Chapter VI: Hagzissa

Sharp pain stabbed his back as he ran furiously outside the mansion. A lush green rose garden welcomed him at the entrance as he skidded his way towards the gates. Few maids that were tending the rose bushes were startled as they saw the half naked man with bandages scramble his way outside.

He was panting feverishly as he got to the main streets of the area. Blood had started to seep out from his bandaged body but he was too distracted to care. The road was empty, and his hope to meet Mr. Kaylus was nearly deflating.

"Gather yourself Hanji, you can do this."

Heaving a deep sigh, he focused and called upon his depleted force. Holding reign of his nearly asleep powers, he convoked his guarding spirit and called it's presence.

A gust of wind started to form infront of him as his eyes fluttered open to see The Raven slowly materializing in the air. Normally, it would only take him a snap of his fingers in summoning his spirit guardian, but because of what happened, his energy levels are so low that it's almost a miracle to have him able to call The Raven.

"Hanji," it's deep voice called.

"Rai," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude and hope. "Thank you for responding to my summons."

The Raven only looked at him with it's intimidating crimson eyes and nodded. He was the King of all the Raven Spirits, and he stood 6 feet tall,— his wingspread at about 20 feet wide. Jet black feathers adorned him and they all shimmered gallantly under the sun, making Hanji feel lucky and proud of Rai.

Patting his neck, he quickly sat on it's back, ignoring the sharp pain he felt on his pelvis.

"Let's go Rai. Let's go find Grandfather's apprentice."

The red ruby was flaring. It was glowing brightly in his pockets and was emitting heat that almost burnt his right hand when he attempted to touch it. It was a charm given by his magician friend that lives in the Pacific. It warns the holder from malicious intent and desires. This ruby had saved him from a couple of scammers and troubles, but it never was this coruscant before. It would only glow a bit, like a pulse of red light and then, the light will vanish after a few seconds. Not unlike this time where it is flaring abnormally with intense heat piercing his skin.

Panic had started to build in him. His stomach started churning again and he could feel a bile of vomit holding in, trying to escape his throat. At the back of his head, he knew there was something wrong. He kept pushing those thoughts away, but it is starting to oppress him now.

"There's really something wrong here. Something happening that I—"

No.

He shook his head and looked around, scanning for weird and suspicious-looking people. But he couldn't find any. They all look like normal nobles and royals, chattering happily. Some were even drinking champagne, while others were just having social talks and chit-chats. If there was someone looking suspicious, it was him. Completely under dressed and out of place. He noticed some of the men and women he met along the way were silently eyeing him and were giving him skeptical looks, while some were looks of disgust and disapproval.

"Maybe it was a good idea I'm not with Raymönd and mother now... Or they'll be humiliated to be seen with...some—, someone like me," he thought to himself, bitterly.

Beads of sweat had started to form on his forehead. He had to remain calm and unperturbed if he wants to finish the day without causing any unnecessary mishaps. Grabbing the insides of his coat, he clutched on a blue handkerchief and wiped it on his face.

"I really have to get some air."

Trudging his way out the hall, he found himself heading towards an empty garden pavilion at the back of the Palace.

"Well, well... What do we have here?"

A smirk escaped her lips as she tramped her way to the crystal orb. She was stroking her white fur scarf while approaching the three men in brown suits guarding the glimmering crystal. The dark, high-ceilinged room, with arched posts, glowed dimly with the dancing blue lights coming from the glass sphere.

Upon noticing her, the three men immediately straightened their backs and gave her a quick salute without saying anything.

Holding her hand, she kissed the ring that bore the Eagle insignia that marks their family. HER family. The scarf suddenly wobbled, and slid down her rotund arms as it slowly transformed itself into a big white fox. It opened it's eyes and revealed a pair of deep blue irises as it looked to it's master.

"Elizabeth," it spoke.

The old woman looked down with her sagging eyes and gave out a wicked smile that made the air around them seem colder than it was before. She held her crooked fingers and laid them on the glowing crystal as her eyeballs start to judder and turn to black, like swirling voids of darkness nestling in her face. A scene was shown before her and only she was able to see it. It was so fascinating for her that it made her smile grew wider, filled with malice.