I honored the elderly man with a deep bow, though my movement sent a jagged pain through my shoulders. My nerves were very much excited, my body needed rest and that would come soon. Now, I needed to make sure I wasn't grabbed from behind by any lingering demon. I needed to stay close to him.
My eyes, dilated from the onset of the attack. I looked into every corner, every fallen demon, for the violet glow of a demon's eyes. The wreckage of the temple fell little by little. The mana that once reinforced its stones had weakened away.
A crashing sound ahead startled me. I didn't realized I had been holding on to the Elders coat so tightly.
Two demons, smaller and more feral than the ones that fell in the grand hall, charged at us. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. I kept looking between the elder and the approaching demons, but my didn't dare to run away from his side. There was a overbearing confidence as the elder stood firmly.
With a single, deliberate step, the ground rumbled. Two blood spikes erupted with terrifying speed. They impaled the demons midair, not giving them so much as a time to shriek. It was hard to focus at the scene of the slaughter, especially now that my mind felt no different than a sieve worn out from the strain of mana-shift.
Still, I noticed something about his magic.
I had been trained to sense mana signatures of others. How it pulses through their mana hearts. But this lessons felt basic to what the elder was doing. He simply willed it and the blood thorns formed.
Stepping out of the gloom and into the world that exploded with color I had long been deprived off.
The sunlight was blinding, my eyes squinting. It had been a dark night when I rushed into this temple, but time had lost meaning. The Sky of Enora was brilliant, but the land below it was the complete opposite. Black smoke marred the horizon where homes still burned.
The earth vibrated and unto my feet. Clanks of steel as armored soldiers approached, riding on the backs of massive six limbed beasts. Their armor was scuffed, littered with oily ichor of fallen demons. They had just finished a battle.
A male Lamian, whom I assumed was their leader, stepped forward. He strode gracefully, followed by two others. The red-haired female at his side was undoubtedly a Noden. The other, with red eyes of our kin, was clearly a Lamian of high standing.
My mouth went wide agape, as the lead soldier dropped to one knee. The rest followed suit.
"The First Battalion of the Stygian Defenders greets the Patriarch of Lamians"
Those words shocked every weakness that had burdened me. I stood erect.
'The Patriarch. Lord of Lamians. Cian Bloodborn.'
I stared at the patriarch's back. That was a name I had only known through dusty scrolls. This Lamian regulated the affairs of our race. The one who stood for us in the nine races of Enora.
'Mother said he's always busy with the affairs of Stygia. Yet, he still manage to come this little outskirt town. If only he had coke sooner, perhaps...'
"Rise," Lord Cian commanded, with a calm voice that carried itself as a verdict. "Has Bloodville been cleared of demons? And what of the survivors?"
"The land has been purged of demons, my lord" the lead soldier replied, his head still bowed slightly. "The survivors have taken refuge in the south. Resources have also been distributed. Many buildings have fallen."
Lord Cian looked toward the horizon, where the Bloodville lay a shadow of its former self. The lead soldier made a simple gesture and two soldiers hurried to his Lord Cian's side, reaching out to adjust his robe.
"Buildings can always be rebuilt, but life, however, cannot. It is irreplaceable." He said, and in that moment his voice sounded tired. "Take the young boy to the refuge. We must move out the remaining demons before the turn into wraiths." Lord cian said, without much as sparing a look at me.
I didn't have a say in matters of higher ranks. Those words made me realized how much I was a wishful thinker.
'Is this what my life would be? A refuge? A mere survivor. A victim waiting for the next mana-shift to claim what was left of me. No.'
Staying in a camp would not help me. It would not give me the power to stop the demons from separating another family. This opportunity, though a miracle forged from massacre, was one I couldn't let slip away. I need more than that simple life.
I pushed past the soldiers, my legs trembling but held firm through sheer desperation, as I made my way toward the Patriarch, ignoring startled looks of the soldiers.
"No, I don't want to stay here!" My voice cracked. "I refuse to be deprived and left unable to grow. Lord, take me with you to Stygia. I can be of use. I... I want tohelp fend off the evil that plague this land."
Silence. That was what followed. It stretched longer than I had felt comfortable with.
Only the stares remained. The soldiers bewildered by my antics. Some looked concerned, others annoyed by the outburst of a traumatized child. I realized late that I didn't use words gracefully, as expected to the lord.
"You wish to live in Stygia?"
It was the Noden warrior that spoke. Her icy eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. "Not merely to escape future mana-shift, but to bring an end to it? Do you even know what you're asking little one?"
Quickly, I nodded, my jaw firm. "Yes. I want to help restore peace to Enora."
Her words must have piqued the patriarch's interest as he turn his head. His eyes focused on my deeply, and i felt as though he could very when see through my flesh.
"The way of Lamians are indeed different," the patriarch said. "We do not seek war for the sake of glory. We pursue knowledge. We seek insight into the mysteries of this world and the horror that haunt it. We support the Oracle int the war against the demons, because it is the only way to preserve this order that we represent. Do you understand child? The path to enlightenment is as enduring as it is difficult. It consumes those with weak minds."
He gaze settled on me. It was clear what was expected of me. Discipline
'Yes, I understand." I said, bowing my head as low as my injuries would allow. "I'm ready to face any hardship, as long as it brings us one step closer to ending this."
My statement brought a warm smile to the lead soldiers face. The corner of Lord Cian's lip rose in a smile, the wrinkles over his forehead lessening as he let out an intoxicating laugh. He stretched his hand, patting me lightly in the back. It was a gentle touch, both the power behind it strengthened me. Bones fused, flesh mended, even my battered cloth looked a new.
"You speak like a scholar who has already achieved much." Lord Cian said. "Very well. You are welcome to Stygia."
I took a breath, hiding my excitement. "I take it the lord will honor me with his teachings, should I prove worthy?"
Lord Cian burst into another laugh, this one louder, even the soldiers joined.
"In Stygia, all are treated equally." He said, his eyes twinkle with a dangerous mirth. "You would need to be a true genius to catch my eye. Only then might you earn my personal teachings. Tell me, what is your name, child?"
'The path was open for me. I need only thread it.' I realized. They would certainly be trials ahead, but being assured that it is possible with what is within my reach, I was more than satisfied.
"I bear the name Kalon, my lord"
Lord Cian took a deep breath, one hand outstretched towards the sky.
"Kalon, From now on, you will be known as Kalon Bloodborn. Becoming my disciple is something you must earn, Kalon."
He looked up, as he called out "Fang."
'What's that?" I pondered. Perhaps it was some sort of command.
At first, there was nothing. I looked as though he spoke without purpose. Then, the clouds above churned, taking on a bruised, reddish hue as though the sky itself were beginning to bleed. The clouds parted with a violent surge, revealing a magnificent creature hovering high in the sky.
Four eyes peered through. I felt so insignificant before its gaze.
It was a two-headed specie of the Blood Wrym. Two pairs of powerful limbs tucked against its sinus body, which moved effortlessly. Its ebon scales were impervious to the sunlight. A crown of hair flowed like liquid.
I couldn't help but release a soft gasp. I smiled inwardly knowing I'll be learning from the very best.