Chapter 2 - the man before he was called the Sky Demon Lord ( part 1)

Andhera returns to the mountain, the surroundings of the mountains were once a building complex. The surroundings of the mountain range are once a walled nation. Former ruins have still been seen in the surrounding mountains. Andhera heads towards the tallest mountain and uses his powers to open what seems to be a door from the mountains. A ruined chamber that left dust and a broken wall that is once a palace chamber. He sat on what was once the throne, the chamber left a window to be seen from the horizon. Andhera remembers his old memories of the past. As he close his eyes, he began to remember from the day itself. The mountain range that spans each continent was once actually a vast walled kingdom that once he called home. The name of the kingdom was once called “Akash” and the capital stood as the citadel. The kingdom capital Gadh is home to the most powerful nation in the world. This was 3000 years ago before the forming of Sitaara and Lunarseca. The citadel don of its light shines towards the sky with a magic circle surrounding it, to ward off all monsters and wild beasts that roam outside. The Continent was barren in the East and West vast forest beyond the horizon. The Kingdom possess powers and technology that could travel anywhere that they would wish. Andhera was only a cadet during this age, he was 15 years of age, his hair was once black and his skin was brown. A teenager from the outer skirt of the walled Kingdom that his father was a farmer and mother of the maid of a local noble of the shire. An aspiring boy that wanted to be the elite soldier of the Kingdom, he entered the academy of the Kingdom that is famous that once rising heroes, sages, and saints. He was naive to the bone, yet he was aspiring. Straight forward attitude towards helping the people of the Kingdom. He rides the monorail that reaches the center of the capital where the Academy stood.

Andhera reaches the Academy where the statue of the Great Hero Gil, The Wise King Shivil, The Great Sage “Merlos”, and The Saint “Idiva” stood at the entrance of the academy. Aspiring cadets entered the academy yet there are always nobles who act they are greater than the commoner. Andhera was pushed aside by the noble. Andhera fell to the ground and the noble shouted at him “this is not a place for weaklings” the noble and the others laugh at him. He stand and smile at the noble and bowed at the noble. “Forgive me for hindering your path, my lord…” the Noble walk past and warn him not to block his path again. Andhera bowed at him, and another person called him “are you okay my friend?” A boy as well, an elf to be exact. Andhera replied, “I’m fine thank you…” The elf introduces himself “I’m Elva, I’m from the Shire of the elves in the North of the wall… and you are?” Andhera introduces himself “Andhera son of Dongran a farmer to the South of the walled kingdom, My mother is the maid of a noble of the Shire and wanted me to enter the academy. The lord sponsors my academy cost and travels here yet I need to earn enough money to live through…” Elva explains “well you are in the prestigious academy, indeed you need the money yet the capital is quite expensive to live here, Andhera my friend” Andhera replied “if I m not mistaken there are dormitory for the scholar student is it.?” Elva replied “yes there are I m also going to be there as well” as they walk towards the Academy great hall entered the ceremony of the new cadet. Andhera and Elva become friends, as they entered the academy together and sat waiting for the introduction orientation. The Heroes Gil and Merlos entered the stage, and everyone cheered for them. Andhera and Elva were also surprised by this as they cheered for the Hero. Gil speech “welcome to the academy all aspiring cadets, this is the perfect place for those who seek glory, and adventure, and wanted to be great or even future leaders of this kingdom. Do not forget this is the moment that you will change your life. Rise, future leaders of this nation”, as they cheered for Gil and Merlos speech “to those who seek knowledge and greater power there is no better place than this academy…” Everyone cheered including Andhera and Elva. Then a speech from the cadet leader, “Cadets, I’m Avalon son of Uther be advice that we do have a cadet council who will monitor any cadets that do not adhere to the rules of this academy, and those who hindered the academy activities shall be punished accordingly, yet do not fret and fear as we also shall guide new cadets anything that you need in this academy, thank you” Everyone applauds.

