Chapter IX

As if it were second nature, Ryokumo Caeli began to raise the platform to the higher levels of the Ijirian Citadel. Most of the denizens of the capitol building had to put a lot of focus and effort into lifting the silver disk, and there had been plenty of accounts of it dropping to the bottom and only being stopped by the fail-safe charm cast on the ground floor to prevent it from crashing. However, being the Master of Wind, Ryokumo was able to lift it as if raising a pea, and so he was able to focus on other matters while he waited for it to reach his floor. Namely, his focus was on the meeting he was going to attend—a meeting held by the Ijirian Masters to discuss the issue of the attack on the Citadel by the Children of Reiner, and how to go about forcing information out of the few prisoners they managed to take.

A few months back, when the attack that resulted in the theft of the Assassination Gem took place, the Citadel had been taken completely by surprise. It wasn’t easy for intruders to break into the building with how heavy the Citadel’s security was, but despite this, the Children of Reiner not only managed to get inside but even reached the Vault of the Relics and successfully escaped with it in their possession. A subclass of wind magic known as illusion magic was cast over the upper floors to make it so that anybody without a guide could never find their way to either their destination or to the exit. Only a handful of individuals were given the rights to pass through that magic—specifically, only members of the royal family and the most powerful figures in the high council. Theoretically, any intruders should have been caught in the illusion, unable to escape, but the Children of Reiner had not only been successful in finding the vault, but in getting away.

Which means they had a guide, he thought. But if that’s the case, then that means that there’s a traitor in the government… Yet, if that were true, it would mean that we not only had a traitor somewhere in our midst, but that they’re likely in the High Council. However, we’ve got alibis for each of them on the night of the attack, although that doesn’t mean a Child wasn’t given guideship at some other time prior. That’s possible, but…

Ryokumo hesitated to allow that train of thought to continue, knowing just how disastrous a traitor in the High Council could be for Ijiria’s national security. The Masters had already discussed the matter plenty of times over the past few months and had reached nothing more than mere speculation and theory, but this time, there was apparently a new development that needed addressing. Therefore, Ryokumo had no option but to attend.

I wonder what’s happened? We’ve been static for so long that it seems strange for something to come up so suddenly. Maybe Nakoma finally got Kirisan to talk, although I like to think he would have already informed me. Then again…he’s never exactly been my biggest fan.

As he reached his desired floor, Ryokumo brought the disk to a halt and stepped out into the silver halls beyond. Being as high up as he was, there weren't many people around. The only individuals he passed were apprentices for the High Council, and even a few of the members, though nobody stopped to greet him nor did he speak a word to them. The Masters and the High Council rarely ever talked to each other, and there was a certain level of distrust between them. It had been that way since the day Ryokumo became the Master of Wind and it had surely been like that since long before.

And it’s not like I can’t particularly blame them, he internally mused, clasping his hands together within the sleeves of the flower-print gown he wore—a traditional style of his home country of Sukon. If us Masters were to ever decide it, we could take this building by force and there would be little any of them could do to stop it.

He knew each member of the council was more than aware of that fact. The eight Masters of Ijiria were the most powerful people in the country, and perhaps even within their realm. Ryokumo, alone, could stand up against a small army, to say nothing of what he could do should any of the other Masters be standing by his side.

And I’m not even one of the strongest, he thought, his mind briefly switching to images of Nigreos and Album.

Of course, Ryokumo knew that the Masters would never even dream of turning on their country and their king, and even if they did, Prince Reigious and Princess Anna-Piura would be strong enough to stand in their way, so he knew the Council’s fears were misguided and fueled by fear. Yet, nothing would ever change that. No matter what was said or done, the Masters would always be looked at with caution, a lesson Ryokumo had learned long ago.

He rounded the corner and headed further down the corridor before finally coming to a large, obsidian door that was a stark contrast to the shiny silver walls of the hallway. The door had no knob and should he push it, it wouldn't open. It was a completely flat surface of blackish purple with the exception of nine indentations in the shape of hands placed in the center, though they varied in their sizes. Ryokumo didn’t hesitate, reaching out and placing his right hand in the indentation on the top right. For a moment, a tingling sensation erupted throughout his body, and the next moment, the obsidian door began to slide into the wall, revealing the empty chambers beyond. Ryokumo stalked inside and the door immediately closed behind him.

