[Chapter 43] Soul – Byron’s Story

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That was rough. Soul lay atop a building in the Obsidian Cavern, recuperating. Over the last day and half, Dawn had requested dozens of sparring matches, and he’d just finished an another grueling morning session. It’s backward. Normally it’s the loser who continually challenges the winner. Dawn’s pride had suffered a big blow. Their duel marathons were redoubled training and a therapeutic self-confidence boost.

Soul was accustomed to the narcissism. Normally, he’d be fine, but today was different because of Diamonds Edge. In his dreams, he’d seen the feats of its prior owner. Losing while wielding it tarnishes its names. That’s why he’d fought with utmost seriousness, only to fail repeatedly. I’m a pale copy.

Ethan had possessed a Sublime Vagary, ‘Heaven Splitter’, which divided the world with an glacial shockwave. Soul could sense this ability had been inherited by Diamonds Edge in an Illusory Grace. His nightly experiences appeared focused on imparting the skill. Yet no matter how he tried, he couldn’t unleash it. The sword resisted him.

It’s disheartening. He’d made great strides replicating Ethan’s martial arts. With a legendary weapon, he really had no excuse for the beating he’d endured.

Mother will be at the command center. Soul got up and made his way to the Guild. Reaching the office, the secretary waved him in.

“Yes?” Astra asked without looking up. Her tone seemed relaxed. Only three escapees remain… She’s getting caught up. But what’s that? On her desk was a messy pile of folded papers. A sprite swooped down, adding another. “What’re those?”

“Miki and Radin are having a spat.” Astra answered dismissively. “It’s a pain to go through them individually, so I let them accumulate. Did you need something?”

Soul placed Diamonds Edge besides the ignored correspondence, “Am I the best person for this sword?”

With a sigh, Astra made a gesture, and the fairies buzzing around disappeared. “What do you mean by that? You need Diamonds Edge for your martial arts. ”

“I know, it’s just…” Soul rambled awkwardly. “…such a powerful weapon. Perhaps it could do more more good in someone else’s hands…”

Astra eyed him closely while he shifted uncomfortably. At last, understanding lit her face, “Didn’t Dawn lose recently?”

“Yes, she did…” Soul tensed. I didn’t expect her to catch that.

Astra shook her head, “So you’re having confidence issues?”

I’m causing unnecessary trouble… “I’m concerned I won’t do justice to Ethan’s weapon. I mean, did even a single doppelganger surpass its original?” Soul said, looking down. He knew the answer.

“Yes, there was one.” Astra smiled sadly. “Byron was Ethan’s clone.”

What? He’d never heard anything hinting at this. In recordings, Byron’s features were always obscured by his armor.

“Few saw his face.” Astra continued. “Unlike the others, Sola’s champion had no interest in leveraging his appearance. Beyond some whispering suspicions, no one found out.”

“Why hide the truth?” Soul asked.

“To prevent panic. Sola was deploying hundreds of doppelgangers against us. Their only saving grace was their weakness. If our forces had learned that one had acquired power rivaling the strongest immortals, it would’ve devastated morale. The secret kept itself so well we saw no need to revisit it later.”

“Why was he special?” I have to know.

Astra studied him, “Alright, I suppose there’s merit, but please don’t spreading it.” She leaned back, eyes drifting upwards. “It started when Byron, fleeing after a massacre at a refugee camp, stumbled on an Elysium Field and took refuge there.”

I must visit those someday. The Elysium Fields were realms within the Ether formed by mankind’s imagination, idyllic places where people dreamed fairies lived. Transient in nature, these small paradises were constantly coming into being and fading away, with their fay residents migrating between. Every so often, when the planets were aligned, pathways opened. Their only danger was they could easily lull travelers into staying too long.

Astra paused, “Bear in mind that this is pieced together from second hand accounts.”

“Apparently, Sola’s taint didn’t react to the denizens there, presumably because they weren’t part of the world she aimed to end. Anyway, they befriended Byron and gave him his name. More incredibly, a named fae called Polliam entirely removed the corruption from his soul. He lived peacefully in that utopia for several months.”

Soul groaned softly. I can guess where this is headed.

“Eventually more visitors came. One recognized the doppelganger, and they fled. Byron followed, afraid his presence might imperil his new home.” Astra shook her head. “I personally don’t understand how he survived. It should’ve been impossible for a mortal who spent that much time in an ephemeral domain to return. The strain of maintaining his existence must’ve been torture…”

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“Anyway, not only did he endure, but in time he made his way back, only to find a collapsing ashen world. The soldiers sent to eliminate him had been upset at his absence. They hadn’t believed Polliam’s claims of removing Sola’s taint. After all, that was established to be impossible. To ensure the Elysium Field would not harbor enemies again, they burned it to the ground, killing those inside.”

“Byron was filled with rage. Blaming humanity, he rejoined the war and hunted down our heroes as vengeance. He became extraordinarily powerful in the process, to the point where Ethan struggled to match him.”

“Do you believe Polliam’s claim?” Soul asked.

“Yes,” Astra said. “In others doppelgangers, I always felt something contrived with their hatred. Byron’s passion was different. It was simple, childish, and pure. A misguided quest for retribution for the murder of his savior. Ironically, Polliam, who released him of his false grudges, became the basis of a real one.”

“And there was no reasoning with him?” I despise these scenarios which lead everyone to tragedy.

Astra shook her head, “No, that Elysium Field had been his entire existence as a freed soul. When we burned it, we destroyed his everything. A hole that deep is too big to fill. Byron would’ve made a suitable host for all three Dark Gods if they hadn’t already chosen avatars. His fractured psyche clung to sanity through revenge. We’d taken his world, so he’d take ours.”

