《Crimson Myth》


 Chapter 1: Helpless

    Jude listlessly stared out of the window, watching the barren, rocky slopes trickle away with a sigh. Tendrils of cold wind seeped in through the empty gap, sweeping his dirty, raven-coloured hair into a tangled mess. Well, it was already like that anyways.


    Two weeks had passed since he had agreed to this fool¡¯s journey, and was given the largest sum of wealth he had ever known as a result. And he already thoroughly felt the taste of regret upon his dry tongue. Who knew fighting for his life would be more entertaining than sitting in a stuffy compartment for hours on end without stop? The Chrysalis Sect seemed happy about it. Probably more than overjoyed to get rid of some useless weight.


    Now all he could do was wait. And plan.


    He turned his attention away from the outside world, and back into his temporary home. A few other stragglers had also been duped into this, and one least of all his own age. That had caught him by surprise.


    That one in question was bleakly lost in the wonders of the ceiling, her wheat-coloured hair resting against the arm of the large man that was might have been her father. They looked nothing alike, however. He towered above the rest of them, thick muscular arms bulging the seams of a shirt that barely seemed capable of holding his imposing figure. Jude would have taken him for one of the brawny apes with no brains and all muscle, if it weren¡¯t for a pair of glasses resting upon a thoughtful, kind countenance. His daughter, or whoever she was, looked as beautiful and as fragile as an intricately carved glasswork.


    With all the time on his hands, he had spent an admittedly long-time sneaking glances at all three of them, trying to piece together what he could. One had to do whatever he could to stop himself from dying of boredom. Guessing at their origins was a pastime he allowed himself to indulge in.


    Of course, that did not extend to conversation. The mood within the compartment was stifled with complete silence. No-one wanted to say a word, unless they had to, and that was fine with him. He preferred it this way.


    Jude had never been one for too many friends. Trying to talk with people rarely ended good for him, mainly because he wasn¡¯t particularly good with words. That was exactly what stranded him in this predicament, after all.


    He looked over at the final person sitting across from him, fast asleep upon the uncomfortable leather seat. While the rest of them looked out of place amongst such an expedition, this man fit in like a glove. He was lean, and scrawny, smeared in scars, and had a perpetual frown resting on him even when fast asleep. Definitely a criminal.


    These were his temporary companions. All of them had some connection to the sect, and had for some reason decided to break the law of the Imperial Court and venture through the forbidden territories towards the mainland city of Zola.


    And they would all die if he didn¡¯t come up with something soon.


    He had always tried to be careful. Common sense was needed to survive out in the Fringes. So, when the cult that he was on lukewarm relations with because of a few odd jobs in a desperate grab for money suddenly offered him a solution to all his problems, he could tell that there was something wrong going on.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Even the sect rarely did something as blatant as traversing through the Territories away from safe roads without some sort of long plan. So, while they took a break off next to one of the last freshwater preserves on their route, he had checked the barrels that they were transporting. And inside, he had found maybe enough grain to feed a child for a day wrapped against the edges. In the centre were rocks, giving the false impression that it was full. Then he had been caught by an unsuspecting guard, and he had to reveal his trump card to kill and dispose of the body before anyone noticed, but such a memory was hard to forget.


    He felt a little weight at remembering the young man¡¯s face. It was the sect¡¯s fault, but the poor guy hadn¡¯t done anything wrong.


    Still, that had left him in the predicament he had been stewing over across the past few days. Once again, he gazed out at the decaying rocky tundra. Life still breathed in pockets, hiding in cracks stained in discoloured moss, and withered thistles tainted in plaque-coloured fungus. But the Spawn had replaced the vast amount of it. That was what made the Forbidden Territories so dangerous to explore. Swarms upon swarms existed, and even upon safe roads it was likely you would run into a fiend at best.


    They¡¯d encountered a few of those, so far. But the cult¡¯s Blessed had avoided all but one casualty. He had an idea of when that protection would suddenly cease.


    In the distance, a pillar of grey, like clouds descending onto the earth, formed a wall that extended as far as the eye could see. It churned, and twisted, a recipe for disaster.


    The most dangerous leg of their journey; the Crescent Pass, the only gap within the mountain range, all but shrouded in a lethal veil that blotted out the rest of the world. Dozens of Fellstorms had probably raged and spewed out tides upon tides of Spawn, left to thrive with little interference from humans. Some even said a Calamity had made its nest somewhere deep underneath its peaks.


    It was quite a popular fairy tale amongst those of the Fringes. His dad had regaled stories of it to him, years before everything fell apart. Of how some of the most heroic of humanity¡¯s Blessed began their legend by passing through it in an endless onslaught. Looking at it now, his lips curled into a sneer.


    With four Nascents and two Peers, all they could do was skirt through as fast as they could and hope to be ignored. At some point on the journey, whoever was in on this would do whatever the cult intended, and they would have the perfect excuse. He was probably the one they thought they needed to worry about the least. It wasn¡¯t like he had someone that knew he was coming in Zola.


    And well, despite all his thinking, there was not much he could do. He was too pathetic, and weak. Telling any of these lot would either lead to all of them being killed or tied up, or they would all turn on him. The scarred man might be involved, too. He wasn¡¯t foolish to think his Soulbound knife could take on even a Nascent. He could only hope and pray for his luck to improve.


    But he doubted any of the various gods and goddesses he knew of would care about his plight. If they weren¡¯t just images made to placate the foolish.


    This is the problem with being too pessimistic.


    At this rate, a Fellstorm might as well appear and blow them to pieces already!


    At that moment, he heard a faint gasp and his heart lurched. The pretty girl had finally broken out of her reverie, and was clinging onto her guardian¡¯s arm tighter at something she¡¯d seen outside the window.


    ¡°Cillin, look!¡± the frightened noise disturbed the silence.


    The large man turned his head, and Jude watched as the gentle face slowly shifted into haggard, muted horror. But in an incredible effort, it disappeared, replaced with a soft melancholy.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, my dear. Everything¡¯s going to be fine.¡± his reassurance had not even the slightest quaver.


    ¡°But is it what¡­¡±


    ¡°Why don¡¯t you lie down and sleep? When you wake up, it¡¯s all going to be back to normal.¡± a soothing but stern look silenced her worries.


    Like a little child, the girl closed her eyes and rested on the man¡¯s lap, and he began to carefully stroke her hair. But the terror once again began to poke through. He looked at the other sleeping man as if about to wake him, then made eye contact with Jude.


    Who was silently cursing in his head.


    No bloody way my luck¡¯s that bad. Why me? How? Did I really jinx myself like this?


    He forced a smile onto his gaunt face, ¡°Looks like we¡¯ll have to make a run for it, eh?¡±


    Cillin¡¯s expression darkened, and he panicked, thinking about how to salvage the conversation, before he spoke again, ¡°Indeed.¡±


    Jude finally took one long gaze back out at the sky, taking in the red streak that painted over broiling clouds, stirring up the vortex.


    From the size of it, he was sure it was at least a Class 2, maybe even a Class 3.


    How lovely.

 Chapter 2: Fellstorm

    Apparently, there was a time before the Spawn. The pantheon had shielded the world from them, but then humanity had committed a vile, unspeakable act, and had forsaken their protection, condemning the entire world into what it was today.


    Jude certainly didn¡¯t believe it, but in the few years he went to school he had learned of such a period. It was something that he could scarcely imagine. According to the books issued by the Court that they had to cram into their heads, it was a time of wonders and technology, and they were approaching a victory that would bring back that world very soon.


    All utter garbage.


    The Great Houses, despite how fractured they were, stood united on that fact so they could maintain their power. Anyone with a brain could see that. They controlled almost all the Blessed in the continent. And despite all that power, even the Imperials themselves weren¡¯t immune to the Fellstorms. Roughly two years ago, the first ever casualty of their incredible rulers was recorded in a mourning period everyone had to obey.


    Their raw threat was just that much.


    That was why as soon as Jude realised that his accidental death craving had come true, he nearly decided to whip out his knife and run for it right then and there. The only thing stopping him was the sinking fact that staying with the group that intended to kill him was ¨C just barely ¨C safer than out there.


    The large man, Cillin, was still looking at him. He cleared his throat.


    ¡°Uh, do you think we need to tell them?¡±


    His soft tone had turned into a rumble, ¡°They¡¯ve got Blessed with them. I¡¯m sure they have.¡±Despite how troubled he seemed, he looked perfectly content just sitting there with his daughter on his lap. He fell back, trying to think again, before the giant finally asked a question of his own.


    ¡°Do you have family in Zola waiting for you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± he gritted his teeth, trying not to sound hostile.


    Jude wasn¡¯t lying. His dad had told him about the distant uncle that had found an opportunity to move to one of the strongholds of the Great House of Azure. That was who he was trying to find.


    But there was also her.


    He felt the floor underneath him unexpectedly begin to rattle, as if speeding up, and then spotted a man leap into view from outside. He had long flowing hair, and looked arrogant enough to be one of the nobility.


    The Peer was keeping up with the convoy¡¯s movement with ease, to the point where Jude knew he was trying to show off. Then he suddenly leaned in and grabbed hold through the door, banging onto its metal hinges. Both the girl and the scarred man jerked awake. Cillin did not look too happy, ushering her to be quiet as they all looked at the face peering inside.


    Close up, Jude hated to deny it, but he looked quite handsome, hair and beard so carefully trimmed that it was clear that he was obsessed with appearance. But the ugly look in his eyes ruined most of that effort as he spoke.


    ¡°You¡¯ve seen the storm, I¡¯m guessing. We absolutely cannot afford to deal with that, so we¡¯re improving our speed to escape. But at this rate, we probably won¡¯t completely outrun it. If that happens, I don¡¯t want to see any dead weight. You lot will have to leave and run into the Veil on your own. Either me or Lilian will come find you. Understood?¡± his voice was laced with an underlying threat.


    Run¡­ into the Veil!


    That was like welcoming death into your arms. Was he crazy? From the look of it, he was. Sure, they would be attracted to the convoy because of their souls, but there was nothing in the supplies. Why were they risking their lives for nothing?


    The crazy Peer did not wait to see their reply, already moving towards the next compartment, leaving them all shaken.


    ¡°You said everything would be okay.¡± the girl accused Cillin.


    But he did not reply. Jude watched the large man¡¯s arms tremble. He was probably struggling to hide his fear. No amount of muscles and brainpower could help a normal person against a horde of deathly creatures. The criminal, meanwhile, was now the calmest of them all. Paying the rest of them no mind, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep again. Only to give up once the convoy rapidly began to shake back and forth, jolting against the numerous cracks embedded within the rough landscape underneath them.


    Another crazy guy.


    Jude himself ended up focusing on the storm, waiting for it to fully form. Behind him, the noise of the scarred man reaching for his bag and the whispered conversation between Cillin and the girl was drowned out by the first peal of thunder.


    He thought of his first encounter with such a storm like this one. Holding his dad¡¯s hand, perched on a tall rooftop in the distance, watching the sky transform into a bloody haze. They were a safe distance away, or at least his dad had thought it was, until the ripple passed above their heads.


    Both of them had ran back into shelter after that, watching from the minute safety of being inside a building.


