Chapter 5 Preparation for the prince's birthday celebration.

Her praiseworthy eyes were full of bitterness and ambition, her mouth making an effort to show a grin as she slowly confronted a woman who was crouching in front of her while she uttered a phrase. "What made you come and visit this island, Naomi? Perhaps you have already fulfilled what I have requested from you before?" a lovely maiden has uttered with a confusing expression, her eyes used to glare as she mumbled with her brim showing a pouty lip one, making her attractive at the same time. Playfully picking her nails with her devilish smile. "I apologize for coming back to this island, but I do have some news to announce especially to you, dear Winona Graves. A Critic clan from Averchinariams." Naomi mumbles. "How dare you say my name out loud and clear?!" She said, raising her eyebrows.

"I apologize, but I do have some news for you, dear critic" she added, bending her knees in front of a critic. "Speak," she replied. "It is about a certain dragon who lives across from our village. I was about to eliminate the serpent but I noticed she/he was with someone, thus making me have to leave and eliminate him/her when the weather Is fine. I say to you that someday, I will consume its power and send it to you by consuming its mana inside my body." She confessed. "Make sure to give it back to me, or else I will kill you myself and take the mana inside your body, I think you already knew how much I hated it when someone ditches me especially when it comes to a promise they obtain," she uttered a phrase with a grin on her face, leaning her torso forward while reclining on her throne, crossing her knees effortlessly. "I do comprehend your attitude, dear critic," Naomi replied. "Good, now I need you to keep me updated on Igashu's behavior and how he managed to capture a serpent. And also, if he tries to deny my order. Eliminate him yourself if ever he expresses sympathy over a certain serpent." Winona expanded. "Yes, at your service" Naomi expresses courtesy as she bends her knees, settling her fist on top of her bosom. "Now leave," Winona murmured in a spooky noise. Naomi departs the island of Fiasco mountain and returns to Lockwood village to spy on Igashu and the other dragons around the entire village.

Naomi's P.O.V

I was certain I listened to Igashu's voice inside the Chanty village where I last caught a glimpse of a dragon lurking inside the Townley. It was lucky I happened to meet the crown prince and his servant who were patrolling the area late at night. If I had the chance to meet that dragon, I will surely recognize it once it tries to transform into its human form, then that will be the last time he/she survives. I will not tolerate eliminating the serpent even if it is one of my companions inside the Lockwood village. On behalf of obtaining Winona's trust and attaining power, she will offer to me, that once I win what she asked me to do, then I can be declared a full-fledged physician of our clan. An Averchinari without power and mana possessed by the Emovenorioms will be fruitless in our clan and be despised for subsisting as a member of Averchinariams. And that is not part of my plan, hence, I must eliminate all the dragons lurking and withstand the bloodshed of the previous emperor. Before Igashu could, I must go ahead and brag things out.

End of Naomi's P.O.V

At the same time, Epala the dragon has fully recovered after her long rest, concealing and isolating herself inside the village of Chanty, a forgotten Townley that was once a certain amount of the Averchinari tribe used to dwell. "At last, the wait is over, hence I must urge myself to transform back into my human figure, almost three weeks have passed, and Cyrus must be worried about my condition. I must flee and return from home." Epala mumbles. Inside the Chanty village where she shapeshifted herself back to her human form, she suddenly saw a glimpse of a shadow, staring right in front of her, surprised. "A-Amaya?" Moirai murmured. A sudden voice happened to appear behind the door, it was the prince moving toward the doorway where Moirai can be seen undressed, with her hair hanging in front of her bosom. "Hide! Amaya uttered.

In an instant, Amaya lured the prince as he entered the hallway, making him leave the site. " What's inside that room? You seem so scared?" The prince asked. "Nothing young master, just a spider lurking inside the room. I'm afraid it would crawl under your clothes." She mumbles, fleeing the site. "Are you sure?" Prince Artemis doubtingly asked, resting his hands behind his back, humming, and nodding his head.

"If I was not sharp enough, the prince could have seen her in bad condition" Amaya murmured.

