Things started changing after Dan's eleventh birthday, though they could be associated as to him being a kid but two years later it kept getting worst.
Dan was assigned a maid a year earlier but for some unknown reasons she had died from organ and heart failure. Arthur and Flynn spent more time with Dan during the period, and to make matters worse a little before Dan's fourteenth birthday, Lizzy went missing, Arthur acted strong and fine but Dan could tell he was troubled.And that even he doesn't know where his wife is .Dan too was troubled,but the last thing Arthur needs right now is a crying kid.Areia too, she had grown quite fond of her with their time spent together, everyone was trying not to be a burden or act week towards one another.
Arthur had sent a message to the dragons of they know the where abouts of Lizzy, but for weeks no response ever came.
She's strong, Dan would always hear his Dad say, no doubt she's somewhere goofing off, he saids often with a smile on his face.
That's the only thing he believes, Dan thought and he too was certain, wherever his mum was she was definitely alive and that's certain.
Dan had forgotten about the chain he was given by his mum, but for some reason he could only remember the ring.
A day before Dan's birthday everything changed, the sky was dark and there was no sunlight in sight, Arthur and Flynn came up to Dan and Areia, Dan was really about magic and philosophy while Areia was besides him head on his shoulder asleep.
Areia, this may be my last request for you, Arthur began. Areia opened her eyes but didn't move from her position and didn't even twitch, but Arthur could tell from the little time he's been with her that he's listening.
She sat up and looked at Dan's father in the eyes, he's tired, Areia thought. Even I would be tired if I had Dan missing and the work load of the kingdom on me.
I'll cut straight to the chase since there's no time, we're sending both of you out side the kingdom, we've issued an evacuation order that anyone who feels or is too scared to fight leave the kingdom and survive else where, to my surprise not many left aside from the women and children of course, most of the men stayed.
Dan I know you can hear me, Arthur continued I can't explain with the current time we have now, but if you live in you're bound to piece it all together yourself, you're a smart kid after all and highly logical, Dan buried his face in his book so no one apart from Areia could see his face.
We're leaving right now so there's no time to waste, Dan got up and put the book down, Arthur looked at his face extensively but he could not tell what his son was thinking, he's had an unreadable pokerface since the disappearence of Lizzy.
They ran through the hallway crossed rooms that were once filled with people and light now dark and deserted, from the window Dan could see a massive rock like structure sending and parting the sky, from his observation alone I wouldn't be a stretch to say that the rock was as big as a continent. They got to the highest point of the castle, Arthur looked up and cursed this is gonna be fun. With a wave of his hand a light blue carriage appeared, it was horseless and the roof was open.
I don't know how far it Will take you and I don't have the time now to set a destination but it'll take you outside the kingdom for sure. Here, Arthur said giving Dan a bag, they're essentials. Arthur grabbed Dan and Areia and pulled them in a tight hug. Survive that's both of you, survive at all cost.
Before the carriage pulled away, Flynn gave Areia a pat in the shoulder and said,
I know you'll do just fine,
He held out his left hand to her and something that looked like highly refined and beautiful built rectangular slim canes appeared, they were both jet black in colour as soon as Areia held it.it seemed to disintegrate into her hand, don't worry you'll figure out how to use it eventually.
The carriage shot forward at incredible speed that made Areia wobble, but Dan stood still he could make out dust like subatances coming from the rock and he could see his Dad's cape and Flynn's golden hair moving towards them.
Truly the carriage got them out of the kingdom in a minute which was fast considering the kingdom was big enough to house seventy percent of the human population, which was about ten billion people at the time of their last census in the kingdom. There was a large beam of light coming from the kingdom it was large enough to be seen clearly from the distance the carriage had put between them and the kingdom. It took about three minutes before the carriage disappeared leaving them on a free fall mid Air. Areia reacted quickly grabbing Dan and pulling him close and turning so her back faces the ground Areia hit the ground with a bang, they bounced a few feet in the air, she still holding unto Dan, took the fall again and they rolled some distances before getting up. Areia got up and pulled Dan to his feet. He got up without resistance. Areia looked around they were in an open field filled with rocks and debris, she saw a forest near by and decided they should camp there it would be better then staying in open field, besides I could take care of most wild animals, she thought.
She pulled towards the forest Dan still silent and clutching the bad his Dad gave them. In the forest it didn't take Areia long to start a fire with a bunch of dry tree backs and sticks, they sat on a log Areia had cut down staring down at the fire, Areia glanced nervously at Dan.
Areia, He said calmly, don't lie to me tell me about your childhood and past, almost where you come from.
I wouldn't lie to you even if I wanted to Areia said softly, I'll begin though I don't think it'll be much.
