Chapter 2 - the man before he was called the Sky Demon Lord ( part 4)

Nergal releases a dark shroud that surrounds his body and Elvinus creates a barrier to hide them from others. Ash transforms into a dragon, and Andhera summons all of his spirits. He imbues his blade and shield with a spell as the shield transforms into another form where Elvinus said “the shield of legend Aegis!” The Sword transforms into a light blade, he orders the spirit wisp to seal Nergal's movement. Nergal was quick to escape and Andhera strike him down and held him. Nergal used his great axe of War and struck his shield. Andhera felt heavy from the strike, and ordered his slime to seal the legs of Nergal, while he was immobilized, Andhera used the powers he learn from the books about the power of purification. He split the corruption of Nergal and began to tear it and throw it to the side. Nergal fainted and Andhera ordered the wisp to seal its movement with the Shade spirit, and Wisp. Skuld said to Elvinus “he fights like a paladin….” Eir saw this and wanted to help. Andhera orders her to heal Nergal and avoid getting closer to him. Eir wanted to help and he explain “this Corruption is dangerous, it can even infect a god, yet I do not know why it did not get closer to me let me try to purify it…” Eir carried Nergal towards Elvinus and heal him. Skuld said to her “forgive me, sister…” Eir felt frustrated and said to Elvinus the reason for his arrival. Elvinus explains “there is something that he possesses and given by the Creator… a blessing maybe…. A link to us and the world…” Eir wondered why and look at Andhera. Andhera began to find ways to control it and used his powers. He releases a bright like as the stars surround the field. He began to chant.

Stars among all,

Darkness among all,

Spirits among all,

the world it creates,

Nothing is left behind,

Nothing that it left behind,

Everyone serve the creator,

With the power of words given to me,

I represent the creator,

I am Creator’s eyes and ears

I represent the Creators hand,

Do not forget who create you

The shroud turn into an orb and Andhera ask for the crystal and sealed it inside it. It was done, Andhera fainted on the ground. Eir was terrified as he began to close his eyes only he said “Eir….”

In the room where he lies down on the grass. He felt a soft pillow on his head, as it was Eir whom she did not wear her armor only a dress. Eir smile, and said to him “you are reckless…” Andhera smiled and said nothing to her, Andhera wanted to talk further yet he is tired from the recent fight with Nergal. He continued his slumber on Eir’s thigh. Eir said to him “you know that deep down I love you with all my heart” she kiss his forehead while in his slumber he continued to rest. Elvinus see this with Skuld alongside Nergal. Elvinus explain “now you know how far her love is…” Nergal apologizes to Elvinus and he wanted to rename himself “for now on I am “Nolos the god of war and protection…Eir my sister”

