The three mountains stood majestic , like the masters of the plains.

For a moment Rick forgot how to breath

"It's a breath taking veiw"

Rick laughed at himself, Rick dosen't have any interest in the moultain's veiw, being a bounty Hunter all he wanted to do is hunt some rare species .

But what made him come here from other end of world is the stories that he heard about the place,

Rick looked at Tom who was awestruck by the veiw

"Can you tell me that bed time story again"

Tom chuckled softly

"It's a legend, no no it's history yet to unvealed"

"legend is that these mountains represent the three kings who brought peace to titans, elementals and humans.

Titans, are known for their barbaric life and gaint size.

Elementals are known for their ability to control elements.

Humans are known for their creativity and technology.

At first these three kinds used to live in harmony , but soon they found difference between their ideologies and power.

It created a surge in everyone and finally elementals were treated as royals, humans treated as peasants, titans treated as slaves.

The civilization that existed , on such differences, perished quickly,.

The titans, humans, elementals, formed cults and lived in kingdoms of their own,

And started fighting each other.

In mid of this crisis, it's said that a king of elementals unlocked a forbidden technique powerful enough to conquer whole world,

He defeated titans, but before he can take over humans, the three kings killed him and used his power to create barriers between three kinds "

" It's too unreal, even for a story" Rick laughed,

Tom continued " this place is said to have the power, "

"Don't tell me we are here for that power!" Rick said, "no one sane will come looking for the power from a myth"

" we are not the only one looking for it my friend " Tom said

"Since ages humanity tried to find the power, but all expeditions met same fate"

Tom took a deep breath , and said

"Death"

"There is a saying that's popular in my village"

"To find it, follow the trail of blood ;

for it is the Lord of dead,

the only thing that it need is your blood

fear the name, the valley of dead"

The sun is raising and the mountains are like a wall between them and sun, as the dawn broke, Rick looked at the plains, with red bloosoms they looked so beautiful

"Hevean?" He thought, and looked towards Tom, he looked shocked

"B.. Bl...."

Tom wasn't able to speak for a moment , his whole body is shivering and Rick looked towards plain again

In the limelight he was able to see clearly,

There were no roses blooming, it was blood ,

"Hell" Rick murmured

It's not the most frightening thing, after the sun rose over mountains then they saw thousands of corpses and a thing that's feeding on them

It's no human, no beast, no monster, it's ...death

Rick ran away from plains but Tom was still in shock, Rick thought Tom was behind him, suddenly he heard a muufled voice

"save me"

He looked behind but tom was nowhere to find, the moment he turned back to run, it is infront of him.

"Lord of death" he thought

It was only history armor that was left untouched.

John has been looking at the pond for the past 15 minutes. This is the only cave in the mountain that not everyone is allowed to enter.

His master gave him only one task

" watch the pond if you see anything suspicious report it "

A rumor was very popular in the school that watching pond is a tradition in the master's family which has been followed by ages, but no one ever reported anything in the time

just like him there are several pupils on this mountain who learn different things from his master

All the pupils are free to choose what to learn, his master always said that

" Only freedom can give true happiness to living" this line is written in various places on the mountain

This mountain is a school for guys like him, some of the pupils are selected to watch the pond In shifts , including him no one ever bothered to ask the significance of the pond

John's village was burnt down by bandits when he was 10 yrs old and his family died in the incident, his master took him in, from that day he thought that he will devote his life to his master.

The stories of all the pupils are mostly similar to his, they think this place as their home and each other as family, so, no one ever bothered about the pond, and done there duty as said.

"John, what are you doing?" Shouted Bob, the caretaker under his master,

" You shift has ended go eat dinner and sleep"

"Bob did any one ever told you that you are very loud for your age"

"What ?" Bob shouted

"Oh so, the loud care taker is now deaf"

" John , I will kill you" Bob ran towards him

" You will never catch me old man" laughed Bob and ran away from him

Suddenly they heard rustling , the water in pond seemed like it's boiling and in seconds the whole water has evaporated.

