I'll Blame You

The sun of Magia Terra shines in the bedroom of King Eris and his husband, Henry. Eris awakes turned to the balcony of his bedroom, He sits up and sees Henry at his desk doing paperwork. Eris rubs his eyes and then sits and stares at the wall momentarily. Henry turns to Eris and looks worried. "Morning. Are you alright?" He asks Eris. "Yeah, I just remembered I have to meet with Queen Sylvie today. And I can't get that out of my head. What the parliament told us six months ago," he says. Henry's face settled into a worried expression. "Yeah, I've been thinking about that too."

~Flashback to six months ago, meeting room at Royal Castle Poslanice~

The Parliament and Kings of Magicae sit across from each other in a secluded meeting room. Deros begins, "This conclave was called for with the Parliament and the Monarch because of something my father shared with Lord Kinten and Lord Rhenen. The council wasn't included because we need to go over something that only we five should be present for, at least at the moment. Lord Kinten and Rhenen," Deros concludes. Kinten clears his throat. "Right. Six months ago, after the Summum Trial before Rhenen and I went home we visited Derio's cell and received troubling information. He said that the remaining slayers have joined together and are planning the Dragon King's return," Kinten shares. Eris and Henry's faces changed into shock. "Slayers? You mean the group of humans that received sorcery?" Henry asks.

"Yeah, that troublesome group," Rhenen began. "During the Great War humans were at a disadvantage against the dragons. Most witchcraft didn't work on dragons, which decreased the human population. It wasn't until the dragons who sided with Fae and humans granted selected humans sorcery to help win the war. These selected humans were known as Dragon Slayers. After the war ended, slayers began to fade from history, but not all. Those remaining are attacking the capital in six months, and their target is one of the children of the royal family," Rhenen elaborates. Eris and Henry then looked enraged.

"What?!" exclaimed Henry. "What do they want with our kids?" Eris asks angrily. "We talked with Sylvie, and she told us that to break her seal they will need the blood of a non-heir royal of Magicae and the blood of two royal heirs from any other Great Realm. We think they plan to release the Dragon King. And honestly, that would be one hell of a problem," Rhenen revealed. "Queen Sylvie is in on this?" Henry questioned. "Yes. We asked her to refrain from telling anyone. We wanted to tell you first so we could have time to devise a plan," Kinten responds. "A plan for what?" Eris asks. Kinten stays silent for a moment then sighs. "King Eris, I know you do not want war for this kingdom, nor does the Parliament. We devised a plan that includes Prince Mikalae. We want him to lead a team into the Dark Realm and seal the Dragon King," Kinten announces. 

"Are you insane? I take this as a threat to the royal family! Under no circumstances will-" "Eris, please. Just hear them out," Deros cuts Eris off. "You should know we aren't taking this lightly either. We are also risking our children. But we want to avoid a war with slayers or, worse, the Dragon King. We devised a plan to get rid of the Dragon King, which heavily relies on Prince Mike," Kinten states. Eris and Henry's expressions turned furiously calm.

"In the past six months, he was able to jump from the low-rank D-class to mid-rank B-class. That means his current power level is between 5,050 and 11,000. If he can jump ranks again in another six months, he could be an S-class mage with a power level of 30,000 between 99,999. Him achieving that feat would be great, but it depends on his training, as well," Rhenen elaborates, then looks towards Kinten. 

"Queen Daeverana had a spell called Dreamworld. It was a dimension created with her magic that she trapped her enemies in. Whoever she trapped in the Dreamworld falls into a deep sleep and can never awake again unless Daverana said so. If Prince Mikalae learns this spell, we believe he can trap the Dragon King even better than Queen Sylvie. All we need is your approval to make preparations. So, do we have the approval from the monarch? " Kinten questioned. Eris and Henry turn to each other for a moment then turn back to the Parliament. Eris folds his fist on the table laying his chin on it with his eyes closed. He's calculating. 

The Arealis clan had two special intellectual abilities. One to calculate and predict the outcome of a battle or war, the actions and strategies their enemies would make. This helped them with their other intellectual skill to conjure strategies and plans that defeated their enemies. There have only been three times a mission, or strategy carried out by a member of the Arealis led to their defeat. These are two of the several reasons the Arealis was the strongest Fairy Clan to exist. Eris is the grandson of the pureblood Elaine Arealis. Like his father, he inherited the Arealis' intellectual abilities.