After the ceremonies, all of the cadets were evaluated with a special device created by Merlos to measure each cadet to ensure the right path of each cadet is suitable for which career they will be in. Magic, physical, mind, brain power, spirit, intuition, intellect, special talents, and powers will be measured. Andhera and Elva line up for the measurement, and the nobles that pushed Andhera called him “step aside commoner!!” People followed the noble to join him and form a party together. Andhera bowed and leave them, Elva also did not respond. The Noble was given the knight pathway, and his followers were mostly knights and some were mages. When Elva turn he was given “sage and healer including archery” Which was expected for the Elves to possess such multiple abilities. Yet when Adhera measured no response and wondered again. The staff that manages it ask Andhera to wait at the other line where he was measured again. Another teacher meet Andhera and used his ability “appraisal” he examine Andhera, look at Andhera and ask him “you the cadet that was recommended by the shire lord Effe, interesting. The teacher called another teacher, Andhera waited long and The sage Merlos enters including Gil the hero, Merlos introduce himself “I’m Merlos I will examine which path is suitable for you…” Gil explains “you seem to be special due to the device could not measure your ability” Andhera wonders Merlos uses his ability to measure “Appraisal” a magic circle surrounds him.

A view shown on a monitor surprises Merlos. “10 is my reasonable level for each individual yet your abilities are beyond the 20 level charts interesting you're special boy… mind I ask what have you achieved in your shire?” Andhera replied “when I was young, there was an attack in the shire, where a large winged viper attacked the shire. I was there to help the lord there.” Merlos and Gil replied “this is beyond my abilities as well” Andhera continued “I was bitten by the viper only to hear a voice that called me “awaken child…” and I suddenly felt a surge of power and I was blank…” Gil and Merlos were there during the attack, Merlos said to himself “this is the child…. That was given a blessing by the creator…” Gil said to him “this boy single-handedly defeated the winged Viper and healed the people there…” Merlos and Gil discuss “this must be kept secret… this is a boy who is potentially the most powerful of all of the kingdom… we must seek council from Shivil and Idiva to see this boy in a safe environment for him to grow…” Merlos explains “for now young Andhera, you will be in the Sage pathway…” Andhera agreed, Gil explain “about martial arts you will train under me yet this must be kept in secret understand?” Andhera did not know how to respond to this offer and he explain “I wanted to be part of the Kingdom to serve the kingdom yet I wanted equal treatment not a special treatment, Master Gil and Master Merlos…” Andhera was speechless and mixed emotions. Merlos explains that “this ability is the legendary Summoner, and also the ability of a paladin understand that child, you are the only one that is qualified for this position and a Paladin is not something that could be easy to measure..” Andhera look down and began to think. Gil explains “boy… you are destined to lead and people will look in envy, I am concerned if people deem you to be different… and the voice is a celestial being that has been looking after you child…” Andhera did not say a word and Gil continued “in your dreams is there anything that you remember?” Andhera explains “I saw a winged woman in armor explain to me that this power is not something that you could use…” Gil now understands and explain “there is a valkyrie looking after him…you are special” Merlos explains “then it is decided you will be in the sage course pathway and special physical training by Master Gil… is it okay my boy?” Andhera explains “I do not wish to be a burden to Master…. Yet I must persevere… very well I understand…” Merlos explains “keep this secret understand let no word come or else you will be in an environment people will be in envy…” Andhera leaves and Gil explains to Merlos “he is the chosen one…” Merlos explains “Indeed, we must report this to the King and the saint…”

Andhera leaves only to see Elva there waiting for him “what happened…?” Andhera remember Merlos advice not to reveal himself and explain “a specialist came and explain that I will be in the sage course…” Andhera smiled and Elva smiled at him, we will be in the same class. Andhera and Elva head towards the dormitory where they were given the same dorm. Andhera and Elva enter the dorm and he saw 4 beds, a dwarf and a human together. Andhera introduce himself “I’m Andhera son of Dogran and this is Elva” the dwarf replied, “I m Eldfir I lived outside of the Kingdom for the North” and the human replied “I am Honstan son of Qatur, I m a merchant like my father, I have taken mage course” Eldfir replied “I m taking the knight course” they soon become friends in the dorm. Andhera was wary that he could not explain more about himself due to avoidance of telling his abilities. Only to his premonition that they began to compare their abilities.

