0030 A.R (After Alchemies Return) New Weyard Calendar
Tuarapang Airship, above Kaocho
Click
Click
Click
The sound of feminine heels.
"Hiding down here, Arcanus? It's about time I found you."
I look up from sitting in my throne to see a pink haired woman with horns, her lips pout seductively pink and her eyes shimmer a light blue in my direction. Long perfect legs cross as she stretches her arms out fully -light flesh is visible in the heart shape cut out of her dress.
"Chalis, you bring word from Wo?..." I ask, ignoring her as she swings her hips back and forth in anticipation.
"Oh yes, love, I also bring word about the young adepts. Such cutie pies, all four of them! Don't worry, I treated them nice~"
Chalis sat on my lap and began playing with my azure hair. I hate when she does this, but no wrath like a woman scorned. I lightly touched my mask while lost in thought.
The dark adept then purrs over to my shoulder and continues through my silence, "Very cute indeed, that young Matthew is just your type – more man then you'll ever be."
I make a move to hit her but she quickly jumps from my lap and twirls as she mockingly answers, " Now now, love, don't get defensive! You had your chance to be on top~"
My glare pierces her like daggers but that smile on her face doesn't leave. I grit my teeth as I say, "My chance? It was my choice to sever ties with that woman, and right now I feel like ending ties with you…"
Were all women this annoying?
She giggles, realizing my annoyance at her, and continues to tease, "Don't be so mean, you know you need me 3 Now, what card showed up for her again?"
"The moon," I couldn't help but answer.
"Yes. Fertility at it's finest under the light of ultimate darkness! My my, that son of yours must be fantastic-"
"Silence," I command and Chalis instantly seals her lips in childish fashion.
I sigh and regained my composure, "My personal business with the Ayuthay princess has no connection to the conversation at hand."
Chalis turns her back to me, her face hidden from the light, "But it does, love, the adepts are heading towards Ayuthay as we speak. I know you planned for their destiny to intertwine with Amiti."
I shift uncomfortably in my throne.
Even the artificial Jenei existing in our time know of my evil intent. At every corner I have been refused their ancient science and unable to continue on my power alone.
"Amiti is the son of Exathi woman and a powerful adept man, he shall make a fine Emperor."
"Yet he believes he is the son of a holy mother, and has no father," she answers. I decide not to comply but she continues, "Veriti, right? That was her name...means truth if I'm not mistaken? Yes, truth, hopefully some truth will be shed upon the boy."
"He must never know I am his father."
"You don't have a choice! " she smirks, "the young mercury adept will make the connection himself, even if you say nothing."
"Then let it be so, those words shall never part my lips, for as long as he lives in this world. He is not my son, and I am not his father. He is the product of a hatched plan and nothing more."
"Cruel," the horned temptress turns back to face me again, blinking her long eyelashes, "You must really hate that woman….."
Silence.
"Or you must really love Matthew-"
"-You're dismissed."
Countless hours I've collected my thoughts on the Ayuthay princess, and sleepless nights I wondered if I made the right decision.
Smooth skin that reflected the sand, dark green eyes that looked up at me with longing. I wrapped my arm around her curved waist, pulling her in close as our lips meet mutual agreement.
Yet here I still was, the darkness in the light, the light in this large vortex.
It was never love.
She was just another pawn on my chessboard.
Chalis chuckles as she watches me in thought. She then turns and begins walking away,
"Feeling of uncertainty
where the past still haunts
unsure of a journey but still going ahead with it
feeling watched with surreal feelings and situations in your waking life."
Was she speaking of me, or my son?
Click.
Click.
Click.
Mia.
Isaac.
Veriti.
0030 A.R (After Alchemies Return) New Weyard Calendar
Opera House, Belinsk
Waning Crescent
Last Quarter
Waning Gibbous
After collecting the roc feather (and the Magma Orb), Matthew and his adept friends arrived to the beastman city before the Full Moon festival. I watched as they headed straight to the Inn with perfect timing.
Or was it too perfect?
