Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

The sun had not yet risen over the horizon when a single cart approached the main entrance to the cave outside of Seteste. It was cold enough for the traveling cart's driver to see their breath. He was wrapped in a warm cloak, but still trembled occasionally.

Outside the cave entrance, a handful of elves stood watch and slowly approached the cart as it came to a stop. A gentle sprinkle of water started to fall from the sky, and the clouds began to darken. It seemed like a rainstorm was beginning.

"What business do you have, stranger?"

The driver pulled down the hood of his cloak. "I am here to make a delivery at the request of Lady Voltara al Famyn. She says that a man by the name of Itorin would accept this prisoner transfer?"

The guards looked at one another carefully before looking at the back of the cart. There was a man in torn clothes with shaggy black hair. His eyes were different colors, and he glared at them with pure hatred. A few of them subconsciously stepped back despite him being completely bound and gagged.

One of the guards whispered to another, who then vanished into the cave entrance. A few minutes later, another man emerged with a few people whom the carriage driver assumed to be Master Rankers. Whoever this 'Itorin' was, he seemed important.

"I hear you have a package for me. Is that true? Who have you brought on behalf of Lady al Famyn?" The man assumed to be Itorin asked.

"She said that this man caused a lot of trouble in the capital of Aedrider and Arcadios. The Five Kings Union view him as a problem and so she wished to be rid of him." The carriage driver answered.

"His name?"

"Lucius Kane, otherwise known as Titan of Eroa."

Itorin's eyes went wide. The Master Rankers at his side grabbed their weapons and immediately surrounded the cart. No one made a move while the leader of the arena circled around to inspect the goods.

Just as the guards had seen, a man with one gold and one silver eye, black hair, and several scars and burns along his neck, face, and back were present. Everything about him matched the known description of the infamous Titan of Eroa. Itorin could feel his mouth watering at the monetary potential of having such a man under his control.

"How did you capture him? He seems a lot weaker than what the rumors suggest."

"He was poisoned. We cured him before arriving here, but he has yet to fully recover from the effects. He's currently bound and cuffed with mana-sealing shackles, but I would suggest doing whatever it is you do with prisoners before he regains his full strength."

Itorin did not miss the shiver that wracked the carriage driver's body. It seemed he had witnessed the infamous Titan at work at some point.

With a simple snap of his fingers, the Master Rankers grabbed the prisoner and dragged him out of the wagon. They were not trying very hard to be gentle, and the man fell flat into the mud behind the cart after being yanked out. Itorin pulled a large leather sack out of a storage ring and handed it to the carriage driver.

"Tell the illustrious lady that this is the initial finders fee for such a specimen. Also, let her know we hope she attends the fights soon. Several of her former products have performed exceptionally well, and I think she would enjoy witnessing their development." Itorin laughed.

He began to walk inside before the carriage driver called back out to him. "Sir! Please be careful with that one… He is a terrifyingly clever and destructive beast."

With a crack of his reins, the driver nodded and turned back toward the capital. Though it was a mere hour or so by carriage, it was easy to see from where the cave stood.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Itorin smiled and nodded for his men to drag their new prize into the cave behind them. They quickly followed and dragged the resisting man behind them. Even at full strength, they knew that Titan would be unable to resist their might. One of them alone would be enough to subdue him, though it would require a fair amount of effort.

Watching them from a distance, hidden within the shadows of a small collection of trees was a pale, white elf with white hair. Her ice-blue eyes watched the events unfold with a strange intensity. With her training in lip reading and the spyglass she was using, she was able to get a good understanding of the conversations occurring as well.

'Attack' The words appeared in her mind, forcing Snow to cradle her head momentarily as if stifling a powerful headache.

'Kill' … 'Defend' … 'Avenge!'

These ideas came one after another, each bringing with it another wave of pain. Snow's very body felt like her enemy as she had to force herself to stand still, to let them carry Lucius away. Corva had requested she assist Lucius Kane in the mission to rescue his friend, but even from the beginning, she was opposed to her own involvement.

The darkness surrounding him only grew in size and scope. The call from within her soul to follow it only grew stronger, and this time, she did not have her sister, Yue, to pull her out of it. No light crystals could chase this darkness away, but Corva did not listen.

"Dammit all! What is that man…" Snow whispered while cradling herself.

Yue sensed something different about him from what Snow saw. The rabbit girl had told her that a fading light surrounded Lucius Kane. However, there was no possible way for any kind of light could be within that man. If there was, Snow could not see it.

She even tried to explain what she felt to Yue, but all her sister could do was smile weakly and hug her. Her touch chased away the call of the mark, but the effect faded over time.

'Protect!'

Snow gasped. Before, everything her mark whispered had been a feeling or an idea. However, for the first time, a voice echoed in her mind. It was more powerful than any sensation she had felt before.

Snow's eyes glossed over for a moment. "Protect." She whispered before vanishing into the darkness, leaving behind only a wisp of black smoke.