The Master ran his hands through his silver hair, which was combed back to make himself look presentable before his fellow Masters. He then smoothed out his curled mustache and his thin beard before glancing around the empty anteroom. Satisfied, he made his way to the door opposite where he stood and simply reached for the knob before pushing it open and stepping into the Chamber of the Masters.

“Ah, so there he is. I was wondering when you’d arrive, Caeli.”

Ryokumo stopped in the doorway and briefly scanned the room. The Chamber of the Masters was a high-ceilinged, circular room with a round table placed directly in the center. There were eight seats surrounding it and behind those chairs were banners hung to the walls, each displaying the symbol of that Master’s affinity. In addition, a ninth chair was placed on the opposite side from where Ryokumo stood, though this one was larger than the others, crafted of fine gold and velvet, with different-colored jewels adorning its armrests. That was the seat of the crown prince—the one who oversaw the meeting of the Masters.

Having scanned the room, Ryokumo then turned his attention to those seated around the table. Four figures were already in their places and some were looking his way. The one who had spoken when he first answered was a man named Nakoma Taurus—the Master of Fire. With his bright red hair slicked back and his narrow crimson eyes, he truly embodied the affinity he was bonded with. The man was an intimidating presence just sitting there, with his hands folded atop the table, but Ryokumo had seen his power first-hand and knew he was far more terrifying than he looked. He had been a Master longer than any of them and thus, he had the most respected position just under the prince.

“You say that like I’m late, Taurus, my friend,” he replied with a smile. “But as I look around, we’re still waiting on two more. Seems I’ve arrived with plenty of time to spare.”

Ryokumo moved around the table to take his seat beside the empty one used by Nigreos. With Nigreos and Album currently in Omaruo, that left only two more members to arrive.

Nakoma regarded him with a disinterested glance then shrugged, as if already bored of the conversation. “Well, it’s just that it always seems like you’re one of the first ones here. I was simply surprised, is all.”

Ryokumo folded his own hands atop the table and chuckled. “Well, I wasn’t actually in the Citadel when the summons came and so, I just happened to run into the prince’s messenger on my way home. Quite a lucky occurrence, if I do say, or else you all may have been waiting for a lot longer…” He grinned. “And I know how little you like to wait.”

“And what exactly were you doing down in the city?” came a sharp demand from across the table.

Sinna Cartus, the Master of Rock, was sneering at him like she often did. Ryokumo often internally remarked that the woman may have been rather pretty with her tanned skin, dark black hair tied back in a braid, and her sparkling amber eyes. However, he had trouble finding her attractive at all given the constant glares she always directed his way, as if he was the greatest scum of the realm. Much like Nakoma, she was a foreboding presence. The muscles of her arms were displayed for all by the sleeveless jerkin she wore, and he knew she could probably break his arms with a simple clutch. When she stood up, she was both built bigger and was taller than him.

Recovering from his brief internal musings about the woman, Ryokumo’s smile returned to his face as he regarded Sinna.

“What was I doing, you ask?” he replied. “Please, Cartus, I simply decided to go for a walk. The capitol is quite lively this time of year and sometimes I like to get out of this building and breathe in the fresh air. What’s so wrong about that?”

“Oh, don’t play the fool with us, Caeli,” chimed in the Master of Nature, Iris Mackia, her sickeningly sweet voice causing a brief feeling of discomfort in him. Of all the sorcerers that made up the Masters, she was easily the most unique in appearance. She was of a people known as the Kotonorish—a group that appeared as a mix between human and animal. Her eyes were bright yellow like a cat’s, and her face was covered in golden fur. Her golden hair was brushed back over her long, pointed ears, and when she smiled, he could see the sharpness of her teeth. Despite being predominantly humanoid, her face was closer to that of a cat than a human’s.

“We all know the real reason you enjoy sneaking out into the city,” she went on. “There’s no point in hiding it.”

