153

Chapter 153

Lamberton Dormitory Building, Cornell Academy, City: Three Prongs Fork, Republic of Shantu, Continent: Barat, the Year 2041, Planet: Grimoire

They were adjusting to other unexpected events that had twisted their plans. This was just another wrench they were dealing with that was throwing a spanner into the works.

"Yeah, I wasn't supposed to be chosen. However, my twin brother, Chester, kicked up a fuss." Firenze rolled his eyes. "He pestered father and grandfather to reinstate me despite my refusal to return." He wasn't pleased with the situation. "So he wasn't the only emissary besides three cousins, Laurence, Amelia Carabine, and Alexandra Jesso."

Yeah, he'd heard of all the scandals attached to their names. He could also commiserate with Firenze wholly. A few times, Marlayne, Calico, and Amberlyn got into all kinds of scrapes and situations, and Grifton shook his head in disbelief. He sort of understood how they'd gotten ensnared by that rotten bastard, too.

As for their children, how long had it been since he'd heard from them? It was too long, but there was no way he could get in touch with them. The dragon's enclave had long since vanished from the known part of the continent where he resided. All available types of contact were lost when it came to the dragons.

"So, what're you thinking about now?" Firenze nudged him. "You went quiet all of a sudden."

"Huh?" Now, Grifton grunted in dismay. "I would've never known those four were related to you." He noticed that Firenze was definitely a throwback to another relative.

Firenze laughed harshly. "Don't I know it?" He shook his head. "Grandfather insists that I take after one of his long-deceased forefathers," Firenze gestured in displeasure when he spoke. "Supposedly, he's one of the few who'd witnessed the founding of Galos, Naxos, and several other empires and kingdoms."

Yeah, from what Firenze said, that old man was a real tale spinner and not with a complimentary twist when mentioning him. There was some history there that Firenze rarely touched on. Supposedly, it had to do with now-extinct lineage.

Grifton caught Firenze's dubious expression when he added with a scowl. "From which list, about a dozen no longer exist." Firenze threw his hands into the air. "All of which has been absorbed into those three empires," He imitated a scratchy, raspy voice. "Who knows how many kingdoms as well." Firenze shook his head. "I still doubt the veracity of what Grandfather has told us." He rolled his eyes. "Not including the tall tale about us also having descended from griffons or some such malarkey." Firenze seemed somewhat irritable whenever the subject came up. Now, how should Grifton calm him down this time? He just wasn't sure where to start, that was all.

~*~

It seemed someone intentionally made sure they would have to witness the slaughter of men and women who'd fought for their country only to come to such an ignominious end? How despicable of those creeps.

"Unfortunately, I've run into a brick wall," Lamberton confirmed. "On the other hand," his communicator blinked with highlighted names. "I've found some alternative possibilities that you should scan, too." He sent a few to Darmono. "I'm reviewing possibilities of those individuals who have roots in empires and kingdoms elsewhere." Lamberton shrugged. "I took a break to check out some other sources. I believe I've found a trail. That is if you'd be so kind as to look it over." He glanced around. "I think we're about to wind down after this stupid stunt." Lamberton was displeased with how things had turned out. That much was obvious.

Hmm, since they'd both hit a brick wall, it wouldn't hurt to look them over, Darmono reflected. One could always count on Lamberton to follow other sources as unorthodox as they may seem at first glance. Well, at least he'd locked onto something else that might give them clues of where to look first. Darmono looked over the list of names to whom he knew intimately and to whom they were related. Either that or they had ties to someone linked to Grifton Tinroy. One name in particular got his attention. "Oh man, since when did they acknowledge Firenze Jesso?" Darmono frowned in disbelief. "I hope they didn't try to pull him out of this competition."

Lamberton shook his head. "Nope, by the time word came down, he'd already walked into the arena." He shrugged. "Certain types of communication were cut off to prevent distractions from potentially ruining concentration."

Well, that was good. Otherwise, Darmono was confident that Firenze would've been distracted and not in a good way.

Just then, a roar of approval from the crowd alerted Darmono to something else going on. He watched with fascination as a domino effect series of traps sprung from the northern area. That was Grifton's doing, no doubt about it. What he found interesting was similar types of traps, less intricate or disguised, also triggered in the east, west, and southern portions where others of Grifton's team were hiding.

"Talk about adaptability." Darmono was impressed. He knew there needed to be more time for Grifton to have shown them how to prepare some of those traps.

Lamberton nodded. "He must've done it in the brief time they had between going inside the entrance for the participants and before the exhibition showcases began." He shrugged when Darmono glanced at him in surprise.

Right, Darmono remembered that was one of Grifton's talents.

"If there is one thing that Grifton is good at," Lamberton had witnessed Grifton in action too many times while on the streets or en route on a merchant caravan. "It conveys how to do things accurately in extremely disadvantageous situations."

Darmono exhaled. Well, in that case, he wouldn't be too worried. He did see a few veterans who hadn't benefitted from Grifton's tutelage. They went down fast and were viciously attacked even after signaling surrender. This had to be under someone else's orders. As a result, there was an unprecedented amount of fatalities that occurred.

Darmono winced. "It will be difficult to keep this arena from either being shut down permanently or absorbed into the official combatant sparring echelon."

The two men stared at each other in dismay at the possibility.

