Chapter 8: The Regulus Crystal

The Invisibility Cloak, a powerful and the most durable of all magical tools known in existence, even the most skillfull and powerful Magistoids couldn't easily craft it. It requires a huge amount of magical power one lone Magistoid, no matter how powerful they are, can't produce it themselves. That's why it requires many Magistoids are needed to craft this tool. The Defendatus are short on Magistoids, for sure, but this tool that I'm using was in development since the start of the war when they still have many members.

All of this I learned from the secret briefing for our infiltration mission to the Varasgomo and where I was chosen to wield this for the double-infiltration tactic of this mission. The whole team, barring myself, would act as a distraction in the case of our untimely discovery, distracting the whole personnel as efficient as possible, while I will go to the final level unnoticed. I did my best to object to this plan, but I got overruled by the commander. 'It was a very important job.' he said. I had no choice on the matter so I reluctantly conceded. The journey through the Varasgomo is a nail-biting one, due to the fact that I had to stay quiet under cloak. Really quiet. Invisibility cloaks only work if the wearer was in outmost silence under it. Not even a whimper cannot escape through my mouth. Just one instance of it could disrupt the stability of the magic long enough for some highly-attuned Magistoids to sense it.

Taki. I'm sorry about the anger that you blow out for me. It wasn't in your nature to blow out like that. Even as the war is raging on, you still managed to have a positive level-headed attitude and patience to everything. I wish I had that too so the pain in my heart would subside, even just a little bit. But now, I needed to move forward. I will not waste the opportunity that you've given me and I really hope that I can save you in time.

I had all the matter-disintergration grenades, hopefully I could create enough ruckus to distract every those monsters and not left anyone in the crystal's chamber in the last level. Not gonna lie, these stuff is so powerful it's making me shiver and it was a good clutch that they make holes in the doors and in the walls near it so I could enter there with no one none the wiser. I trudged through the hallways as I find the next door to the next level. Thankfully for the holographic watch Mori-san gave me, I managed to find the door and initiated the plan.

I threw a grenade out from my cloak and immediately distanced myself from the range of the explosion as it sets off, unleashing multiple flurry of lightnings and disintegrating anything on its path, including huge chunks of the door. Thank God I was a good aim. I entered the hole undetected as several Magistoids are gathering to the site. This tango continued as I trudged through the levels and thankfully Magistoids are suckers for candy as they look at the damages and rummage throughout the levels to see who's behind all of those. Sucks to be you, your eyes are literally holes you can't see me under your feet. (Bleh!)

I arrived at the last door where the chamber for the Regulus Crystal and it was guarded to the brick with many powerful looking Magistoids. It was expected as it was a very important item for them all and also most likely they've caught on what the real target is. It's time now for the final stage, but I can't just put my arm out of the cloak to throw the grenade, they might see it. Oh wait. There's actually an easy way. I pulled the pin on the last grenade and put it on the ground and I walked away from it. The cloak unveiling it as it moves away from it, to which I run away immediately from it.

It was second too late when the Magistoids noticed it as it sets off right on schedule and right on target as I immediately entered the hole onto the door, granting me passage onto the chamber. As I entered the chamber, I was in awe when I saw it. The image that we got didn't still do it justice and that put us in an awe like never before. This, this is different than that. The giant blue crystal, floating inside a glass cylinder container eminates a blue aura that really gives me goosebumps, even when I was under the cloak. I felt that I was in a divine space, the way it floats pristinely in its impenetrable glass chamber, it was like it doesn't belong in this world. A true testament of its power.

I now know the reason why they revere it. Sucks for you, I'm gonna blow it to dust, sky high. I was two steps for ward to the chamber when suddenly, I felt something wrong. Like a feeling of dread that started to seep into this room that sends tremble within me. A feeling that something out there can devour me while in seconds.

Suddenly, the wall on the opposite side of the chamber shifted, revealing a hidden door that is opening right now. Then something started to emerged from the door and what emerged from that door is a nightmare. The nightmares that dragged to whole into hell and completely robbed us of our lives. It is them and I'm afraid. The Rex Regulus.

They saunter inside the crystal chamber, their strides are indicative of their power. Their appearances and aura are unlike anything on Earth or even to the other Magistoids I've encountered in my life, even I saw their images, but like the Regulus Crystal, it didn't to them justice either. Being near to them though, adds up to their intimidating factor even more and I'm starting to feel afraid. I am fighting with giants and I got number to them the long I fought them and I am now getting afraid of them.

But as I was getting afraid of them, my rage is starting to rise up at the same time. Of course it is, because they're the ones that instigated this war that destroyed our lives as we know it. Everyone that we know and love, every family and friends, all gone and I cannot forgive them. I wanted to get back at them for all the things they have done to us tenfold. I wanted to suffer. I wanted them to die miserably and horribly. But then, a question came up into my mind.

There's something strange about this scenario, something wrong and this is the question that came up to me: What are they doing here? There's no mention of them being here in the briefing, unless they've gone into a surprise inspection here. That make sense in some level. They're the ones who put the crystal here and probably wanted so to see its status in the least.