He cocked an eyebrow, deciding to play dumb despite realizing there was no point in doing so. “Whatever could you mean? I would think you, of all people, would understand the desire to breathe in the air of nature.”

Iris leaned forward, her eyes locking on to him and her head tilting slightly to the side. “The fact that you consider this city to be a part of nature makes me fear for your mind, Caeli. Perhaps you’re beginning to lose it…after all…it seems you still find yourself attached to a traitor.”

Despite knowing how important it was to keep his composure, he felt a twinge of anger shoot through him at the woman’s words.

“Don’t try to deny it,” Sinna cut in before he could say anything. “We all know how often you visit Reiner’s monument. I imagine you were there today as well?’

Ryokumo glanced around the table, finding accusatory stares directed his way from Nakoma, Iris, and Sinna. The only one not glaring at him was the fifth Master at the table, though Ryokumo didn’t even know if she was paying attention. Her hood was pulled up to conceal her face and her forehead was resting against the table, as if she were sleeping. However, this wasn’t an uncommon sight for Nyx Rana, the Master of Water, and so, the other Masters simply chose to ignore her. Knowing he wouldn’t be receiving aid from the sleeping girl, Ryokumo turned back to face the other three.

“And if I was?” he retorted calmly. “Perhaps you’ve all forgotten, but Abi Reiner was one of my closest friends back at the academy. Is it so strange that I would visit a place of remembrance?”

“Oh we all remember, don’t worry about that,” Nakoma said with a wry smile. “Abi Reiner was a traitor, and now, even her little orphans are, too. That woman was a menace and the fact that you still regard her as if she were some saint speaks quite highly of your loyalties, Caeli. And, when there’s a known traitor somewhere in this building, can you blame us for finding your trips to the city odd?”

“Yes, I can,” he replied. “For one, I am not a guide, and therefore I could not have led them to the vault. And secondly, I think the three of you are all too quick to forget all of the good Abi Reiner brought to this country. You especially, Mackia.”

Iris tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. “Me?”

“Abi was a miracle worker as far as creating spells for nature,” he went on. “Spells I’ve personally witnessed you using. You may be the Master of Nature now…but you’re merely standing upon her shoulders—using information that she, herself, trusted you with. Abi saved more lives than you could ever comprehend and, regardless of what happened to her at the end, it is a disservice to her to ever forget that. So yes. I visited her grave. I honor her memory. It’s what she deserves.”

“Ryokumo is correct,” came a sudden voice from behind them.

As if struck by electricity, all five Masters at the table jumped to their feet, turned, and bowed. Even Nyx, who hadn’t moved once since Ryokumo’s arrival, was on her feet with her head lowered. They’d been so caught up in conversation that they hadn’t heard the man come in until he spoke.

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“Thank you,” Prince Reigious Iiji called out as he proceeded into the room. “Now take your seats.” All five dropped back to their chairs as Reigious walked around the table and sat down in the golden chair. The man looked just like his older sister with his emerald green hair and deep blue eyes, though unlike Piura, instead of wearing military style clothing, he wore a finely woven coat with large brass buttons and an upturned wingless collar. On his shoulders were lapels decorated with the golden insignias of the king.

He briefly glanced around then said, “You as well, Seiras. And would you take that damn hood off. Same to you, Nyx.”

It was then that Ryokumo realized that Reigious had not entered alone. Still standing in the doorway was a cloaked halfling about three feet tall. The man slowly raised his head and reached up to pull down the hood, revealing his scarred features to those present. His face was grotesque and his blue eyes were bulging in a way that always sent shivers down Ryokumo’s spine. His thinning, shoulder-length gray hair was greasy and the hands that protruded from his robes were wrinkled. When he smiled, he revealed the many teeth that were missing from his mouth.

“My apologies, my prince,” whispered Seiras Ka, the Master of the Mind, as he licked his lips. Laughing softly to himself, he moved around the table to crawl up onto his seat between Nakoma and Sinna. Both regarded him with a look of disgust, but the halfling paid them no mind. His eyes were focussed only on Reigious.

