Another World Story

Day Forty: Ancient Beast

(Count Vinceral's POV)

As soon as I finished talking with my niece, I ordered the servants to be alert.

That 'Divine Light' might've been a form of a suicide attack from the other countries.

'Everything is as that man said' I thought, amazed.

I assigned a shadow to my niece, to Caith. As that man said an event like this would happen. Yet, another person saved them instead.

I don't know how. But I got a good guess who.

If it's as the shadow said. He might've been critically injured. Worst, he might've died.

'I can't let that happen' filled with determination. My walk, became a stride, then a run.

I run towards the horse that I took from the palace.

"I'll return you later" I said as I petted the horse.

I then jump to the top of the horse, adjusting my position on the saddle.

I was about to move and looked around the city, but it seems that it was unnecessary.

"We've found him, Sire" A shadow appeared infront of horse that made it startled. But I immediately reign it to place.

'I've had horses worst than this' I thought.

"Where is he?" I ask.

"He's now back at your manor, Sire. And as you've ordered, we gave first-aid treatment. We've also called sir Alfonso to Heal his wounds"

"What is his condition?"

"He is currently unconscious but if time passed and sir alfonso doesn't arrived on time-"

I raised my hand and cut off the following words of the shadow. I already know what would happen.

"Get more information on the scene and report to me if you've found something" I said to the shadow.

No answer came. And I immediately kick the side of he horse.

"Ha!"

-----

I arrived back at my abode.

The sun is currently setting.

'How much time have passed?' I thought, worried.

I can't helped but worry. This young man, I need him alive. If it's that man's words, he might be able to do something to save our Kingdmom.

That's why, I can't let him go that easily.

My walk became faster as I headed to the medical room. Maids ad butlers greeted me from here and there as I passed right by them.

I didn't forget to acknowledged their greeting.

The moment I reached the door to the medical room, a priest in white long robe, with golden weavings on the both shoulders and sleeves, came out of the room.

He is Alfonso, a great god's priest.

"Sir Alfonso, what is his condition?" I asked.

I don't know what I would do if the person that that man said would be able to help us, died in this time.

Worse comes to worst, it would be the end for the Memphis Royalty and the royal retainers of the royal family.

I can't let that happen.

I was expecting something good, yet the words of the priest destroyed everything.

He shook his head and spoke.

"I don't have the ability to cure him, Count Vinceral" Alfonso said. His face grim.

"..." I couldn't say a word.

I looked at the eyes of the priest, hoping that it was some bad joke, yet his eyes were serious. My skill didn't activated aswell.

I left the priest without saying anything, and went inside the medical room.

A black-haired young man, with void-like eyes that made me reminiscent of that man's eyes. They looked the same... Now that I thought about it.

The only difference is that man is already gone, and this young man is struggling to live.

I decided to speak.

"Kaiser, you're awake" I said as I went near him.

His face was too pale as if blood have been drained from him. His lips were slowly but surely turning purple.

His eyes... I could see light in them. I could now see the emotions he had, although subtly.

Frustration is the one I could see best.

"Sir Count" he said.

"How are you feeling?"

Although I already knew, and can see it clearly, I had to ask. It seems he just woke up and didn't know his condition.

"I'm fine" he said.

His voice is getting weaker...

"Your looks beg to differ, Kaiser"

I could clearly see his effort not show his haggard breathing. But even a child would notice it. I don't need my skill to notice it either.

I took out a vial with red liquid from my bag. It's a Greater Healing Potion, I had the shadows buy from the Alchemist Guild, when I rushed back here.

"Drink this for now..." I said as I bring the vial near his mouth. But no matter how close I bring it, he didn't open his mouth.

'He doesn't want to drink a potion? Is he being stubborn now? Of all times?!'

I tried to bring it near his mouth again, until he spoke.

"It's fine... Sir Count, I'll just rest for now.... I'll drink that when I woke up again" He said, his eyes that I once saw light began to blur.

I could tell his already at his limit. So, I steeled myself and spoke.

"...You need to drink this now, Kaiser" I said, but his eyes are no longer looking at me, nor anyone else. It's not the same abyss-colored eyes, and I feel that it would be the 'end' if I let him close his eyes.

That's why I called his name.

"Kaiser!"

"Kaiser!"

"Kaiser!"

"Wake up!"

Upon my call, his eyes shifted to me, yet I had the feeling that he can't see me.

"Drink this now, hurry" I said "It's a potion to heal you" I don't know if something would happen.

Even the healing power of sir Alfonso couldn't do a thing. I don't even know if this potion could make him conscious.

