Chapter 11: Portals and Intrigues

Zenyph was preparing to leave the palace and visit Nexus Royal Academy located in the Aetherial Aeropeligo when he heard a knock on the door

"Prince Zenyph," a female servant spoke from behind the wooden door

"Are you ready?"

"Almost," Zenyph answered the servant and he walked over to the closet and grabbed his cloak

"Just a second."

"Alright," the servant responded and Zenyph could hear her footsteps recede and after a few moments the hall fell silent and the world seemed to come to a standstill

"Finally," Zenyph muttered to himself and he quickly threw on his black and azure blue cloak and he was about to exit his room when he froze and a strange sensation washed over him

"Hello brother."

"Nytio." Zenyph greeted him as calmly as possible and he slowly turned around and came face-to-face with his half-brother

"What do you want?"

"Nothing much." Nytio replied casually and he strolled across the room and sat down on the bed and looked Zenyph in the eyes

"Just wanted to chat."

"With me?"

"Exactly."

"And why is that?"

"Can't I simply have a friendly conversation with my brother?"

"We're not friends Nytio."

"Not yet."

"We'll never be."

"We'll see."

"What the hell do you really want." Zenyph snarled.

"I want many things," Nytio remarked nonchalantly

"Power,"

"Strength,"

"Influence,"

"Authority,"

"Control,"

"And Everything else,"

"But for the sake of simplicity,"

"Let's just say I'm interested in you."

"The Academy is a breeding ground for intrigue. As the son of the emperor, there are plenty of people,"

"Who would love to have you under their thumb,"

"So I'm offering you a chance to avoid that fate."

"Join me Zenyph," Nytio declared.

"You'd have everything you could possibly desire. I promise to treat you well," Nytio added as an incentive.

"How nice of you Nytio. Truly a saint." Zenyph deadpanned.

"If there is one thing I can't stand. It's hypocrites."

"So kindly fuck off and let me live my life in peace."

"Worth a try." Nytio shrugged his shoulders and stood up

"Your funeral." He commented coldly and turned his back on Zenyph as he prepared to leave

"By the way Zenyph, unlike what you've heard about the academy. It's actually one of the worse places for someone that's trying to live a peaceful life. As a matter of fact it's the only place where I can kill you without consequence."

"Even our father won't be able to do anything."

"Because," Nytio continued and glanced back at him

"Deaths are bound to happen."

"I recommend you think over the decision you are about to make."

"One last chance," Nytio stated clearly and firmly as he stared at Zenyph intently

"If you don't take it now. You might not get it ever again."

"Choose wisely brother." Nytio urged him as he gave him one final glance before exiting the room and closing the door behind him

"That was close." Zenyph breathed out a heavy sigh of relief when Nytio left the room and he collapsed to floor as his knees began to shake and his body trembled uncontrollably

"Fuck that scared me." Zenyph admitted and he ran his fingers through his platinum hair and tried to steady his breathing

"But," Zenyph clenched his jaw as he recalled Nytio's words and the look in his eyes when they made eye contact

"He's not lying," Zenyph admitted and a chill went down his spine as he thought back to his encounter with Nytio

"This is serious."

"I guess I'll have to be extra cautious." Zenyph sighed resignedly and he forced himself to get up and collect himself

"It's a shame I couldn't convince him to join me though," Nytio mused as he walked down down the hallway

"Shame,"

"Indeed it is." Nytio responded to her voice that had been echoing within his mind the moment he encountered Zenyph and as he passed by a few servants on his way to the throne room

"Zenyph could have provided quite the amusement for us but alas," Nytio continued as he shrugged his shoulders and waved his hands in the air dismissively

"Oh well,"

"I suppose we'll have to find a new play thing to satisfy our boredom. What do you think darling?" Nytio inquired as he focused his attention to a silver ring on his right index finger engraved with strange runes and markings which contained the soul of a mysterious entity that he discovered several years ago

"Perhaps the academy can provide us with some entertainment?"

"Hah," a melodious laughter echoed throughout the room as an invisible and intangible mist encompassed Nytio and covered him in a protective bubble and formed into a familiar silhouette.

"While your proposal is intriguing my beloved," the voice spoke and the shadow solidified into an elven girl

"I believe I have found a suitable use for your little brother."

"Oh?" Nytio arched a brow at her statement and raised his hand to stroke her cheek affectionately

"Tell me more?" He asked as he traced his fingers along the contours of her jawline

"Of course dear." The woman replied and nuzzled her face into his touch before wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his shoulder

"Wouldn't have offered otherwise."

"Firstly," the elf began and she ran her hand up and down his chest leisurely as she gazed up into his purple irises

"I suggest we acquire the Heart of Chaos."

