Fated Demise: Quenderian Wars

Scy Fortress

As the sun kissed the earth, I got up from my sleep for Factor awoke me by saying "Brother, get ready. We'll be leaving soon."

Half asleep, I couldn't partly remember what he had just said yet I agreed anyway.

I couldn't remember more about last night.

I stood. I reached for my towel which was almost covering my wardrobe. I pushed the door to my small tub, as I walked back and forth and took a refreshing warm bath.

I still couldn't imagine how the Anguis snuck their way to the kingdom. They had been banished, that's what I thought. From the fact that in a tiny keyhole, I happened to eye the whole room of conspiracy that was their plan - to rebel - gave me nothing but a mind full of discomfort and confusion.

When I went to my tub, I had been thinking about all of these.

I moved out of my room wearing a white long-sleeved shirt - tucked in my gray pants, and ate my breakfast.

I had a chance to talk to Factor "Where are we heading to?"

Factor replied as he surrounded his waist with a belt "Are you done?"

"Of course", I answered as I wore my heavy vest.

"Good", he said and added, "Franklin invited us to the Scy Fortress for some reasons but I would also like to use this chance to speak to him about what the king told us last night If there's anyone more knowledgeable of the events in the five kingdoms, it would be him."

To move on from last night's affliction, I had to distract myself. And perhaps, I needed time to think about royal matters that, I was sure, were not helpful.

I wore the boots that my father gave me a few months ago. He walked toward me and placed his arms around my shoulders.

Isn't it surprising how some people see us as twins when we are only half brothers?

He led me to the stables next to the blue gates and called for his horse to come.

"Jamal!" he called for him.

His obsession with things that could make him look more like a man almost consumed every piece of him. I guessed he wanted us to ride a horse toward the Scy Fortress rather than using a portal, which would have been more convenient.

A loud neigh came from the black horse dashing toward our place.

"He is my new stallion - Jamal", he introduced Jamal to me as if he was a man.

Factor rode the horse and offered a hand to me and with great mockery, he spoke: "Never rode a horse before?"

I replied, "I have... and the latest was last night when I didn't know how it felt."

"Hop in! You must first heal before you could ride another horse again." he convinced me so I, too, rode at the horse's back because I was also still recovering and couldn't ride a horse by myself.

He isn't that good at persuasion but he needs my fake support.

"The spoiled prince must not be hurt", he ridiculed.

We rode Jamal in the Long Road, where the footing is the color of lava calmed by wind. An act of nature, I guess.

"The name of the place - Long Road is derived from the name of the knight - Lonn Guiseid - who sacrificed himself for the lives of the Quenderians."

I responded, "Yes, I've heard of him."

I continued, "I don't know everything about his story but it is good to hear that persons like him - persons who would offer their lives to save others - exist."

"Oh, yes. Some heroic s**t you got there."

I giggled though serious. I also have the same determination.

"I would not give up the life of the ones I hold dear for the good of the many. Or maybe even just avenge them," Factor so surely announced.

"Oh, then I hope it doesn't come to that."

He nodded.

"But think about it. What if one day, you'd find yourself in a situation where you have to choose between saving mother, Jiun, Ron, or even me, would you give us up to save Elekti?"

"I do not know how to answer that."

Factor said, "You better choose me, you dipshit. You're no Lonn Guiseid."

"Lonn Guiseid. Lord of the Tribunes."

"He was born of Tribunes, the most powerful race, that have the ability to ordain powers to people, or remove it. Now they would be so overpowered, right?"

"Would have been so useful today", I said.

"Certainly, I know. But tell me, how can a race of Eliezerim go extinct? I mean, how is it even possible?"

"Well, my kind are extinct. Some even say I'm the last one there is", I replied.

He laughed.

"You're not extinct."

"Oh, really?"

What happened after that? No one does know what happened after he saved the land and no one had ever seen his kind again.

I admired how Lonn Guiseid found his true purpose. In this meaningless world, that would be the most precious thing. I envied his destiny. To live and to die not in vain.

It is like I have this missing piece of myself that I know nothing about. A life I couldn't remember then. A will arising without a cause, phantom.

There is more to myself that I don't know just like what my parents told me.

We traveled a long journey to arrive at our destination and at last, our arrival was made.

I could hear the guards from above the gates whisper to each other "The last ones are here."

An usher greeted us when the guards opened the gates and drawled "Greetings, Artem and Factor - Princes of the Elektians" and added, "Your Highnesses, they're waiting for the both of you."

We walked through the aisle while the guards that were standing at the sides saluted as we passed each of them.

They treated us like generals of a great multitude of armies which we, kind of, are.

Above us were arches of steel.

A maid opened the doors for us and greeted "Good day, Your Highnesses!"

I saw a mirror. I heard from Franklin that a man named Nick would be attending.

I sat on the cushioned chair beside the coffee-haired man who I figured was Nick - The Bird's Eye - who was patting his birds that were different from each other.

Nick looks like a Varmint. The human animals that live amongst us.

