Deadlines

The next few hours come and go until they finally arrive back in Xarat. The knightly carriage pulls up to the front gate as the horses whinny. Their feet clop against the ground, as dirt particles rise into the air.. Opening the carriage door, one of the knights takes Joshua’s bags as he steps out into the warm sunlight. Turning his head around, that same knight takes Saria’s hand and gently guides her down. A smile forms on Joshua’s face at the sight.

Distracting from his thoughts, another knight coughs aloud. “Ahem, young master Joshua, the patriarch wishes to speak with you in his chambers. I recommend heading there as soon as possible. Unable to decline, he bows his head and starts heading to the patriarch's meeting chamber.

Walking down the hallway, two converse in his head as Saria walks peacefully behind him.

“I wonder what your father wants?” Draxis muses.

Joshua rolls his eyes, with a smirk, but nonetheless slightly nervous. “I guess we’ll find out shortly won’t we.”

Joshua and Saria make their way back to the stone double doors leading to the estate’s communication room. As with the last time he entered, Saria stays back and silently prays for her master’s safety.

Taking a deep breath, Joshua strides forward calmly pushing the doors open. The sound of aged metal and stone creaks out as his father greets him.

“Hello my youngest.” The patriarch’s voice carries out in a calm tone.

“Patriarch.” Joshua bows his head slightly

Roderic lifts an eyebrow at the reaction, but lets it go. “I’ve been informed that your training in Blackwood went well despite the demonic disruption, is that correct?” Raising a hand to his chin the patriarch closes his eyes.

“Yes sir, I’ve properly awakened my aura to the third core and can utilize it without much trouble now.”

The patriarch keeps a stoic face, but smiles underneath at his youngest’s progress. “Excellent to hear, my son. Your growth is reminiscent of your eldest brother Dialos. He also started off late, but grew rapidly. I’m proud to see you following in his footsteps.”

Nervously, Joshua gulps. “Thank you father.” A smile creeps upon Roderic’s face as he opens his eyes. Joshua, a bit confused about the pleasant reaction, doesn’t question it. Maintaining his composure he awaits the message he was called for.

“In one weeks’ time, the naming ceremony will be held.” The patriarch states calmly, his voice trailing throughout the room, reverberating off the walls.

“What… Shouldn’t I still have three months?” Joshua questions with a look of slight confusion and panic on his face. This throws a wrench in his plans.

“I figured you would have asked that, my youngest. Simply put, it’s because you’re more than ready to receive your true name and so are the twins. Ghislaine informed me that you not only became captain of your squad, but you also set up an entire camp alongside your brothers. Your actions saved many of our people and the clan's future. Those are actions befitting my blood.”

“He said that he wouldn’t say anything.” Joshua mumbles to himself.

The two continue talking for the next little while as the air suddenly grows heavy. The patriarch’s deep red aura permeates throughout the room. Joshua grits his teeth feeling this, quickly activating the first node just to keep standing. “Another test. Damn it.” His shoulders want to buckle, his outfit swaying from the pressure. Taking a deep breath, he tries to hold his ground.

The smile remains on Roderic's face as he puts his hands together. The patriarch’s eyes start glowing a deep red as the intensity increases. Even the stone accessories throughout the room start to crack from the pressure.

Calling on his master for assistance, Joshua clenches his fists. “Draxis help, he’s going to kill me. I can feel my bones cracking.”

“Already on it kid,” Shortly after the rest of Joshua’s nodes are activated by Draxis. It takes everything in him to keep standing before his father. “Haaah, haaaah.” As he begins breathing heavily in and out, one knee drops to the ground as the pressure instantly vanishes.

“Rise, Joshua Von Terra.” The patriarch’s voice booms with approval. Struggling back to his feet, his body aching. Joshua once more stands before his father gasping out. “As you command father.”

“I have proven my point, you are dismissed.” Roderic replies stoically.

“Understood.” Joshua turns around as he exhales. Making his way out of the room shutting the doors. He hobbles over to his handmaiden whilst clutches his head.

“Did everything go well?” Saria, seeing his condition asks as she quickly makes her way to his side, wrapping her arm under his, helping him stand.

With a faint smile, he turns towards her, grateful. “I’ve got good news and bad news, what would you like to hear first, Saria?”

“Bad news first,” Saria replies.

Sighing and yawning at the same time Joshua starts to speak. “The naming ceremony has been pushed forward.”

“To when?” Saria questions.

“Next week, apparently. As far as I know.” Joshua replies, his tone empty and exhausted.

Saria’s eyes widen in shock, looking at Joshua who shrugs it off. “Are you not concerned, young master?”

