Garbed in his Spirit Armor, Ezekiel deflected an invisible blade that was aimed at his throat. The enhanced protections he had were not put to the test as he fought in a semi-serious manner. Shine easily weathered the blow and suffered no damage to their blade.
Across from the pair, Cory stood in a crouched position. Sweat dripped from his face like a faucet, and his torso heaved with heavy breaths. Each gasp of air was an exertion of energy that was draining in and of itself.
“Very good! You’ve gotten used to your new power quite quickly. But what about Hearth? How is he handling things?” Ezekiel focused intently on the blade in Cory’s hands.
The newly born Void Spirit seemed to be shining brightly as Cory channeled his mana, but Ezekiel saw the signs of fatigue on the opalescent blade. They were nearly invisible to the average eye, but Ezekiel had experience, and a Legendary physique to help him.
Cory had broken through to Tier two the day after his Void Spirit had come into being. The mana shared between the bond of Spirit and Hunter was easily interchangeable, and his soul had long since reached the necessary level of growth.
The only trouble was finding his second Chakra, but apparently the man had lucked out. Much to the other Void Mages’ frustrations.
This wasn’t at all lessened by the envious gazes of the other students. Each of whom had expressed their displeasure at having been kept out of the loop regarding the true purpose of their training. Even Ezekiel’s explanation, and Lumen’s support, detailing the difficulties he had in forming his Spirit thanks to the knowledge of what they were doing, didn’t soften the blow.
Though, it had made the others begin training with more diligence. But Ezekiel could tell that there was a lack of honesty in their actions. They were looking for a tool, looking for a Spirit. Not a partner whom they would share their life and goals with.
So far, of the nine Mages who had yet to form their Spirit, only two were showing any growth compared to before.
“I think we’re done, Master Ezekiel,” Cory gasped for breath as he gave the sword in his hands a look. Ezekiel recognized the signs of silent communication. “Hearth is nearly tapped out, and I just spent everything I had on that last spell.”
While he didn’t like his new titles, Ezekiel nodded in approval of his student’s awareness of his and his Spirit’s well-being. He and Cory were alone for the moment. With Tama and Lumen working separately to slowly increase their mana so that they might break through more easily in the future.
They also needed to figure out what their Spirit’s names were.
Cory had figured out Hearth’s name fairly soon, but nothing seemed to resonate with Lumen and Taman’s Spirits. Which was fine, but it was something they would need to figure out soon.
He had given them some advice, letting them know that Shine was called such because they were the light that shone in Ezekiel’s darkest moment when he was a child. While Cory and Hearth were much the same, with Cory’s goals and desires being to make a home for all the Void Mages, and others, who had lost their homes for various reasons.
The advice helped, but it was clear that Lumen and Tama would need some more time. Time that they didn’t have.
The door to the sparring arena opened up. A messenger from the Church of Ten entered the room. A severe but nervous look on his face when he looked at Ezekiel.
“The Grand Scholars have requested your presence. As well as that of your three students.”
Ezekiel sighed and dispelled his Spirit Armor. He looked at Cory, who was still exhausted.
“We’ll be at the Church within an hour. Cory, go wash up and change. I need to fetch Lumen and Tama.” He waved at the messenger who left a moment later.
Cory headed to the washroom to change, while Ezekiel left the sparring arena. His face was set in a grim expression. The fallout of his actions was undoubtedly rearing up to bite him.
----------
----------------------------------------
Ezekiel stood protectively in front of the three new Void Hunters. Tama tried to look confident, but her eyes still darted back and forth as she looked at the Grand Scholars and Wolken, Cory stood proudly next to her, ready to aid Ezekiel in whatever was needed to keep them safe, and Lumen seemed cautious, and distracted as he looked over the enchantments lining the walls.
“Do you know why we have called you here today, mister Luminance?” One of the Grand Scholars, a man who Ezekiel didn’t bother learning the name of, spoke with a raspy tone that indicated his age. The nearly pure white hair, with only the slightest of red flecks still coloring it, added to the man’s aged appearance.
