Chapter 2: Successor of Fate

The other assessments quickly passed by, but Samual didn’t pay them any attention. His mind was racing with questions. Just who was this…knightly figure? His robes and mask were unlike anything Samual had seen before and they were not even close to the robes that the members of any of the three guilds wore. His engraved mask hid his face entirely and he wore a hood over it to boot. Was he some sort of special paladin? Stranger still, he had felt almost familiar; like someone Samual had always known and yet somehow foreign and otherworldly. Samual had promised himself answers, but the knight had already departed long before the class finished, leaving him with nothing.

The Principal rose as the final student reached her seat.

“That will be all for the Exams. Those were very…unusual assessments.”

He turned to look at Samual and Alexya, careful to avoid making eye contact with Percival.

“Tomorrow I will announce your ranks based on your performance today. Your ranks will, in turn, determine your social standing within your respective guilds. From highest to lowest the designated ranks are; Artemis, Ares, Juno, Epitis, Cadimus, Noctus, and finally, Zeleos.”

The Principal’s eyes fell on Percival.

He scowled.

“That’s all; Class dismissed!”

♅ ♅ ♅

“What just happened…?” Alexya asked, brows furrowed, “Anyone have an idea who the knight was?”

Percival remained silent, still reeling from the shock of the day’s events.

“Impressive showing Percival,”

Samual grinned as he slapped his friend on the back,

“You really ticked our poor principal off; the guy’s face was bright red!”

Percival couldn’t hide the smile creeping its way across his cheeks.

“…Yeah… that whole bit about me ‘embarrassing myself any further’ really blew up in his face, didn’t it?! Speaking of which, anyone know anything about the freaky spell that blew up in mine?”

“I may know a little bit about this ‘Devine Eruption’ spell.” Alexya replied, slowing her pace, “It supposedly amplifies and surrounds the caster in some sort of divine energy, though the color and power vary from caster to caster. The last person to use it was an elf named Dracheus The Learned. Oh, and I think there was also something about ‘repercussive ripples’ or something”

Percival perked up.

“‘Repercussive ripples’? Like the one that about turned me into a fresh new coat of paint on the wall?!”

“Don’t worry, it’s ripples, that’s plural!”

“…Great, I feel so much better now!”

Alexya grinned.

“Yeah, now that I think of it, I do too!”

Percival let out a groan.

“Samual, back me up here!”

“…Yeah, that makes three of us.”

“Oh, come on!”

Alexya opened her satchel and flipped through it, finally pulling out an old torn manuscript.

“…I know that you just came to live here a couple of years ago, but why don’t you seem to know any of these things? Heck, you probably didn’t even know anything about ranks.”

Percival averted his eyes.

“Eldrida wouldn’t really tell me much, she just said it’d all come to me in due time, whatever that means…”

He sighed.

“And then she’d go on one of her long rants… But I mean she was pretty busy. It seemed like she was always going somewhere...”

“Oh, you poor thing. Anyway, moving on,”

Alexya's eyes turned back to the scroll.

“Ah, here we go…”

Following each word with her finger, Alexya read:

“Hundreds of years ago, there existed an advanced utopian city, Haruthrina. It was a city of progress, a place where all races freely lived together for the betterment of society. But it would not last. The Soul Reapers, hungry for power and wealth, rose against the city, killing and torturing as they destroyed and pillaged. This was the start of the Great War of the Races.

The vicious Soul Reapers and their fiendish allies ravaged the city with their powerful magic, but one elf was capable of withstanding them; the great hero, Dracheus the Learned. Armed with the great power of the Devine Eruption and the holy sword Invictus the Godedge, Dracheus led the charge into the devastated city and there were none that could equal his might.

Yet in their depravity, the Soul Reapers sacrificed some of their own in a dark ritual and sent a powerful blast that killed Dracheus and leveled the city; massacring everyone within. The few Soul Reapers that survived the blast, fearing the righteous retribution of the elves, fled into the darkness. The only things to survive the devastating carnage brought upon the city by the Soul Reapers were the divine sword Invictus and a ruinous crater where the great city Haruthrina once stood.”

