In the dead of night, two cloaked men stood in front of the Tundra Prison. One was tall and slender like a branch, and the other, was stocky and wide like tree trunk. A colossal wall of ice that loomed over the clouds, enveloped the horizon, and reflected like a broken mirror. They gazed up at the Tundra Prison, and at the large broken glaciers surrounding them.
“Did you find anything Encara?” The shorter man asked with deep throaty voice.
Encara pulled his hood back, from his regal and luxurious magenta cloak. His silver hair and eyes shone like the stars, even in the darkness, they juxtaposed with his young dark complexion.
“Whoever did this is strong, and is also very bad at making traps!” Encara yelled into the dark forest with his juvenile voice.
The pitch black forest rustled with howling winds. A whirling of arcane energy pulsed through the area, and the winds came to a silent halt.
Urkse stood tall as Encara’s pits, he pulled back his velvet black hood. His glossy matte black cloak and long plaited brown beard flapped violently in the winds, as he reached for the leather flask by his side. Urkse readied himself for a battle.
Encara held his hand out with a sinister grin stretching across his face. A wave of dread washed over Urkse, he had seen that look in Encara before. He could sense the bloodlust radiating from him, and knew there was a new nightmare to add to his collection.
Several cloaked figures emerged from the dark forest.
“King of Curses and Blessings, we didn’t think our trap would bring you out.” One of the cloak figures said with his shrill voice. “But this is definitely a blessing in disguise.” He said with a smile peeking out from his hood.
Encara sauntered over to them, a wave of dread suddenly filled their body, drowning them in despair.
The shrill voiced man held his hand out, a grey large magic circle appeared over it, with several overlapping vortexes in between. A tornado shot out from his hand, tearing through the earth, violently cutting through the air, barrelling towards Encara.
He continued to stroll towards them, hands in pockets and wearing a grin from ear to ear. The tornado veered off into the Tundra Prison. They all gazed at the tornado freeze against the Tundra Prison, and be absorbed into the wall of ice.
“Well that means none of you did this. So as a merciful King, tell me who did this, and you’ll die quickly.” Encara declared brimming with confidence.
The cloaked figures looked at Urkse confused, as he pleaded with them to take the offer.
“We refuse.” They said taking fighting stances.
Encara let out an exasperated sigh, rolling his eyes. He snapped his fingers, and a golden cross, with a tinge of turquoise, branded all of them.
They looked around at each other confused, hesitating. “You use Blessing magic on us? You dare mock us even against these odds?” The shrill voice man said irritated.
“You had trouble hitting your magic, I just wanted to help.” Encara said with a smug grin.
One of the cloaked figures took a step back, planting his hand deep into the soil. An emerald magic circle encased the figure, with emerald vines spiralling towards the middle. The soft grassy soil turned to hardened rock, forming the shape of a gigantic serpent, which towered over the mighty forest trees. The rock serpent coiled up and lunged at Encara, suddenly veering back and striking shrill voiced man. His body was instantly crushed into a fine bloody paste, his guts and bones stained the grass.
The cloaked figure took a step back at a loss for words, looking at his hands mortified and shocked. Another cloaked figure held her arm out, drawing a dagger from the tattoo on her skin.
She threw her dagger aiming for Encara’s eyes, only for the dagger to veer off suddenly, and strike her ally in the throat. Encara winced in pain, shuddering and then giggled to himself. The others took a step back, the drowning and crushing feeling of despair, filled their lungs.
“You all seem to have such terrible aim with your magic, even with the blessing of True Strike. You’re all just killing each other.”
Another cloaked figure removed her hood. A crimson magic circle appeared underneath her, numerous fiery lines weaving over each other, engulfed the woman in a shroud of flames. Her aura of flames illuminated the dark night, and Encara held his hands out to warm them. She charged in leaving a trail of fire, with her fist cocked back, ready to avenge her slain allies.
She threw a wild right hook, suddenly coming to a stop, and falling to her knees. She grabbed her right arm, as it slowly started to contort backwards. She screamed out in agony and anguish, as her shoulder ripped out of its socket, and continued to bend backwards.
Urkse winced away, as her screams echoed out, and turned into laboured breathing. Encara knelt beside her, blowing away her fiery aura like a dying candle.
“You’re a pretty little thing, why don’t you tell me who did this?” Encara asked caressing her smooth skin. She scowled at him, hocking a ball of spit at him. Her spit veered off, flying over her shoulder and onto her back.
“Don’t throw another attack, girl.” Urkse whispered to himself, clenching his fists.
She let out a battle cry, and threw a left hook, suddenly stopping before Encara. Her arm frozen in place, she stared at wide-eyed in horror, feeling her arm move backwards again. She writhed and thrashed on the ground, as Encara stepped over her, walking to the others.
They stared on helplessly, hearing her scream once more, as her fist was forced to greet her spine. Each crack of her bones, and the ripping of her muscles made Urkse wince, but he knew the sound of her screams would stay with him.
