"So people still think Eimira is promised to Yunok?" I asked.
"Yeah." Aurivelle answered. "I still find it funny."
"Say…" I said. "What about Eimira's father?"
"He's away on an expedition to Nymirel." She replied.
"Nymirel?" I tilted my head.
"Yeah, The Presence of Cel'Nyseria suddenly vanished and it has caused an imbalance in the nation." She answered.
"So, she's actually gone…" I thought, thinking back to the last time we spoke. I thought.
"Hey you guys, come see the reactions to the post." Zahir called us.
Aurivelle and I walked over to them and Zahir showed us his Arcstone.
One read; "How could she do this to precious Yunok?."
Another read; "Who is the random person that managed to catch the heart of that ice witch haha."
"This is crazy..." I said.
Another comment caught my attention.
"We all know it was a planned marriage and Captain Eimira didn't want that. Let her live her own life."
"I think this is the only sensible reaction to all this." Wryo remarked.
"Well… it's still just a childhood thing that lasted too long. Still…" I thought.
"I got the books I need, so I'm heading out now."
I left without waiting.
I'm sure they understand.
----
I entered my room to the sound of beeping. I searched for the source of the sound and it was coming from the Arcstone-like object Eimira had given me.
"How am I supposed to use this?" I muttered randomly tapping it.
It beeped and I could hear Eimira's voice from it.
"Hey, Zandren. Can you hear me?" Her voice rang out.
"Hi…"
She giggled. "Nice! Connection established. It works."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"You need a blessing to power the Aurastone, but you know—"
"Ah. I understand."
"So, how are you?" She asked.
"Well…" I said, dropping the books. "I just got to my room, and I'm a bit angry."
"Why?"
"The posts."
"Oh. Forget about it." Eimira replied.
"What. You aren't bothered by it?" I asked.
"Nope." She answered. "I don't know why they are so bothered about other people's private lives."
"I'm glad."
She laughed. "Your ceremony is tomorrow. How prepared are you for that?"
"Ceremony?" I blinked.
"Don't tell me you forgot already…"
I chuckled. "Yeah… I kind of did."
Eimira giggled. "Cute."
Knock. Knock.
"Hey, Zan. It's me, Zahir."
"Oh shoot, Zahir is at the door." I told Eimira.
"Well, go answer it." She replied.
Knock.
"What do you want?" I snapped.
"Just open up." He yelled back.
I groaned.
"Just go see what he wants." Eimira said.
"Fine." I replied. "How can I be able to do this again?"
"What?"
"The Aurastone."
"Hmm. Just bring it with you to the ceremony tomorrow." She replied.
"Alright. Bye for now."
"Bye."
The Aurastone beeped and went off. I hid it and took down the portraits of Eimira, before heading to open the door for Zahir.
I perked out.
"What do you want?"
He lunged at me. "There was an attack at the outskirts of Wisteria county."
"What?"
"It's the news circulating around now. There were attacks on several villages surrounding Wisteria, and it all happened simultaneously. Multiple children went missing after the attacks and most of the adults were killed."
"That's bad…" I said. "So what's happening now?"
"Not sure. For now three Vanguards have been sent out to the areas to ward off any other possible attacks."
"Won't change the damage done, but it should prevent more." I muttered.
"Those poor children." Zahir shook his head. "If it were to happen in my village, I wouldn't be able to recover from that."
I sighed.
We remained silent for a moment.
"One more thing." Zahir spoke. "Because of this incident we will most likely be examined soon."
Tilted my head. "Examined?"
"Yeah, our blessings will be examined and we will be placed into squads for training to prepare us for the real deal." He explained.
"How'd you even know this?"
He pushed up his glasses.
"I have my ways."
Zahir left my room moments later, stealing some of the food I had with me. I didn't mind though, at least he's gone now.
Peace.
"Wait—"
"Wisteria County? Isn't that Erin's place?"
"And there's no way I can contact her." I thought
"Things are getting hectic..."
I picked up one of the books I brought from the library.
"The Void Of Giants uhn..." I opened it.
"The void of giants
Void ruler - Unknown
Exploration- Gate
monster level- Divine blessing Bearer+
Difficulty Estimate- Impossible."
"Wow..." I turned a page and saw that it was empty.
"I guess, it hasn't been explored much. Sad, I was quite intrigued."
