Ch 15: The Second Truth

Lured to a graveyard by Alastor's call, Grey sees his parents' graves firsthand and learns the meaning of "Altera Veritas". Alexander is prepared for the worst, and that may be what they will face.

            Aboard the Audentia, everyone strained to think as they tried to figure out where Grey could have gone. Having put aside her feelings on whether or not she should believe Alexander, Amy said, “He couldn’t have gone back to Abnoct to check out the warehouse, could he?” Having considered that already, Alexander said, “No, in his state he’d probably have forgotten about the warehouse. He seemed to be struggling with himself after you called out to him. But where…” Suddenly, a thought popped into his head, but just as he was going to voice it, Scott said, “Wait a minute… If what set all this off was the shock of having been told about his parents, could he have gone to Aerennis to look for them?” Alexander nodded his head in approval, and said, “I just had the same thought! It’s so obvious. I almost dismissed it because I had only ever told him he lived in a peaceful village. I never told him the name of the village itself, but if his memories have begun to return as a result of the shock, it’s more than likely where he’s headed!” Unleashing his hearty laugh, Schmitt said, “Alrighty, looks like we have our destination! To your post Admiral, we’re off to Aerennis! Been awhile since I’ve been over to The Kingdom of Gaian! Most ships ain’t supposed to be crossin the border without a show of paperwork at the checkpoint in Libera, but seein as this here’s a Guild ship we should be able to slip through!” Scott and Schmitt rushed to their positions, and leaping into the pilot’s seat Schmitt grabbed the controls and switched off the autopilot. “So Admiral, since you know where this place is, I’m awarding you the position of Navigator as well! Check the holo-map and start navigatin!” As the two worked out which way they were going, Alexander took a seat next to Amy, who had been wondering something. Voicing her suspicions, Amy asked, “Alexander, if what you said before is correct, you’ve met me before you showed up in Celestis, haven’t you?” Alexander took a moment to consider his answer, then simply said, “I’m sorry Amy. Even with what’s happened, I still feel it’s just not the right time for you to know everything yet.” Having worked out their course, Scott went to work on his duties as copilot as Schmitt yelled, “WHOOO YEA! Hold on folks! Here! We! GO!” The Audentia was off, heading towards Aerennis at breakneck speed.

            Having come a great distance on his air cycle, Grey at last felt himself being drawn somewhere far below. Speeding downward from the sky, he quickly brought the air cycle to a halt close to the ground and slowly settled it down to land. He had landed in the middle of a large graveyard, rows of graves surrounding him on all sides. He felt himself being drawn again as the voice called, “Come…” Walking, compelled by the call of the voice, he soon reached a pair of fairly new graves. The names on them were covered by bouquets of flowers placed there by grieving visitors. Grey thought he heard a slightly triumphant tone in the voice as it said, “Look at the names… Understand the truth…” Grey grasped the bouquets and cast them aside, and his eyes widened in horror as the unbearable truth the voice spoke of washed over him. The graves read, “Jonathan Greyson, 475NA-517NA” and “Samantha Greyson 477-517NA.” Unable to speak the words, Grey choked, “They’re… they’re really…” Then from behind him, a cold, empty voice said, “Dead, Mr. Greyson. They’re dead.” Slowly turning to look in the direction of the voice, Grey laid his eyes on Alastor casually standing behind him. Staring at Grey without a trace of remorse or pity, Alastor asked, “Do you remember now, Mr. Greyson? Do you remember that night?” Before Grey could even move, lash out and seize his revenge, he felt a pain inside his head greater than anything he’d ever experienced as the images came. Sitting in the corner of a room in their burning mansion, listening to the screams of his parents outside the door to the room, he watched the door open and through it came Alastor. His suit slightly charred, Alastor moved towards him, and Grey felt as though he could not move from the incredible fear he felt coursing through him. Alastor reached to grab him, saying, “It’s time to go… Mr. Greyson…” Grey let out a scream, and as quickly as it had filled his mind, the vision dissolved. On his knees, with his head in his hands, he sat before Alastor. 

