Lord Shadow

It is also one of the places they considered to lay low in the eventuality of a rebellion in Shurley

As the peasant started moving towards the forest, taking their baggage, and food, looting the body of the Avengers, Learned Ones and the Magus, Azul sneak the vials of blood he got from the dead magus.

He needs all the advantage he can get.

It is made from peasant blood, a purified blood purified by the Holy Instrument of the Church.

It is said that the Holy Instrument is found is some mysterious Temple in the end corners of the World.

From what Azul heard of the Canon, the Temple could grant wishes and Time and Space around that Temple distorted and lightning clouds hover around the Temple without ever abating.

Azul took the vials and he hesitates. Should he take it? He sighed and then nodded to himself.

Azul knows if he just let the vials be because it comes from the blood of peasants, sooner or later, when the Church found this vials they would use it against the peasants.

It is better if he takes it and uses it to fend off any possible threat from the Church and the Empire.

It would also help that he could use these bloods instead of his own blood to activate blood magic.

While his blood seems to be powerful and the effect last for long time after using it, it also comes with fatigue and risking unconsciousness when he uses it beyond his limits.

But with these vials of blood Azul could train himself without worrying. Finished storing the vials he leads the people to the forest

The crowd follows him to the forest, eager to leave as fast as possible fearing the Church retaliation.

A large crowd with all the peasant around Shurley area follows Azul to the forests fearing the vengeance of the Church and the Empire wrath

Every peasant camp in the Shurley area is emptying itself.

As Azul rides in horseback he took from one of the abandoned noble stables, he could see many children around the age of nine and ten, folding behind their parents to the forest believing in him.

There is a pressure in Azul heart. Azief is still in his formless state. He seems to be floating around Azul.

Azief saw how that young girl Erena come to Azul and give him her thanks and an assortment of flower.

Then Ymir come to explain how they were caught.

Zinar and Tyr and sometimes he usually come to the meeting but instead it was the Magus that came this time and grabbed them all, accusing them of planning a rebellion.

Azief saw how the young boy really hated the Empire and this is proved by his defiance against the Magus, giving an Avenger a black eyes and his question towards Azul

‘Are we fighting back?’ the young child asks, his eyes beaming.

Azul seems to be thinking of something. He closes his eyes and his eyes are full of determination.

Azul then nodded and said with a conviction

‘We’ll fight them as long as we have a breath in our bodies! It is time for Aethens to rise once again’

The young boy nodded, and clenches his fist.

Azul could see that Ymir wanted to avenge his childhood friend death. Azul heard from Erena, that their friend, Ellerod was beaten to death in their journey to the Reaping stand.

And from what Azul heard from the mob, it was Ymir that give the finishing blow to that red hair Magus.

As the crowd is getting deeper and deeper into the forest, suddenly a shadowy form bust out from the large bush ahead.

A motley crew of young peasant rush in front of Azul, brandishing their motley array of weapons they nicked or took from swordsmith and metalsmith of the town before coming to the forest.

These young peasants with dark skin and parched skins because of the constant work they have to endure surround Azul guarding him with extreme vigilance.

Azul smiles a bit.

Without intending to Azul seems to have gained a guard squad.

Coming out from the large bush is a huge man as he raise his hand and shouted

‘Don’t stick me with that thing!’

‘Lord!’ The voice exclaimed

‘It is me!’ It was a familiar voice.

As Azul moves his horse forward he could see who it is. His face ifs full of mud, and his hair seems to be messy.

‘Tyr!’ Azul exclaim gladly

‘I fear the worst has happened to you! It is good nothing happens to you!’

But Tyr didn’t seem happy. His shoulder slump weakly.

Azul immediately understand.

He must not have heard. From the way he is behaving Azul believes he is hiding from the Reaping process.

Maybe his name is on the summons and he did not want to die such a meaningless death.

Azul was the one beside Tyr all this years. Whoop could he not understand Tyr denial of the Empire ways?

He didn’t believe one shit about the duty of self-sacrifice mentioned in The Canon. The peasants that knows about this have a nickname for him

The Big Heretic and Azul the Little Heretic

Tyr sighed and asks

‘Is there anyone we know among the Reaping?’ he then sighed.

‘How long until this must go on? Were the others-‘

Azul quickly cut him off

‘Everyone alive, Tyr. The Reaping has been stopped, the Avengers and the Learned One has been killed by the peasant. It is all right Tyr. What we have dreamed all this years….it has begun.’ Azul said and Tyr eyes bulged and then there is excitement in his eyes.