Remembering the image, Soul activated his wrystal and a mountainous Octahedron appeared. His rocky prison… “So he’s trapped in there… Is he still…?”

“Yes, as long as the runes glow, there’s a soul inside.” Astra confirmed.

Hasn’t he suffered enough? “Did no one consider releasing the seals and dealing with him once and for all?” Soul lowered his arm.

“Many times.” Astra’s voice had an edge. “Specifically one century after the Fracturing, there was a big push for it, which I supported. I was hoping to recover Ethan’s remains and sword. Unfortunately, the Northern Emperor adamantly resisted, declaring it an unnecessary risk. Another reason to loath the man…”

“Any further questions?” He shook his head. “I hope this helped. Now you know the only other untainted doppelganger succeeded in surpassing his original. What’s more, he was Ethan’s clone. So no more self-doubt.” His mother pointed to Diamonds Edge.

“Understood.” Soul took the sword. Byron’s story, while sad, comforted him.

“By the way, sparring with Dawn is forbidden until Arther’s funeral.” His mother added. “Am I clear?”

“Yes.” Soul nodded.

“Good. Now, stand back.” Astra warned. Lightning sprites zoomed in and dive bombed the desk. In an instant, the heap of paper had doubled.

“I guess I’ll leave you to that.” Soul departed a grimacing Astra.

Striding back, Soul saw a wyvern take off, and the sight struck him. I want to fly. He made his way to the roof and summoned his wings. With a leap, he sped into the open sky.

I needed this, Soul thought soaring along the Isle. He’d spent all morning underground, and the open space soothed him. He peered towards where the Octahedron floated, hundreds of miles away. There was one more doppelganger on Enera besides them. If a Dark Age begins, the seals holding him will weaken… He really should’ve been dealt with.

Soul rose higher and turned South. All over, preparations for the festival were underway. People were busy setting up stalls, displays, and attractions. In some places, lanterns were already hung. It’s only five days away.

Gliding towards the Rose Palace, something caught his eye. In a clearing off the path, a white figure on the grass seemed familiar. That’s Shine Balladeer. She appeared upset. Soul smiled. I’ve been worrying about myself too much. That’s unlike me.

Soul landed next to her, and the girl did a double take, “An angel?”

Recovering immediately, she hid her face, “Please, no. Three guys already hit on me today. I can’t deal with this right now. Just leave me alone.”

“I already have a girlfriend.” Soul said.

“What?” The girl said surprised.

“I already have someone.” Soul repeated the lie, sitting across from her. “So why don’t you tell me what this is about.”

Hesitating briefly, Shine relayed her troubles. While touring the Isle, her party, Minstrel, had decided to venture into a nearby dungeon called Lost World. The excursion had proceeded smoothly until they’d reached the lower portions. There, they’d discovered an entrance to a new area. They’d been ecstatic. Charting this region would be a huge accomplishment. Unfortunately, it hadn’t gone well.

“Blue-backed spiders, so many spiders… They blended in perfectly, and we didn’t notice until we were too deep. There weren’t supposed to be any in Lost World. We weren’t prepared. Kaito, my boyfriend, told me to run. Normally I hate when he acts chauvinistic like that, but I can’t deal with spiders. Regular ones are bad enough. Those three times my size…” She shivered, reliving the terror.

“So I ran, leaving the others behind.” Shine bit her lower lip, eyes watering. “It took me two hours to get out. I came straight to the Isle and reported what’d happened. Officials were sympathetic, if unhelpful. They said they’d organize a recovery mission in the next few days.”

“A recovery mission?” Soul asked.

“For the bodies,” Shine said bitterly. “It’s standard to assume defeated adventurers are dead. The things in dungeons don’t take prisoners. Launching rushed missions would only add to the body toll. I understand the logic, but it’s heartbreaking. There’s a chance it’s different here. Lost World is filled with extinct species which more or less follow their normal behavior patterns. Spiders don’t eat their prey right away. They might still be alive…”

“Have you approached Legonas? I’m sure he’d help.” Soul suggested.

Shine shook her head, “He’s not on the Isle. Besides, it wouldn’t matter if he was: Lost World doesn’t let saints or immortals enter.”

Damn. Soul now grasped the gravity of the situation. She and her comrades were at the very peak of A rank. Who could rescue such a team? Anyone stronger would be on the wall of saints. You’d need a large group of A rank adventurers.

“Have you contacted Vanessa?” Soul was sure the former golden ninja wouldn’t snub her.

“How’d you know about that?” Shine asked in shock.

Raising an eyebrow, he pointed to himself, “I’m one of the Isle’s ‘mysterious ninjas’. That’s my sister you trounced the other day.” Shouldn’t she have figured that much?

“Ahh, I see.” Shine answered awkwardly. “Sorry, where I’m from, ninjas are common. It’d be strange to assume two knew each.” She composed herself. “I can’t reach Vanessa. Or most of the people I’ve tried. Those I’ve contacted are busy or unenthusiastic.” Shine activated her wrystal, displaying a list. “The restriction on Saints is harsh.”

She’s been sitting here trying to organize a rescue herself. That was the only hope at this point. She chose this spot to avoid distractions.

“Could you find your way back?” Soul asked.

“Yes, without a doubt.” Shine confirmed. “Why?”

“Because one of us ‘mysterious ninjas’ happens to be an expert in guns. I’ve heard those are effective against giant bugs. I assume it’s the same for spiders. May I offer our aid?”

Shine hesitated, “It’s been four hours. Also, there are hundreds…”

“Then we’ll bring plenty of bullets.”