The Drake Blood Tales

Fordragon's tone grew heavy as he continued. "On the day of Mom's death, some knowledge was passed on to me."

Fallion's brow furrowed. "What kind of knowledge?"

"It was vague, almost indecipherable," Fordragon explained. "It felt like a thousand scrambled words rattling around in my mind, refusing to form a coherent message. At first, I thought it was just a byproduct of resonance—Mom's last thoughts, perhaps. I tried to ignore it, thinking it might be nothing. But… the more I used my resonance, the clearer the fragments became."

Fordragon's expression darkened as he recounted the memories. "I saw her, Fallion. I saw Mom being tortured, twisted into a monster. She begged for mercy. It broke me to see her like that, calling out our names in desperation. But there was something else in her words—something important.

"Later, when I met Ms. Blanchette, Mrs. Bianca, and Mr. Raven Beak, they helped me correct my mana lines. It was only after that I could use my resonance fully. I decided to revisit those painful memories, searching for meaning in Mom's final words."

Fordragon stepped closer and placed a hand on Fallion's head. "Let me share it with you."

In an instant, Fallion's mind was filled with a vivid vision. His mother's voice echoed clearly, filled with love and desperation:

"It's a portal.

Qa'stur has a portal.

Your father came to this world through that portal.

That portal left small cracks.

Fallion, Fordragon, Mom loves you both. Be strong, my sons. You will face great challenges as you grow.

Tell this to the Paladin Grandmasters.

I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise to return home, but know this—Mom will always be watching over you.

Don't falter, my children. No matter how cruel this world may be, don't let it change who you truly are. None of you will ever be alone."

As Katherine's voice faded, Fallion's eyes brimmed with tears. "That portal… the one Father created to come to this world?"

Fordragon nodded. "Yes. In one of his diaries, he specifically mentioned closing the portal. But he felt something was off—like it wasn't truly sealed. Here." Fordragon handed Fallion an old leather-bound diary.

Fallion hesitated. "I… I can't read this, Fordragon."

"Oh, my bad," Fordragon said, a small, apologetic smile on his face. "Here, let's use resonance. I'll translate it for you."

Fordragon touched Fallion's head again, and the words of their father's diary unfolded in their minds:

"On the day i escape from the fate.

I cross the dark Cosmos farrest than any galaxy where not a single light could dwell .this is where remnant of the old beings left.

The remnant of those my Grand father have destroy.

In the darkest cosmos I sense I feel I heard I see all of it happened in the same time.

As I feels some cold glass in my eyes. I see strange crack to it

I heard some lady singing . A song of retribution. A song of begging for mercy. A song to celebrate the coming

I could care less. I walk straight through that crack. And as I wake up. I feel strange feeling as I was home and yet not home

This isn't earth but it's earth.

This can't Be real but it's real

This world was filled by wild savage. There's children of Eden here.

There's children of Evior here.

There's children of .....no they all not.

It's something else.

What's this. Before long I sense some eye's prying on me as I see a very portal I have create. I shut it off.

Long before I realized I may already close this parts of portal. But the one that within the dark Cosmos still open.

I was thinking to go back. But I can't. I don't know how. I don't know why. I feel I sense a feeling a sense of relief. Am I has escape the eyes of judgement?.

I try not to think about it. As I wrote this. This may as well my last paper. I didnt bring anymore than this.

If this was found by someone who could read it .

Specifically children of Eden.

I'm sorry. I wish I could turn back time."

The diary was end.

"Who are the Children of Eden?" asked Fallion.

"I... uh, have no idea, but that does sound like a cool name," replied Fordragon.

"Children of Evior? Children of Eden? Have any of you heard about this?" Fallion asked the group.

But they all just stared and shook their heads. None of them knew what it was supposed to mean.

"Okay, but this has nothing to do with you, Fordragon!" said Fallion.

"Fallion, listen.

One: Dad may or may not have accidentally created a portal, which allowed an Outer God to send its presence and spawn cultists all over the world.

Two: Mom entrusted us with the knowledge that the Grand Master of Paladins might know what to do about it," Fordragon replied.