“Um, Your Highness.” Speaking for the first time, Nyx Rana raised her hand and regarded the man. She had done as requested and removed her hood, revealing her youthful features, her long silver hair, and her pale white eyes, which were half-lidded and dazed from sleep. She looked no older than sixteen though Ryokumo knew she wasn’t so young.

“Yes, Nyx?” Reigious asked. “What is it?”

The woman blinked lethargically for a moment and then did as requested. “You say Caeli is correct to respect the memory of Abi Reiner, and I find that surprising. I know what she did for you…but does that still overturn the bad?”

Sinna, Nakoma, and Iris all turned to look at him with expressions of anticipation. Regardless of what they truly thought about Abi, if Prince Reigious took Ryokumo’s side, they wouldn’t speak of it in front of him again. Though Ryokumo already knew how he would respond. He and the prince had discussed the matter many times in the past.

Reigious regarded Nyx for a moment, then scanned those seated at the table. When next he spoke, his voice was firm. “Naturally I am aware of the many crimes committed by Abigail Reiner in the weeks leading up to her death, and I even bore witness to some of them, but I don't condone her actions. She was a smart woman and would have known what repercussions would be awaiting her should she rebel. However…” He momentarily looked to Ryokumo then back to the others. “...Abigail Reiner saved my life. Without her, I wouldn't be sitting here before you. Regardless of what she became, it would be foolish to overlook the good she brought us. Consider that next time you wish to accuse Ryokumo of treason simply because he visits the grave of his dear friend.”

While Iris and Sinna refused to look back at the prince, both probably reeling from his declaration, Nyx merely nodded, as if all she wanted was to satisfy her curiosity while Nakoma appeared like he simply wanted the discussion to turn to the reason they were there in the first place.

“Well spoken, Your Highness,” Seiras said, breaking the momentary silence.

Reigious looked back at Ryokumo, and the Master of Wind bowed his head to show his gratitude. The prince nodded back to him, then cleared his throat and went on.

“Now, since we’re all here, I’d like to begin,” he declared. “Naturally, I’m sure you’re all aware that I’ve called you here to once again discuss the recent attack on the Citadel and simply put, we’re getting nowhere. Interrogations of the captured Children of Reiner have amounted to nothing. No matter what we’ve done, not a single one has broken under our demands.”

Ryokumo exchanged a brief glance with Nakoma. The two of them were already aware of the current state of the interrogations since they were the ones in charge of them. The loyalty of the Children was admirable. No matter what pain they suffered, they would not reveal what they knew. There were many, even, who claimed to know nothing, and once Nakoma had realized they weren’t lying, he used his magic to burn them to death as an example for those left, but even that failed to reach them. As it stood, they only had five more prisoners, all of which they believed had entered the vault.

“And what of that new captive Noctis brought in?” Sinna inquired. “Nothing from her either?”

Reigious shook his head. “No. Even she refuses to tell us anything. However, we know she is important because she is the only one we’ve been able to confirm was actually in the Vault.”

“Unfortunately, we’ve been able to learn nothing else,” Seiras interrupted. “I’ve probed her mind myself, but we can’t learn anything about the guide. Perhaps the answer lies in those Miss Luz erased, for no matter what I do, nobody seems to have any recollection of who led them.”

Nakoma clicked his tongue in irritation. “Yes, I do wish Luz had been a little more cautious with her erasure. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if answers lay with that Rista Pine fellow. He was the one they entrusted the relic and the realm dagger to. What was so special about that boy?”

“In her defense,” Iris began, “Pine did take them by surprise. Had he escaped into Omaruo, it would have been a lot harder to locate him. At least now, they won’t have to worry about engaging him.”

Sinna scowled. “She and Noctis are two of the most powerful mages in this country. The fact that a mere boy took them by surprise is laughable. There is no defense for that blunder.”

“Pine may have been a child,” Ryokumo said. “But he was a child trained by Abi. That, alone, speaks for his skills.”

The Master of Rock narrowed her eyes and Ryokumo returned the expression with a glare of his own, but before any argument could erupt between the two of them, Nyx cut in with another raise of her hand. As was typical of her, she waited until Reigious gave her a nod of permission before speaking.

