The Lost Son of Alfard: Flames of the Heart cont

by Willowren

It has been nearly a year since the Organ of the Flame. A new government has been established with Lyude at their lead. It has been a peaceful and productive year, but all that is about to change...

21. Release and Rage

Chapter 21: Release and Rage

Matthias groaned softly. The last few waking moments flooded back to him in a steady stream, the sounds, Lyude's weary resignation and the exploding pain in his chest. Wait...shouldn't he be dead? He opened his eyes slowly to meet a pair of soft, Crimson eyes. "Matthias."

"Lyude!"

"Are you all right?"

Matthias bit his lip. Twice now Lyude had asked that question when it was he who should have been asking it. The first time had been in Diadem. "I'm all right. I thought...you're not even wounded! What happened then?"

"Who is this boy?" came a deep voice from behind Matthias.

"He's an old friend from my exile to Diadem, father...Let's give him some room."

Matthias's eyes widened, but was far too curious to interrupt to ask questions.

"I'm sorry if I worried you." said Lyude. "I'm all right...for the present."

"But...didn't he shoot you? That man?"

Lyude shook his head. " I was weak. All I could think of when he arrived was that I couldn't allow him to harm you. I don't know how I stayed awake as long as I did. I was able to stall him until Urden arrived. He stunned Gravar just before he fired his weapon, I flinched at the discharge and...I don't remember anything more. I'm just glad you're all right." Lyude smiled sadly. "I'm sorry you got involved in all of this, Matthias. I seem to be more trouble than I'm worth."

"I think a lot of people would disagree with that. Not only in your own country, but in Diadem and elsewhere as well. You've done so much for the nations. It's not fair."

Lyude shook his head with a sad smile. "I can only do so much."

"You've still got a lot to give. Do you have any idea how upset your people are at your disappearance? The search has been fervent all this time without slowing. Most of your countrymen aren't willing to give up on you."

Lyude smiled sadly. "Hope has come to Alfard since Geldoblame's downfall. For so long, Azha lived completely in the shadow of Mintaka. Mintakans are starting to realize the value of the other nations and their own people. Alfard has made great progress over the past few years. I'm proud to have been a part of it."

"You still are."

Lyude nodded distractedly, running a hand over his eyes. "Matthias...how is Alyssa? I worry for her so."

"She's doing fine, worried sick about you, of course, but looks like her pregnancy has been going well. Of course, I'm no doctor."

Lyude smiled sadly. "I'm glad she's all right. Thank you, Matthias." He stood up and paced the room pensively. "I'm completely in the dark of the happenings in Alfard since my abduction. How is the government holding up in my absence?"

"Skeed seems to be doing a pretty decent job keeping things under control so far as I can tell. They're really worried about you, Vallye and Skeed, I mean."

Lyude looked distanced for a moment. "Yes...I suppose they are...it still seems strange to hear that sometimes. For so long..." Lyude shook his head. "The past is behind us. Matthias...what was happening just before you came here? Does anyone from the party know where I am now?"

"I imagine they all do now, Lyude. Vallye was with me when I discovered you during that test. She went back to alert everyone that we'd found you. I was only supposed to watch you in case you were moved, but I found a way to open the panel and decided to try to get you out if I could. Yeah right. Lot of good I did you. I'm sorry I wasn't of any help."

"It is I that must apologize. You should never have been involved in this whole mess. If I'd been more careful..." Lyude shook his head. "Just as before, I've caused a lot of problems."

"The idiots that abducted you are the ones causing problems." growled Matthias. "You didn't do anything wrong."

Lyude was silent at this comment. There was the scraping sound of a key in the lock and Urden and Quentin stood in the doorway.

"Urden..." said Lyude looking a bit confused then a deeply grim expression filled his eyes.

"Come on, hurry. We're getting you out. All of you." said Urden in a sharp whisper.

"What!" said Lyude harshly, his eyes filled with shock.

"You heard me. Let's go. Here, Minister, you may need this." said Urden handing Lyude his sonic rifle and deck.

"I...I don't understand." said Lyude.

"Mother is safely away with my little brother. We now have no reservations in getting you back where you belong." said Quentin with a grin. "Now come on, let's get you home to your wife."

Lyude grinned back and put his deck in his sonic rifle. "Thank you. Thank you both."

Lyude saw Urden smile for the first time since he'd met him and they all slid out of the cell. Folon flanking the back, shuffling his deck and watching Lyude's back.

