Chapter 19: Restored Soul

Vallye looked tense as they made their trek along the darkened hall her eyes were filled with worry. Matthias marveled at the changes he saw in Vallye since he had encountered her in Diadem that first time. He remembered the cold stare as she shot Lyude at close range with an inhibited rifle. She'd nearly crushed his ribs and all for being concerned for her welfare. Matthias felt a twinge of anger toward her. Sure, she was trying now that her brother was a leading power of their nation, but what if he hadn't become one? Would she still be so concerned?

He couldn't shake the feeling that Vallye was only concerned about Lyude because he was now a pip on the family collar. He wasn't completely convinced that Skeed was as concerned as he made himself out to be, either. He'd never met Skeed before this, but he remembered Lyude's recollections. Family had not been his friend's favorite subject.

From what he could see, Skeed had much to gain from Lyude's disappearance. He was now standing in his brother's place and was one of the most powerful men in Alfard in Lyude's absence. With the amendment Lyude had sent them to protect his policies, Skeed's defense was nearly invincible.

"So...why so concerned about Lyude now?" Matthias asked.

"What do you mean?" asked Vallye. "He's my brother, and one of the leading powers of our country. Why would you ask that?"

"You didn't seem so concerned about him before."

"What do you mean? He's my brother."

"Didn't stop you from treating him like dirt in Diadem. You sent him to the doctor with that little stunt you pulled when you assessed his training, all because he was worried about you."

Vallye looked genuinely shamefaced. "You were there. That's right. I know there's no excuse, but things have changed."

"Because he's a credit to you now?" spat Matthias.

Vallye bowed her head. "I suppose that's how it started. Lyude saved our lives when he aided in defeating Malpercio. He proved that we were wrong about Emperor Geldoblame and what the Empire stood for. Skeed and I...We always thought Lyude weak for his gentle ways. That he was half Azhani was a source of great shame and scandal. That our father had a child with an Azhani woman had to be kept secret, so we had to behave as if he were our full blooded brother. It disgusted us, I'll admit. We truly didn't know our brother. The truth is that Lyude's kind and gentle nature is just what Alfard needs most now. What we once perceived as weakness, is one of his greatest strengths." Vallye turned away. "I don't care what you may think, in any case, nothing is more important to me right now than finding my brother and getting him back in his seat on the council where he belongs."

Matthias felt a twinge of guilt and remained silent as they continued to walk down the tunnel. He was the first to hear the voices coming from the other side of the wall.

"I still don't get why Braddock hasn't just been getting done with it and concentrate on getting the other six who were touched by the End Magnus." growled one voice.

Matthias placed a finger to his lips and put his ear to the wall, Vallye did the same.

"Six? I thought there were only six."

"Eight. Remember, he's going for Ayme too. He wants to get as many people who were touched by the end magnus as possible to improve the chances of the revival being successful."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Still, what's he waiting for?"

"Lyude has to be prepared first before the others will be of any use, the base is hidden well enough to where they'll never find the minister before it's too late and then he plans to lure them here and not waste the energies on capturing them individually."

"Gravar won't like that. He was looking forward to taking on Lady Death."

The other soldier snickered. "That oaf? He got beat senseless by the Minister. What makes him think he stands a chance against Lady death herself?"

"He claims that the Minister is unnatural. Which is true enough really. I hear that Professor Helix really scrambled his magnus. He's being kept in a specially designed room as Quentin Garriot tries to get him sorted back out. I don't trust that kid."

"Nor do I. Still, he's all we've got. Disgusting that we have to depend on a batch of Azhani to get this done."

"Professor Helix was Mintakan."

"Professor Helix got overzealous. She messed up her chances."

The two soldiers' voices faded and Vallye and Quentin exchanged a look and continued down the tunnel until they could hear another set of voices.

"We're ready to begin. Remain as still as possible, sir." said a young voice.

"I know..."

Vallye's heart leapt as she heard the familiar gentle tone.

"Lyude!" she whispered harshly.

"Shhh!" Matthias said nudging her.

A small vent barely yielded enough room for the two of them to peek inside the room.

Lyude lay on a table in the center of a white room looking rather pale and connected to about four machines. His eyes were closed wearily and he seemed to be dreading what was to come. There was a slender young man with brown hair and a simple but clean tunic and pants standing at the controls looking almost hesitant to access the panel in front of him.

"Let's get this over with, Quentin." sighed Lyude finally. "It's all right."

"This should be the last treatment, Minister, then you'll be stable again." said Quentin quietly. His somewhat long bangs sliding into his dusty, gray eyes. He brushed them back in slight annoyance and glanced at Lyude sadly. "After this treatment, I don't know how much longer I can postpone Braddock's plan. He'll give you two days to regain your strength, but no more than that."

