Chapter 240 - Breaching Trust

Mayalyn Aloyhee

Adrenaline shook Mayalyn's arms, as though the massive cathedral were still shuddering beneath her. The need to throw herself through the hole above was so strong, her chest ached at the denial of it. Jiran’s warnings of the suit's limitations, and fear she would melt a portion of it, stayed her hand.

Each metallic clunk of retreating footsteps deepened her frustration. When the auras around her vanished, she couldn't hold still another second. Scaling sideways, Mayalyn circled the molten ring of stones until she was above it. Heat radiated from beneath, singing her feet as she secured herself with a single hand. Her other grasped at the belt around her waist, flipping open the clasp on a particular pouch.

A cube the size of a knuckle floated free of its own accord and she snatched it before it could fly away. Her fingers played along its surfaces until she found the right side, depressing a button that released an ultra-thin needle. It painlessly pierced her palm and a flood of elementally flavored mana coursed into her body.

Mayalyn braced her feet and pushed against the wall, flipping into a headfirst freefall. Charging—her tier four skill—sent a burst of elemental wind through her bloodstream. The potent energy pooled in her leg before rapidly rising to the surface of her skin.

Gravity grasped at her considerable weight, sending her plummeting. Her core skipped its thrumming as first her head passed the threshold of the sizzling stone. A brief glance revealed an empty hallway with only a single unscathed section on one wall in the shape of two men. The rest of the space had been demolished by the brief skirmish. 

Not spotting movement, she thrust her powered leg away from the cathedral. The wind raging between her skin and suit released, passing through the thin material without hindrance and into the open air. The expected backlash came in the form of a giant fist of pressure that smashed into her, sending her tumbling end over end through the hole.

Her hand lashed out, palming the floor and sending her into an unstable handspring that she landed by sliding with relative grace on her three remaining limbs. Her core pumped excess mana into Obfuscation, resolidifying her camouflage. She held perfectly still, ears perked for the slightest indication anyone had been alerted by her daring maneuver.

When several seconds passed without a sound, she bolted to what was left of the door as quietly as she could. There was no one in the adjoining hallway. Double checking there were no auras pressuring her, she lifted her visor for a brief moment and took a deep whiff of the burnt air, catching more than a hint of Olive’s natural aroma.

Mayalyn’s face constricted as she bit back tears from the familiar scent. She hustled down the passage to her right; the walls pristine and smooth, littered with lavish decorations and paintings that she couldn't have cared less about. Nearing a four-way intersection, she ground to a halt, throwing her back against the wall as a group of guards came barreling around the corner. There were no auras among them, and they showed no sign of sensing her presence. She slid around the corner the way they had come, briefly lifting her visor to scent again.

Her frantic chase continued for several more twists and turns. She leaped down two flights of stairs, then slipped past several dozen groups of guards, staff, and clergy before a heavy aura pressed in around her, forcing her to take slow, measured steps to not give herself away. Thankfully, the aura passed quickly but only a few steps later was replaced by a significantly lighter one.

Feels like the cursed fur-chits who took her. I am close.

Turning a corner, she was met by a dead-end. A memory from one of her Great-grandfather's books flooded into her mind and she whirled around, expecting the trap.

No one was there, leaving her feeling completely ridiculous.

This is insanity! I am no neenjah with a fearie tail. Jiran and the others do not even know where I am! If I am caught, there will be no rescue. I am Olive’s only chance, I must be more careful. I must think.

With a light shake, she cast aside her tension and doubts, facing the empty hallway. She had scented right before the heavy aura and was positive they had taken Olive down this very hallway. With the guard’s Manabody around her, there was no way she would risk lifting her visor again to check exactly where they had vanished. Stealthily, she ran her fingers across the walls, searching for a hidden latch.

Every moment that slipped by without success brought her closer to facing the despair creeping up her spine. Olive was in trouble, hurt, and being taken to somewhere that gave her a very bad feeling. She refused to give up even after completing a pass of the entire space. She began again, redoubling her thoroughness and taking a small measure of solace in the fact she was still within the same aura, meaning they hadn't gone too much further.

