War of Dark Ages: A Unicorn's Journey
Chapter 15

A few weeks have passed, and a lot has changed. San walks down the lane towards the Registration Office as she has a meeting with Madam Ura revolving around her registration and thinks back to all that has happened.

Skye left back to the Isle of Dreki to report to the Elder and clear up any misunderstanding since the darkness was finally gone from this area. Commander Kail, The Count, and Duke along with Uri are still at the capital tending to other matters with the King and the Court. Ragnar left to attend a certain meeting at the Capital. Meanwhile, Riley and Boah are still investigating the Caves of Solace up north and she is taking lessons from different people to learn from them about their ways.

Torin the Owner taught her how to cook and prepare meals. He also taught her about storing food in case you are on a journey and how to complete requests from people to earn currency.

Which brought her up thinking about Denzil the Market Guild owner. He taught her about the market and how to earn currency while at the same time protecting the balance of the surroundings. In this light, no one can own the market and cause prices to skyrocket which is why he was having troubles when Madam Fortun and Durdley came to town. It seems this caused him to be out of town a lot and couldn’t manage their finances correctly.

Raden and Latoyia taught her how to make different kinds of items and skills when making items. San remembers the first time a magic bag to hold items was made. Thinking back....

“Now then, remember to weave your pattern across the fold while you blend the materials together. Keep that image in your mind about what you are creating.” Raden stands over her.

San places a needle through the fabric using her magic to weave back and forth blending the material. As her project continues the bag forms in her hand with two latches on the side and the cloth forms into a small bag with leaf patterns similar to that of the trees.

Raden takes her finished product and looks over it with interesting eyes. He presses the two latches and the bag shrinks in size displaying two leaves on each side. “Nicely done, the material is blended well, and you can also put this in your hair as a decoration or even as part of your clothing.”

“A hair ornament?” San questions.

​“Correct.” Raden finishes his work. “Come over here, I’m going to show you how to make ornaments for your hair and pieces of clothing.”

She walks over eager to finish her lesson.

Thinking back, that was at least two weeks ago. San smiles and continues walking down the lane and stops in front of the Registration Office. She glances at the building and steps through the door spotting a lot of people walking back and forth approaching the front desk. “Miss San to meet with Madam Ura?”

“Ah, we are expecting you, Miss San. Please would you come this way?” A young man waves his hand to follow him.

San follows him to the room down the hallway and steps into the room where she sits down on the sofa.

“Would you like some tea?” He stands to the side with his arm slightly raised.

“No thank you,” San replies.

“Very well, I’ll let Madam Ura know you’re here. Excuse me.” He turns and leaves the room.

San gazes out the window looking at people walking back and forth. She spots Madam Cartwing thinking about her lessons.

The door opens and Madam Ura steps forward. She is an elderly woman and yet with the way she moves even with her gray hair up in her hat above her head, still has a powerful walk you can notice. Her soft and sometimes steely grey eyes can be deceiving as Madam Ura likes to see how far she can push someone who is trying to use her. “It’s nice to see you again, Miss San.” Madam Ura sits down on the sofa across from her. She takes the cup of tea and takes a sip, “Not thirsty?”

“No, something tells me registering may be difficult?” San notices Madam Ura is slightly agitated.

“Well, we tried using several different ways to ensure you a card of registration. We can’t determine your magic so that is out of the question. We can’t use your blood to register you as that failed. However, we do have another option if you wouldn’t mind.” Madam Ura places her teacup down on the coffee table.

“What is the other option?” San asks.

“As you know there are several ways to register in different kingdoms. Becoming a merchant, a freelance tamer, among several jobs that allow you to move freely throughout the kingdom. With all of these, I’m afraid it will limit you to other kingdoms. We have been working on a strategy to overcome any obstacle and still allow you to pursue your objective of defeating that person.” Madam Ura raises her hands as her support hands her documents. “The only solution I found is that you become a Professor of Aligashia from the Kingdom of Faldorea. This title will allow you to move freely in our kingdom as well as quite a few others because you will be neutral when it comes to political matters. Under the title, I have you labeled as a Pathreplaceer Spellcaster since your abilities are unknown and you can accomplish many things.” She places the documents on the table. “Also, there are the abilities you can use. I have those hidden as people will use those against you since you are still developing your skills. Under the professor, you are also an explorer. This title allows you to explore ruins and other areas as long as you get permission from certain people in different kingdoms.” She raises her teacup to her lips. “Any questions so far?”

