《Sentian Chronicles: Kings of the Void》 Prologue: Necessary Sacrifice A great massacre has happened. The blood-red moon shines through the largely destroyed roof of a brick-walled church high up on a mountain area. The ominous vermilion light reveals numerous bodies of armored warriors sprawled across the floor, the pews, the doorways, and near the ground where a lone humanoid male figure stands. His back is turned towards the carnage, but his face is alight with the otherworldly contrasting blue-green light of a portal he stands in front of. Blood is splattered across his white hair, pale skin, and his scythe-like weapon; it drips with the freshness of water just drawn from a well. Adding to his fiendish appearance are dark veins extending from his neck all the way to his temples and eyes. The emblem on his garments also appears to be the same emblem the dead knights carry: two swords pointing the opposite direction within a shield, all surrounded in silvery flame. Suddenly, a roar is let out from the back and a man-like tiger of muscular physique wielding a curved sword jumps forward to attack the figure. ¡°Cania, You traitor! Iras Art: Aspect of Monsters!¡± the assailant shouts as he musters a violent magic that covers his entire body in a flaming monster-shaped aura. ¡°You shall know this tiger¡¯s fury! Let the Iras energy consume me in order to put an end to you!¡± A burst of dark energy sparks out of the soon to be attacked figure as he turns, and he turns with a vengeful look in his piercing yellow eyes. ¡°Too slow, Samsar! Nihilim Art: Force of Nothing. I deny you; you have no power greater than I¡± the turncoat figure replies with a chilling, emotionless voice. His body is quickly enveloped in a dark-turquoise mantle of shadowy tendrils that seem to be originating from the portal behind him. The two then clash with one another, their battle lightning-fast and fierce, and their surroundings bursting with the colors of their magic. As they swing their weapons and dash across the ruined area, the gusts of wind emitted from their strikes throw the lifeless bodies and debris to the side. ¡°We all trusted you! The Sentio Knights¡ªall our friends¡ªsacrificed themselves for naught!¡± angrily bellowed the tiger man. ¡°That was¡­your final mistake.¡± replies the husk of a person as his scythe replies with precise cuts. ¡°You have always known me, friend. I¡¯m a little disappointed you didn¡¯t see my ambition bearing fruit.¡± Their blades clash and sparks fly, and all this happens while a robotic man with dented skin of iron crawls out from the woodwork and discreetly heads for the portal. ¡°Cania¡­Samsar¡­how did it come to this, brothers¡± the metal man, full of regret, thinks to himself as he crawls forth due to intense damage to his body. Little streaks of electricity pop out of his joints and limbs every now and then. ¡°Have you always underestimated¡­our friendship¡­Cania¡­?¡± he continues as he lets out a little chuckle, ¡°That portal seems to be giving you so much energy, huh. I should do something about it...¡± Ultimately, the tiger figure named Samsar drops to his knees and bleeds heavily due to numerous slashing wounds across his body. Being quite in tune with his rage earlier perhaps prevented him from feeling it. ¡°Curse you, Cania! You would forsake us all, for your ideals of¡ª" ¡°Emotions make us weak.¡± the brutal Cania says as he quickly moves his scythe towards Samsar¡¯s neck. Samsar is immobilized and speechless by the risky position he is in. ¡°From the orphanage to joining the Knights, you and Irontoes have always been by my side. Your last words will be my final favor to you.¡± Samsar lets out an arrogant but struggling growl, ¡°Heh. It¡¯s complicated but¡­I¡¯m happy for you, friend. Your research in the Nihilim energy paid off. Who would¡¯ve thought there existed the Void, a realm without Emotio, the very force that governs our magic and our world. If our existence hinges on feelings, then why is unfeeling...stronger?¡± In a flash, Samsar¡¯s neck is slit with a deft movement. Cania quickly turns his scythe to the side as blood gushes and sprays out from the tiger man¡¯s throat. Samsar grips the geyser of red, but he cannot staunch the flow of his life force leaving his body.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Farewell, Samsar.¡± Samsar falls to the ground and, already weakened by grievous wounds, he succumbs. As he slowly closes his eyes for the last time, cherished memories fill his mind as he thinks back to the days when they were young. It was one afternoon, one afternoon they thought would last forever. In the fair golden rays of the sunlight walk Cania, Samsar, and Irontoes in their younger years. Dressed in lightly armored clothing bearing the crest of the two swords and a shield enflamed in silver, the Sentio Knight Order crest, they walk through the edge of a forest. Nearby, they could see golden fields of wheat where a pristine stone castle sits in the middle. The winds softly blow on the crops as the scenery evokes a sense of haven. ¡°Another relaxing patrol for the Knight-Aces, am I right?¡± a much younger and less damaged Irontoes says to his two companions. ¡°Aurum Fort has nothing to worry about with us on guard!¡± ¡°The result of proper Emotio wielding: peaceful thoughts, peaceful environs.¡± Samsar replies. ¡°Although it is not formal, I take the nickname Knight-Aces rather positively. Perhaps it means we are actually doing our duty as Sentio Knights: being protectors and role-models of Sentia.¡± ¡°For them to give us the title of Knight-Aces and glorify our struggle at Dragons¡¯ End, its infuriating.¡± A younger, much less fiendish-looking Cania says with his then natural black hair blowing in the wind. ¡°I cannot believe the irony of this world¡± he continues as it seems he is about to start a long angry rant. Samsar lets out a relieved sigh. ¡°It indeed has been a long time since we were tossed into that situation. I¡¯m just thankful we made it. Never fighting undead dragons again.¡± ¡°Watch your Iras energy, my brother Cania.¡± Irontoes jokingly tells him. ¡°You might end up burning the entirety of Sentia down!¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll make sure to build Sentia back up better¡­without undead dragons.¡± Cania replies with a playful smirk. Samsar and Irontoes let out a hearty laugh. But all good memories end. Everything snaps back to reality. ¡°Your turn.¡± Cania says, still without emotion, to the robotic man who is just inches away from the portal. ¡°Damnit!¡± Irontoes curses. Cania teleports close and delivers a swift end to the man of iron with a downwards strike of his dreaded scythe. ¡°Bonds should not impede me, as I will bring this world to its knees and reshape it!¡± Irontoes¡¯ mechanical parts are blown to pieces, to be left in dust forever. Although Cania¡¯s delivery of his words is as devoid of feelings as can be, a faint hint of pain can be heard from his suffering soul, as if a little bird still struggles to escape from a lonely cage. ¡°My body has not fully acclimated to the Void just yet it seems. No matter. I must push on. This is a necessary sacrifice.