Chapter 7: Prego's Return
The world of Honiara is composed of six continents and among them is the continent called Eyton. The Eyton Continent is made up of five nations and one of them is the Kingdom of Ellysia.
Ellysia Kingdom is comprised of hundreds of archipelagoes but during the reign of its founder, the First King, the scattered islands were grouped into three.
According to history, the First King divided the Kingdom in tribute to his children, however, the Fist King only have two. Thus, the topic of the kingdom's division in accordance to his children nor the matter with his unknown child is left untouched. That subject died down as mere rumors and were soon forgotten.
The three regions were named Solstice of the north, Nimbus of the south and Tide of the west.
Pilsen, the northern most town of the Nimbus Region is bustling like usual. The streets were astir with shoppers and the shops were busy. Pilsen served as the port that connects Nimbus and Solstice, thus, it had become a good trading hub.
On their harbor is a newly arrived large sailing ship. Its hull is long and slim which is shaped like a crescent with its high sterncastle and long beak at the bow. It had two decks and carried three masts. It was painted with a combination of colors violet, faded violet, and white. And its side carries the name Isles.
A man dressed in black robe walked out of the ship, elegantly crossing the plank which the crew had placed. He's good looking, enough to catch attention to the passing ladies.
He looks even more fiercer but sexier with his eyepatch on his right eye. His black staff which he carries in his right hand for support while walking will not make you think that he is quite old reaching the age of 250, rather one would even be attracted to him.
His appearance is deceiving in any way. Behind him is a group of seven men dressed in black robe as well. With that kind of sight, the people around them have concluded that they are mages.
A mage is a person who bears the job of a magus. A magus is a hereditary priestly class which involves the practice of magic or magical powers.
Mages are revered for their talent and skill. They have been a great contribution in protecting the kingdom from enemy invasion. But they are often the target of contempt for the same reason.
Mages possess great magical powers and they would always be seen in two ways; advantageous if they're allies and dangerous if they're not. If it happened that they're viewed as enemies, then they are out for elimination.
During his stay in Seith, the eastern island of Solstice, he has a premonition of leaving the village behind. Also, the invitation for the Sage Convention arrived quite timely.
He left the village with a heavy and agitated heart. He reached Seith after three days and on the fifth day the convention started.
While sitting at his designated chair in that U-shaped table along with other six vacant chairs, he tried to ward off his doubts. He really would like not to raise questions to the convention's decision but during the meeting, he was greatly alarmed to have felt the activation of the village's barrier.
Prego's worries came into fruition.
The barrier is the village's ultimate defense. It appeared in an invisible sphere, encircling the entire island, all throughout the water and sky within the barrier's range.
Poisonous fogs will appear to hinder entrance on foot or through vessel, and hexagon membranes will appear once in contact to hinder air infiltration.
His worries grew far stronger and his doubts swelled in his heart. With these conditions being met, only that time Prego was able to see the disturbing colors floating around the convention hall.
It is an indication that a malignant force had entered the organization and he can only escape in a hurry from that corrupted venue as he felt that something dark is trying to creep into his heart and little did he know, something already did.
Remembering the lifeless eyes of the Convention Members made Prego's face twitch in disgust. The feeling of disgust is directed to himself because he bitterly admitted that he cannot help his friends.
The aura lingering in the convention hall is dark and thick, so nullifying its effects even temporarily would be impossible as of the moment. To fully extinguish its effects is to eliminate the source.
He had also noticed that the Higher Seats besides him were not around.
The convention hall is curving inward. The upper echelon is placed at the center and the seating arrangement is according to a Sage's Rank.
At the center, the Higher Seats are placed facing the podium where the toastmaster stands while the Lower Seats are placed at the sides. They comprise the U-shaped table at the center.
The three layers of long bench encircling the center is according to ranks as well. The lower layer is for Rank X, the middle layer is for Rank SS, and the upper most layer is for Rank S.
Prego understood that the Higher Seats along with him have responsibilities and jobs to finish, so they're usually out of the convention. But having to be summoned while the others are gone is undoubtedly shady.
Who's behind of this spiteful occasion? Are the other Higher Seats responsible for this? Or do they already know the situation and also fled in despair? He can only come up with different scenarios in his head as he made his exit to the mansion he's staying at.
It was a good choice not to stay at the Convention Hall's Inn. Prego can only imagine that the place is also swarming with those dark colors. It was unbearable for Light Sages like him. Darkness is their weakness and even though their power is also the weakness of the other, the control of the enemy is far stronger.
To explain it rather simply, it is like breathing polluted air. Dangerous, dirty and impure. Taking it too much will suffocate a person. It will be an easy death.
'Prego-sama, the boat is ready.' Conrad, Prego's Private Corps Captain approached him and ushered him to the southern harbor. A small vessel for travel on water was seen tied on the dock.
Prego only wanted to return to the village as soon as possible, thus, the sailing vessel which is light and small can travel quite fast.
Another reason is that they will have to pass the Fog of Poison. Protecting a small craft is the most ideal way to preserve magic energy and to concentrate a denser protective barrier.
Almost an hour of sailing has passed. He was not able to appreciate the beauty of the sea and sky nor pay attention to the adorable dolphins jumping beside their small boat. They were making cute cries of anxiety and they seemed to guide them in their way.
Another ten minutes passed and the fog is now visible. It was only that time Prego noticed the dolphins that suddenly stopped accompanying them. Looking back at the retreating form of the dolphins, his heart was gripped in apprehension.
He stared at the fog again and for a short while he was confused. Catching his surprised breath, he tried to convince himself. It couldn't be!
It… It was different from what Prego expected. It was not the Fog of Poison, not at all. It is the legendary fog of desire, the so-called, Twilight of Lust.
***