I knew tomorrow you would attempt to save the pirate's son and help the young princess held captive in the castle. During this time I would manipulate Ryu Hou to help activate the Eclipse Tower.
Yet I felt out of place, a feeling that something was incomplete.
I did not return to the Tuaparang ship, and instead found shelter in the Opera house. Alone with my thoughts and a flute held up to my mouth.
I found myself indulging in the harmonic whistle of a melody of my past. A tone I remembered hearing in Imil, a distant music of a lost clan.
I still recalled the notes, a memory of slender fingers adjusting mine when I was wrong. Mia would always watch me practice, she was jealous that her mother and father put so much time in teaching me.
That snow covered tundra…
The Mercury tower still stands tall with a flow of Hermes water.
Yet I may never return to my home, the word traitor and monster still ring fresh in my ears.
A final melody.
One last note till I may finally reach harmo-
Silence.
Someone is here.
Am I the performer and is he my lone audience?
Facing upstage, I turn to greet the unfortunate soul that happened to run into me tonight
But…
I turn to accost large grey-blue eyes.
Shock completely written across my face, I try to draw a blank but I feel my face grow hot.
"….I-It's…..you….." the young Matthew said with surprise.
I took a breath, never before had I been at a lost for words, "…I see, you remember me?"
The blonde haired boy nodded, "You're the masked man from Konpa Ruins…."
"Indeed I am, however, even a man in a mask has a name, " I sound nervous
The venus adept crosses his arms, "I don't know you're name…but for some reason you know mine. Kraden said he recognized you at the ruins…"
I chuckle, "Yes, Kraden knew the man I used to be."
"Used to be?" you question.
"Yes, well, Kraden and your father are very old men…" I shrug
"…My father?" I blush lightly and scratch my face, but you press on, "So you're no longer this person from your past? Then what do they call you now?..."
Silence.
"Arcanus."
"Arcanus," you mimic, but the name is empty, "….good bye."
With fast reflex the boy launches at me, drawing his sylph rapier as he slashes. Thankfully with haste I warp upstage, biting my lip as I see you standing downstage with that blade at your hand.
It hurt to think you meant harm.
"Hah, do honestly think you can kill me? What are your intentions!"
His hair covers his face as he looks down, "I know the Tuaparang is targeting the Wise One…you even know my father! I also caught you in the Konpa ruins with that machine.- you're responsible for the psynergy vortexes!.."
"Such a smart boy," I flick my hair back with a smirk, "It must be fate."
"Fate?" you question, "you're manipulating everyone around you, that's not fate!"
"You paint me the villain. I award you're brilliant conclusions, but you don't know the half of it…Matthew…"
You hesitate. Did you really wish to believe I was on the side of good?
"Enlighten me then," you coax, "because not so long ago I was pressured by your men."
"My men?"
"I know you're working with that Blados guy and that Chalis chick."
"Against my will, " I mumble and you raise your brow, "I mean to say- I don't work for anyone and no one works for me. I'm a lone wolf, rather."
"You seem to be working quite close along side those 'Tuaparang' though, and with Volechek?"
"Yes, Tret and Laurel educated you never to activate the Alchemy Dynamo."
"Yeah, and another thing!" you say as you raise your sword at me again, "I know someone's been following my friends and I in the shadows! You can't hide it…"
I cover my mouth to cough absently, "It would seem my spy was unable to escape your keen eyes."
Matthew shrugs, "I'm pretty sure Sveta knows as well….but she hasn't said anything."
"Forgive me. I shall relieve the spy from his duty."
"F…forgive you?"
Unsure of your reaction, I take a step forward, "You haven't asked me why I'm here."
You squint your eyes, "…why ARE you here?..."
"I could be asking you the very same question, are your allies not asleep at the Inn? A young man shouldn't be wondering into opera houses late at night…."
"I heard music!" you say defensively, "I came to investigate…..and I found you here."
"And you say you don't believe this is fate," I smirk, "I'm here because I was looking for help, and you're here because you wish to help me."
"I…I am?"
