Chapter 32: The Goodbye?
He jumped off of his horse. Despite his bubbly and harmless appearance, one can see determination and focus on his eyes as the white glowing light was brighter than before.
Then, he walked forward, approaching the hungry eagles as his armor clanged along with his steps. The whole group of knights had never been surprised like this before. It was unexpected that the prince would order a mere tendrin to clean up the mess in front when he can let the rest of the knights.
When he had enough distance between the eagles, he stood up and took a long breath. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on his surroundings, meditating like there's no threat in front of him. Finally, the predators noticed him and started flying towards his spot.
The whole army didn't move even though they witnessed the flying creatures assaulting Pete that was now feels like he's sleeping. But before they can reach him with their claws, he raised both of his hands and spread his arms away from each other.
He opened back his eyes, now glowing than ever. His arms reached for the middle and clapped forcefully, making a series of waves flowing out of his hands. The wave reached the army, causing them to hear the loud noise of the clap.
They were forced to cover their ears, as well as the deadly eagles in front, now going wild because of the sound.
As they were hurt by the noise, the clouds on top of them suddenly went black. In those dark clouds appeared a bolt of large lightning that can be compared to the tall mountains.
It reached for the snake eagles, causing them to feel the pain of electricity. They shivered in the rhythm of the lightning until they were burned to crisps in an instant. Their slithering sounds are no more, and their eyes are dead fish.
The knights widened their eyes, shocked at the results.
"W-What…" One of the knights spoke, stunned.
"How did he…"
After hearing it from the mouths of the army, Danico couldn't help but release a grin, secretly proud. He turned his head around the knights, still not removing the smile.
"Oh, you haven't heard of him?" He asked.
"U-Unfortunately, we haven't, Your Highness." One of them answered, lowering their heads, embarrassed about their failure.
"He's one of the talented tendrins that reached the highest power of their kind." The prince answered, proud, and confident of his subordinate. "He's also my teacher since my childhood, and my attendant."
He wouldn't admit it, but he had been looking up at him since his childhood. The respect he had with the tendrin couldn't be compared to other lords and knights he had met.
"If you didn't know those things, I suppose my father didn't tell you."
***
The heat was no more, as the sun descended on the west, about to end the day. My sweat can't be seen and the wind became cooler, giving me a refreshing feeling. But at the same time, several insects disturbed me in my position, flying around to see my annoyed face.
Cainne doesn't seem to be having trouble with the insects, and just standing there, chest out, and still willing to start a new lesson. I swayed my hands at a faster speed to catch the flying insects but to no avail.
"Okay, next lesson is…" He said, crossing his arms. Despite the bugs, I looked at him to listen. He told me that this will be the second and final lesson of this training. "…knowing who's your target."
"Knowing… my target?" I asked him with a raised eyebrow. As far as I remember, I did that before when I was escaping and when we were struggling in the Undead Woods. But I'm not sure if that's what he was talking about.
"After the meditation, your whole body will be filled with magic." He explained. "So the next thing that you must do was to know your target and aim the magic to them."
"I've seen you did this before, so I won't be explaining deeply with this." He added. Now that I've got my assumptions confirmed, I smiled at him and let him start the training.
He placed a new scarecrow at a faraway distance and under the shades. I couldn't help but be distracted by his glowing golden eyes in the dark, so I shook my head and continued to focus on my target.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in the cold breeze that brushed my short hair. The insects are no longer bothering me anymore and the only one I can feel was the strange sensation flowing around and inside my body, like a liquid that stuck in my body's gravity.
If I remembered correctly, I haven't felt this kind of sensation before when I was using my magic. All I can feel was an intense pain that can burn my heart in an instant. It was torturing. But now, it's different. It's somewhat calm and relaxing.
With that experience, I understood the magic system better. So in order to have proper use of the magic, one must have to fill the whole body with it before using its full power. If that didn't succeed and was empty, then every time one uses magic, it will give an intense amount of pain.
As I finally felt the magic in my hand flowing like water being pushed by the gravity, I opened my eyes and focus my eyes at the target.
"Control your aim, Meria!" Cainne yelled beside me, giving me a signal to release the magic.
