Chapter XLI

The halls of the Ijirian Citadel seemed deathly silent as Nigreos stepped off of the lift with Album at his side. Their footsteps echoed down the silver halls and with night having fallen hours ago, the only light came from the dim red torches that were posted between each window. They didn’t pass anybody on their way to their destination and Nigreos preferred it that way. He didn’t want anyone else to see him in a pitiful state, and he knew he couldn’t hold back his emotions for much longer. He wanted to scream. He wanted to lash out with his shadows and destroy something. He wanted to curse whatever higher being dictated the events of the multiverse and demand to know why, no matter what he did, he just couldn’t do the right thing. He had been so insistent for so long that Eric could be trusted—that it wouldn’t be a mistake to spare his life and bring him to the Citadel. Every time Album criticized his beliefs, he would dig his heels in and insist that he wasn’t making a foolish choice.

What must be going through her mind right now? Is she laughing at me? Is she prepared to throw my words back in my face and remind me of each time we argued over what to do with the boy? Is that why she wants to speak with me before we head down to Erika? Does she plan to mock me?

He was furious. He didn’t want to be subjected to Album’s smugness, but he knew that any argument she put forward could no longer be contested. She had been right in every sense of the word, and any damage that now took place because of Eric Reiner’s actions would be on Nigreos. In fact, according to Sinna and Nakoma, the main reason the Children of Reiner escaped was because Eric intervened in the battle. If not for Eric being present, Arisa Kirisan, Hannah Lynn, and the rest of the treacherous orphans would be dead and the matter would finally be settled. He and Album could have departed for Harunhein the next morning with the knowledge that the guides were no longer a threat.

So what have I done? And to make things worse, the rest of the Masters think Ryokumo’s involved in all this. Can’t they see that he was betrayed just like the rest of us? Are they really so furious that they would accuse Ryokumo of treason?

He knew without having to ask that Album almost certainly agreed with Nakoma. She had been dragging Ryokumo’s name through the mud for years, seeming to no longer care about the history they shared. It always seemed as if she believed some of the blame for Abi’s rebellion fell onto him, and it made Nigreos sad to know that whatever happened between them would cause Album to doubt such an old and trusted friend.

What am I supposed to do? Do I really have to do this again? Is history truly bound to repeat itself?

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t force the images of Abi’s mutilated corpse from his head, the product of their final confrontation and the savagery of his magic. Reigious insisted that he merely wanted Eric captured, but Nigreos feared that there wouldn’t be such a merciful ending. It was clear enough that Sinna and Nakoma wouldn’t hold back if they happened across the boy. They would almost certainly kill him and claim they lacked a choice, and while he struggled to read Nyx, he feared she might do the same. There was no doubt in his mind that Album would want to kill him, but at the very least, the blood magic would prevent her from doing so.

Which means…if I want to save Eric’s life, then I have to be the one to confront him. It has to me, but…

He wasn’t sure he could do it. Just the thought of fighting Eric made his head begin to feel hazy and his legs to grow weak. All he could think about was Abi and her final moments, and he was terrified that he was about to watch as the same fate befell her son. He had promised her that he would never let harm come to Eric, yet the boy’s actions no longer left that option.

Can I even do it? Can I really face him again, knowing now that he is my enemy? Back in Omaruo, I knew it wasn’t his fault that he came into possession of the Assassination Stone. I knew he was simply unlucky and stumbled upon something he shouldn’t have. But now? It’s different this time. Eric has chosen to act, knowing full well what consequences his actions might have. But he doesn’t care.

Nigreos clenched his fists as he came to a stop outside the door to his quarters. He needed to make this conversation quick, knowing how important it would be to get down into Erika before the other Masters did. No matter how terrified he was, he knew he would forever regret it if he allowed Nakoma, Sinna, or Nyx to be the one to deal with Eric. Whether he liked it or not, it had to be him.

The Master of Darkness opened the door and stepped inside with Album following quietly behind him. Once the door was shut, Nigreos turned and activated the lights with a soft incantation, watching as small balls of fire magic erupted in the various candles placed around the room. Album had already taken her place by the windowsill, her back to him as she stared out at Erika down below. Nigreos wasn’t sure what she was thinking at that moment, but regardless, he wished she would hurry up and get to her point.

