Music from a Time Past
(One image representing the chapter is going to be posted in the comments by the Autor)
Location: ???, Outskirts of the edges of Melromark's realm
♫ ♫ ♫
A soft melody can be heard that seemed to illuminate even the midday sun that shines brightly in the sky illuminating the world and all its shadows at least at this moment when it is at its zenith but it is not the sun that calls attention to who is listening to this soft melody but where does it come from...
*Clack clack clack*
Accompanying the melody we can see two horses pulling a small wagon at the front of the wagon is an old man with light wrinkles covering his face and a small hat on his head protecting him from the sun... but even so the sound does not seem to come from the old one but from the back of the wagon , already inside the wagon we can see some figures all these figures of adults except one … a small child who carries a small necklace around her neck that in the place of a medallion we can see a golden coin but even this coin does not compare to how the child looks with white hair and golden eyes rare to see anywhere in the world….
♫ ♫ ♫
The child kept her gaze that seemed to shine on a man dressed in green and who played a small melody that finally ended in silence, causing everyone in that car to applaud...
"How amazing" the child muttered to herself as she looked at the man
"As expected of a bard" one of the several people inside the carriage commented to another man who then replied "Of course he's good after all… his green clothes rebel what school he's from"
The young bard decided not to pay attention to the elders in the wagon and decided to focus his gaze on the child in front of him…. "What is your name child?"
"Ilia" replied the little girl who was there… while the rest of the adults just looked at their interaction with curiosity.
"Do you like fairy tales, little Ilia?"
"..." The child showed the man a face of pure confusion but even so she replied "What… what is a fairy tale?"
Some of the adults in the place exchanged glances with each other already predicting why the girl doesn't know what a fairy tale is...
The young bard remained silent because he didn't want to ask something he shouldn't… for seconds silence filled the small carriage but then the bard smiled at little Ilia "I'm going to sing you a little song that my grandmother sang to me when I was little... the tale of an Arch Mage"
All the adults inside the wagon showed a small smile when they heard the name of the song after all, it was well known… even the old man who was driving the small wagon let a small smile slip from his lips as he recalled his time when he was young…
*Hmm hmm*
The bard lightly cleared his throat and lightly grabbed his guitar and began to play a soft melody.
♫ Once upon a time, a world was cloaked in darkness
But a powerful Arch Mage emerged with fierce harness
With magic in his veins, he battled the evil tide
And became a legend, a hero, a savior worldwide♫
Ilia listened to the little song with full joy while noting the nostalgic reactions of the bunch of adults present from the oldest to the youngest who seemed to know the little song...
The bard continued the chant
♫ His power shone bright, lighting up the whole land
And all the people followed him with open hand
He vanquished demons with unwavering might
An inspiration to all, a beacon of light
The Arch Mage was crowned with honor and fame
His name echoed through every realm, every claim
From mage to mage, the title was passed down
The children dreamt of emulating him, they adored his renown♫
This time, to little Ilia's surprise, the old owner of the wagon who, since his departure from the capital of the kingdom of Melromarc, proved to be of few friends and almost did not let the child accompany him in his wagon, began to whistle with the rhythm of the music.
♫ With his magic, he saved humanity from certain doom
The kingdoms rejoiced, the flowers in full bloom
The Arch Mage, a true hero to be adored
His legacy will live on forevermore
So raise your hands high, let's sing with joy
In honor of the Arch Mage, who defeated evil's ploy
With his magic, he lit up the world so bright
And his courage and virtue, still shine in our sight♫
The little child who escaped the capital thanks to a stranger was now happy like never before, a bright smile is planted on little Ilia's face who made a little mental note for when she found the old man who helped her… she would thank him in the best way possible ….
Suddenly everyone accompanied the bard to sing the little song until the little child was infected with the energy of the music and tried to accompany the elders in this little song...
♫ The Arch Mage, a hero of courage and might
A legend to be told through day and night
To all who fight against the darkness, follow his way
And one day, you too might be an Arch Mage, leading the way!♫
Everyone concluded the song together and with a smile on their faces...
"And this is a fairy tale little Ilia… now are you going to be the next Arch Mage?" the bard asked with a small smile...
