Chapter 18: Shaking feathers, Dulled edge

“Anni!” it was a pitiful, small attempt to hold onto what could have been, a foolish meandering step closer to the inevitable, and one step that Adam cursed.

He did not curse Annika, nor her blood hands, he didn’t curse her bloodshot eyes, or her wicked smile.

He cursed the Temple, he cursed himself.

Adam enveloped the kneeling Annika in a hug, she had just turned nine, and she had also taken her first life.

The young Adam was shocked, his world had been turned upside down.

The gruesome scene, the sight of Annikas own brother laying on the floor, lifeless, dull.

It made him want to wretch. But Adam… He had to be strong, didn’t he?

He was a lord! She was just a… a kid.

It was an ironic thought from the ten year old Adam. He too was just a child.

He imagined in his mind the distraught expression of his close friend, of Anni who he had known his whole life, he felt hurt for her.

His heart felt as though it was bleeding.

She killed her own brother… No! He can’t think like that.

He of all people, can’t think like that.

“Anni…” He said, holding her in his arms, she wasn’t trembling, but he was.

“I-I know it wasn’t on purpose, you were forced…” He began to ramble, his voice shaky.

Did he even believe that?

That wicked smile clouded his mind, he shut his eyes tightly.

She slowly pushed him back, nodding with a somber expression, though her mouth was in a deep frown, her eyes remained unmoved.

“Did I do something wrong?”

She asked quietly.

Adam shook, “No, Anni, you did what you had to.”

Adam slowly opened his eyes, sighing to himself as he watched the young Agi finally leave, followed by Samuel.

He… He of all people had to give Annika… Anni… The benefit of the doubt.

She wasn’t how others claimed! He knew! He knew…

He put on a smile, “Agi, Come back and visit, or this brother will get lonely!” He called out.

He received no response, and he really felt downturned.

His little brother… He had really tried to get along with his siblings, His sister was too caught up in her own ego, and his brothers, they paid him no mind.

“I… I’ll be there, Agi. So come back.”

The Sixth lord turned, returning to his little garden, laying on the grass he looked up at the sky.

This was how he spent the majority of his time, meandering, just like this.

Would he live like this forever? He reached out toward the sky.

He is a Lord.

No, He is Adam.

Just Adam, compared to his siblings, he was truly disappointing. A failure in terms of the Temple.

His heart ached for others, his tears shed at death.

His doors were open to anyone.

He did not know hate.

Nerva was dead, what if he was next? He didn’t have time to hate another.

He just wanted to continue to spend each day like this.

He walked outside his room, the warriors greeting him, making jokes and patting his shoulder as he walked by.

Yes, just one more day where he can see the life thats being slowly drained from the miserable wretches unlucky enough to end up here.

One more day where he can engrave their smiles into his mind.

It was only a shame, that he lacked the initiative of his siblings.

He had a small smile gracing his features, Agi had sought him out.

He was quite happy really, though he was really surprised.

The only one of his siblings that paid him any mind was Ramana.

But unfortunately Ramana rarely left his room. He would barely visit him, well, even though the Emperor visited him quite frequently, he wanted to see his siblings!

He felt a small beating of his own heart, maybe… he should go for a walk.

It was quite rare for him really, he prefered to stay within his room, hiding away, not allowing himself to suffer within the Temple.

But after speaking with Agi, he felt a bit better, he had really begun on the right path!

From now on, he would change.

“I must become a reliable older brother.”

He finally made his way up the steps, Agi was long gone, likely off to cause more trouble, adam shook his head.

He felt like he was begining to get a grasp of that younger brother.

He walked the halls with his head high, his chest out… until anyone walked by.

He would look down slightly, nodding to them in greeting as they passed by.

And only once they were gone would he let out a breath of relief.

The Temple was not a small place by any means. It had many floors, high into the sky, and deep into the ground.

Many of its locations even split within sub spaces through those strange willows.

But Adam didn’t ever bother to ponder deeper into it.

Often, he felt lost in its grandeur.

Adam had many strange hobbies, amongst them was wandering the training halls, seeing the various initiates work hard.

For some reason, it made him feel a bit better.

Traditionally, the training hall was a single hall, however like the isolation hall, it was separated into innumerable subspaces.

