Remnants of another Era 1.72

The island of Crete is a mountainous archipelago of arid land. At some point it was reigned by King Minos, who in turn gave the name to the Minoan civilization, which is said to be one of the oldest. However, once King Minos died, the island was separated into two provinces: Mesara and Pefka.

On the one hand, Mesara is the first half of the island and the largest. Most of the economy is based on fishing, planting wheat, trade and harvesting olives and subsequent transformation into oil.

On the other hand, Pefka is also dedicated to fishing, but to a greater extent to tourism. Through the streets you can see men and boys of dubious origin inviting visitors to look at the large minotaur sculptures or historical places. There are also a lot of scammers, kidnappers, slavers and criminals. There are plenty of stories known that such a person went to visit the great statues of the minotaur and never returned. In addition to all the above, at the southern end of Pefka there is a clandestine coliseum, in which slaves and misthians participate. The former in search of freedom, while the latter seek some drachmas and glory through combat.

Luckily for Viggo and the others, their destiny was in Mesara. To be more prices to the middle of the island, in the port city of Heraklion, located on the east coast. The place is known as the Port of the Octopus, as it is its main source of income.

Once they reached the city, Viggo took Sakura, Anna, Semiramis, and Scheherezade and traveled through Heraklion. They were shopping at their central market and asking about the historic places. Luckily, the palace of Knossos, site of the late King Minos, was behind the city of Heraklion, just a couple of hours' walk away.

In that way, Viggo and the others traversed the city, passed through the long wheat fields on the periphery, and climbed a hill full of olive trees. Then they advanced west on an arid dirt road bordered by bushes. As the market traders said, it was only a couple of hours of walking.

Viggo stopped at the entrance of Knossos' palace, on the left were two almond trees filled with white leaves. Ahead of Viggo was a bridge made of earth-covered stone and debris from stone pillars that had collapsed. Below the bridge passed a shallow river that came down from the mountains, bordering the palace and down the hill of olive trees.

Beyond the bridge was a huge four-story construction, with solid rock construction and red stripes. However, some of its walls were crumbling and the painting was peeling.

-Sakura, Ana, prepare your weapons, we don't know what can happen inside this place- Viggo said. To which the girls nodded. Sakura took an arrow from her quiver and carried it on the bow, while Ana drew her daggers. Viggo continuous -Semiramis and Scheherezade, you do not fight, but you can help us by being very attentive to any change. If they see something strange or hear a noise of whatever, they warn us-

-Yes- the two replied solemnly.

Viggo nodded and closed his eyes. Then he remembered his childhood, when he walked along with his brothers and Ottar. He remembered his father, the white-haired elf, and how he, sitting on a stone in the backyard of the house of Demeter (one of his wives), taught them how to handle mana. His father always had a smile on his face, with a kind look and a happy expression. Viggo always thought he liked to teach them things. Now that he's older, he thinks his father was amused to see how far they could go. Everyone was so innocent, full of potential and dreams. At that time Viggo dreamed of being like Jason (not in the loud and idiotic, but in being a great leader).

"Remember, mana is a source of energy that is always inside you" said his father with a soft expression "it is spent very easily and without training it regenerates at a slow pace. So, measure your usage and control your flow. Think of it like this, it's like a loaf of bread. If you eat it all in one bite, your stomach will hurt, and you will have run out of food. However, if you are careful and you pinch it, pulling out piece by piece, it could reach you for the whole day."

-Yes, father- Viggo muttered, still with his eyes closed. He felt his mana like a pool of water inside his body and guided a small portion to his right hand. He stretched out his arm forward, closed his fingers, and left only his index extended. Then channel all the mana to the tip of his finger and draw a diagonal line from top to bottom, from right to left. Then connect another diagonal line from left to right and in the air a bright letter like starlight is formed with the shape like a C (<)-Kenaz-said Viggo.

Then the air swirled around Viggo as his long red hair danced in the air. Then the air flowed in front of Viggo, traveling across the bridge and entered the large building four stories high, the reception place of the palace of Knossos. The wind flowed through all the bedrooms until it reached the top floor and once it came out through the roof, it lost its unity and dissipated. Then Viggo opened his eyes as he breathed heavily.

-Father- he said with a short breath, crouched down and rested his hands on his knees -it's easier said than done-

At the same time, the four women approached him and began to ask him about his condition.

-Okay, I'm just a little tired- replied Viggo -I'll recover quickly-

The four of them calmed down a little, but the worry of their gaze could be seen.

After a while, Viggo straightened his back and said -come on, there is nothing in this building. Just a few rats and debris-

-Ah?!- said Semiramis and Scheherezade at the same time. The first dressed in the black chiton with golden edges. The other with the black robe that covered her from head to toe. However, although Scheherezade could only see her eyes, her expression of panic was clear.

