Chapter 1.14 — The Flicker of Darkness

  Finally, I'm here. We stood outside the temple gates as the ceremony was about to begin… I squeezed the pendant tight around my neck.

  Hopefully, the appraisal will give me answers to why I'm here.

  I looked around me at the people I cared for, their faces bright with excitement. I let out a chuckle, reminiscing over the last couple of years.

  You know, since coming here… I've had this weird feeling every time I look at the pendant… as if something was inside me—ready to come out.

  A moment later it was my turn. As the Conductor called me over, I grinned in anticipation.

  Standing before the Orb, I felt it again—a faint whisper, like some kind of energy flowing through the air—electrifying it.

  As I placed my hand onto the Orb, the hair on my entire body rose—then…

  ———

  “I don't believe it!” The Conductor froze as he gaped in disbelief.

  He raised his head looking at me, then he looked back at the Orb. The Conductor then signaled me to try again.

  I nodded and raised my hand, placing it back onto the Orb…

  “His, his… Afinix is!” The Conductor declared as his right hand hovered above the Orb…

  A small flicker, then…

  …Nothing…

  Just—nothing!

  The Conductor's face contorted into full-blown panic as sweat poured down his face and his elegant movement a moment ago became more erratic… his hand sweeping across the Orb, trying to bring it to life.

  “What’s going on? It won’t respond anymore?” The Conductor said, panicked.

  Murmurs could be heard as the crowd began to whisper among themselves… “An Orb showing nothing? What’s the meaning of this? Could he be cursed?”

  At that moment I began to feel a lump in my throat as beats of sweat rolled down my face… my eyes drifted around the crowd as I tried to find reassurance.

  Ann looked like she didn't get the commotion as she gave me her usual smile.

  Jen and Grey looked at each other with the same confused expression while Tess stood frozen as she bit her lower lip.

  Suddenly, the Orb flared up as one of the Acolytes placed his hand upon it.

  “Ahh, everything is alright… Leo Nachman, please place your hand,” the Conductor declared in a relieved voice.

  As I placed my hand onto the Orb, the sound from the square dissipated as I could only hear my heart pounding…

  I got a bad feeling about this!

  “This… it’s impossible!!” The Conductor’s voice cracked.

  Again the Orb flickered only to go silent.

  The crowd erupted in a roar as they were gripped by fear and confusion.

  No one has ever seen something like this, the crowd roared on as the Conductor froze—speechless…

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the Nexus Sentinels taking a step forward, their weapons at the ready. The crowd's voices rose—some shouted for answers, others recoiled in fear, and a few demanded he be exiled.

  Grey clenched his fist as Jen reached for her sword, Ann looked around in a panic as Tess slowly sneaked towards me, unnoticed moving through the crowd…

  “Silence!” A familiar voice then boomed as it echoed throughout the village.

  As I looked towards it, it was Ann's father. He stepped in front of me and raised his hand, as he shielded me from the crowd's wrath.

  “I will not tolerate this behavior!" The Marquess ordered with authority.

  The crowd immediately went silent as they did not dare to oppose him. The Sentinels seemed to calm down as they took a step back into their original position.

  Jen, Grey, and Tess sighed in relief as the tension in the air began to dissipate. Ann also calmed down, however she still had a confused look as she poked Tess.

  “Why is everyone so angry?” Ann asked, her tone uncertain.

  “An Orb not showing anything… it should be impossible, so they're reacting out of fear." Tess said, as her voice was filled with tension.

  “Afraid of what?” Ann furrowed her brows.

  “Of the unknown.” Tess replied.

  “Really now,” the Marquess said, his voice cut through cold and calmly.

  As the Marquess looked around with a displeased expression. The crowd's eyes were glued to the Marquess as they could do nothing but stand in silence.

  “Is this how we treat our fellow humans in Heimzuch? How unbecoming of us!” His eyes drifted as he looked over the square.

  Whispers could be heard as the crowd looked around in embarrassment. The Marquess turned and stood beside me as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

  “Clearly, we are witnessing something we’ve never seen before… so we cannot let ourselves be swayed by fear just because we don’t understand it!” The Marquess declared.

  “Rest assured, I will personally take responsibility and look deeper into this matter!” His voice softened as he looked at me with confidence.

  I nodded as the Marquess's guards escorted me to a carriage, the crowd still glaring at me with a piercing gaze.

  As the carriage drove off, I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but it wouldn't go away… the Marquess’s words had been reassuring, yet I couldn't shake the feeling of dread. Still—I had no choice but to put my trust in him.

  As the carriage rolled through the village, the scenery outside began to change. The cart shook as the wheels struck the brimstone-covered road. It all felt so unreal, like a dream… before I knew it, we had suddenly arrived at our destination.

  ***

  —The noble mansion of Fie Von Drachj?ger—

  A few hours later the Marquess had suddenly sent for me. I was escorted by the same maid who had a stare-down contest with Tess… yup she’s scary—but I couldn't help being curious.

