When Mane turned his head to face Lily and Lam both felt several positive emotions flooding them. How they had missed him!
"He is the one?" Ancestor Pier had a stunned expression on his face. He never thought that he would meet his descendants' friend this way. He tried shaking off Mane's aura with his in order to free Ivor, yet it proved futile. His aura although more prominent, bounced off Mane's aura like it had struck the shield of Aegis itself. His brows leapt in caution as he realised that the boy before him was far from common.
"Mane!" Lily tried to move towards the man whose memory had pushed her to strive to grow stronger each day. However, a strong hand gripped her arm and stopped her from moving forward.
""Grand Grand?" Lily turned to face the one whose hand was holding her back. "He's dangerous," Ancestor Pier had his eyes narrowed into small slits as he analysed the boy before him. Although this boy was giving off the air of a Noble, the aura of blood around him was thicker than a winter coat. Behind that smile was a cold personality that didn't seem breach-able. The boy's aura of power was no joke either. For Ancestor Pier could feel some danger from the boy. It was difficult to describe, but Ancestor Pier knew that it was unwise to dismiss someone just because they appeared weaker than you. Especially when said person was unruffled by your aura.
"He is the one we told you about," Lam stated, thinking that his Ancestor was being too cautious. "I know who he is. But he called you by your titles. He may bear the same looks but he may not be the person you remember" Ancestor Pier stated. He had a good point. After all, the fact that Mane called the two by their titles meant that over the years his feelings towards the two had waned.
"What are you doing to Ivor?" It was only now that Lily recognised the person who was embedded in the ground next to Mane.
"Just settling a few scores Princess. Do not tell me that one as bright as yourself didn't manage to place the pieces together in the past couple of years. " Mane shrugged slightly and asked. He still maintained calling Lily by her title.
Lily face grew pale when she heard Mane's words, and Lam who was next to her was no different. Of course they knew what Ivor had done. If it wasn't for Ivor they wouldn't have gone to Dark Valley. If it wasn't for the fat man's schemes Mane wouldn't have been caught between a rock and a hard place. And if it wasn't for Ivor, Mane wouldn't have been captured by Ashera. Although the latter was much better than the others, everything happened because of the betrayal of one man.
"Kid, you should put away the Sealing Rod and let things slide." Ancestor Pier felt that he had been quiet enough. So he decided to speak up. Although Ivor had wronged the boy, he was far too important to Ancestor Pier and Amalgamation to be killed – especially in front of him.
"You must be Ancestor Pier," Mane nodded slightly at the older gentleman, an action that ticked Ancestor Pier off. Although many assumed that to become a Phenom one had to let go of their basic emotions, that was untrue. There were some who still thought and acted like normal people. And there were some who valued their title and power more than anything else. Ancestor Pier was one such person. It was because of his pride that he had refused to forgive his son when the boy committed wrong, which prompted him to run away.
He was one of great authority and power. Many would bow when they saw him. Yet this kid didn't even have any look of respect or reverence when he addressed him. It was like he was seeing another passerby. However Ancestor Pier calmed himself when he remembered that this was the same person who was willing to travel to a dangerous land for Lam. The twins liked the boy, and that was what held him back from taking any action.
"I am," Ancestor Pier took a few deep breaths to calm himself, before replying. This boy was backed by Ashera. She may be trapped, but she was still someone he couldn't afford to slight. Lily who was holding on to Ancestor Pier could feel his aura becoming colder and gripped him tightly as though to offer her comfort, an action which Ancestor Pier greatly appreciated.
"If someone betrayed you and almost caused your death, what will you do?" Mane asked, ignoring Ancestor Pier's changing countenance.
"Kill him," Ancestor Pier answered honestly. Why would he let such a person go?
"I thank Ancestor Pier for his guidance," Mane nodded slightly and let go of the Sealing Rod.
"You dare!" Ancestor Pier raged as his aura boiled like a furious storm. His eyes flashed in fury like a man possessed.
"Stay where you are old man," Mane stated plainly, and Ancestor Pier felt his movements shackled. His aura which had been growing was reduced to nothing and disappeared. His eyes were opened wide in shock as he stared into the eyes of the boy before him. Those eyes were different. Initially they were just blue, but now they were a mix of yellow, red and blue. And looking into those eyes filled Ancestor Pier with nothing but dread. He tried summoning his strength once again, yet his power broke down before it was assembled like a faulty appliance which failed to turn on. And his heart grew cold.
"For the Prince and Princess's sake, I would only take your legs," Mane stated coldly as the Sealing Rod descended into Ivor's spine.
*Puchi*
"Argh!" Ivor screamed in pain as his connection to his legs was severed. Mane used True Eyes to locate the nerves that innervated Ivor's legs and severed them. This was cruelty, but considering what Ivor had done to him before, Mane considered it mercy. Although Mane said it was for Lam and Lily's sake, it was really for Ashera's. Although the Mistress of the Tower of the Hundred had given Mane the right to take Ivor's life, Mane knew that she only did so for his sake. Ivor was the only one she could communicate with without leaving the tower due to his power. It would be inconvenient for her if he was killed.
"That boy sure is merciless"
"I wonder how Ivor offended him"
"Even Ancestor Pier who is usually so volatile is silent. I wonder what his background is."
"The other Ancestors will surely be coming here soon after all this commotion."
Although Amalgamation was largely unoccupied, the few that remained saw everything. And the guards who patrolled tried their best to stay away. Yet they all remained a bit invested. Amalgamation was too quiet. Naturally they were a little excited to see some chaos.
