Draconic Testament (45 page)

“From what you’ve said, they all assume you’re someone who is not likely to turn his back on issues that concern him.” Sancterus said. “That’s an admirable quality to have.”
“Were you like that?” Zaxxarius asked. Sancterus paused.
“Somewhat.” Sancterus said. “In the end, I was... Though, I feel it was too late.”
“I feel as if you’re not talking about sacrificing yourself.” Zaxxarius said.
“No.” Sancterus said. “There’s more to it. There’s the Equilibrium.”
“I forgot about them.” Zaxxarius asked. “Who are they?”
“They’re a small group, but they have a collection of strong, gifted people at their side. They fight for... Well, I suppose you can call it life. But in the end, when their vision is succeeded, everyone will be equal.” Sancterus said.
“They sound like they’re a group of admirable people... so why are they working with the Godslayer’s Legion and Sanctum?” Zaxxarius asked.
“They’re not.” Sancterus said. “They’re controlling them. They will achieve their goal no matter what... and their goal included the destruction of earth.”
“Why?” Zaxxarius asked.
“To tell you the truth... I don’t know.” Sancterus said. “I don’t know what the underlying reason behind it all is. I... suppose it’s power.”
“Power...” Zaxxarius pondered.
“I must tell you something.” Sancterus said. “It’s about your mother and the legion.”
“What is it?” Zaxxarius asked.
“The truth is, we were ambushed in a city called Cienka. I was lured there, and when I got there, I found your mother had been lured to the same place. We were beset by Domini, from all sides. I cut down the majority of them, but Draynar decided he would attack Katrina. He succeeded... and she died.”
“I know...” Zaxxarius said. “Draynar betrayed you.”
“The Equilibrium got to him.  I don’t know what they promised him, but whatever they are planning, it was enough to make Draynar drop the values I had taught him. But there’s more.” Sancterus said. “You must think on what I’m about to tell you.”
“Go on.” Zaxxarius said.
“There’s a reason why Sanctum and the Legion could not use the portal in Voltrin’s vault. It’s because it’s watched constantly... But they’re still on Earth, aren’t they? That’s because there’s another.” Sancterus said.  “I told Abaddon that, but he said only an Overlord could open such a portal. And Portals are easily noticeable on this end, you can detect practically everyone.” Zaxxarius said.
“Well...” Sancterus began. “That’s true. Only there is something in Cazria blocking the Vision of it. Something with an Aura of it’s own, something powerful. Do you know what it is?” Zaxxarius thought about it. He wouldn’t ask if he didn’t know. “The Sandstorm?” Zaxxarius asked. “You mean..?”
“Yes.” Sancterus said. “The Portal is in Blight’s Claim.”
“but... Who?” Zaxxarius asked. “Ultimali?”
“Ultimali was not an Overlord.” Sancterus said. “He was just hardworking Cazrian who achieved everything he had by his own skill. The truth is. Dhym had use for me. In exchange for Katrina and your life, I was to open a new portal, for Dhym.”
“And you believed him?” Zaxxarius hissed, angrily.
“Dhym was not a being to lie. He did not believe in it. His life is already complicated beyond measure.” Sancterus said. “Dhym wants nothing but the goal in front of him. He has no time for malice on the small level of murder at his stage. If he was evil, he would have killed Abaddon, and you’d have never left Blight’s Claim.”
“So... You opened the portal.” Zaxxarius said.
“Yes.” Sancterus said.
“I see...” Zaxxarius said.
“Keep that to yourself, though.” Sancterus said. “You must learn to be discreet. Much like you must be discreet about the Equilibrium. If you made wild claims, you’d be untrustworthy. It’s a myth to most people, and the people of Metholi are shaky right now.”
“Don't worry. I will.” Zaxxarius said.
“There’s not that much else to tell... or to ask.” Sancterus said.
“So... That’s it?” Zaxxarius asked.
“Meeting the real you was... nice.” Sancterus said. “I had made illusions in the past... but that’s all they are... Illusions. In the future, when this is all over... I want you to come back here. Talk to me again. But only then. There is more for you to know.”
“Like what?” Zaxxarius asked.