It is almost certainly a latch inside the wall designed to be triggered with aura. If my only choice is to wait for another person to come this way and open the door for me, then that is what must be done. They will have an aura, and I will practically be on top of them as I follow them through. Chewpa droppings! Did I not just say I would be more careful? Is this the type of situations Jiran deals with during his insane adventures? I must remember to be nicer to him the next time he returns from one.

Can I truly afford to do as Jiran would do? He would smash through this wall, or any obstacle, to take Olive back no matter the danger. Ancestors guide me but I am being a fool.

Jiran of Madra

Jiran's only intent when powering Mana Venom had been to make himself the most trustworthy person in Mathayes’ eyes. Clearly, that translated to a god more trustworthy than the Voice itself.

I should have known. At least now I know not to do it like that next time.

“Please, My Lord! Command me! I exist only to serve!”

Glancing down at the back of the deacon’s head, which was still buried in the ground, Jiran was overwhelmed with gut-churning disgust. It helped that Gaze of Pediamus still colored the man’s affinity with an angry red Malice in his interface.

Guess being brainwashed by Venom doesn’t actually change how someone feels about me.

Their exchange had been brief. Having plotted out a dozen moves and counters before kicking down the door, and the deacon’s tier being at the bottom rung of tier eight, it wasn’t much of a surprise. Still, Jiran almost lost his composure upon seeing the man’s face. It was nearly identical to his old mentor, Samris Le’Feylon, the exiled son of Emperor Dagris. The man had taught Jiran everything he knew about melee fighting, including the very punch he'd used to crumple his older brother’s nose.

Hopefully, they weren’t on good terms or I might have some explaining to do when we run into each other again. He never did tell me where he ran off to, and I lost the ring he gave me that was supposed to help us find each other. I'm sure we'll run into each other eventually. If he doesn't show up before I figure out how to cure unique curses, I'll have Daughter track him down.

“I didn't betray you! This is the first time I've ever personally met Mathayes, I swear it!” Markhiss fell to his knees, his hands clasped.

“I know. He was lying,” Jiran’s simple response stunned Markhiss to silence, the man simply blinking up at him.

Jiran’s gaze never left Mathayes, most of his minds still churning over the best questions to ask. He didn't want to give his identity or true motives away, and with the man being three tiers above him, he wasn't sure if Venom’s memory wiping would be thorough, or permanent. Killing the son of an emperor was also completely out of the question.

“First off, do you know who I am?”

“No, My Lord. Please forgive my previous arrogance, I'll repent in any way you deem fit. Give me a chance, I beg of you!”

Jiran didn't outwardly respond, despite being relieved, “Markhiss, ask your questions. Mathayes, answer him as though you were answering me.”

“As you command, My Lord!”

“S-sure. What happened to him, Master—” Jiran cut Markhiss off with a sharp swing of his arm. Markhiss’ dark skin flushed and he dipped his head. “Apologies, My Lord,” he cleared his throat, facing the prostrate tier eight, ”Mathayes, tell us what you know about today’s operation between the church and Silence?”

“Certainly! Thank you for allowing this lowly servant to be useful to you, My Lord! A spectacular parade is to be held at high suns. The cardinal himself will be leading the festivities, and plans to announce several important changes regarding the future of the empire.”

“A parade? Why would they need to mobilize Silence for a parade?”

“The changes may be concerning to some, and several elements of the city guard are not yet on the cardinal’s side. Additionally, he has something planned for the rankers which I am unaware of, but I know it includes Silence.”

My parents live here now. I wonder if they'll be at the parade. Sounds like it could turn dangerous. Maybe I should drop in and check on them.

Markhiss continued, unaware of Jiran’s thoughts, “What changes?”

“First: the Church of the Voice will become a separate entity, no longer under the jurisdiction of the emperors. Second: The legions currently commanded by the church will become a private army that answers solely to the church. Third: The church will take the responsibility of protecting the empire from the undead hordes unto itself.”

“That's it?” Jiran wondered, pulled back into the conversation by the unexpected turn, “How is that enough to—wait, is he planning to publicly annihilate Silence to debut the strength of the church? Considering he wants to legitimize his rule, it makes sense. Clean up your shadowy organizations that’s been kidnapping children across the empire, and make yourself look like the heroes while doing it. Doesn't get any more classical ‘badguy’ than that.”

