Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Lady Tenia din Aedrider, the strongest known being, issued a command to Lucius. Though she verbalized no threat, every fiber of Lucius's being inferred that to be her intention, should he refuse.

While Lucius himself would be the first to admit he was headstrong, he was not stupid. Lady Tenia's request would be fulfilled without fail. What did surprise him was that the human scent he picked up belonged to Lady Voltara al Famyn. He found it strange she would be present in the elf palace and stranger still that she needed something from him.

Along with all of that, the place he needed to go was Stark Academy. What would they need from him there? Surely, they didn't need him to be a teacher.

"Well then," Tenia clapped her hands, and the pressure she exuded vanished. Her face was covered with a kind smile that was miles away from her intensity earlier. "Let's end this little squabble. I wish to converse with the handsome young man who has decided to visit our great country. Come, Lucius, join me for tea, won't you?"

"L-lady Tenia," Letheya stuttered, "H-he is m…"

"Don't worry, my little Letheya! We shall return him to you unharmed, and he will be able to assist you with your little squabble." Tenia beamed at the shivering elf princess.

She placed a dainty hand on Lucius's shoulder and guided him out of the room and along the pristine hallways of the palace. Neither of them said anything. To an outside observer it would look like he was scared of her, but in reality, Lucius didn't have anything to say to her.

The twins followed behind them at a healthy distance. Their faces were plain as day, and they had fear painted across them. Yet they still followed Tenia as she basically kidnapped their friend from an important meeting.

Tenia stopped before a large set of wooden doors and lightly pushed them open. Inside was a beautiful yet simple room. For a palace as grand as this, it was rather average. However, the quality of the furniture was still exceptional.

They were led to a handful of chairs surrounding a rectangular table. At the center of the table was a simple bell, which Tenia rang a few times before setting it back in its place. The three guests found seats across from the elven warrior and waited in silence.

"Well…" Tenia started.

"Who do I look like?" Lucius interrupted. He was very curious about her statement after she saw his face for the first time.

"You haven't earned that information yet." Tenia said icily. "Nor are you allowed to ask for it as part of your favor. Look at this."

Tenia placed her spear on the table and gestured for the trio to examine it. To Lucius, it was simply a weapon made with a strangely green metal. Desmond was entranced by the weapon's beauty and construction. As a spear user himself, he was naturally drawn to its beauty.

Jade, on the other hand, had a very inquisitive mind. She knelt down to the weapon. Sensing that Tenia did not want them to touch the spear physically, she traced her fingers above the shaft of the weapon. Along the weapon were a series of runes that looked both familiar and not.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

They were carved in a familiar pattern. It was cyclical in nature just like the runes at Grimspire. For some reason, Lady Tenia's spear was engraved with Demon Script along its entire length. Judging from the confusion and wonder on Jade's face, many of these runes were unknown to her. Which was even more surprising to Lucius.

She still had a copy of the workbook the researchers shared with her and had been reviewing it nonstop. At this point, he was sure she had basically memorized every known rune and their meanings, so for her to be wowed in such a way was a shock.

"Lady Tenia…" Jade whispered. "What is this weapon? Why is it carved in Demon Script? How old is this?"

Tenia smiled warmly at the purple-haired girl, "It was old when I was born, so really, I do not know the answer to your question. However, my birth was around the time of the public execution of the last known demon. So at least two thousand years. Give or take a few centuries, I suppose."

Tea had been delivered by a kind maid. A gentle steam rose from the fine porcelain cup while Lucius sipped on it. Unfortunately, the wonderful flavor of the drink was lost on him as he spat out everything in his mouth when Tenia proclaimed her age.

"I'm sorry, did you say you were over two thousand years old?"

"Yes, I did, again, give or take a few centuries. When you get to be my age, time has a way of just passing by. The calendar used has changed since then, so I don't think I can really figure it out either." Tenia mused, ignoring the wasted liquid that was running down the wall next to Lucius.

"How is that even possible?" Jade questioned, the gears in her mind rapidly turning.

Tenia let out a soft sigh and placed her teacup back on the table. "At some point, you become so strong that it feels like the world itself relies on you. Time seems to ignore your existence so that it may continue to rely on you until someone stronger takes your place.

"I have witnessed the rise and fall of many nations and regimes. I have witnessed the birth and deaths of an incalculable number of lives. Oh! And do not think it is because I am an elf. I am hardly the only example of someone with a life longer than what is natural. If I remember, there is an old goat somewhere in one of the beast kingdoms older than me.

What was that old bastard's name?"

Lucius coughed awkwardly. "Lady Tenia,sorry to interrupt, but our purpose for joining you here?"

"Oh, you are right, apologies. Take a look at the head of the spear. This green metal?"

"Yes, what is it?" Desmond asked.

"Orichalcum." Tenia explained. "A very rare resource and a very hard-to-work-with material. I scarcely know anyone who is aware of its existence and even fewer who can work with it. Anyway, someone is leaking information regarding our country's research into this material to unknown parties. I want you to stop them."

"We can certainly do that, but my lady, why can't you? Surely you can search for and apprehend the culprit in a matter of hours if not minutes." Lucius wondered.

"Of course I can, boy!" Tenia scoffed, "But as I said before, the world relies upon me, but so too do I rely on it. Unless certain requirements are met, I must maintain a watchful eye. I cannot intervene in this. No matter my desire to do so. As such, you will be my eyes, ears, and blade."

"Is that all my lady?"

"It is. Go see Voltara."

Jade and Desmond watched as the woman retrieved the weapon from the table and returned it to her back. She smiled once more and then went to leave the room, but before she could reach the door, Jade called out to her.

"Wait! My lady, please, what does this 'orichalcum' do? Why is it so important?"

Tenia turned and smiled. "I am sad to say, but that is also information I am not willing to share at the moment. I will take my leave."

Tenia continued out of the doors, leaving the trio in stunned silence. As well as with dozens of more questions than answers.