Chapter XXIX

Even though Ryokumo had already warned him that their plans may have to be moved up, Eric still hadn’t been prepared when the man returned to their quarters to tell him that they would be acting that very night. In just a handful of hours, the two of them would begin their attempt to take down the erased realm and kill Nigreos and Album. It meant that his brief few months in Ijiria were coming to their end and he would never be able to return. He knew he belonged in Omaruo, in Wilham, and yet he couldn’t deny that part of him was sad that he wouldn’t ever see Erika and the Citadel again. Not everybody he met there was bad. He had become close with both Ryokumo and Iris, and had even found himself caring for the Children of Reiner despite their brief time together.

Not to mention, if I leave tonight, then I won’t ever find out the truth about my mother…

He and Ryokumo had come to the conclusion that the woman Album erased might hold the answers to his mom’s rebellion, so if he wanted to know the truth then his only choice was to hope that they were right. Yet, despite not trusting Album, he found he couldn’t stop thinking about her warning. She had claimed he would only suffer if he knew what really happened, which both scared him and intrigued him.

But what could be so bad that Album thinks it’ll make me suffer? Could she just be saying that, or is there some truth to it? And for that matter, why would she even admit that to me? Why would she risk me bringing such valuable information back to Ryokumo? I mean, she must have known I would tell him.

Eric sighed as he rounded the corner and came to one of the Citadel’s lifts. While Ryokumo was making preparations for the two of them to head back into the city and inform Arisa that the plans had changed, Eric had been summoned up to the office of Prince Reigious. He didn’t know what the prince would want with him, nor had Ryokumo had much of an idea, so Eric was slightly on edge as he stepped on the lift and began to ascend.

I’ve hardly spoken to Prince Reigious so I don’t really know what I should expect. Why would he want to talk to me after all this time? Is it possible that he’s caught on to what Ryokumo and I are up to?

When he’d voiced these concerns, Ryokumo had simply brushed them aside and told him that it was unlikely Reigious knew anything yet. It was slightly relieving to know his master wasn’t worried, but Eric was still apprehensive about being in the presence of the prince at all. He could still remember the overwhelming power the man had displayed during their sparring match and it served as a reminder that Reigious could end his life on a whim. The prince didn’t strike him as the type of person who would do that, but the thought was stuck in the back of his mind as he stepped off the lift and entered another corridor.

He only made a few steps, however, before he heard the sound of footsteps and looked up to see two women approaching him. It was Iris and the Master of Water, Nyx Rana, who Eric hadn’t even seen since that first day. He only recognized her because, like the other Masters, her appearance was very distinct, with her pale blue robes and her silver hair. She also seemed to be half asleep as she walked beside Iris.

“Oh, Eric, good morning,” Iris greeted cheerfully, upon which Nyx’s head slowly rose so she could look at him. “What brings you all the way up here? Did Reigious need something from you?”

While he was perfectly comfortable around Iris, Nyx’s presence caused him to hesitate a bit, but he forced that pressure down and responded as casually as he could. “Yeah, actually. I’m not sure what he wants, but a summons from the prince isn’t exactly something you can question.”

Iris chuckled. “Yes, that’s for sure. Well, Rana and I just got finished talking with him so he’s all yours. And don’t forget that you and I have a test tomorrow morning on Kalkorai geography and I expect to see a good performance, yes?”

A sickening feeling assaulted his stomach as Iris smiled pleasantly at him. It hadn’t even occurred to him until that moment, but his lessons with the Master of Nature had ended the previous day. By the time that test arrived, he would either be in the dungeon, dead, or back in Omaruo with the club. Iris would probably hate him and see him as a traitor and there was nothing he could do about that. She had shared some personal experiences and placed her trust in him, and his actions that night would only be the equivalent of him spitting in her face. Their lessons meant more to him than he expected they would, so ignoring his better judgment, Eric made a choice. Iris and Nyx had already passed him by and were getting ready to step onto the lift, so he turned around and called out to her.

“Master Mackia!”

Iris stopped and glanced back at him in surprise. “Yes, Eric? What is it?”

The boy carefully lowered his head in a bow. “I’ve been meaning to say this for a while now, but thank you for teaching me. You’ve made my time in the Citadel easier despite how foreign and scary it all is. You’ve treated me well, and that’s not something I’ll ever forget, no matter where the future takes me.” Realizing he had just rambled everything off, he paused and took a breath. “So yeah. Thank you for everything. I’ll make sure to do my best on that test tomorrow.”

