Balance of Death Read online

  “Same reason every man does. Amneka doesn’t give shit for us or our family. The only honest work is a death sentence in the mines for shite pay; Mutinia mines aren’t lucrative either like the rare crystal and mineral mines of this area.” Rohan scoffs frustrated by the hypocrisy of Amneka abandoning them, then persecuting them once they try to make something of themselves.

  “It is the same for those living on the Nyidias Sea. Very little opportunity outside the life of an outlaw.” Sony agrees.

  “Fuck that, we are here because we are better than those sheep! And, we won’t be shit on by some politician!” Luc concludes.

  “We but choose our persecution mate.” Rohan responds.

  “You are telling me you’re not loyal to the circle?” Luc asks rhetorically. In the answering he figures his point will be supported.

  “Be sure. To what the circle is supposed to stand for. Brothers standin’ together.” Rohan feels at place amongst the ideas of unity within the circle. “Tis a rare thing in this world. Stand next to another man and know he stands with you.” Rohan professes.

  “Agreed brother. It gives us clear direction and purpose. Having this is a powerful thing for a man.” Max Felix another man in the carriage says with a thick accent found with men of the sea.

  “That’s why I’m going to be an enforcer for kredulus.” Rohan pauses knowing what he is about to say is no small thing. “Then I’ll be the next radian. See things done right for all my Lads.” The room silently taking in his words that may have been laughed off if not given by him, or with his conviction.

  “If anyone can do it. This chancer will!” Luc says with a roar and the men in the carriage agree with spirited yells. Soon the carriage comes to a halt, and the men inside can hear movement as others arrange themselves. Rohan peeks, pulling back the hid tarp that wraps the back of the carriage, to see what the enforcer is doing.

  Rohan sees Cotus step down and walk towards the back. Cotus’ armor is adamant metal plates with jade crystal linings. It is tight to his body and there are circular joints for articulation where his elbows and shoulders are. The armor not only protects him, his movements are also aided by it. A shell on his back houses a storage of energy in crystalline matrix.

  “Get your asses up!” Cotus yells followed by a sharp whistle. As everyone collects their gear they shuffle out of the carriage in an semi-orderly fashion. They jump down from the still hovering carriage, and their feet sink into the mud. They all rush to get their gear ready. Most men fastening or tightening their hand cannons. Some of them have larger chakra cannons that have storage crystals to offer a stronger blast than just their own chakra. These weapons are wielded with two hands, and are useless without storage crystals - the amount of chakra it pulls would kill most normal men.

  The men finish getting their gear and weapons ready. “Round me!” Cotus commands. The men all flood around him. “Oi’ so we are attacking a hideout, expect lots of weapons. Other hideouts have all but surrendered. This is the first hideout in Poetovio to be attacked. We don’t know what to expect. We will have eight men on each of the flanks. The remaining men will accompany me towards the front. I need four men with chakra shield gauntlets to take point.” Cotus finishes.

  Rohan steps forward along with Luc, Kesner, and Max. “Very well finish preparin’.” Cotus says as he walks back towards the front. To confer with the men manning the carriages during the assault. Rohan looks to the others who volunteered with him and nods in solidarity.

  “We shall show them the strength of our unity!” Rohan looks around at the men and sees the life in their eyes. “To BROTHERS!” Rohan exclaims with intensity. “Death to those who would see their pockets lined with our blood. Praise Thatos cause today our purpose is clear!” Rohan says. Ready to face this challenge head on without distractions. His family rooted in his drive, with confidence that the circle will look after their safety if he cannot, he goes into battle without conflictions.

  Cotus begins directing the groups. Moving to the flanks to get into position. As they do so Cotus signals for the men with him to get ready. They gather around him.

