A revenge long forgotten because of how he had been hopping from one world to another and because he left his memories in a tiny file. He could now crush them with his own hands. It would be better if the others were also alive, how thrilling would that be.
While he was grinning with his thoughts running around, the magus started to struggle once again. He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that an Altair survived and was still alive. The pain from the fire and his mana core being taken out was all forgotten.
"H-how? How are you still alive?" He did his best to ask the question. "We killed every last one of you!" He then shouted despite the pain in his throat.
"Are you curious? Haven't you seen me swallowing your mana core? It's one of the ways to increase a person's lifespan and I have been doing it ever since I learned about its secret." Cygnus did not have any qualms in revealing his secret. "By the way your mana core tasted bitter but the power in it is actually commendable."
The magus was wide eyed as he realized what he did wrong in the past. He could only switch bodies and when that body died, he needed to use another body. That was how he survived. Consuming mana cores would have a different effect though, he could become more powerful and he would live longer.
A gritty laugh came out from the magus despite the pain he was feeling. It was alright even if he died, once he transfers to his new body, he could do what he must. He looked at his enemy and mocked him silently because he told him his secret.
Cygnus secretly smiled after hearing the magus's thoughts. He seemed to have forgotten that he could read minds but that was okay, it was to his advantage. He snapped his fingers once again and the flames around the magus intensified causing him to scream once again.
The master did not stop and continuously snapped his fingers as he thoroughly burned the man. After a while, they couldn't hear his screams any longer. All that was left of him was a charred, unidentifiable body.
"Now that it's finished what should I do next?" He stood and faced the direction where two little lambs were hiding. "Come out now, I already know that you are there," he called out.
Isaiah froze when he heard Cygnus calling them. His body couldn't move and he could feel the cold sweat trickling down from his back. He looked at Ezio who straightened his back and fixed his clothes.
Before he could step out from where they were hiding, Isaiah reached out and gripped his arms. "Are you crazy? Why will you go out?" He whispered angrily.
Ezio shrugged the arm that was holding him. He looked back and glared at the man. "Are you afraid? I know the master and he wouldn't do anything unreasonable." He left the other man and stepped out behind one of the still standing walls.
Both of them witnessed what Cygnus did and heard his story so there was no other way but to do whatever he says. Isaiah took deep breaths before he forced himself to also step out and face Rigel. The master had a calm expression as he did not show any reaction even after the two of them were discovered.
"The two of you are really courageous to come up and eavesdrop," Mr. C commented after the two young men stopped a few steps away from them.
"What's going to happen now? The Magus Maximus is already dead, the tower is in shambles and the capital is in chaos." Ezio looked at his master as he tried to grasp anything from him but the man remained unmoved.
"Yes, the plan was not followed but it still gave the effect that we wanted. I already have another plan in mind, now all you need to do is go down the dungeon and retrieve some evidence we can use for my plan." Cygnus's eyes sparkled as if he had thought of a brilliant idea.
Isaiah frowned because he had a feeling that something bigger would happen if they went through with what the man was saying. "Why don't you go there yourself and grab the evidence you need? Why send the both of us when you are clearly capable of doing it?" He then looked at the butler who was clearly observing them.
Cygnus stared at the young man for a few seconds before he laughed. "You are one funny guy. Ever since I saw you, I couldn't help but be intrigued. And to answer your question, I was tired after the fight with the magus so I needed to rest for a while."
It was a lie, Isaiah knew it. If he was really tired, he shouldn't be this energetic and he could feel that he was still overflowing with mana. Add to that the fact that he swallowed the magus's mana core, so it was impossible that he was tired.
"We will come back later then. Please wait for us master," Ezio nodded without hesitation. He did not even think twice because of the weird request the master asked.
Isaiah's mouth gaped in disappointment as Ezio agreed so easily without even questioning the man's request. The moment that he said those words, everything that followed were already suspicious and yet Ezio ignored all of this. Before he could berate the guy, he and Ezio were transported to a dark corridor.
They both looked around and found that the corridor was narrow, that it could only accommodate one person at a time and that the walls were damp. He could smell the musty smell coming from every direction, maybe because the place was damp and molds had started to grow inside. Isaiah brought out a light orb and infused mana in it so that it can produce light.
The moment that the light illuminated the place where they were, he could only sigh because he was right. It was a long corridor that seemed to have no end. Ezio did not speak and started to walk forward. Isaiah had no other choice but to follow him from behind.
They were silently following the path when Ezio stepped on something that was pressed down by his weight. Both of them froze then a rain of poisoned needles came out from the walls on both of their sides. Isaiah raised a shield to protect the both of them until there was nothing left from those needles.
"Let's be careful, it seems that from now on, we will surely encounter mechanical traps so be prepared." Isaiah warned after they were able to survive the first trap. Ezio did not answer but he started to be more careful on the ground.
A few meters passed with not triggered traps and they could finally breathe a sigh of relief but something unexpected happened. As if there was a radar on the place where they stood, an alarm suddenly rang. The walls on both sides lit up with several magic circles that were drawn linked to one another. Isaiah immediately understood the spell that they activated but before he could warn Ezion, everything went black.
The light orb in his hand died as he was plunged into darkness. He looked around and tried to call out for Ezio but the other man did not answer. He stood there for a while because once he took a step, something else might happen.
He debated with himself, before risking it all. He walked towards the general direction of where the corridor was leading. He continued to walk but after a couple of minutes he stopped. Nothing was changing from the looks of the illusion and he was not sure if he could find the door.
While he walked, he could faintly hear crying from a distance. Since he was aware that he was inside an illusion, he did not let that faint sobbing distract him. He did everything he could to ignore every sound that he was hearing while walking.