Chapter 01 Part 1
There are rumors of beautiful white Sampaguitas that blooms only in the dead of the night.
There are rumors of some castles that stand erected when the clock strikes at midnight.
And rumors of 8 kings, who congregate, influence and rule the streets of the city
These are rumors that have run amok in the old city of Cebu.
... Where there is SMOKE, FIRE surely EXISTS....
Part 1
Mambaling-SRP Road, Cebu 6th January 2013 - 23:30
*sword clashing
The deep silence of the night was dispelled as the sound of two swords clashed. There were no onlooker that could stop this battle nor were there any obstacles that could stop their blades. The roof of the buildings in the streets just near the Mambaling-SRP road had turned into a battlefield by only two individuals.
Using the rooftop of the buildings as footholds, the two individuals continued to attack the other as it seemed like an endless action of attack and counter attack, and that of parrying and riposte. These individuals moved in motions that far exceeded the speed of sound; only a glimpse of shadow could actually be seen from this battle.
One of the two individuals is Ace, a Knight who is currently protecting the borders of their kingdom, the one hailed as the strongest: ‘Land Born by Magic and its Kingdom Built by its Great Swords’, The Kingdom known as ALBION.
‘As expected the King of the Jade Empire is strong.’ Ace thought as he matched his speed with his more agile opponent, he could only keep parrying and defending against all attacks directed to him.
For what seemed like an eternity, the two who had crossed their swords finally had lengthened their distance. The unexpected stop of the battle, seem to have stemmed from the fact that both had met their current objective and eventually rested opposite the other.
Ace’s opponent was a young girl, who for those who did not know her personally, would immediately mistake her as a child who has yet reach the age of puberty, because of her small body feature, but in reality this young maiden is a full blown teen. The same young girl was now eyeing Ace with her fierce crimson eyes through her golden dragon mask while she firmly clutched her two purple un-identical 9 Huán dàdāo1, Chinese broadswords on both her hands.
This petite girl is the young King of Jade Empire, the kingdom bearing the title of the “Forbidden Kingdom in the Land of Solitary Will”. As of the moment she is bent on saving some of her kinsmen who had fallen after their failed encroachment with their adjacent kingdom, where Ace is currently affiliated. Now that they have fully retreated to their own territory she has successfully aided in their escape.
“Diànxià… dàoqiàn”
*My lord… sorry…
“Chètuì”
*retreat
With a simple order, her kinsmen completely retreated carrying the wounded with them, her fearless visage and the title ‘KING’ kept Ace from acting which helped in the process of the retreat. And as soon as she has sensed that her people were out of danger, the young maiden gave off a weird sigh of relief and rested her swords on the roof and she placed her hands on both of the swords handle shaft.
“As to be expected from the kingdom hailed as the strongest … even their foot soldiers are on par with that of a King.”
Ace, who was the recipient of the message could only interpret this as a sign of mockery, although it could not be seen, but under this young man’s white-faceless-stone mask, cold sweat had continuously flowed from his temple, he could even feel and see death inching near.
“I must say, you give me such a strong compliment your highness…” Ace slightly bowed his head to try and pacify the King’s compliment. “But, if you were to go all out, none of us present here would be spared…”
Even though he could only reply calmly to a King’s intimidation, he did completely solidify his defensive stance, as it was evident that a moment of weakness would be their downfall. True, the one in front of him may look like a mere child, but… she is still crowned king, and if the heir to the Jade Empire were to strike with her full strength, they, the border patrol knights would definitely and instantly get annihilated.
“…true to the oath of the Knights, modest.” The young Jade Empress, though her expression hidden behind a mask was clearly smiling; this can be discerned by her lack of hostility and calm voice.
‘Her highness seems to be seriously backing down’ as soon as the young border-patrol knight realized the lack of hostility emitted by the Jade Empress; he too lowers his guard in response to the Jade Empress’ stance.
The Jade Empress after a moment of silence locked her crimson eyes on the young man in front of her, as there was one thing she wanted to do before completely leaving.
“Knight, state your name?”
A question from a king was absolute, may it be from another kingdom it must be answered. This was one of the rules that all of the inhabitants of the Midnight Congregation must abide with out fail… no, it is something they can’t disobey even if they wanted to…The young man knows this and could only sigh as he was about to show the world his identity.
‘If our lives will be spared… with just a foot soldiers name, then…’ the young man could only think this way and removed his white-faceless-stone mask as he answered the Jade Empress’ question.
“Ace… Ace Chronilius Bloodforte, a border patrol knight who has sworn a solemn oath to protect this place with life itself”
And with a hint of a smile, the young empress disappears.
*sigh…
The young border patrol knight, Ace, gave off a heavy sigh as soon as the Jade Empress was out of his sight… that night he felt that he just lost half of his ethereal life. It could not be help though, the King of Albion has entrusted the protection of their border against encroachments from any kingdom. And as one who has sworn a blood of fealty to the same king, he has promised to protect it even at the cost of his life.
“That was close Sir Ace.”
It was one of his subordinates a young girl who as soon as she was visible from the blue moon’s grace was about to removed her own mask to release the discomfort of wearing it… but was instantly stopped by another border patrol knight the same age as her, who was still crouching at one end of a certain building.
“Be careful Kia.” It was the name of the young border patrol girl with a knack of adventure. “Sir Ace removed his mask… no, he was forced to remove his mask because ‘A King’ has asked him his name. Of course, as a knight it would be disrespectful if Sir Ace did not remove his mask as he was about to say his name, right Sir Ace.”
Ace was glad for the accurate observation of this young bespectacled knight. As the reason has been made known, he then thanked the young knight.
“Right, right… you’re always right GeNerd.” Kia mocked an statement.
“It’s Gerard!” Gerard could only retort simply.
Gerard continued to pace towards where his comrades are currently resting, although he too was quite uncomfortable with the mask, he chose to keep wearing it.
Ace can only sigh as his subordinates, Gerard and Kia, continued their usual arguments in front of him… but as soon as he noticed that the blue moon was fading, he then signalled the two using his two fingers to withdraw, and with just that the three disappeared leaving only the stillness of the night…
As the blue moon began to wane, the life in the city was restored to that of a bustling metropolis from which it truly was. The cars that were not there were now busy blowing their horns, the pedestrians busily crossing the traffic.
The empty streets from when the blue moon was at its reign was a mere illusion, an illusion made possible by the Dream Drive System, it is a system that was created to fulfil the dreams of those Cebuanos who for so long, longed an Ideal world with which their government could never provide.
In the sight of the ordinary eyes the fight earlier never happened… it never existed … such is the strength of the DDS, completely sealing off and deceiving the five general senses. Only those who bear the ‘CREST’ of any of the 8 Kingdoms could see this UTOPIA.
