The Chronicles Of Rhaxtyx

"That's how Dynasties would operate." (Miriam)

"I know Dynasties enough to discern their tactics missy. They are a bunch of warmongering barbarians when it comes to wars. And that is one of the only things they can do." (Damian)

"You don't understand Sir Damian. The Dynasties changed their way of operating long ago. Yes, until fifty years ago they were indeed like that but today, they are really ahead of maybe even the Kingdom of Herron."

"Don't be ridiculous! I've fought with them. Hell, I've even been there!"

"How old are you this cycle and when was the last time you've visited the Dynasties?"

"Well, the last time I checked I was 40 this cycle and the last time I visited was 20 cycles ago. So I'm sure I remember right."

"Your intelligence reports are all wrong, we made sure of it. I've even killed some Herron and Hillan spies myself and forged reports."

"You killed, Hillan and Herron spies? Who are you exactly missy?"

"My record number is Experiment Survivor #99, The Enhancing Assassin."

"What?"

"I was freed from Dynasty's control by my master here and was given the name 'Miriam'."

"What Dynasty control and experiments? What master? Are you playing tricks on me?"

"She's certainly not Mr. Damian. Just listen to her. I mean, you won't lose anything either way. You might even learn new things!" (Rhaxtyx)

Rhaxtyx spoke up at this point, seemingly bored. He was fidgeting around, trying his best to stop his urges to ask a million questions or do various experiments. Someone being able to see his disguise is not easy to deal with, that was proved earlier that day. If he did something bad in this man's eyes, a fight might break out and lead to Miriam and Roman and at the worst case, Kai getting injured. He also wanted to have this knight as an ally if possible.

After Rhaxtyx spoke so, Damian decided to lend them his ear and hear out what this woman had to say. What Miriam told him was like a revelation for him. She talked about how their espionage and counter-espionage forces grew exponentially with the coronation of the new emperor. That emperor started researching into the extremities of mana and allowed human experiments. Meanwhile, to prevent information leak, the Dynasties began training new spies. These new spies were under an organization called 'Yin Mi Tan'.

Nothing escaped this organization's eyes and they had agents everywhere in the country. The emperor and his brothers demanded their researchers to find new powers for the country. They were determined to go south since long ago so they thought it was time they succeeded.

Their experiments yielded success and they were finally able to create new and powerful soldiers with new powers. The emperor and his brothers also profited from these experiments as they were about to become 70 cycles-old in the coming 5 months.

"Did I hear that right? 70 cycles-old you said?! Surely that is impossible! The emperor doesn't look like he's past 30!" (Damian)

"You are right at that point but that is something trivial." (Miriam)

"I know some folks that slowed their age but it has been impossible to it to that degree!

"Well let me broaden your horizons then, Mr. Damian." (Rhaxtyx)

Rhaxtyx stood up and dusted himself off before sitting down again in an anticlimactic fashion. Damian was looking at him absentmindedly while Roman was face palming behind them.

"What?" (Rhaxtyx)

"Well when you stood up after speaking like that, I expected more than that." (Damian)

"Haa? I just felt dusty all of a sudden and got irritated. Why would you expect something? And what did you expect? You want me to dance or something?"

"Frankly I don't know what I expected. Anyway can we get back to the point?"

"Oh sure. I knew a guy, who is a human mind you, who lived to see his 300th summer."

"How is that possible?! Unless they are descendants of other species, humans can't reach that age."

"If you have the sufficient strength then anything is possible."

"I agree to those words." (Miriam)

"But how is that possible?" (Damian)

"What I mentioned was done through sheer meditation and will power, also some experiments using elvhen and dwarwish blood. With the respective parties consent of course. Otherwise I wouldn't allow it." (Rhaxtyx)

"And in the case of the rulers, they didn't disclose any information regarding that." (Miriam)

"I see. There really is something huh? I can't believe what I am hearing!" (Damian)

Damian stood up and, while holding his head in his hands, started pacing around. Rhaxtyx looked at him and started concentrating his mana in his eyes. His aim was to inspect Damian's mana if possible. He looked at him and found out that Damian's mana was very concentrated. This meant that his proficiency with mana is above average by the standards of Grelia.

"If you want to know anything, I'd prefer you ask."

"Sorry, I am just too curious for my own good." (Rhaxtyx)

"Oh my god you just reflected on your actions!" (Roman)

"Why? Is it that rare that I think about stuff?" (Rhaxtyx)

"No! I mean, this is the first time I see you become self-conscious about your behavior."

"Come on! I am self-conscious about stuff okay!"

"Roman is right master. This was the first time."

"You too Miriam? Maan. I don't have any allies."

Damian watched as the group argued over something pointless. A smile appeared on his face and he was surprised by this. It was a long time since he had this kind of smile on his face. This group reminded him of his younger days with his platoon. They would joke around like these guys would do.

"Anyway. You said that reaching the border is a bit problem. You know the situation a lot better than me so would you mind briefing me?" (Damian)

"The surrounding area is always under constant surveillance with constant patrols. We think they are using the nearby town as the base of operations for this." (Miriam)

"I see. If it is as you say so then my chances of reaching the border are slim indeed. And where were you headed?"

"To the capital like we said." (Roman)

"Well I might try my luck there. If the Kingdom really has no dealings with the death of my people like you said, then I can head to the capital."

"You wanna join us?" (Rhaxtyx)

"Why? Have a problem with it?"

"Not really. Just wanted to make sure if you were up to it."

"Don't worry about my enthusiasm when I want to do something."

"That's good then! We have already dealt with the pleasantries so shall we get going?" (Rhaxtyx)

"Well we need to find a safe place for Kai as well Rax." (Roman)

"I could never forget something like that."

"What is the problem with the little girlie here?"

"She had a little bit of a shock." (Rhaxtyx)

"How can you classify that as 'a little'? Master, is your head okay?"

"Maybe you are right. She got attacked by the Vulca Lord's men." (Rhaxtyx)

"So you went after his head?" (Damian)

"Why? Got a problem with it?" (Rhaxtyx)

"If you are trying to get me angry you have to try harder than that lad. About what you did, I think it is commendable. But wasn't that a while back?"

"Yes. She has been asleep since then." (Roman)

"That's weird. Did anything unnatural happened? Like magical or something?"

"We weren't there when she got attacked so we don't know the specifics of the situation." (Miriam)

"We are just hoping she would wake up soon or we can find help until then." (Rhaxtyx)

"Well I wish I could help. I would like to help a child, regardless of race."

Damian kneeled beside Kai and stroked her hair and ears. Her face relaxed a little bit by that and this put a smile to everyone's face. After that they planned their route and waited a day to continue their way.

Rhaxtyx was keeping watch like always but instead of doing loud practices, he wanted to dwell on the magic theory and the Shadow Arts a little bit more. Ever since his attack on Vulca, he didn't really advance in these areas so he wanted to compensate it sooner than later. His understanding towards the Shadow Arts was stagnating a lot. He felt like he needed more advanced comprehension regarding Thyra's laws.

'And if I want to have an advanced level of comprehension of Thyra's laws, I need more of those pendants.'

"Or you could study under a master. That is always an option." (Yggdrasil)

'It is never an option for me. Besides, you have become more active for this past week. What the hell are you planning you damn tree!?'

"What? Speaking to my host is considered suspicious now?! What kind of reasoning is that?!"

'I know you don't like talking to me so don't pretend. Tell if you want.'

"If I wanted something from you I would talk about it okay!? Damn, talking became a crime as well."

Rhaxtyx continued to meditate in silence throughout the night. At the break of dawn, everyone got ready for the road ahead of them.