VERSE EIGHT

What would you give?

What would you take?

Questions to an exchange that is transformative.

Though it can be your undoing, your last mistake.

---

From the very beginning the fight is mostly one-sided. Trax applies pressure, using his proficiency in swordsmanship to deftly parry critical strikes, while allowing less critical ones to slip through, giving him a brief opening to push FIVE back. This tactic is a slowly failing one, as the heat from FIVE’s hardlight blade not only burns Trax by being near him, but it also slowly melts and warps Trax’s sword.

Oberon conjures forth the Garden of Dreams, but in a similar vein to Elio’s static barrier, the hardlight seems to protect FIVE from the direct illusory influence that Oberon relies on. To make matters worse, FIVE’s strength exceeds Oberon’s, and from how easily the Proctor is resisting the Garden, he very well might exceed Elio’s as well.

Oberon uses his transmutation and conjuring of blades to keep FIVE on the move, never able to settle into a stance or rhythm. Oberon can’t outclass someone solely focused on swordsmanship like Trax or even FIVE, but his skill and versatility are enough to offer reliable support.

At the same time as Oberon and Trax bear down on FIVE, Landa swiftly mixes, loads, and launches needles or phials of concocted chemicals into or around those fighting. Occasional surges of energy-revitalizing fluids flow into both Trax and Oberon, while acids and poisons debilitate FIVE; not enough to give the trio an advantage, but enough to keep FIVE from completely overwhelming them.

On the far side of the room are blurs of movement. SIX moves like wind, sending slices through the air that cleave wall, floor, and attack alike. For the first time, Oberon gets a glimpse of Rey’s fighting style; she moves along the walls, a wand in each hand sending different elemental blasts at SIX. When she changes approach, a wand is swapped, and she may shoot arcane bolts with one, while conjuring opaque stepping stones in the air with the other, in an attempt to get up to SIX and land a decisive blow or speak her Fae incantation. SIX is far faster, and while their attacks aren’t powerful, the sheer number of wind slashes and speed at which both SIX and their attacks soar through the air is enough to almost give them an edge against Rey.

So SIX is an elemental, FIVE a celestial, and Rey a Fae. That leaves a few options open for the other seven Proctors. But I'm beginning to understand what the Professor meant at the end of the survey.

His train of thought is broken when FIVE raises a hand, removing his armor of light and making a large panel directly in front of him. Oberon attempts to compress his miasma and wrap it around the Proctor, but it’s at the tail end of its potency and wildly ineffective. The wall of hardlight shoots forward, slamming Trax into a far wall; Trax hits the ground and struggles to get back up. FIVE blinks in a flash of light and reappears beside Oberon in another flash, the explosion of light causing Oberon to slide back, digging his heels in to not be pushed too far out of formation. Oberon rushes back toward FIVE as the Proctor flashes again and appears beside Landa.

FIVE conjures forth hardlight gauntlets and lands a hefty straight punch to Landa’s chest that knocks them flat on their back. Landa tries to scurry away, but FIVE mounts them and starts to lay into them with blow after blow.

Oberon leaps forward, his blade aimed for FIVE’s back; FIVE flicks his hand, and the wall of hardlight shoots back and slams into Oberon, sending him into a tumble. FIVE continues to pound Landa, the alchemist's guard breaking until his arms are batted aside, and the strikes start to connect with his face.

FIVE raises a fist, changing the gauntlet into a wrist blade and plunging it down. The strike does not connect. FIVE is sent flying; he slams into SIX and both crash into the wall. Oberon and Rey both look toward Landa, and see barely standing, pact markings flaring, and a smile on his face is Shayan.

Shayan extends a hand to Landa.

On your feet. We can rest when we’re free or dead.

Landa smiles, grabbing Shayan's outstreched forearm, hoisting himself up.

Trax stumbles over to stand beside Landa and Shayan. Rey dashes to Oberon in an instant, helping him to his feet; the pair move to stand beside their allies as FIVE and SIX spread out again, and prepare for another round.

