The Wielder of Death Magic

Chapter 96: Confession

Night followed; the chaos imbued atmosphere subsided. Peace and quiet spread throughout the capital. Her majesty slept in her bedchambers while Staxius trained. Alas, he naught but wonder if tis was wise to help out the people how he did. ‘Wouldn’t that cause a problem in the near future? What if someone found out the truth that I changed blank scrolls into rare quality.’ The steel sword, the one he took on many adventures’ prior had chips and tears all round. The handle covered with cloth had been bloodied so much it had its own aesthetic. The sword, if seen by another swordsman, one who was talented could see, or rather feel its aura. Said weapon changed from an ordinary piece of metal to a demon who hungered for blood and life. Lucky were they to not touch that sword for it had been cursed, cursed by Staxius unknowingly. The terror, the annihilation he brought upon each fight thoroughly took refuge within its shiny edges. The cries for help, the cries for mercy, the sheer fear that his enemy faced – all were on that blade; like a book who recorded his every count.

Strike after strike, a small blackish mist manifested. ‘-writing magic scrolls isn’t easy, some call it a talent only a few possess. The sheer mastery and inner workings of how mana and the outer-worldly element intertwine take decades to assimilate. Like an idiot, during that crisis, I thought only about saving whoever needed help.’ Silent as a cat, the training dummies who stood before him all fell. ‘so many scrolls used without any care – the number of coins all that could have brought us.’ He stopped. “Thanks for helping my little sister,” a small innocent voice peaked through his mind. Tis was the voice of a boy, a young boy named Yaegar Aebalar, the lady he took out of her misery, that was her son. Still young and feeble, with a face unlike a boy. A face clear from all scratches and fault; a face that looked feminine, that was Yaegar Aebalar. ‘That boy, I must find him at all cost,’ amidst the cold and darkness, he knelt. The sword fell beside him, it felt as if it could move on its own. ‘Yaegar Aebalar, I’ve only heard and seen you from afar, but I sensed something.’ It had piqued his interest. The only thing he cared for was to personally, as the man who slew her mother, to give him the news of her passing. Tis was illogical but morally gratifying. The complexities of how the mind worked eluded him, thus he never chose to understand it.

Thus, in that manner, he trained throughout the night. The anticipation of daybreak lit a fire, a fire to work twice as hard. The sword screamed, but none heard, the screams of pain and suffering. Neither of them was his, tis were the final emotions of the many victims.

Day came faster than expected, Staxius laid on the floor. The castle grew loud, people sought an audience with her majesty; they all had their quandaries, questions, and doubts. Countless lives were lost, all the blame turned to Xula. They didn’t care, though most had unintentionally taken part in the slaughter of their kinsfolk. They all but wanted someone to take the blame for their shortcomings and mistakes. Who better than the gullible queen for that selfish endeavor.

“Raise your head and speak,” sat with her full authority, Xula spoke sharply. “Your majesty,” one of the residents raised his head. “-the blame lays squarely on your shoulders. I’ve lost my child and wife due to your foolish decision to send our famed royal guards on expeditions to hunt ants and pests.” Her gaze stared right through him, that man spoke the truth; he was one of many who kept his cool and didn’t give to fear. Sadly, despite that, the absence of adequate protection brought ruin to his family. It had been the fiftieth person since morning to have voiced the same question. “An apology isn’t what you desire from me, I’ve been a fool. However, measures are being taken to prevent such pointless slaughter to take place ever again. “W-WHAT ABOUT ME?” Tears shed; he rose swiftly. “Calm down their buddy,” the guards stepped in and pinned him to the floor. Not royal but court guards. The man cried and broke down, Xula could naught but keep a straight face. ‘This is all because of me,’ her fist clenched, anger towards herself turned the eyes red.

“My friend,” footsteps, “-worry not,” the sound of two bodies embracing one another reverberated. “I know you’ve lost your family, and all that was precious to you,” *Dark-Arts: emotional control,* “-never the less, that doesn’t give you the right to plead ignorance.” Staxius hugged him, people, humans, and non-humans alike had similarities. They hungered for affection, a hug during a bad moment, a pat on the back when one achieved something great, those subtleties mattered. “Do you realize that the one who saved us all was none other than her majesty herself. You may have been blinded but she sent her prized and famed weapon to rescue us all. Ask the mercenaries and thou shalt find the answers.” The hug ended; the man’s tears stopped. “B-but I-I have n-nothing,” he argued back, the eyes looked dreadful. “You have something you can hold onto, dearest friend,” Staxius held his hand and lifted him up. “You have the will and strength to start again. That vengeance and anger that flows in your blood – channel it. Use it not to lash out at her majesty, but use it to get stronger. Become powerful, take your vengeance. Slay the monsters without mercy, immerse yourself into the craft – do that and you will stop another family from losing their own.” Staxius smiled, the man’s tears stopped. A faint light relit; his eyes burnt with motivation. “T-thank you,” he left the room hastily, “monsters, here I come,” he mumbled.

