The Ultimate Summoner

Chapter 2: Assassination

Chapter 2: Assassination

Everybody has a zen core within themselves, it supplies energy for the body to run and keep function, its importance is no less than that of the heart and its location was just beneath the navel which was the centre of the body.

Like arteries and veins run from the heart to every part of the body, energy pathways sometimes known as zen pathways run from the core to every part of the body, the pathways passes through organs, muscles and tissues, through veins and arteries constantly supplying the zen that one either absorbs from the surroundings or that one digests from meals.

Just like a man cannot survive without his heart one can’t survive without their zen core as its destruction would lead to inevitable death, there are weak cores and strong core but there has never been a recorded case of someone born without a core, Aldrin is the first case or perhaps the first recorded case.

Aldrin took in a deep breath and closed the book he was reading, he looked out of the window and spotted the sun sinking slowly into the horizon, bathing the skies in a fiery red afterglow, the library was lit brightly by bulbs that glowed in white fluorescent light, in the whole clan this was his favourite place to be.

Not many people visited the library which made it that there was a very slim chance of him encountering anybody and if by any bad luck he did encounter someone they would be too busy with their studies to pay him any attention.

If only he was the son of a servant then his life would probably be ninety percent less miserable than it currently was as there wouldn’t be anyone to even pay him attention to begin with but being the powerless son of one of the most powerful man didn’t give him that luxury, he was in the limelight no matter where he was and even if they tried to hide it, the ridicule was evident in their faces and their words while some didn’t even bother hiding it.

While in thought an energetic teenager suddenly appeared before him, his fiery red hair swishing about each time he shook his head.

“Ah, I knew I’d find you here big brother, let’s head home before it gets dark” He announced in an overly cheerful voice and Aldrin smiled brightly.

Of everyone he had met there were only three people who treated him like a normal person, looking beyond his disability like it never existed and those three people he loved dearly ready to sacrifice anything for them, this younger brother of his was one of them.

“Alright little brother let’s head home.” Aldrin said with a warm smile as he gazed into his brother’s dark eyes, something they both inherited from their father.

Heading out of the library they passed through a garden taking their time to savour the beautiful scenery of the setting sun against the flora and fauna.

“Brother I heard that you’ll be having a test to determine if you’ll be selected as heir in the next coming of age ceremony.” Fabien suddenly declared in an excited tone making Aldrin’s eyebrow suddenly shoot up in surprise

“If you spent more of your time training rather than in gossips you’d improve better, have you completed the principles of circuits and the basic arrays that I gave you two days ago?” Aldrin reprimanded his brother while bonking his head lightly with his fist, this made Fabien pout while rubbing his head exaggeratedly.

“It’s not called gossip when you’re gathering important information, also I heard that you have quite the chance of passing the test.” He replied with a grin and Aldrin smiled while shaking his head

“I’d rather not get involved in mindless struggles, it would be better if you were the clan leader and I was your adviser, after all you’re stronger but too stupid to do something so complex, so I’ll back you up with ideas and strategies to keep winning.” Aldrin said and Fabien suddenly hugged his brother’s arm with an excited expression only for the excitement to turn into disappointment almost immediately

“If only I had a chance.” The younger brother murmured, during this time they had walked from the garden into a park with tall trees everywhere and underneath the setting sun they cast several large and long shadows which darkened the area considerably.

Aldrin suddenly paused and his right hand shot up towards the hilt of the sword hanging across his back

“What’s wrong big brother?” Fabien asked with a raised eyebrow

“There’s something wrong, I sense danger nearby.” Aldrin replied grimly and Fabien wore a wary expression as he looked around vigilantly

“I can’t see……” he was speaking when suddenly a metallic glint appeared in the corner of his eye striking towards Aldrin from his blind spot, as though possessing eyes behind his back Aldrin unsheathed his sword and in one fluid motion swung it in a wide arc while spinning around successfully parrying the attack.

Failing the assassination the attacker took two leaps backwards putting some gap between themselves and Aldrin.

“Just as they said, your combat sense is really superb but unfortunately you’ll die here today.” The assassin said, his voice revealing him to be a male as his entire body was covered in pitch black robes that didn’t reveal anything but his eyes.

“With just you, I don’t think that would be possible.” Fabien said with a sneer and almost instantly his hands began to move, making hand signs and mudras while his lips moved as he mumbled an incantation.

“Fire arrow barrage.” He concluded after a little more than three seconds and suddenly a myriad of arrows conjured from flames appeared before flying towards the assassin rapidly but just as they were about to hit him he suddenly vanished into a puff of black smoke.

“He’s a bona-fide zen practitioner.” Fabien said with a fearful expression and Aldrin nodded grimly.

“Who told you I’m alone.” suddenly a voice called from atop one of the branches and several figures began revealing themselves from hiding spots surrounding the brother duo, this was an obviously planned assassination attempt and it wasn’t an ordinary one as it extremely hard for ordinary people to enter their clan, someone within the clan was aiding them.

“A twenty man team, five on the outside, three to the east four on the south, two on the north and six on the west, a basic interference formation, escaping won’t be easy.” Aldrin said lowly as he surveyed his surroundings and analysed the positioning of his opponents.

“What are you talking about big brother?” Fabien whispered back as he noticed his brother mumbling to himself.

“Their positioning might seem random but their currently in a formation that allows them to block signals going away from this zone by releasing light zen pulses at intervals. Basically we won’t be able to call for help.” Aldrin replied with a sombre tone, hurriedly Fabien dipped his hand into his clothes and fished out a hand held device with a small display screen and a hard surface upon which one could inscribe letters, using his finger Fabien quickly wrote a string of words on the writing surface but the screen remained blank.

“Don’t bother, we’ve blocked all communications, it would be better if you just died obediently.” The male assassin said before leaping off the tree and dashing towards Aldrin again, several of the others who were dressed just like him began weaving hand seals while chanting an incantation.

“They’re after me, I’ll try opening a path for you to escape and get help.” Aldrin said before dashing to meet the sword of the first assassin while dodging spells and attacks from the others, a few others were also zen warriors which made his battle more intense as he had to face more than one opponent.

“I’ll help you big brother.” Fabien declared in a loud voice filled with indignation as he began weaving hand seals as fast as he could trying to defend himself and support his brother.

Just a few minutes had passed but for Aldrin it felt as though a few hours had passed, varying degrees of injuries adorned his body but none of them were fatal he stroked a pair of bracelets he always wore on both hands and the sword in his hand hummed with power causing it to glow in a crimson hue.

“As expected of the young master of an ancient clan, you possess so many lifesaving treasures, even without a zen core you managed to last longer than most practitioner grade and amateur grade zen practitioners.” A voice appeared behind Aldrin and before he could react a sword pierced through his abdomen.

“Brother No!!!!.” Fabien roared and his eyes narrowed into slits as his pupils suddenly turned reptilian, the right arm of his clothes burned off to reveal a pitch black dragon tattoo spanning across his entire arm, his aura spiked up instantly exceeding his former grade and reaching the next grade, his hands moved faster than ever as he used a zen technique.

“Fire Dragon Roar!!!” he bellowed and a three metre fire dragon appeared, the assassin was about to escape but Aldrin would have no such thing, he swung his arm and grabbed the assassin by the collar just before he vanished pulling him over he stabbed his sword through him before turning him to face the incoming flaming dragon but right before the dragon made impact with the assassin the dragon weaved around and struck Aldrin instead, sending him flying a few metres backwards.