Enigma's Apprentice (ON HOLD - EXAMS)

Chapter 18

Instantly, figures rose up behind the daemon, and before it could turn around, the daemon got stabbed in the back with four swords. Duncan looked up and saw a blurry image of three very large men and a smaller one in the middle. Their features were hard to identify because they were facing against the sun. Just then a familiar voice of the smaller person said, ‘geez, get a hold of yourself. I’ve never seen you so emotional.’ The voice, thought Duncan, could it be?? ‘Brook? Is that you?’ he asked.

‘Of course it’s me! Do you see anyone else here?’

‘Brook… I have something that I’ve wanted to ask for some time.’

‘Yeah, what is it?’

‘Why do you always come at the last moment with a grand entrance and a cool line to go with it?’

‘Because you knock me out whenever I try to take the glory!’

‘Well, I wanna do some work too.’

‘That doesn’t mean you have to knock me out!’

‘Fine… I’ll try not to do it again.’

‘Good. Can we get out of here now?’

‘Yeah. Go on ahead. I’ll meet you outside.’ Duncan got up slowly. Brook passed him some food and drinks and left the town square escorted by his golems. Duncan ate with zest and walked towards the daemon. ‘I am surprised by your friend. He has a lot of power. More power than you can possibly imagine. If only he had been a daemon. You humans would have been crushed,’ said the daemon, looking up at the sky. Duncan was surprised. ‘What? How could Brook have such power? It’s impossible for a human’s magic power to be that great.’

‘Yes. I thought so too. A daemon can see how much magic a person possesses. Your friend, well now how do you humans say it? Ah yes, his magic is off the charts. Either he doesn’t want to use it, or he just does not know he has it. If only Enigma were here. He would turn the boy on the right path.’

‘Enigma? Who’s Enigma? Is it your master?’

‘No. Not master, he is our creator. He is a mysterious figure. No one knows what he looks like. We are not entirely sure if he is human or daemon. His built is like a human’s, but his power is that of a daemon. He gave birth to us. But he goes by a different name in your world. I believe you call him Terra.’

‘Terra?? No way! He isn’t allowed to interfere in Eureka!’

‘I see. Your King has not been entirely truthful with you. Maybe you should ask him upon your return. Enigma is allowed to step on Eureka for only ten years throughout eternity. So far, it is said that he has only used one. That was when he was surveying this land 2000 years ago, trying to figure out which clans to attack in order to weaken your approach. But it did not work. Then he devised a new plan. He would only come out when a strong human worthy of destroying Eureka would be born. Even then he would have to be careful, as ten years do go by very quickly. I wonder if he has seen your friend’s talents. I do hope so. Well then, will you kill me?’

‘No. I have no business with you. In the end it wasn’t me who defeated you, it was Brook. Only he has the right to kill you. Either way, the only reason you told me all that was because you knew you were going to die. If any of your daemon companions heard that, you would be given an agonizing punishment right? Well then, I guess I should be going. I’ll make sure Brook doesn’t turn against humanity.’

‘I hope you fail.’

‘I hope not,’ muttered Duncan to himself, and walked off towards Brook and their ride back to Spira. If what the daemon said was true, there was no way of telling if Terra had already got his eyes on Brook. If that happened, he would have to become stronger to protect his best friend.

***