《The 20th Archon》


 Chapter 1

    Blades hit, slid then retreated. Another block, another parry, another near-miss. The two wooden swords hit each other once more with a resounding thud, they strained and threatened to snap from the force. They pulled back once more and held for a second then swung.


    Arnimos''s sword splintered, small fragments scattered over the training yard, and his teacher''s wooden blade hit him straight in the chest. It stung, and his teacher never did hold back. His swordsmanship teacher, a Luxicon by the name of Shil-Kas, stepped forward and raised the blade to bring it down in one strike upon his head. Arnimos raised his arm to block it and closed his eyes.


    He waited for a few seconds before opening one and seeing Shil-Kas with the blade still raised looking at him. Shil-Kas dropped the wooden sword.


    "Your instincts will not save you in a fight," Shil-Kas said. "At this rate, I will be old and grey by the time you have mastered the sword,"


    "I''m sorry sir," Arnimos said. "I was just... Scared of getting hit,"


    Shil-Kas put a hand on Arnimos''s shoulder.


    "Fear is a fine thing to have," Shil-Kas said. "Do not let it rule you however or you will not be able to control it,"


    Shil-Kas dug a finger into Arnimos''s chest, and for a moment he felt those things inside him stir. His Dichotomies, those horrible things latched onto his soul. All people had them, at least all who were not Shalbross, he was different. Many had only one, such as Shil-Kas who possesses only the one of a Luxicon, some had two, such as his Dichotomy trainer Tages, but unlike many others in the world, he had all 4 types. He specifically was an Archon, the rarest of all the races.


    Shil-Kas stepped back and picked up his dropped sword and the shattered remnants of Arnimos''s.


    "You are proving to grow stronger, however," Shil-Kas said. "With this growth, it means your Dichotomies are likely to imprint soon,"


    Shil-Kas went and tossed the broken and heavily damaged wooden swords. They could always just craft new ones after all.


    "Now that is all I have for you today," Shil-Kas said. "Be here at sunrise tomorrow until then you are dismissed to your lessons with Tages,"


    "Understood sir," Arnimos said.


    He gave a quick bow then rushed off, once his training with Tages was done he''d be free the rest of the day.


    He made his way through the palace. It was modest, at least compared to some of their neighbors and the Reborn Lords, large enough to show the city''s wealth and power but not so ostentatious to be an eyesore. He was the child of the lords of this city, one of the many small city-states just beyond Elysium, and his birth had changed it. He could see the city below bustling with people, it wasn''t always like this however.


    He had been told that before his birth they were just another minor player in the area but with his birth, the birth of the 20th Archon, they had received much attention. Many other lords wished to seize him when he was young but reportedly one of the Personifications, Demigods, had stopped them. Now the city was a bustling hub on the edge of Elysium, few dared challenge their city now especially as Arnimos grew. Once his Dichotomies Imprinted there would be few in this area that could challenge them.


    But such thoughts of conquest weren''t suited for him, he liked sparring and learning sure but war always seemed quite dreadful to him. He didn''t like violence, in some ways he feared it.


    He arrived at another training yard, it had a few dummies set up to act as targets and his teacher stood in the center with someone else in a cloak standing right next to him. His teacher wore grey robes with a thing tassel of purple dangling from his waist, his skin was petrified and cracked around his grey eyes to reveal dark almost earthen skin beneath. His teacher was an Oracle, another of the races. The other men wore a cloak that seemed to twist the air around them, obscuring attempts to make out any detail.


    Arnimos stopped a few steps from Tages and the other and bowed.


    "I have arrived," Arnimos said.


    "Yes, a tad late, however," Tages said. "But it can be forgiven,"


    "Might I ask who the other man here is?" Arnimos said.


    "Someone who shall help us in the lesson today," Tages said.


    "What is today''s lesson?" Arnimos said. "You were quite vague last time..."


    "We shall awaken your Dichotomies," Tages said. "Forcibly,"


    "Huh-" Arnimos said.


    He had barely the time to question before the figure removed the cloak and all he was trembled. His mind screeched, his soul winced and his Dichotomies flared, fear pervaded every piece of his being. His body was frozen and his Dichotomies began to produce energy, they fed on fear and now they had it in droves with such a thing standing before him. A being none could match, something beyond the power of any man. A Fear given form. A Fear granted power. A Fear Personified.


    The Personification held a timeless yet ancient appearance like it experienced all of time at every single moment. His mind knew not what this represented but his soul did, before him stood the Personification of Time.


    He fell to his knees in awe staring at the Personification, his eyes shot over to Tages who stood unfazed by what was happening. The Personification stared at him and it felt like his Dichotomies would tear his mind apart, they intensified his fear so greatly to feed upon that he felt he might go mad. Then with the suddenness that it came, it vanished, his fear washing away like words written upon sand.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    He stared still stunned for a few seconds before the Personification shifted slightly, he feared it might strike but then it offered a hand. It spoke with a voice as old as Shale itself.


    "R I S E" It said.


    Arnimos took its hand and pulled himself up. He dusted off his pants and looked at the Personification then to Tages.


    "What is-" Arnimos said.


    "Your Dichotomies wouldn''t Imprint," Tages said. "Despite everything, yours would not find something fearful enough to choose,"


    Tages then motioned to the Personification who seemed less and less terrifying by the second.