"Okay!" I shouted back, raising one of my hands in the air as I showed my palm to the scarecrow. Then, I felt a strong magic gathering and forming on my palm, that even I was amazed.
A huge amount of force went out of my hand and towards the scarecrow that had been standing still the whole time. It pushed the target away, causing it to fly around the air and dropped to the ground with a loud thud.
The grass that my magic passed by, was now lower than before, bowing down to the strong pressure. The tree in its back bent but never fell, showing how powerful it is to use carelessly. The birds that were once staying on top of its branches started to flee, leaving it alone.
"I-I… I did it!" I cheered as I raised both of my hands in the air, proud of myself. I know that I've been doing this a few times, but this is the time that I've never been so glad. I felt no pain and my aim was successful.
"You're actually a fast learner." Cainne complimented, as he released a sincere smile to me. "Even faster than the juniors I met before."
"Juniors…" I muttered, loud enough for him to hear it. I never thought that he had juniors. He looked like the same age as me, but I was working as a librarian, while he was a knight sergeant with juniors and followers. "…can I know who they are?"
"The thing is… I can't remember their names or faces." He said, filled with sorrow as he spitted those words. I couldn't help but my heart to break as I felt the grief.
"Once an encantor tried to adapt to a new environment, they mostly forgot their experiences when they were in the previous environment." He explained, in which I knew all along. I've read about it in the books before.
"All I remember was they're a bit of a pain." He added. He released a smile but somehow it's still sad despite how warm it is. "But… somehow, I've had a lot of fun with them. They made me feel that… I'm not the only one who's acting differently."
Without realizing, I reached for his arm and patted it, since his shoulders are unreachable at my height. He looked at me with pleading eyes, sparkled under the sunset.
"I'm sure you can see them again," I said with a sincere smile.
He smiled at me, still with the sadness, but much better than before, like I just placed a band-aid at his very heart. "I hope so."
***
The next morning greeted the whole town of Zentra, as the sunlight passed through their roofless homes. The insects and animals started showing up, from the ponds to the trees. Another day to start their routines, but it was the day for us to say goodbye.
"Thank you for letting us stay here," I said, showing a sincere smile to the group of tendrins that had been standing in front of us. The elder was just slouching on the back, as well as Pholly, who obviously aren't interested in seeing our departure. The rest are smiling with warmth.
"It was no problem! We're so happy to help you!" Dalary's mother responded and smiled cheerfully like a pure maiden. But then, her smile disappeared, and looked at my companion. "But… Dalary, are you sure you want to leave again?"
"I can't just leave my friend alone. I promised to be by her side." My tendrin friend answered as she lowered her head, feeling the guilt. Come to think of it, she had been stayed quiet since that terrible night. I've come across here so many times, but she had been trying to avoid my questions.
"Is that so…" Her mother said, also lowered her head. She then raised her head and brought back her smile. "Okay, then, if that's your choice."
"I guess this is farewell," I spoke, lifting the heavy conversation.
"Goodb–"
"Elder!"
Dalary was about to say something when all of a sudden, she was being interrupted by a yell from a far distance. We turned around to see a tall male tendrin running towards our direction, panting in his every step as he tried to reach us. Curious about his motives, I focused on him.
"What's the matter?" The elder said, confused, as well as all of us here. The tendrin lowered his head, trying to breathe some air, then raised, showing the fear and anxiety in his face.
"T-The south… the south gate is…" He said with his tired voice, can't be able to finish his sentence. The whole group was in silence and eyes widened, couldn't help but to have a bad feeling about this.
***
The tall wooden gate that was once guarded by strong and competitive tendrins now had fallen to its position as the flame devoured its very existence. The gate was no more, and the fire around them started spreading to the wooden walls. Yes, the gate was strong, but the fire beat it with just a single snap of its heat.
Tendrin guards started running away as two figures of darkness marched in the open place of Zentra, welcoming them with no security and another large shadow marched behind them. The black mists surrounding them covered their identity, yet one can see the other one's dark demonic eyes. The large entity showed its large intimidating red eyes, stalking for prey.
"Now…" One said with a grin, exposing its sharp teeth. "…let's start… the fire festival."