Chapter 2

MERICK
The young Captain cannot seem to find sleep. He was tossing and turning throughout the whole night. He feels as if there is an unseen omen, keeping him awake. Merick has not been able to battle for sleep this drastic before. He finally abandoned his struggle and made his way out to his balcony. The stars were bright on this night. It was a beautiful evening that Merick was glad sleep was not easy; for he would not be witnessing this scenery. Archaius must be the most beautiful planet to grace the universe.

As Merick scanned the horizon, he caught the sight of a beautiful naked Caballae Elf woman with heavy auburn hair combating who appears to be Guardian Donald Sergora on top of a building. The Captain juggled between amazement and worry. However, worry came out to be the victor since he is now witnessing the young Guardian on his knees with a knife of the same color as his Archfiend pointed at his throat. Merick is motivated to jump from his balcony towards the top of the roof; adjacent to his house while still in his trousers to save the life of his subordinate. His embarrassing actions came to a halt as the naked Caballae elf froze upon the young Guardian.

Merick felt perverted as he watched Guardian Donald Sergora caress and kiss the beautiful naked Caballae Elf as she stood unmoved. It must have been a blood spell, without any doubt. Guardian Donald Sergora now makes his way towards Merick as the spell on the beautiful Coballae Elf is quickly released. She instantly appears confused at first. However, she seems to have finally caught her train of thought as she looked over at the edge of the building before jolting away.

Guardian Donald Sergora arrived moments later at the edge of Captain Merick Prymus’ balcony. A smile was placed upon his face. “Did you like what you witnessed Captain Merick Prymus?”

The Captain chuckled. “Do I even want to know what occurred?”

A serious expression now took over the smile of Guadian Donald Sergora’s face. “She is a Night Vulture.”

Captain Merick Prymus took a second to fully swallow the words his subordinate claims. “They exist?”

“Apparently.”

“How is it that you know this?”

“She took the alias of Cassandryea Rosenthal.”

The Captain is lost in Guardian Donald Segora’s explanation. “That person is?”

“You have not heard of the tragic Rosenthal slaughter?”

“I do not pay much attention to stories. However, do continue.”

“The Rosenthals are rumoured to have been butchered by the mythical Night Vultures. She took the name of Cassandryea Rosenthal due to it being her favourite assassination.”

The Captain’s curiosity is intrigued. “She told you this?”

“No, she did not have too. Her eyes spoke of the slaughter and the existence of her mythical clan. I am an Interpreter remember?”

The captain chuckled. “You are many things.” Captain Merick Prymus placed his right hand upon The Guardian’s shoulder. “What were her intentions?”

“It appears she was tracking down a highly skilled Thyzantine warrior.”

The Captain is bewildered by The Guardian’s words. “And you let her escape?”

“I did not bare the heart kill her.”

“Then you should have at least apprehended her to face the lords of Amarant.”

“She was under the influence my blood spell. I would not have been able to sacrifice enough blood to withhold her for much longer. She is a very skilled assassin.” The Guardian looked down.” I do not mean to speak of disrespect, but I do not believe that even you are capable of bringing her down.”

The Captain acknowledged his words. “You should have sacrificed her blood instead.”

“That did strike my thoughts.”

“But you only desired to kiss her.” The Captain teased.

The Guardian is instantly flushed and attempted to stabilize his composure. “She is too dangerous to face the lords of Amarant. Additionally, being a member of the infamous group the Night Vultures, it is said that they are capable of the forbidden magic Arcane. She is easily capable of teleporting herself to any location in Archaius.”

“Okay, I comprehend the fact that you greatly desire her.”

The young Guardian enjoys the sense of humour his Captain holds. “She posses a similar blade towards Archfiend.”

The Captain is intrigued. “A weapon similar to Archfiend? You should have taken it from her, for us to examine.” “I could have, but any chance of her falling in love with me shall obliterate from existence.” The Guardian jested. “Why are you up in this late night? You usually meet slumber within this hour.”

The Captain is disappointed. “Sleep does not lust for me on this night.”

“When sleep refuses to co-operate, I usually attend a stroll within the city.”

The Captain nodded. “I shall do that.”

“Sleep will not come to me after my engagement on this night. I shall accompany you.”

The Captain clothed a wardrobe more suitable for society. He harnessed a heavy furred cape with dark leather engulfing his body. Off course he brought along Archfiend. The captain never leaves his home without his family’s treasure. The two young knights hurdled over the balcony and quietly landed onto the streets of Amarant.

“Intrigue me Guardian Donald Sergora. I have yet to ask you this. What is your goal in life?”