At first, he didn’t hear anything from her, so he worked up the courage to raise his head and gaze back at her, only to see her feline features appearing almost sad. He didn’t know what he said that would elicit such a reaction from her, but before he could ask, her smile returned.

“Of course, Eric. I’ve been happy to teach you. Thanks for being such a good student. I’ll see you in the morning. Goodbye.”

With those parting words, Iris turned and stepped onto the lift with Nyx. The Master of Nature then chanted the incantation and the two of them descended from his view. Eric let out the breath he’d been holding in, then turned back around and continued toward Reigious’s office.

I know that was stupid. I know I’ve only made myself look suspicious, but…I wanted her to know that no matter what, I did appreciate her. I needed to tell her that.

The rest of the walk was uneventful before he came to a golden door at the end of a corridor with two armored guards quietly standing outside. He could feel them watching him as he approached and, when he did, the one on the left spoke.

“What’s your business here?”

“I’m Eric Reiner. Prince Reigious sent for me.”

The guard nodded then stepped aside, allowing him passage through the golden door. He immediately entered into a silver, unfurnished room that consisted only of a door on the opposite side. The mana was dense and uncomfortable so he picked up his pace and crossed through the other doorway, grateful to be free of the suffocating aura. The next room was far more pleasant and he knew this was the office proper. It was far more befitting of the title “Throne Room” than the place where he met the king. The windows on the right side were large, letting in a lot of morning light. Banners with the royal crest surrounded them and just ahead was a large emerald desk and a golden throne upon which Reigious Iiji sat, absorbed in some papers.

“Good morning, My Prince,” Eric said with a bow, recalling the formalities Ryokumo and Iris both taught him.

Reigious glanced up at the sound of his voice before smiling softly. “Good morning to you, too, Eric. Give me just a second. I need to finish something real quick.”

Eric remained where he was as he waited for the prince, and as he did, his eyes gradually wandered to the large painting above him, which left him quickly intrigued. It depicted what he knew had to be the royal family. He recognized Reigious and Piura, though they both looked to be in their teenage years, with Piura no older than Eric was. But what truly caught his attention were the older individuals behind them.

The man must have been Markreas Iiiji, the king, though he was far different from the crippled man in the box that Eric met. He stood tall with a beaming smile and shoulder length emerald hair, a golden crown upon his head. He wore gold and green robes and had a familiar sword at his hip that Eric recognized from his spar with Reigious.

Beside him was who Eric guessed was the former queen of Ijiria—Reigious and Piura’s mother. Unlike Markreas, she wasn’t smiling in the slightest. Her features were stern and her eyes’ piercing. Her emerald hair was pulled back in a tight bun and her gown seemed almost simple when compared with the lavish appearance of her husband. He got chills just looking at a painting of her, so he couldn’t imagine what she must have been like in person.

“It’s a nice picture, isn’t it?”

Reigious’s comment brought him out of his thoughts as he looked down to see the prince grinning warmly as he, too, gazed at the portrait.

“Yeah, it is. I’ve never seen any art of the king and queen so I didn’t know what they looked like,” he replied. “It’s a gorgeous piece.”

“I would hope so,” the prince replied wryly. “My father spent a fortune on what he believed to be the greatest painter in the land, much to the dismay of my mother. She was never really one for trivial matters such as this, but I’m glad it was made, if only to remind me of them.”

There was a tone of nostalgia in his voice as he spoke, as if the man was thinking back to a time long past. He knew it was impolite to pry, but Eric couldn’t stop himself from asking the question that popped into his mind.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to them? Ryokumo’s never really explained it and Iris told me we’d discuss it another time. Is it not common knowledge what happened or…?”

Reigious glanced down at the desk and shook his head. “No, it’s well known, but… Well, many of those in the Citadel tend to avoid the subject if possible. It’s not one of our finest moments.”

“Oh, then I’m sorry for asking,” he quickly muttered. “I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“Not at all, Eric. It’s perfectly natural to be curious, especially when it comes to something as significant as what happened to my parents.” He smiled sadly as he fiddled with the pen on his desk. “An assassin snuck their way into the building and used a rather powerful talisman to attack them. That era’s Master of Nature did everything he could to save my father and only barely succeeded. My mother, on the other hand, wasn’t so lucky.”

Eric gaped at the man in shock. He’d been told that the Citadel was rarely ever breached by enemies and that the Children of Reiner’s attack was a massive anomaly. It was no wonder that the subject was taboo if the assailant not only got into the building but succeeded in reaching the king and queen.

