by Arantes
The King saw that she looked apprehensive when he was talking; so he stopped and said, “Do not worry. He’s doing much better now, his progress is moving fast.”
She smiled, this was good news, and in her heart she wanted him to master this power. Even if it was used for evil in his past, she saw it as a new tool in the fight against evil.
***
Albedo continued his training with Jarvis, King Victor, Alvin, and Calvin. Each passing day he was learning to control his emotion, not to blame himself for what happened. He had not seen Sonia since then, and understood why she did not want to see him. He had come to the conclusion that she couldn’t bear seeing him like this. He was ready for his next day of training; gaining control of his transformation. Alvin created his barrier as he normally does, with King Victor inside with Albedo. Helping his physical ability grow, Calvin helping his mental ability and Jarvis was controlling the training on what to do, what to show him. This training was not like they would expect, but little did they know, training him for so many days increased his power dramatically.
If he can master this power, he might be as powerful as his father and the king, even stronger! “Remember to focus your mind young lad; don’t give in to your emotions. Take control instead, breath and relax, and you’ll get there.”
“Calvin, Alan, are you two ready?” Asked the king.
They nodded their heads.
The training started again, Calvin continued to show Albedo memories to help him control his emotions, and eventually enabling him to control the killer-lust, and his transformation. Albedo’s eyes started to glow, his fangs and hair grew longer. Seeing memories of Sonia somehow kept his transformation under control.
“That’s it young lad, learn to see this power as your second nature,” said Jarvis.
As the king got closer to Albedo, he felt a powerful wind starting to blow. The wind surrounded Albedo’s body in a form of a circle-barrier. This is the same wind, like the one Albedo was producing when he saw Ethan’s mother die.
A small crack appeared on Calvin’s barrier, Alan noticed it.
“It’s nothing to worry about, continue with the training,” said Jarvis.
Another small crack appeared, and then another. They made squeaky sounds as they started to connect to each other. Alvin was beginning to sweat. Albedo was still in his transformation mode, if the barrier broke down, then there would be nothing to stop him if his killer-lust takes over. He had not fully controlled the transformation, and his training needed more time. Victor noticed the stiff change in Albedo’s power. How it had dramatically increased, he was not as worried as Alvin was. Although the power of the Elder could not sense someone like Albedo’s power, he knew his power had increased.
Being inside of Albedo’s mind was not easy for Calvin. His mind was so perplexed, like something he had never seen before. The memories, so much of them flashed before his eyes. Now that Albedo was deep in his transformation, a new set of memory-glasses appeared before him, these were black. The red ones played pictures but the black ones were empty. Hmm… why weren’t the black ones playing? He wondered if those ones were locked. A black memory glass appeared before him, he needed to open it. The red ones play, so why can’t the black ones play? As he was about to access a black memory-glass, a boy appeared before him.
“No, stop!” The boy was gone as fast as he came.
Calvin could hear a loud noise in his head. Albedo’s mind was now too powerful for Calvin’s mind; he let out a loud scream. Albedo’s mind was too strong for him; he could no longer control it. He started to shake in terror, somehow Albedo or that boy he saw had brought fear to his mind.
Alan heard his brother screaming and for a second he lost concentration of the barrier.
“Brother, are you all right!?” A bigger crack appeared on the barrier, the wind was becoming stronger. He looked at Jarvis and said, “Master Jarvis, his power has increase too fast, my barrier won’t be able to control him for long!” The man had never met someone who could actually break his barrier. The King had once done it, and so did Dragan, but that’s it.
Jarvis no longer had a choice; he had to stop the training. The barrier was cracking and Albedo was out of control.
“Calvin, can you go back inside his mind and stop the transformation?”
Calvin was still shaking, “I don’t know if I can, his mind has become too strong and unstable for me.” A boy came unexpectedly and startled me, but that’s not why I’m scared. It’s like there was someone else in his head watching me, a monster with wings. Someone else was inside of his mind also, he did something to me, and he went inside my own mind and ingrained fear in the, someone with blue and red eyes. Calvin looked pale; blood had stopped circulating in his face.
More cracks appeared on the barrier now; it was beginning to get unstable. Jarvis was now beginning to witness the Reawakening’s true power. Calvin tried once more going back into Albedo mind, and once again it was too strong for him; so strong his body was thrown back, flew ten feet away, as if a powerful force pushed him back.
“Brother!” yelled Alan.
Jarvis had no time to worry about Calvin lying there unconscious. “Focus Calvin, we can’t allow him to break the barrier. His power is too unstable!”
King Victor now had no choice but to fight with his full strength, he had to use his Elder. He can no longer hold back his power; lives were now depending on it.
Jarvis saw the King was getting ready to use his Elder. “Victor, wait! I have something else in mind! Alan, open the barrier for me!”
Victor was worried what would happen to Jarvis. His days of fighting were behind him, he was now an old man. “Master Jarvis, you’ll die if you come in here!”
“I know,” said Jarvis with a smile, “if I don’t do something we will all end up dead.” Alan opened a small hole on the barrier for Jarvis, just enough to let Jarvis get inside.
