CHAPTER 13: HEROES
Year 2000 AGS Underhaven Calendar
After that attack of the Templars, our Republic was in shambles. Everyone is panicking about what to do. The Templars are demanding an explanation for why the organization called Neo-Illumina was hiding in the Republic undetected.
"Why in the heavens does it have to be in our Republic?!" My father, the prime minister, shouted in his office as he slammed his hands on the front of his desk while standing on the opposite side. We, his children, are standing at his back.
"We have to regain the trust of the Templars!" My father turned around and faced all five of us children.
"…" We stayed quiet, not because we feared our father. He is a good man, but he always makes the decisions in the family. When he thinks, you don't interrupt.
"Armann, Arthur, James, Miguel, and Selena." My father called out all our names and touched Arthur Jr.'s shoulder. "You are all the future of our house. In times like these, you must know how to act--- Arthur!" Father called our oldest sibling by name.
"Yes, father!" Arthur replied.
"You are the oldest. When your mother died…" Our father trailed off on his words, and his face sank as he looked down. "…I began to worry what might happen to all of you if I suffered the same fate."
"…" Arthur stayed quiet.
"Arthur. You are now a hundred years old. You are already old enough to understand the magnitude of the situation. What are your thoughts?" Our father asked Jr. a question as he always does in times like these.
"We need to clean our hands with these Neo-Illumina. So as to prevent ruining our alliance with the Templars." Jr. replied.
"Good answer, but difficult to implement." Our father replied. "Do you know why they were undetected all these years?--- Armann!" Our father asked again, this time towards our second-oldest sibling.
"That is… I don't know Father. I can't say that there are traitors among us, for we are close with the other houses." Armann replied sincerely.
"Precisely!--- There are traitors among us!" Father said to all of us and turned his back, angry.
"Selena," Father asked me suddenly. I was surprised, but I stayed quiet because he was about to ask me next. "Do you know why the Templars are the supreme rulers of Underhaven?" He asked.
"Because they are the most loved by the makers, Father," I answered him, shyly looking down.
"Try again," Father answered.
"…Because they are the strongest force in all of Bastion that even the noble creatures are afraid of them," I answered him again. This time, looking at him proudly as a Cobal. He took note of this, as he was glancing at the back with his peripheral vision, and smiled.
"No, do you know why, Jr.?" Our father switched the question back to the heir of the house Cobal.
"Because of their Templar Elders, Father," Jr. answered confidently, showing no signs of fear in front of our father, Prime Minister Arthur Cobal.
"…" Father contemplated, a bit disappointed in us. "It is because they are united. Abnormally united…" The air grew silent as my father spoke those words. Everyone feels the weight in our father's heart. "…They are so rigid and disciplined in their laws that even their outlaws will unite with the army in times of war. No one will betray the 'Templar code'. And what is that, Selena?" Father slowly turned back to face us. Now looking at me sternly.
"To never betray the Maker's and their will, Father," I answered, feeling the extreme pressure of his gaze.
"Correct!--- That is why you, James, and Miguel will join the Templars' upcoming lustrum exchange student programs at their Academy of Pargons in the next three years. Unfortunately, James and Miguel, your awakening was done here in Domcrea. But you, Selena. You have a chance to awaken at Underhaven itself. As if it were willed by destiny. By Fate." Prime Minister Cobal told us, his 3 youngest children.
"Gain Templar alliances there, perform and succeed as a Cobal. That is so that they will aid us in our battle here in the Republic when the time comes."
"Father, I can't imagine one of the great houses here as traitors of the Republic! Their children grew up with us!" Armann exclaimed like an innocent child, ill-suited for his age.
"And what of their siblings, their parents, or even just their relatives. Are you sure that there are none of them that wants the power Neo-Illumina promises?"
"Father, what of Armann and me? What are we to do?" Jr. asked father.
"Unfortunately, you both are needed here. You will fight the political battle here with me. Besides, both of you are too old to enter as students. You either need achievements as a scholar or as a warrior if you are to go there at that age."