The others stepped back quickly grouping together, trembling but raising their fists, defiantly.
“Last chance, tell me how you did this, and who is responsible.” Encara ordered, his irresponsible voice now filled with authority and command.
They were silent and steadfast, Encara begrudgingly nodded, and pursed his lips. He clapped his hands together, as they separated ten amethyst coloured hands reached out, surrounding a turquoise pentagram. It appeared beneath their feet forming a giant ring.
“Decay and Revolt.” Encara said with a deep growl.
The cloaked figures suddenly fell to their knees clutching their guts, and mouth. Foamy blood bubbled out of their mouths and noses. They desperately tried hold their mouths shut, to no avail.
Their bodies bloated and engorged, their skin rotting off their withered muscles, rotten teeth bounced off the soil, and their eyes liquefied. All that remained was a puddle of rotten guts and blood under stained dirty cloaks.
Urkse stood over the wounded woman, barely clinging to life, with bone jutting out from her flesh.
“Tell us who sent you here and I’ll end your suffering.”
“We...are...her...children...We...are...Vasha’s Drakens.” She said weakly.
Encara stood over her. His eyes silver eyes still filled her with despair even on death’s door.
“That wasn’t the question.” He growled.
She began to laugh weakly coughing out blood, and smirked at Encara, blood staining her teeth. “You cannot stop her...King...Vasha will awaken...and...you will all die. No one can quell the storm that is coming.” She declared with conviction.
Encara scoffed shaking his head, and planted his black boot deep into her chest. As she retched from the pain, she threw her head forward, ready to sink her teeth into his leg. She froze shaking her head in terror, feeling her jaw unhinge. She screamed out in terror and anguish, tears flooding her eyes, as her cheeks ripped open, spraying blood. Her head snapped back, touching her spine, and her body fell limp.
Encara shook his head disappointed, as Urkse held his gut, feeling his dinner churning inside. He stood next to Encara, looking away from the massacre.
“Well they weren’t helpful at all.” Encara said, letting out a sigh.
“We will have to keep an eye out for them.” Urkse said concerned.
Encara took a deep breath, and created a magenta magic circle under their feet, in the shape of a six sided lotus. Urkse grabbed Encara’s arm tightly.
“You should save your strength, let me fly us back to the Citadel.” He broke out into a chuckle.
“As much as I relish the idea of riding you, Urkse, I can spare the energy.” They teleported away in a blinding flash of light. A small, hairy, moss green scorpion crawled atop the dead woman’s body.
“The King of Curses and Blessings lives up to his name.” The scorpion said scurrying away.
Bathed in the warm light of the sun, the lush beautiful and vibrant archipelago of Yamata flourished, like a stunning garden. Behind Yamata sat the Oeo. It’s water so clear that you could, see the blemishes on your skin, from its reflection. Its purity was used as a comparison to all things clean. Teeming with crustaceans and fish, untouched by the harsh arcane energy, and not yet mutated.However most of the citizens in Jux knew Yamata, by the dividing Maelstrom. Scarcely anyone could make the journey to Yamata, without assistance from a flying level Draken, or a strong enough mage. The Maelstrom was a monstrous never ending force of nature, which whipped and lashed against the cliff face of Yamata.Comprised of eight colossal whirlpools, that leads to the dark abyss. With clashing waves so violent and fierce, they would break the bones of any creature too reckless or weary to avoid its wrath. It is said that there is enough water in Maelstrom, to quench your thirst by gazing at it.