    "So I called upon an old friend," Tages said. "With his help, we will force your Dichotomies into Imprinting,"


    "How will that work?" Arnimos said.


    Tages nodded at the Personification who stepped forward and with a speed none could match placed a hand on his head. His Dichotomies came alight threatening to tear his mind asunder but then they were cowed.


    "I  A M  J I L K" It said. "P E R S O N I F I C A T I O N  O F  T I M E"


    His Dichotomies then flared to life once more this time not like wild animals but more controlled, he felt them changing and shifting as unimaginable power flowed through him.


    "T O  Y O U  A R C H O N  I  A M  C O M M A N D E D  T O  G I V E  G I F T" It spoke. "T I M E  H A S  B E E N  W A S T E D  W A I T I N G  F O R  Y O U  T O  A W A K E"


    His Dichotomies bent and screeched in ways that he thought nothing ever could, they were being beat into shape. Normally during a fearful event, they would Imprint upon that fear naturally and develop powers but his had stubbornly refused to do so, and now they were being forced.


    "I  A M  N O T  M Y  B R O T H E R" It said. "I  C A N N O T  S E E  T H E  F U T U R E  T O  G I V E  W H A T  Y O U  N E E D  I N S T E A D  I  G I V E  Y O U  W H A T  Y O U  F E A R E D  N O T  L O N G  A G O"


    His mind strained at the pressure and he felt his soul bending as his Dichotomies continued to screech, it felt like he was being torn apart.


    "V I O L E N C E  Y O U  F E A R" It said. "I F  T H E Y  W I L L  N O T  C H O O S E  I T  T H E M S E L V E S  T H E N  I  S H A L L  S H O W  T H E M  W H Y"


    He felt power surging once more as something began to flow into his mind, memories.


    "W I T N E S S  M Y  K I N  Y U L S I" It said. "P E R S O N I F I C A T I O N  O F  V I O L E N C E"


    His mind flashed with images of war. Men and Shalbross butchered each other, Dichotomies and Fear-Made artifacts laid waste to towns and armies alike. Innocents died for the mistake of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Cities burned at the hands of tyrants and liberators. Yet there despite the ages that passed in these flashes he always saw the same figure, one without a true form. He looked like any other soldier yet there was undeniable hatred in him... No, it wasn''t hatred, not as he understood it at least. That figure held no malice, it held no justification for what was happening. Why would it?


    It was not a man who could claim innocence or ignorance, it was not some weapon or creature unleashed without the ability to think for itself. It was not a Shalbross fighting to reclaim its home from invaders, it was not a Reborn placed somewhere it didn''t know trying to carve a safe haven for itself. It was nothing that could ever have a true reason.


    It was Violence and it scared him, yet not enough.


    Suddenly he found himself lying on the cold stone floor of the training yard, bits of ash lightly drifted down onto him that were kicked up when he fell. He stared around dazed, his mind was still reeling. He looked up at the sky feeling different, his Dichotomies felt awake.


    Arnimos looked around and saw the Personification, Jilk, standing silently next to Tages. Tages stared stunned at Arnimos.


    "Impossible," Tages said. "Your Dichotomies, they didn''t Imprint..."


    Arnimos rose from the ground, enraged.


    "What the hell was that?!?" Arnimos said. "What did I just see!?!"


    Jilk stepped forward and spoke with a voice much softer than previously.


    "I SHOWED YOU MY KINDRED YULSI PERSONIFICATION OF VIOLENCE" Jilk said. "TO FORCE YOUR DICHOTOMIES TO AWAKEN"


    "And why the hell would you do that!?!" Arnimos said.


    "Because we-" Tages said.


    "You know what actually," Arnimos said. "Screw this! I am not dealing with you today!"


    Before Tages could get another word in Arnimos stormed off. Tages considered following but stayed put and looked over to Jilk.


    "There is something wrong here," Tages said. "His Dichotomies should have Imprinted,"


    "PERHAPS THINGS ARE NOT AS SIMPLE AS THEY SEEM" Jilk said. "HIS MIND IS STRONG PERHAPS THAT ALLOWS HIM TO PERSIST WITHOUT IMPRINTING"


    "Still, they woke up," Tages said. "Even i do not know what a true Pure Dichotomy untainted by fear will do,"


    "SHALL WE TRY AGAIN" Jilk said.


    Tages stood considering it for a moment before driving off the thought.


    "If visions from you couldn''t do it then we''d need something much worse," Tages said. "It is likely only things that could do it would be truly great danger or your brother the Personification of Fear-"


    Tages felt the surge of energy as Jilk slightly exerted himself at the mention.


    "SPEAK NOT OF MY BROTHER TAGES" Jilk said. "HE IS DEAD TO US H E  S H A L L  N O T  B E  M E N T I O N E D"


    Tages winced and stepped back.


    "I understand lord Personification," Tages said. "Just bringing up things,"


    The power flowed back into Jilk.


    "GOOD" Jilk said. "NOW I MUST DEPART IF YOU REQUIRE ME YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME"


    In the blink of an eye he was gone, with no strong Dichotomies around he could do whatever he pleased. Tages stood for a second and wondered if it was right to force his Dichotomies to awaken like that and what it meant them not to Imprint.


