Consequences

A few minutes earlier.

Felmer, taking heavy steps, walked back to Anderson. Oscar sat beside a tree, covering his wounds with bandages.

“You are back? Why?” Oscar asked, confused.

Felmer sat beside Oscar and told him how he survived.

“That’s…impressive. Good job…” Oscar smiled, patting Felmer’s back.

“The two swordsmen weren’t too great, but their coordinated attacks caused a lot of problems for me. So that’s why I am in pretty bad shape.” Oscar said, searching for more bandages in his bag. “But for you to block an arrow and kill a skilled swordsman. That’s great. You should be proud…”

Oscar chuckled and looked at Felmer, but he had fainted.

“Huh? What happened?” Oscar sat up, concerned.

He checked his heartbeat and pulse.

“His heartbeat is slow, and his pulse seems to be normal. He hasn’t sustained any injuries. Then what happened? Was that Art too much for him?”

Oscar sighed and stood up.

“I think I will take them both to Sir Walter…”

Oscar sheathed his sword, packed his bag, and picked up both Felmer and Anderson. Carrying them over his shoulders, he walked towards the open place.

After a few seconds, he arrived, but he wasn’t alone. Others had arrived as well.

Marnis stood there talking to the Unit 96 members about the situation. A soldier of the unit covered Zendaya’s body with a cloth and sat near her corpse. Two others checked on the unconscious Walter.

“We have cleared our sides, but we are unaware of the situation with Sir Irfika,” Alice explained to Marnis, massaging her forehead.

“I would have been unaware of this situation if not for Irnik’s investigation. As soon as we found out, we formulated a plan and went with it…” Marnis replied, looking here and there.

“I never thought I would meet you after all these years and in this condition…” Alice looked at Irnik, who was lying on the ground.

“I also didn’t. I also didn’t expect that arrow…” Irnik chuckled. “That bastard’s arrow hit hard…”

“Don’t worry, I killed him. So your arm has been avenged.” Alice smirked.

“Yeah, yeah…” Irnik rolled his eyes and looked at Zendaya’s body.

“You seem to know almost every member of Eclipse we have met in the last five days…” Marnis asked, surprised.

“I am pretty famous, you see,” Irnik smirked. “I served in this unit. That’s why…” Irnik replied, grabbed his bottle, and took a few sips. But his eyes were fixed on Zendaya.

“She was a great student. Had a lot of potential. But…” Irnik’s words stuck in his throat. He banged his fist on the ground and looked away.

Near them, Melfer sat on the ground, leaning on a tree. He seemed like he was daydreaming. His eyes fixed on the forest, his body still and slowly breathing. His face was as if he had seen a ghost.

Ronald sat right next to him, worried for his son.

“What happened?” Ronald asked Albert.

“We were engaging the enemy, and he was being beaten. But suddenly, a few changes occurred in his right eye, and his sword was engulfed in yellow streaks. Then he attacked the swordsman, broke his sword, and killed him in one hit. And since then, he has been like this. I was pretty shocked myself…”

Oscar, carrying the two kids, walked up to them and laid them down beside a tree.

“They are pretty heavy…” Oscar commented, joining his unit.

Soon, the remaining two soldiers brought Efkil and made him sit on the ground. One of them took out a rope and bound his hands.

“What happened to them?” Marnis asked, anxious.

“Don’t worry, sir. They are completely fine. Just fainted…” Oscar replied calmly. Then Oscar told them what Felmer did.

“Huh? Are you joking?” Marnis blurted out.

“He’s right. I also saw him use that Art…Your son is fascinating. Using Arts at such a young age. He must be at Block 3.”

“Block 3…” Irnik softly repeated her words, realising something.

“That’s what I am confused about…” Marnis mumbled under his breath. “Irnik…” He called Irnik, but he was interrupted.

An immensely powerful shockwave hit them all and threw them to the ground, flattening the tree around them at the same time.

Slowly, scared, all of them stood up and looked behind them.

Far away, Irfika stood straight, a red and black shrinking above his palm. He turned his head and looked at them. He waved his arm and began walking towards them.

Soon, he arrived and clasped his hands.

“Hmm…You all are here. That’s great. Seems everyone did their work. Good job, all of you…” Irfika smiled, then his eyes fell on Zendaya’s corpse, and his smile vanished. “Who killed her?” Irfika demanded.

“This boy did. He confessed when we captured him…” One of the soldiers replied.

“M-my father told me to. I-I never intended to…” Efkil blurted out, stammering and crying.

“I figured it out. Your face tells me you have no guts to do such a thing…” Irfika replied, agitated.

Irnik stared at Efkil for a while, but suppressed his anger and looked away.

“What about those two?” Irfika asked, pointing at Anderson and Felmer.

Oscar stood up and explained.

“Wait…” Realisation hit Irfika. “They are at Block 1. So how did they use the Arts?” Then he looked at Irnik, who was hiding his face. “And the best question is: who taught them?”

“I did…” Irnik didn’t waste any time. “I totally take the blame. It was my mistake for teaching them Arts when they were still at Block 1.” Then he lifted his head and looked at Marnis and Irfika. “I am sorry…”

“Well, they did well and are alive, so it’s okay…” Marnis smiled, nodding.

