Harbinger: The Four Knights

Chaotic Meeting

A day before the expedition

“Now that’s everything we need, are there anything else?” Marcus said as he sat down after packing the things that they needed. Amon and Abel had just finished the preparation by the time Marcus finished packing up their stuff, but even with their preparations, Mark and everyone else inside their residence knew that the three of them are going to an expedition with the guild. “But big brother, is it really fine not telling uncle Mark about this? He will surely be upset by the fact that we did not tell him something so important once he learns of our plans.” Amon raise his worries as Marcus shook his head.

“Well, if father knows about this. We are also going to endanger the plan since mother will always smell if there is something fishy that father is hiding. Knowing mother, she will not allow us to go on a dangerous expedition, she knows how dangerous an expedition can be since people don’t tend to come back to their homes after joining the expeditions.” Marcus explained as he puts everything they need inside the ring. “But still, I feel a little guilty about doing something like this behind their backs.” Amon still continues to insist on telling Marcus’ parents and Marcus refuses every time Amon insists.

“Geez, I know that cores are so important to you and maybe us but I think we should at least tell them. From the land that we came from, we would always tell our parent where we are planning to go every time we go to places. That way, their worry will be less concerning and they can see us off with a clean conscience. Let’s just tell them what we are going to do and if they do not allow us then you can plan on what to do next.” Abel agreed to his young master’s opinion and now that majority of them wants to tell Mark and Kassandra, Marcus decided to get along with their plan.

“I’m telling you guys, the possibility of them allow us to do our plans is slim but since both of you are insisting then I guess I have no say in this because I am on the losing side.” Marcus said as he opens the door and lead the way. They found Mark and Kassandra in the dining room after searching for them, Marcus stepped up and decided to be the one to talk to his parents for all three of them since he is their son after all.

“Mom? Dad? There is something that we wanted you to know because this is something important that we thought you both should know.” Mark and Kassandra looks at Marcus while they drink their tea with an interested look on their faces. “And what would that be, my son?” Mark asked as he takes a sip from his tea while Kassandra on the other hand flashes a smile. “We are going to the expedition tomorrow with the guild, we plan to acquire cores and plan to use them for training.” Mark spits out a fountain of the tea that he just drank and stares at his son with an utterly surprised expression.

“You what?” he muttered as he wipes the tea on everything that he showered it. “Geez what a mess!” he added as he wipes it off with his handkerchief but his mother on the other hand did not show any signs of surprise but was calm and collected instead unlike her husband who immediately got surprised and showed something unsightly which surprised the three of them and even her husband.

[No way- mother is no showing signs of being surprised- no-! Don’t tell me she knew about our plan all along?!] Marcus’ senses immediate danger coming from his mother without even showing signs of anger under that calm and collected face. “Mother, why are you not surprised? Did you perhaps knew about our plans before hand?” Marcus asked out of confusion and fear but his mother just lets out a comforting smile at him.

“Why do you look so disturbed dear?  Of course I have already learn about your plans a few days ago and I was planning to get angry if you don’t tell us your plans which I thought that’s what you are going to but to think that my dear son decided to tell us about his plans, you surely have changed.” Kassandra said with a smile while leaving her husband in the dark. “Eh? You knew what?” Mark turns to his wife and son to get an answer to all of his questions regarding everything that is happening but nothing of the sort happened and his last resort is to ask both Amon and Abel who then gave him an answer while Marcus and his mother talks about things with just the two of them, completely leaving out Mark who is supposed to be talking with them.

A few moments ago, everything became clear to Mark and thanked the two for their honesty. “So that’s how it is. Well, it is good that you told us about this before you go and slip away on the expedition without telling us but did you not realize the fact that there are so many people not coming back to their homes because of the expedition? It is dangerous for kids like you guys but even with our disagreement in the topic, you will still go even if we say no right?” Mark is finally not in the dark after his wife told him that she had Zhuge investigate about the head merchant but ended up learning something different.

[Tsk! So it was Zhuge! No wonder mother knew about this beforehand. Zhuge is good at getting information that not many people can get, she is the right hand of mother and she excels in infiltration and investigation. What a really unexpected turn of events but still, I am grateful that the both of them insisted on telling my parents otherwise this will be chaotic.] Marcus realize that it is better to tell his parents about his plans in the future than doing anything without them knowing anything.

Both Mark and Kassandra allowed the three of them to participate in the expedition and did not even bother to ask if they have tags or not since they know that their son would somehow done something for the guild leader to allow them to come. With the blessings of both parents, the three left the dining room with smiles on their faces and left for the guild immediately. Kassandra and Mark see them out as they leave the residence. “Our son really did change after meeting those two. I hope they will all be fine, an expedition is not an ideal place for kids to come along after all.” Tears came streaming down on Kassandra’s face as she sees her son walking away for such a dangerous thing.