“I assume it is to congratulate me in achieving yet another groundbreaking discovery, and further incorporating the Void Mages of the world into the ranks of the other elements. After all, now the Church of Ten can truly have ten elemental representatives.”
Ezekiel knew his words were over the top, but he felt the need to emphasize the Church of Ten’s public outlook when it came to Void Mages. They had always spoken about doing what they could to aid Void Mages, and all other Mages who sought the history and lessons of the Ancients. But it was time for them to put their money where their mouths were.
There was nothing wrong with the actions he had taken, nor the discoveries he had made. His intentions were made clear before his actions ever began, and if the Church wanted him to stop, they should’ve said so before he finally succeeded.
“You are, in fact, correct in your assumption.” Acknowledgements were given by the four assembled Grand Scholars.
For a second, Ezekiel felt stumped, as he had been expecting far worse consequences than a congratulatory meeting. Especially give the follow up work he had to do in the week or so since the new Void Spirits were born. It had truly felt like the Church was blindly trying to keep him restrained, and he didn’t like it.
So, he knew he needed to wait for the other shoe to drop.
“However,” there it was, “we felt it would be prudent to also inform you of the actions the Cult of Light have taken, thanks to their growing control over the Willowbrush Empire.”
The assembled Void Hunters tensed at the mention of the Cult of Light. While it wasn’t exactly a secret anymore, nor did he expect it to be a secret for long, Ezekiel hadn’t thought that the cult would find out so soon. It had only been a week, after all.
Unnoticed by all but Wolken, a wisp of mana leaked from Ezekiel before he got himself under control. Such was the anger that he felt at the mention of his ultimate enemy.
“To put it simply, the Cult had begun a purge of all Void Mages within the Empire. Where once they were simply ostracized, they are now being killed in the streets.” Ezekiel felt his blood run cold. “They are demanding that the ‘abominations made by those forsaken by the elements’ be destroyed. Only then will their actions stop. With the caveat that all Void Mages will be forced to live separate from society, and under the supervision of leaders of the ‘Followers of Radiance’.”
Ezekiel scoffed at the demand that was given.
“Their so-called supervision would simply be an enforced usage of the Void Mages they captured. All for the sake of making their damned weapons of mass destruction.”
The Grand Scholars all narrowed their eyes in response. They knew what Ezekiel was talking about but didn’t think that it would be something that the cult would start doing so openly. But if they were gathering up Void Mages, instead of just killing them, then it was certainly possible.
“Be that as it may, please be aware that we will not be giving into their demands.” This made the Void Hunters relax, just a little bit, in relief. But Ezekiel knew that wouldn’t be the end of it.
“What else is there for us?”
“... We need more Void Hunters. The Church of Ten hasn’t written off the Empire just yet, but we need more operatives that can work on freeing it from the Cult’s control. It’s too big for them to conquer via civil war, but at the same time, the slow and shadowy method they are using is working just as well.”
Ezekiel grimaced. A civil war wouldn’t get the cult anywhere, since it would allow the Exalts to take action, ‘for the betterment of the Empire’. Which they could argue required the removal of all cult forces, since they would have been the reason behind the war in the first place.
But at the same time, the other side couldn’t openly start a war either, since it would make them the reason for the war and mean that the Exalts would be contractually required to take them out. Which would lead to an easy take-over by the cult.
“I’m assuming I’m still a wanted man over there?” Ezekiel wanted to confirm before he began planning anything.
“Indeed. But given that the Fjorya is operating as an official world faction, with the support of the Church, we can still get you close, if you have any ideas.” The Grand Scholar frowned at the idea of Ezekiel going to the Empire but shouldn’t have worried. Ezekiel had no intention to do so. Not yet at least.
