When Ezekiel woke up, he was surprised to find that he felt incredibly good for a man who had just been skewered by several bolts of lightning. He nearly panicked when he realized that Shine had been knocked from his hand when he passed out, but as he felt Shine’s comforting reassurances in the back of his mind he calmed down.
“That didn’t go well, did it?” Shine asked what had happened when he passed out. “I mean... the fact that we managed to cut a Mythic level Hunter is great for our progress, but bad for our anonymity, isn't it?”
They were trying to change the subject after they had explained that a spy had tried to take Shine away when Ezekiel had been knocked out. It had been nearly half a day since the spar with Exalt Harras. Physically, Ezekiel had recovered quite quickly, as had Shine. Though Shine was more strained than actually injured. Fortunately, it seemed like Ezekiel was willing to let things slide since Exalt Harras had personally taken care of the spy, and their Spirit.
“It’s not like we were that anonymous to begin with. Hiding wasn’t an option since I’m the only Adept Void Hunter in the world. Perhaps the only Adept Void Mage as well.” Ezekiel replied. “But I think we managed to impress the Exalt. So, we might get a bit of a reprieve from the various noble factions in the Empire. Though we’ll need to wait and see.”
“But if we become too much of a threat, won’t that make the Cult of Light come after us in full? They already hate us, but they’ve been holding back thanks to the fact that they can’t dedicate too many resources after us. They have too many projects going on at once to risk the manpower.” Shine said. “What if they decide that it’s finally worth the risk?”
Ezekiel was silent. He didn’t know how to reply. In truth, he knew full well that what Shine was describing was a possibility. They had just been fortunate that they hadn’t become such a priority concern in the Cult’s opinion yet. He hoped that would remain the case forever, but it was likely that, if he survived the current state of events in Harkem, they would be upping their game when it came to trying to kill him.
“If it gets to that point then we may just have to leave for a while. To somewhere they have no foothold in. A place where neither Humanity, nor the Cruor, have managed to take over yet.” Ezekiel said. Shine couldn’t help but emanate feelings of confusion and concern as they heard Ezekiel’s response. They didn’t know what place he was talking about.
“Don’t worry about it for now.” Ezekiel spread out his senses. He could tell that no one was near his recovery room. But at the same time there were guards located around the building. Legendary at least, if what he was sensing of their mana was correct. “At this point in time, we need to worry about our fight with the Cruor, and the mission that the Exalt has for us.”
With that said, Ezekiel stretched before he got himself out of bed. Pulling off the sheets, and examining his body in more detail, he realized that he was in better shape than when he fought the Exalt. He couldn’t help but be impressed at the work of the healers.
Looking around for a set of clothes to wear, he saw that there was a package on a dresser at the wall across from the foot of his bed. Reaching for it, he opened it to see that it was uniform. One that had a marking on it that was somewhat familiar, and totally surprising.
“It seems like Exalt Harras was more impressed than I expected.” Ezekiel muttered aloud.
“How so?” Shine asked. “Wait... isn’t that the same insignia that was on the Exalt’s coat?”
“Indeed, it is.” Ezekiel continued to say out loud. “It’s his personal coat of arms. In the Willowbrush Empire, only a member of a noble house could wear a noble’s coat of arms. The color of the shield beneath the family’s arms indicates the level of one’s nobility. The circle surrounding the coat means that you have been brought into the family’s protection.”
Emblazoned on the front of the uniform that had been provided for Ezekiel, there was a violet crow with its wings spread. Raining from its open wings were ten bolts of lightning. Behind it were two crossed spears that were also violet. The color of the shield it was emblazoned on was pure white. Representing the Tier five Mythical powerhouse that was the ruler and pillar of that particular family.
Ezekiel found himself at somewhat of a crossroad. If he put the jacket on, that implied to all who saw him that he had accepted an invitation to Exalt Harras’ family. Which would grant him and his family an incredible level of protection, but also imposes a great deal of restrictions and responsibilities. Worse, it would tie him to the Willowbrush Empire, and he would be forced to bind himself with contracts to ensure his loyalty. Something that would extend to his family.