"Okay, then just tell them and don't get involved. You don't have to fight these cultists, let alone get caught in the middle of a civil war," said Fallion.

"Well, I'm trying. Why do you think I was on the Arkhari continent instead of in Merk or heading straight to Qa'stur?" Fordragon asked.

"Because you needed someone to translate Lord Drake Blood's diary?" said Samhain.

"Y... yes. That's not wrong, but actually, I've learned that the Grand Master of Paladins—all four of them—were taken captive on this continent. The cultists are trying to break them but haven't succeeded so far. I had to fight those cultists to gain that information," Fordragon explained.

"They're here?" asked Dofan, surprised to hear all the Grand Masters were still alive.

"Yeah. The Blades of Mercy were informed too. That's why there hasn't been a new Grand Master yet. Each of the four orders just appointed a regent lord temporarily while they rebuild their strength and prepare to rescue them," said Blanchette.

"I see. No wonder we came across some Blades of Mercy back then," said Fallion.

"That's why I can't stop—not when I've come this far," said Fordragon.

As everyone fell silent, Blanchette noticed something approaching at extreme speed.

"We have to go," she said urgently.

The team immediately mounted their steeds. Fordragon led them with his eagle soaring ahead. Blanchette flew using her magic circle, while Samhain took to the sky with his wings.

"Hm... Blanchette, Blanchette—why does that name feel familiar to me?" Samhain muttered to himself.

As the group traveled far enough, they encountered Fordragon's teammates: Ning An, Saya, Kaya, Maya, Saito, and Khasmir.

"Everyone, let's regroup at a nearby base. Something is following us," Fordragon called from the sky.

"Okay, I'll try to distract and separate them. You all go ahead," said Saito.

"I'll accompany him," Khasmir added.

The two of them moved to confront whatever was pursuing Fallion and the others.

Not long after, Fordragon led the rest of the group to a small town and into a tavern.

"Hey, it's me!" Fordragon called out as he landed and greeted the bartender.

"Go inside now!" the bartender replied urgently.

The group quickly dismissed their steeds and followed Fordragon inside. As they entered, some of the servers directed them to head underground without delay. It seemed everyone was aware of the urgency.

They were led through an underground tunnel and soon arrived at a massive underground city.

"Where are we?" asked Samhain from the back.

"Hehehe, this is the underground city, Chika. It was built by Chika, the legendary adventurer who defeated the daemon king Pazru," Fordragon explained.

"What's so great about that old hag? I was a better mage than her anyway. She was just a support for the team—nothing more," scoffed Blanchette.

"Haha, yes, of course, Ms. Blanchette. I doubt there are many mages as great as you," Fordragon replied with a grin.

He then led the team to a small building marked with the Night Raven insignia.

"This is our base of operations for the Kashima branch," Fordragon said.

The group quickly entered, greeted by mercenaries who urged them to change their clothes. Some mages cast illusion spells so that Samhain and Gaz'mirna appeared as orcs instead of daemons.

As they waited, the room buzzed with chatter, and the mercenaries seemed excited about Fordragon's arrival.

"Hey, is that your brother and his companion? I heard his companion is a daemon," one of the mercenaries said.

"Yeah, we'll explain everything later, but let's not draw attention to it now. Something is following us," Fordragon replied.

While Blanchette ordered a drink, the group rested in Fordragon's chambers.

Suddenly, Saito and Khasmir arrived, both badly injured.

"Khasmir! Saito!" Ning An screamed, rushing to help them. She immediately began patching their wounds, with the twin sisters assisting her.

"Boss, this is bad. Utakata sent a massive army after your brother," Khasmir reported.

"Yeah, for some reason, they really want him dead," added Saito.

As the two were being treated, Fordragon's face darkened.

"This is strange. I've already gathered intelligence on my brother's journey here. Sure, they might be angry about Utakata, but to go this far? There must be another motive," Fordragon said thoughtfully.

"Do you want me to call Dad and Mom? Maybe they can help negotiate," offered Blanchette.

