Within moments of the brothers leaving, the signal went out. News of Galvin’s capture and escape. News of Morwin’s treachery.

  Morwin took a look around the city of Rathalin, the place that had once been a safe haven for him. Now it’s actively seeking to kill him.

  Guenevir stood at the top of the stairs, waiting, some garments folded neatly in her hands.

  “You’re going to need this,” she said to Morwin, holding it out for him. He recognized it immediately. Back in Jovin City, he had the choice to dawn the black cloak and blue mask, but he chose against it. Now, things had changed. He accepted the clothing gracefully and threw it over him, putting the mask on his mouth.

  He’s past the point of no return.

  “You waited this entire time?” Galvin asked.

  Guenevir nodded. “Knew he would let you out.”

  Galvin chuckled. “I didn’t believe it at first.”

  The familiar sound of feet on cobblestone rang as soldiers marched to converge on the palace, where the traitors stood.

  Morwin took a look outside, seeing legions of soldiers there, all armed to the tee and prepared for a battle.

  Morwin sucked in a breath. “Heal yourself,” he said. “Then help me fight them.”

  “We’re not fighting them,” Galvin said. “That was never the goal. We have to escape.”

  “He’s right,” Guenevir said. “We can’t beat all the soldiers and the king. We couldn’t do that with over a thousand troops ten years ago, and we sure as hell can’t do it with only the three of us.”

  “Then what’s the plan?” Morwin said.

  “The rooftops. We get to the rooftops and we’ll be safe there.” Galvin had dawned the attire of Justicar as well. This one was different. The material more fine, the feel of it less rudimentary than before. Yes, this would do nicely.

  Guenevir lifted her cloak and held something for Morwin. His dagger that he always carried around.

  “You might need this for the upcoming fight.”

  Morwin accepted it gratefully.

  “There are gemstones in this building,” Galvin said. “Despite the new laws, Lord De’Shai is immune to them, so he will have gems to display this wealth. We get those gems, and we fight back.”

  The three of them nodded, and split up.

  Those three are the only ones who could do this, two of them working in the palace for at least five years, and the third having lived her his whole life. They knew this palace and its ins and outs. As well as good hiding spots.

  Morwin ran into some golden goblets that had some gemstones in them, and he used his dagger to pry them free. He took a look outside the window and saw soldiers growing closer by the second. In his pocket, he had some gemstones now, but not enough.

  He panicked and began moving faster through the palace. He ran across some guards. With swift movements and some help from his gemstones, he was able to dispatch them easily. He hoped Guenevir and Galvin would be able to do the same.

  More and more gemstones fell to his possession.

  How did the soldiers learn about their treachery so fast? Morwin had knocked the two guards unconscious in the dungeon, and his father was paralyzed last he’d seen. It seemed an impossibility that word has already gotten out.

  Regardless, Morwin didn’t stop in his collection of gemstones. Within minutes, his pockets were full of an assortment. No diamonds however. No, that would be too lucky of them.

  Morwin met Galvin and Guenevir at the entrance to the palace. Guenevir had a blood stain on her left cheek.

  By this point, the soldiers had completely surrounded the palace, and an evacuation was taking place, helping servants get to safety. Before long, the soldiers would storm into the place and try to get to their grand commander.

  “You could leave through the back door, you know,” Galvin spoke to Guenevir. “They’re looking for us. Not you. As far as you’re concerned, you could pass for another one of the servants and they wouldn’t question you.”

  Guenevir smiled. “How thoughtful of you to think about me in the face of this danger,” she spoke.

  “Fine,” Galvin replied. “Fight with us. But we won’t be able to help you if things go awry.”

  “I know that,” she said.

  “Traitors!” one of the soldiers, a captain, screamed from outside. “We have the palace surrounded, and if you submit yourself peacefully, we will treat you delicately as we perform the arrest! If not, then you may die in the battle!”

  Morwin reached out and Absorbed in ruby. He looked to his brother, and a nod was returned.

  He released a powerful blast of fire, striking the ornate doors. The force of the blast sent the wood off its hinges and scattered across the floor.

  Galvin ran outwards, with Guenevir on his back, and he used the power of wind to propel himself forward and upwards, taking to the skies and landing on one of the rooftops.

  Morwin still had the sword from earlier. He walked out with it in one hand, unsheathing his dagger with the other.

  Attention turned to Galvin and Guenevir, who ran along the rooftops.

