The Ember Seeker

Chapter 1: Mark of the Blaze

Ah, what an exhausting day of dagger sparring and archery training. Time to go home. I can already picture myself taking a relaxing bath in the pond.

I was expecting to arrive at my usual, peaceful village, but I saw the adverse. I used to deny the existence of the supernatural and demons, this day came to alter my beliefs.

The village is littered with weapons and bodies. Blazing flames and smoke covered the ambiance of what was once a serene place, which has now become the stage of a ruthless battle.

The air, which would normally carry sounds of birds, rivers, and wildlife, is now heavy with magic and battle cries. Hell has descended upon this area. An army of rebels and mages fight each other, and I have naught a clue about their agendas.

A feminine voice started calling my name, faintly, yet I cannot locate its source.

Over the gates, over the walls, over the distant fields, I looked around, emotionless. Aside from bloodshed, I saw nothing but fire, turning the dead bodies into ashes and devouring the houses down to cinders. With no side on the winning hand, the inferno could burn everything in this area long before the battle even finishes.

The voice persisted on calling my name, and each time it got louder, yet I still couldn't locate the source. It took me quite a while but I started to figure out that this is a dream.

I woke myself to the sight of a dark-haired sorceress, standing by as if she watched my slumber

"The heavy sleeper's finally conscious," said Abigail, staring with a smirk.

I still felt dizzy, and gave no reply. I found myself slouching on a table. Glancing around gave me sights of tankard on the floor, adjacent to spilled wine, fruits, and leftovers.

"You drank so much until you passed out last night," she said. "I tried stopping you but you were too resilient. Being that drunk just before we show ourselves to the sky warden won't make good first impressions. Are you alright?"

"I had a bad dream," I replied. "So...so much burning and death, it almost certainly felt real."

"I'm not surprised. That was about Benedict again, wasn't it?"

I stood up and stretched, then slowly walked out of the tent. Abigail followed.

We were camping in a specified coordinate in the remote area of the Mutagen Desert, where the Profaned Airship is currently bound to fly over during its roam around the territory of the Duchy of Mutagen. Only dunes, sand, and cacti can be seen in the horizon of any direction.

"You told me about the flames," she said. "How's your life been doing ever since the death of your cousin?"

"Remembering him depresses me," I replied. "Benedict was my last living relative. He was more than just my cousin, and more than just a Sentinel of the college. I treated him as if he were my brother. I vowed to protect him no matter what.

Eventually, time had come where I failed my duty. He died in the battle against the Serpents. I saw his demise, scorched to death by the Ember Seeker. He was a man of courage, a vanguard of the mages."

"Tragic, although how come you cowered out? You sworn to save his life."

I walked towards my horse, struggling with each step. I just want to caress him for no reason. Abigail watched.