Capítulo 13: Fred X Saphrana
Fred Alabaster was dying for a drink—something to soothe his troubled soul. There'd be unrest in the continent lately, and Selene was just a tiny part of the puzzle.
He poured himself a glass of wine absentmindedly, his thoughts muddled up.
The continent of Anthras had to deal with rogue mages before, but never to this extent. And it was getting even more challenging to turn away from the troubles knocking on his door. Now, he had to deal with rogue mages and cyborgs. They'd turned the world into a cesspool of chaos.
The Defenders ran out of space in the Crypts to throw the rotten eggs in. And if things continued at the pace they were going…
Fucking hell, I need a stronger drink.
Fred wasn't cut out for things like this; he was a diplomat and a politician. But he couldn't abandon his people. The City of Selene was a city but likened to a country because it had the feel of one. But that wasn't the problem, no. The problem was what lurked underneath that city.
The denizens of the underworld.
"I'm not being paid enough for this," he spat out, staring at his immaculately tailored suit and the countless awards that arraigned his shelves. He was a reasonably accomplished man, but that's where it ended. He had nothing to offer the kingdom of Velor.
Years before, it wasn't so bad. The denizens knew their place, and the privileged basked in their peace and wealth. But that wasn't the case anymore, and even though just a few people knew it, he could see the scales tipping to the dark side.
A few weeks prior, a warehouse containing new shipments of mana-enhanced gears was stolen, and no traces were left. Even the multiple-star mages couldn't trace the source. It felt like invisible hands rose out of the darkness and took everything. It was top secret, but only three people in the empire could do so.
And they were by the emperor's side every single day. They never took days off; they stayed whether it was convenient or not.
"Sir, there's a package for you," Fred's assistant peeked into the office, her thick-rimmed glasses looking a little big for her face. She was a pretty little thing, but she could be such a klutz sometimes.
"A package? From who?" Fred asked, his eyes forming into slits. He wasn't a big fan of trust, and many people were crossing lines anyway, especially since the unrest began.
"It's from the president of Velor," Sarah, his assistant, said at last, and his ears perked up at that. The president had unequivocal access to him at any time of the day.
"What is it? Checked yet?" Fred asked. He'd asked her to answer his emails and receive packages on his behalf. But she shook her head in the negative. Although it was to be expected, the president was someone she couldn't casually bring herself to speak to or even talk about.
"No, I haven't, sir." She replied rigidly.
Of course, you wouldn't.
He collected the sealed package. It was a gold envelope stamped with the seal of Velor. Fred swallowed.
"Would you like a cup of water, sir?"
He wasn't sure whether his assistant was mocking him, but she'd always been like that. So, he waved her concerns away.
He opened the letter, and his face paled the more he read.
Greetings,
This letter is of grave importance and should be burned as soon as you finish reading. I suspect I shall be assassinated soon. Maybe by the time you read this, the ploy would be underway. But not to worry, I have a trick or two up my sleeves. But I digress.
Fred, I need your help. The Selene faction is growing unchecked, enough to worry any monarch. I am no monarch, but I'm responsible for the safety of our people. The mages are revving up for war. But it's not the war they think they are fighting.
They are setting the stage, and the continent is quiet. You know of that which I speak, don't you?
This is not the request of a president; this is the request of your oldest friend. Return to Selene. Squash the opposition.
And remember me.
Fred lit the letter on fire and watched it burn. His past flashed before him, and the name they called him rang in his head repeatedly as images of a man bathed in blood screamed at the heavens.
The man I don't want to be anymore.
"Clear all my schedule, Sarah." Fred tugged at the hem of his sleeves, his eyes gaining a steely look.
"For how long, sir? And, you called me by my name." Sarah sounded positively shellshocked, but Fred wasn't in the mood for such buffoonery.
"Yes, it's your name, is it not? Clear it for the next year. I have a job to do." Sarah looked taken aback at first, but she maintained her composure, which he was grateful for.
