The Ancient Beast

Armored Scavenger's fan-fict. 
This is the second part of The Scavenger Series #2: The Four Terrors. 
The prequel to this story and the first in the second series is Out of the Rainforest.
Enjoy reading. Comment if you want to. :) The next story is The Mask of Simeon.
== Prologue ==
Excerpts from various ancient writings:
That year the devil came. It brought down its wrath on us for no reason. We thought all was lost, but then it just...disappeared. What could it have been? It looked like one of those blasted scaled demons, but it was different. It had no life to it. It didn't care what it did, or who it harmed. Thank the moons it is gone.....
- Unknown Author, c. 2200 BTS.
This beast, why won't it die? What do we have to do in order to keep it from destroying our homes and our crops? We send all our good men to fight it, but none of them come home. May they rest in peace, those poor souls who we sent to their inevitable doom.....
......It has been two years and still no change. It slowly tears our people apart, bit by bit. The kings cannot do anything, and even the dragons cower away from it. Why? Is it not one of them?......
........Three years. Now we have peace, finally.
- Vindictus, c. 1345 BTS.
It is finished, we will never see it again....
-????? c. 1000-300? BTS.
The beast........I see it........it will come again. To destroy our world like in past times. No one is safe, the world will be in chaos. Hope, it is the only thing that can stop it. We can stop it before it comes back, but we must not be foolish. It is gone, gone now. Yet deep in my being, I know it shall not be the end, and it will all be our own fault. And we must suffer the consequences........I weep.
- Cor, the Watcher. c.6 BTS
== Part 1: Mazur ==
=== Chapter: 1 Ceremony of Introduction ===
What good is life? A human life? How far will that take you?
Konrad pondered about these questions every day. What could he possibly accomplish in his lifetime? He was a human, but the world he lived in was so strange. He lived in this world, so why can't he be free?
The dragons. That's why. If it weren't for them then definitely he would be meaningful. All is meaningless now. The dragons could destroy him in a flash if they wanted to, or let him suffer the price of his people's downfall.
The water was nice, though. The clean river. It felt cleansing. Mazur, the ancient name of this river.
He watched a crowd up high on a cliff. With them was a young boy and a young girl. In front of them was a tall man. He had dark hair. His skin was tanned, he liked the sun very much. Konrad was down below, waiting with other people at the bottom. This was the ceremony. The ceremony of introduction. Two new clansmen were about to join them.
It all seemed nice, until you knew what would happen. The great river, the bringer of life. Yet, it could be the deliverer of death. If the two hit the rocks instead of the water, then the clan wouldn't want them. It happened to him. He hit the water, barely.
The ceremony was quick. At anytime the dragons could come. Luckily today it seemed they were everywhere else but here. So the man, garbed in white, took the young girl's hand. She did not scream or try to resist, unlike many others before her. The man turned her around so she faced the river. The storm clouds were gathering.
Then, like that, he pushed her. 
The girl fell and fell down the cliff. The jagged rocks below wanted her. However, fate wanted otherwise. Konrad heard her crash into the water, and then she emerged. There were no cheers or sounds of happiness. It seemed like it was just routine to throw people to their possible end. Now it was the boy's turn.
The man went to grab the boy. The boy screamed and cried. He tried to run away, but two guards, garbed in all red, grabbed hold of him. The man seized the squirming boy very roughly. Konrad never knew if this boy was having second thoughts, or if he was just doing this because he was forced to. Either way, the river awaited him. 
The boy, with all his might, tried to break free. But the man's strong arms were tightly wrapped around him. He would then loosen his grip, but only to lift the boy by the collar of his brown shirt. He raised him to the clouds, the sun was not out anymore. 
The man tossed him into the river, not caring what would happen. The boy's shriek could be heard during the entire fall. Then suddenly, a thud, and silence. 
The ceremony was over. Konrad looked into the crowd. Two of those gathered, a man and a woman, were weeping. The rest followed the white-garbed man back to the caves. It was done. Konrad knew it was time to leave. He went over to the young girl. He waited for her to catch up, and then they left.
They left two parents to weep on the cliff. Mazur Cult was not to be messed with.
=== Chapter 2: Tent Village ===
The day was almost done when Konrad was interrupted. Annoyed that he was going to be late for dinner, he followed the two armed messengers out of his tent, then out into the tent 'city.' 
The tent village was hardly a sight to see. Everywhere there were tents, mostly of tan color, but some of them were dyed blue, green, or a light red. They were all small in size, only meant to house a few people at one time, while their supplies were tied down in front of the entrances, guarded by a hound or an awake member of the dwelling. 
Flies buzzed around dead carcasses of cattle, and in some cases, people who had not yet been buried. The terrible stench could make any outsider queasy, but not the villagers, who were used to it. The air, in addition to the smell of rotting flesh, was filled with smoke from the bonfires that provided light during dim hours. At night these fires died down, or if not they were put out. A dark tent settlement was easy for both dragon or human enemies to pass by without knowing it was there. 