“Seriously, Irnik? You made such a mistake. Like, come on…” Irfika responded, shocked and angry. “How can you forget such a basic thing?”

“I was too focused on school that I overlooked it,” Irnik replied, feeling guilty.

Irfika stared at Irnik, surprised. He sighed, rolled his eyes, and turned towards his unit.

“As Walter is injured, Alice, you will be the sub-commander in his place. Take those two to the hospital. Contact the girl’s guardian and inform them. And lastly, take the Rigner kid to the base and hand him to the intelligence unit. Report the actions of the Rigner family to the local authorities and to Equinox. They have some work to do…”

“Yes, sir…” Alice saluted.

“The rest of you go to the hospital as well. And lastly…” Irfika cleared his throat. “Well done. Great job…”

…

A few hours before midnight.

Thomas Rigner sat in his chair, chatting with his noble friend.

“It seems that the plan has been working out fine…” A friend said, pouring wine into his glass.

“Yes…With this, we will gain Falvarian support and potential power to overthrow the king.” Thomas nodded in agreement.

“I also heard that your son was in one of the squads. Will he be alright?” His friend asked.

“Of course he will be. I have given him a valuable task.”

“And that is?”

“Kill one of your teammates.”

The wine stuck in his friend’s throat. He gulped and looked at Thomas.

“Are you serious? He is just a fourteen-year-old kid. This is too harsh on him…”

“This is important for his growth. If he isn’t brave enough to spill blood, then he won’t be able to rule the family and potentially the country. Mental and physical growth is essential at an early age…”

“The main question is, will he be able to carry out the task?” His friend asked, doubting the idea.

“He might be a scaredy-cat, but he can do the necessary work if he is properly told to…” Thomas drank his wine in one breath and banged the glass on the table. “This is how he works…”

A few minutes passed, and his friend left. Soon, the door was knocked on, and Efkil stepped in, traumatised.

“Oh…You are here…How did it go?” Thomas asked, grinning.

“I…Killed one of them…Just…as y-you said…” Efkil replied, stammering.

“Hahaha…Well done, my son. You have proved yourself. Don’t worry, you will get used to it…” Thomas walked up to Efkil, clapped, and patted him on his head.

“Rest now. You will be rewarded well tomorrow…”

Thomas turned around to go to his room.

“Father…” Efkil said, his voice trembling.

“Yes?” Thomas looked back, caressing his beard.

“I-I am sorry…” Efkil said, shaking.

“Huh?” Thomas turned back, confused.

Efkil looked at his father, crying.

“I-I t-told them…”

“Told who and what?” Thomas looked at his son, confused. But slowly he realised what his son had done. “You jerk! What have you done!?” Thomas shouted at Efkil.

Before he could slap Efkil, the main door was thrown open. Royal Soldiers rushed inside and surrounded Thomas, their guns aimed at him.

“Don’t move, or we will fire!” The captain shouted.

Thomas, nervous, raised both his hands.

“On your knees!” The captain ordered.

Thomas didn’t hesitate and sat on his knees, eyes fixed on Efkil.

Efkil just stood there, crying, trembling.

Soon, a battalion commander and Equinox stepped in.

“Aristocrat Thomas, you have been found guilty of colluding with foreign forces, assisting Falvaria in harming the nation’s integrity and assassinating Felmer Gorbin, and planning to revolt against the king. Your charges are treason, betrayal, and murder. And under the law, all your assets will be seized by the state.”

“Your actions have broken Clause 90 of the Eclipse.” Equinox stepped forward. “Hence, you are sentenced to execution by hanging.”

Equinox took out a paper and unfolded it, showing it to Thomas.

“And before you make any lame excuses. His Majesty, King Theodor Rist, has approved of this.”

Thomas’ soul left his body. All his plans were shattered right in front of him.

“You destroyed it all. YOU DESTROYED IT ALL!” He shouted at Efkil.

Efkil trembled, his tears falling on the ground.

Equinox stepped in front of Efkil and slapped Thomas.

“Have some shame. First you forced your own son to kill a child, and now you are blaming him!” Equinox controlled her anger and ordered the soldiers. “Take him away…”

“Yes, ma’am…” The captain responded. “Soldiers, you heard her…”

Two soldiers placed the guns in their holsters, bound Thomas’ hands, and took him away.

Equinox turned towards Efkil and patted his head.

“Don’t worry. None of it was your fault…” Equinox assured Efkil, speaking softly.

“Rest assured. We will take him in, and he will be raised properly.” The battalion commander responded.

Equinox responded and left with her soldiers.

…

At night in the Magus Palace, Faskerlis.

The door to the hall opened, and an angry Laminar rushed inside.

“What are you doing here this late?” Larnet demanded.

“Did I hear the right thing?”

“Heard what?” Larnet raised an eyebrow.

“That you formulated a plan to kill a fourteen-year-old…” Laminar replied, clenching his fists.

“He is an enemy heir. This is how politics works…” The Prime Minister, Derif Tuska, replied, smirking.

