Saint Sigmund Thumel

The shriveled body of Sigmund Thumel stared up at us from the corner of his eye. The icy blue irises, which contrasted his dark skin, bore into us. His dry lips parted and he spoke in a deep, hoarse whisper, thick with an Edellion accent.

“I would not touch him if I were you, Soul Burner.”

Good Goddess! He was alive! I stumbled back into Dietrich, who dropped the hand that had been reaching for the axe and steadied by my shoulders. Bastian, however, remained stalwart.

Thumel gave a dry cough and worked his jaw. “Edel’s Mane… How long have I been asleep? Feels like I’ve been gargling sand.” He gave another cough before his arms began to twitch. “I’m all numb. Well, that is to be expected for napping when I was supposed to be meditating.” His eyes darted about. “Arier…” His voice wheezed as he tried to shout. “Help me up, you indolent boy! Arier!” Thumel started to spasm. He was trying to move, but his dried body would not let him. “Gah! Soul Burner, I changed my mind, give that axe a good thwacking on my behalf.”

Dietrich blinked at the shriveled man. “Huh? Wha…?”

“You are not deaf, are you?” snapped Thumel. “You can see, I’m indisposed. Thanks to that fool of an axe!” Thumel grunted with effort as continued to try and make his body mobile. Dietrich did not move.

“Uh, do you need some help, zombie dude?”

“No, no,” said Thumel, “I have got it. I just have to get the old blood pumping again. It may take a while.” He glanced up at us. “In the meantime, why not tell me what you are doing here. It is not everyday you get disturbed by strangers exploring the Starcastle.”

“But I’m no stranger, Saint Thummel,” said Bastian, having already sheathed his swords and placing a hand on his chest. “Do you not recognize me?”

Thumel eyed the High Prince suspiciously. “To me, you look like my old friend Alexander. But I know that cannot be the case.”

Bastian shook his head, “I was but a child when last we met. It is I, Bastian. My uncle has been dead for over twenty years.” He paused, “But then again, so were you.”

Thumel ignored this last statement. “Bastian? My, how you have grown!” Then his jaw attempted to slacken, only dropping slightly. “Wait, twenty years, you say? But Alexander died not even a year ago. How long have I been asleep?! Arier!” His eyes narrowed and turned toward the axe. “I told you to wake me up!”

Shaking off Dietirch’s hands, I walked forward and crouched in front of Thumel, awed. “You mean to tell me that you’ve been sleeping here for over twenty years?! How are you even alive?!”

Thumel fixed me with a calculating look. “You bear a familiar face as well. You are a Wolfskreuz. Are you not?”

Don’t just ignore me! But his deflection was successful, as I paused my indignation. Someone who recognized my lineage on sight? This was certainly a first. And, to be honest, I did not know if it was welcome. Thumel continued to scrutinize me.

“You are too young to be one of the boys I remember, but you are one of Luther’s sons. That I can be sure.” His blue eyes bore into me before shifting to Dietrich. “You. You are no Soul Burner, but a new soul inhabiting the body of one.”

Dietrich met this revelation with stunned silence. He looked at Lina. “And then you…”

At his gaze, Lina shrank back against the wall, face pale. She let out a shuddering breath. Thumel’s eyes closed, and at first, I thought that he was contemplating his next words, until he began to snore.

Dietrich and I exchanged startled looks, but once again, Bastian bore a calm smile. “I think you’ve slept enough, Saint Thumel.”

Thumel opened his eyes, his scowl deep. “I was not sleeping!” His lids closed once more. “I was merely concentrating.” Then he began to snore again.

You’re clearly asleep! I thought in exasperation. While I never thought I would ever meet a Sainted Seven in my life, now that I had, he fit right in with the menagerie of quirky characters I’d met so far. Strangeness must be the price of power.

“Oh, don’t mind Siggy,” said Rudi. “Even when he’s asleep, he’s always aware of his surroundings. Unlike someone I know!” I had a feeling she was not talking about me this time.

