Chapter 23: Alexander; Shauran 30th, 344SR; 8:00
'I'm the strongest of the four nobles... Me!' Alexander's foot tapped against the ground repeatedly. 'What does that idiotic child think he's doing! Sending them to Hiria, and not me!' The simple bedroom was a mess. A white dress shirt on the ground with the imprint of a foot on it lay in the corner. A massive hole in the wall allowed the gentle wind to whistle its way in. The stone ground covered in cracks was the only target for Alexander's outbursts. 'He even sent that brat Arthur... Arthur!' Alexander clenched his teeth as he held his head low, his fingernails pulling against the back of his scalp. He stopped as he looked down at the green gem embedded in his chest. 'All because of this?! What even- Is this?!'
Alexander stepped up to the bedroom mirror to get a better view of it, his green eyes widely glaring at the reflection. The warm flame from a candle flickered away in the cold dark. His torso was riddled with scars from countless battles, he fiddled with the green gem embedded between the muscles of his chest and abdomen, it was a bit bigger than the size of his fist now. He poked it, then attempted to grasp it. 'It looks similar to Logorite, but it feels like it's connected to me... As if it's just another organ...' Alexander gripped his fingertips around the gem, but still couldn't get a good grasp. It became annoying as he struggled to grip the gem, but he gave up as it felt better to leave it alone. 'What kind of idiot underestimates someone like that... The great son of Ymir... Lucifer Lightbringer... What a fucking joke... Why is someone like him a king anyway...' Alexander sat down on his bed, then looked up as he remembered. 'That's right... He didn't earn his place like the rest of us...'
***
"Faster! Useless fools!" Alexander shouted at the miners.
Alexander stood in front of the mountain just north of Logos. A young brown-haired slave glanced at Alexander periodically, he was a teenager who had recently arrived at Logos. A group of ten slaves mined along the wall of the mountain. The sun beat down on them as the sounds of iron striking stone echoed through the surrounding forests. The sound of a horse's hooves reached Alexander's ears, galloping with hefty steps down the dirt path along the wall.
"Slack off and I'll have you mine for the entire night!" Alexander commanded as he turned to the sound. "Faster!"
A stone horse came to a stop in front of Alexander. An old man with grey hair and a man with black hair got off the rigid horse. As he turned towards the approaching horse, in the corner of his eye, Alexander noticed the brown-haired slave suddenly reach down for something.
"Hey! I saw that!" Alexander walked out of the shade towards the skinny brown-haired slave.
"What?! Saw what?" The slave replied with a confused tone, his legs shaking.
"Empty your pockets."
"I didn't-"
Alexander struck his face with the back of his hand, the sound of the smack was dwarfed by the crack of his nose. He fell into the dirt and grunted as he grasped his broken bleeding nose. He writhed on the ground and out of his small pocket, several green stones of Logorite rolled out, clicking against each other. Alexander grasped the slave's hair and dragged him up so they were face to face.
"You damn rat! Why have you taken the Logorite?! What do you intend to do with it!" Alexander grasped his neck and slammed him against the wall, demanding an answer.
"Sir Alexander!" The old man shouted.
The old man wore a white shirt with House Rael's insignia over his chest, his name was Owen Armstrong. The old man was both muscular and fat, his wrinkled skin greased with sweat as he bowed his head. Alexander looked at Owen's hand as it wiped the tears and snot off his face. He wore a grey stone ring, the gift which created the horse they rode in on.
The other man was slim, wearing a red and white cloak, the insignia of a dragon coiled around a spear on his chest. His black hair was slicked back, a few grey hairs shone in the light. He had a stern look on his face as he observed the slaves mining. Shinra Pendragon straightened out his coat and opened his red eyes.
"What is it?" Alexander asked as he squeezed the slave's neck.
"Lord Lightbringer- The King- He's dead!" Owen shouted with tears falling from his eyes.
"What?" Alexander replied with a somewhat dispassionate tone, releasing the slave's neck and letting him fall to the dirt.
"I'm afraid it's true, I saw his corpse with my own eyes, he died in his sleep, first one to find out was his wife the moment she had awoken..." said Shinra.