That may be the point, though, when he thought about it. After all, this place was founded on having fun and learning in a safe environment. Nothing at all like the cutthroat environment of the official combatant arena.

That's when he realized the eight siblings listened intently to their discussion. Darmono winced, realizing he hadn't even bothered with the other transmission type.

Lamberton caught his eye and shrugged. "It's better that they learn what they'll face in the official arena."

That's right. Unlike Grifton and Firenze, those eight weren't banned. Darmono sighed. "Well, maybe they can pick up some pointers from this show." He shrugged.

There was little left for the results to be tabulated. This was one severe failure of neutrality as far as Darmono was concerned. What surprised him, though, was the number of players still alive. Bound and wounded to the point they couldn't budge, but alive, that meant they could be questioned once treated by medics. "Huh, maybe we can get some answers from these individuals after all."

Lamberton nodded. "I thought this might be a way to get something out of that mess." A faint smile appeared in his mouth when he glanced at Hermina. "I'm afraid our chat will have to wait." He surveyed the party. "I did make some arrangements for temporary quarters opened for you all at the Lamberton Merchant Dormitory." He gave Martina the information she needed to reach the location safely. "I fear this matter must be dealt with right now."

Darmono didn't wait around to hear a response. He was more worried about those players escaping from their bonds once the medics treated them. He rose from where he was seated and headed elsewhere. There was no time like the present to complete a task that would soon be impossible to do so quickly without a mountain of obstructive paperwork that would have to be completed otherwise before he could reach them.

~*~

Now they were getting into his real complaint, it seemed. Yet, Firenze was only upset about the descendency from griffons, not anything else. He did recall mention of Griffin warriors and scholars who ruled over kingdoms and empires in the past. That was when there were sky cities and empires within the majority of clouds hanging around the mountain ranges of other continents. Word had it that some of these mega-continents were remnants of those vast kingdoms and empires that crashed to the watery regions below, and what remained of them was above sea level.

Eh, well, Grifton had some suspicions on that line of thought. "Just when would you have manifested the shifting ability?" He knew that manifestation differed between species.

"Oh, don't tell me you believe it can happen?" Firenze shook his head. "It was bred out of the family five generations ago, Grifton." He folded his arms.

Grifton shook his head at Firenze. "You're telling this to someone born from a dragon and a human?" He reprimanded Firenze. "Now come on, tell me some signs or symptoms." He broke off when an explosion of feathers poofed into the warehouse.

"Where is this coming from?" Firenze swatted at the feathers, making them float everywhere as he sneezed. "Sheesh, what is this? Bird migration into a warehouse of all things?" He sneezed again.

A dozen little elemental spirits were fluttering around Firenze's head. One in particular was causing the shower of feathers. How could he not see them? Grifton was bemused while he caught all the feathers and frowned as he scrutinized them. Wait a minute, where had he seen this type of thing before.

Out of the corner of one eye, a small creature fluttered over and landed on a box above Firenze's head. It looked from Firenze to Grifton and back with a frustrated demeanor. Uh-huh, now he was getting an idea of what was going on. Mr. Clueless, on the other hand, didn't realize what had been following him lately. Grifton was amused now.

"However, on the very distant chance that it does happen." Firenze pondered on the possibility before telling Grifton with some irascibility. "I still have a decade or more to go." He shrugged. "It only occurs once we reach our mid-thirties to late forties."

Grifton rubbed his forehead as he began piecing together what was happening. Not if there was another shifter constantly around him. He remembered some examples in the textbooks from the orphanage years, plus his nightschool experience.

Considering his lack of time at Cornell Academy, Grifton didn't count the hours spent in the classrooms, which was practically nonexistent. His mind took him back to his current train of thought. Especially if it was likely imprintable as what had happened between them as Omega and Alpha. It was a rare situation, but not unheard of, such as in their case. Should he remind Firenze of this phenomenon? Grifton grunted. "So what are the signs?" he prodded Firenze. "You've been really grouchy of late. I don't think it's just the unknown future, either."

Judging from his expression, he had no clue. What was that about? Grifton was surprised.

Firenze frowned. "As a matter of fact, I don't know." He admitted with some puzzlement. "I hadn't considered asking because I didn't even consider it possible."

Oh, good grief, Grifton shook his head. "Yeah, well, talk to the frenzied spirits that're in griffon form, will ya?" Okay, now he figured out what was going on. "They might be able to answer your questions." As usual, the darned, dense fool wasn't paying attention to anything around him. "They'll quit bugging me too." At least, he hoped so.

"What're you talking about, Tinroy?" When Firenze stared at him in astonishment.

Grifton sighed and blew away a feather that appeared. "See those?" He held up three more he'd caught in his fingers.

It dropped onto Firenze's head.

"They're from the wings of a griffon." Grifton watched as Firenze picked it up and examined its color and texture.

"A spirit from griffon?" Firenze repeated in shock. "So that is what's been following me around the last couple of months?"

"Yup," Grifton shrugged. "I'm pretty sure these are signs that your pal in the spirit world is trying to connect with you."

Firenze blinked and swallowed hard. "Wow," He closed his eyes and began meditating.

"Well, this should be interesting to watch." Even Grifton had a dragon spirit that he'd formed a connection with before he became a dragon.