Chapter 17: Broken Chalk, Bloodied nails

The silence was deafening, an unfamiliar tension rolled over Samuel in waves, the woman before him…

Agi’s supposed mother.

She was named Siv, but many had begun to call her Empress, it only seemed fitting, as amongst the Emperors many wives, she seemed to be the only one worth paying mind.

Samuels gaze swept over those seated around the table.

A boy, no older than two or three, his eyes were clear, his expression honest and childlike.

If nothing went wrong, a child with such a disposition is likely to become an honest man, Samuel could only shake his head internally, an honest man had no place in this Temple, let alone in the world.

Agi was barely constrained, it was strange for Samuel, he had already seen Agi lash out a few times during the trial, especially when he was cornered.

However, Agi was typically composed, he had a cold untouchable personality, that left little room for interpreting his true face.

Despite this, that monstrous child had a contorted frown marring his face the entire time.

Across the way, besides the Empress, stood a handmaiden.

She wasn’t anything special really, nothing of note, Samuel on the other hand, felt a subtle tension building whenever he met the gaze of this woman.

There was certainly more to her than what was being shown–Samuel did not really care.

Within the handmaidens arms sat a cooing infant. It babbled incessantly, noisily clammoring at the maids hair or hands, it had an air of innocence.

Agi shifted in his seat, each time that thing…. that… His little brother, made any sound, he couldn’t help but watch him closely.

Ari,

This was the name of his little brother whom he had never met. He felt his heart turning more dull and colorless the longer this accursed “family,” event went on.

Siv had clearly looked at her other two children with what could only be described as “Maternal Love”, Agi had never felt so much anger from the very depths of his heart.

“Agi, are you listening?”

Asketills high pitched voice broke the silence, or perhaps, that silence hadn’t existed from the very beginning.

Agi settled his heart, his gaze lingered on Ari, being coddled, garnering the occasional glance, or even a smile, from that cold woman.

Agi was glaring, his teeth practically bared.

Then a hand settled atop his shoulder, he turned slightly, glancing at Samuel.

Finally he let huffed, settling back into the seat he turned his attention to Asketill.

Asketill frowned, “Are you listening?” The child was already dissatisfied, he had asked twice! He had never asked twice before.

“I’m listening.”

Agi replied, and Asketill gave him doubtful look, “I don’t believe you.” He crossed his arms slouching in his seat.

Siv shot him a glance, “Mind your manners at the table, Asketill.”

He begrudgingly straightened up.

Agi began, “You were say–”

Asketill cut him off with a huff, “I’m not talking to you right now.”

Agi was stunned, hadn’t he just been complaining he wasn’t listening?!

He thought for a moment before hesitantly glancing at Samuel, who only shrugged in return.

Siv seemed entirely uninterested, holding the child Ari in her arms.

Agi felt stifled, and frustrated, he immediately rose, “Samuel, we are going.”

Samuel nodded, and the two promptly began to depart.

Asketill quickly stammered, “W-wait!” He rarely got to see this brother of his. Agi would teach him, and play fun games, even his mother would play into his moods when he acted up, so why was Agi leaving?

Agi ignored Asketill, he didn’t even let his elder siblings disrespect him! How could a mere Asketill measure up!

Siv snickered to herself, “Such a brat.”

The unlikely duo found themselves walking down the dim, crimson halls of the Temple.

The two walked in silence, the only sound filling the halls was the hushed whispers and and the clacks against the cold stone floor.

Mostly, Initiates walked by, they would bow quickly upon recognizing the Warrior’s Garments.

However, the warriors who walked by would quickly recognize Agi–The man who had terrified their generation.

There were many different stories of how Agi strolled the halls of the Temple, completely unseen, and always watching.

Many warriors had fought Agi as well, ending in their defeat, and many had died to him.

Agi had become more of a local myth, than an actual person in the minds of the warriors.

His story was too unbelievable, too frightening.

They would tell each other stories, of how they met the beast child and barely escaped with their life.

How he breathed fire, and spit poison.

In a twisted way, it was amusing.

Many of these stories were of course not true.

But the warriors–many coming from backgrounds of small settlements on their last legs could not have known this.

They were a surprisingly gullible bunch.

Seeing Agi in real life, it could only be considered your misfortune.

When you see him, you must bow three times.

That’s the story that had been passed down the most since Agi began to garner power behind the scenes.

Surprisingly, that was one of the few that were true.

