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Chapter 7: New Powers

The knights had managed to restrain the monster man after it had attacked Elena. But that was mainly due to it dying shortly after. Some speculated that whatever caused him to transform resulted in his death. The knights had a lot of questions and the intruders had either gotten away or died during the confusion the monster man caused. So there was no one left the knights could question. Even the one that Raiden had knocked out had gotten away.

Raiden and Rune could care less about any of that for now. Raiden sat outside of the infirmary with Rune. Both of them were silent as they waited to hear news on Elena. Raiden hugged his knees close to his chest with his head down.

It was all his fault for what happened to Elena. He was the big brother. He should have told her to stay home where she would have been safe. He should have told her to stay in that room when the castle was attacked. He should have protected her. You knew you were going into something dangerous. And you let her come along anyway.

"Any word about Elena?" Flynn's voice suddenly asked.

Raiden lifted his head to see the knight. The knight looked worried and Raiden just couldn't bring himself to say it. He might start crying again. I'm a worthless older brother if all I can do is cry for Elena.

Thankfully Rune told the knight. "The healer came out a little bit ago. They patched her up as best they could, so we just need to wait."

"I see," Flynn said. "I'll go send word to your mother. Maybe with her healing artes-"

He didn't finish it because a new voice said, "I'm afraid it might be too late for that." It was the healer that had treated Elena. "Young man, I think you should say your good-bye," the healer said.

Raiden jumped up, "But," Raiden started to say. That can't be. Elena should be-

"I'm afraid we just don't have the artes or technology to treat a head injury like this. I'm so sorry. I'm just wanting to be honest with you, young man. It's a miracle she's even still alive. But she won't be for much longer."

"Is there really nothing else we can do?" Flynn asked. "If we could keep her alive for a few days, Lady Estellise could make a difference."

"Raiden, shouldn't Elena's healing powers-" Rune started to whisper urgently but he didn't finish.

Again the doctor interrupted. "You can try that Sir Scifo. But I can make no promises that she'll live until the end of the day or either if Lady Estellise's powers could treat a brain injury like this one. It's only a matter of time before-"

Suddenly the door opened up and that interrupted the doctor. Out walked Elena taking off the many bloodied bandages from her head. She spotted Raiden first. "So are we good to leave now?" She asked in her usual manner.

"Thanks goodness," Raiden cried out as he quickly wrapped his arms around his sister. "I was worried you couldn't recover from that."

Elena didn't move or return his huge. She was stiff and after about three seconds, she said, "Okay, get off." He did just that, but still smiled at her.

"Elena," Rune cried out, though he was sure to keep his distance. "Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah, can we go now?" Elena asked.

But before Raiden could, he noticed the horrified look of Flynn and the healer. "H-how…" Flynn only managed to get out one word.

"Y-young lady," the healer said, "Y…you just sustained a serious head injury. You shouldn't even be walking."

Elena just shrugged. "Well I'm fine. Just a little hungry is all."

"Miss, I insist that you stay for observation this minute," the healer then reached for Elena's arm. "You must lay down this instant before you collapse or worse."

Elena tried to get out of the healers reach, but when it seemed evident he would touch her, she swung her fists to his face and cried, "Don't touch me." She punched the healer in the nose and Raiden quickly put his arm in front of her so she wouldn't go after him and to prevent anyone else from touching her. She was shaking.

The healer was holding a bloody nose. "Why you little-" he started to say.

But Flynn cut him off. "Sir, why don't you go check on the Empress."

"Fine, see if I care what happens to this girl," the healer grumbled as he started to walk away.

When the healer was gone, Flynn turned back to them and asked Elena in a very serious tone, "Elena, be honest with me, are you okay?"

"I said I'm fine. So I'm fine," she snapped. She looked up at Raiden. "I want to get out of here and get some more noodles. Can we go now?"

"Yeah, I'll get you the biggest bowl," Raiden told her. He was wondering if Flynn would question them more about Elena's power. Their parents and Rita were the only ones that Raiden knew about that understood that Elena's power of the Child of the Full Moon was much greater than their mother's. Not only could she use healing artes like their mother, but her body just naturally healed on its own after any kind of injury.

Raiden wasn't sure if Flynn knew. But he did know he didn't want to be the one to tell him.

So he gave a small bow to the knight. "Thanks for everything Flynn. And we're sorry if we got in the way," Raiden said. Rune quickly followed.

"Are you all heading home now?" Flynn asked.

Raiden just nodded before motioning his sister and friend follow him.

It wasn't until they were away that Rune asked, "We're not going home, are we?"

"We just began," Raiden said. "We can't quit after we just started."

Rune hung his head down. "But are you not freaked out about what happened? I mean, we didn't hardly do any good. Elena-"

"And I'm fine," Elena snapped. "Besides those guys were after the Empress, not us."

