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Vexx
Despite being half-Flivian, I was admittedly a complete disgrace in their eyes.
A liar, if you will.
Here we were, the almighty questers of Headmaster Chronisius, led into a world fortress with elite guards and passing civilians cheering us on. 'Us' specifically meaning I, Black Knight, the two Dwellven kids, and even the group of pirates, all behind the richly robed leader of the Chronicle Order.
Aziel joined later too, eventually. Except not as her open and talkative self. But for some reason stricken with a face of. . .
. . .was that sadness in her eyes?
It sort of rubbed me the wrong way, seeing how overly kind she always was.
Well. . . not that it mattered, obviously.
Everything happening was clearly praise meant to satisfy dignified heroes, like her. Clearly, I was being seen as one of those too. So I played my part by following along, shaking hands with world leaders inside of a huge room of audience seats, and a podium elevated at the center.
Hundreds, possibly thousands, of other quester divisions stood around in excitement and anticipation. Cheering our names, and moving out of the way to create a path for us.
With the hordes of golden-lined troops, they all held torches while waving their magic artifacts of different kinds. Scepters, staffs, rings, bracelets, magic infused weapons, as each began to shimmer and glow their colors brightly.
We were escorted onto the front stage, decorated with the orange flag of the Chronicle Order behind it. Basically the logo of a burning book. But to its sides were new banners I had never seen before. They were all white and incomplete, but had the simple black silhouette of their respective species.
Humans, Dwellvens, Marines, and Flivians.
Tinted windows displayed shapes and colors of familiar gods that I couldn't care enough to remember. Chandeliers lit up the massive public chamber, and pillars matching the marble floors towered to the stone ceilings. This fortress definitely wasn't newly made. I've been around many places for my shady reasons, so I knew for sure.
The Flivians stole this base from the Drownei. And probably fought for it with the organization's help.
Including myself, all the quest people I've met along the way stood in a line on the raised platform.
I saw Black Knight in the front, step forwards first, as told by one of the prophets on the stage, or rather by a straight-haired prophetess. A megaphone made of steel was attached to the podium where she stood. Enchanted with a white mist of air gemstone magic, Diand of Breeze, from what I vaguely remembered. So she could speak with in a normal voice, increased loudly in volume for all to hear.
"We show our gratitude to each hero of Headmaster Chronisius the 7th," The human spoke formal. But in a rousing-the-crowd kind of tone."While the divisions of the world have fought valiantly for our cause, these determined souls have been leading at the forefront of the quest. For that, they shall have the blessing of the writer of destiny, Niytri. Fate for all!"
"Fate for all!" The crowded audience yelled out in an expected response.
The prophecy was then read like expected.
'Heroes of all kinds shall rise against a dark regime
The world helping on their shoulders to destroy those titled supreme
And one will retrieve the power of the crown trusting in each soul
To end the infinite cycle of control.'
So the Black Knight followed her command and kneeled in front of her. The prophetess drew a blade of the brightest steel from her scabbard, passing it gently to the headmaster with two hands. In front of the world representatives, Headmaster Chronisius pointed the long and thin Flivian katana towards the knight, lowering it down to touch each shoulder as the Drownei kept his helmet on.
The rest of us following him was given the same exact treatment. I felt like I should be feeling something more when it was my turn, staring at the cheery and hopeful population before me. But there wasn't anything for me to be prideful about. I was no hero, and there was no reason to become one, which was fine by myself.
After the overdone and lengthy welcome, the headmaster told us all that we could go mingle around the fortress if we wanted to. Or freshen up in one of the bedrooms set for each of us. Free time, basically, as long as we were all back in the assembly area by exactly noon.
Which meant about five minutes later, I was fluttering helmeted above surface level. Staying hidden within the crowds of other flying people. My right wing flapped quicker than my left, almost recovered from the blade's cut. Their village buildings covering me on mountainsides and cliffs. In other words, I was within the nearby 'territory' of Flivian-kind, right outside the fortress.