The king’s physical ability matched Albedo’s own power. The thought came back to him. If Albedo ever loses control of himself, if his transformation was too dangerous, he would have no choice but to kill him. Now that day was here. The King grabbed Albedo with his mighty strength and slammed him on the ground. “Master Jarvis, we have to do it, it was ludicrous of us to think a power like his could be controlled. The boy is no longer himself. We might not have any choice but …to kill him.” This was the last thing Victor wanted. Albedo was his closest friend’s son.
“Nonsense young man, the boy is still in there and we have to bring him out!” said Jarvis. I must hurry before it’s too late.
The King continued to pin Albedo to the ground, but he was defying trying to get up, the wind emitting from his body did not help either. I can’t hold him much longer, I must use that ability. As Albedo continued on trying to get up, the King knew he had no choice but to use his ability. With his left hand pinning Albedo, a black of light started circling around his right hand. The light was deep black. Forgive me Albedo, forgive me Dragan. With that he hit Albedo with it, the gravity shook the ground and it looked as if it was pushing Albedo in it. It looked as if it was some sort of gravity.
Albedo screamed.
All that wind is anger and energy his body is releasing from him not being able to control it properly. The King debated if he should kill Albedo or not. If he does it would surely give them a better chance in fighting Aleister and the others. Then he started to think, Jarvis, Dante, Axil, Sonia, Dragan, Cecelia, and even Angelione would never forgive him, and he would never forgive himself. Albedo was special. He remembered the first day he met the kid; he had looked at him with those eyes. Why did Albedo have to be one of them? Why couldn’t he be like Dante and Axil? This was Albedo’s curse, being one of the most feared, ruthless and powerful Purebloods this world had ever seen. He can’t kill Albedo, it was absurd.
“Sorry to have to do this to you, young lad, but I no longer have a choice!”
The King looked over to see Jarvis with his eyes closed, and his
right hands in front of him, his five fingers spread open. A circle appeared on Jarvis’s palm. He rushed over and the King turned Albedo around, he was much calmer now after the hit he took from Victor. His wind had decreased.
Jarvis banged his hand on Albedo’s chest, and the circle now appeared on Albedo’s chest. “This is one of my abilities I had not shown you Albedo, the ability to seal away
Pureblood’s power and abilities.”
Alan’s barrier was no longer strong enough to withstand Albedo’s power. The barrier shattered as it broke into pieces. Alvin quickly tended to his brother.
Jarvis was once a student of King Victor’s father, the former King. And he became King Victor’s teacher, Dragan, Cecelia, Angelione, and Sonia too. Over the years he had learnt new abilities; his body had also become old. Using this strong ability had taken a lot out of him. Albedo continued to fight, and Jarvis was beginning to worry. He was worried that he was too powerful for one seal; he placed another in Albedo’s left hand, and then three more. Jarvis could no longer use anymore, his energy was getting weak; using the seal required concentration and a significant amount of energy. The wind slowly decreased, the seal was working. Albedo fainted once again, his transformation was now gone.
“That was a close one, I never thought in my lifetime I would be using so many seals on one Pureblood. The power of the Kings of Awakenings is stronger than I ever imagined,” said Jarvis.
***
Dante and Angelione had arrived in Conalian with some of the members of the Black Knights. They were masked, ninja-like, and mysterious. They strolled in wearing black strappy tight fitting suits, armed with swords, knives, and ninja star-spikes. When Angelione and his team got there, they hid themselves in the shadows. The country was in utter chaos, the army had fallen apart; with no ruler to lead and with the fear of Aleister killing all of them some left the army. Angelione could see some of the people were celebrating, overwhelming the fear of Aleister. The queen was ruthless, her laws were unfair and unjust, and so they were happy that she was dead.
“Look at this place, their ruler is dead and chaos has taken over. Chaos is a poison that spreads through a kingdom very quickly Dante,” said Angelione.
Dante and Angelione were witnessing a Kingdom without a monarch. Wanted criminals had made it their new homes, and the people lived in fear.
“Master Angelione, is that why you chose to take me with you instead of Axil? You fear it would be hard for him to watch his country go through this,” said Dante. The country was now being run by renegades and bandits, no laws. Without the queen’s strict rules, the people were free to do as they pleased. Maybe this is better, thought Dante. The queen was not one to like. No, as much as the queen was unfair, this chaos is worse.
“Pay close attention Dante, this is what happens when a kingdom has no ruler. Its people crumble and commit crimes against one another.” Angelione put a hand on Dante’s shoulder. “Don’t ever forget that we fight to protect our King and our people.” Angelione had worried about the same thing happening in Atnius. The day Aleister and the others will come for their thrones. Would his king face the same fate the queen faced? Would his people turn out the way hers did?
What Angelione said brought back memories to Dante. His brother had told him to protect the King. That was their family’s duty.
Angelione looked back at the Black Knights and Dante. “We can’t sit back and do nothing, there are innocents here.” Angelione had a list of wanted criminals. He took one and passed it around. With his permission he told them not to hold back. The wanted men are very dangerous; they were to kill them if he had to. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter 30
Victor’s decision
Albedo had been placed under strict security; no one was allowed to see him. He was bound in a medical room with guards outside of his door. The king was worried his power might take control once again.
