As Ezra gently pushed open the door, a heavy silence hung in the small house, ominous and foreboding. A stern voice, resonating with barely contained emotion, shattered the stillness from the kitchen.
– Come here, im-me-dia-tely!
Trudging towards the kitchen, Ezra's heart sank with each step. His head was bowed, not just in shame, but also in apprehension of what awaited him. There, in the kitchen, Elena sat rigidly in a chair. Her posture was one of utter defeat – elbows anchored on the table, head cradled in her hands. Despite the late hour, she was still clothed in her formal business suit required by her job, paired with high-heeled pumps.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, she pushed back her long black hair, a gesture of gathering composure. As she faced Ezra, her eyes, usually so full of warmth, were now pools of frustration and worry.
– Thank you, really, thank you. My life is so dull, so uneventful. I lack challenges, and It seems I didn’t worry enough about you. So, your disappearance? It was almost a welcome distraction. I turned the neighborhood upside down looking for you. But you returned too soon – I was on the verge of calling the police.
Ezra, mustering the courage to speak, began,
– Mom, I’m…
– Zip it, Elena cut him off sharply. Her voice was a mix of anger and relief, a turbulent sea of emotions. I thought I wanted explanations, but I need a moment to calm down first.
She stood abruptly, her movements betraying a tremble of emotion. Ezra, overwhelmed, could barely bring himself to meet her gaze. With hands that betrayed her inner turmoil, she snatched her cell phone and dialed swiftly.
– He's here, safe and sound. Thank you…
Her words were terse, the conversation ended abruptly as she hung up. Without a backward glance, she instructed Ezra in a voice that brooked no argument:
– You need to understand that you’re not just a lone entity in this world. People care about you, worry about you. Go to the Strohls, visit the local convenience store, and reassure Mr. Rivier. They’re all deeply concerned about you.
As she left, a wave of dizziness struck, forcing her to pause at the foot of the stairs. Elena, resting a hand on the banister, closed her eyes for a moment. The terror of not knowing Ezra’s whereabouts, the dark thoughts that had haunted her, now gave way to an overwhelming urge to break down and cry. But she resisted, refusing to succumb.
Deep within, she found a comforting voice, a familiar, reassuring presence in her mind – the voice of her husband, her rock in turbulent times. No, she would not fall apart; she refused to be seen as a collapsing figure by her children.
With a newfound resolve, she displayed a controlled anger, a front devoid of tears. She had cried enough over the years. Gathering her strength, she ascended the stairs to her bedroom.
Meanwhile, Ezra sighed deeply, a mixture of relief and exhaustion washing over him. He cautiously peered over the banister, ensuring the corridor was empty, then hurried to his room. He paused at his sister's door, her unsurprised glance telling him she knew he'd return.
Entering his own room, he closed the door with care and sank onto his bed. The tension that had gripped him dissipated. he was finally home, a place where no creature could harm him at any moment. Yet, within him, a burning curiosity about the world outside continued to smolder.
The limousine glided out of the congested downtown traffic, entering a quieter, more serene part of the city. In the back, a woman of commanding presence, Mrs. Hannah Seleth, sat enveloped in her own thoughts. Her impatience was palpable.
- Can't we speed this up a bit?
Gilbert, the driver, glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror. He noted her tapping fingers and the unusual spark in her eyes, a stark contrast to her typically stoic demeanor. He respected her immensely, not just for her high rank, but for the value she placed on his service.
– Mrs. Seleth, you've been quite hurried these days…
– I apologize, Gilbert, it's just that something urgent and unexpected has come up, she replied, a hint of a smile touching her lips.
– Understood, ma'am. We'll be there shortly, he responded, gently accelerating.
The limousine left the cityscape behind, cruising for a quarter hour on a desolate road that snaked through the countryside and forest. They finally arrived at a grand estate, bordered by a high, dark stone wall designed to deter any unwanted intruders. The car stopped in front of a formidable metal gate.
With a swift, decisive movement, Mrs. Seleth stepped out of the limo and approached the gate.
- Gilbert, will you wait for me here? I won't be long.
