Ravil Lineage (Part 1)

Going through his pile of books and scrolls on the table, Commander Oahk reminded the captain of an important task he has to accomplish.

"You have to fulfill the purpose that has been laid upon you, Captain Qadir Ravil. Together with the other wizards and oracles, we shall accompany you and meet with the guardians once everything is well prepared."

"But the Great Shadow—"

"How long are we going to keep the skeleton in the closet? I, myself, can no longer hold back but it is not us who will decide."

Commander Oahk interrupted Captain Ravil vehemently.

"And the prophecy?"

"You already knew a thing or two, Qadir. Don't play dumb and just accept what has been laid in front of you."

"Things have been changed but how can I put myself at ease and trust the present wherein I don't know if what I know suffice."

The commander sighed and expressed his empathy to the captain. Thinking he could encourage the captain's confidence and appease his mind; he chose to mention back Commander Dumalo.

"Commander Dumalo wasn't fully at fault. I came to accept a feeling that I couldn't understand. For now, I trust that it has something to do with Irca's future."

In a way, this had also assuaged his feelings.

"What do you mean?"

"What you knew right now would suffice. Only the oracles can enlighten us of the things we need to know from the beginning. I don't like to admit it but we are just almost on the same track, Captain."

It was clear in their faces how helpless and frustrated they are in the situation. However, all they can do is to wait… wait onto something they are quite uncertain about.

"I shall then head back to Boho and advise Commander Diaz."

Saluting the commander, Captain Ravil bid his goodbye to the commander.

"A salute doesn't fit me well. I'm a wizard and just a commander in name, anyway."

Handing a scroll, the commander humbly responded to the captain's gesture.

"Please give this report to Commander Diaz. It's the mana and transmogrified monsters' updates."

***

Being bombarded with thoughts about Commander Dumalo, he has yet to remind himself of something he needed to do for his lineage and the inhabitants. A prophecy won't happen sooner, he thought. But as he thinks of figuring what's going on, it just keeps on leading him to another notion. His guts are telling him of another presumption as well. Things to him now seemed to be paradoxical; knowing something of advantageous certainty turns out to shatter him.

When Captain Ravil, 15, was in the midst of a war with the monsters in Ilo, their village Honoa in Leyte was attacked by the escaping monsters from the boundaries of Ilo. Though weaker types of monsters compared to the transmogrified ones, they are still savage monsters. They have weak eyes but have a powerful sense of smell. These monsters resemble a lion with horns and tusks and have two poisonous tails.

Some of the inhabitants of Honoa have just come back from the Mountain Temple when the monsters started to rampage. Most of the Honoans are non-magicians and they were outnumbered.

Elaine, Qadir's sister, who was 13 years old at that time has no affinity for magic. His mother cast a spell to cover up Elaine's scent while his father made a small dome with a protective barrier just enough for the children's hiding. He put small vents and when the children were all gathered inside, he started closing the dome. Elaine saw how bravely their parents fought the monsters.

The monsters roared in rage and started ripping everything in front of them.

Alastair Diaz, who was the commander of Bethil during that time, tirelessly sprints from one monster to another. Leyte's guardian, the Manaul, stayed close to the non-mage soldiers while alternating their attacks and defenses. It was fortunate that some of the inhabitants were still in the Mountain or just about to come back when these monsters attacked. The soldiers can focus on fighting alone. These monsters are not the typical types that can be hunted in Leyte. They are very strong that one of them can defeat five soldiers in an instant. What's more troubling are their poisonous tails that move at a breakneck speed.

"Manaul, how are the villagers?"

The fleet-footed commander sent a telepathic question to the guardian.

"They are all safe. Captain Ravil managed to create a protected dome for the young so the adults can seek refuge without worrying too much."

The king of birds, guardian Manaul responded as it swiftly glides in the air. Its feathers, though everything is in silhouette, glows iridescently and flies exquisitely elegant.

"Seeing some of them were badly injured; these monsters are atrocious. "

"These monsters have eaten too much mana."

"Good thing they weren't transmogrified."

There were more or less 20 monsters remaining. The healers continued to retreat the injured while the combat magicians distracted the monsters to buy time for them to fully leave the fight zone.

The Guardian Manaul is fighting with them and can kill five monsters in its claw and heal injured soldiers. It was holding itself on supplementing its energy it's giving out due to the proximity of the zone to the villagers. It was not a suitable zone for a guardian to battle though the monsters are too strong.

