run away from his father. His father it seems is not gracious enough to let his second son to live by himself and far away from his eyes. He then went to the bathroom and it could fit 4 people in it. ¡®Uncle always buy some house that I don¡¯t even need, a bathroom big enough for 4 when only one person will live here.¡¯ He complained but he appreciates it. He looks himself in the mirror. He couldn¡¯t help but smile. His father doesn¡¯t give him much, but at least his father gives him his face. And that gave him much confidence. He is not a male model but he should have been. His nose is perfect which complemented his prominent cheekbones. The only flaw is this white hair of his. He took the colouring and slathered it around his hair. ¡®They could not know that I have white hair.¡¯ That is what he is thinking. ¡®That would cause an unwanted attention from many people and a matter of safety for me.¡¯ In a couple of minutes, his white hair turns to golden. He then looks back at the mirror. His blue eyes are another problem. Beautiful and entrancing his mother used to say. ¡®And invites a lot of unwanted question¡¯ he says And remembering about his mother he remembered the burnt house. Looking around at the rest of the village, this must have been where the fire started. My uncle beside him is wearing a cloak, his face unreadable. Patting Argius back, slowly, consoling him. But he can hear his cries late at night when his uncle thought he was sleeping. The walls had long since crumbled and in their place stood thick beams of wood, blackened and charred from where the flames had licked at them. The ruins were still smoking. He walked around the remains of the house, looking, searching, and hoping it¡¯s not there. Nothing had escaped the fire; glass littered the floor, where the windows had broken as he saw the skeleton. His mother skeleton he is sure, for whom else in the house when the fire happens. Then he found it. The dragon pendant and he took it and hold it in his hand. And as he held it, his tears flowed down and the sound of sadness that he releases was a sound of great and terrible sorrow. He cleans his face with the water as he looked back at his face. Golden hair and green eyes. No one will know. No one must know. He then moved to his wardrobe and opens it. His uniform is there all laid out or him. Who did this? ¡®Uncle.¡¯ No he thought it must be one of his uncle maids. Grove High, his new high school. Last time it was Hill High. This time it is Grove High. For some reason that seems funny to him. After that he went outside. There is no car waiting for him, or any butler to serve him. He ordered it because that would attract too much attraction. He looked around and he knows no one is here. His uncle has chosen a big house up top the hill, far away from people to protect his identity. And Argius is fond of walking. It made him feel not so much a freak. Dawn has shown itself. The road is wet with last night rain and slippery. He could still remember last night rain, the coldness which he always welcomed. After a while he reached the front gate. He was not late because he started coming since dawn and it was not that far though running down the slope is a little taxing but he think of it like his morning exercise. The other came to school by limousine or luxury car. He looks at the kids, some who will become his classmate. The rich and the famous. He had no feeling of envy. He knows how the rich and the famous live. And it was not always happy. They just only have more money. If my time with my mother taught me anything, it is that even without a lot of money you can still live happy. Argius look as he sees the symbol of the tree and the Badger as the mascot of this ridiculous high school. ¡®I mean, anything that choses a badger as a mascot is rank up pretty high as ridiculous. I could just imagine the costume for the mascot.¡¯ He whispered looking at the picture of the badger. He decided when he receives that envelope. And it his mission to infiltrate this school. His own mission. His uncle of course objected on the ground someone might know him and recognize him but he could not help but be tempted by the promise of information that he might find his mother killers. Though, why would his mother killers hide in high school is beyond him. But the hooded man has never disappointed him. He trusts him as much as he trusts his uncle. He walked and enters the hall. The halls were crowded with people, a couple making out on the lockers (sheesh) and some rich girl who walks in unison. Then there are the martial art students and the wizards in training with their Magic stones. And then there is him. Argius. But in this school his name is William. William Smith. A normal name. With a normal parents. With a normal life. Then he entered his first class. Martial Art studies. The teacher urges him in. ¡®Ok, students. Today we will have a new student joining us. His name is William Smith. Would anybody like to sit with him?¡¯ One of the rich girls he saw in the hallways said ¡®Sit here Will¡¯ Already familiar with him he thought. The girl push one of the guys out beside him and the class laughed. Not all of them but some of them. He spotted a girl, someone who looked fairly comfortable in her skin and bonus points for not laughing. Argius hated people who laugh at others misfortune. Maybe because he is one of the most unfortunate man. He approached her ¡®Hi, can I sit here?¡± she is shocked. More like flustered really. She straightened her glasses and looked at him like she is dazed but she quickly regains her composure. And Argius could see the rich girl expression is sour. But he doesn¡¯t care. He doesn¡¯t think he will be here in this school for long anyway. ¡®Well¡­if you don¡¯t mind¡¯ ¡®I don¡¯t.¡¯ ¡®Then sit.¡¯ ¡®Is that an order?¡¯ He said amused and Argius couldn¡¯t help but forming a mental image of the girl in front of him. She is not someone that is meek. ¡®An invitation¡¯ she said and she flashed a smile. It is a bright smile. Then he sit down and take his place as the murmurs and whisper fill the classroom about him and he could feel the rich girl eyes is lasering on him. Then the teacher explain to us about martial art techniques that existed, the importance of internal energy in forming a strong supplement to external attacks and the theory of martial art. The teacher then said we will learn it on the third month. When the teacher is talking in front, the noisy chatter fills the classrooms. People grinning to each other speaking in hushed tones, people exchanging papers, written with some kind of message, funny ones he presumes considering they laughed after seeing it. Some were called by the teacher, and reprimanded. They are some weird ones in the classroom. There is this one boy who he learn his name is Will ( like he said, common name) who daydreams looking at the outside windows. What did he found so interesting? Argius wondered. Then suddenly the girl beside me whispered ¡®the name Sarah¡¯ ¡®Will-¡® he said wanting to introduce himself. ¡®Yeah, kinda got that.¡¯ She said cutting Argius from finishing his sentence. He became a little miffed. His word is rarely cut off. ¡®Do you always do that?¡¯ ¡®Do what?¡¯ ¡®Interrupt people from speaking?¡¯ She smiled ¡®from time to time.¡¯ Then the teacher looks at them. They feign silence. Then the teacher returns back to his board. ¡®You¡¯re handsome¡¯ she said suddenly ¡®Thank you¡¯ Argius said surprised by the sudden compliment ¡®No, no, that is not what I mean.¡¯ She points her fingers to the rich girl. ¡®That is why she is interested in you¡¯ ¡®Who?¡¯ Then she pointed to the rich girl Argius see before. ¡®Her name is Leia Lethe.¡¯ ¡®House of Lethe?¡¯ Argius asked shocked ¡®Yes, so she practically royalty here.¡¯ ¡®But I don¡¯t think they have nobles here in this school. Most of them learned in the Vermont Academy. From what I heard, yeah?¡¯ ¡®Maybe you shouldn¡¯t know about this.¡¯ ¡®Do I look like I don¡¯t want to know about it? I¡¯m curios. Come on, tell me.¡¯Argius said bothering her. ¡®Fine¡¯ she almost yelled but Argius managed to cup her mouth. After she calmed down and the teacher stopped looking at them, they resume their conversation. ¡®Rumour goes that she party so hard that she burns one of the club in Astoklom. Her father had to pay the expenses and face the indignity explaining to the Emperor. The Emperor after all could not suffer more blows for the Imperial monarchy. And after all nobles are scarce these days.¡¯ Argius nodded while casting a glance towards the girl. ¡®Daughter of House Lethe huh?¡¯ Didn¡¯t expect that. I need to ask my uncle to fetch me some information then. Then it¡¯s time for history class. The teacher is an old man wearing a glass, a protruded belly and a large book on his hand. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. With a thump he slam the book at the teachers table and Will who Argius saw is dozing off snapped to the world of the living, wiping his saliva. ¡®History!¡¯ the teacher exclaimed with a kind of joviality Argius rarely heard from anyone. ¡°Without history, you don''t know anything.¡¯ He said as he orders the student to open the first pages of the history book, that big book filled with dates and one of Argius favourite subjects. Maybe because in history many people live a screwed up life more than him and reading about it make him feel a little better about his life. ¡®First we will cover one chapter of the History of the Edenian Empire. I would appreciate conversation only if it¡¯s about history¡¯ as the teacher realized the students were about to break out in a chat among themselves. ¡®First, Edenian Empire¡¯ he said with reverence. ¡®The history of the Empire at first is nothing but a Kingdom in Our Continent which once called Davarus continent, as an emerging Kingdom and then as a world ruling empire dominating one third of the whole world and still is.¡¯ ¡®Will¡¯ he pointed at Will while Will almost didn¡¯t hear him. ¡°Will!¡± the teacher yelled and he finally aware. ¡®Read the opening.¡¯ Will lazily rise from his seat and recite the books. ¡®In a millennia after the formation of the Empire, the Empire of Eden comprehended the fairest part of Earth, and the most civilized portion of humankind. The frontiers of their borders were guarded by renown and valour. The Edenian have an army at the time the best armed force in the ancient world and a great navy which expanded the Empire expansion policy, they were generally undefeated. No other army could in the long term resist the might of Edenian military, relentless, unflinching, and genuinely invincible. Edenians general can be outwitted, but in the terms of army there is no one that could resist in the long term. The influence of laws and Edenian culture cemented the union of Kingdoms to the Empire. The peaceful inhabitants enjoyed wealth and luxury for the Empire is prosperous than any other Kingdoms in the world. It is an Empire-¡® ¡®Thank you Will sit down.¡¯ The teacher shakes his head. Argius understand why. Will talks in monotone. It bored the hell of everyone even the teacher. ¡®Yes, the teacher said. ¡®The Empire is one of the greatest monarchies that are still ruling and unconquerable. It¡¯s wealth and extensive knowledge has helped the Empire to retain it¡¯s influence to the world, gifting them their culture and innovation. But not many knows the story of how its formation. It started in a small duchy. How a small duchy in a middle of nowhere grew into an empire that ruled so much of the known world is one of the greatest tales in history my dear pupil¡¯ he said, happy seeing the student pays attention. Even Leia Lethe is paying attention. Well considering her family is in the formation of the Empire it would be disrespect to her ancestors not to pay attention. ¡®In the ancient world there is no kingdom that matches the Empire strength, its discipline and valour and it will not be possible if not because this one man. No one change history more than him. No one contribute more to mankind than him, to culture and policy of openness in his administration.