Forgotten Conqueror

by Za1d3

  Naleen went up to her dresser and picked out a dress then quickly left the room.

  Sitting on the top of the dresser, in a small earthen cup, a crystal flower bloomed beautifully.

  Naleen and her teacher were currently strolling through the 11th ward shopping district. They had taken a carriage to get there, but now the two were walking through the streets just taking in the atmosphere. Their little trip is the result of learning about the economy, and this was a hands on experience to teach Naleen how money moves from hand to hand.

  The majority of those who are out and about were servants running errands for their masters, but like Naleen and her teacher, quite a few nobles were also walking around.

  “Naleen!” a voice called from behind her as they made their way through the streets. Turning around, an older girl three years her senior was coming up to them.

  “Hi Jillian.” Naleen greeted the older girl.

  The older girl was a tall and beautiful girl, having hit her growth spurt. With long dark blue hair and sporting a dashing smile, Naleen secretly wished for such beauty.

  “Mistress Naleen, I’ll be over here if you need me.” Her teacher gave her a smile before sidestepping towards a shop to peruse the displays on the window, leaving her alone with the older girl.

  “Outdoor class with your educator?” The older girl asked.

  “Yea… economics.” she replied. “What are you doing here?” she asked the older girl.

  Jillian Varath, the eldest daughter of the Varath house.

  Their parents worked together on many transactions pertaining to trade, and for the welfare of Ferrent, so they’ve met each other many times along with the younger sister Sylvia.

  Naleen herself really liked the Varath sisters. Being the sole daughter of the Ravon house, she envied the two.

  It was always fun to watch Jillian beat back the other children’s who try to pick on Sylvia because of her timid nature. Jillian does not literally beat them up, but using the silver tongue inherited from Lady Reanne Varath—her mother, Jillian could turn her pleasantries around and dish out invectives while revealing information that would most certainly make the bullying party cry.

  “Out shopping for lunch.” the older girl grinned again.

  “Alone? Why? Where are your maids?”

  “About that… My mother has this new saying about doing things for ourselves. We’ve been coming here to buy grocery for quite a while. Sylvia and I are also learning how to cook and clean around the house.” Jillian explained, revealing a prideful smile. “But that’s not what I’m here to talk to you about.”

  “Is Sylvia here too?” Naleen questioned, surprised at the explanation.

  It was only two turns ago when they last talked, so this was all new to her.

  “She’s with mother in one of the shops learning how to pick out vegetables.”

  “Why does Sylvia need to learn how to pick out vegetables?” She inquired, curious about this sudden change.

  “Mother said it would be a good skill for her to have when she is married off to the commoner boy from the 3rd ward.” Jillian answered.

  “Eh?! Your parents are marrying Sylvia off to a commoner?!” she asked in shock.

  “I wanted to talk to you about that. Can I ask you something?” Jillian closed in and whispered to her.

  “W-What is it?”

  “I heard your grandfather Lord Gelrin sponsors him. What do you know about the boy name Kaidus?”

  Her mind flashed back to the insufferable and strange boy whom she has not seen for a whole year, but was always hearing about.

  The crystal flower on top of her dresser presented itself to her thoughts.

  ——————————————–

  Oozing out of the ring around the little girl’s neck, it traveled through the shadows, making its way down the stairs. Its charges had already fallen asleep, and it was time to do the job given to it.

  Hasen bore through the crevices of the doors, making its way into the darkness outside. Its body of smoke wafted through the air, traveling upwards to the roof of an adjacent building where two figures were hiding.

  It had noticed them following its master’s family ever since the outing earlier. The figures gave off a sense of danger, and reeked of magic like the ones from before.

  Without warning, Hasen struck from the darkness.

  In an instant, both were dead without even putting up a fight. It consumed their bodies, leaving nothing behind.

  Finished, Hasen traveled through the shadows, back into the house, returning to the girl’s side.

  The entity listened motionlessly as its charge quietly slept. Ever since its master left nine days ago, it had been diligent in adhering to its master’s command.

  ‘Protect my family.’ Words never spoken before by its master.

  —

  “huu… *sniff* mommy… daddy… no… please don’t leave me.” The first words it had ever heard. A deep sadness, echoing through Lagus. A childish voice filled with anguish and suffering had given the entity life, awaking it from oblivion.

  “No!! Please don’t! NOOO!!” the second time it heard the voice.

  The child’s scream tore through the veil that shrouded Lagus from the mortal realm. In that instant, it saw the death of countless mortals and amidst them all, a lone child weeping for them.

  “Why?! Why am I so weak!?!” a voice echoed through to the entity. The child was broken. Laying in a cell, the boy cried in muffled sobs, wishing for death. His will had been shattered, only anger at his weakness filled his mind.

  The intensity of his emotions resonated through Lagus.

  “…Power…” it spoke to the young boy for the first time.

  “W-who are you?” a weak and cautious reply.

  “…power… strength…” the entity spoke the words that echoed in the boy’s mind.

  “Who are you?! What do you want?!” a frantic reply.