"This way." said Urden softly. " Hurry, there isn't much time."

Lyude nodded. Matthias stayed close by his side, the gun that Vallye had given him clutched in his fist.

The hall was deserted as they made their way through it until they reached the top of the stairs.

"Escaped! They've escaped!" came a cry from the hall.

A vehement exclamation escaped Urden's lips and he charged his weapon. "We're going to have to fight our way out of here!"

"My father is unarmed! Matthias doesn't know how to use that firearm, either." said Lyude.

"Give me that gun." barked Jareth to Matthias and took it from his hand.

"He certainly doesn't have his son's manners." Thought Matthias. He looked grimly at the assemblage of soldiers that was surrounding them.

"Stay close to me, Matthias." said Lyude grimly. This isn't going to be pleasant."

"How can I help?" asked Matthias.

"Keep an eye out for any snipers." said Lyude delivering a series of kicks to a soldier preparing to fire at Urden.

"Watch your back, Minister!" shouted Folon striking a soldier on the side of their head. "Thanks." said Lyude knocking back another with his rifle. "Everyone move out of the way! Intermezzo!" With that, Lyude drew a floating mine out of his breast pocket and shot it toward the assemblage of soldiers. "That did it." said Lyude as the soldiers leapt to avoid the flying shrapnel. "Run, everyone!"

The group raced down the corridor, Lyude releasing the occasional exploding mine to clear their way.

Urden cursed. "We're cut off. They're forcing us somewhere!"

"Where!" said Folon in alarm.

Urden was grim. "Nowhere we want to be."

Lyude's expression was set. Determination shone in his eyes as he battled through the mass. He felt himself begin to lose awareness of his surroundings. Anger and frustration from the past several months threatened to overwhelm him. The urge to break free and fight for his liberty was intense. He had his rifle in his hand, his strength within him strong. He thought of Alyssa, of the time that had been stolen from them, of all the things he must have missed by now, the baby's first kick, Alyssa's morning sickness...even that should have been something they dealt with hand in hand. He was failing as a husband and future father being away like this.

These thoughts only infuriated him further as they found themselves pushed back into a large room. "SFORZANDO!" came the strangled, enraged cry as Lyude leapt forward and struck Braddock, who had been preparing to stun him from his left. In a blind fury he beat the man that had taken so much from him, his only thought was to cause as much harm to the other man as possible. As if by beating him, he could pound away the pain. As if each strike were a shattering blow to the veil of deceit and cruelty he had been exposed to for the past several months.

"Lyude!" shouted Matthias in Alarm and shock. He'd never seen such rage, such reckless anger come from the gentle young minister before and it frightened him. Lyude's eyes seemed to be in flames and his brow was dark and angry. All rational thought seemed to have fled from him. Matthias grabbed him around the middle and Lyude fell back on top of him in surprise and a new awareness. His eyes returned to normal and he stood himself up quickly, looking almost embarrassed.

Lights surrounded them suddenly and they realized they were in a large chamber with a cylindrical glass column in the center, as well as eight slats like the one Lyude had been strapped to for several weeks.

Braddock forced himself back up and pressed a button on a small remote device. Instantly, the place where each of them stood was flooded with a dark energy and everyone dropped to their knees, clutching their chests.

"That's the last move you'll ever make, Minister. Professor Helix, prepare the subjects. Men, get the extras out of the way.

Matthias felt himself being dragged. Lyude was on his knees in the center of the floor as Professor Helix and a few soldiers hoisted him up and began strapping him to the testing table.

"Now we only need wait for your friends" said Braddock, striking Lyude in the face. "It will be my greatest pleasure watching you suffer, Minister."

Chapter 22: The Prophesy.

"How much further is it?" asked Kalas with a dark frown. I haven't heard anything for a while now."

"Not much further." whispered Vallye. "I think his room was just a few more halls down... No, wait. It was here. Right here." she said looking through the grille. Lyude is gone...where is Matthias?"

"What's this?" said Kalas looking at a button on the wall.

"Don't touch it!" hissed Vallye. "I think that may have been Matthias's mistake."

"Sure looks like something went on in there." commented Gibari noting several overturned instruments and a few drops of blood on the floor. "Hope those two are still all right."

"Me too." said Xelha. "So do we just follow the corridor and see if we can find where they're keeping him?"

"It's our best bet. We'll be better off here than in the halls."

