Chapter 7 - First Mission

Zephyr woke up on a wooden bed, his head groggy.

“What happened?”
The last thing he heard was his Passive taking effect.
Zephyr sat up and looked around. He was in a room covered by stone
walls. A remnants of setting sunlight fell upon the wooden floor, casting a
faint shadow of tress outside.
“Are you up?”
Zephyr looked at the direction; Doran was comfortably sitting on an
empty bed left side.
“How did I end up here?” Zephyr held his head, trying to process what
happened.
“Hendrick used his spell to break the fight. It was about to get brutal,”
Doran smiled.
“Thanks to you,” Zephyr was annoyed with Doran’s carefree behavior.
Zephyr remembered himself being yanked away by an unknown force as
he was about to lunge at Sten. The rest was blur.
Doran laughed lightly. “Sten was one thing but I didn’t realize you would
also get that serious.”
“It not like I have a choice,” Zephyr remembered Sten’s ruthless
onslaughts.
“Yeah, he’s a tough one. I thought it would be over pretty quick. But you
managed to hold and even injure him. That was pretty impressive!”
“Nothing impressive,” Zephyr said. He knew Sten was holding back. His
movements were too careless for someone his level. He was clearly
underestimating Zephyr.
“Anyway…good job on your first spar!” Doran added, holding thumb up.
“First spar?” Zephyr asked.
“Of course! We do this everyday. Except for the days we have to go with
Princess Cassandra.”
“Everyday?” Zephyr grunted internally.
“Now that everything’s settled. I’m sure you have something to talk
about,” Doran’s tone shifted, referring to the effects of Zephyr’s passive.
Zephyr sighed. He explained about his Passive ability [Taste of Blood] -
its effects, description and what it can do to his mind.
Doran nodded thoughtfully.
“A dangerous ability indeed, similar to Sten’s [Berserker’s Rage]. It
activates when he is injured.” Doran explained “But unlike you, he still have
control over his body and mind. Plus he owns an equipment, more like a
charm that suppresses it to some extent.”
Doran had seen Zephyr ruthlessly kill a bloodhound before. With or
without his passive, he had a brutal fighting style.
His blade and skills were honed for only one purpose. To kill.
Doran was curious of how Zephyr was able to easily wield a Katana,
weapon that wasn’t widely used in their nation. It requires certain amount
of both skills and precision. He wanted to ask him regarding to that. But he
had already heard Zephyr’s answer through Princess Eldora. Was Zephyr
hiding something? It’s strange that he didn’t remember something crucial.
“You will need to learn to control your bloodlust. I know it won’t be easy.
But you will be working alongside many people - guards, captains,
commanders and the person you swore to protect, Princess Cassandra. What
if…” Doran paused and glanced at Zephyr, not wanting continue further.
Zephyr knew what Doran was trying to say. He had thought of this
before. What if he went mad and attack Cassandra?
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”
Doran and Zephyr both turned to look at the voice’s direction.
Princess Cassandra stood at the room’s entrance. She was wearing an
extravagant golden princess line that fit perfectly with her petite body.
Although there was a hint of sadness in her eyes, her usual gentle smile
remained.
Doran stood up. “Greeting, Princess.”
He bowed down his head, greeting the Princess. Zephyr awkwardly
followed. Cassandra held out her hands, clearly upset with their formality.
“What brings you here at this hour, Princess? I thought you are staying
at the Royal Palace.” Doran approached.
“I came here to inform that tomorrow dungeon raid is canceled. Elder
Sister warned me to avoid going into Dungeon these days. So, we will just
be doing side quests in the mean time.”
Doran nodded.
“I understand, Princess. I will inform the others about it.”
Cassandra walked over and sat on the empty bed, facing Zephyr.
“So, I heard the whole thing from Selene.” Cassandra fold her arms,
glancing at Doran.
Doran stood his ground against the Princess. “A spar is necessary,
Princess. His skills won’t grow without proper experience.”
“I never said anything about sparring. From what I heard, it was not
your typical spar,” Cassandra argued “Sten is a guy who doesn’t know to
hold back and you paired him with Zephyr, who was barely level 6? What if
he got hurt?!”
Cassandra’s upset voice echoed in the room. Doran realized something
must’ve happened at the Palace. She was clearly in a bad mood.
“Forgive my oversight, Princess. I apologize,” Doran said sincerely. He
knew anymore argument or explanation would be pointless. When she is
upset, Cassandra is just like her elder sister.
 Cassandra calmed down a bit after Doran’s apology. She took off the ring
on her index finger.
“Take this,” she said, handing Zephyr the ring.
Zephyr looked at the ring on his palm. Crafted from the unknown metal,
the emerald ring was engraved with intricate runes on the side, bordered in
wide yet shallow rim.