On the other hand, if he didn’t wear the coat, and rejected Exalt Harras’ invitation, it was essentially spitting in the Empire’s face. Meaning he would be bringing down the ire of everyone with noble ties down on him, and his family. This wasn’t something that he could see himself doing.
He ended up just standing there. Looking at the intricately made uniform on the desk in front of him. This wasn’t something he thought he could decide on right now. It didn’t involve just him, after all.
He needed to speak with his parents. So, bundling up the uniform back into its package, he tied his blanket and bed sheets around himself like a toga. Exiting the room with the package under his arm, and walking up to the closest healer, he asked for directions to his parent’s recovery rooms before marching off. Much to the confused goggling of everyone else in the building.
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It didn’t take long for Ezekiel to find the area where his parents were recovering. It seemed like they were actually recovering in the same recovery area as he was, but in a different section of the building. One reserved for Legendary Hunters. This was mostly due to the fact that they were incredibly important, and therefore needed special care to ensure they healed in peace.
But it was also because injured Mages could sometimes lose control of their mana. This would lead to their mana leaking out of control, or worse, straining their soul. Regardless, each possibility would lead to Legendary pressure being released and pushing down on those around them.
Fortunately, such cases were rare, but to be safe for those at a lower Tier that were also healing, it was always better to keep Legendaries separate for safety reasons. Such conditions were usually not replicable on expeditions, but in a city, even as broken as Harkem was, proper medical facilities were able to keep things running smoothly.
However, regardless of his expectations for when he met his parents again, little to nothing could prepare him for what he ended up seeing. His mother was unconscious in one room, her arm being treated as healers attempted to reattach it after it had been cut off. While his father was in another room, across from his mother, covered in bandages and looking gaunt and pale.
“Dad... what happened?” He couldn’t help but utter in shock as he looked at his parent’s state. It was only a day or so ago that he had seen them in perfect health, battling with relative ease against opponents that he couldn’t imagine fighting just yet.
His father tried to lessen his worry with a smile, but the sunken cheeks and sickly appearance didn’t help with this. Ezekiel couldn’t imagine what had happened to him to put him in such a state.
“This is what happens when you mix mana exhaustion with Ichor’s mana leeching. While I wasn’t too covered, there was still enough on me after our final fight that it started sucking at my vitality when I ran out of mana.” Warren explained as he tried to wave off his son’s concerns. “It’s not the first time this has happened to me, and it’s possible to regain the majority of my vitality with rest and medicine. Your mother is in a far worse state than me.”
Warren gazed out the open doorway into the hall at the room across from his. He had refused to be separated from his wife after she had collapsed when bringing the both of them to the recovery building. The makeshift hospital originally hadn’t had much room to keep them so close, but several Cavern Legendaries had expanded the building as best they could. So, they were able to put the couple close together.
“Has mom woken up at all since you both got here?” Ezekiel asked as he moved to sit next to his father on the bed. “I... heard what happened to her. Apparently, her arm should still be recoverable, but they haven’t told me much more.”
Warren was quiet as he looked through the doorway. He didn’t reply right away, and Ezekiel knew better than to push. A part of him actually felt ashamed for asking like he was. Not because he asked at all, but because he felt like he should be more frantic about the situation. He realized that he was far calmer than he figured he should be.
“Your mana! You need to restrain your mana!” Shine suddenly yelled from inside his head.
That snapped Ezekiel out of his introspection and guilt, and he realized that his mana was cycling unconsciously. Something that hadn’t happened in years. He had long since started catching himself before his emotions could be suppressed to this extent.
He immediately clamped down on his mana, preventing it from cycling through his body, even passively. His father noticed the change immediately, as Ezekiel wasn’t exactly subtle when he did this. But as he turned to look at his son, he was shocked to see that Ezekiel was crying. To the point where it seemed like he was going to choke on his tears.
Warren immediately pulled his son into an embrace as they both stared out the door. His own tears of worry also fell. All the while, Ezekiel forced himself to feel the emotions and the stress of everything that had led up to this point over the last day. The build up slowly ebbed away as he sat with his father.
