Nohaj, 4 Days Ago
Inside the castle, Rodney walked through one of the many concrete corridors until he reached a tidy room filled with trophies and stuffed animals. Bel was lying on her large, luxurious bed, reading a book:
-Rodney: "Princess Bel, I have a plan to capture the missing prince."
-Bel: "And what does that have to do with me?"
-Rodney: "Ha! I need someone with authority for this."
-Bel: "Ask Darius, then!"
-Rodney: "I would if he weren’t busy with his training. To improve your bad mood, I’ll do something in return for delivering 'something' for me."
-Bel: "You know very well who to get rid of, don’t you?"
Rodney smiled and said everything would be ready by tomorrow. The next morning, Bel was already at the castle gates with an army, a massive cage containing a chained red dragon with black outlines that roared and thrashed inside the object. Near the princess, a girl with light blonde curly hair tied in pigtails, fair skin, black eyes, and wearing a long light purple dress looked around. Confused by the commotion, she asked Bel:
-"Aunt Bel, where are we going?"
-Bel: "Shut up, you pest. Be quiet during the journey, got it?"
As soon as she answered, a tall man with the same hair, eye, and skin color as the girl, wearing dark gray armor with the white symbol of Grinus on his chest, arrived running at the gates:
-"ANNE!"
-Anne: "Daddy!"
-Bel: "Well, well, if it isn’t Crown Prince Louis saying goodbye to his beloved daughter."
-Louis: "What does this mean, Bel?!"
-Bel: "Young Anne is going to Hagam to contribute to the country; isn’t that wonderful?"
-Louis: "What?! And you think I’ll let you take her just like that?!"
-Bel: "If you want to stop me, speak to our father first."
She retrieved a paper stored in a small leather pouch she carried at her waist, which bore a red seal and the king’s signature:
-Louis: "WHAT?!"
-Bel: "Good luck, Louis! Let’s go!"
-Anne: "I-It’s okay, daddy. I’ll see you soon."
The princess replied with a smile, but the trembling in her hands as she waved to her father was noticeable. At this moment, Bel was already inside the carriage:
-Bel: (Perfect, now I just need to pick up Duke Flemming at his house, and once we arrive in Hagam, I’ll pass Rodney’s instructions to Nigel. Just thinking that I’ll never have to look at that disgrace again...)
She smiled broadly in a macabre manner.
3 km from Ydillia, Present Time
A massive red dragon with black outlines on its wings and legs unleashes bursts of fire to the point that the surrounding vegetation turns to ashes. The group looks on in astonishment at the situation:
-Norik: "But... what is that?! That dragon is an adult and acts as if it’s untrained in its essence! Could it be the work of a slaver?"
-Akana: "I don’t think so. Otherwise, there’d be other people around. Still, that ferocity... not even that child we rescued in the forest showed anything like this."
-Garret: "We don’t have time to guess who it is! The dragon has seen us!"
The dragon charges at them. Akana and Koldarin transform, both unleashing more bursts of fire. The dragon emerges from the smoke, slightly burned. The two tries to hold it back with difficulty while Norik runs to touch it. However, upon touching it, the dragon did not revert to its human form. At that moment, it struck Koldarin and Akana forcefully, freeing itself. Rendell observes the black outlines on the dragon:
-Rendell: (I sense the same energy as a corrupted creature from this dragon. In this case, it’s worth trying the purification ritual I just learned.) "Everyone, distract the dragon! It’s just a guess, but it might work!"
Rendell begins reciting a chant, and a large magical circle appeared around him. The dragon notices the concentration of magic and tries to approach him, but Undying quickly struck its legs, causing it to roar in pain. The others attack different parts of the dragon together to distract it and keep it away from Rendell. A few minutes later, Rendell cast a spell toward the dragon. Upon being hit, it staggers and almost falls.
-Rendell: (Just as I thought, but how did they manage to corrupt a dragon?)
-Norik: "Rendell, it worked!"
-Rendell: "This dragon is corrupted! The spell I just cast is effective against it and can return it to its original form!"
-Norik: "Alright! Everyone, maintain the same formation!"
