The Esoteric Design: Civilization Lost Page 33

  I’Lanthe gave a shuddering gasp, her hand motioning for Dovian’s right before she disappeared. Martelle’s body and wings traveled next. Sir Gaius spoke to Kitara. “Azera, make the preparations for Martelle.” He then dismissed the owl.

  The Elder’s blue glare fleeted to Dovian only for a moment before he turned toward the crowd. He pushed his hands forward, making a half circle above his head. A golden light trapped the humans within. Panic spread throughout the streets.

  He addressed the crowd. “You all are under investigation. Being human, you will be tried and judged within your own race’s judicial system. For now, everyone is a suspect and a witness.” Many protests sounded as the people pounded against the golden light, shouting as the touch was painful. Sir Gaius’ eyes softened, tears wetting the corners. “I’m sorry it has come to this.”

  With a clap of thunder, Sir Gaius disappeared, pulling his lineage with him. The sudden pull made Dovian nauseous. He dropped to his knees as they returned to Ives. It took a moment to gather his bearings, to realize he was in his great-grandfather’s office. Euclid sat in a chair before the Elder’s desk. The other two Gaius men stood on either side. Azera made a quick bow and took his leave. Dovian’s ears rang. He felt like his insides had flipped. There was no reason for it. He was well trained in the usage of teleportation, with single and multiple passengers. The day’s events swirled through his mind, and he fell sideways, his head pounding against the stone floor. Sir Gaius’ angry face was the last thing Dovian had seen before his sight faded to black.

  "Martelle’s Sacrifice"

  Chapter 16

  “Have we reached an understanding?” Sir Gaius questioned.

  The pale light from above accentuated the halo surrounding the Elder’s head. His garb once again was fastened to the grand cape that stretched toward the domed ceiling. As he moved, the chained clasps jingled in the silence of the room. The man’s eyes searched the faces of the Elders that sat on either side of him. Each member gave their small nod, hesitation coming from Jaleal before he gave a stern affirmation of his own. Clasping his hands, Elder Gaius gave a short bow and interlaced his fingers, his electric gaze moving to Euclid who sat in the center of the expansive hall’s aisle.

  Euclid shifted a bit in his chair. A spiteful scowl crossed his face as he watched his grandfather at the front of the room. Instead of looking to his grandson, Jaleal found his interest in the intricate designs of the rug decorating the aisle. Euclid’s frosty stare drifted to the side where he met his father’s eyes. Rhondin looked terrified; his long hair was a bit unkempt. No doubt stress was taking its toll on his body. Euclid’s frown hardened. His father was weak–pathetic and passive.

  “Euclid,” Sir Gaius’ rich voice echoed through the grand hall. “Upon deliberation with all members of the Elder Council, it has been decided that your status as an Azure warrior be temporarily revoked.”

  Euclid made an audible gasp, his face wrinkling into a look most distasteful. Kitara screeched, her eyes scanning the Azure man. Fardon’s irises spiraled as well, gathering the owl’s vision along with his own. Euclid had heard rumors about the Sorcēarian trial system. Still, he never could have imagined what it felt like to be under so much scrutiny. With the Elders, Kitara, and the audience surrounding him, Euclid may as well have been naked.

  “Your brash decisions and quick reactions to hurt humans have all of us concerned. By Sorcēarian code, we are to remain as passive as possible in every event.”

  “Passive? By what terms are we allowed defending ourselves?” Euclid snarled.

  Gaius pounded his palm against the arm of the chair. “Silence!”

  Euclid pushed back against his seat, gritting his teeth.

  “Self-defense and allowing a human to particulate by your tuner at your slight persuasion are completely different things. There are ways to disperse and stop violent humans. Destroying them, even by provocation, is not one of the appropriate actions.” Gaius remained strict in voice and expression, his pose stiff. “We are far more powerful than they are Euclid. With a mere snap of our fingers, we could easily destroy them all.”

  “Then, why don’t we?” Euclid growled.

  The room filled with gasps and murmurs.

  Sir Gaius glared. “That is not our purpose. We are here to learn their ways. To empathize with their hardships.”