¡¯ He said and then he asks the class. ¡®Does anybody know who I am talking about?¡¯ In unison the class answered. ¡®ARIAL THE CONQUEROR¡¯ ¡®Yes, that¡¯s him. Arial the Conqueror. The greatest of the Emperors. King of Kings. The founder. Father of the Empire. The golden age. Politically, economically, and culturally. ¡®He has found a kingdom of brick and left it in golden marble¡¯ one of his descendant said about The Great Emperor. His family, the Vermont¡¯s have ruled the Empire for 1500 years. We are now at 1500 Edenian Aera, and still the people revere Arial.¡¯ He said opening his arm wide open. He is passionate about his job, that is for sure. ¡®Why the reverence? To some he was their god.¡¯ ¡®Speaking about that how did he become god anyway?¡¯ Leia asked holding his hands up. ¡®That is a nice question. Anyone know of the Five Wise Emperors? You¡¯ he said to Argius. ¡®Five Wise Emperors refers to the Five Emperors including Arial and his sons and grandson in successive brilliance in creating the Empire to be strong and united.¡¯ ¡®Thank you.¡¯ He said as he gestured for Argius to sit down. ¡®But why Arial and not all the other? This is where it is important to understand the mind-set of our ancestors. The Edenian at the time sees the rise of the Empire as inevitable and divinely preordained. And not to mention the man who led them was nothing but a young man when he first began his conquest. Able, smart and ahead of his time, he transforms the continent to such immeasurable heights, bringing them new innovation, so much that in some story it is reported that his father believed him to be divine the blood of Light in him. And so many of them believe too. The fact that he lived for so long is also the reason people believe he is half god.¡¯ ¡®There is also that story¡¯ one student said ¡®what was it? ¡®Is it is about his mother dreams?¡¯ ¡®That¡­yes that.¡¯ ¡®But that is mostly later descendants of Emperor Arial who embellished the story. The story said that when she was pregnant with the Emperor, his mother dreams that a light come out from her wombs and envelope the world.¡¯ The students nodded ¡®But it is best to remember that when the Great Emperor lived he never ask people to worship him. It was his descendant that created the Pantheon, considered as one of the greatest Edenian temple. The temple to all the Gods.¡¯ The students nodded. All knows the about the Pantheon. ¡®It is also regarded as one of the most sublime of Edenian building. It was built at Novus Gaia. Anyone learn architecture here?¡¯ The teacher ask. One girl held her hand up. ¡®The pantheon please explains it Lily¡¯ the teacher said. The girl quickly explained reciting from memory ¡®The Pantheon is composed of three disparate elements, huge colonnaded porch, a tall middle block, and the rotunda that support it dome.The porch has 16 giant columns of the composite orders, made with grey and red Seren granite with bases and capital of white Freya marble. With dragon on top of its pediment, the porch dominated the colonnaded piazza in front. ¡® The students are all yawning. ¡®Come on Lilly¡¯ some yelled. ¡®Do you want to bore us to death?¡¯ one of the muscled martial artist I saw in the hallway is yelling at her ¡®Ok Lily skip it please.¡¯ She nodded ¡®The effects of the building are lavish and its mathematically perfect proportions help explain its remarkable appeal.¡¯ The teacher hold up his hand and Lily take her seat ¡®In a world filled with gods, the step from human to god is a short one,¡¯ the teacher said reciting Arial famous line when he was asked whether he is a god by his friend. ¡®Arial dealt pragmatically with the desire of many of his non Edenian subjects to worship him. He didn¡¯t like it but he did allow altars and temples to be erected worshipping him. Sacred Songs and hymms were presented to him yet never once he believed himself as half god but he recognize the backwater tribe he has conquered that they need a god, and he was the closest thing to a god to them.¡¯ He said as he used the markers to write some title of some sonnets and poems dedicated to the worshipping of the Conqueror. Then he faced us and continues. ¡®In contrast, the nobility in the Edenian empire regarded any presumption of divinity by the emperor is tantamount to tyranny and this is where he tread carefully. Remember, many of Edenian is literate compared to their conquered subjects, discussion of philosophy and religion is vibrant in the city of Eden, namesake of the Empire. He never let anyone call himself a son of a god, or build a temple for him in Eden. It was long after his death that he was declared a god by his descendant and he, and by he I mean the gigantic statues of him, sitting in a large throne presiding over all the Gods of the empire assimilated in their conquest in the gigantic pantheon¡¯ ¡®Now let¡¯s talk about the man.¡¯ The student opens up their books. ¡®The man who would be known to history as Arial the Conqueror was born in the autumn of 1000AF, the son of Aries, a farmer at that time, and Julia, daughter of a certain noble house which even now still hard to ascertain. Their love story of Aries and Julia can be found in the Sonnet of Leats in his famous books Sonnet of Aries.¡¯ Some students take some notes, thinking maybe this question will enter the exams. ¡®Many legends have arisen about the first meeting of the lovers, and the circumstances in which Julia became Aries wife. At that time, a farmer of such common birth to marry a noble lady from a noble house is almost impossible but Aries did it, which could explain the regal bearing that the Conqueror seem to master even during his early age.¡¯ The teacher coughed for a while and takes some water to clear his throat and then he continued. ¡®It is said at his youth he has exemplified manners befitting of a noble when he follow his father to trade, every trader that they met praise the young boy of his knowledge and manners. As he grows older of course, his father a wealthy citizens were granted lands and in a couple of years managed to turn it into a successful city. Anyway, we are straying. That will be covered later in the formation of Arrandy but now I want to talk about the battle which changes everything for Arial . Who knows what the battle is called?¡¯ ¡®The Battle of Arleans¡¯ Leia answered enthusiastically. Considering her great ancestor also fought on that battle it is expected she knows the name of the battle. ¡®Yes, The battle of Arleans. It is the battle that changes the continent and changes the world. Why was it fought?¡¯ The teacher asked. ¡®You¡¯ he pointed at Argius again. ¡®The matter of the Throne of Vangua.¡¯ ¡®Yes. Like we know Edward the Saint died leaving no heir. Harald Alan under the Council of Lords get himself elected as the King, making Arial swiftly moving his army, furious and angry even after Harald has sworn him his fealty and the conflict culminated in the defeat of Harald at Arleans hill and Arial at the time a duke and a prince of a foreign nation, instantly elevated into a King. Of course this creates quite a conflict with him and the King of Aetherland.¡¯ Argius nodded. This story is known and one of the famous story of the Emperor of how because of a broken oath he went to that kingdom. Though the Anglais Raxons people see it differently. ¡®He then atop the hill ordered that his messengers go informed the other noble lords of Vangua to surrender and swear fealty to him or suffer his wrath. Owing to his reputation and fearing to prolong the war all the nobles in Vangua, surrendered. Arial then replace the noble lords of Anglais-Raxons with Edenian lords. Those who resisted his rule were killed and exiled and there begins the formation, if not the backbone of the Empire. Of course the Battle of Arleans is still researched until this day and many books have been written about it. Ok, then there is also the matter of the Great Emperor love life. He has one of the most complicated if not messy love life among some of the many Emperors. First he married-¡¯ And then the bells ring. ¡®I WANT YOU ALL TO WRITE 1500 WORDS ESSAY ABOUT ARIAL BIRTH¡¯ as his voice is drowned by the screaming of the excited students. ¡® LUNCH¡¯ the students yelled and they jump from their seat. Will resume his napping, snoring like a tank as Lily comes to him and tries to wake him up. Are they friends? Argius mused Argius sees that Sarah is about to go to lunch ¡®Wanna eat together?¡¯ Argius ask Sarah. He didn¡¯t know many people here and she seems like a viable place to get information and knows the inn and out of this school. Argius was thinking. And she seems like someone he could get along with. So they go together to the cafeteria as Sarah explains to him the social cliques and the groups in it. The Student Council, the wizards, the martial arts practitioners, the Scientist, the troublemaker and the King and Queens. The Queens is of course Leia with her lineage stretching to the formation of the Empire and the King is some handsome senior who play kickball, on the swimming team and archery team. Talk about an overachiever. Argius was slurping the meat soup and about to eat the meatballs when suddenly the huge TV on the middle of the cafeteria were open. Someone yelled ¡®EXPLOSIVE NEWS¡¯ as all students turns their attentions to the TV. ¡®The Imperial Highness, Heir to the Empire, Aeria Vermont has been confirmed dead this morning because of an accident in the military barrack.¡¯ Then the news anchor explains about the accident and the public reactions while the people in the cafeteria is gasping. Argius dropped his spoon. And he could felt it. He looked at the end of the cafeteria and he could see the Hooded Man waiting for him. His life has just gotten more complicated and he knows it. ¡®William?¡¯ Sarah said as he got up from his seat and began walking, knowing fully whatever news he is about to hear is not going to be good. ****************************************************************************** Here is the first chapter of the story. Hope you all like it and support it. remmmber this will contain many spoilers of Arial life so be warned. CHAPTER 02: THE GREAT TOMB ¡°Society will develop a new kind of servitude which covers the surface of society with a network of complicated rules, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate. It does not tyrannise but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.¡± ¨D Alexis de Tocqueville 22 ARIA 1500 EDENIAN Rring! The school bell rings. The students all scurry about, laughing, talking as they are preparing to go with their friends, to shopping malls, to some caf¨¦ or just going home who have nothing plan for the evening. In front of the school entrance of Grove High, 4 friends are walking together. The sunset is giving an atmosphere of an ending of the day. ¡®Will, will you join us this evening?¡¯ Sarah asked. ¡®Where you¡¯re going to go?¡¯ ¡®The Shack. Sleepy Will is buying the new album by Def Dead.¡¯ ¡®I¡¯ll pass. I got work tomorrow. You know it will take a day for me to work. I even got special permission to cut off school.¡¯ ¡®Lucky¡¯ Sleepy Will said. ¡®If only I got that job.¡¯ ¡®It is not that prestigious of a job.¡¯ ¡®Well, yeah. But it has a benefit. One day exempt from school, good salary. Though I don¡¯t understand why you need that job. You¡¯re rich right?¡¯ ¡®That is news to me.¡¯ ¡®Eh! I already saw your house before.¡¯ ¡®He is rich?¡¯ Lily asked ¡®I kid you not. He is rich. The large TV, his large wardrobe, and all the stuff you could see in a rich kid house¡¯ Will said making fun of Argius. ¡®Sheesh. I told you I¡¯m not.¡¯ ¡®Whatever. Call us if you change your mind. Ok?¡¯ Sarah said. ¡®Ok.¡¯ They waved each other goodbye and parted in the crossroads. Then from the shadows a hooded man appears. ¡®The car is coming. Accompany me for a while, Argius¡¯ A moment later the car arrived. The door is open for him. There is silence between him and the Hooded Man. The Hooded man face is hidden by his cloak but it looks like he is seeing the outside scenery. ¡®Your friends?