Alexander took a step back as he looked up, contemplating the ramifications of the sudden news. The sound of picks against stones had stopped. The slave on the ground coughed raggedly. The slaves looked amongst themselves with concern.
"The... King of the angels is-"
"Who said you could slack off?! You all want to end up on this fool's level too, huh!" Alexander snapped.
The sounds of mining quickly resumed. Alexander sighed as he nodded his head left and right.
"Old age huh... Who will take up the throne?" Alexander asked.
"Well, I'd hope myself, but knowing how unlikely that is... It'll most likely be their son who takes the throne, Lucifer Lightbringer," Shinra replied.
"A boy? A boy can't run Helios?!" Alexander scoffed.
"Ymir's son will be the next king?", "You think he'll be able to defeat the demons?" The slave's gossip and whispers made Alexander twitch.
"Owen! Beat these slaves if they decide to speak once more!" Alexander ordered.
"Y-yes sir!" Owen accepted hesitantly.
"I'd like to speak with you in private Sir Alexander," said Shinra.
Alexander raised an eyebrow, Shinra turned and walked around the path that trailed around the mountain.
"Owen, while you're at it... This slave, have him shaved later today... From here on out we martyr those who disobey, I want to recognize them."
Alexander followed Shinra as he walked down the path with his arms behind his back.
"What do you think?" Shinra asked.
"About the king's death?" said Alexander.
"Yes, what do you make of it?"
"I'm concerned for the future of Helios, to hand it to a boy who isn't even a teenager, a spoiled one at that..." Alexander let out a deep breath.
"That's true... I imagine the nobles will be kept busy without a wise king... To think this would happen so soon after a noble was just appointed to House Lightbringer..."
"Arid Lightbringer? He seemed like a wise man... Not sure where he came from though, the Academy of Magic always produces odd ones like him..."
"The Academy of Magic... Huh? To think we'd continue research into that accursed field..."
"How was his wife? I imagine she'd be distraught at the sight of her loved one's corpse, what of the child?"
"Lunaria? Well... It's hard to tell... She had been upset, but her demeanor shifted when the discussion came to the child... And... Keep this a secret..."
"A secret?"
"When I had got to the room, Lunaria, Lucifer, and Arid were the only ones in the room, later on, more of my lieutenants showed up to assist the medical officers."
"And?"
"Before others showed up, the boy was smiling... Only upon my lieutenant's arrival did he start to cry... For the entire ten minutes I was in that room, that boy looked nothing but delighted that his father was dead..."
"He was smiling? Spoiled little brat... He was probably delighted about his new position," Alexander joked.
"Hah! He's ten Alexander! Do you hear yourself? By the gods, why do you hate kids so much," Shinra laughed.
"Ha... Hahaha, I don't hate kids... They just... Annoy me. They make me... Think of..." Alexander suddenly stopped speaking.
"Make you think of...?" Shinra looked at Alexander.
"What do you think of it, you're well versed in people's psyche," Alexander asked.
"Huh? Oh, Lucifer... Uh- unless he resented the king... I think it's hard to tell, even stranger that Arid and his wife didn't notice. What boy could resent their father enough to grin at their deathbed..." the noble questioned.
They approached Rover's Glade, the left half section of the forest between Helios and the mountain.
"When I raise my child, I couldn't even imagine how horrible I'd have to be to make them have a reaction like that to my death..." said Shinra.
"Your child?" Alexander asked, bewildered by the sudden news.
"Ah, I've been discussing the idea of having a child with my wife..."
"They're a headache, that's for sure... I'm okay with a squad of fine lieutenants..."
"Really? When you get married, I bet on Balakin's scales that you'll consider it."
"Married? I already am, her name's Lavera. How could you forget?"
Alexander continued to walk forward, and Shinra stopped.
"And... I... We," Alexander looked down, and his mind went blank again.
He turned to Shinra who had wide eyes as he looked at Alexander. For some reason everything was quiet, Alexander looked blankly at the ground for several more seconds before he looked back up at Arthur's father.
"Where will you be going now?" Alexander asked.
