Chapter 16

"This is seriously messed up dude. We have been Kidnapped but we act as if it's all O.K." My friend gazes at me dubiously. "Lighten up man, this is a man's dream come true. We're hero's that will save the world! and… ahem.. cough.. save the princess" he glances over at the young girl chatting with some other so-called hero's" "sigh… sure sure.." giving my friend a pat on the shoulder I slowly walk away.

I pass by other hero's… they sit meditating as they attempt to connect with the surrounding mana… a seemingly all-encompassing power. "Whoosh!" A sword slashes down beside me as I notice figures diligently training in the way of the sword… while others train in the art of archery.. arrows whiz by piercing their targets.

I look on wordlessly for a moment before wandering away. My gaze drifts to the dark clouds looming overhead. Tall arched buildings surround me as walls crisscrossing endlessly. Recalling the past couple of weeks… fifty young individuals appeared here on the Continent of Pandium. The first sight that greeted us was hundreds of hooded figures standing solemnly… the floor glowed with an omnious light.. it was quite a terrifying sight to behold.

One of the hooded figures introduced himself as Orzan.. a kind old man. We soon learnt of our circumstances and with Orzan's speech with words like "A grand adventure… fame and riches… a fight for freedom" most of the hero's found it promising.

I did however attempt to ask him if we were able to return home but his replies have been quite vague. His words were "You youngsters so full of questions.. Ha.. Ha .. as for your question… we can discuss that at a later date" unfortunately there has been no later.. so here I am training to fight a war I really no nothing about.

This is legit a conspiracy. Fight a demon king they said… it'll be easy they said.. because we are so-called hero's. When I was kid my mum told me to not talk to strangers. I'm not sure if that exactly fits this situation but the meaning is all the same… "sigh…"

I gaze gloomily around… slowly a shadow-like figure emerges in the hallway to my side. It stands silently as it watches me. A chill runs down my spine… "…." This isn't my first time encountering these creatures… My eyes harden… more of these dark figures start to emerge… glowing yellow eyes… a terrifying sight. Luckily they don't seem hostile, at least not to me anyways. At first I figured my mind was just messing with me but I keep seeing them.

I'm pretty sure no one else can seen them because I discreetly hinted once to a couple of people and they gave me this super bizarre look. "Good job, now they think your crazy.." "Well maybe I am.." I can't even get a good night sleep these days so I've just been staying up all night training until I just fall asleep from exhaustion.

I make my way to the Library Hall… the shadows don't seem to go there. The library has books on about anything… history, strategies on war, long lost artifacts… foundations of the Sword.. and even secret techniques. I find myself a table near the window as I leave my worries behind me…

***

The day slowly pass as I bury my head in a book titled "Want to become a Bard? Train the body first!" I'm not too sure on the naming sense… but the author really does describe how to temper the body. There are variations on the different types of kicks… other diagrams show how a "bard" must pivot his or her body while grasping the right timing of the opponent.

Also along with this the author seems to describe certain situations a Bard might get himself into… "Hence a bard needs to be prepared!" or so he says… "I will explain how you will battle assassins that come against you… now should they attack you while you are in the middle of scaling a cliff you must make sure to have achieved the "light as a feather" stance beforehand. If you have not achieved this…." he continues on describing multiple bizarre situations… I'm not sure how someone could get themselves into these sort of situations but I note it down nonetheless.

Reaching the end of the book, a final memor is written "True Bards are few and far between.. but so are dragons… thus a bard is a dragon amongst men!" Placing the book down my mind clears and I feel a little lighter "ha.."

"Lyus… you've been here all day" the librarian chuckles. "If only more had a passion for knowledge as you do. I thought you might be out with your other hero friends" I gaze over at the grizzly-bearded man.. a bandanna covers his eyes. "Sir Henry.." a bitter smile appears on my face. "Okay okay.. I won't mention it." he helplessly replies. Looking up at the man you recall he is a retired adventurer.. Losing his sight during his early years. He always seems to be stroking his beard which is a bit weird given he seems to be only in his 50's but a chilled out dude nonetheless.

The first day I met him he said "Knowledge is power… you have come to the right place." With no real introduction he showed me around the place. Although he is blind, strangely enough he manages to find his way around the incredibly vast archive of books, it's like he has a sixth sense.

"So what's been on your mind… you better just go ahead and ask me" "Uh… how did you know?" He smiles "You always have this deep brooding look on your face.. It's not hard to guess" the old man chuckles.

I lock eyes with the man as I ponder for a moment before sighing.. "It's my status stone.. I think it's broken.." "hmm..? Broken you say.. I don't think they break young one.. Pretty resilient things.." the old man mutters.

"Well… mine doesn't light up.." He gazes at me for a moment. "Interesting.. well give it another try.. I'll take a look." Hesitating for a moment before taking out the stone… I rest it upon my palm. I focus my mind.. some time passes.. nothing. "See..?" A glow recedes from the man's eyes… "Heh heh… my boy.. It's not your fault… your talent just lies in… other fields…" he reaches into his robe before throwing me a black stone.. I catch it.. It looks nearly identical to the blue stone.

"Go ahead.." he gives me a deep look. I slowly focus on the stone before it start to pulse with a dark light… [Name: Lyus] [Title: Dark Hero] [Class: ???]. "Huh it worked.." I mumble to myself before a pulse of dark light seeps off the stone into my palm… a piercing pain overwhelms me as my body shudders…

The old man watches on as my eyes glow ominously.. memories start appear… flooding my mind… "Huuu…." after some time passes I blink. My gaze refocuses… a dark armored knight kneels before me.. glowing yellow eyes gaze out from beneath his helmet…

"Our King has been expecting you.. Prophesied One.." his image blurs… before the grizzly man now kneels before you.. An excited look can be seen in his eyes..

To be Continued.