《The Last Dragon Hunter》


 1 PROLOGUE

    In a stone chamber deep within the earth, hundreds of disfigured humans and trolls laid on the cold floor. Their swords, clubs, and hatchets drowned in a small pool of black blood.


    Drenched in the stench of death, some men finally gave out, throwing up the contents of their stomach while others fell on their knees¡ªhopelessness and fatigue in their eyes. They had raided the dungeon for three hours without rest, and they were lucky to survive the massacre.


    Meanwhile, those who still had strength helped in pulling the ropes. They dragged the headless body of a giant riddled of arrows and spears away from a cavern''s tunnel-like entrance.


    "That chieftain troll took out half of our troops, sir. A minute or more and all of us would have been dead if not for your heroic dive," a kneeling short-haired woman clad in a chain mail said. A bright green circular orb floated between her hands, closing the wounds of the man before her.


    A burly man with unkempt black hair grimly wiped the purple blood from his long sword while waiting for his injuries to fully heal. "How many are left of us?"


    "Aside from the two of us and that man," she said, her eyes trailed with contempt on the cloaked figure standing near the giant''s corpse, "three hundred tired soldiers, sir."


    The man nodded his head with weary eyes. He captained the expedition and arrived at the island with ten thousand strong men. Now, there''s barely any left of his troops.


    "I''m okay now," he said, "fools, what are you slacking for? Get those asses working and help clear the entrance!"


    With wobbly knees, most tried their best to stand up while the rest did not bother anymore¡ªsome closed their eyes with a sigh, others with a smile. They no longer bargained with fate.


    Every survivor counted, but the number dwindled without a fight.


    "Maybe, it''s time to give up, sir," the woman said.


    The captain tightly closed his eyes. He sighed as his nose flared. "No one''s going home as long as the treasure inside that cavern is not in my hand! Do you understand?"


    The woman squirmed as she nodded her head.


    "S-Sir, have you noticed that man there? He just stood on all our fights and did nothing. What''s his part in this hunt?" she said.


    "Hm. He''s here for whatever lurks inside that cave," he said. "Hey, dragon hunter! We saved you a bucket of sweat as agreed. Now do your part and scout the cavern!"


    A pair of blue eyes stared daggers at the captain before disappearing inside the cleared entrance.


    "That scum! Does he really think he''s special?" the captain said. He disapproved of the dragon hunter''s participation, but because of the king''s behest, it left him with no choice.


    After a minute of waiting, a blue light sparked inside the cavern.


    "It''s the signal! Light the torches and move the weapons!" the captain said. He led the remaining two hundred plus soldiers as they marched in single file to enter the narrow cave.


    One by one, they entered the cavern. It was vast. The collective light of their torches was like a lit match stick in a coliseum of darkness.


    "I can smell its rage. It''s coming!" the dragon hunter said. He raised both of his hands, and a ball of blue flame came into life.


    The blue light crawled into the curtain of darkness, slowly revealing the hidden things ahead. Something glistened.


    "Gold!" said a soldier. The wandering eyes beneath his helmet twinkled.


    The captain hushed him with a glare. He then mouthed something, and the soldiers discreetly moved into formation¡ªa hundred swords and shields in front, twenty archers at the rear, and the remaining members manned the five ballistas. Their strength renewed by the promising loot before them.


    Up ahead, veined black wings framed with gigantic bones draped over mountains of gold. If not for the monster guarding it, everyone would have dived in already and swam at the sea of treasures before them.


    The cavern shook as the dragon stirred. Waves of gold crashed on the floor, and coins rolled and rolled until they reached the feet of the frontline soldiers.


    "Hey, hunter! C-Can you really take this monster down?" the captain said. The majestic beast was way dangerous in person than in stories he read and heard in taverns.


    The hooded guy pushed the ball of flame. It slowly made its way towards the mountains of gold. He then took off his hood, revealing spiky orange hair like his head was on fire.


    The first frontline soldier reached by the coin licked his lips. He then lowered his shield to pick it up. As soon as he touched the gold, the cavern shook.


    Menacing red eyes flashed open, and a deafening roar followed.


    The captain gritted his teeth as he covered his ears. "Shields! Those at the back prepare to fire!"


    Chunks of rocks rained down, squashing to death those who were slow to take cover.


    The dragon''s neck blazed, preparing to incinerate everyone with its flames. However, what came out of its mouth was nothing but a puff of smoke.


    "Kill it! My blue flames won''t last!" With a grin, the hunter charged. Two scimitars flashed from the sleeves of his cloaks and blazed in a fiery blue aura.


    Blue-tipped arrows rained, and ballistas fired projectiles made explicitly for hunting dragons.


    With a wounded pride, the dragon thrashed on its throne of gold. Confused on why its flames prematurely died, it flapped its wings in cover, producing gales.


    The hunter weaved his way through the strong winds. He whirled one of his blades, and like a spear, it lunged, hitting the small gap between the wings¡ªthe beast''s chest.


    Hit! The scimitar pierced the dragon''s vital area. It then weakened the creature as it helplessly lowered its wings with a frail cry.


    Defenseless, the hail of arrows and spears rushed at the dragon. Its black scales hissed and melted at the touch of each projectile.


    Meanwhile, the hunter finally reached the foot of the mountain. He dashed his way up through the mound of golds, and with a leap, sliced off the dragon''s head in one swing like cutting through tender meat.


    "It''s d-dead! The dragon''s dead!" the captain said.


    The soldiers filled with unbelief froze before falling to their knees. It had been a long road, and they had risked their lives with no assurance of going home.


    With a headless guardian, the gold was all theirs for taking. The others madly rushed at the mountain of treasures.


    The captain no longer stopped them. "Take everything your eyes could see! Leave nothing!"


    However, the dragon hunter seemed unconvinced. His instinct kicked him to run.


    He gazed at the void beyond the seas of gold. His heart skipped a beat.


    Like a full moon in the night sky, an unamused yellow eye slowly opened¡ªthe monstrous glare of death.

 2 MASTER OF TRICKS

    With clear blue skies, the sun smiled at the peaceful Kingdom of Soden. Ruled by the Egberts for centuries, it occupied most of the fertile southern lands of the Sunsimoon Region.


    However, just like any place on the continent, the glorious Kingdom of Soden was far from perfect. Although in the past, legends said that it used to be a sanctuary of dragons where men and majestic beasts lived in harmony.


    ...


    In a five-hectare mansion loftily standing on the central district of Soden, the household of Misfeet Family was in complete disarray. The veins in Mister Piorquee Misfeet''s forehead¡ªthe patriarch¡ªwere about to pop. "You useless pieces of aargh! Find it at all costs! Now!" he said. Despite the supposedly tight security, the king''s entrusted treasure in his room''s vault was missing.


    The guards scrambled at the behest of Mister Misfeet while the other five stationed at his room were still snoring. They slept in peace, not knowing that they''d wake up jobless and in prison.


    Meanwhile, in the narrow alleys of Soden''s slums known as Bunya, knights were in a frenzy. The shut, shabby stone houses linked to each other like tombs made their grand chase tricky. They''re after an infamous thief. The notorious man that has challenged the Kingdom''s peace ever since he learned to run¡ªVance Valfern!


    "Aha! I finally found you, Valfern! Stop or I''ll shoot!" a knight with a bow and round belly said.


    The black-hooded man with a leather sack bag on his shoulder paused. With a hand raised, he slowly turned around to face the familiar knight. "Come on, Rigert. I''ll give you two silver coins this time."