There’s a flash from the circles. Domina shouts.

It’s open, everyone in!

Nolan grabs Amara, pulling her in. Palo picks up Hiro and enters. Trax, Shayan, and Landa rush toward the circle. But as Rey and Oberon start toward it, FIVE and SIX cut them off; they leap at the pair, but a blast of ice explodes at their backs. Arbaless has his hands raised; he continues to mutter an incantation, channeling another spell.

FIVE and SIX recover, just as Rey, Oberon and Domina step into the circle. The two Proctors dart for the circle.

Domina curses.

Oberon, Rey, if you can do that thing you always do, now would be the time.

Oberon focuses, but he's mentally and physically exhausted. He reaches a hand out toward the encroaching enemies; his vision blurs, but he presses on, trying to conjure an illusion, alter the space around them, anything. He feels his heart racing, then it skips a beat, and he nearly collapses; Domina catches him. Oberon’s ears ring; he can barely hear. He looks up. FIVE and SIX are nearly on them now.

Nolan places a healing hand on Oberon and stabilizes him as Rey shouts.

Stop!

For a moment FIVE and SIX falter, but their charge continues. SIX uses their control of wind to boost them forward even faster; the pair coming at the group in a blur.

Shayan comments as he steps forward between Oberon and the pair.

They’re going to follow us through!

Arbaless steps between the two opposing sides and smiles.

No, they’re not.

Landa and Nolan immediately leap for their brother. Arbaless slams his hands into the ground, the spell he was conjuring as Oberon passed exploding outward. Oberon can’t find the words to say, but he hears what are probably the last words of Arbaless.

I love you, my brothers. Take care of each other.

Then a flash of white.

—

When the group regains their focus, they’re on the slope leading to the downtown area of Chromerus. The Aurum estate is in the opposite direction up the hill.

Landa and Nolan collapse to their knees and scream in grief, agony, and rage. No one says a word, and even if they wanted to, no one would know what to say. There is truly nothing to say. Shayan walks beside the brothers and lowers his head, his voice uneven.

I’m sorry…If I knew saving me would cause this, I would have...

Shayan trails off. He kneels beside them, placing a hand on each of their backs.

If I could trade places with him-

Don’t.

Nolan looks over to Shayan. An expression of sadness but resolve on his face.

Don’t say that. We knew the risks. We would never…he would never want you to regret his decision.

Landa hugs his brother. For a few minutes, the group sits in silence and gives the brothers time to let their emotions flow unchecked. Then, they start up the hill toward the Aurum estate.

Without saying anything more, everyone understands what needs to be done. They lost two to save two, and in doing so, they are bonded by a desire for a better Chromerus and the need for retribution.

—

It’s midnight when the group arrives at the main gates. Oberon leads the group onto the estate grounds and into the house. To his surprise, neither of his parents is immediately there to greet him. His heart sinks for a moment. Panic begins to set in.

Oberon sprints toward the study, the others following close behind.

MOM! DAD!

Oberon shouts; he rushes up the stairs, down the hall, and approaches the door.

MOM! DA-

He swings the study door open and finds his parents staring at documents on the table; both of them have an intense look of confusion on their faces.

They look up, see Oberon and his companions, and smile. Then they notice people missing, and their mood darkens. Both of them give the group a once-over with looks of condolences, their gaze lingering longest on the two brothers.

Adonai speaks to Oberon first as he and Kallipso walk around the table and embrace him.

We’re glad you’ve returned. We were just reading something…a letter from Elio.

Oberon’s heart jumps; he takes a step toward the desk, then turns to face them. If it’s from Elio, why did they look so confused? He steps forward.

Why did you look so perturbed then? I mean, it’s from Elio! He’s alright.

Kallipso gives Adonai a knowing look, before walking over to the others and escorting them elsewhere in the house to rest and recover. Adonai gestures for Oberon to sit on the couch, and so he does.

