A few days later, things were finally beginning to look different in Excelsis.I could see flying metal constructs buzzing around in the air on insect-like wings, surveying the area. At the same time, many of the people of Excelsis were setting up decorations for a festival.Hilariously, they wouldn't know what they were celebrating until the day arrived.And as I sat on a bench nearby, Isabella sat happily next to me, clinging to my arm.Stella stood at my side surveying the area.There would have been other troops under her, but I chose not to bring them. The soldiers were specifically for the defense of the ship itself."Hmm..." "Is something wrong, Master?" Isabella said."You're having way too much fun calling me that, aren't you?" I said."Ehehe...guilty. I like seeing your reaction. But if I'm going to be a slave, I should play the part, yes?"I suppose so..." I said."I, for one, believe it to be perfectly natural to refer to his Majesty as Master," Stella said."Hm...right..
Finally, preparations were complete and the festival began.Currently the three...or four of us? Were walking through the city streets and looking at the different attractions.That is to say, the Albatross twins and Stella.I allowed the others off of the ship so that they could enjoy themselves for a bit. The Artificer assured us that the area was secure. He was sure that the Oracle's Faithful had completely abandoned Excelsis.On every corner, we saw a squad of six drones. Additionally, other groups could be seen flying around above.Still, despite all of this...Isabella remained ever vigilant. Always clinging to my arm and staying right next to me. Despite the Artificer's reassurance, she continued to protect me.Stella followed behind with a content smile on her face.After a short while of looking at the different attractions, I found Iris along with Carlos and Leiso.Carlos looked a bit bored while Leiso seemed out of place.Iris was playing a game at a stall featuring several
I was led to a large staging area where numerous gods of the realm had gathered. Isabella followed and I instructed Stella to stay back.The three of us, that being the Albatross twins and myself, were the ones most hurt by the Oracle's actions.Today...she would suffer in front of her people. And they would bear witness to the monster she created out of her own stubbornness and stupidity.We currently stood backstage. We were waiting for the Artificer to give the signal. And that's when I heard him speak."Greetings, people of Excelsis. As you well know already, I am the Artificer. The Guardian of Dominus. Today, you have all gathered here without knowing why...and soon you will find out. Good citizens of the realm, some of you are still haunted by the things you saw before the reset was ended. Most of you have no clear idea as to why Excelsis was violently razed to the ground by the man who calls himself: Destroyer. Well...that is the folly of your former leader. The Oracle is the o
The Oracle was quite literally dragged to the Cursebreaker. She had gone completely insane after being killed, tortured, and reset ten thousand times."I have successfully discovered the source of my curse," Vakra said."Is it her?" I said as I looked at the Oracle.She wouldn't move anymore."No. Her power is part of it, but she isn't the one who cursed me. I'm guessing that it was a higher power. But who could be higher than the Oracle? The Creator, of course.""So you were cursed by the architect of all of creation? That makes sense. Why would he want you running wild and defying reality like that?""Ugh...it pains me to admit it, but you are correct, Mizik... My abilities made a mockery of his creation and I was likely cursed as a result. Meaning that I can never erase this curse.""So sad to hear. But that's also a good thing for me. I don't think I would trust you if I couldn't contain you," I said."Right...and you'd be correct to assume such a thing. But I suppose I should get
"I can already feel it. It's here.""Mizik!" A familiar voice shouted from behind.I turned to see one of my comrades. One of the protectors of this world that I've come to know as home."What is it, Carlos? Can you feel its presence?" I asked.He nodded with a grim expression."Tell me, Mizik. Can we win this battle?" Carlos asked.I gave him a weak smile."Leiso, Michael, and Dante are all dead. That just leaves me, you, and-""Can you kill the one controlling it? That's what I want to know," Carlos said."What do you think? That plague destroyed my home. It killed my fiance, my family, and all my friends. It devoured everyone I knew. I was powerless to stop it. I might be stronger now, but look at what he did to our world. We've lost, Carlos. Torantis is the last stronghold we have.""At least promise that you'll give it everything you have. For her..." Carlos said."Which one? My dead fiance or Leiso? You know I loved them both.""It doesn't matter, does it? Whatever motivates you
I felt like I was falling as I slept.Many images and feelings swirled around within my dreams.Finally...I hit something soft. I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling in my toom.It seems like I overslept again. I could swear I had the strangest dream...Usually, my father would wake me up in time for morning exercises.It had become a routine to train for the two of us ever since I was young.My father was actually a Duke.However...that was his official title and status in another country.Here in Albatross, I was just another commoner...Well, worse than that, actually.I was part of a noble family called the 'Iratus' family.We were supposedly a clan of warriors blessed with martial superiority. Our trademark was in our eyes.They were the color of emeralds. Different from green, as well. They gleamed like gemstones and radiated a very faint light. Even in the darkness, one could usually see the fierce gaze of an Iratus......as I was told, anyway. I never met any of my other f
I followed my father to the edge of town towards the entrance to the mines. He was wearing his full arcane silver plate armor with the family crest emblazoned on the front. Two crossed swords with an emerald flame in the center. He had his longsword sheathed at his side with a kite shield hooked on his left arm. I was wearing light chainmail with a steel plate over my chest. I had a pair of plated leather chaps and steel boots. On my head was a helmet that covered all but my face. I had a small buckler shield on my arm and a shortsword at my side. My father had taught me enough about combat to where I could fight fairly well with a sword and shield. I was barely strong enough to kill a goblin, however. I was only thirteen, after all, and level 10.He had also taught me a few basic spells I could learn at my level. Many years ago, the concept of converting strength into a numerical system would have seemed completely insane, but some crazy court wizard in the north made it happen. H
As we moved further and further into the mines, I felt pleasantly surprised at the lack of living things down here. My father seemed to be somewhat on edge, however. I wasn't sure how to feel. Should I have been happy that nothing was jumping out at us? Or should I have been worried about that, instead?The mine was in a state of eerie silence. I couldn't hear anything besides the sound of our footsteps and the low clanking of our armor.Suddenly, my father stopped dead in his tracks and stared further on. There had been torches lighting the way on the walls so far, but up ahead there weren't any at all. "These tunnels have been explored extensively. What happened to the lights?" My father said.I couldn't speak. I honestly didn't know what to think. I began to feel that same sinister feeling of being watched creep up on me once more. It felt like we were in danger..."Does it feel like we're being watched?" I asked."Yeah. I thought I was going nuts, but it's not just me it seems,"