Tamiron locked eyes with his would-be executioner, Everess, his dearest friend, in the entire world. Even from a distance, he could see the conflict etched on her face, the struggle between her words and actions.

The impending threat weighed heavily on him. The sincerity in his best friend’s warning was undeniable.

“What happened to your parents, Everess?” he inquired, utterly clueless about her accusations or the events she referenced. This was news to him, especially for what he had been through.

“Please,” Everess whispered as the chains constricted. The sensation felt as though he might be torn apart at any moment. “Just answer the question,” she implored, her voice trembling.

“How can I answer something I know nothing of?” He reasoned; frustration evident in his voice. Yet, his response only aggravated Everess, and the chains tightened once more, eliciting a pained groan as they strained his arms.

“Everess, stop it! Let’s talk about this!” Tamara pleaded. She attempted to approach, but her path was barred by Emerys and Sevidon, who had just arrived with Ravaen.

“Everess!” Sevidon’s urgent call echoed as they joined the scene along with Ravaen. He observed their arrival, as the chains began to tighten their pull once more.

Ravaen soared toward Everess in an attempt to intervene, but she deflected him without even giving him the courtesy of her glance.

“Are you telling the truth?” Everess questioned, tears streaming down her face.

His gaze met hers, the impending earthly spears inching closer, poised to impale him in a slow and agonizing manner.

“Would I ever lie to you?” he uttered with a trembling voice, on the verge of breaking. He struggled and tried to pull back, but his strength has not returned still. The spears approached, menacingly targeting his neck, stomach, and back.

Thoughts raced through his mind as he grappled with the impending fate. Yet, a sense of relief washed over him; at least, he had regained control. Reuniting with old friends, including his dearest sister, Tamara. It brought him solace, a sort of peace that he never knew he could have. Only the absence of his father lingered, a void at the moment.

Suddenly, a wave of relief swept over him as his once-bound hands were released, and the earthly spears disintegrated before him. Slowly opening his eyes, he found Everess rushing toward him, a cry escaping her lips.

In her embrace, warmth enveloped him once more. She wept, holding him as tightly as a baby in her arms. The emotions she had suppressed for so long burst forth, as he could tell that she’d been holding back for so long. A tear traced its path down his cheek as he smiled.

Gradually, he returned the embrace, arms encircling her, fingers brushing through her hair as he offered solace.

The invisible force field dissipated, allowing everyone to draw near. But they did not mind. He did not mind. All he cared about at that time, was consoling his grieving friend.

Sevidon approached, kneeling to eye level. A gentle tap on his arms accompanied a warm smile.

“Welcome back,” Sevidon said, smiling as he nodded in acknowledgment.

“Alright, let’s have the Prince rest in his tent,” Ravaen suggested, standing alongside them as he clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention to get things going, fast.

Everess released her tight embrace, allowing Sevidon and Ravaen to assist him as they put his arms around their shoulders. She followed closely behind, while Tamara stayed by his side.

“Prepare Prince Tamiron’s tent. He needs to rest. Under close guard,” Tamara ordered.

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the realization that his sister was now in charge. As curious as he was about the circumstances that lead to this change. But for now, he needed to rest, for he needed it.

After a brief journey, they arrived at the tent prepared for him. Sevidon and Ravaen gently laid him in a comfortable bed.

“Beats the bed those bastards prepared for you, huh?” Ravaen teased, earning an uneasy stare from Sevidon. “What?” Ravaen asked innocently.

He only looked at him, offering a smile. “I swear, my friend, I’m laughing inside, but my literal insides still ache.”

“I know. You’re the only one who gets my humor, anyway,” Ravaen remarked, glancing around. Sevidon shook his head, grinning.

Tamara entered the tent with her handmaiden, swiftly taking a seat beside Tamiron. Paraguses entered, checking on him. They began casting spells with their words, forming a circle of green glyphs in front of each hand, initiating the healing process.

“Thank you, dear Sister,” Tamiron expressed his gratitude, holding her hand. However, her demeanor suggested lingering upset feelings.

“This would’ve happened way sooner if Everess hadn’t put you in that cage,” Tamara stated with a hint of frustration.

He sighed, acknowledging the validity of her concern. “Everess has her reasons. But I actually think it was a good idea. You can never know if I was still under some sort of control or not. A precaution is wise in war, Sister. You should know that by now.”

Tamara, Sevidon, and Ravaen exchanged glances, intrigued by his sudden revelation.

“What do you mean, controlled?” Sevidon sought clarification.

The weight of the unspoken truth pressed on him as he realized that no one knew the full extent of what had happened to him. It felt like an enormous burden being lifted when the question was finally asked.