Adonai picks up the letter, hands it to Oberon, and sits back down at the desk before speaking.

He’s doing great. So great, in fact, that he requested an extension apparently.

Oberon reads the letter.

“Excelling.” “More time.” “Important.” “Potential growth.”

It’s definitely his brother’s handwriting, but-

How can this be important to him? They took him under indirect threat of violence to our family!

Adonai picks up a mug and takes a sip.

I know. And I’m certain he knows. However, you read the letter. He seems to be excelling at the tests and is growing at an exponential rate. We had been planning to petition his return had your mission failed but-

Oberon puts the letter down on the couch.

But there’d be no point if he voluntarily wishes to remain.

Adonai nods his head once.

Precisely that.

Oberon stands up and starts toward the door.

We’ll just need to trust him. If he says he’ll be back, then all we can do is be here when he’s ready. That starts with making this place into something a little more sovereign.

Oberon exits the study and goes to find where his mother took his friends and teammates.

—

The group is found occupying the outdoor training area, the benches and tables being used as a resting spot. Oberon exits the shadows of the home's interior and approaches. Shayan and the others surround Amara, while Rey stands off at a distance observing.

Against his true desires, he makes his way to Rey first. She looks over to him, nursing some light cuts and acknowledging his presence with a slight bow of the head. Oberon turns to face his group, glancing at Rey from the corner of his eye.

Thank you. We wouldn’t have survived half of those encounters without you.

Rey smirks, looking over at Oberon.

You guys are tougher than you think…but in this case, you’re right. I doubt any fight would have ended favorably for your team…even if you won.

Rey strolls to a nearby bench and sits; Oberon follows at a distance.

You’re a good leader. A good kid. Oberon. Your team was lucky to have you through all that’s happened.

Oberon glances from Rey to Amara, her mood relatively neutral, despite the energy and excitement of her friends surrounding her.

Lucky huh. Maybe for some.

Rey lowers her head.

Arbaless and Hiro were…brave.

Oberon snaps his head toward Rey.

They trusted me and died believing I could solve everything.

Rey responds swiftly.

And you did. WE did. The people we wanted to rescue are here; you’re looking at them now.

Oberon stares at Amara’s blank expression.

Are they really all here?

Rey follows Oberon’s gaze to Amara and sighs.

We don’t know what each person saw in those pods. All we know is it amplified their desires and their powers. But for some, it greatly amplified their powers…at the cost of them desiring nothing. Blank slates. Perfect puppets for whatever project The Professor or the government has in mind.

Oberon starts toward Amara and the rest of the group without responding. Rey calls out behind him, adding one final remark as the conversation ends.

Don’t blame yourself. You’ve done nothing wrong, yet given everything to make things right.

Oberon approaches. Shayan is the first to notice; he always is. He limps over to Oberon and hangs an arm over his shoulder.

I owe you big time for getting me out of there, Obi. Truly. Thank you.

Oberon smiles.

What are friends for? You don’t owe me a thing, Shay.

Shayan’s grin grows wider.

So you DID call me Shay when I was bleeding out! I knew I wasn’t hearing things. I’m lucky to have a friend like you, Obi. So, still…thank you.

There’s that word again. Luck. It stings like alcohol on an open wound. It reminds him of Amara. She’s right there within arm's reach, yet she feels so distant. The spark that made her so alluring, so alive, so her, is all but gone.

Shayan follows Oberon’s gaze to Amara. His face softens, his expression shifts to one of sadness but understanding. He pats Oberon on the shoulder.

Go talk to her. She’s not gone like you think she is, Obi. She’s going through something no one ever has before. She needs us now more than ever.

Oberon looks from Amara to Shayan, and back to Amara. Shayan continues.

I did my part, but we’re a trio. Your voice is just as important as my own.

