Chapter 2 - the man before he was called the Sky Demon Lord ( part 9)

The temple school is that teaches the way of Elvinus the Guardian of the world. It is divided with two section between men and women. They are renown as great healers and diviner, an asset for the knight’s order. Idiva was once a student there alongside Shivil, Andhera saw a portrait from the two. “Amazing, mother and father…” they met one of the teachers which they intended to visit the school. The teacher saw a permit that was given by Merlos “very well, welcome to the temple school feel free to explore the school however please restrain yourself from disturbing the student here.” Andhera and Eiris enters the main building of the school. A statue erected for Elvinus, Eiris giggle “he does look dashing in this statue yet wait till they see him for real” Andhera ask Eiris “does Lord Elvinus control all of the eternal realm by himself?” Eiris replied “after the great war, the population of our people were drastically drop and Lord Elvinus began to search for mortals that had sign of reincarnation from previous gods and goddess to recruit yet as of now only left 200 of us in the realm, yet with the help of the celestial dragons like Lord Fafnir and Lady Mireu we could manage the realm…” Andhera look at the statue and remember what Lilim had explain to him “mortals and immortals belong to the Creator, and each of them had fates written in them, only the Creator knew of this, yet the Creator does bestow to those whose worthy for his praise and that is Nanaya…” Andhera wanted to meet Esmerleda as soon as possible yet she was no where to be found. Eiris then saw someone from the gardens which is Esmerelda. Andhera and Eiris meet her. Esmerelda knew of Eiris yet she did not recognise Andhera who is now a woman. “May….. I….. know….. you….. name…., fair ….lady….?” Andhera replied “Morgana…” Eiris explain that they wanted to talk to her. Esmerelda wondered why “why….do…you….need….to….meet….me…?” Esmerelda had a sexy tone with her, Eiris said to Andhera “her tone and speaking is the reason countless man fallen to her..” Andhera ask her “did have dream recently?” Esmerelda tried to remember and she replied “yes…I….met…woman….in….my…dreams….she…said….enjoy…..my….life…..and…..I….am….not….awaken…..I….wonder…..why…..” Andhera concluded “when do you realise that you had a different powers like healing?” Esmerelda replied “father….took….me….when….I…was….young…..because…..” Esmerelda look down and did not respond, Eiris wonder why she had stop talking. Andhera ask again “must be painful to remember” Esmerelda nod in agreement and she said to them “hold….your….hand…..” Andhera and Eiris show their hands towards Esmerelda and she hold their hand “I….could….not….explain….more….yet….I….will….show….you….” Esmerlda showed her vision of her past. Eiris was daughter to elf chief in hidden village far from the continent. She was only 5 years old at that time, when one of the sage said to her real father that she is the curse one, and she will bring destruction to the village. They propose to sacrifice her to the god of forest, which Andhera believed it is a false god. Which her real father wanted to leave the village before it happen and they escape from the village. Her real father told her that she is half elf and half celestial being or demon which the villager called them. Which they manage to reach the borders, only tragedy happen her second mother killed her real father. She was abuse by her second mother for being a halfling with a celestial being. She was beaten to the ground and tortured by the village, she was tied to the altar of the god of the forest which is demon. The sage recite “to the mighty god of the forest ‘Leshy’ a bring you a gift for which she bring calamity to you!!” Leshy appeared a giant treant. Esmerelda was terrified as she was about to be eaten, someone came to the rescue, Andhera knew that is a paladin. “That is Lord Polaris!” Polaris rescued her and which he killed all of the villagers including her second mother, Leshy was instantly killed by Polaris with his spear the ‘Areadbhair’ Polaris entered the village which he burn the village to the ground. Polaris carried her and return to Ragnaval which he was the king there. She lived there until she was only 12 years old which at that time, Verious was born, Verious was different compared to Polaris even ruthless compared to his father. Polaris feared this and ask Esmerelda to leave the kingdom, where reach the Kingdom of Akash as a slave. She was found by Lord Falcos by a coincidence where she was adopted by Falcos. Andhera said to himself “5 years ago, Lord Polaris died and his son took the throne after his death. The vision ended and Esmerelda continued “this…is….my…secret….” Eiris ask whether she shared this with her father and Esmerelda did not “I….believed ….that…there….is….reason….for…..you….all….to….meet…me” Andhera then use his telepathy which Esmerelda is surprised “do you hear me?” Eiris also used telepathy “I hear all of us together…” Esmerelda could manage to speak fluently “is this your powers yet I have heard this