Lyude nodded. "I understand. Still, there's little he can do if my companions remain free. I am not all that is needed for his success."

"Your friends have made no attempt to return to their respective islands."

Lyude sighed sadly and allowed his head to roll to the side. "I can't truly say that surprises me. One thing that can be said about that lot is they don't have a habit of leaving a man behind. I would have done the same in their place. I suppose I should never have really expected it of them but I had to try. I just hope nothing ill comes of this."

Quentin nodded sadly and placed his hand on the switch. Just five more minutes under the treatment light and you'll be back to normal, Minister."

Lyude nodded. "It's all right. Go ahead."

Hesitantly, Quentin threw the switch and the room flooded with green light. A laser like instrument scanned across Lyude's body and he stiffened as it made its way across him. He released a soft gasp of pain and closed his eyes. He swallowed and a single tear streaked from his eye.

"Just a few more minutes..." said Quentin softly.

Vallye clenched her fist, a few tears teasing the corners of her eyes. She could only watch the display helplessly.

Matthias looked sadly at his old friend, then to Vallye. There was genuine sorrow and anger in her eyes and Matthias now felt very guilty for accusing her.

A few agonizing moments later it was over. Lyude's brow was furrowed and sweat dampened his hair. He panted softly as his body went limp and his head rolled to the side weakly.

"Father, check his vital signs, please. That should have done it." said Quentin scanning what seemed to be a random line being jotted by a moving needle. "Back to the way it was." murmured Quentin. "Vitals?"

"Steady enough. He'll be all right." said Urden. "Just let him rest."

Lyude swallowed and gasped as Quentin set about the task of removing many of the probes from his exposed skin.

"We'll keep the heart and magnus monitor, but the IV drip can go now." said Quentin. "I'll remove that now." he added gently removing the needle from Lyude's wrist.

"That will do now." said Lena draping a blanket around Lyude's shoulders. She brushed a dampened strand of hair from his face and smiled down on him sadly. "This will soon be over, minister...one way or another."

"Yes..." said Lyude, his voice somewhat hoarse and his eyes closed.

"Just rest now." said Lena and turned from him. "Let's go, son." said Lena and the two and Urden left Lyude alone in the chamber to rest.

"Now's our chance." Hissed Vallye. "We're getting him out now!"

"He's probably guarded." said Matthias looking at Vallye who was already inspecting the wall to see if there was some access to the room inside the wall.

"I...have to go to him. I can't leave him like that."

"We won't leave him alone, go back to the Imperial fortress, I'll stay here with Lyude. Reach him if I can, but you know more of this than I do. We have to get help if we hope to free him."

"He's my brother." hissed Vallye. "I'll stay!"

"Go already! You mean something to this country and so does your brother. We have a better chance to get him out of here if you go. I know little of this country and you have a better understanding of this place than I do. Just do it!"

Vallye turned reluctantly. "Be careful down here and don't do anything foolish."

"I'll be careful, and I'll see if I can find anything more out of what's going on down here. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on Lyude."

Vallye turned and began making the trek toward the way they came.

Matthias examined the wall once she was gone and discovered a small button on a panel. Hesitantly, he pushed it and the panel opened, allowing him access to the room where Lyude lay. "Stupid!" he muttered to himself. "Note to self. Don't press random buttons. I don't want to get caught...yet...Lyude..." He sighed. "I may as well." Hesitantly, Matthias brushed his hair out of his eyes and moved hesitantly forward.

"Lyude?" he whispered. "Lyude? Can you hear me?" He drew closer and looked down on Lyude's face. His eyes were closed and he appeared to be sleeping. Matthias touched his shoulder hesitantly. "Lyude?"

Lyude's eyes fluttered and his brow furrowed. "Hmmn...?" a small grunt escaped Lyude's throat and he turned his head. As his eyes focused he felt he must be hallucinating. He blinked and tried to sit up, but fell back weakly. "Matthias!"

"Shhh! It's all right, Lyude. Just lie still. We'll get you out of here."

"How!"

"Never mind. We have to get you out of here." said Matthias taking Lyude's arm and sitting him up. A soft moan of protest escaped Lyude's throat. A sound of scraping stone and the panel closed just as abruptly as it had opened.

"No!" cried Matthias.

"Matthias...I'm sorry..." said Lyude. "You should never have been dragged into this." Lyude's eyes fell closed and his body slumped.

"Lyude? Lyude, wake up! We have to get out of here!"

The door opened and Matthias stiffened as a deep booming voice rang out. "You're not going anywhere."

AN: First and foremost, I am so sorry for the lack of updates. They will be more frequent. Crazy life, you know. Thank you to all of my reviewers, I will restart individual acknowledgements after the next chapter thank you to all my readers.