The Legendary Warrior (Book 5) (13 page)

“Let him go,” Talia said, inching closer and closer toward the intimidating King. The people of Prattle had backed off even further from the conflict, knowing that it was the best option if they didn’t want to get hurt.

“I will if I get the stone,” he said, still facing Catherine. “It’s your choice.”

“This armor is too thick,” Zhou groaned to Talia. “I can’t break out of it.”

“Well if you didn’t fight in that tournament last night, you might be able to!” she yelled at him. Oliver moved in close behind her.

“
M’lady, I hope that this altercation doesn’t ruin our union. I just wanted to say that before I departed.”

“Take your leave, Oliver,” Talia sighed, and the
Prattlian ran off into the distance. Marie chuckled to herself as she began wrapping her hair into a bun the size of her head in the back.

“The armor has a weakness,” she said as
Tyuin turned to her in rage.

“MARIE!” he shouted from behind the armor, but Marie kept talking.

“It is an impressive transformation, composed of much labor and the support of the Prattlian people. We didn’t want to lose a King again in any circumstance, so we determined that he should be equipped with some protection. It’s a combination of Sage transformation and Prattlian defensive. I heard you did something similar, Catherine, in the battle of Prattle years ago. Though at the time, you were fused with the stone, so the transformation into your armor was a lot easier.”

“That’s true,”
Catherine said, her eyes still on the captured Zhou.

“The armor is impenetrable to a barrage of attacks, which is likely to occur if we are under
siege, but a concentrated approach greatly decreases its durability. Talia and Zhou might not be able to do anything, but Catherine, you have the stone at your disposal. You can stop the King quite easily.”

“No,” Catherine said firmly, her hands still at the side of her head. “I won’t. I won’t use the stone like that again.”

“Ask for its permission perhaps,” Marie said, but there was more to the situation than Catherine was willing to admit. The fact was, if she fired something off at Tyuin, her life expectancy would decrease even further, and for all she knew, it could be her last. She wasn’t sure if she could go through with it. There had to be another way.

“Your bodyguard will die now,”
Tyuin said, but Talia laughed, surprising them all.

“Yeah, right. You would have done it by now.” Talia approached
Tyuin until she was right in front of him. Zhou dangled off his feet from the side. “It makes sense that the Prattlians would go for defense over attack. They aren’t cut out for battle. And you’re not a murderer. No matter how much you pretend to be.”

“And you are?”

“I am when I need to be,” she said, raising her eidolon and then cocking it behind her. It began to hum in pulses and glow intensely. Talia grit her teeth and stooped down low as the eidolon continued to pulse at a faster rate. “Now you will let him go,” Talia said firmly, or I will cut off your head.”

Tyuin’s
fingers parted, and the Sage bodyguard fell to the floor coughing.

“Get out,”
Tyuin said, with a deep sorrow coming from his voice. Catherine finally released her hands and let them fall. She stood to her feet and walked forward, but she kept her distance from the solemn King, in case he changed his mind and attacked.

“I’m sorry,
Tyuin,” she lamented. “I promise I’ll make this right.”

“That you will,” he said. He refused to turn his head toward them as they left. Perhaps it was because the armor didn’t allow it.
But in reality, he couldn’t bear to see the victory in their faces.

This is why you can’t just kill anyone,
Bastion thought to himself as he folded his hands and bowed his head. He tried to shut out the inhuman hiccups and bouts of weeping that pounded on his ears from all around him. He found himself looking down at his feet and he couldn’t help but notice the bottom of his Sage robe, as black as space, staring right back at him. Though everyone else had to change into their black colored clothes for the funeral in the outskirts of Allay, he already had the proper attire at the ready. It was already a part of his soul. The color that represented mourning, loss and death. These were as part of him as the very clothes on his back, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about that.

But as much as his epiphany made him feel uneasy, it was the cries coming from Daisy that really made his stomach nauseous. It was uncontrollable and never-ending. There were no cries of why or shouts to the heavens. Just a wailing that could not be consoled or stopped. He dared not tell her that their time was short. That soon someone would find Mason and his bodyguards
in boxes underneath the earth. They would break free of the metal chains he retrieved from the castle and then they would begin digging upwards. He had made sure to wound them even more after they were unconscious, and a little more before he put them under the dirt, so that they would have trouble with their arms and legs once they awoke. He figured that he had no more than a day to make his leave from the Kingdom.

The cold and logical thought that came to
his mind when he had performed the deed…the breaking of bone and tearing of muscle as they lay asleep. Their momentary awakening and screams, and then the passing out as they felt the rush of torment washing over them—in his mind, it was the worst thing he had ever done. Even worse than Hakin. For at least Hakin was surely in Paradise. But Mason and his bodyguards…they may never walk or have the proper use of their limbs again. It all depended on how knowledgeable they were about the Quietus healing process.