“Princess, that’s…” Doran interrupted.
Cassandra ignored Doran and continued, “That’s [Ring of Tranquility].
It’ll be a great help in your future battles.”
Zephyr inspected the ring.
[Name - Ring of Tranquility
Type - Accessories
Rarity - Legendary
Innate ability - [Irony]
Ability Description - After taking down an enemy, shred all your negative
buffs. If you don’t have any negative buffs, clear all negative emotions.”
“I clearly can’t accept this, Princess.” Zephyr said. The item was too rare,
too good.
“I am not giving you a choice to whether accept the ring or not,”
Cassandra sigh “So, when I say take it. You take it. It is for your own sake.”
Zephyr looked at Doran, who just shrugged. They both came to same
conclusion was Princess Cassandra was indeed different today.
“Hurry up. Put in on,” Cassandra urged.
Zephyr reluctantly put the ring on. Runes on the ring shimmered in
green verdant hue, accepting its new owner.
Cassandra stood up looking satisfied.
“Tomorrow, we will have to go to another for a side quest. I suggest that
you rest up for the trip,” Cassandra said before walking off through the
entrance.
Doran followed her, saying “It is late now. I will accompany you,
Princess.”
“No need,” Cassandra extended her hand.
After she left, Doran looked at Zephyr. “Rest for today, kid. We will meet
at the training ground tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
After Doran and Cassandra left, Zephyr lied back down. He closed his
eyes, trying to sleep. But sleep won’t come. Thoughts are on his mind.
[Check Stats]
[Zephyr Barnet : Level 6
Class : ???
Quests Completed : 2
Mana : 120/120
Status : Cursed (1)
Weapon : Uchigatana
 Accessories : Badge of Divine Blade, Ring of Tranquility
Abilities : 3(Active) 2(Passive) 1(Ultimate)]
Still only two quests completed. Others at the Vanguard Squad and Sten,
who had completed 12 quests at his age and at level 32. Just like Doran said,
he is still lacking in many ways. He had to become stronger. They have a
side quest to do tomorrow. His gray world was starting to fill with colors.
He had to make sure he didn’t waste it away.
Zephyr stood up from the bed, Katana in hand. He walked through the
hallway, lighten by the candles during nighttime. Zephyr slowly walked,
looking for kitchen. He forgot to ask Doran about the direction. He haven’t
eaten anything after they left Atria. He was getting hungry.
Lost in the hallway, Zephyr heard someone called him from behind.
“If you are looking for the kitchen, it is that way.” Hendrick pointed at
the opposite direction. “Turn right when you reach the end.”
“Thank you,” Zephyr said and turned around.
Hendrick looked at Zephyr walking along the hallway, only to turn left
when he reach the end. He hastily run towards Zephyr to catch up, saying
“No, no! That’s left! Girls’ room are there.”
He pull Zephyr shoulder’s away from going into’s girls’ room. “Just how
bad is your direction? To mix up left and right?”
Zephyr held up and looked at both of his hand. “Oh, you’re right!”
“I will guide you to the kitchen,” Hendrick rubbed his temple, “I can’t
believe we got another Sten in our squad.”
Hendrick guided Zephyr to the kitchen. Zephyr couldn’t believe his eyes.
There is a lot of food. Even foods he haven’t seen before.
“Suit yourself,” Hendrick said.
Zephyr sat the table, munching down the food. The food here is very
delicious compared to the good ones he ate at mansion back at Atria.
Zephyr looked around, a sense of curiosity in his eyes.
“Where are we?” he asked.
“The kitchen,” Hendrick replied, turning a page on the book.
Zephyr narrowed his eyes at the answer.
Hendrick put down his book, glancing at Zephyr.
“Just kidding, we were on the highest floor of Divine Blade Faction
headquarters.”
“Highest floor?” Zephyr asked.
“Yes, the entire floor is for the members of the Vanguard Squad.”
“Only for us?”
“Yes. Normally, it is only for Princess Eldora and other Commanders,”
Hendrick explained “but after the Vanguard Squad was formed Princess
Eldora moved all the members here along with Princess Cassandra and gave
the Commanders the second floor. Well, they weren’t too happy about it.”
“So the princesses live here also?” Zephyr said, chewing the bread.
 “Yeah, if you had continued through the wrong direction before. You
would have ended up in their bed chambers.”
“Oh…” Zephyr muttered. Things would have been bad if Hendrick didn’t
stop him. “Thank you.”
Hendrick let out a smile. Closing his book, he stood up from the spot.
“We’d better rest for today. Have to be up early.”
“Yeah,” Zephyr yawned. Sleepiness is starting to seep into him.
Zephyr walked out from the kitchen with Hendrick but realized he forgot
something. His Uchigatana was sitting on the kitchen table.
