Chapter 33 - Despair of the Damned (Patreon)

BOOM!

The castle shook as if it was at the epicenter  of the greatest of earthquakes. Explosions fired off so rapidly that it was easier to consider the chain of them to be one massive phenomena than try to recognize each one as an individual event. No painting, chandelier, decorative bauble or trimming could remain in place or intact. All fell to the ground where they continued to shake or move due to the tremors, or shattered into countless pieces that moved just as freely.

“MOVE! MOVE!” Elena screamed, pulling Olfric through the falling seams and stone, through a quick circuitous route that seemed to go nowhere. He didn’t know exactly what the changeling had in mind, but he had to assume that she had a plan and wasn’t just blindly running from one room to another.

“WHAT ARE WE DOING?”

“SAFE!” Elena yelled back. “ROOM! NOW!”

Why were they being attacked? Who was attacking them? Where was Banksi? And why was Elena taking this strange route? A hundred questions bombarded Olfric’s mind but he kept those at bay, following Elena as the changeling took a narrow corridor.

That they were yet to get hit by fractured stone from the ceiling helped.

“Where’s Zuken?”

“Fighting!” said the changeling. “We must! Keep moving!”

“No way!” He held back, causing her to whirl around at him in anger. But he didn’t care. “I’m not going to run like a coward! Kami or not, I can fight —”

“Not this one,” Elena urged, with a  small bit of force. It was crude and rude, but now was not the time for posturing. “We’re far too close to the battle should things turn out worse. We must get to the safe room.”

“But who’s attacking us—”

“No more — JUMP!”

The ceiling came crashing down.

“Olfric! Olfric? OLFRIC —”

…

…

“Olfric! Wake up!”

Olfric blinked several times, and opened his eyes. It took him a moment to remember that he wasn’t inside the falling Banksi mansion. It took him another to register the white walled hallway, the glass-panes on the extreme right, and the couch on which he had fallen asleep. Then he turned to his left and identified the source of the voice.

“El—ena, what —”

“The Overseer has returned. I arranged a meeting with him in the first hour.” she said.

He blinked again. “You arranged a meeting?”

“With the Overseer, as promised,” Elena replied without the slightest inflection in her tone. “Now get ready. We can’t be late.”

“Are you sure that the Overseer will even entertain us?”

“Trust me. I got us out, didn’t I?

That she did. He’d have never expected it, but the frail-looking changeling had been instrumental in getting them a safe exit out of the collapsing mansion. She had led him to a safe room that lay in the depths of the hill the mansion was built on, from where they had exited out of a system of tunnels that led to one of Banksi’s many safehouses — this one located close to the Overseer’s offices. The Overseer had been away to meet Lord Naowa, the Shogun of Haviskali, and they didn’t know whom to trust, so they had stayed within the safehouse.

That the place was stocked with water and preserved rations spoke a lot about Banksi’s preparations. He’d have normally called it paranoia, but given the situation, he’d have to call it foresight.

Olfric rubbed his eyes and stumbled out of the couch and into the bathroom. Snarling, he smashed a fist against the wall, his knuckles aching from the violence, wild rage and frustration running rampant all over him. He struggled, but he couldn’t force the images out of his head. It was close to a month since the event, and he still had nightmares about it.

“You okay?” Elena asked from the doorway.

Olfric gathered himself up, very slowly. He didn’t have time to groom, so just washing his face would have to do for now. He needed answers and he needed them quickly. Elena had briefed him about how the Shimizu clan had attacked the mansion, and captured Zuken alive. It was probably one of the better outcomes.

Better than him dead anyway.

“I’ll live,” he said. He gave her a thorough look-over. “Do you think the Overseer might know what happened?”

“I’m sure he does,” she said. “He’d be a fool if he expects us to believe otherwise.”

“And do you think he knows why Banksi was attacked?”

Elena shrugged. “Even if he does, I doubt he’d tell me. You on the other hand…”

“Me? Why me? You’re Banksi’s Number One.”

“And you’re an Asukan Clan heir.”

“A cast-off.”

“Better than a changeling.”

