Kismet’s Tale

      Mavin took a good long look at the photograph handed to him. Natalya, who saw this, couldn’t help but stare at Mavin.

“You do know that it’s practically some of your fault.”

Mavin showed the photograph to Natalya. “I didn’t think that they’d go back to the Age of the Magi in a few years. Look at them. Wearing martial weapons and all that.”

There was another photograph of the mutated variants of the demifiends. Mavin’s eyes were covered in a storm at the sight of the mutants that have evolved. He thought to himself that he should have done a thorough job.

“Looks like I’d missed some part of them.”

“It was honestly a thorough clean up.”

She moved next to him and placed her chin on his shoulder. Mavin switched a photograph and then looked at the ones that were at least five meters tall. They stood on their legs and their brutish appearance made Mavin wonder if the radiation had caused an extraneous effect on their appearance.

“Looks like there are many of them that are spread. Judging by how these people are handling them, it looks like they are making use of the magitech to keep them at bay.”

Natalya moved next to him. “It’s more like we keep them around to keep these noble ones at bay. I don’t know who did it, but there was a man called Ricardo who had spread the sparks-tech that we used. Unlike the Nuller’s sect, they allow those who don’t feel the sparks to wield these martial weapons.”

Mavin leaned back, pressing Natalya on the couch with his back.  Natalya struggled out and then sat on the side instead.  She took one of the photographs.

“These weapons are somewhat effective in using against demifiends variants. But there is no rule that we have to rely on them. Our guns worked and although there are creatures who have somewhat mutated to have harder skin. It’s not something that cannot be handled by a rocket propelled grenade.”

Mavin looked outside. The giant rotor blade that was keeping the airship afloat made it hard for Mavin to imagine that these creatures could make a dent on the current state of humanity. Nonetheless, the wariness he had against these creatures were like ever-burning embers. He doubts that he could get rid of it.

“We should take action against them.”

“Oh I know,” Natalya agreed. “The problem with these creatures is that the other factions are rather supportive of their existence. They hide it on laws that disallows anyone to truly hunt them to extinction, and they even made moves to protect them in the Leagues of Nations. Do you know that Lazon has been tried for two acts during the Permanent Court of International Justice? They said that we were so awful about it. They even tried to sanction us, as if forgetting that even if we don’t sell our products to them. There are others who are willing to buy them.

“Unanimity was what the league does. Because Holmia and Athesian Confederacy are able to have such large roles that we are able to secure a place. The League still functions today, but there are very few who are willing to gamble against us. Nonetheless, recent changes have somewhat made the League able to enforce itself even without the help of nations like ours. It’s also the reason why they can be so bold right now. It’s awfully funny that they have the guts to complain about our movements when we barely do anything these days.”

“Sounds like you’re letting them.”

“Now that’s not true. I don’t let them do what they want. It’s just that in this era where we can blame all our evils and lackings to a single race in the name of ‘humanity’. Why would they bother to reflect on themselves? Even now, lesser countries are so eager to start their own wars and reclaim their independence. Rise up to the noble ones who are now so confident because they can once more play like Knights in the field.”

She reached out to the hilt hanging on Mavin’s waist. She stood up and brought out the black iron in the blade.

“They think that a sword powered with sparks could allow them to become heroes. They can allow themselves to become one, indeed, but it doesn’t stop them from being weak to bullets and missiles that we have developed in the past years. But I do think that sufficiently armed combatant with the ability to move faster than humans can be threatening.”

She swung the black iron sword once.

“Your Hounds proved that point to me well. Even the Magiborne are effective when you adequately equip them. You yourself have made this point clear, considering what you’ve done the moment you walked up to all of this chaos.”

She swung the sword vertically. The force of the swing was enough to make the items on top of the wardrobe and tables to fall down. She retracted the black blade back to the hilt and threw it back to Mavin. He grabbed the hilt and placed it on his holster as if it was a gun.

“You swing hard.”

“How do you think I've been able to keep up with you these days?”

She smiled while wrapping her hair around a finger. She sat back down and took a whiff of the air before leaning backward.

“Guess after this we’ll have to make introductions to our friends.”

“Is that necessary?”

Mavin asked. Natalya sat upright and replied. “It is necessary for them to know. Besides, do you really think that they wouldn’t know that you are alive? The amount of birds and rats that have been trying to enter our field of view has been rather too much lately. And believe me when I say this that for fifty-seven years, I rarely get myself acquainted with anyone. Unless she’s a pretty one. So it's best if we just outright make an appearance instead of letting others use it instead to creature foul rumors.”

“That so?”

Mavin stared at her with a neutral expression. Natalya shrugged and found no reason to explain her references.

“Other than you, there must be other big players in the field.”

