NINA
We were back in Agrissi. Ren was holding my hand like there is no tomorrow. And I don't want to complain. I'm so loving it.
So, how did we come back here?
Well, I was just crying my heart out to my grandpa. All my frustrations, guilt, anger, sadness - everything negative I have been feeling, I let it all out. But I never really knew that they'd come after me, so worried.
I mean, yeah, I didn't tell them of my whereabouts but isn't a human - or a mage - entitled to a little bit of privacy?
And now, my heart is beating fast at the thought of my grandpa being alive. How was I supposed to know that mages die that way?
Now that I'm back in this magical city, I can finally see the extent of damage they have incurred during the double attack.
Some homes were damaged, a lot of mages are still lying on cots, waiting to be transported to the Life House for faster healing. Although I can't seem to see the damage to the barrier, I can faintly feel the diminishing aura of it. I felt it's not strong like in the first day I have been here.
We immediately went to the Council House to seek audience of the Great Mage of Agrissi.
As soon as we entered, the Great One welcomed us.
Now I know better, I followed them kneeling in respect for him.
"Rise," the Great One said.
"Great One," Ren said immediately. "We have something important to discuss."
"Is it so important that you disturb a council meeting?" he said with so much fury in his words.
I can hear everyone swallowing in fear. Damn, that intimidating aura and magic brimming in the air around him begs me to just kneel and cry out to him.
Ren looked up at the Great One and looked him eye to eye. "Yes, Great One. And I dare say, a council meeting should also be in order regarding this report we have to make."
Great Mage Amalric looked at him for a second too long before beckoning us to follow him inside.
Well, I dare say I'm such an important figure to manage to be included in the council meeting for the second time in a row.
"What is this? Why are they here?" Mage Rigor said in outrage.
"Calm down, Rigor. They said they have something important to discuss that warrants our presence," the Great One said while looking pointedly at Ren.
I don't want to be in your shoes now Ren. Sorry I can't support you. So, I tried to wriggle my hands free from his grip, which he actually let me so. Now I can see the red marks of his hand when he was holding me so tight.
Ren looked at all of the mages present, meeting their eyes one by one, seeming to set a suspenseful aura in the room.
When at last he looked at the Great One, he announced "Great Mage Oborin is alive."
And there was chaos. Literally chaos.
Great Mage Amalric was seen shaking sense to Ren, while the other mage councilors all shouted their questions at once, shock and disbelief echoing on their faces.
I was probably the only one smiling at their reactions. In my mind, I am very pleased that everyone is affected by that news about my grandfather. Way to go grandpa.
Ren, on the other hand, was showing a little discomfort now that I can see the Great One was using a little magic on him. And he was holding his shoulders. I find this quite odd. The Great One, as far as I know him, is a calm and calculating one. He doesn't get to be this violent and unruly.
There was no fury in his eyes, only - only - what is this fear? Fear? The Great Mage of Agrissi is afraid of my grandpa? What is this?
Ren, having finally decided to end this charade, warned the Great One, "Great One, if you don't free me, the whole of Agrissi would probably see a pandemonium created by no less than their councilors. We don't want that to happen."
After that, his face morphed to indifference and released a wave of magic that silenced everyone in the room.
"Now that all is in order," he said, more calm this time. "We need to ask Ren about this nonsense."
"Great One, Magic Councilors," Ren bowed at their direction. "I am not spouting nonsense. As your Commander, I am bound to only reveal the truth to better serve Agrissi. Nina can attest to that."
Now all eyes are on me. It's my turn to feel the pressure of these powerful mages. I swallowed before answering, "I really don't know if this is possible until now that Ren, Cellon and Ling explained it to me. But apparently, my grandpa is alive because we managed to bury him along with his body six feet below the ground."
"Are you certain of this Nina?" Mage Albus asked me.
"You can search in my memory, if you like. But I am speaking the truth. I really thought he was dead. I had been there when the doctor confirmed his time of death. I held his hand and watched as they embalmed him and placed him in the coffin. Never even slept until during the wake until after he was buried. So, that's it."
"Did they removed the organs?" Mage Rigor asked.
I shook my head. "Grandpa strongly told us to not remove his organs. He just allowed formalin to enter his system when he dies so that he'd not smell much during the wake. I was a child back then, so I accepted everything he asked without a thought. I never really imagined that there is a hidden reason behind that."
"Ling," the Great One called. "Could you take us to the cemetery? Choox, you can dig around it and take out the coffin right?"
The mage named Choox nodded and Ling opened a gate back to where we came from.