John looked at Bob who is just confused as he is

"Bob, Bob, what should I do, should o report this " bob is not answering

"Bob" John shook him

" Should I go and wake master"

"John run as fast as you and can tell master about the pond"

Bob looked so confused, no afraid.

John ran towards the peak of mountain , towards his master's residence

"Master wake up" he banged the door

His master opened the door

" What did this old man do to deserve such a punishment, don't you guys let me slee.."

Master can see on his face that it is really an emergency

"What is it John?"

"Master the po.. pon.... "

"Huh , young man let's just say I am deaf , can you repeat it for the old man"

" The pond has dried up"

"What?" Master said

"The water in pond has evporated in an instant even Bob has witnessed".

Master suddenly remembered the conversation with his father, "this pond is like an indicator , as much the level decreases so is the to threat, "

"What if its all evaporated father"

"Son pray that the day doesn't come, but if it truly happens then consider it is the end of the world"

" Master, master" John is shouting

"What should I do?"

"John run to messenger tower and get the fastest owl, tell him that it's for council"

John ran towards tower, Bob entered the room , "master what does it mean"

"What ?" Asked master

"What does the empty pond signify"

"Bob even I don't know, but let's just say the demon has woke up"

For the first time in his life Bob seen his master fearing something.

"Veronica ! Wake up" Alexander is trying to wake his daughter, before it's too late.

"What is it father?" Asked Veronica half sleep.

"Don't ask me why, but gather your important stuff, there is a horse at the city outskirts take it and leave"

Veronica thought it's just a dream and tried to sleep

"Veronica this is no dream wake up please"

Veronica never saw her father in such a position, he is afraid of something and desperate to save something.

"Father they have penetrated the castle walls" said Ethan elder son of Alexander and Veronica's brother.

" I think most of the army is also against us , couple of soilders are gaurding this inner chamber and David wants to meet you'

David is the part of the administrative council under king Alexander serving his kingdom, Alexander knows that he can trust david because David is the one who cautioned him about the threat to Veronica.

"Let him enter"

"Your majesty" David bowed to Alexander as he entered the chamber

"The horses are ready, I think you should leave soon as possible, the castle walls can't hold them longer." Said David.

Alexander said

" Small change in plan David, only prince and princess will leave, I will face them, being heir of my family and the king I can't leave my kingdom in such a state, "

"Father, then how can I leave you, ..."

"Complete the sentence my son, you want your sister to go alone?" alexander sounded angry,

" Your majesty please stay calm and prince David I think it's better not to let her go alone, knowing the councilmen they will definitely send soilders to find her, if we send her alone, she will get caught easily so, atleast you have to escort her out of the kingdom" said David.

"David make sure that father is safe till I come back, in which kingdom you think it's safe to leave her"

"How dare you, send my daughter your sister to another kingdom alone" Alexander sounded frustrated

"Your majesty, we should let her go to the bounty caln in North of our kingdom, they are on neutral terms so, even if anyone knows about her she don't have any problem and the our kingdom never interferes with them, she can even hire hunters for her safety, and the clan head is a good friend of mine.

I will arrange the bodyguards for her and when the situation settles we can get her back."

Alexander knows that this is the best plan he has, he looked towards Ethan.

Ethan bowed. In agreement, but seeing Veronica, Alexander can understand how confused she is. He can hear the screams of soilders

"They got past the wall" he thought.

"Veronica, my daughter we don't have enough time, I want to tell you everything, but we can't afford it."

Veronica's eyes moistned "father I hope this situation resolves quickly."

"My dear child let me tell you one thing

The whole world is filled with despair, hope is a mirage, once you see the world's true nature, then you will understand my words"

"Your majesty, we will leave but I request you to use the secret compartment to hide until prince returns " advised David

"I know David"

David, Ethan and Veronica escaped through window, three horses were ready and they mounted them.

"David can you please tell me what's happening"asked Veronica.

" Yes my princess, I will tell you everything I know"

The three headed north towards the bounty hunter's clan.

the sky over the kingdom is clouded and lightning is roaring like a pride of lions

" a devasting storm is going to hit the kingdom" said Ethan

"yeah a storm" sighed David.