7 A Simple Day-2

The fish, who has attained the glory of Wisdom, spoke with disdain. ''It's pointless. No matter how much they try, none of them will be a Dragon at the end of the day'' The bird, who was bestowed the glory of Pity, spoke again. ''It's not impossible. It doesn't mean it's unachievable just because no one has done it before.''

Fish snorted, talking again. ''Look at that stupid kin of mine. He can't even stand to the currents of the river. What does he intend to achieve? Does he really think that he can jump over from that gate? It's just idiocity. This is just pointless.''

The bird shook its head. ''Look again, to your weak kin.'' Fish, rolling its eyes, looked towards its weak kin. The weak fish's body was slowly breaking apart, blood flowing through its multi-colored beautiful scales. Its oval eyes were filled with an unyielding intent. Slowly, the fish sank into the water as its body went limp.

''I said before. To become a dragon, there is no way to it. Gate is not something we can face. We are weak... There is no hope for us.'' Though fish wanted to continue, it's wide-open eyes widened more and more at the sight it saw.

The weakfish, covered in blood was moving again. The unyielding gaze of it was still the same, only firmer than before! River, like an indignant beast, let out a roar as waves upon waves crushed onto the fish as it wanted to swallow the fish down. Still, fish didn't give up yet. With a weak flap of its fin, Fish leaped up towards the high and mighty gate.

As the waters of the river rose more and more, a strange power emanated from the gate. This power instantly turned into 2 tender hands and reached out towards the leaping fish. Grasping the fish, like enveloping one's own child, hand carried the fish right above the gate then released it. As the fish passed the gate, a low grunt was released from its mouth. Then it turned into a fierce shout. and lastly, into an earth-shaking roar.

At that moment, the weak and fragile fish was turned into a Dragon.

*********

''Are you alone, Young Leonardo?'' Calder, just like the last week, was sitting on his chair, writing some messy characters on the papers. They were scattered in a random order, with no connection whatsoever.

''I'm alone but I wanted to be like this.'' Leonardo, who was reading the 'Fish and Bird', replied passively. He held up the book with his right hand while his left hand, covered in bloody bandages, looking like a dry branch, flipped the pages slowly.

''Confessions like these needs courage.''

''It's not a confession. It's...a lie. A lie I told myself.'' Leonardo shook his head a little, then returned back to reading.

''Setting that aside, Calder, your work is really interesting.''

''You think so?''

''Well, yeah. Don't tell me you don't think so?''

''It's just mediocre, not something I adore,'' Calder said calmly.

''I always thought that works were the children of an artist.''

''That is the case unless it's something you are not proud of.''

To Leonardo, Calder's way of telling sounded wrong. Still, he didn't put much thought into it as he was not a writer himself. He thought that there may be some things he didn't understand. After burying this matter somewhere deep inside his mind, Leonardo fell silent and gave all of his focus to the book in his hand.

Though he was completely focused on reading, Leonardo was still worried about something. He could feel his heart, which was not moved for several years, rippling in excitement again. It was a nice feeling, warm and cozy with some hint of hope. Yet, he didn't know why. It distracted him a little bit but after some time passed he was used to it.

Like this, days passed. The daily routine of 2 prisoners was simple. Waking up early in the morning, eating the untasty food of prison, meditating then reading and writing. Counting the time he came Leonardo came to the Lukr Castle, 7 months already passed. In the time span of 7 months, Leonardo managed to write 5 books from his memory.

Each of them was his favorite books, all of them about Ancient Legends and Tales. Though Calder didn't say anything, Leonardo was sure that he felt a bit of disappointment coming from him. Just like always, they continued their daily chats while they were busy with works at their hands.

With each day passing, Leonardo could feel the emotions swelling inside his heart becoming more and more violent. They were like furious waves of a sea, continuously battering the shores of his heart. As a result, his way of talking and attitude also changed a little. Calder, however, wasn't bothered by it even a little. In comparison, it was actually much more enjoyable this way.

He was a calm man who enjoyed little chats and writing. Still, he would prefer his chats to be better. He knew about what was going on, with some extra guess, but still didn't make anything look obvious. With Leonardo's new found excitement and his increased curiosity over his books made him secretly happy.

*********

''I'm melting! My insides are melting!''

''Faces are paling, people are suffering!''

''Won't die, my Angels, even if thy burn everywhere!''

Passionate voice of the woman, as beautiful as a flower, sounded across the theatre. Her nimble movements, just like a canary, carried her across the stage like a drifting wind. The lights gathered on her graceful body, creating a scene from a fairytale.

''She is really good, isn't her, Marcus Goldenwings?'' At the foremost seats of the huge Theatre, 2 middle-aged men were sitting.

One at the left, who was addressed by the person beside him, was Marcus Goldenwings. He was a man who was proud of his looks, evident from the always apparent arrogance in his eyes. His golden hair was like an excellent cup of wine, making even men drool at the sights of it. His build was actually a bit slim, as he always preferred tight and small suits that showcased his well-defined muscles. His right hand was grasping the hilt of his sword as he, for being a child of Goldenwings family, grew up with constant battle training as well as trials by fire. This, as a result, made him reserved and guarded most of the times.

