Chapter 10: Investigating the Conspiracy

Of all the ministries in Alcamoth, the Ministry of Investigation was one of those with relatively little work to do. The capital's corruption rate was always low – the last major case they had seen was the underground trade of modified pollen orbs approximately 60 years ago.

The morning of First Princess Melia's trial looked like any other, at least until Prince Kallian himself entered the building with five guards. The guards were escorting five female High Entia who wore dark maroon uniforms, heeled boots and gloves. Hanging from their handcuffs were masks of a skull-like design worn only by the Bionite Order.

"I-it can't be!" Upon sighting them, the officer in the entry hall stood so quickly that his chair tipped over. Regaining his composure, he bowed deeply. "Pardon me, Your Highness. Welcome to the Ministry of Investigation."

Kallian nodded to the guards and they stood in a line beside him. "Thank you. Earlier today, these five Inquisitors of the Bionite Order gained access to Whitewing Palace's transporter by unknown means. They did not loot anything from the palace's treasuries, nor did they attack any members of the imperial family. It appears that their intention was to kill four Homs and a Nopon, guests of Princess Melia, residing in the aforementioned palace."

The officer nodded, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he recorded Kallian's report. "Did they succeed in their attempt?"

"Fortunately, they did not. The Homs and Nopon were able to overcome the assassins. There is, however, another matter that I must address – I have reason to believe that these Inquisitors acted under orders from a member of the imperial family. Thus, I request to speak with Avaryn Valois."

"The Head of Interrogation? A-as you wish, Your Highness. Please wait just one moment. In the meantime, your guards may bring the Inquisitors to the Interrogation Centre."

After the last guard had left the reception hall, the officer looked up from his screen. "Your Highness, Valois has been informed of your arrival. Jaren –" he called to another High Entia exiting the office transporter – "guide His Highness to Valois's office."


When Kallian entered the office, the first thing he searched for was an aura analyser. It was a device in the form of a bracelet. It would, as its name suggested, analyse the ether aura of the questioned. If any abnormalities or changes that indicated deception were detected, it would flash and a short electric shock would be delivered – not lethal, but painful enough to deter many from attempting to give incorrect information. Spotting it in a transparent box on Valois's desk, he ignored her attempts to deter him and slipped it onto his own right wrist, tightening it to fit.

"What are you doing, Your Highness? There is no need for you to use that –"

"My apologies. The Divine Seer is not available at this moment, so I felt it necessary to prove the veracity of my words by using the aura analyser on myself. I suspect that First Consort Yumea is part of, or has fraternised with, the Bionite Order."

Valois gasped. "Is the First Consort not…"

"My mother, yes. I assure you, it was not easy for me to approach the Ministry knowing that further investigations might lead to her arrest."

"I see." The female High Entia motioned the prince towards a comfortable armchair while she returned to her desk. "What… what reason do you have to believe that First Consort Yumea has fraternised with the Bionite Order?"

"This very morning, directly after the Emperor's announcement of Princess Melia's trial, she left Revelation Hall halfway through the ceremony. Sometime later, I too went back into the palace and saw a masked High Entia kneeling behind the First Consort, who was speaking to her. My presence went unnoticed by the two of them. The High Entia left at Yumea's command, and five others went to Whitewing Palace to attack Melia's guests. They were, as Alvis later informed me, Inquisitors of the Bionite Order.

"I was initially confused as to why they would attack Melia's guests, who were Homs and Nopon, instead of a member of the imperial family. But once I recognised their uniform as the one that the First Consort's associate was wearing, I remembered that she had mentioned that the removal of an unspecified group of people would deprive Melia of some powerful allies."

"So this 'unspecified group' must have been the Homs and Nopon," said Valois. "And since a member of the Bionite Order knelt before Yumea, that implies that she is in some position of power over them. Am I correct?"

"Indeed. That is all I have to say. I have already reported the five Inquisitors to the reception officer. They should be in the Interrogation Centre, should you wish to speak to them."

"I may not need to do so. May I help you with the aura analyser, Your Highness? This one can only be deactivated by my fingerprint." Against her volition, Valois's fingers shook as she removed the bracelet from Kallian's unharmed wrist. The aura analyser had an accuracy of about 80%. Despite her firm belief that the prince would not be dishonest over such a matter, she had been kept on the edge of her seat throughout his testimony, sure that the electric shock would be delivered any second.

"I appreciate your concern for me." She looked up to see him smiling almost ruefully. "I know you were worried that the analyser would malfunction. But it did not. I thank you for your time, Valois. My integrity has been proven. I must now trouble you to look further into this case and, of course, question the First Consort."

"Consider it done, Your Highness."

"Then I will take my leave." Bidding the Head of Interrogation a polite goodbye, Kallian rose from his seat and left her office.