The group obey Norik, doing their best to keep the frenzied beast away from Rendell. After a few more minutes, Rendell cast the same spell, finally causing the dragon to collapse. The group breath a sigh of relief at the end of the battle, except for Norik, who, upon seeing the human form of who they were fighting, runs desperately and crying toward a familiar figure:
-Norik: "NO, I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS. ALDER!!"
The others run after him. Norik weeps and hold the cold corpse, which have a paper tucked in its clothing that read:
-"Come to Hagam" – Grinus
Half an hour later, the prince grabbed the paper and clenched it tightly in his right fist:
-Norik: "We’ll march to Hagam now."
-Undying: "Norik, I understand your anger, but this is obviously a trap."
-Akana: "I agree with her, Your Highness. I’m furious about what they did to Alder too, but marching blindly to Hagam is reckless."
-Norik: "IF YOU TRULY CARED ABOUT HIM, WE’D ALREADY BE AFTER THOSE CRIMINALS!"
Undying punches Norik hard in the stomach, causing him to faint:
-Undying: "It’s better to keep an eye on him to ensure nothing bad happens."
-Garret: "I agree. I don’t know who this man was, but judging by the prince’s reaction... he must have been very important to him."
-Akana: "Alder was like a father to His Highness. I’ll explain to you all, but first, let’s take precautions to ensure Prince Norik doesn’t escape. Even though I don’t like this idea as a soldier."
Otto ties Norik’s hands and feet, while Keith digs a grave for Alder. Akana explains to everyone that the King of Hagam was busy governing the kingdom and rarely delegated tasks. Thus, raising Norik fell to the queen and Alder:
-Keith: "That explains his recent reaction."
-Rendell: "At the same time, it’s concerning: Prince Norik has already shown strong signs of resentment toward Grinus, and what just happened was probably the last straw for him."
-Akana: "I also want revenge for him, but judging by the way we were approached... I fear it’s a trap to destroy Hagam’s hope forever."
-Otto: "The sensible thing now is to wait for the prince to calm down and then think of a plan."
Everyone agree, and it was decided that each person would take turns watching Norik, starting with Corey. Three hours passes, and Corey, distracted by thoughts of women, is knocked out when Norik hit him on the head:
-Norik: ()
The prince walks toward Hagam, unaware that Undying has seen everything and is following him. After a few meters, she stops him:
-Norik: "GET OUT OF MY WAY, UNDYING! OR ELSE..."
-Undying: "Or else what? You’ll kill me? Stop this, Norik: that’s not who you are."
-Norik: "I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU! OF ALL PEOPLE, YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND ME, HAVING LOST EVERYONE IN YOUR VILLAGE!"
-Undying: "And that’s exactly why I’m stopping you! I went after the same slavers and killed them, but... it didn’t bring anyone back: all I felt afterward was a great emptiness and the thought that the very people I avenged would be disgusted with what I did. All I could do afterward... was cry endlessly until I vomited. After that, I decided to bury my feelings to avoid experiencing it again."
-Norik: "Even if that’s true, I can’t let them roam free, DOING WHATEVER THEY WANT!"
-Undying: "It’s true that Grinus has committed countless unforgivable acts, but unfortunately, you don’t have the 'luxury' to sacrifice yourself, because a country and its people are still waiting for you. There’s also another reason I don’t want you to go there: deep down, I still want to believe you’re the same kind and generous person who helped me at the border near Hagam’s capital..."
-Norik: "What...?"
She pulls a necklace from her pocket with a worn white square stone and a small black circular symbol drawn on it.
Dairin border, 900 Years Ago
On a silent night, young Norik slowly opened the gates and looked around:
-Norik: "Phew! There’s no one here! Good thing I’m passing by during the guard change!"
He stepped outside and walked a bit. Norik saw a dirty girl with long white hair, wearing filthy, tattered clothes, lying on the ground. He ran to her, placed his right hand on her back, and felt her heartbeat and a growling stomach. The prince got up, ran to the nearest grocery store, and brought back a basket full of food and a water canteen. He turned the girl over onto her back and poured some water into her mouth. She awoke startled, coughing:
-"*cough* *cough* WHAT IS THIS?! POISON?!"
-Norik: "Calm down! It’s water!"