In fact, entering the hall of another was completely forbidden without explicit permission from the occupant.

However, rules could be bent.

For example, High ranking members of the clergy, such as cardinals, replace

and for instance–Lords.

Unsurprisingly, the children of the Emperor wielded a nearly unrivaled political power within the Temple.

The willow tree hummed before him, crimson veins traversing its charcoal husk.

His hands tenderly brushed against the willow branch, the iron scented buds feeling fleshy, almost filled with life.

It was an eerie thing, Adam did not know it’s origin though he often pondered in his free time.

He didn’t particularly have a curious disposition.

Often opting for idle thoughts or day dreaming, he was the kind of man who preferred distraction over action.

But the willow tree, it was mysterious, nobody–Not even knight captain Vistar, knew what exactly it was, nor where it came from.

Alas, it was of incredible importance to the Temple, without it, even with the Temples encompassing halls, it may not be able to hold all the people within.

Adam shifted, his form being encroached in a hazy red light before vanishing.

He looked around, the room was exactly the same, as though it was a carbon copy.

This was the Fifth fold within the Temple.

A complete clone of the original base of the Temple, hidden away within a subspace.

The Fifth fold, was naturally where the initiates training hall stood.

Adam took an unsteady gait, Numerous initiates passed him, in fact the halls were packed.

To the sid, a weak looking robed young man could be seen getting beaten.

Curled up against the wall, protecting his head.

He held a small book in his had, it was clear it had been woven by hand.

Adam recognized the robed man as a simple initiate scribe.

The most basic, entry level into the clergy.

The boy actually did not make a single sound as he was beaten. His vow of silence forbidding such a thing.

Adam wanted to step in, but just turned away, something like this… even if he interfered it would just start again soon, and worse than before.

He made a couple excuses as he walked, all while day dreaming about stepping in and stopping them.

The thought was enticing, but a bit too frightening.

The droves of initiates practically ran him down.

The fifth fold was a subspace specifically for the training and nurturing of young members below the warrior and acolyte rank, within the Knights and the Clergy respectively.

Many children grew up here, learning the methods and the ways of the Temple in all its cruelty.

It was a very lawless place, only under some semblance of control by the Inquistor stationed to keep the peace.

Though even that was a bold term, he didn’t enforce anything, outside of disrespect against the Temple and the Emperor.

In fact, Adam also stopped himself from stepping in for another reason–Those initiates would likely be put to death shortly.

The clergy were special within the Temple.

They did not fight, outside the Inquisitors, they had only two simple tasks, to enforce the teachings of the Emperor, and record his history.

They were essentially, the lawmakers of the Temple.

Going against members of the Clergy is always met with incredibly fierce resistance, adding on, the inquistors are an incredibly mysterious group.

No one knows their true given names, only the names publicly given during their rite of blade.

Each wields a tremendous force carrying great power.

There is at least a single inquistor stationed on each fold.

Despite the enormous size of the Temple, not a single person has evaded the gaze of the inquisitors.

Facing execution soon after commiting their offence.

This however, was all but pointless to Adam as he strolled to the training hall.

He was quite well known amongst those who frequently trained here, getting a few waves or pats on the back as he arrived.

Naturally he received some scorn, disdain for his station in life.

He had been born a mighty lord! Yet he traversed amongst them, mocking their low born status and their struggle.

Adam found it difficult to ignore these gazes his mind sifting through them.

He turned stiff like a board, his eyes staring straight ahead, avoiding other people.

He really hated this feeling of being stared at.

“Stop looking… Why did I even come here… should I just leave?”

His mind repeated his inner monologue every time he stepped foot here, the people crowding his mind and making him anxious.

He just stepped quickly, reaching out to the willow and vanishing in a red blur.

And as he settled into the empty training hall he let out a breath of air.

He could finally breath.

Outside, Agi sighed to himself inwardly, he couldn’t follow Adam within the willow.

He was also capable of entering other training halls, albeit his method is much more forceful than the other lords.

But the occupants would undoubtedly become aware, like a subtle shift in the atmosphere, they would just instinctively know that a third had entered.

The child internally ran over Adams strange behavior, “Did he know? Was he aware I was trailing him?”

