Chapter 45

The king’s eyes widened in shock for a moment before narrowing once again as he scratched his bearded chin. “You ask for a lot…”

“Fath…”

“I cannot let you have the Shard. Even now Lutel’s raiders pillage our lands and murder our people. The number of Shard users under their control is constantly growing. The losses we’ve had so far are bad enough, but without its support, Rasor would be burned to the ground. Its people slaughtered within just a couple of years.”

The king looked directly at Tirr, his expression serious and tired. “I can not give up anything that will help me protect my people, no matter how much I owe you. As a ruler yourself I hope you will understand.”

Tirr nodded, unable to deny the serious expression on the King’s face. “I understand.”

“If the Shard is part of Tirr’s power, letting him gain control of it could actually help us.” Claire said, not giving up.

The King looked at his daughter skeptically, “What do you mean?”

“I’ve seen the way Tirr passes down his power. It’s safe and easily done. Though I’ve only heard rumors, from what I hear the creation of Shard Users is exactly the opposite. If Tirr was able to control the shard and help us against Lutel, we may be able to finally stop this war.”

King Torn’s eyes glinted angrily for a second. “The only end to this war will the death of either my country or theirs. Their assassins aim at us and their raiders attack our people all because they believe their spirits tell them to. They are fanatics and will accept no peace.”

The anger in his voice shocked all of them for a moment and the king seemed to sense it, sitting back as he controlled himself. “I’m sorry, I’ve seen too much lost to this damn war. Still, is it true you can pass the shard’s power down safely?”

Tirr waved off the king’s apology. “I can pass my blessing down without any real risk. But I still don’t understand the shard or know if it’s really one of my Blessings or not. That’s why I want to take a look. Even if it’s not my healing should be able to help if the shard process is really that dangerous.”

“And if you were able to control it? Would you help my kingdom?” The King stared at Tirr, his eyes piercing.

“If Lutel is as you say I would be willing to help.” Replied Tirr, once more putting on a smug look. “All the people of this land belong to me, so anyone that causes war and kills indiscriminately would be my enemy.”

Torn nodded, leaning back in his chair for a moment, thinking before standing suddenly. “Then the least I can do is allow you to inspect the Shard. It just so happens that a joining ceremony is happening tonight in order to replace the Shard Users that were lost listening to my fool of a son.”

Tirr gave a sheepish grin before realizing that the king was leaving. “We’re going now?”

“Yes, trust me when I say it’s not something you want to see on a full stomach. There is a reason I haven’t exposed my children to it yet.”

The others at the table were shocked as well but stood up quickly to follow the king as he left. Torn stopped one servant to tell them to delay the food before calling for Commander Owen to follow them as he led the way deeper into the castle.

As they walked Claire ruffled Tirr’s hair from behind, “Knew this would work! My Father seems to like you, more than he ever cared for me and Claus at least.” She laughed at the angry look the god gave her.

“There’s a lot of pressure when you’re a leader.” Tirr said trying to give off a dignified look.

“Is no one else worried about the whole not eating before looking thing? Maria asked worriedly.

“I’m not afraid,” Tirr said proudly, ignoring Maria’s concerns.

“My Father was probably overplaying it anyways, he’s always been a good actor, playing it up for all the nobles that come to bother him.”

They continued following the King and his men deeper into the castle reaching the dungeons below. The passed by through the empty dungeon cells to arrive at a heavily guarded room. The guards saluted as they saw their king, opening the door to reveal what was once a guard station. Now the guards were there for the hole in the wall instead of the nearby cells.

Through the broken stone wall was an ancient-looking staircase, covered in moss with well-worn steps. As the King started down the atmosphere changed, leaving the group feeling like they weren’t even in the castle anymore.

“What is this place?” Claus asked as they reached the end of the staircase, they found themselves in a long hallway with torches lining the walls. All of it seemed as ancient as the stairs before.

“Whatever it is, it’s from before our Kingdom even existed.” The King replied, “It was discovered a few years ago when the guards started hearing strange noises from beyond the wall.”

They traveled down to the end of the hall, where another group of guards were stationed in front of a large stone door. As they neared, a strange dissonant hum seemed to come from the other side.

“What is that?” Doron asked, wincing from the unpleasant noise.

“That…” The king replied as the guards opened the door revealing what lies beyond. “Is the Shard.”

Tirr stopped in shock and could hear the others dealing with their own surprise as they got their first look inside. Beyond the door was a large round Chamber. At the center, was a crystalline crimson Obelisk over a dozen feet tall.

As they entered Tirr got a better look at the Shard. From inside he could tell that what he assumed to be one solid color was a shifting assortment of dark reds and oranges. The color seemed to move and react along with the strange hum.

Spikes of the crystal jutted out like hands reaching out. They seemed to shiver and twitch and Tirr couldn’t tell if it was because of the changing color or if they actually moved.

Over a dozen young men and women stood in a ring around the Shard. Others stuck to the edges of the chamber, observing. One of the observers noticed the king and came up to them quickly, greeting the King politely.

“Is there a problem your Majesty?” The older man asked, glancing at the group that stood still in awe of the Shard.

“This is Doctor Aimon, he’s in charge of the Ceremony.” The King introduced, “There’s no problem Aimon, continue with the ceremony. We’ll just be observing.”

“Yes, your Majesty.” The Doctor went back before calling towards the people in the ring to start.

As Tirr got even closer to the Shard, he swayed as a sudden feeling of nausea came over him. Maria noticed, giving him a concerned look but Tirr ignored her, forcing himself to watch the ceremony.

The people within the ring slowly approached the Shard. Each one heading towards one of the many spikes that jutted out. As they grew closer, there wasn’t any more doubt as the spike seemed to flex and grow, slowly reaching for the coming hopefuls.

As they each got to one of the spikes, they reached up, grabbing onto it before breaking it off with a sharp twist.

“Now move away quickly!” The doctor yelled out at them. They followed his advice, moving away from the shard as quickly as possible with the broken pieces in hand.

A man was the first to scream. Collapsing as he tried to move away. He shook his hand in terror as he panicked. Even from their viewing spot. Tirr could see the red tendrils that had grown into the man’s hand. They spread quickly up the man’s arm as he wailed in terror and smoke and steam started to rise until it finally ignited, flames following along the as the shard spread.

More screams started now, and their group watched in muted horror as the others went through the same thing, red veins spread like spiderwebs through their bodies as the shards embedded themselves. The smell of burning flesh covered the chamber as the Shards burned away at the hosts they were invading.

In less than a minute the first man had been reduced to nothing but ashes and the small crystal piece he had originally broken off. More of the hopefuls started to burn, screaming in pain as the Shards embedded themselves into their flesh.

As a woman close to them screamed. Tirr suddenly shook, feeling like he had just awoken from a nightmare. He raced forward, ignoring the nausea and revulsion he felt as he got closer to the shard. He reached the woman just as her hand ignited, the crystalline tendrils spreading up her arm.

He poured his Blessing into her and immediately threw up. A deep sense of rejection overcame him as he fell to the ground. He tried again. Pouring his blessing in, healing the burning flesh even as his own body hated him for it. The woman underneath him whimpered in pain but seemed to be improving.

Tirr held on until the revulsion and nausea overcame him, falling onto the ground next to the woman he had helped as his vision darkened. He could hear Maria’s panicked cries as he felt himself slipping away, until the familiar voice appeared once again.

“I’m sorry Tirr.”