7 In The Study of Master Elmek

The following hour seemed to go by in a blur, Janus found himself unable to focus. His gaze drifted from here to there, sometimes skimming the titles of various books, and sometimes on the scared face of Elmek. He couldn't tear himself from it. Something about that face bugged him, like a deja-vu...Of course Elmek had always been like a father to them, but a part of him knew that he was more than that. He strained his head to remember but achieved nothing.

He sighed, turned, there they were, Elmek's dual swords gleamed back at him. Janus roughly remembered trying to wield one when he was young, his legs buckling under the weight. He had always admired the weapon, there was more to it. Three circle-shaped cut-outs lined directly at the center of the blade, which, when held under the sun, reflected a brilliant color of gold. But it was always the three circles that fasinated him. They were the symbol of Strenth, balance, and power. He didn't know why he knew but only the fact that he knew.

It was then, he heard the laughter. He turned to see Genesis, standing just a few feets away. Something stirred inside him. "Look at your...arms, Jan!" She had said. Suddenly he was aware.

Make her pay.

Arms trembling he stared transfixed at Genesis. His friend. Even when she was being cruel, she was beautiful. Now it hurt him even more.

His friend.

She betrayed you. How dare.

The voice came unconsciously, from somewhere deep down inside him. Stern, commanding, almost emotionless.

He started with his eyes, unblinking. He saw a face he did not recognize.

Her lips were moving, but the words came to him seconds later. "Jan, I'm sorry...Jan!"

He had shuddered, Genesis didn't step forward like she usually did. The smile was gone from her face and she looked hurt.

To his relief, they spoke no more of the incident afterwards, and Genesis remained his friend. Now he focused on a scar on the back of Gene's hand, anything to efface the memory from his mind. She had very long and slender fingers. He thought to himself. He loved her fingers, he decided. If only he could-

"Janus, are you even listening to this?" Startled, he sat up with a"Huh?" Now Elmek also turned to look at him.

"Huh-f course!" He said, stammering. His face burned.

"Where were we...Ah, so his influence grew, warlords and kings alike would swarm to him for protection-"

"Is that when you met him...I mean, my father?" Asked Genesis.

Elmek nodded. "I fought under him for many years, he conquered realm after realm, until he became more than a man." He paused.

"He was a god."

There was silence. "Then what happened?" Genesis asked, rather impatiently.

"I fought for him until the great purge." Elmek continued. "Power corrupts the good man, when he found the blade, darkness and corruption came with it. Day by day I sensed the evil in him grow. I couldn't hide my thoughts from him and he was beginning to question my loyalty. On the night of the purge, I snuck into the nursery and escaped with you. That was how you came under my care."

"Was he...was he a deathless?" Janus asked.

Elmek's face turned grave. Suddenly he seemed older, and more weary.

"Yes." He nodded again. "A deathless and a tyrant. He started the purge to slaughter his realatives."

"Thank you, master Elmek." Genesis stood up to go. Elmek smiled, when they were at the door, Genesis turned.

"Master Elmek."

"Yes?"

"If my father was a deathless...Would that make me a deathless, too?"

"That is correct, indeed." Then he added, "It's getting late, and there's much to take in. Sleep on it, goodnight."

Outside the moon had already risen. Together the two walked towards their cabin. They kept silent.