At the Investigation Bureau...
"It seems that the missing cases are rising, why don't you suggest a collaboration with the Amethyst Division?" Tobias suggested to Dorn and Ka-el as soon as he and Sol arrived at their office.
"Well, would they agree? It's their territory," Ka-el commented.
"Though we only engage with high-profile cases; I think the collaboration is possible since those missing cases are already getting out of hand," Dorn said.
"Mm. You should work on that."
They need to settle those missing cases in order to avoid any public uproar. Moreover, the land has been peaceful for quite some time and such a string of cases is really alarming.
However, that was the beginning. The beginning when the world starts to turn upside down.
XXX
Tobias and Sol had just arrived at the camp when they met some of the aspirants who had also gone out of the camp. Reicha and Serga were one of them.
"Good evening, Captain!" They greeted the Captain and turned towards Sol, "Hey, Sol!"
Tobias nodded back at them while Sol greeted them back.
"Ah Captain, can I ask a question?" Reicha said.
"Mm. What is it?"
"Captain, do you know anything about Luminous?" she asked.
As soon as he heard that word, Tobias froze.
The conversation he had with Chief Healer Sapiensa flashed before his eyes.
Luminous is a forbidden concoction that I made during the revolution.
Your father was poisoned and was fed with an abnormal dosage of Luminous that eventually affected his sanity.
"Where did you hear that?" he asked in his hoarse voice.
Reicha took a step back as she saw the coldness and rage on Tobias' eyes. Fear enveloped her.
"U-uh…a-at the Capital, C-Captain," she said.
Tobias immediately went to get his steed and galloped towards the Capital. Sol gazed at him in confusion as he disappeared from her sight.
It's the Luminous again. Right, he mentioned last time that it might be related to his family history.
And that same Luminous made my Father hurt my friend Haelas. That same Luminous made the Captain join the mission to Mt. Arcanus.
Commander Remus said that the Luminous might be related to Mt. Arcanus mission and my father is in the process of concocting a secret medicine.
By chance, would that secret medicine be…that thing called Luminous?
Sol immediately went to get her steed as well and galloped towards the Manse.
XXX
Meanwhile, Dorn was in deep thought while having a drink with Ka-el at the tavern near their bureau. A rumor about Luminous has suddenly emerged and has taken over the public. It is said that Luminous might have a hand in the disappearance of those people in the missing cases.
Uncle said that they have finally concocted the Luminous and they are in their trial phase. By chance, if the rumors are true, are they using people as test subjects in their trial phase?
This is bad.
"Oh, what is it?" Ka-el asked, alarmed, when Dorn suddenly stood up.
"I think we need to meet Captain Karsh."
"Why?"
"If the rumors are true… then it would be an outrageous crime."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain everything when we meet Captain Karsh."
Dorn and Ka-el then hurried towards the Bloody Cloaks Training Camp.
In the middle of the journey, they met Tobias.
"What's happening in the Capital?" Tobias immediately asked.
Dorn explained about the rumors.
"Captain, if the rumors are true, they might be really using those missing people as test subjects."
"Mm. By the way, what happened to the collaboration with the Amethyst Division?"
"They didn't approve it since it is under the Amethyst Division. They said that the Amethyst Division will likely reject it."
"Then, I need to meet Commander Osiros," Tobias said as he started his steed and galloped towards the Capital.
Dorn and Ka-el followed suit.
XXX
"As I have said, those missing cases are under the Amethyst Division. We should not overstep our territory or else they will take it against us again," Osiros said.
"Commander, even if those are just rumors , it doesn't mean that it's not entirely rumors. It might have stemmed from a piece of truth. Commander, let me lead a team for it. I will be the one to negotiate with the Amethyst Division."
Osiros harshly sighed.
"Let us watch first what will happen for a while and if the situation doesn't get better. Then, I'll form a team. And you, … you should finish your job at the Training Camp. Then, you can come back to the Investigation Bureau."
"Understood, Commander."
"Then, get out."
Tobias paid his respect and went out. He felt frustrated as he couldn't investigate efficiently as he is bound by his work at the camp. Fortunately, the training will end in a month.
"What did the Commander say?" Ka-el asked.
"He will act when the situation worsens."
"Ugh. That's frustrating."
XXX
Back at the tavern...
"So, will you explain to me now what is happening?" Ka-el finally asked after being mute due to the chaotic situation earlier, "What is this Luminous?"