    "No! I won''t compromise my honor!" Rigert said with his chin raised high, "I''ll earn more if your arse is in prison!" With an arrow notched to his bow, he inched his way towards Valfern.


    "Five silver coins then! That''s my limit. Take it or..." Valfern''s ears picked up the marching of feet¡ªat least five pairs. He then darted away from where he stood.


    "You''re courting death!" Unwilling to let his target escape, Rigert haphazardly released the string.


    The arrow swooshed to the side, far from the intended target. "Damn! Old age is getting into my nerves!" Rigert said.


    A door suddenly opened, and a yawning child rubbing her eyes came out of it. Innocent of the scene in the alley, Rigert''s arrow pierced her on the left shoulder, barely missing her neck.


    The girl wailed, and it echoed like the cry of poverty that even Valfern paused.


    "Stupid Bunya brat! You''re not supposed to come out if we''re around!" Rigert said. His eyes darted between the distant figure of Valfern and the bleeding child in the doorway.


    "I hate this part," Valfern said. He turned around and dashed back to the child.


    Rigert grinned. "Aha! You''re a blessing in disguise, child! Now, the mighty Rigert will capture this thief, thanks to you!"


    "Reinforcements!" One of the five knights fully geared from helmet to sabaton said. They''ve finally arrived at the entrance of the alley behind Rigert.


    Meanwhile, Rigert''s confidence swelled, and he continued to fire arrows on the charging Valfern, ignoring the paling child.


    Valfern zigzagged his way back to evade Rigert''s attacks, but the number of arrows suddenly increased. From the rear, two of the reinforcements sniped with their crossbows while the three with swords and bucklers charged.


    From his cloak''s inner pockets, Valfern took out three small, brown balls and locked each between his fingers. He then used his leather sack as a shield from inevitable arrows fired by the knights.


    He smashed the first ball on the floor, and it poofed with a cloud of brown smoke. It swallowed the charging three knights.


    Rigert and the other archers hesitated to fire as their visibility was in jeopardy.


    "Did they get him?" Rigert thought. "Hey, are you-"


    Rigert got his answer. Valfern dashed out of the smoke, throwing the remaining balls at them. Thick, brown smoke filled the alley, revealing their location.


    When the other knights arrived, the smoke already dissipated. They squeezed their way through the passage only to find six of their fellows snoring on the cold floor.


    "Give way!" a knight in black armor said. Beside him was a voluptuous woman in a red coat.


    The other knights cleared the way as the woman entered and examined the sleeping bodies. She opened their closed eyes, then nodded. "Same chemical used in the Misfeet''s mansion."


    "And the ingredients? They''re not that potent to induce a day of sleep, right?" the man in black said. He shook his head in disapproval.


    The woman was about to open her mouth when a knight claimed about a trail of blood. "Follow it! Hurry!" she said. "Is there any healer in Bunya?"


    "There''s only one! Come!" the man in black said.


    ...


    Valfern did not mind the blood trail anymore. The child''s life was on the line.


    At the end of a long dark alley that reeked with rubbish, he pounded on a wooden door. After his third knock, it opened.


    "Valfern?" a lady in a white dress said. "You''re not supposed to be here! Who''s this?" Behind her was the ruckus of men drowned in booze.


    "Anri, you look lovely today. Please do me a favor and take care of her."


    "I-"


    Valfern dashed out before the blushing Anri could say no. He left her with a dying kid and five gold coins.


    "Hey, lady! Give me more booze!" a customer said.


    With her dress drenched in blood, Anri returned inside carrying the child. "Bunya Tavern is closed today! Get out of here, fools!"


    ...


    Valfern stopped. He was about to leave the dark alley when the knights appeared. There were at least a hundred of them armed with swords, spears, and crossbows.


    "Don''t make any nasty move, Valfern! We know about your tricks!" one of the knights said. They slowly filled the alley.


    "Really? Have you not been told that a thief never runs out of tricks?" Valfern said. He stealthily dropped a small, red ball from the pocket of his cloak. It then rolled towards the enclosing knights.

 3 THE END OF A RECORD

    When Vance Valfern was a five-year-old kid, he learned the art of thievery. Raised and mentored by Bunya''s King of Thieves¡ªIgur, the boy survived by putting his life on the line.


    Hijacking the carts of usurious merchants, robbing the corrupt members of the king''s court at broad daylight, and stealing equipment from abusive knights were just among the few that Valfern pulled off. In these feats, there was no bloodshed nor imprisonment involved.


    For twenty-five years, Vance Valfern''s name earned its infamy¡ªthe one-call friend of the poor and the untouchable enemy of the rich!


    ...


    "Watch out!" a knight said. Red smoke hissed from the feet of his fellow who blindingly stepped on the ball dropped by Valfern.


    In just a few seconds, a cloud of thick red smoke enveloped the first batch of knights crowding in the alley. It stung their eyes and bit on their flesh.


    "Arghhh! Capture that fool!" the acting leader of the knights said. He fell on his knees, unable to endure the searing pain. "You may break his bones, but bring him alive!"


    Those who were outside the smoke closed their eyes and held their breath as they charged through it. Unable to see the path, they bumped at each other. As a result, they ended up delaying their chase as the pungent gas eventually entered the holes in their bodies.


    "Steady!" the one leading the archers from the rear said as the red smoke dispersed.


    Meanwhile, Valfern reached the end of the alley. He nodded in approval at the locked back doors of Bunya Tavern. "I''ll trouble you no more, Anri," he thought.


    One by one, arrows neared him. There''s only one path ahead, and a twelve feet brick wall blocked it.


    Valfern opened his sack and pulled out a grappling hook. "We''ve met again, my friend," he said. After whirling it three times, he hurled it on the other side. With a clang, the rope tightened. He then dropped the last ball in his pocket before pulling himself up.


    "I''ll see you on the other side, my friends!" Valfern said. The knights recovered and continued their chase while their arrows missed him by an inch or two.


    By the time the knights reached the wall, Valfern was already on the other side, and he left them a little gift¡ªa green ball. The lucky knight stepped on the jackpot, and a cloud of green smoke with the smell of rotten eggs rushed at their poor noses.


    ...


    After a few twists and turns in narrow alleys, Valfern came out of the outskirts. The burbling of water was like music to his ears as the fresh air caressed his skin. Across the river was a dense forest, and far ahead was the Southern wall of Soden.


    Valfern crossed through a narrow stone bridge and entered the woodland. Among the pine groves, a log cabin nestled itself in peace.


    "I''m home," Valfern said. The door creaked as it opened, and a long sword, an inch away from his neck, welcomed him. "Woah."


    A black-armored man with gray hair smiled at Valfern. "Come in. Slowly, lest I slip and cut your neck."


    On the bed, a man in his late seventies sat in silence. Standing beside him was a woman in a red coat.


    "What took you so long?" the woman said. "Heal him, old man. He''s got a wound. After that, the two of you can go to prison together."


    Valfern''s blue eyes widened. He wanted to speak, but the cold tip of the blade kissed his neck. A little more movement and blood would flow.


    "It''s a lucky day for us, Lady Leva. Who would have thought this healer here is Igur, the long-lost King of Thieves? Don''t you agree, Vance Valfern?"


    Valfern shrugged. "What do you want?"


    "We want the item back. Oh, and I almost forgot to remind you that the rest of Soden''s citizens could not wait to see your arse in the cell! So hurry, show your wound and let Igur heal you!" the gray-haired man said.


    "I''ve got no wounds, and this old man here has got nothing to do with this. Let him go."