"The Magma Orb," I conclude
You slowly nod, "Yes, but Ryu Hou has it- I have to rescue Eoleo!"
"And rescue him you will…. after you help light the Alchemy Dynamo."
"I made a promise! Besides…..Ryu has taken the burden upon himself, I could never do such a thing."
"Young Matthew, it is not you who shall fuel the Dynamo. I only ask for your assistance in the events leading up to it."
You shake your head, "..I…I can't…."
"They didn't tell you what would happen, hm?"
"They…did not. They said it was dangerous." You sheath the rapier.
I reach into my sleeve and throw Matthew a single card. He looks down at it nervously, "A piece of paper?"
"A tarot card, young adept, to help you get a clear view of the future."
"The future?" you look down at it again, "A tower being struck by lightning, two people fall to their death from it's walls…."
"A epiphany, a bolt of inspiration, or a catalyst for needed change…"
"You speak in riddles….could you be more specific?"
I find myself chuckling. Many people in my life have asked me the same question and I only grow more vague. For Matthew, however, I would explain anything.
"The tower represents the Alchemy Dynamo. The lightning is the energy it needs to power itself, the magma orb: a powerful magic of Jupiter and light."
"This future doesn't look very bright, " you scratch your head, "and whom are the two people?"
"The people are of no concern, just sacrifices needed for your safe journey."
"Sacrifices! I wish no one to spare their life for mine!"
"Even if it's the devil himself?"
You shift nervously in thought, "The…devil….then whom is the other?"
"Father of the Chariot."
"The what?"
"Do not worry, you shall meet him soon."
You let out a long sigh, "None of this makes sense. You want me to help you bring forth destruction?"
"Your father would help anyone in need…"
"Yeah, I hear that one a lot," you sound annoyed, "but I'm not my father! I'm here to rescue those on the side of good! Helping you would only bring evil…"
"Yes, this all does perceive 'evil', doesn't it?"
Turning my back to you, I notice you are confident enough to take a step forward. How am I to convince you? The situation does seem dark, but….
"Even within evil, there is good."
You tilt your head to the side, "Are you trying to say you're a double agent?"
"Double agent?" I've never heard the term before, " Mmm, yes, that sounds right. The light in the darkness of our hearts."
"I don't know what this all means, "I hear a note of panic in your voice, "the alchemy dynamo, the psynergy vortexes…. If they are evil, why does someone of good nature wish to restore them?"
"The same could have been said about the elemental lighthouses, however, they were wrong. As for the psynergy vortexes, they are not what they appear."
"Care to explain?"
"It's much too early for that. Don't waste thought into their mysteries."
Silence.
"I have made my discussion," you say and I turn around, "I will help you- but- I need proof that I'm making the right choice."
"Proof?" I say with surprise.
You cross your arms, "I still don't understand what this tower will do. I want proof that the effects can at least be reversed."
"Judgment shall replace the tower, a powerful lens capable of maximizing light."
"Then the Alchemy Dynamo is not permanent?"
"Only if you wish it to be, and I assure you, you don't want it to be."
You nod slowly, "I cannot break my promise, but I shall ally myself with you only for a short while."
"Excellent," I answer while finding myself getting lost in your eyes. I wish I could mind read to understand you better but…my vow, "It would be best not to tell the others of our arrangement."
"I figured…..but I still don't trust you!"
I smile, which surprises you as I move closer, "I'm sure I can find a way for me to gain your trust."
You raise a brow and step back to the edge of the stage as I continue to advance, "W-what?"
My heart pounds against my chest, a flutter of insecurity in my stomach.
At long last I may claim what it rightfully mine.
"What do you think you're doing?" you say angrily as I shadow over you.
"Do you wish to trust me?"
"Y-yes…I mean, I've been helping some shady people lately…"
A light blush forms on your cheeks and my heart leaps.
"A price for celestial correspondence, the harmony which shall save Weyard."
"What price?"
Silence.
"Our love."
"Our?-" you begin but I pull your body against mine, breaking any distance left between us.
Your eyes widen as our lips meet, but I only deepen my physical desire.