"I guess there's no choice. But if word gets out that we've spoken to Yarinaga, this could escalate even further," Fordragon replied.

"Alright, I'll contact them with my magic," Blanchette said, beginning to meditate.

Turning back to Saito and Khasmir, Fordragon gave instructions:

"You two, change and hide your injuries as much as possible. There's a chance they don't know who you are yet. And you three—inform the mercenaries that things might take a turn for the worse."

"Saito, Khasmir, do you have an estimate of their numbers?" Fordragon asked.

"You won't believe this," Saito began grimly. "This isn't just a hunting party or a patrol. It's a war party—at least 10,000 of them."

"Three commanders, 20 officers, all equipped with the highest-quality weapons and fully enchanted armor," added Khasmir.

"And?" Fordragon pressed, noticing Saito's hesitation.

"Teuchi Utakata, one of the five leaders, is with them," Saito revealed.

"So it's a war party. They might as well be preparing to besiege Yarinaga right now," Fordragon concluded, his tone heavy with concern.

"Boss! Hey! Utakata's men are here!" A mercenary rushed into the base to inform them.

"You all stay here. I'll buy us some time until Mr. Raven Beak and Mrs. Bianca arrive," said Fordragon.

As Fordragon stepped outside, he saw a garrison of Utakata troops approaching—thousands of them. Leading them was a nobleman in ornate garments: Teuchi Utakata himself.

Fordragon and the mercenaries stood their ground, watching as the Utakata troops advanced. Not long after, the troops formed a line in front of the mercenary base.

"Ah, Crow of the Night Raven, what a pleasure to meet you," said Teuchi with a sly smile.

"What pleasure do I owe to have one of the Five Lords of Utakata visit me personally?" Fordragon replied.

"Oh, nothing in particular, I suppose. Except, well, my intelligence suggests that you've given shelter to a wanted individual in this very base," Teuchi said smoothly.

"That's quite a grave accusation, Lord Utakata. Your intel might be mistaken. Besides, I've only just returned from a mission," Fordragon said firmly.

"I assure you, my intelligence is top-tier and rarely wrong. But even if it were, surely you wouldn't mind allowing some of my men to search for this person?" Teuchi asked, his tone dripping with feigned politeness.

"I have nothing against it, but may I at least see a painting or description of the individual? I can't just let your men barge in and grab someone at random, claiming they're your target," Fordragon replied.

"Hmm... unfortunately, this person hasn't been officially recorded," Teuchi said with a shrug.

"Then I'm sorry, Lord Utakata, but without any identification, I can't allow your men to enter," Fordragon said, his voice steady.

One of Teuchi's commanders stepped forward, sneering. "My lord, this kid has no idea who he's talking to. May I suggest we—"

"Silence, Saburo. I'll handle this," Teuchi interrupted, cutting off his subordinate.

"Hmm... is that so? Fine. I want no conflict with the Night Raven. My troops are precious. The samurai of Utakata are warriors who dedicate their lives to our cause. I can't throw their lives away over mere suspicion without evidence," Teuchi said, turning away.

His words left everyone stunned. Was he really going to leave?

Inside the building, Blanchette watched from the window.

"Saito, Khasmir, Saya, Kaya, Maya, Ning An—all of you, prepare to fight and find an escape route. This is going to get ugly. Mom and Dad said they'll arrive in 45 minutes," she ordered.

"What?! But I thought that man was leaving. He can't afford to waste his troops or make an enemy of the Night Raven," Khasmir protested.

"You're right," Blanchette said grimly. "But... Crow just made a fatal mistake. This is bad. Their soldiers are highly enchanted. Even if I use my full power, they'll build enough radiant resistance to hold us off."

Outside, as Teuchi turned his back to leave, he paused and spoke without looking.

"You know what's interesting, Mr. Crow?" Teuchi said, his voice calm but sharp as he slowly turned his head back toward Fordragon.

"What?" Fordragon asked, narrowing his eyes.

"I never said I was after more than one person," Teuchi replied with a chilling smile.

.