Already the rest of the wagon occupants laughed lightly in anticipation of the child's response…. After all, they all had this dream when they were little, but unfortunately … the world is hard and sometimes cruel and unfair to those who are too vulnerable
Ilia lightly rubbed her hands while showing some embarrassment on her face "What is an Arch Mage?" the child spoke in an almost inaudible tone but even so the old man managed to hear and decided to answer …
"That's hard to say kid… some say it's just a mage who reached the peak of a human's power while others say it's someone with the blood of the first Arch mage in their veins… but it's all just a fairy tale…. After all none have been revealed in over a hundred years and don't get your hopes up."
"Come on old man, you don't have to end her dreams that way too" one of the men who was in the place spoke with his hoarse voice attracting the old man's irritation...
"You think I don't know that boy... she just needs to understand that the world is not a rainbow and you know it very well"
The child diverted her golden eyes between the two adults who were talking to each other, while the bard just kept his eyes on Ilia with curiosity.
"And you bard … are you not far from the North? … or you are also fleeing the civil war that is taking place there "this time the question came from an old woman ….
"A bit of both … but how do you know I'm from the North"
"The color of your clothes does not deceive anyone boy …. after all there is only one bard school that wears green" the young bard smiled at the old woman as he nodded his head…. He mumbled something but the sound of his voice was drowned out by the creaking of the wagon's wood that stopped abruptly….
'Are we there yet?' Ilia thought to herself but the reactions of the people around her didn't seem very good.
"Old man did something happen?… it's still too early for us to stop for a rest…" one of the several men in the carriage spoke to the old man as he stood up and looked from behind the old man to the front of it… "Oh no"
The man momentarily lost strength in his legs at what he saw ..." Bandits ... and many " .... Everyone tensed at what they heard...
The old man who was in the most vulnerable part of the wagon, in this case leading the horses, tensed in front of him were fifteen thugs, two of the rest standing out, a man with a black cloak and a tattoo of an eye in the center of his forehead and his eyes have an unearthly glow in them that complement his appearance... unsettling... whereas the man standing next to him who appears to be the leader has black hair and equally dark eyes...
The black haired man analyzed the wagon which is completely covered by a thin white cloth probably to protect the cargo from atmospheric conditions or even the eyes of strangers he walked slowly to the side of the old man who was so scared that he didn't even get off the small wagon
"Old man ... here's the thing ... me and my friends here" the man looked behind him facing the other bandits who laughed "… we are good people … if you know what I mean … so let's do this the best way …. OK?"
The old man just nodded his head in confirmation afraid that whatever he said would end badly for himself….
Inside the wagon despair took over the adults, the strongest men went forward with any object they could find inside the wagon now armed they waited for the bandits to act …
The young bard watching the situation unfold placed himself at the back of the group as he pulled Ilia back and draped a cloak over her...
"Listen, child, hide yourself under this cloth and don't make a sound" the bard focused his gaze on the child's golden eyes and then immediately looked away, seeming troubled by something.
Ilia just agreed having an idea of what was going to happen now, after all the poor child had her share of violent experiences in the streets of the capital of Melromarc….
Outside the wagon, the black haired man twirled his finger in the air giving the signal to his group of bandits who surrounded the wagon, all care was needed and the bandit seemed to know that after all he doesn't know what's inside this wagon
"Old man, what are you carrying… if it doesn't bother you to answer clearly?" the irony in the bandit's voice bothered the old man but he decided to answer
The old man decided to answer a half truth to save his throat from the guillotine in front of him and maybe give those in the wagon a chance "Refugees… most are old and injured".
*Fshiu*
The man whistled in a relaxed way giving a signal to his black robed companion who drew a small rune in the air, the old man seeing this said "Wait I don't-" with no time to defend himself or apologize the transformed rune in a small radius that fueled the old man in full making him fall to the ground unconscious
"Is this really necessary captain?"
"Of course it is, he better be unconscious so he doesn't try anything funny" the now mage just incorporated and walked to the entrance of the wagon which is covered by a cloth just like the rest of the structure is...
