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Chapter 11 - De-runing

" Brane Dorus, the Arcana has found you guilty of losing a valuable asset of the Order to the demons. The loss of the Dark Hold is an offence punishable by death but we pleaded on your behalf. However, you will be stripped of your title as the Director of the Daris subdivision and your runes will be taken away. Your title as the Fourth Arcane Sorcerer will be spared. I'm sorry my friend." A tall and refined looking man addressed Brane from a throne.

Brane didn't say anything and just remained seated on his own throne. They were having a conference with the other members of the Arcane Sorcerers, the strongest Arcaneum users. The man who had addressed Brane was Claude Lightningstorm, the Storm Sorcerer and the head of the Seven Arcane Sorcerers. Each sorcerer was seated on equivalent thrones in a circular formation, showing they each had the same status.

" Why is he being de-runed? That will cost him a lot of things!" Invidia, the Ice Sorcerer said wildly, gripping the armrest of her throne tightly.

" I agree with Invidia. The Dark Hold wasn't given to Brane so why should it's disappearance be a cause to punish him?" Leti, a green haired elf also protested.

"I second the World Tree Sorcerers motion " Jerome, the Blood Sorcerer spoke up.

I don't wish for his downfall either, my friends. It's the decision of the higher-ups to de-rune Brane. He's my loyal friend and as such it saddens me to see him being punished."Claude sighed loudly.

Brane just broke into a sadistic laugh. The others looked at him with weird and even worried glances.

" Do you know what the demon who infiltrated confessed? "

The others shook their heads.

" I asked Chrome to interrogate him and...."

" Chrome?! Damn! Poor demon." Invidia interrupted.

" I know right!" Brane laughed for the first time since the meeting started.

"So"he continued,"Asmodeus needs the Dark Hold to kill Dante."

" What do you mean? The boy barely knows how to control his power." Claude frowned.

"Yes. I thought so too but we all know Chrome's ability to interrogate is unmatched. So there must be something Asmodeus fears in Dante. However that's not my problem now. It's yours now."

With that he turned to leave. When his hands were opening the cedar door, Claude heared Brane's voice in his head.

" There are traitors in the Soliel Order. Eliminate them ."

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Two balls of fire missed Dante's face by a hair's breadth.

" Thalia what the fuck? No one said anything about abilities!" Dante shouted at Thalia, who just smirked.

" This is the final acceptance test of the Delta Paladins. Beat us all and you're in. Abilities allowed." William said.

The test was being held in a huge training field, shaped like an ancient Roman colosseum. The rules were simple. Weapons were not allowed and Dante had to beat them all in a span of five minutes.

However, Dante was getting his ass beaten by five powerful Paladins. He didn't even know what his abilities were until Izalea hit him with a huge wave of water she conjured out of thin air. Out of fury, Dante jumped up and to his surprise he was able to control the water she had attacked him with. He created two whips of water with them and lashed out at the others. They all managed to evade the attacks but Dante didn't notice Maru's absence until he heard the sound of rushing wind. He quickly turned but Maru was faster. A gust of wind blew him away making him lose his grip on the whips. Maru was about to attack again when Dante felt a rush of sudden power. Immediately, Maru stopped. Something was off.

" I can't use my power. What did you do?" .

For the first time Dante saw shock in his eyes.

" You can't but I can!" Pearl shouted from behind.

Two boulders rose from the stone floor and sped towards him. Before they could hit him, six large wisps of dark matter rose from beneath his feet and coiled around the boulders, stopping them in mid air.

" Don't forget me!"Thalia charged at him.

Her fire managed to burn his right hand. He looked at it quietly and saw it was healing rapidly. He looked back at Izalea and she saw the purple glow in his eyes.

" Wow you're powerful but you didn't know how to control your power so what's happening ?" She readied her fighting stance.

" I don't know but there's this voice in my head telling me what to do. It feels weird but it seems like I've had this power for years. I just know how to control it." He also readied a fighting stance. They both charged at each other but before they could start, a bright light temporarily blinded them.

" Time's up Dante. Congrats, you are a member of the Delta Paladins ."William walked unto the training platform with a smile on his handsome face.

"Yay!"Dante laughed.

" Dude I still can't use my power." Maru pinched his leg.

" Ouch! You little shit!" Dante winced.

Maru cocked an eyebrow at him. Dante released his power. Maru then punched him in the gut and then disappeared in a gust of wind.

"That asshole!" Dante screamed, clutching his guts.

" So what's your power?" Izalea asked, clasping her hands around Dante's shoulders making him blush slightly.

"Well I think it revolves around replicating abilities and races."

" How do you know all this?" William asked doubtfully.

"When Izalea hit me with her water, I went unconscious and in that brief span of time I met this shady man in something he called a Sea of consciousness. He only said one word to me. Realize. After that I literally knew what to do. And besides, according to Brane, I use the Tenebris instead of the Arcaneum. "Dante briefed.

" That was probably the previous Shadow Paladin you saw. You see, we Paladins are able to see the previous masters. They come to us in time of need, helping us overcome some burdens too heavy for us to carry. However, there has only been one Shadow Paladin and you saw him at the center of your subconscious, the Sea of consciousness." Izalea explained.

Just then someone barged in, making Dante jump in shock.

"Chrome? What is it?" Izalea frowned.

" Your father is being de-runed!"

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