Cross-paths

Many years ago, the young Ram had served the old king of Astaroth before he got assassinated by an unknown entity. Leaving Ram alive to send a message to Prince Remmus about its existence and wish Remmus would come find it, avenge for the death of his father. Soon, Prince Remmus and Ram travelled to the Central Plain in disguise, searching for the entity that called itself, Techno-God. After a few months of journey, they met a middle-aged man in shabby and scruffy feature, wearing dirty worn-torned clothing with a thick black cape covering up to his knees. Even though he was empty-handed, Ram could feel a strong presence of power within him as the strange man spoke in a strong husky voice.

“I was told that I would find the so-called Demon Lord on this pathway. So please tell me that person, would happen to be you?” the man asked as he observed Remmus and Ram. “There’s really no need to hide, that disguise you put on is extremely bad and anybody will notice that you are Demons in disguise. But of course, nobody would dare to approach you since news spread quickly that a Demon Lord is born and has slaughtered all the first generations of Demons. Now, recent news about the Demon Lord is roaming around the Central Plain in disguise, searching for something.”

Ram step forward towards the scruffy man and said, “Sir, I’m sure you made a mistake. We are not the people you so-called Demon and my master is no Demon Lord either. We’re just normal travellers that like to explore around this continent”. The scruffy man laughed as he grabbed the back of the robe that Ram was wearing, “Then I wonder what would that be, sticking out behind your back is?”, the man’s movement was extremely fast, already appeared at Ram’s side and lifted the robe to reveal a small, short tail from Ram’s backside.

Remmus sighed and walked up Ram and the stranger, “Very well, we’re the so-called Demons that you people are talking about and it’s true that I killed those first generations but I’m not here to start a war like those old fools had once done before. But instead, I’m on a mission to find the murderer who killed my father”

“Oh, and that murderer’s name revealed to be called Techno-God", the man beamed with delighted as he walked up to Remmus. Remmus on the other hand was curious but before he could even ask, the man showed Remmus his hands, each finger with a ring that has a dragon-like head, and he pointed one of the rings. “This ring was found in Techno-God's hidden lab and there was a message inside. Telling me where to find you and instructed me to kill you as well”

“So, are you going to follow the instruction by this entity called Techno-God?” Remmus remained claim as he asked the man in front of him. However, Ram was so nerves when he heard the entity’s name again that he went in a frenzy. Ram dashed towards the man, throwing a punch when suddenly a spearhead was at his face, stopping Ram’s movement. The spear suddenly vanished and the man still looking at Remmus replied to the question, “Nope. Instead, I want to help you and in return, I want you Demons to stop waging a war with us humans and Beast-Folks and make peace for this world. I believe we can all coexist in this world. Remmus was delighted that he found a person that had the same thought as him as he quickly gave the man a hug. “Yes, that was what I envisioned for the next generation. Peace for Vesan”

“Easy buddy, I’m glad we’re on the same page then. However, I prefer female than male if you know what I mean” Remmus quickly let go and stepped back a bit, “Sorry about that”.

“Naw, I got it. You’re just excited to finally find your father’s murderer. But first, let me introduce myself, I am Imur of High Plain, but people gave me a nickname as King of Weapon”  Imur extended his arm for a handshake and quickly Remmus took it. “I am Prince Remmus of Astaroth, Ruler of The Capital and Family of Purple” At that moment Remmus removed his hooding, revealing his purple color long hair, tied up in a ponytail. “This is my servant, Ram of Astaroth, citizen of The Capital and Family of Purple”

“I see, best I just call you Demon Lord” Imur was slightly amused but also annoyed with the long introducing, “Well the pleasure is all mine. Now what’s the plan Demon Lord?” Remmus turned to Ram and said in a commanding tone, “For now on, you’re appointed as Master and you will train and protect my daughters with your life. So Master Ram, please return home until you see me return or hear news of my death”, Remmus took Ram’s left hand, and tattooed a purple symbol. “But Prince Remmus, are you sure you can trust this human, claiming he will help you to defeat the entity?”  

Suddenly Imur placed his hand around Ram’s shoulder, “Don’t worry, your Demon Lord will be in good-hand, and I will make sure that if anything happens, I’ll protect him with my life. He has daughters to get back to see while I’m just a wanderer; nobody will care if I’m gone missing. But as a hero, my purpose is to help people in need no matter what race they are ” Imur gave Ram a wide grin as Remmus looked at Ram, “Ram my dear friend, you should start heading back and don’t tell anyone about this, even to my daughters”

“You have my words, my prince”, Ram bowed to Prince Remmus for the last time before they went their separate ways. From a long distance, Ram could see Imur waving farewell to him with both his hands.

Back to the present-time, a young boy caught Master Ram’s attention, first the collar around his neck and then the ring with dragon-like head on his finger. “That’s one of the rings Imur was wearing” Master Ram muttered under his breath, but Noel still caught a word or two.

“What about the ring?”

Ram had no excuse but to tell Noel about the ring, “That ring belongs to the King of Weapon, and reports that many people saw him fighting your father and finally a bright flash occur, both disappeared leaving no trace of them except the rings belong to the King of Weapon”.

“So, the ring is a clue to my father’s where about?” Princess Noel flashed with hope, but Master Ram shook his head slightly, “Not necessary but the boy may come useful to settle the disputes between the seventeen families”, Master Ram got up from hiding and looked at Noel, “But first, we need him alive. I’m counting on you princess” Master Ram dashed towards the boy and immediately slashed the monster with his tattooed hand. A transparent purple blade aura was formed from the power embedded within the tattoo that Prince Remmus left Ram as the monster creature fell dead on the ground beside the young boy.

