Omega's Rebirth

"Have Everon keep a close eye on Narx...he is not to make any rash decisions till we have a full grasp on the situation." Jian ordered.

"Scour the citadel and find the girl as soon as possible."

"Spare no efforts. Though the elders insist otherwise, we cannot cross out the possibility that the academy was infiltrated."

"You will have to be on your guard Kirgan, I shall have nothing else go wrong before my return." Jian finished.

As the mental communication link was cut off, Jian just carried on staring ahead, expression as blank and eyes as unreadable as always.

The only sign that he had truly taken note of the report he had just received from Kirgan was the slight twitching of his brows, which told of his displeasure.

"What do you plan to do?" Cassian who stood at Jian’s side enquired of him when Jian did not speak for a long moment after.

Jian grunted beneath his breath but gave no response.

"You have said nothing of the parchment to Menarx and Kirgan, do you plan not to speak of it? Menarx deserves to know." Cassian continued, his tone revealing just how perplexed he was by Jian’s nonchalance.

Again, Jian gave no response but Cassian was quite accustomed to his obstinate king and he knew for certain that he had Jian’s attention even if it appeared otherwise.

"Jian, given what we now know. Do you reckon the girl truly disappeared...or she left of her own accord? It is the only option that would make sense and it would not be the first time." Cassian reasoned.

"How is jumping off a cliff relatable to this?" Jian finally spoke, his tone a quiet hiss.

"How is it not? She is one who comes and goes as she pleases, we both know escaping the academy is no trouble for her." Cassian reminded.

"If she did come and go as she pleased, I reckon she would never have stepped foot in the stronghold." Jian said in response.

"She is swaddled in mysteries Jian and Narx has gotten interwoven far to deeply into her web of lies and deceit." Cassian insisted.

"You have a great many words today, Cass." Jian observed.

"You cannot keep ignoring this Jian, you will have to decide the girl’s fate one day or the next." Cassian reiterated.

"Have you prove of your claims? Can you trust in the source of that parchment?" Jian quizzed.

"The web you speak of is called love, Cass. Narx loves the girl...he truly does. Asking me to decide her fate is asking me to decide his also."

"I will not move against my brother’s heart until I am certain hurting him is for a worthy cause. Find me who sent the parchment Cassian...then I will make a decision." Jian assured.

If there was one thing Jian most detested, it was being manipulated and Jian could well sense someone was trying to force his hand.

What Jian could not understand was what made Neveah so special that whoever was plotting this would risk involving the dragon king?

"I understand." Cassian obliged.

Before Cassian could say anything else, Kaideon and Rodvan arrived at the hill.

It was already sunset on the first day of the 41st week, the dragon guards had taken immediate action, employing the aid of the town guards to fill up the numbers.

As much as it was against Jian’s will, their presence in the town could no longer be kept hidden from the townsfolk.

It was of greater importance that the townsfolk understood the gravity of staying clear of the forest, more so than keeping it under wraps.

The perimeters formed to barricade the forest and halt the festival would surely have alerted all the townsfolk and the enemy lurking in the forest also.

How such a mighty golem could stay hidden these two days since arriving was still a mystery to Jian, but at the least... the townsfolk would remain safe.

Even more than taking out the troll golem, Jian’s priority was ensuring the safety of his people.

"My liege." Rodvan greeted.

"There has been...an unfortunate occurrence." Rodvan reported hesitantly.

"Speak." Jian ordered.

"Two bodies were discovered in the human settlement... their manner of death is unusual. It is the troll golem, My liege." Rodvan revealed.

Jian sucked in a sharp breath, releasing a grunt of displeasure as he stormed past Kaideon and Rodvan.

"I was clear enough when I said the festival was to be stopped by any means! Was I not, Cassian?!" Jian hissed furiously.

"The forest was barricaded off, three perimeters of defence ensures no human ventures in since dawn marked the beginning of the festival."

"The townsfolk were warned of dragon presence, they know to stay off and if they do not, they could not have gotten past our guard." Cassian relayed dutifully.

"Then find me answers." Jian demanded, heading for the line of defence separating the town from the forest.

___________

"They are completely drained of life essence, their skin and veins are blackened, all of which are markings of necromancy."

"There is no arguing what did this." Cassian reported from where he was crouched down, inspecting the bodies.

They had just arrived the perimeter where a few dragon lords of the second squadron already awaited.

"Rauron is in talks with the town head, he should return to report in detail on how the bodies were discovered." Rodvan added.

Jian also crouched down and inspected the bodies himself, a frown settling on his face.

"My liege!" Rauron called, jogging over to Jian.

"According to the report by the town’s head and guards, the bodies were not found anywhere close to the forest or the perimeter...they were discovered in their homes!" Rauron reported hurriedly.

Jian glanced over at Rauron.

"You mean to say, these men did not go into the forest at all... they were killed in their own homes?" Jian enquired.

"I have verified for myself, they truly did not leave their homes." Rauron relayed.

"If they did not go into the forest... that would mean, whatever killed them... ventured out!" Rodvan exclaimed.

"Or was never in the forest to begin with...but here in the town settlement..." Cassian added.