Chapter 13: Artifact
Han opened the wooden box and found a black key inside. The box contained nothing else, but Han probed inside and all around it for any clues. Finding nothing, he set the box on his desk and examined the key.
His hand warmed as he studied its intricate pattern.
My mana stirred.
A moment later, he sensed faint traces of mana from the key. They guided him onward, but a single look at them froze Han in his tracks. He felt Tenaxis Dark Mana at full maturity, perhaps in its strongest current form. It was cold, with a palpable authority that chilled even Han’s budding Dragon’s Pride.
He gave it to my maids over two decades ago. His mana must be much stronger now.
Han smiled, breaking through the ice in the room. He walked forward with confidence and excitement. His Families had shown him their competence and strength many times now, and none of it deterred him. Han wanted nothing more than to prove himself to them and be a recognized part of Tenaxis and the Red Dragons.
Following the mana tracks, Han left his room.
Two maids stood on duty, including the one who had given him the wooden box. The moment Han appeared with the key in his hand, the cold mana washed over them. Their bodies straightened and froze, their eyes widened, their focus absolute. Neither of them could bow or kneel; they stood like statues, faces exposed, revealing their deepest and truest emotions.
"At ease," Han said, his words breaking the ice again. "Prepare my outdoor clothes, just in case."
"Of course," the maids replied in unison, bowing and quickly tending to their duties.
They scattered at once. Han had never seen them like that before.
He followed the trail to his living room. It was one of the largest rooms in his mansion, well furnished, with enough space for Han to enjoy his time and for his maids to tend to all his needs. He crossed the wooden floor, which didn’t creak under his weight, and stopped before the fireplace. Flames crackled and licked the wood, warming the room and doing most to set its mood. Then a cold keyhole, visible only to Han, appeared on the stone face.
It’s definitely a hidden room. Should I bring my maids and Xena with me, or go through alone?
He knew the answer before he even asked himself.
Spreading his arms, Han told his maids, "I’m going in alone. Keep the mansion safe and clean. Watch the bitch, and feel free to verbally bully her if you want, since I know she talks shit about you from time to time."
In a moment, his maids clasped his robes around him and his wings, readying Han to venture into the hidden room and receive the gift his Father had left for him.
"As you wish, Young Master Han. We will execute all your orders and, if that’s what you wish, go the extra mile to verbally abuse your unruly pet. I recommend taking her with you," Hanna said.
Perhaps because her name was similar to his and she was the first to meet Han on that fateful day, she was the maid Han spoke with the most despite their busy schedules. Their master-servant relationship had developed properly, and the other maids now considered her, their friend and coworker, the Head Maid.
Han considered her words. I didn’t want to take her because she might also receive something from this room. She’s already strong and ahead of me. But in the end, she’s bound to me and her chances of escaping me are low. If she grows stronger, I will grow stronger faster.
"Fine. And ’pet,’ was it? Yeah, bring me my pet." Han smirked.
The other maids smiled. The three of them slipped out of their orderly rows to dress Xena and prepare her for a new adventure with Han.
When Xena entered the room, her feral eyes locked on Han and the key in his hand. Xena’s features turned even more feral for a heartbeat, then she scoffed and hid her feelings. She glared at the other maids, harrumphed, and took her place behind Han.
"You’re finally up to something more interesting than hunting shit monsters," Xena said, cracking her neck. Her collar’s black chains rattled against her chest.
Han looked over his shoulder. "You saw the key, yet you looked only a little more stupid than usual."
Xena scoffed. "I eat mana like this for a snack."
She’s right. Old mana sealed in an item must be a snack.
Han said, "Has all your shit talk against my maids exhausted you? You’re barking less."
"Fuck off," Xena replied curtly.
Han sneered and flicked her forehead. "Just a flick ’cause I can’t wait to use this item."
With her forehead red and steaming from the blow, Xena sneered. "An item? You call an artifact an item? You would die a dog’s death if your Daddy heard you."
In this case, Xena was right but also wrong.
As soon as Han slid the black key into the keyhole, Xena realized the truth.
This black key was part of a far more advanced artifact.