Chapter 25: The Man in Crimson

As the sky grew red, it started raining blood water rain and it struck red lightning across the skies. The people wondered what event was about to happen.

"Why is the sky turning red right now?" Athena said.

"What on earth is even happening right now?" Creo said.

*Meanwhile up above the clouds lies Ozymandias sitting and looking down from the heavens*

"Looks like the dear hero is about to face a strong opponent, their battle will be legendary." Ozymandias smirked, looking down at the very events that are about to unfold.

"He will face a great opponent but in return he might even gain a potential ally out of him." Ozymandias stated.

*Meanwhile back in Elderith*

"This is quite a significant change, it must be some sort of event that's caused this." Zino remarked.

And then, the red lightning had struck down on the ground, with a foggy smoke coming out from it, a dark silhouette appeared and the mysterious figure proceeded to step out of the misty fog.

"Am I seeing things right now or did I just saw someone came out from that red lightning bolt earlier?" Athena asked.

"You're definitely not imagining things, Miss Athena. What you saw was something completely unexpected and the only other question is..." The Bookkeeper said.

"Who...or...what even is he?" The Bookkeeper stated.

The figure that spawned before them was an armored figure with a long red cape, sharp spikes covering his shoulder pads, with a scary and imposing mask striking terror and fear into one's eyes, the figure was armed with a double-bladed weapon and walked towards the castle where Creo and his allies are currently residing.

"I dunno who this person is, but if this man wants trouble, then he'll be able to get it from me." Zion Lee said as he charged towards the mysterious armored figure.

But unlucky for him, the latter charged back with his double-bladed weapon and quickly knocked him down the ground.

"Hmph, he's a bit stronger than I thought he would be." Zion said.

"Listen to me, I don't want any trouble but I guess you forced me to do otherwise." The armored figure replies, placing his blade inches away from Zion's neck.

Creo who saw what happened, misinterpreted it and went in charging towards the armored figure.

"Creo, you idiot, don't go in charging out there without a plan, stupid." Athena said.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Creo said as he went in clashing his sword towards the armored figure.

"Not bad, you're strong, and I know that I shouldn't underestimate you." The armored figure stated.

"You should already know that by know, armored man, now how about we do both of us a favor and end this immediately shall we?" Creo asked.

"I'm pleased with your idea." The armored figure replied.

Creo and the armored figure clashed with one another with both dealing a heavy blow one after the other, and then Creo knocked off the armored man's mask.

"You really are good as the stories say." The man replied.

The man had red hair with a little blue hue on the strand of his hair with eyes similar towards Creo and the man looking eerily similar to Creo in appearance.

"Am I being delusional or is that guy looking awfully a lot like Creo." Athena said.

"Yeah, he does look a lot like him." General Relade said.

"State your name and your business, stranger." Creo said pointing his sword near the man's throat.

"Who am I? Well I cannot really say my real name to you, but I will give you a response...you may call me...The Crimson Thorn." Crimson Thorn replied.

"Crimson Thorn...you have the Kontroligan Eyes as well?" Creo asked.

"Oh, you noticed?" Crimson Thorn replied.

"Well yes, you are right, I do have the Kontroligan Eyes as well, King of Elderith." Crimson Thorn continued.

"Now, state your business, I won't think twice before finishing you off if you don't." Creo said.

"My business?" Crimson Thorn asked.

"My business is a rather tasking kind...you see I came here to ask help from you." Crimson Thorn said.

"My help?" Creo asked.

"Yes...you see...I require you and your guild's help on a task of requiring a certain artifact that I need. " Crimson Thorn stated.

"And what would that artifact be?" Creo replied.

"Have you ever heard of...the Philosopher's Stone?" Crimson Thorn asked.

"Hm, I have heard a tale of it, but I'm not certain about it, some say it's a legend and doesn't exist." Creo said.

"Oh but it is real, King of Elderith." Crimson Thorn replied.

"The Philosopher Stone is the main thing that I need, as long as you and your group help me, then I'm willing to cooperate with you guys as well." Crimson Thorn stated.

"What do you say, do we have a deal, King of Elderith?" Crimson Thorn said.

"Hmph, well I'll think about it for now, as I'm going to take my friend somewhere first but rest assured I will come up with my answer within a day." Creo said.

"I'm fine with those terms, King of Elderith." Crimson Thorn stated, walking somewhere.

"Are you sure of letting him walk away like that Creo?" Athena asked Creo.

"That man literally just attacked Zion out there, I'm not sure if I can trust him that easily." Athena said.

"It pains for me to say it, but I kind of trust him, for now I'll be taking Zion to rest." Creo said as he was carrying Zion to the recovery area.

*Time skip*

Creo left the castle and went down the town to look for Crimson Thorn.

"I wonder where is that Crimson Thorn located, he shouldn't have gotten too far plus he did say that he wanted to meet with me after taking Zion to recover." Creo said to himself, pondering about Crimson Thorn's whereabouts.

As he was walking, the atmosphere suddenly changed with the sudden appearance of a misty fog around the area.

"Well aren't you a man who likes to make an entrance?" Creo said, turning around.

As he turned around, appeared before him was none other than Crimson Thorn.

"Well, I'm here to fulfill our end of the deal, King Creo." Crimson Thorn said.

"Yup I remember that deal indeed." Creo said.

"So have you made up your mind, will you be willing to join forces with me in this task of locating the Philosopher's Stone?" Crimson Thorn asked.

"Hmph, well I have made up my mind Crimson Thorn, so be it, I agree to your terms as long as you don't double cross me in the process when doing the task." Creo stated.

"Excellent and don't worry King of Elderith, I have a history of being a loyal associate." Crimson Thorn stated.

"Uhuh but then again, I have my eye on you." Creo said as he walked away.

"Don't worry, I have my eye on you as well." Crimson Thorn said.

*Meanwhile Ozymandias was staring down over and saw what happened and could not help but smile*

"The events are getting real interesting, I can't help but wait for my turn to fight you, Creo Creatorius." Ozymandias exclaimed.

*The next day in the kingdom of Elderith*

Creo and his group gathered at the capital where they are about to discuss their plan in obtaining the Philosopher Stone. And all this is left for them to do, is wait for Crimson Thorn's arrival.

"Do you think he'll be joining us soon, Creo?" Zino asked.

"He said himself, he doesn't break a promise so I'm trusting him." Creo said.

As they were talking about him, he arrived armed with his weapon and marching towards them.

"You did manage to show up." Creo said.

"Like I've said King of Elderith, I don't break a promise that I've sworn." Crimson Thorn said as he took off his mask.

"Well now that you're here, we can now begin to discuss the plan on getting that artifact you've been mentioning about...the Philosopher's Stone." The Bookkeeper stated, holding his mystical book.

"So here is what I know about the Philosopher's Stone that Crimson Thorn is looking for, it is currently in the possession of the kingdom known as Listmyca, that kingdom is known for its sorcerers and it is a sorcery-only kingdom." The Bookkeeper stated.

"It's under the palm of the kingdom's ruler, Victor Alchemus, he is a known practitioner of not only sorcery but he has also practiced the arts of alchemy." Zino stated.

"Facing him is certainly going to be not an easy task, who knows what he has up in his sleeves." Zino stated.

"Well, we have to devise a plan to stop Victor Alchemus if we are going to get that Philosopher's Stone that Crimson Thorn deeply wants." Creo stated.

"We're definitely working on that one." Athena said

"But we will be ready, we will defeat Victor Alchemus and help out our friend Crimson Thorn in need." Creo stated.