Tragic Death

"I cannot call it a story anymore, can I?" A sad smile appeared on Hogman's face.

Everybody understood what Hogman mean't. They didn't utter a word but gave a slight nod. Hogman continued.

"It was the very same one. The sword, stone , everything. All the same. As I had told that day, people waste years and months searching for it in vain. We did too. Every moment we thought we were on step close to finding the stone, we got nowhere. We searched through maps and datas and history.... But what did we get? Nothing!"

"Those were times when we ate nothing, never slept at night, dozzed off during classes and slept on our signature last desk together. Then one day, we got a clue. Even we donot know how. We clue that led us to Benzua. The the place were we somebody else! We thought we were close. Yes. We were close. So close. And then our friend died. I got strong. And they... whom you just saw... they remained the same judging their powers... but wasn't really the same anymore. They became fiercer. I didn't have any control over what they did. When they chose what they are doing now, I didn't object. We were sad. Very sad. We realised that we couldn't get back what what we lost. We never can. So... they left on their own ways. I have mine. They were disguised as non mages all these years. I let them do so. I couldn't think of any other way back then. I know, it's too late to do something. Or maybe I knew. Their characters changed drastically. So did mine. Then we became the 'we' we are today."

"But our friendship remains. We are still friends. No matter what. That's why they are worried. They are worried that I would go behind that legend again. But no! How can I? Someone already is the master of the stone. And... from what I've read, the stone chooses its owner. I wish I had read that earlier. We could have saved ourselves from a huge disaster."

When Hogman finished the story, the whole cave was engraved in a deep silence. Nobody could really comprehend what Hogman was saying all the while. They could figure out almost this much. First, the people who came and Hogman were friends. Two: one of his friends died in their hunt for the stone. Three: the powerless Hogman got powerful overnight. And four: Hogman's life was tragic.

********

Master's Palace; Depcod

The corners of his lips lifted to a cruel smile. His thick silver armour looked bloody. His chin rested on his palm. Sitting on his golden throne he gaze swept the throne room and finally reached the huge balcony in front of him. He could see smoke arising from the stadium. Most of the fire have been extinguished. There was still some left. The feast had become a great disaster. His huge army was of no good in front of some itty-bitty children. He doesn't mind. He had let them go on his own will.

That boy in that golden armour had picked his interest. It's been some time since he had seen a worthy opponent. That boy looked like one. But he was still a seed. A seed is really easy to destroy. But a full grown tree would be different. He wanted to take the pleasure out of killing that magnificent tree full of branches. He was the most powerful being in the universe. By crumbling that pest with his own hands, he wants to prove it to the whole universe.

He wanted everyone and everything in his control. He wanted to prove that he was the master of the universe.

He called out to one of his servants and asked him to bring Denver in.

Denver bowed respectfully in front of the almighty master. His lips trembled a little before speaking. "Yes sire..."

"Did you find out how they came here?"

A slight shock swept his eyes. "I... I"

The master was as calm as ever. As if he had expected what was coming. "Did you or did you not?"

Denver scooped out the little bit of courage left in him and decided to tell the truth. Anyway there was no use lying. He would find out anyway. With trembling lips, ge chose to say. "I'm close sire. But...I couldn't...."

The master gestured to stop. "Hadn't I told you? Should I say it again? This was your last chance. Last. Chance."

"Sire I..."

Denver couldn't continue. Before he could, the master smirked. This made Denver's heart skip a beat. He knew its meaning. He knew its meaning well. Yes. He knew it. He felt chills down his spine. He was going to die. He felt that his legs couldn't bear his weight anymore. He could sense it. He would collapse any second. Denver was waiting for his death. He wished it was less painful.

Then, the command came. It came as an ear piercing thunder.

"FEED HIM TO THE DRAGONS!!! ALIVE!"

Alive? Blood drained from Denver's face. His eyes almost bulged out. Alive? He wished he died of a heart attack. His lips trembled. His feet shivered. So, my death will be slow and painful? Is this what I get for staying by his side all these years?

"TAKE HIM AWAY!!!"

Denver was taken away. He was dragged through the palace . His painful cries echoed everywhere. Last, he was thrown as food to those black beasts which tore his flesh and chewed his bones. He was alive. He tried to run. He was caught again. The master came to see him being eaten alive by those beasts. He laughed wickedly.

"Ask Eager to meet me." He asked one of his servants and left.

That night Eager went to meet his master. He had heard about Denver's tragic death. He felt pity for him. But still he went.

"You came?"

Denver bowed. "Yes sire."

"How do you think those kids came here?"

He replied without the slightest fear. "I'm not sure sir. But I think..."

"You think?" Master waited patiently for an answer.

"I think they might have entered through a gate of some kind."

"What makes you think so?"

"They did not have a dimensional guardian with them? "

The master smiled as if he was satisfied with the answer.