"Icarus, if Endvor holds this position today, it is for a very good reason. We cannot allow you to once again attack and rebel against the Council's decisions… You've crossed the line this time, boy," he said, stepping out from the lightning.
I looked around me. Not a single Mage-King took my side. No one spoke. It was clear I was alone against them all. Still, I thought I could get through this without much trouble.
"I understand, Sage Magnus, but I cannot accept that this insect," I said, pointing at the weakened Endvor, "could be the King of a world he does not even care about."
"It is not for you to decide, Icarus. And you knew you were on probation… You have gone too far. You've relied too much on your magic and aura. You thought yourself invincible," replied the elder, his hazel eyes burning into me.
"I'm not far from it, though," I answered, full of confidence.
"That's what you believe… but I know what punishment suits you best," he added coldly.
"Rhaega, Vegoris, restrain him."
He had just called upon two of the Mage-Kings I feared most, because of their unique ability: they could bind and chain anyone with just a touch of their hands.
But I wouldn't let myself be caught so easily. I activated gravity around them, without moving, without lifting a finger.
My magic was instantly canceled by another Mage-King. It had to be Epholio, the distorter. I had no time to think. Even with my power, I couldn't take on all the Mage-Kings at once. I needed a solution : escape.
I unleashed my aura at full strength and created a vacuum between them and me. The twins were trapped inside, gasping for air. That way, I knew they couldn't reach me.
But just as I was about to unleash the peak of my power, my heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong. My body refused to move, my vacuum barrier collapsed, and Rhaega and Vegoris were freed. I dropped to my knees. My strength was fading. My aura was being drained by an unknown magic. I couldn't do anything.
Magnus slowly stepped toward me and declared:
"Mage-King Icarus Von Blepharis, you are found guilty of treason against the Council of Arora. Therefore, your magic, your possessions, and your abilities will be sealed. And this… indefinitely. Your danger, your tendency to be swayed by your emotions, has forced us to make this decision."
Once again, no one defended me. No one took a stand. No one said a single word.
Ah… if only I had known my own people would betray me.
Magnus then pulled the Evren artifact from its magical case. An SSS-class object, capable of sealing the magic of any individual, forever. He began the ritual to strip me of everything.
I thrashed like a madman, trying to summon my strength, to reignite my aura, again and again. But each time, it was drained away, endlessly.
I was about to lose everything. Everything that made me who I was.
Then, suddenly, one last bolt of lightning struck the ground, followed by a deafening crash. It landed right where Magnus stood, forcing him to leap back.
When the smoke cleared, she stood before me.
The greatest woman in the world.
The most wonderful of all.
Isabella Von Blepharis. My mother.
The second most powerful Mage-King of the Council