Aurelia

The drop dead silence that enveloped the gigantic hall was broken by the sound of approaching footsteps. The large door made of gold flung open and in came running a young soldier dressed fully in a soldier regalia. He ran to the centre of the hall and fell on his knees with a thud.

“My Lord.” He called out pleadingly amidst heavy pants. On the gold throne that sat in the middle of the room, sat a man with folded legs and closed eyes. His rich garments and well-made hair showed his mighty status.

Slowly opening his eyes, he glared at the guard who had interrupted his quiet time. “Speak!” he commanded gruffly.

“My Lord. The Demon clan started a war. They are on their way here as we speak.” The poor guard reported.

King Garren chuckled, “I didn’t know they would be this fast.” He waved his palm, dismissing the confused guard and then closing his eyes, he returned to his former state. Not long after, another guard came rushing in, reporting that the palace gate had been broken into but this time, King Garren didn’t open his eyes, nor did he listen to him. Two more guards came, starring at their king who was without worries despite the war that was eating his people. Finally, the door burst open and this time, a man dressed in a fiery red robe walked in, carrying a sword whose blade was stained with blood. Behind him were gruff-looking men whose sight made the soldiers cringe in fear.

That uniform… why were the elite soldiers of the demon clan here?

The man in the fiery red robe walked languidly to one of the gold stools and made himself comfortable. “Hello, old friend.”

King Garren remained motionless and the intruder frowned at the fact he was being ignored. “Ignoring me will not save you now, Garren. In case you don’t know, the entire dragon clan is now under my command.”

Finally, King Garren opened his eyes, “Hello, Draven.” He greeted with a sly smile, “It’s nice to finally meet you again.”

“Enough with the pep talk. I need the jade seal.”

King Garren’s brow creased, “Jade seal? You can take it.”

This time, Draven was visibly angry. He drew his sword and slayed the guard nearest to him, “How about you watch your men fall one after the other?”

“It’s of no use. I’ve told you, you can take the jade seal once you set eyes on it.”

Draven disappeared and reappeared just beside the king with the tip of his blade touching the neck of the king, “Are you ready to give it up now?”

Garren chuckled and took a look at the man whose blade was pointed to his neck. This was the Lord of the Demon clan. The same young lord who had murdered his own father to take over the throne. Of course, he knew he wouldn’t be able to escape death by the hands of this vile man but it wasn’t like he wasn’t expecting it anyway. With a last smile, he began to silently mutter some strange words. At first, Draven had thought he was trying to protect himself from the pain he was about to inflict on him but when a red light began to envelop him, he realized what the old man was up to but it was too late. The light flung him so hard that the wall he had hit nearly crumbled.

The old cheat! He was transferring the jade seal. But to who?

He stood up and made to approach the ols man who was still enshrouded in the red light but the power of the jade seal wasn’t something any immortal could resist. He could only stand by the side, helplessly till the process was over. The minute the red light disappeared, he rushed to the man’s side, unshocked by his physical changes. Aside strength, the jade seal also gave its owner the ability to look young forever and now that the king no longer possessed it, his young look was gone, replaced with his old skin and a head of white hair.

“What did you do, Garren?!” Draven barked.

King Garren smiled for the briefest second and just as he opened his mouth to speak, he puked out blood from him mouth and clutched his chest in pain, “The throne of Wyvern doesn’t belong to you, Draven. Its rightful owner will come for it someday.”

“Nonsense!” Draven yelled. He was scared of this truth, “In Wyvern, the most powerful rules!”

“But not without the jade seal, isn't it?” the jade seal gave its owner access to every power in Wyvern, including access to the kingdom’s secret. It made its owner the most powerful.

“I’ll find the damn seal. Just you watch me from the spirit world.” Draven laughed like a maniac. He couldn’t stop now. His obsession for the throne of Wyvern had made him kill his father and take over his position as Lord of the Demon clan. He wasn’t going to let this old man take that away from him.

Watching the scared man, King Garren laughed out loud again, followed by another vomit of blood. Life was slowly draining out of him. That was the consequence of transferring the jade seal without the proper process but he was glad. At least, he didn’t let it fall into the wrong hands. He stared into space and just then, his eyes caught a small figure hiding behind a pillar.

His son…

He had so much to say to the little boy but now, it was so sad he couldn’t. Whoever you are, the one whom the seal chose. The chosen one. I hope you would save this kingdom from the abyss. Don’t worry, the seal will show you how, all you have to do…coughs…is to agree.

“Don’t bother trying to save yourself, old man, you are still going to die anyway.” Draven taunted.

King Garren gave him a lopsided smile, “I’ll make sure I save a space for you in hell.” He had barely finished his statement when his head flew from his body, his lopsided smile still on his lifeless face.