Chapter 73: Authoritarian Covenant

'An Authoritarian's will, huh?' Howard sighed, looking down at the open present he'd received. 'Is this supposed to help me train my will? What is it, anyway?'

Howard sat down against his bean bag, peering at the strange object that had six horns carved on its surface. It seemed to possess an ancient and limitless power, but at the same time it also just looked like a ball with six horns on it.

At first, he'd tried to hold it, and he'd even pricked his finger in order to see if it activate from his blood. After three minutes of staring on it, he had more questions than answers about the novel, Authoritarian object. For one, what did it mean that it was a present for an Authoritarian?

'I still haven't tried infusing my Ki into it.' Howard sighed, walking over to the Six Horned King Lizard's gift and created a gentle heat that ebbed and flowed from his hand. 'If it doesn't activate this time, maybe it's for the better.'

Howard picked up the strange, conical object and gently channeled his Fire Ki into it, causing the six horns to slightly grow. A small hole appeared on it that started to open, before a beam of light shot out of the object and struck him against the face.

Feeling a burst of pain in his head, Howard tossed the object into the corner of the shack.

'Ow! How is that a gift for an Authoritarian! Is that a prank?' Howard coughed, rubbing at his forehead with incredulity and confusion. 'What kind of gifts attacks you! Ugh, and what does it have to do with an Authoritarian's will!'

Howard had only heard a little bit about Authoritarians from Barabin on the bus ride. Since they had so much time, Barabin made sure to fill him in on some of the historical details of the Furnace. For one, the Horned actually were one of the youngest Nations. The Authoritarians, the Varlen, and the Aresoul had been in the Furnace for a much greater amount of time.

The Authoritarians, in particular, had been in the Furnace well before humanity every laid eyes on its strange, mysterious plains. They also were considered the strongest out of all the beings in the Furnace, but because of their inability to work together had become the weakest.

'I-I feel like the air around me is different,' Howard cleared his throat, getting up and walking over to the round object, picking it up and playing with it in his hand. 'Wait, is this called an Authoritarian Covenant? How do I know that?'

'An Authoritarian Covenant is something Authoritarians treasure. It contains powerful abilities and memories from a certain type of Authoritarian. This one has three abilities from the Six Horned King Lizard.'

'It-it stores Ki inside of it with information.' Howard picked up the object, tossing it in his hand. 'However, this is crazy! Am I making this up?' Howard gently touched one of the horns, finding it lowering like a lever before another light shot into his face.

This time, induring the pain, he did this a dozen more times, touching the horns in a pattern he didn't understand why he knew.

'Ow! Ow! Ow!' Howard tossed the object at his bean bag, leaning down and rubbing his head. 'That hurts!' Howard rubbed his head, wincing out the door after retrieving the object. 'I-I feel like I learned something, but I don't know what it was,' Howard walked over towards the bus, finding Jenny already sitting by the window. 'All i know is that Authoritarian Covenants hurt! My head felt like it almost exploded!'

"I sense you figured it out," Korlen held out his hand, catching the Authoritarian Covenant with a smile. "Ha, sorry it hurt so much! However, this object is a lot easier than having to teach my children skills."

"Are you saying you think of me like a child." Howard wiped the sweat off his head, suddenly feeling nauseous from the strange feelings spreading through his body. "Why? We can't be close to near relatives? Is there a reason Authoritarians value children so much?"

"It's potential," Korlen sighed, gently patting Howard on the head. "It's also because we don't want to miss out on their greatness. Every Authoritarian newborn has something valuable for the next generation inside of them. If we protect them, all generations will benefit, including the older ones."

"Howard, go say bye to Jenny." Barabin tapped his foot. "Afterwards, we got to set out right away. I don't know where we'll find another iron horse, but worse case scenario we'll have to run back to the West Branch."

"They aren't staying here?" Howard asked, seeing Jenny staring into his eyes from the shaded windows of the bus. He'd held her hands for almost two weeks in a row, and felt a closeness to her that almost rivaled his feelings for Monica. "What-what if they get attacked because I'm not there."

"My daughter will be going with them." Korlen said, patting Barabin on the back. "Barabin and I agreed that my daughter will become a member of the West Branch for one year in order to try and gain your affections. It will also keep them safe from other Authoritarians."

"I'd still like to do an experiment. I have a feeling if you two have children, it will really add strength to our next generation," Korlen said, crossing his arms and shaking his head. "However, my daughter will only have a year to woo you. It took me 30 years to make my wife stop running away from me."

