The Guardian’s return cut their conversation short. There were many things Hex wished to discuss and ask but his mastery of the Veil was too low to talk in the presence of someone else.
His mother had the skills to do so, but as a fragment, she didn’t wish to waste her energy on such a thing, nor would it make sense to hide, as she was in the body of someone whose disappearance would alert the Guardian.
Hex slipped in the shadows of the dimly lit corridor as the Guardian entered and went to his room. He completed his investigation but the number of questions only increased after a night full of shocks and surprises.
He had not expected that. Not at all. The stories about her soul fragment seemed baseless. Even the Goddess said she never sensed her around. But somehow, she never truly left.
’There has to be a reason for her to possess that girl. She didn’t do it just because she could.’
She had to have a reason to possess the girl. He had to discover that reason. Trusting her, even if the fragment dated from a time when she was still herself, would be a mistake. After all, even at that time she had been influenced by Wrixia.
’I also have to be wary of Jonathan. The situation with that girl’s mother is evidence enough to know he is behind the Shadow Serpent and the ambush on me. Whether he is doing it to learn more about me or to test whether the fragment is real or not, doesn’t matter. Despite being a high-level Guardian he utilizes such means to execute his plans...that shows how far the Old One has fallen.’
As was the case with Elize and Marve, Hex didn’t believe for a second that the Old One would allow an Enlightened Knight to exist within His territory without ensuring they were loyal to him. A loyal person using something like Shadow Serpents to reach their goal implied they were at the very least indirectly authorized to do so.
’This is getting a little out of hand. I came to search for answers but now I am in the middle of yet another set being played. This time the players are literal Gods or close to being Gods, and the board has been set years ago.’
When the first rays of light seeped through the gaps opening between the leaves, a group of more than fifteen people stood in front of the hotel.
The women and girls looked solemn but not one seemed sad or cried about having to leave the city. They had made peace with it.
The only person crying was Lamore, the owner of the hotel. He seemed quite emotional about losing Jade and even tried to persuade her to stay. He didn’t know it wasn’t her decision. The Guardians had made the excuse that this group, including Jade, had been selected to partake in some work assigned by the Elders.
Hex watched all this but he paid the most attention to the Guardians, in particular to Jonathan, and the mother with her two daughters, one of which was his mother.
The mother seemed healthier and was even able to stand without gasping for breath or wincing in pain. Her interaction with Jade seemed also less strained. She had her arms around both girls and Jade didn’t flinch or scuffle away.
Cyantha looked as timid and shy as always, looking to her feet, and waiting for the group to start walking. No one, not even her mother and sister-like friend detected anything strange with her. Hex suspected he was the only one present who knew who really stood there.
Her acting was flawless. If not for the subtle wink at him when they met at the exit, he would question his memory about last night’s happenings. But the twinkle in her eyes when they met couldn’t be mistaken.
Jonathan on the other hand looked nothing like the day before. The jovial, curious guy made place for a somber, solemn-looking guy who stood stiff and lost in thoughts.
’Is he disturbed because he lost two Shadow Serpents without gaining any clues on me or someone else?’
If he assumed the ambush to be orchestrated by him, it should be clear to him that Hex killed it and kept quiet about it. But the second one then? Jonathan had no reason to believe Hex was behind that one too. Especially, considering that the killer should have traces of the Serpent on him...or her. But there was no trace. None. Hex suspected that that gnawed more at him than any potential secrets he suspected Hex to possess.
Elize appeared as last. She seemed her usual self. Her role in this all confused Hex a little. If she was like everyone else and influenced by either the Gods or Wrixia, what goal did she have? Why bring him here? And even more importantly, did she achieve her goal? Or did she still have things planned for the road?
All these questions filled his mind. He lined up, taking his place in the middle. The Guardians and Jonathan would take up the periphery of the group, while Elize closed the ranks. Hex took note of his position in the group. He stood just behind Cyantha, a position assigned to him by Elize.
"We will go through various hubs before we reach our destination. Let me warn you guys, anyone suspected of planning anything to disturb our journey or attempting to sabotage us in any other way, will be executed before receiving a trial."
Jonathan stood at the front and said coldly. Hex frowned a little when he noticed his gaze linger a little on him. It seemed the journey would be sabotaged. And not by the Witchkin. But by the very man warning them all.
Just as he pondered on how to counter an Enlightened Knight, a small packet was trusted in his hand. Looking down, he saw it was a pastry. Cyantha, possessed by his mother, was looking at him while she whispered.
"Eat. Everything will be okay. Mother...is here."