The captain pointed to one of several thugs
"You… see what's inside"
Before he could walk to the carriage entrance the man was stopped by the magician's hand who drew another rune in the air that glowed slightly and made the cloth walls become transparent to outside observers... a group of men is waiting for the bandits to attack them....
"These don't look like old people…. I guess I'll have to have an intense conversation with that old man later" after pondering for a few more seconds the crook arrived at the most obvious answer...
"Wizard, do what you have to do"
"Wizard does this Wizard does that…. Bla bla bla" The mage muttered to himself as he drew several runes in the air
"Are you saying something?"
"I'm not captain... I'm just reciting incantations"
Suddenly, the various runes drawn in the air activated in a row and several bolts shot out and crossed the wagon, hitting everyone in the wagon … as a result, some of the men fell out of the wagon straight to the ground …
"Hmm... odd it seems that one resisted" the mage muttered to himself.
Wasting no time, some bandits entered the wagon and seconds later a man in green clothes was at the bandit captain's feet….
The mage looked at the man dressed in green with a clear question in his mind...
"A bard…. What bad luck, no one will give money for it…"
"I think it wise not to get involved with this school of bards" the mage this time spoke as he looked at the bard who stared at the two men with a smile….
The men were clearly uncomfortable perhaps because of the color of the man's clothing or what it represents.
"I think you're amazing and I'm a huge fan of yours... the noblest bandits of the lesser kingdoms"
The captain of the group lightly rubbed his neck "I said that if we don't kill anyone it would have several benefits... and as always I'm right" the man spoke while looking at the mage who rolled his eyes at his leader's words
"… but there is one thing I never understood… why you don't reveal your names, I imagine fame would follow if you did…"
"Everything has a reason, bard... after all, it's harder to look for what doesn't have a name..."
"I just want the money let's get this over with... quick" the mage was clearly impatient with his leader's calmness...
…
Inside the wagon Ilia is under a white cloth while holding a small bag of coins next to her chest … the child was visibly shaking with the tension in the place, which caught the attention of one of the bandits who were searching the place for valuable things …
'Did they already go... and is the bard okay' some questions ran through Ilia's mind... but her thoughts were interrupted by a voice
"Oh oh what do we have here…"
.
.
.
"-And that's how we carried out the assault on the biggest merchant in Melromarc" the leader of the bandits told his story while showing his clear pride in what he does, while the bard who, even annoyed, maintained his composure so as not to poke the bandits in such a way wrong….
"Aaaaahhh let go of me … no ahhhhaaaa"
An immense scream drew the attention of all the bandits who saw one of their companions get out of the wagon while carrying what appears to be a rag struggling in the brute's hand... with a movement of his arm the bandit threw the child in the direction of the magician causing Ilia to fall flat on her face and scatter her coins on the ground….
The bard's face contorted in despair...
The bard was about to move, but then he saw the magician's reaction who drew a rune in the air before he even had time to react "Be quiet bard... or you could end up hurt"
The leader of the bandits, on the other hand, faced the child who was trying to pick up the coins that were scattered on the floor … and then faced the bandit who threw Ilia through the air like a bag of garbage.
"Did you just throw a kid through the air? … fuck … what is our first rule?" the man's black eyes seemed to suck the light from the place which left many of the thugs ready for the worst...
The brute trembled slightly and quickly knelt down in front of his leader, the rest of the bandits looked at the situation with interest after all the brute was a new member of the group…
"Anything goes… except children"…
"Okay... now I want you to get that rule into your stupid little head... and I hope you'll use your little brain to remember that I don't tolerate stupid, pointless mistakes..."
The leader of the group just waved his hand slightly and then the man didn't say another word and walked away, returning to his work of looting.
"What a terrible situation…" the man spoke to himself as he shifted his gaze towards his group of thugs who had just robbed everything that was in the place…
The man knelt down in front of Ilia, when he did that the bard who was in the place tensed, calling the magician's attention...
"Child, are you… okay?"
Silence remained in place for a moment, until the child who had been staring at the ground until now faced the leader of the bandits who, when he saw the color of Ilia's eyes, took three steps back...
"What the fuck were you transporting in that wagon you bastards" the man shouted with all his strength as he drew his sword and pointed it in the direction of Ilia who was not understanding anything
The thugs serving the black haired man were not understanding their leader's reaction... all but one...
