Aftermath (End of Introductory Arc)

06 | Aftermath

AT A DOCK IN EDARES, a dock worker sat on a wooden crate, taking a well-deserved break from his laborious duties. After months of sailing from Atharia, they finally reached Edares. The sun beat down on the dock, causing sweat to bead on his forehead. He pulled a folded newspaper from his back pocket and opened it up as the crisp sound of rustling paper filled the air.

  The newspaper, a prominent weekly paper circulating in East Buros, where Alardice is located, is something he looks forward to reading every time he is in the colony.

  He took a deep breath as the sound of seagulls, and the lapping of waves against the wooden pilings distracted him from his rest. He scanned the headline, and his eyes fell on an article about the assassination of Alardice's Governor General. His eyes narrowed, and he thought, 'This-- this is huge.'

EDARES, ALARDICE — One week ago on Adri. 3, the Governor General Lucius Crestmore of Alardice, his wife Talia Manawis-Crestmore, and his son Hiram Crestmore were killed just before midnight during their son's twelfth birthday party at the Crestmore Estate in Edares, AL.

Alardice is a colony of the Atharian Crown located in the East Buros. The East Buros is comprised of various islands and mainlands found in and around the Buros Ocean.

There were no other casualties during the party attended by many of the business and military communities, as well as members of the nobility, according to information from the Imperial Civil Guard (ICG) in Alardice.

According to Augustus Williams, Lieutenant General of Alardice ICG, the assassination was carried out by the Order of Sicarius. The order is a group deemed a terrorist organization by many Ecusian nations.

Williams said that Lucius and Talia, and members of the ICG have ensured the guests' safety at the cost of their lives. "They are all heroes," he said.

"We are greatly saddened and enraged by this incident," said Williams to members of the Alardice press on Adri. 4 following the assassination. "This assassination is also a direct attack on the Atharian Crown, and will be investigated thoroughly."

"When the responsible parties are found, they will be executed," he said. When asked if the civil guards have suspects, Williams said they could not reveal any information to the public as the case is still under investigation.

"We offer our condolences to the House of Crestmore, and assure them that justice will be done," concluded Williams.

The East Buros Gazette reached out to Sor. Hamili Manawis for a statement, father of Talia, and he said the Manawis family will not stop until justice is found.

Alardice press also report, citing an Adri. 6 statement by the Reformation Movement of Alardice (RMA), that the ICG must be held accountable. The RMA is a movement seeking reformation of Atharian administration in the Alardice archipelago.

"This incident is a result of the corruption within the Imperial Civil Guard and the Atharian administration in Alardice," according to the RMA statement. "We ask the Atharian Crown to conduct an immediate internal investigation."

Previous reports by the East Buros Gazette also indicate that then Governor General Lucius Crestmore have built a "constructive" relationship with the movement, quelling civil "dissatisfaction" in the archipelago, and boasted the relationship as a "path forward" following criticisms from members of the House of Lords.

When asked for a statement in response to the RMA, Williams said he was disappointed that the RMA politicized the incident. "I am in contact with the [Minister of National Defense] regarding the state of defense in both urban and rural Alardice."

"This is a time of unity, and the RMA needs to stop itself from its obvious attempts to divide Alardice," said Williams.

A state funeral was held on Clairesday, Adri. 8 at the St. Claire's Cathedral. Alardice press reports that thousands of the Edares community attended the service, with thousands more from the surrounding regions.

Finally, the dock worker finished reading and folded the newspaper, tucking it back into his pocket. He stood up, stretched his tired muscles and headed back to work.

  While the news was intriguing, he could do nothing about it. Not to mention, it would take months before the Atharian Crown could do something. After all, the information would have to be carried by ship back to the continent of Ecus.

⁂

Cyril made his way through the dark streets of Edares, his steps sure and steady. The night was cold, and the only sound was leaves rustling as the wind blew through the trees. He was dressed in a long black overcoat, and he hid his features behind a black mask.

  He reached a mansion at the end of the street and made his way to the front door. He knocked, and after a few moments, the door opened to reveal a butler. The butler, an elderly man with a cold expression, gestured for Cyril to enter.

