Chapter 26

Khali agonized over what to do for a while. He couldn't leave Athos alone, not only because of his friendship with Robert but also because of the talent he saw in Athos.

He wanted to train Athos personally and take him under his wing, but he couldn't get involved in something as scandalous as the murder of a noble, no matter how low his title.

His mission in this city was to monitor the movement of the demihuman empire for the next 5 years; while avoiding the eyes of the order of magic, Eishin's church and adventurer's guild. That meant staying as far away from Ricley and the priest as possible.

"So how about instead of abandoning your revenge, you just postpone it?" Khali spoke after a while.

"And let them live a day longer than necessary? No thanks." Athos dismissed the possibility with a wave of his hand.

"But you know you won't be able to use the same tactics you used against the captain, don't you? The baron has more than 50 men as guard, apart from the captain of the personal guard and the wizard Ricley himself.

The priest may not have any guards, but since the church fire, people have been holding a vigil around the church to prevent further attacks. He can also use light magic or 'divine magic' as the church calls it, to cure himself of your poison and kill you before you can get close to him. He also won't hesitate to kill people if it's to save his own life." Khali spat on the ground at the mention of divine magic.

"I can use acid against the priest to make healing difficult and against the baron I... err..." Athos avoided mentioning the corrupted root powder as it was a family secret, but he really didn't know what to do to attack the baron.

"You will die if you attack either of them. But if you agree to be my apprentice, I can give you the power you need to exact revenge." Khali saw that Athos didn't have a concrete plan and offered a solution.

"I will stay in this city for another 5 years. During that time, I will teach you skills, spells and fighting techniques; everything you will need to take revenge on your own." Khali tried to make the offer as attractive as possible to Athos.

"AND?" Athos waited for the bad news after Khali sweetened the deal.

"And after you finish your revenge, I want you to come with me to my organization, the word keepers." Khali emphasized his organization's name, showing how proud he was of it.

"The word keepers? My mother told me bedtime stories about them. They were a charitable organization, bringing food and knowledge to those most in need. I don't understand why a charitable organization needs talented warriors?" Athos did not understand what he was getting at.

"You are only half right. We are an organization that helps the needy and we fight for the people against injustice. The problem is that almost all organizations have their share of the problem and they don't like it when someone exposes their crimes.

On the surface, they supported us and encouraged our actions, but our members began to be murdered and our bases continually destroyed, forcing us to hide to avoid being exterminated." Khali looked at the ground sadly, as he clenched his fists tightly until the knuckles turn white.

He was just a kid when it all happened, but he vividly remembered when it all started. When assassins broke into his home and killed his father, when his mother was forced to flee with him, how they had to live in poverty and squalor until the organization was rebuilt.

"Are you okay?" Athos noticed the anguish in him and asked.

"It's all past now. The word keepers were almost destroyed, but we're still alive and we've learned our lesson. We've become nomads, but we still maintain long-distance contact with each other to coordinate our actions. We've started training warriors and wizards to fortify ourselves and instead of bringing our enemies to justice, we bring them to death."

He extended his hand to Athos before continuing. "And that's why we need people like you, Athos. People with talent, who can reach great heights and understood our pain. Someone who lost people they loved and found the strength to stand up and fight. Someone who understands that corrupt organizations must be punished. Someone like you, Athos. What do you say, will join the guardians of the word?"

"I refuse." Athos' answer didn't change, causing Khali to almost have a seizure.

"Why do you refuse? I thought you understood our cause and wanted revenge for the injustice done to your mother!" Khali was too shocked to be angry.

"I'm not angry because I think what they did to my mother is unfair. On the contrary, I believe that her execution is in accordance with the law. When people get married, they accept to share everything, including their crimes and sins. It is a fact that my father killed innocent people, accident or not, and by law my mother should bear the consequences of that with him." Athos said calmly.

"Then why did you kill the captain?" The more he listened, the less Khali understood. He was already reconsidering his offer of apprenticeship, judging that Athos was too crazy to get his hands on something as dangerous as magic.

"Because I don't give a damn about the law. She was my mother and I'm going to kill everyone who took her from me." Athos smiled cruelly, as if he could already taste the blood of his enemies.

"Okay, I understand that you're crazy. But how are you going to get revenge? You don't have the power to do that." Khali gave up trying to understand him.

"Let's make a different deal. Instead of me joining you, I'm going to work with you." Athos said.

"Isn't that worse?" Khali tilted his head in confusion.

"From your point of view it might be. But I want to live a good life after my revenge is over and joining you seems like something for a lifetime. I'd rather work with you as an outside helper until I pay off my debt and then each one goes his own way."

"And why do you think I would accept that deal?" Khali asked with a raised eyebrow.

"First, because I'm a badass. I'm a talent you can't pass up. Second, because it's your dogma to bring knowledge to those who need it. Third, if you refuse to teach me I could join an adventurer's guild or the order of magic and ask them to teach me." Athos said confidently.

"The order won't give you freedom once discover your talent. You're down to being their puppy until you die." Khali tried to scare him away, but it didn't work.

"What if I join you will it be different? I'll be forced to go places I don't want to, to kill people I don't know or help people I don't care about." Athos said.

Khali weighed his options for a while and realized he didn't have much of a choice. His organization was still recovering from the damage it took and desperately needed help, borrowed or not.

"How long are you willing to work with us?" Khali held out his hand, showing that he accepted the deal.

"Depends on how much you're willing to teach me." Athos smiled and shook his hand.

It was the moment when his apprenticeship of magic began.