Chapter 7

Four Truths

"You need to block more," said Tamora. She was a young girl with freckles, wearing two spades over her eyes called glasses. In another place she might have been mistaken for a primary school student. Here she was Grey's opponent. The enemy. A punch flew out and struck Grey right in the cheek. He fell down with a plop.

"I don't get it," said Tamora, shaking her head. "Why are you fighting like this when you are blind? You can use your battle sense to find me you know?"

"I wanted to see if I could learn something," coughed Grey. "I can't rely on my battle sense all the time."

"Suit yourself," shrugged Tamora, readying her fists. She struck out again, right punch towards his gut. Grey heard the sound of her feet propelling her forward, and moved out of the way. It was clumsy. His feet tripping over the ground as he did so, but he avoided the punch and swung around throwing back a punch of his own.

Tamora parried the off balanced assault with a overhand block and struck him in the chest with both palms, launching Grey backwards. He fell with another plop on the bamboo mat.

"That was a little better," smiled Tamora. "How did you see me coming? I hit you the last five times."

"I was just thinking about what Vincent had said," coughed Grey, trying to catch his breath. "I am just trying to  believe in myself."

"You take things way too seriously," laughed Tamora. She leaped into the air and gracefully landed on the mat. All around her, the other children sparred, displaying dazzling feats of physical endurance and dexterity. Carissa, the girl who had spoken earlier, was fighting against Oswin. She nearly walked on the walls, dashing left and right, sliding underneath his legs and striking him in the back.

Ciara was running around one of the practice dummies. Her opponent was a fellow named Damien, a broad shouldered young man with a chiseled chin. He struck at the dummy at incredible speeds, attempting to land a shot at Ciara. One punch and the dummy flew back, nearly hitting Ciara behind it.

"Time!" shouted Vincent. "Stop your practices and sit in a circle."

Grey followed Tamora and took his place amongst the children. Many of them murmured to themselves, sweating from their exercises. Oswin came up behind Grey.

"Ugggh," said Oswin, falling to his knees. "Why is everyone here so freakishly strong. This isn't fair. I got beaten by a girl!"

Grey laughed. "There is always someone stronger than you. Iris is stronger than you too."

"This is different though," sighed Oswin, "Iris is a grown up. I got beaten by a little girl!"

Carissa glanced towards Oswin. She smiled and gave him a thumbs down.

"See! Look at that cocky little. I am going to beat her one of these days. Just you wait."

"Everyone!" boomed Vincent, calling the children's attention. "I hope you take today's lesson's to heart and continue your cultivation with an open mind. Your greatest enemy is yourself. Now go back to your retainers."

A group of adults stood by the door of the dojo. One of them, a man dressed in a black hood, nodded to Vincent. Vincent turned away with a ugly expression on his face. The hooded man smiled. Carissa and Tamara ran up to him.

"Lupites!" said Tamara, "Did you get to see me? Wasn't I so awesome?"

"Master," said Carissa, bowing. "Has you trip been well? I heard from Stella you attacked one of the Heavenly Kings. How did that go?"

"Humph. Heavenly King," murmured Lupites, "Certainly, Ixial deserves such a name, but in the ways of the subterfuge he is still my junior. It was a draw."

The hooded man's eyes glanced towards Grey, Oswin, and Ciara. "Those children. I have not seen them before. Who are they from?"

"They are from Iris," said Tamora, "Though I did not think they were at first. They are all so clumsy and flatfooted. You think they had never trained in their entire lives."

"Did you use spells against one another?" said Lupites.

"We did not, but Vincent had asked for their abilities and so we learned them all. The girl can make things disappear, the blond boy can avoid things thrown at him, and the blind boy can heal himself.

"Make things disappear?" said Lupites, intrigued.

"Yes," said Tamora, "She picked up a ball and it disappeared."

Lupites scoffed.

"Are they more talented than us?" asked Carissa, concerned. She had always thought of herself as one of the best. Would her place be taken by one of these new children?

