A Journey Within the Realm
Chapter 9: Overlord Kei

I entered my throne room and walked over to window. After watching my pet dragons fly around my castle, I walked over to my throne and sat down.

“I sense something odd is happening in this realm,” I said to myself, “Shadow Aneko, come here!”

“You rang, My Queen?” asked Aneko, appearing before me.

“You are the wisest of all the shadows,” I began, “Have you sensed something different in the realm?”

“Come to think about it, Your Highness,” Aneko replied, “I could have sworn I felt a presence of a light mage awakening yesterday.”

“And you didn’t tell me!?!” I yelled, getting angry.

“Forgive me, My Queen,” Aneko answered, bowing, “I didn’t tell you because I was checking a hunch.”

“What do you mean hunch?” I asked, glaring.

“You see… the presence seemed a little off to me,” Aneko replied, “Just like you said, the feeling was different from any light mage I ever sensed.”

“What did you come up with?” I asked, a bit curious.

“I’m afraid I haven’t found anything yet, but I’m still searching,” Aneko replied.

“Do you have a lock on the light mage’s power?” I asked, “You know, like a beacon for a radar?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” Aneko answered, pulling out a round device, “Already set it to the mage’s power. It appears the mage is heading to Transbola.”

Aneko handed me the radar.

“The vampires’ village?” I asked, “That would mean the mage would need to climb Mount Dracin. Good. Call Hanako. I want to talk to her.”

“Right away, My Queen,” Aneko said, disappearing.

Great! I thought I got rid of every single light mage. Sure Jora escaped my grasp with her lover and fled out of this realm, but her powers as a light mage were drained before she left. Who is this new mage? I pondered this until Hanako arrived.

“You rang, Your Honor?” Hanako asked.

“Yes. Take this,” I answered, handing Hanako the radar, “Follow the beacon to the last light mage and do whatever you can to destroy the person.”

“A light mage, eh?” Hanako replied, “Me and shadow elves will leave nothing alive.”

“How long will it take you to reach the mage?” I asked.

Hanako stared at the radar.

“It appears the mage is just outside Crystalstaff,” Hanako answered, “My guess it will take the mage about two days on foot to reach the mountain. I can get to the mountain in less time and meet the person. Then, I can ambush the mage.”

“Perfect,” I replied, “Now, get going!”

“Yes, My Liege,” Hanako said, disappearing.

I wonder if sending Hanako was a good idea. Sure, Hanako is one of my commanders, but she is the lowest rank. Hanako is the leader of my shadow elves. Shadow elves are my normal shadows. Normal shadows have no powers or any special gifts. All they can use are weapons. As a shadow elf herself, Hanako is exactly like her army. I’m sure she will be alright.