Tales of Revenants

Chapter 4 – Bloodless Revenant

The Skyhaven Kingdom is one of the core forces that acted to end the Dark War that happened a decade ago. The war brought both the Exian and Arcadion continent close to its nigh destruction.

It happened in the planes of the great Citadel of Arcanos, the kingdom where elves and fairies reside.

During that time, famine, drought, and s*****y arose in the middle of the crisis in the Skyhaven Kingdom. Everyone fought for resources and people had no choice but to plunder carriage and anything they would steal.

Not only it was happening in the Skyhaven, but every faction, kingdoms, and empires in the world succumbed to the dread of the war and instilled great darkness to the hearts of many.

Dark War almost spelled unavoidable ruin to the history of all life. The end of everything is close and the entropy is about to take over when a radiant light encompassed the blood-filled battlefield.

Just as a single flash of a star in the sky shines so bright, the twelve legendary warriors came crashing in the war and held control over the fight in an instant.

As the war proceeded, these twelve legendary heroes who came from different factions from both the continent wanted to gain peace, and they achieve it through a strong sense of justice along with their desire to protect the harmonious relationship of various races and kingdoms across the surface.

They hold tremendous power, strength, and unique weapons, suppressing anyone in their path, and healing those who are wounded. They chose to end the war without any more blood being wasted.

As for their name going down to the history of heroes, the Tower of Sorcerers called them Heavenly Heroes; befitting title for those who ended the dark age, and even up today their names are written in poems, songs praising their endeavor, stories, and legends to tell.

Now the Skyhaven Kingdom stands prosperous, the streets are full of joy and cheerful kids playing about. The merchant district had always business to work out and the whole kingdom had more knights to ensure that no one is to commit crimes.

Laken is blending into the crowds while holding Luciella's wrist as she is concealing herself using the hood of her garb.

“Someone I know might see me,” Luciella said as Laken dragged her towards an alley.

“Then we'll walk where no one could see you,” Laken replied in a hurry.

“Isn't this path leads to the royal mansion?” Luciella mentioned.

“Where do you think a princess stay? On her mansion of course.” Laken implies.

Laken didn't mean to say a quibble and he's too edgy for Luciella to utter a joke. Nevertheless, she still giggled secretly.

“One last thing, after you meet with the third princess, what would you do and what would be your next goal?” Luciella seems hesitant. She knows of the truth but still questions him.

They stopped near the corner of the post, keeping an eye on the patrolling knights, and having a little break because they are running non-stop from the forest to the crowded capital. Towards the royal mansion where the princess is supposed to sojourn on Laken's image.

Laken seems he didn't plan ahead of time, and he would gladly search the entire kingdom just to find her if he did not encounter the third princess in the mansion.

“I'll kidnap her and proceed to my next goal.” Laken simply declared without any remorse.

The terrified Luciella narrowed her irises. All the while Laken continues to pull her until they reach a luxurious mansion, he assuredly reaches his destination.

“Hmm... Laken I have a thing to confess...” Luciella quietly nudges him.

Laken is simply too absorbed in his mission and couldn't even hear what Luciella has to say.

“Get ready we'll cross the other wall.” In this way, he was kind enough to carry Luciella so she won't feel dizzy. This time he reminded her of what he was going to do.

“Heave.”

“Wha~” A leap of turn that of an inhuman strength made them reach the backyard without getting caught. The area seems pretty big but Laken senses it was suspicious enough that such an important household is not accompanied by royal guards of the sort.

“Looks like you are familiar in the places here in Skyhaven.” Luciella noticed. He stayed silent for a while as if remembering something in the past.

“...This land... It's my home,” Laken said in a sorrowful mutter. The silence accompanied by the brewing wind stayed for a moment. Luciella accepted Laken's voice as a gentle conviction of his personality.

They were about to enter on an open annealed glass window, such a time when Laken felt motionless but distant shadow occupying the air and mass.

He then turned back; grasping his concealed sword and preparing himself for the danger that could happen.

“Space Prison!” Growled by someone from a distance, and the ground revealed an immense concentration of magic circle together with everything turning to the colorless landscape it denies.

The things that consumed by the spell became grayscale; it's not time magic nor petrification, it grandly halts the vicinity into a broken movie scene. However, Laken more than anyone whose spell it is based on the leftovers of magic signature, and the man hiding behind the post.

“Laken! I can't move! What's happening?” Luciella tried squirming and shouting but not even a centimeter of movement. It seems only her voice could pass through.

“Just be calm. Gonna take care of my little reunion with someone I know.” Laken told in a stern and simplistic manner.

