“Yes!” cried Volcseck. He ran to Lunet and picked her up by her waist. “Did you hear that, mother? I’m finally going to learn the secrets of chaos.”
“Not exactly,” interrupted Demetrius. “I want you to go train with the monks of the mountain pass. There you will remain for five years, away from the worldly temptations. When you get back, then we’ll discuss your chaos training.”
Volcseck set Lunet down. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“Five years.” Volcseck’s voice remained monotone, with no hint of emotion despite his obvious disappointment. “That is a complete waste of time. You said I have the gift of chaos, like you.”
Demetrius frowned as he stared at his emblem. “Curse is more like it. This power is not to be taken lightly. It can consume you if left unchecked.”
“But you turned out fine.”
Demetrius took hold of Lunet’s hand. “That is only because I had my soul mate to guide me.”
“I can control it,” said Volcseck through clenched teeth.
“I’ve raised you as my son!” declared Demetrius, his voice rising. “You will obey my command.”
“This is complete rustada,” hissed Volcseck.
“Mind your mouth!” thundered Demetrius.
“I apologize for my foul language, mother.” He turned and headed into the forest, mumbling under his breath. “If you won’t teach me, then I’ll discover the power of chaos myself.”
“Get back here,” ordered Demetrius as he headed after his pupil.
Lunet took hold of her husband’s hand. “Give him some time to think.”
“No. If he doesn’t listen, I will—”
“Get in another shouting duel? That’s not what he needs now. Let him mull things over. He’ll come around.”
The scene dissolved. Seemingly from nowhere, stone pyramids emerged. Countless bald-headed, robe-wearing monks lay on the cold stone. Their eyes remained open, though the life inside them had been extinguished.
“What have you done?” Demetrius demanded. He now had a peppered mustache and beard decorating his face.
“Took matters into my own hands,” answered Volcseck. He wore a black cloak, obscuring his facial features.
“S…son,” stuttered Lunet. She gasped as she took in the sight before her. “When the monk’s scroll expressed concern over your actions, we thought they were exaggerating. Why did you do this?”
Volcseck laughed, a cruel cackle that echoed through the rainy night. “For the past five years I’ve been training. Honing my chaos. It speaks to me. Tells me what to do.”
“Fool!” Demetrius said. “You let the chaos consume you.”
“No. I became part of it. With this new power I will finally bring a new era unto this wicked world.”
“Son,” pleaded Lunet, clearly on the brink of tears. She reached for Volcseck’s hand.
“No more son. The chaos demands the holy emblem. So I will take it now.”
“Don’t you dare.” Demetrius stepped in front of Lunet.
“Oh, master.” The young wielder took a step forward. “You don’t even have your weapon.”
Demetrius’ head trembled with fury. “I don’t need steel to teach you the difference between a master and a pup.”
Thunder clashed as both chaos wielders moved against each other.
Demetrius dodged the first blade attack. The second attack found only air as the master teleported behind his pupil. He grabbed him in a chokehold.
A teleport later and Volcseck stood safely away from Demetrius’ hold.
Under the hood, Falcon made out a large-toothed grin as the bodies of the dead monks stood. Their lifeless heads hung down.
“You mastered that attack,” said Demetrius, shock in his voice. “Now I know that you truly are lost.”
Out of nowhere, a rainbow-colored shield encircled both chaos wielders.
“Both of you, stop this,” Lunet demanded. She moved toward the young man. “Son, why didn’t you come to me if you needed help?”
“Get back!” yelled Demetrius, breaking out of his shield and rushing toward his wife.
Volcseck broke free from his shield as well and drove his sword forward.
There was a spurt of blood as the long sword entered Lunet’s chest.
A second later Demetrius’ fist delivered a crushing blow to his pupil’s jaw, sending him flying uselessly through the air.
“Stop,” said Lunet, blood dripping from her mouth. Her emblem glowed brightly as she struggled to where her son lay.
“Yes, you still have enough energy to heal your injury,” said a hopeful Demetrius.
