Fan Fiction ❯ Forbidden Anamnesis ❯ FA Part 2: Underlying issues ( Chapter 3 )

Cautor threw up his spear and levelled it to what he presumed was neck height as he ran towards the woods by the gates in reaction to the onslaught that had rendered the rest of the Kingdom guard unconscious. This was the first time Cautor would engage in a life or death battle, and damn him if he wasn't going to do the best. He may be among the newest of the guards, but he had surpassed the average training ability and felt ready to do his best, even if it meant forfeiting life for his duty. Fortunately for him, the attackers were that of Aloris and Zyn.

“Just what the hell do you think you're doing?!” Cautor demanded as he lowered his weapon heading off in their direction.
“You didn't see the light?” Aloris questioned.
“Of course I did, I don't think there's a soul awake that didn't.” Cautor replied, still shocked from the assault by the Kings son.
“Xyan was the light. We need to get him back to his house unnoticed and fast. He's in a critical state of health.” Zyn said as she heaved her brother towards the castle guard.
“There's another way into the Castle hidden by bushes a few meters from the gate, give us a hand - No one must know Xyan created that or there could be a civil war.” Aloris spoke as he and Cautor lifted the virtually lifeless body towards the passage.

Aloris' words were true for an old unused sewer canal with bent bars lay hidden behind the brush. They managed the carry Xyan through the core of the City, and the remaining distance from abandoned manholes to the small home of the Fenejian's. Aloris explained he knew that was there since he often had to sneak back into the City after hours unnoticed. He also mentioned that many Oberro agents used it for the same reasons.

Zyn, Aloris, and Cautor sat around the small kitchen table; Cautor listening intensively to Zyn and Aloris' description of the battle as well as Xyan's current state. At the end, the trio remained silent before Cautor requested to see the Orbs. They removed the 2 orbs and the plate and placed them on the table. Cautor's eyes lit up, for this wasn't the first time he had seen the Runic crest, nor the sphere's emitting light.

Cautor explained that during his training he had often seen Avarus and another man of unknown stance in the kingdom go around back of the local garrison and converse. Cautor had one day spied on them by climbing a nearby latter and remaining on the roof listening. He couldn't remember what they had said as clearly as he'd have liked, but he knew Avarus knew what these were nonetheless.
“Damn it to hell. I knew he disapproved of Oberro, but do you really believe he sent us out for more than that reason alone?” Aloris regarded Zyn.
“Perhaps he knows who Xyan and I am. Unless…” Zyn trailed off.
“…Unless he's after you!” Cautor finished the thought pointing at Aloris. “You're the King of Alterea's son, if he took you out of the running the position of heir to the throne is open!”
“Open to my younger brother, that is.” Aloris replied.
“Your brother is nearly 10. You're 26. A 10 year old is a very easy target to slay, while a 26 could prove to be an issue.” Zyn said. The recent missions began to make sense.
“Wait a moment. Lets just pretend we know he actually is trying to remove my brother and I from the current picture. Just how would he get the missions into Oberro and have us 3 take both of these “Orb” jobs? Why hasn't someone else had a mission similar to ours?”

Zyn turned her head towards the door. Cautor responded in her stead.

“He must have connections in Oberro itself. This is getting highly out of proportion. Xyan could be the cause of a civil uprising, Avarus, the Duke of the Kingdom is trying to assassinate the Princes of the King; Oberro could be working for the Duke, and we're trapped inside a townhouse with a comrade that's state is beyond any healing abilities we have.” Cautor complained.
“And we don't even know if this whole scheme is true or not. That, and we have no idea where Ciere is…” Aloris chimed in.
“Someone's coming…” Zyn whispered. “They are…injured…from something…”
Cautor and Aloris didn't question her. Withdrawing into the bedroom that contained Xyan, they planned an ambush.

A tall, lone figure opened the door clutching his right shoulder and sat down on a chair by the table. The second he sat down, three figures came barging out of the room, pinning him against the wall, Cautor's spear level with the person's neck.

“The polite way of greeting someone is by saying Hello, not putting one's life in danger.”

The three let go of him recognizing the voice instantly. Standing at a large 6'6” was Ciere. He had long blonde hair as well as crimson eyes, highly irregular for a human; but so was his height and strength. They told Ciere about the resent mishaps with Xyan and the theory behind Oberro and the Duke.

