Chapter 23 – Warriors of the Past, Monsters of the Present

After whatever damage control Alice and Ender could do from their carriage incident. The two were able to slowly get along with each other and understand each other. Scarlet told Ender of her time in the castle of in the beast-man kingdom. Most of the stories were monotonous especially when Scarlet was in classes but Scarlet did seem to enjoy her fighting sessions.

On the other hand when Ender talked about his days in Rotherhithe village there was little days of boredom. Ender talked about his adventures with Percy and Alice. How Percy would challenge Ender to duels. But when Ender talked about how he would take care of Alice or carry her on his back Scarlet would frown. Ender was confused before thinking that Scarlet must be jealous that Ender was able to make friends easier than her.

Ender was able to ask some question regarding the troops that were protecting them that he wanted to ask from the first day his mother was healed. "How strong are they?"

Scarlet was not surprised as she laughed her answer, "Curious, aren't you? Well my mother sent me over to the to the Crag Kingdom as an emissary to show our friendly relation. My mother wanted me to send some documents over and see the royal capital of a human kingdom to broaden my experience."

Ender had a curious frown as he thought of her words, "Then aren't you on your way home?"

Scarlet started coughing a fit, "Cough-cough-cough. Let me finish. I thought I would visit the towns and cities around before heading home so my mother chose troops of the royal elites designated to protect the royal family. All of them including the healer should be at least of Pinnacle Green or Low Blue level." Scarlet looked away for the first part but looked high and mighty at Ender when she talked about the troops.

Ender was not surprised about the levels since Ender was not able to look at their strengths. Ender would have to be more proactive to keep his ether uses to a minimal external use. Being able to use Ether at his age should be out of the norm so keeping a slightly low profile would be best.

But was riding in the princess of a kingdom's carriage while talking to her normally low profile. Ender who was oblivious to worldly matters would take a few more years before realizing his perception difference. All Ender saw was normal girl that had strong people around her.

As Ender was going to step as the two's meeting time should end, Millie was walking with Sarah to carriage Scarlet uses. Millie smiled, "It seems like you two have gotten along better."

Ender nodded, "Scarlet has explained the misunderstanding of the past couple of days. We have been able to talk normally now. How about you mother? You seem to have gotten along with Sarah lately."

Sarah interjected, "Millie and I have talked about her life, her husband, and you for the most part."

Ender for some reason felt for a moment that he saw Sarah look at him with a fiery light in her eyes. There was no killing intent but more like a passion. But before he could verify his guess Sarah looked like the normal Sarah. Ender must have been seeing things. Shaking his head Ender was about to say something when a soldier came running towards them. The soldier hastily bowed to Scarlet and said," Report, I small horde of monster are coming this way. We suggest young miss Scarlet and miss Sarah to Enter the carriage. Even though it is a small horde we wish for you two safety to be secured."

Nodding Scarlet asked the two women and Ender to enter to carriage with her. However, Ender did not move. Instead, he looked to the small cloud of dust approaching like wanting to confirm something. Ender did not look away while asking, "How many are in the horde? What do you think their levels are? And if I was to stay on top of the carriage, could you guarantee my safety?"

The soldier did not look reply and was about stand up but Scarlet demanded, "Answer his questions. From now on any question or demands that the two I brought make don't seem to directly try to harm me follow them like they are on equivalent to Sarah. Be sure to spread the word when this battle is over."

The soldier was slightly stunned but still replied, "As you wish young miss. The horde seems to be around 120, most of them seem to goblins and others of the depraved species, while our procession only numbers 35. However, all of their levels are in the Red Core. We believe a new Orange Core monster went on a rampage losing their sanity. They are probably going to a local village but we happen to be in the way. If you stay on top the carriage your safety should be high."

Ender decided while turning to the three ladies, "Then I will go up top. You three should go inside."

Before Millie could get mad Scarlet denied, "Absolutely not you have to go with us. It is not safe outside. You have yet to even awaken to using ether…"

However, Ender stopped her, "I will be up top not far from you. I just want to confirm something. I will go in if it becomes dangerous. If I do get hurt you can always blame this person." Ender threw the soldier under the carriage.

Scarlet reluctantly nodded, "Fine. But if anything happens to you, I will just have his head later."

The poor soldier face quickly went pale from their talk. How was his plausible execution suddenly being arranged?

The three ladies went inside the carriage as towards the slightly larger clouds of dust. It should be a one-sided slaughter but as Ender looked at the approaching horde, he his face did not twitch. It was not due to fear, pride, or other emotions but due to him focusing his best trying to hear the horde.

Ender closed his eyes on trying to heighten his hearing. Finally able to hear the approaching horde Ender's heart dropped a bit. He felt his heart bleed. What he heard was not the monsters' unintelligible screams but the language of the past. The language the Demon King Izrath once learned from a set of tribes and clans that were the most valiant, he knew. This language he gave the name to long ago: Kaido. In the language it meant the undying warrior.

"Kaido…" With a small whisper in the language Ender opened his eyes to see the carnage that was before him. The 'monsters' before him were of different groups. Most of horde was formed small green deformed men (goblins), a small group was or half pig men with tusks (orcs), and in the back was a enraged fat man with tusks that seem to succumbed to his instincts (ogre).

However, Ender did not see just the slaughter he heard some yells from the 'monsters' such as, "Kill the invaders," "For our ancestors," and even from the ogre, "Home… land."

Ender did not cry but decided to bury this scene in his heart and promised them he will save who he can in the future. The monsters were probably the rear guard of the past protecting other creatures that made it to the Monster Kingdom. Being left behind here these 'monsters' had gotten more depraved. They had lost much of their sanity. They did whatever gain strength to drive away the invaders constantly approaching. But kept there attacks up for millenniums.

As the battle came to quick close. Ender knew that he was too weak. Much to weak. Ender needed to reach at least Gray Core before he could start using the first move of his techniques, arts, and spells. Only then could he have a fighting chance. Ender wanted and needed to reach Gray Core.