Chapter Eighty-One: Secret Identity II

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On the morning of Katalin’s last session, Amelia and Serena entered the training ground together. Any expectations Amelia had for a special final session taught by Katalin were soon dashed.

“Given recent events,” Katalin explained. “I don’t think the Grandmaster would be too happy if I carried out the finale I had originally planned, yes?” Katalin smiled and continued, “We will focus on individual training for both sessions this morning. I’ll walk around and adjust your forms as I see fit. Meanwhile, remember all the previous lessons we’ve taken together. Use whatever style you want.”

The instructors split off and began a variety of training methods. Some focused on meditation, refining their aura. Others concentrated on the more aggressive aura-stepping routines, quickly building a sweat. A few instructors practised their shimokan katas while others practised the northern hawk style. Whatever they did, Katalin was there to give constructive advice.

“Your shoulders rise when you transition, see?”

“Narrow your convection, then slowly increase the speed.”

“You’re flaring your aura too late. Time it with the strike.”

“Keep the stomach in, away from a potential counterattack.”

It was a very ordinary training session, akin to what the academy normally provided. Amelia thought that, in a way, it was a fitting end to Katalin's series of exhausting and demanding sessions. Everyone was in a good mood, taking the opportunity to compare techniques and offer suggestions to each other. Amelia herself didn’t quite have the insight needed to join these conversations, so she focused on her kata while keeping an ear out.

Of course, nobody who knew the truth of the last session mentioned anything. The others knew that something had transpired but thankfully didn’t try and ask. They knew better than that. Amelia did, however, get to see an awkward-looking Serena when Katalin offered some advice regarding her future communion with Taruna. Serena was nodding thoughtfully, but Amelia could tell Serena was thinking about how, only a few days ago, she had rubbed Katalin’s face into the sand!

Shaking her head to suppress a giggle, Amelia finished her kata training and began refining her aura. At this point, she’d managed to bring the size of her aura down to a level that resembled an average second-year student. However, Amelia’s red aura was unusual - far larger and more intense than most. As a result, her ordinary-looking aura hid a frightening amount of power that could defend against far more than red aura normally could.

Before she could push to orange, Katalin and Serena told her to focus on making her aura as invisible as possible. Those with a keen insight would still pick up on the intensity of her aura if they looked closely. If she wanted to pass for an ordinary aura user, she would need to refine it further.

She focused on aura refinement until the end of the session. There was no second part this time; since the session had been so lightweight everyone had stayed on after the half-way mark and continued what they were doing. At the end, everyone lined up and bowed to Katalin, expressing their gratitude for her assistance.

“It’ll be hard to match Instructor Driss’s intensity ourselves!”

“Looking back, I gained as many insights here as I did on the battlefield!”

“It’s true what they say, you never stop learning the sword…”

“I feel like a student again!”

They chatted amongst themselves while people filtered out one by one, giving Katalin their final expressions of appreciation. Soon, only Amelia and Serena remained.

“Instructor Driss, no, Highlord,” Serena said, bowing to the purple-eyed northerner. “It was an honour to train with you. I will remember everything you taught me. I will never let anyone disparage the might of the North’s horns.”

“You were an excellent student,” Katalin replied. “If you ever find yourself in the North, then stop by the Driss family estate and say hello. I’ll make the time, yes?”

“Thank you.” Serena bowed again.

“Umm…” Amelia began, looking at Serena and then at Katalin. “There’s something I wanted to ask, but it’s, uh…” Amelia raised an eyebrow awkwardly, throwing an apologetic look towards Serena. “It’s private, I think?” Serena tilted her head, her forehead furrowing. “No, I mean, there’s a personal training question I wanted to ask. I’ll tell you about it later!” she said reassuringly.

Serena didn’t seem to understand fully but understood enough to know Amelia wanted to ask Katalin something in private. “I’ll be outside,” Serena intoned. With a final bow at the entrance of the training hall, she exited, leaving Amelia alone with Katalin.

A few seconds passed while neither of them said anything.

How awkward! Since when were the training halls this silent!?

“So, what did you want to discuss?” Katalin asked, her purple eyes blinking twice.