“They would expect that, unfortunately, so that isn’t an option...” Ezekiel muttered as he looked back at his Void Hunters. Their spells were still developing, and it would be a while before they had enough mana to be of use against the Cult.
“For now, I wish to make the method of Void Spirit creation be made open knowledge.” The Grand Scholars looked shocked. “I say this because it will still be up to the Church of Ten to make the blades necessary for the formation of said Spirits. This will also be a spit in the faces of the cult. They can’t get any worse, after all.”
The Scholars in the room looked between each other before activating a silencing enchantment on their side of the room. Ezekiel could feel the three behind him fidgeting as they likely spoke with their Spirits. He was doing the same, so it was somewhat expected.
‘Do you think they’ll go for it?’ Shine wondered as they tried to read the lips of the Grand Scholars. But Wolken must’ve noticed something, because the air grew somewhat misty as the Exalt added his magic to the barrier. ‘Damn. Now we really don’t know what’s going to happen.’
‘I’m not too worried. The cult went too far, too fast. They should’ve started with arrests before escalating to executions. Then we’d have a reason to hold back ourselves.’ Ezekiel was, to his shock and frustration, somewhat happy that the cult had gone so far. It meant that he had no reason to hold back himself. ‘Since they’re already killing everybody, there’s nothing they can do that will be worse. If we retaliate. Something that the Grand Scholars should be aware of.’
‘Then, what will we do next?’ Shine asked. ‘There’re consequences either way, if we try to go to the Empire. Should we try to go to the Morathi Alliance? Get rid of their support on that side of the world?’
‘Too risky. They might just hold dad over our heads until we submit.’ Ezekiel knew that giving in would be the last thing his father would want for him. But the thought of willingly leaving him where he was still grated on Ezekiel’s nerves. He had already resigned himself to doing something if nothing changed within the year. But still, it was emotionally draining.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
‘I hate to say it, but we might need to do something else to destabilize the Empire. Something that will draw the Exalt’s attention.’ Thoughts of the Desolate Lands began to fill Ezekiel’s head.
‘No. The cult is bad, but the Broods and Cruor are worse.’ Shine immediately shut down Ezekiel’s train of thought. ‘I know you’re angry, but that’s going too far.’
‘Sorry.’ Ezekiel mentally shook himself. Guilt flooded him, and he knew he’d be meditating later to calm his mind and clear his head. His thoughts returned to a more plausible path forward. ‘Perhaps we can make a path through the northern regions. Begin making movements into the Empire from a side that they aren’t worried about.’
‘That’s more like it!’ Shine encouraged. ‘But I think we’ll need to work that out later. For now, it seems like the Grand Scholars are finished their discussion.’
Turning his attention back to the Legendary powerhouses of the Church, Ezekiel mentally sighed. The wait was killing him, and he knew this wouldn’t be ending soon.
Wolken, who hadn’t said anything yet, just smirked as he noticed Ezekiel’s frustration.
‘We’ll get him later.’ Shine said. Jump his chair away when he tries to sit down.’
‘Agreed.’
At least he found some solidarity in his students. None of them were happy to be here either.
----------
----------------------------------------
Slumping into a chair at a table in the Prime Guild’s mess hall, Ezekiel allowed himself to fall forward onto his face. His students had gone off to do their own things after he had dismissed them.
The meeting had gone on for several hours. He still didn’t bother learning the Grand Scholars’ names, and a basic summary of events would just be a list of all the people that were demanding his attention and focus.
He had, apparently, broken the record for most requested Hunter for Guild work in history.
A nice change from the bad news he was given regarding the cult, but still frustrating, because it meant that politics was getting involved, and nothing good ever came from such a thing.
“I miss Riley...” Ezekiel couldn’t help but lament as he knew that it would be a few more weeks before Riley returned from her solitary training session.
Given that it, apparently, involved a specially crafted area that was rich in Flame Mana, he knew how important this was for her. He still wished she was here. Mostly because he missed her, but also because he needed her to keep him from going too far with the things he wanted to do to the cult and their supporters.
