Kismet’s Tale

      Mavin remained outside of the cabin. Next to the cabin was a  secret entrance where Edward hid his flyer. The towing chain was rather rusted, so Mavin had dragged his flyer.

It was then that Mavin met with one of the personnel. Gaul Stacker, one of the wild cards that Aunger promised him. “Sir,” Gaul Stacker introduced himself. He also gave him a sheet of paper.

“I found him in the gutters, half-drowned,” it was written in the paper, “He would have been drowned, but as expected, I was there in the right time and place. Sir, he’s the last one I can find. He’s half-augmented, your blood, though it suited some of us well, wasn't everlasting, and the batches we made were...inferior to what you were making. But unlike the magiborne that you might find, he is a human in peak physical form, he might not have their strength, but he didn’t have their weakness as well. He’ll serve you well, and make sure that you earned it, Sir.”

The rest of the letter was Aunger describing how the magiborne should be an inferior result of what he should be. All thanks to the boons that he had collected throughout the years. Gaul was at the peak physical condition, the magiborne were enhanced, while he was supernaturally strong. If his hounds were around, then they would be just five a few steps behind him in physical strength. Though he doubted that he could further increase his strength after all the boons he had consumed.

Mavin pocketed the letter, then thumped Gaul’s shoulder. “Aunger, you make him proud, okay?”

“Yes,” Gaul nodded. “It’s nice finally meeting you, Sir.”

“Same as well, Gaul,” Mavin replied. Gaul Stacker wasn’t meant to live until he became an adult. But here he was because he had told Aunger just in case. Other than Gaul Stacker, he doubts anyone he’d have people he could use now.

He spoke with Gaul, asking him where Aunger got him. Gaul was eager to speak to him, revealing where he came from, and how Aunger helped during the years. He also confessed that he was involved in helping him. It was then that Mavin recalled some memories as Alden, and how they drove around. No wonder that Mavin felt some familiarity from him.

“I can take over the watch, Sir,” Gaul offered. Mavin nodded his head. There was a need to ask Stefanie about Wendy’s health. Mavin allowed him to take position, he headed inside the cabin, and found the room where Stefanie was treating Wendy. Mavin knocked twice, before he took a step inside.

“Sir, I’m treating her.”

Mavin still wore his headgear. He hasn't taken it off since they arrived. He wasn’t sure if there was someone who could follow them. It was better if he had his gear on while everyone was relaxing.

“How’s she?” Mavin asked.

Stefanie wiped the wound around her arm slowly. “She’s been wounded, and if she didn’t get treated for another hour, it would have left a permanent scar. Her bruises will take time to heal, but I have to make sure that she doesn’t get a fever.”

“I see,” Mavin inspected the tablets on the medical tray. Antibiotics and pain relievers. “Can I talk to her?”

Stefanie wrapped the gauze around her arm, and then handed Wendy her bra. Wendy looked dazed, and out of it.

“How much did you give her?”

“500mg. She needed it after the suture. She’s quite resistant, Sir.”

After fixing her bra, Stefani covered herself with one of the sheets. Stefania stayed next to her. Although they have rescued her, there was probably part of Wendy that didn’t trust them. Mavin preferred it this way. At least so far he doesn’t have to worry about which side Wendy belonged to.

“So whose group is after you?” Mavin asked straight. “I need you to repay the favor, and tell me who is after you. Can you do that for us?”

Wendy stared at Mavin before glancing at Stefanie. “I can tell you who my enemies are. I can do that.”

“Thank you,” Mavin said. “So tell me, Wendy. Who is after you? I know that you are quite the businesswoman, but for a businesswoman to be involved in this mess. That leaves something for people to ask questions.”

Wendy inspected Mavin. “My company has quite a reputation, Sir. We export food, products, and weapons all over the known-continents. You could say that we are, if not, one of the richest companies in the world.”

