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TheVolumes by Maxus
Book 1 - Kereth
Part 1 - Pori’s Riddle
Chapter 1 - Raxus | The Prince
Kantaynu, Mertoth - 20.078 h.k. - Makth 1 - Tyme 10.0.0
Six men died at Raxus’ hands since the Kalikort had begun. Some chose to wear no armor. They fought like mindless savages. It bothered Raxus to see that the elite warriors of the human race championed such thoughtless forms of combat. And when they attacked him as such, it was effortless for him to strike them down.
Sweat dripped down his forehead and tickled his upper lip. Light ripped through the archways of the Oritol and warmed his face.
The Oritol erupted in cheer as the orator hobbled to the center of the arena. Raxus watched as the orator laid down his cane, stretching his back as he prepared to speak. He raised his hands ushering the crowd to silence.
“Citizens of Mertoth!”
The crowd roared briefly, before the orator silenced them again.
“Travelers of the fine lands of Southpoint, Naphlos, Palidos, and Mortules,” his voice boomed throughout the air. Raxus could just barely see the orator smiling as the crowd cheered violently. Again, he silenced them.
“This has been the arguably most exciting Kalikort in the history of men. Tonight we have the honor of watching our very own Prince Raxus Aurusi, compete for the title of Batus Primi, against the mysterious Jantu of the Academy of Northshore.”
Raxus had not seen Jantu fight as it was forbidden; however, there were whispers of his agility in combat. Fear was not in Raxus’ blood...and at twenty-three cyps, neither was caution.
The orator continued, “Not only is Jantu the first combatant to represent the Academy in the long history of the Kalikort, at seventeen cyps, he is the youngest participant to ever fight in a championship bout. So without any more hesitation, at five lengths and fifteen measures, I give you the Northshore Ninja, Jantu Antilae!”
The sound of his voice shook the ground with the force of a god.
Jantu walked out onto the arena floor as the drums rumbled like thunder. The crowds’ roar pulsed, sidechained to the beat of the drum. Colored smoke shot from cannons lining the walls and lights flashed, filling the arena and the sky above. The energy would overwhelm the normal human. Still, Raxus felt calm, he knew he would easily defeat this boy.
“When I was boy,” the crowd quieted as the orator cleared his throat, “King Partus and I would spar in the courtyard of his father’s castle. As I grew older I came to wonder if a greater champion of the human race would ever come to exist. And twenty-four cyps ago, many of us watched in awe as soon-to-be King Partus destroyed the competition and became the Batus Primi, the youngest in history at the age of just twenty-six. And then again twelve cyps ago, we watched as our King defended his title successfully against the hordes of contestants from across the realm. I thought for sure no man would ever surpass his greatness. But this cyp we have seen his own son fight with the precision and speed of Toray Himself. So now I present to you, with boundless respect, at 6 lengths and 21 measures, the great Prince Raxus Aurusi.”
The Oritol seemed to explode with sound. The cheers were nearly deafening. Raxus stormed out into the arena with his arms up, absorbing the energy that his people so graciously provided him. Even as a prince this was a nearly overwhelming experience.
The Star showered Raxus’ armor in light; his shield lightened as his heels dug into the dirt. The sword he held was his grandfather’s, suffering only one defeat since its forging.
And there Jantu stood. Two shalakar on his arms like maces embedded into his bones.
Raxus caught his gaze. It was filled with curiosity and contemplation.
Raxus felt, for the first time, what he assumed was fear. Jantu seemed so much calmer than he.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the orator walking off the stage. And then the bell rang. His eyes turned back…
A cloud of dust?
He breathed in. From the cloud came Jantu, thirty lengths above the ground. Raxus lifted his shield and dug his heels into the ground. Brace, absorb, then attack. He exhaled.
Both shalakar met his shield with an immeasurable force. The impact pushed his feet a few measures into the dirt.
He filled his lungs with air as his shield and sword thrust forward: they met only with the cloud of dust left in the wake of Jantu’s rapid movement. Then he felt the skin on his neck grow warm. He spun meeting Jantu’s shalakar with his sword. *Damn he’s fast.*They locked eyes as he exhaled.
Jantu jumped back.
He inhaled charging forwards with his shield. Jantu launched into the air flipping over Raxus’ head. Raxus tracked Jantu from the corner of his eye. Just as Jantu passed between Raxus and the sun, he surged forward. Raxus tried to spin with his shield but both shalakar crashed into his back knocking him to the floor. Breath forced from his lungs.