Bastian stood over Thumel, his brows furrowed. “I know you can hear me, Saint Thumel. Know that I do not forgive those who distress my dear…attendent. Not even old friends.”

Eyes still closed, Thumel bowed his head. “Forgive me. I did not mean offense.” Thumel opened a single eye, which squinted at Bastian before finding Lina. “You call her your attendant, you say?”

“I call her that because that is what she is,” said Bastian, refusing to meet Thumel’s eye.

Judging by his expression, Thumel was not fooled in the slightest. But he only said, “I see,” before his eyes shut once more. “Has much changed since I slept? Good news, I hope?”

Relieved for the change of subject, Bastian nodded. “I cannot exactly call it good news, but the being known as the Demon King is dead.”

Instead of looking happy, Thumel’s scowl deepened and addressed Dietrich. “That was you? Was it not?”

“Yeah,” answered Dietrich, “But how did you know?”

To my frustration, Thumel did not answer. Instead his attention turned back to Bastian. “I presume there is another in his place?” The High Prince nodded again. To which Thumel sighed. “Then the cycle continues. My slumber was not long enough.” Thumel closed his eyes and began to snore.

My patience was gone. “You can’t go back to sleep! I have so many questions!”

“So do I!” added Dietirch.

“I don’t,” said Lina, who was now pouting as she sat and stared at the wall in front of her.

His eyes snapped open again. His gaze was reproachful at first. After a pause and a glance toward Bastian, Thumel said, “Very well. Since I am stuck here, I will answer what I can. Do you agree, High Prince?”

“Yes,” said Bastian, folding his arms. “But I will be the one to ask the questions.”

Against my instinct, I nodded. Bastian knew far more than I, and was not willing to divulge much. I doubted his questions would be as in depth as I wanted, but I stood and let Bastian take my spot in front of Thumel.

Instead of squatting, Bastian sat cross-legged, in imitation of the Saint. His eyes were fierce. “I was told that the Sainted Seven were supposed to have died against the Demon King, yet you are here. And this young man is in possession of Saint Gerhard’s blade. What happened on that day you fought the Demon King?”

After staring at the sword on my waist for a long time, Thumel sighed. “What happened is that we learned the horrible truth about the Demon King. That he is unbeatable.”

“You learned of the cycle,” said Bastian.

“We did.” Though his face remained stiff, Thumel’s sadness was apparent. “After a long and fierce battle we Sainted Seven finally managed to deal a fatal blow to the monster that had been tormenting our land. Or so we thought. We watched in horror as our comrade changed before our eyes into the being he had just slain. And that is when we learned: to slay the Demon King is to become the Demon King.”

At our resolute expressions, Thumel smirked. “But you must have figured that out already. After all, you’re in the company of a former Demon King. Tell me, boy. What do you remember about your time before?”

“I don’t remember anything,” said Dietrich. “But I was told I used to be called Kentaro.”

“And so, you entered the cycle, which takes away anything superfluous, such as your memory. So it was for our dear friend who did not know us any longer.” Thumel stopped speaking, eyes closed in contemplation.

“And?” asked Bastian tensely, “Who? Which of the Seven did the cycle take?”

“I am sorry.” When Thumel opened his eyes, they were grave. “It was your Uncle Alexander.”

Bastian bowed his head. “I…had a feeling. I should not have hoped.”

Thumel bowed his head back. “We were just as broken-hearted to learn the true nature of the Demon King. But we were determined not to leave our friend in this state. If only there was some way to rescue him—but we learned quickly that our friend was gone. And so, with no hope, we prayed to Iliana to give us strength to end this vile cycle. Even if it meant to turn our sword against our friend and brother. And our Mother answered.”

For the first time, more than Thumel’s eyes and mouth moved. His fingers, which rested on his withered legs, clenched into fists.

I was breathless as I asked, “You spoke with Iliana?”