The prince and Amaya headed back to the Lockwood village where Igashu and Cyrus can be seen. "Greetings to the almighty prince of the Akkad empire" Cyrus proclaimed with his huge voice, praising the prince for his presence. "Heed me not and recline back from perching, Cyrus" prince Artemis declared, wagging his arm below his torso, cringing from the honor of Cyrus. "A pleasure to meet you back, your highness, you were wearing your bracelets" (both silver and golden. It was a way of bragging about their riches and status.) "Undoubtedly, I was on duty and was required to form an exertion to at the slightest make my work simpler. By the way, I see no glimpse of Moirai-" He was halted from uttering his last word when Moirai interrupted his phrase. "Your highness, I beg your pardon for I took so long to acknowledge your visit." Moirai heeded as the prince replied. "There is no harm inside this village for I, myself have given an order for restoring this Townley by your presence. Thus, there is no need to beg for your lives, for they are a treasure that I cherish the most" the prince humbly confessed. Igashu was seen frowning, confused by the prince he uttered. "Why is the prince looking for Moirai if they were together the whole time?" Igashu murmured. The entire village gathered around to express their courtesy of the prince's appearance, kneeling and resting their heads on the ground. "Enough for your courtesy. I am humbly pleased with your respect and kindness. Rise and be on one's feet for I have already received your service. Return and resume from toiling" (working hard) the townsfolk embark to depart and drive themselves back to their domicile beyond Moirai's chamber while the prince and his disciple Amaya await behind his back. "Your highness, we know you are struggling to get used to the praise of the townsfolk, expressing courtesy and kindness is a part of our lives" Cyrus mumbles. "He was right, your highness, it might take a lot to gain confidence, especially when you are not used to it. Therefore, I pleaded with you to accept your faith as a full-fledged emperor of the Akkad empire in the future." Moirai added.

The prince reveals a faint smile, expressing a mysterious impression.

"We were fortunate to outlast the king's arrangement upon whipping us absent from this town. On the off chance that the prince happens to not create his sentiments for Moirai, we might have strayed by now." One of the townsfolk mumbles. "Ace, be careful with the phrase you utter. Do you wish to jinx our future?!" His mother reacted. "I have no intention of complaining about our future, what I am worried about is what could have happened if the prince did not develop his feelings toward Moirai" Ace murmured.

The townsfolk proceeded to their prospective domicile while Moirai and her companion chatted for a short minute before Igashu interrupted their conversation, dragging her wrist before the prince. "Pardon my rudeness but please excuse us in a minute," Igashu asserted.

"Isn't he too friendly before my presence?!" Prince Artemis expresses annoyance while Cyrus reveals his giggles. "Perhaps since you were within the same age, your highness, he acts in the same state of mind toward me," Cyrus confessed. "That thing, I am not used to, especially when he behaves towards Moirai," Prince Artemis said, complaining while Amaya took a gaze at her young master.

Igashu's P.O.V

I was watching them from afar, chattering with some conservative conversation when I noticed Moirai's wound around her neck after her hair flew by the wind's breeze. I was in a hurry to clench her wrist and acted rudely toward the prince. Later then I found out that a feral attacked her on her way to the prince's quarters, she said. I was shocked after hearing the news and chose to offer myself as her companion on her way to the prince's royal residence, sending her back and forth for her visits, but Moirai declined, saying she doesn't need help from someone like me. I sigh after hearing her phrase and take off back to our domicile. I and Moirai were patrolling back to Lockwood village when I noticed an odd sensation, I just felt someone's uneasiness. Could it be Epala?

But Epala left the town, probably shapeshifting herself back to the form that she used to conceal her dragon figure. Or am I being delusional? I was talking to myself without realizing we had reached back to our quarters.

End of Igahsu's P.O.V

Moirai and Igashu, together with their companion inside the Lockwood village gathered once again for their planning for the prince's birthday celebration in the upcoming months. They plotted a surprise for prince Artemis and included a few twists for his upcoming birthday. The townsfolk along with Ace, his mother Ellie. Keisha, Cayden, Lark, Jiro, Wren, Imogen, and the entire townsfolk were given individual chores by Moirai.

Meanwhile, inside the Akkad palace. King Guanyin can be seen reclining on his throne together with his queen Ryth Aurora and the queen dowager, Amora Lerisha. At the lower level, an emperor of the Elba empire can catch a glimpse of his presence together with his queen, the state councilors, the ministries, and the officers who joined the momentous conversation with the two emperors. "I shall offer you my present, to show my courtesy to the royal emperor of the Elba empire and the queen herself. With this jade, gold, and silver, I offer to you my genuine generosity and a symbol of our companionship with you, this I gave you" King Guanyin's thoughtful phrase was uttered. "I guess you already knew that the Queen already had this wealth? I will accept your offer once our favor is served" The Elba emperor, King Reeve Walter, is a tall man with his white-grey hair whose belly can be seen as bloated. He uttered a phrase, revealing his straight face to the Akkad ruler, and prepared to leave the palace, when king Guanyin added. "King, you halted my words, making me unable to speak before you and to your queen" he chuckled, tilting his head to the Elba emperor, expressing misconduct. "What an attitude?!" Siena Moss, Queen of the Elba empire reacted.