Their family may have been together again, for the most part, as Ezekiel thought about his sisters. But they were still far from whole.
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The room was quiet as Ezekiel and Warren sat on the bed. Warren was still tired and gaunt, but he seemed to be livelier as he and Ezekiel spoke about what had happened over the past few days. Warren was glad that Ezekiel was alright, and that he hadn't directly suffered too much during the battle. Not as much as he had at least.
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During this time, Ezekiel also explained his own situation. Warren grew somewhat enraged to hear that a Mythic level Hunter had forced his son to fight him. But the fact that Ezekiel was able to stand up to the Exalt was enough to make Warren feel more pride than he had when Ezekiel had managed to land a clean hit on Theo eight years ago.
All good things must come to an end, however, as Ezekiel explained the situation regarding the uniform with the coat of arms. One of the only things keeping Warren calm right now was Theo, who was sitting on his lap as he ran his fingers through his Spirit’s fur.
Ezekiel had his hands in his lap. He had Shine in their sheath laid across him. He vaguely noticed that he must’ve gotten the habit of holding his Spirit in his lap from his father. It was a similarity that he realized he was happy to have.
“I can understand why you came to me with this, but I honestly don’t think I can help you.” Warren said after several minutes of thought. “One thing that I do think you need to stop worrying about, is how your actions are going to affect us.”
Ezekiel looked at his father in confusion. He had been hoping for advice of some sort. Not a definite answer. But it seemed that that wasn’t what his father was focused on.
“The reason why you’re holding back from rejecting him is because you’re worried about us, and how the nobility will see us and treat us. Right?” Warren said when he saw Ezekiel’s confusion. Ezekiel nodded to his father's inquiry. “That, I think, is the main problem. This is your choice, and it’s also your life that will be on the line. Ultimately, it’s your mother and I that are responsible for our, and your sister’s, lives. That won’t change until we pass. Which will hopefully be a very long time from now, when they are old enough to take charge and responsibility for themselves in the greater world.”
Warren placed a hand on his son’s shoulder as he explained things as best that he could.
“You were given far too many responsibilities, from the day you awakened your mana, and received those images, those memories, from the Ancient Void.” Warren said. Ezekiel’s blood ran cold. He had long since studied the effects of Void Relics on Void Mages in history. Many had gone mad, and others had made decent strides in the development of Magic. Though the recreation of Void Pouches was as far as it really got. But never had he expected his father to know and bring it up like this.
Seeing Ezekiel shock and concern, Warren elaborated.
“I am more than aware of what Magic is capable of doing to the mind. The fact that the Harkem Grand Scholars confirmed such information also helped me understand. But regardless of what you know, and what the Ancient Void’s Relics did to you, you’re still my son, and your mother feels the same.” Warren explained. “But back to my point. You’ve been bearing a burden on your shoulders since you were five. One that continued to grow as life continued to throw trial after trial directly at you.”
A part of Ezekiel wanted to go back to what Warren had been saying about his knowledge. About the Void Relics and what they supposedly did to him. But he knew that he couldn’t. He wasn’t sure if he could stop himself from telling the whole truth, and while it killed him to do it, staying silent was still what he believed to be the best answer at that moment.
“Ezekiel.” Warren’s voice cut through Ezekiel’s thoughts. “I want you to think about this and answer me clearly. Do you want to accept the offer that Exalt Harras has given you?”
Ezekiel didn’t even have to think twice in this instance. He and Shine had only spoken about it briefly, but both knew that they had no desire to be tied to the Empire more than necessary. The contract they had signed for their conscription had specifically ensured that they would be granted freedom afterwards, and that their citizenship would be reinstated. As well as protected their personal rights for the duration of the war. If not for these conditions, Ezekiel probably wouldn’t have bothered returning, ever.
But the opportunity to see and help his family was too great for him to pass up. So, he allowed himself to be bound, in the most basic measure, to the Empire that he had long since lost any interest and love for.
“No. No, I don’t want to accept the offer.” Ezekiel stated with a level of certainty that even he was shocked by.