"It is too early to say," chuckled Lupites. "But it appears Iris had gotten herself some interesting toys. I shall examine them thoroughly when the council has come."

~~~

"She has still not come yet," said Grey, worried. The other children had left except for them. Iris was nowhere to be found. Ham scurried up his shirt, popping her little furry head out of his collar.

"Grey! Grey!" said a little squeaky voice.

"Ham," smiled Grey. "Where were you? Did you get scared again?"

"Ham does not get scared all the time," pouted the little mouse, "Ham just wanted to take a look around."

"Ha-ha, is that so. Did you find anything interesting?"

"Ham did not. This place is so smelly. Like a bathroom, but with no toilet. Why did you fight with all those humans? Did you get hungry?"

"I did not get hungry," laughed Grey. "It is training. We fight each other to get stronger."

"Do you kill each other?"

Grey shook his head. "It is for practice. We attack each other and stop when we beat the other person. It helps us get stronger."

Ham pondered for a moment. "Can Ham train too?"

"I...I think so?" replied Grey. He had never heard of a monster training, but if humans could do it. Couldn't monsters do it too?

"But not here," said Grey, shaking his head.

"Why not?" pouted Ham

"Because someone might see you."

Grey poked the mouse on the head, and hid it back under his shirt.

~~~

A few hours later, Iris came to the dojo. She gave a few words to the children and took them back to the inn. That night they slept soundly, too tired to dream. The next morning, Grey woke up to the chirping of birds. Iris was at her study, writing on a parchment.

"Iris?" said Grey, drowsily.

"Yes, Grey?" smiled Iris, writing. "Today is an important day. We will be doing your initiate rites for the guild. A few tests nothing more."

"Tests?"

"Do you not want to?" said Iris, "You don't have to take them. They are just so that other people in the guild get to know what kind of person you are."

"No, I will take them," said Grey, quickly. "I just...I didn't know we had tests. I could have studied for them.

"You could have," said Iris, "but then again I wanted you to learn something else. The chain-linked system. Tell me your thoughts on it."

"It's a formation," said Grey. "like the 'Constellation of Ares' but it feels a lot different."

"Good," nodded Iris. "What else? Tell me what you felt."

"I felt strong, powerful. When Vincent crushed a training dummy into a million pieces it felt as if I did that with him. That it was me that crushed the dummy and not Vincent."

Grey motioned his hands, recalling the feeling.

"It also felt like I wasn't in control," said Grey. "I felt strong, but it felt as if someone else was pushing me towards something. Was...was Vincent controlling me?"

"In a way he was," said Iris, folding the parchment at her desk. "Originally, it was way to communicate from far away, but in combat it can be used to direct magic towards a particular target, even if your allies were unconscious. Just remember the feeling for it. Everything else is not important."

Grey had more questions to ask, but Iris stopped him, lightly tapping him on his forehead.

"Wake everyone else up," smiled Iris, "We have to be there in an hour."

~~~

"Oswin? What are you doing?" said Grey. The children were walking behind Iris to the guildhall.

"I am writing down my skills," said Oswin. He had an empty book in his hands. He took out a quill dipped in ink and started to write a chart of his strengths and weaknesses. "It is so I know how strong I am and what I need to learn."

Oswin scribbled some notes and started to draw a portrait of his face. Ciara leaned over and took a look.

"What are you doing?" said Ciara, curiously.

"As I was saying," said Oswin, "I am writing down my skills. I am now drawing my face so that I know this is me."

"Why do you need to draw that?" said Ciara, leaning closer. Her eyes nearly plastered on the page.

"It's my book, and I wanted to draw my face," sighed Oswin, placing his hands up to push away Ciara's face. "Anyway, go away. This is my space. Know some modesty."

"What are you talking about," said Ciara, "I am modest! Grey am I not modest?"

Ciara leaned towards Grey and nearly kissed him.

"Yes," said Grey, uncomfortably. He pointed straight in front of him. "Oh look what is that?"

"What is it?" said Ciara.

"That thing that is far away. Can you see it? It has that shiny top on the roof."

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"Where is it? I can't see anything." said Ciara, rising up on her tippy-toes

"You have to get closer," said Grey. "It is far away."

Grey heard Ciara walk away and sighed in relief. Oswin walked beside him and murmured.

"She forgot you can't see. She is going to be upset when she figures that out."

"It's okay," said Grey. "She will forget about it."

"Grey!" shouted Ciara, a few yards away.  "I can't see anything...wait a minute..."

"I think she has figured it out," said Oswin.

"I think so too," said Grey. He hid behind Iris as Ciara came running towards him.