    He drove doubt from his mind, he hadn''t the room for it with all that needed to be done. Tages turned and returned to his room, he''d give Arnimos a few days to rest then the training would begin in earnest.

 Chapter 2

    Tages silently walked through the halls of the palace heading for the throne room. He passed by a group of guards that frantically rushed past him, they were on edge. It was likely those with usable Dichotomies in the city felt it when Jilk revealed himself. No one liked getting visited by a Personification, especially when they didn''t know it was coming.


    He glanced out the window to the city below, it held a strange fusion of the designs of the Reborn cities further into Elysium and a more traditional style from the cities in the Barrens. A result of their place at the edge of Elysium. He watched as bits of ash kicked up by storms in the barrens drifted down outside, it was likely inert by the time it reached the city but some of it may be usable. He looked towards the dock where scant few ships were docked, traders from other cities unloading goods.


    He turned his attention back to his task as he arrived at the door to the throne room, two guards were standing in front of it. As he approached they tensed up and held their breath, a result of the 10 Fearstone rings he wore. They made many others feel nauseous and sick, they would to him too if they didn''t help suppress his warring twin Dichotomies. He walked past the two guards without saying a word and entered the throne room.


    It was a large room made of white marble reminiscent of the palaces of the great Reborn Lords, a red carpet ran from the main doors up to the throne where Lord Tikow sat. The throne itself was made of marble and designed to look like two great antlers attached at the base. Tikow sat in bright green clothes and wore a small crow atop his head, his body was strange to normal people though. As an Overlord, possessing Tyross and Arbeross Dichotomies,  he held physical features reminiscent of his fear. He had 8 eyes laid out in 2 strange diamond shapes and from his back extended 8 great arachnid legs.


    Tages approached till he was a dozen or so steps from the throne then bowed to Tikow.


    "Rise old friend," Tikow said. "You have no need to bow to me,"


    "I felt it only fair to give my respect," Tages said. "For the man who is paying me,"


    "Do not worry about such things," Tikow said. "What news do you bring?"


    "Your son''s Dichotomy has awakened," Tages said.


    "Ah good," Tikow said. "What is it if i may ask? Anything good?"


    "Yes quite good," Tages said, he couldn''t tell Tikow the truth just yet. "I believe it will be useful,"


    "And where is he?" Tikow said. "I thought he''d come with you for this,"


    "He had other business to attend to," Tages said. "Do not worry, he is safe,"


    "Why do you always talk like that?" Tikow said. "Your making me worried,"


    "There is nothing to worry about," Tages said. "You know i would tell you if there was danger,"


    "I know," Tikow said.


    Tikow sighed and looked out the great windows lining the throne room.


    "Do you hear the news of our neighbors?" Tikow said. "They say some of the neighboring city-states have started skirmishing once more,"


    "It is likely the peace forced upon them by the Personifications is ending," Tages said. "It would not have lasted forever,"


    "I hoped it to last longer," Tikow said. "Without it the Empire may get a chance to expand into the region,"


    "It would take many years before they could," Tages said. "They are focused on their proxy war in parts of the Barrens,"


    "I know but I still worry," Tikow said. "About what will happen to this city,"


    "It is unlikely there will be major conflict," Tages said. "The Reborn Lords don''t want more war in Elysium,"


    "Your right Tages," Tikow sighed. "We''ll have many more years of peace to prepare. Is there anything else you needed,"You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "No," Tages said. "That is all i had to report,"


    "Then I release you to go about your business," Tikow said. "Phemonoe wanted to speak to you, Oracle to Oracle business she said,"


    "I shall go see her then," Tages said.


    Tages bowed and left the throne room and headed for Phemonoe''s room. He wondered just what she needed?


    It took him many minutes of walking before he arrived at her room, he knocked then entered a moment later. It was a large bedroom with a massive bed placed in the center of the wall opposite the door. Besides the bed very little decorated the room, one would never guess she was the wife of the lord.


    Tages approached her and sat by a chair at the side of her bed. He looked at her, she looked sickly. Her skin clung to bone and her eyes were sunk in. She hadn''t recovered from having Arnimos and her twin warring Dichotomies had made it impossible for her to properly heal. He stared at her face, her petrified skin and grey eyes held far less life then they once did. Once he was seated she coughed lightly then spoke.


    "Ah, Tages," Phemonoe said. "You came,"


    "You asked for me," Tages said. "Of course I came, what did you need?"


    "Did he... Finally Awaken it?" Phemonoe said.


    "He did," Tages said. "He awoke them,"


    "What are they?" Phemonoe asked.


    Tages held his breath for a moment.


    "They didn''t Imprint," Tages said.


    "What does that mean?" Phemonoe said. "What does the Oracle of Dichotomy know of such things?"


    "I know nothing," Tages said. "I have never seen true Pure Dichotomies,"


    "I thought you knew everything about them," Phemonoe said. "Shows just how special my boy is,"


    "Yes, he is special," Tages said. "But you shouldn''t be worrying about that, you need to heal. We could get you some Fearstone rings-"


    Phemonoe looked at him staring in his grey eyes.


