Chapter 185 - Grief

"What would you know about losing someone?" a boy mumbled, the eyes tired from crying, the cheeks swollen and overall stance fatigued. "Your comrades are living and breathing," an outburst, emotion overthrew what little manners and respect he had.

"Calm down," a hand grabbed his arm, Athus tried to quell the frustration the boy had.

"No," he turned, tears flowed yet again, "-I don't care for formalities. Who does she think she is?" he broke out of the grip and stomped over to Viola, anger, and sadness, he stared down with all his might.

"Don't you think I know the pain of losing someone?" reasonable, Viola didn't act rashly to which she spoke courteously. Adding fuel onto an already burning flame would not bring anything. "I sympathize with you, but there are people who lost their father, some their mother and some even their child. The ones in this room were given a second chance – don't you think it's selfish to blame thy frustration onto someone else? I know its hard, losing someone isn't easy…" she sat and held the boy's shoulder, "-what do you think they would say if all saw the state you're in?" as if a mother, she pulled him close in an embrace.

"It's not fair," he broke down, "-big sister said that she'll never leave… now look at her," the grieve never stopped, he was orphaned in a matter of seconds. Tis was the same boy Staxius spoke too, the one who held hope despite the situation. Sadly, it came crashing down, all present could not but shed a tear as Viola helped the grieving boy.

The day began as normal for the people not involved. News about said incident reached the Guild master's ears. It would be later in the day that this blunder would be publicized by reporter whomst thirsted for news and attention. Sat with the body facing the outside, Raulf worked tirelessly with other guild leaders. This situation had to be put under control – independent from the royal family; this would not affect the princess. Not directly anyway, there were many ways to alter this situation against the newly crowned queen.

"Your majesty," rather than sitting in the throne room, Gallienne sat inside an office. Her desk filled with paper works and complaints from various companies and guilds. They wanted change, some sent heartfelt letters whilst others were more on the aggressive side.  "What is it?" unwilling to focus onto another person, her tone alone gave off the feeling of not being invited.

"YOUR MAJESTY," the one who called didn't back down, unafraid to take her ire, the boy stood strong and waited.

"WHAT IS IT?" she stood, the boy captured her attention, "-oh…" seeing who it was, her pen slipped onto the table.

"I have news from master Theodore and Raulf," tis was the son of Rose, the trainee-combat butler, the only person that could speak with Gallienne without fear.

"Go on then," she turned around and stared at the still weak sun.

"Things in the capital are changing, many factions are on the move. The reason why is unknown, Theodore has advised caution," a quick pause later, he spoke again,"-Raulf has other news. He asks for permission to leave the castle for a day or two. Three promising adventuring party were wiped out by an unknown enemy just on the border of Oxshield. He fears that whoever is responsible might try and attack the close-by villagers."

"You're dismissed," the news given, the boy bowed and left. 'Be cautious,' she wondered, '-they sure are lively this early in the game," she sat again, '-adventurers,' a drawer opened revealing a book, one that was stolen long ago. 'It's been a long time, uncle,' she stared intently, '-how is it that I'm the only one who remembers your identity? The amount of knowledge hidden in these pages could revive mages all together,' it closed, '-adventurers are the future, time isn't right to fight nature. I must focus on father's goal, Hidros must unite under the same cause – who knows what might happen,' though improbable, the queen thought about the possibility of Hidros being a target for kingdoms wanting to start a war with Iqeavea. 'Heh,' she chuckled, "-as if that would ever happen," the world's peace would not be perturbed on accounts of petty misunderstanding. War was a thing that none wanted to experience again, the great-war where many mages distinguished themselves and where countries fought one another for power. A memory that many wanted gone from the surface.

Meanwhile, at the magical guild, the leftover Rare-potions was given to all. Last night's rest without magic was a decision made by Jona. She knew that using magic this early on would prove harmful – the fighter's mana level had to return to a stable state. The curse, one that Staxius removed without anyone noticing, had left substantial damage.

"If only they had managed to hold out till day-break," Clarise muttered whilst giving the potions.

"They'd have been saved," Viola continued the silent thought process. The girl only but nodded in agreement, tough times for the guild. Out of the goodness of the citizen's heart, spearheaded by Blades' end, a campaign to raise money to help out the affected families started. It gained attention quickly. Adventurers from all over came out to donate copper, silver, and gold. The higher-tier guilds helped as well. Though strangers, bound by the battlefield and safety of their citizens, the protectors of Hidros united to help those in need. As a sign of respect to those who died – the guild's activities were halted for the day. The doors stayed open for anyone who wanted to donate.

"Isn't it unfair for the other fighters who might have died prior?" Melisa asked, the building devoid of people.

"In some way, yes, but this time it's different. Not only were warriors killed but there were low-tier and mid-tier guilds wiped out. We lost three-emerald ranked adventurers, do you know how bad that number is?" her voice shuddered, "-not to forget the vice-leaders who were above tier-eight Steel. Those were elites, Melisa, the best of the best," the implication slowly sunk in.