I heard that Flivians usually care about dignity. And honesty, to the same degree. They value directness and order. Yet since the Drownei took over their position, as the most powerful sentient species, their people have slowly been breaking that more and more. To keep orderly and in control of themselves, they were some of the first to rebel against Kyronia when everyone's only ever thought about it.
Makes me glad I wasn't part of any future country. Or species.
I stopped caring about belonging to something a long, long time ago, trust me. It only sounded nice when I was five, and I was sure that had changed.
Anyway. It would all only cause unnecessary problems. And I already had my own matters in need of attending to, such as in the back alleyway between a run-down saloon, and a one-story house. Within a dark corner of many on a mountain.
Anyone coming through here would be those who are lost, or those like me. The old and closed buildings next to me was well kept and clean. But abandoned before I got to try any of their drinks and whatnot. It's been this way ever since the Kyronia's capital city, Kyrone, started attacking it constantly. The place itself was above the clouds, where the common man wouldn't be able to see it. And the alley's entrance existed as an average-looking gate used for 'storage'.
I walked to the back of the passageway of barrels, garbage bags, and crates, to where a section of stone mountain wall was big enough to fit anyone between the two buildings.
So I knocked on it, looking around for witnesses, then whispered.
"Zero, one, nine, two, one, eight, three, zero, four, seven. . ."
Unity members were each given a different code to pass, and sure enough I watched my body turn into mist and phase through the solid rock.
I opened my eyes again after the enchantment.
The interior of the mountain was as massive as I remembered, spiralling all the way to the stop, with rooms made of wood built way up for Flivians to reach. Lanterns hung from the walls of the Unity base as the only source of light.
On the ground level where I stood, it was crowded with members of varied species, stature, armour and weapons. Buying and selling different resources, carrying bodies and corpses of Chronicle Order soldiers, or walking in divisions from a distance while wielding what seemed to be. . . metallic hand cannons.
Nothing was surprising anymore at this rate. The only thing out confusing the hell out of me was the dark-armoured Drownei existing as half of the population here. I wondered if they were just in this place to buy stuff too, or if they decided to escape Kyronia somehow to join us.
But the bright part of myself knew, that the Unity only accepts allies into their territory.
Ah, that's right. Maybe the alliance proposal Eeldrin had with the Dark Lord's empire really did turn out well.
I could ask later, because for now, I quickly had to restock on those invisibility potions.
So I walked over to one of the many shady merchants lurking around the corners. He had his hood around himself, leaning on crates full of bottles of different sizes. But they all had the same shining, flickering substance, almost looking like water.
As I bought a dozen of the tiny items to fit in my pouch, I pulled out a good amount of gold from the small bags given to me for my deeds. And man. I realized was already richer than ever before. I suppose working on all sides really does benefit well.
It was enough for me to think I could realistically hide away, and quit serving this war entirely. Maybe find a way more unprofitable but safer job. I had less of a reason now to stay a quester, and a bounty hunter, resulting in possibly killing myself if I wasn't so skilled.
Problem was, the amount of more riches I'd recieve, if I continued the two facades, seemed to reach eternity.
And also I was suddenly being picked up by my two wings, yanked up into the air by unseeable forces.
"Hey- wait a minute!" I reacted in disorientation, kicking my legs while being pulled high up while reaching for my flintlock, and assuming I was being magicked with."I didn't consent to being flown yet, idiots!"
Whatever, or whoever, was gripping onto my wings was stronger to where I couldn't move much. Since I was tugged by only my flight organs, it naturally started feeling like I was being ripped apart.
"Anybody here care to help a handsome hybrid?" I announced loudly to nobody answering below. "Hello??"
My voice was drowned out within the noise. None of the busy and packed population seemed to notice me struggling midair, as I was probably hard to spot in the multitude of Flivians soaring about. Either that or nobody gave a damn. Which I think would be my reaction in their shoes.
Before I had my firearm fully unsheathed, I was headed straight towards the door of a room mounted on the walls, as I saw it be kicked open by nobody and I was forced hastily inside, falling onto my knees. My face looking to the floorboards.