Kent bumped into his shoulder and he lifted his head to see the bruised
Langoran. Kent was also in a long black robe, looking very much like Bastion in form. He could have worn a more stately attire, but he chose to stand with his friend. Through thick and thin. Bastion looked at him with bags under his eyes and tried to smile. Kent pointed forward and Bastion followed his finger to see that the people were beginning to leave, most of them hand in hand.

The ceremony was over.

Daisy’s parents were buried.

In the same earth in which Mason and his men now screamed and cried from.
Bastion shuddered and turned to Kent.

“I missed the whole thing?” he asked and Kent nodded, watching as Daisy was being led away by a number of villagers, all consoling her and offering their condolences. No one could have kn
own that the house in which her parents had slept wasn’t structurally sound. It could have happened to anyone, and it would become the village’s duty to ensure that it never happened again. Orchid had declared that all the buildings were to be inspected. People had asked about Lakrymos under their breath, but she gave no news of his whereabouts. Just that he sent his well wishes to Daisy for her loss. Everyone was grieving too much to question any further.

“I didn’t hear a word,” Bastion said, watching Daisy also. “Was it good?”

“No,” Kent said flatly. “It was horrible. Whoever that guy was from the Allayan Order, he shouldn’t be allowed to speak again. All he talked about was how good it was for her parents to be in Paradise now. Daisy should actually be happy they’re dead because they’re at peace, while she still has struggles ahead of her in this world. It was ridiculous.”

“How was Daisy? I mean…all things considering.”

“I don’t know honestly. I’m sure she’ll go with us, but she might not be any use for a while. Not to be mean, but I wouldn’t expect much from her in battle for at least a few days.”

“She shouldn’t have to fight at all,” Bastion said angrily. “It’s not her battle to fight. It’s mine.”

“Stop that. We’re in this together. It’s not your fault her parents died. It’s Mason’s. He’s the one that has to pay for this.”

“He will in time. I just want to get away. Have you said your good-byes?”

“No one to really say good-bye to. You know how you Allayans are when it comes to outsiders,” he laughed. “But I think I might gorge on the food in the dining hall before we officially go. I don’t know when I’ll have a full meal again.”

“When should we leave?”

“Tonight is as good a time as any. Everyone will be asleep, and Daisy will have more time to grieve.”

“Good. Meet me at the forest’s edge near the Sage Academy as soon as the moon is out. Tell Daisy about it whenever you think’s it proper.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have to talk to James and Orchid.”

“Are you going to tell James about Lakyrmos?”

“I think so,” Bastion said with a scowl. “Why? Is that not a good idea?”

“I don’t know,” Kent sighed. “No clue. What do you have to talk to Orchid about? Lakrymos is dead. Your ties are severed.”

“I
n case there’s anything special I need to know. She’ll be by herself once we leave.”

“Yeah, right.
She has the whole academy.”

“Maybe,” Bastion said, punching his friend in the arm. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Um, okay,” Kent said as Bastion headed off. As he headed toward the Academy, he passed by several Order members, but none of them paid him any attention. By now they had to be wondering where Mason was, though they might chalk it up to him having some fun, or perhaps they didn’t keep tabs on him at all when he was staying in the dorms. That was possible.

It wasn’t until he reached the courtyard that he was rushed. And it was by ten students, not Order members.

“Hey, where’s Mason?” a Langoran asked with a half head of red hair.

“Why would I know?” Bastion asked, but one of the
Allayans on his left went to push him. Bastion backed up and the boy lost his balance, stumbling forward and nearly landing in the gravel. “Hey, why are you attacking me?”

“Don’t you remember?” the boy who
just tripped yelled at him. “We came after you last night!”

“Oh,” Bastion said, shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t remember you at all.”

“Where’s Mason?! I know he had plans for you. Now he’s disappeared!”

“Maybe he decided to sulk in the woods after the beating I gave him.” Bastion winced as soon as the words came out his mouth. He sounded…egotistic. As if he was actually proud he
had hurt someone. Granted, he was grateful for the respect they were showing him. Besides the boy who had tried to push them, they were all keeping a healthy distance away from his reach. Their eyes were frantic and their hands were sweaty. It was obvious they were afraid of him, and the thought gave him a feeling he hadn’t been used to. It felt like he had gained a foot in height. He felt taller. More confident.

He wanted to throw up.

“I have no clue where he is,” Bastion lied. He felt queasy over how easy it was for him to do it. He knew he had no choice, but it didn’t make the act any easier.

“Shut up!” the boy screamed in his face. “What did you do to him?!”

“I just beat him up and threatened him,” Bastion said, breathing heavily. He knew he had to end the conversation before they drew too much attention. “And it’s going to be the same thing that will happen to you if you don’t get out of my face.” The boy blinked in surprise and quickly backed away. He nodded toward the group and they all left, leaving Bastion alone.