Alastor swiftly kicked him in the stomach, and Grey collapsed on the ground before him. His voice showed not the slightest interest in Grey’s wellbeing as Alastor asked, “Does it hurt? I can make it all go away…” Grey spat out a bit of blood and slowly started to remove himself from the ground. Watching Grey get to his hands and knees, Alastor said, “Tell me Mr. Greyson, why keep fighting? You’ll get nothing in return. Even if you were to defeat me, destroy Altera Veritas, destroy the Nameless One, whom I’m sure my brother has told you of by now, you will still have gained nothing. Your parents will never come back, and you’ll spend the rest of your life a criminal, a monster shunned by society…” His fingers digging through the soft dirt as he balled his hands into fists, Grey said in a seething tone, “Revenge… I’ll have my revenge! Revenge for everyone who’s dead!” Leaping to his feet, Grey threw a punch at Alastor, but stepping aside, Alastor grabbed his arm, swept his foot under Grey’s legs, tripping him, and finally pinned him on the ground with his arm behind his back. Unable to move, Grey could only listen as Alastor said, “Revenge? Please Mr. Greyson, do you really care about something like revenge? Will this revenge bring back a single life lost, or fill the painful void in the hearts of those who have lost someone close to them? Do you honestly think you will feel the weight of responsibility lift from your shoulders with the acquisition of something so petty as revenge?” Lifting Grey off the ground, Alastor flung him across the rows of graves, to come crashing down into a rather old looking grave, breaking it in two. Walking slowly over to Grey, Alastor said, “I know from experience that it won’t. I however, Mr. Greyson, can do all that for you…” Slowly sitting up, Grey shouted, “Like I’d take anything from you anyways!” The edges of Alastor’s mouth slowly curled up into a faint smile, and he said, “Oh, is that really so Mr. Greyson…?”

            Strolling over to Grey casually, Alastor said, “You wouldn’t be here if you truly did not desire what I am here to offer, Mr. Greyson. After all, I’m only here to grant your wish. I’ve come to free you Mr. Greyson, once and for all. I know that you’ll accept, sooner or later, just as you did three years ago. Only this time, no trivial matter of this world will tear you from your paradise. Listen very carefully Mr. Greyson… Listen to what awaits you in this existence. Hear the truth.” From within Grey’s mind sounded voices, so many voices he could only barely understand them. They shouted, “They’re dead because of you!” They screamed, “Monster, murderer!” Grabbing his head with both hands, Grey crumpled to the ground again as he shouted, “No… No! Please, stop! I never… I never wanted it to happen!” Strolling down the isle of graves, Alastor stopped as he reached Grey, and somehow the voices began to subside. Looking down at him, Alastor said, “I can make it as though it never happened. I can give you back your happy days together. Do you know what the meaning of Altera Veritas is, Mr. Greyson?” Alastor paused as he watched Grey struggle to his knees, still recovering from the screaming voices. Then he continued, “It means The Second Truth. It’s a name that embodies the very goal of Altera Veritas. A goal you yourself, in your youth, dreamed to one day pursue. Equality between all beings. We will create a second truth, Mr. Greyson, a second existence in which all are equal and without pain or sadness…” Grey looked up at him in disbelief for a moment. Then the voices suddenly returned without warning, and Grey again clutched his head in dismay as Alastor asked, “Do you want to be free Mr. Greyson? Aren’t you tired of the fighting, the suffering?” Grey lay there reeling from the voices that seemed to assault him from all sides while Alastor merely watched and continued speaking, saying, “Just let go Mr. Greyson. Let it all go, and surrender yourself entirely…”