“Oh, wow.” Percival remarked with a whistle, “That’s…intense….”

“…Yeah.”

“…”

“…”

Percival fiddled with his fingers for a moment before cutting through the silence with a question, “…Uh, does it say anything in there about what the Devine Eruption spell actually does?”

“Not in detail,” Alexya replied, “Other than what I already said about its varying aftereffects and color, it just mentions something about its having ‘sealing qualities.’ I honestly have no idea what it means by that.”

“Maybe it’ll help me make jam?” Percival responded with a smile.

Samual rolled his eyes.

“…How about the other tomes the Knight had me try? Is there anything on them?” Percival added quizzically.

“Let me see,” Alexya said, rummaging through her satchel, “No, not that I know of… I still don’t know why they were brought out only when someone successfully intoned the incantation though. That’s the part that has me confused.”

Samual glanced up; the sky was darkening, and it was getting late.

He sighed.

Before long, the three friends voiced their goodbyes as they parted ways to head back home.

As usual, Samual found his house empty when he got back. His parents always seemed to be out attending meetings when he got home, though it was something that he’d kind of already gotten used to. After fixing himself a small meal, Samual decided to retire early for the day. He closed his eyes, his mind still swirling from the events of the day.

After a few restless tosses and turns, he finally fell into a deep sleep.

♅ ♅ ♅

Samual looked around himself. He was in a darkly lit cave, the only illumination coming from small glowing stalactites in the cave’s rocky ceiling. He caught a small light flickering in the distance and slowly walked toward it. Just as he was about to reach it, a thick dark fog poured over the cave floor and extinguished it. Suddenly he could see his friends bound to the cave floor and two figures standing in front of a glowing red tome.

Samual squinted.

On the book's cover, crudely painted in a sickly black ink, was a slitted draconic eye with the name Sujun written underneath.

Sujun? Samual wondered to himself, As in the God of Darkness and Death?

Why would…?

Samual’s eyes drifted up to the humanoid shapes etched into the darkness.

The first figure was clad in grey robes with a deathly pale face and snowy white hair protruding from his dark hood. He held a cruelly curved scythe in his right hand as he gestured with his left for Samual to approach. Beside him, a feminine elvish figure stood. She wore a dark black robe, her golden locks contrasting with her fiery red eyes.

“What will you choose?” The grey-cloaked stranger asked, his words flowing like honey from his mouth, “Power is just within reach; how else can you protect your friends? Will you just sit back and let them die?”

Samual looked down at his hands; they clasped a flaming sword that flickered in the dark cave.

Fight… I need to fight!!

Before Samual could move an inch, the female figure enveloped him with a sickly black mist and pinned him to his knees.

He let out a scream as her grip tightened.

“Well, boy,” She taunted, “What will you choose?”

“Let me GO!!!”

Samual’s foot shot out, narrowly missing the elven witch’s face as it cut through the air.

NOW!!

The stranglehold weakened for a second and Samual didn’t hesitate; his eyes narrowing in rage as he rushed the elf, the mysterious sword in hand.

“DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!!!”

The moment he was close enough to swing, a second mist leaped at him, once again pinning him to the ground.

“All too predictable,” The second figure deadpanned, as he lifted Alexya into the air by her neck, “A shame, really.”

Samual struggled desperately against his restraints.

“Don’t you dare even—!”

*Thiiip*

Alexya’s limp body hit the floor, blood spewing viciously from her neck.

“Why you…!”

The figure turned back to Samual and chuckled, his scythe’s blade coated in Alexya’s crimson blood, “The amusing thing is that you could have avoided all of this… You could have saved her, foolish boy! All you had to do was claim your rightful power. And as for your other little friend, well…”

Samual’s eyes widened in horror.

“…Sam…ual…”

A disfigured Percival limped towards his friend, blood oozing unnaturally from the severed arm in his hand.

“I-I-It h-h-hurts…! It hurts…!! IthurtsIthurtsIthurts!!!!”

The half-elf’s chest began to ripple as ten slender protrusions tore their way out from underneath his skin.

