The black, crystal-like stone in Magus Xion's hand was exactly the stone he took from Morgana, which meant it was the one who originated from the now dead witch, Meave.
When Magus Xion asked about the origin of power that came from the stone, there was only one answer that came into his mind. The Khaos energy.
However, in order to be sure about it, Emery decided to carefully probe the question.
"What do you mean, Master?"
Magus Xion seemed to become more restless when he heard Emery's answer. Seeing how the usually calm master of his became uneasy, Emery became even more curious about the significance of the stone.
"Emery, you have to know about this 'stone'. What I held in my hand is the spirit core of a person, but as this one is soulless that means the owner of the stone hasn't reached the magus stage yet." Magus Xion then continued with a stern expression. "However, not only does it manage to crystallize which should be impossible for someone who hasn't reached the magus stage, it also emits a very strong energy!"
Magus Xion lifted the stone in the air and Emery could feel it gleaming with energy. Khaos energy, to be exact.
Now that he thought about it, this stone had to be what Killgragah told him to take from the witch.
While he was contemplating on whether he would bring this matter to Magus Xion and how he should say it, Magus Xion put the stone back into his robe and said, "Now Emery, I know since your time in the academy that the same energy also existed in you. So I really hope you will truthfully tell me where this source of chaotic energy comes from."
He then looked straight into Emery's eyes and added, "Please Emery, this is really important."
Looking at how serious his master was right now, Emery was at an impasse, because he didn't want to lie to his master. After all, he would've failed the academy and probably already died by now if it wasn't because of him. But on the other hand, he wasn't really sure how Killgragah would react to this if he divulged its existence.
He knew he needed to handle this matter delicately, otherwise it could probably spell his doom.
Emery took a deep breath and looked at his master. "Could you tell me what you will do after I tell you, Master?"
A relieved expression immediately took over the serious look on Magus Xion's face when he heard Emery's answer. Even though the latter didn't directly acknowledge it, his choice and manner of sentences essentially indirectly told him the real answer.
"It seems you really knew it, don't you? Emery, take me to it". Magus Xion continued on, before Emery had the chance to even deny the matter. "I need to speak to the dragon."
'The dragon?' It seemed Emery could no longer deny it. His master must know more than what he thought. Maybe it could even be something he didn't even know.
The Khaos Space had always been a mystery to Emery. Even though what Killgragah had done so far had helped him, he didn't know much about the dragon at all. In fact, he could even be the secret enemy of mankind for all he knew.
Perhaps this way, by letting his master Magus Xion meet with the dragon, he could finally know the secret of the Khaos Space.
After further contemplating the pros and cons, Emery finally made up his mind. He turned to his master and nodded his head.
"Alright, master. I will take you there."
As the stone formation was not too far from where they were at the moment, Emery ran toward its direction, with Magus Xion following him.
When they arrived at the stone formation, Emery saw his master seemed to be quite relieved and said something incomprehensible.
"It's in here, is it...? I can feel it... It's near this earth formation."
Emery was still contemplating about telling this secret to his master. He was torn between the choices of completely exposing everything or only partially telling it. He wanted to enter the Khaos Space first and speak about this matter to Killgragah, but to his complete shock, Magus Xion suddenly shouted.
"My Lord Killgragah, I've come here on behalf of my Master, Grand Magus Zenoia."
Emery was surprised by what his master said. Killgragah did mention about the grand magus before, but he hadn't expected nor realized until now his master would come here because of it.
A moment later, rectangular sparks appeared out of nowhere and the entrance to Khaos Space was opened for the magus to enter. Magus Xion glanced at Emery with a complicated look before he entered the gate and Emery followed.
As soon as both of them entered the Khaos Space, Magus Xion showed a look of surprise and turned his head to stare at Emery who just entered.
"The accumulation of energy inside here is very dense. Now I can see how you grew strong so fast Emery."
The two walked through the long dark corridor toward the huge chamber, where Killgragah was supposed to be. And finally, Magus Xion stared upon the dragon comfortably coiling to itself in front of him.
The black-scaled dragon stood up and said, "Emery, you've returned… with this human..."
"Urrggghhh… I hate human magus... I can't read anything from you."
Emery could see his master was trying to hide it, the fact he was a little startled when he saw Killgragah. But he had no idea as to why. Shouldn't he already know about Killgragah? So why the surprise?
"You were sent by Zenoia?" Magus Xion didn't even have the chance to confirm, as Killgragah immediately answered himself. "Ah, yes… you reek of that woman. So tell me, what do you want?"
Magus Xion looked toward Emery for a second before saying, "I came here bringing a message from my master. She wants you to choose her, as planned."
"Choose… her?" Killgragah asked, before exploding into laughter. "Hahaha! She doesn't get to demand… not now... It's too late, the master already has his new champion." The dragon continued its laughter until the space seemed to tremble at it.
Magus Xion then responded in a more serious tone. "Is this your will or the master of Khaos!?"
The space continued to tremble for one more second, before Killgragah answered his question. He turned one eye at the magus and said, "Of course it's Khaos' will. I'm just here to guard the door, after all."
Seeing how his master's face turned complicated, Emery finally couldn't stand his silence and quickly asked what this was all about.
"Master, what is going on?"
Magus Xion took a glance at him, but didn't say anything. Instead, he once again spoke to the dragon.
"It's Emery, isn't it? The Master of Khaos has chosen a boy from a lower realm?!! You are going to harm him!!"
Killgragah unexpectedly nodded its head. "Perhaps it will... Especially with that boy's stupidity." He said while glancing at Emery, who had only been given glances so far. "Unfortunately, the Master of Khaos didn't choose the boy… It's the boy's destiny."
Emery could clearly see his master's expression turned even more anxious, as if something very, very bad would happen.
Magus Xion then took out the crystalized stone and showed it to the dragon.
"What about this one?! There is a part of Khaos in here, isn't it!?" He said. "So it's possible to have more than one champion!"
Killgragah visibly became excited when he saw the black stone in Magus Xion's hand.
"Aaaahhh, that's... Finally! did you?… ah, no no…" Killgragah looked toward Emery, and Emery could tell the dragon was reading his memory.
After a while, he could see Killgrgah nod its head in satisfaction. "Very good, Emery. You finally did it... Very good."
The dragon then turned to the magus and said, "I might not be able to read your mind, but I can see yours in the boy. And I can see your master Zenoia," said Killgragah in a serious tone. "With what she's trying to achieve, she will certainly not be satisfied with only part of the Khaos, won't she?"
Hearing this, Magus Xion turned silent.
Meanwhile, Emery's mind was working to overdrive, trying to understand what the dragon was talking about and what his master was thinking.
"Master, can you tell me what's going on here?!"
Alas, this time Magus Xion kept his silence, seemingly losing his ability to utter a word.
Thus Killgragah decided to get in and said, "Hahaha, boy… Let me tell you. Your master right now is considering whether he should follow his master's order or not."
Emery immediately turned his head at his master when he heard the dragon's words and saw the man staring at him with a complicated look.
"What is it, Master?"
To his surprise, his master unsheathed his sword and grasped it in his arm.
Killgragah, who watched how the situation unfolded, found it funny and therefore laughed loudly.. "Hahaha, I think your master just realized that to followed Zenoia's order, he has to kill you."