The people of this place were less than impressive. They looked more like poor peasants than 'freedom fighters.' They reeked of terrible odors. Inside their tents there was little space, so there was little room for air. Sweat and sometimes blood stained on their clothing. Some of the inhabitants could only wear rags. So poor were they that they could not even afford decent clothing. Most wore animal pelts, usually from their own livestock. If they could get a hold of leather, then they would wear it. In this village, however, few knew how to make more sophisticated things like that.
It seemed like a terrible place, and Konrad did not object to that. However, it still kept everyone together, like a big family or something. As he walked past a few makeshift shops, he sneered.
Konrad immediately regretted his words. It was hardly a family. Thieves constantly robbed their own merchants, who were busy conducting trade. Every night someone always reported that they were missing a sheep or a cow to the village elder. Not to Konrad's surprise, the elder did nothing and life went on. 
This was one of three Mazur villages. This place was identical to the tent village upstream, where the conditions were the same, or possibly better. Then to the west lay an once abandoned fort, seized by their great leader after the pointless war. It was the capital of their clan, but hardly the heart of it. Konrad was jealous.
He had been to the fort before. It was made out of simple limestone and blended well into its rocky surroundings. There were no markings or banners indicating it was theirs, but every clansman or woman knew it was so. The fort had been abandoned many decades ago because it was falling apart and the lord had no money to repair it. It was never used since, until now. 
The messengers led him to the center of the tent village. In the middle there was only one tent. It was no different from the others except it always had three guards waiting by the entrance. The two messengers signaled them and they allowed Konrad to go inside.
Konrad crouched down to enter. A small oil lantern illuminated the inside of the tent. With it he could see piles of papers, animal skins, and even a club. Looking at the papers was an ugly, tanned man. Lord Plummen he was called. He wore a simple brown robe with his signature beaver hat off to the side. His face was out of proportion. His nose was large and his ears too small. His mouth was crooked and to make matters worse, he had mysteriously caught gout, or so it was told. Nonetheless, Konrad could hardly stand to look at him.
Thankfully the meeting was brief. Lord Plummen saw Konrad and looked through his pile of papers, finding one stamped letter. He handed it to Konrad, who was shooed away as Plummen continued to look at old manuscripts.
Konrad left the tent and walked to sit down on a white rock a few paces away. He tore open the seal and began to read. Konrad barely knew how to read or write. His parents didn't know much either and the village was poorly educated. Only Plummen knew how to read and was reluctant to teach anyone. It didn't matter since everyone felt it would be a waste of precious time to learn. 
Konrad gazed over the letter. He could pick out only a few words, but that was all he needed. "Job, Konrad, fort." The only three words he could get from the short letter. He got off the rock and went back to his tent. The night was here and the village had died down. People were talking in low tones and the slower herders were just bringing back their sheep or cattle.
Konrad wasn't going to stay here for much longer.
=== Chapter 3: The Fort ===
That night was a time of preparation and joy. Finally, after so many years he was able to leave this place for somewhere better. No longer would he have to live with a whole other strange family who he never got to know, yet slept with them every night in the overcrowded tent. He thought of all the good things that would happen to him.
Maybe he would eat some real food, not the cornmeal or oats he had everyday, with the occasional burnt bird or piece of beef on the side. He could sleep in his own room, with a window to let in cool air, not the filthy, tight, hot tent he slept in. He might even meet his parents there. The last time he saw them was when he was six, now he was fifteen. He had vague memories of them. Now he might meet them once again, after he was taken away and put into the village. 
At dawn he was packed and ready to go. He didn't have much at all, practically nothing. In his leather pouch he had some spare clothing and rags, along with a few pieces of silver that he had robbed a few months back. He also had a piece of paper with his name written on it, used for identification.
Two mounted guards arrived at his tent shortly before sunrise. If he was asleep they would have woken him, but he was wide awake already. Along with his bag he was helped up onto a horse with one of the guards and all three quietly left the village. 
Gone was the bad life in the tents. Gone was his dirty and unsatisfying work, and gone was his poor life. Now he was going to the fort, where his life would change for the better, or so he hoped. By midday Konrad could see the fort with his own eyes. The signature white limestone walls and the large rusty iron gate was a welcome to him. They were deep in the dense green forest of evergreens with the towering mountains overhead. 
The group suddenly stopped. The two men with Konrad did not move an inch. Then, from the bushes and behind trees came out a posse of people. They looked intimidating, yet they looked more like bandits than clansmen. Each wore black hoods or balaclavas, concealing their identity. One had a bow with arrows, while the rest had knives or daggers. They waited patiently and looked intently at Konrad and his escorts. 
One of Konrad's escorts had a hand signal, which seemed to be unique to the Mazur Clan. It must have worked since the fort guards backed off and hid in the forest again, ready to ambush the next visitor to the fort. 
The iron gate at the fort entrance opened and it made an annoying screeching noise from years of collected rust. Konrad and his escorts went inside the courtyard. This was the fort Konrad was waiting for.
He was finally where he thought he belonged. Where he wanted to be.
