“Rise,” said the king as he walked towards his throne.
“Your Highness,” he called as the king chuckled to it.
“I never thought I would hear nor see you again, my son,” the king said.
“Don’t worry, this will be the last time. I promise,” he said as he greeted the old man with cold shoulders.
The king cleared his throat, “I have heard what happened in the forest,” and his attention was caught. “I do trust you know who did this?”
“I do, but I need to confirm it for myself first, your Highness,” he said. He knew him full well and how we would react, especially if its Viris blood that had been spilled on his own lands.
The king gently tapped his fingers at the arm rest of his throne. “Mind telling me who? Was it one of the kingdoms in Unibeltrasia?” the king asked.
“No,” he straight up answered.
The king then stood up and headed towards the plants inside the throne room and tended to it. Sevidon sighed as he followed the king shortly.
“I am here to make use of the Grand Elven Library, your Highness,” he said, wanting to make his trip short so he could get on with what he needed to do.
“I know. But as of now, they are still not done preparing the library for you, my son,” the king said as he moved to another plant.
“There is no need, your Grace,” he said.
“I want to know the reason why you chose our library. Doesn’t the empire have a bigger one in Tamara? The Orderians also has their own. Have you come to learn more about the throne of Arek-Andun?” the king asked out of curiosity.
“I don’t want raise any suspicions about what I’m doing here in Arumar. Because of the war, my presence here could be misunderstood,” he explained. “And please, let that part of our history go, the throne is safe. No one knows of its existence but us,” he added.
“Ah, but if they ever found out about it, I wonder what the Falcons would do. After all, it was meant to be ours,” the king explained.
“The old days of Rineria will never be restored, my King. Let us move past this,” he said.
The king only looked at him as he moved to yet another plant.
“Well nonetheless, the servants are preparing the library for you. Be patient,” the king insisted. “I see you still lack that trait.”
“I need to finish my trip here as soon as I can so that I can deal with the matter more swiftly.”
“Is that true? Are you simply avoiding me?” said the king in his calm and gentle voice.
He did not know what to say and kept his silence.
“Sevidon, I understand why you are like that. I cannot blame you, but let me at least treat you as how a father would treat his long lost son,” the king pleaded.
He bowed down and looked in a different direction as he answered, trying to not make eye contact as much as possible, “King Orelnoer, please remember who banished your son.” Then he finally looked at him straight in the face, as he held his anger back. “Remember who killed him, many years ago.”
The king stared at his piercing eyes. He could see time’s effect on his father. Though not physically, but living for three-thousand years old could have been difficult. He could feel that he had softened his heart. He knew this by the fact he was able to walk to Viris lands unimpeded, with no contention whatsoever. Time did its toll on his father but he could never forgive him for the wrongs he committed.
“You know I had no choice,”
“You have a choice and your choice cost thousands of lives from the race of men, and also a son,” he said as he slightly raised his voice, hands fisted.
“They are a race of fools, a destructive race. I needed to make a decision. I gave them a chance,” the king said as he tried to defend himself.
“I will not have this discussion with you again,” he exclaimed.
“Very well. I do not want to visit that dark past of our history either,” the king agreed as he walked back to his throne and sat.
“Next time, you don’t have to send word that you are coming. You will always be welcome here,” the king told him.
“I disagree, you banished me,”
“And I have already lifted it,” the king quickly said.
“You did. You even sent a special envoy to Radenheim for me. To me, it means nothing. After what you have done to me, I will never forgive you. Remember that. I will never return here after this,” he said bitterly.
A servant entered the room and knelt with one hand on his chest.
“Your Highness, the library is ready,” the servant said.
“Let’s go. I’m the one who will be using the library,” he suddenly said much to the confusion of the servant. Nonetheless, the servant quickly followed and he left the room, leaving his father behind.
The Grand Elven Library was well-lit by both candles and essercs that were inside the lamps. Servants lined up the huge bookcases carved out from wood as he walked towards the shelf he was looking for.
“These are the ones donated by the old Orderians, correct?” he asked one of the servants.
“Yes, your Grace,” said one of the servants.
He grabbed some books that seemed familiar to him and brought them to a table close by. “Your prince is dead. Do not call me that,” he said as he sat.
He opened a book, looking for a specific page. He was very familiar with these books for he took interest in them back then with the Orderians. They were very foreign to him, especially during his youth.
By the time he was able to read, the Orderians were already given special privilege of the young Trasidar kingdoms and was given a piece of land for them to rule. From then on, they expanded their knowledge by sending out missions for books to which the Viris king exchanged with them.
He continued to scan the books and until he found what he was looking for.
The Grand Sage is the strongest of the Orderians. He or she can manifest all three branches of magic but with much greater command and control, as granted by the Maroon Crystal.
He thought to himself and quickly scanned the book a bit more for more information for what Evangeline truly was.