"I know," Raiden said to his friend. "It was pretty scary. So I promise that we'll be more careful. But like Elena said, we were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. What are the chances that something like that will happen again?"

His friend didn't look too convinced. He gave a tired sigh, but he didn't say anything.

Raiden looked at his sister. She looked like she always did. She was just so hard to read. He would have to do a better job in protecting her. He needed to step up as a big brother.

/~/~/

Raiden didn't remember why he couldn't sleep that night when his parents found out that Elena was getting bullied and attacked at school. He was sure it was guilt. He may have only been eleven at the time, but he was still Elena's big brother. Dad had told him to look out for her when she started school.

Mom and Dad weren't blaming him for what happened. He was still a kid and had been as clueless as them about what was really happening to Elena. But he knew it was his fault. He knew Elena was being picked on (though he had no idea they were physically hurting her) and he had just told her to stand up for herself and get over it.

And now she had come home missing some fingers and blood all over her shirt.

Raiden sat by the door of his room to hear what his parents were talking about. He had spent the last few hours listening to his sister's uncontrollable cries. It had been about an hour since he last heard her cry.

He heard Elena's room open up followed by soft footsteps. "She's finally asleep with all her fingers back," he heard his dad say.

"Oh Yuri, what are we going to do?" His mom asked.

"She sure as hell isn't going back to that school," his dad said angrily. "I have half a mind to beat all those little bastards and that teacher of hers. If she had just done her damn job she would have known what those monsters were doing to her." Raiden knew is father wasn't directing his anger on any of them, but it did make Raiden jump a bit.

"Yuri…" his mother started to say. "We were also in the dark."

"At least we knew she was being bullied. That idiot of a teacher of hers just thought Ellie was being too sensitive. She had no idea those kids were hurting her."

"I'm going to talk with the teacher and those kids' parents," his mother said. "I'm going to make them apologize to Elena."

"They cut off three of her fingers, Estelle," Yuri snapped as he fought to keep from raising his voice. "There's no telling what else they did to her."

"Well what do you want to do? They're children too," Estelle said trying to stay calm.

Then Raiden jumped when he heard something hit the wall. In the morning, Raiden would see busted knuckles on his father. "Damn it," he heard his father mutter. The anger was still there, but it was almost getting overshadowed by despair. "She begged me not to go school this morning. I just told her to tough it out and show them she wasn't someone to be picked on. How did I not see this?"

"She was really good at hiding it," Estelle said. "I'm also at fault. She refused to wear nice clothes to school, always wore long sleeves and a jacket in summer. Her clothes were always dirty or they would go missing. She's nine and she hid in her room when she got home. I'm her mother, how did I not know…" his mother didn't finish because she was sobbing. Raiden heard his father walk, probably to comfort her.

Raiden hugged his knees and started to silently choke back some tears as he listened to his mother crying. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry,Raiden thought. He should have protected his sister. She was in so much pain and so were their parents.

When Estelle's cries grew softer, Yuri said, "You can see if those little monsters will apologize, but she is not going back to school."

"Rita said we should keep what happened to Elena a secret as best we can," Estelle choked out. "She's sure that the research institute would like to study Elena's formula. Elena's powers are completely different, but her formula seems similar to mine."

"Like hell mages are coming anywhere near her," Yuri said bitterly.

Elena never went to school again. Kids had found out that Elena's wounds practically healed on their own and they were curious to see it happen. They're abuse just kept escalating until they finally disfigured her. If anyone asked, Mom would say she was able to heal Elena when she came home and that's what the children were referring to.

Because of that abuse, Elena didn't feel safe outside and didn't like to make physical contact. When their dad died, Elena lost part of her piece of mind. She never said it, but Raiden knew that she felt her safest when their father was around.

/~/~/

Some knights escorted them out of the castle just in case there were still some of the rouges out and about. Raiden was also sure that the knights did this so they wouldn't stumble into any rooms that had the rouges dead bodies. As soon as they were out, Sable ran up to Elena wagging her tail. Elena knelt down to hug her companion. Raiden realized that the two of them had been inseparable and that this was probably the longest Elena and Sable had been apart.

"You kids don't cause any more problems now," the knight said.

"O-of course sir," Rune stuttered horribly. Raiden and Elena stayed quite as they all walked back to the city.

However, it wasn't long before another knight ran up to them. "Good, you didn't go far," the knight said. He handed Raiden an envelope. "Sir Scifo wanted me to give this to you."

They nodded and Raiden began opening it. It was a letter with three ship tickets.

"Tickets for a ship at Port Aurnion?" Rune said as he looked at them.

"I knew you were lying about going home," Raiden read from the letter. "Take a ship to Heilord, I've also attached a letter for you to use so you can cross into the guild's territory. Be sure to check in with Karol when you reach Dahngrest. If you learn anything else about what happened to Yuri, please let me know. From Flynn."

