Omega's Rebirth

"Pardon my interruption...you may carry on." Dante said after regarding his audience with a raised brow.

Dante was not sure what exactly was so surprising the two nymphs remained staring at him in shock.

Was it the fact that he had killed a nymph who dared draw his blood? Or was it the fact that it had taken only one hit to do so? Dante could not tell.

"You...who are you...?" The living intruder stuttered out.

Dante’s gaze moved to the intruder’s hands, picking up the slight tremors. Dante could smell the intruder’s fear, it was subtle, but it was there.

Dante guessed the intruder’s fear was only subtle because he would never imagine what Dante actually was.

"Does it matter?" Dante asked, sensing the High Maiden’s movement even before she knocked the intruder backwards with sudden kick.

The intruder yelped in surprise as he staggered backwards and Dante watched the exchange in amusement.

Dante was not certain if the dragons were just too brutal, but he did not think he had ever witnessed such a pathetic assassination attempt or such a weak clan leader.

The High Maiden got up to her feet, lifting a hand to her head as she swayed slightly.

Dante raised a brow, it seemed to him that one kick was as much defence as the High Maiden was capable of.

"I...I already began a divination... I cannot stop the visions..." The High Maiden stuttered out as she put a short distance between herself and the assassin, as much as her trembling limbs could allow.

Dante pursed his lips, realizing the High Maiden was only so weak because she was in the midst of a divination and her consciousness had been split by her visions.

The intruder groaned quietly, and the High Maiden stretched a hand, murmuring a spell.

Dante watched in silence as a vine shot out from nowhere, encircling the intruder’s ankle and tugging him down to the ground.

The High Maiden’s outstretched hand shook with strain and she crumbled down to her knees, her eyes twitching.

"It won’t...hold him..." The high maiden stuttered out, glancing up weakly at Dante.

"What has that to do with me?" Dante asked blankly.

"The cuffs on you...they will not go off even if I die... and whoever wants me dead will not let you go free..." The High Maiden replied.

Dante frowned slightly, glancing down at the cuffs on his wrists and ankles.

"And you reckon I will find you a better option?" Dante asked with a scoff.

"I reckon you will not watch me die...Your honor is in your eyes..." She whispered weakly before she fell back to the ground.

Dante watched as the High Maiden’s eyes turned white, her pupils disappearing.

"She’s having a vision." Dante realized, glancing back at the intruder who had already gotten himself free.

"Do not get involved, this has nothing to do with you." The intruder warned as he stalked Dante slowly.

Dante tilted his head to the side, he also did not wish to get involved. But if the High Maiden was right about anything, it was the fact that Dante could not truly turn a blind eye to her predicament.

Dante sighed as he turned to face the intruder. The enchanted cuffs allowed him some movement, and he knew that was already more than enough to get rid of a single nymph.

Dante moved, in a flash he was right before the intruder and his hands shot up, taking hold of the intruder’s head, he twisted with force and watched as the intruder dropped limp at his feet.

Dante stepped away and walked over to the High Maiden, crouching down and peering at her.

Dante stretched a hand to the High Maiden and the moment his hand met her skin, a surge of magic flowed into him, tugging his consciousness into a dark abyss.

__________________

Neveah stood before a floor length mirror, gazing at her reflection as she put on her rider’s dress.

The red fabric sat comfortably on Neveah’s skin and she slowly secured the straps of her arm guard.

It was hard for her to think of much other than Menarx’s well being at the time and Neveah sighed heavily, she was in no condition to attend the rider’s academy.

"But the King’s orders must be obeyed..." Neveah murmured to herself with a roll of her eyes as she stepped away and headed to her door.

On the other side, Neveah found Lord Rodrick stood waiting for her, she had sensed his arrival a moment ago.

"Would His Grace have further orders for me?" Neveah asked with a raised brow.

"My Liege orders that I am to escort you to the academy. You have not been there before and would not know the way." Lord Rodrick replied.

"How kind of him. A map or a few directions would suffice, My Lord." Neveah replied as she stepped out fully and shut the door behind her.

"I will lead the way." Lord Rodrick replied, ignoring Neveah’s biting tone.

Lord Rodrick headed down the hall and Neveah followed after him with a sigh, pulling her hair into a pony tail as she walked.

"The rider’s academy is the most prestigious academy in the Asvarian stronghold, it is an honor to be welcomed among it’s ranks." Lord Rodrick said after a moment of quiet.

"Welcomed? Would I be truly?" Neveah asked with a scoff.

"You were not welcomed when you first arrived Dragon Keep either, but here you are with the King’s sole attendant personally escorting you on your first day at the academy..."

"You would agree with me that you have your ways." Lord Rodrick replied, passing Neveah a pointed glance as they stepped into the ascending room.

Neveah pursed her lips, thinking over Lord Rodrick’s words. King Jian could have sent anyone to escort her, yet he chose to send the highly respected Lord Rodrick.

’What exactly is his intention?’ Neveah thought, thinking back to their meeting on Mount Edar the night before.

"I will never understand how he thinks." Neveah grumbled beneath her breath with an exasperated sigh.

"My Liege is Dragon King, he is not meant to be understood. Only obeyed." Lord Rodrick stated.

"Yes, right." Neveah replied with a scoff as the ascending room arrived the ground floor.

Lord Rodrick stepped out first and Neveah followed.

"The rider’s academy is not far off from the Keep itself. An hour ride west to the Raven’s Summit." Lord Rodrick relayed.

"Now, you are expected to always arrive on time as scheduled by the academy master put in charge of your education."

"As I have heard, Lord Menarx has not had the time to chose an academy master for you and so My Liege has entrusted me with that responsibility." Lord Rodrick continued as they stepped out into the courtyard.

Lord Rodrick lifted a hand and beckoned on the stable hand who awaited them with two horses.

"If Menarx has not decided yet, I would assume he wanted to hear my opinion first." Neveah pointed out.

"As you may have noticed, Lord Menarx is currently indisposed to discuss this with you... and I am not Lord Menarx." Lord Rodrick replied with a shrug as he gestured for Neveah to mount her horse.

"Well then, as you please...or better still, as His Grace pleases, My Lord." Neveah replied, glancing over at the horse she was given.

Neveah noticed it was the very same horse from when Menarx had taken her out to show her the north and the lands under his protection.

"Why this?" Neveah asked the stable hand curiously.

"My Lady does not know? This is a mount bred in the Northern lands, Lord Menarx brought it to us and it is only to be ridden by you, My Lady." The stable hand replied.

"He did?" Neveah murmured quietly, lifting a hand to stroke the pitch black coat of the horse, a small smile settling on her lips.

Neveah realized this horse was intended as a gift especially for her, yet Menarx had said nothing of it... perhaps he did not want her to feel pressured to accept his affections.

Neveah could not help but wonder since when he sent for the horse from his home land... and more precisely, since when he had decided to have Neveah be his rider? Or had he always known that it was she he wanted?

"Lord Menarx is not the best at gifting, I see." Lord Rodrick commented with a shake of his head as he mounted his horse.

"No, My Lord. He is perfect..." Neveah replied as she also mounted her horse.

Neveah did not think Menarx’s gift could have come at a more right moment... now when Neveah was to take the first step as Menarx’s official rider without Menarx by her side.

But Neveah knew Menarx’s thoughts were with her... his sincerity and that gave her all the strength she needed to face the day.

Lord Rodrick rode out of keep grounds and Neveah followed close behind.