Heaven's Curse

Chapter 2

Rufus ran at Danteus with an unsheathed sword in hand and quickly, Danteus blocked his sword with his sheathed rapier. The men pressed their weight behind the weapons which trembled beneath the force of each man. “I don’t see why you’d want to side with those demons. You’re better than that, you’re better than them.”

“Don’t you think you’re too old for name calling?” Danteus remarked, with a twisted smile and frowned when he began to fail under Rufus’s strength. Slipping his sword from Rufus’s, Danteus slid past Rufus and shoved his sheathed blade into his sternum. Rufus curled over and stumbled back.

“Bastard.” Rufus growled, clutching his sternum.

“Sorry, but I’m no bastard.” Danteus remarked. “You should know that better than anyone.” Anton and Maximus rushed towards Danteus to help and paused when he held up his hand. Danteus observed Rufus and declared, “Tell us what you know. Where’s Garret?”

“Even if I did know I wouldn’t tell you!” Rufus called and ran at Danteus, quickly Danteus side stepped him and punched him hard in the face, breaking his nose.

“Here’s an idea. Why don’t you tell us what we want to know, and you won’t receive any more injuries?” Danteus beckoned. His expression, serious.

Rufus laughed and pointed his sword at Danteus. His eyes deadly and Danteus widened his stance as he reached for his sword, preparing to unsheathe it. “Why don’t you turn around and go home then I’ll forgive your idiocy.” Rufus launched himself at Danteus once more and this time, Danteus unsheathed his sword and deflected the attack. Steel on steel echoed along the silent alleyway while both men blocked each other’s attacks.

Danteus ducked, avoiding a horizontal strike from Rufus, and swept at the man’s ankles who fell on his back. Danteus leapt and stabbed the ground where Rufus had been before he had flipped out of the way. Danteus dodged Rufus’s next attack as Anton and Maximus watched on in awe. “And here I thought we were badass.” Anton declared, and Maximus crossed his arms.

“We will be . . . one day.”

Then the fighting ceased, and Danteus stood over Rufus with his sword pointed at the other man’s throat. “Well,” Danteus declared.

“You forget this battle isn’t over.” Rufus declared, and held up his hand. Ice permeated from his fingertips. The air chilled and became cloudy. Danteus swiped the area before him with his free hand and noticed Rufus was not before him as he had once been. “And if you want Garret be sure to check the South District. Until next time, Danteus.” Then the dry ice receded, and the air returned to normal.

“The arrogance of that man,” Danteus muttered.

“So now we head to the South District.” Anton declared. The men shared a glance and headed further south.

*

Gothalia’s mind turned at the recent events and cursed when her body ached. She stared at the ceiling above aware Anaphora had gone to bed not too long ago. Though she contemplated where Anton and Maximus had gone but knew deep down it was after her attackers. That was who they were—they watched out for her especially when everyone worked to hurt her. That thought alone made her smile before her once kind smile turned into a grimace. Why were they taking care of her and not her taking care of them? Was it because she was a woman, and they felt the need to take care of her or was she not taking care of them because they were men, and she hoped they possessed L’Eiron’s strength?

Gothalia’s frown deepened. Why would it matter what gender or whose role it played? She thought pushing such trivial thoughts aside. They were her family and the last members of her family she had left—she had to protect them. Gothalia climbed out of her bed and regarded the folded clothes and fresh bandages on her bedside table. She knew Anaphora had left it for her as did the doctor who had seen her.

Gothalia entertained the thought of why that doctor even considered helping her let alone actually doing it. “Maybe he has an ulterior-motive.” Gothalia muttered thoughtfully and stood feeling the cold floor beneath her feet. It felt strange and foreign to her. Gothalia had always known warmth and heat, so to feel such cool temperatures made a shiver run through her. Though, this alone never confirmed she was a carrier of the Ignatius Flame. Something that her father once carried. Gothalia sighed and vacated the room.

She wandered down corridors until she arrived at a room that she had never arrived at after that day—the day she, Anton and Maximus had lost everyone. Memories of that day, flooded through her mind, especially the faces of her parents smiling upon her. Memories she would never let herself forget.

Her brows furrowed and her lips tightened.

