The Crimson Fang
Chapter 15 - The Retreat

When the group exited the Conduit into the Mirror Room, Elder Simon and King Albert were waiting. “We had heard that you returned, but departed right away, to assist an alliance fighting the Altros. We were hoping you would return soon, preferably with good news.” Draken stepped forward, confusing the pair, as they were expecting Joseph to report. “We have good news, but we also have bad.” “I suppose I will accept the good news first, if it is alright with you. Perhaps it would soften the blow,” King Albert responded. “The Altros army, led by the High Lord known as Gigantuthos, has been utterly obliterated. There were no survivors. With the battle, the sixth High Lord has been slain. Gerald of the Magus has come as an ambassador, to speak of an alliance between our races. Hobble, Gibbles, and Dax have come from the Goblin army, in hopes of becoming Crimson Nobles.” “Do they possess skill?” “Yes, my king. The Crimson Fang will vouch for their ability.” “That is good enough for me,” King Albert said, smiling. “We welcome all of you. I will speak to you afterward, Gerald, about the alliance. Who is this young lady?” King Albert was gesturing to Freya. “She was of great service to Joseph in eradicating two of the High Lords, and in return Joseph allowed her to become one of us. We were actually hoping to ask Elder Simon about her.” Elder Simon stepped forward. “What did you wish to ask me?” “Her eyes are different than anyone we have seen. They became this way after Joseph turned her.” Simon looked into her eyes and gasped. “This is the result of being turned and tasting the purest of blood. Only a descendant of the Ancient Nobles could have made her this way. Whose blood did she consume?” “Joseph’s.” “That reminds me, where is Joseph? I have heard that he has become quite infamous among the Altros, becoming known to them as ‘The Hunter.’ I wish to congratulate him, as well as all of you. Why does he not stand before me?” “That brings us to the bad news. He collapsed after slaying the High Lord, and defeating the last of the Altros army.” Geoff walked forward, carrying Joseph in his arms for Elder Simon to inspect. “Ahh,” he stated after a few moments. “He has merely gained and expended too much power in too short a time. This is an easy fix.” “How do we fix him, Elder Simon?” “He must go, along with one other, to an ancient place. It is one that many before him, including his father, have travelled. He must go there and train, using his newly acquired power.” Ami stepped forward. “You wish to accompany him?” King Albert asked. “He may be gone for centuries. You will not be able to return until he is ready.” Ami nodded. “Then it is decided. When he awakens, the two of you will travel to the other land. While we wait, I want for you to gather supplies for the journey. We will prepare the Mirror for your travel, while we wait. I also wish for Freya to accompany the two of you, so that Joseph may train her. If he truly is one of the Ancients, then only he can teach her what she needs to know.

After several hours, Joseph opened his eyes. He saw Sakura, Geoff, Draken and Freya standing over him. He was in his room in Crimsonia. He looked around, but was unable to see Ami anywhere. “What happened? Where’s Ami? Did she get kidnapped again?” “You collapsed after the battle. Elder Simon said it’s a ‘power overload’ or something. You’re going to some ancient place to train. Ami’s going with you to keep an eye on you, and tend to you if needed. She’s getting things ready to go right now.” The others nodded as Draken explained. “There’s more! We know why Freya’s eyes are so red.” He explained to Joseph about his pure blood, and his relation to the Ancients. “I’m directly descended?” “Elder Simon didn’t really explain how important that is. At least we know about it though, right?” “I suppose so.” King Albert entered the room. “Excellent, you have awakened. Have you been briefed on the situation? Good. I will also be sending Miss Freya along with you. If what Elder Simon has said is true, then you really are the only one who can train her.” “What exactly did he say?” The King thought for a moment, trying to replace the best words to use. “He basically said that she has potential that few possess. It will be up to you to bring out that potential. Also, he believes that there is much more lying dormant inside you; Abilities that have been lost for millennia. Now get ready, and head to the Mirror Room.”