‘Stop it.’ Shine sent a rough nudge through their bond, snapping Ezekiel out of his darkening thoughts. ‘Wolken is coming.’
Raising his head, Ezekiel saw that the cafeteria, which was already mostly empty, was now dead silent, with the last few people leaving after they saw Wolken entering.
“You know, there are more private areas to have a break down in.”
Ezekiel snorted at Wolken’s words. Ignoring how the Exalt’s Spirit slithered onto the table and curled up next to where Ezekiel placed Shine.
“Should I care what others who see me might think?”
“Oh, course not.” Wolken immediately denied Ezekiel’s inquiry. “But this is a place for eating. Not moping. Do that on your own time.”
Two trays, carried by small whirlwinds, were gently dropped onto the table in front of the two Hunters. Ezekiel raised an eyebrow at the sight but didn’t complain. Food was food.
He also hadn’t eaten all day, so he was somewhat thankful for Wolken’s actions.
“So, what’s your plan?” Wolken asked. “Don’t give me that look. I might’ve known you for only a few months, but I can tell when you’re planning something. You’re not that subtle. Which is surprising, given your infiltration skills.”
“That’s thanks to magic. But I get your point.” Ezekiel started eating before answering a moment later. “I’m thinking of making my way north, then west.”
Wolken calmly sipped his drink. He took a moment to think over Ezekiel’s words.
“Not the worst plan. If you go far enough, you’ll avoid the Desolate Lands entirely. The Empire won’t expect it either.” The exalt rubbed his chin in thought. “A bit cowardly, but I understand where you’re coming from.”
“I’m not planning on avoiding the Desolate Lands,” Ezekiel stated. “I’m somewhat worried I might actually have to go there.”
Wolken’s face turned grim. The silence of the room felt heavier as the Exalt released his mana.
Suddenly, Ezekiel couldn’t breathe. Yet, rather than panicking, Ezekiel felt something else. He had been thinking about how he could improve his magic, as well as how to grow his soul faster. The speed had slowed given just how much it needed to grow to get to a higher Tier.
Given his reincarnation, he was born with a Tier four soul, but while he knew he was somewhere near the top Steps, he also knew that breaking through to Tier five would be too much for him right now. It’d likely be a few years before he could safely break through. But he knew he couldn’t wait that long.
“I’m not planning on converting. So, put your mana back.” Ezekiel said as he forced himself to breathe. Taking a sip of his drink, Ezekiel continued eating. “I’d already be dead if you thought my words were anything else but true. So, please let me eat.”
Wolken retracted his mana but didn’t relax his expression. It had never been brought up before, but the thought of a Void Mage like Ezekiel converting into a Cruor was terrifying. He’d immediately become the strongest Mythical being in the world. Of that, Wolken had no doubt.
“Then why do you need to go there?”
“To strain myself and grow stronger from it.” Ezekiel told the truth, knowing that Wolken would likely approve.
“Good. Strength is the only thing that really matters in this world.” Wolken grinned wolfishly, baring his teeth and causing Ezekiel to shiver in fear. As if there was a blade leveled at his neck. “Your students will be staying here, of course. But it’s only right that, now that it’s been proven, the rest be given the chance to become Hunters of their own.”
“Few will do so. I hand-picked these ones, and Void Magic requires you to form a bond before your Spirit exists. I’m honestly surprised that this worked as well as it did.” Happy, and proud that his theories and methods worked, but still surprised.
He was literally causing a natural tear to appear in his students’ souls to make their Spirits, after all. They still hadn’t figured out how he had done it safely.
Ezekiel figured that it was because it was something that was done to oneself, so there was a subconscious level of restraint that didn’t exist when someone else damaged another person’s soul. Not something they were willing to risk doing at this point. But his theory was sound for now.