    "I might let him go if you can satisfy my questions. The trail of blood. Was it there by mistake?" Lady Leva said.


    "Your men did that to an innocent girl," Valfern said, his gaze still fixed on Igur.


    "And what happened to that girl?"


    "A healer took care of her."


    "Bunya has another healer aside from the King of Thieves?"


    "Bunya has plenty of healers. I brought her to the nearest one."


    "Stark. Your report said the opposite," Lady Leva said.


    Stark coughed at the mention of his name. He cleared his throat. "And the item? You have it with you?"


    "What item are you talking about?" Valfern said.


    "Stop playing games! Do you think you can fool me?" Stark retracted his sword. He then pommeled Valfern by the stomach.


    Valfern let out a series of coughs. "Even if you beat me to death, I swear that I know nothing."


    "And you expect me to believe a thief like you? You and Igur have destroyed so many lives! It''s time to pay for your crimes!" Stark said.


    ...


    In a famous tavern near the capital, two men whispered at each other after a gulp or two of booze.


    "Have you heard?" a bald man said.


    "Is it what I think it is?" a scrawny man with a missing tooth said. "Did you sleep with the maiden serving us booze?"


    The bald man''s eyelids tightened. "Fool! Lady Leva Seraphim and Lord Floyd Stark caught two notorious thieves today!"


    "Woah! Those two are really something, huh?"


    "Yeah, you heard it right. And you would not believe who these thieves are."


    "Who are they?"


    "Igur Ramshackle and Vance Valfern."


    "No way! From what I heard, those two are heroes of Bunya. They rob the rich and feed the poor."


    "Fool! They''re still thieves no matter what."


    "Yeah, you have a point. What did those two pull off to warrant the attention of the King''s Reapers?"


    "I heard that they stole a treasure that belonged to the King from the Misfeet Family."


    "Woah! The mansion of those crocodiles is like a fort with many traps! How did they survive that den?"


    "Even I could not imagine that. But here''s the interesting thing. I heard that they''d been sentenced to death by the King. He will hold the proclamation in the public square before dusk."


    "You''re the fool then! It''s a quarter before dusk! Hurry!"

 4 CRIME AND PUNISHMEN

    Murmurs filled the public square in front of Soden''s majestic palace. A row of giant torches guarded by an army of knights separated the crowd from the platform where three figures knelt with execution hoods on their heads.


    "Citizens of Soden, I, Imogen Linchpin, Head of the King''s Council stand here tonight to speak on behalf of our beloved King Longdon Egbert XIII. Unfortunately, because of some sudden change in his physical condition, he won''t be able to join us," a man in a purple robe said. He stood behind a golden pulpit, carrying a scroll.


    Alarmed, the crowd stirred.


    Imogen, whose hair was long, curly, and blond, raised both of his hands. Silence and order followed.


    "But there''s nothing to worry about as the King is under the care of Soden''s best doctors," Imogen said. "So let me present to you these three fools! For years they''ve terrorized the innocent and plagued our Kingdom!"


    Raging flames from the torches painted the crowd with red as their faces scowled with hatred.


    "Their fate is now in my hands," Imogen said. He then nodded his head to a man in a brown robe with a giant silver ax resting on his shoulder.


    The executioner removed the cover of the one in a tattered shirt. With black and jagged teeth, the prisoner maniacally grinned like an unleashed beast. His unkempt hair and beard were long like a black lion''s mane.


    Everyone in the crowd, especially the women and children, gasped upon seeing his monstrous face.


    "Doug the Savage!" Imogen said. "This monster is guilty of abducting children and removing their innards. There are even rumors that he feasts on their organs. It was not until yesterday that our knights, led by Lady Luv Sranger, caught him hiding in the sewers-"


    "You beast! You murdered my child! Come here, and I''ll smash that-" A man from the crowd charged through the thicket of knights, but they quickly subdued him.


    Meanwhile, Doug howled in laughter. "Oh, I remember your daughter, old man. She was delicious!"


    "Shut him!" Imogen said. The executioner used the butt of his weapon and pommeled it on Doug''s head.


    Doug growled before spitting blood. "Was that your best shot? When I''m out of here, I''ll eat your fam-" The executioner stomped on his head, driving it to the marble floor and silencing him at last.


    Imogen continued. "The last two are infamous thieves from Bunya! Hiding in shadows, they pretended to be friends of men. However, today they''re finally caught by Lady Leva Seraphim and Lord Floyd Stark."


    The executioner removed the cover of the remaining two prisoners.


    "The long-lost Bunya''s King of Thieves, Igur Ramshackle, and his foolish apprentice, Vance Valfern! The King''s Council had deemed these two as guilty for stealing an artifact belonging to Soden from the mansion of the Misfeet Family."


    There was silence from the crowd. Igur in his old age¡ªgray hair and wrinkled skin¡ªfaced them with brown eyes full of dignity.


    Meanwhile, Valfern in his spiky black hair with a tinge of orange like embers was sullen. Without water and food for the past few hours, his vision blurred. He stared at the twisted faces of ridicule and detest as they jeered at him.


    "An old man like you deserves to die! Get lost!" someone from the crowd said. A tomato flew out and hit Igur''s left eye. The pebbles followed.


    A rough stone, the size and shape of a thumb, reached Igur. It grazed his temple before Valfern, whose chains tightly tied his hands, could stand up and shield him with the back of his body.


    "Vance, protect yourself. You still have a long way to go, kid. Stop wasting your life for an old boy like me," Igur said. Undisturbed by the chaos and the blood dripping from his forehead, he closed his eyes like in perfect peace. "Let them be."


    Valfern gritted his teeth. "Hey, Imogen! Do something!"


    The crowd was in chaos, but the knights stood in their position, pretending as if nothing happened. They only raised their shields to defend themselves.


    After a minute or two of violence, Imogen, shielded by two knights, raised his hands again, only then that the crowd stopped. "I understand the rage in your hearts, beloved citizens, but we''re better than these beasts," he said, unfurling the scroll. "Tonight would have been the death of these three, but through the council''s wisdom, we have decided that it would be an easy escape for them. So, we have enlisted them in Soden''s first-ever tournament of death! The event will begin tomorrow at noon, joined by other criminals, and those who just want to hunt these beasts or earn the King''s favor."


    An uproar followed. The crowd cheered like they''ve won a war.


    "Drag them to their prison cells," Imogen said as he strolled back to the palace.


    Valfern''s eyes widened, and his heart raced. He previously lived without fear of death, but the story changed as he stared at the helpless old man beside him, who still knelt in silence. "Imogen! You heartless bastard! Can''t you see that this man won''t be able to fight for himself?"


    Imogen paused. "Your deaths will be for our entertainment. That''s the only gift you could offer to this Kingdom."


    Valfern''s lips curled, and his blood boiled. He stood up and prepared to charge, but the butt of the executioner''s ax pinned him on the floor. Before he could protest, his vision darkened again.


    ...


    Chains dangled, and after a series of long steps, the temperature dropped. Someone kicked Valfern on his back, and he fell face-first on a damp floor. His sight then returned as someone finally took off his cover.


    Valfern''s vision blurred. The looming man before him was nothing but a distorted image.


    "For many years, you made fun of me! Now, look! Who''s got the last laugh, huh?" The man''s round belly bounced as he cracked in laughter. His voice buzzed like a cacophony of whispers.


    Valfern''s senses returned after a slap on his face. His left cheek seared with pain, and the figure before him finally cleared. "Rigert."

 5 PRISON BREAK

    "I never made fun of you. You know that!" Valfern said.