You move to push me back, but I only hold on tighter.
Undividedly, absolutely complete in this sanctuary.
Forever I shall play the fool in this realm of mortals, body and soul, until this lover brings my heart back.
"Discover that in the very darkness of nature a light is hidden, a little spark without which the darkness would not be darkness….the lumen naturae is the light of the darkness itself, which illuminates its own darkness, and this light the darkness comprehends."
-Azoth, ancient Weyard alchemist.
My chemical balance.
(TO BE CONT.)
0030 A.R (After Alchemies Return) New Weyard Calendar
Alchemy Dynamo, Belinsk ruins
Our night together ended as the sun rose to the sky.
In less then 24 hrs the music of the Arangoa Prelude would play throughout Belinsk, and the puzzles would be solved in the ruins beneath our feet.
The Full Moon festival has begun.
"Correction: YOU made a promise Laurel. I didn't promise anything to anyone!" snapped Ryu Kou at the young adept, Crown.
"But we have to take her warning seriously. And doesn't this place feel…different than the other ruins?" he countered.
"Yeah..um, it does feel weird…" Matthew says nervously.
"We can't just rush into this. Think about the defenses and Laurel's warning. Danger is afoot!"
Crown.
That boy was sounding more and more like his mother.
"You're right about one thing-" I interrupt the group from the doors entrance. Chalis and Blados stand in front of me, impatient as usual, "Placing the Magma Orb into the core will unseal the tower."
Looks of hatred are shot at me as everyone turns in my direction.
Matthew's blush is clear upon his face.
Blados smirks, "You really did make it. I guess you win our bet, Chalis."
"Yes, thank you, dear Matthew! I feel like I could hug you." She looks back at me for a split second with a smug look on her face.
"You!" Tyrell yells, "Did you jerks follow us all the way down here?"
"Not at all, " shrugs Blados, "We just kept tabs to make sure you would make it here."
Chalis pouts, "You all had me worried a few times. I though about offering some help, but I didn't think you would accept it."
"As if!" shouts Matthew. He then catches me looking at him and he quickly looks away. I was sure he was getting tired of all the 'help', especially after the 'help' I gave him.
"We've had enough of your "help"." Karis took the words out of Matthew's mouth.
"Yeah, who do you think you're fooling?" complained the mars adept.
"I wouldn't trust you to lace my shoes," continued Crown.
"If you think we would trust you, then you have severely underestimated us, " concluded the other mercury adept.
I noticed the beastgirl looked rather upset and confused at me, "I know Blados and Chalis, but who…?"
"Why are you here?" stomped Ryu Kou
"Be careful, young one. We don't know their intentions." Hou Zan had an eye of suspicion.
"Enough. Place the orb in the machine. Now." My eyes went from Matthew, to Ryu Kou.
"You don't want to know what will happen if you don't cooperate…"
"Oh, yeah? I'm kinda curious, actually, " Tyrell squinted his eyes at me.
Blados and Chalis warped in front the Warrior's of Vales kin. Blados cracked his knuckles, "then I guess we have to show you. Darn."
"Agreed, " chimed Chalis, "It's time to show these little brats who's in charge here."
The two dark adepts immediately engaged in battle. I took this time to relieve Matthew from breaking his promise. I knocked out the weak Hou Zan and cornered Ryu Kou against the Alchemy Dynamo.
"Not bad. I guess we did underestimate you. "
I frown as I peek back to the entrance. The group ended the battle.
"Lets not be too hasty. We were outnumbered after all, " sighed Chalis.
Blados chuckles, "Yeah. And even if we lost the battle, we did actually win the war…"
"….What are you- Where is Ryu Kou?" the Ayuthay prince realized as everyone turned to the ancient Jenei technology.
"Ryu Kou- NO!" yelled Karis
I couldn't help but smile and chuckle myself, "You'll want to stay right where you are and watch. History is about to happen in front of you."
"You're crazy if you think we'll let you-" began Tyrell and he stepped forward to stop me.
