Chapter 28 - Part 3

"Your Imperial Majesty! We need to evacuate the premises. The zone has become unstable!" Chester dropped to his knees, his head pressing on the stone floor of the stand, praying to the Creators that Ryel will forgive his insistences.

"Creators... Lester, was it? Relax, Danil's here with us, nothing's going to happen" Ryel dismissed the man.

"But your gra-"

"No buts. Shush now, It's just getting interesting." The emperor flicked the man away without losing focus on the fight, he had no choice but to obey and retreat to the back up with his jaw clenched trying to not say another word.

"You should be nicer to your security officer, your Imperial Majesty, he is responsible for your life." Danil said, his face twitched in a slight smile while trying to keep composure. He concentrated on the shield that marked the zone for those of higher standing. He wasn't surprised by Bras' immense power, that he expected. He had seen the young wielder plenty of times in Red Keep and witnessed first hand where all of the blessing from the entire Imperial Family went. His father wasn't particularly skilled, but Bras, he showed Danil an understanding far greater than his at that age.

The grin on Danil's face was because of the pale kid that stood before him, floating in the middle of a giant gasm that opened at the center of the pit, swallowing anything while at the same time shooting arrows like spikes in every direction. He navigated around the arrows with agility. It was hard to see from all the spikes flying around and hitting the barrier in a spray of stone and shards.

"Creators!" Ryel shouted excitedly. "I haven't had so much fun in years! I think it was that nice night where we hung a few maids that stole some silverware from the palace!"

"I'm glad, your Imperial Majesty." Danil tried to not roll his eyes, but if he was truthful with himself, he too had fun watching the fight. He could not believe his eyes that the child that he taught how to read and write, that could just send away a few sparks here and there, managed to go chest to chest with a monster of a human, both in power and behaviour.

He was ashamed to admit that when he saw Bras' Holy Sword spell he feared for Haiden's life. A Master level spell that he ever saw one person use before at such a level that it darkens the sky, and that was GrandMaster Araya. Creating one measly sword took intense concentration as it applied so many concepts and complicated simultaneous spells that even if one had the capacity to conjure so many, they would certainly lack the mental capacity to create over a dozen. But they were no ordinary blades of energy, Holy Swords encapsulated plasma in a shaped force blast that vibrated at inmensurable speeds cutting through the very bonds that hold motes together. No wielder, Master or GrandMaster would have attempted what Haiden did today, step in front of one. Something you learn the hard way on the battlefield is that you never defend against a Holy Blade. You run. Nevertheless, Haiden through some miraculous spell that Danil could not believe his eyes, the blades simply avoided the young wielder. He awed at how much he had grown. The first time he had heard of Ryel's plans, Danil deemed the man crazy; a slave with the power of a GrandMaster. He too was a strong believer, his whole life was dedicated in servitude of the Creators and what best way to serve the ones who made you but to serve their chosen. The Imperial family. But what Ryel wanted to achieve was nothing short of insane. Even after witnessing the Creators themselves, albeit in a parasitic ancient form, and their unbelievable city, Danil had been rather skeptic of the whole plan.

Only now, seeing with his one two eyes the power that his once charge held. It was that of a GrandMaster, without a doubt. He played with Fios in a way Danil had never seen before in his life. He did not know the spell Haiden used to incapacitate Bras, to him it seemed to be just an overly complicated Far Sight. It had taken every last drop of control not to jump up and down and clap at the incredible display of power. Ryel was right to want this power for his own. He was glad he had followed his heart, he believed that the Creators gave these abilities to Haiden with a reason, and Ryel had no right to take that away from him. If Creators would have wanted Ryel to hold such power he would have been borned with them, not having to steal them from someone as special as Haiden. Danil shook his head, as he now realized that this whole plan followed the requests of a mad-man or even worse, someone or something else must've communed with the Emperor. Someone that wanted to change the fate of this young man that was blessed.

Danil breathed in relief as he saw him deal the last blow to Bras. The moment he fell, the spikes stopped and Haiden was victorious. He wanted to reach out and help when Haiden lost consciousness but he kept composed.