If so, them since when they've come here? If it was before the battle started, they should've interfered when we're already taking a huge toll on them. This was their most precious artefact, so it would make sense for them to intervene if necessary. As far as I know, the battle outside is quickly devolving into chaos due to the suddenness and ferocity of our assault. Would it be prudent for them to intervene, right? Their presence could easily tip the favor of the battle over them, it was on brand for them. When humanity are starting to gain some advantages in our assaults, they would stepped in and finish it all in one swoop. Then-

At that moment, I felt a flinch inside me, a thought entered to my mind as I scramble my mind on the situation. If they're here now, then that could mean- 'No, no, no!!' Fear is starting to bubble up to me even more than ever, the implications are grim. 'Dad, everyone. No, please. You promised me!' Though my fear is monumental at the moment, I can't be riled up right now. If I do, they might find out my position. Everything will fall apart of they do. I need to suck it up, I hope everything isn't too late.

They strode to the place with a vigor and power that can't be measured by anyone's standard, even though they walked there with different gaits to each other. I was keeping my cool at the moment, totally not moving not all and praying that they won't notice me as they walked their way to the crystal. Bentenduris the dragon, finally broke the heavy silence after his stroll to the crystal, humming in a cheery tone as he put his metallic clawed hands onto the glass chamber.

"Hey there, youngin' Miss us?" His cheery demeanor would shatter his sadistic image and reputation of him if it weren't for his next statements as he said "I wish you could've see me there eviscerating our enemies there in the battlefield." His dark statements continue after that, "Those Blegerus are such a pain in my hind, wanting to bring down anything that we've built here. Can you believe it?" This send down shivers down to my spine, reminding me of the brutality that they possess and this was not the first instance of it.

"Younger brother. Please refrain in using such vulgar way of speaking. He is not fond of such language, even though our enemies deserve such fates." The middle of the Rex Reguluses, Mandagus Rex Regulus, spoke with a cold and unyielding tone that betrayed no emotion out of him. "But those Defendatus and their human pests are always spoiling everything that we've built! It always leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth!" Bentenduris almost threw a temper tantrum as he pouted at his older brother at the remark. It would like an argument would have broke at this moment.

*Enough of it, both of you!!" A booming and commanding voice emanated across the room that put the two Rex Reguluses down in their tracks and presumed to silence. The eldest of them all, Arcturis Rex Regulus, said with a fiery tone "Don't you remember why we are here?! We're here to pay respects to him, not go into a squabble between ourselves. We need to be firm to all the Magistoids. To him." He said those words with a firm conviction as he focused himself into the crystal. The rest of the Rex Reguluses followed lead.

They continued to commune with the crystal as Arcturis' outburst left me reeling, but it left me wondering on the choice of words they used to describe the crystal. They refer to it as "him", as if it was a person. I know this is the source of all their magics, but the amount of reverence for it is just astounding. Do they treat it as their god? If that so then, is the crystal sentient or something? Did it have a mind of its own? No, it can't be right. That thing can't be a god.

My ruminations linger me for a while when the door suddenly opened, revealing many Magistoids pouring inside the room with something being carried between their arms. My eyes widen in horror as I realized what it is. It is Ardugo and he's totally battered to tee. Gold ambrosia flowed out of his wounds all over his body and he wasn't the only one who they've taken in: Enjiros, Kambali, Kofalu, and Echeros, all battered and bleeding with some of their limbs missing.

I almost gasped at the sight when Arcturis Rex Regulus speak up with a clear domineering presence. "I think the time is now for our pesky little interloper to reveal themselves, aren't they, Mandagus?" As he nodded, he took out his wooden wand and with a flick, flames started to burst out at the seams of the cloak. It quickly spreads upwards as it burns the Invisibility Cloak away, leaving me bare to the Magistoids all around me.

I am in a complete shock and terror as I looked up to the Rex Reguluses, wondering on how on Earth they knew I was here. "Oh, look at that face of complete and utter terror and bewilderment. Kinda cute when they do that." Said Bentenduris Rex Regulus with a sadistic glee and overtone as he continued his terrifying conversation. "If you're wondering on how we know, the Invisibility Cloak might mask your presence, but it can't mask your scent that was being left behind on your trail. It's like you're leaving some food crumbs on the floor." That explanation put me in a harrowing realization because when you think about it clearly, it does all make sense. Bentenduris Rex Regulus is the most beastial of all the Beridaxis, sniffing some whiff on the ground is no game to him. A fatal flaw in the Invisibility Cloak. A huge one.

As I was in the brewing of my terror, Arcturis Rex Regulus spoke up with an air of superiority looming above me. "Don't fall to your despair yet, little one. This is just the beginning." As he finished that ominous statement, he gestured to someone beyond the door. Couple more Magistoids come out with their hands holding up in their chest. From them, I could something dangling in a series of multiple ropes. As I fully looked at the things that was dangling under them, the despair within me has been fully unleashed. Those weren't just things at all. It's them.

"Taki! Goda-san! Takeguchi-san!" Binded by ropes dangling from the hands of the Magistoids, I could everyone, if not all, the members of the resistance that was fighting the battle outside. And from what it looks, they were as beaten up as the members of the Defendatus. But the worst of them all is when I saw the last Magistoid entered the room with a single captive dangling from their hand. My pit is now in a Gordian knot as I screamed out the contents of my lungs in utter despair. "Dad!!!!!"