Three Spheres

Chapter 109 - Betrayal

The meeting starts in the middle of the night, involving several subordinates and high ranking personel. Eloah explains how she found Amadeo Alscher:

_ I kept a tracking spell all these days, through my sonar. It shows spiritual energy, with different electromagnetic signatures depending on the source. _ She leaves the device on the table and pauses _ A few hours ago, we observed a sudden surge of abnormal energy in the south. Mr. Tomio was chatting with me at said moment, and we decided to investigate. _ She tries to disguise her joy _ We arrived at the groove and he... was there, unconscious.

Those present whisper to each other. Fumio confirms every detail of the story, even though he himself had his doubts about the absurd convenience of it...

When the meeting is over, he walks into a dimly lit room, with anxiety and nervousness.

Amadeo is sitting on the bed, facing the window. He doesn't react when Fumio enters, apologizing for the intrusion. He approaches and, after a few moments, the blonde turns his face to him. His eyes, however, pass through the boy, staring at nothingness. Empty. He doesn't have a clear expression, but Fumio feels terrible suffering...

_ We're relieved that you're back in one piece._ Fumio tries to instigate a conversation _ Eloah was very worried. A lot has happened these past few days. It feels like it's been so long... _ He insists _ Do you want to drink or maybe eat something? _ Amadeo doesn't answer _ Are you feeling sick? _ No reply _ I... would like to do something to help, but I think that, for now, you need some time alone, yes? When you feel better, I'll be happy to hear about what...-

The door opens, interrupting the grim atmosphere. Eloah enters and, at the same moment, Amadeo gets up and poses the Paragons greeting. His eyes remain opaque. Empty. Fumio doesn't understand. She gives the order:

_ Rest. _ The boy obeys _ It's great that you're well, Amadeo. Now that we have you with us, we just need to think about how to capture the abomination and how to destroy the Witches...

_ I will hunt him down.

Fumio's eyes widen when he hears Amadeo's voice, unusually harsh. That frivolous neutrality he had is replaced by irritation incompatible with the target he's talking about. "Does he already know about Johan...? But how...?", Fumio asks himself. The boy continues:

_ He betrayed us. I won't forgive him.

For the first time, Fumio sees a wide smile, from ear to ear, spread across Fortescue's face. "There's... something really, really wrong here", he concludes, watching the other two.

The storm that started that fateful night lasted for long hours, subsiding for a few minutes, and then returning.

The day that dawns is cloudy and cold. In Eloah's team meeting room, Amadeo is introduced as the new leader of the "search group". One Knight, however, disagrees:

_ Lady Fortescue, this boy is just a Parvus who has just been rescued. He shouldn't...

_ I survived things that would kill you just for imagining it, sir. _ Amadeo interrupts _ Isn't it enough for me to earn my Major rank? _ The golden pendant sparkles on his chest.

The hunt will start once more. Everyone begins preparations to leave, under the leadership of a sullen Paragon.

Fumio asks Eloah:

_ Madam, will you accompany the expedition? And how will they find Johan?

_ I won't. I'm trusting Amadeo; that's all. _ She pauses _ You know... two bonded people tend to chase each other to the ends of the earth, Mr. Tomio.