Chapter 15 - The Bloodline's Curse

"Bring me that...worthless Guard Commander. Chan is his name...i think. If not, look for... recently burned Guard Commanders."

One of the Guards gathered the guts to reply, stuttering his way through a sentence, but no doubt shaking on his combat boots. Noticing the name immediately because Guard Commander Chan commands the platoon this specific Guard is in, he thinks he has a proper sentence to say. "But sire, Guard Commander Chan, is... well he is still healing."Swallowing his spit out of nervousness before he dared to continue with another sentence, the King's patience got him bewildered. The fact that the King didn't kill him on the spot, got him puzzle indeed. So he said the last thing he had to say and prepared for the worst. "I doubt that he would be able to walk here Sire."

The man sitting on the throne, who apparently seems to be the King on these parts, sticked firm to his order, he wanted Chan here no matter how severe his health is, he couldn't bother less about Chan or his well being, but he needs Chan for his, let's say plans... and healing him isn't exactly a challenge.

"Then Drag him here. Unless you... want to take his place." The fact that this King seems to be having breathing problems, makes him sound even more captivating, causing nervousness on any person who talks to him, such an effect would be caused upon any person with ease. But what power could this man have for these people to fear so deeply? Did these Guards see what others didn't? Because simply ordering for a Guard to be beheaded, wouldn't cause so much fear in them when they are in his presence. Could he be great with a Sword?

Another Guard who was simply putting his life infront of anyone else's, cut the conversation short so he can simply escape the King's sight along with the one who keeps questioning the King's orders. "Yes Sire. We will bring him here immediately." Grabbing the Guard by the arm and led him towards the Castle's main door, he couldn't help whispering  "Man what are you doing, I don't plan to be burned alive anytime soon!"

Seeing the two Guards exit the Throne room running, the King found the possibility to calm down, perfect timing too. He was on his last nerve, one more question and he would of split both of them in two. Smoke burst out of his nose as a form of relief. The smoke covered his face entirely before it reduced into nothingness, rising closer to the ceiling. Is he a human or a campfire?

Waiting for about half an hour with all the patience he could gather, he witnesses Guard Commander Chan being dragged through the castle hallway by the two previous guards. Not paying much attention to Chan's well being, they prefered focusing on possible outbursts from the King which could end all of their lives. His outbursts usually leave unhealable victims, of course if the victim isn't split in two, he himself can help them. But he often chose not to do so, to form a set of discipline and order solely based on fear.

Preferring his personal space, before they even were 10 feet near, in a cold low voice the king didn't hesitate ordering. "That's close... enough, leave the room."

The two Guards of course responded to the order in a heartbeat, speed walking their way out and even bumping to each other, almost falling down on the hard plank floor. Chan was forcibly standing on his knees with the two Guard's support(when they were there). And when they let him go, Chan fell on his face due to the lack of strength he was currently facing, unable to prevent his falling, unable to see that face plant a big pain compared to the burning sensation he was feeling on his chest lasting for days now. The Guards didn't even look back to make sure that Chan is okay, they just left relieved to be alive. The King couldn't care less about how Guard Commander Chan was dropped either.

Afterwards not wasting a moment, The King stands up, looking quite intimidating for sure as he approached Chan, but Chan didn't even notice the King, at least not before the King was standing about a foot away from him on the left side. Since Chan halfy crawled up into a ball form which to him felt like a slight relief to his pain. the King was now technically standing near Chan's chest. Feeling it if that Chan received just one kick on the chest right now, he would be put out of his misery. Not to mention if he got shot with another Fireball.

Seeing the King being this near, with his last bit of Strength, Chan managed to let out a few words. "Please Sire. Have mercy." What kind of Mercy is Chan asking for though? Could it be that he knew how the King responded to failure, or is there something else to witness?

Not even feeling slightly bothered by the scene in front of him, the King just glared upon Chan. Not feeling sympathy, but indeed feeling disappointment. Starting to bend down towards Guard Commander Chan, with his left hand behind his back and his right hand reaching out for Chan's forehead. Grabbing Chan's forehead slightly hard and concentrating, a dark green light appeared an inch above Chan's forehead and continued glowing more violently above Chan's Chest. Precisely where Chan was shot, focusing most of spell's energy on the wound.

Noticing the tingling feeling on his chest, feeling his own skin underneath the burn marks forcingly detaching the burn marks from his body for the new skin to rise, like a new tooth pushing out the old one. That part of the process was something he didn't enjoy. It was rather painful.

Able to grab a really thin page like part of his skin which simply dropped on the floor due to him being shirtless, the after effect of this "spell" made Chan feel like he was a shedding snake. But, how could this "King" have powers. His own religious organization known as the "illas", calls any person with Magical Powers, a Demon. So how could a "Demon" simply become a King in a land heavily influenced by the illas?