Falcon watched in shock as the red-haired holy wielder set her hand on Volcseck’s broken jaw, healing his wound.
“I forgive you, son.” With those last words her lifeless body crumpled into her husband’s arms.
“The holy emblem, I need it,” said Volcseck. The bravado and confidence was now gone, replaced by a slight tremble in his voice.
Could it be that he cared for her?
Demetrius caressed his dead wife’s short hair. “Why, my love? Why?”
“The emblem,” repeated Volcseck.
Demetrius looked up with heated rage in his eyes. “It will never be yours. Never, you hear? I’ll make sure of that.” The red cracks in the master’s emblem intensified as a shield surrounded him. At the same time his wife’s body, as well as her emblem, dissolved into nothingness. Seconds later the chaos wielder had been fully engulfed in a clear shield.
Falcon’s eyes snapped open. He was back at the picnic field.
Demetrius winked at him. “You see? Meditating can be the answer to many questions. If you give it a chance.”
“I see,” said Falcon, mouth wide open. Perhaps he was wrong about meditation after all.
“I felt a connection with her,” mumbled Faith. “Thank you for that. It was an honor to get to know a little about my holy sister.”
“She would have been glad to have you consider her a sister.”
“I don’t get it,” Iris suddenly burst out. “I see how you got in the shield and all, but how’d you get so old in there?”
“Iris!” said Faith.
Iris looked down. “I’m sorry. I kind of touched your hand while you were in that trance and saw what you saw.”
“It’s fine,” said Demetrius. “As for the answer to your question: Time crawls forward inside the shield. My plan was to encase my wife along with her shield. I did not anticipate the shield energy to dissolve the emblem the way it did.”
Iris put a stern face. “You used to be so serious.”
“That I was, youngling. But being trapped all that time gave me a lot of time to think.” The old man hopped to his feet. “And now I think it’s time we go to sleep. Here I come, cold hard cave.” He took off in a full sprint toward the cave at the top of the hill.
“There is a warm bed for you at the infirmary,” Father Lucien called out.
“No need,” yelled Demetrius, still running.
“I think he prefers the cold,” said Faith.
Father Lucien nodded. “Well, not me.” He took hold of Iris’s hand. “Let’s go. You played the day away and it’s hours past bedtime.”
The father and the girl said their goodbye and headed back to the town on the brick-paved path that led to the infirmary.
Falcon and Faith took the dirt path back to town. They would have to go through the woods, but the path would lead them directly to the inn.
“So did you ever figure out that riddle?” said Faith.
“No, but I don’t think it matters much.”
“I would disagree. I think figuring it out would be a good step toward your training.”
Falcon nodded. “Then I’ll try my best to figure it out, for you.” He grinned. “You are my sensei after all.”
“Thanks.” They remained quiet as they continued walking over the moon-drenched path. “So how about that other thing we spoke about?”
“Er…you mean that love thing?” Falcon stared into Faith’s emerald eyes and gulped. “I…I’m not sure what I should think about that. I love a lot of things. My mom, Albert, Master K’ran, and—”
“Where is it?” came a strange voice. They both turned toward the voice. In front of them stood a skinny young man. He moved around a bush of flowers, poking his head between the leaves. “How am I supposed to ask her now?”
“Is everything fine?” asked Falcon, glad that he didn’t have to continue with the conversation.
The man stared at them. “No. Nothing is fine. Tonight, on our anniversary, I was to ask my love to marry me.” He waved at a girl who sat on a blanket atop a hill. The distance made her features barely visible.
“Are you well, my honey-dipped dumpling?” said the girl between giggles. “Come and share some of this strawberry wine with me.”
The thin-mustached man cleared his throat. “Yes, my love. As soon as I find the perfect flower.”
“Honey-dipped dumpling?” asked Falcon, trying his best to stifle his urge to laugh.
“Yes. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” interrupted Faith. “Now, what ails you, sir? Perhaps we can help.”
