The confinement was over. Natalie and Ram stepped out of the Cursed Chamber and headed toward the main training grounds. Ram felt the sudden, potent jolt of freedom, his body eager to move.
He stopped dead.
Standing nearby with several of his retainers was Headmaster Henrik, the eldest son of Superior Grandmaster Hector. Henrik was watching them, a condescending smirk fixed on his face.
"Headmaster Ram is truly fortunate," Henrik announced, loud enough for his entourage to hear. "To be selected for training by Superior Nephtali himself. What did that bootlicker, Master Azael, say to the Superior to get him to take this... particular man?"
Ram remained silent, simply fixing Henrik with a steady, level gaze.
Natalie stepped smoothly into the gap between them. "If you wish to be taken under Superior Nephtali's protection, perhaps you should demonstrate your capabilities instead of relying on empty words."
Henrik sneered, assessing the young woman. "And who are you to speak to me in such a manner? Do you know who I am?"
"She speaks the truth," Ram interjected, his voice quiet but sharp. "Why not show us what you can truly do?"
Henrik's hand flew to his weapon. In a flash, he drew his sword and aimed a lethal thrust at Natalie. Ram moved quicker. He pulled Natalie back with one hand while intercepting the blade with the other—a move of blinding speed and precision.
Natalie barely glanced at the deflected weapon. "Am I intervening, or are you capable of handling this?"
"Don't interfere," Ram muttered, his eyes locked on Henrik. "Your skill is too far above his. He would be too humiliated."
The two young men immediately engaged. Natalie stepped to the side, observing.
A perfect opportunity for Ram to hone his style, she thought. Though, his opponent is far too weak.
With a subtle, barely perceptible flick of her finger, Natalie channeled the power of the Chains. Henrik's weapon suddenly seemed to gain a life of its own. It twitched, yanked, and fought against its owner's grip, now actively sparring with Ram. Henrik was visibly straining, utterly unable to control his own sword.
"What is happening to my blade?!" Henrik cried out, his face reddening. "I can't control it!"
Ram glanced at Natalie, who stood on the perimeter, watching them with an amused, satisfied smile. He quickly capitalized on Henrik's struggle, fighting the possessed weapon as if its wielder were indeed an opponent of skill. With a sudden burst of speed, Ram ascended and kicked the blade from Henrik's grasp. The sword spun through the air, landing softly in Natalie's waiting hand.
Immediately, the enchantment vanished. The sword was just a sword again.
"Headmaster Ram is an excellent fighter," Natalie said, turning the blade over in her hand. "From what I saw, your style is sound. You should conserve your strength for the intensive training we have scheduled tomorrow."
Ram bowed deeply, genuine respect in his eyes. "Thank you, Minister Natalie."
Henrik staggered forward, shock replacing his rage. He looked at the girl who had effortlessly contained his power and then at the new Headmaster who had defeated him.
"Minister Natalie?" Henrik breathed. He rushed toward her as she handed back his sword. "You are Minister Natalie? The first Minister of the Guardians? My Father said you would likely achieve the rank of Grandmaster by next year!"
"I have much yet to achieve in my rank as Minister," Natalie replied, her expression neutral. "I remain under Superior Nephtali's care and have much to learn. Headmaster Ram, let's go."
"Yes, Minister Natalie." Ram followed immediately, leaving a stunned and defeated Henrik behind.
In the Council's immense hall, Remiel conferred with Hector.
"Superior Nephtali has taken Ram under his wing," Remiel mused, pacing the polished floor. "But this Superior is too meticulous, too knowledgeable in the ways of the Guardians. I hear his Division is changing rapidly; everyone wants to defect to him."
"His skill is extraordinary, particularly in the discipline of Guardians," Hector affirmed. "That is why I immediately transferred Henrik—to learn from that Division."
"Extraordinary skill? Could it be Sariel?" Remiel whispered, the name heavy with history. "Sariel possessed uncommon battle skill, and he was obsessive about discipline in her domain."
"If he were Sariel, he would have attacked us long ago."
"You do not know Sariel, Hector. She observes, contemplates every move, before she makes her own."
"If Superior Nephtali is Sariel, we must retrieve the Chains of Guardians that were hidden in that Division. But we won't retrieve them ourselves. We will use his former warrior, Herus. I am certain Sariel will be surprised to see one of her original betrayers."
Remiel pondered Hector's plan. Unnoticed by either Council member, the Chains etched onto their armor gave off a faint, almost imperceptible shimmer.
