Plínio was getting more and more anxious while looking at the blackboard. The research department for prohibited magic analyzed all the information that Hellas's spies had collected in the last two months about the explosion or accident. They were still unsure what had happened in Aurelius, and he had already gone through all the information countless times. Still, it continued looking like a puzzle that didn't want to be solved. Plínio shook his head and left the department to take today's report to Governor Hellas.
He left the tall and dark building and went to the main castle. It was already getting late, and everyone was getting ready to go home. Plínio watched the different types of Nephtys people, also known as the nether world. Most were souls that died; some were immortal beings born to take care of the world, like his boss, Hellas, and daughter Aíla. She had been killed along with her husband Anwar in that strange accident. Only his granddaughter Gia had survived, but she was still unconscious.
Plínio sighed as he passed through the main gate of the castle doors. The nether world had the reputation of being dark and cruel, with an equally terrible ruler. But every citizen knew this was a lie. Hellas was one of the gentlest souls who graced the seven universes. Plínio once asked why he was so good. Hellas just said, "Souls are banned here because of something terrible they did. If they want to be better, I should help them improve, so they can go back to the living world and have a second chance to find their gods. "
He went up to the second floor and went straight to the ruler's quarters. When he entered, he stood near the door when he saw his boss sitting on the edge of the bed with his slumped shoulders looking at the floor. His face was a mixture of sadness and fear.
Knock, knock. Hellas looked up. "Oh, you're here, Plínio." His voice was sad and weak. The secretary approached his boss with the report and handed it over.
"There's nothing different from yesterday's," Plínio said. Someone was running in the hallway. The two looked at the door at the same time one of Hellas's spies entered. "Your Majesty, King Abel of Aurélius banished Gia from the Palace. They are sending her through the direct portal of the king's castle here, and they will close the portal afterward." The spy finished while panting.
"Why are they banishing my granddaughter from Aurélius? She is from Aurélius as much as she is from Nepthys," asked Hellas.
"They are blaming her for the explosion, and they are calling her an assassin."
Plínio did not believe what he had heard. Gia's sole purpose was to protect the people of Aurélius as one of the royal family members, and she even entered the army to do this.
"Well, if they're banning her. Bring her here immediately. I do not want my granddaughter surrounded by these negative people anymore." Shouted Hellas while getting up from his bed and heading toward the door. Plínio and the spy were already on his heels.
***
A month had passed since Gia had reached the castle. Plínio looked up from where he was sitting in his chair in the room when Hellas entered. His boss sat down on the chair beside the bed and held his granddaughter's hand. She squeezed her eyes and moved her head. She then opened her eyes and looked around the room. It seemed like she was trying to focus.
"Gia!" Her grandfather exclaimed. Plínio got up from the chair and ran to call the doctor.
***
The doctor finished examining Gia. "She can get up and walk a little. But I would recommend rest. We can speak later about what happened in the Palace to get a better diagnosis." said the doctor to Hellas. He made a brief reverence and left. Gia was sitting on her bed at her grandfather's castle, and she was awake. Plínio felt immense relief. "What happened?" Asked Gia in a rough voice.
Hellas looked at Plínio with sad eyes and then redirected his gaze to his granddaughter. "There was an attack on Aurélius. Everything was on fire, and many people died; Some fled to the forest to seek help. A big explosion occurred around the same time. We're still trying to figure out what caused it. When the king arrived with his army and the rest of the royal family, they entered the Palace. Your cousin found you in the library next to your mother. You were unconscious and ... "Hellas breathed, and tears started streaming. "And she was d-d-dead. My dear Aíla is dead." Plínio contained his tears. Seeing his friend crumbling was too much. But Hellas recomposed himself a little and continued. "Your father was found outside with some palace officials. It seemed like his soul had been drained. Many people were like that, scattered throughout the Palace. Your uncle concluded that, as you were from Nephtys, you were the number one suspect of draining the souls and creating a blast with magic."
Gia looked at Hellas and then at Plínio with her anger-filled eyes. "I did not kill anyone. My cousin was the one who killed them. I heard my mother screaming, and when I entered the library, she was dead. I remember my cousin appearing, and then I was paralyzed. Then," Gia stopped as she looked at her flexed hands with a confused expression. She looked very lost. Something was not right, and Plínio was sure of it. "I have to go back and explain everything. Why didn't they wait until I woke up?" Said Gia.
She pulled the blankets to the side and started getting up as Hellas put his hand on her arm. His head lowered in defeat when he said, "He banned you, Gia. I also do not want you to go back there until we have a better understanding of what happened."
Gia sank into bed. Plínio felt terrible for the girl. Her world was collapsing. She was speaking in such a low voice that was barely audible. "How can I be b-banned? I was trying to save everyone." Hellas closed his eyes. Plínio leaned on the chair simultaneously as Gia sat down and sputtered, almost eating her words. "Diana saw me in the city. We can ask her, and she will explain everything. "
Hellas and Plínio exchanged worried glances. Diana was questioned, and she never said anything about having met with Gia on the day of the explosion. There was something peculiar about that day. Aíla was an immortal being; only a specific spell could kill her. Drainage of souls was prohibited magic for anyone outside the Kingdom of the Grim Reaper. Did Gia remember the events correctly? Did anyone plant new memories in her or the others? Was it her cousin or someone trying to blame him? They both knew there were many unanswered questions. Hellas took a deep breath and, in a calm voice, said, "Let's get ready, eat, and we can talk about everything."
When he finished, Gia's eyes were darkening. A cloud of black smoke came out of her hands, and with a boom, magic exploded and covered the room with a black mist, and she fainted.
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