Fabian led David down the stairs and into the courtyard. There was a barn where various animals such as cats, cows and horses were kept. They entered it and stopped as they neared a black horse.
"Master Tempus was originally the god of time but when his brother Hypno died, the power to control minds was conferred upon him by the supreme god Apneas. It is important to understand the history of the god you are serving. A timekeeper's power is to control time. The power lies dormant inside of us. The power to control minds is different, you need to have a great affinity towards it." Said Fabian as he procured a ghostly-looking flame on his fingertips. He touched the black horse and right before them was a young colt.
David's eyes widened at the sight. He shakily took a step back.
"What did you just do?" Asked David.
Fabian smiled and said, "I simply turned back time. This is the power of a timekeeper, David. I used to be an elite guard. Master Tempus saw potential in me and made me a timekeeper. That is why I am so strong. We, the timekeepers, are particularly weak in close combat because we are mages. Turning back time drains mana and energy, even more so, in the case of the future. For this reason, we disciples try to impress master Tempus so he gives us his blessing. Master's blessing makes us stronger in time magic and makes us physically strong and overwhelming, but he rarely blesses someone."
"Doesn't this make you the most powerful person in the world?!" Exclaimed David.
"Not quite. Just like other gods, even Apneas chooses a disciple. The disciple of the supreme god has a status equal to a god. After a hundred years, Apneas grants his disciple the title of a god. Every god was once a disciple of Apneas. Master Tempus was his first."
David was amazed. A god huh? Must be an amazing life, he thought.
"Today is the first day of our lesson. Here, you will gain knowledge about how to observe an animal's past. Look and observe the desired animal. Next, visualise having control over time."
David observed the young colt. He examined the colt's mane and eyelashes. He imagined the ghostly-looking blue fire on his fingertips.
On his hand, a little flame the size of a peanut appeared. The flames suddenly spread and devoured David whole. His arms, then his legs and eventually his entire body was covered in the blue fire.
"AAHH!! I am burni-" David's voice trailed off as he was not actually burning. In fact, it was comfortable.
"Concentrate, David! " Ordered Fabian.
David kept his attention on his fingertips, and the flames gradually receded to his fingertips. David touched the colt by extending his hand. He felt the colt's forehead, and the colt vanished.
David cried out, "What have I done?"
"I believe you reversed time so much that the colt vanished since he had not yet been born." Fabian reasoned out.
"I just killed a living creature."
"You didn't."
After closing his eyes, Fabian touched the spot where the colt had previously stood. Fabian concentrated hard. An hour had passed by. When Fabian eventually opened his eyes, a young colt was once more in front of them.
"How did you do that?" David asked.
"When you master time and reach its pinnacle, you can decide and change the life of any living thing. It is a wonderful power but sometimes a very lonely responsibility. People start looking at you with fear in their eyes. Now for the next part, which is looking into the future. " Fabian continued, "Predicting the future is difficult. It took me five years to see one vision. Imagine seeing an object's future as you concentrate on it. The training for today is over, so you can leave."
David bid farewell and was returning to his room as Fabian asked, "Do you know about the great mammoth accident?"
David was puzzled. "No, I do not."
Seeing Fabian was not going to explain, David returned, promising to unravel the secrets of the great mammoth accident.
Several weeks passed by and David tried several times but to no avail. He dined with the Fior family every night and talked.
After five weeks....
While seated in the lotus position, David was focused on a bird perched on a tree. He imagined seeing the bird's future. Nothing happened for a moment. He then noticed an afterimage. The bird was soaring through the sky. His vision became clear as he was able to see the future. The perched bird was now flying in the air. He had glimpsed the future of the bird!!
David approached Fabian right away and described what he had seen to him. Fabian was pleasantly surprised.
"I assumed you would only be able to see the future in a year or two, forget about five weeks!", Exclaimed Fabian.
"I am a genius!!"
"Yes, you are. I am so proud. Come with me to the festival of the dead. I will introduce you to the entire kingdom." Said Fabian.
"Sure!"
"Come with me, I will let you choose a weapon from the hall of time."
Fabian led David to the very first hall.
"Master Tempus himself crafted these weapons. These weapons have been infused with space magic. There are hundreds of weapons available. You can pick the one you prefer."
David and Fabian approached a tomahawk with elaborate carvings.
"The Tomahawk of retrieval. This was Gabriel Fior's first weapon, made five hundred years ago. The tomahawk will move according to your will."
"Although it's nice, I don't think this will suit me."
Then they made their way over to a sword. When David held it, blue energy started to seep through the handle's skull-shaped eyes. It was comfortable and lightweight. The blade had something etched into it and was jet-black.
"The blood of Tempus. The blood of master Tempus was used to forge this sword. It has the power to cut through space itself. Its handle is the demon king's skull. This was produced by Tempus as a present for the Fior kingdom."