  Cyril stepped inside, finding himself in the entrance hall, and looked at the walls with hanging works of art. He went up the staircase leading to the upper floors. He smelled the scent of expensive perfumes as the soft murmur of a string quartet played in the background.

  The butler led him through the mansion's halls and into a dimly lit room. Cyril saw a figure sitting in the shadows with features obscured. The figure was dressed in an elegant suit and a cloak, holding a cane.

  "Casualties?" the figure asked with a low and raspy voice.

  Cyril reached into his coat and pulled out a scroll. "We lost Anna, Cain, and Marcus," he said, holding it out.

  The figure reached out and took the scroll. He opened it and peered inside while his eyes gleamed in the dim light. "Three Grand Sorcerers, six High Sorcerers, and over fifty assassins," the figure said as he eyed the scroll. "Are you fuckin' kidding me, Cyril?!"

  Cyril did not answer and continued his report. Sicarius dispatched 13 sorcerers in total above the second realm. Out of the 13, they only had two surviving Grand Sorcerers out of five and two surviving High Sorcerers out of eight.

  The two surviving Grands were Cyril and the Second Apostle.

  On the other hand, the Civil Guards had two Grands, not including Lieutenant General Augustus, who pursued after the assassination.

  The figure opened his mouth to talk, but he halted and simply shook his head. After all, what would he say? Cyril succeeded in his task, despite the losses.

  "This will push us back for years in Allassa," said the figure. "We need to hide for now and wait."

⁂

Somewhere in one of the villages located on the outskirts of Edares, Aaron stepped inside a church. The sun cast a warm light through various colourful stained glass windows, and the air was heavy with the scent of burning candles and incense.

  He made his way down the central aisle, his every step silent as he moved with fluid grace.

  He scanned the pews, but it did not take long for him to spot a woman dressed in a plain black dress, her head bowed in prayer. She sat alone, her hands folded in front of her and her eyes closed in deep contemplation.

  Victoria's eyes opened as he sat beside her, their eyes upon the altar. "It's been confirmed, Lucius is dead," said Aaron.

  Victoria remained quiet for a while and asked, "Talia?"

  He nodded his head. "The Gem of Alardice has also fallen. A state funeral was held a few days ago. The press is eating up the civil guards. Lieutenant General Augustus is also currently the interim Governor General until the Emperor passes his decree," he said. "It will roughly take a year before the vacant post is filled."

  "Didn't Cyril fail to kill Talia because of Hiram?" said Victoria, her eyes unmoving, remaining upon the altar.

  "Technically, he did fail. But Talia used aether transference to try to heal her son. She failed," he said.

  He saw a hint of guilt trace Victoria's features before she asked him if there were any suspicions directed at her. He shook his head and said no one knew anything. While there were suspicions and rumours in the grapevine, it was impossible to confirm, and none involved her.

  Aaron added that the Lieutenant General's lists of suspects include several high-profile business people and politicians with a hand in the Alardice Galleon Trade. He began to explain the root of the suspicions. When Lucius first became the Governor General, he found Alardice's coffers missing many funds and resources. Lucius then tracked down and investigated the responsible individuals.

  Many were hanged, but it also made him many enemies. Thus, the Lieutenant General is looking at the possibilities of vengeance.

  "As expected of Augustus, he knows, at the very least, half of the story. Is there something else you're not telling me? How about the RMA?" asked Victoria.

  "The RMA is also suspected of having a hand in the Crestmores' death," he said. "Just as we had planned."

  Victoria closed her eyes, "Good. Give Sicarius the location of the ruins. Then, after the Scions complete their tasks in Allassa, relocate them to Yamahara. After that, we will begin the final stage of the plan," she commanded.

  He looked at her in surprise. "All of them? It'll take years before they finish."

  "All of them," affirmed Victoria.

  When he thought about the location of the ruins in Allassa, he managed to swallow his greed. The location of an Archon ruin is priceless. Resources inside allow Grand Sorcerers to become Sovereigns. But Victoria gave it all away for her goal.

