"After these events, demons began appearing. And wherever they went, havoc, destruction and terror would come. But that's not the most crucial insight I gathered," Kyros resumed, caressing his chin thoughtfully. "The Ascendents of the now-destroyed Nusa Empire discovered that by learning the names of these demons. One could gain some measure of control over them."
"I heard the control was limited."
Kyros nodded, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table's polished surface. "While it is indeed limited, it provides humanity with a means to repel the demons."
"You mean humanity and beasts."
"It's ironic our once strong ally now wants to end us." Kyros sighed before continuing. "With this revelation, it's said all nations and empires worked together to figure out the names of the seventy two demons."
"Because they were the leaders?"
"Yes, they commanded the legions-"
Lorian swiftly interrupted, his eyes shining. "I heard there was a book that contained all of their names… Do you believe it?"
Kyros's expression turned pensive, a slight shiver coursing through him. "Frankly? I do not. For such a valuable artifact to exist...it feels beyond the realm of reality."
"But it would be a treasure that can't be sold." Lorian pointed out.
"More like a betrayal to humanity to not hang it over to Fortress Of Nelihali. They can put it to good use and find a way to finally destroy the demons in the Demon Land." Kyros chuckles before blinking. "It would also be a good way to see if taking out one of them meant thousands of legions would collapse. This is a rumor by the scholars of Ortiva and statement in the books but-"
"But it was never proven." Lorian points out but Kyros slightly shake his head while tapping the table.
"One demon was taken down in the Anisa Desert leading to the disappearance of its invading legion. And ironically the birth of an Empire, all done by one man-"
"You guys talking about the Founder Emperor of the Activia Empire?" A voice rang out, leading Lorian to glance to his right.
A tall young man approached, striding confidently with short, choppy orange hair that seemed to mirror the flickering flames in the lanterns. He wore a simple black shirt beneath a brown jacket, dark trousers that were comfortable yet rugged with a sword hanging on his back and a compass - Colorful Path on his right hip.
"I didn't think you had an interest in demons, Louise." Kyros said with a chuckle and raised brow.
Louise rolled his dull blue eyes, "I usually don't but the conversation on the other side was getting boring-"
"Screw you, Louise!" Shouted a voice from across the room, followed by laughter.
"Pettiness isn't a good look, Louise!" Someone else chimed in, eliciting chuckles from their companions.
Kyros's eyes twinkled with amusement as he observed Louise's lips twitching into a smirk. "They're right, you know. Losing in a couple's gamble isn't the end of the world."
"You are an Outlaw right?" Lorian blinked before asking with a smile
"Hm? Yeah, but what does-"
"Then did you join the other outlaws in their search for the rumored Founding Emperor tomb?" Lorian asked, his eyes shining in interest.
Louise paused, his expression shifting to one of surprise. "I'm surprised you know about that. I thought people had forgotten about it, even if it was only two years ago… But considering you're asking old man Kyros about demons, I suppose I've got my answer."
He leaned onto the side of the table. The wood creaking beneath his weight as he tapped it lightly, the sound resonating in the growing ambience of the bar. "Yeah, I was a part of it—"
"All of us were a part of it, leader." A man wearing similar clothing to Louise shouted from across the room.
"Don't be acting like we didn't save you on the way there." A woman with short blond hair shouted with a smirk.
Louise turned around and shouted at them. "Your all welcome to join in instead of being annoying voices in the crowd-"
"Hahah, say no more."
Lorian watched as the outlaws under Louise moved to join, all of them sitting around tables near them. But it wasn't just them, the other people in the tavern moved as if they all sensed an interesting conversation over here. Four seconds later, a crowd was formed over on the left side of the bar, consisting of most of the patrons.
"As you know, there was a rumor that the Founding Emperor's tomb was unearthed. By the recent sandstorm two years ago," Louise resumed.
Lorian nodded, most of the ancient civilizations weren't destroyed completely. The truth was they were all buried deep within the sands of Anisa Desert. When this was discovered centuries ago, many tried digging beneath the sands to find them. But this led to enraging the Anunnaki's Sand Giants who lived beneath the sand, leading to terrible disasters. Many thought they would have to give up but then a phenomenon happened that displayed another way.
Sand Genesis.
Whereby the ferocity of a sandstorm would take the sand from one region and redistribute it across another, revealing the vestiges of forgotten empires: crumbling ruins, magnificent statues, lost books, and grimoires being unearthed. This phenomenon led Ortiva City to pay close attention to the Sand Genesis, having countless Ascendants monitor the storms.
Ahh," a new voice chimed in, breaking Lorian's thoughts. A man in his twenties, sporting curly dark-yellow hair and brown eyes, sat at an adjacent table and leaned closer. "I remember that rumor, it had the entire town east of Activia in a frenzy." His expression revealed a hint of amusement.