From all the lessons that have been given to her, San understands what Madam Ura asked of her. “I understand. Thank you for helping me so much and teaching me.”

Madam Ura takes a sip of her tea and places it down on the table. “It is a pleasure; I just hope you replace what you are looking for. I just need you to sign here, and we can start the process of issuing you your registration card and Denzil can set up your account.”

San grabs the penna and signs her name below. She hands the documents to her support, and the support turns to leave the room.

“How are the lessons coming along? From what I heard; you are going to try your first weapon today.”

“Indeed. I’m excited for some strange reason. Everyone has been helpful.”

“That’s good to hear. From what I heard the exploration of the Solace Cave up north is almost complete. Excited about exploring the caves with Riley?” Madam Ura smiles.

“Yes, I am.”

Her support walks in handing her a card. Madam Ura looks over the card making sure everything is complete. “And your registration is complete. Here you go.” She hands San the card.

San takes the ornament out of her hair and opens her satchel bag. Placing the card inside, returns the satchel to an ornament placing it on top of her head.

“That is a very interesting concept. Something tells me that it will be a new fashion trend for all types of adventures.” Madam Ura states calmly.

San smiles and stands up. She bows to Madam Ura and follows the young man leaving the room and stepping outside the building. She walks over to the Market Guild and walks inside approaching the front desk.

A young woman looks up, “How can I help you today, Miss?”

“I’m here to open an account.” San places her hand with her palm up and the card appears in her hand.

“Let me manage that, Miss San, correct?” The young man from behind her speaks in a clear voice. “Congrats on getting your registration card.” He takes the card and moves down the counter a few steps. The clerk places the card over a reader as an account is now placed on the card. He hands it back over, “There we go, now any currency you have collected can be transferred to this card. All you have to do is place any coins or sack of coins on the card.” The Clerk takes a few silver coins from below and places them on the counter. “Give it a try.”

San picks up the silver coins and places them on the card in her hand. The card glows as the coins disappear. Below the card at the bottom is a currency sign showing three silver coins. “Thank you.”

“You’re Welcome. Have a good day, Miss San.”

San turns to leave the Market Guild and walks down the path again passing the Meat Market and Granger waves his hand at her. San smiles and waves back, remembering him teaching her how to pick certain locks and discern which locks are magical and which locks are not. Granger also taught her how to take any information given and be able to put the information together in a manner that made sense.

She walks past the forge knowing the lessons obtained from Gringel and Brooks. It’s pretty amazing the difference between the forging they do and the other stuff that was in her history. She will still need to confront that when it arrives, but at least they taught her how to use a lintel and a few other tools of trade. They also taught her about the different types of metals and how to transfer them using the safety measures they used for the Pegasus. Her smile deepens because it is funny Natasha would wake her up with her face partially smeared because she fell asleep reading.

She turns past the tavern ready to start her next path and that was obtaining a weapon to use to ensure her safety. Of course, San doesn’t need the weapon but it makes appearances more believable. The problem was replaceing one that met her standards so she could hide a lot of her abilities. Madam Cartwing has been wonderful along with her students in teaching her all kinds of different abilities. Her last lesson is today.

San walks into the Training Grounds and spots Madam Cartwing, her students, and Gringel and Brooks with their weapons. A presence she knows is to the left and looks in his direction as Riley braces himself against the wall. He smiles at her while she stands with the other children.

“Well, we get to decide on what weapons we will be using in the future. However, there is one lesson that remains and that is to see if you, San, can use Spatial Magic. Who remembers what Spatial Magic is?”

A young boy raises his hand, “I do.”

Madam Cartwing nods her head to the boy. “Spatial Magic allows the user to manipulate the space around the magician, possessing decent defensive ability and a great number of utility uses, but next to no offensive spells.” The young boy smiles remembering the lesson.

“Correct. Today is San’s day to see if she can create a separate space to store items and other things. Those with great power can also sometimes store living objects and creatures for transportation. Are you ready? I’ll demonstrate first.” Madam Cartwing steps forward raising both hands and focuses her power. A large distorted spatial vortex appears in front of them. “Now I can place any item inside there for storing. But I don’t have the ability to place living items.” She reaches inside the vortex and takes out her wand. “As such I can also put the item back inside without having to toss it in there.” The wand disappears from her hand. “Once you place an item inside, storing that item and other items will be easier and with these types of magic, no one can steal anything inside.”

San tilts her head listening intently.

“You’re turn, San.” Madam Cartwing gestures her hand in front of her.

