THE THIRD MAGE 19 A Chance

All present stood up in alarm.

"Your Highness!"

"Crown Prince!"

It was the Queen's voice that rose from the cacophony of voices. "Son, what happened? What's wrong?"

Crown Prince Amon breathed faster. "Mama..."

Queen Iris approached his son. "Yes son. I'm here. What is it?"

"I-I brought something."

There was a collective sigh and the King's booming voice reverberated the hall.

"What is it son? And why are you panting? Where have you been?"

Crown Prince Amon took a deep breath then launched on his story.

"I found this crystal ball. I found out that this is a little different from the ones we use in the Magoria."

He took it out from the sac and gave it to the Chief Scholar, who scrutinized it with his spectacles.

After a few minutes, the Chief Scholar spoke, "Well, it really is different. We could try it on Lyra. If it works on them, we have our key."

The old man voiced out the question everyone wants to ask, "Where did you get this, Crown Prince Amon?"

The Crown Prince gulped down his saliva; his sweat flowing down his face. "Uh," he scratched his head. "I'll tell you later, after Lyra's test."

Everyone nodded and they proceeded to the Truth Court.

***

The ball let out a blinding, white light; flooding the whole room with warm light. Only Lyra could see the faces of the people with her at the moment; and she saw how they turn away or cover their eyes at the intensity of the light coming out from the ball.

After enjoying the show, she retracted her hand from the ball and the light subsided.

The Chief Scholar couldn't contain his excitement. "Wow, that was so magnificent! If we could use them to our advantage, maybe we could stand a chance."

Lyra was confused, but she dared to ask. "What do you mean 'we could stand a chance', Chief Scholar?"

Chief Scholar Alvis looked from the King to the Queen, seemingly asking for permission to reveal it to the girl.

But it was Crown Prince Amon who answered, "We are afraid that the Kingdom of Exosha will be declaring war to all of Aenario. They have started the war against Nomosyne, and it would just be a matter of time when they will come here."

Lyra covered her mouth in shock; her knees trembled. Crown Prince Amon helped her to her feet; General Luther gave her a chair to sit on.

The Crown Prince continued, "Seeing that the no-mages possess magic after all, we are thinking if we could use some of it to defend and fight for our Kingdom. The other Kingdoms don't know about this too."

Lyra stood up with resolve; a decision forming on her face. "We will gladly give all we can for our Kingdom! We won't hesitate to use all for the sake of defending the Kingdom!"

The people present were moved beyond words; they couldn't reply to the girl's enthusiasm and patriotism. They all thought that if all Oniro citizens are like this, then any other Kingdom will not stand a chance against them.

Lyra, on the other hand, after speaking those brave words, felt small of a sudden. In a teeny, tiny voice, she voiced out the concern on her mind. "But there's a tiny problem. I don't know, and n.o.body knows in the no-mage district how to control these powers."

***

The meeting was then resumed, but with the old man and woman and Lyra in the mix.

Lyra was ecstatic to meet the old woman. "Granny! What are you doing here?"

The two then started talking about the no-mage district and the people they knew.

When the King sat down, he saw them talking continuously. So he cleared his throat; catching both their attentions.

"I believe we are here to talk about the dilemma Lyra has pointed out to us."

The old man replied, "Which is?"

"I don't know how to use, control or summon it. I'm clueless about this," Lyra said sadly.

Granny smiled. "Not to worry dear. I have smuggled with me the research of my no-mage friends before. I'm sure you could find it there on how to use it."

Lyra was taken aback by this sudden revelation. "You knew about this Granny?"

"Of course."

"Then, what power do you possess? I was told that the no-mage could use another four types of magic: Light, Dark, Life and Death."

Granny smiled, her gums showing out. "Death. I use Death, my dear."