Moments Later at Yasaka Shrine

Once I made it to the shrine, I had noticed that Myrlin and his subordinates were outside waiting for me, however there were two other men present with them. The first man had wavy dark jade hair and olive skin, with what appeared to be fins along his arms, and the second man was another darker skinned man with platinum silver hair. The fish man held a trident in his hands and wore armor that looked like it was crafted under water, while the darker skinned man held several books and scrolls in his hands; I’d later find out that these two were Trident and Solomon, two more of Myrlin’s subordinates.

“What a fight,” exclaimed Myrlin upon my arrival, “out of all my subordinates, only two have been able to get a grasp on their signatures, Gil and Art, and now you, Yasuke.” He rushed over to me while patting my back, “I know you said you needed some time—.”

“Yes—,” I said with no hesitation while kneeling and bowing my head, “I wish to return to The Gold Coast, and I’ll serve you in exchange for this selfish request.” Tears began to pour from my eyes, I had the power to fight back and leave, I had finally met someone that I could truly put my faith in and will make true on his word. My ancestors danced when I first met him and I questioned why, but now, I know why, he is an Orisha, maybe not one from this world, but he is of the divine.

“It’s not selfish at all, Yasuke,” he said with a smile, “Trust me, displacement is something that none of us ask for, and wanting to return to where you belong, that’s your birth right. Things are about to change here very soon, for the world and for you.” As the tears continued to flow, I noticed my vision growing hazy, “Since you’ve accepted this role, you’ll be bestowed with two things that will mark you as my subordinate: the first is an interface system created for high ranking mages and officials’ subordinates called LGIN Lite, and the second is something of my own creation, ‘The Mark of Myrlin’.” My left eye began to burn, and I could feel light and energy emitting from it, however, similar to when the talisman burned in my hand, this sensation didn’t hurt, and once the sensation stopped, my vision faded to black.

•••

I woke up in an unfamiliar room, the air smelled salty, and it was thick, there was a knock at the door followed by it opening, “Grand Rising, Noble Snake King,” it was the regal young man, I think his name was Art. “You were out for about three days, which is normal, I hear,” he said with a chuckle, “My name is Arthur Pendragon, The Knight King of Camelot, and before you, I was the new guy, so I totally understand how you feel.” I didn’t have the words to explain it, but it felt like this young man, and I were kindred in some way.

“You have a signature too,” I asked.

“Yes,” he responded eagerly, “The Blade Signature, that would make you and I something akin to brothers, no?” It was true, I did inherit Lord Oda’s will, I gained his name, the power and means to return home, and a new brother of the blade. “—Oh! I almost forgot, your ‘Mark of Myrlin’ finished healing, but I’m sure you didn’t notice,” Arthur said as he reached towards the left side of my face.

That’s right, I felt a warmth come from my left eye, I thought, but my vision was fine, more than fine, it was perfect. Arthur continued to remove the bandages and the colors in the room began to intensify increasingly until they were unrecognizable. The colors that my left eye saw looked more vibrant and there were waves of energy that became visible, whereas my right eye saw the world for what it was, keeping me grounded in a way.

“This is the first time one of my marks manifested on an eye,” Myrlin’s voice rang in the room. I turned and he was standing in the doorway, “Usually it manifests on like the hand or shoulder, but I guess you really are special. Now tell me, how does it feel, what do you see, —oh I have so many questions!” I was starting to doubt the decision I made, but I’d come this far, and I couldn’t deny that his man did do the unthinkable for me. “All that can wait,” Myrlin’s focus shifted, “We’re currently on course for the mainland and from there we’ll travel on foot ish to The Gold Coast. There, we’ll begin preparations for our next mission.”

“And what will be our next mission, Young Master,” Arthur inquired.

“Preventing and stalling a two-hundred-year slave trade,” Myrlin’s tone of voice, which was usually cheerful and carefree, held a sense of deep hatred and resentment. “Our opponents, followers of The Order of En have already started trading the humans from the continent as well as any nonhumans they can get their hands on. This detour was necessary; Arthur’s signature, The Blade Signature has a twin, and that is The Sever Signature, and when both work in tandem with each other, the user’s will be able to defeat anyone in their way.”

I looked at my Ryuko, which was sheathed and sitting on a desk in the corner of the room, “Who are we cutting down?” I asked with steel in my voice.

Myrlin chuckled under his breath, “The Order of En are not to be trifled with, and their top operatives are known as Paladins, devotees that have dedicated their lives to The Order. Paladins hold a power similar to our own called ‘Virtues’ and you must always be on guard when facing them.”

The road before me seemed to be a difficult one to overcome, however, as Myrlin told me before, he’d never throw me into the heat of battle without the means to prevail. No matter who or what is in my way, I will cut them down in order to return home.

See you next time Book of Mystics: Book One: The Mage Nation of Majidōra