FILE:148_BIONITE-ORDER [code RED – urgent updates]

NAME OF ORGANISATION: Bionite Order

STATUS: inactive (update 06-11 Sorean 20: likely active)

INFORMATION: The Bionite Order was a religious order and extremist organisation founded before records began. Its members were notoriously zealous in their worship of the Bionis and their dedication to the imperial family. When the Consort Law (refer to clause 16 of the ICL) was implemented under the rule of Emperor Lumian, 47th successor to the throne, many protested and others retaliated by violent means. Knowing that their continued existence would present a danger to the imperial family, their Homs consorts and other dissentients, Emperor Lumian dissolved the Order.

[Please approach the Heads of Departments for permission to edit this file. Important information and/or case updates may be inputted below.]

xxx

{27-09 Lumian 34}

[1921_Callas Eagan] Information in File 148 (Bionite Order) finalised.

{06-11 Sorean 20}

[1046_Enzo Galen] Five Inquisitors of the Bionite Order sighted and arrested in the Imperial Palace. Attempted to attack guests of Princess Melia. Suggest a change in status.

[1058_Avaryn Valois] New information provided by a member of the imperial family. Inquisitors may be answering to an individual whose identity will be disclosed at a later time.

[1152_Reina Akeos] Inquisitors interrogated separately. Two uncooperative, three confirmed motives (assassination of Princess Melia's Homs and Nopon guests). Locations of other members unknown; one claimed to have received orders from an unknown individual.

[1217_Enzo Galen] Princess Melia and Divine Seer Alvis report an assassination attempt on Princess Melia in the Ceremony Hall of the High Entia Tomb. The assassin was identified as a member of the Bionite Order.


MESSAGES

[11:03] Diare Nyxis: Hey, Avaryn! Jaren told me about Prince Kallian's meeting with you. You have no idea how jealous I am.

[11:40] Diare Nyxis: Let's have lunch at Talonyth's. This case with the Bionite Order might take a while. To think that we would have to deal with them even today…

[11:54] Diare Nyxis: LOOK AT REINA'S NOTE

[12:17] Avaryn Valois: Thanks. I saw it too. I'll see you later in the reception hall.

[12:18] Avaryn Valois: As for Prince Kallian… you know what, I'll tell you about it at lunch.

xxx

[12:18] Enzo Galen: Good afternoon, Valois. Sorry for the disturbance. Princess Melia and Divine Seer Alvis request to speak with you. Please respond immediately.

[12:18] Avaryn Valois: Message received and acknowledged. I am in my office.


BROADCASTS

[13:09] Avaryn Valois: This announcement is directed to Heads of Departments 2-7. The Divine Seer has confirmed that the Inquisitors answer to First Consort Yumea. Meet me in the Conference Room to discuss possible courses of action.


Kallian stood in the Audience Chamber, listening to Alvis give an account of the very events that Melia had recounted to him mere minutes ago. He had been immensely relieved to see his sister again, the only evidence of her ordeal being the slightly dishevelled state of her clothes.

As it turned out, Melia and Alvis had detoured to the Ministry of Investigation before returning to the Imperial Palace. Their final testimony strengthened the First Consort's link to the Bionite Order and she had been taken to the Tower of Investigation.

Alvis completed his report and the Emperor began to discuss the Bionite Order.

"Her Highness the First Consort is currently residing in the Tower of Investigation. The Ministry of Investigation's judgement should be imminent."

The Emperor shook his head. "That may not be enough. I myself must shine a light on the truth."

"Agreed."

Melia spoke for the first time since her customary greeting. "Mother…"

Kallian looked at his sister. One might have expected Melia, having completed the Trial of the Tomb and gained the approval of her ancestors, to hold her head high. Instead, her gaze was lowered and her shoulders slumped as though she had done something dishonourable. Of course, she would feel this way. No matter how disdainfully the First Consort treated her, Melia has thought of her as her mother ever since Minthe died. She must blame herself for this situation…

"Melia." At her father's word, she looked up. "You have returned unharmed from the Tomb. The forefathers have spoken."

"But – if it hadn't been for Shulk –"

"Kallian has informed me of what happened. There is no reason to doubt your legitimacy to the throne."

Melia's surprised gaze flicked from her father to her brother. He returned it with one of unfeigned confidence. "Believe in yourself, Crown Princess."

"Brother…"

"Tomorrow will be the investiture ceremony," proclaimed the Emperor. "At the appointed time, you will become my successor. Be proud!"

"I – I will!"

Sorean regarded the daughter he had never been ashamed to call his own. Melia, my child. I am overjoyed at how far you have come. You are truly worthy of the throne. Continue the legacy of your High Entia and Homs bloodline. You are the hope of Bionis.


"Riki and friends help save Melly. Riki very happy!"

