Chapter 6 - A Chance Encounter

In the middle of the fohlorne forest, on top a large tree stood a young man. His long jet black hair contrasted against his fair white skin. His eyes black as night. The features of this man was a perfect match together. He is no doubt the protagonist, Redius. In becoming a knight, each advancement goes through a process of cleansing. This process cleanses the body’s inner ‘dirt’ allowing the body to function and increases it’s limit. Redius’ turned out far better than expected, his skin was stronger than previously. But on appearance, it soft and tender unlike someone who trained.

A black cloak wavered in the wind on Redius. A white ferret lay atop his shoulder. His face showed an expression of calmness. Though if one were to look closely, his eyes told a different story. Cold and unyielding. As if even the end of the world would mean nothing before him. Finally, he moved, jumping from trees to trees in a fast pace. It was a technique channelling aura in your feet allowing faster and greater movement, known to all knights.

Having travelled for a short while he came to a sudden halt. He tilted his head slightly. Having become a knight, one’s senses increase beyond a normal person’s.

Redius could hear a faint sound of weapons clashing and explosions. His eyes narrowed slightly, if any 3rd stage disciple magician were present, they would be shocked because Redius was using what could normally only be activated at their level. Sense field. Using the power of their diatis, they could expand it outside their body and sense their surroundings down to every detail. The skill is required for one to advance into becoming an initiate. On very rare occasions, only really gifted or geniuses could activate the ability early. Redius was no doubt in that category.

His sense field expanded to a distance of 20m in all direction with him as the centre. He could just about make out the tracks of a battle. He immediately changed his direction and headed towards there. The fohlorne forest hosted numerous monsters, creatures of great strength. It was often a place for magicians and knights alike to train themselves. Only through a battle to the death can one reach a higher height.

As he got closer to the scene, the battle was still continuing. He landed on a branch with a view to the battle. His dark element automatically blended him in with the shadows. His master had told him that darkness was one of the most powerful elements, especially in hiding. He concluded that in the disciple stage and even an average 1st stage initiate magician would not be able to find him if he put all his mind into hiding.

The battle raged on as he observed. Two 1st stage disciple knights and one 5th stage apprentice magician. They were fighting a giant rock lizard, Redius estimated it to be a G monster. Monsters were categorized starting from H upwards corresponding to the class advancements. The higher they went, the stronger. And the one that they were facing was of a high level G monster, equivalent to a 2nd disciple. And it being a monster, it’s raw power was much higher than an average 2nd disciple human. No wonder they were having difficulty.

Redius still stood observing. For him, killing the monster was simple. Because he had full control of 3 elements, it basically meant that he had 2 more ‘containers’ for his power. Whereas the average person only had 1. His actual strength currently, although he wasn’t sure, could definitely rival a 3rd stage disciple. Whether or not he could manage with a 1st stage initiate was still to be seen.

He quietly watched as he analysed the battle. The knights were tanking and drawing the monster away from the magician as she placed her water spell on the monster. Perhaps they would have a chance of winning if the magician were of the disciple advancement, but currently, her control of water could not penetrate the monsters armour, Redius thought as he watched two giant water balls fly towards the monster which did nothing but drench and anger it even more.

The two knights were having a tough time, both wielded a sword to which their attacks were being bounced off by the rock hard armour. Redius shook his head, they were slashing the armour which by the power that they now had couldn’t do much. They could change the tide if they focused on one spot with their power, concentrated their aura into the tip of their sword and thrusted into it’s softer spots. But fear gripped their hearts and discourse ran through their mind. Soon, the monster would take them out.

Just as Redius was about to turn, a thought hit him. That girl magician looks familiar. He looked at her in detail now, a young woman around the age of 17, brown hair with a face that could attract most males. He thought hard for a second took a glance at the other two knights and he realized who they were. They were children of his generation in the Plenio family, one of the three major families in Darabas. He had seen them around when he was still in the family.

He then remembered an incident when there was a major family meeting, all 3 major families were in discussion on the running of the city. The younger children were playing around and that was one of the times when some of them found him and beat him. He remembered they were there. Though they didn’t participate, he remembered the look of pain and pity in her eyes as she looked at him.

‘How the situation has change’ he thought to himself as he allowed a smile on his smile. Ji as if sensing it licked and nudged his face. Redius stroked him as if to say it’s okay. As they were doing that, his attention was drawn again when the monster broke free of the two knights by smashing one away with it’s tail. The other couldn’t keep him away from the magician as it barged the knight out of the way. It charged straight for the magician. She was as good as dead.

Magicians were weak physically, that is the reason why most hang back to fight. Until they reach the advancement where they could fly, they would normally hang back and cast spells.

“PHOEBE!!” One of the knights yelled as he looked up to see the monster charging at her.

Two more water balls flew at the monster, this time is was significantly smaller. Her magic was running out. Her eyes fell into despair as she watched her spell do nothing. She regretted now. She convinced her cousins to bring her along on one of their training hunts despite the fact she was only an apprentice. And most of all, she convinced them to see this rock lizard who noticed their spying. As fear embraced her, tears rolled down her eyes. She closed her eyes, ready for death.

Am I dead? She thought to herself after several seconds. She could feel no pain, only the wind brushing against her. She allowed herself the courage and opened her eyes. What she saw in front of her was the rock lizard. Except it laid on the ground dead, blood spewing from its head. Two ice spikes could be seen penetrating it. She looked around the see her two cousins looking in another direction, both with bewilderment on their face. She followed their gaze and saw a young man, clad in black standing there. His face emotionless to the world.

Her mind began to slowly piece everything together. He must have saved her. She wanted to thank him but no words could come out of her mouth. Next she caught him staring at her, she could feel that gaze piercing her. As if it could read all her secrets and thoughts. Then what happened next added to her shock. He glanced at her two cousins briefly then turned around and walked away.

“I… I’m Pheo of the Plenio family. May we have your name for saving our lives?” One of the knights recovered from the shock of everything, stood with one of his fist held in the other at chest height. (The formal greeting, shortened to ‘greeted’) But despite his question, no one answered. Only Ji turned his head to take one last look at them and went back to resting his head on Redius’ shoulder as the 3 watched him slowly fade away back into the forest.