Meanwhile, Ka-el finally arrives at his family's abode. He was greeted by his mom, Ela Braegen. His dad is still at the Fort Amethyst Headquarters. He is a Captain there.
"Did you just come from the Investigation Bureau, dear?" his mother asked him as he served him his favorite baked rice cake."
"No, mother. Actually, I came from the South. I visited Haelas there. Do you still remember Haelas? The skinny boy who's always bullied?"
"Oh, Haelas, the one from the family of healers?"
"Yes, Mother. And what's shocking is that he entered the force. I met him for the first time again at the Northern Training Camp. He really bulked up and he was stronger now. I am proud of him," he chattered as he continued putting the baked rice cake inside his mouth.
"Eat slowly dear. I baked a lot of rice cakes."
Ka-el grinned.
"It's because you baked it really well Mother that I couldn't stop putting it in my mouth. Oh, and Haelas is now an excellent healer as well. I wouldn't mind getting sick or wounded knowing that I know someone like him."
"Ka-el dear, you know what, everything changed about you physically and mentally, but every time you talk about Haelas, you always light up brightly."
"It's because he's someone I really cherish, Mother. He's the first person I ever protected even when I was young and he's the first person who can make me laugh because of how silly he is."
"Well, I love to hear that you have a deep connection with other people, dear. I hope you continue to take care and cherish that connection."
"Of course, mother."
"I remember that you have friends from the force as well."
"Yes mother, Tobias and Dorn."
"Why don't you invite them to have dinner with us sometime when you have a case nearby."
"Ah, I will try to invite them, Mother but it would be difficult to set a schedule since Tobias will be at the training camp while me and Dorn will stay at the Investigation Bureau."
"Mm. That's too bad. Then, why don't you go and take a rest. I'll get you when your father is here."
"Okay then mother. I'll take a quick nap."
Ka-el took a piece of that baked rice cake and started walking towards his room. Before arriving at his room, he stopped by at his father's study. He then moved a bookshelf near the wall, revealing a set of people of interest pasted on the wall.
Find whoever killed your grandmother and make them pay the full price.
That was his grandfather's dying wish. His father has been trying to fulfill that wish. However, 13 years have passed and yet they only got minimal clues; clues that seem to prove that his grandmother's death is legal – the sister of his grandmother to be exact. Everything else is a dead end.
He decided to join the force as well to help fulfill his grandfather's wish. He trained hard in order to join the Bloody Cloaks and it would be easier for him to join the Investigation Bureau.
He knew that in order to cover such a big case, big people are involved. He knew that he needed power… and luck seems to be on his side.
He met one big clue- the scar on Commander Remus' left hand.
Years ago, when there was a big chaos on the land after Helios Supremo was executed because of treason, Amelia, his grandmother, went to meet the new Supremo, Augustus, to confirm the news of her sister's unfortunate death . When she found out that it's true- that she was slain and buried in a barren land, she wanted to visit the grave. She claimed that her sister, the late Lady Lalia (wife of Helios Supremo), is not a traitor, and that he needs to investigate it. Augustus Supremo agreed.
While his grandmother is on the way to the supposed burial ground, a masked man came and warned her to bring her family, leave her home and change identities, as there is an order to wipe them out and that they shouldn't ever go back to the Manse or else they'll be killed in an instant. His grandmother doesn't recognize him but she saw the scar on his hand- a diagonal scar cutting from between his forefinger and middle finger on his left hand towards his wrist.
That's the only marker she got.
Thus, when he saw the scar on Commander Remus' hand; he immediately remembered what his grandmother told his parents, who in return passed to him.
So, our savior was Commander Remus?
Ka-el knew from the beginning that someone in the Manse, the Supremo, is an enemy.
XXX
Ka-el is having an adorable dream when he hears a faint sound of a door opening. He immediately stopped that dream and opened his eyes. He saw a man in his late forties with his long hair neatly braided.