    Then, the Spawn emerged.


    As the line tried to flee, all those inside the compartments saw the same ripple change the streak into a mighty vermillion. In front of them, the pillar of fog appeared much closer, but not quite enough close to escape into. Perfect for crushing hope.


    Both the long-haired man from earlier, and another older woman with tufts of ruffled grey hair, accompanied by two figures each surrounded the side of the convoy.


    And then, the same thing happened.


    The first nightmarish thing began to take shape in a blur behind them. A creature sharing similarities with an enormous scorpion, with vivid colourful shades draped onto its side. Another bug-like form  crawled up next to it. Then came dozens more, a fleet of monstrosities that grew as the thickening cry of the storm commanded destruction.


    Not all resembled insects. One just looked like an amalgamation standing upon its two legs like a giant before its throne.


    Cillin covered the girl¡¯s eyes. The criminal grinned.


    ¡°Get out, get out, get out now!¡±


    Doors opened, and Jude was the first to leap. He had nothing to grab after all. The impact undulated through his sore legs, as he began the mad dash forward. Immediately, he felt his lungs tighten, as the full force of the frigid gale lashed against his side. Next to him, Cillin landed holding the girl¡¯s hand, and caught up to him in an instant.


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    ¡°Hold on to me!¡± he bellowed.


    Jude gratefully grasped the large man¡¯s other wrist, and felt the force pull him forward. They ran in a thicket of twenty to thirty people, all shabby, exhausted looking wretches that watched the line hurtle past them. It was difficult to make out anything in the chaos, other than the curled fingers obtruding from the rock ready to trip him up. The noise of battle, thunder, and screeches thundered into his ears.


    The Peer glanced back, and spotted a bright lasso pull the few idiots who thought they could stay and fling them towards the wave. As they deserved, he thought to himself before withdrawing his weapon, a curved blade crested in what looked like bone and grinned at his fellow Blessed.


    ¡°You lot better not die before our reward.¡± he said to them as the fight began.


    Their desperate tangle soon broke off into separate groups while racing down the hill, some probably thinking foolishly that none of the Spawn would be able to reach them. Jude was the first to notice the skeletal birds. They were about the same size as a hawk, descending from the very tip of the clouds in a plunge that screamed bloodthirst. His rapid breathing only grew more harried.


    None of this was what he¡¯d expected. Usually, he would plan from the worst, but the idea a storm could form like this barely crossed his mind.


    The first death amongst them came as the leader of the flock fell into a hysterical woman making the most noise, and its talons sunk straight through her. Soon after that, the others followed.


    Some stopped their run, gaping at the Spawn¡¯s descent. There were at least two dozen plunging towards them. Cillin had practically heaved the girl onto his shoulder, who looked like she was going to faint.


    ¡°They¡¯re too fast.¡± Jude heard him whisper.


    Those grim words were thought by at least all those who had common sense. Flying species are one of the rarest in Fellstorms. That¡¯s why if they appear in low classes, they¡¯re usually weak.


    The bird-like creatures in front of him obeyed that rule, pretty weak for the Spawn. But they were faster than any ordinary human could handle. He just got unlucky. Again.


    But Jude refused to die so easily. He could see that the gentle man was close to losing hope. So, he drew his hand and prepared-


    A loud shot rang beside him, and one of the Spawn fell. Followed by another three successful, quick bullets.


    ¡°Run if you like. Or die here.¡±All eyes fell on him, and they all complied with his demand. The scarred man followed them from behind, firing bullets whenever he could. It did not stop all of them. The one that had killed the first found another, and those far from him began to fall.


    Jude did not even bother to question why this man had a firearm. But the next obstacle came quickly, in the form of more flying things, and there was no time to slow down.


    His legs threatened to collapse, but he refused to stop. He was not going to be forgotten here. The world wanted him dead, to the point where his own body rebelled against him, yet he would not give in.


    The pillar of fog emerged, an odd saviour that split the storm in two. Now that he was quite close, he could see the sharp crown of its summit. Through the grey, an endless nest of gigantic branching silhouettes lingered between them and the mountains. The forest. That should provide them at least some cover. At least it could not get any worse.


    Then seemingly out of nowhere, a chunk of rock the size of one of their compartments landed in their path. The smattering of those left split up to avoid it, until it was too late.


    The wriggling surface of what they thought was a rock shifted upright, at least three times his height, as at least twelve wriggling legs emerged like stumps, each with a sword protruded from its edges. Silver-coloured slits peered open all across the side in an eerie motion that pulsed through its bulbous head, opening in a flash of hissing fangs.


    And then its eyes swivelled right towards where Jude was standing.


    I hate myself sometimes.


    He was one of the closest, and felt the urge to vomit as his senses overflowed with the sight and stench of what was at least a Ravager. But against his best interests, he did not move. Instead, he held out his hand and breathed.


    As the air left his body, something incorporeal tingled within him. Even after experiencing the feeling so many times, Jude could still not describe what was going on. The best way he¡¯d ever been able to put it into words was that it felt like the sound of tinkling bells. Like something was being rung from deep within him. And in the space of that breath, a shimmering light coalesced into existence at the edge of his fingertips. Forming the shape of a small dagger with a glimmering hilt.


    Before either the scarred man or Cillin could say a word, the Ravager was on them. He dived to the left as two claw-like legs tore open the rock where he had just been while the noise of bullets found its mark into the creature¡¯s protected skull. Ignoring one of his arms scraping against jagged crags, Jude made a quick swipe at the limb nearest to him while scrabbling to get up. The supernaturally sharp blade made contact with the shell and sliced through it with ease, but then the long nail slashed overhead in his direction, forcing him to the floor.


    Jude heard the shattering of the rock behind him and knew he had just missed death. The creature shrieked at the attack, sweeping a tail that appeared to emerge from thin air in a circle that struck some of those trying to flee from it. As he lay there, two horrible realisations happened around him. The ligament that was nearly dismembered blackened as the wound repaired itself. And those who were nearly at the wall of fog were met with two legged, rot-covered, humanoids that emerged from an unfurling strand of mist, snarling as if they held a personal grudge against those trying to escape.


    Where were their guardians? Was this what they intended of them; to perish at the hand of a Fellstorm? Everyone knew of what it did to those that lost their life within its confines. Not even their soul would be safe from its tyranny. A hell forged at the hand of the gods.


    No, that¡¯s not going to be me.


    For whatever reason, a strange peace flooded into his thoughts, giving him the strength to move again. His arm dripped blood, but he was able to ignore it, as if the wound did not exist. He did not question it, did not think about anything, but rose to his feet. When he had stolen the Soulbound knife, the Nascent in question had tragically perished in a fight against a crab-like beast that shared some similarities. But before she died, she had slain it in a heroic sacrifice. The memory was hazy to him once, but was clear as day in this trance.


    He had been hiding away, and watched the battle inside one of the alleyways. She had the odd habit of monologuing to herself.


    ¡°You might be a higher Class than me, but I know enough about you lot to know you have a weak spot.¡± she had defiantly said.


    Her eyes shone a strange green before she dashed towards her opponent in a superhuman blur. Skidding underneath, the dagger jabbed and tore a neat line straight through its underbelly. Or at least until halfway through, before a pincer ripped into her stomach and ended her epic stunt.


    ¡®That¡¯s the most stupid way to die I¡¯ve ever seen in my life.¡¯ was what he had thought at the time before retrieving his new treasure from her mangled corpse.


    But now he was about to learn from her wisdom.


    The only problem was three out of its eight eyes were focused on him, and he continued to flee out of the way as a half-dead man was flung in his direction and it began to chase the only target it had left. Cillin landed to his side, covered in lacerating wounds. His eyes were pleadingly focused on Jude, as his mouth tried to say something.


    ¡°Protect her.¡± was what he guessed the message was.Instead, he ran over to the dying man¡¯s side, pushing the blade into his twisted hands, mouthing ¡®cut it¡¯ before sprinting the opposite direction.


    And indeed, the creature ignored the dying man underneath it, prepared to cut poor Jude in two, flying forward with such velocity that it could not stop, only for a thin splinter of agony to bring it to a crashing halt. It let loose another cry, thrashing wildly. But the heart of its membrane had been struck and it did not take long for it to dissolve into shadows.


    Satisfied, he breathed in and the knife materialised back into his hands, shining brighter from the kill it had just earned.


    ¡°You¡¯re a lot more interesting than I thought, boy.¡± the scarred man walked up to him, ¡°That knife nearly makes me want to kill you right now.¡±


    ¡°But you won¡¯t.¡± he replied calmly.


    He still felt the strange solace, and now that the immediate threat was gone started to question what was causing it.


    But now was not the time. Now he had to keep a promise. Jude glanced over at Cillin, genuine sadness briefly flitting on his face. He had barely known the guy, but he had saved him twice. The only reason he had made the large man hold the knife was because he was dying. Otherwise, Jude would have probably died in the process. His attention shifted to a lone, shivering figure, who had finally taken a step forward. Her eyes were clouded and misty, probably traumatised from everything.


    Another time he would have allowed her to grieve the death slowly. But not in the middle of a Fellstorm.


    ¡°You want to bring the girl? She¡¯s only going to slow us down.¡± his grin widened, ¡°Bah, I¡¯m just joking. We need to move quickly though.¡±Jude was about to walk up to her, but she conveniently strode their way. Her entire body was quavering, and not just from the cold.


    ¡°You killed him.¡± she spat out.


    Ah, I should have expected this. He honestly did not know what to say, feeling a glare that pierced right through him. Instead, he moved, stepping behind and slicing another of the skeletal birds in two.


    ¡°Cillin was already dead. Bleeding out, practically unable to walk. Even if we somehow got inside, we¡¯ve got nothing to help him. So, he did the one thing he could. He saved all of our lives, and he asked me to protect you in return. I¡¯m willing to keep that promise, but it¡¯s up to you. Stay here and die if you want.¡±His words were like blows to her, as she swayed in the wind, but she remained upright, ¡°Don¡¯t say his name! You don¡¯t know him.¡±


    Nevertheless, when he left, she tentatively followed from behind.


    ¡°Nice charm you got there, eh?¡± the man said, cleaning his gun as they trudged over the hill where


    the last wave of zombie creatures were waiting for them.


    They were probably dead humans considering the similarities in their shape were too alike to be a coincidence. He raised his knife, watching them move and preparing for a final charge, but then the tide parted.


    ¡°The hell?¡±


    The girl said nothing, but Jude could tell the shock on her face.


    None of the humanoids spoke, standing as motionless as statues in a clear line as if for them to pass.


    They did not hesitate to hurry past, but the scarred man leaned closed to one and pointed the gun right at their head. No response.


    ¡°No need to waste a bullet on them.¡±


    With that, the three of them stood right in front of the whirling fog.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be stuck with two teenagers, but this is an opportunity that can¡¯t be wasted.¡±


    Neither of them said anything. Jude was too tired, and the girl was probably still lost at her guardian¡¯s death. This close, they could see the reddish plaster choking the life out of the dried bones of the trees, each column of wood climbing to a considerable height before it was weighed down by the parasite hosting on it.


    They had no map, very little strength, nothing. Completely unlike the heroes that had traversed through this place.