=== Chapter 4: Good Life ===
Home. It was home. 
Konrad looked at the mirror in his new room. He looked terrible, but still, he found himself to be handsome. His long black hair flowed down past his shoulders, his blue eyes shined in the light of the candle in front of him, and his worn clothes were finally gone. He now wore an almost brand new outfit which he found to be quite dashing. If only his parents could see him now. 
He hoped they soon would be able to. He went to lie on the bed. He looked at the ceiling, which was made out of cold, hard stone. The bed was soft, a thousand times better than that bag he slept in for so many years. It was also so quiet, and he was alone, a room all to himself. His belongings barely took up any space, in fact there was more in this room than he had ever owned in his entire life.
This is the life. The greatest thing, however, was the balcony. Just feet from his bed he could be outside, watching the shiny moons, the dark forests, or the rest of the fort. He could feel the cold air whenever he went out, it felt amazing. It was always so warm and stuffy in the tent, and the smell was awful. Here, it didn't smell quite like anything. He heard that there was a small fire burning before he arrived, but the smoke and its smell was long gone. They said something about a dragon, but rumors were just rumors, he told himself.
If only he was here sooner. He could have been raised by his own parents, lived in this rich fort, and never had to work so hard or live in a tent with an entire family he didn't even know. Life was grand.
Konrad feel asleep soon after. Meanwhile, a messenger knocked on the door sometime in the middle of the night. He didn't expect anyone to answer, so he just walked inside. He spotted a small stool right under the desk next to the wall. He pulled it out and placed a sealed, stamped envelope on top. He then left, without disturbing Konrad.
It was an hour or two after midnight when Konrad awoke. He had slept most of the day he arrived at the fort, therefore he got his rest. Now, what was he to do? The room was dark, no moonlight shone through, due to the clouds that had accumulated in the last few hours. He didn't want to wake anyone up. An officer occupied the room next to his. Konrad had not met him yet, but when he looked inside the room he could tell the man was wealthy. 
He went to the window. At least he could see what was going on in the outside world. He tip-toed to the balcony and pulled aside the curtains. Konrad never noticed how wealthy this castle must be. The curtains were made of silk! The cult had to be quite rich, but why had they not sent money to help the tent city? The thought went away when he heard a new sound, aside from the crickets chirping and the wind blowing. Something big, flying.
The one moon out that night provided enough light for Konrad to see a figure in the sky. A dragon!
Konrad gasped in surprise and a bit of horror. The dragon could not have been but within eyesight of the fort. He couldn't believe it was a dragon, but it indeed was.
From the dragon his eyes went down to the fort to see if anyone else spotted the creature. A few guards on watch did see the dragon, but only whispered to each other and some brave soldier pointed it out to another who didn't understand what was going on. Basically, they did nothing but stare. Some didn't even bother to. It was as if nothing had happened.
Konrad was not sure if he should feel relaxed or afraid. 
He left the balcony and went back to his room. "Oh," he muttered when he spotted an envelope on his stool. He went to retrieve it.
=== Chapter 5: First Day ===
The room was too dark to read it. Konrad moved back onto the balcony, but was disappointed to find out that the moonlight didn't help any better. Thus, he lit a candle and placed it on the wooden desk that was against the wall. He sat down on the little stool and began to read the note. It was very short and straight to the point, and simple enough for Konrad to read it:
Meet me in my quarters tomorrow night.
The room two down, on the left.
The sender did not put their name, and the stamp was the cult's generic symbol. It could have been anyone. He tried to look for clues, but there seemed to be none. Nothing odd about the paper, nor the ink, nor the style of writing. Konrad felt tired of staring at the paper for such a long time so he blew the candle out and went to sleep. It would all straighten itself out tomorrow night.
Before long it was finally morning. The sun was high in the sky when Konrad finally awoke to bright light shining in from the balcony. A chill went through the room, making him shiver. Eventually he got himself out of bed and went to the balcony. 
Nothing had changed since last night, but finally he could see everything clearly. The forests were green and healthy, with areas of them chopped down, signifying where the dirt paths were. The guards were all in their same spots, watching both inside the courtyard and out into the rest of the world. The sky was blue, not one cloud for what seemed like forever. Wind swayed the trees in all directions and made the world cold.
After taking it all in, Konrad walked away from the balcony and back into the room. He changed into some clothing that was probably left for him to wear. There was a grey tunic, a pair of black trousers, heavy boots, woolen gloves, and a cheap fur hat. On the tunic there was a patch on the right shoulder, of a single blue water droplet. The symbol of the Mazur Cult. So simple, but yet Konrad could not help but feel a bit of pride. He was a part of this...family. 
He completely crushed any memory of the awful tent city and continued to put on the new clothes. When finished, he put his old ones on the bed and walked out of the room. He opened the wooden door, which led him out into the hallway.
It was plain and simple, just like when he went through here yesterday. There were no paintings or banners decorating the place, only a woven rug, which was quite nice to see and have.