  “As soon as they get into place we’ll move.” Cotus preps the men. They wait; the men are eager to step out towards the complex. They feel the rush of adrenalin rip through their bodies. After a moment Cotus looks back at the men. “It is over for them.” Cotus before marching out towards the complex his group of men following him; Rohan, Luc, Kesner, and Max at his side with the rest behind. Cotus opens his mouth about to form words when turret fires at him. The thunderous boom of the chakra rocketing towards Cotus shocks everyone freezing them. Cotus lifts his arms up protecting himself; as he does Rohan steps out in front of him and slams his forearms together creating a chakra energy shield from the crystals on his gauntlets. The blast collides with Rohan’s shield shattering it along with the bones in Rohan's arms as the blast tears past them. The heat burning him alive inside his armor. As the blast meets his head the force smashes him against Cotus crushing him between the blast and Cotus’ shield.

  Chapter 11

  As the sun rises on a new day cresting over the mountainous terrain of northern center Prósdesi. Ruvaen is transport to a secluded base by the request of Azriel. Ruvaen only accompanied by one opsman. The opsman is wearing normal opsman armor. Ruvaen wearing a more pragmatic outfit than his usual suits. A thick dire hide jacket: the hide treated and processed enough to appear have a smooth soft finish. The jacket is buttoned snuggly together; three columns of exquisite gold buttons securing the jacket together. His torso and legs a more bulky and less mobile than usual due to the stal plates underneath.

  The two men are teleported to a chamber on the first floor of a beautifully crafted building. The inside seems empty aside from stair cases on either end leading up to a balcony area that sits just above the teleportation chamber. The floors are all marble, and the building is made of acarock with elegant designs carved into the acarock as it meets the ceiling: rare and impressive craftsmanship as very few materials can break or pierce acarock. As Ruvaen and his opsmen look around examining this beautiful building Azriel enters with confidence and purpose.

  Azriel is shirtless his torso now covered in tattoos of runic symbols. The symbols together appear as an incursive design. Symbols also line his shoulders and arms where armor would normally be. Biston leather trousers with extra padding around his knees. “Why did you have me come so far out of my way?” Ruvaen questions Azriel.

  Azreil looks at Ruvaen for a moment, then locking his eyes on the opsman with Ruvaen. Azreil tightens his fist electricity screams around his arm and a stray bolt snaps down and cracks the marble ground. The opsman begins uttering a magic phrase. Azreil juts his arm up and opens his palm at the opsman electricity streams at the opsman who was mid phrase. The opsman lifts his hand up-as a symbol appears in front of it- the electricity is absorbed into the symbol discharging it. He quickly casts another spell before lifting his other hand shooting a condensed beam of wind at Azreil the force knocks Ruvaen back. Azreil disappears moving too fast to see he is in an instant grabbing the opsmans by the jaw lifting him in the air with one hand; preventing him from casting any spells.

  The opsman instinctively pulls a blade from his other wrist and jabs at Azreil. Azreil while still holding the opsman in the air catches the hand striking at him with the blade and redirects it into the opsman’s chest before tossing him aside.

  As the opsman’s body soars to the other side of the room it eventually collides with the ground, and rolls until it runs into the wall. A trail of blood marking its’ path; his body expands with its last breaths. “Have you gone mad!” Ruvaen yells as he gets to his feet; confused by the events.

  “It is good to see you.” Azreil responds as if nothing had happened.

  “Explain yourself now!” Ruvaen demands.

  “You undermine my precautions by inviting him.” Azreil sternly replies.

  “He stood Amnekian. I will not abide you taking the life
of Amnekians!” Ruvaen clamors.

  “We need to be decisive and precise as we do not have the power to afford anything less. His death an example of such means to accomplish our ends.” Azreil explains.

  “With the death of Amnekians, our ends mean NOTHING!” Ruvaen professes.

  “Your loyal man was a factotum for the clerics!” Azreil snarls.

  “What proof do you have.” Ruvaen’s tone changes.

  “I can go through it with you, but search your thoughts and see my accusations match your inner thoughts.” Azreil argues.

  Ruvaen clenches his jaw takes a deep breath in looking away for a moment. “I’ll need more than your fucking intuition!” Ruvaen commands.

  “I have good reason for all actions I take friend.” Azreil unflinchingly assures him.

  “Let us get to the point then.” Ruvaen gesturing his hands.