"Frenzy is an understatement, Siles. This discovery had Outlaws, Scholars from Ortiva, Forgers from Roley, even Activia warriors were all coming together to try and enter it. Such a team up has never happened unless it was to deal with a massive beast tide." A woman with long, blonde hair and bright blue eyes, who had been sitting quietly, sighed.
"Well it shouldn't be a shock, Miss Anna." Kyros leaned back in thought. "It's rumored to be the Founding Emperor's Tomb. Which is believed to hold all of the treasure weapons of the old Lux Imperium army."
"The one used against the demon legions." Lorian muttered, leading Kyros to nod his head while Siles scoffed.
Siles rolled his eyes, his enthusiasm barely contained. "Who cares about that? The biggest allure is the sea of treasure stored there" Silis clenched his hand. "All of the spoils that the demons gathered, they're all buried in that tomb!"
"Demons care about that?" Lorian asked in surprise.
Kyros shakes his head. "It's believed they took it to mock us and also lure foolish and greedy people to their dens."
Louise's expression shifted to seriousness as he interjected, "But the greatest treasure of all… is the Founding Emperor's sword, Omega."
Lorian nodded. "Right… The royal family of Activia recently began gathering the weapons of their Kings. And Omega is a weapon they wanted desperately."
"Even willing to grant any wish!" Siles exclaimed, his eyes gleaming.
"Within reason, of course," Anna corrected, rolling her eyes with a bemused smile.
"Can't be breaking the laws now." Added one woman from the fringes of the group, prompting another wave of laughter.
Louise chuckled as he continued. "A rumor started up during the appearance of the Founding Emperor tomb. That the Founding Emperor lost his sword when he was sealing away a great demon."
"And so many believed they could find the weapon by entering the tomb." Lorian hummed as he sipped his wine before continuing. "But the tomb has a seal that stops all entrances."
Louise nodded with a regretful smile. "An entire year of trying but we found no way to enter. I guess Activia knew this, which is why they called back their warriors in the first three months and had scholars leave after six. Only us Outlaws and some travelers stayed to try but eventually gave up."
"Have you guys tried again?"
"Nah." Silis said with a sigh.
"I'm surprised you haven't." Lorian teased lightly as he pulled out a map of the Anisa Desert, spreading it out before him.
The parchment was tattered yet vibrant, marked with villages, towns, landmarks, and routes traveled. Lorian traced a finger past the Sansa River, which flowed north of the Glaze Town, over the Beast Graveyard, and northeast where the contours of a small cavern shape marked the location of the tomb. "A Sand Genesis happened at the beginning of Aquarius, and we had another one two months ago in Gemini. More of the tomb may have been uncovered."
Louise stared intently at the marked location, taking in the lines and curves. "We thought of that, but we want to give it one more year before trying again. We sent some scouts, and they reported that only the entrance seal door and a few pillars were exposed."
"But one day, we will make sure to get inside. That's the promise of the Silvian Outlaws!" Siles declared, instilling energy into the conversation.
"Silis… what if you guys can't?" A man with a short beard, brown eyes, and slight wrinkles on his face chuckled.
Provoking laughter from the group.
"Ugh…" Silis began, only to be interrupted by Anna.
"Then Nicolash, that promise was never made. Our Silvian Outlaws don't make such silly promises!" She said with a bright smile. Prompting loud guffaws from the others at the table, while Silis shot her a fiercely annoyed glare.
The other Silvian Outlaws began teasing, mocking and cheering on Silis. This led to Silis demanding a gamble between Anna who began ignoring him, While Louise chuckled and then started to help convince Anna to take the bet.
Kyros and Lorian were both talked into being the overseers and the table they were at became filled with gold.
…
Activia City.
As the moon slowly ascended into the sky, its radiant light bathed Activia City in a mesmerizing glow. The city was a masterpiece of architecture, with towering rib cages stretching high above, adorned with streets of shimmering gold.
People wandered through the maze of narrow streets and bridges, some heading home while others ascended into twisting towers that reached towards the heavens. Each tower displays the three regions of Activia city. The bottom region near the gate was the Military region, the region in the middle was the Market region and the upper region was the Residential. All the residents are heading towards the upper region for the night.
As the city slowly quieted down, there was one area that buzzed with activity. A grand black stone building stood tall, residing in the Residential region, its open platform occupied by a diverse group of nine individuals. Above them, circular luminaires cast warm pools of light onto rows of gleaming weapons.
The tension in the air was palpable as a heated discussion unfolded among the advisors and counselors. Each of them wore the clothing of their respective military group: Chu, Yan, Su and Orca.
"Your Majesty, please punish Prince Lorien! He has gone too far this time!" Shouted a man with short blond hair and blue eyes.
A Yan Advisor with long golden hair shakes her head, her crimson eyes staring in amusement. "Don't you think that's going too far, Kluo?"