I don't know how or who the masters got the resources from, but I wasn't born like most children, I was created as an experiment through external fertilization, I don't know who the donors were so I don't know my parents but I grew up faster than most kids that were bred the same way, the fire crackled, Areia stared into it, by the age of four, I could already speak and perform things that even ten year old struggle to make, I was called a prodigy and I think they was someone else like me, but he and I never really interacted I think he was called number zero. I was trained under harsh conditions by five and by the sixth week of training I could catch an arrow shot from a crossbow. By then I wasn't the only one trained I had people being trained with me, every morning crossbows were shot at us from all angles and if you get hit you'd be riddled with holes before you reach the ground.
At first we were about sixty but after every morning practice someone dies out of all the sixty candidates only three, me included could pass the crossbows.
We were thought Martial arts and made to drink chemicals by the age of six I could take on some adults there and I had master most of their techniques, by the age of seven I was sent on missions to assassinate some people from the kingdom, I prefer minimizing the casualties to my only said target but sometimes I take guards down along the way, I had a success rate during the order of eighty percent, and I was on my way to kill a delicate from the elves before I was caught by Haki and I was undergoing trial before you found me. That's about my childhood till I met you she concluded.
I see, said Dan, I didn't know you had suffered so much, I knew you weren't a normal kid but I didn't expect this, he continued calmly.
Am I stupid and naive? He asked.
I wouldn't say that, Areia responded, you behave as any kid should but I'll say this, the world is harsher than you currently know.
I see, I know this is stupid to ask, he continued but by chance the humans that evacuated do you know where they could go?
If I'm to be perfectly honest, Areia said softly, I don't think many of them would survive and most of them would be subjected to slavery by the other races, cause as of now we're definitely the weakest race.
Also Areia if I tell you to abandon me and leave would you do it?
No. Areia said firmly.
What if it was an order?
I'm sorry but I'll have to disobey, Areia replied firmly.
Do you think the destruction of the kingdom and the death of half the kingdoms population is my fault? He asked
Yes and No, Areia said firmly.
What would...
Let me make this clear, Areia Interrupted picking up a long stick and poking the now dying flame trying to rekindle it, If you were to become a mass murderer, I'd be by your side, if you were to become a hero I'd be by your side, if you were to try and end yourself I'd never let you do that, and even if you do I'd be by your side, I'm never leaving you no matter what you say or do, so give it a rest.
Don't you think, you're wasting your life? Dan asked, I mean you're young and they could be lots of things you could do in the future.
If you're asking about my future and if I'm doing this as a sense of obligation you're wrong, Areia said flatly, I'm doing this cause I want to and even if your dad hadn't said anything I would protect you with my last breath, if at the end of my path I find a calling or a future as you call it, I'd drag you with me.
I don't know what I'm feeling or why I'm feeling this way, just let me protect you, mast...no Dan till you're able to protect yourself, even then I'd still probably be able to protect you, so pls for now don't let sadness get the better of you and let's take care of ourselves the best we can, ok? Areia said in a little whisper with a little smile on her face.
Dan turned and looked at her slowly from the corner of her eye, she saw Dan's face fully for the first time since the disappearence of his mum, his pupils were like incomplete rings and the red strands of his hair seems to be sticking out more. But Areia couldn't bring herself to ask, the words keep getting stuck in her throat, it's just" are you ok" it's not that big a deal yet it's really hard to say and she was sure that those would words could cause him to crumble and possibly breakdown.
Yeah let's survive, and find mum, Dan said smiling fully, Areia noticed that the rings had disappeared.
I wonder what Dad kept in the bad, Dan said opening it, he drew out two long Cloaks, pieces of soap some raw food materials, sleeping bags.
Whoa, the inside of this bag is a lot bigger than I thought, Dan said as he held the bag and Areia pulled out the sleeping bags, to be honest I was expecting something like a tent but I guess we're not getting any, laughed Dan.
Can you cook Areia? He asked.
No I haven't learned how to cook yet, she responded.
Well I learnt about it from books I've read but I've not been able to praticalize it, he continued pulling a pot and spoons from the bag.
With the resources they had with composed of some pieces of raw dried out meat, some rice and vegetables with jars of water. Dan did the best he could making the food eatable, it wasn't the best and it was a strong contender for worst food they've eaten over the years, but it was something.
They both discussed and laughed about trivial matters till Dan fell asleep. Areia didn't think he would, but he did and that's better than him being awake.
I should get some sleep too, she thought, if not master would kick up a fuss about me not sleeping again.
Areia didn't know when it was or how long they had been there,, she looked up at the sky the moon still up and thought it must be past mid night. She got up from beside Dan where she had fallen asleep straightened her sword on her waist walked a few paces away from Dan, he stirred but didn't wake up.
I know you're there and I don't want to know who you are, but if you're a threat to master, I'd slit your throat before you try to make a move towards him, Areia warned coldly.
You're still as feisty as ever aren't you,eh prodigy, came a hoarse response.
The man was as thin as a starved dog, he had a lock of white hair on his head that seem like they could be pulled off by one's bare hands, a dirty white moustache to match and dead eyes, his face that housed it all was gruesome filled with deep cuts that'll make anyone wonder how he'd ever survive those injuries.