Andhera was afraid although he is unaware that Merlos altered his ability record.

Andhera was relieved and Eldfir explain “there goes the elf the strongest among us…” Elva explains “there is no need to compare now we are comrades…” Honstan explains “as a start we are comrades aren’t we..?” Andhera smiles “yes…” They commence their class, Andhera and Elva went into the sage course where they learn the art of nature, Eldfir learns self-defense, and Chivalry and Honstan learn alchemy. Andhera and Elva were together as a friend, it began a normal routine in class.

In the chambers of the king where Shivil is the king and Idiva is the queen. Gil and Merlos request to discuss this in private. In the King's office, Merlos explains the daily routine of the new cadet until he reports about Andhera “only my interest is this boy” and he showed his ability where the king was surprised “this is… incredible…” Idiva was surprised “my goodness… as if the gods are testing us…” Gil has not yet tested his physical prowess yet he knew when he meet the boy in the shire that he concluded that he is special. Merlos explains “this power is none other than the summoner and a …..paladin….” Idiva explains “the last recorded Paladin was red hair that led people to greatness…. Her name was Arturia….the ancestor of Avalon….” Merlos continued “this case must be kept in secret and to be nurtured carefully…. It is either the boy could be a powerful ally or a great demon lord…” King Shivil replied “this is something a test from the creator…. If someone discovers this talent, other kingdoms will deem us as a superpower….the walled kingdom was built to prevent such matters…” Idiva explains “I must meet this boy, my dear…. I wanted the boy to enjoy life in the academy…” Gil explains “he will be in the sage course and my special physical training” Idiva explains “dear… I wanted to meet the boy yet must be in secret….” King Shivil also wanted to meet the boy and ask Merlos “what about his family?” Merlos explains “they perish during the attack and he is servant boy under the shire lord Effa….must be painful to see his family lost during the attack…” the King and Queen wanted to see the boy and Idiva explains “yes we must nurture the boy to the path that will benefit him or else he will be lost…” Merlos also explains the rising encounter of monsters in the east wall kingdom where monsters become agitated and began a series of attacks in the shire. King Shivil ordered Gil to investigate and increase troop defense in all the walls of the kingdom. Merlos knew the purpose of the academy was the conscription of new troops in defending the walls. They continued the meeting during the day. At night in secret, Merlos asked the warden to call Andhera to his office. Andhera was studying while others were asleep the warden called Andhera and explain that the Principal was calling him. Andhera wondered why and left the dorm, as he walk past and enters the teacher's office it was dark, and enter a light room. A knock on the door “enter…” Andhera saw Merlos and Gil, which surprised him that the Hero King Shivil and the Saint Queen Idiva were there as well. Andhera was concerned and asked, “may I know what is happening?” Idiva replied, “just wanted to see you, child.. how are you in this academy, are you fine ?” Andhera was training in the art of chivalry and he bowed “yes my Queen, I have companions in my dorm, they are good people yet thanks to Master Merlos that my ability record has been altered… which I was worried during the time…” Merlos explains that he wanted to test his ability again and he set three items on the table. A stone, water, and a candle that lit with fire along a glass bottle. Merlos asks to control all of this. Andhera breath and the stone lifted the stone and plants were grown including sprouting a weed of rosemary. Everyone was surprised and Idivia explain “this is a saint's ability..” Andhera continued with water in which the water rise was molded into an orb of water where is manipulated the properties of water into ice. Merlos was impressed “this is the power of a mage…” then Andhera carried the candle using his mind and turn the fire into an orb of fire which he manipulate into a sphere of light. Shivil was surprised and explain “fire turns to light amazing…” lastly he held the glass bottle where he release lighting inside and summon a tiny light spirit called a wisp. Gil was mesmerized “there is no doubt about this, he is a summoner…” Andhera explains that he could only summon a wisp because he was always traveling in the wood to find herbs in the dark. “the Wisp guide and light the pathway…” the King explains “this is something you must understand that this must not come to light or even your friends understand?” Andhera bowed “understood my lord…” King Shivil said to himself “if only I had a son….” Idiva smiled and agreed, she hold his and said to Andhera “I wanted you to be safe and enjoyed this academy… I know your mother very well she was a great cook, she always made the best sweets…” Andhera asks “how do you my parents' demise?” Idiva saddens and explains “we know a lot about our subject even if you do not ask about it, that is what a leader is all about…” King Shivil “I know your pain… child has lost your parents in the attack…” Andhera explain “please do not use this as your excuse or burden about my past…” Idiva suddenly hugs him “child I know…” Andhera began to shed his tears and Idiva explain “child, the reason I come here is to see you, child, your mother asked me to take care of you in her will. Idiva showed him the letters that were given to Idiva and she wrote.

