The floor of Akitomo’s secret library was strewn with scrolls. Its shelves were broken and tipped, and desks and chairs lay overturned. There had been a fight here between powerful adversaries.
Akisane resisted the urge to draw his sword, for he’d previously encountered carinkul but didn’t want to threaten William. Still, he looked about uneasy. Those creatures feasted on the residue of imagination that gathered in these places like dust, and with the entrance open, they would infest the place sooner or later.
There on the ground sat a familiar codex, which he picked up. It was the most complete collection from the Epic of the Giant Slayer. Save for the Rebellion of the Spirits it was the oldest story that has survived to this day. Before civilization, the great trees were plentiful, but the giants cut them down indiscriminately until the trees' numbers dwindled to less than a hundred. As a last-ditch effort, the trees created Genisis Vas and gave it to the hero Ajan, who embarked on an adventure to slay the twelve giant chiefs.
William sat with his back against the wall, and his head turned so that only one side of his face showed. “A tragic tale. Ajan never fulfilled his quest. He defeated the giants but never reached the Underworld Core with the sword.”
Akisane sat the codex on the shelf. “He never brought the trees back. I do read sometimes, you know.”
“Unless you plan to kill me again, please leave.”
“I just want to say I shouldn’t have followed his orders.”
William turned his head just far enough to show the half-face full of hate. “But you did.”
“And I’ve regretted it ever since. That moment haunts me.”
William turned aside again and gave him a sidelong look. “None of that matters now. Things can never be as they were again.”
Akisane was tired of standing over his brother, so he sat on the floor. “I can defeat Akitomo.”
“Doubtful, but even if you could, the necromancer, Metztli, won’t let you live if you ruin her plans.”
Akisane put a hand on Darksun. “I have this.”
“When I was resurrected, it wasn’t to bring me back. The necromancers come from a species that recycles their numbers. Another was born in my body and dominated my mind until its defeat. I have its memories, and it’s not mankind that their kind fear, but only the great spirits. The Darksun Sword isn’t one of their concerns because they know you will be chased down by the demon who seeks its return.”
“You know of the blade?”
“Yes, I can remember two who dared take it for themselves. It will destroy you. Right now, you should leave for other lands. You might survive for years if you stay on the move.”
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“I’ve come to return it.”
“It’s not possible. Leave. The blade will draw you a following, an army that you will drain of spirit until they are nothing but zombies. You’ll destroy kingdoms and think you’re ahead, but the demon won’t stop, and it will walk over mountains and under oceans until it catches you.”
Akisane didn’t like the sound of that. Is it true?
Only if you wish it. Perhaps one who gathers the strength of millions can defeat Thailoc.
The strength of millions? That would mean he’d have to be the worst villain ever to save his own life. And he’d subconsciously stolen some lifeforce of the Dunaguardians before he’d known it was possible. He might have turned them into zombies if he hadn’t learned about this. “Come on, I’m bringing you to Mother. You were always her favorite. She’ll be glad to see you and take care of you.”
“I don’t know if I’ll retain control of my body when Atzi recovers.”
“If she helps you, she’ll help Atzi, too. It’ll be fine.”
“I would like her to know I still exist.”
Akisane clasped hands and helped William up. They took the passageway into the grand hall and stepped onto the dais beside the high seat. “Not long ago, this is where the Duke told me you were planning to kill him. Is it true?” Whitebeard had almost become a piece of furniture that one could ignore, but he thought about retracting his question.
But William, who ran a hand along the carved black marble, answered immediately. “Yes. I had half the Black Order willing to side with me.”
The box with the head remained beside the seat. The intelligent thing to do would be to hide it or destroy it, but after reuniting with his brother, Akisane didn’t want to. “I cut the Butcher’s head off, and now it’s a present for the dear old Duke.”
“You aren’t the Henry I remember.”
“I was given power and a death sentence, and I have nothing to lose. And damn it, if I won’t go down fighting.”
Shank’s footfalls echoed as he crossed from the open doors to stand before them. “William, you look… good. Akisane, if we’re going to return that cursed thing, we better go now.”
Akisane nodded and stepped down from the dais. “I’m going to escort my brother to the family wing, and then we’ll descend.”
Chains rattled, and Whitebeard’s low rumble filled the hall. “Tomorrow feels much like yesterday to me, except there are thousands of them, and only a few avoid disaster. Your path is to fight in the tournament tomorrow. The Duke has lost patience and will demand an all-out war in the arena. You must survive to the end.”
Shank’s face twisted in confusion. “What kind of nonsense is he talking?”
Akisnae stared at the soloknight, but the white-haired man had already drooped his head. “Akitomo warned me about prescience. But then I trust him least of all.”
As they passed the chained man, William paused for a moment. “Metztli wants nothing more than to drain you. She thinks you have some role in this new age. Why don’t you save yourself?”
“The last thing you should worry about is my life.”
Level: 17
Vertical Rings: 7
Focus: Telekinesis
Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker
Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12