"It still amazes me how a heavy sleeper like you could still be alert to your surroundings," he commented with a warm smile.
"Father, you came at the wrong time. I'm having a nice dream."
"I noticed. You're grinning when I saw you. I hope that's a wholesome dream and not those kinds of dreams that you, young men, have."
"Father! How can you accuse your son like that?" he said, complaining while playfully throwing tantrums.
Captain Braegen then became serious after laughing with his son.
"Mm. How are you? It's been a year since you came home."
"I'm good, Father. I wasn't even planning to go home since I need to be back at the Investigation Bureau; but my friends ditched me so… I'm here."
"They must be tired of hearing you talk all day."
"Well, they're gonna miss me."
"So, how's the Investigation Bureau? The name of your friend has been the talk of the town. I heard that he has slain more or less 10 people and crippled around 50 people. He seems like a dangerous man. Are you sure it's a good decision to be his friend?"
"Father, how can you doubt him? Tobias is a good person. All those killings and crippling were during the fight when capturing criminals. He's also just strict with implementing the rules. By the way, haven't I told you that he helped me with my training in order to join the Bloody Cloaks Division? He has been there to help me keep up with them. Tobias is someone I admire and I feel safe with him."
"Okay, okay. You're making me a bad person. I'm just making sure that my son is safe and not doing any crime and illegal things."
"Father, I wouldn't do that."
"But in fairness, with your friend's name being popular, your name is also being recognized. It would be a matter of time before you get to the bosses of the Investigation Bureau. By then, gain their trust and find their weaknesses."
"I understand, Father. I will work hard."
"That's my son. Come on, dinner's been waiting for us," he said as he walked out of his son's room.
Should I tell him about Tobias' order when we parted earlier? That I'll keep an eye on Commander Osiros? No. No. No. Ka-el, you can't reveal this to anyone. Tobias seems to be investigating something big. If I'll screw up, everything will be ruined. Yes, Ka-el keep your mouth shut this time. Tobias trusted you. Then, let's get some dinner!
XXX
After having one last hearty breakfast, Karisha and Sol bid Haelas and Healer Caris goodbye. Haelas lent one of his steeds to Sol in order for her to finally learn it. They started slowly while enjoying the nature they pass on by. In about 6 hours with the sun already setting down, they've finally arrived at Karisha's abode.
As soon as they entered the abode, a lot of pair of eyes were on them. There is Karisha's parents and her siblings.
"Meet my friend Sol Moraii. She's the daughter of Adviser Moraii. I have another friend named Haelas but he wasn't able to come with us. Thus, it's only me and Sol."
They exchanged pleasantries and smiles.
"Then, come here and have a feast with us. Dinner is already set," Karisha's dad said.
Karisha then pulled Sol towards the dining room. As they started eating, Karisha noticed her younger brother Kar staring at Sol.
"Kar, stop staring. She's gonna melt," she scolded him.
"Older sister, how can you have a friend so ethereally beautiful like her?"
"It's because your sister is equally ethereally beautiful."
"So narcisstic."
Kar then tried to meet Sol's eyes.
"Older sister Sol, do you have a lover already?"
"Oh. I don't have and I don't plan on having one so soon."
"Ha-ha, Burn!" exclaimed Karin, the youngest of Grasi siblings.
Kar glared at his younger sister and focused on eating his meal.
"It's because I'm still training. If I'm already capable of taking care of another person, then I think I will find a lover," Sol said, comforting the sulking Kar.
Kar beamed after he heard what Sol said.
"Then older sister, you must wait for me to grow up."
"Kar, you're embarrassing me here," Karisha chimed in and turned towards her grinning mother, "Mom, will you please scold him?"
"Well, what can we do? He inherited my confidence in asking people out."
"Mother…"
"It's alright," Sol whispered to Karisha, "It's my fault for being ethereally beautiful."
After she heard what Sol whispered, she let out a chuckle.
