The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 62: Connected (Part 3)

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Ardent Friend:

I woke up suddenly and inhaled. My body kicked into action as if it had been asleep for years as I felt every fibre in my body turn and shake awake. It was a frightening and invigorating feeling, almost as if I had been reborn again. The moment didn't last long and soon enough, my heart beat calmed. Flashes of what happened before I lost consciousness sprang through my mind.

Pain beyond anything I had felt before, as if the molecules that made up my body were being strewn apart. I remember hearing them calling my name drowned out by the beat of my heart thudding in my ears. Ria was scrambling towards me but held back. The Old Man was holding me up and suddenly dozens had flooded into the room. At that moment I felt myself almost explode but a single burning blue flame broke into my vision and then, darkness.

I took in my surroundings. Grey stone walls decorated with hung banners for colour. Several bookshelves lined the wall and in the centre of the room was a small low set table surrounded by large cushions on top a rug. I was in a large exceptionally comfortable bed and sleeping while holding my arm was Ria. If I had another hand, I'd gently caress her head. Her small breaths and peaceful expression were calming. What was different however, were the horns upon her forehead made from blue flames. They didn't produce any heat but were generating a steady flow of mana.

"They're called Heart Horns," the voice spoke suddenly and if it weren't for Ria, I would have jumped from the bed. The man appeared in a chair beside the door, a closed book in hand. "Sorry I didn't mean to startle you. My intent was to hide my presence for you to sleep comfortably, not surprise you. My name is-."

"Kazu Hinterhold," I finished for him. He had the same energetic expression and vibrant eyes that I had seen many times now in Areithia Online's updates. I had always expected him to be powerful considering he was the chief Architect of Areithia Online, but for me to not even get a whisp of him despite him being up close was frightening. I had exceptionally good sense when it came to mana and not only had I not seen him, but not even the chair he sat in.

"Oh? You know me." He stood up and smiled, his long elven ears twitching. "It seems my presence precedes me. Yes, I am Kazy Hinterhold, Archmage and Grand Vizier of Taranthala. Though considering the state of the world now, my title would be simply, an old elf who knows a lot about magic." He stepped closer, approaching the bed, "You're quite lucky you know."

"Because you arrived to save me?" I guessed his words.

"Well partially but no. You're lucky because your daughter was there to save you," he pointed at the sleeping girl.

"Ria saved me?" I looked to Ria who shifted in her sleep.

"Yes. Though I am still unsure how, she was able to ground and purify the magic ailing you." He rubbed his chin, "Quite the curious case actually."

"And this has to do with the horns?"

He shrugged, "Maybe. Heart Horns are a rare phenomenon from already rare circumstances. Oni rarely mate outside their species and their children who are half Oni don't always take on their characteristics. Heart Horns form when the child of a half Oni and a partner has not just particularly strong mana but ancestry too. High Elven blood or even the direct Oni bloodline."

"I-I didn't know Ria was that special...."

"Of course, to you she's just your daughter. Though honestly there's not much known about Heart Horns aside from that it looks quite pretty. Whether they grant the bearer any benefits above a regular Oni's horns is largely unstudied." He paused before laughing, "My apologies, I do love a good rant when I'm interested. I should really get to why I'm here. Basically put, shortly after you began your spasm, King Articus called for me. I happened to be close by and assisted in your recovery."