Chapter 8:
Twilight Star: First Goal
After easily acquiring Sasha and finalizing the room agreement on Friday, the group slept and recovered in their room. Now it was Saturday evening, and they were hoping that Sunday they would be able to venture out without being exhausted after a few minutes. While they were making plans for tomorrow another group was meeting in the shadows.
In a room towards the rear of the Duke’s Manor, Archduke Dristen and twelve of his Knights prepared the room for six special visitors and their guards. As expected, they were on time thanks to their Demon Knights who could teleport the small groups.
Each couple had four guards, and they were all cloaked. This was a secret meeting and the only ones that would be without cloaks were Archduke Dristen and his Knights. It didn’t take long for everyone to take their places while several spells were used to block their presence while scanning for spying spells or items. When all was clear Archduke Dristen began, “thanks for this meeting. I wish our fifth could be here, but he doesn’t dare. Can’t say I blame him with the mindset of our King lately. I assume you had time to look over the material provided?”
“I had no idea that we all suffered this fate,” Archduchess Elizabeth said holding her husband’s hand tightly. “Nathaniel and I were beside ourselves when we finally learned and the challenge was two years in.”
“It is something,” Archduchess Karran stated. “By the looks of the timeline ours was the second that was started. I am glad that my dear Richard stumbled on to it by accident. Ours was only a year and a half but the number of Green Goblins it created… horrible.”
“Travel was hard before but now…” Archduke Harold started. “I am glad to be rid of Leon though. Thanks for helping convince the King he was costing him money.”
“That is the only way to speak to him anymore,” Archduke Dristen sighed.
“From what Warren said, his area was under for three years,” Archduchess Elizabeth mumbled. “Right there in the capital… yet the Green Goblins seem to stay away. It is frightening. But this…” she paused, “this is not. To think a single mage could keep so many alive when she was fighting to live is astounding.”
“We had to spy a bit,” Duchess Isbella started. “Harold and I were quite taken with her and the others. I dare say, we might have a chance of finding a way to… cull the Green Goblins.”
“I don’t want to agree but, I do,” Archduke Richard stated. “Karren and I also did a bit of recon. May I say, the team is amazing. I assume that is why we are here. To decide if we are helping them secretly or just watching.”
“That is correct,” Archduke Dristen answered, wishing he could see the faces of his friends while knowing that the cloaks were necessary if anyone happened to accidentally come in the room. “This is what I have uncovered about the soon to be Adventuring Party Twilight Star. Londra is the captain and possesses more mana than a Pure Elemental. Her vice-captain is the red head… Julianna, who is a spell craftswoman and has just a bit less mana than Londra. Her twin brother isn’t a mage but from what I have been able to find he was quite a warrior. Could keep up with and beat Kaijin Warriors. Then we have a Warrior Goblin that is capable of becoming a Green Knight, a very rare thing…”
“Indeed,” Archduchess Karren commented. “But that is far from the only one in the group. There is an Armored Skin, Enhanced Non-Human who was able to change forms instantly between his Lizard Warrior body and the human one. A Fairy whose magic was enough to stop the young Green Goblins, another rarity because usually they just eat the magic.”
“Then there is the male that looks like a human but is an Enhanced Non-Human. It is rumored that he can use level twelve spells with ease,” Archduchess Elizabeth pointed out. “Add to that an Elf from Golden that was such a threat forbidden magic was used on him and a Snake Beastwoman that has untouchable speed and agility. From what I understand that is just the first nine… according to my Dream Readers there will be sixteen in the party.”
“Mine said the same,” Archduchess Isbella agreed. “So, do you know the other seven?”
Archduke Dristen cleared his throat, “only four of the seven. The Fairy that helped to wipe out the Green Goblins in the memory I showed you. I believe she is the other’s cousin. The slave’s sister that was mysteriously taken. A Goblinesta who the twins met and formed a bond with instantly. According to Master Yevhen she has the ability to become a Green Priestess. The last he was asked to look for was a female Kaijin. Don’t have too much information about her other than she was a friend of the Fairies. She disappeared a few days before they were attacked.”
“I say yes,” Archduke Harold decided. “Let Master Yevhen find whomever they want to be part of their party and support. We have no way to fight the Green Goblins and every piece of intel we have acquired say that is their main goal… well one of them. They also want to conquer a trial. Don’t know how that is going to work but I say yes to that as well.”
“As do I,” Archduke Richard and Archduke Nathanial agreed practically in unison.
“My thanks, because it is what I wanted to do as well,” Archduke Dristen said a bit relieved. “Okay, I feel I should share the four prophecies that were shared with me. The first two have a very low percentage of occurrence. One, they leave and never look back after they find everyone they are looking for. The other, at the end of eight months the King makes them a triple S party so they can never be enslaved or separated.”
“I agree that one will probably never happen,” Archduchess Karren sighed. “Too bad since having them here permanently would do wonders for us all. Continue, please.”
“This one has a lower chance, but I could see it happening,” Archduke Dristen continued. “After the eight months the King tries to enslave them. It taints their spirits causing them to destroy everyone with a hint of evil in their souls.” He paused to see them all nod; he so wished to see their faces. “The last has the highest and I would really like it to happen. After eight months they find not only a way to keep the Green Goblins in check but conquer two trials giving us the ability to transport goods between villages again. Since those spells were sealed two hundred years ago because of misuse it would be…”
“Life saving,” Archduchess Elizabeth whispered. “They would vanish just before the King could enslave them?” she guessed. He nodded. “Well then we should find which two would be the most beneficial to have conquered.”
“I can’t wait until they are able to travel out of your territory, Dristen,” Archduchess Isbella started with a bit of hope in her voice. “Keep us updated,” she added standing with her husband and guards. The others did the same.
“Well, my knights,” he started with a slight smile. “Have fun watching them. Make sure you take turns. I have a feeling it will be enjoyable and enlightening.”
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