Chapter 3 It’s a wonderful day, Isn't it?

"Remember, you won't be alone. We'll be there to protect you. Moreover, Elanon and the Planon Alliance have promised a significant reward for us. You get to be a hero, and you get the chance to make a real difference. What bard wouldn't want that?"Elara added.

Zephyr took a deep breath and slowly nodded. "Alright. I'm in. It promises to be exciting and I get to enjoy a reward. When do we begin?"

Kael smiled and clapped Zephyr on his shoulder. "Thanks for joining us Zephyr. Welcome to the team. We leave for the protectorate at first light. Be ready. 

Kael glanced at Elara and she gave him a small nod as they left Whale 7 for a hotel. They left with an increased sense of purpose and Kael could feel a surge of hope in his heart. 

With Zephyr in tow, the trio journeyed on to the Planon Alliance Protectorate in Floam city. They boarded separate bullet pods and arrived within half an hour at the sprawling headquarter Celestial Trade Consortium building. 

Without prior knowledge, it would be difficult to recognize this as the headquarter of the Planon Alliance Protectorate. As explained in the briefing folder, the Celestial Trade Consortium was a necessary front for the Planon Alliance to protect them from the prying eyes of Mordak's agents. 

Even though the day was still early, the entrance of the building was quite busy with customers moving in and out. Furnished with the code, Kael and his companions walked into the building and headed over to the front desk.

There were three receptionists with headsets on and the one in their line of sight looked up and smiled. "It's a wonderful day, isn't it?" Kael asked the receptionist. "Why would you say that sir?" she responded with a straight gaze. "Men journey forth, make friends, and achieve great things together." Kael replied.

Her face immediately grew more serious and with a word to her colleagues, she stood up. "Please follow me." 

She led them down a hall to an empty side room and locked the door. Then, she went to what seemed like a light switch, lifted the front panel, pressed a switch, and replaced the panel. 

"Please go in," she ushered Kael and his companions in as a section of the wall opposite them slid open. "Elanon will be with you shortly."" She concluded. Both sides of the walls had shelves lined with books and the room opened up into a bigger hall. Kael and his companions walked into the hall looking around.

Why has Mordak not been stopped?

The hall was big with a large roundtable at the centre. A section of the wall showed several screens of different locations in Platymus, Cantrus, and Garion. There were other screens that were currently blank. Another wall section was covered with various maps.

While they looked around, another door to the left opened and Elanon walked in with a tall man and a young lady. Standing at an imposing 6'3" height, Thorne had a lean and muscular build. His rugged face and tanned skin told a tale of lone survival and prolonged exposure to harsh weather elements. His dark, wavy hair fell onto his shoulders and had a tendency to look unruly. He was dressed in practical, weathered clothing that looked tough and sturdy and wore a billowing cape with muted earth tones and colours that tended to blend into the surroundings.

The young woman, Lyra, had a quiet beauty about her. She had a cascade of silvery blond hair that flowed down to her back although it was currently braided. Her fair, smooth, and unblemished skin suggested a background of some degree of comfort and protection. She wore dark-coloured fabrics that were functional and added an air of elegance about her. She walked in short and hesitant steps and there was an air of both charm and danger around her. 

"Kael, Elara, and…. I believe, Zephyr?" Elanon queried. His stern but benevolent visage radiated authority. 

"At your service." Zephyr responded with a theatrical bow. 

"Everyone, meet Thorne and Lyra, you will get to know yourselves better as time goes on." Elanon gave a faint smile. "You are all welcome. You have made the right call and while we have a dangerous mission ahead of us, we believe you have the skills to give us a chance."

"Can you tell us what this mission is about?" Elara asked. "Who is Mordak, and why has he not been stopped before now?"

The inhabitants of Platymus, Cantrus, and Glarion have long become adept in harnessing both arcane and technological capabilities as you well know." Elanon began. "There are universities that teach spellcraft along with engineering. In fact, the wonders of the past and the innovations of the present have an almost perfect balance." 

"However, it was not always so. Like almost everything else, magic has a dual nature. It is forbidden in the realms to practise dark magic but the dark emperor, Zalthar and his archmage, Mordak in their mad quest for power have flouted this rule." Elanon continued.

Everyone quietly took their seats as they paid rapt attention to Elanon's tale. "The interplanetary alignment that occurs every 5,000 years is imbued with immense power. Indeed, of every possible cosmic event, this alignment holds the greatest potential magically for good or evil. In his ultimate quest for this power, Zalthar commanded his archmage, Mordak to forge a mystical disc that can absorb this cosmic power that is born from the alignment between our three planets and the moon. With this disc - the Pattena - he can completely dominate the celestial realms, eliminating everyone's freewill or simply annihilate everything if he wanted to." 

"Obviously, he did not succeed, right? After all, I don't know about you guys but I'm certainly not a puppet, you know." zephyr interjected. Elara rolled her eyes and Thorne snorted. 