“Then don’t.” Warren said. “In truth, both your mother and I will be finished repaying the debt that was placed on us eight years ago once this war ends. We’ve long since decided to move to the Archipelago, in order to see you once again. But it seems like you beat us to it.”
Ezekiel ducked his head bashfully as he heard the slight reprimand in his father’s voice. He didn’t regret coming back to Harkem to help them. But he understood why his parents might not be too happy about entering a war zone just to see them again. Especially when they had their own plans to come and see him after their debt was paid. A debt that they had taken on for his sake.
“You shouldn’t feel bad about wanting to help your family!” Shine exclaimed as they saw Ezekiel’s thought process. “But I agree with your dad. Don’t join the Empire if that’s not what you want to do.”
“That’s not, exactly, what he said, you know.” Ezekiel mentally replied. “But, yes, we’ll go to the Exalt and tell him that we won’t be accepting his offer.”
Looking back up at his father, he saw that he was waiting for Ezekiel’s reply. Standing up from the bed, he gave his father a hug, thanking him for his advice, and promising to talk again later. When his mother had woken up and they could all sit together when they got the chance.
Stepping out of the room, Ezekiel gave one last look to his mother’s room as well. Where he could see enchantment formations glowing behind the seams in the doorway. They sealed it from the outside world so that the healers could properly work without any sort of interruption.
Turning around, Ezekiel walked away. Nodding to a shadow in the corner. One that flickered and waved as he walked by. His parent’s would be alright. Now he just hoped that he would be too.
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Ezekiel stood in front of Exalt Harras in a private office that had been designated for the Mythic Hunter’s use. It wasn’t too far from the makeshift hospital that had been set up. But it was still far enough away that it wouldn’t obstruct or otherwise interfere with the recovery of the patients, or vice versa.
It was somewhat surprising that he had managed to get in for a meeting as quickly as he had, but he figured that the Exalt had things to talk with him about. Possibly a mission, or to see whether or not Ezekiel had accepted the offer that came with the uniform.
The room was incredibly plain and didn’t seem to have anything in it other than the desk and a small couch and coffee table for summoned guests. Currently, Ezekiel was still dressed in his makeshift toga as he stood at as best an ‘at attention’ stance as he could.
He wasn’t part of the Empire’s military, but he figured that ‘back straight with hands behind one’s back’ was good enough. Most guards he saw at manors seemed to take such a stance when addressed by their superiors after all.
Currently, Exalt Harras was looking Ezekiel over with a raised eyebrow at the young man’s state of dress. For his part, Ezekiel only somewhat fidgeted as he felt Exalt Harras examining him in a seemingly confused state. Something that had Ezekiel confused, but he wasn’t going to be the one to bring it up.
“I see that you’ve recovered.” Exalt Harras finally said. “You’re likely more than physically ready to take part in whatever missions I might have for you. Good. That means that my magic didn’t damage you too severely. Or that your constitution is better than expected. Though I guess you managed to avoid getting splashed with too much Ichor.”
Ezekiel didn’t bother to correct the Exalt. While it was true that he hadn’t been splashed by an exceptional amount of Ichor, it seemed that the fact that Void Mages seemed to be immune to the draining effects of Ichor hadn’t reached the capital. Something he mentally thanked Gerome and Garrad for, as they had no reason to keep his immunity a secret beyond keeping him somewhat safe.
“Pretty much, sir. Though I’d like to commission some new armor and enchanted garments beforehand. I’m sorry to say that I won’t be able to accept these ones.” Ezekiel nodded toward the package that was laying spread out on the table. “Though I would thank you all the same. Even if I must decline. I hope that this won’t stain your opinion of me, or my family.”
Exalt looked at the package in confusion, which Ezekiel thought was incredibly strange.
“Why would I be disappointed? And what are you declining?” Exalt Harras asked, not realizing that Ezekiel’s heart seemed to drop into his stomach. At the same time a sense of baffled relief passed over him, as well as fear as to what he was beginning to realize had happened.