¡¯ the Hooded Man said. Argius is startled with the sudden question. ¡®Yes.¡¯ Argius look at the Hooded Man. This past few week¡¯s many things have changed. With the succession in disarray, the Imperial Secret Service will endeavor to find him. And he does not want to be found. Especially not by his father. He closes his eyes and he could remember the scream of her mothers, the pleading and the suffering, only ending in that fire. Argius. That scream is what he remembers the most. One that gives him nightmare at night. Argius open his eyes. ¡®Did you find anything in the tomb?¡¯ The Hooded Man asked. ¡®No, I search everywhere but I didn¡¯t found it. Maybe your sources are wrong.¡¯ ¡®My sources are not wrong. I got report that Aeria Vermont died on that tomb attacked by someone or something. All the elite guards, of the Dragonguards all perished. Imagine that Argius? Every one of the Dragonguards is chosen from elite noble families, who are all strong and expert in internal energy. Some of them even have many great and forbidden magic. What could be strong enough to kill the guard and the Heir to the Empire?¡¯ Finished saying that, the Hooded Man conjure something from his sleeve and give it to Argius. ¡®In there is a card and something else. Check it. Now there is a card for the Inner Chamber. Your mission will be to check there. I pull some strings. There is still some ally that could be trusted though the risk is great for the mentioned person.¡¯ ¡®Won¡¯t this also be a risk for me?¡¯ Argius said, leaning himself to the cushion. ¡®Well, you take that risk didn¡¯t you? After all you decided to do this a long time ago, didn¡¯t you? Don¡¯t blame me for the decision you made.¡¯ Argius sighed. ¡®What is your source in the Imperial Palace told you?¡¯ ¡®They didn¡¯t know. All they could tell was that Aeria Vermont was turned into a puddle of blood. Nothing remains of him. Not even a single bone. The magical recognition has confirmed that the blood is the Crown Prince.¡¯ ¡®Well, serve him right¡¯ Argius said clenching his fist. ¡®Those people should die a long time ago.¡¯ ¡®Argius.¡¯ ¡®Yes?¡¯ ¡®We have been gathering forces since the day of your mother death to avenge your mother. But no matter what you feel, it is not time.¡¯ Argius could no longer calm down. ¡®Not time! This is the perfect time. The Crown Prince is dead. We will march to the capital and take the throne and I will avenge my mother.¡¯ ¡®This is why¡¯ he said in a mocking manner. ¡®There is an endgame here you still could not see. And topple your father rule? You? Right now? The way you are now? You aren¡¯t capable¡¯ ¡®I¡¯M NOT!¡¯ ¡®Yes you are not. You are a brat. A kid so blinded by vengeance all you can see is the next step. You have a chance here, to do some good, to replace the rotten core of the Imperial family with light but all you want to is to raze the world. You are still a child. See the endgame Argius. See the endgame. You may hate your father, but it is because he is your father, the fact that his blood runs in you, presented you with an unique opportunity.¡¯ ¡®What are you saying?¡¯ ¡®You can be a revolutionary. A revolution that will swept the world.¡¯ And almost perfect to the timing, the car arrives in front of Argius big house. The Hooded Man looks at the house. The gardens in the yard and the swing at the second floor. ¡®A nice house your uncle finds for you.¡¯ ¡®Hmm. He is an expert in relocating me¡¯ ¡®How about the guest?¡¯ Argius is shocked. The Hooded man knows? Yet, Argius play it cool. He did not show a surprised expression. ¡®She does not know.¡¯ ¡®You sure?¡¯ ¡®I¡¯m sure. She just needs a place to stay. She has her problems¡¯ ¡®If the school find out-¡® ¡®They won¡¯t. And even if they found out won¡¯t the money donation will shut them up? Argius replied sternly. The Hooded man seems amused. ¡®Is that so? But money doesn¡¯t solve everything. Neither does power nor fame. Don¡¯t be like your father.¡¯ Before Argius could reply The Hooded Man he looks at the house again. ¡®Who would have thought?¡¯ Argius also looked at the house. ¡®Yeah, who would have thought?¡¯ ¡®But maybe it is not so surprising¡¯ ¡®Why do you say that?¡¯ Argius said puzzled by the Hooded Man statement. ¡®After all, if it¡¯s your ancestor maybe he will do the same like you do. It is funny isn¡¯t it how some people seem to be replaying the past. Like we are all actors and there is some invisible string that moves us, reaching to that great conclusion.¡¯ ¡®I refuse to believe that.¡¯ The Hooded man chuckled slightly. ¡®It doesn¡¯t matter whether you believe it or not.¡¯ Then the hooded Man looks at Argius and then he sighed. ¡®If you say she is fine, then ok. I¡¯ll trust you.¡¯ The hooded man opens the door. ¡®Until we meet again.¡¯ Then the car speedily drove away. Arguis look at his house. He put the password into the keypad and the door open. Inside, he remove his clothes, went into the shower and then after changing he threw himself into the bed. He looks around. He went to the fridge, took some mineral water, put it in the glass. Taking a sip, he feels refreshed. He took his phone, dialing a number. ¡®You are coming home tonight? No? Fine. There is a watermelon in the fridge. Eat it if you want. Tomorrow I¡¯m going to work. Don¡¯t mess up the house too much. Ok? Hmm.¡¯ The after confirming she will not returning home tonight, Argius threw himself onto the bed again. The Hooded Man words really have an impact to Argius. ¡°See the endgame huh?¡± ***************************************************************************** 23 ARIA 1500 EDENIAN Today is another day in the Tomb. At 7am Argius is required to pass the security booth, show his ID and then he will take his cleaning tool in the shed on one of the shed in the Great Tomb. The Great Tomb is in a huge cave at the top of Arial Mountain. With the cable car it will then take half an hour to go to the top and reached the destination of the great cave. Near the entrance of the cave there is a huge gazebo where there is some snack, water pipes , some tools and miscellaneous item left by the other cleaner. The Great Tomb. It refers to the Tomb of the First Emperor, Arial the Great. His body is entombed here in the top of this mountain which is then name after him on the behest of his descendant. In a way, of all the descendant of Arial, Argius could be considered the most filial of all them. Thinking about it, Argius almost chuckled. When Argius enter the cave there is three chambers. The Outer chamber, The Central Chamber where he worked and the last the Inner Chamber where the sarcophagus of the Great King body lies. That Inner chamber can only be entered with a special key. Key that the Hooded Man managed to retrieve. Argius do not know how the Hooded Man get all this thing or why he is helping Argius but Argius never doubted him. Argius is often frustrated with The Hooded Man but never before the Hooded man disappointed him. He is mysterious, shrouded in secrets. Yet, he could not help trusting him. And there seem to be some unspoken relationship between the Hooded man and Argius uncle. Both of them never talk too much about it, but Argius could sense it. There is always heavy atmosphere when both of these men in the same room. He could see an expression of guilt in his uncle eyes when his uncle looks at the Hooded Man. There is some past Argius don¡¯t know between those two men. The shift for the last cleaner has ended. Argius could see Rob is about to leave.Arial greeted Rob. ¡®Rob finishing up?¡¯ ¡®Yes. Just like usual kid. Dust the surroundings, clean the rough edges and make sure there is nothing amiss. This is a good gig for bachelors like us. The job is only for 5 hours. The pay is pretty good, 10 dragon an hour. And only once in a week. Such an easy job.¡¯ Argius just nodded. ¡®Ok, I¡¯m leaving.¡¯ Arguius nodded. ¡®Ok, Rob. Take care. See you next week.¡¯ He nodded back. After making sure Rob has enter the cable car and checking his surrounding, and make sure there is no one watching him.,Argius began his plan. First he went to the central chamber like usual cleaning and dusting. Then quickly he began wandering and then he found the inner chamber. The Inner chamber has a keyhole. An electronic keyhole. Need magical fingerprint. Argius open the pouch like case and took a plastic like substance and put it around his finger. Argius then pressed his thumb into the recognition pad. ¡®Robert Perigord, Minister of Communication. Access granted.¡¯ The automated response spoke. Then the door open but there is another door. This time Argius slid the card key and then with the same voice it recognizes the card and finally the door is open. It was wide. That is what Argius thought. A wide expanse of dark gloomy cave. Argius began searching for anything. For the past few weeks he has been searching in the other chamber but he didn¡¯t found anything. So he is confident if there is anyone or something, it is here in the inner chamber. And he doesn¡¯t have much time. 5 hours. He began searching and after about an hour walking he finally spotted the sarcophagus. A big sarcophagus. The sarcophagus of the Great Emperor. Usually at the coronation of a new emperor, one of the rituals involved in the coronation is that the new Emperor act of kneeling in front of the Great Emperor tomb, as a sign of reverence and respect to the Great Ancestor of Vermont who have created the Empire, watch by the populace on TV. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Argius has already given up in finding anything. And for no reason, or maybe wanting to treat this as his own coronation ritual, Argius kneel like a knight receiving a medal for meritorious service in front of the sarcophagus. ¡®Argius pay his respect to Great Ancestor.¡¯ With a sudden feeling of reverence, he prays sincerely, kneeling. For a moment he thought he heard a voice, whispering to him, in the dark cave, like an answer to a prayer. And then suddenly Argius heard the faint voice of laughter ¡®Who is there?¡¯ Argius get up from kneeling, his eyes shot up to left and right. He is not wrong. Somebody is here. Is it the person who killed the Dragon guards? The one that kill the Heir to the Empire, the Crown Prince? As he was just about to check round the direction of the voice suddenly is attacked by a sense of dread so powerful, Argius suddenly in a kneeling position, his hand trembling, his heart beating so furious , Argius thought his heart will leapt out from his body. An expert his senses tell him. Argius does not mean to brag but in school he is acknowledged to be quite the expert in martial art. Of course compared to the dragon guard and the rest of the elites he is not on par but he is smart enough to recognize an expert. Not many people possess such intimidating aura. Argius know expert and their temperament. In the Empire only about ten people is recognized as a great expert. All this expert could take on an army by themselves. But that doesn¡¯t mean they are undefeatable. It is just that having an expert, is an advantage to military power of a kingdom, country and Empire. Since they can fought like gods in the battlefield not many peopled offend expert other than emperors. After all even though one expert can kill hundreds of thousands of troops that doesn¡¯t mean they can fight them all. But of course not many intentionally offend an expert. What good can it do, offending someone who can kills thousands of thousands of troops? Then from the shadow a man appeared. Trembling and dreadful, Argius look at the man appearance. He has a short beard, 6¡¯8, a peering blue eye, a young face and long flowing white hair, a pale white complexion. But what shocked Argius is not his young appearance but how similar this man is to someone he has seen before. And his eyes then become bigger when he finally realizes which face that comes to mind when looking at this man. Argius look at the statue of Emperor Arial and then at the young man that emerge from the shadows. ¡®They are¡­..similar.