Bab 26: His Name is Zero
The Lady had left the Blackwater estate with a beaming glint in her eyes. From his estate to her tavern, she had not spoken until she was in her room before a strange hexagonal orb that suddenly projected an iridescent image of an elderly figure.
"Lady Selene, how did it go?" Headmaster Augustine Wright asked.
There was a bit of excitement in which Augustine spoke. Selene was quick to pick up on it. There was only one reason for her to contact the Headmaster the very day she interviewed her target.
The boy had potential.
"Headmaster… your specialty lies in Evocation and Abjuration, correct?" Selene began.
Augustine gave a bright nod. "Indeed, though I've dipped my toes in a few other Arcane Schools. Transfiguration is a must for all who go into combat, though I don't dare say I've mastered the school, like Professor Vortis."
"But you're at least an expert in the subject of transfiguration?"
"Very much so."
Selene sucked in a long breath and asked, "Is this connection secure?"
The old, seamed face of Augustine grew hard. And again, he nodded. " It is," he confirmed.
"This Malos Blackwater was capable of Transfiguring without… Without any sort of Transfiguration Circle," she said, her voice a bit high-pitched. "He—"
"That's impossible," The Headmaster professed. He might not have been of the Grade of Master within the field of Transfiguration. But such a feat had only been accomplished by the Ancient Dark Elves of Avasta and their Blood Magic.
"I assure you, Headmaster, I know what I saw."
"Azalea! Bless this aged heart of mine!" The Old Man mumbled. "If this is true—"
'It is true."
"Girl, you do not understand. A Master Transformation is capable of creating bloodlines amongst the myriad of races. Including dragons. Dragons Selene! The very blood that runs in the imperial family of Solaris. Does the King Cyrus know?"
"I've not told him yet, but it'll be in my report."
"Gods. When this gets out and, it most likely will get out. This Malos Blackwater will be either the most important man or the most hated." The Headmaster claimed with a tight frown. "What is he? I'm sure you tried to sniff him out."
"You make it sound like I'm a pervert that goes around sniffing people.
"Don't you?"
"Of Course not!" Selene swore, a little red. "I got nothing. He smelt of nothing. Absolute nothing. It was like looking at a stone. The girl, on the other hand…"
'The girl?" The Headmaster muttered, noting the strange expression Selene held.
"Yeah. Aurelia Morningstar. She smells sweet. Very sweet. And dangerous. There is something off about those two. Very off."
"Experimentation?"
"No… at least none I can see. Aurelia appears extremely healthy," she said, recalling the bright young girl. "She's a little cutie pie."
The Headmaster frowned, falling into deep thought, then, "The Kingdom of Solarian has not known a Transfiguration Master in nearly eight thousand years since its rise. So, I can expect Professor Vortis not to be pleased since he belongs to the Kingdom of Turvar. He might try to—"
"He knows better." Selene cut in. "The only reason we have not cut him down is because you exist, Sir. No one is stupid enough to anger an Arch Magus."
Augustine gave a giddy laugh. "Come now, you'll make this old man blush."
"Might I suggest we invite King Cyrus and Professor Vortis to dinner to… educate the other in what to expect. Arch Magnus or not, the Queen is of similar rank to you."
"Yes. Yes. I know. Invite him if you must. Though should he accept, I will have to invite King Selvine." The Headmaster said, appear as impartial as ever.
Selene grinned. "Then I'll let him know."
***
As Zariel resumed his drawing upon space, projecting various symbols and runes in a complex array of glypes, a sort of trepidation danced along his heart as he drew the last bit of signs.
He was scared, reaching for a large sort of Arcane Crystal, One the size of a clenched fist, carrying nearly twice the power as a First Grade Arcane Crystal. The projected symbol was sucked within the depths of the crystal and placed in what appeared to be the head of a scepter.
Aurelia silently watched. She could hear his heartbeat against his chest with her inhumane senses. And knew it was no time to disturb him.
Suddenly, from the Scepter, dozens of projected screens showcasing various frequencies, Arcane density, and Air frequency alongside a plethora of other readers shone.
"Connection to Geniss established. Initiating—" Stopped as a new screen appeared of a masked individual that bore the crest of 'Zero' on its forehead; tears broke out from Zariel's face.