I didn't want to resort to this, but it was very easy to knock the hot-head onto his back with psynergy. I heard him swear under his breath as he got back on his feet, but I knew he was now scared of me. To prove it I took a step forward, only to watch him take a step back.
"That wasn't a request," I smirk.
"…who are you?" asks Crown
It would seem Matthew didn't tell the others about our….meeting.
"Explanations can wait. Right now, the Luna Tower is about to be activated."
"But why? What do you Tuaparang stand to gain with this?"
I couldn't help but look over at Amiti, the first time I've ever seen the young man's face. Damnit. Chalis was right, even If I say nothing the boy would make the connection on his own- he was the spitting image of me.
"How clever of you to have discovered Tuaparang's involvment…or perhaps not so clever….did you tip our hand, Sveta?"
"Of course, unlike my brother, I want nothing to do with the foul Tuaparang!"
"Is that so?" I wave the thought with my hand, "Well, I might be hurt by your words…..if I were a Tuaparang."
Silence.
Suddenly light beams down upon me and Ryu Kou, I know the full moon shines right on cue, "Ah, it looks like the time has come. Start the machine."
"!"
"Ryu Kou, you musn't!"
"Don't do it."
"Think about Laurel's warning!"
"My brother….has won."
"This must not happen!"
"Hesitation, Ryu Kou? You haven't changed your mind, have you?" I press.
Matthew stomps the ground and grits his teeth. His friends turn to him to lead but he says nothing. Is he to keep his word?
"I won't force you, but I will mention that your sister's safety does hang in the balance."
Under my influence, Ryu Kou drops the orb inside.
"ALCHEMY DYNAMO POWERED ON…..LUNA TOWER PREPARING TO ACTIVATE. ACTIVATING LUNA TOWER. PERSONNEL WITHIN THE TOWER SHOULD EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY."
"Good work, Ryu Kou, " I congratulate
"You…you had better keep your promise, " he says weakly.
"Of course. I bear your sister no ill will."
"Hou Ju..." the old man stirs
"Hou Zan, what is the matter?"
"What…..is happening?" he questions as he stands up. He looks around to realize the tower's activation, "Ryu Kou, why?"
"I didn't have a choice…"
The old man is quick to point at me, "This is your fault, monster!"
"In what way could this possibly be my fault? Ryu Kou has done this by his own hand," I notice Matthew shift uncomfortably.
"Hide behind your excuses, coward. I swear you will pay for what you've done here."
I sigh and look away as the passion of battle rains in the old man's eyes, "How many times must I demonstrate to you tiresome insects that you cannot beat me in battle?"
"At least once more, apparently, " he growls and then charges towards my open back.
Warping out of the way, I take this time to pick up the fallen Tuaparang as the party turns to face me. I couldn't help but think this was very reminiscent…
"Face us, you masked coward!" Tyrell never misses a beat when it comes to yelling.
"I tire of being addressed by my mask, "I say with a smirk, "In the future, you may call me Arcanus."
"Arcanus, what are you and the Tuaparang after? Why did you want the tower activated?" pleaded Karis
"You know that your parents saved the world by restoring the principles of Alchemy, yes?"
"Of course. So what?" asked Tyrell
"I see you haven't drawn the connection yet. The lighthouses that your parents ignited were towers- machines- very similar to the one we're standing in. Like the elemental lighthouses, this tower holds a force sealed away eons ago. The only difference is that the creators of this tower never wanted their prison breached."
Matthew's eyes narrow in confusion but Tyrell is the first to speak up, "Never? What have you tricked us into?"
"Tricked you?" I answer with a frown, "I have been nothing but forthright and honest throughout our brief relationship."
"COMMENCING ASCENT. EVACULATE TOWER IMMEDIATELY."
"Ah, sounds like its time for me to take my leave. If you survive, perhaps we'll finish our talk another time. "
Carrying Chalis and Blados, I warp closer to the exit. My eyes don't leave Matthew as I say,
"But know this- opening the seal on this dread machine was only the beginning. I look forward to our next meeting. Until then, farewell."
Catastrophe
The prayer long forgotten
"This is only the beginning."