"It is a Forbidden Concoction. It is what made the Wishbones. And if you didn't concoct it very well, it could make the person sick or die," Tobias said and continued, "The Chief Healer Sapiensa is the only one who can make it. So, if someone is trying to concoct it, they will most likely need people that they could test it on. So, if the rumors are true, then they might be using those missing people as test subjects."
Ka-el looked aghast when he heard what Tobias said.
"Mother of Goodness! Then, if the Commander doesn't want to proceed yet… we can just go on a private investigation," Ka-el suggested.
Tobias thought for a while.
"Okay. But you still need to be extra careful," he said as he gulped his cup of tea.
XXX
At the Manse, the Supremo was stunned when he saw his daughter and was more taken aback when she suddenly asked him about Luminous.
"My dear, why are you asking me this?"
He was really flustered as few people knew about it, aside from his fellow Wishbones.
"There's a rumor that the Luminous could be associated with the missing cases. Then I remembered that you asked my friend about it, so you must know about it."
"Well, Luminous is a concoction that can give you enhanced strength, agility and vitality. That is how we took back our land."
"Then…is Luminous the secret medicine you are talking about, Father?"
The Supremo stared at his daughter seriously and contemplated on what he would answer.
"Yes. The Corpse Shield that has been protecting our land from another wave of invasion is collapsing and our force is still young. Thus, I wanted to create that concoction once again."
"So… are the rumors true Father?" she asked as she stepped back in fear.
"Of course not. That would be outrageous! We have the recipe and we have talented healers. We wouldn't need test subjects."
"I would like you to swear on my mother's name, Father."
"I swear on Lady Lalia's name that I am telling the truth and we are not doing any hideous activities."
"Mm. Then I'll be on my way Father," Sol said as she started to walk away.
"Hold on," the Supremo called out to his daughter.
"Yes, Father?"
"Now that you know a critical information, I hope that you will protect it well. Keep that information to yourself. You should never share it to any curious individuals, or else, you'll be putting our land in an inevitable chaos."
"What do you mean, Father?"
"When people find out about Luminous, they are expected to want it as well. And when everyone wants to have a hand on it, it would cause disorder and possibly, violence. And we can't afford to have a civil war."
"Noted, Father," she said as she walked away.
As soon as his daughter was out of sight, the Supremo sent for Commander Remus. He burst out in rage as soon as he saw the Commander.
"What are you doing?! Why did it have to be my daughter who will bring such nasty rumors?"
"I apologize, Supremo. I was about to inform you about it but the Young Miss.."
"So, when did those rumors come out?" he asked when he finally calmed down.
"It just burst out this day, Supremo."
"Then, find me the person who spread such rumors while I plan out a way of stopping it from spreading."
"Understood Supremo," he said and bid goodbye.
When Remus left, the Supremo then sent for Adviser Moraii. They need to settle those rumors as fast as they can or else, all their plans will fail.
XXX
The next day, Tobias decided to go back to the camp. He was just a few kilometers away from the Capital when a man wearing a mask stopped him. The man is of good build that you can infer that he had an intense physical training.
"What is it?" Tobias asked.
But, the man didn't respond and tried to attack him while he was aboard his own steed. Tobias immediately unsheathed his sword and engaged in a fight with that man.
"Who sent you?"
"My brother," the man said in a deeper voice as he swung his sword on Tobias.
"I guess he doesn't like me very much," Tobias said and aimed at the man's face wherein the sword cut the mask, revealing his face.
The man panicked and galloped away.
Tobias stared at the man's retreating back.
He looked like the one that I slayed on that night. That means, he knew that I had slain his brother. Then, that man… could be one of Commander Osiros' men.
Tobias galloped back to the Investigation Bureau to inform his friends about the sudden appearance of that man.
"He is in the Capital. Investigate if the Commander has recent guests that looked like this person," Tobias said as he showed the sketch of the man who tried to attack Sol before, "He is quite strong for a Pure-Blood so, be careful if you ever encounter him."
After talking with his friends, he decided to continue his journey back towards the camp.
When he arrived at the camp, he saw Sol chatting with the gateguards.
"Captain, you've returned," Sol said as soon as she saw him.
"Yes," he said as got off from his steed and gestured as they walked towards the stable, "I'm sorry that I left in a hurry."
"It's alright, Captain."
"Is there something wrong?" Tobias asked when he noticed that Sol seemed a little bit down.
"It's nothing, Captain. I just feel like I'm under the weather lately."
Tobias reached for Sol's forehead and felt it.
"You're a little feverish. You should rest first. You may not attend our training tomorrow."
