Tales of Sapientia. Fool's Edge

By Daniel Williams

In a world where humanity has fallen and magic is all around, join Fortunato on a journey as he recovers his lost memories.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daniel Williams
• Release date: Jan 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215628126

Book preview

Prologue

A legend, a tale vanishing with the winds of time. Years ago, in a newly born world, a being known as Creation descended upon the land. They walked alongside the beings that inhabited the world and as they did, they took notice of the death and hopelessness plaguing them. It was with that realization that they gave the inhabitants a gift.

With a wave of their hands Creation made two stones, one for each of the major races that populated the world.

They gave one to the humans and the other to the elves; the stones granted every member of their species the gift of magic. With that, Creation went into hiding and as time went on the world had forgotten about them, letting their story fade away as the years went by.

At first the humans and elves flourished but as time went on their differences started to cause conflict; a great war broke out between them causing massive losses on both sides but neither side expected the war to end how it did.

Perhaps a cunning scheme of someone malevolent, or maybe just a horrible accident, but humanity's stone had been shattered and they too were shattered as magic was violently ripped from their bodies leaving behind a fatal condition.

Most of humanity was wiped out, leaving the very few remaining humans left to ponder if they would survive.

Chapter 1

On the outskirts of the kingdom of Terra.

The loud roar of a crowd, the smell of dust. This is what greeted Fortunato as he entered the arena he had come to know well.

On the other side was his opponent leaning against the coliseum's stone walls; he knew relatively little about the man other than his name.

Ignis Coal, he thought to himself. The name of the man he would attempt to beat down. Money was the prize for doing so and this is how he made his living.

Fortunato readied himself for the oncoming assault. Drawing his rapier from his waist, he saw his own reflection as the sunlight hit the violet-colored blade. His expression was cold but firm, the perfect demeanor to have in a conflict such as this.

He observed as Ignis took out something from his pocket, a cigarette. He held it up to his mouth as it lit itself ablaze.

Just as Fortunato had drawn his blade Ignis decided to follow in turn, unsheathing a saber from his belt.

The two approached each other, and in a sudden moment they both made a move.

With the sound of clashing metal, the first swings were made.

Fortunato could easily keep up with Ignis, every blow matching his and neither of them making contact upon the other.

Soon their blades were locked together, making it hard for either of them to move without dropping the blades.

A small smirk crept up on Ignis’s face, a flame crawling up his saber in an attempt to burn Fortunato.

His body acted quickly like this wasn’t the first time this had happened to him.

Fortunato kicked Ignis in the knee making him fall to the ground, he made a quick slash at him, forcing Ignis to roll to the side.

As Ignis tried to get up Fortunato slammed his foot against the side of his opponent’s head.

Fortunato heard a cracking noise coming from his foot. I’ll have to fix that later, he muttered to himself.

The kick was powerful enough to send Ignis rolling across the arena, and moments later he finally managed to get back on his feet.

Ignis raised his hand towards Fortunato, a pattern of flames appeared in front of his palm forming a circle. Out of the circle came four birds made of flames that rushed at Fortunato.

That’s going to be problem, I have to end this. Fortunato’s gaze seemed to focus on Ignis himself.

He walked forward, each bird hitting him repeatedly, leaving burn marks. Despite that he kept walking forward letting every fowl touch him.

Ignis started to panic, he raised his hand to summon more birds, but Fortunato slashed at his wrist breaking his focus.

He slashed at Fortunato with his flaming blade.

Ignis looked at Fortunato in shock, he had caught his blade with his bare hands. Blood dripped down on to the arena’s dusty floor. Fortunato didn’t flinch or even shake.

Fortunato pulled back on Ignis’s saber forcing it to fly out of his hand. He pushed Ignis back on the ground and pointed the blade at his neck. The crowd roared.

Looks like I won.

Fortunato reached his hand out to Ignis to help him up. You… You have a regalia, don’t you? Ignis remarked.

Ignis pointed at a dark spiraling circle on the back of Fortunato’s left hand.

Regalia, a power that is possessed by special individuals... A regalia can give someone an ability that only they can have.

Guilty as charged.

Fortunato helped Ignis off the ground.

You know the royal guard of Mares is recruiting, maybe you should join them. I can recommend you.

The royal guard of Mares…….

Images flashed in Fortunato’s mind, none of which he could make out. I’ll have to pass…. sorry.

Chapter 2-Fortunato’s perspective

The sky began to darken as I leave the arena, a crack of thunder illuminated the horizon.

I felt a drop of water hit my cheek, but it was one of many as its brothers fell aimlessly to the ground.

Looks like I’ll be having to change my bandages when I get back to the guild tavern, I let out a deep sigh as I sprint back to the tavern.

I knock on the door, and I’m greeted by the scenery of drunkards and the lost gathered in one place looking for a place to rest and relax.

Hey! Fortunato! the bartender called me over. I take a seat and lay down my arms on the table.

Good job out there, you really impress me sometimes, he tells me.

I can’t understand why he’s pestering me with compliments and praise, he knows exactly what I’m going to ask.

Any other requests? I asked.

Already? You just got back and haven't even dried yourself off. That may be true but staying here ain't exactly cheap, no offense.

None taken but could you at the very least order a drink or something, I have a family to feed.

…. fine, one shot of amontillado.

Just a shot?

I could just order nothing if you find that more acceptable I taunted, as he silently slides the glass over to me.

Thank you, now can we cut the small talk and get to business. If you insist…. What are you looking for?

A request that pays well would do me fine.

The bartender reached into his pocket and began sorting through papers. We have a new one, if you’re interested.

How much is the reward?

Sixty golden coins, they also said something about throwing in a couple diamonds.

Diamonds you say?

This sounds too good to be true, there must be a catch. What’s the request? I asked him.

