The Corruption- First Draft

Chapter 9

Everyone available met up together in the conference room, with Garbone still in bed, Lennon and Jaryn being checked out by the nurse, and Ryo comforting Jaryn. Havre was too drunk to talk, so she decided to retire early.

"I wish I could remember who exactly he is. I knew him personally- but he wiped my memory," Tassira said.

"There really isn't much evidence to make an accurate guess," Akae murmured, rubbing his temple.

"Well, what do we know so far about Ilflurer?" Akae asked.

"We know that he's a lich, he's likely Maefyz or is really fond of that culture. Because he's a lich he's obviously pretty powerful with magic. I want to say he's human because his ear is round, but there's no way a human of all species could be a lich," Cassius said.

"Actually, he is," Morinthir interjected. "One of the few things I do know him is that he loves to brag about his powers desire being human."

"Really? Well I'll be damned. Why would Merthicz give so much power to someone like him?" Cassius wondered, looking up at the ceiling as if looking up at her.

"Eilis, help us out. I know you know something about him," Cassius commanded.

"Hmm, let's see. What am I allowed to say?" He said out loud as he rolled his eyes in thought. "Well- I do have a theory. You all know about reincarnation right? In general, not specifically about ivierae reincarnation."

"How people are reborn as new people...?" Tassira asked.

"Yes. It works by transferring the soul to a new body. Sometimes souls that refuse to accept death but aren't fit for reincarnation will force their way into it by hijacking bodies. My theory is that Ilflurer is possessed by someone who used to be a lich in a past life- completely rejecting Lady Merthicz' fate for them."

"And because the soul is what stores magic, that's how a human ended up with so much power?" Morinthir said.

"Precisely."

"What exactly makes you think this was the work of reincarnation?" Akae asked.

"Aside for the power discrepancy- he also has multiple personalities."

"And how do you know he doesn't just have some personality disorder?"

"Personality disorders don't cause you to murder people willy nilly."

"Fair point," Akae said, shifting in his seat.

"Anyways, I only know about this because it's what Lady Merthicz herself has told me about him. I've been instructed not to go near him out of fear that I'll be possessed."

"Thaaaat explains why I haven't seen you in months," Aislin said.

"Apologies for that," Eilis said, to which she nodded.

"Right so- who do we know that might be possessed by a reincarnated lich?" Cassius asked.

Akae simply shrugged.

"Kyzaf knows. He's told me before about a few relationships he has with folk with multiple personalities at least. One of them is his former master, Hyalbtz," Morinthir said.

"Hyalbtz? I never noticed," Akae said.

"You're not very good with that sort of stuff, I'm not surprised," Cassius grinned.

Akae rolled his eyes.

"Do you know who else, Morinthir?" Tassira asked.

"I don't, but I assume one of the professors maybe?"