    Still, they had no choice but to walk in.

 Chapter 3: Sharp Edge

    Athanius laughed as he spun through the air, his translucent wings overpowering the torrent of wind slicing against him without much effort, flying in quick bursts that none of the pathetic Spawn could keep up with. Back on the ground, his fellow Blessed had already got to work clearing the worst of the second wave, approaching the epicentre on their own terms. This sort of storm was nothing to them.


    Pretending to be a mere Peer had been rubbing on his nerves. The disguise had left him with a few bruises, concealing the true extent of his Talents, until all their sacrifices were completely out from view. He still did not understand why the Sect had given him that specific order.


    But it did not matter.


    A little indignity would be worth it. If everything went according to plan, the Spirit had promised them its help. He would finally be able to ascend and break through to Paragon. Be free of a small burden that would no longer be able to devour him.


    First would come one of the hardest battles that he would probably ever face. This was his warmup.


    The centre of the storm emerged in a spire of violet light in the far distance, guarded by several Ravagers that made up the front line of its defence. Each one was its own abomination, made from the twisted flesh that tainted the very ground it stood on. But behind them, lay the true challenge.


    An Aberration. It was not large like any of its subordinates. Instead, Athanius approached a miniature, emaciated apparition that had ghostly streaks ribboning off its disproportionately long arms. Four dark wings protruded from its back, each made entirely from bleak dusk that barely seemed to move. Worst of all, it appeared to possess a Presence. An intelligent scarlet blaze peered out and examined the humans approaching. Completely unlike the usual Gatekeepers.


    Even at this distance, he could feel his soul feel ever so slightly unsettled. This sort of creature was the most unpredictable, and could probably slay the vast majority of Scions if caught off guard.


    But he was not one of the Great Houses¡¯ many worthless soldiers.


    Athanius drew from his second Talent, letting the noise of the thunder that he had captured trickle around his scimitar. Then he lifted his fingers. A pressurised blast of sound darted towards the creature from afar. His air was perfect, piercing into its side, but seemed to do almost nothing to the thick exoskeleton that covered its very being.


    The only thing it did do was the one thing he intended; get its attention.


    Yet, instead of flying towards him, it dropped like a stone.


    Shit.


    He plummeted downwards, knowing full well that the people with him already had their hands full with the Ravagers. Luckily, the awakening of his wings had granted him practically unparalleled speed. Athanius streaked towards his opponent, unleashing a far larger portion of the vibrations stored within him in a shockwave that pulsed outwards and knocked the Aberration off-course. Inadvertently, one of his subordinates let out a yelp as she was shoved into her foe, barely salvaging the situation by plunging her weapon into its eye.


    Muttering an apology she would never hear, Athanius descended into a flurry of echoing steel. The first slice was parried by a swing of its arms with enough force that the echo of the attack completely missed. But it carried into his next lunge, twisting out of the way of a blow that could have sliced off his head.


    Then the strangest sensation came over him. It twisted its body in such an angle that the tip only grazed its side, but that was plenty enough for the echo to take effect. Instead, the entire movement went unhalted, as if he had completely missed.


    Some form of intangibility. He cursed as he shifted in front of an onslaught. Falling back into the air, Athanius opened his Fount, the very core of his soul, where his Flow was kept. It sensed the odd gesture and leapt like a wolf smelling fresh meat, hunger overwhelming its senses. At the same time, all the chaos fed him whole. The Flow stifled the little fear that it had managed to instil within him, stopping the slight trembling that had weakened his movements.


    That had been quite a pathetic display. Athanius would not allow himself to be embarrassed like that. Still keeping his soul open, he met the aberration in a clash that revitalised his own bloodlust. His heart thrummed, feeding a flourish of pure skill that matched the hungry creature with ease. Contempt settled in the smirk that had never left his face.


    Even with its primitive intelligence, once it saw an opportunity to devour untempered Flow, creatures such as this one lost all its tactics. Fuelled only by desperation, its movements grew more and more unhinged, with enough power to effortlessly shatter the steel in his hand if his Talent did not protect it. But eventually, it was enough. Athanius brought forth all of the sound in one swing that left him open. Its fingers raked his lovely coat in two, the rest of him saved only by his wings but the razor tip made contact and shattered the entire thing into pieces.


    Shadow enveloped its remains, leaving all but a small, purple-coloured stone, which he picked up before diving towards the Rift.


    The Rift was the reason why Fellstorms existed, as far as they knew. It opened a gap into something else, a forbidden realm that released vast quantities of corruption that took over the clouds and formed the epicentre of the storm.


    But one of the creatures that left it, often but not always the strongest, held a keystone. And with that, it would close.


    No-one knew why. The best explanation was the religious one, which he knew to be false. That the gods had mercy on them.


    Annoying flying fiends pelted his path, torn to pieces with a single flick of his wrist, but none of them could stop him from brushing the stone against the spire of light.


    It glowed, and he watched a rune etch itself upon it before the storm and all its creatures dissipated in the same faltering black.


    He landed next to Lilian, who nodded towards him. She looked practically untouched, apart from a few grazes here and there. The rest of them remained respectfully silent. At least the old wench had trained them well.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°You owe me a new set of these.¡± he complained half-heartedly.


    It still felt like salt in the wound to him how she was the leader in this mission. He was far stronger, and superior in almost every way. She wasn¡¯t even a Ruby, for god¡¯s sake!


    ¡°Perhaps when you stop acting like a little child.¡±


    Her insults weren¡¯t much better. No matter, he would not let such petty things affect him anyways.


    ¡°Are they close by?¡±


    ¡°All seven of them have just passed through the valley. Their leader appears to be Paragon Feid. And since you forgot to ask, only five out of the thirty sacrifices made it into the mist.¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± he scoffed.


    They had fought off almost all of their forces. Only the very weakest would have gotten through, perhaps a single Ravager, but all they had to do was keep running. How idiotic could these fools be?


    Even worse, there was a Paragon with them. Feid, nonetheless! One of the war heroes that had taken part in the Class Five raid. The only chance they had was with the spirit augmenting them. With only a mere five sacrifices, he hoped that it was enough. Either that, or he would succumb to his own nightmare.


    ¡°This is why I told you that we should have kept them inside the convoy, and warped it away after we were past the Veil. Disobedience affects even the mighty, Athanius. I will have the elders notified of this.¡±He was tempted to kill her right then and there. But her Talent was crucial for the next part of the mission. And she could probably feel his intent anyways.


    For now, it was time to enter the spirit¡¯s domain.


    After a long time searching, they finally accepted that their way home was well and truly gone. So they had decided to take a break, to decide what to do next.


    That was how Jude found himself sitting around a pile of logs, the scarred man on his left and the silent girl on his right. She had proven herself to have more conviction than he first thought, because the tears had well and truly dried, replaced with a cold, determined glare.


    The man had spoken first, introducing himself as Dharn and handing out a bottle of water to each of them from his bag. He did not say much else about himself, and Jude did not dare to ask. He doubted that was his actual name anyways. Jude considered also wearing a fake name, considering that this man could be completely untrustworthy, but he had nothing to lose regardless.


    When it was the girl¡¯s turn, she remained silent. Tough crowd.


    ¡°Well, brats, as the responsible adult, we¡¯re in a little bit of a pickle here. Our ride¡¯s gone, we have no idea where we¡¯re going, I¡¯ve only got this much water so you¡¯ll have to drink it slowly, and this forest is teeming with things that can kill us in an instant.¡± he laid out their reality in bare, unfiltered words, ¡°I¡¯m gonna guess that you all still want to reach the city instead of dying here.¡±


    ¡°Our ¡®guards¡¯. The Blessed. We can¡¯t go looking for them.¡±


    The silent girl¡¯s eyes widened, speaking for the first time, ¡°Why not? They¡¯re the only people we have left. We paid for them to bring us there!¡±¡°Cause they want us dead. Or at least, I don¡¯t think they ever wanted us to reach Zola. Isn¡¯t that right, boy?¡±How does he know that?


    There was way more to this guy at first glance, clearly. He had known that ever since he saw the scars, and it had been only proven when he pulled out a gun. But Jude had never expected that he also knew the truth about what was going to happen.


    ¡°When did you figure that out?¡±


    ¡°I always knew.¡±


    Very vague and mysterious. And raised a lot of questions too. He was not only crazy enough to smile when he saw a Fellstorm, like he was some Blessed on a hunt, but chose to join them knowing that they intended for them to die.


    Jude seriously considered leaving this man behind.


    ¡°But why? And how do you know this?¡± she said again.


    He told them of what he¡¯d discovered, and what the Crescent Pass had to do with it.


    Saying that, the place was far too calm for its reputation. Even though he could only see things near him through the fog, there did not seem to be a single creature in sight.


    ¡°Those Spawn back there, they let us go. I¡¯m sure that¡¯s not normal behaviour. The reason why they pushed us in there probably has something to do with that.¡± Dharn looked at them grimly, ¡°That means there¡¯s something in here trying to keep us alive.¡±


    They could all infer the hidden question behind his words. For what purpose? Jude shivered. He had a lot of things to reassess, but none of that helped him make a decision. It once again reminded him of his helplessness. Even with this mysterious man¡¯s help, they were nothing. All they could do was keep going through the forest, or go try placate those who wanted them dead.


    That was the reality of all normal humans that were caught in the war between the Blessed and the Spawn. The only reason they had barely survived against the Ravager was a combination of luck and sacrifice. Avoiding conflict was impossible without power.


    He had already learned that lesson long ago. But it did not feel great to be reminded of it again.


    ¡°I guess all we can do is keep walking.¡± the girl reiterated his bleak thoughts.


    So, they got up, and continued to trek deeper into the mist-flooded woods. The eerie silence was louder than thunder, permeating like the fog through pores in the mud-painted ground. It was just one of the many strange things that stood out in this forest. Another was how the very end of some of the tallest branches faded as Jude walked past them.


    The entire place felt more like a surreal dream than a terror inside one of the forbidden territories.


    And nothing changed. They continued to walk for what felt like hours, occasionally pausing to regain breath and take a measured sip of the water they had. It did not help his parched throat, but at least kept his voice intact. Jude¡¯s arm also stopped bleeding after a while on its own, and yet it felt like they were making almost no progress.


    Like they were walking in front of the same trees, time and time again. The only difference between any of them anyways was their shape. Some stooped, others curled into knots, spindly twigs broke off into even more tiny pieces. The fungus was slathered all over most of them, a blotch of colour in an otherwise pale world swallowed by the mist.


    Jude found himself lost in thought once more. So much had happened, and so quickly that none of them had time to process. Only Dharn seemed to be doing fine, which made him question how much the scarred man actually knew.


    Other than that, he had so many questions. Why had those human-like attacked all the other people and not them? That was not something that they¡¯d discussed. If the Chrysalis Sect knew that this was going to happen, then did that mean they were working with the Spawn? Such an idea was preposterous, but he was forced to consider it.


    But the most curious of all was the lingering feeling of tranquillity he felt. Both of his companions also appeared to share in it. There was so much to worry about, yet they were walking through with seemingly no care at all. It could just be that they had nothing to lose, but he doubted that.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to climb that tree to try get a better view.¡± Dharn eventually broke the silence.


