Arcanum - Chapter 172

“Yeah.. Don’t worry I’m good now.” I replied to him

“I’m free later if you just wanna hang.” He said taking my hand and patting it one last time before strolling off.

Watching him stroll off I couldn’t help but think about our past, what on earth am I thinking? My parents still hates him and would never accept him or agree to let us be together, Like that even matters my weird vision said he’s destined to die and I’m still alive in all the visions…

Letting out a big sigh looking to the side towards the entrance of the building, everyone’s heads were sticking out the door looking at me slightly worried. “Really guys?” I asked laughing at the sight of all their heads piled up in a line.

“Yeah well.. We couldn’t stop Daisy her being so strong and all, so since we were here anyway might as well see if you’re okay.” Jun tried to cover for them.

“So how much did you hear or see?” I asked as they took a seat beside me.

“Most of it..” They all quietly admitted.

“Wow..” I replied sarcastically shocked at their nosiness.

“I didn’t even know you and Paul were like old friends!” Jun said in shock.

“Yeah it’s complicated” I sighed answered him.

“Well.. At least Atlantis is nice.” Jun said staring into the sky looking around the school.

“It is quite amazing.” I answered him.

“Is it self-sufficient?” He questioned.

“Yeah.. In our tour they showed us that the School is generally self-sufficient.” Jay answered.

“Must be nice having a world tree. How did it get on Atlantis?..” He questioned.

“We don’t have any idea either, they said when Atlantis was discovered it was already there.” Jay answered.

“So weird question on Paul.” Jun said as if looking for permission, “So Paul and Emilia are exes?” Jun quickly asked.

“Yup..” Grace answered for me.

“And.. they still have feelings for each other?” Jun followed up his question.

“Yup.” Jay answered.

“But she hasn’t seen him for a long time, she only saw him again when she got picked to go to Atlantis.” Helen added completely updating Jun on the whole situation.

“Wait what.. did you guys listen into all of conversations?” I questioned in shock.

“Elven Ears…” Helen and Grace nodded.

“I mean it’s kinda easy to read.” Jay replied.

“Daisy are you okay?” Jun asked.

“Ohhh and Daisy has a big crush on Paul because he saved her life.. But he doesn’t seem to show any interest.” Helen explained to him.

“Dramaaaa.” Jun laughed learning of the love triangle.

“Ohhh and apparently Princess Calista also has a crush on him to.” Grace added.

“Ohh wow you both have no chance then.. A princess!” Jun chuckled at the drama.

“Guys.. Some privacy please.” I asked them to change the subject politely.

“Sure, sorry sorry.” Jun apologised.

“Do you know what Paul and High Admiral Yurika are doing?” I questioned.

“Well you have nothing to worry about she’s already married and madly in love with her husband.” Jun explained to me giving me a cheeky grim. “They most likely just chit chatting talking about the drama with the other schools and defending the northern front.” Jun answered.

“Northern front?” I questioned.

“Yes High Admiral Yurika is stationed on the northern side defending Aspa from the creatures and monsters of the Barren North.” Jun answered.

“I’m surprised anything can survive that harsh barren cold climate.” Jay questioned.

“Me too.. But there has been sightings of very monstrous creatures there.” Jun explained.

“Hey Jun after today would we ever see you again?” I questioned.

“Sadly I really doubt it… unless you join Ashley and personally visit our titan.. Or you happen to be in the same Sky city we’re on during refuelling and recharging.” Jun answered.

“Well it was great to meet you.” I smiled.

“And it was great to meet you all.” Jun smiled.

“Did the simulation room meet your expectations?” Jay questioned.

“Ohh yeah!! I wish we had a room in Aspa or on our Titans” Jun answered looking hopeful.

“Well I guess you can ask for the design or something.” I suggested.

“I really doubt it.. Unless Aspa has something significant to offer Atlantis and considering Ashley is here and you have that awesome simulation room. I doubt Aspa is ahead of Atlantis as we initially thought.” Jun chuckled.

“Hey is that Morgana following some students?” Jay said pointing at Morgana in the distance keeping a big distance between her and a group of students.

“Hey do you think it’s about the thing Ashley spoke of earlier?” I asked him.

“Huh? Whats going on?” Jun asked a little confused.

“We don’t know either let’s ask what’s going on.” Grace said running to her.

“Morgana.” We whispered joining her behind the bush.

“Hey friends.” She said turning around to face us.

“What’s going on?” Jun asked.

“Who’s he?” Morgana asked in shock.

“Hi.. Officer Jun and Second in Command of ASF Thunderer” Jun whispered holding his hand out for a shake.

“Morgana Adoptive Daughter of Granny Matilda of the Ulborg Swamplands.” She whispered shaking Jun’s hand.

“Did she just say Ulborg swamplands…..” Jay uttered in complete shock.

“Nice to meet you..” Jun replied as shocked as Jay.

“What’s the Ulborg Swamps?” I asked Helen and Grace who didn’t seem at all shocked.

“It’s a large distant landmass writhe with deadly dangerous creatures and begins, apparently even the land itself seeks to snuff out life. Filled with tribes worshiping old ancient Gods.” Helen described.

“Forget the niceties what’s going on?” I asked Morgana splitting the awkwardly slow long hand shake between Jun and Morgana and closing Jay’s jaw.

“I’ve Been following these students every few nights.. But this is the first time I’ve seen them out together in a group in board day light.” Morgana notified us.