He couldn’t think of anything else. He had never seen someone act in such a manner.

“Fine… If this is how you intend to go about it… I’ll play along. Don’t make me wait, Elder brother.”

Agi snorted derisively, shocking a few people nearby who only now noticed the child standing next to them.

Noticing his warriors garb, they shivered in fear.

A warrior! This is no different from a storm forming in your bed!

A few of the quicker ones stumbled back, while the slower ones took a moment.

He shot them a glare, “What?” He huffed, his instinct spreading toward the people nearby.

He was in a bad mood, he didn’t want to waste time pressuring the weak as he usually had.

A few stumbled back, some mumbling,

“The Temple is too strange, even a brat is so strong…”

It seemed they were lamenting–lamenting their lack of talent.

Agi didn’t care, his gaze focused on the tree.

He grit his teeth, his jaw set in irritation, he hated that he didn’t know what he was doing.

That he got off so easily.

Agi scoffed, turning, for now he would wait.

Agi’s folly would go unnoticed by the recovering Adam.

Sitting up he heaved a breath, “Alright! Can’t sit here forever.”

He nodded a few times, his hand hovering near the willow.

But then he hesitated… and hesitated…

“Ah! I shouldn’t have thought about it…” He felt pained inside, now that he was considering it, he really didn’t want to!

“Damn it… Don’t think, do, don’t think, do….”

He chanted it like a mantra, his body vanishing.

Within another training hall, the familiar woven floors crackling under the pressure of a body,

The initiate within spun, startled by the sudden intrusion, “Who–”

He began before being quickly cut off by the sight of Adam, “Oh! Adam, what’re you doing here?”

Adam smiled wrily, everyone refered to his siblings as Lord, but he was always Adam, even his youngest sister was called Tenth Lord respectfully!

Alas, “It’s a matter of presentation, I suppose…”

Though he did feel a little embarrassed, he still wanted to look at least a little respectable to his younger siblings.

The initiate, around thirteen or fourteen, ran over.

“Adam, No matter how much I swing, it’s not like what you said.”

He huffs.

Adam had instructed him, then vanished, what was he supposed to do?

Adam chuckles lightly, this short initiate was one he felt a bit more comfortable with.

Often coming to instruct him.

He playfully ruffled his hair, “Just swinging will get you nowhere.”

He walks to the side, grabbing one of the wooden swords lining the walls.

They were had a metal rod inside, so they still carried some weight.

Adam weighed it in his hand, swinging it a few times, “Well, reaching intermediate at your age, it’s impressive, still.”

The boy nearly stomped his foot, “I don’t want to just be impressive for my age, I want to be a warrior!”

Adam looked at the child and only sighed inwardly.

The boy had a similar disposition to himself, though he was more forward.

“I know, I know, you want to stop the injustices within the fifth fold.”

It was such a small goal, such a little thing.

And yet, to this boy, to Hirah, it was his entire world.

The time he spent trudging the open world in that thick heavy plated armor, only as a mere child, hardened his heart.

But beneath it lay a child, one who sought to have many friends, and eat happily amongst a table of family.

The Temple was no such kind place, and for Hirah, it only made him desperate.

Desperate for strength! Hungry for status!

Adam walked closer to the center of the room, “The style I taught, Northern Imperial style, it’s very difficult to become acomplished in.”

Hirah crossed his arms, he knew this already! He had chosen it because…

“Yet, it sets a strong foundation, those who bring this style to mastery have a higher chance to reach grandmaster.”

He takes a stance with his sword pointed forward, “Isn’t that why you chose it?”

The boy grumbles, “What’s your point?”

Adam made very slow movements, very slow and precise, his mastery over the form was evident.

His blade flowed like a steady stream, it traced a path of artistry, and only when he returned to the base stance did it cease.

“The Northern Imperial style is one that relies on comprehension over set techniques.”

The boy just furrowed his brows, “You said the same thing before, but that really makes no sense!”

He picked up his sword, swinging the moves just as Adam had, though it was considerably more forceful, “How is this not mastery!? I can perform all its sets!”

He shouted, swinging contiuously.

But Adam only sighed shaking his head, the sword was truly his element, in nothing else would he claim confidence.

