Capital City

After rescuing Rai, Erika, and Elsie, we prepare to depart for the Capital City.

"Are you sure you want to stay?"

"I need to stay here," she says with a mourne-filled expression. "This village depended on the Village Chief. With him gone, we need to rebuild this village into something you would love to see the next time you visit."

"Yeah. While you do that, I will rescue Tristan's brother."

"Do you know where he is?"

"No, but if anything, I'll bet they took him to the capital city."

"Knowing the village chief's obsession with King Heilder, I also believe he was taken to the capital."

"What is it like?"

"What? The Capital?"

I nod my head.

"I have never been there. I only know it's called Arctic." She hands me a map. "It's not far off from here. If you fly in your dragon form, you should make it in an hour or two."

"Thank you, Tess."

"I hope you find who you're looking for, Haruki. And don't forget to visit once in a while."

We waste no time in our departure.

"Looking at this map, travelling to the capital city on foot would take a long time."

"Luckily, we have our express travelling dragon."

"I'm not some form of transport."

"Well, you offered. That makes you a voluntary form of transport."

The mood is like usual. But I can hear they are all frightened. Understandably, they were close to being sold into slavery. The flight was silent. After an hour, we make it to the capital city. My eyes widen at the awe-inspiring sight. I see houses of azure-coloured crystal ice. The wall around the town is ice as well, and the palace is one of blue ice I have never seen before. As we draw closer to the city, I notice numerous life forms scurrying about below.

"Haruki, look," says Rai, pointing to the army below us.

"An army of soldiers. Not much of a welcome."

"When have we ever been welcomed in this Kingdom?"

"You're right. But I would like to avoid any unnecessary battles from this point forward."

"It doesn't seem like we can avoid a battle," says Elsie. "See, the highest power in this kingdom has his eyes on you."

I scan the crowd of soldiers, and one person sticks out. He is a young man with white, snowy hair. His eyes are like icy daggers, and he is dressed in an armour of ice, similar to the ice the palace is made of. I sense mana. Is this his power?

I fly down towards the army. As I land, I flap my wings, which creates large gusts of wind that cause a temporary snowstorm. The army of soldiers barricades the man in ice armour.

"So, I take it you are the King of the Heilder Kingdom?"

He glares at me through the snowstorm, unfazed at my provocation. The area remains silent until the snow subsides. The King, still glaring at me, gets off his stallion and walks forward. He signals to his soldiers to stay back, and they hesitantly obey.

We are not far from the King, but his slow steps feel intimidating. His eyes do not move from mine. I let the other three off my back, and I shield them. This man is dangerous. One of the most dangerous people I've ever faced. And he hasn't even spoken yet. He would defeat Hafiz and Elisabeth if it came to a fight. He finally stops walking, but his eyes remain fixed on me.

"I am King Heilder, yes. What brings you to my Kingdom?"

His voice is monotonic. Cold and deep. Each word he speaks draws my attention.

"I am here looking for someone."

"Looking for someone?" He looks around. "And what of your other intentions?"

"Other intentions? I don't have any."

"You don't, you say?"

He thinks for a moment.

Rai steps forward. "Good day, King Heilder, I am..."

"Rai Sakura. I remember you. The "genius" daughter of King Sakura. He talks a lot about you."

"Talks? Have you spoken with my father?"

"Yes, many times. My Kingdom has developed a communication device that works similarly to telepathy. I gave an experimental one to your father to test its effectiveness, and we started discussing 'things'."

"Things? What were you discussing?"

"Unfortunately, I cannot say anything at this moment."

"Then will you allow us to search your town for the person we are looking for?"

"I cannot allow that."

"Why not?"

"If you have any other intentions, it would be easy for that monster to destroy my Kingdom." He looks at me. "I would like to avoid a repeat of Trist."

"I would also like to avoid any repeat of Trist, but recently many humans have tested my patients, and I have dealt with them accordingly. You are powerful, Your Highness. But do you believe you would survive a fight against me?"

"True, I would not survive a battle against you, but even if you threaten me, I will not allow you one step into my city."

I look him in the eyes and see his determination. "Unfortunately, I will not allow that to happen."

Rai looks at me, confused. "Allow what to happen?"

