Kismet’s Tale

      Devi had left their hideout to follow Mavin Tomas. Their destination took them to the ancestral house of the Tomas Family. It was before dawn. Devi felt his breath form a cloud as he rubbed his gloves together. They would have surely stood out if it were not for the ‘haze’ created by the conjunction of their marks protecting them.

The ancestral house of the Tomas Family was quiet and dark. The vehicle that the family used was in the house except for one. Devi had recalled that they had a guest. He had not seen who this guess was and honestly. He was rather preoccupied with dealing with the murderer targeting their members. Not to mention that one of their suspects was Mavin Tomas. If it was any Tomas, he would've been fine with it. However, it had to be Mavin Tomas, who influenced them to fight them. Even without the support of his family, he was dangerous enough to be called a Ghost. Lugi, the person sitting beside him, watched the ancestral house with a flat expression.

 He understood why Lugi made it sound like he praises the Tomas’s son too much. Devi knows that he means well, but he had subtle arrogance that Devi knew that he had to curve. He had this belief that the Court of Null was infallible and invincible. He had told him Mavin Tomas’s background, hoping that he would understand why the man was dangerous. Whether he had learned something about the person they are trying to tail is up to Lugi to understand.

He needs to learn, Devi thought to himself.

The sun broke the clouds. The chimneys from the houses began to release smoke. The ancestral house of the Tomas Family became active. To Devi’s surprise, he found Sir Fred Duran and his disciple, Rigel exiting the house alongside the Dame, Mimi.

As always, the Tomas Family always has the brightest people working with them, Devi thought. The nobles would kill if they have so many talents under their belt…the Count truly is a monster when it comes to finding talents. Sun and Moon help us if they are working with him.

“Old Fred,” Lugi muttered. “Do you think he’s taking orders for him?”

Devi did not answer. Lugi must have been thinking that Mavin Tomas was the only one who could be the suspect. Devi believed that to be the case, after all, there were only a few sharpshooters in the Empire that could match his prowess in wielding a gun. Even then, he wanted to believe that the cold-faced and reasonable former Marcher Lord was not the instigator of the death of their fellow disciples.

Devi had not seen the former marcher lord ever since the day that he had appeared on the balcony of the palace, addressing the officials and the vassals about the ‘truth’ that he had wanted to tell them. The young lord back then had grown tall enough that one would not notice that he was still young.

It took hours before the former marcher lord moved out of his house. He rode an automobile and drove out of the community. Lugi was eager to prove that he was the culprit while ignoring the reason behind such actions.

The former marcher lord roamed the city. Lugi’s eyes never left the automobile driven by the former marcher lord. Devi suspected that he had already noticed or that he truly was driving around the Imperial City, checking out places, and roaming markets and shops of the Imperial City.

It did not take long before the former marcher lord drove to the Academy. They had followed the former marcher lord to the Academy, entering through the main gate and presenting their forged credentials to the guardsman holding the gates. Once they got into the Academy, they discreetly followed the former marcher lord. He went to the mechanical division and observed the work of the Holmians who were replacing the wirings fried during the discharge. The two of them tried to find any trace of the technology, but it was delusional to think that they would leave the technology around. Even if they did, the documentation of the technology was the important piece of the technology. If they know how to manufacture and create the technology, then they could make use of the technology and integrate it with their own.

Once the former marcher lord was done with the mechanical division, he walked the campus and found him staring at the Arts and Literature building. Then, he roamed the Campus and went back to his automobile. The two followed Mavin Tomas out of the Academy and tailed his vehicle around the Imperial City.

“We’re leaving the main district of the City,” Lugi warned.

Devi tightened his grip around his steering wheel and followed the car. Devi took time as he slowly drove, refilled the gas of his car, and took his time to arrive at one of the most isolated yet beautiful places of the Empire. A cold fog covered the lighthouse, the light beam slashing against the cold, revealing a light that guided the ships coming to the port of the Imperial City.

Arriving on an empty spot, Devi nodded his head as he saw the former marcher lord parked his car. “Lugi, he knows that we’re following.”

“I got that idea when he kept wasting our time. He was not even trying to lose us. Why did he choose this place?”

“Make a guess,” Devi reached out for his pistol, inspected the slide, the magazine, and holstered it. He deactivated his mark to Lugi’s surprised.

“Are you going to face it without the mark activated?”

“It’s over. He wants to talk and so we will talk.”

“How did he spot us?”

“Why not ask him?”

“Fine, I’ll trust your judgment, leader.”

Devi walked to where the former marcher lord was standing. He was staring at the sea. His suit’s jacket flapping wildly as the salty and cold wind brushed him.

“Good afternoon to you two,” he began. “I noticed that you two have been following me since morning.”

“Sir Tomas,” Devi said.