“It was actually the same night I nearly died, and it’s because your mother arrived when she did that I’m here today,” Reigious went on. “I owe her my life, and I hope that helping you can atone at least a little bit.”

“I’m…sorry for your loss,” he said when nothing else came to mind. “Obviously…I know what it feels like to lose a parent. It’s hard. Even after so many years, I still sometimes find it hard to accept that she's gone.”

“It’s weird how that happens, isn’t it?” the prince whispered. “You think one day you’ll be able to move on, but it’s just not that simple. My mother was a harsh woman and I can’t even say we were particularly close, yet she was still my mother. She was the woman who raised me and no matter how strained our relationship got, that never changed.”

As Reigious spoke, Eric couldn’t help but to think about his father. Reigious had a point. He hadn’t been close with his dad in years, and he hated him in so many ways, yet when he learned that Nigreos and Album erased him, he was furious. It only made him hate the two Masters even more.

Parents are parents, I suppose. I do hope that, maybe, after this is over, my dad and I can reach some sort of understanding, even if we’re never close again.

“But I’m sorry,” Reigious quickly added. “I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent there. It’s just…when the subject comes up, I can’t help but think about it. Anyway…” Before Eric could even reply, the man sat up straighter and smiled charmingly, his handsome features completely devoid of the longing they displayed moments earlier. “I just wanted to check in with you. It’s been a few months now and while I’ve spoken with Iris and Ryokumo a number of times, I thought it was proper to talk to you. How have your studies been?”

The boy considered the question for a moment as his thoughts briefly shifted to the plan he and Ryokumo would enact within the next few hours. The man sitting before him was just another individual he would be tossing aside and betraying, and while he didn’t have the same type of relationship with Reigious that he had with Iris, it was still hard to look the man in the eyes and lie through his teeth. That just wasn’t who Eric was. It wasn’t easy to betray people who had only ever helped him.

Nigreos and Album are the ones who assaulted Wilham. They’re the ones who ruined everything. But Reigious and Iris didn’t do any of that. They’ve only ever helped me, and I’m betraying them.

“My studies have been going well,” he answered. “The stuff Master Mackia teaches is really fascinating, and Ryokumo’s been good to me. I’m finally starting to get used to life here in Ijiria.”

Reigious nodded. “That’s good. I’m glad to hear it. Though, I was informed that you had dinner with Nigreos last week and that it, well, went poorly. What was the deal with that?”

“Well, Nigreos requested that I join him and I was hoping to try and see if we could come to some sort of understanding,” he lied. “But I just couldn’t. Every time I look at him, I only see the man who killed my mother and tortured my friends. I just…can’t unsee it.”

A flash of melancholy returned to the prince’s features. “I suspected as much but I commend you for trying. I’m sending Nigreos and Album north tomorrow so they won’t be in the Citadel for some time. Hopefully that’ll make things easier for you. Perhaps you’ll feel more comfortable without them here.”

His words seemed genuine, like he really did worry for Eric’s well being. It didn’t make what he had to do any easier, but the time had come and no matter how much he wished it could’ve been different, there was simply no other option. The Magic Club and West Wilham High were his top priorities and he would follow Ryokumo wherever he needed in order to save them. What he would do to Iris and Reigious couldn’t be helped.

It couldn’t be helped.

***

The sun was setting by the time Eric arrived on the doorstep of the Children of Reiner’s most recent hideout. After departing the Citadel with Ryokumo under the guise of investigation business, the two of them split up, with the Master going to speak with Nuvo Tannath about the change in plans and Eric making his way to the ruins of the orphanage to make contact with Hannah Lynn. She must have been expecting him because Ryokumo’s former apprentice arrived soon after he did and, after he gave her a quick rundown of what was going on, she led him back through the Erikan slums and to front door of yet another rundown house, though this one was only one story and was further to the south than their last place. Hannah knocked a few times on the door and stepped back before glancing back at Eric.

“By the way, Arisa didn’t tell Ryokumo when he came down here the other day, but another one of the Children joined us so…” Hannah paused and smirked. “...Just don’t be alarmed. He’s a friend.”

Eric cocked an eyebrow, unsure of how to feel about that sudden revelation but before he could press the issue, a voice sounded from within the house.

“Who is it?”

Hannah sighed. “The herbalist, here with the order you requested.”

“And what’s the weather like?”

“Cloudy, but I wouldn’t bet on snow.”

Eric realized just as the door was opening that it was a code to verify their identities and soon after, Lyla was beckoning them both into the cramped entryway of the building before quickly shoving the door closed.

