Era of Ezri

The making of a monster

Blaze

My father was well aware of what August had witnessed by the lake and a deep-seated anger rooted itself in his heart at the idea of almost befriending the man who knew the whereabouts of the stolen crystals.

"You have the Mirrors!" My father roared, mimicking August's actions, his chair tumbling backwards as he went to stand before Vernil.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. What the hell is going on here!?" Vernil replied, more bewildered than angry as he stood to face my father.

"My son is a Collector with his abilities intact and he has seen him," My father pointed at the man who just entered, "not just with one but with all twelve of the Mirrors."

Vernil released a low chuckle as he looked at the man in question and then back at my father.

"I don't see a joke, this man is a thief!" My father bellowed whilst looking down at Vernil.

"Who me?" The thief gestured to himself. "I can promise you Commander Eden that I have not stolen...."

"Rynis be quiet, nobody is accusing you of anything." Vernil interrupted.

"I am!" My father was slowly losing it. "I tell you that this man is a thief and could be the reason for all of our problems and you dare to act so nonchalant.

Look at us all, barely growing enough to feed our people because our lands are dying. All because 'he' wanted to use the crystals for personal gain."

"The key word is 'could', you have no proof that Rynis is the man that stole the crystals. I've known him for decades and he is the clumsiest, most unorganised man I have ever met. The day this man pulls off a crime so grand will be the day I sprout wings from my back." Vernil argued.

"Well, my son-"

"Your son what?" Vernil parroted. "He is only a boy, and little boys enjoy making up little stories for attention and entertainment. Besides, that boy you drag around is undoubtedly not your son."

My mother gasped and hurt was prominent on August's features as silence engulfed the room. The only sound that could be heard were my father's heavy breaths as he tried to maintain his composure but failed miserably when Vernil calmly sat back down and grabbed his drink.

Slapping the cup out of his grasp, my father picked Vernil up by his shirt collar and lifted the smaller man to his height.

"First, you accuse me of being a liar and then not only do you mock me but you disrespect and insult my son." My father spat, not caring that he was showering Vernil in spit.

Gloria's guards watching from the doors had their swords drawn and directed at my father but the larger man was unphased.

Commander Yatet no longer had that humorous glint in his eyes as he finally realised that this was serious, his face had paled and his body had tensed at the sight of my father's furious stare.

"Put me down!" Vernil demanded, but my father didn't budge. He brought Vernil's face closer to his own, staring at him with such intensity that Vernil could only hold his gaze for a second before his eyes shifted to look at the floor.

After a few seconds, my father released Gloria's Commander and he fell to the floor in a heap.

The members of Gloria's council who were previously frozen gaped in horror at the poor treatment of their leader. It was without doubt that my father had made Vernil look like a mere boy in comparison to himself.

The smaller man scrambled to his feet, his face beet red and veins bulging, I'd never thought Vernil capable of an emotion such as anger.

"How dare you come onto my land and enjoy the comfort of my home whilst trying to make demands and accuse one of my most trusted advisors of a theft that would cost him his life, all because of some statement from a boy you found in the gutter." He smirked, the kind man breaking character.

"You're lucky I've always been and will always be a generous man, otherwise I would throw you out of my home this second and you would return to Offrost with the clothes on your back. But, I see the storm that awaits you outside so you may stay the night but afterwards, you are never to return to Gloria Bridge."

The two Commanders stared at each other with equal hostility, neither of them preparing to back down until my father decided to be the bigger man.

"Come." My father commanded me, my mother, August and our guards to make our way out of the large dining hall.

"Your actions will have consequences." Those were my father's last words to Vernil.

The events that followed that night could only be described as heinous, my father and mother went to their rooms that evening and were only ever seen again in pieces. The ringing of their screams will forever occupy a corner of my mind.

That unforgettable night, me and August managed to escape with our lives after we had crept from our beds to go explore the depths of the palace we were staying in with hopes of finding a lead on the Mirrors.

Although the decision to do so seems naive, the fruitless trip saved both of our lives.

Once we'd returned to the rooms assigned to my parents, the sight that greeted us left August mute for a year and me with a thirst for Glorian blood. When we'd fled from the faction and returned to Offrost, I'd promised myself I would make sure Gloria Bridge met its rightful fate.

Even now, remembering the events that took place had me throwing my fist into the energy barrier despite the intense pain that followed.

Father, I'll make this right, I promise.

Author's note

Another week, another chapter. 😊

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- Y