Then, it's as if she realized something, she turned to her father who's silently eating with them.
"By the way father, is Auntie Fora available this month?"
"Mm. I think she is. Why?"
"We would like to learn the lyre harp from her."
"What's the occasion? I thought you're not the type to play instruments," her mom commented.
Sol let out a meaningful grin. Karisha pinched her side to make her behave.
"Well, people change Mother. Now, I want to learn it."
"Okay then, I will bring you to your Auntie Fora," her dad said.
Karisha then looked at Sol with a beaming smile while she just playfully shook her head.
XXX
Back at the Chief Healer's abode, Haelas anxiously waited for his grandmother at her Herbs Storage Area. After several minutes of waiting, his grandmother emerged from the entrance of the Herbs Storage Area. She then asked him to follow her. They stopped in front of the shelves with herbs having an unpleasant smell. She then asked him to move the shelves.
After he moved it, a rectangular frame was revealed. She then pulled the rope attached to it, revealing a stairs going downwards. She then lit up the pine tree wood she's holding.
Haelas couldn't explain his emotions. He couldn't believe that his grandmother had a secret basement. What for?
He just obediently followed her. After walking past a short tunnel, they arrived at the center of the basement. Shelves of books were built there. There was also a messy table and chairs. His grandmother then lit up the lamp on the table and along the walls. She then asked him to take a seat.
"Now, let's get started," Chief Healer Sapiensa stated.
"Yes, Chief Healer. But I would like to know what this is all about."
During training, he addresses his grandmother as Chief Healer as formality.
"I know that you completed your training on healing. This one will be a special one and I will only be teaching this to you. When you learn about this, I want you to swear on your life that you will use it for genuine need. What I am going to teach you is among the forbidden concoctions."
"But Chief Healer, if it is among the forbidden concoctions, why would you still teach it to me?"
"Because these concoctions could be of great help. Also, greedy people will come after you so you must train very hard and surround yourself with strong people. It pains me that I will put this responsibility to you, but you're the only person who is capable and whom I can trust. If you understand what I'm saying, then swear."
"I swear that I will protect the knowledge that you're going to give me and will use it for genuine need."
"Then, let me tell you about Luminous."
XXX
One evening, as the Chief Healer is having a meal with her junior healers, a guest came and welcomed himself inside the dining room.
"Good evening Chief Healer," he said, greeting the Chief, "I came back."
The guest is no other than the infamous captain with an intimidating presence. The one with the warmest face but with the coldest eyes- Captain Tobias Karsh.
"You came back sooner than I expected. Then, come, have dinner with us."
Tobias was still confused and curious on how the chief healer has been so cool around him.
"Thank you, Chief," he said and joined them.
After the dinner, Chief Healer led Tobias to the secret basement. She ushered Tobias to sit down.
Chief Healer Sapiensa looked at Tobias intently.
"If you're ready, I will tell you about Luminous."
"I'm ready, Chief Healer. But before that, I would like to ask why you said that 'I came back'?"
"Even with old age, I can see you clearly and even with your raven-black tresses, I knew that you dyed it and I can recognize you. You have the facial structure, eyebrows and nose of your father, Helios Supremo; and you have the eyes and lips of your mother, Lady Lalia. You are no doubt, Young Master Risus Nubis."
Tobias gasped and let out a frustrated chuckle. He still couldn't fathom that someone out there knows who he is- his identity.
"I thought I'm unrecognizable but still… However, it still makes me happy that someone recognized me," he painfully said as he fought the tears coming out of his eyes.
"How can you be happy when I know who you are? Aren't you afraid that news about the previous Supremo's son will spread?"
"I know that you're on my side, Chief Healer. The fact that you have my family's portrait in your secret basement when everything related to my family was burnt down is enough for me to trust you."
"I'm not on anyone's side but I always side with what's right. Before you pour those tears on me, let me tell you about what you want to know."
