The thrumming Cube

Jaghryx roared in the sky as the dragon approached the palace. The morning sun was filling him with extra energy and Alastair couldn't have been more proud. As the beast slowly settled on the large, concrete space outside of the main palace building, the soldiers around all watched in awe and horror.

Alastair stepped down from the Dragon and have Jaghryx a gentle rub on the face. The dragon growled softly and settled itself as Alastair walked away. The guards around stood at attention as Alastair approached and they quickly placed their right hand across their chest as he walked past them. 

That was their formal way of greeting the head mage.

Alastair could not believe how easily time had passed. Once upon a time, Master Orion was in this position that he was occupying at that time. He had always wanted to become Head Mage and he was getting there, not until that time when he tampered with dark magic.

Then he thought Blaize would get it because he was the most suitable candidate. But Blaize died, and there he was, basking in fate. Perhaps it was always fated to be. Perhaps he was always meant to lead the Elderien mages and usher them into a new era. Perhaps he...

Alastair stopped. He could feel the chill again. And it was getting stronger and colder. Alastair could not understand why it was happening. He had so many questions and the only thing he knew was that the chills started that morning. 

Alastair looked around him, and he started to hear distorted voices. Even his vision was getting blurry. He froze as he focused on the sound of his own breath and he just kept breathing until darkness began to surround him. In the darkness, Alastair seemed to see something.

It was faint at first, but then, he seemed to see the outline of a man. Alastair looked further and as the lights were getting brighter, the "man" began to turn his neck around. Just as Alastair was about to see more, someone touched his hand and snapped him out of his vision. Alastair gasped as he awakened.

"Woah! Easy. Are you alright?" Queen Miranda asked as she took a closer look at Alastair. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself but his system was flared up.

Miranda looked at him keenly, her brows furrowed in worry. Alastair, after being able to regain control of his senses, looked at her and smiled.

She was beautiful!

The elegant green dress she wore made her look like a goddess. Her hair was nicely made, and the emeralds adorning her neck and earlobes gave her extra Beauty. Miranda was a symbolic example of a queen, and the courage in her shoulders made Alastair fall for her even more.

"Hey..." Alastair said and pulled her in for a kiss. It was deep and sensual. 

"What happened back there?" Miranda asked him but Alastair shrugged it off.

"It was nothing. Do not concern yourself with it." He responded.

"I am the Queen. It is my duty to concern myself with it, especially if it's about the man I am about to get married to." She said and Alastair drew her even closer. They did not care about the fact that people gazed when they passed. 

With her, Alastair had the chance to feel the power of being a youth once more.

"And it is my duty as your husband-to-be to protect you from unnecessary stress. Trust me. It is nothing." Alastair reassured her but was he sure? He definitely saw something. 

"Fine. You were missed at the council meeting," Miranda said and Alastair nodded.

"I'm sorry about that. I had to attend a training session for Cara."

"How is she holding up?" Miranda asked.

Alastair sighed.

"Turns out the Phoenix does not like water that much." 

"Give it time. She will be fine. Besides, she is nineteen now. She is not a child anymore. Maybe you should give her some space and let her grow the way she wants." Miranda said and Alastair felt his pride get hurt.

"I give her space..." She started but the look on Miranda's face made him sigh.

"Maybe not enough." He admitted.

"I know you love her like you would your own child. But you need to remember that she is safe now. The world is safe. You stirred her destiny in the right direction. Asmodeus is gone. There is peace and we are finally getting married in a week. It is a time to celebrate, Alastair."

"Yeah, I know. I just-everything is happening so fast, the peace is alarming. Not even the Mintovals are uprising. It's too quiet."

"You have spent all of your life from one battle to another. You deserve to rest. We took care of the Mintovals together. We offered them peace instead of war. They know they cannot defeat us anymore, so they have to cooperate."

"Yeah. I guess so."

"Good. Now, I need you to come with me. There is something urgent that I must show you." Miranda said and gave Alastair a wink. 

Alastair was intrigued. He knew he was about to get something really good. As Miranda led him down the hall, Alastair suddenly felt a powerful surge of energy hit him. He shuddered as the energy spread on his body and settled in his hands.

Miranda looked at him and found out that his hands were glowing. She was confused.

"What's happening?" She asked Alastair. There were perturbed looks on the faces of all who were present.

"I-I don't know..." Alastair managed to respond.

Suddenly, he heard Jaghryx roar outside.

Alastair's heart jumped as he dashed out of the scene. As he ran, he heard guards and soldiers shouting and saying indistinctive things. Something was happening.

Alastair soon got to the yard and found a crowd gathered. The guards seemed to be surrounding something, or someone. He walked closer and as he did, he felt the energy in him surging even more. 

Miranda soon followed with a sword at hand and as Alastair pushed through the crowd, Jaghryx roared again. 

Alastair's eyes flashed to the young man on the ground. He was dressed in foreign outfits and had an interesting look about him. He was wounded on the shoulder and had bruises all over. His cracked lips gave the sign of dehydration. He was about Cara's age.

Alastair looked further at the cube-like object that the boy was holding. He held on to it as if his life depended on it. The energy Alastair was feeling came off the cube. What was it?

Just then, the boy opened his eyes and gasped. He turned to Alastair and shook his weak lips. Everyone present watched as the boy slowly gave the cube to Alastair. They did not understand the gesture.

"He's coming! He's coming!! The king, he's coming!"

The boy whispered successively before he suddenly passed out. There was a look of confusion on everyone's face. What the hell was he talking about?