However he did not have the heart of a warrior. He chased the blade for perfection of its art, not the efficacy of its kill.

“You don’t understand, this is a style designed to counter other styles actively.”

He put his sword up, “It is a pseudo grand mastery.”

“Come, I’ll show you.”

The boy charged at him, his style was fierce, but outwardly, they looked nearly the same.

Adam shifted his sword down, twisting his wrist and immediately the wooden weapon flew from Hirah’s hand.

“You must get to know its intracies, the style focuses outwardly, not inwardly.”

Hirah frowned, this style was too hard to master.

“You’re still young,” Adam shook his head, “Go, this hall has no more use to you. You must seek out duels.”

Hirah walked slowly, reaching down to grab the sword, though tears were in his eyes, “Adam, do you think I can do it?”

He choked, “You beat me so easily, No matter how hard I try, I just lose, I lose and lose again… Mom… Dad… They lost too…”

Adam felt his heart bleed for the young initiate, “It’s not so simple, Hirah. The Temple is cruel, and here, there is no winners, only those who survived, and those who fell.”

Adam walks to the willow tree, “I try to be half as courageous as you, so give it some heart, the only dull blade is one that’s abandoned.”

Hirah watched as Adam vanished into a flash of red.

He wiped his eyes with his forearm, gritting his teeth, he swung his sword.

“I’ll do it! I’ll become a warrior!”

Adam found himself once more within an isolated hall, and he immediately put a hand to his head.

“Did I say the right thing? I hope he doesn’t take it the wrong way…”

He could only hope, he himself was only saying what he believed, but he had been so isolated, “Ramana would have done better…” He lamented.

He let out a sigh, pushing the thought away.

His hand hovered, and he vanished.

Agi outside stood impatiently, it had already been a long time.

The training hall had barely any initiates left within, many heading off to bed.

Only finally, after waiting what felt like an eternity, did Adam reappear.

He walked with a steady gait, he seemed refreshed, like he took… a nap?

Agi shrugged it off, “how ridiculous, what am I even thinking?”

The Sixth Lord trailed down the halls, his eyes pinned to the far wall as he walked.

He vanished in a shade of red as Agi walked over, following.

They had returned to the first fold, yet Ada didn’t stop for a moment.

Agi could practically feel excitement bubbling off him, he frowned.

Looking at the door awaiting them, Agi furrowed his brow, “Ramana?”

Agi didn’t want to suspect Ramana, not until he saw something definitive.

Ramana definitely wasn’t working with Adam, Agi nodded.

Adam knocked.

The sound rang out through the empty halls–silence.

Only silence dominated.

Adam knocked again.

Nothing.

He cleared his throat, “Elder brother! I-It’s Adam!”

He knocked again.

How strange… Ramana rarely left his room.

Adam looked down, slighly embarassed and downturned.

He had been building himself up to this all day, even waiting for the halls to clear!

He sighed, “It’s fine…. Maybe he’ll come visit me…. I doubt it.”

He looked around, waking for a short while until he came to a small door which opened to a gargantuan library.

Collections of books lining mahogany shelves, lines and rows of tables, and a vast air of solitude.

Rarely would someone of the first fold come to this room.

They were the elites of the elites.

Even the lowest ranks, the initiates, were the greatest amongst their peers, deemed too talented to dally amongst the weaklings.

They all had a focused mind, settled on the heart of combat.

Perhaps outside those of the clergy amongst them, the concept of a book was utterly foreign.

Adam fiddled around, finding a pen and paper, he wrote in long strokes.

The characters were stretched and round in structure.

Apart of the alphabet derived from runes.

It was considered a sophisticated manner of writing, often not understood by those leading humbler lives within the temple, and that is referring to even members of the clergy, typically, only after surpassing the station of acolyte can one begin to study it.

Let alone the mundane peasants living within the seventh and eight fold.

Adam finished his note, scampering to Ramana’s door and slipping it into the crack.

The paper stuck nicely, standing steadily atop the handle.

Adam nodded, satisfied.

While Agi only glanced curiously, the letter read:

Elder brother,

I find myself seeking your wisdom as of late.

I built the courage to visit, only to miss you by chance,

Your little brother is a misfortunate fellow, is he not?

