Nightblade (Darkest night)-Chapter 203: Reckoning

A few days later, a second batch of kids was found near the Varas stronghold, severely frost-bitten and on the verge of death.

Slowly, more reports trickled in of kids randomly appearing out of nowhere in the strangest of places. Naturally, after discovering the nature of the appearances, the Brotherhood and the Praesgius scrambled to mitigate the damage.

In the end, close to half the scions and more than three-quarters of the Talented that were lost in what had come to be known as The Dark Maestro incident returned alive.

Interestingly enough, a few of the returned Talented had gained an affinity for the strange energy, umbralis, but even then, very few of them could significantly wield it or exert any level of control over it.

Luckily enough, a group of mysterious kids had appeared on a ranch, a short distance outside Cromwell Hall.

The Brotherhood of Shadows had reacted immediately, sending in one of the best awakened assassins at their disposal, Conrad Darklight.

Shortly after the teenagers were collected in several vehicles and transported to Cromwell Hall, House Varas’s seat of power on Earth.

Shortly Raymond, one of the Videntis arrived moving the group to the Pyreptar academy for medical attention with his unique Jump ability.

The Pyreptar Academy had the largest and most advanced treatment facilities available on the planet.

Several of the Varas immediately took over assisting with the various treatment efforts.

In the midst of all the pandemonium, Drake Varas’s whereabouts were still unknown.

Emily slowly opened her eyes, furtively taking in the sight of her unusual surroundings.

Soft golden light streamed into the room. through several massive windows.

The faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air.

A faint breeze billows through the room from one of the open windows.

She lay in silence for a few moments then turned noticing the other three beds in the room.

One of the beds was conspicuously empty.

Amanda and Sammie lay in the other two still seemingly unconscious.

"I’m alive..."

That single thought was quite sobering.

The memories of her last waking hours crashed into her like a flood.

"Morgan..."

The memory of the decision driving as the three of them dashed forward was like a blow to the gut.

It all felt too surreal.

Just then the door slid open.

"You’re awake..."

A pair of hazel brown eyes stared back at her.

"Talia. "

Talia stepped into the room, clad in a new set of clothes.

The scion’s appearance had changed dramatically.

Gone was the grime and dirt from the battle.

Talia was jow fashionably dressed in a stylish cashmere sweater and long-fitting black pants.

A sweet scent followed in her wake as she moved across the room.

Emily observed her curiously.

" Is it me, or does she look a bit taller..."

"You would turn believe how good using anactual bathroom feels after all this time," Talia spoke, shaking her head.

Her lips curled into a faint smile.

"It was to die for."

Behind her, a tall blonde woman with stunning grey eyes closely followed.

"You must be Emily," the woman said with a warm smile.

"I’m Nadia. Talia has told me so much about you. I’m so glad you’re finally awake. You all must have been through a lot "

Emily sat up straight, nodding politely.

She threw a brief glance at Talia in question but the scion simply smiled.

Emily bowed her head slightly.

" Thank you for going through the trouble of taking care of us."

Nadia smiled warmly.

" There’s no need to thank us. Any dear friend of my darling little sister is a friend of the Varas."

Talia flushed visibly, her facial expression cracking for a brief moment.

Emily nonchalantly noted the small change.

" Interesting..."

Nadia giggled at her reaction.

"If you don’t mind me asking, where are we?"

Nadia went silent for a few moments then responded.

" You’re at Cromwell Hall. You and your friends passed out soon after you’d returned. Talia here insisted that you stay at Cromwell Hall for treatment, a request which the Praesgius agreed to on one condition."

Emily frowned slightly.

"And if I may be blunt, which condition was that?"

Nadia’s eyes widened slightly at the girl’s reaction.

" Straight to the point...."

A light rap came from the door.

" You may come in."

A tall white-haired man with a jagged scar running across his face walked into the room.

A dark long coat swished in his wake.

His icy grey eyes briefly scanned the room then settled on Emily.

His stern expression softened then cracked, his lips curling into a faint smile.

"Headmaster Gregory."

Gregory Whizen was dressed all in black, the golden insignia on his breast pocket indicating his position as the current t Headmaster of the Pyreptar Academy.

The man seemed to have aged several decades, with distinct dark bags hanging under his eyes.

" Claire would never forgive me if anything had happened to you, young lady," he said sternly.

He stared at her for a few moments.

A heavy silence filled the room then eventually he let out a weary sigh.

" I’m glad you’re back," he muttered quietly.

Emily smiled faintly.

" Me too."

Clearing his throat, Gregory explained their current circumstances.

" Miss Varas here insisted on the five of you remaining here."

"The five of us..." Emily echoed.

Gregory nodded.

Just then another knock came from the door.

The door slowly opened and two youths stepped into the room.

Emily and Talia’s eyes wore mirrored expressions of shock.

" Cassius...?"

Lucian frowned.

" I don’t get a greeting, huh."

More quietly, he muttered.

" What did I expect?"

Cassius beamed playfully jabbing Lucian in the shoulder.

" We did it! We made it out alive!"

Emily continued staring at him in a comical expression of shock and surprise.

Eventually, Talia found her voice first.

" How?! We all saw you...you were gone."

Gregory coughed pointedly grabbing their attention.

"As I was saying, Lord Varas has personally guaranteed your security. As things stand house Varas isn’t on the best of terms with the Council but they reluctantly agreed to his request."

Talia frowned silently glancing at Nadia but the older girl simply nodded quietly.

" Lucian, your Father will soon be here to collect you in person."

Gregory stared at each of them.

"For the meantime, I’ll allow you all to catch up and then rest."

Gregory nodded at Emily then quietly left.

" What did he mean, about our House not being on good terms?"Talia asked impatiently.

Nadia smiled tiredly.

" It’s a long story. After you lot disappeared, a lot of things happened. These recent months have been especially difficult. Let’s just say you’ll find out soon enough lil sis."

Emily’s face scrunched up in visible confusion.

" Months?"

Nadia stepped back with a smile.

" I’m glad you’re back, Talia. I’ll leave you guys to it then."

" Wait, Miss Nadia before you go, how long were we gone for?"

Nadia frowned for a few moments, then smiled.

" Please, call me Nadia. Basing on your curiosity, this may shock you but, you guys were gone for a year and the greater part of this one. So roughly two years."

The four youths stared at her in silence.

Emily’s mind was already churning feverishly.

" Two years..."