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“Hey, calm down!” interjected cautious bystanders, few ran to his side

“Keep him to the ground!” they ordered, time ticked – Lord Fife exited the private quarters – fingers trembled, he inched with a traumatized look.

‘What have I done?’ he watched his bloodless hands. Harrowing death cries spiraled in on the dancefloor. Owner of the pub arrived in stride, “-I’ve called for the doctors,” he said and ran to the injured parties.

“How dare you!” fired the angered crowd, “-we dance under the threat of death?” many looked above, “-decorations fell and nearly killed one of the patrons!”

A somber figure latched around Fife’s shoulder, “-such is the pleasant melody of death and suffering. Hear, observe, and breathe,” whispered Igna, “-take in the lasting sentiment the man ought to ever feel. Watch as he breathes the last breath and imagine your crew, the proud air fleet of Xinfe falling to the volcano – many burnt alive. Those who died instantly were blessed, alas, many suffered,” the shadow took a step into the man’s field of vision, “-and sadly, for them,” he said, “-there was no heaven or hell for the lasting trauma shan’t leave,” hands in the pocket, Igna shuffled around the crowd and stepped outside.

‘I need to know,’ a haunting pain in the chest had Fife sprint after Igna, “-DEVIL!” he cried into the dark street. The looming figure waited beside the door; smoke puffed from a cigar.

.....

“I need to know,” the broken man jumped, roughly landed, the ankle turned harshly, yet, he clinched and hurried, “-I need to know, I need to know,” he gasped, “-I need to know.”

“Know what?” returned a thick puff.

“Will killing more people make this feeling go away?” he sniffled, “-I d-don’t I c-can’t.”

“You’ve killed kin, a celestial. Someone who lived the same as you. I’m afraid, Lord Fife, what thee feels is guilt, tis thy conscience speaking. Pay heed for it never leaves – the guilt is such that one must learn to live with it. If thee wishes for an easy solution – tie a noose round thy head and bid the world adieu. I will be back,” he pushed against the wall and stood, “-and when I return, I shall collect.”

Later said night, the General of the Danio familia was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospice. Doctors and scholars were stunned; the cause looked similar to the plague of the monster curse. Shortly past midnight rang from an elaborate cuckoo clock. The study tightened – a single door and shut blinders. Books disarranged upon tables and couches.

Tania, back from the vacation, sat on a rocking chair with knees to her head. She bobbed and hauntingly watched the guest. Strong footsteps occasionally wandered outside. ‘-Been a few hours,’ gulped Gustv, ‘-and this little girl doesn’t break eye contact. What sort of place is this...’ Firmer clops broke through the mesmerizingly looped sounds. Igna climbed the stairs, took a sharp right for the study, and entered, “-my, Tania,” the doors shut, coat upon a hangar, Igna gave the guest a once over, “-how long?”

“Since he arrived,” she said and eventually broke the scary posture, “-master, you always said to be wary of strangers.”

“And I said to keep a distance to those whomst thee have no information about. The poor guests on the verge of breaking down,” he passed Gustv and nodded, “-my apologies,” and arrived at Tania. “-It’s late, head to bed,” sweets manifested from the empty palm, “-there, a little bribe.”

“This is too little,” she narrowed, “-I need at least twice as much.”

“How about this, you take twice and forget about breakfast tomorrow. Little scoundrel,” he messed her hair, “-no swindling your teacher.”

“I have leverage!” she rose her tiny fist, “-I have reports from the scouting unit.”

“And I must ask, where, when, and why did you procure these reports?”

“Earlier today, when I saw you tell him to get on board. Teacher never brings guests. I ran over to the guards, asked for the report, and said you sent me,” she smugly grinned, “-I’m an apprentice to the best,” she winked.

“Good,” instead of twice, Igna summoned an entire backpack, “-very impressive. Here is the reward, there’s gold coin – use them towards the search. Leave the report at my office on the way down.”

“Understood,” arms through the shoulder straps, “-later, teach.”

“Right,” he waved, leaving the guest stumped for words.

“By the curious look, have something to ask, Gustv?” he settled on the opposite seat, opened a bottle of liquor, and poured a drink, “-would you like some?” he checked the table, “-I suppose not, else the servants would have served already. Would you like some now though?”

“No, I’m not much a drinker,” he returned, “-and yes... the girl, Tania, she outsmarted and...”

“Oh, that,” he leaned and sipped, “-tis part of her training. I encourage intrigue at a young age, the earlier they learn how to plan, act, discover, and overturn situations, the better. Strength isn’t solely about forcing one’s head through the door. Sometime, the passive and attentive approach is necessary. Example, you and I,” he smiled, “-I have what you want, and you have what I need. Henceforth, shall we get to the negotiations?”

“Negotiations?”

“Yes,” the fellow held quite the array of extreme expression. Igna fondly observed, for one reason or another, Igna’s glasses were very intimidating, and to a fellow named ‘wiseman’ responsibility for the relatively small shoulder was quite a load, “-you want to learn about Intherna, the information doesn’t come cheap.”

“First, I need to examine the blessing...”

“Sure,” Igna waved, an image of Intherna’s crest hovered to the guest. Pupils reflected the symbol immaculately, “-take in the image. Tis rare to see and hear from Alterian Goddesses.”