“Let’s get out here”, Master Ram lifted the exhausted young boy up as his Dragon Shield dissipated from his hand. Master Ram easily made a giant leap followed by Princess Noel as they both quickly speeded away from the monsters. Luckily the monsters were occupied by the boy's group and easily avoided more confrontation.

Not long, they returned to camp as Master Ram laid the unconscious boy on the ground. Once they checked that there was no more danger, Master Ram pulled out his flask and began drinking the liquid of strong alcohol. Princess Noel grabbed the flask after Master Ram took a few mouthfuls of alcohol, and she began to take a sip too. She dropped on the grassy floor and finally could relax after what they had gone through. Princess Noel’s eyes slowly looked at the human boy, not much older than her as she observed his features and clothing. She noticed the pouch on him, but she felt nothing valuable and left it alone.

“Master Ram, how are you so sure that this human boy will be a great help to us? He looks weak to me even if he does have the King of Weapons accessory. Shouldn’t we just kill him and take the ring ourselves?” Princess Noel looked at Master Ram as he sat next to the boy. He was looking at the collar and slowly took out a core for the boy to swallow as he addressed the boy’s wounds. “Princess, this boy could maybe our weapon to restore peace in Astaroth and even find the whereabouts of your father since he has a ring belonging to King of Weapons. There must be some connection between him and the King of Weapons. We must wait until he wakes up and interrogate him for information. Also, that portal is another question, how did they manage to open it. He is too valuable for the time being, princess” Master Ram took a deep breath before he got up again. He stopped midway by Princess Noel.

“Please rest up Master. I will attend meal tonight” as she swiftly got up and ready to prepare a meal from the ration they had stored over time. “Thank you, princess” Master Ram sat back down and looked at the boy’s face and at the collar, very familiar to him.

After two nights, Arim finally woke up and quickly sat up, noticing a blanket coving him and as he looked around, he was inside a cave. “You need more rest and time to accustom the cores power since it’s your first time swallowing a monster core”

Arim turned and saw the old man again who was preparing a stew as he attended the fire, continued stirring the pot with a wooden ladle. “You’re a Beast-Folks aren’t you? Why are you wearing that collar pretending to be human and coming here to this dangerous island?”, the old man was pouring some stew into a wooden bowl as he talked to Arim before he walked up to Arim and gave him the bowl. Arim took the bowl off the old man and kindly thank him for the food.

After finishing the bowl of meat and vegetable, Arim began introducing himself, slowly in details to the old man; about Beast-Folks from Beast-Folks Sanctuary; the humans from the Holy-Land; the tournament; how he ended up joining the scavenging hunt; find an active portal within the jungle and finally ended up where he got attacked by the cat-like monsters. The old man remained silent, nodded a few times until Arim finished his story.

“I see, so Beast-Folks and humans in the Holy-Land are not on good terms either. Humans are making slaves out of you Beast-Folks, do you resent them then? Would you slaughter the humans if you have the power to do so?” the old man asked, looking at Arim with a serious tone.

“No Sir, I believe that not all humans are like that, I believe there are good humans too and that humans and Beast-Folks could stay in harmony and peace if we work things out together”, Arim replies with his honest opinion which made the old man chuckled a bit.

“Why are giving me their vibes, even your vision is similar to them” the old man stood up from the ground and looked at Arim, “For now on, I will train you on fighting and how to bond the monsters core into your body. You may address me as Master Ram for now on”

Quickly, Arim gave a bow on both his hands and knees, “Thank you for accepting me as your disciple”. Master Ram chuckled as princess Noel returned from scouting.

“Master Ram, everything is clear, the Rhino-cats are gone. But the portal is not active anymore”, Noel spoke without noticing Arim was awakened and when she did, she was startled and immediately took guard.

However, Master Ram halted Noel, “Easy now, that’s no way to treat your junior” Suddenly princess burst in anger as she shouted at Master Ram, “Have you gone insane, that’s a human and you want to take him under your arm? What would the rest of the Evo-beast families think of us? Are we so weak that we need humans to help us in our fights? No! I will not accept that” Arim and Master Ram kept quiet and princess Noel made her statement before she quickly ran back out again to the opening.

“Give her some time, she will accept you soon enough. She has quite a temper after what happened to her little sister”, Master Ram took his flask and took a few sips.

“How do I address my senior, Master Ram?” asked Arim with a slight disheartened when she refused to accept him even though he is not human but her dislike of humans. Still, Master Ram replies, “That is your senior, Sister Noel. Also, you have another senior, Sister Noraa but not here with us. That makes you my third disciple”

Arim who was still on his knees, slowly got back up on his feet and smiled at his new teacher, “I understand Master Ram”.

Master Ram stroked his long beard and grin, “Well, since you’re up and running, you might as well start cleaning up the place and doing the dishes. In time, you’ll be doing the cooking too”

“Of course, I’m happy to do so”, Arim gave a smile as he quickly started cleaning the area inside the cave. That night, Princess Noel refused to stay inside the cave to eat with them or even to rest as she stayed outdoors.

Each morning, Master Ram and Princess Noel continued their search for a strong monster for its core while Arim remained at the camp. Around the afternoon, upon their return, Master Ram would give Arim training lessons after their meal and finish until sunset. Arim will oversee preparing the meal whatever his senior Sister Noel could find during the morning hunt.