“A little bit, but what’s done is done. That's where the good news comes in. I just have to take everything as it's thrown at me. At least my body is more prepared for it according to father. He said my growth reminds him of a young Dialos.” Joshua looks himself up and down as he flexes the muscles in his arms.

Saria shakes her head watching Joshua admire himself before getting back on topic. “I’d take that as a compliment as well. So, young master, what’s your plan going forward then? Do you need my help with anything?”

“I guess prepare for it the best I can, apparently a bunch of people from outside will be there. Not only that, but Wil and Vil will be receiving their names as well. Gail lied to me about keeping everything a secret.” Saria raises an eyebrow at the name.

Draxis amused himself, inquiring of his ‘pupil’ pipes up. “Hey kid, you never told me how the naming thing works. When does the patriarch decide it’s time for you lot?”

Joshua mentally replies, “Normally it's after ‘basic’ training but varies from one to another, Dialos had his done at the same age as me. Jeras was at fourteen like the twins. Kirie had hers at eleven since her talents revolve around her mind not her body. She still has a lot of potential though. That's why father’s strict with her.”

“What about Wallace and Lysandra?” Draxis continues.

“Honestly, I have no idea about those two, I honestly think they may have been on the younger end as well but I could be wrong. Father is the one who ultimately decides when he feels one is ready.” Draxis mentally nods in response as Saria looks at Joshua and giggles at his internal monologuing.

Saria quickly recomposes herself as Joshua comes back to reality, she nods her head and brings him back to his chambers passing through the multiple hallways and corridors. “Your bath should be prepared for you, I had one of the servants run it as soon as you went in to speak with your father. As soon as you finish, just let me know and I’ll bring you your dinner.”

“Thank you very much Saria.” Joshua waves his hand as Saria makes her way down the hall.

Making his way into his room, he begins removing his outfit, his Blackwood coat and shirt fall to the ground as his skin feels the cooler air upon it. Draxis asks a question. “So, kid now that were in private, care to explain more about this naming ceremony”

Joshua yawns from his long trip back, and finishes taking off his boots as he walks into his bathroom. “I guess I’ll give you the details I remember, but I never got to experience it properly last time since I failed in the beginning. So, there is no telling what awaits. The twins never told me and I was escorted out.”

Looking down and around, he notices that lounge-wear was in order. “Thank you, Saria.” Smiling to himself, he finishes undressing and heads into his bathroom. Taking a glance over his body, he runs his hands along his toned muscles before submerging himself in the water, his body reacting positively to its soothing heat.

Thirty minutes later after he finishes bathing and getting dressed into some light beige lounge-wear, he plops down on his bed calling out to his handmaiden as she enters his room on his command. “I’m finished, Saria.”

“I’ll have them prepare you something to eat then.” Saria replies with a grin.

“Thank you,” Joshua waves his hand with thanks. Laying down on his pure white bed sheets he lets out a sigh of relief. His muscles and body sink into the soft mattress, his eyes closing for a brief moment.

“Kid, so what do you plan on doing if you don’t remember everything?” Draxis pipes up.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. Like I said earlier this is all new to me, hell last time it was just us three and I think some of our siblings who were home at the time. I just know that I need to stand out, but not too much as all the clan overseers from our territory will be there. At least not stand out badly. I’ll need allies and support for the succession battle. So, I’ll probably just continue exercising and meditating, I don’t want to get out of practice even though I’d love to relax for a few days.” Sitting back up and opening his eyes, Joshua stretches his arms up and outward with another yawn.

Taking a deep breath after blinking a few times, his tear ducts produce faint droplets as he wipes them away. Throwing his legs over the side of his bed, he makes his way over to his desk where he notices everything still is nice and neat. Curious as to what might be inside as its been a minute, he looks through his drawers. Slowly pulling out a book with a blade and pen on its cover.

“The Way of War, it’s been years since I read this book. I remember getting this from the main library back when I decided that I wanted to be a strategist.”

“You used to want to be a strategist? And that was before you became a colossal failure?” Draxis chuckles, throwing a sly insult his way.

“Yeah… prick.” “Due to my poor constitution and lack of drive. It seemed like a fitting role for me, but the rest of the clan didn’t think so. Apparently, the direct bloodline has to be warriors if they’re male. I lost that genetic lottery”

“Two things. First I wouldn't say that you're a brilliant strategist seeing how often you get yourself into trouble. Second, that reminds me of something kid, you said you were exiled right? In your previous life.” Draxis continues.

“Yeah.” Joshua replies nonchalantly.

