Midan clan....
The Cold Moon Sect...
Master Draal's residence...
Weeks past into months.
Months into years.
Yet within these walls, time itself feels bound to the rhythm of discipline.
Winter settled over the training halls and the courtyard stones grew white with frost.
The disciples were issued their winter coats.
There were long garments reaching to the knees, cut straight and without flourish, fastened by a plain cord at the waist.
The fabric was thick wool, dyed a muted grey- blue, the colour of storm clouds over stone.
The collars rose high, brushed with pale fur only at the inner edge to guard the throat from the the cutting wind.
Sleeves were wide enough for movement yet bound at the wrist with simple bands of leather.
The hoods were deep, falling low to shadow the face, so that a disciple's gaze was half- hidden in the cold months.
When they matched across the yard to train in snow or wind, the coats shifted in unison, hems brushing the frozen ground, breath rising like smoke beneath the hoods.
Despite the weather, Lydaeus ritual routine never changed.
Every night he would kneel before his master's doorstep and began to say the laws.
Yet tiredness never showed on his face.
That would be disrespectful.
Other disciples wondered at their quarters, who said those laws during the night.
Only a few who remained awake heard him.
They came to a conclusion that Master Draal had chosen another victim.
And wondered if the victim would endure till the end or end up in the grave, just like others.
And now, his trial has come.
Lydaeus knelt at the center of the room.
Before his master.
Draal walked towards him.
Lifted up his chin and stared into those dark eyes of his.
Lydaeus shivered at the coldness of his hand.
"A cold beauty. For a moment I couldn't recognize you. You're trembling."
Draal whispered as he released his chin.
" If you weren't so young, I would have married you."
" Failure to pass this trial equals death."
Lydaeus stopped breathing.
" Mastering the laws of the heartless takes more than seventy years. Yet, you managed to master it under 50 years. " Draal smiled at him. And it's wasn't a nice one.
" And you made it through without loosing your sanity"
" Master Draal"
A servant who stood at the entrance called.
A whip case he held on his palms.
" The whip you ordered has arrived."
Whip? The word struck Lydaeus like lightning.
" Come "
The servant came in and knelt before Draal, presenting the case.
Draal opened the case and brought out the whip.
" A long whip with spikes that could tear one's skin. Just like you ordered."
The servant replied with a trembling voice.
A frown appeared on Draal's face as he examined the whip.
" The spikes are too short and the aren't sharp enough"
Draal saw fear in the servant's eyes.
" What? Do you pity the Lad?"
" No! I dare not. It's just that you've bought all our best whips and this one was just made yesterday. We don't have another."
Draal sighed.
" Get lost"
The servant quickly stood up and ran.
Draal turned to find Lydaeus trembling.
" Fear not. As long you answer my questions correctly. This whip won't touch you"
" I lash on the face and not on the back. Cause I want the scars to be seen."
Draal whispered in his ear.
" The trial now begins"
"The first law of the heartless?"
" Conceal all emotions" Lydaeus replied sharply.
And Draal didn't wait for him to breath.
" Law 2456?"
" Kill without mercy"
" One of the easiest ways to kill a mortal?"
" A slice on the throat"
" Law 1978?"
" Birthday's must not be celebrated"
" Who are your enemies?"
" The entire royal family of the Underworld."
"Why?"
" Cause they killed us."
Draal paused for a moment.
Lydaeus voice sounded different.
And he saw Lydaeus eyes.
They were pitch black.
Draal knew.
Lydaeus wasn't the one speaking anymore.
It was the VIVAT.
But the trial had begun.
And he must end it.
From the moment he saw Lydaeus at the execution arena.
He knew what he was.
That's why he chose him.
He was a forbidden child.
He wasn't suppose to be born with a spirit that could end both worlds.
Nature was against him.
When Lydaeus said 'us' ,he meant the VIVATRAS.
All the VIVATRAS who died were killed by the royal family.
The VIVAT is going to make Lydaeus eliminate the entire royal family.
But the VIVAT knows that Lydaeus isn't strong enough.
So he isn't going to take control of him now.
But when it does.....
" Draal. You're part of my death list too"
The voice brought him back to reality.
He stared at Lydaeus in fear.
Lydaeus was smiling.
It wasn't Lydaeus.
But the VIVAT.
He's mind was playing tricks on him.
He's mind had to be playing tricks on him.
" What did you just say?"
" Master. You've been staring at me for a long time now. Are you alright?"
Draal blinked for a moment.
Lydaeus eyes became normal.
" Your eyes?"
Lydaeus was confused.
" What happened to my eyes?"
Lydaeus didn't know what he was.
He didn't know what was in him.
He didn't know that he bore the VIVAT.
Soon enough, the VIVAT is gonna take control of him.
He couldn't tell him what he was.
He can't.
Now is not the time.
Draal continued the trial.