“For one of the richest companies,” Mavin refused, “your security detail was lacking. I understand your confidence in one Magiborne, seeing what they can do. But that’s not enough for someone like you.”

It was clear to Mavin they were luring them out. But whatever the plan that Wendy and her faction had concocted. It might have worked if Thomas wasn’t sentimental about them. He was a good soldier, but was a tired one. It was a lapse of judgement that made the plan fail. 

Mavin shook his head. He told himself that he shouldn’t linger on Thomas’s death. He refocused his thoughts on Wendy. “So, who is after you?”

“The Witches,” Wendy said. “They are somewhat concerned about the actions of my group and are willing to put us down because they believe that we are supplying the war. These allegations have been going on for a while, and they have started slandering us about deeds that are irrelevant to the mission and vision of the Angelus Company.”

“And what are these allegations?”

“Human augmentation, and war-profiteering. They sincerely believe that it was us who founded the department that funded the research of the magiborne, when in truth, we have nothing to do with it! For goodness sake, we were exporting demifiend meat and weapons. We haven’t tampered with human physiology like the Old Empire did. It goes against our philosophies and beliefs as a well-meaning cooperation. The Witches have been slandering us, and each time we disprove them, they spurt more lies.”

Mavin leaned his elbows on his lap. “And how are they connected with the antiwar movements?”

“We don’t know, but we do know that they are eager to stop us from earning more than we should. Although their allegations are pure slander, it is a known fact that we do earn more when it comes to our weapons. We’ve been allied with Holmia for over sixty years, it is a friendship that lasted even after the fall of the Old Empire.”

Mavin nodded. “So the Witches want you to stop supplying the Holmian effort in capturing the Easternside?”

“Yes, although that is useless. They have forgotten that we only supply 25% of their weapons, while most of their weapons are manufactured in their homeland. But we do supply them with the food that keeps them well-fed in the Easternside.”

Wendy spoke without hiding the fact that her company was supplying food and weapons. Mavin took a glance at Wendy. She nodded her head. “Indeed, it is a known fact that they have been transparent about their dealings.”

Mavin folded his arms, “So what makes them eager to shut you down? Wendy, we are only here to know who your enemies are. I swore to you that I have no intention of harming your faction...because so far you haven’t given me a reason to.”

Wendy nodded. She was hesitant, but the wounds on her body, and the gaze of Stefanie who put her at ease made her loose. Although she was probably bothered by how tactless Mavin was being.

“We have...an enemy that you might not believe in.”

“We know about the magi,” Mavin said. “We’re asking for the enemy that keeps chasing you down.”

“That’s what I don't understand, Sir. Even if you do know, are you going after them?”

What do you think?”

Wendy’s eyes shook for a moment. She studied him. “You’re not normal, aren’t you, Sir? Even by magiborne standards, if you killed Elric, who even Thomas barely won against in his powered exoskeleton and took out the whole studio yourself. I doubt that the hostages could do that on their own, Sir.”

“But you don’t want to tell me, do you?”

Wendy nodded. She held onto the white sheets. “I think that you are impressive, but my enemies are...well...they are dangerous in their own right, Sir.”

“Miss Wendy, please don’t misunderstand. I know who your enemy is. Why do you think I was able to find you? Why do you think I would broadcast that magiborne’s death, knowing that my enemy might go in hiding? Truthfully, whatever it is your faction is fighting for, I care not. But I do care about the artifact that they are trying to use and might be in their hands. As for who your enemy is, and who is after you, they are secondary to the artifact that they are using. I am looking for the artifact itself.”

Wendy’s eyes sharpened. If she had meekness a while ago. Her eyes became even more guarded than ever. She looked at Mavin as if he was someone who she would rather not speak to. Mavin didn’t let up, his eyes  hidden behind the headgear, but she knew that it hasn’t left her.

“We do not have the artifact.”

“Then tell me who has it. Is it the same person? There are four of them. Four artifacts that are completed into one artifact if combined. Do you have one?”