“[Telekinesis]”
Hendrick flicked his hand from the wrist and the weapon came flying
toward him. He caught it in hand and gave it to Zephyr.
Zephyr looked at him in realization. So, it was him who pull him away
from the fight.
Hendrick grinned at his reaction.
“See you tomorrow, Zephyr.” Kendrick walked off.
———
The following morning happened quite fast. They gathered at the
training ground. Princess Cassandra and Doran gave a briefing about the
quest. It was the side quest issued by the chief of the small village called -
Stella located on the west side of Capital Lumisgard. People and farm
animals had been missing these days in the village.
Once they arrived at the village, a man waited for them at the entrance.
His elderly features were evident in his hunched posture, a wooden cane in
his hand and of course, thinning gray hair.
“Good afternoon, your highness. I am called Herman, the chief of this
village.”
The old man introduced himself and escorted them to his humble home.
When they arrived, a girl darted toward the chief. With big curious eyes, she
asked. “When is mom coming back? I want to show her what I drew today.”
Chief Herman flinched at her question. He tried to remain his calm
composure.
“That’s very good, Felicia. Mom will be back soon,” he said, gently
caressing her hair. Felicia hid behind her grandfather when she saw Zephyr
and others.
“Who are they?” she asked.
“They are the guests, Fel. Why don’t you go play with your friends?”
The little girl nodded and run toward the streets. The chief watched her
with uneasiness in his eyes.
“Sorry about this, everyone,” he said, turning back.
“It’s okay. Can you tell me what is happening here?” Cassandra
questioned the chief.
The chief let out a heavy sigh.
 “People had gone missing these day, your highness. Especially women,
along with the farm animals.”
“Women?” Cassandra asked, her eyes narrowing.
“Yes, your highness. My daughter…Leticia. She went to gather herb the
other day and haven’t returned since. She was the mother of the little girl
you just saw.” The chief said, before groveling in front of everyone. “Please!
Please help our village! Please find my daughter!”
Doran helped the chief up and glanced at Cassandra who gave him a
thoughtful nod.
“That’s why we came here, chief. Don’t worry we definitely find your
daughter. But we need to move immediately. If you don’t mind, can you step
out for a bit? We need to plan for rescue.”
“S-sure, your highness. Please tell me if you need anything!”
Once the chief was out, Cassandra looked at everyone.
“So, obviously. This was the work of Goblins.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. Goblins are intelligent and disgusting
creatures infamous for their lust and greed. They kidnap women solely for
pleasure and breeding. What made them dangerous is that they always
move in groups. They are harmless as single monster but very dangerous if
gathered in a horde. Even high level adventurer can get overwhelmed if they
are not careful.
“So, what are we waiting for? We need to move fast if we want to rescue
the kidnapped girls,” Sten said impatiently.
“Yes, you are right. But we must move with caution. Goblin are
dangerous. Even for us.”
“But it is unlikely that the girls are alive. It had been about one week.
You know what they do to their victims after they are satisfied,” Hendrick
stated the reality of the situation.
The room fell silent at his words.
“That doesn’t mean that we are not going to find them,” Cassandra spoke
“Doran, Hendrick, Terrance and Selene, come with me.”
Zephyr and Sten looked at her.
“What about me, Princess?” Sten asked.
“You stay here with Zephyr and guard the village.”
Sten frowned, looking at Zephyr.
“With this guy?! Please let me come, Princess. You can’t let your
strongest fighter on the sidelines.”
“I am leaving you here because you are a strong fighter. What if the
Goblins attack the village while we were away?”
“But..still,” Sten tried to protest.
“Are you disobeying my order?” Cassandra asked calmly with a forced
smile on her lips.
“N-no. Princess.”
 “Great, you two try to get along and work together if things went south.
That goes for you too, Zephyr.”
Zephyr nodded. He knew why Cassandra left him behind. Right now, he
is only level six. If he went with them, he would only slow them down.
Normally, Doran would call him along to farm level and complete quests.
But the situation right now dire that they need to move fast.
As they prepared to move out, Doran held both Zephyr and Sten in
shoulder.
“I am counting on you two!” he said with a grin.
Cassandra and other went to the outskirts of the village, riding horses,
leaving Zephyr alone with Sten.
“Will they be fine?” Hendrick asked.
“They will be. But right now we need to be fast. There’s lives at stake.”
———
Far away in the forest, a man in the hood held something in his hands. It
was an amulet, dark green in color, with a socket in the middle. The man
dropped something into the socket. It fell perfectly into the amulet and later
glowed in dark red color. The object opened, revealing itself as an eye with
the iris moving in all direction.
The man smirked at the sight of it, “This should work.”
Amulet in his hand, the hooded man walked into a cave.