Eris opens his eyes

"There is a seventy-nine percent chance that Mikalae and his team will succeed meaning that there's a twenty-one percent chance that war will happen. Even so, it's a fifty-eight percent chance they'll survive," Eris says seriously as he looks at them with anger as calm as the sky. He then unfolds his hand and lays his chin on it. "Hmph. You know, I'd scrap this plan because of its holes, but I will have faith. I approve," Eris states, and then turns to Henry. "I approve too, but let's make this clear, if Mike doesn't return, or return dead, I'll blame you three," Henry says seriously. Kinten nods. 

"Since it's decided, we should go over some things. Let's start with who are the other three members of this team. Right now, we have Prince Mikalae, ranked in B-class with Dream, White, and Dark magic. Lord Rhenen's son, Jivan Vaenol, ranked B-class with Wind, Sound, and Mind magic. Like Mikalae, we think Jivan can progress to S-class in six months. Lord Kinten's daughter, Quweiene Kipo, ranked S-class with Beast Spirit and Beast Transformation magic. We think her current rank is where she'll stay. Those are our selections, all we need is yours," Deros explains. "I choose Delia and Mable. Are you going to select someone, Henry?" Eris asks him. Henry nods no. "Then we have a problem. I can't think of anyone else who can go," says Eris.

Everyone then goes silent. 

A cold ghostly breeze blows past Eris, and he turns around slowly. A pale man with disappearing white horns on his head comes out of the shadows.

"D-Class, C-Class, B-Class, A-Class, S-Class, and G-Class is the magic ranking system. Do you know what the G in G-Class stands for?" The man asks.

"You.. you're the Sacred Tree!" Exclaimed Deros. 

"It stands for God. A power level over one hundred thousand is a power level equal to a god. That is what the Dragon King has; the power level of a god. Honestly, the only one I think is capable of defeating him is Mikalae. But it hasn't come back to him yet," he smiles disappointedly. "Fortunately, I'm willing to go," he concludes. The parliament gasps.

"Seriously?" Rhenen exclaims. "I'm very serious. I'm not as strong as I was thirteen thousand years ago, but I feel my power returning. I should be ready in six months," he says and turns around. "I will gather my power in the Sacred Tree sanctum, and soon I will teach a spell to Mikalae if that's fine with you, brother Eris," He announces. Eris's eyes squinted suspiciously.

"It's perfectly fine, but why must you call me brother?" Eris responds, raising his eyebrows. The man turns back around to Eris, frowning. "You're saying you don't remember who I am?" he asks. Eris nods 'no'. The man's face changed to a saddened, but calm expression as he turned back around. "The embodiments that claim Magia Terra are Darkness, Light, Earth as you may say, Sky, Day, Sea, and Forest," he chuckles. "You'll see em soon," he finished and slowly vanished. 

"What was that?" Eris asks. "He was just blubbering about the gods, I think... The Sky God is important in Magicaean religions." Henry responds. "Nevertheless, I'm glad we have everything ready. I will inform my daughter of today's meeting, and Rhenen will do the same. I trust you'll inform Mike, Delia, and Mable," Kinten says, looking at Eris. 

"Yes, and I'll speak with Queen Sylvie and the Queen of Esperia for support if this doesn't work. For precaution, we must prepare our army for war. For now, we'll keep this between the government and the three aristocrats on the team to the Dark Realm. This conclave is now over."

~Present Day, December 8th, 13,018 APG~ 

Victor walks down a quiet corridor in the castle and stops at a door. He knocks on it and then opens it. "Where are you going this early?" Victor asks before he steps into the room. Mike turns around from his balcony with a book in his hand. "I'm going to take a walk. Or a fly," he chuckles then turns back around. "Don't forget about the Aristocrat Ball tonight," Victor reminded Mike. Mike nodded and then flew to the city from the balcony.

~Astellan Academy~

Jessica opens her locker and puts her books inside of it. She closes it and Aeron is there laying his shoulder on the other locker. "Are you doing anything tonight?" He asks her. "Yeah, I have to go to the Aristocrat Ball back at home. Why? You had something planned for us?" She responds. Aeron Sighs and they begin walking down the crowded school hallway. "Yeah, I did. But I can't believe how long it's been since the full group's been together. Hasan and Zoe got kidnapped by their parents, and now you're getting kidnapped by the aristocrat ball," he exclaimed. Jessica chuckled. "I'm only leaving for two days. But until I go to the ball, you want to hang at Dell Sterum?" She asks him. Aeron smiles and nods 'Yes'. 

Mike flies down and stands beside Jivan. They're awaiting the arrival of an aristocrat at the east gate of the Great Baron wall.

"I almost thought you weren't coming," Jivan says looking at Mike. Mike smiles and looks to the side" Shush, I'm not that late," he responds. 

