Chapter -4: The Realization

Sancturia.

A proud city, radiant and secure from the toxicity of the outside world.

…Once.

Now, Borealis surveys this radiance with the thick feeling of gloom darkening his eyes.

It's been quiet. Very…very quiet. His people no longer perished by the droves, but now their stoicism was shattered.

They remained under the 'protection' of the chapels. He needed time to figure out what to do with them…

For now, he attended to his daughter. Returning to the familiarity of her own home, she was laid under the sheets and kept under the watch of her son's tearful eyes.

She would heal, there was no doubt…For if she didn't, he had no strength left to grieve, nor no target to incur his wrath.

He did not know that a Drive stone could be torn out, or that it could be crushed to dust.

…He found he didn't know much these days.

The whimpers of the young boy drew his attention to him. They were utter strangers despite their connections. He did know naught his name, only that his soul crackled with embers.

He opened his mouth, let out a hazy gasp, then with a deep swallow, his heart grew tight as he asked, "What is your name?"

The boy turned his tear-filled eyes towards him and muttered weakly, "Z-Zeno…?"

"Sir? Will my mom…be ok?"

They were kindred spirits in terms of their doubts and worries.

As clouds cast doubt over his heart, at least now…he could offer this boy some courage, "Do you look up to her?"

Zeno nodded.

"...She has always been a fighter. Rebellious, stubborn…Exhibiting all traits I found…unpleasant."

"Yet I could not bear to hate her. Why? Because she was my kin?"

It stung him in his heart this…moment of self-reflection, causing him to mutter under his breath, "Perhaps my ideals have always been tainted with a hint of hypocrisy…"

He looked at the boy and bent down to meet him at eye level, yet found it difficult to focus, "What I mean to say is…Your mother's heart expresses strength through many colors. If your love is true, then she will feel it."

"...Ok." Zeno nodded.

He then stood up and grabbed his mom's hand, whispering at her, "Please get better soon, mom!"

Borealis stood and saw a hint that she may be smiling.

In turn, he put one hand atop the sheets and murmured, "I'm proud of you, my daughter…"

He then left the house, where Gabriel walked in front of the door to guard it.

"Lord Borealis…" He was reluctant to speak out.

"Yes?"

Gabriel's arms tensed against his chest and he struggled to look him in the eyes, "I know it's not my place to speak against the authority of the Ten Sages, but…I feel you must be made aware of Vermilion's actions during the assault."

"Her and Solaris attempted to kill Zeno."

Borealis' heart shook and with his eyes narrowing just the slightest bit enough to set off Gabriel's fear, the man uttered slowly and bluntly, "Are you sure of this?"

"...I had to fend them both off myself."

"..." Borealis' eyes trembled and he tucked his hands behind his back before walking away from the house, "Thank you, Gabriel. I will…keep this in mind."

A short distance away he joined up with Stonestein, who relayed a bit of unexpected news, "Sarajin's aura has disappeared."

"Disappeared?" Borealis widened his eyes, "Yes, you're right…And I sense a trace of a light…dwarving all."

"What should we do now?" Stonestein asked.

"..." Borealis thought of all information presented before him and made a clear-cut decision for the first time in a long while, "I will reassemble all the Sages back here. It's time we put some accusations to rest."

Stonestein raised his brows high and remarked, "There is something I must finish first."

"I will be at the meeting shortly." The two's paths then branched off.

With weary eyes, Borealis loathed these bitter doubts welling up inside of him…Despite the sensations counterbalancing them feeling…relaxed.

"...I feel an ill omen approaching."

Cryofloe and Canofloe were recovering from the aftermath of the attempted invasion. The Vortexian parts were gleefully being punted into the volcano by Magmankey as a form of celebration with the citizens.

Meanwhile, Chillo decided to use the metal and his hammer to make sleds for future generations to enjoy.

It was a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere for everyone, helped by the fact that no one suffered any deaths.

Carolina was floating over both lands, the only one without a sense of ease in her thoughts.

And her lost thoughts eventually saw light in the voice of Borealis echoing in her mind.

"My fellow Sages. I am aware there's been…much dissatisfaction with the way you've lived in Sancturia for a while now."

"And as our leader, it is my responsibility to ease your worries, and I've failed on numerous accounts."

"Right now, our city…our way of life, has been called into question."

"I need all of you to return so we can discuss our futures. Not just as a society, but in regards to our relationship with the rest of this planet."

With the message passed, Carolina's eyes narrowed.

Justek's rage and grief had struck a chord, "But devils were born into your walls…! And beneath your eyes they grew!"

"Lil…ith…!"

If this was the time to reassess the future of their society, then the devils needed to be brought out into the light.

She flew quickly towards the city. The desire to hesitate…was over.

While many folk saw fit to destroy the parts of the deactivated Vortexians, Pulsa Minoria was treating it like a treasure trove and scavenging every last scrap for later use.

Valic, tired and exhausted from his first combat engagement, nevertheless had the voice to keep issuing orders to the other scientists.

"Careful with those parts! You don't know what that can do!"

