A few days later Markus awoke surrounded by people. Most of which he recognised. Enrique Ballion. Jessica Windbourne. Special Agent Delta. And two more. He did not know them but he could sense how strong they were.
"I'm sorry to rush you but what you said startled us to the bone. What did you mean by Taeru Golemlord? Is he trying to ascend?" Enrique asked
Markus sat up in bed and tried to speak but had a hard time. Jessica brought him a cup of water which he nodded to and he drank it.
"Thanks…" Markus said before clearing his throat
"He's not trying to become one… he already did. And he was at the southern temple when we were escaping." Markus said slowly and shakily, recalling the terror of his encounter
"A-are you certain?" Enrique asked
"First I read it… and honestly did not want to believe it. But when we ran into him… and fought him— or rather tried to fight him to escape…" Markus said, not finishing the sentence
They all remained silent at the revelation. They sat in that heavy silence for a while until Markus spoke again
"I've never felt so powerless. Even when I had just awakened my essence and was in the presence of an elite or even a master I did not feel so suffocated and oppressed. The world itself was affected by his existence. We tried to jump in the sea to escape him… but he just killed us." Markus recalled
"What… do you mean killed you?" Delta asked
"… he shot us through vital organs. As some of you know, I can heal from fatal wounds… and did. Then I woke up on a pirate ship. The pirates sold me in Yen Port… and you put together the rest." Markus said
Everyone had heavy expressions on their faces but especially Delta. Markus saw this and turned to look at him directly.
"The Delta agents… they died instant deaths and did not suffer. That's all I can offer you." Markus said to Delta
"Thank you… I'll give you a minute" Delta replied before leaving
The silence was heavy. Too heavy.
"What happened back at the Manor?" Markus asked, breaking the silence
"Everyone there is dead and it has all been burned down." Jessica said
"Okay…" Markus said, trying to find a resemblance of peace
"I also found out the numbers of masters, elites and experts the Duke of Stonebourne commands." He said after a while
"Let me get you some paper." Jessica said
Markus wrote down the numbers and Enrique read them aloud.
"Active Military
500,000 Rank 3
212,000 Rank 4
58,000 Rank 5
12 Rank 6
Reserve Military
789,000 Rank 3
304,000 Rank 4
29,000 Rank 5
18 rank 6"
He visibly frowned
'40 masters huh. The crown has 50 active masters and 20 or so allied masters. Among them the masters are distinguished and there is also the monarch, the strongest master in the continent.' Enrique thought confidently
'But what is a master to a lord? Since the gap has only grown in the higher ranks… just how many masters would it take to kill a lord? Nobody can say for sure. I need to return to the capital.' Enrique through to himself, suddenly not being so confident in the crown's forces
"I would like further details on the entire operation, later, that is. For now you have done enough. Consider your mission complete, Special Agent Immoriens. As such, your will return to the capital with me." Enrique said, turning to the other masters
Markus simply nodded
"Gargov, Volt, you know your missions. Jessica, you shouldn't delay returning to the side of the princess." Enrique said
The masters nodded and Gargov and Volt left. Jessica would travel back with Enrique and Markus.
Gargov and Volt were talking as they went out.
"So that's the Imperial Vessel? I was expecting more." Gargov complained
"And where exactly were you doing as a 14 year old? I'm sure you weren't a Special Agent who had faced down elites, fought against a master and even faced an elemental lord. And survived to tell the tale." Volt replied, shaking his head
"… I meant— oh forget it." Gargov said mumbling to himself
Indeed it was ridiculous that a mere expert would be so heavily prioritised by the crown… but in light of who the expert was and what he had done… Gargov was the fool…
Before long, Markus and the two masters prepared to leave. Putting on his dark outfit, Special Agent Immoriens spoke to the Delta team.
"I uh, will be taking my leave now. I grieve with you over the loss of Delta Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten and Eleven. They were good to me and did not deserve to die. They will be missed.