    They had stopped by one of the stalks of wood that had a large enough trunk that it looked like it could support his weight, and the least traces of fungus. He jumped, quite easily grabbing onto the lowest-hanging branch before pulling himself onto it and reaching for the next.


    It also left him alone with the girl, which wasn¡¯t the best situation. Oh, well. Watching Dharn climb was actually quite entertaining. He seemed quite experienced with that sort of thing. But then he heard a whisper, so quiet that he would have almost dismissed it at a breeze.


    ¡°Something¡¯s following us.¡±


    As Dharn reached the top of tree, Jude tried to spot what she was talking about. And then he saw it. When their heads were perfectly turned, a shadow leapt from one branch to another, landing in a spot out of his vision¡¯s reach. It was moving towards Dharn. He froze.


    ¡°Should we tell him?¡± she asked.


    Her voice clearly suggested that they should, but wanted some sort of confirmation to be safe. Jude was less sure.


    The peace remained within him, keeping him calm and logical. If he shouted, then it would attract the thing¡¯s attention. But the odds were that it would attack them anyways. They needed Dharn, considering he had their only water. And his knife was probably the only thing that could kill it.


    So, he nodded, before yelling at the top of his breath, ¡°There¡¯s something coming towards you!¡±


    The scarred man quickly leapt off the branch he was sitting on, eyes scanning his surrounding wildly. At the same time, the shadow revealed itself, and charged off its spot at the end of a branch as if to tackle him in mid-air. It looked like an ape, fur-covered arms reaching towards Dharn before he veered out of the way, rebounding off the tree and twisting the entire trunk backwards. And fell towards them instead.


    Embarrassingly, the girl reacted before he did, pulling him to the side and trying to run. But they both ended up tripping over a crevice, and tumbled into the soil.


    Yet before it could land and pummel them, a blur moved and cleaved the creature into two.


    Its remains landed on the ground, with a thump.

 Chapter 4: Wellspring

    By the time Dharn got off the tree, they were already surrounding the cadaver in front of them. It looked as monstrous in death as in life, dark blue oozing from the holes and seeping into the soil.


    Yet it did not dissipate.


    This was the first time Jude had heard of anything that broke that rule.


    ¡°It¡¯s like I thought. Something¡¯s trying to bring us somewhere.¡± he shook his head, ¡°We¡¯ve either been walking in circles or something¡¯s messing with our heads. The mountains are still a long way forward.¡±


    ¡°The woman¡­¡±


    Both of them turned towards the girl, ¡°Who?¡±


    She glanced at them in surprise.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t you see her? She killed it with her sword, and had these horrible, white eyes..¡±


    ¡°Looked like a blur to me.¡± Jude admitted.


    Dharn was silent, before murmuring, ¡°As I thought.¡±


    The girl reacted instantly, ¡°What? You know something about this don¡¯t you? I need some answers! Why is this happening? Who is it?¡±


    This was the first time they¡¯d seen her so animated since Cillin¡¯s death. Jude held his breath, waiting to see the scarred man¡¯s reaction. His face stiffened, all emotion evaporating in an instant.


    ¡°My curse is about to be lifted. I hope that you don¡¯t fall under the Thrall that easily, girlie. You seem like the weak type. The last thing I want is to have you in the way when they come for their deal.¡± he looked at Jude, ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, though. Come with me and you might have a chance.¡±


    He seemed to have lost all pretence of friendliness, walking forward again.


    After that enigmatic speech, Jude continued to walk alongside Dharn. None of what he said made Jude think that he¡¯d try anything, and if he did, it would be better to be right next to him, considering he had the knife. But his mind was whirring, trying to piece together what he could from the fragments that his words had given. The curse, the Thrall. There was something in here that could help the scarred man, and he wanted it, but it came with some sort of risk. It required strength or something, and he didn¡¯t think that she would survive.


    Speaking of whom, she had appeared ready to prise the knife out of Jude¡¯s hands and stab the scarred man herself. If it weren¡¯t for the subtle peace effect, he was sure she might have done just that. He shot her a look, only for his eyes to widen.


    Some sort of revelation had come over her, and she was smiling. It was small, and uncertain, but some confidence seemed to have returned. There was certainly apprehension as she gazed at the man leading them, but the doubt had lessened considerably.


    ¡°What did you¡­¡±


    His words trailed off.


    The forest that they had been navigating through had finally come to an end. It trailed off into a large open expanse that was almost completely submerged by the dense, swirling fog. As they stepped through the final branches, the mist that had persisted throughout their journey began to vanish.


    Revealing one of the most breathtaking sights that he had ever seen.


    Liquid erupted seemingly from nowhere, falling into a pool of shimmering water that twisted trillions of colours together into a kaleidoscopic pattern that swallowed his entire vision. It was as if Jude was looking through a tetrachromat lens, peering into a different world. Shades of red, blue, yellow, every colour imaginable and many more unimaginable merged into a pureness that lit up the roaring edges of the fountain. It seemed to coalesce around a core in the centre, bubbling from a hole that appeared to stretch all through the entire planet as the very centre lit with a light that could not be captured. Droplets of this precious liquid sprayed onto the side, and the base of the rock where it landed was coated in vibrant moss that sucked in the deluge with an insatiable hunger.


    It was otherworldly, so majestic that it hurt his eyes the more he looked at it.


    ¡°Great Spirit of the Wellspring, I wish to bathe in your waters.¡± Dharn took the initiative, as if he did not want to waste any time.


    A few moments went by, and Jude nearly thought that he was talking to nothing, until something landed next to the wellspring. It was a red-haired woman, just like the girl had described. She had a thin, starved frame that looked like it would fall at the lightest breeze. Her eyes were their own sunken pools of milky white, staring at them. And one hand carried an enormous broadsword.


    It was all frighteningly shocking enough to make him faint. But the clues had been laid out, and the peace seemed far stronger here than in any other place. He physically could not bring himself to feel even the slightest bit of fear or worry, even logically.


    In fact, he could barely think at all.


    ¡°It¡¯s very interesting how the waters shape fate, even when it knows that such fickle things could be changed.¡± the woman opened her mouth, and the melodic words emanated from the wellspring itself, ¡°Three very different individuals, some are far more gifted than others.. It knows what I want enough to anticipate my desires. But of course, I will grant your request, enemy of the world. And you as well, forger of dreams.¡±All of them felt an overwhelming desire to sleep. Dharn did not resist, falling into the lure willingly. Soon followed the girl who he still did not know the name of.


    Yet Jude bitterly held on. He had a little of an idea what was happening, but needed some answers.


    She walked up to meet him.


    ¡°As for you, I can see that you, more than even him, crave power the most, despite the disparity in your ripples. That is a pretty impressive achievement in itself. Believing in the truth that it will bring you the autonomy and wealth you desire, so utterly that you would risk anything for it, but knowing that such an opportunity will never come. And yet your fate is the most clouded of them all. You are one of the most compatible I have ever seen. So, even though either of them would be far more likely to succeed, I suppose he would prefer you.¡±


    Her speech brought out some of his most innate thoughts, drenching him in shock and revulsion as it was all stated in plain, brutal words. But he did not fall. Seeing it, she shook her head.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you wish to become a Blessed?¡±That was the final straw that broke the last of his resistance.


    Each of the three lurched towards the well-spring, and fell into the waters. Hopefully, her words weren¡¯t for nothing, and they did pass the Trial, or she would have a few useless Thralls on her hands. None of their trials could have been easy, considering the potential of their Talents. And well, perhaps she had made them a little more interesting than they expected.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Evangeline chuckled. Her tests were probably the most unique out of any Celestial fragment. Considering that she was the one that retained most of her memories, it made her one of the most human. Capable of feeling light-hearted.


    But it soon shifted into a sombre frown. Remaining hidden, a rogue ¡®spirit¡¯ had been her main priority for the last thousand years. Now with this, there was no more of that. She could feel the thrums of the future battle through the edge of her domain. Both in the mortal, and in the astral realm, with the arrival of her ¡®friend¡¯.


    It was time to prepare.


    Jude opened his eyes, and found himself standing next to a fountain. This one however, was completely normal, trickling in a display that would have been dazzling if he hadn¡¯t seen much better. He shuddered, furiously whirling his head around to find the one that had just been speaking to him.


    But of course, he was in a completely different place. A large city, by the looks of it. Long, dome-shaped buildings clotted together on the side of long roads, with dozens of carriages and chariots running across them. Above him, an amber sky appeared to be bleeding life as shadows lengthened across the various moving parts that was ready to fade away into night. And in the very distance, an enormous brick wall loomed, encircling everything.


    Nothing he saw was anything like he was used to. There was no traces of electricity, no Fringes, barely any alleyways, and despite the fact it was sinking, the sky was unusually clear. It was like peering into the ancient past.


    That was probably what it was. Jude accepted what had happened, after having some of his most hidden wishes pulled open by a force with powers that he had never seen before.


    So, to summarise, a few hours ago, I was trying to figure out how to escape a death sentence and get to Zola. Then a Fellstorm came, I fought a Ravager, journeyed through a terrifying forest, before meeting an otherworldly being that brought me here to awaken my Talents.


    Well, when he put it like that, it certainly felt like it was all a hallucination. But he had heard of Trials before. They said all Blessed had to face a test against their mettle to see if they were worthy to wield such power. What he had never known was that it was done inside a wellspring.


    Jude remembered the smile on the girl he had yet to learn the name of¡¯s face. She had known about this. That meant that she had more secrets than he first thought. Then again, all of them had been known to the sect.


    Then there was Dharn. He was actively seeking this out, and had finally got his wish. The spirit had called them titles. Enemy of the world? Forger of dreams? Sounded like some embarrassing childlike fantasy nickname.


    But then she had gone and stirred up the memories of the worst days of his life. At his very lowest, he had demanded revenge, as all wronged often did, but he soon realised how impossible such a task would be. That was when he first realised how powerless people like him were against the Blessed.


    And now, here was his chance to become one.


    Although, how was he supposed to prove anything if they didn¡¯t tell him what to do? Realising that night would soon fall, Jude decided to wander around instead of staying by the fountain. Perhaps there was a clue somewhere. Also, the opportunity to see the past, even if it was all fake, intrigued him.


    Was this how life was like without Fellstorms? Where was the advanced technology? How far in the past was he in?It was time to find some answers.


    His clothing stood out amongst the crowd, attracting some attention. Passing by what appeared to be the markets, everything appeared to be closing down. Rows and rows upon stalls were carefully dismantled, as people in robes assisted them. A few bars were the only things that did not look affected, already attracting a few interesting customers. One thing he did notice were the buntings that hung like wires between stone rooftops, weaving an intricate web of colours. Some sort of festival?


    He made his way without little issue, until one of those in purple robes suddenly stopped him. Inquisitive eyes bored into his own.


    ¡°Are you lost, child? It is approaching the hours of the curfew. You do not want to be caught outside, do you?¡± he spoke in an old-fashioned lilt, accentuated in inflections that he had never heard before.