They wouldn’t be giving any of the nascent Void Blades out to any Void Mages that didn’t have a soul that was at least at the peak of Tier one. If they weren’t already Tier two.
“Will you be able to keep them safe while I’m gone?” Ezekiel knew it was a lot to ask, but for some reason, Wolken seemed to like him. He hadn’t seen anyone else acting like he did around the Exalt, after all.
“I can afford to make sure they have the right protection while they’re here. The cult isn’t anywhere near this far north right now.”
Left unsaid was the implication that the cult would begin moving more openly soon. There were just too many hidden supporters for the Prime Guild to fully wipe out at the moment.
“Good.” Ezekiel knew that this was the best he was going to get. But another thought crossed his mind at the mention of the cult. “Beyond that, I have an idea I’d like to run by you. Before I head west, whenever that will be.”
A barrier of wind sprung up and made things truly silent, while also keeping their mouths blurred, to ensure no one found out what they were saying.
“I’m listening.” Wolken said with a narrowed gaze. Ezekiel could tell that the man had an idea of what he was going to say.
The massive grin that the older man gave him after he explained his plan sent shivers down Ezekiel’s spine. But he couldn’t help but grin just as widely in turn.
He had been quiet for too long. It was time to bloody the cult’s nose once more.
----------
----------------------------------------
Standing over the body of yet another Cruor, Ezekiel sighed in annoyance. The mask on his face itched, but it was mandatory for all Hunters that went into the Desolate Lands on this side of the world.
He didn’t actually need it, since it had long since been proven that, unless it was done willingly, it was impossible for the Rot to infect a Tier one Void Mage. At least, not the naturally occurring spores. Ezekiel hadn’t tested himself against the spores controlled by a Legendary Rot, nor did he intend to.
“Cory! Tama! Lumen! Sound off!” Ezekiel could sense where his wayward students were but knew that it was best that he get them used to standard Guild protocols.
“Here, sir!” Lumen called out from the south.
“All good!” Tama’s voice came from the north.
“Here, master!” Cory’s was east of them all.
Everything besides these Void Hunters was dead. Ezekiel nodded in approval, even if he couldn’t physically see where his students were. The fog and miasma in the area was simply too thick.
“Good. Our cleanup in this area is done. Let’s head back to the base and get ready for transport back to the city. I think this is enough for now. We need to get you each ready for your new assignments.”
Ezekiel could tell that his words weren’t taken well by his students. They had grown accustomed to working with him over the past month. The thought of working with other Hunters wasn’t something they were happy about. There was little that they could do though. He wasn’t going to be there for much longer, after all.
But for now, all he wanted to do was get back to base and meet up with Riley. They had only spent a short time together when she had come out of her isolated training. She had successfully reached Tier two, but plans within plans had seen them separated. At least for now.
Things might change this time, thought. He had had a bad feeling for a while now. Which, if things went right, was actually a good thing for what he had planned with Wolken.
“Master... Is it true that you will be headed west soon?” Cory eventually asked as they made their way back to the Prime Guild’s forward base.
“Not for a while yet. There’re still some things I need to do in Quintessa before that. But sooner or later, I will.” Ezekiel’s reply made his students sigh in relief. But Cory wasn’t finished.
“What will you be doing in Quintessa?”
Ezekiel remained silent for a moment.
“Unfortunately, I can’t tell you. None of you will survive if I do.” Ezekiel sounded regretful, and it was obvious that neither Cory, nor Tama, were happy with his answer.
Lumen was the only one who understood, but his experiences in the Church of Ten meant that he knew a little bit more about their means and methods than the others did.
Before anything else could be said, a shuffling sound in the distance caught Ezekiel’s attention.
“Battle formation!” Ezekiel immediately donned his Spirit Armor.
He hadn’t previously, since they were only fighting Tier two and below Rot Umbrals. Not even any true Cruor. But from what he sensed; these still weren’t Cruor.
But from the way the wind was blowing, he could tell they weren’t Umbrals either.