What is…?!

They were growing larger and larger until—

*Riiiiiiiiiip*

Blood gushed from Percival’s exposed ribcage as two hands pulled their host out from inside the mangled boy’s body.

Percival broke into gurgling laughter.

“…Ale…xya.”

Immediately a dark malevolent fog enveloped Samual, gathering at the edges of his vision as it slowly closed in to consume him.

He could hear it…

The man’s voice…

The one who…!

“Our paths will cross very soon Samual, I trust you will make the right decision next time.”

“Who are you?!” Samual croaked, the fog pressing hard against his chest.

“Ah, but I think you already know my name.”

The black-cloaked elf closed her hand into a fist and Samual let out one last scream as his body was pulled in onto itself.

“NO!!!” Samual screamed as he jolted up in a cold sweat, panting.

“Was it only a dream?” He wondered, looking around the familiar room, “Could it have just been…”

No, it was something else, he was sure of it.

This wasn’t just a nightmare…

A name had been seared into his mind; Salvatore White.

♅ ♅ ♅

Samual rose and dressed himself in his usual green tunic, still trembling as he stepped outside his room.

Calm down Samual, calm down…

He walked out into the banquet hall and found it empty.

Okay…

Samual searched the house, calling his parents’ names, but they didn’t seem to be anywhere.

Weird, he thought as he walked outside to search for them.

Nothing.

Samual decided to meet up with his friends as planned.

Maybe they know something I don’t.

Suddenly he remembered.

“Ranks! They would be meeting to decide the Ranks!”

Samual’s eyes widened.

“Crap, that’s right; that’s today!!”

Samual rushed to go catch up with his friends.

He arrived panting at the usual alcove in the Academy’s garden and rested his back against the nearest tree.

Samual caught his breath as he looked around the area.

Hmm… That's odd, you’d think they would have been here about now. Where could they be?

As if in answer to Samual’s thoughts, his friends sprinted into the clearing, tearing their way through the trees. They just stood there, hunched over and breathless.

…good, they’re safe…

“Why is it you two always arrive together?” Samual asked with a grin after they had recovered, “You can tell me! Don’t worry, I’ll keep it a secret! ”

Alexya blushed.

“Alexya’s been teaching me more about the rules of magic,” Percival responded sheepishly.

Samual burst out laughing,

“Alexya?! Teach?!”

Alexya glowered at him.

“Hey, I can teach!!!”

“Suuure you can.”

“She’s pretty good at it too,” Percival spoke up, grinning despite himself, “She’s actually really smart.”

Samual looked at his friend, trying to maintain a straight face…but broke out laughing again. Alexya scowled and turned away.

Samual, soon regaining his composure, let out a sigh.

“So, you guys ready for the Rank announcements?” Alexya questioned, attempting to change the subject. Deciding to let her off the hook - at least for now - Samual nodded, though he couldn’t help grinning.

“Speaking of which, aren’t they going to start soon?”

Percival tensed.

Noticing this, his friend smiled.

“I’m sure it will go well, no need to be worried.”

“Well, shall we go?”

“Sure…” Percival responded half-heartedly, “Why not?”

They began making their way toward the Academy at a brisk pace, the cool morning air rushing past them. As they neared the entrance, a glint caught Percival’s eye, and he went over to investigate it.

“Whatcha doing?” Samual asked, noticing his friend leaving the group, “Old red cheeks probably won’t take well to another tardy.”

“J-Just checking something out. I’ll be right there!” Percival replied as he grabbed the unusual object from the lush green grass.

He turned it over in his hand.

It was a small transparent octahedral stone with a crimson circular center and it emitted a faint spectral pulse, almost as if it were alive…

hmmm…

Percival shrugged as he put it in his pocket and rushed to catch up with his friends.

Oh, well; Don’t want to be late…!

♅ ♅ ♅

By the time Percival reached his seat, class had already started.

Alexya smirked at him.

“Great timing. Let me guess; You’re trying to charm the Principal to get better grades?”

Percival grinned as he rolled his eyes.

“I wish…”

“What were you doing back there?” Samual whispered to his friend.

