2025-02-11 17:00:04At the Hause Noblesse
The death toll still kept climbing. The Nobles were forced to call Voyne to another Circle hearing.
When Renée and Voyne entered the hearing hall, the Nobles, unlike before, were not engaged in mirthful conversation. There were whispers instead. Whispers that betrayed their fear and hatred.
Voyne, on the other hand, did not seem to mind the negative disposition of the Nobles. He had eyes for only one of their number. Sophia Augusten. He looked at her. She, holding a wine glass, also looked at him.
He picked a glass of wine from a passing waiter and approached Sophia.
“My Lady.” He said.
She looked at him with a blank face, her enmity and sense of duty fighting inside. She had not told the boys she was going to confront Voyne. It was selfish to do this. But she wanted answers.
“Archbishop Voyne.” She finally said.
“You look–” Voyne began.
“Let&rs
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Mother?Sophia had to skip the Circle session. She just wasn’t herself since the conversation.When Voyne called her Mother, something woke in her. It was almost like she was used to hearing him say it.It woke some memories that she did not knew she had. Some felt a lot like they were hers while most felt…off. Like she borrowed those memories from someone else.In one of her memories, she was a child, somewhere. On some wide street, playing, holding a paper fan. There were lots of sounds, like a festival or some occasion going on.Some cloaked people approached her. With the exact same cloaks that the Soul Church adherents wore.The one in front of them knelt in front of her. He took off his hood and she looked into his eyes. She knew that face, knew those eyes.Voyne, looking exactly the same as the present day, took her hand and kissed it with a greeting.“Hail, Mother.”*******<
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Twenty: Asking Too Much.
A few days later.Voyne had to travel to Osyna again. These repeated meetings was making him develop a fondness for the city which had once been a stronghold of those who wanted to oppose him.He played with it in his hand. The High Council’s invitation. He knew they would eventually bend. It was all a matter of time. He shredded it.He could not stop a small smile. The last time he was this pleased was when he first saw Sophie at the trial hall of the Circle. She would come too. Eventually.*******At the hall of the Circle, Voyne stood in the middle with the now unlabeled box as he had done before. Except this time only the seats of the Great Nobles were filled. Normally, there were multiple venues they could have used instead like the Archive. Why they chose here was up to them.Renée wasn’t here because she wasn’t important enough to be. Plus, both he and the Nobles would much prefer that the contents of this mee
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Twenty-One: Stopped by Force.
The boys walked around the city. Under the pretext of leaving some of his aura, Luthen had managed to try every food stall they came across. Kane and Somen also had lunch.The sun was now beginning to set. Kane decided that he did not have an appetite for an evening confrontation with anybody so he suggested something.“The sun’s setting. It’s late. I think we can turn of our auras now.” He said.“So we won’t be tracked on our way home?” Luthen said.“You’re catching on.”Luthen looked offended. They marched back to the inn.*******They had done it. They had managed to make her angry.She had been tracking them for a while now, their auras pointing in the directions they had taken. It was clear that the perpetrators were working and walking together. It was exciting, following their auras and mentally preparing for a trap that could spring at any moment. She could almos
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Twenty-Two: Shard Fight.