In the realm, Andhera awakens and meets with Elvinus who he explains about this world. Nolos was there and he apologise for the situation before. Andhera forgives him for that and explains why he was infected. Nolos could not explain how he was infected, and Elvinus explain that this is also the first encounter of this case. Andhera wondered why and ask Elvinus if he could stay longer and requested Mireu to stay together with him in this realm. Elvinus called Mireu and offer his hospitality, Mireu agreed and transform into a woman, and she said to Elvinus “I thank you for your generosity” Elvinus also called Fafnir to enter the realm where Fafnir arrived at the chambers. Fafnir said to Andhera “my friend you have done great deeds again..” He laughs while patting hard on Andhera’s back. Eir introduced herself to them and they bowed to her “I thank you for the help and guidance for this child, no being could dare to commune with us yet he naively enters as if as a friend, a foolhardy that I should say..” Elvinus said to them “well he did bring us all together… yet there is something we need to discuss” Fafnir and Mireu with Elvinus with Nolos then ask Skuld and Eir to bring Andhera and his friend to explore the realm. Eir was happy to see Andhera close. She was like a girl who loved to show her place, Skuld began to wonder whether she is a goddess or not. They explored the place together, Andhera gain knowledge from the world and he shared Eir the knowledge that learn from the world. Skuld smiled and explain to them “like a couple…” as she sigh. They continued exploring the realm, while in the chambers of Elvinus they discuss the matter of Andhera existence and the shroud. Fafnir explains the same situation with the Earth dragon that Andhera encounters, and also the incident with Nolos. Elvinus explains that there is something involved and it is out of this world, Mireu concluded “the fallen dimension dragon Ifrit…” Fafnir was surprised to hear this as Mireu explain to them “the last time I met Ifrit he said that he was infected with the darkness and began to seclude himself in the dimension to prevent him from spreading… he said something about to prepare for the next great War…” Elvinus wondered and Nolos respond “we must find ways to control this matter before it reaches to the world, if it reaches the mortals then there is nothing to stop it unless…” Fafnir replied, “he is still not strong compared to us dragon yet he is only communing with us…” everyone was still thinking only of Fafnir's other ideas and he grins “I have another idea why not we let Eir together with Andhera in the mortal world.?” Everyone's jaws drop and Mireu did not agree to the idea. Elvinus, however, grin as well “this is interesting…” Nolos lectured Elvinus “I have a bad feeling about this, are you sure that is the point of having this conversation?” Elvinus replied “since we worried about Andhera safety and Eir's weak common sense in that world it would be a good idea she learns there…” Mireu slam the table and lectured Elvinus “oh wise Lord of the Realm, this is not a good idea!!” Nolos agreed with Mireu and lectured them both only to be ignored by the two, they both grin and laugh together “I shall see their development…” Elvinus agreed with Fafnir “I do agree with you…” Mireu and Nolos were speechless and neither had to choose only to follow Fafnir's idea. A week goes by, Andhera trains together with Eir and Skuld they return to the lords' chambers. Skuld wondered what have happened only to see Nolos and Mireu seem to have concerned expressions yet Fafnir and Elvinus were smiling. Elvinus called them “Eir, it seems there is a mission for you…” Eir respond and bowed, Elvinus ordered Eir to be together with Andhera in the mortal realm, which shocked everyone except Nolos and Mireu. Andhera wondered why and Fafnir explain “you are far too weak against that again you are lucky that Lord Elvinus is here….” Andhera had no other choice but to agree “I promise to look after her…” Elvinus explains “there not to concern for her safety as she will be with you while learning some common sense in that world” Eir remembers back when she meet with Elvinus “I wish to be with him, I could not bear it anymore this feeling is a mortal feeling…as long I m with him I will be happy” Elvinus warn her “Andhera is a mortal with mortal emotion and desire should he does not love you, how would you become?” Eir did not respond, Elvinus smiled “very well…, should there is nothing to be there return home.” Eir nod as she remembers it well. Skuld however wanted to join she was rejected by Elvinus “there is work to be done with the defense of this realm ever since our unreliable Nolos was infected, what matters of problems shall we face” Skuld nodded as well, Elvinus also approved that Skuld could visit her where there nothing of work here and she smiled as well. Mireu, however, said to Eir “if Andhera makes you cry and sad just run towards me and I will lecture him” Andhera replied “hahaha…” Fafnir replied “so to all of this, godspeed Andhera child…” he grins. Eir transforms into a normal girl with black hair and brown eyes to suit Andhera place. Andhera smiled and said to her “then let us be and I will ask Master Merlos to assign you to the academy” Eir smiled and said to Elvinus “then I shall proceed with the mission” Nolos and Elvinus with Skuld wave them goodbye and they return home to Fafnir’s realm. Fafnir said to Andhera “send regards to Gil and Merlos for me” Andhera ask him whether he knows them and he said “I train them…” he grins. He gives his 4 scales to his mother, father, Merlos, and Gil as a souvenir. Mireu said to them “visit us again” as she smile. When reaching the academy, Andhera realizes that is night and Eir explains that in the realm they have stayed for weeks yet in this world only for a night. Eir said to Andhera “hey, you happy with this, I know it will be a burden for you…” Andhera said to her “life here can be up and down yet that is what experience is…. And also…” Eir saw Andhera blushed “I…am….happy…for you to be here…..” And Eir smiles and kisses him “there is nothing else that I need but to be here with you…” Andhera wondered what she will be and she said “I am not interested as a student yet be a maid for the academy…I love to make housework and cook” Andhera said to her “you look like you learn something” and Eir said to herself “that is because of my wife's duties” Andhera heard it and began to blush. Ash said to them “well, well as long I’m here I will be with her so don’t worry a thing Master” Andhera felt relief. They landed at the landing pad of the academy only to be waited by the Shivil, Idiva, Merlos, and Gil.