"Oh?"

"Chaos is a power beyond mortal comprehension. Something even your father fears."

"It holds unfathomable possibilities."

"What could be better than bringing a deity into the world." The woman stated as her lips curled upwards and into a devilish smirk

"Possibilities? Ha! Chaos cannot be tamed." Nytio laughed and shook his head as he dismissed her idea with ease

"Forget it."

"There is a way to pacify its bloodthirsty craving for destruction my love," The woman argued and placed a firm hand on his chest

"If you simply give her her daughter then the God of Chaos shall obey your command."

"Her daughter? I have never heard of any children Chaos has spawned. Are you sure?"

"She is of Angelic Descent and looks exactly like her mother."

"Where do I find this girl?"

"Simply follow Zenyph, he's already come into contact with her."

"Then that settles it." Nytio decided and he pressed a tender kiss on top of her head

"But if this fails I'll end you."

"You can try," The elf scoffed and rolled her eyes

"I'm sure your father will reward me handsomely for disposing of you."

"Silence." Nytio retorted harshly and his purple pupils glowed red with fury as he held his hand out and squeezed his fingers together and dug his sharp nails into his palm and ripped open his flesh

"I'm using you. So remember your place bitch. Unless you want to return to your old vessel?"

"Fine. Fuck." the elf growled and vanished from sight as Nytio released her from the mental prison he trapped her in.

"Thank you."

"I'll be on my best behavior."

"Better." Nytio huffed and relaxed his posture as he resumed walking down the hall

"Good to know," Nytio mumbled under his breath and a wide grin spread across his face as he licked his bloody fingertips clean.

Unaware of the conversation that happened, Zenyph finished getting ready and met up with Lynette at the palace's front gate.

"Ready?"

Lynette asked.

"Where's mother? Shouldn't she be seeing me off?" Zenyph looked around in confusion since Hina wasn't by his side and he scratched his head in bemusement

"Elven Royalty has expressed their desires to speak with the Emperor's council, your mother will be busy until dinner time," explained Lynette.

"Royalty? So the Everglen family is here?" asked Zenyph.

"Wow you actually studied, now I know for sure you aren't the actual prince. Impressive," said Lynette with an obvious hint of sarcasm.

"Yeah yeah whatever, let's get moving."

Zenyph didn't bother to give Lynette a response to her taunting and motioned for her to walk beside him as he strode outside of the castle.

"So how do we actually get to Nexus?" questioned Zenyph.

"Ah I forget you actually have to make a choice," said Lynette with an annoying smirk.

"The reason I wanted you to be early is because you get a chance to personally request a form of transportation."

"Transportation? Why didn't they mention anything about this in the pamphlet?" said Zenyph.

"Well unlike the students in the common classes you have the luxury of being able to choose for yourself."

"How do I do that?" said Zenyph with obvious curiosity.

"Come with me," said Lynette.

Following Lynette into one of the private courtyards near the garden Zenyph noticed there was two people clad in white robes kneeling before an ornate stone table. They appeared to be meditating with their eyes closed and their legs crossed while chanting beneath their breath in an unknown tongue.

When they noticed Zenyph approaching the duo stood up and opened their eyes. Their orbs were pure white with no pupils or iris and their hair was platinum blonde that went down past their back. Both of them looked incredibly similar but that was only to be expected considering they were twins.

"Greetings Young Prince Zenyph Drakonhart. Please take a seat at our sacred altar and pick the method of transportation you wish to be blessed with."

One of them spoke as they motioned to sit at the table with their outstretched hand.

Sitting down Zenyph realized he had no idea what he should select. He had a vague idea of what teleportation magic looked like from books.

He looked to Lynette to see if she would offer some assistance but she just shrugged her shoulders and winked at him.

'Fucking useless.' Zenyph cursed inwardly as he observed the strange objects placed in front of him. They were small crystalline stones of various colors. There was red ones green ones blue ones purple ones and yellow ones but the most numerous were the gray and brown ones.

"Those are what you want to avoid Young Prince. Those are the most dangerous modes of transportation and are often used for expeditions. These are safer options,"

The other robed woman pointed at some crystals that looked a little different from the others.

There were seven of them and each was a different color. The first one he saw was the light blue crystal that had swirls of darker blues dancing inside of it. Beside it was a vibrant azure colored stone that glimmered faintly with a pale aura emanating from it. After that was a black opal crystal that glistened under the sunlight and reflected the world's image within itself.

"What's this?" asked Zenyph.

"Those two uses divine water magic to create a gate between two points, it's safer for you because your highness is part water dragon. It's a one time usage so be careful where you use it and make sure the location is secure," answered one of the female mages.