“Why did they take you from us?” she muttered as she entered the master bedroom, and her tears began to shed. Her muscles ached and screamed in pain but it did not compare to the internal turmoil she felt at her parent’s absence—even after all these years. It was like there was a gaping hole in her chest that could never be filled, as she stared at the bed, her parents once shared. She recalled as a small child running into the room and climbing onto the bed with her brother—trying to wake her parents in the early hours of the morning. Or falling asleep beside them in the evening before they tucked her and her brother into their beds they had in their shared room.

Then the tears stopped unable to fall anymore, they were as dry and barren as her heart. Entering the room, she took tentative steps towards the bed before climbing into her parents’ bed and falling asleep. Though, this time when the dreams called, they were not filled with pain but warmth and love. The same warmth and love she had recalled at their presence when they were with her.

*

Danteus, Anton and Maximus strode the lower district streets in hopes of finding Garret. Though, everywhere they had looked they could not find any sign of him. “I swear if Rufus is lying, he’ll be sorry.” Anton muttered.

“I’ve known Rufus to not be much of a liar, but I guess there’s a first time for everything,” Danteus remarked. Then glanced down the road.

“You know you can go home if you want.” Maximus declared.

“And give up the fun, never.” Danteus smirked.

“Good to know you’re up for a little adventure,” Anton said, his eyes on the street ahead as they strode past more vibrant citizens of New Icarus. Though, he noticed the way they had watched him and the way they had avoided being near him. It irritated him to no end, but he knew he had to keep his cool. It was not their fault that they were ignorant and only believed the rumours.

“Always,” Danteus remarked. Then his eyes drifted over a face in the crowd. He recognised it and caught Anton’s attention. “I think we found him.”

“Are you sure?” Maximus inquired, scanning the face in the distance that Danteus pointed out and anger burned within his stomach. “That’s him.”

Danteus, Anton and Maximus crossed the road and followed Garret who wandered the streets with his friends. Anton kept his eyes on his back as he overheard, “Did you hear how she screamed when I shot electricity through her. It was only a small voltage, but she shrieked as if she were in agonising pain. The Valdis were always weak.” Garret laughed and Maximus sped up closing the distance between him and Garret.

Quickly, Maximus gripped Garret’s shoulder and spun him around. Wide-eyed Garret stumbled back when Maximus’s fist connected with his jaw. “Only a coward harms a woman the way you did.”

“Who are you calling a coward, you filthy demon?” Garret muttered wiping his bloodied jaw. “Oh, I get it, you’re here for revenge aren’t you?” Garret’s golden eyes blazed in anger and satisfaction. “Tell me how is precious Gothalia doing? Still in pain?”

“I’ll kill you.” Maximus growled.

“I’d like to see you try it.” Garret remarked, with an evil grin. “Danteus is that you? What are you doing? Why are you with those people?” He observed Danteus carefully then frowned when Danteus smiled.

“Helping them to try and find you.” Danteus replied, with a cheeky grin.

“Why?” Catching Garret’s curiosity. “Rufus thought highly of you. Or do you just not care.”

“Honestly, it’s out of curiosity. I want to see why you’ve made the Valdis mad. It’s not like them to react the way they did and for you to be questioning them the way you did makes me believe you’ve done something. So I ask, what did you do Garret and don’t lie to me.” Danteus stared down Garret, searching for deceit.

Garret regarded Danteus carefully.

Danteus stared Garret down and Garret refused to flinch beneath Danteus’s intimidating glare. Anton stepped between Danteus and Garret. “Remember me?” he inquired, in a deep voice.

Garret glare narrowed on Anton. “I remember you. The lucky shot.”

“It wasn’t luck arsehole you just weren’t paying attention.”

“Oh, don’t you worry I won’t forget to pay attention this time.” Garret articulated, though it was the look in his eyes that unnerved Danteus who steeled himself.

“Good to hear,” Maximus declared, and cracked his knuckles.

“Take ‘em!” Garret growled, at those words, his friend’s decedents of Regalis blood rushed towards Danteus, Anton and Maximus. Lightning, ice, water, and earth erupted in the streets. Quickly, Danteus, Anton and Maximus avoided them but not without a few scratches. “What’s wrong? Not quick enough?”

“You’re not allowed to use your elemental power on civilians. You should know that Garret.” Danteus remarked. “We use it to protect them not harm them.”

“We don’t protect the Valdis, we hunt them.” Garret remarked.

