"What dost thou imply, Hinabi?" Duke Hector Valeria demanded, rising from his seat, his brow furrowed in bewilderment. "What is the meaning of this discourse? And who is this Dragon Emperor Bahamut of whom thou speakest?"
Duke Yamashiro appeared lost in deep contemplation, as if striving to decipher a hidden message within Hinabi's words.
Duke Herman stepped forward, his gaze unwavering and filled with ancient knowledge. "Duke Hector, thy ignorance in this matter is understandable. The lineage of Valeria is not amongst the ancient houses that first ruled Baranesta."
"The houses of Regania, Hiroshi, Xiao, and Syailendra are bound by an ancient oath, sworn to the very continent of Bornika. Each province is under the sacred guardianship of a divine entity, a power beyond mortal ken."
"Ten millennia ago, in the dawn of our history, our ancestors did swear fealty to four celestial beings, the Grand Aeons, whose power shaped this land."
"These Grand Aeons abide within their respective provinces, their existence a secret passed down through the ages, known only to the original ruling families of Bornika."
"The deepest mysteries held within the bounds of one province are concealed from the knowledge of the others."
"Dragon Emperor Bahamut slumbers in the heart of Xiangdu, Demantra Ent'tra is rooted deep within the Thousand Flower Archipelago, Mythria holds sway over Baranesta, and Karasu Tengu watches over the lands of Yamashiro."
"Six centuries past, before the shadow of discord fell upon our realms, their very existence faded from the memory of most, and Bornika enjoyed a fragile peace."
"A respite from strife. But the wise of the Alden Temple sought to rekindle those ancient memories, proposing the unification of Bornika into a single, mighty empire."
Duke Hector settled back into his chair, a dawning realization upon his face of the depth of his unfamiliarity with this ancient history.
The noble house of Regania had relinquished the seat of power to his own, recognizing their scholarly contributions to the prosperity of Baranesta.
Queen Yukihiko Regania, weary of the endless cycles of strife that had plagued the land, ascended the throne, forging the Jindara Kingdom from the provinces of Yamashiro, Baranesta, and the verdant Thousand Flower Archipelago.
Xiangdu alone stood defiant, their isolation and ambition fueling the flames of war that threatened to consume them all.
Duke Herman resumed his somber tale, his eyes fixed upon Hinabi, who offered a solemn nod of confirmation.
"As centuries turned to millennia, the memory of the Grand Aeons was all but lost to the common folk. Alden alone, through its ancient texts and wise scholars, preserved their sacred lore."
"And six hundred years ago, war did erupt once more, a bitter struggle for dominion over the remaining Grand Aeons, a conflict that threatened to tear Bornika asunder."
"Alden unveiled the long-forgotten history of humankind, from its very genesis in the mists of time."
"Each of the four ancient families held fragments of this knowledge, yet they remained silent, guarding their secrets with unwavering vigilance."
"Bahamut lies in a deathlike slumber, his resting place within Xiangdu shrouded in mystery, unknown even to many within that province.
"Demantra Ent'tra, in ages past, has transformed into a colossal tree, its roots anchoring the very islands of Mandaraka to the seabed."
"Mythria and Karasu Tengu, wise beyond the understanding of mortal men, refuse to be mere pawns in the petty ambitions of humankind."
"They perceive our inherent flaws, our susceptibility to the allure of evil and the corrupting influence of greed."
"They have chosen to observe our struggles from afar, not to directly intervene in the affairs of men."
"War engulfed our predecessors, brother turning against brother in their lust for power."
"Driven by a shared vision granted by Mythria and Karasu Tengu, our ancestors, the original rulers of these lands, retreated to the sanctuary of the Thousand Flower Archipelago, foreseeing the eventual birth of the Jindara Kingdom as a beacon of hope amidst the coming darkness."
"These visions were channeled through the temple's high priestesses, twins born in every generation, their lineage always tracing back to the ancient city of Mandaraka."
"They wield the potent 'Maha' power, their minds intertwined as if they were but a single soul, like Hanabi in Mandaraka and Hinabi in Alden, their connection forged and strengthened by the union of the three provinces."
