He reflected on the past.

“Where were the other races?” Sari interjected.

“What other races?” Aarock responded.

“Canjun, Orkan, Hawkma, Lizme, Gob-“

“Oh- they didn’t exist at the time.”

Silence... and then...

“Then how did they come to be?”

“Ah yes – the wizards we created were responsible for that.”

Aarock continued with the story...

—

“Aarock…” the chief spoke gloomily.

“What is the matter?”

“It seems that the humans have managed a feat…” The chief spoke- as Aarock had no idea what the chief would say next- he simply waited.

“We all thought that the life-link spell would end as the humans died- that we would return to being the only beings with magic…”

Aarock listened on- he wasn’t sure what this was leading to.

“We have created a new race… second generation magicians- self-proclaimed ‘wizards’… except there seems to be an issue with this.”

“Oh?”

“Not only this… but there’s another problem.”

“What is it?”

“Elfa have been vanishing,” Kalin spoke, “and I believe that the two reasons are related.”

“What has happened?”

“The children have learned that by draining our life- they gain life for themselves. The elders of Kalonata- the first generation wizards are all gone. Kalonata is no more- the evidence suggests that the children have killed their fathers and their mothers- and are hunting us now. Anyone who has created the spell is susceptible- which is everyone except for you and Sardis. In response to this – I believe that God has revoked our immortality- so that no wizard can become immortal-”

The chief pointed to his slightly greying head.

The news saddened Aarock.

“We need you to lead us… you’re the only one that can stop them.”

---

Aarock looked around the wide eyed kids at the table.

“It was a long struggle…” Aarock spoke sighed, “Many of my friends died in the struggle- those who didn’t started growing older.”

Aarock sighed, “A long story shorter- I made a force uniting the Elfa, and any who would help stop the dark wizards. However- the wizards were very strong at the time- and only became stronger the more Elfa they killed...four generations of struggle led us almost to extinction. Had it not been for what happened next- we all would have died.

"What happened next?" Narice spoke. By now the entire table was engrossed completely in Aarock's story.

"A few humans - those of pure hearts and great courage- recieved power," He smiled and looked at Elera and Narice, "The first Aqayans."

“-Following this…we fought back and killed many dark wizards."

“You killed them?” Sari replied with a frown. It seems she just wished that everyone would get along instead.

“Yes," Aarock replied, "We had to. There are levels of dark magic- but all tap into strength given by demonos. their goal was to make Elven farms… use us like cattle. The second generation murdered any oppositions -even in their own tribes… It was their goal to gain immortality and increase their power- thereby conquering earth as the immortal rulers. Of course there was Corvin…” Aarock drifted off in thought, “He was also a dark wizard who only hunted dark wizards- But that is a different story.”

"Anyway..." Aarock spoke, "It was during this time that other races appeared- dark magicians used magic against humans for their own purposes..."

"What can you tell us about Aqayans?" Elera asked Aarock.

“To us- they simply appeared during our struggle against the dark wizards. With Aqayans our resistance was greatly bolstered. Unlike Elfa their magic doesn't link to lifeforce, unlike wizards their magic doesn't need a mana pool. It's limitless. Because of this- they can resist dark magicians without being drained. Their only weakness per say- is that they don't live as long as Elfa and usually only have an affinity for one or two magic types. It stills seems they lived longer than humans."

Noticing how captive Narice and Elera were to learn about the history of Aqayans, he continued.

"They were stoic and kept to themselves initially. I"m unsure of where they came from actually - they did not speak our universal language for one…. Our only communication was through contact. And after the battle- they gathered together and started a tribe in the north. It seems they were the warriors we could no longer be.

I’m not sure what happened myself. Unlike Elfa- they aren’t immortal. That’s perhaps their only weakness. Perhaps that was God’s plan in case Aqayan’s also fell, to keep them from growing too mad with powers. Now – the two races have started working together – even though some live separately, when called upon they are quite willing to help us.”