  “…I am… yours… I am… power… call… me…”

  … The child laid there in silence.

  “… Hasen…” a single word from the child’s mouth, and they were bound.

  A Rhas of shadow, newly birthed.

  Its master: a broken boy, forsaken by the world.

  —

  Hasen drew itself out of the memories.

  What it just reminisced was a time before its master became corrupted at the beckoning of another—due to its lack of strength.

  The entity was merely recalling its birth into the mortal realm.

  A time when both master and elemental were both powerless lifeforms, learning how to deal with the world together. An age before its ascension into what it is now.

  It culled the memories from what could only be called its mind

  Their true enemy was still lurking within the world somewhere. The entity would not allow its master to once again, be manipulated into the pits of despair.

  Chapter 42 – Return

  Kaidus hovered high above the 11th ward. He had flown straight to Zorin Academy upon entering Ferrent. In the darkness, his cloak blended in with the night and concealed his descent onto the academy farmlands.

  He did not know how long the trip was going to take when he first set off, but only 12 days have passed since he left on that night. The ryes should have just ended, and class will begin again tomorrow. Flying all night for all those days had worn him out, but he was happy that he made such good time.

  “Rrrargar!” Zeeke greeted him as he stealthily entered the academy gates in the middle of the night.

  “Shhh!” He attempted to hush the Gate Seer. Zeeke stopped and looked at him curiously. “I’ll bring you something tomorrow. Please be quiet for now.”

  “Rarrrr!” it replied happily. The spirit hushed up and enthusiastically followed him as he made his way towards the Westside of the academy as if to guard him, only stopping after he entered the lodging house.

  *BANG BANG BANG!* Kaidus woke up to the sound of banging.<
br />
  “Kaidus?” someone asked from the other side of his door.

  Quickly putting on a new shirt and trouser, he made his way to the door. “Yes?” a familiar man stood on the other side.

  “The headmaster would like to see you. Please see him in his studies.” The man was one of headmaster Nylen’s assistants.

  “When am I to meet him?”

  “As soon as possible. The headmaster will be waiting.” having delivered the headmaster’s summon, the man promptly took off.

  ‘That old man…’ he thought to himself.

  Having not washed up after getting to his room last night, Kaidus refresh himself before donning a new set of clothes. Without a need to hide himself, Zion was back in ring form and on his finger. Kaidus made his way towards the marble building in the north side of the academy—where the perplexing headmaster was waiting for him.

  ‘That note was a longshot, but surely he couldn’t have realized what is going on… and I never mentioned when I would be returning, how did he know?” He thought as he trudged across the academy grounds, pondering about the odd summon.

  Passing through the doors of the marble building where the headmaster resides, an attendant led him to the old man’s study.

  *KNOCK KNOCK*

  “Headmaster, Kaidus is here.” the attendant called out.

  “Good, come in.”

  “You wanted to see me?” Kaidus asked, entering the room.

  “Yes yes. Come and sit down.” Headmaster Nylen motioned to the chair across from his desk.

  Kaidus took the seat, unsure about the old man’s objective this time.

  First it was a night ambush, second was the council, then the invitation from the Mystiks guild, now this. Every time they met up, something was bound to happen.

  The old man stacked his papers, then laid them down neatly onto the desk. “Did you have a productive leave of absence?”

  “I did.”

  “Good. Glad to hear It.” the old man brought up his earthen arm and intertwined it with his other, setting them on the desk. “Is everything okay?” the old man questioned, looking him in the eyes.

  “Yes.” Kaidus replied, confused at the question.

  “Has anything strange happened around you?”

  “No. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  “Well, that’s good to hear. I thought that with your sudden absence, something had come up.” The old man replied, pulling out the note Kaidus had left with Zeeke.

  “No. After our discussion, I took the time off in case my family might be in danger. Nothing’s happened so far. Sorry for the sudden disappearance.”

  “I understand, and I’m glad nothing has happened.” The old man smiled. “I called you here today, because I wanted to share some news with you and see if there was anything else you may have recalled since our last conversation.”

  “I’ve told you everything, headmaster. I don’t see how I can be of any more help.” Kaidus replied.

  “I see…” the old man paused for a moment. “Here, take a look at these.”

  Headmaster Nylen pushed a stack of paper towards Kaidus.

  The top of the stack was a picture of a man’s face. Behind the picture was a report of the pictured individual, detailing who they are and what they’ve done.

  A short haired man with well-groomed facial hair and hollow cheeks.

  “Rasiur Vaethol, 47, Known Agent of Tal’hrus…. Apprehended twenty-six days ago in the outskirts of a small village that he and his team were burning to the ground… The Mystiks Guild barely managed to get there in time to save a handful of survivors… Fifteen bodies found dead in the village, another twenty-four charred carcasses were excavated from the ashes: men, women, children… Objective is a silver mine recently discovered two turns ago by the locals…. With a group of ten that killed six members of the guild during their pursuit before being captured. Currently held in 12th ward’s Mystiks guild. Interrogation is left with Master Luliene… ”

  One after another, he looked through the papers, etching their faces and deeds into his mind.