"And now, we stand upon the precipice of a new age. Xiangdu, in its arrogance and thirst for power, covets the might of Bahamut, seeking to awaken him from his age-long slumber, to bend his will to their own dark purposes."
"My instincts, honed by centuries of study and understanding of these ancient forces, tell me they succeeded in their dark endeavor.
"But Bahamut's sibling, a power yet unknown to us, intervened, ending his awakening before it could fully take hold. Rivotra's wrath, fueled by this thwarted ambition, consumed the entirety of Xiangdu in its fiery embrace."
"Am I mistaken in my understanding, Hinabi?" Duke Herman Syailendra sought confirmation from the wise priestess.
"Nay, Duke Herman, thy words ring true. And Queen... may I..." Duke Takeshi interjected, his voice firm and respectful. "Hinabi, allow me to address Her Majesty in this matter."
"Queen, what knowledge did you reveal to Lin Mei Xiao concerning their ancient origins?"
"An ancient, unofficial text from the Hiroshi family, who were once merchants of fine weaponry, suggests that they are descended from the noble lineage of Garudeya."
Duke Herman was taken aback by this revelation, as were the Marquess and Marchioness who stood nearby. But Lance Garudeya, standing silently behind Hinabi, was the most visibly shaken by these words.
He yearned to confront the Queen directly, to demand answers to the questions that now burned within him.
The Garudeya family was a rare sight upon this continent, their history shrouded in the mists of time, yet Lance, with great effort, restrained his immediate impulse.
The Queen's head remained bowed, her forehead resting upon her trembling hands, as Herman continued his grave discourse.
"To recount their entire tale would consume precious time that we can ill afford in these dire hours."
"I understand that Xiao's descendant, the General Guan Lin Xiao who now leads the remnants of Xiangdu's forces, is deeply embroiled in this conflict."
"Hinabi, Duke Herman. May I humbly request that the dragon-slaying forces be tasked with apprehending General Guan?" Duke Takeshi's voice held a note of urgency.
Hinabi and Duke Herman exchanged a silent, knowing look, their understanding passing between them without words.
"We are in agreement," Duke Herman conceded, his voice grave. "Rivotra's involvement in these events leaves us no room for further delay or indecision."
"Then I shall take my leave. Allow me to lead the ground forces towards the ruins of Xiangdu, to confront the armies that have crossed over from the Ramon continent and now threaten our very borders." The Queen nodded her assent, her face etched with worry.
"Lance!" Duke Herman addressed Lance Garudeya, his voice carrying a note of both authority and understanding.
"It is time to bury the grievances of the past and to stand united against this new threat." Lance understood the unspoken weight of these words, nodding his head in solemn agreement.
"I offer my sincerest apologies for my past arrogance and shortsightedness. I have at last come to my senses, realizing the true danger that now faces us all."
"Prepare thyself, Lance. Issue the command to halt all hostilities in Baranesta at once. The dragon-slaying forces are now thine to command, to lead as thou seest fit in this perilous hour."
"Marchioness Lyra of Raflesia Island and Marquess Tommy of Lily Island, you shall serve under the command of Lance Garudeya. Make haste and depart with him upon this urgent mission."
The two nobles from the verdant Thousand Flower Archipelago rose to their feet, bowing deeply to the Duke and the Queen, then joined Lance, their faces set with determination.
Queen Yukihiko's gaze lingered upon Lance for a long moment, a hint of unspoken history and perhaps a touch of lingering sorrow in her eyes. "Lance, tread carefully upon thy path, and return to us safely." Her brow furrowed with concern for the former general's well-being.
Lance and the two nobles departed the chamber, their mission clear: to quell the flames of war that still flickered in Baranesta and to prepare for the greater conflict that lay ahead.
***** *****
In the Present Day…
Lance dove from the heavens with the swiftness of a falcon, while Tom ascended from the depths of the forest below with equal haste!
Their loyal Wyverns, streaks of lightning against the azure sky, pursued the agile Umbra Stryx. Lance, spear held firm in his grasp, aimed for the beast's massive wings, seeking to cripple its flight.