~~~

At the guildhall there was a lump on Grey's head as he walked inside. Ciara was next to him with a big smile on her face. At the counter, Iris spoke to the receptionist. It was a different woman. She had a long velvet dress with a badge on her chest. It wasn't the seal of the guild, but one of a dark purple crow. She smiled to the children, and led them into a room.

"My name is Veronica. I shall be your host for the day. I come bearing alms from Lupites."

"He is still alive is he?" said Iris "Disappointing."

"As are the rest of the council," said Veronica. A sly smile beneath her words. "I shall take you to them, but first that mouse? It will need to be placed in a more....observable location."

Veronica's eyes glowed an eerily purplish light. The mouse's body suddenly glowed beneath Grey's shirt.

Ciara gasped in shock. Oswin snapped to attention. Iris raised her hands to calm them down. "A scurrying ability. It shows things that one wants to find in the world. No need to be so frightened."

"I don't believe you have forgotten the rules," smiled Veronica. Her eyes no longer glowing. "Beasts are to remain in solitude while the meetings are in place."

"Not at all," said Iris. She turned to Grey. "Can you give Ham to Veronica Grey? They will put her in pen with other monsters and food. At least till the meeting is over."

Grey turned towards Ham who was looking curiously from his collar. "Can't she just run around the city till we are finished?"

"She can but it would be safer for her here," said Iris.

Grey whispered a few words to Ham. She squeaked back at him and he handed her over to Veronica.

"She says she is okay with it."

Veronica smiled, watching Grey. She took the mouse from his hand. "When you are ready. Follow me, Iris."  

Iris nodded, and turned towards the children.

"Wait here," said Iris. "I have to discuss a few things, but when I call you. You must come out. Alright?"