¡¯ No, he mused. ¡®They are the same¡¯ he exclaimed, his words echoed in the cave. ****************************************************************************** 26 ARIA 1500 EDENIAN A girl is seeing entering the password to a house. Opening the door she enters with a moody face and a smudge makeup. ¡®I¡¯m home.¡¯ ¡®Welcome back¡¯ the voice of a boy reply. She throws her bag to the sofa and sighed deeply. It seems something happen to her, something that make her energy sapped. She opens the fridge, took the instant noodle, boil it with some cabbages and green chili. Her stomach is growling and she is not in the mood to order pizza. And mostly it is because she has no money right now. She has no money, her mood is crap and she can take no bullshit today anymore. ¡®Noodles?¡¯ A voice of man said, looking at what she is making, aware of the changing mood of the girl. Like the wind. ¡®Yes.¡¯ She replied tersely, while the man is shocked at this cold attitude of this girl. Beside her, is a man, also doing the same thing as the girl. He takes the noodle package, unwrap it, and boil it into the pot but unlike the girl the boy put some egg white in it. The smell was good as he sprinkle some parsley and chopped basil in the pot. His own recipe. They did not talk. The boy senses some heavy atmosphere around the girl, so he did not want to disturb her. More like he is afraid to disturb her.Finished cooking, they sat at the table. ¡®Huh. Don¡¯t get on my nerve today, Leia.¡¯ He begins the attack. Better he said it first before Leia first said it. ¡®You too¡¯ she said as both of them took a sip of water. Argius looks at Leia and even he could not remember why he allows her to live in his house. And Leia look at Argius, thinking why did it have to be this guy? Then calming himself,(and bracing himself to hear the next tirade of the Queen) he asks. ¡®What happen this time?¡¯ ¡®Jack.¡¯ ¡®That really doesn¡¯t explain the foul mood you¡¯re in. What happen? Be specific, concise and to the point. Don¡¯t ramble on and on like last time. And don¡¯t cry.¡¯ ¡®Jack is being jackass.¡¯ ¡®Hmm.¡¯ Then suddenly Leia broke into tears. Argius just shakes his head. Like always, she cries. ¡®Warghhh..he broke up with me¡­. What do I do¡­I don¡¯t know what to do¡¯ she cried while Argius just shake his head. (Again, he shakes his head and then he tries nodding but it seems that gesture missed Leia attention so Argius return back to his usual motion of shaking his head with disbelief.) His head is already filled with what happens in the Tomb ( and all the implication, the message that he had to deliver) and to think he could still enjoy normal life like this. ¡®Huhuhu¡­ What do you think is my problem, Will?¡¯ Argius look at her full with scrutiny, like watching a specimen under a telescope, analyzing everything about the subject with her green eyes( contact lenses) and he talk truthfully. ¡®Your problem is¡­is that you are the type of people get sick of¡¯ he said truthfully and Leia face turns sour. ¡®That¡¯s not nice.¡¯ ¡®You ask. I give you the truth.¡¯ ¡®I should have called Joan.¡¯ ¡®You should. Go do what you girls do when you break up. Run to the ice cream store. Or watch some soapy drama. I don¡¯t know what you girls do but if you looking for comforting words, you¡¯re not going to get it from me. Yet you¡¯re here with me, the guy you don¡¯t talk to at school yet you converse with me like the aunty that live down the hill, chattering nonstop when you cut classes or do you remember when you pretend you get sick last week and you ask me the house password and then leaving the stove on fire which to this day still remains a mystery on how you manage to do that. And I have to accompany you that day, and you would not stop talking. You are a problem, you know?¡¯ Argius launched into a tirade of his own. Both of them are stubborn and set on their ways but it is also because he knows Leia will snap of her sadness if she have something else to be angry about. ¡®That is¡­¡­different. ¡® ¡®Of course it is different. At school you are the Queen. Here you are my housemaid.¡¯ ¡®Not housemaid. Your Interior Manager.¡¯ Argius could not help but chuckle at that statement. Prideful, this girl. ¡®Fine, Interior Manager. If you remember you don¡¯t have any money. Your father is angry with you, your mother is in frenzy, your brother hates you. You ask my help. And I have helped you. More than you deserve. And both of us agree on an employer-employee relationship. Since when we are so comfortable that we both tell each other about our lives?¡¯ ¡®Come on, Will. Lighten up. It has been a month. And only employer-employee relationship? Remember what you told me about Sarah? ¡® ¡®I was drunk at the time.¡¯ Then he look at the mischievous smile of Leia. ¡®REALLY. DRUNK.¡¯ Argius stressed the word. ¡®Who would have thought a man as handsome as you like such a plain girl?¡¯ ¡®Don¡¯t call her plain!¡¯ ¡®Oooh¡­.already defending her.¡¯ ¡®Oh, then how about you?¡¯ Argius will not be the only one going down. ¡®The Queen of Grove High, who would have thought you are a crybaby?¡¯ ¡®AM NOT!¡¯ ¡®Yes, you are! This time it¡¯s Jack. Last time it was John. What¡¯s next? Jacob? Jonathan? Is this some kind of collection game I don¡¯t know about? I know a Jane. He¡¯s a guy. Should I introduce him to you?¡¯ ¡®Hmph¡¯ she turns her face from Argius. ¡®Hmph¡¯ Argius also did the same thing. Then a few seconds later, they both turn back looking at each other again and then laughed. ¡®Sorry.¡¯ Argius said. ¡®Me too. I didn¡¯t mean what I said. I know you like her.Like, really, realy, really like her¡¯ Leia said teasing Argius ¡®Don¡¯t have to stress the really part. I¡¯m sorry too. And didn¡¯t I tell you Jack is no good?¡¯ ¡®Yeah, I know. I know. Here comes the I- tell ¨Cyou- so.¡¯ Smiling Argius said ¡®I told you so¡¯ Leia took a sip of the water and made a spurting motion while Argius just smile that handsome yet annoying smile. ¡®Did you set the alarm Will?¡¯ Leia asked since she had to get up early tomorrow. ¡®I did. And this time when the alarm rings don¡¯t throw the clock outside again.¡¯ ¡®I know. I know. You are nagging all the time, Will. You know if the other girls know how you nags all the time maybe they will think twice before sending you their love letter.¡¯ ¡®Oh really? And if the other girls know how uncool you are, compared to your cool persona at school I doubt any of those girls will ask you for their love advice. And I have to remind you about the clock incident because you have the sensibility of a chicken.¡¯ ¡®Me?¡¯ ¡®Yes, you. Who in their right mind will throw an alarm clock just because it disturbs your mood? I deduct that from your pay.¡¯ ¡®Hmm¡­Okay. Ok. Don¡¯t make such a fuss because of an alarm clock.¡¯ ¡®Oh, and go grocery shopping tomorrow. Buy some vegetables, some chickens, and some beef meat.¡¯ ¡®Seriously Will?¡¯ ¡®What?¡¯ Argius said. ¡®I just told you I broke up and your response is to tell me to shut up, scolding me about some stupid alarm clock, go to the shopping mall, to buy you your meal tomorrow. Shouldn¡¯t you be all like ¡®Oh, Leia, you must have a heartache. Go rest for this few days. Want some ice-cream and some fried chicken.¡¯ Something like that?¡¯ ¡®Do you love Jack?¡¯ ¡®What?¡¯ Leia said startled with the sudden question. ¡®Do you love him?¡¯ ¡® I..I¡¯ ¡®You don¡¯t. You just like him. He is handsome, charming, his smile is captivating. And maybe he ahs a way with words. But you don¡¯t love him. If you love him, you would fight for it. That what happens when someone is in love. They would fight for it. Because it rarely comes. Because not many people can find it. You don¡¯t fight for it. I doubt you have ever loved anyone. Hate, many I suppose. But love? I doubt you know what that really means a privileged girl like you living like royalty¡¯ ¡®And you?¡¯ Leia said, slightly miffed that Will is lecturing her. What¡¯s more Will said it about her family. Like there is a difference but deep down Leia knows there will always be that difference. She was born with a golden spoon shoved down her throats. But that¡¯s what makes her miffed, that every word that he uttered is true. ¡®What makes you such an expert with love?¡¯ Then Argius closed his face with Sarah as Sarah blushed and he said, with a slight smile of understanding ¡®I maybe not know what love is but I know enough. If you were really heartbroken, you would not have joked with me. And crybaby as you are, I know you are strong. That being said,¡¯ as Argius smile ¡®don¡¯t forget about what I told you about the grocery list. I¡¯m full and I¡¯m going to sleep¡¯ as Argius get up from his seat and went to his bedroom. Leia just smile bitterly. She thought about what he said, and hard as it is to admit he was not entirely wrong. Cleaning up the table she went to sleep. ****************************************************************************** Second chapter you all. CHAPTER 03: GOD 5 FERA 1500 EDENIAN The wind swayed the leaves in the trees; the refreshing scent of the forest can be smell. The smell of the rain yesterday enhances the freshness of this forest up in the mountain. The chirping of birds highlights the peaceful environment of the forest while the smell of leave hint a feeling of peace and tranquility Argius is right now, at this very moment kneeling on the ground, his jeans is sullied by the not yet hardened soil, thus dirtying his ripped jeans, looking at the wide back of this man in front of his view as the man look at the open sky and admiring the scene in front of him. Argius have never felt the need to show any respect to anyone in his life other than the people who protect him and believe in him, thus giving him quite the reputation as a very mannerless person, but to this man Argius must show his respect. He must and he knows he is obligated to. It has been a week since this fateful encounter. And every day Argius marvel his luck or maybe his misfortune. Truthfully, he doesn¡¯t know whether this meeting is fortunate or not. However it seems clear that the man is waiting for someone. Then the bushes rustle behind Argius. And a man wearing a hood that cover his face appear. With his body emitting a very formidable aura. ¡®Edward pay respect to the Exalted Grace¡¯ the hooded man said quickly kneeling and bow his head to the ground, all pretense of pride and vanity is abandoned. ¡®Hmm¡¯ the man said not looking back still looking at the clouds. What does he see on those clouds? Rabbits? Argius mindlessly thinking. After all Argius is uncomfortable with this situation. And it is true that the group of clouds do look like rabbit. Argius also look at the clouds. Ok, now that looks like a rabbit fucking? Is he seeing that? And then Argius cease his playful thoughts because of what happens next. Suddenly the clear blue sky, the calm winds suddenly change and the chirping of birds¡¯ stops, like life itself and time itself stand still. Argius could feel it that subtle change and the clouds turns gray, the wind begins showing their furious nature and then BOOM! A thunder can be heard thundering a few miles from here. And then like the sky itself become an uproar, the thunder began playing their song, like a war in High Heaven above, like the Horned God furious hammering at the sky doling out punishment to the sinful souls. ¡®Little Ed, it was you?