"Show them our gift and they shall heed upon my phrase." King Guanyin meant, with confidence on his face. Later, a boy was revealed behind the throne, conveying a timid expression on his face as he walked down the aisle of the attendees. "What's the meaning of this?!" King Reeve raised a question. "Your present had been served, thus you shall offer a big companion from our palace," king Guanyin declared, making the emperor of the Elba empire raise a question. "Perhaps you are aware of what's my notion upon noting your notion?" A mocking sound was uttered by the emperor of the Elba empire toward King Henry Guanyin. "A certain serpent is all I need to offer to my beloved companion, right?" He responded. "A dragon? Do you see this boy as a serpent?-" he was halted on his phrase when Henry Guanyin whack the nape of a boy who was tied on a rope. in an instant, he turned into a nominal serpent whose size was like a horse's length. All of the attendees were shocked by the glimpse they saw, a shape-shifting picture of the said dragon. A gleam of light forms in a silhouette picture of a serpent, making them nictate (blink or wink) from the light they catch sight of. King Reeve, emperor of the Elba empire was gawking at the serpent he saw, mesmerized by the beauty of the serpent being served in front of them. "I accepted the offer, we will be receiving the gift you sent" king Reeve murmured, praising the beauty of the dragon. "It was a pleasure to catch a glimpse of your appreciation for the gift I provided" (bows with a smirk on his face)

Epilogue

Ace was on his way to the village of the dead to gather some logs for their preparation for the prince's birthday party, his reflexes were unconscious to catch a glimpse of a powerful aura lurking on that Townley. While cutting some logs, whistling, and dancing on his spot when he heard a cracking sound behind him. His reflexes then unfolded, turning himself to his dragon figure to protect himself from the attack. A giant serpent was revealed, slithering on the ground, hissing at Ace. "That's a Weagenona dragon, warrior of the knight, and was rendered as a snake reptile. I have no chance of winning this poisonous serpent, I must flee before it gets a chance to attack me" Ace murmured as he took a run for his life at the entrance of the Townley, shallow and narrow trees were seen hanging down the passageway of the forest, making it harder to escape from the threat he was facing. A thud sound of feet was given attention, which pushed to the limit to run off from the predator's instinct of killing its prey, leaving a mark of an average size of a dragon's feet was left behind on the ground as it tries to avert from the possible attack. Ace, who was on the run for his life, was bitten when he pushed himself above the ground, gliding and soaring up with the same average size as the giant trees. He growls in pain after the dragon passes her venom to Ace. A blurry sight was revealed after a short minute of an attack, Ace blasted down to the ground, unconscious after the onslaught of a giant serpent. The Weagenona dragon then slithers near Ace to slaughter him into pieces when a twang of a string goes rigid as it was pulled off someone's bow, making a silent hiss that drifts across the serpent's neck. It was prince Artemis who shoots an arrow at the serpent, making it roar and howl in outrage that took a run towards their spot when Amaya landed on its nape, jabbing her sword down to its heart. Landed on the ground with a thud. She then glided down its arm and reached the prince's presence "Are you alright, young master?" She asked, consulting the prince's health. "I am" a straight face on his face was seen, tilting his head behind Amaya. Scanning the glimpse of the two serpents who were laying on the cold ground. The applause of someone's presence was given attention when it appeared behind the trees. "The king must be very proud of you, your highness, that would be all thanks to your servant Amaya who raised and trained you well enough to capture these two creatures, witnessing the sun from your toiling," said Amos, a follower of King Guanyin. Amos is the same age as the prince with a scar aligning his nose to his cheeks, his headdress covering his eyes, and revealing half of his face. Flash of his blade gleams after hitting the sunlight, withdrawing his sword back to his scabbard. "Pardon, I guess I don't need to draw my sword in front of the prince and his right-handed servant." He said giggling, lifting his head, revealing his eyes to the prince. "Amos!" Amaya reacted to his rudeness. "Pardon me, your highness." (Bows then kneel before the prince) afterward on, a bunch of officers drop in, revealing the emperor of the Akkad empire, Prince Artemis's father. "You never fizzled to capture my bosom son," he expressed a state, hopping with his horse as he muttered. "Capture them and send them inside the royal residence privately. With this we can offer the other party to join hands with us to raise our economy." he included, backtracking his way from the northwest to the southeast locale. "Young master, what's the plan?" Amaya mumbled. "We must take that serpent back to its family no matter what." Prince Artemis responded, saying beneath his breath. Both of them were cleared out behind, seeing the emperor and the guards withdraw back to the royal residence, whereas Amos appeared his affability to the prince sometime recently clearing out with his headdress being put on top of his bosom, bowing with a profound, long bow to the prince of the Akkad realm. On the other hand, Cyrus and Moirai were stowing away behind the bush after seeing half of the incident. "Are you certain that we can trust that man?" Cyrus mutters. "We have to," Moirai answered.

"I was as well late to spare him back. On the off chance that as it were I was quick enough to capture him. No, if I was cautious enough to take note of them, this wouldn't happen." Amaya mutters her contemplations.

Moirai and Cyrus were, unfortunately, unable to save Ace from being captured by the emperor, serving him to the Elba realm to capture one of their kind little by little to take advantage of these creatures, making them their greatest weapon and personal transport at the same time.

END OF CHAPTER 5