Chapter 25: Flickering Candle, Yellow Grass

The feeling was foreign.

The world became estranged, and he could no longer feel the faint connection as he had before.

But even worse, every step was a challenge, his hand grasped onto the wall, stumbling as he walked.

His equilibrium becoming completely distraught as he stumbled around the strange room.

Up… Down…

He couldn’t tell, it was like the world was spinning.

He lurched forward, nearly hurling.

He fell onto his knees, his hand clutching at the wall.

“What… is happening….”

The sound of steps resounded in Agi’s ear as the visage of a man appeared.

He had on a strange attire for the temple, wearing a long tail coat, he was dressed in tailored black pants, that led up to a exceptionally woven button up shirt.

Around his neck was some kind of… black scarf?

It didn’t look like a scarf.

Agi had never seen such strange attire.

But worse than that… the man was on the ceiling.

The man gave a half bow, one gloved hand folding over his abdomen, whilst the other was poised behind his back.

The man with slicked back black hair gave of a distinguish dignified atmosphere.

“Young Lord, Master Sanika sent me to receive you.”

Agi furrowed his brows, stumbling as he stood,

“How are you doing that?”

It was rare for Agi to hear Samuels last name, but there was a considerably more pressing matter.

“Is it not you who is standing above me, Lord Vitold?”

Agi grimaced as he heard the address, “Don’t call me by that name.”

The man didn’t seem to have any change or hiccup in his ministrations, “Understood, Young Lord.”

He didn’t like this way of addressing him either, but it was better than that accursed name.

“I know I am not on the ceiling, so how are you up there?”

He was determined to get an answer.

The man, still bowing shook his head, “Such is the nature of this place, You may be on the floor, and I may be on the ceiling, but is the reverse not true for me?”

Agi went into thought for a moment, “He’s right.”

“Prove you were sent by Samuel.”

The man let out a small chuckle, “Ho Ho,” He rose from his bow, “Master Sanika said you would come right away.”

Agi narrowed his eyes, that may have been true in the past, but not anymore.

“Bring him here.”

The man sighed, “My deepest apologies, Young Lord, but I am following strict orders.”

Agi let out a cold laugh, “Samuel is my subordinate, if you serve him, you serve me.”

The man seemed to release from the ceiling, slowly dropping down as he turned mid-air, landing on the same setting as Agi.

It didn’t help that the walls in this place were all the same, he really couldn’t tell what was up or down.

“This place does not work like the other Folds.”

He stood at his full height, Agi believed he would only be a little shorter than Samuel.

“Think of this as another world.”

His eyes were becoming colder, his shoulders set.

“I will take you with me.”

He declared, and Agi barked out with laughter.

“Its true! It’s really true! You can’t trust anyone.”

Agi stalked forward, his balance slowly returning as he finally figured out the hazy feeling.

The soul of another being had been interacting with him, a potent overwhelming soul.

But it would no longer have any effect on him, he had already learned its flow.

He jetted out a finger,

POP!

It sounded like a small explosion went off as the colors of the world coalesced at his finger tips.

The man looked down—

a hole billowed through his stomach.

Blood poured from the corners of his lips,

“H-how….”

His voice was hoarse as he stumbled and fell back.

Agi walked over stepping on his throat, “I am nothing. You are nothing.”

He stepped down harder, “Do you understand?”

He the world coalescened within his foot, “There is no lord. There is no master.”

“Bring me Samuel.”

He growled kicking his body away.

The man coughed on his side, the wound was healing slowly, painfully slowly.

The man rose unsteadily, rushing off.

Agi looked at him with indignation as he ran off,

“Should I have just killed him…?”

He gritted his teeth, grabbing his wrist he glared into the distance.

The boy set a foot on the wall, closing his eyes as he tried to pinpoint whatever that strange source of soul was.

But it was pointless.

He couldn’t walk on the walls like that man, in fact, moving too much crushed his balance.

He could barely make two attacks, before becoming disorientated again.

But he felt something strange, there was almost… layers?

Layers of soul…

It was a completely foreign and strange idea.

He lept up, his hand entering the next layer and he almost felt like it was going to pull him up. However, before he could grasp it–he fell.

He settled on the floor, looking up with a strange glimmer in his eyes.