So, two down, on the left. Konrad thought, remembering the note. He remembered one of the escorts explain to him that "down" was referring to the direction where the staircase was, on the south end of the floor. So two down would be two doors to the right from where he was standing. "On the left" is determined by facing the direction opposite of the staircase, north. Left is west, right is east. 
All the rooms looked the same from the outside, but he remembered the place next to his was quite cozy and fine. The next one down that place was the room he needed to go into after sunset. Now, he had some exploring to do. 
=== Chapter 6: Around the Fort ===
All day he went around the fort, even in some places he probably shouldn't have gone. Everywhere he went it seemed that no one knew him. It was the first day, however, that he went out and about. Surely he will soon get to know everyone and meet his parents. 
The tower that he lived in seemed to be where most of the inhabitants slept. He was on the third or fourth floor out of six. In the courtyard there were a few structures that were only two stories tall. Then there was another structure of three stories that was by the far end of the fort, away from everything else. Guard towers were on every corner of this square fort, with some smaller ones along the walls.
Konrad visited the kitchen, only to be shooed away by the cooks and butchers. He did manage to catch a glimpse of a team of butchers cutting apart a cow. Then he went to the courtyard, which was empty most of the time. He was herded away from the armory by a guard even though he wasn't even heading there. He tried asking for permission to go into the main structure where the lord lived, but of course he was met by a hissing guard. Two of them.
It was a fun day, completed by walking around the fort twice, looking at all the guards. One of them was nice enough to strike up a conversation. Konrad didn't remember if he gave his name, but Konrad learned that the guard used to be a watchman for some country up north, then he left because of a 'little incident'. Konrad didn't ask what it was, but instead listened to the guard drone on and on about his experience in watching over the fort. At sunset the guards finished their shift. There were eight, he learned.
One from midnight to deep night. Deep night to sunrise. Sunrise to early morning. Early morning to noon. Noon to mid-afternoon. Mid-afternoon to sunset. Sunset to early night. Early night to midnight. 
Konrad watched the sun set. But as beautiful as it was, he went into the dining hall. It was very plain, with tables all over and a few seats here and there. It was full a few moments ago, but by the time Konrad had reached there it was almost empty. The guards from before were there, eating and drinking together. A few common folk were there as well and that was it. Konrad grabbed a bowl of vegetable stew and a piece of bread, sat down, and ate. After finishing he returned the bowl and went back to his room. 
Like the note from before, he found another one on his stool. This time it was not stamped and not sealed. Konrad read it. The directness was the same, though.
In a little while, come to the room.
Waiting for the night to finally come, Konrad left his room. Following the directions from before, he went two rooms down, the one on the left. He knocked on the door. He could see a light underneath. Someone was there. Konrad knocked again. No answer.
Suddenly he heard footsteps. Despite the darkness, Konrad saw a figure emerge from the stairs and walk towards him. The man wore a full helmet. He asked in a whisper, "You got the note?"
Konrad whispered yes and the man ordered him to take a step back. In his hand he held a key. He opened the door and quickly shoved Konrad inside. Then he closed the door and locked it. This room was nice, too.
=== Chapter 7: The Mission ===
Inside was a brief meeting that lasted only a few moments. Konrad and his companions were to infiltrate the great city of Mitterschlag in the Grand Duchy of Kosburg. It was the most important port in northeastern Pyrrhia and home to many important military leaders. According to their spies, the King of Bielska was meeting the Grand Duke. 
It seemed the King was going to bring a certain book that the Cult wanted. So the mission was simple, sneak in, take the book, then sneak out. Then they would give the book to the headmaster of the castle, who would then send it to the leader of the cult. The infiltration group would leave before morning so that in two days they would reach the town. 
Konrad walked back to bed with many questions on his mind. He did not know his specific role or why the book was so important. He went to bed anyways, having to wait until later to have them answered.
Someone banged on his door before the first glimpse of light appeared. Konrad lit a candle and opened the door to see who it was. No one was there, but there was a duffel bag sitting outside his room. He took it inside and opened its contents. Inside was a sleeping bag, some food, and also a woolen mask. Then, Konrad put on his clothing, walked out of his room, and went downstairs. 
Waiting for him was a group of young men and women who all wore similar black masks. It appeared they were all going to walk to the town, which made Konrad a bit upset. They all left the fort together and into the surrounding forest. 
It was the most boring walk to Mitterschlag that anyone could imagine. No one said a word the entire time. To top things off, they were all incredibly slow when it came to moving. If he didn't have to wait for everyone else, Konrad probably would have made it all the way in a single day. He did not realize how close they were until he saw the port with his own eyes. He didn't complain, but deep down he knew he wasted an entire day of his life. 
Mitterschlag was a thriving port. No dragons ever came across this town and if they did they would taste lead. Mitterschlag was defended by at least a dozen cannons and almost a hundred soldiers. Two warships were in port at the time. Ever since the war ended, this city had modernized, expanded, and became more important than ever. The buildings were old, dating back at least fifty years, some hundreds. The streets were filled in with cobblestone and gas lamps hung over the streets. Merchants sold freely in the squares and extra cheer was in the air with the arrival of the King. 