He tried to stand but his legs froze up.
As his vision faded he could hear the orator the crowd chanting… Jantu! Jantu!
20.078 h.k. - Makth 1 - Tyme 12.0.0
The Starreader sat before Raxus. Separated by the ten lengths of depth boasted by his massive granite desk, Raxus could barely make out his age. The Starreader couldn’t have been any more than a few cyps his elder.
It was more the likely that he was in fact younger. Starreaders’ time training in Southport tended to add ten revolutions to their appearance. Or in this case, face shadowed by the customary academic cloak, his voice exuded a sense of wisdom Raxus associated with age.
Raxus processed what he had just been told. Sure the theory was based on sound logic, but it had yet to yield any confirmed predictions. However, the Starreader emitted an air of foreboding that Raxus could practically taste. He would consider the theory to be true upon the presentation of better evidence.
“This theory is indeed alarming. Though there does not seem to be evidence of its truth as of yet.” He pushed the Starreader for more.
The Starreader leaned over the table. Raxus could just barely make out a smile, hidden under the shadow cast by the large black hood that cloaked the Starreader’s head.
“Tonight the sky will come alight with a dancing green snake.”
Raxus chuckled at the thought, realizing now that this man was nothing more than a religious kook. The Ancient storytellers passed down tales of a war on Kereth, occurring over one hundred thousand cyps ago. Predicting that it would occur again and again for all time, the first sign was to be the ‘dancing green snake’ in the sky.
It all seemed a bit childish to him, believing in such nonsense. “I did not realize Southport dealt in the faith, disguising it as knowledge.”
The starreader laughed, “I see, a Prince who thinks then?”
“I just find the Drim Prophecies to be a bit fantastical for my taste.”
“Hmm...I’m sure you have heard of Eldrasic?”
“In passing…”
“It is the precursor language to Early Drasic. A language that was used for roughly ten thousand cyps surrounding the time we think the First War occurred. So few documents of Eldrasic exist that our translations require a vast number of assumptions. Mainly, we connect Eldrasic to the Middle Drasic used for the forty thousand cyps preceding the birth of the humans.
“The problem being that Middle Drasic under the influence of the Awakening, had grown to regard Eldrasic texts as fantastical. Scholars had intentionally created colloquial use of the Eldrasic phrases in regards to ridiculous things.
“But there have been a few of us using an older reference to attempt a new translation of these texts. In this case the translation would be closer to ‘Tonight the sky will have moving green lights in it’, much less fanciful but more believable indeed.”
Raxus smiled, “A thorough explanation...So we wait until tonight. If the sky lights up with green, then I will have no choice but to join you.”
The scholar pulled off his hood, revealing a very young face, likely sixteen revolutions of age. He stood and smiled, “That will do just fine.”
“Jantu?” he gasped. “Well I guess it was best to tell me all of this before revealing it was you. Why did you join the Kalikort?”
Jantu turned and started to stroll out of the chambers.
“Just wanted to challenge myself.”
Raxus laughed, “Sorry to disappoint.”
Tyme 12.6.0
Raxus read through an old book his father had passed down about the Iozeganak. They were truly mystifying creatures. Pale, nearly translucent skin covered a metallic skeleton. In the right light you could see their bones.
They did not reproduce like the humans nor the Ancients. Rather, a Iozeganak would cut of its head, growing a new body, while the original body would regrow a new head.
They were quick and fierce warriors. The Ancients fought with them in the First War, long before the humans were born.
He lifted his head looking about his study. The walls were covered with bookshelves, the books originating from every corner of Kereth.
He figured that he might as well begin packing. It was unlikely that Jantu’s prediction would be false. And if true, they would be leaving at starrise. He closed the book, pushing back his chair as he stood.
Raxus carried the book back to its place on the lower shelf. He turned, heading towards the door.
The large iron doors to his study creaked as he pulled them open. Light trickled in from the corridor. He stepped out and turned towards the main hall. The walls of the castle were nearly all landstone. A common and ugly rock. Nothing like the vibrant coldstone walls of the palace in Penros.
He had been assigned as the governor of the Penrosian Plains, four rohts past. Mainly to help organize a defensive force against regular Iozeganak looting. Success had come quickly. The Iozeganak stopped entirely after they lost their first clan member.