No clue, the client is supposed to disclose it in private. Then where are they?

The bartender pointed over to a woman in a light-colored outfit with a hood on. She stared at the ground without looking upwards despite the hectic surroundings.

I approach the woman and sit down at the table, she seemed rather surprised to see me.

Do you need something? she stuttered.

"You put out a request right, I want to hear the details.

Oh, I see then….

She looked up at me revealing smoky tinted glasses covering her eyes. Well, what do you need? I ask her impatiently.

I need help reaching the capital of the kingdom of Mares, all I require is someone to guard over me until I reach my destination.

Do you have the means of transportation to get there? It’s a rather long journey.

I have a carriage with a driver, I have the rations necessary as well.

It seems she’s prepared but I have one question left for her, I wonder how she will respond.

Why? Why what?

Why go to Mare’s capital? What’s the reason and more importantly why do you need a guard?

..……….

…. well….

Sorry it’s just…. your leg….

She pointed at my leg; I look down to find it dislocated.

I must have sprung it from my fight in the arena. Oh well, I suppose I’ll just have to fix it.

Hey, would you mind moving away from the wall? I ask her. Um...sure but why?

The second she steps away I slam my foot into the wall, a loud cracking sound projects from it but regardless, it seems to be back in place. Are you okay? she asked, looking as if she was about to throw up.

I forgot to mention that.

I pointed to the marking on my hand. This is a—

She cut me off before I could finish. Regalia marking…. right?

Yes…...it makes it so that any pain inflicted upon me is nullified. So that didn’t hurt then?

Not in the slightest, but that’s beside the point. Right...will this be enough?

She reached into her cloak and pulled out a handful of colorful gemstones.

I was stunned. Where the heck did she get those from???? Whatever, I guess that settles it. The reason doesn’t matter at this point. Okay, I’ll help you. When do we leave?

Tomorrow morning if that’s okay with you. Right, never caught your name.

Annabel Lee.

That name, ‘Annabel Lee’ struck me as rather odd. It isn’t exactly the most common, but I suppose it could be worse.

With that I returned to my room in the tavern. I anxiously await the start of the journey.

Chapter 3

Far away in the kingdom of Mares, King Atlas Atlanta sits on his throne, he had called the captain of the royal guard to his side.

Why have you called me here, Your Highness?

‘Your Highness’, Vice you have no need to call me that, the king told him.

You are a king; I will refer to you as such regardless of how well we know each other

The king let out a sigh.

Don’t be such a buzzkill eldest brother, really the formalities are unbecoming of me.

That doesn’t really matter, you have yet to answer my initial question, Vice said back to him.

Of course, it’s about the search for Fortunato and Melody. I wish to know your progress.

I regret to tell you it’s not going as smooth as we hoped it would. Damn, we can’t let these two run around free, especially Melody.

Trust me, I’m just as aware if not more on how powerful she is, and what she said last before leaving was…. haunting.

This kingdom completely annihilated, and magic gone from the elves, It’s a horrid thought.

I know, her word isn’t to be taken lightly either.

If only the public knew then maybe we could have a wild scale hunt but...that risks revealing the truth about the death of our father. The king cracked his knuckles.

Okay, maybe it’s best we find someone who can do the job properly. Hm, what about Nulla?

She left the guard soon after father’s death, do you even know where she is?

She’s still in the capital, I saw her out in the market the other night. She was skulking but I still managed to spot her.

Do you think you can get her cooperation?

It’s really the only chance we got. She was closest to her so if anyone knows where to find Melody it’s her.

You should try to contact her as swiftly as possible then, we don’t exactly have time to waste. I know….

Chapter 4

On the coast of the kingdom of Terra fog covers a fleet of ships about ready to depart.

A man in a dark green guard uniform speaks to his higher officer. Did you load all the cargo?

Yes sir.

Good, it would anger the king if we missed anything. The king??? Thank you…. Sir

They heard a sound of a stone skipping across water. The officer turned away for a moment.

Don’t be playing around! This is serious. The officer turned back around.

What are you doing soldier? Me…. well…

From the water came noises of clanking metal, from its depths came steel chains that floated above the man.

What is the meaning of this?

The man pushed his own hair back revealing a spiral marking on the side of his head.

A crooked smile appeared on the guard.

He snapped his fingers. Sick ‘em boys. A chain wrapped around the officer’s neck like a snake then began to squeeze before throwing him against the side of the ship snapping his neck.

The rest of the guards on board began to attack the man and one by one the chains slaughtered them going as far as to drown some of them in the sea.

It wasn’t long before no guards remained on board, and from behind him came a clapping.

Good work, Torque.

A hooded man with white hair and silver eyes boarded the ship from the dock. Thanks boss.

It must have been hard to find that outfit. I just had to put a little work in that’s all.

Another man boarded the ship following the white-haired man.

Well, if it isn’t tall, old, and ugly as hell, Torque remarked sarcastically. Welcome back, Obice, the silver eyed man said calmly.

Glad to be back, Master Lorem.

Now all we’re missing is the little lady, Torque said smirking. Yes, do you have any idea where Fulga would be, Obice? Lorem asked.

Obice was in thought for a moment before replying.

Last time I saw her she said she was ‘following the scent you gave her.’

I see, we’ll leave once she gets back. I’ll be in thought for a while so don’t bother me.

Lorem walked off into the captain’s quarters and shut the door behind him. What do you think’s up with him? Torque asked.

He might just be stressed, for a man of his age he does have a lot on his shoulders.

So, when are you two going to finally tell me the plan? When you’re necessary to its completion.

Aw, that’s no fun.

You truly are a simpleton.

Can’t you shut up, you old man? Torque said with a grin. Obice looked at Torque with eyes filled with fury.

"Mind