"What a fight!" Ryel was ecstatic. "Immagine all that power being mine..." He said to himself, greed in his eyes.

"Your Imperial Majesty, what should we do now with the boy?" Danil asked, keeping a neutral face, pretending to focus and the shield.

"Right! Lester! Fetch the slave." He ordered as an afterthought. "He should be unconscious for a while, best heal him quickly so he doesn't die before ... you know. Maghda! Be a dear and tend to the boy. Only the best healer in the Empire for the vessel of my power."

"Your grace, should I attend - "

We have a problem! Ad'hm shouted in their minds through the bonding stone.

Danil cursed as he looked over his shoulder at Haiden, he had to leave him in Maghda's hands for now.

Report, Ad'hm. Ryel's tone changed abruptly. What did you find?

I followed him and he led me to a sort of lab. This confirmed everything, your grace, look for yourself. Ad'hm sentimental images. A dark, windowless room filled with bodies and strange tools. What seemed to be torture devices caked in blood filled the walls. I'm counting thirty-six bodies, all children, ten of which are fresh.

Get closer to that one near the right, Ad'hm. Danil instructed. Something had caught his eye, the arms of a small girl with paper white pale skin and jet black hair.

What in Creator's names....Ryel gasped.

Black and scaly arms, just like the creatures Araya showed us the other night, your grace. Ad'hm was right. Danil confirmed.

It seems we have to delay our departure another night. Danil, take an Ashen and see that my cousin doesn't leave Elo'yn. Ad'hm, I trust you are well capable of bringing me the head of that man. I need to have a word with Helena.

With that Ryel interrupted the connection.

Those were the sweetest words Ad'hm had heard in the longest time. An eager grin stretched over his face as he calmly walked out off the torture chamber. He felt a burning fire in his gut as he pushed through the door outside of an isolated location next to the white palace. He strolled down the stone tiled ways with a slight skip in his step, the bright light of the sun gave a pleasant toastiness to the while he breathed.

Ad'hm headed back to the training pit, people were rushing out of the stands, cursing the two wielders that ruined their day. There were injured common folk laying around being tended by one of the Masters of the school he recognized. He headed straight for her weaving through the crowd with ease.

Ad'hm cleared his throat to get her attention but she was too focused on healing the broken ankle of a woman that was covering her face with a dark black shawl. He paid the woman no mind and crouched besides the Master Wielder.

"I see you're too busy saying hello to your older brother."

"Ad'hm!" The woman gasped, taken aback as she saw the man before her, she let go of the broken ankle and the injured woman grunted in pain. "I'm so sorry ma'am, let me.." She quickly turned back to her patient and began healing.

"How have you been, Nells? He asked, his eyes glistened as he took in the grown beautiful woman dressed in the black robes of a Master Wielder. To him, it seemed as only just yesterday they were running through the streets of Elo'yn, picking up a few fallen pieces of fruit along the way and meeting with their friends near the Canals.

"Shut up, you doofus! Don't call me that here! It's Master Omnelia, now." Her brows were furrowed but her smile was wide. She finished up quickly and let the woman go with a few words of concern and instructions before she turned to Ad'hm embracing him in a big hug.

"I'm so proud of you, Nells." Ad'hm whispered.

"Tell me about it, Imperial Guard." She gave him a glance over. "The robes suite you will, brother." And gave him another hug.

"So do yours." He lingered in her arms for a few moments enjoying the reunion, Only Creators knows when he'll have time to pass through Elo'yn again. Hesitantly he pulled back. "I wish I could stay more Nells, but I'm here on official business."

"Oh, not even a week? I haven't seen you in forever!" She said, pouting. Her big eyes watering at the corners.

"I'm sorry, sister, we leave tomorrow on urgent business. I need to talk to ask you a few questions." He pulled her over behind a column for more privacy.

"You're scaring me, Ad'hm. What's going on?"

"That Wielder that was healing in tents before this whole excitement broke loose." He motioned around him.