Agi had really slaughtered his own subordinates like chickens–Refuse to bow? Then die.

This was the single philosophy that pushed Agi to gain such massive support in such short time.

He had a heavy hand, stained in blood and feral he was truly a terror for the younger warrior generation of the Temple.

They were terrified, scared the monstrous child would lash out, and inevitably, they had been frightened into submission.

However, such a loyalty was weak, the moment he showed a sign of weakness, why wouldn’t they leap at the opportunity to beat down their oppressor?

Agi had pondered over it quite a bit in the past, particularly while traversing that harrowing inner world of his.

He came to a conclusion, for the time being this was his only path.

In the future after he consolidated his power, there would be no more issues.

He could treat his subordinates as he pleased, appear as weak as he wished.

By that point there would be no problems.

However right now? Agi felt that he could only rely on Samuel, for a single reason.

Samuel had witnessed Agi at his weakest, seen him die before his eyes, and yet he still follows him.

Agi was shocked initially by him. But his mind had grown tired, constantly being warry, it was far too taxing.

Whether Agi was aware or not, he had already placed some level of reliance on Samuel.

Agis thoughts were broken by the appearance of a strange man blocking his path.

He wore a black mask, at its center was a single crimson eye.

His wore layered robes, beneath the robe on his chest was a glimpse at the scaly armor beneath.

The robes were mostly black, with the edges being white, The farthest reaching hem stopped just above his ankle.

On his side sat a long sheath. It was thin, embroidered with all kinds of monsters.

He was tall, around half a head taller than Samuel, who was considered tall amongst his peers.

He wasn’t exactly burly, no, rather he seemed slim, he had a compact build.

Agi furrowed his brows, confused on why an Inquisitor would halt his path.

Samuel shook slightly, Inquisitor… They were practically an exalted group of elites…

The Inquisitors, they rarely appeared in the main temple. They were spread all over the Temples territories, they held a terrifying influence.

Much more frightening, however, was their personal strength, there was a single requirement to becoming an Inquisitor.

You must have combat power on par with an inheritor.

Within the vast and cold world, Inheritors sat at the peak.

They were strength, they were survival.

Anyone who could reach such a level by only using The Gift, they were almost assuredly a harrowing foe.

The inquisitor looked down on them coldly behind the mask.

“A purple sash?” He scoffed, “How insolent.”

Samuels heart pounded, he thought it would be fine because Agi was the Second Lord!

Agi stared into the mask, “Vile thing, be grateful I don’t eat you.”

Both Samuel, and the inquisitor were taken aback,

Agi was really daring!

Samuel began to think, there had to be a way out of this!

The inquisitor began to laugh, loudly, wildly, the walls shook, and the candles lining the walls wavered.

“Agi was it? You are an astonishingly foolish little thing.”

The inquisitor slowly drew his sword, It was straight and thin, its silver edge was long, the blade seeming to go on and on as he drew it from the sheath.

It was a strange looking silver sword, its handle was curved down in a strange angle.

The Second lords gaze traversed across the blade, he felt as though it’s edge cradled his tender flesh, always capable of taking his life.

It was a strange feeling, but not unfamiliar to him.

Agi looked back up, “What is your name?”

The inquisitor only scoffed, “Do you think you’re worthy to know?”

Agi didn’t respond, his gaze boring into the inquisitor.

The inquisitor let the sword settle at his side.

Agi felt little pressure, this man was in service of his father, and although the Emperor was indeed a petty man, lowering himself in such a manner was unlikely.

He shook his head, instantly, Agi vanished. He didn’t truly vanish they could both still see him, but strangely the longer they looked, the more indistinct he became.

Agi began to move, and Samuel immediately lost sight of him, he gaped in stunned silence.

He had vanished?

Samuel didn’t understand, however the Inquisitor was equally stunned.

Agi stood right before him, his finger slowly trailing down the blade.

“What a strange weapon…” Agi mused, before he began to walk off, Samuel quickly stumbling after him.

The inquisitor didn’t turn, his voice echoing into the hall, “Rudra.” He said, “My holy name, given by the Emperor is Rudra. Child, How old are you?”

Agi had no outward reaction, casually strolling away, “Five.”

Rudra sighed, the Emperors children, they really could not be compared to the likes of him.

“Child, I’ll issue a warning,” Around him the air changed, a strange visual began to take shape, and Agi began to shiver.