The former marcher lord of Lazon, the son of Auger and Matilda faced them. His blue-gray eyes half-squinted and a perpetual frown on his face welcomed them. He was tall and imposing. His shoulders squared and back slightly leaned.

“I was looking for Null,” he started. His voice was flat.

Devi looked to his side and saw Lugi’s face twitched.

“I didn’t expect that you’d come for me,” he eyed Lugi. “It seems that the other one wants to kill me badly.”

“Did you kill them?”

“Who did I kill?” he asked back.

“The members of our group—”

“Enough. Let me handle this,” Devi took a step forward. “We lost three men to a bullet and you’re one of the people who can do this.”

The former marcher lord’s eyes stayed on Devi. He continued staring before he answered.

“I didn’t kill them if that’s what you’re asking. Also, you are Devi, I remember you well. So Devi, pray to tell why are you accusing me of a crime that I did not do so?”

His tone of voice became colder. The half-squinted stare that he had become apathetic. The slightly amiable aura that he had given them disappeared. Devi almost believed that talking to a statue would get them more expression than this.

Lugi tried to find words, but he could not. There was no evidence that they could give other than the details of the murders. Devi already knew that it was hard to confront with so little evidence and yet they found themselves led by the ghostly lion of Lazon.

“Four of our members were murdered in the days to come. We suspect that you are the killer.”

“I see. That is understandable. Your people do have a grudge about me kicking you out and taking your stuff. Though, let me remind you that we had only taken possession of what you have, and had not taken the life of any members of Null,” his toneless voice flowed out of his mouth.

“And we still have to make sure.”

“Your friend’s eyes tell me that he doesn’t believe me. Besides, I don't care if he does not. You can give me an excuse and maybe that will make handling Null easier.”

Lugi surprisingly remained calm after that.

“Why are you looking for us?”

“I want to know if you have plans to meddle with Vulcan Technology’s transfer. I am still an enforcer and constable of the Empire so I have my duty to watch over this problem. I understand Null’s craving for technology, but if you ever touch a single hair on the Webman Company and my people that are part of the deal,” his voice, if it was even possible, became even colder. “Then god forbid I might have to take part in removing Null from this city as well.”

Lugi’s eyes sharpened. He tried to clench his left hand when Devi suddenly saw the former marcher lord draw his pistol from his holster. The quiet whistle of his gun surprised Devi.

He heard the casing of a bullet bouncing twice on the stone floor. Lugi held his left hand and clenched his teeth, blood pouring out of his mark.

The former marcher lord’s lightning-quick draw surprised him, then again, this was the ghost of Dinia. He had expected that the title came with merit.

He pulled the slide of his pistol and holstered it. “I had spent time with the technology that you had. Try any of your techno-spells and I promise you that by that time your marks would be gone.”

“You know of our marks?” Devi asked.

“It’s usually hidden and there are times where it’s impossible to see. We had manuals on how to use the mark, and the branch in Lazon was quite large. I should be thankful that Null had unofficially funded Lazon.”

His tone of voice was close to a mockery. Devi did not want to show it to his face. Lugi was glaring at the former marcher lord with such intensity.

“Don’t worry; I would rather not spread the methods of the mark. I had them burned to keep your secrets safe. I do not agree with some of your methods and your desire to hoard technology, but I do understand the need for it. All that I ask about Null is to leave us alone. We Lazonians are meddlers, but we are terrible people that don’t like to meddle as well.”

Lugi exhaled loudly. “Do you have any ideas who might be the killer?”

“Do you two have any idea?” he asked back. “If not then I am as clueless as you two. Truthfully, I did not expect that Null would follow me. Did you two noticed that I was entering your old hideouts?”

Lugi turned to Devi. Devi said nothing. He had already known that someone was searching Null’s old hideouts. He did not know who it was, but it seems that the former marcher lord wanted to find them. It made sense to Devi, knowing that there was no reason for the former marcher lord to seek them out unless it was related to Null. If anything, this was a better confrontation than Devi had hoped. He had been truly hardened.

His methods back then were far more intimidating and yet he might have found those methods much more direct and comforting than this. The former marcher lord before Devi had grown worse. Unknowingly, he wore a cloak of death that made those who have not seen death shudder. The stillness of his eyes, his languid posture made him far more imposing than he could remember. Then again, he was comparing the teenager and the young adult that he had seen. There was a world of difference that made Devi lost in what he should say next.

“We will take your word,” Devi said through gritted teeth. “You never have targeted Null indiscriminately before, and this isn’t how you do things.”

“How would you know how I do things?”

His face mocked them. Then he shook his head and stared at the sea. The fog that enveloped the coast seemed to roll without a hint of stopping. The former marcher lord took a deep exhale. He faced them again.