“Didn’t realize he was stopping by today,” she murmured, eyeing Eric with an expression that told him she still wasn’t completely sold on who he claimed to be.

“Things have changed,” Hannah grunted. “Is everybody here?”

Lyla nodded. “Yeah, they’re in the main room.”

“Good.”

With that sharp response, Hannah and Lyla both led Eric down the hall before hanging a left into a living room that greatly resembled the one they’d been in last time. It was clearly looted of all furniture, and the windows were cracked and charmed with what he sensed was distortion magic while little balls of fire floated around, giving the room some light. When they arrived, he spotted Ardan, Tylo, and Irin all sitting against the far wall, but what caused him to stop was the man Arisa was standing next to, who turned back and gazed straight at him with an expression that sent shivers down his spine. He was around six and a half feet tall with a large chest and muscled arms that were just barely visible with his cloak wrapped around his body. His head was shaved and he had a thin beard, with dark skin and dark eyes that seemed to already be sizing him up.

“This him?” he growled.

Arisa laughed softly. “Yup, this is Eric Reiner, Mom’s genetic son. Eric, this is one of our fellow brothers, Malt Territh.”

Eric recognized the name almost instantly as he recalled the other guide that Ryokumo said the Master of Fire was currently pursuing, though he was believed to still be somewhere up north.

So what’s he doing here?

“How’d you get into the city?” Eric asked in awe. “They’ve got Korrei-Tarr all over the place and from what I’ve heard, you’re a wanted man.”

Malt chuckled. “Ah, so my reputation precedes me, does it? I’ve lived in this city all my life, kid, so I know the ins and outs, and who can be trusted. I have my ways, and that’s why I’m here. I heard Ari was alive so I came as quickly as I could to get her and the rest out of here. Though, I didn't expect to meet somebody like you. Kinda coincidental that Abigail Reiner’s son suddenly showed up with a man like Caeli, don’t you think?”

Eric immediately got the implications of what he said and could already tell that Malt wasn’t going to be as easy to convince as the others. They all relied on Arisa, so her word was enough to get them to at least give him a chance. But Eric could already tell that Malt wasn’t one to rely on the opinions of others so if he wanted to gain his trust, he would have to earn it. His sense told him that the big man was trustworthy, so he knew his skepticism was only out of a desire to protect his brothers and sisters.

“Malt, please,” Arisa cut it with a roll of her eyes. “I already told you, I don’t think he’s lying.”

“Maybe, maybe not,” he replied with a shrug. “Either way, I want to hear from him myself. It’s a wild claim to call yourself her son from another realm. And perhaps I would have trusted him had Ryokumo Caeli not come in alongside him. A Master of Ijiria can only be an enemy. I know that well.”

“And that’s fair,” Eric conceded before Arisa could cut in a second time. “I was prepared for a reaction like that, and under other circumstances, I would have tried to alleviate those fears, but unfortunately, I don’t have time. Arisa.” He then turned away from Malt to address the girl beside him. “Things have changed. Ryokumo and I are acting tonight.”

“Tonight?!” she exclaimed, standing up straighter as she stared back at him. “What do you mean? I thought Caeli said we had more time?”

“Yeah, what’s the deal here?” Tylo demanded, jumping to his feet as Irin and Ardan did the same. “You can’t just go changing it like that!”

“We don’t have a choice,” Eric assured them. “Prince Reigious is sending Nigreos and Album to Harunhein tomorrow morning so if we want to take them down then tonight’s the only night to do it. Ryokumo’s at Tannath’s right now and when he gets here, he wants you guys ready to leave.”

While he expected them to be apprehensive, he hadn’t expected the sudden awkward silence as the seven of them stared back at him. He could tell by their reactions that he was missing something so he glanced around in confusion. Unfortunately, it was Malt who responded to him.

“You can tell your black market merchant we don’t need him anymore. I’ll take it from here. They’re safer with my contact than with some random guy Caeli dragged out.”

“Your…contact?” Eric prompted, knowing it should comfort him that Malt knew somebody more trustworthy, yet he couldn’t deny the bad feeling he was getting. “Who?”

“An old friend of mine from the slums,” Malt answered. “He and I grew up on the streets together before I went to my mother and he joined the army. He’s no fan of Ijiria and he owes me some favors. Smuggled me in and is willing to smuggle me out with them.”

The boy swallowed nervously before glancing around once more. Arisa was the only one staring back as the other four avoided eye contact. As for Hannah, she seemed displeased, and he got the feeling that she didn’t approve of abandoning her former Master’s plan.