Samuel couldn’t move, this was a different force than something like Instinct, it was much more vivid, like the sensation of boiling blood.

Around the inquisitor small strange wisps began to swirl, they were blood red, translucent, like small comets stuck in orbit.

The pressure Agi began to experience, it was greater than even Siv, his instinct began to scream at him,

Flee!

The boy had never felt such an intense desire to flee!

He imediately took a leap backwards, staring at the inquisitor warily.

At the same time Samuel barely managed to spit out, “M-Manifestation…” He called to himself under his breath.

The inquisitor spoke slowly, “You’d do well to quell your growing arrogance.” He took a step toward the frightened Agi, appearing beside him immediately,

“In this Temple alone, there exist at least five people who can put an end to your life before you could even react.”

The inquisitor spun his sword, sheathing it, and as the metal rung out, the inquisitor vanished from the hall.

Samuel finally breathed, his heart shaking, “Agi… Let’s go, quickly.”

Agi stared blankly at the now empty spot that once held his terrifying foe.

He was completely frozen, as though he was encased in ice, his mind replaying the scene repeatedly.

He cursed himself!

Too weak! He was too weak! His gaze turned feral, his hands clawing against his own chest.

Before he could go further, a hand grabbed his shoulder, “Lord Second.”

Agi turned, looking over. That’s right… He had plans… He had to… It felt pointless.

In front of such overwhelming might, what worth are plans?

Samuel sighed, seeing the shock Agi had just received, “Second, it’s true that there are many who could kill me, or you, easily. But they too were once weak, they also rolled in the mud, they suffered and fought.”

Inwardly, he was still shaken, that tremendous power, it was enough to snuff out his life at a glance.

He began to walk ahead, “It’s up to you, why choose to be a worm, when you can be a human?”

The words of those he had left behind flowed through him, like a symphony of his loss.

Of his vow.

“Right now, me and you, we’re just worms to them, inching forward desperately, every step takes up a lifetime, but you know,” He turned back to look at Agi,

“In my eyes, we only become worms when we stop struggling. Beasts mindlessly kill, Worms live the life laid out before them, but people like us, we struggle, we crawl, we choose our path.”

Agi felt like an idiot, wasn’t he going to walk his own path?! Wasn’t he going to prove he wasn’t just a beast!

“I am a human!”

Agi began to step forward, quickly overtaking Samuel,

“Follow me, Samuel, Lets struggle, let’s live as humans.”

The warrior, smiled, he had been putting on a strong front, that inquisitor had truly shaken him to the bone, but the child before him, with just a few words regained his heart.

Perhaps, he was a master worth serving.

“Yes, let’s live as humans.”

Agi walked forth, his determination set, his eyes locked onto his path. He would not be impeded, he would survive, and live.

“Where are we?” Samuel asked curiously, Agi had walked with such intent, he hadn’t found a moment to ask.

Before them stood a billowing stair case, it shot down, vanishing into the depths of darkness.

“This is the residence of a Lord.”

Samuel, shocked, turned to Agi quickly, he didn’t know why Agi would pay his siblings a visit.

The staircase devoured them as they walked its depths with a relaxed pace, however Samuel was anything but relaxed.

Even after their interaction with that inquisitor… he’s still walking around so confidently.

Samuel couldn’t help but feel uneasy, in his mind, Agi did not have a good relationship with his siblings, and if anything he was quite hostile toward them.

He could only shake his head inwardly, following him as they finally reached their destination.

Before them stood a long hall, lining the walls were an innumerable amount of warriors.

Some stood playing games, others idly chatted.

Many stood sternly, acting as guards.

But Agi paid them no mind, continuing to walk.

A warrior walked over, blocking their path, “Hey, I’ve never seen you two before.” He crossed his arms.

“What business do you have with lord Sixth?” He asked in a threatening manner.

Samuel looked down on him with disdain, who else in this temple would wear the garbs of a warrior as a child except Agi?

“You’re speaking to the second lord.” Samuel said, hiding his mirth in his voice.

The warrior was stunned, before quickly catching himself, “Do you think the second lord is a child? What nonsense.”

He took strides forward, intending to dispose of this unruly child and his companion.

“Little brother, you’ve come.”

A voice travelled down the corridor, the warrior turned his head, “Lord sixth!” He called.

Adam slowly came into view, his hand coming to rest on the warriors shoulder, “It’s not good to stay down here too long, you’ll be ignorant of the Temple.”

The warrior nods, “I was shortsighted.”