"N-nothing... I have to get back to my office, I've been gone for over an hour now..." Shinra conjured his spear and a red light flashed behind him.
The black dragon Balakin emerged from the flash of red light, coiling around Shinra before climbing into the sky. The massive winged lizard had a long snake-like body, its hands, and body covered in black scale plates. The teeth of the monstrous dragon were as sharp as knives, drenched in the sweltering fumes from its lungs. Its red eyes glared at Alexander as it growled.
"Well... My friend, it's been a good talk. Don't forget the alliance has an emergency meeting being held next week, the young queen Vala demands an audience with us," Shinra mentioned.
"Yeah..." Alexander lazily responded as he turned around.
The dragon tilted its head, using its helmet as a ramp for Shinra. The noble stood on the dragon's helm and it rose before it slithered through the sky towards Helios.
***
'Friend... It was at that meeting that we learned of Arken's uprising in Hiria... That long conflict... Shinra gave his life to end it...'
Alexander stepped away from the mirror and approached the window, he put his hands on the cold stone sill, and the chilly winds of Shauran embraced him. The grey buildings below matched the cloudy sky, and the leaves of trees outside of Helios faded to warm shades of orange, yellow, and red. The Celestial loomed over, its grey color matched the rest of the same old boring city.
'The Lightbringers are fools... I will pursue the off-worlder myself.'
Alexander picked up the white sleeveless vest, with a chainmail layer weaved into the fabric. The cloth jingled as he dropped it over his torso. He picked up the white dress shirt and put it on top of the vest, and then threw a black coat over that. He approached the door and exited the room, then made his way down the spiraling stairs of the tower.
Upon taking the first step, Alexander turned back into the room.
"Lavera, I'll be-"
Alexander peered into the empty room for several seconds. 'Lavera... Lavera... Who is-' Alexander stood still for a few seconds as he lost his train of thought.
"Why did I walk back into my room?" Alexander asked himself with a puzzled tone.
Alexander descended the flight of stairs. He past the door to the top of the outer wall and went further down. He continued to the next door on the way down. This path connected directly to the upper floors of House Rael's main office. He opened the wooden door and arrived at a bridge between the tower and House Rael. To the left was a view of the ocean past Helios's city streets, in the distance, a small island was just barely visible. As Alexander glanced toward the landscapes of Kamino on the right, he noticed a short girl with white hair in front of him.
"Oh, my lord, I was searching everywhere for you!" the maid of the tower was walking across the bridge in the opposite direction.
The girl was young with smooth skin, her small hands gripping the handle of a supply box she carried, and her white hair was pulled back by a black hairband. The wind blew against the white dress with a black skirt, her heels clicked against the stone as she hurried over to Alexander. 'Priscilla Loyar, her family had been in service to the nobles for generations...' That fact made Alexander concerned.
"Priscilla, I was looking for you. I will be holding a banquet today for the members of House Rael. Please arrange the dining quarters later when you have time," Alexander ordered.
"You're- looking for me? A banquet? Lector told me you had treated him and the recruit to a meal recently as well, you seem to be in a good mood," Priscilla asked.
"Yes..." Alexander squinted. 'Damnit Lector...' "They have worked hard. Would you like to attend as well, you deserve a break," Alexander asked abruptly.
"Wait? Me?! Uh... Well, I suppose I could join you, Yami- I mean the recruit will be there as well right?"
"Yes, please attend after you finish your work. What did you need from me?"
'That should be some time, when Lucifer finds out where I've gone it'll be too late for him to stop me.'
"I was tasked with delivering a letter from House Lightbringer."
"House... Lightbringer?" Alexander squinted at the young woman.
"I was told to deliver it immediately, it must be urgent."
"Thank you... Carry on with your duties," Alexander said as he stared at the letter, sealed by a yellow wax stamp of the Lightbringer's insignia.
"Have a great day Sir Alexander!" Priscilla yelled with a bright smile as she waved.
Alexander continued forward to House Rael, unlike House Lightbringer, House Rael was a three-sided building that was just smaller than the height of Helios's inner wall. He entered a stairwell with two paths, one led to the top floor, the other to the lower floors. Alexander looked around before he ripped open the envelope.
