Chapter 2 – Shadows

All that the public knew was that a tragic "accident" had occurred.

Only Saphir knew what exactly had happened. What I had made.

The Nebilim replica had attacked a soldier as soon as he came over to investigate. I couldn't distract her soon enough: she killed him. Next she had turned to Saphir and I, groaning and twisting her body in pain. She was incomplete—unstable, and searching for the fonons she lacked.

Saphir ran behind me, screaming. I shielded us, and then let loose the most powerful killing arte that I could manage. She leaped and dodged it, and then ran off into the night faster than I could catch her or cast another spell. I wouldn't see her again for more than twenty years.

I was quietly expelled from the academy, and just as quickly, my family found itself hosts to two recruiters from the Malkuth military. The general at the time had already heard word of my 'talent.' He proposed that I be admitted into a military academy, trained, and set on a trajectory for a commanding position in the army.

My parents were still too shocked to give their options much thought beyond practicality. What else was to be done with me? Stay at home, and I would only endanger my sister and the rest of the town. Put my strengths to use, and perhaps I'd learn to better manage them.

All was settled in a matter of days after the incident, and all at once I was to leave for the capital city.

While Saphir, who'd escaped any suspicions, was upset to see me leave, he was optimistic about my future and the promises it held for our research.

"Write me, Jade," he told me, as he sat in my room, watching me pack.

"Yes," I said, concentrating more on whether I should bother bringing my favorite heavy jackets to the much warmer capital.

"Tell me what sorts of technology you use. Who knows, maybe one day we can create perfect replicas."

"Perhaps."

"I mean really," he said, getting up and walking over to me.

"Hm?"

"Write me. I don't want to lose you," he told me, all of a sudden grabbing one of my hands in his.

"Saphir—"

When I had finished remembering that I'd heard this phrase before from Peony to Nephry, I looked up to find Saphir's intense violet eyes gazing into mine from a much closer proximity.

"Jade… I don't ever want to lose you." All of a sudden I felt nails on the back of my skull, keeping my head firmly in his grasp, and pulling me forward, until he was clumsily kissing me on the lips. Again, I was too shocked to react for some time. He took this opportunity to wrap the other arm around my waist to further limit any possibility of escape. What froze me, even after I had registered what was happening, was my own body and basest instincts betraying me. My arms nearly twitched to hold him in return. My lips—they wanted to match his passion; they may even have softened, and pushed to do so.

My mind, jammed in conflict, prevented any of these instincts from completely taking over. Somewhere, rationally, I remembered that this boy was nothing more than a leech to me.

No, he is my friend. I care about him.

And he cares for me. Too much. I mustn't use that against him.

But I want him.

He's distasteful in so many ways. And he's a man.

Actually, we're only fourteen.

Exactly. Wrong.

I tore away, sick to my stomach.

"Jade!" When I could bring myself to look at him again, I saw tears already streaming down his face.

"That's quite enough," I said. "Get out of my room."

He whined for a few more moments at me, and then obliged. When I was sure he was gone, I sat down and centered myself again until a knock interrupted the process. I muttered a "who is it."

"Hey!" Peony's annoyingly peaceful face peered in at me.

"Yes?" I hid my face as subtlety as I could. He picked up on it immediately.

"Is something wrong?"

"No."

"No?"

"I'm upset to be leaving," I lied.

"Ah, yeah," he nodded. "But you're going to Grand Chokmah, right? Maybe I'll see you there someday!"

"Perhaps," I shrugged.

"I'm sorry you have to go, though," he said.

"Thank you."

"Is it…because of professor Nebilim?" He asked more carefully.

"Who told you about that?"

"No one. It's just that I knew you were practicing advanced magic with her. I assumed there was an accident, and you're taking the responsibility. I'm sorry, Jade."

"It's alright." I hadn't expected him to hit as close to the mark as he did.

And with a few encouraging words, he left. I saw him leave the house with Nephry. She glanced back at my window once, and then kept walking.

It was ten years before I saw him again.