*              *              *

“Hello,” James said, giving his class a wave. It wasn’t the fact that he had actually showed up to teach that they all had dropped jaws and puzzled faces, it was because Master James was
smiling.
No one said a word as he walked across the stone floor, heading toward them in Training Room C. “I’m sorry that I haven’t been around lately. Or more like weeks.” James laughed heartily as they glanced at one another in fear. Did James lose his mind and he had come to kill them all?

“Who’s been in charge while I’ve been gone?” James asked politely, looking at them one by one. The students remained silent for a moment, and then a shy chubby boy cleared his throat.

“No one,” he said. “We’ve been coming here by ourselves and sparring. We don’t know what to do that much, but we got a little stronger.”

“That’s great to hear,” James beamed, folding his arms. “Can you all show me what you can do? Take out your eidolons and start sparring with one another. I want to watch.”

“Just us?” the boy asked, afraid that James would jump in at any moment and start attacking them.

“I promise I won’t interfere,” he said, and they began making formations. They faced each other in pairs, and each group maintained the exhibition match within their own unlabeled circle on the floor. As flashes of light and streaks of color rippled all around him, James nodded and observed, watching as each one eventually forgot that he was there. Falling into comfort and familiarity, they began clashing their eidolons against one another faster and stronger, testing each other’s limits and not stopping until at least one pair fell to the floor in exhaustion, laughing and talking excitedly over what
techniques they observed, who had gotten stronger since last time, and what they were going to do the next day if James didn’t show up.

For a moment, James thought of his old friend,
Achan, and how they used to go against Arimus’ orders and spar with one another right outside the Sage Academy courtyard. Achan always won.
Always.
He was a natural like that. Kind of like how Chloe and Kyran were so good at what they did.

James
wondered what they all would say if he saw him now.

They would probably be pissed off, wondering why he wasn’t by Catherine side and protecting her. Well
…that oversight would be rectified shortly.

“That was an excellent display,” James said, clapping for them all. He was pleased to see smiles flash across their faces. James took a breath and then he waved for all of them to gather together. Quickly they formed a group before him, and he made a patting motion with his hand outstretched, letting them know he wanted them to sit and relax. They did.

“I need all of you to listen carefully,” James said as he began pacing around them. “Because this will be the last class that we ever have together.” A number of gasps echoed throughout the room, and James allowed them to murmur among each other for a moment. Just as he began to speak again, he happened to look over to the entryway, and he saw Orchid standing there, her arms and legs crossed as she leaned up against the entrance. She glared at him with wide eyes, but she made no motion to approach them. He wasn’t sure why she was there, but whatever fate lay before him, he was ready to face it head on.

“I haven’t been myself lately,” he said, with his eyes occasionally glancing back at Orchid. “And that’s because I’ve been serving someone that has beliefs that don’t align with what I know to be right. I’ve been waiting for change, hoping that either my master would see the light, or that I would eventually find it easier to carry out my duties. But with each act I carry out in his name, I lost a piece of my heart, and a weight was placed on my soul. It got to the point that I didn’t even care anymore. I figured that I couldn’t leave this place, because I was bound. I would either be killed for my mutiny or perhaps those close to me would suffer. I really didn’t want to see anyone I loved suffer…”

James paused and glared at Orchid. This time, he didn’t remove his gaze from hers.

“But I realized a couple
of things. First, I began to understand that those that I love, and love me back—they’re already prepared to fight side by side with me in battle. I have to do the right thing above all else, and therefore, I can’t worry about whether they’ll suffer or not as a consequence. I forgot that they’re ready to wade through the aftermath with me. I’m so worried about what will happen to them, but it’s not getting me anywhere. I won’t grow if I don’t fight, and they’ll leave me behind as they continue to get stronger. In a sense, I’ll be holding them back.

“I’m a Sage, and that is what they need through and through. Someone who will fight for them when they are weak, and ask for their strength in turn.
But Sages are not just soldiers. They aren’t just warriors. No, they are world-builders. Somewhere along the line, what it means to be a Sage has been lost. The Allayan Order tries to tell us what a Sage is, but they don’t know. They can’t know. Most of them can’t even examine their own soul. What you need to know is that you all have a purpose in this world, and it is your duty to complete it. You
must
complete it. For the good of us all. And you must do this while keeping your heart and soul intact.”

James turned back to his students.

“You must overcome betrayals, loss, failures and heartbreak. You have to love everyone while trusting few. You have to grow up while remembering to keep your outlook on the world like a child. You have to change the world, and not allow it to
break
you first. I almost let that happen, you know. I was alive but I might as well have been dead. But now things have changed, and I want you to remember my words. That dream and purpose that lies within your heart and keeps you awake at night…go after it. Let it consume you and guide you. Don’t restrain it. Don’t let anyone hold you back from it. For it will grant you peace in life, and life in death.”