Cursed Flame (On HIATUS)

[Chapter One]

[CHAPTER ONE: New mission]

[1450] ~Saknoue Calendar year 392 09 24~

KEN’S POV

[Huipaw Village]

Fate has always been a great part of a person’s life. No matter what a person does, if their fate is already decided, they either fail or succeed. Even if they knew what may happen and tried their best to avoid it, they still fall on the same fate. It’s like an already written book of each person’s life. But one may wonder…

Who?

Who is the one who writes every person’s story?

/kreeeeeeeee-s***h!/

“Haah… How many of them left?” I wiped the monster’s blood that splattered on my face. This blood stinks, I guess I have to throw this suit after this.

“That’s the last spider, Captain.” Quentin answered. I looked at him, who was also busy wiping the blood from his face.

The Crymenos knights received a mission to exterminate Giant Spiders. It is said that these monsters are attacking the village which seemed odd for its species are quite known for not meddling with humans.

“Yo! Cap, I saw a nest a few meters from here.” Oliver walks near to us with his hand crossed on the back of his head.

If a nest was near, there is a possibility that someone disturbed the nest. I observed the forest once again. Although we are tasked to exterminate the spiders we still have to report the whole issue. Means, we need to find out what may be the cause and the effects of it.

“Eughk, what the-- you smell awful Quentin.” Oliver commented and made a disgusted face.

I ordered him to scout the perimeter of the forest to look for tracks of the monsters so he isn’t drenched in blood.

“i***t, be thankful that Captain sent you to scout.” Quentin said,

“I am hahaha, look at you disgusting.” Oliver mocked,

“You--!” Quentin picked a handful of bloody mud on the ground and threw at the running Oliver.

I didn't pay more attention to the two and kept walking to the forest where Oliver noted the location of the giant spider's nest. All the details of the mission are already written on the letter we received so we didn't bother to approach the villagers first. We limit our interactions with citizens as only a few of the High Ranking officials of the Cawayan empire know we exist.

A special squadron of knights, also called as Crymenos Knights. We are trained and handled by one of the Three Prodigious Mages in the empire, Mistress Solana. Designed as the empire’s greatest hidden weapon against all huge trouble that may happen. The empire seems so peaceful as no one dares to challenge the emperor besides Major Arcadia.

I held tightly to my mask that covers the lower half of my face, the cave stinks worse than I expected. Looking back at the cave that became the spider’s nest, pieces of broken egg shells of unhatched spiders are present and I recall that none of the spider’s we killed seemed to have an offspring. I observed the place again and saw a few bits of wood and footprints of a small human shoe. Tsk, the village just faced its karma.

I went back and still saw the two chasing each other, throwing the bloody mud like two kids playing with snow in winter. Haaah…these punks.

“Aren’t you two done yet? May I remind you of our purpose here?” They immediately stopped and fixed their stance.

Both of them are covered with mud and they stink like hell. They’re about to blame each other and bicker again but we heard multiple footsteps approaching, it was the imperial knights. They saw us covered in blood and got alert.

“Who are you? What is your purpose?” Their captain asked.

They did not recognize us as fellow knights as our outfits are different from typical knight uniforms. A full black outfit with masks covering the lower half of our face. Oliver walked proudly towards them with a smug look and laughed.

“Heh, they dare to treat us this way even though their ‘job’ is already finished thanks to us.” Oliver mocked them,

“You two, let’s go.” I told them and flicked Oliver’s ear. I didn’t know that the imperial knights are also given this mission or it’s a coincidence. As we walked, the imperial knight’s captain blocked me with his sword.

“I hope you can cooperate before things get worse. All we need is confirmation of the identity boy.” He said with a stern voice.

‘Boy?’

I glared at him and let a few of my aura reveal. Fear began to seep through their system. I slowly approached him and revealed the imperial insignia on my glove.

“You’re-!”

