"What are you implying, Hinabi?" Duke Hector Valeria demanded, rising from his seat, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What's the meaning of this? Who is this Dragon Emperor Bahamut?"
Duke Yamashiro appeared lost in thought, as if deciphering a hidden message. Duke Herman stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "Duke Hector, your ignorance is understandable. The Valeria lineage isn't among the original rulers of Baranesta."
"Regania, Hiroshi, Xiao, and Syailendra are bound by an ancient oath to the continent of Bornika. Each province is under the guardianship of a divine entity."
"Ten millennia ago, our ancestors swore fealty to four celestial beings, the Grand Aeons."
"These Grand Aeons reside within their respective provinces, their existence a secret known only to the original ruling families."
"The mysteries of one province are concealed from the others. Dragon Emperor Bahamut slumbers in Xiangdu, Demantra Ent'tra is rooted in the Thousand Flower Archipelago, Mythria reigns over Baranesta, and Karasu Tengu watches over Yamashiro."
"Six centuries past, before our discord, their existence faded from memory, and Bornika enjoyed a fragile peace. But the Alden Temple sought to rekindle those memories, proposing the unification of Bornika into a single empire."
Duke Hector settled back into his chair, realizing the depth of his unfamiliarity with this history. The Regania family had relinquished power to his, recognizing their scholarly contributions to Baranesta.
Queen Yukihiko Regania, weary of the endless strife, ascended the throne, forming the Jindara Kingdom with Yamashiro, Baranesta, and the Thousand Flower Archipelago. Xiangdu stood alone, their defiance fueling the flames of war.
Duke Herman resumed his tale, his eyes fixed on Hinabi's solemn nod.
"As centuries turned to millennia, they were forgotten. Alden alone preserved their memory. And six hundred years ago, war erupted, a struggle for dominion over the remaining Grand Aeons."
"Alden unveiled the history of humanity, from its very genesis. Each family held this knowledge, yet they remained silent."
"Bahamut lies in a deathlike slumber, his whereabouts in Xiangdu unknown. Demantra Ent'tra has transformed into a colossal tree, its roots anchoring Mandaraka."
"Mythria and Karasu Tengu refuse to be pawns in human ambition. They perceive our inherent flaws, our susceptibility to evil and greed. They chose to observe, not to intervene."
"War engulfed our predecessors. Driven by a vision from Mythria and Karasu Tengu, our ancestors retreated to the Thousand Flower Archipelago, foreseeing the birth of the Jindara Kingdom."
"These visions were channeled through the temple's high priestesses, twins born in every generation, their lineage always from Mandaraka."
"They wield the 'Maha' power, their minds intertwined, like Hanabi in Mandaraka and Hinabi in Alden, their connection forged by the three provinces' union."
"And now, we stand at the precipice. Xiangdu covets Bahamut's power, seeking to awaken him from his slumber."
"My instincts tell me they succeeded. But Bahamut's sibling intervened, ending his awakening before it began. Rivotra's wrath consumed Xiangdu."
"Am I mistaken, Hinabi?" Duke Herman Syailendra sought confirmation from Hinabi.
"No, Duke Herman. And Queen... may I..." Duke Takeshi interjected, his voice firm. "Hinabi, allow me to handle this."
"Queen, what did you reveal to Lin Mei Xiao about their origins? An ancient, unofficial text from the Hiroshi family, former weapon merchants, suggests they descend from the Garudeya lineage."
Duke Herman was taken aback, as were the Marquess and Marchioness. But Lance Garudeya, standing behind Hinabi, was the most shaken. He yearned to confront the Queen, to demand answers.
The Garudeya family was a rarity on this continent, yet Lance restrained himself.
The Queen's head remained bowed, her forehead resting on her hands, as Herman spoke.
"To recount their tale would consume precious time. I understand Xiao's descendant, General Guan Lin Xiao, is embroiled in the conflict."
"Hinabi, Duke Herman. May I request the dragon-slaying forces to apprehend General Guan?"
Hinabi and Duke Herman exchanged a silent look. "We agree," Duke Herman conceded. "Rivotra's involvement leaves us no room for delay."