    "No, Tages," Phemonoe said. "It won''t change anything by now, they''ve spent too long tearing each other apart,"


    Tages looked at her, his Oracle''s eyes could see things no one else could. He watched as her Taniberas and Luxicon Dichotomies, Creation and Destruction, tried to annihilate each other.


    "Your son needs you, Tikow needs you," Tages said. "I need you,"


    "You''re all strong enough," Phemonoe said. "Besides I won''t die today, I just know its soon,"


    "I could stop it," Tages said. "I could Destroy one your Dichotomies, free you from it,"


    "No Tages, you can''t free me by Destroying," Phemonoe said. "I wouldn''t be who I was without these Dichotomies,"


    "Why do you want to go, Phemonoe?" Tages said.


    Phemonoe looked back at the ceiling and a small grin grew on her face.


    "The centuries have weighed long on me, Tages," Phemonoe said. "I want here in peace, not in some terrible conflict,"


    "What will you leave behind then?" Tages said. "Can you truly leave us... Me... all alone?"


    "You''re strong Tages," Phemonoe said. "I know you blame yourself for not being able to save them but you did all you could, you were a child born in a camp,"


    Phemonoe reached out a hand and put it on Tages head.


    "You''ll survive Tages, I know you and all the others will," Phemonoe said. "You survived the camp you were born in, you''ll survive this,"


    "And what of Tikow and Arnimos?" Tages said. "What will they do?"


    "I know they will cry when I am gone," Phemonoe said. "But they are strong enough to make it, i know they''ll do great things,"


    "They most certainly will," Tages said.


    Tages looked to the ground as Phemonoe''s hand rested on his head.


    "I brought the Personification to this city," Tages said.


    "I know," Phemonoe said.


    "I forced your son''s Dichotomies to awaken," Tages said.


    "I know," Phemonoe said.


    "Aren''t you going to ask why?" Tages said.


    "If you did it," Phemonoe said. "Then there was good reason,"


    Phemonoe removed her hand from Tages head.


    "Now go out and get them ready for whatever''s coming," Phemonoe said.


    Tages stood from her bedside and approached the door. He pushed it open and was about to step out then looked back at Phemonoe.


    "Writer has his eyes on your son," Tages said. "That is why i did what i did,"


    Phemonoe nodded silently, she knew even before he said anything.


    Tages left the room and headed for his own, he needed some time alone to prepare for what''s to come.

 Chapter 3

    Arnimos walked along the docks staring out at the sea, the waves lightly lapped against the stone. The salt in the air lightly stung at his eyes as he stared out into the deep blue. He glanced down though the waves by the dock, he could see various creatures living in the water. Many were made by the Reborn of the past but he could also see the discarded shell of a Noctilusk, a species of Shalbross, and based on its size, about as large as a ox, it was likely from an adult or elder.


    He continued his walk along the docks staring out into the waves. He tried to focus his mind on something else but he could feel his Dichotomies active now. They sat ready to pounce the moment he showed an ounce of fear, they needed only a moment of weakness before they could feast. He recalled what little he had been taught about Dichotomies and tried to focus on them, trying to push the energy they made from his encounter with the Personification back into them. Nothing happened.


    Suddenly then two people stepped off from a side street and stood in his way. He stared them down, each had olive colored skin and short brown hair with light blue eyes. They looked like twins though with one difference, one of them had their hair standing on end like it was always charged with static while the other seemed to twitch constantly.


    "There you are, you bastard," One of them said. "Thought you could avoid us?"


    "Was hoping to not have to deal with you two jackasses today," Arnimos said. "Unfortunately it appears my luck isn''t that great,"


    "Like hell we was gonna let you slip away," The other said.


    The two approached Arnimos and he stepped forward as well till they were in each other''s faces.


    "Why are you moping around here huh?" One said.


    "Got something on ya mind?" The other said.


    "Yeah you could say that," Arnimos said. "A few things in fact,"


    The two looked at each other.


    "Well then," One said. "Do you need-"


    The first one raised his hand.


    "Someone to talk to?" The other said. "We''re always here for ya, you know that right?"


    Arnimos gave him a friendly handshake.


    "Yeah, I came looking for everyone," Arnimos said. "Where''s Ronja and Filk-Kij?"


    "Ronja''s helping the local Dichotomy expert teach young kids about their Dichotomies," The first one, his friend Hilmas, said.


    "Apparently she has improved her Luxicon abilities greatly recently," The other one, the other brother Milhas, said.


    "I suppose that old man would like a Luxicon of Fear to help," Arnimos said. "What about Filk?"


    "Hear he''s got work as a "firemen"," Hilmas said, laughing to himself.


    "Come on now," Arnimos said. "Just because he''s an Arbeross of Fire doesn''t mean you should make such jokes,"


    "Don''t lie to me now," Hilmas said. "I can see you cracking a smile,"


    "Yeah," Milhas said. "It''s as obvious as an Arackfear in the warrens,"


    "That saying makes no sense," Arnimos said. "Arackfears live in the Warrens,"


    "You don''t always gotta make sense to make a point," Milhas said.


    "And what have you two been up to?" Arnimos said. "I hope no skullduggery,"


    Hilmas shrugged.


    "It''s just what we do," Hilmas said.


