Robert held his breath so as not to wake his two children, who now slept soundly in his arms. Slowly he laid his son, James, down into his little bed, then laid Diana, his daughter, down in hers. Slowly, he released his breath and took several steps back to a rocking chair, where he sat for a time, soaking in the wonderful sight of his children. Times were changing, for all of them, he knew. Moments like this might disappear forever if the enemy was given the chance. But he had resolved to stop them, with every fiber of his being, he would hold the gates of peace against the forces of darkness.
The door of the nursery slid open, and Athica entered, flanked by the two wet nurses assigned to his children. A tightness formed in his chest as he looked upon her, not because of fondness or love, but of guilt. He didn’t know why he couldn’t forgive this woman. Her crime against him wasn’t more than anything he had inflicted on her, or her clan. Our clan, he corrected in his mind. But something lingered within his heart. A sourness that would not dissipate; an anger that continued to burn without true reason.
“Hello, Reku.” Athica whispered, glancing at the children. Her expression turned soft as her eyes rested upon them, and she took several moments to herself. “I need to speak with you about something. Somewhere we won’t wake them… it’s… rather important…”
Robert nodded, taking a final look at the small beds before he stood and exited the room. “Sure, let’s go.” He whispered as he moved. Athica followed him closely, until they made their way to their wing’s royal study within the palace. Robert wasted no time moving directly to the wine table and preparing himself for whatever Athica had to say to him.
“Reku… I…” She began, before pausing and taking a calming breath. “I know how hard everything has been… with the death of Demessa and who was responsible for it.”
Robert felt a spark of hatred flare within the numbness of his heart. The culprit of his ire was still at large, and very well could be plotting to finish what she started.
“But I need you now.” Her voice cracked as though she was holding back tears. “I… I have no one, Reku. No love, no solace from the tormentors in my dreams.”
Robert’s heart churned with guilt as he looked at her. She was indeed crying now, the tears of pain and fear, spilling over her darkened cheeks as she tried to speak through quivering lips.
“I still see that creature, Reku…” Athica sobbed, “Coming for me and Diana… tearing her from my belly and devouring her before my eyes. As I cry and beg for help, from you… but you never come to me. Instead, I feel the coldness of your stares and the hatred you feel for me!” Falling to her knees, she lifted her hands to him, holding her palms up as you would to worship something. “I will do anything, Spirit-Sent. Anything you ask of me, if it is within my power, I will do it, I swear to you. But… please; don’t let me suffer alone any longer.”
Robert felt as though his chest had been ripped open as he looked at her. She was a pawn in the political games of his adversaries before. Now, she was… seeking shelter in the storm of her trauma. A demon had tried to kill her, and their daughter. And she did cry for help, only it wasn’t he who answered her call. Robert knew what it was like to feel hopelessness in the face of unfathomable darkness. To reach out and feel the cold breeze of nothingness destroy any hope of salvation. Avria had saved him before. And more than that, she had forgiven him for his crimes against her.
What right do you have to hold on to so much hatred? He thought, as he began to walk toward her. What have you done to deserve forgiveness, if you can’t even forgive her? Robert knelt down beside her and embraced her. She was rigid at first, seemingly surprised at his affection toward her. But he tightened his arms around her and felt her melt into them before breaking down and continuing to cry.
She had stayed away from him since the death of Demessa, leaving him to wallow in his sorrow and self-pity. All the while, she suffered with demons of her own. How could he have been so cruel to her? The mother of his child? The thought sent another wave of guilt through his body, as he cursed his foolishness.
They held each other for a time, Robert didn’t know how long; it didn’t matter. He did his best to comfort her in this time; contemplating his own shortcomings, and how he could improve on them.
“Thank you… Reku.” Athica sniffed, her supposed bout with despair concluded for the time being.
“I didn’t do anything, Athica.” He replied through a dry throat. “I have a lot to think about, but I promise you, I will be there for you and our child, no matter what.”
