My Wonderful Second Life

Chapter 83- Touched by Light

Cedric woke surrounded by mist and darkness, just like his land every morning. But even with the familiar hint of red that filled the air, he could not feel at ease. Because he knew he was being watched.

His eyes squinted to see past the dense fog that moved as if filled with life. And yet his vision could not surpass the barrier that the mist provided. He heard steps, heavy and deliberated, hidden from him.

Cedric concentrated on them as he pulled his sword out, to be ready to strike. The steps grew closer enough for him to strike, but he only hit empty air and heard a thundering laugh.

"You have to be a little better than that, child." a voice, ancient and terrifying, rippled through him and the darkness, shaking the ground.

He knew of only one voice that could resemble it, that of his uncle. Yet even he could not achieve such tremendous power with such flimsy words.

"I am not a child." Cedric replied. He was tired of being treated like one. He was a royal prince. The future Emperor. And no one would be allowed such disrespect unless those were his friends. Or Lulu.

Thinking of Lulu made him stop, the grip on the handle of his sword trembling. There was something he was forgetting.

"Oh..." said the voice again. "Should I make it a little easier?" there was mocking beneath the words that crawled under Cedric's skin, and he growled back.

The mist became stronger, although the steps had stopped. Cedric took heavy breaths preparing for an attack, but then he saw them... Glowing against the fog, sparkling like vivid rubies, were a pair of eyes.

Just like his. If possible, even clearer than his. Shinier.

But it could not be possible.

"Who are you?" he ordered to the hidden figure.

It cackled. Taunting him.

"Is that the question you want to start with?" it said, its eyes moving through the mist. "How disappointing..."

Cedric moved with it, locked on its every movement. "I just wish to know who I will be striking."

A laugh rang from the mist. It was rich and almost pleased.

"That is much more fun."

The steps stopped and the scarlet eyes locked onto Cedric's before the mist dissipated and revealed whom it had been hiding.

It took a long breath for Cedric to process what he was seeing. In front of him was a man that very much resembled his father, the Emperor. Tall as a mountain, hair dark like a raven and eyes of a rich blood colour. He wore an all-black armour, old but shiny, and on his waist hung the same sword his father used. The royal moon sword. A leftover of their god.

But the similarities ended there. His face, although very much like his father's, had a rough edge to it. Red veins surrounded his lips and eyes, pulsating energy through them. His smile, however, was the most different, resembling a wolf ready to pounce.

Cedric moved his sword, its tip dangerously close to the man's neck. Yet his smile grew bigger. With his hands on his back he moved away from Cedric, tsk tsk tsk along the way.

"Maybe I should have taken the form of that filthy beast you call a friend."

Cedric swung his sword, following the movements of the man, who looked so much like him and his father. "Wolff is a royal aide of the Moon Empire. A loyal servant of the kingdom of the night and shall be treated with respect."

The figure scoffed. "Very well. Let's see how long that lasts..." he slowly walked back to his starting point, now facing Cedric with an intensity that created sparks in the mist. Gone was the derisive smile on his face.