“My goal?”

“Yes. What you hope to achieve before the end of your life.”

The young Guardian chuckled lightly. “I have many things I hope to accomplish Captain Merick Prymus.”

The Captain smiled. “Enlighten me on the very top of that list.”

The Guardian began to adjust his thoughts. “Ever since this night, my top goal is to have that Night Vulture be called wife.”

The Captain roared in laughter. “That is a neat goal. It will be a tough accomplishment since Elves are capable of living a lot longer than us humans, and there have not been a pairing of Elves and Humans for countless years.”

“That is because the entire Elf community now recently chose to participate with our society since the great wars many centuries ago. They now believe Humans have changed their ways and found peace within our lands.” The Guardian preached. “However, my real goal before this night is to glimpse upon an Immaculate Dragon.”

The Captain acknowledged the words of his subordinate. “If you hope to find such a creature, than unfortunately you are standing on the wrong continent.”

The young Guardian agreed. “I will one day travel to the continent of Taiphon and venture off into the infamous Divine Heights.”

Captain Merick prymus is unsure of his next words. “Immaculate Dragons are only off myths, are they not? Alongside with the Holy Mages?”

“They are said to be. However, I do believe of their existence.” Guardian Donald Sergora is a believer of myths and legends, unlike his Captain.

“Are Immaculate Dragons known to be friendly?” The Captain asked.

“Captain Merick Prymus, when are dragons ever friendly?”

“This is true.” The Guardian’s top goal is to witness the mythical and legendary Immaculate Dragon. It definitely is a farfetched goal to desire. There could only be one outcome from it. The Captain now acknowledges what his young Guardian hopes to accomplish. “Is it safe to assume that you yearn to become a Holy Mage?” The Captain teased.

The young Guardian is embarrassed by his Captain’s words. “You may assume Holy Mages and Immaculate Dragons are only off myths Captain. But before this night, did we not consider the Night Vulture as myths as well?”

The Captain gently smiled. “I admire your goals. Even if they are a bit outrageous.”

“Remember Squire Laynardo Kaifker’s favourite words? ''Dreaming big is not the problem. The real problem is dreaming too small.''”

“Those words are very true.” The Captain admitted.

The young Guardian chuckled once more. “He may be a brat, but he is a wise brat.” Guardian Donald Sergora starred at his Captain. “What are your goals?”

“That is easy for me to answer. Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to be the Captain of the Royal Guard.”

The young Guardian frowned. “You are not far from that.”

“I still have many more paths to walk in order to achieving that goal.”

“It also means you will have to live in the royal city of Arcadia.”

“I would not mind living in such a city.”

The young Guardian’s expression hardened. “That is not a city for me.”

“You do not fancy the royal city of Arcadia?”

“I do not.”

“Enlighten me Guardian.”

“I believe the whole notion of royalty blood is rubbish.” “How does royalty blood relate with the royal city of Arcadia?”

“Have you been to Arcadia Captain?”

“I have not, however I hear stories of its beauty.”

“Indeed it is beautiful, but the streets and crowds are only dedicated to the king.”

“It is to be expected.” The Captain agrees.

“It is rather repulsive. Why does a man of our equal have the right to rule a continent without any credibility unlike the other great nations? What pedigrees does our King hold in which befits him to lead? What allows him to differ from the rest of commoners and nobilities? This King of ours is born into this world like the rest of us from the womb of a woman, not from a God. Therefore, how is his life more precious than ours?

The Captain is astounded by the young Guardian’s negativity. “You despise King?”

“Yes indeed. They claim to be what they are not. Their notion of royal blood was that it is given from our God. However, do we not all have blood given from our God? How does one differentiate our blood from royal blood?” The Guardian inhaled a deep breath to attempt calming himself down. “I am proficient with blood magic. When I witnessed the king on his throne during my visit in Arcadia, I examined the flow of his royal blood.” The young Guardian rolled his eyes. “He carries the same blood coursing through your veins as they do mine.”

“I comprehend the words that you speak. However, it does not alter the fact that the royal city of Arcadia dedicates their very essence towards the king.”

“Which is why I prefer cities outside Arcadia. There are not as many King-obsessed fools.”

The young Knights strolled along the streets of Amarant for an extensive while; leading them to the shores of the Zalerian Ocean. It is now very deep within the night. The beautiful vista of the ocean stared back at the young Knights. The sun, currently slumbers over at the horizon. However, it will soon awake. This will be the first time Captain Merick Prymus abandoned sleep within the night. “Have you ever swum within these waters Guardian?” The Captain abruptly asked.