¡¯ The voice was cold and there is this hint of annoyance that could not be hidden. Argius feel shiver down his spine hearing the man speak, like a fear he never felt before coursing through his vein. ¡®I am sorry, Exalted Grace¡¯ then suddenly like a hammer came crashing down at the hooded man, Argius look in shock as suddenly the body of the hooded man drop to the ground and the sound of cracking can be heard. It was the Exalted Grace pressure, descending down to the hooded man, a wave of pure power and proving the formidability of the reputation of the Exalted Grace prowess. Gravity Magic! That crossed Argius mind. ¡®F¡­orgive..me,Ex..alted Gra..ce¡¯ the hooded man said pleading, his voice is constricted and restrained, like he find the effort to speak is the hardest chore. Then suddenly the pressure around disappears. Almost like he want to teach the Hooded Man a lesson. The man that does this punishment is as calm as a still lake. Argius look at the man with renewed awe. To target only one person when employing gravity magic this means that this person have outstanding focus. The person of course refers to the First Emperor Arial Vermont. The day they met, Argius was attacked by a feeling of dread but the Emperor look at him and then he muttered ¡®Little Ed¡¯ he said and then he said to bring little Ed with him behind the Arial Mountain. Of course Argius did not know who this little Ed was. But when he relay this story to the Hooded Man, the Hooded Man is not surprised. It was almost like he expected that this occurrence would happen. Argius concluded one thing. The Hooded Man know the First Emperor. ¡®Thank you, Your Exalted Grace.¡¯ ¡®My lord is enough. Do not use that title. It has been so long since people call me Exalted Grace. Do not flatter me¡¯ ¡®Yes my lord.¡¯ The Hooded Man reply. ¡®Heal yourself.¡¯ The man speaks, almost like an order. The hooded man took something out from his sleeve. A red potion. He drinks it and then the sound of bones creaking can be heard. Bone Mending potion. A rare potion and is claimed to fetch millions in the market. What is amazing is that the Hooded man did not even filched or utter any indication of pain as his bones is mending itself. The sound of the bone creaking and breaking, restructuring, all this can be heard yet the Hooded Man utter not one noise, not one indication of pain. Argius is convinced that the Hooded Man is a very powerful expert by himself. ¡®Did you bring this boy to me?¡¯ The Emperor speak boy like it was a disgusting thing. ¡®I did.¡¯ ¡®And what is you intention on bringing this boy to my attention?¡¯ ¡®I¡­..hope that my lord would be able to teach him as you teach me once upon a time. To guide him, as you once guide me¡¯ ¡®I did not teach you Little Ed. I just give you some guidance for a week.¡¯ The man reply nonchalantly. ¡®My lord have teaches me more that one week, more than I have learned from any other teacher I have encounter in my life. A teacher for a day is a teacher for a lifetime. There is no teacher in this world that could compare their technique to you.¡¯ The First Emperor looks at Argius and he look at Argius with a pitiful look. And Argius doesn¡¯t like that. Doesn¡¯t like to be pitied or made light of. ¡®And I tell you, this boy can¡¯t do.¡¯ ¡®Why?¡¯ Argius suddenly chimed in. The First Emperor turn back his gaze looking at the clouds once again. Then he speaks. ¡®Your heart is full of darkness. Hate. There is no hope. No love. No¡­.compassion. Only¡­darkness. It is clear to me you want to learn my technique to avenge someone, a vendetta. Someone like that¡­.someone who has not a shred of light, of hope is not someone I would like to impart my skill towards.¡¯ ¡®AND WHAT IS SO WRONG ABOUT THAT!¡¯ Argius reply defiantly. ¡®Argius!¡¯ The hooded man warned Argius. The First Emperor takes no heed of Argius outburst and resumes speaking like nothing happened. It was almost like Argius objection is inconsequential. ¡®Teaching you my technique in a nutshell is short of releasing a monster in this world.¡¯ ¡®I AM YOUR DESCENDANT¡¯ Argius shouted back ¡®So?¡¯ The First Emperor said looking at Arial. ¡®So what? I have thousands of descendants, maybe millions. I heard Argion my descendant conquer the continent of Asteros once and populated the northern region of Asteros with his descendant from his 1000 wives before being pushed back by the Black Knights. That is what I call my descendant. Not all of them are worthy to be mentioned. I am ashamed that I have such descendants. Tell me. Should I help them all? My descendant keeps disappointing me. I don¡¯t know your personal circumstances but it seems you are trying to avenge your mother by killing your father. In my time that is called kinslaying. Will you not disappoint me too? With such darkness¡­.with such malevolent intention you keep in your heart¡­..without light¡­what will await you at the end of the road? I know the answer. Loneliness. Utter and desolate loneliness. You will find yourselves¡­alone and without purpose¡­without light¡­.without a reason to keep fighting the good fight¡¯ ¡®My lord how did you kn-¡® The Hooded Man is shocked by how the First emperor knows the circumstances of Argius past. ¡®The Enlightened Ones is still active. They still have their ways of getting information¡¯ Like that sentence explains everything about how he knows about Argius past. ¡®Ed, I teach you during your youth because I see something in you and also because your pleading was so heartrending, praying in front of my tomb, telling me of your predicament, until I in my pity, show myself in front of you. Did I not warn you telling of my existence to someone else? Did I not make you promise a sacred oath? Did you not promise to uphold that oath? You know how I dislike people breaking oath. I, once invade a Kingdom because of the breaking of oaths.¡¯ And Argius realize there is some hint of anger in that tone, his back is facing both of them as he is talking, maybe in an act of annoyance at both of the people behind him. Argius feeling miffed that the Hooded man is being blame instead of him so he tell the First Emperor his story. Of how he found the Emperor and why he enter the tomb, telling in detail of how the Hooded Man never tell him about the Emperor existence in the tomb. The Emperor just respond with a hmm and a nod. ¡®SO that is how it is. A loophole.¡¯ The First Emperor chuckle a bit. It seems clear to the First Emperor that the Hooded Man employed a loophole in his oath. He did not once mentioned The First Emperor whereabouts or existence so in a way he did not break his oath. ¡®I..I..¡¯The Hooded man stutters. ¡®It is okay. I understand. He must be that girl child, if not I can see no reason why you will risk my wrath.¡¯ Okay? His First Emperor seems to have adapted scary fast. I thought he died during the Enlightenment Period. Then suddenly he turned his body towards us and Argius look again at that face. It is a face that anyone at least sees one time either in famous paintings or statue. There is even a gigantic statue of him in the Pantheon, majestically enshrined. And that girl child? What did he mean by that? ¡®You look surprised.¡¯ The First Emperor said to Argius. ¡®Ancestor adapt really fast in these modern cultures.¡¯ Then the first Emperor look at that baffled expression of Argius and laughed. ¡®You couldn¡¯t possibly¡­you couldn¡¯t possibly think I live in that tomb year long? ¡®You didn¡¯t?¡¯ ¡®HAHAHAA. Explain to him Ed.¡¯ The hooded man nodded. ¡®The First Emperor did not stay in that tomb other than when he needs to sleep. He usually wanders around the world and return when he wanted to. The sarcophagus was built by the Fifth Emperor as a bed for his his great ancestor. But for all intent and purposes, the First Emperor died during the Fifth Emperor reign.¡¯ The hooded Man explained. ¡®Then why Venerable Ancestor is in the tomb?¡¯ Then the First Emperor answers. ¡®I left something. I was about to journey to Vorthy this time, but then I remembered I left something. When I return I see that this young and insolent kid is engaging in indecent activities in my tomb with a woman. Indecent activities I can forgive but doing it in my tomb. Seeing his white hair I could conclude he is of my descent. It is then obligatory for him to show his respect towards me. In my anger I crush him into a puddle of blood and the rest of the stubborn guard is also the same.¡¯ Hearing the First emperor recounting his story, crushing his own descendant like nothing, sends shivers down Argius spine. ¡®But he is your descendant?¡¯ ¡®Like I said before, So? I have thousands of them. Maybe all the royalty in this world, have a bit of Vermont blood in them. Notice the silver hair of most of the royalty? Only true Vermont¡¯s, have that quality, that white hair that look like the first snow of winter. I have lived very long, child, very long. If I have to help every singe of my descendant, when will they ever grow?¡¯ He said while sighing and showing a look that shows a very old man hiding beneath that exterior of youthful appearance. ¡®Protectiveness has its limit. Desecrating a funeral place, a cave made for the dead is a sacrilegious act and it is better having no descendant like him rather than having a descendant like him.¡¯ Argius grins. ¡®What are you grinning about? Do you think you are any better?¡¯ he scolded ¡®Darkness ¡­will take a hold of you, child. Maybe not now. But someday, if vengeance is the only thing you see, you cannot see anything else. ¡®Will you protect the Imperial Family then?¡¯ Argius said seeing this indifferent attitude of the first emperor about killing his descendant ¡®No. It is their problem to handle created by their own hands. If they have the guts to create a problem, they should also have the wisdom to resolve it.¡¯ ¡®Good. Then can I take it you will not interfere in my plans?¡¯ Then suddenly the surrounding humidity turns cold. Argius noticed that his breath produce vapors of cold. ¡®Are you presuming about me child? I do what I please! If i want to help, I help! If i don¡¯t then I don¡¯t! It depends on my whims at the time.¡¯ ¡®Kneel¡¯ Hooded man said to Argius and quickly Argius kneeled. The First Emperor calm himself. ¡®Ed, come with me. Get up.¡¯ Ed then come and approached the First Emperor. And then with one flash of thunders suddenly they disappeared. ¡®Teleportation Magic¡¯ Argius exclaimed to himself. That is such a rare magic! Argius knows about the story of The First Emperor. He is the only person in history who has both Qi and Magic. Since him, or before him, there was no one else like him. Argius sit in the area, looking at the distance. Where did that First Emperor go? But Argius is also contemplating his brashness and ego. He knows how influential and how powerful the existence of such person in the world is. And who would have thought he have lived almost a millennium. Judging only by that he is formidable enough. And he is also a certified God level. In history only a few people has been recognized to enter the God level. In the time before the Second Emperor Alaric, the idea that internal energy and magic power can be ranked and determined is an impossibility. One can only know when they clash and compare it among themselves. Argius himself knows the story of the people in these God categories. From what historian knows the only one known to reach God level after researching their deeds is only 8 and that is the recorded one whose deeds resound around the world, whose achievement can only be explained by their power and prowess. The Great Hero of Humanity, Father of the Caelum, Revered Light of Eden, the ancestors of the Vermont¡¯s, Levitia, then the Four Brothers, the Great Dragonslayer of the Great Purge, then King Karlman of Magnificence, Rayniss the Mad Queen, and Great Elven Dowager Queen Velamina, the Celestial Fairy Mu Xiyun and of course her teacher, The First Emperor, The Great Conqueror, The Emperor of Davarus, Novus Gaia, Protector of the Realm, Emperor of the Edenian people, Arial Vermont. His title is a mouthful to be spoken loudly so most people only either referred him as the First emperor, Conquering Emperor or as he is posthumously known, The Exalted Grace as the Fifth Emperor always call him. The exploits of others are all magnificent but from the stories that people have verified, the First Emperor might be a being that surpasses all of them. From the stories, the First Emperor could summon lightning, tornados, his stomp could induce earthquake of such level that it almost destroy one of the country