Picked up another book.
"The Void of whispers
Void ruler: Miraeth
Exploration: Contact made with the Void ruler.
Monster level: Bearer awakened.
Difficulty Estimate: Risk of Life Severance."
Flipped the page.
"The Void of whispers is one of the closest Voids, which is right after entering into the Dark forest. No one escapes this void as it is everywhere, no matter which nation you entered from. You will always end up in the void of whispers."
"Hmm, no wonder they've made contact with the void ruler." I muttered.
Continued reading.
"This void has been described to be mentally challenging, mental torture and in several cases, it has led to explorers killing themselves if they came in unprepared."
"Woah. Really?"
"The voices came from the trees. They whispered your darkest secrets, regrets, trauma, pain and suffering to you. They make you lose your mind. They tear you from the inside out and eventually. You'd lose it, not being able to take it anymore. You kill yourself."
I paused, flipping through the pages. Then I stumbled upon a part mentioning the Void Ruler.
"The Void Ruler is known as Xies Miraeth. A living embodiment of Envy and Revenge. Most explorers or travellers encounter him because he longs to reunite with one who carries his lover's essence. Many speculate that Wisteria County is involved as they described Miraeth as a giant walking Wisteria tree. So it is known that someone from Wisteria County carries the essence of Miraeth's lover. But, how does a monster have a connection with a human?"
The book ended with a question mark.
"I guess that means there hasn't been a full exploration in the void." I said. "Though, I really wanna know how it ends."
I chuckled.
"Why did I just say that like it's some story?"
I laughed then looked out the window and saw that it was already dark outside.
"How long have I been reading? I haven't even eaten yet."
I looked around.
"And I don't wanna cook."
I laughed.
"As if I can."
I put on my casual clothes and headed out to get something to eat. Was gonna call Zahir but I wanted a night to myself alone. I got to the food court.
I walked over to a stall that sold noodle beef broth which I loved so much. It was right next to the store that sold roasted Iri dragons, a type of small plantlike dragon which is found in the Dark Forest.
I was waiting for my order when all of a sudden someone covered my eyes with their hands.
"Guess who?" A female voice asked.
"Uhh..."
I tried to think of who it could be.
"Come on." She removed her hand. "All our lovely times together and you still don't recognise my voice?"
I turned. It was Feona.
"My poor heart. You don't care about me." She said, dramatically.
I laughed. "Sorry. What brings you here?"
She took a seat beside me. "I was getting some roasted chicken for myself and Mira then I saw you, so I came to say hi since it's been a while."
"That's right. We haven't really talked since I came to the Academy." I replied.
"Yeah..." She went silent. "I feel you should stand up for Eimira."
"What?"
"The whole post thing that's going on now. I for sure know that fucking bastard Yunok caused this." She gritted her teeth. "He's always stalking Eimira, hiring people to follow her. It got worse when he found out that Eimira had feelings for you."
"You guys said that he changed. How so?" I asked.
"I'm sure you know by now that Yunok doesn't exactly have a blessing so he worked on his physical attributes and honed it. This only happened because he was the first friend Eimira made, so Yunok felt he had to get strong to protect her."
She paused.
"And I think that made him believe that if he did get strong, Eimira would want him."
She leaned on the table.
"Yunok then told his father he wanted Eimira as his wife. Come to think of it neither Eimira or her father agreed to it but Yunok said that he was going to marry her so much to the point everyone started to believe it and word spread I guess."
"So it wasn't even a planned marriage, but he deceived himself into thinking that it was?" I asked.
Feona nodded. "Yeah."
"Hmm."
I pondered on what I just heard for a while. Feona watched as I did so.
She stood up. "When it's time for you to protect her. Do so without hesitation. She's already your wife, haha."
I laughed. "Sure thing."
"Gotta bounce!" She said.
We waved each other goodbye and my order came in. Just in time for me to leave.
Every single time I always get left with questions that never seem to have any possible answers. And I can't even get help from Nyseria because I don't know where she is.
I froze.
"What about a soul tree?"
I picked up the pace and headed to the dorm reception before they left.
I managed to get the location of a spirit tree from them and it is located on the 10th floor of the library.
I set down my food on the table and sat on the chair to eat. I brought out my Arcstone and contacted Zahir.