“The ring,” he whispered. “I had the perfect ring to ask her to spend her life with me. And I dropped it while I searched for a flower. Now I can’t find it anywhere. It wasn’t much, but it was all I could afford.”
Faith took a red rose in her hand. The white emblem glowed as the stem shifted into a pristine gold ring. Small golden colored leaves decorated the body of it. The red rose turned into a gleaming ruby gem. “Take it.”
Falcon stood dumbfounded. He’d assumed holy wielding was only for healing and defensive spells. He never imagined it was capable of such things.
“Goodness sake,” said the man. “I can’t take this.”
“Please. It would be my honor.”
The man took the shimmering jewel in his hand. “My gratitude to you. I hope the love between you two is blessed with a marriage and many chubby babies.”
“We’re not together,” corrected Falcon, his insides twisting, but the man was already halfway up the hill.
“Yes, my honey-dipped dumpling!” cried the girl, as the man got down on one knee and presented the ring. “Of course I’ll spend every day of my life with you.”
Faith stood beside Falcon. The scent of peaches lingered. “Isn’t love beautiful?”
“Yes,” he answered, his gaze glued to Faith as his body warmed. “Love is really something.”
A loud echo interrupted his thoughts. He turned just in time to see a dark dome with red cracks cover the entire village.
“It’s a chaos dome,” squeaked Faith.
“Yes,” said Falcon. His body tensed. “Shal-Volcseck is here.”
CHAPTER 24
“Lori. Lori. Get up. You hear me? Get up, girl.” The blind princesses’ high-pitched screams were nearing hysteria.
Aya suppressed a tear as she embraced Keira tighter. From the across the bridge there was no response from the large silhouette that was Lori.
“I can’t see,” said Keira.
That’s when it hit Aya. Without her bear, Keira was now truly blind.
“I…is she moving? Tell me, A-A-Aya? Is she moving?”
Aya gulped down the rock stuck in her throat. “No.”
This only caused Keira to go into an even louder fit of cries and sobs.
Aya remained quiet as she held the princess close. It was about an hour later when a tired Keira finally fell asleep in Aya’s arms.
When her eyes finally opened, the sun was barely peeking from over the western mountains.
“We have to go,” said Aya.
Keira’s cloudy eyes met Aya’s. “No. I can’t leave her behind. She should at least get a proper burial.”
“We can’t reach her. We’ll come back for her as soon as were done. We’re almost at the rendezvous point. We must keep moving so we don’t miss it.”
“No. She sacrificed herself for me. I won’t abandon her.”
Aya shook Keira to attention. “She sacrificed herself because she loved you! Do you think this is what she wanted you to do? Sit around feeling sorry for yourself?”
Keira remained quiet as she pursed her lips.
“Don’t mock her sacrifice by throwing your life away.”
“You’re right,” said Keira after a minute of silence. “Lori would want me to keep going. She never gave up.” She stood. “And neither will I. I will make my uncle pay for killing her.”
“Uncle? But it was the natives who killed her,” said Aya.
“Those were no natives. Those cannibals were loyal citizens of Sugiko. That was until my uncle had them captured and experimented on.”
“Experimented?” asked Aya, clutching her neck.
“Yes. My uncle wishes nothing more than to rule forever. He’s been having his scientists test the limits of the human body on many citizens of Sugiko, even children. Many have died, but many others have been turned, their minds twisted beyond repair. Those savages you saw are my uncle’s legacy.
“Then we must make haste and put a stop to him.”
“But I can’t see,” said Keira. “Without my sight I won’t be able to move as quickly.”
“Then I’ll be your eyes.” Aya threw Keira’s arm over her neck, supporting her. “Let’s go.”
~~~
“Lady Hiromy!” called the hair maid. “There you are. We’ve ransacked the entire castle searching for you.”
Hiromy turned toward the elderly lady. By her side stood two other, younger maids. No doubt they were still in training.