¡± he affirms to himself. ¡°In the world that will be born anew, I will remake you in a better image, brothers. No further sacrifices will be needed. Unlike in this world, we will suffer no longer and be its¡¯ rightful rulers: the Kings of the Void.¡± After a brief distraction as Cania was lost in thought, Irontoes¡¯ voice fills the area, as if nothing happened to him at all. ¡°Timoris Art: Invisible Voice!¡± he yells. ¡°Huh?!¡± Cania looks around, putting up his guard once again and turning his attention outward. ¡°Always the one with a branch up his ass, brother. You know, emotion can be helpful sometimes. In this sordid reality, perhaps we can mask our suffering with some humor and keep on moving towards things that truly matter.¡± ¡°The trickster¡¯s final joke. Show yourself, it is futile!¡± Cania shouts back, readying his weapon to strike in a split-second. While Cania¡¯s back is turned, Irontoes is revealed from invisibility near the portal as if nothing happened to him. He waves his hand towards it. In his mind, he quickly recites an incantation, ¡°With this spell, I anchor a wish in my deep sadness. Everything has a price, and I offer my very existence. Erase all that brings me sorrow. Tristier Art: Reality Begone!¡± A blast of light blue magic interferes with the dark portal. The area then is bathed in a bright yet somber glow, like the last few minutes of the sunset. Time appears to have been frozen and Irontoes¡¯ final thoughts caress his mind sweetly as he bids farewell to everything. ¡°Maybe in the next life, we could¡¯ve stayed Knight-Aces forever¡­patrolling streets that didn¡¯t need patrolling.¡± The metal warrior¡¯s visage soon fades into non-existence. ¡°No!¡ª¡± Unstable energies swirl around the area and gather into an explosion that sends quakes into the deep into the mountain upon the scarlet night. Chapter 1: The Scouts A fresh gust of wind blows through a path in a deciduous forest. It is a fair morning, with all sorts of little critters, birds, and insects chirping and humming a natural, peaceful melody all around. Two people walk through a shadowed part of the path, eventually making it where the sunlight can shine on their faces. ¡°What do you think would happen if everyone in the world could use Emotio energy like us? Or like, if there was a whole continent of Emotio-wielding people?¡± says a lively scaled young woman who skips alongside the man beside her. Her red-orange hair, evoking a picture of a blazing stream, flows in the wind. She dons a traveling martial artist¡¯s attire; not too armored yet light enough for precise punches or kicks. Her lively movement complements her appearance: she appears to be of a fire-breathing dragon race that looks more humanoid than reptile. ¡°In both circumstances: the world would instantly implode due to overload of emotions turned into magical energy.¡± said the man. ¡°I think that¡¯s a good reason not everyone can use it. Those who do however, should be more responsible¡± he solemnly continues, with emphasis on the responsible part. The man, of a youthful appearance, has a head of dark-blue slightly ruffled hair that complements his long, pointy ears. With eyeglasses and a white robe with black streaks, he appears to be a scholar of sorts. The emblem of the Sentio Knights, clearly printed on his cape, gives a certain gravity of truth to his answer. ¡°Hey, come on¡± she replies, noticing that he might have referred to something that happened in the past. ¡°I can control my Iras energy now. Unlike last time. You can count on me, Lunde.¡± the fiery-haired girl says, smiling awkwardly. The scholarly Lunde gives a look of disbelief. ¡°I know, I¡¯m kidding¡± he says. Sighing. A little worried, but taking her word for it nonetheless. ¡°We¡¯re almost there, by the way. Get the lantern ready, Ember.¡± A few minutes later, they come across a wall of stone full of foliage. Nothing is out of the ordinary, as there are plenty of other cliffsides with vines and leaves in the forest. However, Lunde stares at it for a good while. ¡°There must be more than meets the eye with this place¡± he thinks to himself. A deer comes running by shortly. Much to everyone¡¯ surprise, it runs straight into the leafy wall and goes right past it as if there was nothing there. The flame-headed Ember is instructed to raise an antique lantern facing the wall. Ember wonders that using a lantern in the middle of the day is strange unless you were indoors in a room with no windows. Her puzzled expression eventually ceases however as Lunde starts chanting an Emotio art. ¡°By the Order of the Twin Blades and Lone Shield, and with this lantern as my focus, I unlock my mind to seek what is unknown. Curio Art: Secret Revelations¡± Within a few seconds, a shimmering sound and a faint glow comes from the unlit lantern.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Emotio art of this kind is rare, and you got to be a really seasoned and curious Sentio Knight to master this. Good thing its embedded in a magic object to be used conveniently a few times.¡± Lunde mentions as his eyes glow with enthusiasm. ¡°Boys and their toys.¡± Ember jokes. ¡°You like studying, learning, and all the stuff that makes me feel like I¡¯m chained to my seat. You sure you haven¡¯t mastered it already?¡± Lunde shakes his head. ¡°More training is required it seems. I did the tests and they said I¡¯m not ready for that level of magic yet. As Knight Captain Goldrock said, you need absolute focus with an emotion to master a spell or at least to use it properly.¡± The spell takes effect, and the foliage dissipates as if it were a trick of the light; a mere illusion. A cave entrance is then revealed, under an arch where intricate and ancient carvings can be seen. ¡°Wow! Huh. So, this is it. This is what they asked us to find. To be honest, I thought you wanted to climb the wall when I saw you staring at it for a while.¡± Ember laughingly mentions. ¡°It sounds like something we would do. You know, as scouts.¡± Lunde replies. ¡°I¡¯m a little nervous, not going to lie. I¡¯m a little claustrophobic. But, I am quite curious to uncover the next piece of information for our project.¡± The entrance to the cave is quite wide, allowing a small group to take their first step inside all at once. The two then slowly make their way in the hole in the wall, constantly scanning the area for dangerous energies and checking for manual traps along the way. ¡°So, what do you think we¡¯ll find? Aside from what we¡¯re meant to find, I mean. Anything about physical arts and new cool moves I can learn to destroy the Corrupted?¡± Ember asks with sparks in her eyes, excited to learn new skull-crushing fighting arts. ¡°Let¡¯s play safe. Get that stone slab and leave. Speaking of Corrupted, be on guard. We might¡­no, we will encounter them. This place hasn¡¯t been cleared by the Purifiers yet.¡± Lunde cautiously warns her. ¡°Relax, Lunde. Iras arts will save the day, always have.