"After hundred years of being cooped inside walls, we were finally able to venture out to the distant lands once again. The precious memory of our King Naren still alighted our paths as we moved through the forests . There were three units consisting of mages, foot soldiers and archers .

King Chrome offered to take the lead into the battle . Even though we wanted to take the honour of defeating that man, the magical spirit acceded to his request so were happy to oblige. After all, it was thanks to King Chrome XVII that our kingdom managed to survive.

It was truly frightening indeed how a single man could smile wickedly as our fellow men lost their lives one after another but the sacrifice was as necessary as brutal to activate the holy sword. That holy maiden sword changed the tide of the battle in instant as we saw a spark of terror in his emotionless eyes the moment it manifested in King Chrome's hand.

"You think you can defeat me just because you have got a big weapon now? Insolents." Those words had barely come out of his mouth before the light pierced him burning him . In mere seconds, the most powerful being that might have ever existed was gone in instant.

That day we came to know just how powerful real magic was! That day we came to know just what kind of potential our realm possessed latent from all our eyes until he appeared .

There was cry of joy all over the battlefield as soldiers raised their hands in victory. King of North and some minor kingdoms invited us all to a camp they had set up nearby for celebration which we gladly accepted . The only one missing this grand fest was none other than King Chrome.

All of sudden, a solider ran inside our camp with panicked expression on his face. Before he could even say anything he fell dead to floor as we looked at each other baffled by the scene .

The whole forest was on flame . From far atop the hill nearby, a bleak figure could be seen. It was so dark at that spot that we might not even have realised , had King of North not use his magic to teleport himself and me there .

Dead bodies laid all around , disfigured, scorched to point where their faces couldn't be even recognised anymore and standing beside them was King Chrome with that damned weapon with a sadistic expression on his face.

"What is the meaning of this , King Chrome? "

"Consider it a redemption , Lord of Weselton. Now that the war is over, there is no need for alliance but at same time, there is no need for relation. Why don't you just give me your Kingdoms already like good little servants that you will soon become..."

"You...! " North lord Byrus cracked his fist enraged by what he had heard.

"It seems you forget your place, Chrome. Unlike your ancestor, you are just a vile fool holding magic sword." I relayed my thoughts to him clearly at which he laughed.

"You shall die then. I will make sure that history remembers you as ..."He couldn't go on as expected. North lord had already appeared before him and taken out his heart. Even though there was no counterattack to that weapon, there would be no harm if he couldn't even use it within time.

We had thought we won. But the moment we stabbed King Chrome, we had already destined this world towards the hell .

"Exactly as planned." He uttered before falling to floor like a rag doll. Behind us were standing guards of Selvesters. It would have been easy enough to tell them the truth. That is what we had thought until we noticed that the soldiers lying around us were from Selvesters only.

King Chrome had already anticipated his weakness and yet he refused to accept it. He had already planned for his soldiers to witness us killing him and dead Selvesters to make it look like a one sided massacre.

The rage etched on their faces wasn't something that could be quelled with reason. Both of well aware of what was about to come transported ourselves back to camp and quickly split up. Since Lord Byrus had managed to do the deed, it was quickly decided without much thought that he should take away the weapon with him.

Who knew that just ten years later, his Kingdom would suffer the curse that befell the man . We came to know from our spy who heard King Lucius the first conversing with the spirit about how king of North was destroyed.

Surprisingly, it seemed that King Lucius believed that we possessed the holy sword and King of North was running after us rather than from them.

Even so, we knew quite well that if Selvesters still believed that lie , it was only good for us. That was a good deterrent factor to halt their reckless invasion in our homeland."

Luna closed the book hurriedly as she saw his eyes shining brightly, a clear allusion of his rising anger.

"They certainly know how to weave a tale, don't they? Those damned Weselton..."

"Keep your voice quiet, Prince. I haven't told you since you were so bust reading but I have been getting a feeling that someone is watching us .Any such abrasive move will only make them suspect us more than they already might be."

"Where! " His eyes wandered around frantically searching for onlooker.

"Don't act like that." She pulled him closer sighing. "What has gotten into you? It is not like you to act angry at all. Granted twisted their words might be but if you already know it is just a tale, then why should it bother you?"

"That is...a...But." He stammered unsure what to say.