He drank a little to prove it and then lifted the basket:
-Norik: "I noticed you’re hungry; you can eat!"
-"Is this some kind of prank?" she asked skeptically.
-Norik: "No. Why would it be?" he replied innocently.
The girl took a piece of bread from the basket and began eating. The two sat on the mountain ground:
-Norik: "Er... do you live nearby?"
-"No, I wander from place to place."
-Norik: "That’s so cool! You must meet so many people and see so many things!"
-"Hey, kid: don’t fool yourself. It’s not what you think. You’re better off going back home to your warm bed."
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-Norik: "Aw, why do you say that?"
-"Because Kradlos is full of bad people who want to take advantage of you, like those wretches who took everything from me. One day, I’ll find them and cut them into little pieces..."
At that moment, she felt a hand on her face. She turned to see Norik’s sorrowful expression:
-Norik: "I don’t know what you’ve been through, but I can tell you this: you’re not alone anymore! Here!"
He handed her a necklace with a well-polished square stone and a black circular symbol on it:
-Norik: "I can’t go with you, so take this necklace! This drawn symbol represents protection from Hagam’s royalty! I hope this object can offer comfort even from afar!"
-"(Royalty?!) W-Wow, I’ve been alone for so long, so this means a lot to me. T-Thank you."
The girl smiled at Norik. He looked surprised at her face, his cheeks slightly red:
-Guard: "Prince Norik! Where are you?"
-Norik: "Oh no! They must’ve noticed my absence! You can keep the rest of the basket and the canteen! Er... oh, how rude of me! I didn’t even ask your name!"
The girl said her name before he returned to Hagam.
Present time, 21:04
-Norik: "Undying... no, Astrid?! But if you are her, then..."
-Astrid: "I am a dragon too. Of what kind, I’ve never known. The essence I was supposed to use was stolen, and I never found it again. The words you said to me that night motivated me to be here, to believe that despite all the scum I’ve seen, there are kind people like you, Norik. Even if you’re not convinced by my words, please, reconsider: is this what Alder would want you to do?"
Norik recalls what Alder said before leaving: He starts crying, and Astrid places her right hand on his face. They remain like that until Norik stops crying.
Twenty minutes earlier, shortly before Norik fled
Akana was sitting, polishing her spear. Garret was beside her:
-Garret: "You seem calm, but you’re anxious, aren’t you?"
-Akana: "I really can’t hide it, huh? In all my time serving as a guard, I’ve never felt so powerless. I really want to obey His Highness, but at the same time, I know it’s not the right thing to do."
-Garret: "I understand his side. If they had done this to Otto, I’d be furious too. If it helps distract you, you can tell me what happened after you joined the army."
-Akana: "Thanks, Garret. Well, as I mentioned before: my parents were very angry, saying I should marry another noble to help the family gain more prestige and wealth. However, that life wasn’t for me."
-Garret: "I don’t see anything wrong with pursuing your dreams."
-Akana: "I agree. I have no regrets about the choice I made, even though I was disowned because of it. Besides, I’d rather fight on a battlefield than lick another noble’s boots in a luxurious hall."
Marin arrived, panting:
-Marin: "EVERYONE, BAD NEWS! PRINCE NORIK HAS ESCAPED!"
Everyone stood up in shock, and Otto asked what happened:
-Marin: "I went to check on Corey to see if he wanted something to drink and found him unconscious on the ground with a bump on his head, with no sign of the prince or Immortal!"
-Otto: "How is that possible?! I tied him up tightly!"
-Rendell: "We don’t have time to think about that; we need to find them!"
-Koldarin: "He’s definitely heading to Hagam, but we won’t give up. Since Undying isn’t here, she’s surely gone after him."
Keith ran to where Corey was and carried him on his shoulder. The group, guided by Akana, began heading toward Hagam in search of Norik. Along the way:
-Corey: ()
-Keith: "Hey, idiot, stop hanging onto my neck."
-Corey: "AAAAAH! YOU’RE NOT A BEAUTIFUL LADY!"
-Keith: "Of course not. Now that you’re awake, you’d better run. After all, you let the prince escape."
Keith set Corey down:
-Corey: "Hmm, I feel a bump on my head now..."