Tom, his gaze fixed intently upon the Umbra's powerful legs, sought to unbalance the monstrous creature.
Umbra, however, was a formidable adversary, its movements fluid and unpredictable. Its nimble aerial maneuvers defied their coordinated attacks, twisting and turning with uncanny speed.
Its wings, suffused with an eerie purple glow that seemed to pulse with dark energy, disoriented their Wyverns, making their flight erratic. The mysterious rider, perched confidently atop Umbra's broad back, sneered down at their seemingly futile efforts, a cruel amusement in his sharp eyes.
"Thou darest to challenge us? We are as one, bound by a power you cannot fathom. You stand no chance against the might that now courses through our veins!"
The rider's voice echoed through the vast expanse of the sky, a chilling blend of unwavering confidence and terrifying power that sent shivers down their spines.
Lance and Tom refused to yield to despair. They pressed their assault with renewed vigor, searching for even the slightest chink in Umbra's seemingly impenetrable armor.
But each strike, each thrust of their spears, was met with an uncanny evasion, as if the beast could anticipate their every move. Umbra retaliated with razor-sharp claws and teeth, forcing their Wyverns into desperate, evasive maneuvers to avoid its deadly attacks.
The battle raged fiercely in the skies above Bornika, a chaotic symphony of Umbra's deafening roars, the howling wind whipped up by its massive wings, and the sharp clash of weapons as steel met scale.
Lance and Tom, though clearly outmatched in terms of raw power, showed no sign of fear. They were seasoned warriors, their spirits forged in the fires of countless battles, and surrender was anathema to their very nature.
"Tom, flank him from the rear! We must break his concentration!" Lance yelled above the din of the battle, attempting to coordinate their desperate assault.
"On it!" Tom replied, guiding his Wyvern with skillful precision, narrowly evading Umbra's deadly claws as they swiped through the air. "We'll catch him off guard with a swift strike!"
They launched a synchronized attack, Lance charging head-on, drawing the rider's attention with a feigned attack, while Tom circled rapidly behind, aiming for Umbra's vulnerable flank, hoping to exploit a moment of weakness.
But the rider, his senses preternaturally sharp, anticipated their maneuver, spinning Umbra with astonishing speed to intercept Tom's attack, his long spear a blur of deadly intent as he thrust it forward.
The rider's spear struck Tom's Wyvern with brutal force, piercing its chest. The magnificent creature shrieked in agony, its wings faltering as it plummeted towards the unforgiving earth below.
"Tom!!" Lance's cry was a raw, heart-wrenching expression of grief and unbridled rage, a sound torn from the depths of his very soul.
Tom, his face ashen with pain and shock, tried to brace himself for the inevitable impact, but it was too late. Umbra, a predator of unparalleled speed and ferocity, descended upon him with terrifying swiftness, its razor-sharp claws rending his body with brutal efficiency.
Lance, his friend's tragic death a searing wound upon his heart, steered his Wyvern with grim determination towards Umbra, his heart now a raging furnace of vengeance, fueled by his profound loss.
"You bas***!" Lance Garudeya's voice was a primal roar of anguish and fury, echoing across the blood-stained sky.
He unleashed a final, desperate attack, his spear transformed into a thunderbolt of righteous fury, propelled by his grief and rage.
"For Tom!" he bellowed, his spear finding its mark with deadly accuracy, piercing Umbra's thick hide.
Lance's spear struck Umbra with a resounding thud, piercing its tough hide. The monstrous creature howled in pain and surprise, its control broken by the unexpected attack, and crashed violently to the earth, the mysterious rider still clinging desperately to its back.
Lance, his breath ragged and his body trembling with the aftermath of the battle, watched their fall with a mixture of grim satisfaction and profound sorrow. He had won this desperate skirmish, but the cost was almost unbearable.
His own Wyvern wounded and weary, Lance turned away from the fallen beast and its rider, seeking to rejoin the vanished Garuda and his companions.
His anger still smoldering like a dying ember, Lance could scarcely believe that Tom was truly gone.