Gilbert simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Mrs. Seleth passed through the gate, her gaze momentarily captured by the imposing structure before her. 'How many residences does he own?' she wondered, feeling like she was perpetually chasing him from one location to the next.
She ascended the slippery stone steps with caution and knocked on the door using a heavy metal knocker. The wait felt endless until the door finally swung open on its own.
Stepping inside, she found herself in a vast, dimly lit hall. Sparse daylight strained through the black curtains that draped from the ceiling, barely touching the marble floor. Her footsteps echoed as she moved forward.
She located a spiral staircase tucked away behind a door in a turret-like structure at the corner of the building. Ascending three floors, her heels clicked rhythmically on the wooden stairs.
Reaching the top, she strode down a corridor, her heels punctuating each step, until she stopped before a tall door. She knocked softly.
“Come in,” came a voice from within.
Entering, she found herself in a long office, its layout following the facade of the chateau. The drawn curtains obscured any view outside, and a solitary lamp on the desk at the far end of the room offered faint illumination.
Seated behind the desk was Elmer White, visibly taken aback by Mrs. Seleth's unexpected visit.
– Hannah? I wish you had informed me of your visit, especially at this hour! Is something amiss?
– My apologies, Elmer, but I received some intriguing information that couldn't wait, she replied, her voice laced with urgency.
Mr. White met her gaze, his curiosity piqued.
– What could be so important to warrant such a late disturbance?
Mrs. Seleth smirked, a glint of triumph in her eyes.
– I have confirmation that young Artoria entered Inglorum unaided, on his own.
– Impossible! he exclaimed, skepticism narrowing his eyes.
– It's true. It was verified that only Maya, like their father, inherited our gift. But it seems we were wrong..
Stunned, Mr. White sat up straighter, his attention fully captured.
Mrs. Seleth continued,
– Some children lack the guidance of their parents to become fully realized Ashvins. This gap must be filled.
Mr. White’s jaw tensed, but he remained silent.
She hesitated briefly before stating,
– That's why I must take Artoria under my wing.
He shot her a reproachful look.
– You’re out of your mind, Hannah! How can you even entertain such an idea?
– Mrs. White…
- It's out of the question, he declared firmly. Absolutely out of the question!
– This boy is exceptional. His powers manifested early without any intervention. Isn't that a sign? He deserves a chance to aid our cause.
“A sign,” he repeated skeptically.
–I see it as a reflection of your attachment to his father and Maya, your protégé. Nothing more.
– You're being obstinate, Elmer! Or perhaps in denial.
She advanced towards him, her frustration evident.
– If we don't act, he'll be in danger. I can't bear the thought of the Artoria siblings' fate being on my conscience!
Elmer stiffened, raising a hand for silence.
– You're being rash, he cautioned. Do I need to remind you why this is impossible? He is James Artoria’s son, and we cannot simply make him part of another Ashvin family now.
Mrs. Seleth chose not to press further.
Mr. White lapsed into a contemplative silence, which she respected, filled with hopeful anticipation. Finally, he spoke, his tone softer.
– We cannot risk further harm to the Artoria family.
– So, you agree with me?” she asked, relief mingling with surprise.
– I didn't say that, he corrected. I can't allow this child to face certain doom. That's the only reason for my decision. We’ll initiate him just so he can return to a normal life.
He leaned closer, his gaze intense.
– I agree, on one condition. And it’s non-negotiable.
Mrs. Seleth braced herself, knowing a steep price would be demanded.
He continued, This must be done in utmost secrecy. Only the Council can know – and even then, as late as possible. If the wider Order, any Ashvin worldwide, learns that I've consented to an Artoria's initiation, we’ll both face grave consequences.
– Can you convince the Council? she asked.
– That's my responsibility. Just adhere to my terms.
– I'll handle it discreetly and alone. However, the hardest part is yet to come, she sighed.
- What do you mean? he inquired.
– Convincing someone who will be even less agreeable than you were.
– That's your challenge, Hannah. You have until Saturday to persuade him and… her. After that, the opportunity is lost forever.
Mrs. Seleth opened the door to leave.
– I'll manage, Mr. White. No matter the cost.
Exiting the house, her driver awaited her, assisting her with her coat. The stakes were high, but she was determined to succeed.
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