The Inner Odyssey-Chapter 109: Threat

Over the next couple of days, Alden managed to sell the rest of his cores.

More than once he wanted to give up, discouraged by the countless rejections he received. However, amidst that sea of refusal, a few people were willing to give him a chance - including the strange, elegant-looking youth. He was grateful for their patronage, even if they technically didn't buy anything, and even if the latter had attempted to steal from him.

…An action that was supposedly an instinctive, "old habit".

In any case, with this, he had taken his first step towards creating a sustainable source of income for himself.

With this, he could be self-sufficient.

Alden had sown the seeds. Now, all he had to do was wait.

Walking through the light snow, the white-haired young man hummed a merry tune, his joy and excitement infectious. Ignia circled him from above, crying with happiness through their bond.

She was too young to fully understand what her owner had done, but if he was happy, so was she!

Alden chuckled at the antics of his adorable familiar. He sent her a burst of love that Ignia returned with an enthusiasm and pleasure that warmed his chest and heart. Displaying a soft smile, he watched as she dove into his arms, preferring the comfort of his body over flying in the air.

'Looks like she wants the princess treatment.'

Alden chuckled again, nuzzling his beautiful familiar with the tip of his nose.

Ignia seemed to melt at that, and somehow, against all odds, Alden felt the love he had for her increase. Even when it felt like he couldn't love her any more deeply, Ignia always seemed to find a way to increase the affection he held for her.

She'd wormed her way into the deepest, darkest corners of his heart, and Alden could do nothing to stop her descent - not that he wanted, of course.

Oblivious to the stares he was getting, Alden pressed on.

His thoughts shifted towards his strange and handsome juniour again.

That curious individual.

First of all, he was a bit odd…

Based on certain cues, Alden could tell that the elegant youth put a great deal of attention into his appearance. There was no way he would possess such fair skin, otherwise. The second thing was the gloves. It was as if his dark-haired juniour had a fear of getting dirty, and wanted to remain immaculate at all times.

'With his looks, I don't blame him. However…' ƒreewebɳovel.com

Alden still felt there was something off.

'Could he be a 'noble'?'

While the Ember Clan was the highest authority in the Territory of Flame - bar the Keeper, though she rarely, if ever meddled in the ruling of each Territory - there were a few prominent families that had managed to make a name for themselves.

Of course, they had no real say in the truly important matters of the Sanctuary, but they still exerted quite a bit of influence on the day-to-day running and establishment of various supply routes between the different Territories, helping to resolve any logistical challenges that could arise from that.

A few also possessed power not inferior to any Guild. All this was to say the elegant-looking youth may have been an heir to one of these families. However, Alden felt that was unlikely as he recalled the strange gleam in his juniour's eyes, and how used to thieving the young boy was.

Instead, Alden had another suspicion…

Could the dark-haired youth have been acting as a fake 'noble', integrated himself with that caste, and in the process picked up on their mannerisms, all while trying to steal from them in the end?

Or maybe, the handsome boy was just that unique?

'Whatever, why am I even thinking about this, anyway?'

It was unlikely they'd ever cross paths again. At least, Alden hoped they didn't - even if the striking youth was a little amusing. He did not want to embroil himself into whatever trouble the dark-haired kid would doubtless bring.

Granted, he did already involve himself by helping the elegant youth evade his pursuers.

'Ugh.'

Alden sighed, shaking his head.

It wasn't as if everything was terrible - Alden was almost certain the strange rumour that had begun milling around the Territory about an individual selling higher quality cores than the Ember Clan, was courtesy of his stylish juniour, as a way to thank him.

'This should help build up demand.'

A few people had even approached him after he had sold his last core, inquiring about when he should have the next batch available. Consequently, those from the Ember Clan he had crossed paths with also sent him dirty looks, far from pleased.

Alden ignored them.

Suddenly, he paused, discovering that multiple people ahead barred his path.

A quick glance behind him revealed he also couldn't retrace his steps.

'All my exits are blocked.'

Dread slowly uncoiled in Alden's stomach.

His expression darkened, his pupils dilating, gaining a darker, more scarlet hue. Ignia also displayed her displeasure, the pitch-black flames on her plumage flickering with more force.

The young man tensed, his muscles slowly readying for a fight.

The mana in his core hummed, primed for use.

Surrounding the human and phoenix in the light snow, a group of warriors approached, hands hovering over their weapons. A young man with a polychromatic gaze slowly stepped out of their midst, his expression incredibly solemn. Tendrils of steam coiled around his figure, his authoritative voice resounding far and wide in the biting cold.