He was positively giddy at seeing some of these materials, "I've never felt a metal like this before in my life! This has to be good for something…"

While they had their time in the moment, Pitori was off to the side cuddling between his mom and dad, drifting off to sleep.

Cecilia rubbed him atop the head with a smile and a tired sigh, "Look, he's all tuckered out."

"Heh heh, our boy fought a good fight." Ezekiel chimed in.

The two wanted to rest as well, only for their thoughts to keep them awake.

"Hope mum did ok…" Ezekiel murmured.

"Is that in any doubt?" Cecilia said in confidence.

"Heh," Ezekiel smirked, "She sure don't quit easily. Makes me proud to be her boy."

Putting out a sigh, the two of them then settled their gaze towards the stars.

"Wonder what happened out there…Felt like the whole planet was shaking for a while." Ezekiel murmured.

"Yes. But ultimately, someone won." Cecilia stated.

"Mmmm…" Ezekiel hung his head against his chest.

"You're conflicted." Cecilia remarked.

"Justek and I, we…weren't ever close. Barely understood a word he said sometimes," Ezekiel brushed his hand up in a mildly blunt gesture, "Frankly…he was kind of a twat."

"Still though…Now he's got me thinkin'...If more of us were there. Supporting 'im…Would this've happened?"

Cecilia closed her eyes and shrugged, "You'd know better than I would."

Ezekiel gave a couple light nods and curled his lower lip.

"Feels kinda rough, bein'...powerless where it matters most."

"Ridiculous. Look at what we've accomplished," She looked down at their boy sleeping comfortably, "And tell me our strength doesn't matter."

Ezekiel smiled looking at his little genius having sweet dreams.

"Heh, got me there…" He sighed as an admission of defeat.

"Just wish we coulda helped Sarajin out some. But nowadays he's flown past all of us."

"So?" Uttered Cecilia calmly, "He's still just one person. If anything, this proves how valuable all of us are."

"He can't be everywhere at once. It's up to us to keep being strong enough to protect our homes and livelihoods from large scale threats like the Vortexians."

Ezekiel sputtered up with a hint of awkwardness, "N-Now hold on, I wasn't sayin' I want to kick back and let 'em handle everything."

Cecilia smiled, her eyes sharp with her warrior's instinct, "I would never want that either. We make a good team."

"And also…" A bit of melancholy was felt in her tone, "I cannot see myself ever stop fighting."

"Cecilia…"

She then raised her smile again to state, "But if so…then at least I'll use that for the benefit of the life I've made for myself, and the people around me."

Ezekiel raised his fist up gently, "Together?"

She smiled and bumped his fist, "To the end."

Solomon returned to his lands of darkness, alone, his path covered in desecrated scrap.

At the peak of his hilltop palace, the Vizier and jester were tired out, the Titan sandwiched between them.

The king's presence pushed the Vizier to her feet, "Everything is alright my Lord! As you can see, these brainless creatures stood no chance against my magic!"

Solomon pushed past them. Distractions. He required silence…

His black wind blew the shutters shut behind him and he marched to his throne.

The parasite lay in his rattled flask, grinning as always.

The grin tracked him to his seat, and did not say a word.

He clutched his hands upon the arms of this empty seat and glared into empty darkness.

And there stood the frail figure of his mother…Also silent.

His breaths were heavy and rattled the insides of his metal cage.

The stench of rotting flesh penetrated his nose and added a layer of panic to his breaths.

Bit by bit he was being reduced to the level of the undead.

Poison seeped into his brain like an alluring perfume.

He pierced the fine wood as he curled his fingers inward, tangling with feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration.

His consciousness floated through the pitch black sea, lost in a settled tide leading to omnidirectional nothingness.

This is where his formless being has been all his life, lacking the spark to full form into a corporeal mass.

Cold, alone…He has only had his mother's thimble parasol as the oar that ferried the boat he rode upon.

Hints of warmth were strewn about the sea like beacons in the foggy night.

Memories…moments where his consciousness beat louder, before succumbing to the evanescence of life.

Transient was the flesh, imprisoning the soul.

Many paths tangled together to form this endless sea and he's walked down every one.

He tried to avoid a similar fate to his mother's demise by keeping his hands clean of the foolishness of war.

Yet that man, Sarajin, came to his doorstep and continually tried to make him accept the opposite answer of peace.

That first meeting was the first time he recalled his heart stirring with intrigue after an adolescence of being stillborn.

Then he witnessed a strength as peerless as the steel she wielded. Her name, Auris, still echoes inside of him, despite her spitting in his face.

He sought to have her as his own.

Yes, he wanted to find love…that was the answer he needed.

To take that great strength, and rule over it…

"BDDDMP…!"

No. It was merely for love. And sadly, his endeavors proved to be a waste of time.

It only showed him that there was even greater strength hiding away in Sancturia.

Borealis Aurora.

He wasted no time humiliating him when the prospect of unity was shattered.

That great power, standing atop a pedestal of pride to look down upon him.

It needs to be torn down, the man crushed beneath heel and toe…

"BDMP…!"