Mathayes shook his buried head, causing the floor to shift from his intense physical strength, “I-I don't know. The cardinal is a cautious man. Even after all our time together, he doesn't trust me solely due to the circumstances of my birth.”

Jiran's eyes narrowed, an ember of anger threatening to spark in his tone, “You make it sound like you work directly with the cardinal, is that true?”

“Yes, My Lord! He has been grooming me as his second in command for the last three years.”

“Is that so?” Jiran trailed off, his fury in tight check. If the man beneath him were responsible for sending Three after him with that collar of bone, this would be the last night of his life. Asking outright would break his cover and his minds churned into overdrive to figure out a way to naturally lead the conversation that direction, “Well, I can't blame him for not trusting you. You're Dagris' son. Tipping off the emperors early would have been a death sentence. But I don't think we have the full picture yet.” He motioned for Markhiss to continue.

Thankfully, Markhiss jumped right into a perfect segway, “How does the church have so many high tier ascenders?”

“Two hundred years ago, emperors Palo and Loro dug a series of labyrinths deep beneath the city. Each is filled with beasts of a specific tier, up through eight. They deemed it too dangerous to create another for tier nine, something the cardinal has often argued for.”

Figured it was something like that.

Jiran jumped in before Markhiss could change topics again, “Tell us more about these Numbered. How many are there, where are they, who commands them?”

“Numbered? You mean the Templari?”

“Templari. Figures they'd have a pompous name. If they're the tier nines with brands covering their bodies in the shapes of numbers, then yes, we're talking about them.”

“That can only be them, My Lord. They number at over two hundred, though only twenty are of the ninth tier. They are commanded solely by the cardinal. Each was individually selected and raised by him from a pool of young orphans. They believe him to be the very mouth of the Voice and are fiercely loyal. Please, do not underestimate the lengths they will go to for him.”

When he mentioned orphans, Jiran and Markhiss shared a look. Unaware, Mathayes continued, answering the last of Jiran’s questions, “The head Templari are currently in the Cathedral of Chords, protecting the cardinal. Unless they've been sent on a mission.”

Having his answer of exactly who was responsible for his recent troubles, Jiran smoothly changed the subject, “What about Palo and Loro, where are they?”

“They have yet to return from their trip north. I'm not sure even the cardinal knows their location.”

Jiran frowned, hoping they wouldn’t show up at the worst possible moment. He continued, carefully leading Mathayes toward answering the only question remaining that he truly cared about, “You mentioned a plan for the rankers?”

“Truly, all I know is that it will happen after the parade and that it includes Silence. Your hypothesis seems likely, and including the rankers in Silence’s annihilation would only add to the cardinal’s image.”

“Agreed. Where are the rankers now? Have they given the cardinal any trouble, or any reason to think they won’t cooperate?”

“No, none. They are guests of honor, staying quite comfortably at the Grandem Papal.”

Perfect! She's got to be there. If they moved her somewhere else, Lostrifar and Lenton would certainly have given the cardinal some ‘trouble.’

Jiran grinned, happy to have stumbled across far more answers than he'd expected. He motioned for Markhiss to continue but didn't pay much attention since the rest of his questions covered additional details about the parade. Jiran had no intention of being in the city by then, and he didn't care at all if Silence was wiped out, or if the church became independent.

When Markhiss was satisfied, Jiran pulled in his aura, activating Oneness. Before they had a chance to realize his intention, he dosed them both with Mana Venom, knocking them unconscious and wiping their memories of everything that involved him.

Convenient that I ran into Markhiss without having to track him down. Can't have him blabbing that I can steal skills from people to fix willpower. Only the emperors know that secret, and I'd like it to stay that way.

Jiran scooped Markhiss in his aura and took him outside, easily bypassing the guards. He flew out of the city, leaving the man face first in the grass with a full manapool. 

I'll let the others know where Olive is, then go cause a scene while they sneak her out. I wonder if the cardinal will change his plans after I disable his precious Templari. Losing his toys is a worthy price for trying to collar me. Can't be in a hurry to end him though. Not after how many lives he's ruined. I’ll let the emperors sort out a suitable fate, unless it's not harsh enough.

“Well Markhiss, thanks for protecting my people while I was gone. Since you’re cured, I’ll consider us even. May we never meet again.”