Lyude struggled against his bonds and those still trying to secure him. "You won't get away with this!" Lyude said hoarsely. He felt the dark energy still gripping him though it had since dissipated.

"Helix!" Quentin cried. "Have you gone mad, Braddock! That woman will kill him, and most likely botch what you're trying to do!"

Professor Helix rounded on Quentin and slapped him. "Shut up, you Azhani pig! As if any Azhan could best a Mintakan. I don't intend to have him survive."

"I never had any intention of sparing Minister Lyricello."

"I knew it." growled Lyude. "You allowed him to believe that my life could be spared so that Professor Helix's mistake could be repaired without difficulty."

Braddock turned to Lyude with a smug smile. "Very shrewd, Minister. Not shrewd enough, however. I'm afraid you fail to realize the position you're in. Just as that idiot bureaucrat did. Once my employer learned of my true intentions, dear Drell had to meet his end."

"Drell? You murdered Drell?"

"He only wanted you out of the way, you see. Lock you away with your estranged father and throw away the key. He had no idea of my intentions. Once he learned of my goals he folded. Threatened to expose what I was doing and just deal with you like any politician should. With Debates and proposals. That is, if his career survived it. Drell knew about this place and requested his office to be placed there for the window...and the trap door. He served Emperor Geldoblame very loyally and put your father down here in the first place. Don't worry, though, you won't die, exactly. Just be irreversibly transformed. Though, if there's still enough of you left, you will most likely wish yourself dead."

"What!" said Lyude, Quentin, and Matthias in unison.

"You were only concerned in taking the magnus from our dear minister without causing permanent harm, my foolish young friend." Braddock said, turning to Matthias. "My dear Helena, however, has a much more interesting proposal." he added, wrapping his arm around Professor Helix's waist. "We had wondered, at first, how best to control Malpercio, but the answer was right before our faces." he added looking into Lyude's crimson eyes with a smirk. "You're going to be a vessel for the wicked god. Magnus were mere parts of Malpercio, with a full, whole vessel, Malpercio will be revived whole and stronger than ever. Once the power of each end magnus is fused into your soul, you will transform and become the Wicked god. With the aid of the Organ of the Flame, we will be able to subdue and control you."

Lyude's eyes widened as he realized what Braddock was suggesting. "You...you think you can turn me into Malpercio! The organ was put to rest! It's worthless to you."

"No, Minister, for you will empower it once again!" with that Braddock pulled back a curtain and there stood the Organ.

"How did!"

"We manage to steal the Organ without anyone taking any notice? My spies managed to get themselves in charge of the Organ, claimed the display was closed for cleaning purposes. Your soul shall be bound to it as well and will give the Organ new life!"

"Madness!" cried Quentin. "You're playing god, Braddock! You have no idea if any of this is going to work or if you could possibly control it!"

Jareth was standing stiffly in his bonds looking fixedly at his son. "It's happening...oh god, it's happening. The prophesy...my own son." tears forced their way towards his eyes and he knew he was powerless. Why hadn't he told Lyude the prophesy before? Now it was probably too late to save him from the fate that could be in store for him. He knew it now to have been a horrible blunder.

Lyude seemed frozen in place, breathless as if the words he had heard had literally knocked him in the stomach and took his breath away. His eyes strayed to the organ. "Beautiful and terrible at the same time." he thought. He was powerless now, his limbs strapped securely to the slab in the middle of the room. Would he stay there until he died or was transformed into some horrible creature that may not only destroy Alfard, but the rest of the nations?

He didn't know which notion was worse, that they would fail in controlling him and he would destroy mindlessly, or be truly under the control of Braddock and destroy anyway. At this particular juncture, all he could hope was that his friends would not be ensnared as he had and complete the ingredients needed to create the abomination he was to become. If that failed, all he could wish for was that instead of being successful the venture would fail completely and he would find a quick and painless death. He bowed his head. Hope was draining from him. Any thought of seeing Alyssa again was fading. Any hope to be there as their child was born was moot.

"Why...? Why are you doing this, Braddock? Surely you must see the gravity of what you're suggesting here. Why take such a risk, do you care nothing for your country? Do you care nothing for what failure could mean? You could destroy us all."

"I would rather see this country burn than be under the leadership of some weak, half Azhani mutt like you. Letting Azhans into the Imperial capital, encouraging them to become professionals and take part in the government. It's a weak, foolish venture."