High in a massive, ancient tree on the Division grounds, Natalie sat, eyes closed. Suddenly, her own Chains flashed, startling her. She opened her eyes, startled by what she had just sensed.
"Minister Natalie, Superior Nephtali has been calling for you," Caius, called up from below. "Do you know Superior Herus is arriving?"
"I know," she replied, floating gently down to the ground. "I was coming. My Chains startled me. They already know I've returned to the mortal realm."
Caius was confused. "How could they know you are back on Earth?"
Natalie materialized her Chains, which glowed softly, pulsing with subdued power. "They underestimated me. The allegiance of the Chains is still mine. And besides," she added, a dark amusement in her voice, "they now suspect that Superior Nephtali is Sariel."
"What?!" Caius gasped.
"I truly didn't expect them to think that. They are utterly foolish. It is a toss-up whether I should be irritated or amused by their actions. I could end all of them, you know, but something holds me back."
Caius suddenly caught sight of Nephtali approaching, having clearly overheard their conversation. Natalie, still laughing softly at her own knowledge, quickly ran her hand over her Chains, making them vanish.
"I should go, Minister Natalie," Caius stammered, backing away. "I have duties."
"Wait, I wasn't finished talking!" Natalie protested, then wheeled around to face Nephtali.
"I have been waiting for you in the Master's Hall," Nephtali said, his voice level and cold. "Superior Herus is arriving. You know the Council knows you as the first Minister and that you are under my care."
"I fell asleep in the tree when Caius found me, but I was on my way. You didn't need to come looking for me."
"Do not cause trouble. Do not answer anything this Superior says. Let him speak whatever nonsense he wishes in our presence."
Natalie performed a swift, complex Oration around their feet, silencing their immediate surroundings. "Brother, you know he was the reason Remiel and Andrel betrayed me back then, don't you?"
"Andrel is already mad because of your games with his mind," Nephtali reminded her. "If you act against Herus, everyone will know you have returned to this world. You know the Guardians already despise the Grandminister because of the Council's machinations."
"Andrel is mad? I did nothing to him! His madness is not my doing."
Nephtali looked at her, his expression unreadable. A silence fell between the siblings.
"Then why haven't you punished Remiel and the others yet? What are you waiting for, Sariel?"
"I sense something wrong, something we don't understand," she confided, her voice low. "I felt it when I returned to Earth. The power is strange, almost like yours."
"Whoever this is, we must be cautious. I know you have your suspicions, but consider who else might be capable of this."
Natalie looked at her brother, knowing that his anger was terrible, and his power was unmatched.
In the Master's Hall, Superior Herus arrived with his escort of Grandmasters.
"What I heard is true," Herus observed smoothly, surveying the Hall. "This newest Division is becoming stronger and more beautiful. The Grandmasters flock here. Superior Nephtali, your position is well-deserved."
"I merely do my duty, Superior Herus," Nephtali replied.
"I understand you have an excellent Superior Headmaster. Everyone is rushing to transfer to your Division. I am surprised that a young woman is the one to defeat them all."
"Superior Headmaster Natalie is diligent in her training. That is why she is one of the finest of her generation."
"Before we proceed, the Council requires the artifact hidden here," Herus stated. "They have fashioned a new reliquary for the Cursed Object."
"Master Red, give Superior Herus the box."
Red presented a small, unremarkable wooden box. Herus opened it, revealing the inert, powerless Chains.
"Superior Nephtali, do you know why this is important to the Council?"
Nephtali looked at Herus, then at the Chains. "I have only heard the stories. But they are not true, are they?"
"True or not, these Chains are part of the Guardians' history. Because of one Seraphim, we were all enslaved, forced to obey her every command. We killed anyone who broke her Codes. She showed no mercy to any warrior, so she deserved to be burned."
"The stories I heard claim she will return to Earth and take vengeance on those who betrayed her," Nephtali murmured, leaning slightly forward. "Three hundred years have passed. Has the wicked Grandminister returned?"
"I do not believe she has returned, but we will know if these Chains are ever brought back to life."
"We once captured a creature of the dark," Nephtali confided, his gaze unblinking. "They said the Grandminister has returned but is disguising himself in another body. Could these Chains be nothing more than a diversion? And in truth, she is watching us, waiting for the moment to destroy the Guardians? The creature also said the price for all of this would be paid in blood."
