The Last Blood Mage

Prince of Drakonia

With the mage's lifeless body at his feet, Xander had to act swiftly. He couldn't linger in this dangerous territory. The quest's item waited in the lavish carriage, promising ten thousand gold coins. Xander's heart raced as he weighed the risks and rewards.

"I need those coins," Xander whispered, determined. Retrieving the item was his chance at a better life, a step closer to curing his powers.

“I must vanish from Emberlyn before the mage guild knows he's dead.”

Approaching the carriage, he glimpsed inside – red cushions, fragrant jasmines. His focus landed on the brown-cloth-covered quest item.

“A human skull? What the hell?” He revealed a jade-green skull, eerie yet beautiful.

"No time to think," Xander muttered, securing the skull. He didn't investigate; he needed to deliver it and get paid. With the item, he dashed into the forest, heading straight for Emberlyn, where new challenges and dangers awaited him.

As the sun dipped, casting a golden hue, Xander emerged from the forest, breathing heavily. The first stars appeared, marking the coming night.

Ahead, a dirt path led to Krovian, a city in Emberlyn. Vast grasslands bordered the path, with rolling hills on both sides. In the distance, Krovian's stone walls stood tall.

Typically, the journey from where Xander defeated the mage to Krovian took a day in a horse-drawn carriage. Yet, using his powers, Xander arrived in eight hours, an impressive feat that could have been quicker if his powers hadn't weakened.

Approaching Krovian's imposing gates, Xander caught snippets of conversations from fellow travelers. Hushed murmurs and idle chatter filled the air, tempting him to eavesdrop.

"You heard about Duke Krovian's upcoming gala? They say the princess herself will grace the event," one voice said with a hint of excitement.

"Ah, nobles and their fancy parties. I have more pressing matters to attend to than gossip about their lavish gatherings," another voice retorted dismissively.

"My cousin just returned from Mooncrest, and he brought troubling news. Seems one of the dukes there is plotting to overthrow the king, gathering an army in secret. It's got me feeling uneasy," a concerned traveler shared their worries.

As the bustling city gates drew nearer, Xander kept his ears open for any useful tidbits, but he knew the real secrets of the kingdom would only be unveiled to those who could afford to pay the price.

"Come on, man. Being an adventurer isn't that bad. Spend a week in my shoes, and you'll be longing for the outdoors," Jonah replied with a grin.

Amidst their lighthearted conversation, the rest of the carriages and travelers proceeded to pay their city tax to gain entry, passing through the main gate flanked by two fully armored guards.

Curiosity got the better of Jonah as he pointed at the skull covered in brown cloth that Xander held in his hands.

"What's in your hands?" he inquired.

"My payment," Xander replied cryptically.

Jonah's smile faded into a more serious expression as he offered his friend some advice. "Alright, I won't hold you here any longer. Just be careful out there, man."

"Orphans stick together, huh?" Xander replied with a warm smile, patting Jonah on the shoulder before passing through the gate. Since Jonah had learned about Xander's orphan status when he arrived in Emberlyn, they quickly bonded over their shared background. 

Inside the city walls, safety enveloped Xander. The stone path glowed with lantern light, cheerful women offering fresh bread, and men sharing laughter. Soldiers patrolled, while street urchins played, a reminder of Xander's past as an orphan.

He tightened his grip on the emerald skull, navigating the mix of wood and stone buildings. Aromas from bakers, blacksmiths, and vendors filled the air. A clothing store caught his attention.

Xander reached the town square, eyes on a grand marble building atop stairs – the adventurer's guild. Stepping inside, he was welcomed by a young girl at the reception desk, her smile inviting.

As Xander entered the adventurer's guild, he was greeted by Nala, a friendly and cheerful girl with a short brown haircut and a thin, agile body structure.

"Xander, seems like you've finished your quest," Nala said with a bright smile, her hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Yeah. Now I'd like to get paid, please," Xander replied, trying to conceal his desperation for coins.

"What about the bald brothers? Where are they?" Nala inquired.

"They are running late and asked me to pick up the coins. If you don't mind, I'd like to have them now," Xander said politely, hoping to speed up the process.

"Sure, let me take care of that," Nala said, taking the skull, still covered in brown cloth, and disappearing through the brown door to a room behind her.

As he waited for the payment, each passing second felt like an eternity to Xander. He glanced around the interior of the guild, its elegant marble walls adorned with portraits of famous adventurers and key figures from various kingdoms.

"Look at this one, Fredrick! A quest to clear out goblins from a nearby cave. Pays well, too!"

"Ah, but this one's intriguing. Retrieve a rare flower from the depths of the Enchanted Woods. The payment could set us up for a while."

"Did you see the bounty on that bandit leader? Think we could handle it, Gareth?"

Adventurers chatted as they eyed the quest board, discussing challenges and rewards.

After what felt like an eternity, Nala emerged from the room with a heavy pouch. A smile still graced her face as she approached Xander.

"The item's good. Ten thousand coins for you all, split however you like," Nala's voice held trust and efficiency. She pushed the pouch to Xander, who pocketed it without counting.

"Thanks, Nala. You're a lifesaver," Xander's gratitude was clear.

"No problem. That's what we're here for," Nala's hazel eyes glinted kindly. "Remember, the guild's here for you. More quests or questions, just ask."

As Xander made his way towards the exit of the adventurer's guild, Nala called out to him, curiosity shining in her eyes, 

"Aren't you going to grab a new quest, Xander?"

Xander turned to face her, a wry smile on his face. "Nope. I am out of here. Thank you for your Emberlyn hospitality," he replied, leaving Nala unsure whether he was being sarcastic or genuine in his gratitude.

Unseen by Xander, a mysterious figure in black robes watched through a glass window. Beside them stood a middle-aged man with a brown goatee and glasses.

"Sure it's him, my lord?" the middle-aged man asked.

"No doubts. He's King Drogon's son, the prince of Drakonia," the figure's rough voice spoke from under the hood.

"The only one who can save Drakonia from King Valor,"