Suddenly finding the strength to at least sit normally now, he held the burned detached skin a foot away from his own face and murmured. "Well this is interesting."

The glow above his chest lasted a moment, glowing even while Chan was holding his own burned former skin up, taking its time before it disappeared completely. His severe burn marks disappeared along with the green glow above his chest, as if they were never there. The strength of  the spell the King unleashed upon Chan, was indeed that strong.

Struggling for a moment before ue was able to stand up on his feet again, a strong effort had to be taken for him to stand up on his feet again. But his strength would of course need more time to replenish before he could stand up again without falling. He just escaped a death ensuring wound, resisting it for days already has drained him in countless ways. Physically indeed but also mentally. He was in so much pain that he even felt suicidal. Asking Guards from his platoon to put him out of his misery, but what low level Guard would dare killing a Guard Commander? What eye witness would help his case?

Due to this definition of tiredness, he lost his balance as soon as he stood up, almost falling on the hard ground. But he was prevented from meeting the ground again by the King, using his right hand to keep Chan strongly balanced. How strong could the King's strength be? His left hand was still behind his back yet he is holding half of Chan's body weight up with one hand. Seeing Chan's puny chest, the King proceeded to be disappointed, but didn't say a word about this topic. He had other things to talk about.

Feeling the amazing sensation of relief on his body once more, he found the capability to focus on something else now, instead of strictly feeling pain, he felt stable again. "I feel great. No more pain. No more burns. I thought that i won't make it." Finding it perfectly timed to ask an obvious question, he continued." But why did you save me sire, why did you save me, King Xakro?"

Turning his back on Chan, the King walked towards the throne, sat down on it comfortably and said. "Chan...I didn't put you out of your misery...yet. Because i require your...let's say assistance."

Encountering a tremendous shock when he heard the King ask for assistance, he was left speechless for a moment but remembered how to be a boot kisser(from experience). He wasn't a Guard Commander before after all, he didn't have this sort of rank. "Anything for you sire. You never ask anyone for assistance. I would gladly risk my life for you." His sentences weren't entirely truthful, as this man wouldn't risk his life for anyone. But in this case, if he doesn't risk his life for the King, the King would take his life without blinking an eye.

Being used to such boot kissing, and somehow even expecting more, the King proceeded to say. "Good. Although I didn't ask if you agree or not. I just said  "I need your assistance."Meaning you have no other choice but to assist, or do you think otherwise?" Asking that question, you would think the King raised his eyebrow in curiosity. But no, he doesn't have any. But he was no doubt curious.

Doing his best to avoid a possible attack from the King, and still confused of the patience the King is showing. He chose to evade self based egoism and chose another approach often used on bargaining, praise. "Yes sire. My mistake. I got excited. I mean to be asked for assistance from the all mighty king. Its an honour." This is the first smart approach Chan did in a long while, even though it was bootkissing. Everyone has their specific sets of success after all.

Finally putting pride aside and focusing on his main problem, King Xakro proceeded to say. "Good. See...the Electus has returned and I need you to find him....and end him."

Not understanding how the King could possibly know that, he decided to stick to the obvious. Of course after Eric shot him, the world around him went dark. But while in healing, he heard the healers go on with one to one banter, the topic about a Kid causing great havoc on the Capital Kingdom of Occidentis Ignis, a.k.a Crutal Kingdom was one of their topics. One other thing he noticed about those healers, was the fact that they too unleashed such dark green light, but their type of healing was slow, less effective. Lower levels maybe? But how exactly do they live here without being burned alive?

"The..the Electus? That kid who shot me down was the Electus? But sire, he took out almost half of your Kingdom. How can I possibly kill him?"

Recalling such military embarrassment, the King got triggered. But considering his plans, it was a smart move. Because,  "I'm aware that you are weak compared to him... I would end his life myself, I almost... did when he was here."

"But?"

"But he would be useless... to me if i killed him, due to some unexplainable reasons. But if someone else... kills him, all my plans... are suddenly possible, world domination... would be on the palm of my hand."

"In that case, I will take an army of a thousand men and hunt him down. He stands no chance against the ill.u.s.tratio." Hiding behind an army is his best move as a Guard Commander, and with War Generals under King Xakro's employment, it is easy to send a large army into a wild goose chase, forcibly squeezing information out of Ignite families in the surrounding area. They have a lot of experience and a long brutal history of such acts. But with underpopulation striking a continent with 4 countries, would it be the wisest idea?

"No." Coldly said the king as he clutched on the arm support of his throne, unleashing his anger there instead of on this fool no doubt unworthy of his title, who yet somehow shows great importance on the King's plans. The King chose to reason instead for once upon this fool. "We can't risk losing... more guards and weakening... our Capital. The ignites... although small in population, they are... sneaky ambitious people."