Herus shot to his feet, cold sweat breaking out on his brow. He drew a dagger and instantly pointed it at Nephtali, who simply smiled.
"Superior Herus, I am only telling you what I heard. Why are you frightened? The wicked Grandminister hasn't truly returned, has she?"
The air in the Hall grew cold and the wind howled, rattling the windows. Everyone looked around in confusion. Natalie watched, utterly baffled by Nephtali's dangerous game.
"Do not deceive me, Sariel!" Herus screamed, his composure shattered. "We know you have returned in Superior Nephtali's body!"
Red, Caius, and Herus's own men gasped in shock.
"Do you think Remiel and I don't know you?" Herus raged. "We know your essence! You disguised yourself, but you couldn't hide your compulsive need to discipline every Guardian under your command. That is how we began to suspect you!"
Nephtali stood, towering over the trembling Herus.
"Yes," Nephtali said, his voice ringing with power and finality. "I am Sariel. I am the wicked Grandminister you burned alive three hundred years ago!"
Natalie was aghast. She lunged forward, but with a barely visible twitch of Nephtali's finger, she was frozen, unable to move or speak.
"Even in a second body, do you think we will allow you to live?!" Herus screamed. "I will kill you here and now!"
Herus attacked, unleashing a torrent of energy, but Nephtali merely sidestepped every strike, effortlessly dodging. The battle spilled outside, drawing the gaze of every Guardian in the Division.
Red and Caius rushed to the paralyzed Natalie. Tears streamed down her face—the first true emotional breakdown she'd had in years. Nephtali saw her tears. He ended the fight immediately, slamming Herus to the ground and pressing the man's own dagger to his throat.
"Now, I will be the one to burn you alive."
"Guardians!" Herus shrieked, desperate. "Kill the Grandminister! Superior Nephtali is the Grandminister returned! Burn him!"
Flames erupted around them, fueled by raw power, keeping everyone back. Nephtali summoned even fiercer flames around the dagger, burning Herus's weapon to slag. He dragged the terrified man close to the fire and whispered something only Herus could hear.
"I lied to you. I am Raziel, Sariel's brother. And she is Sariel, standing right there, watching you burn."
Herus's eyes found Natalie, fixed on them from a distance. The realization, the shame, shattered him. He wept, remorseful for his past actions. He grasped Nephtali's hands and looked toward the distant woman.
"Forgive me, Sariel."
Herus stepped into the fire, consumed by his own willing immolation. Natalie felt the agonizing weight of his genuine repentance. Nephtali extinguished the surrounding flames instantly.
"Superior Nephtali is the Grandminister?" Vivian whispered, aghast.
"Impossible! He will destroy us all! Capture the Grandminister!" Lauren screamed.
Suddenly, a massive contingent of Ministers, bound in allegiance to the Grandminister, materialized, surrounding the panicking Guardians.
"Any who harm the Grandminister will be punished with death!" one Minister, Drake, announced, his voice booming. "You burned him alive once! We will not allow you to do so again!"
"Ministers, do not hurt them," Nephtali commanded, his voice ringing with authority. "They are not the ones to be punished. They are not involved in this. Any who wish to leave this Division may do so now. We do not need warriors who lack true conviction."
Nephtali immediately walked to Natalie and led her toward the Master's Hall. Once inside, Natalie snatched her hand away from his. Nephtali cast a silencing Oration around them.
"Brother! What possessed you to do that?!" she cried, her voice raw. "Why did you say you were the Grandminister? Everyone will despise you! They will fight you and destroy you until you are defeated!"
"Because I regret not being with you when you returned!" he shouted, his pain overwhelming his composure. "I should have been at your side, but I refused! I saw how they burned you and laughed! Do you know how much that hurt me? I don't care if they hate me! All that matters is your protection. I will never forgive myself if anything happens to you again, Sariel."
Natalie collapsed into his arms, weeping uncontrollably.
"Don't cry," Nephtali whispered, holding her tightly. "They cannot defeat me. No one must know your true identity—not even your closest friends. You must only trust me, Red, and Caius. Do not reveal your true power. Do you understand, Natalie? Forget being Sariel for now. Allow me to carry this burden from this day forward."
Natalie pulled back, wiping her eyes. "Promise me you won't be defeated. Fight, but only for the right reasons."
She grasped the Silver Chains around her neck. The metal shifted, taking on the powerful, regal form of the Chains of Guardians.
"I promise, Sister."