Ten years, and I was a Major in the Malkuth military. I had been adopted under the name of Curtiss, one of Malkuth's premier generals, now retired. I was no longer the mishap from Keterburg.

No, instead I had made an even better name for myself. My continued research in fomicry held the interest of comrades and enemies alike. My methods—as separate as they were from the state—aroused much suspicion.

As "Jade the Necromancer," I would regularly scavenge the battlefields that were left littered with the corpses of my foes, scythe in hand. My army of undead replicas was nearly complete…

Fables aside, I had been admitted to an internship at a fomicry research lab in Hod. There, when given free time and reign I would use—yes, cadavers—to gather data and continue to refine fomicry. The results were invariably flawed in one way or another. But there was progress. I could never simply give up. I didn't, until the lab was shut down due to the impending peak of war with Kimasca. I no longer had access to the research facility. And now I no longer had the option of regaining it. Hod had since been obliterated Five years ago. Since then, I'd made a name for myself not only in science, but as a soldier on the front lines of the battles following Hod's destruction. In a few short years, my superiors agreed that a "precocious" lieutenant, such as I'd been, was better off nurtured and moved along the chain of command, soon given control of hundreds of soldiers and the title of major.

I lived in comfort, then, having been relocated to the Curtiss Manor, which lay on the outskirts of Grand Chokmah. I was called to the military complex only on official business. Thus, news did not reach me immediately. I was usually briefed during whatever next time I reported. I blame these circumstances for the shock I received, one day, during one such visit.

I made my way along the promenade, toward the palace, almost enjoying the sun on my face. Walking out in the open was becoming more difficult, these days, as I became better-known throughout the city. Or perhaps infamous was the better term.

I was greeted normally at the base, but instead of being shown into the briefing room, was redirected to the palace.

"Major Curtiss," said the soldier, with a nod, "His Majesty has asked to see you, as soon as you're able."

"The emperor…?" I cut short my surprise, and climbed the flight of stairs to the royal audience hall. Once inside, I heard my name announced resoundingly, for the benefit of the figure on the throne. I drew closer, glanced up, and realized that the man sitting there, grinning at me, was not the emperor I was expecting.

"Jade? They told me there was a 'Jade Curtiss' serving as major, and I thought that somehow, it must be you!"

I looked up blankly at him.

"Do you remember me?" The young man—an older, taller and handsome Peony—was doubtlessly the boy I'd known in Keterburg. In the decade I hadn't seen him, however, his scrawny figure had filled out nicely into a fit, strong form. He had already regained a healthy tan, signature of the Chokmah resident. And the gold hair he had kept short now swept to his shoulders. But his eyes had not changed. They were still as blue crystals. They were beaming down at me from atop staircase and throne.

"Your Majesty—yes. I remember you."

"I can see this is difficult for you," he laughed. "I understand. Why don't we meet later? Come by and let's catch up!"

"If Your Majesty wishes it—"

"Yes, yes, formalities. And don't stand me up, this time, Jade!"

After I was dismissed, I turned and walked away as quickly as I could manage while still maintaining etiquette. It wasn't until then—with those eyes doubtlessly piercing into the back of my head—that I began to recall the several times I had "forgotten" to keep my appointments with him when we were children. Of all the things to throw at me now. Plus, I'd never had to hold an audience with the emperor before.

I met with my superiors in the military headquarters for about an hour after that. After I'd been released, I found myself with time to kill, as I was supposed to wait for someone to find and escort me back to meet with Peony. I had nowhere else to go but the local bars, and as it was too early to make a social appearance, I remained in the courtyard overlooked by the palace. I found a secluded enough spot, overlooking the ocean from the white carved-stone terrace.

The ocean held my attention for a while. The bright sun was catching it particularly well that day. The thousands of refractions and pings of light were nearly painful, but more beautiful to watch. For a while, I was foolish and lost track of my surroundings.

"Jade the Necromancer!" Called a voice. Before I had registered whose it was, I'd turned around to again find myself caught by surprise as Peony himself approached me. Still smiling, he was flanked by three animals—rappigs, to be exact. He held lines loosely attached to a harness on each one. They wandered in front of his path, noses busily analyzing the walkway.

