2025-02-21 17:00:47At 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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Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Twenty-Seven: Storm Brewing.
“Now, it’s your turn. We need the location of the Relic.” Kane said.“You already know that is what he is looking for, right? The Relic? Your slip earlier proved it.” Somen said.“We can protect it better than you.” Somen continued when Reese said nothing for a while.“I don’t have to answer that as you did not answer my last question.” Reese said. “A guess is not an answer.” He said when Luthen tried to protest.“It is safe as long as nobody except us knows its location.”“No matter where you kept it, it is not safe. The Legend says that the location was entrusted to two groups of people, as you know already.” Luthen said, folding his arms.“The Great Nobles? That is a bluff. That knowledge has been lost to them for hundreds of years.” Reese said.“I think we all know you are guessing here.” Kane said.“Doesn’t matter. With my Ability, no matter how many times they try, their failure is assured.” Reese said.“Rely
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Twenty-Eight: Severing Doppelgangers.
Kane sighed.The boys had gathered in Somen’s room, planning their next move.“It is just no use.” Somen said. “We are in a foreign land trying to find something very important. We need outside help.”“And we can’t just ask anyone. One, spreading the news that the Saintess left a Relic behind in this kind of place definitely will lead to anarchy and invite other treasure hunters. Again, only the Great Nobles and the priests know the location so asking anyone else would be futile.” Luthen added.“Can Sophie find us any clue? You said she was friends with Duchess Klare.” Kane asked.“It took a lot of people dying and threats of the world ending to convince the Great Nobles to give up that information. She can’t find us any clue, of that I am sure. Plus I haven’t been able to reach her.”“Then we storm Voyne’s headquarters and end this.”“No.” Somen said.Luthen was a bit surprised that he was the one telling them not to go fight.
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Twenty-Nine: Intruding on (Y)Our Privacy.
They clashed in the dimension. Those dimensions were bare blank spaces that seemed endless. You could just make out the horizon around. Everything else was bare and lifeless.True to Reese’s words, the doppelgangers were strong. Luthen had to put a fairly decent amount of effort. In the end the doppelganger lost.“Next one.” our hero said. He transported to the next dimension and handled the Doppelganger similarly.Then the next. And the next. And the next.Reese was in a hidden section of the cave, his soul energy being drawn off by the doppelgangers.“Tch. He is defeating them!”Instead of a coordinated attack against him with minimal use and maximal efficiency, Luthen faced the doppelgangers individually, resulting in greater use of Reese’s energy. This also affected Luthen similarly. But unlike Reese, his technique had been on for a shorter time.Reese had had to keep his technique on so he could spy on the boys. He allocate
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Thirty: Tit for Tat.
Reese, still around 5, was in a man’s arms as his mother – the woman from before – walked alongside.His parents?“Dad, why don’t we talk to our neighbours? They will not allow me play with their children!” Reese complained to his father.“Hmm. They don’t like us because we are foreigners. Don’t worry. You can play with mum or me anytime.”“Really?”“Of course dear.”Reese started that his innocent childlike smile.Seriously, where did the other Reese come from? Luthen thought. Another timeline?!Luthen soon got the answer to his question. The past memory faded and Luthen was back in the black, infinite void. Another one came through.There was smoke. Not that he could smell it. Instead it hung in the air of the memory. Luthen watched as fire engulfed little Reese’s fine cottage home.It was not acc
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Thirty-One: Feeling Embarrassed.
It was Luthen. Not more than 12 years old.So this is a memory, then. Explains why I couldn’t move earlier or why the characters can’t see me. This is the past.“It’s World Friend Day! Pair up with your friend!” The teacher instructed. There was some hubbub in the class as the students rushed to obey their teacher. Almost all of them except Luthen.The 12 year old yet-to-be-discovered Shard sat relaxed on his chair.A girl in his class came up to him with some trembling.“U-Uhm, Hi, L-Luthen” The boy turned to see his female classmate’s reddened face.“I-I was w-wondering a-about what the teacher said-d? M-Maybe we could team up?” She blushed.“Sorry, I don’t need any friends.” Luthen said without the slightest hint of emotion.Now that was quite harsh..As for the girl, a figurative bucket of cold water poured on her. She walked away.
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Thirty-Two: Agree to Disagree.
If the first headache happened at my outburst, then does that mean I did not Awaken after the incident but during it?!Whatever. I’ll sort that out later. Luthen said.“I can’t say I totally get it, but I understand a bit. Why you don’t want the Relic lost. Imagine if it got in the wrong hands.” Luthen said. Reese turned to look at him.“I also understand why you need it. However, your mind is preoccupied with revenge. You might as well be the ‘wrong hands’ to me.” Reese told him.“How about me?” Kane said cutting into their discussion. He was followed by Somen.“Yo! You two! How did you locate us though?”“Fools! You both should know better than to release that amount of power.” Somen said scolding them. “We are trying to maintain a low profile here!”“The clash of your Aspects released a signal. We used that to find your location. It was big enough for strong non-Shard Ability users like Rizen to detect it. She arr
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Thirty-Three: Defend in Vain.
Jonelle had suggested during the meeting that one Shard always maintain guard at the temple at all times. Thankfully, during the time of the Saintess, she had instructed quite strongly that the temple be constructed with both one opening. To lead by example, Jonelle had taken the first watch, which started from one o’clock to six in the morning.The night was uneventful. No noise except the hooting of the owls. By morning, she was more than ready for Kane to resume guard. She stood and stretched.Suddenly, she sensed a dense point of soul energy. Too strong for an ordinary human but too weak for a Shard.This was good. She could have some fun.“Hey, you!” She said to the red cloak that had just come into her view. “Let’s play.”She flicked her hand.“Force Manipulation: Scalar.”This was her technique. It took the force given to any object and scaled it. The maximum amount of Scale appli
Broken: Shard's Tales Chapter Thirty-Four: Catching the Ring Leader.
The temple has been infiltrated. The group was in disbelief. Jonelle wondered inside how they entered when she had been watching throughout the night without a wink.Already? How?“I know what I am seeing.” Luthen said through closed eyes, when nobody replied after a while. “There’s definitely people underneath advancing with purpose. And quickly.”“We better check it out.” Somen said. “Any ideas on how to go underneath?”“How deep under is it?” Reese asked.“About 15 feet.” Luthen replied.“Gather round.” Jonelle said.“Force Manipulation: Scaled Magnitude” she continued as she hit the ground with her fist. She barely had time to shout “Brace yourselves!” before the ground gave way.And underneath they went.Jonelle had calculated the amount of force needed to precisely get them to that particular height bel
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Chapter Fifty: Mass Destruction.
Ever since she escaped from Voyne, she had a lingering fear of being found by him. This made her fear staying in the city.She instead preferred the clandestine nature of the docks on the outskirts of the city. Those docks had once been the city’s pride, however, they were now a meeting place for criminals and safe haven for smugglers. Even pirates came around here occasionally.Every person around here was focused only on the reason he/she was here. They also avoided actions whose consequences would affect a member of another group. In this way, the criminals were able to coexist with one another.When Renee woke that morning, she had the sense that something was wrong. The day seem too bright, as if the Sun had finally vented all its light in its dying moments. When she checked outside, she saw that the Sun was not to blame. A second ‘Sun’ had appeared in a different place above the docks.No that can’t be right. How were are
Chapter Forty-Nine: Supreme Techniques.
“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