"We're all relieved," agreed Dunban. "But something's still bothering me."

Sharla blinked. "What is it?"

"Why was Melia chosen as the crown princess? Shouldn't Kallian have been the one to ascend? And her foe in the Tomb clearly opposed that decision."

"You have a point."

"Kallian is more than a worthy candidate. What reason could they have for choosing Melia? And why would Kallian go along with this?"

She shrugged. "It's a mystery."

Shulk was about to speak when the door to Whitewing Palace slid open. Two imperial guards entered the room. "Our apologies. His Majesty the Emperor summons you."

Reyn grinned. "Finally! He's going to let us into Prison Island!"

"Yeah." Perhaps our saving Melia has given him confidence in us?

"His Majesty awaits you in the Audience Chamber. He asks that you join him shortly."


"Shulk," began the Emperor. "Forgive us for detaining you earlier. You and I are not of the same people, but this I must say. Thank you for helping Melia Antiqua, my daughter. It was no small feat."

"Not at all." Shulk bowed. "I too must apologise for meddling in your customs. We should not have interfered."

"She is a lucky girl, to have met such unselfish people. In the times to come, a ruler will need support from individuals like you." He paused. "I hear you seek the Mechon."

"Yes. The Mechon devastated our homes, and we lost many loved ones."

"Revenge is your goal?"

"It is."

"You are honest."

"I… do not want to hide our true intentions. Our very existence is at stake."

"Unwavering too. Shulk, you are the master of the Monado. But there is something that must be said."

"What is it?"

"Long before our forefathers built this empire, two titans – the Bionis and the Mechonis – fought a vicious battle. Is this known amongst Homs?"

"Yes, it is told to us as children. The two fought and died, killing many creatures in the process. Their remains became our worlds, bringing forth new life on Bionis. That's how we were made."

Sorean nodded grimly. "The Bionis shall awaken once again."

"Alvis told me the same thing."

"This is not just the vision of a seer. All of Makna knows. The Telethia are as old as the Bionis itself, and now they disturb the ether. That disturbance can only lead to one thing."

"But… why is this happening now?"

The Emperor turned around to look up at the huge stone tablet above the dais. Lines of Etherscript were carved into it. "This is an inscription left by our forefathers. It is written: Descendants of Antiqua, when the ether cries, the Bionis awakes. Mistake not the signs, and heed the sword's return. Trap its power and assure eternal prosperity.

"All life born on Bionis affects the ether. The Mechon's assault is just the beginning. And these events were set in motion when you used the sword against them."

Shulk had carried the Monado for so long that he barely noticed its presence on his back, but now it felt strangely heavy. "We used it because we-"

"Because you needed to," finished the Emperor. "Without it, you could not survive. I cannot dispute this fact. I believe the inscription speaks of these very events with the Mechon. But if their assault continues, if more lives are lost… soon the Bionis will awake, and not only the High Entia, but all life will perish! Do you see, Shulk?"

"You're talking about – total extinction?"

"Correct. Which is why the Mechon's invasion must be stopped."

Hope flared within Shulk. "Then you'll help us? Your Majesty, we need imperial sanction to enter Prison Island. Will you permit us entry?"

Sorean contemplated the boy before him. "What will you do there?"

"I saw it in a vision. We will fight a faced Mechon. They must pay for what they did."

"Then you will have seen him too. On Prison Island, our forefathers sealed something away, just as they did to the Monado. All records have been lost, and there is now no way to know what it was."

"Is it connected to the awakening of the Bionis?"

"I do not know. But our forefathers must have had good reason. We must trust their decision." Sorean saw Shulk's face fall. "Shulk, allow me some time to deliberate. Above all else, I will consider the safety of Bionis. You are our Bionis brethren. We will not ignore your plight."

"I understand. This is not our homeland." Perhaps it was foolish of me to hope. As Dunban said, there are things at play here that we can't understand. "If you decide not to let us go, I will accept your decision."

"I am sorry."

"It's OK."

"One more thing."

Shulk looked up. "Yes?"

"I ask this not as Emperor Sorean Antiqua, but as a father. I do not demand that you act as Melia's protector… but I would be honoured if you would be her friend. This is my humble request."

An image flashed into Shulk's mind – Melia, wherever she was, alone in the capital, separated from the people by her status and from her family by her blood. He thought of the girl he had met in Makna Forest and her resolution to kill the Telethia even at the possible cost of her life. He remembered her kindness and serenity and gave the Emperor an answer he knew would never change.

"It would be my honour."


A/N: This chapter was quite a challenge to write since I was unsure about how best to write and portray what happened in Alcamoth while Melia was in the Tomb. When Melia eventually leaves Alcamoth with the Homs, I will also attempt to add in events in the capital. If you have any general comments or suggestions as to how I could further improve, they would be very much appreciated :)