In the land of Academikos, the Dark Lord has been slowly covering more and more of the world in darkness and decay, only one thing can save them, the Sword of Light. The only problem? The holder of the sword disappeared years ago. But there is hope:...
"Ei--hey, dragon boy." Ei sat up too quickly hitting Mina in the face. "Ow!" She rubbed her nose. "Sorry, I didn't see you--" Ei began. "Shh," she covered his mouth quickly. "Where's the mage with the scar?" "Wha--" Ei looked around, Shoto wasn't here. "I thought he was asleep, same as us." "No, he's not, and I don't feel his magic anymore," Mina hissed. "I woke up and felt something was off--something dark, it wasn't good, and then I noticed he was gone." "Oh shoot!" Ei banged his fist into his palm. "He's a prince, you think someone recognized him." "I'm not a human," Mina said, "but I think even they could probably pick out a guy with a scar over his eye and two toned hair. How hard could it be? Where's he a prince of again?" "Uh, the realm as a whole, I think," Ei said. "Well that's bad," Mina said. "I'm not much of a tracker, but I thought, you're a dragon...so..." "Oh right, tracking!" Ei got up. "I mean, I haven't done that much, but how hard can it be to sniff someone out..." "Don't tell me you don't know how to track," Mina frowned. "I mean... it's pretty straightforward, isn't it.? Ei said. "Forget subtlety, let's wake up the clothes." Mina said roundly.
Shoto started to come to with his head pounding, but that passed once he realized where he was. Slung over the back of a horse, being taken over the country. He started to twitch. "Oh, look, the little prince is awake," said a rough voice. "Don't bother struggling, we took your stupid little bracelets, and that flimsy sword. No mage is getting out of those magic bindings either. You'll just make it more painful for yourself by trying to escape." Shoto was also gagged, or he would have cursed him out. He recognized this voice. One of his father's goons. Tomura-something. Really, he probably world for the Dark Lord, but why would he be hunting down a wayward prince? Wasn't there anything more important and evil for him to do?
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[Character Design by Onerose]
"You're surprised it's me?" Tomura seemed to read his mind. "We never did get along, did we?" he chuckled meanly. "Well, normally I wouldn't bother with such a small fry as you, but the rumor has it, you may have some very interesting information." Shoto frowned. "Don't brother trying to deny it," Tomura said, as if he forgot Shoto was gagged. "We all know you're disgustingly obsessed with getting your pathetic mother back, useless harlot. But, maybe this'll interest you. If you don't tell us all you know about the 8th, I have full authorization to pay your mother a little visit later." Shoto's blood ran cold.
"You wouldn't want that would you?" Tomura said nastily. "So, you're going to tell us everything you know. 'Course we can get comfortable first. Nomu, hold up." A different figure that was just lumbering behind them came to a stop, Shoto was at the wrong angle to see it, but he heard it. Tomura got off the horse and he roughly pulled him off. Then he saw... it was a monster. One of the Dark Lord's freaks of nature, from the look of it. An orc crossed with a roc, if he had to guess. The very sight of it made you feel sick to your stomach. "Fine specimen, isn't it?" Tomura said. "Not that I expect to need him, yet, but when we find the 8th... well, it won't matter to you anyway. Don't bother screaming, by the way," he ripped off the gag so hard it hurt. Shoto glared at him. "I'm not going to give you what you want... I'll kill both of you first." Tomura gave him a quizzical look. "What would you say that? I told you, I have your bracelet dragon toys here. What are you going to do, glare us to death? Think of your mother, boy." Shoto glared, then his left eye began to blaze with fire. Tomura suddenly looked a little more interested. "What... how are you doing that?" "You blasted b----d!" Shoto said, as fire shot up around Tomura's feet. "I don't need the dragons to use my power! My father's magic is much stronger than that!" Tomura jumped as his clothes caught on fire, he had to roll quickly to put it out. Shoto struggled to get his hands in front of himself. Magic bindings, it was true, he couldn't burn through them, but-- he saw a rock and lopped the cords around it, tugging as hard as he could, they began to fray-- "Nomu! Stop him!" Tomura howled, still getting the last of the fire out. The monster moved with surprising speed, grabbing Shoto by his collar and yanking him back but this actually did the trick, the last of the rope snapped. Shoto's whole left hand ignited into flames, and he grabbed the monster's arm with it. The bird-orc didn't seem to feel pain, though, it didn't let go, just started smoking. Tomura stood, spitting, "You're lucky your father wants you alive , brat!"