¡± Ember says with such confidence. She takes out a torch from her adventuring pack and breathes fire unto it. The two then delve into the cave. It gets more damp and colder after every turn and as they descend, but at least they can see where they are going. As they move forth, they come across small rooms after each narrow passageway. On some of the room walls, similar symbols to the arch outside are etched to it. Ancient curves, lines, and breaks; unlike any script they¡¯ve ever seen before. Lunde takes note of the symbols as they move further. As they are about to turn the next corner, they suddenly hear a tearing sound. Ripping and shredding, as well as wild growls. ¡°Sounds like spikewolves.¡± Ember says, reading her fists. ¡°Finally, things to pummel to the earth.¡± They slowly peek to see what lays beyond, and it is indeed a group of these beasts. Around 3 monstrous wolf-like creatures with unnaturally long, spiky quills on their backs lay head. They gnaw, chew, and fight over the carcass of a deer. Probably the one that made it in the cavern earlier. ¡°The Corrupted, victims of Emotio Corruption. Once people, now turned into monsters by too much Emotio. Poor things.¡± Lunde remarks. ¡°There¡¯s always a risk for getting infected with the corruption too. Let¡¯s just sneak around them using some Timoris¡ª¡± ¡°They¡¯re long gone now though¡± Ember says and charges straight at them. ¡°Iras Art: Dragon Buster!¡± Streaks of flame are summoned that condense and collect in her fists. She dashes in and directs a punch to the closest spikewolf in her attack range. ¡°Damnit, Ember!¡± Lunde exclaims with such concern, chasing after her to aid her in battle. Chapter 2: This Prophecy Ember kicks up a storm with fiery Emotio arts blasting from all her strikes. The spikewolves are swift, but her punches are swifter. One of the monsters gets behind her and jumps in for the kill, but she turns quickly to punch it straight in the snout, sending it flying into the cavern wall. Anonther spikewolf tries to shoot the spikes on its back, but Ember is too deft and doesn¡¯t get hit. She jumps forth and lands a fiery kick that causes it too reel back from getting singed from magical flames. The last spikewolf flees the scene quickly, being outnumbered and at risk for a serious pummeling or being barbequed. The other two, heavily injured but not down for the count, follow suit shortly. ¡°That was quite risky, Ember.¡± Lunde tells her with such concern. ¡°I told you, you can trust me. I won¡¯t overheat or suddenly burst into flames¡­like last time.¡± she replies, trying to draw humor out of his concern. Sounding a little worried, she also gives him a friendly tap on the shoulder. For reassurance it seems. ¡°You¡¯re too soft you know, too worried about things that are already long gone. Like those monsters. Not people anymore.¡± ¡°I¡­know. Sometimes, I wish I could do something, you know? Emotio corruption is permanent. There¡¯s not a soul in the world who can cure someone.¡± He somberly replies. Although deep in his heart, he revisits the thought that it is one of his weaknesses to consider approaching impossibility with some possibility. ¡°Anyway, I trusted you and you¡¯re alright. So, let¡¯s look at what¡¯s real. I think we should move on to finding that stone slab.¡± ¡°Well, I wasn¡¯t talking about Emotio corruption alone, but¡­¡± Ember replies, with a little hesitation to move unto the next topic. Mid-thought, she appears to have changed her approach with conversation. ¡°But don¡¯t worry too much alright? I got your back.¡± A relieved look dawns on Lunde¡¯s face as he takes her word and continues to trust her for it. He leads the way to the supposed chamber where they would find this certain stone slab. Ember follows behind him, but suddenly notices a small gash on her leg that seemed to have bled a little. A dreadful feeling suddenly flows into her mind. Where could the gash be from? She thinks to herself that it is impossible that she got wounded in the fight earlier as she is certain that nothing touched her. Then again, she remembers that Iras Arts have the side-effect of delaying pain until after a battle. Ember reasons to herself that it¡¯s probably from the rocky cave corridors and continues to walk it off. ¡°I¡¯ll just get it checked later at the camp, it¡¯s probably nothing serious¡± she thinks and places a little healing ointment on it. Minutes pass and Lunde finally enters a special chamber in the cave full of glowing minerals that light up the room a little. The chamber seems safe enough after an initial inspection with Curio Arts, unless anyone was deathly allergic to a lot of dust, dampness, bat dung, and cobwebs. He didn¡¯t notice Ember lagging behind him, as he was too busy inspecting the area around him. His curiosity gets the best of him as he sees a giant rectangular chunk of stone in the middle of the room. Like a blackboard in a classroom, there seems to be writing on it as well. ¡°It¡¯s¡­bigger than I thought¡± Ember says, finally catching up to Lunde. ¡°How are we going to bring it back?¡± she continues, as puzzled as ever. Strong as she is, she doubts she can lift something like that with ease. ¡°So this is what they asked us to find? The slab where an obscure prophecy lies? Let me¡­study it for a little while.¡± Lunde says, totally mesmerized.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The chamber looks like it was built around the slab of stone. There are pillars all around the earthen room, some broken and some intact. Ember lights a few more torches and puts it on the ground. Upon closer inspection, etchings on the stone look similar to the etchings they saw outside. The reflecting light in the crystals that formed around the room further add to the mysterious and strange atmosphere the monolith brings. ¡°This prophecy¡­I¡¯m so curious as to what it¡¯s about¡­I can¡¯t read the script, but¡­¡± Lunde, slowly putting his hand on the stone board, mutters. ¡°Wait, Lunde. Did you even check it with¡ª¡± Ember expresses with concern, as the roles are switched now with Lunde recklessly doing things. A burst of white light emerges from all the letters carved into the stone slab and the markings slowly turn into the face of a dragon looking straight at the two. Lunde is fazed and, as if thrust straight into a lucid dream, he hears a booming voice call out to him. ¡°BEHOLD, THIS IS ONE OF MY LAST WISDOMS SOLIDIFIED INTO THE WORLD. THE KINGS OF THE VOID THOUGHT THEY GOT RID OF ME COMPLETELY, BUT MY REBELLIOUS WILL SHALL TRIUMPH IN THE END.¡± Lunde¡¯s surroundings turn into a pearl-white mist. In that world that seems like a dream, he feels compelled to reach out to the voice and ask a question. ¡°Who¡­are you?¡± Lunde asks, groggily and on the verge of slumber and wakefulness. ¡°I AM NACREST, DRAGON PRINCE, THE WIELDER OF THE PURIFYING FLAME, ONE OF THE LAST SCIONS OF EMOTIO. SLAYER OF VOID BEASTS AND APATHIA¡¯S BANE.¡± the voice proudly explains. ¡°The Scions of Emotio¡­legendary guardians¡­¡± ¡°EONS AGO, WE FOUGHT TO KEEP A REALM KNOWN AS THE VOID AWAY FROM THE REALM OF EXISTENCE. THE VOID CHEWS AWAY AT EMOTIO AND THUS LEADS THE WORLD TO ITS DESTRUCTION. MY CORPOREAL FORM MAY BE LONG GONE ALONGSIDE MY BRETHREN, BUT I WAS TOLD LONG AGO THAT A TRAVELER WOULD FIND MY WISDOMS OUT OF RECKLESS CURIOSITY.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­kind of specific¡­¡± he laughs to himself. Lunde is more convinced that this is just a fleeting dream. ¡°WE CANNOT DENY HOW DETAILED THIS PROPHECY IS. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS ONLY PRECEEDS DESTRUCTION. THE VOID STILL YEARNS TO SINK ITS TEETH INTO THIS WORLD.¡± Lunde starts slowly slipping back to reality. ¡°BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS DAZE, A TOKEN FOR THE WEARY TRAVELER, A GIFT FROM OUR CHANCE MEETING. TAKE THIS: MY SILVER FLAME OF PURIFICATION. MAY THIS DIVINE BLAZE GUIDE THEE FORTH TO THE NEXT OF MY WISDOMS TO HEAR THE NEXT PART OF THIS PROPHECY.¡± Lunde is suddenly covered in a brilliant flash of grey flames, followed by hearing laughter from a great god-like source. ¡°Woah!¡± Lunde yells as he jumps awake, not immolated at all but drenched in sweat. ¡°Nothing broken?! No bleeding anywhere?!¡± Ember hurriedly exclaims as she checks Lunde for any injuries. ¡°You were thrown back a few feet and went unconscious after you touched the stone!¡± Lunde tries to build back his composure and stabilize his spinning head. ¡°My¡­my head¡­did you see the lights? The letters on the board lit up¡­¡± ¡°Lights? What do you mean? Oh no, this might be worse than I thought! We need to get out of here quickly!¡± a worried Ember says. ¡°Do you need help? I¡¯ll pick you up.¡± A flash of pain suddenly hits her leg as she attempts to pick up Lunde. Her face displays a dread unusual to see due to her joyful nature, but she tries her best to suppress it. Although she probably has an idea what it is, she worries more for Lunde at this time. ¡°A-are you alright as well? I hope nothing happened to you as well¡­it was too quick¡­¡± Lunde asks, seeing her pain but in pain as well to fully check and recall what happened. ¡°I-I¡¯m alright. Should we use the escape¡­thingy or¡­art? Can you walk it off?¡± she asks, masking her own pain and anxiety. ¡°Yeah, I can. It¡¯s starting to clear up. Nacrest¡­what was that all about¡­¡± Lunde looks back at the stone and sees that everything is as it was when they first saw it. He also realizes that Ember didn¡¯t see anything other than himself being flung backwards after touching the slab. He keeps that in mind but decides to discuss it later at the camp with his superior. He jots some pieces of information on his journal and the two make their way out of the mysterious darkness of the cave and back into the light of the outside world. Chapter 3: The Captain It is mid-day and the sun blazes on the center of the cerulean sea of clouds, bathing all in the noon heat. Iron can be heard being mashed against the ground: it turns out to be armored soldiers marching down a dusty dirt road. They take a turn, and see other soldiers preparing swords, shields, and armor in their nearby tents. A blacksmith works with his tool at the side, fuming blazes from the furnace and all. Archers practice their strafing, mostly hitting their mark. The drill sergeants here and there are constantly yelling while people carrying boxes upon boxes deliver them swiftly to their intended location. All this happens in a walled military encampment within the forest. One tent in particular stands out among those that surround it; it is larger than usual and it is decorated with a gold version of the Sentio Knight crest. Dashing frantically through the bustling camp, a soldier tries his best get towards the tent as fast as thoughts can be thought of. ¡°C-captain Goldrock, reporting in from Aurum West. The Graywood Battlements!¡± a soldier exclaims, saluting a regal woman seated at the opposite end of a long table with a tactical map across it. The magical candlelight illuminates her, and she stands out among her peers situated in the dimmer parts of the group. The woman appears to be of a human-like lion race. Her attire is a mix of combat armor and alluring royalty. Her ornate pauldrons contain rose carvings, ribbons and linens are pieced together delicately in her leather corset, and a gemstone-inlaid sword rests at her left side. Her golden hair, golden eyeglasses, and well-prepared make-up really bring out her facial features making her look stunning both in appearance and in might. With grace, poise, and focus from studying the map in front of her, she looks up to the soldier and gestures towards him to relay his message. ¡°C-captain, they¡¯re using Corrupted against our men!¡± the soldier says, almost choking in fear and worry at the mention of Corrupted. All warriors and strategists in the tent freeze and exclaim their fright, but not Knight-Captain Goldrock. She simply looks at the soldier and then back at the map, calculating carefully in her mind what to say. ¡°At ease, soldier. Dismissed.¡± Goldrock says to the panicked messenger. He salutes and leaves the tent quickly. ¡°C-captain¡± a worried lieutenant beside her says, ¡°T-they really have nothing to lose anymore. A cornered rat bites fiercely, and there is no cure for Emotio Corruption. Should we turn to the Sovereign Mercy?¡± ¡°No.¡± Captain Goldrock replies with a fierce decisiveness. ¡°The Dark Healers will be our last resort. Our scouts should be back any minute now with the solution to the problem.¡± ¡°C-captain, not to be untrusting but¡­¡± a timid strategist says from another side of the table. ¡°You sent them to uncover myths, not solid evidence of a cure for¡ª¡± ¡°The errand was not given only by myself, but by our Holy Kingdom of Aurum itself. The decision was backed up by the royal scholars who take into consideration all aspects of our world be it magic, technology, politics, or economy. I trust it is part of finding the answer to our problem. Do you dare defy the will of the kingdom?¡± ¡°N-no, Captain¡­I¡¯m sorry I gave an inkling of doubt¡­¡± fearfully says the strategies and retreats to his seat. Knight-captain Goldrock smirks and looks towards the exit of the tent. The sheen on her glasses glimmer as the light from the exit shines towards her. As if she¡¯s been waiting for this moment. In her mind, all things are calculated and well-planned out for; there will always be a solution if it appears there is none initially. Meanwhile, Lunde and Ember finally make it to a tent. It looks small and not as lavish as other tents around. Inside, there is are wooden beds to the most right and most left part of it. Various supplies fit for soldiers surround the beds but in an organized manner. ¡°Let me just put all our stuff down here before we head out to meet knight-captain.¡± Lunde says, rushing and thinking to inform Goldrock right away of what he found. ¡°Are you alright even? You fell unconscious, you should have yourself checked.¡± Ember, with concern, tells him.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°No, I actually feel like a million gold pieces right now. It¡¯s¡­strange.¡± he mentions while emptying his backpack and putting things in order. Lunde receives slight visions of what he saw earlier, but remembers the voice telling him that tragedy will only come next after he hearing about the prophecy. It hastens his steps and gives him a sense of urgency. ¡°Alright. Would it be fine if you meet her first? I¡¯m feeling a little beat, probably from the scuffle earlier.