"Noble of House Rael and my friend Alexander,
I'd first like to sincerely apologize for not meeting with you last week. I understand your concern for Helios and the Celestial, your drive to defeat the off-worlder is proof of your dedication to our cause.
I am sending you this letter to inform you of the recent events we are only learning of now. The gates we built to stop The Damned from reaching Necropolis have been destroyed while the alliance was preoccupied with the meeting. We can only assume this is the work of the heinous Geral Murdok. We could not send you to pursue the offworlder whilst this threat grows. There is no one better equipped noble to defeat The Damned pose than you Sir Alexander.
Your orders are to travel East to the continent of Hiria, locate the outbreak of The Damned, destroy those who have escaped, and seal the gate. You will need the assistance of Bruno and Vivian to complete this task. Please make haste with the completion of this task, travel should take ten days, so afterward, join us in Andurill on the forty-fifth. The restoration of Logos will be postponed until after the Festival of Life.
Sincerely,
Lucifer Lightbringer"
Alexander looked at the letter carefully, he read it over several times. Each time his head would tilt in confusion. 'What is the meaning of this... The gate between The Damned and the Necropolis has been destroyed? Impossible... That gate was sealed by Owen! It's been sealed for over a hundred years! This is... Terrible...'
Alexander walked up the stairs and opened the door, the floor was made of thick glass, and multiple small offices were on either side of the hallway. Alexander made his way towards his own whilst looking over the letter. He could see the ground floor through the glass, the sides of the building from the bottom to the top we're the various floors before, and the hallway leading to offices on either side of the building. Alexander's office was at the other end of the triangular hallway, as he walked past the open rooms, he saw angels who worked there. The rooms past the offices had different signs labeled with locations, in those rooms 'Lemen, Baltin... Andurill...' Alexander stopped reading as he noticed someone in front of his office, it was Bruno.
He wasn't in uniform, and he looked like he had lost a significant amount of weight. He held his Celestial gift in his hands instead of wearing it on his finger. The grey-haired man's expression told Alexander he was bothered by something.
"Bruno, you've recovered. I take it you are here to report the events that occurred on the twentieth?" said Alexander.
"Sir, I apologize for my failure, I am ashamed of myself to have been defeated so easily," Bruno lowered his head.
"You shouldn't be ashamed of losing to someone capable of battling two clan leaders and a noble on even ground."
"He was that powerful!?"
"Yeah, I don't respond kindly to defeat, and I'm also certain I am the only noble who stands a chance against him. But even so, House Lightbringer has refused to allow our house to assist in pursuing him."
"I was informed we were responsible for the restoration of Logos... It's ridiculous in my opinion... The off-worlder is on the loose still..."
"We won't be doing that, not immediately."
"We aren't going after the off-worlder?"
"No, we have new orders, the gate your father built, has been destroyed."
"The gate which sealed The Damned!? When? How?"
"Yes, it's suspected that the resistance was behind its destruction..."
Bruno looked down.
"I understand you respect your father, to hear about his work's destruction must upset you," Alexander sympathized.
"When do we leave?" Bruno asked with a determined expression.
"Today. We've been ordered to complete this task immediately, it is a threat to the alliance and the Celestial. The longer The Damned aren't sealed, the closer they will get to the Necropolis."
"What about the off-worlder? Who will be sent for him?"
"House Lightbringer and Rover will pursue the off-worlder, however, they intend to make peace with him. The Lightbringers believe his knowledge could be an irreplaceable asset."
"Make peace?!"
"While I don't agree that peace could be made, especially with a man who scoffs at our values and traditions, there is merit in using the knowledge he possesses."
Alexander walked past him and opened the door to his office. The room was small, just a cluttered desk and a new chair. He pulled the chair and took a seat. There were various papers pinned to the board on the wall, most of them detailed shipping schedules or important notices. One of the notices behind several other papers referred to the destruction of the eastern bridge to Hiria, an event that occurred sixty-five years ago. He turned the chair so that it faced the window, then took the key to the room he usually left unlocked out of the cabinet. The silver key had the symbol of House Rael imprinted on it, he stuck the key into the pocket of his coat and walked towards the exit of the room.