Peony himself gleamed in the outdoor light. "I didn't feel like staying in that palace any longer. Hope you don't mind my coming to meet you out here."

"No, Your Majesty." I bowed my head uncertainly.

"And you had to meet my friends—this is Nephry, Saphir, and Gelda." He motioned to each of the snuffling animals.

"I see…" I said.

"They're quite fond of Grand Chokmah. I can't say I'm completely convinced. But it'll have to do."

"Your majesty, so does this mean you've ascended the throne?"

"Oh, no. My father hasn't retired just yet. You could say he's finally decided to let me have some experience. Test me for a few weeks."

"So you are not, truly, emperor yet."

"I was born emperor. Come on now, Major. Show a little respect." He was winking at me. My smile was nothing more than a cringe.

"Forgive my indiscretion, Your Ma—"

"Jade, please," he said more softly, approaching me and joining me in facing the ocean. "We went to the same school. Save the titles for the audience hall."

"If you insist," I said.

"That's right."

"So," I ventured, "You've been living in Keterburg until recently?"

He nodded. "I've been back here for short trips. But my father considers it much safer there. Hasn't really let me come here unless it's been necessary. Until it was starting to look ridiculous that a twenty-something heir wasn't getting any on-site job training."

"I see."

"What about you? All I've really heard about you, beyond your success, are the…horror stories."

"Oh?"

"Of the most complimentary kind, of course. They say you're a genius. Scarily brilliant, in fact."

"Do they? Well I'm sure that's simply part of the mysticism involved with serving in the military for too long."

Peony laughed. "I suppose. But tell me—what do you actually do?"

I felt my mouth go slightly dryer. I didn't need the emperor aware of my scientific ventures.

"—I mean for fun! What's there to do around here, anyway?"

"Alas, Your Majesty, I don't have any fun."

"Nonsense. I mean, we used to have plenty of fun. I mean do you remember how we used to sneak into the casino? Go diving off of the icebergs? Get into the spa after-hours—"

"Those were most definitely your ideas. We were only trying to keep you from being killed or arrested."

"Ha. But do you miss it back home?"

"…Depends."

"Have you even spoken to Nephry lately?"

"I've done her the courtesy of avoiding communication."

"Saphir—you know he was recruited into the oracle knights some time ago?"

"I didn't know…" I said. "And you? Do you and Nephry still intend to elope at the first possible chance?"

He laughed a little too hard at that. I thought I saw old hurt in his eyes.

"You really haven't been in touch, have you."

"Really. It's better this way."

I didn't see him for another week. It wasn't that I avoided the palace. I found myself quite occupied enough with my military duties. I wasn't about to put everything on hold in the name of catching up with old acquaintances.

But again, I was called in to the palace, this time for official business. As it turned out, I'd been summoned to one of the regular conferences that were usually reserved for the Emperor, The chief of staff—Sesemann, commander-in-chief, General Nordheim, and the council members. As a mere Major, I couldn't see why I could possibly have been needed.

"Curtiss!" Nordheim greeted me. I gritted my teeth and nodded.

"We're in need of your experience with fontech and fomicry. It relates to the army…"

The politicians looked on as we militia discussed possible plans for the army. The council agreed, and Peony hesitantly signed a bill, instating my other area of expertise into the world of combat. I can't deny I wasn't a bit thrilled. After all was said and done, the acting emperor seemed at ease, too.

He waited to walk along side me as we left the conference hall.

"Don't make me regret this, Major."

"What, am I responsible for the army's success now?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself," he said. "Whatever you're doing now seems to be working."

"Your Majesty is too kind."

He swept a strand of hair out of his eyes. "How long have you been so career-minded?"

I laughed.

"I think you should come back with me. I'll be leaving next week for Keterburg. Come back home, just for a little while."

My steps faltered.

"They'd really like to see you."

"And if I refuse?"

"And if it's an order?"

"Then we shall see."

"Major," he said. "You're to accompany me back to Keterburg for one week."

I couldn't argue. "Yes, your majesty."