Only one day remains before the normal operations of Eldora Tower are restored to full function. With the renovations to the tower pending within the mage council meetings, Danton was left alone in his chambers by the soothing flow of the small waterfall to ponder the mysteries he found himself surrounded by all his life. The way things work in this city; the capital of Sprawn Valley is far beyond different from what most people would think, and Leray magic is behind it all. The people use it every day, unaware they are messing around with the fire that could tear this country to pieces.
Then in all of this, mage Sirus has known about the existence of lunar magic for years. It's hard to trust him right now, but why would mage Sirus lie about something so serious? It's hard to accept, but he is the only trusted ally right now. Danton continued walking between an imaginary line left and right by the glorious shrine of water, hoping to find some peace to this distasteful news. The matter here is that pure, unfiltered magic accumulated by the lunar rays of the moon in the sky are ultimate in comparison to Leray magic, and even more than dark magic, while the limitations of Leray magic supposedly keep everything in check, but nobody else knows about this.
It was then when Kite Fargenst stepped from the opening primary lift into the area, finding Danton standing alone without anything to do. For Danton, Kite was always welcome up here to talk about anything, or perhaps even to train in combat to improve experience and skill.
Danton noticed Kite's presence the moment those elevator doors slid open. He probably wants to congratulate him again on defeating Kite in that epic battle. It wasn't as easy to win... Entiene, and this Mega-Staff... They might be extremely dangerous tools as well. It might have been a very good thing for Kite to force Danton to battle without them. From a first glance, Kite seemed happy; satisfied that he was standing in the same room as one more powerful than himself.
"So this is what being a leader looks like," Kite judged wildly. "I guess sticking to being a warrior is more suitable for me."
He has a point. Combining a rule of powerful mages to a leading role may not be in the best interest for everyone, but that is hardly of any import at this time. "I've done nothing but learn things, about the process of being a leader anyway."
"Then perhaps you could show me some new tricks? What say you and me have a sparring moment right here?"
"I'm sorry Kite, but I've learned nothing new of spells or physical skills just yet... Right now, I'm not in a mood to fight with ten percent of my energy."
"At least you're still as confident as ever... Where is that annoying old man anyway? I'm sure he would disapprove of the idea of actual practice."
Kite hasn't heard? Why do the mages here insist so much to secrecy on every little detail? It would be safer if everyone knew that some of our own staff is a potential danger to society. "Shadler Cowl has been detained and arrested by the mage council," Danton announced. The surprising look on Kite's face was almost immediate, proving he really knew nothing about this. "His dangerous lack of following protocol when training champions is punishable by expulsion."
Kite held his breath for a moment. He already had the impression that Danton didn't like Shadler. Kite knew he himself hated that guy. But... "So you felt threatened by that old wizard?"
"What, me?" Danton pointed to himself, surprised that Kite would even get that kind of idea. "No, I had nothing to do with that arrest. I actually just found out myself."
"Oh..." May that then be the reason Danton has been fairly distant in his thoughts today? Kite couldn't blame the guy, for he too has been learning some very interesting aspects to new training techniques. "Well anyway," Kite figured it was best to just ignore that and move on now. Best of all, if Danton has no personal assistant strictly enforcing stupid safeguards for secrets, now would be the best time to learn what's really going on in this tower. "I wanted to ask you what other ways there are for getting more powerful."
"What did you, forget?" Danton nodded his head and reminded the guy who should already know better. "You train hard every day and you improve quickly. I noticed how much more refined your skills were when you and I fought last time, compared to the time before I found Entiene."
Right, that big dragon thing. "So, are you still using that Entiene?"
"No," Danton admitted shamefully. "You've convinced me that my skills on their own should become more flawless before I even think about resorting to such brutal tactics. I know using summons like that are legal and all, but perhaps I should hold back a little better from now on."
"Oh," Kite replied. "So, it really doesn't make you more powerful?"
"What gave you that idea? There is no other way to strengthen yourself here Kite."
"Well I sure hope not Danton... But a man's got to wonder."
Now with a serious expression of attention, Danton diverted all of his chain of thought to the man standing in front of him. Kite Fargenst. He does not deal in traceless theories... He knows something already. No sense in holding those questions back. "What do you know?"
"I actually came here to find out for myself. Thought we could talk about it over a casual sparring match."
"Tch!" Danton resumed his pacing, only now in the direction towards Kite, with his Luminous Artemus staff in hand for the personal protection Sirus begged him to hold onto. Actually, he was supposed to be using the Mega-Staff for protection, but one backwards thing may lead to another here. Kite isn't stupid. Somehow, someway, he knows something strange is happening in this tower. "So you figured, I've been here long enough to trade you inside secrets about the government, and put them in their place?"