“There are. Like I said, the League recently has gotten bold because they are now backed by someone other than Lazon. Their reliance on us was nothing more than business. It’s the recent years that made them feel so inferior to the industry and might of Greater Lazon. Of course, I would like to thank you for laying the foundations.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Mavin said sternly and continued.

“I just made the right choices and let the better people who have more talents than me manage it better. The credits belong to my cousin and to you who have made Lazon. I’d never dreamed that one day I’d be in a flying fortress like this.”

Natalya nodded slowly. She leaned on the side of the sofa by letting her right arm support her head. She stared at Mavin.

“You know. If people see you like this then they’d be surprised.”

“Why would I let them see me like this? I’m not afraid of who I love and who I adore. I’d kill nations for my lovely pupils and even trample on hearts if it means they’d be happy.”

“I see.”

Mavin looked away and breathed. He blinked twice before standing up. He sauntered just next to the reinforced glass and saw a familiar mountaintop that he had not seen for a long time.

“Home…”

He muttered. Natalya walked to his side and stared at the outline of the mountains of Lazon. There were many changes in Lazon and yet despite the modernized buildings. The feel of the old city that he once knew remained.

“We should go.”

Mavin left the cabin with Natalya in tow. Along the way they meet the many personnel of the airship whose eyes are always somewhat attracted no matter where they go. Mavin thought that it must have been quite a change for their mistress to suddenly have a partner who was accompanying her.

They arrived on the helipad where a helicopter was waiting for them. Mavin boarded first and then helped Natalya up. After they were seated in the helicopter, they took off and started heading down to the city where Mavin got a closer look of the city above.

“Looks like there aren’t any large buildings around.”

“We haven’t really opted in making such tall structures. We are not lacking in space anyway, and wouldn't it be a shame if something so tall would block the view? I prefer Lazon this way. He saw Alarava that has remained unchanged. There are scars that he noticed that might have happened during the war. But Mavin was glad that home remained the same despite the fifty-seven years that had passed.

The helicopter landed on the back of the Grand Manor where servants hurried to the helicopter. Mavin noticed a familiar figure hurrying to the helipad. He recognized that hairstyle and yet at the same time was not surprised.

“It seems that you have stayed well these days, Silica.”

The maid who was trying to make a cool face froze. She looked up and saw Mavin. Silica, the maid, wasn't able to speak immediately. She alternated her gaze to Natalya then back to Mavin.

“Silica, dear, did no one tell you that your young master is alive?”

“I,” Silica stuttered. She fell on her knees and started crying quietly. “Y-young master, boohoo, I knew you were alive somewhat!”

“It’s a very long story, Silica. Please stand, people might think that I’m bullying you.”

“That’s right. Please, stand up dear Silica.”

Silica stood up. She wiped her eyes with her sleeves and stood upright. “Welcome, master, and my lady. It's good to see you two finally home.”

She smiled with a ball of tears on her eyes.

“Thank you, Silica.”

Mavin found himself unable to raise his head. He looked around him and saw that other than Silica, he recognized none of the other workers. They were quite surprised but it was rather easy to tell who Mavin was with Silica’s reaction and how warm the look that Natalya was giving to Mavin.

Mavin introduced himself calmly to the workers. After introducing himself, he asked for a bottle of wine, cups, and a blanket. Natalya quietly followed Mavin to the hill that has been a pain to him. Natalya took the blanket while Mavin carried the bottle of wine and cups.

As he walked closer to the hill he found his legs weakening. He hated the thought of it. It was day and the sunlight pressed on the trimmed grasses. He could hear his boots pushing on the stone slabs. The wind, brushing against his ears. His legs were weak and for a moment he found himself unable to take a step forward over the picket fence.

What if I see another vision?

“Come on now, I’ll be with you.”

She pushed his back. Mavin took a step forward and started climbing. Every step his heart started pumping louder. And when he reached the top of the hill. He saw a total of four gravestones. The gravestone of his parents, Old Fred, Cousin Derrick, and Sister Alma.

“And I’m still here…”

Mavin muttered. He stared at the headstones with a complicated expression. He couldn’t find himself to shed tears. He could only stare at them, pressed his forehead on the ground, and said.

“It’s been a long time. Please forgive me for being such an unfilial and selfish person.”

Mavin pressed his head.

Natalya stood behind him.

She was silent as she let Mavin pay his respects. When Mavin lifted his head. Natalya placed the blanket next to the gravestones and started pouring wine in the cup. She handed the cup to Mavin and the two sat down before the headstones.

Mavin took a sip of the cup of wine. He looked around the hill and when he saw that there were no visions. No sudden appearances of ‘memories’ that he finally took another sip of his wine. Natalya stayed patiently, drinking her wine and staring at the headstones, not saying a word as well.