“So?” he began softly. “Say what you wish. Reigious wants us in the city so we don’t have a lot of time. If you’re going to gloat, then get to it.”

Album snorted, tilting her head slightly so she could watch him out of the corner of her eye. “Do you honestly think I’m petty enough to delay us just to gloat? Please, Nigreos. We can talk about your many mistakes another time. For now, we have more important matters.” This time, she turned around to face him fully, her eyes narrowed in consideration. “What are you planning to do?”

“What am I…?” he parroted. “What do you mean? I’m going to obey Reigious’s orders and go hunt Eric and the Children. What else would I do?”

She scoffed, folding her arms across her chest as she regarded him with a sneer. “In that case, let me alter the question. Can you do this? Do you think it’s a good idea for the two of us to confront Reiner while the blood protection is still active?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he replied harshly. “In fact, I don’t think you should be involved at all. I’ve at least know a fair bit of enhancement magic so I can bypass the protection to a certain extent, but you do not. We do not need a repeat of what happened outside Harper’s apartment, do we?”

“That, I can concede,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “You’re right that I shouldn’t get involved, but I don’t think you should either. We should leave this to the others and focus on apprehending Kirisan and the Children. With Caeli and Mackia remaining behind, we’re already down two Masters, so we shouldn’t be wasting our abilities on somebody immune to them.”

Album was right. All logic indicated that he should just set Eric aside and do his duty to the empire. With his dark magic, he could scour the city faster than anybody, and he’d already proven that he could dispose of Arisa Kirisan without much effort. If he found them, he could kill them without fail. But…

“Are you really okay with that?” he demanded. “Are you really okay letting one of the other Masters finish what we started? I’ve asked this many times, but can you honestly just set aside the fact that he’s Abi’s son? We already failed her, so how can we stand aside and allow Cartus or Rana or Taurus to kill him? Shouldn’t it be one of us? Shouldn’t it be me?”

Album shook her head firmly, her resolve strong. “It shouldn’t. We did not fail Abi nor did we fail Eric. They failed themselves by choosing treason. They’ve made decisions knowing the consequences and thus, there is nothing more we can do. Our abilities are needed elsewhere! We are wasted on the boy!”

“We are not!” he roared, his breathing heavy as some of his anger broke free. “Album, if this is all you have to say then leave. I need to collect my thoughts before going out there and we don’t have much time. I will not allow Eric to be murdered by the others. Reigious has ordered his captivity and I know they seek to kill. Therefore, it must be me. Hunt Arisa Kirisan if that’s what you wish but I will deal with Eric Reiner.”

He expected more condescension from his partner, but to both his surprise and his satisfaction, she didn’t say anything, instead choosing to regard him like she thought he was an idiot before stalking forward and brushing past him as she headed toward the door. But before she opened it, she stopped and glanced back at him.

“I honestly hope…I can find a way to make things right. I’ll do my best to fix this. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry it came to this.”

Before he could even ask what she was referring to, she swung the door open and stalked out, leaving him alone in his quarters. Nigreos didn’t have a clue what she meant, yet he couldn’t help but to ponder her words for a moment.

And how exactly could she ever make things right? There’s no fixing this. The damage is done and now, we have to suffer in the reality it’s created. Eric made his choice. He rejected us, and now he’s either going to die or he’s going to be locked up in the dungeons for the rest of his life. Fucking hell!

Finally alone to let his anger free, Nigreos spun around and slammed his fist into the wall, feeling the shaking of the room and the reverberations through his hand. The Master then dropped to his knees and allowed his tears to pour. He couldn’t remember the last time he cried, but in that moment, the stress and the pain were just too much for him to keep inside. In the privacy of his personal quarters, he just broke down.

I don’t want this to happen again. Why do I have to go through this a second time? Why couldn’t Eric have just listened to me? Why couldn’t he just see reason? What does rebelling achieve for him? What does he accomplish by joining the Children? I don’t understand it! Why does he… The Master of Darkness clenched his teeth so tightly that it hurt. Why does he have to be so much like his mother?

