The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 33: Spirits Within

Naitosai concealed his amazement and was humbled on the inside. To finally be seated among the elite in the Tactics Room, discussing mission statuses. As everyone gathered and took their seats, the dragon knight further held back his emotions while thinking about Jinx. The father figure he wished was there to see him take his place.

Lord Kashif took charge of the meeting and started off with a question, "Is it safe to assume that Mikhail's brief on Curran was accurate?"

"I can't say for certain, but if I had to guess I would say yes." Evenharth replied.

"From what I was told me, I'd have to agree. When we arrived Curran and Cavell were both unconscious. I healed their wounds; then we brought them back here as soon as possible." Silvannas added.

"I see." said the king "And how long were they out?"

With a disappointed sigh, Evenharth replied, "Honestly, we have no clue. I wouldn't guess too long though, since some of the blood hadn't dried yet."

"So... pretty much, we don't know what state of mind Curran will be in when he awakens?" Dai asked, sitting back in his chair trying to get some much needed rest.

"Huh, what's that supposed to mean?" Naitosai asked, now confused.

"That's correct Dai." the king replied. "... Naitosai, from what we understand, due to a chain of horrible events that happened to Curran; we believe him to not be of sound mind."

With one hand, the dragon knight pinched the bridge of his nose while softly shaking his head and closing his eyes, "I'm not even gonna ask."

"I'm sorry, but I must know for sure, did you really defeat Cheyk?" Silvannas interjected in disbelief towards Naitosai.

Frustrated, Dai snapped back upright and without giving Naitosai a moment to respond he bolstered, "Okay seriously, how many times do we have to say it? We all know that Cheyk was strong, but so is Krinx. Once he's defeated are we going to spend the rest of our days asking if we really did it?"

Naitosai thought he had the chance to say his part but was cut off once again, but this time by Evenharth.

The spell-fighter slowly rose from his chair. "Alrighty then, on that note I'm going to go see how Curran and Cavell are doing, if that's okay with you sir?"

Lord Kashif hesitantly agreed "...Very well."

He showed his respects to his peers and his Lord; then proceeded out while the others continued their conversation.

"It's okay Dai." Naitosai said to calm him. Then directed his attention to explain, "Silvannas, yes Cheyk is really dead. All I can say is that if we are to defeat Krinx, we will have to trust one another and believe in each other's abilities."

"Agreed, to be under the impression that these guys are unbeatable is unacceptable, and if anyone truly feels that way, then why agree to fight in the first place?" Dai added.

Lord Kashif who leaned back just to listen to the points his subjects were making, nodded in agreement. Silvannas felt sorry for doubting Naitosai's strength and to have offended Dai.

"Please forgive me, things have been hard to comprehend since that fateful day." she said apologetically.

After learning about the Legion's encounter with Cheyk, Silvannas offered up her healing ability once more.

"I'm ashamed I didn't think of that when you and Evenharth first returned, Guru could definitely use your help and we'd be eternally grateful." the king stated.

Dai smiled and humbly nodded while thinking to himself. This is amazing, with the strength that Naitosai possesses and a healer in our midst.. we really do have a genuine shot and stopping Krinx.

"Fortunately this place hasn't changed much, I'll head there now and help him the best I can." she said while offering a bow and excusing herself from the table.

Meanwhile

Downstairs in the Recovery Center Guru slowly opened his eyes.

"Ho...w, how did I get here?" he said in a raspy voice while looking around.

"Guru, you're okay!" Osyrus said excitedly.

As Guru tried to sit up, Osyrus helped so we he wouldn't strain himself. Looking at the mounds of bandages around his body he replied, "Heh, I guess you could say that."

Osyrus then returned to his chair. Sadly looking down while closing his eyes, he folded his harms, "To be honest, we weren't sure if you were going make it."

"Well, I was wondering how long it'd take for you to get me back here." Guru softly whispered into his ear while wearing a sinister grin.

"What'd you just...?"As Osyrus opened his eyes and looked up, Guru quickly and forcefully muffled Osyrus' mouth with his hand.

The legionnaire's eyes widened with fear as he was face to face with Guru, noticing no expression and a look that was so empty. Guru's once blue eyes had turned a deep shade of purple.

Osyrus unsuccessfully scrambled to pry Guru's hand from his mouth, but his attacker's grip only tightened. Desperate he grabbed one of his dagger and plunged it into Guru's wrist, when it wouldn't go in any deeper, he twisted it.

However instead of releasing him, for the first time since he awoke, Guru's empty expression changed into one of anger. His eyes began radiating brightly as his grip clenched tighter and tighter until a loud crack resonated in the room. In pain from having his jaw crushed, he let out muffled screams of agony as tears weld up in his eyes.

Blood began to escape from beneath Guru's hand and trail down his arm. Succumbing to the shock, Osyrus no longer struggled and dropped his dagger. After watching the resistance fade from the legionnaire, Guru's demeanor had subsided into the same expressionless one as before.

Despite holding the limber body of his former comrade, he slightly tilted his head to the right and slowly raised his free hand with his index and middle finger extended. With a quick thrust, he punctured Osyrus' pupils.

Blood quickly filled the spacing between his fingers and the sockets as it overflowed and poured down his cheeks. Osyrus was no longer struggling, no screams or moans and no movement as Guru dropped his lifeless body to the floor.

Just then the door slowly swung open as Silvannas entered the room.

"Good to see you back on your feet." she said softly, smiling as she looked at Osyrus' lifeless body.

Her eyes also began to glow a deep shade of purple as Guru politely responded, "Thank you."

The cleric walked over to Guru and pulled the dagger out of his wrist. As she mended his wound, they both stared into each other's eyes; then slowly turned to Mikhail who remained unconscious in the other bed.