"Yes, please Chief Healer."
"Luminous is a forbidden concoction that I made during the revolution. There are four great armies inside our lands and Helios Supremo has only a thousand well-trained men. It's impossible to win even a small revolt. Thus, I decided to make the Luminous. This concoction will improve strength, agility and vitality. This was given to the men of Helios but the concoction only lasted to 500 men and those men will be called 'the Wishbones'. Luminous is one of the driving forces for the past Supremo to win the war and take back our land."
"Then Chief healer, why is it kept secret?"
"Because it will bring chaos. Even the men who were unable to get a dose of the Luminous wouldn't stop pestering me and the previous Supremo to concoct it again. Gone are the days when Largusans were content with what they have. We've come to know 'greed' since the day those conquerors came to us. Also, if it is revealed, those who don't understand how to prepare it, will storm towards Mt. Arcanus and could anger the spirits."
"But…why would they go to Mt. Arcanus?"
"The most important ingredient is only found there."
"Oh. By the way Chief Healer, I heard that my father was ill with an unidentifiable illness before his death. Is it possible that the Luminous had an adverse reaction on his body and caused him to be ill?"
"It is not because of an adverse reaction. Your father was poisoned with what we call the "Kiss of the Moon". It is the only poison that could return a Wishbone into a regular person. After your father was returned into a regular person, he was then fed with an abnormal dosage of Luminous that eventually affected his sanity."
"What?!"
Tobias stood up as he paced back and forth. His quite warm gaze went dark. He's clenching his fist. His face went red and veins were popping from his temple and neck. He started laughing hysterically as his tears fell.
"Calm down, Captain Karsh," she calmly implored.
"Calm down? Really Chief healer?! It wasn't enough for those people to stab and behead my father! They've also planned his death before. They poisoned him and fed him with Luminous, making him crazy!!!"
"Captain Karsh!" she shouted at him, "This will be the last time you will be emotional with your father's death! If you don't know how to calm down yourself, will you be able to succeed in avenging him?! No, you are only exposing your weakness to your enemy!"
After hearing what the Chief Healer said, Tobias started calming down.
"Take a seat," she firmly said.
Tobias harshly wiped his tears and obediently went back to his seat.
"Thinking about it, Chief Healer, did you concoct the Luminous again?"
"What do you mean? I only did it once."
"You said that you're the only one who can concoct it; then, where did they get the Luminous that they had fed on my Father?"
"That, I don't know. They could have hidden a portion of what I concocted before."
"Then… who were they?"
"Who?"
"The people who plotted against my Father."
"I am unable to answer that. Your Father was a great person and a great leader that it is impossible to think that someone had ill feelings against him. The day when I visited him as I'm concerned with his condition was the last day I saw him alive. After checking on him, I hurried home to prepare a medicine that would counter his situation and to find someone who could protect him as I don't know whom to be trusted in that Manse. The next day, I just found out that he was put to death because of Treason."
"How about the men who wanted to have a dose of that Luminous?"
"That would be possible. I had someone investigating that and we found nothing. Though they demanded to have important positions within the Manse and within the Force, they haven't been engaged in any suspicious activity."
"Oh," Tobias could only say as he went silent.
Chief Healer gazed at him warmly.
"Son," she dearly stated as she held his hands, "I don't really know what you're feeling right now but I understand a little. No one could stand their parents being brutally murdered. I know it's hard not to be emotional but I want your heart to be cold as possible. When I first saw you, I felt that your heart was cold. Continue to be like that. Only then, can you make rational decisions and will eventually achieve your goal."
"I understand, Chief healer."
"Now, go on and have a rest."
Tobias hesitated for a while before he stood up and walked out from the secret basement. As he walked out from the Herbs Storage Area, he was met by a full moon and countless stars. He unconsciously looked at the sky.
I implore you, will you please be kind to me?
He implored, wishing the moon goddess will grant the desires of his heart.