  "Understood, Lady Victoria," he said without any other objection as he headed to the door. Then he stopped upon hearing Victoria mutter to herself.

  "I'm sorry, Talia, Lucius, Hiram," she whispered as tears clouded her eyes. "I shall pay for my sins in the eternal flames of hell."

  Aaron closed his eyes upon hearing this before finally taking his leave. 'Guilt... is perhaps the greatest poison of them all,' he thought.

⁂

Meanwhile, in the City of Atharis, the capital of the Empire of Atharia, far from the East Buros, Theodore sat before a mahogany desk surrounded by stacks of parchment and ledgers. His only source of light came from the chandelier and the small oil lamp on the desk. While it was stuffy and the air heavy with a musty smell of old paper and leather permeating the room, he felt unbothered.

  While the task was repetitive and would bore many to insanity. He felt at peace every time he worked.

  He had a quill in one hand and a jar of ink before him. Deeply engrossed in his work, he scanned the documents and moved with quick efficiency.

  He would only occasionally pause to dip his quill in ink before making a notation or signing a document, the sound of the quill scratching against the parchment filling the room. Occasionally did the paper rustle along as he turned a page. It was music to his ears.

  A servant entered the room and approached the desk, bowing deeply. "Your lordship, there is a matter of great urgency," the servant said. Theodore did not look up but asked, "Can it not wait?"

  "Milord, Lady Isabella. She's—" the servant stuttered.

  "Be calm and speak," said Theodore as he stood up.

  "She's giving birth," said the servant.

⁂

Isabella held her baby close, feeling her tears stream down her face. Servants surrounded her bed, their faces etched with worry. One of them stepped forward, tears in her eyes.

  "My lady, the baby's heart stopped," she said, trembling.

  Isabella's heart skipped a beat. She looked down at her baby and saw that he had become still and pale.

  She felt her world crumble. She couldn't lose him, not now, not when she just had him.

  When she was about to despair, her baby's tiny body convulsed, and he cried. His eyes opened, and he looked up at her. Isabella felt her heart swell with relief.

⁂

Vincent looked around, and he first saw the face of a woman. The woman seemed to be in her early 20s. A beautiful woman with long dark hair cascading down her shoulders and framing her heart-shaped face. Her skin was creamy and almost without flaw, with eyes a deep shade of blue. She held him gently.

  A gentle smile graced her lips as she looked at him, and tears filled her eyes. 'Who is she?'thought Vincent, confused.

  The people around them let out a sigh of relief, then a man dressed in an elegant black suit stepped forward and spoke, "Thank the heavens, he's alive."

  Vincent looked at the man and noticed how he did not bother to hide his soul core – a sorcerer. It also did not take long for him to register what was happening. 'Did I just get reborn?' he thought and looked around.

  The sunlight streamed through the grand windows, illuminating the opulent furnishings of the luxurious room. Gilded frames adorned the walls, holding paintings of portraits and landscapes.

  Luxurious draperies of the finest silk hung from the windows, swaying gently in the breeze. Fresh flowers, arranged in cut crystal vases, perfumed the air with their sweet fragrance. The room was decorated with marble and gold, showcasing the wealth and status of whoever owned such wealth.

  But the display of wealth did not manage to hold his attention for so long. 'Fuck me... not again,' he thought, realizing his predicament. He has been reincarnated... again. This time... a baby.

  While he wanted to curse and scream... he cried to those who watched him. They smiled, and while Vincent understood those were smiles of ease, he felt as if they were mocking him. He hated being mocked.

  The sorcerer continued, "My lady, the infant is born with a peak-rate soul core. While it is a blessing... it is also a curse." He added, "A peak-rate soul core is too powerful and intense. An infant's body simply isn't enough to contain it."

  Vincent looked at the sorcerer with a baby poker face. He's right. While his memories were too blurry to remember, he figured that the original soul of the baby was not enough to contain the power of the peak-rate soul core. But Vincent's soul did.

  'So that's what happened,' Vincent voiced his thoughts aloud and looked at the ceiling in deep thought. But instead of talking, on the surface, he let out soft sounds that earned the blush of the woman who held him and the several people he assumed to be servants.