"We actually got Flynn's blessing for this?" Rune said in disbelief.

"P.s. I will be letting your mothers know you were here," Elena finished as she looked over at the letter.

"Not fully, it seems," Raiden said. He looked back at the castle. Flynn must have wanted to know what happened to his friend as much as them. Thanks Flynn.

/~/~/

Flynn returned to his office at the castle and with the door closed, he gave a tired sigh. It was hard to believe so much had happened in just one day. He sat down at his desk, it would probably be the only time he would get some down time. He would need to increase security after this last attack. He would need to reassure the noble families that everything was safe. Keep the strange transformation that happen to one of those men a secret from the public since he didn't want people thinking anyone could just turn into, whatever that was. He'd also need to reassure himself that the Empress was in good hands. To think these men were after the Empress.

There was so much to do. But his mind was on Yuri. Was it really right of him to allow those kids to continue on? He probably should have made sure they went home. He wasn't sure why, but he felt like he really should let them find what they needed.

"My, things are never dull with you, are they?" A familiar voice said with a little amusement.

It startled Flynn a little as he was sure he had been alone in the room. But he quickly stayed professional. He just glanced at his visitor to acknowledge them. "So how long have you watched?" Flynn asked. "Did you know there was going to be an attack?"

His visitor looked like a street kid in his early teens with a purple beanie on top of his head. Flynn knew he was neither of those things. The kid had a mischievous smile. "I just got here a little while ago. So even if I did feel like warning you about the attack, it would have been too late to do anything. Besides, it's not like anyone important died."

Flynn just gave a sigh as he walked over to sit in a chair. "So are you still going by Mayvin these days?" Flynn asked. This wasn't the first time Mayvin had visited him. Flynn was the only one he had appeared to after they had fought Nightwood. Raven hadn't even been able to hear so much of a rumor about Mayvin or Jacob after he left the guilds. Mayvin only allowed people to know about him. And for some reason, Flynn was one of those people.

"Mayvin's my name till I die," the visitor said with a smile. Mayvin hadn't changed a single bit since they fought Nightwood. If Flynn had even a single doubt about elves or anything Mayvin had told him about his kind, it would have been erased watching Mayvin not age these twenty years.

"So what are you here to tell me this time?" Flynn asked.

Mayvin's smile dropped. "Just an update," he said sounding very serious. "You-Know-Who is on the move. And he's getting harder to track, which has me worried."

"You know it's been about five years since you last told me anything about him," Flynn said. "I find it hard that someone like you has trouble finding a single human."

"Trust me, I'm embarrassed enough about it," Mayvin said bitterly. "But he has Lilith Nightwood's gem. With that, it wouldn't make him much different from an elf."

"Understand that I don't want that much power in the hands of someone," Flynn began. "But Gillion has had the stone for about twenty years, and there hasn't been so much as a word from him." It was maybe about sixteen years ago when Mayvin came to Flynn and told him what he stumbled upon the former White Sentinel guild member doing something to Nightwood's corps. Why he appeared to Flynn and no one else was a question that Mayvin has never answered.

"Well my suspicions have been confirmed. Last month He managed to kill one of the few remaining ancient elves and steal their mana. At the very least, he's made this personal to me."

Flynn's stomach dropped. It had been so hard to defeat Nightwood, one of the ancient elves. And for another human to single handily do it… It just wasn't sitting well with Flynn.

"So what do you want me to do?" Flynn asked.

"Find more information about those people that took Zaphias from you. I've finally managed to confirm he's somehow how connected to them. And that human that turned into a monster, I think Gillion is responsible for that as well."

"Are you saying he's the one behind those renegades?" Flynn asked.

Mayvin just shrugged. "Doubtful. He could be using them. At the very least he's hiding there."

"That still doesn't really answer my question about what you want me to do," Flynn told him.

There was a brief pause before Mayvin gave a frustrated breath. "I can't get close to Zaphias," he admitted. "Every time I do…I can't explain it. I get the urge just to leave. Humans don't seem affected. That's why I need you."

It seemed like a half-assed answer. But Flynn knew from experience that this would be the best he got out of Mayvin.

Suddenly he heard Mayvin start coughing. When Flynn turned his head, he caught in time to see blood in Mayvin's hand. The elf tried to hide it. But he knew Flynn already saw. So he clenched his blood covered fist. "I don't have much time left," he answered without any question asked.

Flynn wasn't sure how he felt about that news. Mayvin was a lot of things, and Flynn wasn't even sure if he could count him as an ally. But he felt a little distress about this news.

"So how many of the ancient elves will be left?" Flynn asked. He knew Mayvin just enough to know he wouldn't want any pity for his eventual demise. Mayvin thought it best if he did die.