Broad and poorly spaced steps led up to his living quarters. They made the climb uncomfortable and awkward. This place was a testament to the poor planning and wastefulness that had since become the legacy of the earlier generations of humans.
Burning oil lamps lit the walls. Continuously wasting useful energy throughout each roht. A lack of windows in nearly every part of the castle prevented any natural sense of time.
Each step was brutal on his legs. Both still physically drained from his defeat in the Kalikort. Finally the stairwell gave way to his room.
Raxus pushed open the iron doors. His room was the brightest in the castle. Thanks to the clearglass windows, installments he’d ordered upon arrival. Sword and shield glistened in a far corner of the room. His whitebark dresser caddied in the other.
He pulled a travel sack from the bottom drawer. Then haphazardly stuffed it with a few outfits.
When he finished he walked over to his bed, tossing the sack towards his sword and shield. He belly flopped onto his bed, sighing out of comfort.
A quick nap, then up to the roof.
Tyme 12.77.0
Raxus eagerly jogged up the poorly crafted stairwell to the roof. At last, it was time to watch starset and await the snake. The snake would show.
Jantu couldn’t possibly be wrong.
He’d just met the boy, but his intellect and combat prowess had earned him some serious respect in Raxus’ book. He almost felt a yearning to study at the Northshore Academy. But he was far to old for that. At least, he thought so.
Perhaps they’d make an exception for a prince.
The doors at the top of the stairwell were tough to open. He doubted that they’d been used in some time. The view was worth it.
From up here, Raxus could see for ten-thousand lengths in every direction. Even with the last sliver of starglow disappearing behind the horizon. And on cue, the blue moon peaked out to the west, signalling the start of night.
He laid on his back, gazing up at the twinkle of the stars. Absorbing the beauty of the pink band that hogged the night sky. The Old Texts called it a galaxy, but no one spoke much of the Old Texts.
And then he saw it.
A green band of light began dancing above him, stealing his focus from the galaxy. It wriggled around, markedly resembling the movement of a snake.
“Aurora Borealis.” Jantu whispered.
Raxus sat up, turned, and saw him walking towards him.
Jantu smiled, “At least, that’s what they call them in the Old Texts.”
Raxus shook his head in disbelief, “I’ve never seen something more beautiful in my entire life.”
TheVolumes by Maxus
Book 1 - Kereth
Part 1 - Pori’s Riddle
Chapter 1 - Raxus | The Prince
Kantaynu, Mertoth - 20.078 h.k. - Makth 1 - Tyme 10.0.0
Six men died at Raxus’ hands since the Kalikort had begun. Some chose to wear no armor. They fought like mindless savages. It bothered Raxus to see that the elite warriors of the human race championed such thoughtless forms of combat. And when they attacked him as such, it was effortless for him to strike them down.
Sweat dripped down his forehead and tickled his upper lip. Light ripped through the archways of the Oritol and warmed his face.
The Oritol erupted in cheer as the orator hobbled to the center of the arena. Raxus watched as the orator laid down his cane, stretching his back as he prepared to speak. He raised his hands ushering the crowd to silence.
“Citizens of Mertoth!”
The crowd roared briefly, before the orator silenced them again.
“Travelers of the fine lands of Southpoint, Naphlos, Palidos, and Mortules,” his voice boomed throughout the air. Raxus could just barely see the orator smiling as the crowd cheered violently. Again, he silenced them.
“This has been the arguably most exciting Kalikort in the history of men. Tonight we have the honor of watching our very own Prince Raxus Aurusi, compete for the title of Batus Primi, against the mysterious Jantu of the Academy of Northshore.”
Raxus had not seen Jantu fight as it was forbidden; however, there were whispers of his agility in combat. Fear was not in Raxus’ blood...and at twenty-three cyps, neither was caution.
The orator continued, “Not only is Jantu the first combatant to represent the Academy in the long history of the Kalikort, at seventeen cyps, he is the youngest participant to ever fight in a championship bout. So without any more hesitation, at five lengths and fifteen measures, I give you the Northshore Ninja, Jantu Antilae!”
The sound of his voice shook the ground with the force of a god.
Jantu walked out onto the arena floor as the drums rumbled like thunder. The crowds’ roar pulsed, sidechained to the beat of the drum. Colored smoke shot from cannons lining the walls and lights flashed, filling the arena and the sky above. The energy would overwhelm the normal human. Still, Raxus felt calm, he knew he would easily defeat this boy.