“Well, it appears you're as tenacious as ever, Laken Fernandez.” A man revealed himself from hiding.

He wore a green robe and emerald ornaments symbolizing him merging with nature. But most importantly, his long ears and strong magical affinity is to expect of his elven quality.

“Morgan Francious Flugel; second Heavenly Hero. Hailing from the Arcanos Kingdom renowned for a place abundant of magical affinity.” Laken spoke. He stood carrying his pride and sword.

“You bet.” Morgan chuckled. “The notorious wandering warrior; had not I sensed a familiar magic signature I won't be able to track you here,” he entails.

“Heh? It's good to see that the strongest elf knows me. It's a pleasure, Morgan.” Laken huffed.

“Also look at you, walking on my Space Prison flawlessly that stops any matter in the vicinity where I invoked it.” Morgan praised Laken in regard. He clasps his staff, ready to face Laken.

“I expected you already, after all, your prophecy is accurate than my fate.” Winded by unparalleled force, Laken is trying to resist the spell of Morgan using sheer force. Within that time-lapse, Morgan used her otherworldly magic manipulation to pull Luciella to safe.

“Were you here to get the third princess?” Morgan hid Luciella behind.

“If you knew already then show me where she is!” Laken exclaimed.

“Huh? And here I thought you guys are about to escape, so you're about to enter the mansion instead? With her?” Morgan added.

“I don't care what you do to her, just tell me where the third princess is.” Impatience drives Laken to an approaching storm. He takes step by step towards Morgan; eager to s***h open his throat.

“Wait. Are you telling me she never told you?” Morgan asked puzzled.

“Told what?” Laken nearly fazed.

“Stop with the nonsense or I'll end you here and now.” Holding the sword on top of his immeasurable strength, Laken forges down his blade in an upward s***h when he suddenly stops.

“Wait!” Luciella shouted with all her might. “I'm sorry if I never told you... I'm planning to say this after we get inside the mansion but... I'm the third princess of the Skyhaven; Luciella Valor Leblanc Vermillion.”

Laken's eyes became ascertain and manage to keep his temper towards his naive self.

“See? She's what you seek for all along, yet, you never knew.” Morgan is about to set the storm dwelling on Laken's sapphire eyes. It’s been so long since he felt hatred, and now when he is about to reach something as far as the eye can see, it only cast distant.

“Why did you sold everything at that time?” Laken retorted. His demeanor changed. He faced the ground as if he couldn't look at Morgan or Luciella.

“There are things you can't do even if they are in front of you no matter how strong you are.” Even Morgan's voice calls for something that can't be touched by reality.

“I'll change my plan. Since you wanted demise so much, I'll diminish my task and steal the Shard of Creation you hold!” Laken strike his blade as fast as a lightning strike, but Morgan parried it on his hand covered in rocks; a type of enhancing magic to imbue one's body with the power of nature.

“So, your goal never changed, Laken. A madman who wished to gather the Shards of Creation for his own benefit.” Morgan was hiding his inner fury.

“Nice hearing that from you Morgan. This world will meet its imminent doom if your mind is of a coward.” Laken provoked Morgan in order to tick him off.

When Laken is about to strike, Morgan dodges once more, and he dispelled the magic on Luciella getting her to move again.

“Hey, princess Luciella,” Morgan called her.

“Wh-What is it...?” She meekly replied.

“If a hero lives for too long, what would he become?” Morgan asked her. Abruptly philosophizing her inner ethos. Luciella's hesitant to answer under the pressure of these two, but both of them await her response.

“According to the legend, one would meet eternal darkness...” Luciella quietly responded, cradling his tiny little wand.

“But what if a hero died?” Morgan asked twice.

“The hero will remain, hero,” Luciella answered certainty but Morgan disagrees.

“You are wrong. A hero who died... will become a Revenant! Isn't that right? Laken, the Bloodless Revenant?” Morgan just reminded him of who he truly is. Laken finally snapped his sanity. 

All along, he denied his existence and refused to believe what of he became. Now Laken bears the sword he holds, finally removing the magical b*****e of clothed seal of the blade he wields.

A blinding light filled the domain, just how his sapphire eyes shine in the dark, so does in the light.

Majestically as it is, the azure flame enveloped his arm permeating his weapon. The angst and pain of the burning sword when Laken tries to handle it was enough to burn his right arm.

“Let us continue the fight a decade ago, Morgan! I'll obliterate you and your prophecy, then you'd set as an example!” Laken's shout was the howl of his soul and the cry of his weak, mortal form.

A sword carrying the malice of the past, Laken will surely push forward for his undying resolution.