  “Uhm, do you know why the Marquess is summoning me?” I glanced at the maid and forced an awkward smile.

  She looked back, her expression unchanged. “No, I don’t know the specifics… only that he needs you to come at this very moment.”

  “Ohh, I see.” My voice cracked a bit as my stomach began to twist, slightly.

  We arrived at the great hall, and as we walked in I was suddenly greeted by familiar faces as Grey, Jen, Tess and Simon were present… Before I could approach them someone suddenly pulled me in my arm.

  “Ann? What are you?—” She pulled on me hard, before I could finish my sentence.

  As she dragged me along, I tried to get in eye contact with her but immediately realized that something was off… She didn't have her usual energy as her smile was gone, replaced by a cold and distant demeanor.

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  “Ann, is everything alright?” I asked awkwardly.

  She snuck a quick glare, her expression unchanged as she didn't respond.

  “Ahh, there he is… thank you for bringing him, Anja!” The Marquess stood with his arms wide.

  “Yes father.” Ann humbly replied as she curtsied, slightly bowing her head.

  Huh? Ann—acting like a lady?

  I was taken aback by Ann's behavior, but it really shouldn't come as a surprise… She is Anja Fie Von Drachj?ger, the Marquess' daughter after all. It’s not like I haven't seen this side of her before—just rarely, since she usually prefers tackling me like a football.

  As I shook my head trying to snap out of it, Ann stared at me with a sharp gaze… I tilted my head slightly at her uncharacteristic demeanor, that’s when I suddenly felt a chill running down my spine…

  I turned my head as I realized that the Temple Order had just entered the grand hall. As my eyes drifted from the Acolytes, Sentinels and Conductor, I stopped—at a tall slender woman with a cloth covering her face.

  “Wait, why is the Seer here?” I widened my eyes in surprise.

  “Welcome, thank you for showing up at such a short notice!” The Marquess raised his hand towards the Seer, as she closed the distance between us and bowed elegantly.

  “Of course my Lord, when one is summoned by the legendary Drachj?ger’s—one can only comply!” The Seer spoke with sincerity.

  “I still appreciate your quickness… this matter is utmost important.” The Marquess smiled warmly.

  “Is this the boy?” She looked straight at me, despite her blindfold.

  “Yes, I humbly request an appraisal for this boy.” He placed his hand on my shoulder.

  The Seer tilted her head as she closed in, only a hair’s breath from my face.

  "He's not a noble, and yet… your lordship is requesting a royal appraisal?"

  The Marquess nodded as I quickly snuck a glance around the room, Jen, Grey and Tess stood frozen at the sidelines as Simon… well he looked like himself, expressionless…. Ann however was pouting as she was slightly pulling my clothes.

  The Seer reacted to one of the Acolytes, he approached her and revealed an Orb in his hands… he then elegantly handed it over to the Seer.

  As the Seer was getting ready, murmurs could be heard in the great hall—only a few guests and the household servants were allowed to witness the event.

  The Orb then flared up as she gently hovered her hand above it.

  “Young man… place your hand on the Orb.” The Seer gestured as she spoke in a calm voice.

  I paused for a moment as I looked around, everyone was staring at me, their gaze so intense that I thought I was gonna catch on fire… Jen and Grey nodded signaling me to do it as I took a deep breath as I stepped closer to the Orb.

  The Orb was already glowing as the Seer seemed to do something.

  “Is it fine to place my hand since it already seems to glow?”

  The Seer let out a small chuckle. “Yes, this one is different from the other Orb, as it is more precise in measuring Manaflux.”

  I tilted my head as I looked at the glowing Orb. With reluctance I placed my hand onto the Orb—suddenly I felt something surge as my hair on my skin rose and electrified the air.

  The Orb now fully glowed, something seemed to slowly appear.

  The Orb flickered for a moment… then…

  —Silence—

  As I stood frozen at the sight of the Orb going dark, the hall stood in dead silence, as if all the air was sucked out.

  I slowly glanced around as everyone's eyes were locked at the Orb, holding their breath… Jen, Grey and Tess had a worried expression on their faces, even Simon seemed a bit confused.

  I snuck a glance at the Marquess, his expression hardened as he stared at the Orb.

  Suddenly I felt something warm close to my face, as I turned the Seer had placed her hand under my chin, as if examining me.

  “Interesting,” she said in a calm voice, breaking the tension.

  The Seer removed the cloth that covered her eyes, revealing her jade-like glowing, green eyes… That’s when I realized that she was the same elf who had performed Ann’s appraisal two years ago..

  Her gaze met mine as her eyes began to shimmer. Then, her expression contorted into disbelief—her pupils darting back and forth.

  “Huh? What’s this? You…you don’t belong in this world!” Her eyes widened as she spoke, a faint tremble in her voice.

  The crowd looked at one another as confusion filled the hall as whispers slowly broke out… My eyes widened as sweat began pouring down.

