Mega Dragon: Harbinger of Death

WE ARE ONE

The atmosphere was filled with different emotions. Kiro’s sudden appearance was a shocker, and all the other three present reacted to it differently. For Pan, it was shock and a bit of relief. He never expected that anyone would be able to find him within San’s sensory block. While he would have preferred any of Ara or Zenon, Kiro was not such a bad option. And now, he had his swords as well. They might just be able to achieve something. And if Kiro could find him, maybe there was a way others could too.

For San, while his face barely revealed any emotion, he certainly was surprised. It was the first time anyone had defied his sensory block. And it was a pointer that he should not underestimate Kiro. He was Ara’s student after all. Yeelva on the other hand was fed up. San’s duty was to make sure she wasn’t interrupted. But that was all that was happening. Was he even trying at all?

“How did you find me?” Pan asked. San would have attacked him right away if he wasn’t just as curious. How did Kiro evade his sensory block?

“I went to the healers nest to give you your sword. Thought it might come in handy. And I guess I was right about that. Then they said you left them a few miles back. And I traced your scent here. Even though I have to admit you do smell a bit different,” Kiro said.

“My scent? But that shouldn’t be possible,” Pan said. He stared at San as though he was expecting an answer from him. But San was just as confused.

“Great. First, the old man, now the kid,” Yeelva scoffed. She certainly wasn’t pleased with how things were developed.

“Old?” Pan berated.

“Kid?” Kiro followed suit.

“Well, deal with it,” Yeelva yelled back.

While the other three were making light of the situation, San noticed something a bit strange. It was disappointing that he just noticed it. Neither Yeelva nor himself realized that there was a subtle scent on Yeelva.

“I guess he didn’t trust you as much,” San said.

Yeelva stopped what she was doing. San did not speak much, so every sentence he uttered was often important. “What do you mean?”

“He left a little scent on you. Somehow, these two detected it. It must be one of the perks of the Nether since I can’t cancel it out either. Perhaps that was why he took out the wizard first,” San added.

“So, you’re saying anyone close enough, with as much sensory ability as those two can find us?” Yeelva asked even though she didn’t want to know the answer to that question.

“What do you think?” San replied.

“I guess we don’t have any time to waste then. Do away with those two. I’m almost done here,” Yeelva said.

San dodged Pan’s swift attack as he lunged for his head with his sword. A straight for San’s head followed by a maneuver into a swing. Both of which San evaded effortlessly. Kiro took advantage of San’s movement by squaring up to him as quickly as possible. A few punches might not have been enough to reach San, but it gave Pan enough time to go behind him. A fury of attacks and counterattacks went on between the three and San repelled them every time. It seemed as though they were getting closer to hitting him every time, only to be thrown across the field.

Kiro and Pan charged at San and their exchange was almost the same as all the other times. Except that this time, their effort was not for nothing as Kiro’s spinning kick landed on San’s face. It did little to deter the great beast human but it was a sign that they were finally catching up. Or so they thought.

San’s fury knew no bounds. It was the first time he had such a detailed expression on his face and it was terrifying. Pan could sense his bloodlust. It was profound as it was horrifying. His target was as clear as day. Kiro would never be able to escape an attack from San at that rate. But before Pan could warm his student’s student, San made his way to Kiro, aiming to ram his hand through his chest. Before Pan became conscious of his actions, he was already between San and Kiro. A hand in his chest was confirmation that Kiro was safe. He, however, was not.

Yeelva was livid. “Are you insane! You almost killed the boy! Adamas wants him alive!” she bellowed.

“Well, I guess it’s a good thing the old man stepped in then,” San said, as he tried to pull his hand out of Pan’s chest.

But Pan would not let go. Even though he knew he would not make it, he held San’s hand as his life depended on it. If it took his death to give them such a window, he would gladly take it.

“Kiro, move!” Pan beckoned to a petrified Kiro. Pan had sustained a fatal wound because of him. It wasn’t like he didn’t think he could die, but to have someone die instead of him for the second time in his life was traumatic. Pan did not expect Kiro to be a ruthless warrior, but there was no one else to do the job.

“Don’t you want to avenge me!” Pan beckoned one more time.

Those words rang in Kiro’s head like the church bells on a Sunday morning. It was like history repeating itself. The same way Ray urged him to avenge him when he died. Kiro went into a frantic rage so intense, that San worried if he could prevent Ara from sensing it.

“Yeelva, we need to leave now. They might pick this one up,” San said calmly, even though he was in a difficult situation himself.

Kiro charged at San as he took Pan’s sword for himself and went straight for San’s head. San hardened his neck instead of trying to avoid it. To his surprise, the sword didn’t shatter, even though it did nothing to his impervious hardened skin. Unlike Ara, beast humans had to harden their skins to protect themselves. While not all beast humans were capable of this, it varied based on the individual. San’s hardening was second only to Ara’s, so it was a surprise that there was a weapon that was just as hard. In the right hands, the sword might actually break through his hardened skin.

