Mentor?

They soon find Caleldes again, and Nicholas goes over to her.

"How'd everything go?" She asks him.

"Not very good. We couldn't find anything."

"Well, I guess that makes sense, they'd probably try to hide their tracks as best as possible. There'd probably even be some humans who'd want to turn them over to the Orcs, just for a possible reward."

"I guess none of the races have ever gotten along, then, huh?"

"Barely. Which is why everybody usually tries to keep to their own country." Caleldes comments.

"Except now, now that the Orcs are trying to take everything over." Nicholas mentions.

"Exactly."

"Oh, by the way, Duvainion took off, but we found him shortly after."

"Duvainion? You know better then that."

"No one was paying attention to what I was trying to say, so I went to go look, by myself. I'm not just some stupid kid..."

"Look at what, Duvainion?" Caleldes asks him.

"He said that he was following after some guy, but there wasn't anyone there." Nicholas mentions.

"Thank you, but I asked him."

"I felt something odd in the air, so I went to go take a look, when they wouldn't listen to me. Then I found a guy in an old cloak with a hood, and carrying some sort of long weapon with a curved blade on the end." Duvainion explains.

"Curved blade? Sounds like they may have been carrying a war scythe. Did you get a look at them?" Caleldes continues to question him.

"Yeah. He's all bones."

"Bones?"

"Yeah. Said his name was... Grimm?"

"Really?"

"Yeah. He said that no one else could see him, but that I was special."

"You really are."

"What does all this mean?" Nicholas asks, still seeming confused.

"It means that Duvainion has just met a Reaper. And he can see past their special cloaking spells. Only the most powerful people can see them, when they don't want to be seen that is." Caleldes explains the best that she can.

"Really? So there really was someone there, when Duvainion had said there was?"

"Indeed." An ancient and hoarse voice says from nearby, as Grimm soon makes himself known to them as well, slowly heading over towards them.

"Wait, now I can see him?" Nicholas still seems confused.

"Because I am letting you." He soon stops near them.

"Mister Reaper, sir, your presence here is an honor." Caleldes bows to him.

"No need for formalities. And just call me Grimm. Everyone else does."

"Right. So, Grimm, sir, what can we do for you?" Caleldes asks him.

"I was thinking about how I met young Duvainion, earlier, and how talented he seemed, just from my first impression of him. If he agrees, and if you allow, I would like to be able to mentor him."

"Mentor him?"

"Yes. I may not be much in melee combat, anymore, but my magic almost rivals even the gods themselves. I would like to be able to take young Duvainion under my wing, so to speak. Although that would require me to take him with me."

"I don't know... We have a lot of work to do, and Duvainion's presence in that work is very important, even with him at such a young age." Caleldes responds.

"I understand." Grimm then looks to Nicholas. "And despite the fact that you could not see me, I can still sense great potential within you, too."

"Really? Would you... also consider me...?" Nicholas asks.

"No."

"What?"

"Not yet."

"Why?"

"How about this, once you can see me on your own, then I will consider it." Grimm mentions.

"But how will I do that?"

"Well, for starters, try to master your magic, first."

"But wait, if I were to master my magic, then I wouldn't need you, would I?"

"If you master your existing two magics, then you may just find a surprise waiting for you, at the end of that path. And it will be one of the most difficult surprises to handle. That is what I can help you with, to control it." Grimm mentions.

"Okay. So, I need to get good at both my light and dark magics?"

"Yes. If you allow them to fight each other, then they will cancel each other out. But you must bring your elements into harmony with each other, first. But that will easily be your most difficult task. Someone may just get hurt, if you are not careful." Grimm warns.

"So... Before I can master either light or dark magic, I have to make them harmonize together?" Nicholas questions.

"No. You cannot force something such as this. It must happen naturally, or they will continue to fight."

"Okay... Though how do I do that...?"

"I cannot give you all the answers, you must figure that out on your own, young Nicholas."

"Yes, sir..."

"Oh, but if you ever change your mind, young prince, take this." A small orb, about the size of a large marble, appears in Grimms hand after a small amount of magic gathers together. "This will allow you to contact me. Keep it safe, and keep it hidden." Grimm then hands the small orb to Duvainion.

Duvainion takes the orb, just staring at it for a moment before putting it away. "Thank you."

"Of course. The Reapers are not your enemies. We just try to do our jobs as diligently as possible." Grimm then starts to head off.

"Oh, wait, before you go..." Duvainion pulls out the weapon shard that he keeps with him. "You wouldn't happen to know where this is from, would you?" He shows it to Grimm.

Grimm turns back to him and heads over to take a closer look. "Hmm... The rune on it does look a bit familiar, but it's been so long since I've seen any like this, that I can't seem to recall it very well. I'm sorry. But if I do end up remembering anything, I will be sure to inform you, as soon as possible."

"Okay, thank you." Duvainion then puts the shard away again.

"Well then, with that, farewell." Grimm says as he then disappears to the others, and again slowly starts to head off.

"Anyways, we should get going. I may know a town nearby where some Elves could've taken refuge. But keep alert for any other information that you may overhear." Caleldes tries to redirect the conversation back to their current goals.

"Okay..." They then start to head off.

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***Authors Note: I'm sorry for not publishing any other chapters for a long time, I've just been sorta stumped on what to do for the story. I have some ideas for the future, but not for anything immediately, right now. I'm trying to figure things out, and will try to get more out, soon, but I would always love any feedback given. Thanks.***