…Heavy breaths fog the landscape, straying him away from the warmth he covets.

Why? Why lead him astray?

There were answers out there, deserving of his presence.

"Come hither…" Spoke the raspy allure of a phantom with a grin, before fading away into a thicker fog.

The boat waded into the dark sea in steady pursuit. There was little warmth to be found here, like the cold arctic sea…

It was an empty voyage, lacking in eventful reminiscences.

Just a foolish witch and an ugly spider filling his time.

But the jester, yes…He had an interesting presence and a remarkable view of the world.

"BDMP…! BDMP…!"

Control. He desired…control.

This name was chosen for him: Solomon. It felt…powerful. But not his own.

When has he ever been allowed to decide?

Strings tangled his ethereal form, so thin they only appeared under the warm light.

They've always been there, tugging him back. Tempting him to be…something he's not.

That day…when he heard Sarajin was broken. It angered him…Why?

Finally, that pest would no longer plague his thoughts, thickening the strings that bound him tight.

But how could that be satisfying when you didn't do the job yourself?

"BDMP…! BDMP…!"

Why must happiness be sacrificed for the sake of remaining "good"?

Who decided what is "right" and "wrong"?

He was not allowed to partake in this discussion, so why should he be chained to the final verdict?

The sea pulsed with a dark crimson light.

That mark…it unravels the walls of reason in this world, and has been a more prospective voice to converse with than any other.

A friend? No, that voice has no friends.

But its words could still be heeded, a language that he could only now understand.

"Seize it."

"BDMP…! BDMP…!"

The warmth boiled the sea, the boat began to slow.

Lights bled through the fog.

In this endlessness, he saw a massive projection of Sarajin standing over his friend, and despite the ultimate betrayal, chose to spare him.

His strength of heart was the mightiest of all.

His kindness was the purest of all.

"BDMP…! BDMP…! BDMP…!"

He knew what he wanted to do now.

His form rose from the ferry boat and grew arms and legs, taking the shape of the primordial man.

He felt weight pressing his body down. He felt a red light fighting to beat out of his chest.

He faced the endless sea of darkness and walked across its surface, leaving the woman to fold her parasol and murmur, "So, you've chosen this path after all."

The figure paused, the strings too thimble to contain his fully formed self.

As the last one snapped free, he marched deeper into the darkness with the light as his guide.

The ferrywoman bit her lower lip and scoffed, "Fool."

Solomon rose from his throne, and closed his fists by his hips. The throne was fractured in twine, spreading to the back half of this palace.

The parasite chuckled, acknowledging him with little more than a friendly whisper, "I have awaited your birth…Dark King."

Solomon still had a need for his name. There was a purpose to its existence…

For now, he stared at the doors swung wide open.

The Titan had bound both witch and jester tightly in its gangly tendrils, then slammed them against the ground when his presence was seen.

"So this was your endgame, parasite." His blank gaze burned cold with disdain.

"Did you think I wouldn't catch on eventually? You feast on MY domain. Even the tiniest bites would eventually leave a mark."

The parasite grinned in his cage, "And this matters…why? Are you going to punish me with another cage full of miniscule gaps?"

The Titan looked at Solomon and told him, "I do not know what whispers this demon has planted in your mind, but you will do NOTHING."

So Solomon took one step forward.

And the Titan began to shift, his voice morphing into something obscene and otherworldly, "So be it…!"

His multi-armed, many-angled mouth filled form smashed through the palace roof and towered over Solomon with his back devouring the moonlight.

Solomon continued to march unflinchingly as the beast's drool oozed over his being.

"Child…! You forget who owns the pact for this power of yours…! I WILL-"

Solomon grabbed his shapeless mass and his eyes began to glow, "Silence."

Xiark let out a pained, bewildered gasp as his body began to shrivel, the darkness siphoned into Solomon's being.

In a matter of moments, Xiark was reduced to his feline shell, and even that was reduced to a shriveling husk.

Solomon glared into the beast's eyes as the darkness thickened around his being, then dropped him to the ground.

He then looked at all the power flowing out of his being, and listened to the melody his heart beat produced.

Perfect harmony…that could only grow louder.

The darkness retracted into his being as he clenched his fist, and with another step forward he smashed the Titan's lower half to paste.

"Finally, the voices are gone."

"I can hear myself clearly."

"I…am finally alive!"

And so began a long march towards destiny.

And as the Titan's mangled body shivered on the ground, the parasite crawled towards him with a deformed grin, now freed from his cage.

"Heh heh heh, not feeling so good are we, little kitty?"

"Y-You will…be destroyed…" The Titan boasted.

"Oh you precious child…I've been at this for longer than you ever boast. This waiting period has been nothing but a step on the road."

"And now, rest time is over…and the fun times…" The parasite began stitching his icky, black ooze into Xiark's being, "Begin now…!"

"Ghhh…!"

The grin grew wider and began to meld into Xiark's body, "Hush little baby, don't say a word…"

"I am going to show you…the END of your world…!"

Next Time: Tears