    At least they seemed to speak the same language. But curfew? That was strange. A similar sort of thing did exist in the Fringes, but it was mostly just a formality. Very few actually bothered to listen to the Great House¡¯s wishes, because they never bothered to enforce them.


    And he was not a child. Even though he might be a little short for his age. But Jude had no idea what to say.


    ¡°Uh, yeah.¡± he managed, ¡°I¡¯m heading home now.¡±


    The man in robes appraised him, raising an eyebrow, ¡°Ah, then where is your home, mayhaps?¡±


    ¡°Down there.¡± Jude pointed.


    ¡°I shall believe you for now, but I hope that you are not caught amongst those lawbreakers. If you see any that are loitering, do remind them that the temple has enough free rooms to house such people. Especially after the last few days, we cannot afford leniency on this matter.¡±


    He hurried away, and Jude released a breath. That went better than expected. The temple rooms, huh? Visiting that would be a priority. He could already make out a massive golden silhouette peeking out above the houses. Now that the man had mentioned it, he did also notice the abnormal amount of worry plastered over one too many faces. He was too used to such emotions that he forgot that it would be out of place in a city like this. Something had happened, and the peace had been disturbed.


    If only the Trial came with a page of instructions.


    This was the sort of task that would fit those who liked to speak to people. Jude was not one of those, so all he could do was keep walking. Although¡­ Jude scanned the surroundings for a place to hide, which there were remarkably few of. Slipping into what looked like an empty gap between shops, he closed his eyes and breathed out. His only weapon manifested in a comforting shimmer.


    Whatever this place was, he wasn¡¯t completely unarmed.


    Dismissing it, he was about to leave, before a hand grabbed his mouth, and he found himself pulled into a dark, concrete room. A face wearing a veil looked down at him.


    ¡°You¡¯re one of them aren¡¯t you? The raiders. What are you doing here so early?¡± she sounded young, perhaps only a few years older than him.


    He swung his dagger in another breath, stopping right before it impaled her legs, and she retreated immediately. Jude pushed his back against the wall, keeping the dagger pointed forward. Even though he couldn¡¯t see her face because of the veil, he could tell she was caught off guard by her rabid breaths.


    This was the perfect chance that he¡¯d been waiting for.


    ¡°What year is it?¡±The question appeared to be the last thing that she was expecting.


    ¡°Wh-what?¡±¡°You heard me. What year is it?¡±¡°What is a year?¡±That threw off his performance as well.


    ¡°Then, who are the raiders?¡±¡°You¡¯re not part of them. But you¡¯re wearing their clothes! It makes no sense.¡±


    ¡°You aren¡¯t answering my questions.¡±This was not how a typical interrogation was meant to go. He supposed he wasn¡¯t the most threatening, but still. Before she could reply however, the door suddenly opened.


    ¡°Eva, what is going on in there?¡±


    A short, stubby looking man poked his head in, before his expression slowly morphed into a mask of shock.


    ¡°I think there has been a misunderstanding here.¡±


    ¡°I think I need some answers.¡±¡°No, no, I¡¯ll tell you whatever you need to know. Just come with me.¡±


    He dropped the knife soon after that, keeping it by his side just in case, and found himself being led across the city, ending up underground into a cellar.


    ¡°The others have yet to arrive, Eva. Why don¡¯t you go find them?¡± that was the cue for the veiled young woman to leave, yet she did not move.


    ¡°They all know the way.¡±


    The stubby man sighed, but gave up. It was clear he was used to her disobeying orders.


    ¡°Before you ask, who are you? That knife is not something that I¡¯ve seen, except in the hands of the raiders. But you say you¡¯re not with them.¡±


    It was not like anyone was going to believe what actually happened.


    ¡°I¡¯m from a different place. Outside of the city. Just ended up here on accident.¡±He did not expect the man to walk over to one of the tables and pull out a set of scales, that sank in one direction. Jude tried not to be stunned. As far as he knew, enchanted artefacts had only emerged after the Fellstorms arrived. Another lie from the Court.


    ¡°You¡¯re telling the truth.¡± he sounded surprised, ¡°But being very vague.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m actually from another world, outside of this place, and I was brought here by some spirit who told me that this was a test. You all might also not be real.¡±


    He smirked as the weight tipped all the way to one side, and watched their faces implode.


    ¡°What sort of Magik is this? Are you with the Honoured?¡±


    They seemed to be so dumbfounded that he realised that it was probably the wrong thing to say if he wanted them to hurry up.


    ¡°So, the raiders. You guys are working with them. Why?¡±


    ¡°The Honoured are planning to overthrow the Council. We cannot allow that to happen. But support of them has only increased amongst the people because they are misguided. They need to see who their heroes truly are.¡±Even the past wasn¡¯t safe.


    ¡°And do you guys know what Fellstorms are? The Spawn?¡±


    ¡°The creatures that the-¡±


    A loud bell echoed down into the chamber. A few figures stumbled into the room.


    ¡°They¡¯ve betrayed us! Semyon¡¯s been taken!¡±


    He was practically forgotten then, ushered out back into the street without another word. So close, and yet so far from the answers that he sought, Jude could only run as the loud ringing brought an upheaval to the city on the verge of sleep.


    Grasping the basic narrative, Jude realised that he was probably expected to help in the fight against the raiders.


    But with the virtue of actually having a brain, he ran in the opposite direction.


    Until he was flung off his feet by an explosion of the shop right next to him. He grimaced, quickly trying to escape again, only for a very familiar looking person to land right in front of him.


    Her hair was kept in an almond knot, as usual, only a few stray curls brushing against the porcelain cheek. Despite the fact that she was at least thirty-five, not a single wrinkle polluted her wiry, muscular shape. The woman that he had tried his hardest to forget approached him with a nonchalant look.


    The rage that had simmered for over the last seven years urged him forward, overwhelming the logic that tried to make him question why she would be here of all places. It was the damn Trial¡¯s intervention; he was sure of it.


    So, all the years of common sense gone, he charged.


    ¡°As pathetic as I remember.¡± a coaxing, angelic voice sighed, folding like the finest of fabrics.


    Before everything disappeared in a searing flash of pain.


    His eyes jerked open, and found himself looking at a very normal-looking fountain, that would have been amazing if it weren¡¯t for the fact that he had seen better.


    What the fuck?

 Chapter 5: Trial by Torment

    Every time he died, he relived the day that led up to this moment. Jude¡¯s only hypothesis was that they wanted to add weight to the deaths, as the unbelievable torment was apparently not enough already.


    That was how he ended up here, in front of the fountain for the fifth time, ready to bash his hand against the stone edges in frustration.


    To be fair, he had figured out plenty of things.


    Firstly, they years did not exist. Their longest measurement of times were called cycles. Currently, they were on the 43<sup>rd</sup> Emerald Cycle, but he was not bothered to try find a timeline. While he was interested in the history, when you were being hunted it was paramount you focused on trying to find a way to survive.


    The city¡¯s name was Derhor, and within an hour, it would be besieged. One of those arriving was his worst nightmare, and she would always track him down as her first target no matter where he tried to escape to. All of them seemed to wear clothing unlike anything inside of the city. That girl that had tried to attack him was part of the group that had organised the attack for the sole purpose of exposing the Honoured ¨C their version of the Blessed ¨C because there was a secret inside the tower next to the temple that exposed their secret dealings.


    It did not bring him any closer to figuring out a plan though. And dying and reliving an entire day was not fun at all. He did not want to die again.


    The Trial seemed hand-made as a torture mechanism. Jude grumbled, feeling the warmth of the sun slowly fade and realising that he could not waste any time. This city actually seemed nice, but now all that he could think when he looked at it was the sensation of death.


    His only goal now was to find one of these Honoured, and convince them to kill Cyra.


    Every time he saw her, he could not help but lose control of himself. Remaining logical was the way to win, Jude was sure of it, but after what she had done to him it was practically impossible.


    That was probably the challenge that the Trial was trying to make him achieve. Conquer his trauma, or whatever. While adding more of it by making him suffer.


    Well, there was no time to moan and complain. He began to trudge forward, and as expected, soon the same person in purple robes stopped him. On his second try, Jude had tried to warn the authorities through this guy but as expected, he had been disregarded pretty quickly. The man had definitely heard plenty of lies from other children and had thought of it as an attempt to distract from the fact that he was going to break curfew.


    This time, he offhandedly mentioned a street that he had learned the name of, and the man had let him go.


    There was plenty of things Jude could do with the fact that he went back in time. He could learn the man¡¯s name and then surprise him, but saw very little point in that. If anything, that was likely to make him furious instead.


    Whistling, Jude went and stood by the corner absentmindedly, and waited for Eva to drag him in. She was probably the most volatile, unpredictable player out of all of them. His second try had almost fallen apart when she made a grab for the dagger.


    ¡°You¡¯re one of them aren¡¯t you? The raiders. What are you doing here so early?¡±


    He solemnly met her eyes through the veil, ¡°Thank goodness I found some of you guys. I¡¯m a deserter. They¡¯ve decided to break the deal, and are just going to start attacking the city.¡±


    Eva took the bait immediately, and he felt a glow of satisfaction. Acting was always fun.


    ¡°What? When?¡±


    ¡°In ten minutes or so. They¡¯ve got a Paragon with them. You need to tell the Honoured!¡±


    Cyra was a Paragon when his father had met her.


    ¡°Oh gods. I¡¯ll go get my father. He¡¯s one of the people in charge.¡±


    ¡°Eva, what is going on in there?¡±


    The same short stubby man, that he knew as Azrien, walked in and saw the same sight as before. Except this time, he wasn¡¯t holding a knife towards his daughter¡¯s chest.


    ¡°Papa, it happened just like I said it would. You should have believed me!¡±


    ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯ve betrayed us. This boy here is one of their deserters. In just a few minutes, they¡¯re coming to take the city!¡±


    He looked at Jude disbelievingly, who just gave a grave, worried nod.


    ¡°One of them knows I¡¯m gone. She¡¯s going to come after me. I need your help.¡± he practically begged.


    ¡°Come then, I¡¯ll take you to a safe place.¡±


    Not again.


    ¡°But she can track me in there. Please, tell me you have a Bl- Honoured that can fight them.¡±


    His face turned strange, ¡°You said that they¡¯re just going to start attacking then, right? Come with me.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    As part of his disguise, he did not resist, but this time Azrien sent his daughter to go alert the rest of the people before heading through the city. Jude could not help but shoot nervous glances at the wall. The first time he¡¯d seen them emerge was during his third attempt where he arrived in front of the Guild and realised it was closed before frantically trying to find someplace else to hide. Leading the charge was a man with a large axe, dressed up in churning armour. Cyra was already inside the city, but he had never been able to see her, and only made a move once the bells were rung.


    They did not appear to be heading towards the cellar. Instead, Azrien approached the visage of the temple, and he noticed someone join him from behind. Another veiled person, although he could not quite make out if they were male or female.


    ¡°Good to see you come so quickly.¡±


    The figure did not respond until they were right next to the temple. Then they stopped.


    ¡°How long do we have?¡± they croaked, sounding so gravelly that he almost thought that they weren¡¯t human.


    Right after they finished that sentence, he heard a boom in the direction of the wall. Soon after, bells began to ring.