“Looks like you’ve been having a good morning,” he changed his gaze to Xula. “...” she remained quiet. “A mouth is given for one to speak and eat, not to frown and growl, now speak my lady.” The voice felt peaceful yet it had a hint of anger within. “Have you always been this belligerent?” She stood. “Guards, tell that her majesty is taking a break. The audience will be held on a later date; I shall personally make an announcement later in the evening.” With a wave, the guards quickly executed her orders. “What brings you here, dearest Staxius,” she climbed down her throne. “I’ve come to check up on you of course.” He patted her head, “I’ve been worried that your gullibility and compassion would overthrow your judgment.” He smiled. “Worry not, I’m not that big a fool,” she smiled. “Thank heavens,” he breathed a sigh of relief. “Shanna, I strongly recommend that you and the council call a meeting. The events that transpired yesterday has left a bad impression on the populous. We need to clarify the situation. I’ve got an idea – to open an adventuring guild here in Arda.” He held her hands tightly.

.....

“How did you know?” she replied, “-how did you know that the old sage and I have been mauling over that possibility.” She gripped his hands tighter, “it’s not a bad idea?” her eyes glimmered. She needed confirmation over this crucial decision. Opening an adventuring guild would mean that the borders to Arda would have to be made accessible to humans. Her eyes sunk back into cluelessness.

“Is the thought of opening Arda to humans ailing you?” he spoke, her grip loosened. She nodded, affirming his speculation. “Tis not an issue, we have enough people here to maintain and run the guild. We need a party and guild master – the process is still unknown to me.” He backed away; “-therefore, I shall take that responsibility. Just give me the word, I shall have a trip to the capital and see what is need to be done for this to happen. Arda is its own nation, and like every other nation, the order views us as a differing entity now. Negotiations would have to be made; however, I think it’s possible.” The tone felt serious and filled with determination. *Boup* Xula leaped into his arms. “Staxius, please help me. I’ve been clueless about what I need to do. Today, you’ve given me a way to make everyone and everything slightly better.” She breathed a sigh, her mind had been put at ease once more.

“Xula,” he held her shoulders, “we need to get engaged; if not married as soon as possible.” His eyes were dead serious. “W-what i-is this all of a sudden?” her cheeks flushed; it came suddenly. “I want us to be united,” he sincerely wanted this. “Isn’t it a bit too soon?” she asked, her voice turned feeble. “This is the opportune moment,” he took a pause, “marrying right after a disaster may seem inconsiderate. Treating them as lost lambs isn’t going to make anyone happy. Stop with the self-pity, we need them to cheer up and get excited about something. This would most definitely help towards that. Not to mention,” he winked and coughed. “-never mind, forget that.” He chuckled.

“What do you mean by a wink, huh?” she squinted her eyes. “Nothing,” he tried looking away. “-joking aside, I really want to be with you, Xula.” He held her hands and knelt, “will you become the ruler of mine own heart as well?” her face flushed even more, she didn’t expect this change of events. “I-I w-will,” first she proposed by throwing her glove, and now he proposed without a ring. Staxius and Xula, the most unorthodox couple to ever walk on Hidros.

“Congratulations,” cheers and applause reverberated throughout the hall. “What...” both glanced up to see the first floor filled with nobles and people smiling. “You didn’t think we were here now, did you?” one of the nobles yelled jokingly. “Thanks to old sage, he hid our presence.” A quick glance to the old man revealed a joyous boy, the heart of a child. “...” Shanna was deeply embarrassed, Staxius stood, she hid behind. “Thank you all,” he smiled and bowed. He didn’t care in the least; his face held a smile. “You’ve got our support and blessings, our queen has found her king, let’s hold a banquet in their honor.” One of the vampiric nobles held his glass of wine. “Say no more, we shall celebrate tonight,” the representative from the dwarves slammed a giant barrel onto the table.

“Fenrir,” Millicent called, she had passed out before the entrance. “F-five more minutes,” she mumbled. “Wake up,” Millicent splashed water on her pale white face. “What is it?” Fenrir looked tired. “Where have you been?” Millicent asked. They both walked towards the resting room, the tavern remained as loud as ever. “Nothing much,” Julius walked by, the duo caught his attention. “Staxius summoned me to fight by his side.” She smiled, “we had fun,” sleep caught up to her. “Did she really say Staxius summoned her?” he smiled. “I think so,” she replied, the voices grew louder. “Excuse me,” without any notice, she ran out and headed for the tavern. ‘She never changes, does she?’ he continued his walk. *Click,* the door to the throne room opened, “Julius,” Adelana called out, she hung up the phone. “Eira has been making strides in the qualification tournament. Her spot in the main tournament is assured.” She smiled, Eira was well on her way to becoming someone strong. “I just wish Staxius could at least attend one of her fights. She’s his daughter after all,” her voice faded. “-no matter, we’ve got bigger fish to fry,” they got back to work.

“Another fight, another win,” the thunderous voice of an old man overpowered the crowd. “-you were sloppy, that fight should have ended in the first five minutes.” He patted her back, “no matter, it was a fine fight.” Eira panted, sweat dripped. “Thank you, teacher, I shall work twice as hard.” Her gaze turned upwards. ‘How different would it have been if you trained me, father.’ Amidst the sweat, a tear rolled down her cheeks.