“The truth.” Sancterus said. “You’re not ready for the truth. It would change you... as it changed me.” Sancterus sighed. “You know, it’s funny. I thought my father was foolish for getting himself nearly killed for love, and having everyone fight for him. I'm amazed I even went to the effort that I did, while he sat in his castle... but I admired that. I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen to me. Good job I did there. My father closed the portal in order to save the universe from a terrible danger, a danger in which you’ll find out about. But... until then... Until then, do as best you can to be a great Overlord. Serve your people. I grant you my vote.” Sancterus said. He reached his hand out to Zaxxarius’ shoulder, then stopped. “I would rather you not see my memories.” Sancterus said. “You’ll have your own burdens to bear. Just remember. You’re far more special than you know.” Sancterus put his hand away. “Congratulations...”
“Thank you... father.” Zaxxarius said. Then he looked out to the crashing waves, as the world around him began to shimmer. As he began to fade, words echoed in his head, from Sancterus. ‘Forgive him, Zaxxarius.’ He said. ‘Forgive Draynar. You and him... You’re two sides of a coin. Remember this. It will make sense, in time.’ Then, the world vanished.
There was nothing. Darkness. Again, he heard a voice in his head, but it wasn’t Sancterus. It was another voice, a voice not easily forgotten. Ultimali’s. “In the name of Horizon, Dusk, and Dawn, thee who looketh unto the Monolith shall see naught but sorrow, pride, pain and power. We bequeath the magic of the Overlord to thou who protects thy brethren, leader of the followers of your House and the Draconic Testament. Breathe the furious fires and magic unto your foes, and bask in the undying power of the Dragons.” Ultimali said. “Sorrow, Pride, Pain, and Power. These are thy weapons. Use them with honour.” Then Magic flowed into him. Lots of power, flowing into him, at rapid pace. He felt incredibly hot, and eventually, the magic began to hurt. His Brain felt as if it was being crushed, as many memories flown into his head, but he couldn’t remember them. He couldn’t remember any of them. He envisioned the final moments of Duty again, seeing nothing but Ultimali’s fingers click, before his eyes liquefied along with the rest of his body. He watched as the gun on the battleship slowly charged up, and Xita smiling as it fired off it’s round. He remembered war, battles, fighting, and politics. So many memories crashing through his mind, and getting lost. He closed his eyes, and for a short while, he could see almost the entire population of Cazria, through flashes of Hollowsight. Eventually, the magic began to slow, and the blood in his body began to cool down. He felt light... and eventually, he woke again.
Chapter Sixteen – Adventure
Zaxxarius Elric
Zaxxarius fell to the ground, dizzy from his ordeal inside the Monolith. His mind was blank, and numb. He couldn’t think of anything for a short while. He hear shouting, as someone ran up towards him from behind. He tried to turn and lash out at the sudden noise, but he fell over backwards pathetically. A face appeared in his vision...  a human... then a devil? No, it was a Cazrian, he remembers where he is now. Battleships in the sky hummed as he lay there, squinting as his vision began to normalise. His mind turned back to normality, and he knew where he was again. “You alright, prince?” Vander asked. “Come on, Zaxxarius Von Elric! You’re ok!”
“He’s fine.” Abaddon said. “You know what this means.”
“My father...” Zaxxarius said. “He accepted me...”
“Hahah! Hey, that’s great!” Vander said, sitting him up.
“I'm alright... I'm alright.” Zaxxarius said, as Vander helped him to his feet.
“You’re an Overlord... After 16 years, we finally have another Overlord of Metholi... There’s much to be done.” Abaddon said.
“First thing to do is sleep, though.” Zaxxarius said. Laer and Tyria approached.
“I’ll drop by later.” Laer said. Vander’s eyebrows raised.
“Rather bold, aren’t you?” He said.
“I didn’t actually mean like that, that’ll come another day.” Laer chuckled.
“I think we’d better hurry up and find Zaxxarius a Bride, before he does something he regrets.” Tyria sighed. “The council are your advisors, but I’d say that you should probably consider Kirall’s offer.”
“Yeah, yeah, tell me later. I'm exhausted.” Zaxxarius said.
“How does it feel?” Vander asked. “Do you remember anything juicy?”
“No.” Zaxxarius said. “I feel like I’ve had a massive hangover... But I do feel stronger.”
“It will likely come as second nature.” Laer said.
“Yeah...” Zaxxarius said.
“What time is it?” Vander asked. Laer looked at her watch.
“23:00. Almost night time.” Laer said.
“Humans sleep for a pretty short period of time.” Vander said. “6-12 hours at most.”
“I don’t know about earth, but here it’s 29 hours a day.” Laer said.
“I don’t care. I'm tired.” Zaxxarius moaned.
