A New Light (The Astral Wanderer Book 1)

by D'Artagnan Rey

  Vaust nodded again. “And some have given more than they could truly afford. Malefics not only take your Mana and potentially your life, but you must make a pact with one to use it at all.”

  “A pact?” Devol asked. “They can speak?”

  “Not like you or I,” the Templar corrected. “But in a sense, yes. It is like they plant ideas or thoughts in your mind. Every malefic has its own desires or needs.” He ran a finger down his face. “I have heard about that mask before. It is referred to as the Demon Mask in common tongue and grants monstrous power to the wearer as you saw, but the price demanded is your sanity. In time, you become nothing more than a furious demon, wanting nothing more than to destroy.”

  Devol bit his lip, confused as to why would anyone make that trade. “If these malefics were so powerful, how have they not been used in wars, or—” He stopped himself as the mori gave him a grim look. “They have been, I guess.”

  “Almost since their very creation,” Vaust confirmed. “The Templars tried to destroy them, but those who had made the malefics broke away from the order and created their own known as the Council of Numen. They believed that they had set a course for themselves to surpass the Astrals. The Templars fought in what is known as the Malefic War, which lasted over forty years and eventually destroyed the council. That would be the first part of what would lead to our current less than illustrious standing.” He looked mournfully at the ceiling. “The second would be that they tried to hide their wrongdoing.”

  “But it wasn’t the order’s fault,” the boy reasoned. “The bad ones left, right? The Templars even fought them, so they shouldn’t be held accountable.”

  “Some agree,” the mori conceded. “And perhaps that is how they should have explained it back then. I could not tell you what they were thinking as this occurred about two centuries before I was born. But they tried to hide the evidence and burned many of the notes and sketches the malefic creators had left there. It is a pity as we could have used those nowadays, and they might have told us how we could destroy them.”

  “They can’t be destroyed?” Devol questioned. The Templar pointed at Jazai, who rolled his eyes.

  “Now he wants to tag me in.” The apprentice chuckled but seemed pleased. “So majestics are an extension of their user. The wielder strives to bond and grow with their weapon and in the process, unlocks more power and the true nature of their majestic. But a malefic…” He extended an open hand and closed it slowly.

  “It binds itself to its user—almost like a leech in a way,” he continued. “Unless the wielder is powerful enough to wield it properly, it takes continually from them—Mana, sanity, and strength. The one real weakness of majestics is also their strength—their connection to their user. Malefic are…maybe not autonomous, but that connection is absent most of the time. If a majestic’s user is killed while a strong connection is present, it can break or even lose its power. But a malefic, unless it is with a user who has found a way to truly subjugate it—you know, make the malefic their tool instead of vice versa—well, it simply keeps going.”

  “We’ve had some majestics that could destroy a malefic,” Vaust added. “But even then, it wasn’t safe. Their power runs deep, and when you destroy a malefic or majestic, that power erupts before it vanishes and can cause havoc before departing, which has cost us some brave Templars.” He gestured to the box. “Which is why we hide them in a vault within the order that has a unique anchor point to a forgotten, desolate realm we simply know of as the abyss. We keep the recovered malefic there in a cavern that was discovered during a reconnaissance mission through that realm many years ago.”

  “If you do all this,” Devol said thoughtfully, “why are there people who seem so suspicious of you?”

  “Keeping secrets…well, it’s a hard thing to do,” the Templar admitted. “And even hints of one can breed rumors much worse than the secrets. On top of that, even after the Malefic War, the council had followers who escaped to spin the tale to the Templars themselves that they had created the malefics under orders from the grand master at the time and that their council was just and trying to stop their heresy.”

  He uttered another wicked, coarse laugh as he shook his head. “I don’t think there are many who believe that now, but the damage was done. Malefics have wrought much pain and suffering over the centuries and their creation did stem from the order so over time, much of the anger and sorrow has been directed toward the Templars. But that is why we continue to move forward. Many in the order itself believe we need to make atonement, and we will continue our pledge until there is no order left, should it come to that.”

  Devol considered the explanation for a moment and looked at his hands, then at his sword. “So stopping the malefics… That is the Templar’s true duty?”

  “We are Templars. We stop the wicked,” Vaust stated. “And the malefics are an embodiment of that.”

  He nodded, stood, and looked directly into the mori’s eyes. “Mr. Lebatt, I’ve made a decision.”

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  “Well done, young Magi,” Nauru said approvingly as Devol handed the box to the grand mistress. “I trust everything went well?”

  He pressed his lips together and looked at his teammates, both of whom were unsure how to respond—much to the amusement of Vaust, who stepped forward in their place. “There were some complications, madame.”

  “I would suspect so,” she said dryly, “given that you are with them instead of simply following them.”

  “Wait, he was tailing us the whole time?” Jazai whispered to the other two. “I never caught him. Did you guys feel anything?”

  “Not at all,” the young swordsman stated.

  “I never felt him or saw him,” Asla confirmed. “He is quite proficient at sneakiness.”

