Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar dashed across the battlefield with an excited smile while casting Hydra Blades that were made from lightningfire, he flung them toward the incoming soldiers. He watched as the flying blades sliced through the air before taking out the enemy with ease.

Seconds later, he clashed with the closest enemies as he redirected the spear with one of his daggers and stabbed the man in the throat. With blinding speed, he evaded every strike, a whirlwind of death as he hacked through the nearest enemies.

His Aether-forged weapons shredded the Tier One soldiers like paper, their ranks crumbling before him. In a flash, he vaulted onto one foe, driving his blade through their eye with a sickening crunch.

Following that, he sprang off the corpse just as another swung at him, the air crackling with the thrill of battle. Raegar threw a few Smoke Bombs into the swarm of soldiers before he controlled the Hydra Blades to kill even more.

After this, he darted through the throng of enemies while killing any he came across. Bodies dropped behind him leaving a trail of death as screams echoed out that spooked the demons and demi-humans.

By the time he came to a stop, dozens of soldiers lay dead, and he was covered in a layer of blood, causing him to think with a wild smile while covered head to toe in the proof of his slaughter.

As the enemy caught sight of Raegar, his eerie white mask loomed like a specter, sending icy dread rippling down their spines. In a blur of motion, he unleashed the Hydra Blades, their gleaming edges weaving a deadly dance around him.

With a mumble he cast Titanfall to give the enemy army a shock. Moments later, a massive metal rod erupted skyward, streaking through the air like a thunderbolt. The battlefield froze as the enemies turned to him.

Raegar chuckled when most of the rear charged against him. He used Flash Step to escape the incoming shockwave, just as the rod slammed into the ground, wiping out thousands of demon and demi-human soldiers.

The force hurled him through the air only to land on his feet without an issue, a grin spreading across his face. A massive dust cloud exploded around him, throwing the enemy army into chaos.

Seizing the moment, the Dawnfirians surged forward with renewed vigor, striking down the scattered survivors in a relentless assault. Some tried to attack but were quickly dispatched using his Hydra Blades before dismissing them to save Aether.

Once they were gone, Raegar spotted his uncle Darius approaching as the long white hair tied into a ponytail gave him away. The man looked stern and knew from his mother that he was rude on occasion.

''So what Vaelthorne are you, boy? We share the same hair; it's clear you're not Rhaelor, Draevor, or my son Kaelith,'' the older man said in a serious voice. ''Those three have long hair like me, and none of the branch families share our features.''

''I'm Raegar, son of Victoria,'' he replied while putting his daggers away after cleaning them.

When Darius heard this his eyes narrowed before muttering. ''So you're my baby sister's son, you don't seem anything like Jasper. That boy is a tactical genius, highly regarded by everyone within the empire.''

''Well yes, but I'm also a Tetraarch Mage, or did you forget that? Even grandfather knows about it,'' he shot back with a smirk concealed behind his mask.

The older man bristled before speaking as his red eyes glowed with Aether, letting out a mocking chuckle. ''Still Tier One, a shame really because Rhaelor just reached Tier Four and will be getting rewarded by the empress personally.''

Raegar tilted his head while answering the strange man. ''Well, whatever game you're playing here is useless. I don't care what the family thinks of me, your opinions don't matter, to be honest.''

Following that, he stored his blades away before informing his uncle, as it was the least he could do. ''The enemies in the south are scattered. You'll be able to pick them off thanks to me.''

When Darius listened to his words, his suspicious expression intensified. ''How do you know this? Who gave you this information?'' he questioned.

Raegar shook his head and waved the man away without answering as he continued north. ''I'll see you around, uncle. I'm going to see how Mother is doing before going to the academy.''

The older man was about to reply, but he was already gone while mumbling. ''It's true what Father said, the Vaelthornes aren't as united as the outside world thinks, Darius is a judgemental dick.''

Following that, he left the Dawnfirian army behind while ignoring his uncle's shouts as he continued through Duskmoor County, where villages lay in ruin, fields were on fire, and bodies littered the road that concerned him.

As Raegar pressed on, he didn't encounter enemy soldiers but soon noticed a steady stream of people moving toward Deadwater City, nestled along the banks of the Western River. Not long after, the familiar sight of Dawnfire soldiers came into view.

They were helping people into massive tent cities, which was better than nothing as the end of winter was still cold. While he was busy people-watching, a group of soldiers approached him with wary expressions and hands on their weapons.

An older woman with a pair of wolf ears stepped forward and spoke in a serious tone. ''Young man, is everything okay? You know it's dangerous to be out here as bandits have taken advantage of the terrible situation.''

Raegar was surprised; he nodded. ''I'm fine, thank you, and I'm fully aware of what this land is like. I've traveled from Nytheria, where the demons and demi-humans are running rampant. It seems like someone spooked them, allowing our forces to break through.''

When the soldiers heard this, their eyes widened as he warned them. ''If I were you, I'd lock down the tent cities. Nightwalkers have left Bloodfang Forest thanks to the war.''

''Thanks for the warning,'' she said in a thankful tone. ''I hope you don't mind me asking, but why are you wearing the mask?''

Raeger started eating some bread before answering. ''I was disfigured during a fight with a Devil Lord a while back. I'm waiting for my grandmother to be found; when she returns, she'll heal it.''

Following that, the older woman informed him about the monsters roaming the Kingways toward Deadwater City, which is heavily guarded thanks to the ongoing war. He thanked the soldiers before continuing.

Two days later, Raegar arrived at the crossroads that led toward the Blackwood Manor and quickly made his way toward it only for a horrible feeling to wash over him which made his hand shake.

''What is this?'' he muttered while glancing around.

A dense forest swallowed the road leading to his home, leaving him no choice other than to venture into its depths. Twenty minutes later, he froze, his eyes widening at the sight of a Blackwood Carriage engulfed in flames, a few guards strewn lifeless across the ground.

While searching the area he spotted a trail leading into the forest scream rang out causing him to dash toward the sound while readying his daggers and casting Enhancement that caused a boom to echo out as he rushed through the underbrush.

***

Sometime before Raegar reached the road to the Blackwood County, a carriage barreled toward the forest on the opposite side. Yuki was leading the staff of the manor to Deadwater City for protection with the remaining guards.

The maid was leaning out of the window while speaking to the commander in a concerned tone. ''Edmund, are you sure the Veilwood is the quickest way to the city?''

''Yes, we've traveled through here many times with the Count, my lady,'' the grizzled veteran replied in a respectful tone.

Yuki smiled when hearing that but waved him away. ''No need to talk to me like I'm a member of the family. I'm just a maid.''

The older man burst into laughter, joined by the other soldiers, as one of them chimed in with a playful tease. ''Yuki, young master Raegar is your future husband. It's no secret; everyone knows and backs it. That boy's head over heels for you. Haven't you caught the way he looked at you before he left?''

Hearing this, the young woman's cheeks flushed a vivid red as she slipped back into the carriage. Yet, despite her embarrassment, a soft smile crept onto her face as thoughts of her boy filled her mind. 'I hope you're okay, young master. You have to come back.'

While daydreaming, Saki spoke in a worried tone. ''Daughter, are you sure this is the best road to take? I'm getting a bad feeling.''

The other staff members nodded in agreement, and Yuki nodded. ''It is. The other roads are littered with Korrvethian and Lunathyrian patrols causing havoc all across the County,'' she replied.

Following that, they continued traveling until the air changed just as explosions rang out from the front of the carriage which threw them everywhere.