“I didn’t do it. You must have your spies roaming around the moment I took a step in this city. I had to avoid some of them due to my own business, but that’s something you should have an idea about, Devi.”

“We aren’t trying to antagonize you,” Devi reasoned. “But we are desperate for answers now that four of us are dead.”

“I can’t help you with that,” the former marcher lord replied tonelessly. He watched the sea and the fog hiding the curving coastline. “My worries right now are the deal with the Holmians, the Webman Company, and my people. I understand that your people are under siege by someone or something, but I cannot offer my aid right now.”

“I understand.”

“Wait,” Lugi stood. His breathing dulled. “Are we just going to accept that?”

“Yes,” Devi nodded slowly. “If he wanted us dead, we wouldn’t even have time to speak to the marcher lord.”

“Former marcher lord,” Mavin Tomas insisted. “I am just a person who holds the Tomas family name. I am just an enforcer.”

“An enforcer that could make the family move is dangerous itself.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He ignored Devi. He placed his palm on his pistol. He stared at Lugi’s bleeding left hand.

“Can you take care of that?”

Lugi went on one knee. He reached out for his pack, took a medical kit, and patched himself up. The bullet went through his palm so he had to have it sutured later. Honestly, the former marcher lord was quick to draw. Devil could not even activate his proximity shield in time.

“I wouldn’t have shot if you didn’t try to clench that hand. Hard to trust Null when it comes to conversation, your people do thrive on secrecy. Then again, even if you two didn’t follow me, I would have found your place.”

Lugi composed himself. He seems to find every word coming out of Mavin Tomas irritating lately. He had a voice that was testing them to give him an excuse. Devi knew that he was looking for an excuse, and he would be damned to give one.

“Then I hope Sir Tomas wouldn’t interfere with us. We need to make sure that the Vulcan Technology is not—“

“It isn’t radioactive, Devi. If you are afraid that they possess a demon core, then you should be at ease. If anything, you should not be looking for a demon core in the City. I will tell you that the Holmians are trying to make one, undoubtedly. Once they spit the atom, they would be unrivaled in terms of military power.”

“So you already know.”

“I do know. That ‘green wind’ you fear so much will not make an appearance here. If anything, you should be glad that they are using the hydroelectric crystal instead of the fusion core that they were going to power their mechanized suits.”

Devi took a step forward. There was no fear in his eyes. That previous worry that he had over the marcher lord vanished. The former marcher lord faced him properly.

“Are you sure about that?”

“I am. You can always doubt my word, which I assume you will, but the Holmians are not trying to create the demon core yet. It will come and it will become a reality soon, but I do not see why that is my problem unless they point it on Lazon. Also, even if they do complete that research, maybe I would be old by that time.”

Devi did not believe. He could see that even the former marcher lord did not believe that. The Holmians were intelligent people who had always pursued the sciences. Once they learn of the value and the threat of this power. They would find a way to keep it a secret and use it when there is a need for it. Devi had already heard of the recent experimentations of the Holmians. The green wind they sought. It was far dangerous that most of Null had been focusing their efforts on stopping the development of their demon core.

“That’s hopeful. Do you believe that they are saints?”

“I don’t,” Mavin Tomas said curtly. “The Holmians are here for profit. I am not idealistic enough to believe that they would stop after creating walking iron giants and sustainable power that would allow them to strain their technology. I do think that Null is way better than the Magi, at least the Court of Null believes in something other than proving that they are superior and those who do not have their ‘bloom’ are lesser.”

Devi somehow already knew that he would know about the Magi as well. He did not expect that he would casually remark about them. Devi had been curious who provided information for the former marcher lord. Whoever was feeding him, they were dangerous.

“Do you think that the Magi’s are involved?”

“I don’t know about that either.”

Mavin answered without a stutter. He moved his gaze away from the sea. “Be careful on your way, and a word of advice. Try not the following anyone with a glare on your face. I noticed you guys at the intersection.”

Devi did not answer. He said nothing as he dragged Lugi back to his car. Lugi got in, clenched his right hand, and breathed out. “I understand now why you’re wary of him. The pressure on that man is far…dangerous. He makes me feel like a goddamn amateur. We couldn’t even speak up to him.”

 

***

 

Their car moved out of the area. As their car traveled the road, he activated his proximity shield and then realized that something was coming on their left. He stomped his foot down on the pedal and barely avoided anything.

“Shield us now!”

Lugi forcibly clenched his left hand. His mark sent a signal to the device on their gauntlet. The signal activated the function and they could tell the bullet coming from a location.

“I can say that it’s five hundred meters. Do we go in?”

Lugi nodded. Devi drove the car haphazardly, avoiding the bullets coming their way. Whoever was hunting them, they shot too well. Almost all the bullets hit the side of their door. If it was not for the constant adjustment, Devi was sure that a bullet would have come and killed them.