‘ Dear Idiva my friend

I know that you are busy with being a saint and a queen I forgive me that I could not come to your coronation as I m a servant of Lord Effa, he is a kind lord that helps my husband to work there yet I understand that you are looking for a child which you could not bear a child. I hope this child of mine should serve you well. He is now 6 years old, yet I sense something special about him. When he was born under my womb, wisps gather around me and bath the child with light, my husband and Lord Effa were surprised by this and asked me to keep this a secret. The rising case of monsters near the kingdom has also gravely concerned me and I do not wish my child to experience such dangers. He showed incredible powers even at a young age, I remember he healed me when I got cut by a knife when I was cooking her held his arm and healed my arm. He also sometimes shows incredible mental ability carrying large wooden boxes into the shed. No friends wanted to be close to him as they are afraid and deemed him strange.

If I and my husband had come to our demise, please look after this child. You could adopt him into the household of Shivil or Idiva.

forgive me that I have failed as a mother to him as I was busy serving the Lord.

Love

Margo’

Andhera said, “that is my mother…” Idiva hugs him again as he began to shed tears. Shivil explains “Idiva my dear Andhera you chose him like a son… what it will be.?” Idiva explains “Andhera my child, you are now my child please be part of this family…” Andhera could say anything and replied, “very well….mother Idiva…” He shed his tears. Shivil said to Andhera “child from now on you call me father…” Shivil smiled at Andhera while he began to shed tears Shivil hugged him “I understand your pain…” Andhera cried as there is a new family with him. Merlos and Gil also shed tears “child….” Gil explain “please Andhera this is not because of your powers yet this is a promise that your mother ask Idiva to fulfill. Andhera nodded and he was happy, Idiva explains “now you are from the household do visit the citadel” Merlos explain it is best not to due to this suddenly adoption without official order will create unrest among the nobles” Andhera explains “I will not use this inheritance as an advantage please I wanted to equal among the people..” Idiva explain “someday I will announce you as part of our family but for now please enjoy life in the academy please write to us…” and Andhera showed another of his power where he speaks in his mind and Idiva surprised about this “telepathy!! My goodness” Andhera explain “if they know about this I m concerned they will call me a monster…” Idiva smile and hugs him “just between us, at least I know I could communicate with you my son..” As Andhera bowed to them and leave the room. Shivil proudly smiles “it is a blessing though It came from tragedy…” Idiva explains “then we must honor Margo… I have finally had a son…” Idiva shed her tears of joy. Merlos explains that he will start his training with Gil soon. Idiva explains that she will also train him in the Saint arts. Idiva explains “there only two of us that could use healing powers…” Shivil also explains “he also had special powers that could use as a telekinesis… such godly powers this boy has…” Gil explains “now his responsibility has grown… yet I know that we must train him to be a great paladin… a great hero….” Andhera enters the Dorm all of his friends was concerned about “what has happened comrade…” Andhera explain that he forgot to sign the appraisal approval and dormitory report to them. Eldfir tap his back “such an old man!! Then I am tired…” they continued to sleep and Andhera smiled and close his eyes.

to be continued