She moves forward, raising her hands in front. A few seconds pass, and her hair flows behind her as a silver shimmer surrounds her body.

Before them, two silver doors appear with four moons surrounded by winking stars glittering across the frame. Mystical flowers casting a deep blue with a moonlight aura around them bloom around the door.

Her eyes gaze at the door, feeling a sensation of familiarity towards the markings.

“It’s beautiful, does this spark a memory perhaps?” Madam Cartwing asks.

“I think so, but a lot of it is still hazy.” San gazes down at her hands.

“You will. They are incredibly beautiful. Care to open the door and see what it’s like inside?”

“Step inside?!” San gazes at her in absolute astonishment.

Madam Cartwing smiles. “Of course, yours is powerful enough to be able to step inside. Only if you want to.”

San reaches to open the door and it gives off a bright light. For a second everyone is blinded. Inside resides a hallway with shelves extending incredibly high. Further down are three different paths. One to the right, the left, and straight ahead.

Her hand raises to the right because she spots different items and books, however, a barrier repels her hand stopping her from going forward.

“Looks like this might be knowledge connected to your past.” With his hands on his hips, Riley presses his lips together.

“Yes. You’re right.”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure it will-”

“Oh my! Look at this! It’s amazing!” Ned exclaims further ahead.

They move forward to see Madam Cartwing with her students in awe at a flat meadow stretching as far as the eye can see.

“WoW! This is so huge!” a young girl exclaims.

“Well, you could plant all kinds of things here to grow. Animals would have a field all to themselves in case they need a haven.” Riley comments behind the kids.

“That’s so cool!” Ned exclaims in surprise.

“I think I might save this area for that. Thank you, everyone.” San bows to them.

“Well, let’s take our leave so we can start on the next item on the list, shall we?” Madam Cartwing suggests and starts walking down the hall.

“Yes, Ma’am.” All the students reply and rush outside.

Riley walks beside San as they leave down the hallway. “I look forward to seeing what weapon you will choose.”

San glances at him, “I have the feeling that may be my hardest trial.”

“Perhaps, but who knows? Life is strange that way.” Riley gives a smile walking to the wall and bracing himself against it.

As they leave, San’s thought is only to leave and the door behind them disappears. It was interesting to see how different her magic was compared to theirs.

Madam Cartwing raises her hands and gives a clap a few times as the young adults of age twelve settle down. “Now then, we shall start with our beginning choices of weapons. Some of you may already have an idea. Others may not. The guards here will walk you through asking you different questions in case you need help deciding. Never forget, it’s okay not to have a weapon as of yet. In the Academy of Feldorea, it will be much easier to choose a weapon. Adria?”

Adria with red curls and pointy ears steps forward first and glances at the array of weapons before her from different types of swords ranging to bows/throwing knives/bombs and other types of throwing weapons. She puts her finger to her chin and looks at the next set of items. Magical items such as orbs, globes, whips, magical bows, and other items rest in this area. She walks behind the Magical bow section past the whips, behind them and grabs a set of magical cards. She smiles and walks forward with a deck of cards as her weapon.

“Rodan?” Madam Cartwing calls for the next student.

Rodan doesn’t stop and walks straight up to the long saber standing beside the longsword. He draws it out casting a powerful pose as he strikes with the weapon. He smiles at Madam Cartwing and steps beside Adria.

“Henry?”

Henry nervously steps forward pausing at the entrance and gazes at all the weapons. A guard steps forward kneeling talking to him. Several times he shakes his head and after a few minutes, he walks to the others without a weapon.

“It’s ok Henry, to not have a weapon yet, remember? You’re still learning your magic.” Madam Cartwing states this as a fact.

Henry nods his head, not daring to speak.

“Ned, you’re next.”

Ned walks forward not pausing and goes to the knuckles section first. Picking up a thin chain he pulls his fingers through them. The chains in case his hand and wrist as spikes form above them. He places himself in a Monk stance and performs several dance moves. Once finished, he picks up a simple pair of daggers and walks over to stand with the other students.

“Nicely done, Peona?” Madam Cartwing gives a nod letting her know it’s her turn.

Peona takes a nervous step forward. Taking a huge swallow down her throat, She walks forward picking up a rapier and placing it by her side. Down the lane, a large staff catches her attention and grabs it. She walks back towards the other students and stays beside them.