“By who and why? If you’re one of the direct bloodline, who other than the patriarch has any say over you? From what you’ve said the patriarch is above all the overseers in authority and clearly he has a soft spot for you.”

Joshua shakes his head in dismissal. “Firstly, I doubt that, but frankly speaking, I’m not sure. Some of my siblings had already fallen by the time I was kicked out.” Joshua raises his fingers and counts. “Dialos, Jeras, and Kirie.” A frown forms on the red haired teens face. “ I had just turned fifteen. It was just me, father, the twins, Lysandra, and Wallace. A lot had happened in those years. I have to stop it this time around.” Joshua rubs the back of his neck.

“Well then, I guess you’ll have to figure that out then, or make yourself such an asset that they can’t risk losing you this time around. As for your siblings, I think you’ll be fine. Just remember how they died and plan out how to stop it.” His draconic teacher replies in a bragging tone.

“Easier said than done, Draxis. Personally I think that it was either Lysandra, or the choice of the overseers.” Joshua sighs.

“Overseers, surely they don’t have that much influence? What about Wallace?” Draxis replies.

“Yeah usually they don’t, aside from the Patriarch they normally take care of the day-to-day running of the clan. As well as obviously overseeing their chunks of the territory. Most of them didn’t like me very much. On top of that, many of them are crooked and only care about their own ‘families’ interests. Also, Wallace was the only one who had openly tried to defend me when they chose to throw me out so I doubt it was him.”

“Families? You mean the branching bloodlines from Durand right? That gives most of you access to aura.”

“Yeah, they’ve cultivated their own techniques and have different goals they may or may not align with our clan’s goals. That's one reason father is always so busy and annoyed with them. It's like dealing with children when he already has 7 to deal with.” Chuckling Joshua runs his hands through his scarlet red hair. His eyes glisten under the lights.

“Young master, dinner is ready.” Saria calls out whilst opening his door. She carts in a plate covered by a silver lid. “Fancy.” Joshua looks at it with mild surprise.

Joshua raises an eyebrow. “Well that seems a bit fancy and unusual for me?”

“I thought the same until the chef said that the patriarch requested nicer meals be provided to you after your performance in Blackwood.” Saria cheers with glee.

“Father said that?” Joshua questions slightly confused.

“I think you made him very proud with your achievements.” Saria steps over to him and rustles his hair with a smile.

Joshua grins as he finally gets to ask the real question on his mind as his stomach grumbles. “What’s on the menu?”

“Braised lamb shanks over stewed potatoes.” Saria chuckles at the lively question as she takes off the lid of the plate, the steam and aroma fill the room. The delicate seasonings and flavors flow into his nostrils.

Joshua’s stomach growls even louder at the sight and smell. “Well don’t mind if I do.” He reaches for a fork and knife and begins to taste everything.

“Everything to your liking?” Saria watches on as Joshua starts devouring the meal greedily.

“Indeed Saria, you're dismissed for the evening. I’ll see you in the morning.” Joshua replies as he stuffs his face.

“Thank you.” Saria bows as she lets him know to place the plate when he’s done back on the cart in the hallway. Shortly after she leaves him to his dinner.

“Damn kid, this looks a million times better than what you ate at Blackwood.”

“That’s an understatement, It was prepared by actual chefs. Now shush. I’d like to enjoy my meal in peace and quiet, it’s been a long time.”

Draxis groans in slight annoyance but acquiesces. “Very well kid.”

After savoring every bite and cleaning his plate, he stands up rubbing his stomach, “I could get used to this.”

After finishing his meal, he stands up and walks over to his door, stepping out placing his plate down on the cart. After turning around, he heads back inside to his birch colored wooden desk and starts going through his bags.

Opening them up he pulls out what remains of his medical supplies, damaged clothes, as well as a rolled-up cloth. Joshua puts everything away and sits the clothes in a pile by the door for Saria to deal with.

“Wait a minute… What’s this, I don’t remember packing this?” Picking up the cloth, he rolls it open, loosening up a note tucked inside. As it falls to the ground Joshua bends down picking it up. Holding the cloth in his opposite hand.

-Joshua Von Terra,

--I know your probably confused about the package, well let’s just say it’s a gift from me to you. I realized after everything that happened, that I’ve been neglecting my duties as a Fang of Terra. I won’t go into much detail as its irrelevant to you right now, but I couldn’t bury my past away.

And as you could see, it caused more issues that I could have possibly imagined. Inside this cloth is a piece of Blackstone. --

“Blackstone…. You’ve got to be joking.” Immediately unrolling the cloth, in all its abyssal glory a fragment of Blackstone rests gently inside of a small container.

