Brotherhood

The streets of Anima had become busy. The steady parade of Seditio officers swarming the major streets and roads were a sight to behold. Some residents felt the intimidation from the droves of dark-cloaked men and retreated into their homes. While curious onlookers joined the march energetically as they sense a great amusement will ensue if they tag along.

"Brothers and Sisters, the time has come for the Great Judgement! Join us as we welcome the coming of a new era, glory to us all!" A Seditio officer in a gray robe declared at the front.

The officers yelled with zeal as they started to rally at the center of Anima.

As the procession reached the central plaza Athos and Omri ran through the back alleyways, trying to catch up at the tail end of the formation. While avoiding the congested roads they had to hurry as sunset was approaching and Athos felt the Familial bonds that he had with his parents grow weak by the second.

"My prince, we are almost at the plaza, your breathing sounds harsh. If it's too much on your body I'll carry you." Omri glanced worriedly at Athos who was a few paces behind him.

"I'm… Fine… haaah, let's push ahead, Omri… haaah…" Athos' face was drenched, he quickly wiped his trickling sweat off with his cloak.

"It's just a few blocks to the plaza...huff...puff... I can manage-"

Omri quickly placed his arms under Athos' back and knees then lifted him up before Athos could finish his reply. Athos looked at him with a confused expression, he did not expect Omri would carry him as soon as he wavered.

"I apologize for my impertinence my prince, but since you are not in a good state and the illusion barrier is small, I need to make sure you stay close to me." Omri let out a brisk smile then continued to run with Athos in his arms.

"...A-alright then, I'll leave it to you Omri." Athos groaned, he was slightly embarrassed as Omri lifted him up like a toddler.

"The connection for telepathy remains open. let's use that to talk, we can't risk being caught in the middle of the parade."

"Understood my prince, the plaza should be three blocks away from the next corner. So please bear with me in the meantime. Omri sighed.

"Oh, and please hold on tightly." Omri then cast a minor agility enchantment on himself.

"Wait for a second Omri…!"

Omri's sprint became thrice as fast. Athos quickly wrapped his arms around Omri's neck and clung for his dear life as Omri ran like a mad man.

They managed to reach the vicinity of the plaza after a minute and a half, they stopped at the edge of the alleyway as the path to the central plaza was just by the next corner.

[The plaza should be just up ahead. I can hear the noises of people from here...Sounds like a large gathering.] Omri quickly set down Athos to the ground. Seeing the young prince slightly nauseated and his face pale made Omri feel a bit guilty.

[Are you alright my prince? I apologize if it was a bit too much.] Omri gazed at Athos with an apologetic face.

[I'm… okay, just a little bit dizzy, I think.] Athos took out the remaining poultice he used earlier and applied it to his temples. He then sat on the ground to rest.

[Give me a moment to collect myself Omri.] Athos glanced at the worried Omri beside him, he let out a sigh.

Athos never experienced being manhandled like a sack of flour. It was also the first time he saw Omri's physical capabilities. He was a half-blood hence, it was already a given that his Moira abilities and mana pool were cut by half. Despite those challenges, Omri was able to fully master healing and medical arts with efficiency.

What Athos did not know was, In the past, Turris trained Omri in close-combat arts as his physical attributes were superior. Unlike Athos's swordsmanship classes that felt like a formality, Omri was trained for physical endurance with a background on fundamental self-defense.

Omri was the pioneer of a defensive healer.

*Thump*

Suddenly, Athos felt his heart beating loudly, the throbbing took Athos aback and his eyes widened with shock, his Familial Bonds started to pulsate violently.

The connection with his parents earlier was very faint, but now it was stronger. It meant that Athos' parents were near.

[My prince? What is wrong?] Omri knelt and inspected Athos?

[T-they're here… Omri… Mother and father are near!] Athos held his chest, the throbbing was getting more violent and Athos struggled to stand up.

Omri assisted Athos' back as he stood up. [Prince Athos...is it the Bonds?] Omri's eyes grew in shock.

Athos nodded as he flinched from the vibrations of the Bonds.

[We must hurry, Omri...they must be somewhere in the Plaza area.] Athos slowly walked towards the end of the corner.

Omri gripped Athos' arm firmly, preventing him to move forward. [My prince, let's be careful from here on out, I have an ominous feeling about this Great Judgement…]

Omri's face darkened.

[There's a possibility that they wanted to lure us out from hiding. If that's the case wouldn't escaping now would be-]

[No! I don't want to abandon my mother and father. Omri…] Athos' voice trembled for a bit.

[Even if there's a small chance to reunite with them and escape, I'll take it regardless!] Athos' eyes were filled with determination as he glared back and tried to shrug Omri's hand.

Omri's grip loosened. [Alright my prince, your shield will comply. But please, we need to have a plan of escape before we leap into the fray.] Omri paused for a bit and cast a mid-grade detection spell.

Omri's brows furrowed and his face had a disgruntled expression. [I can feel a large anti-mana ward enveloping the center of the plaza, there are also a lot of Church sorcerers amongst the crowd, it seems teleportation won't be possible.]

[I'll handle it Omri. I can summon an elemental to help out, that should keep the Church's underlings at bay too.]

