Chapter 12: Saquin and Brimar
The sky above was a tapestry of deep indigo and fiery red as Relia flew back toward the Southern Kingdom, the wind cutting past her as she sat atop her dragon. Risha laying unconscious on it.
Her golden eyes narrowed as memories of the recent battle replayed in her mind.
"It was a clone!" She shouted out.
Each strike, each blow, only to realize, that it had been a clone that she later killed—She had been fooled.
Vampires turned into ashes at death, while his clone turns into SP mist. This was her train of thoughts, as she had killed a fair share of the clones during the fight.
During the fight, the vampire kept getting weaker, she thought it was as a result of her golden SP corroding his insides which was the normal result she gets from long term fights. But thinking back now, it is more like he noticed the effect of her SP and let her think that way to make the clone swap more smooth.
And what sealed the deal was that he somehow made the clone turn into ash rather than SP mist at death.
How did she figure it out now? It is due to the small vampire ash she had collected afterwards, turning into SP mist.
"Ha, dammit." She screamed as she pulled her golden hair. "I didn't even get his name."
A mere clone. The thought stirred anger within her, but with the first rays of dawn breaking over the horizon, she sighed, letting her frustration dissipate into the morning light. She had already crossed into the Southern Kingdom's skies; there would be no turning back now.
---
Meanwhile, back in Brimar Forest, dawn broke gently over the trees, casting long, golden rays across the dense foliage. Saquin sat alone on a large boulder in the center of the decimated clearing, his appearance once again that of a handsome young man. His eyes, now soft and blue like polished sapphires, gazed upon the rising sun with an almost serene calm.
[ A vampire enjoying sunrise, how ironic. ]
"..."
[ The "art of killing", huh ]
"..."
[ I wonder how a supposedly 'village boy' can be so experienced at fighting and killing to the point of making it a Art. ]
"Haha, a village boy?" Saquin asked back with an unbelieving tone.
[ ... Aren't you a village boy anymore? Cause I clearly remember you telling me you have lived in that village your whole life. ]
"I did live there but that doesn't warrant me just being a village boy, after all, the things we have done during our stay in that village is insane to say the least." Saquin replied, a reminiscing smile on his face.
[ We? ]
"Yea, 'We'. I had a lot of friends before they started leaving, to go see the outside world they said. Well, now, I am the same. Just... that I left a desolate village not a peaceful one."
[ ... ]
The faint sound of rustling leaves reached his ears, growing louder by the second until, in a sudden blur of movement, a figure materialized beside him, kneeling gracefully. She was a demi-human, her eyes a sharp, amber hue, and her movements fluid and catlike, embodying the speed and agility of her kind. A were-cat, level six. She moved with the confidence of someone well-acquainted with the forest. Her silvery fur shone faintly in the early light, hinting at the power she held.
"Ruler of Brimar Forest," she addressed him in a tone of respect, her head bowed slightly.
"Who? Me?" Saquin asked, without turning to face her.
"Dread may have held the title before, but his duty was distant; he slumbered more than he ruled. The responsibility of keeping order and protection now lies with you. My lord."
Saquin's gaze remained on the horizon, his expression thoughtful as he absorbed her words. The term "ruler" lingered in his mind, a heavy mantle he had neither expected nor want.
He turned his attention to her, studying the new ally who had come to acknowledge him.
"And you are?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with quiet authority.
"I am Lira, guardian of these lands in Dread's absence," she replied, lifting her head to meet his gaze with unflinching loyalty. "There is much you should know, and many matters to settle. Brimar is vast, and its creatures are restless; they need a leader who will guide them."
Saquin considered her words, a flicker of intrigue sparking in his eyes. Though he had come to Brimar only seeking refuge, it seemed fate had laid a different path before him. But, of course, Saquin isn't really a fan of fate.
He looked to the forest around him, the sounds of birds awakening and creatures stirring in the morning light filling the air. The forest felt alive, responding to him as though it, too, awaited his command.
Sup mythic, what's the meaning of this?
[ Certain types and levels of beings are capable of territorial bonding. It comes in different versions and sizes like houses, castles, seas and forests like this one. When you killed Dread, you became capable of bonding to this territory. I can help you with the bonding. ]
[
Would you like to bond to the Brimar Forest?
-Yes-
-No-
]
What are the benefits?
[ They are different kinds of benefits that can be gained from the bonding depending on the territory. As this is a forest that has its own inhabitants, you would have a certain level of authority over the inhabitants, you will also receive power boosts from the forest as long as you are in the forest floor. Growth rates increases, full area awareness of the forest, Sapping of vitality from the forest, forcefully power boosts by absorbing from the forest inhabitants, inhabitants stampede and so on. ]
Hmm, nice. But how come Dread never used it?
[ Two things. One, the dragon pride. Two and the most important part, he pretty much died before having any chance to use it. I am pretty sure the three level 7s couldn't bring out their all due to being killed so suddenly. Especially, that commander. ]
Fair enough.
"Tell me, Lira," he said, his voice soft yet commanding, "what must a ruler of this forest do?"
Lira's eyes gleamed, a glint of respect growing as she answered. "First, to maintain the delicate balance of power here, ensuring no creature threatens the peace or disrupts the order. Second, to enforce the laws of the forest, as laid down by the 'Balogun' and upheld by Dread. And finally…" She hesitated, a faint trace of something darker crossing her face. "There are… intruders—forces that wish to claim this forest for their own. You must drive them out."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Saquin's lips as he looked back at the rising sun. "Then let them come. I'll show them why they should fear Brimar's new ruler."