Narice looked around the table and noticed the tired faces of the younger two- so instead of asking questions- he decided to limit the conversation, “Thank you for the explanation…”

Aarock nodded looking at Elera and Narice, "It seems that you two are unfamiliar with this world. I wonder where you come from... perhaps... Ah- but i feel it best not to tamper. Only- indulge me this- come to the castle and if you like the idea- perhaps train with the school to become guardians. At least I think that would be the best decision until you know how to get back."

Aarock said nothing about where they would get back to- but it was apparent that he seemed to know more than he let on. He was a mysterious king."

Aarock then looked at Mika who seemed to want to say something.

"Can i come too?" Mika said.

"Ah- all three of you welcome to come too- i certainly would love you to cook in our kitchens, Sari, and I do see something unique about you Mika..."

Aarock then looked at Venu. Rather than assure him with a statement about becoming a guardian it was a silent exchange.

"As for you..." He seemed to be pondering something as he looked at Venu, he then sighed, "I must give it some thought..."

“Really?!” Sari sounded fascinated.

Sari and Aarock started talking a bit about foods when Mika interjected.

“Hey Aarock,” Mika asked.

“Mmhm, and what is it you want to be?” Aarock said as if predicting the next request.

“Train me to be a knight at the castle,” Mika spoke.

Venu responded to Mika with a whisper, “That is kind of difficult to promise, knighthood is a really significant at the castle…”

However, Aarock smiled, “If that’s something you desire, I can probably arrange a meet with the captain of the knights.”

“Cool!” Mika responded.

Aarock began talking to Sari all about the different ingredients and foods they could make while Narika and Elera started talking a bit. Mika attempted striking up a conversation, “isn’t that cool!” with Venu who seemed a little down. However, as their stomachs were full and they were all exhausted from a full day- they started to get tired.

Upon noticing a yawn by Sari.

Aarock interjected – “oh I guess it is getting late…”

“Do you want me to take you to bed Sari?”

“I want Venu to do it,” Sari responded as she walked up to Venu. She held out a hand to him to which Venu took.

From his gloomy look, he lightened up a bit- attempting to keep Sari cheerful. He got out of the chair and knelt down.

“Do you want me to give you a ride on my back?”

He turned around as Sari said an enthusiastic “yeahhh!” and carried her up to the room on his back.

Mika yawned as well and walked alongside the two.

Venu gave a quick glance backwards with an unsure look to Aarock before bringing them up to the rooms.

Aarock watched as the three walked away.

“Hey, you two – would you mind if I spoke to you two about something?”

"What is it?"

Narika looked up. Aarock had a concerned look and Narika wondered what it could be about.

Aarock began clearing the table- it seemed he had decided to keep the castle tidy despite leaving tomorrow.

The three of them talked as they began to break down the dining area.

“What is Venu like?” Aarock asked.

Elera respond first, “Are you trying to understand why he doesn’t have magic?”

“Well, that… sure,” Aarock replied, “even though he does…”

“Yeah…” she replied, “he actually has some sort of enhancement and recognition ability…”

“I see...” Aarock replied, “That is an interesting trait, but i meant about him as a person- did you ever find out about his past."

After all they'd been through together -Narice had to stand up for Venu, “We think it's something tragic. His mother died recently and he was raised alone. He’s helped us out too much to think of him badly. Without him- we certainly would have perished against the dragon. He was definitely brave and helpful."

Aarock replied, “If you cannot sense anything bad things – then I am happy. Sorry if the question was invasive… I may have overstepped.”

Aarock knew better then the two- but at the very least he was sure about one thing. Consciously- Venu could control it… considering the way his friends saw him- he would try his best to help Venu. He wondered how he could manage to get closer to the boy instead of pushing him away.

He looked around the lounge, noticing the game pieces of the recent game, Melank. Perhaps he could start with that. He tried his best to look at the game- It had been such a long time since he had made the game he'd forgotten the rules for a moment- he used a spell and the pieces returned step by step to their original positions.

For the next while - he stayed up for the night reviewing the moves attempting to remember the strategy.