Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles

Chapter 20: Out Of Time

Sirius City.

A ridiculous name for a place filled with even more absurd people.

The White Locust had locked himself in his office. Or rather, a room that he had chosen to call his 'office'. He had spent over a decade working with thugs and criminals, but he never got used to their antics and attitude. Still, they were useful as fodder and general workers. After all, seizing a warehouse would have been significantly more difficult all by himself, even if the only people he had to intimidate were common low-life meta contractors.

The sound of men chattering loudly away from outside drifted to his ears.

They were rough, but at least they were obedient. Such criminals were easy to satisfy, even without him resorting to magic mind tricks. Dangle some cheap meat in front of them, and they would be climbing over themselves to get a mere whiff of its scent.

Just like dogs. The man's nose wrinkled with disgust behind his mask. And in this case, the 'meat' was simply a place to live in.

But he knew that would not satisfy them for long. Sooner or later, he would have to give them what they truly want. Or at least, what he had promised them. As always, getting people onboard was the easy part. Keeping them there? Not so much.

I'm running out of time. These cheap treats won't be worth anything to them soon. But Angelo is dead, and I've lost the counterspell.

The White Locust sank to his knees, clasping his hands in prayer. His knuckles grew white in desperation. Breaking out the worst criminals in the city was a huge gamble. A gamble that would have paid off handsomely if Felix Pagonis had not interfered with that fool of a meta.

"What are you still waiting for?" a voice spoke in his mind. "You know who has the last tome. Why are you hesitating?"

The magi silenced his mind. Why indeed? Was it because he was at the last stages of a decade long plan? Was it because he was about to pull off the boldest move he had ever attempted? Or-

Is it because you have no faith in us?

His eyes flew open. His palms were sweaty with fervent piousness. The White Locust resisted the urge to slap himself and clear the fog in his mind.

Of course. Why should he be hesitating if he had complete faith in His will? After all, they had been through so much worse together, haven't they?

Determination filled the man once more as he opened his office doors. His eyes narrowed behind his mask, hidden from the criminals he had just called for a briefing.

No more doubt. No more hesitation.

Only His will be done.

~ ~ ~

Gaius was back at the Presidential library yet again. He flipped through his book mindlessly, before slamming it shut with a sigh. He could not focus. Not today. Not when there were so many questions buzzing in his head. So he decided to take a walk to clear his mind instead.

"This man sure enjoys flaunting his accomplishments," Gaius thought to himself as he walked along the corridors, admiring the multitude of honour awards hanging on the walls. Suspicion was pooling in his gut. He really wanted to trust in Benedictus, but his motives were vague at best. Why was Benedictus seeking the Warlock Faustus' counterspell? How did Titus Angelo get his hands on it? Who taught him an ancient magic ritual of stripping arcani seals?

The Sorcerer's rumination brought him in front of a large portrait of the former presidents. Great, now I'm lost. He rolled his eyes and leaned against the wall beside it.