Red and gold banners flew through the air and were draped over balconies. The main street was being cleaned up after a crowd threw flowers as the king came through. The Grand Duke stood at the front of the courthouse where he greeted the king. 
The group arrived after all of the festivities ended and they easily made it into the town. They went into a house that supposedly belonged to one of the spies. Konrad was led inside and was given clothes to change into. He put on a fur hat and coat which resembled a Bielskan musketeers'. Then the group went to the courthouse. The guards let them in, without any questions asked. Konrad did not know why, but he felt that perhaps they were in on it, too. 
They walked down the beautiful halls to the library. The group walked inside to dozens of shelves and thousands of books. Konrad couldn't believe there was so much to read, and was more amazed that people actually read for fun. 
There was a black book on a table close to the door. They all walked towards it and the oldest member of the group carefully snatched it. Konrad managed to catch a glimpse of the title.
The Book of Magical Arts and Summoning
Before he had a chance to wonder about that title, he heard footsteps and a voice getting louder. 
"Hold on, I think I left it here," said the voice casually, getting ever closer.
The eldest member pointed at the group and motioned them to stand behind the door or against the wall. They did as he wanted and no one breathed. The leader pulled out a flintlock pistol from his coat and aim it towards the door. The moment anyone came in, they would be shot dead. The footsteps got louder and closer, until...boom.
The shot was loud, and it hit. There was no scream, only the heavy thud of a body falling to the floor. The leader gasped. Once the smoke cleared Konrad moved closer to see the victim. His heart rose to his throat.
The King was slain.
"Everyone, run!" shouted the leader. Then everyone scattered. They bolted through the corridors and hallways to the outside. In seconds the guards found the body and they had no trouble finding those responsible.
"After them!" shouted one of them. One of them was reckless enough to fire a shot from his musket, which missed but not by much. They were almost onto the cultists when the elders of the group pushed Konrad and two others back into the soldiers. They deliberately left them to get away on their own. The guards grabbed them, but could not get past them.
The guards marched the three of them outside, where the Grand Duke was waiting. His face was red from both weeping and from anger.
"Damn you and your cult! I'll kill each and every one of you, you barbarians! Sie barbaren!" he cried. 
This was not supposed to happen.
=== Chapter 8: The Beast ===
In the courtyard the three cultists were presented to the Grand Duke and three judges. An army of soldiers, both Kosburgen and Bielskan, stood shoulder to shoulder as they watched the body of the king be brought out of the courthouse. 
The Kosburgen troops mourned the death of their former monarch, while the Bielskans were outraged. They cursed Konrad and the two younger Mazur members. They spat at their feet, threatened them with their weapons, and requested that they be executed at once. 
The Grand Duke quickly adhered to their cries of justice. He had to put all criminals on trial, according to the law, but the evidence was so clear it would not take long to find them guilty.
The Bielskans then cursed the law, but they took no further step except to watch the trials unfold, angrily. The first cultist, a young boy of maybe twelve, was dragged to a judge by a guard. He was then thrown down to the dusty ground, where he did not even look up or make a sound. The cultist said nothing when questioned and after the judge made his obvious verdict, he was stood against the wall. The Bielskans would have their revenge.
Bielskan musketeers positioned themselves as a firing squad. The cultists showed no emotion. The soldiers fired their lead and the boy fell to the ground, lifeless. The second cultist was put onto trial.
Unlike the boy, this cultist, a girl who looked to be about eighteen, made a stand. She cursed the dead King and the Grand Duke, blaming them for the war that took place and for them not being members of the cult, which was her justification for the murder. She did not say a word about how their mission went wrong and the King wasn't supposed to be dead. Like predicted, the judge made his verdict and the girl was sentenced to be executed. 
Bielskan cavalry were the executioners. A nobleman in a fur coat and an armored winged hussar took out their sabers and walked to the girl, who hissed and sneered. The two men took no time in hacking her down, and her bloody body was laid out on the ground. Konrad noticed her fingers were twisted into a sign, a secret sign of the cult.
Konrad was next on trial. Cold sweat poured down his forehead and his neck. The judge stood intimidatingly in front of him in black robes, with two other judges on either side of him. The Grand Duke stood to Konrad's left, and it appeared he would be the man who would take the life of the last cultist. Konrad said nothing. He was taught to never talk to outsiders from an early age, especially if he was faced with death. 
The verdict was once again guilty, and the Grand Duke made his way to Konrad. He had a large axe in his hands, which Konrad looked at with fear. 
This wasn't supposed to happen. My life is supposed to be better, not end right now! Damn it, Mazur! Curse you, cult! I don't care, I WANT MY LIFE!!!
Konrad knew that anything he did or said would never change the minds of the Grand Duke. Konrad was dragged to a bucket and ordered to kneel down. He could see the shadow of the Kosburgen ruler prepare his axe. He saw him swing it over his head, and tears began to drip one by one into the ground. 