"Okay, sir. May I come with you?" Fred wasn't sure what to reply to that. Sarah had been with him for over seven years, and she was the best assistant he'd ever had. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that she made everything easier on him. But he couldn't bring her where he was going unless she could manage independently. He was going to miss her, though, but he'd survive.
"Can you hold your own in a fight?" He asked to mess with her.
"Yes, sir, I've been practicing for years. And I'm a black belt in aikido, karate, taekwondo, and others." Fred wondered if she was pulling his legs or meant what she said. He couldn't see his dutiful assistant in anything other than corporate clothing and a ponytail.
"I find that hard to believe. But you can come with it; it's what you want, right?" Fred was starting to get a nagging suspicion that he was more critical of his assistant than he knew.
"Yes, sir, I won't let you down. And I have my sigil."
The smile Sarah sent Fred gave him shivers; he'd never heard of regular civilians having sigils. It wasn't done; it made no sense. It meant they had so much mana they were seen as unique wherever they went.
"We need to talk," Fred said and locked his door behind him, his assistant walking by his side. He wasn't sure if he would return, but he hoped so. He stared at the world shining through the windows and knew that somehow.. that would be the last time he'd see such a sight through those windows in a long time.
~~
"Now, tell me everything," Fred said without preamble, loosening his tie and unbuttoning two buttons of his shirt.
"Okay, sir. I found my sigil years back when I met you for the first time. You didn't notice me, so you kept walking. I wanted to follow you, no matter what. But I just couldn't; you had sharp senses. So, I had to fool you. I had to become a part of your life, to see you up close and personal. I didn't mean it, but I noticed that my appearance was beginning to change."
Fred listened, not interrupting, the backdrop of the city forgotten in the immersiveness of Sarah's tale.
"I became a human. I wasn't one; I am from the dreaded race called the Direhumans, and we are scorned wherever we go because of our horns and peculiar skin color. But I couldn't let you go; you had an aura that made me want to follow you."
Fred finally understood why she didn't seem to get tired; he'd heard of the stamina of the Direhumans, and he'd heard about their strength.
"You lied to me. I hate lies." Fred's voice was cold; he could feel the frost on his tongue. And Sarah stumbled backwards as if he physically struck her.
"Henceforth, no lies. Tell me your real name, and assume your real form." Fred's eyes glowed a brilliant blue, and atop his head, his name shone in golden light.
[FRED ALABASTER: THE KING'S SOLDIER AND ONE-MAN ARMY]
It'd been a while since he used his ability, but he had to since he needed to make her talk. If she didn't, then well…
But he didn't need to worry; the illusion was stripped away, and Sarah was standing before him, a different person, yet she felt as familiar as the night.
Her skin was a coppery shade, and her hair shone with a vibrant grey. Her eyes were emerald green and shone in the night like a beacon. Her fangs were evident, giving her a dangerous look. But Fred smiled; his heart gladdened beyond measure. Her name stone atop her head, and he almost jumped with glee.
[SAPHRANA THE LOYAL]
She went on her knees and turned her face away from him, but Fred wasn't having that.
"Rise, Saphrana. You don't need to hide from me anymore. I see you, and you've never been so beautiful and radiant. Never hide who you are. Come with me; let's get this party started."
Her eyes shone with adoration, and Fred helped her and gave her some clothes to wear since she somehow lost her clothes after her transformation to her true form.
"I'll follow you anywhere," she swore her loyalty, bowing before him. But he didn't need that; he could see who she was, which greatly gladdened him.
"I know." He placed his hand on her head and gave her a gentle pat. She grabbed his hand, her body shivering from excitement, or was it fear? He couldn't tell.
Old friend, I do this favor for you. I'll once again become everything I ran away from.
He began walking with Saphrana. They had quite a distance to cover, and they couldn't be seen.
It was time for the strike back.
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