‘The rebellion started? Truly?’

Azul jump down from his horse and clasp Tyr arm.

‘Where have you been when all of this happened? You should have been there with me.’ Azul ask.

‘I was hiding among the hills. I was about to go to the meeting when-‘ and he stopped talking as he look toward Zinar on the back talking with the children.

Then whispering Tyr said to Azul

‘Zinar told me where the meeting is. I was late and it was then I saw the Avenger of the Church and the Learned Ones and even a Magus march inside the meeting place and brought out children and our comrades out from the meeting place. They knew we were there, my friend. They were waiting for us’

Tyr sighed and then shrugs. He could see Azul expression asking him why he did not try to save them

‘There were too many to fight, my friend. I didn’t want to die and at most they would at least be only beaten and not executed’ he said. Azul nodded

He could understand Tyr. He must not have thought that the Church intends to reap the children too.

Harsh treatment like being beaten is normal for a peasant.

If Tyr knew that those Churchmen were intending to kill those children, Tyr would have fought them tooth and nails.

The only reason he did not come out from his hiding and help those children is because he knew that if those children were associated with him, they might suffer more.

Azul think even Tyr would be shock to hear that the kids nearly got executed in the Reaping.

But Tyr seems to be looking at Zinar direction. His eyes seem to be looking at her intently and full of suspicions.

And his face is not entirely pleasant. But Azul did not see it. But Azief sees it. What did Azul intend to do by showing this memory to him?

Tyr tugged Azul sleeve and look at Zinar.

‘Don’t you think it is suspicious?’

‘What is?’ And then Azul saw what Tyr is looking at and he understands what Tyr is implying.

Azul face becomes pale.

‘You couldn’t think that she-‘ And Tyr only shrugged.

Zinar who finished consoling the crying children arrived at the area and saw Tyr

She then cries

‘Tyr! You’re alive!’ She jumps down from her horse, her giddy exhilaration plain in every springing step.

She throws her arms around Tyr, all muddied and dirty, ignoring or not noticing Try grimace and the complicated expression on Azul face.

She then turns to Azul

‘We did it my friends. This is what we always dreamed of’ Azul expression is hard and unpleasant.

He grabs Zinar hand and said

‘And we need to about something. Come with me’

Azul brought her away from the crowd to prevent others from overhearing what he will say. He didn’t want rumors to spread until he is sure.

‘What exactly happen today?’ Azul ask, his face is serious

Zinar smiles falter

‘What do you mean by that?’ There is an accusatory tone in that question.

‘The church seems to know that our comrade has been talking about treason and know our meeting place.’ Then Azul turn his head to stare straight at her for a moment

‘How do you think they found out about all of this?’

‘Someone must have betrayed us.’ A note of incredulity enters Zinar whispers.

And she began to understand why Azul anted to speak to her away from other the crowds of peasant in the distance.

‘And you think that person is me?’

Azul sighed

‘I am wondering the same things anyone would’

Azul voice is level but his heart is beating fast. There are so many questions to ask.

‘Why weren’t you at the meeting place?’ Zinar answer

‘My estate supervisor demanding me to complete the task form the young lady one after another that I didn’t have time for anything else. Thus I could not go to the meeting place’

‘Why wasn’t I invited?’ Azul ask back

‘I can’t invite you to all of them’ she said defensively.

‘Tyr was a fugitive and we are about to meet to discuss that and hear the full story of what happen in the Count estate. With so little time I had no time to come to your House without raising suspicions.’

‘Then how do you think the Church found out about the meeting?’

Zinar then offer her opinion.

‘Either there is a traitor amongst out midst or else they managed to follow the peasant somehow. We were careful each time we conduct these meetings but it is possible some of us slipped up.’

Azul knows that if there is a traitor it is hard to pinpoint one.

‘Who do you think betray us then? You know them better than I do’

Zinar sighed.

‘I know it would be easy to point a finger to Tyr because he also wasn’t there this morning but you and I know him. He is honesty and he hated the Empire more than anyone else.’

Azul nodded. For a moment there is a silence between them. Azul then look at Zinar and felt his heart conflicted.

Then he ask what he wanted to ask when he saw that kids being hauled up at the Reaping.

At the time he could not ask her because events happens so fast that he had no time to think of anything else.

But now there is time and now he can ask.