“Yes.” Thumel’s expression was grim. “As her faithful Saints, we would often turn to her for counsel. Yet, her answer this time did not instill hope. She told us to stand down and leave the Demon King be.”

Another shockwave passed through us all. This did not make any sense.

“It’s true,” said Rudi. Her voice echoed through the tower. I turned and looked. And again, I only caught a glimpse of gold. “I heard her voice. She told us not to kill the Demon King no matter what. That we had to maintain the balance of the world.”

“‘Balance of the world?’” I repeated. “What does that even mean?”

“None of us knew,” said Thumel. “But when we found a safe place to hide, we were divided. Should we disobey Iliana, to whom we had dedicated our lives? Or do we stand and face the evil that swallowed our beloved leader?

“Ultimately, the Seven were fractured. Some chose to flee. And some chose to stay. Among the runners were myself and Gerhard Schultz.”

“And I’ll never forgive him for taking me away!” shouted Rudi, and I heard the sound of a stamping foot. “I wanted to fight, but he took me away! He should not have left our friend to suffer! Coward!” Her voice broke at the last word. “Gerry always went on about justice and strength, but both failed him that day. I vowed I would never let a fool like that use me again!”

Which is why you broke yourself. I thought. But Rudi did not answer.

Thumel was looking behind me, where I felt her presence. “None of us are proud of that day, Rudolf,” he said. “But Gerhard chose his faith over everything. He believed in your Mother’s command. That is something I would not hate him for.” He clasped his bony fingers. “As for myself, I was ashamed of the choice I made. I could not face the world knowing what I had condemned it to. So, I asked the High King to exile me. Which he granted.”

“Of course Father knows,” sighed Bastian. “Yet another matter to discuss with him.”

“Do not blame him, Bastian,” said Thumel. “He banished me reluctantly. I wanted to exile myself to the place I had felt closest to Mother. Here. And here I have stayed.”

His eyes shut once more. And after some time, he said. “My friend, Gerhard, is dead, yes? Which is why you have found yourself a new wielder, yes?”

“Yes,” answered Rudi. “And good riddance.”

Thumel’s lips tightened. “You do not mean that, Rudolf. That man gave you all the love and respect he could.”

“It wasn’t enough!” she yelled. “Even at his peak, Gerhard held himself back! He refused to give me everything.” She fell silent. “If he had… maybe… I could have done more. I could have saved everyone.” I had never heard such bitterness in a voice before. When I turned to look at the source, she was gone.

Bastian stood and dusted himself off. “That’s enough talking for one night. It is late. Thank you, Saint Thumel.”

It was not enough for me. “Hang on! What about the Saints who faced the Demon King again? Who else joined you in fleeing?” If Thumel was here and alive, there were no doubt others still out there.

Bastian glared at me from behind his smile. “It would be unwise to concern yourselves with this matter any further, young man.” His tone was pleasant as ever. But I could feel the command behind it.

Thumel nodded in agreement. “As a devotee of Iliana, I must obey the Falcon’s wish.” And with that, he closed his eyes, and began to snore once more.

“Sleep well, old friend.” Bastian smiled fondly at him before he turned his eyes back to us.“You should get some rest. I thank you both for bringing my…attendant this far. But now she is my charge. We must go our separate ways.”

We started. “Wait, you’re leaving?” asked Dietrich. “It’s totally dark out there.”

“I’m afraid we must.” Without elaborating as I’d hoped, Bastian strode past Dietrich and me to stop in front of Lina. “It is time for us to go.” He held out a hand to her.

She eyed him with defiance. “I don’t want to.”

He smiled back. “I will not take no for an answer, my dear…attendant. The sooner we are back in Ald Alira, the better.”

“No! You can’t make me! I’m not going back!”

Bastian put a hand on his hip. “Lina, this is for your own good. You know that. Now, be a good attendant, and come—”

“I don’t want to be your attendant!” Lina screamed, leaping to her feet. “I don’t want any of this! I hate you!”