Kiro wasted no time in launching a second attack. San was calmer now, so he didn’t want to desecrate Pan’s body any more than it already was. But he was left with little choice. He clenched his fist and created a shockwave enough to push both Kiro and Pan back. Pan could barely stand on his feet. It was a miracle that he could even stand at all. The hole in his chest had gotten bigger. Any chance of survival had gone as quickly as San and Yeelva entered into the chamber that contained the druid key. Kiro tried to pursue them but it was sealed shut. He let out a cry loud enough for all of Croft kingdom to hear. A great beast had fallen.

***

Yeelva and San reached the inner chambers. The entire area was filled with markings that were strange to San, but not Yeelva. After all, there was a reason she was there. She had a task that even Adamas could not perform on his own. A task peculiar only to her. And the Crofts of course, but they wouldn’t go about stealing the thing they protected. San only moved when and where Yeelva did. He might be one of the most powerful individuals but he wasn’t insusceptible to magic. He was wary of traps and he wouldn’t leave it past Yeelva to fail to warn him just for the fun of it. She noticed, and even though they were in a hurry, she couldn’t help but tease San. She jumped through many random circles on the ground rather quickly, forcing San to do the same until she came to an instant halt. San tilted forward and she shoved him. She burst into a heave of laughter as she watched him panic. He really was afraid of the unknown even though his face might have fooled anyone.

“Relax, there are no traps here. We came in with the key. If we had burst our way in, this place would have gone livid. So, we’re safe,” Yeelva said.

“What if Ara finds us before we leave?” San asked. He was no longer masking Kiro’s scent and he was sure everyone heard Kiro scream. He knew where they were and what they had done. All of it. Killing Kiro was the most sensible option but Adamas wanted him alive. As he wanted the Renoff girl Zhiyi alive as well. His initial target had been Aroha but she was growing to become a thorn in the foot. And just like with Ara, he turned his sights to another suitable candidate – her sister.

“Well, that’s why we need to hurry. Besides, I doubt he’ll be able to bother us,” Yeelva replied.

“Why?” San was puzzled. If Ara was on their tail there was very little stopping him from catching up to them. There might be two of them, but facing Ara would be fatal. They would not escape unscathed. That was assuming that Zenon didn’t accompany him as well. That would surely be a precarious situation for them. Almost sealing their fates.

“You’ll see,” Yeelva grinned as she continued to hop across the chamber gleefully. San didn’t trust Yeelva enough to believe a word she said, so he hoped behind her as well. Anyone seeing the two would think they were a pair of six-year-olds having a swell time in a garden. Of course, Yeelva knew exactly what she was doing and she enjoyed seeing San paranoid, even though it never reflected on his face.

After a few seconds of fooling around, she walked normally to an empty fountain that stood at the epicenter of the chamber, much to the relief of San. “This is it,” she said. She stretched her hand out to touch it, but a shock forced her to retract her hand. It was an elemental attack alright, but it still hurt her. The ancient druids were really something.

“This might take a while,” she said.

***

At around the same time, Ara arrived at the scene to see Kiro and Pan gone. At the time, he was unaware that Pan had been there as well. To him, Pan was at the healers nest. But there were signs of a fight. What worried him most was that it was just close to the secret chambers – the resting place of the druid key. And even worse, he could smell the blood of a familiar person – Pan’s blood. Was that the reason for Kiro’s loud cry? Ara’s guess was that they returned to the healers nest. He hoped they weren’t too hurt, but if they could go there themselves, maybe they weren’t. But he would check on them nonetheless.

Ara stormed the healers nest to find it busy. As busy as the war days. Some of the soldiers had encountered Adamas’s men and the healers were tending to the wounded as quickly as possible. One of them ran to Ara as soon as she noticed his presence. There were more women than men in the healers nest. That had always been the case. Even when bestowed with the gift of healing, the men were often reluctant to take up the profession and so, most of the higher positions were occupied by women as well. Gero Renoff occupied the highest position by a man ever – the vice grand healer and many believed he should have been the grand healer at some point. But Gero, like his wife Miya, had no interest in such politics. As long as he could use his skills to better the kingdom, he was fulfilled. And he did. But now, he felt the kingdom no longer needed his services. The war had ended and all that was left was the one thing he had no interest in – politics. Alex was different. He was happy to stay and take over the position of being the head of the Renoff family. Neither Gero nor Miya could care less for such titles. And even with the king’s plea for them to stay, the two left the capital to live out the rest of their days.