"Mane!" a lovely woman approached speedily with a worried expression on her face. Her eyes were full of helplessness as she watched Ivor squirming on the ground in pain. Yet all she did was sigh.
*Meow*
Sasha who was laying lazily on Mane's shoulder immediately woke up when the lady approached. Her eyes lit up like burning saucers as she flew to the woman and landed in her arms. Then she purred adorably and settled in them. For one who used to take orders from Ancients, she sure was chummy around Elementals.
"Hmm," Mane pulled out the Sealing Rod from Ivor's back and returned it to the sheath on his back. His eyes returned to their original blue color as he turned to face the woman who had accompanied him on his outing. For she was a person he had come to cherish greatly over the past few years. "You took longer than I thought Sun," Mane called the woman out as he walked towards her, leaving the injured Ivor behind.
"Well it took longer to find it," Sunflower smiled slightly and said. It was then that she turned to face Ancestor Pier and bowed slowly.
"Sunflower, servant of Mistress Ashera, greets Ancestor Pier."
"How is your Mistress?" Ancestor Pier's ugly expression softened due to Sunflower's show of courtesy. At least there was someone here who knew a thing or two about proper manners.
"She is doing very well, Ancestor; only a bit stifled" Sunflower kept her head bowed as she spoke, prompting a frown on Mane's face. He clearly didn't like to see her this subservient.
"That is good to hear," Ancestor Pier nodded. He was a proud man, but his personality was quite pleasant once a person showed him some respect.
"Check his wounds Lily," Ancestor Pier asked his disciple; the one who shared his blood. Lily had been held back by him all this while. If he wasn't holding on to her, she would have rushed to Ivor's side as soon as the Sealing Rod made contact with him.
Lily rushed to the large man and placed her hands on his back. Her hands generated a green glow as Ivor was covered in a green light. Slowly his bleeding stopped, and the hole in his back closed up. Mane's brows were raised in surprise as he watched Lily. He didn't think she would become a healer, and one who was this talented. But when he thought more deeply, this role suited her non-combative nature. Added to the fact that she was a Scholar, she was several times better than the best healer.
"How is he?" Ancestor Pier asked
"His wounds aren't life threatening," was Lily's first assessment which prompted Ancestor Pier to sigh in relief. But that was quickly washed away when Lily spoke again.
"But he will never be able to walk again," Lily stared at Mane complicatedly when she spoke. There was a time that he was reluctant to hurt others in front of her. For he feared scaring her. But now here he was, doing what he would have never done 2 years ago without a hint of remorse or pity. He had really changed. Yet she felt she was the last person to judge him. But Lam had no such reservations.
"You have changed," the older twin stated with a frown.
"It has been 2 years Prince Lam. It would have been strange if I hadn't changed. Even you have changed. I can feel the blood of many in your aura." Mane smiled and said. His smile however, didn't extend to his eyes. When he spoke to the twins, he didn't really feel a thing.
*Woo*
The small monkey next to Mane's feet suddenly called out to Mane and grabbed his robe. Mane had an exasperated expression on his face as he listened to the monkey.
"Fine fine you can go," Mane waved the troublesome creature away, and it run straight to Lily in excitement.
"Wait Grand Grand," Lily stopped Ancestor Pier who was preparing to stand in front of her.
"Silver?" Lily asked pleasantly. It was only now that she realised why the monkey next to Mane was so familiar. Although for some reason his crystal skin was no more, she felt it was Silver.
*Ah ah*
Silver nodded excitedly and jumped into Lily's arms. Unlike Mane, it was clear that Silver still adored the Elemental Princess. Lily smiled happily as she spoke to Silver.
"How long are you going to watch?" Mane suddenly said. The so-called Elemental Ancestors had come even before he struck Ivor, yet they hadn't intervened. They were clearly not too keen to interfere with what they saw as a good show. But Mane was too impatient to let them stay hidden. He thought they would come out after he hurt Ivor, but they were surprisingly patient.
"You truly are unordinary," a handsome middle aged man revealed himself first. His pupils were red as crimson and his hair even more so. His name was Ancestor Bold.
"Indeed. Ashera has raised a great man." An elderly woman appeared next. Her hair was entirely gray yet her posture was that of youth and power. For she wasn't stooped over like one burdened with age. She was called by the title Ancestor Fire.
"Remarkable kid" the next to appear was also a woman. But unlike the former, she maintained her looks. She was very charming, and her appearance was definitely at the peak of this world. Her title was that of ice, Ancestor Ice.
"Ashera chose well" a young looking man appeared next to the woman. He was similar to the woman in looks, and Mane could tell that they were siblings. He had the title of the one who controlled the storms, Ancestor Storm.
"I like his eyes" the last to appear was a blind man whose aura was the greatest out of all of them. Although the gray in his eyes suggested that he couldn't see, Mane could feel himself being probed when the man's eyes focused on him. However, Mane's barrier protected him from any probing. Mane also recognized this man. For he had been taught about all the Elemental Ancestors before he left the tower. This blind old man was the oldest Elemental there was, and their Primogenitor. His title was Ancestor Origin.
"Interesting lad," the old man called Origin gave up after his attempts to probe all failed.
"Lam,"
"And Lily,"
"Greet the Elemental Ancestors"
Lily and Lam immediately expressed etiquette befitting of royalty as they bowed courteously in greeting. However when Sunflower tried to do the same, Mane grabbed her and prevented her from doing so.
"No need girl. He clearly doesn't want you to serve us. He is one equal to us. His wishes are just as important as ours." The blind old man 'saw' their little interaction and intervened. There was a small smile on his face as he spoke. Yet the chill that appeared in his dull eyes didn't escape Mane's eyes.