    Rigert spat at Valfern. "Lies! You made me a laughingstock to my fellow knights!"


    "So what are you suggesting? That I just stand there and wait for you and your kind to beat me to death? Is that it?"


    "Yes!"


    "Maybe somewhere in the future, I''d do that. But for now, please help me escape."


    "No! You''ll rot here until your death tomorrow!" Rigert said. The keys on his waist jingled as he moved out of the cell, carrying his helm between his right arm.


    Valfern stood up and rushed to the bars, a beat too late before Rigert shut and locked his cell. "Really, Rigert? You can withstand the death of your friend?"


    "I would have considered if your victims were ordinary people, but you stole a treasure that belongs to the Kingdom. My loyalty is to the King, and you''ve just crossed the line."


    "I don''t even know what treasure you''re talking about!"


    "Lies! They''ve already examined your stupid sack and found the artifact in there!"


    "No..."


    Moving away from Valfern''s cell, Rigert said, "You''ve been a good friend."


    "Wait! I finally found a cure for your mum. You won''t need to extort money anymore for her," Valfern said.


    Rigert stopped. He then marched back to Valfern''s cell, shaking the bars with his grip. "Don''t you dare use my mum''s name! Do you want to die now, huh?"


    "I just came back to Soden and searched for you when you chased me with a bow," Valfern said. "It''s an herb I found east from here, and it''s in my sack¡ªplenty of it. And an experienced healer like Igur can help your mum."


    "Valfern-"


    "I''m not lying, Rigert. You can check it for yourself."


    "Even if I wanted to, your sack is with the King''s Council. I''ll be dead before I reach the place."


    "It''s okay. Just let Igur out of here, and I''ll make sure he''ll cure your mother. He''s the only one who could pull it off."


    "I-I can''t. They''d cut my head off!"


    "Then, I''ll do it. Just let me out of here, and I swear on my grave that I''ll return to my cell once I''ve freed Igur," Valfern said. "If not for me, then at least do this for your mum."


    Rigert hesitated.


    "Rigert, we''re running out of time."


    "Damn you, Valfern! This better be true! You only have five minutes, ten at most, and if you''re not back by then, I''ll kill Igur myself!"


    Valfern nodded.


    With a turn of the key, the cell opened. "Quick!" Rigert said. He then unlocked the chains in Valfern''s hands. "Here''s the key to Igur''s cell! He''s in the first room of the lower floor. Don''t pull off anything foolish, do you understand?"


    "Thank you, Rigert. I''ll be back."


    "Wait. You must be hungry. I don''t want your stomach to be empty in case they catch you." Rigert grinned. He pulled out a hidden piece of bread from his helm.


    "Gross. Is this the reason your stomach bloated?"


    "Shut up and just take it! And never mention the pride of my manhood lest I cut your tongue!"


    Valfern gratefully took the bread preserved in Rigert''s helm. It smelled like a knight''s foot. "Where do Igur escape? Is there any secret door?"


    "There''s no secret door. Once you''ve successfully released him, return here. I''ll tell you the next plan after."


    Valfern nodded.


    "If trouble beyond my control comes, I''ll drop my helmet to let you know. You''re on your own after that," Rigert said, unstrapping the sheath from his waist. "Take this."


    "I''m no good with the sword. Do you have a dagger or a knife?"


    "You fool! If life gives you a sword, take it."


    Valfern chomped on the bread. "This will only delay me. Your bread is enough."


    "Go then! I''ll wait here!"


    ...


    Sneaking his way out of his cell, a series of dimly lit spiral staircase welcomed Valfern. Flickering torch lights lined the narrow wall and melding one''s shadow with darkness was nigh impossible.


    Valfern inched his way down, keeping himself near the wall. After two minutes, he finally reached the lower part of the dungeon. It had many cells lined to the left side, and each one was a few meters apart from each other. He then crawled his way to the said room of Igur.


    With a sack still on his head, Igur in his black robe slept on the floor. His chest heaved with his every labored breath.


    "Igur. I''m here," Valfern whispered. He then slowly placed the key in the lock and turned it with little noise as much as possible. It clicked.


    "Who''s there?" a familiar voice said from the distant room. Its bars shook as Doug tried to fit his head through the gaps. "Noice! Me too, kid! Let me out of here, and I''ll help you escape!"


    Valfern gestured him to quiet. He then entered the cell of Igur, but Doug cried out with a deep and loud guttural voice that reverberated throughout the entire floor.


    One by one, the cells rattled as their prisoners checked the situation outside their bars¡ªeach one called for help¡ªcausing a ruckus.


    With time not on his side, Valfern rushed to Igur. He pulled on the hood.


    A familiar figure with gray hair smiled at him. "I knew you''d come, Vance Valfern."


    From upstairs, the clang of Rigert''s helm echoed.

 6 TOURNAMENT OF DEATH

    The helm clanged like a metal ball as it bounced through the stairs. After a thump, it rolled and then stopped outside Igur''s cell.


    Rigert''s wide-eyed head sat in a pool of blood¡ªa piece of bread drenched in red stuck in his gaping mouth.


    A cold silence serenaded the entire floor. It seemed like Death, in his classic black robe, stood behind a pulpit of skulls and raised both of his hands. The world then stopped and listened to his dirge.


    The hair on the back of Valfern''s neck tingled. When he was about to open his mouth, a pair of steel-toe boots clacked.


    A figure with a blood-stained broadsword resting on her shoulder arrived. She picked up Rigert''s head and stared at Igur''s cell.


    "What are you doing in there, Stark?" Lady Leva said. Her long white legs glowed despite the dimly lit floor. It was nigh impossible to remove one''s gaze on them if not for the bloody head.


    "Lady Leva?" Stark said. "Thanks to the gods you came! Igur played some tricks on me and escaped! Th-that old man is a dark mage! He could meld with the shadows and pass through walls!"


    Valfern''s heart skipped a beat. "Wh-what are you talking about?" he said. "No! That''s not true! All of you here are the real monsters!"


    Lady Leva tossed Rigert''s head inside the cell. Stark rolled to the side to avoid it while Valfern dove to catch it in time.


    "He died because you tricked him, thief," Lady Leva said. "Unfortunately, his death is not enough to pay for his incompetence and betrayal to the King. I might slaughter his family after this. Stark, pick yourself up!"


    Stark coughed. "I-I need some help, Lady Leva. Igur made me inhale something, and I don''t have enough strength to stand up."


    Meanwhile, Valfern gently closed Rigert''s eyes and placed his head to the side. He then stood up with clenched fists and charged at Lady Leva. "You should protect this Kingdom''s citizens! Not slaughter them!"


    "Fool! You''re courting-" Stark''s warning was too late.


    Lady Leva did not hesitate. She gripped her sword with her right hand and swung it to the charging Valfern.


    When the blade was an inch away from Valfern''s neck, it stopped and so did its target.


    Valfern could not move his body. No matter how hard he willed it, there''s no response. He could only stare daggers at Lady Leva''s deep green eyes.


    Lady Leva retracted her sword. She then planted her palm on Valfern''s chest and with a gentle push, blasted him back to the cell.


    Valfern winced as his back slammed on the bars. With the previous injuries from the pebbles, he could barely get up.


    Lady Leva then entered the cell, but Valfern''s hand gripped on her left ankle.


    "Please...spare Rigert''s mother from your wrath. Kill me instead," Valfern said. "Lastly, in my sack, there''s a patch of herbs with white flowers. Please...give it to the owner of Bunya Tavern and tell her to heal-" He passed out.


