Chapter 894: Silent Tears

Sheltered underneath the colossal volcano, an inner town built on magic and the wisdom of the dwarves. A key difference between Arda and Marinda, dwarves here were tall, taller than average. Uninterested per the suffocating interior – Igna and young Tania were soon at the mercy of a battle arena. Banners advertised the battle – “-battle of the prodigies, will Tania’s knowledge suffice or will the Danio’s prodigy win against the odd. Come one, come all,” they shouted, “-to witness the battle of the ages.”

They walked through the main walkway. Scruffy, dirtied mineworkers, the townsfolk – casually wandered. Strained look which eased on seeing friends and family. A battle in town meant rest for the lucky few, and they, without questions asked, took the vacation happily albeit for the lasting few hours.

“Our quarters,” said Igna, “-small but it’ll do,” the door clicked loudly, “-Tania, you sure you want to be alone?”

“Yes, Teach,” replied a determined regard. The lock clicked behind, an entourage of soldiers rose from a cloud, “-take care of her,” he said at the protectors.

“Will do, master,” they replied and guarded the front. Igna, curious about the strange atmosphere, took steps headed into the seating area. Arrangements in a similar, descending order – he ambled to the side representing Tania and sat at a moderate distance. ‘-Everyone sits wherever they can. There’s no sense of loyalty to the fighters,’ he narrowed onto a few settled in dark corners, ‘-they’re napping under the pretense of watching the battle. No sun, and always somber air – crystals of light against the close doom. Mild and uncertain roars of the beast’s belly. Life here must be painful.’ Spectators were mostly men and of demi-human attributes, a few dwarves here and there, noticed by the increased height and the very rare dames who’d sat in the middle of a flock of men. Regardless, the attention shortly honed onto the Danio familia. In attendance was the handler, and lady mother of the family, Vive Danio, ‘-rumor has it, she’s very shrewd in her ways. Today’s battle is important for her and me, especially Tania. Danio holds the answer to why children are taken to the capital. Look about for traces of abuse, none speaks, they dare not speak or play clueless.’ Dressed in trousers, a coat, and dark-leather shoes, Vive’s outfit seemed very practical. Her facial features were contoured nicely, a darker complexion over which was a shaven head of white. Earrings and a drowsy gaze wandered side-to-side, attendants would murmur per a flick of her finger.

The scene was set, Tania entered the field, the arena was half-filled. The princess of Faes made her entrance, wings on her back, combat-ready outfit – a grimoire, bound by a brownish orange, clockwork-styled cover hovered by her side, the book of Fnex. A god-level item so casually given to an infant. ‘-She’s using it,’ he smiled, ‘-the grimoire. I guess she’s serious. Practice makes perfect – use it to thy heart’s content. All the knowledge of deadly spells will be made available at a moments’ call. Fight, Tania.’

Opposite, as she entered the midway line – a somber walkway opened to another demi-human bearing attributes of a bunny, brown-spotted ears, and familiar regard. The humanoid figure wasn’t perfect for it lacked an arm, still, the adversary walked – blood upon the clothes and burnt marks on the cheeks, he rose a straight gaze at Tania, half of the paralyzed face coldly watch, the remainder rose a timid but reassuring smile.

.....

“Brother Tim...” her composure shook, “-is it you?” she backed away without breaking eye contact, “-is it you, brother?” her voice whimpered.

“Tania,” returned a stuffy voice, “-you’ve grown so much,” he said – a sudden jolt forced a yelp, the maimed arms flourished into an array of weapons.

“No talking, you stupid slave,” fired similarly aged children seated around lady Vive. Igna knew what Vive wanted to do, and she, by means of provocation, threw a smirk across the arena.

Calm and unshaken, Igna leaned into the seat, pulled a cigar from the inner pocket, crossed his legs, and puffed. ‘-Kin against kin, not a bad idea. Tania’s not going to recover. She loves her brother too much. Lest Tim’s affected mentally, I don’t see them fighting.’

“Brother,” she gasped, “-I looked for you everywhere...”

“Don’t,” he returned coldly, “-don’t come close, I can’t control myself,” in the eyes were pain and solitude, “-I can’t bear to see another be killed on my watch. Look at me,” he slowly turned at the weapons, “-I’m nothing but a killing machine. I don’t have a will of my own, I can’t control...” therein the eyes emptily blinked, “-Tania, kill me, sister...”

Vive rose her chin, “-enough of the reunion,” she said, “-go on, push the button.”

“Yes, mom,” added another.

The boy’s face turned pale, no life behind the pupils – muscles strained and leaped across the battlefield. Tania side-stepped at the last possible second, Igna puffed knowingly. Spears and arrows flung her way, she dodged, the wings summoned barriers, the range had no effect. Tim waltz in with a spear, and still, the faster Tania dodged and barely threw attacks back. “-Brother,” she said, her heart in turmoil – nothing. Tim fought insanely, the limbs tore, blood-splattered, he did damage more to himself than Tania did to him. A cocky Vive rose from her seat and glanced at Igna, “-you,” she pointed, “-are finished.”

‘Someone’s got spunk,’ he narrowed, ‘-fine, I’ll take the bait,’ he stood, a heavy aura fell upon the arena – Tania’s passive style shuddered. He walked past the corner of her eye, ‘-master’s watching,’ went through her mind, ‘-I need to fight,’ the grimoire opened to a specific page – words burnt from the text – an array of magical circle summoned and fired, she escaped by flying backward. the momentum made a hard stop, her boots skid to a stop before a massive pool of dust and ash.

historical

“Lady Vive of the Danio Familia,” said Igna casually taking a seat by her side, “-you wouldn’t mind us having a little chat?”