“Then you leave me no choice.” Danteus uttered, with regret. A fissure of earth erupted along the ground and towards Danteus. The sharp shards shot along the ground and through the air at inhumane speed. Suddenly, it stopped when Danteus held up his hand. Cancelling the attack. “Your élanocytes have no power over me. I hail from both the Nero-Drausus clans, my count is naturally much higher than yours Edna.” Danteus’s gaze lingered over the Centurion woman who revelled in shock and understanding. “You really don’t want go against me.”

“Don’t listen to him Edna!” Garret yelled, glaring at Danteus. “Your family is the distinguished Remus clan. They have been ranked the strongest amongst Earth users by both the Grand Elders and the Royal Family. You shouldn’t let his mind games get to you and besides both the Nero and Drausus clans haven’t been number one for a while.”

“You’re right Garret.” Edna muttered, her hazel eyes on Danteus. “I shouldn’t fear a man who’s weaker than me.” At that, Danteus braced himself. While Anton and Maximus avoided the attacks from the Water utilisers, the Lightning utilisers and Ice utilisers. Maximus was thrown into a wall by the Water utiliser and leapt out of the way when lightning travelled along the water and towards him. The wall later charred from the attack.

“Why won’t you hold still?” Andre called, water pooled at his feet as his deep blue eyes narrowed on Maximus before drifting to Anton who had disappeared in a cloud of smoke and re-appeared behind Andre. Andre blocked the attack, but the force of Anton’s kick sent him into the wall beside him. Anton vanished again, when the Lightning utiliser hand lit up and struck the air where Anton once was.

Maximus vanished in a cloud of smoke, and punched the Lightning utiliser in the face, the golden-haired man flew across the street and into Edna. Danteus glanced at both Maximus and Anton as they stood over their defeated opponents with surprise and pride. “Well Garret looks like it’s only you left.” Danteus declared, and Garret glanced over at Maximus and Anton as the smoke died down and their crimson eyes locked onto him. “I think it’ll be best to apologise.”

“Never!” Garret yelled, fear entangled his voice and lined his contorted features. “I will not!” Anton and Maximus strode towards Garret who stepped back terrified of the crimson eyes and the anger on their faces.

“Well then, you accept your fate.” Danteus remarked shrugging his shoulders and turned away as Anton and Maximus launched themselves at Garret with unimaginable speed. The power of the Valdis flowing through their veins. Before Garret’s agonising scream permeated around the silent streets.

*

When Gothalia woke the next morning, her body was not as tender as it once was. She knew she healed, as fast as any Excelian and climbed out of her parent’s bed, then remade it before exiting the room with one final longing look within. She strode the silent halls and smelt Anaphora’s cooking in the distance. Picking up her pace she wandered the large manor before entering the kitchen where she found L’Eiron, Anton, Maximus, and a man she had never met before. “There she is. How are you feeling?” L’Eiron questioned.

“I’ve healed,” Gothalia remarked and glanced at the green-eyed man. He smiled at her, and she returned her gaze to L’Eiron. “What’s for breakfast?”

“Anaphora’s famous honey bacon and poached eggs. With your favourite beans.” L’Eiron replied.

“I’ve made a plate for you.” Anaphora declared, with a gentle smile and placed it on the counter-top beside L’Eiron and Anton. Gothalia smiled and walked over to the chair and began eating. While Gothalia silently ate, the men chatted and Gothalia noticed Anaphora’s friendly demeanour towards the man on the other side of L’Eiron. She noticed the Centurion uniform he wore before she sat down and knew that L’Eiron and Anaphora must know who he was—even if she did not. Though, she pushed such thoughts aside. She knew by now; it was not her place to question who Anaphora and L’Eiron spoke to. They merely did.

Gothalia observed the man at the counter at the corner of her eye. When she looked up however, she spotted Anaphora watching her with a small smile on her face. Gothalia looked away. Uncertainty flashed across Gothalia’s features before she finished her meal and climbed out of her seat. “Where are you going?” Anaphora asked.

“I’m done eating.” Gothalia replied.

L’Eiron watched Gothalia while Anton and Maximus regarded her with concern. “And what you don’t say hi to us?” Anton asked.

Gothalia regarded Anton, shock enveloped her. “Um, hi?”

Anton and Maximus regarded Gothalia carefully. Her smile did not reach her eyes as it normally did, and their frowns deepened. “That didn’t sound very convincing.” Everyone watched Gothalia and a heavy silence developed between them.

“Sorry.” Gothalia replied before turning her heel and vacating the room. Everyone stared after Gothalia until the door opened and closed behind her.