    Lady Leva smiled when Valfern''s grip loosened. "When will this drama end, Stark?"


    "Drama? I don''t understand what you''re talking-"


    Lady Leva slashed Stark''s helpless figure. However, she sliced nothing but an empty robe. A shadow figure had already darted out and latched itself on the wall.


    "Ah, I hate the likes of you, Lady. I knew that you were watching me, but I never expected you to be such a quick learner!" Stark said. He hissed, and his eyes turned yellow as they glared like a cornered cat. "What gave me away?"


    "Many things. My suspicion grew at Igur''s cabin," Lady Leva said.


    Stark burst into laughter. "How could that be? Any man who has not lived in Bunya for so long could make such a simple mistake about its number of healers!"


    "No one has ever seen the face of Bunya''s King of Thieves. Yet you acted like you knew everything about him. Like a plan studied for a long time," Lady Leva said. Stark appeared behind her, and she swung her blade, but it harmlessly cut through the shadow.


    "And then?" Stark said. He reappeared on the ceiling, standing upside down.


    "You insisted on getting a hold of Valfern''s sack. If I''m right all along, then you''re the one who stole the artifact from the Misfeet Family. But why the need to frame these thieves?"


    Stark clapped. He was back in his human form. "Too bad, you won''t get to live to know the answers!"


    ...


    When Valfern opened his eyes, he found himself back in his cell. He stared at his bare hands¡ªthere were no more chains nor bloodstains. He then reached for his back¡ªno more pain. It seemed everything that had happened was all just a nightmare.


    "Anyone in there?" Valfern said with a loud voice. He shook the bars, hoping to get some attention. Then his ears caught the heavy marching of knights. "Help! Somebody, please help me!"


    From the corner of Valfern''s eyes, a throng of knights passed outside his room. At least ten of them finally entered while the others continued to descend in a hurry.


    "Please tell me! Is Rigert Garrucho still alive?" Valfern said. His eyes were full of hope.


    Perplexed, the knights looked at each other before returning their gaze to him. "What nonsense is that? Stop pretending to be innocent!" the leader said. "The Reapers found Rigert''s headless body here in your cell, and the King''s Council charged you with his murder. You''re also guilty of helping Igur Ramshackle from escaping and even attempting yours! You''re a walking deadman!"


    Valfern gulped. Without a struggle, the knights covered him in a hood and chained his hands. They then dragged him out of his cell.


    After a long march, the temperature rose as the sun prickled Valfern''s skin. The noise of the crowd bombarded his ears too.


    Trumpets blared, followed by the beating of drums.


    A figure in a purple robe, standing behind a golden pulpit raised his hands and captured everyone''s attention. "Beloved citizens and guests, it''s my honor to welcome you all to Soden''s first-ever tournament of death! Let the battles begin!" Imogen said. His voice reverberated, and the crowd roared in response.

 7 MOON RIVER

    A fleet of gondolas snaked through crystalline waters that fed the lush forest. Guarded by a knight or two, each one carried crates draped in black.


    Meanwhile, cloaked and masked figures on giant branches of cypresses stalked the group of small naval vessels.


    "Igur. Now''s the best time to strike!" a man in a bronze mask said.


    Igur, who wore a golden mask, raised his hand that held a black dagger. It was the signal.


    The hooded figures simultaneously pounced from their hiding places. They landed with a light foot, slitting the guards before they could make a noise.


    In just a few seconds, the gondolas'' owners changed.


    "Release them, quick!" Igur said. The boats smelled of rotten meat.


    They pulled on the draping and found orange-haired women and children crammed inside wooden cages like animals. Their pale skin was full of bruises and the blood in the slit of their wrists or necks already dried.


    "Igur, we''re too late," the man in a bronze mask said.


    "No...search for any signs of life!" Igur said. It was then that a cry echoed from the last gondola.


    Something squirmed inside the leather sack that belonged to the knight guarding the boat. The hooded figure on the vessel ripped it open and found a baby whose hair was black with a tinge of orange like embers.


    ...


    A twelve-foot circular platform stood at the center of the crowd, surrounded by a moat of burbling black substance.


    Throughout Soden''s coliseum, an army of knights guarded the seating tiers and the four towers that housed nobles, royalties, guests, and beasts.


    "Have you heard any news about those missing three?" Imogen said. He had a clear view of the arena at the top-most level of the eastern tower.


    A man in a crimson scale armor shook his head. "No news nor clue, sir. But we have found a replacement for Igur."


    "Hm. Tighten the security and prepare the first match, then. I don''t want any disturbance," Imogen said.


    "I understand," the man said. "Valfern asked for his sack. He said that if you want a good show, you must give it back to him."


    "Give it to him then if that will comfort him in his death. And the artifact?"


    "The artifact is with the King in the northern tower."


    Imogen nodded his head. "You may leave now."


    ...


    Valfern slumped on the cold floor of an underground room. Aside from the ten knights that dragged him out of his cell and guarded him close, mossy walls were his companion. To make things worse, the cheers and murmurs that came from above would not let him think in peace.


    A heavy marching of metal caused the knights in Valfern''s room to part ways. With a leather sack in his hand, the man in crimson scale armor finally returned. "Here!" he said.


    Like a long-lost friend, Valfern opened his arms and embraced the leather sack. He checked its contents. Everything was there except the artifact they said he stole.


    "You''re the only one who did not pick a lot. So prepare your guts as the first one is about to begin, and then you''re next," the man said.


    Imogen''s voice echoed in the entire coliseum. He spoke through the small horn on his pulpit¡ªconnected to a series of underground pipes¡ªthat amplified his voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, the rules of this tournament are simple¡ªdie or surrender. However, for the beasts, giving up is not in their option. To win is the only choice they have!"


    From the northern tower''s gate, a man in a brown hood and golden mask entered the arena.


    "All our twenty participants picked their lots to determine their matches. But today, only one of them will be declared as champion! And as a reward, the winner shall receive a thousand gold coins and a chance to request something from King Longdon Egbert XIII!"


    Meanwhile, a bulky olive-skinned man in an indigo vest entered from the southern tower. He wielded a huge silver spiked mace.


    "For our first match, entering from the northern gate is a guest participant who calls himself as Moon River. His opponent is Bachus, one of the two representatives of Belsar, our allied Kingdom from the west."


    The crowd cheered. One would find the abundance of mediators among them collecting coins from bettors.


    Knights dropped torches to the moat, and raging flames blazed into life, closing any means of escape from the arena.


    "Let the first battle begin!"


    After a loud clang of the gong, Bachus made the first move. He charged at Moon River with both hands gripping the mace.


    Moon River stood in his place as two black daggers flashed from the sleeves of his hood.


    When Bachus was a few inches from Moon River, he spun with momentum. The attack almost caught the masked-man, who backed away in time.


    Bachus chased after Moon River, whirling his mace now and then. "Come on, when will you keep on dodging?"


    The heat behind Moon River intensified as he neared the edge. He tried dodging to the side to change his angle, but Bachus was quick to cut off his path.


    "Just save your life and surrender," Bachus said, but Moon River was persistent. "Don''t blame me then! I gave you a chance."


    Moon River was just a few inches away from the edge of the platform, and Bachus charged at full speed, keen on pushing him out of the ring. He swiped his weapon upwards so that his opponent could not duck and pull off tricks.


    Then there was silence.


    The tip of Moon River''s dagger stopped the full force attack.


    With disbelief in his eyes, Bachus pushed harder, but it was like he was driving a boulder thrice his size.


