Chapter 22: Engraving Leather, Torn Sheets

The door creaked open in a eerie leer. The gentle features of Adam peaked through, letting out a small sigh at the sight.

“Just who I wanted to see.”

Agi tilted an eyebrow, finding his words to be strange—”What is that supposed to mean?”

Adam opened the door wider, “Come in, you must’ve had some kind of reason for coming, right?”

But Adam stopped, raising an eyebrow as he observed the younger child beside Agi, “Whos this?”

Agi glanced at their little brother, “Asketill. He is our little brother.”

Adam smiled widly, “So thats it! Haha, it was a poor day, but it seems it will be getting better.”

“Come in, Come in.”

He led Agi inside, but Agi only stood at the entrance.

“Brother.”

He said, staring with his familiar piercing gaze, slowly walking under the nearby light.

Adam turned back to look with a frown, their eyes finally locked and Adam was shocked as he looked at his little brother.

“Agi… What the hell happened!”

He rushed over grabbing him and shaking him down like some kind of miscreant.

Agi shrugged him off, “What are you talking about?”

Adam looked at him with worry, “Your eyes… and you—Theres scales on your hand!”

Agi furrowed his brow, he had noticed the scales, but he actually believed them to be of mild use.

Like a natural armor.

His eyes… He didn’t know of any changes in them, but it seemed they were also affected.

Truthfully, He felt much stronger than before.

He almost felt confidant enough to fight Annika one on one, though he wasn’t sure how well that’d go.

“It’s a method I learned.” Agi said with a huff, “Don’t ask about it any more.” He warned.

Asketill looked at Agi curiously, he knew Agi was lying, he was there when they suddenly appeared.

But their mother was the same as Agi… so maybe it wasn’t that strange.

Adam took a step back, inwardly he vowed to go ask Ramana about it, this was far from normal, and it was his duty as an elder brother to help Agi, even when he didn’t want it.

“Well, Alright. Then what else could you be here for?”

Agi looked around, “The halls are a bit empty.” He noted.

Adam nodded too, his expression a little sad, “It was bound to happen at some point.” He sighed.

“I just wish those four would have told me.” He looked down at his own hands.

They were surprisingly rough for someone with the gift. A testament to the devotion he gave to the sword as an art.

Agi nodded inwardly, he after all agreed. Someone like Adam… It was a miracle he retained such a following in the first place.

But he did not something odd—”Those four.”

“Four what…? Retainers? He was actually hiding away his generals as well.”

The monstrous child found Adams ability to lie so proactively incredible.

He had never met such a skilled deceiver in his life.

Agi had been visiting him for a while now, and he could never get a read on his true self at all. He never even heard of these four.

Agi shook his head, “Some things are inevitable, but it doesn’t make them any less regrettable.” Agi says a phrase he once heard from Ramana.

Adam nodded, “It’s true. But I cherished many amongst them. Today, in the absence of my family. I feel as though a part of me is lost.”

Agi glanced up at him slightly, he had rarely felt such an unbridled sincerity from anyone in his life.

The worst of it all, is that he truly couldn’t tell. He had seen Adam fake certain emotions, but he felt sincere in everything he did.

It was an utter anomaly to Agi.

“Luckily, I still have my faithful little brother.”

Adam smiled down at Agi, ruffling his hair.

“You’re not like our siblings little brother. You’ve came back almost everyday, and spoke to me about whatever you pleased. It is truly refreshing.”

Adam smiled at Asketill, “Hopefully, I’ll be seeing more of you as well.”

Agi felt a strange pain in his heart, but ignored it outright.

“It’s only natural, isn’t it?” He said looking up to Adam.

The Sixth Lord nodded slowly, “Yes… I suppose it is.”

The two went silent for a moment before Agi finally spoke, “Adam, I’ve been invited to the Second Fold for an initial visit but…”

Adam opened his eyes a bit wider as Agi finished his sentence.

“Would you come with me? It’s not great to explore such an unfamiliar place alone. Especially with Asketill.”

He hid his smile under a poorly hidden veil and nodded, “No problem, when do you go?”

Agi smiled, “Now.”

Adam scratched his head, “Oh, can you give me a moment?”

Agi gave an affirmative tilt of his head, “I have all day.”

Adam quickly walked back into his room, waving while saying, “It’ll only take me a moment!”

But when he returned Asketill’s eyes shone as he muttered under his breath, “Grandmaster…”

Agi’s heart lept—was he talking about Adam?

In that case…

Adam walked out with a longsword tied around his waist.