“When I was boy,” the crowd quieted as the orator cleared his throat, “King Partus and I would spar in the courtyard of his father’s castle. As I grew older I came to wonder if a greater champion of the human race would ever come to exist. And twenty-four cyps ago, many of us watched in awe as soon-to-be King Partus destroyed the competition and became the Batus Primi, the youngest in history at the age of just twenty-six. And then again twelve cyps ago, we watched as our King defended his title successfully against the hordes of contestants from across the realm. I thought for sure no man would ever surpass his greatness. But this cyp we have seen his own son fight with the precision and speed of Toray Himself. So now I present to you, with boundless respect, at 6 lengths and 21 measures, the great Prince Raxus Aurusi.”
The Oritol seemed to explode with sound. The cheers were nearly deafening. Raxus stormed out into the arena with his arms up, absorbing the energy that his people so graciously provided him. Even as a prince this was a nearly overwhelming experience.
The Star showered Raxus’ armor in light; his shield lightened as his heels dug into the dirt. The sword he held was his grandfather’s, suffering only one defeat since its forging.
And there Jantu stood. Two shalakar on his arms like maces embedded into his bones.
Raxus caught his gaze. It was filled with curiosity and contemplation.
Raxus felt, for the first time, what he assumed was fear. Jantu seemed so much calmer than he.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw the orator walking off the stage. And then the bell rang. His eyes turned back…
A cloud of dust?
He breathed in. From the cloud came Jantu, thirty lengths above the ground. Raxus lifted his shield and dug his heels into the ground. Brace, absorb, then attack. He exhaled.
Both shalakar met his shield with an immeasurable force. The impact pushed his feet a few measures into the dirt.
He filled his lungs with air as his shield and sword thrust forward: they met only with the cloud of dust left in the wake of Jantu’s rapid movement. Then he felt the skin on his neck grow warm. He spun meeting Jantu’s shalakar with his sword. *Damn he’s fast.*They locked eyes as he exhaled.
Jantu jumped back.
He inhaled charging forwards with his shield. Jantu launched into the air flipping over Raxus’ head. Raxus tracked Jantu from the corner of his eye. Just as Jantu passed between Raxus and the sun, he surged forward. Raxus tried to spin with his shield but both shalakar crashed into his back knocking him to the floor. Breath forced from his lungs.
He tried to stand but his legs froze up.
As his vision faded he could hear the orator the crowd chanting… Jantu! Jantu!
20.078 h.k. - Makth 1 - Tyme 12.0.0
The Starreader sat before Raxus. Separated by the ten lengths of depth boasted by his massive granite desk, Raxus could barely make out his age. The Starreader couldn’t have been any more than a few cyps his elder.
It was more the likely that he was in fact younger. Starreaders’ time training in Southport tended to add ten revolutions to their appearance. Or in this case, face shadowed by the customary academic cloak, his voice exuded a sense of wisdom Raxus associated with age.
Raxus processed what he had just been told. Sure the theory was based on sound logic, but it had yet to yield any confirmed predictions. However, the Starreader emitted an air of foreboding that Raxus could practically taste. He would consider the theory to be true upon the presentation of better evidence.
“This theory is indeed alarming. Though there does not seem to be evidence of its truth as of yet.” He pushed the Starreader for more.
The Starreader leaned over the table. Raxus could just barely make out a smile, hidden under the shadow cast by the large black hood that cloaked the Starreader’s head.
“Tonight the sky will come alight with a dancing green snake.”
Raxus chuckled at the thought, realizing now that this man was nothing more than a religious kook. The Ancient storytellers passed down tales of a war on Kereth, occurring over one hundred thousand cyps ago. Predicting that it would occur again and again for all time, the first sign was to be the ‘dancing green snake’ in the sky.
It all seemed a bit childish to him, believing in such nonsense. “I did not realize Southport dealt in the faith, disguising it as knowledge.”
The starreader laughed, “I see, a Prince who thinks then?”
“I just find the Drim Prophecies to be a bit fantastical for my taste.”
“Hmm...I’m sure you have heard of Eldrasic?”
“In passing…”
“It is the precursor language to Early Drasic. A language that was used for roughly ten thousand cyps surrounding the time we think the First War occurred. So few documents of Eldrasic exist that our translations require a vast number of assumptions. Mainly, we connect Eldrasic to the Middle Drasic used for the forty thousand cyps preceding the birth of the humans.