Within his body he attempted to recreate the flow around him.

He succeeded within three tries.

Nothing changed…?

He frowned, he was sure that was it.

He huffed, “Why?”

He tried it over and over again,

nothing worked,

“That man could do it… why can’t I!?”

He was heaving by the time Samuel slowly arrived.

“Lord Second.”

Samuel called,

only to be interrupted by Agi snapping at him, “Don’t call me that.”

Samuel was slightly shocked but quickly recovered, “Alright… Agi.” He nodded hesitantly.

“All of a sudden? Is Adams death affecting him that much?”

He was a bit worried, but suppressed it.

“You roughed up Saku pretty badly,” He barely held back a chuckle, that scoundrel deserved it.

Agi glanced at Samuel, some of his frustration was suppressed, “Is that the weirdly dressed man?”

Samuel nodded, “In fact, I’m weirdly dressed too.”

He had an odd look on his face and Agi closely observed Samuel.

It was true, he was wearing a similar garment to Saku.

“It’s the common place here, in fact, the weird one will be you.”

Agi snorted, “So what?”

Samuel shook his head, setting a palm on his shoulder, “We should avoid trouble for these two years.”

Agi let out a hum, “Then, fine. Lead me to the others.”

Samuel was still, waiting for Agi to start walking,

“Well?” Agi crossed his arms.

He held back a sigh, “Yes, Follow me.”

“You’re adjusting well.”

The right hand of the boy begun.

Agi looked at his hand in frustration, “Not well enough.”

Samuel shook his head, “Most take at least a month to become capable of walking again.

Agi became suspiscious, staring at him from behind, “Then what about you? It’s only been a week.”

His voice gained an edge, “Don’t lie to me Samuel.”

Samuel clicked his tongue, “I’m not lying, We had help. Others don’t.”

“Rowen?”

Agi raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right.”

Receiving affirmation Agi went silent, he wasn’t interested in any more idle chatter.

Sprawling and glorious,

on its front sat a garden lacking any care.

Vines grew across its billowing gate,

Flowers wilted amongst the yellow grass.

The expansive green claim its dominion across the walls,

and amongst them—

A single rose.

Barren Rose manner stood as a pillar of violence amongst its peers.

Its legends were timeless, its battles becoming echoes of history.

Numerous owners, various champions.

It was the house of fallen.

Agi took heavy strides as Samuel pushed the wide gate open with a grating scratch.

“Welcome back,”

A plethora of formerly dressed people bowed with reverence.

Agi gave them a glance,

before his eyes flickered, “Get rid of them.”

Samuel was slightly caught off guard, “Are you sure?”

Agi shook his head, “Too many people.”

He went quiet before continuing, “Too dangerous.”

“If you kick them out, they will be left to a fate much worse than those of the fifth fold.”

Agi glanced at them, their faces were ashen as thye heard the conversation,

some fell to their knees, praying to the emperor.

Others looked at Agi with scorn.

Agi held his head, feeling the hard protrusions at its edge, he grit his teeth,

Why can’t he just ignore it…

“Little brother. At least, if you can’t survive as a coward, then you can live as a guardian.”

It means nothing, its worthless, just the last words of a dead man, a coward!

And yet…

“Don’t let me see them.”

Agi growled signaling for him to keep walking.

The child ignored the eyes looking at him with gratefulness, the eyes looking at him with even deeper scorn,

even the eyes that stared with pity.

He tried to ignore them all.

The steps trailed with a heavy heart through the large barren doors. Creaking wood and the smell of refurbished carpet scrunching his nose.

Servants lined the halls, and Agi only grew more uncomfortable.

As he realized the sheer number of servants within the manor he grimaced, but this time said nothing.

The words of his brother, and Samuel echoing on his mind.

Saku walked over with a courteous bow, his wound was fully healed.

“I apologize for my earlier misconduct.”

Agi snorted eyeing him dangerously, “Don’t forget who spared your life.”

Saku looked toward him with indignation before immediately schooling his expression,

“I understand.” He nodded quickly, not seeking to earn the ire of the feral child.

Above them, a woman leaned over the banister, a hazy smile lined her face.

She seemed… intoxicated?

She wore an embroided purple eyepatch over her left eye, her hair was tied back loosely in a wild ponytail.