“It’s really hard to explain,” he uttered, attempting to sit upright with the assistance of a paragus. “It was like I was there, in my body. But I wasn’t fully in control.” Despite his attempt at simplification, their puzzled expressions remained.

“It’s like trying to tame a wild horse—or do you remember when I first tried to tame my taranos, Amagar? No matter how firmly I held the reins, whether with amagar or a wild horse, I was never in control,” he explained once more.

Tamara gestured by lightly tapping her palm with a fist. “I think I get it.”

“Me too,” Sevidon chimed in, though still puzzled. “But how could that be? Are you saying you knew what you were doing?”

His hands clenched the sheets as the paraguses continued their healing work. “Yes,” he affirmed. Turning his gaze to everyone, he continued, “I struggled every single day to break free—or rather, gain control of my body back. But it was no use. Until our battle."

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“Then it looks like knocking you out of your senses was the right call,” Ravaen said confidently.

“It was, and I have Everess and the rest of you to thank for that.” then he tried to take a glance at the door. “Where is she, anyway?” he inquired, seeking her presence.

“She is not welcome here,” Tamara declared sternly, anger flickering in her eyes as she avoided direct eye contact. He reassured her of his well-being. “Tamara,” he gently held her hand, “without her, I wouldn’t be here. Now, where is she?”

Tamara hesitated, attempting to evade his gaze. “She’s outside. I will not allow that woman to come near you. Not after what she did,” she asserted, her frustration evident as she clasped her skirt—a familiar habit indicating her displeasure.

“Oh, come now, Tamara. I already told you it’s fine. Have her come in,” he urged, signaling to Sevidon to bring Everess inside.

After a brief interval, Sevidon returned, with Everess in tow. Tamara abruptly stood up. “I’ll take my leave for now. Rest up. Once you are well rested, we have a lot to talk about,” she declared as she prepared to exit.

“Wait, we can talk about it now,” he suggested, but Tamara only glanced at Everess, who avoided meeting her gaze. “Not right now. It looks like you lot have a lot to talk about too. Mine can wait,” Tamara stated before leaving the tent. Emerys bowed respectfully before departing.

Everess stood in silence, her eyes fixed on the floor. She then walked to the chair by his side, where the paraguses continued their healing work.

He regarded her silently, reaching out to gently hold her arm in an attempt to offer assurance. Despite his efforts, she continued to avoid meeting his gaze, and he respected her need for space.

“How many days have I been out?” he inquired, curious about long he was knocked out. Despite the signs suggesting a considerable time had passed, he desired a precise answer.

Sevidon and Ravaen exchanged glances before Ravaen responded, “You’ve been out for four weeks now.”

The revelation shocked him, prompting thoughts of the severity of his injuries. He cradled his head, grappling with the realization. Just how badly injured was I? He thought.

“It’s understandable. Our battle was intense to begin with,” he remarked, trying to lighten the atmosphere that hung heavy around them.

“Yeah, you owe me. That punch of yours could’ve killed someone, to be honest,” Ravaen jestingly reminded him.

“Yeah,” he acknowledged, looking at them. “So why aren’t you?”

Ravaen found himself caught off guard, while the paraguses appeared uncomfortable at the moment.

He looked at them. “You may leave for now. We need to discuss something between only us,” he directed, prompting the paraguses to bow and exit the tent. Turning to the guard, he instructed, “Do not let anyone in for now,” as the guard peered inside before promptly closing the tent.

Everess stood up and resumed the healing process initiated by the paraguses. He observed her face, marked by dried tears and eyes that seemed to have cried for days.

“It’s a long story, my friend,” Sevidon remarked, grabbing a chair.

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m being healed. We have ample time right now. Everess is busy healing me,” he said, and the duo began recounting the events.

Sevidon began to tell their tale, on what had transpired with their group. All he could think of was how fantastical it was. Getting to meet an immortal being like that. But more importantly, how afraid he was at that time to know that the God’s have a plan, and are currently in motion — and now it also involved him.

Perplexed by the unfolding events, he struggled to form a coherent understanding, especially now that they spoke of receiving gifts, as he did as well, as they claimed.

“It split us, actually. Glaivel and Aderon wanted to end you right then and there. I’m just glad there were many of us still hoping that we could save you. Based on what you told us just a while earlier, it seemed like we had the correct hunch,” Ravaen elaborated.

Sevidon chimed in, expressing disbelief at the existence of such magic. “Still, I can’t believe that such magic exists. Imagine, to control someone like that?” he remarked.

“But there isn’t one. As far as I’m aware, there’s no magic in existence. Not that I know of. No — I’m certain there isn’t any,” Everess asserted, turning to the others. Following that, she resumed her healing efforts and proceeded to explain further.