"Zero," He whispered so softly it was barely audible. He had long forgotten what was behind behind the mask but not the Mask itself.
"Zariel…" Aurelia said faintly, listening to the heartbreak. She'd never heard him so hurt.
"Protocol… I… I don't remember. It's the one about reincarnation. The one from the Order manual."
The stone-cold mask of Zero did not respond, but Zariel didn't need him to. He could feel the wheels of his friend spinning. Trying to cycle through various schemes as he'd always done.
There was no one better, Zariel believed. Zero, for all his faults, tried to think of every scenario, from losing oneself within the infinite space of the Twelve Realms to dying, somehow reincarnating as a fish, lizard, stick, or some other odd creature.
The others had often called him cowardly, but not once did they reject the manuals he'd given them to memories. Zero was their tactician. The Mastermind.
"Have you already figured out my location?" Zariel asked, somehow finding a smile.
Zero nodded.
"You're about to blow up the planet, aren't you."
'Wait, what?" said Aurliea incredulously. "He can do that?"
Again, Zero nodded.
"Your such a dick. I've forgotten many things… your faces, bits of my past, a few names… my brothers… my sister… but… I remember yours. You kept it hidden from everyone. Myself included. But I learned it through the Weave. A few hundred years with someone will do that."
"Z…." Zero began; his voice was as androgynous as ever.
"Z—"
"Enough," Zero muttered, sensing the strings of Karma's reaction to the Intent of his name. "It's you…"
Zero voice was still as cold as ever, but even Aurelia, who'd never met the man, heard how soft it became.
"Yeah… It is… Kinda." He said, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Your Soul Lamp shattered." Zero said.
'A test,' Zariel thought. "Yes. I destroyed my body and bloodlines to escape."
"How?"
"The Weave?"
'What is the Wevae?"
"No idea. I was born with it. It lets me identify weaknesses, intents, and various other things. Works perfectly with Transfiguration, as you know."
Zero held his tongue for a while, falling into a heavy deliberation. The weight of his mask was like a stone upon all who saw it.
"And the girl?" He finally asked.
"A cover… I was in hell… The Nine Hells. So I'm using her soul to hide myself."
Again, Zero went silent, his black mask unwilling to betray the perplexed face beneath. "Z….Zariel." He hesitated to say. "Do you have anything else to say?"
"Mental state is critical," Zariel said, noting the second trap. Had he asked about his brother or sister, Zero might have cut the connection.
"... This is weird. Aren't you two supposed to, you know, suppose to cry or—"
"Shut it," said Zero and Zariel.
"Last question." Zero continued. "What color is my hair?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Green… Forest Green, maybe? No emerald. Mint? Some shade of Green. What type of question is that?" Zariel intoned a hint of blame in his voice.
"I needed to confirm your mental state. I'll get back to you in a few months after I design a new protocol regarding your particular situation. You said this girl was a cover. Explain."
"I will not."
Zero nodded without hesitation. "Alright."
"Before you go. Did anyone retrieve Mother's remains?"
The connection went cold, leaving Zariel to taste the acid spilling down his throat, numbing his windpipes.
"Join me for a drink, won't you, Aurelia? I need one."
Within the lounge, Zariel found a special bottle of 'Hollow Creek 1711' and poured himself and Aureila a full glass.
He swallowed the entirety of the glass like a shot and poured himself another.
Aurelia did the same, having no inkling of how to hold her liquor. She felt her head spin, watching him pour the second or perhaps third glass, finishing a full bottle.
"When do you think he'll call back?" Aurelia asked.
"A year? Two maybe. Zero is, without a doubt, thorough. He'll monitor me. Watch our habits. Try to find weaknesses to kill us. Lay a few traps, and then he'll approach."
Unsure what was making her head spin more, the whisky or Zariel's words, she asked, "Why didn't he respond?"
"Perhaps I was too greedy. A fool, maybe. I was what wasn't supposed to be asked. But I had to know."
"I didn't know your mother died."
"She was murdered," Zariel said, a mist of scarlet flashing across his eyes.
"Why?"
"Honestly? I've no idea. I don't think I've ever understood why anyone hated her. Mother always stayed to herself. Always…" He closed his eyes, recalling the smile that was as cold as winter yet at times as warm as summer.
"I miss her… I miss her dearly."
Hadiah
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