the one who remembers

It was the middle of the night when Aaron sat in the large, empty office reading through the reports from the last few days. Grischa had repurposed the light crystal so that it now emitted a bright, reddish light into the sky that could be seen even in the mountains of Sylve.

They had begun to move the border and set up guard posts while forcibly relocating the inhabitants to get them out of the danger zone. At first, he thought the reaction was a little exaggerated, but the longer he watched Raphael energetically address the country's security, the more uneasy he became. Until now, the Eldest had never discussed his vision with his colleague and friend, but Aaron now suspected that he knew something about the danger from the creature planes.

<Why won't he talk to me openly anymore?>

As if someone had heard his thoughts, Aaron sensed someone approaching the office. A few moments later, the Eldest opened the door and entered the room with an expression Aaron had never seen on his face before. He looked tired, but above all, he looked sad. What had happened?

"Where were you?", Aaron asked, unintentionally a little more sharply than he had intended.

"You're a good person, has anyone ever told you that, Aaron?", the blond-haired man replied simply, closing the door behind him. Confused, Aaron watched as the Eldest stopped in front of a bookshelf and let his gaze wander over the books.

"Pardon?"

"I just wanted to say that. You're a good person and I appreciate you very much, Aaron."

"What happened?", Aaron asked directly.

The Eldest's emotional statement was something Aaron wasn't used from him. At least not since they had founded the Magistrat. His demeanor and choice of words made Aaron wonder if the Eldest had received bad news.

"I received a message from Zod Adenia."

"Swordmaster Zod Adenia?", Aaron repeated dryly, visibly confused that the man's name had come up again after all these months of silence. Aaron had wasted his time trying to find out information about the swordmaster and his daughter, who seemed to exist only on paper.

"Exactly. Is it possible you revised the report again after I checked it?"

"Which report are you talking about?"

"The analysis of the attack on Groka. Sir Adenia was approached about it by Julius Venlan, a high-ranking officer of the royal household. Sir Venlan is currently considered the king's unofficial right-hand man and is therefore close to the king himself and Sir Freigoud."

"But the analysis was sent ages ago...?"

"Did you or did you not revise the analysis afterward?", the Eldest interrupted him and turned to face him.

"What are you thinking? I wouldn't send anything of my own to the royal family", Aaron replied indignantly, after all, Raphael knew him better than anyone else. "You know how I feel about the nobility."

"Then how come Zod's name was mentioned in the statement?"

"It's about Zod Adenia again?"

"Aaron, please, stop playing games. In the message to the King of Sylve that I read, Zod's name was definitely not mentioned. Nevertheless, the royal family received a statement in which his name appears. If I hadn't paid close attention that day, I might think I was mistaken. But that's exactly what I did. So I ask you: did you change anything?"

"I had a version without his name, yes, but I revised it a little after talking to him and reading his summary. I actually thought you would be pleased and that's why you approved my report. I'm also pretty sure I gave you this version from the beginning."

"Ha...", was all the Eldest said, turning away. "If you say so, then something must have happened in between. Could it be that I read the old version?"

"Unlikely."

All he got in response was a sigh, so Aaron looked at the blond-haired man with an irritated look. It really seemed to bother him that his memories didn't match what Aaron was saying.

"Don't you believe me?"

"No, no. It's not that", replied the Eldest, avoiding his gaze. He seemed to find the documents he was looking for on his desk, so the Eldest started moving again.

"Then what is it? First the statement about the good man, and now this? What did Zod Adenia write that is such a problem?"

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"The one has nothing to do with the other, Aaron."

"Then explain it to me, Raphael. I'm really starting to lose track of what's going on here. First Groka, then this supposed swordmaster without a sword, and now your extreme precautions against the creature plain. I can't shake the feeling that you're hiding something from me!"

"If only it were just one thing", the Eldest said quietly, still standing and leafing through the books on his table. However, when he realized Aaron was silent, he gave him his full attention again. "I never told you what I saw in my vision... back when I became an Apostle, did I?"

"No, you didn't. But what..."

"In my vision, I saw Altona being attacked and destroyed by a huge mass of creatures."

"What?", Aaron exclaimed in surprise and sat up straight.

The Eldest, on the other hand, simply sank back into his chair and leaned back with his eyes closed.

"I saw our present-day city and the Magistrat more than 200 years ago, you know. At first, I didn't know exactly what was developing there, but at some point 50 years ago, I realized the similarity to my vision, and with each passing day, I feel like we are getting closer to this memory."

"So you mean you had a vision of the future in which you saw creatures attacking Exarion?"

"Exactly", the Eldest confirmed.

"Why didn't you mention this earlier?"