-Don't be like that- said Viggo with a mocking laugh -you wanted to come. It is an ancient palace, abandoned for centuries-

Semiramis and Scheherezade were angry at the hearing of his words and put on annoying looks. Viggo just smiled and advanced across the bridge, listening in the background to the sound of the riverbed and the whisper of the wind. Ahead of him, stretched a cobbled path with debris scattered everywhere. Mostly, they were the carved stone pillars that had eventually collapsed.

-Walk through the center of the bridge and don't touch anything, we don't want a pillar to fall on us- said Viggo, looking at how the pillars that were still standing on the sides of the bridge were taking dangerous inclines.

The group continued to advance over the bridge and its distribution was like this. Viggo in front, followed by Ana. Then Semiramis and Scheherezade, while Sakura was looking around with her bow and arrow ready to shoot.

Once they reached the building, they noticed that the construction remained solid. In the murals they had drawn brown-skinned servants carrying vessels with olive oil. Something that was once a luxury and was only occupied by kings. Above the servants, almost reaching the ceiling, were drawings of large whales, one after another. The pillars that supported the center of the building were circular in shape and painted a red that was gradually peeling.

Everyone moved forward quietly and keeping pace, except for Semiramis and Scheherezade, who complained that they had seen mice the size of a dog. Viggo just laughed, thinking about the kind of life these women had led. Once they crossed the building, they reached the exit that overlooked a staircase, which went down to a large courtyard with large four-story buildings on the sides. All had architecture like the first, with some crumbling walls and crumbling pillars. But in essence, the place seemed abandoned.

-Wait- said Viggo, stopping a meter before the lintel of the exit door. Then he closed his eyes, concentrated his mana and once again drew the rune (<) –Kenaz– he said invoking the power of vision. The wind around Viggo condensed around him making his hair flutter and then moved ahead, traveling like a faint breeze, and investigating the interior of all the buildings a hundred meters around.

Viggo finished the same as the first time, panting as if he had run a marathon of days. However, different from the first time, the look in his eyes was sharp.

-Back up- he said with gasps, and at the same time, try to step back. Semiramis and Scheherezade helped him while Sakura and Ana covered the rear. Once they reached the middle of the building, they supported Viggo on a wall and he let him slide until he fell sitting on the ground.

-What happened, Viggo?- asked Sakura with a serious look.

-Ten immortals- said Viggo, already more recovered, but still feeling his heartbeat like a runaway horse.

Semiramis made a complex expression, while Scheherezade brought his hand to his chin.

-Strange- murmured Scheherezade -the immortals are known to be the personal army of the emperor of Persia. They never attack in such a few numbers and are only called for special jobs. Ending up with an exiled princess could be considered one, but even so, Semiramis never had so much influence that the emperor would worry about it-

-That doesn't matter right now- Ana said, then looked at Viggo and asked -Where are those guys?-

-In the building on the right, on the third floor- replied Viggo -everyone is looking out the windows in the direction of the courtyard. It seems that they were waiting for us from the beginning- then he looked at Semiramis and continued -someone with a lot of money and resources is looking for you-

Semiramis folded her arms and looked at him seriously -Scheherezade already said it, that's impossible. I never had so much power or influence in Persia that I am considered a threat and the emperor himself must send his servants. On the other hand, the amount is absurd. They always move in large groups, at least more than fifty-

-Well, it seems that someone is slowly exhausting his contingent. The previous time it was twenty, now ten, maybe tomorrow we will be lucky that it is only one-

-I'm not amused, Viggo!- shouted Semiramis

Viggo put on a serious look, stood up and walked until he stood in front of her. Semiramis looked down, thinking that maybe Viggo had become angry and as many husbands have a habit, he would slap her.

-Look at me- said Viggo in a serious voice, but Semiramis was still looking at the ground -look at me- Viggo insisted, and at last Semiramis looked up. She looked at those intense blue eyes and Viggo continued -believe in me, I will take care of the situation. I told you before, I won't abandon you until the bitter end- then he pulled his face closer and gave her a little kiss on the lips, then walked past her and said -Sakura, support my breakthrough and keep your attention on whatever can come out of the building on the right. Ana, you come with me- Viggo turned for a moment and look at Semiramis and Scheherezade -you stay here, trying to stay silent and not peek outside. We will return immediately- then he turned around and continued advancing to the exit that overlooked the courtyard while Ana followed him closely.

Semiramis bent her gaze and nodded. Then she put her right hand in her heart and felt her heartbeat hard. Then she raised her gaze and saw Viggo's back. "Believe in me, it's a good time," he told her last time. However, she was afraid just like now. Perhaps, she needed to start believing in what she chose of her own free will.