Kismet’s Tale

      Mavin stared at Stefanie and Gaul. They looked nervous at the sight of Natalya looking down on him on her throne in the airship carrier. Mavin stood on her right. Edward was calmer than Stefanie and Gaul, but avoided Natalya’s gaze.

“Gaul, Stefanie, when was the last time we saw each other?”

“When we were young, Milady.”

Stefanie answered. Gaul remained tongue-tied which made Stefanie look annoyed for a moment. Natalya nodded and continued.

“That’s right. When you two were young… if I remember correctly it was during the time before the half exiled came to be. Your father was worthy of being the second of the HOUNDS. He served Lazon well.”

Natalya’s tone became somber as she dived into her thoughts. She leaned on the side with a misty gaze. Hearing this, Stefanie lowered her head.

“My father was someone who had served Lazon all his life. He knew that his end was coming and even with that he was resolute in protecting his greatest secret.”

Stefanie looked at Mavin as she said that. Mavin didn’t turn away. Stefanie returned her gaze to Natalya. Natalya looked at Stefanie with her brows meeting.

“Tell me… did he hate me?”

“No,” Stefanie shook her head. “Father never hated you. Perhaps, he was disappointed because the HOUNDS didn’t stay with him. Father never hated you, I assure you that, milady. He was never one to hate someone so easily.”

Mavin looked at Stefanie. This abandoned child who should have not been here, and should be studying in Holmia encountering brazen men and avoiding their lustful gazes. She was now a grown woman far from what he saw in those ‘memories’. Although the only thing that didn’t change was how Edward was still following her around like a loyal protector. Gaul… he wasn’t supposed to even be alive.

Natalya, who heard Stefanie, looked solemn for a moment. “The HOUNDS choose to protect Lazon. They didn’t know that my husband was alive and being protected by him.”

Natalya’s gaze went to Mavin. He knew that he had a lot of explaining to do. But the vow of silence was like a collar that bound his words. Even now he still wondered if there was any other way to go by it. Then again, he only knew things that are in this era. That reminded him… how will that change affect them? With Kismet’s tale done… then wouldn’t that mean?

Mavin grabbed his head. He then noticed that their eyes were on him. “It’s nothing.”

Natalya raised a brow, but decided to ask later. Stefanie remained standing. Natalya continued.

“Nonetheless, I thank you for joining Lazon once more. With the technology and the assets of Aunger. I believe that we have made another step in solidifying the protection of Lazon. Tell me, do you have anything you wish for?”

“We only wish to help… because it was our duty to do so.”

Natalya eyed her. She shook her head.

“Stefanie, tell me what you want.”

“But I--”

“Aunger valued freedom. I know that you want to repay your father. And it is honorable of you to help us, but do you know that there is more to this?”

Stefanie didn’t expect that. There was clear confusion in her eyes as Natalya spoke in a concern tone.

“Tell me. What do you really want to do?”

Stefanie looked down. To Gaston she looked like she was struggling to get her thoughts out.

“Truthfully, I… have only thought of repaying my father. He had saved me from the worst of fates. He had carved a path that allowed me to become better. I doubt I would have been able to study so much if it wasn’t for his help.”

“Of course, this is all thanks to Sir Mavin who had led my father to come and rescue me and my brother from an unfortunate life.”

She looked at Mavin.

“That’s why I couldn’t find it in my heart to ask for more.”

“Aunger really raised some fine kids.”

Natalya smiled at Stefanie. Stefanie looked up.

“Nonetheless, I think the lady is a workaholic. I understand the feeling very well. You must have been doing this for years. But believe me when I say that there is something that you really want.”

Stefanie nodded. If it wasn’t Natalya who was speaking to her. She would have somewhat thought of it for a second and threw that thought away. But because she was in front of Natalya, Stefanie couldn’t disregard her.

Mavin had somewhat an idea of how famous and infamous she was. She held such a reputation that made her quite legendary in the known continents. Those who truly knew her feared her because she had the industries, military might of Lazon. And those who knew her secrets made it clear that she was not someone who you could underestimate.

Lady Death, they call her. And yet she has also become someone who young people like Stefanie will listen to.

“But there is no need to think of it deeply. You have quite a long break after my husband reunited. And if I recall correctly you also have businesses to run while helping him out. I will allow him to make use of the eye in the sky as you pleased.”

“Right now, although there are changes in the world. There are still problems that we must care for. Lazon does not act unless we must. However, our ‘friends’ have shown that they have questionable activities that will lead to a calamity. I do not have any ideals on this calamity they are willing to invoke to gain benefits, but we must keep our eyes open and ears perked if we are to succeed.”

The troubles in the southernmost part of the world. And factions like the Old Magi trying to gather and find ways to pluck the seas that Mavin had made. It has been fifty-seven years since he had made the seal. And with the artifacts gone he didn’t have any other ways.

 

***

 

Mavin stood on the railing of the airship carrier. Stefanie, Gaul, and Edward were seeing the sea of clouds that were sometimes pushed away by the gust of wind.

“How such an object could fly, truly a wonder.”

“The power output of the crystals are wonderful. Of course, they aren’t infinite as people think they are.”

Stefanie said to which Mavin replied. Mavin had noticed that Gaul was silent. Edward, who usually has something to say, was rather ‘intimidated’ by the appearance of Lady Bellatrix.

Mavin heard that despite Edward’s bluntness. He had deeply respected Natalya as a senior. Though Mavin wondered why this man wouldn’t show him that. Then again, when did Mavin have time to earn that respect?