Kane was finding that his new swords were much better than the previous ones. For one, they did not break. They also did not limit the amount of soul energy he could put in one strike. He could also change their size at will. Overall, they did a far better job.However, he wasn’t quite used to using them, so there was a lot of unnecessary damage to the temple building which only served to infuriate his opponent. He could tell that this place was important to her.From the way she fought, he determined that she was manipulating forces. That made her a very tricky opponent since; he had to put some force into his swings and plus he was always under the control of one force, gravity. He had to use his Null ability more frequently now, further frustrating the sister. But she was adapting.Again she increased the force of gravity on him. He could barely move.“Null.” he said through gritted teeth. The force disappeared. This was tiring.He saw an openin
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Back at the inn, Luthen tried to contemplate their next move. They had now checked all of the holy sites in Jerletown. They still had zero idea of the Relic’s location. And now Voyne’s generals had come to the island. They had to move fast.But, what if the Saintess hid it somewhere else than the capital? No, Voyne would not have made such a big play. The purpose of him sending his subordinates to cause a ruckus was mostly likely to announce his presence on the island.There only option was to team up with those Shards they had fought earlier, if only they could believe them.Jonelle and a healthy looking Reese suddenly appeared in Kane’s room. The sudden presences attracted both Luthen and Kane.“So, what about it? Come to finish the job? You are outnumbered.” Kane declared confidently.“You are the outnumbered fool. Ask your friend.” Reese said referring to Somen .Somen had told them all about the
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At Voyne’s residence off the island.“We’re back.” Ari says less than excitedly.The attendants bowed at the sight of the two red cloaks. The earlier events had spoiled her normally cheerful attitude. She locked her arm with, and was basically dragging, Maron.I didn’t get to have the perfect first date with him. All because of them.She was pouting. Those unromantic idiots! They had appeared at the exact moment they were about to commence their mission, as if they’d known what would have happened. Now she had to explain everything to Lord Voyne, how she had failed to prepare the island for his coming. He wouldn’t punish them, but she hated to fail her missions. Also, she hadn’t seen Maron display his abilities to her. She wanted to see them so bad.It wasn’t fair that the other Apostates who had been paired with Maron had gotten to see his abilities before her, his girlfriend. So not f
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“I might be bleeding, but don’t think I am done just yet.” He said confidently. “Stay back, Luthen.”“You both should have just left when you had the chance. Instead you decided to say something stupid.” She said, her sharp gaze full of fury. Her eyes turned golden. She started to ascend, her clothes flapping wildly. More of those dots orbited her.“If you can cancel my attacks, I’ll just ! Even you have limits!” She said.She pointed again and one of the dots move to her finer tip. She flicked it and it came to rest over the boys heads.Instead of blowing up this time, the dot formed a sort of circular portal.“Energy Manipulation: Heavenly Fury!” Golden energy rained through the portal upon him.However, a black sphere covered him. Null Armour!“Kane, I’ll back you up!” Luthen said, preparing to fight. Kane stopped him with a gesture.&l
Chapter Forty-Eight: Saying Something Stupid.
“Viral Plant: Entrap”“Desert Rose: Thorn Oasis”“Winter: Falling Icicles”“Mythical Fire: Devouring Dragon”“Flowing Mud: Golem Construct”The crew unleashed their Abilities to counter the Shards.“You two go meet her. I’ll join you when I am done.” Kane said.“Like hell you will! Go instead. I’ll meet you two later.” Somen said.When violence was involved there was no reason with Somen.“Hey! You do know we can hear you right?! Do you think we’re pushovers?! I was planning on leaving your corpses intact. Because of this, I will use your skin for my boots!” One of the crew complained.The two were already gone.“Hey, you! Sword-former! Where did he go?! I am not done yet. Come back here!” The crew member who had previously addressed Kane said. He tried to follow the windows.
Chapter Forty-Seven: Shipping Indeed.
“You don’t deserve to call me that!” She said.Voyne chuckled.“Don’t tell me you are still having second thoughts about today. You saved your friend.” He said.She turned to face him.“You just used me! What have you done to Sophie?!”“It’s late. Keep your voice down. The last thing your subject’s need is their Noble landing in an asylum.” He said and turned to leave.“Are you threatening me?! In my own house?!” She said.The night wind blew softly.“Just do as we tell you. Goodnight, Klare.”*******This Noble is a bit much.He was just about to retire to his room when he saw the Archduchess in the garden. He just wanted to prod her a bit and she went full steam on him.Not too mention the reason he was finally going to his room this late at night was because he had to get chewed on by Mot
Chapter Forty-Six: Plans in Motion.
“You’re our guests.” A guard said in scorn as she shoved Jonelle and Reese into a small room. “Diplomats.” She added laughing, still in scorn before she resumed her post just outside of the room. The guard still remembered what was told to her a few minutes ago by the General.Don’t let them escape.That command carried an inherent threat in it.Reese, as well as Jonelle remembered also because they were there, bound. The room they were kept was the only thing to be thankful for in this mess. It was small, of course, but it had far more pleasures than your average prison, including a proper toilet, a bed and some aesthetic.“These mainland Shards couldn’t even identify the traitor in their ranks.” Reese said. He wasn’t angry, he was amused instead at how everything played out.“You should have gone with them.” Jonelle said.Reese turned to face her, sighing as he did so. He looked into her scowling face and replied “And leave you here by yourself?”“I would be fine. There was no point
Chapter Forty-Five: To Find Allies.
