A World Of Decree: And The Seven Laws

Within the Grandmaster's headquarters, Selvis sat behind his century old desk like a man on his deathbed. His forehead creased with frustration, but his mind was calm like a mellow pond with no winds. Selvis had called for the Imperative five to come in, making sure they arrived as quickly as possible. The air in the room was dim, almost making the room seem foggy, but the dust collected on the shelf added to that illusion.

Calvin appeared from a cloud of clear smoke, alongside Professor Zelle, Professor Gradheart, and Professor Crane. They presented themselves carefully, bowing to the Grandmaster in terms of respect and honor.

"Thank you all for coming." Selvis began, crossing his arms underneath his elongated fur coat. "Unfortunately, I have news that might cost the lives of the students at this school."

The four professors listening remained still, trying their best to not seem fazed and keep their professionalism.

"Osiris contacted me." Selvis said.

Layla Crane cleared her throat to repel the dim air from her lungs, speaking in her usual high-pitched tone. "If I may ask Grandmaster, but does this have anything to do with those seven students you mentioned earlier?"

"I was getting to that."

"My dearest apologies Grandmaster." Professor Crane squeaked.

"No need." He gestured for her to not get upset. "Osiris came to me with a proposal… Or perhaps it was more of a threat. He said if we don't give him the seven students he asked for, every student in the school suffering from his Curse will…" He paused, motioning with his head what the rest of the sentence contained.

Professor Gradheart stepped forward to speak, a little nervous from a realization. "There are currently 54 students under the unknown curse in the Medical Department, Grandmaster."

"Professor Crane, Professor Gradheart." Selvis said, angered.

"Yes, Grandmaster." They said in unison.

"Bring me Hellsgate, Now please."

They nodded their heads and scattered off like a pack of mice from a hungry cat.

"Professor Pride." Selvis started. "You understand exactly what seven students Osiris is referring too, correct."

"Indeed."

"What's your take on this situation?"

Calvin stepped forward, "I have a very close relationship with them. They even chose me to be their Guild Advisor. If we have no choice, I will escort them to Osiris, but I promise you… No, I swear on my life, I will secure their protection and make sure not a single life from this Academy will die."

"I like your answer." Selvis sighed, "Every possible outcome I've come up with leads to that being the only way."

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Professor Zelle budged in, "Those seven students wouldn't happen to be the Laws, would they?" Zelle said with a tone like he already knew the answer.

Before Selvis could answer, Alastor appeared from a thin line of clear smoke. "To what do I have the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, Selvis." Alastor grinned.

Zelle looked at Alastor like he was an insect. Zelle, along with nearly everyone at the Academy didn't know Alastor's background or intentions. He's a very hard man to read, and a hard man to get to. Alastor can manipulate the outcome of sentences without even trying to. He's like a conman plotting his next tactic with no intentions of it failing.

"Professor Hellsgate," Selvis cleared his throat, "I'm sure you are already well aware of Osiris' infections and what he wants."

"Oh my, yes! Your lovely assistants filled me in on everything." Alastor chuckled.

"I didn't ask them too," The number of creases increased on Selvis' forehead. "Regardless, I would like you to be the man to escort them to Osiris. Professor Pride and I will be going, but not with you."

"Grandmaster," Zelle said, angrily. "Professor Hellsgate has only been a member of this Academy for a few months. I am not to question your judgement, but isn't this quite a heavy burden to place on Professor Hellsgate?"

"I understand your concern Professor Zelle," Selvis began. "However, I have known this man longer than I can remember. I trust he will do the right thing." Selvis gave Alastor a concerned glance.

"Of course!" Alastor raised his voice, "When have I ever failed to deliver a favor?"

Selvis nodded, unsure of how to represent his emotions, "I also believe there is a mole inside the Academy."

Alastor raised an eyebrow as if he didn't already know, "A mole you say?"

Selvis stood up from his chair, "It is the only explanation for the contamination of so many students. It's most likely a boy, first year if my senses are testing me. Find him, and bring him to me."

…

That evening, Selvis traveled back to Atlas' home to check on his mother. The two of them were keeping her cursed touch a secret. Only more trouble can come out of revealing this to Atlas, let alone anyone else from the Academy.

The darkness of the night sky poured into the windows of Atlas' home, extracting any light that remained. Mercya sat in the living room, alone, every night ever since Atlas went back to Princewood. Her nights would be filled with restless sleep, worry, and endless thoughts that broke her away from slumber.

However, an unexpected knock on the door finally took her mind away from the suffering. She crept up slowly to the peephole of the front door, seeing a familiar face, bringing whatever hope she clinged onto, back into her empty heart.

She unlocked the door quickly, inviting Selvis in after fl.i.c.k.i.n.g on a few candles and starting up the fire place. "Grandmaster… Please, come in." She said, covering herself with a blanket to hide the markon her shoulder.

Sevis stepped in, "Good evening, Mercya." His face went grim. "No need for cover, I am well aware of what truly happened when Osiris was here.

Maercya's face suddenly twisted into sorrow, looking down in shame. She dropped the covers, revealing the ghastly yellow curse spreading throughout her entire arm and onto the lower portions of her neck.

"How is Atlas." She said, quitely.

"Atlas is doing great, along with his Guild. However, Osiris is-"

"I already know," She interrupted. "It's because of Draymond isn't it?"

Selvis sighed, beginning to explain everything to Mercya about the Laws and how everything led to where they are now.

Mercya wasn't surprised by anything she was told; considering everything she's gone through, this wasn't a shock. "Why is Osiris doing this?" She said, swallowed by sadness.

"Osiris used to be a student at Pinewood." Selvis started. "I was the only one he would talk to. He was shunned by his classmates, but remained a shy, good-hearted kid on the inside. That is, until he met the Cursed Oracle."

"The Cursed Oracle?" Mercya raised an eyebrow out of suspicion.

"He's one of the most dangerous beings alive. He's killed, tortured, conquered, and demolished civilizations. He's a man that holds the power of all 12 curses…" Selvis paused, trying to remember more to the story, "Every time someone possesses one of his curses, he meets them, corrupting their minds to go on an neverending path of evil and power."

"Why do we live in a world like this? Filled with monsters and such evil people."

"Magic. It is the only answer. If there are questions left unanswered, magic will answer them. The only thing we can do now is wait, and hope." Selvis stood up from the sofa. "Come back to Princewood, I'll make sure you are kept safe, and Atlas won't know. It's far too dangerous here, and if Osiris comes again, there's no knowing what he'll do."

Mercya nodded, slowly standing from the sofa. She gathered a few things, packed her bag, and left her empty home for the first time in many years.

…

Alastor came to visit Osiris that night, bringing excellent news, as always. The darkness of the nightfall didn't affect his sight, but the moon shining on him wasn't the most pleasing feeling. Alastor stepped into Osiris's cube of stone, seeing a plain room with no windows or doors in any direction. There was one hallway towards the opposite side of the entrance, but that hallway was at least one hundred meters away.

Osiris appeared out of a cloud of yellow smoke, looking much younger than usual. "So... What is Selvis planning on doing?"

"Exactly what you predicted my lord. He will take the seven to you in a week's time, leaving the escort to me, as predicted."

Osiris laughed, but it came out sounding more like rapid coughs rather than enjoyment. "What a fool. To think you would be such an excellent handy man, Alastor."

"It's a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, my lord." Alastor smirked.

"Just one more week. The Laws will be mine. Selvis will pay. And once I have that power, I will kill the Oracle once and for all."