‘Why didn’t you try to stop the Reaping? This meeting you and Tyr conducted…isn’t it to do exactly this? To rebel against the Empire and the Church’

Zinar didn’t like that expression on Azul face. It was a trace of disappointment

‘I…was afraid. There is an expression of remorse in her face. Azul closes his eyes and then sighed.

Then he said to Zinar

‘We were all afraid…..you think I am not afraid?’

Then he continued

I thought you…would be the spark not me. I am a noble. That is a fact I could not change. The rebellion we dreamed of was for the rebellion to be started by a peasant. We know it is a bit hard to gain support of a peasant’s rebellion but a new world could only be started that way. We have planned it for years. The rebellion leader would either be you or Tyr and I will be working from the inside of the Empire. I would offer support in terms of influence and supply while you work in the open to undermine the Empire authority and force them to abandon Aethens. We wanted to reclaim back Aethenspania, to end the institution of Reaping and alleviate the hard life of the common folks under the Church and the Empire. I thought you would be the first to jump out from the crowd when they started trying to reap children. But…you never know how you’re going to act until the moment comes’

And Azul sighed

It is because Azul was the first one that jump out from the crowd, and incite the people, that he is recognized as the rebellion leader.

‘And today you know’ Zinar says, almost as hurt by Azul gentle and kind word as she would have been by his wrath

‘I’m not the woman you thought I am. You now know what to expect from me when lives is at stakes.’

‘That is not what I am trying to say. You are distorting my words’

‘You don’t have to console me. Azul, just now, when I see Tyr eyes…’Zinar shakes her head, her expression so full of disbelief it approaches wonder.

‘There will be people calling me traitor after today. Will you be one of them?’ she seems to be waiting for Azul answer.

Azul contemplates and he shakes his head

‘This is what the Church does. They breed mistrust among us. They wanted to us to be so suspicious of each other we would never be able to unite against them. You and Tyr were beside me when we spoke of our grand dreams of a better world. We are just at the first step. I trust you, Zinar’

Zinar eyes were pooling with tears and Azul wipes them out with his finger gently. Zinar expression turns somber and uncertain.

‘After we make camp tonight, let’s talk more. We need to consult with Tyr and take steps to protect our band against another betrayal while we dig up traitors that are hiding in our midst.’

Azul nodded

‘Keep your eyes and ears open’

She nodded as she walks away. Azul watch her for a long time as she walks away, trying to not let uncertainty shows on your face.

It was then time stopped and that voice sounded again filling the entire world

‘This is Azul Verignon my second incarnation. With him I achieve enlightenment and become the ruler of this world and when I gained enough energy I broke through the World Cage and become the Saint of ten Thousand Worlds. Experience my struggle and resolve my regret!’

Then Azief formless body was absorbed into Azul Verignon as fast as lighting. At that moment Azief become Azul Verignon

He closes his eyes and then opening it back, was Azul. A different Azul.

‘I have entered his body’ Azief said to himself.

‘What is his regret this time?’ As he was about to join the crowd, a messenger come to him. It was a peasant that used to work for his estate

‘Lord, this is a letter from your steward’

Azief took the letter and read it. He smiles after reading it.

He nodded

And then he said to the servant

‘Take him and make sure he is well fed.’

The peasant went away and Azief sighed

‘Fine, I will lead this band of people against the rebellion to the Empire. I didn’t like them either. Azief didn’t like the empire as much as Azul do.

He joins the crowd, his eyes sharper than usual.

***

SOMEWHERE IN THE VAST UNIVERSE

There is an ancient being sitting on a throne of light. Behind him is a gigantic wheel that seems to contain the power of life and death, of creation and destruction.

Beside him is a translucent figure of a woman. If Azief could see it he would probably be shocked.

It is Meihul, only now she is a bit older and mature and she is looking at that person sitting on that throne of light with a smile.

She seems to be floating near the gigantic wheel. And around that wheels souls could be seen circling it

That person sitting on the throne of lights has suns as his eyes and his body is larger than a galaxy.

In this Vast Universe, he could be considered the number one strongest being. Not to mention how ancient he is compared to the other life forms.

The Wheel behind him seems to be stationary not moving but the Laws emanating from it seems to be able to change anything in this world

Yet, Meihul that seems to be hovering near the Wheel could not be affected by the Laws that is emanating from the Wheel.

