Suddenly, Seline leapt forward, pausing in front of Varyon to inspect the scarred symbol. “Where did you get this?” she asked, her tone less threatening than before.
“I... I don’t know,” Varyon replied, trying to hide the pain in his voice.
“That’s the symbol of the steel guard,” Seline continued. “A unit of the guild designed to protect non-combatants and other vulnerable members of the brotherhood. How… Were... were you part of that unit?” As she spoke, she paced back to her original position, hand placed on her chin.
Varyon grimaced. “I’m not certain. My past life was taken from me... I was slain, then brought back by this!” Varyon pooled divine energy into his hand, creating a shadowy replica of the wraith that dwelled in his soul. “The Spiders reforged me into a killer. They took everything from me. They made me into what I am.”
“But something’s changed...” Remley said, his tone growing sympathetic.
Again, Varyon nodded. “My encounter with you, it changed something in me... it unlocked a pathway to my memories. I know that I’ve done terrible things for the spiders, but that was before I found out what they took from me, that my life was once more than senseless killing. All I seek is more knowledge of the guild I once belonged to, the people I once willfully served, and the part I once played in the realm.”
The room remained quiet for several seconds as Varyon’s words were measured, as he was judged by all those listening. Finally, Seline stepped forward, a contemplative look transfixed to her face. “Legend has it that a lone guard of the brotherhood took a final stand against the darkness, defending the last remaining members of the guild’s northern compound until his final breath and even wounding one of their officers. After the massacre I scavenged the bodies, searching for that lone guard who gave everything for my family’s honor... and found nothing. It would almost be too convenient that you were that man, delivered to me on my doorstep...”
The floor didn’t so much as creak as Seline dashed back across the room, appearing in front of Varyon faster than the eye could see. As she moved, the adept produced a silver dagger in her hand, bringing it to a stop against the soft flesh of his throat. “You’ve just proven yourself to be a defector. How can I trust you, assassin?”
Unshaken, Varyon leaned forward, pressing his neck into the blade and causing a thin trail of blood to spill onto his tunic. “I don’t fear death, for it has no hold on me. What I fear is living without truth.”
Slowly, Varyon stepped aside, passing by the battle-ready Seline before taking a knee in front of Remley. “And if it’s trust you want, then I give you this.” Without hesitating, the temporal adept produced a small, opal blade from his belt and made a thin cut across his hand. Lifeblood began to spill onto his wrist as he dropped the blade and began infusing spirit aura into the thick, crimson liquid.
“With this blood pact, I pledge my service to you. I will willfully act as your blade until my personal truths are revealed, or until the wraith claims my soul.” Varyon’s statement resounded throughout the living area, drawing wide-eyed looks from the others. Remley, however, seemed physically pained by each syllable spoken.
“Please, don’t do this,” he pleaded, dripping to a knee to face the man. “You don’t need to put your life in my hands.”
“I’m sorry,” Varyon replied. “But the gods have made it clear to me that you’re the key, and by my own conscious I must do anything in my power to keep you from slipping into the ether.”
Remley paused, looking to his sister for guidance before returning his gaze to Varyon. It was clear that the decision was weighing on him as if some profound unseen power was pressing down on his soul. Finally, the flame adept reached for the blade, squeezing it until his own blood began to pour from his grasp. Meeting Varyon’s gaze, he uttered the words “very well.”
A wave of spiritual pressure exploded from their palms as the blood pact was sealed, transforming their words into an unbreakable agreement. For Varyon, the arrangement was an opportunity... a chance to uncover his truths and to repent for the deeds he’d done as a spider. For Remley, it was more of a burden, another soul connected to his own that he had to consider. Another burden of responsibility.
The last person that had shared such a close connection to him was his own brother, and he’d failed him miserably. With Roy, he’d taken a much lighter approach to his tutelage, and it had proven successful for both of them. But now...