The east gate opens and two horses carrying a carriage cross the capital's threshold. It goes past Mike and Jivan. Mike looks shocked. "Where is she?" Mike asked Jivan. "She never rides in a carriage," he remarked. 

A young woman with purple hair and a pair of orchid color wings lands in front of Mike and Jivan.

"Long time no see, Jivan," she spoke. "Back at ya," he responds then looks at Mike. "Lady Quweiene, this is Prince Mikalae. Mikah, this is Quweiene," Jivan introduces them. Mike and Quweiene shake hands. "My friends call me Quwe (Qu-way-een/Qu-way)," she says then they let go. "Everyone calls me Mike," Mikalae responds. Quwe slowly looks at Jivan and smiles softly because when he speaks to Mikalae he calls him Mikah.

"I hate to jump straight to business but, we need to train. We spent six months training alone. We never trained as a team and that's a weak spot if we are to face the Arcane Dragon," she fiercely asserted. Jivan's facial expression turns into a confused frown. "Woah, you just got here. And the three of us must go to the party in Grotto City before the ball! Plus, I've trained with you and Mikah," Jivan smiles, attempting to persuade her. Quwe frowned. 

"Party in Grotto City? Don't you understand?! We have four days until we commence our mission. We must prepare to battle the toughest beast in history, now!" She retorted. Jivan's expression turned stern. He steps closer to Quwe and then places his left hand on her shoulder. His eyes turn to a pinkish color, and they make eye contact. "Quwe," he says calmly. She looks over at Mike who is distracted by black butterflies flying around him. "Fine, but I'm bringing Quain with us," she scoffed. "Okay, meet back here in twenty. Come on, Mikah," said Jivan. Everyone's wings appear and they fly away. 

~Outskirts of Royal Capital Nympharum, Astellan~

Queen Slyvie, Princess Zoe, and Deliandre are in the woods. Deliandre sits on a log while Sylvie and Zoe are standing facing each other. 

"Zoe, you and I must project strength for why?" Sylvie questioned. "Because we do not only represent this realm, but we also represent ourselves. We represent the oldest and one of the most powerful realms of Magia Terra," she answers. Sylvie smiles. "Correct, we are a near-extinct species. There were few tree nymphs, to begin with, but during the Great War, most of us fell. Since we are of the last tree nymphs, we must show this world that we have power and longevity. You've trained your Tree Magic well, Zoe. I'm very proud. You've grown in all three SSM areas. You should return to school next week. For now, head back home, I have a meeting to attend with King Eris," said Sylvie. 

Jessica and Aeron walk in the lounge area of Dell Sterum. Ash is sitting on a couch reading a book. Jessica and Aeron sit on the couch across from the one Ash sits on. "Hey, Ash. You were here alone?" Aeron asks him. Ash nods. "Grayson went on a mission from the assignment board," he looked from his book to respond. "Assignment board? We have one of those?" Jessica asks. "Yeah. This was a guild hall during the guild age when mages grouped and formed guilds," Ash responds. Jessica nods and lays her head on Aeron's shoulder. Ash smirks. 

"So, you two have been dating for four months, how's the dating life?" Ash questioned. Aeron and Jessica chuckle. "It's as good as yours," Aeron responded. Ash and Aeron laughed together for a moment.

They both quiet down and zone into the silence. Ash then turns around to the dark hallway. He hears a door slam open and he quickly stands. "Hey, we're not alone," he tells Jessica and Aeron. "Damn, right you aren't," a woman in a blue lighting-covered black cloak spoke as she walked into the living area from the dark hallway. Jessica and Aeron then stood beside Ash. The three of them sensed a powerful ominous magic resonating from the woman. 

"Who are you and why are you here?" Ash sneered. The woman smiled mischievously. "I'll tell since it's your end. I'm Lanai of the Koroshi. We're elite soldiers for the master of the dark guild Black Mamba," Lanai replied. Ash's face turns to shock. "A dark guild? But it's not the guild age anymore," he retorted. "My master and the other dark guild masters don't care. Oh, and you want to know why I'm here? For the princess, of course," Lanai smirked callously. 

Lanai tried to move her feet to run and attack them, but her feet wouldn't budge. She looks down and sees vines wrapping around her feet and rising above binding her entire body. It's Ash's magic.

Although trapped, Lanai's smirk didn't fade. She inhaled deeply and then roared out her mouth. A powerful water blast blasted the three friends through the walls of the rooms of Dell Sterum and out of the hideout.

This is an attack from the Koroshi, an attack that will bring a war to the land.