Volume The man in black

When Zetia looked at Junta's eyes she felt a shiver down her spine, "Will you answer my question?" Junta clenching his fists replied, "I am a son of a guard who pledge his life to protect the throne, I am mere a follower of my father's footsteps. To answer your question, broken puppets don't tend to last for long. Princ…the dragon has a severe wounds on its left shoulder…I finished what you left halfway."

Zetia busted out in laughter as she lowered down her weapon, "An eye of an eagle…you are my new favourite. Drink with me tonight." Junta bowing his head replied, "I apologise for declining the offer, doctor's orders." Zetia couldn't feel any supreme powers emanating from Junta.

Zetia patted him on the shoulder and whispered, "It is astounding for a human to have your strength. In the future have a drink with me Commander. Loose the mask, I have seen far uglier faces." "My skin disease is transmissible, have a pleasant night Lord Zetia." Takato dashed into his room when he saw Zetia heading out, he was eavesdropping on their conversation.

King Uriah was waiting for Zetia in her chambers, he was shivering down his boots. Zetia poured a glass of strong whiskey, she said, "Tell me Uriah, who is that boy? To my surprise he isn't a dragon nor a supreme being." Uriah with a calm composure replied, "He is a son of a maid and my General, all his life he has been training under his father's wing."

Zetia looking inside her glass replied, "A maid and A General? I didn't know pheasants were capable of bringing a valuable asset to my disposal. Your son a dragon himself hasn't morphed, a servant's son has brought honour to your kingdom. You are excused for the night."

Zetia reach out his hand, "Isiah, what did you find." The wrath corpse of Isiah came from the window, bowing his head he replied, "The King speaks the truth." Zetia with a frown on her face replied, "I see, I do not buy the whole maid and general fucking to produce that guy. I want his true identity Isiah. Find it!"

King Qin slapped his son so hard that it cut his lip, "You had one purpose! You made me lose face to a new candidate…once the Dragons are favoured, we are screwed! Fuck, you poured all my hard work in the drain." Takato stood in silence as his father insulted him. His brother was standing on the doorway witnessing the whole drama.

King Qin left the room, Talin looking at Takato who was perfectly calm said, "You don't seem bothered about being demoted. You made our kingdom lose face, a mere candidate crushing you and taking your place in less than a week." Takato wiping the blood off his face replied, "A mere candidate? Leave my room."

When Talin left the room Takato felt a sharp pain from his chest and collapsed on the floor.

Henry rode his horse back to the Dragon's kingdom, as a mere guard he would get in trouble for missing out of his shift. When he arrived, he was summoned to the head Guard's office, he was a mean fire dragon.

This fierce been with a scar on his left eyes was name Enoch, he devoured lives of thousands during the battle. Enoch looking at Henry said, "Failure to upkeep your duty is a crime against the law. Each second wasted with the gates unguarded can be enough to lure the enemy inside! You made an oath when you were inducted into the army…that oath was to…"

Henry was lost in thought processing the last conversation he had with his son, deep in his mind "How can Junta know the existence of Lord Hwan? Is Lord Hwan awake?! Wait if he is awake then why hasn't he attacked yet…this isn't good. Damn this fucker is too noisy? I need to see Maria."

Enoch banged the table, pointing at the door he said, "Get the hell out of my office." Henry quickly left to his post, he found his partner deep in his sleep with the spear lying on the ground. Henry gazed at the stars, he said, "My Lord, where are you?"

As the first commander Junta was busier each passing day, Takato guided him through his responsibilities. The board of Commanders had the kings and Princes abroad, they formulated strategies and new weapon ideas for the upcoming battle.

Deep in his mind Junta kept wondering who how powerful this demon was for Zetia and the kings to give their all in taking it down. Zetia poured a glass of wine for Junta, she said, "First Commander, at last we are having this glass of wine together. I aren't a light drinker, try to keep up."

Junta in nature was reserved and composed, he raised his glass for a toast, "You need to rest earlier in preparation for your journey to the east." Zetia placing his empty glass on the table replied, "I appreciate your concern…" she felt a sharp headache, Zetia's eyes changed too black.

Zetia clamed herself down, she said, "I shall indeed rest early first Commander…have a pleasant evening." Junta eyes for a second turned pitch black responding to danger, he bowed his head and said, "Enjoy your night Lord Zetia."

The dark sword fed on her core and sanity if it hadn't been fed for long, Zetia fed on all dragon and human with dead penalties.

Junta trained with the other candidates, he was the last to leave the training grounds. Flame looking at a training Junta said, "Commander, can I please have a word?" Junta placed his sword at the ground and replied, "Prince Flame, how pleasant it is to see you."

Flame offered him a towel to dry his sweat, with a smile on his face he said, "I still cant believe the little Junta I carried on my shoulder is all grown up. Here I am an old weakling dragon unable to even morph yet."

Junta patted his shoulder and replied, "I just got lucky, I heard late morphos are the strongest. How have you been? I heard you went to patrol the south boarders." The look on Flame's face changed, he quickly smiled and replied, "The south is cold and unpleasant with zero beauties to warm the atmosphere up!"

These two had a long conversation mainly about the beauties of the palace, Takato was hiding on a corner eavesdropping. Flame left first to join the crew in the jacuzzi.

Junta felt his muscles sore, he took his robe and went inside the jacuzzi for a relaxing bath. He always avoided having crowded baths, in his favour the other soldiers feared him. Junta looked around for further assurance before removing his mask, it felt so warm and relaxing with peace and quiet.

In the midst of his paradise Junta opened his eyes and a person with white long silk hair and pale skin before him. Before he could move closer suddenly the man in black said, "My love, it is bad for your health to take late night baths."

The person turned to face Junta, his eyes popped out as he saw a perfect replica of his face standing in front of him. The man had beautiful crystal blue eyes, he kept starring directly at Junta, Hwan laughed and said, "Are your senses failing you, I am right here." At that moment he realised the man was blind, Hwan hand in hand with the Ji Lie faded into the dark…their voices and laughter grew weaker and weaker.