That person looks at that translucent figures and sigh

His sigh trembles the stars and distort any planets nearby

‘Six lifetimes, six lives, none of them succeed, none of them fated to solve my greatest failure. That person once again tries my trial. Before he failed…..but this time could he succeed?’

This gigantic and ancient being is Azul. In the six lifetimes he lived, he has many titles and each one of his life is in a way eventful.

He looks at Meihul and he closes his eyes. How could after all of this time, his heart still could not let go of her. She is an obsession he never wants to let go.

He will bring her back.

Then like he was talking to Meihul he said

‘If he succeeds, than the Sorcerer would be able to use his magic and bring back your soul. In those times before, there were no True Hell and no True Heaven. Thus souls have nowhere to go in the Vast Universe. I thus created my heaven and my Hell yet I could not bring you soul since our race lack a soul unless if one break through the World Shackles like me. I kill you and spent six lifetimes and eons to bring you back.’

There were three other people before Azief that attempted his trial. Each time they passed the first trial.

The first trial is the easiest and each time they did that, Meihul would return to him for a while.

Azul did not tell Azief this but that moment Azief decided to spare Meihul a different future was written.

This is simple for Azul.

He rewrite the Laws of Time making the fact that Meihul dead seems to be an illusion but he could not rewrite everything because there is some limitation especially when it concerns life and death, of creation and destruction.

And in Azul life as the Divinity of Fire, Meihul followed him until he breaks through the Heavens of the Infernal Realm and until he became this Azul.

It was like she has always been beside him this entire time.

And he has two memories. The memories of where he kills Meihul and the memories where he didn’t.

But then why does Meihul body is not entirely corporeal

Because she lacks a soul so the moment Azul break through the Heavens of the Infernal Realm, the karma of the past come to collect.

Azul find a way around it by seeking the Sorcerer of All Realms.

The Sorcerer then set a task for Azul. However, Azul must not be the one to change it. It must be others.

So, Azul begins refining his saber and imbued with each saber his life and reincarnation.

Each one all had the same purpose.

To teach the person undertaking the trial of whom Azul is and to hope that in the last trial that person would be able to make the right decision.

Each trial will affect Azul life as each decision that is made in the trial change the reality of Azul life.

Azul look at the wheel and sigh.

On the hub of the wheel is a Red Pig, a Rainbow Rooster and a Grey gigantic snake that seems to be chasing each other, each of them poisonous and could bring down an entire galaxy by themselves if they were to be released by the wheel.

The Red Pig seems to be covered in the dirtiest soils and eats anything in his path. Then that Red Pig would vomit out the Rainbow Rooster and the Grey snake.

The Red Pig wants to eat them back while the snake and the rooster grasp the pig tail. And thus they keep chasing each other inside the wheels.

The second layer of the wheel seems to depicts lives of countless of beings, multitudes of aliens races, their lives and connection to each other and their reincarnation that needs to resolve the connection and sever their obsessions

It is a scene of people forming Karma, sowing it and reaping it. If one life is not enough, then three lifetimes should be enough.

The second layer of the wheel have two half circles. One half of the circle is bright as the sun and shows myriads of beings, races of aliens with content face.

The other half seems to be dark with no suns showing myriads of being in a miserable state being led downwards to down the Wheel

The third layer of the wheel is divided into six sections that represent the six realms of cyclic existence, the process of cycling through one rebirth after another.

It is these six realms that become the trials for people who refine his saber.

There is a realm where there are many beings lead long and enjoyable lives full of pleasure and abundance

But because of all the pleasures and abundance, they seem to be dazed with it. There is another realm where jealousy and envy seems to fills the heart of every being.

Then there is a realm where its resident is shackled by passion, desire, doubt and pride.

This realm however has just enough suffering but not too much that it would lead them astray from seeking the truth

Then there is a realm where most of them were like beast and animals. They all struggle to become better and live their short lives.

And then there is a realm where the feeling of possessiveness and desire fills the entire realm. And then there is one realm which is different from the other.

It is a realm full of hatred and resentment.

However if one look closely at each of these realms, Azul is always present in every one of these realms, ready to offer guidance and help

On the fourth layer, the outer rim of the wheel is the twelve links twelve image that seemed to

One could gains greater insight into the workings of karma; just by looking at this gigantic wheel that seems to be born with the understanding of the Karma of the Universe.

Azul closes his eyes and the Universe around him turns dark.

The Wheel started rotating again and he is still waiting.

For the fated one to appear.

***