Any simple magic wielded and used by a Grand Sage is amplified ten-fold. Because of such strength, the magic itself leaves physical traces on anything it was casted upon.
He was right. The residue that he found at the Meskotav Council was indeed of Orderian magic, a powerful one at that. He immediately closed the book and grabbed the next one.
Once found, the Grand Sage, is given the ring of the crystal. In ancient times it was merely a raw crystal wedged on a ring. Overtime it was carved to bear the symbol of the Grand Sage, to which originated from the marks their eyes took shape. The more detailed the eye pattern was, the more powerful and realized the power of the Grand Sage is.
He quickly thought to himself again vaguely remembered that Evangeline indeed was already wearing a ring. During their last days in Tamara in the celebration of Tamiron’s return, along with their various meetings at Termosad, she already wore a ring back then.
Then he remembered what Graveloth said. The eyes of the raider were weirdly patterned and glowed of maroon.
He tried to remember the instances he encountered Evangeline face to face and only noticed her eyes were different. Her eyes he remembered seeing them again back in the battlefield when they had their talk about the residue he found. It glowed of maroon. As he thought harder, there was a circular shape pierced below it like a ring and so were her eyes.
He was not sure as well what patterns Graveloth talked about for he didn’t give any specific information about it.
He turned the page and saw a drawing of the pattern in question. He found it very familiar, but he couldn’t remember where had seen it. He looked at it carefully and slowly, every instance of him seeing Evangeline face to face came to him.
The moment they left for Termosad.
Their fight in Termosad.
Their meetings and how she looked at h
im every single time.
It finally dawned on him. It was the same pattern he saw a year ago on a tree in the Eldemenster Forest. He pulled out something from his pocket, and it was the rock he carved a year ago. It was the same. Finally, he was on to something, but he knew it would not be enough. He needed more.
He sighed, knowing that his trip in the Viris kingdom would be a waste. He continued reading.
The Grand Warlock, as powerful as the Grand Sage, bore the same features, such as eyes—
Suddenly a bright glow of pink came right above him and suddenly enlarged into a huge sphere. And as it disappeared it revealed right in front of him, the cloaked figure, hovering above the bookshelves.
The figure held out his right hand and an unstable sphere hummed in front of him. Sevidon would have moved but he saw the figure’s feminine hands which also carried the same ring Evangeline had.
Sevidon looked at the being’s face but its hood kept him in the darkness.
“Evangeline,” he called out to the being and the figure turned to him. “What are you doing here?!”
The figure’s eyes glowed just like how Graveloth described it. He finally got a good look in the eyes and it was the same from the book. He held his left hand to the side and immediately a sword flew to him.
“Evangeline, I know that’s you! What are you doing? What are you going to do with that thing you are holding?” he tried to talk to her but was answered with silence.
“I will let the others know what you did! I know it was you! Surrender now and we can still talk about this!” He took to his stance as more guards quickly appeared.
“Stay back! She’s dangerous!” he shouted but with foolish bravery, they ignored his warnings. The guards charged all at once, when she suddenly dropped the unstable sphere and engulfed herself once more with another until it disappeared with her.
He looked at the orb as it slowly fell to the unknowing guards. The unstable sphere grew more frantic. Sevidon realized what was going to happen and shouted, “Get away from there, get out now!”
But it was too late.
The moment the sphere touched the table, library was filled in a blinding light and one thunderous boom. He was thrown to a pillar, breaking bookcases upon his impact and the light vanished together with his limping consciousness.
He struggled to open his eyes. The once grandiose library of the Viris elves was now burning before his eyes. He pushed the beam that had pinned him down but was too weak to push it.
In a matter of seconds, help came and two elves took the beam from him and rushed him outside to safety.
“Are you alright, Sire?” the guard asked him
“Where are the rest?” he asked in between coughs from the smoke. The guard shook his head and his heart fell.
He was certain now it was Evangeline. There was no doubt about it. He sat on the ground, helpless yet he waved the guards away to help put out the fire instead.
His hand fisted and his eyes were filled with rage. It was Evangeline.
“Did anyone survive, other than me?” he asked one of the guards with him.
The guard closest to him refused to answer. He punched the ground in frustration. He wasn’t able to stop Evangeline in time to spare those inside. It is all my fault, he thought.
A sword then latched to his right arm and he used it to stand up.
She will pay for this.
“Prepare my horse,” he said as he stood, shaking as he struggled to get his balance. He was still weak on his knees.
“But, Sire, you need to rest,” a guard pleaded.
“I said prepare my horse! This is an emergency! I need to head to Tamara now!” he shouted.
I need to warn the others. I need to warn them of Evangeline. I need to warn Queen Tamara and Tamiron, he thought as he limped his way towards the stables.
End of chapter XV
XVI: The Grand Sage’s Wrath
Ravaen patrolled the grim skies of Shardon beyond Unibeltrasian controlled territories. He was accompanied with two battalions of the Falcon Rantallion, the most elite of his soldiers. He was still mad about the attack that had happened in Ahktum, so he decided to go with the scouts to distract himself. He decided to scout further south where the old citadel of Oroz’Kram was.