“How in the world did he get a hold of this?” Joshua’s mouth hangs agape.

“What’s the big deal kid, it’s just a rock.” Draxis replies confused about the situation.

“Blackstone’s not just a rock; it’s an object that not only can be used as a catalyst for spiritual energy. It’s also an object so rare that the Zephyr clan and Terra clan have fought off the book wars over this stuff.”

“All that over something over a spiritual rock?” Draxis questions sarcastically.

“Blackstone is not only a gateway to the void; it also can amplify an aura user’s power and the only thing that can push us to break out aura limits. I’m not quite sure why the Zephyr clan desired it, but its origin seems to be primordial in nature. I think I also remember the Pontifex wearing a necklace of the stuff.” Joshua replies as his mind recalls the old memory.

“I mean I guess I can understand, but you have me. What’s the point of this.” Draxis comments un-amused by what he considers a cheap power amp.

Joshua shakes his head. “Draxis, this is going to help wonders with my aura training. But that’s beside the point, let's get back to the letter.

--I’ve carried this around with me for years instead of delivering it to the patriarch. It was wrong of me, but it’s all I had left to remind me of my past. But I now know that I can’t be held back if I desire to move forward in my life.

As such I figured I should pass it down to my rightful successor. The next Bloody Fang.--

“Really Gail, I already said that wasn’t happening.” Joshua sighs whilst Draxis mocks him.

“You’re the one talking to a day-old letter kid.” One of Joshua veins bulges out as he continues reading.

--So, I hope you're able to make good use of this, and that you continue to make the people around you stop and think. Life is too short to just waste it away. I see so much potential in you, Turn Terra upside down. Break past your limits. I’ll be watching your growth. --

-Bloody Fang of Terra, Gail

“Very well Gail, I’ll do as you’ve asked.” A smile creeps over the boy’s face as he opens the container with glee as he begins fiddling with the Blackstone.His senses explode with vibrant sensations. His hands immediately resonate with aura. Not long after, it starts to coat his body in a dark red aura. Feeling the power flowing through his body, like pure energy coursing through his veins, he carefully puts it back up and re-wraps it, putting it in a secret compartment under his desk.

“You know, I don’t even remember why I made this thing, but it sure comes in handy.”

Pressing down on a false panel, a piece of the wall pops out as he carefully stashes the rare item. “If I get a chance, I should bring this to Kagatsuchi. I’m sure he can create a masterpiece. Just like father’s ultra great-sword.”

“Kagatsuchi, that guy is still alive! Could have sworn I killed him before getting sealed. The bastard was a complete lunatic, using anything and everything as materials for his weapon experiments. Hell, he even took some of my damn scales whilst I was sleeping for a pair of gauntlets.”

“Yeah, sounds like him alright. He lives out in the uncharted mountains near the volcano. I first met the guy after my master needed something unique forged.”

“Unique?”

Joshua’s face pales. “I don’t talk about it, the less I think about her the better.”

“Don’t bring things up unless you want me to ask, kid.” Draxis mentally shakes his head.

“My bad. If you want to know, well she wanted a set of armor made from liquid metal that only she could wear.” Joshua’s eyes trail away as he brushes an image from his mind. Red leather and bonded metal that conformed to every curve Roxanne had.

“A suit of liquid metal? Who the hell would even think of that. I mean i get that the stuff is extremely durable and can last a lifetime but how is it even possible to make armor from that?”

Joshua shudders, trying to remove the image of his master from his mind. A cheeky smile on her face as she flaunted the masterpiece to him. “Yeah, I don’t know how he did it, but her twisted desires came to fruition.”

“I gotcha kid.” Draxis sighs at his understanding of Joshua’s trauma.

Standing back up, Joshua stretches its arms and back out with a loud yawn. Even his back pops as he feels the relief usher through his body. “I guess it’s time to hit the hay, I don’t have much I can do right now aside from checking out the library and I don’t really need to do that today.”

“Nerd.” Draxis jokes.

“Nothing beats a good book when you’re relaxing Draxis. It’s a pity that Roxanne didn’t understand that one either.”

After straightening up his table and storing all of his things in the closet, he notices an outfit wrapped up in a clear film. “Oh yeah, I forgot about this thing. I’ll tell you about that later master, I’m sure you’ll find that story entertaining. It was a gift from Dialos.”

“I bet I will kid; get some rest though you’ve been through a lot so far and it seems like it may get worse with your luck.” Plopping back down on his bed Joshua drifts off into slumber.