-Keith: "Maybe if you stopped thinking about flirting, this wouldn’t have happened."
-Corey: "Ugh, I just wanted a relationship like my parents had—full of love and respect."
-Keith: "You’ll find it someday, but for now, focus on finding Prince Norik."
-Corey: (At first, I was afraid of him. But he’s actually a good person, and I feel like I can trust him.)
-Akana: "THERE THEY ARE!"
The group caught up with Norik and Astrid. She removes her hand from his face as soon as she heard Akana’s voice:
-Koldarin: "You gave us a scare, Your Highness!"
-Norik: "I apologize, especially to you, Corey."
-Corey: "Don’t worry, this will help me stay sharp."
-Otto: "Your Highness, if I may ask: how did you free yourself from the knots I tied?"
-Astrid: "That’s my fault. After the kidnapping in Eflessia, I taught him how to untie all kinds of knots during our training."
-Norik: "I still have a lot on my mind, but for now, we should focus on planning how to reclaim Hagam. We can’t let them harm more people!"
Before anyone can get excited about the idea, they hear footsteps and horses approaching in the darkness of the night. Under the moonlight, they see an army bearing the Grinus banner advancing toward them. The commander, a man of medium stature with fair skin, short red hair, blue eyes, wearing golden armor and a necklace with a gray pendant glowing in the dark, approaches:
-"I was searching for the whereabouts of the dragon, but I found people. Could one of them be the Prince of Hagam, Princess Anne?"
-Anne: "I-I don’t know, Duke Flemming."
Koldarin notices the commander’s pendant, and her eyes lit up as if she has finally found something:
-Koldarin: ()
-Norik: "Oh no, a Grinus army... Do you think we can defeat them?"
-Akana: "If they don’t have those devices, which is unlikely, maybe we have a chance."
-Koldarin: "Wait, that man in the golden armor seems to be the commander. If we defeat him, the other soldiers might surrender. I’ll distract them; take down their leader."
-Rendell: "You’re more proactive than usual, Koldarin."
-Koldarin: "Do you want to win or not? Let’s go."
Despite Koldarin’s sudden sharpness, the group advance on the army, following her plan. Koldarin transforms, unleashing gray flames on the soldiers who vainly attempted to use their red devices. Keith quickly strike down several soldiers:
-Keith: (I didn’t have much chance to use this sword in the last battle because of the dragon, but it’s very good! It’s as if the sword and I are in perfect harmony!)
Rendell stays behind Koldarin, healing her wounds. Garret and Otto assist from Keith’s rear. The others take advantage of the opening created by Koldarin and move toward the commander:
-Flemming: "Look at the size of that dragon! Even the devices are ineffective against it! My guess was right: I’ll return to Nohaj as a hero! Hahahaha!!"
Anne looks sadly at the duke. Astrid strikes the soldiers protecting the duke, clearing the way for Norik, Akana, Marin, and Corey. The prince raises his sword to attack Anne, but noticing she shows no resistance, he lowers the weapon and whispers to her:
-Norik: "There’s a path between those rocks; take your horse and flee."
-Anne: "H-Huh? But I’m from Grinus; don’t you want to kill me, especially after everything that happened?"
-Norik: "It’s true that Grinus has done many wrong things, but it’s also wrong to judge all its people as evil. Besides, I can’t kill someone who has no motivation to fight."
-Anne: "You seem like a kind person, like my father. I just wish I could see him one more time. I’m tired of fighting for something I don’t believe in. Would you mind if I joined your army?"
-Norik: "Are you sure? We’ll be fighting against your homeland, and it won’t be easy."
-Anne: "Yes, I’m sure. I want to use my magic to protect, not harm, as my uncles have done!"
-Norik: "Alright, I’m counting on you! Er..."
-Anne: "Oh, forgive me for my rudeness. I am Princess Anne, daughter of Grinus’s crown prince, Louis."
Norik is startled when she reveals her identity but quickly composes himself:
-Norik: "I’m counting on you, Princess Anne. I’m Prince Norik of Hagam."
