Oblivion Saga

Vragor

As the echoes of our battle started to fade, the intense mana waves lingering dispersed across Valeria, a result to our battle. I thought to myself as I made my way back to the altar to put my backup plan into action. The altar was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of blood and flesh, a fitting environment for the ritual I was about to conduct. Kaldor followed behind me, still processing the events that followed. It looked like he wanted to ask something but hesitated.

As I started activating the runes in the altar's surface, he finally mustered the courage to open his mouth. "Your Majesty, forgive me for questioning your decision, but why did you chose to seal him rather than killing him? Even sealed, his powers still remain formidable." he asked while kneeling before me. I let out a small chuckle before answering his question, "Killing him would be a waste, Kaldor. He is more valuable to me as a pawn." Kaldor still kneeling, asked further, "Pawn? How do you plan on using him that way? A man of his potential-" 

"That seal is not only meant to confine him and seal his powers but also strip him away from his sanity and his sense of self." I cut Kaldor off before he could continue. "In due time, he will be nothing but a cold killing machine." Kaldor's eyes grew wide as I allowed myself a small chuckle. "Imagine it Kaldor, a force of nature serving under only me as a pawn. A pawn that will cut down any enemy without hesitation."

"I understand that he has a lot of untapped potential and will be a valuable asset. But why him? First, the human child and now him?" he hesitated to continue any further, afraid he might over step.

"The power he wield is unlike anything. That beast will of his is no ordinary power. It holds the fragment of a Pegasus power, a race tied to one of the 3 creators of the universe. The first Pegasus to ever exist who is all the ancestor of all Pegasus, is said to have the power to control time and maintained balance when the universe was created." I answered his question making myself clear why he is important to my plans. 

Kaldor slightly tilted his head, his confusion evident. "The Pegasus is one of the creator of the universe? Do you truly believe such a power can be controlled?"

"That's just the power of the the first Pegasus. It doesn't mean all Pegasus has the same power. Besides, I don't plan on merely controlling it rather that power will become mine." I let out a cold laugh, the very thought of wielding such power sent a thrill to me. "With that power coursing through my body, no one- not the gods, not the deities and not even the creators will dare mess with me." The silence that followed was thick, broken but the spark of flames around us. Kaldor lowered his gaze, his hesitation and uncertainty now replaced by reverence. 

"You are truly second to none, Your Majesty." he murmured his gaze down.

As I turned my focus back to the altar, I moved my hands with precision and each stroke of glow on the runes drew mw closer to my goals. The substitute souls i required would arrive in few days and this time not even Sylphira would be able to stop it. It wouldn't be long before the pieces fell into place and when they do, the whole world will bow before me.

Arthur

It's been a year now since I was reincarnated in this world. In my past life, I took pride in my capabilities to remain at top in both academics and sports. However, none of them compared to the moment of pride am feeling right now.

As I took my first baby steps on my own two legs, my parents felt proud. "My Art can finally walk now!" my father shouted from behind, his proud tears steaming down his face. I thought, suppressing the urge roll my eyes.

I started to make my way toward the large mirror, staring at my reflection for the first time. Until now, I could only catch glimpses of myself while crawling or laying down. But now, standing on my own, I could finally see myself clearly.

Dark brown hair, soft and slightly messy, framed my small face- a trait inherited from my mother. And my sharp bright azure blue eyes, were undoubtedly inherited from my father. My facial features were still under developed and babyish, but I could see myself being refined and handsome in the future. I smirked to myself, admiring my ! year old reflection.

"Aw, Art is looking himself in the mirror. How cutee!" my mother screamed excitedly, catching me smirking.

The rest of the day passed as usual. My mom had developed the habit of tucking me into bed each night, her soothing voice which I never grew tired off. "Good night, sweet dreams, Art." she whispered, pressing a soft kiss on my forehead. Her warmth was comforting and I fell asleep each night feeling safe and loved.

The next day was the day of our outing to the local town of Essos. The bustling streets and lively atmosphere were always a thrill to experience but something particular caught my eye. I spotted a woman healing a injured man, her hands glowing faintly same as my mother when she healed me.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I pointed at her and managed to mumble "That...?" my mother noticing my interest, smiled and explained "She's a healer, Art just like me. It's a rare and unique form of magic that allows someone to restore mana and heal injuries. Unlike conjurers or augmenters, healers don't have any elemental affinity." 

I thought absorbing her explanation.

After returning home, I couldn't stop thinking about what I experienced. Magic existed everywhere in this world. I wanted to use magic soon too but to use magic, I needed a mana core first. The problem was that none of the books I read so far explained how to create one. They all stated it formed naturally but how?

Suddenly, a memory from my past life surfaced. An anime I'd once watched showed how the main character learns magic through meditating and sensing the flow of energy within their body. I sat cross-legged on the floor, closed my eyes and focused on my breathing and flow of my body. At first, I couldn't sense anything but as time passed, I began to sense faint fragments scattered within my body. The more I concentrated, the more these fragments started gathering toward the center of my body.

I realized, a surge of excitement coursing through me.

The process was painfully slow. Thousands- no, maybe millions of fragments needed to gather.

I sighed inwardly. Determined not to give up, I focused more harder, hoping the fragments move faster.

Suddenly, the atmosphere around me changed. A cyclone like force seemed to erupt in the room. Sparks of Lightning crackled from my fingers and droplets of water swirled around my body. The mana was uncontrollably overwhelming, leaving me no choice but to snap out of my meditation.

The room was a mess- books scattered, the furniture's upside down and even if I didn't have a mana core yet, I could feel the air thicker than before with the mana leftover.

"Art!" my father barged in the room, his voice in panic. His eyes got wide with concern as he scanned the room, "What happened here?"

I mustered my best teary eyed expression and answered, "Don't know...wind...strong.." My puppy eyes worked like a charm as always. No one would suspect a 1 year old kid causing all this mess.

"Thank goodness you're ok," my father sighed in relief as he pulled me for a hug. "Next time, if anything like this happens, leave the room and don't hesitate to call for me. I'll always protect you and Kiara, Art." His voice held a hint of regret, as if haunted by a past failure. 

I wondered briefly but I nodded obediently, playing the part of an innocent baby.

As he started investigating the damage, I sat amidst the pile of books, wondering what had just happened.

I didn't have the answers yet, but one thing was sure- this was only the beginning and the answer lied within me just waiting to be revealed.