"I shall take my leave. Let me lead the ground forces to Xiangdu, to confront the armies from the Ramon continent." The Queen nodded her assent.
"Lance!" Duke Herman addressed Lance Garudeya. "It's time to bury the past and unite." Lance understood, nodding in agreement. "I apologize for my past arrogance. I've come to my senses."
"Prepare yourself. Halt the war in Baranesta. The dragon-slaying forces are yours to command."
"Marchioness Lyra of Raflesia Island and Marquess Tommy of Lily Island, you shall serve under Lance Garudeya. Make haste and depart with him."
The two nobles from the Thousand Flower Archipelago rose, bowing to the Duke and Queen, then joined Lance.
Queen Yukihiko's gaze lingered on Lance, a hint of unspoken history in her eyes. "Lance, tread carefully, and return to us." Her brow furrowed with concern.
Lance and the two nobles departed, their mission to quell the flames of war.
***** *****
In the Present Day...
Lance dove from the heavens, Tom ascended from the depths!
Their Wyverns, streaks of lightning, pursued the agile Umbra. Lance, spear in hand, aimed for the beast's wings, seeking to cripple it. Tom, his gaze fixed on Umbra's legs, sought to unbalance the creature.
Umbra, however, was a formidable adversary. Its nimble movements defied their attacks.
Its wings, suffused with an eerie purple glow, disoriented their Wyverns. The mysterious rider, perched atop Umbra's back, sneered at their futile efforts.
"You dare challenge us? We are one. You stand no chance!" The rider's voice echoed through the sky, a chilling blend of confidence and power.
Lance and Tom refused to yield. They pressed their assault, searching for a chink in Umbra's armor. But each strike was met with uncanny evasion. Umbra retaliated with razor-sharp claws and teeth, forcing their Wyverns into desperate maneuvers.
The battle raged in the Bornika sky, a symphony of Umbra's roars, the wind's howl, and the clash of weapons.
Lance and Tom, though outmatched, showed no fear. They were seasoned warriors, surrender anathema to their spirit.
"Tom, flank him from behind!" Lance yelled, attempting to coordinate their assault.
"On it!" Tom replied, guiding his Wyvern to evade Umbra's deadly claws. "We'll catch him off guard!"
They launched a synchronized attack, Lance charging from the front, drawing the rider's attention, while Tom circled behind, aiming for Umbra's vulnerable flank. But the rider anticipated their move, spinning Umbra to intercept Tom's attack, his spear a blur of deadly intent.
The rider's spear struck Tom's Wyvern, piercing its chest. The creature shrieked, plummeting towards the earth.
"Tom!!" Lance's cry was a raw expression of grief and rage.
Tom, his face ashen, tried to brace for impact, but it was too late. Umbra, a predator of unparalleled speed, descended upon him, its claws rending his body.
Lance, his friend's death a searing wound, steered his Wyvern towards Umbra, his heart a furnace of vengeance.
"You bastard!" Lance Garudeya's voice was a primal roar.
He unleashed a final, desperate attack, his spear a thunderbolt of righteous fury.
"For Tom!" he bellowed, his spear finding its mark.
Lance's spear struck Umbra, piercing its hide. The creature howled, its control broken, and crashed to the earth, the rider still clinging to its back.
Lance, his breath ragged, watched their fall. He had won, but the cost was unbearable.
His Wyvern wounded, Lance turned away, seeking to rejoin the vanished Garuda.
His anger still smoldering, Lance couldn't believe Tom was gone.
They had been comrades since their days at the Mandaraka military academy, their bond forged in shared trials.
Tom was his brother in arms, his closest confidant. Lance swore a blood oath of vengeance.
Below, Umbra and the rider lay motionless. Umbra's wounds were grievous, the rider seemingly unconscious.
But an eerie transformation was underway. Their bodies pulsed with the same purple light that had emanated from Umbra's wings.
Suddenly, Umbra and the rider vanished in a blinding flash. Lance, still reeling from his grief, looked back in astonishment. He didn't comprehend what he had witnessed, but he knew the battle was far from over.
He resumed his pursuit, his Wyvern following Garuda's trail towards Alden.