Nigreos didn’t know how much time had passed, and each time he told himself to get up and go down to the city, he found himself unable to move. The determination he had pulled together when he confronted Album was all gone now, replaced only by misery as he reflected on everything he might have done differently.

Could there have been a way to change this outcome? Was there something I was missing? Were there actions I could have taken? Or was I powerless? Was this ending inevitable?

There was no way for him to know, and so, when he felt his breathing relax and the tears slow, Nigreos finally rose to his feet, feeling as the grief began shifting to anger. He wasn’t really sure who that anger was directed at, whether it be Eric, the other Masters, himself, or even just fate. All he knew was that he was furious at the events of that day and knew he could no longer hide in his room. If he didn’t go to the city, Eric would almost certainly be taken down by someone else. Nigreos, however, could use his powers to scour every corner until he found him, and then he could take it from there. To him, there wasn’t a point in riding the lift, so he approached the window Album had been at and reached down to open it, allowing the night air to flow into the room.

Down below, the lights of the city glittered, and in a strange way, the view was peaceful. From where he stood, it didn’t seem as if a manhunt was unfolding within those streets. From way up in the sky, he could pretend like everything was okay, if only for one last second. He took a deep breath and placed his hands against the wall, ready to jump out and begin his descent down to Erika, but he was halted by a sudden knocking at his door.

Nigreos glanced back and frowned, unsure of who would be visiting him at that particular moment. His first thought was that Ryokumo had come to speak with him, but that would most likely mean Iris was present as well, and he certainly didn’t want to have any interactions with the Master of Nature.

“Who is it?” he called out, wanting to be sure before admitting anybody, but the answer surprised him.

“It’s Album. Open up Nigreos, we need to talk.”

He frowned, wondering what could have brought her back so soon. A chill went down his spine as he considered the possibility that the matter had already been settled. Could Eric have been killed while he was crying like a child? Could he have already missed his chance, and Album had returned to inform him that it was over?

“Come in,” he replied, trying to prevent the panic from showing in his voice. “It’s unlocked.”

He moved away from the window and watched as Album once again entered his room, but her neutral expression didn’t tell him anything about what her visit might be about. She walked forward calmly, closing the door behind her before crossing the room.

“What is it?” Nigreos demanded. “What happened? Was Eric apprehended already or…did they kill him?”

She shook her head. “I do not know. I haven’t been down to the city yet, but there’s something important I need to tell you about Caeli.”

“Ryokumo?” Just at the man’s name, he felt his heart begin to beat faster, and he found himself already nervous to hear what she would say next. However, he told himself to take whatever she said with a grain of salt since Album very rarely spoke highly of her old friend. “What about Ryokumo?”

She took another step forward, her features suddenly seeming fearful, as if whatever she had to tell him unnerved even her. Album was now right in front of him, almost uncomfortably close, and for that moment, the two of them looked each other in the eyes…

…before she plunged her hand deep into his chest with one swift move.

He grunted as a sudden spasm of pain shot through him, spreading throughout his body in a wave of nausea, and as he just gaped at the woman, his old friend, with wide eyes, her fearful expression shifted to one of excitement, a sly smile spreading across her lips before she yanked her hand free. The Master of Darkness stumbled backwards, watching as her hand began to glow with a ball of light, her palm raising to aim at his chest.

“Luminetta!”

“Coreas!”

The moment her lips began to move, Nigreos spat out his own incantation, allowing the shadows of the room to swirl around his body, blocking him from the beam of light that erupted from his friend’s hand.

What’s going on?! While the hell is Album trying to kill me?! What did I do?! We’re friends!

“Album, please!” he choked out through the welling up of blood in his mouth. “Why?”

As his shadows parted just enough to give him a good view of her features, he found nothing but anger and hatred in her eyes as she regarded him. He could only gaze in desperation as he tried to think of a way to plead with her to stand down, when he realized that he might already be too late. He had felt the eraser magic enter his body, so with a simple incantation, he would be gone from this world, forgotten by all.

No! No, please!