Good assumption, but Kite had another interest that he chose to express right now. "Tempting, but no... I've been speaking to a lot of the people on our staff list, and I've also heard some very interesting rumors. When I approach anyone about it though, it either turns into a conversation of denial, or some who fear getting involved any further. If the rumors are true, the higher-ups have an interesting trick, some way of removing what might actually be limits on Leray magic."
If these are just so called rumors, how the hell could Kite hit the nail right on the head?! This a dangerous thing to get involved in, and he need not poke his nose in this horrible fire! "I want you to stop talking to our staff, or asking them direct questions about that kind of stuff."
Danton sounds serious, but is that fear or anger in his voice? "Why would you even ask that of me? Unless, you know what these rumors are all about."
"Kite!" Danton had to calm himself quickly, and he tried again from his perspective. "You and I are not idiots. We both know that something is up in Eldora Tower. The secrets and rumors all reek to hell."
"Then why can't I know? I thought we were friends!"
"We are Kite. But I don't know much more than you."
"Oh, bullshit man."
With another approach of prospect, Danton tired again to convince Kite to drop his investigation. If he learns the truth about lunar magic, it's entirely possible me might use it for his own benefits. "I know there is something. But you have to give this time before figuring it out. I've been treading as lightly as I can."
What? So he doesn't know what this is? "Tell me then. Are we in any kind of real danger?"
"I believe so," he allowed. "Something here doesn't feel right, and it may regard some dark secret about Leray magic. Or it could be something else going on in the mage council that they don't want us to know. But I think some people are disappearing, and I don't want to trip over the wrong wire."
So it is fear. Danton doesn't know what, but he does understand how serious the matter is. "If these rumors are something worth silencing people over, all the more reason to find out."
"If you keep asking around what these secrets might be, the council will get involved, and have you expelled from Eldora Tower, and then there won't be anything I can do to fix it. I need you to be as discrete as possible, maybe just let me handle the investigation altogether. Nobody else can know about this."
Because it's dangerous... Danton is smarter than he looks, and Kite admired such principles of protection. "Very well. But for the record," Kite pointed to Danton, "I don't like being left in the dark about this. If there is something stronger than ordinary Leray magic, then I think we would be best to figure it out, and use it to our own advantage."
"Let's just focus right now on our defense. I want you, Gleeon, Vanoss, Mainne, and myself training as best as we can as fast as we can. We can't fight anything if we aren't in a peak condition. And if some stupid Leray wielders come and kick any one of us out of the tower, then I won't be able to help anyone."
"Does this make us all a team, of us against them?"
Danton knew it could be true, but the unification to the best idea is what's really at stake right now. "We aren't just Eldora elites anymore Kite. We're the guardians of Eldora Tower. But what are we protecting? That's what I need to find out, as soon as I possibly can. So you need to improve your power in your own way, not by their standards."
"I can accept that decision, Sir Danton."
"Don't call me Sir Danton. It makes me sound like a king. I am no champion of anything."
Why sell yourself so short Danton? "Okay, Brash. I'll be heading back down to my training room to figure it all out."
"Good. I'll see you around." The longer Kite keeps himself occupied with the arts and skills of self-defense based on Leray magic, the better. If he even thinks about trying to learn how to control lunar magic, the process would simply kill him and anyone else who tries to learn about it. When Kite left the area to head back down to his room, Danton knew now how dangerous this secret really was. Mage Sirus wasn't kidding. Not everyone is stupid enough to risk their lives on pure lunar magic, but Kite is one of the few who might try it. He's misguided. The danger here isn't the people; it's the magic itself.
Danton held his shoulder in place to twirl and stretch his arm. He really could go for a sparring practice now, but with Kite, it's asking for overkill... Mainne would be capable however of blowing out random spells, the kind that wouldn't do him in. "A casual match with Mainne... I'll go and set one up."
Chapter Theme Shift:
After asking Mainne for a sparring match, Danton closely emphasized that this test will not be a duel. In response, Mainne accepted the idea. She seemed a little stressed or on edge, and eager to use Leray spells with someone else. Danton felt the same way, since this could easily help him clear his mind. Without using any of the official rules of energy scopes or dome shields, they both prepared to fight and talk at the same time. Danton planned to do this with Vanoss and Gleeon later in the evening if time would allow, but his thoughts swiftly shifted to the long arsenal of abilities and skills that Leray magic held to his memory.
"I really wish they would give us more to do out here..." Mainne felt calmer just talking to Danton about anything she felt, but she also focused easily on charging and releasing the MP energy needed to use her special skills. For her in particular, the difficulty was non-existent. "Ice Wall!" Mainne launched a powerful wide but short line of magical energy, shooting upwards slightly with sharp pillars of ice as the wave advanced forward with a quick speed, but it was still no faster than the last time she used the spell.