“She’s not taking it well, is she?” Maximus remarked, then glanced at Anaphora who frowned at the comment.

“Would you?” Anaphora questioned.

Gothalia strode the halls of the silent manor and paused, glancing out the window she saw the artificial training ring. Gothalia exited the manor, marched towards the ring, and entered the small control room. She set up the environment and her opponents. Pulling on the combat gloves that L’Eiron and Anaphora kept in the draw. She exited the room and entered the ring. Cracking her knuckles, the environment around her changed, and she was in the Colosseum that the Centurions used for their tournaments. She knew it was fake and she was still home, but she knew that the opponents before her could still cause her harm, if she was not careful.

When her opponents appeared, she readied her stance. The timer counted down to zero, and her enemies launched themselves at her as she launched herself at them. Quickly, the battle began and Gothalia blocked, countered, deflected, dodged, and parried their attacks taking out her first two adversaries before running at the next with the round shield. Her opponent jabbed a spear at her and Gothalia avoided it before deflecting it with her sword, then disarming him. Quickly, she avoided the shield he used as a weapon and Gothalia rolled over her shoulder and out of the way, kicking out her leg, he lost his footing but recovered.

Gothalia cursed when he jabbed the shield in the ground where she once was. Then the simulation faded and Gothalia climbed to her feet and glanced at the control room. There stood the man she saw at the counter with Anton. “Level forty? Really?” Anton questioned.

Gothalia frowned and glanced away. “What? You’ve done fifty. You’re point?”

The man glanced at Anton with surprise. “That makes sense.”

“What do you mean?” Gothalia asked, her attention on the brunette haired man.

“It’s nothing,” Anton cut in. Clearing his throat, he entered the arena. “Do you feel better?”

“No.” Gothalia growled and stormed past him. Entering the control room, she moved to the control panel by the window and began resetting the environment. Immediately, Anton’s hand covered hers. “Why are you stopping me?” Gothalia glared at Anton, but he didn’t remove his hand until she did with vigorous frustration.

“Because I need to tell you something,” he admitted.

“And what’s that?” Gothalia enquired facing him. She crossed her arms and raised both brows as she stared him down. “Well?”

“The Grand Elders. They’re asking for you.”

“Why?” Gothalia inquired, regarding Anton. She knew the Grand Elders never summoned anyone unless it was serious and considering the Valdis side of her—she worried more than she recognised she should. Though, she waited for Anton’s answer.

“They didn’t say,” Anton replied.

“They often don’t let anyone know the reasons for their summons,” the stranger put in and Gothalia regarded him, like she’d just noticed him.

“I’m sorry, I never caught your name.”

“I’m Danteus Nero-Drausus.”

“Oh?” Gothalia responded, with a raised brow, intrigued. “What would the esteemed Nero-Drausus heir be doing here?”

Danteus fell silent. Before adding, “Making friends.”

“With us?” Gothalia queried.

“Can you not interrogate him, Thalia.” Anton uttered with a sigh, almost exhausted by her line of inquiry.

Gothalia crossed her arms. “I’d be happy to once you tell me when I’m expected to meet the Grand Elders.”

“Now.” Danteus replied.

Gothalia regarded him for a moment, then her gaze drifted to Anton. “Anyone want to come along for a ride?” Anton and Danteus smiled and Gothalia exited the control room after shutting the system off and locking the door behind her. Gothalia strode to the vehicles parked in the garage and listened as the men casually spoke about things, she had no interest in. Then as she entered the garage, she noticed Anaphora leaning against one of the cars.

“Going somewhere?” she questioned, with a seriousness to her expression Gothalia always found unsettling.

“Yes, to the Grand Elders.”

“So, you’ve heard?” Anaphora inquired, briefly glancing at the men behind her.

“Are you trying to stop me?”

“No. I’d be in trouble if I did.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“There’s no problem, I just came to warn you. You’re élanocytes—”

“Are unstable, I know.” Gothalia replied, opening the car door.

“No, your count is high—more than high enough to be a Centurion. So be mindful you three haven’t been enlisted. You  are all of age. I wouldn’t be surprised if they expected all of you to become a part of the ranks.”

“What? They can’t do that,” Gothalia replied. “I’ve already chosen my station.”

“They can. Scholars are chosen all the time by the Grand Elders. After all, brute force and numbers can’t always win a battle let alone the war.” With that Anaphora parted, leaving Anton, Danteus and Gothalia contemplating the Grand Elders next potential words.