“Ah…” Amelia rubbed the back of her neck. “It’s difficult to ask.” Amelia opened her mouth before closing it again. What if she was wrong? Her instincts told her she was right, but it wasn’t exactly a casual matter! “Umm…” Amelia mumbled, lifting her weight onto her toes and back down. “I was… wondering…”

“I have a question,” Katalin said suddenly.

“Oh, yes!?” Amelia jumped at the chance for a distraction.

“You and Instructor Halen,” Katalin began, looking at Amelia with a firm gaze. “You two are in love, yes?”

Even if Amelia had wanted to deny such a happy truth, her mouth immediately formed into what must have been an idiotic grin. “Yes!” Amelia answered. “Awfully, terribly, unstoppably so! How did you know!? Wait!” Amelia’s eyes widened. “It wasn’t you who reported us, was it!?”

“No,” Katalin shook her head slightly. “That was another staff member.”

“How… how do you know that?”

“Someone informed me.”

“Oh…”

Half a dozen seconds passed before Katalin asked, “Do you want to know who it was?”

“Uh,” Amelia mumbled. She scrunched her nose and rubbed it. Did she want to know? Her first instinct was to say ‘Yes,’ but what if it was someone she respected? What if it were Ryosuke or Instructor Kawas? What if it were Lunaria? Besides, she was leaving the East in a few days. Did she need to end it on a negative note?

Of all the intriguing mysteries of this world, who did and who didn’t report her behaviour wasn’t something she felt she should care about. Those grumpy fools who hadn’t yet realised how amazing and cute she and Serena were together could remain grumpy fools for all eternity!

“I guess I’m more interested in how you figured it out,” Amelia said, pointing at Katalin before quickly putting her hand down, remembering her etiquette lessons.

“Well,” Katalin replied, her mouth curling into a smile. “Instructor Halen is more subtle with her reactions, but you are not. Your heartbeat speeds up when you are close to her. When you look at her, your eyes dilate.” Katalin leaned in. “It is noticeable when you know what you’re looking for. Even now, your cheeks are flushed.”

Amelia’s hand snapped to her cheeks, feeling a familiar warmth. 

“Sorry,” Amelia said with an awkward smile.

“Nothing to apologise for,” Katalin replied. “Besides, you are proud of your relationship, yes? Never apologise for love.” The Northerner’s face flickered to an unusual expression and back so quickly Amelia almost missed it. “No matter what it costs,” Katalin finished, her jaw clenched.

“Why did you bring it… I mean, us, up?”

“In these times, your presence is a breath of fresh air.” Katalin sighed, taking a few steps away so her back was towards Amelia. “There is too much suffering in the Empire, too much stress. It’s nice to bear witness to such… innocent happiness. Don’t underestimate your influence on those around you. Serena Halen was known to me as the Hellfire Captain with a cold heart that had frozen over after losing her brother. Yet, when we finally met, her heart was warm.” Katalin turned her head slightly. “That warmth came from you, I think.”

“Thanks!” Amelia felt her confidence rise. She had been a wonderful influence on Serena, hadn’t she? Sure, Serena sometimes clutched her horns here and there, but really, it was just because she was so overwhelmed by Amelia’s cuteness, wasn’t it!? And on those rare occasions when she clutched her horns due to stress, Amelia would be there to heal it!

“So, your question to me?” Katalin asked.

Oh right. That.

Well, as she always said: Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

“You came at me with such a serious question so suddenly, you won’t blame me for doing the same to you?” Amelia asked.

“Oh?” Katalin’s eyebrow raised. “I’m interested. Let’s hear it, Assistant Instructor Thornheart.” The demon’s eyes sparkled with a sudden intensity.

Amelia swallowed, and before her mind could get in the way of her mouth, she quickly asked, “I was just wondering if Katalin of Driss is a real person or someone you invented so you could train prospective talents and Speakers?”

One second.

Six seconds. Amelia began chewing her lip.

Ten seconds. What if she’d been wrong?

Then, after a dozen seconds, Katalin responded.

“What a… perceptive question,” Katalin said slowly, her voice even and calculated. “One I didn’t think you would ask so soon.” The demon turned to face Amelia with a look that seemed to see through all her cloaks and defences. “What is it that has raised such suspicions about my identity?”