    Out from the tower, several responded to the call. Their dark shapes leapt from building to building, and he heard a dark chuckle.


    Something was telling him that things were not going the way he wanted them to. But before he could leave, the silhouette merely brushed a hand against his side, and Jude felt his entire body grow stiff.


    ¡°Do we have to? He is just a child.¡±


    ¡°You know better than most, Azrien, that some sacrifices have to be made for justice to prevail. This is for the good of the many. And he was one of them, anyways.¡±


    Are you kidding me. It was more of a statement than a question, as the connection between his mind and his body was slowly severed in a burning end.


    Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cyra standing there in the distance as the silhouette rushed towards the tower.


    She simply shook her head.


    Jude woke up again, in front of the fountain, after another round of memories, so furious that he did end up smacking the rock. All it did was hurt him more. Here he was, thinking those lot were the heroic rebels. And they were the ones that betrayed him.


    The disappointed gesture from that horrible woman was the worst of all. He was tempted to just do nothing, just to lie down and rest until she came to finish him.


    One thing was for sure. Anything to do with them was ruled out.


    Perhaps going straight to the temple would be a better solution.


    Still in a bad mood, he rushed towards it, avoiding the place where the purple-robed man was waiting to ambush him. They had done their very best to make it look magnificent. Marble steps led up to a ornate, mahogany door, opening into golden statues. Trying his best not to scowl at the priests sitting upon the stairs, he walked inside without much issue. Last time he had actually not explored this place that well. Various shrines were dotted throughout, and as he knelt in front of one of them, he read the description.


    ¡®To Ashuan, the legendary Celestial of the future, whose Presence adheres closely with her people. Those gifted by her can see through the endless waters.¡¯


    Moving around, he read a few of them. They all were quite similar, referring to this god they called a Celestial. Huh. Some of them shared small parallels with the deities he knew, but none were exactly the same. Looked like he was right. The people shifted gods as quickly as he bought new clothes.


    ¡°Are you here for a prayer request, young man?¡± a kindly, stooped man interrupted his musings.


    He actually had not much of a plan, and just came here on a whim. Thinking to himself, he came up with a response quickly.


    ¡°Not really. I believe I have received a vision, from the great Ashuan herself.¡± Jude prayed that he had not mispronounced the name.


    ¡°Oh, I see. And what would be the contents of it?¡±


    Miraculously, the kind old man did not look at him as if he was crazy. That was progress.


    ¡°The city is going to be under attack. In a little bit under half an hour. Certain people think that the incredible Honoured would seize power and had organised an attack to withdraw something from the tower over there.¡±


    For a few seconds, the old man did not speak. The little slither of information he should not know was most likely why.


    ¡°Where are your parents?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re away¡­¡±


    ¡°You know, young man, I am sworn to take all approaches related to our divine seriously. What you just said¡­ If you are sure, then I will bring you to one of our own Honoured, who has just come back with a meeting with the Captains of the Watch, and his Talent, enhanced by Ashuan herself, will divine such an event will occur.¡±


    Sometimes, the most useless Talents come in handy.


    Luck was finally back with him, at least just a little. Although, he prayed that he would not receive something like that for himself. Almost all of these gifts were unique. Most Blessed had one, the Imperials usually had at least two, but each granted unique abilities that were unlike any other.


    But the fact that this guy¡¯s Talent was basically the same as the enchanted weighing scales from earlier proved that some were far better than others.


    ¡°I am prepared to face any consequences if I am lying.¡±


    He could tell the priest was just trying to scare him, and saw the plain surprise at his confidence. The old man wavered, unsure on what to do.


    ¡°Then, well. I suppose you should follow me.¡±


    That was how Jude found himself being led past the front of the temple, and through many breathtaking wonders. Once again, if he had not been in a hurry, he might have had ended up gawping at the amount of wealth concentrated in such a place. Entire walls had carved artworks made entirely of jewellery depicting epic battles. Topaz poles dripped gold, lined next to tables covered in expensive cups and plates.


    If it wasn¡¯t all fake, he would have itched to grab some and run for it. The sheer disparity seemed almost unfair. In his eyes, at some point all of it just became terribly gaudy.


    Behind all of this, what appeared to be a group of children wearing white tunics surrounded a man in white and gold.


    ¡°Hazen!¡±


    A tall man with a moustache spun around, and snorted unpleasantly.


    ¡°What is this time? Do you have another policy you wish to change? I am absolutely ready to spend even more of our coffers on the fruitless endeavours that you so foolishly started.¡±


    Jude felt a little aggrieved on behalf of the old man, who faltered at Hazen¡¯s harsh words.


    ¡°Th-this young man. He¡¯s r-received a vision.¡±


    Hazen raised his hands, as if speechless before letting them drop, exasperated. He walked up and seized Jude by the shirt.


    One breath from me, and you¡¯ll be dead.


    He did not look like a particularly strong Blessed, and caught off guard Jude could probably finish him if he wanted to.


    But he knew that if he did not want to die again, he would need this man to vouch for him with the captains. Whoever they were.


    ¡°You should know better, boy, than to take advantage of doddering old men. What happened to your respect for the priesthood?¡±


    ¡°N-no, but.¡±


    Jude decided to talk before Hazen could keep shouting, ¡°Listen, sir. My vision speaks of people who think that the Honoured are going to overthrow the Council. I know that you wouldn¡¯t do it, but that¡¯s why they hired people to attack the city. To get something from the tower.¡±


    Hazen¡¯s contempt evaporated.


    ¡°What did you say?¡±


    He was nearly ready to accept being killed again, before the Honoured exhaled heavily. He closed his eyes and Jude saw a sigil manifest upon his forehead. Another thing that he had never seen before.


    Then, suddenly alert, Hazen clasped his forehead, ¡°Argh! I won¡¯t be able to make it in time.¡±


    Panic razed his eyes.


    ¡°Why did you not come earlier?¡±


    The kind old man faltered, ¡°So, it¡¯s true?¡±


    ¡°What do you think? I don¡¯t know why Ashuan gave this boy of all people this vision, but we¡¯ve got almost no time.¡±


    But before any of them could do anything, the noise of the wall of the temple crumpling rumbled, and Jude stopped the priest from falling. Hazen jolted forward, only to release a chilling cry as something grazed his arm. The pillars around them fractured into a multitude of rocky debris that hurled in every direction, infesting the air with tendrils of dust.


    All the wealth, every hour of dedication poured into each and every artwork, fell to pieces in an instant.


    Stepping through the chaos, Cyra widened her lips. He already despised her, but the smile was getting more and more painful to look at. Considering he knew what was coming. Jude felt a shudder rise from the very ground he stood on, as the ceiling struggled to remain standing.


    But the most interesting thing of all was Hazen¡¯s reaction.


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    The blood seemed to have sunk into his knees, leaving a dry husk behind as he trembled.


    ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be dead. I killed you.¡±


    ¡°Do I look dead?¡±


    Before he could understand the implications, shards struck everywhere, and the entire roof came falling down. His only chance at survival was too shaken to do anything.


    At least it was quick.


    This time however, the beginnings of a plan began to form in his head.

 Chapter 6: An End

    It was not actually her.


    That fact did not make Jude feel any happier, but it did provide a crucial clue. Unless Hazen knew someone that looked exactly like her, they were seeing two very different people. The only line she had spoken, about him being as pathetic as she remembered, was completely out of character. Cyra always kept a kind demeanour with her words, even when standing in the middle of a swathe of corpses. Being able to turn into her, and mimick her Talent to some degree, was one of the most overpowered abilities he had ever heard of. It did not explain why he was always the first target, but it was a start.


    He panted, trying to keep up a steady pace to reach the temple as fast as possible. So far, he had never been in a rush. But now he had a reason to.


    Jude met the priest, but this time Hazen had not arrived yet. That was crucial.


    ¡°Where is the Honoured, then?¡±


    ¡°Do not worry, he will be here in a while.¡±


    ¡°I need to know.¡± he said, deathly serious, ¡°We don¡¯t have much time to waste. I promise you that he won¡¯t rage at you like he usually does.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that? Our meetings are solely within the temple.¡± he looked shocked.


    ¡°Ashuan has showed me your own struggle.¡± Jude put on a mysterious voice, ¡°I need to know where he is meeting with the Captains of the Watch.¡±


    ¡°I¡­ All right. As far as I know, they meet near the Rim, inside Captain¡¯s Ocean Brew.¡±


    He received rough directions for where that is, but knew by the time he got there they would be gone. So, Jude returned to the fountain, and cursed the spirit for the sheer unfairness of this Trial. Shaking, he summoned his blade and attempted to plunge it inwards. But despite all that had happened, Jude could not finish the job.


    Was all of this worth it? He could remember each and every time he died perfectly, each sapping at its will and leaving him more and more tired. Even if he did succeed, he had no guarantee that as a Nascent, he could make it to Zola. So many things could go wrong, despite this miserable challenge.


    Even if he did, he would have to join either a Sect or a House. Very few had the capabilities of standing alone.


    Logic proved that all of this was not worth the effort.


    But if he could become even the slightest bit more in control of his own life, that would be enough. None of this pain was real. He could handle it.


    If he was going to die, however, he was going to make her hunt miserable. There was one place Jude had often hidden when he had nowhere else to go. Despite how old this city was, he found a sewer hatch and crawled in.


    For what it was worth, it was better than the putrid tunnels with a river of filth running through it that was the sewers in the Fringes. Instead, it was slightly larger than what he was used to, resembling more of a cavern than a tunnel. A pair of pipes ran through the very middle, emitting a mild scent, but other than that, there was almost no grime splattered on the wall whatsoever.


    He could not help but snicker at what was about to happen. Kneeling next to the pipes, Jude summoned his blade. The sound of the bells reached even the sewers, and soon she came.


    Cyra tore through the ground, landing in front of him, and he saw her wrinkle her nose at the stench. Just seeing her revived his vitriol, yet he kept it down.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re not her.¡± he said confidently, ¡°Somehow you can take her appearance. Why are you so obsessed with killing me? I don¡¯t care anymore.¡±


    Her mouth parted in surprise. Jude did not expect an answer, ready to slice the pipe open at any moment.


    ¡°Finally.¡±


    All emotion vanished. Her body tilted, as if only held up by the strings of a puppet, before leaping through the whole that she had come through.


    Jude was left bewildered, and shockingly, alive.


    He attempted to climb up the side, and eventually found himself at the top again, allowing him to see the full extent of the devastation for the first time. Long patches of wall had fallen into a sea of rubble, while the crescent moon was overshadowed by the light of the blaze that swallowed at least an eighth of the entire city. Plumes of smoke hung in coiling spirals, blistering into artificial clouds of thrashing smog that watched Derhor tear itself apart.


    It was quite tragic, punctuated by the swarms of bedraggled people mourning as the officials in purple robes evacuated them. How were those rebels so stupid? They had condemned their city to utter annihilation, and only cared about discrediting the Blessed as a result. Even though overthrowing the council was wrong, it was better to have a hollow city then no home at all.


    That also brought up another, more pressing question. His attempt to shock the imposter had somehow stopped them from killing him. Yet the trial had not finished. So, did he have to go find them?