Approaching the shooter using the car became harder when it was clear that the shooter was ready and waiting. Using their magnetic grapples, they navigated the hilly forest, swinging from tree to tree, and approached the shooter.

They saw the shooter finally. Clad in dark clothing, carrying a rifle with a scope. The shooter was aiming at them. There was no need to talk. Lugi drew his pistol and opened fire. Devi covered Lugi, deflecting the shots using a quick burst of his gauntlet.

The shooter was calm. Devi felt something was wrong. The shooter was firing behind cover and concealment yet it only felt like the shooter was playing them. Devi was about to say something when he saw in the corner of his eyes, Lugi slumping to the side, his eyes rolled back, and unmoving.

Devi hesitated. He breathed out. Pulled the gauntlet off Lugi and placed it on his right hand. The mark amplified the gauntlets and with his hands joined. He rushed out of the cover, directing the shooter’s gunfire. The moment he arrived in front of the shooter, he shot his pistol.

The shooter rolled to the right, then forward, and pounced on Devi. Devi tried to bring up his pistol but the fists of the shooter struck him twice in the jugular and the side of the head.

The shooter drew a knife and placed it on Devi’s throat, the edge of the shooter’s blade kissing his neck.

“So it was the Magi!”

The violet eyes of the shooter were lifeless. The blade that the shooter pulled stayed on his neck, drawing blood.

“Four of your people overstepped their bounds. The Imperial Academy and the Household are off-limits. The four that entered the grounds have been summarily punished.”

“You don’t have the right!”

The shooter did not react. “The Lady has asked that all of Null shall not overstep the bounds. This is your last warning. Now tell them that we’re coming for them.”

“What do you mean?”

“Use your gauntlet, Nuller.”

The shooter pressed a blade and the mouth of a pistol on Devi’s forehead. There was hatred coming from his eyes. Like a shadow that seems to cover his face. Devi pressed his signal and called for Null through a series of codes.

“Now let go of the gauntlet.”

Devi closed his eyes and then nodded his head. He activated the charges on his gauntlet and pushed the shooter off him. He rolled back to his feet. He tried to escape only for his legs to fail him.

The bark of a pistol erupted. He turned his attention to the shooter and saw that uncaring gaze staring at him. The shooter’s platinum blonde hair made her look ethereal. However, she could recognize that deadly yet beautiful face.

“Why in the hell is someone like you working for the Magi?”

The shooter pulled on the slide of her pistol. “Many reasons, but sometimes you have to find a place for your own. I have a question.”

Devi glared. She pulled on the black glove she wore on her left hand and revealed a mark. No, it was an abominable mark glowing with the magi’s bloom. “Were you the people who turned me like this? I heard that Null has been borrowing technology in your secret war against the Holmians. Were you the one in charge of that discharge?”

Devi said nothing. The woman with violet eyes stayed her gaze. She caressed the scar on the side of her head and shot Devi on the side. Devi gritted his teeth and madly shook.

“Five times,” the woman said. “Eleven times you tried something, and I wonder what changed that made you do it this time differently,” she said to herself, her mind was on another place.

“Why are you doing this?”

“It’s not personal,” she checked on her magazine and pointed it at him. “I rather not do any of this, but the Court of Null has overstepped their bounds. Right now, the world is in a state of healing. We cannot allow the Court of Null’s meddling at the moment to provoke a reaction from the Holmians.”

“The supreme head will come after the Magi for this.”

“We know. The Lady has been kind to leave your group alone because of the war, but not any longer. Thank you for telling them that we are coming for them. Isn’t it fair?”

Devi saw a muzzle flash. The world became blank.

 

---

 

“Nice job, Viola.”

The woman who shot Devi looked where the voice was coming from. The woman dressed in a shoulder mantle and long boots stared at the corpse. “Devi’s a rather excellent fighter. Sadly, he had met someone who could see the lines of their mark. You got lucky that his partner was injured and his mark didn’t work properly.”

“Why are you here, Nano?”

“The Lady told me to watch over you. Then again, without our spells, you are deadly on your own, Viola.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You don’t have to understand for now. Null has been careless during the war. They cared too much about their fear of technology that they held back on their growth. We shall use this as a chance to drive them out and let the Empire have the technology to rule the skies. The more prosperous this Empire, the more benefits we will get. The coming horde will come. We will need everything that we can muster,” the woman turned away from Devi’s corpse. “But we don’t work with idealists who do nothing but be afraid of the dark. Let us rid of them, Viola. We have more to hunt.”

The woman with violet eyes stared at the corpse before dragging it to a pit that the woman made. The woman released her ‘bloom’ and buried the Nuller on the ground. They left the hilly forest and went to their next target.

---