·Chapter 20 : Unfolding of The SequenceJust nowShare"How long have you been an Adventurer!?", Kael asked facing Nollan.
"I have been roaming the planes for a decade by now…", Nollan replied sitting crossed legs in the bull carriage. "I was given the task of protecting people by the holy one... merely performing my duties",
The entire party rode a bull-cart, heading towards VaernThal. The capital of the duchy renowned for noble house residing there!! House Vaern and the Duke Vallen Vaern.
They were considered one of the three loyal families, as they shared blood with the king..
The route was straight… crossing through three major regions.
First, the capital city of Vaernthal.
Then the independent strong hold called the Stoneveil bastion, directly under the king's royal command. Governed by the Notorious Warden of the West, Field Marshal BloodHound.
From there, the party will be leaving for Durmira country, governed by Count Myrris, and Mirastel as their capital… the last stand before the royal capital.
"You must have visited many places then", Said Kael admiring Nollan's freedom and experience.
"Yes… I have visited many places… ", Nollan said, as he straightened his back and leaned a little forward.
"I have travelled through five countries!! Serving the people in need and quenching my thirst for adventuring…"
"That is amazing…", Kael's eyes lit up. "I have heard there are lots of different kinds of beasts all over the plane of Virelya!! ", he added curiously.
"Ohh.. Ohh.. I also want to know that!!", Terren cut in excitedly, accidentally bumping into Kael.
Bam -
"You stupid fu… beast", Kael controlled his anger, restraining in front of Nollan and other passengers.
"I am sorry!! What were you saying…", Kael asked Nollan, rubbing his head.
"Yes, there are more kinds of forms on this plane than hair on your head", He pointed at Kael's head, breaking a smile.
"I have only survived with the help of the Holy and the power provided by them.", Nollan joined in hands and bowed his head as he expressed his gratitude towards the almighty.
He slowly opened his eyes.
"And because of that wild man", He pointed towards Zodiac who was taking a nap. Even in his nap, he had hand over his twin swords.
"You have been traveling together!? Just two of you", Terren asked, as he leaned back..
"Yes.", Nollan again closed his eyes and joined his hands, "There were three of us initially but now only two remain"
Nollan's voice held depth and sorrow. Even Terren felt silent.
Nollan took a deep breath and changed the conversation.
"I came from the eastern Virelya, it's just like here with the sole difference in the environment. This area is rather dry… but that region has more jungle and more beasts."
The atmosphere had suddenly changed.
"There are serpents, larger than trees. The swamps have almost every kind of bug in it… some even bigger than my torso. Bears bigger than this bull, and cats which hunt them."
He paused.
"And the great beasts!!", He's voice dropped.
Hearing that, Kael remembered the occasion when he saw one in Valemire.
"Like that giant monkey that the captain killed?", Terren looked at Kael. Kael nodded.
"Hmm… So, you met a Land's-fowl and came back alive… haha", Nollan chuckled as he heard what Terren said, "Your captain must have been a beast himself"
Nollan was really impressed but someone who was even more impressed was, Zodiac.
He was actually listening to the conversation.
"Is it really that dangerous?", Kael asked, partially confused by Nollan's reaction. "Our captain killed it with a single blow"
For the first time, Nollan's eyes widened and even Zodiac sat up.
"You must be joking", Nollan said chuckling, "To kill a single great beast we need at least ten… no, twelve Ashborn warriors!! and even that does not guarantee the success!!"
Nollan was just about to speak another word but he stopped. He frowned a little, then -
"Wait… Who was your captain?"
Kael did not answer right away as he was in doubt if Nollan would recognize Segeford.
"His name is Segeford", Kael finally uttered.
Nollan's brows shot up.
"Ahh… The Unyielding!!", Nolan whispered just loud enough that Kael and Terren could catch.
"The Unyielding?", Kael asked, "Is that what people call him?"
"Yes, and there is a reason behind wh—
CRRRRRr
Before Nollan could finish, the cart suddenly stopped and they all jolted with the flow.
Every one's focus settled ahead of the cart. There was nothing to be seen… just trees, roots, greenery and rough road in between.
"Why did we stop?", Asked, a boy sitting by Kael.
Zodiac stood up and walked to the front. Nollan also stood up, but he was rather calm and composed.
"Nothing. Just jungle filth", Nollan muttered to that boy.
"You just rest", Terren put his hand on Kael's shoulder as he stood up. "Let them handle"
*What a reliable party!! Kael thought.*
The beast holding the path was a tree ogre… also known as swamp-back. Covered in swamp, mud, roots and bugs… it in itself was an ecosystem. They were known for blocking the path and attack when bothered. It had a huge wood club by it, and it reeked of mud and rotting greenery.
Kael had never seen that thing before.
It's big, Kael thought.
It stood at least ten feet tall, still snoring.