Shayan gives Oberon a gentle shove toward Amara; he stumbles for a second, then walks over to face her. The other members of the group notice him approaching and give the two some space, walking alongside Shayan to go converse with Rey.

Amara looks at Oberon and tries to smile, but it doesn’t last long. She stares at Oberon a moment, and he stares back. Neither speaks for a time, until Amara breaks the silence.

I’m sorry. I should be excited to see you; I know we’re close, but-

Oberon cuts her off.

You don’t need to apologize for anything. We’ll fix this. Once we learn the origin, we’ll make this right.

Amara stares at him a moment. Then responds.

See, but I don’t feel wrong or like I need to be fixed. There are things I want, but none of them are things I know I used to want.

Oberon looks Amara in the eyes.

Tell me what you want, and I will make it happen. Whatever path you need to walk to feel like your old self again, I will walk it with you.

Shayan hooks his arm around both of their shoulders and brings them in.

Whoa, whoa, hold on now. WE will walk it with her. We’re a team. Don’t go jumping the gun without us, Obi.

The other members of the team, including Rey, all stand in a semi-circle around Amara, Shayan, and Oberon. Oberon smiles and nods his head, looking back at Amara.

We will walk it together. We’ve only made it this far because we were together. I don’t intend to change that now.

The group all turn to face two figures that emerge from the interior of the house. Adonai and Kallipso stand just a few meters from the group. Adonai scans the group, then locks eyes with Rey. He speaks to her directly, while also addressing and inviting the group to be involved in the conversation.

We need to talk.

—

Adonai and Kallipso listen as Rey details her group, their objectives, and the desire for the Aurum’s support. Much of what she says is 1:1 how she summarized it to Oberon and the others; however, she adds on a very crucial piece of information that was apparently neglected in her previous pitch.

When the vote in the council is brought forward, there will without a doubt be a large portion of the military and science branch votes trying to keep our Supreme Leader in office. The popular vote, though, cannot be ignored; even if they veto it or alter the results, it will be enough to give us legal jurisdiction to start our takeover.

Adonai stares at Rey.

What is the combat power of your faction?

Rey holds Adonai’s stare, though much to Oberon’s amusement and pride, she shrinks a little.

Most of our forces are elite combatants, so we lack numbers. The bulk of our fighters are about twice as strong as your son Oberon when he’s fighting at his best. Our top fighters, which make up about fifteen percent, are relative to me. Our numbers, however, leave us at a 5:1 disadvantage to the active forces of Chromerus.

Kallipso speaks up immediately.

And how do you expect the Aurum family to assist in this? My husband and I won’t be fighters; our sons are not engaging in a coup, legal or otherwise. Is it finances? Vocal public support?

Rey responds.

More so the latter two options than anything else. People who are in the know about how the government works will know you and trust your word. It will potentially sway not only public opinion, but bring some government and military officials to our cause…the money is to keep us funded while we get off the ground.

Adonai and Kallipso look at one another, then back to Rey. Adonai addresses Rey.

We will support this movement, but in exchange, the Aurum family needs additional security. They already took one of our sons, and with our knowledge of the darker corners within this government, they will come after us for going against them.

Shayan speaks up at this moment.

Mr.Aurum sir…if I may.

Adonai, Rey, and Kallipso all turn to look at Shayan. Rey shrugs, Kallipso nods, and so Adonai gives Shayan an approving nod to speak. And so he does.

Those of us here. The members from Batch J, or the Eight, or whatever we go by now. We wanted to make a guild together after that last survey ended. If you’ll have and fund us, we can be security for your family, while Rey’s movement figures out how best to manage distribution of forces for the coup.

Adonai smiles.

That is a very kind offer, but there are two problems; First, you have families. If they agree to this and agree to support the cause, there is a possibility. However, the second problem is far more pressing, and do not take this as an insult, but…your group, while impressive for your age, is by no means up to par in terms of Chromerus and its combat forces.

Trax speaks up.