Thank you for having me for these past several weeks and thanks for rescuing me… I was really… really screwed. I hope we meet again." Immoriens said with a long exhale
"May our paths cross again, Special Agent Immoriens." Delta said extending his hand for a handshake
"May our circumstances be better." Immoriens replied, shaking his hand
After bidding them all farewell and hitting the road in the transport vehicle, Immoriens took off his outfit and wore a basic black tunic.
"Had enough of playing dress up?" Enrique asked
"Yes— no? I don't know. But this next part I need to tell as Markus." Markus said as he got in the transport
Enrique and Jessica followed.
"What is it?" Enrique asked as he sat opposite Markus
"My cover is blown— slightly. A menace in the underworld here, the Crow, somehow made the connection I'm Immoriens." Markus told them
"How the hell did that happen—" Jessica exclaimed
"Remember the pirates that fished our corpses? Well, one of them was in Tuatri… and when they uncovered our faces, she recognised the ex-president of the academy's student body. Then they used that information to sweeten the price for me. Oh— they sold me for a million gold coins. And the crow was at the auction and competed with… her." Markus retold and hesitated remembering Selena
Killing her… she deserved it. But it did not make the weight of it that much easier.
"And I kinda had a small encounter with his puppets. So when I was on display, he mouthed to me Immoriens. So he knows…" Markus said
"Just great…" Enrique said with a sigh
"It cannot be helped." Jessica also said with a sigh
"Why did you need to tell it as Markus?" Enrique asked a moment later
"Because I can't lose myself. I am many things now— Immoriens, Imperial Vessel, Heir of Life, Expert of the Wind… The Guard of Death's Herald… but most importantly I am Markus Windwave. I need to know who I am to be whole." Markus said, looking out the window
Enrique and Jessica simply looked down.
In part it was in thought at his maturity. But the other part… was guilt for withholding the truth.
'If only you knew your last name was Windbourne.' They both thought
Jessica however thought for longer
'Knowing you are a Windbourne… living as one, would allow you to be given an emblem. It would not only keep you connected to the wind but you could advance to elite rank much faster. Through the emblem you connect yourself to the world before becoming an elite but you may also connect to yourself. You could attempt the fifth step yourself and try to become an elite. But the implications are too great…' Jessica sighed inwardly
The way back to the capital was rather peaceful and for Markus it was restful. Being able to sleep at ease and eat quality food was practically a luxury he now appreciated greatly.
Eventually they got to the entrance of The Capital where they were not stopped for obvious reasons. Bearing the emblem of the royal palace was a free pass anywhere after all.
When they finally returned to the palace in the middle of the night, Markus saw two people waiting.
The Queen and the Queen's Guard Captain.
"Oh man— that can't be good." Markus said under his breath
"Not good at all." Enrique added
When they got out, Enrique stepped off first, then Jessica and then Markus. Then they kneeled before the queen.
"We greet your majesty." The three of them said in unison
"Welcome back. How did your mission go?" She asked casually
"… we…" Markus began to say but was conflicted
They had completed their objective to find the true forces of the Duke of Stonebourne but it was at a great cost.
"Failed?" She asked
"No, your majesty. We succeeded… but it was not without cost." Markus said softly
"What did you succeed with?" She asked
"I successfully gathered the information. But it should not be said here." Markus said
"What has your tongue, Markus Windwave?" She asked coldly
"The Stonebournes have succeeded in ascending a master, your majesty. Taeru Stonebourne is now Golemlord." Enrique said, speaking for Markus
Her eyes widened as she became shocked. That said her body remained still, looking at Markus.
