Chapter 20

A lone figure can be seen making his way through the desert, with the glare of the sun.. the temperature has reached scorching levels. Sweat forms upon the figures brow as he journeys on. The desert winds ruffle his tattered cloak… as he disappears into the sandstorms.

Days pass before the figure leaves the desert venturing into a vast mountain range. A steep mountain path lies before the figure… multiple pathways can be seen… the wanderer takes out an old-looking scroll from underneath his cloak… he carefully unrolls it.. After tracing his hand over the map a few times he gazes around… with a step he cautiously makes his way forward, towards a certain pathway.

The sun wears down as vines begin to appear clinging to the rocky walls. Noticing this he continues on, his pace increasing… heading deeper within.. A cliff face appears before him… he gazes down at the sharp drop... a fog blocks his vision. He pauses for a moment before gritting his teeth.. he slowly begins to scale down the cliff.

The wanderer climbs for a few hours… his arms begin to grow weary before he notices he is nearing the ground… he drops down into what appears to be a dense jungle, seemingly cut off from the rest of the world. He looks relieved having somehow known that this would already be here… he takes a deep breath before disappearing into the jungle.

Insects fly about… while many exotic creatures can also be seen.. six-winged dragonflies zip about.. white hawk-like birds soar in the skies. The wanderer seems to be searching for something.. He approaches an old tree.. engraved markings can be seen on the bark. He nods to himself before continuing forward.

Some time passes as night approaches… insects chirp while fireflies glow as they flicker about… a sharp glint appears within the foliage. An arrowhead pokes out slightly.. a camouflaged figure melds into the surroundings… he gazes at the intruder. The bow string is slowly pulled back as he prepares to release his arrow… but then a hand lightly touches his shoulder. Another similarly jungle-like warrior slowly shakes his head.

He gestures to the lone figure.. their eyes trail the figure… a tribal necklace of some sort can be seen dangling around the wanderer's neck. The bow slowly lowers before the two venture over to the figure. They emerge quietly from the jungle… it takes a moment for the wanderer to notice them. He seems slightly startled at first before coming to a certain realization. No one speaks before one of the two camouflaged figures raises his hand to his chest.. He gestures for the wanderer to follow them.. the wanderer walks behind as the three of them meld into the jungle…

***

"I'm surprised to see you General.. even with a damaged map.. I find it hard to believe you found us…" "And that necklace of yours… interesting.. I guess the rumors are true.." Kening gazes solemnly at the frail old man before him. Sage Kharazal. A terrifying figure who is believed to be able to bend the laws of fate itself.. Covered in an assortment of trinkets that glow with a mystical light.. "I'm not sure what I can help you with General. The years haven't been kind to me.." the old man chuckles. "Lord Sage… a calamity is upon us.. dark creatures roam the lands… I seek your assistance for the Empire.."

"Ahem… yes General.. our diviners have spoken about these fiends you came across… most definitely terrifying beings…" His face becomes serious as he gazes at the General.. "However… as for your so-called Empire…" he shakes his head.. "We cannot help you.." "Our ancestors have prophesied this event long ago.. Even now the enemy is probably at their doorstep and they don't even know it…"

The General face pales as he opens his mouth to say something before then closing it. His mind starts to race.. ".. but if you knew this would happen.. surely you have a solution, correct?" The sage looks at the General for a moment before sighing. "You are correct.. but.." he strokes his beard.. "our choice is instead to leave this continent…" he gazes at the General… "our tribe have records of another place.. 'Paradise' or so it is called…" the General appears to be slightly startled.. "You must be mistaken Lord Sage.. if there existed another continent… I would surely know about it... there would at least be rumors" the General's eyes sharpen for a moment... "Wait.." he looks up at the tribal leader solemnly.. "You wish to head south!?.. Your crazy! You'll all die! Those sea behemoths are no joke..! Impossible…"

The old man gives the General a deep look.. "Agreed… by conventional means that is… but our ancestors have been preparing for this a long time ago… we have our preparations.." The General seemingly lost for words… he hesitates before glancing back at the old man "If you are to go.. I ask.. allow the Emperor to go with you.. If it's him.. I know he can rebuild."

The old man gives the general a sad gaze.. "Do you really think the Emperor would abandon everything he has built?.." The general pauses at those words. "Even if we could, we have run out of time.. We will be leaving in a couple of days when the wind rises." "I think we will end it here General.. I see your resolve for the Empire… perhaps you should have been the one to lead the Empire.." the sage chuckles.

"Is that it then… is there no hope" the General mumbles. The old man gazes curiously at the general. He ponders for moment "Well.. There was something… our diviners spoke of something… a figure in their divinations…. one who is unaffected by the so-called laws of fate. He seems to be merely drifting through. Even with my centuries of knowledge.. I have never encountered something like this before.."

"Whether friend or foe we're not quite sure but if you can find him.. Perhaps you'll have a chance.." The general looks up as he eyes sharpens "Is what you say true?.." The Sage solemnly nods. Placing a firm hand on the General's shoulder.. "You do not have to bear this burden alone… an Empire is as strong as it's people.. Find ones you can trust…" The general slowly nods "Mmh… I will seek out this person you speak of.. ahh Lord Sage.. a gift for you.. here…" slowly passing over the tribal necklace he previously wore…

"This..!?" the old man slowly places it over himself before a blinding golden glow erupts into the sky.

Patterns emerge within the old man's eyes. Looking deeper, his eyes seem to contain beasts that howl yet no sound can be heard. And then its gone.. His eyes dim.. As if nothing but an illusion.

"Good! Good!" grabbing the General shoulders… "The Kharazal tribe will not forget this General" the old man gestures to a distant mountain peak. A piercing whistle is heard before a massive creature soars from the peak… it pierces through the skies in the General's direction. "A parting gift.. you could say.." the sage chuckles…

"Hmm?" the general gazes over.. "Wait… what is that!?" "Kweeehhhh!" a massive shadow crashes into the ground before the General. "Your Empire awaits you oh-sir General.. Ha.. Ha…"

To be Continued.