knights

Chapter Eleven: Truth

Chapter Eleven: Truth

Radiira Forest felt different now, the calming presence it held just a short time ago was all but vacant; replaced with an emptiness that is almost indescribable. Even the great trees that made up this magnificent forest since time began appeared crippled and dying.

Has the Emperor truly influenced this place this quickly? How long ago did my brother pass through here? Taking the same path we’re taking now, I couldn’t stop myself from feeling just a bit happy despite our current situation.. I was holding onto both hope and despair..

I loved the brother I once had, but hated the one the Emperor twisted.. What will I do if we cross paths? Will that side of me come out? Will all the pain and suffering I’ve held onto for so long finally pour over?

“You don’t think Asthyfra is in danger do you? I mean, Emperor Malvir did say he has no intensions of war and wouldn’t dare break the peace treaty..”

“I dunno Kyle..” Merlie began as she took a quick glance at me. “But if Daren says the kingdom is in danger, I think we need to take it seriously..”

Slowing his pace, Kyle briefly stopped till I was next to him, and for as long as I’ve known him, this was the first time I’ve ever seen him look so worried.

“Can we really trust that Bel woman or whatever? Princess Leanah is pretty upset right now after your little outburst back at the Empire.. I seriously think we should..”

“Listen..” I interrupted while pointing upward. “Do you hear that?”

Kyle paused for a moment to listen; tilting his head so an ear was facing toward the direction I was pointing, he remained that way for several moments.

“I don’t hear anything..”

“Exactly, no birds, no wildlife, but yet when we last passed through here it was full of life..”

“So are you saying the Emperor has something to do with this?”

“Yes.”

“But how? How can one guy make an entire forest void like this? It doesn’t make any sense..”

If only Kyle knew the secrets the Empire holds within its boarders.. To try and explain to him would only cause more confusion then what was already brought upon him. However one thing was certain, he will see it for himself, and when he does, that confusion will turn to terror and then every eye and ear within this world will turn toward the Empire, the nation of the future..

“I see the Bridge of Asthyfra! We’re almost home!” Merlie grinned while looking over her shoulder at the carriage carrying Leanah and Welferd. “From what I can see, everything looks normal and just as we left..”

“Merlie, get out of the way!” I shouted with a sprint to get myself into a run. With one hand I unsheathed my sword while pushing Merlie away with the other.

A blast of  purple stigma engulfed the area, destroying everything within its radius and sending debris in the form of smoke to the tree canopy above. I didn’t recognize the attacked, but what came after shook me to my very core..

A voice of someone I was once closed to, and a voice I thought I silenced long ago..

“Well howdy there Daren! How are you doing this fine day?”

“S-Seph.. H-How..”

I went to raise my sword, but suddenly I couldn’t move. I could feel time freeze as everyone and everything came to a sudden halt. W-What did Seph just do? Is this a new kind of stigma fusion?