The Realms Of Exentra

Chapter1:The Wizard

"Wake up sire it's almost mid-day" a young servant called from outside Prince Cloud's chambers.

The Prince groggily woke up, got his clothes on, and splashed some water on his face to wake himself up.

Cloud then brushed his messy silver hair, that went down to his shoulders, into a neater position. He dressed himself in a long, flowing, robe that was emerald green on the outside and snow white on the inside layer. It was attached to his clothes with two golden clasps. His gentle sky blue eyes were inviting when he looked your way, which added to his friendly demeanour.

Cloud opened the door of his chambers, and was momentarily blinded by the sunlight. After he regained his vision he started down the familiar corridors of Castle Meridrax.

With his left hand he felt the mushy moss that grew on the cold stone wall, but on the other he felt the rigid bark of a nearby pine tree.

Smoke was billowing out of chimneys. The morning air was fresh and moist. The birds were singing a beautiful melody. All he could smell was the strong scent of eggs and juicy sausage wafting over from the Great Hall making his stomach growl like a lion. They were all pleasant feelings that made Cloud love his home.

"Hey" Cloud heard as his best friends Endian and Ariana strode towards him.

Endian was tall and a bit on the chubby side. He had kind slate grey eyes and short blond hair that made his face look chubbier than it was. He was also extremely loyal to Cloud and Ariana, and would do anything for them.

Ariana on the other hand was tall and lean. She had long luxurious brown hair that reached all the way down to her waist and matched the colour of her eyes. Her elven ears poked out of her hair. She was dressed in leather light armour for her sword fighting class. She was a skilled fighter with much potential.

" Where are you guys off to ?" Cloud asked curiously

"We're heading back to our daily Knight training at the Academy, of course. our instructor gave us a quick break. Where are you going?" Endian responded cheerfully.

"Oh, I'm going to say hi to my dad and then head off to breakfast" Cloud told him a little bit embarrassed because it was almost midday and he still hadn't ate breakfast.

"I have to go now, see you later" Endian announced as he ran down the path.

" Me too"Ariana said as she ran off too.

Cloud turned in the other direction thinking about what such great friends he had but it was getting closer and closer to noon so Cloud started to speed walk down the path to the throne room.

As Cloud approached the throne room, his father's war leader and most trusted advisor Drake burst through the door. Drake was a tall, muscular armed man. He carried a Great sword in a scabbard on his back. As Drake left he gave Cloud a suspicious look. He had never really liked Cloud. For that, Cloud was very suspicious of him because it always seemed like he was plotting something. That or he was displeased at someone or something.

As Cloud walked in he took in how big the room was. The smell of burnt wax was strong because of how many candles were in the room. A long red carpet, with golden tassels, stretched from one end of the room to the other.

Suddenly, King Merodor Laxon of Meridan materialized out of the back corner of the room. He then strode towards his huge stone throne which graced the end of the red rug.

The King had long grey hair down to about mid-back and a long silver beard, that made him look like a wizard. He dressed in a long green robe, made out of velvet, with fur trim. His purple and gold crown had same trim. Though he was tall and skinny he was not frail. His eyes were kind and bore the color of a summer's sky. His thoughtful smile paired perfectly with them.

"Son, so nice of you to stop by" he said with warmth." I was going to summon you here later but I guess I can show you what I have been doing right now. Follow me" The King said with excitement.

He walked over to the back left corner of the room while Cloud followed right behind as his mind started to think "what am I doing in this corner." When they both reached the corner Cloud spoke his mind about what they were doing standing in the corner staring at the wall. He shushed Cloud silently, then said a strange word that Cloud couldn't understand. Surprisingly the wall opened up revealing a secret room. Amazed, Cloud walked into the room to get a better look.

It was breathtaking. A giant black cauldron,hanging over a fire, was filled with green bubbling liquid that smelled of fresh soup. A polished wooden desk was pushed up against a wall,but Cloud thought it was probably a wand making station that was made to look like a desk. A giant, forest green crystal, that seemed to harness the atmosphere of nature, was placed on a pedestal . A royal purple Magic crystal, placed on a different pedestal shone brightly and shot tiny purple fireworks when anyone got near. Both crystals were placed in the middle of the room. All around him were small mirrors that sparkled with candle light and were scattered all over the room.