familiar voice before…” Andhera introduce himself again “thought I am called Morgana yet my real name is Andhera” Esmerelda gasp in disbelieved wondered what have happen. Andhera explain what have happen, what is the reason of this curse. Esmerelda took a breath to calm down. Esmerelda explain with telepathy “that women in my dream also explain about my hidden powers that is still lock, I have tried to seek ways to awaken it yet to no avail” Eiris replied “the goddess of love and sexuality Nanaya was once a mortal…” Andhera then said to them “this is something that none of you know, which I have received knowledge from Lady Lilim and Lord Polaris” Esmerelda is surprised that Andhera knew about Polaris. Andhera continued “Nanaya was not an ordinary person, she was suppose to be the chosen one from the Creator’s yet her powers deem too great for other beings to discovered, Saki the leader before Elvinus choose her to be part of the faction. She must have discovered this, and wanted her to be part of it yet I wonder why she hid her true powers behind that I have not yet discover.” Esmerelda then found the answer that he was looking for. “The woman also told me something, that she said to her “Lady Saki is protecting her from someone” let me remember back…” Esmerelda tried to speak of it, she could not as if it was protected. Andhera remember back what Polaris said to him about this powers bestowed from the Creator’s. Andhera propose to help Esmerelda to awaken her powers and Andhera ask Eiris “I have seen a temple of Nanaya nearby yet I have forgotten it where its place is” Eiris said to them “a former city that has a temple for Nanaya which is deep within the desert of Malgoros near to the border of Antaros” Andhera said to her “it seem we need to be there…” Esmerelda explain that she a special permit to allow her to move anywhere with escort. “Seems you are a mercenary that will do…” Eiris replied “maybe after you have awaken your powers your speech will also improve” Esmerelda disagreed as it is cause by her past that she made a vow not to speak to anyone even her father. Esmeralda approach the head professor and had approval. Andhera and Eiris waited outside, Esmerelda arrive and began their journey to the desert of Malgoros. Once reach there, Andhera summon a giant spirit bird where they flew towards the desert.

They reach the realm of Antaros, looking for clues or a sign of civilisation. For days they search which Andhera landed an oasis, where they make camp to rest. Esmeralda was comfortable with the two. Eiris is talking to Esmerelda while Andhera keep watch. Esmerelda said to them “I…felt….safe….among…you…two…..” Eiris smile and said “this is my first visiting this desert, I have never touch the sand or feel sleeping in camp.” Esmeralda explain that she had been traveling before when she was young. Esmerelda ask her “would….you….be….my….friend?” Eiris smile and hug her “as always have…” Esmerlda smile and began to cried. Andhera knew the pain she went through. It was dark only the camp fire was lit, Andhera sat there where he could not sleep. Esmerelda awaken and talk to him in a different tone. “You have a pure heart…I am happy…” Andhera wondered “is this Esmerelda?” Esmerelda replied “no but yes… but she is still naive about things she is not ready yet to unveil my powers” Andhera ask again “are you Nanaya?” She replied “no, but also yes…you are getting closer?” And Andhera answered “the Oracle?” She smile and said to him “I am Nanaya and also the Oracle…fair Paladin” Andhera ask her “why you curse me?” Nanaya replied “you’re the one who read my journals it is not nice reading someone diary…” she giggle. Andhera ask why and Nanaya replied “Long ago, as a mortal when I awaken my powers in my dreams, the voice of the Creator commanded me”

“Chosen child, you are the first to hear my voice, I shall bestow this blessing to you, be the messenger of my will. They have forgotten the blessing that they have been given yet I realise that it is also part of this world destiny and fate. Lead them, guide them, teach them. You maybe mortal yet your blessing will be omnipotent. You will be the subject of envy among them, your journey will be perilous. If you failed to convey my message, then I shall sent my Paladin to help you. They will also be blessed and bestowed with my essence to bring them to the right path. The darkening have also begun in bowels of this world. If this darkening could not be contain then I had no other choice but to protect her from this darkness. Child, your path will be difficult and to be eternal as you will bestow with my clairvoyance, you shall be my eye, my voice, and my will. Each paladin represent my love, my pride and my wrath. I shall sent my love to the world if you failed to convey or been divert your path and my paladin shall guide you to the right path. If my love failed, then I shall show my pride to show them who am I. If that failed then the last shall be my wrath and that shall be the destruction to those whom did not obeyed my will. The world shall be reborn as anew, be wary child as they will not let it succeed.”