An uncomfortable silence fell over the room as Varyon rose to his feet, his gaze hovering between his new comrades. None of them looked ready to speak, though he did spot Leila’s gaze lingering on him a bit more than the others. And was that a grin forming on the corners of her lips?
Before the man could return her look, one of the doors flung open, revealing the face of an angry, old fisherman that had just been woken from his sleep. Yoshiro popped his head out of the door, eyes wild and hair disheveled as he took stock of each and every person in the room. Then, after silently cursing them, he slammed the door and promptly went back to bed.
****
Roy made his way back to his quarters as waves of exhaustion pummeled his spirit. So much had happened in the past day... so much for him to digest, to try and understand. Unfortunately, all that would have to wait until he managed to get a few hours rest and at least a few moments to recharge his spirit.
“You coming, Kimoura?” Roy hollered as he reached for the window, pulling the violet curtains shut.
“Let me get my things,” she replied from somewhere in another room.
Slowly, the void adept lowered himself onto the bed, allowing his defenses to fall as he prepared to rest. That is, until he felt a cold piece of metal press against the back of his head.
Without thinking, Roy whipped around, knocking away what appeared to be a gun and leaving him face to face with a ghost of his past... a rival, a friend.
His eyes went wide as his brain tried to register what he was seeing, resulting in a single word leaving his lips.
“Kai?”
Chapter 18
The Adept of Law
Bahamut’s Lair, Somewhere above the realm of Eon
Zekefreid the Sky Shadow teetered precariously atop a large, golden spire, a bowl of rice cradled in his lap and a contemplative look on his face. Below him was Bahamut’s observatory, an interplanar window that the dragon god had made to observe the realm from afar. And to his right was none other than the dragon god himself.
Zeke has spent much of the last few days in the trenches, so to speak. He’d traversed the realm, influencing the god’s followers, performing very minor acts of divine favor, and even eradicating a few darkbeasts when he found the time. Unfortunately, his fun had ended and Bahamut had recalled him back to his lair to observe events unfolding in the city of Shadowreach...
Events that could shape the very future of the realm.
Gazing through the portal, Zeke watched as a number of the Dragon God’s followers converged on a tower of steel, each with different intentions, each on a different path. Some of them Zekefreid had influenced directly, while others had found their way there through fate. Regardless, each would have their part to play in the-
“Good,” Bahamut bellowed, his otherworldly voice drawing Zekefreid from his thoughts and nearly propelling him from his seat.
With his spirit still shuddering, he turned to face the deity, straining not to shoot him a glare. “What, may I ask, is good oh benevolent dragon god, destined ruler of Eon and bringer of flame?”
“Look for yourself, my herald... The others have rallied around the outsider. The martyr has joined their cause, and soon the judge will as well.”
Zekefreid’s eyes shifted from Varyon to Kai, who remained perched inside one of the tower’s many windows. “So, they have. But that begs the question... will it be enough?”
Bahamut drew in a calming breath that was nearly powerful enough to create an endless void. Then he raised a hand into the air, manipulating a se
t of translucent controls connected to his interplanar window, enhancing his view on the Sky Wolves.
“The threads of fate lead directly to this group,” the Dragon God said, tracing a finger over each of their bodies. “But those threads are weak. A slight shift, a sharp blade and any one of them could find their lives cut short... lost to the dark.” Bahamut manipulated the controls once more, distorting the portal until it revealed a new image. Three adepts stood in the center of a barren field, surrounded by a veil of darkness and death… reavers of the dark guilds. Death incarnate.
Bahamut narrowed his eyes. “And so approaches the darkness blade.”
Zekefreid leaned a bit closer to the dragon god, his brow furrowed. “Oh, you must know what will come of this encounter. Go one, use your godly powers... tell me what’s to come.”
Bahamut shifted, causing the very foundation of his observatory to shake. “Patience, my herald. An attempt to meddle will only break the pact. The mortals must find their own way to overcome this challenge.”
“And if the dark gods intervene?” Zekefreid asked.