“And what of Noctis and Luz?” she asked. “Have we heard anything from them?”

Reigious shook his head. “No, nothing. There have been no attempts made to return to Ijiria. As it stands, we are completely blind as to what’s happening in Omaruo.”

Nakoma shook his head. “And why is that? I thought we were under the impression that some local had picked the damn thing up. It should be as simple as tracing the mana, erasing the fool who used it, and returning the relic. Should it not have been a quick trip?”

The prince furrowed his brow and sighed. “Unfortunately…I do not know. My sister and I believe…that it’s possible there was somebody waiting for them in Omaruo. After all, we always wondered why Pine tried to jump Omaruo. Abi used to live there…so it’s possible that it was not found by a local…but by somebody who had been waiting for it.”

Seiras laughed softly to himself and Ryokumo eyed him with irritation, wondering what the man could possibly be laughing at. For a moment, the halfling simply smacked his lips and looked to the ceiling as if thinking.

“What’s so funny, Ka?” Nakoma growled. “What about this crisis do you find so amusing?”

Seiras’s head snapped back down and he fixed his bulging eyes onto the Master of Fire. “Funny? Yes…what is so funny? To be frank, I’m not so sure. Maybe I’m simply laughing at how absurd this all is! Our great Citadel, the most marvelous building in this realm, was attacked by a group of children…and our relic was sent to a magicless realm…taken by a stranger that even Darkness and Light seem to be struggling against. Everything about this is an anomaly… Do you not find it fascinating, Taurus? I feel as if I’m witnessing the making of history? I feel it in my bones. And I can’t wait to see what happens when the dust settles?”

“Bite your tongue, you little weasel,” Nakoma growled in warning. “I don’t find this fascinating in the slightest!”

Seiras broke out into more maniacal laughter, causing all at the table except Nyx and Reigious to look at him in disgust.

“Oh, but that’s not true, is it, Taurus?” Seiras shouted, jumping to his feet. “I can sense it in your mind! I can sense it in all your minds! Each of you knows what the implications of these events are! A relic is gone! Nigreos Noctis and Album Luz have vanished! And there is a traitor in our midst…either in the royal family or in the council! Cogs are turning—ones that few of us can see, and you’re all planning your next move! Each of you wants to ensure you come out on top when the curtains rise. It’s exhilarating! Is it not?!”

Ryokumo reached up and put his face in his hands. Outbursts like that were not unusual in the slightest for the Master of the Mind. Yet, they always caused a stir, and he suspected that was exactly what Seiras enjoyed. When Ryokumo spared a glance at the prince, the man was simply staring at the halfling with an exasperated look.

“Sit down, Seiras,” Reigious commanded with an offhanded wave.

At those words, the man instantly dropped down into the seat and bowed his head, though the insane smile twisting his lips did not vanish. The other Masters all looked ready to jump to their feet and tell him off, except Nyx, whose head was once again laying against the table. However, in the presence of the prince, nobody lashed out and instead, they all waited expectantly for him to take the meeting back on track.

Reigious glanced around at them then cleared his throat. “Loath as I am to say it after such an outburst, Seiras isn't far off from the heart of the problem. It is a fact that something big is happening. Children reached the vault. They had to have had a guide, and I can count on one hand how many people could have done it. The problem is that all have alibis. The only possibility would be an imposter using illusion magic to create an alibi or…”

“An unknown guide,” Nyx finished softly.

Reigious nodded. “Yes, an unknown guide,”

Ryokumo furrowed his brow in thought. It was a possibility they had brought up numerous times. One of the few faults in the illusion spell cast over the halls was that when one was designated as a guide, they could then designate others. So, there could be others with the ability to act as a guide and they would never know and if they didn’t know then there was nothing stopping that individual from spreading guideship to whomever they pleased.

“If that’s the case, I find it unlikely that anybody other than Abi would bestow those privileges upon her children,” Ryokumo said.

“Agreed,” Sinna grunted. “But then who would bestow those privileges upon her?”