    "It''s time to follow your advice," Moon River said with a muffled voice.


    "You fool!" Bachus backed away, then swung his mace. He hit nothing but air, and his heart skipped a beat. Moon River reappeared at his back and kicked him.


    Bachus lost his balance, and his weight carried him to the edge. The gurgling flames were just a few inches from his face when his body stopped.


    Moon River had a grip on Bachus'' vest. But the latter smiled before taking off his garment.


    The crowd gasped as the raging flames consumed Bachus.


    Moon River sighed. He then raised one of his daggers. A round of applause and a series of cheers followed, marking the end of the first battle.


    The eastern tower''s gate opened, and an arching stone bridge connected itself to the platform. Moon River then passed through it.


    "For our next match! Let''s all welcome two infamous criminals¡ªDoug the Savage and Vance Valfern!"

 8 BAPTISM OF FIRE

    At the end of a vast hall, a man with a silver beard sat on a golden throne. Purple banners draped on four walls surrounded him while knights with a crossed hammer and anvil symbol on their shields guarded the entrance.


    Holding a goblet filled to the brim with wine, the king drank merrily. Naked women crowded on the steps beneath him. They held a bunch of grapes as supple and sweet as their bosoms.


    Suddenly, an elongated, black portal appeared out of nowhere in front of the king. A man with a missing arm came out of it.


    "Curses! Don''t you know how to knock, Stark?" the king said. The surrounding women gasped as blood spattered on the red carpet.


    Stark fell on his knees, barely supported by his sword. Palm-shaped bruises filled the holes of his black armor. "We have underestimated, Soden! King Merck, you must stop your attack lest you want your army dead by dusk. It''s all a trap!"


    "Call the healers!" King Merck stood from his throne and strolled towards Stark. "Who did this to you?"


    "One of my fellow Reapers who suspected that I''m a spy. I barely escaped her!"


    King Merck stopped. "You told me you''re the strongest among the twelve Reapers. How did this happen?"


    "Igur Ramshackle helped her. He''s the bane of our plans we''ve failed to consider¡ªthe right hand of King Egbert working in the shadows! The unknown thirteenth member of the Reapers!"


    ...


    "King Egbert, how are you feeling today?" Mister Piorquee said. He stood beside the throne where a burly man with a brown beard sat. Together, they watched the tournament from the topmost part of the western tower.


    King Egbert smiled. "Better than before." His ashen face betrayed his answer.


    Mister Piorquee nodded. "Did you have any news about Lady Leva?" he whispered.


    "Not yet. But I''ve confirmed that Stark is the mole. Although he might not be the only one."


    "My scouts have returned too. An army from Belsar is camping in a forest south of our wall. They''ll strike any minute soon."


    "Hm. Will five Reapers be enough to stop these traitors?"


    "More than enough. How about their ambassador and remaining representative for the tournament?"


    "Let them be. I''d like to enjoy a little show."


    ...


    "You''re up!" one of the ten knights said. "Come and meet your maker."


    Valfern stood up and hoisted his tattered leather sack to his shoulder.


    "I heard that Doug has the power of a beast. Before the knights subdued him, he punctured the innards of five of them with his bare hands," a knight said. "Are you sure you will survive with that sack and dagger out there?"


    "I''ve got all that I need," Valfern said.


    The knights led him to a series of descending steps until they arrived on a metallic lift. Sixteen men labored to turn a giant wheel. A hidden gate then opened, followed by the bright light and noise of the crowd.


    An inclined stoned bridge from the base of the Southern tower connected itself to the platform.


    "At least survive even for a second, Valfern." The knights laughed.


    Valfern exhaled a deep breath before heading out to the stage. Doug already stood at the center, waiting for him.


    The crowd booed. "Death to both of you, monsters! Burn until no ashes are left!"


    "For our second match, a monster guilty of brutal murders and a thief who stole the Kingdom''s treasure will fight against each other. Who do you think will win?" Imogen said.


    Before the gong clanged, Doug charged. "I wonder what your taste will be like after you''re burned?"


    "Come," Valfern said. He took out the grappling hook from his sack and whirled its claw.


    Doug rushed like a beast, using his hands as feet. He zigzagged his way towards Valfern, evading the hook used as a whip.


    "Too slow! Die!" Doug said.


    The claw of Valfern''s hook missed its target by an inch. Doug then gripped the rope and pulled.


    Valfern tightened his hold, and they tugged at each other, but he was losing in terms of strength.


    "Come! Let me have a taste of you!" Doug maniacally grinned. He suddenly let go of his grip, causing Valfern to lose his balance.


    Doug pounced like a wolf about to devour its prey.


    Valfern rolled to the side, but Doug''s reflexes were beyond his expectations.


    With inhuman strength and claw-like nails, Doug slashed at Valfern.


    Valfern raised his dagger to defend himself, but Doug ripped it off from his hand.


    "What the hell are you doing with this petty dagger?" Doug tossed it to the edge of the platform. "Give me a good fight! Fist for a fist!"


    Valfern kicked Doug''s ankle, but the latter only smiled at him.


    "You call that a kick? Pussy!" Doug said. "This is how you do it!"


    Valfern shot off from the platform like a cannonball, heading straight to the flames.


    The crowd gasped.


    "And our winner is-"


    But blue flames roared from where Valfern landed and then shot up into the sky in the shape of a dragon''s head.

 9 A GAME OF THRONES

    Cold. Valfern shivered as he plummeted to the sea of flames.


    The sore in his stomach numbed as if he dove in a tub of ice. Then the temperature changed.


    A thin blue fiery aura coated Valfern''s body, keeping him and his sack from catching fire. Warmth then flooded his blood vessels, renewing his strength.


    "Kill!" a primordial voice said inside Valfern''s head. All the pent-up frustrations in his life¡ªthe missing loved ones, the abusive kingdom, and the violence he sustained¡ªburst out of him. It was then that the surrounding flames blazed blue in the shape of a dragon''s head.


    Everyone gaped in awe.


    "Monster! Save your lives!" Mayhem ensued as the crowd ran from their seats.


    Valfern flapped his way out with a pair of fiery blue wings. His eyes also blazed in the same color. He was like a beast unleashed from hell.


    Even King Egbert stood from his throne and gulped.


    "King Egbert is that-"


    "A Dragon Hunter! Yes! The last of them," King Egbert said, cutting off Mister Piorquee.


    "Come to me, angel of death! I''ve been waiting for your arrival all my life! Come!" Doug howled in laughter as he pounded his chest.


    Valfern landed on the platform, splitting the surrounding floor.


    Doug pounced, unmoved by Valfern''s transformation. He greeted him with a fist.


    Valfern blocked the strike with his palm. He then ripped out Doug''s hand in one pull.


    "Yes! Just like that!" Doug grinned as blood spurted out of his torn shoulder.


    Valfern snatched Doug''s head and raised him. With a squeeze, he crushed his skull. Blue flames then engulfed the headless body.


    "No wonder his kind was exterminated! Th-They''re the children of destruction!" Mister Piorquee said. Horror filled his eyes.


    Doug''s body turned into ashes in just a few seconds. Valfern then fell on the floor. The fiery blue aura around him hissed as it vaporized into black smoke.


    "Sir, what do we do?" The man in a crimson scale armor reappeared on the top-most level of the eastern tower.


    "Talos. Lead all the Reapers and kill him!" Imogen said. He then spoke through the horn. "All citizens of Soden, please leave the coliseum now! We won''t take responsibility for any casualties. For the members of the royalties and noble families, stay in the towers!"