Sonia walked inside the castle. She hasn’t seen Albedo in a few days. This morning she had heard a rumor from Magi that Victor was training a warrior and his ability went out of control. Albedo. He was the only explanation. She had fear of this, that his power could not be contained. She walked in the hallway to find guards guarding Albedo’s room. She tried to see him but the guards would not allow her in; they were under strict orders not to let anyone get through. This of course made her furious.
“I’m a captain in command, a member of the Black Reapers! You don’t have the authority to tell me who I can’t see!” yelled Sonia.
In theory she was right; The Black Reapers had authority over the royal guards, even the Black Knights. The guards still refused to let her through. In frustration she went to see King Victor, to demand an explanation.
“My lord, why won’t the men let me see him?”
He sat in thought for a moment; he had no way of explaining it to Sonia. “It’s complicated Sonia, let it go for now,” said the King.
“But my lord,” said Sonia.
“But nothing!” The king rarely shouts, but when he does you know not to argue. “I said let it go! I am your King and what I say must be obeyed!” shouted the king.
Never in Sonia’s life had she heard him shout, she had seen him angry, but never this furious, she could feel a terrible event had taken place and he was not going to tell her, so she left. As she was leaving the castle, she saw Alan by the bridge. He looked apprehensive.
She rushed over to him, “Alan, please tell me what happened during the training. I know something did.”
He wanted to tell someone what he had witnessed, but was hesitant. “It’s Albedo; his power became unstable during our training.” His voice was shaking.
Sonia quickly put it all together; she figured Jarvis must have used his seal to lock away Albedo’s power. “I’m sorry about your brother.”
“His power cannot be controlled Sonia. Our King is a fool if he thinks he can use him against Aleister. It’s only a matter of time before his killer-lust takes over and he kills all of us,” said Alvin.
As he explains to her what had come about, Sonia was approached by a guard; he told her the king had changed his mind. She left quickly to see Albedo. She sent out word to Axil, to come as soon as possible. Albedo I’m coming. The guards removed the locks and opened the door. She walked in. Sonia felt he was being treated like a prisoner. His window was bound with metal bars to prevent any attempts at escaping. His feet and arms were cuffed with metal chains. She walked closer to him.
“Oh Albedo, what have they done to you?” with a hand on her mouth, the tears wanted to rush down her face.
Albedo slowly opened his eyes. She called his name and Albedo looked back with a looked of desolation and bliss. She looked closely in his eyes, and saw that his expression changed, the look of Aleister was on his face now. It was a look of scheme and dread. She could see the changes; slowly he was being eaten up by a darker version of himself.
“I’m glad to see you’re ok, I was worried about you.” He looked fine physically, she thought. But something was missing from him.
He said quietly, “What is ok? Is ok the meaning of being alive? If so, then the meaning of not ok is dead; a corpse that cannot talk and no longer has a conscience. Only living to feed and prey on the innocents... Michael was a corpse, and I will become one too.”
It was weird seeing him talk the way he was, speaking of death, instead of life, speaking of hate, instead of love. This was expected from Aleister but not from her beloved Albedo.
“What are you saying?” The smile on his face was completely gone. She left the room, with her hand on her face. There was nothing she could do to help.
***
Alan walked in the throne room with teary eyes. He had not slept for a couple days and hadn’t even been drinking blood to revitalize his energy. The King sat on his throne and he himself looked as if he had teary eyes.
“Alan, I’m so sorry for your loss. I know it must be hard on you,” said the king. He had sum
moned Alan to let him know his brother would not be forgotten. The King had known them both for a long time now; it pained him to see that Calvin died the way he did.
“My brother died by the hand of one of those monsters! I saw the glowing eyes, I know what he is. And you’re telling me you will not do anything to him as long as he’s alive!” He moved around the room. “He’s a threat to all of our safety, my lord I beg of you to reconsider!” Shouting at the King would surely get you imprisoned, or worse killed. But King Victor understood the anger he was going through, Alan wanted vengeance for his brother. After going inside of Albedo’s mind for too long, his mind was shattered. The King told him he needed time to think. “Fine, have it your way, just remember this boy will be the end of all of us.” He left with no chance of the King changing his mind. There was nothing more he could do.
***
Axil got on his horse and left Inferno as soon as the messenger-bird delivered the letter to him. Natalia wondered what the emergency was from Sonia’s letter. He rode to the kingdom as fast as he could. When he finally made it to the castle, it was nighttime now. He went to see Sonia and she explained the situation to him, how Albedo had lost control of his transformation again during training. Axil has never seen her like this before. She looked sad and disheartened; puffy-eyed as if she hadn’t slept for a few days. After talking to her for a few, they left to go see how Albedo was now doing, if he was beginning to feel like himself. They walked into the medical center, and instantly Axil could feel something was wrong. Usually it’s noisier in this place, even at night times. He smelled the powerful aroma of blood.