This time, Anne is the one who is startled, but before she can say anything, Norik blocks an attack from a soldier. She regains her composure and fights alongside her new companions. Akana and Corey combat other soldiers near the duke, with Marin healing their injuries. After defeating a soldier who attacked him, Norik dodges a sword strike and faces Duke Flemming:
-Flemming: "Quite an army you have there, boy. Judging by how you gesture to the others, you must be the commander, correct?"
-Norik: "I could say the same about you."
Even in the dark, the duke’s smile is evident:
-Flemming: "Hoe about we do in this way: I’ve been ordered to capture as many dragons as possible, including you, Your Highness. Why not make it easy for me and surrender?"
-Norik: "Never."
The duke charges at Norik, who blocks the attack. Taking advantage of Norik gripping the sword tightly, the duke grabs a knife from his pocket and stabs Norik in the stomach. Norik groans in pain but sweeps Flemming’s leg with his left foot, making him fall. The prince attempts to strike the duke with his sword, but Flemming blocks it, even while on the ground. He kicks Norik, causing him to fall. The duke gets up and approaches him; as soon as he places his right foot near the prince, Norik pulls out the knife embedded in his stomach and stabs the gap in Flemming’s armor at his right heel. The duke clutches his foot, screaming in pain. Norik quickly gets up, raises his sword, and decapitates Flemming. Seeing their commander dead, the soldiers freeze, unsure of what to do. The group takes advantage of the enemy’s distraction to regroup, and Koldarin reverts to her human form at that moment. However, the gathering is brief as another army arrives, led by Nigel:
-Nigel: "
I turn my back for a moment, and what happens? The duke disappears and dies."
-"Look! It’s General Nigel!"
-Nigel: "Duke Flemming’s troops, regroup with my forces! If the enemy is indeed the Prince of Hagam, kill everyone except the dragons!" ()
-"Yes, sir!"
-Norik: "Oh no. This army is even larger."
-Akana: "Your Highness, we managed to defeat their commander, but with this force’s size, I’m not sure we can..."
-Norik: ()
-Koldarin: "It’s certainly a tough situation," she said, holding the duke’s pendant.
-Marin: "Lady Koldarin, that thing in your hand... isn’t that what that man was wearing around his neck?"
-Koldarin: "Well, yes. (I wanted to do this later, but urgent situations require urgent measures) "Oops~ Think fast, Immortal."
-Astrid: "THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO—"
At the moment Astrid grabs the pendant, her eyes darken and her body begins to transform into a massive white dragon with golden horns and wings. This new draconic form lets out a loud roar and charges toward the enemy army, destroying everything in its path:
-Marin: "T-That dragon, it can’t be..." she says trembling and crying simultaneously.
-Keith: "Marin! What’s wrong?!"
-Akana: "The Origin..."
-Corey: "WHAT?!"
Norik grabs Koldarin by the shoulders:
-Norik: "KOLDARIN, WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
-Koldarin: "Have you already forgotten what I said in the chapel, Your Highness? Undying must now be with the mother she has never seen or met. Ah, Lani... finally, after centuries waiting within that essence, she’ll be able to embrace her beloved daughter."
Everyone simply looks at Koldarin in confusion, when they hear a roar and several soldiers screaming:
-"General Nigel! What do we do?! None of the devices work on this dragon, not even the ones Prince Rodney gave us!"
-Nigel: "Impossible... ugh, Princess Bel, forgive me."
Nigel and several soldiers are trampled by the dragon:
-Norik: "We have to stop her and quickly. You better explain everything after we deal with this... Koldarin," he says in an irritated tone.
Everyone runs to where the rampaging Astrid is. Amid the chaos, Koldarin questions Norik:
-Koldarin: "Well, Your Highness, how do you intend to save her? I don’t think pacification will work on her as she’s the Origin."
He ignores her question and runs toward the dragon:
-Akana: "YOUR HIGHNESS! UGH!"
Akana transforms to assist him, and the others follow, except for Koldarin, who watches Astrid’s draconic form nostalgically. Akana tries to hold her down, but the dragon easily breaks free and unleashes a golden fire blast, which Akana narrowly dodges. Everyone attempts to get close, but they’re blocked by the flames across the mountain. Still, Norik passes through the fire, burning parts of his clothes and his left shoulder. He stops in front of the dragon with his right hand extended:
-Norik: "Astrid! It’s okay now, because this time, I promise to comfort you by your side! So please, stop suffering alone!"