“Jump!” Ezekiel’s shout made his students react instinctively, and all three disappeared, while Ezekiel locked blades with a beam of light that turned into a Hunter on impact.
“I was wondering when you bastards would show up!” Ezekiel’s words made his new enemy growl in anger. “Wow! Looks like it’s not just your Spirit that’s a rabid dog!”
Ezekiel pushed backward, breaking the blade lock with a pulse of mana that separated him from the Legendary Radiant Hunter that was trying to kill him.
‘The others!’ Shine notified Ezekiel of something he’d missed.
Expanding his senses outward, he nearly let out a snarl of frustration.
His students had ‘Jumped’ together, exactly as they were supposed to, but a second Legendary was coming for them. So, he also ‘Jumped’ to his student’s location. Leaving the Radiant Hunter swinging at nothing.
He appeared just above a Tempest Hunter in Spirit Armor with flying fish motifs. The woman turned, the whip swords in her hand weaving through the air to fully entangle him in their serrated edges.
Ezekiel canceled their momentum as they came into contact with his body. Forcing the Hunter to expend more mana to get them moving again. But Ezekiel charged forward, making her flinch back.
A beam of light stopped him from running the woman through with Shine.
‘More reinforcements are coming.’ Shine said as their senses alerted them of a group that they didn’t recognize coming from the south.
‘Send it!’ Ezekiel ordered.
Shine opened their partner’s Void Pouch while he was busy defending his students. The Radiant Hunter had reached them again and was exchanging blows with Ezekiel that were too fast for the lower Tier Void Mages to follow.
An object flew out of the pouch under Shine’s will. It was shaped like a ten-sided diamond. After reaching a certain height, Shine crushed it in their telekinetic grip.
The ten different elements of mana inside it suddenly rushed together, mixing with the Void mana and exploding outward in a force that nearly caused the Legendaries to flinch. But the true purpose of the Artifact showed its face a moment later, when a beam of opalescent light rushed into the sky.
It broke through the dark and hazy miasma that was all around them, and even pierced the miasma that covered the sky. For a brief moment, sunlight returned to this area of the Desolate Lands once more.
Ezekiel would’ve grinned in delight. Wolken would now be there in seconds. As he and his own team had been hiding above the clouds that covered the Desolate Lands, all for the sake of ambushing a large party of cultists.
The only problem was the mana that had forced his students to the ground. A pressure strong enough to knock out those that weren’t Legendary filled the area.
A Mythical power covered the region, and the glowing plants that sprouted and sharpened into barbed vines, unique to the Life Element told him that it wasn’t Wolken doing this.
“Anathema!” A feminine voice called out from the mouths that were forming in the flowers that sprouted from the ground. “Die!”
‘The others!’ Ezekiel conveyed his intentions to Shine directly, rather than explain.
He felt his Spirit reach out and connect to the Void Hunters he was protecting. The battle hadn’t had time to escalate, so it was easy enough to grab them since they were still close. But there was no time to think beyond that.
Ezekiel ‘Jumped’ as far as he could, and brought his students, and their Spirits, with him.
Straight into the sky, over five kilometers into the air, expending over half his remaining mana.
Looking down, he saw the massive, feathered snake, just breaking through the miasma clouds, and charging toward the forest that was spreading across the land below them.
A roar from the serpent, followed by a flash of light, was the opening of the battle that was about to occur. All while Ezekiel, and a group of Hunters from the Prime Guild, including Riley and Celia, free fell toward the untimely clash of titans.
In the distance the gathered cultists had already gotten ready for battle.
‘I don’t think this was in the plan.’ Shine snarked as they fell to the ground.
Ezekiel didn’t bother replying. Instead, he just looked for a Hunter with a large enough flying Spirit that could carry his students away from the battle. He knew he had to bring them, or else his actions would’ve been suspicious, but he was regretting it all the same.
He wouldn’t be able to fight if he was worried about protecting them.