However, the axe never touched the cultist's head. An ominous and mysterious cry rang out throughout the town. It was high-pitched and eerie. Guards on the walls spotted something sitting on one of the towers.
The Grand Duke turned around to see what it was along with everyone else in attendance. Konrad turned to lay on his back, wanting to get a look. His eyes went wide.
A gigantic dragon was perched on the northern tower of Mitterschlag. Its body resembled that of an ice dragon, but it also had the qualities of a mud dragon. It's body was white and sunlight shone off its body, blinding many below watching it. Its tail was whip-like, its head was flat, its scales were thick, its claws were ridged, its tongue was blue. While it seemed to be completely white and silvery, its underbelly was actually a pale amber. The most disturbing thing of all was its eyes. It appeared they were orange flames burning brightly. Konrad felt something dreadful, but it wasn't its appearance. A feeling of dread and worry was spread throughout the town. It was as if it radiated a sort of energy.
A building collapsed, then another. Then a tower fell. People began to scream, soldiers started to fight, and Konrad remained paralyzed. The Grand Duke fled with his judges while the soldiers approached the dragon. The dragon screeched at them and blue flames from its mouth scorched many of the warriors. Ballistas and cannons fired, but they were useless. The scales seemed to be impregnable. 
Konrad cleared his head and bolted toward the gate. It was his chance to flee, to survive. The city was being torn to ruins and its inhabitants were slaughtered. This was no ordinary dragon. Konrad ran to the gate, and no one stopped him. He did not look back to see if the creature was following him. It seemed to only be interested in the town.
Oh great Moons, has this demon saved me? 
=== Chapter 9: The Corpses ===
Konrad ran as far as his legs could take him. He could smell smoke and his own sweat as the town grew further and further away. He ran along the path he and his group used to reach the port, and he wondered if the rest of them escaped.
As he slowed down he took one look back at the town of Mitterschlag. The town was blackened by flames and many buildings were just piles of rubble. The ships on the water were quickly making their way away from the port, while the boats still in port were reduced to wreckage. Konrad hid in some tall grasses when he heard people. He watched as the Grand Duke rode away from the ruins of his port, being greeted by reinforcements along the way. However, he turned them around and away from the city, knowing they could not help. The town was lost.
Konrad waited until they were out of sight, then continued on. 
But where to?
The young man had no idea what he was going to do next. He was angry at the cult that almost sent him to his death and did not want to return to them. But that was the only place he could go. The only place he was excepted. The only place he could belong. 
Konrad sighed. It was his only choice. He wouldn't be able to survive alone in the wild, and certainly no one would take him in. Before long he realized that he was an accomplice in the king's death. Unless the Duke was certain Konrad was dead he would be looking for him, wanting to execute him. 
The boy continued to walk along the trail to the fort. The cult was the only group who could protect him. They might punish him, but if the other members got what they needed then maybe he would be treated a bit better. The fort was a good place for him and the yearning for his parents was still strong.
He traveled through the clearing and reached a stream that began to flow along the side of the path. Konrad decided to take a rest and drink from the stream before he resumed traveling any more. It was going to be evening soon and night was going to be a dangerous time. Thieves and bandits, members of rival cults and soldiers of nations roamed the land, all of them were threats to him. The safest thing would be to stay by the stream and hide for the night, awake. Tired as he was, it was too risky for him to sleep in the bushes or tall grasses. 
Konrad went for one last drink of water when he spotted something floating down the river. When he went for a closer look at the dark object the moonlight revealed its dastardly revelation. It was a naked body, a corpse.
Konrad spat out the water he had in his mouth and choked. His heart rose to his throat when he recognized the body as one of the other cultists. He rushed up stream.
Konrad was filled with anxiety as he ran. Who killed him? Where are the others?
He tripped over something and fell to the hard ground. When he managed to get his focus back he was once again shocked. It was another body, the body of another cultist. A few feet away was another corpse, the last cultist that was sent to the town. Upon closer inspection Konrad saw that they had sword cuts across their chests and their throats. A thought came to him and he rummaged through their clothing. The book was gone. With help from the moons Konrad looked around for it, but it was not anywhere. Someone killed the cultists and took their precious cargo. But who?
Konrad was shocked but not overcome with grief. None of them were particularly close to him, especially since they sacrificed him in order to get away from the guards. But Konrad was still worried about who was out there killing his kind. Soldiers would have taken the bodies away and displayed them for the cults to see. It wasn't an average thief either because the book was the only thing missing. The dead cultists still had their clothing and any valuables that they had taken along with them.
A branch broke in the distance. 
Konrad turned around to see a figure approaching him. Konrad wanted to run, but he was worried the person would chase him. Unfortunately, he had no weapons to defend himself either. 
The figure wasn't slow though, and as he got closer Konrad could make out some features. It was a man and he was tall. He wore some sort of shiny armor and it appeared that he was armed. The man had a brown beard and hair, and his face was strikingly familiar.
"My boy, are you alright?!" the figure asked.
Konrad did not respond as he stood still, waiting for the man to arrive.