“Alterian gods... Lord Igna, you know about them?”

“Yes, and I doubt few know and much less believe in the Alterians. The upper realm beyond mortality ranges from; angel, demi-god, God, low-tier, mid-tier, high-tier, and lastly supreme god. The Alterian gods are those chosen divine with the potential to occupy the seat of the supreme god. Rah, in many religions, is believed to be the supreme god. Naturally, belief and faith play a major part in a god’s abilities. Intherna, daughter to Rah, is also revered by her people, and similarly to her father, she can also occupy the seat of supreme being once certain conditions have been met. Hence, the title of Alterian – a play on ‘Alternate’. How about it,” another sip, another stare,” -does my credibility add?”

The eyes closed, “-perhaps I’ll take one of the offered drinks,” guard lowered. “Intherna’s familia, or the bloodline of Rah...” he horned on the drink, “-because of status amassed by our gods – we’re thought as elites. I don’t have a single idea about who I am, what I am, and what is it am supposed to be doing. My job’s to sit in the arena and pretend to care about what happens. Look at me, I’m a young adult, a celestial. Many in my friend group live better lives in a world far better and greater than this sham of a paradise.”

“You know of the outside world?”

“Obviously,” he pulled a smartphone, “-with good connections, one can easily acquire goods from the outside world. It’s not like we’re bound to this place... I have an aunt living in Hidros, here,” he tapped and pulled on her profile, “-she’s quite the looker. Anyway, kids my age are out there having fun, and I’m here learning about my family’s history. Because of this,” he lowered his neck collar, “-lady Intherna’s mark, I was deemed special.”

“Hold a moment,” paused Igna, “-boy, Gustv, the way you speak is very nostalgic.”

“Yeah, I lived most of my childhood in Hidros, I qualified to enter a magical academy... life was fine, and then, family responsibilities pulled me into Marinda. It’s a misconception that Celestials do not travel, everyone does – tis very rare and many opt to keep the voyage undercover. Fundamentalists don’t take favorably to breaking custom. Why is it you think the bloodlines haven’t united to fight the devil?” Simple, factions are wanting to break from the mundane olden ways. Revolution is out of the picture, Celestials are immortals – the leaders who’ve locked shackles, ‘-retired,’ so says the rumors; are deeply imbedded into politics.”

“The narrative changes,” said Igna, “-right,” he stood, “-take your coat, and hurdle up. I’m taking you on a trip to meet a very special person.” A few minutes passed, Rosespire II climbed ever so higher. Gustv and Igna waited outside, the cold stabbed.

*On my title of Watcher, I call upon the powers of the Shadow Realm, unshackle the binds, lift the cloud and open the portal,* a mischievous glance at Gustv, “-better hang tight.’

“Pardon?”

A harsh tunnel swept both off their feet, time flashed, and soon spat the duo on a lush hill under a big tree, “-my head,” he winched by the stump, “-where are we?” Sun rose on the horizon, a gentle color of peace, a relaxing breeze, and the sensation of endless possibilities. Gustv walked out into the open to an amazing sight – flying beasts carried parcels and people, they dodged airships above of which flew commercial planes, “-wherein the hell are we?” he asked again, “-this isn’t-”

“Not our world?” added Igna, “-true, tis, not the overworld, we’re in the Shadow Realm,” hands in the pocket, he snuffled down the hill, “-come on, follow,” they walked side-by-side. Maids and butlers nodded as Igna passed, so did guards and occasional nobly dressed personages.

One of the great halls thundered, “-By whose authority did you allow coffee to be served with milk?”

“Milk and coffee are the best things ever!”

“No, it isn’t. Are you stupid? How can one’s sense of taste be so out of reality.”

A humble trader blinked, “-wasting precious beans on the juices out a Judath cow. Who in the right mind enjoys the produce those monstrosities make?”

“Take that back!”

“No,” aura against aura, the bursts arrived in waves. Gustv forcibly looked away per the stinging sensation. Fiery red and inky black hair, “-some things never change.”

The trader, short and on hoofs, trembled at the argument, “-on lady Lilith, what am I supposed to do?” therein, an equally oppressive aura passed. The trader looked up and saw Igna, who casually nodded and entered the battlefield. Gustv stopped beside the trader, both of whom exchanged courteous smiles.

“This is the last time!”

“Every time is the last to you,” screeched across, spells conjured, a fireball against a void orb, they threw with perfect form, Igna teleported in the middle and held his arms in opposing directions. They escaped his reach, he dipped and clapped, “-HOLY!” life flashed before his eyes, “-Gophy, Intherna,” the smoke settled, “-who in the right mind uses that amount of power in a simple spell?”

The argument stopped – lashes fluttered at him, “-Igna,” leaped Intherna who suddenly flashed and close lined him into a tight embrace “-it’s been a long while.”

“Welcome back,” returned the more eloquent Gophy, her beautiful long hair swayed, “-you’ve grown stupider. Who in their right mind leaps into a battle between high-tier goddesses?”

“And who in the hell uses that amount of power in a simple spell?”

Intherna smiled and took the remark as a compliment, “-well, you know,” she smugly grinned, “-we do. Besides, the spells would have canceled one another.”