¡± Ember tells him and letting out a big yawn. She plops unto the bed on the left and dozes off. Lunde wanted to tell her something, but instead decides to tell her some other time when she is rested. A few minutes later, Lunde arrives at Goldrock¡¯s regal tent. Lunde breathes in and out, and prepares mentally for the information he is going to relay. Despite a small shiver going down his spine, but he keeps composed. ¡°Virtu Art: Moment¡¯s Courage¡± Lunde chants. An Emotio art granting him momentary confidence takes effect. It seems something else is bothering him however. He slowly enters and stands his ground confidently as the room is in the middle of a serious discussion. ¡°Knight-captain, reporting in¡± says Lunde. The whole room falls silent. Goldrock gives Lunde a piercing glare and appears to wants to get down to business immediately. ¡°Everyone, dismissed. That concludes our plans for today. Secretary, please prepare the report.¡± she says with a wave of the hand. Everyone else disperses except for her and Lunde. The tent is now vacated and an intense energy arises from Goldrock, as if a lioness is going to zero in on the kill. Lunde, with the spell¡¯s confidence still lingering, speaks to her. ¡°Captain, reporting¡ª¡± In a split-second, Lunde is enveloped in a loving embrace by Goldrock, as if a mother has not seen or heard from her child for a few years. The hug slowly turns into constriction. Lunde fears that the worst has happened, and this was the other thing bothering him the whole time. The Emotio art of confidence eventually fades out. ¡°Are you ok, child? Are you hurt? Have you eaten?¡± Goldrock asks him in a quick succession, all while unknowingly strangling him. The concern is very clear in her voice as she shifts from her business mode into that of a doting parent. ¡°M-mother, please s-stop¡­I¡¯m o-okay¡­¡± Lunde replies, trying to break away and breathe. ¡°Y-you don¡¯t have to d-do this every time I come b-back from an expedition!¡± Goldrock releases him, and looks at him with such gladness and joy that he is back. ¡°That¡¯s how mothers are, well, even adoptive mothers at times.¡± ¡°If the rest of the camp finds out, I¡¯d want the earth to swallow me whole.¡± Lunde responds, embarrassed and a little annoyed. ¡°It might have been understandable when I was still little but I¡¯ve grown up now.¡± Goldrock lets out a hearty laugh. ¡°My dearest Lunde, even when you were still a kid, you always hated any form or display of affection. Always so serious and wanting to get work done. Remember that one time you embarrassed me when you were going to school for the first time? I will never forget it. All I wanted was a good luck kiss before you ran off to your classroom¡­¡± ¡°I remember that time well too, mother¡­BUT IT WAS KNIGHT TRAINING ACADEMY, NOT PRE-SCHOOL. AND THERE WAS A CROWD OF ONLOOKERS!¡± he lets out in an embarrassed yet endearing fury. The captain¡¯s laughter fills the tent, and Lunde starts to worry because someone might hear it from outside. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m done teasing. How is Ember by the way? Is she still writing the scouting report?¡± ¡°She¡¯s resting at this time. What we went through was¡­a little strange.¡± Lunde replies, scratching his head. Glasses containing a sweet sort of flavored drink are laid out on the table alongside expensive-looking biscuits and treats. The entire trip is relayed exactly as it turned out. Goldrock listens to it attentively and waits for Lunde to finish speaking before she gets a word or a question in. ¡°So, you came in contact with one of the ¡®Wisdoms of Nacrest¡¯. Hmm. It¡¯s an old legend that one of the Scions of Emotio, long-gone guardians of the old world, left pieces of their consciousness in things called ¡®Wisdoms¡¯ which are scattered around the world. As expected, the foresight of the kingdom is second to none.¡± Goldrock explains. ¡°I¡¯m unsure of how to proceed at this point. He gave me flames of some sort, but I don¡¯t feel anything strange. Should I fall asleep and wait for them to talk to me in a dream? Something tells me that¡¯s their working procedure.¡± Lunde says, scoffing a little at the last part, saying it as a joke. ¡°How about an examination by the healer?¡± she suggests. ¡°I also have to look up this Nacrest. Although I know most of the scions, he¡¯s not familiar to me.¡± Before Lunde can respond, a device starts ringing in the background. It is an odd, futuristic tool that looks like a telephone but is mostly golden, has inlaid gems in it, and has extra curves and sections. Goldrock picks up a removable part of the machine and speaks into it. ¡°Hello?¡± she asks, talking to the device she holds to her right ear. After a while, a faint voice can be heard from it. ¡°Yes, speaking¡± she continues. Lunde snacks on the food laid out, mulling over what to do next while Goldrock uses a magic telephone of sorts. He considers using a Curio Art to identify a magic force within his body, or perhaps he could take Goldrock¡¯s suggestion to get checked up. Nothing bothered him more than not knowing what was going on and not knowing what to do about it. This made him very anxious. ¡°Lunde, we must go. It¡¯s Ember. She¡¯s showing signs of Emotio Corruption.¡± Goldrock relays to him calmly, but with a dreadful expression. Chapter 4: Valley鈥檚 Flooding Dusk falls upon the camp, and darkness sets in slowly as Ember writhes in pain on a stretcher. Personnel in garbs that resemble scrubs carrying around instruments of treatment surround her in a tent that appears to be for keeping the soldiers far away from lethal disease and injury; it is a small hospital in the middle of a potential battlefield. With eyes closed, Ember twists and turns in agony as if something hungry and ferocious wants to burst out from her stomach. Growling and yearning for the pain to stop under operating lights, she calls out Lunde¡¯s name. ¡°Barely noticeable scar on her leg, probably the entry point of the disease. Black veins protruding from the side of her face moving upward, clear symptom of Emotio corruption. The reports did not indicate a scuffle with Corrupted however.¡± remarks the doctor, calmly checking a document on a clipboard. The doctor is of an anthropomorphic crane race with all features of that bird mixed with a man. He is a tall specimen with savage scratches on his face and beak. Donning a dark-colored doctor¡¯s coat and having feathers with the colors of red, black, and white, he exudes an aura of elite medical expertise. Then again, his job is to treat the wounds of warriors. ¡°Nurse, hand me the Curio Lens.¡± he gestures to a nurse to fetch him one of his tools. One of the many nurses around him give him what he asked for. The nurses are in robes that are similar to scrubs and they wear protective masks on their face designed to keep them safe from harmful objects while treating patients. The colors of their attire also match the doctor¡¯s as they roam around the tent doing various tasks to keep the place sanitized and in order. All while the doctor examines her using an intricate glass eyepiece-like tool that emits blue-green light, the knight-captain and Lunde make it into the tent hurriedly. ¡°Ember¡ª¡± Lunde exclaims but stops in the middle of calling her as he sees her sick on the bed. ¡°I thought I trusted you to keep safe! You promised me too!