Ice Wall? Danton only remembered seeing this spell used once, and only by the same person. It might be something unofficial or simply unpopular. Despite this, the spell can be just as effective in dealing damage to any target. With the special elements of ice damage, the person who suffers the attack also has their external body temperature lowered significantly. Get hit with enough ice abilities, and you approach hypothermia. It's a double-effective tactic for Leray battling, but Mainne pulls this off better than anyone else.
As for a counter skill to defend himself, Danton employed a common Fire Wall spell, which collided with Mainne's Ice Wall to cancel each other out. Though, with fire elements having an advantage of power compared to ice, Danton's Fire Wall should have overpowered the Ice Wall and continued going forward. Still, it made short work of Mainne's tactics... Not that she seemed surprised by it. She isn't trying very hard to hit Danton right now. Luckily, that's the kind of attitude Danton was feeling towards Mainne. "Still sticking to ice powers?"
"Yeah, but in practice, they don't seem to work that well."
"If anyone can pull of mastering the ice element of Leray magic, I know it's you Mainne. You shouldn't give that up. I actually like a person who can pick a tactic and stick to it as well as you do."
"Th-thank you."
"Everyone has their own thing. If I were Kite, I would have just used one of my swords to cut through the ice as it approaches me. But... I'm not that crazy."
"Yeah." Mainne stopped and glanced at the ground in thought, but before she could stress herself out any further, Danton tried to toss her another spell.
"Prone Strike." Sending away the Shadow Wave of doom, Danton's actions forced Mainne to shift her state of defense, and she tried to counter the spell immediately, given the fact that Prone Strike has never before been dodged without some form of teleportation.
"Earth Glave!" Mainne's Earth Glave was lifted in time to intercept the Prone Strike, but unlike most Shadow Waves, Prone Strikes are even more powerful than Firesurge spells. This one broke all of the rocks of Earth Glave as if it were a pile of rubble, and Mainne was forced to suffer the consequences of that problem. Feeling the full blast of the magical based explosion pushing her back off her feet, Mainne tried as hard as she could to ignore that pain and recover. When she did, she could only think about the hurting bruises that were around her body from that blast. Danton wasn't trying anything else right now. Does he call that going easy?
Earth Glave was a good instinct. Mainne almost defused the situation perfectly. "I know there isn't much to do right now Mainne, but there will be soon. The mage council does get their elites involved with their political business whenever they can. It won't be long before they have you traveling all over the place, learning how to fight or even teach other people the proper way to balance Leray skills. But for right now, we are simply guardians for this tower."
"Guardians?" Danton has never used that word before. "And what would us guardians be defending?"
Danton side glanced his face, trying to change the ugly scenery of this room to something else, though it didn't help very much to his imagination. The very thought of lunar magic hurt at his core. "Honestly, I don't know yet."
Chapter Theme Shift:
Wait a minute... Why is Danton acting this way? He's not having any fun sparring at all. He's working out some kind of stressful problem. It's as clear as the day itself. "Danton? What happened?"
"Nothing I can't handle."
"Is this about Shadler getting arrested?"
So not everyone was kept in the dark about that? Or maybe Kite actually told Mainne what happened. It is possible; the guy had at least twenty minutes to talk to Mainne and then get out of her site before Danton could get down here, but it doesn't matter. She is still covering up that side of her hip where the Prone Strike made its effect. "Does it hurt Mainne? That Prone Strike I sent your way, such a powerful but legal spell is capable of employing such pain."
Why is he worried about that? "What? I'm fine Danton. I bet my health barely took a hit."
Liar! "You're telling me that you just shook that off? Most normal people probably would at least complain about it. But we're all different for some reason. You don't have to force yourself to accept the pain of taking all of these hits from magic."
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
"What are you talking about Danton?" Mainne didn't remember him ever babbling like this. Why would Danton ever think that Mainne of all people wouldn't like Leray magic because physical pain is allowed? "I have no reason to complain! This pain is part of Leray magic, and I enjoy the response I get for making a mistake in a direct battle."
"So then, you love Leray magic, like everyone else?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Mainne fired back. "You're the one who showed me how much fun it is to use magic to battle this way. What is with you right now?"
So this is my fault... Sorry Mainne. Danton shut his eyes for a moment, apologizing in silence. "Nothing." Danton changed his stance with his staff held outward in both hands like a pole, expecting another exchange of magic to initiate from the other side. "Let's get back to it."
Mainne however crossed her arms together, holding her hands shut in rebellion. "No. I refuse to throw anymore magic around, because you obviously didn't come here to fight. You came here to blow off some steam."
