| A WEEK BEFORE |
It was around noon when a wandering traveller passed by the enchanted forest, the leaves that were made from amethyst swayed to the gust of wind that produced a melodic tune that enveloped the area.
Around the forest, came forth fairies flying about, heading off to the center of the forest where a man was peacefully reading a book, the amethyst leaves shining bright in his direction.
The man who was reading his book turned to his side, as he noticed the traveller before him, he let out a sigh and closed his book and hopped off from the rock he was sitting on.
"What brings a wandering traveller like you around here, judging by your appearance and aura, you give off a man from Listmyca?" He asked, waiting for his response.
The stranger laughed at his comment. "From Listmyca huh? I have been told I do look like I came from that nation..."
He walked around in circles around him. "But that isn't what I'm here to talk about, truth be told, I have observed you for a while, a prestigious student in the academy of alchemy and sorcery...potential like that shouldn't be wasted, no?" He whispered to his ear.
The man looked back at the stranger wib an annoyed expression. "Just get straight to the point, we don't have all day, do we?"
The stranger chuckled softly, playing with his staff. "I am the Count of Saint Germain, I came from a secret organization consisting of the most powerful practitioners of magecraft this realm has ever seen! And as a high member of such, I have observed your movements for quite a while, you seem to possess potential and talent that fits quite well in our criteria..."
The man stared back at him and quickly came up with his decision. "Unfortunately I must decline your request to join, a man like me would not benefit from such a mysterious cult, and I prefer working with a friend or solo..."
The Count was dismayed by his decision but he did not leave. "Well I shall treat you as an enemy then..."
The man merely chuckled at his declaration. "Are you sure about that?"
With a wave of a finger, the man began to control the crystals from the trees of the forest, aiming them towards the Count.
The Count's expression showed no sign of fear, no sign of doubt or retreat, all he could do was smile.
With a mere tap of his staff, he turned all of the crystals that were supposed to impale him into a flock of doves that scattered about in the sky.
The man froze in disbelief, backing away slightly. "Impossible, those crystals were supposed to...are you-"
The Count smirked slightly. "Indeed I am, young boy, I am an alchemist of such renown...mere attacks like that could easily be countered with transmutation, that should be common knowledge from the akademiya..."
The man did not heed his warning as he began to use a crystal to empower his body, surrounding himself with magical aura as he went on about to attack the Count.
He proceeded to launch energy beams that would transform the surroundings into crystals but the Count outpaced the speed of the formation of the crystals and managed to sneak on the man from behind.
The man quickly turned around and began to generate light from himself, stunning the Count from moving, giving the man the opportunity to strike him down with crystals.
"Seems like I'm above your league, Count..." The man scoffed arrogantly.
The Count laughed as he slowly got up and began to disassemble himself in order to reassemble himself back.
The man could not comprehend what he had just seen before his eyes as he saw the man take himself apart from the inside out and brought himself back piece by piece.
"I am no mere mage and not your average alchemist...I will remind you once again, I am Count of Saint Germain, one of the followers of King Solomon, the founder of magecraft...if a mere magecraft like this were enough to defeat me then I wouldn't be regarded as a powerful mage myself!" The Count shouted.
The man attempted to run but he could not move his body, his body was stuck frozen and stunned.
"Attempting to get away...foolish, allow me to demonstrate a level of power that you have not yet reached..." The Count snared wickedly.
The man felt something abnormal inside of himself as if he was slowly deteriorating and becoming weaker internally despite his appearance remaining the same.
"I'm merely absorbing your life force...in this moment, you have the physical age of a man in his 20s but internally you've already reached the age of a 100 year old man..." The Count remarked softly.
The man began to shake uncontrollably, blinking his eyes in disbelief as he tugged The Count's coat, begging for remorse.
"Now the only way for me to undo it is through me only as I've placed a seal that I and I only shall be the one to undo your suffering but unfortunately my time is up and I've reached overtime, till then until the time comes we see one another, you will be suffering in that state..." The Count chuckled as a portal emerged behind him.
"Oooo, that's my cue to leave, until we meet again!" The Count exclaimed as the portal closed behind him.
| PRESENT DAY |
The group had entered the forest, they saw before them were gigantic dark oak trees surrounding all around the area with amethyst-like leaves that illuminated and shimmered very bright.
Athena looked up at the amethyst leaves, mesmerized by its beauty and tune. "How dazzling..."
As they delved deeper and walked even further, they eventually saw someone with purple hair, blue eyes, wearing warlock robes, sitting down on a rock, reading a book.
"I see someone over there, he's sitting down on a rock, let's go approach him." Zion stated as he saw the man from far away.
"And so, all of them went to approach the man, sitting down on a rock, but as they moved closer, the Bookkeeper started to recognize the person and could not help but feel a little overwhelmed." The Narrator stated.
"Well if it isn't it my old friend from the academy, my fellow warlock Zino?" The Bookkeeper remarked as he was being sarcastic around him.
"Bookkeeper, you know about this man?" Athena was shocked and surprised to see the Bookkeeper to recognize the person before them.