  “And their lives are terrible! Repulsive! Their world is disgusting and full of nothing more than pain and sorrow!”

  “Euclid,” Narita spoke up. “We understand your current frustrations. In the heat of emotional turmoil, we all are at risk of making bad decisions. Your title is not being revoked merely because of your violent acts today. It is also for your own sake.”

  “For my sake?”

  “For your mental health,” Narita followed.

  “My…mental health?!” Euclid was dumbfounded. “My…MY mental health?”

  “You’ve been under a lot of stress, boy. You’ve fought in five consecutive wars with barely any rest between. Despite our warnings, you are far too quick to join in the fighting. We fear it’s made you a bit…too aggressive toward the other race,” Jaleal spoke. His dark blue eyes showed a hint of sadness and what seemed like fear. It only irritated Euclid further.

  “Aggressive…to a race that is hell-bent on destroying us all!” Euclid’s grip tightened around the arms of his chair, his knuckles whitening.

  “This is my fault.” Sir Gaius raised a hand. “Euclid, you have seen the terrors of humanity. Being in espionage, it places you along enemy lines. You’ve only interacted with those who kill, sabotage, and plague the innocents of the world. I believe some time off to focus on your meditations will help center your energies. You’ve always been full of darkness and blessed with a wonderful set of skills. I believe we should refocus your attention to using them in more positive ways.” Gaius paused for a moment before continuing. “Your previous applications to further your training as a Scarlet warrior and the potential of your one day becoming Gold status have been put on hold.”

  “On…hold?” Euclid gave a sharp hiss, his blood running cold. “You’re not allowing the advancement of my colors?”

  “Only until you can prove you are level-headed enough to hold these positions. Too much power gone unchecked will only endanger you and others.” Gaius awaited Euclid’s outburst.

  “You can’t–!” Euclid started. He quickly composed himself. Getting volatile at this moment will only further prove the Elders correct. His sight fell to the floor as his nails scraped the wood of the chair, creating splinters.

  “You will check in with Narita on a regular basis for psychological evaluation. You will not be allowed to attend any battlement meetings or participate in anything conflict related. You’re to focus on your energies of light. At a time where you seem to have centered yourself, you will then be placed on missionary duties, predominantly focusing on seminary and community service.”

  Euclid wanted to laugh and throw the chair across the room at the same time. It was utterly absurd. He bit his lower lip, lightly shaking his head.

  “It’s recommended you spend some time now in the chapel and meditate,” Sir Gaius offered.

  “And what should I meditate on?”

  The Elders exchanged irritated glances. Jaleal sank a bit in his chair. Sir Gaius remained even faced.

  “Should I meditate on how I am being punished for fighting back against a group of terrorists who murdered and maimed one of our own? Who nearly killed an innocent Emerald status woman and a group of children inside her own church? Or am I to reflect on the idiotic man who used my tuner and got himself killed by his own volition?” Euclid’s form remained rigid, his menacing glare set on the Elder Gaius. “How they killed Elysia? Nearly killed my father and permanently handicapped him? How they killed my own mother?”

  At the mentioning of Elysia’s name, the Gaius lineage all clenched their fists. Euclid gave a quiet laugh. He could feel the anxiety oozing from his father’s bei
ng. He knew Rhondin was now thinking of his wife and her untimely demise. The beautiful woman had been killed long ago when Euclid was a boy by a terrorist group who didn’t approve of her methods of teaching and her healing of the sick. She was helping humanity, only to be killed in return.

  “Euclid, are you finished?” Sir Gaius interrupted.

  Euclid’s heart pounded. How could the Elder be so indifferent about the deaths of his own kind? He would sacrifice them all for the sake of humanity.

  “Only if you are, sir.”

  The silence was nearly suffocating. Euclid went beyond embarrassment. At this point, all was lost to him. Why not be a bit more stubborn while he had everyone’s attention?

  “Your title as Azure is hereby revoked. Once you show signs of progress, we’ll allow you travel off the island. It is recommended that you learn to intermingle with the other race and possibly befriend a few.”

