Endless Horde: Through the Eyes of a Godking-Chapter 595: The Stormriders
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The test Cedric left for his sons wasn't that difficult...in his standards at least.
He just made walls invisible from even the eyes they inherited from him but could be sensed through other means. They were layered, and to break free from this trap, all they had to do was to 'prove' their comprehension. It's an automatic process. Once the walls sensed that they understood the laws etched on the walls, it would dissipate on its own, and they would sense the next one. That's how they'd get out of it.
"Um, Mistress..." Linus tugged on Allura's sleeves gently to get her attention. "...Will Master be okay?"
He, his father, his master's wife, and his uncle master's friends are all inside the Stormrider Castle now. They're sat on the table, enjoying a variety of food they never had before.
All of them momentarily forgot about what the brothers were going through as they chowed down; such is the power of humanity's culinary arts. But now that they're finished, their concern returned. Well...mostly Linus; the others weren't as concerned as the little guy.
Allura smiled dotingly at the adorable creature, saying, "Yes, Linus. Your master will be fine. Think of what he's experiencing as the weekly exams he gives to you. It's pretty much the same."
Linus' eyes brightened in understanding upon hearing this. His worries were dashed as he was fully convinced that his master would indeed be just fine.
Moments later, this proved to be true...
From the distant fog, someone finally broke out. When Linus looked over, he couldn't help but feel confused. This person looks like his master, but he feels completely different. He's also wearing completely different clothes. Then, as the sun shined down on him, Linus finally concluded that this person wasn't his master because his hair didn't have the usual emerald sheen he sees on his master's hair whenever he's under the glare of light.
"That's one of your master's brothers, also your uncle master, his name is Godwyn," Allura whispered next to Linus.
Near them, Gerald's friends were dazed. One of the girls whispered, "Oh, he looks just like him. Only, this one has black hair and can actually smile, unlike our Gerald."
The other girl nodded and absent-mindedly said, "Mmhm! Mama likes what she sees."
"Psst, aye! No horny on main!" One of the boys quietly scolded.
As if hearing them, Godwyn looked toward their direction and waved. The thick walls seemingly did not serve their purpose since he could see right through them.
"Did he just wink at me? Girl, hold me back, because I swear..."
"Down, girl! That's our friend's brother; this can't be the first impression he should have with us. Have some decorum, please."
Allura rolled her eyes at them, deciding to tune them out. She doesn't really want to hear other girls thirsting over her brother-in-law.
The next one who came out of the fog was her husband. Even from this distance, she could recognize that wry smile on his face. Something that he usually wears whenever he loses on their arguments.
'The test must've been a bit troublesome then,' she thought to herself.
And last but not least, Gerald came out. Still wearing that cold and indifferent expression on his face.
Allura once again leaned toward Linus and whispered, "That one with the white hair is your other Uncle Master. His name is Gerald."
"Their names start with the same letter?" The little guy asked curiously and adorably.
She smiled and nodded: "Good catch! Godwyn, Gilderoy, and Gerald. They are the Stormrider Brothers of this castle. Their father, your Grandmaster and the head of this house, is named Cedric Stormrider."
"However, in the future when you're asked, especially in the Virtual Universe, you can't refer to them by their real names. You'd use their codenames instead."
"Your master's codename is 'Emerald Druid.' Godwyn is 'Sun Chaser,' and Gerald is 'Sky Frost.'"
"And Grandmaster's?"
Allura smiled and replied, "Your Grandmaster's codename is 'Dawnbringer.'"
Someone in Gerald's friend group stilled as he heard that. His reaction was very subtle that others didn't notice it, but still...
This was the one who came from the Holy Spirit Race. He's the de facto leader of this friend group, although Gerald was the true strongest amongst them. As the one who leads the team, he was, of course, very knowledgeable.
Obviously, he's not omniscient, but with his background, he's got access to a lot of information. And it often specifically pays attention to the big news that concerns the alliance.
'Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit! No fucking way, dude! '
'Damn! Damn! Is this for real!? Am I really, really sitting inside the house of the legendary Dawnbringer!? '
His freaking out was understandable. While he might not have the complete details, he knew that this 'Dawnbringer' was no less than legendary in the circle of real powerhouses of the alliance. Some even said that his might and authority were no less than that of the Chancellor themselves, and after many attempts to try to confirm whether this was true or not, so far, nobody has denied the claims.
He, however, should relax. He can freak out on the inside but not on the outside. Just like what one of his female friends said, this can't be the first impression this family must receive from them.
"Oh, my! Look at that."
"No way!"
"For real?"
He was pulled back to reality after hearing his friend's exclamations. He then looked over and saw that Godwyn was now hugging his brothers. He and Gilderoy flanked Gerald, rubbing their cheeks at their stoically-faced brother, much to the latter's obvious annoyance.
Well, to strangers, that's what it would look like. They were Gerald's friends and have been traveling with him for many, many years now. Aside from his family, they were the next group of people who could truly understand him.
Despite wearing an annoyed or irritated face, Gerald still clung to his brothers. He's not pushing them away; instead, he's letting them shower him with as much brotherly affection as they want.
Mind you, Gerald doesn't do skinship.
It took so many years before Gerald became comfortable enough for them to touch him physically, and even then, it has limits. He's okay with them slinging their arms around him and sometimes the occasional hugs, especially when they're celebrating something. Other than that, they'd have to get him drunk first so that he could loosen up.
It's because of this that they initially thought that he doesn't like girls or he's just a germaphobe. Either way was fine with them since everybody has their own issues and preferences, but later they learned that that's just who he is.
And so, to see him not trying to stab his brothers despite them doing this to him was no less than shocking. And if anything, that annoyed expression on his face might as well be translated as him being affectionate to them in return.
"Aww, this is so sweet. I wish I and my brothers were this close too."
"You're not?"
"Nope. We're constantly at each other's throats. Well, not literally, of course, but you know what I mean."
"Yeah, I do."
"You too?"
"Well, sometimes. Only when things get heated, though. Otherwise, it's mostly just indifference caused by the age gap and competition for resources."
The conversation flowed out while most of the attention was focused on the brothers who are now making their way to the castle.
"Ah, home sweet home." Godwyn's voice was the first one they heard.
As the brothers made their way closer, Gerald said, "Those are my friends. I've been traveling with them for a while."
Gilderoy and Godwyn looked at the friend group and gave them a gratified look as if thanking them for putting up with their stone-faced brother.
"That's the disciple I was talking about. Adorable, isn't he?"
Linus flushed at the way his master introduced him, but he still paid his respects.
"I'm pretty sure Mom will somehow find a way to steal him from you to pamper him. She's weak to cute things," Godwyn casually commented.
"Oh, I know. So is my mom, and maybe Aunt Isabella too. But that's fine. They won't hurt him."
Linus felt chills running down his spine for some reason. If his master's words were to be believed, then he will be fine, but why is he having this foreboding sense of existential crisis?
Well, he's too young to understand, so he didn't think much of it.
Godwyn didn't bring anybody aside from himself, so he made sure to get to know others, especially the young crystal sprite, since he really found him adorable.
At some point, they felt his aura, and then they heard his footsteps.
Everybody paused whatever they were doing to look at the source of the noise. And from behind the doors, he appeared.
The head of the house, the father of the Stormrider Brothers, and the hidden legendary figure within the alliance—Cedric Stormrider.
As he presented himself before them, his presence demanded attention, though not on purpose. He wore a calm and placating smile, which seemingly made everything harmonious. It's as if nothing can ruin this peaceful and serene atmosphere so long as he's here.
"Welcome home, boys. Come, bring it in. Papa missed you so much."