Then train us or guide us. If we can get the support of our loved ones, I want to be stronger. I want to help this movement in any way I can. And right now, protecting you seems like a sure-fire way to ensure success in changing things.

The others in the group all mutter their agreement; some are a bit more apprehensive, namely Landa and Nolan. Shayan looks at Oberon.

But before anyone says anything, Palo speaks up.

I need to reconstitute myself. I want to help, but I need a few days to properly gain back my mass. When you make a decision, no matter what it is, come and get me.

Oberon sighs, then speaks as well.

I can train with them, Dad. I wanted to join their guild as well; I want to make a difference…and I think with them. I can.

Kallipso and Adonai seem unsure, and so Oberon presses.

We survived the horrors of the survey, and took on a rescue mission into the heart of the government. Think about what we could do with proper training as a team.

Adonai looks at Kallipso; she tilts her head and gives him a look that Oberon isn’t familiar with, but it seems to break the stoicism on Adonai’s face. He starts to smile but stops and looks at Oberon.

Come walk with me. I need to tell you a story first. If this story does not sway you, then I will agree.

Adonai stands and begins to exit the room. Oberon follows. As he walks out, he hears Kallipso continuing the conversation with Rey and the others.

—

Adonai and Oberon walk side by side along the walkway overlooking the city, just as they did when Oberon first returned from the survey. It’s dark and quiet. However, the Watchtower and Black Keep seem brighter than usual, probably due to the infiltration he and his team were involved in only a few hours ago. Oberon wonders if or when they will come for them, but more than that, he wonders where Elio is, and if he’s being held now as leverage against the group because of the actions taken tonight.

Adonai breaks the silence.

Twelve, almost thirteen years ago. Your mother and I found you in the ruins of a city destroyed by war.

Oberon turns his head to face his father. Adonai stops at a bench and sits, gesturing for Oberon to join him as he continues speaking.

We had been deployed on the battlefield for scientific observation and asset collection.

Oberon feels his vision tunneling. The voice of the entity returns.

Malak. Star Tamer. Your beginnings are being laid out before you. Let me show you what these words mean. Let me show you what you’ve chosen to forget.

Oberon closes his eyes and lets the violet light swallow him. The voice of his father guides him deeper into his own mind, until even the voice becomes but sound and he is left in darkness.

When his eyes open, he is not Oberon. He is Malak. And Malak is staring at the crimson-armored monster as it bears moves toward his parents. His father stands in the way of the monster. Malak and his mother hunkered behind him. He looks over his shoulder and shouts.

Run! Find somewhere to hide!

The monster flashes forward, far faster than it’s ever moved before. Father has only a moment to react, and to his credit, he does. He raises his arms just quick enough to absorb the impact. The miasma flares and weakens slightly, as it loses energy from dampening the sheer force of the strike.

Mother lifts up Malak and starts to sprint through the rubble and back out into the roads of the town, searching for a new building to hide in.

Malak watches over her shoulder as his father and this monster exchange blows. The last image of his father Malak sees is him being sent flying through the far wall of the ruined structure, vanishing in a cloud of smoke and dust.

The pair slam through a door, Malak’s mother crashing her shoulder into it and stumbling forward. She falls, spins, and hits the ground hard on her back, tucking Malak into her torso to keep him safe. Malak scans the empty home as his mother rolls to her knees. She looks down at him and smiles.

A dark mass flies through the nearby wall. Malak and his mother turn to see father as little more than a broken lump of flesh crumpled in the corner of the living room. Mother’s eyes fill with tears; her jaw starts to distend in a mournful wail, her hair growing stringy and dark, the smell of mud and sulfur wafting into Malak’s nose.

She turns to Malak, and briefly her face returns to normal. She smiles at him warmly, with so much love and pain visible on her face.

My little star tamer. Go and hide…Mama has something she needs to do.