  Euclid spoke over the Elder. “House arrest? Are you forcing me to stay here? On Ives? For how long?”

  “That is entirely up to you.” Sir Gaius stood.

  Euclid rose as well, astonished. “Wait, you can’t….”

  Sir Gaius motioned to Azera. The large man moved from behind the Elder’s seat. As he took large strides, his golden armor clanked; his cape flowed behind him like a flickering wave of red-hot flame. Azera reached out, a golden light shooting from his fingertips. Euclid stumbled as a heavy weight of metallic spell bound light locked around his wrists. Azera inspected him with milky eyes that swirled like the cosmos.

  “Upon the approval of Sir Gaius, your tether will be removed,” Azera spoke in his baritone voice.

  The tether of golden light would prevent Euclid from facilitating the use of any tuners or form of teleportation. With Euclid being an Azure, it greatly hindered most of his abilities. Euclid tested one skill; the golden bindings sent a tingling shock down his arms; specs of light clattered to the floor. He grimaced and gave a foul look to the armored man. Azera seemed unimpressed. After his liquid eyes had searched Euclid’s form, the corner of Azera’s lip turned upward, and he spun away without another word.

  “This meeting is concluded. I thank you all for your time.” Sir Gaius gestured toward the crowd as he clicked a small metallic cylinder upon his chair, the sound echoing loudly.

  As the attendants rose, the room filled with a low rumble. Euclid dropped to his seat, his eyes locked on the golden bindings around his wrists. He was trapped, enslaved. All because he defended himself, Dovian, and I’Lanthe. But I’Lanthe had turned against him. She favored the humans, despite what they had done to her brother. Euclid couldn’t understand why anyone would stand before a group of murderers and allow them to live. Allow them to cheer and mock her race, her dead kin. The thought made his stomach sink. Just as he was feeling incredibly nauseated, a hand squeezed his shoulder.

  “Euclid,” Rhondin softly spoke. “I’m sorry.”

  “You speak now?” Euclid asked, his voice wavering. “Where were your words during the council meeting? During the trial?”

  “You know my words have no hold. I’m not yet an Elder, and you are my son. You’re lucky to have your grandfather at his seat during all this.”

  “And a lot he did for me,” Euclid scoffed.

  He looked up at his father and frowned. The sleeve of the older man’s robe had come undone around the shoulder of his missing arm and hung loosely at his side. As much as Euclid was often repulsed by his father’s lackadaisical ways, he still worried about the man.

  “You’ve not been taking care of yourself.” Euclid stood.

  He gently folded up his father’s sleeve and pinned it tightly to the shoulder seam. He secured the clasp with a glowing orb; a golden chain dangled from the gem. Smoothing the man’s clothing, Euclid fought many conflicting emotions.

  “You…you’re right, Euclid.”

  His fingers paused over his father’s button only for a second before he finished securing it.

  “They’ve done terrible things. To all of us. But the Elders are also correct. We have a mission. There are reasons as to why we are here.” Rhondin grabbed his son’s hand. “I worry about you.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about,” Euclid shortly grumbled.

  “Don’t you think some rest would do you good?”

  “Do me good?” Euclid sighed. “In what way? Since when is being caged a good thing?”

  “Don’t be so melodramatic.”

  Euclid growled.

  “Euclid, you need to settle down for a while. Perhaps find yourself a fine woman to love.”

  “What would a woman be other than a burden to me?”

  “Your mother was the greatest thing that ever happened to me.” Rhondin patted Euclid on the shoulder. “And you.”

  “I’m sorry, father.” The young man lightly ran his fingers along his bracelets. “Maybe you are right.”

  Rhondin, for the first time in ages, smiled. “Promise me you’ll at least give it a try. Relaxation for you is also beneficial to me.”

  “In what way?”

  “I’m not stressing over what trouble you will get yourself into next!” Rhondin gave Euclid’s shoulder a squeeze.

  At his father’s admission, Euclid frowned. He never wanted to cause his father any pain.

  “I promise,” he whispered.

  “Thank you.” Rhondin gave a short nod.