The mage who was at the place broke into a sweat when he saw the color of the child's eyes...
"She has blood from a…"
"Fucking Valtera"
The black haired man lost all reason and launched himself towards the child ready to cut it but the man was stopped when the sound of a guitar filled the place.
♫ ♫ ♫
A small barrier deflected the sword… and then a gust of wind appeared at the place that threw the two bandits back, consequently an intense dust rose at the place…
The mage drew a quick rune that invoked a storm of wind that cleared the dust revealing that the child and the bard had disappeared ..."I knew there was something strange about that bard ..." the man seeing his failure looked to his leader but saw a terrifying image for him … he was … praying
"What are you doing?"
"Praying that child dies…. After all, I don't know what's worse... a Valtera in the world on the loose, or a dragon "
The mage who heard this just nodded and started drawing a big rune in the air..
"what-"
"I'll let my master know that a Valtera is out there… maybe he'll be able to warn the four magic towers about this"…
.
.
.
Location: Catalina Forest, Melromarc Capital Outskirts
Naofumi was exhausted … it was all very sudden and when they realized the four heroes were fighting a strange man in the middle of the forest, he moved supernaturally which made the four heroes decide to run for their lives … but the more worrying was the distinct lingering of Allan who still hadn't shown any signs of life...
"Shield!!!" Motoyasu screamed as he retreated behind Naofumi and then the strange man threw his fist towards the heroes, with the last of the hero's strength he created a shield with an ethereal appearance...
"Great Naofumi" Motoyasu showed a smile when he saw the fist stopped by the shield but then Motoyasu's smile disappeared as his hope broke into small fragments of light…
The shield hero grabbed his chest as he shook violently and fell to his side unconscious.
"Your endurance is admirable…. But not enough to overcome this world… too bad the other two didn't last that long" the man in the crow's beak mask spoke as he looked at the now three unconscious heroes who were at Motoyasu's feet…
The boy raised his spear and pointed it towards the man ready to protect his friends…but the unthinkable happened and a noise like lightning ran through the forest…
With inconceivable speed the man turned in the direction of the crash and grabbed the air… at least that's what it looked like to Motoyasu's eyes…. When the man opened his fist... something startled Motoyasu... he grabbed a bullet...
'He's been playing with us until now' reality finally dawned on the young man who realized how terrible the situation he is in … but on the one hand a ray of hope appeared for the boy as he only knows one person who can create a gun to fire a bullet… his friend "Mister Addams" the boy muttered to himself with a tired smile on his lips
"Why are you hiding…"
A few meters away we can see a man in black clothes and a strange mask who analyzes the situation in which the heroes find themselves through the telescopic sight of his weapon...
"Sorry for the delay but now that I've arrived… it's time to start the hunt" the Black Death spoke lightly as he looked at his target who seemed to stare at the assassin even though he was several meters away….
.
.
.
Location: Throne Room, Capital of Melromark
Aultcray is sitting on his throne as he has his head bowed in contemplation... the old king is mad with rage at what happened in front of him...
"That old bastard... it was all prepared by him I'm sure..." the king spoke through clenched teeth...
"At least … the cardinal is missing under a mountain of rubble … with a little luck I still manage to get away from all this disgrace …"
Malty who was at her father's side didn't pay much attention to the man's words, the woman had her mind focused elsewhere... in this case the knight who saved her from being murdered by that accursed old man...
Suddenly the great door of the throne room was opened by a soldier who ran to the front of the king and knelt down with such speed that he almost hit his head on the floor...
Malty saw this as a bad omen after all in the last few days no one seems to bring good news to the throne room.
"My king I bring news of the highest urgency…."
"Afff" a heavy sigh escaped Aultcray's lips "What happened soldier?" the king's mind started to race as he made theories of what it could be until the soldier dropped a bomb on him that shook the man's mind...
"S-sir the Inquisition entered the capital"
The king's eyes opened so wide that they almost looked like they were going to fall out of the man's skull….
"Hahahahahhaha" the king started to laugh like crazy, but the laughter was not coming from happiness… but from despair…
.
.
.
To be continued…