    ¡°What are you doing? Join the line!¡± a very familiar robed man yelled.


    He hesitantly followed the weeping crowd, looking out at where the battle still raged. Blurry outlines flitted in between the smoke, their struggle raining terror down below.


    That was when he noticed another face he remembered. The young woman with the veil. Except her veil was completely gone now, revealing an expression of pure horror. Tears clung to her cheeks, as the weight of guilt descended upon her.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Jude then noticed something peculiar out of the corner of his eye. It was them. The one that had killed him when he had least expected it. And they were walking towards the young woman.


    A scythe was in their hands. Another artefact, a carved flare of hollowed out wood sheathed in the faint thrum of life.


    Those in purple robes moved in, carrying their own weapons, ¡° Wh-¡±


    Three quick, consecutive swings, arched in different angles, and the officials collapsed in a clatter of metal. The people at the very back inclined their heads, and some of them screamed. The noise had a ripple effect, and soon the entire crowd had fallen into chaos.


    ¡°Uncle! Stop this madness!¡±


    ¡°Get out of my way, Evangeline. The entire system of this city needs to be purged. You have not seen what I did. This unfortunate turn of events is what we needed.¡±


    He considered stepping in. The uncle seemed completely normal, albeit psychopathic and carrying a bloody weapon. But the last thing he wanted to do was die.


    So, Jude turned and fled. Like a coward.


    And barely caught himself from falling into water.


    As he lay there, glaring down at his reflection, Jude felt frustrated. But he realised that he had been expecting this. For after all this time, he finally knew exactly what the Trial wanted of him.


    It wanted him to save the entire city, and stop the disaster.


    When he had felt sympathy for the crowd of people in shambles, his soul had responded. On top of that, he did not have to relive the day again, a sign he was on the right track. What did the spirit expect of him, a hero? All he wanted to do was kill the one that masqueraded as his step-mother, and get his newfound powers.


    Then again, after all the Blessed had done to the world, becoming some revenge-obsessed villain was not ideal.


    So, it looked like he would play the part of a hero after all.


    Jude made his way towards the alehouse, following the rough route that he had been given. It did not take long to find it, despite its unorthodox appearance. While all the other bars or shops had some sort of unique aesthetic behind their designs, Captain¡¯s Ocean Brew stood out by being the worst kept out of them all. Its sign hung haphazardly in a plank of beaten blue, weathered and fraying at the bits, attached to a pier of hollowed out stone. Some sort of mosaic had been engraved onto the front, but it was so poorly done that the waves dimpled against the walls were broken into withering flecks of paint.


    He cautiously propped open the door, and felt the warm breath of a fire envelop his senses. Inside was a quaint arrangement, complete with mostly empty tables, a smattering of individuals scattered around deep in discussion. The entire city was alien to what he was used to, but the bar was most likely the strangest of all.


    Hazen¡¯s pompous look stood out even amongst ordinary clothing. He sat in the corner, next to two others that wore long plain garbs.


    As soon as he entered however, Jude felt the entire room¡¯s attention shift in his direction. He gulped. Honestly, the fact that his clothes stood out had completely slipped his mind in his desire to get out of here. The weight of their stares were suffocating, but he did not move.


    All he had to do was walk in, say something about the attack, and then leave after convincing them. Jude steadied himself as he approached the table in the corner. Luckily, no-one tried to stop him.


    ¡°I need your help.¡± he whispered, keeping his emotions undisguised so he could look more sincere.


    The most obvious questions surfaced upon each of their looks. Jude did not meet their eyes, waiting as something grabbed him from behind.


    ¡°Why are you bothering my guests?¡±


    ¡°No, leave him.¡± a confused voice, laced with authority, commanded.


    The bartender released him, and chatter resumed, although notably more stifled. Hazen was first to speak.


    ¡°How do you know who we are, child?¡± he hissed.


    He relayed his usual message, with a soulless voice. It had been so many times that he had to repeat it, over and over again, that the words had started getting stale. Jude mentioned the plan to overthrow the Council, but did not say anything about the person he knew would rob the tower.


    The moustached man in question paled, after the same sigil briefly flickered over his forehead. Their leader had already absorbed the shock, accepting his words.


    ¡°So he¡¯s telling the truth then, Hazen.¡±


    ¡°This could all be a trick. From one of his followers. You know that he can interfere with Magik. Just because he knows a few things does not mean we should trust him!¡±


    More out-of context clues. It was all so vague and tiring, and at the moment Jude couldn''t be asked to figure out the implications. All that mattered was they believed him.


    They left the alehouse behind in a clamour. On the way, Jude explained everything he knew about the forces. Their faces grew far grimmer as a result. As none of them held a presence comparable to the one hunting him, he could only assume none of them were Paragons.


    ¡°Hazen, go sound the bells.¡±


    Jude knew that they would not let him go, after all he had said, so he asked to go with Hazen. After a moment of indecision, they gave in, and Jude followed him in a spur that led him right to the tower that had awed him so much the first time he had seen it. The Nascent shouted upwards, and the man standing by quickly rang the bells with all his might. Watching the brass chime reverberate, Jude sat next to the gates.


    ¡°Please leave, sir. I need to figure out what I need to do know that I¡¯ve betrayed my comrades.¡±


    Surprisingly, there seemed to be some sort of kindness within Hazen.


    ¡°Listen, you should head towards the temple. We¡¯ll reward you for this. You clearly have Ashuan¡¯s blessing on you. With her support, I am sure you can find yourself on the path to divinity.¡±


    He did not stay for long.


    I hope you¡¯re happy with this.


    More Honoured dashed towards the walls, as he waited. The evacuation had already begun, as he could see the threads of people trudge away along the sides.


    A veiled man stepped out into the open, closely followed by a portly looking fellow.


    ¡°How nice it is for the brothers to finally show up?¡± he shouted.


    He did not care anymore, bringing his dagger to his side. Neither of them could fight him, at least not without retrieving the scythe that was inside. It was time to be free of this hell. The large man appeared genuinely terrified, watching him like some sort of ethereal terror, but the veiled man did not stop his movements. Jude charged.


    Then a bony finger protruded from the cloth, and his shadow rose out of the ground, manifesting itself before him.


    ¡°When could you-¡±


    Azrien let out a strangled cry, his question cut off. Killed your own brother too, then. Jude cut through the shadow in a neat arc, and just as expected, it passed through it entirely, before a very sold tendril morphed into a pincer that plunged into his ribs. Blinded, he fell back, while at the same time shards of crystal narrowly missed his head.


    Instead, it struck the shadow.


    His other enemy came out from the side, vicious smile still over her lips. It was so blatantly false. From the way she held herself, to subtle differences in posture. Not even the spirit would put something so out of place.


    ¡°What is this? Neither of you are supposed to be here! He cannot have lied. My shadow, protect me!¡±


    But the shadow vanished. Jude lunged, and with a frenzied three cuts, Eva¡¯s uncle fell apart. Every time he had taken a life, usually guilt would come with it. A small pinch, reminding him that he wasn¡¯t crazy. This time, there was nothing but satisfaction.


    And a prayer.


    Please let this be the end.


    He faced the apparition of Cyra, and felt nothing. Jude could not even muster a single spark of fury, all of it drowned by the overwhelming pressure of resignation. Her Presence had no effect, the disgust festering behind the glass shield of her vision was all conjured, and the threat of death was irrelevant.


    So she dropped the mask. It peeled off, revealing¡­ What was that thing?


    Pale yellow crusted against rivulets of magma-coloured cracks, over a smoky texture of skin. There was no hair upon her oval scalp, merely a hardened shell that jutted out in withered horns. She- no, it had the shape of a human, still maintaining eyes, ears, and even a flat nose, but Jude would have mistaken it for a Spawn if it weren¡¯t for the fact that it could speak.


    ¡°Interesting. You are just like they said. A threat capable of preparing them for our arrival. Unfazed even by your worst nightmare, who herself is a rank far above anything in this city. If you had disappointed me, I would have ended your life, but you have superseded my expectations. I suppose for now, I have no reason to intervene.¡±


    Then she became fully smoke.


    Jude had went in to the Trial expecting to find answers, a glimpse into the past that not even scholars would be able to see. He had seen plenty of wonders, learned so many small details, yet the hunger for knowledge had left with failure after failure.


    Now once again, he had no explanation for what had taken place. All that crossed his mind was that the Trial had not finished yet.


    Until finally, Jude found himself floating in a white void.

 Chapter 7: Mythos

    Jude could not see anything, or rather what he could see were concepts that his mind could not comprehend, so all it could do was distil his surroundings into a simple pallid colour. There was nothing for him to stand on, yet he felt ground blurring underneath him. He was sure there was no air, but he could still breathe. It was a world that seemed fundamentally different to his own. A realm in which he did not belong.


    But even though he could not see, a power deep inside of him could sense he was not alone. Two Presences, so enormous that once again he failed to understand, were near.


    ¡°That was the ending I wished Derhor received. We were known for being the wise, aloof city that remained separate from the very territory that we belonged in. A shining beacon of hope, only to fall at the hands of our own greed. Watching my uncle, tainted as he was, cut through our own people without a smidgeon of mercy in his eyes¡­ That was what set me down this path. In some small way, his act changed the world did it not?¡± the spirit¡¯s thoughts echoed directly into his own.


    ¡°You¡­ were Eva?¡± he asked hesitantly.


    That was why she had made him save her city. Not because she wanted him to become a hero, but because of her guilt. That one piece of information brought about countless other realisations. He had really gotten a glimpse into the past. They had all existed, and had mostly all died.


    ¡°What was that gods-damn challenge? You did that just so you could see some happy ending!¡± Jude growled.


    Then the second presence broke their silence, ¡°Such confidence. Even in the face of powers that are far beyond his understanding, he still has the courage to face us. And after what I just witnessed, I see why you think he would make a good fit. But you have revealed too much.¡±


    Confidence. As if. It was what happened when he lost all care of what happened to him. Evangeline, if that was her name, had broken him with a challenge unlike any of the noble Trials he had heard of.


    ¡°Power exists in many forms, Jude Ravenhelm. Despite your desire for logic, you were ruled by emotions. Even though you hold a weapon of power, you were weak. Death after death, tempered with memories of a harrowing journey, left you broken. I am not one to teach morals, but if you see a pattern, you can find one on your own. But yes, perhaps I did enjoy watching you suffer to save my city.¡±


    Before he could think anything, the second presence cut in.


    ¡°There is no time. They are holding him off. If we wish to implant it, there cannot be any lingering.¡±


    ¡°Implant what?¡±


    Was he really about to become some sort of lab rat for these beings? Without getting any explanation on all the shit that had happened? Jude did not think so. First of all, they would need to tell him what that creature at the end was, and what they were putting in him, and where he was, and¡­


    He nearly forgot about the fact that he was supposed to awaken his Talent! Where was his reward?


    Evangeline sighed, or at least that was what he heard. He didn¡¯t think a spirit could sigh.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. With this, you should find at least some of the answers you seek, if you live long enough. Try not to die until we¡¯re able to retrieve it.¡±


    Then his world shattered to pieces. Jude opened his mouth, what he thought was his mouth, but was just a raw stump of a hole that wished it could talk. He needed to scream, struggle, move, but every single muscle in his body was locked in place. But the agony burrowed deeper than flesh, gnawing all the way into his soul.