  Arrows from soldiers stationed on the rooftop flew. Many arrows, but all of them either deflected from or straight up missed Galvin and Guenevir.

  Morwin closed his eyes. The whole city, no, the whole nation would become his enemy. And for some reason, he felt at piece with that.

  “Son of Lord De’Shai!” the commander spoke, addressing Morwin. “You will surrender yourself and explain why you have soiled your father’s good name and grace!”

  “I am no son of that man,” Morwin said through gritted teeth. He Absorbed in some topaz and focused on Ground. Immediately, he could feel everything underneath his feet become an extension of him.

  He willed for the cobblestone to shift and change, parting the soldiers and causing mishap among them. Most of the soldiers struggled to stay upright as the ground underneath them morphed around.

  With that distraction, an image of Morwin erupted outwards, soaring for the building. Arrows moved towards the image, and flew through it.

  The real Morwin escaped on foot through the soldiers. His illusion fell as soon as the soldiers knew what was happening. He could feel his invisibleness slip away as soldiers turned their attention on him.

  He soared through them like a whirlwind, spinning his blades this way and that, not paying attention to whom he struck.

  He pushed his way through the crowd, and when he stood on the other side, Absorbed in some emerald and propelled himself upward.

  Archers lined the rooftops, and Morwin would have to find a way to deal with them. One step at a time.

  Morwin began running, using emeralds to propel himself, wind blasting from his ankles with each step to boost himself slightly.

  Arrows whizzed through the air behind him.

  He focused wind behind him, creating a slight forcefield that would deflect any arrows. He’d learned that trick from Galvin’s memories.

  He looked to his left and saw Galvin and Guenevir there, running along the rooftops.

  Then a couple figures landed right in front of them, people who didn’t wear armor. Dragikiri. Working for the enemies.

  Galvin would need help!

  Morwin was about to propel himself to the two of them, but his brother shot him a look. A look that told him not to, and to keep going.

  “Very well,” Morwin whispered, mostly to himself. “I trust you.” Arrows whizzed behind him and all around him once again.

  He stopped in his tracks and spun around, Absorbing all of the rubies he could muster, and focused everything into Fire.

  Morwin released a powerful blast of flames, expanding outward at increasing speed all around, burning the arrows to a crisp before they could ever reach him. The flames exploded outward, striking some of the archers, catching their clothing on fire and knocking them from the building.

  Galvin didn’t have time for this. How many more Dragikiri would arrive to the battle and join the fight?

  He shook his head and focused on the two opponents in front of him. One leapt with a dagger out, swinging it.

  Galvin held a sword he stole from a soldier while searching for gems. He raised his blade to deflect the attack.

  Every movement, however, would send a sharp pain to his abdomen, where Lord De’Shai struck. He didn’t let it affect him in the midst of this battle, however.

  He swung his blade to deflect the enemy Dragikiri’s blow, but their strike was enhanced with Strength. Instead of deflecting it, Galvin’s own weapon flew out of his hand, headed straight for the ground.

  Without giving it too much though, Galvin Absorbed in some topaz and focused on Ground. He let out a chuckle as he ducked.

  Magnetism is a powerful ability. Behind him, the sword came flying back, straight for the unaware Dragikiri. It struck him in the neck and he toppled backwards.

  Guenevir was handling the other Dragikiri, but was unfortunately being pushed back. Dragikiri, especially trained ones, were too valuable as soldiers, equaling about a hundred regular ones.

  Guenevir didn’t stand a chance. Galvin Absorbed in some emerald and let out a blast of wind to the Dragikiri, who deflected it with his own blast of wind. The two air currents collided with one another, and sent a powerful breeze all around.

  Galvin Absorbed in more emerald and released wind underneath him, launching him up, sword outstretched. Before he could land, he dispelled the remainder of the emerald essence he Absorbed. Then Absorbed some topaz and created a pillar of earth from the roof, which helped him slide down and land behind the Dragikiri. When he landed, the earth morphed and changed back to its original form.

  He struck at the Dragikiri, who deflected the blow. Strike after strike, all his swings were deflected. Guenevir helped as well, swinging at their enemy, but he must’ve had diamonds or something, as his speed with the sword was unparalleled.

