User blog:Pollux83/Beyond Light and Darkness, Chapter 10

Chapter Overview

10 Unholy Allies



 The solution. The solution of the energy problem. I had opened an ancient book about alchemy. It already must have been over 1000 years old. (Actually, it was just a copy. Books have the bad habit to turn to dust after 1000 years.)



 On several pages, scary creatures were depicted, which were probably the monsters of the ancient times. Luckily both the writing and the language of today were relatively similar, so I could understand most of it. On one of the pages stood the instructions to create a crystal that was capable of absorbing the energy of living creatures. On the next page was a picture of a man who held such a crystal and destroyed several soldiers with a magic beam. "Interesting." The crystal could also release the energy to a person and thus strengthen their strength. But that was not exactly what I was looking for.



 A few pages further was the next alchemical guide for a crystal. Unfortunately it was the wrong one. It was a crystal for demonic energy. In view of what demonic energy turn somebody into today, I did not want to know to what bloodthirsty beasts, people back then mutated. The corresponding pictures had not been copied and were missing.



 Kai was standing beside me. "What again did you find? And did not that have time until tomorrow?" "Oh, Kai, you're still there." "Yes I am. And you're not home yet. Tell me, what did you find? And hurry up, because it's late and I'm tired." "In this book are the instructions to creating crystals that can store spiritual energy."

 "First a strange machine and now such crystals. Have you got other surprises here? " "Somewhere behind is a book about legendary ancient weapons. You'd be surprised how many of these weapons there were in the last few thousand years." "OK, now I'm curious. How many weapons there were?" "If I remember correctly, the author listed over 100 stories and legends about these weapons. E.g. there was a hammer which could fire lightnings."

 "Over 100?" "Yes, and there is a bit of truth in every legend. You can go looking for these weapons, but I will stay here with my crystals." "Thanks, I renounce. Unlike you, I have not taken it into my head to save the world. But can you tell me why, besides you, nobody came up with the idea to create these crystals when they are so great?" "So, first of all, the books are very old. Absolutely antique. Half of the books are also on the index of the Order. So you will not find this book outside this library. It is perhaps the last remaining copy." "This is, of course, a reason. And what is second?" "This is easy to answer. Look at the ingredients list." Kai began to read. "Should I help you translate?" "No. How old is the book? No one writes this way since a long time." Kai continued reading. "You can not be serious." And further. "You can not be serious. How do you want ... and what is this at all?" "I think you do not want to know."



 Kais reaction was quite understandable. Some ingredients were very rare and others were ethically more than questionable. But if there was a crystal for these two energies, then it should be possible to create a crystal for "Holy Energy", which could not only collect the energy of the machine, but also of living creatures.

And there they were, the next problems. Not just that the required ingredients were even rarer goods, there were also in the entire country neither angels nor blessed heroes and there were not even light magicians in Niskara. The only remaining option to make this crystal. The only organization that had enough influence to accomplish this miracle. My good mood vanished on the spot.



 The Order of God, the most powerful organization of mankind. Over the years, I developed a growing aversion against the Order. They had always tried to recruit me, but I declined every time. I simply could not stand their policy. It was contemptuous. Their propaganda spread the teachings of the chief goddess even more aggressively since Lescatie's fall, which led to the fact that the population was now absolutely hostile against Mamono. In Niskara they also gained increasing influence. Thanks to our king, the situation was only half as bad. However, the people was increasingly opposed against the Mamono, who traveled through our country.



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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> After I had slept, I first talked to Lara about the things I was about to do. She did not look happy. The birth of our second child was imminent, and she rarely saw me when I worked in the castle. But that would mean I would go to Tegras and work there. We discussed for several hours. With a heavy heart, she finally agreed, because she knew just like me that my work could change everything.

Next I went to the king. I told him everything and he was just as concerned as I was. The Order would undoubtedly not hesitate to use my discovery as a weapon, provided they supported my plan at all. The king finally gave me free rein and wished me good luck and success.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> I decided to meet one of the representatives of the Order in the local church. The whole thing should not be a problem, after all, we already knew each other.

I stood before the church. A cold wind blew. The winter had been particularly cold this year. I entered reluctantly. Compared to the churches in Tegras this was very modest here. Simple wooden benches, neither marble nor gold. A statue of the chief god. I had never prayed here. I had never really prayed. I did not believe that the gods would help you if you just prayed to them.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> It was not long before an old acquaintance came up to me. "Ah, Mareus. Good to see you again. Have they decided to accept the offer of the Order?" "Hello Danniel. Unfortunately, no." "Not? Why did you want to speak with me then?" I hated to say the following words. "I have to make an offer for the Order." Danniel was surprised. "You offer us something? That sounds interesting." He began unconsciously to grin.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> We sat down. "Then let's get straight to the point. I am sure you know what research I am doing on behalf of the King. And you also know that I had a not insignificant success." "That's quite possible." "I would be disappointed if it was not so. Anyway, I need more resources to continue my research. " "And the Order shall supply you." "Exactly."

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> Danniel thought. "This must be really rare resources when Niskara is not able to get it." "They are. That's why I need the help of the Order. Who else than the Order could have the means for it?" "You're probably right. The only question is, what do we get in return?" I bit my teeth and could hardly believe I would really say the next sentence. "For the time of my research, I will put myself in the service of the Order." "That sounds like an interesting offer indeed, but was it all?" "That's more than enough. Even much more and we both know that. The Order wants me and my abilities for years. But my research is really valuable. It may be that the Order is the most powerful organization in the world, but for how long? You could not even defend Lescatie, how would you protect the rest of the world?"

<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> I had pushed him into the corner. "Lescatie was ... regrettable." "Regrettable, yes. The Order loses year by year more territories to the Demon Lord. How long until the Order is overrun by the monsters?" "These are just rumors." "True rumors. The Order loses this war, slowly but surely. Even your propaganda can not hush up this. But I offer the Order a solution. An opportunity for victory."

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> Danniel had give up his false smile and looked at me seriously now. "What guarantee?" "No one. This is the problem with science. Either nothing happens or it changes the world. It's always a gamble. But if you prefer to pray and wait for a miracle of your goddess, please." I pointed to the statue. "I will not stop you."

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> Faced with this provocation, Danniel needed some time to answer. "You're playing a dangerous game. You really are not a little boy anymore. Agreed, I will submit my superiors your offer. As soon as I have the answer I will inform you. Then we can negotiate the exact conditions. So, was that all you wanted to talk with me?" "That was all." "Then I wish you a nice day. I'm sure we'll talk again very soon. I left the church.

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<p align="LEFT" lang="en-US" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: 150%"> About two weeks later the letter arrived with the answer. As expected, my offer was accepted. The negotiations lasted a few days, but in the end we agreed. I got a laboratory that was, of course, in Tegras. In addition, I got all the means I needed. Resources, employees, information and authority. It was my job, so I was in charge.

Before it started, there was still one important thing to do. The birth of my second child was imminent.