Paragon

Remnants of the Great War [36]

PARAGON

Remnants of the Great War Arc [36]

Chapter 45 : Decaying Peace

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Kalos Region - Laverre Forest

The moonlight wafted and curled around King Azett in a somber froth. Within the shadows of the darkened forest, amidst the tangled web of wooden branches, he alone stood illuminated. The grass at his feet looked teal in the liquid moonlight, and he rose to his full height, wearing the white majesty of the night like a cloak.

Glancing down at his fallen men, he stalked over to them slowly. His entire form brimmed with power, yet he didn't notice it. Not yet. He knelt and checked their pulses. They were alive, and by all appearances, they seemed unharmed.

But what about me?

The overwhelming stimulation from before had already subsided, and now, he didn't feel even a bit of pain anywhere in his body.

Clearly, something had happened here. Sir Zagreus said there was a Plate of Arceus. Azett hadn't expected to find anything, but now, his men were asleep on the ground, and he had found something.

"Your Grace!"

A throng of men forced their way through the trees, pokéballs in hand, spreading out protectively around their king.

"Are you alright, your Grace?" one of them said. "We saw a flash, like lightning!"

Azett glanced around at them. Looks of alarm adorned every one of their faces, which only confirmed to him the reality of what had just happened. "At ease. I'm fine. Get these two back to town so they can be looked at."

As some of his men obliged his order, another stepped closer to him. "Your Grace...what happened?"

Azett exhaled and started back to town himself.

"Your Grace?"

"I'd like to know that myself. Find the man called Zagreus immediately. And bring him to the capital."

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The journey home was quiet and uneventful. The two guards who'd been knocked unconscious woke without injury, and although they apologized profusely for failing to protect their king, King Azett cast no blame on them. However, he also refused to speak of what had happened.

If that truly was a Plate of Arceus, then I, like the Guardians, will keep its existence a secret until I speak with Sir Zagreus. Shifty he may be, but he is the only one I can confide in on this matter. At the very least, he was right about this.

Luckily, due to missives they'd sent ahead, Zagreus was already waiting for them back at the capital when they arrived. Apparently, he'd never even left, having anticipated he'd be summoned.

Upon arriving home, Azett ordered a private meeting with him immediately, which they took in his solar over an afternoon feast.

"I apologize again for any disrespect caused before," Zagreus said as he sucked on a bone noisily. "But, now you see the truth of my words."

Azett leaned back in his seat and glanced outside as he licked the food from his teeth. "Kalos' destruction, eh?" he muttered. He shook his head. "No, I still don't believe that at all. Treacherous you may be, but a Guardian all the same. And I know you Guardians know things that only you know. So tell me more about these Plates."