"Keith! The reason you are actually getting angry is because you think there is some drop of truth to it. It is because you think that it might not be a lie after all. But the very moment you thought that this was true, the very moment you got angry, you have your sullied honour as Prince of Selvesters. We were born there, raised there, and given everything there. It is of no relevance to us as to what other kingdoms do to counteract our words or history.

All we have to do is simply conquer them and correct their path. So quell your futile anger .Discard every shred of it that courses through you now. Remember that you are going to be the future king of Selvesters, the most powerful kingdom in existence. If it is really true that they don't possess the weapon as claimed, then it would simply mean assured victory for us in next war . We can attack with full force then , unfettered from any threats." Her words eclipsed his mind in web of threads he couldn't get himself out of. Each claim supported by facts after facts and allied with fanatic patriotism ...it had been few years since he had heard someone being so passionate about Selvesters as her.

He had no choice but to accept the only answer that was hanging in front of him. His anger, his rage, his emotions subsided to emptiness, enveloped in shell of futility that he swore never to envelop again.

"Thanks, Miss Luna. Your words were just what I needed to hear." He held her hand smiling.

"I am more than happy to be at your service. Now then ! Let's make a run for the west the moment we are out of library."

"Indeed! "

Both of them retuned the book back to shelves and hurried out of the central library. They had come to find something related to magic but as the scenario stood now, it was only prudent to make a break for it . Furthermore, it was highly unlikely that there would be a book that would list out specific magic for build like him.

He would simply have to wait for an awakening like his sister Mayra. He could sense a figure moving fast behind him as soon as he proceeded to leave the library but the moment he looked back, he seemed to disappear.

Just what was this power? He had no time to think. It was clear that the assailant wasn't looking forward to apprehend him in this place which meant that he must have been ordered not to do any fight in library.

He could use that to advantage. Focusing fire on his feet, he chiselled away the friction on floor sucking it into his magic as Felix had taught him this past week. Luna nodded her head in understanding as she stood behind Keith while he walked briskly out of the hallway going down through the stairs.

Even if the person attacking them could turn invisible as they suspected, it was clear that if there was no friction on floor spot that he would have to cover, then he would slip easily at Luna's feet until which it was completely frictionless surface now.

But thirty seconds had already passed and she could feel no one hit her or make any movements. She walked ahead to check if it was slippery and fell instantly .

"What is going on? Has he given up?" She wondered but all possible answers seemed to defy explanation. "I must get back to his side. There might be others waiting for him."

The moment she stood up,, she felt something carry her by arms as she swatted the unknown force in protest but her efforts were in vain as she closed her eyes waiting for impact.

She raised her eyebrows surprised to see that she was leaning on a broken muddy wall of some abandoned warehouse. Beside her stood Prince Keith with flame swirling around his hands.

"Depths of Vulcan." Her eyes shone bright orange as flames engulfed the entire room once she saw a man in knight's uniform standing before them with a knife.

"I am Holy Knight Ageth. Come quietly and we might go easy on you during interrogation, Selvesters. I have already confirmed your identity from Aveline's lackey. So that is your Venefic buddy...flame magic I see." He swung his blade fiercely.

Keith looked at Luna who warned him not to say anything. It was only convenient for them if he didn't know about Felix.

"Then you must have known that you stand no chance against me , a Venefic, human." Her flames swirled even more viciously.

"I have no idea how you managed to evade the guard's scanner against Venefic but let me tell you something here. You are way outclassed." He disappeared as she threw a fireball at him.

"If you think you can hide from me , you are wrong. " She took Keith's hand to wrap themselves in circle of flame burning everything in room instantly .

"Was that supposed to do something?" He chuckled appearing again completely unfazed and safe as she sharpened her gaze at him.

"Teleportation magic?" Keith questioned.

"Nope! It pains me to see a fellow magic user so weak..." He remarked seeing Keith's hands.

"Why you.." She gritted her teeth as she made a fire thread to coil around his feet while he was busy talking to her.

"Now let me show you what real magic is." He joined his hands as if praying. "Holy Vulcan, Phoenix of elegance and brightness, I hereby request you to bring your divine judgement on these miscreants."

Both blinked in confusion as all the flames disappeared inside the room.

"Vulcan , the legendary fire phoenix. Luna's magic enveloped us all in flame and when he prayed in his name, it all disappeared. Huh?" Keith held his chin baffled .

"You don't understand." A crackling scream echoed as soon as the flames showered on the warehouse as if the whole place was hit by a force straight out of hell. Both held their feet on ground shook as burn marks started to appear on their cheeks and arms.