“Been a while since I’ve carried this fellow. Feels right to have him on my waist again.”

But he chuckled looking at Asketill with a wry smile, “I’m not so great, just a bit better than average.”

Asketill didn’t believe him, just watching with sparkling eyes.

Agi furrowed his brow, “Brother, Within the First Fold, only knights and Inquisitors may carry weapons. Not to mention violence is strictly prohibited within the Second Fold!”

He narrowed his eyes like a child and spoke slowly, “Are you trying to get us into trouble?”

Adam laughed while patting Agis shoulder, “My sweet silly little brother!” He shook his head while leading him.

It seemed the sword hanging from his waist gave him great confidence, especially in the empty halls.

“Do you forget my station? I know I’m a bit underwhelming, but I’m the Sixth Lord of the Temple. Who would tell me off?”

Agi looked at the ground in thought.

He hadn’t thought about that…

He believed that everyone had to follow the rules.

He knew they were allotted certain privileges’, but carrying a weapon was considered treason!

Immediate execution!

He was still naïve.

He set the thought aside, “You’re right. I didn’t think about it.”

Adam held the pommel of his sword comfortably, “I’m glad, that you don’t think like that Agi. Otherwise you’d end up like that second brother of ours.”

It didn’t take long for the two to arrive at the Willow, vanishing into a red blur.

“State your purpose here, or face elimination.”

A cold voice cut through the gentle breeze.

Malachi could only lament his misfortune.

A couple of monsters had shown up, they were just like Samuel.

Elites of the First Fold.

The kind someone like him could never dream of defeating. He had never seen these four, from the way they carried themselves, he could tell they were of the First Fold.

But what really gave it away was the legions following obediently behind them.

“I will ask only a singular time. Are you one of those insufferable descenders?”

Malachi practically bit his tongue in anger, putting him in the same group as Halit! What a bunch of bastards.

“I have nothing to do with the likes of scum like that.”

Eliah eyed him curiously, “Then pray tell, why do you have a fully armed legion? You look ready for war to me.”

“Because I am!”

Malachi scoffed inwardly. This fellow was very annoying. But he had to avoid conflict, he couldn’t risk the traps.

“I am a servant to one of the Great Lords presiding over this Temple.”

Eliah holds his wrists behind his back, “Figures.”

Malachi felt his eye twitch, “Who is this arrogant peon?”

“That’s right, so get lost.”

Jude yawned beside Eliah, “This is a bit odd, isn’t it.” He shrugged, noticing Marius’s glare of contempt, “Just saying.”

Marius barked out, “We don’t need you stating the obvious, why did we even bring this guy?”

Kael laughed, “Who cares, we have overwhelming numbers, lets just slay this descender and his band of scum.”

Eliah scoffed, “Do you forget our purpose?”

Malachi watched from the distance, hoping they would just leave.

But suddenly Eliah flinched.

Behind him stood a taller man, he had glowering red eyes, and inky hair curled just above his eyes.

He wasn’t a great amount taller than Eliah, only half a head or so.

But his presence was drowining.

Samuel looked down on Eliah, he had somehow gotten behind their entire troop and snuck right into the center of their little group.

Standing right behind the assumed leader.

“Do you seek to impede my lord?”

He had asked calmly, but that perhaps was much more terrifying.

Eliah turned around, his face remained mostly impassive, but his heart was beating furiously.

The other three looked over in shock, Kael reacting on instinct and attacking immediately.

“Stop!”

Eliah shouted, but it was too late.

Samuel shot his hand into his stomach, looking into his eyes as he slowly moved it further up.

Kael coughed a burst of blood and looked at Samuel with shaky eyes.

“How precarious. Few creatures are so weak, yet attack even while not cornered.”

Samuel began coldly.

“Humans are the only such creatures.”

Marius was in shock, he had seen Kael get beaten before, sometimes worse than others.

But it had never been so one sided.

He had heard of this before.

The man before them was at the very edge of the gift, only moments before breaking through.

Some took years to go past the final barrier, perhaps he would stay here for a long time.

But the potential to break through at any moment was real.

Eliah quickly grabbed Kael, throwing him back.

Samuel had gotten dangerously close to his heart.

Blood poured from Kaels wounds but even as he writhed and groaned, he slowly healed.

“This…” Jude stammered, “Alright, we get it. You serve a lord, we were just passing by.”

Samuel scoffs, using the torn sash from Kael to wipe the blood off his hand.