“And you’re okay with this?” he asked, looking back at Arisa. “You want to back out of Ryokumo’s plan?”

She sighed with clear regret before nodding softly. “I’m sorry, Eric, but it’s just too hard for us to trust Caeli. I was willing to work with him when we didn’t have other options, but I trust Malt so I trust his plan. I’m grateful that you guys want to help, but we’ll take it from here.”

Eric wanted to argue, but he never got himself to speak even a word against her reasoning. He only wanted them to go along with Ryokumo because he knew the Master of Wind better than he knew Malt Territh. But the opposite was true of Arisa and the others so it made sense that they would be more comfortable going with him. At the end of the day, as long as they survived then Eric was happy.

“Tell my master I’m sorry,” Hannah said, drawing his attention to her and her torn expression. “I tried.”

“Right… Thank you,” he muttered. “I’ll let him know then. I’m glad you guys have an option you’re more comfortable with, but I still urge you to flee the city tonight, if you can. Once Nigreos and Album are dead, it’s going to go on a lockdown worse than it already is. Your best shot of escaping is now.”

“But…”

He expected one of the Children to argue but he hadn’t expected the first to speak to be Arisa.

“Does it really have to be that way?”

Eric frowned. “What do you mean?”

The red-haired girl’s hesitant expression turned firm as she raised her head and stared him directly in the eyes. “Do you really need to go after them? It’s dangerous, Eric. You could get yourself killed! So…why not come with us? Why not put Erika behind you and be with us… Your mom is our mom so you’re our brother, too. I want to get to know you better. Three conversations just isn’t enough. You’re her real son so who better to take her place and lead us but you? We can flee to Trovia and give them guideship! We can fight Ijiria together…as the Children of Reiner!”

As Arisa stuck out her hand for him to grasp, he found himself imagining her suggestion. The emotion in her voice was real. She wanted him to join them and part of him wished he could have. In just the few days he’d known her, he had grown to like and respect Arisa Kirisan and what she was able to do. In another reality, they would have probably been really close—a true brother-sister relationship. But…

“I can’t,” he told her. “I’m sorry, Arisa, but I have people who need me back in Omaruo. My friends have suffered because of me and they need me to save them. I can’t abandon them so I have to finish what we started. I have to kill Nigreos and Album.”

“But, Eric—!”

“I know I could die,” he went on, talking over her. “I know how risky it is, but it’s worth it for them. You don’t need me to lead you because I could never be better than you. I believe in you.” He smiled sadly. “I wish I could have known you better. I wish I could have known all of you, but my home is there, not here. I’m not some revolutionary or some hero who can fight Ijiria nor do I want to be. I’m just some dumbass teenager who stumbled into a world he didn’t belong in. I’m not Ijirian so it’s not my fight.”

“But Mom…” she started softly. “They killed her. Don’t you want to make them pay for that?”

Eric let out a weak exhale and nodded. “I will. Nigreos Noctis dies tonight and Mom will be avenged. Anything else…is for you to do. But please…don’t fight anymore. You don’t need to fight. Flee to Trovia and settle down. Live in peace and live happily. I’ll avenge Mom…so you don’t have to.”

Hannah and the other Children remained silent as Eric and Arisa spoke, but he knew that his words had reached them, too. He watched as Arisa slowly lowered her hand back to her side and he once again wished there could have been a way to take it.

“Take care then,” she muttered. “If you die…I’ll be pissed.”

“Rightfully so,” he quipped. “Then I'll just have to live, simple as that. Territh.” Eric turned to eye the man, whose features were completely unreadable as he watched the exchange. “Can your contact get you out tonight?”

Malt narrowed his eyes then shrugged. “Probably, if I asked him. We planned to leave tomorrow but I’m sure I could work something out.”

“Good,” Eric said. “Then run. All of you run. I’ll go meet up with Ryokumo and tell him what’s going on. Get out of Erika as soon as possible and then run as far away from here as you can. That way—”

“Guys, stop talking,” Hannah suddenly hissed, and Eric fell silent as the seven of them turned to look back at her.

She was staring through the window with a furrowed brow and her hand raised to signal for them to remain silent. The sun had set sometime during the conversation so it was pretty dark outside. He didn’t know what she was seeing but he opted to do as requested and remain quiet.

“Hannah?” Arisa whispered.

There was a tense pause as they all waited for her to say something, before she suddenly spun around and shouted, “SHIELDS NOW!”

Hannah sprinted backwards and lunged for Eric as she and everybody else in the house screamed out incantations.

Half a second later, everything exploded in a wave of fire.