"How did you discover this?" She asked Markus, her tone hurried and harsh
"I read it in a manuscript… and then I ran into him. I've seen quite a few masters… including you, your majesty. Forgive me but I must say none of you indivually measure up to him. The world accommodates his existence… follows his will and his authority over stone is greater than anything I've ever seen, even far greater than Lord Enrique." Markus said
"How did you escape?" She asked
"… he killed us all as we tried to escape into the sea. I healed from the wound… and a long series of unfortunate events happened after that." Markus said
"So that's why they sent me a letters telling me to keep away from the temples unless I want to lose more spies." She retorted
"Then we know something they do not. Your allies did not die in vain after all." Enrique said, still kneeling
"Stand up. We will discuss more inside." The queen said, turning around
Markus and Jessica got up and followed her in.
On the way in, Markus whispered to Jessica.
"Uhm— hey is it me or is she angry at us?" Markus whispered to Jessica
Jessica simply nodded, silently
The Queen took them to the audience chamber and sat upon her throne.
"Now explain to me how you escape an elemental lord." She commanded
"I told you, your majesty, he killed all of us in the team heading to the southern coastal temple, right as we tried to plunge into the sea." Markus replied
"You're lying." She replied
"Wha— I'm not." Markus Markus said in shock
"I think that you betrayed the crown. And now serve Duke Stonebourne." She said
"Are you f*cking serious!? I went through hell to get back alive and you sit there and say I'm lying to betray you!?" Markus lashed out
As crystals rose from the ground he had already used the Wind's path to come right in her face.
With their faces mere inches from each other Markus stared right into her eyes.
"I am too tired for your mind games. If you really thought I was a traitor you would've killed me. So spare me your bullsh*t and let me rest instead of wasting my time." Markus said, staring her down
"Such insolence—" the queen's guard said
But she raised her palm.
"And now I know you are just pretending to be my obedient servant. You serve me out of fear, not worship. And that, Markus, cannot stand. Because one day before long you will be stronger. Stronger than me. And when that happens, fear will not hold you anymore. And we both know since your celestial energy has developed within you, my crystals are all but useless words. So what am I to do with you?" She spoke with heavy words
The silence between them was defeating
Then Markus spoke, slowly
"I suppose… the only thing we can do… is trust each other. I have to trust that you won't kill me before I become emperor. And you'll have to trust that I won't kill you once I become emperor." Markus replied
"So you thought about all this. You knew this was coming?" She asked him
"I knew this was only a matter of time ever since you used the crystal on me and it failed, yes. But what I can't know for sure is if you will kill me now." He said, withdrawing
"I need to sleep on it. I'm not a trusting person you see. A monarch does not live long if they trust blindly. If I were to trust the dukes I would never see coming that one of them sacrificed masters to create a Lord." She said, rising from her throne
"Dismissed." She said as she walked down the steps from her throne past Markus, Enrique, Jessica and her queen's guard.
"You're immune to mind control crystals..?" Enrique asked
"My psyche is automatically protected against outside influences." Markus replied
"But her majesty's crystals work by reflecting your own self back at you. So when she tells you to do something, you believe it was your own idea. How can celestial energy differentiate..?" Enrique asked in intrigue
"If I had to guess it is because celestial energy is simply stronger. When she used the crystal I could clearly tell it was her voice and not my own. I guess celestial energy beats any cheap trick." Markus replied
"Watch yourself Markus. Mocking the queen's power as a cheap trick is bordering blasphemy and treason." Enrique retorted
"Is that you or the Crystal talking?" Markus asked
"Enough—" Jessica shouted
"He needs to get his head screwed on straight." Enrique shouted back
"We are all tired and not in our right minds. Her majesty is the only one who will make a decision about Markus so just the let boy go and get busy with something else." Jessica replied, calmly
"You're not the boss of me, Windbourne." Enrique said
"Do you want me to bother your boss? I think her plate is a bit full but I'm sure she won't mind breaking up a squabble involving two masters and an expert." Jessica threatened
"You're bluffing." Enrique called
"Alright, let's call it here." The queen's guard said
Enrique and Jessica both snapped their heads toward him. The captain of the capital knights. The strongest master beside the queen, Commander Thomas Nolan.