  Murders, assassinations, trafficking, kidnapping, slavery, blackmail, senseless destruction, irrational killings, etc…

  He seared everything into himself.

  He stopped in front of a woman.

  The women had a scar on her face, sharp eyes, and dark black hair.

  “Elora Brile, 32. Agent of Tal’hrus.

  Caught hiding in Ferrent’s 7th ward: Soqu 28, Zanaeos 1250… killed herself before being captured.” He stopped.

  “Headmaster… This… is this correct?” He pointed to the date.

  “Yes.”

  “This just happened days ago!?” he shouted in shock.

  “Yes.” The old man replied solemnly.

  He quickly looked through the remaining pages and saw that the reports that came after the woman were all from Ferrent. Altogether, five agents were found in the common wards. Three killed themselves after being surrounded, while two were successfully captured and have been interrogated.

  Kaidus stacked the papers then pushed them back to the headmaster.

  “Do you recognize any of them?” The headmaster asked.

  “I do not.”

  “I see. That’s unfortunate.” The old man began silently looking through the reports once again. “You see, after our last discussion, I sent letters to all three Mystiks Guild… We did an undisclosed sweep throughout all of Ferrent, and those five agents were all we found.”

  “Is there something wrong with that?”

  “Yes. The problem is, Tal’hrus never operates in such low number. Each agent is capable, but they always operate with more than enough people to secure the greatest chance of accomplishing their missions. In the off chance that there is strong resistance, it is convenient to be able to attack from various directions.”

  Headmaster Nylen pulled out a picture from the stack. It was one of the agents who had been captured. “Two days ago, this man here revealed that half their unit vanished along with their team leader while moving in to secure their target. He said six people stayed in Ferrent on stand by while another three returned to headquarters.” The headmaster spoke while watching him. “Do you have any idea who or what their target was?”

  “I’m guessing it was me?”

  “I believe it was. The man did not know who you are, all he knew was that the group was after a young boy with healing magic.”

  … The room became silent.

  “Kaidus…” The old man paused as if to recollect his thoughts. “I am going to ask you something, and I would like you to be honest with me.” Headmaster Nylen spoke, looking him straight in the eyes. The usual atmosphere had vanished. The old man was very serious.

  “Go ahead.”

  “Do you know what happened to those men?”

  “No headmaster, I do not.” a natural reply, unperturbed by the question that was too close to the truth.

  “I see… sorry about that. You can go now.”

  “Then I will take my leave.”

  “Kaidus.” the old man spoke as he got up. “Don’t underestimate Tal’hrus. Just because they haven’t done anything, does not mean they will stay that way. Be wary of your surroundings and those around you.” The old man gave him one last warning.

  “I understand.”

  ——————————————–

  In his study, Malizur Nylen Gvius Das Jozion was putting the pieces together after the boy had left.

  He knew too well, the methods of Tal’hrus.

  There was no way that they would have left the boy alone after he refused to join them. The boy was too much of a threat. They must’ve considered that he could join the Mystiks guild and work against Tal’hrus.

  There were only two ways of escaping Tal’hrus’ grasps after such a thing: death, or the overwhelming abilities that would serve to repel the organization from taking any actions—he himself was one such individual.

  The boy
was not dead, so it was definitely the later. But if that was the case, then the interrogated agents would have known, and they would have moved onto the next best thing: the boy’s family. Yet, that did not happen either.

  ‘He showed no reactions for the agents we caught… even surprised that some were apprehended only days ago within Ferrent…’ Headmaster Nylen paused his thoughts. “But he knows something about the disappearance of the agents…” He voiced the thought out loud.

  Although the child denied it, his senses told him otherwise.

  “Could he have done it? Could the child have killed half a unit of trained Tal’hrus agents by himself, then hid the bodies somewhere?” Headmaster Nylen wondered, then suddenly recalled his first encounter with the boy. The dreaded eyes filled with hatred and anger, ready to tear him limb from limb as he sat there coughing and bleeding.

  He stroked his earthen arm, remembering the cost of what he did.

  ‘Something did not add up… The boy’s leave of absence came after the disappearance of the Tal’hrus agents…There is something else missing… Something I have yet to understand…’ Headmaster Nylen thought to himself.

  —————————————————–

  “Welcome back. Where’ve you been?” Mirat asked as Kaidus joined them for lunch.

  “Home.”

  “Did something happen?”

  He had been gone for all seven days of school for the last learning period. Of course they were curious about his absence. Currently at the table were: Larant, Jorva, Kaidus who just joined them, and Mirat. Prim and Lisin weren’t there.

  “No. Just spending extra time with my family.” Kaidus answered, sitting down to eat his lunch.

  “Oh…” Mirat stopped and resumed his own lunch.

  “You go home every ryes. Why do you need to spend extra time with your family?” Jorva who was sitting beside him asked.

  “I had something to do. Staying home while I took care of it was easier.” Kaidus replied, giving a vague answer.

  “And that something is???”

  “Nothing.” Kaidus gave a friendly smile to Jorva before putting a spoonful of food into his mouth.