Joseph and the others arrived in the Mirror Room, just as a blinding light flashed, illuminating everything. Elder Simon stood in front of the Mirror, a triumphant smile on his face. “The Ancient Retreat is now accessible. You will be able to return, but only when the Conduit in that plane feels that you are prepared for the return journey. Until then, you will essentially be trapped on that plane.” “Feels? Trapped? Plane?” The Fang had confused looks on their faces as Elder Simon explained. “I apologize for the confusion. Allow me to explain. The Ancients created a special planar dimension, parallel to this one. It is only accessible by those who possess the knowledge of the location. It is a secret that has been passed down by the Elders. This was a way to prevent anyone from abusing it. The plane itself is a living entity, which is how it will feel you are ready. Joseph, take this.” He handed Joseph a vial. “Only drink this blood on one of two occasions. First, if you absolutely need it, in order to prevent yourself from being unable to continue. The second is if you are ready to return. You will know when it is time. Either way, be sure to drink it before you come back to this plane. I wish you luck.” With that, Elder Simon left the Room.

Joseph, Ami, and Freya approached the Mirror of Shadow-Walking. Joseph turned to King Albert. “What if it never deems me worthy to return?” “Then you will remain there, training until you are.” Joseph nodded, and the three of them bid everyone farewell, entering the bright surface of the Mirror. Once they were through, the Mirror flashed once more, before falling dark once more. As the others watched them leave, the castle began to quake. “I thought I might replace you all here,” a voice boomed from behind them.

The three exited into an open field. Flowers covered the ground, many of which they had never seen before. Joseph looked behind himself, seeing Ami and Freya standing there. They were the only thing apart from him in the field. Even the Conduit was gone! “What in the Hells?” The women turned to see what he was looking at, seeing nothing behind them. Ami turned back, eyes wide. “Perhaps it is somewhere else. We will search for it later. Well, I’m going to begin my training.” No sooner had he said this, than a copy of himself appeared behind him. It swung it fist at him, and he barely dodged it. He brought his own fist up, making contact with the double’s stomach, in response. He felt himself moving slower than usual. It was likely the plane that had been affecting him. “So I move slower. This must be for training purposes, because the girls are moving at a regular speed. I also feel a bit heavier. I could have fun with this, I suppose. I hope you are prepared, doppelganger.”

Joseph battled with his double for over four hours. They moved through the plains, and into some trees. I’m certain these trees weren’t here before. Ami and Freya had found a nice place to settle down, and began picking flowers. They moved slightly, as two blurs were flying out into the plains and nearly right through them. To their surprise, all the flowers they picked, and those that were torn out by the passing fighters, grew back almost immediately. This certainly was a mystical land.

Joseph finally managed to defeat his double, blasting it into thousands of pieces. He walked over to Ami and Freya, as another double appeared. “I think I’m finished for the day. I’ll need to condition my body to the resistances that this plane introduces to my movement. Once I’ve done that, I’ll try again.” As he said this, the double vanished, once more, into thin air. The three of them looked at each other, confused. Joseph snapped his fingers and said, “Perhaps this plane gives us what we require, when we require it. It’s probably best not to think too much on the matter. It is dinner time; let’s go replace something to eat.” A wild boar appeared, just outside the tree line, and ran into the trees. “I’d say that certainly proves my theory. I’ll be right back.” He entered the trees, chasing after the boar.

Twenty minutes later, Joseph exited the trees, carrying his quarry over his shoulders. A fire had been made ready, and was waiting for his return. “Even dinner is a training exercise,” he laughed. He tied the boar onto a large stick, draining the blood into a bucket. “It’s not the sweetest, but it is still blood. You never know when we may end up needing it.” He threw the boar over the flame, beginning to cook it, slowly turning it. Ami gave him a confused look. “I know we don’t need to eat to survive, but I’ve grown quite accustomed to it during our time in Carten. You know what they say about old habits.” They laughed, as Joseph began to slice up the cooked meat. “How long were you in Carten, Lord Joseph?” “It had to be at least a few centuries, or so. We witnessed the rise of many families, as well as the general decline of the society.” They continued to talk amongst themselves, Freya asking about their adventures, as they ate their meal. Afterward, Joseph began training Freya on the Crimson Noble ways. He started with history; decided that customs would be next. Teaching her combat would wait until he decided she was ready. Ha! Much like this place deciding if I’m ready.