“Just some weird rock thing I found in the grass,” Percival responded, fingering the stone in his pocket, “It’s almost as smooth as the Principal's head!”

The principal cleared his throat and Percival froze.

Crap! Did he…?!

“…”

“…”

“…We will now announce your designated Ranks,” The Principal said, gaining everyone’s attention, “If you have any complaints, you may take them up with your respective guilds.”

Percival let out a sigh of relief as the Principal began reading down the list.

Oh, thank the gods; I’m safe!!

“Sephiroth,” The Principal called, motioning to one of Samual’s classmates,

“You are Epitis. As such, you will be going with the Order of the Bright Flame.”

Without waiting for any acknowledgment, the Principal proceeded with the next name.

“Jacob…”

He continued to read off names until he reached Samual’s.

“Samual,” he announced, “You will be Ares. Thus you will be assigned to the Whiteguard.”

The class muttered in confusion.

“That high?”

Samual grinned, he actually did it!

“Alexya,”

His friend stiffened.

“You will be…Ares as well.” The Principal said, checking his list. “You’re with the Whiteguard.”

After a good five minutes, he finally arrived at Percival’s name.

“Percival,” The Principal spat in disgust, “You are…”

He grinned as his eyes fell upon the half-elf’s title,

“…Noctus.”

“WHAT?!” Samual shouted, dumbfounded.

Percival sunk further into his seat.

“As such, you will be…” The Principal checked his list again, and his smirk vanished. “What?! The Whiteguard?!”

He rose, infuriated.

“D-Dismissed!!”

Samual and the others hurriedly rushed out of the building, careful to avoid their furious instructor. When they had gotten a safe distance away, they fell back against the grass, panting.

What the heck was that all about? Samual wondered.

“…Anyway, I’m glad we’ll all be together at least.”

“Agreed!” His friends responded enthusiastically.

“Who do you think our instructors will be?” Alexya questioned as she let out a yawn, “They’ve really got to be something if they were chosen to teach at the Whiteguard.”

“Instructors? They’re the ones who’re supposed to help us hone our magic and fighting abilities, right?” Percival asked, turning towards Samual.

“Ah, so you do know some things!” His friend teased, “Wow! What a surprise!” Percival looked at his friend and grinned.

“Thank you for your kindness, your honors!”

He gave them an exaggerated bow and they both broke out laughing.

“…Dorks,” Alexya muttered, a grin slowly creeping across her face.

They began walking again, and, as they approached the Academy’s garden, said their farewells. Samual started the exhausting trek back home, puzzling over Percival’s strange ranking and his placement in the Whiteguard. Just as he suspected, his parents were still gone when he arrived. Samual’s stomach let out a groan.

“Ugh… That’s right; I haven’t eaten anything today, have I?”

He sighed as he made his way toward the banquet hall to get something to eat.

When he was halfway there, a black blur streaked past his vision. He quickly turned his head towards the motion but saw nothing. Rushing to a nearby window, Samual could just make out a jet-black silhouette, slinking into the shadowy woods. Since it was dark out, he couldn’t clearly identify the figure; but he could, however, recognize two distinct features: The humanoid figure had two cat-like ears and a tail. He frowned, something was not right.

Samual headed back to his room, still pondering what significance the mysterious figure could have.

He grimaced.

Why would someone be spying on my house? …Or were they spying on me?

Samual’s mind raced with questions as he lay on his bed. But before long, he relaxed and sank into a deep sleep.

♅ ♅ ♅

The shadows crept in around him; the darkness devoured any remaining light, consuming all in its chilling embrace. Samual looked around himself as a thick black haze swept through the air, its sickening stench filling him with terror.

“Ah, I see we meet again.”

Samual spun around, but it was too dark for him to see anything. He did, however, know one thing; he had heard that voice before: Salvatore White.

Samual bit his lip.

Oh gods, what does he want?!

“As you may as well now know, this isn’t a dream, it’s more like…shall we say…foresight. You are seeing what could happen if you choose…foolishly. It’s best not to oppose me, Samual. We wouldn’t want someone getting….hurt, now would we?”