“You were interrogating one of my subordinates,” He looks at the bloody sash, tossing it out.

He titled his head slightly, “What gives you the right?”

Eliah grit his teeth, he had rarely been humiliated like this, but as a retainer of Adam, he was used to scorn.

“I’m sure a conflict with a group as large as ours would be a disservice to your lord.”

Samuel regarded Eliah, nodding inwardly, “That’s right. I like speaking with smart people. It wouldn’t be great for either of us. So get on your way.”

Marius frowned deeply, “You can’t just–We’re—”

Eliah shot him a glare, “Marius!” He barked.

“Hold your tongue.”

Marius scoffed, averting his gaze to the floor with an ugly expression.

“I’m glad its settled then.” Samuel said, walking past them leisurely.

Eliah’s gaze lingered on his back, “Find out who he is.” He whispered to Marius.

He only received a look filled with scorn, but he knew he’d get what he needed.

As the four left on their way, Marius began to speak, “There’s no need to look into it. I’m confident I know who he is.”

Kael sent a glance, holding his abdomen while hunching, “Who?” He wanted to know, he was curious who was so strong.

“He is likely Samuel Sakina.”

Eliah furrowed his brow, “I’ve never heard of him.”

But jude was a bit surprised, “A last name?”

Marius nodded, “From what I’ve gathered, He was likely from a relatively prestigious family prior to joining the Temple.”

Eliah was momentarily in thought but shook his head, “That’s irrelevant, who is he?”

Marius gave Hmph, disliking Eliah’s attitude.

“He serves the Second Lord, Agi.”

Eliah immediately held an ugly visage.

“That brat…” He muttered.

His dislike for Agi was apparent.

“He was never this remarkable before. Something is definitely changed.” Marius noted.

Eliah just shook his head, “Alright, we’ll avoid conflict with the Second Lords camp. He has a good relationship with Lord Adam. We’ll continue our mission.”

Surprisingly Jude was the one to object, “Actually, One of us should standby. We still have that multicolor scale.”

Eliah looked toward Jude, “Fine. A bit of caution isn’t bad. You’ll go, take your forces and standby.”

Jude nodded, rounding up a segment of the army and tucking away with a good view.

He was quite surprised at the difference in efficiency once Samuel appeared.

The previously overt and conspicuous army was now barely to be seen.

Blending in frighteningly well with the surroundings.

But he wasn’t worried, only curious as to what could possibly prompt such a coordinated movement.

Just what was the second lord plotting?

He heaved a silent sigh, it was bound to be exhausting.

Over the course of the day more and more people arrived.

Jude was begining to hold his breath slightly, it was a truly titanic sum of people to be moving around in a coordinated effort within the Temple.

He noticed that four of the newcomers particularly stood out amongst them.

He was growing a bit worried about the consequences of a potential battle.

“I want six patrol teams. Don’t get caught, understood?”

He says quietly with a focused gaze on the man next to him.

He receives a curt nod as the man rushes down the line informing suspected squad leaders.

It wouldn’t be long before the army felt a bit lighter, six teams dispersing into the forest to scout.

somewhere deeper into the forest a golden haired man flicked his head to the side, “Hm?”

He furrows his brow, “Didn’t Samuel say he took care of them?”

He scoffed, he drew his longsword, walking straight toward a patrol team with uncanny precision.

The patrol team was watching curiously, “Where’s he going?” one signed out to the other two.

“No idea… but he seems serious.” Another responded.

“Is he…”

Before he could finish his sentence a sword split the air—

BOOM!

It was like a small explosion went off, the sword reflecting the light as he flew from Rowens hand.

“Gah!”

A scout cried out, his head snapping back with inhuman contortion.

Rowen continued to step coldly, “This is the problem with war.” He sighed, “You have to kill even when you don’t want to.”

He flashed, appearing beside the recently dead scoutand pulling out his sword.

He flicked and spun the blade, looking back down at the frightened scouts.

“I’ve shown you the difference between us. This is the only mercy you’ll receive–surrender.”

They dropped the map in their hands, the regal man before them was simply too powerful.

They could do nothing but die if a fight broke out.

Utter despair.

That was all they felt.

Rowen nodded, “Good, come along.”

The two followed obediently, knowing any attempt to escape would be well met with the edge of a blade.

“Oh, you’re back.”

A woman called out, carrying some boxes around the makeshift camp they had set up.

She tilted her head, “Who’re they?”

Rowen waved his hand walking by, “Prisoners. Take them to be interrogated, Petra.”

