Cassandra was already overwhelmed by all of the information they had learned, but there was still more to come. Some sort of banishment artifact existed, and they still hadn’t discussed what to do about Osmond.

  “Now that you have told me everything I asked, I have a confession to make,” Reginald admitted, “I no longer possess the artifact. Osmond felt himself slipping and we moved it to Beraud for safekeeping.”

  “Beraud?” Alois questioned, “but until recently it was an unfriendly nation. Why would you keep it there?”

  “That is exactly why. So no one, even us, could easily retrieve it,” Reginald explained, “I suggest we leave it there for now. The artifact is useless until it chooses an owner.”

  Alvis narrowed his eyes, then suddenly smiled. “So I must investigate this artifact from my position in Beraud and leave it in its place. That won’t be a problem,” Alvis assured, “King Ryne is no fool. He likely sensed your intentions and has stored it in a clever place.”

  “The artifact was rather testy while I was helping with it too,” Caleb confirmed, “If we are leaving that where it is, what are we going to do when the head… Osmond returns?”

  “How will we be able to do anything if we don’t know what he will do?” Cassandra asked, “Can we even be sure that he won’t still be possessed.”

  “You can, I guarantee it,” Alvis promised, “but that doesn’t mean he can never be possessed again. We should remain cautious of that possibility.”

  Reginald sighed. “In that case, I have a hunch where Osmond will go once he returns from the place between. I will help you find him if you promise you will at least consider reversing the curse and saving his life.”

  “I will consider it,” Alvis agreed, “However, there are many cases where it is better to die. If I deem it to be such a case, I will not help him.”

  “If you do make that decision, will you at least be willing to compromise?” Reginald bargained.

  “I am a reasonable man,” Alvis told him, “I am always willing to compromise if the situation demands it.”

  “What should we do?” Cassandra asked.

  “Go back to school,” Alvis ordered, “The year is almost over, and your classmates do not need to stress about the loss of headmaster or missing friends. Despite the situation and your role in the future, right now you are students and that should be your main priority.”

  “How can we just go back to school after this?” Autumn asked, his voice still trembling from the stress of it all.

  Reginald stepped in. “Alvis is right. We will take care of this. You have already done your part.”

  ==========

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  The experience of possession, or rather, being possessed was horrifying. It was hard to say if this was standard, but Osmond was aware of every action that fiend made in his body. He felt the murderous intent as it approached the worst possible trio. Alois, his apprentice, Cassandra, the favored of the immortal founder, and Michelle, his summon. If any one of them were hurt, he would no longer be able to face the future.

  An attack, a rush of magic, and a sudden nothingness. What had happened? The nightmare had gone after Michelle but he wasn’t sure what had happened after that. Had Alois done it? Was he dead? No, that didn’t seem right either. Osmond regained full consciousness back at the Hall of Headmasters, the very place he had been when the nightmare possessed him.

  It was exactly as it had been when he left, but something felt off. It took him a moment to notice, then he realized what was missing. His magic was completely gone, and with it his connection with that nightmare’s curse. That must mean one thing. The Blood Cry had activated and saved Michelle’s life, just as he had hoped. His plan had worked.

  It was a plan Osmond had devised from the moment he inherited the curse. The nightmare had made no secret that it revelled in his mental torment and would not hesitate to hurt those he cared about to get to him. Osmond had a secret no one could know about and that secret would make his torment even more delicious to the nightmare.

  He had fallen in love with his summon.

  It was an emotion he could never express or even admit. She belonged in another world and he would never be able to ask her to abandon it for him. However, that was even more reason he had to protect her from his curse. From that day on, Osmond searched for a solution, a way she could be safe. Then he found it. The Pavilion of Eternal Dusk, the artifact of the Headmaster, had its own curse that would activate if blood was drawn.

  Blood drawn, not death. That meant if anyone got hurt at all, he would be expelled from that space. He turned that place into his constant home, knowing each moment he spent there would mean his death if his precaution became reality. However, he didn’t care. If he needed to die so that Michelle could be safe, he would.

  But was she safe? If anyone knew the answer, it would be Reginald. Osmond hastened to the castle, but it was incredibly difficult to travel the distance without magic. He could never access the Pavilion again, and even the other means of common magical travel were beyond him. He could not even send a message.

  “Reginald!” he called once he finally reached his destination, “Are you in?”

  “I’m here,” Reginald responded, and stepped out to greet him, “Where have you been? It’s been four days since you vanished.”

  “It has?” Osmond asked, “So I’ve already lost time. I need to need to know something before anything else. Is she safe? Is Michelle safe?”

  Reginald looked him over before responding. “As far as I know, she is,” he told him, “but if you want the full story you will have to speak with him.”

  Osmond jerked back as he saw another face that filled him with fear. Alvis, the man who caused all of his pain, albeit indirectly. Answers came before petty feelings. “Did he hurt her?” he demanded.

  “She is perfectly safe,” Alvis promised, “but I am afraid you won’t be. You knew what you were getting into from the beginning. You will never be able to see her again.”

  “As long as she is safe, that is all that matters,” Osmond said, filled with relief. Alvis wouldn’t lie to spare his feelings, “Am I to die now?”

  “You will die,” Alvis confirmed, “Normally it would be a painful death, but I will grant you some pity at least. I can allow you to end your days in comfort with your memories of what you value most intact.In return, you will lose everything else. As far as Tethia will be concerned, you are already dead.”

  Already dead? Alvis was more merciful than he could have ever imagined. “Even after all I have done, you will let me die with honor? I am a traitor to the very nation you created.”

  “If consorting with enemy nations makes you a traitor, I have betrayed Tethia many times over,” Alvis dismissed, “Now come with me, Osmond. It is time for you to rest.”