Andhera was concerned about this only to hug by her mother, “my child I was worried about you !!” She cried and Shivil said to him “you have been our pride and joy even though we are not related, yet you have deeds none of us have accomplished…” Eir smile at them, and Merlos asks her “may I know whose damsel in distress you have rescued….” Andhera is reluctant to reply knowing that they are close to them and she introduces herself. “ I am Eir, I serve Lord Elvinus of the Eternal realm, I am now disguising myself in this mortal body to be with him…” Idiva sensed this and replied, “at least you are here I am nothing but relief someone is looking after him…” Shivil and Idiva, Merlos, and Gil bowed at her only to see her bowed back “I am now a mortal there is no need for formalities” Idiva ask her what she will become here and Eir replied, “I am interested in housework, and cooking, I would be honored to be the maidservant of the academy…” Idiva smiled “dear, we have now had someone to look after him” she smile and propose “then since this is a marriage proposal you are now under our household yet for the moment in secret as Andhera also works for the academy…” Eir then ask for a new name and Idiva responds “Eiris….it is a nice name to it” Shivil smile now I had a daughter-in-law….” Merlos teases them “yeah lucky you… a hero and a goddess on their side…” Shivil blushed and Andhera give them a souvenir from Fafnir and Merlos shouted in excitement “this is from Fafnir!!” And Gil asks him about the journey and Shivil ask them to enter the chambers of the academy where it is still dark where there is none arrived yet until the next night. Andhera explains his adventures when enters the Realm and the dangers of the dark shroud. Merlos was concerned about this and explain that the attacks from the past have also related to it. Merlos said “this will be another matter will explain it soon yet now we celebrate your success” Idiva ask Eiris to follow her and learn to cook. They enjoy the feast just the six of them. They smile and Eiris smile where they were happy. In the night, Idiva asks them to sleep together only surprised them. Yet all of them rested together, Eiris was happy that she never knew how close they are. The next morning they awaken where Eiris look at the place and smile “the sunrise….its beautiful…” Andhera said that he always awakens when the sunrise looks at it. Eiris ask Andhera to bring her out around the academy. Andhera smiled “very well, it is still a day before the next semester,” Idiva said to Eiris and Andhera “before all of that, we head for breakfast, Lord Shivil is making breakfast…” Eiris hold her hand and brought her to the place. Idiva asks Andhera to awaken Merlos and Gil, and they head towards breakfast Merlos asks who will be cooking and he said it is King Shivil, Merlos and Gil look horrified “King Shivil the bastard who could kill someone with just cooking it!?” Andhera wondered why until they reach the mess hall, yet Shivil was beaten by someone. Idiva was looking at him and said “that is the reason to learn cooking you fool of a king…” she gripped her arm, Eiris explain that the kitchen was up in flames when he started to cook when Idiva save them. Merlos and Gil felt relieved and they all had breakfast. Darkness looming from afar, Andhera sensed it as well. “This feeling….this sharp feeling in my heart….” A tiny part of his body had been infected by the darkness. A sudden surge inside him calls him “child….this is part of the plan….my plan…..it is the only way to preserve….this world…and….is coming to an end…..you….will….be….the…..catalyst…..for…..it…..beware…..of…..those……whom…..will….I….shall….remove…..the…..darkness….within……beware…..you…..have…..shown….weak…ness….love…..for…..her……do….not….forget….why….you….were…..born……chosen…..child…..that…..I….create….for….this….purpose…..” A light shrouds him and the darkness dissipate and Andhera held his head “who is this…?” And the voice continued “……this….is…..the….path….that…..will….be….treacherous…..your……strength….will….be…..other…..worldly……never…..be…..once…..defeat…..I……created…..you…..they….will…..fear…..you…..to….them…..you…are….a…..mons…ter…..go…..to……the…..valley……that…..give…..birth…..to……gods…….there……you…….…….will……meet……the……oracle……” Andhera “valley that gives birth to the gods…very well….I shall…..” The voice reply “time…..still….plenty…..build…..your…..strength…..place……not….ready…..yet……you….are……not…..strong…..yet…..fare….well….child…..I…shall….look…..over…..to….you…..” The pain in his head and chest have gone yet there is something that he need to to find. Andhera saw another vision of a picture of the place where he need to be there, he saw a woman with black wings. Andhera then knew where to start, and he went to the mess and tried to act normally. Everyone was there he smile at them “this is my family, I will protect them will all my heart….even if the world is destroyed….”

In the realm of the dragons, Fafnir sat at his throne and smiled “seems the cogs of destiny have started….you sly cunning…..Creator….very well I will play your game….” In the eternal realm Elvinus sense it “it has begun….Andhera…Eir….please be strong…..when the time has come….you will be ready….” In the academy, Eir was taught by Idiva the knowledge of the maid including housework, and cooking, she is also been taught the ethical ways of being a royalty and a noble. Merlos and Gil taught Andhera their knowledge and experience, Shivil taught Andhera and Eiris the knowledge of governance. In the afternoon, both explore the academy and the capital city. It was enjoyable for Andhera and Eiris, Eiris said “this is interesting, shops where people commune and trade, children play, and people of all over the world gather here.” Andhera explains that recently he does not like to explore the capital, only the academy. Eiris hold his hand and led him to the top of the Citadel. Both were amazed to see the spectacular view of the surrounding kingdom, where they saw forest and desert together. Eiris said to Andhera “oh I wish to travel farther, learn and experience this world…” Andhera smiled and said, “then we go together Eir…” Eiris smiled and said to him “yes…” as they return down to the citadel chambers, Andhera encountered with Eiris wore the maid uniform and Andhera wore the academy uniform, he encounters a cadet from the academy, a girl in her teens and said to him “what are you doing in this chambers?” Andhera and Eiris bowed at her “we went to the citadel top towers where the public are allowed to watch there…” the girl smiled at Andhera “very well commoner…. I shall allow that” with a fan with her and left the two. Andhera and Eiris head toward the academy. The girl enters the chamber towards the Shivil and Idiva. The guards announce “Lady Ashley of the Southern Kingdom enters” Ashley is her name and she introduces herself “I am Ashley Von Brionac, daughter of Lord Brionac the 3rd has returned…” Idiva smiled “my niece, welcome home….child….” Shivil asks her “the travel is hard yet rest in your chambers child….” Ashley then bowed back and said to them “I shall be the knight that you will be proud of…” Idiva smiled at her “very well child….” Ashley then asks them “well, where is my new cousin?” Shivil responds “you will see him soon…. Yet all in secrecy, the nobles will not take kindly to new strangers especially those who are related to me….” Ashley responds “cowards….only title they seek” Shivil then asked one of his ministers and gave her a sword. A rapier with jewels “this is a magical sword made function appropriate to your ability child…” Ashley bowed “your generosity is invaluable to me…uncle….then I shall make the Shivil household proud with glory…” as she leave the chambers, Shivil said Idiva “hope she will accept him….” Idiva réspond “I hope so…she is prideful….yet she has valor that symbolizes our family” In the academy, Andhera and Eiris went to the library to read together and study. Andhera said to Eiris “seems even the goddess-like to read..” Eiris replied, “we do not have time to read, as if we were born purposely to serve the inhabitants of this world” while they were together, another person was there as well, a girl and boy whom to be siblings. “Brother Wales…they are interesting…” and Wales responds “yes Charlotte they are….” They hold hands together. Another boy approaches Gil “I have returned Master Gil” Gil smile “yes, you are….Achilles…” another boy and girl elf approach Merlos “master…. I have returned with new strength….” Merlos smiles “very well my successor…” Avalon has also returned with another girl and boy on his side “Lord Avalon, it seems the academy council has all returned…” Avalon replied “Dana….Revious we have returned….” This is the time Andhera realize that all of this shall be his path and that he will meet them all alongside Eir.

to be continued