While she wore a pair of pants that Agi assumed were something uncomfortable, atop her torso was a tucked blouse.

And in her hand was a heavy brown bottle, the label, yellowed and aged.

“Ah! If it isn’t-“

Hic!

“The Second Lord.”

She laughed senslessly, earning a stare of disgust from Agi.

Samuel was nearly red in rage, “Soma! How dare you show Agi such a disgraceful display…”

He grit his teeth but eventually relented, only sighing, “Join the others. This is becoming ridiculous.”

She shrugged, “See ya there.”

Agi was nearly open mouthed, looking toward Samuel,

“That was Soma?”

He wasn’t exactly well aquainted. For one he cared little for the captains, believing they’d inevitably die during the raid.

But now that they survived… after…

He couldn’t help but focus a bit more on those around him. But Soma was nearly unrecognizable.

Samuel shook his head, “Somehow, yes. Malachi died, during the raid.”

Agi looked toward the ground, his expression becoming downturn.

“The two had been close,” Seeing Agi’s downcast gaze he set a hand on his shoulder, “Everyone has their method to grieving. For Soma, she just wants to forget. But it’s not so simple.”

His gaze became distant, “Forgetting, it’s a fool’s errand. Alas,” He continued, “It won’t matter, this will not be an issue during combat, as so long as she uses her gift blood at all, she will immediately become sober.”

Agi nodded slowly, “I see… The others, are they the same?”

Samuel thought for a moment, “Well, not entirely. You’ll see when we get there.”

His question was quickly answered as the heavy door was slid open by a pair of servants.

Leaning on a wall, Suhail flicked a coin in the air.

He dressed for flair, a white fitted button up, covered only by a navy brocade vest, faint leather motifs across its surface.

A long black overcoat sat atop his shoulders, deep purple lining it with its silky texture.

He fashioned a pair of high waisted black trousers, tucked precariously into a pair of boots.

And on his eyes, the familiar pair of thick glasses settled, though the others pondered why he even bothered with them anymore.

His eyes were distant, almost lazy. He barely glanced up as Agi entered.

The boy held his gaze for a moment, before settling on Ananda,

She wore a satin doublet, its tight taper and heavy violet giving off a striking combination, she wore a corset around her waist, and beneath it the doublet splits at the waist.

It seemed almost like a dress, and along her arms were two long gloves, black embroidered leather reaching above her elbows.

However her lower half shattered this illusion, silver heavy boots, made entirely of metal plates covered her calves.

The grieves stopped just above her knees, only giving a small glimpse of the black leggings beneath.

She typically wasn’t one for accessories, but for a purpose unknown to Agi, she wore a necklace with a small chain around her neck.

The small necklace hung close and carried a small purple gemstone.

She sat leaned forward at a table, her eyes were focused, yet Agi couldn’t tell if it was real or just a mask.

Her hands were clasped together and before long, Agi’s gaze moved on.

Finally it settled on Rowen, the blonde haired man was perhaps in the strangest attire of them all.

He wore some kind of loose robes, beneath the visage of silver armor could be spotted.

It was burgundy in color, soft and flowing, it tapered to his waist, where it was tied together with a faded yellow sash.

The robe split halfway down his chest, unveiling a peak at the armor beneath.

At its center was a sun emblem.

Rowen was too seated at the table, his head resting on armored fists.

The strange attire was entirely foreign to Agi, but he was slowly getting used to it.

On the far end of the table, Soma sat, she was reclining in her chair, more interested in the bottle in her hand than Agi.

Agi too, settled at the table, glancing at Samuel as he settled behind him.

“Sit.”

Agi said slightly uncomfortable, and with a curt nod, Samuel complied.

The child messed with his hands, the texture of scales on the back of his hands feeling odd, but strangely familiar.

“Rowen, explain this place to me.”

Eventually he issued a command, to which the armored man put out a hand as he begun,

“There is a lot. The reverse city is not a simple place, Lord Second.”

Agi bit on the inside of his cheek before cutting him off, “Don’t… Call me that.”

The three that had been previously uninterested finally looked up at the same time,

“What?”

Ananda had raised eyebrows.

Agi clenched his hands atop the table, “I said, Don’t call me that.”

Suhail began to cough, “You– Well, then what should we call you?”

“Just Agi.”