Adam moves past him, “Little brother, Come, you’re always welcome here. We have much to discuss.”

At the same time, a robed man finally arrived before a towering door.

“State your purpose!”

Besides the door stood two men, they wore the same robes as the crimson clad Rudra, their masks however, each held three eyes.

“Imperial Inquisitor, Rudra, requests an audience with his majesty!”

He leans forward in a small bow, his hands clasped.

The man by the door is silent for a moment before seeming to receive some kind of message.

“Enter.”

He declares, the doors slowly opening on their own.

Rudra pays the billowing halls little mind.

He had seen their hazy blacks and flowing reds, he had smelled its scent of iron more times than he could count.

His boots traversed over the embroidered carpet, it held a strange embroidery, a misty snake, its eyes distinct and its body, thin and long, it was a mysterious creature.

Rudra had never pondered on its nature, he did not dare.

His knee bent, slamming into the floor as he raised his clasped hands,

“I greet the Imperial Lord.”

The Emperor looked down on him, his ghastly crimson eyes swept over the inqisitor.

“Well? Report.”

The Emperor said with some irritation.

Rudra quickly began, “The boy, his potential is as the reports claim. Vistar was correct, the boy has a strange technique, capable of traversing unseen, like… some kind of wraith.”

The Emperor leaned back in thought, “Troublesome…” He said in a hushed voice, “Hahh…” He exhailed for a while, crushing the armrest under his palm.

“How annoying.” He rose, walking down slowly, “So the boy is talented,” He laughed, “He is of my blood, and of the blood of that vile creature, so he will naturally hold a small talent.”

He reached the kneeling Rudra, looking down with indignation, “What of his mind? Is he capable?”

Rudra didn’t dare look up at his lord, “Of all of your children that I’ve visited, he was not particularly of note.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow, “But?”

Rudra began hesitantly, “He is only five. For a child to carry such a mindset, I am ashamed to admit, I was deeply unsettled. When I had left, I beleived I had given him enough of a shock, however, I had received word before entering…”

“The boy has not stalled his plans in the slightest. He has made contact with the sixth lord.”

The Emperors hands clasped around the mask which clung tightly to Rudra.

Crack!

Small crackles rung out, all along the masks surface it began to crack and break, The Emperors grasp tightening.

“So Incompetent. Did I not tell you to deal with that?”

Rudra struggled only faintly, not daring to act against The Emperor, “M-My lord, with all due respect, the meeting between the Sixth and the Second was inevitable, they have animosity.”

The Emperor huffs, tossing Rudra off the carpet, for a moment he goes silent, then returns to normal.

“Fine, It’s of little importance. The little freak, ensure he doesn’t walk unhindered. His siblings, whether incompetent or just frightened, likely won’t act against him.”

He strides back to his throne, settling, “What a bunch of worthless things I’ve given care.”

Rudra, prostrated on the floor begins to speak once more, “Your grace, perhaps he is the one…”

The Emperor glares at him, making the Inquistor shiver, “I-I mean, the other lords, they do not fit the criterea, but that child, he can be developed.”

The Emperor waves his had, “You speak as such because you are ignorant, Rudra. That boy, and the rest of that womans spawn, they cannot be chosen. They will likely not receive my gift.”

Rudra looks up, half his mask demolished, revealing a what would likely be quite the charming face.

The single eye showing through was a deep red, he tilted his head, “What… But why?” He could not understand, Agi was undeniably the best successor!

“I am bound by certain… complications.”

The Emperor spoke in disatisfaction.

“I do not wish to speak of such matters with a thing like you.”

Rudra quickly bowed, “I understand my lord. I will now take my leave.”

The Emperor nodded, watching him scurry off.

He pressed a hand to his forehead, what a troublesome child…

His mind drifted to Siv, and his expression became even more ugly, “Damned woman.” he cursed.

It wasn’t long after, that Agi found himself following close behind Adam.

The further they left behind the ensemble of warriors, the more subdued the sixth lord became.

He glanced at Agi repeatedly, but in the end he said nothing.

“Here we are…” He gestures to the door, “This is where you’ll find me, most of the time.”

He pushed inside, and a familiar sight greets Agi,

What stood before him was a small room, it had woven floors, a small off to the side, but thats not what caught Agi’s eye.

Beyond the small door past the room was a wide garden.

The dirt found itself carrying a plethora of flowers, its grounds covered in a spread of color.

