Harbinger: The Four Knights

Birth Of A Dragon

“GAAH! That’s a dragon’s egg!” Mark exclaimed right after laying his eyes in the round object that Amon picked up. Everyone else was startled when he screamed but then recovered from shock and instead of getting away, they all inspect the egg. “So this is what a dragon’s egg looks like- I though this was some artifact that the guild sent.” Amon says while inspecting the egg properly and said that there seems to be no damages. “Can it be cooked?” Amon’s question made everyone look at him with a blank expression.

               “Wow, is that really something that you should ask? That’s a dragon’s egg, it can fetch- I don’t know.” Marcus said with a doubtful tone. “I think the best question would be, will it hatch? a dragon egg soup would be good and all but it would be better if it hatches and the dragon can be tamed.” Abel said with a casual tone. “Yes, that would be the best question, but that arises another question. Will the dragon be tamed? Dragons are beast second to none and the most vicious out of every beast monarch that I have ever seen.” Mark said to everyone.

               Kassandra saw that the other employees are getting interested about what they are talking about and told them to continue it inside the house. Even passerby are turning their heads after seeing everything from glowing swords to the egg. “Please continue it inside dear, we are getting so much attention just by these you know?” Kassandra said as Mark nods in agreement. “I agree, this is something that should not be seen by others. Well, let’s change locations.” All of them help carry the crate inside where they inspect the things again.

               “Dear, what are these glowing swords, shields and arrows. I can somehow feel a strange yet ominous aura from them.” Kassandra pick up an arrow and showed it to mark who immediately answered her question. “I don’t really know what these weapons are but I can assume that these are the weapons they used to take down the dragons. Am I right boys?” the three of them immediately nodded and answered the question themselves. “These weapons are made with the ore called Dragon’s bane, it took us an entire day to find ores so that the blacksmith can create weapons enough to take down the dragons.” Marcus said as he shows them the very arrow that he used to take down the giant dragon.

               “Wow- that is such a huge arrow-no, that is a bolt, it is used by heavy crossbows in sieges.” Kassandra immediately recognizes what the arrow is. Marcus flashed a smile and told her that he fired two heavy crossbows with his hand alone but it did not end well for him. “That was really ridiculous and reckless at the same time. You’re lucky Abel is there with you otherwise you’d be living like that for the rest of your life.” Kassandra pinched her son’s ear strong enough to leave it swelling. “So what are we going to do with the egg? We can’t just leave it alone and store it somewhere right? If we want to hatch that thing, we need to have equipment that could do so.” Marcus said while covering his swollen ear.

               “Why don’t we ask the merchant guy? Maybe they have things like that.” Amon suggested that Marcus immediately agreed to. “Yup that might be the best thing to do since we do not have any idea about things like that. So, are we going to the head merchant today after we sort everything?” Marcus was about to cover the crate with a lid when his father and mother told him that they want to inspect the weapons for while they are gone. The three look at each other and see no harm in it and left the residence for the head merchant.

               [Look at these weapon- it is carefully made for Marcus’ personal weapon? Dragon’s bane huh? This is the first time that I heard about an ore like that. Where did those kids know about things like that?] Kassandra thought to herself as she marvels at the nice weapons that her son has. “Looks nice right? Even the shield is well made, the guild leader told me that they used the shields to keep themselves safe from the dragon’s breathe of flame. If it can block a dragon’s breathe of flame then it can withstand the strongest offensive fire magic there is.” Mark said as he admires the weapons.

               “You are born in a chaotic kingdom where seeing weapons is just a daily occurrence for you. I’m sure you can tell that they are well made right?” he ask his wife who immediately looks at him a smirk on her face. “What do you take me for? There was a time that I even started liking weapons and ended up collecting some while I was home. Of course I would know if a weapon is well made.” She said as she puts down the sword and put the lid on the crate and wait for the kids to arrive.

               A few hours later

               A carriage arrived in front of the residence and then Amon climbed down of the carriage first to assist the ones who are carrying the huge box. Lee got down from the carriage and told Amon to leave it to them and then Marcus and Abel followed. A few moments later, the three bow their heads to the head merchant who also bow his head and left with the carriage.

               “This is what Mr. Lee called as incubator. He said that this is able to hatch some eggs like chickens so he gave us an even larger incubator when we said that we need it for something big.” Marcus said as he pats the huge box.

                A few moments later, they have already placed the incubator in the living room so that they can observe the changes in the egg everyday.

               Meanwhile

               “Have you heard? There’s news going around that the guild from the land of the Knight of the Raging Flames had successfully taken down the dragons’ lair? It’s a hot topic that is bringing their guild back to the surface. There had been no guild that have been successful in taking the dragons’ lair in the past, even their last expedition in the dragons’ lair were unsuccessful that took the lives of most of their members and now it makes me wonder how did they manage to pull it.” A man in a dark robe said inside the pub.