Kluo, the advisor to the Chu Warriors, glared. "Too far, Enuya? His little stunt vandalized some buildings, sent the people into a panic, and made our warriors out to be incompetent! The second prince cannot do whatever he wants!"
Kluo words led to the trembling of Gorg and the sigh of another man who was kneeling in the middle of the hall. Kluo's vehement words sent a shiver through Gorg, while another man, kneeling in the center of the hall, let out a heavy sigh. The Advisors lips twitched at Kluo words but none said anything for the moment.
"Aren't you just saying this because he isn't here?" Enuya releases a yawn, leading Kluo to slightly tremble before scoffing.
An Orca advisor interrupted, his voice steady. "It wasn't just the prince. Uro Stone had deceived us for years. We all believed he harbored disdain for the prince, but who would have thought it was merely a façade?"
"It does make sense. Nothing has happened to Uro in the last four years." A Su advisor pointed out with a slight chuckle.
Kluo frowned. "We all thought the prince was just trying to draw out all those who were against him. It's not like hasn't done it before and for the past four years, some spies and councilmen have been dealt with."
Enuya chuckled, a sound laced with disbelief. "Still, for four long years, they feigned animosity towards one another. But this does explain how the Second Prince fooled us, he had knowledge of our plans."
The Su advisor spoke up again with a shake of their head. "Not only Uro but Selene Zult may have informed him as well."
"Even against his majesty's words? But why would she go so far--" An Orca Advisor blinks in surprise.
"Does it matter why? Ever since she became a Master Ruler, she listens to no one but Prince Lorien and his majesty." Klus clenched his fist as he glared. "And we even had suspicions she rated the Prince higher than the King."
"Well, she does believe the prince will be even greater than his majesty." A Yan advisor with short grey hair spoke, a reminiscent look on his face.
'She even dared to proclaim it out loud once.' Enuya thought with a shiver. Not daring to voice this thought out loud.
"Exactly, this is all the prince's fault. Just because he is favored by the world and loved by the people–"
Enuya sighed, the weight of the kingdom's troubles pressing down on her. "That doesn't mean he can wreak such havoc upon it. Yes, we have heard your concerns before."
Kluo scoffed, disbelief etched on his face. "But the prince isn't learning. How could he remain so obstinate?"
Enuya arched an eyebrow, his expression challenging. "Are you referring to that incident?"
"He was such a thoughtful boy," The other Su Advisors interjected, irritation lacing his voice. "Now…"
Enuya chuckles at his words, "I know you're new. But to think you would say such a thing…"
The Su Advisor blinked while some of the Advisors looked at him in amusement with some shaking their heads.
Kluo's gaze drifted towards the end of the hall, where a grand staircase led to a throne that commanded attention. The back of the throne room opened to the city beyond, devoid of walls, allowing the night air to flow freely.
The throne itself was a magnificent blend of black and gold. Intricate ancient symbols carved into its surface, while golden flames danced and flickered around it. Seated upon the throne was a striking middle-aged man, his black hair framing a face of authority, his glowing golden eyes radiating a piercing intensity that held the assembly in thrall.
"King Ignis! You're the only one who can do anything to him!" Kluo said.
King Ignis Ashguard didn't say anything but his gaze was on Gorg. The general in question was shaking, as he felt the golden gaze of the king that gave off no emotion.
"Gorg, you will remain in the city to help with the repair."
"Yes, your majesty."
King Ignis' gaze slid to the man standing just to his right, a tall figure, with blond curly hair and golden eyes.
The man caught Ignis' eye and produced a charming smile. "Yes, father?"
"Lorca Ashguard, take some men and find the second prince."
Lorca's smile grew. "But of course father. I need to make sure my little brother is safe after all."
A tense silence followed.
Some advisors grimaced, others shifted uncomfortably. But no one dared speak except for Enuya, who broke the hush with a voice edged in concern.
"My king?" Enuya's words hung in the air, uncertain.
Ignis' gaze swung to the advisors, his tone final. "Lorien's fate and punishment will be decided upon his return. The desert will still believe he is inside of Activia so there is not much to worry about other than the beasts and disasters."
King Ignis' words made everyone slowly nod their head. As even if people had seen the second prince, they would still subconsciously deny it's him. The first reason is the prince changed his appearance with the marking on his face, new hairstyle and adding black into his hair. The second reason is the lockdown of a person is extreme monitoring of multiple high level Ascendants and restricted to a room. No one would think the second prince would be able to escape and be wandering the desert.
The very few who believe he had escaped and recognize him somehow. Wouldn't dare to acknowledge him, willingly staying ignorant of the prince's identity.
"Until then, you are all dismissed. Night is approaching, sound the bell to have residents put out the lights and close up" King Ignis finished.
"Yes, your highness!" The reply was crisp, but the tension lingered as the advisors hurried out.