The only ones who had that ability was Reigious, Piura, the three top members of the High Council, as well as the king. However, there wasn’t one among them who would have entrusted the guideship to Abi after her disappearance. Nothing was adding up and Ryokumo was certain that there was a variable they were missing that would explain it all, but for the life of him, he couldn’t imagine what it was.

“I am not sure,” Reigious muttered, rubbing his chin in thought. “However, I believe we may have a new method of interrogation that may answer some of these questions…one that may be more effective than simple pain.”

Nakoma cocked an eyebrow in interest. “Oh? Do tell, Your Majesty.”

“No, no, no, no, it would be me who should tell!”

At Seiras’s sudden words, Nakoma glanced over at him in a mix of anger and surprise. Before anybody could protest, Reigious motioned for the halfling to go on.

“As you all know, I’ve been spending a lot of time hiding out in my quarters recently,” he began, “and now, I think my time alone has amounted to something great.”

“Get to the point,” Sinna snapped.

“Pain is a very simple thing,” Seiras went on, informing her. “When one is harmed, they experience pain, and unless they are messed in the mind, they will dislike that pain. However, that’s all it is: Pain. And when one becomes accustomed to it, it will cease to be effective. Our bodies are but simple machines of meat…a substance that serves to house our brain…and the brain is what houses us. We may appear like a physical being but we are contained within this physical creation…so if you want to truly hurt somebody then you must attack them…not their meat.”

“So what then?” Iris inquired, flashing her teeth in an intrigued smile. “How do you intend to harm their being?”

Seiras smiled wildly and laughed once again. “It’s a secret! But what I can tell you is that I’ve found a way to turn the mind against itself! Rather than merely reading it or controlling it, I have found a way to cause their being to attack their being! Why should we have to harm them when they can harm themselves! And if you twist their being enough, eventually they will shatter and all of their secrets will come spilling out like blood.”

A shiver went up Ryokumo’s spine as he listened to Seiras. He had no idea what the man was going on about, but he could tell that he wasn’t lying. Seiras had made some breakthrough in his field and it sounded like something that might have been better off unknown.

“Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to test my knowledge on intelligent life,” he continued, “and so our glorious prince has allowed me to take the interrogation over and snap the minds of these children as if they were mere twigs.”

At that, Nakoma instantly looked to Reigious in shock. “You’re giving him command of the interrogation?”

The prince nodded. “Yes, I am. You have done all you can, Nakoma, but it hasn’t worked. At this point, I’m starting to believe there’s nothing we can do, and so I’m going to allow Seiras to give it a try. At the very least, even if we don’t get anything out of the Children, Seiras can experiment with his findings. It’s a gain either way.”

“I see,” Iris mused. “So that’s how it is. I guess I can accept that.”

“So what about Caeli and I?” Nakoma asked softly. “What will you have us do instead?”

“Well, as far as you’re concerned, Nakoma, I want you on standby for the time being,” the prince replied. “We’ve been receiving more reports from Harunhein on the Trovian border and I’m starting to fear that I might need to send somebody up there. If violence breaks out, I’m going to need you ready to go.”

At that, the Master of Fire snorted. “Damn Trovians again. Yeah, fine. I’ll wait on standby.”

Reigious nodded, then glanced over at Ryokumo. “As for you, Caeli, I actually want you to stay on the interrogation with Seiras. After all, I want another Master present to act as an impartial judge of the effectiveness of Seiras’s findings.”

Ryokumo cringed internally and glanced across the table to where the Master of the Mind was staring back at him with a twisted smile further ruining his scarred face.

“Well, I look forward to working at your side, Ryokumo Caeli,” he whispered.

Instantly, he felt a wave of unease wash over him. He had a bad feeling about whatever experiments Seiras intended to conduct on the Children of Reiner, but from the sound of it, it wasn’t anything that he wanted to see. He was already pained by the torture he and Nakoma had been putting Abi’s Children through and he wasn’t sure he could stomach whatever the Master of the Mind intended to do to them. Yet, at the same time, if he knew what Seiras planned to do, it may be beneficial in the future. Knowledge was power, after all.

Ryokumo took a deep breath, knowing he couldn’t deny Reigious’s request, and nodded.

“Understood, Your Highness.”