“That's what I came here for. Oberro cannot be trusted.” Ciere said in his gruff voice. “I was ambushed by local mercenaries and was threatened to tell where you two and Xyan were.”
“How did you escape? Did they injure you in anyway?” Zyn questioned Ciere.
“Didn't have the chance to do any harm. The moment that light from Xyan shone, I took the half dozen of them out. I came immediately back here.”
“If you weren't hurt, why were you clutching your shoulder as you entered?” Aloris asked in a tone betraying the fact he didn't believe Ciere's words.
“I…I banged my shoulder in an alley way on the way back… We should get a move on to Avarus; this whole thing will get more dangerous the longer we wait.” Ciere stood up. “I'll look after Xyan. I have no excuse to see him while Zyn and Aloris do. And you…Cautor was the name, correct? You're a guard and will be allowed to accompany them.”

Zyn took her Kasari-Gama (sickle with a chain attached) and hastily wrapped it around her torso before attaching a Katana to her belt. Aloris strapped his Axe to his back, and checked to make sure his daggers were still hidden in the inside of his boots. It was always best to have a back-up weapon to catch an opponent by surprise, at least in Aloris' impression.

The small group headed along the dirt path to the castle…


~*~


“State your name and business soldier.” Came the disembodied voice upon the other side of the castle doors.

Cautor stated they were upon urgent matters that involved Duke Avarus' personal matters, as well as the light that shone in the night sky just hours ago convincing the Guard to open the gate. Entering the extremely decorated castle they walked along the red carpet and off to Avarus' private quarters.

The three companions were well prepared for hostility, and knew that what they were doing was skimming along the line of life and death. On screw up, and they could die before drawing weapons.

Cautor knocked upon the doors of Avarus' office. A faint voice sounded granting them access. The three entered, Zyn's hand casually resting upon her blades hilt, Cautor holding his spear in a formal position, and Aloris with his arms crossed - Each hand mere inches from the dagger hilts.

Avarus looked through small spectacles at the sight. In the middle was a castle guard dressed in formal armour lined with green. He had the neatly trimmed hair that soldiers were expected to have, his dirty blonde hair not even an inch in length. Chestnut eyes regarded in a blank look that made Avarus feel slightly more powerful for no particular reason.

To the guards right was a woman of more masculine traits. Avarus knew instantly she was a highly skilled warrior. Her dark navy blue hair was tied in a long ponytail. Her garb was odd though; dark, lightly armoured…it reminded him of a ninja. Perhaps the women had trained in their arts? It mattered not for her attention seemed to be darting around the room filled with decorative, yet sharpened weapons hanging upon the wall. The most spectacular of which was a Great axe lying behind the desk, with gems in sockets along the blade.

The muscular man to the soldiers left, easily 6'2” seemed to glare at him through deep red hair. The ice blue eyes were accompanied by a smile that showed a stingy distasteful look of the Prince of Alterea - A smile Avarus had seen much to many times. His inner hatred for the royal family ran deep, and this man, younger by many seasons was his superior.

“And what may I do for the Prince and his `friends'” Avarus asked, hatred barely masked by the proper etiquette of a Duke.
“We've come to collect the reward for dispatching the mutated bear. Oberro sent word you issued the mission.”

Avarus reached into the desk and pulled out a decent sized pouch full of assorted coins. Zyn picked it up and placed it in her belt pouch. No need counting it - She may not even live to spend it.

“We have other matters…” Aloris began as he reached into his pocket and placed the 2 orbs and the plate on the desk. Avarus' reaction was a controlled one, but clearly betraying he knew what it was. “We know you know what these are. Mind sharing with the class?” Aloris mocked. His palm was now upon a dagger hilt, for he knew that Avarus would not take this lightly…

“Never seen it in my life, now if you'll excuse me it's nearly dawn and investigations on that abnormality that lit up the night sky must beg…” Avarus was cut short by the team's actions. Cautor barricaded the with a nearby piece of furniture as Zyn had moved with the demonic speed of a Fenejian behind the Duke, wrapping the chain of her weapon to prevent his movement as Aloris held his boot dagger directly to his throat.

“Good job everyone that went well! Didn't it Mr. Duke?” Aloris teased Avarus. The Duke's hatred was clearly visible. “We know damn well what you've been planning. Trying to assassinate me through the guild missions, then you were planning on killing my brother and assuming the role of heir to the throne. It's been clichéd to death you know…”

Avarus laughed. “You've merely scratched the surface of the problems arising. I'll tell you what you need to know, but I want a few questions answered in return.”
“You're in no position to be making demands…” Cautor said, levelling his spear to the height of Aloris' dagger.
“You kill me, and your answers are lost. Tell me what I need to know and I'll tell you what you need to know and grant you access from the castle. What caused that disturbance in the sky?”
“It was my brother kicking a dual orb equipped drow's ass. Now tell us what these things are.” Zyn demanded.

Avarus looked at the items lying on the table. “They're called Magnus. They enhance the wearer's physical, spiritual, and endurance abilities by a maximum of ten times their normal capacity when the true power is unlocked.” Turning attention back to Ciere, he asked, “How many people have you told of this whole thing?”