The doorway locked with a click behind me.
So I forced my head to look up, as my iron helmet was taken off by those invisible individuals I was carried by.
Actually, factually, more like kidnapped.
I was inside of some windowless office. A casual desk of a higher position was built in front of me. Bookshelves were placed around the walls, while one small chandlier hung from the ceiling to illuminate the individuals I saw in the room, looking down at me.
Behind the table, sat a middle-aged mentor of mine. Wings resting on the leather chair while he briefly stroked his short beard. He stared expectantly as I did him, with the same gold ear piercings and scarred face.
Yeah, that was definitely Eeldrin.
". . .Eel. Really?" I planted my feet to stand while he sat forwards. "Seriously, what's the big idea?"
"Glad to see you too, ol' Vexx." He responded heartily despite the situation. "Forgive me if the welcoming was too sudden. We didn't want to. . . alarm you, y'know?"
"No, I don't know." I retorted.
But to be fair, I was already well adjusted to the man's shady antics.
As he was acting like his old friendly-seeming self, I narrowed my eyes to inspect everybody else in the room.
Sitting in chairs of wood around him were reptilian people in white robes. Drownei, to be exact. The tall men and women had collectively removed whatever head covering they'd use.
But then, standing next to Eeldrin, was the man with a steel mask, and a dark cloak to cover his slicked hair.
Black Knight's brother who'd tried to capture him all those days ago. And the one allianced with, and the second son of the Dark Lord. Zeleos.
"I might as well explain things to you." Eeldrin stood up from his seat, noticing my confused expression.
"We shall leave you some space, then." Zeleos stated to the Unity leader, starting to walk towards the door I came from. His followers of other Drownei rose as well to accompany him.
"I shall prepare what was discussed."
He, along with his seemingly unarmed division behind him, was just about to pass by me.
And as they did, the focused Kyronian figurehead spoke, in a calm authority, without meeting my gaze.
"Act accordingly, huntsman."
I simply glared mockingly in return, remembering the dragon battle in Valean, and debating to point a gun right at his protected forehead. "As if you would know. . ."
Wait. Does that mean he does?
In the corner of my eye, Zeleos tilted his thin mask upwards as his back faced us. He pulled out a tiny bottle of a pearly liquid and drank it. Putting the now empty item into his belt pocket, and readjusting the covering of his face. The group of Drownei followed suit with their own potions.
My gut instinct made myself move towards them, but I was halted by the arms from the two invisible forces, now flickering their taller and blurred silhouettes before me.
The Drownei began to lift off the ground with the substance's effects, and floated away downwards to exit beyond the door.
Soon enough, it was hopefully just me and Eeldrin in the room, I thought.
Until the unseen figures finally faded into our view. And I realized who they were after their potion effect wore off.
The two helmeted and pure-blooded Flivians from the Goldwave Pirates' ship.
Identical in their tall and fit stature, wearing the same common iron armour. With the shared trait of not saying a word about themselves, or about anything, to veil their identities completely. Staying right behind me to guard the doorway.
This is where I mentally slapped myself a thousand times on the head.
Crap. He knows about my work for the order now, too. I glanced down at my rusty flintlock in its holster. Traitorous members like me usually die, right? He won't just. . . kill me. I may have some worth for him.
"Huh." I scrambled for words. "You got some pretty effective spies there, Eel. Now look-"
"No need to explain yourself, Vexx." Eeldrin reassured while we all stood in place.
"I knew, through almost a decade of being your hirer and trainer, that you'd do something like this eventually. And I'm quite impressed on how you pulled it off."
His casual tone made me blink and raise an eyebrow. He was taking this a little too lightly.
Not that I minded, of course.
"I suppose that means you're not killing me right here and now."
The Flivian chuckled, head-shaking.
"Despite being one of our best hunters in the Unity, you still decided you wanted more. Joining the main quester division after climbing up their ranks."