A heavy boot crushes through the stone as the crimson monster enters; an arm missing, replaced with flailing vines trying to form into a limb. A massive dent is visible in the chest piece. Mother turns, her limbs growing longer, swarms of insects and thick roots bursting from the ground beneath her feet, launching toward the monster. She shouts over her shoulder as she turns to face her foe and killer of her husband.

MALAK GO!

The shout breaks Malak out of his stupor; he scrambles to his feet and sprints down the hall and through the first door he can find. He enters what looks like a kitchen; countertops and pantries on all sides. He swings open the one nearest to him, full of sacks of grain. The sounds of splintering wood and heavy explosions reverberate through the house.

He opens another pantry; it’s piled high with firewood. Something heavy thuds into the wall just beyond the door he entered from. Footfalls echo as something large approaches. He hears Mother's voice.

I won’t let you-

A series of rapid, heavy thuds on the nearby wall make Malak want to fall to his knees and curl up into a ball, but Mama told him to hide. So he will hide, and when she finds him, they’ll leave. They’ll grab Father and leave.

Malak swings open the last pantry, bloody meat still dripping into a pan. The door explodes from its hinges; Malak climbs inside and closes the door, covering his mouth with his hand as cold blood drips from the carcasses onto him. The blood begins to drip into one of his eyes, but the space is too cramped to wipe it without bumping the door and making noise.

Through a crack in the pantry, Malak sees a figure coming through the doorway; It looks like Mother's back. He hears gurgling and gasping, and notices the hand wrapped around her neck as the crimson monster enters, holding her in the air in front of it while it scans the room.

Malak’s breathing quickens; he watches with wide eyes, the blood stinging one of them, but he is already crying; this burning does nothing to him. Mother begins to speak through raspy, strained breaths.

Stay away from my bo-

CRUNCH

Mother's head slumps to the side, her arms fall limp; the monster throws the body to the side, and it crashes into a rack of pots and pans and tumbles to the ground.

Malak whimpers; he starts to cry. The monster’s head snaps in his direction. They start to lumber toward the pantry. Their head is still a mess of vines and roots, but their arm has almost fully been reformed.

The monster swings the pantry door open. Malak presses his back to the opposite side of the pantry and closes his eyes.

What he hears next is the very idea of sound being sliced into silence. A crisp whistle that causes everything to go quiet around him. There’s a heavy thud. Malak slowly begins to open his eyes.

He wipes at the blood now seeping into both eyes and tries to see through the blur and burn. A form, one still wearing crimson armor, stands above the diced body of the monster. The vines and roots no longer move. The new person has long black hair and a soothing voice, but her face and what she says are lost to him. The face is but a child's drawing, and the voice is that of metal scraping against stone. The world around Oberon melts away once more until he is before the entity again. His father's voice comes back to prominence, the entity remains silent, and so Oberon allows himself to drift back toward consciousness as his father continues to regale him with their meeting.

After that, your mother and I were ordered to find survivors from all sides and announce the end of the fighting. That’s when I found you.

Oberon looks over to his dad, tears in his eyes, which he wipes away. His father, seemingly too lost in the memories to notice.

I found you, a boy soaked in blood, dragging a beautiful sword of lilac across the stone streets.

Oberon summons Lily in his hand and stares at it. This blade has been with him since he can remember, and apparently since before he can remember too.

Adonai continues.

We searched for any of the field commanders but found none, and so we put in a request with the marshal of the united front to take on the support efforts for the orphaned and displaced…by the end of the three-month rebuilding operation, you trusted us enough and came to Chromerus. The rest is history.

Adonai finally looks at Oberon, love and adoration in his eyes.

Finding you was the luckiest thing that could have happened during that time of horror. But if this plan succeeds, you will still be within a nation that despises your lineage. You are the child of Outers, and by all intents and purposes it was the united front of mortals, of Chromerus that saw your home destroyed, and most likely your real parents killed…the hatred harbored for Outers will not go away, just because of the potential government change.

Oberon wraps his arms around Adonai.