“Shhhh- I’m sure they have plans about staying alive and survive the expedition, we just need to have faith in their abilities, that’s all.” Mark comforted his wife and pulls her inside the mansion after the three disappeared in the distance.

“Wow! I never thought that it would work so well. Telling them was the best course of action after all!” Marcus lets out a smile as they walk towards the guild while Amon and Abel repeatedly tells him that it was thanks to them. “For someone like you to be stubborn and repeatedly refuse to tell them, you are quite happy. Are you planning not to tell them anything again in the future?” Abel said with a teasing tone as Marcus stares at him blankly and immediately grabs Abel’s by his neck with his arm and mess his hair.

“This is what you get haha! I did not think that I would be able to leave home without even feeling bad, its all thanks to you both.” He said as he grabs Amon as well. “We are just trying to practice what we learn in our land since we are accustomed to do so since childhood.” Amon said with a humble tone when all of the sudden they met the guys who used to beat Marcus up with their leader, they immediately nod their head politely and turn the other way

“Well, I guess they changed huh?” Marcus muttered after seeing them act that way. “Never mind that, we are going straight for the guild!” Marcus said as he takes out three clothes specially made for them by the head merchant to cover their faces and not give away their identities. “We are going to need these things so wear them all the time.” Marcus instructed as the other two nod their heads.

The three then arrived at the guild after a half an hour walk and were welcomed by the assistant who is waiting for them in front of the door. “I see that you have arrived. The guild leader is waiting for you.” She said as she opens the door for them and took the lead to where the guild leader was.

KACHAK!

“Boss, they have arrived.” Marcus, Amon, and Abel entered the room and saw that there are other people besides the guild master and it seems like they are planning their course of action during the expedition. “Good, I want the three of you to join this meeting as well and gain some insight on what is about to happen during the expedition.” The guild leader said while the other people besides him looks at the three with complete confusion.

[Those heights, are they kids? Why did the guild leader allowed kids like them to join the expedition? Has he gone insane?] one of them thought as one of them immediately voiced his concern. “Guild leader, I know that you allowed them to join our discussion and looking at their heights, they look like kids to me so this takes me to my question. Why would you allow them to be here? Are they going to join the expedition as well?” the guild leader then nods his head and then the everyone else storm the room in chaos with their discontentment but the guild leader silence them after he released his aura to intimidate all of them.

“I know you are all uncomfortable with my decision but they earned that much themselves. If you do not believe me then you can all go and ask Nero and curio yourselves, you may have already known that they are heavily injured and are still recuperating right now.” The guild leader said as they flinch the instant they heard Curio and Nero’s name getting involved. “Are you saying- that these guys are responsible for Nero and Curio’s injuries?!” he asked the guild leader who immediately nods his head and then turns to the three in disbelief.

[Impossible- these kids are able to reduce the guild’s rookie and veteran members into nothing more than patients?] he thought to himself after seeing the intensity of the injuries that Nero and Curio had suffered. “The injuries you have seen might have been a little lighter since that guy over there healed them before their condition worsen, Nero almost lost his life the other day so if you are still not convinced, you can go and ask them for a spur, that is the most efficient way to know the validity of my claim after all.” The guild leader said with an uninterested tone as he sits comfortably on his chair.

The other people unsatisfied of the guild leader’s decision hesitated saying anything after learning that they are responsible for the injuries that their two members had a few days earlier so they decided not to cause any more trouble and respected the guild leader’s decision. “Now that everything has settled down, let’s go back to what the guild is going to do. Kayla and I have been pondering over something from the past few days and we reached to a conclusion, we are going to head to the dragons’ lair this time.” He said with a calm tone and a few seconds later, the others immediately raised their concerns.

“What are you saying guild leader? That is suicide, for almost 5 years we are staying at the golem and elementals ground which are rich in ores and other valuables but the dragons’ lair is dangerous, the golems and elementals are already a handful and yet you want us to jump into a land where fire dragons eat elementals as snacks?!” one of them cried after hearing what the guild leader said. The others also voiced and said everything that they wanted to say about the guild leader’s decision and then again the guild leader silenced them with the same method that he used earlier and the chaos inside the room subsided.

“Yes, you guys finished now? I guess its my turn to say what I want right? I’m sure you have doubt in my current decisions, I know how bad the dragons’ lair is. I am the sole survivor of the last expedition there after all, but this time is different. Our guild now has the one thing that we are missing from the expedition after all those years. A healer just joined our guild and that guy just so happens to be the one that healed Nero and Curio.” Everyone then turned to Abel who is equally shocked of what the guild leader announced. “Eh?’

“Guild leader, I know we just joined recently but what are you saying? The things that Ms. Kayla sent to us the other day, the information about monsters, no dragon was on that list. I will not allow my subordinates to venture into something that we do not even know and learned and just as your subordinates said, this is suicide. I may be young but I know that a single dragon is enough to destroy an entire city. And exploiting my subordinate is beyond shameless, how can you call yourself a guild leader with that kind of thought?” Marcus said as the other members nods their head to every single word that came out of his mouth.