"Ah. Dating the Captain is really making my life convenient," Sol said, grinning, "But, no Captain. You shouldn't give me any special treatment. It's just a fever. I'm not that weak. Plus, with just a glance of your face, I'm already healed. "
The sudden attack made the captain cough. Without a word, he walked away with ears so red.
XXX
As soon as the dawn breaks, Ka-el journeyed to the Southern Headquarters of the Amethyst Division. Well, the South was where the missing case started and has the highest record of such cases. As soon as Ka-el enters the headquarters, he can feel the stress and the gloomy weather. The unsolved missing cases and the public pressure is taking a toll on their morality. Ka-el just walked directly towards his Father's office. His Father was recently appointed to the Southern Headquarters from the Western Headquarters.
Ka-el laid the pears, which he bought along the way, on the table.
"What brought you here?" Captain Braegen asked after releasing his son from a tight hug.
"Just missed you, Father."
"Lies."
"Then Father, how is it going with those missing cases?"
"We are still finding clues. There is really no definite pattern. They just all disappeared late at night and from various places. They are all men with healthy bodies. And until now, we have not found a single body if they passed away."
"Father, what if they were taken away by their enemies?"
"We investigated all angles, son. None."
"How about going to other lands?"
"That's not possible. They will need to pass by the Corpse Shield if they want to go to other lands. But, we all know that the Corpse Shield kills any individual within the one kilometer radius."
"Then how about the recent rumors?"
"Ah. The Luminous?"
"Mm. Do you believe that those rumors are true, Father?"
"Partly. As they say, rumors are partly true. Rumors are very common and usually just for fun but this time, it is making a public uproar. It is unsettling."
"How about working with our Investigation Bureau?"
"Did Commander Osiros send you?"
"No, father. It's my friend, Captain Karsh."
"I don't know. Our Commander is quite sensitive with Commander Osiros. As these are high-profile cases, he will think that Commander Osiros will take the spotlight away from him."
"Come on Father. I know you can get the Commander to agree. If the rumors are true, then these cases are of a large scale. Tobias said that Luminous is a forbidden concoction that made the Wishbones. The former Chief Healer Sapiensa is the only one who can concoct it. If ever someone is trying to concoct it, he might need some test subjects."
"What?!" he exclaimed in disbelief and then a thought passed by his mind, "…Then the rumor on the involvement of Luminous in making the former Supremo crazy could really be true?"
"Could be Father."
"By the way, how did Captain Karsh get that information?"
"Well, he is capable,Father…but to think about it, he is quite agitated with the rumors on Luminous. He came to the Capital as soon as he heard about it."
"Son… I don't think that he is just being passionate about his job. Why don't you find out more about your friend? I feel that he has a lot of…secrets."
"Father, don't think like that about Tobias."
"Alright."
"Father, I'm counting on you for the partnership of our Investigation Bureaus," Ka-el said as he stood up and gave a tight hug to his Father. He then left the office and started his journey back to the Capital.
As he galloped away, his mind went through a series of flashbacks.
X
Many years ago, as Ka-el had heard from his parents and from his late grandfather, they were on the run for their lives. His grandmother only went to ask the current Supremo about her sister's sudden death at the Manse. They said it is because of the treason committed by then Helios Supremo. As everything had already happened, his grandmother asked about their burial place. Augustus Supremo said that they were buried in a barren land as he couldn't win against his ministers. A good land is not befitting for those who committed treason, the ministers said. His grandmother can only weep bitterly. And then, suddenly, someone from the Manse wanted them dead. However, the man that was sent to wipe their family was overcome with mercy on them and just ordered them to disappear and never set foot at the Capital again. The only mark that his grandmother saw on him was the fresh scar on his hand. They never found out about that man until the dinner during the leveling up of the first-level aspirants. He saw that mark on Commander Remus.
His grandmother then soon passed away, heartbroken over the fate of her sister and her family. Since then, it has been their vocation to find out the truth of that tragedy. But, everything seemed bitter as they couldn't find any clue. Everything seemed clean. One of the information they have is that of Luminous. That it made the former Supremo crazy. That's it, nothing else.
They were not aware of Luminous not until Tobias shared what he knew at the tavern.
It seems like knowing more about Luminous could help open a lot of answers and that almost every secret lies inside the Manse.
"The heavens have finally let a ray of sunshine on us."
XXX
Days passed by and the rumors linking Luminous with the missing cases died down. Some speculations rose up that the Amethysts spread the rumors because they are just incapable of solving the cases. Then, petitions for collaboration with the Investigation Bureau piled up at the Amethyst Commander's office.
