Tom Von Haderach calmly made his way to Level 46.1. He was looking for one of Blanche's lost books, a tome that had lasted for centuries, written in a language long forgotten- except to Blanche, that is. He stood in awe of the cathedral. Tom didn't quite understand what was the building's purpose, but he could sense a certain grandeur to it.
It didn't take long to find the book, carelessly placed in one of the many benches of the church, covered in dust.
"Another easy assignment," he thought. Tom placed the book in his pocket, calmly heading towards the exit, when a familiar voice interrupted him.
"Halt."
Tom turned back to find a familiar figure staring him down. Argos. Rather than the usual warm greeting between mentor and pupil, old friends who'd known each other for many years, there was a cold glare in Argos's eyes, a stillness only Tom had only seen in him when it was the time to hunt.
It didn't take long for Tom to realize that he was the prey. He stared back in silence, meeting Argos's eyes with a fierce look.
Argos was the first to break the silence.
"I had hoped we wouldn't have to come to this. You are guilty of aiding those who sinned. I thought this would cease, that Blanche would have driven you away from it, but you keep aiding those hunted by the Eyes Of Argos. As their leader, I must set an example. I must bring you down, Tom Von Haderach."
"In the name of justice, I assume?"
Argos didn't answer.
"I do not want to do this, Argos. I was taught a different path to the justice you hold so highly. Rehabilitation, rather than punishment. Seeking understanding, instead of using violent means…"
Another moment of silence.
"The Eyes of Argos think differently, don't they? You fear they will no longer follow you if you ignore me. By your laws, yes, I am guilty of aiding the culprits of hideous acts. I don't feel guilt, nor do I feel remorse. I'm doing my part to help them change their ways. What are you doing?"
"What must be done, Tom. Brace yourself! Regardless of the outcome, this will be your final lesson."
"Stubborn as always… so be it."
The monastery was usually filled with the hymns of the Sons of Guilt, but a deafening silence took over in that moment. The stained glass covered the floor in vibrant colors, lighting up the cathedral as though it were a stage.
Without a sound, Argos and Tom ran towards one another. Argos wielding nothing but their fists, and Tom wielding the conjured spear he was famous for, a long pole of solid light that quickly left his hand, moving straight towards Argos's chest.
In a split second, it shattered, as Argos punched through the spear with barely any effort, readying himself for his first strike as Tom struggled to conjure a defense. He haphazardly created a small, triangular barrier, hoping it could stop the might of Argos's attack… it failed, and Tom writhed in pain as he received a punch to the gut and the fragments of what once was a shield flew past him.
"Focus!" Argos shouted. "You've done far better than that!"
Tom stood up slowly, conjuring a pair of spears and throwing one of them at Argos. It missed, lodging itself in a nearby pillar.
The second spear was knocked off of Tom's hand as he tried to slash at his opponent with it. Much like the first one, it lodged itself on a pillar.
"What became of your aim, Tom Von Haderach? Who do you intend on protecting with such sloppy technique?"
Argos charged towards Tom, who tried to block the strike once again with a barrier, a complex array of ten diamond-shaped shields, meshed together. Unlike the first barrier, which shattered in the blink of an eye, Argos's strike barely left a mark on the wall of polygonal lights. Tom smiled.
"Excellent!" Argos sounded thrilled, enjoying his hunt. "Now that's a pupil worthy of my teachings! Let us see how long you can keep this up!"
Tom didn't answer, staring at the two spears still lodged on the columns behind Argos, and then at the columns by his side, carving a pair of spears into them.
Tom grasped the spears, reading himself for Argos's next move. Letting out a grin, he shouted out a simple message.
"Bring it on!"
Argos laughed, charging towards the luminous barrier once again in an onslaught of blows, clawing at the barrier relentlessly. Tom held his ground, as the diamond-shaped panels began to shatter, one at a time.
One. Two. Three.