  “Certainly, this way.” Azreil pointing towards the exit: grand double doors. Still feeling goaded Ruvaen walks past Azreil towards the open doorway. Before they exit Azreil looks at his palm and a tattoo on his palm lights up and projects into the air above his palm. 14 rings are projected with various symbols written making each ring; Azreil with his finger rotates the rings drawing lines from outer rings to inner rings swapping symbols: as he does this the tattoo on his hand changes with the projection. After doing this for a moment he touches his palm to an odd cluster of jade crystal and stal next to the door. Clones of this cluster are symmetrically place at various places. The cluster he touched lights up and feet kick out from the front. Armor suspended together by chakra stands up. Smooth Stal pieces cover most of the things body, only a few portions connecting various pieces such as the neck hip and ankle show chakra holding it together. Azreil then proceeds out of the building with Ruvaen who is waiting outside.

  “Is this pay back?” Ruvaen berates Azreil as soon as he steps outside.

  “I don’t have the time for such things.” Azreil rebuking Ruvaen’s argument and refusing to engage in it at the same time. Given their history and the fact that he is already in the middle of nowhere. Ruvaen follows Azreil down wide stone stairs carved out of the mountain. The building they left sits on a plateau constructed from the side of the mountain. The stairs make their way down into the forest with a steep drop off on either side of them. Ruvaen quietly contemplating as they make their way down the stairs.

  Once they reach the bottom; “I would discuss any risks you see going forward, and be informed of any extreme actions.” Ruvaen says.

  “When circumstances permit I will.” Azreil making it clear he will do what it takes. Azreil fully understands the depth of what they are taking on, and wouldn’t let laziness, luxury, lack of discipline, or anything in his control act against his will.

  After walking in silence for awhile: Ruvaen reconciling what happened coming to terms with it for the time being. In order to move forward with a very lucrative relationship. One that he thought lost for good by his own actions. Azreil stood as more than just a means; Ruvaen once considered him a friend; perhaps even a brother.

  They approach a waterfall Ruvaen who was lost in thought is suddenly confused by their location. “How far until we reach our destination?” Ruvaen questions.

  Azreil stops in front of the waterfall raises his right hand. A specific pattern of symbols on his right arm light up. Azreil pushes his hand through the water, and the sounds of large boulders grinding follow. Azreil turns his hand-palm facing up-and pulls it out of the waterfall back towards him, as he does mountain rock above him is pulled outward creating a roof splitting the water. Exposing a now opened tunnel into the mountain.

  Ruvaen shocked by Azreil’s abilities; he didn’t even speak words of the mage. “What magic is this?” Ruvaen’s interest peaked. As Azreil continues into the tunnel Ruvaen follows.

  “The same as your accustomed to. Just not as laborious.” Azreil addresses Ruvaen.

  Ruvaen taking in his words as he appreciates the depth of the tunnel Azreil just created and looking onto where it leads.

  “How is that exactly? I imagine your tattoos and the color being absent around your eyes has something to do with it?” Ruvaen trying to understand exactly what is going on, but holds himself back from stumbling over the many questions he has.

  As they near the end of the tunnel it opens to an unimaginably large cave. They stand on a circular piece of land upon a massive cliff. Connected to a winding acarock marble bridge. Making its way through the enormous cave attached to huge natural columns reaching from the depths to the ceiling. In the distance you can make out the enormous walls of the cave. A few windows poked into the walls at various levels. Little spots of light shining from inside the windows expose them.

  Civilization seems to have creeped its way throughout this enormous underground area: like moss engulfing a stone. Azreil stops as Ruvaen makes his way to the edge in order to take in the view. “Wow, this is amazing Azreil. How did you manage something of this magnitude?” Ruvaen astounded by the size and craftsmanship before him. The sharp disparity between the emptiness and cold moist air of the cave against the almost subtle cultivation of buildings along the walls, floor, columns and even the ceiling.

  “It would seem will power, intellect, and resources can go a long way.” Azreil responds.

  Ruvaen chuckles. “You do have enough credits to make Thatos himself jealous.” he muses.