of the past. Argius is Junior level rank 3. In another word, for his age he is average. Since he couldn¡¯t practice magic, he could only learned internal energy. People with magic on the other hand can learn internal energy but the most they can reach is Expert level. While their magic could at least reach until Saint level not many reach that level. Most highest rank ever recorded since the First Emperor is Deity level rank 5, by the fifth emperor. Deity level itself is hard to attain and even the fifth emperor reach it when he was 300 hundreds years old and die a few years later. This is why the fact that the first emperor lives to span a millennium amazed Argius. The longest any human ever live is 500 years. There is no more than that and there are probably only a few could boast they could live hundreds of years. Even now in the continent around the world if there is anyone reaches the level of deity they would be recruited. Their power alone could decimate an army but for hundreds of years the world has not produced such experts. And God level? Just as the name implies. God-like powers. In all of the continent history since Arial Vermont, the First Emperor, there has never been such existence ever again. For him who is a Junior level if the First Emperor decide to kill him that day he meet at that tomb, there is no possible way he could escape. And the God level he achieved was hundreds of years ago, maybe even a millennium ago, one could only wonder how much he achieved all those years. Argius still waits for the Hooded Man. He was too stunned to talk before but now his mind has begun analyzing the conversation between the Hooded Man and the First Emperor. It seems the First Emperor knows the Hooded Man. Edward. Huh. So that is his name. Which means from the very beginning the Hooded man knows that the culprit of the assassination is the First emperor. But the first emperor said he is travelling? How the Hooded Man could knew for certain it was the first emperor and not anybody else in that tomb. Then something clicked into Argius mind, like a puzzle rearranging itself to fit the missing clues. He must have deduced it by the Dragonguard demise and the report of their death. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Something so powerful that it does not fear incurring the wrath of the Imperial family and have enough power to take the Dragonguard without leaving any trace. Since the Hooded man seems to have previous encounter with the First Emperor, he must have assumed that the First Emperor has regained consciousness. If Argius follow the line of thought of the Hooded Man it will be something like this. Since probably likely that the Hooded Man know that the First emperor need to sleep he might have believed awakening that First emperor is not such an unwise decision. After all Argius could see the fear reflected in the Hooded man behaviour of in front of the first emperor. Then when he heard about the death of the Crown Prince and the demise of his dragonguard, his thought must have deduced that the first emperor has awaken. But he could not send me by telling me the whole story. They must be some promise that they have with each other. The First Emperor must have found out about the Hooded Man when the hooded Man was little. Since the first Emperor call him Little Ed, it¡¯s not such an absurd idea. The Hooded Man want me to learn something from the First emperor but I was rash and spout some pouty like reaction to the First Emperor. Argius might be waiting but his mind is hard at work deciphering the things he see and heard. While he is no genius in Qi training or have any magic he has an analytical mind, and he has learn many language. In a way he is suited to be a scientist or a researcher. Usually people who learn at a school but showing no obvious aptitude for magic or qi will usually change their course. If they have great minds enter the profession of researcher and scientist. Both have their own prestige and dignity. Of course they are other jobs in this world. Not to mention they are not that many Saint. In the Empire there are only ten saints but deploying them with an army could destroy nation easily. But experts are a lot in this empire and they are treated with respect. Argius with his mind could become a resourceful scientist but that is not his goal. It is not his goal to research or to train to be the strongest. He wanted his revenge. That is his goal. Then suddenly a flash of light come from the sky and the Hooded Ma is lying on the ground. Argius rushed to him. ¡®Are you-¡® ¡®I¡¯m okay¡¯ he replied a hint of excitement in his tone. ¡®Really? You don¡¯t look like you are fine.¡¯ Seeing the blood in his arms and his tattered robes. ¡®It is okay. The First Emperor punishes me a little. But at least he understands my intention.¡¯ Then from his sleeve the Hooded Man produce something. ¡®We must guard this with our life.¡¯ Then Argius carried the Hooded Man down the mountain. While climbing down Argius took the opportunity to ask. ¡®What is that book?¡¯ ¡®Something for you. A technique book that the Exalted Grace has bestowed upon you¡¯ ¡®Why do we need to protect it? Is that really a technique? Can¡¯t the First Emperor teach me himself?¡¯ ¡®Insolent child.¡¯ The Hooded man reprimanded. ¡®What level is the First Emperor to babysit you? How self-important you think you are?¡¯ ¡®But I am his descendant. I might even become Em-¡® ¡®And? What is your point? That man is the First Emperor of the Empire you so desire. If he can create it couldn¡¯t he also destroy it?¡¯ ¡®Then why doesn¡¯t he? The Imperial family is corrupt, ostentatious and a rotten core in this world.¡¯ ¡®Because now it is time for humanity to be the judge¡¯ ¡®WHAT!¡¯ ¡®That is what he said. Before he shoulders the fate of the world in and he stopped the wars by waging wars.¡¯ ¡®If you want peace prepare for war¡¯ Argius said, a very well known proverb of the empire. ¡®Yes.¡¯ The Hooded man said. ¡®He said maybe it was right, maybe it was wrong. Or maybe it was right then and wrong now. Either way, you must not forget that in the Glorious Years, war is almost nonexistent other than the skirmishes and a few small battle. I will not talk about the world but at least countries within the Empire and those that is under the Empire influence, there is no major war and we can progress this much by the constant peace. The Edenian Peace. A millennium of peace as was imagined by the First Emperor. There are many things that can be levied against the first emperor but one must not forget for all his faults and blunders, we are blessed with hindsight while he does not. And if not for him, will this peace even realized? So, don¡¯t be an ungrateful person.¡¯ ¡®That is a long defense.¡¯ ¡®Only because you are so determined to vilify him.¡¯ ¡®If the Imperial family is so good why does my mother end up like that?¡¯ ¡®That is not the First Emperor fault. That is the current Imperial family fault. And the First Emperor has promise he would not interfere.¡¯ ¡®Words are winds. They are his family after all.¡¯ ¡®Even in the Dragon War he did not participate when brothers kill brothers, fathers kill sons, mothers kill daughter, cousin kills cousin, and what makes you think your vengeance would move him?¡¯ ¡®It seems he is confident of himself.¡¯ ¡®Why do you say that?¡¯ ¡®What if I become the Emperor and I attack him?¡¯ ¡®HAHAHA¡¯ the hooded man laugh. ¡®And who would equal him? He is of God level. Is there anyone in this whole wide world compared to him? Even if you summoned every soldier you have, could that even stop him? Do not attack powers you don¡¯t understand. And don¡¯t forget the level god is achieved a millennium ago. By now, maybe he has stepped into a realm no one even understands.¡¯ Argius frowned and he understands that what the Hooded Man tell him is true. ¡®Let cease this conversation¡¯ Argius said as they reached the monorail car. ¡®Leave me here Argius. You return back to your home. Today is an eventful day. I will discuss this with your uncle. Of course I would not mention him about the First Emperor and you should also remember not to spill anything you have seen or heard from the First Emperor. Understand?¡¯ ¡®Yes.¡¯Argius said while nodding. So, then they part at the monorail car. An hour later, Argius reaches home. ¡®An eventful day indeed¡¯ he said as he throws himself to his bed. Then he heard the sound of the door open. ¡®Will! Will!¡¯ Argius went to the front door and he could see Leia¡­wasted. She drinks again? Sighing he moved to the front door as he once again have to clean up her mess. Sometimes he wonders why he kept her here. ************************************************************************* AT THE HOUSE IN THE MORNING The morning came. The sound of chopping can be heard from the kitchen. The vegetables are being chopped, the meat being slice with perfect precision. On the bed of the opposite room, a woman just slightly moved her eyelashes beginning to rouse from her sleep. Her blonde hair is messy and her cheeks have traces of dried saliva. Her throat is parched and she is thirsty. The moment she wake up her eyes pick up the scent, an aromatic scent from the kitchen. Her head feels like splitting apart. Last night she partied too hard and today she reaps the price. ¡®Hmmmph¡¯ she complained as she got up from the bed, tracing her fingers to try to straighten out her messy hair. She got up and in that half-awake state walk to the kitchen and she could see, a handsome man is cooking, handling the ingredient like a chef, his hand is fast and with his speed, it is clear he knows what he is doing. His back view is certainly a view to die for. If they were not friends then maybe Leia would have try to date him. Many think that the first time they met was their first meeting at the school but Leia knew¡­.knew that she meets him once before¡­.and she knows that he is her friends though she doesn¡¯t know if he remembers. Leia went over behind Argius and look at what he is cooking. ¡®Whoa. That looks delicious.¡¯ There is meat, some vegetables, some fruits a variety of everything. ¡®Will , can I have a tast-¡® Argius look at Leia. Then he notices the dry saliva, the messy hair and god¡­.the strong smell of liquor. Argius shakes his head. If only those fan clubs of hers could see her appearance right now, they would certainly revoke their own membership. ¡®Leia, do you not even look at the mirror? Go wash yourself up. I¡¯ll give it to you after you wash up. Sheesh. This is why I oppose to your partying lifestyle.¡¯ Leia just ignored his lecture. ¡®Fine.¡¯ She said happily. ¡®I¡¯ll go wash up.¡¯ She said that and she began walking towards the bathroom. Argius yelled. ¡®WASH CLEANLY!¡¯ ¡®I KNOW! YOU DON¡¯T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE¡¯ She yelled back ****************************************************************************** A FEW MINUTES LATER ¡®Whoa!¡¯ she said as the bowl is open and the aroma fill the dining room. Leia marvel on Argius ability to cook such food. She takes a sip of the chicken soup and she exclaimed in happiness. Argius also put some herbs into the soup to help Leia with the hangover. So the moment she sipped the soup her body feel refreshed and energetic, her vitality return and she knows that Argius cares for her, in that kind of small gesture. ¡®Oh, you can cook¡¯ she said in a mocking, compliment tone at the same time. Argius just shrugged it off. Quickly Leia began taking one of everything since Argius cook many side dishes. And so it turns messy. There are vegetables drop into the table, some droplets of the soup, some curry stain the table which irritates Argius to no end. And then like something expected, she choked on the soup. ¡®Give me some water.¡¯ Argius who is already annoyed seeing her eating replied. ¡®Do you not have hands? Take it yourself.¡¯ ¡®Sheesh. Such an inconsiderate person.¡¯ Leia said pouting. ¡®You should have been grateful I even feed you.