Andhera said to her “then the words conveyed to me as the Creator last will to convey the message…my wrath will bring the demise of this world…” Nanaya said to him “Eir is still young, like a child she had lack of experience about the universe that she lived. You however are bestowed with his essence, knowledge, and the Creator’s will” Andhera ask of her on how to awaken and Nanaya hold his hand, a vision of once a great city to commemorate Nanaya that was destroyed by Solomon and Saki. Nanaya said “Saki was killed for protecting me, she was killed none other than Elvinus” Andhera become wary of Elvinus. Nanaya said to him “be wary, Child of the Creator they will stop at nothing to preserve their way. Lord Elvinus is already absorbing the darkening as we speak” Andhera wonder and Nanaya continued “the bowels of Mother Gaia, there are only two entrance to the place, the Eternal Realm and the hidden realm within Akash your homeland. Beware of your own people, there is reason why you are protected…” Andhera was in disbelief and ask again “then you know which of them tried to divert the Creator’s path?” Nanaya pause and said to him “when she has awaken her powers, then I shall show her. Yet anticipate conflicts within the kingdom. Surprisingly your family does not involved, even the student of Solomon. I know Solomon, he is righteous, I rather with him than Elvinus. Your father and mother may know the answer yet I believed they’ve also unaware of this” Andhera share his vision in his dream that the kingdom is under attacked. Nanaya said to him “if Lord Fafnir and Lady Mireu is within the kingdom then it is protected” Andhera replied “whom it may?” Nanaya smile “why do you think that I let this child learn in temple school?” Andhera surprised “the followers of Elvinus” Nanaya smile “precisely…you are smart child…all of them” Andhera tried to remember one of the founder of the temple school and Nanaya gave him a hint “the teacher that thought your mother and father….the one that has been been recorded nor given portrait it starts with a letter N” Andhera replied “Nevillious….if not mistaken she is….” Nanaya smile “the daughter of Polaris….The Paladin of Pride” Nanaya smile “now you know yet I have reason to be there, since I can’t move on until I fulfilled my duties to the Creator..” Nanaya continued “this path is also one of your tales written in fate, the temple there will have my essence there she will be easily awaken…I believed you will know my symbol, it has flowers embedded with it” Andhera thank her and bowed, Nanaya return to bed and said to him “we shall meet again, Paladin….of…..Wrath…” she has lie dormant within Esmerelda, Andhera then close his eyes to rest. Which the night become peaceful. From afar someone was watching them. Morning rise, Andhera was still asleep, Esmerelda and Eiris was preparing breakfast. Andhera heard noise from the two, They had breakfast together, Andhera showed the map of the continent and pointed a place which he was shown by Nanaya. Andhera summon his spirit bird to fly towards the place, they reach the centre of Malgoros. Andhera read in history that this was once a flourish nation that is abundance of flora and fauna. Eiris also heard of this lost nation that was once worshiped Nanaya. Andhera saw a sign of civilisation that look like a wall. They saw behind a sandstorm was about to reach there. They landed near the wall, They wore a desert robe with veils to cover from the sand. The scalding sun from the above were cool down by the sandstorm, slowly they reach the entrance. The storm intensify with poor visibility, Andhera tied a rope together to prevent anyone from separating. Once they reach there, which only to surprise them, there is a town within a ruin nation, Andhera turn back only to see a wall behind them that is still intact. Esmerelda said to them “its like we back in time…” Eiris said “yet we saw nothing from the above…” Andhera said to the not to get separated, It was bustling little town. Andhera ask the people in the shop and the man replied “you must be joking, there is desert in this kingdom, we are blessed with lush land, with grain fields seen from a far….” Andhera tried to climb the wall only to see the whole land is filled with greens and beautiful skies from the above. Andhera explain “we must have been going back in time…” Suddenly someone is talking to them “the timeless town, Misha. Belong to