Ara knew that Vela and Delilah would both be busy with the ruckus around, so, he didn’t bother asking for any of the two. Aroha and Zhiyi would have been as well if Aroha was in better condition. While he would have loved to see Aroha, he needed to see Kiro first. He was the only one who knew what had happened outside the sacred chambers and his cry meant he was hurt. But what worried him most was Pan. He could smell his blood when he arrived to at the scene. He thought the worst but he didn’t give himself enough time to contemplate it. Pan was supposed to be at the healers nest. That was his order after all.

“Take me to my student. I assume he is here and is hurt,” Ara said as soon as the healer got close enough.

“My prince, sir Pan… sir Pan is badly wounded. We don’t think he’ll make it,” she said.

***

Ara and Vela remained with the subjects in the Croft Laboratorium after Aroha and Zhiyi had left. The Lykan was still a lot shaken from the previous incident but they didn’t worry about it too much. It would get over it sooner or later. The key thing would just be to keep Aroha from the place for the time being. Although, it is also very unlikely that she would want to return. The guards notified Ara of a guest and both he and Vela quickly got to their feet to acknowledge his presence. It was Jerome Leroya; Croft’s Supreme Sorcerer and the King’s left-hand man. He was tall and had a very thin build. He donned a white and red; which was a symbol of his office as the Croft kingdom’s Supreme Sorcerer.

However, if not for how delicate his skin was, he could have been mistaken for being malnourished. His bones poked out from everywhere there were bones. His dark hair was well-trimmed and his red eyes were the only thing that shone on his pale face. Sorcerers gained red eyes when they attain a very high level. It is a sign that they could cast spells without incantations. But there were very few sorcerers on Maori. Even fewer at that level. So, the Croft kingdom took pride in Jerome. And he was still quite young as well. He was in his mid-thirties. There was a pleasant aura about him. His face was always lit up with an intrigued expression. As a sorcerer, he was naturally curious about many things. From people to creatures and many other things as well. He gestured for the two to be at ease. Even Ara had a deep respect for him.

The shivering Lykan caught his attention. Lykans were strong fierce creatures that were no easy to break. There were very few people in the kingdom that could achieve that feat and two of them were before him. But if they wanted to, they would have done so long ago. The Lykan had never bent to them before so naturally, he was curious. “What happened to the Lykan?” Jerome asked. His eyes narrowed as he observed the Lykan further. Every step he took towards the Lykan only caused it to shiver even more.

Ara gestured for him to stop. “It’s in really bad shape. I think it needs some time alone,” he said.

Jerome was more surprised. Who could have done that to a Lykan? It was his first time witnessing something like that. Anything that would make a Lykan react that way would probably have killed it first. That was how tough they could be. “If I may ask, who is responsible for this?” he asked one more time. His interest was at its peak.

“Well, it encountered one of Gero Renoff’s daughters. She went a little overboard. Nothing serious,” Ara replied. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t have mentioned them at all. But Jerome was bound to find out. At the very least, he could lead him towards the direction he wanted him to go. There was no need to publicize Aroha’s condition as well. However, anyone who met her would know instinctively that something was wrong with her.

“They have arrived?” Jerome asked.

“Yes. Last night.”

“I’m guessing the older that did this?” Jerome asked again. He noticed the surprise on their faces. “Oh, the Grand healer mentioned her mana potential once or so. The look on your faces suggests I’m right, however. That’s good to know,” he said.

Vela wasn’t so pleased with the development. Jerome’s interest in the girls would never end there. His curiosity was insatiable. And the girls didn’t need that type of distraction. Especially the more unsettled Aroha. “Yes. They also enrolled in the Healers Nest this morning. I will be personally taking them under my wings,” Vela said, but the feigned smile on her face could not hide the venom behind her words. Jerome understood that. She was marking her territory, warning him to stay away. He had more authority than her so he could ignore it, but Vela was also one of those ‘things’ in the kingdom that he couldn’t figure out yet. So he often granted her special treatments. This time was no different, so he simply smiled back.

“I came to see you about something, prince Ara. Could I maybe have a word with you?” Jerome asked.

“Of course,” Ara replied before impulsively looking in Vela’s direction.

“Oh, don’t look at me. My work here is done so I’ll be returning to the nest now. Have fun,” Vela waved as she left. She was delighted to. Jerome’s nosiness always creeped her out. She would try her best to keep him out of the Renoff girls’ hair too.

***

Zenon trailed behind the Renoff girls as Zhiyi chased after a frustrated Aroha. She muttered so much to herself but Zhiyi could hear so little. Why was she so angry? It couldn’t have been because he refused to fight back. She was sure that Aroha could see the same thing she did. The sadness that hid under that apathetic face and the a***e that gave birth to it. Another one of the numerous sins that the royals would never be able to atone for. But if that was the case, shouldn’t she be angry for him than at him? She clutched her fist so hard that Zhiyi feared that she might hit any one of the people around them.