"I thought I had already made that perfectly clear."
"Then what can't you tell me? What is happening in this stupid tower that is so important, that you have to keep a secret from everyone?"
"When I find out, I'll tell you."
"But you must already know. You're acting strange right now, and that can't just be a coincidence."
Why does Mainne have to care about this? "I don't know if I can trust the information that I have, and I don't want to trust that it's real. So I need more time to figure out what sick, twisted experiments are happening in this building before I get too worked up about it."
"Experiments?" What is he talking about? Is Danton saying that Eldora Tower is not the building it chooses to appear as? "What did you learn? I don't care if the information is faulty or not. I need to know."
"But I don't trust what is going on. Mage Sirus made me swear an oath of secrecy. Meanwhile, I have Lawrence Citrin walking out on us without uttering a single word." Danton nearly shouted his last sentence in anger, letting Mainne experience his confused emotions about it all. Lawrence should never have just left the way he did. There are supposed to be debriefings to new champions about important things like this. "I had Shadler being the shady guy he is, handing me tools I don't understand, nor should I have access to them." Danton let his voice rise with his frustration, and he could see Mainne's shift in expression from here as she become more worrisome, but it didn't matter to him anymore. The only power they've ever had is Leray magic, the same Leray magic invented by criminals, the same Leray magic that can be twisted into a weapon! "And now I can't even trust this stupid power!" In his rage, Danton blasted magic from his free left hand, sending a Crush Wave down the side of the circular arena until it crashed into the wall. From the material of Eldora Tower, no damage was done to the structure, but his sudden outburst made the room feel quieter, like everyone was looking at him in shock. Right now, there is no one here he can trust.
Mainne couldn't believe what sort of things these mages were doing to him over the past month, but it obviously wasn't having a very good effect on his mentality. Danton would never lose his temper like this, let alone cast a spell while denouncing the validity of Leray magic as it is. But with her sudden feeling of curiosity diminishing, her thoughts were soon replaced by the weight of Danton's suffering. He must have learned something highly disturbing, and this Sirus guy told him to never tell another living soul! Is he being cornered, blackmailed by something so bad, Danton can't trust his own team members? Whatever it is, it's hurting him! It's hurting him so much that he doesn't want to use magic anymore. He doesn't even want to move. Mainne tightened her jaw and tapped off of each foot to approach Danton.
Danton could see Mainne speed walking towards him, perhaps to try something stupid like hugging him... But Danton didn't want to move right now. Trying to stop her or tell her the truth would make no difference anymore. Leray magic will forever be tainted as this tool made for destruction. At least it has that potential. Even if the planners never intended for Leray magic to be harmful, it always will be one way or another. "I won't talk about it Mainne. I don't want to hurt you with what I've learned."
Mainne stopped just a couple of feet away from him, but she wasn't about to let Danton drown alone in his misery. That just isn't fair! "I'm not giving you that choice. I want to hear it from you, and only from you. What did you learn about Eldora Tower? What did mage Sirus tell you?"
Danton held his right to silence even in front of Mainne, but he didn't look her in the eyes, even with her pressing him like this. "I won't burden you with such a stupid truth as that."
"So what then? You're just done? You're done being the leader of Sprawn Valley, done becoming a Leray master?"
"Leray master," Danton repeated in question, almost laughing at the term. "No. I've quit that idea altogether. I don't want to be a part of that anymore. I refuse."
"But... But..." Mainne panned around nervously. All of the memories she had since Danton challenged Kite on Route 96 resurfaced quickly. Before meeting Danton, all she's ever done was mess around with magic aimlessly, and only found interests in making credits. But it was never really fun... Nothing about this was fun until everyone thought of magic as an art of infinite self-improvement, a training exercise that was only about sporty challenges and finding out who is better in the given moment. Does he think all of that was worthless? "What about everything we've done together? Defeating gradyents? Developing new skills and tactics? Winning all of our battles!? I thought you told me Leray magic was all about having fun!"
"Well I was wrong!" Danton retorted. She still doesn't get it... "Leray magic and battles, they're all nothing but a big fat lie! All of it!" Danton watched Mainne's heart sink with his bold statement, but he proudly kept to it. Screw keeping secrets! They all want to know how evil Leray magic is; they might as well figure it out right here, right now!
"What? A lie?" Mainne didn't ever expect to hear something like that, especially from Danton... But what does that even mean? Is he talking about something meta-physical?
Sorry Mainne, but this is for your own good! "I have trained to use Leray magic for my entire life, and what a waste of time that was!"
"How could you ever say something so stupid?!" Mainne didn't want to think about the possibility that he was right. No, he isn't right at all! Danton has gone insane! Still, the tears were forming in her eyes just from hearing that. The memories she's held back for so long, they're going to resurface over this!