    "It''s like asking a Luxicon not to break things," Milhas said. "it just don''t happen,"


    "I hope nothing too bad then," Arnimos said. "So what is it this time, stole some meat from a vendor? Dumped a barrel of swill on a guard? Used your powers as Truths of Lightning to electrocute people?"


    "All that sounds pretty bad," Hilmas said.


    "Yeah, we just graffitied a wall," Milhas said.


    Arnimos sighed.


    "You two never change," Arnimos said.


    "Oh we do," Hilmas said. "Just not in the way you want us to,"


    "What, you want us to become guards or something?" Milhas said.


    "Honestly, two Truths with usable Dichotomies like yourselves could make a living in the guard," Arnimos said. "I could even talk about them letting these stunts slip if you join,"


    "Maybe in a few years," Hilmas said. "Once i got it all out of my system,"


    "I''ll think about it," Milhas said.


    "Now, back to our original point," Hilmas said.


    Hilmas put an arm around Arnimos''s shoulder.


    "What''s happening my man," Hilmas said. "What''s troubling ya?"


    "My Dichotomies Awakened," Arnimos said.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Good for you man," Milhas said.


    "And why''s that got you all down?" Hilmas said. "Did something bad scare you enough for them to Imprint?"


    "They didn''t," Arnimos said.


    "Come again?" Hilmas said.


    "They didn''t Imprint," Arnimos said.


    Hilmas and Milhas looked at each other confused then back at Arnimos then back to each other.


    "What''s that mean then?" Milhas said.


    "Don''t know, Tages seemed pretty confused by it," Arnimos said. "Don''t think that''s a good sign,"


    "Well, i''m certain your teacher will get you up to speed on how to use it," Hilmas said. "Till then, let''s go get the others to get you mind off this,"


    "That''d be fine," Arnimos said.


    With that the three were off. They walked away from the docks and through the winding streets of the city, they passed by old houses and shops and through market squares bustling with activity. All manner of things were bought and sold here, from food and clothes to more exotic and advanced things from some of the Reborn Lords and even a few Fear-Made items. As they passed through the square Arnimos found himself getting a treat for him and his friends, a bit of meat taken from an ox, an animal from the Reborn. They enjoyed their piece of it as they passed through the markets to an old two story home.


    It was old, designed in the traditional ways rather than in the styles of the Reborn, and looked like it was carved out of the ground. It had two stories and a small handful of windows with glass, a rarity, as well as a large walled courtyard, it was the home of Galtz, the local expert on Dichotomy. He would have been Arnimos''s teacher had Tages not been summoned for the job.


    They entered through the door to the courtyard, it was barren stone with a few bones and targets strewn about for training purposes. A handful of children, mainly from one of the 4 Big Races, sat listening and learning about Dichotomy. They appeared to be near the end of the lesson so the three waited until it was over and the children filtered out.


    After a few minutes all that was left was the three men, Galtz and Ronja. Galtz was a short man with a portly frame and friendly eyes yet when you looked at him you felt somewhat unsettled, a result of him being an Arbeross of Fear. Ronja was a tall woman, towering over the short Galtz and being eye level with Arnimos, Hilmas and Milhas, with deep red hair and petrified skin that was smooth to the touch.


    Galtz approached the three with a small smile on his face, he gave a small bow to Arnimos as he did so.


    "And how can I help you three today?" Galtz said. "Come to try out your Dichotomies some more you two?"


    Galtz glanced at Hilmas and Milhas.


    "Just here to pick up Ronja," Hilmas said.


    "But we''ll take you up on your offer later," Milhas said.


    "Feel free to stop by anytime," Galtz said. "Ronja! I''ll finish up here, you can go out with your friends,"


    "Thank you sir Galtz," Ronja said.


    Ronja trotted up to the three and looked them over.


    "So what are we doing today?" Ronja said.


    "Ain''t sure yet, just getting everyone before we decide," Hilmas said.


    "Maybe we''ll trash something," Milhas said. "That should be fun,"


    "As long as it ain''t nothing extreme," Ronja said. "I''m in,"


    "Good, we still have to get Filk though," Hilmas said.


    "He should be at the fire station," Ronja said.


    "Then let''s get going," Hilmas said.


    The now four of them headed off towards the fire station as Galtz waved goodbye.


    They made their way through the streets once more moving until they reached a guard post and the fire station. The fire station had a strange design with a large open area like some form of great beast was meant to be there, it was likely something was supposed to be there but theirs was just a design for one copied from some Reborn. They saw a handful of guys sitting around a table playing cards and waiting, Filk-Kij was there. As they approached it appeared the game of cards came to an end and Filk-Kij rose from the table.


    "I''d love to keep beating you all," Filk-Kij said. "Unfortunately, my shift is already over so i''m going home,"


    Filk-Kij turned and walked out the door and immediately encountered the four. He seemed to jump slightly as he suddenly encountered them.


    "You''re gonna give a man a heart attack sneaking up on him like that," Filk-Kij said.


    Arnimos looked Filk-Kij up and down, he looked different from the last time he saw him. He had the same tanned skin that radiated heat and the flamelike hair though this time it was put up much nicer and he walked with a much more confident air.