Eeldrin detailed factually, convincing me that the twin spies standing by the door found all this information, and that he wasn't done.
"Having you killed in common practice right now would only be detrimental."
He then stepped forwards before I could say anything, looking at me earnestly.
"I suppose I saw something in you, after all, Vexx. A Flivian affected by war. The Chronicle Order burned down my entire village as a young one, for their quest of battling rebels against Kyronia." Suddenly, his past scar markings were much more noticeable in the dim light. "Because they were destined to act on violence on those unaffected, too."
Then Eeldrin grew a smile, suppressing a hint of water in his eyes, and began to laugh at the notion.
"Hah. But I suppose I can't help but repeat that stupid little story to you."
He waved the past off with a hand, leaving it once more to bury in his mind.
"It's quite strange how those act on their feelings of vengeance, before a single rational thought."
"So why am I even here?" I decided to skip the usual chit-chat im into. Gesturing my hands to the walls of the small office around us. "In this way, especially. . ."
"Well firstly, since only two pairs of eyes were on you that you've seen before, I don't think you'd accept my spies' invitation by a long shot. So I told them to remain unseen and bring you here safely."
Eeldrin walked around his desk after looking at the two twin Flivians, stopping at the front of the table facing me, then flying up to sit on it.
"Secondly, I have another task that only you could pull off. One that's worth a fortune."
I took another step forwards. Not letting myself be outmatched.
"A fortune, you say." I found myself saying without much else surprisingly, entranced by the idea, and burying the thoughts of others. "Go on."
He grinned like a master would expect it from his student.
"You're quite acquainted with the questers in your squad, aren't you?"
My eyelids widened ever so slightly and brief.
I mean, it's not like I should care still. All those exciting and comfortable moments together, throughout the venture so far, were just that. Moments used for nothing. Even if it was since forever, the journey was never meant to be fun for me. I was meant to hunt.
I knew for a fact that Eeldrin had the same idea.
"I'd say that I've reached some of their heartstrings a little, yes." I joked to lighten up. "Why do you ask?"
"They will have their headmaster speak at the center of the world assembly, according to my other sources. The Chronicle Order will only focus on praising him. And based on the past, disregarding the questers following the main man unless they're in the audience."
Somehow, this didn't shock me even a little. I listened for my paycheck as he finalized.
"All you have to do is keep the others inside. You're the only one who could be close enough. Especially to the Drownei."
"I thought they wanted to capture him."
My mouth blurted out without my permission.
"Right Hand's orders." He replied with a simple shrug. "Even then, he doesn't think his brother would die that easily. We aim not to pull any more punches after rumors uncovered."
"Rumors, huh."
"A hidden Chronicle Order project by the humans, specifically, that was funded by Kyronia, until this war started."
"Typical stuff." I brushed it off, thinking it was just one of their plans, so I could get straight to the point. "What will happen after my task?"
Eeldrin noticed my reignited enthusiasm, and the side of his mouth curved up as he carried on.
"My two Flivian spies will gesture to you before our attack strikes. So you can escape safely." Eeldrin nodded at both of the armoured winged people, who collectively seemed less interesting than a dagger made of wood. Maybe they were just so focused on the tasks, the individuals forgot who they were.
"Let those wretched and brainwashed 'heroes' die," The Unity leader caught my attention once more. "And you'll recieve a lifetime of gold upfront, before you can die as one of them."
He flew over to the back of his desk again, as he pulled out a key from his pocket. I heard the sound of an opening cupboard while his hand reached low. Where I couldn't see it.
Then he pulled out a heavy sack the size of my head. Plopping it onto the table while the vital metals clashed inside of it.
Eeldrin opened the burlap bag tied with a string, and tilted it so I could see the floods of shining gold pieces that could change the trajectory of my life.
"Once we disorganize the chaos of the world Midkyron." My trainer continued his negotiation."This will just be your added bonus, Vexx."
I stared him dead in the eyes this time, forgetting what little moments there were, and opened my lips while stepping forwards to shake his outstretched hand.
To continue the path of a liar.