Chapter 17

Koji awoke the next day, his head pleasantly buzzing with the exhilaration of the previous day’s events. Remembering what he had been told by the High Lords, he quickly ate his breakfast and got dressed in his Order uniform, pinning his medal of bravery to his chest. He gave himself an approving nod in the mirror before setting off to find a carriage to take him to headquarters.

The carriage driver’s face showed recognition as Koji approached, which pleased him. It seemed that the High Lords had been right about one thing: people in the city now knew who he was. On one hand, it felt like somewhat of a large responsibility. On the other hand, he couldn’t help but smile at the idea that he was now a celebrity, just like that. He liked to think that he had earned it, and the High Lords of the Order seemed to think so too.

Leaning against the inner wall of the carriage, Koji idly wondered what kind of resistance he might face on that day’s assignment. He privately felt that he could handle whatever the Magecroft Organization threw at him. After all, each of his previous encounters with them had been pretty much landslide victories. He clenched his hand into a fist and an aura of gold surrounded it. He strummed his fingers on his leg, feeling the power surge through his body. He could feel his abilities growing stronger every time he used them, and he knew that after today, he would be even more powerful than before.

As soon as the carriage arrived at the Order’s headquarters, Koji hopped out and marched off to the High Lords’ meeting chamber. He passed numerous other Order soldiers on the way, all of whom saluted to him respectfully.

As usual, the High Lords were in their thrones, waiting for him.

“Ah, Koji Hagane. You’re early,” High Lord Tristan said with a small smile.

“I’m ready for the briefing about that important mission you mentioned,” Koji said formally.

“Yes, we will get to that soon,” High Lord Eliana nodded. “I take it you enjoyed the parade yesterday?”

Koji nodded once.

“Good,” High Lord Eliana continued. “The parade was meant to inspire our own troops and the citizens of Behalan, but it was also meant as a warning.”

“A warning to who?” Koji asked.

“To the Magecroft Organization,” High Lord Sampson replied. “Doubtless they had people watching the parade yesterday, even if they remained hidden. The parade was a declaration of defiance against them and their arcane ways. To shake their confidence and show them that destiny always arrives.”

“However,” High Lord Tristan raised his hand. “No matter who was watching, that does not change today’s assignment. This mission is one of great importance, and we can think of no better person to lead it than you.”

“M-Me?” Koji started. “I mean, I’m honored, but shouldn’t someone more experienced be the leader? Surely Sylvia would be a better candidate.”

“Koji Hagane,” High Lord Eliana said firmly. “You have only been with the Order for a short time, but in that time, you have performed admirably, and given hope to both the Order and the common folk that magic is not insurmountable. We three High Lords have agreed that none other than you deserves the honor of this command. A reward for your heroism, so to speak.”

“The men will be emboldened to be led by such a courageous man as yourself,” High Lord Sampson agreed, thumping his right fist on his throne’s armrest. “We have made our decision.”

“We have also assigned Sylvia to be your second in command for this assignment,” High Lord Tristan added. “She is outside mustering the troops.”

“I see,” Koji said, feeling thankful for this decision. “So, what does this mission entail, High Lords?”

High Lord Sampson raised both his armored hands and clapped them twice, the clash of metal on metal resounding throughout the chamber. At this signal, two Order members wearing full-body armor walked into view, bringing with them a small folding table and a large, rolled up scroll of some kind.

The Order soldiers quickly set the table down in the center of the chamber and unrolled the scroll. It was a map of the city of Behalan, and there were numerous red X’s drawn on it. It took Koji a few moments to see that the crosses were placed on areas that he had been on missions at, along with a few others that he did not recognize.

“As you can see, the Order has been hard at work ever since we established a foothold here in Behalan,” High Lord Tristan told Koji, pointing at the map. “These red crosses mark the locations where we made successful pushes against the interlopers in the city. Now, I want to draw your attention here.”

High Lord Tristan pointed at a thick red circle on the map, near the center of the city.

“We have known about this area for some time now, but we have been unable to act, as it is mostly uncharted territory.”

Koji stared down at the map, seeing that it was marked with the Magecroft Organization’s emblem.

“What High Lord Tristan is trying to say, is that you may be the final thing the Order needs to push magic and its users out of the city for good,” High Lord Eliana supplied. “According to our spies, this is the final major stronghold that the Magecroft Organization has established inside the city walls. If we can clear that out, then it’s over for them in Behalan. We will finally be in control of our own destinies.”

There was a murmuring of assent among both the High Lords and the other Order soldiers.

“So, Koji,” High Lord Tristan stared intensely at the young man. “Are you ready to have your deeds match your legend?”

Koji nodded, feeling his spirits lift at the praise levied onto him.

“I won’t let you down!” Koji promised.

“See that you do not,” High Lord Sampson told him. “You may go. For destiny’s true path.”

Koji left the meeting chamber and was immediately greeted by the sight of at least forty Order soldiers standing in rows of five in the main courtyard. Standing in front of them with her armor freshly polished was Sylvia. She saluted, and the other soldiers did the same.

“All forces reporting in,” Sylvia said with a friendly smile.

“Good to have you with us,” Koji replied, saluting back. “Do you know what we’re doing today?”

“Certainly,” Sylvia said confidently. “We’re going to hit the last stronghold that the Magecroft Organization has in the city. I’ve already briefed everyone else to save time. Is there anything else you want to tell us before we get going, sir?”