It was as if the darkness around him had gotten darker somehow, as if the pure malice from this figure was taking form, becoming material. It wasn’t just a physical darkness either, but it crept tightly around Samual’s soul, crushing all hope and replacing it with loss, grief, anger.

Samual took a tentative step forward.

And then another.

And another.

He couldn’t see anything, but the reeking stench of malice was growing stronger. Samual stumbled forward, focusing his mind to try and force his trembling feet to take just one more step.

The aura grew with a deep hate, tearing at his mind. His legs screamed for him to stop, but he slowly faltered his way towards the malevolent demon.

“Salvatore…! Where are you?!”

Samual’s legs gave out and he collapsed onto his knees.

“Poor child. There is nothing stronger than rage, than hate. Embrace it. Find power within it. Without it, all your friends will die. …I have faith you will make the right decision; after all, their lives depend on it! Oh, but beware Samual; I will be watching you. I have eyes everywhere.”

♅ ♅ ♅

Samual froze in his bed, staring up at the ceiling.

It was still night.

A chill went down his spine.

“I have eyes everywhere.”

He grimaced.

“What the hell is happening to me?! Something’s wrong, something’s seriously wrong!!”

He ran to the window and cautiously opened up the drapes.

Nothing.

“Gah! Why is this even getting to me?!” Samual growled, slamming his fist against the wall in frustration, “It was just a stupid dream!”

“…this isn’t a dream,” Salvator's voice echoed in his mind, “It’s more like…shall we say…foresight.”

The words rang in his head, the truth tearing at his sanity. Samual felt bile rise up his throat. He wanted to puke. Forcing it back down, he felt large ugly tears begin to roll down his cheeks.

"No!" Samual ground his teeth and pounded a fist against the windowsill,

"You will not control me. You are a nightmare! Just a stupid nightmare! Get out of my head!!”
Samual collapsed to the ground and cradled his head in his hands.
It’s foresight, the dream’s voice whispered.
"It was just a dream.”

Foresight.
"It was just a dream!"
Samual fought the voice’s call as the night dragged on, but the longer he tried to deny it, the more the voice’s words permeated through his skull.

“Just a dream…” Samual muttered, his eyelids getting heavier and heavier with each passing moment.

No!

Samual forced his eyes open.

“I can’t go to sleep! I can’t go back there, I can’t!! Damn it!!” He screamed, tearing at his hair “Why is this happening to me?! WHY?!”

Samual spent the rest of the night, fighting the urge to sleep, terrified of meeting the cloaked figure again.

Time crawled, seeming to halt.

Samual’s hands trembled, his knees knocked.

“…I will be watching you.”

Morning found Samual still sitting on the floor, glaring straight ahead with burning, tortured eyes.

Foresight.
"Just . . . A . . . Dream…!”

Samual rose to his feet, exhausted.

He walked to the banquet hall, but there was no one there. That was to be expected, however, as they were still preparing for the students’ stay with the Guilds. His eyes drifted towards one of the shelves.

There was a small loaf of bread there, its moist flesh protruding from its cracked golden shell. Samual turned away, he couldn’t eat now, not like this. His stomach clenched tightly.

Foresight.

He went rigid.

“No!” He nearly shouted, “…that is not going to happen!”

Suddenly, a rustling sound caught Samual’s attention.

He froze.

“Samual, where are you? We’re supposed to join up with our guilds today! Come on, we’re already late!! Samual?”

Samual let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding as Percival ran into the room, still calling for his friend.

“Hey, where are—whoa, you look terrible. What the heck happened to you?”

Samual looked up at his friend and shakily rose to his feet,

“…Nothing. We better get going.”

“What aren’t you telling me? Come on, I’m your friend!”

Samual opened his mouth, then promptly closed it.

He wouldn’t understand. He’d think I’m insane. …Maybe I am.

“Let’s go…”

They arrived shortly at their usual spot and instantly spotted Alexya.

“…Seriously though, you really need to tell me what’s wrong.”