“Oh, umm…” Amelia raised a finger. “Mysterious renowned beauty and swordmaster that hides away, only appearing to train Northern Speakers.” She raised another finger. “That same mysterious individual just so happens to appear at the academy Serena and I are instructing at just before our important duties.” Another finger. “Your eyes are supposed to be green, but they’re purple and turned blue - their real colour when you Spoke - and most of all…” A final finger was raised. “Your soul.”

“My soul?” Katalin’s head tilted slightly.

“The cloaking is excellent, but when I flare my aether and look at it through the Shimmer, I can see the shadow of something larger, and-” Amelia spoke faster, her excitement getting to her, “When I looked at it under Aseco I caught glimpses of its true nature! I don’t understand how you’ve hidden it so well, but it wasn’t enough for me! I thought you were limiting yourself during the fight!” She jabbed a celebratory thumb at herself. “So, am I right!?”

“...I wonder,” Katalin mused. “There are all manner of strange souls in the Known World, yours included. Well…” Katalin softly sighed, her eyes looking away thoughtfully before snapping back to meet Amelia’s. “If I am whoever you think I am, what would you do with that information?”

“I wanted to say thank you!”

“For?”

“For training me and Serena! I agree that Taruna is right for her second First-Word! So…” Amelia bowed deeply. “Thank you for helping her on that path and helping me reach red aura! And…” Amelia rose, casting her best smile towards the demon in front of her. “Thank you for healing Mel! She would have died if you weren’t here!”

Katalin was silent for a few moments. “You’re very perceptive,” she eventually muttered.

“Sorry,” Amelia said, tilting her head in apology. “It just made sense. What was more likely? That another powerful human healer had appeared and somehow evaded all detection while saving and healing Mel… or…” Amelia twiddled her thumbs. “It was you.”

“Here you are, thanking me for such small things,” Katalin said. As she spoke, her voice lost more and more of its Northern accent and speaking patterns. “Meanwhile, it is I who wanted to offer you my gratitude. For invoking Suijin and putting that dreadful fire out.”

“Mmm! No problem!” Amelia nodded happily. “Only… why didn’t you do it yourself?”

“There are… limitations,” Katalin replied. “Lines that are difficult for me to cross. Legal ones.”

“I would have thought the law would have been the least of your concern?”

Katalin shook her head. “We are bound by more than mere mortal laws. There are accords that even the gods dare not go against. You, however…” Katalin smiled, looking Amelia up and down. “Are lucky. You’ve gained tremendous power without the normal restraints. This is both a blessing and a curse. I pray that you understand why.”

“I do! It’s scary at times,” Amelia said truthfully. “But it’s becoming easier every day to control. A lot of that is thanks to your training! It really helped! Umm…” Amelia chewed her lips briefly before continuing, “I wanted to ask about my, well, about our powers. Our souls. Why do they…”

“Feel so familiar?”

“Yes!” Amelia blurted out. Under the influence of the First-Word, the shadow of Katalin’s titanic secret power made itself known. While that was a shock, what was even more surprising was how similar Katalin’s soul was to Amelia’s own. There was an odd sense of familiarity between them. It was why Amelia had been so trusting when Katalin requested her to drop her wards and fight while being completely vulnerable. There was a strange connection between them. Different from the connection between her and Serena. It was more like the connection of…

Family.

“That’s because our powers originate from the same source,” Katalin said evenly. “Although, your binding seems to have taken place many centuries after…” The demon blinked twice. “Or perhaps it happened simultaneously, and it took that long for you to return. Time flows differently in the mists, after all.”

“Binding?” Amelia frowned. “I don’t remember being bound to anything!”

“Perhaps not, but you remember your affliction? I listened to the recording of when you arrived. What did you call it? Chronic Endothelial Collapse Syndrome? You told Captain Halen your world didn’t know where it came from.” Katalin tilted her head sympathetically. “It’s understandable. Your realm doesn’t have a manifested aetherfield. Your body wouldn’t have been able to handle the amount of aether forced into it.”

“...Aether?” Amelia whispered, feeling an ominous conclusion manifesting.

“Deterioration of the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels,” Katalin said, recalling the symptoms of Amelia’s disease. “This is what you described to Captain Halen, and they also happen to be the same symptoms that follow when an aether user flares for too long or when a Speaker loses control of a Word. It’s a miracle the medicine of your world kept you alive for so long.”