"Oh, Bruno you're here? Is something wrong?" Alexander heard Vivian from outside.
As Alexander exited his office she immediately bowed her head.
"Sir, I-" Vivian stuttered.
"Stop, there's no need to apologize. Where's Yami and Lector," Alexander cut her off.
"Yami was downstairs training with recruits," Vivian answered.
"And Lector?" Alexander asked again
"I don't know, I haven't seen him around today," said Vivian.
"Go find Lector and Yami and then meet me back here. Arm yourselves for combat, we are going to Lemen."
"Wait... What about Logos?" Vivian asked.
"Postponed for now, The Damned have been released into Hiria," Bruno answered.
"Yes, if we leave them be, they will surely be a to all of us. House Lightbringer gave the order," Alexander added.
"O-oh, my god! We're only sending House Rael? Shouldn't we send more?! " Vivian complied quickly.
"It won't be necessary, go, now! We don't have all day."
"Yes sir!" Vivian and Bruno both answered.
The two lieutenants turned and started towards the stairwell, Alexander was about to walk into his office before he heard a pair of steps approach behind him. He turned to see Lector walking down the hall with his hands in his pocket and a blank expression.
"I was looking for you, are you coming along?" Alexander asked.
Lector didn't answer, Alexander turned to his door which he closed and locked behind him.
"I don't expect you to," said Alexander.
"Don't do this, I have a really bad feeling about this," said Lector.
Alexander turned to Lector, his eyes cold but evidently upset. 'He looks like he's been losing sleep...'
"I don't trust the Lightbringers on this... After what you did to the entrance of the House Lightbringer? How you acted... For them to respond so kindly and understanding is... It's just abnormal!" Lector explained.
"Yeah, I suspected that as well, however... This works for me," said Alexander.
"The fact it works so well should be a huge red flag! Everything in that letter, they have no reason to show so much gratitude to you! They aren't telling us something!" Lector snapped.
Alexander stared at Lector, his eyes looked upset but in pain.
"They aren't the only ones not telling me something, I don't know if I should be impressed or upset but... When did you see the contents of this letter?" Alexander smiled at his spy.
Lector's expression lit up, he realized his mistake immediately.
"I- I don't..." Lector sighed. "You guys are the only people I feel like I can be myself around... And I feel like there's something wrong here. I don't wanna lose you or the others!" Lector shouted.
Alexander turned to the lieutenant he trusted the most.
"No matter what happens, the well-being of the Celestial and Helios takes priority over our lives," Alexander walked forward. "You could always accompany us to Lemen and die alongside us."
"And deal with a bunch of rampaging skeletons? No way..."
"I understand."
Alexander handed the silver and green key to his office to Lector. Lector didn't take it, he stared at it before he looked back up at the noble.
"I don't know what you're hiding, but it seems like you only have our best intentions, House Rael is blessed to have a lieutenant like you, I leave you in charge whilst I am gone," Alexander handed the key to Lector.
Lector looked away as he twitched, he looked like he desperately wanted to say something. 'It must be important if it has my laid-back lieutenant this worked up... But you can't tell me, that much is clear... I understand, Lector.'
Alexander dropped the key in front of Lector. It tapped against the glass and spun on the ground, vibrating along the tense atmosphere. Lector looked down at the key. Alexander turned and walked in the opposite direction.
"Arthur stood between me and Jack with the help of the Lightbringers, and now the Lightbringers chose to stand between me and Jack again when he has the off-worlder... But their mind has changed... It is rather odd, I agree." Alexander explained.
"Jack... Is that what this is about?" Lector asked, expecting to get hit.
Alexander stopped.
"Face it! The kid is innocent... I can understand you worrying about the off-worlder, but Jack? The piss ant from Logos who barely talks to anyone? I have nightmares all the time, but I don't act on them as if they're actually-" said Lector.
"The very fact Jack has come to obtain such an ally in such a short time is proof my vision was real!" Alexander snapped.
"That's insane and you know it," Lector argued.
"The Celestial works in ways our minds couldn't comprehend."
"What- what does that even mean?"
