The Search Begins Volume 02 of An Unwanted Destiny

Seventy-Two

I woke up and stared at a sun that was just starting to rise over a small sand dune. I sat up not sure as to how long I had been out but before I thought too long on that I stared in shock at what I saw no more than a few miles away, a coliseum. There looked to be something of importance going on there and I thought perhaps this was the location marked on the map. I slowly rose and that was when I noticed something else. I was no longer wearing the same clothes that I had been when battling the Merthekyr. I had on an under tunic, over tunic, trousers, boots and belt which looked to be made of a material that felt to be similar to scales. The outfit was light weight but very sturdy and it was also the same color as the scales of the Merthekyr and my eyes widened.

"It can't be?" I asked myself as I ran my hands down one of the long sleeves. "There is no way that this is made of a Merthekyr scales. How was it made?"

The question puzzled me as I did not remember putting the clothes on. I spent a few more minutes inspecting the clothes, finding a pouch sewn in on the inside with the Aura Orb. Once I was finished investigating everything I headed towards the coliseum. I turned to the Merthekyr's head then focused on channeling the Ahanko from the Orb, calling upon the wind the best I could. The wind slowly started to swirl around the severed head lifting it up off of the sand. I focused on the wind to help me carry the head towards the coliseum.

It took awhile to reach the entrance but when I did the four Pyrian soldiers on duty stared in shock as the head slammed down before them. "So is this what I needed to get?" I asked as I walked around the head, smiling as I saw the confused look on the soldiers'' faces. "This is the head of a Merthekyr right?"

"Ah yes, it is," one of the soldiers said stepping forward. "We just have never had anyone bring forth the head of an Elder before. Usually, they manage to only bring the heads of young Merthekyrs. The largest ever brought by anyone was maybe half of the size you brought here today."

"Good," I said patting the snout. "So I am safe to assume that I made it in time correct?"

"Yes you did," the soldier said as he stepped forward placing a hand on the head. "Just barely too," the soldier said smiling at me. "A few more minutes and you wouldn't have made it."

"Alright," I said smiling. "Is there someplace that I am to go?"

The soldier nodded then signaled one of the others to lead me to the waiting room. The soldier took Diark from me then guided me through the halls and down two levels. Even that far down I could hear people in the stands above moving about. The soldier turned around a corner on the third floor down and immediately knelt. I craned my head around the corner and saw Midreah standing with his bodyguards blocking the way.

One of the bodyguards stepped forward, and I felt someone channeling a few seconds before the bracers on my arms felt like they increased tenfold. I was driven down to the ground, and despite my fighting, I could not get them to budge.

"Galen you can stop that," Midreah said, and without any hesitation, the bodyguard stepped back, and the bracers became lighter. I rose slowly staring directly at Midreah, not sure as to what the Pyrian was up to. "Soldier you can return to your post. I need to talk with this man here. My bodyguards and I will escort Trez here to the waiting room with the other criminals."

The Pyrian soldier nodded then handed Diark to Midreah as he rose then hurried down the halls. I turned my attention to Midreah who gave a slight smile before heading down the hall. One of the bodyguards started after their king while the other two waited for me to follow before taking up positions on either side. After a few minutes, Midreah spoke.

"So I heard that you brought an Elder Merthekyr head. I am very shocked."

"Why is that?"

"Well, when we fought outside of Firid it felt like I was fighting a child. I never knew that you had it in you to take on an Elder and survive."