Chapter 8, The blade

Amon had lost. The blade he gifted Azar is now impaled on his chest, and it's beginning to feed on his soul. The gods were victorious against the tyrant, but no one dared to celebrate. Everyone was speechless, looking at their old companion and protector's impending demise.

Anan blew a trumpet to cease the chaos, but as Amon heard Anan's trumpet, he opened his eyes for the last time. His voice echoed across the lands, swearing to take the heads of those who betrayed him. The sword ultimately steals his soul and is shattered into twenty-one pieces.

The gods left and went to slumber to regain their strength. It was a hard-fought battle. But the moment they left, Alina, the strongest of the Edos, appeared and took the shards of the shattered blade...

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It's the day Lena's jewelry shop opens. She is fully prepared with the jewels she had created and gathered from the places they've traveled. Her first visitor is Alex, the leader of the black wolves, the mercenary group they've been acquainted with. They greeted each other and chatted for a while.

"Where's the boy?" ~Alex

"He's at Benedict's place." ~Lena

"He left this." ~Alex

Alex passes a pouch of Dragon scales. Lena observed it and used mana to see its reactiveness, and the result was impressive. It can be used as a weapon or an enchanted piece of jewelry.

"Where did he get this?" ~Lena

"That's from an Edolian dragon. He killed one to save us." ~Alex

"Really?" ~Lena

"Yes, I didn't expect a boy to save us too." ~Alex

"But are you sure? You can sell this for gold." ~Lena

But Alex already sold the rest of the dragon parts.

"You two deserve it the most." ~Alex

"Okay." ~Lena

"So, where's your husband?" ~Alex

"Oh, I'm not married." ~Lena

"Really? What happened to the father?" ~Alex

After training basic weapon techniques with Henry, Salvino made his way to visit Lena. Amon awakens and feels the presence of someone familiar.

"Enter that building over there." ~Amon

"Why?" ~Salvino

"One of my servants is there." ~Amon

"Okay, you'll borrow my body? Can you appear like when we first met?" ~Salvino

"Unnecessary." ~Amon

"Alright, please don't do anything strange." ~Salvino

As Amon entered the shop, he saw Raven serving liquor. The shop he entered was a tavern, and the building was full of people. It was difficult for Amon to approach Raven, so Amon decided to use his power to make everyone else sleep. Instantly, everyone else went silent and began sleeping.

The customers dropped their mugs. The waiters and waitresses dropped on the floors along with the plates and glasses. It had created a mess and confused Raven.

"What?" ~Raven

"Raven, I'm Amon." ~Amon

"Huh? Am I dreaming?" ~Raven

"No, I can assure you that you're awake." ~Amon

"My customers..." ~Raven

"I can return them all to normal as I leave the building." ~Amon

"How may I serve you, my lord?" ~Raven

"I'm looking for the fragment." ~Amon

"It's under that tile." ~Raven

Raven points at a nearby tile. Amon then touches the tile and absorbs the portion of the fragment underneath. Amon now feels the concentrated void mana better. This assures him that he has absorbed the part of his fragment.

"Where are my other fragments?" ~Amon

"I know of the ones in Dracania, Magnus, and Regis, my lord." ~Raven

"So Dracania..." ~Amon

"Yes, my lord." ~Raven

As Amon leaves the building, everyone is awake, chatting and laughing as if nothing happened, no mugs were dropped, and no plates and glasses broke. It was as if time went back or Raven was hallucinating.

[This must be a dream.] ~Raven couldn't keep up with what just happened and tried slapping and pinching himself. He realized he wasn't dreaming...

Amon then switches back to Salvino. Salvino was curious about what Amon did while controlling his body.

"What did you talk about?" ~Salvino

"I was reclaiming a part of my power. As a gift, I'll give you something later." ~Amon

"Okay." ~Salvino

After entering Lena's shop, Lena approached Salvino.

"How's your training?" ~Lena

"It was great." ~Salvino

"That's good to hear." ~Lena smiled warmly.

Lena places a necklace on Salvino's neck. Its jewel is made out of a dragon scale she got from Alex.

"It's beautiful. Thank you, Lena." ~Salvino

When Amon noticed that the necklace was absorbing Arnonus from the surroundings, he was astonished.

