What Comes of This?

"You're new, who are you?" The man asked.

"Who I am isn't important, I should be asking you that." Kendell said.

"Ask her who I am, I'm more than sure she remembers what I did to that party of hers. But as it seems, she's stuck in awe. I am Keivan, Lich King of New Augustine, Demon Continent." He spoke, it echoed through the entire floor.

"Very well, I am Kendell of the Ianbal Kingdom, wielder of Ragnarök and jointed holder of Arcana Cortex." He replied.

"Oh? You don't seem to be a Mognite or Lentini. Are you not human?" He asked.

"I'm not from this world so no, technically." Kendell replied.

"Ah, the other worlders, it slipped my mind.. And did you say joint holder of Arcane Cortex? This is a very interesting development, so you're the one who was pulled by fate to be the change for this world? Wait, has she told you the true power of Arcane Cortex or has she only told you part of the matter?"

"Yes, I know a good amount of things about it, you know something?"

"I thought you'd never ask! See, Arcane Cortex was one of the first darker World Powers to surface, not knowing how to contain it, they attempted to kill an entire bloodline that it was connected to. Syndel, your history will be more important as you uncover more about your family. But you see, I'm merely just a historian who knows of the world power itself. As it stands, you're the only one capable of doing what needs to be done."

"What do you get out of telling us this?" Kendell asked suspiciously.

"I'm only setting the stage for what's to come in due time. I do however yearn to see how far she's come in terms of utilizing Arcana. Swap vessels with the girl." Keivan spoke.

Kendell turned to Syndel and grabbed her hand. She turned towards him with a look of fear in her eyes still shaking subtly.

"It's fine, we'll get through this. Trust me, how do I do it?"

"Focus and trade places with her. She's too afraid to even move. You used to be a distinguished mage and warrior, maybe I was too hard on you.."

Kendell closed his eyes and focused on Syndel's mana, when he opened his eyes; he was back in Syndel's body but she fainted while in his body.((They switched bodies again))

"Very well, shall we?" Syndel asked, grabbing the swords off Kendell's body.

She unsheathed the swords and got ready to attack. Syndel launched at Keivan immediately, he parried her first attack but did not expect the broken sword to be used also. He smiled as he blocked the sword strikes from Syndel as she went on a rampage of sorts. Syndel's body began to heat up as she continued on, Ragnarok was unconsciously activating inside Syndel this time? The swords began to glow like blades in flame. Keivan was impressed, the strikes continued on then Syndel caught Keivan one good time and she struck skin. Black blood leaked from the wound she left.

"Oh, you managed to draw blood from me. Very well, time to take it up a notch." Keivan extended his arms and closed his eyes. When his eyes opened, an absurd amount of energy was released from his body. Syndel and Kendell both staggered a bit. He placed his hands onto his stomach and pulled as a large sword made of dark energy came out of him and materialized. Keivan's clothing changed to spiky knight armor with a red helmet.

Keivan got into a defensive stance as Syndel rushed him again. Kendell began to wake up but the shear force of the attacks started to move him backward.

"Move, move, move damnit!" Syndel's mind yelled at his body. Syndel was slowly succumbing to the fear Keivan ingrained into her those years ago.

"Just what did you do to cause her of all people to become terrified of you?" Syndel asked as their swords clashed.

"I turned her former party members into pure power. I am The Lich King after all. However, they were far too weak compared to where you stand. Just how did you come about getting this strong?" Keivan asked. Kendell's body shivered.

They continued on trading blows, as it seemed they were equally matched.

"I was already adept at fighting but since coming here, I vigorously trained for six months. I quickly adapted to this world, all for the sake of protecting her until-." She replied.

"How lucky of you to be brought into this world with the pre-requisites of becoming a hero. The fact you managed to be given a world power just from passing over in itself is an anomaly. I have high hopes for you and this elven girl, along with several others... Once you conquer this dungeon, head east from the dungeon's exit and make your way to the Human city-state known as Cloven. You should encounter several other wielders of world powers. But be weary, these two are not on the same side thus, there is a wedge driven between them for power. Whomever you choose to help will be what wills the war that's bound to come. Foretold in legend, the world powers alone can destroy countries but together they could destroy the world. It would be in your best interest to put the Ianbal kingdom behind you and find them before they find you. Although you may have second thoughts about staying in this kingdom; I do understand that. But whatever you may decide when you get there is up to you. Also, upon defeating the world power wielder and they concede or die. The world power will be passed onto the victor. The gods are fair in this way at least.But it's up to you, young Kendell." Keivan spoke as he backed up from Syndel.

