Chapter 26

The forest is dark and quiet. I could seen the moons shine through the trees. But there was no sign of the person I needed to talk to. 

"Hello."

No response to my call. But I can feel it I can smell them. "I'm here now. What do you have to say? Dorian." 

From the tree was man lying on its branch flipping a dagger and catching it. "Your alone." "I am." It was hard though. I had to crawl in the deep grass and mask my smell so other beast-men don't smell me.

"Who are you and what does this have to do with Alie?" 

"I told you. My name is Dorian." "The mask tells me your part of an organization of sorts." "We are but we are different."

Dorian mana its above me and Servin. But I don't see any bad intent. "And Alie what are you to her." "You know kid. I would have cut off your head for speaking her name so lightly...but she would not like that. Besides your important to us now. You have proven something to us."

"Proven what?"

"That you can survive anything. And that no matter what you will do anything to help friends. We need an asset like you. But you still need time to grow and learn how the world works."

"I do know how it works."

"I mean literally."

"I don't understand." 

I could not see through his mask of black and blue. I can tell he's smiling or smirking. Just from the way he talks. He sounds like a person who knows it all. All secrets and mysteries.

"You think the world revolves around kings, monsters and dungeons? There is a lot you need to understand on what goes on behind the scenes. You'll understand soon. But right now, the people I work for have sent me here to give you a mission. Of course you don't have to accept."

"You're giving me a choice?"

"Well, it doesn't matter if you accept or not. You will be at the center of it after. And it will involve Lady Alie Ingo so you will accept."

"...What is it then."

"You accept then? Good. It's simple really. There's not real time date because it will involve Alie, and you will be there to help her after all. So, your mission will end soon."

"What is it, Dorian."

"It involves the Kingdom of Lazare. We want the entire royal family killed and the existence of Lazare erased from this world."

"Thats it? And the kingdom of Lazare of things? A small kingdom on this godforsaken place?" This was a strange request and why me? From the way he's been talking and acting like everything is following in place he should be able to do this job.

"We aren't well liked by the twin empires as well as the church. And Lady Alie has destiny she must follow. And the empires are in the way. We need to ride this land of their influence. Lazare is loyal to them, and you need to get rid of them."

"Why can't you? You seem to have more power than me and more resources." "We don't actually at least not yet. Me and my partner here have to leave the land of stars soon. We simply don't have enough people to be everywhere."

"Sounds like you are though." 

"Connection kid. It's what helps us all. And of course, the blade is your friend. If you kill the king of Lazare and destroy its kingdom, we will be indebted to you and of course you'll be paid handsomely."

"..."

"So, we have deal kid? And since your still hesitant. Then maybe we can do something for you." "Like what?" "Anything."

This not a good idea...but maybe they can help me. They can probably find my mother and many of my friends. Parish. "There's people I'm looking for." 

"Hm. Simply enough. What are the names." 

"My mother went by many names, but her real name is Azurine. And a man name Parish." "Hm. I'll a sign one of my people to look into this. But you must finish the job."

"But you said!"

"And the information we find on these people are your payment." "You some of!" 

"Learn the trade kid. You'll understand real soon." Dorian vanishes from the area with no trace of mana or his smell. I could not find him when I tried. There's no choice now. I have to do what they. How should I tell Alie this now? She hates fighting and killing. I don't think she will like what I have to do...but then again. I don't have to.

"He said it will happen either way. It's like they have the whole thing plan out." There things going on behind everything. Dorian is probably what's behind the curtains of this world.

My curiosity is unwavering. The criminal underworld could be connected to it. For now, let's set that aside....

"Seems my future isn't showing signs of peace." I need to worry about these people. From the way he was mentioning Alie. They are obsessed with her. And that guy, he's powerful. I need to be careful.

That night another strange event happens. My mana pool had dragged me into the world of mana. Confused on how I got. I walk look around to see if this was the cats doing. The cat was nowhere to be seen though.

"Hello?" I called out. But the sound of the echo of my voice heard. When nothing happened. I was able to find the tree. The tree had gained color. It was the white color it once was. And it seemed bigger than before.

Suddenly the sound of large ting comes out from nowhere. It was the sound you make hit shields or maybe drums. The sky color changed from night sky to bright red and orange.

All of sudden the water levels had lowered. Five pillars of rocks around the tree had appeared. But stopped there. Sharpe pains in my head, chest and muscles caused me to fall onto the water. Mana was forming around me uncontrollable. It grew bigger and bigger until all I could see was mana.

"ARGHH!" Like the sound of a drop. The cat had appeared before me. Its small touch to my head broke apart the mana.

This creature had saved my life once again. "What are you?" The creature blinks and runs away. I awoke the next moment with Terra and Hen and few others around me. "What's going on?" 

"You're ok that's great."

"What's going on?"

"You were having a rising evolution." "A what?" They both begun to explain to me that my mana had gone out of control. Saying the water beneath the ground had risen and water particles formed in the sky. This only happens with mages who don't know the basics of controlling mana. And during an inner evolution can lose control of their own magic.

Evolution happens when a person mana, curses, blessings or whatever power they have grown or other words. Rank up. I guess all this fighting has increased my power.

"No one was hurt?" "Just a little wet. Seems your mana knows who's enemy and allies. And water magic. I figured so." 

"You know?" 

"Certain manas react to one another. Fire and water don't mix well I can sense already that your mana is very well connected to the arts of water magic."

"I see. I guess this a good thing. But I don't know how useful water magic is." "It depends on you and beside. You can always learn other magic. But your mana is probably more suited for water." 

"How so?" "People can use all magic but you can immediately know that your better at certain magic then the ones you want to learn. Mana has texture and traits depending on the person. Depending on your mana color you can almost do anything with it."

"Mana color?" 

"We can find out when we get to a spirit stone. Right now, we should rest. I was able to get your mana under control and since I have fire magic I was to calm your mana in this situation. So, it should not go wild again."

"Thanks..."

"What's wrong?" "I feel weird like...burning in in my head and chest. even my muscles too."

She was silent. She seemed unsure but smiled as if she was happy for me. "Your rare in this world. Whoever you ancestors are. They must have talent for magic. I can't say for sure though. Sometimes these things can be just mana reaction. A mage with more knowledge than me and see if what I'm thinking is corrected."

"And what is that?"

"It's called mana gear. A sign of parts of your body that was made from mana."

"Mana gear?"

"I know very little, but they are useful tools in your body for whatever power you have. Mana or blessings. I can't answer all so for now until we get back home. Save your questions I don't have the answers for them."

I nodded. I lay down to sleep on this. My lineage. I need to find out more. What has my mother been keeping from me to have Terra praise me like that. Who am I really?