"You really think Leray magic is this bright and glorious force given to us by these clowns? These mages of Eldora Tower do put in the work to make the veil active, but they are hardly the source of magic in this country. Leray magic is nothing more than a fabrication thrown our way to cover up the truth, the origin of magic itself. I don't even want to think about using it anymore."
He... He does know the whole truth? "How?" Why is this happening? "Magic can't be a lie! We use it all the time!"
"And would you still use that magic, if you knew how dangerous the force is? What if your magic one day kills somebody, or kills you instead? Would you still use Leray magic, calling it a sport of fun? Could you use magic knowing how many lives were sacrificed to filter the process over all these years?"
Mainne couldn't reply. She was too freaked out for the moment. Danton sounds crazy right now, but he is the only one who is being fed this information. This secret about Leray magic, is literally about Leray magic, isn't it? There's some sort of cost to using it the people don't know? Or can it be used to kill people regardless of the veil? "I... Damn it! This..."
Danton felt some sympathy for Mainne's reaction. She can't even process the possibility that his words are true. How could she, growing up on the stuff? How many people live their lives unaware of their dangerous attachments to Leray magic? The answer to that belongs to the population of everyone living in Sprawn Valley, and that is a haunting thought for every citizen around the world.
Mainne couldn't take it anymore. The truth about Leray magic is something horrible! It's so bad that Danton hates the very thing he grew to love, but this idea that everyone can be kept in the dark won't work anymore. "I have to know the truth." Mainne knew Danton wouldn't be so willing to tell her anything beyond this moment, so she added to her request by holding both of her arms out, spread apart to a near T-pose. She exerted a great amount of MP energy, shooting ice elemental magic out of both palms of her hands without the support of a glyphring, and on both sides of each exit point, Mainne soon created a solid wall of thick ice, blocking the pathway from the bridge of the arena room to the elevator system on both sides of the field.
Mainne's sudden actions triggered Danton's alertness, realizing that Mainne just trapped herself and Danton to the inside of this room using her magic. The ice walls were impressively thick and secure, preventing anyone coming into the room from getting in... "What are you doing?!" This makes no sense. Mainne must know that any experienced user of Leray magic would have an easy time breaking through those ice walls... But the security team might not. She wants to keep people out of here, not trap herself in.
"You are going to tell me everything you know about this."
"You honestly think you could force me to? With this kind of threat, I suppose the truth would only make you more dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Mainne made it clear to Danton just by the tone of her expression that he could not be any more wrong by that assumption. "You've just learned that Leray magic is a lie to the world, and I have every reason to beg for the answer for why that is."
"You'll live better without knowing," he argued.
Mainne changed her gaze, making sure she didn't blink while disclosing her personal secrets to someone so broken inside. "I have a sister out there in the world. Someone I love who I've never spoken to since six years ago. And do you want to know why?" With Danton's immediate interest in her personal story highlighted by his less defensive pose, Mainne proceeded to tell him everything. "Because she's one of the people who refuses to live inside of Sprawn Valley. She never trusted magic, even though she's never had a good reason to reject the ideas of it."
"Even if she never learned the truth in person, which I know she didn't, your sister has the right idea."
"But I didn't share her idea. I've been out here!" Mainne shouted, climbing in her thoughts, reaching the painful moment she lived with every day. "Fighting to prove her wrong, to have fun with other people using Leray magic! People are happy using their skills in battle, and I had no reason to doubt any of that. So she and I split up. We haven't been on speaking terms since."
"Well you should be able to change that now."
Mainne stamped her foot into the ground, echoing throughout the room. "No! I just wasted my entire life learning how to use magic. I gave up being cool with my family just because I thought I was doing the right thing, and now you come in here, tell me that I'm wrong, but you won't explain to me why? If you won't tell me what the hell is going on here, I'll beat the truth out of you! And if that doesn't work, I'll target Sirus next."
So she doesn't care about how powerful and dangerous magic is? No, Mainne is just upset that she threw away her relationship with her own family at a young age. It's actually not something uncommon in this broken world. But every reason she has done that for is all in vain. She should be upset. Her family isn't in this for the exploitation of the Crystal Core. "Very well," Danton finally agreed. "I know you will not be happier knowing this, but I see now why I can't stop you from learning the truth."
"Then start talking Danton. I need to know what is so bad about Leray magic. What are these assholes lying to everyone about?" Mainne just stood there, waiting patiently for Danton to try and flush it out of his system. He obviously didn't want to repeat talking about what he learned, let alone try and believe it himself. "We're supposed to be friends, but I need to know who I can trust."