"And-and that's that," Barabin said, "Reece, you're free to go now."

"Howard, I'll miss you!" Jenny screamed, waving her arm out the bus. "Thank you for making me feel not so alone! I'll miss your warmth at night!"

"And-this is where we go," Reece closed the door, crossing her arms in angst. "Howard, remember, you're still weaker than me and Harley. Don't do anything stupid, okay?"

"I promise," Howard smiled, waving at the bus as it started to head into the distance. "I promise that nothing will stop me from protecting you all."

"Well then, now that that's settled," Barabin crossed his arms, staring into the distance with a strange, ominous glint in his eyes. "It's time to go, right?"

"Yes," Korlen said, gently placing his hand on Howard's back. "The other Authoritarians will be meeting us near the Jarkales Stronghold. Some of your ancestors, Howard, might even be among them. Now how do you feel? Did you understand what was in the Authoritarian Covenant?"

"I-I feel like I can run faster now, and I have o idea why?" Howard laughed, brushing back his hair. "Can you explain it to me along the way?"

"I'm going to consider you a temporary teacher of Howards," Barabin sighed, crossing his arms. "Anything that makes him stronger will benefit Horned Nation, and only Horned Nation. Don't think he'll just fall for your daughter either. He has a girlfriend already."

"I'll ignore everything you said there except teaching Howard," Korlen said, patting Howard on the back and pointing in the direction of the Jarkelez nation. "Howard, by the time we get to their stronghold, I promise you'll be able to shatter your old self with ease."

###

Outside Cantron City, the next day.

A black motorcycle had gotten placed against a sandstone wall where a person in a leather jacked was waiting. The chains had just been removed from his arms, and on his face a large smile had brewed.

Today had been one of Zack's best days in over an entire year. The love of his life fell into his lips and returned his affections, he got to see his sister, and even got to leave with both of them together.

Watching Monica get gently guided out by a Workalin, he smiled, waving to her as he leaned on his old motorcycle. He'd given this to Una when it fell from a Ki Storm, taught her how to ride on it, and even found a small ring he'd hidden in the front compartment that he planned on showing to her in the future.

Zack and Una had come to the Furnace at the same time, and had been taught by Teacher Annibell at the same pace. Both of them had been considered monsters by Annibell, and shattered records in the Obelisks beginner floors.

They even went on missions together in the Furnace, and had the same dreams. If only he hadn't been so ambitions last year, she might even be wearing a special ring on her finger.

'Lucky she didn't check the compartment under the handlebars,' Zack breathed a sigh of relief. 'Heh, what a great day. Monica grew so much stronger, and Una, well, she's still so pretty.'

Zack smiled, waving at Monica as she exited one of the thousand doorways. Seeing tears in her eyes, and running towards him, Zack hoisted her in the air, letting all his feelings of loneliness get shattered by her spinning figure.

"Monica! You look great! What a growth spirt!" Zack laughed, gently hugging her shoulders. "They grew so muhc bigger! Is Howard happy with those things?"

"Brother, I'm so sorry! I'm sorry," Monica cried, holding onto him tight. "I-I couldn't stop them. I couldn't stop her."

"What do you mean her?" Zack said, picking up Monica and holding her in his arms. "Where is Monica, sprout? Did she have to go to the bathroom, or did she buy something to wear for when we finally meet again?"

"She-she got taken by the Aresoul." Monica said, biting her lip. "She-she said it's the only way all three of you could live"

"What?" Zack's world seemed to break in front of him, causing his knees to drop to the floor. That's impossible. Una isn't that dumb. She's going to come out in a minute. This is a prank."

"No, it isn't. However, Kreal said he wouldn't hurt her for a month until the competition. She-she said that Barabin would be able to save her, during the meeting between the three races. It-it's the only way all three of us lived," Monica hugged her brother tighter! "Please-please forgive me! I-I just wanted to do what was best for us!"

"I understand," Zack said, pointing at the bike. "Well then, let's hurry and find Barabin. Una has always been the smart one from our class. Heh, I'd have done the same thing for her."

"You're handling this really well," Monica said, peering up at him with eyes full of endless tears. "Why? Why aren't you screaming at me? What happened to the brother that lectured me all the time."

"I was in jail for a year, Monica. I faced death everyday." Zack carried her in his arms and gently dropped her against the frame of the bike, leaving his anger and resentment behind with every step. "I'm going to do what Una recommended, and save her now. Where's Barabin?"