Elena was right. Regardless of his close association with Banksi, Tatun Kinosu was an Asukan supremacist to the core. He glanced at Elena who was looking at him thoughtfully.

“Come,” she said.

…

…

…

Fifteen minutes later, both of them had crossed the distance between their safehouse and the Overseer’s office, which was located inside a large fortified citadel, with over a hundred bureaucratic offices setting up shop inside it. There was a large dormitory set up for the militant branch, where Olfric could generally be confident of finding a surly, suspicious face. It was also possible that members of the Cobalt Army, with whom he had established some camaraderie in the aftermath of the entire ‘Tanya’s Sinning’ incident. The cafeteria and administrative offices were nearby, so it was hands down the busiest part of the stronghold.

They went down the hall that led to the administration offices and finally found the corridor that led to the Overseer’s office on the sixth floor. The area was heavily secured by Onmyōji and spiritists, most of them water and earth-types,

“This way,” he gestured, after passing through several checkpoints until a maid ushered them to the Overseer’s office.

“Remember,” he told her. “No matter what happens. No Charming. The guards here are trained against psionics. Even if we find that he’s thrown in with the Shimizu clan over this, we have to silently walk out and figure our next movements. Even the slightest bit of hostility will make the guards attack us.”

As they entered the office, Olfric gave a small head jerk at the man sitting opposite the desk. He was a stocky old man, easily crossing fifty, clean shaven, dark-skinned with tattoos engraved on his body, starting from the tip of his scalp and running all the way downward. His blunt, strong features were smooth and unreadable, but he met his gaze and gave him a very small, very precise nod. The message was clear.

He knows why I am here.

“Please,” said Tatun Kinosu. “Sit.”

“I believe you know the reason behind our visit, Overseer.”

Elena, who was sitting next to him, cringed at his blatant statement. Then again, Olfric had never claimed to be any good at diplomacy. He was a direct man that followed the rules to the letter, with very clear and rigid ideas of right and wrong.

“I have some idea, yes.”

“Do you know why Zuken Banksi was attacked?”

A small smile formed on the man’s face. “You don’t like to waste time, do you?”

Olfric shrugged. “I was raised to be an Omnyoji. I left diplomacy to others long ago.”

The smile widened slightly, before the man gave him a small, cursory nod.

“We want to get him back. Preferably through political channels. Can you please help us?”

The Overseer shook his head like an old mammoth. “Unfortunately Bergott, my hands are tied in this matter. Ultaf Shimizu is a member and Acting-Lord of the Shimizu clan, one of the Sacred Eight. He had already sent a notice to Lord Naowa, that his business with Zuken Banksi might have some… detrimental impacts on the local environment for which he has sent a reasonable compensation, claiming that their business lay with Banksi and Banksi alone.”

“And Lord Naowa just allowed it?”

“I am the Overseer of this town, and there’s hardly anything worth knowing that happens here without my knowledge. I know that Ultaf Shimizu visited Zuken over a month ago. My staff has also reported spy movement around Banksi’s hill over the month, which ended with the sudden attack at his mansion. It is true that Lord Naowa’s clan is one among the Sacred Eight, but the Shimizu’s claim is a rather bold one. They mentioned something about extraditing a criminal. There was a claim about Banksi sheltering someone that belonged to the Shimizu or had stolen something from them. I am not aware of the particulars.” he paused, and then pushed himself forward, eyeing Olfric.

“Tell me, is this about that metamancer that fought my guard? Is he the criminal the Shimizu wanted to extradite?”

Olfric shook his head. “Lukas Aguilar is a pain in the ass, but no, he’s not your guy.”

Tatun Kinosu slumped back into his seat. “Just an idle curiosity, you understand?”

Olfric nodded. The Asukan Empire was divided into forty-three nations, each of them ruled by Shoguns appointed by the Emperor himself. Out of the hundred and twenty seven clans that existed in the entire Empire, there were eight that held the title of Noble and occupied the highest position in the pecking order, right below the Emperor himself. In fact, even the Emperor could not directly act in a matter involving any of the Sacred Eight without a two-thirds majority supporting his actions.