  This wouldn’t work. Galvin was at a disadvantage fighting against this man, and it would only turn into a battle of attrition. The Dragikiri, without a doubt, had a diamond somewhere on his body, and also had the power of opal masking its presence. He could Dual Absorb well, which made him a dangerous foe.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  The plan was set into motion. Darius stood in the underpass of the palace, listening to footsteps up above. He’d asked Galvin what the man meant by the “signal” and all he got in response was a sly smile and a “you’ll know”. Now, as footsteps trampled the cobblestone up above, Darius had a feeling that the signal has come to pass.

  Now the plan moved forward. A secret tunnel, created by Galvin discretely in his years as a servant for Lord De’Shai, has led to this. A treasury, which is where Lord De’Shai decided to hold the igians, and the tunnel led directly to it.

  “Should I bring gemstones or would it be too dangerous?” Darius had asked of Galvin. They’d been talking in the alleyway for quite some time about this plan beforehand.

  “Bring them. It won’t matter,” Galvin replied.

  Exposing himself, getting captured, and then escaping. Had all of this been a part of his plan all along? Just for Darius to sneak into the palace and steal some igians? Were they that important?

  No matter, Darius trusted Galvin with his life, and he didn’t dare suggest another course of action.

  He stood before the carved out tunnel, which had a rather large rock blocking it. It might fit a little boy like Kaden, but Darius is too muscular. He’d have trouble sliding in through and finding his way.

  He Absorbed some ruby and created a speck of fire along his fingertips. A part of him expected soldiers to rain down on him any moment and arrest him for going against the king or whatever, but it seems like the whole town was focused on the commotion up above. How were they going to get out of this?

  Darius sucked in a deep breath before taking his first steps into the darkness, the flame at the tip of his finger lighting the way. Although the fire barely illuminated two feet in front of him, he was afraid to create a bigger fire. What if there were some guards on the other side who didn’t leave for the commotion and stayed behind instead.

  Also, the tunnel stank. It wreaked of waste and manure. Did Galvin do this on purpose so this passage wouldn’t be investigated? No, a strong stench would force them to investigate wherever it was coming from.

  Darius walked along the passage, his hand clinging to the rocks on the walls so he wouldn’t trip on something accidentally and land on his face.

  He walked and walked until he could see a faint light signaling the end of the tunnel. At the other end of it, he could hear soldiers shouting for their comrades to hurry, and the sound of footsteps ringing out afterwards.

  He let out a breath. He got close enough to see that the end of the tunnel was completely sealed off. He placed a hand against the material. Marble. Solid marble. How was he supposed to get to the other side without alerting remaining soldiers?

  He expanded his mind and focused on the other side of the wall, hearing the familiar heartbeats of the gemstones. He could sense them there, beating faintly. This tunnel didn’t lead into a passageway that led to the treasury. It led to the treasury room itself.

  Darius had been too careful getting into position, but the plan had a slim chance of failing in the first place. Many gemstones made its presence known on the other side. He felt like he was swimming in a sea of power. He could do anything.

  But no, he was here for only one of those gemstones.

  He Absorbed in some diamond through the wall. They sat further away, so it was more difficult to take in a lot of the essence. The feeling was akin to pouring a glass of water through a strainer into a larger jug.

  When he had enough of the diamond essence inside him, he focused on Spatial. The darkness of the tunnel vanished, the ground he’d been standing on turned from rock to marble, and blinding light struck him.

  He stood in a white room, the floor and walls made of marble. Why would the treasury be made of marble? Was it to display the wealth of Lord De’Shai, who wanted to show off at every corner?

  “Intruder!” someone shouted.

  Darius spun quick enough to realize two guards had remained, guarding the treasury room. The man dropped his spear and began to ran for the exit, but Darius was quicker. He used some diamond essence and focused on Speed, propelling himself forward. He moved in a blur, and the guard cowered beneath him, a terrified look on his face.

  One blow finished off the guard. A slap across the face, which sent out a loud thunderous clap, echoing all over the walls. The man dropped dead, faced down on the ground.

  There was another guard in the room, but he stood more confidently. He wore the imperial colors and held a sword in his hand, his eyes blazing with hatred and anger.

  “You know that guard had family,” the soldier spoke. “A wife to come home to, a son he needed to raise. And you took that from them.”

  “I thought about that when I killed him,” Darius spoke, a hint of remorse on his voice. “But if I’d have to do it again I would. There will be casualties in the coming future, countless casualties. Such is the way of war.”

  The soldier narrowed his eyes. “And if you’re one of those casualties? What would happen if you left people who loved you for a pointless fight? I can promise you one thing, once the king deems you lot a big enough threat, no help in the world can prevent his wrath.”