Her voice reverberated through the tower and through my ears. Lina glared up at him, teeth bared as she panted. But Bastian only smiled down at her. “Are you quite finished, dear Lina? If you are, let us go.”

Lina’s breath caught as tears welled in her eyes.

Bastian was unflinching. “I will carry you if I have to.”

And all at once, the fight left her. Lina’s gaze fell to the floor. “No. I’ll come.”

He beamed. “Wonderful!”

Lina began to walk forward, dragging her feet.

Bastian’s eyebrows furrowed. “Oh, come now. You can’t go about like that. Stand tall, and bear a smile that will never fall!”

At that, Lina winced. But she obeyed, straightening her back, her mouth contorting into a grin that was far too convincing. She strode past us as we did nothing but watch.

Wait, no… This could not be it. I had learned so much in my travels; there was much more left to learn. About Lina. About the world. About myself. I could not let Bastian rip it all away. I opened my mouth to protest, but Bastian was no longer paying me mind.

He caught up and fell into step with her, “Yes, much better! Just wait until I tell father about what we’ve found here. A Sainted Seven, Alive!” he said. Then he stopped and looked back at the sleeping Thumel. “But do you think Thumel would want to see him after so long? Perhaps I should wake him and ask?” After a pause, Bastian exhaled through his sharp nose. “No, best not. Father respected his wishes and exiled him. Yes, let’s leave him in peace. Come Lina.”

He began to walk again with Lina following. Watching this, my conviction to stop them teetered on a sword's edge. That was until Lina looked back at me.“Good bye, Anno, Dietrich. Thanks for everything. It’s been fun.” Her smile quivered.

My feet moved on their own. And before I knew it, I stood between Bastian and the stairs, beating Dietrich by half a second.

“Stop right there, High guy!” said Dietrich, spreading his arms out.

The High Prince’s eyes went wide for a moment before his smile grew. He chuckled. “Oh, yes. I almost forgot.” He held out his hand. “You will return Rudi to me. Thank you for finding her. You will be rewarded handsomely for her return.” There was challenge in his eyes. He knew exactly what we were doing and was giving us an out.

But I refused to take it.

“No. Rudi does not belong to you,” I said, my fingers curling around her grip. “And neither does Lina.”

“Anno,” said an aghast Lina, “What are you doing?”

“Yes,” said Bastian, eyes narrowing as he stepped in front of her. “What are you doing, boy?” His hands did not move. But I knew he would have his swords out and at my throat before I could draw mine. “I have relieved you of your duty. You do not have to go home. But your part in Lina's life is over.”

“With all due respect, Highest,” I began, staring into his eyes. “But my duty is far from done.” My heart was pounding, but I found courage as Lina stared at me in my periphery. “I started my journey to take on that fool who calls himself a Hero. He has someone that is very precious to me. And I am not strong enough to get her back. Not without Rudi.”

Bastian regarded me with a cold smile. “Were you not listening before? A Sainted Seven has told you that the being you knew as the Demon King is unbeatable. That is what this Hero had become. Not even Iliana’s most powerful stood a chance. If this new Demon King is indeed holding your precious person, what makes you think you have a chance of rescue?”

I had no answer. But I could not let myself remain silent. “In all honesty, I’m the weakest person in this room.”

“Exactly,” said Bastian. “So why try? Why not just go home and consider this matter done? Someone else will come to the rescue in your place. In the meantime, celebrate your achievements.

“With what you’ve done, you will be regarded as a Hero in your kingdom! From what the gray one has told me, protecting Lina was no simple task. For that, you will have my eternal gratitude. You are no less brave than any other prince.”

I looked into his eyes. He spoke the truth. Bastian had chosen his final words carefully, giving me validation I longed for. Acknowledgement that not even my father could deny. If I wanted, I could laud this over my brothers and demand the respect I deserved. But I shook my head. “It’s not enough.”