“Th-the uniform in the package, sir. It bears your personal coat of arms. Specifically, the one for patronage. They were the only clothes that I had in my room when I woke up. It’s why I’m wearing a bed sheet right now. I haven’t been able to acquire anything else since I woke up.”
Exalt Harras glared at the package, slowly opening it up and revealing the uniform with the coat of arms that perfectly matched his own. Ezekiel briefly felt himself freeze up as Exalt Harras flexed his mana in anger. At this point, as far as he was concerned, Ezekiel was certain that he had been set up.
“I did not offer this.” Exalt Harras declared. His mana then retracted as he held out a hand.
The package was then consumed in a ball of lightning that nearly blinded Ezekiel. He heard the enchantments cracking as the lightning remained surprisingly silent. Obviously Exalt Harras was controlling the lightning in such a manner as to prevent a loud disturbance so close to the hospital area.
As the light disappeared, Ezekiel was able to see that the uniform had also disappeared. He couldn’t help but gulp nervously. That was something that he knew an average Legendary would be incapable of. The enchantments hadn’t been weak, or cheap.
“Adept Luminance!” Exalt Harras barked out. “Tell me truthfully. Do you know who gave this to you?”
“No, Exalt! I woke up and it was the only clothing in my room! I swear! On my Spirit and my life, I swear that I have no idea who or where that uniform came from!” Ezekiel blurted out as quickly as he could. He had no desire to be involved in a case of Nobility Fraud.
Impersonating a noble or even just wearing their coat of arms without official permission was something that was considered to be a capital crime in the Empire. Ezekiel now realized how close he had come to death. If he had accepted the offered patronage implied by the coat of arms on the coat and wore the uniform, he would be easily accused of Nobility Fraud.
This was something that Exalt Harras wouldn’t be able to stop either, as patronage required Legendary witnesses to have seen the patron in question declare their patronage and officially mark the coat of arms on the uniform. Something that wasn’t discernible by the naked eye. It certainly wasn’t something that Ezekiel was able to notice, at least. Else he would’ve realized the setup sooner.
Hearing Ezekiel’s reply, Exalt Harras leaned back in his chair. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. As he opened his eyes to look at Ezekiel, there was a sense of frustration and annoyance that wasn’t there previously.
Your existence is incredibly troublesome. Did you know that?” Exalt Harras asked. “This is the third time a person has tried to take action against you in a single day. First that damned Cult tries to kill you. Then a Guild healer tries to steal your Spirit. Now, someone whom we don’t know, had tried to get you killed in an entirely legal way.”
While he was mostly exasperated, Ezekiel could see a slight glint of interest in Exalt Harras’ eyes. It was almost like he was impressed. Though Ezekiel had no idea why.
“A word of advice to you, young man. Leave the Empire. The moment your contract is up, get out!” Exalt was fairly passionate with his words, but Ezekiel could tell that there wasn’t any heat to them.
“I have to agree. We shouldn’t stay here longer than we need to.” Shine chimed in. “Especially if people are going to keep doing this kind of stuff to us.”
Ezekiel mentally nodded his head. The moment the conflict ended, and his parents were free from their debt, and him from his contract, he was getting out of the Empire as soon as possible. Hopefully the trade routes at sea would be open by then. With at least a few still under the control of the Church of Ten, and not the cities controlled by the Cult of Light.
“Well, regardless of the trouble your presence continues to cause, I have a mission for you. You’ll be helping a few teams clear out Cruor along the river. We need to open up a path that’s relatively accessible for us so we can reach the third way station along the river border.” Exalt Harras said. “Hopefully, with the team I’m sending you with, then being fully vetted by me, personally, you won’t be backstabbed. At the same time, I’ll be clearing out any traitorous elements in the city. Because I do not need these problems.”
Ezekiel remained silent. There really wasn’t anything for him to say to that. It seemed like Exalt Harras was having a bad time at the moment. Better not to get on his nerves. Which, as he could tell from the rant that Exalt Harras was now going on, the troublemakers trying to frame Ezekiel most certainly were.
Given the descriptions of what Exalt Harras was claiming he was going to do to them, Ezekiel almost felt sorry for them. Not quite. But almost.