A little pond was found at its edge, and the ceiling, it was replaced with a bright blue expanse.

Agi recognized it as the same garden that had attriubted to Vistar.

But Samuel, he nearly shed a tear looking into the sky.

This scene, he had really believed he would never see such a scene again.

Alas, all good things eventually come to an end, his idle thoughts were brought to an end at Adams nervous stammering,

“Oh, you guys like it… Usually members of the Temple don’t really care for it…” He said tracing the floor with his eyes.

“B-But since you guys like it, we can sit out there, shall we?”

He said leading them stiffly.

And as he sat he finally directed his attention toward Samuel, “I-Uh, what was your name?”

Samuel didn’t know how to feel about this strange Lord. He seemed entirely too weak, too small. He couldn’t get a read on him.

“Samuel.”

Adam nodded, “A good name.”

This seemed to improve the warriors opinion slightly, “Indeed.”

Agi felt a strange atmosphere being developed and cut in, “Adam, that woman, Annika, what’s your relationship with her?”

Adam was caught off guard, clearing his throat with slightly rosy cheeks, “H-her? Oh, well she’s just an old friend of mine.” His expression shifts slightly, becoming something nostalgic, “I’ve known her my entire life really.”

Agi frowned, he wanted to ask, why would he send her after him? However this confrontation of his was going entirely the wrong way.

Adam was too weak!

In fact, he felt so weak that Agi didn’t even believe that he had opened his gift.

“Agi…”

Adam said slowly, hesitantly.

“Anni, she–she said you killed Nerva, I don’t think I got a real answer…”

The boys brow furrowed further, he kept bringing this up. Agi was getting slightly annoyed, “He tried to kill me.”

Adam frowned, “But, I’ve known Nerva since I was young, he wasn’t the hot headed type.”

Agi slammed his palm on the table, “He died because he tried to kill me, you should know that!”

Adam lept in his chair, surprised at Agi’s outburst, “I-I don’t know anything about that!”

He seemed to be barely holding back tears, “Why would he try to kill my own brother… It’s not right…”

Agi slumped back into his chair, this brother of his, he was a mystery.

He could not figure him out, why was he behaving like this?

Didn’t he want to kill him?

Didn’t he send Annika after him?

His fists clenched under the table, hadn’t Annika killed him in the third trial?!

“Adam, stop acting, you sent that crazy bitch to kill me, and now you’re acting all innocent?”

Agi growled out, and Samuel could only sigh, this young master of his had much too short of a temper.

It was clear to him that Agi intended to come receive answers, or at least some kind of clue.

But he simply couldn’t hold back his true thoughts.

Adam looked forward in confusion, then glanced at Samuel who also wanted an answer.

“What–I… I didn’t! Why would I send Anni to fight?! She’s way too soft!”

Samuel couldn’t hold back his shock, his mouth laying open in his attempt to formulate a retort.

He was utterly shocked at this Sixth Lord.

Annika… Soft?

They must have been speaking of a different woman.

This was the only logical conclusion Samuel could reach.

Meanwhile, Agi was just as shocked, “That beast has never heard the word soft in her entire life.” Agi spat.

Adam stood up, “Don’t slander her! I’ve known her my entire life, Agi.” He actually gave Agi a stern look, “You shouldn’t talk poorly behind someones back. She would be upset if she knew.” He shook his head.

Samuel could tell that Agi was barely holding back at this point.

It had likely been a while since he had been patronized as a child in such a manner.

He decided to step in, “Sixth Lord,” He regarded respectfully, even though he didn’t hold much respect for him in his heart, “Then how do you explain her attitude during the trial?”

Even if Adam didn’t watch the trial, he would have known how she spoke to him in between the first and second trial.

Adam sighed, “Is that what this is about? She had just learned her lifetime friend died, and from what I’ve gathered, brutally at that.” He sat back down.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I know her very well.”

Samuel shook his head inwardly, This Sixth Lord was too far gone.

Agi shook, “You can’t be serious… You…”

Samuel sighed inwardly, setting his hand on Agis shoulder.

The child huffed, “Fine.” He returned to his original goal, “Brother, lets move on.”

Adam nodded, “Yes, that’d be for the best.” He seemed to be settling once again, his heart pounding.

He hadn’t expected such a wild event to happen, luckily he hadn’t made a fool of himself.

“Would you guys like something to drink?”

He smiled, and for a short while, Agi entertained this strange elder brother of his.