Astrid raises her right arm as if to strike, but she collapses before doing so. Golden particles emanate from her body after the fall until only Astrid’s human form and the silver essence in her right hand remain. Norik approaches her and embraces her, despite the burning sensation in his left shoulder. Everyone gathers around Norik and Astrid:
-Norik: "*tearing up* She’s still alright... I can still feel her heartbeat..."
Everyone breathe a sigh of relief at the news. The group remains silent until Koldarin arrives. The prince glares at her angrily:
-Norik: "Explain everything now."
???, 01:41
Right after grabbing the essence Koldarin tossed, Astrid founds herself in a vast empty gray space:
-Astrid: "UGH! DAMN KOLDARIN! WHERE AM I?!" (I need to get back, but how?!)
-"... Astrid, is that you?"
She turned and saw a beautiful woman of medium stature, red eyes, pale skin, long straight purple hair, and wearing a long draped beige dress that covers her feet, with a thick strap on her left shoulder:
-Astrid: "Wait... what did you call me...?"
The woman hugged her without answering and started crying:
-"How you’ve grown! I’ve waited so long to find you here, my dear daughter!"
Astrid was stunned by what she’s just heard, remaining motionless for several minutes. However, the moment is broken when she heard a familiar voice:
-Norik: "Astrid! It’s okay now, because this time, I promise to comfort you by your side! So please, stop suffering alone!"
Upon hearing his voice, she pushes the woman, stumbles, and faints. The woman approaches her, kneels, and strokes her daughter’s face. Another beautiful lady, also with red eyes, pale skin, long wavy purple hair, wearing a long white dress with long flowing sleeves that covers her feet, approaches the two:
-"Look who has finally arrived. Though I expected my granddaughter to be more radiant to succeed you, Lani."
-Lani: "Ah, mother, we don’t know what she went through. Besides, I’m just so happy to meet her."
-"Well, she’ll have to make up for lost time. After all, it’s been over two millennia since Kradlos had a ruler. The cycle of power must be quite skewed."
Lani nods, and the two continue gazing at Astrid lying on the ground.
3.5 km from Ydillia, 02:07
Koldarin smiles:
-Koldarin: "What is there to explain? You saw it yourselves; she is the Origin."
-Norik: "DON’T PLAY DUMB! DID YOU ALREADY KNOW THIS?! AND WHO IS LANI?!"
-Koldarin: "If you truly want to know: Lani is Undying's mother, or as Your Highness called her, Astrid. I recognized her as Lani’s daughter when I encountered her three centuries ago from her voice. Mother and daughter share the same tone."
-Marin: "But... how is that possible? Are there other Origins?"
-Koldarin: "There were... the first: Nep, the creator of Kradlos. Her daughter, Lani, succeeded her, and now it's Astrid."
-Rendell: "So, you’re saying the previous Origins died?"
-Koldarin: "Yes, Nep knew she wouldn’t live forever. So, she created a powerful magic that allows her consciousness and that of all her future successors to reside within the original essence."
-Otto: "... That’s why you threw the essence, but I still don’t understand why you’d do so much for someone who wiped out the dark dragons millennias ago."
-Koldarin: "Heh, Nep may have destroyed my race and the water dragons because of the rebellion. However... for Lani, who saved me from the wrath of her own mother, I would do anything for her."
Everyone is stunned and silent at Koldarin’s revelations. Then Norik rises, carrying Astrid:
-Akana: "Your Highness, you can’t carry her! Your shoulder..."
-Norik: "I can manage if I carry her on my right side."
The prince approaches Koldarin:
-Norik: "You’re lucky Astrid is alright. Because if something worse had happened, I..."
He remembers what Astrid said to him:
-Norik: "... would’ve sent you as far away from us as possible. Now, the only choice we have is to wait for her to wake up."
-Anne: "Excuse me, if I may: judging by the size of the army Nigel brought, I believe few remain in Hagam. When dawn breaks, you could return there, Prince Norik."
Norik thanks Anne, and everyone decides to spend the remainder of the night at the location.