The High Prince blinked at me. “What?”

“At first, I thought it would be. I longed to do something that would bring me glory, but when I finally got the taste I craved,” I thought back to my time in Justice. “I…I found that I did not want it.”

The pain in my chest had dulled, but I still felt the wounds ache. “There is so much left to learn, but I cannot go further alone.”

“I cannot allow some self-proclaimed weakling to use a Sacred Tool as a crutch,” replied Bastian. “There are plenty of Heroes who have gotten by without borrowed power. You are no different.”

“That’s not true, High guy,” said Dietrich, “I haven’t told you half the things my Boss has done.”

“It does not matter,” said Bastian, “I can see it in your eyes, young man. As nobly as you speak, your goal is ultimately selfish. Say I allow you to keep Rudi, and you managed to defeat this Hero without succumbing to the Demon King’s curse. What then? What will you do with that power?”

Again, I had no answer. And this time, I could not stumble into one.

Bastian sighed. “It is as I feared. For all your talk, you are still an arrogant noble.”

His words struck a nerve. “And what about you?” I said before I could stop myself. “How are you any better than me? You stand there, ordering Lina around, telling her who she is and how to act. You talk about handling power, but you already have it! Why haven’t you done anything and let the Demon King rule? Why do I, a weak prince from a nothing kingdom, have to fight in the first place? You could not even stop some nobody who calls himself a Hero from stealing your dear attendant from under your nose!”

Not one iota of Bastian’s smile faltered. And yet, I could feel the change in his demeanor, like summer freezing into winter. His voice was as measured as ever. “Do not talk about matters you do not understand, boy. Know that if I had the power to change this world, I would. But that is not my role. That is not what a prince is meant to be. Now, if you are quite done, I would humbly request that you give me Rudi.”

I did not move.

“I will not ask again,” said Bastian, his aura flaring. “Do not make me take it from you.”

Lina was horrified. She grabbed at Bastian, yelling at him to stop. But Lina might as well have tried to shout down a continent. And still, I stood. At this point, out of sheer stubbornness rather than altruism.

Perhaps the Highprince was right: perhaps I was still an arrogant noble.

A sudden elbow on my shoulder startled me. I thought it was Dietrich trying to stop me from making a life-ending mistake, but then Rudi spoke.

“Hang on, don’t I get a say in this?”

On instinct, I turned my head, only to have a soft finger press into my cheek, stopping me. “Not this time. When I tell you not to look, you don’t look.”

I nodded, still my eyes could not help but focus on a long tuft of fluffy golden hair bouncing before them.

Bastian’s aura vanished as he chuckled. “Come now, Rudi, you can’t honestly want to stay with this boy?”

Still clinging uselessly to Bastian’s shoulder, Lina exchanged baffled looks with Dietrich. They mouthed questions to each other that nobody answered.

“Hmmm,” sighed Rudi, “What you said was true, Bastie. He’s a self-absorbed weakling.”

“Hey!” I said, trying to force my head to turn, but Rudi’s finger held me in place.

She giggled. “But he’s a funny one. He’s trying so hard to be a good little prince. And, you know what, I think he’s going to do it.” The weight on my shoulder shifted. Rudi’s elbow left my shoulder, replaced with a pair of arms which wrapped themselves around my neck, the hands resting on my chest, over my wound. I looked down. The hands were real. Rudi’s skin was pale, the nails painted the same deep purple as the sleeves that covered the arms. Her fingers were so soft as they caressed my bandages. I felt their warmth. “This prince will take me back to Mother. Once I’m through with him.”

I felt her lean closer. Her breath tickled my skin as she whispered. “Will you take me, Anno?”

At the sound of my name, I shivered. And I could fight the urge no longer. I broke free of her hold and turned, only to find no one.

Rudi’s giggles echoed in my head. “Ooh, so close! Maybe next time!”