"I don't rule Alfard, Braddock, the people do. I am merely their voice." said Lyude quietly. "Even so, long after my voice is gone from this world, theirs will carry across the land and have them heard. This country wasn't made for a select few gifted with gold and riches. It should be for the collective good of all. Did you learn nothing of the true way of the Empire? Alfard and all the other nations were destroyed by the greed and power lust of one man. All because he represented the promise of power. Power that he never intended to give."

"My vision is much different than Emperor Geldoblame's and I couldn't care less about what the people want. I will rule this nation. Only the strong should step up to such a responsibility."

"You claim to be taking responsibility for a nation even as you plot what could very well be its destruction!" glared Lyude. "You're delusional."

Braddock struck him across the face with a snarl. "Soon enough you'll change your tune." he turned Lyude's face so that their eyes locked. "I hope you don't die, minister, I hope you survive, locked away completely aware of what glory I shall create. Powerless to do anything but obey me."

Lyude glared into his eyes unwaveringly. "If I am conscious of my actions, and you fail to control me...you had best hope that you do not fail, for the first thing I'll do is destroy you, Braddock. A human life is nothing to be trifled with or controlled, let alone a god's. You're dealing with the devil on both. May justice prevail...even if it means my soul."

Braddock laughed cruelly. "It'll be your soul, alright, but it will serve my purpose. I know who you are. I know of the prophesy."

"The...the prophesy!" Lyude said in shock.

"Com now, surely you realize that Christov had to have seen that prophesy on the wall thirty one years ago. I have his translation of the prophesy on the wall, your father was fluent in the ancient language, that is how he was able to read the ancient text and understand the prophesy.

Engulfed in flame, a lord shall rise,

fire red as blood shall fill the skies.

An emissary of vengeance divine,

wrath shall fall on the unworthy shrine.

Consumed by the fire an unwilling pawn,

cries out to the world in the blood painted dawn.

Sit at my keys, my service to hire,

ender shall rekindle the ancient fire.

Destruction may dawn on this pivotal night.

The soul of the Ender entwined in the fight.

Lyude stared out silently. Frozen. The ender... he had ended the Organ's suffering a year ago. Now his soul was to be entwined with the Organ? He was to reawaken the organ after putting it to rest?

Gibari was the first to discover the chamber in which Lyude was being held. "Looks like they may be preparing him for another test." said Gibari. "Looks pretty empty though. This'll be our best bet."

Vallye found the switch and flipped it, a panel opening into the room as Vallye gave the coordinates of his location to Ricco. Ayme was one of the first in, checking the perimeter. "It seems a bit quiet to me." she grumbled.

Lyude looked up and spotted them as they stepped in. There was no time for subtleness. "No!" shouted Lyude. "Stay back! Don't come to me!"

"Lyude! Thank goodness you're all right." said Xelha.

"We're getting you out of here, kid." said Gibari striding forward in order to remove Lyude's restraints.

"Gibari! No!"

The room went pitch dark and Lyude bowed his head with a groan. They were all trapped now. Just as Braddock had planned it. Startled cries rang out as each that had been touched by the End Magnus were thrown into the remaining restraints by an invisible force and held fast. The lights returned as Folon was roughly escorted into the room again and strapped in next to Ayme. Mizuti was dangling in her restraints on Ayme's other side shouting indignant protests to the foul treatment of the 'Great Mizuti.'

Gibari, Xelha, and Kalas were along the other side with Lyude at the center most part of the room, a large, cylindrical chamber directly behind him.

"Finally all the pieces have come together. I've waited a long time for this day." said Braddock with a grin. "Welcome to you all. Today you will aid me in bringing this world to a new age."

A/N: All right. Back to individual feedback.

CelebrenIthil: Sorry about the short chapters, but they make up for it with the amount of chapters, believe me. Flames of the heart had up to ten pages a chapter, the ones I've been doing lately have only had four pages a chapter average. But then again, Flames of the heart only had eight chapters. This one has gone on for over twenty, they're just as long a story, just in shorter incraments. I'm so glad you're enjoying my writing and can't wait to see your next review. To answer your question, I rather liked the great Mizuti, she just seems to be the kind that would get on other people's nerves, and she makes for some excellent comic relief, which this story does indeed need.

Katrina Ice Angel of Darkness: I'm flattered that you want to make me a staff. I've accepted. Thank you very much for the review and I hope to hear more feedback from you in the future on my stories.