=== Chapter 10: Unexpected ===
The man caught up to Konrad, and he bent over and coughed from running. He breathed heavily and he placed his hands on his hips. 
"My boy, are you alright? This is no time for a person your age to be out and about... sweet moons!"
The man noticed the two dead bodies near the river and gazed at Konrad.
"My point exactly. Come, come, we must be going. I know of a place we can stay for the night. You can rest there and we can get formally acquainted." The man was very generous, especially to someone he just met. 
Konrad did not care anymore, he was too tired and anyplace was better than hiding in the bushes for the entire night. He knew he shouldn't, but the offer seemed too good to refuse. He shook the hand of the stranger, but Konrad felt an eerie presence when he did. Nonetheless, he followed the man to wherever he was leading them. 
Within a few minutes the two reached a very old cabin that was falling apart. It was hard to spot in the dark, but the man was very good at finding his way. Konrad walked down a small trail that broke off from the main path. The path was elevated and so Konrad had to walk slowly so that he didn't miss a step and tumble down the trail.
The two reached the cabin and the man opened the wooden door that seemed to be rotting. Once inside the man lit a few candles and the room became illuminated. Konrad could finally see the interior. There were three tables made out of wood and a pile of chairs in a corner. The open windows let in cool air or else it would have been very stuffy. There was one straw bed that was very dirty and hay was scattered all around the floor. A bookshelf that was beginning to collapse held no books, but it did hold a bag. 
The man left the room and went into the kitchen, the second of the two rooms in the cabin. Konrad took a peek and saw that most of the room was bare except for the cabinet the man was looking through and a stove. The man pulled out of the cabinet a loaf of bread and a jug of water. He reached in for some cups and brought everything into the first room. He poured water into the cups and sliced the bread. 
He offered it to Konrad who greedily ate and drank his fill. Without any conversation the two went to bed for the rest of the night. 
The next morning Konrad woke up and to his surprise the man was nowhere in the house. Konrad stepped outside and saw his host looking in the distance. After some time the man returned to the cabin.
"What were you looking at?" asked Konrad.
"There was a beast following the river downstream. It appeared to be a dragon, but something was off. It felt...wrong. Enough of that, though, how are you feeling?"
"A beast?" The same one at Mitterschlag? If I was out there, then...no way would I have made it back to the cult in time.
"Yes, I'm sure it was just a regular one, don't worry about it," reassured the man.
After putting away last night's meal the two sat down for a talk. 
"Who are you, my boy? And what were you doing out there, all alone, at night?" The man was curious about who he took in as a guest.
Konrad kept his mouth shut and looked away. The man grew restless.
"So, after everything, after the food and water I gave you, a place to stay, and saved you, you won't even tell me who you are!?" the man yelled angrily. Konrad looked down at his feet and the floor. 
I don't care if I owe him.
The man was resilient. He pulled out his sword and held it under Konrad's chin.
"Tell me, I deserve to know. You could have been dead! DEAD!"
Konrad calmly looked the man in the eye and sighed. The man lowered his weapon. Konrad began to explain everything. He decided nothing mattered now. The cult would be nice to return to, but it was not for him. He wouldn't be able to go on anymore missions. Not after this experience.
"My name is Konrad, member of the Mazur Cult," he spat at the mention of the cult. "I failed my mission and now I have nowhere to go. I don't care anymore, no one wants me. You can kill me, I'm just a worthless cultist, a bad cultist."
Konrad expected the man to kill him right on the spot, but instead the man looked sadly at the cultist. Then he chuckled. "You know, we are not so different. Both of us have nowhere to go, no one wants us. But I do care, though. I know the feeling, I know your pain. It hurts. I've felt it."
Konrad looked up at the man, confused. The man did seem to be rejected and alone. He may not even own this cabin, but it was probably the only place he could find.
The man looked at the boy. His eyes were tearing up and he looked at Konrad, hopeful. "My boy, I know we can change this. He can work together and I know of a way we can belong. Together we can find better lives. We don't have to live like this anymore!"
Konrad's hopes rose. 
"Who are you, sir?" asked Konrad.
The man looked glumly and humbly at Konrad for a moment, then answered, "My name, my boy, my name is Dmitry. I am Dmitry, rightful Tsar of Zelengorod.
=== Chapter 11: Revelations and Truth ===
"What!?" screamed Konrad in both surprise and shock. "The Tsar Dmitry is long dead!"
The man who called himself Dmitry looked at Konrad with a burning anger, but he breathed heavily and calmed himself down, regaining control, otherwise he may have lashed out. This was something he had heard many times, and he had heard many people chant those exact words with joy.
"No, my boy. I am not dead. I never was killed," he explained, gritting his teeth. Konrad had once seen a painting of the tsar Dmitry, and this man looked just like him.
Is it really him? It can't be!
"Explain yourself, sir. How can Dmitry be alive, he was killed in battle during the war!? His wife took the throne!" he pointed out passionately. The man began to weep silently, then he spoke softly.
