Chapter 46
"I have a story for you, my friends," Lux said. "I have learned many things in my time with the Ancient Ones. I have communicated with every previous Tempestas since the dawn of Vellstone. They banded together with a single voice to present a message to me: abandon your mission. This was their heartfelt desire toward us. They demand that we give up." He stared at his friends with a face more serious than it had ever been.
The five of them responded in shock, but Solis' reaction was the most extreme. He looked around in confusion, "I am not sure I understand."
Telu nodded, "Yes, myself as well. I do not understand this message, My Light. Why would they say such a thing?"
"It is a complicated situation," he responded. "I must tell you their story. However, firstly, I must speak with Thaddaeus. Where is he?"
Ignis smiled, "After he returned from the storm, he seemed quite distressed. I sent him to my dwelling to recuperate."
Lux nodded, "He has a part in this, let us go there at once."
The group left immediately to find their young friend. As they traveled, they decided to question Lux on various aspects of the nature of his time inside the storm. However, as it became clear that he wouldn't share information until he spoke with Thaddaeus, Solis came up with a different question for him.
"So...who is the most powerful of us?"
Lux looked at him suspiciously, then he smiled, "I am not confident that I should divulge that information. The person may not know such power abides within them so I would be taking away the chance for discovery. The other possibility is that they were concealing their power, in which case, it is not for me to disclose."
"I see," Solis said. "How are you so sure of the differences in our power?"
"I am unsure of the exact changes which have occurred within me, but when I exited the Great Storm, I had gained the ability to see the aura of a person's energy."
Solis' eyes grew wide, "You can see my aura?"
"I can see your energy type, abilities, nature, and the extent of your power."
"Is not all of this too personal?"
Lux nodded, "Indeed it is. However, it is my role as Tempestas to know everyone intimately." He shrugged and continued walking.
Soon, the small group of warriors reached the house. Ignis lived in the middle of a field of tall wheat. There was one path worn through the middle of it that led to a small, sturdy shack. The posts outside the front door had Ignis' name etched into them. They stood in the field and called to Thaddaeus inside the house. He came to the door stumbling a bit as he opened it.
He rubbed his eyes, "What's all this noise about?" Once his eyes were opened fully, he caught sight of Lux. "Oh, you're back! Finally! Ignis has like no furniture in here."
"Yes, you are welcome," Ignis responded. "It seems it did not hinder your sleeping."
Thaddaeus smiled sleepily as he approached. "Well, now what? What's the first official act of the Tempestas?"
"I suppose that will depend," Lux said. "My decisions from this moment will either lead to great turmoil or false peace. It is because of you that we have these choices, Thaddaeus. I appreciate that more than you can possibly imagine."
Fear gripped the young lad's heart. Was Lux being sarcastic? How could he not be? Who would appreciate choices like that? Worst of all; was it his foolish decision to enter the storm that had caused this dilemma?
Seeing the concerned look on his face, Lux continued, "Fear not, I will tell you all the story of the origin of evil.
It begins with the very first Tempestas. He was a great leader among the Primis known by the name Callidus Fortem. He was the strongest and bravest of them. They were happy to afford him control of their fate. They trusted him completely.
He was a successful ruler for centuries by count of our Tempus. He did as he was instructed by Omnes Lupi. Under his rule, the Primis guided all other peoples onto paths of peace. However, our people were never meant to rule over the realms in power. We were merely meant to instruct from alongside them. It seems that the first Tempestas never truly understood the importance of such humility.
At the height of his rule, Callidus Fortem saw the vastness of his wealth and influence. He wanted to ensure that his reign would go unchallenged. He convinced himself that he was only concerned that his enemies would rally outside of his knowledge. In reality, his heart feared the possibility of ever losing his power. His mind became twisted with fear, his vision was clouded, and his eyes could only see enemies in every direction.
The solution to secure his power came to him years later after his grip on the realms had subtly grown tyrannical. He wanted to use the gifts of the Spirit Portals to his advantage. The same portals Omnes Lupi had created for the birth of our people and the protection of others. The Tempestas desired to wield the ancient energy to create strongholds connected to each realm. They would be inaccessible to humanity, but he could use them to keep a constant watch on the realms as well as storing deadly energy there to immediately vanquish anyone he deemed to be a threat.
Ignis, I believe you entered one of these strongholds to save Fira. They were created using ancient secrets, yet you said it was clearly of Primis design. I am convinced this was his work, and he used it to control Atlas.
He had grown close to what he told himself was an answer to lasting peace among the realms. However, such an endeavor could not be achieved without the assistance of the Elders and the Elementals. They had become aware of his excessive cruelty in the other worlds so they were in no hurry to aid him, but they were still afraid to oppose him. He convinced them of a benevolent use for his strongholds. He spoke to them kindly, and he explained a false motivation behind this plan.
'There is no peace without a measure of force', he would say. He convinced them that he could eliminate all of the turmoil with the implementation of these structures.
The Elders and Elementals reluctantly agreed, and the three groups which Omnes Lupi established to do good moved to unknowingly create the greatest evil. All of them together brought their energy to bear in an attempt to manipulate the ancient energy. It could not be done. It was impossible until their combined attempts pulled something new from the void. Something which had not been created suddenly existed.
A woman without form appeared to them and approached Callidus Fortem. She explained that he needed her help to succeed in his grand ideals. She eagerly agreed to provide him with the secrets of the energy he required, but he was to never interfere with her work and never teach his people of her existence.
You are all aware that he completed his job exceedingly well, so well in fact, that I could not even learn of her from the combined knowledge of all the previous Tempestii."
Ignis wrinkled his brow, "Pardon the interruption, Tempestas. How can this be? You are only meant to gain the knowledge of those who came before you. Is this not correct? If they have not informed you of these things, who could have done so? Have you broken the traditions?"
Lux smiled, "Indeed, you are correct, Ignis. However, it is not I who broke the rules. Ask young Thaddaeus to answer your questions." They all turned to look at the confounded warrior.
He seemed a bit flustered, "What? I don't know. I didn't do anything. They barely even let me through the front door."
Lux narrowed his eyes, "Who? Who prevented you? Did you not consider it? There are no people residing in the Great Storm."
"Yeah, I thought about it a lot. There may not be any people, but some giant monster is in there. He even controls the storm, apparently. That's what he said anyway."
Their eyes widened in surprise, but Lux just smiled and nodded. The others looked at one another in disbelief.
Fira spoke to him, "Thaddaeus, do you know what you are saying? There are no people in the storm. However, there is a legend which says that the storm is alive, that the storm is Omnes Lupi himself. Are you saying that you spoke with him?"
Laughing, Lux answered for him, "That it is. This young man spoke with Omnes Lupi."