    "Sorry about that man," Hilmas said. "Didn''t meant to,"


    "Getting spooked by encountering us?" Ronja said. "If i didn''t know better i''d say you weren''t happy to see us,"


    "Of course I''m happy to see you all," Filk-Kij said. "Especially you Arnimos, been a while since you came down,"


    "Been caught up in studies and all that," Arnimos said. "Takes a lot of time,"


    "What about you?" Milhas said. "Looks like you really turned it around, never expected the firemen to hire a literal Fire Man,"


    Filk-Kij shrugged.


    "They say us Arbeross of Fire have an incredible innate resistance to heat," Filk-Kij said. "They offered the job immediately upon hearing what i was,"


    "Well that''s damn good," Hilmas said. "Now what about the pay? Government pay good?"


    "Good enough," Filk-Kij said. "Especially since I''m still in training. Why? Are you planning on getting a government job?"


    "Maybe, you never know," Hilmas said. "We always got someone who can help us with that,"


    Hilmas lightly nudged Arnimos.


    "Now let''s get back to the hideout to discuss our next scheme," Hilmas said.


    "As long as it ain''t nothing too illegal," Filk-Kij said. "Rather not lose my job,"


    "And I''d rather not bail you out of prison again," Arnimos said. "Just cause i can doesn''t mean i should,"


    "Don''t worry, nothing too crazy this time," Hilmas said. "Now let''s get going,"


    The five then left towards an old abandoned house on the edge of town they had been using as their "hideout" since they were kids. Normally such buildings would be torn down or resold but for some reason, i.e. Arnimos''s dad being the city''s lord, it had never been sold, torn down or messed with.


    The interior was much nicer than the exterior. It had three main rooms on its only floor. The first had a large table with comfortable chairs dominating the space, the second had a store of various things they nicked when they were younger and never returned or as a storage space and the last had a small impromptu stove and a few hammocks hung up from when some of them spent their nights here when they were young.


    As they entered Filk-Kij walked to one of the unlit candles and grabbed the top of the wick. He took a deep breath in then exhaled and the room seemed to grow hotter as the tips of his fingers became fire for a moment. He went around and lit each candle with this low level use of his Arbeross abilities as they all settled in around the table.


    They all began talking amongst each other speaking of everything and nothing but Arnimos sat just at the edge sometimes interjecting though mainly when he was spoken to. There was still a lot on his mind and he just couldn''t drive the memories the Personification had shown him from his mind. He could see the flashes of war and wanton violence and while it scared him it didn''t seem to affect his Dichotomies, they didn''t greedily eat the fear he felt now.


    Arnimos drove these thoughts from his mind and focused on spending time with his friends, he could just have fun now. He didn''t need to worry about all that for a few days at least.

 Chapter 4

    Arnimos breathed in and readied himself. He held the wooden sword out in a defensive stance and watched Shil-Kas as they circled each other, each waiting for the right moment. Shil-Kas took a step forward and his sword flashed out, Arnimos moved to parry but then Shil-Kas feinted him and struck his arm. It made a resounding crack and his arm stung, Arnimos attacked back swinging his sword in an upward arc, Shil-Kas parried the blow and drew his own sword back. He thrust it forward but Arnimos slapped it away with the flat of his sword. Arnimos delivered a quick slash but it was blocked, their swords clashed for a moment before both stepped back and readied themselves for the next bout.


    Arnimos took in a deep breath and focused his mind, driving away the faint stinging on his arm. Arnimos switched his stance to a more offensive one. He stood across from Shil-Kas for a second before stepping forward.


    Two quick slashes each parried, a third was narrowly dodged but threw off Shil-Kas''s footing. A fourth strike, a quick thrust, flashed out but was slapped away, Shil-Kas tried to counter attack and bring his blade up in a threatening arc. Arnimos tried to step back but was too slow, it made a loud thud as it struck his jaw. He stumbled back and became disoriented from the strike. He tried to steady his footing and raise his blade but he saw Shil-Kas step forward. He raised his blade high ready to strike down Arnimos.


    The world seemed to slow down, his breath caught in his throat as his mind focused. He felt his Dichotomies within him, one''s who even after his awakening had been docile, flared to life. They intensified his fear of being hit then ate it. He felt the pain and injuries he had suffered fade away and his body felt lighter. Strength he never had before flowed into him.


    Arnimos brought his blade up with blinding speed and parried Shil-Kas''s blow, the speed and force threw off his footing and left him stunned. Arnimos brought in three quick strikes, the first was narrowly avoided but the second and third hit. The second strike hit Shil-Kas with such force that air was driven from his lungs and the third hit him hard enough to drive him to his knees. Arnimos swung his blade towards Shil-Kas''s neck but stopped it a few inches away, he had won a duel.


    Arnimos dropped the blade as he felt his Dichotomies receding, they had gotten all they could. He offered a hand and Shil-Kas took it as he rose.


    "Good effort," Shil-Kas said. "It appears your Dichotomies are beginning to reinforce your physical abilities,"


    "Yeah, they are," Arnimos said. "It feels weird,"


    "You''ll get used to it," Shil-Kas said. "Now that they are fully Awakened however we''ll start training in how to combine your Dichotomies with swordsmanship, got that?"


    "I understand," Arnimos said.