  “I can fill you in,” the mori offered and sipped from his gourd. “I think the younglings should probably get a little rest now.”

  “Of course,” the grand mistress said with a slight nod. “It was their first mission alone.”

  “Not alone if he was following us,” Devol muttered.

  “Honestly, when I think about what could have happened, I’m not as annoyed as I thought I’d be,” Jazai told him.

  “Same with me.” Asla nodded.

  “I am sure your mentors would love to see you again so feel free to take the day for yourselves,” Nauru said with a soft smile and bowed to them. “Thank you for your help.”

  The three mirrored her gesture and each said a variation of, “You’re welcome,” as they stood and departed the room, talking excitedly with one another.

  “What is your evaluation?” the Templar leader asked, her tone still playful and genuinely curious despite the more clinical question.

  “They did far better than we could have hoped,” Vaust admitted. “I did have to step in, but the box was briefly lost after the carrier was killed and they retrieved it.”

  “The carrier was killed?” She frowned as she looked at the plethora of flowers on the ceiling of her room. “I need to contact the hunter’s guild, then, to tell them their comrade will not return.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of it,” Vaust promised and folded his arms. “I think he had some other deliveries, but they were incinerated in the fight.”

  “I see you were pushed quite far,” Nauru noted and toyed with her hair as she looked at him. “What happened?”

  He grimaced as he recalled the fight. “It appears we have new enemies—ones who seek the malefics themselves. They wore no insignia and didn’t claim allegiance with any guild or council we are aware of. The man I fought did say they were working for someone but would not name names.”

  “I see. We should be mindful,” she said, her voice calm. “It seems your opponent must have been powerful.”

  “It was more the location,” the mori stated slightly defensively. “He wielded a majestic that conjured and manipulated fire, something of an advantage in the woods. But that als
o meant there was no one around, which allowed me to—” He traced the black lines in his hair. “Well, you know. Hopefully, they do not remain for much longer. I can’t say I care for the look.”

  “You must not hate it too much.” She chuckled. “You are one of the few who can truly harmonize with their majestic. It would reflect that if you wished it to.”

  Vaust simply shrugged as he crossed the room to sit on one of the larger chairs. “It might merely be something left from Myazma’s previous wielder. It seems disrespectful to try to take it out.”

  “Well, that’s very charming of you,” Nauru said as she descended the stairs to her bed. “You said new enemies. What were the others?”

  “One was a giant—some kind of golem I think,” he explained as he began to unstrap his boots. “He referred to it as a ghoul and it appeared to be made of flesh.”

  “Blood Magic?” Her demeanor shifted to one of concern at the description.

  “Potentially,” he conceded reluctantly. “If it was, it was quite advanced. More likely a majestic or malefic power.” He ran a hand over his face. “It wore the Demon Mask.”

  “A golem?” She scowled, baffled by the revelation. “That is rather concerning.”

  “I very much agree.” Vaust snorted as he took his boots off. “That is the only confirmed kill I have out of the mess. The last one was the fire mage’s partner, who stole the box and the kids recovered it. I assume she is an assassin of some kind—although ‘she’ might be relative. Both the young diviner and I saw a woman, whereas Asla and Devon are adamant that she was a he. I suspect that Devol’s majestic enables him to see the true form more clearly, which means ‘he’ is probably more appropriate although my mind constantly reminds me of what I saw, so it’s somewhat confusing. From what they told me, she—he—told them that he has a rune that alters his appearance. On top of that, he also had a malefic.”

  “And they fought him?” Nauru’s eyes widened in amazement.

  “I believe the thief was holding back,” he said thoughtfully. “It seems he regards fights as a sporting encounter. I couldn’t get a good look at him in action, but he was able to detect me and shake me off. This isn’t some run-of-the mill ruffian.” He glanced at her. “Devol told me he has the Madman’s Eye.”

  Nauru’s eyes narrowed. “It seems logical, then, that he killed the count in the Britana Kingdom.”

  “And twenty-three of his men.” Vaust reminded her. “The count was going increasingly mad so he was using it. Given that one of the prerequisites is to replace one of your eyes with it, I doubt he gave it up willingly.”

  “The count might not have been able to fully control the eye, but he had used it for over a decade so he was skilled.” The grand mistress shook her head. “The assassin had no other malefic or majestic?”

  “He didn’t even have a spare exotic from what I could see. I suppose he might have had something before he acquired the eye but he doesn’t seem to have it on him now.”

  “I’ll have Wulfsun talk to Devol and see if he can get any more details.” Nauru looked at the wall as if she were looking at someone through it. “Tell me, what do you think of the boy?”

  Vaust leaned back and looked at the flowers. “He’s earnest, certainly skilled with a sword, and adept at Mana arts.”

  “You know what I am asking.” Nauru showed the first hint of annoyance. “Do you believe he is his son?”

  “Of course,” he stated calmly. “Why else would he have the other half of Chroma? And it’s not like he would be able to use it otherwise.”

  “And in the field…did it resonate?” She turned to him, her gaze intent.