The foul air of the eastern continent puffed in the air as they a huge fire from afar.
“Can someone check the map to see what is supposed to be in that direction,” he instructed as one of his men pulled out a map. “Now check if there are any reports of any raids of some sort within this week in this area,” he said to another.
He focused his sights and made use of his Far Sight. There he saw, the citadel of Oroz’Kram burning in its old glory. “Wait, the Orderian army is seizing a citadel around this area, right?” he said, making sure of things.
“Yes Sire, and it appears that—” the soldier staggered as he looked at him. He turned to the burning citadel once more and was stunned.
“Evangeline, what are you doing,” he whispered to himself and then he flew with haste towards the citadel’s direction with his men right behind him.
The air became hotter as they came closer to the blazing citadel.
He was amazed, yet horrified, that he did not think for a second that the Orderian army could be strong if unleashed. He immediately looked below and saw a command post on the outskirts of the citadel. As he flew down though, he noticed some Orderian soldiers idly watched the inferno rage on.
He landed on the command post and said, “Who is in charge here?” By the looks on their faces, they had not expected him there.
“I’m sorry, your Highness. We didn’t notice you land,” the Orderian commander said, to which his eyebrow raised as he seemed to find the situation — odd.
“Are you alright, soldier?” he asked him out of worry.
“Ah yes, — no, I mean yes, Sire,” the Orderian stuttered to which now his own soldiers found odd.
Dubious he asked, “Are you sure?” but commander spoke no more. He sighed and said, “Alright, again I will ask, who is in charge here?” he repeated.
“The Grand Sage Evangeline, your Highness,” the Orderian answered.
He looked around to look for her but there was no sign of her. “Where is she then?”
The commander only walked forward and looked up, and slowly he pointed to the sky. A bright light flashed across the field, temporarily blinding everyone, including him. Slowly he looked up and saw a silhouette of a woman floating in the sky surrounded by three bright orbs.
For the first time, he felt fear towards her – towards Evangeline. He could see her eyes and they were filled with nothing. The same eyes that used to be filled with hope and joy were now empty.
She held her arm in the air and the three enormous orbs spun around her. The air was filled with static as though Evangeline held all of the storms in the world with merely three pink orbs. Unstable energy poured out of the orbs then came back to the orb they came from.
“Is she responsible for this?” he stuttered.
The Orderian commander nodded. “Our siege was almost done. We were about to break through. But the Grand Sage suddenly, got impatient and took command herself and asked us to prepare. When we were ready, she took the frontline and then went up there and threw those things at the citadel.”
He could not blame him. He was shaking. Ravaen too admitted to himself that it was the very first time he was afraid of her. He could see the same reaction on every Orderian soldier that stood near the post as they watched their Grand Sage unleash her might.
Evangeline suddenly dropped her arm forward and the giant orbs struck the center castle and all hell broke loose with the thunder of a thousand storms.
The aftershock hit everyone like a punch and was thrown off their feet. He tried to balance himself with his wings as he struggled to hold his ground. Everyone laid on the ground, while some helped the others.
“Is everyone alright?” Ravaen shouted as most of his
soldiers tried to help the Orderians.
Evangeline hovered through the air towards the opening she made on the crumbling castle.
“Evangeline!” he shouted but she didn’t hear him. He flew towards her as she entered.
He tried to follow her when suddenly the room exploded from within and was engulfed in flames. He was afraid for her this time. He looked inside the room and saw Evangeline unscathed as the room burned.
Then, Evangeline’s most elite magisters, clothed in black and reinforced leather with the insignia of the Orderians and the Elite Magisters, came closer to the room.
“Evangeline, what is this? What’s going on?” he asked.
Evangeline ignored him.
“Why can’t you look at me?” he raised his voice to which the magisters blocked his view of her.
“You are speaking to the Grand Sage of the Maroon Orderian. You should show your respect, your highness,” a magister said in a stern voice.
“I know who I am speaking to. Let your Grand Sage talk to me directly and tell me that, soldier,” he said firmly and stood his ground inside the burning room as he expanded his wings.
The magister was about to confront him but Evangeline cleared her throat and the magisters left one by one. “Speak,” Evangeline said.
“At least have the decency to face me when talking,” he aired his frustration to her but she paid no mind. “What is the meaning of this? I was not informed about this attack, and if I’m not informed, I’m pretty sure that Aderon is not as well. This will not sit well with him. What exactly are you doing?”
He waited for her answer but he received none of it.
“Evangeline, Aderon and Tamiron will hear of this. You are going way out of line here. There is nothing here. What are you doing?” he shouted at her but he was met with the same silence.
“Answer me!” he shouted once more when Evangeline suddenly got close way too fast to him and was inches away from his face.
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