"Considering my own standing in the Ianbal kingdom, I don't see myself staying for the near future. I've talked with Syndel on the matter a few times over the last couple of months and she understands that I pose a risk for staying. However, if knowledge of my existence or the world powers coming to be announced to the rest of the world; the Ianbal kingdom could suffer a full-scale invasion from all sides now that I think about it.. Now for you, assuming you plan to journey with us after telling us where to find these world powers, how do we free you from this dungeon?"

"My my, I'm surprised you knew that much. I'm merely a mirage you see, this dungeon has never been real. It was all a plan to set everything in motion. We won't be travel mates, but I'll see you there. Drive your sword through my chest and release me from this dungeon, that is my last request of you. Look out for a pair of rings after that will help you for the journey ahead. I look forward to meeting you two. Hopefully I'll get to see how power-"

Syndel broke through the mental gate inside Kendell's body and launched at Keivan with a dagger immediately stabbing him, she released so much mana into the attack it blew her own body and his away, this caused them to switch back by force. When Kendell finally had waken up, there was a lifeless body and Syndel was knocked out. Kendell knew what would have to happen now, he stood over Keivan's body and severed the head. It turned into ash then the dungeon began shaking. He grabbed her as the entire place began to descend, they made it back to the ground and a chest slowly came through the floor. He slowly opened the chest and saw there were two rings made of black smoke. Kendell put one on and put the other on Syndel, he carried her out on his back. Setting her down, they just sat outside for a moment.

"Are you okay?" Kendell asked.

Syndel was still silent, Kendell caressed her cheek and embraced her. Syndel began crying. Syndel told him about that day. After that, she stood up and screamed as loud as she could, tears still streaming down her face.

"This is what being strong is all about right!? I absolutely hate it! Having to bear everything knowing you could have stopped their deaths from happening, but you were too afraid to even act... I don't even know what I'm doing. On the day we met, that spell I casted, it wasn't supposed to switch us or anything, or even summon you! It was supposed to be a sacrifice, trading my life for those in my own country to survive. It's like I've been cursed with immortality and at any given moment of pain or suffering, it gets more and more out of control! I don't want to deal with this, I never asked for any of this. Everyone expected great things of me, they assumed a young half elven girl would be their savior of sorts. The trauma and guilt I carry for my fallen comrades is my burden and I'm truly sorry you have to deal with this along with me. I'm sorry for dumping all of this on you, I felt like I truly owed you an explanation. It was never your fault, we met off my own suicide attempt. I suppose it was fate in one way or another." She spoke as she wiped tears out of her eyes.

"No need to apologize, and I understand. However, I can assure you that shouldering everything on your own will no longer be an issue. We've been together for nearly a year now, don't feel the need to hold back on me, I've seen every side of you now. Your father once told me, it's foolish to think you're in control when in reality the Gods will always have full control of how fate plays out. Don't worry too much about situations you couldn't control my love." He reassured her.

"But-" She began to speak, grabbing the broken blade.

"Oh yeah, let's make something for your fallen comrades." It only too but a moment, the two had created a makeshift grave sight for her former party. Burying the blade deep into the ground under the large tree. Kendell stepped away to give her some alone time, thinking back. His birthday was here, but what's to come of this now?

Syndel rejoined him as he stood by. "It's getting late, we could reach a town by night fall. Come on." He grabbed her by the hand so they could grab their things and move out.

They arrived at the town of Dimfield and got a room to stay in for the night. That night, Syndel had a very vivid nightmare of the kingdom being destroyed by giant snow beasts. This had Syndel on edge the whole time they were gone. They ended up staying for nearly a week before heading back. Airing out all of the pent up emotions and frustrations, their time together was definitely well spent. Kendell woke up before Syndel and went to get food for her. He stopped by the food market and bought some fruit and bread. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, he felt knew he was being watched but he continued on. He headed to the town's guild to see just who was trailing. He walked into the guild; eyes shifted to him almost immediately. The person behind the counter's eyes met his as he walked up.

"You wouldn't happen to have a restroom, would you?" Kendell asked.

"Upstairs, first door on the right." He replied.

Kendell headed upstairs and watched the guild's doors swing open. An Ianbal knight was trailing Kendell... But why? How did they even know of his location?

Kendell walked into the bathroom and slammed the door. He quickly noticed a window and made his way out of it. He noticed a small group of soldiers waiting outside the guild as if they were going to attack him. He fell out of the window, and it caused a loud noise. They came over to investigate the noise and Kendell limped back to the inn they were staying at. When Kendell made it back upstairs, Syndel hid behind the door; but realized it was Kendell.

"Where have you been!? I've been waiting for you all morning!" Syndel spoke, closing the door behind Kendell.

"Did a group of Ianbal knights come here too? I was being trailed earlier. Can you contact Adrenis?" Kendell asked.