Then, in a snap, the training at each camp has come to an end.
In his final speech, Tobias talked about Loyalty.
"Loyalty is one of the best treasures that you could give to anyone. As defenders of this land, we are expected to be loyal. But sometimes in that loyalty, it could blind you or deafen you. When in confusion, your loyalty should always side with what is right. With that, I wish you all the best!"
It was one festive day for everyone. Intoxicated aspirants were sprawled around the training field while those who chose not to have wine in their system were all sleeping soundly in their quarters.
"Congratulations Aspirant Moraii!" Tobias said to Sol as he approached her in the middle of the training field.
Sol let out a smile.
"Mm. Thank you, Captain."
Tobias let out a comforting smile as he brought out the bamboo flute from his robes. Sol was stunned as she watched in awe as Tobias pressed on the bamboo flute against his lips.
He started to play a cheerful piece.
At the end of the piece, Sol planted a kiss on the Captain's cheek that made the latter blush so hard again. Fortunately, the training grounds were dimly lit and even if there are other aspirants around, they are all drunk.
"So, when are you going home?" Tobias asked Sol.
"Mm. After I visit Karisha, Captain. By the way Captain, will you still be our Training Officer for level three?"
"About that…" Tobias started as he sadly gazed at Sol, "I am already going back to the Investigation Bureau."
"Oh."
"I'm sorry."
Sol let out a smile.
"It's alright."
Sol then leaned on Tobias' shoulders as the latter wrapped his arm on her.
"You will do well. I've seen every work that you poured to better your skill. You will do well, Sol."
Sol smiled.
"Oh. With that assurance, I can already see myself taking the spot of the number one aspirant," she said grinning.
"You will," Tobias said as he gently patted Sol's head.
I hope that you will remember everything even if it is scary. I know that you are strong so I know that you can deal with it.
That night has been warm and the feeling is pleasant.
It was a moment that you wanted to have forever; but, fate seemed unkind to them.
XXX
And as soon as Tobias went back again to the Investigation Bureau, everything started to burst out.
XXX
At the tavern, Tobias and his friends were currently celebrating his return when they overheard another rumor- very shocking, as it is a taboo topic.
After the settling of the Luminous rumors, the sudden death of the former Supremo was questioned, whether he was really guilty of treason.
As soon as Tobias heard that, he trembled.
"What are you talking about?" he asked in a coarse manner to the people at the nearby table. They were the ones talking about the rumor.
"Uh," they could only reply in fear.
"Isn't it taboo to speak about the former Supremo?"
"I-it is S-sir b-but it was the t-talk of the t-town today," one of them bravely said.
"Tell me about it."
"Well, they said that the former Supremo didn't really commit treason and that someone orchestrated his death," they said in a much calmer voice.
"Then, who might be that person?"
"That was all we got. They just said that that certain person is in the Manse."
What is happening? Why is it all coming out? First, the Luminous and now the death of the former Supremo. Somebody must have a definite knowledge on what really happened. But who? And why is he or she releasing such information now? Someone must be playing with us.
The late Helios Supremo was initially accused of planning to sell Largus to another country. It is also said that too much injustice was done under his rule.He has become ill and irrational, a just cause to infer that he is already unfit to rule. To pay for his sins, he was put to death.
However, Tobias' savior, Vice Commander of the Golden Shields Assos Karsh believed that everything seemed not to fit. That's why Tobias trained hard with Sir Assos.
Then, Tobias came back to the land of Largus and was forced to join the force as it did help in gathering information. Sir Assos instructed him to not make a move. Thus, he became a sponge and absorbed everything he saw and heard even though it's just a small piece of information. However, everything really seemed clean as he was not able to find any definitive clue.
"Captain, are you alright?" Dorn asked when he noticed that Tobias just froze.
"Mm," Tobias said and went back to his seat.
Ka-el stared at his friend and remembered what his father said.
I feel like he has a lot of secrets.
He felt agitated with the rumors of the late Supremo.
"Everything is getting out of hand. We need to move fast. First, we need to track where the rumors exactly originated from so that we can narrow down the people that we will investigate," Tobias said as soon as he calmed down, "Just go home after you finish all that. I'll follow you later."
In a snap, Tobias left the tavern. He then walked around the market and then he decided to climb on one of the tallest buildings. From there, you can see the whole market place and you can catch a glimpse of the Manse. As soon as Tobias caught a glimpse of the Manse, he felt a gripping pain in his heart.
Sol, why does it suddenly start to unfold- that one thing that I fear the most?