¡¯ Argius said rolling his eyes. ¡®Yeah.Yeah. Nagging again.¡¯ ¡®I could never understand you.¡¯ Argius said looking at this messy appearance of the Queen of the School. ¡®Never told you to.¡¯ ¡®Fine, it was my fault to try to understand such a weird specimen¡¯ Argius said while Leia just chuckle a bit looking at the annoyed face of Argius. ¡®Remember I will deduct this from your pay¡¯ hearing this Leia spurted out the meat form her mouth staining the table even more. ¡®Uishh. Dirty¡¯ Argius said ¡®Uhhm? WHAT!¡¯ ¡®WHAT?¡¯ Argius reply. ¡®Do you think I feed you for nothing?¡¯ he said while calmly taking a spoonful of soup. Smiling and grinning in the inside as he got one point of from Leia. ¡®Wahh¡­.You are really shameless.¡¯ Then silence. ¡®I guess today is not the day for me¡¯ Will said. ¡®Didn¡¯t our banter usually last a bit long? At least right before we go to school?¡¯ She asked, her hand is still scooping the soup as she keep slurping the soup ¡®Banter? Is that what you call this is?¡¯ ¡®Oh, come on. I know you didn¡¯t really mean anything you said, Will¡¯ ¡®Didn¡¯t mean anything I said!¡¯ Argius nearly become angry. How many times Argius have to clean up her messes. When she got home drunk? Or when she crashed his car? Or how about the time when she almost burn the house down? Thinking about it Argius wanted to sigh. ¡®What about the last time when you broke ten plates while washing after dinner. I didn¡¯t think anyone could possibly do that. Did you think it was banter between us?¡¯ ¡®It¡¯s not?¡¯ ¡®You¡¯re joking right? I was scolding you, princess.¡¯ ¡®Really? Doesn¡¯t feel like it¡¯ she replied sheepishly. ¡®I thought that was kind of our thing.¡¯ Argius didn¡¯t miss the word. ¡®Our thing? We have a thing?¡¯ ¡®No¡­you know, I mean, I make this tiny mistake-¡® Argius interjected ¡®you mean huge mistakes, clumsy mis-¡® Though Leia continued speaking without even hearing what Argius has to say. ¡®And you scold me for it though I know you don¡¯t mean anything¡¯ Leia said trying to force her opinion down Argius throats. But thinking back at their interaction and their relationship, Argius had to admit they argue a lot¡­a kind of friendly banter. It is weirdly comfortable, a sense of normalcy and peaceful everyday life routine¡­that somehow makes sense. Sure. Argius get irritated, exasperated, annoyed and a bunch of time he thought that ¡°I¡¯m really done with your shit¡± But he never get angry at her¡­not truly angry, one that could not be fixed with a cup of coffee or a coaxing words. They both find this kind of friendship between both of them, a secret friendship, between the two of them exhilarating and truthful because both of them know that both of them have secrets. They do not know what the secret that each other possess but the fact that they know that the other party have a secret to protect, created this sense of weird camaraderie between them and before Argius knows it, he has become comfortable being beside her and the same can be said for Leia. They both hurt each other, both console each other. They have become¡­..friends. And thinking about it for some reason Argius become squeamish. I¡­friends with her¡­.Now I know I hit the bottom. Me, friends with royalty? ¡®Then we need to stop doing that¡¯ Argius reply ¡®Then stop nagging at me¡¯ ¡®Let see how well you do¡¯ Argius reply. ¡®Then I don¡¯t think we can stop.¡¯ Leia shot back. A standoff. Argius almost chuckle. He always finds, that being home, in this home shared with her¡­..talking with her¡­.that there is some normal in his life, a world of his own separated from the politics and the hatred he felt for the Imperial family. ¡®Anyway if you are done scolding me, I need a ride today.¡¯ ¡®Why? Can¡¯t afford to carpool with Cecelia?¡¯ ¡®She is getting suspicious and I would like it if my family matter is not known.¡¯ ¡®Fine. You can take my car.¡¯ Argius get up from the kitchen table and grab his car key and toss it to Leia. She caught it. ¡®Thanks.¡¯ ¡®Bring it in one piece.¡¯ ¡®What do you think of my driving skills? I drive pretty well, you know?¡¯ ¡®Is that why my last car had a dent on the right side?¡¯ ¡®Crash a tree once and you never heard the end of it.¡¯ She said smiling a mischievous smile while Argius is shaking his head. ¡®Just¡­.drive slowly and carefully. Got that?¡¯ ¡®I understand already.¡¯ ¡®Ok, I¡¯m going to go first.¡¯ ¡®Go already¡¯ Leia said. ¡®Here, take this¡¯ as Leia tossed Argius bag to him. ¡®Thanks.¡¯ ¡®No problem.¡¯ Then sharing a smile, Argius went out from his house and once again, a new day is beginning. ************************************************************************* There is major spoiler in this for AOH... CHAPTER 04:NORMAL HIGH SCHOOL LIFE SUNDAY Today the school is not open and Argius is enjoying his reading, his legs is on his comfy bed, while the wind from the windows slowly and carefully moves inside the room. ¡®Haa¡¯ Argius said breathing deeply his face is calm and tranquil. Argius is enjoying the peace and tranquil moment now that Leia is going outside for something. Argius don¡¯t know what that something is but thank god she has something to do. Because that allowed Argius to enjoy this peace. Then in half an hour later, the tranquility and peace, the quiet day on Sunday, the plamn of Argius to laze around, is shattered. The door opened and Leia entered and with it her screams. Her face is happy and smiles can be seen on her face. ¡®Will!¡¯ She yelled. And Argius sighed. ¡®I¡¯m on the bed!¡¯ he yelled back. Today is supposed to be the day he is lazing around the bed, reading and maybe some stroll on the park during the evening. Or maybe asking Sarah to go watch a movie. ( If he ever got the courage) Or accompany Sleepy Will to the Shack again. Maybe even go to his uncle shadow company. Trying to plot the destruction of the largerst empire that has ever ruled the earth is stressful and time consuming. He deserves at least one day of rest. Leia entered the room and jump to the bed landing right next to Argius. Argius put down the book on the table beside the bed. ¡®Guess what?¡¯ Leia said, her face is happy, smiles all around. ¡®What?¡¯ Argius said, putting down the book beside him ¡®I got a job.¡¯ She exclaim and hold Argius hand, swinging it with him. And that surprises Argius. ¡®A job? Who would hire a clumsy girl like you?¡¯ And Leia give him a knock on the head. ¡®Ouch¡¯ Argius cried. ¡®Ok seriously, what job did you get?¡¯ ¡®Model.¡¯ She said smiling ¡®Model?¡¯ ¡®Model.¡¯ Leia repeated again. Argius look again and he understands. Leia is¡­¡­beautiful. She has smooth white skin, a pretty long blonde hair, her beautiful hazel eyes and her voice is enchanting. That innocence unadorned voice, not too high nor too low, a pleasant voice and an affable personality. ¡®Hmm¡¯ Argius said. ¡®So? What that has got to do with me?¡¯ Argius said. ¡®Hehehe.¡¯ Leia said. ¡®I want to update our agreement.¡¯ ¡®Update?¡¯ ¡®Yes. An update.¡¯ ¡®On which part? Argius ask. ¡®On the part where I work as your Interior Manager.¡¯ ¡®You mean maid.¡¯ Argius said reminding her. ¡®I.N.T.E.R.I.O.R.M.A.N.A.G.E.R.¡¯ She said spelling it. She won¡¯t contend being called a maid. That is cute. Argius mused. ¡®Fine. Also what do you want to change?¡¯ ¡®I got an advance of my fee after working there last week. The company trusts me enough.¡¯ ¡®And? ¡®And I want to rent my room¡¯ She said, her eyes determined. Argius almost laughed out loud. ¡®Do you really hate listening to my orders?¡¯ ¡®Yes, so I want to change that. I¡¯m no longer your maid and our relationship is no longer employee-employer relationship. It¡¯s¡­.roommate.¡¯ Argius laugh this time. ¡®Hahahaha. Do you think it is cheap to rent a house like this?¡¯ ¡®You can rent it why can¡¯t I?¡¯ Leia said. ¡®Rent it? The land on the Hills belongs to my uncle. I did not rent this. It was given to me.¡¯ Argius said. ¡®Hish. Rich guy. So what, you are showing off?¡¯ ¡®You are a noble right? Aren¡¯t you rich too?¡¯ Argius asked ¡®That¡¯s my parents money, idiot. Not me. And considering I¡¯m the one who runs away from home how could I pathetically go home and ask for their money. It defeats the purpose of me running away from home in the first place.¡¯ Argius look at Leia and sighed. ¡®Fine you want to rent it. Give me the money and I¡¯ll allow it. Now our relationship is not roommate it is between a house owner and the one who is renting on his house.¡¯ ¡®You are really particular and hung up with what constitutes a relationship. It is one of the things I hate about you Will.¡¯ Argius just ignored her complain. ¡®Ok, so how much the rent?¡¯ Leia asked ¡®3000 gen.¡¯ ¡®What? That high?¡¯ ¡®Look around you Leia. Top security system. A huge lawn, double story and all around here is the private property of my uncle which means your privacy is guaranteed. The view is good, it is close to the city and everything is provided from the room, to the bathroom, to the private library on the basement. Not to mention the large yard.¡¯ Leia look at Argius with unbelieving eyes then she softens a look and her voice changes to smooth tone activating her persuading mode. She wraps her hands on Argius arms and begs in that cute manner, her eyes blinking and her voice become sultry. ¡®Come on, Will. Have I ever told you look handsome? Because you are. How about a friend discount? Or I do anything for a day coupon from me? I could even persuade Sarah to date you.¡¯ If I could get close enough to her. She mused ¡®No.¡¯ Argius adamantly said. But Leia continues her assault and she tightened her grip on Argius arms and Argius could swear he could see fire on her eyes. Thinking that Leia would not give up, Argius faintly shakes his head and sighed. ¡®Alright, then. Friend discount. But I want that coupon.¡¯ ¡®Fine.¡¯ And quick as lightning Leia release her grip. ¡®How much is it now?¡¯ ¡®1200 gen. How about that? It¡¯s reasonable right?¡¯ Leia is doing a mental calculation and she smiles. ¡®Of course, roommate¡¯ she said smiling from ear to ear. ¡®Homeowner¡¯ Argius corrected. ¡®Roommate¡¯ she said insisting. Argius just smile. ¡®Whatever you say. I never could win against you.¡¯ Leia is still on the room as Argius grabbed the book he put down and started reading again. Leia is still lying on the bed. After a few minutes Argius finally realized she is not yet returning to her own room. ¡®What are you still doing here?¡¯ Argius asked, staring at Leia ¡®Just cause.¡¯ Leia said looking at Argius, her eyes is full with feelings, and Argius felt it then, like he connected somehow with this girl. Ancient scripture said that the descendant of Arial is of divine blood, and when there is someone whose fate so tightly woven with them appear, they could feel it. Like a spark, a fire that burns, the water that soothes. But what Argius felt was not the heat of a spark, or the flames of fire or even the fresh coldness of water but a shock to his core when he look at her eyes at that moment. He doesn¡¯t know why. He doesn¡¯t know what it is about. But he knows. They are connected¡­¡­..somehow. Or will be. ¡®Just cause?¡¯ Argius asked again shaking of the feeling. ¡®Yes. Your bed is really comfy.¡¯ ¡®You¡¯re not going to say that you want my room right?¡¯ Argius joked ¡®What do you think of me to think like that?¡¯ She said pretending to be offended ¡®If not, get out.¡¯ Still she lays her head on the bed while looking at the white ceiling. ¡®Thank you Will.¡¯ She said, not looking at Argius face, her cheeks are blushing. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. Hmph¡­she¡¯s shy Argius finally understand. Then finished saying what she want to say she got up and exit the room. Argius look at her leaving and slowly he smiles. At least she is not leaving. Argius mused. He is used to Leia presence in the house and he could not think it would be the same if she left. Then he resumes his reading. ****************************************************************************** MOONDAY 1 MOURN 1500 Today finally the teachers going to teach us and explain about Qi and magic. People who have magic, interested in magic, can do magic, will go to the magic teacher to hear magic explanation and studies while those who wanted to hear about Qi and those who practice Qi will go to the gym. After all not everyone has chosen their path yet. Argius chose to go to the Qi mostly because he is not capable of using magic. When Argius reached the gym he could see many people in the gym but not more than 30 people. After all not everybody want to walk the path of martial art practitioner. Some people just wanted to become a lawyer, or maybe doctors or maybe hundreds of other profession. Those who enter the path of martial arts usually end up in the military or the Peacekeeper and some ended up in the Imperial Services. Sounds prestigious right? But it¡¯s not all sunshine and rainbows. Some people got stuck at the bottleneck and could not breakthrough to next level and the only fate left for them? Mediocrity. Only the best crop is chosen. The survival of the strongest. That is the path martial artists have to walk. Why risk your life and future then when you could just study hard and become successful in other area? You could learn medicine and be praised for saving people or become a lawyer and protect the innocent using the law. Martial artist fights. And only the strongest gets recognition. Like the 5 Saint Lion. There is no one that Argius recognize in the gym. Mostly the people from the other classes. In the center of the gym is one old man but even though he is old everyone could feel the power that emanated from him. ¡®Sit down, students¡¯ he said, a clear voice that reverberates around the gym and slowly the students find space to sit down. ¡®Today, I will explain to some of you what is Qi and its studies.¡¯ The student nodded. ¡®You are all young, 15 years old but in old times training started at an early age, at 8 and sometimes ten. The great Emperor is said to have started his training at 6. Anyway, I will begin my explanation. First I will explain about the ranking. There is Flowing Power, Novice Understanding, Junior Reflection, Senior Enlightenment, Expert Martial, Matchless Saint, Deity, and of course the legendary and unattainable God rank.¡¯ And the student listen with attention. Some people do not know this. After all not everyone have to choose this path. It is like the orientation ceremony. The teacher job is to explain and then it is up to the student whether to pursue the path or not. ¡®Each one has ten levels to reach the next rank. We have to thank the Fifth Emperor and his scientist who have developed a way for us to rank the power level. As many knows there is only a handful of people who broke thought that legendary rank of God and it is doubted that anyone will ever again reach that rank.¡® ¡®Why not so many people broke through?¡¯ one student held up his hand and asked.. ¡®Simple. Those people that reached that rank live in an era where war is everlasting, wars that stretch hundreds of years, and there is no long period of peace. If you are weak you die. They train since young and with what hangs in the balance they couldn¡¯t really slack off and their motivation is high.¡¯ ¡®What stake?¡¯ the same students ask. ¡®What motivation?¡¯ Others ask. ¡®Survival, student. Survival. The weak couldn¡¯t choose how to die. Look at Great Savior Levitia. His era was one that is fill with wars and bloodshed, cruelty and persecutions. Look at the Great Emperor. Even his name is an indication of his chaotic era. Arial the Conqueror. War is almost synonymous with his name. This is why it is doubted for anyone to step their foot to that realm of power in our peaceful era. God rank. And deity rank. Not many people have even reached Matchless Saint. These three Great Ranks as it is called could not be attained through eating pills or consuming herbs. These three Great Ranks can only be achieved by having an understanding of the universe and gaining an enlightenment of your own body and soul to breakthrough. Anyway that is the overview of the rankings. Any question?¡¯ ¡®What is the ten levels for each rank?¡¯ one student ask. The student nodded. ¡®The ten level is divided into three stages. Level 1 to 3 the elementary level, ranks 4 to 7 are of the intermediate level, ranks 8 to 10 are of the peak level. For example a Novice Rank intermediate level means he is Second Rank and then he will say whether his level is 5 or 7. Like this. My name is Bert, Novice Rank, level 7. It is the normal way of introducing oneself in a tournament.¡¯ ¡®Are your name Bert?¡¯ one of the students says. The teacher chuckled. ¡®No, I¡¯m not. I came from Daming Continent and I have been the citizen of the Empire for ten year now so I¡¯m the Emperor Citizens. My name is Xiang Feng. I am Senior Rank level 7.¡¯ ¡®Ohhh¡¯ the other students express their awe.. Nearly expert level. For people who are Senior rank they could jump high and climb mountains without using any equipment¡¯s. ¡®Any more questions?¡¯ ¡®Tell me about the schools, Sir Xiang Feng.¡¯ ¡®Call me Teacher Xiang. The schools huh? Someone seems like an eager student.¡¯ ¡®I want to sign up¡¯ the student said. ¡®Interested in martial arts or do you want to enter the army?¡¯ ¡®Interested in the art, Teacher.¡¯ ¡®Hahaha. Good! Good! Fine, I¡¯ll tell you about the schools. There are two types the sponsored schools and the unsponsored schools. Sponsored means that most school have its branch and most of the sponsored school for martial art training is usually large and full of students and they usually cooperate with the ministry of Education to provide people with training whether to pursue the art or to find jobs in the Imperial Army.¡¯ ¡®Can you tell us the sponsored schools?¡¯ ¡®Of course I can, though I don¡¯t remember every school that is registered with the Ministry. Hundred Thousand Blade School, Jade Palm School, Illusory Fist School ,House of Blades and Knives, Elusive Shadow School this is the few I remember and all this school is offered in this school.¡¯ There is murmur of excitement broke out among the students. Then Argius raised his hand ¡®What about unsponsored school?¡¯ The teacher reply ¡®Unsponsored school is usually elite schools.¡¯ ¡®All Conquering Sect, Linzi Temple on Old Eden, Ermeishan Sect, and Yilin Temple is known as the 4 Great Schools.¡¯ ¡®All Conquering Sect¡¯ one of the students yelled. And the teacher understood. ¡®Yes, it is the School which the First Emperor founded and still remains one of the strongest schools in the Continent. One of the 5 lions is also the disciple of All Conquering Sect and he is the youngest person to reach the Senior Enlightenment rank. But there is a reason they are called elite schools. All Conquering Sect only receive one disciple per teacher. When the teacher retired or died or the teacher has acknowledge the student power above his own, only then can the students can take another students. Ermei on the other hand only accepts woman, Linzi has written exam and reciting exams based on the Analects and the Three Teachings while Yilin has strict rules that need to be adhered.¡¯ Argius nodded. There is a reason why they are called elite schools. Their requirements are hard but no one could deny that anyone who comes out of those schools surely would have their name resound in fame and glory. Especially All Conquering Sect. ¡®For anyone that decided to attend Qi learning next week please go to the Hall of Qi training to get your energy watch. And that¡¯s it. Any question?¡¯ The other students clamored around the teacher asking question while Argius slowly get out from the gym¡­thinking. ****************************************************************************** Ok, 3 releases in one day! INFO AOR MONTHS Aria,Fera,Mourn,Arion,Mei,Lelia,Levi,Augustine,Sezare,Orion,Novus,Zardon, DAYS Moonday,Seedday,Waterday, Lightday, Fallday, Aurumday , Sunday RANKING QI Flowing Power, Novice Understanding, Junior Reflection, Senior Enlightenment, Expert Martial, Matchless Saint, Deity, God Each one has ten level to reach the next rank. MAGIC Novice, Acolyte, Warlock/Witch, Great Mage, Magister, Saint, Magister Saint, Grand Magister, God Each one has ten level to reach the next rank. ITEMS Energy watch-use to determine power ranking of Qi and Magic Television-using mana crystal. Mana current- use to power up lights and other thing that requires it¡¯s energy Mana bomb Magical recognition-using fingerprint or blood to confirm identity. THE EDENIAN EMPIRE 5 Saint Lion. The Dragon Guard Shadow Dragon Squad. NOVUS GAIA One of the dominion of the Empire and its largest land mass they have. THE REST OF THE WORLD THE REPUBLIC OF ASTEROS. Ruled by 6 great nations and its laws. ATHENIS,LYDEROS, ARAYAN,IONIA,ENERIAN,KRONOEIA THE LIBERATED ISLE The northern isle of Asteros that was conquered by Argion the Lustful and then wrestle back into the dominion of Asteros by the Black Knights. ARIUNDUS CONTINENT Hundreds of nations all practicing democracy. DAMING CONTINENT A government focused on social redistribution and the welfare of its people. Govern by a body that is elected from a party that is chose by the worker class and only by the working class. One of the greatest countries in martial art techniques. Have nine Provinces. Xu, Jing, You, Qing, Ming, Han, Qin, Liang, Chu. VORTHY CONTINENT One of the major powers in the world just behind the Edenian Empire. Their armies is disciplined and reputed to be one of the strongest. Protected by the Ice Dragon Saint, a peak level saint. Their navy is one of the best in the world. Once called the Great Empire of the North before fragment into two sides. South Northian and North Northian separated by a thin wall call the Garanov Wall in the border city of Garanov. The people dream of the reunification of these region. SPONSORED SCHOOL FOR QI TRAINING Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Hundred Thousand Blade School Jade Palm School Illusory Fist School House of Blades and Knives Elusive Shadow School UNSPONSORED SCHOOL All Conquering Sect Linzi Temple (On Old Eden) Ermeishan Sect Yilin Temple SPONSORED SCHOOL FOR MAGIC 5 Elements Magic (Magic institutes) Uncommon magic (Mages Citadel) Unique Magic (The Initiate University) Bloodline Magic (The Chosen Fortress) FOR PEOPLE NOT PURSUING THE LIVES OF MAGES AND MARTIAL ART PRACTITIONER STAGES Middles school High school College/ university/ any otter that gives diploma or degree in the specified area. WORK Some become scientist: mostly deal with many of the pressing matters of the days and scientist that have high talents may be will be given the knowledge on how to construct a mana bomb, one that could destroy a country with just a push of a button that unless you are a saint level people you would not survive. Doctors: mostly healing people with herbs and even offer strengthening pills for those who knew to concoct such pills. But such pills are regulated in the Empire and only alchemist of high level can concoct pills without license. Lawyers: for people who destroy things, kill or use their power for the destruction or harming the public and they are given power to summon Expert level people from the Empire military to subdued those they believe an Imperial threat. Of course this is a few example of the job normal people can pursue. There is the head Chief of the Peace Keeper department regulating the peace of civilians, traffic, summons, killings that resulted from civilians killing civilian then there is ISD. Imperial Special Department who regulates and solve murders that involves martial art practitioner or mages. There is also IIS. Imperial Intelligence Services who deals in assassinations and many secret things that the Imperial did. CHARACTER Argius Vermont Sarah Albright Leia Lethe Will McConnell-nickname. Sleepy Will Lily Aldrin- Sarah and Will friend. Aeria Vermont-Heir to the Empire who is dead is killed by Arial Rob Robert Perigord-Minister of Communication and one of the great nobles of the Empire. Joan Perigord- Leia friend Cecelia- Leia friend.