“Well,” said Hiromy, not bothering to stand from the large stone she lay on. “I’ve been here all morning.” She looked up at the sky, glad she had convinced her father to build her an indoor garden. Directly behind her, the fresh mist floating from the waterfall caressed her skin. Countless native and foreign green plants from across Va’siel provided shade.
“You mustn’t sneak about like this, princess,” said the elder lady, signaling for her two pupils to follow. “You know your father wants you to look your best for tonight’s ball. And I’m charged with your hair. I will not fail his highness.”
Hiromy caressed her silky hair. “My hair is fine, nana. You’ve brushed it twice a day, every day, for the past seventeen years.”
“And I would be able to brush it four times a day like I’m supposed to if you didn’t insist on spending so much time galloping around with those Rohads.” She began brushing her hair as the young maids stood aside, holding pillows filled with dozens of hair pins, combs, and bows. “What would your mother say if she saw you like this?”
“Oh, nana. You worry too much.”
“Of course I do.” The old lady stopped brushing. “I’ve known you since you were but a baby. You are like the daughter I’ve never had.”
Hiromy smiled. “You know I love you too, nana. But I’m not a child. I should be out there on missions, like Falcon and Sheridan.”
“Oh, don’t speak of that boy here. You know what people say about him.”
“You shouldn’t believe gossip,” said Hiromy. “It’s usually not true.”
The lady sighed. “I’ve never understood your obsession with that boy. Even I can see that smitten look in your eyes.”
Hiromy plucked a flower from the garden and took a whiff. “I’ll have you know that I wasn’t thinking of Falcon just now. Someone else has been on my mind.”
The elder lady grinned widely. “Oh, yes. Finally. It’s that lovely prince from Belwebbb, isn’t it? That’s so much better than a Rohad. I knew you’d come to your senses soon enough, child.”
The princess smiled as she tossed the flower into the pond. Images of Sheridan and the dance flashed in her head, causing her skin to goose bump. She still couldn’t believe how quickly she had fallen for him.
“Intruder!”
“What was that?” asked
one of the hair assistants.
“Intruder. Kill the intr…arrghhh—”
The long, brown doors opened, revealing a creature unlike any Hiromy had ever seen. It had dark-green skin, a vicious face, and it walked on all fours. On her shoulder she carried her wailing father.
“Get the creature,” yelled the royal guard captain as he rushed into the room. Half a dozen sword-wielding guards followed.
The muscular kidnapper brought one hand up and swung it, killing the guards and slamming them to the floor.
Two royal wielders joined the fray. The first one shot a burst of water. The second made a mind-wielding symbol Hiromy didn’t recognize. The heavy burst of water hit the creature, and fell uselessly over the plants.
The kidnapper tossed the emperor aside and rushed her foes. She grabbed them each by the neck. There were two sharp cracks as it snapped their necks like straw. She then turned her attention to the emperor, who cowered in the corner of the room.
“Please,” pleaded the emperor. “Whatever you’re being paid, I’ll triple it.”
“This be not about gold,” hissed the kidnapper. She moved toward her victim.
Hiromy gritted her teeth. I’ll teach you to mess with my dad. She’d lost one parent this way. She wasn’t planning on losing another. She stood and dashed toward the creature. She hopped from rock to rock until she landed in front of the creature.
“No. Not my precious daughter,” cried the emperor. “Take me. But leave her out of this. Get out of here, Hiromy!”
“No! Stay behind me, daddy.”
The creature laughed a loud, long cackle. “Yer should listen to that coward, princess. I be Dukua, leader of the green clansmen, and the most powerful poison wielder yer will ever meet.” She gazed behind her. “The entire royal guard be not enough to stop me. A brat who was raised with golden toys will pose no challenge.”
Hiromy waved her hand and in an instant a clear dome of ice covered her father. Another ice block encased her Nana and the two assistants.
Dukua growled under her breath. “Foolish, princess. Once I deliver yer father to the Blood Empress, she be revealing the location of that holy wielder. Nothing is going to stand in my way.”
Void Wielder 2 Legacy of Chaos Page 17