“Very good. Seems a few have picked out more than one weapon. I’m sure Gringel and Brooks wouldn’t mind making those weapons multi-use so it will be easier to switch back and forth between weapons,” Madam Cartwing said. “Now then, Gringel is going to explain this next part as Commander Kail who materializes his weapon also performed this to see which weapon he will use. From what I gathered; your magic is similar to his.”

“In a manner, Yes.” San gazes at Gringel and Brooks bringing out six different stones. She glances at them and notices a few are not stones but gems.

“Sometimes people have a high magic that doesn’t allow them to use weapons created by us. There are materials such as these before you can manifest on your own accord creating a weapon made for you. If you would, San come over.” Gringel asks and Brooks steps backward. San steps forward, spotting different colors. As she looks over at each one the last one for some reason catches her attention. Strangely, that it displays different colors all over the large gem and for some reason feels familiar to her. Averting her gaze, San looks at Gringel who is watching her intently.

“Looks like that one caught your attention, didn’t it Missy?” Gringel remarks with a grin on his face and places both hands on his hips.

Raising an eyebrow at him, “Why do I get the feeling I’m in for another lesson?”

Gringel throws his head back and laughs.

San grimaces and observes these creatures have their own sense of humor.

Gringel looks back at her. “Perhaps I do. Let me explain. Sometimes we have people that come in and place their hands over stones or gems like these and they react to them. Their magic causes the weapon to form from the material as they have to focus their magic over it.” He steps over to the third stone in a deep blue color. “This stone is called Osimiyi and it’s what Commander Kail’s weapon is made from. This particular item comes from deep within the sea. And like you, it attracted his attention at first glance. Few have had this happen to them as this type of occurrence is very rare. The one you were attracted to is very rare indeed.” He walks over the stone kneeling and points to it. “This stone doesn’t have a name because no one knows where it comes from and it can’t be forged into anything. I think we have only found a total of ten of these in our kingdom. It is strictly kept in the Academy and each town at the storehouse for forges.” He walks back over to her. “Now then, I am going to be standing here and you can walk over and touch it.”

San glances at him. “Just touch it?”

Gringel replies, “Yup, just touch it. You don’t have to give off your magic as you already have its attention, and it has yours.”

She gazes at the rock and walks over kneeling. Her hand reaches out to touch the gem and it emits a powerful glow blinding everyone for a few seconds.

San hangs midair with the gem emitting different colors. It rises off the ground and takes shape as many weapons surround her and circle her displaying many different elements at the same time. Dark weapons, two long-bladed daggers with a string in between them, A staff with a silver and golden hue, along with several others. As they come together before her another weapon emerges that is similar to a katana.

The katana’s handle displays a simple array of different colors on the hilt ranging from black to gold, yellow, blue, red, white, and a few others. The blade is long and slightly curved with two different types of blades on each side. One is a bright shimmering moonlight color, while the other is a dark silver color. The weapon disappears into a small chain with a star in the middle and two full moons beside the star. San collapses to the ground.

“San!” Gringel rushes forward kneeling as Riley appears beside her.

“I think she is fine, probably exhausted. What was that?” Riley asks and places his arms underneath her, lifting her in his arms.

“Not sure, I believe I saw at least thirty different types of weapons combined into one. Here, I believe this is the young lady’s weapon.” Gringel places the small necklace on her neck. The chain moves upwards circling her neck.

Riley looks up and spots the children with a worried look on their faces.

Gringel approaches them, “Now don’t you worry, I’m sure she is just tired after having that happen. Not every day we get to see something like that, eh kids?” Gringel starts to joke around.

Riley carries San to the tavern. He steps into the tavern giving a glance at Torin and takes her upstairs to her room, lying her on the bed and taking her shoes off. He pulls the covers up and stands over her for a brief few minutes pondering questions. He leaves the room and heads downstairs.

Downstairs, Torin glances at him. “Everything alright?”

“Yes. Just a bit tired. I think I’ll have a tonic if you don’t mind.” Riley stops at the stool and sits down. Torin hands him a drink.

“Something tells me something interesting happened?”

A few customers come in sitting at a table.

Torin refills Riley’s drink before he goes to take their order.

Riley ponders about that and shakes his head. Still can’t get over the fact that thirty different weapons combined into one for her and will admit being somewhat curious about that. He takes a sip of his tonic. Hopefully, in a few hours, Gringel will have answers, they might have to wait till tomorrow.

Morning dawns as the room remains slightly dark. Rousing from her sleep, San sits up and remembers the weapons talking to her. Raising her hand to her neck, feels the necklace and the calming effect it has on her. She gets out of bed and does her morning ritual of taking a bath, brushing her hair, and using the fragrance Winfred taught her how to make. She opens the door and remembers something important.