“Don’t,” she glared, “-you’ve already tricked my eldest daughter. I won’t stop until everything you hold dear is taken.”

“By the way you moved,” he observed, “-the kids are very important to you,” he looked at her guard detail, “-too bad,” lasers suddenly flashed on their foreheads, “-one gesture and they’re dead. Tell me, Vive,” he crossed his legs and watched the tense battle, “-was it worth putting kin against kin?”

“Certainly looks like it,” she masked her incertitude, “-why would the Devil personally pay me a visit. If thee wish for a deal, I refuse.”

“No, you misunderstand,” he returned, “-I came to have a better view on my student. Look, we can watch her expression together,” by which, Igna rose a friendly wave – Tania, shocked by the sudden gesture, accidentally misfired, the projectile teleported instantly inches from Vive’s nose, *Snap,* smothered in sparks, “-she’s not used to the book yet.”

Hands to her head, she gasped, “-allow me to share some very amusing information. The modification of soul and living being,” referenced to Tim, “-is outlawed by the celestials. None has the guts to play god, and here, I see the Danio family messing with innocent children, putting brother against sister, turning goodness into depravity. Was it worth the hassle? An incident of a year ago, fueled by a report of Tim’s injuries, shook Orn village into a mob that went on to kill a little girl and her mother. Now, I’m sure this doesn’t interest you, and why should it, Vive, they had little to no consequence in the greater scheme,” the tone deepened, “-the mother made a pact, a deal. She gave her soul in exchange for the downfall and sufferance of those who took her child and caused pain.”

“-Is there an end to the story? Looks like the student’s about to lose.”

“My apologies,” he faced the crowd, “-about time for the battle to end,” he clapped – chains and shackles binding young Tim broke. Tania summoned pillars of rock, the latter of which threw the incoming Tim over her head. He landed against the arena wall and dropped to the knees, “-I’m free,” he said, rising an eye to Tania, “-I’m free,” a single tear fell. Igna was nowhere found at Vive’ side for he’d returned to his seat – the whole situation felt like a dream, one moment there, the other, gone.

“Brother?” her spells disarmed, she rushed for his unharmed side, “-I finally found you.”

*Cough,* blood gushed, “-Tania,” he exhaled loudly, “-I’m sorry I couldn’t be a better big brother,” he reached and tightened the left-arm around her shoulders, “-my body won’t survive for long. You’re big and strong, stronger than me. The magic you used, it’s what Teach used to show us, the faes,” he looked to the dull ceiling, “-I see them, they fly in a circle around you, always there to protect, and always there to help. Tania, I’m proud,” he clambered; pain, humiliation, torture, and the inability to see his little sister grow – the insides set ablaze, a shadow loomed over his shoulder, ‘-enact thy revenge,’ it said, ‘-take back what the stole, take what is yours, Tim, TAKE IT ALL!’ amber erupted into ablaze.

“Brother?” she grabbed his finger.

“Tania,” he gave a half-smile, “-allow big brother to get rid of thy obstacle,” a loud pulse shook the arena, Tim vanished – blood laid where he once stood, *Crash,* explosion rattled Vive’s side, “-DIE!” he screamed, a demon-possessed the inner-fury -heads, limbs, blood, muscles, guts, everything tore from the siblings who’d so mercilessly tortured, abused, insulted, humiliated, guards turned at him to no avail – they rushed and were slaughtered – Vive’s white head turned a mix crimson. Unrelentless blood lust veered at Vive, thereon, *Book of Fnex, I call upon thee, powers bestowed by the Devil, burn my target, free the soul and liberate the anguish,* between silent tears, Tania hardened her heart, *-guide the lost to an unseen truth. Heed my word, arrows of Fen; deliver finality – Termie,* a volley of golden arrows impaled the berserk, each hit disintegrated the body – nothing left in the wake of the end – remnants of the arrows faded – the blood of the children had washed seats and railings alike. Knees to the rough ground, more tears flowed, “-forgive me, brother, I wasn’t strong enough to save you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she cried, “-I’m so sorry...” a soothing melody played in the background, Igna held a flute to a tune of memory and joy to Tim, a song the boy loved, one the siblings often fell-asleep too. On hot days on the field, when times were peaceful, the duo often ran to Igna’s grotto and rested in the shades. Accompanied by a gentle breeze, he’d play the same song sang to him by his mother in the last life. “-You did great,” he patted her back, “-I’m proud, so is your brother, Tania,” he tapped her arms and sat on the ground, “-laugh, Tania, smile. Don’t cry, celebrate the memories,” to which, she turned and smothered her runny nose against his arms. ‘-Good on her,’ she looked at him with a failing smile. Hand in hand, he stood and exited the arena.

“Teach,” back at the manor, “-why,” she said, “-why don’t I feel bad anymore?”

“Simple,” he replied, “-when one celebrates another’s death, the memories don’t become painful, instead, they’re prized flashes of the past. Tim was enslaved by Danio, and like him, so were many other children. We’re not done yet. Laurine and Terisa will have their revenge, Tim’s death won’t be forgotten. Marinda will change.” The intensity in the words and gesture had Tania on edge, “-I’ll do what you say, Teach. I won’t let what happened to me happen to another – that’s my promise as your apprentice. Show me the way to true power, master – I’ll work twice as hard.”

He smiled, “-I know you will,” a gentle pat of the head and horse clops took the attention. Over the balustrade, a familiar face arrived on another carriage – on it, the crest of Rah.