"You mean Master Coner? Oh, he had been sent by the Creators themselves. Just after that old awful woman retired he came to the Academy seeking to work as a teacher. He came at the right time, it's like he knew we needed the help. It was so perfect, he was also an old student of Master Parvel. His word was what actually convinced the Headmistress to employ him. His skill is incredible, you should see it, healing wounds as if they never existed."

"You say he arrived just when Master Fillar retired?" He said in disbelief, the old crone was known for being too absorbed into her work, with the personality of a stick while being stern and severe with everyone she met.

"Indeed. Everyone was surprised, she left a letter and simply disappeared along with all of her belongings. The very next day, Master Coner was healing our Ashen; you know how they get during trainings."

"And none of you found that peculiar?" Ad'hm was shocked.

"I'm sure everyone was so relieved with her departure that no one actually questioned it. Why do you say that?"

"That man, Master Coner..." He debated internally whether to tell her or not. He wished there was another alternative, he didn't want to scare his sister, but the urgency left him no choice. "He's not who he says he is, Nells. He's a very dangerous man and I am here to bring him to justice in front of the Emperor." He let out in a whisper.

Master Omnelia looked at him in shock then burst into laughter. "Stop talking crazy, Ad'hm. You always had a crazy imagination, I swear." Her laughter slowly died down when she noticed that her brother did not join in until it fully stopped. "You're serious."

Ad'hm nodded. "Do you know where he is?"

"What did he do?" She answered with her own question. "He can't have done anything to warrant the Emperor. Ad'hm, he's a great man!" She shook her head.

"I know it's hard to understand, Nells. But he isn't who he says he is. Coner is not even his real name, his name is Ghaler Bel'eck. He is responsible for atrocious massacres from over ten years ago, he is a very dangerous man. Nells, I need to know where he is."

Master Omnelia was in disbelief but in the end she gave a nod. "I saw him talking to Master Parvel, they were headed towards the dining hall in the back."

"Thank you, sister." With one final quick hug, Ad'hm went through the crowd towards the location of his target.

The building of the dining hall was a hideous thing in Ad'hm's eyes. Overly decorated with relieves and painted gaudy colors. Every time he visited his sister at the Academy it had different gaudy colors painted. It's only redeeming feature was the masterfully crafted tall windows that caught the light in a myriad of rainbow colors from the stained glass.

The closer he got to the building a fight between men was becoming more apparent as they yelled at each other from behind the dining hall.

Ad'hm circled the structure, sticking to the walls. Into view came the man Omnelia referred to as Master Coner. His face was red, distorted into a disgusted snarl he spat at a very old Wielder.

"It's all your fault! I should've just killed you when I had the chance along with her!" Coner screamed.

"It is my research you fool. Without it, any of this would have never been possible! This is all you and your incompetence!" The older man argued.

"You haven't come up with anything new in years. If I didn't came back you would have died an empty life with zero accomplishments. Face it! Your mind is as old and outdated as your research."

"How dare you!? I raised you to be the man you are. You have no shred of respect for me! And never had. Should've left you get taken to Ga'vira. Just like your parents!" The man spat at the ground.

Coner became enraged, the unsuspecting old man suddenly flew a few hundred meters back, hitting the decorated wall of the dining hall. He didn't even have time to scream as needles formed from the dust on the ground, penetrating every inch of his body.

It slumped down in a pool of blood, the old man remained motionless on the ground.

The man heaved as he was out of breath from his fit of rage. He braced himself on his knees as he tried to calm himself down. Ad'hm took this moment of vulnerability and formed a thin blade of energy, vibrating at incredible speeds. He sent the blade straight for Coner's head. It was a clean cut. The blood began to run the moment his body hit the ground.

Ad'hm took a moment to say a little pray for him and turned away to report to the Emperor, patting himself on the back on a clean, fast job well done but before he could form the connection through the bonding stones he heard movement behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw Master Coner's body twitch and convulse.