~
Robert found himself wandering towards his quarters in deep thought. How he ended up in this world, and how long it had taken him to find some semblance of normalcy. “What a joke…” he hissed to himself, angry at his choices, his ignorance and foolishness. But most of all, his weakness. He needed to be strong now; to rise above pettiness and hold himself and his actions to a higher standard; starting with Athica.
“You seem a bit off today, Robert...” A vaguely familiar voice called from behind him.
Robert turned around to find a face he had not imagined he would ever see again. A woman, with dark skin and a cumbersome cloak over her body.
“It’s… been a long time.” Amynta said, smiling at him.
“I can’t believe… you’re here.” Robert ran forward, wrapping her up in a tight embrace.
They laughed with joy together for several moments, before tears of sorrow were shed. After some time, they finally were able to speak.
“I heard everything, Robert.” Amynta began, hanging her head. “What they did to you… and what you did to us in return. I was… afraid that you were exactly what the Espi-Dae had said you were, after everything. But, you were always on my mind. And, I truly hoped that I would see you again someday.”
“Where have you been?” Robert asked, grabbing her shoulders. “The war has been over for a long time, and you just decide to show up, now?”
“I… eh, was summoned here by the Princess, Avria.” She shrugged awkwardly. “And I can’t just get up and leave my liege lord, Robert. As much as I wanted to… also, it was really, really, dangerous.” She sighed, remorse painted on her face. “The princess didn’t explain it either. I wasn’t sure what she wanted. She didn’t explain to my Hego or master, why, or what my purpose was here… well, until I got here that is, uh. Mainly, because I… well…”
“Calm down.” Robert chuckled, fondly remembering how quirky she was. “Just spell it out for me, slowly.”
“My knowledge of the spirits.” She said the words clearly and calmly. “Due to my time spent in the Spirit Forest, Robert. I have found out so many wonderful things!” Robert chuckled as her calm demeanor again was derailed by her excitement.
“Where they believe they came from, and the Dae! How they live so long, and how they procreate! It is truly, truly fascinating~”
“Amynta.” Robert interrupted her gently, pulling her attention back to him. “It’s alright, you’re here now. And I’m not letting you out of my sight. We’ll have plenty of time to go over everything you want.”
“Oh… well.” Amynta seemed a bit bashful as she began to fidget with the latch of her satchel. “I don’t know if that would be… possible.”
Robert’s eyes narrowed as he leaned back in surprise. “And why the hell not?”
“It’s just- you’re a king now, Robert.” She shifted uncomfortably. “And I’m not even really a noble. I’m technically… well, I was ordered to stay away from the royal quarter. I mean I’m a scribe to a high house, but I have no… real status or anything.” She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and focusing.
“Amynta.” Robert smirked, giving her a friendly nudge. “I don’t care about any of that crap.”
“Robert, they do.” Amynta gestured around.
“Alright, fine.” Robert straightened his back, and gave her his most imperious look. “Amynta of house… eh.”
“Sozo.” She laughed, rolling her eyes.
“Amynta of house Sozo! I hereby declare to you and to all who are witnessing this…”
She looked around the empty hallway, her smile practically beaming.
“That the Kingdom of Visgo and the house of Roh take you on as a royal scribe.”
Amynta shook her head, “I can’t be a royal scribe, Robert. I’m not of noble birth. I don’t have lands or anything.” She placed her hands on his arms, patting them gently. “I don’t need any of that anyway. Just know that I am rooting for you, and will be around to help you with anything you need. And… if you have time, we can discuss some of the incredible findings I’ve made!”
“Who the hell makes all these ridiculous rules?” Robert let out an exasperated breath, “Never mind, I’ll take care of that bullcrap on my own time. Listen, I’m glad Avria made it a point to bring you up here. I told her about you when we were discussing the great spirits a while back. You know, when you told me that there were five instead of four?”