Aloris glanced at Cautor. These questions were irregularly odd and made little sense. Yet, they needed the information, and fast. “4 people know of this. All of which are members of Oberro other than him.” Aloris motioned to Cautor.

“Why is it that things that have these orbs on with out that plate thing mutate out of proportion?” Zyn asked.

“Magnus are dangerous to apply to the skin directly, yet they do not function without touching the skin itself. So `Basis crests' were developed - That plate there, to stop the Magnus from mutating the wearer. The Magnus will change the mana levels in the creature's body if equipped without a basis crest, and cause it's body to change form…Atleast that was what I was told.”

“How did you get them?” Aloris asked.

“My turn…” Avarus remarked. Aloris slashed his shoulder and returned it to his throat. “No, answer first.”

Avarus flinched and glared back at Aloris. “I got 6 from a supporter. You have 2 of mine and one was placed in a human from Oberro as an experiment…what is the name of the one that created the abominable light in the battlefield?”

Before Aloris or Zyn could stop him, Cautor said “Xyan”. Avarus got up and snapped the chains of the Kasari-Gama, stunning Zyn as he pushed Aloris and Cautor onto the office floor.

“2 of the sphere's you have, 2 were stolen, 1 is in some human…I have the last.” Avarus said as he pulled off his gloves revealing the small basis crest with a red Magnus in the centre. “You won't survive.” Avarus lifted the office desk, and flung it, pinning Cautor underneath it. Picking up the Guard's spear, he took a stab at Aloris. Rolling onto his back, the spear ricocheted off the Axe on Aloris' back as Zyn swung her katana at Avarus' head.

The Duke ducked then sent a kick flying backwards sending the Fenejian flying across the room. By then Aloris was on his feet, Axe being skilfully wielded. He had chosen this weapon as his own with the knowledge that it's sheer power was able to mangle opponents in the hands of skilled warriors, and Aloris was no amateur.

The spear was thrust at Aloris, who neatly sidestepped it. The weapon plunged into, and straight through a nearby bookshelf, trapping it. Aloris took a swing at the enemy, who leapt an inhuman distance into the air crashing down upon the ground, picking up Zyn's katana as he charged at Aloris. Luckily, Cautor's hand grasped Avarus' ankle as he ran past, tripping the Duke, and dislocating the soldier's shoulder. Cautor screamed from the pain and Zyn, now recovered tossed the basis crest and a Magnus that they had collected to Aloris.

Avarus turned to see Aloris put the Magnus in the Crest now placed on the back of his hand. Energy flew from the device, through his left arm and into the rest of his body. Zyn watched her friend, sensing a new power about him. A slight glow of red now seemed to spread around his body, yet she knew only she could see it. Aloris and Avarus were now in a hand-to-hand lock, trying to match each other's power. Zyn kicked the Great axe off the wall and with great effort, dragged it over to the lock.

Letting the weapon slam it's massive weight onto the floor, Zyn removed her Vambraces and slashed out at Avarus with her Foreblades, forcing him to jump back. Aloris then picked up the Great axe with ease that made it feel like he was lifting a mere pole, and threw the massive terror at Avarus. The axe moved with great speed, only to be caught in-between the hands of the Duke, handle pointed outwards. Aloris ran at him, grabbing the handle and slamming the axe into the torso of his enemy with the full force of the Magnus. Pulling it free, the man fell.

“Na…dar…It's Xy…an…”

The body then went completely limp, leaving no traces of life. Zyn watched as a faint blue whiff of air escaped the Duke's mouth before dissipating. Zyn didn't understand what was the problem, but she knew now wasn't the time.

“What do we do now? Xyan still runs the risk of causing a Civil war, and we have no Duke. The people of Alterea will be horrified!” Zyn panicked. She didn't expect to actually have to kill Avarus, but only to figure out what was happening.

Aloris had a calm expression. His normal sarcastically cheerful mood seemed to be more serious - Something Zyn had never seen before. “I'm more concerned about this `Nadar' guy. That means there's more of them that put my family at risk.” Aloris said as he removed the basis crest and Magnus off of the unturned table. “We'd be wise to travel to Sibyk. They have skilled priests that work in Magic. We need to heal Cautor and Xyan soon. Then we'll work on contemplating our next move.”

“Heh…Look at Aloris…Acting smart…” Cautor said, trying to bring a smile to everyone's face.

“No time to play dumb. We have to leave Alterea, and soon. I'll prepare an escape, you take Cautor back to Ciere and Xyan and wait. It won't be long. Hurry!”

The three parted, Aloris running at demonic speeds with a massive blood stained axe slung over his shoulder, while Zyn supporting a wounded Cautor as they tried to make it out of the castle without attracting attention…