She covered her mouth, “Goodness! You’re finally coming to your senses.” She wiped a fake tear.

“The day our little Rowen would grow up, time flew so fast.” She says mockingly.

Rowen shoots her a glare, “Should I send you back down to the Ninth?”

He held the pommel of his sword, “Don’t forget what I’ve done for you eight.”

Petra stared coldly at Rowens retreating back, she scoffed before turning to the two prisoners.

“Well? Get moving!”

The two became startled and immediately began walking.

She shook her head, “Cowards.”

Back at the perch.

It would be a while later, slowly the scouts were returning and finally only three squads were missing.

“The one suspected to be called Halit, he had nearly killed the scouts near his camp.”

Jude was walking over, observing the injured scouts that had barely managed to escape.

“Troublesome.”

He muttered.

“The other three patrols?”

The initiate shook his head, “Suspected dead.”

Jude stared at the ground deep in thought, “Where were they set to go?”

The man check a chart before regarding the captain once more, “One was set to scout the area pervading the suspected captain, Rowen’s camp.”

Jude nodded, he felt something particulary dangerous about that man so he wasn’t suprised.

“The other two?”

The soldier was hesitant, “Well… one was set to scout near the one we believe to be named Suhail, but it’s unlikely he was capable of dealing with our soldiers so efficiently.”

He explained slowly, “We have a decent bit of information about him, as he was of relative fame in the fourth fold. He was known for being covert, and unsuspecting. But it was a well known fact that he did not have a good gauge on his surroundings.”

Jude frowned, “Then what?”

He began hesitantly, “We suspect they had an encounter with Samuel… Both squads that is.”

“What?” Jude grit his teeth, “I specifically told them to avoid him.”

“There is no other explanation, the only one we have no eyes on is him. All the other captains are accounted for, and even though we weren’t able to get direct information on that Malachi, or Suhail, we are very aware of their current positions.”

Jude had no choice but to accept their statements.

“But we noticed something else that was… more than a little strange.” The solider paused waiting for Jude’s nod, “They are carrying strange contraptions.”

Jude pinched the bridge of his nose, “Please be more specific than that.”

The man quickly fixed his phrasing, “It seems to be some kind of strange weapon, they roll on wheels, and they have a tube made of some kind of iron. They were seen putting… metal balls into them.”

Jude nearly bit his tongue, “Cannons? Where the hell did they get something like that?”

The man raised an eyebrow, “What is it?”

Jude shook his head, “A terrifying weapon. There is not a single initiate that would survive a direct blow to their heart. How they got one, I have no idea.”

The man trembed, “We… they had multiple at each camp…”

Jude’s eyes widened before turning frightingly cold.

“Show me the map.”

After observing the map he narrowed his gaze, “Split up into the main attack force. surround the enemy, don’t be seen. never stop moving, and ensure you’re always in a blind spot.”

He continued, “Ensure that every single team can be spotted by another at all times.”

The man nodded scampering off to prepare.

Rowen sat on a box in his camp, observing his men scattered amongst, moving boxes and other minor tasks.

His gaze was focused, “The warriors will begin arriving soon.” He said softly standing up.

He found his way into a particularly guarded camp, the faint scent of iron stinging his nose.

The disheveled scouts caught his gaze, the sight of Petra calmly cleaning her instruments with a hum brought back old memories.

“I’m going to receive the warriors with Samuel. Keep guard here, I won’t take long.”

She glanced at him, “Always asking, tsk tsk.”

Rowen narrowed his eyes, “This isn’t a game Petra.”

She shook her head, “Alright, I get it. Get lost already, you’re ruining my mood.”

His gaze lingered for a moment, considering if he should talk back, but he only grit his teeth, it wasn’t worth it for this irritating woman.

He left the camp, soon finding himself in the company of Samuel, without any of their soldiers to be seen.

“We need to do this fast, they’ll come in tens, and you must take them there as fast as possible.”

He was frowning as he spoke, “Those scoundrels are still poking around. But we can’t afford an altercation, our opponent has opened his gift.”

He looked down at Rowen, “You should understand the collosal task before us.”

Rowen nodded, “The Lord is ambitious.”

Samuel looked forward, “Ambition has no place beside survival.”

The golden haired man glanced at him, but he didn’t say anything, only rushing over alongside him to the willow.

They moved fast, only narrowly avoiding the encirclement by Jude, they moved nearly all of the warriors into the fold.

But as Rowen and Samuel stood on the outside, the last twenty warriors split between them they stared on coldly.

