Extra's Descent

Wyvern\'s freely traversed the air around them. However, they completely ignored the two.

"Because of that."

The wyvern pointed at the necklace around Brandon\'s neck.

"Oh."

Brandon gently held on to the crystalline pendant—shaped to a letter \'B.\'

"I knew there was something behind the scenes when I sensed my wife\'s power emanating from it."

"Aurelia\'s mother…. An elf?"

"Correct."

"What happened? And how did Aurelia come into the state that she is?"

"...."

The wyvern merely shook his head dismissively, a sorrowful smile etching on his face.

"It\'s a long story. A story I had long put in the back of my mind."

"I see."

Now that he had realized it, he had never asked for the wyvern\'s name.

"By the way, I\'m Brandon Locke."

"Androxus."

Short and simple.

They soon stopped at the entrance of a cave, gaping open inside the mountain\'s cliffside.

"You\'re not supposed to be here, to be honest. What I\'m about to show you will only be a glimpse to the unknown."

"...."

Brandon listened intently.

"I will only favor you for finding my Daughter and taking custody of her."

"Do you…."

Brandon was hesitant to ask the question. But out of respect for a father who was most likely separated from his daughter, he felt compelled to do so.

"Want to see her again?"

"Yes. But…."

Androxus\' head lowered, his face darkening.

"She\'s better off not finding out anything about this."

"...."

Clearly, there was something deeper behind the story.

But it seemed like Androxus didn\'t want to explain everything to happen. Just relevant explanations.

"Wait here."

Swoosh—!

Just like that, Androxus\' figure blurred.

Brandon turned around and scanned the vicinity. The sun was about to set once more, marking another day complete.

Wyverns, who were present earlier, were now scurrying away into hiding. Towering peaks with jagged edges cut sharply into the sky, their surfaces marked by deep crevices and sheer cliffs.

The whole vicinity was a mountain–zone. It was a rather known area where wyverns and other monsters alike inhabited.

For that reason, it was a danger–zone.

"Here."

A voice rang out from behind him. Turning around, Androxus reappeared, holding onto a crystalline—looking device.

"That\'s…?"

"My wife\'s final will. Once the time is right, it\'ll have all the answers you seek."

"Should I give this to Aurelia?"

"No."

Androxus dismissively shook his head.

"It\'s for you."

"Hmm…."

Walking towards Androxus, Brandon received the device and held it in his hand.

He had wanted to ask so many questions. But it seems like the device Androxus had given him was his answer.

Androxus looked down.

"I can\'t believe it."

His fist clenched tightly.

"I can\'t believe…. My daughter is alive…."

The emotions he had kept bottled up inside started pouring out. At first, it seemed like reality hadn\'t settled in for him yet. But now, he probably couldn\'t help but accept it.

But what filled Brandon\'s thoughts were the coincidences.

To think he would meet Aurelia\'s father, when he was only out to train.

Was it actually a coincidence?

Or was there…. a hidden power at play here?

Brandon stared at the wyvern, a tad foot shorter than him, who was breaking down into tears.

However, Brandon\'s thoughts were occupied by Androxus\' initial words.

\'Wraith?\'

He was aware of the Wraiths and Sovereigns relationship.

That they were one and the same.

And his system was the [Sovereign\'s Will].

Then….

Was his system actually based on…. a Wraith?

Questions probed his mind one after another.

But he had no confirmation.

"My…. daughter."

Time passed by like that. Brandon couldn\'t offer Androxus any comforting words.

For some reason, he couldn\'t sympathize with Androxus at all.

He knew he wasn\'t like this in the past.

But day by day, it felt like he was losing a part of his former self.

"Is…. Is she doing okay?"

Androxus asked, wiping his tears away. Brandon raised his head, meeting his silver gaze.

"Ah, yes. I\'ve provided her food, shelter, and education."

Brandon proudly spoke. This time, a sudden surge of happiness rose within him.

\'Ah.\'

He had come to realize just where he stood.

He would rather, for things to benefit him, than if they benefited others more.

"Thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Androxus took a deep breath, regaining some composure, but his eyes still shimmered with the remnants of tears.

He glanced down at the ground before meeting Brandon\'s gaze once more.

His eyes narrowed from there, a complete contrast to his previous expressions.

"Sooner or later, the elves will come out of hiding. Whatever you do, protect Aurelia with your life."

"Oh?"

That made Brandon curious. Just what kind of ill fated relationship did the elves and wyvern have for Aurelia to be disdained that much?

"What happened?"

"The Oracle of Crystallia will tell you everything once the time is right."

"Then why won\'t you tell me?"

A curious question that was stuck in the back of his throat. But if it was actually that important, then why hide it?

It was much better to have information before he made any mistakes.

"Because I can\'t."

"How so? There\'s no one around to hear us."

Without saying any words, Androxus pointed at his chest.

"...?"

Then, dragging his hand up, Androxus made a slit gesture on his neck.

"...."

"Exactly that."

"You\'ll die."

***

Androxus couldn\'t tell him anything.

"...."

Because he was bound to a soul contract.

All wyverns, after the death of Crystallia, Aurelia\'s mother, were cursed to never speak of the war, or inflict harm on anything with elven blood.

Androxus stared at Brandon Locke\'s departing back. He had given him the go–signal to stay in Cavern\'s Peak for as long as he wished, just as long as he didn\'t bother the other wyvern\'s.

Truth be told, he had felt deep envy for Brandon.

But there was nothing he could do. He was already thankful enough that he had found Aurelia, and took care of her.

"Your prophecy was right, Crystallia."

Androxus began to whisper, recalling Crystallia\'s words back then.

—Our Daughter is meant for greater things. This war between the wyverns and the elves should not be the reason her life is taken.

Androxus clenched his fist as his brows furrowed.

—One day, someone will occupy this area. So for whatever wyverns survive in the next centuries, please do your best to relocate there.

Androxus had already been aware of his fruitful encounter with Brandon.

For centuries, he had been waiting for Brandon.

—He will come. The person who will save our Daughter. And this person will be responsible for setting all of us free.

But the last part of Crystallia\'s prophecy still lingered in Androxus\' mind, leaving him confused.

—But at the cost of his demise. When that happens, I wish for you to be on Aurelia\'s side.

\'Demise\' and \'Aurelia\'s side….\'

From those words alone, it became apparent to him that there was a future meant in store for Brandon Locke.

Then did that mean….

"He\'s going to die?"

At the moment, Androxus could tell Brandon Locke was weak.

Really weak.

To the point where he would probably pass out if Androxus were to release his Wyvern\'s Intent.

But seeing how much Brandon cherished Aurelia….

He didn\'t want him to die.

If there was a way to change Crystallia\'s prophecy, Androxus was on–board.

\'If I could provide him with the necessary weapons….\'

Would it be possible?

With those thoughts in mind, Androxus followed Brandon.

***

Brandon continued meditating, sitting crossed legged on the cold snowy ground.

"Human."

A voice echoed from behind him.

Brandon\'s brows perked up, somewhat annoyed by the distractions.

Opening his eyes, he turned around.

Androxus stood, clasping his hands behind his back.

He was as tiny as always.

"Yes?"

"Your training lacks balance. If you want maximum efficiency, your body and magic must work together."

"I\'m aware. But I\'m not exactly in a state to push my body."

"No excuses."

"...."

"I\'ll be overseeing your training for as long as you stay here."

"Huh?"

"If you\'re going to be Aurelia\'s protector, then you\'ll need to be as strong as I am."

"...."

"Stand up."