"Then, I will support your plan, Father. I expect the enemies will try to prevent Selena, James, and Miguel from entering the Academy." Jr. noted.
"Precisely." Our father answered.
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*Still during the Assembly of the Templar Council
"Chair, judiciary council, and spectators…" Elder Abaddel took an Aether-Glass Storage Crystal. "Here lies the key to battling Neo-Illumina… The soul element's battle data." He added, positioning his hand in front and showing it to everyone.
"With all my heart and sorrow. This is the result of the unwanted sacrifice of hundreds of Templars. This showed all the battle records from Daniel's Vampiric Contact Lenses in the Battle of Underhaven"
BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ.
"My friends! This is what Daniel has sacrificed his life for. Sacrificed his wife for. And put in jeopardy the life of his son for!... All for the sake of Underhaven!" Elder Abaddel shouted as he looked at the spectators at his back. And then stared at Equirel, who was among them."
BUZZ. BUZZ. BUZZ.
"Thereby, I propose! Upon my honor, and all the honor of the Templars who have died on that day! I propose building a monument and statues to honor all those heroes. Especially the bravery of the victors, Natasha, the princess of the white flames, and Daniel, the great seer of Underhaven. For much will have been lost if not for those two's sacrifice for the greater good." Elder Abaddel further added.
CRACK! BOOM!
Elder Michael went to Elder Abaddel's side in front of the judiciary council on the floor of the Assembly.
"I second this proposal!" Elder Michael's voice cracked like thunder in front of the massive crowd of spectators. "Lives have been lost!… Families have been broken!... Today, from this point. The Templars will show what happens if you mess with Underhaven!--- Neo-Illumina. Will fall." His voice ended deeply.
All the spectators felt his anger. The anger of an Arch Templar. The strongest Templar to ever exist in all of Bastion's history. From the beginning, when all the inhabitants of Bastion were created. No one has ever been stronger than this pargon.
"Kruhay!" It started softly.
"Kruhay!" Some of the spectators began to follow suit.
"Kruhay! Kruhay! Kruhay!" All the spectators shouted.
BADOOM! BADOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! Elder Michael released his blue lightning magic and martial energy. The energy of an ElderDemi-God. An aura flare began.
BADOOM! BADOOM! RUMBLE! RUMBLE! Everything began to shake because of the man-made earthquake.
Then it stopped.
"I move that we transfer all the 4 Elements and relocate them here in Underhaven!---" Silence. No one dared talk. "The Soul Element will henceforth be called 'Espiritu!" Elder Michael shouted. He then looked at Equirel. "I will be the one to take care of Daniel and Natasha's child. He will directly learn from me!---" The air of the assembly stiffened. "Anyone who does this kid and all of his properties any harm…" The spectators began to tremble. "…They will all answer to me." His voice echoed, deep at the last part.
Everybody was silent. All the Elders. The Supreme Council Masters. Everybody. Even Elder Abaddel did not dare to interrupt.
"Equirel! Stand! So they can see you and know who you are!" Elder Michael added, looking at Equirel.
Equirel stood up, his throat tightened, and he swallowed hard. He looked at Elder Abaddel, who then nodded back.
"I am Equirel! The son of Daniel, the great seer, and Natasha, the master of weapons! From now on, I will learn from Elder Michael!---" He paused, looked at Elder Michael and all the Elder Templars and Supreme Masters. "And I will one day surpass, even him!"
GASP.
The stadium seemed to vacuum the air right out of the room in a single, stunned gasp.
Elder Abaddel then smirked.
"Equirel!" One pargon shouted in the crowd. "The future of Underhaven!" he further added.
Then, in an instant that even surprised Elder Abaddel. The crowd began to chant.
EQUIREL! EQUIREL! EQUIREL!
---*
After the assembly. Equirel became widely known as the Hopeof Underhaven.
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*End of Chapter.