In less than a second, the whole warehouse was turned to ash with only smoke all around as both struggled to breath.

"Vulcan is more than a phoenix. You Selvesters claim to be most noble powerful and virtuous of all when all you are is ignorant, weak and pitiful. My flame magic derives its power directly from God of fire, Vulcan, the third spirit of creation." He smiled.

"I see. Now." Luna coughed. " All this time, you were using your flames to burn the fabric of space itself around you so that any attack against you was simply sucked into your personal void. Meanwhile you were using invisibility spell to confuse us into thinking that it was some sort of transportation magic. " She held her arms which was black on several spots.

"But then why would he wait for you to attack after absorbing you , Luna?" Keith questioned.

"He must have absorbed some flame magic into his personal void before following us to tear the space time continuum. That must have used a lot of magic though. I suppose that is why he waited for me to attack so that he could absorb my attack to have strength to call upon one last spell to incapacitate us." She explained.

"Oh! You are quite sharp, Venefic. Not that knowing about my attacks would help you though. Prince can't use any magic to combat as we all know and you are in no fighting condition. It is truly a shame. Very few people have access to gods directly and only people who can bet them should be themselves one of the twelve. To me, you are just ordinary as you can be."

"So are you saying that the twelve mythological spirits deemed to witness the creation are real and in reality they are gods? " Keith asked.

"Of course! No one believed in them until I became a magic knight and now that you have yourself seen my prowess, can you still believe with cent accuracy that they are just legends So now then like a good little prisoner, come along with me. I will make sure to let you witness the end of Selvesters as I chop off your king's head with my god's powers." He laughed.

"I feel sorry for you, Ageth. What a grand delusion you have woven yourself into!" Keith blinked his eyes.

"Why you."

"You see. I have recently come to understand more about magic than I ever did in past sixteen years of my life while travelling with a certain someone. There are only three type of magic. Common, Specific and Origin. Your fire magic is on par with many of our kingdom's magic knight indeed but at end, it has only risen yet to specific magic level.

You have used it to such an extent that it can even rise to origin magic's level but as it stands now, you are far from invincible or even one of the most powerful .Given enough time to gauge your strength, even a monkey can see through your lies. There is no god behind you. A god's strength." His eyes gazed at him fiercely with determination. " can never be so utterly weak that he has to sneak and use underhanded tactics."

"You think your brazen words will save you now." Ageth closed his eyes and raised his hands furiously as flame's brightness could be seen behind the clouds as flames covered the whole place again. "He said to capture him but a little injured should suffice."

Death is a dread that can awaken inside even the strongest at slightest impulse. Before he could even raise a hand, his hand was chopped off as blood came spurring out.

"Aahhh....." His bloodshot eyes and heavy breathing made him lose direction as he searched for the attacker to see the same weakling he was sure would die by his flames sitting on his chopped arm calmly radiating a silver aura.

"That magic...just what kind of magic. "

"I have no idea myself but all I know is that it feels like I can kill you off like a fly whenever I want right now. Tell me now, do you doubt my words?" He smiled as Ageth stepped back in affright.

His sadistic smile sent chills down his spine. Just what happened ? Just how did the table turn for him in mere thirty seconds?

"Disappear ! We are at a port right now. If you report anything to your superior , I will know. If you make any move, you lost arm will be the least of your worries." He commanded as Ageth gulped .

"Right! " He quickly scampered towards the ship .

"On second thought, why should I let you go?" He questioned as he quickly appeared before the scared knight and kicked his head off into the water as people let out a scream at decapitated body lying on the floor.

Ageth opened his eyes suddenly stopping his movements amid the spell. Just what was that right now?

Should he fire the spell?

Just why did he get that vision out of nowhere suddenly?

There was no way that it could actually happen.

But what if his attack leads to awakening inside the young Prince and that future happens?

Ageth despite his strength and bold speech was an avid fantasizer. His intuition always seemed to make him think of even most farfetched possibilities before making any move.

That was the one and only weakness he had, due to which his magic despite having immense potential still couldn't be retained for long.

Keith tilted his head in confusion. Why was that guy so nervous all of sudden? He hasn't even made any move for past five minutes. Is it...

"We should probably leave, Miss Luna." He hitched his shoulders finally deciding that it is good opportunity to run.

"Indeed! " She was about to say until she saw herself being surrounded by imperial guards striking their spears towards them.