"Yes, Miss Athena, I've met this warlock ever since me and him studied in the academy." The Bookeeper said as he let out a smile.
"I guess I could say, it's nice to see you again, Bookkeeper or should I say, Benwick Taxadarus?" Zino replied after closing his book, being sarcastic towards him.
"Glad that you still remember my name, Zino." The Bookkeeper replied letting out a smile on his face.
Zion looked at the Bookkeeper and asked. "What kind of magic does he have?"
Zino walked towards him and projects a crystal from his hand. "I utilize crystal magic, essentially I can generate crystals, make crystal constructs, the rest I'll leave it to your imagination..."
"Hmmm so you're a warlock right, Mr. Zino?" Creo asked wondering if he was correct.
"Yes I am, o humble king of Elderith." Zino stated as he turned to greet Creo.
"So I hope you don't mind, but I have a question for you, Mr. Zino?" Creo asked Zino, waiting for his response.
"Sure thing, go ahead king of Elderith, ask away, I'll answer it for you." Zino stated with such pride.
"Do you know of a certain artifact, it has been told in many myths and legends by the elders of my kingdom, have you ever heard of the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal?"
Creo asked, wondering and waiting for his answer.
"Why yes, I have heard of that crystal before, it has a backstory that has been told to me by my friend, Seraphim." Zino stated with such joy.
"Long ago, exactly 500 years ago, the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal was in possession of an evil warlock known as Maredo." Zino said while the others were listening towards the tale.
| FLASHBACK TO 500 YEARS AGO |
"Now that I have the power of the Aethereal Dreamstone Crystal, I can use its power to destroy this very world!" Maredo declared, laughing and looking menacingly around the chaos that has been caused around the area.
"He planned to use the power of the crystal for destroying the world but the elders of the realm said otherwise." Zino declared, as the story begans to navigate to a more upbeat transition.
"They called upon a guardian known as Gareda who was brought upon to confront the evil Maredo." Zino stated.
"Maredo! Your reign of terror ends today, for I Gareda am here to stop you." Gareda remarked, declaring as she pointed out her sword towards him.
"Maredo and the guardian Gareda have clashed swords and skill as both of them continued on their battle across the very realm of Earth." Zino stated.
"And after an intense battle with both warriors showing a remarkable display of power, Gareda was able to defeat Maredo and was able to obtain the crystal away from his hands." Zino continued.
"And so for the safety of the realm, the elders and the guardian Gareda have decided to banish him and seal him away to maintain the peace and order in the realm." Zino explained as he was continuing the tale.
"And what happened to the crystal, Mr. Zino?" Creo asked, concerned about the crystal's whereabouts.
"After that, Gareda and the elders went to a far away place, in a mountain to store the crystal, the only way for them to remember what the mountain looked like was based on the eye shaped carving it has." Zino explained, stating where the crystal is located.
"And obviously the crystal was safeguarded by five guardians that were placed in their position, talked to protect and risk their lives in order for the crystal to remain in place." Zino stated.
"So I'm guessing that answers your question, King of Elderith?" Zino stated as he was asking Creo for an answer.
"Indeed you are right, kind warlock. That answers my question very well. Thank you again for answering my question." Creo replied with a smile.
"No problem, King Creo, I am glad that I was able to help you." Zino stated.
"Now that I have informed and told you about the coming impending doom that will arrive as we venture ourselves on a journey in search for the crystal you so dearly desire." Zino stated.
"I guess I could say we can go and prepare ourselves on the adventure that you speak of." Zino states, explaining the current situation.
"So are you up for the challenge, King of Elderith?" Zino asked as he smirked, reaching out his hand towards Creo, wondering whether he would reach his hand or not.
"I'm always up for the challenge, no matter how hard it is." Creo replies smiling as he reaches his hand towards Creo as well.
"Then it's settled, I am now alongside within your ranks, a fellow adventure, a comrade, a newly found friend." Zino smiled.
"Great to hear, I'm glad that you decided to join us." Creo smiled , shaking his hand.
"Likewise nonetheless, I'm sure you guys seem to be some pretty skilled adventurers." Zino remarked.
"Mhm, of course we are. We fight for our dreams, fight for our loved ones and fight for peace and order!" Creo exclaimed, raising his right arm very high.
"Ok, I guess this is the point where I'll show you guys the route to the mountain. Be warned, it's going to be a long journey, according to the legend, it's located nearby Serpent Jungle and Old Merith" Zino remarked, pointing his finger towards the path.
Creo gazed at the path and looked at the mountain from afar. "Another tedious walk but if this is how we obtain the crystal then so be it, lead the way, Zino!"
And so Creo and his group have found themselves a new member amongst their guild and continue on in their merry little quest in finding the crystal.
But little did they know, that many obstacles will be waiting for them as they progress.
From within the trees of the forest were a group of Pawn soldiers and their leader, watching in the shadows.
The Pawn soldier walked to the captain, taking a bow before speaking. "Captain, it's the king from Elderith, it looks like he's gotten himself a group of members to help him in getting the crystal..."
"Good, we have eyes on our target and now that he's making his move, come forth, let us group up together and attack him now." The Pawn leader stated as he saw them walk from afar.