Greyashe chapter 284 is entitled 'Strict rules and regulations. VIII'

Previous chapter 283: Strict rules and regulations. VII

Next chapter 285:  Strict rules and regulations. IX

Summaries page.

-Short summary-

Revelations occur simultaneously as Delaney reveals the truth behind Acheron's power and the magicians learn the truth of the 'recall' spurred by Butcher.

-Long summary-

Delaney dusts himself off and glances up at the magicians who relish him with their complete attention.  As a person who relishes attention despite it being negative or positive, Delaney allows himself a moment to bask in the glory before glancing over at Hydon; who looks as if he could leap upon Delaney and rip him into shreds at any moment, and continuing his story.

He asks the magicians to ask themselves a question. Had they really ever seen the kaiser mage perform any works of magic at all? Or was it that his reputation has---or had a way of preceding him? For the most part, people often scare themselves by over thinking a situation more than reality actually requires.  Delaney is fairly sure that no one gathered here has actually seen Acheron do anything magical. 

Murmurs through the crowd confirm Delaney's statement and he smirks at Hydon before continuing. Hydon thinks about frying him again, but notices Willard's watchful eye on him. It's not that he couldn't take on the lightning user, much to the contrary since he can tell with just a glance that Willard while not panicking is wary of him knowing full well that a mano a mano fight against them even done a hundred times over a hundred lives would end with Hydon winning a hundred percent. No the reason for Hydon not taking on Willard is actually twofold.

One, no matter how much Hydon could care less what the other magicians think of him it would leave a negative impression for him to kill someone here in the halls of Dover Tower. It would be very inconvenient to try and conduct an election over a corpse. The second reason is really what unnerves Hydon: When he had used his magic on Delaney just now something strange had happened. No, no it wasn't that it didn't affect Delaney at all since for the most part he had expected that. Truth be told, him frying Acheron's middle son had been more reflex than an action that he had taken after much thought. He knows Delaney's 'condition', and how magic will not affect him. It would be more precise to say something strange had happened to him more so than something strange happening to Delaney. For a split second, right after he had released his magic and right before Delaney went boom, a sensation had come over him. The sensation of 'joy' and the thrill of carnage. Langston Hydon is a man who despite his fierce temperament is for the most part calm and collected. Evidence could be found right here in his procession of the election despite wanting to hunt down his friend's killer, Aschner. He can prioritize and think rationally even if his outer appearance belies this. Yet, Yet! He felt it as clear as his own thoughts now, the yearn to kill, the yearn to maim...to throw everything away just to indulge pure madness. As difficult as it would be to believe that all of these sensations and thoughts could happen in a brief moment between release and contact, they had. It had all happened. This is really what frightens Hydon most, that even he could be losing himself to some alien emotion. Even Delaney prattling on about a truth that he has no business talking about doesn't bother him as much as losing control.

Delaney hastens to continue his explanation until footsteps of a group heading down into the hall stop him. With a smirk he stops his explanation and reasons with the group that it would be 'rude' to continue with more people joining in. He would like to explain this to as many people as possible. Upon entering the hall, the group is revealed to be Kani, Guy, Reid, Candle, Anu and Anna Rose. Kani glances around upon entry and quickly ascertains the situation. Guy does as well and quickly notices Libby. He starts towards her, but then glances back and notes Anna Rose pouting. Torn between two sources of lust, the fighter stands between them and sulks. Reid and Kani trade a face and walk towards Hydon and Delaney. Delaney notices even under her bandages and clothing that Kani and he have the same 'condition', but aside from that he feels a tug at another unnamed emotion. Aicha who's watching the group from above also notes Kani and allows relief to wash over her. Seeing one other person with her 'condition' is one thing, but to meet two? Maybe she isn't some freak of nature after all, maybe there is a place she belongs. Larter on the other hand stands up quickly and pierces Anna Rose with a sharp look, which...she doesn't notice or does a very good job of ignoring which only angers Larter all the more. Instead Anna Rose walks over to Libby and with a smile takes her hand and shakes it, asking if she's doing well. Libby grins and affirms this, while asking Anna if she's found her boy. Anna Rose returns her grin and replies she's still in the middle of her own work, but he's still on her radar. Meanwhile, Anu glances up and notices Aimend and Aine, the former shouts excitably upon seeing her 'sister'. Aine despite herself allows a small smile and a wave to the autumn goddess who nods to them with a grin of her own. The three living goddesses of the seasons had made a reunion, and despite their differences still care for each other greatly. Claire remains resolute, although upon seeing Kani and Guy for the first time in what feels like years and is actually months can feel herself collapsing from the inside.  As much as it would rude of her, she would have to slip out once the election is over, because her poor resolve couldn't take seeing them again right now, not with so much more to do. 