“Then we descend from the heavens and annihilate them. But for now, we watch and wait.”
****
The rays of the worldstar began to pour into Roy’s room, reflecting off the dark circles that hung beneath his eyes. He was exhausted, yet there was no way in Eon that he could sleep.
Not when Kai Blaine, his former rival on the force was seated mere feet in front of him.
As Roy studied the man, a notification appeared in his vision followed by a translucent screen of information.
//////////
Name: Kai Blaine
Beast Adept
Rank: 4th
Specialization: Gunslinger
Divine Power: None
//////////
A second screen of information appeared a breath later, displaying the skill that Kai had toggled on.
//////////
Beast skill: Prowl
The beast adept can move undetected from adepts of even higher rank.
//////////
“How?” Roy asked, unable to hide the shock in his voice. “How did you get here?”
“Same way you did, I’m guessin,” Kai replied. “Turns out that perp in the warehouse landed a kill shot on me. Except I didn’t die. I ended up in this godforsaken realm.”
Roy couldn’t believe it... his voice, his physique. It was truly him. Kai, his comrade, had been reborn on Eon.
“Did you spawn here in Shadowreach?” Roy continued, curious to hear the man’s tale.
“Just outside the city,” Kai replied. “I had to fight off a horde of nightmare beasts, then I was greeted by the emissary of some god. He helped fix my scan and after that, I made my way in. I started in the slums, fighting off the bastards that thought I was weak and cleaning up the scum of the streets. Since then I’ve upgraded to more... heinous targets. I’ll tell ya, Roy, this place is dark. There’s no law enforcement, nowhere for people to turn. Only nobles looking to push their own agenda and villains looking to drag others in the depths of their depravity.”
“And that’s where you come in?” Roy asked.
Kai shrugged. “I do what I have to. This city isn’t all outlaws and renegades, Roy. There are people here that can’t fight for themselves, people that need protecting. So that’s what I do... I protect them.”
Roy grinned. “So you’re Batman?”
Kai rolled his eyes. “They’ve started to call me the adept of law. They see me as a force of justice in this hell hole.”
“Alright,” Roy replied. “But be honest... did they start that name or did you?”
Now it was Kai’s turn to grin. “Bastard.” The man had always possessed a larger than life sense of justice. It would only make sense that he’d give himself a title like that on Eon.
“So, how did you end up here old friend?”
Roy leaned forward in his chair, recounting the tale of his arrival on Eon and his time he’d spent the Sky Wolves. He also made certain to embellish on the details of his fight with Zion Sho. He couldn’t be upped by his rival, after all.
Kai nodded, listening intently until Roy’s story was finished. “Looks like you’ve had a bit of a journey yourself,” he said. I almost envy you... all I’ve seen of the realm is this godforsaken city. I want to believe there are better things out there.”
“There is,” Roy replied. “But I’d guess there are a lot of worse things as well. Ya know, I can talk to the others. I’m sure they’d be glad to have you on the squad.”
Kai sat back in his chair, contemplating Roy’s offer. “Thanks, but...”
“But what?” Roy interjected. “From the sounds of it, I’m the only person you know in this damn place!”
“Just look at us!” Kai responded. “We’re sitting in the tower of the damn bronze horns! The enemy! Do you even know what these people do? Smuggling, bounty hunting... Dammit Roy, they’re no better than the nobles they work for!”
The void adept sighed, finally realizing why the man carried such unease. “Kai Blaine, ever the idealist. Did you ever stop to think that maybe the rules are different here? That you might have to adapt your way of living to survive?”
Kai scowled. “Or maybe you’ve just forgotten who you are. Don’t think I didn’t see you in the arena throwing yourself at some blue-haired girl. It’s quite evident that you’ve adapted.”
Roy winced at the verbal jab, though he didn’t relent. “As hard as it is to hear, our old life is gone, Kai. So, don’t patronize me for trying to make something of this one.”
“You’re right about one thing,” Kai replied as he rose to his feet. “Our old life is over.”
