Chapter 70: The Legions
"So then… The necklace…" Muttered Kellen as Strom finished his tale.
"That's right. It was an artifact." Replied Strom before taking a large gulp of his beer.
"If that bitch didn't trick me back then… I would've-"
"It's alright Marcus. It's in the past now." Interrupted Strom while patting his companion's shoulder.
"So, the legion Axus formed then…" Asked Kellen.
"Yeah, it was formed to fight against those mysterious cult bastards. After being promoted to legionnaire, Axus made his report and personally accepted the role of seeking out the remaining artifacts." Explained Strom.
Kellen nodded his head while silently scanning the group. He hadn't imagined that Strom and Marcus had been through such an ordeal.
It reminded him of his time at the laboratory, when most things were kept hidden from him by the scientists, or when he had been forced to leave his family at the orphanage. He could relate to the struggles and loss Strom felt. Especially the loss of his brother.
Kellen didn't necessarily have a brother by blood of course, but his close friend Thomas from the orphanage was basically the equivalent of one.
He remembered the utter feeling of hopelessness as his dear friend was gunned down outside the orphanage, and he could understand the emotions that still haunted Strom.
Although, after all the time that has passed since then, Kellen felt like such a time was nothing more than a distant dream. However, the raging emotions he felt towards the laboratory romans were still as strong as ever. Actually, Kellen wondered why he did not feel the same distant way towards them.
'So much time has passed since then… But, for some reason, I am unable to forget.' He thought.
Maybe it was due to Nergal's or Osiris's influence over him in his mind, or the fact that he had now become a demon, but the feelings of vengeance and anger never seemed to extinguish within him.
'Boy!' Shouted the caged demon from within Kellen.
Kellen sighed internally as the old demon in question pestered him.
'What is it?'
'Were you not paying attention to that annoying story?' Angrily said Nergal.
'What about it?' Kellen asked.
'The artifact he described… I think it is similar to that sword you discovered in the underground city.' Stated Nergal.
'The blood core thingy?' Asked Kellen in shock.
That cursed core had destroyed and petrified that underground kingdom with its terrifying might. Kellen couldn't even imagine there being multiple artifacts that utilized the cores, as the sword had. Just one alone already displayed the catastrophic consequences of their power.
'Isn't it obvious? Those artifacts must be the seals housing my energy that those stupid gods hid all over.' Explained Nergal.
Kellen felt a headache begin to form as he considered the possibility. If these artifacts truly were the seals of Nergal's power, then this world really could be in peril. That was of course, if this cult that was collecting them knew how to use their power.
'Wasn't that legionnaire Strom mentioned looking for you earlier?' Entered another voice.
'That's right! Axus!' Kellen exclaimed as he was reminded by Osiris.
Kellen broke the gloomy silence as he looked over to Strom, who had finished his beer.
"Strom! Axus is chasing after these artifacts then, correct?" Asked Kellen with an idea beginning to form.
"You could say that. Our group often works alongside his, so I know most of his missions." Answered Strom who was happy to drift off onto a different subject.
"I know I said it before, but he has been looking into this cult for a while now… The only certainty though is that they are after those artifacts for whatever reason." Explained Strom again.
"Has he ever recovered any of the artifacts?" Asked Kellen anxiously.
"If I recall, they still have one, but a few others were lost or stolen. And you can probably guess by who." Strom stated.
Suddenly, the next round of drinks hit the wooden table.
"Damn that was heavy… Uh, here's the drinks." Clumsily announced Tommy, who nearly fell forwards while placing them down.
"Hahaha, thanks kid! You're not so bad!" Said Marcus while slapping the youngster's back heartily.
This did cause Tommy to fall forwards slightly as he tried to catch himself with the edge of the table.
"Hahaha, you're a funny guy." Laughed off Tommy as he rubbed his sore back.
"Wait a minute… Aren't you Axus's boy? That's surprising considering how weak you are." Rudely stated Marcus, who was somewhat drunk at this point.
Tommy rubbed the back of his head while revealing an anxious smile.
"Y-Yeah… I always get something like that, so I'm used to it by now."
Suddenly, the door to the tavern flew open with a disrupting bang.
The group at the table turned their heads to see who had entered the tavern.
"Uh oh… Looks like the boss is here…" Murmured Marcus, who nudged Strom and lifted Ceric's drunken face off of the table's surface.
Axus's figure in its usual shining armor entered the establishment causing everyone to quiet down and sit up at attention.
"Shit… He found us. What should we do? Make a break for it?" Tommy whispered over to Kellen nervously, while trying to hide behind him from his father.
However, Kellen was not paying attention to Tommy. Ever since he saw Axus enter, there was only one thing running through his head.
'Perfect timing!' He excitedly thought.
He had not planned or even dreamed of joining Axus's legion before, but coincidentally, the legion and his goals aligned somewhat. If he could enter the Thunder Legion, then he may be able to get his hands on some of the artifacts.