"It's a swallow, isn't it?" I asked only to pop some bubbles even if I already knew.

Well, it came out wrong. I didn't expect it to make me sound like I know nothing about birds.

He shook my hands and spoke, "You are such a fine man."

"Most people mistake 'egons' for swallows" he replied and shared "To some kingdoms, egons are the symbols of freedom and rebirth. Well, I know they look really just like swallows but the secret is to look into their eyes."

I looked and it had white eyes. Strange. Egons, I have never seen or even heard of one.

Nick held another bird - a swift - and said: "His wings are broken. I used him for a mission but he fell from the sky two days ago."

I was about to ask more about his abilities but a man caught my attention - Suade - who was reading a book.

He asked Nick "Is it true that ramad birds don't fly?"

"They can't, even if they want to?" he answered.

"Is that all you do? Are you the new one who gives trivia about birds?" someone tried to get on the nerves.

"And you? Are you the man who has the greatest mind of all of Quendere? Hmm, yet didn't think first before he murdered his mother" Nick responded.

I could hear Suade's silvery accessories as he raised both of his arms and spoke proudly "the gods had deprived you of intellectual strength and they blessed me the power of many!"

He laughed as if unbothered by the issue Nick had brought upon our presence.

Suade explained further "If Psychelons rule Quendere right now, everything would be at peace. We wouldn't be here."

"Psychelons, powerful Eliezerim race. Before the time of Lonn Guiseid, Psychelons rule Quendere because of their wisdom and tactics. The power of their minds is unlike any normal man. However, I wonder where they are now."

"Serving great kings", he answered that statement even if it wasn't a question.

Nick may have wanted a truce that he stopped the argument by being silent.

Well, that was the best acquaintance experience after all.

Factor talked to Suade "Whatever did Franklin need us for?"

"He said it's about Aurore."

"But what exactly?"

He looked at Glorio.

Glorio looked and said, "Don't look at me, I don't know anything".

Suade, with a tone of humor, whispered to me "I've been told he'd evolve a fool. I didn't know it would be this soon."

I thought they know something about it. I should monitor their words and actions.

Nick asked Glorio "What are your abilities, Glorio?"

There we went again.

He answered, "Magic, that's one way to put it. Immeasurable ounces of angelic magic."

"So a Gen then. Well... that explains it", Nick sarcastically inferred.

I felt like it was exaggerated, but why would I care? It's typical for a Gen to brag but I did not hear a description of that kind from one until now.

Gens are a race of Eliezerims who has the highest amount of angelic magic in their bodies. Magic made them proud.

When Ser Simuel Fallon came out of the dining room, he heard what we were talking about so he said to us "Anyone wise enough to know his magic can defeat him. Indeed, I may not have much angelic magic in my blood but Morphi are the slayers of great kings."

It happened again.

Everybody was talking about themselves and how proud they were.

Simuel or also called Sim is as skinny as a stick yet he is half a foot shorter than me. He is a Morphus. Morphi are shapeshifters, they could transform themselves into anyone.

"But you can still be recognized by Eliezerims like the Garrythians who are all Discerners," Glorio said.

A disturbing snore from a room changed the ambiance.

"How long have Leo been sleeping?" I asked certainly.

"About three hours since he arrived, I guess."

Sim replied, shrugged, and added: "Let him have his rest, he had traveled far to come here."

"And his bull?" Factor queried.

The three of them pointed to the south and said "At the back" as they all smirked.

We heard the doors as they were pushed to be opened and Franklin came in, hitting the palms of his hands together more than once.

The living symbol of unintentional intimidation.

"Alright, can everybody gather around?" he requested.

"How are you, my old friend?" I asked and shook his hand - the Lord Commander's.

"I'm glad you all made it here." he stated and asked, "Where's Leo?"

"He's in the room," Suade answered and also shook Franklin's hand.

How did the scenes kept happening all over again?

Franklin spoke to him "Suade. I heard you've been busy."

Suade only smiled. Franklin knew something about him, I thought.

"Glorio, the fool," he said and chuckled.

He managed to say that in front of Glorio's face. He didn't even react. I guess Suade was right that Glorio lost his mind. Glorio just weirdly looked at him, he was like confused. I do not know whether he's being stupid or just nervous. But nervous of what?

"And you, my friend, are supposed to be Nick Vogel of the Sanctuary."

"It is an honor to meet you, Franklin Gildan" he stated as he shook his hand.

"Oh! Please have your seats." Franklin requested and a horn blew three notes.

"Please, no need for such formalities", Nick replied.

Finally, the welcoming had had its end.

We ate a meal so satisfying after our travel although it was only a simple one. Bread and wine.

Then, we all sat facing the mirror and he excitedly said: "This is the Mirror of Worlds. Prepare to be amazed by witchcraft."

"Wait, where is Leo again?" he asked and was interrupted by Leo's question "What is that?"

"Just shut up and listen," Glorio spoke to him.

Franklin touched the mirror and it displayed a scene that rather caused curiosity.

He said: "This is why I called you to Scy."