With a moment of hesitation, Danton lifted his staff, firing off his own field of magic. The field was invisible, but the results were noticeable. Every wall mounted camera in the room, visible mostly with their infrared lights suddenly shut down. Without their red lights on as an indication of power, Danton gave himself the circumstances he needed. "I've just disabled every camera and hidden microphone in this entire room for ten minutes. We should have enough privacy to talk about it now."
Mainne panned around the room, checking all of the cameras. If nobody can hear or see in this room, the teams monitoring them might assume there is a glitch. Either way, somebody will be down here soon, breaking through the walls of this ice, though Danton also bought further time.
Danton didn't know if this is right or wrong, but right now, Mainne's face begged him for any hint of more information. She's beyond the point of curiosity, and now she'll drown in the truth alongside him. "I..." Danton had to reconfigure his chain of thought, pushing straight to the main idea. "Mages are not the source of magic. The light cast down from our moon gives us that energy."
"Energy that comes from the moonlight. I thought everyone knew that."
"No," Danton denied. "Moonlight doesn't give people the power of Leray energy. Even in its pure unconverted format, nobody can just use it as they wish. The magic is stored in the crystals, specially extracted from the source, and are concentrated into these glass formations specially extracted from Eupharus Island."
"So... Mh," Mainne shut herself up. She needed to let Danton continue, not interrupt with every question. But so far, there is no big deal. If magic comes from the moon, and is stored into the crystals, that's not such a bad thing at all. Then the mages convert that into usable Leray magic for everyone to use. That's what everyone knows...
"They store the moon's power, and convert it to Leray energy with this massive machine. It's all further stretched then this tower, but it hides in plain sight. The Crystal Core."
"The Crystal Core? But, if a machine is doing all the work, how is that such a bad thing? Are you about to tell me that this is the reason you now hate Leray magic?"
"Mainne!" Danton grunted. "You're missing the point. Leray magic is only a fraction of what really exists in the world. It's a cap over lunar energy. In its pure format, that kind of magic can destroy anything."
"But, people can't use pure lunar energy."
"That's where the lies all begin."
"What?"
"Anyone with the knowledge and necessary power source can suddenly invoke lunar magic, and in doing so, the power level far exceeds anything our top mages know. But those who use it pay the price with their lives." Mainne opened her mouth, but thought about it longer, and revealed to Danton where her predicable thought process was heading. "You might be thinking that makes it a problem that solves itself. If you die from using lunar magic, then just don't use it, but apparently, nobody knows this. There are plenty of ways crooked people could coerce others to use such magic on their behalf, holding back what the process could cost them."
"But if that's true... We would have to tell people about this."
"There's more."
"More?" The source of all magic comes from the moon, but that source is halfway usable. What more could there be to ruin the experience for everyone?
"Leray magic and dark magic are exactly the same kind of energy."
Dark magic? The same kind of forbidden magic that kills people who are targeted by it? "But that's, that's impossible!"
"Sirus told me everything! Dark magic is simply Leray magic twisted in the expelled energy signature, the energy waves inverted specifically to negate the effects of the Leray veil."
"I don't understand. If dark magic is the same, how can people use it and not be hurt?"
"You would still have to learn how to invert the magic signature into dark magic, and while it might not sound easy, Sirus told me that doing something like that isn't outside of everyone's possibility."
"Shouldn't we be using a different kind of veil then? Shouldn't we be protecting ourselves from that kind of harm?"
Danton tried again one more time, trying to break through Mainne's natural state of denial. "Dark magic is possible because of the veil. Mainne, you have to understand that people can use dark magic because of the mere existence of Leray magic. They both come from the exact same source, so you can't just cut one out."
"But, then..."
She still looks confused, but maybe she's getting it now. "Think about it. Lunar magic kills people who use it. Leray magic, the supposed great and glorious answer keeps people alive, but also exempts the rule of dark magic, which is also just another form of Leray energy, given in potential to everyone here by the same veil said to protect us. On one hand, you might want to tell the world about the danger of using lunar magic outside of Sprawn Valley, raise awareness to protect them. But they won't understand any of that without the additional explanation of dark magic. When you raise the awareness of that, in the fact that just anyone could use it..."
"Then you give people those kinds of ideas." Mainne felt it in her mind, the epiphany that Danton was going through... But even that doesn't feel all too dangerous. If the people know, they can hurt themselves more easily. If they don't know, it means their own leaders lie to them on a daily basis, but then what is the right thing to take from this?
"My point is," Danton concluded, "magic can be used for what it gets used for today, but it can also be used to destroy everything. As long as that veil exists, nobody is ever truly safe. If word gets out that people can use lunar energy, even at the cost of their lives, it proves to the world that magic isn't something limited within Sprawn Valley. People will get the ideas to set up additional veils using hoards of crystals, and then create their own twisted form of magic wherever they want to."