            Onboard the Audentia, Scott watched on the holo-map as they drew nearer and nearer to Aerennis. Suddenly, he sensed a strange fluctuation of EDE from the direction of their destination, and then a massive aura radiating from the same direction overwhelmed him. Wondering if he was imagining it, he called out, “Alexander, you feel that?” Turning to look back up at him, he saw Alexander and Amy standing up, looking out through the front window of the bridge at something. Scott shouted again, saying, “Hey, you hear me?! Do you feel that crazy aura?!” After a moment, Alexander replied, “Yes Scott… We can see it as well…” Scott quickly extracted himself from the chair and rushed up the stairs to look out the window as well, and as he saw it, he said, “Oh gods…” Out in the distance where Scott could see Aerennis, a short ways from the village he also saw a mass of EDE so incredibly large and dense it did not seem possible, and he slowly stammered, “Th-that… What is that?! I can’t be an aura, it-it’s…” Alexander shook his head, saying, “This is the overflow of EDE from the generation of too much EDE using Void Energy. It’s like an unchecked aura. EDE that is simply being produced too quickly, overflowing and pooling up in a small area. This is all theory, but if that EDE becomes volatile… This could be far worse than Luminosa.” Staring out the window at the incredible power writhing in the air, Amy quietly said, “Grey, what’s happening to you? This feeling, I know I’m not really able to sense EDE very well but this… I get a bad feeling just looking at it.” Turning around in the pilot’s seat, Schmitt shouted, “Hell, I’d get a bad feeling looking at somethin like that too! I got no clue what the hell’s going on, but are we really goin down there?!” With a grim look on his face Alexander said, “Yes Schmitt. We’re going. Anyone here who doesn’t want to come along can wait in the ship, I don’t mind going alone. If all else fails, I have a promise to keep.”

            Coming to touch down a safe distance from town and from the massive uncontrolled aura, the Audentia came to rest on its landing gear. The door of the airship opened and the gangplank slid itself down to the ground, and inside the ship’s bridge, Alexander said, “Before anyone decides whether they’re coming or not, there’s one thing you should all know.” Sensing the seriousness in his voice, the others faced him attentively as he continued, “I am going to do what I can to save him, but if Grey cannot be reached… I will do whatever it takes to stop him.” Shocked by his implication, Amy quickly said, “No… Alexander we have to save him!” Scott spoke up as well, saying, “Yeah, what are you saying Alexander? This is Matt we’re talking about! Could you actually just kill him like that?” Even Schmitt chimed in after a moment, saying, “I can’t say I know that kid as well as ya’ll, but from the impression I got of him, I can’t see him ever givin up on any of ya, no matter what the situation. I woulda figured you’d at least do the same for him.” Turning away from them, Alexander looked out the window at the massive aura in the distance, and removing his shades they saw the sad look in his eyes as he quietly said, “I’m sure Grey would be grateful to hear your feelings, but I’ve lived long enough to know things don’t always work out as you hope they will. I’d hoped the day would never come that I might have to keep it, but one year ago I made a promise with Grey. I never told him the truth of what caused it of course, but I did tell him how he lost control of himself in Luminosa. When I did, he made me swear to him that should he ever put anyone in danger like that again, I’d stop him even if it meant his life.” Quickly donning his shades again, Alexander turned to leave before anyone could argue with him any further, saying, “I’m going now, we’re short on time. Anyone who still wants to come, follow me.” Remaining in his seat, Schmitt muttered, “Not like I’d be much use if I went, so I’ll be here watching over the ship. How bout you two?” Scott moved quickly after Alexander, and Amy, steeling herself, followed as she said, “I’m going too!”

            Walking through the dense mass of EDE, Alexander, Scott, and Amy soon found themselves in what appeared to be a graveyard. Recognizing it, Scott quietly said, “This graveyard… This is where they buried Grey’s parents.” Nodding, Alexander replied, “Yes, but this actually raises a question…” Looking around warily, Alexander continued, “We assumed Grey came here after regaining his memory of where he’d lived together with his parents. Yet, Grey was kidnapped when his parents were murdered. He never attended the funeral. How did he know they were buried here? If he had been here in his youth, he could have guessed I suppose, but something isn’t right…” Suddenly they heard faint applause, and an empty voice called out, “Very impressive Alexander. I dare say your wits have become even sharper in your old age.” Quickly forming his sword, Alexander muttered, “Alastor…” From the shadow of a grave, a dark vortex appeared and from it stepped Alastor. He met Alexander’s gaze and simply said, “Correct.” Scott took out a cylinder shaped object from a pouch on his utility belt, pressed button on it, and it opened up into his battle staff. Unable to do much else, Amy made sure to stay behind Scott and Alexander where it was reasonably safe. Pointing his sword at Alastor, Alexander said, “So it was a trap. I had wondered why Grey would have stayed here generating this absurd amount of EDE. Tell me where he is! Where’s Grey?!” Alastor flashed his faint smile, saying, “Come now, Alexander, don’t you feel like catching up with your little brother? It has to have been at least a thousand years now since we had a proper chat, but every time we meet you show no interest in pleasantries. It’s rather cold of you.” Alexander shouted again, “Where is Grey?!” Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Alastor simply said, “I’m afraid you’re too late.” Beginning to walk further into the graveyard, he added, “Follow me and see for yourselves…” Following Alastor cautiously, the dense EDE making it difficult to see very far ahead, they moved deeper and deeper into the graveyard. Finally, after a while they could see a swirling mass of even denser EDE, and within it they could make out a human shape. Stopping, Alastor said, “Try as you might, he is too far gone to be brought back. Just like in his days as the Black Knight, I have used the piece of the Nameless One’s essence I had implanted in his body to bend him to my will. He is mine now.”

