Greyashe chapter 285 is entitled 'Strict rules and regulations XI'

Previous chapter 284: Strict rules and regulations. VIII

Next chapter 286: Strict rules and regulations. X

Summaries page.

-Short summary-

As communication and minds break down from Candle's revelation, a familiar face takes advantage of the chaos to....?

-Long summary-

Perhaps if they weren't already stressed with the election of a new kaiser mage they may have reacted differently. Perhaps if Delaney hadn't dropped the revelation about the previous kaiser mage Acheron on their heads, they may have reacted differently, maybe it's just that so many high profile, no, so many legends had shown up in one room that has everyone on edge. Whatever the reason may be, the result is the same. The group is ill prepared to deal with chaos on this magnitude, especially knowing now that eventually they would be puppets for a grander power whether they like it or not.

Hydon had felt it when he attacked Delaney in a vain attempt to keep his mouth shut. A complete 'joy' and 'lust' for carnage. It was a sensation that he hadn't felt befor--no, maybe he had, maybe not. Had he ever felt it so vividly? Had it felt like the caress of a loved one after a long and hard day? Or a relaxing swim on a day where the heat index had reached it's max? No, never. Not once, not before, not ever. Even though he calls for order in the hall, his heart is not in it; he knows full well that Candle's words are the truth, and this reaction from the crowd is not only warranted, but deep down he too is in the same state of mind. Forget choosing a new kaiser mage, they are now in a battle for survival against the greatest foe of all...themselves.

Candle is still staring at the ground, her focus somewhere alien and far away from this plane of chaos created by her words. A tug on her shoulder brings her back to earth, where Kani is shaking her and asking if what she says is the truth. Candle glances in her direction and with a weak smile nods. Reid is there too, and asks how she could possibly know this...? Their group wouldn't be affected of course since they have somehow managed to shamble together a group that doesn't actually use magic. Candle's eyes widen and she stares at the two, the vast emptiness known as her eyes managing to unnerve the two. The hisses that it should be obvious by now; they were only able to find this place because of the agape leak, and why else would Butcher initiate the recall to power up his enemies? Anna Rose had said it hadn't she? Only Kani could actually survive being hit by a magic attack, but that doesn't save her from being killed by a blade or gun. The only thing left to them is despair, or whatever else Butcher has in plan for them, that is if they don't die here.

She's barely able to realize it until the pain on her cheek registers. Reid slapped her. Kani glances at him in surprise, as the swords man lowers his hand and places it on his blade. Kani asks slowly what he plans on doing, and without a sound he draws his blade and glares at the sentinent, all pity gone from his eyes, his stance.

In the stands Aimend and Aine can scarcely believe the revelation themselves. They too have high amounts of agape, so does this mean their decent into madness will be on an accelerated track? Aine turns to Dio and asks him straight out if Candle is right, and if so what does this mean? Dio shakes his head at first, but admits that Candle is absolutely right. He knows Butcher as well, and this does sound like the sort of plan he'd cook up just to screw with them. He and Claire are fine since they don't use agape, but the two goddesses are not. Even if they resolve to never use magic again, they would eventually succumb to the madness and be unable to stop themselves from enjoying carnage and murder.  The only solution would be to find a way to reverse the 'recall', before it's effects become too pronounced; that is if the recall is something that can even be reversed. Aine clenches her fist and demands Dio start talking about everything. She's not going for this 'when the time is right' crap. If they're going to go insane, she'd at least like to know why she and the other three girls were stuck with such high agape levels in the first place. Dio turns to her sharply, the glare in his eyes akin to one looking upon an insect. Aine glares back and the two stare into each others eyes for what seems to be an eternity. Aimend is too shocked to move and with a voice deluged in sadness asks Claire if this is the end of the line...

