They confronted roughly a dozen armed bandits with swords and daggers as they hurried out of the village. They had to figure out a way to get away now. When they neared them, the bandits advanced. Their haughty grin only prompted Freia to edge closer to David. David didn't abandon his optimism. He continued to believe that they would be rescued in the end but as seconds turned to minutes, he started feeling nervous.
"Calm the hell down" Smacking himself, he yelled.
The armed bandits looked at David strangely. With a bloodthirsty dagger, one of the bandits dashed toward David. He swung his dagger at David. David drew back but tripped. The dagger sliced the air just inches above David's head as David fell on his butt.
Freia was forced to kneel by one of the bandits, who grabbed her by the neck. She was taken hostage. Freia's eyes begged David to save her, but how could he when he was on death's door?
"David!! Help me, please!" Pleaded Freia.
"I want to! Can't you come up with something?" David replied.
David had to save her. He had learned how to disarm a person in self-defence training, though he simply practised with plastic blades. When the bandit attacked again, David struck the bandit's wrist and dislodged the knife from his grip. He seized the knife and hurled it at the bandit holding Freia hostage. The bandit dodged, but he relaxed his hold on Freia.
Freia broke out of the bandit's grip and pulled out a crimson ball. It burst when she hurled it in the air. There was a sudden, loud noise that resounded out over the area. Everyone gave Freia scared looks as she approached David. David wondered why they were so afraid, and he quickly realised why.
*Clip-Clop* *Neigh*
The neighbourhood was soon filled with the sound of horses. Silver-clad soldiers were charging at the bandits. They had greatswords at their disposal. It was a mess. In vain, the bandits made an effort to flee for their lives. Humans can never outrun horses. A bandit was stabbed by a soldier and instantly collapsed, never to see daylight again. The number of bandits soon decreased, and when the last bandit was eventually killed, the conflict ended as soon as it had begun.
One of the soldiers approached Freia.
"Princess Freia, we are here to save you." Said the soldier as he bowed his head.
What?! She was a princess all along?!
"Good. Now lead me over to my mount. I'll be travelling with David over here to Fior." Freia signalled David to follow her as she gave the order. When they were prepared, they departed for Fior.
After four days...
They arrived in Chrysos, or 'the city of gold,' which was Fior's capital. The capital was nestled between the draconic hills. The air smelled of money and spices. There were people everywhere, both consumers and merchants. David marvelled at the city. Every building had a unique colour scheme and design. Every building exuded an aura of wealth and power. The crowd moved aside when they saw a princess of Fior riding in the direction of the palace. The crowd hastily bowed down as Freia passed by them. Since the royal family rarely left the castle, many were surprised to see the entourage.
They got close to a palace made of towers that seemed to touch the clouds in the sky. It reminded David of the La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It was made with expensive marble, the floors were tiled with what appeared to be Brazilian walnut flooring with marble pillars and golden Chandeliers. David entered the palace with an expression of astonishment. They got down from the horses. David's butt was paining as he was sitting on the horse for hours. As they entered the palace, he started to feel uneasy but ignored it. Soon, he started feeling nauseous and his head started spinning. He grabbed onto a soldier for support but fell as his vision became black.
It was dark. In the darkness, David was not able to see anything, although he did notice a speck of light. The speck of light began to near him. Closer. Closer until it resembled the shape of a human.
"A suitable heir shows up at last. I am the past, the present, and the future," the figure said as it continued, " I am both one and many. I control time, to put it simply."
"What?!"
David started panicking.
"Do not fret for I am Tempus, the deity of time and the mind. Gods cannot directly interfere in human matters. So we gods choose disciples to represent us every hundred years. I am choosing a disciple for my current pupil, Fabian, who will soon reach his 100th year of service, and you are worthy. When you follow me, you will have the ability to read everyone's thoughts and bend time to your desire. No longer will you remain weak. You gain fame and respect from the entire world!!! Do you accept?"
To be honest, the offer was tempting. Who wouldn't want to be famous and strong?
"I was afraid as I fought the bandits. I felt....weak. Although I have experienced this feeling before, this time I was protecting someone. I betrayed the trust that someone placed in me. I don't want to return to being weak and although some might call me a fame-seeking person, it's true. I have been humiliated and ignored my whole life. I...can't stand it anymore. I want to be known and respected." Said David with a resolute expression.
"Great! Although becoming one of my disciples will make you stronger, I must warn you that the path ahead is difficult and lengthy, and only those who put in the most work will make it to the end."
"I agree,"
"Very well. I, Tempus, the grand overseer of time, choose you as my disciple. Tomorrow morning, meet Fabian. I'll let him know of your decision."
The darkness faded away and David was met with an unfamiliar environment. He was lying on a bed. Freia came running at him and hugged him.
"I'm relieved you're still alive," Freia said.
"What are you saying?"
"You barely had a pulse!" Freia said.
"I'm okay right now," said David.
"Good. I want you to meet my father. He is at the table waiting for you." After saying this, she beckoned for David to follow. She led him into the dining room. Large chandeliers and marble pillars lined the inside. There were butlers and maids around, serving food. He met three other people. There was a man there with golden eyes and black hair. A small flicker of recognition appeared when he spotted David, but he kept it very well hidden. Amelia, his wife, had ice-blue eyes and blonde hair and their eldest daughter Amber looked like her mother in every way.
"You put your life in danger to save my daughter. We are in your debt. Every time you visit Fior, you will be protected and safe. I feel like we've known one other for years even though we have just met. If any other man had been in your shoes, he would have run away. Let's rejoice since we now have a new family and friend!" Gold announced. His voice was familiar but David couldn't put a finger on it.
David cried tears of joy as soon as he took his first bite. He ate a dish known as sugarboom. It looked like a cupcake but when he took the first bite, a heavenly and sweet aroma filled his lungs and chocolate sauce and vanilla puree flooded into his mouth. They ate, enjoyed themselves and went back to rest.
After a good night's sleep, he encountered Freia.
"Hello David! Did you sleep well?" Said Freia.
"I did, indeed. I've been staying at an inn for the past few days, where the bed creaked and the bar was filled with people laughing and singing."
"Good, by the way, Fabian, the Time mage, has asked for your presence. He is someone who controls time and is greatly admired and respected. No one knows his actual age. So, speak to him with respect. I have been wanting to be his disciple for so many years but alas, he has always rejected my offer." Freia said grumpily.
" I guess he knows who has talent but which tower does he reside in?" David asked.
He received the directions from a grumpy Freia, and soon David arrived in front of Fabian's tower. When he entered the building, he was greeted by a vast room known as 'the hall of time.' There were dozens of armours, wands, and swords available. They all had the symbol of an hourglass.
"I, Fabian, await you in the library of Tempus," said a loud voice.
David was surprised, maybe even a bit afraid. He went upstairs to the library, which was a quarter the size of a soccer field. Books on his left and right, Fabian was busy reading a book. He had gentle features with a faint smile on his face. When Fabian noticed David, he smiled. He closed the book he was reading and made his way to David.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Fabian. You must be David. I see that you are not from around here." Asked Fabian.
"No, I am not." Replied David.
"Master Tempus had informed me of your arrival and his decision. He has chosen a talented heir this time. Let's get started with the training, shall we?"