Chapter five. Crimson Legacy
Connor woke with a start. He appeared to be in some sort of medical facility, there were bandages wrapped around his torso where the dark wizard slashed him.
“Finally awake are you?” a tired voice said.
Connor looked towards the sound of the voice, there he saw Jeremy laying on a medical bed.
“The mercs said that you annihilated the dark wizard with power that they’ve never seen before… Couldn’t you have done that at the beginning of the fight?” Jeremy chuckled.
“I… What?” Connor said, “The last thing I remember is you getting hit with a huge blast of shadow…”
“Heh, yeah. It broke three of my ribs.” Jeremy answered. His face took a more serious tone. “Now. I think you owe me some answers, Connor.”
Connor sighed, “Yeah… I guess I do. Go ahead.”
“Where did you go? Why did you leave? How-” Jeremy started
“One question at a time please Jeremy, and lower your voice would you? I have a splitting headache right now.” Connor said “To answer your first question. I first went to Summer Hold. I had heard that there were job opportunities as guards or soldiers, but since I wasn’t a native Castelian, they wouldn’t let me apply for service. So I became a bounty hunter instead. To answer your second question, dear old dad disowned me in secret on my fifteenth birthday because I still couldn’t use magic. I left town the day after.”
Jeremy had a sympathetic look on his face “I’m… so sorry. I didn’t know.”
Connor sighed, “I know you didn’t. Congrats on becoming a commissioner by the way.”
“Thanks.” Jeremy smiled “Y’know… I thought that I’d run into you one day when I was out on duty. As a scout, I occasionally asked around town as to whether anyone had seen you. I never got any leads. Anyways, for my third question: How did you learn magic?”
“Now that is a long story, best told over some food and drink. Where are we by the way?” Connor asked
“We’re in the Culumnus Town Clinic. The nurse usually comes by every now and then with food. They’ll be around sometime soon I think.” Jeremy answered
“Well, long story short. I stumbled across someone who was the leader of an ancient guild called “The Crimson Circle”. Y’know the symbol on my gear? That’s the logo. Anyways, he awakened my latent potential in exchange for a favour. I was to revive the legacy of the crimson circle by becoming it’s new leader.” Connor explained.
“Did he teach you that red lightning technique as well?”
“What red lightning technique? My lightning is purple.” Connor said, confused.
Jeremy looked surprised, “The blast of red lightning you used to destroy the dark wizard. It left a big crater and set the ground alight with crimson flames. Did he teach you that?”
“I did what now?”
“You must not remember. The flames didn’t go out for two days despite the fact that the ground was wet and it was snowing.” Jeremy said.
Connor sat there, shocked.
“sigh. Listen, I need to know where to find this man. If he has the power to give people magic then-”
“He’s dead.” Connor said, “In fact, he was dead when he gave me magic.”
“…what?”
“He was a ghost whose only tie to this mortal realm was wanting the crimson circle’s legacy to live on. I fulfilled that. He’s moved on now. Half the reason I came to this town was to learn more about the Crimson Circle using the library.”
“Damn… One more question wh-” Jeremy began, but just as he said that a figure entered the room.
The figure was dressed in the regal looking armour of a MC captain.
“Captain Rose…” Jeremy bowed his head in respect.
Rose turned towards Jeremy. “You just can’t go anywhere without getting into trouble, can you Jeremy?” she said jokingly, “Anyways” her expression turned serious, “Is this… kid, the one who warned you?” she said, turning towards Connor.
“Yes ma’am. He helped us prepare our defenses as well.” Jeremy responded.
“Is he also the one who has red lightning?”
“Well, yes. However he doesn’t remember using it.” Jeremy answered
“Hm. You, kid.” Rose said, turning to Connor. “Can you use the red lightning?”
“uhhhhh, no?” Connor said
“Try using it, feel your magic. Imagine your lightning being red instead of purple” Rose suggested
“I don’t think that’s how that-” Connor began
“Just do it” Rose interrupted
Connor focused on his magic, summoning it. He imagined the lightning coursing around his body, and gaining in strength. He… ‘felt’ something. He pursued that feeling, the lightning slowly gained in strength until it suddenly surged inwards towards Connor. He felt his power spike.
Connor opened his eyes. His body was wreathed in lightning and electricity. However, that lightning was still purple. His energy was also fading, and with it, the newfound power.
“Impressive, you’ve discovered how to use a mode spell with little to no instruction. Not many can do that.” Rose remarked. “Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re looking for.”
“…look, can we let this drop? I don’t even remember using it the first time. Plus, I think using that magic is what got me here in the first place.” Connor said
“Well, you’re actually here because half of the organs in your torso were damaged by the dark wizard’s sword and magic. But sure, using powerful magic can take a toll on the user’s body.” Rose said, “Although… That’s usually only the case in lost or primordial magics. Anyways, the doctors say that you two are good to go when you please, your equipment is in the chest near the door. Good day.” She said as she walked out of the room.
“Welp, looks like I’m skipping town again. See ya bro.” Connor said as he got up.
“Wait what?” Jeremy asked
“Listen, I don’t like this one bit. Plus, if dad knows my identity then this is gonna go poorly fast. I’m gonna go to the library, read up on the crimson circle, and get the fuck out of here. If you want to continue our little chat, I’ll be staying at the inn in Summer Hold.” He said as he finished putting on his armour, and got out of there.
Connor opened the book on ancient clans. He flipped to the entry on the Crimson Circle.
The Crimson Circle was a fairly small clan compared to clans like Sanctuary or Heaven Slaying Sect. The Crimson Circle originated as a group of bounty hunters who mainly hunted sea tyrants instead of pirates. They were also a clan of treasure hunters. Although their riches were never actually found. Later on in the Circle’s life, they started focusing on training other wizards and fighters to their full potential. Their leader, Rorik (A.K.A the Crimson Emperor) was a strong wizard who used lightning, light, and fire magic (He also mutated his first two minds later on in life). The Circle was regarded as a threat to the AG, and was usually targeted by the AG’s warships. The reason the Circle was considered a threat was apparently because the Circle saw the AG as a tyrannical government.
‘Well that was unhelpful.’, Connor thought. “Ight time to get the fuck out of dodge.”
Putting the book back. Connor ran out of the library into the night. As he reached the gate, he looked back. One year ago… Connor left this same way for what he thought was the last time.
“Going somewhere kid?” a voice said from behind him.
Connor turned around to see Rose standing there
“There is nothing for me here, I’m going back to Summer Hold. If you want to talk to me then do it there. I’m done here.” Connor said
“Listen kid, running from your problem won’t solve 'em. Trust me, I’ve been there.” Rose sighed
“Oh? What do you suppose I do then? Talk to my spineless asswipe of a father? Join the Magic Council just to make someone I don’t even remotely respect proud? I get where you’re coming from, but you don’t know shit about my past or why I really left. So drop it.” Connor said, pushing past her, and walking out into the snowy tundra.
End of chapter five
As usual, If you like this stuff. Then please like or comment. Your support and feedback is genuinely appreciated.
Thanks for reading :3