~"what's up ball"
~"Did you just call me a ball?"
~"Yes, I'll need you to follow me to the 10th floor of the library tomorrow."
~"No."
~"Please."
~"Say "Oh Great lord Zahir, bless me with your presence."
~"No. Piss off."
I chuckled.
-----
In a village west of the Academy, two towns away.
The county buzzed with noise. Lanterns lit the streets. Families sat outside. Drinks passed from hand to hand. Laughter filled the night.
Two figures stepped out of the dark, standing on the roof of a distant building observing the people.
"Look at them. Enjoying their night, drinking, eating, not knowing this is their last." A male voice said as he scanned through the crowd.
The other figure, a female, spoke. "Let's start, Devorakh."
"Yes, Seraveth, my love."
Devorakh raised his hand. A pulse spread behind him like an endless sea of darkness. Veils surged forward. Their bodies twitched with warped muscles. Some, still in their old clothes. Their eyes glowed with dull green light. Each step left a trail of black mist.
Within seconds, the screams replaced the laughter.
Devorakh turned to Seraveth. "The village knights have been mobilised, shall we test them now?"
She smiled. "Yes, of course."
She stood tall.
"Come out, my lovely children."
From behind Seraveth, ten children stepped forward. Each looked no older than eleven.
Their eyes were blank but their auras burned.
Seraveth patted the head of one of the children. "Go on and make your mother proud."
In the blink of an eye, the ten children darted forward.
A guard had just finished killing multiple veils, when he suddenly noticed one of the children.
He stepped forward. "Hey kiddo, get outta here it's not sa—"
The child snapped his fingers.
A wall of ice shot up and impaled the guard, going through his entire torso, the white ice slowly turned red.
"Five, Frostborn. A powerful rune but he gets tired easily, he's best for an ambush but not for sustained fights." Seraveth said.
Another child, a girl, held her hands apart. The air around her twisted, bringing in all the blood of the slain people. Swords formed from the blood.
The blood swords surged forward, cutting down multiple villagers and knights.
Seraveth smiled."Six, Bloodweaver. Getting the cursed rune of the void ruler into her was hard, but it worked."
Two twins moved together. One raised a shield, and the other fired bolts that pierced through targets without slowing down. They fused together to maximise their damage and overall protection.
"Ah the twins, Eleven and Thirteen. Nothing to say much about those two to be honest. Their compatibility is superb despite them awakening at different times." Seraveth explained.
Devorakh laughed. "They are twins after all."
A boy knelt down, hands pressed together, and instantly became rounded by rings of blood. A dark void rose behind home. Out of that void came large darkened hands, and a mouth filled with jagged teeth.
A low guttural growl came from the mouth as the hands darted forward, grabbing villagers, slamming their head in the ground before throwing them into the mouth.
The more people it consumed the more hands manifested. The hands killed the villagers in one brutal blow, sometimes splitting them in half, before devouring them.
Seraveth leaned on Devorakh.
"What a work of art." She said.
"Wow. What's his name?" Devorakh asked.
Seraveth sighed. "Fifteen, The Bishop."
A pause.
"Younger Brother of Fourteen; The Night Bringer"
"Fourteen... That brat!" Devorakh cursed.
Seraveth kissed Devorakh. "It's my fault. I just wanted to see what would happen if I converted an awakened child."
He rubbed his hand on the vertical scar on Seraveth's face. "But she hurt your beautiful face my love."
She caressed his hand softly. "I know, but unlike the rest, her and her brother were from the dark forest. I just underestimated the power of the people in that place."
She smiled. "Don't worry, this is a child who won't fail and go rogue."
All ten children moved with precision. No hesitation. No emotion. Each attack targeted vital points. Ensuring they killed the adults and left the children.
Devorakh watched the destruction. "Our project grows stronger. And we grow closer to our goal."
"You saying that means your mission with Count Tharn was successful." Seraveth said.
Devorakh laughed. "That greedy bastard, he gave up everything the moment he heard power. Now we just wait for him to do my bidding."
Seraveth smiled. "The leader will be happy with our progress."
Devorakh turned. "Let's move on, we have more to harvest."
"Yes, and soon. I'll have my hands on the knowledge The Tarrion Academy holds" she said, embracing Devorakh.
They kissed.
The screams around then became their song.