    "All right," Shil-Kas said. "We won''t have training tomorrow as i prep some better lessons, get going to Tages now,"


    "Thank you," Arnimos said.


    Arnimos gave a small bow then walked through the palace. He hadn''t spoken to Tages in a few days, not after the incident with the Personification. He took his time walking through the halls shortly considering even skipping his lessons with Tages but decided against it, his parents had likely paid much for such a tutor.


    Arnimos entered the training yard where Tages stood, there were still dummies set up but also a chalkboard, a desk and a strange box. Tages also had something new, on his hip was a sword. It was strange looking like it was made of obsidian yet not in any shape you could ever get it to be, a Fear-Made weapon.


    "You have arrived, Archon," Tages said.


    Arnimos tensed as he looked around to make sure there was no one else.


    "No Personification this time?" Arnimos said. "Good,"


    "I am sorry for what happened last time," Tages said. "I believed it to be the proper path,"


    "Let''s just get on with this," Arnimos said.


    Arnimos sat at the desk.


    "So what''s the lesson today?" Arnimos said.


    "We shall be going over the basics of Dichotomy," Tages said. "To ensure you have a good enough base for training,"


    "I know the basics already," Arnimos said. "There are the 4 great races and a bunch of sub-races and some people manifest powers based on their greatest fear, is that good enough?"


    "No," Tages said. "We shall go over the basics of each race, the base function of Dichotomy and crafting,"


    Arnimos raised an eyebrow.


    "How are we going to craft?" Arnimos asked. "We are too far from the Barrens for any of the ash to be usable,"


    "If it was only carried by the wind," Tages said. "But within this box,"


    Tages lightly nudged the strange box which popped open to reveal a pile of ash. It looked just like the ash you might see from a campfire but it was different, lighter than it should be and almost begging to be changed.


    "Is enough ash to make things," Tages said. "It was crafted for the purpose of carrying ash from the Barrens,"


    Tages flipped the lid back down.


    "Any more questions?" Tages said.


    Arnimos sat silent for a moment, he had just one.


    "What did it mean then?" Arnimos said. "When you said my Dichotomies didn''t Imprint?"


    Tages sighed then picked up a piece of chalk.


    "We will get to that," Tages said. "Now let us start with the races,"


    Tages drew 4 circles with the names Tyross, Arbeross, Taniberas and Luxicon, the 4 great races.


    "You already know the 4 races," Tages said. "But what does each race do?"


    "They have different manifestations of their powers," Arnimos said.


    "And how is it determined which race one will be?" Tages said.


    "Your parents," Arnimos said. "You inherit the Dichotomies of your parents,"


    "In many cases, yes," Tages said. "But what about the Reborn?"


    "They are given the choice by the Author, if I remember correctly," Arnimos said. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    "Correct again," Tages said. "Respectively the choice are to Change, to Embrace, to Understand and to Overcome,"


    Tages write each choice next to the race names.


    "We know them as they manifest," Tages said. "To Usurp, to Become, to Create/Control and to Destroy,"


    Tages then wrote those next to the respective names.


    "Each race also holds their own physical characteristics," Tages said. "Tyross have color changing eyes, Arbeross look like their fear, Taniberas have crimson eyes and dark earthen skin and Luxicon have smooth petrified skin and what some Reborn describe as an "elf-like" look,"


    Tages listed that as well next to each race.


    "Originally in Shale, when I was young," Tages said. "Tyross had not come into the world yet and so there were only 3 races and 3 sub-races, today I will only discuss the great four and the three that existed in my time,"


    Tages made a small list for Arbeross and listed a few details about them.


    "First I shall begin with Arbeross," Tages said. "They "Become" their fear, taking on physical or mental aspects of it,"


    Tages made another list, this time for Taniberas.


    "Taniberas Create/Control their fear," Tages said. "They may create or control phenomena related to it and some can even conjure Fragments of their fears Personification,"


    Tages made a list for Luxicon.


    "Luxicon Destroy their fear," Tages said. "Their powers damage or negate things related to it,"


    Tages then made the list for Tyross.


    "Tyross Usurp their fear though most times it would be better to say they Change it," Tages said. "They take their fear and change things about it, for example a Tyross of Fire might change how hot a fire is or other aspects of it,"


    Tages then made another list this time labelled Blanks.


    "When Arbeross and Luxicon Dichotomies combine they create a strange tear," Tages said. "This tear does one simple thing, it sucks their fear out of the environment around them. An example, a Blank of Fire would suck fire into themselves extinguishing them from the environment around it, they can not project or otherwise use it just absorb it,"


    Tages made a list labelled Truth.


    "Arbeross and Taniberas Dichotomies left alone are strange, they merge together but due to the nature of the Arbeross Dichotomy they also merge with the body," Tages said. "As such, unlike other races, Truths use their bodies as fuel for their abilities rather than the raw energy of their Dichotomies. Their abilities are typically weighted towards one or the other but will still show signs of the merging between Dichotomies,"


    Tages hesitated for a moment before making a list labelled Oracle.


    "Before the Tyross and their children, Oracles were considered the strongest race of Shale," Tages said. "This is because of our nature, you see our Twin Dichotomies of Taniberas and Luxicon hate each other. Every moment they attempt to destroy the other waging an invisible war inside our bodies, they only can be suppressed by wearing rings of Fearstone which suck away a Dichotomies energy,"


    Tages flashed the ten rings he wore, they were all made of a strange purplish stone though one was also banded in gold.