“The problem being that Middle Drasic under the influence of the Awakening, had grown to regard Eldrasic texts as fantastical. Scholars had intentionally created colloquial use of the Eldrasic phrases in regards to ridiculous things.
“But there have been a few of us using an older reference to attempt a new translation of these texts. In this case the translation would be closer to ‘Tonight the sky will have moving green lights in it’, much less fanciful but more believable indeed.”
Raxus smiled, “A thorough explanation...So we wait until tonight. If the sky lights up with green, then I will have no choice but to join you.”
The scholar pulled off his hood, revealing a very young face, likely sixteen revolutions of age. He stood and smiled, “That will do just fine.”
“Jantu?” he gasped. “Well I guess it was best to tell me all of this before revealing it was you. Why did you join the Kalikort?”
Jantu turned and started to stroll out of the chambers.
“Just wanted to challenge myself.”
Raxus laughed, “Sorry to disappoint.”
Tyme 12.6.0
Raxus read through an old book his father had passed down about the Iozeganak. They were truly mystifying creatures. Pale, nearly translucent skin covered a metallic skeleton. In the right light you could see their bones.
They did not reproduce like the humans nor the Ancients. Rather, a Iozeganak would cut of its head, growing a new body, while the original body would regrow a new head.
They were quick and fierce warriors. The Ancients fought with them in the First War, long before the humans were born.
He lifted his head looking about his study. The walls were covered with bookshelves, the books originating from every corner of Kereth.
He figured that he might as well begin packing. It was unlikely that Jantu’s prediction would be false. And if true, they would be leaving at starrise. He closed the book, pushing back his chair as he stood.
Raxus carried the book back to its place on the lower shelf. He turned, heading towards the door.
The large iron doors to his study creaked as he pulled them open. Light trickled in from the corridor. He stepped out and turned towards the main hall. The walls of the castle were nearly all landstone. A common and ugly rock. Nothing like the vibrant coldstone walls of the palace in Penros.
He had been assigned as the governor of the Penrosian Plains, four rohts past. Mainly to help organize a defensive force against regular Iozeganak looting. Success had come quickly. The Iozeganak stopped entirely after they lost their first clan member.
Broad and poorly spaced steps led up to his living quarters. They made the climb uncomfortable and awkward. This place was a testament to the poor planning and wastefulness that had since become the legacy of the earlier generations of humans.
Burning oil lamps lit the walls. Continuously wasting useful energy throughout each roht. A lack of windows in nearly every part of the castle prevented any natural sense of time.
Each step was brutal on his legs. Both still physically drained from his defeat in the Kalikort. Finally the stairwell gave way to his room.
Raxus pushed open the iron doors. His room was the brightest in the castle. Thanks to the clearglass windows, installments he’d ordered upon arrival. Sword and shield glistened in a far corner of the room. His whitebark dresser caddied in the other.
He pulled a travel sack from the bottom drawer. Then haphazardly stuffed it with a few outfits.
When he finished he walked over to his bed, tossing the sack towards his sword and shield. He belly flopped onto his bed, sighing out of comfort.
A quick nap, then up to the roof.
Tyme 12.77.0
Raxus eagerly jogged up the poorly crafted stairwell to the roof. At last, it was time to watch starset and await the snake. The snake would show.
Jantu couldn’t possibly be wrong.
He’d just met the boy, but his intellect and combat prowess had earned him some serious respect in Raxus’ book. He almost felt a yearning to study at the Northshore Academy. But he was far to old for that. At least, he thought so.
Perhaps they’d make an exception for a prince.
The doors at the top of the stairwell were tough to open. He doubted that they’d been used in some time. The view was worth it.
From up here, Raxus could see for ten-thousand lengths in every direction. Even with the last sliver of starglow disappearing behind the horizon. And on cue, the blue moon peaked out to the west, signalling the start of night.
He laid on his back, gazing up at the twinkle of the stars. Absorbing the beauty of the pink band that hogged the night sky. The Old Texts called it a galaxy, but no one spoke much of the Old Texts.
And then he saw it.
A green band of light began dancing above him, stealing his focus from the galaxy. It wriggled around, markedly resembling the movement of a snake.
“Aurora Borealis.” Jantu whispered.
Raxus sat up, turned, and saw him walking towards him.
Jantu smiled, “At least, that’s what they call them in the Old Texts.”
Raxus shook his head in disbelief, “I’ve never seen something more beautiful in my entire life.”
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