I watched Kliene walk away quickly as if he was disturbed. What just happened? I ran my hand through my hair and sighed. Looking up at the night sky I inhaled the air. It was crisp and fresh. You could see the whole nebula so well out here, even the neighboring planets in the sky. The two moons were up high, one a crescent and one full.
Lucas doesn't know that I've obtained memories from Maetel that dated back to the era of gods, when the gods ruled in place of our current Pylae rulers. At times I have visions of when that era existed and I keep seeing it from the same person's perspective. Their name is unclear, but I know that they are well liked and respected. They sound human, but they have the same ring to their voice that a god has, like Maetel and Avalorne. Something like… a true voice, but toned down where humans can understand and comprehend it. I've heard that the real voice of a god could shatter brains and bodies depending on their power.
I lifted my hand a bit and my hand started to glow a fair aura of gold. What is odd, is that I don't shine the color of my element, unda. Other Halosis do. I thought that it's maybe due to my dual wielding. Kliene can change his aura by will. Auriana floats between a reddish-pink color, almost like magenta but more red, and a black. Sometimes it's one.
I tried doing the same, but it always stays gold. Ryan's aura is red-orange, indicating that he's a dual wielder since it's a different color than any Aetherial. Ignis is red, Fulminis is yellow, Unda is blue, Glacial is a light blue, Terra is a light brown, not gold, Flos is a nice leafy green, and Ventus is almost a teal but more green. Mira is teal like our system panel color, and Auxilium glow white. Dual wielders shine closer to their primary element but a different color, just like Ryan. Gold is close to Terra, but I don't have control over it. So that debunks my theory. I am different, but why?
'Hmm… they all seem to be asleep.' Maetel appeared next to me seated.
"You always show up unannounced." I said quietly.
'I get told that a lot.' He smiled gently.
"Oh? By whom?" I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
Maetel lifted his hand to his chin in thought, 'Avalorne for starters, he's a grumpy one. Sho'groth… old man Khrysos, and you.' He smiled when he mentioned me.
"Well… you do appear when you least expect it." I looked back at the sky. "Doesn't doing this drain you?"
Maetel sighed, 'Yes, but you injured Kinnarus, and I gained more control over the land, so it's not as taxing.'
"She knows that we are after her." I said. "It'll be a bit of a difficult fight."
'Yes, I've also made preparations when the time comes. She can't hurt me where I am, but I can hurt her. Seems kind of unfair, hmm?'
"She took everything from you. I think it's only fair."
'You talk just like him. The resemblance is uncanny.' Maetel laughed.
"Who?" I asked.
'The Most Ancient One.'
The Most Ancient One…
'He was a good friend of mine. I miss him. However, due to his wishes, he has left us in pursuit of a dream that even I can't see. In due time it will unravel and the world too will see it.'
"He's alive?"
'Oh yes, very much so.'
"Where?"
'Hmm?' Maetel looked at himself and he was fading. 'Well look at the time. I have to say goodbye.' He winked, 'Until next time!' He vanished in sparkles and I sighed.
Worst timing to use up his strength. I stared at the sky once more. Has it always been this beautiful?
—--
"Ugh… a dead end?" Ryan growled.
We were looking at a ledge blocking our way forward. Lucas was scratching his head in confusion, looking at his map.
"I don't get it." Lucas points at his screen and squints his eyes.
"Neither do I, guide." Ryan kicked the ledge and rocks fell down onto his head, "This is the second dead end today, I'm over forests!"
"This nation is known for forests, Ryan Allen." Kliene said as he was feeding birds with bird seed from his hand.
"I know that, your Highness." Ryan growled.
"Watch your tone." I said to him while walking over to Kliene.
Kliene stood up and took my hand, he poured the rest of the bird feed into it and stood back. A swarm of birds came flying in and landed on me. A few were on my head, shoulders, and arms. One was on my hand. Kliene smiled brightly. I stared at him. I don't know if this was his doing or not, being the Sovereign over Creation and all.
"You look like a princess." Kliene winked.
"Your Highness…" I said slowly.
Kliene bit into an apple and continued to look at me, "I like it. It suits you."
"What? The princess or the birds?"
"Why not both?" He shrugged.
"I'm a man…"
"A very handsome one to be precise." Kliene chewed.
"You keep reminding me."
