Chương 17: Chapter 17: Aetheris Arbor
The early morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the grand court as King Gario, my father, convened a special session to officially welcome me back from the perilous journey.
The court was buzzing with anticipation. Agartha, the warriors and I had returned alive, a feat in itself, and the court wanted to know how we survived the encounter with the legendary beast.
Agartha sat beside me, regal in her posture despite the strange stares she received. Her presence was majestic, draped in a flowing gown that seemed to absorb the light around her.
My father stood proudly, his chest puffed as he raised his hands to quiet the room.
"Today," King Gario began, his voice resounding through the hall,
"we honor not only the return of my son, Prince Damian, but also the bravery of the warriors and the wisdom of the sorceress Agartha, who have faced a threat no one thought possible. Damian, come forth."
I rose from my seat, walking to the center of the room where all eyes were on me. I glanced around, my thoughts running back to the beast, its monstrous size, and the terror it had brought upon us. Clearing my throat, I began my speech.
"People of Akifous, we ventured far into the unknown, and we faced the unimaginable. The beast is no myth—it is real, and it nearly cost us our lives. But we survived. Not by luck, but by strength, strategy, and the aid of Agartha."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a crude caricature sketch of the beast, drawn from memory. The court erupted in applause as I held it up. The image captured the creature's fearsome form—its serpentine body, fish-like scales, and the dragon-like appendages.
"But this victory is not complete," I continued, the room quieting again. "We confronted the beast and lived to tell the tale, but it remains out there, waiting for another opportunity. We must prepare, restrategize, and train. Agartha is our main weapon, and we need to strengthen our forces."
I nodded toward Agartha, signaling for her to rise and speak. She stood gracefully, her voice calm but commanding.
"The beast we encountered is no ordinary creature," Agartha said, her eyes sweeping the room. "It originates from the underworld. I was... shocked to see it here. Such a beast should not be on this plane of existence. There is only one explanation—an open portal. Somehow, the barriers between our world and the underworld have weakened, allowing it to escape."
The court murmured nervously, exchanging worried glances.
"To send this beast back, we must find the portal it came through," Agartha explained. "Once it is located, I can banish it back to where it belongs. But this will require immense power, more than I currently possess. I need time to train, to grow stronger, before we face it again."
The court responded with thunderous applause, though a few faces still showed signs of concern.
Then, an elder from the court stood, his expression serious.
"What if Damian and the sorceress do not succeed?" His voice echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention. "Would Damian still be worthy of becoming king if the beast is not defeated?"
A heavy silence fell over the room. My father shifted uncomfortably on his throne, his eyes darting to me. The question hung in the air like a blade, waiting to strike. I rose to my feet again.
"It doesn't matter who becomes king," I said, my voice firm. "Akrifous already has a great king, and he has many sons. What truly matters is that we protect our people from this beast. The survival of our kingdom is the priority—not the crown."
The room was still for a moment before murmurs of agreement spread through the court. My father nodded in approval, though I could still see a hint of unease in his eyes.
♤♤♤
By afternoon, I had headed to the training square, where my trainer, Einar, was already waiting for me. His eyes sparkled with respect, and the others in the square seemed to hold me in higher regard than when I had left.
"Your highness," Einar said, bowing his head.
"Let's begin," I said, drawing my sword, eager to get back into the rhythm of training.
Einar eyed me cautiously.
"Your highness, don't you think we should start with a wooden sword for today?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"A wooden sword? Is that what I'll need to defeat the beast?" I retorted, irritation creeping into my voice.
"Maybe," came a soft, familiar voice from the entrance. I turned to see Agartha strolling into the square, her eyes sparkling with amusement. She picked up a wooden sword that lay against the wall.
"Agartha," I said, watching her with curiosity as she approached.
She twirled the wooden sword with ease, her expression thoughtful.
"I spent the night reading ancient texts about the beast," she began, her tone serious now. "There's something important I discovered."
"What is it?" I asked, sheathing my sword for the moment.
"The beast can only be pierced by a weapon crafted from the wood of a specific tree," she explained. "The Aetheris Arbor."
I frowned, the name unfamiliar. "The Aetheris Arbor? What kind of tree is that?"
"It's incredibly rare," Agartha said. "In my lifetime, I've only seen it once. It grows in Persia."
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building.
"How are we supposed to get to Persia before the beast strikes again?"
Agartha chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"We may not have to go that far. There's a chance it could exist somewhere in Akrifous. We just need to search."
I immediately called for two messengers.
"Search the entire kingdom," I ordered. "If there's even a single Aetheris Arbor in Akifous, I want it found."
For the rest of the evening, I buried myself in the library, poring over ancient tomes, determined to find every piece of knowledge I could about the beast.
But even as I studied, my thoughts drifted to Agartha. If her powers drained her so much after every encounter, how would she ever be strong enough to banish the beast?
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