You are just as much my real parents as the ones who share my blood. Whether they hate me or not, so long as you all are here, I don’t care about anything else.

Adonai returns the hug, and the both just enjoy each other's company for a few minutes before returning inside.

The rest of the night flies by without much of importance occurring. The team is exhausted, and so they rest. Oberon finds himself trying to remember the woman from his memories, but eventually fatigue takes hold of him, and he drifts to sleep.

—

Oberon’s eyes shoot open to the sounds of high-energy movement; people running and conversing loudly as they do so. He summons Lily and rolls out of bed, rushing through his door and toward the stairs where most voices are congregating.

They came for us so soon?! We aren’t ready.

He rounds the corner onto the platform of the main staircase and sees, excluding Amara and Shayan, not only his team, but his parents standing before a figure that towers over them, someone about as tall as his father. His alabaster hair and paper-white skin, a mirror to his mother, their mother.

Elio…

Oberon sprints down the stairs and pushes through the crowd. Elio regards Oberon with kindness, but not with joy nor a smile. Oberon turns to glance at Adonai and Kallipso; they return a look of unease. Elio speaks, his voice low and strong.

The house has grown livelier in my absence.

Oberon places a hand on his brother's shoulder, shaking off the feeling of the encounter.

We got your letter; we didn’t think you’d be back so soon.

Elio’s face shifts slightly into one of confusion.

I never sent a letter…We were cut off from the outside during the testing.

Adonai steps forward, mirroring the hand-on-shoulder gesture that Oberon just did.

We assumed you’d be gone longer. Did they end the project?

Elio shakes his head.

No. They just said they had everything they needed from me and would be in touch. Then they sent me back here.

Kallipso gives Adonai an uneasy look as she passes him and hugs Elio.

You’re home now. And there’s a lot to catch you up on.

She looks at Oberon and gestures for him to follow. Rey speaks up as the Aurum family starts to walk back up the stairs, most likely heading for the study.

We’ll patrol the estate grounds.

Adonai nods as he turns away.

Thank you, Rey. If you need anything, shout. I’ll be there.

Oberon’s friends and team walk out the front doors.

The Aurum family walks into the study, but no one sits. Instead, Kallipso wraps her arms around Elio and Adonai pats him firmly on the back. Oberon smiles, seeing his family together again. Kallipso cups his face and looks into his eyes.

What happened to you?

Elio grabs her hand and holds it, glancing about the room.

They brought us into a room; while we were in there, they asked us to submit to some sort of mental ability. It put us into some sort of dream-state, and for five months in that dream I was put through physical training, potentially fatal challenges, and mental conditioning. Less than four days passed out here, but there, my reflexes became sharper, my combat intelligence greater; I…it…it was awful. When we awoke, we had not been fed once in those days; our minds were splintered and lost, and they never even told us what it was all for. Three of us were sent home today; the others are still there…I think they’re trying to locate specific markers or signs in us for some grander purpose, but to what end, I do not know.

Adonai walks to the desk.

Then we can expect them to return eventually. It’s a good thing we made our decision.

Elio looks to his father, to his mother, and then to Oberon.

What decision?

Oberon takes a step forward, taking responsibility for the actions taken.

The Aurum family has become a sponsor for a new government movement. They’re attempting to overthrow the current ruling bodies and rebuild Chromerus.

Elio does not show much reaction to the information; he simply nods, raising a hand before Oberon speaks further.

I don’t need to know all of the details yet. Just let me know how I can help.

Oberon smiles and gestures for Elio to follow him.

You can start by sparring with me. I’m a leader of a guild now, and we’re looking for new members to run security for the Aurum estate. I’d like to scout you.

Elio, for the first time since being back, cracks a smile.

Okay, but remember what you said before. I won’t be going easy on you.

Oberon is the one already on the way out this time, and he gives his response as he makes his way to the training pit.

I look forward to it.