               “I know, it stormed the information network just a few days ago. There are rumors that three kids were the key figures that made everything possible. There is no way that kids would be responsible for the fall of the dragons’ lair no matter how I look at it.” A man wearing a hood said as he take a sip from his mug. “Looks like the guild will be facing off against their old rival huh? They have been under the radar for so long that no one even remembers them but that rumor is spreading like wild fire that people are easily remembering them. I just hope that this doesn’t change anything otherwise we would have to do something again to put them down.” he added with a huge smile on his face.

               Since the successful expedition of the guild, many people wanted to try and take a chance in the dragons’ lair secretly but to their disappointment, they were slaughtered the moment they set foot near the lair. Many people died in so many attempts in just after two weeks, the guild got a hold of the rumors and put up a signage, warning the people not to go to the dragons’ lair a few kilometers away from the lair itself so that no more people would die but they ignored it and continued to go to the lair.

               BAM!

               “Those damned bastards! We even put up a signage to warn them and yet they still continued to go there! And they dare ask us for compensations for their ignorance claiming that our expedition is fraud?!” Harry yelled in anger after getting a report that another group is coming to the guild for compensation but the guild did not comply to their demands for compensation since the lair is not under their control but the groups demanded compensation even after knowing that fact and just wants the guild to compensate for the wrong information about the lair, making them go to the lair because of the false rumors.

               “Guild leader, the guild leader from the land governed by the Knight of the Impregnable Earth is coming.” His assistant reported after she hurriedly entered Harry’s office which gave Harry an unpleasant feeling about it. [Shxt! To think that he would come here himself.] the guild leader grit his teeth in anger and anxiousness. “Okay, thanks for the report.” Kayla did not leave immediately after reporting and instead asked him if its going to be okay. “I don’t really know what that old geezer wants but if he steps out of the line then I will have to deal with him myself. We can’t let those three’s identities getting exposed after all.” Harry took his coat and wore the gloves that he use to wear in fights and head out of the guild’s building.

               Before the guild leader arrived, Harry sent a message to Mark about what is going to happen just to let him know in advance. Mark saw the urgency and importance of his presence so he suit up and went out as well while Amon, Marcus and Abel are training themselves inside the training room. “When do you think we should start the mana channeling? I am pretty excited about it you know.” Marcus said with an enthusiastic tone while he defends himself from Amon’s attacks.

               “After this week ,you can start immediately. We still need to rest after all otherwise the madam would give us an earful.” Abel said as he waits for one of them to drop. “Eh? Then why don’t we rest?-!” Marcus immediately ducked after to avoid getting hit by Amon’s punch. “That was a close one. I thought I got you there big brother, training can be considered resting as well.” Marcus just stares at Amon after hearing his unreasonable and absurd belief of what real rest it. [Isn’t that basically not resting?] while swallowed by his thoughts, a punch went straight for his face and dragged his body to the ground.

               BOOM!

               “Oops! Big brother are you okay?” Amon rush to his big brother’s side and saw him staring at the ceiling. “I thought you were going to avoid that!” Marcus raise his hand gesturing Amon that he is fine. “Its not you problem at all, I was just lost in thought so its my fault and besides, isn’t this for the best? I could rest now but damn. That punch hurts, I can’t believe the pain still went through, maybe I did not create a good barrier at all because my concentration is muddy?” He grabbed Amon’s arm whom the latter offered and bring him back to his feet. “You say that but you still look fine. Your skills really improved a lot unlike last time.” Abel said as he inspects Marcus’ face.

               Back at the guild

               “Long time no see Harry, you still look fierce as ever. Is your age is the only thing that changed while your attitude remains the same?” the guild leader of the Sand guild said right after seeing the Harry’s face. “I don’t really care if you make fun of me, what I’m interested about is the reason why you came here. An old geezer like you who only showed your face a few decades ago would not come here personally if its not important right? So stop with the small talk and get to the point immediately, I got so many stupid people to take care of that recklessly jumped inside the dragons’ lair even after we gave them a warning.” He said with a stern and extremely pissed tone.

               The guild leader of the Sand guild flash a huge grin on his face and went straight to the point. “That’s a relief, I thought you would want to have small talks. It seems like I have misjudged you. Then allow me to get straight to the point but before I do, we should move in to a more private room. I can’t just  discuss it openly after all.” The guild leader is walking inside the guild building when harry stops his from doing so. “There is no need, I will not be agreeing to everything you would say after all. How cheeky of you to come here and walk inside our building without my permission, I already have a gist of what you want and I am telling you, I won’t give it no matter how much you are paying so there is no need to talk about things and go back to your guild instead and think about things on your own.” Harry said with an angry tone which shocked everyone, even the guild leader of the sand guild.