    I am nothing. I am..


    His very identity was being reshaped, and remoulded. In those moments, Jude did not not know who he was. He was just a piece of meat enclosed around a torment that seemed to stretch on for infinity. Yet he could still think, every thought like a splinter widening the cracks of who he was, actively crushing the remnants of memory within him.


    Until his thoughts were all replaced with one word. A singular thing was forcefully shoved into the fraying ashes of his soul, churning infinite waters. Not just the realm, but every realm. He saw into everything, as the brightness threatened to burn him into nothing.


    MYTHOS.


    Evangeline struggled to contain the reaction, focusing all her strength onto the squirming boy as the power was rewritten into every spark of his being. Her fellow fragment also assisted, keeping the chaotic storm locked onto the small time bubble they were isolated in.


    A conscience that she had forgotten rose up to question what she had done. The burden that she had placed on the boy who just wanted to live. Those who already had stories revolving around them would have an easier time encapsulating the Nexus. However, they would not last for long.


    But it was the only way to keep it hidden. Granting it to someone who could not possibly achieve much. Even with his Talent, Jude Ravenhelm had no distinct shift in the waters unlike his companions. That was why she had risked revealing so many secrets.


    ¡°Enough. He is almost here. We must stabilise it now before he realises.¡±


    ¡°What? But it¡¯s incomplete!¡±


    ¡°Remember what we agreed on, and our own sacrifice for humanity. This is needed, at least until we find the chosen.¡±


    And with that, everything returned.


    Jude felt like his entire body had been dragged through a lake of molten metal, left to melt. He groaned, or at least wished he could.


    But at the same time, a sudden pulse opened a gate within him. Unleashing a deluge that he knew was supposed to feel magnificent, but only helped ease some of his discomfort.


    One pulse. One Talent.


    As far as he knew, Talents only existed within a few people, so even having one was lucky enough. He tried to smile.


    Then he fell into the middle of battle.


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    None of them had expected the mist to vanish.


    Athanius had been leading them forward, following the footsteps of at least one of the sacrifices, while stepping over the lifeless Fiends peppering the ground like drops of excrement. He remained calm, refusing to flinch, remembering full well that any sign of weakness was beneath him. Especially since they were pathetic Fiends.


    No matter how stomach-churning their appearance might be.


    Some of Lilian¡¯s acolytes had started to get nervous. Far too inexperienced for this mission. Most of them did not have Talents designed for combat, more for scouting and a prepared ambush. The Chrysalis Sect should have given him better, considering that it was in a burgeoning period of growth. Sure, during the Fellstorm they had performed well, but he was sure that none of them had killed a human. Having useless Nascents, even in a situation where they would not have to do most of the fighting, was not the best outcome.


    It was a shame what they had done to the initiation.


    He stepped past thistles that cracked like vacant eggshells under his boots, starting to get annoyed. This was the spirit¡¯s domain. Why was it waiting to bring them in?


    ¡°Patience.¡± he received a condescending look, and snarled.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about.¡±


    Instead of responding, her face shifted, alert, ¡°They¡¯re close.¡±


    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say this earlier?¡± Athanius whispered harshly.


    Behind them, their followers froze, unsheathing their weapons and backing into a formation. They all fell silent. It was rare that Lilian¡¯s sensing ability was shrouded to such a degree, which meant that there was something unusual going on.


    That was when it happened.


    An ever-hanging remembrance that they were in a spirit¡¯s domain, brushing against the rear end of the clouds themselves, completely disappeared.


    Revealing three humans. Two stood, wreathed in the glory of their awakening. The third was on the ground, dazed.


    Mere metres in front of them, a man swathed in the finest of armour, made of interlocking plates and gears that spun with a life of its own, stood with a harsh countenance plastered over his face. Surrounding him were a posse of six, each alit with the blaze of their individual Talents.


    No words needed to be exchanged. Realising all hope was lost, Athanius charged, summoning his wings to take off into the air.


    Jude had no idea what was going on, but knew he was in the way. Still gaping for breath, and jealous of both Dharn and the girl for not going to go through whatever that hell was, he tried to roll out of the way. His body responded to his call with newfound strength, surprisingly springy as he landed by the tree. Even though the minor pains of a headache was still there, it felt amazing. Everything about him seemed better, from cords of muscle that had latched itself to his arms, to reflexes that felt faster than a bullet.


    He felt like he had become the strongest in the world.


    A feeling that was probably the most stupid thing he had ever noticed.


    For, as oxygen flooded his lungs, he realised that the only reason he had escaped was because none of them considered him a target. The arrogant man from earlier looked shaken for the first time as a thrum seemed to ripple his body, gazing at the knight paused with the blade in front of him. Jude groaned. The ¡®Peer¡¯ had his curved, white scimitar right around the girl¡¯s throat. He hadn¡¯t even got to learn her name.


    ¡°All of you stay where you are. I know how much you knights preach about the life of an innocent. One thought from me, and this¡­ little failed sacrifice will go through a very unpleasant death.¡±


    The life of an innocent, huh.


    There were Blessed out there that believed in that, nowadays? He doubted it. Remarkably, none of the other side moved. Not even the knight, who was definitely a Paragon, considering the fact that he could feel his Presence pushing against his soul. Jude spotted the scarred man on the side, being restrained by the other Sect elite.


    Again, it seemed they had forgotten him. He felt like a bystander, which was the exact thing that he refused to be anymore.


    So, he drew upon the newly Flow. A warm cocoon that felt like it was inside his stomach. The power responded to him, and he prepared himself for the incredible miracle that was about to happen. Then his heartbeat sped up.


    What¡­


    At that moment, Athanius felt an invisible force prise his grip. His entire form crumpled, and catapulted into a branch with such force that the entire line of trees behind him were left flattened . An echo reverberated from his fingertips in vengeful fury, but it barely shifted the armour in his path. Feid strode forward, while chaos erupted behind him.


    ¡°Good job, Talia.¡± his voice scraped the air like a whetstone dragged along an uneven blade, coarse and grating, dashing his hopes.


    You¡¯re telling me that all it did was speed up my heartbeat.


    There was no time to lament, because two of the younger sect members had finally noticed him, approaching with raised hands. He contemplated rushing deeper, but had the irrational desire to stand at fight. Either he would die, or his Talent would bloom its true colours.


    The first unravelled a chain tied to her arm and flung it towards him. Embracing the warm thrill of the Flow, Jude grabbed at it, and felt his skin burn. But from the surprised reaction, it was supposed to do something else. As the warm pool spilled into every fibre of his body, Jude pulled on the metal and the sun-glazed steel suddenly shuddered. The silver stain was overcome with the crimson sheen of blood. And with a sharp thrust, it battered into the second cultist, whose face contorted into surprise. Before he melted like a wax statue. Jude felt another throb on the side of his arm, which had brought about a patch of flaking white, numb as if drained from blood.


    He was moving purely out of instinct, figuring out his abilities while fighting a battle sure to lose. Blood-based. Temporary invulnerability? Jude was not stupid enough to think he stood a chance. Both were definitely caught off guard by his reckless offense, but even the one that he had struck with the chain looked relatively unharmed.


    And he was right. Sensing the return of the second cultist, he was far too slow to intercept a neat carve through the head.


    Then, the noise of ringing metal rang like music to his ears. He found himself out of breath.


    Standing before him, lips pursed in a deathly confidence, was one of the most beautiful young women that he had ever seen. Not like his step-mother, who was simply inhumanly attractive, or the other girl, with her childlike innocence, but a mottled aesthetic carved with resplendent Flow. On the very tether of what was human, sculpted with scarlet curls that whipped against the side of her cheek. She was the Talia that the Paragon was talking about, he was sure of it. A Nascent casually overpowering a Peer, or perhaps even higher. It was quite possible, considering the wide variety of Talents, but the arrogant young man probably held something to have that attitude.


    If Jude had been a person to fall in love with someone because of their appearance, then this might have been love at first sight. Instead, he turned his eyes away, feeling as if they were burnt. Ingrained forcefully into his soul, he could tell the Mythos had responded in some small way. Whatever that meant, it was not good.


    The first cultist had taken the brief time to withdraw the chains back onto a latch around her arm, before beginning her own onslaught. Soil rumbled underneath, burning away, bringing up a cloud that obscured a dash. He was barely able to keep up with the successive hurricane that trickled through attempts to block, a frenzy that broke apart whatever haze he had left. So, Jude tackled her. Sharp fists struck his spine, that would soon snap it in half, yet in the time he had, Jude churned the Flow-blessed blood within him into a rupture that pulsated all the way into her soul.


    Into her Fount, though he did not know it. Face fallen slack, she collapsed onto the fallen leaves with a satisfying thump.


    ¡°Useful.¡± a murmur sounded from the young woman that had effortlessly slaughtered her foe.


    He didn¡¯t know what to say. The statement had been whispered so quietly that Jude wasn¡¯t sure he was supposed to hear it. She had already left before he could utter another word.


    Jude turned as if to follow her, taking in the rest of the battle. It was almost at a close. The force from the Sect, while stronger than he¡¯d expected stood no chance whatsoever. The devastation seemed to range across spans of the forest, a frothing mix of the elements, the remains of the trees, and the world itself trying to contain the clash borne from the Flow.


    Then the scarred man ran out of the chaos, and vanished. He flinched, not even questioning it. Teleportation as a Talent was not unheard of. If only he could escape from here. Jude did not dare interfere with any of these fights.


    Until everything around him began to crumble.


    Intermingling the space above them, the Astral Realm kneeled before the titanic deities. Two fragments, against one whole.


    A whole forged an eternity before fate of the other two had ever been conceived, birthed from a seed of their one true terror. Needless to say, Evangeline would have stood no chance if it had not been a mere husk of its former self.


    The various arrangements of the future wrinkled across her boundless sight. Grasping a corporeal form, she twisted the shadow¡¯s null effect and watched her influence dribble into its own.


    Battles upon this plane, especially without a mortal body, were unlike anything the world had seen. Her fellow fragment merged with the Flow of the waters, pushing back against the shadow¡¯s origin. It felt like they were winning, even though she knew that everything served its goal.


    A very human frustration came over her, as it escaped her grip, vanishing away like a melting phantom while commanding the Corruption to slice away at her Fount. Her soul fell apart into splinters, trying to find an outcome that she could take advantage of. But in the torrent that had formed from their clash, the future was but a faint idea swallowed by its hungry maw.


    Where¡­


    ¡°Return to your master, vile thing! We do not possess what you seek.¡±


    As far as she knew, the seal still held. But somehow, his Presence was a typhoon amongst their ripples, leaking through the tight-knit strength of their sacrifice. It should have been a call to arms that all of her fellow fragments responded to. Yet, consumed by politics, even though they all knew what was going on, none moved to assist them.


    She felt the expected disturbance through the small piece she had left to watch over the mortals¡¯ skirmish, and couldn¡¯t help but feel grimly satisfied. The power-hungry state of the world would be left in an upheaval after this.


    As a Calamity was about to awaken from its eons-long slumber.