A wave of terror washed over him, and his first instinct was to use his shadows to try and kill her before she could activate the spell, but he hesitated. Once again, that image of Abi’s corpse returned to his mind, and he realized that he couldn’t act against Album. He needed to get answers from her—to know why she had decided to do this. He wanted to know what he did wrong.

“Stop,” he breathed, stumbling forward. “Album, we don’t have to do thi—”

“Album isn’t here.”

Those three words stopped him in his tracks, and all he could do was go back to staring at her, the meaning behind them processing in his head as she continued.

“I’ve been told what the Assassination Stone does, Nigreos,” she said with a smirk. “I now know just what it was I found in the cave that day. So I know you won’t hurt me because if you kill me, Album will die, and you don’t want that, do you?”

The Assassination Stone? Kill Album? Album isn’t here? Found in that cave? No… No, this can’t be… This can’t be right…

“Now, we need a safer place to talk,” she went on. “I’ll meet you inside, and know that if you do anything, Album will die. Now…”

“No!” he snarled.

“Erasurei.”

“ERIC!”

He lunged forward, wanting to grab the boy who stole Album’s body by the throat and stop him, but he knew at that moment that there was nothing he could do without sacrificing Album. Eric Reiner had backed him into a corner and now, the boy was protected elsewhere while puppeting Album’s body, preventing Nigreos from doing anything to the person before him. He wanted to run, to cry out and to find somebody who could help them, but as he took that step toward Eric, he felt his body suddenly tip forward as his leg faded into sand. He collided with the ground, more pain shooting through his body, and when he frantically looked up at Eric, the boy was grinning down at him, a smug look of victory already on his face.

I’ll…stop you somehow. I swear it…

But the determination he should have had was gone, and that smile was the last thing he saw before Nigreos Noctis faded into nothing.

***

Lilly Harper glanced around at those gathered on the sidewalk just outside of Scott’s workshop. They were already split into their groups, with the Magic Club and Scott Reiner gathered in one spot, and Rista, Evan, Brad, Jay, and Alice gathered in another. She and Rista had arrived just ten minutes prior, and they were taking one last moment to verify that everything was ready. Scott, in particular, was giving a last inspection of their weapons to make sure there hadn’t been anything they overlooked. This would be their best chance to go through with this plan. If even one thing failed, then Album would know that somebody was trying to escape and would enter the realm herself.

Though, that wouldn’t be the worst outcome seeing as I’d be able to deal with her inside the erased realm rather than in the real world. Though, if it comes to that, I suppose we’ll just have to play it by ear.

As she looked at each one of her friends and allies, she noted the sword on Rista’s hip, as well as the handguns holstered at the sides of Damien, Evan, and Brad. In addition, there was a weapon that was more reminiscent of a shotgun strapped to Scott’s back, who no longer wore his typical tank top and boxers, having replaced them with a normal shirt and shorts. But other than those details, everybody was dressed as they normally were. In fact, at a glance, it didn’t seem like any special day, but upon closer inspection, one could see the subtle looks of nervousness and apprehension. They all knew how crucial this was and they were all prepared to face the threat with everything they could muster.

“Alright, Harper, everything looks good to go,” Scott called over to her, giving her a brief thumbs up to indicate that she could take the floor.

She nodded her thanks, then moved to stand between the two groups so she could see them both. All eyes turned toward her, and Lilly was once again in the spotlight. Yet, she was comfortable. She trusted everybody gathered there and she knew they trusted her. They were friends, though some of them were less than others, but they all had the same goal—to go home.

“Alright, then let’s head out!” she declared. “Everybody should know what their job is so just focus on destroying the mana ports and be ready for anything. If this succeeds, this will be our last time seeing each other in the erased realm! So…good luck to all you guys!”

“Good luck!”

“Good luck, guys!”

“Let’s kick ass!”

Each person called out words of support, and when it went silent again, Lilly continued.

“We don’t know what might happen when the erased realm breaks. We don’t know where we’ll return to so I want everybody who was erased with a phone on them to immediately contact somebody to confirm that you’re okay. Got that?” More sounds of affirmatives reached her, so she let out a deep breath and smiled. “Alright then! Let’s go! Let’s destroy this place once and for all!”