“Is this enough to identify us, geezer?” I continued to walk past them and hear Oliver mocking the knights.

We then left the village and travelled back to the Capital city. Quentin summoned his terra manta, a species of land rays. The monster hesitated to let us ride due to the mess and stink. Oliver rushes to embrace it as such, spreading the blood and mud.

“Captain, about the academy.” I turned to face Quentin.

Right, the headmaster of Lumos Academy had requested for Crymenos Knights to stay as students in the academy without telling the reason. Unsurprisingly, the Emperor agreed to it and now we have no choice but to follow. We all are still registered as students even though we rarely stay there due to missions given to us. The other knights are currently on a mission as well.

“Mistress Solana told us to head there directly after this mission.” Quentin stated. I nodded in response and focused on our travel.

Currently, the highest position in the empire is the Emperor. He is immortal and has held the throne since the founding of the empire. Watching all the events in centuries, made the emperor bored and longed for fun, that’s why he let such sudden requests for fun. The empire is peaceful with only monsters disturbing the people due their natural instincts. Although chaos and trouble happens often due to bandits and the notorious Major Arcadia. They are never captured seriously for the things they do, as the emperor says;

‘Nah, it would be so boring if the empire is so peaceful as a still lake. Let those cards create ripples.’

Terra manta landed in front of a huge gate. High walls and a prestigious emblem at the center. We arrived at the academy. I got down from the terra manta and proceeded to the gate scanner. The golem guard was spooked at how I looked. I raised an eyebrow and the dwarf beside it rushed to call someone from the faculty.

“AAAAHHH FUUCK!!”

I turned to the two after hearing Oliver scream. The terra manta flipped him out because he fell asleep while traveling. He then proceeded to threaten the terra manta and bicker with Quentin.

Haah… this punk really creates a scene whenever he goes.

“Finally you’re--- ugh, what the hell happened to you all?” Miss Ciara, the headmaster’s secretary approached us while covering her nose.

“Pleased to meet you again, miss.” Quentin greeted politely,

“Hi miss Ciara! I miss you!!” Oliver ran to embrace her, but Miss dodged.

“You told us to head directly here so deal with it.” I said while crossing my arms. I may sound disrespectful but they’re used to it.

She let out a sigh then snapped her hands to call fairies that flew around us, using their magic to clean our clothes. After a while our clothes are clean as new. Good thing I don’t have to throw this. Miss Ciara guided us to the headmaster’s office and told us that the headmaster is not here due to some matters outside the academy.

After we entered the room I sat comfortably on the chair and the two did too. Miss Ciara revealed some papers and started to explain our schedules. Aside from the headmaster, Miss Ciara and the librarian, the other faculty members do not know that we are part of a secret squadron of knights.

“So, all of you knights are placed in A class. Here’s your dorm room keys-- your stuff and uniforms are already in your rooms. You three are written to join the class tomorrow or the next day.” She handed us our keys and student handbooks.

“Already? We just got from a mission.” Quentin commented, and Miss shook her head.

“That’s what the headmaster said. He also says for you guys to not stand out much since we don’t want to alarm anyone with the sudden change.” Miss replied,

“If that’s all I’m off to rest.” I stood up and prepared to leave. Miss agreed that we should rest and get ready for tomorrow onwards.

As I walk my way to the dorms, there is no one around because the classes are still ongoing. I opened my dorm room and saw that my stuff was already here. I laid on the bed and closed my eyes.

I keep wondering what’s on the emperor and the higher officials’ plan again. Is there a great danger ahead?

[540]~Saknoue Calendar year 392 09 25~

I can feel annoyance get through my body as I clench this fabric within my fists. I wore my casual clothes blasted through the door of my room. I stormed my way to the headmaster’s office. I didn’t pay attention to all the people in there and faced the secretary who was still in shock. I showed her the uniform in my hand.

“Are you f*****g kidding me?”

-----

To be Continued

-Mizu