"How would that help their case?"

"Whenever they will... find the chance, they will strike back... to take our land."

"I haven't thought of that. Indeed its true. But how will I kill the Electus?" Chan is not physically fit, he isn't even average. He is below average. So how could he kill an all powerful Electus? Eric is now even considered at his weakest as an Electus due to him just knowing Fire Controlling. And even considering that fact, Chan has almost no chance at all at killing the Electus. The chances are that low. It would be like a human baby attacking a Source Bear. The Human baby's fate would be no doubt certain.

"My great Grandfather, Xakro ill.u.s.tratio l. Obtained the powers he needed to...to invade this land.... By tearing out the Electuses... heart and eating it."

"Wuh...what?"

Seeing Chan no doubt uncomfortable, and likely even scared. It didn't stop the king from giving a thicker explanation. "By eating her heart, he obtained... all eight of her powers. Making him... unstoppable. Making him an... Electus even stronger."

"So if you eat his heart, you gain his powers as well? Like your Grandfather did?"

"No...When my grandfather ate her heart, it also... came with a curse. Although the curse was beneficial, it also came... with side effects. He got all her powers. Everything he needed to mind control the... Kings on our motherland. He became... the Grand King and launched the... attack against all other countries." If it wasn't for Xakro ill.u.s.tratio l who started this war in the first place, this Continent would of been more peaceful than it ever was. But l.u.s.t for land and power, always beats peace. Always.

"Our entire military pride, all started by that brave man. Fascinating, however the stories I heard about our revolution, were rather different. But how did he even manage to kill an Electus?" With countless rumours going on, the truth was no doubt concealed by the public who might take it as a sign to help the Ignites. Chan is likely one of the few people who knows so much about Xakro's Bloodline. For someone so unworthy, he sure knows a lot now.

"It was a horrible battle. Xakro ill.u.s.trario l... got burned all over. His face, his body, chest, arms. It was... like he got burned up in hell. Specifically, I share the same wounds... with him due to the curse. But also, the same Powers!"

"How is that even possible?"

That is beyond my... explanation. However, as the Electus... was about to make the final blow upon... Xakro ill.u.s.tratio l, slit her throat which killed her... almost instantly. She died gasping for air. He ate... her heart, obtained... her powers but...the curse. He didn't see the... curse coming.

"Is it curable?"

"Maybe... I have the powers Xakro took... from the Electus. But...as the powers were passed down through generations. So were... the wounds, burn marks, everything. I'm just another replica of Grand... King Xakro ill.u.s.tratio l. I barely have a personality... of my own. I'm almost an exact drawing." Rather sad. The current King never asked for such power and responsibility, and even the curse. But he was forced to step up and keep the revolution going. But in a way, he is slowly failing. He would need to result into a suicidal measure if things don't go well.

"It seems both an honour and a burden to carry such power and responsibility." Trying to point out the obvious, Chan continued. "But I still don't understand how i can help in this case. Without troops to command, I can't promise success."

"I have the ability to grant you magical... powers."

"What? But the devi...."

Avoiding to explain the concept of "All Witches and Wizards are demons", he just continued with his explanation instead of blowing a fuse. "It's no easy task, and it... will be very painful for you. But once obtained, you... will skip all five levels of magic... and be a level six Grand... Master Wizard." To get powers, although hated by a lot, it is a dream that many powerless people had. It would be fascinating to get them. As it is the one thing gold can't buy.

"Sire. I would withstand any pain and or suffering for our land. A threat to our land is a threat to me. What shall i do to gain powers?" Of course, those words are only valid if Guard Commander Chan received minimal damage from this task. He doesn't care about anyone more than himself. So Xakro made a terrible choice the first moment he thought of Chan for the quest.

"We need three things. A heart... from a thought to be extinct species. Did....you ever hear about lava... controllers? The Calidum Lutum race?"

"I've heard tales about them but i figured they aren't real."

"They are very real... and indeed they do still exist. They disappeared... thousands of years ago, like cowards. Leaving their outer... lands behind, our Kingdom for example, was their own domain, their own... village."

"This can't be! Our Kingdom belonged to them?!"

Yes, a long time ago, before the... first Era. Their species isn't extinct, but killing... one is no easy task. They control lava and legend... has it, they are ten foot tall. They would... crush you like a bug."

"How can I possibly kill one of those alone?"

"You. You won't be... alone. This time, i will send thirty... of the finest men on this... Kingdom, Elite Archers. And i will arm you with a special... weapon. Something... that one of the brightest slaves... have been working on. You'll see... the surprise once you pull the... trigger.

"Now it sounds a bit more possible. But what are the other two things we need?"