Soma stared at him for a while, while the others nodded.

Rowen continued, “Then I’ll continue. The reverse city is split into two parts, The upper, and the lower.”

He paused for a moment, “Though, nobody really knows which is which. There are guesses of course, but from the moment we entered, it’s impossible to know if we are upside down, or right side up.”

Agi furrowed his brow, “How can that be true?”

Rowen shook his head, “This is a secret that even the barons are unaware of. Likely only the arch bishop, and the Emperor are aware.”

Agi tilted his head, “Barons?”

Rowen scratched his head, “Right…” Knowledge he took for granted was something that many were unaware of, he felt this might be tiring to explain.

He also realized, he had been mentioning and refrancing things to the others this past week, while they must have had no idea what he was talking about!

He felt a bit embarassed, “Why didn’t they say anything!”

“I’ll have to get to that in a moment, first, I’ll explain how this place works.”

He glanced at a servant, “Bring a pen and paper.”

Pen and paper…

The name of the man that once his mentor flashed within Agi’s mind,

Ramana…

His expression contorted as he thought of Ramana, a serpent rising from a smoke of ash in his shadow.

His fingers dug into the table as his breath quickened,

“Bastard—Liar!”

Rowen was frightened, especially at the pressure exuding from Agi,

To the five of them it was clear, Agi had already crossed the threshold of an open gift, his physical force at least.

Samuel stood up, rushing over he set his hand on Agi’s shoulder,

“Agi!”

He shouted, but a powerful arm lashed out, throwing him across the room.

Samuel tumbled back, slamming into a pillar heavily.

Ananda shot up, “Samuel!”

Agi huffed, a forest green mist pouring from his mouth.

He stood heaving and slowly, the protrusions on his head grew every so slightly.

His mind was hazy, his eyes dialating uncontrollably.

The noises were loud!

The breathing was like cannons!

“AGHH!”

He held his head and writhed, the pain of both the forming horns, and the overpowering sensations creating a wicked mixture within his body.

Nearly frothing at the mouth he lunged forward,

Rowen moved promptly, his body seemingly weightless as he stepped back,

suddenly his body flipped in the air, then—

BANG!

His armored boot slammed into Agi!

But… nothing.

Agi just stopped moving, he took no damage at all.

Slowly his eyes settled, and he looked around in confusion,

“Damn it.”

He cursed. He chewed his lip until it bled, his body trembling,

“I–” He attempted to speak, but just looked toward the floor in shame.

Rowen calmed his breathing as Samuel pulled himself up under the intense scrutiny of Ananda.

“It’s fine, Agi. We’ve all been through a lot.”

Rowen explained calmly.

And Samuel too nodded, “That’s right, For now, how about I show you around the manor.”

Agi hesitantly nodded, “Okay.”

Rowen and Samuel exchanged a glance, it seemed they had a lot to talk about.

Agi trudged as he followed Samuel out of the room. He seemed like a scolded child being sent off for punishment.

“Shall we get you the proper attire?”

Samuel offered as they walked, Rowen following closely.

Agi glanced , “Why are you wearing that?”

Rowen titled his head, “What do you mean?”

Agi seemed slightly unsure and stopped speaking.

Rowen nearly sighed, “This isn’t like you, Agi.”

He reprimanded, unfortunately for Agi, he was not Samuel.

He stopped, crouching down, “You may reject it, but you are who you are. You led us here, you are the leader, do you understand?”

He asked one knee on the floor.

Seeing Agi’s reluctance to acknlowedge he finally sighed, “I was like this at one time too, I once realized as well, that power is worthless.”

Agi looked into his eyes, “Then–”

But Rowen shook his head, “Let me ask you this, those of power, how do you always seem to be contesting them?”

The boy shook his head, “What?”

“They never stopped. They became powerful, and they kept going. That is worth something.”

He stood back up, “Being powerful, having the strength to dominate, that alone means nothing. But the strength to keep going, gives it value.”

“I won’t ask you to be the Second Lord, be a child if you please Agi, but don’t lose yourself, what you’ve built means something. If not to you, then to those who follow you.”

Agi gripped the sash around his waist tightly, “But I–! What can I do!?”

“The only one who can figure that out, is you. But for now, lets beat that trial, and get free from this forsaken place.”