"My brother, Vladimir, always wanted the throne. He was the younger son so he knew he would never get to be tsar. The war was perfect for him, so while I was getting ready to go to battle he stopped me and with my own soldiers he forced me to give up my throne! He threatened to kill me right then and there if I did not leave the country and remain silent. If I was not his brother he would have ended me, but the fool spared me."
Konrad did not know what to say. This couldn't have been true, the tsar had to be dead. They found his body after the battle.
But before he could ask another question the man continued to tell his story. "My brother then arrested one of my most loyal generals, Korovin Tarasovich. He forced him to dress up as me and lead my army into battle. At Bloody Waters he was killed, and the only army devoted to me was crushed."
Konrad noticed how sadly the man talked and how shaken he was. Dmitry held his head in his hands, watching the ground carelessly and lifelessly.
Konrad still had another question. "What about your wife, explain that!" he cried, hoping he could find some error in the way the man spoke. However, the man answered sincerely. 
"She knew of my brother, too! Oh, Catherine, my beloved Catherine...," he sobbed. He brushed away more tears and began to talk again, his throat wobbly. "Catherine was a lovely rose, my boy. A black rose! She betrayed me and left me to die! Curse her, now she rules my throne. SHE TOOK MY THRONE AWAY FROM ME!!!"
Konrad watched as Dmitry shook his head. It really was the Tsar and he was not dead. He was betrayed by his brother and his wife, and now he had nowhere to go. 
This is proof that the nations are horrible. They manipulate others and are so greedy that they would hurt their own loved ones! This poor man has faced the true face of the dark side of the world. 
Konrad placed his hand on Dmitry's back, comforting him. "Maybe I was too lavish, maybe I spent too much money on worthless things, but never once had I ever tried to hurt my own people. Blast that Clauseus, he ruined it all for me! But from what I have seen and heard it appears he's finally gone, good riddance."
"What will you do now, sir? Maybe I can take you back to my cult?" he offered.
"No, my boy, I was the tsar and all the cults will hate me, even if I no longer have my throne. Besides, if Catherine discovers I am doing something she will send assassins out to get me, on top of the ones she already has. But I have a plan."
The two ate a hearty breakfast of oats and honey before they packed up their things and left the run-down cabin. Konrad helped the man with his bag as Dmitry put on all his armor. It was authentic Zelengorodian noble armor: rich mirror armor and a spiked helmet.
"What exactly is your plan?" asked Konrad as the two began to walk up the trail back to the main path.
Dmitry stopped and looked through his bag, talking as he rummaged through it.
"I want to ask you something. Will you join me and help me regain my throne? I will give you money, jewels, land, anything you ask for! Just help me and I promise we won't have to live like this. Everything can be better. I can support your cult, offer them protection. Whatever you want. What do you say?"
Konrad's mind went crazy. This is all so sudden. Do I want to help him? Regain the throne, how? That will be impossible!
Dmitry pulled out a scroll. "You do not have to decide yet, my boy. Just walk with me and I will explain how. It won't be easy, but it can be done. Just trust in me, and you will be fine."
Konrad nodded and Dmitry pulled him to the side of the path once they reached it. "Alright. It could be dangerous, but, we need to get something. Something that will guarantee me reclaiming the throne. If we get it the boyars will have no choice but to let me be Tsar again."
"What is it?"
Dmitry showed Konrad the scroll, which had a very interesting drawing in it. 
"The Mask of Simeon."
=== Epilogue ===
From the rocks of the shore in the frozen tundra stood a man, watching the waves crash. The temperature was below freezing, but it didn't matter. He was used to the elements being less than cooperative. He saw a raven flying through the air, free and without worry. It looked to be the same raven that was depicted on his banner.
The man's long red hair fluttered with the wind, as did his cape. He was alone, only for the moment, but it felt great. He could feel calm and cool energy flow through the air and on the land and in the sea. In times like these it was hard to find a moment that was not chaotic or sad. It felt like a god-send.
They are with me. Everything is going my way. The man watched as a wolf trotted by in the snow, following the raven to a satisfying meal. Nature is in balance.
Suddenly, the man felt a terrible and painful energy take over and destroy the good energy. He closed his eyes tight and he hung onto the rocks below him, waiting for the bad to pass by. But it didn't, rather it stayed above and around him, laughing and taunting him. Slowly it did pass, but left an impression on the man.
Again, it arrives! It awakens, after all these years? No! Who has done this? Why would anyone do this to us? Who set upon us this plague?
A sharp pain greeted the man as a dark energy crashed into him. It was quick, but it knocked the wind out of him. His eyes went wide.
Something is wrong, dreadfully wrong. Evil. Oh, it feels very connected to me. I haven't felt this since the war ended. No more, how much more! Oh, Pyrrhia, oh sweet Pyrrhia. Must you keep suffering?
The calm returned. The man stayed on the rocks, watching the waves crash. He sighed and shook his head remorsefully, then returned to those who cared.
To be continued...
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Fanfictions (Fanon)
Category:Content (Armored Scavenger)