Amelia felt herself swallow, a lump of emotion forming in her throat. “So everything that happened to me… was because of my magic!? I was always… a mage!? Are you saying I could have healed myself the entire time!?” Amelia sniffed, feeling her eyes brim with tears.

“Perhaps, perhaps not.” Katalin shrugged. “Your world is aetherphobic. It would have been extremely challenging for a native to use magic of any kind. The laws of your world would have fought against you. I suspect it wasn’t until your old body died and your soul travelled into the mists that it was able to bond with your shard properly.”

“That’s it then? The source of my power?” Amelia asked quietly, wiping away the tears that were about to run down her cheeks. “I’m a shardbearer?” She hadn’t forgotten the name Chesterfield had used to describe those who had bonded with shards of the fractured soul the Vengeance protected.

“Yes,” Katalin answered. “As am I. There are others. Not all of them demon or human.”

Amelia sighed. An odd feeling of relief washed through her. It wasn’t the most surprising revelation. She’d suspected the possibility for a while now, and although neither her nor Serena had ever vocalised it, she was sure her girlfriend had put the pieces of the puzzle together as well. If some shard of this shattered soul had given Amelia all her abilities, then did that mean…?

“Chesterfield said that shards can find other shards. Is that why I appeared on the Vengeance?”

“Shards want to be whole, so they’ll naturally attract each other. Fate will bring you together eventually. It’ll happen far quicker if you’re actively searching.” Katalin smiled, raising a flat palm. “Hence Captain Halen’s and your new duties. To do what I cannot.”

“W-whose soul is it?” Amelia suddenly asked.

“I can’t give you all the answers,” Katalin said with a slight shrug. “Some you’ll need to find yourself.”

Amelia couldn’t help but open her mouth in both surprise and annoyance. “Are you serious!?” she protested. “You’re going to hold your cards close to your chest now!? I was just getting some answers! You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you!” She knew it was rude but still pointed an accusatory finger at the demon in disguise. “Stop being so mysterious! It’s annoying!”

Katalin raised a hand to her mouth, laughing softly. “As much as I enjoy having a mysterious aura, my motivation is far simpler.” She raised a finger at Amelia. “If I tell you the Empire’s most important secrets, then you’ll run straight to Captain Halen and tell her, won’t you?”

Amelia crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks out. “Obviously I would! But Serena can be trusted every bit as much as I can! We can keep secrets!”

“Funny thing about secrets,” Katalin responded with a wry smile. “Once more than one person knows them, they very quickly lose their status as being secret. And…” The demon rubbed her chin slowly, looking upwards. “Understand that some things are unpleasant for me to talk about. The past holds a lot of pain, and digging up too much too fast can cause problems.”

“Fine…” Amelia nodded slowly. “But I’ll have to tell her about…” She waved a hand at the demon in front of her. “You! I can’t wait to see her face when I tell her who’s been training her all this time!”

“I would like to see that,” Katalin said. “Just make sure you’re alone when you tell her, and wait until you leave the East. Can you do that, my Lord-Prospect?”

“Mmm!” Amelia nodded. “I can wait that long! Oh, and you can just call me Amelia!”

Katalin chuckled. “A Lord-Prospect permitting me to be casual. How bold… I can imagine Theresa’s face already.”

“Who’s Theresa?” 

“An old friend,” Katalin replied. “I think I’ve answered enough questions.” The demon glanced towards the door. “We’ve kept Captain Halen waiting long enough.”

“W-wait!” Amelia cried. “I still have so much I wanted to ask you! About the Empire, about the animal gods, about the lumina, and the Shimmer! I wanted to ask you about the Needles of Nai, and the Dectus Lines! Oh! And the giant skull they found underneath Centralis, and your Thousand Blades, and..” Amelia took a breath before frantically continuing, describing all the fascinating mysteries and historical questions she was sure the demon could answer.

“We’ll meet again,” Katalin answered. “In Centralis. You can ask me then, although given your next destination, I’m sure you’ll find the answers to some of those questions yourself. You should relax and enjoy the journey.” Katalin’s expression suddenly turned serious. “We have a brief respite as this conflict ends, but it’s always quiet before the storm. Believe me, a storm is coming.”

