The World of Emns 2: Arena

Chapter 2: The observer

Steven's eyes narrowed. Olivia could feel his hand clamp tighter around her arm. She didn't blame him. The man before them was either lying, insane, or someone with powers clearly beyond them. Considering there was an immense amount of magical energy radiating off him, Olivia wouldn't be surprised if it were the latter.

"Why should I believe anything you say," Steven growled through an almost fully closed mouth.

"Because I want to help you. Because I simply have no reason to lie to you," Dustan said calmly. He looked outside, through the window. "You'd never find him without my help, and I'd like for you to be able to meet your brother once more."

"My brother is dead."

"His body was butchered, yes," Dustan nodded, "but his soul remained. He is most certainly still alive."

Steven's nose wrinkled up. "He was reported dead after the storm of Fynlone castle. Even my father said so himself."

"And you were reported dead after the battle of lichtel vulcano," Dustan chuckled.

"Even if Fredrick survived," Olivia cut in, "wouldn't he have died of old age way long ago?!"

"Once again, miss Denter, there is proof sitting right next to you that shows there are a few ways to ensure survival over that stretch of time."

"Stop playing games of riddles with us," Steven yelled. "Who even are you?!"

"I told you, my name is Dustan," the mysterious man said with a kind smile on his face. "I once was nothing more than an observer. And I liked observing. But the balance of the world has been shifting. And in the wrong direction. I dropped the name observer and took my original name of Dustan. Now I attempt to help the balance of the world shift back to what it should be. That is the easiest way for me to explain to you without evolving you more than I would like."

"What would Fredrick being alive have to do with the balance of the world?"

"Do you know what some people would do to be able to get one of the sons of Manstear Clipium? If I had a say in it I'd much rather you retrieve Fredrick and keep him far away from the conflict that's happening in the northern parts."

Steven narrowed his eyes. "If someone was looking for a son of Clipium, why wouldn't they be looking for me?"

Dustan raised an eyebrow and stroked his chin. "Did you not encounter a bounty hunter half a year ago?"

"He was after me?! Was he not looking for Nyx?!"

"That's also possible," Dustan mumbled, almost as if he were taking a mental note of it more than replying to Steven.

"How do you know so much about Steven," Olivia yelped out. It wasn't sitting well with her. In fact, it was really bothering her that this man knew so much.

"As I told you, I was an observer. And I observed everything."

"If that's true," Steven mumbled, "then tell me something."

"Depends on what. I already will tell you how to contact your brother, so I don't believe I owe you anything."

"The mage from the Fynlone kingdom... the one that can make portals," Steven hissed. "The one who summoned the shadow creature... What's his name?"

"Trieck Calmet?" Dustan leaned back in the window frame and pressed his back against the glass. "Why do you want his name? What good will it do you?"

"It's a name I will remember for the rest of my life," Steven mumbled.

"Hey," Olivia said as softly as she could. "Try not to think about him too much. There's nothing we can do about him. I'm sure the elves will do something if he becomes a problem to them."