"We need to talk."

***

"Would you like a drink?"

Alden stared at the Ember Heir, unimpressed.

Drakon shrugged, and took a seat across from him, taking a sip of his favourite fiery mead.

There was a chance the drink could be poisonous, no matter how unlikely, so Alden didn't want to try his luck. Besides, he wasn't a big fan of the beverage in the first place, all the more reason for him to decline.

Continuing to gaze at the red-robed heir, Alden tried not to scowl as his bond with Ignia turned faint - a sizable distance now separated them after he had dropped her off and reassured her that he would be okay, before making his way to the Citadel of the Ember Clan to have this discussion with Drakon.

Alden secretly gritted his teeth.

He inhaled, hoping the flow of air would help calm his nerves.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here."

The white-haired young man's brow almost twitched at the Ember Heir's casual tone.

Drakon had returned back to his usual carefree demeanour as soon as his retinue of guards had vanished. Alden watched as his fiery-haired peer set his goblet down on the table between them and crossed his right leg over the other.

"It's simple, really."

Drakon sighed.

"The Elders want you to cease selling cores immediately."

Alden froze, failing to prevent a dark expression from forming on his face.

Just when he thought he was finally making some good headway, Drakon and his clan appeared at the worst moment to halt his progress. Alden couldn't stop the squall of frustration that rose in his heart.

Blood began to rush to his ears, and a chilling and deathly aura began to leak out from his body.

"Give me one good reason why I should comply."

He spoke in a dangerously low tone, wisps of tenebrous energy flickering in and out of existence around him. Drakon remained composed, but the air surrounding him seemed to grow hotter - as if ready to form a blaze of polychromatic sparks at any moment.

"Because those old fogies view you as a threat to our business, no matter how small. Are you sure you want to provoke those Masters?"

Drakon raised a questioning brow.

Alden's expression darkened further.

"They originally wanted to use more… forceful methods, but I was able to convince them not to, otherwise you might have found yourself locked up in one of our dungeons, burnt beyond belief, and stripped of your familiar."

The Ember Heir sighed again.

"Really, those old fogies are too much. They didn't even bat an eye when I told them you were the Keeper's Apprentice."

Alden's gaze narrowed, his erratic emotions suddenly turning still, replaced by a sense of deathly calm.

He took a deep breath.

"You knew?"

Drakon laughed.

"Of course I knew. It wasn't that hard to guess - it would explain your long absences and why I could never find you. But mostly, there's just been a rumour floating around the Paladin circles and the Four Clans that the Keeper has finally chosen their successor. A young man who wields the power of the void, and is capable of decaying anything he encounters with a touch. I can tell you this… many are not pleased."

The Ember Heir smirked at Alden's frown.

He waved the topic aside.

"Back to our previous matter, though, I need you to promise that you won't use Ignia to purify any more cores."

Alden clenched his teeth.

Seeing his reluctace, Drakon added:

"Don't worry, I will give you something better in return. You'll have to take a magical oath, though, because it involves some clan secrets."

"Do the Elders know about this?"

Alden asked, boundless skepticism lacing his tone. He couldn't imagine them willing to let an outsider learn a clan secret.

"What they don't know can't harm them."

Drakon grinned.

Alden's cheek twitched.

Sparks of amusement ignited in Drakon's gaze.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I told you I was serious about my oath a few days ago, so this should hopefully show it. Besides, the elders can't punish me too much, especially since I've been carrying out my training and duties more diligently lately."

"So, do we have a deal?"

The Ember Heir asked, seemingly confident of the answer.

Alden leaned back, tapping at his armrest.

On the one hand, it was an enticing offer. Learning one of the secrets of the Ember Clan was no small deal. However, on the other hand, he would miss out on the potential future sum he could receive once his enterprise became successful.

'I guess, it just boils down to whether I want to trust him or not."

Alden sighed.

With what he had just learned about the Elders, the young man had to reevaluate his opinion of Drakon. The Ember Heir had saved him from potential peril, not to mention willing to reveal a clan secret just to compensate him. Added to that his constant sincerity, and Alden felt like maybe he was being a bit too harsh on the red-robed heir.

'I hope I don't regret this.'

The white-haired young man exhaled and closed his good eye.

Eventually, he said:

"We have a deal."

"Great!"

Drakon clapped happily and stood up.

"Alright, follow me. You're going to be in for a big surprise."

At that, Alden opened his good eye and saw the Ember Heir display a mysterious grin.

A bead of cold sweat suddenly trickled down his back.

…What had he just got himself into?