    Talos had his own horn attached to a wall. It directly relayed his message to the four towers.


    "Sir, the other Reapers are missing. There''s only five left!" Talos said. There should have been three Reapers for each tower.


    "We''ll deal with the neglect of duty later! Hurry before that beast wrecks havoc to our beloved citizens! And douse the flames lest he recovers his strength!"


    The spectators in the seating tiers who previously stayed finally realized the direness of the situation. They rushed out of their seats, heading to the crowded exit.


    From the sides of the platform, numerous circular trapdoors opened. Water then rushed out to quench the flames, causing a mist to envelop the entire stadium.


    Five shadows darted inside the mist, followed by another five. Sparks then flew inside.


    "What''s happening?" Imogen thought.


    Sparks continued to fly inside the mist, and when it thinned, five hooded and masked figures appeared. They wielded a pair of black daggers and guarded the unconscious Valfern against the five Reapers, who intended to harm him.


    "Moon River! What''s the meaning of this?" Talos said.


    "We''re protecting a fellow participant. He had already won the match!" Moon River said.


    "Stay away from that beast! That is a Dragon Hunter! Have you forgotten the destruction they''ve brought back then?"


    "No. I''ve never forgotten how this Kingdom slaughtered their kind!" Moon River charged at Talos, who wielded a red spear. Meanwhile, the other four hooded figures engaged the other Reapers.


    ..


    In the northern tower, two figures stood at the top-most level. Everyone around them sprawled in a pool of blood.


    "It looks like that there''s no riper time than today, Lord Oga," a female with a leather vest, which barely covered her olive-colored breasts said. Two crossed swords hung on her back.


    "Indeed. There''s no more need for a delay. It seemed that King Egbert already knew about our plans, Viscera," Oga said.


    "Bachus already handled the five Reapers they''ve sent. He''s now leading the army to begin the invasion."


    Oga nodded. "You may leave now. Create a gate for them on the southern wall."


    "And you?"


    "I''ll enjoy this little show until it lasts."

 10 REAPERS, RIVERS, & RAPIERS

    Long oak tables lined the center of a vast hall surrounded by red banners with a dragon symbol on it in the shape of a scythe. There was an abundance of berries, wine, and mutton, and their aroma filled the entire throne room¡ªthe smell of banquet.


    "To King Longdon Egbert XIII''s victory!" a younger Imogen with a short, curly, blond hair said.


    "Long live the King!" the other members of the court said. They then clinked their golden goblets with each other.


    In the middle of their feast, the two giant oak doors swung open. A female with long white legs in a red coat entered.


    "Lady Leva! Look at you! Where have you been all this time?" Talos, in his classic red scale armor, said. Seating beside the King, he stood from his seat.


    "Get lost, Talos," Lady Leva said. She walked past the royal members of the court, and the other Reapers like they did not exist. Arriving beside the King, she bent and whispered something to his ear.


    "Hey, Leva! You''re dealing with-"


    King Egbert raised his palm, cutting Imogen. His face then turned grim. "Excuse me. I have something to check. Enjoy the feast!" The King moved out of his seat like he was about to pee and proceeded to his room.


    Lady Leva sat on the King''s chair.


    "You wench!" Imogen stood from his chair and slammed his goblet on the table. Then there was silence.


    "What?" Lady Leva said, popping a berry to her mouth.


    Imogen smiled. "You may have been doing special missions for the King, but know that I''m still in command of the Reapers. From here on, this man will join you!"


    "I''m Floyd Stark, the new member of the King''s Reaper. Let''s work hard together!" a man in his early twenties with gray hair and black knight armor said.


    "You look weak," Lady Leva said. She then emptied the goblet of Imogen and strolled out of the table.


    Meanwhile, inside his private Room, King Egbert sat on a table and poured tea in two golden cups.


    A hooded figure masked in gold materialized from King Egbert''s velvety wall.


    "Igur. I knew you''d come. Let me-"


    "You did not keep your word!" Igur said.


    A blue barrier enveloped the entire room. Anyone who dared to eavesdrop would find a strange silence.


    "It was a hard choice I had to make."


    "Hard choice for what? When was ever the slaughter of innocent women and children been justifiable, huh? Tell me!"


    "They''re harbingers of destruction! You''ve read your history books and the prophecies, right? And that crone told me that a Dragon Hunter would bring an end to our world!"


    "So you''ve slaughtered their kind because a crazy, withered woman told you so? Have you lost your mind, Longdon?"


    "Watch your words, Igur. I''m now a King!"


    "A spineless King!"


    King Egbert took a sip from his cup. "Are we done? I have a court to entertain."


    "You should have been a jester, not a king."


    The tea in the untouched cup spilled as King Egbert stood up and prepared to leave.


    "We''re done, Longdon. I will no longer do your works in the shadows," Igur said.


    "And the girl you''ve sent under my care? Will you abandon her, too?"


    "Leva has a mind of her own. She''ll be able to take care of herself and be of good service to this Kingdom."


    "Hm. Once you leave this room, you''ll be known as the King of Thieves. And as the King of Soden, I''ll use everything within my power to protect my people from you and your kind."


    Igur disappeared from the shadows.


    ...


    "Scarlet River, take Valfern! I''ll hold them!" Moon River said. He then broke the deadlock between him and Talos as he backed away.


    The hooded figure with a scarlet mask backed away from the Reaper with knee-length leather boots and a sickle linked to a chain. From the cloak''s pocket, Scarlet River took out three brown balls.


    "Old tricks! No one can escape Luv Sranger''s pursuit!" the Reaper with a sickle said. She then whirled her weapon at an insane speed that a gust formed and blew away the balls. Then the sickle swiped at Scarlet River, but the chains suddenly snapped. A blurry figure cut it into half¡ªMoon River!


    "Move!" Moon River said. A white aura coated his daggers.


    "Don''t let them escape, Luv! Leave Moon River to me!" Talos said as a fiery red aura coated his spear. "He''s a magic user like me!"


    Luv and the other three Reapers wielding a battle-ax, a broadsword, and a polearm charged after the other hooded figures, but Moon River blocked their way. They then found themselves unable to move, including Talos.


    "I won''t be able to hold them long. Hurry now!" The four hooded figures nodded and darted out of the platform.


    Imogen, who watched from above, clenched his fists. "Knights! Don''t let Valfern leave the coliseum! Lock all the gates and man the walls!"


    Meanwhile, in the western tower, King Egbert''s forehead creased as he gazed at Moon River. "Igur."


    Suddenly, a knight covered in sweat came out of the stairs. "King Egbert! We''ve got a problem! Everyone in the northern tower has been slaughtered!"


    King Egbert and Mister Piorquee gazed at each other.


    "And the representatives from Belsar? Where are they?" King Egbert said.


    "They''re not among the casualties-"


    King Egbert''s heart skipped a beat. "Piorquee, any update from your scout?"


    ...


    In the southern part of Soden, the knights stationed on the parapets of the twenty-five feet wall casually did their rounds.


    "Are you seeing what I''m seeing?" one knight said.


    The other knight squinted. Outside the walls, a wave of purple banners marched towards Soden. "Ah, we''re-" He never got to finish his sentence as his head fell off his neck in a clean slice. And the other knight suffered the same fate.


    "This is disappointing. Two knights only to handle the walls?" Viscera said. She then licked the blood away from her pair of black rapiers.