And with due reason too. For to become a Sacred Eight, the clan must give rise to a King — a Level-5 persona. Eight Clans — eight Kings, with five of them having absolute mastery over the five elements — Fire, Water, Wind, Earth and Ether. Out of the other three, two were lifeforce-warriors that had taken their aptitude to the highest zenith. The final member was the Emperor himself, with King-level mastery over Eternal Light.

Quite naturally, Lord Naowa, being a Sacred Eight member, would not casually interfere with the Shimizu’s personal confrontations with Zuken. But Zuken wasn’t just another guy, was he?

“I hear what you’re saying, Overseer, but this is Zuken Banksi we’re talking about. Third son of Trestan Banksi, the current Earth King. Forgive me for being so impertinent, but the Shimizu haven’t even had a King in the last three generations. It’s well known that they’ll lose their Sacred Eight status after the current generation. And yet, they’re being so bold to attack the Earth King’s son, causing mass damage and capturing him while in Lord Naowa’s territory… How is this allowed? What kind of precedent—”

“Have care how you speak,” said Tatun suddenly, a sternness lining his voice. “Just because you work for Banksi doesn’t mean I’ll…” He trailed off, as Olfric went silent.

The Overseer paused, and looked at him apologetically. “Forgive me… I  lost control.”

“You know something.”

Tatun Kinosu rose up from his chair and marched straight to the bar. He got down a bottle of black glass and poured an amber fluid into three shot glasses, and with a flick of his hand, floated them to the table, gesturing at them to have one.

Olfric took a glass and downed it. The liquor left a scouring heat in his chest as it went down, and he wanted it. Elena took hers and gulped it down without twitching an eye-lash. Tatun took a polite sip and observed her with a faint trace of amusement.

“As someone who considers Zuken a friend… of sorts, let me impart a small piece of advice to you. Wherever you go, whoever you talk to, do not mention Zuken’s connection to his father under any circumstances. It will deprive you of any potential aid you might get.”

“But… why?”

“Because the Earth-King despises him,” said Elena in a small voice. “Zuken left the palace as a nobody and forged his own shadow empire through years of painstaking effort. The Earth-King will not involve himself in this matter, and even if he does, it won’t be to help him.”

Olfric stared at her, flabbergasted. “But… why?”

“So..” Tatun observed, looking at her shrewdly. “You know.”

“Zuken trusts me,” said Elena simply.

“Must have,” said the man. “The number of people that know about his exact relationship with his father can be counted in one hand. But rest assured, if there is one thing the Earth King detests more than Zuken, it is Zuken using his name to get out of political situations. He will, of course, offer aid in this situation if you approach him, to save face if nothing else, but the consequences will be… dire.”

Olfric clenched his fists and looked down. “I didn’t know about Zuken’s history. I had always assumed him to be one of the many heirs of the Banksi name. He might not have  been the most powerful spiritist, but he was always strong. He was there when my own family called me a failure and threw me out. Zuken had no reason to help but he did. Ever since then I’ve trained and grown stronger in hopes of gaining a kami more powerful than the one I lost, because Zuken Banksi believed in me. Failure or not, he’s a true Asukan in my eyes, and I’ll stop at nothing to get him out of the Shimizu’s clutches. All I need is a little help from you.”

The  Overseer took another sip. “What kind of help?”

“Military support. Oh, and a water-type kami from the Haviskali Shrine.”

“Of course,” said the Overseer, as if it were the sort of favor he could have done to him just for the asking. “Though, though I’m unsure what a Level-1 or at best, a Level-2 kami can do against a warlord. I’m certain Miss…”

He nodded towards the changeling.

“Elena.”

“Miss Elena works for Zuken. I’m certain she can enlist enough hired support. Zuken’s personal hires exceed far more than what I can provide you.”

“I can,” Elena vouched.

“I was expecting something on the level of the Cobalt Army,” said Olfric.

The Overseer snorted. “Hiring the Cobalt Army to attack the stronghold of one of the Sacred Eight? You might as well ask them to commit suicide. The best I can offer you is private adventurer support.”

Olfric pushed away the empty glass with his fingers. “Can I count on you in this then? Or will you claim neutrality and wash your hands off this matter?”