“I am afraid to admit that I am incapable of swimming.”

The Captain slightly snickered. “You must learn one day. It is a very important skill to develop. It is also very enjoyable.”

“It is also very dangerous.”

The Captain attempted to counterclaim the Guardians words. “Everything in this world is dangerous, if you choose to allow it to be dangerous.”

The shores of the Zalerian Ocean lead the young Knights in locating the famous brothel named Alice. It was purposely placed upon the shore to contrast the magnificent view in which complements the beautiful women inside. It is a very tall dark building that almost suggests touching the sky. There is a gigantic entrance door of whom is guarded by a Lushling Orc.

“Have you been inside Captain?” The young Guardian asked with curiousty.

“Every man, either bound to a woman or not has been inside that building at least once.”

“I have not.”

“Let us go for a visit.” The Captain teased.

“I doubt that is such a wise choice Captain.”

“You misinterpret my words Guardian. I am only to visit a certain person. Nothing else.”

“Who is it that you must visit?”

“A woman.”

The Guardian sighed in disbelief. “Off course she is a woman. They do not employ men within those walls.”

The Captain attempted to find words without success.

“Who is this woman Captain Merick Prymus?”

The Captain is still unable to locate words.

The young Guardian lost his patience. “You are in love with a whore.” He whispers.

The Captain tensed. “She is different.”

Guardian Donald Sergora signed once more. “If you believe her to be different, then why not buy her freedom and take her hand as wife?”

“The lords of Amarant will love that.”

“It does not matter what the lords conceive. You are a Lord yourself.” The Guardian placed his right hand onto the shoulder of his Captain. “Come my Captain, let us visit her.”

The Captain and Guardian made their way towards the Lushling Orc guarding the front entrance. He is a gigantic green figure who easily dwarves any human and elf. His dark hair is tied in a high pony tail. His eyes are of the color emerald which matches his complexion. The Lushling Orc carries a strong face. His nose is gigantically rounded, and two enormous tusks appear from his bottom jaw.

“Dego’Zul, may we enter?”

The Lushling Orc looks down upon The Captain. “You shall not Captain Merick prymus. Alice not working hours. Return back when sun ascends.”

“We are already here Dego’Zul. And we are not looking for working women. I am here to visit Zayna.”

The Lushling Orc frowned. “Zayna no longer employed here.”

“Why is she no longer employed?” Concern grasped a hold onto The Captain’s heart.

“Not Dego’Zul business. Zayna back home.”

The Captain is relieved. “Thank you Dego’Zul.”

Fortunately for The Captain; Zayna revealed the whereabouts of her home during his nights with her.

“Where too now Captain?”

“We are going to visit Zayna. I have yet to see her for over a year.”

“Why is that Captain?”

“When I discovered my love for her, fear struck deep within my heart. I did not want my love for her to manifest anymore than it already has. This is why I chose to no longer visit her.”

“You cannot control who you love.”

It did not take long for the young Knights to locate Zayna’s home since it is not too far away from Alice. Her home is a simple one story building engulfed in a variety of plants and flowers in which she adores; every time Merick visits her, flowers are held within his hands. He is about to knock onto her front door until he realized a beautiful melodic humming emitting from her back yard. The Captain and Guardian followed the hypnotic tune which leads them both to Zayna. She is seated; watching the sun wake while cradling a baby. She is lovingly humming to it. When Zayna noticed the two Knights; she instantly stood up and bowed to them. Zayna is of Thyzantine race with beautiful silky flowing black hair. She has sharp, toned facial features and slanted black eyes which the Thyzantine are known to have. She is surprised by Merick’s visit.

“What do we have here?” The Captain nervously asked.

“This is my son Andrien.”

“Is this why you no longer work for Alice?”

“Indeed Captain.”

The Captain is glad she no longer works for Alice but at the same time is very hurt that she carries a child. “May I hold your beautiful son Zayna?”

“Off course Captain.”

The Captain slowly reached out for the tiny infant. He shockingly noticed the baby’s foreign non-Thyzantine features. The dirty blonde hair and the piercing grey eyes instantly caught the Captains attention.

Guardian Donald Sergora playfully altered his face to entertain the infant. “He is beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Zayna acknowledged. “You may hold him as well if you must.”

The Guardian instantly picked up Andrien from Merick’s grasp. He stared into the infant’s beautiful face and could not help notice Andrien’s sharp grey eyes. A sudden gasp escaped The Guardians breath.

“What is the matter Guardian?” Merick confusingly asked.

The Guardian altered his attention to his Captain. “He is your son.”