Agi let go of his grip on the sash, nodding, “Alright…”

Rowen smiled, “Earlier, you were going to ask me something.”

Agi nodded, “You’re dressed differently.”

Rowen had a flicker of acknowledgment, “Yes, its the western style. It’s suituble for a dangerous place like this. And—”

He pointed to the sun emblem,

“I’ve heard this is called the sun. It is a symbol that means to never fade.”

He pointed up, which in some ironic way, could have been down, “Outside, despite being covered by the ocean, the sun still shines through, dark as it is.”

He put a hand on the sun, “Alas, despite my relationship with the house, this vow, I hold.”

“I will never fade.”

Agi stared into that sun,

“Never Fade…” he repeated incrediously.

“Can I…”

Rowen chuckled, “Do you think you can handle it?”

Agi pulled his hand back hesitantly, “Can I…?”

The soft coos of a baby, and the high voice of a child stirred his mind,

“I can.”

Rowen grinned, “Then come.” Agi trailed behind as Rowen led, they took twists and turns within the manor until eventually they arrived at hall.

“Oh? Oh… OH!”

Agi heard some precarious noise from somewhere, but he couldn’t quite…

His eyes drifted down,

“WHA–”

Agi lept back, there was… a tiny person?

They were barly up to his knees in height, their body was stubby and round.

And their skin… didn’t seem like flesh, but rather, some sort of keratin?

It had a polished finish, and if their clothes were anything to go off of, it was definitely not afraid of being spotted.

He wore a pointy red hat, tall and bold. He also boasted brown trousers held up loosely by a heavy buckled belt.

Though judging by how he keeps pulling them up, it seemed to heavy for its intentions.

He wore a blue shirt and had a smug look on his face.

“An Arch-Human are ya? Damn near extinct I’d say, thanks to that uh–Inheritance or what have ya!”

Agi was shocked turning to Samuel who shook his head while sighing, then looking at Rowen who had an awkward expression on his face.

Rowen began to explain, “I’m sure you’ve heard of the gnomes of the Scalapoise before… This is one of them.”

Agi furrowed his brows, “I thought they didn’t leave the scalapoise!”

The gnome laughed heartily, “Oh far from it brat! Or not.” He went into thought, putting up one short arm he counted on stubby fingers, “In the last century… I guess, well there was…” He began to mumble.

Agi growled, “Get on with it.”

The gnome jumped back, “Vicious thing, goodness. Well Seems I’m the only one in a century.”

Agi nearly bit his tongue… all of that, just to be the only one?

Rowen cleared his throat, “He’s the blacksmith, and the tailor, for Barren Rose manor.”

The gnome snorted, “Amongst other things, I’m the cook, oh, I’m also the archivist. I also happen to be quite good at massages.”

“Just… get on with it.”

Agi was growing impatient.

The gnome shook his head the best he could before grumbling, “Fine, what’re ya in for?”

Rowen began to explain the armor and the gnome smacked his calf.

“Dullard! You long limbed fellows become more challenged as you proliferate, I’ll say.”

He looked to Agi, “No, I want to know what made you end up here.”

Samuel interjected, “Know your place.”

He said coldly,

and the gnome huffed a chuckle, “No food tonight.”

Rowen snorted and turned from Samuels glance.

But Agi stared seriously at the gnome, and finally he spoke.

“I killed my brother.”

Samuel looked down at Agi,

“Agi…”

The gnome on the other hand grew serious too,

“I see. You must have quite the story kid.” He reached a hand out, grasping three of Agis fingers with both his hands,

“Names Martin, Former grand Archivist of the Scalapoise. I’d say you should be honored to be in my presence, but you blood temple folk are a vicious few.”

Agi ignored his comments, “Agi.”

He responded, and Martin tilted his body slightly, “Just Agi?”

He nodded.

Martin contemplated for a moment and finally relented, “Good, then come, tell me your story while I prepare your clothes.”

Agi glanced toward Samuel who could only give him a small push forward,

“Think of it as his price. He doesn’t charge money for his services, but knowledge.”

Agi nodded, “It’s not interesting.”

Martin clicked his tongue, “That’s in the eye of the beholder isn’t it? Not come along.”

He scampered off, dragging Agi into the depths of the messy workshop.