Wendy looked between Stefanie and Mavin. She was wondering if they were going to torture it out of her. But Stefanie’s mild smile somewhat calmed her, which Mavin noticed.

“I ask, does your group have an artifact?”

“We do...but most of them have been quieted after my master has taken them.”

“Your master, is he a magi?”

“Yes, he is a magi.”

“Is that so?”

Mavin snorted. “Very well, then tell me, are you sure that the artifacts are secured? Sealed?”

“We are. But not all of them are ours.”

“Considering that your enemy is still trying to fight you, I say that they are confident while they still have this.”

She nodded. Mavin straightened his back. “Then tell me, who is the person that stills holds the artifact? How many are they holding?” Mavin asked, while he locked the door behind him.

Wendy stared at the two of them. Then, she sighed, and reluctantly revealed who was the one hunting her down, and causing trouble for her company. “If it means anything to you, her name is Minerva Glasgow. She’s a Witch, a different kind of breed of Magi that uses another means to conjure,” she studied Mavin who nodded at her to go on, “ a different kind of spark. It is said that the sparks bloom on those who have the right blood, but recent studies have shown that there is a way to gather the spark. She wishes to use the artifact that you claim to know to open what was sealed, and return the spark to the world.”

“Minerva Glasgow, huh,” Mavin muttered. Though there were differences, it still happened, and even if she held the sparks. He still had a way to combat someone who was an Archmagi in terms of strength.

“I see,” Mavin stood up once more. “Stefanie, prepare the heavy gear, it’s still around, right?”

“It is not as strong as what you had used back then, Sir, according to Father. But it should make you faster than you already are, and much more protected, even though it lacked the material that made it dangerous because of the sword.”

“Are you going after her?”

“If she has one of Kismet’s Tale in her hands, then there is no reason that I shouldn’t go after her, Miss Wendy.”

Mavin left the room alongside Stefanie. “Stefanie, I want you to keep her close, make sure that she doesn’t escape until I take care of Witch Glasgow.”

“Are you confident?”

“I didn’t ‘die’ for fifty-seven years if I wasn’t, Stefanie. I’m going to need Edward’s piloting, and Gaul to support me from afar with your helicopters. Keep them out of my back, while I take the artifacts from her and give us some time.”

“I understand, but Sir, if you do get the artifact...then what’s next?”

“Pray to Jove that seven years wasn’t too far off, Wendy. They think that Kismet’s Tale is merely an artifact of power, but they are wrong. I need to make sure that they don’t mess with it. Give us time. If they activate Kismet’s Tale, and wake the owner of the artifact, then prepare for another war.”

Before the founding of the Empire of Athesia, the Strongarm Clan, who later became the Tomas Family was part of a region in the southernmost part of the world. It was said that they had retreated to the uppermost continent because they feared the remnants of the demifiends, no, the war band of Kismet who was only defeated after they had tried to cross the oceans and reach the known continents.

But it wasn't Kismet's Tale and Kismet himself that he was afraid about. It was the aftermath that he worried about. He feared that it might attract another Exiled One, and this time he simply didn’t have the means to pinned another down so he could duel it.

He can endure it once.

But Mavin Tomas was sure that another encounter with an Exiled One was something he could not handle. He couldn’t stomach the thought of it. 

Some might fancy the idea of letting it play out like what he saw in the ‘memories’. But Mavin Tomas refused to follow such a fate for them. The idea of doing nothing sickened him.

It was better to prevent it from happening in the first place. And if he does, Mavin thought of the troubles’ that will still come even if he does seal the artifact thoroughly.

The world goes on no matter what.

He was just taking care of a problem before it becomes one.

It was the same as breaking someone’s leg before they could even start the race.

Even if it still leads to that path.

At least he can give some time even if it stills ends going down that path.

To cripple another part of the sparks was all that he needed to do.