What are you doing here? Are you here to force me back? Came Areia's cold response.
Damn your pokerface is amazing, the man laughed, on second thought you're not really great at expressing emotions, yet I saw you laughing with that kid earlier or was my little old eye deceiving me?
That's none of your concerns, Areia answered coldly, I thought the order would be destroyed with the kingdom but it seems I was wrong. But just to make things clear I'm not going back to your little villian HQ, I'm sure you can relay the massage to the masters for me.
What a cocky brat you are, laughed at the man, I should rip out your tongue where you stand.
Yet you can't, Interrupted Areia, if you could you would have done so when I hadn't noticed you but for some reason you didn't attack us, my guess the order is weary of master.
Well said girl, the man said clapping, I see you've not slacked off at all, well when you've been with those monsters running the human kingdom for years, we thought you would have grown considerably weaker, oh my were we wrong, you seemed to have gotten stronger, strong enough to look me in the eye and not tremble a bit.
You disturbed my beautiful night rest if you please, I want you gone so I can continue sleeping, you understand right? Areia replied coldly.
Going against Amag is a losing battle, and I'm sure you wouldn't want that, least your precious play date over there gets in the middle of it and dies now would you? The man continued unfazed by her taunting.
Areia looked back, Dan was still asleep.
It would seem you care more about the boy's sleep than what I have to say, coughed the man.
I already told you,and I'm bored out of my mind talking to you, run to the masters like a dog you are and deliver this message, if they want me they better be ready to take me back dead, even if the masters were to come themselves, I'll trample them all down.
She didn't wait for him to respond, she was already on him before he could react, she stamped her right foot on the ground twisted her hip and delivered a heavy kick to the man's chest with her left foot, which sent him flying through the dense vegetations and destroying trees as he go and leaving a clearing in the forest.
Areia sat close to Dan, strocked his hair a small smile on her lips that she didn't notice. Now I wonder where your mum really is, Areia said softly to herself.
Dan woke up early in the morning and wiggled himself free from Areia who had fallen asleep on top of his sleeping bag.
You could have just used your own bag, Dan muttered, he stretched and looked around, the sun was not out yet and it doesn't seem like it'll be out anytime soon.
Was there always a clearing here? Dan asked himself walking towards the trail of fallen trees, it's almost like they were broken by something, nah, I'm just overthinking it, I didn't even pay attention to my surroundings yesterday to notice fallen trees, he dismissed himself.
Areia woke up half an hour later and feeling the bag empty, sprang up and looked sideways frantically, where has master gone? She asked nothing in particular. Did I really sleep deep enough for me not to notice him leave the bag, she sighed, she got up looked around and thought, I don't know what might be in the forest so I shouldn't yell, besides I bet the sound of the falling trees would have scared most creatures off. How can Dan just leave without waking me, she pouted, don't he know how dangerous it is out here, on second thought I don't think he does, she answered herself.
Oh, you're finally awake, sleeping beauty, came Dan's calm voice.
Areia stared at him as if a boulder had been removed from her shoulders.
Next time when you go wandering pls tell me so I can come with,she responded.
No thanks Grandma, I'm sure I can protect myself, I think, also I took the knife with me, Dan said waving the thin sheet of iron.
Areia looked at him like she had her mouth stuffed with mud, she didn't know how to respond to that.
Areia? Can you use magic, Dan asked stuffing their stuff in that bag.
If you're talking about shooting fireballs and stuff then no, not that I know of, she replied, we weren't taught anything about magic in my days in Amag and Flynn didn't teach me any either so I don't think I can.
That's a bummer, I tried some spells a while back but nothing seemed to be working, am I really that much of a late bloomer, Dan asked looking at his hand.
I don't th....
I found a trail,Dan interrupted her, and I realized if the human Kingdom have been destroyed like I suspected most villages we come across may be inhabited with non humans, I don't know the location of the second human settlement it's always been a mystery, also there's also the small human villages scattered over the world.
Here put this on before I forget, he tossed a cloak to Areia, the humans are the weakest race right now, so we wouldn't just be walking around announcing that we're humans else we'll be easy pickings.
He put his on, shook his head after making sure his and Areia's human features have been completely covered, he gestured her to follow him.
I may not know the exact path I followed since I only took it once, I made little land marks with the knife, but it's a forest so no landmark can be certain unless it's big enough, Dan muttered to Areia.
Well that was easier than I thought, Dan said cheerfully, I thought at least we'd be lost for a time before finding the trail but It seems thats not the case, he continued staring at the largely carved road. I wonder which place the road will lead, said Dan.
I'm not thrilled about using an open road, Areia replied.
You worry too much, Grandma, Dan teased as he stepped on the road and started walking.
I'm not a grandma,
Sorry Grandma, he responded.
Stop calling me that,
I will when you stop nagging grandma, he replied.