The children nodded. Veronica opened the door in front of the children, and led Iris inside.

~~~

A room darker than the darkest night. A row of chairs were set in front of several table, forming a large circle. Men shrouded in shadows sat across from one another. Their forms hidden by the darkness. Iris took her seat in one of the empty chairs. She knew each of the members by names. They had all met once, a long time ago, but that was before this hall had been built.

"So why have you called us Iris?" said Lupites, "Have your tests been successful. Have you found your successor?"

"I have not," said Iris, "They are still too young. Too naive."

"Then why have you called us?" said Lupites, impatiently. "I was fighting the Ixial and had him till a standstill till I received your summons. Now, I must spend another twenty years to find him again."

"And I had nearly broken through the fifth gate of the Imperial Capital," spoke Terenias, "I could have slain the king's heir and yet you bring me back. I find this rather worrisome, old friend."

"Come now," smiled Iris, "I think you will find some things interesting about this new batch I have gathered. I believe even you would find one that will suit your tastes."

"Oh, is there even one for me?" said Claudia, cheerfully. A massive oriental fan waved beneath the shadows. "I do like them handsome. It always gets the blood flowing."

"You speak so well of them," said Kolfecg with a boisterous voice. "Do you say they have better talent than my disciple. The Heart Seeker Killer."

"Heart Seeker Killer?" whispered Saeda. "A little too tawdry for my sensibilities. Why not name oneself after a color or an animal? It makes it a lot easier if one didn't know how you killed."

"It was not my choice," scoffed Kolfecg. His shadow turned monstrous, spikes protruding from his flesh. "Very well. Send them in. Let us look at the fruits that you have picked."

Iris smiled.

"Oswin! Grey! Ciara! Come in."

The door opened, revealing three nervous children.

Iris stood up and led them to the center of the room, so that all eyes may see them.

"I do like the blond one. He has such good eyes," said Saeda; several shadowy hands moved behind her, each carrying a different weapon.

"It has not begun yet," scolded Kolfecg. "I shall ask the questions, but first do you know why you are here?"

Grey nodded.

"It is a tradition that we go through several tests. So that we can get to know the rest of the guild."

"Yes," said Kolfecg. He looked at Iris suspiciously. "That is true."

He stood up, and opened the palm of his hand.

"Then, I begin. I will present to you four gifts. After I have finished speaking. You are to choose one of these gifts so that we may know what person you endeavor to be. Do you understand what it is I have said?"

"Yes, sir." said the children.

Kolfecg nodded and spoke.

"The first gift I give to you is the power of strength. The strength to eliminate your enemies. The strength to beat back your fears. You will live the rest of your days knowing that you are the strongest and never know of defeat. This is the first choice I will give to you."

Kolfecg released his aura and bathed the children in reddish light. There was no force behind his aura, save for a melody. A tune which reverberated in their souls.

"The second gift I give to you is the gift of health. That no mortal blow shall ever harm you. That you will never grow old till the end of time. Your mind will not age. Your body will not sicken. You will be as fit and strong as you are in your prime. This is the second choice I give to you."

He pressed down on his aura, and each child felt a slight pressure upon their necks as if a weight had been placed on their shoulders.

"The third gift I give to you is wisdom. So that no trap can ever hold you nor lies ever deceive you. That no mind could ever outwit nor outthink. You will bend the fates to your will and live a life content and fulfilled. This is the third gift I give to you."

A wind swirled in the room and caressed each of the children, their eyes shut closed in a trance. Images of their lives flashed before the councils eyes, a cloud  of memories that floated and dispersed into their minds. In it they learned their secrets, their desires. The children's life lay bare and exposed. Kolfecg paused for a moment, recollecting scenes from Grey's memories. He looked at the boy with interest, and a smiled.

"The fourth gift I give to you is glory. I offer you fame beyond your wildest dreams. That riches may pour from the skies and that men and women may beg for your attention. I give you a world that bows to your whim and desire. That will love you till the end of the ages. This is the fourth gift I give to you."

The memories gathered up into one collective form, a mist that formed over the children's head, blown together by the wind in the room.

"Now answer me, Oswin. What is your heart's desire? "

"I...I...desire," said Oswin in a trance. His words cold and unfeeling. "I desire...strength. So that I may be the strongest in the world."

"Then it shall be so," cackled Kolfecg. A flash of light crashed down on Oswin's head and he fell unconscious. "Now answer me, Ciara. What is your heart's desire?"

"I...desire..." said Ciara, "I desire glory so that I may be loved....that I will never be alone...."

"Then it shall be so."

Another flash of light crashed down on Ciara's head. She fell down unfeeling.

The last child, Grey, lay suspended in the air. A whirlwind of memories over his head.

"Now answer me, Grey. What is your heart's desire?"

"I...." said Grey, diving into his memories. Baylee. Sho. Mylene. The people in his life looked down upon him. They were all gone. They would all leave him in the end one way or another. He knew it, in his heart. No one could stay forever....

"I...choose health," said Grey. "That the choices I make....though they might be wrong...will be mine to bear...till the end of time."

"Then," said Kolfecg. A row of jagged teeth, smiled in the darkness. "It shall be so."

A flash of light. And all became dark.  

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Author's Note:

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Took me a while to write some of the dialogue, so late release it is! It still might be off in some places. But I think it's alright. Going through the progression in my head, and on my notes.  I shall see you next time! (^.^)