Chapter 68 - Old Enemies (1)

"This just in, a mysterious light has been spreading through North Ourannos like wildfire. Some parts of East Ourannos have even reported the same thing. Experts claim that both of these countries were the ones hit by the devastating OmegaQuake just a month or two ago. Witnesses to this iridescent light show claim that any damage done to the land by the OmegaQuake was reversed." 

The news has been set alight by the news of a miraculous light that reverses the damages of the earthquake. Every channel, every station, that's all they are talking about. Some have begun to speculate the source, and if there even is one. God? The Devil? Some insanely powerful magician, honestly, they were all just amusing to listen to.

"You've got the media going crazy." A familiar voice said behind me. I turned around to see Aurora standing behind me, offering me a cup of water. 

"Thanks," I said quietly. I took a sip of the water, feeling it comfort my exhausted body. She gracefully sat beside me. My arm was already resting on the back of the couch, she just crawled to me and I instinctively wrapped my arms around her. I smiled. Being able to embrace her like this is a simple yet exquisite pleasure.

"Yeah. They think the light of god has blessed them." I chuckled. She only smiled, placing her hand on my chest as we continued to listen to the news report. We were in one of the living rooms in this extravagantly large manor. Just the two of us, and the boring reporter rambling on. 

"How are you feeling?" She asks.

"Tapped." I shrugged. This was probably the first time I had casted such a large scale spell. "The power of the Progenitor is said to capable of making gods look like street magicians. If that is the case, I haven't even scratched the surface of what I can do." I said as I materialised one of the gauntlets on my hand, admiring it for a bit. 

"Honestly, you already far outmatch most mages here on earth. I don't know what exactly you will become if you ever reach even half your potential." She said as she shook her head. Then, her face morphed into a more solemn expression. It caught my attention, seeing how she could change so quickly. "Just promise me, wherever you go, you will take me, or at least try." She said, looking like she was on the verge of tears.

Seeing her like this made me feel like I was being sliced right down the centre of my chest. I held her closer to me and stroked her hair affectionately. I even had enough courage to do something new, I kissed the top of her head. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere." I looked at her and said, to which she sheepishly looked away.

"You two sure are close." We heard a baritone voice call out to us. I turned behind again and saw Travis Volance approaching us. He wore a large smile on his face as he walked over to us. 

"Yes, sir," I replied politely, even bowing slightly. 

"Heheh, Kaler, I'm pretty sure that someone of your calibre shouldn't be bowing to someone like me." He said while scratching his head. His words took me aback. In my eyes, Travis Volance was a capable and powerful man. I might be abnormal, maybe even out of this world, but he is still someone who is amazing by normal standards.

"No, Mr Volance. You are amazing! You specialise in shapeshifting, don't you?" I asked eagerly.

"Why, yes." 

"I have only ever seen one other shapeshifter! What's more, you can shift selected parts of your body to gain the features of a specific animal! You are a fierce fighter! You are also a renowned adventurer, you are incredible in your own right." I said confidently. 

Travis looked down a little as his smile grew wider, scratching the back of his head even more. "I am grateful you think that way, my boy. But, you seem to forget that you are capable of the same thing. In fact, I would argue that you are far more capable than I am."

My mind went black at that moment. Was I hearing things? "I'm sorry," I chuckled nervously, "There must be some kind of mistake right? I mean, sure I can harness a dragon's might, but I can't shapeshift into one." I said with a smile. 

Travis tilted his head and stared at me, bewildered. "Did you forget? When you were dominating the caged dragon, you shapeshifted into the rarest species in all the lands. A Draconoid, half-human, half-dragon. In fact, Aurora did the same, only a little though."

We were both astonished at this revelation, causing us to look at each other. " I don't remember any of that..." I said, feeling lost.

"I remember your transformation, but I don't remember my own. In fact, there was a part of the fight I completely forgot. One moment, I was ready to engage in combat, the next, I was down on the ground, completely out of energy." The both of us stared at each other, both of us feeling lost and confused. 

*SLAM*

The slamming of the door breaks the eerie silence. The tapping of boots could be heard running over to Travis. We looked over, and saw that it was security personnel that guards the entrance to the manor. By the time he reached Travis, he was panting, looking like he was about to collapse. 

Travis got up and supported him before he fell over. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, extremely concerned. 

Through his heavy breathing, the guard said, "Sir...unidentified ship...coming...this...way," He pointed out the window. Travis nodded.

"Lie down, rest. I will handle it."  He said, laying the guard down on the couch to rest. Aurora and I stood up, following him out of the room. 

"We are coming too," I said with conviction. 

Travis looked at me with a worried look. "Aren't you still tired, Kaler? You should rest too, you just casted such a large scale spell."

"Don't worry, I can still be useful."

****

*3rd Person POV*

Kaler and Aurora hid inside the manor, watching as Travis and his son went out to greet the incoming visitors that just landed their dropship on the helipad. The dropship was painted in the ominous colours of black and red, contrasting against the orange glow of the sun set. 

It gave an eerie feeling, like a phantom approaching in the night. The side doors of the dropship opened. Travis and Astere watched as a squadron in men in full armor and combat boots exited hasitly, flanking the sides of the door, making way for the grand entrance of their superior.

From within the smoke of the dropship, from the thundering of heavy combat boots against the ground, a tall figure emerged. The pink eyes of the helmet looked like that of a ghosts in a dark room. The figure wore peculiar-looking armor, it was light but was intricately designed, protecting vital parts of the body and joints, allowing him to move freely. 

The cloaked man casually jumped off the helipad which was 5 metres above the ground, landing without any difficulty. His men scurried to his side, holding their rifles to their chests.

"This doesn't looked good, dad," Astere whispered to his father. Travis only nodded and stepped forward to talk to the hooded figure. 

"I wasn't expecting guests at this time of day. Usually, if you wanna land on the helipad, you needa book an appointment with me." Travis said with an air of hostility. 

The figure looked toward Travis. Though his features were covered, one could feel his deathly glare from under the helmet. Meanwhile, Kaler and Aurora both recognised the features of this man. "That's one of the 10 reapers of the Wraith Corps." Kaler said, surprised that they would show up here.

"This one looks different though, this isn't Axios." Aurora astutely points out. She points out that his helmet and cloak are pink, different from Axios, who donned blue equipment. They continued to watch and listen to their conversation.

"I apologise for the intrusion, Mr Volance. I am Ardante, 5th of the 10 reapers of the Wraith Corps. I am here to investigate a large spike in magical energy that occurred approximately over 24 hours ago." He said. His voice was deep and condescending, sounding rather rude. Kaler and Aurora were slightly shocked by his introduction. The 5th reaper? What is the Wraith Corps even doing here?

"Wraith Corps? You mean that underground terrorist group? I don't know what you want, but you are in the wrong place. Leave before I shred you like paper," Travis threatened. However, the Wraith Corps didn't move. Ardante even seemed to have visibly sighed.

"I hoped it wouldn't come to this..." He said reluctantly. 

Then, he raised his left hand, making a signal with it.. The signal to shoot.