Shuken stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window. How much time passed he did not know, but he turned only when he sensed the dark sorcerer rise behind him.
Charmion looked at him coldly.
Shuken remained as amiable as ever, "Are you ready?"
"Yes."
Shuken smiled, "Since I allowed you ample time to rest, would you grant me a moment to speak before we proceed?"
Charmion replied calmly, "Speak."
Shuken said, "Your hatred for me must stem from when you sought my help after your father's troubles, yet I disclosed his whereabouts to the Kingdom of Marquez, leading to his capture and execution, correct?"
Charmion said nothing, only gripped the dark staff tightly.
Shuken continued, "You have always believed your father, a minor official at the border, was innocent of embezzlement. I can now tell you, he was indeed innocent."
Charmion's head shot up, voice hoarse, "You…"
Shuken smiled faintly, "Yes, I knew from the very beginning. Yet it was merely a pretense for outsiders."
Charmion stared intently as Shuken pulled a yellowed letter from his robe and handed it over. Opening it, Charmion saw handwriting he knew well from his youth:
"To His Majesty Nasda:
I have obeyed your orders, bribing this city's commander with gold. Awaiting your troops, we shall welcome you with open gates. May your Majesty remember our agreement: grant me thirty thousand gold and the title of count, and I shall serve with unwavering loyalty, dedicating my life to you.
Your humble servant, Yousu Charmion."
Charmion read the letter slowly, feeling his heart sink further with each word. Then Shuken's voice reached him again: "Your father was executed for treason. Keeping it quiet then was to avoid alarming Nasda's empire."
Charmion felt the pillar upon which he had anchored his tenacity and will through dark years shatter within him. Stumbling backward, he collapsed onto a chair, utterly drained.
Shuken watched him, eyes momentarily tinged with sympathy. "You were my finest student. I placed a magical restraint on you hoping you'd live a quiet life. I underestimated you discovering the Tome of the Dark God and deciphering it. Truly, I underestimated you."
Charmion's mind was in turmoil. He muttered, "Underestimated me, ha…"
Shuken looked at the disarmed young man, "For a man of disgrace, you betrayed your fate, embraced darkness, and opposed the light and justice—is it worth it?"
Charmion's face was ashen.
Shuken smiled gently, turning to the window, "Don't blame Sherry. She, your good friend, is also a citizen of the Marquez Kingdom. Let the past actions go."
Charmion laughed bitterly, "Blame her? For what?"
Shuken beckoned him to the window, gesturing to the people below, "Those two men detained by soldiers are your companions, aren't they? Oh, Sherry's there too. Do you remember the officer beside her?"
"Lant, right?"
"Yes, him. See how he stands, always composed and radiant, as though he belongs in the light."
He paused, then turned to Charmion. "You, Lant, and Sherry grew up as dear friends—let them help you. Abandon the darkness and return to the side of justice."
Charmion shook his head dully and began a slow retreat toward the stairs, every step seeming to drain his remaining strength.
Then Shuken's voice came again, "I forgot to tell you, Lant and Sherry were wed last October."
Charmion wavered, nearly collapsing, supported only by his grip on the dark staff. He stood there dumbfounded for a moment, then whispered, "I'm leaving."
Shuken watched his completely defeated adversary with gentle eyes and smiled, "My child, in this vast world, where will you go?"
Charmion was engulfed by confusion, his mind a storm of thoughts, unable to contain his fury, and cried out to the heavens, "Where shall I go, where shall I go…"
His anguished cry fractured the long silence in the Mage's Tower, resonating through its chambers. Echoes from afar seemed to join him, as if the great stone tower itself asked: Where shall you go, where shall you go…