  “It did some rather impressive things if that is what you are asking.” He shrugged and continued. “He certainly doesn’t have a hold of it yet—not like its power is easy to define. In fact, it might be worse if we try to explain it to him.”

  “I am aware of that.” She sighed. “To think he did so much to try to keep him away from this life.”

  “That did not go as well as he probably hoped,” Vaust said thoughtfully. “It is not in our hands, though. He told me last night that he has decided to become a Templar.”

  Her eyes widened. “He did?”

  The mori nodded and pointed in the direction in which the training area would be. “He’s probably telling Wulfsun right now and asking if he’ll be his mentor. He wanted to get everything in place before he asked you.” He watched her curiously. “I told him I couldn’t think of any reason why you would deny him entry, especially after such a good performance on the mission.”

  Nauru looked away with a sigh. “Do you think he’ll be upset?”

  “He never said anything to us about stopping his son should he find his way here,” Vaust pointed out. “Only that he wanted him to have a choice.”

  “True.” Nauru nodded, thinking back. “I don’t think I’ve seen him in almost ten years. I don’t know where he is or if he’s even in this realm right now.”

  “We’ll have to get a message to him,” the mori said quietly. “I’m sure he’ll want to know about this development. But he may still keep to himself. Ever since he went on his quest, he’s mostly been a loner.”

  “Do you think Devol will find out?” she asked.

  “I think everyone seems to be on the same page about keeping it quiet. I don’t know about his parents—or the people who he thinks are his parents. They may be compelled to tell him the truth given this development.”

  “Most likely. It would be better to hear it from them than from us.” She sighed, pushed to a seated position, and ran her hands over the dark-blue sheets. “Although I may be a little hesitant, I do feel a sense of joy.”

  “Oh?” he murmured. “About what?”

  “We have three young recruits now,” she said. “Jazai may whine but if he truly did not like it here, he would go to be with his father. Asla arrived due to unfortunate circumstances, but I have seen her come back to life slowly, especially during her week training with the other two. And now we have the son of the astral wanderer.” She laughed softly. “I respect our order and care for everyone here, but it has been a while since we’ve had a new light for our path.”

  He smiled and nodded as he closed his eyes. “Agreed. Hopefully, they don’t get into too much trouble.”

  “Yes, about that,” Nauru began and looked at him with a twinkle of an idea in her eyes. “Given what happened during the mission, I would say it probably scales up to a red- or black-marked mission, wouldn’t you agree?”

  The mori’s eyes jerked open and he straightened quickly and leaned closer to her. “Wait, what are you suggesting?”

  “Well, they certainly are remarkable young Magi,” she said calmly. “I believe that if they could succeed on a couple more missions like that, red at worst, that would qualify them, no?”

  “Qualify?” he asked before realization struck and he pushed out of the chair. “Wait, you don’t mean…”

  “Why not? It is up to them, but I think they would do well in the Oblivion Trials.”

  Vaust’s face wrinkled as he scowled in frustration. “How are you this insane and our leader?”

  Nauru laughed. “That doesn’t sound like a nice thing to say to your leader at all.”

  The two began to converse, the mori more heatedly as the night stretched on. Above them, amongst the garden of flowers in the grand mistress’ bedroom, a small cluster of bloodflowers began to bloom.

  Bloodflowers Bloom

  The story continues with Bloodflowers Bloom, coming May 7, 2021.

  Pre-order now to have your copy delivered as soon as the book is published!

  Author Notes - Michael Anderle

  March 25, 2021

  Thank you for reading through this story to the author notes in back!

  For those who know nothing about me, here is the ‘introductory message’ (I’ll add more after this part).

  A Bit About Me

  I wrote my first book Death Becomes Her (
The Kurtherian Gambit) in September/October of 2015 and released it November 2, 2015. I wrote and released the next two books that same month and had three released by the end of November 2015.

  So, just at five years ago.

  Since then, I’ve written, collaborated, concepted, and/or created hundreds more in all sorts of genres.

  My most successful genre is still my first, Paranormal Sci-Fi, followed quickly by Urban Fantasy. I have multiple pen names I produce under.

  Some because I can be a bit crude in my humor at times or raw in my cynicism (Michael Todd). I have one I share with Martha Carr (Judith Berens, and another (not disclosed) that we use as a marketing test pen name.

  In general, I just love to tell stories, and with success comes the opportunity to mix two things I love in my life.

  Business and stories.

  I’ve wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was a teenager. I was a very unsuccessful entrepreneur (I tried many times) until my publishing company LMBPN signed one author in 2015.

  Me.

  I was the president of the company, and I was the first author published. Funny how it worked out that way.

  It was late 2016 before we had additional authors join me for publishing. Now we have a few dozen authors, a few hundred audiobooks by LMBPN published, a few hundred more licensed by six audio companies, and about a thousand titles in our company.

  It’s been a busy five years.

  This series.

  So, this story came out of ‘the other guy’ and I talking about different types of stories that are popular in Asia, and their interpretations here in the United States. For example, we spoke about manga, wuxia, and anime.

  From there we spoke about the types of characters and stories we enjoyed in those genres.