“He is right guild leader, you should at least think of everyone’s safety. We have not encountered a dragon and yet you want us to dive into their lair?” another one said as he tried to convince the guild leader but then all of the sudden Amon raised his hand. [Huh?] is what everyone is thinking in that moment when Amon raised his hand. “Guild leader, I may be new to all of this but how strong exactly is a single dragon?” Amon asked with an enthusiastic tone.

The room was filled with silence for a few minutes before the guild leader could answer Amon’s question with a shaky tone. “A- single dragon is equal to 50 royal guards if you put into account all the abilities that a single dragon have.” He saw Amon count with his fingers after hearing what he said. “If that’s the case then the core would be greater than a demon right?” he asked again and left most of them silent.

[What the hell is Amon thinking? Does he really think he can take on a dragon- a dragon at that?!] Marcus then turn to Abel who also had the enthusiastic expression. [The hell are these guys thinking?! What about the thing that I said a few minutes ago?!] Marcus is trying his hard not to lose control of his legs while waiting for the next thing that Amon would say. “If that’s the case then why don’t we head to the dragons’ lair? They seem to be pretty exciting monsters to take down so why not giving it a try?” Amon said with a huge smile on his face and left the adventurer as well as the guild leader’s mouth wide open.

Marcus and the other adventurers want to say something but before they can say a thing, Abel raised his hand. “I would like to participate in the dragons’ lair if young master is going otherwise I will not participate in this expedition.” Abel said with a smile on his face. [Are these guys crazy? What the hell are they saying?] Marcus thought to himself as he stares at the both of them and sees them as ominous figures.

“Do you both know what you are saying?” one of the adventurers finally got over the shock and speak out. “I get it that you are excited but kid, dragons are really scary creatures. They are second to none in terms of magical and physical abilities. A single swipe of a dragon can kill a person.” He added as Abel retorted. “Hmmmm? Is that so? But I think I have to disagree, dragons are not the pinnacle of all the creatures, demons are a far greater threat if we are to compare the two.” Abel said with a smile on his face while Amon gave him a fist bump.

“I can’t believe it, I’m out of here. There is no way that a bunch of kids can pull it off no matter how strong they are. Sorry guild leader but I think I will not be participating in this year’s expedition. I really want to join but it’s the dragons’ lair, I still want to meet my family and staying here will only make me insane.” One of the adventurers said with a sad tone as he steps out of the room. Some of the others also did the same thing and followed behind the first one to leave and only three adventurers remain.

“Are you not going to join them?” the guild leader asked the remaining three but they unexpectedly shook their head, it turns out that the three of them are the ones who have stayed in the guild for a long time. “There is no way that I will falter now just because of some flying lizards, the new members are enthusiastic to meet such monsters and yet veterans ran away with their tails between their legs? Where is the pride in that?” one of the veteran adventurer said with an excited tone as the others beside him agreed. “They should at least showed some balls to the new members. To think that they immediately dropped off the expedition because of something like this and besides, having to see a dragon is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us. There is no way that I will let this opportunity slip from my hands.” he said with a smile on his face. The guild leader then let out a chuckle and shook his head. “You crazy geezers, have you all finally gone crazy? But well, we can’t reach anything if we don’t risk something in return right? If you three are coming then I guess I have to make the list of everyone that will join thought I think that it will only be a few number. So what is your decision, are you going to join?” the guild leader then turned and asked Marcus without even saying his name.

“There is no way I will be left out in something like this if my comrades are going, will I?” Marcus said with a hesitant tone. [I just hope that nothing goes wrong otherwise were dead.] he thought to himself as he grit his teeth in the unexpected turn of events. “A dragon’s core will be enough to supply you a year’s worth of mana without replacing the source. It will be a great addition to your strength since the dragon’s core is the second strongest next to the demons.” Amon whispered to Marcus’s ear, his expression immediately brightened after hearing what Amon said.

“Are you sure?!”  he exclaimed and the other two just nod their heads. “WAHAHAHAHAH! Then what are we waiting for?! Let’s go!” Marcus cried like a maniac after seeing the real reason why Amon and Abel wanted to do the dragons’ lair. [So they are planning to help me huh? Gosh! Why did I see it the other way when they are even doing as far as that just for me?! There is nothing in this world that will replace them, they are the perfect younger brothers!] Marcus lets out a tear and wipes in out immediately before the two sees it and starts teasing him.

But the truth is that, Amon and Abel just wanted to fight the monsters that was once though to be the rival of the demons. [I can’t believe I will be able to fight the monsters from the legends that great grandfather always spoke of. A core will be able to enhance my ability so much as well, what a great opportunity we have!] Amon flashed a smile as Abel did the same thing.

               The three then excused themselves and left the room with a gleeful tone . “To think that this generation of adventurers are quite enthusiastic, we really are getting left out.” One of the veteran said with a smile on his face.