SILVER-HAIRED-Chapter 178: Hello, Old Friend

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The siblings appeared at the Border between Realms, this was Alaric and Celeste’s first time so they just observed the scene with curious eyes, eyeing the phenomenal environment.

"Haven’t been here before, so this is what the Border looks like" Celeste said, her eyes on the thin white line in between heaven and earth.

"I intended for my portal to take us directly to the Spirit Forest," Nicklaus said.

"It didn’t work, did it?" Alaric asked, knowing the answer already.

"No... I knew it would take us here" Nicklaus said before walking ahead, they followed behind.

They got closer to a pavilion, beneath a tree, the land on which the pavilion was on... was in a circle format and the grasses were the greenest of them all, at the edge of the land was a stream with lotus flowers on them, it was a wondrous sight.

And then Handler, an ancient being tasked with the duty of guiding anyone through the border to whatever destination they wanted to be, although some magical beings possess abilities to portal to other Realms, some Realms were not able to be located except they use the border. An elderly man with a long beard and hair, milky white, his clothes white too, and jewelry graced his neck, helping himself to the tea and he spotted the company coming towards them.

"My my this must be one hell of a day," he said watching the three of them pass through the bridge and walk into the pavilion.

"Hello, old friend," Nicklaus said.

The Handler paused for a minute before taking in Nicklaus’ looks. "This is truly one hell of a day... if it isn’t the great Magnus himself" he mused, sipping his tea. "How well you have grown"

"And you’re the same Handler"

"Hmph! What brings you here Magnus, you’re powerful enough to reach any destination you so please" he states, and then his gaze fell on the other two behind him, seeing their features he could tell they were siblings.

Nicklaus took a seat before him, eyeing the Shogi Board, a faint smile crossed his lips as he remembered their first encounter.

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Millenniums Ago

"What do you want to obtain?" The Handler asked young Nicklaus.

"Power" the thunder stroke clamorous at his answer. The Handler’s eyes narrowed at his words.

"Power so that I may take my people to a world where we do not feel indifferent, we deserve to have a Realm and a place where we are just us... I feel the circle of a Vampire is not complete not until we have obtained infinity, I choose to seek that for not just me but my people’’

"I see"

"Tell me Handler will you take me to where I have requested... for I believe the answers I need and the power I wish to obtain are within that library"

"You strongly believe you will find such answers there?"

"Yes for a sprite have enlightened me of that path that I must follow, tell me... who is one who does not follow his fate"

"What’s your name, boy?"

"Magnus", the thunder struck once again.

"There was an order that was given to this border centuries ago, from time to time several lines of fate were engraved here, and then there was a particular one," he said.

"What did it say?"

"It says ’Heed my words Handler a boy shall come disguised as a simple root but shall rise in darkness and light’. A boy" he states. "Tell me are you that boy? For I see darkness in you but yet so subtle"

"I do not know if I’m the one your order speaks of, I have only come here to acquire something"

"Here only for your centered goal I see" he mused. "One game with me boy and if you win I will take you to your Holy library", with a wave of his hand a Shogi board appeared on the table.

"Show me Magnus... how great you can be"

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"I have come here for a certain Fox, who seeks your help" Nicklaus began.

"A Fox you say?" he states making a thinking face. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Is he really gonna act like he doesn’t know what we’re saying?" Celeste whispered to Alaric.

"Well he’s bad at it" Alaric whispered back to her.

"I know you’re covering for her. The Fox that came to you is my wife"

The teacup he held stopped midway at his lips. "I see" he states, dropping the teacup back on the round table. "The one she wanted to get away from was you..." he mused.

Nicklaus raised an eyebrow.

’So she was his light in his darkness’ the handler thought smirking.

"I need to locate the Spirit Forest, I know you’re responsible for erasing it and only you can undo the spell"

"At the right time, they say... tell me Magnus a game?"

"We have no time for games, Handler," Alaric said, getting slightly impatient.

Nicklaus’ eyes narrowed.

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Young Nicklaus and the Handler stood before the border after the game of Shogi. "The gate to the Holy Library will only open to its chosen" he states.

"Wish I didn’t play Shogi with you because it was a waste of time," Nicklaus said, slightly angry but he did not show it.

"Nonsense! Everything has a meaning... although you won 5 times in a role I think I need to improve my skill" he said, this young Vampire definitely was the simple root, because no one had ever won him in Shogi, it was impossible. "How about another game after you have sought what you need."

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Nicklaus remembered the request at their last encounter.

"You said if we meet, we would play a game of Shogi"

"Yes, I said that, and like before... if you win I will answer your request"

Nicklaus smirks. "I will win, because I don’t plan on making a stop here until I find her" he made the first move, moving the black piece forward.

"Well the girl does not wish to be found, isn’t it best to let her be?" The Handler said making a move.

"If she thinks she can get away from me then she’s wrong"

"Hmm, you love her so? The great Magnus, a goddess has captured his cold heart"

Nicklaus eyed the piece the Handler played, he has really gotten better like he said he would... Nicklaus wasn’t so sure he could win now.

"Your move, Magnus"