Chieftain Kekoa and the other men slowly approached the edge, standing beside Encara. The eerie silence and calm of the Maelstrom, made the Islanders feel uneasy.“How...how is this possible?” Chieftain Kekoa stammered.Encara walked off the cliff edge, with the others screaming after him. He floated down gracefully lowering himself to the Maelstrom’s surface. He walked across the Maelstrom, each step rippling out, and stood over Yamada. Encara threw Yamada over his shoulder like a light sack.The waters began to boil over, swirling violently and then suddenly erupted into colossal waves. Encara gazed around at the raging waters, the shadow of titan sized creatures lurking beneath him.A giant amber octopus surfaced, attempting to drag Encara and Yamada down. The large creature locked eyes with Encara’s enraged scowl and froze in terror.“Float.” Encara growled. The large creature was branded by the cross of blessing magic, and levitated into the air. The creature flailed frantically
Encara shook Yamada’s hand up and down with enthusiasm. Yamada stared wide-eyed, unblinking, with his lips slowly parting and jaw dropping. Encara slowed the shaking down, cocking his head at Yamada, waiting for a reaction.“Uh....are you okay?” He said giving him a concerned look. Yamada nodded his expression frozen.“You..don’t want to be a knight?” Yamada shook his head, his expression still frozen in place. Encara let go of Yamada’s hand, it continued to go up and down with the same cadence.He took a few steps back, inspecting Yamada from a distance, still with a frozen facial expression, and shaking his hand up and down.“You...you uh take your time to process that information. I’ll go talk to Urkse.” Encara turned around shaking his head disturbed. He leapt into the sky, like a feather and floated in the air. He proceeded to walk on the air, towards the village, celebrating and feasting on the giant octopus.Encara found Chieftain Kekoa, congratulating a guardian on being recru
Encara weakly opened his eyes, his skin still wrinkly and loose, with a thirst and hunger clawing his insides.“You look like complete shit.” Gwyneth said, standing at the end of his bed.He looked over to the table side, seeing a roasted chicken with a large bowl of rice, and a mug of mead. Encara staggered over, devouring the food, with no etiquette.“I met that boy of yours.” She said taking a seat on his bed. “What did Jacara do this time?” He said annoyed with a full mouth.“Not that little shit of yours. He just came back half dead, from doing the Grand Mage promotion test.” She scoffed.“How’d he do?” Encara asked, waiting for her answer, before he ate.“He came back with A Draken heart, said he would get the other five later.” Encara chuckled.“What’d you think of the new boy?” Encara asked, chugging down his drink. His skin started to become tighter, his muscles growing, and his hair starting shine silver.She removed her vambrace, showing her purple and yellow forearm. “The
Yamada woke up, with heavy eye lids, and heavier body. Scrunching his face, the searing and sharp pain brought him to his senses. He shot up trying to clutching his nose, feeling the intense pain in his gut, letting out a pained groan reeling back.“By the Blessed, how are you up?” A woman said astonished, rushing over to help him. She gently coaxed Yamada into his bed.“Where...where am I?” Yamada asked, with tears blurring his vision.“The hospice, Grand Mage Urkse brought you here. Do not fret, you will be blessed, when the Blessed is free.”Yamada forced himself up, the pain radiated out and shot through his body like fire. The nurse tried to push him back down to no avail. He clutched his gut, and shook his head, using the pain to fuel himself.“Where is Grand Knight Gwyneth?” he shakily on his feet. “You need to lay down and-““WHERE!?” He yelled, his voice echoing through the stone walls.The nurse went silent leaning away from him. She took a few seconds to compose herself.“M
Yamada was escorted back to the Blessed, with his bloodied hand wrapped in his Kāṣāya, following behind Gwyneth.The sun had fallen behind the Citadel’s walls, and the moon had taken its place. Mages in crimson cloaks, created the magic circle of fire; fiery lines that criss-crossed, forming the silhouette of a, crimson rose. They walked through the streets lighting the lanterns, illuminating the citadel. He returned to the Blessed, with the same nurse greeting him.“Blessed one, could you please heal this boy?” Gwyneth asked. She gave Yamada an anxious look, before speaking. “He refused treatment before, and stormed off, not before yelling at me.”Yamada looked away with a guilty expression. Gwyneth grabbed him by the nape of his neck. He shrivelled in, feeling her cold metal fingers dig into his neck like hawk talons. She brought his face close to hers, lifting him into the air, like a misbehaving cat.“Did you yell at a Blessed?” She growled, staring through his soul.“Ma...maybe
Yamada lay on his straw bed, struggling to fall asleep on its stiff shape. He wished for a hammock, but he felt it stupid to ask for what, others would consider a downgrade. The Citadel was too noisy for him, with drunken citizens yelling angrily in the streets, or worse singing unfamiliar songs. He missed the crashing waves of the Maelstrom, or the gentle ripples of the Oeo, that lulled him to sleep. Yamada left the room frustrated desperate for fresh air. He walked outside, gazing at the kingdom, bathed in the pale moon light. The lanterns had faded, and the cool air was refreshing. He took a few steps forward, accidently kicking the armour Gwyneth had left behind. Yamada clutched his mouth shut, letting out a muffled whimper, suppressing the urge to scream. He sat down clutching his foot, and felt around the cold matte black armour. He had thought that Gwyneth brought it inside for safe keeping. Why would anyone leave such precious armour outside in the streets? Surely the Cita
Yamada walked beside Gwyneth, his Kāṣāya dripping with sweat, and clung to his body. They had walked half way to the second ring.“Is it safe to just leave the armour up there?” He asked looking back to the third ring.“You’re welcome to go back and bring it down.” Gwyneth said.“It’s fine where it is.” Yamada said catching up to her. She escorted Yamada to her quarters, with the handmaidens whispering and leering at Yamada as he walked in.“Clean him and fetch him some new clothes.” She ordered.The handmaidens were all young women, and eagerly got to work, gathering soaps and powders. Yamada stood in the corner of the bathroom, as the handmaidens filled the large bronze bath tub, with buckets of cold water.One of the handmaidens, held her hand in front of the bath tub, creating the gate for fire magic. The small silhouette of a fiery crimson rose, hovered over the bath tub, heating the water. The room filled with steam and the handmaidens smiled gesturing for Yamada to get in.He s