Discordant Note: Crescendo | TBATE

Chapter 273: Shatterpoint

Thank you to my beta reader and editor, GlassThreads!

Arthur Leywin

Cylrit stepped backward uncertainly as that unending aura focused on him, crushing inward and making steam rise from his black plate armor. His dark hair clung to his head as he grunted, stumbling under that weight.

My mind was awhirl with questions and worries as the mage leveled their weapon down at Cylrit threateningly, waiting for a response. But while my thoughts struggled for purchase beneath that stifling aura, I knew instinctively I needed to take action.

My intent pressed back ever-so-slightly against that of 'Chul,' trying to shelter Cylrit. I was only partially successful, but the Retainer thankfully managed a deep breath. "You are interrupting private business, asura," I pressed out, forcing my voice to be even. "Your kind is forbidden from interfering in this war."

Asclepius, I thought internally as I hovered slightly, putting myself between Chul and Cylrit. I felt the eyes of the mage turn to me, those contrasting pupils of ice and fire sending a tremor through my body. Sylvie said something about them. A former clan of the Great Eight that left to join Agrona. One of phoenixes.

But if they joined with Agrona, why was this man—likely an asura—threatening Cylrit? Spellsong—a phoenix hybrid—fought on his side, after all.

I felt my rising tension and worry shift slightly, however, as the phoenix bowed to me in the air, his free hand smashing into his chest in a thunderous beat. He kept that mace—which looked like a star had been captured in the center—leveled at Cylrit. "I meant not to disturb you, Good King," he said. I doubted it was intended as such, but the words echoed like a yell. "I have quested far and wide, searching for your hearth as I slay monsters and beasts."

My eyes widened. "The Rogue Hero," I said, the dots aligning. I'd sent Sylvie—who was now frantically asking what was wrong—on a mission north to track sightings of this person. They'd been eliminating slight offshoots of the Beast Hordes all on their own.

Move south, Sylv, I thought quickly, unable to spare too much thought. The Rogue Hero is here.

"I'm a hundred miles away from you!" my bond thought back. "What do you mean he's there?!"

The suffocating aura lessened slightly as Chul looked at me intently, a slight glimmer in his eye. "The fell dragon pursued me greatly, Good King, but I would not let myself be caught by an Indrath. They know not the arts of the hunt and misleading prey. It was my duty to speak to you alone when poisonous words were not dripping into your righteous ears.

"But such is not of import now," the man barked, focusing on Cylrit again, who had stood motionless with an expression of supreme concentration. "The Vritra seek to mislead you, human king. They know naught but lies and riddles meant to confuse and baffle. I will dispatch this one in glorious combat as a testament to my words, and I shall take knowledge of my Mother from his defeated form."

His mother? I thought, feeling horrifically confused. I was missing something. "Your actions have been beyond helpful, Chul Asclepius," I said, trying to maintain a calm voice as I reasserted my stance to the asura. "The fires you have wrought and the people you have saved speak to your intentions. But you cannot interrupt a–"

"Your mother..." Cylrit's even baritone rumbled out. He slowly, haltingly rose into the air. Though I knew he struggled to present himself beneath that aura, he looked once again entirely unfazed. "I know of her, Chul Asclepius. But we thought you would be at the Hearth."

Chul's aura redoubled once more, slamming into both me and Cylrit. I gritted my teeth as the house behind us began to burn from the heat. "You, from the southern infestation... You know of the Hearth," he whispered, his words hot despite his frigid tone. "That is unacceptable. The Vritra cannot know of my clan's home."