“I hit him so hard the next time I see him cheerful,” was one of the many curses that Aroha muttered as she stormed through the market. The people around them knew better than to stay in her path. For all the things they cared about, Aroha was not helping the Renoff image one bit. In fact, she was returning the sand to the grave where their reputation was buried. The final touches were remarkable. Aroha was doing such a good job.

It was of little surprise to Zhiyi and it made her worry even more. It was the same way she started back at Juza and that was how she slipped into the abyss that she often took solitude in. Quickly, she had no one who wanted to be around her and the more they left, the angrier she got. Zhiyi believed this was the source of Aroha’s anger and not some inherited rage from the druids. That was the reason she was still speaking to so many people in the capital. It was a fresh start even though it was a bad one. But there was still time for retribution. Even if Aroha wouldn’t be accepted by society, she at least needed a group of people that she could find solace. Just like with her and her parents back at Juza. Unfortunately for her, her family in the capital; the Renoffs, were more likely to earn her scorn than anyone else. Except for the blacksmith they just left. Zhiyi decided to attribute Aroha’s crankiness to hunger. Neither of them had had breakfast and noon was charging at full tilt towards them. They had to head back, but they both had no idea the path to take. They had long strayed off the path they were familiar with. At the same time, they both came to a halt. Aroha had come to that realization as well.

Zenon noticed as well that the girls didn’t know their way back. Of everyone in the capital, they were probably the only ones who didn’t know the way to the Renoff Manor. “You don’t mind me accompanying you home, right? Zenon asked politely.

“Ah, yes. Not because we’re lost or anything. We just feel a lot safer with you around. That’s all,” Zhiyi said.

Zenon rose an eyebrow. Safer? The same people who beat up all those guards? If anything, the people would be much safer with him around them because he could stop them from beating anyone up. Or just Aroha. Zhiyi was the calmer one. He was certain that Aroha was the one who dragged them into that mess and that Zhiyi had no choice but to follow her big sister. Poor Zhiyi.

“Of course. I’m right behind you,” he said. He didn’t tell them, but they were already off the route to the Manor for some time. That was what prompted him to believe they were lost. But why was Aroha so stubborn? What would it take for her to admit that they were lost? And her sister had no choice but to play along. Poor Zhiyi.

“Right. It’s this way,” Zhiyi said as they continued walking forward. Aroha pinched her and Zhiyi pinched her right back. At that rate, it would take forever for them to get home. Surely, it was better for them to ask Zenon, so why was Zhiyi lying about it all?

Zenon watched the girls from behind. To him, Aroha was pressuring Zhiyi to lie some more. He knew they were going the wrong way. Sooner or later he would have to tell them. Not for Aroha’s sake but Zhiyi’s. She had to lie to protect her sister’s ego. Surely, if it were only her, she would have asked for his help. But she had to side with her sister even if it could put her in trouble. Just like how they got into the trouble he met them in. Poor Zhiyi.

“It’s actually that way,” he said, pointing to the left. They could finally end all the hoaxes.

“Ah yes. Sure. That’s what I meant,” Zhiyi said as she looked at Aroha. Her expression was one of duress, but yet again, Zenon misread it.

Such sisterly love. Zenon admired the sacrifice that Zhiyi was making for her obnoxious sister. Having two other brothers, he knows how annoying older siblings could be. They would make him take the blame for everything when they were all little. He was sure that Aroha was the one making her say all those things. Poor Zhiyi.

But Aroha only kept quiet because Zhiyi made her do so. She was trying to leave an impression on Zenon and being lost would not help their cause so much. Poor Aroha.

***

Kiro stared after them as they left his horizon. Why wouldn’t they leave him alone? He wasn’t involved in their business in any way. It was for that reason that Kiro didn’t make weapons. They would surely attract attention from the knights and royals because he would never do shabby work. But still, there they were at his door refusing to go away, promising to come back. If he truly did, if Zenon came back for him, then he would leave the kingdom. He wasn’t going to be a royal’s plaything. And he would take out anyone who tried to stop him. He may not like to fight back, but it was never because he was weak, but because he was afraid of his strength. And yet, the royals misused theirs to oppress others. The thought of it sickened. The Renoff girls were no different. Hitting him just because he refused to let them in. It was his shop after all.

Kiro had one hand on his anvil and another on his furnace. He was so lost in his thoughts that he forgot how hot the furnace was. After a few seconds of placing his hand on it, the heat finally reached him. The pain made its way through the cloud of thoughts that rained over his head, and not even them was cool enough to allow him to ignore the burning furnace. He quickly retracted his hand. It was scalded but it would heal with time. It wasn’t the first time that he got burnt. It came with his profession. But one thing that would surely never heal was the anvil upon which Kiro’s hand rested on. Without knowing, he had distorted its shape with his grip. His print boldly on it like it was cast that way. What was a solid piece of unbendable iron had made way for Kiro’s insane strength.