Fallen

The proceedings passed numbingly for Nico. Nothing much interested him. He had already attended a couple trials himself, and each time he simply had to sit and wait. It was just another public execution for Gunlaug.

However, against all odds, he heard Andel say quietly:

"I choose Nico, my lord."

The room grew terribly silent. Nobody dared move a muscle until Nico turned his head to the Pathfinder, regarding him with his empty visor, hands plainly at his side.

Jubei, the accuser, grimaced.

"A pity," he mumbled, then yelled: "Cowardly move, you scum!"

Despite the fact they were at opposite ends of the social ladder, the hunter from the outer settlement couldn't help but feel aggrieved at the mention of the man's name. Once, he had seen him kill an Awakened Monster just outside the settlement, saving them from a potentially dangerous fight. Then, he brought back corpses on a daily basis for them to share.

The only castle member to help them, and he was going to have to kill him to get his justice...

They were all truly wicked.

Meanwhile, the lieutenant had stirred, moving to the center of the circle, head turned back to see the Bright Lord.

'What a strange man... Did he order this?'

Gunlaug's polished, expressionless mask was already trained on him, and when he caught his reflection, horrible pressure descended on his mind. He grimaced from the mental pain under his veil.

Stopping in the center of the clearing, Nico looked upon Jubei. The man... he had come a long way. Despite his pale, starved appearance, he stood proud and strong, powerful muscles rolling under his skin.

What a shame.

His Memories weaved themselves from sparks of light, forming into a flexible armor composed of red scales, a kite shield, and a curved scimitar. Furious eyes burned into Nico from beneath his winged helmet.

He shifted into a battle stance, then said steadily, more to himself than to Nico:

"Let's see what you're capable of, lapdog."

Nico towered above the Sleeper at his generous height, arms poised at his side, head tilted down to gaze upon him. Instead of summoning any weapons, the fog in his visor swirled dangerously.

Jubei gripped his weapons tighter, irritated by the lieutenant's obvious pride.

"So be it," he ground out, then lunged forward, raising his shield and slashing with his scimitar at the same time. His movements were swift and agile, honed by years of experiencing the worst hell unknown to man.

Nico, unprepared, appeared as if he would be cut down without moving a muscle.

But then the hunter suddenly stumbled.

He shrieked inhumanely, tripping over his own feet and falling to his knees. A horrible grimace marred his features, and he attempted to stand up, the towering figure of the lieutenant no more than a couple feet away.

Crimson flames sparked within Nico's visor, shrouded so deeply in fog only Jubei could've seen.

When he met the Specter's scalding gaze, another wail erupted from his mouth, and his weapons clattered to the floor, hands clawing bloody streaks across his face as he curled downwards, forehead slamming into the marble with a wet thump.

It was almost as if he'd prostrated himself before his opponent.

Horrified gasps and ugly expressions wilted the once reserved members of the Bright Castle. The guards, Hunters, and Pathfinders all watched, stupefied. Even Gemma, Kido, and Tessai seemed rattled. Harus watched with amusement.

Seishan was aloof.

At the center of the hall, Nico knelt slowly, and everyone's eyes reluctantly tracked his movements.

He gently grasped the thin neck of the once proud hunter and lifted him slowly with one arm. Jubei, still in agony, sputtered, clawing at his opponent's steel gauntlet, fear contorting his face.

It was useless.

Nico whispered, too quiet for anyone else to hear:

"Give me your Memories."

The ailment afflicting the hunter tripled in strength, and he choked, both from the physical and mental pain. His Memories dispersed into nothingness. Five sparks travelled down Nico's body as the Spell announced:

[You have received a Memory.]

[You have received...]

[You have...]

He tuned out the noise. Then, he transferred his two soul roots back to his body, an invigorating strength coursing through him a moment later. Jubei, released from the complete stranglehold of the Specter's merciless enthrallment, attempted to wriggle free, but it was too late.

He kicked, he punched, he clawed, he screamed, but it was off no matter. None of his attacks even scratched the wraith's armor, and he no longer had any weaponry.

With a single, final motion, Nico plunged his other hand into Jubei's chest, a deafening crack echoing across the throne room as his ribs shattered and organs burst.

Jubei's eyes — scared, pleading — clouded over.

Somebody screamed as blood sprayed from his chest.

Nico jerked his hand free, tossing aside the corpse like a wet napkin.

No particular thought was in his mind, but if there had been one, it would've been:

[You have slain Dreamer Jubei.]

The Spell spoke pleasantly, as it always did, and a torrent of fragments flowed into his soul, reforming his body stronger.

It continued a second later:

[You have received a Memory.]

Within the throne room, nobody moved. Nobody breathed. The hall was frozen in time. Within the lieutenant's hand was a bloodied shard — a soul shard. He crushed it easily, its dim radiance snuffed out like a candle. A flicker of sorrow uselessly knotted his stomach before the Specter repressed itself.

Sunny, across the room, felt something extinguish in his chest as he glared at the menacing man with open loathing. Cassie grasped his shoulder and whispered shakily into his ear:

"Were there two Sleepers fighting the man?"

Sunny's eyes widened incredulously. He replied, voice hushed but seething:

"No... Why?"

She clutched his shoulder harder.

"I see two... two sets of runes."

Before Sunny could take another breath, Nico spoke, his empty voice travelling in a cold wind across the hall:

"I'll be leaving now, my lord."

Lounging on his throne, Gunlaug replied, his amused voice a hammer of divine judgement:

"So you shall, my ward. So you shall."