''Yes, Cardinal Osborn. I'm actually one of her closest admirers in the Capital city, Bragos.'' Cardinal Osborn slowly chuckled at the response of Marcus, making the latter grin a little. He would, of course, grin as Cardinal Osborn was one of the great figures of Church Of Piety. His accomplishments, albeit lacking compared to other 2 Cardinals, were something that could surprise even a figure like him, the head of Goldenwings family.

Cardinal Osborn, as fitting to his position, wore a long-sleeved robe with golden lines. There were 5-star marks at the chest of his robe, like a small magic formation. It was indeed the case, as this cloth design was invented by Cardinal Osborn himself. These 5 stars represented the 5 prospects of Piety, Nature, Love, Respect, Mercy, and Belief.

Using these 5 doctrines of Piety, Cardinal Osborn managed to find a magical formation that harnessed the Soulpower of nature and created a magical barrier that protected the user of the robe from dangers. The formation was so powerful that even Minerva Fire Lion, the famed Beast Cleaver as well as the wife of Patrick Fire Lion, couldn't break it in 3 strikes.

With such defensive power, Cardinal Osborn was technically impossible to kill. So he had no qualms about traveling around as well as slipping among the commoners. This matter, also, made him much more popular among common people, especially among believers of Piety. His fame, in both nobles' and commoners' circle, increased tremendously after that.

So, he had his own share of pride as well. Haughtily stroking his goatee beard, Cardinal Osborn enjoyed the show presented by the theatre. His blue eyes, something that people thought to be originated from his mother, would shine whenever the actress made a spectacular move. Her lines captivated the heart of Osborn, who was biting his teeth in excitement, an old habit of his.

After an hour, the play ended as the actress, Miss Wu, bowed to the crowd and left the stage. Even after she left the wild cheers and clapping continued on, a testimony to her talent. After getting out of the excited mood of his, Osborn turned around to look at Marcus, whispering something to a servant. The servant bowed elegantly and left, leaving the 2 alone at the foremost seats.

''It was a spectacular show, Marcus. I must thank you for accompanying me.''

''It was my honor, Cardinal,'' Marcus replied respectfully, slightly bowing his head.

''Oh, is that so? Then I owe you one for this time.''

''Cardin-''

''I said I owe you one, pay no more heed after that.'' Osborn stopped Marcus's words and waved his hand.

''Understood, Cardinal.''

''Alright then, what is the matter you wanted to talk about?''

''It's...a bit inappropriate to talk here in public.''

''Don't worry,'' Cardinal said and clapped 2 times. Suddenly, a group of guards entered the huge theatre and escorted people out, willingly or unwillingly. Though there were plenty of nobles, none of them dared to utter a word as Cardinal Osborn was a person of great stature. After everyone left, Cardinal beckoned to the guards who left at the same instant. Completely alone inside the huge theatre, Cardinal turned around and looked towards Marcus.

''Cardinal is just like always indeed, your capabilities really amaze me.''

''Cut the pleasantries Marcus, what did happen this time?''

''Soulblood supply is low.''

''Tell me, Marcus, how much you spend in a day?''

''Near to a hundred drop.''

Cardinal let out a tired sigh. ''Try to lower the amount. It's the lives of our people we are using, it will be trouble if things get too suspicious.''

''Who would say a complaint after church gave their word?''

''No one, unless people realize what's happening. Actually, I'm sure that People of Axi know our actions. Yet, they are not interfering.''

''Is it because they are in a pinch?''

''Not just that, Marcus. They also know it, that Soulblood is much more useful than some simple citizen.''

Marcus chuckled a little, accompanied by Cardinal.

''Anyways, just be more careful when using them. If injected ones turn berserk, just kill them and send the corpses to the same place. We will extract the leftovers for you.''

''You have my thanks, Cardinal.'' Marcus stood up and bowed to the Cardinal. Osborn waved his hand an also stood up. ''By the way, do you think that Fire Lion can conquer Lukr Castle?''

Marcus looked bewildered at the sudden question but still honestly answered while scratching his head. ''He can but either the price will be too steep or...''

''Or?''

''To tell the truth, there is a man imprisoned at Lukr Castle. He is personally caught by the 3rd High General of Aenon.''

''I have heard of that matter but I didn't know that he was imprisoned. Wasn't that man executed?''

''I'm also not sure. But Spirit Tracker Battalion says that he is currently at the Lukr Castle.''

''Hmm, alright. So, what's important about him?''

''He is said to be very strong but he is gravely injured. If he can, somehow, recover his wounds then there may be a critical change in the outcome of the battle.''

Osborn nodded as he contemplated a little. ''Anyways, be careful of your actions and don't contact me frequently. I don't want people to have doubts.''

''As you wish.'' Marcus once more bowed then left the theatre in large strides. Cardinal Osborn, who was all alone inside the huge place, didn't move towards the exit but surprisingly turned around to look at the stage.

''You can come out, Miss Wu.''