Lost Fragments

Chapter 4: Siblings

In the northwest of the royal castle stands a bizarre tower. The tower stood tall, as its stone walls sparkled in the sunlight, and mana drizzled on the tower's wall. On the top floor of the tower, there was a room filled with books, ornaments, and magic. It was the room where the tower's possessor dwelled. He was the Grand Mage of the Eagle Kingdom who protected the Kingdom from all magical threats. However, to the Kingdom's inhabitants, he was a tale, for no one had ever seen him except the royal family.

One night, the Grand Mage sat peacefully, while he gazed at the flame in front of him. Its dance seemed to bring peace to his senses. His shadow covered the room. It was quiet until then a knock was heard. It was the General who came rushing to him after the incident with Austin and Aarman. The Grand Mage answered in a low voice. "What is your concern, Maria?" General Maria answered in a panic. "I wish to inform you about something."

The door opened on its own as he granted her permission to enter. "What is it?" General Maria looked directly at him and replied. "The vambrace, i-it's alive." The Grand Mage's eyes widened in disbelief. He slowly stood from his seat and flicked his fingers. Fires lit up in all the lamps and torches in his quarters, brightened the whole room and made his silhouette form disappear. A man was revealed, taller than Maria, with a young and delicate complexion. He had purple hair highlighted with white and gold strands, with eyes glittered in purple and gold like a shimmering jewel similar to General Maria's.

General Maria stood by the door, awaiting his response. He walked slowly toward her and asked. "What vambrace do you speak of?" General Maria worriedly replied. "The one used during the war."-- " I see." The Grand Mage stepped back and looked at the piled books placed on the wooden table on his left. He hurried towards the piled books and then stood there. He closed his eyes, with his arms placed upon the table. Meanwhile, General Maria walked in the opposite direction and surveyed the mysterious items placed chaotically on the shelves. General Maria was disturbed about all the items.

Five books started to float in front of the Grand Mage. The Grand Mage opened his eyes and removed all the remaining piled books on the table. All five books descended slowly upon the table. Each book was covered in dust. General Maria noticed this and reached toward where the Grand Mage was. She stood behind him in wonder while he wiped the covers of each book. She asked. "May I ask the purpose of those books?"-- "These books would guide you in your venture to locate the vambrace... the Φεραια ψυχή (Pheraea's Psuche)."-- "Locate? Is there still a need for that?" The Grand Mage seemed tired of her question and responded in dismay. "Years have passed and you're still having second thoughts about this? Since when have you been so indecisive?" The Grand Mage stared at her with anger in his eyes.

This frightened Maria, which made her respond in haste. "I-, that's not what I meant. I just-" The Grand Mage confronted her and interrupted her with anger. "You wish to keep the peace for your kingdom, don't you? Is that why you're doubting your brother? Do you not think that I care for peace? Or perhaps, you've been too-" Maria instantly interrupted him from further provoking her. "I trust you Molgren. I will locate Pheraea's Psuche, I just want to know the reason for haste." Molgren paused for a moment to recollect his composure. Then he calmly answered. "Simply because valuable treasures should never be left in the hands of the worthless." He smiled and then caressed her head to comfort her. He also asserted in a pleasant voice. "I deeply appreciate your aid, Sister. Don't fear, this quest is the same as our journeys before." Maria sighed quietly and asked calmly. "This vambrace should never be revealed to others right?" He nodded then faced the table again to return to his work. Where he was casting a summoning spell on the books.

He continued with the spell, while Maria stepped back and waited. She had a serene expression reflected on her face but deep within, she was scared and troubled. She knew that showing her distress in front of her brother would trigger an argument that might end in a chaotic fight. All five books started to set ablaze as Molgren continued to chant. The fire grew and grew until all books turned to ash. The fire slowly vanished after the incantation. Molgren placed his hand on the book's ashes in front of him.

He closed his eyes then suddenly, a glow of light emerged from each ash. Molgren removed his hand and waited as the ashes started to form into varied shapes. All five ashes turned into deformed knights. They were unusually skinny as if they were stretched out. They were like giants with their height, but none of them stood straight. Two of them had their abdomens twisted, with their hands on the floor and the same with their feet. One was kneeling. The last two had longer arms, like a gorilla. Each knight had weapons, a sword, spear, bow, axe, and dagger.

A black vapor rushed down from their carcasses. Their armor was melting infinitely. Their faces were covered in white veils attached to their helmets. They were horrendous creatures inferred as the Blighted Knights of the undead.

Maria looked at the knights as they groaned. Molgren and Maria were unbothered by the Knight's horror. Molgren walked past each knight as he spoke. "These creatures will help you locate Pheraea's Psuche. I will cast invisible magic on them so that no one would be able to see them physically."

Molgren tapped each knight. Each tap lay marks of magic upon the knight's bodies. Afterwards, he headed toward Maria. He took her hand and suddenly a slash of light wounded her palm. A cut appeared with blood flowing from it. He slowly poured black vapor possessed by the knights into her wound. Maria bit her lip, conveying her pain as her wound absorbed the vapor. Molgren looked back at her and declared. "A pact has been established, therefore their loyalty is only bound to thee." Maria nodded in acceptance and directed her wounded palm toward the knights. Each knight slowly disintegrated as they were being absorbed by Maria through her wounded palm.

After absorbing all five knights, Maria groaned in pain. She fell to her knees because of the excruciating pain from absorbing five dark forces. Molgren placed his palm on Maria's back and cast magic upon her. Her pain slowly diminished until she no longer felt it. Molgren assisted her to stand and said. "Rest for tonight. Your body may not withstand the darkness in its current state." Maria nodded and replied in exhaustion. "(Gulped) I will." Molgren continued to assist her. He then calmly said. "I'll teleport you back to your quarters." Maria nodded, unable to talk further due to her weariness.

Maria walked past the door she came in earlier but directly exited into her chambers. As the sibling of a Grand Mage, magic seemed to be a natural phenomenon for her if compared to typical people. After she entered her chambers, she removed her armor, left them on the floor and laid down directly on her bed which seized the tiredness she experienced. Meanwhile, Molgren was left alone once again. He returned to his seat in disarray. Only a few beings knew about the power of Pheraea's Psuche, which included him and Maria, but it was only he who knew the reason for its return.

Molgren pointed at the fire in front of him and flickered his fingers. Suddenly, an image of Austin asleep on the grass abruptly appeared on the fire. Molgren stared intently at Austin's face and sternly whispered. "So you're the one... Maria, I hope your sympathy won't get in the way." Molgren removed all the lights in his quarters. The fires faded as shadow covered his complexion then he proclaimed to himself. "A race for power has begun."