Chapter 8:Believe it or not

The Triumvirate was a dictatorial form of government that ruled both politically and in religion terms. This was enough to take over the entire nation and economical wise was in their grasp.It started out as a cult that amassed power and with turn overthrew the government. Why did it grow so powerful in the first place?Well, like in Wallachia, magic was a myth and when that myth turned to reality in Makuol the people worshipped it. It was headed by three figurines, their faces hidden with white color leaving only their eyes and mouth. The three had the power of magic each unique from the other. They regarded themselves as the mouthpiece of the gods and they only listened to them and act on their behalf to the people.And so Aurora was taken to court for her case to be heard by the triumvirate. Why? Because other than the triumvirate, anyone else who could magic was not by the will of the holy one but the dark and evil one, and they had to be condemned to hell.The court was vast room with only three high seats at the top platform where the triumvirate sat with their heads held high and their resolute eyes straight ahead. They looked like gods on earth. On the sidelines were witnesses of the proceedings including her family, the Belmonts and other Grand masters and Abbotts. 

Aurora was brought before them at the center of the room where all the eyes were on her. 

"Aurora Belmont, is it?" A voice said. It was neither low nor high but gave an aura of superiority. It was from the third of the triumvirate, a woman as it seems. 

Aurora looked up to the voice and was instinctively slapped by the guard next to her. "How dare you look at the triumvirate without their permission. You..." 

"commander..." The voice sounded again and the repressive guard toned down. 

She continued, "Aurora Belmont, what do you plead against the crimes of heresy and high treason against the holy triumvirate by practicing magic, the works of hell." 

"I... It's just... I had no choice." 

"Guilty it is then" 

"You don't understand, he was going to die" 

"So you're saying you used magic for good." Two, the second of the triumvirate raised his brow, a man with still elderly eyes but with a Deathly expression, asked in a sarcastic tone. 

"Yes." 

One, probably the paler of the three but his elderly eyes shone with a lit of fierceness chuckled, "The man you saved that day died the following day." 

"No." 

"And do you know why child? It's because of the evil one working through you. His pains worsened swiftly the following day and he developed boils that were never seen since the plaque, he is presently dead. " 

"No..." A tear streamed her cheek as she heard them and she got on her knees and cried. 

"Now you understand child why you have to be executed. To purify the world of the evil." 

The decision had been made. Her execution was two days from then, sunrise. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

The arena that afternoon was rowdier than usual with more spectators busy talking and sharing the recent story. Two words kept on recalling on every talk, 'The Gale.' A Gladiator who won his debut by defeating a tough opponent. The talks were majored on how he won, which was a mystery to many who in turn wanted to clarify their questions. 

The more surprising was which faction he was fighting for. 

"The duke' s faction! No wonder he is such an excellent fighter." 

Xavier's opponent was a guy who called himself, Plaque. He was dressed in black leather straps that covered his shoulders high and black Armour chest piece. The Armour continued to his thighs reaching his shin. Sticking from his back was a two sided battle axe. 

"Begin!" 

Plaque took the chance fast and dashed towards his opponent. He reached close, around 8 meters away then stopped and went around Xavier who was greatly confused by this and decided to head into his direction. Plaque moved his hand to the neath of his straps and threw several shurikens at his incoming target.

'Too slow' Xavier ducked, dodged and pared the small blades and within a second had closed the space between them. It was as if his feet did not touch the ground, he was stepping on air with the wind adding to his speed. With the momentum he swung the short blades in the air as they crashed into the axe. He swung the other aiming for the head but his opponent backed away but the blade grazed the side of his helmet. 

Xavier realized the disadvantage of a close ranged battle, he had to fight toe to toe with his strength which he did not have compared to plaque. 

He tried to back off for a distance but his counterpart threw out wave and wave of swings with the axe or leading him off with shurikens at close range forcing him to block He found himself taking a step back while plaque took another forward. 

The crowd was dejected by the poor show by the Gale for they saw as if he was being bullied like an ant cornered by an elephant. 

Before he knew it he was almost back against the wall as he ducked sideways the axe grazing his left arm. His back was now against the spiked wall. 

Plaque now thought it was over, his opponent was cornered with nowhere to run. 

"Sorry about this..." Xavier muttered as he thrust his open open and closed it. Plaque braced for the impact as he pressed the axe to his front. It was it hit but from the back. The blast of wind came swiftly slamming his back as his body spiraled forward and Xavier jumped to the side. 

The crowd arised from the seats as they cheered in unison, "The Gale, The Gale!" 

Xavier looked up and could see one man staring right at him with a wide smile on his face. 

It was then midst all of it he heard a voice calling for him. He looked to his side but there was no one. The voice was in his head. 

"Xavier, what have you done... Do not make the same mistakes that I made. Do not trust the Duke." 

He recognized the voice, a tear flowed through his Visage. "Father... You are alive."