บท 14: Chapter 12: Sigrid
Far away in a different dimension from Ray's destroyed world, there was a planet called Agana.
About Agana, this world was indeed very peculiar. The entire planet was purely made up of land that was dark red in colour as if soaked in blood. There wasn't a single bit of water on the surface. But that didn't mean there wasn't any water, river or sea. Then where were those? They were underground. There were countless rivers or springs all over the world connected like complicated net in the underground. But there was only one sea around the equator surrounding the world like a giant belt. The rivers from both sides of equator merged with the sea. The residents of Agana called the sea as the ' death belt ' of Agana.
Because the sea expended a large extent the ground above it was fragile. Some places were so fragile and moist that if anyone took a step on it unknowingly it would engulf the person in the darkest depth of the sea and never to be returned again.
The majority of the tree leaves here were also red because of the special ingredients present in the ground. So from the Space the world looked like a red bead glowing softly with warm red gleam.
The farthest north of this world was occupied by a large empire called, ' Wynn Empire '. In the middle of this vast empire in a particular prosperous area there stood a magnificent domineering palace which could make even the Earth's most capable architect's head down in shame. The palace in that moment was bathed in the soft morning sunshine and it's smoothly curved surface was glittering like precious diamonds.
In a large room of this palace, a youth about 15 years old was lying peacefully on a king sized bed. His distinct handsome facial features still gave a childish vive. His soft black hair curled to reach his shoulder. The boy's soft fair skin without any blemish could urge someone to pinch it. The morning sunlight slowly fell on his face from the window. The youth frowned slightly in his sleep.
Suddenly the door of the room opened with a loud bang. The youth abruptly woke up with a fright and turned around to find the source of this unknown disturbance.
A overenergetic, about 20 years old youth came like a sudden storm in the room. There was immense excitement and happiness plastered on his face.
" Sigrid, what are you doing still sleeping about?! Look at you, not a ounce of tension on your face. Do you know i haven't had a single bit of sleep in the whole night because of anxiety?! It's your result coming out but i have to do the tension!!"
The youth on the bed or Sigrid rolled his eyes towards his elder brother in irritation.
" Who told you to be tensed all night?" Sigrid rubbed his sleepy eyes. He wanted to sleep some more but gave up on it at last. Cause now that his hyperactive elder brother was here sleeping could be seen as a distant beautiful dream. If he could maintain his temper because of his brother's constant useless chattering he would be really thankful.
Sigrid's elder brother Laszlo, a powerful fighter was also the eldest prince of Wynn Empire. His talent and perception in cultivation were of top-notch. Laszlo was only twenty but his political views and capabilities in governing the empire had already surpassed their father, the king. His only shortcoming was, he was a hopeless chatterbox in front of his loved ones.
Yesterday was the day when every youth of 15 years was tested for their cultivation talent. Every year this specific day would create a lot of commotion in the empire. The result would come out the next day. So the youths and their families would remain tensed all night. After all it would decide their future. Although all the residents started their cultivation from very early age, after this specific day's test one would decide whether they would continue on their cultivation journey or not. As the first stage of cultivation was almost same for everyone but as the steps proceeded it would solely depend on their talent on how far they could go.
But Sigrid was not tensed at all. The main reason was his outstanding elder brother. He thought process was as such - Even if he didn't have any talent in cultivation he could just rely on his brother and spent the life peacefully. Anyway he didn't like fighting or politics related things. But looking at his brother's overexcited face it seemed his talent in cultivation was quite high. ' what a drag ' Sigrid thought in annoyance.
" Anyway just guess the result?" Laszlo asked. His motive was to create a suspense for his younger brother. But his overexcited expression gave away his true intension.
" A high grade talent like you?" Sigrid asked nonchalantly as he descended from the bed to wash up. He was just about to ask the maids to bring water when brother suddenly laughed out loudly. Sigrid almost had a heart attack. He glared at Laszlo, " why are you stupidly laughing for?"
Laszlo ignored his younger brother's glare and smiled ear to ear, his happiness overflowing. He gripped Sigrid's shoulder affectionately and said, " My brother, today i am truly happy for you. The examiners said that your talent had exceeded beyond measure. The purity of mana essence in your dantian and your affinity of mana are so high that you may even reach the so called legendary emperor realm in the future." He paused slightly to take a deep breath. He was so excited that, as if it was his own talent.
" Do you know mom and dad are so happy that they are organising a big banquet to celebrate. And all the neighbouring empires and even the enemy empires have been invited. After all we have to flaunt about you now that you will reach emperor stage in the future...ha ha ha ha..."
Laszlo again started to laugh. " Well come for breakfast first. Mom and Dad are waiting for you. I will leave you to wash up.....ha ha ha..."
Laszlo left while laughing loudly as if he was affected with laughing gas. But at that moment Sigrid was in no mood to express joy. His face was full of black lines. He really didn't like to cultivate or fight so why he had to have this much talent. Talent meant more responsibilities. He sighed and thought pitifully, ' I just want to live peacefully. Damn it. why do i have to suffer? ' Sigrid sighed again heavily, then washed up and went to have breakfast with his family. At this moment he didn't know that his life had yet to turn upside down by an enormous storm And he would have to go through such mental pressure that it would almost break him down. And he would know the real meaning of suffering.
Two days later.....