The man put his hands flat on the table and looked down at them for a slow five count, considering his words before he answered. “I’m only the Overseer of this town. I answer to Lord Naowa. It is not my place to intervene in matters involving the Sacred Eight.”

Olfric gritted his teeth. “So you’ll sit here, dawdling your thumbs and do nothing?”

For the first time since he met the Overseer, the man’s eyes flashed with real anger, and the air between them grew literally physically hotter. And suddenly he remembered that despite his calm demeanor, the man had been a high-ranking Master pyromancer in his time. One who had fought and bled in the numerous wars between the Llaisy Kingdom and the Eaborid Kingdom.

“Think carefully,” he said in a very quiet voice, “before you call me a coward.”

The anger inside Olfric wanted to spill out. But he knew what would happen, and he knew that the man deserved better. There was a reason why Tatun Kinosu was in charge of Haviskali, a town that was closest to the Eaborid Kingdom, and had maximum chances of facing an attack. He stuffed the rage back down and lifted the fingers of one hand in mute apology.

Tatun nodded, mollified, and some of the tension went out of him. “I was going to say that I cannot intervene directly, and neither can Lord Naowa, especially because he has nothing to gain and everything to lose by interfering in this matter. It does not help that Zuken is staying quiet about the entire thing.”

“Wait, what does Lord Naowa have to lose?” asked Elena.

Tatun frowned, and Olfric noted a slight waft of annoyance in his expression. “Had this been only the Shimizu, Lord Naowa might have involved himself. As much as it annoys me, Zuken has grown to become a substantial asset to the man over the years. The problem is that the Shimizu have support on their side, a very strong, very influential support.”

He met Olfric’s eyes. “Trestan Banksi.”

“The Earth King himself?”

“As your lady friend mentioned, the Earth King despises Zuken. Even if it is his son standing on the other side, the Earth King cannot be convinced to withdraw support.”

“But that’s…. That’s wrong.”

The Overseer inclined his head. “It’s politics.”

“You said you cannot interfere directly. So there must be some help you can get me?”

A small smile formed on the Overseer’s lips. “As a matter of fact, there is. I’m not sure how Zuken managed it, but just two days ago, I received information from a very influential contact of mine. Someone that is well-known in the upper echelons of the Empire. Lady Kandra.”

‘Lady Kandra…” Olfric repeated blankly. “I’ve never heard of her.”

The Overseer chuckled. “I should hope not. Lady Kandra is a power broker, and part of a very selective fraternity in the upper echelons of the Empire. I have never interacted with her personally, few have to be frank, but I have had dealings with her in the past.”

“You don’t know her but you trust her?”

Another chuckle. “I trust in the veracity of her information. If knowledge is currency, then Lady Kandra is richer than Lord Naowa and Mujin Shimizu together. I assure you, Zuken Banksi knew who Lady Kandra is, and like me, he respects her network.”

“And you think Zuken asked her for help?”

“I do not think anything,” the Overseer asserted. “I received a letter from Lady Kandra, she had two requests. The first was that I should help her representatives to the utmost. And second, that my meeting with them coincides with yours.”

“She knew we were…” Olfric stared at him. “But… why?”

“I’ll let them answer it themselves.”

As the man said those words, a large painting that decorated the wall to Olfric’s left slid to one side, revealing a doorway from two hooded figures stepped into the room. Olfric staggered up, his paranoia skyrocketing as lifeforce surged through him. Every inch of his body was screaming at him to break the door open and get out of the room, before it was too late. The only problem was that Elena was sitting on that damned chair, staring at one of the newcomers like she had just seen a ghost.

“You…” said the changeling, “it can’t be.”

“I see,” the Overseer noted. “You’re familiar with each other.”

“More than familiar, Overseer Kinosu,” said the familiar voice of Maude, as she lifted her hood, giving Olfric an eye-smile.

“But  — I thought — I thought you were —” he stammered.

“Dead?” Maude asked. “I’m too pretty to die so quickly, Olfric. And I’ve brought someone special too,” she said, looking exactly like he remembered her before the possession, as the other figure lifted her hood and met his eyes.

It was Tanya.