"What is this place?!" Cloud exclaimed.

"This is the Wizarding chamber and I'm not just King of Meridan. I'm Racton the wizard as well" King Laxon announced proudly.

Cloud was speechless he had heard of Racton well every one has. He was the only wizard in history to be able to fuse magic with items. He ended the great war against the creatures of Dark Crypt and killed Morgath the evil sorcerer then mysteriously disappeared.

"You can't be Racton he disappeared 25 years ago "Cloud wondered why his father would say something like that.

"I didn't disappear, I concealed my identity from my enemies so I could raise a child and have a wife "Cloud's father said a little hurt from his son's doubt.

Cloud got teary eyed for a moment at the thought of his mother. He had no memory of her but it still hurt to think he wouldn't ever see her since the accident so many years ago.

"I'm sorry for doubting you father, but why would you give up the fame of being the best wizard of all time to raise a family?" Cloud asked. Dumbfounded that anyone would give up the adventure of being a wizard for a family.

" I did it so I could have an heir. Someone to train and tell all my secrets to. So he could fight the forces of darkness for me because I'm not immortal son. But mostly because when you love someone you will do anything for them.That's why I did what I did" Racton spoke in a lower voice than before. "I'm glad I did because I have some bad news." he said while fiddling with his beard. Cloud could tell his father was nervous which is very unusual so he spoke softly with care as he asked what was wrong. His father looked at him with a frown and spoke in a terrifyingly low voice "Morgath has returned and he is more powerful than before." Cloud was stunned the world's most evil dark sorcerer was back and if he was back so would the monsters, the horrors he summoned last time.

The beasts that had almost wiped out an entire army.Until one day a young man came to the kingdom, he said he came from a faraway land where wizardry is considered normal because of the amount of magic that runs through the people's veins. He said he could help defend the kingdom from their enemies with his powerful magic and he was immediately introduced to the king. The traveler called himself Racton and brought with him a gift, the gift of magic fused with weapons and armor.

"But how could he have possibly came back you killed him"Cloud said in denile from the predicament.

"I must not have killed him just weakened him to a point where his physical form was compromised. He must have been regenerating since our battle at the top of the Dark Crypt "Racton continued.

"You can stop him though can't you, you're the greatest wizard there has ever been" Cloud interrupted.

"I cannot, sadly, I'm too old to vanquish him, while he was regenerating he did not age as I have. So I thought I would train my heir to do it" Racton said hoping Cloud would agree.

"How am I supposed to do that I'm not that good of a swordsman or wizard" Cloud commented

"No,but over the next few months, and you will be taking knight training and sorcery at the Academy, and when you're ready I'll teach you everything I know but first you need to learn the basics. That's all for now "Meredor explained.

"Really?!" Cloud exclaimed, he had always wanted to be a wizard or a knight " I would love to start as soon as possible" Cloud said calmly trying to show maturity by not showing his full appreciation.

" Great,I will help you choose your wand today at three o'clock sharp now you may go to the Great hall for lunch"Racton said while waving his hand to dismiss Cloud.

As Cloud walked down the halls he noticed a new painting, in a dark black frame. It was of Racton and Morgath's battle atop the Dark Crypt except Morgath had been the champion. Suddenly the picture changed, Morgath was standing atop a throne commanding the people of the world. While the world was covered in a thick,black,shadowy darkness, the thought gave Cloud a chill,but he shook it off and kept walking.

While he was walking to the Great Hall he wondered how the kingdom would take the news that their most feared enemy was back from the so-called "grave", or how they'd react to the fact their king had lied to them for all those years. He hoped they would see it as he had. As for Morgath returning, he thought they would take it fairly well as the kingdom had one of the best armies in the known world, but mostly he thought about how he had skipped breakfast and was starving! As he approached the Great hall he noticed it was silent except for one voice. Which never happens unless there is a problem, as knights are quite the conversationalists. With one hand on the hilt of his sword he ran into the Great Hall