“Well, I have just discovered how big a coward this country has become…”

“Show some respect, prince. Disgracing the country in front of the king is not tolerated…” Derif shot back.

“Oh…So you are going to teach me that?” Laminar looked at Derif, hand on his sword.

“Let him speak…” Larnet said to Derif. “So what would you have done?”

“I would have faced him like a man and would have fought like one. And if politics really matters, then assassinating Emairis Gorbin or Marnis Gorbin was the best solution, not by sending two squads to kill a mere child.

Larnet nodded and didn’t respond.

“If you want me to learn these things, then I refuse to be your student…” Laminar’s voice echoed in the hall.

He turned back and walked towards the door.

“The governor of Iskeria has passed away,” Larnet said.

Laminar stopped and looked back.

“Hence, I have decided to make you the governor. You and Floretta will be married in two days, and then you will take the governor’s seat and spend your time there.”

“You never asked me…” Laminar responded, turning around.

“I didn’t feel the need to…” Larnet replied, looking down on the prince. “Prepare for your marriage.”

Laminar remained quiet, gritting his teeth and left the hall.

…

The next morning in the Maskan Graveyard.

Felmer, alongside his parents and Lelis, stood in the graveyard, watching Irnik, Irfika, and two soldiers bring Zendaya’s coffin. Anderson and his parents stood near them.

Slowly they brought the coffin, stepped into the grave, and placed it inside. They grabbed shovels and covered the grave.

They walked back and stood near the grave. Mrs Zerith, crying and trembling, walked forward and sat in front of the grave. She wailed and cried, hoping for her girl to return.

“They killed her…They ki-killed her…”

Mr Zerith stepped forward and sat beside his wife, trying to comfort her. But he too wasn’t fine. He was just holding back his tears for his wife.

Felmer looked away, unable to watch the misery.

Irnik stood straight, unbothered but worried.

“You seem fine…” Felmer asked Irnik.

Irnik sighed and looked at Felmer. “I have seen scenes like this a lot. So I have learned to control my emotions. It hurts, but we have to stand strong…”

Felmer pulled out a paper from his pocket, unfolded it and read it.

“For her gravestone?” Irnik asked, looking at the paper.

“Yes…” Felmer replied softly, holding back his tears.

Emilia walked towards Zendaya’s mother and embraced her, trying to comfort her. Mrs Zerith stood up, walked towards Irfika, and grabbed him by the collar.

“W-will she be avenged? Will you give us justice? WILL YOU!?!” She shouted, crying badly.

“N-no…Control yourself…We must trust them…” Mr Zerith stepped forward and grabbed her wife from the shoulder.

Felmer looked at them, confused.

“What happened? Wasn’t Efkil’s father arrested?” He looked at Irnik.

“Last night the convoy taking Thomas Rigner was attacked by unknown forces, and he escaped successfully,” Irnik replied, gritting his teeth.

“What?” The paper dropped from Felmer’s hands.

“I…” Irfika spoke up. “I swear on this rank and on God that your daughter will be avenged at all costs,” Irfika replied, boiling and trembling with anger.

Mr Zerith looked at him, tears running down his cheeks.

“P-please…”

Irfika didn’t respond, controlling his anger.

Some time passed, and soon everyone left. Felmer and Anderson walked up to Zendaya’s grave and pinned the paper on her gravestone.

“The best sleeping friend ever…”

Felmer and Anderson walked towards the graveyard’s exit.

“What are you going to do next?” Felmer asked.

“I will pursue studies. Fighting isn’t my forte. Moreover, my magical ability has been permanently disabled.”

“It had a heavy toll on you, I see…” Felmer said softly. “My abilities have been damaged badly, and I might not be able to use magic for quite a long time…”

“Heh…” Anderson smirked. “You are going back to Cerfis, aren’t you?”

“Yeah…” Felmer stopped near the gate and looked at Anderson.

Anderson embraced Felmer tightly.

“I hope we will meet again someday…”

“I hope too…” Felmer whispered.

Anderson stepped back, smiled, and walked to his parents.

Felmer turned, and Irfika stood there, waiting for him.

“Here…” Irfika handed him a letter. “It’s a message for you…”

“By whom?” Felmer asked, taking the letter.

“Read it and find out…” Irfika said and turned around. He stopped and looked back at Felmer. “You are a nice and strong lad. Don’t let it go to waste…” Irfika forced a smile and walked away.

Felmer, sad, slowly nodded.

“Oh, it’s from Melfer. But why did he have it?” Felmer read the sender’s name, surprised.

First of all, Melfer told him about his travels with Irfika and what he did in Maska.

“You were here all the time…” Felmer blurted out, shocked.

“I wanted to meet you, but I had to leave with the unit, and hence I couldn’t. I wrote this to tell you that I have joined the Eclipse and am in training. I feel bad about not telling you all this face to face, but the circumstances weren’t right. So I apologise. But don’t worry. Although I am in the Eclipse now, I will still get vacations, and I will make sure to meet you. And by the way, I have reconciled with my father. Hehe…”

‘You jerk…’ Felmer smiled inwardly.

“I hope we meet again soon.” Felmer read the ending. “Your great friend, Melfer.”

“Yes, Melfer. I hope we do…”