the Kingdom of Matra….” Andhera saw a woman behind them, who wore a hooded robe. Andhera ask her “may I know the time or age….?” The woman replied “this is Year of Gold, on the 100th day of the moon…” Andhera wondered it and Esmerelda replied “impossible….” Eiris explain that the year of Gold is the before the Great War. Andhera wondered why kind of magic is this. They begun to explore the place and Andhera ask the locals where they could find the temple of Nanaya. They shown them the temple which is at the centre of the town. They reach the town centre and saw the main temple that worshipped Nanaya. Andhera amaze the grandeur of the temple, which suprised them. They are not just worshipped Nanaya yet another just a symbol where they saw people praying. Andhera said to them “they worshipped the Creator, there is no statue nor symbol of it….” One of the priest approach them “shubhAshayAH” Andhera knew that language and respond “dhanyavAda” Eiris used her magic to able to communicate with them. The priest said again “greetings fellow mortals, welcome to the temple of the Creator, and also home to Nanaya guardian of Love” Andhera seems confuse with the knowledge that he learn from the library. Andhera ask again “does Nanaya is a deity here?” The priest respond “outside of the kingdom she is god yet here she is the guardian that serve the Creator. Our universe is created by the Creator, to those whom do not believed the Creator is the one that we called the ignorant one…” Andhera then ask to meet Nanaya, which the priest explain that she is gone to an adventure with one of the guardian. Eiris explain “there are a lot of knowledge that seem off in our time. Andhera ask where they could find a library and the priest replied “within this temple…on the second floor” they went to the library upon reaching there it could be compared with the library of Solomon. Andhera, Eiris and Esmerelda realise that the knowledge is different compared to the world that they had lived. Since Andhera inherited Polaris ability he could read knowledge quicker than anyone. He had discovered that Before the Great War, this era was worshipped the Creator and they believed the gods and goddess were the guardians deity that reign or protected their realm. Esmerelda found the magic knowledge that is nonexistent to their era. “Healing abilities could also be a revival and purifying magic…” Eiris read the story of Saki the leader of the guardians who is loyal to the Creator. One of the priest interrupt them “it seems Lady Nanaya have return and would like to meet all of you…” Eiris felt suspicious and ask them to be wary.

They reach the to the meeting place, where they see Nanaya and they did not expect of her appearance, she wore a priest robe with a staff. The priest introduce them “This is the visitor that wanted to meet you Lady Nanaya” Nanaya bowed at them “I am Nanaya, the guardian of this town, young lady that has been curse with my powers, Andhera is it?” Surprised that she knew them and he enquire her “that means….you…” Nanaya interrupt “let us meet in private, you all may have lots of question in what have happen here?” Nanaya lead them to a her office. Eiris tell Andhera to be cautious. Nanaya look at Esmerelda and smile “so this is my successor…” they entered her office, and Nanaya offer them tea and snacks. Nanaya introduce again “I’m Nanaya, and yes I am the one that was talking to you last night. You all might be confuse with all of this but I promise all will be answered.” Eiris explain about Nanaya tale in books and story about the Great War. Nanaya replied “well…its true I have seen it and yes I have died, and no dead yet. With Clairvoyance I have seen the future and I create a double to join those fools” Esmerelda ask “why this place is not even, been tainted with the outside world?” Nanaya smile “it is illusion magic, this place is already dead however I’m bored and I used my powers to sealed this town, untouched with the outside world, meaning time moves extremely slow here. It's true that this is the ancient inhabitants that lived here.” Andhera ask her “then about Esmerelda awakening ?” Nanaya explain “that is the reason, she must stay here for a while…this teacher will teach her…” surprised and confuse Esmerelda ask her “I…..don't’…..under…..stand….” Nanaya then touch her forehead “its seems that the trauma that you experience affected your speech.” Esmerelda felt a