Amelia swallowed. “We’ll be okay, right? The Empire and… everyone in it?”

“There are plans,” Katalin said. “Plans that have been in motion for a very long time. We’re preparing for the future, and whether you want to take an active role in that is a choice you’ll have to make. For now…” The demon's expression lightened. “Enjoy your adventures, and make plenty of pleasant memories. That’s my order to you, Lord-Prospect Amelia Thornheart.”

Amelia eagerly saluted. It wasn’t exactly the proper response, but it felt right in the moment. “Mmm! I won’t disappoint you!” She bowed quickly. “Thank you for everything again!” Amelia rose up. “I won't-”

Katalin was gone.

Amelia immediately flipped her perception into the Shimmer, but nothing was there. After thirty seconds of trying to find a trace of Katalin, Amelia gave up and exited the training hall. In the hallway she saw Serena leaning against the wall, looking as cool as ever.

“So what was that about?” her girlfriend asked.

“Hehe,” Amelia said with a giggle. “I just needed to clarify a few things; I’ll tell you about it soon, I promise!”

“Well, now I’m intrigued,” Serena said.

They walked down the corridor while Serena tried to get Amelia to spill the secret.

Of course, she wouldn’t give in that easily. She would tell Serena soon…

But she’d make sure to pick the most opportune moment!

After all, Serena was becoming increasingly resistant to Amelia’s attempts to shamelessly bother her! She needed to maximise the horn-clutching effect!

Giggling at the future, Amelia skipped happily down the corridor, thinking of all the adventure and pleasant memories yet to come!

And, if the future was dark, then she’d become a beacon of light.

This world was her home, after all.

The Empress of Demonkind, Elana, waited until her Lord-Prospect was bowing before making her move. She found her otherworldly shadow and stepped into it, transporting herself into the Shimmer. Centuries of practice meant she could make the transfer flawlessly. There would be no sound or smell to give away her actions.

But it wasn’t enough.

Amelia Thornheart could look into the Shimmer.

So, Elana took a second step, passing from the Shimmer into the deeper realm of reality beyond.

The Lustrate.

Here, Amelia’s titanic soul displayed its full brilliance. Its radiant hues captivated Elana’s attention, keeping her eyes transfixed on the soul that had engorged itself on Esmeralda’s shard. She’d spent many hours secretly studying Amelia’s soul, reassuring herself of Amelia’s good and pure spirit.

Elana watched until Amelia’s soul moved towards the door, where it briefly stopped near Serena Halen’s soul. After a moment, the two lights, one massive and radiant compared to the other, made their way down the corridor.

She didn’t miss the glowing connection between them, formed by their love.

Maybe if it kept growing, Taruna wouldn’t be Serena Halen’s next Word after all.

Elana sighed, turning away and walking through the wall towards Theresa. Unlike the Shimmer, real-world objects posed no obstacle. Only the Lustrum, the otherworldly forest that manifested in the Shimmer as ghostly fauna, held any corporeal weight.

“We’re done here,” Elana said to her maid. “Let’s return to Centralis. I have a meeting with the Western delegation in an hour.”

Elana began walking, only to stop when she realised Theresa wasn’t following.

In fact, the maid was glaring at her!

“Theresa?” Elana questioned.

“Divine One…” her maid responded, gritting her teeth. Theresa strode up to her, eyes filled with anger. “Who in the Seven Hells and Six Heavens do you think you are to call me old!?”

“I called you an old friend!” Elana protested, raising her hands in a gesture of peace.

“You still called me old!” Theresa glared at her. “There’s only one way to make this right!”

The Empress of Demonkind sighed.

She’d already increased Theresa's salary after the incident with that student!

Now she was going to ask for another raise!

“Alright then…” Elana let out another sigh.

What was a greater threat to the Empire? 

The Enemy, plotting to destroy this world?

Or her maid, single-handedly raiding the Empire’s treasury at every opportunity?

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Hello, and here's the double chappie drop!

Hope this makes up for the slow week ^.^ At this point I think we're one or two chapters away until our motley crew are off to new skies and fresh adventurers! It's quite a relief to get to this point - I feel the fresh scenery is going to do wonders for my motivation! Thank you all for supporting the series so far!