 11 DRAGONS BLOOD

    The End of Dragons started the peace in Sunsimoon Region. For centuries, the four kingdoms fought against each other in the name of expansion and acquisition of limited resources. Eventually, Soden and Belsar allied themselves to protect the fertile lands against the invaders from the wastelands and desert¡ªthe northern and the eastern territories, respectively.


    ...


    "Wh-who are you?" Talos said. Together with the other Reapers, he remained suspended in the air. His red aura dimmed as if he was losing his life force. "This man has the same powers as Lady Leva," he thought.


    Meanwhile, the four hooded figures who carried the unconscious Valfern has reached the southern wall of the coliseum. Scarlet River and the one with a bronze mask dealt with the many knights flooding towards them.


    "Not good," Moon River thought. He then pushed his palm, and the five Reapers blasted off from the platform.


    Moon River was about to move when King Egbert cried for help.


    In the western tower, a bald man with silver chains around his black robe smiled. Knight armors sprawled on the floor with nothing left inside but skeletons. "King Egbert, what''s with that look of horror in your face?"


    "Oga! You treacherous snake! How dare you betray the alliance of our Kingdom?" King Egbert said. With Mister Piorquee at his side, he inched back to the baluster.


    "Oh, I''m just following the orders of King Merck. So, I hope you won''t take this personally."


    "Scum! I always knew that-"


    Oga raised his black gauntlet. The hollow eye sockets of the mini-snake skulls on its knuckles flashed a green light.


    Mister Piorquee disintegrated¡ªleft with nothing but bones before he could finish his sentence.


    King Egbert''s heart sank. He turned his head back to the platform and found it empty. Then a series of footsteps echoed from below.


    "Run! Don''t come up! Stay away from here!" King Egbert raised his voice as much as he could. But the steps continued.


    Oga smiled. Behind him, Imogen appeared.


    "King Egbert, I hope that you''re enjoying today''s tournament." Imogen bowed. "Death. Plenty of it, just as you have requested!"


    "Imogen." King Egbert''s face soured. "What''s the meaning of this?"


    "It is what it is." Imogen smiled.

 1 GRAND CHASE

    With clear blue skies, the sun smiled at the peaceful Kingdom of Soden. Ruled by the Egberts for centuries, it occupied most of the fertile southern lands of the Sunsimoon Region.


    Tavern stories and tales of old said that Soden used to be a sanctuary of dragons where men and majestic beasts lived in harmony¡ªa legend lost amidst the great panic of humanity in their grand chase of life.


    ...


    In a five-hectare mansion loftily standing on the central district of Soden, the household of Misfeet Family was in complete disarray. The veins in Meister Piorquee Misfeet''s forehead¡ªthe patriarch¡ªwere about to pop.


    "You useless pieces of aargh! Find it at all costs!" Meister Piorquee said. Despite the supposedly tight security, the King''s entrusted treasure in his room''s vault was missing.


    "S-Sir, your treasury in the basement was also ransacked," one of the guards said. "Some gold coins are missing."


    "I don''t give a damn! I need the artifact! Find it or I''ll have all your heads cut before dusk!"


    The guards scrambled at the behest of Meister Piorquee while the other five stationed at his room snored. They slept in peace, not knowing that they''d wake up jobless and in prison¡ªor headless.


    Meanwhile, in the narrow alleys of Soden''s slums known as Bunya, knights were in a frenzy. The shut, shabby stone houses linked to each other like tombs made their hunt tricky. They were after an infamous thief. The notorious man that has challenged the Kingdom''s peace ever since he learned to run¡ªVance Valfern!


    "Valfern! Stop or I''ll shoot!" a knight with a bow and round belly said.


    The hooded man in a black coat with a leather sack bag on his shoulder paused. With his left hand raised, he slowly turned around to face the familiar knight. "Come on, Rigert. I''ll give you two silver coins this time."


    "No! I won''t compromise my honor!" Rigert said with his chin raised high, "I''ll earn more if your arse is in prison!" With an arrow notched to his bow, he inched his way towards Valfern.


    "Five silver coins then! That''s my limit. Take it or..." Valfern''s ears picked up the marching of feet¡ªat least five pairs. He then darted away from where he stood.


    "You''re courting death!" Unwilling to let his target escape, Rigert haphazardly released the string.


    The arrow swooshed to the side, far from the intended target. "Damn! Old age is getting into my nerves!" Rigert said.


    A door suddenly opened, and a yawning child rubbing her eyes came out of it. Rigert''s arrow pierced her on the left shoulder, barely missing her neck.


    The girl wailed, and it echoed like the cry of poverty that even Valfern paused.


    "Stupid Bunya brat! You''re not supposed to come out if we''re around!" Rigert said. His eyes darted between the distant figure of Valfern and the bleeding child in the doorway.


    "I hate this part," Valfern said. He then turned around and dashed back to the child.


    Rigert grinned.


    "Reinforcements!" One of the five knights fully geared from helmet to sabaton said. They''ve finally arrived at the entrance of the alley behind Rigert.


    Meanwhile, Rigert''s confidence swelled, and he continued to fire arrows on the charging Valfern, ignoring the paling child.


    Valfern zigzagged his way back to evade Rigert''s attacks, but the number of arrows suddenly increased. Two of the reinforcements sniped with their crossbows while the three with swords and bucklers charged.


    From his coat''s inner pockets, Valfern took out three small, brown balls and locked each between his fingers. He then used his leather sack to swat some of the arrows.


    He smashed the first ball on the floor, and it poofed with a cloud of brown smoke. It then swallowed the charging three knights.


    Rigert and the other archers hesitated to fire as their visibility was in jeopardy.


    "Did they get him?" Rigert thought. "Hey, are you-"


    Rigert got his answer. Valfern dashed out of the smoke, throwing the remaining balls at them. Thick, brown smoke filled the alley, revealing their location.


    When the other knights arrived, the smoke already dissipated. They squeezed their way through the passage only to find six of their fellows snoring on the cold floor.


    "Give way!" a knight in black armor said. Beside him was a voluptuous woman in a red coat.


    The other knights cleared the way as the woman entered and examined the sleeping bodies. She opened their closed eyes, then nodded. "Same substance used in the Misfeet''s mansion."


    "And the ingredients? They''re not that potent to induce a day of sleep, right?" the man in black said. He shook his head in disapproval.


    The woman was about to open her mouth when a knight claimed about a trail of blood. "Follow it! Hurry!" she said. "Is there any healer in Bunya?"


    "There''s only one! Come!" the man in black said.


    ...


    Valfern did not mind the blood trail anymore. The child''s life was on the line.


    At the end of a long dark alley that reeked with rubbish, he pounded on a wooden door. After his third knock, it opened.


    "Valfern?" a lady in a white dress said. "You''re not supposed to be here! Who''s this?" Behind her was the ruckus of men drowned in booze.


    "Can you do me a favor and take care of this child?"


    "I-"


    Valfern dashed out before the blushing lady could say no. He left her with a dying kid and five gold coins.


    "Hey, Anri! More booze here!" a customer said.


    With her dress drenched in blood, Anri slammed the backdoor shut. "Bunya Tavern is closed today! Get out of here, fools!"


    ...


    Valfern stopped. He was about to leave the dark alley when the knights appeared at the entrance. There were at least fifty of them armed with swords, spears, and crossbows.


    "Don''t make any nasty move, Valfern! We know about your tricks!" one of the knights said. They slowly filled the alley.


    "Really? Have you not been told that a thief never runs out of tricks?" Valfern said. He stealthily dropped a small, red ball from the pocket of his cloak. It then rolled towards the enclosing knights.