These days at the time of having meals the big dining table would always be filled with chaos. Sigrid's little sister, his mom and dad had all became legendary chatterboxes like his elder brother, each surpassing the other. Their immense enthusiasm gave a headache to the despairing Sigrid. So after thinking a lot he decided to ignore their words completely and concentrated on his meal. It was just that every time his sister, brother and parents finished a topic they would stare at him intensely for his opinion. And every time he would really feel uncomfortable under their gaze as he hadn't listened a bit of their nonsense.
That day was like any other days. His family was constantly chatting about him, their pride and he was eating silently. When suddenly the butler who had never once disturbed their meals rushed inside and kneeled down.
" Your majesty, please pardon this lowly one. But there's really a urgent matter to report."
Sigrid's father, king Arthur sat up straight, his previous casualness was gone completely. He knew if not extremely urgent the butler would not be in such a hurry to report. The other family members had also became serious. Even Sigrid's ten year old little sister Emily understood the matter was urgent and obediently followed the nanny to her room. Before turning twelve years old king Arthur forbade anyone of the royal family to involve in the complicated politics.
King Arthur commanded, "Okay, you can start."
The butler didn't bit around the bush and said in a trembling voice, " Your Majesty the archmage Cletus had issued a warning notice on our empire and some of our enemy empires had collided with him to attack us."
" What?!!" Arthur exclaimed in disbelief. Cletus was the first ever mage to reach the archmage realm. Although he was a little weird every empire respected him. Cause with his power he could destroy any empire with a little effort. Until now no-one has reached at the equal level in cultivation in term of fighters. So among the mages and fighters he was the strongest.
Wynn Empire had no enmity with him so....
Arthur asked with a dark face, " Why?"
The butler was hesitating for some reason," Your majesty he want...he want....." The butler stuttered.
" Speak clearly. What does he want?" King Arthur gritted his teeth. ' So he wants something.' Arthur thought. ' I hope it will be over if i give him the thing he wants.' He didn't have the capability to resist this powerful mage. He hoped the mage's demand was reasonable.
The butler was as if in a dilemma. He at last raised his head and looked at Sigrid, then asked in a low voice as if pleading, " Your majesty pardon this lowly one's daringness but can we speak in private?"
" Just speak up here. This two princes had to handle the future matters later on in my stead." Arthur ordered. He understood that the butler didn't seem to want to disclose the matter in front of his sons....no particularly in front of his youngest son.
The butler as if helpless finally spoke up, " Your majesty the archmage wants the youngest prince."
There was deep silence in the dining room. Sigrid was stunned...' Me?'
" What nonsense are you speaking?" Arthur roared. Sigrid's mom, Queen Zina tightly grasped his hand under the table. Laszlo's face was solemn.
King Arthur quickly composed himself and asked, "Why does Cletus want the youngest prince? Does he want him as his disciple ? But the test result showed he would develop as a fighter not a mage."
" Your majesty the archmage doesn't want him as his disciple." The butler's voice trembled slightly.
"Then what?!!!! Damn it!! Why don't you speak clearly?!!" King Arthur was so tensed that he forgot his manners.
" Your majesty...the archmage's cultivation is stuck in the peak of archmage realm for a long time so..so..he wants to use the prince's huge mana affinity and...and.....made the prince's body as a vessel to suck mana to reach the saint realm."
"Wha.. what???"
Queen Zina almost collapsed. For a moment king Arthur couldn't say anything. His king like aura was as if stolen from him. He couldn't imagine this was actually happening. Amidst them Laszlo raised his face at last. His eyes were red rimmed. Laszlo's heart was as turbulent as a sea undergoing ferocious storm but he appeared calm on the surface. In his mind there's only one thought, ' I have to protect my little brother ' . He looked at Sigrid who was a little dazed.
Laszlo calmly said, " Sigrid, go to your room. Don't think of anything. Your dad and I won't let anything happen to you. Go now.."
Sigrid looked at his brother and silently walked out of the room. As he reached further from the room he happened to listen his mother's muffled sobs. He quickened his walking pace and reached his room then closed it. From his confused eyes a single tear drop flowed out. He remained strong in front of his family but he was after all only a 15 year old boy. His mind was in total chaos. He questioned himself, " Why is this happening? I just wanted to live a peaceful life. Just a simple wish. why is the world so cruel?"
" Cruel you say....maybe.... because you are weak...ha ha ha" Suddenly like a devil's whisper a unknown creepy voice spoke in his mind.
Sigrid sat up straight and looked cautiously around him. He tried to maintain his solemn expression and asked," Who are you?"
"Well don't waste your time in finding me. I am speaking to your mind directly from another empire. As for who am i, haven't you heard already?....ha ha ha...i am archmage Cletus."
Sigrid froze for a moment. He panicked inside but still maintained his calm on the surface," What do you want?"
" ha ha....you of course. You better give yourself to me otherwise it will be both hard for you and your family. You know i will use your body as a vessel for a little more than half a year. You just have to bear for this few months and then you will peacefully die and will be free"
" But if you delayed it i will slowly destroy your empire bit by bit and then kill your family members painfully in front of you before using you. I will mentally break you apart... So isn't it better to directly die? I advise you to come to me obediently. I have already prepared the transportation circles in your empire....."
" You will come to me if you are sensible. After all you yourself know, no-one can save you in this world...ha ha ha....." the voice laughed hysterically.
"Shut up, Shut up, Shut up.." Sigrid screamed. The voice stopped. Sigrid lied on the bed, coiled himself into a ball and sobbed silently.
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