They had been comrades since their earliest days at the prestigious Mandaraka military academy, their bond forged in the crucible of shared trials and tribulations.
Tom was more than just a fellow warrior; he was his brother in arms, his closest confidant, the one person who truly understood him. Lance swore a silent blood oath of vengeance against the mysterious rider who had taken his friend's life.
Below, Umbra and the rider lay motionless amidst the wreckage of their violent descent. Umbra's wounds were grievous, its lifeblood staining the earth, while the rider appeared to be unconscious, his body twisted at an unnatural angle.
But an eerie and unsettling transformation was now underway. Their lifeless bodies began to pulse with the same ethereal purple light that had emanated from Umbra's wings during the battle.
Suddenly, in a blinding flash of intense purple light, Umbra and the mysterious rider vanished from the face of the earth, leaving behind only scorched earth and the lingering scent of ozone.
Lance, still reeling from the shock and grief of his friend's death, looked back in utter astonishment at the empty space where they had lain.
He could not comprehend the strange phenomenon he had just witnessed, but he knew in his heart that the battle was far from over, and that greater mysteries lay ahead.
With a renewed sense of urgency, he resumed his pursuit, his wounded Wyvern following the faint trail left by the Garuda as it headed towards the distant city of Alden.
Hours melted away like snowflakes in the sun as Lance traversed the rugged and unforgiving terrain of Baranesta, his Wyvern's powerful wings growing heavy with exhaustion from the arduous flight.
Finally, as dusk began to settle upon the land, he spotted a serene lake nestled within a secluded valley, its entrance a narrow passage between towering, jagged cliffs.
He landed his weary companion gently beside the tranquil waters, leaving it to rest and recover its strength, and approached a nearby cave, its entrance aglow with an otherworldly, ethereal light that pulsed with an inner energy.
Faint whispers, like the gentle murmur of a woman's voice carried on the breeze, echoed from within the depths of the cave. Lance, his heart pounding with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, ventured cautiously into the encroaching darkness.
The cave was a labyrinth of damp, moss-covered rock, the whispers growing louder and more distinct with each step he took into its depths. At the far end of the winding passage, a faint, beckoning glow illuminated the darkness, drawing him further inward.
He emerged into a vast, cavernous chamber, its ceiling lost in shadow. At its center stood a stone altar, ancient and worn by time, upon which rested a colossal crystal orb that pulsed with the same unsettling purple light as Umbra's wings.
An unsettling dread washed over Lance, a primal instinct screaming at him to flee from this place of strange power.
He raised his spear instinctively, charging towards the altar with a surge of adrenaline. As he approached, the orb levitated silently into the air, spinning faster and faster, its purple light intensifying, and the faint whispers escalated into a deafening cacophony of voices that seemed to swirl around him.
Lance hurled his spear with all his remaining strength, but it was met with an invisible barrier, an energy shield of immense power that protected the orb from any harm. The orb retaliated with a blinding wave of pure purple light, throwing Lance back against the cold, damp cave wall with considerable force.
As he lay stunned upon the ground, a figure materialized before him, seemingly out of thin air. It was a woman of breathtaking, ethereal beauty, her hair a cascade of flowing golden white that shimmered in the dim light, her body a masterpiece of graceful curves and delicate features.
Her lips, the color of a blooming pinkish-red rose, parted slightly as she spoke, her voice a melodious whisper that seemed to resonate within the very stones of the cave.
"Mortal, thank you for my release from my long imprisonment."
Lance's loyal Wyvern, its devotion unwavering despite its wounds, landed beside its fallen master with a soft thud, a protective growl rumbling deep within its throat as it sensed the presence of the mysterious woman.
"Such devotion, yet such insolence towards one of the Grand Aeons.
Did my brother Demantra neglect your training in the proper respect due to beings of our stature?" the woman's voice echoed through the chamber, her words carrying an incomprehensible melody that both soothed and unnerved him.
The wounded Wyvern, sensing the immense power radiating from the woman, shrank back slightly, its head lowered in a gesture of submission. "You are grievously wounded,"
the woman observed, her luminous gaze softening as she looked upon the injured beast. She gathered several vibrant herbs growing nearby, crushing them gently between her slender fingers, and applied the poultice to the Wyvern's wounds.