"Impressive." ~Amon

"Amon loves it." ~Salvino

"I'm glad." ~Lena

Meanwhile, at Atalantas. Abbey, the blade of illusions, is in her room. She invited Alaya to discuss the recent conference. Abbey was dissatisfied with the council's decision. She knows that it won't stop Magnus' actions. They greeted each other and chatted for a while.

"Right? He thinks he can do whatever he wants." ~Abbey

"His attitude annoys me too." ~Alaya

"Ugh! He made me look like a fool in front of sir Luther. Why didn't Melgrin speak? Gloom's plan is absurd." ~Abbey

Abbey and Melgrin are some of the sharpest members of the council.

"It was the only plan we had." ~Alaya

"We can negotiate. Dea is indebted to us, and Tervanas will follow Dea's choice." ~Abbey

"Melgrin had the same idea. He proposed it at Luther's office." ~Alaya

"Really? What did sir Luther say?" ~Abbey

"Luther said he tried but didn't get Charles' answer." ~Alaya

"What was Charles' afraid of." ~Abbey

It ultimately leads to Abbey's plan to visit Dea. After discussing, Abbey was curious about Adira's situation.

"How's your sister? I heard Luther cured her." ~Abbey

"Yes, but we haven't talked for two days." ~Alaya

"Is she in her room?" ~Abbey

"She wasn't." ~Alaya

"Where is she?" ~Abbey

"I don't know." ~Alaya

"Maybe she's on patrol." ~Abbey

"But she doesn't have a squad." ~Alaya

"Did you ask Luther?" ~Abbey

"No." ~Alaya

"You should. It's the times she needs you the most." ~Abbey

After a while, Alaya did as Abbey say. She entered Luther's office to ask for Adira's whereabouts. But Luther is busy reading the papers.

"Oh. Welcome, Alaya, have a seat." ~Luther while reading papers.

"Sir, have you seen Adira?" ~Alaya

"Yes. I forgot to inform you that she participated in an experiment." ~Luther

"Where is she now?" ~Alaya

"I recommend that you don't disturb her until she recovers." ~Luther

"Why? Is there something wrong?" ~Alaya

"There is nothing wrong. She needs a long rest from the experiment. I will call you as soon as she wakes up." ~Luther suddenly stops reading the papers.

"Thank you for your time, sir Luther." ~Alaya

Before Alaya leaves the room, Luther throws a small device powered by Alchemy that sticks to Alaya's clothing to track her location. If Alaya were to check on Luther's room and disturbs Adira, the experiment would fail, and Adira will die.

Back at Dea. It was getting dark when Salvino decided to ask Amon about him reclaiming his powers.

"Amon?" ~Salvino

"What is it, my child?" ~Amon

"What do you mean about reclaiming your powers." ~Salvino

"I lost my powers. I need to collect the parts of my soul." ~Amon

"Is there anything I could do to help?" ~Salvino

"Travel around Arnon. I'll tell you where to go." ~Amon

"Okay, but can we stay here a little longer?" ~Salvino

"We can, my child. As long as you wish." ~Amon

"So, what was the gift?" ~Salvino

"I'll give it to you in your room." ~Amon

So Salvino entered his room, excited about the god's gift. Amon knows what to give the young man. He has been training in weapon mastery but lacks the weapons to practice. He borrows Salvino's body, but he knows he has to be quick. He had spent most of his manas earlier at Raven's tavern to reverse cause and effect.

As Salvino went to his senses. He saw a seemingly gilded sword with beautiful designs and markings and a sheath. But it was not a sword from ordinary gold or iron. It's a blade that is almost indestructible. It absorbs manas from any object it touches except its wielder, and only Amon and Salvino can wield it.

Salvino was surprised and pleased.

"Wow! Thanks, Amon! I'll treasure it." ~Salvino

As Salvino wields it, it feels light, as if it's part of his body. As he swung it, the wind around was pulled toward the direction of the sword along with the objects on the cabinet. The blade was absorbing Aninus from its surroundings.

"Channel Azarinus into it." ~Amon

Salvino did as Amon says. The edges of the sword became heated and glowed brightly. It no longer pulls wind around it.

"This can cut through objects efficiently." ~Amon

Salvino now knows he can channel manas into it. So he tried them one by one. Amon observed Salvino quietly. He tried Dharina it became heavier. He tried Aninus it became lighter. He tried Hayanima he felt lighter. Then he tried Arnonus, but nothing happened. Lastly, he wanted to try Kedarinus, but like Arnonus, nothing happened.

"What happened?" ~Salvino

Amon didn't answer...