My cheeks were flushed as I rubbed at the place Rudi fingers had touched. I could feel my heart threatening to break my bandages, but was brought out of my confoundment by Bastian laughing.

His head thrown back, it was a full-throated bellowing guffaw that rang even louder than Lina’s cries had. When he finally stopped, Bastian grinned at me. “Well, who am I to argue with that?” he said. “If Rudi wants you that badly, my father will understand. You may keep her.”

I gaped at him. “That’s it? You change your mind just like that?”

“Just like that. I’m not unreasonable, young man,” said Bastian. “I don’t believe in coincidence.”

I paused as I processed this sudden turn. “Is it too late to change my mind?”

“Wait!” screeched Rudi, “I stuck up for you!”

I scoffed. “You call that sticking up for me? Since when did you have a body?”

And where do you get off attacking me from behind like that? I dared not say that last part aloud.

“Ooh, all hot and bothered by a beautiful woman’s touch?” she teased. “I’ve had a body since forever! I just didn’t want you to see me. I still don’t, especially if you’re going to be rude about it!”

Bastian laughed again, which made Dietrich and Lina more confused. Me too, for that matter. “I can see why she likes you, young man!” he said, “Though I don’t envy you. Saint Gerhard always told me how much of a handful that girl is.”

“Don’t I know it,” I grumbled.

A hand on my shoulder made me flinch as memories of Rudi’s caress still lingered. But it was Bastian clapping my shoulder. There was not an ounce of malice in his grip.

“Young man, I knew I liked you. There is much I wish to discuss with you, but you are tired. We all are. As I said, the hour is late. We can continue this discussion tomorrow refreshed and with cooler heads.”

I wished that he wasn’t right. My skull was throbbing and my eyes suddenly itched. The thrill of discovering the Starcastle had waned, and the toll of arguing with a force like Bastian was heavy.

All I could say was, “Promise me, you will not steal Lina away in the night.”

Bastian placed a hand on his chest. “I swear on my father’s name that you will see me and Lina in the morning. I doubt we could get very far anyway.” He turned his smile to Lina, who looked relieved. Then he looked back at me.

I stared into his eyes and all I saw was the truth, so I nodded and stepped aside. Dietrich, however, stayed where he was.

“And what about that guy?” he said, pointing at Thumel. “What do we do about him?”

An excellent point. I wished I had thought of it before conceding so easily.

“Him?” said Bastian, sparing a glance at the sleeping Saint. “I would not worry about him. If I know Saint Thumel, he’ll sleep for another twenty years if not awoken. We’ll deal with him tomorrow.”

Dietrich mulled this over, then nodded before stepping aside.

I gaped. That’s all it took?! But I was too tired to make a fuss. And besides, I was no better.

Together, the four of us walked back down the spiral stairs, only to be greeted by Ulrich at the bottom.

“And what in Baldwin’s name was all that racket? I was almost tempted to come up there.”

“Oh, nothing,” I said sleepily. “Just a friendly spat.”

Ulrich’s brow furrowed. “Sounded like a lot more than that.” He watched Bastian take up his silver cape and hand it to Lina before sitting at the base of the stairs. She took it, and sat a distance away, but still within the High Prince’s sight, wrapping the cape around her like a blanket.

I debated briefly about settling down near the two to keep an eye on them, but thought better of it and continued my way outside. Dietrich followed. “We’re going to bed. Are you coming?”

The horse shook his head. “Them two are still lurkin’ about, scrapin’ fer Elaris. Thought I’d keep an eye on them.”

“You do that,” I said, patting a surprised Ulrich on the nose. Perhaps I could enjoy one last night on that mattress in the wagon’s wreckage. If it wasn’t soaked with lake water, that was.

Though not before saying, “In the meantime, do mind the sleeping corpse upstairs, would you?”

I turned toward the exit and got halfway across the hall when I heard Ulrich say, “What?”

But I was too tired to answer.