The Ethereal Netherlands

Chapter 1
Promotion

The sounds of tavern music and grown men laughing and arguing while getting high and drunk never bothered Kade in fact he found it quite entertaining. While embracing the warmth of the tavern his best friend and partner Daichi approached his table with a tray on it was weed and some rolling papers already knowing what to do. Kade grabbed the papers and rolled a joint for both him and Daichi. Half way through Daichi's joint he said "you want to order some food?" Kade wanted to say something but was too fried to speak so he nodded his head so Daichi got up to go to the bar. After waiting about three minutes a magic circle appeared in front of him and a face appeared. It was Alexander the head of the crimson knight rank but why would he be contacting him? Kade thought as far as he knew Alexander was a rank above him but nonetheless he let him continue. "I need both you and Daichi to report to me immediately back at HQ" Alexander said while looking at a piece of parchment "what for ?" Kade asked trying to shake off his high "you'll see when you get here" Alexander said and the magic circle disappeared "ahh fuck here we go with this shit again we just finished a mission 2 days ago" Kade thought but nonetheless he had his orders, just then Daichi came back with a basket of fries "ready to eat Kade?" He said "unfortunately we're gonna have to take it to go just got orders from Alexander we gotta go back to headquarters" Kade said getting up from his seat "The hell alexander want with us" Daichi said confused while eating a fry his black and red robe was dragging the floor "He didn't say grab your stuff we're heading out" Kade said grabbing his dual swords as they stepped outside a cold wind came threw the open street "ready to go" Kade asked Daichi nodded, lighting a joint as he did, with that Kade grabbed a stone with the symbol of the Crimson Guard and he focused his energy into it he spoke the words daimon just then a gate appeared and they both stepped through. On the other side was the dark and somewhat gloomy but also beautiful headquarters of the crimson guard dark red curtains and decor swept the halls followed by a smooth dark gray background some found their HQ dark and dismal but for the pair of warriors they grew to know it as home for they both coincidentally joined up at the same time 3 years ago. After going up a couple of stairs they made it to the knight rank section of the building while walking by several guild members they made it to Alexander's office "Took you two long enough, not sure if you noticed Kade but this is important" Alexander said looking at something on his desk, " yeah yeah my bad the za had me moving a little slow but since it's so urgent what's the occasion" Kade said "yea I'm with him I was trying to eat my fries" Daichi followed up with, "your being promoted from now on I'm your supervisor" Alexander announced Kade and Daichi looked at each other in confusion "Welcome to ranks of knight and it's time for your first mission"

"Man, do you people ever consider that me and my boy have a life. This is the 4th mission this week" Kade complained "I'm sorry the Crimson Guard is fucking paying you to do the damn job and you're going to do it I'm your boss now got it !" Alexander screamed moving his blonde hair to the side it was always in his eyes from what everyone told Kade but he had enough of this prick "yes sir" Daichi said punching Kade in the leg as if to tell him to cool it "so what's the mission" Daichi asked "I need you both to deliver this message to the White Lotus society. see to it that it gets there safely, you'll be giving it to my informant located in the Lily sect of the society" Alexander explained as he handed them a rolled up parchment he put into a wooden cylinder. Kade took the cylinder and went to open it when Alexander stopped him "your not allowed to open it is that understood" he said glaring at Kade "aye captain" Kade said rolling his eyes "now close the door on your way out" Alexander said going back to his papers and so they left Kade thought about leaving the door open but decided against it but, he did call him a bitch when out of ear shot "man I hate that asshole" Kade mumbled "yea but he's our boss now so we don't got a choice but to follow the orders he gives" Daichi reasoned. They continue back outside where they had arrived only moments ago "you ready to go Daichi it's our first time going to the White Lotus society" Kade said with excitement "yea I heard they got some fire za in a certain place" Daichi said passing Kade the joint he had from earlier he lit it and pulled out a white opal from his cloak with a symbol of by of the White Lotus Society he once again concentrated his energy and for the first time spoke the words Luminae and in a flash of white light they were gone. They arrived at what looked like a small outpost not far from the gates even looking at it from afar Kade couldn't help but gaze in awe of its beauty he could see a large spiritual white lotus hovering above and white opal walls "can't wait to get a closer look it looks beautiful" daichi said "yea never knew anything could look this beautiful" Kade exclaimed the duo found a path leading to the gates with lots of trees as they were walking Kade couldn't help but be curious about what the message was, this is the first time he was sent with out at least him or Daichi knowing what it was about and also he didn't like that guy Alexander too much he was weird and suspicious "hey Daichi I think I'm going to open it" Kade demanded, "no you heard what Alexander said" Daichi protested "okay but don't you think it's a little weird that we didn't get to know the message before hand like on any other occasion" Kade said with some confidence "true but I still don't think it's a good idea plus what if he finds out" Daichi reasoned "don't know don't care I'm opening it" Kade said as he popped the cap off the cylinder and slid out the parchment he unraveled the string thus opening it up, it read : Dear Icarus I hope this letter finds you in good health I've sent letter to notify our meeting on overthrowing the current leader of the White Lotus society I'll meet you at our usual spot sincerely Alexander. They were too stunned to speak but before they could even discuss the matter 5 shadows jumped from out of the trees Kade immediately drew his swords and Daichi took the black bar from his belt which extended into a scythe and start spinning it causing the blade to ignite then exploded fire in all directions while Kade jumped into the air imbuding his swords with lightning then throwing both of them at the feets of the shadows shocking them with an enormous surge of lightning then he put his hands together in a certain position charged his mana and said aerozenith producing a wind cyclone sucking in all the fire being spewed from Daichi's scythe before erupting it back out like a canon of blazing fire causing a giant explosion obliterating everything in its wake "way to easy" said Daichi folding his scythe back down "yea if they were gonna attack us they should've sent way better that was barely even a warmup" Kade said sheathing his swords "I guess Alexander didn't expect us to go there without opening it" he said "yea well let's just get to the White Lotus we need to find this Icarus and warn The Society of this plan before it goes into action" Daichi said continuing down the road Kade followed he fixed his dark red and black robe and hood which had gotten a little roughed up in the battle they continued down the path discussing what happened "so why do you think this Icurus guy wants to overthrow the the leader of the White Lotus" Kade wondered out loud " beats me, you still got that blunt we saved from yesterday in your cloak?" Daichi asked "of course I have it I was bout to light up right now" Kade said grabbing the blunt from his inside cloak pocket by the time they finished they had almost reached the gate "it's almost time "Kade said "yep let's do this" Daichi said as they approached the gate the two guards there immediately recognized where they were from and proceeded to open the gates and for the first time our hero's enter the White Lotus Society.