Aithne and Willard stride to their brother, still surprisingly unaffected by even this announcement. Delaney is on his behind after being dropped by Hydon who went to quell the masses. He stands up and breathes a sigh, then asks his siblings if they're okay. Aithne shrugs a shoulder and replies that she's fine. Willard nods curtly, and Delaney nods in comprehension. He's not bothered by the 'recall' but as his siblings do use agape and by further extension magic, they would be susceptible to the 'recall' and it's effects. Aithne makes a thoughtful face, and says she would like to see what 'madness' would be, since she's had enough 'solitude' to last a lifetime. As the daughter of the kaiser mage, one would think she would have lived a life of relative ease, but that is much to the contrary. Her birthright had only caused those who don't support Acheron to shun her, and those who do to only see her lineage and not her identity. If madness is what will give her back her 'self' then perhaps it's for the best.

Willard simply puts a hand on each of his sibling's shoulders. Delaney looks up at him, and for this one time when he smiles it's not out of sarcasm or spite but out of a sense of true comradre with his siblings. In a soft voice he promises them both that he will find a way to save them, no matter what it takes.

The magicians clamor towards the door, hoping to force it open, but Hydon stops them revealing the door can be opened from the outside, but not from the inside until a kaiser mage is chosen. The group turns to the kaiser mage's right hand man with murder in their eyes. Hydon glares back at them and reminds them of the rules; the reason they came here. If they want to leave, they have to nominate one person and that person has to win the vote. A simple matter, no?

The magicians immediately berate him, asking how they could possibly vote for one another now?! Each person here has the capability to become a mass murderer! If one person uses their magic it could cause a domino effect that could bring down nations, countries, and eventually the planet! Any one could be sworn in, but how long until they're a lunatic using their heads to decorate the yards of 'Dover tower'?! Hydon retorts that he doesn't know either, but the rules stipulated that the door remain locked from the inside until someone is chosen.  A few magicians circle him and with a war cry lunge at Hydon, his words not enough to convince them of his helplessness in the matter.

Upon hearing this Alekto curses his luck. He would have thought that now at least he'd be able to get out of here, but with the door locked until a new mage is selected, his only avenue of hope has closed up. Aicha hops up and runs down to the melee, saying that she can't watch this any more. The beast tamer raises an eyebrow and comments on the stupidity of youth, and then turns his head over to Larter whom hasn't moved from his seat. Despite himself, Alekto jabs at the magic collector and asks if he's scared, to which he calls Alekto an idiot and reminds him that he's on the collection side of magic rather than the 'using' side.  As such his base agape is on the low side, so even if he were going insane it would take him a bit longer than the average magician. Though he doesn't tell the beast master that he is only sort of sure that this is how it works, and that he is a little bit wary about current events. He glances over the magician who had come between he and Alekto earlier and notices he too is calm and collected, which leads the collector to wonder what his secret is...?

Libby heaves a sigh of temporal relief, DA doesn't use agape. She at least is safe from the madness side effect of the 'recall', but she quickly realizes if a magician does go crazy here she's in no condition to defend herself with the magic considering her nerves are shot. So even if she won't go mad herself, she's surrounded by the eb and flow of unbridled emotion. Keeping alert, Libby remembers Anna Rose and glances into the stands to see Guy sitting beside her and Anu, arms crossed with a stern expression. She's filled with respect for the lustful idiot now, since she knows he'd much rather be on the floor fighting or with her flirting. Since Anna Rose is safe, she can focus on her job as a kaiser mage select and put an end to this conflict before it rages out of control.

Within the center of the din, the eye of the storm an enigmatic fairy tip toes through what seems to be the air. How had she gotten in? When had she gotten in? No one now or later would really know for sure. Why had she not announced her entry into the hall below 'Dover tower'? She could have. She could have dispelled this whole matter with an announcement of who she is, and what she can do. Though that is the mark of an amateur, a woman who is so unsure of her self that she has to be introduced before speaking. She is not that sort of person. Stepping into this den of lions with nary a peep is evidence enough of this, evidence of a person who is assured of her victory to a point that she need say or do nothing but grace her audience with her presence. The show had already ended as she is the headliner, even if no one had heard of her quite yet.

Upon reaching the podiums, Azha Falk watches the melee unfold with an enigmatic expression; her farseeing eyes already gathering information. She flicks her cherry blossom colored hair and raises her arm in the air, snapping her fingers once, killing the mood before it could even reach maturity.