I asked the His Majesty, but I don't know if they would arrived on time... I need to make him conscious until then.

"My... apologies Sir... it seems that... I can't move... my body... once again..."

Words that broke through my thoughts.

"Kaiser, don't close your eyes" I plead.

I could tell that it's Inevitable.

"Kaiser, the priestess would arrive here any minute now, just stay awake until then..."

That I won't be able to do anything.

I could see that it's the 'end', as his eyes began to close.

I really am powerless in this area just like you've said. I wouldn't be able to do anything...

Trembling, I fall from my chair, powerless.

The shadows appeared to support me, yet none of them cared for the young man.

I'm sure they watched on as I ordered them. They didn't know anything, and wouldn't know anything. That's how they were created.

I feel my eyes becoming wet and warmer.

*Drip* *Drop*

Tears began to pour from my eyes as the vision that he told me crumbled into nothingness.

The kingdom and the people I treasure turned to cold corpses. The city wall breached, the palace and the residential buildings destroyed. Countless corpses litter the fields and roads.

Sounds of metal to metal clashing against each other. Screams of pain, and sobbing of innocent children.

Different color of Magic raining down from the sky.

Heroes fighting against each other.

And through the end. The disappearance of the surviving citizens and royalty.

And the death of this young man.

All forming into pieces of a puzzle, and creating the art of destruction that that man said.

"An unavoidable future..." I muttered.

He said to tell no one, even to my future my wife and son. 'Tell no one of this future, even if you meet the boy, as it would bring destruction to your frontdoor earlier than the records say'.

Everything he told me came true, I didn't tell anyone about the future that he told me, not even to His Majesty.

Yet, why is this happening... I could not know.

An Oracle's ability is to see into the future, interfering is against the words of the gods.

'Is telling others... Against it as well?' I thought.

I stood up from my position and walked towards the young man. But before I could take another step. A light so bright, suddenly appeared.

-----

"Don't dare interfere, human"

A voice that seems to come from the abyss resounded inside the room.

The light faded out, but a pressure so heavy pour on our backs as the voice spoke.

I feel like air is being sucked out of my lungs... I can't breathe.

"I... am... not... interfering!" I said, giving my all just to spout the words out of my mouth.

"Shut up" the voice said and the pressure around us became heavier and thicker than before.

I could see the shadows lay unconscious on the ground. I'm giving my all just to breathe as I lay prone on the floor.

"Mortals can't interfere with the 'Enjoyment' of the Gods" the voice said.

"This human interfered, such he, was punished" it said.

Shock was I that I seemed to forgot the pressure of a hinger existence.

'Kaiser was the culprit? What did he do?' I thought, none being able to speak, made it harder to ask questions.

"This human dared to look into the existence of the Gods" the voice said.

I can't understand... look into the existence of the Gods?

"This human isn't aware that his abilities are in far hinger form than the citizens of this world" the voice spoke once again, as if hearing my thoughts.

But, I couldn't understand a thing it's saying. If Kaiser is the culprit, then he deserved punishment worse than death!

Caith and Lili are suffering due to his actions!

"Humans. Treating the Gods as omnipotent beings, asking questions as if they are omniscient" the voice once again resounded and the pressure on me was multiplied.

I can't...!

"Gods are whimsical" it said "They can't interfere directly to this world, but they can use a medium"

"We, Ancient Beasts are the mediums" it spoke.

Ancient Beast...? There's still an Ancient Beast?

"The punishment is granted, but it will not 'end'. The Gods have found a new way for 'Enjoyment', thus, it will be the 'beginning'" it said, as the voice that seem to resound from the abyss fades.

W-wait! What are you?!

"A Manticore" it said, as the voice, along with the excruciating pressure vanishes as if nothing has happened.

But the shadows laying on the floor was the evidence that something did happen.

I looked at the young man lying on the bed. He moved.

He moved!

I couldn't understand what that voice was saying, but I knew for a fact that this young man was the very caused of what happened to the church.

Yet, why can't I bring myself to be angry at him? I feel no resentment, or even a slight pinch of anger? He was the reason Lili, my friend's daughter became like that... Yet. Why?

I took a once over at the young man again, his pale face, came back to its natural white color. His purple lips, turned to is slightly rose lips. And his breathe that once was gone, came back like nothing has happened.

It's so surreal, the things that happened on this single day, was so tiring and mind-boggling, that I feel like it's just a dream.

And if I would be able to see the future at this time... I WOULD really wished that everything was just a dream.

A sweet dream.

A very, very, sweet dream...

But life's not so easy

I would be contented if everything was just a nasty dream.

A very, very nightmarish dream.