            “Matt!” shouted Scott, rushing towards Grey. Quickly Alexander yelled, “Scott, NO!” Watching Scott run to his death with seemingly no interest, Alastor simply said, “Fool.” Within the dense mass of EDE, Grey raised a hand as Scott drew near, and a wave of EDE erupted forth toward Scott. Just barely reaching him in time, Alexander knocked Scott out of the wave’s path, tackling him to the ground as the wave sailed past them both. Amy leaped out of the way while Alastor calmly stepped aside, and the wave passed them as well, exploding far off in the direction it was fired. Looking up at Grey with a slightly unnerved expression, Scott thought to himself, “Th-that was… He actually meant to kill me there!” Getting up off the ground, Amy shouted, “Grey, no! What are you doing?! That’s Scott!” Quickly getting up and dragging Scott to his feet, Alexander pulled him back to where they’d been standing and said, “Scott, take Amy and get out of here NOW!” Scott looked at him defiantly and yelled, “No! I’m not giving up, Matt is-” Grabbing Scott and shaking him, Alexander interrupted him saying, “This is not up for discussion! He hasn’t just lost his senses! This is far worse! He is completely under the control of the Nameless One, the Dark God! Understand?!” Looking over at Grey in desperation, Scott said, “Even if I did believe you, we still have to-” Tossing him aside, Alexander turned to face Grey as he said, “GO!” Alastor, calmly walking towards Scott and Amy, said, “He’s right you know.” Then Alastor began to gather EDE, his aura rippling around him as he said to Alexander, “However, dear brother… You don’t honestly believe I would let any of you simply leave here, do you?” Scott quickly placed himself between Alastor and Amy, his battle staff ready. Alexander also turned, leveling his sword at Alastor now, but Alastor simply said, “It’s unwise to turn your back on your opponent, Alexander.” Alexander reacted just in time and jumped aside as Grey, twin swords formed, slammed his blades down where he’d been standing, waves of energy bursting forth and tearing long scars through the ground from where the blades struck. Giving Alexander little time to recover, Grey quickly stood and unleashed a barrage of swings and thrusts at Alexander, who could only block and dodge the fierce assault until finally Grey leaped back and up into the air. Channeling EDE into his blades, Grey rained down energy spheres, and Scott looked on as Alexander ran for cover. Then he quickly turned his attention to Alastor as the villain said, “Well then Mr. Matthews, shall we begin?”

Reviews

[Ryan Henderson]

Wow! I love this chapter! a fitting title indeed, as Grey learns that his parents are dead! I also love how the ending of this chapter was, with Alastor saying: "Well then Mr. Matthews, shall we begin?” I love how Alastor can be cocky, but he does not mess around! I love this about villains; They can be cocky and funny, but they do not mess around to the point where they don't even seem like villains anymore. Very awesome and deep chapter! Keep writing!

[KeithKVH]

The title is actually a rather blatant reference to the true meaning of Altera Veritas which Alastor first reveals to Grey in this chapter. Alastor is indeed a man who doesn't mess around, though he might humor you assuming he wants something from you and holds an overwhelming advantage. There is a great deal of depth behind his character with reasons for what he's doing, but his actions do secure him as a villain regardless of his reasons.