  The older Sorcēarian guided his son away from the chair in the center of the room. As they took their leave, Rhondin chanced a glance back. Sir Gaius stood in the shadows, watching over them. Fear washed over Rhondin. Euclid hadn’t been overtaken by his dark energies yet. But the older he got, the more he feared his son would give in. If he ever did, Euclid would have to be locked away indefinitely for the sake of humanity. The thought alone made Rhondin queasy. Since the day his beloved wife died, he had never felt so desperately like a failure. The temptation of the world was beginning to set in on the Sorcēarian race, and it was consuming Euclid.

  ***

  Dovian awoke to the feel of a cool wash rag gently tapping his forehead. Giving a low moan, he opened his crystalline eyes. His vision of blurred hues slowly focused on the emerald irises worriedly gazing upon him. Lita’s sad frown quickly turned upward.

  “Hey sleepyhead,” she said in an excited whisper.

  Dovian grabbed her wrist, steadying her hand. She was shaking.

  “Lita.”

  He searched his surroundings. He was in his bedroom. Last he remembered, he met with Sir Gaius about his temporary leave of Scarlet duties. Memories flickered in multiple flashes–Lita and the children, teleporting to her church, Martelle’s corpse, Euclid attacking the humans.

  Dovian tried to sit up. His head felt heavy and full of pressure; a dull tingle caused him to fall back.

  “I’Lanthe?” His immediate concern was not for himself but for I’Lanthe and her well-being after seeing her brother dead.

  “At home,” Lita barely managed to speak. “With her family.”

  “Her condition?”

  A small sigh heaved from the girl. “What do you think?”

  It was now nightfall, which meant hours had passed.

  “I have to see her….”

  As he tried to rise again, another bolt of pain forced him back down.

  Lita shook her head. “You were ordered to rest. Don’t worry. Her grandmother eased her into a deep sleep.”

  “What happened to me?” Dovian asked.

  Lita continued patting his forehead. The soothing tickle that followed made him aware of a light spell cast over the water.

  “You had an energy overload. That, coupled with your stress, caused you to faint. Your apparatus shocked your system pretty bad.” She dipped the cloth back into the water.

  “That explains the headache,” Dovian moaned.

  “Oh, no…that was caused by the impact of your fall. Gave yourself a fracture. When you fall, you fall hard.” Lita wrung out the towel. Flickers of light shimmered thro
ughout. “Though cracking your head on the stone floor doesn’t really help.”

  “My wounds should’ve healed by now.” Dovian winced.

  “Sir Gaius said that when you zapped yourself, you weakened your own powers. He fixed your apparatus, upped its strength. And you know how well I am at healing.” She twisted the cloth again. “Your father sent me this to help.”

  “It’s a lot like mother’s salve,” Dovian whispered as he closed his eyes. The scent of the healing powers contained within relaxed him. It was an old familiarity.

  “That’s what your father said.”

  “My father…where is he?”

  “He and the others are at I’Lanthe’s home. They are preparing the funeral and readings. The wake is tomorrow. The funeral is…” Lita paused.

  Dovian forced his eyes open. His eyebrows crinkled at the sight of his sorrow-filled cousin. She tried to sniff but made a harsh squeak instead.

  “Oh, Lita.”

  He pulled her down. Lita wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed into his chest. Dovian lightly combed his fingers through her hair.

  “I should’ve done something!” she cried.

  Dovian shook his head. “You did. You saved the children.”

  “If I were a bit closer to him. If I had been stronger.”

  “Lita, no. Don’t do this to yourself.”

  “Dovian! His eyes! He was so…sad. He knew! He sacrificed himself for the children and me!” Her hands balled up the cloth of his robes. “Why? Why didn’t he teleport himself?”

  Dovian palmed her cheek, wiping at her tears. “Because Martelle is a strong, caring man. Because he cared greatly for you, Lita. Martelle did what he did because it was the right thing to do, and because he wanted to. He would’ve made a great warrior. Don’t you dare blame yourself for his death. He wouldn’t want that, and you know it. He was strong-willed. He’d never do anything he didn’t agree with.”