Kael stood in front of the bull, as Nollan stood little ahead of him. Hands behind his back. Relaxed and composed.
"You need a hand?", Nollan asked Zodiac as Zodiac took his steps towards the sleeping beast, unsheathing his sword.
"You think I will even need Devon for that?", Zodiac said, smirking.
Zodiac had only unsheathe one sword: Eva. It was a short-sword, but wider than most. A hole came clear near the tip.
Zodiac looked confident and calm as he untied his sword belt, dropping it on the ground. Now, only one sword in his hand as he walked unwavering.
Wooooshhh
He dashed forward.
Swoosh
His blade cut through the wind, landing right on ogre's shoulder.
Crack
A bone cracking noise spread as a foot deep wound appeared on the beast's arm. Blood spread all over as if it was raining.
That beast woke up in pain, as it let out a loud cry…
Uhhhhhhhaaaawww
It was a bone rattling roar… loud enough to shake the trees around and make the birds scatter.
Ogre swung its club towards Zodiac in fury. But, no… he would not have been Zodiac if he let such an attack hit him. Zodiac stepped back in a flash, pulling his sword down as the blood on his blade drew a curve on the ground.
Ogre breath heavy… wounded and furious. But Zodiac was still calm, ready to finish the battle in a single blow.
"Your breath stinks…", Zodiac pointed his sword towards Ogre, blood dripped from his blade.
He joined his thumb and ring finger with his other hand.
"Hurry up and die…", he dashed again.
What was that? a spark!? Kael wondered.
Ogre swung its club again… It was bleeding blood, snorting as it drooled all over the place.
Just when the club was about to hit Zodiac… Zodiac ducked, putting his left hand down on the ground and sprung his legs.
Shlk-
Before the ogre could have even pulled his arm back, Zodiac's sword pierced its lower jaw… straight to the skull.
Ogre looked in pain and terror… swinging its club around as Zodiac pulled his sword out. A menacing smile covered Zodiac's face.
In ogre's eyes… it was clear… He was the prey looking straight into the eyes of Death.
Zodiac kicked its chest and jumped back. Ogre dropped on its butt, swung its club for one final time as it bleed from all the holes.
Thud -
Its huge body dropped… died in agony.
"That was refreshing", Zodiac spoke… stretching his shoulder.
"Let's move", Nollan ordered, "We can't stay here… they would have been coming"
He turned back towards the cart as Zodiac picked his belt from the ground and Ogre's tooth.
"Who is coming?", Kael asked, confused as he walked beside Nollan.
"The Scavengers…"
Nollan's face turned cold.
By the time of peak noon, they were out of the jungle.
They stopped at an open field, preparing lunch. There were a total of 13 people on the cart including 4 of Kael's party.
The cart was almost empty as everyone was outside, except for Kael and Nollan.
"So, what are the scavengers you talked about!?", Kael asked Nollan.
Nollan was sitting in a meditative pose, with eyes closed.
"They are the reason, the jungle looks so beautiful", Nollan replied, his eyes still closed.
"Do you know the story of six!?", he opened his eyes, looking at Kael. "The Zar'Nokh"
The name in itself was heavy.
"Yes... I read it once when I was little", Kael replied.
"When Ravaan was drawing his last breath...he made a deal with the thorned eye", Nollan began, "The demon king of Tharziel... Arazeel."
A sudden gust of wind passed touching Kael back his neck.
"In exchange for his life, he demanded the Spine of Zha'ath... The protector of Virelya.
The demon king agreed, but he played a trick. He summoned the ancient dragon in this simple world."
Nollan's blue eyes sparkled as he made a weird sign with his fingers. All of a sudden swirl of water appeared in front of Kael, taking the shape of a dragon.
Aquareth!! He murmured intrusively.
"A power so vast that the fabric of reality itself shook. Our world was not able to comprehend that power... until"
Nollan paused and the Water started taking the shape of a man.
"Until he appeared... The Scarless... The Sequence Bearer."
Nollan's voice lighten up, as the water figure started glowing.
"He grabbed the Sequence itself and molded it... hammered it.. broke it.. until it changed. Giving new life, new powers and new principles to our world."
"And the result... The dragon itself became a part of this world."
"So what happened to the six kings!?", Kael asked, immersed in the story.
Nollan looked at Kael, and smiled.
"They were the rulers of the previous world... And Scarless devoured that world giving life to this new world... He devoured them too... Every single one of them"
The water figure disappeared suddenly, as Nollan was about to finish talking.
"At least, that's what the story says...", Nollan said standing up. He looked at Kael sitting down, "Nobody actually knows, what happened to them... maybe Zar'Nokh still breathes..."
Nollan headed outside, just as he finished talking.
Kael just sat there, thinking about where the six kings went!? But more importantly...
Where are the Scarless and the ancient dragon!?