"In Creators name!" Ad'hm's heart began to race. Coner's head that laid a few feet away from his body, rolled gently towards it. The pink flesh of his neck elongated, extending his muscles like tendrils, connecting the head back to the neck. The flesh squelched and crunched in a sickening way as it fixed itself back together.

Ad'hm quickly went into a defensive position. He was in shock of what he had just seen. Something was terribly wrong with the man before him. He had never seen flesh mend together like that, as if it had a mind of its own.

Coner's eyes reverted from glossy dead eyes, to a lively agitated gaze that bounced all around him looking for the culprit. His brown eyes landed on Ad'hm with murdering intent.

Coner's body got up while holding his head on, it was still in the process of knitting together the flesh on one side. "Who are you?" he said with a hard voice, barely registering to Ad'hm's ears.

"I know who you are, Ghaler! I'm here to make pay for your sins! By the power given to me by Emperor Ryel I will see to your death."

The man began to laugh in a very inhuman way, his vocal cords no fully healed. "You can't kill me! No one can kill me!!" He screamed then continued his maniacal laugh then stopped abruptly and gave a quizzical gaze to Ad'hm. "Sin? No, no, no, no. You got this all wrong."

"Don't try to talk yourself out of this. I know who you are." Ad'hm insisted, he already put up a strong barrier and began preparation on his next move.

"I'm not a sinner, you see, quite the opposite. What I'm doing is simply furthering Creators' plan for us, humanity." He shrugged. "I assure you, I may be a murderer, yes, among many other things, but I am not a sinner."

"Creators wouldn't have wanted the death of all those people, Ghaler! Surrender peacefully. Don't make this harder on yourself than it already is. I'll give you a quick death."

"Scum only taint the name of the Creators. I'm only sharing the light with them so they can be saved! So they can serve a greater purpose! Like me!" The man began to laugh again the stop abruptly. "For that I need you to die."

"I won't let you get away!" Ad'hm called. He was glad the man took the time to talk before attacking. It gave him enough for Ad'hm to prepare his attack. From a young age he had been interested in the knowledge of chemicals. He was the reason Master Omnelia became a natural sciences teacher. But this interest propelled him in his career landing him among the Royal Guard earlier than some. He focused on honing his Synthesise spell to absolute perfection, and his knowledge of chemicals made for a terribly frightening combination. He was known as the poison master amongst the other Wielders. During their talk he had been synthesizing paralytic poison and releases it into a barrier he placed over the man. "It should take effect, right about now."

"What are you talking- " Master Coner's face fell as he could no longer move his muscles.

"In about two minutes you the poison will stop your heart from beating." Ad'hm warned. "I promised you a quick death, didn't I." The two minutes quickly elapsed but the man before him still drew breath. He glistened with sweat.

"How is that possible?"

Coner flexed the muscles in his face as well as beganto stretch his arms and legs. "You know, if you have not said anything about your poison, I wouldn't have been able to quickly purge myself of it and reverse the process. Even if it had gotten to me, I wouldn't have died."

"You're not human!" Ad'hm spat. He needed another plan and quick.

"Oh, I assure you. I am quite human, but see... I have been chosen by the Creators themselves. No mere human will come between me and my destiny. I have a greater purpose that I have to fulfill." The man extended his arms to show his greatness.

"Everyone thinks they're special. Get over it!" Ad'hm yelled and sent a barrage of sharp blades towards the man. He managed to block one and dodge another, but a blade had caught him off guard severing his right forearm. The man gasped from the pain but was phased. Blood dripped heavily from the cut. But the arm zipped right back and attached itself with the same squelch as before until no sign of the wound was left on his skin.

"I will show you the real blessing of Creators!" Coner screamed and began preparing a spell of his own as he removed from under his black cloak a cylindrical crystal. It caught the sun's light in purple and yellow glints. It had a small opening at the top.

Ad'hm immediately froze as the man pulled the crystal. As an Empath Ad'hm could sense energies, and the object that Coner held had a very familiar and frightening feel to it. The shape of it also tugged at his memories as it was just too familiar but it could not place where he had seen it before.