“I’m sure they are just friends.” Jun said taking a glance at them.

“The problem is that they are friends..” Morgana said looking at them intently.

“Whys that?..” Helen asked.

“Well lucky for me they are also part of my class so it’s been really easy to track them and watch them closely without looking suspicious.. But on recent outings they have gathered some ingredients that might suggest something.” Morgana answered.

“What did they manage to get their hands on?” Grace asked.

“Last week they managed to get a hold of the skin of a pale skin girl. That material in particular is very hard to get and they defiantly needed outside help to get it.” Morgana informed us.

“Yesterday they managed to get the Wings of an Imp and Vials of blood no doubt demon blood but I couldn’t identify which.” Morgana informed us.

“What do they do?” We all asked.

“It’s the ingredients for a dark potion whereby the drinker is transformed and mutated into a horrific beast half demon half human and I’m not talking about Daisy’s kind.” She informed us.

“Hey!! I’m Half Devil!” Daisy said sounding a little offended.

“Sorry..” Morgana apologised.

“And their plans with such potion?” I asked in shock.

“No idea yet.. But judging by the amount of people they have right now it might be going on today.” Morganna theorized.

“..Paul is out of action, and we have two Aspan High Admirals and their fleet here. Sounds like probable cause.” Jay agreed.

“They keep speaking of a target though.. I haven’t quite worked out what it is but they said it’s a child touched by their Dark Lord.” Morgana informed us.

That must be Paul I thought to myself.. The visions of his body being possessed by something evil.. It must be him.

“There’s a small dispute among them.” Morgana informed us.

“What are they arguing about?.. How can you hear them?” Jay asked.

“I have my spores on them.. I can listen to them through my spores.” she explained causing Helen to gasp in shock. “They are arguing whether or not to follow the plan.. Hastening the schedule is putting everything at risk.” Morgana relayed to us.

“They seem really eager to execute their plan today of all days.” Jay said.

“So the question is who is their target?…” Jay pondered.

“It could be Paul.” I suggested to everyone.

“Okay.. Reasons?” Jay asked looking at me.

“He’s weakened to the point of being a normal human in a wheelchair..” I explained to them, not revealing the true reason why.

“Good point but also you have to remember Scarlet is always with him, there is no way they have a plan to get past her.” Jay offered his opinion.

“How many of these potions can they make?” Grace asked Morgana.

“No way to know for sure but at least five.” She answered.

“Maybe their targets are Aspans? Cause a conflict between the two institutes.” Grace theorized.

“That’s a possibility.. But we’d have to find out the name of all Aspen students and somehow find out who’s been affected by their God.” Jay replied.

“Well I let you all know now.. There hasn’t been a report of Demon possession of any sort in all Aspan Fleets.” Jun answered.

“Maybe the target or targets are just ordinary Atlantis students? Using the opportunity to spread chaos and distrust in Atlantis security and Atlantis as a whole?” Daisy suggested.

“That could also be their plan.” Jay agreed.

“So many variables..” Jun pondered.

“Have they said anything on when it’s all going down?” Jay asked.

“No but I believe the best time would be during dinner where security is lightest and everyone would be in the Great Hall having their meals.” Morgana guessed.

“Okay so we know they are following the worship of Demons, so we can assume the demon attack on Paul and Scarlet and these guys are linked.” Jay pointed out.

“Yes I remember it was giant and grotesque, a flaming sword and its skin and wings were as red as blood.” I described it to them.

“Wait how did you guys see a Demon?” Jun asked in utter shock.

“Not now.. We’ll explain everything later..” Jay informed him, “Helen Grace any idea what sort of Demon it was?… I’ve never read about any Demons.” Jay asked them.

“Hmmm Red demons with a flaming sword, defiantly sounds like Khorcus or a Demon of Khorcus.” Grace nodded.

“Yeah I concur.” Helen nodded.

“Okay so what does Khorcus preach?”

“He’s the Demon Lord that loves blood shed fighting and killing.” Grace answered.

“Right.. So I guess it’s safe to assume that what they have planned is going to bring killing and bloodshed.” Jun theorized.

“Yes I believe so too.” Jay agreed.

“Jun do you think your fleets are going to be safe?” I questioned sounding worried.

“Well Atlantis has also graciously offered to have meals prepared for the fleet as well.” Jun answered.

“Well that’s another potential target.” I sighed.

“This way over our heads… we need to tell someone.” Helen said looking worried.

“No doubt… there’s no way all of us can cover all those locations.” Jay agreed.

“But remember Ashley said we’re the only ones that can do it as any senior Atlantis member would spook them into hiding again.” I reminded them.

“Have they made the potions yet?” Helen asked Morgana.

“They could have easily made it last night or in the process of making it now.” Morgana answered.

“This just gets better and better.” I sighed. “So just to make sure, they worship a Demon called Khorcus, so we can safely assume they want to cause as many fatalities as possible, they also have one target in mind someone who’s been touched by their Demon lord. They can produce upwards of five vials….” I began to hone in all the important factors.

“So if we were worshippers of Khorcus.. What would be the best course of action.” Jay pondered.

“Well.. Considering the amount of VIP and high ranked students and teachers in the Dining hall I assume a lot of vials will be reserved for there. Then I would have some snuck on the Aspa fleet to sow Chaos and mistrust.” Jun answered.

“So first thing’s first we need to watch them closely to see what they are up to.” I suggested.