"Good luck with your endeavors, when I return, this place better be even better than it is now."
Alexander walked away and left Lector and the key in front of his office.
"Hey!" Lector called.
Alexander turned around once more.
"The offworlder and Jack went west according to House Rover's scouts, if that was a week ago and they didn't go to Andurill, but the surrounding areas instead, then this is a goose chase. Lector explained. "Your best bet is to go east, if you have Bruno you can get across," Lector added as he picked up the key. "Oh and make sure you remember all the hotties from Lemen! I need to know!"
Alexander smirked, "Why the change of heart?"
"Because House Rael has the best spy in Helios, do you want me to say you're working in Logos or you're in your office?"
"Tell them I'm in my office, and then when they can't find me, tell them I went to Logos." Alexander grinned as he walked off.
Alexander turned the corner and walked to the door he entered the hallway from, he entered the stairwell.
"Don't get too close to the sun," Lector warned as he waved.
'What?' Alexander opened the door to the stairwell, and he squinted at the ground.
'A spy gathers information, Lector went to the back of House Lightbringer and got caught...' Alexander walked down the steps. 'A spy possesses information... Lector flirted with women... and was caught by Arid Lightbringer...' Alexander turned and walked down the stairs. He could hear his subordinates down below, Vivian was scolding Yami about something. 'A spy is not so easily caught... Lector's warning was enough, something's gonna happen in Andurill, I'll get there before the festival of life, I'll stop whatever they have planned, defeat the off-worlder, and kill Jack!'
***
They had arrived at the gate to Helios's lower city. The large buildings were a short distance away from the large circular wall which separated the two districts. Yami, Vivian, and Bruno walked behind, discussing whatever they could to keep them occupied on the trip to Lemen.
"Open the gate!" Alexander shouted to a man who stood on a platform halfway up the wall, a wooden ladder rocked in the wind as it hung off the platform. The gatekeeper grasped a lever and began pushing it with all his strength, the gate cracked open.
"To be honest, it shouldn't take too long to rebuild," Yami suggested. "Maybe we could use Bruno's gift?"
"No, we specifically use weak wood," Alexander declined.
"Why?"
"They are lesser than us and must recognize that."
"We also can't take the chance of them using stone against us," Bruno added.
"Oh... I suppose that's true..."
The gate's movement rumbled the surrounding city of Helios as it slowly opened. The lower city of Helios came into view. A wide dirt road down led straight towards the Quiet Woods and Rovers Glade. On the sides, we're separate paths into the lower city streets. Lesser angels in ragged robes watched from the stone houses. Unlike the upper city, these stone houses we're at most a story high. 'Filth... Aspire to be something greater...' Alexander cringed at the less fortunate angels who watched them.
"So... What are we doing exactly?" Yami blurted out nonchalantly.
Vivian and Bruno stared at Yami with dumbfounded faces.
"How did he become a lieutenant?" Vivian asked Alexander.
"How have you already forgotten?" Bruno asked Yami.
"Huh?' Yami replied.
"We need to take him to House Pendragon, he's got a leak in his brain..." Vivian mocked.
Yami tilted his head at her.
"What's with all these new recruits? They're oddballs... Besides that one girl who joined the Lightbringers, I've heard she's quite fearsome in terms of power and strategic expertise," Bruno pondered.
Alexander started down the dirt path while the others followed.
"He's strong, don't berate him for his shortcomings, improve them instead. Vivian, you were afraid of flying for the first six months after becoming a lieutenant, and Bruno don't forget about that landslide you almost caused, the one that would have destroyed Ulkay," Alexander scolded them.
"My apologies sir," the two lieutenants bowed their heads immediately.
"Hahaha! Wait for what? You almost destroyed Ulkay?!" Yami broke out into a fit of laughter.
"Why are you laughing..." Alexander cringed.
"Okay wait- I was getting used to my gift... I made some stuff that ended up crashing down and almost- well... I did... Level a few buildings in Ulkay... Complete accident though!" Bruno explained while flustered.
"If I wasn't there you would've destroyed more than just a few buildings..." said Alexander.
"Hah! I haven't destroyed a building yet," Yami laughed cheerfully.