"No. I just woke up not long ago, did something happen?" Syndel replied.

"A group of your kingdom's knights were trailing me, want to go check it out?" He asked.

She nodded and they got dressed and left the room as if they never came. They walked out to where the Ianbal knights were.

"There's the princess!" One of the knights yelled.

Syndel looked surprised as if they were happy to see her.

"The kingdom was attacked a few days ago, Adrenis managed to get a rough estimate of your location. Had it not been for him, we wouldn't have been able to find you." The knight spoke.

"Is my father okay?" Syndel asked.

The knights all looked Syndel in silence, many put their heads down. Kendell's eyes widened.

Syndel was frozen in place with a smirk on her face, she began to laugh a little bit then turned to Kendell. She began to feel the worse wave of emotions she ever experienced. She walked up to Kendell and just hugged him. Tears slowly rolled out of her eyes as she just stood there giggling.

She began to speak but Kendell stopped her. He grabbed her under her chin and lifted up her head.

"No words, I'll take on the burden of stress. Just continue to let it out." He said as their lips met.

The overwhelming mana transfer caused him to collapse after taking on all of her pent up emotions. Syndel helped him back to his feet and they got into a carriage and headed for one of the allied kingdoms. They arrived in Cedrus and headed for the capital. When they got there, Kendell jumped out immediately and vomited near a tree. He began feeling sick and he knew he was going to pay for the emotion transfer. When Syndel's emotions transferred over, the excess amount of mana from it passed over to him; so in short he has mana sickness. His body is slowly absorbing the excess amount of mana but it's still too much. They got Kendell into a bedroom and he laid there with a fever until the mana is absorbed. Syndel stayed with him for a bit then went to speak to Cedrus' leaders.

"Ah, it's been some time Syndel. I suppose meeting like this wasn't intended. I'll cut to the chase, knowledge of Kendell spread like a virus over the last few months you two were missing. You'll be better off heading East away from Zigna. Your entire kingdom was destroyed in one night. I don't know if they have someone like Kendell but I can guarantee, it will be in your best interest to head East. I'm also sorry about your father. I know finding out about it and not being there was tough. He was a fair man who stayed true to his word to the end. That's why I'm giving you these. Every kingdom has documents about the World Powers but I have more stuff in depth about appearances and other things. I'll get you a carriage and a change of clothing if you two desire it. Whenever you're ready to depart, do let me know. But for now, please make yourself at home." The lord spoke.

"Thank you for your kindness. I'll show these to Kendell when he wakes up." She replied as she headed upstairs with the books. She read through the various books and documents while he slept.

When Kendell finally woke up, it was three days later. He had the strongest urge to use the bathroom, so he ran to the bathroom. Syndel woke up and noticed he zoomed out of the room and she sat up. Kendell came back to the room when he was done.

"You were sleep for four whole days just about, you know that?" Syndel asked.

"It felt like I only got eight hours of sleep. But I feel great. So, what's the word?" He replied with the question.

"So, from the conversation with the lord of Cedrus. Zigna launched a full-scale siege on Ianbal and they destroyed the entire kingdom. It was as if they had their own World Power. Also, he gave me several books and documents regarding the World Powers. He also has other documents talking about Dark World Powers, also we should head East for the time being until we figure out our next move. Assuming the remaining knights will also be joining us. And I need to see if Adrens is still alive; if he is then we may be in good hands. I also found something interesting regarding Arcana Cotrex." Syndel spoke.

"Hmph, okay. It shouldn't take me long to copy down everything important from the documents. After that, we should head out and begin searching for Ianbal survivors." He walked near her.

"Oh, and there's a change of clothing in the dresser if you do want to change clothing... I'm going to go bathe, I feel disgusting."

"Alright, just let me know when you're done. I too need a bath." Kendell said, grabbing the books.

The documents went into more depth about the World Powers than what the Ianbal kingdom possessed. Everything was beginning to make sense to Kendell as to why he was brought here and given this power. He read a line from one of the books out loud and felt his body pulse like a jolt of electricity then a chill ran down his spine. It was like he became aware for the first time. He continued copying the notes until he was done. After he finished, he stacked them up and headed to the bathroom.

He knocked on the door and Syndel answered and let him in. She got back into the tub and continued to bathe; Kendell noticed they had a functioning shower, so he used it. He stripped naked in front of Syndel whose eyes lit up as if she'd never saw him nude before. Her eyes were telling a different story though.

"It's been some time hasn't it? We should, before we leave. I want to." Syndel spoke, shortly.

"Now that's music to my ears, we can do it." Kendell walked over to her after they were done, claiming her mouth again.

After they were done, they both got dressed and prepared to head East. What's to come from their findings?