As if she were hyping up a sports team or even an army, Lilly raised her fist above her head and smiled, wanting everybody to feel ready for what was to come. They all cheered with her, and with that, the two groups began to depart in separate directions, though Lilly made sure to glance back and give one last wave to Brad, Jay, Alice, Rista, and even Evan as she watched them making their way toward the shack in the woods. Brad, Jay, and Rista each gave her a warning look, knowing what might happen if The Angel was unleashed, so she just silently nodded back to assure them that she would be safe. When she turned back to face forward, Damien gave her a comforting pat on the back.

“They’re going to be okay,” he assured her. “So are we. We’ve got this, Lilly.”

“I know we do. We’re going to win.”

Their destination was the beach—the place where everything began. According to Rista, the beach’s mana port was located just outside the cave where Lilly knew Eric found the gemstone all those months ago. To her, it was almost poetic that it was the place they would escape from, and the looks of the club’s faces told her that they all shared that sentiment.

Remember, she internally said to The Angel. Do your job to protect me, sure, but do not let anybody else get hurt. If any of these people around me are in any sort of danger, use my body to save them, no matter what it takes.

“I’ll do what I can, but I won’t make you any promises, Harper. We have our priorities, too, and that’s protecting our host.”

Yes, well, your host is telling you to change your priorities.

“You’re a really stubborn girl, you know that?”

Ignoring the Voice of Light’s comment, Lilly turned her attention back to the task at hand. On any other day, the four of them would have probably been joking around and having a good time, but on that afternoon, they were all silent. She didn’t know what thoughts were going through their heads, but she knew that Damien, Liz, and Vinny would process it all in their own ways. All three had only just regained their memories a few days prior, and Vinny hadn’t even been present for the battles in Wilham. He was operating only on what he saw at the diner and on what the rest of them had told him. Yet all three were walking without hesitation. She then glanced at Scott, who took up the rear, to see him already holding his shotgun as he glanced around the neighborhoods. Part of Lilly wanted to tell him to put it away, but then she decided it didn’t matter. By the time any cops reacted to phone calls, the realm wouldn’t exist anymore.

The five of them continued until they reached the outskirts of town, then followed a country road further away, their pace increasing as they got closer. Soon enough, Vinny led them off the road and onto a small hiking trail with a small drop to the left of it and the beach and ocean down below. The sun was just now dipping under the horizon and night would fall soon. Lilly had wished they could have made their move earlier, but Scott still had a bit of finishing up to do that afternoon so this was the earliest time.

But it doesn't matter. We’ll be gone before dark.

They walked in pairs now that they were on the narrow trail with Vinny and Lilly in the lead, Damien and Liz behind them, and Scott Reiner in the back.

“I still vividly remember the day we walked down this trail…when Eric found the gem,” Vinny muttered. “Part of me wonders what would have happened if we hadn’t come here that day. How much would have changed?”

“A lot,” Lilly replied softly. “And one thing that would have changed was that I would have never befriended you guys.”

Vinny laughed and shrugged. “Good point. I guess there’s a silver lining to even the worst situations, yeah?”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “And you know what, even with all that’s happened, Eric did help a lot of people with that stone. That’s something that Nigreos and Album can’t take away from us. I just wish I had realized that sooner.”

“Hey, don’t forget,” the boy said wryly. “It wasn’t just Eric who helped people, Lil’. You were just as much of a saint, you got that?”

Lilly snorted. “I am not a saint.”

The two of them chuckled as a natural staircase appeared just up ahead, indicating that they had arrived at their destination. When they reached that point, they would be able to see the mana port just below, and they could finally start to dismantle it. Lilly and Vinny quickened their pace and stopped just at the top of the stairs and she immediately looked down to scan for the port.

But her body went cold as her eyes stopped on a single figure rising to his feet, his black suit covered in sand and his pure white eyes directed up at them. He seemed just as shocked to see them as she was to see him, and she felt a sharp gasp escape her lips.

No… No, why now? Why is he here? How did he find out?

“Lilly?” Vinny breathed, terror briefly creeping into his voice as he gazed down below. “Is that…?”

“Yeah. That’s Nigreos Noctis.”