¡± he continues, with his tone growing increasingly irate as Goldrock tries to calm him down and hold him back. Ember slips in a state of unconsciousness at this point, not noticing Lunde had arrived. ¡°Let the doctor work, Lunde.¡± Goldrock softly tells him, with her grasp firm on his arm. ¡°Listen to your mother, son. Naughty children get turned into monsters¡± the doctor jests. Lunde withdraws to a quiet state, but a rage burns bright in his eyes. He holds his tongue for the moment, knowing it is not the right time. Yet, it is still so difficult for him. Goldrock looks at the doctor with a disappointed look, as she is tired of his jests. It looks like they are quite familiar with each other. ¡°I¡¯m joking, alright? I have it under control. You know, excluding important information on reports is a war crime.¡± he says, in all seriousness, all while scanning Ember¡¯s body for issues and listing his findings on a document. ¡°Just saying.¡± he continues, looking up to the two, not in an accusing way but in a way that signals them that he understands something between the lines. ¡°¡­Thank you, Doctor Kuran.¡± sheepishly replies Goldrock, relieved but annoyed. ¡°How is she?¡± ¡°Besides being a big risk factor that could end up in the entire camp getting corrupted? Just fine. We were able to stabilize the corruption with medication and Emotio Arts but¡­that¡¯s the limit of what we can do here. Her condition will worsen in a few days, and then¡­¡± Kuran replies, with a slight sadness. ¡°You know what I¡¯m thinking?¡± he asks. ¡°It will be our death and doom,¡± Goldrock says, with a heaviness in her throat. ¡°You know how they operate. Death is the only release for the Corrupted, and that is the cure they provide them. Even someone with the slightest suspicion of being afflicted with Emotio corruption will be put to the sword. They¡­will toss Ember¡¯s body in to the flame and soon¡­everybody else in the camp.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. A sharp fear hits Lunde as such grim odds are uttered by Goldrock. Regret fills his mind as he wishes he really paid attention to Ember while they were out exploring the dungeon. He starts doubting himself and the trust between them both. ¡°Relax. I want to live too.¡± the doctor states in a laid-back fashion. Kuran¡¯s movements and ways of speaking contrast the situation they are in. A total difference from his intimidating appearance as well. ¡°I was thinking of what you, my boy, found in the cave.¡± he says, addressing Lunde. ¡°What I found¡­¡± The words of the silver-winged dragon Nacrest ring in Lunde¡¯s ears. ¡°BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS DAZE, A TOKEN FOR THE WEARY TRAVELER, A GIFT FROM OUR CHANCE MEETING. TAKE THIS: MY SILVER FLAME OF PURIFICATION. MAY THIS DIVINE BLAZE GUIDE THEE FORTH TO THE NEXT OF MY WISDOMS TO HEAR THE NEXT PART OF THIS PROPHECY.¡± After thinking about the parting message for a while, Lunde looks back up at the rest. ¡°I received some unknown power in a vision. However, I cannot detect any sort of change in my body¡¯s Emotio flow. I was starting to suspect that it was just a dream after all.¡± Lunde relays, ¡°However, the timing of that message is peculiar.¡± ¡°It is indeed. You were sent as the kingdom received news that our enemy, the neighboring kingdom of Longinus, started using¡ªoh, I¡¯m sorry. That¡¯s classified information.¡± Goldrock says, almost getting ahead of herself. ¡°I can explain it later after it is properly announced.¡± ¡°It will involve us one way or the other so we ought to know.¡± Kuran says, gesturing towards himself and the other nurses in the room. ¡°We¡¯d like to be able to save lives sooner than later, captain.¡± She pauses and looks upon everyone. ¡°I¡¯m going to be written up for not following protocol again, but¡­they¡¯re using Corrupted to fight us.¡± Goldrock says with a serious countenance. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re really going to have to call the Dark Healers this time.¡± Kuran jokes, getting a big sigh of displeasure from Goldrock. ¡°The flame of purification¡­could it be¡­a cure to Emotio Corruption?¡± Lunde mentions, in the middle of the conversation. ¡°You probably hit your head too hard, son. There is no such thing as a cure to Emotio Corruption, except in the myths and legends.¡± Kuran responds. ¡°Which brings me to my next point, Doctor. Could you examine him, please? Perhaps what he found in that cave isn¡¯t all myths and legends after all¡± Goldrock asks. With a quick scan using the Curio Lens, nothing seems out of the ordinary with Lunde. The doctor still takes his vitals and notes anything, even the slightest detail, to determine whether Lunde has really gained new powers. ¡°Well, aside from the lump on your head from a possible fall, you¡¯re as fit as a fiddle, boy.¡± The doctor concludes. ¡°¡­didn¡¯t even notice that one.¡± Lunde shyly replies. ¡°But the voice mentioned that he would lead me to another of his ¡®wisdoms¡¯. I was going to have this looked at by the scholars, but here: the text from the ancient cave.¡± he continues, showing Kuran and Goldrock the notes he jotted down earlier. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t read that one, and I studied multiple languages back at the academy. It must be very, very old. Perhaps from the era of the Scions.¡± Goldrock says. ¡°Unfortunately, the scholars in our camp just left earlier today to retrieve documents and supplies. We can¡¯t have anyone look at it for now.¡± she continues, sighing at the wasted chance. ¡°You¡¯d have better chances asking the scholars from the Enigma Library back at the capital, but I¡¯m afraid we can¡¯t wait that long for you to come back.¡± Kuran mentions. ¡°The girl¡¯s condition is taking a turn for the worse each hour. She¡¯ll be at a very contagious stage in around 3 days and not even our most advanced magic and technology can stop that.¡± he continues, calmly but sternly putting emphasis on 3 days. ¡°We could use the teleporter too. I think this count as an emergency, they would understand.¡± Goldrock suggests. ¡°But it would draw attention. Anyone of us isn¡¯t scheduled to use it now, and even a high-ranking official like you, captain, would be questioned. The kingdom would know. We can¡¯t risk it.¡± Kuran retorts, showing a pragmatic side to him. ¡°I can deal with all the sanctions and questioning later. This is my camp at stake.¡± she argues back. Lunde looks down, a little despondent, but looks back up at Ember on the stretcher. What he wouldn¡¯t give to help his scouting partner out. Deep within, a resolve is built up to do everything in his power to see her smile again even if she caused him so much worry. Despite the direness of the situation and what is at stake, he feels a little excited somehow that he has a big puzzle to solve. He falls back to his scholarly habits and analyzes the best possible action without alerting the Sovereign Mercy. All while they continue to discuss and argue about their next move, one of the nurses suspiciously sneak out behind their backs. ¡°Valley¡¯s flooding.