“Well, let’s get you back to the manor where your friend is. That will be our temporary spot.” Abaddon said.
Zaxxarius walked like a zombie back to his manor. He was exhausted from his ordeal, and from the sounds of it, he hadn’t been in the Monolith for very long. About 20 minutes. All the same, the process was trying. He wasn’t sure how long he was going to sleep, if he’d wake up while everyone else was going to bed, or in the middle of sleeping. Whatever the case, he felt like he would go into a coma when he hit the pillow. They got to his room, and he sprawled out all over his bed. “Well, this is where I get off.” Laer said. “That was fun. See you.”
“By your leave, your grace. Congratulations on your success.” Tyria said. With that, the two women left back to the council. “Laer is surprisingly nice to you, isn’t she?” Vander said.
“It’s obvious what she wants.” Abaddon huffs. “She knows she could be entitled to being queen, so she’s trying to take advantage of your young desires.”
“Zaxxarius acts like he’s celibate most of the time, so it’ll be alright.” Vander said.
“Shut up, Vander.” Zaxxarius said. “Laer seems ok, if a bit bloodthirsty, but I wouldn’t do anything with her.”
“Is there anything else before we leave you?” Abaddon asked.
“Make sure Yaevinn’s alright.” Zaxxarius said.
“Alright.” Abaddon said, leaving. “I’ll speak to you when you wake. The servants around the house switch, so they’re available all day and night. They know who you are.” With that, Abaddon left.
“Anything you want to talk about?” Vander asked.
“Talia...” Zaxxarius said.
“Again?” Vander asked. “Talia was a human girl. She’d never like this sort of life, besides, your family has had quite a history with snatching women from other planets. I’d strongly advise you don’t do that.”
“I didn’t mean that...” Zaxxarius said. “Do you mind if I send you to go check on her, later?”
“I’ve already told you she’s moving...” Vander said. “But alright. I will...”
“Thank you.” Zaxxarius said. “As long as she’s alright, she’ll get over me...”
“And you over her.” Vander said. “You have to.”
“I know.” Zaxxarius said. “Thanks Vander. Now, I gotta sleep.” Vander did the ‘Vance’.
“As you wish, your highness.” Vander chuckled, then he turned.
“Wait.” Zaxxarius said. Vander turned around, curious. Zaxxarius stood up. “Come here.”
“Err...” Vander said, cautiously, walking over to Zaxxarius. Zaxxarius went to him, and whispered in his ear, asking a certain favour and instructions. “No way.” Vander said. “No, I thought-“
“I can’t!” Zaxxarius said, backing away. “I just can’t, it’s too much. I’ll never be able to move on!”
“You’re an Overlord! You can’t just get yourself killed! Any idea of what would happen?” Vander said.
“Shh!” Zaxxarius hissed. Vander sighed. “The only reason I’ve stayed this long was for extra power. Not to mention the memories... But...” He wanted Vander to say something, preferably to agree with him, but he said nothing, just scowled. “Look. This place is really cool, it is. I got you, Yaevinn, Abaddon, the Council! I have people who love me, people who need my help, lots of new technology, a world to explore, not to mention a huge HQ battleship to myself!” Zaxxarius exclaimed. “But you know what wouldn’t be cool? Going through with all that and leaving Veronica to die. No, I can’t. The guilt would be the death of me.”
“Alright.” Vander sighed.
“Really?” Zaxxarius said.
“Yes, but this’ll be the last im  going to let you go to earth.” Vander said. “... You ARE coming back, aren’t you?”
“Of course!” Zaxxarius said.
“We’re also going to seal the damn portal when you come back, alright?” Vander asked.
“Yes, of course.” Zaxxarius said.
“...Abaddon isn’t going to like this.” Vander said.
“He’s not going to know till I’m gone, right?” Zaxxarius asked.
“Right...” Vander said. “I’ll go get it done...” Vander left. He didn’t like the plan, but he had been Zaxxarius’ friend for the longest time. Turning his back on him when he came for help wouldn’t be cool for him. Zaxxarius stretched on his comfortable bed. His arms clicked gently, and satisfaction erupted all over his body, then he relaxed and endured the headache that soon came after. It was worth it. Then, he drifted off to sleep... Although, his dreams were of the Ocean again. He didn’t mind. He could feel the full relaxation of sleep here, coupled with a calming view. The feeling of sleep was far more relaxing here than it was at the Haven, because there was more Mana in the air. He could understand why Xelphan loved sleeping so much, after all those long days of war and ruling.