"Should I panic for no reason?"

"For no reason? These aren't daydreams, Raphael. You should know better than anyone how real these visions are."

"I know. How do you think I felt when I realized why so many High-Magicians have appeared?"

"Do you think...?"

"I don't think, I know. We are facing a war. The fact that so many others have appeared is only an indication of something I have long been aware of. And Zod has known even longer than I have."

"In what way? What does he have to do with it? He hasn't had visions like we have."

"That doesn't mean outsiders can't realize the danger on their own", the Eldest emphasized ironically. "Have you forgotten what his main job was?"

"You trust his statement so much? We've had to deal with some crazy people in the past, remember?"

"I remember, but I know Zod and I trust him probably as much as I trust you, Aaron", the Eldest began calmly. He opened his eyes and gave Aaron a gentle but sad smile - which Aaron suddenly found uncomfortable. Whatever he had received in the letter seemed to have completely upset him.

"So, let's assume you're right and we're facing a war. Why haven't we noticed anything yet?"

"We have. Groka was just the beginning."

"Groka was far from a war", Aaron said, causing the Eldest to clear his throat.

"That may be, but without help, all the inhabitants would have been killed that night. You've read the eyewitness reports. Don't tell me you didn't notice that."

"Yes, I was aware of that. Their numbers were just right to destroy a village of that size."

"Almost perfect, don't you think?"

"Perfect in the sense of...?"

"That the number of attackers was tailored to the size of the village."

"You believe that someone in the background... deliberately attacked the village?" Aaron summarized matter-of-factly, staring at Raphael, who showed no reaction to this statement. Whatever Raphael thought about the subject, it must be relevant, otherwise he wouldn't bring it up. "Admitted, it is a little strange. Although I wouldn't immediately assume that someone deliberately attacked the village. What would have been so important or strategically interesting about it?"

"Good question, isn't it?", the Eldest merely evaded.

"Well, if this has anything to do with your vision, then we should explain it to the others. They're wondering about it too, you know."

"Understandable. I've already thought about it. Better safe than sorry."

"Indeed", Aaron agreed, folding his hands in front of his face as he looked thoughtfully at the Eldest. "Coming back to Sir Adenia. What exactly happened?"

"Zod said that Sir Venlan had asked him about the report and he was put in an awkward situation."

"Awkward situation?"

"He doesn't want to reveal that he has Karekama with him."

"Why that?", Aaron replied in surprise.

"He has a daughter, isn't that reason enough?"

"Ah", Aaron began, pausing briefly before completing his sentence. "He wants to avoid attracting the attention of dangerous people and putting his daughter in danger. But then why did he reveal it to us?"

"Because he trusts us."

"He trusts you", Aaron countered abruptly.

"No, he trusts us", corrected the Eldest, standing up. He had actually planned to spend some more time working, but exhaustion was slowly but surely catching up with him. "Don't underestimate Zod and give him some of your attention. You'll eventually understand for yourself that he's a good-natured and helpful person."

"I never doubted that. I was just a little suspicious of him at first, but after talking to him, I realized that we're not so different. But don't expect me to trust him blindly. It's the same with the other Apostles, you know?"

"I know. I know you, your caution and your dedication. Just treat him appropriately, that's all I ask."

"I had no intention of being disrespectful to him."

"Then that's fine", the Eldest said with relief, straightening his collar and glancing outside. It was pitch black because it was raining like crazy and the moon was nowhere to be seen. The few lights of the city were literally swallowed up by the darkness. "I think I'll lie down for a bit. Today was a long day."

"Alright."

"See you later."

After this brief conversation, which had felt more like an interrogation mixed with unexpected remarks to Aaron, he also got up and walked over to the large window. Wind whipped past the glass, causing the raindrops to slide horizontally to the left, while visibility was barely 10 meters.

<Zod Adenia.>

The man was still suspicious to Aaron, even more so than Grischa had been back then. It had always seemed inappropriate to Aaron that one of the youngest High-Magicians had been given a seat on the council, as Grischa did not exactly come across as a reasonable person.

Zod, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of Grischa: calm, cautious, attentive, and educated. He understood his situation very well and remained respectful and friendly at all times, as long as no one interfered with his privacy. This was a clear indication that, although he offered his support at any time, he did not want to take any risks for his family.

He respected Zod, especially after reading what he had to say about the creatures. That was why he had quoted his statements, because he believed his words, just as Raphael did. Aaron had been completely unaware that he was keeping his identity secret, so he hoped that the swordmaster was not angry with him for this mistake.

<I guess I should apologize in person. From the sound of it, this wasn't the last time we'll be in contact with him.>