               “What? You already know what I want to propose to you and yet you are declining it? Are you stupid?” Cole retorted with an angry tone but Harry brushed him off instantly with. “Yes and I don’t care. What we used to defeat the dragons are ours and ours alone. You can go and send some people in for experiment of your own weapons for all I care.” Seeing that there is no place for negotiation, Cole told Harry that the Knight of the Impregnable Earth would hear of this incident but Mark appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Cole’s shoulder. The furious Cole turned back and yelled at the one that grabbed his arm before even knowing who it was. “Let go of me you filth!-! Lord Mark”

                “I will take care of this incident to Juda myself so there is no need to be on the edge at all.” Mark said with a calm tone as he let go of Cole’s shoulder. “But remember this Mr. Cole, you are in the land that govern and I don’t want the peace in this place to be disturbed. So please be mindful of what you are going to do in the future. If Harry said that he doesn’t want to do anything then just let it go. You have no say in the topic if he declines anyway.” Mark warned as he walks away while Cole on the other hand looks like a withering plant. His complexion turned to the worst after snapping at the person who governs the very land that he is standing right now.

               [Holy fxck- I just snapped at the person that governs this land.] he thought to himself as he humbly bows his head. “Thank you for your benevolence my lord.” The entire people that he brought were ashamed of what happened that they can’t even meet eye with the members of the Flame guild and decided to go back after their blunder.

               “Wow- I never saw you get that pissed guild leader.” Nero looks at Harry with admiration as the latter let out a sigh. “That was nothing admirable Nero, that was just me protecting what is ours.” He muttered as he sat on the steps of the stairs. “This is really a pain in the a*s. I wonder how many people like him are going to visit the guild in the future. I hope they don’t g**g up on me next time, otherwise I’d have to beat them all up.” [Not that I can actually do that to them at all.]  he thought to himself while his members are adoring him highly.

               A few weeks later and the guild is still receiving words from people to get compensation but they are all ignored by the guild until none of them sent messages at all. Marcus on the other hand had already started his mana channeling a week earlier and is now seeing the effects in his mana pool. “Wow, it feels different. It feels like I am floating in the air.” He muttered after a session of mana channeling. “Yup, that is only the beginning. There are still more that you are going to see in the future.” Abel said as he puts away the core.

               Marcus flashes a smile and grabs the two and embraced them tightly. “You big dummies, to think that I would be this indebted to the both of you within just a year. I don’t think I can repay you both at all.” He said with a smile as he pat both of their backs. “What nonsense are you talking about. We all had our shares on our own so there is no need to feel indebted at all big brother. Both Abel and I wanted to fight a dragon for the first time and it just happens that you needed a core for the mana channeling that we were talking about so I guess we helped each other.” Amon said trying to make Marcus forget about it even thought Abel also said his part and agreed to what his young master said but Marcus is convinced that he is indebted to them and it seems like they are not going to be able to  change his mind and just went with the flow.

               8 months later

               “Wow- I feel nothing like I was before. To think that the core of the flame dragon monarch would easy fuse with my natural mana, that mana channeling is a realy amazing method that it’s almost frightening. Imagine if people started using this method.” Marcus said as he can feel his mana merging with the flame dragon’s mana into one. His father and mother could still not believe that he is the same Marcus that they know after seeing the changes in the aura that he is producing, his muscles and bones also improved in the process.

               [Wow- if Marcus’ improvement is like this just after a few months then I don’t think I need to think about why Amon got that strong. Practicing the method that they used from the moment he learned how to walk and speak, it will surely produce and overly powerful individual. Demons really are frightening.] Mark thought to himself as his wife congratulates her son for his improvement when all of the sudden they heard some cracking sound.

               c***k! c***k! c***k! c***k!

               Hearing that sound, they all turned to the incubator that had been sitting in the living room for almost 8 months. “It’s hatching! Hahah!” the three of them immediately rushed to the incubator, absolutely leaving their food in the table in excitement. Mark and Kassandra felt the same excitement and could not help but follow the three. “At long last! That thing decided to hatch, I thought it was done for!” Abel exclaimed in excitement when a hole appeared on topside of the egg. A claw then pierced the shell of the egg and revealed a little dragon’s claw. Everyone stare in amazement as the birth of the first domestic dragon appeared before them.

               The dragon completely hatch out of it’s egg and stares at them before taking it’s first few steps and went straight to Marcus and revealed it’s beautiful red mixed with blue scales as the light shine at it. All of them were surprised of how beautiful a newly hatched dragon was and that creature approached Marcus and cuddled itself on Marcus’ head. “Why is that thing on Marcus’ head right after hatching?” Amon muttered in complete confusion but Abel has a slight idea of what is happening and told them. “He may have recognize a dragon’s aura from Marcus who channeled the dragon’s mana core into his body otherwise, it would just pick any of us. I guess that is the most plausible explanation.” Marcus agreed and told them that he can feel the hatchling’s aura to be the same as his.

               “Then that means that is the flame dragon monarch’s child, a child will immediately recognize it’s mother by their aura.” Mark enlightened which made Marcus a little puzzled. “So I’m a parent now? I did not even get to have done that thing with anyone else-“ Marcus’ complaint was halted when he saw Razel staring at them from the transparent glass beside the door while she was about to knock.

               “Dad, I think we have a visitor.” Marcus muttered to his father who immediately turns his head only to see Razel staring back at him. “Damn- I did not expect her to visit at all.”