  Darius nodded, circling the room, unsheathing his own weapon. He was surprised the soldier hadn’t screamed or escape by now. Nor did he seemed surprised of Darius’s entrance. “I have thought about the future,” Darius responded. “And I can tell you that if you’re one to take a life for a cause, you need to be prepared for your own life to be taken. I’ve made peace with it.”

  The soldier raised his blade and pointed it straight at Darius. Then he vanished into thin air.

  Darius’s eyes widened with surprise. A Dragikiri, in a room filled to the brim with gems. He couldn’t help but let out a smile. This is the perfect spot to have a battle.

  He Absorbed in some nearby sapphire and focused on Senses. Immediately, the world blared into reality, his senses becoming acute and everything striking him at once. At the same time, he reduced all the other sensations he felt, leaving only the sense of touch.

  The hairs on his arms stood up, pointed a certain direction. He spun around and swung his blade with all his might.

  Steel met steel and the halls echoed with the sound of their blade clashing.

  The soldier backed up and stabbed at Darius, who deflected the blow. Then he started to move faster and faster. As he grew faster, however, so did Darius.

  Diamonds couldn’t increase one’s reaction time. It only increased speed. He couldn’t react faster even though he could swing his sword faster. Instead of relying on his reaction, he had to predict where the soldier would attack next, using the power of sapphire to detect vibrations in the air and the speed from his diamond to move quick enough to block it. He wished there was a gemstone that assisted in reaction time.

  Sparks flew as blade met each other, then they went into a lock, Darius staring at the soldier straight in the eyes.

  The soldier was skilled, he hated to admit. A shame too, fighting for the wrong cause.

  Darius released the strike and leapt backwards, resetting his stance. He Absorbed in some diamonds and watched as the world twisted and turned. He reappeared beside the soldier and swung his sword using both hands.

  The opposing Dragikiri raised his own blade to the side and easily deflected the blow. Darius sent another, and another, but each time his attacks were deflected. This soldier was skilled with both Gemming and swordsmanship. So was Darius.

  He Absorbed in some ruby and stomped the ground. A fire came alight, a ring of flames encircling both of them.

  A gust of powerful wind blew from behind him, almost strong enough to send him flying towards the flames. But Darius Absorbed in some topaz and created a foothold for his feet out of the marble, stopping him in place.

  “You could always join the imperial forces,” the soldier said. “King Rai’Shal is a powerful force that no man can defeat, so it’s better to just join up with him. He could use someone as strong as yourself.”

  Darius let out a smile. “Thanks but no thanks. I’ve made up my mind a long time ago,” he spoke before releasing the marble to let it flow back into its natural state.

  The powerful gust lifted him off his feet and sent him tumbling for the fire. He reached out for some emerald and Absorbed in as much essence as he could manage, creating a powerful gust of wind from underneath him, which sent him flying straight to the ceiling.

  As his feet connected with the roof, he let go off all his emerald, and re-Absorbed in the topaz. He focused on Ground and sent out a powerful pillar of marble that’d send him straight for his opponent.

  It blasted him faster than he expected, but he quickly adapted to it.

  The soldier let out a yelp of surprise and moved to block the strike. Darius knew the soldier had been prideful the moment they met, and unfortunately it’d lead to his downfall.

  The soldier would have won if he didn’t let his ego get in the way and use diamonds to reposition himself. Instead, he chose to go for the defense.

  Darius twisted and turned in the air, and when he was about to come into contact with the soldier, the illusion of him, conjured from the essence of opals, disappeared.

  The soldier let out a scream of surprise, and then one of pain as a steel blade sank into his lower back, protruding through the other side of his body.

  There, Darius stood crouched, his hand on the hilt of his weapon. The soldier let out a cough of blood before collapsing forward on the ground. Dead.

  Footsteps rang out followed by shouts.

  Darius looked up alarmed. The soldier had only been there to stall him, not kill him. Before long, soldiers would descend upon the room and attack him, and he would have no idea how many among them would be Dragikiri. He needed to work quick.

  With a wave of his hand, the fire dissipated and he got moving, Absorbing in some more diamonds and speeding around the room, stuffing as many igians as he could into his sack.

  The soldiers arrived a second too late. All they saw upon entering the treasury were two bodies, one with blood spilling out, and lots of diamonds missing. There were no signs of forced entry anywhere.