“You don’t have to call me sir…” Koji mumbled, but Sylvia seemed not to hear him. “Alright then!” He raised his voice, gathering every ounce of charisma that he had. “We are going to the Market District, everyone. The Magecroft Organization has their final stronghold in Behalan established there! We will go and clear it out, for the Order!”

“For the Order!” The soldiers echoed loudly. Koji smiled giddily, exhilarated that he was actually commanding all these men and women. That they were listening to him and would do what he told them. He felt as if he could float off the ground, but Koji tempered his reaction and put on his best stoic face.

“Alright, everyone! Let’s move!”

The platoon from the Order marched through the Behalan streets at a brisk pace, with Koji and Sylvia at the front. Koji was mainly following the roads from the map in his memory, and here and there Sylvia would offer a few pointers at a route that would cut time off the journey, something for which Koji was extremely grateful.

With the sound of all their armor and weapons clanking like a kitchen, Koji grew slightly concerned that they would lose the element of surprise, but since nobody else seemed to worry about that, he decided not to mention it. He did not want to be seen as someone who needed to get the jump on his enemies in order to win.

As it was, Koji’s platoon of soldiers soon marched into the Market District, which was being cordoned off by other Order members with wooden barricades. The stalls, which normally would have been a hive of activity, were deserted and free of any shopkeepers. Nearly all of the stands were covered with tarp, creating long corridors between them.

“We had some complaints about a day’s lost profits from the citizens,” Sylvia said for Koji’s benefit. “But we managed to persuade the people that our cause was more important.”

Approaching the nearest barricade, Koji simply nodded to the Order soldiers who were standing guard and they pulled the barrier aside to let Koji and his people past.

"You don’t think that the Magecroft Organization will see us coming if the whole district’s closed down?” Koji asked Sylvia.

“The Order of the Unbroken Path isn’t exactly subtle,” Sylvia replied. She unhooked her shield from her back and held it in her left hand. “Even if the markets were still open, they would see us coming from a mile away. At least this way, if there is a fight then the civilians are out of harm’s way.”

Finally, they stopped in front of a nondescript warehouse. It was about the size of Rena’s family inn, and bore the crest of a seabird perched atop a pile of fish.

“That’s the logo of the Gull Wing Shipping Company,” Sylvia stared up at the sign on the warehouse wall. “They were disbanded last year for having ties to the Magecroft Organization.”

“So, we’re at the right place,” Koji concluded.

“Yes. What are your orders?”

“First, we need to find a way inside,” Koji instructed. “You ten, form a perimeter around this building. Anyone who’s not with the Order comes out, detain them. The rest of us, we’re going to search for an entrance. If anyone tries to attack you, you are permitted to fight back until you are no longer threatened. Understood?”

“Sir, yes, sir!” The Order soldiers chorused.

“Right,” Koji drew his short sword while channeling golden light in his left hand. “Let’s move.”

While the ten soldiers that Koji had picked worked on surrounding the warehouse, the rest of the platoon quickly located the front doors to the warehouse, but they were locked. Koji simply blasted the lock off with a burst of light.

He and Sylvia pulled them open to reveal rows and rows of empty shelves. Koji stepped inside, Sylvia at his side. There was a soft crunching sound as they entered, and upon looking down, Koji saw that they were walking on what looked like dark sand.

Ignoring this, the group moved through the warehouse, checking the shelves for anything that might be of use.

“Sir! I’ve found something!” One of the Order soldier’s called out.

Koji, Sylvia, and a handful of other soldiers went over to the one who had spoken.

Lying in the center of the warehouse was a mummified body. It was surrounded by more of the dark sand, and it was dressed in what had once been fine robes. This person was obviously long dead, judging by the state of him.

What was more curious was that clasped in the corpse’s arms was a small cube shaped box. It was black in color and had etchings on them, but they were impossible to make out with the owner’s arms still wrapped around it.

Koji knelt down and gingerly touched the body. Its arms were closed tight, but at Koji’s touch the limbs began to crumble into ash. With a little effort, he pulled the box clear and looked at it. The etchings were in a language he could not read, but there was something inside the box. He could feel it rattling around as he handled the cube, but there did not seem to be any obvious way to get inside; there was a lid, but it was stuck fast.

“Should we take it back to headquarters to be examined?” Sylvia asked.

“Wait, I think I can get it open,” Koji told her reassuringly. “Just give me a moment.” Maybe the High Lords would give him another medal for turning in another magical object for their archives.

Sylvia gave the cube a skeptical look. “Koji, I'm not sure about this…”

“Relax, it'll be fine,” Koji said confidently. He glanced at the Magicide gem in his gauntlets. “Magic tricks don't work on us, right?

Koji wedged the blade of his short sword into the crack between the box and the lid, pushing and pulling until he felt something come loose.

“There we go!” Koji said, smiling up at Sylvia. “Nothing to worry about-”

He opened the box, and what was inside chilled Koji’s blood to the core.

“No… what the- No!”

Nestled inside the cube was a bomb. Not a fantasy style bomb or anything magical either, but a bomb like the kind he had seen in the movies back on earth. A block of plastic explosive with wires and a digital timer attached that didn’t belong in this world. A timer that was counting down from five… four… three…

“Run!” Koji shouted, throwing the bomb away from himself.

However, it was too late. Koji knew that he had inadvertently doomed everyone here with his eagerness to gain favor with the High Lords.

The soldiers around him turned to flee, but there was no time left. The last thing Koji remembered before everything went black was trying to cast a shield around himself, Sylvia crying out in pain, and knowing that he had failed.