"They... People can use magic outside of Sprawn Valley?"
"It is actually possible. It would never be easy, but that's why Sirus and the others guard the secrets of the Crystal Core." A loud sudden bang bellowed in vibration of the room. Danton's attention along with Mainne's was attracted to the area behind the ice wall Mainne created earlier. It was one of the security staff of Eldora Tower, pounding behind the transparent crystal wall. Danton knew they would come here eventually, but now Mainne knows the truth too. Sirus can no longer divide Danton from the others with this horrible knowledge. So bring it on!
Mainne nervously looked to Danton for answers, but she wasn't sure what he was thinking anymore... Magic really isn't some toy everything thought it is. It has the power to become dangerous, and that's the big secret Danton has been suffocated with. "If all of this is true, then what's our role? What's our purpose for being here?"
Danton looked Mainne in the eyes with promise. He hated that she was a part of this now, but there is no other choice. "You and I, people who understand this truth also understand how dangerous it could be if word really got outside of the tower. People would come here to try and learn the secrets of the Crystal Core. Even most members of the mage council don't know what's going on, and now it's our jobs to remain guardians of this stupid concept of magic."
"So what? We just lie to everyone in the world? We tell ourselves that it makes them safer?" Mainne couldn't believe it was possible to justify such a blatant fib, but Danton wasn't going to admit that lying is a bad idea anymore.
"If we somehow fail, and this blows up in our face, I'll shut it all down myself. Sirus says he would let me if things really got out of hand. I don't know if I can trust his word."
"Shut it down?"
"The veil. Apparently, it wouldn't take all that much to destroy the machinery powering the Leray veil."
"But then nobody would be able to use magic at all!"
"No magic also means no more danger. It would suck for everyone involved, but at least nobody could use dark magic to harm other people anymore."
"I... I can't do that!" Mainne pushed Danton back, causing him to stumble in his balance, to his own surprise. "Destroy the veil? Destroy Leray magic? I won't do it Danton!"
Why now? Why did she want to know? Why understand how dangerous this is and let it continue?! "Why Mainne?! Tell me one good reason why I should let this continue!"
"Even if magic is dangerous..." Mainne was thinking this through as she spoke back to Danton, bringing everything she knew back into her words. "Think of all the lives you would destroy. Even I don't want to lose Leray magic."
"Even after all that? Even after learning how evil it is to the world?"
"You're not evil!"
Danton heard Mainne's voice change as she replied, and it sounded like she was about to break down and cry. "Me? We're talking about magic, not people."
"But you're the one who showed me how amazing Leray magic is. You proved how to properly use it, and how to have a responsible, well thought out battle. You showed me that using magic really is as fun as it looks."
"But I taught you these things, believing in the same lie being sold to everyone."
Mainne refused to accept this. Danton might have lost his senses from that kind of pain, but Mainne could still remember. "It's not a lie." Her tone was dropping somewhat, but Mainne held her beliefs as firm as she could before those guards break through the ice. "We both knew how to use Leray magic, and we both knew how far we should or shouldn't go trying to live by it."
"I don't understand you Mainne. I really don't."
"It's not the magic that does good or bad to the world. It's us, the people who wield it. We're the ones who get to decide how we use magic. Evil people will always do evil things, with or without a veil."
Danton tensed in place from her valiant words. Even after learning the real truth about everything, Mainne still believes. She still believes in the role and purpose of Leray magic. It's not just her. Even that shady Sirus tried to beckon the same line. What is it with people and their Leray magic? What do they really believe it has the power to do? "Even if what you say is true, it will never change the fact that Leray magic is physically inferior to dark magic or lunar magic."
"You're wrong!" Mainne could punch Danton in his peach fuzzed chin, if only he weren't so easily provoked. "We got stronger by training, stronger the right way, with the right kind of magic. I'm not afraid of some stupid misconduct of our traditions, caused by some dark spot in somebody's heart."
"But the dangers for what it can be used for—"
Mainne instantly cut Danton off, finally certain about what she needed to do. "Screw the dangers! Every day that people live is a risk! People in the outside world do it every single day just fine. But I'll fight for what I know magic can be used for. It's the same path we've been on for centuries now. Everyone uses Leray magic to play or have fun. You and I use it to get stronger, but also because we actually like to learn all kinds of new spells. You really think a threat of any caliber would shut me down just like that?"
"But Mainne..." How is she so solid right now? How could Mainne ever accept this? She still wants the veil online? She really wants to believe that nobody in the world would ever turn around and use this power for their own selfish desires?
"Leray magic is a beautiful thing that I love to use, all the time, every day, and I won't let you shut it down. If you see somebody trying to exploit that system, then you deliver my attention to them, and they'll have to answer to me! I'll protect the values of Leray magic. That's what I've decided to do."
