The Arcane Guardians Chapter 30: Chapter 26: Of The Arcane Chronicles

Read chapter 30 of The Arcane Guardians by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

It took the Guardian Council about three whole hours to find Elpis’s body. Her corpse was mangled almost beyond recognition, although her glassy eyes remained untouched as they stared eternally into nothingness. The trio spent the whole week attending court and giving testimonies, even though the Veritas charm had already largely simplified the investigative process. After all, Benedictus’s and Elpis’s crimes were as clear as the sky due to the mounting evidence and eyewitnesses against them. The aftermath, however, was much more complicated to deal with. Civil unrest filled the streets after the revelation of Benedictus’s actions as well as the true origins of magic. The Metas were understandably upset and had completely lost faith in the government. Parents began withdrawing their children from school, and workers started quitting their jobs, opting to band together and share resources with each other instead. Pockets of rioting broke out in different parts of the city, although they were small enough to be quelled at the moment. Vulcan was confirmed by the Secretary of State to be still alive, although his location was not disclosed for security reasons. After all, the vice president was next in line for the Presidency, and nobody else wanted to handle the political mess left behind by Benedictus's corrosive policies. Although Warlock Vulcan had already woken up, the Guardian Council had agreed to leave their leader in Cybele’s care until he made a full recovery. ~ ~ ~ Intermittent sounds of buzzing equipment punctuated the air. Points of light blinked on and off, performing their little dance routine like tiny faeries in the night. In the centre of it all, treated Arcani coursed through thin, transparent tubes into the veins of a man lying on a clean medical bed. He had only woken up barely an hour ago, but his face was already radiating with relief and happiness. “Kleo, you’re alright…” Vulcan held his daughter’s hand weakly. “I was so worried… that The White Locust would have gotten to you as well.” “I’m alright, Dad… I’m alright,” Kleopatra choked back her tears. “I’m so glad you’re finally awake.” “Ah, your old man is tougher than that.” Vulcan coughed lightly. “It’s gonna take more than a few simple hexes to get rid of me for good.” “Don’t exert yourself too much yet, though.” Cybele chuckled. “You scared the hell out of me, Dad.” “Thank you, my dear daughter.” “I’m… I’m sorry, Dad.” Kleopatra’s face fell. “I should’ve listened to you. I went after Cleric Nerva, and things would’ve gotten so much worse if Sister hadn’t shown up on time. I’m sorry for being so hard-headed and making you worry.” “Well, that’s just another trait you’ve inherited from me.” Vulcan leaned back against the soft white bed. “But it is I who should apologise. I have been too protective of you, Kleo. I was blinded by the pain of your mother’s death to see how tough you really are. I’m sorry for trying to clip your wings when you are clearly meant to reach the stars.” The father brought his daughters into a tight embrace. “Gods know, I’m proud of both of you. I always have been, and I always will be.” His face was wet with tears. “Go, and be what you were meant to be. Soar high and proud, my beloved daughters. And I will always be cheering you on.” “Thank you, Dad.” ~ ~ ~ Felix Pagonis leaned back with his palms supporting himself, basking in the cool autumn breeze. He looked over the school gates, watching students happily bounce out of the compounds after finishing the last day of their exams. The Meta, however, preferred to relax on the quieter school roof for a moment before heading home. Although Felix had no time to revise with all that had happened, he did not doubt that he had aced his final exams like every other Meta student. Not that it mattered anyway. Most agencies out there did not recognise Meta high school qualifications due to the much lower standard of education, so the average Meta only had job opportunities at places that did