Encounter

CAES

Standing by the edge of the fields under the tents I couldn't help but feel a little disillusioned.

"Caes! A voice called and I turned to see Adora coming towards me swinging her hips in her ever iconic way. She had changed into uniform. Unlike Philip, the rest of us were in uniform. It would make it easier for the younger ones to recognize us.

Usually the knight guards recruitment was supervised and carried out by lower rank knights and the inner court officials but this time I went against the protocols when I realized a despicable pattern. A majority of knights who had been recruited for the last few years lacked true potential and depth. They were spineless money grubbing cowards. A fraction got in by wetting the palms of the officials. It was either one bias or the other and when I got to know, I couldn't stand it. We needed strong, unbending and unwavering knights. Knights who would take charge of tomorrow. Pure skill, talent and heart and not disposible body shields.

This selection process was to secure the safety of all the realms and the imperial city and if it meant coming down here myself, I would do it whether it pleased the internal court or not. They had left a hoard of grumblings and complaints on Lord Andreas's desk but his highness had replied in his ever carefree manner.

"I trust you have a reason Caes so do what you must" He had said with a smile.

I clutched at my chest and I winced in pain as the throbbing grew stronger. It was getting worse with each passing day. It bothered me but I couldn't disclose to anyone not even my squad despite how close we all were.

"Hey Caes! Adora chipped in pinching at my face and I flinched.

"My apologies. I didn't notice you were already here"

"Where's your mind off to? She scoffed and turned to look in the same direction as me.

"There're a bunch of talented young folks in this little valley. At first it doesn't look like much"

My eyes scanned the field and I couldn't help but confess that she was right.

There was a boy by the far end who could levitate an entire horse and move it around. For a child without prior warrior training, it was impressive. His calmness in contrast to the hotheadness of his peers around was admirable.

"Take a look at that lass over there" Adora chipped in with a cheeky smile and I looked to the other side. A lass was sparing with Gaius, a member of our squad and a friend. She seemed to be giving him a hard time. She was fast and insanely strong. Her moves could pass that of an elite already and I could sense raw determination in her eyes.

There was another who could make the earth split. He was rather loud and obnoxious as he did so but he had raw talent. I nodded my head.

"They'll make fine knights, eh? Adora nudged at my elbow and I gave a nod.

"Skill and raw talent is an integral part of being a knight Adora but the question is, do these underlings have the heart? The courage to swallow one's fear and lay down one's life? Skills and talent mean nothing when compared to that. The backbone of a knight is heart. The desire to rise above every circumstance no matter how perilous or arduous it might seem"

Adora scoffed.

"Here you are again. Aren't you just charisma at it's peak? Test of heart is why they have to go through the basic trainings to become knights. We can sieve away the cowards then. So I don't think we have anything to wor…..

A cackling sound tore through the air all of a sudden, vibrating the earth beneath us and we both flinched.

Adora and I cast side glances.

"What…. was that? I raised my eyes to the sky.

"Probably lightening, I don't think it's a cause for alarm" Adora retorted but then I couldn't see a rain cloud in the sky. Why did something feel so strange and out of place?

The air around had suddenly become cold and the winds more vicious. Silence lingered for a few seconds and only the wind's howling could be heard. The sky was beginning to get dark and everyone had stopped whatever they were doing in confusion by now. Could this be…..

Then I felt it. A sharp tingling sensation slithering down my spine, pulling my innards together like a rope to a tree. I was gradually losing my ability to move.

"A..dora….

I turned to Adora and gasped. She was frozen. Her teeths gritting and only her eyes could move.

"Caes…wh…at is this?..i…can…t….mov…e"

I looked around and my eyes widened. Everyone had stopped moving and were frozen like statues.

What was this?

Just then I saw it. A cackling surge of powerful firery crimson lightening descending from the clouds aimed at the recruits!

This lightening..this power …it could only be….

I let out a horrendous groan.

Arne!

AZEL

I had moved a reasonable distance away from the fields, near the market and was on my way home feeling like a stack of cattle turd when I noticed the weather was suddenly getting darker. In a strange way. I felt a piercing thud in my heart and I groaned nearly crashing to the ground as I clutched at my chest.

