Magnus Sekai

Chapter 1 finale - The War Around The Shrine

2018-08-29; 3:30 AM

Mt. Sanage, 30km from Koshoji Temple, Nagoya Ruins, Japan.

Two shadows dispersed underneath the stars, our fugitives sought after liberty, and were sought after by the Liberators. Amongst the hills of Mount Sanage, Nero and Unknown found themselves, shifting from tree to tree, path to path. What trails do shadows leave behind?

"Where are you taking us, Nero?" The young boy's voice was refreshing amidst the rain. In that void which they traveled, nothing was louder than thunder.

"Away from the Catalyst, and even farther from the Royals. Where we head is not important, but I must keep you safe from the eyes of the Empress." Unusual times ahead. Sancta Terra always kept a firm bond with other nations, so to see such attitude demonstrates a change in an already unstable political ground.

"Uh... What would Lady Anna want from me?" Unknown was a kid disconnected from such, unstable political ground. Most outsiders are.

"Oh, youngin, for how long have you been gone? There's so much I have to tell you..." Nero was a man of unmatched knowledge. He has lived and seen more revolutions and catastrophes than anyone still breathing in that land. It wasn't solely his age, but also his will to evolve and his incredible awareness. A human book.

"Whatever, weird guy." Short the chatter was, for safe the land wasn't. Little time they had...

The chase continued, Nero and Unknown danced through the somber, empty hills of Mount Sanage as the cold breeze of the still rain accompanied the travelers. Let the droplets of water be the melody of that night.

They were dashing upwards in an attempt to reach the peak while they found themselves in a limbo of serene solemn. Despite the ever expanding eerie dark, the two seemed more qualified to travel across the ruins, and by its extension, the mountains, than the squadron arranged by the Liberators. However, there was too much to be solved, and mystery consumed the moment, leaving the masked man full of unanswered doubt. Both approached a calm area to set their foot in as they rested next to a large tree on the zenith of Sanage. Oh, reader, no darkness, no threat or challenge can rival the views mountains provide, and even in the merciless cold, watching over the world was a warmth impossible to be described. The far islands were beaming with luminous energy, perhaps the only light they had in this moonless night.

"I wonder if they're mad at me because I killed those other guys..." The masked man said, letting a soft sigh surround the airwaves.

"Boy." Nero interjected, putting an end to his blank, vocal thoughts. "Do you know why the Liberators are after you?" He continued, stating the first of many sentences that would expand the horizon for that lost temple resident.

"Liberators? You mean the Royal Union?" Unknown was, in fact, so disconnected, the Liberators weren't even present when he was a citizen. Him being able to live as an outsider under the radar for so long is a testament to its inviability.

"I should begin explaining, shouldn't I? Well... Some members split from the Royal Union, as a rebel group, one that opposed against the supposed unjust balance of power in the region. This happened shortly after you disappeared, they took over Sonhos and rebranded themselves as 'The Liberators'. Their initial plans were to be a distinct rival to the Royals, claiming to be fighting for the rights of the lowly residents that infested that island. However, as I'll be explaining soon, you'll see all this has changed, too." Nero explained, partially, keeping a constant, slow and steady rhythm.

"So they finally did it, huh? They should've invited me... Well, I guess they couldn't." Unknown replied, perhaps not as unknown as he was made out to be.