Delaney is taken in by Kani who doesn't notice him until Aithne clears her throat and glares at her half brother. He nods and with a smile clears his throat asking for attention. He notes that this new group seems to have ties to people in the audience, but he has a truth to reveal, so if they could take a seat? Kani glances at him and realizes their similarities, but before she can venture further a magician stands up and asks them to take a seat, his obvious enthusiasm of finding out the truth of Acheron impossible to hide. The group does as they are told, (though Kani has to drag Guy along since his inner turmoil makes it difficult for him to move.) and takes a seat in the stands. Claire blesses her angel remnence that they take a seat on the opposite end of the stands, and not near her. She resolves herself to get out of here before they notice her, and glances at Dio who silently regards Candle who still hasn't said a word.

The truth is, Acheron's power is no more than a misnomer, a rumor that has spread out of control. He asks the crowd to look at him and note his appearance. Hell, note what had happened to him when Hydon had tried to blasted him earlier. Nothing right? Nothing had happened to him. Sure, he can't use magic at all but to be granted what would seem like 'imperviousness' against most magicians agape levels no matter how impossibly high they may be. That is Acheron's strength. He couldn't use magic at all, due to probably having a near death experience sometime before. He and his father (much to his distaste) have this in common. Just that in his case, his father had left him to die to become something of a freak. All for an experimentation in magic, or maybe it's just his father was the selfish sort who couldn't do the time on his own. Either way, the truth of the matter is that Acheron can't couldn't and would never use magic.

The magicians explode into gasps of shock, all of which comes to a halt when Willard strikes the ground and a lighting pulse shakes the room. Delaney glares at them and says very slowly that he is not done talking. The hall is once again silent, and Delaney paces the podium space while continuing. Now, that's not to say that Acheron is completely inept of ability, since he was considered the  most powerful magician in the world.  There is some kind of secret, something that allows him to transcend his 'condition' even if it's only for a few fleeting moments, to buck the laws of agape and magic as they know it. He knows that his father has it somewhere, and that he would only give it to someone who he deems worthy to have it. Glancing at Hydon for a moment he succinctly states that such a rule breaking ability would only be rewarded to a kaiser mage who is selected by the people. To what means the secret would be conveyed is secret, and is more likely than not covered by a means that will keep those who are not deemed worthy out of it. Which would mean whomever does not decide to become the kaiser mage would not be privy to the power. By extension this would be the kaiser mage select team, and the 'triad' consisting of he and his two siblings. Even realizing that he can't have this 'power', Delaney states that he will not let his father 'get his way' even after death. He has made it his life's mission to destroy anything his father holds dear, be it this election or the passing of his power.

Hydon snarls that he understands nothing, and Delaney shoots back that this doesn't matter. Any one who could abandon his children, leave one to die, and forsake everyone for his own mad dash for immortality isn't a person who deserves any sort of pardon or pity. He knows now that every magician would want to be a candidate which would lead to a decisive deadlock. They'd never get anywhere, and that suits him just fine. As long as his father's will isn't carried out, whatever the result would be is perfect.  Hydon glances up, and true enough he can almost see the enthusiastic gleam in each of the magician's eyes. At this rate the rules would become a ball and chain to him, keeping him from going to seek revenge on Acheron's killer. His friend's death would never see justice, and worst of all a new kaiser mage wouldn't be selected. Hydon's rage bubbles over and he grabs Delaney by the collar and swears that he will kill him. His agape level begins to rise, and illumated bits of fire dance in the air until a quiet voice in his head says 'I wouldn't advise that if I were you'. Hydon calms down and glances into the crowd, right at Candle, the other magicians quickly following suit. Candle stares down at Hydon, her eyes still empty her voice hollow as if she's speaking from somewhere far away. She claims she's 'figured out' what the recall is.

Kani blinks and turns to her. What did she 'figure out'? Candle walks down to the floor and upon reaching Hydon doesn't look at him, instead choosing the floor. Butcher could have sapped them all of magic, of agape and then killed them without blinking an eye. If that were to his liking that is. Instead, being the sadist he is, he takes great joy in relaxing and taking in a show....a show of watching humans kill each other using the magic they 'think' love them. The recall is probably a ironic name he came up with, because it's more like a 'power up' than a 'power down'. By increasing the amount of agape in magician's bodies it slowly leaks out of them, which is why Anna Rose and Kani had sensed it. Normally a magician would be able to conceal his agape without a second thought right? Well in this case, Butcher's tampering with their agape levels and magic is for one explicit purpose.

Eventually this 'leaking' agape would lead to madness. Every time someone uses their ability no matter how small it might be, they would strip themselves just a little more, allowing this 'madness' to take over just a bit more. Eventually the agape would overwhelm the person, and they'd be little more than a lean mean killing machine. Yet here they all are a bunch of magicians sitting with each other. If one goes mad, just one....it would turn into a blood bath that would engulf Aerhaart and eventually the world. Butcher would cackle in glee as his puppets would dance and slaughter until there isn't a single one of them left.

Upon hearing Candle's words, the hall bursts into chaos. Even Hydon's yells for order are meaningless. Candle continues staring at the ground as a single tear drops and she curses Butcher. For all purposes, he had won and there isn't a single thing she or anyone else can do to stop him.