"What's the difference between the dark and light one?" said Zenyph while picking up the two blue gems. One was larger and oval shaped. The other smaller but rounder and was obviously cut to fit comfortably in the palm of ones hand.

"They function the same. Just one has darkness magic mixed in for stability," said the female mage that pointed to the small azure sphere.

"This one I think," Zenyph picked up the oval gem and handed the small blue ball to the women and they caught it with one hand and bowed slightly while holding it reverently as if he just handed them the key to heaven.

"May the heavens bless you and grant you a safe journey Young Prince," said the female mage while her sister went back to sitting on her knees."

"So Lynette how do I actually use it?"

"You've done enough of the 'choosing process', now I will help you activate the runic formation in your mind."

Lynette touched his temple with her index and middle finger and Zenyph felt his mind surge with knowledge that he previously lacked.

"There," Lynette pulled her finger back and the surging feeling receded.

"What was that?" Zenyph gasped in surprise as the foreign information swirled around his head and settled into place like long forgotten memories.

"Don't worry too much about it. You'll have plenty of time to understand what's going on later on," replied Lynette while pointing at her temple.

"If you feel dizzy then use this." She held her hand out and revealed a yellow and pink crystalline orb floating above her hand. It was circular in shape and was just big enough to hold in the palm of your hands.

"It's an expensive potion to restore all your mana in an instant and restores your stamina as well," said Lynette while placing the magical item into his hands.

"Okay I think I'm ready to go," Zenyph said after examining the orb briefly and pocketing it in his royal robe.

"Why do you look like your going to throw up?" asked Zenyph as he looked at Lynette.

"I'm vampires don't deal to well with water magic

"Especially portals made from it." Lynette shuddered as she envisioned falling into a pit of water.

"Do you need a moment? Can you handle being in close proximity to the portal while it's active?"

"I can do this." Lynette assured Zenyph by clenching her jaw and nodding her head resolutely.

"Alright then let's get out of here."

Zenyph grabbed his bag filled with supplies from the castle and headed toward a flat area beside the twin mages. Once there Zenyph sat cross-legged on the ground with the crystal in his right hand and closed his eyes to focus. Lynette sat behind him and put her hands over her mouth while watching nervously.

Reaching inside of himself Zenyph called forth the vast reserves of mana deep within his body and concentrated on channeling it into his veins and nerves. He felt energy pulse through his arm and gather into the tips of his fingers as the mana poured into the crystal like water flowing into a cup. The stone glowed bright with light blue radiance and as the power began to overflow it suddenly snapped into focus and grew still.

Zenyph opened his eyes and found that the large oval crystal became a circular sapphire disc. An almost liquid like surface was present on top of the gem and the reflective shimmer within the depths reminded Zenyph of ocean waves rippling as a soft breeze blew over a pristine shoreline. He slowly rose to his feet and looked to Lynette for approval. She just gulped audibly and gave him a shaky thumbs up as she bit her lip anxiously.

Turning away from her Zenyph walked towards the edge of the portal but before taking the last step that would lead him inside of its mysterious domain he paused and took a deep breath. Releasing his pent up anxiety Zenyph stepped through the portal and instantly disappeared as if he vanished into thin air.

"Woah this is cool," Zenyph said as he felt himself become weightless and surrounded by water on every side yet he did not seem to drown and was in fact standing upright. He couldn't explain why or how but he had no trouble breathing inside of this place. In the far distance Zenyph could see a dim glow of a light that represented where he was supposed to be coming out from. A giant wall of blue obscured his view and Zenyph tried to touch it but found himself repelled by an unknown force.

As he tried to push it he finally managed to open up a tiny hole and his surroundings instantly changed. No longer was he in a void of endless blue water. He found himself near a lake with a waterfall in the middle. The strange part was that the water was going in reverse. As he looked up he saw what seemed to be volcanoes spewing purple mana in a beautiful array as if they were stars in the night sky.

"Tha-" his words were cut short by the overwhelming mana that pushed his body to the ground.

"Boy hasn't your mother told you its rude to sneak a peak? Especially when I'm changing!" A powerful voice reverberated throughout the lake causing the trees surrounding them to rustle with unease. Zenyph felt himself being dragged backwards by an incredible amount of water magic and thrown back in the direction where the portal was originally located.

"That was weird..." muttered Zenyph. A loud crashing sound startled him and caused Zenyph to jump back to avoid getting hit by debris. Out of nowhere a woman fell through the portal with a shocked look on her face.

Zenyph swears that woman seems familiar but he couldn't put a name to the face.

Before he had a chance to voice his question, the lake woman asked hers first.

"A god?"