What was this? A heart attack? The thud came again, this time bursting around my ribs like a cackling fire. I gasped and groaned in agony wiggling on my knees with my head bowed.

Suddenly I could sense overwhelming darkness. Hovering in the sky. It was like I could feel a hoard of energy around me.

"Kiya!! The voice tore through my head again shooting at my skull. I held my head. Why did it feel like my body was being pulled apart. Who was this Kiya? Who was this lady and why wouldn't she leave me alone.

A sudden thunderous sound of a violent burst of energy hit my ears and the earth rumbled violently beneath my feet like an inferno. A few frightened people gasped. Then a violent gush of wind followed sending everything and everyone in its way flying away. It was so powerful, I felt my feet lose balance and it sent me crashing against a cart. I grunted and fell to the ground writhing.

My back.

What was that?

I stood up with a struggle and then I caught sight of it.

Smoke.

Coming from the fields, where the recruitment was taking place. Something…something was happening.

Freya! Hannes!

I stopped breathing but then my body charged up and before I could take a breath I dashed off to the fields. If they were in trouble, I had to help them.

FREYA

I pried my eyes open with a struggle. What was that explosion? Why did it feel like my head would explode? I gasped.

My body had refused to move and there had been lightening raining down on us…but then at present we were on the floor, unscathed and unarmed? What happened?

I got up with a wince and flinched when I saw a knight. It was Sir Xander! Master of darkness and a knight of the silver brotherhood standing just besides me. I felt just one word.

Awe.

They said his skill was second to none and even Captain Caes could barely take him head on. I had no idea that he would be here too. His right hand was lifted up while his left dug into his pocket. He had a bland look on his face. I looked up and that's when I saw it. He had protected us with a layer of deep shadows hung over all our heads. Gasps, pants and shrieking filled the fields as everyone had suddenly begin to move.

Our eyes met and I nearly shuddered at how dark those eyes were.

"Stand to your feet" I heard him growl at me and I jerked to my feet. Others stood too.

Sir Caes had by now sprinted to where we were along with a breathtaking looking knight who held two swords by her sides.

"Xander! Caes called as he approached. There was surprise etched on his face.

"I didn't know you were coming" The pretty knight said with heavy pants. I saw Sir Xander look at Sir Caes with cold eyes.

"I came to protect you idiot. Isn't there something you should be telling me? Xander's eyes trailed to his chest and I saw Sir Caes twist his lips without a word.

"We don't have time for this right now. About a minute ago our bodies were frozen… then there was lightening" The pretty knight added.

"It's Arne"

I saw the pretty knight gasp.

"Arne? In the realms? Why would he take a big risk coming out here? His power depletes under the sky barrier. I'm certain he knows that. He must be a fool for coming here"

"Arne isn't one to take idle steps without reason. He has some goal to accomplish. I could say he probably has some information that works well to his advantage " Xander narrowed his eyes at Caes and I could feel the tension between them.

"Let's get the children to safety. Hurry" Caes stated ignoring his words.

"What about how our bodies froze a while ago? Arne doesn't have such power" The pretty knight gasped.

"But he does have accomplices. Probably one with such a soul stone"

"It didn't work on Xander though"

"We don't know it's criteria for functioning, that means we're clearly at a disadvantage. Protecting the children should be our first priority. Adora, you, Gaius and Philip should ensure the young ones safety. 'A' rank knights and every other person be on high alert. Xander and I will face Arne"

"Aye! You come! The pretty looking knight screamed at me and gripped my hand before I could say a word.

What was happening? What did I just hear?

CAES

"I'm not going to let you fight Caes" That was Xander's cold voice.

"You and I are the only one with powers complementary enough to go against Arne and whoever it is backing him up. We are up against the unknown Xander. This is the only way to prevent anyone else from getting hurt"

"Why didn't you tell me? His cold voice came again and I sighed. I didn't know what to say.

"I won't let you fight Caes. I'll protect you whether you let me or n….

He had barely completed his statement when all of a sudden he stopped, his eyes overturned and went white. A mouthful of blood gushed out his mouth with a cough and I froze. Then my eyes went lower and my heart stopped.

A spear had been run through his chest from behind!

"Xander!!! I screeched as his body crumbled to the ground, then I saw him. The bastard. Arne behind him, a sickly smile on his face.

"Surprise…..brother"