"You always have been lax... What would you have you told her majesty if they escaped due to your cowardice?" A guy in red cloak and armour hit Ageth on head .

"That kid is hiding something. I know my intuition have been wrong on past occasions but you better be careful with him, Toshiro."

"Sure!" He handcuffed Keith nonchalantly who observed his enemies calmly searching for some leeway.

"It is futile . If you are thinking of escaping, then forget it. I have already ensured that no one is allowed within 1 km radius of you . The moment anyone does so, I will know and apprehend him just as prisoner along with you Selvester Prince!"

"What if someone can snatch him away before you can even sense it has been invaded?" Luna smirked.

"There are no such beings capable of that in Weselton and especially with your magic level, forget it." Toshiro looked at her amused. The procession of guards lead them to an underground passage which was paved with open flame gaslights flickering to and fro to serve as guide for path ahead.

Luna was quite surprised at Keith's calm attitude. Out of all things, she hadn't expected him to be so docile here.

Based on how he was reacting to simple rewritten history, he should have been enraging right now and now even while he was lead towards the heart of his enemy powerless against his will there was no shred of worry on his face.

Did her words really help Prince so much to change his whole outlook all together but if that was the case, then that didn't explain why he couldn't figure out Ageth's abilities earlier? An even temperament should have easily allowed him to figure out Ageth's powers.

Despite his docile attitude, she was well aware of how much battle genius Keith was acclaimed to be in Selvesters. If she could see the configuration of Ageth's powers then there was simply no time he couldn't.

So was Prince trying to make her useful back then or it was she just overthinking too much?

Either way to her, Keith's behavioural pattern seemed highly inconsistent to her from she had seen. All of sudden, they stopped at a dingy cell block where various people were locked in various compartments.

"This will be your cellar . Any questions?" Toshiro asked.

"When will Prince arrive ?" Keith crossed his arms as all raised their eyes shocked.

"What do you mean, brat?"

"You heard me. Cut the act , will you? An underground cell filled with people who are clearly transferred just today to make me believe that I am locked by Weselton army when in fact ,when you are just the Cross order faction." Keith glared.

"The cross order faction?" Luna blinked her eyes confused.

"How did you know?" Ageth raised his eyebrows.

"It is obvious really. When Ageth attacked us, he could have easily just used his fire magic to get to me and focus all his energy on Luna if he truly knew she was a Venefic thus immobilizing her completely.

He had no reason to worry about me if he already knew that I wasn't going to be of any threat. But he chose to divide his energy focusing his attack on us both just harming us little.

If I was to be used as a bargaining chip for Kingdom of Weselton, then most obvious choice would have been to make sure that you don't accidentally harm that person which Ageth wasn't really concerned about.

I asked Luna about your powers in hope that I was just wrong but it just confirmed my suspicions that you were simply playing with us rather than being actually serious and you were quite sure that even if we escape, your allies would catch us as they do.

Then you lead us to underground passage and people were moving just as usual even after you said that no one was allowed within 1 km radius. What kind of imperial soldier would take the burden of checking every citizen moving arbitrarily within that area while keeping track of enemy reinforcements?

No! To be precise you all did this deliberately to test whether I was actually capable of seeing through such a n obvious ploy because I am sure that your prince wanted to see if I was worthy of negotiations. Am I correct in my assessment?" He stared at them as Toshiro smiled.

"You are truly as expected." A clapping voice filled the room as a figure crept up from the shadows with sword hanging by his hilt and a satirical look on his face as if this was some sort of play expected to take place sooner or later.

Luna stared in awe at Keith. Of course! She should have never doubted him. He must have been putting on a farce just like Ageth. But who were Cross Order?

"Wait! They couldn't be..." She widened her eyes in realization as she saw a familiar figure.

"Rejected Prince. The Trickster. The Satirical Royal. You have been attributed many names ever since you tried to overthrow your dad two years ago."

"Oh please! I hope my reputation won't affect the offer I am about to present." He chortled.

"An offer?" Keith and Luna looked at each other.

"Yes! I have heard through my sources that you are seeking truth about your magic. I can help you release your magic and even practise it. I can know in instant just what kind of specific magic do you have."

"Tempting offer must demand something equivalent in reciprocal, Prince Ryouken" Keith kept his eyes at him.

"Indeed! I want you to help me dethrone my father and take over Weselton." He smiled.

"You can't be serious!!"

"I am dead serious when it comes to my Kingdom, Prince Keith." He sat down on chair fondling his hair.