"And, you should hear it daily."
"Save your flattery for the women."
Kliene only sighed and threw his core into the grass. He turned to Lucas, "Are we lost?" Kliene asked him.
Lucas closes his menu, "No. Right direction. Guess we are going to have to climb."
Kliene stared at the ledge and his face fell, "Ugh, fine…" He walked over to the ledge and his aura flares. He placed his hand on the rock and the ledge changed into stairs made out of rock. Kliene lowered his hand and dusted his hand off. "Lets go."
Lucas stared at Kliene, his mouth open. "Wow… okay. Wow."
"Yipee!" Auriana squealed and ran up the stairs.
I blinked and threw the seed down and ran after her. The birds flew off of me. "Auriana Marie! Be careful!" I yelled.
"Hehe!" She disappeared over them and I sighed.
I ran up the stairs and came to a stop. There was a lake. Animals of all kinds were surrounding it. Birds flew into the water and Auriana sang happily.
"Momma! So many animals!" She squealed.
"Wow! What a view!" Kliene's voice sounded behind me. He came up and touched my shoulder as he passed me, "It's like a mini oasis!" He went up to Auriana and lifted her up. He ran with her in her arms towards the lake.
"Oh finally, water. I'm so thirsty!" Ryan huffed.
I blinked. He was thirsty? I could have made some water for him to drink.
"Oh good! Right direction." Lucas walked up to me. "Maetel's realm is close."
I walked towards the lake and looked around. These animals seemed to be friendly despite them being in the wild. They looked at us with curiosity and weren't easily spooked. I made it to the water and touched it with my hand. It shimmered and an energy wave came off from where I made contact with it. I rubbed my face, that energy wave hit me right in the face. Kliene and Auriana were staring at me. I suspected the others were too. I looked at my hands and frowned. It's not like I was rejected. More like the force here responded to me. I raised my hand and searched. I felt a tug and I connected with something. It was BIG!
"Kliene, Auriana! Watch out!" I yelled.
Kliene's face lit up then he frowned, a huge figure surfaced and he yelled. The dragon from the Holy City rose from the lake. Wait… this one is smaller and a different color. Where the one at the Holy City was black and their scales reflected like a nebula, this one was azure.
This dragon stared at me. I saw curiosity in their eyes. Astoria is gone, why does this dragon still exist? Wait, no, why are they showing up now?
'You called me. Yet you have no questions.' It spoke, 'I fulfilled my duty ■■■■■■■■. You should do the same.'
The dragon vanished back under the water and I looked at Kliene and Auriana. They both were staring at me.
—--
"You couldn't understand it?" I blinked.
"No." Kliene said to me as I was drying him off with my powers.
"What did it sound like?" I asked.
"Like an ancient script." He turned and looked at me, "Something abnormal is happening to you Seth. We can not keep putting this off. You got attacked in the inn, you're hearing voices, having dreams, and now you can talk to dragons. What is going on with you?"
I drew my hands back and stared at him, "I'm honestly not sure. It started when I saw Maetel the first time-"
"First? You mean he's appeared to you multiple times?"
"It's not like I'm dying-"
"Seth! Gods don't just show up unless they want something." He grabbed my shoulders, "I know this! I'm connected to one." He grinned painfully, "Maetel is a god of Destiny, he must know your future Seth. I would advise you to be more careful. I don't want you dying on me." Kliene drew away and walked over to Ryan.
But… I'm not going to die. I stared at my hands.
'Your friends care about you. They are only in fear.' It spoke again, 'Fear drives humanity more than they realize.'
I sighed and clenched my fists. Then we'll conquer fear and face it head on. I'll show them. The area distorts and I was swallowed by darkness. I looked around and I heard it talk again. My voice.
'I applaud your grit and strength.' I saw a figure shift in front of me. The darkness clears. We were in the clouds. The figure was in dark robes with gold decorating accents along the cloth. Their face was obscured, but I could make out that they have black hair.
"Why do you keep using my voice?" I asked them finally.
'Why not? You're very much me as I am you. You just don't realize it. When you meet Maetel, your answers will be clear as day.'
"You're a god. I can tell by your voice."
'I am.'
"Then why do you use a human appearance?"
'I find it easier.'
"What god are you?"
His teeth shone in a white grin. 'They call me the Most Ancient One.'