Klare sat in her room, her physical wounds already healing. She had been given treatment by her doctors and was already discharged. while her emotional wounds burned fiercely with pain.She didn’t know whether she had done the right thing or not. She just picked one of the two evils offered to her. It felt good looking at the Grand Duke hug his daughter and lead her away by the hand but the guilt on her soul was just as massive. The consequences of her choice would approach her soon.In fact, they were just around the corner.*******Too late.That was the only thought Renée had in mind. She had finally escaped from the hands of her oppressors and tracked down the Shards after months only to arrive just when two of them were being arrested by the army.She silently kicked herself for not being quick enough.Where do I go from here? She questioned herself.Just to track the elusive Shards had occupied her since she fled her master months ago. Running from the Soul Church was surprising
Chapter Forty-Four: Caught.
Luthen teleported Kane and Somen out of there.At the same time, Klare had opened her eyes.As the number of Shards surrounded reduced, there was a visible commotion. The soliders looked around, thinking the Shards who were missing had gone to their rear. However, the missing Shards were nowhere to be found.Mother turned to see the two Shards from the Sacred Island remaining. She smirked.“Guess they’ve gone ahead then.”Klare still regarded her with fear. “Are you really Sophie?”“No.” The answer struck Klare.“Then, how do you-”“I am in her body and can control her however I want.”“Leave her alone.” Klare said firmly.“I can’t do that now. But I’ll do it if you’ll cooperate with us.” Mother knew her son’s plan was to force this conversation all along, to subject the Archduchess to their will.“You killed all those soliders!” Klare clenched her fists.“They are dead. But your friend isn’t. Do you want her to die too?”“I-” Klare hesitated. Even if she did not want to do it for her
Chapter Forty-Three: Surround.
It was too late.The soldiers had fired their bullets at the Shards. Klare’s warning did nothing to slow their onslaught. The soldiers felt pride at being chosen to defend their Archduchess, their loyalty unwavering.Mother smirked. The bullets paused in midair. “I don’t think you all were invited to the conversation.” The bullets went in the opposite direction they had come and with twice the force with which they had been sent, putting holes in the bodies of the soldiers and sending them to their afterlives.Klare could only stare in terror as the blood of the soldiers stained her military uniform. Why had she even survived.A massive aura enveloped the air making Klare, who was finding it had to breathe from her choking sobs, collapse from suffocation.“Force Technique: Gravity Seal.” Mother found she could not move after Jonelle spoke in anger.The rest prepared for war, their hesitancy in attack
Chapter Forty-Two: A Different Duchess
A presence exploded from Sophie. It felt like her, but with a bit of difference. It was rougher and edgy unlike Sophie’s calmer nature.Just what happened to Sophie while we were gone?! Luthen thought.“Sophie!” He said.The twins were quite confused. One minute, everyone is eating at the table (mostly them) and the next they felt a barrier enclosing them and saw Kane draw his sword.The next minute, their hostess suddenly transformed to another person.“Who said I had to explain anything?” She smiled eerily reminiscent of her adopted son. Luthen didn’t not fail to notice this.This smile is just like–!!He thought.The mental image of Voyne was conjured in his head.“What have you done to Sophie?!!” He raged.“You’re about to find out.” She still sat, confidently and carelessly. The rest of the Shards had formed a semicircle i
Chapter Forty-One: Reveal.
“I don’t think so. I think he meant they were similar due to them both being living Relics.”“What are living Relics though?” Somen asked.Luthen was about to answer when Sophie answered instead.“They are beings of abnormal power. The result of trying to contain a Shard’s power in the body of an unworthy vessel.”The rest looked at her.“A Shard’s constitution is especially suited to contain the massive amounts of soul energy they produce. If any Shard, intentionally or otherwise, tries to forcibly transfer a substantial amount of the soul energy they produce to anyone else who is not a Shard, a living Relic will result.”“So a living Relic is like a Relic except the vessel is human?” Reese asked.“Yes. These individuals are characterized by unstable mental conditions or other mental issues and a short lifespan.” She turned to Luthen. “You