“I’ve read all the books pertaining to magic in the Orderian Library that I can get my hands on. I even managed to sneak and read some forbidden books too, but there’s no mention of a mind control spell, or body control, even,” she pondered, leaving the rest astonished.

For him, however, it was a nightmare. A scar etched into his being that would persist throughout his life. The Trasidian blood spilled by his own bare iron hands ensured that the haunting memories would never fade.

“Do you remember anything? Like who was controlling you?” Ravaen inquired, seeking answers to the lingering questions.

He delved into his thoughts, attempting to recall the events, but only encountered elusive memories shrouded in a foggy haze. Even within his mind, the identity of the person remained concealed.

“All I can say is, someone was with me during my rampage.” Upon reflection, he realized that this mysterious figure remained on the periphery, their gender and features veiled in uncertainty.

“That shadow was always in a cloak. So, I can’t say for certain if I’m dealing with a man or a woman,” he disclosed to the three of them. Redirecting his gaze to Everess, he added, “I was certain of one thing. However, that person is an Orderian.”

Everess, overcome with shock, halted her healing process, her mouth agape as she grappled with the revelation.

“An Orderian? How could it be?” Ravaen exclaimed, flabbergasted.

“That can’t be,” Everess protested in disbelief, her voice trembling.

Sevidon swiftly interjected, seeking clarification, “Everess, all Orderian Magisters, within and in the Empire, are accounted for, correct?”

“Y-y-yes,” she stuttered, attempting to make sense of the confusing situation.

Sensing the gravity of the revelation, he diverted the conversation. “Right now, let’s not talk about that. I want to rest,” he said as he gently massaged his aching head. Ravaen and Sevidon conceded, choosing not to press the matter further for the time being.

Observing their restraint, Everess resumed her healing, focusing on his head as green glyphs appeared once more and glowed, bringing a soothing sense of relief as his body gradually recovered.

“I’m grateful Everess was here with all of you,” he expressed, gazing at her as she continued the healing. “I’m just surprised that you’ve gained mastery over your magic. I’m glad as well you are comfortable doing your chant less incantation in front of others” he added, lightly holding her hand. Everess looked at him, and he whispered, “Thank you.”

“Chantless?” Ravaen remarked, and then it clicked for him. “Hey, you’re right. All Orderians use chants for their magic. Why aren’t you?”

To his surprise, he was under the impression that they knew already. Everess averted her gaze and continued. “I wasn’t. At least, not then,” she confessed.

“What? It looked like you had full control back then,” Ravaen said, clearly surprised as he tried to step in front of her.

“There was something inside of me that wanted to take over. I managed to subdue it now. So, I can say with confidence that I can fully control my magic now,” she explained.

But that wasn’t enough information. He could sense she wasn’t telling everything fully.

“Both of you have issues. You need to work it out,” Ravaen exclaimed.

“Well, still—no matter. I’m glad that you did what you did. I owe you my life,” he expressed his gratitude to her.

“We’re glad that you’re okay now,” Sevidon said. “But we’re interested in her question from a while ago. Can you answer that now?” he asked, referring to whether he gave the kill order for her parents.

He sighed as Everess stood there; her eyes locked on his. The question hung heavy in the air, the unspoken inquiry lingering between them. Taking a deep breath, the weight of his unspoken secrets pressing on him, he finally replied, his voice carrying a mixture of relief and unresolved tension, “I did not.”

Everess observed him, and studied him, searching for answers in his eyes. “If it’s not you, then who?” she asked, urgency palpable in her voice.

He hesitated, caught between the desire to reveal the truth and the instinct to shield her from the harsh reality. The haunting memories of the cloaked figure and the shadowy presence during his rampage flashed through his mind.

“I don’t have all the answers,” he admitted, his gaze shifting to the others present. “But for now, I can’t shake the feeling that this is all connected.”

Everess remained silent, her expression a mix of confusion and disbelief. Unspoken words hung heavily in the air; promising future conversations laden with revelations.

Meeting Everess’ eyes again, he understood that the road ahead was filled with challenges. The mystery of his control, the truth behind the orders, and the ominous figure in the cloak—intertwined threads that demanded unraveling.

“Rest now, Tamiron,” Everess spoke, her voice softer, carrying both concern and determination. “We’ll get to the bottom of this together.”

He nodded, acknowledging the challenging journey ahead, and Everess resumed her healing.

“I’ll gather the others so that they can talk to you. For now, rest,” Sevidon said as he stood up and prepared to leave with Ravaen. He nodded and settled back into his resting position.

The healing glyphs softly glowed, marking not only physical but also emotional recovery. As he closed his eyes, a lingering sense prevailed, whispering that the true test had only just begun.

End of Chapter XXXIII