David marvelled at the sword. It was truly beautiful. This sword was made for him. The carvings took on a pale blue hue.
"It has chosen you as his master—a wise choice. You are allowed to take a break from your training. The festival is in two weeks." Fabian said.
As David was leaving, he asked "Hey Fabian, what was the great mammoth accident?"
Fabian chuckled and said, "You'll find out soon enough."
Two weeks passed by in the blink of an eye and the day of the festival was before him. David had dressed in his best clothes, black pants and red breeches. Fabian had bought it for him the day before. He met the royal family and they were not the least bit disappointing.
Freia had worn a glittering blue bodice with a frilly skirt of the same colour. It had tiny diamonds sewn on it. Gold had worn dark blue pants and a purple blazer with a red chequered design. Amelia had worn a yellow bodice and green skirt. Amber had gone all out. She had worn a blood red bodice with princess sleeves and a super frilly skirt of the same colour.
The people were waiting for the royal family in the city centre. Once the royal family started the procession, the people soon followed. The festival of the dead was celebrated to remember and honour the dead. The people were holding lit candles along with the royal family. The procession began in the city centre and the people made their way to Nekros Lake, where they let go of their floating candles into the water.
A strong gust of wind swept the region during the procession, extinguishing the candles. It was dark.
"AHHH!!!!" A blood-curdling scream resounded throughout the area and David was blinded by the yellowish fire that had enveloped the man. A charred corpse was what remained. David gagged. The people ran for their lives. It was utter chaos. People were here to honour the dead, not become one of them. David looked around. He could not see anything. He procured a blue flame of the past and looked around. He could not see the royal family anywhere.
"Kabaan!!! You dirty mongrel!!" shouted Gold.
*Clang*
David turned to face the direction of Gold's voice. He could make out Gold pointing his sword towards a man with blond hair and eyes like a hawk's. At once, David recognised the man as Kabaan. Kabaan calmly stared at Gold. This further twisted the lines formed on Gold's face. He attacked Kabaan with intense killing intent. They clashed swords. Both of them took a step back after the impact.
"You will pay for what you have done!!" Gold Snarled.
"Hahaha!! You have become weak, Gold. You were once one of the strongest on the entire continent!! Evelyn's death made you weak."
"I don't care. I will kill you even if it takes me a hundred years to do so!!" Shouted Gold.
Gold attacked again, but Kabaan was prepared. Kabaan dodged Gold's attack and kicked Gold in the ribs. Gold went reeling.
David was watching the fight with a frightened gaze. This was a fight between two masters of the sword, David would only be a hindrance. Kabaan signalled Gold to attack as Gold got to his feet. Gold launched a barrage of attacks but Kabaan ducked and punched Gold in the stomach. Gold grunted in pain but continued to strike, which surprised Kabaan. Gold slashed Kabaan's chest and blood began seeping through his clothes. Seeing the opportunity to deliver a killing blow, Gold attacked but Kabaan had planned ahead. Kabaan moved back as Gold brought his blade to the ground, narrowly avoiding Kabaan's head. Kabaan raised his sword in the air and brought it down swiftly.
*Slash*
Gold's left hand flew in the air and fell a couple of metres ahead of David. Looking at the horrifying sight, David felt like puking. Gold fell on his knees, clutching his now-gone left arm. Gold remained silent but tears threatened to fall. David couldn't take this any longer. Taking a deep breath, he came out of hiding.
"Kabaan!!!" Shouted David.
Kabaan looked at David with shocked eyes but hid it quickly.
"Fabian is growing old, isn't he? " Kabaan said to David.
"He is feeling better than he ever was!" Replied David.
Kabaan took out another sword and threw it in the direction of David.
"I don't like unfair fights."
David kicked the sword away and unsheathed the blood of Tempus. The carvings turned bright blue.
"I don't need your filthy sword." Snarled David.
David sprinted towards Kabaan with bloodthirsty eyes. Their swords met and the impact sent David flying. David groaned in pain before getting up once again. Kabaan looked at David with bored eyes. David was enraged. He attacked Kabaan once more, but this time, Kabaan was not merciful. Kabaan dodged David's attack and struck David in the throat with the sword's hilt. David began struggling to breathe as he clenched his neck. His voice was not coming out. David looked at Kabban with hatred and despair. Kabaan made his way to David and punched his nose. David fell and his vision became hazy. Kabaan grinned as he stamped on David's chest.
"Die!!" Kabaan shouted.
Kabaan brought his sword downwards and pierced David's chest and into his heart. David looked at Kabaan with shock. David would never have thought that he would die so soon. Gold stared at David with emptiness as tears fell down his cheeks.
It was dark. David knew where he was.
"Master Tempus!" David called out.
A figure in white robes came forward. He had white hair and red eyes like a vampire.
"You really don't have to die to meet me. There are better ways to do so." Said Tempus.