Going back to the desk, San makes her card appear on it. She pulls out the bag of coins resting inside a drawer and lays it on top of the card. It disappears and the card reads sixty-one silver coins and fifty gold coins. She proceeds to head downstairs entering the tavern below and sits at the small table near the fireplace.

With a penna and pad in Natasha’s hand, “What can I get for you today?”

“May I have a portion of babirusa with soup and a cup of bae, please?”

“Of Course.” Natasha moves to the stove preparing the meal. She brings over her food and places it on the table.

San gives her the card.

Natasha places it over the written bill extracting 15 copper coins for it and hands her back the card.

San starts eating her food in front of her.

A few moments pass and Riley steps through the door sitting across from her. He sits back and smiles watching her eat.

Natasha walks over to him.

“Cup of bea, please.”

Natasha leaves the table to take a few more orders as a few more customers come into the tavern.

“It seems that weapon there will be interesting. Gringel managed to record all of what they looked like. He has no idea what any of them are because some of them were emitting different elementals that don’t match our records. He hopes you can work that out so we can document that for your record.” Riley hands a few copper coins to Natasha and takes the cup of Bae from her. He takes a sip.

San finishes her soup and wipes her mouth with her napkin, looking up at Riley. “I think I can. I remember feeling all the elements, however, there was one that felt familiar, but I can’t put a name to it.” She looks down at her empty bowl.

“I’m sure in time you will.” Riley finishes his cup of Bae and stands up. “Shall we get going to Gringel’s then?”

They walk out of the tavern heading over the Gringels and Brooks Forge. They step inside the shop and walk up to the counter.

Brooks smiles at them. “Well, hello. I take it you’re ready to learn about your weapons?”

“Yes.” San glances at Brooks.

Brooks raises the latch to the left of the counter inviting them behind. He takes them to the room in the back. “Can I get you something to drink?”

“No, Thank You.” San sits down on the sofa with her feet in front of her and places both hands on her lap.

Riley sits beside her with his leg crossed and his arm rests on the side arm of the sofa. “Nah, I’m good.”

“I’ll be back. Gringel is excited about this part.” Brooks takes his leave to get his father.

San glances around and notices the room is very similar to the room in Madam Ura’s establishment.

Brooks steps into the room with Gringel behind carrying a few documents. He sits down on the sofa on the other side of her while browsing the documents in his hand.

Brooks stands back behind his father gazing down at the documents.

Gringel looks up from his reading, “Well, little lady, it seems instead of weapons combining into one. It was elements combining into one weapon. It seems the Elements themselves formed different shapes in order to be put into your main weapon. Unfortunately, we couldn’t determine what half of those were. Both of us were shocked to see that many. So here is my question. Would it be better for us to identify them or to leave them blank?”

“From the title of a pathreplaceer, there are many unknown abilities. You do know I can use Spatial Magic as well as what you call swift attacks.” San glances at him.

“Yes, I think it’s safe to say we can put those down.” Gringel takes a penna and writes down two affinities. “Is there anything else we can put down?”

“I think it’s safe to assume your invisibility can be put there,” Riley smirks.

“I suppose you’re right. I didn’t use that very wisely.” San casts a side glance at Riley.

“There we go. Al’ight, now I just need you to sign down here and we can finish this.” Gringel hands the documents over to her.

San takes the documents and signs her name. She hands them back over to him.

Gringel remarks, “Al’ight, looks like I just need to file this, and we are done. Good luck with mastering that weapon of yours. Something tells me it will not be an easy feat.”

“Thank You.”

Riley and San both rise and leave the shop. “I guess now my journey finally starts?”

“Indeed. And do you know what your first objective should be?” Riley questions with a teasing glance.

“If you’re trying to make fun of me again because of Boah, I think I might slap you on the back of the head this time.” San glances at him.

“Fair enough, would you like your horseback lesson today to arrive at the Cave of Solace?” Riley tries to hide another smile while San grimaces. “It will be fine.”

They walk past the town center with Tresi waving his hand as he is taking orders from a few of his customers. San raises her hand at Tresi as they continue walking to the stables. “Will I have to eventually meet with the King of this country?”

“Unfortunately, Yes. That can’t be avoided, but we are hoping to buy you at least a bit of time to become somewhat adjusted before you go and see him.” They turn down the path leading to the stables. Riley smirks.

San purses her lips and keeps wanting to hit him on the back of the head.