Author's Note: I am so sorry for the lack of chapters on Monday. It was a rare event for me, which was the opportunity to celebrate a friend's birthday outside for the entire day. I was then invited over for a sleepover, which I didn't bring my laptop to as I wanted to relax while I still have summer vacation. Though, because of that, I didn't release any new chapters on Monday. I'll release 2 chapters today and make sure to make more on Friday as well. I will try to not miss out on next week's Monday either. Enjoy!
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(Go back a few hours before the present moment)
Today was supposed to be like, the 6th or 7th meeting already? I know this is a world matter, but surely they would already have found some sort of solution they can all agree with in only a few days, right? They should have already found something by now. It has been an entire week now.
It is kind of boring to be inside all of the time. Of course, I mean inside of the castle grounds. I can go outside and see the flowers in the garden or see the nearby houses that were built close to the castle, but that is as far as I can venture out.
I love talking with Kai, Calli, and Animus, but I would like to experience new things in a new place. I can hear my uncle and father saying that I shouldn't be focused on having fun when the only reason I am here is for learning and because I wanted to go here as I thought it would be interesting.
Most of the time, however, I find myself in the common living area. The only things interesting enough for me to hear now are the kinds of stories that Calli would tell. Interestingly, she has a very creative mind and a knack for telling stories. They are always entertaining to listen to as they are always so unpredictable.
These stories would include some familiar fairy tales that I have read about, such as the Legend of The Shattered Trident. Other times, they would be completely original stories or stories I have never heard about that had some details crafted in it that weren't originally from that story.
Anyway, my point is that things have become quite boring. And now, that leads to the present moment. I just excused myself from the meeting room as I had to find a bathroom here. That might sound weird as I have been living here for the past few days but, I want to finish this as soon as possible.
Finding the closest bathroom is the most efficient and fastest way to get back to some potentially important information. I was able to find it after a very short while and, once I finished with cleaning up, I rushed back to the room.
That was when I heard a loud thudding noise in a room near me. When I looked towards the direction where the sound came from, I found myself looking at the room where the representatives of Spadagas currently reside in.
That is quite odd though.
Did Firon or Matz leave the meeting after me? Otherwise, there should be no other reason why there would be sounds coming from inside. Maybe one of their items was placed in a weird position and just happened to fall down when I passed by? But, the thud sounded like something big just fell down.
I doubt they would leave a large object in a position that would let them fall down, especially if that item is very important. Curious, I crept closer to the door until I reached it. For some reason, I'm feeling like I shouldn't be opening this door right now. Something might have happened so, I must try to investigate.
Completely forgetting about the meeting I have to return to, I grab the handle and turn it softly. Once I fully opened the door, the first thing that crosses my mind was that I forgot to knock and announce my presence to whoever might be on the other side of the door.
But, when I looked back up, those thoughts were completely pushed all the way to the back of my mind. I watched as I saw a red liquid flowing on the ground, originating from what looks like a human body.
"Blood...?"
I fall back on the ground as I stared at the puddle of blood. I can feel my heart trying to burst out of my chest. I start to breathe faster and faster as I stay frozen in shock. Why am I panicking like this? Haven't I seen this sort of sight many times before? Why am I this shocked at what is happening in front of me?
The answer would be quite simple. The reason why I sat frozen wasn't because of the blood. It was because of who I saw, standing right next to the window.
"Animus?"
...
No.
This can't be happening.
How would a death be possible under these circumstances? Why would Animus just be standing there instead of calling for help? He... can't be the one who did this...
Someone else did this.
He can't be the one who murdered this man. I look at the body in front of me and stare at their face.
"Firon..."
I look back at Animus, trying to get a reaction from him. Please, just say something! Say that you were so scared that you couldn't go outside and tell the guards. Please, say that you are a man who had fun talking with young children. A man who was brought along as he only wanted to help the ones who helped him.
The facts were... irrefutable.
Evidence pointed that he was guilty of this crime. Yet, I want to believe in him. Just a tiny bit. Human emotion is... a complicated thing. I know he did it but, I can't say that I fully think that he did it because of the time we spent. Why am I getting so emotional right now?
"Please,... you're no murderer. Say that the real assassin was keeping you here... to not let you tell the others. I beg you."
Wait, why am I crying?
When did I get this emotional? My tears are... clouding my vision right now. I can barely see him standing there, right in front of me but, I can't see his face as his back is towards me.
"As the Emperor said before, 'You have been educated very well as you can understand the situation at such a tender age'. I am sorry to say that I am the one who did this."
No...
"How did you know? Were you there when the... Emperor said that...? Were you planning this from the very beginning? Why?"
"I... can't really explain. But, I want you to know that this is for the good of the world."
"What good will this do? The world will slowly collapse because of fear and paranoia. All because of this. You... are truly a vile person. I can't believe that you talked to us and pretended to be a nice person."
"This is necessary. Humans will eventually destroy this world themselves. I am simply making sure that the natural balance of the world will be restored."
"You... YOU'RE A MONSTER!!!"
Before I knew it, I heard myself shouting at the top of my lungs. Why is this affecting me so greatly? Traitors can be found anywhere so, why did I expect everything to be alright when I knew that something like this could happen?
"That... is something I can't deny. However, I should let you know that people with power will almost always eventually be corrupted. If you give a man a sword, he would want to test it by swinging it. The same thing applies here. When you grow up, you might become someone who we might have to eliminate as well, along with your friends and associates."
This is just too... painful to bear.
"But, I want you to be alright. Despite all that has happened, I truly care about you. I don't want to ever see a world where the children will cry. I will use my ability on you. You won't ever feel pain over the loss of your friends or your own death if that time comes. You won't feel the remorse, guilt, and sadness that would plague your mind. Isn't that kind of suppression a bit... merciful? I for one would like to not feel any pain when that happens to me."
"No... stay away from me."
I suddenly feel energy surge into my legs. I need to get out of here and tell everyone else what happened. I start chanting a Thunder spell under my breath as I slowly pull myself off of the ground.
"Oh, so that's what you want."
He then disappeared from my line of sight.
"What!?"
I desperately look around, trying to find any trace of him. I then felt something move next to me.
"Electrify!"
I point my hand in the direction of the weird presence and fire of my Thunder spell. One of the sparks collided with Animus' face and wounded the side of his face.
"You found me? Looks like I need to do this then. I'm sorry but, you leave me no choice."
He quickly came forward and grabbed me. When I tried to get out of his grasp, he delivered a swift strike to my neck. I winced in pain and then collapsed on the ground.
He actually landed a knockout chop to the neck. I fought to stay awake but, the sense of unconsciousness was too overwhelming.
"I'm old, you know? I no longer have what it takes to be a Hero. However, I'd do anything to protect mankind, especially the children. The adults should be the ones who shoulder all of the heavy burdens, so that a peaceful world for the future generations can become a reality. Oh, looks like I ran out of time."
And just like that, I felt a feeling of emptiness before passing out.