Chapter 42: Encroaching Darkness

The morning always offered the same feeling no matter how many times I'd experienced it. The same warmth of the sun beaming through the windows to the same blinding light projected. But it also offered the same curse of knowledge that one's goals hadn't been fulfilled. 

Today was going to be an especially tiring experience as some things had gone wrong. So I decided to go on about my routine before stepping out to greet the day. Bathing, ensuring my appearance is well kept, as well as exercising to loosen the muscles.

I tend to do a set of ab crunches first as well as some simple stretches. Then I follow it up with a ten-set of push-ups, and sit-ups, stopping to drink plenty of juice, then starting again with some squats.

Then I don my armor, which I'd ensured was crafted to equip very easily as hastiness promotes success.

Upon opening the doors to my chambers I'm greeted by two soldiers who begin their routine of escorting me. I always ensured that the path to the bridge was a fair distance as it gave me time to appreciate the architecture of this vessel. I'd just wished the one who built it were still alive, so that I may praise him. 

As we arrived at the bridge the two soldiers would stand by at the doors to ensure none enter without prior or expressed permission. Opening the doors I'd approach the captain's seat with a stride of pride so that my inferiors know the strength of their superior and be in awe of it. Taking a seat I then await the tiring news I'd already been aware of. 

Minutes later two more would enter the bridge, a towering man and a rather mature woman. Both kneeled in my presence. Waving my hand for them to rise, but only the man responded. 

"Lord Lucian... I'm pleased to inform you that I have been successful in retrieving two of our runaways... Sadly... the third has seemingly defected. 

"That's quite the shame..." I sighed. "It was expected but it still wounds me." 

My gaze shifted to the woman, who I managed to catch showing off a rather patronizing grin. 

"Have you anything to say for yourself Laufey..? This loss was allowed under your watch." 

Laufey held her head up and she boldly maintained her smile. "Lord Lucian... I understand you may be feeling some ire over this incident. But I can assure you I did not act without purpose." 

"You acted like a fool!" Karn snapped as he turned to Laufey. But I held my hand up once more to silence him. Resting my elbow on the armrest I turned my gaze back to Laufey. 

"Please... Enlighten me to this purpose." 

She bowed her head once more, then stood and projected an image from her hand using her powers. The image was a still of a boy in a suit of white armor. He appeared to be using flames of varying colors. 

"My liege... When we saw the boy exert his power back on Necron Arcadia, we knew that he did not fully awaken. I understood your orders were to retreat and prepare for the next fight but it was too tantalizing to not explore. So I decided to embark on a mission to force the boy to awaken." 

Examining the image a bit more closely, the boy did seem to have more power than before. But that still left a few things unexplained. 

"This mission caused our information to be exposed... And now the boy is one step closer to obtaining Arcanum..." 

In spite of the growing irritation of my voice, Laufey still retained that damnable smile of hers. Which intrigued me more than it angered me. 

"Now that Soran has awakened... He will venture out with the knowledge he received from the Fool. This will present more opportunities to seize the rites from the others and slowly turn him to our side. Meaning all we must do is create our web." 

"Utter nonsense," growled Karn. "You endanger our operation for a gamble!? You just want the boy because of his unique physique." 

"Physique?" I asked. 

Karn jolted out of his anger now looking at me in utter shock. "W-Well sire... The boy seems to possess three powers... Which... Unless the circumstances align, is virtually impossible." 

Three powers... An Arcadian could only possess one marker. That was the ironclad truth of our race. However, there have been instances where one could receive additional power. As my mind sank into the abyss of thought I reached around until the pieces of the puzzle finally connected. That's when I felt the uncontrollable urge to laugh.

"Hm...Hm... Hehehehehehehehehehe... Ahahahahahahahahahahaha! Brother, you are truly something..." 

"My liege?" Karn said with some concern. 

Facing Laufey again, I stood from my seat and took in a deep breath.

"Very well Laufey... Your plan has not presented a total loss. But I still must punish you and Arjun for your failures... I cannot allow you both to go free despite how much you both mean to me." 

"I wouldn't have it any other way, my Lord," Laufey hummed 

"You and Arjun will command the Alpha base from hereon out. You both are not to return until you have captured Soran Xenthos... Alive. Don't even think of returning if you fail... Do I make myself clear..." 

Laufey kneeled once more, "Yes liege..." She then stood to take her leave from the bridge.

Karn then faced me once more, the hint of agitation ever so present in his expression.

"Sire... Forgive me for questioning you... But is it wise to allow Laufey to have a handle on this... She has already failed once."

"On the contrary old friend... She has succeeded more than you realized. The losses we suffered will need to be recuperated. But now we know have knowledge that the boy does not."

"And that is sire?"

Standing from my seat once more I sent a message to one of the lesser beings under my command.

"The boy does not have full knowledge of his heritage... He will unconsciously seek out answers which will lead us to what we desire."

The door opened again and two more individuals stepped into the bridge. One was a rather shrewd-looking man in a black lab coat and the other a taller woman built like a fortress.

"Brunhilda... Silas... It has been centuries since we've seen each other."

"Spare me your pleasantries Lucian," hissed Silas. "You didn't have me taken from my laboratory just to be nice."

"Now... Now Silas," spoke Brunhilda, "This could be entertaining. Lucy may have a few screws loose but he at least always gives us some entertainment."

"Listen!" Karn snapped, "I know you both do not believe in our cause as fervently as we'd like. But you could at least show some respect to Lord Lucian. It is by his kindness you both were not lost to the void."

Brunhilda shrugged her shoulders while Silas seemed to be on the same level of ire as Karn.

"His cause destroyed our planet," Silas pointed out. "His quest for atonement is of none of my concern."

Silas turned away starting to leave the bridge. What was until I clenched my fist and the door shut and locked tightly.

Returning his gaze to me his patience seemed to wear thin.

"Silas... You wound me. You haven't even heard me out."

Silas's brow raised. He was smart enough to know that I wanted to make a request of him."

"Fine... Make it quick... I have studies to conduct and your brainless soldiers have interrupted them..."

I smiled, then pointed to the main monitor. It displayed an image of Soran Xenthos we acquired during our raid of Necron Arcadia.

"In exchange for freeing you both from your debt to me... I want you to aid Laufey in capturing this boy..."

"This kid? What's so special about this kid?" Brunhilda snickered.

"This boy holds The Fool... And it seems his parents are both Majors..."

That seemed to grab Silas's attention. He rushed over to the monitor and examined Soran's features very closely.

"This is unprecedented," he gasped, "Never before have two majors created an offspring... Is he powerful?"

I waved my hand and another monitor nearby displayed Arjun recovering inside an Ether chamber. There'd been a giant hole in his chest and many burn scars on his body. "He was powerful enough for this..."

Brunhilda's eyes now became alight with glee. "So... When do we start."

I stood from my seat now making my way toward the main monitor. Switching the display it now showed a system of planets labeled as "Praxis"

"The Prime System has likely caught wind of the Erebea Collective and Dreg Empire's involvement with us... So this will be the likely place they will strike... Do as you wish... But none who bear the Major Marker are to be killed... Do you understand?"

The two now faced me, their smiles growing ever so wicked. "Understood," they said in unison.

"Good..."

Turning the image back to Soran, I began stroking my chin feeling a modicum of excitement rush over me.

"The Arcanum Astra will be mine Soran... No matter how high you fly... No matter how powerful you become... You will submit to my will...

Don't disappoint me... I have stellar expectations for you..."