“Yes!” Amynta blurted out. “It goes against everything we’ve ever learned about the great spirits! So incredibly interesting!”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“She told me she was going to write your patron house, and bring you here. But that was a while ago, and with the war and… Demessa, I guess I forgot about it. I mean… so much has happened since then.”
“I don’t blame you, Robert.” She looked at him reassuringly, “You saved my life… gave me an opportunity that any scholar would kill for, to learn directly from the spirits themselves. I…” She took a moment to put her emotions in check before continuing. “I will forever be grateful to you for that, and though our time together was fairly short. I feel like we’ve been friends for years.”
“Alright, alright.” Robert began ushering her down the hallway. “We’ll have plenty of time to go through all the mushy stuff. For now, let’s find Avria and go over some of the things you discovered.”
~
Greyson adjusted his left bracer again as he strode toward the crowded main gate of Ne’arath, the capital of the Visgothian empire, and the seat of their emperor.
“Make way!” One of the gate guards shouted, causing the massive line of peasants to scramble to either side of him. “Make way for the Captain!”
Greyson took a calming breath, secure within his newly acquired suit of armor, and confident that he could maintain concealing his and his companions’ identities. After their betrayal at the hands of the emperor, there was much deliberation about where they would go next. They were betrayed by their supposed allies in Visoth, hated and hunted by Eleutheros, and Domanicia, from what he could gather. It dawned on him, that the only way to survive this would be to continue with their original mission; rendezvous with Dio’Mar in Ne’arath.
This would have been a great deal easier if they weren’t fugitives, but life gives you lemons and all that. Greyson made the decision to assume the identity of the elite warrior who had tried to kill them on the road. The only problem, he didn’t know who the man was; only that he was clearly someone of great importance and power. Dorian opted to dawn his armor and half-cape regardless, and hope for the best. That being said, changing their appearance to that of a Dae took days of practice. Greyson had finally managed it, covering his body in his spiritual energy, and manipulating it to mirror the features of a dead man who was slowly decomposing.
“It is good to see you again, Captain.” A Visoth warrior said, bowing at the waist. “Lord Ryoko will be pleased that you’ve returned. We were beginning to think you had perished.
“Uh… nonsense.” Greyson said, clearing his throat and trying his best to mimic the voice of the man. “Those demons didn’t stand a chance.”
The warrior leaned to the side, looking past Greyson to Dorian and Ashley who were standing behind him at attention. They had done the same, but with some of the other, less assuming warriors. Dorian changed his features to that of a young man from their initial guard who turned on them. And Ashley, to a young woman who was a part of the ambush party.
“You have sustained… heavy losses, sir.” The warrior whispered, before looking Greyson up and down. “And you seem to be injured.”
“All I need is a hot meal, and a hot bath.” Greyson grunted, adjusting himself uncomfortably. “Now, let me pass.”
“Of course, sir.” The warrior bowed, stepping out of his way. “We’ve sent word to Lord Ryoko of your arrival, should we expect to find you at your estate, Captain? For the debrief?”
“Um… yes.” Greyson winced, hoping beyond hope that he would at least be able to learn his disguise’s name before entering.
“What the hell do we do now?” Ashley hissed, walking beside him as they made their way through the gate and into the metropolis.
Greyson looked up at the towering structures of the city. It was massive, sprawling as far as the eye could see. With similar infrastructure to the cities of Eleutheros he had seen, but far grander, and larger.
“Greyson!” Ashely barked, pulling him from his revelry.
Greyson exhaled sharply, unfastening his helmet and hooking it to his belt. “First, don’t call me by that name while we’re here. I’m ‘captain’ for now. Second, I don’t know where to start looking. This place is fucking huge.”
“The guy over there mentioned an estate.” Dorian chimed in, placing a supportive hand on Ashely’s shoulder. “We should probably go looking for it.”
“And how do we do that exactly?” She asked, gesturing to Greyson, then to the crowded city. “He doesn’t even know who HE’S pretending to be.”
“Easy problem to solve.” Dorian turned back toward the gate. “You guys go further down the street. I’ll figure out who he’s supposed to be, and where he lives.”
Greyson thought about it for a moment, then agreed. “Fine, but don’t do anything stupid, ok? We just got here, and need to try and blend in, until we find Dio’Mar.”
“Or she finds us…” Ashley shivered.
“Either way—”
“Relax.” Dorian huffed, shooing them off and turning back toward the gate. “I know what I’m doing.”
Greyson moved with Ashely in tow, down the busy main road, just behind a vendor stall while they waited for Dorian to return. While they waited, he looked at Ashley, who was sneering in disgust at just about everything in sight.
“Easy, Ash.” He warned. “You’re a Dae now, act like one.”
“This shit’s gonna be hard.” She grumbled.
“Just think about the mission, alright? We survive this bullshit, open the gate, and get our asses back home.”
“I don’t…” Ashley’s gaze fell, and again her features shifted to those of despair.
Greyson put his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it affectionately. “Don’t worry about it. You’re not alone here. We’re in this together, alright?”
She looked at him for a moment, then resolve returned to her expression and she nodded. Just as Dorian came trotting down the road toward them.
“Well?” Greyson asked, looking to see if he was followed by anyone.
“Easy, I got what we needed.” Dorian grinned, bowing his head. “You are Captain Lytro of House Malfus. You are apparently also a noble, go figure. And live in the Northwestern quarter at an estate with large statues of… some animal, I can’t remember what he called them, at the front.”
“You got all that information?” Ashely raised an eyebrow, “how?”
“It was easy.” Dorian shrugged. “I told him you had left me to gather some supplies for you in the market, and to bring them to your estate. As any pompous and shit-stain of a Dae officer would do, I figured. I told him that I wasn’t sure of your name, or where your residence was. He bought it. He saw that I entered with you, and probably figured I was just a random survivor of the battle who was now in-over his head. Took pity on me, and boom. Now we know who you are, Lytro.
“Lytro…” Greyson furrowed his brow. “I guess, while we’re here, you call me Captain Lytro. And you guys figure out your names too. Until we find Dio’Mar and put together our plan to open the gate, we need to lay low.”
“Right.” Ashley agreed, turning to face the road that led deeper into the sprawling city. “Now… we just need to find out where the Northwestern quarter is.”
~
The trek to the Northwestern quarter, surprisingly, didn’t take long. As they quickly figured out that there was a fairly elaborate public transportation system within the city. It made sense, seeing as how large it was. They were similar to the sliding carriages that Eleutheros used, only smaller and much faster. They were the size of a car, but had no roof on them, and slid across the pathways effortlessly, out of the way of the foot traffic. Greyson’s estate location was well known for being one of the noble sectors, and once the Dae-Voh who was operating the stone taxi heard his name, he knew exactly where it was. Twenty or so minutes later, they were all standing before a large mansion, with pillars capped with ferocious unknown creatures surrounding it.
“Nice.” Dorian smiled. “Does this mean we won’t have to sleep on the ground for a while?”
“No…” Ashely crossed her arms. “He loves the outdoors and being on the run. I give it a couple days before he has us out there again, freezing our asses off.”
“You’re probably right.” Greyson chuckled, playing along at his own expense. “Until then though, let’s see if we can wrangle ourselves up a comfy bed or two.”
“Master Lytro!” A servant Dae gasped as he opened the large door at the entrance for them. “I am so pleased to see you again! We were beginning to fear the worst!”
“I’m uh… alright. Just happy to be home.” Greyson noticed the servant tilt his head questioningly, but seemed to ignore whatever it was that gave him pause before he continued.
“No worries, master. I will have you all sorted out.” The servant turned his focus to Dorian and Ashley, who were unceremoniously standing in the back. “Will your subordinates be joining us, master Lytro?”
“Yes.” Greyson said. “Have rooms prepared for them, as well. These people save my life; I want them treated well.”
The servant again paused, seeming to study Greyson a bit more closely. “Master, are you feeling alright?”
Greyson saw Dorian’s warning glance out of the corner of his eye. Damnit, he thought. Of course, someone like a butler, who had probably wiped this guy’s ass as a kid would notice little things that were off about him. His voice, or his behavior. This could get dangerous fast. I need to deal with him.
“It sounds like you are injured, master. Would you like me to call a physician?”
“He was… struck in the throat by one of the demons.” Dorian blurted out, “and was knocked unconscious! That’s why we had to… uh… bring him back here. He’s been getting confused. With a spotty memory, and a few other things that have been off about him.” Dorian turned to Greyson, who lit up and put his hands up to the sides of his head.
“Yeah, I’ve been kind of going in and out. Call a healer if you can.” Greyson felt like an idiot, putting on this ridiculous show that would no doubt lead to disaster and discovery. But, he wasn’t a theater kid, and he was out of options.
“Oh! How horrible! Master, I’m so sorry I didn’t even think to consider your potential wounds after fighting such terrible foes. I will fetch a physician immediately. Please, get inside and rest, this instant!”
The servant started to shuffle away from the estate, but turned briefly to relay one final message. “The staff inside will show you to your rooms! Please take care of Master Lytro until my return!”
“I… can’t believe I just saw the most stereotypical loyal butler trope in history.” Ashley chuckled. “That guy is going to be a problem, Grey. He might have to be eliminated.”
“No.” Dorian smiled, crossing his arms. “He’s overzealous and a bit loopy, but he’s also the perfect cover. We just need to convince him that you’ve changed after your encounter with the ‘demons’ and chalk it up to some spiritual attack or some bullshit like that. “He’ll adjust quicker than you think. Besides, it’d be more suspicious if you just out and dumped your butler. Who’s probably been with the family for a while.”
“You’re probably right.” Greyson sighed, “We should also try and learn as much about this family as possible. Do I live here all by myself, for example.” Greyson turned to admire his new accommodations.
“Do you have friends? Family? yadda yadda.” Ashley turned to start walking into the house. “Shouldn’t be too hard, if you don’t blow your cover that is.”
“You’ve got to work on your voice too, Greyson.” Dorian warned, “You sound like you’re trying to hold in a shit, and losing. Use your power to perfect it. If Robert can do it, then so can you.”
Greyson chuckled, but agreed. He wasn’t sure how long it would take to find Dio’Mar, if at all. And even so, how long would it take to open the gate. Until then, having a secure position like this, and pretending that the three of them were dead. They wouldn’t have much to worry about, other than the obvious. “Alright, let’s get in there and get some rest.”
“I think the guard at the city gate said something about a debrief tonight, right?” Ashely asked.
“If someone shows up, we tell then the obvious.” Greyson looked them both in the eyes. “I’m injured and confused. We managed to kill the humans, and lost everyone else in the process. The human bodies were obliterated in the fight, and that’s that.”
“What if they ask more about us?” Dorian gestured to himself and to Ashley. “We don’t know who we are pretending to be either. And I doubt they picked nobodies for a task as serious as taking out three humans. They’ll think something’s off.”
“You lost your memories?” Greyson shrugged.
“No one’s stupid enough to believe that.” Ashley sighed, “We’re gonna die…”
“It doesn’t matter if they believe it or not at this point.” Dorian shook his head, “We can try and play it off as best we can. So far, I don’t think they know we can impersonate Dae; and it’s more believable that we lost our memories, than the concept of three humans assuming the identities of three fallen warriors.”
“Whatever…” Ashley grunted, gesturing impatiently toward the entrance again. “Can we go inside already? I’m filthy, and need to take a fuckin’ bath.”
What arc are you more excited to read about so far in book 3? (2 votes each!)