"Why are you laughing... You slept in when Alexander was fighting the offworlder..." Vivian spat while she looked in the opposite direction.
"I- I bet I could beat you in a race, Vivian," Yami randomly challenged.
"Huh?! What does that have to- You think I care? I don't! I don't you idiot!"
"Sounds like she cares..." Bruno told Alexander.
"Shut up Bruno, I don't!" Vivian cursed.
"On land and in the air, by the way, we can try swimming too," Yami added.
"You shut up as well!" Vivian snapped.
Alexander smiled as he listened to the banter.
"This is like that one time- where Lector didn't want to admit he was flirting with girls," Bruno recalled.
"Oh yeah- for like two years right!" Vivian burst into laughter.
"I know! Haha, he tried to play it off for so long!"
"Wait, really?" Yami asked.
"Yeah, he was so afraid of getting caught flirting, he'd outright argue with Sir Alexander all day." Vivian quoted Lector.
"Wow... a few days ago he went off with two lieutenants from House Pendragon and left me behind in the stairs to do his job... So he used to be secretive?"
"Well..." Bruno snickered and covered his mouth. He needed a deep breath before continuing, "He got caught red-handed like two years after he had joined the squad. Insane that he went two years without getting caught, but on the spot in the middle of a crowd..." Bruno curled up as he struggled to tell the story.
Vivian's lips pursed as she tried to hold in her laughter.
"He yelled out, in the middle of a crowd, 'I can't help it god dammit, I love women!'"
Vivian, Yami, and Bruno exploded into laughter. 'He really should've come along, he would have gone to war over Bruno exposing that...' Alexander held back a slight smile, he remembered that day very vividly.
"You think that's bad... One time I was in the office and I told him to wait outside... He marked the wall with his gift and talked to me through that while he left..." Vivian scoffed.
Alexander walked quietly in front as his lieutenants filled the air with their stories as they trotted out of Helios on horseback.
***
Alexander walked up the cracked stone steps. The stone was grey but the edges had been smoothed by years of rain, a flag with the symbol of the angels stood at the top of an abandoned watch tower to the left of the structure. Alexander turned and looked at the fields of grassy hills. Far in the distance were the ruined houses of Logos he had no intention to return to. To the north were the mines, and to the south was the silhouette of two tall buildings, that was Torovince.
Vivian, Yami, and Bruno stood on the edge of the broken stone bridge, which was once the eastern road to Hiria. The bridge had been destroyed by the resistance long ago,
"Bruno, you know what to do," Alexander ordered.
"Yes sir," Bruno knelt down and put his hands on the ground.
The sun was setting in the distance in front of the bridge, over the horizon. The soft light from the distant sun receded behind the mountains north of Lemen, as it descended, the sky became a soft blue which darkened as it stretched over their heads. Except around the fabled Necropolis, its bright green flames peered over the top of the tower and illuminated a green circle in the clouds. The stone began to shift and extend, creating a path to the next part of the bridge.
"That's a really useful ability," Yami commented.
"All of the great Celestial's gifts are useful Yami, it depends on the wielder," Bruno replied.
"What will we do when we reach Hiria?" Vivian asked.
"We will stop by Lemen before proceeding to our destination. The whole trip should take less than ten days if we have Bruno's chariot," Alexander explained.
Alexander took a deep breath, it'd been a long time since he'd gone on an expedition with his squad.
"The fate of the Celestial rests upon our shoulders, Jack and the off-worlder have probably made it to Andurill already and have become even stronger. We must act now, the Lightbringers fail to recognize this. House Rael will defeat the off-worlder, and we will keep our birthright!" Alexander shouted.
Yami grinned as he tightened his headband, his blue hair whipping around in the strong wind, and his shirt flapping as he dived off the bridge. A blue light flashed and he flew straight up and soared through the sky over the water. Bruno took his hands off the stone as the path across had been completed. Vivian stepped onto the stone chariot and Bruno followed, Alexander looked up at the Necropolis and felt a sudden nostalgia, but ignored it as he got onto the chariot. The horses began to trot, the stones clicking together with each step, each step bringing Alexander closer to his destiny.