A few hours went by, Athus and Heath were moved to Claireville Academy per Raulf's orders. The man got permission to leave the capital; he helped with the donation effort. Josiah could not but agree for Raulf was an old war-comrade. The twenty-first regiment, a band of people who wiped out enemies with jaw-breaking attacks. People who were now gone, some perished due to old age and some lost with time. Raulf and Josiah were the remainders, a piece of information that many had forgotten. This was also the place where Tempest Haggard first made his debut as a mage after graduating. History had a weird way of interlocking people's fate.

"Are adventurers worthy of keeping us safe?" people with newspapers ran around. The time now was noon, information about what had happened spread out. The reaction was more compassionate and understanding. Those people fought and died without orders from her majesty, adventurers were heroes who kept many safe without a stable source of income. A noble profession to which the populous joined in the efforts led by Blades end.

"Who knew that alchemist could have prevented such a disaster," the magical guild cleared from the survivors – Clarise had time to breathe.

"You did a good job," Isorin complimented her efforts.

"If it wasn't for Jona and Staxius, all of this would have been for naught," the girl knew more than she let on. The curses being removed as soon as Staxius vanished wasn't mere coincidence.

"Something must have changed," she thought out loud.

"I beg your pardon?" the wizard asked to which the girl left.

After a few hours of rest, Staxius awoke. A quick check in the attic revealed that Cake was gone. Her motorbike wasn't outside the shop either. 'I didn't have time to check on Lizzie and Auic yesterday,' filled with energy, he stepped out. Mana recharged, stamina overflowing – instead of teleporting, he jogged.

"Good morning, master," a casual voice spoke.

"Guess you're alive," he smiled, the hotel came in view after a few minutes.

That night, Avon took time to recover, he fed off Staxius's mana; the spirit had to heal somehow. "All thanks to you," energetic, he clung to the master's arm when they stopped.  

"Lizzie, Auic," without much effort, both were seen at the inbuilt restaurant, one located next-door to the hotel.

"Good morning, mister," Lizzie spoke, her voice skeptical. "May I ask who might you be?"  

"Now, now," Avon came from behind, "-there's no need to be worried, this man is Staxius," he calmly took a seat.

"My apologies," the tattoo helped in convincing the girl – she had had quite a change of heart since going to school. Mannerism for a change, the old one would have created a scene without much care to ethics.

"Don't you have school today?" Staxius asked.

"I skipped because of the incident earlier, Melisa told us what happened. Are they ok?" her voice filled with worry, she stayed back to keep watch over the still shy Auic. People disagreed with a demi-human roaming around the halls, the gazes being sent were heartless and cold.

"I don't know," he ordered snacks and drinks, "-I did visit them yesterday. At the moment, their situation is unsure."

Avon left the conversation and spoke with Auic, the latter had been troubled with all the news going around. Names weren't mentioned but they had information about people dying after being operated on.

"I'll be frank, there's nothing that can defeat Kniq – this lost is but a stepping stone," confidence and trust, no doubt. "Thanks for taking care of Auic," he stood, "-continue working hard, vacations are next week." Recovered, Avon took charge and kept a close watch on those two.

"Morning, vampire."

"Took you long enough to wake," he headed towards the magical guild with a file in hand.

"Shut it," she lashed out, "-the amount of work I put to keep that consciousness alive is more than is worthy," a soft punch on the forehead.

Quietly, Staxius entered the guild. The assistant made haste in calling Isorin. The first task was information about how Kniq held up. From what was told, the trio was free to leave. The rare-potions were super-effective. That out of the way, a burden relieved, the next task came at hand, the task assign was completed. Clarise was called to personally evaluate his work.

"It has not even been twenty-four hours," she walked in with eyes wanting to sleep.

"I shan't waste your time," he slid across the file. "-I've got a small question to ask," the tone implying something shady had happened without him knowing.

"Ask," her eyes sharpened.

"With the tasks given, there's no way this is true," a sigh later, the face stern, "-is the Alchemist sect trying to invent mana-potions?" it took her by surprise, her eyes subconsciously looked away as if trying to evade.

"No," devoid of doubt, she spoke,"-Mana-potions is and will be a myth. There's no way we can create those. Healing potions are the extent of our possibilities."

"Not that I doubt what you say, but it's hard to swallow. Why would those two specific tasks be given to me?" he didn't back down, that subtle moment of uneasiness was proof enough.

"I think we're done here," she stood and headed for the door.

"Wait," the voice deep and frightening, her foot stopped. "You may be a genius, but still a child at heart, therefore," he turned around and stared at her back, "-there are things that are happening in the background without my knowledge," being used without knowing why made him annoyed. "The files in thy hands are faulty research papers," reluctant, she turned around.

"The ones that you need are here," a single page that detailed everything was held out, "-I don't mind handing this after the purpose is told." Her face defiantly stared away. "Guess you won't need this then," a snap with the left-hand conjured a white flame. "I'm not that talented of an alchemist after all."