"Let's just say a small human child could easily count them," Mayvin answered. "I guess you can say the reason I'm seeking your help is in the event I die before this matter is resolved. I know you'll keep doing something about it."

"Well, looking into those renegades wouldn't be a complete waste. We all want answers for why they took over Zaphias."

"See, it's a win, win for both of us," Mayvin said with his usual smile returning. "By the way, I'm curious to know about whether you knew about that kid's healing powers."

"If you're taking about Elena, I knew her powers were greater than Estellise's. But I didn't know to this degree," Flynn said honestly. Both Yuri and Estellise had confided in in Flynn about the power of the Child of the Full Moon that Elena had once they discovered how strong it was in hopes that he would help keep it secret from anyone else. "If you're suggesting that I use children to solve this matter then-"

But he was interrupted by Mayvin giving a small laugh. "I'll admit that the girl has healing powers almost equal to an elf. But that's not the one I'm talking about."

Mayvin had a knowing smile. But just when Flynn was about to ask when he could hear someone running down the hall. It was soon followed by someone bursting to the room. "Sir Scifo," a knight exclaimed as soon as the door was open. The knight's breath was ragged from running the whole way here.

Flynn had turned to see who had come in. But when he looked back to Mayvin, the elf was long gone. Flynn silently cursed the knight. Then he got up to face the knight. "What is it?" He asked.

"Someone's come seeking an audience with Her Highness. They're claiming to be from the group that took over Zaphias," the knight quickly said as he was still breathing pretty hard.

Flynn's eyes were growing wide as he looked at the knight. He then quickly grabbed his sword. "Where is Her Highness at now?" Flynn quickly asked as he started speed walking out of the room. He was really glad he never took is sword off. He wasn't going with his armor because that would waste too much time. Mayvin must have known the renegades were here. Why else would he have shown up just before?

"In the throne room," he answered as he hurried to catch up to Flynn. "We have the visitors waiting in a room. "Empress Iolanda is waiting for you before she receives them."

"Why the hell is she meeting with them?" Flynn asked. They should arrest them and integrate them. The guilds weren't the only ones with rumors on murdering Emperor Ioder. There were plenty of stories that the renegades were behind it.

"They're claiming to be ambassadors," the knight went on to explain. "Her Highness had no choice but to accept them."

Flynn just gritted his teeth. He worried what these people were planning. But he supposed having open communication with them would benefit them. They were completely in the dark when it came to the renegades. They didn't know if they were former Empire citizens, guild citizens, or even if they were truly some kind of invaders. Plus, this would be his chance to learn some about Gillion.

Flynn reached the throne room in record time to see the young Empress sitting on a throne that looked too big for her. She was the spitting image of Ioder with wild blond hair that her maids always complained about keeping braided to make her look more regal rather than the child she was. She was in a simple black dress. She also didn't wear her crown because it was far too big and heavy for her. She was only thirteen.

The head of the council, Alvar Sabeline, was already by her side and was practically sweating under the stress. He, James Aurion, and Flynn, acted as Iolanda's advisors.

"Sir Scifo," the little Empress said once she saw him. There was a little bit relief seeing him.

There was also relief in Alvar's face. "By the goddess Sir Scifo," Sabeline started to say. "What are we going to do? We just recovered from the last attack. What if they-"

But Flynn gave him a death glare and that shut the politician up. There was no point in scaring Iolanda further. "We shall receive them and see what they want. Then they will be on their way. One way or another," Flynn said firmly and had his hand resting on his sword. Then he gave the Empress a reassured smile. "Whenever you are ready, Your Highness."

"Sir Scifo, do you really think they are here just to talk?" She asked him. She tried to put on a brave face and to look like the Empress everyone expected her to be. But she was understandably still jumpy from what happened earlier today.

"If they aren't, I can assure you they will not have a chance to get anywhere close to you," Flynn told her.

She nodded and motioned for a knight to get the guests.

There were several tense moments as they waited for their guests. There were currently twenty knights in the throne room. Flynn really wished that James was in the city instead of away at Heliord to try and keep the peace with the guilds. He could use his prowess and even his monsters for added protection.

Soon the double doors opened up again. Flynn had not been prepared for what he was about to see with their guests. It was just two women who entered the throne room. One of them looked like an ambassador should. She had red hair tied up artfully and wore rich looking purple kimono with birds on it. But she was just the servant to the ambassador the way she bowed and held her hand out to her companion. "Your Highness, Iolanda, I would like to introduce you to Lady Oanez. Trusted advisor to our King Raymond, Ruler of the Sylvarant Kingdom."

Lady Oanez, ambassador and royal advisor, was a short woman with long wild brown hair, dark common looking cloths, and wore bandages all over her. Even over one of her eyes. "Nice to meet all of you," Lady Oanez said casually and with a wave.