Hours melted away as Lance traversed the rugged terrain of Baranesta, his Wyvern's wings growing heavy with exhaustion. Finally, he spotted a serene lake nestled within a valley, its entrance a narrow passage between towering cliffs.
He landed his weary companion, leaving it to rest, and approached a nearby cave, its entrance aglow with an otherworldly light.
Whispers, like a woman's voice, echoed from within. Lance, his heart pounding, ventured into the darkness.
The cave was a labyrinth of damp rock, the whispers growing louder with each step. At the far end, a faint glow beckoned him forward.
He emerged into a vast chamber, a stone altar at its center, upon which rested a colossal crystal orb.
The orb pulsed with the same purple light as Umbra's wings. An unsettling dread washed over Lance, a primal instinct screaming at him to flee.
He raised his spear, charging towards the altar. The orb levitated, spinning faster, its purple light intensifying, the whispers escalating into a cacophony.
Lance hurled his spear, but it was met with an invisible barrier, an energy shield protecting the orb. The orb retaliated, unleashing a blinding wave of purple light, throwing Lance against the cave wall.
A figure materialized before him, a woman of ethereal beauty, her hair a cascade of golden white, her body a masterpiece of curves.
Her lips, a blooming pinkish red, parted as she spoke, her voice a melodious whisper. "Mortal, thank you for my release."
Lance's Wyvern, its loyalty unwavering, landed beside its fallen master, a protective growl rumbling in its throat.
"Such devotion, yet such insolence. Did my brother Demantra neglect your training?" the woman's voice echoed, her words an incomprehensible melody.
The Wyvern shrank back, its head lowered in submission. "You are grievously wounded," the woman observed, her gaze softening. She gathered herbs, crushing them between her fingers, and applied them to the Wyvern's wounds.
"You will heal. Guard your master until he awakens," she instructed, her touch gentle, before vanishing into the shadows.
Time slipped away unnoticed.
When Lance regained consciousness, he found himself outside the cave, the entrance now a gaping wound in the earth. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the valley.
He mounted his Wyvern, his mind a whirlwind of unanswered questions, and set course for Alden.
***** *****
Aboard Garuda, Jade and Company...
"Behold! The capital of the Jindara Kingdom, Alden!" Jade exclaimed, his voice filled with awe, as he pointed towards the glittering city.
"Yes, Alden. We have arrived," Hinabi replied, her gaze drawn to Jade's handsome features.
The city unfolded beneath them, a tapestry of twinkling lights, a celestial constellation fallen to earth.
The main thoroughfares, rivers of gold, cut through the darkness, their banks lined with bustling shops and vibrant taverns.
Towers, their architecture a symphony of nature and technology, pierced the night sky, their spires adorned with shimmering lights.
Temples, their golden domes bathed in moonlight, radiated an aura of serenity. Residential districts, a kaleidoscope of colors, exuded a warm, inviting charm.
In the distance, a night market throbbed with life, its stalls overflowing with exotic wares and tantalizing aromas.
Gardens, oases of tranquility, reflected the moon's gentle glow, their fountains whispering tales of the city's past.
Mei Mei, her eyes wide with wonder, was captivated by the spectacle. Alden, a city of dreams, where reality and fantasy intertwined.
"It's... breathtaking," she breathed, her gaze sweeping across the cityscape.
General Guan, his gaze fixed on the city below, was lost in contemplation, his heart heavy with regret.
His love for Lin Mei, a blind devotion, had led him astray. He now faced the consequences of his actions.
"Indeed, Alden is a city of unparalleled beauty," Hinabi agreed, her voice laced with pride. "The heart of the Jindara Kingdom, a beacon of trade, culture, and innovation."
"I long to explore its wonders," Jade confessed, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Our time is limited," Luna reminded them, her tone laced with urgency.
"We must report to the Queen, to seek her counsel. And we must implore her aid for General Lance, who may be in grave danger."
Hinabi, her gaze fixed on the city's twinkling lights, nodded in agreement.
Her thoughts were consumed by Lance, her heart heavy with concern. She prayed for his safety, for their paths to converge once more.
Garuda, its wings beating in time with their anxious hearts, descended towards Alden, carrying them towards the heart of the kingdom. Below, the city pulsed with life, its lights a beacon in the night.