¡± Kuran says all of a sudden. He wasn¡¯t too loud, as not to alert anyone. As if being alerted by a code word or phrase, everyone pauses to listen. ¡°One of the nurses has slacked off¡­or perhaps¡­they were never one of my nurses at all¡­¡± Chapter 5: Forest Theatre Chapter 5: Forest Theatre ¡°This part of the Graywoods is safe. But if we go any deeper, we might get ourselves in all sorts of trouble.¡± Doctor Kuran states as he walks down a dark, forest road. Behind him is Lunde and a few other soldiers and scouts from the encampment. Treading through the night in the forest named the Graywoods, they scour the area slowly, doing their best not to break a twig with each step whilst preparing for a possible ambush. The pine trees slowly wave in the evening wind, and critters can be heard chirping and squeaking all around. Occasionally, they hear a wolf-like howl in the distance. It makes Lunde worry for Ember who lays in agony back at the camp. ¡°The suspicious nurse couldn¡¯t have gotten far; the left a trail of Emotio energy that is still fresh.¡± Lunde indicates, as he uses his Curio magic-infused lantern to guide the way. The lamp emits a soft blue-green light that mildly illuminates the immediate surroundings. It also projects a line of magical energy that has extended itself forth on the road like a growing vine, leading the group to the whereabouts of who they are looking for. ¡°That nurse was probably a spy from our good old neighbors, the kingdom of Longinus. This is my fault, I should have known and double-checked the logbook as soon as Ember was rushed in.¡± Kuran states, feeling regretful and grasping his sword even tighter. ¡°Lunde, you could have gone with the messengers to look for help at the capital. Why¡¯d you have to rush out with us?¡± he continues. ¡°I¡­don¡¯t know. But once this is over, I¡¯ll head out for Goldensky as soon as I can. It¡¯ll take a day using the Griffin Carriage. We still got time.¡± Lunde replies, with a wistful look on his face, as they continue moving forward following the magical trail. ¡°You angry, son?¡± Kuran asks casually while looking ahead. Lunde remains silent, but deep inside, his anger masks his sadness. He wishes he was more observant to Ember and perhaps he could have prevented the tragedy from happening. At that very moment, he wishes that he could turn something impossible into something possible with a snap of his fingers. ¡°People mess up. Shit happens. Shit we can¡¯t easily fix, but we wish we could.¡± the doctor says, seeing the pain in Lunde¡¯s eyes. ¡°Best thing to do is what we can do. Like lopping this bastard¡¯s head off once we get our hands on him¡± he adds. ¡°My notebook is missing. The nurse probably took that too.¡± Lunde says, finally breaking his silence. ¡°Let me personally lop his head off.¡± an agitated Kuran comments. A few skulking paces later, the team makes it to a clearing in the forest. There is nothing there but the surrounding trees that look like walls enclosing them in and the bright full-moon acting as a spotlight to their entrance. Lunde, the ever-perceptive, senses something is off. Looking around from a slope on the edge of the clearing, he sees the area as a grand stage: something is about to play out.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡°I think¡­this is a trap. Let¡¯s head out while we¡ª¡± Lunde says, only to suddenly stop when he sees a bright-red fiery ball flying straight towards them. As the fireball hits the ground and catches everyone by surprise, the group is pushed into the clearing by the explosion it generates. Everyone is launched feet away due to fiery force. Some soldiers sustain damage, but are mostly fine. Lunde and Doctor Kuran quickly move into a defense position and hide behind some rocks big enough to serve as battlefield cover. Against the full moon, a mysterious figure draped in tattered black robes appears and flaps their black feathery wings above them. They slowly descend. ¡°THIS IS WHERE YOU DIE, AURUM DOGS!¡± the figure yells. Their booming voice resounding throughout the night. ¡°YOU WERE LED OUT FROM YOUR SANCTUARY JUST AS PLANNED. TONIGHT, WE WILL SLAUGHTER YOU LIKE PIGS!¡± As if following a script, other figures crawl out of the bushes and shrubs, encircling the scouting party of Lunde and Kuran. The ones on the ground reveal their faces from behind their hoods: they are of various races with black veins protruding from their necks all the way to their temples and some of them even have monstrous spikes and body parts growing out from various parts of their body. They appear to be Corrupted in an advanced stage as analyzed by the doctor. Although the enemy in the sky does not reveal his face, Kuran also assumes it is the group¡¯s leader. ¡°Corrupted¡­could they be from Longinus?¡± Lunde thinks to himself, readying an Emotio Art at the same time. ¡°I¡¯ve heard reports that the Corrupted they use in their service also wear their uniforms. I don¡¯t know where these bastards are from, but they sure are organized as hell.¡± replies Kuran. Everyone in this forest theatre already knows the role they play, and they shall play it to the very end. A battle ensues and the forces from the encampment, having no other choice, charge at the Corrupted with all their valor and might. The soldiers on Lunde and Kuran¡¯s team raise their swords and shields while the Corrupted let their extended monster appendages, all with pointy and razor-sharp claws, protrude out from their body. Slashing, piercing, crushing and Emotio Art magic sounds reverberate throughout the clearing as they fight. ¡°Protect these men, Misera Art: Shoulder Angel!¡± shouts Kuran as beams of light appear on most of their allies¡¯ shoulder where a wine bottle-sized humanoid spirit appears. It is faceless, has feathery wings, and its body is made up of pure golden light. As Corrupted strike at those who have these spirits by their side, their attacks repeatedly bounce off, giving the soldiers a chance to get a few hits in. Lunde stays far at the back, helping incapacitated fighters. ¡°Misera Art: Mend Wound!¡± he yells as he uses Emotio alongside some items from the healer¡¯s kit to stitch together wounds on one of the soldier¡¯s chest. ¡°I-I¡¯m not going to make it am I?¡± laments the wounded soldier, shivering and groaning. ¡°I¡¯m gonna¡­turn into one of those monsters, aren¡¯t I?¡± These words terrify Lunde and scrape his ears, and eventually his mind, with such hopelessness that he loses focus. He knows that the wounds that were sustained by the soldier will most likely lead to Emotio corruption somewhere along the line and although they could delay it for some time, the cure is non-existent. His thoughts fly back to Ember again, and his fear and anxiety get the best of him. ¡°Boy, look alive!