Slowly, the man-made his way over to the window, drawing a protest from Roy.”
“Kai, wait. I don’t-“
“Let me know if you change your mind about this place,” Kai interjected as he placed something on the windowsill. “I could really use a partner out there.” Then with a flash of spirit energy, the man leapt from the window, disappearing into the shadowy streets.
Roy strode over to the window, inspecting the item that Kai had left behind... a gold badge with the words “Phoenix City Police Department inscribed on its front.
“Dammit,” Roy growled as he scooped the item up and threw it across the room. Kai had always been a stubborn bastard back on Earth, but how could he be this foolish? Surely, he could see that fate had brought them together back on Eon.
With a sigh, Roy made it has way over to his bed, pausing as his door slowly slid open.
“Kimoura?”
Standing in the doorway was the light adept, looking beautiful as ever despite the wounds she’d suffered in the pit.
“I’m sorry,” she said as she reached for his hands, her touch warm due to the healing energy coursing through her palms. “I came to the door when I heard voices. I was fearful of an ambush. Then I heard... Was he a friend?”
“Yeah,” Roy replied. “Sort of. I had no idea he was here... And I never would’ve imagined things would’ve gone down that way.”
“Don’t fault him,” she said as she draped an arm around his shoulder. “This realm does crazy things to people… especially outrealmers.”
“Does that make me crazy?” Roy jested, drawing a giggle out of Kimoura.
“No,” she replied. “You are a gift.” Carefully, the woman leaned forward and planted a kiss on his forehead before falling back onto the bed, eyelids heavy and muscles weary. “Now can we rest?”
“Yeah,” Roy replied, allowing himself to fall backward. “I’d say that’s a damn good idea.”
Chapter 19
Dark Talents
Outside the city of Shadowreach, the realm of Eon
As the worldstar reached its peak in Eon’s pale sky, a trio of adepts descended on the city of Shadowreach. Led by the devil adept Ayzeth, the Kaito brothers had made their way to the city of rogues and outlaws, leaving quite the path of destruction in
their wake.
The town of Irefold had been eradicated completely, its citizens slain in cold blood and their souls absorbed as essence. Then there had been the merchant caravan making its way through the northern pass. The screams heard that night would have been enough to haunt a normal man for the rest of his life.
But now, now the fateful three had arrived at their destination. In front of them stood the city of rogue adepts, a haven for those looking to escape the hierarchy of the guilds...
And the perfect hunting ground for an unsuspecting target.
“How would you like to handle this, brother?” Kazuka asked as he observed the city’s massive darksteel towers and large iron structures that surrounded them on all sides. By suppressing their auras, the trio had managed to slip into the city relatively easy, posing as a band of mercenaries simply down on their luck. Now they simply needed to find their target... find him and wipe him off the face of the realm.
“Maybe I should just start swinging my axe around,” Dakkon said with a sigh. “Given enough time, I’m sure one the heads I lob off will belong to the Bonaduce boy.”
“No,” Ayzeth said. “Kazuka, perhaps it’s time you put some of your talents to use. I’m sure someone in this wretched place has seen something by now.”
Kazuka nodded then lifted a palm into the air. Slowly, the man began to remove the wrappings, revealing a frantic violet eye embedded in his hand.
Thin waves of invisible spirit energy began to emit from his palm, traveling through the bustling streets, the dark alleys, the hidden passageways. It prodded at the minds of each adept it passed, searching their distant thoughts, delving into the parts of their mind where dreams were made…
It was one of the many talents of Kazuka Kaito, adept of the endless nightmare.
With his unique dream aura, he had the ability to access the vulnerable part of an adept’s brain... the place where they stored their thoughts, their hopes and dreams. Typically, the Kaito brother would use that ability to weaken his opponent, to alter their thoughts and consume their mind with visions of agony. However, in situations like this, his unique aura proved to be an excellent information gathering tool as well.
The Adept Archives: Volumes 1-3 Page 35