They were far from each other, trying to move the warriors efficiently, but they shared a mind at that moment, Rowen immediately launching an attack at the ten initiates stationed in the encriclement.

Thud!

Two dead before they could even react, two heads flying into the air.

The other ten warriors caught on quickly, chasing down the stragglers as Rowen spun in the air, his sword and feet moving in an incredible tapestry of skill and flow.

Swish!

His blade cut through the air like a glorious blade dance, the crimson stains coloring the bark a deep red.

The warriors settled, glancing at each other.

In another location Samuel stared coldly at the corpses he had dispatched.

“Prepare for battle.”

The warriors, having been briefed over the last few days rushed to their camps, ready to inform their captain.

A scout rushed from one of the nearby squads of the encirclement, running up the perch he promptly informed Jude.

He cursed under his breath, he held a faintly glowing rainbow colored scale in his hand.

He closed his eyes, “What a mess.”

“The Lord has Arrived in the Second Fold, Accompanied by the Second lord.”

The coldly received message echoed in his mind for a moment, the scale glowing a bit dimmer than it was before.

He was shocked, his face stuck in a open mouth expression, he looked over the army hidden in the forest, and his face became red with fury.

He crushed the scale in his had, a brilliant light over taking the second fold!

Eliah, nearly reaching Annika, having also received the message was shocked, “Lord Adam?” he said faintly.

But then the rainbow light covered the world in a blanket of heat and he was immediately pulled from his shock.

“That rotten brat!” He cursed.

“We’re turning around! Everyone return!”

He shouted, the other two equally as desperate to reach that forest before Agi does.

The brilliant light send Agi reeling, his eyes, still overly sensitive to light made him cover them and cry out.

Adam was wide mouthed, “Eliah?”

Asketill didn’t seem overly affected, “Brother, are you alright?” He said innocently.

Agi recovered quickly, “I’m fine… but what the hell was that…”

Adam had a worried look as he stared into the distance, he glanced down at Agi, and even under the pressure in his heart, decided to withhold it, “I’m… not sure.”

He finally said.

Agi nodded slowly, “It doesn’t matter anyway. Come quickly.”

Once Agi grew near Samuel approached him.

“Lord Second.”

Adam tilted his head, “Didn’t you say you’d be going alone… Agi?”

His tone was growing more hesitant, something about the way Agi was acting… the rainbow scale… Samuel’s appearance…

It was deeply concerining, “I sent him in advance. I–” Agi looked at the ground.

“I wanted to surprise you, but I’m lacking on my own.”

Adam felt his suspicions dull, he laughed apologetically, ruffling Agi’s hair, “I see, Sorry, sorry.”

“Follow me,” Samuel said, leading them.

Agi immediatel felt something was off, Samuel wouldn’t lead them like this normally.

He always walked behind Agi.

Agi’s instinct flared as he stepped into the forest.

He felt the disctinct sense of danger.

“I see.” He sighed.

Adam tilted his head, “What is it?”

Agi just smiled at him, “Nothing.”

Once Agi passed the encirclement, the surrounding soldiers grew anxious, they didn’t know what Agi would do, but Adam had told them any offense to Agi, was an offense to himself.

“Brother, come quickly!” Agi shouted in childlike excitement, running into the open field.

Adam shook his head, glancing down at Asketill who was barely held still by Samuels calm hand on his shoulder.

“Alright!” He called, running after him.

Adam was faster than Agi, but he controlled his speed ensuring he stayed a proper distance to let Agi have his fun.

“Where are we going, little brother?”

He called, the wind whipping through his hair.

Agi finally slowled to a halt, turning with a cold dull gaze.

He didn’t say anything else, only wrought determination shone in his gaze.

SNAP!

Transluscent blue strings pulled taught as Adam was driven into the air!

His limbs were wrapped tightly.

He pulled hard a few times, staring down at Agi with a shaky gaze.

“L-little brother… what are you doing?”

Agi stared coldly, “What I must to survive. You are too dangerous.”

Agi didn’t even seem to fully believe what he was saying, only the cold dulling of his emotions driving him forward.

Adam had a somber smile, “Agi, I get it. This place, it’s like this, it will beat you down, it will pry every last drop of love from your heart and turn you cold.”

He stared Agi into his reptillian eyes, “But even though I’m a pathetic older brother, I love. It is the one thing I will never let go, because when you do, you lose your right to be called a human.”

“That is when you become a monster.”

Agi listened silently.

“Don’t become what the Temple wants, follow your own path, Agi.”