[My prince, that option is out of the question, you'll collapse from mana exhaustion!] Omri gawked at Athos with concern.

[Omri… it will be fine, I'll invoke a lesser elemental to cause a distraction. Like a light bomb or a sound bomb, those will probably work on the wards since Light and Sound elementals require minimal mana.] Athos wiped the dried-up poultice from his temples.

[Then… I'll lead the way, my prince.] Omri then extended his hand out to Athos. [Please let me borrow your sword once more, Prince Athos.]

Athos snickered at Omri. [Don't even think about cutting yourself again.] He then took out the shortsword from his spatial inventory and carefully passed it to Omri.

[I'm not going to cut myself with it, my prince. This is for your additional protection.] Omri gave Athos an optimistic smile. [A shield knows when to fight back if necessary.]

[Then, I leave it to you, my shield. Please take care of me.] Athos then clutched Omri's sleeve. [Lead the way, big brother.]

Omri sighed, although he is still not good at acting as Athos' elder brother, he started to see the young prince in a different light. 'I guess it's not that bad to have a younger sibling.' Omri glanced at Athos, clinging on his right hand.

[Looks like it will rain within the hour… can your barrier repel water big brother?] A cheeky smile was visible from Athos' face.

Omri let out a faint scoff towards Athos. [It doesn't but I can cast a waterproof enchantment on your cloak, princ- I mean, little brother.]

Both of them started to walk towards the end of the alley, They gradually heard the noises of the plaza grow louder as they got closer.

When they reached the main street, they were stupefied by the sheer number of people gathering towards the central plaza. The majority of the crowd were wearing the similar dark Seditio cloak that Athos and Omri were wearing. It was fairly easy for them to blend in.

[My prince, please stay close, I can easily lose you in this sea of people.] Omri's hold on Athos' hand tightened. [Damn, there's a lot more Church of Arbor mages here than I expected.] Omri clicked his tongue as he scanned the surroundings.

*Thump*

Athos felt the bond pulsate again, only this time it was a little painful. Athos clenched his chest with his hand and trembled. 'Endure this...We're almost there...mother and father, please be safe.' Athos contemplated and he clung on Omri's hand firmly.

The closer they got to the center of the plaza, the harder it was for Athos. The Bonds were throbbing violently and it felt like someone or something was clawing out Athos' heart from his chest. Every step for him was painful, the pressure on his chest was mounting, and he gasped for breath as he walked forward.

[My prince, should we take a break for a bit?] Omri's face had been drenched with sweat since they arrived at the plaza grounds.

Omri had been discreetly using a low-grade search spell to locate Athos' parents. Unfortunately due to his low mana constitution, the constant use of low-grade spells combined with maintaining an illusion barrier consumed most of Omri's stamina.

[I'm alright Omri… we need to push ahead, the Bond, it's been banging on my chest… Ugh.] Athos gripped his chest while wincing in pain.

Omri gazed at Athos with an anxious face, he hesitated to say something but eventually speaks up after contemplating.

[...I understand. If the pain becomes unbearable, tell me immediately. I'll carry you again if needed.] Omri sighed.

Eventually, both of them managed to squeeze through the bustling crowd, Omri and Athos ended up ten meters away from the central area. Unfortunately, due to the presence of black sorcerers and witches, they were unable to push further as they risk getting their barrier dispelled.

*Dong*

The sudden alarm of the Anima Clocktower resonated through the plaza. It was now 3:30 PM. The crowd gradually fell silent and the onlookers turned their attention to the platform in the central area. A man in a gray Seditio robe greeted the idling public.

"Brothers and Sisters! The time for the Great Judgement is here!" The robed man stretched his arms out to salute the masses gathered before him.

"I am the Second Brother of the Enlightened One, my name is Docere." He then took a formal bow as if to give thanks to the audience gathered before him.

"We are here today to pass retribution to the accursed Moirais. For centuries, we have been told that our Fate had been preordained. We must obey the word of the Palace, else our souls will be sent to the Abyss..." Docere walked around the platform as if he was teaching in front of a class.

"...and we as mortals have no right to seize and realize our own Fate! It was always obeying them and begging them for a kind death!" Docere's face was filled with rage, he then took down his hood and exposed his scarred face.

Docere wore an eye patch on his right eye, he had a large vertical scar that ran over from the right side of his forehead down to his jawline. His long, unkempt black hair made his face a lot more intimidating.

"My right eye… this scar...my face… This was the price I paid after decades of obedience to them." His fists clenched in anger and a bitter rage seethed within him.

"Fuck them all. It's time for them to pay us back." A sinister smile grew on Docere's face. He then took out his staff and activated a spell.

The crowd watched with anticipation as they saw a bright magic circle activate at the center of the platform, it's illumination blinded everyone on sight, including Omri and Athos.

*THUMP*

Athos closed his eyes in pain and clenched his chest with both of his hands, his knees gave out and he fell to the cobbled ground.

Eventually, the blinding light faded and the crowd turned back their attention towards the central platform.

[Of all the things… H-how did…?] Omri's face paled and his mouth was agape with shock. [It can't be… no… no! No! Their majesties!]

~~~~~

To be Continued.

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