The surroundings are filled with deafening growls and roars, howls and pants, from both ends.

"Man down!!!"

"Archers on top! Be careful with the tails when you go up."

"Mages, advance with caution and try to hold onto their tails with magic. Keep them at bay."

"Yes, Captain Ravil!"

The fight continued as the captain held the formation. Every one tried to keep the monsters away from the villagers.

"I'm sorry, Captain. I wasn't able to lure them back to the forest."

Manaul sent a telepathic message to Captain Ravil from the air.

"It's alright, Guardian. They would rather traverse our location than getting back. And I know how hard it is for you to control your energy while battling with these beastly creatures."

"Thank you, Captain."

"How is the commander?"

"He is dealing with the lone run-away transmogrified creature."

"I guess it didn't escape its fate to be a fallen right away."

The captain holds a relaxed physique and mind despite the battle his facing with the gruesome monsters. He smirked at what he heard and strike a full blow at the monster in front of him.

"Guardian, I'm going to the commander. Make sure to take care of the soldiers."

Manual squealed and its exquisite feathers glide in the air; swiftly exude an iridescent aura disturbing the monsters and empowered the combatants.

Looking up high to the guardian, feeling satisfied and confident, Captain Ravil grinned and sternly turned his back from the dead monster; he dashed to the commander's location. He believed the commander can handle the creature, nevertheless...

"Hey, Commander!"

"Roooaarr!"

The monster turned to its side hearing the dashing Captain Ravil and exuded a high level of mana.

"Woah! I appreciate the welcome party, beast!"

Captain Ravil suddenly stopped and just walks towards the commander who's still on guard.

"Master! Want to learn some moves?"

"Roooar!"

The commander swiftly jumped into the air and strike a blow on the monster's neck.

"Roooooar!"

The monster looking like it was hurt, wailed like a cub but did not submit to defeat. It growled and snarled to show its determination and dominance.

"Hahaha! Here I am worrying you won't last long but your boldness lingers."

"I'm still unscathed and this thing has lost his foreleg already. It just… regenerated, you know."

"Well, I just came here to watch anyway. I know you can handle it well. Go on!"

The captain just stood on the side like he was just watching a mock fight.

Diaz sprinted towards the monster, leaning forward, holding the grip of his sword, aiming the point to the monster's heart. The monster swung its tail pointing directly to him but—

"Oh, come on, Master! Are you really just going to watch me fight?"

The supposed attack on the heart was only to deceive the monster. The commander stomped his right foot on the ground and somersault. While head over heels, his sword swung cutting the monster's tail root, and then fall on his feet.

Well, it was indeed a grand show to watch.

The monster's heart is a vital organ however, it won't be simply killed just by striking it directly. Its tails venomous tails are their life force. The tails are most likely to evade an attack since they are quick and deadly while their chests are always exposed.

The fight has ended; many were severely injured. Ten of the soldiers died; three of which are magic wielders, and another three of them are on the brink of death. Manual tended to all the injured.

While the monsters' corpses are being cleared, Commander Diaz initiated the cremation of the fallen in commemoration of their services, loyalty, valor, and love for Irca and peace.

"We are forever the children of love and peace. It won't be long to see you, our comrades, for we are always together in one's heart. We are grateful for your courage and honor. You have fought for your beloved home and did your duties and missions for your people. May you always guard us and may your souls be continuously guided by the Guardian Manaul until you meet the god of peace and mercy."

The commander recited the eulogy while the bodies of the dead soldiers; surrounded with lilies, asters, lavenders, poppies, and rosemary flowers on a raft, afloat on the lake of Honoa. He knelt on one knee with his sword pierced on the ground, held by his left hand while his right fist clenched on his chest. The inhabitants followed the commander while the archers ready their bows and arrows.

Guardian Manaul flew on top of the fallen men and radiated a divine aura and cried a hymn that's profound, solemn, and reverent. A moment passed and the guardian gently flapped its enormous wings circling the dead and towards the villagers. Its wings delivered a cold breeze to the touch indicating its final blessings and ceremonial rites.

After the heartfelt gesture, one of the soldiers gave Commander Diaz his bow and arrow. The commander lit his arrow with fire; he shot the arrow towards the raft. Once the soldiers saw it successfully hit the raft and started a fire, they shot their arrows as well.

"You are not workers, no nobles, nor soldiers of Irca. You are Irca. May you rest in peace, my family, my friends, my beloved."

Altogether, they recited their last goodbye to the fallen men with their hands on their chest.