  Ohh no, this is getting really bad!!

  The Seer closed her eyes as she shook her head, as if she didn't believe what she was seeing… She then moved closer as she gazed deeper into my eyes.

  “I see an endless void, it’s—no, I see destruction!!” The Seer instinctively took a step back as her voice broke…

  The whispers grew louder as the hall began to buzz with confusion. The Seer stood with her hand on her chest as her breathing became erratic, her eyes wide and pupils still darting back and forth.

  The Seer murmured under her breath as tears ran down her eyes, as if she couldn't make sense of it. “Dark void, a dark void…”

  I froze, not knowing what to do.

  The Marquess stepped in as he ordered the Acolytes to take care of the Seer. He then raised his hand, ordering everyone to silence.

  “Anja, please take Leo to the study, I'll be there in a moment.”

  Before I could reach, Ann took me by the hand and pulled me along.

  As we walked away I glanced back at the others as they had a grim expression on their faces… I looked away as doubt filled my thoughts—

  What does all of this mean?

  ***

  The sound of the clock ticking echoed in the study room as Ann and I sat down, staring into the air while the maid poured tea.

  “Will that be all, Lady Anja?” the maid asked as she finished pouring tea into Ann’s cup.

  “No, thank you.” Ann shook her head, as she dismissed the maid.

  I stared into my cup lost in thought as the sound of the maids' footsteps disappeared. As I took a deep breath, Ann stood suddenly in front of me, her face extremely close to mine.

  “Hey! Ann what are you—” She flicked my nose—so unladylike, but so her.

  “Stop sulking!! This is not you!” Ann said in a commanding voice.

  As I caressed my nose while sulking, she leaned in, placing her forehead against mine.

  “It's gonna be alright, don't worry… Father will take care of everything.” Ann’s voice softened as she gently caressed my head with her hand.

  A warm sensation filled me as the tension slowly began to leave my body. I let out a small chuckle as I couldn't believe that this was the same Ann I had met two years ago… she's slowly growing up into a reliable adult.

  Suddenly she brought her hands together as she slapped me hard on the cheeks, as if to wake me up, as I stared at her, still in shock from the sudden hit she smiled at me.

  “It's time—you ready?” she looked me straight in the eyes, then her gaze shifted to something behind me.

  I turned my head to see her father standing in the doorway.

  “Anja, a moment with him alone, please.” The Marquess instructed her.

  “No, I want to stay.” Ann pouted, as she rested her hands on her hips.

  He sighed, “I'm serious Anja, don't make me force you!” The Marquess said as his voice turned serious.

  “Fine.” Ann walked out showing her displeasure. She looked back and raised her finger, pointing it at her father. “I won’t forgive you if you do something to hurt Leo!”

  She then stomped out the door as she left her father speechless… The Marquess then turned his attention towards me as he walked over and took a seat at his desk.

  The Marquess cleared his throat as he looked at me with a serious expression.

  “I’m afraid what has happened today will not remain a secret for long… rumors are already spreading… It won’t be long before it reaches the entire region—perhaps even the capital.”

  I furrowed my brow as sweat rolled down my face. “What does it mean?”

  “I don't know, but nobody seems to understand what’s happening?

  But an Orb not showing anything shouldn't be possible.

  However, the Seer's prophecy is another matter entirely.”

  The Marquess took a deep breath as he continued.

  “The Seer’s vision will be taken as a sign of bad omen—a sign of a curse.”

  The Marquess stood up as he towered over me. “I know you are too young to understand this, but someone like you being here will only complicate matters further."

  “I am truly grateful for your service to our family. I will do what I can to keep these rumors from becoming exaggerated. But if we continue to associate with you, it will be seen as a sign of weakness… I cannot allow that, as it will put my family in danger.” He explained with a hint of sadness in his voice.

  “But unfortunately that also means I cannot endorse you to the royal academy and you are hereby relieved of your duty… And, I must also forbid any further meetings between you and my daughter.” The Marquess closed his eyes as he paused for a moment.

  I looked down as I contemplated my choices. If push comes to shove the Marquess can handle the villagers—but the nobles are another story… if any of his rivals senses weakness, they might move to strike.

  Ahh, seriously, nobles are a crazy bunch… Even though they live in the same nation, they still fight each other for power—what a bunch of losers.

  The Marquess walked up to me as he placed his hand on my shoulder.

  “I wish you the best of luck, please take what you need and leave by nightfall.”

  I could feel his reluctance. It must’ve been a punch to the gut, considering how much effort he and Tess had invested in me… I nodded as I turned and walked out the door.

  As Ann tried to approach me, the Marquess stopped her as she saw me disappear into the darkness.

  ***

  A few days later in Tess’s office.

  I stood frozen as I stared in shock at the piece of paper that Tess had handed me.

  As I was reading it, anger began to slowly fill me as I clenched my fists—fuming.

  My eyes shot towards Tess as I gave her a sharp look.

  “What do you mean by I'm being expelled?”