Mainne. Even with every bit of knowledge given to her, she is still in love with Leray magic... No, this isn't denial. I've never seen someone so steady and determined. That look in her eyes, it's not the same as it was a few minutes ago. She'll tear down the whole world if it means saving the existing idea of Leray magic. Her belief in that cannot be broken, no matter how dangerous it gets. She wants to take the same approach Sirus has made; keep the system alive, and bring anyone who would exploit Leray magic to justice with everything they've got. It's unbelievable, but...
In the sudden moment of silence for thought, Mainne's ice walls on both sides collapsed, shattering into smaller fragments of frozen glass, and flooding the entire space with the flush noise the shattering caused. And now, Danton only had seconds to finally decide which side he would stand on. Sirus really believes that magic can still be used for greatness, in ways that would outclass the dangerous desires of vulnerable people. But, "I don't trust Sirus to know what the right thing to do is. But I trust you Mainne... I trust you." Danton needed to feel what he was saying, to know that Mainne is right. She has to be.
Mainne could see the people from her peripheral vision, the guards shouting at both of them. They must think that their precious champion is in some kind of trouble. But that doesn't matter right now. "I—"
Danton stepped closer to Mainne, grabbing both of her hands in a grip, holding them up level to his torso. "I don't want to let go. I lived all my life involved with Leray magic, and my father died believing in it. Somehow, I was willing to walk away from that, but I won't do it again. I won't destroy the thing you love and hold so dear to you."
Mainne suddenly felt a slight tightness in her chest. It became hard to breathe, harder to swallow her own saliva. Her thoughts became less organized with Danton's close stare, but he is being completely sincere. He really does believe in Leray magic. He believes in her, far greater than that.
"Sir Danton! We got here as fast as we could!" One of the soldiers of the General Army arrived, wearing a full body suit with a static metal helmet, used to partially deepen and conceal his voice. He is assigned to Eldora Tower security for the whole week.
The sudden intrusion forced Mainne to snap out of the awkward trance she lost herself in for three long seconds, and she swiped her hands away from Danton's, clearing her throat and flushing her face of previous expression. She could feel sweat accumulating under her arms, and her heart pounding inside of her chest. It had to be these stupid soldiers making her nervous. She went with that conclusion while Danton tried to calm them all down.
"I want all of you to relax. Nobody is getting hurt."
"The surveillance went dark in this room. We have orders to monitor you for your own safety."
Danton glanced back a look to Mainne, and then back to the soldier, learning quickly what else would need to change. "I don't know where this is coming from, but you're new orders are going to be coming from me. And from now on, you'll answer only to the chief of the General Army, rightful president of our people. You can start by telling your former commander that random surveillance for security attached only to myself will no longer be tolerated unless I specify."
"But sir?"
"No. If you really want to protect me, then you'll also have to protect every member of my team. Mainne, Vanoss, Gleeon, Kite, and myself. We're all going to run Eldora Tower together, not separated by these ugly arenas."
Mainne felt light on her feet listening to Danton argue the small squabble over authority. It felt more like he was standing up for her and their friends, and it is the right thing to do.
"Along with the changes that will be coming to this tower. If your commander doesn't like the report you give him, he'll have to come and face me. I'll have his ass on a stick if he thinks he can control the gravity of this tower. Am I clear?!"
"Yes sir!" The soldier changed attitude quickly, turning around to the primary lift, heading down to the main entrance of the facility where his commanding officer would be, and his band of other troops were forced to follow him.
Mainne and Danton earned another moment alone together, each contemplating what their next move might be. Danton eyed Mainne again, who presented some kind of mood he had never seen before. Her face was looking downward, but her lips perched into an uncertain smile, with color building into her cheeks. "You okay?"
"Huh? I'm fine!" Mainne stretched her alertness as high as it could go, now aware that Danton still had things he needed to do.
"Good. There is something very important I need to talk to Sirus about, but I won't feel comfortable doing this unless you're there with me. We're going to go see this SOB ourselves. If he won't tell us what we need to know, you'll help me get the truth out of him another way."
It wasn't clear what else Danton could possibly learn from mage Sirus, but if he has a lead worth looking into, Mainne was certain it was worth the trouble. Doing this with Danton would be icing on the cake. "I'll do anything." She couldn't get her next two words out. Mainne felt she would enjoy doing anything, as long as Danton is there with her. But to say that out loud, it's just too embarrassing.
"Let's go then." Danton turned forward to the primary lift, heading back to his champion chambers, and in the direction where he would find Sirus. This guy is going to have to spill more words than ever before if he wants his precious veil to stay online. The time for secrets is finally over.