Beyond the Void

Chapter 96, We do not deserve the power

FUROS

Six moons since the Mark of the Other One blossomed.

He should have been awakening this very moment. The raging torrent of power felt exhilarating. Waves of ecstasy had been drowning his thoughts, yet a cold clarity sat at the core of Furos' mind and his flesh stood firm.

Intriguing. What was the key for such an occurrence? For years he had thought he was truly beyond any mage born in the remaining human kingdoms. Beyond any mage born in centuries, perhaps even a thousand years.

Was it the void in the air tonight? The two odd presences that shone like beacons through the void? Or was it the third presence twisting the unruly void around a knot of shimmering cold?

Keldin had taken a mortal wound. The new emperor's presence had been falling into pieces before it vanished behind the veil of void. Furos pushed the thought out of his mind, fearing that letting those emotions take control would mean his end. However, he had crossed his limit already. Why was he not changing?

These thoughts and desires lingering in his mind, were still his own. He should have been turning into a demon king to bring destruction upon this city. He wanted to. He had always hated the royal capital. The capital chained you and devoured you. Only Furos had taken hold of it and diverted the raging river of power around him.

Without warning, the torrent of power vanished. Furos was left wondering why he was on his three remaining limbs, just staring at the ground. The raging flow subsided and still nothing happened. There were other beings right near him. Why was nothing happening?

Faint rumbling from the direction of the ebon spire made Furos move his head gingerly. He felt old and tired now. He had an overwhelming urge to scold the idiots in this room for not ending his life. Someone's feet shifted on the rubble as they were circling around him. Enough was enough.

With a heavy breath, Furos pushed himself into a sitting position. And with more difficulty he stood up. One last pang of regret throbbed inside him. Somewhere under all this rubble was Naivir's final resting place. At least Lord Sool would not get to display the body of Furos' lifelong friend.

"Well? Is this all you have?" He shouted at the Alyar and the Crux mage. Beyond the two, Sool and the other mage of the Crux appeared. Sool was brushing dust off his attire.

There was no better time to strike now that his opponents were confused. The Alyar had even taken a step away from him. But the flow in Furos' veins would not obey his command. No power came from the palm he had thrust towards his opponents.

The Crux mages looked at each other and resumed their assault. Bewildered, Furos could do nothing, but cover behind his remaining arm. This had to be it. He felt the power assault him, yet nothing followed. Hesitant, he lowered his arm and looked around him. The surrounding debris had been pushed around and small dust clouds were slow to disappear.

"What is this?" Sool shouted.

The Alyar had ceased her assaults entirely and was looking at Furos with curiosity. Having survived once again, Furos could not help but feel angry at his show of weakness. He had covered in the face of death. How many times had he risked everything without fear in Tristen? Then again, what did he have to gain in this situation?

"Cease!" The Alyar witch shouted at the mages. "That will not work."

"Didn't he awaken? What is this?" Sool demanded again.

"He is mine!" The Alyar declared.

She brandished her blade and prowled around Furos. What to do with this one? She would not assault him with the flow again. Furos did not have any weapon at his disposal. He had never needed anything besides his own power.