Plus, if what Nergal guessed about these artifacts was true, then Kellen would be able to absorb more of the blood cores' power.
"Axus? What brings you here? Did Tommy get into more trouble?" Asked Strom as he waved over the legionnaire.
Axus saw the waving hand and narrowed his eyes after they fell onto his son, who was still hiding behind Kellen.
"Something like that… But it looks like I found what I was looking for anyways." Answered the legionnaire who came over to the small group.
Kellen gulped nervously as the legionnaire stopped beside him at the table.
'Shit! I was just running away from him earlier. What should I say?' He thought.
'Just ask him to join the legion already! Who gives a shit!' Nergal angrily shouted.
Kellen calmed his nerves with the help of Nergal's annoying pestering.
"Axus… Were you looking for me for something?" Asked Kellen with an awkward smile.
"Not particularly. Just wondered whether you had time for a spar, but I see you are here busy with Strom and his gang." Answered the legionnaire uninterestedly.
Sweat dripped down the back of Kellen's neck.
'Dammit. Why is it always so difficult to talk with him?' He wondered.
"Ah, come on Axus. Cut the kid some slack. It hasn't been too long since we brought him here in the first place." Joined in Strom.
"And who begged me to let him into the academy in the first place?" Shot back Axus.
Kellen glanced over from Axus to Strom with a surprised look. Strom noticed the stare and shrugged in response.
"Speaking of that… How is he? That is, in your opinion of course." Questioned Strom with interest.
"A waste." Curtly responded Axus with zero emotion.
"Huh?" Strom blurted out in surprise.
Meanwhile, Ceric, who had finally come back to reality from his drunken unconsciousness, spit out the sip of beer he had just drank, over the table.
"Hahahaha!" Marcus burst out into laughter over the hilarious interactions.
"I haven't finished yet… He is a waste at the academy. In my opinion, I'd like him in one of the squads already." Clarified Axus.
Tommy's eyes widened from behind the other side of Kellen.
"See I told you he was on a recruiting campaign." He whispered.
Although an annoyed glare from Axus sealed his lips soon after they opened.
"Actually, while you're here Strom, I have a request for you." Resumed Axus.
"Sure. What is it, commander?" Replied Strom while sitting upright.
"I've told you already, you don't need to call me that, but… I would appreciate it if you would take in my son." Emotionlessly requested Axus.
"What?" Shouted Tommy in alarm.
"Uh… Yeah, no problem. But, are you sure you want him in my squad? I know our groups usually work together but still…" Said Strom with confliction in his voice, while glancing over at Tommy.
"It is because it is your squad that I want him in it. He needs someone with more understanding to guide and teach him. The academy was never a place for someone like him, and as his father, I cannot get through to him any longer." Explained Axus.
"If you're sure that's what you want…" Murmured Strom while nodding.
"But dad!" Exasperatedly complained Tommy, who stepped out from behind Kellen.
Axus coldly glared at his son.
"I know that we do not see eye to eye, but you need to accept the world you live in. This is not a choice or a suggestion; This is an order." He stated.
Tommy dropped his glare and hung his head in defeat. The kid fell forward as a slap on the back greeted him once again.
"Don't worry kid! Strom is the best captain in the empire!" Proudly boasted Marcus, who slung his arm around the pouting teen while taking a sip of his beer.
The drunken warrior laughed as he spoke, "You're weak now, but I'll make sure it doesn't stay that way."
Kellen exchanged a sorrowful look with his grieving friend, who gave him a pleading stare for help.
However, Kellen knew that his friend was in good hands. If there was anyone in this empire that would properly teach and look after Tommy, it would definitely be Strom.
"Now, as for you…" Continued Axus, who now turned to face Kellen.
Kellen straightened his posture and answered the legionnaire, "Yes sir!"
"What is it that you wish to do? Stay in that talent rotting academy, or join a group?" Questioned Axus with narrowed eyes.
The legionnaire had studied the strange kid ever since he arrived at the empire, and he was intrigued in many ways by the desperate looking brat. He knew that Kellen had secrets he was hiding, like most of the recruits brought in from foreign kingdoms or lands, but what surprised him the most of all was his will.
Although he had increased the difficulty every time they had sparred, Kellen had kept up with his pace. After which, the fatigue and any wounds the kid endured would quickly dissipate. It was as if Kellen had an unbreakable body, something Axus had never seen before in all his experiences.
He was unsure whether it was because of a unique divinity or otherwise, but he had already guessed the child to be blessed with the divinity of flames. Especially when considering the flaming aura of the swords Kellen wielded.
"If it's alright with you sir… I would like to join the Thunder legion under your command." Earnestly requested Kellen while bowing his head.
An uncharacteristic smile barely presented itself on the young-looking legionnaire's face.
"Sure, why not." He responded.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Guelantu
Guelantu Thanks for reading! If you enjoy the story please support it by leaving a vote with power stones. I greatly appreciate it!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone