Chapter 1044: “-he’s gone.”
“Written decently. But why?”
“Care to elaborate, I’m not fond of backward riddles.’
“Igna, focus.”
“I am focused,” came abruptly, “-as focused as I can be. Listen, Minerva, when you asked why my answer is thus, there’s no why. I did it because I wanted.”
“Pardon?”
“You asked about why I did what I did, why I intervened, or why there’s someone of my realm resident in Orin, the answer is simple, there is no reason,” a flick of the shoulder gestured, Minerva curled her fist and walked, “-I’m going to regret this,” she muffled and asked, “-what were you doing?”
“Observation,” came an uninterested response. In his tone laid nothing – the vacant gaze and strained customary smile, same motions of expression, same answers, and a particularly stagnant atmosphere. She took one large step and leaned into the telescope. Igna, being the gentleman he is, shuffled, allowing for her chance at observation.
.....
“Constellations have a weird way about them,” he explained, “-I find them weirdly repulsive. Many look in awe at the starry gems, I sigh and shake my head in disbelief. What we see isn’t there – the stars are long gone, it’s like we’re living in a dream,” the ominously vague words caught her attention. She withdrew, pushing a stray lock behind her ears, and peered, “-are you okay?”
“I’m fine, truly,” he smiled vacantly, “-going through the motions, the cycles, it’s not worth much. If immortality has this,” he threw his arms open, “-as the future, I shudder at the boredom,” he quickly raised his index, Minerva caught her words before liftoff, “-I know there’s entertainment, I know the world has more to offer. I haven’t seen a sliver of what Orin has to offer... yet, I feel empty, I feel nothing. I want to go on a quest, to rescue a maiden or something fantastic, I don’t know, how about Artanos stealing my army or else – you know, exciting. Knowing my luck, nothing of the sort’s remotely possible.” A dramatic pause, so she perceived, ended with him lowering his gaze, “-your feet,” he pointed, “-the ankles, you shake them when you bite your tongue. Get on with it, Minerva might as well indulge.”
‘Really?’ subconscious turned conscious, “-my ankles?” an eyebrow lifted, “-a tell I assume?” quick to shake her head, she gestured, conjuring words in the cauldron of her thoughts. “We heard the news, our army is victorious. GateSix’s headquarters has been raided. I hear it will take a few days before the files and gadgets are properly stored. I can say with chest – the war is won.”
“Great news?” a solemn beam of moonshine caught the pale cheeks.
“I thought you’d be happier?”
“Oh, I am,” he sighed, “-as happy as I can be, considering Hidros counts among one of the strongest nations; economy and military wise. Victory was a matter of when and how,” he sharply cut sideways towards the door, latter opened before he reached the handle, “-my liege,” fluttered Alta, “-I beg your pardon,” her fist yet held the handle, the door laid inches from his face, “-there is news you must see.”
“What news?”
“Master, kindly follow me,” a gaze shot over at Minerva, “-if the minister would also join, that would be grand.”
A detached cabin, placed on the outskirts of the castle wall, carried a dim amber lantern. Shadows could be seen inside, products of the already present guests. Alta, smooth as possible, knocked three times – an outburst of mana(deactivation of a spell) rocked the dusty windows. White hair caught their gaze, lady Eira stood beside a stumped Markus. The now affluent businessman, told by a golden watch and nic jewelry, rose his head, “-my king,” he whispered, “-my king, I have news.”
“We needn’t a formality,” he exchanged a nod with Eira, “-talk to me, I’m family, what’s got you frightened?” The cabin door locked behind, and a breeze shifted the flame, blurring the casted shadow.
“I received a call from Amber Sultria,” he gulped, “-I don’t know how she got a hold of my number,” he held the device, showing a strange untraceable number, “-I have news, bad news.”
“Out with it,” he firmed.
“Emperor Lucifer Dawnstar has left,” he blinked, “-he’s gone.”
“What do you mean gone?”
“Hear it for yourself,” he tapped, a recording of the call played.
“Markus, Markus, I know you’re still alive. Your big sister still has her ways to do business. I need your help, Markus, help me take back Alphia from their hands. The church has grown too influential, they threaten capture, they speak of a coup, I might not live through this year. Help me, Markus, I don’t know what to do, Alphia’s a shell of what it was.”
“I don’t know who about Markus, lady, you have the wrong number.”
“Markus, stop and listen. Lucifer is gone, I found our room empty. I’m due, I can’t do this alone. My people have turned their backs on me, the war in Iqeavea eaten has every last bit of money the imperial family has. Markus, please, I need your help, we can’t survive... I’ll do anything, please come home, I’ve had enough, I don’t want to be head of state, I want to leave, I want to run... please, Markus, we’re family.”
“FAMILY DOES NOT SCHEME TO KILL THEIR OWN!” the call ended abruptly.
The clandestine gathering sought answers to equally confused reactions. “What’s the problem exactly?” inquired Minerva, “-as I see it, we have nothing to worry about. Markus is dead far as the world is concerned. Eira,” she turned, “-would you not be partial to the idea of a life of relative peace. Hidros has been great for you, your family, and your daughter. No good will come, I tell you, nothing will.”
“Thank you,” she tipped her head, the hair awry off her cheeks towards the floor, “-my husband-”
“He can speak for himself,” Igna roared, the cabin shook.
“Brother,” a frost-filled gust blew, “-don’t start,” came resolution.
He matched her fierceness, snapping the spell into void, “-and don’t you dare mistake me for nothing. Markus, look at me,” he ordered, a heavy load dropped everyone’s shoulder to the ground regardless of rank or strength, “-I will not have disrespect smeared upon my good faith. Markus, your silence speaks volume. Will you take to Alphia as chevalier to a sister who plotted for thy death. Answer me, Markus, answer me,” rage induced terror threatened the very stability of the cabin – dust fell, the glass cried and the door clicked.
“NO,” came screaming, “-I’M NOT UNGRATEFUL!”
The trembling vanished as if it were not there, “-good,” he nodded, “-I like when people talk. Brother-in-law, best hope the plea is amusing, yes?”
Nothing described the moment, nothing save the look of horror that had gripped Markus’ features. Eira reached over and patted his head, “-no more intimidation,” she growled, “-no more, you hear, Igna!” an affront to her standing.
“Wait, Eira, are you mad at me?”
“Obviously,” she took one large step and grabbed his collar on one hand and summoned a blade of ice with the other, “-how dare you use petty intimidation on me, your damned sister. You don’t go around disrespecting family, it’s a new low, even for you,” she threw his collar and returned beside Markus, “-don’t you dare do that ever again, UNDERSTAND!”
Igna rose both hands as surrender, “-I apologize, I didn’t mean any disrespect, my sister.”
“Good,” she winked, “-as long as it’s understood.”
‘Got me again,’ he narrowed, ‘-Eira, how shrewd of a sister you are.’
Markus rose his chest and breathed. The preparations were small but present, nervousness brought palpitation and blurriness. ‘-If I speak the wrong word, he’ll have my head. How low can I possibly fall,’ he blinked from one to the other, ‘-I was emperor of Alphia, I was praised and revered. What’s happened to me, where’s my bravado, where’s the trait that made me who I am? I should be ashamed, I’ve dishonored the Sultria name, I don’t deserve the moniker, I don’t, I certainly don’t have the right to ask for favors... what a predicament... if only I had-‘ therein, an idea clicked.
“Brother,” he pulled himself at equal vision to Igna, “-I’m going to Alphia.”
“And?”
“My decision is made. I will need assistance,” he looked over at Eira.
“Before any grand speeches, I will ask only of one thing. Give me the name of those who’ll willingly go to Alphia on threats of espionage.”
“Eira will come,” he grabbed her hands softly, “-my wife and I will go to my home, to Alphia, a land rightfully mine. I’ve had enough living in the shadows of the Haggards, I want my name, Sultria spoke of with prominence.”
“Eira can’t go,” narrowed Igna, “-I won’t allow my most trusted minister to simply abandon ship. Hidros is nothing without my ministers, it’s nothing without those who built from the foundation up. I’m no fool nor am I unjust. Markus, tell me once more, what is your plan?”
“If I can’t take Eira,” he calmly grabbed Igna’s shoulder, “-then I will simply have to ask my brother-in-law for assistance, won’t I?”
The remark came suddenly, Igna burst in whole-hearted laughter, “-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA,” a single tear contoured his visage as he grabbed the stomach in pain, “-I can’t,” he laughed furthermore, “-Markus, you unpredictable fool. I accept,” he eased.
“MAJESTY!” thundered Alta, “-you simply cannot.”
“I second Alta,” came from Minerva and Eira, “-a king can’t leave his kingdom,” therein, with a simple smile and shakes of the head, they knew what they said. Igna held a smug expression, “-should I spell it out?” he grinned evermore.
“It would apply if the king did anything,” Minerva exhaled heavily, “-whatever, my king,” came sarcastically, “-you always do as thee peace anyway. What’s the difference.”
Disgruntled acceptance followed, “-thank you, Igna.”
“No, no. My help isn’t cheap,” he looked at Eira, “-I will watch over your husband and see to it no harm is done.”
“What is it the devil wishes in exchange?”
“The Philosophy of Ventria,”
“No,” she crossed her arms, “-no way, you’re not getting a hand on Nexsolium’s most precious grimoire. I won’t allow it.”
He moved and held her shoulder, “-Eira, give me the book. I just want to check one thing, that is all. It will be in our best interest,” he twisted the grip, “-and, under the record, I want you to become a member of the Shadow Realm. I want us to merge our powers, I will then know you to be safe.”
“Igna,” she gripped his wrist, “-choose between the book or me. You can’t have both.”
He paused for a solid minute, ‘-Philosophy of Ventria has answers about the Watchers. Vengeance stole part of Morpheus’s powers; if it’s to become useful, I have to get my hand on that grimoire. On the other hand, there’s Eira, the one whom I rescued as Staxius and live with as her younger brother. Between family and knowledge, what is it I truly desire?’
Crimson and white shot open, “-you,” he smiled, “-thinking about it meant seeking my inner desire. No one should lie to themselves, and you, my sister, are most precious to us.”
She smiled an icy-warm grin, “-I knew you’d pick me, I know your priorities, brother. If you had chosen Ventria – it would have been the last of our bond as siblings. We are equals, regardless of how powerful you or I become, we are equal and we are family,” she grabbed and pulled his forehead against hers, “-hear me, Igna.”
“I do,” he also grabbed her back and tapped, “-as siblings, we live, and as siblings, we shall watch the death and rebirth of all.”
Thus it was decided, “-Alta, have Midne ready us for departure. We will leave later tomorrow. Markus, I will borrow Eira – take the chance and spent it with Gallienne, she misses you.”
“I will,” the cabin emptied – darkness swallowed the outskirts gluttonously. Thick foliage hid the outwardly active nightlife. A piercing wind blew from a singular path amidst the forest, “-why did we come here?”
“To stay away from the castle,” she lit a cigarette, “-getting away from the chaos inside does good for the body,” the cold and narrow path broke into a wide space, and the view expanded fully on Lei, the district lit ablaze. Spots lights took the sky, “-Vorn is performing for the last time today.”
“Well, good performers never die,” he conjured a portal, “-we head to my realm, brace yourself, I’m very proud of what it’s become.”
“Lead the way, brother.”
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