“My father told me one day we will have creations like these. Ah, they said that it was because of your idea that this has become true.”

“Perhaps, but it was nothing more than an idea. Think of it as me laying the foundations of what they can do.”

“Foundations… I hear that a lot.”

Edward commented on the side. Stefanie looked at him rudely before turning back to Mavin who felt nothing wrong about what he said. In the end, he really has done nothing but lay down the foundations.

“Well, even so, without it then they wouldn't have made it”

“NO need to sugarcoat it. Most of my achievements, if I can even call them that, is nothing more than making the foundations. There is nothing that I have done other than make use of others to create this. And within fifty-seven years, this is all their achievement.”

Mavin held no pride. He didn’t claim that all of this was only possible because of him. His mind was trapped in this idea, that despite it all. Everyone held everything within their own hands.

“That’s a surprise. Considering that you were bossing us around.”

Stefanie elbowed Edward’s side. Edward snorted. Mavin didn’t take what Edward said and continued.

“Because I am noble. You could say that I’ve been blessed by good subordinates who have monstrous talents that have created a path for me. In fact, do you think that Lazon and its industries would have been like this if it wasn’t for the talents who made it still prosperous?”

Mavin caught a glimpse of the outline and borders of Lazon. He had lived here for the past weeks, but it seems like after the years that had passed. He couldn’t recognize anything other than the hill as his home. He couldn’t find it in his heart to claim all of this was his own.

It was their work, not his. All he had was the thoughts of accomplishing a set of goals that are meant for a goal. And that there were also things he was not proud of. Killing became the feeling of recoil on his hands. He had gotten himself used to it during the war against the tripartite alliance. But he wasn’t delusional enough to think about it.

Not to mention.

He was just glad that he could see this.

He felt sorry about it.

But what can he do? Despite everything going well. Mavin was sure that as long as it was within his ability he could do this much. Just like how despite the Imperator’s Mark being destroyed and sealed that the sparks still linger. And even after the destruction of Kismet’s tale. He couldn’t find it to calm down and let go of his weapons.

“Sir?”

Stefanie asked. Mavin ignored him and gestured for them to leave him alone.

The three found it odd, but Mavin, who was always watching the skies, saw it. There were cracks on the skies as if it was a snow globe thrown aside. On those ‘memories’ there were so many strange progressions that he was afraid to witness.

“When the skies begin to crack...the lord of sparks...the void manifested into physical form shall appear.”

Stronger than the Exiled One.

Far more powerful and superior to Kismet who made the paths of men and women alike through the sparks he himself called as life.

Truthfully, he thought that he at least wanted to see how it would all end for himself.

Mavin was confident about his abilities to take on opponents that are stronger as long as he has the right preparations. He could suffer any wounds. He could suffer hardship.

A question.

Why would he allow Lazon to prosper? Was it to keep them safe? To make them live good and healthy? Or was it to protect them from harm? Personally, he did it for the sake of getting back at the demikins. And yet fifty-seven years later there are still traces of them. He had hopes, but the world was so vast.

All of this technology was to borrow time. Time for the people to live a good life that they wouldn’t forget. For them to grow old and be at peace that the world was peaceful.

Fifty-seven years is long enough for people to grow old and pass away. Mavin was hoping that the years would give those he was close to some peace. They would find peace knowing that they would not witness it.

You can fight strong individuals physically. You can tame factions through the use of power and manipulations. But how can you fight something close to nature? A being that even in those memories… were considered… impossible to beat.

It was a crowning achievement to those who could defeat it. Only a few of those ‘players’ were able to defeat it without relying in the process.

“I guess this time I couldn’t cheat it out. No boons. No enhancements… there is nothing to do other than watch it play out. If only I had fifty-years of preparations… I might have done it. If I had just been awake in the seven years instead of having no memories. Perhaps… this world would have a happy ending.”

“I failed.”

“I utterly failed, Aunger…”

He was angry at Aunger for taking those goals for himself. But at the same time when he had a clearer look of the world. He knew that it couldn’t be helped.

“The factions… even the people who are instrumental to the end have gathered for this feast of the end.”

He was glad that he took the rest.

“Natalya… I wonder what you will do?”

Happiness is one would usually feel.

But Mavin Tomas knew that even he couldn’t possibly fight the ‘ultimate final boss’ of the ‘memory’ that he saw. It was an awful feeling. That despite his brute strength that there was always something beyond the creature that he was going to fight.

After you defeat those who are close to God.

You’d find yourself facing being like them.

He barely dealt with the Exiled One.

He prevented the rise of Kismet.

But the crack in the skies was the sentence given by the world.

From the start it was all to buy time, and it looks like there wasn’t going to be any time left before.

“This is nothing more than a closed-off world. Many could enter but there shall be none that could get out.”

He thought of the words of a dead man who had once appeared to him fifty-seven years ago.

There was no escape from this world.

The man that tempered his soul even said that.

“Still,” Mavin thought of Natalya. “I’ll protect her… she deserves it.”

Mavin decided.

Even if it was the end of the world.

Even if he could do nothing and tell no one about the manifestation of the void coming.

He will at least protect her for the time that they have left. Not that she needed it, but at least he would be on his feet rather than his knees when the time comes.

And if 'that' was the only method to make them continue living on.

"Then wouldn't you be proud of me? Ma? Pa?"

Mavin Tomas made his own choice alone.

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