REMNANTS

A carrier wagon moved on the dirt path with the two horses pulling it keeping a steady pace. Its rider, jovial for having a good deal and protection along with it. Three passengers rode at the back staring at the path they left behind and the extensive green grass that lay on the sides. They wore large cloaks that covered their heads only leaving a small part of their faces visible. Two females, one male.

A large wave hit the wagon threatening to topple it over and slightly steering it off course. The driver dismissed it as large gust of wind unlike the passengers who seemed tense. He calmly directed the horses back to the center of the path. One of the ladies her eyes glowing a darker blue, moved closer to the driver right before she spoke. “How about we go for a paid detour” She stated leaning in closer to him and pointing to the direction where the wave came from. “As long as it is paid I have no issues.” The driver stated, still in his jovial mood and the horses left the main path to where she pointed.

“With that much mana, I wouldn’t be surprised if a demon was responsible.” The young man spoke pulling pushing the cloak off his face revealing his dark short hair contrasting his red pupils. “But we are too far inside the kingdom. If they’d broking through the wall, we’d have known about it.” The first lady spoke going back to sit with the rest.

“Hey Lin, are you sure it’s a good idea to go this way now?” The younger lady asked, hugging her legs.”

“It’s fine. The lieutenant’s village is there and is quite peaceful. “Lin assured her.

“And plus, Rune, you are with the hero Lin. I doubt there’s something that could faze her and also not forgetting the infernal mage, Crimson is with you too.” Crimson with a grin.

“Not to cause panic but is the place you’re going a ruin by chance.” The driver asked nervously as the wagon came to a stop. Lin jumped off the wagon to view what gibberish as she termed it, the other too getting off as well.

“You call it a village, the driver calls it a ruin, and I see nothing but rubble.” Crimson joked looking onto the destroyed terrain.

“There used to be a village here………………….. I was here not long ago visiting the lieutenant’s wife but……………..” Lin broke off. “It’s all gone.” Rune stated in a low tone.

“You can still feel the heat from whatever happened here. Indicating it wasn’t long ago and if you try you can also sense the residuals of mana still lingering in the atmosphere.” Crimson stated as they walked through the debris, Lin freeing her head of the cloak letting her long blonde hair to flow down her back. Rune did the same thing her short purple hair coming into full view as she soaked in her surroundings. “Sense any survivors?” Lin asked walking through the rubble.

“No mana signatures significant enough to be of a living beings. Here at least but…………..” Crimson broke off looking towards the Arelion Mountain in the distance at the forest’s center. “You should ignore that one.” Lin sighed. “The Arelion Mountain, home to the Abyssal.” Rune stated facing the large mountain. “Abyssal the most powerful monster in the kingdom of Levia. Could he be the cause?” Crimson asked turning to Rune. “I highly doubt it. He hardly ever leaves that cave despite being the strongest and all. Plus even with the guild sending raids to his territory and to him, he doesn’t really retaliate. Still, you can’t be too careful. He is a dragon after all.” Rune sighed.

“Not only is he a dragon but also one of the four behemoths in the world. Even if it was him, there’s nothing we could do about it. Not even Lin and I could get close enough to scratch a single scale” Rune added. “May I ask why you didn’t add me into the mix?” Crimson asked irritated.

“You’d be useless in such a fight.” Lin Joked. “No spell known to man has ever gotten through his barriers. Only strong physical attacks have ever made an impact and you are not athletic in the very least.” Rune added. “It’s weird that I only learned about the abyssal dragon here.” Crimson stated, jumping off the debris. “That’ because info on him is kept under wraps by the guild and the high nobles. I don’t know how though.” Rune stated.

“So what are we to report?” Crimson asked. “The guild would never consider Abyssal so for now we just report the damage alone. I just hope……………….those two are alright” Lin stated. The last part in a low tone.

A strange object flew towards them enveloped in bright red flames, swooping down and stopping on a raised peace of debris some distance from Lin. “A messenger phoenix.” Rune gasped as Lin walked over to it taking out a rolled up paper from the capsule strapped to its back. As soon as she locked the capsule, it took off into the air back in the direction it came from.

Lin read through the sheet of paper, her body tensing up as she concluded. “Something wrong?” Rune asked concerned. “It’s just trouble piling up everywhere!” Lin exclaimed stomping the ground once angrily. The impact causing the ground beneath her to develop cracks inwards. “The demons are on the move again. A week away from the guard city in the East.” Lin explained. “Some demons should be too much for the knights stationed there even if monarchs are present.” Crimson stated confidently.

“It’s not just monarchs but……………….. a lord leads them.” Lin stated anxiety plastered on her face. The word had the same effect on the other two. “Then we should go right away!” Rune exclaimed. “We’ll be there in two days. I just hope I can find a way to explain this to Lieutenant Weise.” Lin sighed walking back to the wagon. Before getting in she sent one last glance towards the Arelion Mountain, feeling uneasy.