"Within each of you, runs the blood of five heroes of the Planon Alliance who helped to stop Zalthar's conquest 5000 years ago." Elanon replied, looking at each of them. "They ultimately shattered the Pattena and foiled the insidious plans of Zalthar and Mordak. The Planon Alliance deliberated and scattered the fragments of the Pattena in secret locations across the realms." 

"All this sounds like ancient history. If the fragments have been hidden in secret locations, then there should be no problem. What does this have to do with us?" Elara wondered.

"Zalthar may have been defeated and he may have fled to a distant galaxy, Mordak is still present. Their evil magic has granted them long lives and Mordak's agents remain active in the shadows." Elanon explained. "Over time, these agents have infiltrated the highest positions of power in the realms and the Planon Alliance has been forced to operate covertly."

"Despite our best efforts, we have not been able to stop them from diligently collecting five out of the eight fragments." continued Elanon. "The time of the alignment is due once more and they are much closer to restoring the dreaded artefact." Elanon gave each of them another deep look. "And we have to stop them with your help."

"What makes you think we can stop them? A rusty bounty hunter, a thief, an inexperienced mage, and a mere ranger?" Thorne spoke up in a deep, rusty voice, looking at them all in turn. Kael frowned and Elara gave Thorne an aggravated look. Zephyr smiled cynically and Lyra looked down.

Awakening bloodlines

"Oh! But you are much more than that!" Elanon laughed. "Within each of you runs the bloodline of the realm's finest heroes. Your skills are of the highest calibre and your potential is extreme. You all keep having these headaches because the magic in your bloodline is due to be activated." 

"Your ancestors foresaw this day and left not just a prophecy but a legacy of their magic in your bloodlines." He turned to Kael. "You are a gifted warrior and your bloodline has been imbued with the ancient magic of protection." Elanon walked to a shelf, and inputted some configurations in his wrist band. The shelf slid open and he took out a ring. "With this ring, you can create powerful shields and defensive barriers." He gave the ring to Kael and said, "When you put this on, you will awaken your ancestor's bloodline and mental connection to this ring. His knowledge will pass on to you and your headaches and nightmares will cease."

Kael looked bewildered as he stood up and took the ring. He felt a faint hum from the ring in his hands and he slid it into his left middle finger. It was a perfect fit. His whole being vibrated and he sat down. Memories poured into his mind and he felt a mental connection to the ring. He felt lighter and more energetic, like a whole new being. 

Elanon walked towards Elara and said. "Elara, you have an innate ability to manipulate shadows." With another set of configurations, a billowing cloak flew out of his wrist band and wrapped around Elara. "This cloak increases your shadow magic and allows you to blend into light and darkness so that you can move unseen. No magic can penetrate the invisibility of this cloak. You have also awakened your bloodline for stealth and agility."

Everyone marvelled at the cloak. It seemed to blend light and darkness together and had a natural tendency to turn people's eyes away from it. It added greater allure and mystery to Elara and she seemed a different person. 

Elanon turned his eyes to Zephyr. Zephyr smiled and quipped. "I hope my own legacy is as impressive." "Indeed it is," replied Elanon. Moving towards him and entering another configuration into his wristband. It was clear that the wristband combined as a space artefact as an enchanted wooden lute floated from it. "This is a legendary lute that enhances your ability to weave powerful enchantments into your music. You will be better able to inspire your allies, confuse your enemies, induce sleep and forgetfulness, and even mad anger."

Zephyr couldn't wait to put the lute to his lips and blow a note. Immediately, his bloodline was awakened. His memory was opened and a whole library of shelves filled with notes appeared in his mind.

Elanon walked towards Thorne and even though his face seemed to have no expression, he carried an air of expectation. "Thorne, the solitary ranger of the north!" Elanon proclaimed. "You are descended from a long line of nature wardens. You already have some ability to communicate with animals." Elanon continued. He entered yet another configuration and a bow and a sheath of arrows floated towards Thorne. "This mystical bow and accompanying arrows are all designed from the heartwood of a sacred tree. They both provide you with unparalleled accuracy. You will also be better able to communicate with and control various wildlife. You can even summon spirit animals.

Being a man of few words, Thorne received the legacy items, strung an arrow on the bow, and shot at the dart board on a distant wall several metres away. Everyone gasped at the dead shot accuracy. The arrow pierced through the very centre of the dart board. When they turned their eyes to Thorne, they could perceive that he had become more mysterious and mystical. There was a new light and a more sober look in his eyes.

"Beautiful Lyra!" Elanon turned to Lyra and said. Lyra raised her eyes and looked at him. "Your compassionate nature will be a great help in this mission I know. Your ancestors were highly respected for their very potent restorative magic. You already know some healing spells but this healing staff will amplify your restorative power." He once more inputted a code on his wristband and a staff adorned with a radiant crystal floated towards Lyra. "With this, you can more easily mend wounds. It also grants you the ability to cure grievous ailments with a touch.