Grisdon Castle (Viltik Family Residence), Nest, Hearthridge, Maple

One moment the pitch-dark hallway was empty. In the next moment there stood Councillor Floyd, donning the Black Cloak, and beside him was James Sparks, who looked even more pale and jittery than usual.

Councillor Floyd immediately let go of Sparks’ arm and stepped forward towards the great auburn doors before him, but Sparks, in his characteristically squeaky voice, started speaking softly but rapidly, “Councillor, I know that it is not in my place to say this to you, but as you know from the Common Law, it is not lawful for a citizen of a country to enter another without the appropriate permits, and transportation is strictly restricted to and from, or within, the Central City, and so I feel that this —”

Councillor Floyd placed a palm onto Sparks’ forehead, which Transcended his Mind and left him standing tall and stiff, gazing blankly ahead. Councillor Floyd then waved at the doors, which creaked open. He stepped in, taking the utmost care to conceal his presence with Connexion. Councillor Viltik’s bedroom was pitch black, and Councillor Floyd had to Sense his way across the stupendously large room until he stopped beside the bed where Councillor Viltik was fast asleep. Councillor Floyd hovered his hand over Councilor Viltik’s chest and when he Sensed the man’s heartbeat he was almost overwhelmed by Viltik’s vitality, astonishingly powerful despite his age of almost sixty. Then Floyd Sensed the Life pulsing through Viltik’s blood and began to Transcend It, pulling his Life away from his Body, drawing it into his palm. The tips of his fingers began to vibrate from the sheer force of Viltik’s Life. But as he tried to move the Life up his own arm and into the core of his Body, Floyd felt a resistance. He tugged harder, but the Life was strong, heavy, and dutifully attached to its rightful Body. Floyd gave a rough tug, but this snapped the thread of Life running from Viltik’s chest to his palm, and some Life rebounded back into Viltik’s Body. Viltik’s Body rocked and his eyes flew open.

Floyd raised his arms up with Barrier Connexion just in time as Viltik arose and hurled his fist towards Floyd. The thunderous sound of the impact reverberated through the halls. Floyd was sent barrelling backwards and hit the wall on the other side of the room with a thud. When Floyd returned to his feet, Viltik was marching towards him, his Body ablaze from head to toe. His hair, usually wild and unruly like a lion’s mane, was now a hundred flames dancing and licking the air like whips. His eyes was a smouldering red like two burning coals. With each exhale smoke billowed from his mouth. This was Kaelen Viltik, the most powerful man in all of Kaps, who became Councillor not by leadership or even by Connexion, but by brute strength alone.

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But when Viltik came close enough to recognise Floyd, he stopped and said, “Floyd, what are you —”

Then he saw the Black Cloak and growled, “So it was you.”

Floyd did not reply, but instead drew his blade, which had been hidden underneath the Black Cloak.

“You are a fool to face me in combat,” said Viltik. “You are no warrior. You are a Philosopher, a poet. And yet you sought the Black Cloak. I suppose that makes you a fool.”

Floyd said nothing, simply standing his ground.

“I suppose it is a good thing that you have come to me then,” said Viltik. “By the Ancient Laws, the one who claims an Artefact of Death must die. I doubt Keys could have done the job.”

Viltik then hurled a flaming fist towards Floyd, but the fist passed through Floyd, who seemingly disintegrated into a thousand fragments. Realising that Floyd had Transcended his Mind and planted a mirage, Viltik turned around to face the real Floyd, but Floyd had already sent out a challis, which struck Viltik in the chest and ripped open a wound. However, Viltik recovered quickly and sent a ball of fire towards Floyd, who dodged it with surprising agility. Floyd reached out his arm and Sensed Viltik’s Life, already becoming more adept with his control over the powers of the Black Cloak. Floyd pulled Viltik’s Life away from him, more patiently than he had before. Viltik shuddered, and Floyd took this moment to Transcend his untrained Mind. Viltik attempted to charge at Floyd but faltered, losing control of the muscles in his limbs. Viltik roared, but even his voice was stifled. Floyd Transcended Viltik’s Body so that he was looking straight into Floyd’s eyes, which gave Floyd even greater access into Viltik’s Mind. Viltik was now frozen, his muscles bulging and straining, his face contorted into agony. Floyd began drawing the Life out of Viltik again, patiently but steadily. Thus the strongest man of Kaps began stepping towards Death.

Then, rushing towards the two of them from behind Viltik was a large ring, larger than Viltik himself, and inside that ring was another world, a forest at night. Floyd instinctually stepped aside, but the ring swallowed Viltik up and then was no more. Viltik was gone.

Floyd looked up and saw Sparks at the doorway, his hand outstretched, his face pale. Floyd saw that Sparks was about to disappear himself, and looked straight into Sparks’ eyes, again Transcending his Mind. Sparks fell to his knees. Floyd stepped up to him, grabbed him by the throat, and slammed him against the wall. Sparks made a gurgling sound in his throat, his eyes bulging with fear.

“Our journey is not yet over,” whispered Floyd.

Councillor Keys’ Private Chambers, Whitestone Castle (Keys Family Residence), Tarrin, Drum

Floyd stepped into the pitch-black chambers and surveyed the room with his Senses, but he Sensed only the crumpled bedsheets, the luggage strewn across the floor, and not a single Mind. Councillor Keys had clearly left in a hurry.

Councillor Floyd smiled.

“Oh…” he said, then recited the Old Verses. “And the children of Life will remember what was done to its Mother, and swear an oath against Death…”

Then he turned to leave with a swish of his Cloak.