“FINALLY you’re here. What took you so long?!” His friend questioned him, her hands fiddling with something, “Wow. You look terrible.”

“That’s just what I said.”

“Can you guys just leave me alone?!”

Alexya glanced at him, surprise written on her face.

“Yeah… uh, ok.”

“Crap, we REALLY need to get going.”

Samual followed Percival as he led them forward, his mind preoccupied with other things.

Alexya sighed.

“Do you even know where you’re going?”

“…Not really,” Percival admitted sheepishly, “Do you?”

His friend groaned.

“Why do you have to be so useless?”

She led them in silence, around the back of the academy and towards the woods behind.

“Just how far are we going?” Percival questioned, unease heavy in his voice, “Seriously, this is getting creepy.”

“Coward,” Alexya muttered, then added, “It shouldn’t be too far.”

They made their way through the thick tangle of the trees, the massive branches casting dark, almost humanoid shadows.

Percival gasped.

The farther they walked, the deader everything seemed. Leaves turned from green to a sickly red as the grass faded from a lush green to a lifeless brown.

“It’s crazy. I didn’t think it got this far.”

Percival scratched his chin.

“…You mean the Corruption?”

“Yeah,” Alexya responded, examining a leaf closely, “That blight seems to be spreading like wildfire. Hopefully none of the wildlife has been affected yet.”

They came to a clearing and Samual gazed in awe at the structure before him. It was a massive marble structure adorned with golden trim and its four towers reached majestically high up into the sky. It looked more like a fortress than a guild…

“Hurry up!” A voice shouted, “Over here now!”

Samual’s eyes darted back and forth before settling on the man at the entrance beckoning them closer. The party rushed forward towards the figure at the gate and soon reached him.

“You’re late,” He reprimanded, “Hurry inside!”

Samual entered the massive building and soon caught sight of a group forming in front of the guild’s marble steps. He hurriedly joined them, taking a spot near the back.

“…today. The divine sword Invictus the Godedge will be held just outside the hold should you attempt it. I warn you, it hasn’t reacted to anyone since the Great War of the Races, and I doubt it will now. You are all free to go now. Dismissed!”

Crap…We missed the entire speech…!

The crowd dispersed leaving Samual’s head spinning.

Where do I…? There!

Samual caught sight of a group of boys venturing into the enormous structure and rushed to catch up with them.

“Where are we—?!”

Just ahead of them stood the knightly figure, his mask glistening despite the lack of windows. And on his right sat a delicately engraved silver blade fuzed to the metallic pedestal beneath it.

“So that’s the Godedge… huh.”

The man nodded when he saw Samual approach.

“Are you here to test your worth?” He asked sternly, a hint of sadness permeating his words, “Remember that while that blade can bring glory, it will also bring great sorrow.”

Now that he’d heard the figure’s voice up close, something about it sounded…familiar…

“What do you— oh…”

Samual’s eyes caught sight of the plaque near Invictus and read;

“What beith the cost of glory? Of power, wealth, and fame?

Thou beith warned all ye who seek, for history shalt know thine name.

The page of fate doest twist and tear, friend shalt killeth friend.

Bonds shalt beith as to naught, if thou will to strength doest bend.

If thou doest draw hither blade, thine power shalt overflow.

Future belonging not to flesh, thine truth and past shalt know.

A cycle ever repeated, a world renewed in defeat.

Crumbling convictions shalt shatter, Memories doest end in deceit.

Future forged of past denied,

Eternal stains imbrue.

Steep beith the cost of glory, Verily the toll beith due.

Guard thine heart, lest greed overtake.

Brace thy soul, lest thy spirit break”

As if in a trance, Samual took a step forward, trembling hands cautiously gripping the hilt of the sword. A warm tingle sped up his arm and the blade began to glow a bright orange. Flames enveloped the edges of Invictus as the sword’s pedestal lit up.

“Very well done!”

A voice cut through the silence, sending chills down Samual’s spine.

“Name’s White, Salvatore White.”

Books 1-3 are currently available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CYG4BWJR?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_m_mng_rwt_sft_tpbk_tkin&qid=1728232363&sr=8-2