"You will heal quickly now. Guard your master well until he awakens," she instructed the Wyvern, her touch surprisingly gentle, before vanishing silently into the deepest shadows of the cave, leaving Lance alone once more.
Time slipped away unnoticed as Lance lay unconscious upon the cold stone floor.
When he finally regained consciousness, he found himself lying outside the cave, the entrance now a gaping wound in the earth, as if some great force had ripped it open. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long, eerie shadows across the tranquil valley.
He mounted his Wyvern, his mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions and unsettling visions, and set course once more for the distant lights of Alden, his heart filled with a sense of foreboding.
***** *****
Aboard Garuda, Jade and Company…
"Behold! The magnificent capital of the Jindara Kingdom, Alden!" Jade exclaimed, his voice filled with awe and wonder, as he pointed towards the glittering city that lay sprawled before them like a jewel.
"Yes, Alden. Our journey is at its end," Hinabi replied, her gaze drawn almost involuntarily to Jade's handsome features, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.
The sprawling city unfolded beneath them like a vast tapestry woven with threads of twinkling lights, a celestial constellation that had somehow fallen to earth and taken root.
The main thoroughfares, rivers of liquid gold in the fading light, cut through the darkness, their banks lined with bustling shops and vibrant taverns, the sounds of merriment rising to meet them.
Towers of intricate design, their architecture a harmonious symphony of nature and advanced technology, pierced the inky night sky, their spires adorned with shimmering lights that danced like fireflies.
Temples with their majestic, golden domes bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, radiated an aura of profound serenity and ancient wisdom. Residential districts, a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors and architectural styles, exuded a warm and inviting charm.
In the distance, a sprawling night market throbbed with life and activity, its myriad stalls overflowing with exotic wares, enticing aromas of foreign spices and freshly cooked delicacies wafting upwards on the cool night air.
Tranquil gardens, oases of serenity amidst the bustling city, reflected the moon's gentle glow upon their still waters, their fountains whispering ancient tales of the city's long and storied past.
Mei Mei, her eyes wide with childlike wonder, was utterly captivated by the breathtaking spectacle that lay before her. Alden, a city seemingly plucked from the realm of dreams, where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blurred into insignificance.
"It's... breathtakingly beautiful," she breathed, her gaze sweeping across the vast cityscape, taking in every detail with wide-eyed amazement.
General Guan, his gaze fixed upon the city below, was lost in deep contemplation, his heart heavy with the weight of regret and remorse for his past actions.
His love for Lin Mei, a devotion that had blinded him to the truth, had led him down a dark and treacherous path. He now faced the daunting consequences of his choices, the fate of his people hanging precariously in the balance.
"Indeed, Alden is a city of unparalleled beauty and wonder," Hinabi agreed, her voice laced with a note of quiet pride. "The very heart of the Jindara Kingdom, a vibrant beacon of trade, culture, and innovation that draws people from all corners of Bornika and beyond."
"I long to explore its wonders, to walk its ancient streets and discover its hidden secrets," Jade confessed, his eyes sparkling with youthful anticipation at the prospect of experiencing this legendary city firsthand.
"Our time is limited, young one," Luna gently reminded him, her tone laced with a sense of urgency that belied the beauty surrounding them.
"We must make our report to the Queen with all due haste, to seek her wise counsel in these dark times. And we must also implore her aid for General Lance, who may now be facing grave danger in his pursuit of the enemy."
Hinabi, her gaze fixed upon the city's twinkling lights, nodded in solemn agreement, her thoughts far away, caught in a web of worry and concern.
Her heart was heavy with thoughts of Lance, her former comrade and friend, and she prayed silently for his safety, for their paths to converge once more amidst the gathering storm.
Garuda, its powerful wings beating in perfect time with their anxious hearts, descended gracefully towards Alden, carrying them swiftly towards the very heart of the kingdom.
Below, the city pulsed with vibrant life, its myriad lights a welcoming beacon in the encroaching darkness of the night.