"He wants me to remain outside of the city. And allow you three entries."

"You are as stubborn as Hafiz said."

"Hafiz? You met with him?"

"Yes, a few days ago, he came to visit me. He was badly damaged when he visited, though. I suppose he had a run-in with you?"

"Yes. I gave him those injuries. And if you are affiliated with him, then I have no option but to..."

"Hold your horses, Haruki Ryu. I never mentioned partnering with Hafiz."

"Then what are you saying?"

"That man came to me with a proposal. I saw no merit in the proposal and refused his offer. But he lashed out and tried to take my life. So, I took his instead."

"You're kidding me? You defeated Hafiz?" Although I speculated this to be the outcome, hearing that it happened is unbelievable.

"Yes, he was weakened immensely, thanks to you, so defeating him was simple. But even if he were at full power, I would defeat him. Barrier Magic is powerful to an extent. And so is your magic, Haruki."

"My magic? What do you know about me?"

He looks at me confused. "You came to me without knowing about yourself?" he asks.

"What do you mean?"

He starts thinking again. "This is interesting. You were not supposed to meet me this soon."

"What are you talking about?"

He looks at me. "Has your fate somehow changed?" He looks back at his town. "Or has mine?"

The King does not pay attention to me and continues speaking to himself. He finally turns around and says, "Well, Haruki Ryu. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I will allow you entry into my city."

"That's great but what was—"

"Do not bother asking me. You will find out soon enough. The meeting that will change your fate is soon. Just be patient."

"Be patient, you say? I'm always told to be patient. I'm always told that I should wait. Why should I wait for fate to decide my future? Why is my life planned out in ways I don't want it to be? I found out not too long ago that I existed for a millennium, but I only have memories of the last sixteen years. Why do more people know about my future and past than I do? Why do I have these voices in my head? Why do I have this power? Why did Alvis lie to me about my true power? Answer me!!"

The earth rumbles. A strong presence approaches us.

"So, you are the cause of fate changing," says King Heilder.

A humongous beast appears in front of me. This is insane. This monster is larger than me in my dragon form. Its wolf-like appearance, rabid demeanour and aura are beyond anything I've ever seen before. The beast charges me, and with one strike to the body, I am knocked to the ground.

"Haruki!!" screams Rai. She is held back by King Heilder.

"Do not interfere. If you do, you will forfeit your life."

"But Haruki..."

"Do not worry. Haruki Ryu is not destined to die here. If this monstrosity does not obey the Laws of Fate, it will meet its demise."

The beast lifts me by the neck. It opens its mouth, and a rancid smell fills the air. "So, this is it? And I thought I would be challenged." He squeezes my neck.

Can't... breathe...

"Let go of the boy." King Heilder steps forward.

The beast looks at King Heilder. He ignores him and smirks. "Heilder, you know the prophecy, don't you? This brat will destroy all seven realms. Why should I let him go?"

"You are misreading the prophecy, Behemoth."

"Behemoth?"

"Yes, this battle-crazed monstrosity is the famed Behemoth. He is a creature on par with one of the Seven Sins of Man, Leviathan. "

"On par? You disrespect my power, Heilder. I am more powerful than that human-loving sea serpent."

"Behemoth, your actions will upset the True Gods."

"All the more reason for killing the brat. I've been dying to fight one of them after all this time."

"Behemoth, I will not say it again." Behemoth's leg is frozen in the same blue ice that makes up the King's armour. "Let go of the boy."

"So, you challenge me, Heilder? Knowing you could never defeat me."

"If my death stops your rampage, then I will allow it."

Behemoth lets go of me and I fall to the ground gasping for air. Behemoth easily breaks free from the ice covering his leg. He looks down at me, and says, "I know you plan on partnering with Leviathan, but I would advise you against it if you knew what's best for you." With those words, he leaves.

I revert to my human form. King Heilder walks to me and gives me a hand.

"Are you okay, Haruki Ryu?"

Am I okay? This feeling boiling inside me is anything but okay. This humiliation. This defeat. "You said he is as powerful as Leviathan?"

"Yes. He is the most powerful creature you will find in Leagard."

This is bad. My old personality is seething out. "I want to fight him again," I say with a sinister smile locked on my face.