  “Perhaps, we should be on our way.” Azreil beaconing Ruvaen towards him. As Ruvaen gets closer Azrel closes his eyes and faces his palms up at his sides. As he does a specific array of symbols light up on his abdomen. He grabs Ruvaen’s shoulders, and in an instant they disappear and a wave of force pushes in all directions away from where they once were.

  When they arrive, it is like waking up from a nap. Ruvaen composes himself looking around at the luxurious room they are in. It is an almost sterile oval shaped room. A large window in place of a wall on the west side of the room. The side away from the window is a few marble steps above. A bar rounds most of the background against the solid wall.

  With a strange man who has the look of a native to lands entirely disenfranchised from Amneka or major civilization. Behind the bar cleaning a glass with a towel. The end with the glass wall has leather seating facing the window.

  “Enough!” Ruvaen declares frustrated with unanswered questions. “Start explaining. How are you doing all this?” Ruvaen presses.

  “I intend to old friend.” Azreil mentions as he moves towards the bar. He taps on the bar table and the man begins pouring him a drink, and another glass meant for Ruvaen. “Please take a seat let us clear things up.” Ruvaen walks to the bar inspecting the strange liquid as Azreil takes a drink. “Magic dear friend is not what the colleges would have you think. Not some words, or ancient connection to the gods.” Azreil professes making eye contact with Ruvaen. “It is understandable just like anything I have taken on. Mental energy is used to affect the world around us. You can manipulate mental energy through thought. A Mage simply uses words that have drilled meaning from years of training, and says those words in a sequence that force a sequence of thoughts, which manipulate mental energy to their ends.”

  “And how do you create your magic?” Ruvaen asks as he takes a drink of the liquid realizing it is not alcohol.

  “For our purposes today, I will keep it pointed. We can store mental energy in certain corporeal things, namely, crystals. Just as the brain stores the conscious energy it creates. So, if I store a specific sequence and have it interact with specified corporeal materials, then I can release a spell as if it were cast from a mage himself.” Azreil says with enthusiasm. This is the first time he has ever really explained his work to someone: the opportunity is rewarding for him. Azriel takes his drink and walks over towards the large glass wall looking onto the massive cave they teleported from. Azriel takes a seat in one of the comfortable chairs. In an attempt to sate his desires to elaborate upon all the things he has made and plans to. He must keep hims
elf disciplined, and shape this interaction as he would have it.

  “So, why all the secrecy. Why build this.. “ Ruvaen pauses as he searches for words “CITY.” Ruvaen exclaims.

  “I have been betrayed before, and I wouldn’t have Thatos preview to my power before I can build it to his equal.” Azreil say’s with sobering intent.

  Ruvaen makes his way over to the window to sit down in a chair next to Azreil. “How can we possibly move forward with such high aspirations without trust?” Ruvaen wants to regain the friendship they once had.

  “I have ensured it.” Azreil cryptically replies.

  Ruvaen rears his head back with confusion. “What does that mean?”

  “Whether I like it or not we are of this world like any other life form. You look to take advantage as it reveals itself to you for continued prosperity. I have ensured yours is entwined with mine.” Azreil responds. “With a member of your ops killed and your meeting with me in this place there would be little room for alternate explanation should you decide your advantage lies elsewhere.” Azreil stares into Ruvaen’s eyes. Ruvaen is disturbed by the plotting, but also, unexpectedly relieved knowing this has, in some way, restored the trust they once had.

  “It is exhausting keeping up with all the schemes, and being able to trust no one. Looks like the circle is descending into chaos, which means our deal will soon follow. The clans seem to be ramping up activity. And, I have yet to even speak with the high counsel about the coming culmination. Why should I not just distance myself from you and your crazy ideas?” Ruvaen vents.

  “Because, our goals can work for each other. I will support Amneka with better weapons in order to suppress the clans and secure the central lands. You will help lift sanctions Amneka has placed on civilian infrastructure in the name of the culmination. Then with that momentum we will use my increased access and your popularity to secure your position on the counsel.” Azreil says with a smile.