jolt in her head in an instant she began to talk like a normal person. Eiris ask her again “could you tell me about the guardians and Lady Saki?” Nanaya sat down, took a sip from the tea “huh….I guess its time for the tell this…” Nanaya look at Andhera and said “this is something related to the sign that the Creator sent us, the paladins and the darkening…” Nanaya continued “the Creator did not just give me the ability to read the future…but also the Creators knowledge…” Andhera ask her “in what way?” Nanaya explain “this world is dying, weaken and tainted with the darkening. This world was once filled with Light, where the sun wasn’t created yet the Creator gave lights to a great tree. The first inhabitants were called the nightwalker, they roam this land before all of us were born. They help the Creator in designing beings that will lived in this world. The Creator created the so called gods and goddess” Eiris said to her “we thought we were born as a mortal at first” Nanaya explain “yes it is, Saki was one of them, the original inhabitants of this world. Saki requested that the powers they possess deem too great for mortals to be together, and she ask the Creator to create a hidden realm for them to lived there in harmony. However, when the Creator creates beast, mortals and monster, the Gods and Goddess wanted to control them. The Creator warn them not to disturb the balance until all of the creation is fulfil. Saki promise to the Creator that she will reign over the Gods and Goddess and will obey the Creator’s will. All of this ended in conflict when Lady Saki was killed by Elvinus which he question the Creator about this way of life. The Creator tried to console him, Elvinus was not convinced, he began to gather those who disagreed and begun a series of campaign in conquering the mortals. The reason of all this is because power. The darkening is a source of energy that the Creator release upon creating the Nightwalker, Darkening or the ancients called it ‘Dark Matter’ is the original energy source that creates the universe. Elvinus wanted to absorb it so that he could be Almighty, Saki realise this and tried to banish him to the infinite emptiness, Saki and the other guardians tried to captured him. Only to see his powers have become dangerous. Do you know what the ancients called Elvinus? We called him ‘the Light Bringer’. Elvinus stab Saki with his powers and killed her in the process along the other guardians that followed her. The Creator knew about this, and wanted to protect the world. The Creator also knew that this is destiny for Elvinus. The Creator love this world and wanted to protect it, I was born to serve the Creator’s will.” They began to see a different side of understanding in how the world works. Eiris had conflicting feelings, she also began to question the Eternal realm. Andhera said to them “it is impossible to trust anyone…and the kingdom is in danger” surprised by his statement they ask him why. Nanaya explain “Lord Elvinus is absorbing the darkening from the eternal realm which there is an entrance to the chambers that gathers the darkening. Nanaya said “there are two pathway to the darkening which is the eternal realm and a hidden entrance from the Kingdom of Akash” Esmeralda and Eiris was surprised by this and wonder the location of the place. Nanaya replied “ask your principal, she is looking for it…” Esmerelda replied “Lady Nevillious….don’t tell she…” Nanaya painfully replied “she is….and also serve Lord Elvinus….to locate the place, that is the reason she is close to Lady Idiva” Eiris replied “Lady Idiva did not mention of her name…” Esmerelda answered “because Lady Idiva is her rival…she always hated the idea that all beings must be treated the same.” Nanaya replied “well that explain everything…” Andhera then propose “then we must seek the location of the entrance and sealed it…” Nanaya comment “if it that simple, I will go by myself yet the gate is hidden within the capital and only Lord Solomon know of the place” Andhera suggested that he will find out the entrance that Nanaya mention about. Esmerelda wanted to know how to awaken her hidden powers. Nanaya said to her “not yet, not the right time yet child maybe tomorrow we will start because tonight it’s a special day” Andhera is confuse with the proposal but he wanted to quickly to settle this. “Hey, be patient all will be answered once everything will be in order..”