The spears lodged in the columns behind Argos began to glow brighter.
Four. Five. Six.
The floor was soon filled with countless shards of solid light.
Seven. Eight. Nine.
Tom let go of the spears, quickly placing his hands on the floor as the weapons still lodged on the columns lit up the cathedral.
Ten. The barrier finally shattered .
Argos stood still in shock, as if frozen in place. He was immobilized, some greater force chaining him to the ground.
Amazed, he stared at Tom as he smiled one last time before collapsing on the floor, the traces of his magic vanishing once his head hit the ground.
Argos, finally able to move, gently picked his pupil up, left Level 46.1, and headed towards the Cygnus Archive.
Upon arrival, he was met with a very concerned gaze from Blanche.
"Worry not.", Argos said. "He passed his final test. He's not hurt, merely exhausted."
Blanche let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, such wonderful news! I hope you weren't too harsh on him…"
Argos smiled. "Had I known he was this capable, I would have been harsher! You've been teaching him a few things, too, haven't you?"
Blanche chuckled. "I would be lying if I told you otherwise. I have taught him a few spells, yes. Though I disagree with his methods, they have proven to be quite effective."
"I don't know what he did, but I couldn't move at all for a few seconds. An impressive feat, indeed."
"Oh, my. A sealing spell, perhaps? Help me take him to his room, will you, dear? We can chat afterwards. Would you like some tea?"
"Sounds lovely. I feel like trying something new. Surprise me, will you?" Argos smiled
"Very well. Tom brought this blueberry tea the other day that I've yet to try. Seems like a great opportunity to premier it, so to speak."
The two walked over to the guest rooms, opened the door to Tom's room, and gently placed him on the bed.
"Rest well, my dear. From what I've heard, you've done an excellent job today."
Blanche took a seat by Tom's bed, gently placing a hand over his head.
"I'll be waiting for you at the tea room, Argos. The kettle is already boiling, dear."
"I see. I'll just leave this here, I assume this book belongs to you. Tom was carrying it in his pocket."
"Thank you, Argos." Blanche picked up the book, and only a split second later, it vanished from her hand, reappearing on a shelf by the room's exit.
Argos left the room, heading towards the tea room, memories of the fight still burning in his mind.
He took a seat by Blanche's side, and watched as she poured him a cup of blueberry tea. As the cup filled, Argos thought back to his pupil, all the lessons they had together, how he saw that once tiny human grow into a fierce warrior. It felt like just yesterday, he was excitedly talking about dinosaurs, much to Argos's confusion. Today, however, Tom Von Haderach was officially a worthy fighter.
"Is something troubling you, Argos?" Blanche placed a plate of biscuits at the center of the table, glancing at Argos with slight concern.
"You raised him well, Blanche," Argos said, nibbling on a biscuit. "I admit it, I'm going to miss training the kid."
"You've been a great help, Argos. I can tell he looks up to you. Thanks to you, he's grown to be a righteous man, and I can rest knowing that Tom will be able to put your teachings to good use."
"You deserve some credit, too. Despite your initial concerns, you've done well." Argos took a sip of tea. "Woah, this is pretty good. Might just be my new favourite."
"I'm glad to hear that. I'll be sure to have it brewing the next time you come visit, dear. Tell me, are you doing well? You seem a bit… distracted."
"I'm still thinking back to the test. You mentioned a sealing spell? Maybe that's why I thought his aim was off. He kept aiming for the columns around me… was he trying to set it all up the whole time?"
"I don't doubt it. Much like myself, Tom would rather not resort to violent means. He has shown to be quite clever, too… when he isn't rushing head-first into trouble, that is." She chuckled
"It has been an honor to mentor him, Blanche. A pity I have nothing more to teach."
"My gosh, with the way you're phrasing it, it seems as though you'll never see him again! You two have grown fond of one another, and I believe you'll remain friends for a long time. I wouldn't be surprised to see him seek you for advice every now and then."