I hope you may find the time to visit me.

I’ll be waiting.

Your little brother, Adam.

Agi scoffed inwardly, it was such a feeble attempt at maintaining his facade.

Did he think that was enough to fool him? Writing some letter and leaving it out for him to see was enough to make him forget the attempt on his life?

Agi was convinced now that Adam knew he was trailing him. This letter to him was proof of that.

A poor attempt to appear weak.

Adam stared at the door wistfully, part of him hoped that Ramana would walk out.

Really, he had not spoken to him–truly spoken to him–in a while.

He wanted advice on how to treat Agi, he was such a wild child, he really wanted to help him.

“See you soon, Ramana.”

Adam walked slowly down the hall, hopeful he would stumble across him.

“Guess I’ll visit Esfir.” He shrugged.

That sister of his, she loved to act like he was a nuesance, but he knew she loved him.

That alone made his heart warm a little.

He laughed to himself down the hall, she was really still just a little girl to him, he remembered how she would cheekily call, “Big Brother!” And he would pamper her without restraint.

He shook his head, what a foolish elder brother he was, so easily manipulated.

Agi felt that Adam was similar to Annika, he randomly begun to laugh to himself, startling Agi.

It wasn’t long before a few knocks rang out, only for an annoyed grumble to shift the door.

“What?”

An irritated woman called out.

“Esfir!” Adam called out, opening his arms wide.

She mumbled something under her breath, reluctantly giving him a hug.

“Brother, what are you doing here?”

He frowned, “I can’t visit my little sister?”

She sighed, “You come too often brother, I fear my door will fall from its hinges.”

He laughs, “Well said, well said. I really feel like myself with you, come, lets drink a little.”

She gave him a dull look, “Acting like First brother again?”

He gave a small laugh scratching his neck awkwardly, “Haha… You caught me.”

She shook her head, leading him in.

Agi watched the interaction, his jaw setting.

He had enmity with that woman.

He had threatened her life, and that is not a debt resolved so easily.

He stared deeply at the door, his mind lost in a storm of thoughts.

It was far elsewhere, where Ramana would find himself deep within the first fold.

Settled at a far corner of the temple sat the entrance to an isolation hall, wide doored, like the maw of a great beast.

Ramana had only entered twice, and each time took him longer than he’d like to admit to come out.

He shook off the thought, entering the hall.

Before the soft looking eldest brother stood a woman, she sat atop a mat laid out simply.

She held a cup, in her hands, though it was obviously empty.

“You’re here.”

Annika grinned, motioning him over.

The First Lord took his time, his eyes observing the entire room, sweeping it slowly.

“Ever so cautious.” She frowned.

Ramana regarded her with a flat expression, “You are a vile woman, why would I give you any opportunities?”

She huffed, “Jeez, you’re so mean!”

He glared at her with disdain, “Get on with it, foolish woman. I told you simply, do not ever seek me out unless you’re ready.”

She pouted her lips, perhaps in another setting this may have been cute.

“Alright, alright. I’m ready.” She said crossing her arms.

Ramana pinched the bridge of his nose, “Stop playing games. You’re ready?”

She sat up straight, “Yes, I am. That brat will do it.”

Ramana gave her a dull look, “So incompetent. You lack patience. That boy isn’t ready. Perhaps in the future he’ll serve his purpose…”

“But right now? Don’t bother, even Adam could kill him.”

She put up a finger, wagging it playfully, “You underestimate him.”

Ramana felt annoyed, in fact, he felt infuriated, she was daring to use his piece, one he had painstakingly developed.

“I’m going to warn you, Annika, If you don’t succeed, you won’t need to fear the Emperors retaliation, I assure you I will take care of you personally.”

He cut her off before she responded again, “What of the cardinal?”

She put up two fingers, “The second fold, the cardinal and inquisitor Mahesha have already come to an agreement.”

His eyes widened slightly, “What could you have possibly offered?”

She shrugged, “Perhaps I’m not so incompetent.”

Ramana didn’t like her secrecy, but he had no choice but to deal with it.

“Then it is done. The Emperor will not interfere, even if it is Adam.”

He turns and leaves, not lingering a moment longer.