—

Everyone stands on the outskirts of the training pit to watch the match. Oberon has grown leaps and bounds since the survey began, and even since the last time they sparred less than a week ago. Yet, at the same time, he knows Oberon had essentially five months of his own training; though it wasn’t physical and all theoretical, his brother has always been a genius and a prodigy across most fields of arcane study and martial combat. He had, after all, wanted to be a scribe of the mystic and arcane arts when they were younger. Oberon even recalls a theoretical method Elio had devised to boost his casting passively by wearing magically inscribed bandages across his body, ones that would not only amplify his output, but hasten his time to cast.

Elio stands on one end, Oberon the other. Tension fills the air; as always, Oberon knows that the first move, the initiative, is most important in a battle between the two of them.

Adonai rings a small bell. The battle commences. Elio does not move.

Oberon enters his Lucid form and creates a condensed line of the Garden between him and Elio. He doesn’t want to overpower him now, just control the space that they’ll be fighting in. Oberon steps forward, preparing to move at his top speed to hopefully start this fight with an advantage, and make any later shifts less likely to be in his favor.

Oberon takes a step and falls to the ground, his world spinning. The last thing he sees before he hits the ground is Elio standing just behind where he once was.

Oberon hits the ground hard and struggles to get up. Elio turns and helps him to his feet. Adonai and the others are stunned, but after a moment Adonai rings the bell again, indicating the end of the sparring session.

It’s over in the blink of an eye, and maybe not even that.

Adonai walks up to Elio and stares at him intently.

When did you learn how to utilize our family magic?

Oberon looks at his father, confused.

Family magic? I know the family is inherently gifted in magic and sciences, but I didn’t know there was something genetic too.

Adonai responds to Oberon, while still staring at Elio.

Yes, our family generations ago learned how to synthesize the blood of certain creatures. Our genes are combined with those of Temporal Dragons; it gives some of us a latent manipulation of time. However, for most of us, it just allows us to perceive the world more slowly and learn faster. It’s because of these genes that we are innately gifted in fields that require immense study, like magic and science. And your brother is one of the few who might have the entirety of the bloodline's abilities at his disposal. A very rare and recessive trait in the family.

Oberon looks to Elio, and while there is a vast amount of freudenfreude in knowing his brother might become a generation- or age-defining pillar of strength. Some part of Oberon feels left behind; today may very well mark the beginning of the end for their competition and rivalry.

Oberon was completely blitzed and overwhelmed before he could react; any future matches will require either Oberon to go all out and hope or for Elio to hold back and gain little to nothing from the experience. Oberon thinks back to what the entity said.

You will be unrivaled.

Unrivaled then or unrivaled now? Had Oberon given in to the entity, would he be like those ascendants? Would he have been able to compete with his brother? He shakes these thoughts from his head and looks at Elio with a smile.

An impressive victory, brother, but how did you do it?

Elio looks at Oberon and then back to where he started.

I accelerated my body at the same time as I supercharged my movement with electricity. This gave me an explosive burst of speed, and so, when I reached you, I froze myself and shot my arm out to strike; the sudden stop and the impact that hit you were hundreds of miles per hour coming to a stop. You may be impressed with me, but taking a strike like that and remaining awake is a feat in itself. I too am impressed.

Elio smiles at Oberon once more. Oberon rubs the back of his head where he was hit.

Honestly, had it not been for my Lucid form, I think I would have been critically injured, but it protected me; the durability bonus it gave me was enough to keep me relatively unhurt, even if the form and the Garden were instantly shattered as compensation.

The others watching start to walk into the training pit to join the conversation. Rey stares at Elio with awe but does not approach him; the rest start to circle Oberon to check on him, and eventually so does Rey. Adonai and Kallipso head back inside; as for Elio, Oberon catches him walking off alone toward the fountain garden at the front of the estate. Isolation.

Rising to the top of any list always has a price, and Elio has just begun to pay it. Oberon just wishes he were able to split the cost. But for now, he cannot.