"I am no genius tactician if you are thinking...."

"Relax. I am under no such grand delusion. I am well aware of your capabilities. Checking your deduction capabilities was simply to assess whether you would be able to involve yourself in the elaborate plan we have set up."

"Who is " we" ?" Luna tilted her head." Your soldiers?"

"Of course not. I thought you would have guessed by now. Two years ago, the reason I set out to rebel against my kingdom was not simply on whim. I was well aware of how long I would have to wait before you arrive in Ninavel. It was all part of his plan. Your brother Prince Milan. "Ryouken revealed.

Keith held his head confused. His brother planned this? What! Just what was going on? Taking a heavy breath, he sat down on the chair that Toshiro and others had pulled up for him.

Luna herself bewildered by what was going on joined the Prince.

Weren't they on a simple mission to reach Andonia to discover the truth there and increase Prince's powers along the way?

Just how the hell did they get roped in some grand scheme of Prince Milan and Ryouken?

"It is only natural for you to be confused I suppose. I won't tell you as to why I allied myself with Milan or why I agreed to rebel right now. It won't help you anyway. Just know this that your brother was already well aware of the magic potential inside you and your failed attempts in tapping it.

He was quite sure that even if you go on your journey, it will bear no results if you simply focus on common magic. So he made sure to contrive a situation that would allow you to do that.

Intervention of Venefic was rather troublesome and unexpected but even so he managed to handle the situation. Once he was assured that you had crossed city of Meran, he ordered his men to send orders to Luna to meet you in allotted inn

.Milan had already placed his spell on you Luna to see every move the Venefic was moving and once he separated from you two, he informed us of your presence in central library as a cue to capture you.

Both of us already knew that Aveline was going to attack you since Milan had provoked her deliberately back then on his journey before leaving so that she would lie in anticipation of your arrival. Once he learned that you had chosen a Venefic to be your partner, he informed me to make sure that I leak info about Negika to Aveline. Originally that was supposed to take care of your separation from Venefic.

My subordinates were about to save you from Bezos after all until that guy ended it like it was just a child's play. Milan on learning that ordered us to retreat instead of following you right away from Meran to Ninavel as Venefics are just too unknown quantity.

That is why he had to switch to his backup plan of using Luna as his spy to lead you to me. So tell me now, Prince Keith will you allow us to help each other out?" Ryouken smiled.

"So everything was already pre-ordained just like my brother wanted Is that what you are telling me? "

"Not really. He just made sure that any kind of action you will take leads to me at some point in time."

"When did he even place his spell on me? I have never even met Prince Milan..." She stopped.

"It seemed you realised it. Prince Milan places his spell the very moment he meet someone for first time and it never fades until he deems so. They become his living ears and eyes." A stark silence etched the room as both comprehended their fate.

"I will agree to your condition Ryouken but I have another condition of mine to add first" Keith raised his head after deep thought .

"Oh! Please tell."

"I want my two to help me reach Andonia with Felix once you achieve your goal and accord him the status he deserve . I will only help you if you as a ruler would announce the declaration to treat Venefics as equals to human.

It may appear like I am in position to make demands but even so, this is something that I want to uphold myself, something completely isolated from whatever grand plan my brother Milan might be planning with you even if it involves helping me.

I have no desire to be his doll that would follow the path as he sets out so conveniently. "Keith's eyes sparked with a resolve completely unbidden from his pre-ordained offer set out by his brother.

Ryouken glanced his eyes at young prince before him. "Fine! I shall discuss it with Milan. But you are in for a lot of intense training; Prince for your power is going to be determinable in our victory. Whether you are able to manifest your power adhequately or not will determine the weight of my promises." He stood up .

"I am well aware of that and as a Selvester, I will keep my word. I will defeat Weselton king and strip him of his power to you for the future I seek. Accomplishing it here will be the first step in my path to do the same in Selvesters."

Luna raised her eyes. That was certainly one radical viewpoint Prince Keith had weaved into his mind. But after seeing his resolve, she was well aware that no amount of persuasion would dissuade him away from that now.

The dice had already been cast in his path the very moment he set out with that Venefic.

Everything that had happened until now was intertwining together to reach this possible outcome .

Was Milan already aware of his brother's fate ?

Or was it all just one big coincidence!

She wasn't sure but the path ahead intended or not would now be solely on Keith's prowess like it was meant to be .

....