  'Not sure if you can hear me... whatever your name is... Probably not, but I had no intention of entering your body... Fuck, why am I even saying this?' he thought. It simply did not feel right to enter the body of an infant. No matter how much he justified to himself that he didn't ask for it – and that the infant had no chance to live anyway. 'I'm tired of this... and I have no idea if this is fate at play or if it is just the universe punishing me... or is this actually hell? I don't know,' he thought, trying to keep himself from becoming insane.

  He did not know the name of the original owner of the baby's body or if he even had a name. But, he thought, 'Whatever may come, I wish you're at a better place. A more peaceful place than this world or the loathsome world I had grown to despise.'

  He tried to assuage his guilt. But, it did not take long for reality to set in again. 'I still don't have the slightest fuckin' clue what to do,' he cursed, yet again, to others – he just cried. 'I wish I hadn't at least retained my memories... this is going to be a long haul... what am I supposed to do as a baby?'

  The woman looked at him, still with tears streaking down her face, eyes filled with love and worry. "My baby," she whispered, cradling him in her arms. She held him tightly to her chest with her heart pounding. Isabella told Vincent that she'll always protect and guide him through every step of his journey.

  'This woman should be my mother,' he thought.

  She traced his face with her fingers as if memorizing every inch of him. "My precious little angel," she said as she kissed his forehead. "I will always be here for you, my dear. You will be loved and cherished, always."

  Vincent lay there and could not help but feel her love and warmth. For reasons he could not understand, he felt safe in the woman's arms. A feeling he had not felt for so many years. He also felt undeserving of it... any of it.

  Then the door to the bedroom burst open, and a tall, imposing figure rushed in. He was a handsome man with sharp features, dark hair, and blue eyes, just like his mother. He was dressed in a simple white shirt tainted with ink.

  "Isabella, what's happening? Are you okay? Is our baby alright?" he said, his voice filled with concern and urgency.

  'So that's her name... Isabella... it has a nice ring to it,' thought Cassius before looking at the tall man who rushed in. 'He should be my father,' he thought.

  Isabella looked up at the man with tears, "He's alive, Theodore. But just barely. He stopped breathing earlier when his heart stopped."

  Theodore looked at him and said, "He looks fragile and pale." Then he walked to the side of the bed and looked at Vincent closer. "Is he going to be okay?" he asked. A hint of fear in his voice.

  The sorcerer looked at Theodore and told him about the peak-rate soul core. "I thought he was lost to us, but his soul suddenly stabilized his soul core. He will be fine... for now."

  Theodore was taken aback, "A peak rate?"

  "Which means," the sorcerer began... but Theodore completed his sentence.

  "He has a high potential of becoming a Sovereign," Theodore completed the sentence. "Fuck me."

  "Language, dear," said Isabella and glared at Theodore, her hands already covering Vincent's ears. Theodore muttered an inaudible 'sorry.'

  Vincent looked at Theodore, and a mischievous thought entered his mind. He smiled at Theodore proudly and spoke his first words, "Fak. Fak. Fak."

  Theodore paled, and Isabella glared at him.

⁂

END OF ARC

Complementary Information (Optional): The calendar is not a requirement to enjoying the story. I just thought I should share some of my worldbuilding notes.

The Inari Calendar

Months: Based on the names of the 12 Archangels of the Andeli Holy Scripture.

Adrieles - First Month (Adri.)

Biraoel - Second Month (Bira.)

Casmaita - Third Month (Cas.)

Dinias - Fourth Month (Din.)

Emirael - Fifth Month (Emir.)

Fustazhad - Sixth Month (Fust.)

Gihriel - Seventh Month (Gihr.)

Harquel - Eight Month (Harq.)

Ihridiel - Ninth Month (Ihr.)

Jiarmibdos - Tenth Month (Jia.)

Kirzamros - Eleventh Month (Kir.)

Larastopheles -Twelfth Month (Lar.)

Days: Based on the first seven saints first canonized by the Church of Andel.

Weekdays: Clairesday, Cairsday, Halcday, Miursday, Erisday | Weekend: Sarosday, Simonsday