¡± Kuran shouts at him, trying to get him to snap back to reality. The flying foe dashes across the sky while blasting fiery shots of magic, especially at the allied fighters with bows, to stop them from targeting him. Eventually, it spots the vulnerable Lunde with his back turned, and takes the chance to dive down towards him to rip him apart with their large eagle-like talons where its hands are supposed to be. Lunde shakes off his daze and comes back to his senses, but he feels multiple sharp and excruciating pulses from his back as if he was stabbed by multiple daggers. At that moment, Kuran turns around to check on Lunde and is horrified to see the flying Corrupted¡¯s large talons buried deep in his back. Chapter 6: Feelings of Affection The moon glows bright as the battle rages on in the clearing, and all time seems to slow down as Lunde falls to the ground. The Corrupted flees quickly after just having stabbed him with his talons and the doctor desperately rushes to aid the mortally wounded Lunde. ¡°L¡ªde¡ª¡­Lu¡ªnd¡ª! Hol¡ª On¡ª¡± Screaming voices of concern fade in and out. Along with the blood loss, pain is slowly leaving Lunde as a comforting yet eerie coldness fills him. Lunde¡¯s eyes slowly close and his consciousness nears oblivion as the Kuran holds him in his arms whilst shouting for assistance. A couple of soldiers and scouts quickly close their distance to them, even while being attacked by their assailants. With the little of Lunde¡¯s consciousness left in the darkness, he mutters a single name, ¡°Ember.¡± and the world disappears. For a while. The newly-awoken pink, blue, and orange sunrise shines over the sky at dawn, revealing a grassy field on top of a mountain high up in the clouds. The mountain emits a sort of steam from the sides where there are geyser holes. The mist swirls with the clouds, creating a mystic yet lively atmosphere. The field contains a courtyard marked with symbols that looks like a playing field for sports. Weapons and armor, made up of various materials from metals to fibers, fill the crates and containers near the bleacher seats at the side. At the field¡¯s backdrop, there are numerous brick houses and brick castles on other similar looking mountains, both on the mountaintops and on the mountainsides. Tribal patterns stand out amongst the stones, bricks, and cloth covers everywhere in those areas. Energetic and active-like swirls and dashes glow in the early sun¡¯s light. Walking up stairs that lead to the field is a timid-looking blue-haired scholar, who adjusts his eye-glasses and is constantly distracted by the sights high up in the skies and in the peaks during the sunrise. It is a younger Lunde, ever the bright-eyed. A figure dashes past by him as he gets nudged to the side by a strong wind trail they left behind. It is a younger Ember, smiling widely back at the young Lunde with her fiery eyes, hair, and grin. They slowly make it to the center of the field, preparing some training gear they brought in their bags, as someone calls out to them. ¡°Another early morning for trainin. Glad to see you young uns were never late nor missed a day¡± says an aged voice from an elderly figure that comes out from a tent at the side of the playing field. The much older figure appears to be an old lady hunched over in a thick traditional robe, wearing a headdress of feathers and bones, and bearing the same skin texture and dragon-like appearance of Ember. As a much older person however, her scales and spikes are longer, rougher, and more distinct, but they are in a darker shading and coloring compared to Ember¡¯s. Her eyes look almost closed, but she appears to be able to see and knows where Lunde and Ember are standing as she turns towards their direction.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°What do you expect, Granny Smuldra? I¡¯m a chip off of my parents, and your very own block!¡± Ember proudly replies. ¡°Our Dragonkin clan, the Prominence-Hearts, will always be bright and burning! And Lunde¡ª¡± Ember says, as she holds his shoulder. ¡°Uh, sorry, w-what?¡± a surprised Lunde asks, not having been paying attention much, still distracted by the vibrant views from the mountaintop. ¡°I¡¯m surprised you kept us with us. It¡¯s been months training here with us at Swirlwyrm Peaks, and you managed to climb mountains every day. For an Auran, that¡¯s impressive. You probably have some Dragonkin in you too!¡± Ember remarks. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know about that, but these are things you have to do to become a Sentio Knight. This is part of my apprenticeship and it¡¯s been tough. But I¡¯m thankful for your assistance so far as the overseers of my training, Granny Smuldra and Ember. I should be grateful now, I imagine it will get worse along the way when I really become a Sentio Knight.¡± Lunde says. His long ears also bend down a bit as he awkwardly jokes about the last part. ¡°Nice views, though.¡± he continues, but then glances back at Ember. His heart starts to flutter a little, as he has seen Ember plenty of different times, but something is different as she praises him under this colorful sunrise. ¡°Well, don¡¯t get distracted too much. I¡¯m going to be on a winning streak again today for each trial you¡¯ll have to face. You¡¯re not a Sentio Knight yet, but I¡¯m not gonna take it easy on you!¡± Ember replies, with her morale up so high she might as be one of the mountains in this range. ¡°Alright, stop yer bickerin ya eggheads. Get in ta position, we¡¯re wastin sacred daylight!¡± Smuldra says, gesturing them to move to the center of the training ground. A few hours pass on the training area on the mountaintop. Lunde and Ember are still going through the regimens with full energy. The skies are fair, and the sun is almost directly above them. In the distance, a group of smaller dragon-like creatures fly up high in the sky. ¡°Alright nutbrains, it¡¯s time to practice summoning illusions of yerselves! And that sorta magic to conjure up a decent clone comes from none otha than the emotion of confidence, the Fidente Art!¡± Smuldra shouts. ¡°Ember, lets see ya demonstrate it for Lundy boy here!¡± ¡°No sweat, gran!¡± Ember yells back. ¡°Fidente Art: Self-Image!¡± She steps forward and summons flames from her hands that gather and create a near-identical clone of herself. It vanishes into a puff of flames after getting hit by a rock thrown by Granny Smuldra. ¡°Well done, granddaughter! Now, Lunde, you need to make it convincin or else the enemy will know what¡¯s up. Yer turn!¡± Lunde breathes in and attempts to cast the spell. ¡°Fidente Art: Self Image¡ª¡± Magic energies gather in front of Lunde, but something goes wrong internally. Lunde senses it, it¡¯s like gas in the stomach that can¡¯t escape through flatulence. In his mind, he forgoes himself and instead thinks of Ember. He then turns his gaze at her, as she looks at him with such trust and confidence, the type of confidence where you just know the sun is sure to rise and set each day. Feelings of love and affection rise in his heart, and the magic forces finally release from within. A near-identical magic clone of Ember is created instead. ¡°What in tarnation¡ª¡± Granny Smuldra says out loud, baffled at what happened. Lunde gets paralyzed by the embarrassment, while Ember¡¯s surprised face grows more reddish by the second. A flood of laughter follows as Granny Smuldra eventually realizes what went through Lunde¡¯s casting of the spell. Her laugher goes far into the sky, and perhaps beyond the sun that is exactly above them all. ¡°Well, that certainly wasn¡¯t Fidente¡­my granddaughter can¡¯t date yet by the way. Not if I can help it!¡± Smuldra says in a protective yet joking way and continues cackling. Both Lunde and Ember¡¯s faces turn as red as carefully cultivated and freshly picked tomatoes.