    "Would I not suffer the same thing then?" Arnimos said. "Do I not possess all Dichotomies?"


    "It is the fact that you hold all four that makes it so," Tages said. "Well, in truth, it is your Tyross Dichotomy that does it, it acts as a stabilizing force to prevent your Dichotomies from trying to annihilate each other,"


    "I see," Arnimos said.


    "But back to the lesson," Tages said. "With both Dichotomies separate Oracles are capable of awakening 3 separate lines of manifestation, one for each and one for combining them once you have the control over them to do so,"


    "What do you mean "lines of manifestation"?" Arnimos said.


    Tages chose a small clear section of the board and made an empty list, it had 4 items.


    "Each Dichotomy manifests differently, even those with the same fear can have vastly different abilities," Tages said. "This is because all users of Dichotomy have 4 distinct ways to use their abilities, there are dozens of names for them but typically the Reborn call them the three Skills and the Ultimate,"


    "How specific are these "Skills"?" Arnimos said. "Do they have anything that should be noted?"


    "Every Skill is different, some are broad and allow wide-ranging effects while some are hyper-specific," Tages said. "It depends upon the individual. They can even only be tangentially with the fear, for example a Luxicon of Fire could have an ability that allows them to drive the air from a place to extinguish a fire,"


    "Why do you use the Fear of Fire as an example?" Arnimos said. "Surely there are other fears you could use,"


    "Simplicity," Tages said. "For example, explaining my abilities as the Oracle of Dichotomy would take a much longer lesson,"


    "What about Ultimate''s?" Arnimos said. "Why are they separate?"


    "That is because they are taxing upon a Dichotomy that they may only be used once a day," Tages said. "And they are exceptionally powerful. For example an Arbeross of Fi-"


    Arnimos shot Tages a glare, he stopped talking and stared Arnimos down for a second before sighing.


    "Fine, I''ll tell you one of mine," Tages said. "My Taniberas Ultimate is Dichotomy Creation, it allows me to create a single temporary Dichotomy of any race and put it in someone. There is more about it but i will not reveal that here,"


    "Could you not create an artificial Archon with that?" Arnimos said. "Could you not make yourself an Archon with that?"


    "There are some things you do not test," Tages said. "The Author''s mercy is one of them,"


    As Tages spoke the name of God The Author the room went silent, as though it was holding its breath. Tense seconds passed until sound returned.


    "Now that we have the basics of the races, let us go to the basic uses of Dichotomy," Tages said.


    "Why doesn''t everyone use their Dichotomy?" Arnimos said. "Everyone has one so why don''t they use it?"


    "For normal Shaleborn it would take years to decades of practice and training to awaken just their first Skill," Tages said. "The exception is Arbeross, their first Skill typically changes their biology or mind and is always active, but even then most don''t have the strength of mind to use it too much. They are left with the choice between madness or normalcy, many would choose the latter. Is that all?"


    "For now," Arnimos said.


    "Dichotomies feed off of fear, that you already know," Tages said. "They produce Dichotomy Essence when doing so but without control it is consumed by the Dichotomies soon after to power their abilities or-"


    Tages drew the sword from his hip and drew its blade along his hand, it seemed to create a cut far shallower than a blade of that size should.


    "To repair the body," Tages continued. "It is the simplest use of it that you do reflexively, your mind creates nightmares while you sleep which your Dichotomies feed off of to produce energy to heal you,"


    His wound closed a moment later. Tages then tossed the Fear-Made weapon and it stuck into the stone in front of Arnimos.


    "Cut your hand upon its edge," Tages said. "We shall see how your Dichotomies react,"


    "I don''t want to do that," Arnimos said. "Isn''t there another way?"


    "I suppose," Tages said.


    Tages picked up the blade and took a good few steps away from Arnimos. He held the blade out in front of him then rapidly slashed it towards Arnimos. Arnimos was too far away for the blade to hit him normally but yet somehow a shallow cut appeared on his chest.


    Pain flared in his body and his mind raced, it took only a moment for his Dichotomies to explode. In a flash the wound closed and Arnimos felt energy lingering in his body. Tages put the sword back on his hip.


    "It appears you can reflexively do it while awake," Tages said. "A good start, it will be much easier for you to learn it consciously,"


    "What was that for?" Arnimos said. "Are you trying to kill me?"


    "I am trying to teach you-" Tages said.


    "Maybe you could teach me in a better way then!" Arnimos said. "First you risk my life with a Personification and now you hit me with a Fear-Made weapon, you are a terrible teacher!"


    "Archon," Tages said. "I am teaching you in the way which is best, fear is needed for-"


    "Shut it, I don''t care!" Arnimos said. "I am leaving and going somewhere better where I won''t be attacked!"


    Arnimos stormed out of the room, Tages watched him as he left. Had he been too harsh? Should he have taken more care? Such thoughts were driven from his mind, they could have been had in better days but he did not have the time he needed to enact them. Perhaps he was driving the Archon too far but that was what he needed. Whatever was coming for him was not something he could face in his current state.